I'll Show You Insanity

Chapter 20

"Er... Yuma-chan," Sakura said timidly as Kakashi tied the only living enemy to a tree.

"Hm? What is it, Sakura?" Yuma asked softly, no longer crying as she cleaned blood from her kunai.

Sakura saw the blood streaking and spotting the other girl's face and felt slightly sick, knowing this girl had just killed and felt no remorse whatsoever, but she pushed the morbid thought away and dug her nails into her palm to keep from trembling.

"Thank you... For saving me..." She whispered. "I'm sorry I've been so cold. Now I know you aren't going to kill me, I know you're not like that, you wouldn't kill your comrades. I'm sorry I thought of you like that... I really am..."

Yuma regarded the girl before her and stood from her Indian style seated position. Naruto and Sasuke watched.

Suddenly, the blonde boy stepped forward. "Thanks, Yuma-chan, for saving me too!" He said quickly, shouting it at her. "And I'm sorry for being rude too, believe it!"

Yuma looked at him a moment, then Sakura, then she beamed at them. "Hey, you guys don't have to thank me or apologize! I said I'd protect you all, and I meant it, no matter what!" She ended with a wink and thumbs up.

Sakura steeled herself, then stepped forward and hugged Yuma as tightly as she could, ignoring the blood, not thinking of why it was there, just thinking that if it weren't for Yuma, she might not be alive to give any thanks.

Yuma was shocked as the thin arms wrapped around her and held tight. She didn't know how to respond, she'd never had to deal with this much affection before. Then, Naruto joined the hug with just as much enthusiasm, and Sakura didn't even pull away. Yuma was beginning to feel edgy and overwhelmed as she twitched slightly.

Sasuke caught the movement and grabbed Yuma's shoulder, pulling her safely back out of the embraces.

Naruto and Sakura looked up quickly and saw Yuma trembling, clenching and unclenching her fists.

"Sorry..." She said roughly, moving one hand to her arm and clawing at it, drawing blood. "I... Don't know how to deal with that... It's never... I don't... I'm sorry..." She ground out, a shadow falling down over her eyes. "I just..."

Kakashi and Tazuna watched quietly as the three children stared at Yuma, who had a bit of blood dripping from her arm where her nails were raking.

"I'm sorry," Yuma repeated.

"It's okay Yuma-chan," Sakura said softly, smiling a bit. "We understand."

"Yeah!" Agreed Naruto. "Don't worry! Is no big deal!"

Yuma looked up and gave a small smiled. A hand took her wrist and pulled her hand from her arm. Her head snapped to Sasuke, who began to bandage the claw marks.

"Thanks," she said slowly.

"Hn," he grunted, not meeting her gaze. "We can't continue the mission if you bleed out. Keep to hurting the bad guys, not yourself."

Yuma managed a laugh. "Well, look who's being all concerned."

Sasuke scowled, pushing her away gently once he had finished with bandaging her arm. "Shut up, idiot."

Kakashi sighed, smiling slightly at his team before looking at the corpse across the road. He scratched his neck and sighed. "Now what to do about this...."