A Whole New Twist

Out of the Woods and into the Mist

A/N-I've decided to make the chapters shorter, but post them more often. What do y'all think about that?

It was midday, and a hot one at that. The sun was blazing down and the leaves of the trees overhead barely provide the shade necessary. They had begun to walk instead of jumping through the trees, Naruto didn't question why and just walked along happily playing in the river as he did so. They had reached the river early in the afternoon, much soon then they thought they would so slowing down to walk would be of no issue. Honestly Itachi was not walking so he could slow down and enjoy the view, but more so because he couldn't run anymore. If he was to go at any faster pace then was he right now he felt as if he'd faint! And he didn't want Naruto to see him like that. He didn't want anyone to see him like that. However it was inevitable, traveling with the Akasuki so much. Most of them knew of his condition, and knew what to do if something happened. But Naruto didn't. If he was to faint, if he was to choke and stop breathing, if his body started to seize, Naruto wouldn't know what to do and he would most likely die. So Itachi had no other choice then to take it easy on this trip, as much as it frustrated him.

He had taken off his cloak and tied it around his waist, his hair too was up in a tight ponytail instead of it's usual lose knot, all in an attempt to cool himself. Yet sweat still slicked his body and dripped from his chin. A wave of heat washed over him and he stumbled. He leaned against a near by rock as he slowly tried to sit down, his body feeling weak and shaky. He looked off at the blur of darkness far ahead of him.
"K~ Kitsune!"
He called trying not to let his weaknesses affect his voice. The blur stopped and shifted. Kitsune must have heard him.
"Come back, just for a moment."
His chest was becoming tight and the air around him thickened to a sickening point. The blur started to become clearer as Kitsune got closer. Soon he was at Itachi side, his face covered in worry.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Kitsune asked, kneeling down to look at his friend. His faded black hair stuck to the sides of his face and neck, his eyes fogged over with fatigue.

"No, no, I just... just need to rest for a moment."
He sounded out of breath, his chest heaving up and down.
Naruto turned and dug through his satchel until he pulled out a bottle of water.

"Here, drink some!"
He handed it to Itachi, but he simply pushed it away.

"It's your water."
He would feel guilt if he took Naruto's water. He had drank all of his hours ago.

"But I don't need it!"
Naruto urged.
"Please, drink some! I can always fill it up in the river!"
He pushed it too Itachi again, and this time he gave in. Letting down his pride he took the water and drank every last drop. The heat was scorching, the air was thick and hard to breath. It was days like this that made Itachi curse at his sickness. For most people it's the most pleasant day to go play in the pond, but for Itachi days like this were suffocating.

He gasped as he finished the bottle. Naruto quickly snatched it and headed into the flowing river, filling it to the brim before bring it back to Itachi again. He took it without complaint this time and drank his fill. There was still some left and he poured that over his head. Finally feeling some sense of refreshment he rested his head on the rock, closing his eyes in peace.  Naruto sat down beside him, looking at him strangely.

"Are you sure your okay?"
Naruto asked. Itachi only nodded.
"But you don't look okay. You look awful. Are you sick?"

"No. No, I'm fine. I just don't seem to have as much stamina as you."
He lied.

"Am I hard to keep up with?"
Naruto tilted his head.

"Only on days like these."
He chuckled, looking up at the sun as it send down its rays of heat.
"I apologize,"
He said after a moment.
"It seems we will not cover as much ground today as we did yesterday."