Empty Eyes: The Sequel

Chapter 29

"Where are you going? Get back here!"

I ignored Hidan's offended yell and ran with all my might. Large boulders and plateaus dusted the area, and I zigged and zagged around them as I ran in an attempt to keep his line of sight off of me. I could hear him in the distance, chasing me. My heart was beating so quickly in my chest that it began to overwhelm my ability to pick up any other sounds, and I squeezed my eyes shut as I continued, pushing my lungs past their limit.

"Sakura!"

A familiar voice met my ears, and I looked ahead to see none other than Madara running toward me in the far distance. Overwhelming relief washed over me, and I opened my mouth to call his name, reaching a hand forward in his direction, only for a sudden and blazing pain to erupt through my entire torso.

I stumbled forward and almost fell, but caught myself and looked down as my legs began to slow and give out. Three blades were sticking out of me. One was through my chest, near my collarbone, and the others were directly below it. Blood flooded my lungs and mouth as I staggered to a stop with wide eyes.

Madara yelled something, much closer than before, but all I could do was look down at my chest. My palms hovered a few inches away from the sharp blades as disbelief and complete agony wrecked my body into rigor. That is until the weapon was tugged back, pulling me with it, until I felt a warm chest against my back. Hidan wrapped an arm around my middle to hold me upright against him while his other hand remained on his scythe.

He taunted me, breath dusting my sweaty skin, "Careful, Baby. You'll bleed to death if I pull the blades out, and you're not fast enough."

Don't do it. Don't let the terror and rage overwhelm you. You promised Tsunade you'd never do that again.

Stay positive.

Stay positive.

Stay positive!

Blood fell quickly from my lips. I could feel it running slowly down my neck as I struggled to tear my eyes off my impaled chest. I can't move. I can't breathe. I can't- "Get away from her."

Madara's voice was angrier than I think I'd ever heard, snapping me out of my stupor so I could look at his face. Tears filled my eyes as I realized he didn't look how he sounded. No, he seems gut-wrenchingly concerned, standing there with his bright red eyes studying my tragic appearance.

"Are you sure? Alright then."

All the air in my body was sucked away as Hidan pulled his scythe out of my chest, and I fell into a trembling heap on the hot sand immediately when he released me so he could block Madara's immediate onslaught of attacks.

My hands shook as I felt my life force pouring freely from my heart, but I brought them to my chest, sobbed, and curled into a ball as I tried to imagine myself healing.

"Cut off your own head." I heard Madara's words in the distance, but the ringing muffled them in my ears. I wasn't so close to dying that I couldn't comprehend that he ordered Hidan to disable himself.

A moment later, searing pain came across my throat, and I rolled onto my knees, choking on my blood. One moment I was writhing in agony on the ground, hands clutching desperately at my injuries as I lost the ability to focus on keeping my energy stable, and the next, I was pulled upright.

"Bite me, Sakura! Now!"

One of my eyes crept open through the pain to see Madara's shoulder, and I sank my teeth into his jugular instantly. Long fingers were tangled in my hair as he held me tightly against him. After a moment, the fog in my head gradually faded, and I grabbed his opposite shoulder as I cried and continued drinking.