Hatake

40

I pour some water from my canteen into my hand.

I try to splash some of the grime off.

It's been a few days. Nothing has happened. Just a normal mission.

"Hey let's find some twigs for a fire." Tiger says behind me.

I nod and follow him. I pick up a few dry sticks and some dry leaves.

"Can't you just use fire jutsu to make a fire?" I ask.

"It's more than that. We want it to burn slowly." Tiger says.

He turns and looks at my stack of twigs.

"Looks like this'll do." He says and returns to the others.

Jin is still bandaging Cala's knee.

I look at the pile of blood soaked bandages behind his foot, out of her sight.

I set the sticks down and let Tiger arrange them.

He brings a small bundle of leaves up to his face and blows lightly on them. They glow red. He then sets it under the sticks and they start to ignite.

Cala yelps when she tries to stand on her knee.

"Fuck." Jin says.

I frown.

"Can't you do medical ninjutsu on it?" I ask Jin.

"We're supposed to keep our chakra expenditure low. It keeps sensory ninja from detecting us as easily." He says.

Cala cringes as she leans on her pack.

"It's fine." She says.

I turn and look at Tiger. With his mask on I can only see his dark eyes.

The red glow reflects on them and he looks quite intimidating.

Jin fumbles in his bag and tucks the pile of bloody bandages in his bag.

"Group A do you copy?" He says into the small radio.

"Go ahead Group B." The radio chatters.

"I have an injured knee on my team. How should I proceed?" He asks.

"Proceed as scheduled." The radio says with no sympathy.

Even with her mask on Cala seems shocked by that reaction.

"Affirmative. Proceeding as scheduled. Over." He says and tucks it back into his pocket.

"I'll keep first watch." I suggest.

"Alright." Jin says and lays flat on his back.

I reach out and touch Tiger's arm.

He stops starring at the fire and looks to me.

"I'm first watch." I say.

He nods and lays down next to my outstretched legs.

Cala is still breathing hard.

I open a small vial in my bag and remove a thin leaf.

"Here. It'll make it easier." I say waving the leaf in front of her.

"What does it do?" She asks.

"Just chew on it." I say.

"Can I swallow it?" She asks after I see her swallow.

"Yes." I reply.

Quickly I hear her light snores.

Tiger sleeps for only around two hours before waking back up.