bubblegum princess

chapter forty three

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜
the end of the beginning:
SAFE & SOUND ! 
❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

━━･ ✶ ･━━

HACHIYA LEAPED down into the cave, his heart pounding as he searched the rubble for any sign of Seiren. The walls were crumbling, fragments falling into the murky water below. His eyes frantically scanned the mist-shrouded scene until a faint gasp broke through the silence, pulling his attention. His heart clenched as he shouted, "Seiren!"

Through the dissipating smoke and haze, he finally saw her, footsteps rippling through the shallow water as she stumbled forward. Her Sharingan was gone, replaced by her weary, emerald eyes, softened with relief but dulled with exhaustion. Her porcelain skin was streaked with blood at the corners of her eyes, staining her face with reminders of the intense battle. Hachiya felt a pang of worry. "Seiren..." he breathed, taking a step toward her.

She stopped, meeting his gaze from a short distance. "Ohayo, Hachi-kun," she murmured, her voice thin but warm with a fragile hint of familiarity. She tried to hold herself upright, but her legs trembled, and the last bit of strength gave way as she collapsed into the water.

In an instant, Hachiya was by her side, hoisting her onto his back. "Hang in there! Boruto and your sister— they stopped Shizuma! And the Mizukage helped!" he said, the excitement in his voice trying to mask the concern he felt as her weight slumped heavier against him.

Seiren gave him a weak, fading smile, her eyelids growing heavier with each second. "I... I'm tired," she whispered, barely holding onto her consciousness.

"W-what?! No, no, stay with me! Hold on, Seiren!" Hachiya's voice shook with panic as he quickened his pace, feeling her breath slow against his shoulder. His grip tightened, refusing to let her go. "We're almost there, just... just stay awake. Please."

Sarada threw her arms around Mitsuki and Boruto, letting out a relieved breath. "Finally," she murmured, before collapsing beside Boruto, her legs giving out. "Dammit, I can't feel my legs." The tingling in her limbs shot back to life, and suddenly, she remembered. Her eyes widened as a surge of panic overtook her, and she gasped, the sound so loud it startled Boruto and even the Mizukage, Chojuro.

"Seiren!" she shouted, heart racing with dread.

Boruto immediately tried to stand, the urgency in Sarada's voice reigniting his own worry. But as soon as he put weight on his legs, a wave of exhaustion and pain crashed over him, pulling him back down. He groaned loudly, gripping his knee. "Ow, ow! Man, that hurts..." he muttered, wincing.

Kagura, who was standing nearby, visibly tensed at the mention of Seiren. His face twisted with guilt, his fists clenched tightly by his sides. "Seiren..." he whispered, the weight of his choices settling heavily over him.

Boruto shot him a hard look, his voice laced with frustration. "You're still on my list, Kagura. You dragged her into this mess."

Kagura flinched, visibly wounded by the accusation, and glanced away, the regret clear in his eyes. Sarada sighed, exhausted yet silently sharing Boruto's anger and worry. Iwabe wasn't any better who scoffed bitterly.

"Boruto!" Hachiya's voice rang through the mist as he emerged, carrying Seiren's limp form on his back.

At the sight of her, Boruto felt an immense wave of relief wash over him. "Sei!" he shouted, his face lighting up with hope.

Sarada immediately beckoned Hachiya over, motioning for him to bring Seiren to her. He carefully knelt, easing Seiren down from his shoulders and laying her gently by Sarada's side. Sarada's hands trembled as she cupped her sister's face, softly patting her cheeks. "Seiren, please... wake up," she murmured, her voice breaking with worry.