Control

Shield of Protection

*WARNING* This chapter contains somewhat graphic depictions of blood.

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You screamed as you slammed into Sakon, the two of you flying over the nearby cliff. Sakon gripped your arm and pulled you toward him as the two of you fell. Instinctively you fought back, your limbs becoming entangled with his in a vicious battle for dominance as you fell. You punched and shoved while Sakon kicked and yanked you around until the two of you were stuck in a wild spiral as you plummeted to the ground.

You focused your chakra around your body as you fought against Sakon. You planned on using Sakon and your chakra to cushion your fall...you hoped it would at least keep you alive; however, that all depended on regaining control over Sakon. As of right now, you were still airborne---your back to the ground and Sakon looming over you. You desperately fought against the older male; your fists tightly gripping his clothes as you used your body weight to shift your position so he was now below you.

As you did so, you felt the sudden impact of the ground followed by water swallowing both you and Sakon. Your body reverberated from the shock of the impact-- a painful ache spreading through your body and lungs as water began to fill them. You had been unprepared for this. You didn't know there had been water at the bottom of the canyon you had fallen into. 

The water was deep too--its black murkiness overtaking your senses as you tried to swim for what you hoped was its surface. It was no use though. You couldn't get far. Water had filled your lungs, its familiar burn overtaking you as your movements began to slow. Fear began to prickle down your spine; the frantic beating of your heart echoing in your ears. 

Thump.

You were terrified. 

Thump.

Was this it?

Thump.

Were you going to die?

Thump.

Your vision began to fade...

Thump.

A hand clamped around your wrist...its faint outline peaking through the dark spots in your vision as you were suddenly yanked forward. Water rushed past your face until your head broke through its surface followed by the rest of your body as you were pulled from the water. 

You heard a familiar voice, but your coughing quickly muffled it as you kneeled over onto the ground. With each cough, a hand patted your back, its rhythmic touch guiding your lungs as you expelled the water from them. At last, you let out one final cough—the water finally free of your aching lungs.

That wasn't the end of your ordeal though. The burn in your lungs and throat was still ever prominent-- a continual reminder of your near-death experience but you didn't care. You were alive and that's all that mattered right now. 

Your vision soon became obscured by familiar brown eyes and tanned skin as Kiba's face came into view. His hands gently gripped your shoulders, and his body subtly shook with each heavy breath he exhaled. His eyes were wide, and his lips were pulled into a thin line as he looked you over. 

"You okay?"

You slowly nodded. You didn't trust your voice, your throat felt scratchy and raw from screaming let alone almost drowning. Kiba's shoulders relaxed at your response, the fear in his eyes quickly transitioning to relief as he pulled you into his arms. The hug was over as soon as it began though--Akamaru's growl quickly alerting Kiba to Sakon's presence.

Kiba quickly stood to his feet, his body shielding you from Sakon's gaze as he stood protectively in front of you. Akamaru stood at his side, his hackles raised as he growled at the enemy before them.