Because I Met You

Chapter 24: Suicide Mission

After about a day of travelling, we're finally here. The sun is already completely gone from the horizon. We hide in the shadows until nightfall, looking and examining everything around the house of our target. Gaara's squad is stationed in another area, where they have direct access to one of the windows. With Gaara's new jutsu, the Third Eye as he calls it, they were able to determine which of the openings is the closest to the general's location. He never even told me about this jutsu until I heard about it today for myself during our strategy meeting. Well, to be fair, we've both been pretty busy since we became genin...

"Alright, on my signal..."

Sensei's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. That's right... I don't have time to be lost in my thoughts. I need to focus on the mission.

"Let's go."

We all dash forward, following sensei's lead. We try to be as quiet as possible until we reach the entrance. We break in in a way to attract the attention of all nearby ninja. Sure enough, it wasn't hard. A bunch of bodyguards, I can count about twenty, surrounded us. I look at their faces and their hostile and cold gaze sends shivers down my spine.

"Stay with me..."

Otokaze-sensei says to us.

"A bunch of kids...?"

The bodyguards snicker.

"Were we that underestimated? Well, I'll make sure we don't make the same mistake as whoever sent you."

"Yeah, we'll take you out with everything we've got. It'll be a slow and painful death for you."

My body starts trembling. I never thought it would be like this. I thought higher ranked missions would be fun. I feel anything but fun right now. I'm scared. I just want to get out of here. If I could, I would scream and run out of here as fast as I can. The only thing keeping me from doing this is the fact that I'm practically paralyzed by fear. We don't stand a chance against them!

"Alright, just follow my lead. I'll try to make an opening for us to get out here."

I hear sensei's voice in the distance. It seems so far away. Someone... Please let this nightmare end. I hear weapons fly from behind me and hit someone who screams.

"This is our chance! Let's go, team Otokaze!"

I try to turn around, but my legs give in and I trip.

"Kiu!"

I hear Koji's voice. Then a ninja who was standing a few meters away throws a kunai straight at me. I... I can't avoid this! No! I close my eyes and wait for the piercing pain. It never comes. Instead, I hear a choked scream. I open my eyes and find Koji on his knees, in front of me. The kunai that was meant for me hit him in the stomach.

"K-Koji!"

"K-Kiu... Get a hold of... yourself..."

Koji sounds like he's in a lot of pain. The same ninja who threw the kunai, throws more weapons at us. Before I could react, Otokaze-sensei blocks the attacks and strikes down the ninja. He then carries Koji.

"Kiu! Maru! Hurry up and follow me! We have to take care of Koji, or we might lose him!"

Otokaze-sensei then quickly heads for the exit, and a few enemy ninja follow him. I try to get up, but I'm still paralyzed by fear.

"Kiu!"

I hear Maru's voice calling out. He then comes to me.

"Kiu! Let's go!"

He takes my hand and pulls me up. This snaps me out of it and I finally regain the strength to try and get away. We both turn to the exit, but our way is now blocked by the ninja.

"W-What do we do now?!"

Maru looks frightened. I think I probably look the same. We have to do something... If we don't, then we're done for! The shinobi throw their poisoned weapons at us. In the heat of the moment, I make a few hand signs, and the weapons stop in their track.

"Wha...!"

Taking advantage of their momentary confusion, I throw the kunai and shuriken at them with full force. I manage to hit three of them. They don't die, however. They just merely take the weapon out of their body. It seems that they're immune to whatever poison they used for their weapons. I don't know what else to do... How am I supposed to fight them and protect Maru at the same time?! I'm barely able to keep calm here!

"Well, what an unexpected jutsu from a brat like you. I guess we just have to hit you directly."

They then charge at both me and Maru.

"We're done for!"

Maru wears a panicked expression while saying that. I'm scared! Someone...!

Right when the ninja are about to strike both of us, I see sand blocking their way and wrapping them up. Without even a second for them to protest, they're squashed and the room fills up with blood and body parts. Right when that happens, I feel an immense headache. I feel my nerves and veins showing through my skin. Something warm and liquid comes out of my nose and my eyes roll back in their sockets. This so painful! So many dead bodies...!

"Kiu...!"

Was the last thing I heard before losing consciousness. I don't even know who it is who called my name. I open my eyes and find myself in someone's arms. I look up and see Gaara. He's looking ahead, focusing on jumping from tree to tree.

"Where..."

When he hears my voice, he stops in his tracks and looks at me.

"Kiu!"

"She's awake?"

That was... Temari's voice.

"Where are we?"

The headache is completely gone. I also feel very refreshed, to be honest. Also... I feel like I know much more.

"We're on our way back to Suna. We actually just got away. But man, you scared us when you suddenly fainted. As soon as you did, Gaara picked you up and left the place at full speed."

Temari explains to me. Gaara knows... He knows what causes this. He knows that if I get away from the dead bodies, I'll instantly feel better.

"Thank you, Gaara... I was so scared..."

He looks at me with a lot of concern and kindness showing on his face.

"Oh! Where's Maru?"

"I'm right here. Man, that was crazy!"

I chuckle, glad that it all ended well. I just hope Koji is fine.