Just A Kid

Chapter 33

"Lift your arm up!"

Whump!

"Palm flat!"

Smack!

"Kick!"

Slam!

"You're still slow! Your opponent would have already gone in for the kill. Do it again!"

Krack!

Breathing hard, Araile's body shook and trembled as Kane grilled her through many exercises, her muscles burning and sweat drenching her.

Day after day, she left her home at the crack of dawn and ran to one of the many training fields that dotted Konoha. Day after day, her brother trained her until the sun went down. Usually, Kakashi had found the exhausted girl curled up against a tree or asleep leaning against the side of a building. Every day, Kane would train her until her body was completely drained. What little fat Araile had on her body was long gone, and her already-small frame became thinner. Cuts and bruises decorated her arms and legs as Kane became relentless in his many teaching methods. Araile wondered sometimes if she should just bathe in medicinal cream, since she applied it every day after being carried home by Kakashi.

Whack!

Yelping, Araile backed off and clutched her elbow; Kane's knee just having hit it moments before. Today was a day like the other days: Araile being grilled by Kane as he sparred with her. Pain zinged up her arm, leaving little shocks that tapered off into a tingling sensation. Panting heavily, she quickly blinked the sweat out of her eyes. Strands of hair plastered to her face as she massaged her arm.

"Again. There's no room for breaks," Kane snapped as he brushed a strand of hair behind his ear.

"But Kane, my arm really hurts! I think you broke it," she huffed as she sat down on the ground, still rubbing her tingling arm.

"Get up, Araile. We are not finished here," Kane scolded as he stalked up to his sister.

The distant sound of thunder rumbled above as her brother glared down at her. A raindrop hit her knee, then another, and then another. Soon the clouds opened and the rain came down in torrents, soaking Araile and Kane in a matter of minutes.

Sighing loudly, Kane turned away.

"Fine. We're done here for the day," he grounded out as he stalked away in the direction of the village.

Grinding her teeth, Araile pushed herself up. The wind picked up, flinging the rain into her eyes. Blinking hard, Araile took one tentative step, and then another as her muscles screamed at her, begging her to not make them work anymore. She clutched her arms together, holding them to her body to keep warm as a cough forced itself out.

Her entire body quivered as she continued to take little steps towards the apartment; her breath coming out in shallow little pants. The wind picked up again, sending ice-cold fingers running up and down her spine.

Strangely, the world began to sway back and forth as she continued her mission home.

'That's weird...why is everything swaying?' Araile thought, blinking.

Another cough forced its way out, and Araile held a hand to her head. A steady throbbing began, and her vision began to get fuzzy. She blinked, trying to clear her vision as she put a hand out against a tree to steady herself, but her hand never made contact.

Darkness swallowed the girl up as her body pitched forward. Exhaustion, sickness and pain had won this round.

Warmth in the shape of two arms caught Araile's exhaustion-ridden body before her face made contact with the ground. Something heavy was draped over Araile's shoulders as the warm arms slid around her knees and shoulders, gently lifting her up. The wind blew stronger, causing the sick girl to shiver.

Opening her eyes slightly, she feverishly looked up to the person who was responsible for carrying and keeping her warm.

As usual, Kakashi had been watching out for Araile.

Closing her eyes, a small smile crept over her face as she snuggled closer into Kakashi's vest as he carried the sick girl the rest of the way home. He had placed his vest over Araile to keep her warm as he traveled to the apartment. His visible eye narrowed as he felt her shaking as a sickness took hold of her frail body. Her body temperature had already begun to rise, and the Jonin could feel it through his gloves. Opening the door, Kakashi glanced down at her small, shivering form. An angry sigh escaped him as he noticed that she had acquired yet another bruise.

"Another one to add to the collection," he chuckled dryly.

Takumi whined as he padded up to Kakashi, nosing Araile's limp foot.

"I know," Kakashi muttered as he brought Araile to her room, and after pulling an oversized shirt over her head, tucked her into her bed.

Pulling the covers up to her chin, he gently brushed a few wet strands of hair away from Araile's face.

Takumi jumped up onto her bed and snuggled against her, his head resting against her shoulder.

"Keep her warm," Kakashi said softly as he closed the bedroom door behind him.

Takumi gave a soft bark as snuggled closer to Araile as the sounds of her painful shallow breathing reached his ears. Something inside the demon knew that the cold rain and wind had already done its damage to her already exhausted system.

Takumi whined as thunder boomed outside. He hated seeing his companion in this state. After Araile had rescued him, Takumi felt a deep connection that only two close friends would share. He wanted her to be well again so they could have fun again.

Takumi knew his dear friend's kin was responsible for putting her like this. She loved the man dearly; Takumi knew that for sure, but he didn't understand why. Putting her in such pain again and again? For what?

Grumbling low in his throat, Takumi shifted so that he was also underneath the blankets. A dog has to get a little warmth too!

The man that Araile looked up to: Kakashi. Takumi knew he was a good man, and cared for her deeply. When she and her kin left for the day, Takumi could smell concern radiating off of Kakashi.

Gazing at her form, Takumi whined again. He wanted her to wake up. Sighing softly, Takumi laid his head down on his paws and drifted to sleep as the rain pelted against the window.