Decaying Bluebells

Arc XVI - Reunion

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

Warning: Angst. Language. USUAL. Fluff.

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Interlude - Omniscient - 17

Lee leapt off from the roof of a building, landing precisely in front of his rival. A shine took to his eyes and he gave a thumbs-up in greeting. "Yosh! It is time, my rival, to continue our competition."

Nao lowered her book on fūinjutsu for a brief moment. Her hair fell over her face, concealing her wounded eye. She was on her way to the academy to assist in teaching - one of the standard Chūnin missions all fresh Chūnin had to partake in at some point - and as such, was in her uniform.

"What?" Nao asked, tilting her head. "I'm sorry, Lee, I wasn't paying attention. Could you repeat that?"

Lee fell forward for a moment. "Ah! That cool attitude of yours...! Never mind that, my youthful attitude will outmatch yours. I challenge you!"

Nao blushed faintly, looking a little nervous at all the looks the two were given. "Ah... okay. What shall it be?"

A blaze lit up in Lee's eyes. "I challenge you to..."

.

. .

. . .

"What's going on?" I whispered, as Yagura's clone began to make rapid handseals. He did not immediately respond, but slammed both of his hands on the ground. Sakura looked up, startled, when rocks erupted and surround us.

"Things are getting more intense," the clone said. "When Itachi is stable enough, I'm to escort all of you out of the village."

Sakura bit her bottom lip. "It will take a while. I... There's a lot of damage, I don't know how much I can fix with the limited supplies."

"What do you need?" I asked quickly, my heart leaping to my throat. Did that mean Itachi could still die? Was she saying she might not be able to save him, after all he's gone through?

"More chakra for one thing," Sakura said grimly.

"T-Take mine," I said, thrusting my hands out to her. Another shudder ran through me, reminding me that the adrenaline had yet to leave my system. Sakura stared at my hands for a couple of seconds, before she carefully raised one of her own hands and gripped my right hand.

"Do you understand the risks?" Sakura inquired.

Nodding my head, I said, "I know. Withdrawing chakra can also cause chakra exhaustion for the volunteer. I trust you not to take too much, and I trust myself to know when to stop. I know the other risks, as well, and I'm fine with them."

Sakura squeezed my hand. "Alright."

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"It's over."

Slowly, tiredly, I dragged my eyes to Yagura. When he had put up the rock walls, he had subsequently sealed off our sight of Naruto, Pein and the real Yagura. We only heard and felt the battle. With each explosion and each painful silence, I always squirmed and squeezed Yagura's hand tighter and tighter. Sakura had finished taking my chakra a while ago, citing that it would be enough for now, leaving me feeling helpless to do anything.