War Torn {A Naturo Fanfic}

Page 15

Okay Etsuko, you can do this. They're all pulling so you're not going to fall yet. You're strong. You can compete with them. You just have to focus.

I took one more deep breath and brushed my fingers along the underside of the chains. Chakra was flowing through them and it wasn't mine. It was coming from the other members, but I couldn't identify any of them; not even Hidan.

Suddenly something felt wrong. The chakra flowing through one of the chains behind me popped and crackled under my skin. It wasn't right. I curled my fingers around the chain and pulled with more strength than I knew I had in me. The chain flew out of the persons grasp and struck someone in front of me.

Alright, one down. That was easy enough and you've still got your balance. Just concentrate.

My hand twitched as it came in contact with another chain on my right. My hand then stiffened a bit as if it were dead. I was suddenly very angry. No damn chakra was going to make me feel like any part of me was dead. How dare everyone take part in this! Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, and Tobi; how could they?

I grabbed the chain with both hands and pulled it, swinging it through half the circle, feeling it connect and hearing grunts of pain as it did. I kept going; paying close attention to what felt bad and worse. None of them felt particularly good. By the time I had five left it wasn't nearly as easy to keep my balance. People started yanking on the chains throwing me in different directions

A pull came from behind me. I leaned back, grasping the chain with both hands. A cocky energy flowed through the chain and pissed me off. "Happy you're not stuck with me?" I growled. "Well, I'm not letting you off so easily." I gripped the chain tighter and forced their hands to bind to it. They gasped and I realized they were female, making me even happier.

I pulled forward, throwing everything I had into slamming them into the ground. There was one person in front of me, one to the left, and two behind me at angles. I forced myself to the right and took a step away from them. I took the closest one that had been behind me and pulled it free. It got harder to balance.

I'm losing it! No, no I'm not! I've made it this far and I'm sure as hell not turning back now.

I grabbed the one that had been in front of me. It wasn't serious enough. Something about it was irritating. I pulled it violently free and stumbled back. I turned back around, facing the person who had been to the left of me. Neither of the chakra's felt wrong. I couldn't tell which was better or worse than the other. I whimpered as they pulled me forward several steps.

I can't do this. I can't tell them apart. I can't just guess, but what else am I supposed to do? They're going to pull me onto my face. I'll die if I don't make a decision in the next few seconds.

I gripped both chains tighter and stumbled two more steps. Both chakras were so enduring. They were strong and never seemed to end. The one in front of me was more calculated and the one to my left was more willing.

A tear slipped down my cheek. I was going to die. I was going to pick incorrectly or die.

I forced my spine straight and let go of both chains, letting my arms fall limp. In a subconscious state I grabbed the chain to my left and pulled it free, stumbling over a rock and falling...falling...not falling.

A hand caught my side instantly and a man was holding me from behind before another tear could leave my eye. Not caring even slightly who it was I curled my fingers around their wrist and the other hand held onto theirs as if it were saving me again. I shook uncontrollably and couldn't support an ounce of my weight. I just wanted the thing around my neck off.

Someone walked up to us and took my chin to steady my face. Something scraped across my headband and then it was pushed up onto my forehead again. I stared at a man with many piercings, orange hair, and strange eyes.

"Welcome to the Akatsuki." He said darkly and then was gone.