Growing Pains

Chapter 38

Something rustled in the bushes, causing Araile's eyes to slowly open. Kakashi was on his feet, hand poised in his weapon pouch. More rustling sounded and Shinrai raised his head, eyes snapping open as he wrapped an arm protectively around her. Araile slowly opened her eyes as two dark shapes flew from the bushes. She opened her eyes all the way as Shinrai tensed, his arm tightening around her shoulder.

Araile's eyes opened wide when the two figures came into the firelight. Her best friend stood there with her brother, eyes boring into her own. The siblings had grown, but something was wrong.

"Meiyo? What are you doing here? Are you okay?" Araile asked as she jumped to her feet.

She didn't think she would ever see her best friend again! A big smile spread across her lips as she threw her arms around the girl.

"Araile, don't touch them!" Shinrai shouted as he jumped to his feet.

She turned around to look at him, and made a choked sound when Meiyo's clawed hand grabbed her throat. The black eyes of Meiyo stared directly into Araile's golden eyes as she tightened her hold. Clangs of metal against metal could be heard as Taiyo came at Kakashi with a sword attached to his waist. Shinrai ran at Meiyo with a shout as Araile struggled against Meiyo's grip. Meiyo dropped Araile and jumped swiftly back as Shinrai's fist came down, barely missing her.

Araile coughed and scrambled to her feet. Shinrai tensed, intending on charging again but Araile placed an arm out, stopping Shinrai in his tracts. Shinrai looked at Araile in confusion as she stared at Meiyo.

"Don't. This is my fight. Go help Kakashi," she said, tail twitching.

"Araile-"

"Go," she said, gold eyes hard.

Shinrai nodded and ran over to help fight Taiyo as she watched her best friend just standing there. She tensed, placing one foot behind her as Meiyo raised her arm with her palm flat out. A sigh forced itself out of the teen as she relaxed her stance.

"Meiyo, I can't fight you. You're my best friend. I can't do this," she said, taking a careful step forward.

Meiyo's black eyes stared at the teen as she continued walking forward, hands flat out. This was Meiyo! The girl she trained with and told secrets to. She couldn't fight Meiyo. Araile continued walking forward until she was practically nose-to-nose with the other girl.

Araile let out a surprised yelp as Meiyo slammed her palm into Araile's chest. She flew back and hit something hard but soft at the same time. She glanced up with a confused look, but it changed to joy when she saw the gold eyes of her brother. He gazed down at her in concern, but his eyes snapped up to Meiyo as she took an offensive stance. Araile stood up, brushing her brother's hands off her shoulders.

"I'll be okay, Kane," she murmured, never taking her eyes off of Meiyo.

Her legs tensed as Meiyo charged, fists raised. Araile met her halfway, and the two girls began fighting. Fists clashed against fists, feet against feet. It felt like they were fighting in slow motion, and with each hit Araile's heart grew heavy. She didn't want to fight Meiyo, it didn't feel right.

Her eyes snapped towards the sound to see a kunai knife thrown in their direction. Araile jumped back, and the kunai landed with a 'thunk' into Meiyo's chest. Araile let out a cry as she watched her best friend fall to the ground, blood welling from her wound. She raced to Meiyo's side and fell to her knees, hands shaking as she watched more blood flowing.

"I-I'm sorry Araile! I thought Meiyo would dodge the kunai!" Shinrai said as he came to her side, panic in his eyes.

A weak cough sounded and both teens looked at Meiyo, her red eyes opening halfway. Meiyo struggled to open her eyes more, and Araile grasped her hand tightly in hers. Red hazy eyes met her golden ones, and a small gasp came from the dying teen.

"A-Araile? Is it you? Is it really you?" Meiyo said with a quivering voice.

Araile nodded, unable to speak due to tears that grabbed a hold of her. She blinked, and hot tears pricked the back of her eyes and overflowed, dripping down her cheeks. Tears dropped onto Meiyo's face as the dying teen struggled through blood-filled lungs.

"I'm sorry for attacking you. Something happened t-to Taiyo and I. Seishin and K-Kazoku changed and-and changed me and Taiyo," Meiyo said as blood gurgled out of her mouth and trickled down her chin.

"It's okay, Meiyo. I don't blame you at all!" Araile said, tears streaming down her face.

Meiyo struggled to smile, her red eyes staring at Araile. Her eyes then turned glassy, and she coughed again. Meiyo's eyes closed, and a smile lifted the corners of her lips.

"Thank you, Araile. It doesn't hurt anymore," she whispered, and her entire body relaxed.

"Meiyo?! Please don't go!" Araile cried out, holding onto her friends hand.

A hand on her shoulder caused her to look up through teary eyes. Her old caregiver looked at her with sorrow, and Araile looked down again. Meiyo's body was beginning to cool down, and Shinrai bowed his head.

After an hour of burying the two siblings, the four man team finally began their journey back to Konoha. Shinrai demanded that Araile ride on his back, and after a while of him pestering, Araile finally agreed. Kane was being supported by Kakashi as they made their way through the path. As they walked, the smell of peppermint wafted off Shinrai's clothes. Araile inhaled the smell, and it made her muscles relax. She leaned her chin on his shoulder and closed her eyes, letting the rocking motion of his steps lull her to sleep.

In her mind's eye she saw Meiyo, happy and giggling like she was before the Preliminaries. Meiyo turned to look at Araile and waved with a huge smile on her face, before turning and running through a bright light.

An unconscious smile twitched across Araile's lips. She knew her best friend was free from pain now, and it made her heart feel lighter. She tightened her arms momentarily around Shinrai's neck as he hoisted her higher onto his back.

Unknown to the teens, Kane and Kakashi were watching them. Kane scowled at Shinrai's actions, and Kakashi sighed. All he wanted to do was get back to Konoha and his books. Hopefully they would reach the village soon.