Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 55! An Act of Desperation!

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Blinding fury. All I could feel was the fire burning in my lower belly as I glared up at Aoi. My vision was so distorted. Every line, every natural hue shifted unnaturally as I started pulling Sakura and Sasuke up. It was as if they weighed nothing. I cast a glance down at Sakura, and as her green eyes met mine, a waver of fear flashed over her face. Then, another wave of electricity burned through my body. I screamed out in agony and Sakura's palm slipped from mine. I didn't waste time seeing if she managed to save herself and Sasuke. I turned my gaze back up on Aoi and clasped at the blade flying down at me. My skin prickled as it shocked me again. I shoved him back, and stood up on my pulsing legs. "Hate to break it to ya, but your poison won't work on us!" I snap, unconscious to the growl rumbling in my chest. Aoi just scoffed.

"Go on, laugh!" Naruto snapped from behind Aoi. "You're gonna pay for what you did to my friends!"

"Take it easy," Aoi teased. "I wouldn't want you feeling left out. You'll join them soon enough."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, if I were you!" Naruto retorted.

My eyes cast down at the blade protruding from it's handle, and I spotted a small crack on the edge. I needed to get around him, and get to Naruto. I had no jutsu to use against the weakened surface, but Naruto sure did. That crack was our in to shatter it.

Naruto shook his head wildly. "That doesn't matter now! Sakura and Sasuke need me to help them!"

"Naruto," I started as I breathed out. "As much as I want to wipe the floor with him, I'll leave this to you. I'll help those two," I explain softly. My blood stopped boiling enough to think rationally. That's good.

"Still wanna play hero, huh? Forget about it. They were dead once they hit bottom." Aoi scoffed.

"Zip it! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted as I took the opportunity to leap over the edge. I channeled the chakra into my hand and slid down the wall.

A small pink dot fluttered at the bottom of the ravine. "Sakura!" I called out as I let go of the wall and landed onto the ledge.

"Ren-" Sakura stammered, the fear still evident on her face.

"Help me sit him up," I order softly as I kneel down to Sasuke. Sakura leaned him against the wall, and I braced my palms against his chest and started repairing the damages the electricity caused. "He's going to need medical help at a hospital, but I can stabilize him at least."

"Thank goodness," She breathed. The sound of a man screaming echoed over head, and the two of us looked upwards.

"That knuckle head," I breathed out. "Naruto!" I called out as we looked up at the orange clad ninja standing at the top with Idate. "I knew I could count on you! Sasuke's fine!"

"Hold on, I'll have you guys outta there in no time!" Naruto called back.

"You idiot!" Sakura and I shrieked back. "Forget about us and just get to the finish line! Time's running out!"

The final pain of the electricity tearing my muscles finally caught up to me, and I hissed in pain as I gripped at my midsection. "Ren, are you all right?" Sakura gasped as she wrapped her arms around my hunched over form. My vision started to blur. "You muscles are torn to shreds!"

I palmed my midsection gingerly, and my chakra refused to come out. "My chakra- It's too low." I panted softly.

"What can I do?" Sakura asked softly. I couldn't answer her as I just focused on trying to stay conscious. "Ren- Ren!" My world darkened.