Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 59! To Feel Useless!

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My mind felt detached as I struggled to keep up after a couple of hours chasing after Sakon and Tayuya with the others. I hadn't realized my breathing had been so loud and ragged. "Ren, you sure you're okay?" Kiba called back. I gasped out in shock as my footing slipped. I quickly caught myself and slung myself over to the next branch, and leaned against the bark. "Listen, you're in no condition to continue on your own," Kiba explained as he looped his hand around my forearm. "Let me carry you for some of the way until the toxin works through your system, okay?"

I nodded breathlessly and climbed onto his back. I pull at his hood slightly before burying my face into the cloth.

"All right, let's keep moving." Shikamaru mentioned as he patted Kiba's shoulder. We started to move again.

The sun started to set over the quiet forest. "We're close," Kiba stated.

"There's only two of them left," Shikamaru reminded us.  "Against the three of us. I like those odds. If we play it right, the next time we meet them, we'll be able wrap things up once and for all."

"I'll say! Two against three? No sweat!" Naruto cheered.

"What do you mean, it's two against three?" Kiba asked hautily.

Akamaru barked in protest. I giggled and reached down to brush my fingers against his nose. "Oh, sorry about that, Akamaru." Shikamaru chuckled. "You're right. It's two against four. I like those odds even better."

"Wait'll they see our new technique." Kiba boasted to his furry friend. "These clowns won't know what hit them."

"Don't underestimate them," I pleaded softly. "These two aren't like the other ones you've faced."

"No, sweat, Ren! We got numbers on them!" Kiba boasted. I grimaced as a sickish feeling burned at my stomach.

"Yeah! Don't worry about a thing! As soon as we catch up to them, all I gotta do is my shadow clones jutsu and the shows over!" Naruto added pridefully.

"Well, that's comforting to know." Shikamaru sighed. "All the same, we're working as a team here, right? Just stick to the plan." He reminded them.

"Oh-- well, sure." Naruto said softly.

'Oh, now he listens to the platoon leader.....' I press my face against Kiba's jacket again with a whimper of discomfort.

"The most important thing is to at least get them in range before the sun goes down." Shikamaru mentioned.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Kiba smirked back at Shikamaru.

"I'm sorry for weighing you guys down," I apologize softly.

"You barely weigh anything! Let's hit it!" Kiba cheered.

~*****~

The sun finally went down, and the cool air felt good on my feverish skin. "We're almost there!" Kiba called.

"We're close enough," Shikamaru stated. "We'll stay right on their tail, but we're gonna maintain this distance."

"What the heck are you talking about?" Naruto snapped.

"We'll keep them in our sights, but we won't attack until sunrise." Shikamaru ordered.

"That's crazy!" Naruto shouted. "We can't afford to wait 'til then! What about Sasuke?!"

"Yeah, he's right. And besides, if we're gonna hit them with a surprise attack, it'll be an even bigger surprise if we hit them in the dark." Kiba agreed angrily.