The Water Maiden

9

Pain. It was all I felt. It was the only thing I could feel. My body flew up. Panting heavily, I looked around and saw I was in a hospital room. I was alive. My heart was beating as fast as it could. I could hear multiple alarms going off. A nurse ran in.

"Please don't over exert yourself. You'll have a heart attack." She said in a calming voice. Another person walked into the room.

"Give her some space." We looked and saw Shikaku. "I'll calm her down." The nurse walked out. Shikaku sat on the chair.

"You alright? When they got to you, they found you in a pool of blood."

"Where are they?" I asked. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Dead." I said quietly. "They're dead." I repeated.

"Were you attacked?"

"The nine tails' claw pierced my back."

"I see. You're lucky that was all that happened. Did anything else happen? Did the fourth hokage or Kushina tell you something?" Shikaku asked.

"She...they...had me help seal the fox."

His eyes widened. "You know how seals work?" He asked.

"Kushina has been teaching me for over a year. The first seal she taught me was the one I did last night. I...I was so scared."

"I'd be worried if you weren't scared. You've been out for a couple of days. Your room is being guarded by the ANBU just in case."

"Why?"

"You have information about what happened. Plus, whoever was after the nine tails could be after you. We don't want to let you go without a guard." I shook my head.

"That man was after Kushina. He only tried to kill me when I got in the way. Naruto is the one in most danger." I said quietly, clenching the blankets. The door opened and the third hokage walked in.

"I see you're awake. How do you feel?" He asked me.

"I hurt."

He rubbed the top of my head. "I'm glad I found you when I did. You wouldn't have made it if I was any later."

"What about Naruto? Is he safe?"

"He is and it's thanks to you."

"To me?"

He nodded. "You're a little hero, you know? You helped seal the fox."

"Can I see him?"

"Let's see if you can walk first." Shikaku said.

"I'll be fine." I took the blankets off and got onto my feet. Shikaku caught me as I started to fall. My ankle was killing me.

"You can't just get out of bed, expecting to be perfectly fine." He scolded.

"Tsubasa." I called out to her.

A small wind could be felt. My legs were numb. I stood up straight and walked. "What was that?" Shikaku asked.

"Tsubasa Kotone, second generation of the Kotone clan. She lends me her power when I need. She's helping me walk with her wind. Now, where is he?" The hokage walked in front of us as he brought us to where newborns were. From the window, I could see Naruto sleeping.

"When you fully recover, I want to speak with you." The hokage said.

"Why not now?" I asked.

"You have some guests waiting impatiently to see you."

"Huh?" That's when Shikaku walked me back to my room. I noticed the sun rising. I sat on my bed and waited five minutes. Then, the door slammed open.