Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 22

The event was pleasant and happy, I was surprised that people from other villages had come to attend.  "Congratulations, Sister..."

I turned and looked into the crystal blue eyes of Gaara.  "Thank you... are you feeling well?"

He nodded.  "Better, actually... than before..."

I smiled.  "That's good."

He looked at Itachi.  "I trust you will take care of her."

I frowned.  "I'm capable of taking care of myself."

Itachi smiled softly.  "Always..."  Gaara nodded and left with his siblings.  He steered me to the lake, and I looked at him.  "Look."

I followed his gaze, and the sun was setting over the event.  I smiled softly as the lake was painted in the falling sun's rays.  Then I was in the center of it, surrounded in red and oranges hues dappled in the purple of the darkening sky.  It was like a dream, and I was mildly aware of people taking pictures on the shore.

I smiled up at Itachi.  "I'm impressed."  He chuckled and kissed my forehead.  I looked back at the scene and sighed at how even the party matched the perfection around me until I saw something in the distance.  Smoke... "Itachi..."

He followed my gaze and frowned.  "I se-"  There was an explosion, and Itachi gripped my arms before I could fall in the lake.  We got back on shore and ran towards the village, black smoke now evident in the distance.

I thought for a moment of where it could be.  "The hospital..."

Itachi glanced down at me as we raced into the village.  It was chaos.  I looked around and spotted my group and ran to them.  "Get the villagers to saf-"  Another explosion nearly knocked us all off of our feet.  "Find Uchiha... they know where the safe houses are."

They nodded and dispersed.  I ran towards the explosion, Itachi at my side.  Hokage Tower...  I went to the hospital first and saw an entire wing was demolished.  "We have to stop the fire from spreading..."

Other shinobi were already fighting the flames, and I got closer, but my arm was caught.  "Nothing reckless."

I nodded up at Itachi and got closer still.  I imagined a barrier between the flames and the untouched part of the hospital and started forming hand signs.  "Ice Style..."  A large sheets of ice formed in the exact place I wanted it, and the ground began to shake again as the tower began to crumble.

I was knocked to the side and threw my hands up above us, stopping the falling rubble from killing us.  Then I saw sand over it.  Protecting others from the damage.  I smiled at Gaara.  "Thank you."

He didn't look my way, concentrating on protecting people's heads as debris fell, but nodded.  I looked around as all of the villagers were emptying the streets, and then something made me look up.  I grabbed Itachi's hand, and he followed my gaze to the Hokage heads.  Madara stood there, watching with a body over his shoulder.

Itachi gripped my hand tighter.  "Shisui..."  I wanted to confront him, but another explosion ripped my gaze away as I threw my hands up as I was thrown off my feet, stopping the wreckage from hitting the people below.  I looked at the apartments. Ours was at the center of the blast.  I ran in its direction only to be pulled back.  "No one will be there..."

I looked at Itachi, frustrated.  "Just trust me or let me go."  He understood and followed me into the building.  I rushed up the stairs, tripping when I got to our floor and froze when I made it to the hallway.  "Chihiro... why?"

She was a bloody mess against the wall, and I quickly checked for a pulse.  It was faint, but it was there.  I lifted her arm to carry her, and she moaned.  "Stupid girl..."  Itachi was on her other side, and we teleported to the hospital.  As expected, there were a number of people needing to be seen.  "Stay with her."

I rushed through the halls, looking for Tsunade.  I found her healing someone who was caught in one of the blast, he was badly burnt but breathing.  I cursed softly and thought for a moment.  Pulling out my pendant, I focused on Aya. She appeared as I returned to Chihiro's side.  "She won't make it if something isn't done now..."

Aya's eyes widened, but then she became serious, tying up her hair before placing her hands on Chihiro's chest.  "Go... I'll be of more use here anyway."

We nodded and rushed back out onto the street, helping to get people to the hospital and directing others to safe houses.  I looked back up at the Hokage heads, and no one was there.  "Dammit..."  I looked at Itachi.  "Thank you... for trusting me."

He sighed.  "I'm happy I did."  We searched through the apartments and tower. No one living was inside.  We aided in combing through the streets, and when the all clear was received, we returned to the hospital.

It looked as though the critical patients had been taken care of, and a nurse came to us.  "Do you need treatment?"

I shook my head.  "No, we're waiting..."  She nodded and went to the next person.  "How much trouble do you think we'll get in for wandering?"  Itachi shook his head.  "Go to Minato's... that's where the others will be."  I started down the hallway, knowing he would hesitate, but go as I told him.

It didn't take long for me to find her, and I slipped into her room.  I sat on the edge of her bed and brushed the strands of hair away from her face.  "Chihiro..."

She blinked awake and grimaced.  "What..."

I sighed in relief.  "Why did you go back?"

She looked at me sadly.  "I forgot something and went to get it.... but..."

I watched as her face screwed up, remembering.  "Someone was there..."

Her eyes widened.  "I don't remember seeing who it was, but... I was hit in the head pretty hard."

I nodded.  "I have an idea... get some rest."  I knew this would end badly...