destiny calls | *. naruto fanfic

30.

    Racing back towards Akari, Heidan stopped on a branch next to hers, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. "Great. Just great." The girl grumbled, clambering to her feet as she cut off the jutsu. "On to Plan B I guess." Sighing, Akari lead the way to the battlefield, watching Gaara carefully as she edged towards Sakura, hidden amongst the foliage. She pulled out a kunai, motioning for Heidan to do the same as she landed noiselessly in the tree Sakura was pinned on. "Your on your own Naruto," She mumbled softly, making her way to stand beside Sakura. Grunting, the two ninja began prying the sand off of the unconscious girl, trying to make as little noise as possible. 

    Slowly but surely, the sand fell away, allowing for Heidan to grab onto the girl, pulling her free with a few tugs. Yelping as Gaara turned on them, swinging his tail at the trio, Akari leaped away, leaving Heidan to drag Sakura. "Don't just leave me!" He yelled, carrying Sakura on his back as he scrambled after the faster ninja. With Sakura safe and out of the way, Naruto seemed to calm down a little, grabbing a kunai as he readied his attack. 

"Sorry." Not at all that sorry, Akari found a spot away from the battle, landing behind a rock as she motioned for Heidan to do the same. Despite their success at freeing her teammate, Akari couldn't help but be filled with dread. Her gut told her something bad was going to happen. She just hoped she was wrong.

    Out of nowhere, two large figures appeared, looming above the forest. "I think it's time we moved." Heidan said, staring at the two monstrous creatures before them in awe.

"Agreed." Leaving Heidan to carry Sakura, again, Akari took off, heading away from the giant toad and sand monster. 

"Stop leaving me to carry your teammate!" Heidan yelled after her, grabbing Sakura. 

"I can't carry her." Akari said, her voice serious, though the smirk on her face said otherwise. "My arm is much too weak." 

"Your a huge jerk, Akari!"

"You're so mean Heidan!" Akari whined, fake hurt evident in her voice. "Okay, seriously though, if we don't get moving we're probably going to die." 

"Yeah, yeah." The red-head mumbled, rolling his eyes as he hoisted Sakura on his back. The two came to a halt by Sasuke and Pakkun, Heidan gazing back at Naruto's battle while Akari surveyed Sasuke's condition. "Why are we leaving everything to him again?" Heidan questioned, setting down Sakura against a tree. 

"Do you want to fight a giant sand raccoon that could easily crush you?" Akari retaliated, crouching on a branch, not even glancing in the direction of the battle. "And Sasuke, running off after them alone was not one of your smartest moves." The girl had noticed the strange black markings on Sasuke, however did not comment on it. Those marks came from the curse mark, right? So why didn't she get them when she fought? It was clear Orochimaru was much more interested in Sasuke, so why did he even bother with her? As a backup? She had done her own research on the snake-like ninja, but had found nothing that might help her answer her questions. Either way, now was not the time to ponder her thoughts. 

"Hey, uh..." Heidan's nervous voice broke the tense silence that had fallen in the group. "Is it just me, or are they coming closer?" With a quick check from Akari, she confirmed that the toad was indeed being pushed back towards them. 

"Time to move." She muttered, grabbing Sasuke before he could complain. "Don't even think about saying you can walk on your own." She warned the Uchiha sternly before racing off with an irritated Heidan behind her.

"So you can carry him but not her?" Heidan grumbled quietly, huffing softly as he followed the kunoichi.
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    It seemed like hardly anytime had passed at all before the battle was over. Both boys lay on the ground, exhausted, their chakra completely spent. And yet, Naruto still struggled towards Gaara. 
"Seems like it's over." Akari commented, watching with a disproving expression as Sasuke tore himself from her grasp and raced off. "Time to play follow the idiot." Akari muttered, sarcasm lacing her tone as she trailed the stubborn Uchiha. Unsurprisingly, Sasuke had gone to check on Naruto. And after a moment, Akari stood beside the two ninja, staring down Gaara. Sure his chakra was gone, but that didn't make her distrust him any less. Still, that feeling of dread lingered. And Akari had no idea why. 
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Hey, uh, I'm still alive. I'm so, so sorry it's taken me this long to get an update out. And an extremely short one at that. It's been... two months..? Lately I just haven't been feeling the desire to write, but I finally convinced myself to sit down and get this chapter published, however short it was. I'm hoping I'll be able to get back on schedule soon.

Next chapter is Akari and company dealing with the destruction of Konoha and the Third Hokage's death!