Fading Light

Chapter 13: Training Accident

The next morning I woke up at a normal time, before Shikamaru though and went into the kitchen.

"How did you sleep?" Miss Nara asked.

"Great, thank you."

"That's wonderful, now eat up and go get some more rest." She set the food down in front of me.

"Actually..." I trailed off.

"Yes?"

"I'd like to go watch Shikamaru and Choji train if thats not too much to ask?" She gave a small sigh.

"Alright, just make sure aren't pushing yourself. You're nowhere close to being fully recovered."

"Yes ma'am." That's when two loud yawns sounded from the hallway. And on cue Shikamaru and his father walked in groggily.

"Can't you two ever get up at a reasonable time?!" Miss Nara's demeanor changed as she scolded her husband and son. After her little lecture we all ate, Shikamaru becoming confused when I followed him to the front door.

"Where are you going?"

"With you."

"What?"

"She's going with you today. Make sure she doesn't push herself." His mother stated, handing me my lunch with my medicine in it. "Some fresh air might do her some good." With that we went to the training area. Shikamaru helping me every so often as my lungs worked their asses off. Finally, we arrived to see Choji and Asuma standing there.

"Sorry I'm late." Shikamaru stated as they turned towards us.

"Amaya!" Choji rushed over with a big smile.

"Hey Choji. Sorry for making Shikamaru late. Thought it's be a good idea to get some fresh air." Asuma walked over, putting a hand on my head.

"Glad to see you up." I gave a bright smile. It felt good to be with my squad again. "Well let's get started." I went to sit down against a tree. My lungs were burning from the strain, but I simply ignored it. They started training, my eyes starting to droop. I hadn't had my medicine, so why was I so tired? My body willed my eyes to stay open, but they wouldn't.

"Shik...a...--" I slurred, but my body stopped functioning as darkness came.

~

When I woke up, Shikamaru and Choji were at my side.

"What happened?" I asked groggily.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Shikamaru was panicking.

"Shikamaru, what happened?" My voice grew in tone, he was freaking me out.

"Someone...put you under a genjutsu."  Choji stated since Shikamaru was still assessing me.

"Someone?" I questioned. "You don't know who?" He frowned.

"No, Asuma chased after them, but they left the village. He went to tell the Hokage."

"It has to be Itachi." I coughed, my lungs burning again as I started to hyperventilate.

"Amaya, you don't know that." Choji continued.

"Yes I do. No one else from outside the village would come after me specifically. Besides genjutsu is one of his specialties. Otherwise I would have been able to sense it beforehand. Only one other time has that happened and that was when he attacked me a few months ago." I muttered, taking calming, slow breaths. Shikamaru had finally regained his composer.

"How are you?" He asked calmly, thought I could see the worry in his eyes.

"Fine. Other than my lungs being on fire." I reassured him.