Clash 2: The Wolf and the Desertstorm - a collab with Amaterasu

Chapter 13

They were in a rush.

One of the biggest rushes of their lives at that particular point. Through the mud and darkness that was slowly growing brighter as morning approached in full. Yet it would be a dull light of day thanks to the sheets of pelting rains. That, however, might be for the best since they were being chased.

The three figures pressing eastward where they knew their allies would be, were looking worse for wear. One was a small girl, yet the symbol of Suna on her headband and her gear, warned those that she could still be a force to be reckoned with. A boy, older by at least five years, was wearing the same symbol. He looked like he had taken a fist to his face. The blood at his lips had been washing away with the rains. The third was sporting a different symbol from his two companions, but he was still their ally, and oldest in their current group. He was gripping the side of his arm where his already wet clothes were becoming darker with a different sort of liquid.

"Little faster guys!" he called just enough for his teammates to hear, "don't stop!"

"We can't keep going like this!" Kumiko cried out, "not when you're hurt like that!"

Akira forced a grin. "Just a scratch. Don't worry, Kumiko. Just keep running. Hiro," he glanced over to his left to see the water-user, "your hawks see anyone yet? Akio-sensei? Ken? Anyone?"

Hiro panted and glanced at the sky where he could barely see his hawks. "No," he groaned, "nothing yet." He was starting to get desperate. Even with the three of them, they hadn't been able to defeat their opponent. All they had managed was slowing him down enough for the three of them to escape. And even that was done with the help of his summons. They couldn't keep this up much longer. They were all exhausted and Kumiko needed medical assistance.

"What if we're running in circles?" Kumiko did not want that to be the case. They could run back into that scary shark man. She was certain that if it hadn't been for Hiro and Akira being with her during that second encounter, that she'd be dead now.

"Okay, hey, just calm down a second, Kumiko." Akira wasn't grinning anymore, but he was still managing a smile. "Don't you worry. We're going in the right direction, and Hiro's going to make sure we stay on the right path."

Hiro gave a curt nod, though he was not so sure he could live up to that expectation. He had to stay confident though. For Kumiko's sake. She had risked a lot by coming after them.

"Hard not to worry when we have that on our tails." Kumiko huffed as she pointed behind her.

"I think we gave him the slip though." Akira said.

"After you and Hiro got hurt!"

"Shh! Not so loud." Akira winced. "I told ya, it's just a scratch. Hiro barely got grazed." If a punch was really a graze these days..."We're okay. You're the one that looks beat-up."

"It's not funny, Akira." The little kunoichi fumed, letting out a sigh soon after. "If it weren't for you two, then I'd be—"

"You're fine," Akira cut the worried girl off, "you've got me and Hiro now. We'll look after you—and everyone else will too, once we find them."

Kumiko gritted her teeth and nodded as she fought back her tears. She was tired and injured and scared. "Gah!" she gasped when suddenly the ground gave way underneath her feet.

"Kumiko!" Hiro called and he kneeled to help her up.

"My ankle," Kumiko cried.

"Dammit," Hiro cursed. He felt around Kumiko's hurt foot. "I think it's just a sprain. Come, I'll carry you." He put her arm over his shoulder and lifted her on his back.