the northern gate 1 - The Battle Commences
the northern gate 2 - The Threat Ceases
When that fistful of snow melted,
Akane applied another to his mark. Not that there was really anything else she could do. During the switch, she had noticed that the mark was much smaller than it had been. "The curse is going away!" she said, hoping he would be able to hear it through his agony. At least maybe it would put El at ease knowing things were improving and the pain wasn't forever.
Slowly, very slowly,
El's screams turned into cries and from cries to hissing. As the last wisp of the curse mark vanished, Akane felt his arms loose from around her and he collapsed completely unconscious.
Hinji continued to stand where he was as the curse mark on El faded, rather painfully. He knew that this meant the rogue ninja was dead and that this whole ordeal was nearly done and they would be returning home soon, which was good since he was now in desperate need of a summoning card restock. Despite his outward appearance, he was very glad that his teammate was no longer inflicted and appeared to be on his way to a full recovery.
Kano watched the two of them with interest, despite the fact that there was a practically naked girl beside him. The sounds coming from his friend concerned him far more than the thought of Kami in that way. "Is he alright, Akane?"
Akane sniffled and kept her gaze down at El when Kano asked her a question. She really didn't want anyone else to see that she had been tearing up over the young mariachi. "I think so." she said, rolling him over in her lap so that he was facing up. She checked his vitals quickly and said, "He's fainted." Thank goodness too, she couldn't take any more of those screams.
"Thank God..."
Kami said, realizing only now that she had covered her ears. She pulled her hands away from the sides of her head, feeling somewhat ashamed.
"The curse mark is gone, then?"
Kano asked her worriedly. It was good that El had stopped screaming, he just prayed his friend was alright now.
"Yes- completely gone."
Akane said, double checking. Thank the gods. She only assumed the villagers were the same way. "Kano...do you think you could carry him?" She hadn't the energy, nor the strength to do it herself.
"Of course."
Kano told her with a nod. He stooped down beside the mariachi and readied to lift him.
"Can we go back now?"
Kami asked, cold and chakra drained, though not as much as El or Akane. She didn't want to leave the fire, but she would it if meant going back to the medical tents to get warm again.
"I think so."
Akane confirmed, primarily just wanting to go back herself. "But- what....do we do about the villagers?"
"We haul them back, of course."
Kano told her, finding it hard to believe that she would not reach the same conclusion.
"All of them?"
Kami said. "There must be a hundred people down there... twice that many..."
"And were we not hired to protect
and serve them?"
Kano responded as he lifted El from the ground. "It may take us a while, but I fully intend to ensure that each and every victim of this awful scenario finds their way back to their homes."
"You're insane."
Akane snapped, trying to get to her feet, but having some difficulty. At least this time she managed to stay on two feet. El wasn't there to catch her after all, "When we get to the recovery tents, we'll send the people who were in isolation to fetch them...and any other staff that weren't effected."
"I vote for that..."
Kami said. "I do not like to admit it but I'm not so sure I can even carry myself right now..."
"Are you serious?"
Akane challenged. "Suck it up Kami, for crying out loud..."
"Kiss my butt Akane."
Kami said, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. "I'm wet, we're all exhausted. Poor El is unconscious. We're done. We've won. I am willing to admit defeat to the cold."
"
I can help you dry out."
Akane half threatened. She wasn't trying to be cruel outright, she was just hoping to give Kami that little bit of 'spark' Akane knew she had. Kami would have to walk to the village just like she had to...unless she would prefer Oita or Hinji carry her that is. Akane, for one, was not about to snuff out what little pride she had left after that scene earlier with El. She had a title to uphold after all.
"If you do not believe yourself capable of walking, Kami, I believe I can manage both you and El."
Kano offered, hoping to defuse the situation as well as get a chance to prove his own strength.
Oita took a deep breath, then reached out with some chakra strings. A few people at the front, maybe a handful, raised up off the ground. "I... have some chakra left..." he said, even though he sounded as if he was struggling "I'll bring some back with us... you should all rest."
"I can walk!"
Kami snapped at both Kano and Akane, though she only did so because of Akane's pestering. "I was just saying how tired I am..."
Akane snickered a bit at Kami's outburst. Instead of replying, she looked to Oita and said, "Maybe you should save what you have and just play it safe."
"I haven't... done anything else..."
Oita said, starting to lead the floating people along by the tendrils of chakra "I'll just... take these few, then let others handle some." He felt as if he hadn't done much this fight at all...
"Suit yourself."
Akane said with a yawn. "I don't know about you guys... but I am DONE with this frozen wasteland." she grumbled, hobbling along tiredly.
Kano looked away, the sudden flare of heat on his cheeks. "I am sorry, Kami...I meant no offense."
Kami wrapped her arms around her knees and crouched by the fire again. "It's ok..." She suddenly felt jealous of the unconscious El, getting to be carried by Kano. "I shouldn't have shouted..."
Akane made it over to the fire, feeling welcome in it's warmth. "Are you gonna sit there feeling sorry for yourself or are you going to come with to the tents?" she inquired, trying to snap her out of this self pity.
It wasn't self pity, it was cold. Freezing, bone, chilling cold.
Kami stood and punched Akane in the nose.
Hinji shook his head as they started bickering and simply left whenever Kami threw a punch. They just overcame a huge challange, together, and the first thing they do is start beating on each other.
Akane saw stars for an instant before she got a face full of snow. She hadn't meant for her words to aggravate Kami so much. Suppose she was just touchy after today? Still, the punch seemed like overkill. Thankfully it wasn't broken...but it was sure bleeding like it was. She tried to push her shoulders up from the snow, managing only that much. Her arms were trembling as she watched drop after drop of crimson hit the ground with water eyes.
Oita ran over to Akane at once, kneeling down and taking her shoulders. "Are you alright?" he asked, one hand on her arm as she dripped blood down onto the ground. He wished... just wished... that they could get to the end of a mission without his team mates hitting one another.
Akane wasn't one to ask for help very often. However, she was drained and the chakra pill seemed to be wearing off, leaving her with an energy crash. Not to mention, her nose was gushing...than
k you very much Kami. "Could you...help me?" she asked, holding a hand over her nose. She lifted her other arm, ready to swing it over Oita's shoulder. She would do her best not to bleed on him.
Oita nodded, taking the arm and putting it around his shoulders, lifting Akane up carefully while keeping several people balanced on chakra strings in the distance. He didn't look at Kami, just made his way slowly towards the medical tents with Akane and the others. He was feeling tired too, and the sooner he delivered them all the better.
Kano turned towards Kami after Oita departed with the wounded Akane. "K..Kami? Is everything alright?" He asked her curiously.
"I..." Kami sighed. "I get so sick of her badgering... I'm cold, I'm wet and I'm tired. I was not pitying myself, I was staying warm... She just... she reminds me so much of my sister..."
"Then ignore her." Kano said simply. He shrugged and offered her his hand. "Come on, Kaminari. I will keep you warm as we walk."
Kami took her wet glove off and took his hand, feeling warmth spill into her arm. "I'm suddenly jealous of El."
"I was speaking truthfully before. I beleive I could carry the both of you." Kano offered her again with a smile.
Akane could taste nothing but blood as it flowed into the back of her throat and into her empty stomach. After expending herself to the fullest today...twice, she received praise from Oita and a bloody nose from Kami. Akane really needed to give Oita a bit more credit after this. All she could do now though was walk, try not to fall over and get blood on him. Doing so, she glared daggers into the back of Kami's skull.
"It's alright..." Kami said, feeling Akane's eyes in the back of her head. She shouldn't have struck her... they'd been doing so well as friends too... She could see an apology in her future.
"Go... attend to your youth." Master Risu said. "I will attend the remains. The other sensei sounds as if she needs your help."
"I will see to her. Akane is equipped to handle things, should El turn out to be injured." Ishiaki informed him with a polite nod. "Thank you for your assistance." He told the squirrel and headed on a different vector to close the distance to Tsu quicker
Tsu was made of sturdier stuff than El, she could take more pain than he could... but that didn't mean she wasn't just laying there, mewling sadly and twitching as the remnants of the beast jutsu smoked from her.
Ishiaki approached her carefully. "Tsuginohi?" He asked as he came to her side.
The sound from Tsu didn't really sound like a word, more a reactive mewl for help. She was in so much pain right now... she just wanted to sleep.
Ishiaki stooped and lifted her gently. "Rest now, little one. I've got you." He whispered softly to her
It was a punch. A very light one, but a punch all the same. "Little one" had riled her up enough to make a vague swat in his direction. She didn't like being reminded that she was so weird and deformed...
Ishiaki smirked and shifted her slightly so that her head lay gently upon his shoulder. "Come on, we're done here."
After a long haul, the two teams finally made it to the Frost Relief Center.
Stumble!