Naruto Online: The Lost Girl

Chapter 10

"Goodbye Aki."

Hikari smiled and turned away.

He raised his hand and began running.

But no matter how fast he ran, he wasn't getting any closer. Every second she was getting farther and farther away.

"Hikari!"

"Akihiko! Get a hold of yourself!"

The monitor's beeping increased as the lightning ninja's blood pressure soared. Akira could only watch as nurses rushed in to stabilize Aki.

It was crushing to see his long time rival in such a disastrous state.

To be honest, it hurt to see everyone is such disastrous states. Aoi hadn't left Daisuke's side since the fight. Shizuka avoided him at every chance.

His fist slammed into the wall.

"Dammit! I was so powerless..."

He growled, his hands combing through his disheveled hair.

He hated this.

He hated being so weak.

He was supposed to protect them.

He had one job.

And he failed.

His eyes darkened, hot tears burning his face.

"Ugh... you're actually crying?"

Akira's head whipped up at Aki. Quickly, he wiped his eyes.

"No! Why would I be-"

Aki's stare was enough to stop his tirade.

An awkward silence filled the room.

"So... how are you feeling Akihiko?"

"What do you think?"

Bad choice in questions.

Aki sighed.

"I just want to get out of here."

"You mean you wanna go after Hikari."

"Of course. We have to save her. I have to-"

Aki burst into a fit of coughing. His monitor spiked again and med-nin ran in again.

This time Akira stood and left the room. He didn't want to watch Aki gasp for dear life again.

It only made him feel worse.

"Excuse me?"

Akira blinked at the woman before him.

"Yes?"

"Could you follow me? I need to rebandage your wounds. Did you not notice?"

He glanced down and she was right. Bloodied and dirty bandaging wouldn't help his wounds heal.

Nodding, he followed her to a room. As she went about working on his arms, he couldn't help but be reminded of his genin days.

"Ow!"

Akira fell back, his back smacking into a tree.

"Akira you're not improving."

His sensei sighed as Akira struggled to his feet. Ume tried to help him up but he yanked his arm away from her.

"Akira let me-"

He didn't let her finish.

The boy ran, his eyes and face burning.