Tender Sea

Chapter 23

1 Month later - On the border of Yugakure and Shimogakure...

"Do you sense anything yet, Kurama?" Miyu asked, scouring the ravine alongside them.

''No, my nose cannot pick up anything remotely metallic.'' The fox grumbled back, annoyed at being used as some sort of tracking hound. ''The only thing I smell is some almost carrion.''

"Almost carrion?" His partnered echoed curiously, "Are you saying there's someone dying around here?"

''Maybe, but worrying about them is pointless,'' the fox responded, ''you should focus your attention elsewhere if you wish to find this sword. The month Namikaze had allowed you is almost over.''

"So be it," She shrugged of his concern, "If I we can't find it, maybe it wasn't meant to be found. Instead, why don't you lead me to the person in trouble?" The fox huffed but did as told, carefully leading her into the ravine and pointing her towards a small, hollowed out cavern. It was dark, making it hard for her to see, but inside she definitely saw what looked like a childlike body, curled up in the corner, trying to keep away from the cold. Slowly, she reached out for him, gently lifting him out of the cavern and into her arms.

"He's burning up." She uttered allowed, feeling the feverish heat of the child's forehead.

''There is some water nearby.'' Kurama commented helpfully, knowing his partner would feel better if she managed to save the human child. ''That way.''

"Thanks Kurama." Miyu replied, as they descended deeper into the ravine. It seemed an odd place to find water but she trusted the demon's senses. Soon enough a rushing sound met her ears and she knew exactly what she'd be looking for. The further they walked the louder the roar got until the sound of falling water was almost deafening. The blonde looked up where the ice and snow from the mountains in Shimo had fallen to meet the warm lands of Yugakure, melting to form a narrow waterfall. Swiftly, she put the child down, soaking some cloth in the shallow edges of the pool, before returning to tend to him. "I wonder why he looks so familiar." Miyu voiced, sweeping away his pale hair. It seemed without using her Sharingan, she would have to wait for daylight to see if it was truly someone she knew.

''Kit.'' Kurama's voice caught her attention, as he stood standing, gazing into the falls.

"What is it?" She asked, peering into the haze, "What is that?" A faint glint caught her gaze from within the waterfall. She hadn't noticed it before, most likely due to the blatant distraction of the water body, but the air around it shimmered with some sort of hidden power, one that made the earth and stones thrum with energy. "It's here," She breathed,

"Who would have thought...?"

''I assume you will be alright going in alone?'' The fox stated, sitting himself by the water's edge.

"Of course," She paused and gave him a quizzical look, "Is there a particular reason why you aren't coming?"

''The chakra it emits, repulses me. It taste far too pure and sharp for my liking.'' He hid his snout under his paws to emphasise the fact, scrunching his nose up disdainfully.

"I see, well at least take care of the kid while I'm gone." Soundlessly, she stepped into the pool, walking towards the falling torrent of water, leaving a small trail of ripples behind her. Pushing the air around her, the blonde tore open a doorway, parting the waterfall with ease, before stepping into the cave. The stone walls glowed an eerie blue and the surrounding area was lit with gentle chakra giving her and easy view of the item she had been hunting. There on a raised stone slab, in the centre of the hidden cavern, was a single blade, its black sheath lying beside it. "Is this it?" Miyu wondered, studying the masterful work of the katana. Oddly enough, the edge seemed to be on the back of the sword. Tentatively, she reached out for it, only to be repelled by a painful zap of chakra. "What's was that?"