Author's Note:
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I have two things on my mind, ditching Sasuke Uchiha and heading to the Hot Springs District. My goals are simple enough. But right now, accomplishing even one of those goals seems to be more difficult than I initially anticipated.
Wordlessly, I've been following Sasuke for the better half of the day. We've passed through winding creeks and slippery rocks. We've gone deeper and deeper into a dense forest with lush sprawling oak and pine trees. We've even made our way through a field of vibrant wildflowers. But sadly, I am nowhere close to finding what I am searching for.
The fact that I can't find the red stone marker makes me uneasy. Traversing a pathway with a red stone marker ensures that I am on the main road that connects all the districts in the Land of Hot Water. Continuing along that path will lead me to the Hot Springs District and bring me so much closer to tracking down Aki Shinro.
But unfortunately, instead of taking the main road, Sasuke led me and Naga to a path that goes deep into the woods; totally separate and unconnected from the main road. It's a path that I've yet to see on any map that I've ever used on a mission.
Despite the winding turns and hidden passageways we encounter, Sasuke's decisive and deliberate gait -- as he walks in front of us -- makes me certain of one thing. He's traveled this path before. Meanwhile, I have no idea where I am right now.
Damn it.
Biting my lip, I heave a deep sigh as I close my eyes as the realization of what I must do sinks in. There's only one thing I can do at this time. I have to stay with Sasuke a little bit longer so I can get out of the woods.
He's the only one who knows a way out of here. I have to stay with him until he brings Naga to his grandmother's village where I am certain that a red stone marker will be present.
Of course, if I had spy tech with me, this wouldn't have happened. I could have just ditched him as soon as I got out of Shimogakure and went on my merry way.
If I brought a KISU standard-issue GPS Navigation Device that would help me locate my whereabouts no matter where I'd end up.
But on the negative side, KISU would also be able to pinpoint my location accurately as well. So for the purposes of this journey, I opted for my old map and a digital compass.
Using a map and a compass is unheard of nowadays. It's an outdated practice in Kumogakure. Unlike other villages, we've always readily accepted technology with open arms in order to improve our way of life.
It's been so long since I even used a compass. The last time was during a mission when I was still a Genin. But after that, I don't remember handling or even having one. But luckily, the smartwatch that Karui gifted me for my birthday has a built-in compass that I can use for this journey.
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The sun breaks through the cracks of the canopy of leaves above me. Rays of light cascade down the forest floor, adorned by fallen leaves, stones, and overgrown grass that crunch underneath my feet.
I continue walking deeper and deeper into the woods. Breathing in the sweet comforting scent of pine. It calms me down and reassures me that everything will be alright.
This is just a minor setback in my plans. I'll eventually get to Hot Springs District and accomplish what I've set out to do. Prove my innocence. Get my birthright and my job back. And most important of all, break up my engagement to a man I do not love. I'll-
A small warm hand touches mine as I continue on with my journey. I look down to see Naga dragging his feet. He's holding onto me for support. The little boy seems worn out from traveling.
"Are you alright?" I stop and ask him. Kneeling to his side, I pull out my handkerchief from my pocket. I wipe the beads of sweat forming on his brow and notice that he's hot to the touch. Something is definitely wrong with this boy.
"Of course, Miss Kaiya." He assures me and tries to give me a cheerful smile. But I can see the exhaustion in his eyes.
As a ninja, one gets used to the toll that strenuous journeys like this exact on the body. But I doubt young children could handle such a strain, especially a boy who is recovering from an injury he sustained the night before.
"You're burning up." I frown. Guiding him towards a dead stump, I urge him to sit down as I place my hand on his forehead. Checking his temperature only confirms my assumption that this boy has a fever. "We're stopping over right now."
"We can't do that." Naga shakes his head and pouts."Mister Bunny might not like that."
"Well, Mister Bunny is going to have to just grin and bear it. Okay, Naga?" I answer Naga and give him a hopeful smile.
Personally, it would put a dent into my plans to stop now. The sooner I get to Hot Springs District, the better my chances of tracking down Aki Shinro. But I won't dare compromise someone's health just to get my way. Especially not Naga, who's been such a darling boy ever since I met him.
"Wait here," I tell Naga as I slowly pick myself up and dust off the dirt from my knees. I make my way to Sasuke who's now several paces away from us.
"Mister Bunny!" I run to him and he winces. He refuses to stop to acknowledge me. "Mister Bunny!"
What's the deal with this guy? Why does he keep on walking despite the fact that I am calling him?
"Hey!" I call on him. Strangely enough, he finally stops and turns to me. That's so strange. He'd rather answer to "Hey" than "Mister Bunny."
"The boy has a fever." I point out and he grimaces. "He's exhausted. We need to stop over."
"Fine," Sasuke says nothing more. He looks at Naga who is sitting on a stump from far away and makes his way to the boy. Lifting the child, Sasuke carries him on his back as he makes his way to me.
"I know a shelter nearby," Sasuke tells me as he cocks his head to the right. "Follow me."
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I should have known it was too good to be true. When Sasuke said he knew of a shelter nearby, I should have known that it was not what he said it was.
In fact, it's not even like that horrible hovel where he and Naga stayed at when they were in Shimogakure. But it's something worse... something so much worse.
It's a freaking cave! A cave! Well, if you can call it that.
It's just large white boulders folded one on top of one another and scrunched up, forming a semblance of a cave. It does look stable enough though. I am sure it will certainly hold for the night.
But, I am not sure if it's secure. Above us, there's a gaping hole with cobwebs that leaves us partially exposed to the elements. While below us, loose stones and dead branches are strewn all over the gravelly dirt surface of the cave.
This is perfect, really. Just so gosh darn perfect.
"Miss Kaiya." A soft nasal voice breaks me out of my thoughts. Naga looks up to me as he holds three small plastic bags in his hands. "Let's get going and set camp just like Mister Bunny said."
I nod my head and follow the boy outside the cave even if I am unsure what he meant. Apparently, before Sasuke left us in that cave, he had been talking this whole time. But I just couldn't hear him due to the absolute dread I felt over our living situation.
Naga leads me into a clearing with thick grass growing past my ankles and further into a thicket of copper beech trees.
"Do like this, Miss Kaiya." Naga beams at me and hands me a plastic bag. Crouching down, he starts filling up his plastic bag with leaves. What the hell is he doing? Is he gathering those leaves for kindling? That could work. But from experience, birch bark certainly burns better.
Unfortunately, I can't tell him that fact. Kaiya's not supposed to know about things like that.
"What's this for?" I curiously ask Naga instead as I bend over and start grabbing leaves, putting them in the bag he handed me before.
"It's a pillow for when we sleep," Naga tells me as he scratches his face. "So we'd have something soft for when we sleep on the ground."
My lips curl in disgust over Naga's statement. He just said we're sleeping on the ground... in that dingy cobweb-ridden cave. Is he for real?
"See, it's just like a real down pillow, Miss Kaiya." Naga huffs out proudly as he twists the plastic bag around and secures it with a tight knot. "This is my own invention. Mister Bunny seems to like it too."
I nod my head and try to let out an appreciative smile as I press on the improvised pillow. Sure, I could tell this boy what real goose down pillows actually feel like. Nothing like this, that's for sure. But what would be the point of bursting his bubble?
In the end, we're all trying to do the best we can with what we're been given. So I just have to suck it up for now and make compromises for the sake of continuing my journey.
However, there's one thing that I am not going to compromise on. I am not sleeping on the bloody ground. I'll get hives. My skin is far too sensitive to sleep in grime and dirt. I have to think of something. But what?
All around me, I see nothing but a grove of trees. Oak trees. Birch trees. Pine Trees. Nothing I can use to cover the ground where I'll sleep tonight. Those shrubs and bushes beneath the trees certainly wouldn't help. And neither would that Traveler's Palm a few meters away.
Or maybe, it could.
If I gather a lot of it, then it just might be long and broad enough to use as a covering.
Looking down to the ground, I search for a sharp rock amidst the grass and stones underneath my feet. I need something I can use to cut those thick stems. Something sharp.
"Miss Kaiya?" Naga kneels beside me and seems taken aback by my actions. "What are you doing?"
"I am looking for a sharp rock. See that tree over there?" I ask Naga as I point out to the Traveler's Palm a few meters away. "We're going to cut those leaves down."