Test Run

A/N: Sorry if there are any mistakes here, please feel free to list them if you wish. I just really wanted this up, since it's been so long.

Chapter sixteen: Cold

(Anyone, please guess what the time elapse is)

"Any idea where we are going dad?" I grind out, grimacing as pain shoots up my right leg, and the tendonitis that I've recently developed has become quite bothersome.

'Either I'm going to die…or I'm gonna have to retire as a ninja…can you actually retire from being a ninja? Hm…'

"Um…" I look at Saru fumble around with the map in his hands.

"Well…"

"Do we even know where we are yet?"

Saru stops walking, and even though I am staring at him, I keep walking a few more feet and then stop.

While he continues to fumble with the map, muttering incoherent words; I think about what to do if we don't find a village soon. The only reason I even want to go at all is because of Kimmimaru. My heart feels like it died over a year ago anyway.

Let's see…

We have been attempting to find Konoha for the past three weeks. ATTEMPTING is the key word here. For one reason or another, we can't find it! I hate everything about traveling now.

"You have any ideas Nikkie?"

"I have absolutely no clue as to where we are Saru."

I give a heavy sigh and slump my shoulders as we walk. Kimmimaru is slowly walking behind us, about five yards. He is really slowing us down but he has been extremely unhealthy lately, we ran out of his medicine about a three days ago. Sasori said he would occasionally drop medications in lockboxes around the globe if he knew we'd be there eventually. I hope there will be one in Konoha.

"Well…We're in Fire Country, yes?"

I nod affirmatively to his response.

"Then we're on the right path!"

I roll my eyes. As much as I love my father figure, he is ridiculous and kind of…useless.

"We haven't seen a village or town in days…I think we're a bit lost, don't you?"

Angrily, I snatch the map from Saru's hands and examine it and then turn it upside down.

"Maybe we're doing it wrong."

"Of course we're doing it wrong if we can't find it Nikkie."

I glare at him and fold my arms behind my back. I feel exhausted because of this crap, so much annoyance!

"We have one day left of rations and that forest is full of poisonous plants, and traps, not to mention it has no animals." I mention thoughtfully. What if we run out of supplies?

"I'm aware."

"Well what should we do? I feel ready to collapse, we're all weak and hungry and we need to find Sasosori-sempai's lockbox to get Kimmimaru his medication."

Both of us look behind us at Kimmimaru, who is staring off into the distance. Storm clouds are moving in, no wonder my tendonitis is acting up.

"Yes, it would be quite unfortunate if we don't find it. Kimmimaru-san could die without his treatment."

I nod solemnly. Occasionally I wish I never interfered with the way the story is supposed to play out. Since Kishimoto had originally planned for Kimmimaru to die…he is now suffering from the illness Kabuto had inflicted on him. He could have died in peace instead of suffering.

"We need to find shelter…Its going to rain soon."

"Yea…hopefully there will be something within the next few kilometers."

I nod once more to Saru and we continue our walk; Kimmimaru following behind us, still lost in his own world.

We walk for another hour, still finding nothing, and our stomachs begin to growl. Then the clouds begin moving in, they are dark, angry clouds. Storm clouds. I silently pray for some type of help. I felt so useless, and lost.

"This sucks, we're going to die out here if we don't find anything or something."

Saru gives a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his head and takes the map from me.

"Well, lets take a break and see if we can figure out our general location. Pinpoint north and south."

Heaving a heavy sigh, I nod to him, my shoulders slumping forward. Nearly two and a half years since we "left" Konoha, and we've traveled all over the place, training and performing mercenary missions.

We walk a half mile more and come to a fork in the road. Maybe this way we'll have a slightly better shot at knowing where we are. Going off the path we climb onto a rock formation and sit; Kimmimaru rests against me, I hold him like you would a child. He is now pale and sweating, it is making me nervous. At this point, I think only Lady Tsuande can help him, but Sasori's medicine would help.

Saru has the map laid out, rocks on the corners keeping it from flying away. He has his compass out and little stencils. He was calculating how far we walked and where we were last.

We sit have been sitting here for half an hour. Saru grows more and more frustrated. He cant figure out where we are and then suddenly.

"Aha!"

I look to him trying to not jump, Kimmimaru had fallen asleep ten minutes ago. He needed it badly.

"What? Do you know where we are!"

Saru looks to me with a serious face.

"I know where we are!"

"And?" I lean towards him a bit, anticipating his answer.

"We're in the Bermuda Triangle!" He shouts. He is shaking possibly from insanity.

I stare at him.

Then I slap him across the face; stunning him.

"You've lost your mind Saru."

I resist hitting him again when he slumps forward.

"I know, I know… what are we going to do?"

I don't answer and just look to the road. I decide for us to simply sit here until we die or someone comes along. At this point, either choice would be best to me. I don't care anymore.

Kimmimaru changes positions in his sleep, curling up in my lap. He is so precious, a little brightness in my life. I want to keep him forever, I just wish he wasn't so ill. I feel he is more of a son to me, than a brother. I feel that close to him now.

My arms tighten around Kimmimaru, my hands laced into his hair and stroking his back and neck.

Saru is laying on his back, staring at the clouds.

Kimmimaru sleeps.

My eyes focus on the horizon, watching angry black clouds move in, the sun sinking down.

A half hour later, I see lightening and then hear a loud roar of thunder. The wind picks up and I am hit with a few light rain drops.

The sky opens up and it begins to pour down on us.

I take my jacket out and cover Kimmimaru up, no sense in him getting sicker.

Saru just shifts to lay on his side, away from me.

We sit here for three hours, doing nothing.

It just continues to pour and I tremble from the cold.

At least the drought it over now.

Another twenty minutes passes and then I hear the tell tale sound of foot steps, and then someone can be seen walking up the path. I look closely and see a man, wearing a travelers kimono and rain hat. He is leading a horse and hooded carriage down the path, slowly. He carries a lantern, he looks tired and weary.

I just stare at him, wondering if he is as lost as we are.

He stops at in front of our resting place and points the lantern at us.

"Are ye alive over yonder?" He calls out, he has a strong, powerful voice. He is very interesting.

"Barely, sir." I answer back monotonously, not caring if he were to hear me.

"Are ye lost?" He questions.

He looks kind, and tough like a hard worker.

"Yes sir, we're headed to the Village of Konohagakure, do you know of it?"

He smiles.

"That's pretty close to where my wife, and I are going." His wife must be in the hooded carriage. I think it's full of hay and luggage from this angle.

My heart swells excitedly, I just now realize how cold I am, my teeth chattering. We could be saved, I nearly cry at the thought.

"Ma-may we catch a ride with you sir?" I ask, trying to not sound too desperate.

He nods.

"Aye, climb in back, plenty a room."

"Thank you sir." I give him the best smile I can muster. I probably look like a drowned rat. I shake Saru a few times, he groans, sitting up.

"What?"

"We've got a lift close to Konoha." He gives me a small smile and we make our way to the carriage; I carry Kimmimaru in my arms. I feel so much better once I snuggle into the hay inside the carriage, warming up. I remove the soaking coat from Kimmimaru, he curls closer to me afterward.

Inside is a small, young, very pregnant woman. She greets us with a smile as we climb over the half door and settle into the hay. Her blue eyes and blonde hair are dazzling, she's a cliché cutie.

After we settle in, the woman looks between me and Saru and turns to me to speak.

"You're not Japanese, are you?"

I start, surprised she was able to tell so easily. Was my black hair that fake? Maybe the roots are showing.

"Uh…well, yea, I'm English I suppose."

She cocks her head to the side, confused.

"English? Great Britain I assume then. I'm German, my husband is Japanese. I met him when my family moved here."

I stare at her. So there are other ethnicities besides Asian. How interesting.

Saru is already asleep once more. Kimmimaru is fussing in his sleep; I pet his hair to calm him.

"He's sweet," She comments, pointing to the boy in my lap. "Is he your son?" She asks politely, I blush, looking at her in shock. I suppose my wish for him to be my son, gives off that feeling and appearance to others.

"N-no, how old do you think I am?"

She laughs at my panic. I glare lightly.

"You appear to be about twenty eight, twenty nine maybe?"

I sigh, letting my head fall forward.

"Sweetie, I'm barely twenty." she blushes, muttering an apology.

We fall silent for a while, listening to the sound of heavy rain, her husband's and the horse's footsteps outside and each others breathing.

I begin to shiver again. My black cargo pants and faded dark blue t-shirt are drying slowly, glued to my skin still. The pregnant woman digs out a thin blanket for me and hands it to me.

I bow my head to her gratefully and wrap it around myself, then draw Kimmimaru closer for warmth.

The sounds outside begin to lull me to sleep. My head nodding back and forth as my body realizes the exhaustion it is feeling. Then I suddenly know no more.

I wake up with a stiff neck and a gentle hand on my shoulder the kind man who picked us up is waking me.

"We in the village of Kwiat. 'Round thirty klometers away from Kon'ha ." I stare at him groggily, barely translating his horrible Japanese grammar. What was with his accent?

What is a 'Klometer?' Kilometer maybe? I don't know…

I decided to be polite and smile at him.

"Thanks for the lift, sir. I- we appreciate it. A lot."

"No problem. Ye should re-supply, en get going.

I nod, my neck throbs and my body is very sore. I loath the idea of moving, but do so, stretching my body.

"Right sir, thanks again."

Ten minutes later I woke Saru up and wound up carrying Kimmimaru on my back, he wasn't waking up.

We walk for twenty "'klometers" Kimmimaru wakes up and struggles hard to get down. I let him go and dashes to vomit on the side of the path, shivering. I frown.

"Kimi?"

He holds up his hand as he dry heaves and then in a few minutes he comes back, I hand him some of my rationed water, he drinks it, grimacing.

"We can take a break if you don't feel well enough to keep moving."

Kimi falls to his knees, I crouch beside him, he was freezing. I press my hand to his forehead, and frown deeply, he has a scorching fever. How could he not be delusional?

"I would really like to get there now, instead of not now."

I pat Kimmimaru's back and take out my spare jacket and wrap it around him, he pulls his arms through the sleeves. Saru taking was looking at the map, determining where near Konoha we were.

"So do I, but we cant do anything about it. Do you think you can handle the walk?"

He closes his eyes, sighing heavily as he nods; his body is swaying.

"I don't have much of a choice, and I'd rather you not carry me again."

Laughing I nod in agreement. I felt like crying though, he is so ill.

"Well, if you need me to, I will carry you. Otherwise, lets just hope the medicine in the lockbox isn't vaporized or something."

Shakily he climbs to his feet and we continue our trek to the village.

(- two hours later -)

Besides the fact that it is now suddenly forty degrees hotter and eighty percent drier than it was earlier, the random wind is annoying as hell, considering how many trees there are.

Kimmimaru looks about ready to drop, Saru is just being lazy, staring at the clouds.

I wonder how far we walked, considering how slow we are. I look up and see the huge walls of the village in the distance. We're at the south barrier. I stop walking, tensing with anger.

"We walked in a giant circle for three fucking weeks!"

The boys look to me in shock.

Saru sputters.

"How!"

I grab him by the front of his robes and shake him.

"I don't know! I'd tell you if I knew! I'm so pissed!"

Kimmimaru sighs heavily in relief, he didn't care, but he didn't have to walk much more now. I release Saru and grab Kimmimaru's hand.

"Come on, we need to get some meds for you."

He nods, and we make out way to the village.

(-AN ELAPSE OF TIME-)

It was surprisingly easy to get into the village, we were hardly looked at when we walked through the gates.

Now to figure out at which bank Sasori keeps his lock box. Kimmimaru runs to the nearest bush to vomit again. Well, he tried, there wasn't much in him to throw up.

I frown deeply, I am so worried.

When he's finished with his bought of dry heaving he comes back over and I wrap my arm around his waist and pull him along; Saru follows behind us.

I shrug one strap of my bag off and begin riffling through it and find one of Sasori's old crusty letters. It was coded, and it said N1254-861 Red Sand. I knew it was one of his lock boxes, for Konoha, but it always confused me. Suddenly Saru snatches the paper from me. I glare at him.

"North Bank, and the address has 1254 in it and the box number is 861 and the password is Red Sand. Not original really."

He hands me the paper back and I stare at him.

"You can decode that, but not read a friggen map!"

"Exactly!"

My head falls forward and a doom and gloom storm cloud forms above my head. Metaphorically of course.

"Righto. Lets just go please!"

(-North Bank-)

I show my id to the manager at the counter and he nods, I tell him what I'm looking for and asks for the number and password.

I rub Kimmimaru's shoulder as we wait for him to return. He comes back with a box heavily guarded and two keys.

I unlock the first box and use chakra to diffuse the paper bomb and then unlock the next lock, taking out a small red box labeled. 'for Nikkie'.

I lock it back up and give everything to the manager and sign a paper stating I was here and took out an item.

We're in and out in less than ten minutes.

Kimmimaru looks at the medicine in my hands hopefully when we get outside.

"Why don't we go somewhere private, so I can give you the shots?"

The albino nods to me and we keep moving. I spy someone familiar and then sense familiar chakra near by.

Shit.

I look to Saru with fear in my eyes and he nods.

He goes toward the chakra and I take Kimmimaru, moving fast to get out of the area. It would not do to have my energy noticed, nor his.

I feel the chakra signal weaken as we move further away and I go to the nearest hotel possible and go in asking for a room with two beds.

Time feels like it is moving at a snails pace as I fill out paper work and pay for the room. She hands me two keys and I all but drag Kimmimaru away.

Up two flights of stairs and down the hall I struggle to get Kimmimaru in and lock the door, putting up a chakra barrier. I sit on the closest bed, my heart racing.

I had no idea as to why I panicked so much. I just knew I didn't want to risk getting mobbed by ANBU so quick.

I am an escaped prisoner.

Kimmimaru sits beside me and places an arm around me.

I jump from fright and surprise. He hugs me tighter. My hand clenches the red box in my hand and I remember that I need to take care of Kimmimaru, one of the main reasons for the rush.

"I'm sorry Kimi!"

He smiles weakly, a cold sweat had formed on his skin, he was looking worse.

"It's ok, please just give me the shots?"

I not and he takes off my jacket and his shirt, revealing his pale white arms.

I open the box and take the antibacterial cloth and swipe it across his bicep, rubbing for 35 seconds.

Then I pull out the syringe and one of the glass bottles, drawing out the proper amount of the solution. I tap the syringe, and push it deep into his skin, making sure to get to the muscle and empty it.

Kimmimaru cries in pain as the medicine enters his body. It burns, badly he tells me, but this lets us know it is working.

I repeat the process after he calms down with the next four solutions.

He passes out from the pain and I barely catch him with my free arm so he doesn't hit the floor. Gingerly I push him back onto the bed and then re-package the medicine into the box and hide it away in my pack.

His skin had already begun to return to its usual color when a familiar knocking pattern is on our room door.

Before answering I move Kimmimaru up on the bed and tuck him in. Cautiously I open the door, releasing the chakra seal prior to and Saru walks in.

"What happened?" I question, my throat tightening. I was terrified I'd already be caught.

"It was only Asuma and Kurenai, they were looking around for us…"

"And?"

"Well I lead them away, but I don't know how long we'll have before someone figures out where we are. Nikkie, they are going to kill you on site if you're not careful."

I frown and sit on the other bed, and lay back.

"Why? I'm not even that dangerous."

"They see that differently. Your chakra supplies are immense and you have an imposing form. People usually feel nervous from just that. They think you're a hazard to the civilians and the secrets of the village."

I cover my face with my hands. Why did I have to screw with everything?

Saru sits on the bed next to me and sighs.

"We're screwed, unless you think you can do some good manipulation."

"I don't know…"

"Then we cant stay here."

I go silent, I don't know why I came here. I knew I wanted to help Kimmimaru, but other than that…

What was my reason for being here?

My mind floats to the manga that started this whole mess.

Thanks a fucking lot Mark Clear, you're brilliant idea to stick me in this world was not so brilliant!

I wonder how many messages I probably have. I almost laugh, it is like a cell phone really.

Pushing that from my mind I stand and move to Kimmimaru's side. His skin is still sweaty, but I assume he'd just need to take a bath later.

I run my fingers through his hair gently, then press my hand to his forehead, he is much cooler now; the fever has passed. My stomach rumbles painfully and I wince. Worrying of Kimmimaru has caused me to forget about myself, how healthy.

"Watch over Kimmimaru, please. I'm going to fetch us something to eat."

Saru looks up at me, his brown eyes full of worry.

"But, they're looking for you. I'll go instead."

My glasses slip down my nose as I shake my head. My shaky fingers push them back up.

"No, it's fine. I have a few things to do."

"But-"

I turn my back to him, slinging my favorite messenger bag over my shoulder. It thuds against my leg, heavy with supplies and equipment, money and countless unimportant things.

"Quiet. I know Dad, ok? Just let me go. I'll be back."

My feet carry me to the door, but I turn and toss the second key to Saru first.

"Nikkie, don't do anything stupid." He eyes me sternly. "Ok?"

I look back at him, did he know where I was going to go? I nod to him.

"Yea…" I slip out of the room and out of the hotel, keeping my head down. I make my way through the streets, keeping my chakra as conserved as possible, hiding it. People glance at me from time to time. They may recognize me - not good.

I attempt to keep my pace neutral, scared to be back where I am wanted. I am not a special ninja. I'm not a true high class missing nin.

I am nothing compared to the ninja who are willing to do anything to protect their village.

Protect their people, from their enemies who are up to no good. Enemies who know too much. Enemies that wish to harm anyone. Enemies that want to take over the village.

I am an enemy, that knows far, far too much. They see me as a traitor and a huge threat.

I'm just a scared little girl with very little experience.

My three years of Tai Kwan Do lessons weren't meant to prepare me for this.

My gifts were thrust upon me by a man in a lab coat, with the crazy idea that it would be smart to give humans the luxury of going into a horrifyingly dangerous world such as the Naruto world.

I hate Mark Clear.

He needs to die.

My thoughts leave me as I am bumped by a child rushing past me. Konohamaru and his friends. I smile a bit. They are much taller now, still shrimp-y, but in deed taller.

I continue on, the familiar apartment building I had stayed in for at least five months growing near. My chakra feels out toward it. No one is home as far as I can tell. I suppose Kakashi must be out.

Standing in front of the building I look up at the third story window on the right, it is dark inside. My chakra feels out again, searching, still nothing.

I enter the building and easily climb to the third floor and walk to stand in front of Kakashi's apartment door, hands stuffed into my pockets, feeling for the familiar key ring.

When I bring it out I shove the key into the lock and turn it. Surprisingly it clicks and I open the door slowly with a creak. My breath catches as I listen, trying to hear any sounds of the nin who lives here.

Nothing.

I allow myself to enter and shut and lock the door behind me. My breath hitches when I hear footsteps coming down the hall, but they pass the door and I relax.

I slip my sandals off, and walk into the apartment. The small kitchen window lets in a dim stream of light, it's still sprinkling outside, very cloudy.

I hug my self as I walk past the bathroom, remembering the time I had shattered the mirror. That day was such an important day.

The bedroom door is open slightly, so I push it, it swings open and I walk into the room I shared with Kakashi for months. I remember how often he and I would lay there on the bed and talk about endlessly unimportant and of course important things in our life.

I shake my head and look to the full sized window that served as the second entry way to the apartment and frown. More depressing memories.

"Stop it Nikkie…"

I mutter out loud and go to the bookshelf, reaching up to the top shelf, and remove a large text. The Ninja Handbook. Switching that book over to my left hand I reach again and pull out my half inch wide, Naruto Manga. I replace the text.

It is very dusty, I blow on it and the dust flutters to the ground. I sneeze quietly and then open the cover, flipping pages.

I have missed several entries. Nearing twenty five, maybe more. I skim the entries, wondering about any update on my status here.

-Nikkie,

We've discovered a way to at least maintain your body here, in the living world. It is now up to you to maintain your mind there. With out your mind being in full tact, we cannot keep your body alive here.

Be warned tha-

I don't even have a chance to scream when I am thrown against the wall, my book clattering to the floor. My hands are pinned to the wall by my wrists, fruitlessly I wring my hands but my attackers grip is iron. I try to push away, but their body is pressed against my back. How did I not sense his chakra! How did I not hear him at all!

"I didn't expect you to be as stupid as you are right now. Coming into my home, with out permission and going through my things."

My body trembles from fear as he talks to me. His voice honest to god terrified me. I turn my head to look back, finding a single, angry grey eye glaring back at me.

"Kakashi…kun…"

He lets go of one of my hands to push my head into the wall.

"How dare you call me by my name!"

Another whimper escapes my throat. I fight back tears. Even though I'm terrified for my life, I now realize how much I have missed him. I pushed him to the back of my mind for so long, that I didn't notice how broken hearted I was.

Having him so close was terrifying though.

"Stop crying, it's weak." He growls at me.

I had also forgotten how dead honest he was, and ruthless as well.

"I am weak."

I can feel him tense up against me. He ignores that comment.

"Why are you here?"

"I-I just needed to get a few things that I left behind… and I didn't break in, I used the key you gave me."

My voice is quiet, I can barely hear myself speak. Tears begin sliding down my cheeks. I cannot help it anymore.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

His voice is angry, but also filled with concern.

"I-I missed you Kakashi! Ok!"

He remains silent.

"Please let me go, I'll leave. I promise."

He grips the back of my head tightly, my left wrist being squeezed painfully. It is in agony now, the scars and old wounds flaring up.

"You are not going anywhere, I have orders to kill you on site. Prison was too easy for you to escape from."

I resist the urge to struggle, not wanting him to hurt me further.

"Y-you're hurting me Kakashi!"

"Stop saying my name!"

"Kakashi please!"

"Shut up!"

I hear the tears in his voice, he didn't want to admit that he missed me too. Us separating was probably the hardest thing for us.

"Kakashi, let me go!"

He rips away from me and stands across the room, I stay pressed against the wall, unable to move my body. Slowly I slide to my knees, my nails dragging along the wall.

I can feel his eyes boring into the back of my head.

Slowly I turn my tear stained face to look up at him, he is shaking harder than me. Fear or sorrow, I am not sure, but it was a violent tremble.

"Kakashi, please. Stop."

He reaches a shaky hand to his kunai pouch and draws one out. I watch it, fear in my eyes.

"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now?"

With out thinking I answer.

"Because you still love me!"

He throws the kunai and I instinctively over my head. It thuds into the ground inches from my knees.

I look up at him, still shaking. He looks down at me, shoulders slumped forward.

"Get your things and leave. You have five minutes before I report you."

I watch Kakashi walk out of the bedroom, and I hear a door slam, but not the main door. He must be hiding in the bathroom.

I frown deeply, did this have to happen?

Quickly I remember my time limit and force myself to my feet, tripping to gather my book and go to the closet. I find my black trench coat hanging in a corner, I wonder if it finds momentarily and yank it off the hook it is on. I grab the spar knapsack and shove it in there, going through the room finding things that are mine and packing them.

I clutch the bag and leave the room, intending to make a quick exit.

Walking by the bathroom, I see no light peeking out from under the door like it should, but I hear quiet sobs.

I resist the urge to go in and comfort him.

He is in enough pain already, he doesn't need anything else from me.

I slip my sandals on and exit the apartment, now running down the hall, my head still down as I refrain from bawling my eyes out.

I get into the street and find an alleyway to stand in to cry.

I take five minutes to myself and then dry my tears.

The need for food became my priority as I forced Kakashi from my mind once more, but my heart still throbs painfully.

I ignore everyone I walk by, still towering over them, it was not important, the were not important.

I should have kept my heart closed, dead.

I cant think clearly now, so I shop for produce on autopilot and find a hot food stand, buying lots of rice and squid.

I glare at a few voyeurs, before fleeing back to the hotel.

Hopefully that will be my least stressful encounter. Everything should be a cake walk now.

-TBC

A/N:

I am so sorry! I have not updated in TWO YEARS!

Don't worry gang, I'm back on!

: D

Please review!