A bit of a short one, but I’ve been so busy lately! I’ll try to get more done in the holidays though.
—

Ever since the disappearance of Kakashi recovery had seemed impossible in Konoha, the force of the elements was against them too. Thick mist blown in from the country of the wave engulfed the small town and the forests surrounding it.
Three young figures moved through the bushes to remain safe and hidden, but the inevitable rustling gave them away and one of them jumped out shouting loudly.
“…AndI’m sick of it! It hurts like hell every time we go through! The number of times I’ve crawled head first into a tree is unreal!”
A second one emerged pulling leaves out of her hair.
“Naruto’s right, there’s no one around and we’re drawing more attention to ourselves, that’s if there is anybody around”
Finally the last of the three appeared and dusted himself down.
“If you were able to keep quiet then it’d be easier. You should be used to this by now”
“I’m beginning to think this is a very bad idea. It’s so dangerous Sasuke” whined Sakura, linking her arm through the oldest and brushing up close to him. He instantly unhooked himself from her grasp and moved furhter down the path.
“But we have to find him. You can turn back as we’re not too far away from Konoha. Don’t let me stop you” Suddenly he jumped back without warning nearly crashing into Sakura.
“Sasuke!”
“You two be careful…” He said scanning his surroundings, knees bent ready to leap again should he need to.
“I don’t understaaaaagh!!!” the female ninja cried as Sasuke swept her off her feet jumping back a second time.
“This is no time to be play games, Naruto. Focus, and for gods sake don’t either of you get struck I can’t protect both of you at the same time” As good a ninja Sasuke may have been, neither of them knew what they were up against, and the fewer casualties the better.
“I have no intention of dying here” Said Sakura, determined to stay by Sasuke’s side.
“Me either, I’m going to take them down!” added Naruto, drawing two kunai’s from his belt and twirling them around his index fingers before taking them into a correct grip and adopting a fighting stance.
“I admire your courage, but you should know that we never leave leftovers behind. But if you think you can take us…” A lean figure emerged from the bushes holding a long scarlet rod at his side. His hair was dark and scars littered his face from battles. Alongside him lolloped a smaller child, his face appearing younger than the three rookie ninjas.
“You’ll have to go through me too” his voice, light and soft in contrast to the small and sharp knife he carried.
Naruto laughed,
“I’d like to see what you can do, Tiny!” At this comment a harsh crease appeared on his forehead as he lunged forward only to be pulled back by the scruff of the neck by the larger one.
“Do you want a deathwish!?” his companion cuffed him hard and set him down on the ground beside him.
“No…but I’m stronger than they think! I’m going to show them my real power!” After this remark, there was a small chuckle, Naruto turned to Sasuke only to find his small laugh was growing.
“What a fool! You must be incredibly stupid if you think that power alone will get you anywhere, you need to have skill and precision” the child began to scowl and took a step forward, but didn’t seem keen on the idea of being beaten.
“You’ll wish you’d never said that” the man with the pole grinned with pure evil showing in his eyes. It was obvious that play time was well and truely over.

Authors note: This one’s for Joe

—

Sometimes life will get tough on you,
friends seem far away
but listen carefully and you’ll hear somebody,
tell you “it’s all gonna be okay.”

I was lost like you once, crawling in the dark,
cold, afraid and alone.
I took the risk and reached out with my soul
and my heart guided me home.

It’s true that things seem unfair at times,
people may be unable to help.
Believe in your wishes and dreams,
you’ll get by in no time by yourself.

We are dreamers, the faith, the soul,
we’re never too far away.
But listen carefully and you’ll hear us,
tell you “it’s all gonna be okay.

From the day that day I reached out my hands, to your extra offering of support,
You suspend me high, my head in the clouds, lost in youthful bliss.
But our time becomes shorter; the bonds that link us together weaken,
And I lose my grip of you, from that edge. You fall and leave forever.
You leave me hanging on that ridge, alone, losing my grip.
At first my voice calls loud and strong, echoes rebounding back, and soon the vocals hit keys of major, sadness dulling my senses.
I can no longer feel what is good, love falls like water from feathers,
I can no longer hear the dedication and devotion,
I can’t even smell you, your scent that brings us together,
But what kills me the most is that I can’t see you, darkness clouding my vision and judgment. And within that delusion I reach out to you, but foolishly I no longer hold on to where you left me.
All sense of time lost, all humanity, all feeling.
I speak out to you in the dark, I wish on every star.
But the magic won’t work this time.
All I can do is wait for the blackness to disperse, and wait for you to lift me, and so my heads are in the clouds.
Smiling.

So what if I’m pretty - pretty damn dumb,
the perfect girl to go to, to have your bit of fun.
I’ll hardly argue, I won’t bother to object,
It’s not really worth it with no reputation to protect.
The hatred and the malice, the pain fear and strife,
Branded into my soul, labelled your slave for life.
Chained by your lust, restraining hands that burn,
strike me when I’m down and hope that I might learn.
And when the night recedes and the light burns my eyes,
the wishes start again, you or I is going to die

Yeah, the empty threats as usual,
So damn predictable,
You sit there with your head in your hands
I wish I could recognise your truths from your lies
Hoping I can kiss it better, oh please won’t you just look me in the eyes?

I want to forget you so damn bad
I wanted to make you happy but the tears tell me you’re sad
I can’t be bothered to stick in the knife, pull it out and watch you bleed
Now I know you’re not the one that I live for want and need.

I was thinking maybe we could start over,
Turn over onto a clean page.
But it seems you’d rather mess with me and leave me paralysed
I pray that underneath that empty gaze, that you’re somewhere underneath
Down in the darkness of your pointless past - lets make our final farewell brief

I want to forget you so damn bad
I wanted to make you happy but the tears tell me your sad
I can’t be bothered to stick in the knife, pull it out and watch you bleed
Now I know you’re not the one that I live for want and need.

Finally, what’s done is done
Your stare is bitter and empty (just like before)
I give myself my final chance to rouse you from your hell
But it’s over, I surrender call it the end of round three
Wordless goodbye’s invisible tears and I’ll throw down your key.

I want to forget you so damn bad
I wanted to make you happy but the tears tell me your sad
I can’t be bothered to stick in the knife, pull it out and watch you bleed
Now I know you’re not the one that I live for want and need.

Lie after lie,
Kiss after kiss,
Hope after hope,
Just tell me you won’t
Escape me, don’t slip between my fingers
And fade, fade, fade away.