Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Chronicles of a Self-Made Shinobi ❯ Riding the Wind to the Starting Point(4) ( Chapter 4 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Chronicles of a Self-Made Shinobi: Riding the Wind to the Starting Point (chap.4)

Kumiko immediately unraveled part of the rope and crawled back toward Kankuro. She shoved the huge gun behind him so it was wedged firmly under the cockpit, then kicked open another compartment and pulled out a long skinny gun. “Circle that mansion,” she told Kankuro.

Back on the front of the plane she secured herself to the underside and aimed the rifle at the midst of the crowd. She waited as the plane inched forward and saw dozens of pairs of eyes staring at her. Kankuro's brother, Gaara, was staring as well, eyes wide in shock. Then she let go.

Gun shots littered the air as the ninja on the roof began to fall. Some looked around, not able to understand what was killing their comrades. Mikomi whizzed over their heads and they all fell to the ground shielding their heads. They circled tightly and swooped in for another attack. Kumiko let go again and shot most of the ninja down, and chasing the others off the side of the roof. Only Gaara was left standing.

Kumiko whooped in victory then heard Kankuro scream from above. Looking up, she saw a giant hole ripped in one of the wings and the remnants of an explosive note fluttering into the cockpit. Mikomi trembled.

Kumiko dragged herself back onto the plane and fell into the cockpit. Kankuro was gripping the levers tightly and staring up at the wings. She pried his hands away and tried to level the plane, but it was slowly losing altitude and facing toward the ground.

She tightened the straps on her pack and shook Kankuro out of his paralysis. “We're jumping.”

He looked at her with terror-filled eyes. She tied a rope around them so they were facing each other. “Just hold onto me and we'll be fine.”

She shoved herself over the edge, dragging Kankuro along with her and they plummeted toward the ground. Immediately she pulled a string on her pack and the parachute opened. It yanked on them painfully as the cloth filled with air, and the plummet slowed to a gentle float.

In the air, Kumiko felt as though she was finally realizing what had just happened. She was quite proud that her confidence hadn't shattered during the incredibly dangerous flight, but maybe she just couldn't process everything. Mikomi was diving headfirst toward the village, trailing debris and fire; she exploded before hitting the ground then landed with a sound that rang in Kumiko's ears. She wasn't worried, though, Mikomi would live again.

Kankuro opened his eyes. “You…are…insane…” he said.

She turned to him and accidentally smacked foreheads. “Ow…well, without me your little village would have been razed to the ground.”

He smiled at her as she looked back at the ground. “You're bigger than me; you'll have to land.”

In his silence she turned back and bunked foreheads again. “Ow...would you quit with your head being so close?”

He simply continued to smile at her. “What? What's your problem?”

They were interrupted by a loud noise and something exploded near them. The parachute was unharmed but Kumiko felt something dripping down her forehead. Kankuro started to look fuzzy and she couldn't hear what he was saying. Before she fell unconscious she felt him tightening his grip on her, a hard impact, then nothing more.

Kumiko woke to two large eyes staring at her. “KUMIKO-SAN!” Lee wailed and hugged her tightly.

She could only manage to let him hug her. In the room, besides Lee, was Kakashi, Gai, Kankuro and his brother, Gaara. Kakashi raised his eyebrow when she looked at him and Gai was watching Lee sob on the side of the bed.

Kankuro ran toward the hospital bed and gripped the edge. He couldn't seem to get any words out of his mouth, so he simply watched.

“What happened to the war?” she asked weakly.

Lee wiped his eyes. “The Sand was victorious. The powerful ninja were the ones facing Gaara on the roof. You destroyed them all and the rest pulled back. Kankuro told the entire story. Kumiko…you saved the Sand Village!”

He started to sob again and held onto her hand tightly. But when she glimpsed his face he was smiling hugely. “You're a hero.”

Kankuro nodded his head vigorously but still couldn't speak. Gaara approached the bed and looked down at Kumiko, emotionless.

“You're recklessness reminds me of someone. You are indeed our savior. Your machine has been recovered and we'll transport it back with you when you choose to leave. Stay as long as you like.”

Then he turned and left the room.

“My my, what a mess that was,” Kakashi said, rubbing the back of his head. “Tsunade almost took my head off when you both flew away. I'm sure she'll think differently now, the Sand's eagle was dispatched yesterday. She should be hearing of this soon.”

“My little Lee!” Gai shouted from the corner. “Just like you to find one as youthful as you are. If only I had someone like that!”

Kumiko didn't know whether this was a good or bad thing.

“Next time I'll be there to protect you,” Lee said sadly.

Kumiko smiled at him. “Don't worry, Kankuro was there.”

Kumiko looked to find him blushing. He couldn't hold her gaze and instead looked at the ground. His arm was wrapped in a bandage but he otherwise looked ok. She wondered how he managed to drag her to the hospital.

The next day she was able to walk and insisted that she return to Konoha. Who knows what was waiting for her there? Mikomi's remains were loaded into a cart and attached to two horses. Some of the Sand-nin offered to escort them back, but Kakashi refused, telling them to help rebuild their village.

Kumiko sat on the edge of the cart, her feet dangling over the edge. Though her clothes were ripped and dirty she insisted on wearing them. Lee was walking beside her, every once and awhile glancing up to make sure she hadn't disappeared. Before they set out across the desert a figure came running toward them.

Kankuro stopped in front of Kumiko. “I didn't…say goodbye,” he panted.

She smiled. “I noticed. Well, goodbye, Kankuro.”

He stood in front of her awkwardly and she watched him, curious. He shifted his feet in the sand.

She opened her mouth to say something but he grabbed her waist and lifted her off the cart, hugging her close.

“Please, promise to visit,” he whispered. “I promise to visit you.”

Shocked, she could only nod. He gently touched the bandage on her head and kissed her cheek before he lifted her back onto the cart. His face was flushed and hers was tinted pink. Kakashi slapped the horses and the cart pulled away.

Kankuro didn't turn back toward the village until she had disappeared beyond the horizon, out of his sight.

Lee was grinning at her. “Shut up Lee,” she said, blushing more.

He couldn't help giggling.

The ride was long but the two genin and jounin enjoyed the peacefulness of the lands. Lee made Kumiko tell the story again and again until he could recite it back by heart. He physically displayed the feelings that were in her heart. He ran up trees and cart-wheeled down the path. She laughed at his tricks and the constant quarreling of Kakashi and Gai.

She enjoyed the ride to its fullest, readying herself for whatever was waiting back in Konoha.