Shiro's Point of View
"Shiro." Shuya hissed, "Don't irritate them.
We need them to think they have the upper hand!"
My face scrunched up as I opened my mouth in protest, only to find a hand covering it. Chiyo stood next to me, facing the pair of summons, her hand over my mouth, "Shiro, please."
"Those summons have been watching our every move. However, Shiro...they've been watching you the most. I don't know why, but you have to be careful." Shuya said, glancing behind me to where I assume Sensei's summons awaited.
I removed Chiyo's hand and said, "Wait...why are they just standing there waiting? Why aren't they attacking us?"
I saw Chiyo's eyes widen, and I whipped around to face Maaya and Toru. There they stood, still as statues, but racing towards us was ice.
"Back! Get back!" I shouted, pushing Chiyo behind me, "Hurry!"
Across from me, Maaya watched impassively as the ice shot towards us. Her chilling gaze was devoid of emotion. In the seconds I'd wasted looking at her, the ice had reached me with impossible speed.
"No--!" A large gust of wind whipped past me. Standing there in shock, I watched as the ice changed course just before it could slam into me. Instead, it shot out to the sides. I stumbled back as I saw what was happening.
"Please...!" I closed my eyes, and slammed my foot on the ground. A ripple of cracks formed in the floor of the cave, racing towards the ice. I watched with hope it would stop the ice was continuing any further, as there would be no ground for it to cross.
"What?!" I exclaimed as the ice merely glided across the gap I'd created. It should have at least slowed it down...
"How...?" I heard Shuya mumble from behind me. I turned to him, gesturing frantically at the giant wall of ice before us.
"Well! Look what your wonderful idea gave us!" I laughed bitterly, "Chiyo, don't you ag--"
She wasn't there.
I spun around on my heel, my eyes scanning the room immediately. At first I didn't see it, but soon my eyes locked onto a silver head. Trapped under Maaya's claws and pinned to the ground, Chiyo lie inches away from the wall on the other side.
I ran at the wall, "What are you doing?! Let her go!"
Maaya's gaze shifted to me, her sharp claws still pressed against Chiyo's neck. I felt panic settle in as I beat relentlessly at the solid ice, "Don't you dare hurt her!"
"The tables sure have turned, haven't they Shiro?" Maaya purred, her tail swishing back and forth behind her, "I don't believe you're in any position to be making demands."
"I'm warning you...!" Pain shot up my arms, but I couldn't just stand there doing nothing.
"Warning me? Just what can you do? You've lost, Kamasaki. Simply...turn back. Wait for the time to elapse, and miss the Chunin Exams." Her gold slitted eyes sparkled mysteriously, "And at the end of the day, she'll be returned back."
"We can't turn back...we can't!" I shouted, my shoulders trembling, "Now give her back!"
"Why not? Will you put your own selfish desires over the life of your comrade?" She paused, her gaze switching back to Chiyo, "Do you think I'll allow Mizuko to go through any more pain on your behalf?"
My fist froze midair, my eyes widening, "What...? No..."
I jerked back as a hand clamped down on my wrist, "Calm down! She's toying with you!"
Shuya's eyes were dark and serious as he released me, "Keep a level head."
Nodding slowly, I backed away from the ice wall. My hands felt like they were on fire as I looked at them, taking in the bright red color. Ahead of me, Shuya pressed his hand against the ice.
For a second, everything was utterly silent as Maaya watched on, her claws pressed against Chiyo's neck. Then, I was thrown back as the water around us formed a small wall identical to the ice one behind me. My eyes widened seconds before I collided with the ground.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh curse that bastard..." I groaned, my hip and head throbbing. The cave floor was not something you would want to land on.
However, I heard someone else suck in a sharp breath. Forcing myself to stand, I saw Shuya leaning against the ice. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he panted.
"...Shuya?" I muttered, running towards him, "Are you...okay?"
"Yeah...yes. Come closer...she can't hear this." He mumbled, his eyes closed as his chest heaved, "Hurry Shiro."
I bent down, and Shuya opened his eyes. I froze as I saw they were not the blue they usually were--
"I'll explain another time. Just...listen to me, okay? Those summons...they won't kill Chiyo. They can't kill her."
"Shuya--" he shook his head, closing his eyes as he grabbed the collar of my shirt.
"Be quiet Shiro. Forget about Chiyo...you need to destroy this wall," Shuya whispered, "I cleared the water...so you could melt it."
"How do you know it will work though?" I glanced at Maaya who now was staring at us through narrowed slits.
"I don't," he breathed, "But I know that if we don't try...everything we've worked for will be for nothing."
I nodded, slowly standing. I snuck a look at Chiyo, who seemed on the verge of passing out. My back straightened out as I met Maaya's suspicious gaze.
I held her gaze as I pumped chakra into the ground. The ice shimmered beautifully as I stared at the summon floating on the other side. A moment later, I'd found what I'd been looking for.
Taking a deep breath, I drew upon the familiar surge buried inside me...
"Shuya! Move!" I shouted, just as the ground erupted. Eyes widening, he barely managed to get out of the way. Seconds after he'd moved, a wave of molten lava collided with the wall of ice.
"Oh..." I heard Maaya gasp, her eyes widening as the wall turned to liquid. A small smile graced my features as I clenched my fists.
"Shiro..." Shuya warned, "Hold your breath."
And with that, the water he'd been holding back rushed towards me. I dove toward Maaya and Chiyo, holding my breath as I realized I wouldn't be escaping this. The two waves smashed together, throwing me around like a ragdoll.
I saw Chiyo push away from Maaya. Her silver hair swished around her as she swam toward me. As soon as she was close enough, I grabbed her hand. A moment later, she'd been thrown into my chest by the force of the waves. A furious heat infected my cheeks as I felt her hands wrap around my waist.
She looked up, her bubble still in tact. I must have been a little purple because she immediately began forming hand signs. The second she finished, I could breathe, "Thank you..."
Chiyo nodded, glancing at Maaya who'd managed to get back onto the cave floor, "Now what?"
"Well...I can't use my weapons...or fire." I shoved down the rising feeling of helplessness.
"So...it's up to me."
"And Shuya! Don't forget our little sidekick~"
"Have you even seen him, Shiro?" She sighed.
"Um...well, I did when he was releasing his jutsu!" I smiled uneasily as she sweat-dropped.
"He passed out. Shuya's lucky I have that jutsu in place for him!" Chiyo exclaimed, "He's over there. Floating and probably dreaming about new game strategies."
Sure enough, Shuya was drifting along with an almost giddy sleeping expression. Maybe he was just happy to be knocked out during this.
"Well. It's up to you then."
"That's what I said!" Chiyo hissed.
"Okayyy! Sheesh. I wasn't aware of our teammates unexpected break, alright?" I would have held up my hands, but they were a little heavy at the moment.
Rolling her eyes, Chiyo swam to the ground. The moment we landed, I made sure to place a little extra chakra in my feet so I didn't go flying. That would be pretty bad...
"Okay..." Chiyo muttered, "What can I do?"
"Well, you could attack her with your sound wave thingy." I offered.
"You mean my Kekkei Genkai?" She arched an eyebrow in response to my suggestion.
"Yes. The cool thing where you blow tiny tornados and blow a bunch of trees away!" I grinned. Chiyo only sighed, at what I suspected she believed was stupidity.
"How would I do that underwater?"
"There are vibrations underwater right? Can't you use that to create underwater whirlpools to send that mean 'ol kitty flying?" I glanced at the angry cat stalking towards us, "Soon would be preferable."
Turning around Chiyo said, "I'll try..."
A second later, Chiyo was sucking in a ton of water. I watched in satisfaction as Maaya dug her sharp nails into the cave floor. It didn't do her much good, as the next moment she slammed into the cave wall. I nudged Chiyo, and gestured to Toru. The oversized deer thought he could outsmart me~ hah.
Then something odd happened. As Maaya hit the cave wall, she disappeared in a puff of smoke. Following her, Toru vanished in the same manner. I stared at where they'd left in bewilderment.
"Wha--how...you know what, I give up." I sighed.
"Shiro." Chiyo called, from where she stood coughing, "Grab Shuya."
"Whaaaaat? We're taking him with us?"
"Just get him please." Chiyo shook her head before swimming away, towards the small opening. Which was located in the middle of the wall. It seems like a trap if you ask me.
Then again, no one ever asks me.
Swimming toward Shuya, I stopped when I noticed him talking in his sleep. A grin slipped onto my face as I snuck closer.
"...I want...rice..."
Are...are you kidding me? Who dreams about rice in the middle of a battle?! Shuya jerked upright after I'd brought my first down onto his head.
"Done dozing off now?" I growled, and Shuya opened his mouth before closing it.
"I had to."
"I'm sure you did!" I rolled my eyes, "Because taking naps in the middle of a fight is a common occurrence!"
"Believe what you want, Shiro." Shuya shrugged, "I think Chiyo's waiting."
"I'm only late because of you."
"Do you always have to have the last say, Shiro?" Shuya asked, "You really are a child."
"Wha-" I sputtered, "How does that..."
Sighing, Shuya pushed me forward, "Stop talking and start walking Kamasaki."
"Stop talking and start walking Kamasaki~" I muttered, my voice taking on a high annoying pitch.
Shuya sighed. I smiled as I reached the opening. As I'd suspected, it was barely big enough to fit me. By the time I'd managed to squeeze through to the other side...Chiyo stood there, an impatient look on her face.
"What were you two up to? Is there a special relationship I'm not aware of?" She demanded. As Shuya froze, I felt all color drain from my face.
"WHAT?!"