There was a strange joy in fighting together with team seven once again.
Even if we were fighting for our lives.
"I've never seen you so beat up, senpai," Captain Yamato regarded Kakashi with slightly concerned eyes.
"Well, excuse me," Kakashi muttered sarcastically.
The enemy must be powerful, Yamato thought, concerned.
"I see we've got another comedian. You already look worn out," Kakazu taunted Naruto.
I glanced at Naruto out of the corner of my eye. It was true. Naruto had scrapes and bruises, his clothes were dirty, and his eyes looked tired.
Training hard, huh Naruto? I thought into it his head. He smirked and nodded slightly.
"Keira, can you control him with your mind?" Kakashi asked under his breath. I shook my head.
"That really only works against weak minded opponents," I reply, frustrated. "The best I can do is distract him slightly."
Kakashi nodded. "Do it. This is Naruto's turn, but that doesn't mean we can't help."
I nod and join my flock in the trees, ready to help Naruto when he needed it. Sakura and Sai go to give Shikamaru the support he surely didn't need, while the rest of is prepared to fight Kakazu
"What do you think reinforcements will do for you?" Kakazu taunts, "Now I just have a wider variety if hearts to chose from."
"I can handle him," Naruto declared, widening his stance.
"Did he finish it?" Kakashi asked lowly.
Yamato shook his head and Kakashi grimaced his understanding. I wince slightly. Naruto would be going up against this guy with an unfinished jutsu.
"But... Actually, just watch. You're about to see a completely new Naruto."
Naruto made several shadow clones and sent them to attack Kakazu. My eyes widened, impressed. Naruto had a much greater understanding of shadow clones.
The way I treated them was just as greater numbers. Naruto used them to gain information of the enemy. Shadow clones truly were his most reliable jutsu.
And I knew he had a lot more to show us.
***
I couldn't believe what I just saw.
I stared in shock at Naruto, who was being healed. How could he...? But he... I never knew....
"Wow...." I mumble. I had felt completely useless. Naruto had grown stronger. Much, much stronger.
I wince and touch my bruised cheek, the only proof that I'd been in the fight other than my low chakra and still sore ribs.
Miku hadn't been so lucky. When Naruto hit Kakazu with his new jutsu, it had thrown her out of the air. I had barely been able to catch her in time, but she still suffered from a broken wing.
"The summoning is about to run out," she told me. I stroked her head lightly.
"Stay just a little longer and Ino can heal you," I whispered.
"I'll be healed when I return. Don't worry, I promise to rest," she chuckled.
"Alright," I smile. With a puff of smoke she disappeared.
I stand, brushing the dirt from my legs. Turning to the rest of the group, I smile.
"Keira, can you check on Shikamaru, Sai, and Sakura?" Kakashi requests.
"Sure," I nod, the close my eyes in concentration. It takes a moment to find them, but when I do I sigh in relief.
"They all seem okay. They're heading over here now. Anything I need to tell them?" I ask, a small bead of sweat rolling down the side of my head. It was hard to maintain a connection from this distance. They must've been about three miles away.
"No," Kakashi told me, and I retreated back into my mind with a sigh of relief. We wait patiently as Naruto is healed. Kakashi and Yamato talked lowly to each other as Ino continued, and Choji lay slumped against a log, breathing deeply.
I leaned against a tree then slowly slumped down in its shade, a slight grunt making its way past my lips as my ribs twinge.
After a few minutes everyone is gathered together. Kakashi took care of Kakazu and Naruto was ready to go. He was already jabbering away, explaining the fight play by play to Sakura.
Yamato walked up, "Time to go," he announced. We nod. The job was done.
***
"Greta job, everyone," Tsunade announced, "The threat had passed for now, but the Akatsuki is still out there. So don't be complacent!" We all nod seriously. "Naruto, your injury..."
"Eh, it's a badge of honor," Naruto grinned.
"He's been given emergency first aid," Sakura reported.
Tsunade snarled to herself, nose scrunched up as she studied Naruto. "Get checked out at the hospital, just to be on the safe side," she ordered.
"No, I don't really--" Naruto began tiredly, only for Sakura to put him in a headlock, punching his head repeatedly to keep him quiet.
"Don't say 'no' to her!" She ordered loudly, "Don't worry master, I'll make sure he gets to the hospital," she smiled sweetly.
I watched on with wide eyes. Hopefully he'd get there in one piece.
Tsunade sighs. "Then both your teams have earned a break," she announced, "Go and rest up! Dismissed! Kakashi, Keira, stay behind."
I linger with Kakashi as everyone exits the room, wondering why she wanted to talk to me.
Tsunade studies me for a moment before turning to Kakashi. "Kakashi, you tested Keira and I never heard the results, seeing as I had to immediately send you out on that mission. What level do you think she's at?"
"During our fight Keira proved to be quick on her feet and a smart fighter, knowing where she'd have to receive a loss and take a hit. She adapted to every situation quickly and calmly. Towards the end of the fight I was going full out, viewing her as a true opponent. I recommend her for at least chunin level, and possibly jonin if you see fit."
My eyes widen at Kakashi's praise, and turn to Tsunade to see her reaction. Would she truly make me a chunin?
"Shizune," Tsunade said, glancing up at her. The woman nodded her understanding, quickly disappearing out the door only to return with a flak jacket.
"We have a shortage of ninjas available for missions, and that is a strong factor in my decision. But I also believe that you deserve this, Keira. I'm proud to promote you to a jonin of our village."
I accepted the green jacket unthinkingly, staring in awe. I was a jonin. A jonin.
"I... Thank you so much," I now to Tsunade.
"You can thank me by doing your job and not dying, she said harshly, but the glimmer in her eye offset her tone. "Both of you are dismissed!"
"Oh, and Keira?" She adds, cashing me to turn slightly and glance back at her,
"Congratulations.
_____________________
I'm sorry.
I'm so, so sorry.
I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry .
Seriously.
I know it's been an unforgivable amount of time since I've updated. I suck.
I just, for some reason, COULD NOT write that fight. Nothing was working for me.
I am sending a rainbow to all of you as a promise to never make you wait this long for an update again ;P
Not to mention it's short. T.T
If you don't believe how sorry I am, check out the picture to the side XD
So what did you think? She's a jonin now! Yay!!!
Sorry again.
Comment! Vote!
Bye!
gaara119