To Heal a Broken Heart (Sequel to Torn Between Two)

Chapter 32

"So brace yourself. We don't have long because this water prison takes a lot out of me," She addded.

I took a deep breath and started weaving the signs for my static strings. I didn't want to use my lightning ninjutsu on the water prison because I knew it would also hurt Yukiko in the process since she's the one holding onto it. 

I had my attack ready and gave her a nod, so she let go of the water prison. He immediately gasped for air and I quickly moved, wrapping him with strings of electricity. He was being shocked 

Yukiko moved quickly as well and immediately weaved a sign. She summoned a massive amount of water from the sky and sent it crashing down on Yukio. He gasped out in pain and his body started to revert back to normal. He panted heavily and his eyes started to shut.

Yukiko also looked like she was about to fall over. I rushed over to her but was halted when I saw a man had already caught her. I looked up and realized it was Kuroshi. He caught Yukiko from falling over and held onto her.

She looked up at him. "K-Kuroshi..."

Her eyes shut as soon as she said his name and he gently placed her onto the ground.

"Are you two alright?" He asked.

I nodded, also feeling weary myself. He had a few of the ANBU from the Mist behind him and they lifted Yukio up.

"He's from our village, so we'll handle him from now on," Kuroshi said to me. 

"How did you know we were in trouble?" I ask, dumbfounded that he showed up as quickly as he did.

"I always look out for Yukiko," He replied. 

He lifted her up bridal style and then handed her to one of the ANBU. "Take her to the hospital,"

They nodded and left. 

"Do you need any medical attention too?" He asks.

"I do, but that can wait till I complete my mission. I was supposed to gather herbs to deliver to our hospital," I replied. 

I slightly winced as I bent over to pick up the basket that I had on the ground. 

"I'll help you find the herbs since she needs medical attention," He said. "But after that, we're getting your injuries checked out,"

I nodded and handed him the list of herbs I needed. He guided me through the area, helping me find the herbs. 

"Was that another one after you because of the Yellow Flash?" He asked.

"Yes and no," I replied. "Yukio attacked me years ago and I guess he wanted revenge since me and my comrades took him and his crew down. I just remember they were all crazy strong, but it seems like he's gotten stronger since then,"

"I see," Kuroshi replied. "I've known Yukio since we were kids actually,"

"Wait, are you serious?" I ask, astonished.

Kuroshi nodded. "He was my rival back in the day, but then he completely changed one day. He started killing off our enemies when it was unnecessary and a lot of our villagers feared him. He then killed one of our Council members when they were talking about possibly exiling him, and he's been a criminal since that day,"

I could tell Kuroshi was saddened by that, but he hid it pretty well.

"So you two were friends then?" I ask, giving him a look of sympathy.

"Yup, then he threatened to kill me if I didn't stop him from trying to kill our enemies. He's been in the bingo book since we were young and has been responsible for a lot of the murders that's happened over the years," Kuroshi said as we found the last bush. "I'll deal with him myself when I get back,"

I felt bad for him. He had to deal with his sister and now he has to deal with a childhood friend of his. 

"I know who's responsible for fueling his rage and hatred too," Kuroshi continued. "It was Orochimaru,"

"Doesn't surprise me," I shook my head. "He's attacked one our genin during the Chunin Exams,"

We found the last herbs on the list, which was pretty far away from where we were earlier. Now I felt as if we were being followed once again and Kuroshi noticed it right away.

"You're not very good at hiding yourself," He spoke out loud.

There was grunting from the bushes in front of us and I was dumbfounded when a man with an orange mask with stripes on it fell out. He stood up comically as Kuroshi stepped in front of me protectively.

I tensed as he looked up at us.

"I wasn't trying to attack you two, I swear!" He waved his arms around frantically, using a childlike voice. 

"Then why are you following us?" Kuroshi asked him, not reacting to his voice.

The man flailed around, making me sweat drop at the way he was acting. "I got lost when following my friend and now I'm exhausted and scared!"

"He doesn't seem exhausted," I sweat drop at the way he was flailing his body around. 

Kuroshi was ready to attack, but the man caught us both off guard by running around me and getting a bit close to me. "Don't hurt me, please! I just need help finding my way out of here!"

"Hey, don't get to close to her," Kuroshi narrowed his sharp, amber eyes. "If you're going to pick a fight, then you can attack me instead,"

I was too dumbfounded by this man's attitude and voice to react. He didn't seem to pose a threat for now though.

"I'm not!" The man protested. "I'm just lost and need help finding my way out!"

Kuroshi sighed with annoyance. "Fine. If we guide you out of here, will you leave us alone?"

The man nodded and was practically skipping behind us as we walked towards the dock.

Kuroshi was irritated this entire time and I knew it was because of the childlike behavior. He doesn't seem to have a lot of patience when it comes to this. 

Kuroshi leaned over to me. "I don't trust him,"

"I don't either, but he doesn't seem to pose a threat to us now. Maybe he's some kind of cosplayer or something," I whispered back to him.

The man suddenly got in between us, whisper-shouting. "What are we whispering about?" 

Kuroshi and I didn't reply and I sweat dropped at the way he was giggling. "Could it be...you two are confessing your love for each other? How romantic!"

"W-What?!" I shouted. "No!"

Kuroshi sighed with annoyance at that. 

There was no doubt Kuroshi was attractive, but I knew the bond between us was strictly platonic.

The man continued to ramble aimlessly about how much he loved dumplings, irritating Kuroshi to no end. I didn't mind it too much. I had more patience with him than Kuroshi did. We made our way back to the dock after finding the last herb and then Kuroshi turned to the masked man. 

"You can go now,"

The man saluted him and scurried off to who-knows-where. After that, Kuroshi walked me to the Mist Village's hospital so I could get my injuries checked out.