(Naruto) Ghost XV
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Mission 14:
Zero-out
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Ok, they got the files. That's fine. That's just dandy.
Kankuro repeats this to himself as he quickly marches down the hallway. He expected something like this, at the very least, and...
There is always the plan. It should work, it's a good plan.
His guards are in place, he's moving to set off the first of the signals, and...well, he can capture them. Temari trusted him, didn't she?
(And that is what causes him to break out in cold sweat, the thought of failing her.)
Turning right, he enters the room and flips the switch, the screens glowing eerily as he approaches the command system.
Time to set phase one off.
-x-
They run, harsh breaths escaping her lips as their feet pound on the ground. She can't see anything except the black of Sasuke's shirt, the edges of her sight framed with white. Instinctively, she follows the slapping of his shoes, her senses tuning out everything but him.
Oh, but it's getting harder to breathe. Her chest tightens and her legs burn, the pain shooting up like an arrow, a path of blazing fire left in its wake. It burns brighter and faster with each step, each stride, and her breaths are shallower and shallower.
The pills are starting to wear off. That was expected but not now. It's early and--
Sasuke pulls her to him, pressing her tightly against his chest as they hide in a doorway. Outside she can hear the thumping of guards, the shouts and yells as men move quickly down the hallway.
She can hear Sasuke's heartbeat, a comforting sound. Her eyes close, taking it in--
And they're running again, only this time the yells are right behind them. There are echoes in this hall, chasing them as they zig-zag onward. Sasuke's memory is leading them, it's all she trusts, and they run closer home.
"Keep moving," Sasuke says, not turning as they rush down the white halls. The doors flash like silver lights, blurring into a single line, a freight train. "Don't forget, Sakura, the promise. If I say leave me, you will leave me." It is with those words he turns his head, his roving dark eye landing on hers, a grim determination set on his face.
He doesn't expect for both of them to survive this, she realizes as she nods rapidly.
Then again, Sakura thinks, another pain growing on her leg, she knows they won't be able to escape easily. Not with her body breaking down with each step.
Promises are meant to be broken.
--and she won't let that strong heart fade away.
-x-
"Stop them!" Turning her head slightly, Sakura spots a brown-haired man, strange marks covering his face, as he directs soldiers left and right.
Three halls are converging where they are now, guards flowing out of them like water, and there is only one escape route. The guards have yet to shoot, a small mercy, but she can't appreciate it much. It only means they have something else they are confident in.
Sasuke is a little ahead of her--her legs can barely stretch now, freezing with each bend, biting with each step. Her stomach... if she tries to, she can distance herself from the pain, from the noise, from the world.
It isn't enough, though, and everything filters back in. The first thing she notices is this sound, a small tapping noise. A tiny noise but she recognizes it immediately, her head snapping back to see the brown-haired man, obviously the leader, inputting a command to a computer.
Just what--
The final corridor, the one to the outside world, is larger than most. Three, four, five men can comfortably pass through it, side by side. However, now some sort of dark grey screen is sliding down the furthest point. Slowly and ominously, it creaks and their exit is disappearing.
She sees Sasuke moving faster, his pace hastening as he realizes what is happening. He'll make it, she's sure. It's only herself she's worried about.
-x-
A final trap. He should have expected that, considering the lack of security and the ease with which they are escaping. Still, it comes as a surprise.
He has to be a little faster if he is going to cross it and give Sakura enough time to pass as well. Speeding up, he hears Sakura's footsteps quicken as well, matching his step.
A little further--he ignores the shouts behind him, the angry yells. Nothing exists but the door, this moment, the small gap between them.
Crouching, he slides past the gap, the smooth metal pushing him along. His right hand flips him over and he turns to help Sakura.
Only, was she always this far behind? She seemed closer before, but the gap between them is too large.
She won't make it.
"Sakura!" Hurry up. There’s no time.
A small smile crawls across her face, painfully--she isn't healed at all, the idiot. He never should have brought her. He should have known she wouldn't be able to manage this.
(Always realizing these things too late, when it can't help anyone.)
A soft nod and she slides the camera and the flash-drive to him.
"Sakura!" It's futile, he knows, but he still yells her name, the door clanging shut, the last glimpse of accepting eyes.
She knew she wouldn't make it, he realizes. She knew.
-x-
It surrounds her, this metal cage, mesh criss-crossing in front of her eyes. The guards, the leader, they've all disappeared from the hall and all that's left is her and this metal cage.
At least Sasuke's escaped, she thinks, pleased with herself. At least the mission is accomplished and he's safe and--well, he can't say she held him back.
Her line of reasoning feels a little off, a little hysterical, and that's when she smells it. Some sort of gas is entering this cage, enveloping her, and--
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A/N: Look, it’s exactly on time! =D
And I have to apologize for putting yet another cliff-hanger. Is this chapter still good pace-wise, or is it too fast? I fear it might be because I was a little lazy with their escape and quick writing does not equal good writing.
To those still reading, please review! It really does make me happy and want to write.
CHAPTER 15