Fleeting Bonds

“She’s dying.” The medical ninja said to Sakura.

“Why?” She asked glancing over at Kakashi who was speaking to three Ambu stationed outside of Aria’s room.

“Her chakra network is breaking down, we don’t know why and we can’t stop it.”

She nodded and walked into her room. Aria lay sleeping soundly and Sakura touched her forehead to see this for herself. She shivered as she took her hand away, it was true there was nothing she could think of either. She turned when she heard Kakashi come in.

“Sakura.” He whispered and she shook her head, and left the room to give him a moment of privacy.

***
Sitting down he took a deep breath. How could this happen? This woman came in and swept him up in her mystery and now just when he was beginning to get to the answers she was dying. Somehow she was connected to his father, but how was that even possible?

“Kakashi.” He turned and Iruka was standing in the doorway. “The Hokage has called us.” He stood and left without looking back.

****
“There is a mass of Ninja approaching the village. It isn't what we were expecting, there are mor ethan we thought. I'm deploying strategic cells to defend the village. Kakashi, you will head twelve and head east that is the biggest. Anko there is a smaller group at the south. I'm not going to kid you it's a dangeruos mission but it's one you cannot fail.”

“Mam!” They all said in unison and disappeared.

“What of the girl?” Tsunadi asked.

“She’s dying master.” Sakura answered.

She leaned back. “I guess her secrets will follow her to the grave.”

*****
“Why did you have to die?”

“There is no answer to that question you know that.”

The breeze stirred as she shook her head. “Why then do I still stay here? My spirit is failing and I know I’m dying.”

“You must protect him and those he cares for.” The gently voice carried on the wind around her, or it was her.

“He…needs me.” She closed her eyes and felt a kiss on her cheek.

She woke up, her mind was fuzzy but she knew everything now. She sat up ignoring the searing pain through her mortal body.

Dasai stood outside of the hospital room when he heard a loud gust of wind shatter the glass inside of Aria’s room he ran in followed closely by the others. They each looked around the room and she was gone.

“What did she do jump?” He asked looking down and out everywhere, there was nothing. He turned. “We must report to the Hokage.” They all nodded and disappeared.