::There Are Limitations To Our Hearts::A Sasuke Story::Chapter 18::

The beat of my own heart became a war drum as I stood, facing Hitoshi as he stood before me with a calm countenance. I on the other-hand was surprised to feel my own blood racing through my veins, and I was overly aware that Heisei wasn’t with me. This was my first fight alone where I knew that I could die. It shocked me. I was startled at the revelation that for the first time, my life was truly on the line. Of course, I’d known that this would happen, but to be able to feel the raw rick of circumstances in every part of my being, was thrilling. I couldn’t comprehend a sudden excitement that flooded my senses, a slowly burning bloodlust was present. It was a part of me I never knew existed until this moment. Before, I’d been so concentrated on how it was my duty to Konoha and those who care for me that I’d never thought of how this moment would affect me personally. It was a pleasant and very welcome surprise. I could practically feel the adrenalin as it made its way throughout my system, so much so that I became oblivious to my surroundings. All I could concentrate on was myself, and my challenge.

A smirk gently graced my lips as I looked at Hitoshi, and then it grew, slowly into a smile. I couldn’t control the laughter that began to bubble in my throat. I felt exhilarated. I just laughed; bringing a hand to my mouth to try and control them my eyes began to tear.

“Have you finally lost your sanity, Akemi? Has the pressure made you crack?” Asked Hitoshi as he stood, waiting for the battle to begin. It took me a while to gain control over my body again, and to reply, “I just realised something, that’s all,”

“Oh, well do share. I’m sure everyone here would love to know,”

“It’s just, fighting is so much more exciting when your life’s actually on the line,” I answered, and I could practically feel the looks of confusion the crowd were giving me, but I didn’t care. For the first time, I was free to die.

“Please, let’s not delay anymore Hitoshi. I’m too excited to stay still much longer,” That was all the invitation he needed.

Our eyes collided before our bodies did, the sheer force of our swords meeting disturbing the air and dust around us. My heart raced; acting and reacting as though it knew nothing else other than attacking and defending. Instincts overruled thought in such close proximity as I wasn’t given a chance for thought. I moved my blade with deadly precision, however, it seemed that Hitoshi was also of such skill. We continued to meet and separate with our blades until it became evident that more effort would be needed to decide this battle. Quickly realising this I began using Itariko, the fighting style Heisei had taught me. I begin to make my movements more erratic, of course this doesn’t always mean that I don’t get hurt. I began taking riskier opening in Hitoshi’s guard, sometimes only narrowly avoiding his weapon, but it was necessary. It was the first stage. The second was what ensured damage on the opponent. I began to gently release chakra from all of the body, only small amounts so that images were left behind. Gradually, more and more of these images began to form, surrounding Hitoshi. It appeared as though they were all moving in slow motion, following my movements, and then I allowed the attack to take place. The mirages I left behind inflict damage when they come into contact with my enemy, my chakra leaving a burn upon their skin because of its strong inclination towards fire. I heard Hitoshi hiss in pain as his arm was caught. It provided the opportunity I needed. I launched an attack, aiming to slice off his arm as I swung my blade.

CLASH!

My arms shook at the force of the attack reverberated. He was quicker than I’d expected, but he was still taking damage. He suddenly jumped back to avoid another mirage.

I couldn’t help but glare, stupid boy just couldn’t stay in place could he? I didn’t give him a chance to gain his bearings, allowing my chakra to travel along my blade. I fuelled my blade with more and more of my chakra as I flew towards Hitoshi, his eyes widening slightly. I smirked as I felt my chakra’s nature come to life naturally because of its strong affinity. Flames danced along my blade as Hitoshi and I met once again in direct combat.

It didn’t take long for Hitoshi to realise his severe disadvantage as the heat of my blade caused sweat to form on his brow. Parts of his clothing and skin were burned where he’d been unable to avoid my assault, although I was in the same position, minus the burns of course. I’d made a few too many risky manoeuvres.

“I think it’s obvious that we’re equal with the sword, don’t you?” I ask, not waiting for a reply before quickly using the ground to sheath the deadly steel. Hitoshi glared as he replaced his own sword, before launching himself towards me. It appeared that tai-jutsu was to be the next form of combat.

The battle had only lasted for barely 8 minutes by this time, but we both fought ferociously to try and gain an edge. I used every trick I could think of to try and defeat him, but he’d simply heal himself. He had an abundance of chakra as he’d received the chakra of Sikon beforehand.

I pulled back; my breathing had been gradually growing harsher. I could feel a dull throbbing in my arm from a particularly vicious kick Hitoshi had managed to land. I had to admit, he was just as I thought he’d be; unbeatable. Every time I managed to gain the advantage he’d swiftly take it back. The only satisfaction I’d had was seeing him wince from a punch I’d sent to his jaw. I couldn’t rely on releasing large amounts of chakra in any attack, I couldn’t waste it. Hitoshi had a large supply remaining, while I was about half-way through my own.

“Let’s not play games any more little Akemi. Water release; raging seas!”

I could only watch astonished as Hitoshi deftly formed hand-seals and water began to appear. Lots of water. The gears in my mind turned in panic, searching for an escape. I only had time to take a breath before water engulfed me. I managed to open my eyes for a second before my back was crashed against the wall of the arena with the full force of the wave. I shouted in pain as I felt a painful crack. I could feel the broken ribs practically rip at my lungs as I desperately tried to get air, but I was still underwater, the water had remained after the technique. I was going to drown.

Panic set in at this realisation. I hated being underwater in the bath, never mind being trapped beneath what I presumed was tonnes of it. I searched for an escape, but all I could see was the barren arena, only this time submerged underwater. I let myself sink to my knees, trying to survive on what little air remained in my lungs as I tried to heal my lungs enough to allow me to swim to the surface. I could hear my heartbeat as I continued to think frantically. Water. Water. Water. Nothing else. I could just about make out the blurred images of the crows high above, and then I saw the feet of Hitoshi as he waited patiently for me to drown. I gritted my teeth. I knew what my only option was. I began to slowly swim towards the centre of the arena, restraining myself with every ounce of self-control to not cry out in agony as I knew I’d punctured a lung. I head throbbed with a lack of oxygen. My training with Heisei had provided me with ability to do great things. I watched in fear as more tiny bubbles of air left my lips as I began forming hand seals. I finished by cupping my hands together and concentrating chakra between them. I could feel my last seconds of life coming as I furiously compressed chakra into the space between my palms. Gently, a glow began to emerge. Salvation. The tiny, flickering white flame began to gradually grow. Already I could feel a drastic increase in temperature. And it continued to increase. As the water began to boil from the sheer heat I knew I didn’t have the time to finish the technique correctly if I wanted to survive. As I was forced to release the last of the air, I forced as much chakra as I could into my white flame, its sudden bright light forcing me to close my eyes.

What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. I felt the boiling water against my skin one second and then air so hot it burned. And yet it didn’t hurt me. I gulped in air as though I’d never breathed before, welcoming it gladly into my sore lungs as I collapsed onto the ground. I didn’t quite have the energy or will to open my eyes. I could hear muffled shouts of the audience, my mind not quite able to comprehend them. Relief washed over me; I was live. However, the battle had not ended.

As I struggled to stand, I noticed that the floor didn’t feel as solid as it had. That realisation forced me to open my eyes in wonder as I looked around me. The air was filled with steam, accompanied by a steady hissing. However, it was the ground that shocked me. The ground that had once been rock was molten. I allowed my jaw to drop, my flame had been so hot that it had melted the earth and evaporated the water in an instant. To think that only the day before I’d only managed to produce a small flickering flame, life and death situations will do that for you. That undeniable urge to live overpowering all. I continued to take in my surroundings in awe, waiting for the steam to clear so that I knew the outcome of the battle. That was the only motivation I had for remaining awake, even though I couldn’t quite manage to stand, I forced myself into a seated position. It was only then that I decided to pay attention to the sounds of the crowd.

“Please! Remain calm!”

“Make your way to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion!”

“Try not to panic!”

It took me a few moments to realise that the arena was being evacuated. I was panting in exhaustion, but I felt happy. I’d finally gotten a full grasp on the technique that Heisei had been trying to teach me for a long time, and it was definitely worth it.

‘It sure does pack a punch,’ I thought to myself, as I gently probed my sides to see the extent of damage to my ribs.

‘4. I’ve got 4 clean breaks and one shatter,’ I could diagnose myself, but that didn’t mean I had to energy to heal myself too.

“YURI!”

“SAYURI, ANSWER US!”

“SAYURI!”

My head snapped up at the sound of my name, a sigh of relief leaving my lips, I had help.

“I’m here!” I shouted, although my voice sounded raspy and choked. Shouting caused me to start coughing violently as I lurched forwards and spat out blood.

‘Fuck! I must have punctured a lung!’

I began to make out forms in the scorching fog, watching as they approached me. I swear I felt tears in my eyes. Heisei was the first to reach me, and she immediately dropped to her knees beside me,

“Quickly, what’s wrong?”

‘4 broken ribs, 1 shattered, and I think I’ve punctured my left lung. It happened when I was thrown into the wall by that bastard’s water attack,’ I told her mentally, not wanting to be spitting blood everywhere if I spoke. I watched as dots began to form in my vision, ignoring whatever Heisei was saying, all I could see were her lips moving. I watched as others came from the steam, and I could make out the figures of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi and I couldn’t help but smile before I allowed the black to consume me.