<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/6gHyA34.jpg)</div><strong><span class="bbc_u">Kugetsuki Shiori</span></strong>(https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=236641.msg11654413#msg11654413)<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Kirigakure, Flooded Underground Passage<br/><strong>Tag:</strong>Zato Ichimaru, Sayuri<br/><hr/><br/>An uncertain expression lingered on petite kunoichi's lips as Ichimaru affirmed his desire to continue, but even she had to appreciate his optimistic side, a soft but genuine chuckle escaping her mouth. Despite the fact that he couldn't really appreciate such things, she couldn't help but return his smile as she looked up to his attractive countenance. She was worried about him and his state of mind, ready to face one of his true legitimate fears, and yet here he was, trying to ease her nerves. She sometimes admired how strong he was, living so gracefully with such a major disability. He had quite a few admirers among the female ninja back in Takigakure. She remembered some of the expressions of jealousy she got from some of the academy graduates when she was assigned to his team. She respected him as one of the most accomplished and promising shinobi to emerge out of the genin ranks, but she was never one of those sought his affections. But, she had to admit, in moments like this, where she could feel his true strength, and gaze up at his physique, she could very much appreciate what the other girls saw in him.<br/><br/>"Then I'm with you. All the way, Ichi-kun." She replied, with a quiet voice. Instinctively, she squeezed her the edge of his shirt, in an gesture of fondness. She wished she could squeeze his hand instead, to make it more personal. But, it probably wasn't a good idea. She couldn't do that to him.<br/><br/>Just as she started to turn away, she felt her wrist firmly being snagged by a familiar sensation, as a familiar grip took hold of her hand, instantly halting her action, and causing her to turn back in a startled fashion. She knew that grip. It had been far too long since she felt it.<em>He didn't...!? </em>Her blue eyes widened as she looked down, knowing exactly what it was. Her gloved hand laid firmly in his grasp.<em>No!</em>Her own wrist slacked, trembling slightly as she nervously tried to subtly slip out, but his reassuring hold wouldn't up.<em>No!!</em>He smiled at her, so innocently, and slid into the water with a simple plead. "Ich--Ichi-kun, wait!!" She cried out, in a desperately loud whisper, one that came far too late. He was falling away from her, and lest she abandon him now, she had to go under.<em>No!! This couldn't be happening! Not like this! Not now!</em><br/><br/>But she didn't have a choice, as she called into the cool waters below. The initial plunge set a short moment of disorientation for her, but being deprived of air had a way of shifting one's focus, regrouping herself on the surface, with the blind swordsman in tow. Shaking her head to clear her clinging straids of black hair and droplets of water from her eyes, as she looked back at her companion, a bit bewildered at the situation she was in. But she knew that this wasn't comfortable for him either. He wanted to be out of this, no matter how brave he was. She sighed softly, and leg them drifting towards the corridor, tightening her grip on his. She could handle it. Her training with Kita-sensei let her control the process. She could hold it together. She had to.<br/><br/>Despite just starting on their way down the water-logged tunnel, Shiori's heart was already racing. She wasn't the strongest swimmer, but she could manage herself on her own. But swimming with someone else, especially one who couldn't really orient themselves, made things much more awkward. Their strokes were often inconsistent, and even when she tried to synergize them, their differences in size, strength and at time direction made it difficult to make an efficient effort. They wasted a fair amount of their potential energy just reorienting themselves. Sometimes it felt like he was falling behind, lagging her with it, and others, it felt like he was overpowering her, and she had to speed up. Neither one of them wanted to waste time trying to talk it out. Nothing about this was ideal.<br/><br/>However, all along, her focus kept drifting towards the connection of their bodies. Despite the cool rush of water that flowed through their skin and hair, their hands felt so warm. His grip on her smaller hand was so powerful, it nearly hurt. She wasn't sure she would had minded if it did.<em>That was the weird thoughts again, wasn't it? Was it happening? Was her focus drifting? She couldn't let that happen! Not now! Concentrate Shiori! He's just trying his hardest to get through this, and you have to too!</em><br/><br/>A short way in, they came into the end of their air way, the roof of the tunnel dipping down below the surface. She wasn't sure how much further this corridor was, but she was certain they weren't nearly close enough to the end to just swim for it. Not in tandem like this. Before she could think of a way to get further, Ichimaru tapped her shoulder, and brought to her attention a technique she instantly recognized. He did study it after all. However, this wasn't a time for questions or celebration. Instead, she simply nodded, and performed the hand-signs herself, before slipping under the waves with him, picking up where they left off.<em>Mugen Ibuki no Jutsu</em>might afford them enough time to get through this impromptu trial.<br/><br/>Once fully submerged, the Takigakure-nin wasted little time and effort on anything aside finishing to the other end. It wasn't the most smooth process, but they were focused on getting through this. They had a time limit pushing them on, after all. However, as the pair were nearing the light at the other end of the tunnel, Shiori could feel Ichimaru's grip weakening, bringing her worries back to full swell. His chakra was fading.<em>No! It was happening, wasn't it!? Had she lost control?! Was she stealing his chakra!? She didn't feel any stronger, but why was he so tired!? She had to stop! She had to stop!! She couldn't stop! She had to pull it back! She can't abandon him now! She couldn't be responsible for this! Why was her control failing her now!?</em>Her muscles trembled as her anxiety set in, her exhaustion catching up with the dread of her culpability for what might had been happening.<br/><br/><em>Knock it off!! You're not going to lose it now! No time for pity! Just focus, stupid! He still needs you! He's depending on you! Use every bit of chakra if you have to! Just keep moving!</em>Knowing this was her only hope, she redoubled her efforts, and made a frantic swim for the end, pulling the Kenjutsu specialist as forcefully as she could muster, in a desperate bid for the end.<em>They had to make it! This couldn't be in vain! Hang in there, Ichi-kun!</em><br/><br/>The surface at the end of the submerged passage erupted as the pair of genin broke through the surface, panting heavily to revel in the fresh air refilling their lungs. As Shiori shook the water and hair for her eyes once more, she spotted the Kirigakure kunoichi, laying casually, almost playfully on the small pier above them, with a smug look, but the Iryou-nin paid no attention to her for the moment. Instead, she focused on wading to the platform, lifting her and Ichimaru's hand so they, together, rested on the edge of the solid surface. In short order, the blind shinobi refocused his grip onto the edge of the pier, finally letting go of her hand. And it was then, and only then, that Shiori could afford to rest, letting out a rather audible sigh of relief.<br/><br/>The short-haired brunette hung on the edge of the edge of the pier for a few long moments, watching her companion closely to assure his well-being, letting her nerves calm themselves after the trying ordeal, and quietly reveling in their success in getting across. It was much tougher than she expected, thanks to their unique circumstances. But, Ichimaru was safe, and they made it. That was plenty enough to be happy about.<br/><br/>"Sorry...for the delay." Shiori finally said with a paced, measured tone, gradually regaining her composure as she pulled herself up out of the water and sat on the edge of the pier. She cast a polite smile towards Sayuri as she looked over her way, and brushed her hair back into order with her gloved fingers.