Chapter 7 (so short)

It would be so easy. So goddamn easy to shake them all out of their trees. So easy to attack them.

They would be able to defend themselves.

Good. For the first time, some worthy targets.

No. They could just wait my attacks out and then come for the retaliation when I'm tired. In every scenario, they would win. I can't attack them.

In the back of my mind, I was aware that the other three shinobi climbed out of their hiding spots. The climb down was hard, the bark rippling beneath their fingers like quicksand. They were wary, of course, they should be, confused, what is happening, and anticipating a fight, I'm still not sure about that.

They joined Sasuke. Naruto, blond boy with the monstrous aura, Sakura, all girl and smile but wearing a grim mask on her features and Kakashi, the hardened soldier. One or even two I could take on, but all of them…

Abruptly, the ball in my stomach vanished. The wind died down, the trees stopped to howl, the vines hung again from the fence like they didn't shake their leaves at the intruders only moments ago and the earth was silent like always.

My breath thundered heavily through the air as I consciously made the effort to loosen my fists. I could feel new rivers of blood running down my fingers, caused by too sharp and too long fingernails digging into my palm.

They were a unit. A unit I couldn't overcome, not like this, not with them being like… this. Standing together and creating something I shied away from and at the same time, longed for, deep down in my soul.

Just when I opened my mouth to say something, tiredness washed over my body. Suddenly, my knees gave away, staggering, swaying, until I caught my balance again. Dark spots danced in my eyes, dizziness blurring my vision otherwise. One hand flew up to press to my forehead, while my body swayed back and forth.

It has been a long time since I used my powers to this extent. Fuck.

"This," I breathed and looked up, "is my last warning. Go away. You're not welcome anymore. Search for another place to stay, but don't expect me to roll over when you try to come for me. It will be a losing battle, that much I'm aware of. But…" With a little sigh, my spine straightened. Still swaying slightly, but standing in front of the intruders, I glared at them, the sunhat and dirty clothes not saying anything about the "gift" I had been blessed with, but which the shinobi experienced by now in all its dangerous potential. "But I won't be the only one to lose."

No one answered. Only a natural breeze ruffled in the trees around me, until I shook my head and stumbled away. Only the hip-high fence protected me from any kind of attack, but even when my back was turned towards the shinobi, not one jutsu was thrown my way.

Only bewildered and fearful stares. And the fearful ones seemed even worse to me than the first.