Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/461511.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Underage
  Category:
      F/F, M/M, Multi
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling, Naruto, InuYasha_-_A_Feudal_Fairy_Tale
  Relationship:
      Harry_Potter/Uchiha_Itachi, Uchiha_Itachi/Uzumaki_Naruto, Gaara/Harry
      Potter, Harry_Potter/Uzumaki_Naruto, Harry_Potter/Uchiha_Sasuke, Harry
      Potter/Hyuugi_Neji, Harry_Potter/Nara_Shikamaru, Harry_Potter/Inuzuka
      Kiba
  Character:
      Harry_Potter, Uzumaki_Naruto, Hyuuga_Hinata, Hyuuga_Neji, InuYasha_
      (InuYasha), Kiba_Inuzuka, Kurenai_Yuhi, Shino_Aburame, Uchiha_Itachi,
      Gaara_(Naruto), Kankurou_(Naruto), Temari_(Naruto)
  Additional Tags:
      Male_Slash
  Stats:
      Published: 2012-07-16 Updated: 2012-07-24 Chapters: 41/? Words: 106942
****** Song of the Caged Blackbird ******
by Abby_Ebon
Summary
     -Challenge # 1 from Serpent in the Shadows-. HPNaruIY. Slash! Harry
     disappeared from the Wizarding world at three and involuntarily found
     a home in the Shinobi world. Now years later he must travel to a new
     world to reclaim a lost piece of himself...
Notes
     A warning; this is my first attempt at writing Harry into Naruto,
     this starts with a child afraid to look in the eyes of those around
     him - who becomes a cold protector, who is burdened with the weight
     of knowing death before any child should. This is not a story of
     Harry becoming super!powered, this is, in a large part, a story of
     Harry growing up - finding who he loves, then meeting those who could
     have manipulated him and finding himself more powerful - better then
     they are...
See the end of the work for more notes
***** The Hyuuga Heiress' Protector *****
Chapter Notes
     Challenge:
     Harry Potter & Naruto crossover, Slash, or no relationships, brief
     summary: At the age of three, Harry, after a bad round with his
     Uncle, unknowingly used his magic to whisk him away and to a strange
     land; only to be found by Hiashi Hyuuga. The head of the Hyuuga clan
     decided to turn the boy over to the Hokage -but that quickly changed
     when he realized that this child could not be heard, smelled, or even
     seen unless one was looking directly at him - even the highly praised
     Byakugan could not see the child. Seeing the potential in this,
     Hiashi kept the child hidden from everyone, gave him the Juin Jutsu,
     and trained him hard from the beginning - teaching him everything he
     needed to know in order to protect his daughter, Hinata, who he
     deemed to weak to protect her self. His sole mission was to follow
     around the Heiress through her academy days, genin days, and so on,
     all without anyone ever knowing. With no rank, he was never labeled a
     Shinobi of the Leaf, no one knows about his existence except for
     Neji, Hinata, and Hiashi until the age of seventeen when something
     vile happens that causes his magic to explode allowing the wizarding
     world, who thought he was dead, to find him.
     Requirements:
     1.) Hinata will be seen as a 'sister'. He does not fault her for his
     seal or life.
     2.) Hiashi is hated, and Harry vows to find a way around the Juin
     Jutsu and kill the man for what he has done to himself, Neji and
     Hinata.
     3.) Neji can be seen as a 'brother', friend of if you choose a lover.
     4.) Magic must take a backseat in the Shinobi world. The only thing
     that Harry uses his magic for is to be 'unseen' but that was all done
     unknowingly when he was transported to the other world.
     5.) Yes, Harry will be powerful in the Ninja world; he has to be in
     order to protect Hinata at such a young age. You may think of him as
     another Itachi if you wish - he was trained since the age of three.
Harry Potter breathed deeply, calmingly, reminding himself that he could not be
seen, heard, or – dare he even think it, smelled, by anyone within the room.
Harry had lived his life since the age of three in this manner – and from what
little he could remember of his nightmares, which were of his past, this was a
good thing.
People, who noticed him, hurt him.
The little eight year old trusted no one – not even the man who had taught him
to defend himself from that day he was found five years ago, supposedly,
cowering in the street, until now.
That man was the Head of the Hyuuga Clan, Hiashi Hyuuga.
Upon discovering that Harry was different, that Harry was, as his relatives had
once called him, a freak; Hiashi had placed what he called a "Jutsu", and Harry
called a curse, on the little three year old boy.
The curse lay on the back of Harry's neck, and when activated, it would kill
Harry no mater where he was, no matter where he ran to- it would find and kill
him, wherever he was.
Harry knew the Jutsu would work – Hiashi had demonstrated how Jutsus worked
often enough.
Only this morning had Hiashi told him why he had trained him all these years.
He was a precaution, a defense, the unseen protector of the Heiress of the
Hyuuga Clan, Hinata Hyuuga.
That was his sole mission, the only reason he lived, according to Hiashi-sama,
and if Harry were to live, he would perform this duty until the death of Hinata
Hyuuga. Which, Harry knew, would not be for a very long time – for Harry did
not indeed to die for a very long time yet.
Hiashi has seen fit to tell all this to Harry, on this very day; because it was
the day his daughter turned seven.
This year she would go to the academy, and be taught the ninja way, and he,
Harry, would be her every silent and shadowed step of the way, so Harry knew
he'd best get used to so many people.
Although, after being isolated by Hiashi-sama for five years; Harry was not to
blame for being near petrified of seeing so many people in the crowded main
rooms of the Hyuuga Clan.
Yet Hinata, who did not seem to enjoy the crowds either, did not move away from
them.
She chose to remain by her father's side.
Harry knew this would be a birthday the Heiress would never forget, for today,
after the guests and family were gone, she would be shown how different she
truly was. By the end of the day, she would know of Harry.
Know that she had a shadow-servant and protector watching her day in and day
out.
Know that if she died, he would as well.
Harry, nabbing a fruit from a passing servant's trey, wondered how she'd take
it. He hoped she was someone Harry could like.
He hoped he could have a friend out of her. Harry had heard of friends, and had
seen what being friends could be like, he had seen them in his lessons, as he
was made to watch as children played, remaining unseen among them.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
They were gone, after hours and hours of endless parading, they were gone.
Harry had never been so glad for any single thing in his life. Hiashi Hyuuga
stood, touching his daughter on the shoulder to signal her to follow him.
Harry trotted after them, scooting into the room before the door closed.
"Hinata, as Heiress, you have always had certain duties. Now, as you are going
into the academy, I recognize that you have certain skills, and, as Heiress,
you will need to develop these skills to your advantage for later in life."
Hiashi began, Hinata, who save for pleasantries with her guests, had not spoken
a word – and did not now, merely nodding her head.
"To ensure you develop these skills, I have taken great pains to procure the
proper protector for you." Hinata's eyes grew wide, and she opened her mouth –
perhaps to protest, perhaps to thank her father, Harry would never know for,
before Hinata could utter a word, her father waved for her to remain silent.
She did so.
"I know you will find this to your advantage in later life. Have no fear; he
has been properly trained by me since his early years. Unless forced to be, he
shall never be seen, heard, or even smelt – even our Clan's Byakugan is hard
pressed to detect even the slightest hint of him." Hiashi looked away from his
daughter then, looking directly at Harry, he gestured, and Harry came foreword
– and Hinata spun around to see him.
"This, Hinata, is…Blackbird. Do not fear for his loyalty or discreetness, he
shall tell no one of your actions. I long ago put the Hyuuga Branch Family
Curse Seal upon him." Hiashi told his eldest daughter, Harry bowed to them, as
he had been trained – yet keeping his eyes on them.
Hinata bit down on her lip and nodded.
Hiashi, taking her silence as acceptance, let himself out of the room. Hinata's
wide silvery-white eyes followed his movements as he left the room – Harry's
eyes, too, watched him leave.
"I-I am Hinata… um, Blackbird, please, what's your real name?" Hinata asked the
small boy with messy black hair, and eerie green eyes, he was small, and was
shorter then Hinata. Yet, she was intrigued by him, that her Father placed so
much trust in his abilities spoke highly of them.
"Harry…" The boy answered, although it was said so softly it might have been
mistaken as a whisper of the wind. Over time Hinata would grow used to it – for
that was how Harry's voice always sounded.
"N-no, I-I mean you Clan Name?" Hinata inquired softly, a rosy blush tinting
her cheeks.
"Hiashi-sama says I have none." Harry answered, letting his eyes drop to the
floor. Hinata, not having to know his thoughts and emotions, relaxed, the blush
fading.
"O-oh, well, I suppose I'll just have to call you Harry." Hinata murmured,
Harry shrugged, the movement so slight that if Hinata hadn't been watching him,
she could have missed it.
"H-how can F-father and I see you? I-if no one else can." Hinata asked
curiously, Harry glanced to the side again, searching the floor for an answer
that sounded – and felt, right to him.
"You have to know where I am, look directly at me, I suppose. Hiashi-sama never
seems to have any problems finding me when he needs to." He sounded upset about
it, but Hinata looked confused for only a moment, and then nodded, taking
Harry's word for it.
A thought occurred to her as she looked out the window and saw that it was
dusk.
"Harry, W-where are you to sleep?" A faint blush colored her cheeks, and Harry
glanced upward, amused.
"With you- in your room, of course." Harry answered, trying his best to keep
his tone bland. Hinata's eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped open. Harry
laughed, and before she could demand an explanation – he 'disappeared'.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Seven Years Later- Harry age 15, Hinata age 14.
Hyuuga Clan, 'Home', Near Midnight.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The next day was Exams, Hinata was naturally nervous about them, and Harry had
had her study late to get rid of her nerves – she had started snoring nearly
three hours ago. Harry had been amused by this, but only a bit.
His friend had long ago become something precious to him.
Harry flipped through the book – it was amazing to him, how long it took for
the school children to adsorb such simple subjects. Harry held his tongue
though, for once, not so very long ago- when Hinata had been in the academy for
barely a week, Harry had voiced this to Hiashi-sama.
His punishment for suggesting he was 'superior' to them had been lasting – he
still had the scars from it. Harry had mastered most of these Jutsus they
covered in theory when he had reached twelve.
He had never told Hinata that, it was just another in a long line of secrets
that he kept. Harry put the book down, and concentrating on mastering the
'feeling' inside of him, he lifted Hinata up, and put her to bed, the covers
going over her; her night clothes replacing her day clothes.
That secret, not even Hiashi knew.
And that, if Harry were to have his way, was the way it would stay. Harry did
not want anything else to point out to Hiashi-sama how strange and unnatural he
was.
Just how much of a freak was he? Not even Harry knew that…
Harry sighed and shifted to sit on the balcony outside the Heiresses' window,
the balcony was his – it had been his since Hinata's birthday all those years
ago, as she was sure it was improper for him to actually be in her room while
she slept.
This did not bother Harry, he could take care of, and protect, Hinata from
anywhere near her.
He just wished he could say the same about another member of the Hyuuga Clan
who had caught his eye just the other day…
***** Put Me To Sleep, Evil Angel *****
Harry dreamed of Him, the night of Hinata's Exams…the night of the anniversary
of the Uchiha massacre…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
He stood in a ruin, a ruin of bodies, bloodied, missing parts, and flesh
hanging from their bones; blood shining in the harsh light of the heavenly body
above them. The damage to the buildings was minimal in comparison, all this
death, all for Harry's freedom.
Harry had lied.
He hadn't thought that it would come to this – that his freedom would cost
this…All for Him to learn the secret to getting rid of Harry's Curse Seal. He
approached Harry, He had not meant for Harry to see this.
He knelt before Harry, ruffling his hair with bloodied hands.
"It'll be alright, Blackbird, I'll find a way; just a few more deaths and you
will be free from them."
Harry hadn't meant to lie.
It was a Jutsu, a Jutsu of compulsion, Hiashi-sama had found out about Him, the
only other man who knew of Harry. Then, then Harry had been made to lie to Him
by Hiashi-sama.
"Blackbird…?" Tears seeped into Harry's eyes, making their slow way down his
cheeks. He had noticed, as He always did. He had been willing to pay in blood
for Harry's freedom, but not just any blood; His own kinsmen's blood.
"I'm sorry, Uchiha-sama; I lied." His eyes widened, and then shakily, He
exhaled.
"What do you mean, Blackbird?" His tone begged Harry to have a good reason for
his…betrayal. Harry bowed his head – turning his green ones away from the
hurting red ones, and Harry told Him, as he always did, what he had been made
to do.
"Hyuuga-sama forced me to tell him about you….H-he…ordered I tell you that I
was once a member of your family, to get rid of the Uchiha Clan, to get rid of
petty rivalries…." Harry finished his explanation, looking up at Him, his only
true friend.
Harry's eyes glazed in the internal pain Harry sensed that he had caused Him.
Then, Harry knew what he wanted – no, needed to do. He took his Uchiha-sama's
hand – the one which held the shuriken used upon His own Clan, placing it
against the hollow of Harry's throat, the blood of Uchiha-sama's Clan marking
him.
"You have right to my life, Uchiha-sama; will you…put me too… sleep, Evil-
Angel?" Harry begged, knowing for this, He would never forgive him, and Harry
did not want to live without Him. He shook his head, removing the kunai from
Harry's throat.
"No, Blackbird, I should have thought that this was too easy. If only you could
tell me which damned High-Branched asshole in the Hyuuga Clan controls your
Curse Seal…" He said, pained, but not willing to kill Harry, who He viewed as a
true companion and equal, for His own actions.
"Uchiha-sama…." Harry hissed, hearing the youngest of the Uchiha family
approaching, and disappearing into thin air. Harry's Uchiha-sama had to flee
the Village, but before he did, he vowed to return on the eve of every
anniversary of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, and made Harry promise to allow him to
see him.
Harry kept his promises, always.
It was only after Uchiha-sama, Harry's Evil Angel, had massacred his Clan, and
fled leaving Sasuke Uchiha behind, that Harry learned just who his Uchiha-sama
was; the genius, and prodigy, of the Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha, Itachi.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The day of the Exams went smoothly, and, even reminded of his impending meeting
that night, Harry managed to remain calm, until someone called on a promise he
had made…
It was lunch, and the children, sure they were to be the newly made ninjas of
their village, ran around like wild beasts on the academy grounds. Hinata,
seeking solitude, and knowing how nervous Harry became when around crowds, let
herself onto the roof.
She, despite her father's doubts, had done very well.
This wasn't way she wanted to speak with her silent companion. She had
remembered something that morning – something she had been surprised at herself
for forgetting in the first place.
Today was the anniversary of the Uchiha massacre, a day Harry was at his
jumpiest, a day he was sworn by her father to never speak of. Yet, he had
promised her he would tell her everything she wanted to know when she passed
her Exams. She had…
"Harry…?" Hinata began, she would never force him to tell her anything – he was
her only friend. But…Harry never broke a promise. Silently and going otherwise
undetected, Harry appeared before her.
"Yes, Hinata-sama?" Harry spoke softly, glancing up at her. Hinata sealed
herself –she had to know.
"Tell me about the massacre." Hinata begged, Harry turned his face – to look
upon the grounds, his eyes seeking out Sasuke Uchiha, the one who loved
Hinata's only other friend –Naruto. Harry, very slowly, nodded.
"As you wish, Hinata-sama…."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry had no sense of how old he was before meeting Hinata Hyuuga-sama, all he
knew was that one day, a year or so after meeting Hinata– a dark haired
teenager saw through Harry's ability, and noticed that no-one else seemed to
see, or indeed, sense anything about the lonely little dark haired boy, who sat
in a tree watching children play in a park.
"What are you doing?" The teenager asked his ruby eyes curious. The boy, at
first didn't seem to realize he had been seen.
"You can see me?" The boy, Harry, blurted out – then cupped his hands over his
mouth, his eyes wide. The teenager snorted.
"Of course, now, what sort of GenJutsu have you performed to get yourself into
this mess?" The teenager asked, somewhat amused –and annoyed, by the boy's
stupidity.
"…I don't remember ever casting one. It has always been this way…no one but
Hyuuga-sama has ever…seen me…" Harry told him, Harry, the teenager would later
learn, could never lie. Then, the teenager - Uchiha, Itachi had clearly not
believed him.
Harry suddenly tensed, feeling the pull that meant Hyuuga-sama was calling him.
"I must go…" Harry said, standing; his head starting the ache as the Curse Seal
urged him to go to HiashiHyuuga-sama.
"Wait, what is you're name?" The teenager asked, even as Harry backed away from
him.
"Hyuuga-sama calls me Blackbird." Itachi thought it fit him, he was small and
black haired, with wide green eyes. Harry turning around to leave and Itachi
saw that he had a KinJutsu – a Curse Seal, on the back of his neck.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Why is it, Blackbird that you have never told me your name?" The teenager
asked the silent boy who stood beside him, leaning against the wall.
"I have no Clan Name, so would it really matter?" Blackbird, Harry – responded,
his eyes flicking over the playground, in the distance a little white-eyed
girl, a year younger then Harry, stayed at a distance from the rest of the
children. Harry frowned, his eyes flicking back to the strange teenager who had
taken such an interest in him.
"All names matter, Blackbird." The teenager told the boy, studying him
carefully. "You may call me…Evil Angel." Itachi told him, a grim sort of smile
on his face, Blackbird was silent, then suddenly flinched – and Itachi bit his
tongue as he knew the boy – no older then his baby brother, was being summoned.
"Excuse me, I am needed." Harry whispered, bowing low to the teenage; and then
disappearing purposefully from his sight.
"I will free you from your cage, Blackbird, I swear it." Itachi's eyes remained
for a time on the place where Harry had disappeared to. He sighed, letting his
eyes fall shut, he hated to see the little boy who was quickly gaining his
admiration be made into the slave of the Hyuuga Clan.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"So, you are on of the Uchiha Clan…" From just behind him, Blackbird had
appeared, and Itachi found himself tensing in surprise. No one had sunk up
behind him in so long, Itach had wondered if it could still be done.
Apparently, Blackbird was full of surprises.
"How did you find out?" Itachi asked, Blackbird smiled slightly – and the
Uchiha prodigy thought it a sad look.
"Your cousin, Shisui bullied my charge the other day…I saw him refer to you as
one." Harry answered truthfully, as he always did, Itachi found that
refreshing, Harry's blunt truths and facts, delivered with no hidden meanings,
or any expectation.
Harry did not know that Itachi intended to free him. It would be something,
Itachi had decided, that would win over Blackbird's friendship, something
Itachi found he craved, Itachi glanced to Blackbird sharply then; looking him
over closely – he had not noticed in his surprise, but Blackbird looked in no
state to be up and walking around.
"What happened to you then?" Itachi found himself asking, not really expecting
an answer.
"Hyuuga-sama beat me for not paying attention." Blackbird's answer enraged
Itachi, he found himself expecting to speak with his cousin after Blackbird
left him for the day. It was an accident, but in Itachi's rage he killed
Shisui, and, filled with sorrow for what he had done, he gained the last of his
Sharingan abilities.
To keep it hidden, he made it look like Shisui had died of suicide; Itachi told
only Blackbird the truth of it.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Uchiha-sama…" Itachi could have imagined it – but when he turned around to see
Blackbird laying bloody on the floor, he knew he hadn't. He didn't know it, but
Blackbird had came to warn him that Hyuuga-sama now knew his identity and would
be taking his revenge for interfering with Blackbird's duties, tonight.
Harry's loyalty to Itachi, proved to be a part of Hyuuga-sama's master plan….
"Blackbird! Blackbird? Can you hear me?" Itachi asked frantically, he knew his
friend was close to death – for Itachi, although young, had seen men die.
Blackbird shook, and Itachi tried a newly-learned chakra-healing technique he
had been experimenting with.
It was the first time he had attempted it- and it was a success in a long line
of success, if Blackbird's life hadn't been at stake, he would have seen it as
ironic; now though, he was just glad he was 'gifted' enough to save someone
rather then watch them die.
Blackbird sighed, nuzzling Itachi's cheat as he held him.
"What happened?" Itachi demanded his tone cold. He felt Blackbird stiffening.
He thought it was because he didn't want to tell – what was happening
wasHyuuga-sama's control tightening, forcing him to lie to his Uchiha-sama.
"I found out how to break the Curse Seal, Uchiha-sama; Hyuuga-sama told another
that I must kill my remaining family…I can't though." Harry wanted to scream
out the truth. He couldn't, and for the first time he realized how much of a
puppet he was.
"Then I'll do it, tell me Blackbird!" Itachi demanded, and Harry's lips formed
the words and spoke them before he could stop them.
"Hyuuga-sama says I am of the Uchiha Clan." Harry told him, he did not see
Itachi press his lips together in determination. Itachi did not love his
family, for they used him, just as he felt Blackbird was being used by his
"Hyuuga-sama". There would be no love lost between Itachi and his family.
In the end, Itachi knew, he would have to kill himself as well. But, he felt
sure that Blackbird was worth it – that he would do the Uchiha Clan name proud.
Itachi's resolve firmed as he laid Harry on his bed, unconscious from the
healing.
That night, the Uchiha Clan was slaughtered.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry found himself telling all of his history behind the massacre in its
entirety, for the first time in his life. When he was done, Hinata embraced
him, holding him as he shook with years of suppressed emotions.
Harry, finding some form of comfort in this – having never been held by anyone
before, except by Itachi when he was being healed, allowed her to hug him. He
didn't notice his own tears when they fell silently down his cheeks.
Hinata, for the first time in her life, truly began to hate her father.
***** In The Longest Night *****
Harry found himself telling all of his history behind the massacre in its
entirety, for the first time in his life. When he was done, Hinata embraced
him, holding him as he shook with years of suppressed emotions.
Harry, finding some form of comfort in this – having never been held by anyone
before, except by Itachi when he was being healed, allowed her to hug him. He
didn't notice his own tears when they fell silently down his cheeks.
Hinata, for the first time in her life, truly began to hate her father.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Later that day, Harry found himself leaning against a tree, while watching as
Hinata and others of her class received her forehead protectors; she was now a
ninja of Konoha. Harry couldn't help but wonder how it would feel to be
recognized by the Hidden Village of the Leaf.
To be seen…acknowledged by them openly, that was both Harry's greatest fear…and
his hope. He wondered then, if he should reveal himself, and tell them of the
Curse Seal, would they welcome him with open arms?
Harry shook off the brief flare of hope, knowing it was futile, as long as
Hyuuga-sama held the Curse Seal over him, Harry would have but one mission in
life – to protect Hinata.
Hinata had come to the academy alone, for it, despite Hyuuga-sama being wrong,
it was expected of her to get a forehead protector – yet another event in
Hinata's life that was not celebrated to her efforts, rather her family's
expectations.
Hinata held the forehead protector clenched in her hand, the metal making white
lines appear in her skin.
"I-I don't want this…" Hinata whispered, so only Harry would hear her.
"You have earned it Hinata-sama, not your Clan." Harry assured her, soothingly.
"N-no Harry, y-you don't understand, I never wanted any of this. The academy,
it's just another thing expected of me. There is nothing in my life that I have
done because I wanted to…" Hinata ducked her head down, her eyes falling to the
ground, not wanting to read the emotions in Harry's eyes.
She knew he would find her words selfish…
"Then, why not start now? Do something that you want to, Hinata-sama." Harry
told her, softly in undertone, instead. Hinata's eyes widened – and she looked
up, directly into Harry's emerald eyes – seeing the truth in them, in what he
had said. Slowly she nodded, and then smiled.
"Thank you, Harry…" Hinata told him, glancing down at the forehead protector,
then to all the other students – all of whom wore their forehead protectors on
their foreheads. 'But,' she thought looking down at the glinting metal, 'I
don't have to be like them, this would make…a good-looking necklace…'
Hinata smiled slightly, her father had never allowed her to ware necklaces and
'girly' things that would 'distract' her attention from training to become a
ninja.
If, however, she used the forehead protector as a necklace, her father would,
undoubtedly complain – but he could not do anything to make her do as he
wanted. So, that was just what Hinata did, wore her forehead protector as a
necklace.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
That Night; The Park
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry was not trying to be quite as he waited for Itachi to appear. He had
snuck out; sliding down the balcony to run to the park before the moon was a
quarter of the way into the sky.
None the less, it surprised him when Itachi appeared in front of him on the
tree branch with a swirl of leaves.
"Blackbird, you've grown." Itachi commented, letting his self sit beside the
younger boy. Harry glanced at Itachi's nails, his nose scrunching up when he
saw the purple paint.
"You should have gone with black, red, or green. Those are your colors, Uchiha-
sama." The raven haired boy told Itachi bluntly, who laughed softly, ruffling
Harry's hair.
"If anyone else spoke to me that way, Blackbird, I'd hang him by his intestines
in one of these trees – they'd never be able to properly identify the body…"
Itachi murmured softly into Harry's ear – his cool breath against his sensitive
skin, making Harry shiver.
"Yes, yes, and then you'd eat his liver and give his heart to the one you
love." Harry grumbled the last part of their routine.
It was a word play they'd work out, just incase someone ever tried to pretend
to be the other. The past two years or so, Harry had been uncomfortable...
whenever Itachi had done something like that with him.
Harry tried to tell himself it was just Itachi being, well, Itachi, but,
somehow Harry felt something was…off; he didn't know what it was though… He was
afraid of being laughed at by Itachi, so he didn't tell him of it, and Hinata,
well the Hyuuga Heiress didn't know that Itachi still visited Konoha once a
year.
"Are you alright, Blackbird?" Itachi asked, interrupting Harry's thoughts,
Harry was quick to nod, and Itachi, frowning slightly, accepted this – though
he knew it wasn't the whole truth.
"So, how is my little brother?" Itachi asked his voice icy. Harry knew what a
sensitive topic it was for him, yet he insisted on asking each time he came to
visit.
"As popular with the girls as he had always been…" Harry told him, Itachi would
know that Sasuke had passed, and had always wanted revenge on him – so Harry
did not tell him these things.
"And yourself and your 'Hyuuga-sama'?" Itachi inquired, moving on to the normal
topics. Harry shrugged.
"Most days, he pretends not to notice me." Harry answered, not meeting Itachi's
eyes. Itachi had learned early on that Harry looked away when he did not want
his eyes to betray his thoughts or emotions – and living with the Hyuuga Clan,
such was a mere survival instinct.
"Does that mean he hits you when he isn't pretending, Blackbird?" Itachi's
spoke in a monolog, and that, Harry knew was when Itachi was considering
murder.
"Do you want to spar?" Harry interrupted eager to change the topic. Itachi
shrugged, letting the unspoken death threat to Blackbird's 'Hyuuga-sama' slide.
Itachi would kill the man one day…when he found out which Hyuuga had done this
to Harry.
They ran together to the ' Forest of Doom' to spar together till nearly two in
the morning. When Itachi called off the spar, and walked Harry to the gates of
the Hyuuga Clan home.
They bid good-bye to each other, and then…Itachi did something he'd never done
before – he kissed Harry lightly on the lips, before disappearing in a swirl of
leaves.
Harry took a moment to shake off the odd behavior, finally dismissing it as
Itachi merely being Itachi. He jumped over the gate, checked in on Hinata (she
was sleeping, curled on her side); then, comforted by at least one thing being
normal, he went to sleep on his balcony.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry woke, despite the late hour he had gone to bed, before Hinata. Knowing
his charge would want to be dressed and at the classroom before most of
everyone else showed up, he woke her – then, almost surprisingly, Hyuuga-sama
called for him with the Curse Seal.
"Hyuuga-sama?" Harry whispered, appearing before him.
"As you know, today is the day that Hinata is to be accepted into a team, I
have been informed of who – or rather…what," Hyuuga-sama's lip lifted in
disgust, "this 'Team 8' consists of. You are to inform her upon her learning of
her…team…is, that she is no longer welcome here. You are, however, to continue
protecting her."
"Hyuuga-sama, I do not –" Harry started, and confused by what Hiashi meant.
Hiashi fearious at being questioned – turned upon Harry, shoving him into the
wall, Hiashi's fingers tight around Harry's throat.
"My daughter is to be in teamed with two young men, a Kiba Inuzuka, whose Clan
focuses on the ability to bond with charka-bred dogs," Hyuuga-sama did not
seemed pleased with this, and sneered –nearly choking Harry, "and Shino
Aburame, who's Clan has a 'useful' ability with bugs – interestingly, they feed
off the charka inside of his body, and in return, they obey him. It has been
reported that the bugs can eat through charka-shields, you are to see if this
is true." Hiashi Hyuuga-sama ordered, and Harry nodded quickly, falling to the
floor as Hiashi let him go. Harry rubbed the red welts that were blistering on
his neck – a 'punishment' of the Curse Seal.
"Also… You are to reveal yourself to their leader, Kurenai Yuhi, if she spots
you." Hyuuga-sama seemed finished with his orders, and knowing a dismissal when
he saw one, Harry disappeared.
After changing his shirt into a turtle neck, for Hinata's sake, together, Harry
and Hinata made it to the school before the others had arrived. Harry had
always been amused by the antics of Hinata's classmates. Today was no
different, and as Hinata sat between Kiba and Shino, Harry could not help but
let his eyes wonder over to the only other Hyuuga in the room.
He was only other person in the room who held the Curse Seal of the Hyuuga
Branch Family, Neji Hyuuga. He had always been cold to Hinata – even down-right
rude, and Harry had never been fond of him, but Harry knew now that he had to
find a way to be free of Hyuuga-sama.
Under his turtle neck, his burns painfully reminded him that he had nearly died
by Hiashi's uncontrolled fury that very morning.
Harry's resolve hardened – he had to find a way.
***** Passing From The Shadows *****
When Kurenai Yuhi appeared unexpectedly – proofing in to the room, Harry hadn't
thought she'd spotted him. It took her but a moment to look him in the eye, for
although Yuhi was a newly made Jounin, she was a Jounin.
She winked at him, and Harry couldn't help but be intrigued by her.
Yuhi had her team follow her to the training grounds; they were just outside
the city, located in a bit of forested area.
"Now, why don't we all say something about ourselves, what we like – what we
don't…?" Seeing their looks, Yuhi blushed, brushing back her dark hair. "Very
well, I'll start; my name is Kurenai Yuhi, I like to teach, and I dislike art,
because it brings back bad memories for me." Yuhi told them, Kiba looking
rather disapproving, grunted.
"I'm Kiba Inuzuka, and this lil' guy is Akamaru," the teen said, holding up a
shaggy little puppy, Hinata smiled at the sight of it, "I like my sister Hana –
she's a vet, and Akamaru of course. I don't like people who abuse animals."
Kiba finished, there was a silence, and Shino eventually cleared his throat.
"Shino Aburame, bugs, dishonesty and lies." Kiba blinked at him, and then
seemed to process it; and their attention focused on Hinata, who blushed,
opened, and closed, her mouth twice, and then – looking to Harry for
encouragement, spoke in a hush.
"I-I'm Hinata Hyuuga, I-I like, um, friends, and, um, d-dislike upsetting
others." Yuhi smiled encouragingly at her.
"Well, now that we know a little about each other, I'd like you to meet me here
tomorrow, at about noon? Is that alright with everyone?" Yuhi asked, seeing
their nods, she smiled, and waved them off for home – Kiba and Shino left, and
Hinata started to stir – amazed that that was all to the introductions.
"Hinata-chan, would you stay behind for a moment?" Yuhi asked her softly, and
Hinata froze, nodding quickly.
"I'd like you to introduce me to your friend." Yuhi continued, Hinata paled,
turning to face her teacher – her eyes flicking to where the Curse Seal told
her where Harry's position was.
"F-friend?" Hinata stuttered, her eyes ducking down to the grassy floor.
"Yes, the young man who seems intent to follow you." Yuhi continued, kindly.
"O-oh, okay. Blackbird?" Hinata called softly, knowing he would appear as she
ordered; even if it went against everything he had ever known.
"Hinata-sama." Harry whispered, appearing beside her, his eyes on Yuhi.
"Hello, Blackbird is it? It's nice to meet you." Yuhi told him, not paying
attention to Hinata's nervous expression. Harry nodded solemnly to her.
"Now, Hinata-chan, I know of the Curse Seal, for I have worked with members of
the Branch Family, and there is a, certain…feel about it; however, this young
man is not of your Clan. Am I to assume he is your protector?" Yuhi asked
softly, and looking slightly shamed, Hinata nodded.
"He is my friend though, ever s-since I was seven, he's been all I have."
Hinata told her, defensive. Horrible thoughts were running through her head –
what if Yuhi made her tell the Hokage of Harry?
She swallowed down her fears – she would not let them hurt Harry, her protector
or not.
"I understand Hinata-chan. I truly do, you can not help what has been done to
him, but I would like to add him to our little group, if you – and he, would
agree to that?" Yuhi asked, and Hinata nodded, Harry bowing in Yuhi's direction
– showing his obedience.
"Lovely, now, Blackbird, if you would speak with me?" Harry ended up doing just
that, and, though Hinata was curious, she did not ask what Harry had done – she
knew Harry would tell her if she needed to know.
"Hinata-sama…" Harry interrupted her thoughts, and Hinata turned to him.
"Yes, Harry?" Hinata asked, somewhat distracted with thoughts of her father's
reaction to learning her instructor knew of Harry's existence.
"Your father, Hinata-sama, has instructed that you are not to return home. He
has said you are not longer welcomed under his roof…I am sorry, Hinata-sama."
Harry told her, meeting her eyes, hoping she would know how much he truly
regretted doing this to her.
"Oh…where do you think we ought to go then?" Hinata inquired thoughtfully, her
silvery eyes looked heartbroken.
"Hinata-sama, I think I may have an idea…" Harry said, for Harry had noticed
that not too far away, they were being watched curiously by a boy with earrings
and dark spiky hair.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"How do you do that?" The boy asked as Harry approached him, his tone curious.
He had sat up from his cloud watching, his expression betraying his interest.
Harry shrugged, amused despite himself.
"I don't know." Harry answered truthfully; nervously Hinata approached,
although the boy did not take much interest.
"Most interesting…" The boy murmured, looking Harry up and down, Harry didn't
know it but when he tried to appear before people, he only partly succeeded,
otherwise, he could be mistaken for a mirage - or ghost.
"What is your name?" Harry asked him, tilting his head; the boy yawned – yet he
didn't seem tired, instead yawning seemed his way of saying he thought the
questions not worth the trouble of answering. Hinata, seeing how rather laid-
back the boy seemed, she found herself beside Harry, staring at the other boy,
bemused by him.
"Names are so troublesome…but…I'm Shikamaru Nara, and you?" Shikamaru asked his
tone light, trying – and failing, to keep his interest in Harry's ability
hidden. Hinata looked at Harry, worried, for her friend rarely interacted with
others, and other then Kurenai Yuhi – she did not know of anyone else he had
ever spoken with.
"Blackbird…" Harry answered dully, and Shikamaru's eyes flicked between Hinata
and Harry; all the while he was frowning.
"That isn't your real name…she's the Hyuuga Heiress…" Shikamaru's teeth bit
into his bottom lip with thought. Harry hadn't considered the boy would figure
that out so quickly, he wondered if Shikamaru would figure it out after only a
night.
"There is no record in Konoha of you…." Harry simply nodded, and Hinata fiddled
nervously with her shirt, she wondered if Harry would get into trouble with
this boy figuring out all his – and her, secrets. Worse, in her mind, was what
her father wouild do to him.
"What do you want?" Shikamaru, sighing, demanded; determining his curiosity
over Harry overwhelmed his ninja sense of 'right' and 'wrong'.
"If you let us stay with you tonight, I will answer what I can of your
questions." Harry promised, his eyes flicking to Hinata to make sure she
allowed it; he could tell she didn't mind.
"So troublesome…" Shikamaru murmured as a complaint, yet, none the less, he led
them to his house. He explained them to his mother and father by saying that
they were "interesting", and were going to be spending the night, no, ifs,
ands, or buts.
Though, Shikamaru's mother had ordered him to clean his (spotless) room, and
the guest room, up first – later, only Harry and Hinata would know why
Shikamaru complained of women being so 'troublesome'.
Only Harry's ability to disappear, so utterly intrigued him that he never
questioned why they'd needed to spend the night, on the occasions that they
did. Although, Shikamaru did make Harry do, and undo, his 'trick' until near
dawn; all the while Hinata slept peacefully in the adjoining room.
Finally, when Harry drifted off to sleep, Shikamaru found he could not – his
mind swimming with the puzzles of the mysterious 'Blackbird'. When Harry's
nightmare started – Shikamaru took careful interest into his begging his Uncle
and Aunt not to hurt him; of the murmurs of 'green light'.
He could not deny his curiosity when 'Blackbird' thrashed onto his stomach, his
hair falling away from the back of his neck to reveal his Curse Seal,
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, recognizing it as the Curse Seals of the Hyuuga of
the Branch House; his father having dealings with them...
'Blackbird', did not look, or act, like a Hyuuga; 'Blackbird' was a mystery
Shikamaru intended to solve.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The next day, Kurenai Yuhi, and her team met.
"Did everyone sleep alright?" Yuhi asked, smiling at the group. Indeed, most of
her team had likely been so anxious about meeting her at noon that they did not
look as if they had. Yuhi smiled, rather amused, as yawns and nods answered
her.
"Very good, now, you should know that this test is to determine if, you will,
in fact become ninja." Yuhi started to say, but was interrupted by Kiba. "What
do you mean? Aren't we Genin?" Yuhi shook her head.
"I'm afraid you won't be for long if you do not pass this test, Kiba." Yuhi
told him, narrowing her crimson eyes at the boy.
"Now, your first test – a true mission, is to find someone among us...who does
not belong; who is…hidden." Yuhi told them; carefully not looking at Hinata's
widened eyes."You have two hours." Yuhi finished, leaning against the tree
behind her, her arms folded as she watched them look at each other, suspicious.
"Do you really think they'll figure it out?" Harry's voice drifted down to her,
amused; Yuhi glanced above her, to Harry sitting in the tree watching the
three.
"They might surprise you, Blackbird." Harry nodded slowly. From afar they
watched as a fight broke out between Kiba and Shino over whom of the two was
more suspicious looking.
"Well, obviously, I'm me, because Akamaru still likes me." Kiba told them
defensively as Yuhi left them to figure it out. Hinata shifted nervously,
wondering why Yuhi had kept Harry for an hour yesterday…
"That doesn't prove anything – he could be a replacement." Shino stated, his
voice coming out muffled by the coat, and his eyes covered, sensitive to the
light. Kiba sneered at him, holding Akamaru gently.
"Akamaru isn't a fake! You can ask my sister, she's a vet, you idiot!" Kiba
growled his lip curling, and a glint of fang showing.
"Well, it obviously it isn't me." Shino told him, quite calm, and very sure of
himself.
"Oh, yeah, well, prove it!" Kiba shouted, which made Hinata flinch back from
them. Shino snorted and held out his hand, taking off his glove. Five bugs
appeared out of his skin, and then going back into it – Kiba looked sickened.
"Oh…" Kiba muttered weakly, and Akamaru whined softly in sympathy.
"How can you prove Akamaru is real – that you are?" Shino demanded, and Kiba
got a sudden idea, and setting Akamaru down, asked him to find the
intruder…Akamaru barked that he couldn't smell or see any intruder.
"There, see? I'm not the fake!" Kiba crowed triumphantly. Kiba had a terrible
thought, and turned to Hinata.
"Hinata, what about you… can you prove you aren't the fake?" Kiba asked, Hinata
flinched back, and Shino shook his head at Kiba's idiocy.
"It's obvious she can't be, Kiba, the white eyes of the Hyuuga Clan can not be
imitated by a Jutsu." Shino told them, Kiba frowned, confused. "How do you know
that?" Kiba demanded, Shino kept his face carefully devoid of emotion.
"Did you not listen to Iruka? If you have a Byakuugan or Sharingan user on your
team, they can't be faked, and will always know who among their teammates is a
spy; it's why those two Clans are so sought after." Shino told him, stern, Kiba
blushed, bowing his head.
"Sorry, Hinata …" Kiba murmured, and Hinata blushed.
"I-It's alright, Kiba…I-I don't think Y-Yuhi meant s-someone who is already
among u-us…I think she means that there is someone w-we literally we can't see
among us…" Hinata spoke up, so softly both boys had to strain to hear her
words.
Shino looked down at Akamaru. "Or can't smell…"
"So, what does that leave?" Kiba asked them, Shino looked down at the ground –
where a nest of ants were.
"I don't care if he is invisible – or you can't smell him, he has to move, I'll
have me bugs swarm anyone they can't see – but can feel movement from." Shino
told them, and from his hands – hundreds of locusts sprung out, and swarmed the
training ground.
It didn't take long for them to find Harry.
"Well done, you three!" Yuhi exclaimed, and Hinata bit her lip, glancing to the
side, ashamed she hadn't told her teammates about Harry.
"This is Blackbird, he is Hinata's protector, now, Hinata didn't know he was in
on this with me, so don't get upset with her!" Yuhi scolded as she saw Kiba
starting to open his mouth.
"Since you found him, which is something even Jounin has trouble with, you
pass! Congratulations!" Yuhi exclaimed, happy that her new Genin had passed her
little test. She let them go off to eat, keeping Hinata behind again.
"Hinata…Blackbird has told me you two have no place to stay…" Yuhi began, and
Hinata surprised herself by speaking.
"I don't c-care what h-happens to me, I-I'm not going back to a place where
father can hurt him!" Yuhi nodded thoughtfully, glancing between the two
teenagers.
"Then, why don't you stay with me?" Yuhi asked, and Hinata nodded slowly – he
eyes wide at the act of kindness.
"What about Blackbird?" Hinata asked, suddenly suspicious.
"Blackbird too…" Yuhi assured her, clearly somewhat amused. Harry saw Hinata
grin, and agree to it and Harry didn't mind – as long as Hinata was happy, he
didn't care where they stayed.
Though, he later admitted to the other boys when they found out he lived with
Hinata and Yuhi that sharing his living space with a women and his charge had
been confusing at times.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Over the next week, Harry found D-ranked missions (which, he was sure the
absolutely lowest class of mission possible) dreadfully dull. He was just glad
he didn't have to do them – just watching Hinata-sama do them was boring
enough.
As Hyuuga-sama had predicted, Hinata's team consisted of Kiba and Shino, and
Harry could see right-off that Kiba was going to be trouble; especially as he
thought Hinata-sama 'liked' Naruto, which, she did; just not for the reasons
Kiba thought.
Shino, though, he was… interesting.
Still, Harry reasoned, that as D-ranked missions took place inside the village,
Hinata-sama was safe enough. It gave him the time he needed to locate Neji's
team – and, once Neji's instructor, a man who seemed to pay special attention
to only one of his students (leaving his other two, Neji, and a girl named
Tenten, to fend for themselves in their training) – left, Harry approached.
He was surprised to find a kunai flung at him, missing his ear by a hairs
breath. The kunai, when he turned to look, was buried half-way in the tree.
"Who are you?" It was a demand, and from a Hyuuga, even if it was Neji - the
tone was something he couldn't help but be wary of.
"I am called Blackbird. I have a …proposition for you, Neji Hyuuga. Will you
hear it?" Harry asked, keeping his distance. Tenten fingered another kunai
suspiciously; she looked to her teammate, who was staring at Harry, a
thoughtful frown on his face.
"I will. Make it quick." Neji ordered, keeping his eyes on Harry, otherwise the
boy seemed to almost fade from sight.
"Very well..." Harry turned around, lifting the hair that fell to his
shoulders, allowing them to see the Curse Seal – he had almost forgotten about
the burn marks on his neck until he heard Tenten's gasp, and turned around
again, in time to catch Neji's widened eyes.
"You are a Hyuuga of the Branch House?" Neji said suspiciously, raising his
eyebrow doubtfully. Harry shook his head.
"No, Neji-sama, I am a…orphan." Harry trailed off, wondering if Neji would
believe him. Tenten looked between them, confused.
"I wasn't aware that the Seal was used on others outside the Hyuuga Branch
Family. Are there others?" Neji inquired softly, in his eyes, it had been his
fate to be bound to the Main Branch Family, and it infuriated him that others
were being inflicted by the Curse Seal outside the Clan.
"No, Neij-sama. Only I, Hyuuga-sama, thought me… special." Neji nodded very
slowly, the puzzle of Blackbird falling into place. He would be unable to say
who among the Hyuuga had placed the Curse Seal on him, or who among them he was
in direct contact with.
"What is it, Blackbird, that you want?" Neji asked slowly, Harry sighed, taking
the kunai out of the tree.
"To be free, Neji-sama, is that not what you want?" Harry tossed it to Tenten,
who caught it, nodding her thanks.
"Blackbird," Harry had turned to go – but hearing his name from Neji's lips
made him pause, "we are the same, do not place my name above yours." Harry,
tilted his head back – so Neji could see his profile, and nodded.
And then, with Neji's alliance, Harry disappeared from their training area –
going back to Hinata.
***** Miyabita Shi no Touken :Sword of Graceful Death *****
"Alright team, I've got a mission for us, a new one, C-rank, what do you think
of that?" Kurenai exclaimed to her team; Kiba let out a cheer; Akamaru licked
his cheek, sensing how excited Kiba was, but Shino merely looked interested –
while Hinata looked worried.
"Yuhi-sensei …" Hinata started, and stuttered to a stop when their attention
was on her.
"Hinata-chan, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Kurenai-sensei?"
Kurenai asked softly, eyes kind and a small smile on her face. Hinata's cheeks
grew red. In the moth they had known Kurenai, the formality between her team
and herself had dropped – only Hinata – or Harry, slipping by calling her by
her last name.
"S-sorry, Kurenai-sensei, but, are you sure we're ready for a C-ranked
mission?" Hinata asked, not looking toward Kiba who was pouting – disappointed
that he might not get to go on a higher ranked mission after all.
"I'm quite sure, Hinata-chan, do not worry so much!" Kurenai assured her and
Kiba grinned, glad that Kurenai wasn't going to turn them away from the mission
after all.
"Now, tomorrow we will be traveling to Suna, to give a message from the Hokage
to the Kazekage; Suna is our ally, so we should have a safe journey there and
back again." Kurenai assured them, smiling at them, and then continuing.
"Never the less, I expect you all to pack appropriately." The tone of her voice
suggested that if they did not pack 'appropriately', she would make them do so
– repeatedly, in front of everyone.
The two boys nodded agreeing, and Kurenai shooed them off, Hinata and the
unseen Harry staying behind – Shino and Kiba did not question this interaction,
they thought it was normal by now, and neither of them wanted to risk Hinata's
stutters for an answer; and Kurenai, as nice as she was, was still a ninja.
Most times they couldn't see or sense Blackbird, so they often forgot he was
near...
Although, there was a one time Kiba would never forget about; he had teased
Hinata, wanting to gain her attention – he had been pelted by pebbles, sticks,
and pieces of stuff the rest of the week. Occasionally some odd thing would
still be thrown… but Kiba had learned to miss all of it.
If Kurenai hadn't praised Kiba on being able to duck well by the end of the
week, and told him to think of it as an exercise – of Blackbird 'liking' him,
Blackbird would have found himself with a 'eternal rival'.
As it was, Kiba planned to thank him for the 'extra training' – he was under
the impression that Harry was a Jounin, or ANBU; Blackbird was, after all,
charged to protect the Hyuuga heiress, it was rightly assumed he had better
skills then the average ninja – and had proved it numerous times.
This had been encouraged by Kurenai…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Blackbird, have you thought of what you will do for a disguise?" Kurenai asked
Harry one day, as she was cooking for the two teens that lived with her.
"No, Yuhi-sensei; I've never had need of one." Blackbird answered lightly, when
Kurenai looked over to him, he flickered, seemingly fading and appearing out of
nowhere. It was very disturbing, as her ability to sense him, went when he did.
"You will need one; other Jounin will, eventually, sense you, and you need
something to encourage them not to ask questions…" Kurenai murmured thinking of
a plan, and burning the bottom of the eggs.
"I know! Why not a disguise of an ANBU or Hunter-nin? Only the Hokage knows how
many of them there are, you would not be questioned right-off…" Kurenai rushed
to explain as she moved the eggs off the stove – turning it off, and setting
the eggs on the plates – and setting those on the table.
"My lack of a forehead protector…?" Harry asked, glancing down at the eggs, and
then to Kurenai. She didn't the burnt bits disappearing.
"Well, I have an extra…" Kurenai trailed off, tapping a fork to her lip.
"We'll have to find you a sword – most ANBU carry them, if only for
intimidation…." Kurenai noticed Harry's lip twitch in an almost grin, she had
yet to see the boy smile, and she intended to be the one to get him to at least
smile by the end of the year.
"What is it?" Kurenai asked, curious despite herself.
"Do you not find it amusing, Yuhi-sensei? The most powerful people in our
village find use of intimidation…" Harry murmured, glancing up to meet
Kurenai's eyes. There was something most dark in Harry's eyes, and Kurenai
couldn't help but wonder what that 'Hyuuga-sama' he spoke of so often, had done
to put that look into someone so young.
"Blackbird…" Kurenai murmured, wanting to apologize, though she knew she hadn't
been responsible for what had been done to him.
"Blackbird? Have you seen my forehead protector?" Hinata called from up the
stairs, and before Kurenai could stop him, Blackbird was gone.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Blackbird, do you even know how to use a sword?" Kurenai found her self
asking, feeling rather silly for only asking right outside the local
blacksmiths; Blackbird glanced up at her, and nodded, wary.
"Hyuuga-sama taught me. He insisted I learn how to use every weapon that could
be available." Blackbird's green eyes were carefully void of emotion.
"Well, that's something, at least…" Kurenai murmured, as they walked into the
shop. A tingle of suppressed tension hit Harry, and then was gone.
"Hello? Is anyone in?" Kurenai hollered, and there was a curse, and a teenaged
girl came out from the back of the shop, she was bronzed brown, had soot on her
cheeks, and wore a great robe that covered her from front to back – to her neck
to her toes, it looked like a heavy material.
"Ah, yes, we were wondering if the blacksmith was in…" Kurenai trailed off, the
girl waved her hand, shushing the older woman, her eyes on Harry – or where
Harry should have been.
"Aye, aye, I'm the blacksmith, Vanki, Da' left me in charge, till he comes back
from knocking some sense into my brother for sellin' the wrong sort of sword."
Vanki told her absently, her eyes turning to Kurenai.
"Yes, well, I was wondering if you had a sword…." Vanki snorted, looking
amused, and Kurenai blushed, rushing to continue.
"It's for a friend of mine…" Vanki nodded slowly, and then shrugged, a grim
sort-of smile on her face.
"Sorry lov', I can't give out the right sword, when I don't know who the owner
will be. One of Da's rules, you understand, aye?" Vanki murmured, turning away
from her.
"Wait." Harry demanded, putting himself into Vanki's line of sight, ignoring
Kurenai's wide-eyed look at him. Vanki turned around, smirking, and Harry knew,
somehow, Vanki had known he was there.
"Yes?" Vanki asked, smirking at him, Harry felt something then – the core of
himself, the thing he pushed to do things – like get rid of burned food; it was
being…touched, by the girl in front of him, and more amazingly, she had the
same feeling of power about her.
"The sword is for me." Harry finished, and Vanki nodded, the feeling of being
'touched' went away, and Vanki examined him.
"Aye, there is one…" Vanki murmured to herself, even as she went back into the
forge, Kurenai motioned for him to leave, but Harry resisted the urge to obey.
Vanki came out with the most beautiful thing, sword or not, that Harry had ever
seen. It called to him, sung in a voice Harry didn't think he wanted to ever
not hear again. It was as much as a work of art – simple design or not, then a
weapon.
Its grip was made of smoky black metal, and if laid out, was as long as his
arm; the blade was like a scythes, a curved blade, sharp on the tip, and
growing thick till the beginning of the grip, where it turned onto it's self, a
half-moon.
"This is Miyabita Shi…" Vanki told him, carefully handing over the blade, and
Harry felt its weight, feeling like a part of himself, whatever sung in the
blade, hummed pleasantly in the back of his mind.
"Graceful Death?" Kurenai murmured, frowning at the weapon. Vanki nodded,
brushing her hair out of her eyes.
"Yap, so you want her?" Vanki asked Harry, who nodded; his eyes flicking
between the black blade - then to Vanki, wondering how much this would cost
him.
"Good, because that brute has hated us ever since she was forged, and given
back…because the asshole had the idiocy to die before we got her to him…" Vanki
told Harry, folding her arms, and glancing to Kurenai.
"How much?" Harry asked her, fearing the answer, for there was something in
this blade that was alike to him – and to Vanki.
"Heh. Da' will kill me if I gave her to you free – so, how 'bout favor in the
future?" Vanki murmured, her eyes locked onto Harry's, Kurenai looked ready to
protest, but Harry nodded his agreement, and Vanki smiled slightly.
"Miyabita Shi will tell you when it's time to pay up." Vanki told him, and
Harry didn't doubt her words – though Kurenai looked doubtful.
They left the shop, and went home, for the next day; they would set out for
Suna.
***** The Bloody Past of Graceful Death *****
Chapter Notes
     Thanks must go again to Xurtan, this time for listening to the rough
     history of Graceful Death, fixing mistakes – giving ideas, catching
     no few amounts of oddities; and research, lots of research…insisting
     that Graceful Death have a history…Oh, also, this is for
     demanicangel; without whom it might have occurred to me too late to
     ensure Graceful Death have a history with the Seven of Mist…By the
     way, Serpent in the Shadows, all your doing that Harry has a sword so
     soon at all…
The night before they set out to Suna, it was foggy, and the fog reminded
Graceful Death of it's past. When Harry expressed an interest – the sword did
not hesitate to pull him into it's remembered past…one much older then Harry
had expected.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Steel forged in the heat of flame, inlaid with runes – for remembering and
knowing; strength - protection, for swift death to those who tasted the cold
steel of the blade; this was the birth of Graceful Death, at the hands of a
sword-smith, a Master.
As it was forged, Graceful Death took from the Master memories, emotions, the
whys and how's of its own making. It learned then, of its Partner; a nameless
man of Mist, a man who worked with six others, together they were the Seven of
the Mist.
An old man sighed, looking up from his metal-work as a ninja of his village
entered; the ninja, no more then a courier-nin, held within his hand a message
the Master sword-smith found he dreaded.
He knew it to be a message from his Hokage, an order to do a thing that was
both honorable- for he would live though the making of the sword, and a sure
way for the old man's wife and children to find, one day after it's making,
that he had died.
The old man sent the ninja away; and waited, in the darkness of night the
Master and Graceful Death's Partner met for the first time….
It's Partner was known to be the best of the Seven in swordsmanship, the
killer, the assassin; the Master remembered how he had been ordered by the
leader of his village, the Hokage, to help tip the scale and make Graceful
Death for the most powerful of the Seven….
Rain tapped against the roof top, and a man with steel cold-eyes and wet blue-
grey hair entered the old mans home; the old man was not surprised by this
trespassing, he sat calmly in a rocking chair, regarding No-Name.
The steel-eyed one bowed, and straitened, he had never taken his eyes off the
old man.
"I hear you need a sword, No-Name, do you have your old one?" The old man
asked, breaking the tense silence between them. Without a word the steel-eyed
man pulled out his sword from his cloak, laying it out on a near by table for
the old man to see.
It was a blackened twisted thing, ruined by the magic it had been formed with.
Still, with the way the steel-eyed mans eyes rested on it, the old man knew No-
Name could still see its former glory shinning through.
"I take it you want the new one to be identical to this one?" The old man said
gently, though the Seven were of the Mist, they were true swordsmen, this one –
at least, worthy of his workmanship.
"Can you?" No-Name's voice was soft, deadly, and cold as the deepest depths of
the ocean.
"Yes. Do you have a name for it?" The old man asked, half fearing the answer.
No-Name stared into the old mans eyes, considering. To ask as sword-man his
swords name was insulting, yet the old man had to know…
"Miyabita Shi." No-Name said curtly, then turned, and with only a caress for
his former blade, headed for the door.
"Wait, if I do this, No-Name, you must swear a wizards-oath that you will kill
only me – and not go after me family." The old man called out, halting No-Name,
who turned to regard the old man with newly renewed interest.
"Why, old man, do you not ask for your life?" No-Name asked him, seemingly
curious.
"Then you would kill my family, my friends, and I would have no one who would
be worth telling the making of swords and metal-work…" The old man told him,
knowing that though the Hokage had sentenced him to death in the making of this
sword, he would make it the greatest of his creations. No-Names lips twisted
into something that would have been a smile on anyone else.
"Well said, old man, very well, you have my wizards-oath, make me Graceful
Death, and I shall not touch your family if they do not indeed to kill me." No-
Name told him, the old man nodded, and the air tensed and relaxed with the
wizards-oath confirmed.
It would not be broken.
Graceful Death had found it was satisfied with its origins. Then, Graceful
Death when was finished, and deemed perfected, it was sent – by the magic of
its core, into the foggy night of a land far away.
"Have you betrayed us, No-Name? Gone to the Hokage? Allied your self with
them?" A man sneered at him, he was a man No-Name knew well, and he knew the
others with him - the other five surrounded him in a bar, he had never trusted
them – nor had he ever gone against them.
"We have slaughtered all in Mist with the ability to metal-work, do you
disagree?" No-Name asked calmly, despite that they held swords, and were
clearly going to try to kill him.
"What did you promise them, No-Name? Our deaths? Mist's defeat by your hands?"
Another growled out, the hilt of his sword in his hand. No-Name bowed his head,
and then looked up at his comrades.
"Do not be fools. I would never betray Mist. I promised the defeat of a demon
that plagues them – the Fox…" No-Name lifted his eyes, seeing the blade now at
his throat. He looked into the eyes of the man before him.
"Prepare to die, No-Name, the Mizukage has ordered your death – you are too
dangerous with a sword." Another spoke, not wanting to hear the truth and No-
Name pushed back his seat, standing before them.
"So be it." No-Name's greatest strength with a sword had been his speed – he
used it now, taking a sword and slashing open the belly of one of the six;
before they could react, he had slit the throat of another – they knew No-
Name's weakness, he was a ninja only because he was a better sword-master then
anyone among them.
But, against ninja-abilities, he was practically helpless; never before had his
opponents gotten a chance to use ninja-techniques against him, because with his
sword, No-Name had been death to them.
Two of his former allies stood before him, the other he had thought he had cut
down, but he hadn't - for the other had circled around – and used a water-
binding Jutsu on No-Name while he was distracted by the others.
No-Name, the greatest sword-master of the Seven, died that night – on the word
of a man he had trusted, and by the hands of the only people he had found he
had thought of as comrades.
Had he survived, he would have never trusted another; this lesson, instead, was
passed to Graceful Death
Graceful Death had found it's would-be Partner slaughtered by his fellow Seven;
only three lived, and Graceful Death would have slaughtered them in turn, had
not the spell inlaid in it's forging – sensing the death of his Partner – and
the death of his maker, the Master, forced Graceful Death to go back – back to
the land of leaf, that smelled of honey – and everything Graceful Death learned
to hate.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry found himself shaking with the power of its 'memory'; it did not convey
the memories in words, but in visions, in strong emotions, and in impressions
giving to it by the runes. The most resounding impression was that Graceful
Death did not trust anyone but its Partner.
"Blackbird? Are you ready to go?" Hinata, beyond the to his room door, called –
to Harry's surprise, he found the sun had risen – it had taken a whole night
for Graceful Death to let him see only the memories of its making.
None the less, Harry had to make his way to Suna today and stirred himself for
the trip, getting up to greet Hinata.
In less time then Harry or Kurenai would have thought, Team 8 was ready to go,
it took a while to get to Suna, but Harry found the travel mostly relaxing (he
couldn't say the same for the others though)…
It was while camping near where Kurenai said the village would be by the next
day, (even though there was no sign of it) that things went sour…
Hinata had woken early to dress and get herself presentable for greeting the
Kazekage of Suna; her father had at least drilled into her the importance of
appearance. She walked out of the tent she shared with Kurenai, tilting back
her canteen of water, and washing the sand-grit off her face.
Her eyes opened, only to see a fearsome sight. Though demons were rare in the
lands of ninjas, they were blood-thirsty if found – driven into their lands to
find food…humans.
The creature, snake-like, slithered toward her; snarling it revealed its razor-
sharp teeth.
Harry woke to a scream – at first he had thought it a part of the nightmare
with green-flashes, but it was not; it was Hinata. Harry had forgotten Graceful
Death in his haste to get to Hinata – he found himself quickly regretting it.
Harry had thrown a kunai at it out of instinct, running into its line of sight,
keeping it interested in him, and not in his charge. Hinata had been frozen,
paralyzed by its gaze, and watched helplessly as Harry, who had been tackled,
was pinned into the sand by the creature.
Acid dripped onto his back, as it leaned over him to take a bite into his neck
- even as he screamed in agony, it didn't look about to hesitate – but
something else made it. The sand around it shifted, wrapping around the
demon…and squeezing it…
Hinata watched in shock as the demon fell dead, and the sand fell back,
revealing a red-haired boy, who stood over Harry; the others had reacted too
late, the red-head scooped Harry off the ground, and looked emotionlessly to
Hinata and her team mates – he looked scornful, and he actually sneered at
Kurenai.
"The Leaf-nin, I take it?" The boy said, his eyes flicking down to Harry.
"He won't live very long if I don't get him to the village." The boy told them,
as if this didn't matter to him, that he would do as he pleased even if they
didn't approve of it.
"Yeah, take him – please? But what's your name?" Kurenai asked, the green eyed
boys eyes roamed over them, disdain dripping off him, washing over them.
"Gaara." He told them simply, as if it explained everything, and perhaps, to
him, it did.
***** Tale of the Five-Tailed Dog Bijuu; Gobi no Houkou *****
Chapter Notes
     Xurtan again must receive credit for research into the Bjiuu; and
     showing me to the Naruto Forums by giving me a link to Dyroness'
     theory in the "Konoha Library" entitled "Legend of the Tailed Beasts
     - Advanced Bijuu Directory" which is the main bases of Houkou. Even
     if I had originally hoped for a wolf - a dog is fine too.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Harry, unconscious from the pain of the acid eating into his flesh – ravaging
nerves and destroying long-used muscles, was unaware of the efforts going into
healing him.
That his sword, Miyabita Shi - Graceful Death lay under his hand; a pulsing
warm thing – determined to save him, to keep its second would-be Partner alive.
Unknowingly, these things triggered a memory of the happenings of his birth; of
the reason why – suddenly, to the amazement of the desperate people, his wounds
were healing.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
A bijuu, the giant two-tailed cat, Nekomata, yowled, black angle-like wings
fluttering, as he struck the side of a mountain; the nine-tailed fox, Kyuubi –
snarled at him – for Nekomata truly was the Death God's pet, and turned on the
bijuu Harry saw through the eyes of.
"Why are you doing this, Gobi no Houkou?" Kyuubi demanded, hissing, tensed – he
had yet to turn his back on Nekomata who shook himself, his tails lashing
angrily.
Harry caught his refection in the eyes of the Kyuubi.
A snarling white dog – his five tails – of the appearance of lashing wind,
waves of hurricane-like water, tornado-swirling earth, strikes of never-ending
lightning, and a raging torrent of fire.
"Nekomata has told me, you wish to destroy our world and start anew." Harry
found himself answering – but, he realized, this were not his words, but the
words of the being he inhabited.
"He lies!" Kyuubi snarled, enraged that Houkou, his closet ally among the bijuu
could believe such a thing of him. Houkou paused, confused, turning to Nekomata
for an explanation.
Nekomata snarled – seeing his plan to gain power falling down around him, and
cutting his losses, he rushed at Houkou; stealing a part of his very soul –
Houkou howled in agony as Nekomata disappeared behind the Gates of Death, his
very soul torn, a grievous wound.
Houkou whined softly, he lay at Kyuubi's feet, defeated, soul-torn, in agony.
Instead of killing him, Kyuubi took pity. Kyuubi hid Houkou away on an island,
attempting to nurse him back to heath, but with each passing day, Houkou faded
even more – until all but two (that of wind and fire) of his once great
elemental tails were turned normal.
Finally, Kyuubi admitted to himself that he had to leave Houkou, and return
with what Nekomata had stolen.
"I shall avenge you, Houkou, old friend; I swear I shall return with the
traitor's life-force, I shall return you to your glory days…" Kyuubi promised
him, nuzzling the soft fur of Houkou's neck, Houkou, helpless, merely watched
Kyuubi go… Houkou would never know what happened to Kyuubi afterwards.
That his friend– following Nekomata's end-trail, cornered Nekomata and killed
him, and upon returning to Houkou's den, with the missing fragments of Houkou's
soul…He would only be too late, finding, instead of a injured friend; that
Houkou had disappeared. Hastily, Kyuubi put the fragments of Houkou's soul into
a tree at the base of a volcano, then, following the scent of those who had
taken his vulnerable friend, led the Fox bijuu to Leaf – where all traces
disappeared; made mad by the loss – by what he thought of as the death of his
once mate and friend, Kyuubi ravaged all that crossed his path until he was
Sealed into a squalling infant.
But…Instead of death, Houkou would be used as a bargaining clip between two men
who formed a dark alliance.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
In a back-alley of Konoha, four men, at the orders of their leaders, met for
the first time. Two were robed and hooded in black, and wore white skull masks;
the other two hid their faces in the darkness of their midnight blue cloaks.
"Do you have it?" A man in a black robe and white skull demanded, one of
midnight blue cloaks, came foreword, slowly. The black robes fiddled with
sticks, and the other two seemed amused by this.
A small statue of a five tailed dog was held up; as if an offering – and the
black-robe closest murmured something softly, and the two midnight blue cloaks,
feeling something, stiffened.
"Very good; here is the potion and scroll that will allow your master to do as
he wishes." A white-skull hissed; the five-tailed dog statue was passed over to
him, for a vial of green-and-blue potion and an ancient looking scroll.
Once the dog statue was in their position, the black-robes, with a crack like a
whip, disappeared – moments later, if not quite as loudly, the midnight cloaks
followed.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"You are to place this on the Potter child's head, Wormtail." The Dark Lord,
his master, murmured to his lowly servant. Shuddering, Wormtail reached for the
foreign art work, of course, he knew it had to be something else…
"Yes, my Lord." Wormtail whimpered his hands shaking as he took the statue.
"What is it, Master?" Wormtail dared ask, and, instead of throwing a curse at
him for daring to do so, the Dark Lord smiled.
"It, Wormtail, will ensure my victory." The Dark Lord purred, and Wormtail,
quite terrified by this revolution, ran off, appearing in the hospital run by
muggles that Lily Potter had insisted on having her little Harry Potter.
Wormtail would know James' son anywhere – that messy black hair, and Lily's
bright green eyes…
Moments after the child's birth, he was being taken care of by nurses –
stunning them and modifying their memories was easy, and – shuddering at the
feeling rolling off the five tailed dog statue, he placed it on the infants
head.
The statue seemed to melt into the boy, and as he started wailing, Wormtail
fled, leaving the baffled nurses to deal with the infant Harry.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"What do you mean by 'he isn't dead'?" The Dark Lord roared, for he knew very
well of the prophesy that the lay his defeat at the feet of an infant.
"J-just as I said, my Lord, he is alive, and Dumbledore has placed himself as
their Keeper…" Wormtail whimpered, hoping that would appease his master. It
seemed to; for the Dark Lord muttered about 'doing it right', and, gripping his
wand in clenched white knuckles, the Dark Lord motioned for Wormtail to show
him the way.
With Wormtail to show him the way – the Dark Lord tore into the Potter home,
killing Harry's parents, and saving the infant for last…In the end, it was not
that the curse failed, for it did kill the Dark Lord – for a time; nor did it
mean his mothers love had saved him, but that the Dark Lord threw a curse meant
to kill a human at a Jinchuriki, a human with a tailed bijuu demon inside them
– a fruitless gesture.
Little Harry was taken from the ruins of his home, and given, against the
wishes of the dead, to his aunt and uncle.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
A three year old Harry was weeding the garden, he enjoyed it – for it was the
only way he could get outside in the summer or spring months, he was not
allowed to play like other children.
His other chores were to dust everywhere in the house, once a week, and it took
half a day – because his aunt looked for dust for half a hour once he had
thought he had finished – and she always found some.
His aunt had also started making him clean up after his cousin when he left his
toys around. His cousin, seeing this, made the mess all the more bigger and
told his friends, and Harry wished in those times that he had died with his
parents in the car crash.
Something within him – strange and alien like, loathed being treated this way –
detested it with every fiber of Harry's small body.
Harry did not know that through his eyes, Houkou saw his hosts' treatment, and
loathed those who were the cause – and of the two of them, Houkou knew who was
responsible.
On this day, Harry's uncle came home early, and demanded he take out the
garbage. The sense of wrongness within him erupted like a volcano.
"No." Harry growled at his uncle, his uncle, furious and red faced he attempted
to get up and hit him. Houkou snarled – and Harry's lips mimicked the movement,
shoving power at the man – causing him to fall back.
"What was that you little brat?" Houkou's green eyes gleamed, and he carefully
pushed Harry's frail human psyche away.
"I am not a brat, fat-man; and I will not lower myself – or this boy, to serve
a human…" Houkou snarled at him, Harry's features shifting to handle the sheer
amount of charka Houkou held – injured or not. It was more then enough to flee
out of the grasp of these …humans…
"What!" The boy's uncle roared – even as he was unable to move. Houkou let his
words seep into the man's mind – and he saw the difference; Houkou was pleased
with this, the fat-man's ruddy face had paled to white.
"What are you?" A woman hissed; Houkou turned to her – the boy's aunt. For the
first time, he glimpsed the changes he had caused to his host in the mirror
behind her. Houkou was not surprised by the changes – but the boy, who still
lingered enough to see through his own eyes, was horrified.
Houkou's green eyes had taken over the boys, leaving no whites or pupil. His
hair, normally scruffy black, had shots of white running through them – and his
ears had changed entirely, pointed sharply.
Most noticeably to the boy – most important, were the sharpened fangs – Houkou
was surprised when the boy whimpered 'monster, I'm a monster'then started to
fade – which would leave Houkou with the boy's body.
Houkou did not want this – he saw the advantage of the boy holding the body
while Houkou healed, so – Houkou frantically gripped the boys psyche. The boy's
magic – alarmed at the sheer amount of demon charka, and the boys frantic wish
to be away-invisible granted both; in a swirl of fire and lighting… which came
from the sky, and very likely totaled the boys 'home' and his relatives hope
for a 'normal life'; Houkou was very pleased with this thought.
The magic drew on Houkou's memories; to the place he had always felt powerful
and superior, among humans. Entirely drained of the power Houkou had gained,
Harry's changes faded away, but his wish to remain unseen, to be invisible
utterly, the magic had not – could not reverse.
A week later found Harry starved, for, because he could not be seen – no one
saw the little boy who was in desperate need of a home.
All but one, but Houkou was 'gone' – he could not protect the boy from his
fate.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Hiashi Hyuuga was curious of the little boy who approached him, as if Hiashi
could not see him, the boy was obviously a pick-pocket, but not, Hiashi
thought, a very good one. The black haired orphan (for he could be nothing
else) was after Hiashi's scarf. Hiashi planned to bring the little thief to
Hokage…
Just as the boy came close enough to grab, Hiashi gripped his wrist – startled
green eyes gleamed up at him.
"You, you can s-see me?" The black haired boy whimpered, Hiashi frowned, and
took a closer look at the people's reactions – they acted as if they could not
see; then Hiashi knew, suddenly – they were not acting, the boy could not be
seen.
"Yes, little blackbird, I can - but no one else seems to. What Jutsu did you
use?" Hiashi asked the boy, giving him a candy he used to lure his daughters
into training. Without much notice, he activated his Byakuugan.
"Jutsu?" The boy's head was tilted to the side – and Hiashi knew, quite
suddenly, that the boy hadn't used a Jutsu.
Such a skill, Hiashi knew, would be invaluable to a thief – and, he knew, the
protector of his daughter.
"My Clan's ability must be what can see you, come, and let us go test this
theory." Hiashi told him, and led the boy to his home; they found that the
Hyuuga Clan, could, occasionally see him.
Hisahi offered the boy the ability to be seen, if he would take the Seal –
Harry, not knowing Hisahi's intentions, agreed, and the next day his training
began, and when Harry grew weary of it, Hisahi used the Curse Seal, and told
him his fate.
Houkou was unable to help Harry – because the Curse Seal limited the amount of
charka he could have at one time – too much and the Curse Seal would activate
on its own...
The same had applied to Harry's magic…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
So, Houkou bid his time and rested, attempting to heal himself, in this way, he
'slept' for twelve years; then, on the day of the demon attack, sensing the
drain on his energy, the bijuu stirred – displeased in being used in such a
manner, it drew its 'landlord' to it.
Into their joined spirits, where the scenery was of a volcanic island – a tree
swaying in the wind above Houkou, and the cave he had been taken from…
It was surprised at the state of its host – and even more surprised at the
company he was keeping…Houkou, not wanting Harry to be in pain, healed him,
which – compared to what Houkou could do, was a minor thing, and the Curse Seal
– he was pleased to see, didn't react – something else did though.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
From within Gaara, Shukaku – feeling the stir of familiar demonic charka – that
of a fellow demon lord bijuu, pulled from his madness enough to see what – or
who, the boy Gaara was somewhat fond of, really was.
Houkou…
For the first time since being Sealed inside Gaara, Shukaku calmed.
Gaara felt his, with every core of his being, and though those close to him
would likely not have noticed, Gaara's eyes were wide with – not astonishment,
for he could feel the necessary charka to heal the boy stirring, but with
alarm.
Gaara had found another Jinchuriki…
When he had thought – by Shukaku's madness, and the Kazekage's smugness, that
Shukaku was the last…
Chapter End Notes
     Sorry for the delay loves, I know I usually update every day or so,
     but my inner self saw the chance to tie Harry even deeper into the
     Naruto-verse, and screamed yes – while the rational part was going
     'you dolt! You leave me with this idea – how the bloody hell are we
     going to pull it off?' – In which my inner self stuck her tongue out,
     wrote up the absolutely creepiest pairing ever, and my rational self,
     seeking to save the remaining shards of sanity, and wrote this
     chapter…
     I have to get to Harry being at least seventeen – he'll just kiss
     till then…Um, pairings…well, you see, the plan was just Neji, then
     there were …complications (read; Uchiha, Itachi) and I realized I, in
     my insistent 'wisdom', was planning a bloody harem. Because,
     Shikamaru is just so damned cute and brilliant – and Kiba, well,
     Harry will need some help with his newly to be found dog
     instincts…and I couldn't leave Remus or Sirius out in the cold, now
     could I? Nor could I let cute and scary Gaara out of the loop – and
     what's Naruto to do when Sasuke turns obsessed with finding
     'Blackbird' who caused his brother to slaughter his clan? Or the
     promised hot and intense moments of lust/killing intent between
     Sasuke, Itachi, and 'Blackbird' …?
     So really, this is entirely Itachi's fault….and Serpent on the
     Shadows…really….
     I can't be faulted for writing-with-encouragement can I?
     ...Don't answer that…
***** Between Bijuu and Jinchuriki *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Kurenai had never pressed her team so hard – she had thought that from their
camp to the Sand village would take half the day; but having spent most of the
night trekking through the desert (Hinata insisting she drag Miyabita Shi with
her – although she often claimed the sword was heavy, and she didn't know how
Harry could bare it) they arrived shortly after sun rise.
Gaara – though Kurenai didn't know how he had done it, had arrived hours
earlier.
Kurenai told Kiba and Shino quite firmly that they were to go with Hinata to
find Harry; she assured them that she could find them afterwards.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Come on – let's go find Blackbird…" Kiba grumbled as they watched their sensei
disappear in a poof of smoke. Hinata looked worriedly at the sword - Miyabita
Shi was quivering visibly. If Hinata didn't know any better she'd swear to a
voice in the back of her head – urging her on, to the way Miyabita Shi pointed.
"What was that Sand-nins name?" Kiba asked of his teammates – somewhat
sheepish.
"Gaara." Shino answered shortly, Kiba nodded absently- looking somewhat
distracted as Akamaru sniffed the air, supposedly smelling for their missing
man.
"Come on! Akamaru's onto something!" Kiba yelled – forgetting that Akamaru had
never really smelled Blackbird before- he may have forgotten, but Hinata
hadn't.
'Harry must be in real danger if he can be smelled!' The young Hyuuga heiress
thought as she ran behind Kiba, and Shino – slowed by the sword.
It hadn't been Blackbird Akamaru had smelled – at first, Kiba was as baffled as
the other two of why the yellow furred pup was yapping at a girl, then Kiba
frowned – listening to Akamaru's yapping barks.
"He says that she's related to that Sand-nin, Gaara…" Kiba told his teammates –
the girl, older then they - narrowed her eyes at them; she had blond hair,
tamed (barely) into four buns and blue eyes.
"What are you going on about brat?" She asked bluntly, folding her arms and
glaring down at them.
Hinata swallowed down her fear – Harry was more important then a glaring girl.
"E-excuse me, do you know a Gaara?" Hinata asked shakily, she could sense her
teammate's surprise that she had asked. The blonds eyes narrowed further and
she began to sneer.
"I do. Why do you want to know?" The older girl told them, and Kiba snarled at
her.
"Stop foolin' around! This is a matter of life and death!" Kiba yelled out –
frustrated. The girl had paled, but seemed firm, so Hinata surprised herself by
speaking.
"P-please, tell us where Gaara is – wherever he is, he has taken Blackbird..."
The girl frowned, seeming to be confused at Hinata's choice of words.
"You mean, Gaara did not hurt him?" She asked, for the first time hesitant.
"No! He saved Blackbird and Hinata – but Kurenai-sensei told us to find
Blackbird, because Gaara was already here…" Kiba explained, frustrated, and the
blond nodded, a small, almost relieved smile on her face.
"I'm Temari, Gaara's older sister," she looked about to continue when a boy
nearer to their age – but still older, with purple face paint, ran up to her,
she instead asked "what is it Kankuro?"
"He's brought back one of his kills – and it – he, is still alive! What are we
gonna do?" Kankuro seemed panicked by this, and Hinata, seeing the connection,
paled. Temari's eyes widened.
"Take me to him." Temari had seemed to forgotten them – but they hadn't
forgotten her, or what the paint-faced boy had said. Team 8 followed closely at
the pair's heels as they followed the face-painted boy to where he had left
Gaara and his 'victim'.
At the sight of Harry – bleeding everywhere, and most of it on Gaara, Hinata
could tell why the face-painted boy might have thought Gaara had tried to kill
him.
"Oh, god, what are we gonna do?" Kiba looked green, and when he tried to step
closer – found he couldn't, sand had encased his feet.
"Do not come any closer." Gaara warned them, sand shifting uneasily around him.
As if to prove it wasn't going to obey him, Miyabita Shi shuddered, and slipped
from Hinata's grasp. They watched – wide eyed, as the scythe-like sword hovered
to its master – settling itself beneath his hand.
Gaara had watched it with wary eyes – ready to bury it if it threatened him.
"P-please, why can't we be near him?" Hinata pleaded, and Gaara's attention
sniped back onto them.
"It would serve no purpose." Gaara told them, quite calm despite their odd
looks, looking as if he thought them idiotic, he continued.
"He is healing." Gaara said simply, and they looked back to Harry – and sure
enough, they watched as the wounds slowly pulsed with life, and pulled
themselves together, mending on their own.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kurenai intended to deliver the message to the Kazekage, personally, so he
could not take offence to any imagined slight.
None the less, she raged inwardly against the Kazekage taking his sweet time in
meeting with her – all the while Harry could be dieing in front of little
Hinata – and she was helpless to stop it. Kurenai didn't think being there her
self would change anything – but, she knew, it had to count for something to
stand by a comrade when he was hurt.
Finally the Kazekage saw her – got the Hokage's message, and dismissed her just
a quickly – muttering about 'weak females'.
Kurenai would have addressed him for such blunt disrespect, preferably with a
kunai up the old mans ass – Kage of Suna, or no – but she decided abruptly that
she'd wasted entirely too much time on the Kazekage; she was, however, going to
lodge a complaint with the Hokage.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kurenai arrived in time to see Harry healing himself – she had seen, also, how
Gaara had kept the others from Blackbird so that he could heal. She noticed, in
her shook – that Gaara's eyes had widened – yet, she knew, he had to have
expected him to be healing.
After healing, Gaara's sand took the blood, and he settled against a ledge of
the window – looking out at the city below, not paying any of them any care –
as if they had ceased to be.
"So, uh, Gaara didn't try to kill that guy?" Kankuro wondered aloud – clearly
intending Temari to answer him.
"N-no, Gaara saved him, from a snake demon..." Hinata stutterd, Kankuro looked
annoyed, but it passed quickly from his face in light of the new information.
"Gaara," Temari addressed her younger bother in a soft tone, not flinching when
the blank green eyes landed on her, "why did you save him?" Temari finished,
swallowing down her fear.
"He is…like me…" Gaara told her, his eyes flicking to where Harry lay prone,
then to the window.
"Well, that's helpful." Kiba grumbled, Kankuro sneered down at him, his fist
clenching.
"It is, you little brat, Gaara is a Jinchuriki. He has a bijuu Sealed inside
him." Kankuro blurted out, and Temari narrowed her eyes at him, and he backed
down from her.
"So, does your little Blackbird also have a demon?" Temari asked, her eyes on
Hinata, Kurenai cleared her throat and stepped foreword.
"No!" Hinata, her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth- as if she did not
expect herself to tell them so aloud. Kiba and Shino did not answer, merely
glancing between each other – they had little personal experience with
Blackbird, they had believed him Hinata's ANBU protector, now they saw that he
was only a little older then themselves.
"We do not know, in truth, much about Blackbird – he is Hinata's protector,"
Kurenai explained in a soft tone, which, none the less, made the two Sand-nin
jump at her voice, then turn swiftly to see her, "and my house-guest." Kurenai
finished, and Hinata looked up at her teacher – begging with her eyes not to
believe these strangers. Hinata had known Harry most of her life, he had never
seemed under anyone's (much less a demon) control – other then her fathers…
Gaara's eyes merely flicked to her, to her team – and then to Harry, then he
pretended not to listen. Kankuro looked triumphant, and then he snorted,
glancing in the condition Blackbird was in.
"Some protector..." Kankuro mumbled, Gaara's sand flickered warningly, and his
eyes grew wide. "Er, I mean, I'm sure he's great on his feet." Kankuro quickly
made up, nervously eyeing Gaara's sand – the two of them knew that while their
brother had it under conscious control, at times it was subconscious, and Gaara
could not always control his ability in time.
"If he is a Jinchuriki – or isn't, my team and I will need to stay the night,
as we are in no state to go back to Konoha today…" Kurenai began, but Temari
waved a hand, smiling slightly.
"Don't worry, you can stay here with us, my brothers and I would be happy to
have you…Follow me please, I'll take you to your rooms." Temari told her
reassuringly, smiling a little, Kankuro's eyes widened; when Temari went to
show them to their rooms (Kankuro went with her, whining about 'kids in the
house', and 'beauty sleep'…)– they were only a little surprised that all four
of them could have their own rooms – and Gaara had a whole floor to himself.
None the less, Temari, finished taking them to their rooms – went off, mumbling
something that sounded like 'time cook something special'; Kankuro paled a bit
– glared at them, and stomped off to his own room – and Kurenai thought
slamming his door was a bit overdoing it.
None the less, she told her team to meet in her rooms that evening to discuss
what they were going to do – because, hopefully, Blackbird would be awake by
then…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Gaara, alone in his rooms – allowed himself to slip between the link that tied
him to Shukaku – and tied Shukaku, in turn, to Houkou – and to Harry. Gaara,
with Shukaku as his guide, found himself on a volcanic island, near a cave with
a large tree – the tree shifted, and Houkou, the five-tailed dog bijuu
appeared.
…And at his feet, Harry…
"Welcome, Shukaku – boy…" Houkou greeted – and Harry turned to regard the other
demon and his host.
"So, you are alive after all Houkou… Kyuubi went insane after you disappeared –
killed Nekomaru, nearly killed me when I went to question him…" Shakaku told
the other bijuu, and ignoring – for the moment, their hosts; Houkou seemed to
find his actions amusing.
"Where is he now?" Houkou asked softly, worried. Shakaku shrugged his huge
frame.
"I do not know – I thought he had killed all the bijuu – then himself, I
thought….that I was the last…" Shakaku explained, and Houkou looked astonished…
"You lived through that?" Houkou murmured softly, knowing – as only another
bijuu would, that they were the only ones of their kind, and though they parted
ways – they were drawn together by a common bond – that of being bijuu, gods
forced into the forms of demons – and linked together in as shared bond in that
way.
"Barely..." Gaara answered, flicking his eyes between the two – not seeming to
care that they hadn't invited him to speak.
"Who is this?" Houkou asked, and Harry seemed to shake himself from his silence
to answer. "He is the one who saved me." Harry answered, and Houkou lent down
to smell the other human.
"He is my host – a perfect killer…" Shakaku murmured, to Gaara's astonishment,
the demon seemed abashed by this.
"If I may, Houkou-sama, I have a question…why would someone who wanted to kill
me, Seal a demon within me?" Harry asked, knowing – somehow, that it was a
question both hosts needed the answer to. For, it seemed to them, that the
bijuu's presence only made them stronger.
"When humans first started to Seal demons inside others – it was a form of
suicide, or a death penalty..." Houkou began, and Shakaku saw he became lost in
thought, and told them some more of it himself.
"Then – in effort to kill a lesser demon – they Sealed it in a child, a
innocent, instead of dieing, the demon took the child over and slaughtered the
people – turning demonic, darker in nature then a human could become…" Shakaku
pointed out, not liking the far past, and he paused – Houkou pushing foreword.
"We killed the child – and thus, killed the demon; the humans only saw that
when the child died – the demon did also," Houkou paused, then continued
onward, "we can only assume they think the bijuu Sealed inside will die when
the host does; or they think to make a weapon of our hosts, or, perhaps, to
twist your natures – which, is somewhat true, but not in the way they think –
with us Sealed inside, your full potential is easy to reach – but there is a
price for what is beyond that." He finished, and Shakaku nudged him
comfortingly, and then froze – seeing, for the first time, the state of his old
friend.
"You were, are - weakened, how?" Shakaku demanded, and Houkou willingly
explained it – and Gaara and Harry listened – learning that despite what others
thought, the bijuu, to a point, cared about the other bijuu, and even, it
seemed, their hosts.
"They know, now, that you are Sealed inside Harry." Gaara spoke when Houkou had
finished.
"I see, well, I never meant to keep my existence a secret; I dislike how Harry
is treated among them…" Houkou told them, and Harry stiffened.
"Please, Houkou-sama, do not do something foolish; I beg of you – you can not
overcome the Curse Seal…" Harry froze, sensing Houkou's frustration and rage at
how his host behaved. Gaara stiffened, wanting to interrupt, but Shakaku kept
him awa from the two – he had his own bone to pick with
"I can not, this is true, but others around have the means to – I will not have
my host serve a little girl for the rest of his life." Houkou growled, and
Shakaku frowned, Harry's eyes fell to the floor – and that seemed to upset
Houkou even more.
"You are powerful – can you not see this? So they have your life and death in
their hands – what is either without freedom?" Houkou demanded, tails lashing
in frustration – why couldn't his host see that how he behaved, and was
treated, was wrong?
"I know this Houkou-sama, but what of the girl? How she is treated now is an
improvement over how she has been treated for the last seven years – I must
stay by her…" Harry whispered, not meeting their eyes, they heard him – whisper
or not.
"The girl is not your concern –" Houkou began – but for the first time Harry
interrupted him, his spine stiffening in anger. "The girl is my friend, Houkou-
sama, my only one; you have been Sealed inside me since birth, how can you not
see how much that alone means to me?" Harry demanded of him, Houkou frowned
down at him, intimidating – but Harry met his eyes, determined, and then –
slowly, Houkou seemed to smile at Harry.
"I do know this; I merely wanted to see if you truly did…" Houkou told him,
nudging him with his giant nose, Harry looked bewildered.
"I do not understand, Houkou-sama." Harry admitted, and Shakaku shook, loud
huffs escaping his muzzle - it took Gaara a moment to realize the bijuu was
laughing.
"Your 'Houkou-sama' is a master at illusions, boy; illusions are more then just
charka-techniques. You're entire 'personality' is based and seeped in from
Houkou's power – he just wanted to make sure there was more of you under that
mask then just Blackbird." Shakaku explained, and Houkou looked smug.
"So…it was a… test?" Gaara asked, Houkou nodded – bemused by the serious boy,
and Gaara frowned slightly.
"That does bring up something rather important however," Shakaku began, and the
two hosts turned their attention on him, "as you both are our hosts – you will
know each other better then anyone else can, simply because of the link between
Houkou and I, in time, however, you will form your own bonds. In the mean time,
do not fear gaining memories that are not your own while you meditate – or, in
Harry's case, sleep." Gaara frowned slightly at that – he did not, he found,
want Harry to know how much he truly enjoyed bloodshed.
"Is there a way to stop it?" Harry found himself asking – he too, enjoyed his
own secrets.
"I'm afraid not – this one, it will be a test, one between yourselves." Houkou
told the two of them, and Shakaku sent over emotions of agreement.
Harry and Gaara shared a glance – suddenly being Jinchuriki was a lot more…
complicated, then either had thought.
Chapter End Notes
     I hope this has explained more to apathetica and the others who
     wondered why the hell the Dark Lord would want a Bijuu inside Harry…
     Basically it runs down to; the Dark Lord did not want to face Harry –
     he wanted him either dead, or on his side by some other means. He had
     heard, vaguely, of a demon-lord being sealed inside an infant, and
     the child becoming corrupted and dark before the child was ten – and
     thought that one Sealed in a child at birth would be a lot more
     powerful (he waited a year – and yet the child was not dark, nor
     dead). He thought it worth a shot; so he contacted a group that
     specializes in Sealing demons (midnight blue cloaks – remember that)
     being as Houkou was so weak – they accomplished the task rather
     easily. He thought the Bijuu inside Harry had died … hence why he
     used a human death-curse.
***** In the Face of Death - Serpent Demons of Sand *****
As the sun rose against the dunes of sand, the ink black of blood under the
cover of darkness and moonlight, became a sobering crimson red. Mixed as it
was, there was no difference between mortal and demon blood to be seen.
Smell, however, was something else entirely. That was why, when a frail wind
brought traces of the death scent of demon blood, and the living mortal blood –
the snake demons knew to take revenge.
Though human sight would have missed the blood-trail in the rusty sand, the
snake demons did not.
Their tongues flicking in the scent on the heating air of the wasteland – and
to their heat sensing eyes, the blood was hotter then the morning sand, and the
scent of the humans attacked – was one that was very much alive and moving.
This, they knew, would not due.
Blood of their crushed fellow was spattered against the sand, all that was left
of the snake-demon that had died attacking fair prey- the helpless, or, not so
helpless humans. It was in their nature then, to follow the human scent to the
ninja Village Hidden in the Sand.
They arrived at sunset.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Has Gaara always been so…?" Kiba began, despite a sharp look from Kurenai,
Kankuro glanced up at him, his eyes narrowed – Temari had tensed, listening.
"Cold? Cruel? Spit it out dog-boy." Kankuro snarled at him – showing more and
sharper teeth then Kiba had, he was clearly defensive when it came to Gaara.
Kiba – taken aback, blinked dazedly. Shino stepped foreword before his team
mate could recover from the verbal lashing and do – or say, something stupid,
as Kiba was prone to do.
"We merely want to know, if there is a danger with Gaara watching our
teammate." Shino said instead, wary of the two Sand siblings. Temari sighed,
her shoulders slumping.
"The danger with Gaara, is that he never…can never…trust," Temari began, not
looking at them as she worked on the rice, frying it over a fire with butter,
"Temari! You don't have to tell them anything, they are just foreigners…"
Kankuro hissed, sneering at the Leaf nins, "No Kankuro, they must know,
he…Gaara that is…Never sleeps, he doesn't know how, doesn't need to. He views
it as a weakness, and is always looking for a reason to kill you – because he
is sure, someway, somehow, that you are a danger to him." Temari finished,
pouring water into the frying pan – it hissed out a rush of hot steam, breaking
the eerie silence that had fallen over the Leaf nins.
"That's crazy! Then why do you keep him with you? Isn't there anyplace else?"
Kiba blurted out, and Kankuro glanced to his sister then to the dog-boy. "No.
Besides…he's family, and he has been so ill-treated, by family…we do not want
to be like them…" Kankuro finished, accepting another cup of tea from his
sister, and biting his tongue at the taste.
"I see," Kurenai murmured, looking kindly at the siblings, "you do a difficult
thing, but I think it is the right path. If he could learn to care for
you…well, who knows what would happen?" She gave them a soft smile, and Hinata
looked down at her folded hands, her thoughts on the two upstairs.
"They are …similar…" Hinata murmured, she jerked to attention when Kankuro
snorted – having heard her.
"Well, yeah, they're both demon vessels." Kankuro said scathingly. Hinata shook
her head.
"T-that is not what I mean – their p-pasts…were s-similar. They were h-hated,
yet they were raised to think they had a d-duty to others, to protect and obey
the ones who hated them." Hinata sighed – hugging herself and remembering some
of the things she had heard her father yell at Harry, and she stood, leaving
the others to think on her words.
"H-hey! What about your rice?" Temari yelled after her – rather put-out that a
test –erm, guest, had left before eating her meal.
"I'll have it!" Kiba said enthusiastically.
"If you will excuse me," Shino stated, sliding his bowl over to his teammate's
side of the table, and standing – going after Hinata, Temari sighed – then
glared at her brother – who looked as if he wanted to follow Shino and Hinata,
"great, more for me?" Kankuro mumbled up at his sister – smiling with his teeth
showing his nervousness.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Hinata," Shino found Hinata where he thought he would; she stood outside
Blackbird's door – looking as if she wanted to knock on it, she looked to him,
guiltily, "you know you can not apologize for your fathers actions upon him."
Shino said, and Hinata looked up at him with wide eyes.
"H-how d-do you know?" Hinata asked of him, her tone fearful.
"I heard him have a very interesting conversation with Neji. I can fit the
pieces together as well as any other ninja." Shino told her, his eyes hidden
behind black eyeglasses and mouth hidden behind his coat. To Hinata, it was a
very discerning feeling – to not know how he felt and saw her.
"O-oh, I didn't know he knew Neji." Hinata murmured, glancing aside from Shino,
ashamed.
"I…just wanted you to know, Hinata that what your family has done in the
past…to others – you should not blame yourself for." Shino told her, bluntly,
Hinata flinched – and sighted softly.
"Not even if it was done for my s-sake, Shino?" Hinata challenged him, Shino
smiled slightly – though she could not see it.
"Does he seem to blame you for it?" Shino asked – instead of answering, Hinata
shook her head, a light frown over her lips.
"Then I do not think he blames you, he seems a decent sort that way." Shino
finished, and folded his hands into his coat pockets, Hinata wasn't looking at
him – but Shino could tell she was at least thinking about what he had said.
"Come on, we have to meet the others for the meeting in Kurenai's room." Shino
said, and Hinata nodded, lost in thought she walked beside him to Kurenai's
room. Shino tilted his head, wondering if Kiba was regretting volunteering
himself for the rice yet. A grim smile passed unnoticed over his lips.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Having heard the two's entire conversation, even from within the room, Gaara's
eerie green eyes snapped open, then flicked to his prone companion.
Harry – as if summoned to consciousness with his look - stirred, flinching from
the pain of finding himself in his own flesh and blood body again. Harry's own
green eyes snapped to Gaara's, both shades of green meeting – wary, like two
predators finding themselves confronted by another for the first time.
"Careful. Houkou may have helped – but you still used up a lot of your charka."
Gaara told him in monotone as he saw Harry getting up – slowly, as if it ached
to do so. Otherwise, Gaara didn't look as if he was worried. He knew his sand
would save Harry if he fell - Miyabita Shi, Harry's odd sword hummed in the air
– a soft whistling.
"It doesn't matter." Harry told him, his legs hanging down from the bed, his
hands gripped the sheets with white knuckles, and he shook with the after
effects of healing so quickly – of using up energy to create a spirit body so
soon after healing his physical one. Gaara looked at him blandly, waiting for
the other Jinchuriki to finish.
"I have a feeling about that snake-demon that attacked my group just outside
the village…" Harry trailed off, winching when he put his feet to the floor –
the pain searing down his spine – mercilessly, his sword - Miyabita Shi,
humming in the back of his mind – scolding him for his rash actions.
"What of it?" Gaara asked, he was curious – if only at the fact that something
rushed through him whenever he thought of all that blood on the other boy – and
it wasn't blood-lust, Gaara knew well what blood-lust felt like. He tilted his
head to the side as he remembered crushing the life out of the snake-demon that
had dared to attack another Jinchuriki – and the satisfaction of it.
"Snake-demons – unlike real snakes, never attack without a horde backing them
up – hidden somewhere…" Harry told him – Gaara grew cold and empty, and
welcomed the dark emotion, seeing it for it was, the promise of the killing and
bloodshed to come; for he knew the truth in Harry's words.
"Your right... They will attack at night." Gaara spoke, knowing it was true –
they both did, the bijuu within them promised as much.
"What do you know of them?" Harry asked, and Gaara thought back on it – drawing
on bijuu memory and what he had seem from the attack.
"Their gaze paralyzes – your Hinata fell for that trap." Gaara told him, and
Harry nodded – seeing the truth in it, not that he liked the fact. "Acid."
Harry added, remembering the wounds – and Miyabita Shi beneath his fingers
pulsed – bloodthirsty. Gaara frowned, thoughtful.
"Also…it is said – whispered really, that if they visit you in your dreams…you
will do as they order, with no choice or will of your own." Gaara told him,
nothing in his voice revealing how he felt about this.
"Then we won't fall asleep." Harry said simply – for that was plain enough to
him, Gaara nodded in agreement; blood-lust pounding in his veins.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kurenai knocked sharply on Blackbird's door. She was surprised when it swung
open, yet neither of the boys were near it – a flicker of Gaara's sand behind
the door explained it, and she smiled at the two.
"Gaara, do you mind if I take Blackbird? It will only be for a little while,
but I need to have our facts set straight for my team." Kurenai explained, her
eyes worriedly flicking over Blackbird's form. He seemed entirely healed – if
very weak.
"I am going with you." Gaara told her, as if daring her to challenge his claim.
He didn't show his surprise when she merely nodded consent.
"Of course, do you need some help walking Blackbird?" Kurenai asked instead,
Blackbird – stubbornly shook his head and stood – leaning awkwardly on Miyabita
Shi. The two watching him wobble out the room; they could have sworn to have
heard rusty steel screeching – coming from the sword.
Kurenai turned to Gaara to ask – but Gaara was already making his way down to
the hall, hovering over the other Jinchuriki.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Once within Kurenai's room, Harry settled to sit next to a surprised Hinata- in
all the time she had known Harry, he had only ever stood next to her. Gaara, it
seemed, had in his own, unspoken way, taken over the standing position Harry
was so fond of.
"Well now that we are all gathered, we need to discus how to hide the fact that
Harry was involved at all. You see, not even the Hokage wants to know if Harry
is, indeed, assisting us. So…we shall not mention any of it in our reports – if
you must mention it –to cover for damages to your things, or, indeed missing
items, merely say that Gaara here met us on the way, fought a snake demon
attacking Hinata, and guided us the short way to the Village, agreed?" Kurenai
asked of them, Kiba – holding his gut, whimpered an agreement – whining to an
uncaring Gaara that even his sister was a better cook then Temari.
Harry glanced outside – the sun was setting, and with it came an unsettling
feeling.
***** The Battle at the Valley of Blackened Sand *****
Chapter Notes
     If you've never seen Naruto you should know ahead of time that
     Orochimaru (the man bad guy, who reminds me very much of Voldemort)
     has a very disturbing – seemingly natural ability. His tongue
     extends. No, seriously, it's like a snake – and apparently it's very
     strong as well as long, as he could lift a struggling Naruto in the
     Forest of Death without any apparent strain….-giggles-
     Sorry, perverted moment – Naruto in a tongue-wrap, kinda makes you
     wonder about Masashi Kishimoto….(the creator of Naruto)
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Gaara stood silently, enjoying the silence of the night – the moon was high
overhead as he stood on the roof of his family home. It overlooked the darkened
village – most, he felt, were sleeping, but he doubted that anyone down there
realized the danger they would soon be in.
Even those in his own home were unaware of the danger, Harry had thought to
warn them – but Gaara had vetoed the idea, why would they believe them after
all?
In the eyes of his older sister and brother, he was just a very dangerous
Jinchuriki who had some of the abilities of the demon he inhabited. They did
not know that with the cursed title came the senses of the demon as well. He
could know, just with a stray scent in the air, if a person approached – if
they were healthy – or injured, what gender they were – and their age, what
they were feeling – if they were a danger to him.
It was why he stood on the roof at night, to know the condition of his
villagers. Regardless of how they treated him – this land was his to protect,
and to protect it… he had to protect them.
"They are asleep." Harry, on the other hand – was a stranger to Gaara, but one
he found himself trusting, not only because he was another Jinchuriki – but
because of the conversations he had overheard around him.
Harry made it no secret of his intent to protecting the girl, Hinata, and by
association, her team, and as Gaara had no intent in damaging her or her team –
for they had been welcomed into the village by his father – the Kazekage….
therefore, Gaara reasoned, Harry's intentions were the same as his – to protect
Hinata and her team; he had to protect the land – and the people in it.
"Good. It will be easier to get rid of the snakes without their screams and
panic clouding our senses." Gaara murmured, gaze on the dunes that surrounded
the village – and beyond them, Gaara knew by scent and senses gained by the
demon sealed within him, were the waiting horde of snake demons.
"Why have they waited?" Harry asked him, Gaara smirked.
"They sense us, just as we do them – both of us, undamaged – it disturbs them
that you have suffered no damage when their comrade is dead." Gaara looked to
see Harry frowning, and reminded himself that the other Jinchuriki had little
experience with demons- so Gaara would have to watch him with them in the
battle.
Annoying, he thought, but not so much as when the ninja of the village had
joined in his attacks upon demons in his early life, and he had been blamed for
not having his sand watch them more closely.
"They – as you've assumed, know we are here, for my scent was in their
territory…and they assume, rightly, that we are stronger then them. They do not
know if we intend to fight for these people. They have waited so long for us to
declare our intent…" Gaara told him, at Harry's look for him to continue –
Gaara did so, wondering at the feeling of being the teacher rather then the one
to be feared and hated.
"Their idea of revenge is to kill our prey – the villagers…as for the snake
demon I killed, it was a mere scout – not worth killing us – they do not think
we are stronger, merely their equals, but the scout is worth destroying what
they think is our source of food. They want to know if they will have trouble
with us for the…punishment…of our own actions…" Gaara chanced to glance at
Harry – he did not, as most did, seem disturbed at the way Gaara impressed upon
the mindscape of demons.
"Then lets us go declare our intent to defend them…" Harry gave him a
bloodthirsty grin, and Gaara thought he might start to enjoy hunting demons
with a fellow Jinchuriki, rather then alone.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Snake-like heads, twisted in the direction a sandstorm had flared up in,
tongues flicking out to taste the air – and the scent of the one who had killed
their comrade, and the one who was now uninjured, but whose blood had been
seeped into the sand.
"What is your intent?" Hissed the apparent leader at them – although to the two
Jinchuriki, they all looked roughly the same, scaled and snake-headed, with
claws and deadly sharp teeth – one, they were disturbed to see, the black
haired boy, looked closely at them.
Counting them, they realized, and made it difficult for him by slithering
closer together, hypnotizing sifting round each other. The boy was not
unaffected, and shook his head, dazed, and then was careful not to look too
closely at the shifting patterns.
"I had not gotten a good chance to look over your companion – Gaara crushed him
too fast." The boy said, nodding to his red headed companion. Their tongues
flicked out – nervous?... or angered. The one who had spoken to the two boys
tilted its head.
"You smell of burned flesh, how is it you have survived such injury?" It
demanded, sneering at the two of them. The black haired boy's lips twisted into
a grin – his teeth, lengthening into canines (although he seemed unaware of
it).
"So now, after attacking my companion, you ask questions of us?" The red-head,
who had remained silent until now, questioned the leader in turn. They snarled,
disliking the vibrations around them – the very sand seemed to be responding to
the red-heads open disgust with them.
"You asked us our intent?" The black haired boy murmured, his hand touching the
hilt of his sword. The leaders tongue flicked out – tasting their power in
demonic and human energy, and the others around him grew nervous, it was
becoming apparent they had misjudged these two.
"Yes." The leader hissed, nervous now, as the two boy's bodies were engulfed in
demonic power.
"It is for all of you… to die." The red head, Gaara, hissed, and the sand which
had been shifting beneath the ones gathered around the leader suddenly entombed
him – his blood spattering over his fellows, and the sand it landed on seemed
to eat the blood.
With a scream, cat-like and like that of a baby, the snake demons seemed to
attack them all at once. The boy's sword flared with power – a strange mix of
human 'magic', and a mix of demonic energy.
It formed an egg-like shield around them, the larger part in front of them, and
the narrower end to their backs. This, as it was not sphere-like was thought a
weakness to the snake-demons.
Even though the first ones to crawl over the shield to entomb them died because
of the human 'magic' the snake demons were nothing if not persistent, and
numerously, they slithered over the shell-like energy shield.
Crawling over the bodies of their dead, until a layer of dead protected them
from the death-curse of touching the shield. More and more slithered on top of
it - adding weight to it – waiting for it to fail, or weaken, and they, they
thought, would entomb them with their dead – and then feast on their bodies.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"How many did you count?" Demanded the leader of a group of Sand-nin that had
followed Gaara when he had left the village, they had been surprised at the
sight of the horde of snake demons the two had confronted.
One of them swallowed nervously. "At least twice as many ninja as we have in
the village, there were more but…then they started the patterned dance, and we
lost count." He said, after consulting with the third of the four-man team.
"Go alert the Kazekage – and then the village council." The leader told the
two, they obeyed – and the four-man team was left with the leader and his
second.
"What will we do?" The second asked.
"Try to keep them out of the village."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The red hue of snake demon blood coated the insides of the shield, even
darkened as it was from the energy of magic, it was a noticeable difference. It
also made them glad for their heightened senses- even if all they could smell
was the blood of the dead. Their sight however was only provided for by the
glow of Miyabita Shi, though it was dim, Harry's hands were warm and sweaty
around the hilt of the sword.
"How long can you hold the shield?" Gaara's voice came from the left of Harry,
and Harry could not spare the other a glance for wielding the sword this way
was taking too all of his attention to control. It wanted to kill, and Harry
felt sure that it saw no difference in killing Gaara as well as the snake
demons.
He was afraid to admit that when he had seen the horde descending on to them,
he had panicked – and the sword had independently responded by using his own
magic – and that of Houkou, to form the shield – he didn't know how otherwise –
he just knew it worked.
"I can hold it as long as my partner does not lose his grip on my hilt." It
hadn't been Harry who had spoken – the voice, Harry realized, 'felt' like the
Miyabita Shi he had witnessed in its memory- the same cold compassion and
desolation echoing in it's physical voice.
It is…alive. The realization hit him then, just what he held – a sword that
could act independently of him. It sent a jolt of panic through him – but his
fingers tensed around the hilt, to not drop it.
"Who was that?" Gaara demanded of Harry, and Harry saw from the glow of the
power around Miyabita Shi that the sand was moving – reaching out to take out
the interloper. Harry felt the sand crawl up him, like fingers, blushing his
face and skin, teasing and testing him. Harry stood there, tensed – but
unafraid, he knew Gaara was controlling it, and that unless threatened the sand
would not act against him.
"The sword." Harry grunted as the sand touched his shoulder and looped around
his neck.
"How?" Harry could hear the doubt in Gaara's voice, and was at a loss on how to
explain it to him.
"Do you want my help or not, mortal?" Miyabita Shi replied for him, and this
time Gaara's sand was close enough to pick up the power coming from the sword.
"…Yes." Gaara replied, not questioning it for now – Harry new he would demand
answers later.
"It should be obvious that my partner will not hold on forever – the hilt is
already heating from the power. I will send a burst of power out – enough to
scatter the live ones. I will kill what I can. It will hurt my partner the
longer he holds on." Miyabita Shi sounded wary, but confident. Harry had no
reason to doubt its words, his grip tightened – his determination to hold on
overriding the heat coming off the blade, sweat had already gathered over his
brow.
"Protect him, Gaara of the Sand, or I will see that your lands come to be
ruined and all that will remain will be scorched black sands, as unforgiving as
glass." Miyabita Shi commanded and threatened all at once, crackling with
power, the sand still around Harry tightened momentarily, reassuringly.
"You have my word." Gaara swore, and the air tensed with power – and then
exploded with fire and lightning, all of it pouring out of Miyabita Shi, and
Harry's hands hissed, quickly reddening, burning.
The fire and lightning leapt into the shield, and momentarily, all were blinded
by the white hot light that seemed to explode the shell outward – Harry
screamed, and Gaara made out from the light that still surrounded him that the
hilt was glowing golden like molten steel.
Lightning leapt from the blade again, shooting into snake demons, charring them
to blackened bits from the outside in, until there was nothing left of them but
blackened sand – Gaara summoned his sand to attack them as well – and lost
track of the numbers and the amounts of blood that the sand gobbled up.
Then stillness fell over what had been the sounds of slaughter – as Gaara awoke
from the bloodlust, just as the lightning from Miyabita Shi went out abruptly,
where before he had watched it and his sand dance around each other playing and
twisting around as the two elements made a game of slaughtering the fleeing
snake demons.
Gaara looked to see Harry – around the valley between the dunes, the lightning
had scorched the sand to blackened glass, but that was not what held his
attention as he watched Miyabita Shi fall from Harry's hands – the sword
ringing out a dire note as it struck the blackened valley –heated to a glass-
like substance from raw sand and heat.
Harry moaned with pain, shaky and pale, and his hands seemed to Gaara, scorched
away, the skin melted and raw. Gaara flinched at the sight – and went to Harry,
leaving the remaining snake demons to take the village. He knew they would not
get far before the ninja of Sand that had followed him here caught and killed
them.
He didn't care – he wanted to help Harry.
Shakaku answered his silent plea.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Gaara found him self holding a unconscious Harry up from within the link they
shared with their bijuu – they, again, found themselves on the island. Shakaku,
seeing the state of Harry's hands, whistled.
"Your kid sure did a number on him self." Shakaku told Houkou, who shook his
great head. "I've half a mind to destroy that sword…" Houkou said with a snarl.
"Just heal him." Gaara growled at his demon, tired of their antics.
"I can't heal him, per say…" Shakaku admitted, not meeting his jinchuriki's
eyes.
"Then you do it Houkou." Gaara stated, sneering at his demon, Shakaku sighed.
"That is not how it works, I can heal what is inflicted by others, but he did
this to himself with the sword." Houkou admitted ears downcast. Gaara's lip
lifted in a snarl, sneering at the both of them.
"Then why did you bring us here if you can not help him? He will lose his hands
for your foolishness." Gaara hissed at them.
"We brought you here whelp, because all though we can not do something – you
can, for a price." Shakaku told him, getting testy at Gaara's cold disrespect
of them.
"Explain." Gaara demanded of his bijuu.
"The damage can be split between you, as you share a connection between us, and
yourselves." Houkou began, but Shakaku interrupted before Gaara could say
anything. "However, if you agree to this, Gaara, the connection between you
both will be spilt wide open. You won't go an hour without sharing a thought or
emotion, on purpose or accidentally, and this connection can only be is
increased – or decreased by physical distance. Not emotional." Gaara looked
down at Harry, and at his hands, it looked painful and bloody, and Gaara had
never experienced either.
"Do it." Gaara ordered. A spark of blackness passed between Harry's lips and
hovered over Gaara's face, hesitantly, he opened his mouth. The blackness
smothered him, forcing him back to reality – if an unconscious one.
Chapter End Notes
     O.o.O.o.O.o.O
     Sneek Peek At The Next Chapter;
     "W-what is this?" The only girl among the Leaf-nin asked, watching
     the sand with wide eyes.
     "It's…Gaara." Kankuro answered her, his eyes pained.
     "He…he is in pain…." Temari echoed, shivering with the emotions being
     thrown at them from what seemed to be the sand bijuu.
     "Where is Blackbird?" Kurenai suddenly demanded to know. The leader
     and his second looked between each other.
     "Was he a black haired boy, with a sword?" The leader questioned.
     Kurenai nodded wordlessly, and Hinata looked wide eyed and pale
     waiting for the answer. Kiba, knowing the news wouldn't be good,
     hovered over her worriedly. Shino knew what they were going to say –
     it was in the very question, he looked to the monster of sand.
     "He is in that, with Gaara…" The second told them, emotionlessly.
***** Snake Hidden Within the Sand *****
Previously;
"The damage can be split between you, as you share a connection between us, and
yourselves." Houkou began, but Shakaku interrupted before Gaara could say
anything. "However, if you agree to this, Gaara, the connection between you
both will be spilt wide open. You won't go an hour without sharing a thought or
emotion, on purpose or accidentally, and this connection can only be is
increased – or decreased by physical distance. Not emotional." Gaara looked
down at Harry, and at his hands, it looked painful and bloody, and Gaara had
never experienced either.
"Do it." Gaara ordered. A spark of blackness passed between Harry's lips and
hovered over Gaara's face, hesitantly, he opened his mouth. The blackness
smothered him, forcing him back to reality – if an unconscious one.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"My god…" The second of the Sand-nin team sent to follow Gaara murmured, he and
the leader had descended into the valley of blackened sand. The leader reached
down, touching the blacked sand.
"It's still hot to the touch." The leader reported, scarcely believing his own
report, they had found that the blackened sand had been melted down, and no one
piece could be plucked free from the others.
Even having seen the battle which had caused such wide destruction, it was
still in disbelief that they had seen the boy wield a weapon which had caused
this. Thinking it safe now, since the demons were mostly dead – save for the
few which had escaped them, and made it into the city.
Still, they knew they had to awaken Gaara to get rid of them. The boy was a
loss – but they thought him a hero in death. For, upon having seen Gaara
approach his fallen comrade, they had been sure he would finish him off and put
him out of his misery, but now that they stood near enough to the two - it
seemed he hadn't. Instead, Gaara had seemed to hold him, his eyes closed in
what had looked like sleep.
Glancing at each other, the leader nodded – and the second approached the duo,
while the leader leaned down to touch the sword – it looked cooled in moments,
but when he touched it had burned, yet it was the only thing which had
shattered the blackened sand upon impract.
The second leaned down next to the boys, noticing the dark-haired one had no
forehead protector – yet was clearly not from the Sand. Gaara, for the first
time in his life, seemed to asleep - with the boy in his lap.
The second, wary, but seeing no harm in checking to see if the boy was still
alive, reached down to check for a pulse – he hadn't expected to find one with
the boys hands blackened so.
"He's alive!" The second said in disbelief, the leader had looked up in time to
see his comrade's eyes widened. At his voice, Gaara's eyes snapped open,
setting on the seconds surprised ones, unseeing of the ninja.
"Get away!" The leader yelled – seeing the sand start to stir, but it was too
late – even as he leapt away.
Gaara's mind was awhirl of chaos, remembering the echoes of the battle, and the
new sense, of pain. He snarled – not seeing the second, but another demon to
torment him and mock him at his pain.
Seeing the danger he was in, the second tried to leap away – but a pole of sand
was sent, attacking him mid-leap, impaling through his heart, and killing him
in cold blood before the Sand-nin leader's eyes.
He gazed at the sand in disbelief as it leapt and twisted, seemingly
uncontrollable, and Gaara screamed, and the leader jerked; he had never, in all
his years, heard Gaara make such a human noise.
Then, to his disbelief, the boys hands were partly healed, enough so, that he
knew the boy had gone from very probably never using them again, to likely
being able to. Still the sand whipped around wildly – like a sandstorm, and
then, slowly, began to cover the two of them. It began to take shape…
He then feared the Shakaku had broken loose; uncontrollable. It was then that
he sensed others approaching – another team of reinforcements from Suna, his
last two members, and Gaara's siblings, had arrived. The Leaf nins with them.
Together now, they gazed at the sand as it gathered into a thicker – darker
cloud. It was then the leader realized Gaara was taking the sand from the
blackened valley – something he had thought imposable.
As if in a sandstorm, it gathered, concealing the two – even as Gaara continued
to scream. It was shaping itself into a screaming head – in Gaara's form, and
then it faded and flared up, growing into the outline of Shakaku.
Gaara's continued scream changed into something else – the form of Shakaku
echoing it, it was howling, and its wordless pain echoed in the very hollow of
their bones.
"W-what is this?" The only girl among the Leaf-nin asked, watching the sand
with wide eyes.
"It's…Gaara." Kankuro answered her, his eyes pained.
"He…he is in pain…." Temari echoed, shivering with the emotions being thrown at
them from what seemed to be the sand bijuu.
"Where is Blackbird?" Kurenai suddenly demanded to know. The reinforcements
from Suna's leader and his second looked between each other.
"Was he a black haired boy, with a sword?" The leader, who had seen his own
second's death at the hands of Gaara, questioned them.
Kurenai nodded wordlessly, and Hinata looked wide eyed and pale waiting for the
answer. Kiba, knowing the news wouldn't be good, hovered over her worriedly.
Shino knew what they were going to say – it was in the very question, he looked
to the monster of sand.
"He is in that, with Gaara…" The leader told them, emotionlessly. Then, the
sand, in the form of Shakaku started to move – toward them, to the village the
snake demons had fled into.
"What are we going to do? How are we going to stop him?" Kiba demanded of the
Sand-nins, one of them snorted sarcastically.
"Stop him? As the Shakaku, the best we can do is hold hope to keep up enough to
evacuate the remaining people by force." One of them told him, his tone short
with the young ninja.
"What do you mean, 'the remaining people'?" Temari questioned, frowning – she
knew the policy with a demon attack was to get everyone evacuated, except – of
course, those who were needed to defend the village.
"Yes…some of them…they wouldn't wake up…" One of the Sand-nins who had arrived
with her told them. The sandstorm surrounding the form of Shakaku suddenly
flared out, in reaction, the sword stood up upon its tip, pulsing.
"Brace yourselves; they are going to kill all the demons that escaped." A voice
rang out – the sword pulsed with every word, and then the sand- Shakaku seemed
to split from itself - five sand-creatures, each a mini-Shakaku surrounded a
sphere of blackened glass – encased within, (as Hinata with the Byakugan) were
Gaara and Harry, surrounded by the hail of a sandstorm, its shards alike to
needles.
The mini-Shakaku raced raccoon-like over the sand, all of them the size of a
horse; they scuttled past the Sand and Leaf ninjas without a glance – not even
when the reinforcement team split into two groups to follow two of them, and
the leader who had witnessed his seconds death, had each of his three remaining
comrades follow the other three mini-Shakaku.
At Kurenai's prompting Hinata used the Byakugan to follow them - that when a
mini-Shakaku reached the Sand village – it went in different directions from
its fellows, each acting independently, as if having a set mission in mind.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
(During the mini-Shakaku search for a snake-demon; unknown to the ninjas)
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
A blur of motion alerted the Kazekage to movement inside his chambers. A man
rose from a crouched position – he had a pale face, like that of a bleached
skull, golden eyes set upon the Kazekage, and his wide mouth was set in a grim
smile.
"What do you want Orochimaru?" The Kazekage asked with a sigh, wearily frowning
at the man. "I already rejected your proposal to have Sand join Sound in an
attack. Do you have other business?" The Kazekage continued, and then narrowed
his eyes when the other shook his head.
"Lord Kazekage…I am afraid it is time for you to be replaced…" Orochimaru
murmured in a rasp, stepping out from the shadows – and drawing closer to the
Kazekage. The Kazekage sensing his killing intent, reached inside his robes,
then couldn't, finding himself frozen by a snake demons sudden appearance. It
flicked its tongue out, its eyes glancing to Orochimaru – then to the Kazekage.
Seeing his look at the snake demon, Orochimaru chuckled.
"Your village is under attack, Lord Kazekage, did you know that? Of course you
did, but, you see, I did not – as you thought, send them here – they came to
destroy you all on their own. I am merely taking advantage of the opportunity
this presents me." Orochimaru told him - and then – as the Kazekage fought the
demons stare and started to form a hand seal, Orochimaru's tongue lashed out –
and like a snake, wrapping around the Kazekage's neck and breaking it swiftly
against the floor.
Orochimaru grinned, his tongue back to a normal size now, and dressed in the
Kazekage's clothes – using the covering of the face mask used in sandstorms to
hide – and changing his appearance to look more human, and his golden eyes to a
darker shade.
"Now…to get rid of the body…" Orochimaru – now with the appearance of the
Kazekage, murmured. The snake demon – seeming to understand Orochimaru, lurched
over to the Kazekage's body- and with acid, which quickly dissolved him into
something human – but otherwise unrecognizable, began to eat him.
"Another poor victim of the snake demon attack…" Orochimaru murmured
distastefully, throwing a shuriken and decapitating the last of the snake
demons.
Smiling smugly behind the face cloth that would normally be used in a sand
storm, Orochimaru settled himself behind the screen of the Kazekage –
sometimes, he knew, tradition was a useful thing.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Hinata reported, somewhat shakily, that four of the mini-Shakaku had savagely
attacked a serpent demon, before it had a chance to use a 'sleeping' human
under its control against the ninjas who followed it. Afterwards – its bloody
deed done, the mini-Shakaku exploded in a shower of sand.
She also reported that one mini-Shakaku simply fallen to pieces without
completing the mission the others had held. The Why of this would remain a
mystery, not even Gaara and Harry knowing why, until later that year…
Hinata had no need to report to them what happened when the last of the five
mini-Shakaku's exploded into sand - they all saw it for themselves. The
sandstorm ceased entirely, and the sphere was lowered slowly to the ground,
where it split into a thousand shards of black glass.
In the cloud of darkened sand, they saw a figure – thankfully human looking,
rise. It knelt, and another figure appeared leaning against the first, and
slowly, the two limped out of the cloud.
Gaara appeared, pale, but alive, and seemingly sane – with Harry's arm wrapped
around his shoulder, and Harry – also alive and conscious, limped beside him.
Gaara's siblings stood –frozen, never having seen their brother help another
being. Miyabita Shi shivered and with a soft drone, slid itself into its
scabbard upon Harry's back.
"Heh! Way to go Gaara! And you too Blackbird… I guess…" Kiba hollered as they
approached – he would have said more, but Shino gave him a 'shut it' look, and,
surprisingly, Kiba did so.
"Uhm, Gaara? Are you…alright?" Temari asked her youngest brother – who glanced
at her, and then to the other Jinchuriki beside him.
"I think…I will learn to be." Gaara answered, grimacing as pain – for the first
time in his life, was felt in the shoulder Harry leaned on. Temari and Kankuro
exchanged looks, and then Kankuro shrugged acceptance over Gaara's words.
"Say, Gaara, do you think this would count as an S-class mission?" Kankuro
murmured, tilting his head in thought, grinning slightly. Gaara grunted in
agreement – and Temari shook her head.
"Guess this means you are a hero after all, Gaara…" Temari told him proudly.
"Well, as heroes now, how to do you feel?" Kurenai asked the two, they
exchanged a glance.
"Tired." Harry answered, glancing at Hinata, who smiled bravely up at him; he
let a small smile pass his lips for her.
"Hurt." Gaara grunted, correcting Harry at the same time as assessing his own
condition. Kurenai smirked, and the two looked at her warily.
"Good. Then next time you go off to do something as stupidly suicidal as this –
ask for help!" Kurenai yelled at them, making them winch, sure now – on top of
everything else, they might lose their hearing as well.
***** Swirling of Sand and Leaf *****
Chapter Notes
     So, yes, that was pretty much as far as my ability to write battles
     goes. If you like it, great, if not, oh well, I think it lacked a
     certain 'something' too, besides, I'm not focusing too much on
     fighting, inner turmoil and characterization is what I'll be mostly
     going on about.
     No, Harry is not going to be as strong as Itachi – or really, Naruto
     for that matter. The only reason he was portrayed as such is because;
     a) He panicked (and with a horde of snake-demons descending upon me,
     I know I would too) and Gaara did a lot of the work too.
     b) Miyabita Shi didn't want to loose another partner – and reacted to
     his panic and because Harry still has a hero-complex and didn't let
     go when any sane person would - it nearly seared off his hands.
     Suffice to say, Miyabita Shi won't be doing that again in the near
     future.
Having fought the sand-demons through the night, Gaara wasn't surprised to find
that dawn was already peering over the dunes as he struggled home. His siblings
wouldn't look away from him. When he chanced to look over at them, he was
something like awe in their eyes – it unnerved him, especially with Harry's
warmth pressed against him.
Gaara did not show it – but he was already feeling things alien to him – that
had been muted, flaring every time he looked at someone. Like the small black
haired and silver eyed girl. Harry felt intently protective – as if she were
his sibling or child. Gaara remembered how Harry had protested so viciously to
Houkou's thinking her useless.
His own siblings – who he'd, regarded with a wary fondness, he found Harry
liking – for liking Gaara, yet also wary of them – simply because they were
unknowns, and his possessiveness toward 'his' team was staggering. Gaara knew
well, that no matter how injured Harry was – he would get up and fight again if
something threatened them.
Gaara did not miss the looks Kurenai gave Harry. And Harry, responded
subconsciously to them - pretending to be fine, if sore, for Kurenai's sake.
Gaara felt a stirring of anger at her – could she not see that he was nearly
dead? That the only thing keeping him awake was Miyabita Shi – and that even
Gaara had to struggle under the dead weight of the other Jinchuriki?
Harry, half conscious, snarled at whatever had caused Gaara's rage – Gaara,
startled by the protective gesture, abruptly stifled the half-forming alien
feelings. Kurenai was not Gaara's concern – and she was kind to Harry. Gaara
felt Harry's consciousness slip away – falling into a healing sleep, without
pause, Gaara picked him up – much to the amused looks of Harry's team.
Upon reaching 'home', Gaara didn't stop till he reached his room. He settled
Harry onto his bed – and it seemed a familiar thing to do now, for Gaara
certainly did not use it. Gaara settled himself onto the window ledge –
watching his city wake, safe for another day.
Something did disturb him though – Harry had seemed almost animalistic in the
fight, silently – he called out mentally for Shakaku, his sand stirring only
slightly. Hey Kid, what is it? Shakaku questioned, with the impression of being
sleepy – and he would be, dawn was rising, and most nocturnal demons did not
stir after it rose.
I want to know what is happening to Harry. Gaara told his bijuu, pushing an
image of Harry snarling in reaction to Gaara's emotions.
Ah, I see. Well, Harry isn't like you, Gaara, the way Houkou and he were sealed
together was more of a absorption of Houkou into Harry. Shakaku told him
sleepily, giving the impression of a yawn.
What does this mean? Gaara snapped at Shakaku, wishing his demon would just get
to the point.
Certain animalistic traits that Houkou has – like needing companions and cubs,
and territory, and, well, snarling at things, Harry – now that he is aware of
Houkou, will start to identify to his demon. Shakaku muttered to him, arching
his back showing Gaara how ready he was to go to sleep.
I see. Sleep well. Gaara said, mentally slipping away from the bijuu.
Gaara blinked, having appeared to be staring down at his city during the mental
conversation, glanced to Harry. It confused Gaara, how he felt for the other
Jinchuriki. He wanted to be his friend, yes, but even Gaara could admit he did
not know what a friend did. Or truly was.
If Gaara could not be a friend, perhaps he could be one of the companions
Shakaku said Harry would need. Not that he knew what a companion was any better
then he did a friend – but it seemed Harry would know, and, in turn, tell
Gaara.
As if Gaara's thoughts had awoken Harry – the smaller boy stirred, having been
the only one to need to fall asleep to heal.
"Gaara?" Harry inquired looking down at his hands, remembering his hands had
been hurting quite a bit more in the literal heat of battle then could be
healed by a few hours of Houkou helping him while he slept.
Gaara glanced at Harry's still-healing hands, and smelt some of the blood and
raw skin – seeing with a sort of double-vision what Harry's hands had looked
like before being healed – something Harry, in turn, hadn't seen. Yet, cradled
in his lap, bandaged, they weren't seared to the bone as Gaara had seen them.
Harry, sensing and seeing Gaara's thoughts as his own, had gone white – and had
felt the urge to throw up. The red head – watching Harry with light green eyes,
blinked, then glanced aside.
"You held on too long. Miyabita Shi seared them to the bone." Gaara explained
shortly, chancing to look back at Harry – finding him looking pale and ill –
like death settling over him.
"How did they heal then?" Harry asked, shivering at the thought of loosing the
ability to use his hands. Gaara felt his fear as clean-cut as his own – and
pushed the memory of his meeting with Shakaku and Houkou at Harry – whose mind
and link swallowed it greedily, if guiltily.
Harry, still disjointed by the sensation of his now-healing hands, and seeing
them so burned in Gaara's memories, felt sickened.
In turn, he caused Gaara – quite accidentally, to experience nausea for the
first time since learning that his 'beloved' uncle Yashamaru, who his father –
the Fourth Kazekage, had had watch him as a child, to kill him if Gaara could
not control Shakaku; that his mother, Karura, had hated Gaara - for his birth
had meant her death, all this Gaara had been told by his uncle as he lay
dieing,.
Gaara's uncle had reminded Harry of Hiashi Hyuuga…Gaara got a flash of the man
– long dark hair, silver eyes, and wearing white and cream clothes, but then,
before Harry's side of the link could explain how Harry saw the two similar -
Hinata had called then down for breakfast, and had, luckily for her own sake,
cut off the thoughts and feelings between them– and yet, leaving Gaara puzzled.
Harry, though, was glad for it – he feared for Hinata, if Gaara ever learned of
the Curse Seal. He would associate her to what her father had done to Harry, if
Gaara found out how the linked the two. He would – eventually, Harry knew that,
but didn't want Gaara to find out just yet. Not before he was free of the
Hyuuga Clan – he did not want another slaughter on his hands.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Blackbird, do you think you're up to traveling?" Kurenai asked as she swirled
her rice with chopsticks, her eyes on the ghost-like Blackbird. Temari and
Kankuro had found it creepy that the boy faded from sight if you didn't look
for him, but said nothing, because Gaara seemed to accept him. Gaara glanced to
Harry, wondering what his answer would be – even knowing he was tired, it was
not imposable for the other Jinchuriki to travel at a normal pace.
"Yes." Harry answered shortly, not looking at Gaara or Hinata. Gaara frowned –
but remained silent, but Hinata's eyes had widened – for she would not see
Harry harmed further.
"No." Hinata told him firmly, frowning at Blackbird, who sighed – looking up at
her. Kurenai looked between them, and Temari paused, wondering what Hinata was
thinking in challenging Blackbird and – by default, Gaara, both surely more
powerful then her. Kankuro, his thoughts matching his sisters, sat frozen – his
eyes had sought out Gaara, who was watching the two, expressionless.
"It is only my hands that are injured, Hinata-sama. I can travel with injured
hands." Blackbird reassured her softly, as if speaking to a child – Hinata's
eyes had widened.
Kiba and Shino traded looks – never before had Blackbird gone against Hinata's
wishes.
"I-I do n-not want you to d-die, Blackbird." Hinata spoke, her eyes meeting his
– hoping he wouldn't push himself further.
"I will not die, Hinata-sama, I am not as frail as that." Blackbird told her –
Gaara knew he felt embarrassed that he seemed so weak in her eyes, when he was
supposed to be her protector.
"Blackbird, I am s-sorry, but I really must insist you stay until you heal
more…" Hinata choked out, biting her lip and looking away from his eyes.
Blackbird's eyes had widened monetarily, and then, with a small smile – at
seeing that this trip had given her a strength she hadn't known before, he
nodded his agreement.
She hated to use the threat Curse Seal against him, even if both of them knew
it was a empty one, but Hinata thought of all those snake demons – surely there
were more out there, and they too would want revenge for the slaughter…
She would not see Blackbird dead – not even if she had to threaten to use the
Curse Seal to get him to stay. Seeing him so weakened, barely able to stand,
had frightened her. She had been so used to seeing him as her undefeatable
protector, a immortal stone she could count on – but, seeing him so hurt had
forced her to want to protect him.
"As you wish, Hinata-sama." Blackbird echoed softly, finishing the small battle
of wills that had gone on between them.
"Well, as long as you are staying, you might as well spar with my team." A man
told them, he had entered the kitchen without a sound – Gaara's eyes flicked to
him, then away seemingly dismissing him.
Harry had tensed – for the man had come up from behind him, but Gaara's
siblings, Temari and Kankuro, seemed pleased to see him.
"Baki-sensei, what are you doing here?" Gaara asked coldly.
"Well, I do train with you today…." Baki murmured, taking in the sight of the
Leaf-nins.
"That is not until noon." Gaara interrupted, raccoon-eyes narrowing.
"Like I said, Gaara, I thought the Leaf would like to train – or spar, with
us." Baki explained, and Gaara grunted, standing from his seat. The chair
shrieking across the floor sent a chill through them, as Gaara left.
"I'm sure such a thing will be a valuable experience for the children." Kurenai
said, nodding her consent. Temari and Kankuro ran their eyes over Hinata, Kiba,
and Shino – considering their strengths and weaknesses in a spar. Harry's eyes
flicked to Hinata, and then to Kurenai – puzzled at what to do.
"Excellent. What do you suggest the match up would be?" Baki asked, smiling
lightly.
"Blackbird and Gaara, of course, are dismissed from the spar, as they did fight
off the snake-demon horde together." Kurenai told him – Baki nodded, glancing
between Temari and Kankuro and seeing their agreement in Kurenai's assessment.
"Of course…well Kankuro's puppets could use some work – and Temari still has a
movement to master with her fan techniques, so which of them do you suggest
pairing with your students?" Baki asked again, growing somewhat impatient.
"Kiba with Kankuro, and Temari with Hinata." Kurenai finally decided, Kiba
grinned cockily at Kankuro, already sure of his win – Kankuro merely smirked at
the dog-boy. Hinata looked down at her clasped hands, and Temari sighed, her
blue eyes flicking over to Shino. She wondered why Kurenai hadn't mentioned him
sparring with her brother or her – or even one of his own teammates.
Shino though, took no notice of her attentions; he had leaned back in his chair
– and, by doing so, had drawn Baki's attention to him.
"What of this young man?" Baki asked of Kurenai, who frowned lightly at Shino,
disapproving of the boy's purposeful posing.
"Shino is a special case, Baki, I'm sure you can understand." Kurenai told the
other Jonin, who frowned.
"Still, I would like to see his –" Baki began and then paused, Harry having
finally moved and caught the Jonin's eye.
"If you would allow, Kurenai-sama, I would be honored to spar with Shino."
Hinata looked up at Harry –startled, her eyes wide. Kiba opened his mouth to
say something, likely in protest – but Shino beat him to it.
"I would be honored, Blackbird." Shino spoke quickly, and Hinata turned angered
silver eyes on him. Kiba only frowned, looking between the two.
"Well, in that case, I see no reason you shouldn't…" Kurenai spoke, her tone
uneasy.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
You're sure that this is wise? Gaara asked Harry mentally as they watched Kiba
and Kankuro warm up. Harry glanced at Shino, who had settled to lean against
the wall. Baki had led them to a large underground arena – Kurenai had informed
her students that this was where the last Chunin Exam had taken place.
Harry's eyes turned to Hinata, who was biting her lip, not wanting to argue in
front of Baki.
She must learn that I'm not as helpless as I look to her now. Harry replied,
his eyes catching sight of Kiba as he set the nin-dog Akamaru down and started
speaking to him, much to Kankuro's growing annoyance.
Are you sure that you aren't? Gaara questioned, throwing back some of Harry's
pain going through the link back at him. Harry's hands clenched and he held
steady, even as his vision blurred with the pain. Smugly, Gaara retreated to
his own mind; sure that he had made his point.
"Blackbird." Harry stiffened, Shino was a good distance away – yet Harry heard
his voice as if it was whispered in his ear.
"I'm using my bugs to communicate with you," Shino explained, and Harry
glimpsed the tiny black beetle-like bug on his shoulder, he tensed, remembering
what Hiashi Hyuuga had said that they could eat through charka, "I want you to
know I appreciate what you're doing for me." Shino finished, and Blackbird
locked glances with Shino.
"The only reason I'm fighting, Shino Aburame, is to prove to Hinata that I
still can fight, even if she deems me unfit to travel." Blackbird whispered to
the bug – its sharp pinchers clicked eerily together, and Harry saw Shino nod
slightly in acknowledgement in his direction.
"My goal, Blackbird, is to prove to you that I too, can protect Hinata. You
need not act alone." Shino answered – the bug taking flight before Harry could
form a reply. Harry's eyes narrowed on Shino, who looked back unabashed, his
eyebrow raised as if to have Harry challenge his claim.
***** Between Leaf and Sand *****
You should go make sure he doesn't kill himself. Shakaku told Gaara mentally,
who jerked, though no one was there to see that he had been surprised by his
bijuu's sudden presence in his mind.
Why? Gaara asked shortly, annoyed at Shakaku – didn't the bijuu remember that
Harry had handled himself just fine in the battle with the snake-demons?
Why else, to make sure you don't die. Shakaku prodded, and Gaara frowned,
confused.
Explain. The red haired youth ordered, eerie green eyes flicking to where the
underground arena was located.
Oh, because, besides sharing pain – you'll not be able to help feeling whatever
injures he takes. Despite being the perfect killer, Gaara, you have never
suffered physical harm, the shock to your body might kill you – and, in turn,
Harry…'sides, if Houkou thinks Harry is dying, he will kill me, and, in turn,
kill you. Shakaku explained rather frantically, and Gaara drew his lip up in
disgust. He hated that because of Shakaku, he could not train his body – the
sand not allowing it.
Gaara's fingers clenched into a fist, the shell of sand – as clear as glass,
which surrounded his body, only cracking a little under the pressure; it was a
constant weakness to his father and Baki, that unlike other ninjas, Gaara only
had one defense and attack – his sand.
Harry could get past it. Shakaku told him, having heard Gaara's thoughts
echoing in his own mind.
How? Gaara asked, glancing at the crack on the glassy surface of his hand, and
by past experiences, he knew it surrounded the rest of his body. It was
unnoticeable, most of the time, and did not activate until threatened –
otherwise it was a constant dripping drain on his charka. When threatened – it
was like the drip became a flow of water spiraling down a drain.
Gaara looked at the glass of the window – at his reflection, his eyes trailing
to his forehead, and the kanji for 'love' that was tattooed there.
He knew as well as Shakaku what had caused the sand to originally do this – it
had only reacted subconsciously, but when Yashamaru, his uncle, had died - he
had only been a little boy.
In his hatred for himself, he had turned the sand against him, trying to kill
himself by carving the kanji for 'love' into his skull. The result had been a
tattoo, mocking him, and the inability to touch anything directly, merely
feeling the impressions of it through the sand, becoming a true shell of him
self.
You trust him.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kiba vs. Kankuro
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Okay so we're clear boy?" Kiba asked of Akamaru, who woofed softly, wagging
his tail enthusiastically – making Kiba grin, then turn his attention to
Kankuro. Kankuro, seeing his enthusiasm, rolled his eyes, shifting the wrapped
body-shaped pack off his back.
"I really hate brats like you. I'll go easy on you dog-boy, but only because
this will be over so painfully quick." Kankuro told him, and Kiba sneered,
while little Akamaru growled at him.
"We'll see about that!" Kiba retorted, Kankuro paid them no mind as he started
to unwrap the pack – Kiba, seeing this, reached into his coat and threw a small
pebble sized pill it to Akamaru, who jumped up to eat it. Kiba grinned, pulling
out another pill from his coat, Kankuro merely raised an eyebrow – unimpressed,
yet curious.
"My sister gave me these, it's called a food pill, and it'll increase Akamaru's
charka." Akamaru's white coat suddenly flared reddish crimson and he began
growling deeply at Kankuro. The second food pill, Kiba swallowed – his eyes
flaring red, and then fading to normal.
"And mine." Kiba said, fangs flashing as he grinned.
"Big whoop, you increased your charka, real ninjas don't need to resort to such
desperate measures in their first spar," Kankuro told him altogether
unenthusiastic with Kiba's food pills, with a flare of charka he unwrapped the
rest of the package, "if you can use your mutt in a fight, I see no reason I
can't use my puppet – brat, meet Karasu, Karasu meet dog-boy, and his mutt."
Kankuro finished, smirking slightly.
"You can insult me all you want, Kankuro, but don't you dare call Akamaru a
mutt!" Kiba growled at the older teenager, who snorted, dismissing Kiba's
words.
Kiba's temper flared, he snarled, and started to run toward Kankuro recklessly.
Akamaru loyally running beside him, Kiba jumped up – seeing through a red haze
that Kankuro hadn't made a movement – but his puppet did. Shaking off the
puppets sudden life, Kiba made to tackle Kankuro.
Kiba's hand went into 'Kankuro's' chest – and his mouth into 'Kankuro's' neck,
only to find woodchips and a purplish liquid splashed onto him. Akamaru had bit
into 'Kankuro's' ankle. Kiba's eyes widened, finding themselves with a mouthful
of bitter-sweet liquid, somehow, they'd mistaken the puppet for Kankuro.
Finding that out, they quickly spit it out – but too late, for it was already
taking effect.
"Shit! How'd he do that?" Kiba growled, whipping his mouth with his coat
sleeve, Akamaru whined softly walking wobbly over to Kiba's side and curling
against Kiba, licking Kiba's hand.
"Akamaru! Akamaru? Are you okay boy?" Kiba asked, even as his vision blurred,
he blinked it away, trying to think but finding his mind drifting. When his
vision came to focus again, a shadow had fallen over them – it was Kankuro and
his puppet – though Kiba didn't know which was which. They both looked like
Kankuro.
"Heh, typical brat, can't keep your temper." Kankuro mocked him, Kiba tried to
narrow his eyes and snarl, but he couldn't keep his eyes from falling shut.
"You asshole, what did you do to Akamaru?" Kiba slurred, vision and body
wavering.
"Oh, nothing too bad, just some poison – the non-fatal sort. You'll both be
'fine' in the morning…if knowing what a hangover is before drinking." Kankuro
told him before he faded to unconsciousness, gesturing for his puppet to pick
up the two and carry them out of the arena.
Kankuro paused by Kurenai, his arms folded, examining her. Kurenai had
stiffened, her eyes going to Kankuro – to the puppet which held her student and
his dog.
"The dog-boy and his mutt have potential. Make sure to bring it out of them.
I'll take them back to the mansion; they should be awake by tomorrow morning."
Kankuro told her, and his eyes turned to Temari and Hinata.
"Good luck," Kankuro sighed and his arms crossed behind his head he left,
calling over his shoulder for his puppet, "come on Karasu, got to get Kiba home
before he gets sick or something." Karasu jerked to life, following his master.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Hinata vs. Temari
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"You know the strange thing?" Temari asked aloud while watching Kankuro walk
out of the arena with his puppet loaded down with Kiba and Akamaru. Baki turned
to her, raising an eyebrow.
"That Kankuro, for being Kankuro, was being nice to someone younger then he is?
Or that you didn't think Kankuro really cared to know Kiba's name?" Baki asked,
and Temari shook her head to both, eyes going to Hinata's small frame.
"No, neither, Kankuro had never wished me good luck; he just knows I can win."
Temari answered, and Baki nodded thoughtfully, Temari sighed shaking off her
younger brother's odd moods, her concentration on the wary Hinata.
"Come on girly, I promise I won't hurt you too bad." Temari teased, and Hinata
gulped, her silvery eyes going to Harry, who, while tensed, nodded
encouragement.
"O-okay." Hinata whimpered and followed Temari down into the arena. Hinata
looked around when she got to the bottom – it was more intimidating then she
had thought possible.
All around her were hundreds of underground seats going toward the cavern that
covered the arena. Atop it, was only a flag and barren desert, Hinata would
have never guessed it would be so large underground.
"Guess you aren't used to it yet, I've heard that Leaf's main building product
is wood. Here we build underground, into the earth using the natural
underground caverns that form around water to our advantage." Temari explained,
looking at Hinata's open amazement with proud dignity.
"So, I g-guess, it's like the tip of a t-tree. Y-you never know how much is
beneath it until your under it." Hinata said, and Temari smiled at her
encouragingly, liking her, even if she did have to spar with the kid.
"Yeah, I guess you can look at it that way. You're pretty clever, under all
that shyness." Temari complemented, while nodding her agreement to the
similarity – Hinata blushed and looked to the side.
"Well let's see if you have any talent at being a ninja, eh?" Temari mused
softly, bringing forward the giant iron fan that had been on her back, it was
long and rectangular, and Hinata looked wide eyed at it. It was a distance
weapon.
"Let us begin." Temari murmured, and Hinata fell into a fighting stance Temari
didn't recognize. None the less, Temari flicked open the fan, the first of
three purple dots appearing. With a swirl of it, charka-wind controlled by
Temari was released kicking up a small sand cloud, when it cleared; Temari
frowned, not seeing Hinata.
"Where'd you go?" Temari wondered aloud, her eyes glancing around the stadium.
"Behind you!" Hinata yelled, and Temari swung around, blocking Hinata's attack
with her iron fan.
"Close, but you shouldn't have told me where you were." Temari informed her,
safely out of Hinata's reach. Hinata glanced aside – subconsciously making sure
her sparring partner wouldn't read her next move in her eyes, as another Hyuuga
would have, and Temari recognizing the movement for what it was, felt her eyes
widened a fraction.
Suddenly, Hinata attacked again, rushing foreword, seeing this, Temari dodged
away, weaving out of the younger girls way, finding the way Hinata fought
impossible to predict. Predicting correctly at seeing an opening, Temari, using
her iron fan to glide on, got a good distance away.
"You're a Hyuuga!" Temari exclaimed, once she was settled down on the ground.
Hinata nodded abruptly, causing Temari to grin, plainly enjoying the thought of
sparring with someone worthy of her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Temari demanded a bit of a hurt note in her voice,
Hinata blushed, keeping her eyes steady this time.
"Y-you didn't a-ask." Hinata answered stuttering a bit, used to her father
questioning or putting down her movements while pausing in a spar, and finding
Temari compliments and suggestions disjointing – naturally, Temari merely
shrugged it aside.
"I've got to warn you though, Hyuuga or not, you won't be able to go up against
my fan when the third star is revealed." Temari told the younger girl with a
smirk. Hinata glanced at it uneasily, sensing the power of it growing –
suddenly Temari flicking the fan open a second time, revealing the second of
three evenly spaced purple dots.
Hinata frowned concentrating on her Byakugan on Temari, the blood vessels
around her eyes bulging as she searched for a charka-point that would cut off
Temari's charka. There! Hinata thought, rushing foreword, in turn Temari shoved
a burst of charka into her fan, and held it aloft for an attack.
"Wind Release: Severing Pressure" Temari hissed, taking the handle with two
hands and swiping it in front of her. A cyclone rose up from the sand, quickly
heading toward Hinata, with her Byakugan still active, she rushed foreword into
the cyclone's weakest point.
The wind, sharpened to knife points from Temari's attack, cut into her – but
pressing on, she escaped it, appearing from beneath the cyclone, where Temari
least expected her, she got a hit on Temari's charka-point. With the Hyuuga
Clan's Gentle Fist, one precise hit to an opposite's chakra circulatory system
was all that was needed to down them.
Hinata, while being trained in the technique by her father – and having
excellent charka control, had never hit him in fear of hurting him. She hadn't
expected to hit Temari – let alone disable her with one blow.
Temari fell to the arena floor, gasping for breath – her Byakugan still
activated Hinata was the only one to see that she had nearly killed Temari as
she quickly reversed the effect, allowing Temari to breathe. Hinata was too
terrified at what she had nearly done to hear Temari congratulate her on her
victory in their spar.
Kurenai led her student away, thinking it just a minor shock for Hinata at
having won. Not knowing how much Hinata now feared injuring – or killing,
someone with her family's fighting style technique.
***** Awhirl of Leaves *****
Kankuro's walk was brisk, a ground covering stride those of Suna developed in
early childhood to get out of the heat of the day quickly. But, it wasn't quite
high noon yet, and some early birds had gotten the center of the town market
place buzzing; in Sand, there was only morning and evening market. The only
reason Kankuro could think that so many would gather so early was because of
the scare of the snake-demon attack in the night.
He had hoped to avoid getting into the conversations today, because – it, like
every other time, was likely centered on spreading spitefulness for his little
brother. Kankuro's eyes narrowed, the true person – as much as Kankuro hated to
admit it, who deserved the loathing of Suna was the Kazekage, his own father,
who had made Gaara into a demon.
Kankuro, even with his swift stride, was not quite quick enough to escape the
villagers notice; even with his Karasu openly carrying a Leaf-nin.
"Hey, Kankuro! How are you doing boy?" One of the villagers, an older man, who
was - as typical of villagers, surrounded by others of the same type, called
out after Kankuro had passed him.
Kankuro paused in his tracks, for he had learned long ago that if he walked on,
it would only make things worse for Gaara. He resisted the urge to pull a face,
but he did groan softly and turn around. Facing them, and motioning for Karasu
to continue on, he could tell they would want to keep him for far longer then
Kankuro wanted to stand there and take their long pointless 'conversations'.
"Heh. I'm not so bad these days, yourself?" Kankuro asked, trying for
politeness.
"Alright, the boys and I have been wondering about something though." The grey
haired man told him, Kankuro's eyes trailed over them, and then focused again
on the old man, his brow rose, wondering what the newest rumor was.
"Some of the ninjas have let slip that there was a demon attack last night,
know anything about it?" The old man asked, and Kankuro kept his face blank as
he considered it. They would know he knew what had happened – the question was,
how much would they believe?
"Ah, nothing to worry about, Gaara took care of it." Kankuro assured them,
hoping they would let him leave – they didn't.
"Well, at least the demon scum is good for something." An old woman grumbled,
and Kankuro grit his teeth – Gaara didn't have to do anything for the
villagers, but he was loyal to them – for some reason, and protected his birth
place.
Normally, Kankuro would just nod and continue on his way – but today, something
within him threatened to give up if he let them have their way and left them.
"Gaara didn't have to protect you." Kankuro found himself hissing lowly at
them, fists clenching and nails biting into his palm. They had only noticed the
tone – they didn't hear what he said, but his body language was putting off a
killer intent so focused they did, for all their thick headedness, take notice.
"What did you say lad?" Squawked an old man beside the one who'd called for
Kankuro – the puppet master ninja sealed himself, cementing to what he had
started – already anticipating a lecture from his father – and perhaps a
dressing-down and dismissing of duties from the village council.
"I said, and listen this time, that he has never had to protect you. Do you
think we can control him? No, not even the Kazekage could stop him if Gaara
decided to wreck havoc. So you might want to try to be a little nicer." Kankuro
spun on his heel, leaving them in silence, and disappearing in a swirl of sand.
When Kankuro reappeared beside his family home, the last thing he expected to
see was Gaara leaving. His younger brother glanced at him, then at the
surrounding village – and Kankuro had to wonder what it was that Gaara saw that
let him endure the abuse from others so readily. Gaara has so much power in him
– his own, and the demons, yet he never purposefully did anything against
anyone who did not first try to harm him – or the village. It was enough to
leave Kankuro baffled.
"Thank you." Gaara suddenly said, looking out over the village. A chill went
through Kankuro as he realized that his brother must have seen his actions.
"Ah…yeah, no problem, Gaara…" Kankuro muttered, his voice trailing off as he
spoke, then a thought occurred to him – where was Gaara going? His younger
brother rarely appeared in the village during the day, preferring to sit on the
roof at night.
When Gaara had first been introduced to them, which alone could have been
enough to drive Kankuro bonkers. But no, at night when he was young he had been
plagued with thoughts of his baby brother's mangled body. For, what if someday
Gaara fell through the roof? – or be ruthlessly killed, or kidnapped by
someone, and neither of his siblings would ever be allowed to know the truth of
it.
Gaara had never cared when told of these things – and until Baki forced them to
spar with Gaara, neither of his siblings had known why he paid their worries so
little attention.
"Ah…Gaara, where are you going?" Kankuro asked him softly, trying not to be too
demanding – he hated that about kids, they always asked him questions about
Gaara. Questions usually brought up by their parents.
"To see the match...and make sure I don't die." Gaara answered, and started
down the path to the underground arena. Kankuro did not call him back to demand
an answer to his brother's cryptic words – when and if Gaara ever wanted him to
know, he would.
Instead, he went inside to ensure that Karasu had followed his orders and put
the dog-boy in the right room. It would not due for Temari to return and find
the dog boy, by a puppets 'accident', in her bed.
He would never hear the end of it…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry/Blackbird vs. Shino.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
With a worried glance to Hinata – for he knew his friend was more affected by
what had happened then she let on, with a glance to Blackbird, they dropped
into the arena, both watching each other carefully. Shino was a distance
fighter, holding to his abilities to communicate with bugs, and on the element
of surprise.
Against Blackbird in normal combat, without those conditions, he would not have
stood much of a chance.
Yes, as Shino used his forefinger to push up his sunglasses, and saw the
other's form flicker into existence for but a moment – giving away his
position. Quickly, before Blackbird could move away, Shino threw two shuriken,
and watched as Blackbird dodged to the left, and then rolled – not even
attempting to bring Miyabita Shi foreword to block them.
It wasn't that Blackbird didn't want to, Shino knew the truth of the matter –
he either couldn't because of the still healing hands – or was afraid to. Shino
did not think it was the latter.
Which meant Blackbird was at a disadvantage, because if he could not use his
sword, it meant he would have problems with the complex finger and palm
patterns of most jutsu – and, if he knew it, with the Gentle Fist style of the
Hyuuga Clan.
But, it also meant that Shino did not know what to expect form his opponent,
and it served to keep him on edge enough not to let down his guard.
Harry observed Shino unaware, knowing that with his hands healing – his ability
to "veil" himself was chancy – the things he carried with him making it nearly
impossible to think about anything else but 'hiding'.
His ability to hold Miyabita Shi was gone – for the sword weighed more then his
hands could take. And Miyabita Shi, if used, would need to draw on his own
'power' – or so the blade told him, and that was near improbable, because he
was using it all up. And as for the ninja's favorite skill…If he were to
attempt a jutsu in the midst of battle?– it would be laughable.
So, he had to rely on his weapons expertise, and – when Harry remembered
Tenten, the weapons expert of Neji's team, he smirked. Hinata didn't know it,
but before Harry had left Neji had paid him a visit, and given him a sealing
scroll containing different practical weapons. All of it from Tenten – because
she had been impressed with his ability to dodge her throw – something only
Neji had done before.
Harry still had it – not wanting to bite his thumb – for the flesh was still
burnt and tender, Harry bit into the side of his cheek, when the blood pooled
into his mouth – he spit it onto the sealed scroll. With less noise then he
would have expected an array of weapons was soon spread out before him.
With difficulty, Harry took Miyabita Shi from his back – laying it down. Mostly
because he did not know how the sword would react to being multiplied – it was
'proud' of its making – such a cheep imitation could anger it – that and Harry
did not know how the 'magic' within the blade would react to a jutsu.
He braced himself for pain – and moved his hands in a clone technique 'giving'
them all the ability to 'hide' that was so familiar to Harry. There were six of
them – when he had been aiming for ten, but at least there were more then
enough weapons.
Quickly – least Shino get suspicious, he signaled one clone to take most of the
large shurikens and use them to the best of advantage – a distraction.
The other five he had take less discrete weapons – an axe, a flail which is a
spiked metal ball attached to a handle by a chain, a flanged mace with the
handle of metal and a jagged steel 'club' at the end, a naginata – a long
wooden shaft with a curved blade at the end, and a ōdachi a long sword with a
blade less then two arm lengths long.
When he had told Kurenai that Hiashi Hyuuga had seen to it that he knew to use
weapons – he hadn't lied. Shino was in for a surprise.
There was a moment of silence after the clone with the large shurikens had
thrown them all at Shino while running across the arena– only to go up in a
puff with its task completed.
Then a mob of six Blackbird-clones closed in, and Shino had to resort to using
one of the weapons he'd had used against him as a shield – the giant shurikens
served him well until one of the Blackbird-clones – flail in hand, slammed in
into the star-fish shaped shuriken, breaking it.
Without a pause, the Blackbird-clone with the flanged mace slammed it into
Shino's back – and with a grunt, Shino went down, the Blackbird-clones withdrew
– drawing together in a defensive semi-circle around what Shino assumed to be
the real Blackbird.
"You've lost, Blackbird." Shino spat out, despite the pain he had to be in
because of the weapon attacks.
"What do you mean?" Harry found himself asking, surrounded by his clones, he
was tired and he didn't want to 'play' any more 'games' with Shino.
"You remember that bug – the one I let you see?" Shino grunted – looking up at
Harry through the broken frames of his sunglasses.
….the bug – its sharp pinchers clicked eerily together, and Harry saw Shino nod
slightly in acknowledgement in his direction…
"Yes." Harry answered, shivering as a chill went through him.
"It wasn't the only one."
From above them came gasps of surprise, as Hinata, Temari, and Kurenai caught
sight of the little bugs rising from the sand – all of them surrounding around
Harry and his clones. One by one the insects swarmed over the clones – and the
real Harry.
"Your right to fear them – they eat charka."
Harry stepped back – and one by one the clones swarmed by the bugs exploded
into bursts of smoke, the charka within them drained…
…. "and Shino Aburame, who's Clan has a 'useful' ability with bugs –
interestingly, they feed off the charka inside of his body, and in return, they
obey him. It has been reported that the bugs can eat through charka-shields,
you are to see if this is true."…
I guess I will find out…the hard way, Hyuuga-sama…Harry thought as he hastily
threw up a charka shield as the last of the clones disappeared.
"It's too late for that, Blackbird. I hope this – at least, will make you see I
am worthy of protecting others as well!" Shino exclaimed as the charka-eating
bugs broke through the shield, within moments the little insects were crawling
over his skin feasting on his charka…
Weakened as he was, he fell to the ground – fruitlessly trying to get up, even
as the bugs continued to drain him, then with a gasp Harry felt them reach the
'heart' of his power – the energy that let him wield Miyabita Shi…magic.
As his magic had never been threatened in this manner before – it back lashed,
knocking Harry unconscious from the sudden drain – and helpless. Shino's
charka-eating bugs had wasted no time surrounding Harry's fallen body, draining
him – the life seeming to be sucked out of him as they watched.
"No! That's enough Shino – you've made your point! Stop them!" Hinata yelled,
yet Shino was pale, shaking, for he had told them not to touch Harry – and yet
they didn't obey.
"I can't – I don't know what's wrong!" Shino yelling, hoping someone would know
what to do – for it looked to him as if the charka-eating bugs liked the taste
of Blackbird too much – and, as a result Shino couldn't control them.
Because Shino couldn't call them off – and had acted without thinking,
Blackbird would die, helpless and thankfully unconscious, for Shino knew how
painful the draining looked like from the outside, and he knew, if the others
didn't, that it had to be agony – all because of his loss of control.
Quite suddenly, the sand around Harry suddenly encased him – keeping the bugs
from him, no matter how much they tried to get at him. With the loss of Harry's
charka Shino was able to get them under control again – and for the first time
he shuddered when his special bugs went into him.
He realized that he still had a lot to learn from his Clan – and that he'd
better learn it, or else the bugs might take control for themselves again, and
there might not be another person around who could stop them.
None the less, he looked to where the others were – and just as he had thought,
the red haired Sand-nin stood there, calling the sand to him.
"Enough." Gaara's soft voice whispered and the sand moved – taking Blackbird
away from the arena, and laying him down on the platform beside a worried
Hinata and Kurenai.
Gaara looked down at Shino, his luminous green eyes narrowed – and Shino knew
he had come close to his death, for it was in Gaara's eyes. Gaara's hand
suddenly outstretched, and with a ripple, the sand splashed upward – and
Miyabita Shi lay in his hands. It was a clear enough threat.
Shino wearily approached his teammates, and Hinata had her arms wrapped around
herself, her lips forming the words 'please don't die' over and over again. A
chill went through Shino, sure the charka-eating bugs were dangerous – but they
couldn't be that dangerous…could they?
No one in his Clan had ever claimed so – they could be used to hinder an
opponent, even disable – but kill? Shino Aburame had never heard of such a
thing, and he began to wonder – if they could hurt someone so much, did they
not need more people to know of the things bugs could do?
Because, other then in the Aburame Clan, no one else knew much about bugs, yet,
Shino knew they were very important.
"He'll be alright." Kurenai announced – and in her delight Hinata threw her
arms around an awkward Shino – for was he not at fault for Blackbird's
condition? Despite this, Shino found himself returning her hug – him self
relived that no great damage had been done to Hinata's protector.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Baki, alone now, stared out over the arena – and silently Orochimaru, in the
disguise of the Kazekage, appeared beside him. Baki turned to look at him,
dipping his head with respect for his Kazekage.
"Well, Baki, what do you think?" The 'Kazekage' asked him, Baki sighed, eyes
returning to the arena.
"I do not like this, Lord Kazekage, but I can not fault your reasoning. Your
son is prepared for your plans…" Baki admitted reluctantly, and from behind the
face-cloth of the Kazekage, Orochimaru smirked.
"Good. Inform them of the plan to join the Sound in our war with the Leaf – I
will have another meeting with Orochimaru concerning these plans, and then –
when the signal is given in Konoha on the Chunin Exams, our combined forces
will descend upon the Leaf when it is unprepared…" The 'Kazekage' purred, and
before Baki could leave – the 'Kazekage' informed him of one last thing.
"Oh, and Baki, when you reach Konoha, seek out Kabuto Yakushi, would you? He is
the closet to Orochimaru, and if there are any changes to the plan, he will
likely know them." The 'Kazekage' finished, and Baki bowed to him.
"As you wish, Lord Kazekage…"
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Two days after the spar, while everyone was not fully recovered – Kurenai
reminded them that in missions in the future they would have to likely travel
when they were not at their best – or having to take injured comrades back to
Konoha.
So, after exchanging good-byes and tips for future clashes, the Leaf-nins left
– and Baki called his team together for a new mission.
***** Calm Before the Storm *****
Itachi looked up when he felt the ring around his finger, which proclaimed him
a member of Akatsuki, warm. He narrowed his eyes – lifting his chin to observe
his partner in the Akatsuki, a shark-like man who still carried Samehada, his
sword – for he was one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Kisame Hoshigaki.
"Find out what he wants, Kisame, I will deal with this…" Itachi murmured
softly, and Kisame nodded, glancing down at the trembling man locked in the
Tsukuyomi, facing whatever demons Itachi was forcing upon him. Kisame thought,
though he dared not say it aloud, that even death would be preferable to such a
fate.
Kisame left them, and did not stop – not even when he heard the man scream a
final time.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Hinata-chan, I'm going out for a bit!" Kurenai called out- her voice raised
slightly to carry, her eyes on the black birds sent out by the Hokage.
"Okay, Kurenai! Do you want to me to s-start dinner?" Hinata's voice asked from
around the corner – were the kitchen was, Kurenai sighed softly, her eyes
flicking to the floor of Harry's bedroom.
"Yeah, and remember to save some for me – I know how good your cooking is!"
Kurenai praised as she passed the younger woman, giving her a pleased smile.
Hinata shyly returned it – timidly reaching into Kurenai's cabinet for a bag of
rice, Kurenai left through the front door – hoping nothing would happen while
she was away.
The silver eyes of Neji Hyuuga glanced into Kurenai's home upon seeing her
leaving it – he didn't like to do such a thing, but Hiashi, Head of the Main
Branch, had ordered him to send Blackbird to him when he returned. The three
had been home only an hour, and Neji had not wanted to ask Blackbird to leave
while Kurenai was there and could, in some misguided attempt to protect him,
overhear and protest.
Reluctantly, Neji approached the house, grudgingly knocking twice on the door,
and waiting for Hinata to answer – she did so, and her eyes grew wide at the
sight of him.
"Neji-kun! What are you doing here?" Hinata asked of him, nervously backing
away as he moved foreword, resisting the urge to sneer at her – so weak and
yet, 'above' him in the family hierarchy even as he answered her.
"Hinata-sama, it is…good, to see you are well. Hiashi-sama has requested that
Blackbird arrive promptly after returning from his mission to Suna…" Neji
answered, his tone implying that it was anything but a 'request'.
"A-ah, but, surely, Father…he, Blackbird, H-Harry, is injured…I…" Hinata
trailed off, lowering her eyes at seeing Neji's 'hidden' contempt for her.
"Hinata-sama, are you alright…?" Harry's voice asked as he came downstairs,
having heard the knocks on the door after Kurenai had left.
"I'm…um, fine…" Hinata whispered, choking on the words.
"Neji…" Harry greeted, upon setting eyes on the other teenager, who nodded
solemnly back.
"Blackbird. I'm afraid I've been…required to tell you that you are to go to the
Hyuuga complex – Hiashi-sama wants to speak with you." Neji spoke softly, not
looking to Hinata, who bit her lip as she looked at Harry, willing him not to –
and knowing he had to.
"I see…" Harry murmured, Neji looked aside, sighing softly.
"I am to accompany you." Neji finished, and Hinata looked surprised – and
clenched her fists.
"He…Harry is…injured, surely f-father would u-understand?" Hinata said, looking
down so not to see Neji's emotions when he looked her in the eye.
"No, Hinata, it is …alright." Harry said softly to the Hyuuga Heiress, who
swallowed and shook her head – looking up, defiant.
"It's not, I-I'll talk to him for you – " Hinata began and Neji snorted,
frowning at her.
"That's all very well for you, Hinata-sama, but both of us know he won't care
to listen to you." Neji hissed, hating being so helpless to the Main House of
the Hyuuga Clan, and taking his feelings out on Hinata. Hinata flinched away,
eyes fleeing to Harry's, who stood silent.
"I will go, Hinata-sama," Harry told her, reserved to that fate, even as he
gave her a weary smile, "but you are welcome to accompany us. Perhaps, after I
am done conversing with Hiashi-sama, you may speak with him and tell him your
feelings on this…" Harry finished, and Hinata's posture straitened, reassured
that at least Harry hadn't thought her silly for suggesting protesting her
father's 'suggestion'.
"I will." Hinata promised, and Neji, never having heard her sound so resolved
looked between Harry and Hinata, frowning slightly at the new development and
putting it out of his mind as he led them to the Hyuuga complex, which like the
Uchiha complex was a mini-village within Konoha.
"Are you sure you'll be a-alright?" Hinata asked nervously of Harry, as they
stood together next to the entrance to the Hyuuga compound. They had returned
rather quickly from Suna, although they had been gone a week, and it hadn't
taken long for Neji to find them; only to tell Harry that Hiashi had called for
him to come to the Main House when he returned.
"Yes, Hinata-sama, I will be fine…" Harry allowed his to soften slightly, proud
of her for not forbidding him from going – even if he half wanted her to.
"I'll wait here for you…" Hinata assured softly, offering a small smile.
Harry's eyes went to Neji, who had followed them from Kurenai's home.
"I will keep her safe." Neji promised, knowing that had been what Harry wanted
to ask of him. Harry bowed slightly to Hinata, and walked through the large
double doors that kept intruders from entering the Hyuuga complex.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Sit, Blackbird." Hiashi ordered as he worked with his younger daughter –
Hanabi, only nine, to perfect her Gentle Fist technique. Harry obediently
settled himself on the wooded floor as the two practiced on the mats.
"The Chunin Exams approach." Hiashi told him, abruptly moving out of Hanabi's
reach just as she struck out. Harry nodded, acknowledging the fact, while
remembering the stir it had caused when Neji had not competed in them the
previous year.
"Do you know if my daughter plans to join them?" Hiashi continued even as he
returned a strike that Hanabi barely avoided.
"I do not know, Hiashi-sama. You will have to ask her." Harry answered softly
and Hiashi frowned – and signaled a halt to the practice, both father and
daughter bowing to each other.
"Hanabi, why don't you go wash up? Dinner will be served soon." Hiashi told his
youngest, who nodded – glanced to Harry, and ran off.
"You surely have a guess, Blackbird, I did not raise you to be ignorant of the
thoughts and hopes of those around you." Hiashi observed as he looked down at
the subservient teenager, whose eyes studied the floor.
"I can assume that she will follow her teammates." Harry spoke in a whisper,
remembering the days before Hinata was his charge – where his sole purpose had
been to train – and, in turn, gain Hiashi's approval.
"And her teammates?" Hiashi's hands reached for a towel, as he watched Harry's
body language – and his spoken answer.
"It is likely that they deem themselves able to fight in the Chunin Exams."
Harry allowed, keeping tight hold on his emotions and thoughts – knowing that
if he slipped, if Hiashi told him to let him see his Harry's eyes his emotions
would be plain.
"It is in two weeks. Do you think them able?" Hiashi asked his tone daring
Harry to contradict his body language. Defiantly, Harry looked up, his green
eyes meeting Hiashi's silver ones.
"No, Hiashi-sama, I do not think they are, regardless of what you or I think,
they shall do as they please, and learn from it." Harry told him, silently
daring him to tell him differently. A slow smile spread over Hiashi's lips, it
was not a nice smile.
"Very well, Harry…since you are so swayed to protect their interests and free
will, you shall not interfere with the Exams unless the situation is dire. Do I
make myself clear?" The Head of the Main House of the Hyuuga Clan demanded of
him, and very slowly Harry nodded.
"As you will, Hiashi-sama." Harry whispered, and Hiashi silently signaled him
to rise, leaving the Hiashi, and the Hyuuga complex behind – as he reached the
gate he looked back, his eyes narrowed.
I will not always be your servant, Hiashi…He swore to himself – glad he had
left Graceful Death behind in his rooms – for if it had sensed Hiashi's mockery
of him, it would have lashed out with or without Harry's will behind it.
"Blackbird. Are you well?" Neji asked of him upon Harry setting foot outside
the gates.
"I will be fine." Harry allowed, his eyes resting on Hinata, hating that his
temper had gotten the better of him and Hinata may suffer for it.
"I am sorry, Hinata-sama. If you participate in the Chunin Exams, I am
forbidden from assisting you." Harry spoke again after a silence as they walked
together back to Kurenai's home.
"O-oh…that's alright, Blackbird, I think I would prefer to do something like
the Chunin Exams on my own…w-with my team." Hinata told him, her voice soft as
they walked along – not wanting to draw attention to them.
"You will never get to the final part of the Chunin Exams that is my destiny."
Neji told her, glaring down at her. Hinata bit her lip and didn't reply,
knowing this was just the way Neji was and that he held nothing personal
against her; Neji would have likely said more, but a kunai embedded itself into
the post next to him – he glanced to the training grounds – in the distance the
two figures of his teammates waved.
"I must go." Neji said – glancing to the silent pair, and nodding to Harry as
he left. Shortly, they made it to Kurenai's – only to find their teacher
waiting for them.
"Where have you two been? Well, that doesn't matter – the Hokage has just
announced that the Chunin Exams are to be held within two weeks! I said that I
deemed you worthy of going foreword if you wished – here are the papers Hinata
– I've already given them to Kiba and Shino…isn't this exciting?" Kurenai
asked, and Hinata managed a smile – even as her teacher went back into the
kitchen.
"I'm going to cook you up something special for breakfast and dinner, and these
next two weeks will be the hardest you've trained all year!" Kurenai called
through the kitchen, unaware that Harry and Hinata were exchanging a long look,
finally Hinata slowly nodded.
That morning, Kurenai was given Hinata's signed documents.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kisame had returned later that evening to find Itachi licking blood from his
fingers – the body of the man was gone, and he didn't let it bother him. Itachi
had only killed a man that had been corrupt – he had taken money and children
to sell, then he had made the stupid mistake of owing Leader money – and the
Leader had said that if it was needed to kill the man.
Above all, Kisame had learned early, was that if Itachi craved a bloodbath, he
would get it in the end. Of course – Itachi only killed the "corrupted" – but
around the Akatsuki, the meaning became different then what a normal person
would take that term.
Itachi, nonetheless, hated those who had abused others – he didn't, luckily,
mind people-killing-people, but if he found someone who had hurt someone forced
them into slavery – they were dead, "protected by Akatsuki" - or not.
The Leader allowed Itachi to do as he pleased, for of all the members of
Akatsuki – Itachi was the strongest
"What did the Leader want?" Itachi asked him softly, red and black eyes
glancing into Kisame's own for but a moment.
"Well, seems we're going to Konoha – after the Chunin Exams, to see two things,
a brat with the Kyuubi in him….and a boy that might have one of the Seven's
swords – and might have a demon of his own…" Kisame told him softly, as Itachi
got out some nail polish – green this time, to paint his nails with.
"Names?" Itachi asked wryly as he began painting, Kisame swallowed.
"Naruto Uzumaki, who carries the Kyuubi," Kisame began, and Itachi paused
listening "…and some boy by the name of Blackbird, Orochimaru claims he saw him
in Suna, he says he might have "melded" with the five tailed bijuu dog –
Houkou…" Kisame paused when Itachi looked up at him, the black and red starting
to swirl together – the only sign of Itachi's mood.
"We go. Now."
***** Visit in the Night *****
"Naruto Uzumaki, who carries the Kyuubi," Kisame began, and Itachi paused
listening "…and some boy by the name of Blackbird, Orochimaru claims he saw him
in Suna, he says he might have "melded" with the five tailed bijuu dog –
Houkou…" Kisame paused when Itachi looked up at him, the black and red starting
to swirl together – the only sign of Itachi's mood.
"We go. Now."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Stay." It was the only word Itachi had spoken aloud to Kisame, that is, after
ordering him to go along with him to Konoha as a breakneck pace; he did not
need to be told twice – one learned quickly, if one wanted to survive, that
Itachi was to be obeyed – for even the Leader feared him.
So, at Itachi's soft spoken word Kisame came to a stop a few feet from the end
of the forest – he was grateful for the rest, whatever he had said had really
gotten to the other man – and he half thought that Konoha was about to see
another unplanned bloodbath.
"Where are you going?" Kisame asked of Itachi, even as the younger man moved
forward toward the gates. Itachi's eyes – always those eerie crimson and black,
flashed in his direction - sending a chill down his spine.
"I am going to meet an old friend." Itachi purred the words, rolling them off
his tongue, giving them an entirely different meaning. It didn't matter that
Itachi had long ago, upon meeting Kisame, and joining Akatsuki, claimed to not
have friends – merely accountancies. It seemed to Kisame that those yearly
trips to Konoha, on the eve of the massacre of his family, took on a new
meaning.
Then, before Kisame could ask anything of him, he was gone – and Kisame was
alone. The big shark man sighed; setting him self on the foliage on the forest
floor, resigning to wait out the night– for, he knew, Itachi would return by
then.
If he didn't – he at least knew Kisame would go looking for him.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Itachi went first to the park he and Blackbird always met at – it was mostly
empty seeing as it was near sunset, but he was relieved to see Blackbird
passing it. He wouldn't have to spend the night on a search for him. Two Leaf
ninja – interestingly of the same family, accompanied him.
Unobserved, Itachi took the time to analyze them, they weren't threats – not
yet, but he might find himself facing them if they ever came after him.
Firstly, the girl… she was weak as far as physical-to-physical strength went –
yet, small, so likely agile and quick. What Itachi found interesting was her
boyishly short dark blue hair, which earned her some respect from him – if only
because she was not foolish enough to think long hair was a mark of pride on
someone as young as she was.
Lastly, he took in the silver eyes of the Hyuuga. So, from her youngest days –
she had trained, just as he had. Just as anyone of a Clan did – it was why
ninjas of a Clan were sought after, with a few expectations, a child of a Clan
knew they were going to be a ninja when they grew up. Itachi shook off the
thought of killing her, simply for that reason, and let his eyes go to the boy.
He was the girls opposite – his hair, black, reaching mid-back, and his Leaf
symbol on his forehead rather then his neck like the girl, he would fair well
in an ordinary physical fight- of average speed and strength. Even the watching
silver eyes would stand no chance against Itachi's red and black, yet Itachi
knew the 'look' of him – it was the same as his younger brothers. The boy
thought himself a genius, skilled, and Itachi wondered how much that knowledge
had been earned – and how much it was untapped natural talent.
Itachi's fingers slipped into his cloak, caressing the sharp edge of the kunai
there – wondering at slitting the throats of the two – just to see if Blackbird
would be free of his 'masters' then.
Itachi shook his head, with a grim little quirk of his lips, his eyes still
following the three. He knew having gotten a good look at it a few times, that
a mere child would not be the master of Blackbird's Curse Seal. Yet, the
question of where they were going remained – so narrowing his eyes, he followed
them silently slipping between the trees, using the setting suns shadows to his
full advantage.
The boy – older then the girl by a year, if around Blackbird's age - left the
two of them to join his teammates at a training ground. Now, it was the girl –
and his Blackbird. They walked on, silently – to a different house, one
occupied by a woman he didn't know of, but Itachi did know she was a Jounin –
for she could see, and knew of, Blackbird…and Itachi, thinking a long while
upon this information, waited until dark till act. Silently, he slipped into
Blackbird's room…
Itachi took a moment to look over it – the walls were, even in the night, off-
white – so, he judged them to be a pale cream in the day. The floor was some
kind of rich colored wood – polished over. Save the bed – a sturdy metal-wood
frame, the dresser – also wooden, of the same kind as the floor, and the
curtains over the window – which were black, and of a heavy material unlikely
to tear. Otherwise, the furnishings – and room itself, was sparse. Clearly, no
normal teenager had lived any length of time here.
Itachi glanced to the bed again – Blackbird laid on it, and even half asleep,
the veil of 'invisibility' still surrounded him; no one would not see
Blackbird, unless they knew exactly where he was, or what to look for – that
glint of black hair, a flash of that eerie eye color. Itachi knew Blackbird
would not remain hidden forever, especially with his master throwing him under
Jounin notice.
Itachi did not know, later, how much time he had spent looking down at the
teenager considering his future – what, if anything, the knowledge of Blackbird
being in the path of the Akatsuki changed. Would the demon take hold of him –
as was often the case? How had Itachi never noticed?
Those questions were shaken away when Blackbird's breathing eased from sleeping
to waking, and his eyes opened, green eyes staring into Itachi's own.
"Uchiha-sama.What are you doing here?" Blackbird demanded in a soft breathy
hiss, his fingers curled around a weapon – his full attention on Itachi. His
body was tense – even as he quickly looked over the other man. He looked that
same as Harry has seen him the last time – save for the newly painted green
nails.
"Killed a man today, licked his blood off my fingers – learned something
interesting for it." Itachi began the word-play, reassuring he was who he
appeared to be, and hoping that the demon inside Blackbird hadn't changed too
much of his friends memories.
Blackbird's lips twisted in a grimace. He knew better then to doubt the truth
of Itachi's words.
"What, that you can consume human blood, parts and all, as well as scare people
in the night? Best be careful, Uchiha-sama, your turning into a vampire."
Blackbird remarked, relieved for the moment that Itachi was who he appeared.
"Someone's been reading too many fables. No, that is not what I learned."
Itachi teased softly, aware that if this hushed conversation became any louder
they risked waking one of the two others in the house. Wary now, Blackbird's
eyes slid over Itachi – the other rarely wore his Akatsuki cloak, finding it
too noticeable, and restricting.
"What did you learn?" Blackbird asked warily, knowing that that was the
question Itachi wanted him to ask, one he wanted Blackbird to learn the answer
to.
"You carry a bijuu, little Blackbird, and the Akatsuki know it. Want it. My
question is this – will you – could you, give it up?" Itachi asked carefully,
and just as he had been dreading, Blackbird's head was shook in a negative.
"Houkou is a part of me, Uchiha-sama. I am sorry. I suppose…now you will have
to kill me." Blackbird murmured softly, even as Itachi came closer –
hesitantly, he sat down on the teenager's bed.
"Where did you get a stupid idea like that?" Itachi asked then, amused- yet
worried, did Blackbird truly think he mattered so little to Itachi? The elder
youth brushed is palm across Blackbird's blushing cheeks.
"It's what you do…have always done, when things do not fall into place."
Blackbird answered, bit bottom lip caught between his teeth, and Itachi
chuckled softly letting himself lean in closer, his lips – wet and smooth,
brushing against the soft skin of Blackbird's ear as he spoke.
"Never to you, little Blackbird, you I find…things will fall into place for."
Itachi admitted that much – he cared for Blackbird, he was a friend – a
confident, someone Itachi could see himself someday get lost with. The self he
saw reflected in Blackbird's eyes, was not wholly the killer Itachi saw in his
own.
It made it worth to Itachi to get stronger – if only to protect the younger
man. If Itachi knew one thing – as long as he had Blackbird as a reason, he
would live on, not matter how long it took for Blackbird to grow up and cut
ties to his 'masters' here.
"Then, what will you do?" Blackbird asked, ignoring the warmth creeping along
his spine centering in his lower stomach. Itachi pulled away from Blackbird's
ear and neck – all those oh-so-sensitive places that Blackbird had never
bothered to protect from Itachi.
"Firstly – do not use the demons charka, for as long as you are able. The
longer – the better, I will tell Akatsuki that our information was wrong, to
leave you be. The longer you can keep from using the bijuu's charka, the more
credit to my fable." Itachi allowed, and Blackbird found himself nodding in
agreement – even Houkou seemed to be approving of Itachi's plan.
Graceful Death hummed softly, agreeing, and seemed to shake loose a kunai-like
shard from its hilt – even if the metal seemed to regain what had been released
even before their eyes.
Blackbird's hand stretched out to take the kunai-of-the-Graceful Death, and it
seemed obvious that it was to go to Itachi. Somehow, he knew it was connected
still to Graceful Death-the-sword.
"This goes to you. I'm not sure how it works. But these – and the sword, are
connected. So, maybe we are as well." Blackbird explained softly, with wary
eyes, Itachi took the 'kunai' from Blackbird, tucking it into a different fold
of his cloak then the ones for weapons.
Itachi gave Blackbird one last glance, and couldn't help but lower his eyes,
taking in all of Blackbird that was offered – for the boy had worn a loincloth,
and have left the rest of him self bare. When he looked back up, taking in
Blackbird's blush, he smirked, and Blackbird seemed to shiver.
"Uchiha-sama …What are you doing?" …To me…remained unspoken, but Itachi
couldn't help what he did next, leaning in closely, their breath mingling, and
all Blackbird had to do was lean up – and their lips would meet.
Boldly, Harry found himself doing just that, tilting his face up just so –
Itachi's smooth skin of his lips and wet tongue meeting and pressing into
Harry's mouth, their tongues – slick muscular probes meeting briefly and
darting in and out of their mouths by joined lips – touching and exploring.
Itachi inhaled, taking in the scent of the younger boy – of forest rain, desert
spice, and musky undertones of lust. Harry though, found himself too dizzy with
the sensations and feelings brought foreword – Itachi came back to himself when
the kiss ended with a mutual parting – both panting for breath.
Beneath him, Blackbird was hot and yielding, having allowed Itachi to press the
younger boy onto the bed, his body caught between the mattress and Itachi.
Itachi smiled down at the younger teen, perhaps he did know how Itachi felt for
him. On his back, Itachi felt the warmth of a newly returning sun. Blackbird
was – of course, quick to notice it, his blush returning like the dawn.
"Did we…do that, all night?" Blackbird whispered softly – referring to the
kiss, and Itachi chuckled – kissing the tip of his nose.
"No, unfortunately, I don't think I could just kiss you all night, though we
could certainly try another time." Itachi murmured to him with an open leer,
which made Blackbird flush all the more.
"You're leaving then?" He found himself asking, and slowly, Itachi nodded, even
as he slowly removed himself from the younger man – glad, for once, that he
hadn't had the chance to do anything else – Kisame would ask enough questions
of him being 'late' as it was.
"I'm afraid I have no choice, my Blackbird, I have to lead the Akatsuki down a
false-trail. You have to stay here. We both do what we must for now – I can
only hope that soon…we won't have to just do as others ask." Itachi murmured,
and smiled seeing his Blackbird yawn by reflex – hoping that he hadn't gotten
the other into trouble with the late night.
"Good bye, Uchiha-sama." Itachi heard the younger man say as he left, all too
soon in Itachi's opinion, he found himself in Kisame's curious company. Itachi
had been unusually short with the other man – saying only that they had gotten
wrong the person who held the bijuu dog and needed to report that to the
Leader.
Itachi found himself looking over his shoulder once as he prepared to leave,
Good-bye, my Blackbird…the older Uchiha thought, before taking off – leaving
Kisame to catch up.
***** Twists of the Storm *****
Harry surveyed Kurenai's team from the tree – Hinata was working with Kurenai
to broaden the range of her Byakugan. She was improving, but not as quickly as
her teammates – and Harry was baffled as to why. Bellow, Akamaru let out a soft
'woof' to indicate to Kiba that he'd found a trace of Shino. In the week of
non-stop practice Kiba and Shino's skills at survival, tracking, and espionage
had greatly influenced them.
Kiba's skills lay in his recklessness; because of it, he was stubborn, more
often then not he had found Shino simply because he kept searching long after
others would have given up – at a greater risk to his heath, yes, but his was
successful nonetheless.
Shino was his opposite – the bug-user was careful, wary in his every movement,
considering everything a trap, and knowing better then others what his
strengths and weaknesses were. He also could judge, without bias, what Kiba's
and Hinata's weaknesses were, and work with them to strengthen them.
Their 'spars' were something of a mini-war of survival. Where one would hide –
and the other would have to find him, and then engage in a battle. Kiba was
relying more and more on the Food Pills and this worried both Harry and Shino –
it showed the dog-boy did not have very much faith in his own abilities as they
were, but, Kiba did know they needed to be improved. Harry just didn't think
the dog-boy had the patience to learn to control his charka.
From Harry's perspective, both Kiba and Shino had something in common – both
had crushes on Hinata, and this – he knew, would only led to awkward situations
in the future unless Hinata chose one of the two.
Their approach on their feelings for her left him somewhat baffled on how to
advise her – Kiba was – like so much about him, brash about his feelings in
actions – how he treated her gently and often fussed on her health. Shino, like
Harry, was more worried about her mental health.
"Tuatweeet!" A 'bird' from above called out – and Kurenai signaled a stop to
their practice, looking up at the sky, knowing the Third Hokage had summoned
her. She glanced to where Harry flickered in and out of existence, as her
students panted and huffed at her feet.
"Blackbird – would you care to accompany me?" Kurenai asked, knowing it risky,
but remembering what Hinata had confessed to her, of her father's conditions on
Hinata going into the Chunin Exams. Kurenai hoped to arrange for Harry to stay
away from Hinata until after the Exams – perhaps with the Nara Clan, or Kiba
and Shino's families. He leapt down from the tree, turning to Hinata, his
brilliant green eyes resting on her team.
"I'll meet you at the end of your Exams. Good luck, everyone." Harry told them
softly, bowing formally to them. Kurenai and Harry disappeared in a swirl of
leaves, to reappear within Hokage Tower – both knew that if Harry made no
movements, he would go unobserved.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Elsewhere - beforeKurenai and Harry left for Hokage Tower
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
As Gaara looked over the village of Konoha, he shifted the strap of the gourd
of sand on his shoulder, the weight of it still plaguing him. This environment,
Baki had warned him, did not produce sand naturally, his only option then being
to take sand from the desert into this greenery.
"It sure is a big village. Still think you can find him in this place?" Temari
commented rather doubtfully from beside him. Kankuro snorted disdainfully,
disinclining to comment at the foolishness of his younger brother's inclined
quest - especially when Gaara was so irritable by the 'strange' weather and his
suddenly changed surroundings. He might very well do something regretful to him
in retaliation. To sum up – he didn't want to get his ass kicked by his 'baby'
brother for being a smart aleck.
"Shakaku is certain," Gaara insisted softly somewhat unsure, no matter that the
raccoon bijuu's presence in his mind was full of assurance of the 'facts';
wary, he glanced to his siblings, "but you do not need to go with me. I am sure
I can handle anything that may challenge me without your aid." Temari and
Kankuro glanced between each other somewhat uncomfortably.
"Don't be silly, Gaara, we want to see the twerps…erm, Leaf-nin too." Kankuro
spoke, seeing his older sister's silent amusement at his blunder.
"I would prefer it if you'd come with me to meet the Hokage, Gaara." Baki spoke
suddenly, after having remained silent, Gaara looked to the older man, who
tensed, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Very well, Baki," Gaara agreed, and then glanced to the bunch of trees
clustered together in the village, "Temari and Kankuro ought to stay here and
rest. I will meet with them later; as we are expected, it shouldn't take long,
this meeting, afterward we will be shown to our rooms. We arrived a week early.
There is no rush." Gaara seemed to be convincing himself more-so then his
siblings; nonetheless the three ninja of Sand nodded in agreement to his plan,
Temari and Kankuro somewhat grateful for the chance to rest after their
journey, and orientate themselves within the village.
In a swirl of sand Gaara and Baki disappeared – only to reappear at Hokage
Tower. There was no issue with getting inside the Tower as they had their
papers. The two waited outside the Hokage's office, having sensed the charka of
the ninja within. Finally, Gaara relaxed, feeling the ninja leave, and no
longer fearing an early trap.
"Come in." The elderly voice of the Third called from within his office – Gaara
and Baki looked between each other, and then Baki pushed open the door, and the
two Sand-nin walked into the Third's chambers, all too aware that they were
deep in their 'allies' territory.
Gaara surveyed the room, and tensed with surprise upon setting his eyes on
Harry, and Kurenai, who stood in front of him. Gaara quickly glanced to the
elderly man behind the wooden desk – the Third Hokage of Leaf, who did not – to
Gaara's knowledge, know of Harry.
"Welcome Sand – I'm sure you are weary from your journey, so I will only have
Kurenai here, who I believe you are familiar with," the Third ran his eyes over
them – then to Kurenai – and Harry who stood tensed, seemingly waiting for the
Third to ask of him; but the old man only smiled slightly, his fingers pressing
together as he finished greeting them, "take you to apartments that have been
provided and paid for by the Leaf for the participants of the Exams. There are
three rooms." The Third raised his hand, dismissing the three – and the hidden
fourth, all of which walked out of the office, although they expected to be
called back.
"Did he not see Blackbird?" Baki hissed to Kurenai, as he walked closely with
the other Jounin. Kurenai shook her head in disbelief, red eyes glinting at the
insult to her Hokage. Gaara, walking behind them, glanced to Harry who moved
within the shadows; even looking for him, Gaara would have doubted he was there
without the aid of the bond they shared.
"He must have," Kurenai started once they were off the streets and running
along the rooftops – Gaara and Harry just behind Baki and herself, Baki raised
a brow at her, provoking further answer, "outsiders from Leaf are only – for
security reasons, allowed two rooms per a team." Kurenai finished, and then
paused outside the apartments provided.
"Perhaps he is only getting old." Baki disregarded as he walked into the
apartments ignoring the cold chill down his spine that warned that the Third
could have planted a listening device.
"No, he knew – and somehow, he knew Blackbird would need to stay with you."
Kurenai insisted, and Baki turned to her upon getting the keys from the desk.
His expression was bland, but his eyes demanded she continue.
"You see, Blackbird has been…displaced…from his home." Kurenai answered warily,
glancing to Harry whose expression gave nothing away. Gaara's green eyes
narrowed slightly, glancing to his friend.
"I don't see how that is possible, he lives with you." Baki murmured softly as
they passed a blind old man in the hall. Baki opened the door with the key,
finding the three rooms within – Gaara and the two Leaf-nin stepped in, Harry
closing the door behind them.
"You misunderstand me Baki – Harry isn't a ninja here, nor does his alliance
lay with any other Land. He is a …" Kurenai trailed off, not wanting to admit
that a Clan in her village had practically made a slave out of a boy.
"Mercenary." Blackbird answered shortly, Gaara and Baki glanced to each other,
knowing that if that was a truth, it was only a part truth.
"Yes, and I would be most grateful if you let him stay with you during the
Chunin Exams." Kurenai pleaded softly, and Baki shifted uncomfortable with the
thought that Blackbird could discover their plan if he overheard them.
"He is welcome here." Gaara stated softly, and his tone was one that Baki could
not find it within himself to argue with. Kurenai looked much relived, and
rested a hand on Harry's shoulder squeezing it gently before leaving.
"Well then. Gaara – would you go fetch Temari and Kankuro?" Baki asked of his
student, Gaara nodded carefully, flicking a finger – a trial of his sand
leaving the gourd and sliding over the floor – crawling over Harry's body only
to rest on his shoulder in the form of a raccoon – Baki did not miss the
symbolism.
Gaara grunted softly, just to acknowledge Shakaku's indicated a direction of a
bijuu's charka in a direction nearby – close to his siblings, and took off
without a word and in a swirl of golden sand, Gaara left them.
With an abrupt nod of farewell to Baki, Blackbird walked into the room the two
Jinchuriki had already – by mental agreement, decided to share.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kankuro had started pacing not long after Gaara and Baki had left – Temari,
somewhat amused by her brothers actions, watched. Kankuro may pretend all he
wanted, but Temari knew he cared for Gaara.
Temari looked up when she heard shouting and yelling, Kankuro paid it no mind –
forgetting that in Konoha - no one knew of his dislike of children. Or that he
was avoided by them at all costs – for is lapse, a kid slammed into him.
Kankuro grunted, even as the kid fell from the impact.
"That's gotta smart." Kankuro hissed down at the kid, deciding the boy to be an
easy target for his frustration and worry – what right did Gaara have to just
leave them here? Close by were two others – teenagers, younger then Gaara, and
two runts as small as the one who had ran into him. Kankuro leaned down,
picking the boy up by his scarf, planning on setting him on his feet after
snarling at him.
Of course, the blond looked ridiculous in his orange suit – Kankuro sneered
slightly, is grip on the kid's scarf tightening as the blond yelled at him.
Unsurprisingly to Temari, the boys yelled implications – firstly that the
shrimp-sized blond was stronger then her brother– and that Kankuro's prized
puppeteers outfit was a black pig's suit! – made Kankuro furious.
Bad enough Gaara was in this village alone, somewhere – threatening their
plans, now these measly children were only proving to Kankuro that children
were worthless. The blond's very voice was just as grating on the two Sand-nins
ears, as his suit was an eye-sore.
Kankuro, very much annoyed, threatened the kid's life – and where Temari would
normally have stepped in – she saw the boy in the tree watching them; and
standing upside down on the branch of the tree beside him - Gaara.
Kankuro clenched his fingers into a fist – readying to hit the boy, even if
Temari knew it was mostly for show – Kankuro was a puppeteer, his hits might
hurt – but they wouldn't kill - like Gaara and his sand – Kankuro's body wasn't
trained to be as useful as his skills with puppets were.
The boy in the tree didn't know that – he struck out with the pebble he had
been playing with, hitting Kankuro's wrist and causing him to drop the boy.
Probably hurting the kid more then a strike from one of Kankuro's fists would.
"Tell me…what are you guys doing in our village?" The black haired boy,
lounging in the tree, demanded of them. The pink haired girl squealed softly –
and Temari caught the boys name "Sasuke", from the blonds and brunette boys
lack of reactions – this was a normal thing, and Temari knew the boy was one
who was used to being fawned over by females.
***** Winds of the Storm *****
Chapter Notes
     To all those people out there who always wonder why there are so many
     Iruka/Kakashi slash pairings when the two 'barely' know each other in
     the manga/anime, I offer a reason among many; Naruto 4; Number 34:
     Intruders? Page 134.
     Iruka: Thanks for your latest report, Master Kakashi…How's our little
     hellion? Does he get along well with the other members of his cell?
     (blushing/sweat-dropping)Kakashi: He's…getting there.
     (blushing )Iruka: Your team's seen a lot of action lately. Naruto
     hasn't had time to get together with me once. I can't help worrying
     about him.
     Kakashi: You know how it is, Master Iruka. Uchiha Sasuke is in our
     cell, too. He and Naruto are like a couple of dogs, always circling
     each other, snapping and snarling. But it keeps Naruto on his toes.
     He's developing fast. He's always hoping to catch up to his hero…you.
     (blushing )Iruka: …! Really?
     Also, this could be implicating a couple other pairings …Like the
     Sasuke/Gaara one everyone keeps missing. I've only hinted at the
     beginnings…-giggles- Both of these are relevant topics of slashy-ness
     because they will, eventually, be in this fic.
"Oh, look. Another little brat." Kankuro snarled with pure venom, even as he
let the kid who he had dropped – by accident- ran off, his hand still holding
his injured wrist. Temari glanced at it, somewhat worried for her younger
brother – being a puppeteer meant a lot to Kankuro. It made him feel useful;
she knew he would be crushed if he couldn't do it for a week or more –
especially with the Exams coming up.
"Get lost." Sasuke hissed, his eyes narrowing, remembering the black suited
puppeteer easily tripping Naruto; the Sand-nin, however, had already tuned out
the other two Leaf-nins and the three brats – it was clear to the two siblings
that this Sasuke would pose the more immediate danger.
Kankuro taunted him, the idea to teach Sasuke a lesson and get even likely
already brewing in his mind.
Is it possible he hasn't seen Gaara? Temari thought, glancing to her brother as
he shifted the puppet Karasu, or 'Crow', from his back. Temari knew Gaara would
disapprove – so she tried to prevent Kankuro from using Karasu – but, of
course, her brother was nothing if not stubborn.
"Kankuro! Don't!" Gaara's voice snarled from the shadows, green eyes looking
down at them from his perch upside down in the tree. Sasuke tensed frame and
suddenly wide eyes reassured Temari that the boy was no stronger then Gaara.
"You're a disgrace to our entire village." Gaara told his older brother,
sneering at the older teenager. Temari got nervous – Gaara only said that when
he was really angry. The village meant a lot to him. And children, Temari
thought as she looked over her shoulder, are a part of any village.
Gaara had never shown a sign of caring about what happened in Leaf – but it was
known that Konoha had a demon vessel – and with Blackbird here, that might mean
there were two of them. Neither of Gaara's siblings knew how Gaara expected
them to act in demon territory, but apparently threatening the young wasn't it.
"G-Gaa-ra?" Kankuro choked – knowing as Temari did, what it meant if Gaara
thought him unworthy of the village. If he was that in Gaara's eyes, he was a
burden.
"It annoys me that you'd lose control in a quarrel with children. Have you
forgotten why we came here?" Gaara continued, somewhat reassuring his elder
siblings – in his tone was the demand for Kankuro to apologize – or for a
reason. Kankuro grabbed the chance, hoping to reconcile this before it went too
far.
"But Gaara…they started it. The little one slammed into me!" Kankuro exclaimed,
hoping the explanation would be enough.
"Shut up…or I'll kill you." Gaara hissed, angry that his elder brother was
placing the blame of his actions on a child.
"You're right. I was out of line." Kankuro hastily agreed, shivering at the
death-glare Gaara held him in. Not wanting this to continue, and knowing she
was somewhat at fault for not stopping it before it could get out of hand,
Temari added her own apologies.
Gaara turned his attention away from his siblings – forgiving them.
"Sorry about my friends." This is the one who nailed Kankuro with a stone. That
took skill. Gaara told Sasuke, whose eyes widened as Gaara disappeared in a
swirl of sand, only to reappear between Temari and Kankuro.
"I know we're a little early…But we didn't come here to play around." Gaara
spoke softly as he appeared, his eyes resting on Kankuro, asking forgiveness in
his own way for allowing his demonic instincts to overwhelm him.
"I swear it won't happen again." Kankuro spoke reassuringly, vowing to find the
reason for Gaara's sudden flare of protectiveness to Leaf's children. He'd bet
on the reason being Blackbird – or the Fox, which was rumored to be sealed
inside one of Konoha's populace.
"Let's go." Gaara ordered, turning to the apartments, Temari and Kankuro
preparing to follow him.
"Wait!" Demanded the pick haired girl, and Temari could have groaned at her
stupidity.
"Yes?" Gaara asked, turning his head to look at her over his shoulder.
Temari was somewhat amused to learn the three hadn't known of the upcoming
Exams, and took it upon herself to inform them of it in a lecture. She quickly
found out why the blond had gotten on Kankuro's nerves so quickly – he was
just, rude. Just when Temari thought they might get out of there without Gaara
drawing anymore attention to him self, Sasuke just had to ruin her plans –
jumping down from the tree and immediately drawing Gaara's attention to
himself.
"Hey! You there! What's you name?" Sasuke demanded, and Temari, with some
amusement, noticed that other then the blond Naruto and the kid - Konohamaru,
they didn't really know the Leaf-nin's names. It was a good thing they weren't
spies – though Temari could act. She decided to, taking after the pick-haired
girls attentions to the dark haired boy.
"Huh?" Temari began, and feeling Kankuro's confusion and Gaara's amusement
immediately directed at her. "W-who, me?" Temari stuttered, remembering how
Hinata did it – and wondering how the younger girl would react to learn Temari
now wore her Sand-headband around her neck like Hinata did.
"No! I was talking to the Spook beside you." Sasuke explained annoyed, but
Temari thought the boys rudeness worth it to see jealously flash through the
pink haired girls eyes.
Nonetheless – of the three of them, Temari knew which one Sasuke would refer to
as the "Spook" as Gaara had spooked him by his 'sudden appearance' in the
trees. Temari wondered how Sasuke would react to learning Gaara had been up
there quite a while, unnoticed by the prideful brat, before hand. Though,
Temari and Kankuro were quite curious to how Gaara would handle being addressed
by someone his age – for other then Blackbird, Gaara had little contact with
people his own age. Remembering how he had seen ninja greet each other at first
meeting – albeit, this knowledge came from listening to some of Temari's shows,
Gaara answered.
"…Gaara of the Sand, at your service. And you are?" Normally, Gaara wouldn't
have bothered to answer - but something – an attraction alike to the one he had
felt between himself and Blackbird stirred him.
"Heh. Uchiha Sasuke." The dark haired boy allowed – seeming surprised that
Gaara had asked.
"Uchiha-sama. What are you doing here?" Blackbird had demanded in a soft if
breathy hiss, his fingers curled around a weapon – his full attention on
Itachi. His body was tense – even as he quickly looked over the other man. He
looked that same as Harry has seen him the last time – save for the newly
painted green nails.
"Killed a man today, licked his blood off my fingers – learned something
interesting for it."
This answer made Gaara's eyes narrow – remembering an Uchiha from Blackbird's
memories last night, though an older version, and wondering if the two were
related.
"Houkou is a part of me, Uchiha-sama. I am sorry. I suppose…now you will have
to kill me." Blackbird murmured softly, even as Itachi came closer –
hesitantly, he sat down on the teenager's bed.
"Where did you get a stupid idea like that?"
"You know Blackbird's Itachi, then?" Gaara softly asked of the other boy,
remembering the older teen's name.
Blackbird's hand stretched out to take the kunai-of-the-Graceful Death, and it
seemed obvious that it was to go to Itachi. Somehow, he knew it was connected
still to Graceful Death-the-sword.
"This goes to you. I'm not sure how it works. But these – and the sword, are
connected. So, maybe we are as well." Blackbird explained softly, with wary
eyes, Itachi took the 'kunai' from Blackbird, tucking it into a different fold
of his cloak then the ones for weapons.
The reaction from the black haired boy was entirely unlooked for and unexpected
– a mix of fear and hate filled the air.
"How do you know that name?" Sasuke hissed- his hands clenched, even as he
looked at Gaara with a new light. Gaara tensed, feeling the charka of a bijuu
stir. Kyuubi – the fox is within one of them!Shakaku screamed into his mind –
echoing it through the link he shared with Blackbird and Houkou. Other then
Sasuke, the blond and the pink haired girl were the only other ones old enough
to be born when Kyuubi had been sealed.
Sasuke's killer intent grew – but not the wary bijuu charka.
It wasn't within Sasuke. That left the blond, who looked between Sasuke and
Gaara with something akin to worry in his eyes. Shakaku brushed his bijuu
charka against the red charka of the Kyuubi, not threatening – only a brush of
awareness. The charka disappeared – and Shakaku told him the boys name eagerly,
he was Naruto – an orphan like Gaara and Blackbird.
Realizing that Sasuke was waiting for an answer, and had no idea of what had
just occurred, Gaara decided to keep the answer short and get back to
Blackbird, the other was sure to be worried. If Blackbird arrived here, Gaara
did not know what would happen – and he did not like not knowing.
"From the memories of Blackbird." Gaara answered vaguely for it all that it was
the truth. Sasuke looked confused to why Gaara would say he got the name of is
elder brother from a bird, he was about to demand a further explanation, when
Gaara signaled for them to follow him. Temari and Kankuro ran with Gaara, their
motions a blur as they followed their faster younger sibling.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
They arrived in good time – and Gaara puzzled his siblings by knocking on a
third door, when Baki –not trusting Temari's cooking - had already set dinner
out for them. They were surprised when Blackbird appeared, Miyabita Shi one his
back – wearing the clothes and a look-alike (or stolen authentic version?) to
an ANBU mask atop his head – that of a bird – presumably a blackbird, with
green and black lines and curves showing the details of its eyes and beak, and
on his shoulder – a tiny raccoon.
The sand raccoon cooed softly to see Gaara, and Blackbird let a small smile
cross his features – his eyes going to the astonished Sand siblings behind
Gaara.
"What are you doing here, Blackbird?" Kankuro demanded and Harry looked to the
floor, wondering how he was to answer him.
"I am forbidden from interfering with Team 8's progress during the Exams – this
way, I am not tempted to assist Konoha." Harry answered vaguely, a truth –
though he did not tell them that the he was sure that, of all the people who
weren't supposed to know of his existence, the one that mattered the most - the
Hokage had seen him, and Harry feared Hiashi's response. If the Hokage did not
know of Harry's plight – it had certainly worked to his favor that the Sand-
nin, the only other people who know of his existence had a room more then any
other village or team competing in the Exams. It was far fairer then fate had
been in most of his years.
He let it be implied that the village – and not Hinata's father – had something
to do with his reasons. The Sand-nins knew he wasn't a ninja, so he could, in
theory; interfere without fear of too much retaliation. That is – if he wasn't
caught in the act, or suspected.
"Oh. So you're staying with us?" Temari inquired with a raised eyebrow to show
she didn't quite buy that tale. Blackbird nodded, and Kankuro frowned slightly,
the two siblings exchanging a look and worrying on Sand's future attack and if
Gaara's alliance would shift if Blackbird was in danger. Or if perhaps
Blackbird would aid them. There were too many questions, and neither of them
liked not knowing the answers to them.
"He claims to be a mercenary – not a ninja, so there is no harm in it." Baki
allowed, gaining the attention of two of his three pupils. Both Temari and
Kankuro obviously doubtful of the truth of Baki's words, but neither froze when
their bothers full attention was laid on them – as Baki did.
"He is staying, Baki, he is my friend." Gaara snarled to the elder man, who
tensed, wary of Gaara's temper.
"Of course, Gaara." Baki murmured carefully, his eyes, full of suspicion, laid
on Blackbird – he looked away before Gaara could take too much of an offence.
Gaara, in turn, faced Blackbird, his posture solemn.
"We need to speak of Uchiha Sasuke and Itachi." Gaara stated plainly, and
Blackbird, knowing why, nodded and allowed Gaara to pass into their room, the
door firmly shut to the three other – normal humans, in the apartments. The
three Sand-nin glanced to each other, wondering at the new developments and
changes their plans were taking – and it wasn't even the start of the Exams
yet.
***** The Oncoming Storm *****
Previously;
"We need to speak of Uchiha Sasuke and Itachi." Gaara stated plainly, and
Blackbird, knowing why, nodded and allowed Gaara to pass into their room, the
door firmly shut to the three other – normal humans, in the apartments. The
three Sand-nin glanced to each other, wondering at the new developments and
changes their plans were taking – and it wasn't even the start of the Exams
yet.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Gaara paced – and Harry's eyes faithfully followed the other boy's movements.
Gaara had never failed to remind him of a predator, in every motion – action or
reaction, he was a deadly grace. Even how he spoke was a hint at the demon
lurking within.
Finally, Gaara halted his movements – tilting his head as if listening intently
to something no one else could.
Harry knew what it was Gaara could hear - if Harry so wished he could make the
'static' of Shakaku's words out, knowing the look for the one he himself used
when he was 'listening' to Houkou.
"Why?" Gaara finally asked, turning to look at Harry. Harry stared back into
Gaara's eyes, shades of green meeting and measuring one another.
"Why what, Gaara?" Harry inquired softly of him; Gaara looked aside,
considering what he was asking – and likely conversing with Shakaku at the same
time.
"Why did that boy – the younger brother of the man who visited you last night,"
Gaara paused slightly, his eyes on Harry – waiting - but when Harry made no
motion to deny the truth of Gaara's words, merely nodding – so he continued,
"want to kill me when I mentioned his brother?" Gaara finished carefully,
finding himself at a loss on how to continue now that the truth, as he saw it,
was out.
Gaara could quite easily tell that the answer lay with Harry – in that he had
no doubt. Harry glanced away, seeking a way to answer – for Gaara knew he would
answer – in the woodwork of the floor of the apartments.
"It's…complicated." Harry started – telling Hinata portions of the truth had
been halting – but telling Gaara would be far more personal. Gaara waited for
him to continue, knowing he would – if only to fill the silence.
"I thought I was so clever…" Harry voice was oddly bitter, and Gaara was
startled for a moment – slowly relaxing when Harry, realizing that Gaara was
not only hearing him but sensing him, sent calm through the link.
It would not be suitable to have Gaara let loose his demonic power on Leaf on
his behalf – for something that happened years ago.
"I met Itachi a few times – enough to respect him, and apparently he felt
vengeful on my behalf, for I suppose in my youth I was not as careful as I am
now." Gaara narrowed his eyes – knowing that that was the key to it all – why
Harry had had to be careful? – what did Itachi know that he did not?– what was
Harry keeping from him? Harry, sensing Gaara's keen insight rushed on.
"In the end, he supposed my freedom was worth killing for. He had been misled,
by my self – acting as a puppet for another. Gaara – you must promise me to
never do anything rash." Harry begged softly, and Gaara frowned – knowing that
Harry's wish was sincere, but confused to how someone as powerful as Harry
could be a puppet.
"I won't do anything without a reason." Gaara told him instead, knowing if it
came to it he'd rather kill then set idle waiting for permission as something
happened. Killing seemed such a simpler way of getting rid of problems.
"Fair enough." Harry sighed softly – somewhat without hope, knowing that was as
good as his word as Gaara was going to get. Harry knew he could not ask for
anymore then that.
"What did Itachi do to make his brother hate him?" Gaara asked again, this time
genuinely curious – and not merely worried for Blackbird – whose name he had
let slip to Sasuke.
For even if Gaara had killed countless assassins of the Sand – some sent by his
own Father – his family had never openly loathed him. Mostly out of fear for
him – but the Sasuke boy had been a mix of fear, rage and hurt – a perfect
killer intent.
"Killed everyone Sasuke had ever cared for," Gaara frowned at Harry's answer –
and Harry willingly elaborated, "Itachi slaughtered all of his family, that is
- the Uchiha Clan, but for Sasuke."
"And you believe you had something to do with this massacre?" Gaara finished,
startling Harry with his ingenuity – but how could Gaara not suspect this was
so since Harry had hinted at it so willingly?
Harry cursed himself – wanting to protect Hinata, and wanting Gaara to see that
both Uchiha brothers had their reasons and neither was exactly wrong, was
taxing him- especially with keeping his memories and emotions from touching
Gaara.
"I know I did, Gaara. I was the puppet Itachi tried to free with the killings."
Harry allowed that truth, his gaze out the window, then locking back to Gaara.
"Why didn't it work?" Gaara found himself asking – even if he knew he would not
get the entire answer. Harry sat frozen, not having thought Gaara knew he
wasn't as free as he pretended.
"It was not the Uchiha Clan I am –was, tied to." Harry answered – trying for
simple, and with his answer Gaara knew he shouldn't push Harry anymore –
although he suspected many things – Gaara knew he would not be getting the
answers anytime soon.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"I don't see what's so important about this Blackbird – we should be sparring,
not looking through dusty scrolls," Naruto whined to unsympathetic ears, "we
should be sparing for the Exams…" Naruto finished – and loath as she was to
admit it, Sakura knew Naruto was right.
She looked worriedly to Sasuke – lately the dark haired boy had been more then
broody – he had been obsessed to find a mention of this 'Blackbird', which the
Sand-nin had only mentioned in passing - and Naruto was quickly growing
restless from not sparring.
"He's right Sasuke…we aren't getting anywhere with this. Maybe you should just
ask…" Sakura began carefully, catching Sasuke's attention – he looked at her,
and she ceased speaking, looking aside
"Ask who, Sakura? Kakashi already said he doesn't know – or can't say, the
Third would hardly mention someone of that much importance to us. Besides – we
can't find Gaara of the Sand – if that was his real name – without raising a
few eyebrows before the Exam." Sasuke finished rather shortly, seemingly
annoyed at his teammates inability to grasp his reasoning.
"Whatever," Naruto grunted – rising from the table with the dusty scroll on it
– Sasuke having told him to look through the pictures of the Uchiha Clan and
the beginnings of the Leaf's history for a blackbird, some supposed clue – "I'm
going to practice we only have three days left – besides, you ever think that
Blackbird could just be a code? From the memories – sounds like a person or
demon to me." Naruto rambled as he left – leaving Sasuke staring after him in
thoughtful silence.
"Wait, Naruto," Sasuke called, and Naruto spun in place – a hopeful grin on his
face, Sasuke smiled slightly and turn, "your right – we'll spar now." Sasuke
allowed, and Sakura only looked relieved. After putting their scrolls away, the
three left the Chronicles – a circular record building open to the public – as
the Archives were closed to ninja but for those of Jounin rank.
They went to the Training Grounds – where the Sand-nin - and Harry, just
happened to be sparring.
Sasuke and Naruto started, trusting in Sakura to call a stop to the spar when
it reached a dangerous level – for them. For a while – things seemed to be
going well, and then – with Kyuubi screaming in his head that there were other
bijuu near – and why didn't Naruto sense them?-if there were.
Naruto froze in indecision – for a moment he could have sworn he smelt
something foreign and wild. Sasuke was quick to take advantage of his
distraction, driving his foot into his midsection – making Naruto grunt as he
hit the ground, Sakura raced to him, unsure if she should allow the two to
continue – for even Sasuke seemed surprised Naruto had let himself get hurt
"You alright, baka?" Sasuke was quick to ask, having squatted down beside
Naruto as he shuddered to consciousness.
"Yeah, yeah – I'm fine," Naruto reassured, wondering if the Fox was trying to
kill him, "c'mon Sasuke, I won't let you beat me again." Naruto assured, even
as his teammates looked uncertainly between each other then to the blond boy.
"I'm not sure you should, Naruto – you took that hit without making a move to
block – at all." Sakura murmured softly, biting her bottom lip in indecision,
Naruto pouted at her – for it was her decision if the spar continued.
"Ah, c'mon Sakura-chan, I promise to be careful." Naruto whined, seeing Sakura
was undecided – she frowned at him, knowing well that the two boys would dive
right back into the fight holding nothing back – hence why they needed her to
supervise. Her worst fear was that one day one of them would go too far and
kill the other by accident.
But now Sasuke was looking at her, eager to begin again, likely feeling he
hadn't won this fight fairly, for Naruto to be distracted.
"Alight…" Sakura sighed, and Naruto cheered – Sasuke stood, and then helped
Naruto to do the same. They were an excellent team together – and Sakura had no
doubt they would go far working together – with or without her.
They began, and for a while, Naruto seemed fine. Sakura was relieved that
whatever had caused Naruto's lapse was gone, and watched them continue to spar.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry had known Naruto (who Hinata had known and followed for years – if only
to ensure the scorned boy's health) was the Kyuubi – just as Gaara had found
out and Shakaku had mentally 'screamed' over the link he shared with Houkou. He
just hadn't known what Houkou was going to do – if he had, he would never had
left the apartments that day.
He and Gaara were finishing up the spar – although from Temari's and Kankuro's
winches, it would look more like they were trying to kill each other. And who
could know better? Gaara's sand was wrapped over Harry's face, while wind
savagely whirled around Gaara – sparks of flame occasionally hissing at his
eyes and hair.
Those were the defenses they gained from their bijuu – naturally; they were
trying to get past those in order to truly train their physical bodies – not
just their demonic ability. Yet, it seemed to them that their demon abilities
reacted naturally this way to another Jinchuriki – but, Shakaku had been right
– to some extent – Harry did last longer then any human had.
The sand shifted, leaving Harry's mouth in favor of crushing his body – he
screamed – and it seemed that the world paused, even with the wind and fire
rushing around him like a great dragon, Gaara signaled a halt – his sand did
not obey.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Naruto froze in mid-motion in his attack to Sasuke, as a scream echoed in the
clearing.
"Naruto?" His name on Susuke's lips had no effect – even as Naruto's pupils
seemed to slit.
Someone is hurting someone in my village! It was a ridiculous thought – this
was a ninja village, training went on daily. People hurting one another to get
stronger – but this seem different, uncontrolled, demonic.
His body tensed, his head tilting in that direction, the one in which the
scream had come from, even as he used the Kyuubi's abilities – the world seemed
to pause – and Naruto took off in the direction his instincts told him the
scream had come from.
He was heedless of Sasuke's breakneck pace as he following him – or even of
Sakura's calls for them to come back – Naruto raced toward the cry – and strait
into the path of a storm.
***** In The Eye of the Storm *****
Gaara felt trapped – his heart caught in his throat, and his sand wasn't
obeying him. It was trying to – for all appearances – kill Harry.
Why? He all but screamed at Shakaku. His demon flinched down, almost
submissively, before Gaara's emotions. They whirled around his mind, wreaking
havoc – it was somewhat "good" then that he had no control over his sand – else
it might have destroyed the valley. Gaara, firmly thought that, he would have
likely preferred that to having put Harry – who he had began to regard as a
friend – or at least equal, in accidental danger.
It's a purely defensive instinct, Gaara, I can no more stop this then you can.
Shakaku answered reluctantly, and Gaara stood tensed before the scene – made
helpless by his own demons instincts, he gritted his teeth as he waited for
Shakaku to continue. Relax. Houkou will not let the boy die – he will step in
if Harry can not handle this. Shakaku's tone was soothing – but it had no
effect as Gaara's fists clenched.
Why would the sand do something like this? Gaara demanded of his bijuu – who,
in his mind eye, tilted his head to the side – amused by the question.
Long ago – demons ruled, our instincts demanded a strict hierarchy – Houkou is
a five tailed demon – I am but one, but Houkou's soul was shredded – all that
remains of his power is fire and wind. Alone, I am still below him – but as you
are as much my partner as Harry is to Houkou. This is our instincts test of
Harry, to see if he is a weakness.Shakaku lectured him, and Gaara growled
softly, his lip snarling to reveal a sharp canine – a silent warning his demon
he was not in the mood to be 'taught' about demons and their ways.
Gaara watched on, vowing silently that although this was the fault of what they
were – he would keep his brother and sister away – and anyone who would
interfere – so this would be done and over with.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"What's Gaara doing," hissed a surprised Kankuro, his eyes had narrowed on the
slight form of his younger brother – his thoughts centering on what was going
through the red-heads mind, "he knows he's supposed to lay low until its time…"
he finished in a soft snarl.
Temari sighed, glancing from Kankuro, to Gaara, wondering what she was going to
do about her two younger siblings.
"This may not be his fault, Kankuro." Temari reasoned, her eyes narrowed on the
demon charka surrounding the two – from within the sphere she could make out
Gaara and Blackbird, both still standing – and the occasional bursts of wind
and smell of smoke allowed her to know they still fought.
"Oh? And how could that possibility be true?" Kankuro asked her sarcastically,
Temari did not let her siblings tone bother her, she knew he was worried – and
Kankuro did not express his emotions well, he was liable to lash out verbally
at anyone.
"It could be something the bijuu are respectable for. You know as well as I do
that there is no account of what happens when two demon vessels meet. Or spar."
Temari reasoned, her tone pleading for her brother to see this from her side.
She didn't realize how right she was.
Kankuro only snorted softly in disbelief, his arms crossed over his chest. They
had no reason to be alarmed yet – Gaara might be…strange – but he did seem to
be unwilling to kill Blackbird.
Temari's and Kankuro's whole attention was focused on the whirling of demonic
charka; they knew that, as "normal" humans, they dared not interfere with what
was going on. Demonic charka alone was known to burn a person severely – so it
limited their options.
"Out of my way!" A boy, blond – with bold "whisker" marks on his cheeks and
amber eyes slowly bleeding into crimson, growled out in a shout, as he ran –
headed for the space between them.
Kankuro's lip curled in annoyance, he hated annoying little brats – especially
this one, who thought he was better then Kankuro. Temari gave him a quick
warning glance – telling him quite plainly to shut up, even as the blur of
blond and orange passed her, she grabbed at him – pushing him onto the ground
with his momentum.
"Are you crazy, boy?" Temari sneered down at him – Kankuro thought he
remembered the boys name being Naruto – not that he was going to tell Temari
that.
"I have to get in there – he's in danger!" The boy exclaimed, half-growling his
words, even as he stood. Temari and Kankuro tensed – they didn't know the boy –
but they did remember Gaara's warning that there was another bijuu vessel near
by.
"Who is?" Temari asked, somewhat doubtful of the truth in his words, but
willing to hear him out. Crimson hued eyes – demonic eyes – looked up at her,
locking with her own, Temari felt a chill go through her as those eerie eyes
narrowed – looking past her to the demonic charka.
"I – I don't know," the boy admitted – even if he seemed determined to go
through them to find out, "I just know I have to go to him." Naruto told them –
somewhat sheepish that he couldn't answer her questions properly, but still
determined to get into the sphere of demon charka and find out what was amiss.
"Brat – we know both of the guys that are in there, maybe if you gave us a name
we can tell you if it even concerns you." At Kankuro's voice – Naruto's head
snapped up, recognizing him, he resisted the urge to growl at the older boy.
"Houkou…"
As if in response to the Naruto's words – the sphere of demonic charka fell
away, revealing Gaara – who stood tensed before Blackbird, who panted for
breath – green eyes gleaming at them like jewels in the night. White, powdery
sand that gleamed like glass was everywhere around him.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry had a moment to wonder what the hell was going on – was Gaara trying to
kill him? Was Shakaku? Harry was suddenly, abruptly, furious – it pounded
through his blood, made him dizzy – like hot fire racing in his blood.
For the first time in years – he touched his magical core, and felt it use the
elements, suddenly sand – wind – and fire, were turned against each other – and
the reaction was quickened from hours and days to a mere moment - glass, frozen
crystal-like into the form of a leaping flame surrounded him. Dizzy with the
abrupt change – from the taste on his tongue of grainy sand to a smooth, hard,
surface – and the fact he still couldn't breathe.
Harry's magic sensed this – and a pure, high-pitched note echoed from inside
Harry's skull; and the glass, unresisting, shattered into sand. Similarly, the
demonic sphere of charka that had protected them form the interference of
outsiders fell away.
Silvery specks of fine – powder-like, white sand surrounded him, panting –
Harry took in the sight before him.
Green eyes met with amber tinged with blood red.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
My mate…Naruto had tensed, the voice in his head wasn't his own, but he knew it
well. His very bones echoed with the mournful growl of his bijuu, Kyuubi
stirred – and as their agreement stood, he used Naruto's senses and saw through
Naruto's eyes the wildly demonic charka swirling about the boy. It formed
itself into a dog – then whirled away, leaving only the dark haired boy.
Kyuubi…Naruto thought to his demon – a greeting, though he loathed the nine-
tailed fox, he had never heard his demon …sad, before – he hadn't thought the
nine tailed demon capable of that "weak" emotion.
Who is that? Naruto asked curiously as he ran his eyes over the other boy – he
was slender, if well developed; Naruto found he was attracted to him, even if
he knew nothing of the other boy - Kyuubi snorted in disgust, his ears twitched
as if to flick off a bug.
That, boy, is merely the vessel of my mate. What importance is it to me whom it
is? Kyuubi disregarded Naruto's question – his whole attention focused on the
demonic presence of the boy.
Gaara – Naruto remembered, suddenly stepped forward, having gone unnoticed by
either Kyuubi or Naruto until now .Kyuubi's low growl echoed in the back of
Naruto's skull. What, what is it? Naruto asked him, hoping to learn what had
shattered Kyuubi's "pleasant" mood.
"Shakaku…"Kyuubi snarled the name, Naruto realized with a jolt - that it may
have been Kyuubi's words – but it had emerged from Naruto's lips. Gaara seemed
to shudder slightly, and he looked aside, then back to Kyuubi – within -
Naruto.
"Greetings, Kyuubi," the demon within Gaara, Shakaku, merely nodded, somewhat
respectful – but wary all the same, "I thought you dead." Shakaku admitted
softly, boldly meeting Kyuubi's eyes.
Naruto couldn't help but notice that while Gaara's eyes were normally green –
they were red-on-black with Shakaku controlling his body and speaking through
it. Blackbird's eyes were swirling between green and gleaming amber, apparently
undecided on who would take control.
"I am not." Kyuubi stated plainly, snarling slightly when Shakaku – unable to
remain solemn, giggled softly.
"Well, duh – you wouldn't have run your vessels body here to "protect" your
mate if you were." Shakaku teased him – mocking his temper, Kyuubi shocked
Naruto by hissing with laughter – Shakaku's tensed form slowly relaxed, until
Kyuubi spoke again.
"I still do not forgive you for putting Houkou - or his vessel, in danger."
Kyuubi told him, growling threateningly – Shakaku glanced to Blackbird – who
contained Houkou, the so far silent boy's lips pressed together tightly as he
gave up control of his body to his demon.
"He did not put me in danger. You know as well as any of us that our instincts
demand a hierarchy." Blackbird, or rather – the gleaming amber eyed Houkou
spoke quite plainly. Kyuubi snorted softly in agreement – disgruntled, but
accepting the comment as truth.
"You have been missing all this time, explain yourself." Kyuubi asked – despite
his rude wording, there was a note of pleading in the demand. The three paid
little attention to the two other people – Naruto's teammates, who joined
Gaara's siblings in watching the bizarre unfold before them.
"I will tell you only the beginning – for the rest is not my story to tell."
Houkou looked pointedly at the listening humans. Kyuubi grunted, somewhat
frustrated by the elusive answer, but waved Houkou on to tell him what had
happened – and how he had survived.
"As you guessed – the Sealing did go according to their plans, but I was
traded," Kyuubi's sudden menacing growl echoed in the small clearing – but
Houkou merely continued with his tale otherwise uninterrupted, "for a alliance
– then I was placed within this body to turn the boy Dark. Evil." Houkou's tone
was amused, and Kyuubi yawned – showing off the row of dagger teeth that had
gown in mere moments.
"Mate of mine – it is good to see you." Kyuubi assured as warmly as he was
able, slowly, Kyuubi approached Houkou, grumbling softly with annoyance at
finding his vessel was shorter then Houkou's – nonetheless, he nuzzled Houkou's
cheek warmly.
"Why did you allow them to see and hear us?" Kyuubi asked Houkou, puzzled; for
although Kyuubi was the strongest of the three bijuu, Houkou was the better at
illusions. Kyuubi's attention had slowly turned to the humans who watched open
mouthed – Shakaku's high-pitched giggle made them tense – realizing they were
now the demons focus.
"With three shards of my power gone – I can not create illusions until they are
restored." Houkou answered simply, Kyuubi grunted – about to proclaim they go
looking for them, when Shakaku interrupted.
"We can not just go off and find them, Kyuubi – our humans have ties, and if we
leave – they will follow us – bearing ill will, is that not so - Temari and
Kankuro of the Sand?" Shakaku murmured – wordlessly, Temari nodded – Kankuro
swallowed, and spoke.
"I imagine if you leave – each of you, save Blackbird being ninjas," Sasuke,
who had arrived to see Naruto–who–was–not nuzzling the throat of a boy he had
never seen before, tensed, "our villages would go after them – and, in turn,
you." Kankuro warned, silently grateful when Kyuubi's attention returned to
Houkou.
"So," Kyuubi said slowly, rolling the words reluctantly off his tongue, "we
must wait?" He did not sound as if he liked the idea – but Shakaku nodded
clicking his tongue.
"Got it in one, Kyuubi." Shakaku murmured, and Kyuubi sighed long suffering,
gazing at Houkou who nodded in agreement.
"As you will, mate of mine." Kyuubi was sneering slightly – disliking this
decision, though he understood it all too well – Naruto had been screaming in
his head once he had understood the three bijuu were discussing leaving the
hosts Villages - forever. Lesser demons may have walked away from their hosts
ties without a thought –but those were lesser demons that were wild things in
and of their nature and did not understand long-term ties – demons such as the
bijuu did.
Besides, Kyuubi knew - if their hosts were unbearable, with Houkou weakened –
two villages of ninjas after them would be more then bothersome – it would be
dangerous for Houkou. Kyuubi would not abide that – but he would not wait for
forever to take his mate away from these humans – the other two bijuu knew
that, but that was not for humans to hear.
Kyuubi's demonic eyes turned to the four humans – they were young – but
nonetheless they would have to be dealt with. Houkou knew him too well,
settling a hand on his shoulder.
"We will not kill them." Houkou told his mate firmly, and Kyuubi sighed,
seeming to pout.
"Then what would you have us do?" Kyuubi asked, and was sorry for it, as a sly
smile crossed his mate's features.
"Make a deal." Houkou murmured, gazing at the four an unreadable emotion in his
gaze.
"What sort of "deal", Houkou?" Kyuubi asked wary – for his mate had once
tricked him - the very embodiment of a trickster.
"A simple one." Houkou promised, murmuring softly – demure, and Kyuubi growled
softly, his mate was speaking in riddles – teasing him, and Houkou knew what
made Kyuubi inquisitive aroused other things then his curiosity.
"We train them – two for each of us, and in return – if one of them lets
someone know of our "active" state – we slaughter all of them at once." Shakaku
interrupted their flirting – having discussed such a possibility with Houkou,
and knowing of his bargain.
Besides - as much as he would not mind seeing Kyuubi in the form of a pretty
blond boy mounting Houkou, he know their hosts would – and Gaara was "unstable"
enough he might just be able to do something about it.
There was a choking noise form one of the humans - Shakaku did not care which,
for it served to snap Houkou's attention elsewhere. Kyuubi flashed his fangs at
Shakaku – the nine-tailed bijuu was possessive – and having thought his mate
dead – and then abruptly returned to him, did not sweeten his temper. Though he
was handling it better then a mortal would – for living as they did, and rarely
did one of them die – the Death God – or others, for some favor - often
returned them to living, so it was expected that something like this would be
witnessed.
"What's keeping us from just telling now?" The pink haired girl demanded,
Kyuubi curled his lip at her – startling her, for the malevolent expression was
on the normally kind Naruto's face.
"Do not mistake us for our vessels, girl. We do not share their feelings toward
you or your companions. We will kill you." Kyuubi hissed, and the girl looked
aside, shivering.
"So – we either agree to be trained – or we die, is that it?" Temari asked, her
eyes on Shakaku – wanting to hear the answer from him, for all that Kyuubi was
their leader.
"That's right, girly." Shakaku purred, then, seeing the disgusted look on
Gaara's siblings' faces – he laughed.
"What's in it for you?" Sasuke demanded from beside Sakura, Kyuubi snorted, but
Houkou answered.
"I have time to rest – and to sense out the shards of my power." The ties their
hosts had to these humans had to be ignored for now – the humans could not know
they could use their very lives as leverage - even if their hosts hated them
thereafter. Kyuubi had looked at his mate, surprised, when he had spoken of the
shards - for Kyuubi had not known that Houkou had not been able to sense the
shards of his own soul in all that time.
"And let you get stronger and possibly kill us all when you are bored?" Kankuro
asked in a droll tone, Houkou smiled slowly.
"Precisely…" The dog demon snarled – a low hiss that warned the humans from
saying anything – for all words, jests or not – were taken very seriously by
demons.
"So – those are our only options – death or training?" Sasuke asked in a tone
of incredulity. Houkou merely nodded – the four looked to each other, they knew
they were lucky to be let live after what they had witnessed. But why were they
going to be trained by three of the nine most powerful demons? They would have
to wait for that answer – for the bijuu would not wait for their own. Obviously
– being as they were mostly sane at the time, they chose the training.
Satisfied with the answer, the bijuu withdrew into their hosts – delighting in
the awkwardness that took over in their absence.
***** Glances in the Dark *****
I've become pathetic. Itachi Uchiha thought, gazing over the tree tops that
surrounded Konoha. His crimson gaze glanced to Kisame, who leaned against a
tree down below, keeping watch. The Uchiha was sure the shark man would agree
with his thought if he knew the real reason Itachi had been acting so "out of
sorts".
All these precautions and unnecessary risks – all to keep a boy Itachi liked
safe from his own Leader – and the Akatsuki, who he had worked faithfully for
since cutting ties to Konoha.
It was rather pathetic – but it was fun, thrilling, to disobeying them and
doing what he willed for the first time in a long time. Right under their
noses, he was keeping a Jinchuriki safe. If Kisame suspected something – he
would have asked, and if he asked – Itachi would kill him.
Itachi had no particular fondness for his "partner", he had – after all –
voiced that he worked better alone from the start. He had warned Kisame that if
he became annoying, Itachi would kill him.
There was another option to killing Kisame – as Itachi knew well; it was to
impression him in his own mind. Though, Itachi had never asked Kisame which he
would prefer – but Itachi doubted Kisame would want to think about it.
Kisame knew the risks of working with Itachi – and he knew to keep his space.
Their crimson rings flashed, and Itachi knew it was because the chakra of a
bijuu had flared nearby. Kisame looked to Itachi, who looked into the distance
– and because he had never understood praying, he hoped that his Blackbird
would not be in danger.
"Stay here. I will go see what is happening." Itachi told him, and Kisame
nodded, crossing his arms as he watched Itachi leave.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Naruto abruptly fell into control of his body - and froze, his limbs stiff and
his eyes wide – he was cuddling a stranger – worse, in his mind – a male
stranger. Who happened – by a twist of fate – to contain the bijuu who was the
mate to his own – also male – bijuu.
"Get. Off. Him." Gaara growled at him, deep within his throat, Gaara's eyes
locked with Harry's who had never had Houkou take him over. Blackbird was still
– far too still, Gaara didn't know what had happened with his sand – but
whatever it was had caused Blackbird to be as solid and still as everything
else in Gaara's sight. The red headed boy wasn't sure if he liked the change or
not.
Naruto was nonetheless quick to obey him, leaping quickly away from the
stranger. Well – technically, both were strangers to Konoha - but as Naruto did
not even know the other boy – his mind scrambled for a name – and it came to
him reluctantly, Blackbird.
But – there was something wrong – Naruto did not know that name.
Naruto searched his own mind for the reason to the puzzle – because, yet again,
like he knew the boys name - he did know it…because…it had come from another
source – and there it was in his mind – two "threads" alike to his connection
with Kyuubi, but not like the chains that bound him to the fox.
The realization came like a dunk of cold water on a winter day – the reason
Kyuubi had taken control – was to let Naruto's mind connect with the two other
boys before him.
The spooky boy from Sand gave him a look like he was a moron; Naruto realized –
again, it wasn't wholly his own conclusion - they must have felt him looking
for the connections, as they had for Blackbird's name - for they had given it
to him.
Naruto, throughout the forced realizations, had stayed frozen, crouched on a
tree branch, watching the two boys with wide, frightened, blue eyes.
"Nar- Naruto?" Sakura's voice – thin and frightened for him - came to him, and
she must have called him more then once, for even Sasuke was looking worriedly
at him.
Do not let them know of out connection. The voice was whisper soft – it wasn't
Gaara's for his voice always sounded annoyed - so it had to be Blackbird's;
Naruto swallowed, glancing at the dark haired teenager as he spoke.
"I'm fine." It came out like a croak – and Naruto found he didn't really care;
his voice was the least of his worries.
"W-was that really…really the Kyuubi?" Sakura asked softly.
She's scared of me. Naruto realized, saddened that she could think that – with
the Kyuubi inside him, he couldn't be trusted.
"What do you think?" Gaara's brother, Kankuro, was quick to ask – if
sarcastically. Sakura gave a quick glare to the older teen – for who was he to
talk to her that way?
"Naruto?" Sasuke questioned – ignoring Kankuro, his eyes were trained on the
small blond. Naruto gave a quick jerk of his head – a nod, if a reluctant one.
"How?" Sakura suddenly asked him, and Naruto panicked, not knowing how to tell
them that this wasn't his fault – that it had been done the day after his
birth.
"Do you really think they would volunteer to become hosts of their bijuu?"
Temari asked the pink haired girl, expression doubtful, and with a tone Kankuro
had heard her use when talking to small children.
Sakura's cheeks flushed at the belittling tone, and Kankuro rolled his eyes.
"The bijuu were sealed inside them – and other Jinchuriki, either at their
birth, or a few hours after." Kankuro told the two Leaf ninja in a knowing tone
– for he had been told that often enough by his own father and sister.
"Well what did Houkou mean by saying he'd lost shards of his power?" Sasuke
asked him, Temari cleared her throat – she didn't like how the Leaf ninja were
ignoring their little friend. Nor how they seemed not to be looking at her
brother or Blackbird, though she knew she had no control over what did or did
not happen, they had to realize Naruto hadn't changed – only their perception
of him.
"Why don't you ask Blackbird that?" The moment it left her mouth, Temari was
almost sorry she had said it – it was clear to her why – now, the Jinchuriki
had been so silent. Gaara had known something – and so had Blackbird, for
Sasuke gave Blackbird such a look that had it been directed at Temari, she
would have at least flinched.
Blackbird was still though – still as death, yet he seemed unaffected by the
boys glare. Gaara shifted slightly – and Temari and Kankuro looked quickly to
the white sand Blackbird still stood around. In response to Gaara's irritation
with Sasuke, the ivory sand shifted like an unsettled sea - wary.
"You are Blackbird?" Sasuke asked hissing the question out. Harry nodded,
remaining otherwise silent.
"How do you know Itachi Uchiha? Why does the Spook say my brother," the word
was spat in disgust from the Uchiha heirs lips – even as his dark eyes looked
between the two Jinchuriki, "in your memories? How the hell does he know of
what's in your memories?" It was an expected question – Gaara had warned him of
it – so why was he surprised at the amount of loathing in Sasuke's tone? Harry
sighed, not taking his eyes off the younger of the two Uchiha brothers.
"I have nightmares." The boy, known only to them as Blackbird said this so
softly he could barely have been heard. Gaara knew this was a true enough
statement – but not the truth. Sasuke would accept nothing less then the whole
truth – and that was something Gaara knew Harry wouldn't give him.
"So? Everyone does." Sasuke sneered, unsympathetic.
Naruto, who had been mostly ignored – gave a soft whimper. Gaara and Blackbird
had tensed upon glancing to their fellow Jinchuriki only to see him pinned to
the branch he had been sitting on – a figure was crouched over him, straddling
the blond – dark hair hid the persons face from view, but both Gaara and
Blackbird had recognized him at once.
Slowly, he lifted his head – crimson eyes gleamed at the group, and a smirk
crossed his crimson painted lips.
"Hello, little brother." Itachi Uchiha purred, his hand flexing on Naruto's
throat.
"Itachi…?" Sasuke gasped hate – and fear – rolling off him in waves. Temari and
Kankuro traded glances, both knowing better then to attract attention to them
selves – they, single-mindedly, chose to wait and see.
Sakura had no such thoughts – she swallowed and stepped forward – determined to
get that man off Naruto. Three kunai hit the ground around her feet – her eyes
widened, surprised.
"Do not come any closer, little girl. This does not concern you." Itachi purred
soft and threatening, his gaze not lingering on her in favor of Blackbird – he
smiled, and though it was chilling, it had certain warmness to it.
"Blackbird, how… pleasant, it is to see you." Itachi murmured softly, taking in
the others injuries, his nails digging into the soft skin of Naruto's neck,
causing the boy to jerk in distress. Itachi leaned down on him, full length,
making Naruto increasingly uncomfortable. The snow white sand had left
Blackbird, and gathered around Gaara, small waves of it lapped at his feet.
"Let him go." Gaara demanded, and Itachi sighed – turning his gaze to
Blackbird, who tilted his head slightly – a nod, pouting – Itachi obeyed.
"As you wish, Gaara of the Sand." Itachi's voice was falsely sweet – delighting
in the sudden tension of the Sand siblings. Itachi now stood, leaning against
the trunk of the tree, loftily looking down at the teenagers below. Naruto, who
had been trapped beneath him only moments before, was quick to escape,
appearing beside Sasuke and Sakura.
"Do not ignore me Itachi. How do you know Blackbird?" Sasuke demanded of his
elder brother, who raised an eyebrow.
"Why does it matter to you?" Itachi asked in turn, getting a twisted feeling of
delight with his brother's fierce glare on him.
"Because… if you don't answer me….I…I'll kill him." At Sasuke's declaration –
Itachi laughed, it rung harshly in their ears. It shocked them when, all at
once – it ceased, Itachi shook his head in mock disappointment, his gaze on his
brother. Itachi had been the only one to see that, for a heartbeat, Gaara's
sand had ceased moving.
"You're being stupid, little bother." Itachi declared a small half smile on his
lips at seeing Sasuke's dark look become a little confused.
"Think – for but a moment," Itachi whispered, even if everyone had heard him,
"if you even attempt to kill my Blackbird – I won't be the only one to go for
your lifeblood." Itachi waved toward Gaara – and even Naruto.
"Do you think the ties that bind these Jinchuriki to their bijuu would allow
you to simply kill one of them so easily?" Itachi asked Sasuke, taunting him.
Sasuke looked unsure, for the first time since Itachi's arrival he noticed that
the three Jinchuriki had unconsciously moved into a defensive position - a
triangle, with Temari, Kankuro, Sakura, and even Sasuke himself in the center.
Though, Gaara was looking at him, rather then at Itachi.
"Houkou – who is within Blacbird - is the Kyuubi's mate, little brother – now,
who is Kyuubi in?" His elder brother asked, Itachi's tongue clicked
approvingly, upon seeing that Sasuke had realized that Gaara – and for some
reason, Naruto – were more worried about Sasuke then Itachi.
"Naruto?" Sasuke murmured, confused and a little hurt to see the blond boy
unsure of his position.
"Correct. Let us review – you asked about the shards of Houkou's power – I'm a
bit curious on that myself – Blackbird, care to enlighten me?" Itachi cooed,
although they could tell he was serious, Harry took a shuddering breath.
"Nekomata shredded his soul – Houkou power. He is missing a third of himself."
There it was – plain for them to understand. Houkou was incomplete – and Harry
felt within himself that he too lacked…something.
"Answering why Houkou has been dormant for so long – why not even Kyuubi could
feel his own mate until his host was put right in front of him using bijuu
charka." Itachi allowed, and Harry nodded, if reluctantly. It was the truth, no
matter that he would rather have them not know of the bijuu – let alone that it
was weakened.
"And how do you know me?" Itachi purred, his eyes lustfully looking up and down
Blackbird, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. Naruto surprised himself by
growling at Itachi, which caused the older teen to chuckle darkly. Gaara's
fists clenched as he forced the sand to still itself; while Sasuke's gaze could
have burned holes into Blackbird's back.
"You are my friend – I do not regret that, I only regret that you fell into my
Master's… trap… and killed for me." Blackbird allowed, the words coming slowly
– Temari and Kankuro remained impassive, Gaara had known – just as he knew what
was to come; Naruto stilled, his eyes wide as images of events he had never
witnessed flashed in his minds eye.
Sasuke heard, distantly, Sakura's soft gasp, but his senses were focused
entirely on Blackbird.
"And that, little brother, is who you have to blame for the Uchiha massacre.
Blackbird's Master…" There was a note of self loathing in Itachi's tone – not
for the deaths he had caused, but because he could not find the puppet master
who controlled his Blackbird.
"Who is it?" Sasuke asked abruptly of Blackbird, his tone cold and unyielding.
Gaara moved in front of him, the white sand leaping to the tips of Gaara's
fingers.
"Do not think it so easy, little brother," Itachi hissed softly – like Gaara,
he felt his brother's killer intent when Blackbird had merely continued to look
at Sasuke, unspeaking, "show him the Cursed Seal, Blackbird." Itachi ordered,
and Blackbird's eyes lifted to meet his, and Harry's chest ached – he hated his
own weakness – and Itachi was forcing him to reveal it all to those around him.
Wordlessly, Blackbird spun around on his heal, pivoting – his hand came up,
gripping his braid and pulling it away – at the base of his neck was the Curse
Seal, the color of a fading bruise, were the two curved 's' lay sideways on
each side of the 'x'.
"This isn't possible - that is forbidden." Sakura gasped, her eyes were wide as
she looked upon the markings.
Gaara snorted in disgust of them - all the Leaf ninjas looked horrified,
twisted amusement lurked in his gaze. Temari and Kankuro looked unsettled, even
as Naruto's expression shifted into one of fury.
"It's hard to enforce a law upon people who think themselves above it." Naruto
hissed, his gaze flashing red.
"Indeed, little fox – nonetheless, my Blackbird can not simply say who his
Master is. We must find and act on our own – for that particular Curse Seal is
a nasty one – if he simply attempts to say who it is – he will die horribly
before the first sound is made. He can't even write it." Itachi spoke, his
frustration with his helpless position reflecting in his tone – he leapt down
from the branches of his tree, landing beside Blackbird.
"Then how do we know who tricked you?" Sasuke asked his tone unsympathetic – he
saw that Blackbird was a pawn – and his brother, well – Sasuke didn't know what
to think of Itachi. He had killed his own family – but he had been played.
Sasuke wanted revenge still – he would always want it – but he didn't know who
he wanted to take it out on.
His world – which had been firmly black and white before today - was flipping
and rolling about underneath him – rearranging, and Sasuke only knew that
someone in Konoha walked unpunished for plotting against his family.
Certainly, there were other targets for his anger – Blackbird – a pawn, his
brother – who had killed them. Sasuke was beginning to see that if he killed
either of them – he would never know of the third. That, he knew, would plague
him for the rest of his life. That there was another – someone who, in order to
kill – he would have to bid his time with his brother and Blackbird to find.
"We wait, and we watch." Surprisingly, the answer came from Naruto.
"For now – pretend nothing has happened, enter the Exams – compete, but keep
your eyes open in the Third Exam." Itachi told them, bringing his hand up to
cup Blackbird's face, his thumb trailing over the other boys bottom lip.
A slight blush came over Sasuke's cheeks; Gaara's hand came up to rest on the
glaring Naruto's shoulder – who had stepped forward to interfere - a warning to
the blond, who was not as powerful as Itachi, to keep out of it. Blackbird was
not Houkou – and Naruto was not Kyuubi.
Kankuro looked aside with a small grunt, feeling awkward for the first time in
a while. Temari merely raised an eyebrow at her younger siblings – very much
amused. Sakura's eyes were trained on the floor of the training grounds,
unwilling to look up until Itachi was gone.
Itachi stole a quick kiss – and disappeared, smirking, in a swirl of shadows.
The tension from the group lessoned – but was still present.
"C'mon Sakura – Naruto, let's go." Sasuke ordered his tone deceptively soft, he
watched his teammates leave – Sakura with eagerness, and Naruto was oddly
reluctant – but obeyed nonetheless. For a time, Sasuke's gaze lingered on
Blackbird. Then, pivoting on his heel he too, left to train for the Exams –
more determined then ever to win against Gaara the Spook and his team.
"This ought to be real interesting." Kankuro whispered – though his sister
heard him, Gaara tilted his head, a small smirk crossing his lips. Temari
rolled her eyes – looking to the motionless Blackbird, who looked stunned by
Itachi's actions. She chuckled, low and soft, gaining odd or indifferent
glances from her brothers.
She didn't care – now she knew what got under the usually expressionless
Blackbird – and she was going to milk it for all it was worth.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry, waiting for the results with Kurenai, was pleased that Hinata, Kiba, and
Shino had made it through the First Exam without a problem. Then again – so had
Gaara, Temari (who kept looking at him strangely when she saw him), and
Kankuro.
It was interesting that Naruto had had a lot to do with so many of his fellow
ninja being inspired to continue – it wasn't surprising that his team passed
the First Exam though.
He was sure Itachi was watching – and he wondered what the elder Uchiha brother
thought of all this. The Second Exam started immediately after the First –
though in comparison it was to last five days.
They were given one of two scrolls – either Heaven or Earth - to hold on to.
They also had to get the second scroll they were missing form a team that had
the opposite scroll. Only teams that had both scrolls would make it into their
goal – a tower in the center of the Forest of Death.
It really wasn't a challenge for Hinata's team – who were trained to be a
tracking and survival unit – nor did Gaara have any problem getting his
siblings, and the Heaven and Earth scrolls, to the tower.
After seeing that her team had arrived safely – and acknowledging that he
hadn't interfered, Kurenai gave him permission to go greet them at the end of
the five days. So, Harry took off into the Forest of Death, intent on learning
what he could of how real ninja's trained.
But – almost directly after he had entered, Harry felt Naruto's distress
through their Jinchuriki link. Without a pause – he headed in the direction it
originated from, knowing that Gaara was sure to meet up with him as soon as he
could.
Harry had a moment to take in the sight of Naruto being bitten by a man with an
extendable neck (whose tongue was also apparently extendable for all that it
was wrapped around the small blond boy's body) before a furious Houkou's low
growl vibrated inside his skull, and he realized - he was no longer in control
of his own limbs.
***** Kiss of the Snake *****
Harry had a moment to take in the sight of Naruto being bitten by a man with an
extendable neck (whose tongue was also apparently extendable for all that it
was wrapped around the small blond boy's body) before a furious Houkou's low
growl vibrated inside his skull, and he realized - he was no longer in control
of his own limbs.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Gaara felt a thrill of nerves go through his spine – one, or both of his fellow
Jinchuriki was in danger. And Harry was within the Forest of Death – Gaara
snarled under his breath, the sound like a hiss. Temari, who had been standing
beside her younger brother, jerked upon hearing it – for she knew that sound.
"Gaara – what is it?" Temari asked, catching the attention of Kankuro – and
Kiba, the dog boy – he and his team had somehow made it through the Forest of
Death before they had – it was unnerving, to see how far the three Leaf ninjas
had improved since their stay in the Sand.
"Is- is there something the matter?" Hinata Hyuuga asked – her stuttering had
improved, but she was still as timid as ever. Temari gave her a small smile,
despite that Gaara's sand was acting as waves, lapping at their feet.
"No," Gaara answered her abruptly – she seemed to shake with the force of his
tone - when Shino frowned at him, he continued more gently, "I will be back."
In a whirl of sand Gaara was gone – Temari and Kankuro looked between each
other – then to Shino.
"Was there enough time?" Kankuro asked, Shino slowly nodded, and Temari
chuckled.
"Well then, what are we waiting for – let's go after him!" Kiba growled, upset
that Gaara had shaken Hinata in his haste to leave.
"Are you a fool – or just too brave for your own good?" Kankuro growled at him,
and Kiba looked up again, his eyes narrowed and his fangs gleaming. A low growl
echoed from Akamaru, Kankuro snorted at the small animal.
"If we follow too soon, Gaara will sense us coming." Temari spoke, before her
brother could attempt to swallow his other foot.
"So…we wait." Shino murmured, glancing to each of his fellow teammates – Hinata
nodded without prompting, and Kiba, cursing softly under his breath, also –if
reluctantly - agreed.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Itachi Uchiha looked down at the broken – if bloody – sword at his feet. It
stood like a cross in the dirt – though there was no body – it was a grave
marker. It was too bad Kisame had questioned him. He knew Itachi would never –
unless it suited him, return without a body when a bijuu's chakra had been
detected. Itachi licked his lips, ridding himself of the drying smear of
Kisame's blood.
Itachi glanced to his crimson ring – he knew the Akatsuki would detect Kisame's
death – would know of Itachi's betrayal. He found he did not care. Itachi was
more powerful then most of them, and if Itachi offered himself up to Konoha –
they would not kill him. His gaze looked to the blue veins in his wrist. Konoha
would never trust him again – they would never pay him for a mission – never
allow him to step a foot off the Uchiha Clan grounds again unwatched.
But – they would not kill him; they valued the blood that flowed in his body
too much. They would breed him like a stallion – or try to. Itachi snorted – he
had made his choice – his reason for joining Akatsuki had been to die – he no
longer wanted to die.
A certain Jinchuriki had changed that – besides, just as Konoha would not kill
him – they would not allow the Akatsuki to try for his life. The Uchiha Clan's
ancestral home lay in the center of Konoha. Any stranger would have a hard time
of it. For any citizen it would be impossible.
Itachi was not fool enough to believe Sasuke was not dangerous – his little
brother wanted to hurt, maim - him, yes – but kill him? Perhaps he could –
perhaps he couldn't. It had been why Itachi had allowed his brother to live for
so long – so that he might find a way to kill Itachi.
Now – Itachi would have to find some reasoning Sasuke and Konoha would be
horrified at – some secret that the Uchiha Clan had hidden for so long it
wasn't even told to those who were unworthy – such as Itachi's own parents.
Such a secret that no one remembered – a smile carved itself onto Itachi's
lips. Before he had slaughtered them – the Uchiha Clan Head's had told him
their greatest secret.
Itachi wondered then – how would Konoha react to learn that the Uchiha blood
they huddled around like some bright fire in the darkness – was tainted by
demons? Itachi chuckled – it was an irony, the very reason he had thought his
Clan capable of binding Harry, had made him into a demon in the minds of
Konoha's citizens.
Little did they know – he truly was part of one.
Itachi shuddered – feeling the chakra of a bijuu warm the ring he still wore.
Itachi inhaled – deeply, smelling something very like a demon snake. Itachi's
eyes narrowed – the Sharingan coming to life within the depths of his eyes.
In a blur, he was gone.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Houkou knew - it was too late for his mate – Orochimaru had thrown Naruto away
from him, though Houkou knew the boy wouldn't die from the fall, his female
teammate did not – she threw a kunai, catching it in Naruto's clothes and
pinning him to the tree.
It was not too late for the next victim, the Uchiha boy – just as Orochimaru
was about to grab the boy in his tongue and bring him closer, Houkou pushed
Sasuke aside. Like a snakes strike – Orochimaru could not cease the start of
the Curse Seal – even when his pray was the wrong one. Orochimaru bit savagely
into the vocal cords of Houkou's throat – not to either side of his neck –
hoping that instead of giving him the gift of his Curse Seal – the force in the
bite itself would kill or paralyze his unintended victim.
Orochimaru had spent months studying and "getting to know from afar" Sasuke
Uchiha – he knew nothing of this strange boy that had gotten in his way. Not
knowing anything about the recipient of his Curse Seal was as deadly to
Orochimaru as it was to his victim.
Sasuke and Sakura had watched wide-eyed, exhausted and panting for breath –
hoping Houkou – or Harry, did not die. Houkou had gone limp – pretending to be
dead, hanging from Orochimaru's jaws. Slowly, when the Curse Seal was a sure
thing - Orochimaru's fangs let him go.
Houkou, once free of the crushing bite to his windpipes - without any
hesitation whatsoever, tore into Orochimaru's flesh – biting at what he
couldn't get into with his claws – lashing his chakra wildly at him. If he was
trying to get a reaction – he got one. Orochimaru hissed at him, recognizing he
was not human. Orochimaru was scared and let Houkou fall. Houkou observed this
as he flipped away from the furious Orochimaru.
"Who are you?" Orochimaru growled at him – seeing him still standing and
growing nervous at the seemingly ineffectiveness of his Curse Seal against this
new victim, Houkou – as if to prove how healthy he was - bared his teeth. It
was a high insult among demons to not give your name when asked. Orochimaru was
simply unworthy to know it.
Orochimaru, knowing demon etiquette and seeing the boy before him was certainly
not entirely human shrieked with rage – like a pup having a temper tantrum -
Houkou merely sneered in disgust. As it was – Houkou intended to keep
Orochimaru's attention away from his mate and the mortal children (he couldn't
very well train corpses – now could he?) at least until Shakaku and his host
arrived.
Orochimaru's gold gaze narrowed, looking into the shining silver of the demon
before him.
"Run away Orochimaru - or you will not survive this encounter." Sasuke had
tensed up – an involuntary reaction to his elder brothers presence. Itachi had
appeared easily from the shadows beside Houkou, his bloody eyes and swirling
black commas stared into Orochimaru cold golden stare. Sakura had a sudden – if
hysterical thought – which snake among them, was the deadlier?
"Itachi," the name was hissed like a curse – but there was open fear in
Orochimaru's voice, "what are you doing here?" Itachi smiled slowly – it was
not a pleasant expression.
"Tell all of the Akatsuki their little plan no longer interests me. It they
seek me out – I will kill them. If they challenge me – they will die. If they
dare to plan to harm what is mine," Itachi seemed to take great delight at
seeing Orochimaru watching him like a rabbit would a fox, "they will never be
heard of again." Itachi murmured softly - the threat a very real one, without a
flicker of movement – Itachi's right hand was raised – the hand with the ring
of the Akatsuki. Orochimaru's eyes widened – for, like Itachi's headband, there
was a bold slash carved across the symbol.
Between the two of them – Orochimaru know he was the weaker. Itachi had seen
him fight before – knew all of his weaknesses – and, even if he didn't;
Orochimaru had seen Itachi, after massacring his family – rip apart the man who
had worn that ring before him. Orochimaru knew without asking that Itachi would
keep it for a souvenir.
"Then you, demon runt, will be taking the place of the Uchiha boy." Orochimaru
purred, rolling the words off his elongated tongue- merely wanting some lasting
words. Orochimaru boldly glanced at the somewhat calmed – if shivering Houkou –
before Itachi's low growl forced his attention back to the elder of the two
Uchiha. Sasuke – who was standing in front of Sakura, tensed at the unnatural
sound his brother had made– looking between Orochimaru – Houkou and Itachi,
wondering as he did so – while searching their expressions and body language -
what was going on? What was not being spoken?
"Run, Orochimaru. Don't forget to take your minions with you – or I'm afraid
they will never be seen again." Itachi snarled at the snake like man –
sneering, his bloody eyes narrowed upon the other man. Not surprisingly, with a
swirl of shadows – Orochimaru obeyed.
"Get your teammate out of that tree," Itachi commanded them, even as his
attention went to the somewhat shaky Houkou. "Houkou – you must listen, I do
not know what the effects of two Curse Seals will do to Harry. Can you cancel
one?" Itachi asked of him, kneeling beside him – to better see Houkou's eyes –
they were like ice melting off green paint.
"No." It was a low growl – husky, even if it was pained and not sexual. Itachi
inspected the Orochimaru's newly red Curse Seal – then checked the Curse Seal
that bound Harry to an unspoken Clan.
"Can you transfer it?" Itachi's eyes flickered to his brother for a moment,
then back to Houkou.
"No." Houkou snarled, baring his teeth – Itachi jerked away, wary of an attack.
Houkou was acting like the children were his cubs, insanely protective. Even so
– Houkou's silver eyes were fading into Harry's vivid green.
"You can't let Harry arise now – I don't know what the affects will be!" Itachi
growled out – Houkou – no, Harry's green eyes looked into his own for a moment
and Itachi knew it was too late. Harry took a deep shuddering breath – and his
knees buckled, sending him into Itachi's lap.
"Get Naruto over here!" Itachi called, and Sakura paused – warily looking at
the rogue ninja who seemed – for all intents and purpose – willing to help
them. Even so – Sakura could not – would not soon forget the look of mixed
loathing and terror on Sasuke's face when he had first seen his brother.
"Why?" Sasuke bit out suspicious of Itachi's motives.
"I will not touch the boy, little brother. But – do chose to remember – Kyuubi
is Houkou's mate – he maybe able to aid him in someway we can not." Itachi all
but snarled at them, quickly loosing his already frayed temper. Sasuke was
blushing, albeit reluctantly – it was clear enough what his brother was
implying.
"What's happened?" Gaara asked – or rather demanded for all that he spoke in
monotone – his gaze rested heavily on Itachi, who was cradling Harry's slender
frame in his lap. Itachi tensed – he knew little of Gaara of the Sand – but it
did not bode well with Itachi that he had not sensed Gaara arrive in the swirl
of sand he had appeared from. Sasuke was suddenly beside Itachi, Naruto in his
arms – he looked between the two them, and set Naruto beside Harry. He didn't
leave though, Sakura – who had stayed behind, worried her bottom lip.
"A man who claimed the name Orochimaru attacked – he, um, did something to
Naruto with…with his tongue." Sasuke was carefully not looking at either his
brother or Gaara as he spoke, his gaze resting instead on Naruto. He hated that
the two people who could help weren't allies - and his brother – a very
personal enemy. "Harry – erm, Houkou, shoved me out of the way when Orochimaru
went for me. Naruto was unconscious – and Houkou seemed dead…then Orochimaru
let go, and Houkou attacked – then both of you arrived." Sasuke was very tense
– as if the wrong word would send him over the edge, or shatter him.
"Yes, yes – very good memory little brother – what worries me is Harry now has
two very different Curse Seals – add that to the fact he has Houkou…I don't
know the effects. Houkou didn't tell me anything." Itachi was clearly
frustrated; he had never encountered anything like this – and didn't know what
to expect. He didn't like not knowing things.
"They are alive – if in pain." Gaara suddenly spoke, somewhat reluctantly –
Itachi's and Sasuke's eyes – crimson and black commas – were suddenly fixed on
him.
"How do you know that?" Sakura asked him softly, she had come closer to them
but she was still out of reach, just in case. Her gaze was narrowed on Harry –
despite herself she found what was happening interesting.
"We – Naruto, Harry and I, are all Jinchuriki, the bijuu within us have a
mental connection – as do we." Gaara answered, not looking at the others – his
gaze on Harry and Naruto. He hoped they would forgive him for letting them in
on the secret. Sasuke slowly frowned as he thought – Naruto had never mentioned
anything like that – then again – the blond boy had never actually told them he
had the Kyuubi sealed inside him either. It had taken Harry and Gaara – and
their bijuu, to bring Kyuubi to the surface.
"Fascinating…" Itachi murmured, his gaze trailing from Gaara to Naruto and
Harry. He brushed his hand over Harry's scar – Gaara shivered, it would have
been unnoticeable – had not the elder of the two Uchiha been looking for it.
"Don't touch him." Gaara snarled, baring his teeth – it was a mark of how close
Shakaku was to the surface. Sasuke had stilled, looking up at Gaara – tensed,
ready to fight. Itachi merely chuckled, a dark rolling sound – alike to
approaching thunder.
"As you wish..." Itachi said while he smirked, his eyes darkening.
"Um – we –we have to get them to shelter…" Sakura whispered – disliking that
she had to be the one to point this out. Itachi glanced at her, and nodded
carefully.
"Your… girlfriend is right Sasuke." Itachi said – delighting Sasuke's narrowed
eyes and Sakura's blush. Sasuke glanced to Gaara, and something passed between
them – an agreement, an alliance. Sasuke knelt, folding Naruto's limp body into
his arms. Itachi watched Gaara approach, and did not protest when the solemn
boy snatched him away.
"T-there is a clearing down there…" Sakura spoke – pointing a shaky finger at
the roots of a huge tree which had shaped itself into a kind-of cave, Itachi
grunted, and took off for it – Sasuke and Gaara following him. Sakura merely
sighed, feeling both left out – and weak in comparison to the others.
"Night is falling. I will stand guard; the rest of you can get some sleep."
Gaara murmured his gaze on Harry and Naruto, he did not think that even if he
tried that he could sleep. Itachi snorted softly – and looked up to see the
eyes of the children on him. His gaze met Gaara's own.
"I'll join you." Itachi murmured, expressionless. Gaara merely nodded – but
Sasuke choked, snorting in amusement.
"Your both nuts if you think we trust you." Sasuke muttered – glaring at the
other two, while Sakura went about trying to make Harry and Naruto comfortable.
Itachi shrugged, carelessly – leaning against the opening in the roots.
"Frankly, I'd be more worried if you did." Itachi spoke as he turned his
attention away from the others. The night passed slowly – by the end of it,
Gaara and Itachi were still awake – but Sasuke had fallen asleep, unconsciously
cuddling Naruto. Sakura had drifted to sleep in the back of the cave, yet both
Naruto and Harry were still unconscious – and only Gaara's occasional shivers
or clenched hands gave a hint to what they were dreaming of – or felt.
***** A Truce Between Brothers *****
The night passed slowly – by the end of it, Gaara and Itachi were still awake –
but Sasuke had fallen asleep, unconsciously cuddling Naruto. Sakura had drifted
to sleep in the back of the cave, yet both Naruto and Harry were still
unconscious – and only Gaara's occasional shivers or clenched hands gave a hint
to what they were dreaming of – or felt.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Gaara had not moved nor spoken since night had fallen, and Itachi found this
oddly comforting – often Itachi had found in his younger years that he could
trust only himself with his life. If he trusted another – and that other
failed, then Itachi's life would be forfeited.
Itachi glanced to his ring, is expression otherwise unreadable – his fist
clenched, his muscles and tendons tensing – visible signs of the blood flowing
just beneath the surface. He was alive – and he had, at a young age, chosen to
ensure that he remained that way. After he had learned the family secret he had
made plans and counter plans to ensure his survival – and that had been among
his family, people he was supposed to trust.
The one thing he hadn't expected was Blackbird – and Itachi found that what he
least had expected had given a reason to risk his life. It wasn't out of
compassion that Itachi had slain his very kin for Harry – and it wasn't out of
lust, though Itachi did feel that – there was a sense of…belonging, something
Itachi had never encountered, not even within his own Clan – that came from
being near Harry.
Itachi had called that belonging "friendship" – even though for him where there
had been friendship there had also been rivalry, yet – with Harry, Itachi did
not feel as if he had to prove himself. It felt instead as if after so long, he
was worth something more then a trophy son or 'icon' of his Clan – who had to
constantly had to prove himself or risk being shunned.
Harry's friendship – that sense of absolute belonging, had been why for one
small boy sitting in the spider web of an individual who thought its self
invincible - who Itachi yet still intended to crush – had motivated Itachi to
kill all of his Clan in a single night. Still – he felt no sense of loss with
the deaths – for his Clan and village had used him to kill others his entire
existence – all that had mattered to them had been his abilities – they had
cared very little beyond that for getting to know who they had trained to kill
for them.
Those were facts –Itachi did not feel this gave him a 'reason', nor did he
still feel wronged by them – nor did he care to throw himself to the 'mercy' of
Konoha. Yet…Itachi's gaze rested on Sasuke for a time, the boy resembled
himself and their mother so much it was eerie.
Itachi knew he could not continue to give no explanation – he knew Sasuke
sought to kill him, for revenge – it was what Itachi would have scoffed at
doing at that age – even now he would only allow his emotion to so rule him
when it came to Blackbird, but he knew that Sasuke would not see it that way.
Itachi knew that he had not killed innocents – everyone in their Clan had
killed or was destined to kill, perhaps Sasuke would be different and stop
killing when Itachi's life blood drained from him. Or perhaps – like Itachi and
their Clan, Sasuke would get a taste for it. It didn't matter – Itachi did not
intend to die, and the only person Sasuke was a threat to was himself and his
teammates.
Itachi's eyes flickered to Naruto – the blond mattered to Harry – and Itachi
knew he thought of Sasuke as a friend; if his younger brother continued down
the path of self destruction revenge offered, Naruto would be hurt, and that
would affect Harry negatively. Therefore – though he detested it – he had to
give a satisfactory explanation.
It had to be half-truths, at best – for Itachi knew better then to give Sasuke
a reason to kill Blackbird outright. For now, all Sasuke knew was Blackbird had
known him before the massacre – and that through his Master – Harry had played
a part in it.
Itachi knew he could not keep their demon blood from Sasuke – it his
birthright, and he would inherit it – unwilling or not. Abruptly, Itachi
decided – it was better that Sasuke know and learn their blood ties from his
lips rather then from someone who would try to control him.
Itachi stood abruptly, and was surprised when Gaara who had followed the
movement, looked up the white sand shifting in its gourd.
"I'm going to wake Sasuke – and speak with him." Itachi offered up as a
explanation – uncomfortable with such a look directed at him, as if he sensed
this Gaara's gaze drifted to Sasuke – he shrugged then, glancing back to
Itachi.
"Do not wake the others." Gaara warned, for a moment Itachi was tempted to ask
what the consequences would be if he did, but chose to merely nodded in
agreement. While it might be fun to push the boy's buttons – he was still
Jinchuriki, and Itachi did not yet know what he was capable of.
Itachi moved easily toward his brother, keeping his steps light so not to wake
the others – carefully, Itachi knelt by his brother's side – easily picking him
up and moving him away from the others. As Itachi left their little camp, Gaara
looked up again, and the intensity in his gaze halted Itachi.
"Do not let harm come to him. Naruto favors him – so too does Houkou." Gaara's
tone this time was wary – a clear warning, Itachi merely nodded not daring to
ask how the Jinchuriki would react if harm did come to Sasuke. But he did not –
he counted himself lucky that Gaara was letting him walk out of the camp with
Sasuke – if their situations had been reversed, Itachi did not know if he could
find it within himself to trust the same of someone else.
Itachi did not doubt the repercussions of going against Gaara – but dead was
dead, and no act of revenge or unspoken penalty could change that. His little
brother was luck Itachi did not want him dead.
To appease Gaara, Itachi kept himself in sight, merely leaping onto a large
branch within the canopy of the forest, near the edge of the clearing. Itachi
didn't dwell on why he found it somewhat comforting to have Sasuke not
struggling away from him in his sleep – tucked in Itachi's arms Sasuke seemed
merely content. Itachi gently set his brother against the trunk, and began
musing on how to go about waking his younger brother – he did not want him
afraid or wrathful, nor was Itachi foolish enough to think Sasuke would be
particularly happy to see him.
Before Itachi could decide on what exactly he was going to do, Sasuke was
stirring. Sasuke's eyes were as he remembered - the reluctantly peaceful dark
within the night – then Sasuke's mind caught obviously caught up to his
situation – being his elder brother's captive, with no one else in sight. Then
Itachi wasn't surprised he was staring into the red swirling embers and black
commas of the Sharingan.
"What did you do, Itachi?" Sasuke was carefully not looking Itachi in the eyes
– yet his tone was suspiciously rough, obviously he was willing to believe
Itachi had killed his friends in their sleep and had saved Sasuke for last –
already he was mourning for what was not lost.
"Nothing, yet – little brother," Itachi answered easily, looking in the
direction of the camp – reluctantly, Sasuke followed his gaze – seeing them
safe and Gaara still standing watch, Sasuke's shoulders visibly relaxed, "I
wanted to talk to you." Itachi finished at his brothers questioning glance.
Sasuke, predictably, was quick to tense up like a nervous cat, making a noise
in the back of his throat to mark his disbelief. Itachi sighed heavily, his
fingers tapping on the rough bark of the tree, the green nail polish glinting
in the moonlight.
"What could you possibly have to tell me?" Sasuke asked his tone marking his
anger – Itachi had yet to have his eyes turn to the Sharingan, allowing his
brother some control in the conversation – for all that it was a futile surface
gesture of trust.
"It is about our bloodline, so you might find it interesting in the very
least." Itachi spoke, not allowing his brothers emotions to affect him. Sasuke
was frowning at him, suspicion thick in the air between them – Itachi's nails
halted in their tapping.
"What could you possibly have to tell me that I don't already know?" Sasuke
goaded as Itachi knew he might – Sasuke was curious – but for once Itachi was
glad his little brother was so poor at hiding his emotions.
"Then you must know all who carry the Sharingan – save perhaps Kakashi, are
demons." Itachi murmured emotionlessly, at Sasuke's shocked expression, Itachi
knew he hadn't – Sasuke was suddenly sullen, angry.
"And I suppose your going to use that as a reason for why you killed my Clan?"
Sasuke hissed, Itachi's dark eyes narrowed – Sasuke was quickly getting on his
nerves. Itachi's lip curled, flashing a fang – Sasuke's eyes grew wide at the
realization of the blunt truth being shoved in his face.
"They were my Clan long before you could even talk or walk, little brother. No
– our bloodline is not the reason I killed them, for all the truth that if we
had continued to be a major power in Konoha it would have fallen from within –
ripped to apart from the bloody inside by our Clan." Itachi let the silence
creep in between them, until Sasuke could no longer take it.
"Then…why?" Sasuke's voice was filled with many things he would have never
allowed to creep into it under the light of the sun – but this was night, and
Itachi knew that for all his false confidence his brother was still the
confused little boy Itachi had left behind.
"Such a simple question, why – why does the earth engulf entire powerful cities
– bring rulers to their knees? Why do humans beings live so easily among
animals that they can control – yet fear the demons it can not? There are no
simple answers, little brother – I did what I did because I could – because I
fell for a trap, because I cared. For all that we are descended from demons,
Sasuke – we are not without emotion. Not even demons are without the ability to
care for those precious to them." Itachi glanced to Sasuke, only now wondering
if it had been a mistake to speak to his younger brother.
"Emotions are not a weakness…" Sasuke hissed at him – his eyes filled with
loathing, Itachi merely shook his head in false hope to free him self from the
headache that was threatening to overcome him.
"I did not say that they were little brother." Itachi muttered, his voice soft
– for the blink of an eye Sasuke showed his confusion – then it was gone.
Itachi clenched his fists with his frustration managing to rein it in. What –
he wondered – had been the point of speaking to a...a child, about all that?
"Then what are you saying?" Sasuke demanded, and Itachi, sighing, wondering at
that himself. Finally, after Sasuke was looking longingly to the camp – the
chill and silence having long ago gotten to him, Itachi spoke.
"I want a truce," Itachi said suddenly, when Sasuke had not expected it, he
looked up at Itachi in disbelief, and Itachi could not find it in himself to be
surprised - for he knew had surprised himself, "you know you can not kill me –
not now at least, I will leave you alone – let you grow, learn, get a wife or
kid - even teach you if that's what you want. When you want you can even try to
kill me." Itachi's lips tilted up – it was not a smile, for Sasuke's felt
himself become queasy at the thought of what Itachi must have done to have such
a terrible look etched upon his face.
"All this I'll bend to freely – for if you do not seek to harm him, I will not
seek to kill you. Sasuke – if you harm him, I say this with all that I am – I
will destroy everything you find pleasure in so utterly you will not recognize
it, I will have you begging me upon bended knee for your death, before I let
you die." Itachi's eyes were not the Sharingan – but they were just as eerily
threatening, and with that terrible look upon his face, Sasuke knew why
Orochimaru feared his elder brother so.
Even with the thought, Sasuke felt as if something was tightening around his
chest and mind – freezing along his spine – with a jolt, he realized this was
Itachi's killer intent fully focused – and it was worse then anything he had
ever felt before.
For a moment Sasuke was surprised that when it eased – his brother having to
physically turn away, that his breath was not coming out as chilled puffs of
air.
"Who is he?" Sasuke asked softly, not daring to raise his voice or look at
Itachi - least he have Itachi's attention focused so on him again.
"Blackbird." Itachi's voice was calm, even – measured – even after having
threatened Sasuke and all he cared for moments before.
"You love him…" Sasuke's eyes were wide with the realization – his words having
been barely a whisper, but Itachi heard him all the same. Sasuke felt his world
shift with the realization that his brother was not an emotionless monster –
that he loved – that he had such a weakness, and such confidence as to reveal
it to him.
Itachi looked at him then, out of the corner of his eye – they were Sharingan.
It was answer enough, that Sasuke's realization had so affected Itachi.
"Do we have an agreement?" Itachi asked, not bothering to answer his brother
when he had obviously figured it out for himself. Slowly, Sasuke nodded finding
it not a distasteful truce. Accepting without a word that Itachi had his
reasons, but as long as Itachi did not act against him the agreement held –
Sasuke knew his elder brother would not break his word. Itachi was many things
– among them a killer – but he was a ninja – and from birth ninja knew all they
had was their word.
"Yes…" Sasuke finally hissed out the word, feeling as if something had settled
unpleasantly within him. Itachi's hand rose suddenly, too fast to follow –
before Sasuke could make a motion to stop him, or think he was betrayed –
Itachi tapped him on the forehead.
Sasuke looked wide eyed at Itachi, and a grimace that was almost a smile passed
over Itachi's face.
"Sorry, Sasuke…couldn't resist." Itachi murmured to him, his voice soft as a
whisper- even so Sasuke could hear if faintly - the playful note in Itachi's
voice. The breeze ruffled Itachi's hair – and he was gone, just…gone.
Sasuke blinked feeling something like a idiot as tears threatened to choke him
– before the massacre, Itachi had always done that – hit him on the head,
apologize, then run off. It had been the only show of affection Itachi had
granted him, and Sasuke knew no one else had seen that playful side of his
brother. Sasuke's head tilted down to his hands – they were shaking with
delayed reaction.
All those times – Itachi could have killed him, but as a child Sasuke had
trusted Itachi blindly.
Was he being so blind now? Sasuke looked to the camp; his older brother leaned,
seemingly at ease, against the wood that sheltered all that Sasuke had found
precious to him. Sasuke vowed then, as he unsteadily got to his feet, leaning
heavily on the trunk- that he would not let Itachi have the satisfaction of so
surprising him again.
As if to mock his vow – Blackbird started to scream – crying out in pain,
remembering the Curse Seals, Sasuke leapt into the clearing – in time to see
Itachi's face pale as Blackbird's body started to…change physically, right
before their eyes. His body was twitching and twisting on its own – as if in
seizure.
Gaara was beside Harry in an instant – his sand scooping him up in the air a
few inches so he could not hurt himself – the soft sand cushioning his body
from harm. Beside him – Itachi seemed helpless, only to move when a blast of
wind emitted from Harry's body.
Sakura jerked back – having been awakened by the screams – she stifled a gasp
when the short cutting blast of wind hit her face – gentle enough to leave the
skin untouched, for all that it hacked off her hair.
Itachi and Gaara were sufficient to block Blackbird from his sight – but Sasuke
did not need to see past them to know – for Naruto, who had leapt wake before
Harry started to scream. He was reacting to the other Jinchuriki's pained
screams – his eyes going from the normal sky blue to a bleeding ruby – the
whisker marks harshly imprinting themselves across Naruto's angular face – for
all that he was as helpless as the others, he certainly looked fiercer.
Itachi's back shifted – and Sasuke caught sight of Blackbird – the glimpse of
pointed ears and the silver bleeding into normally black hair was all that
Sasuke needed to know to assure himself that something was going on internally,
to cause the external reaction. That, however, did not make it any easier for
them to sit and wait.
"What's happened?" Itachi demanded of Gaara, for all that his tone had been
calm moments before it was harsh now.
"Houkou canceled out the Curse Seals – he had to, Harry was going insane. He
said – said that Harry would change physically to mimic him…" Naruto trailed
off with all their eyes upon him.
"How do you know that?" Sakura asked, reaching to touch Naruto – as if in need
to reassure herself that it truly was Naruto. Naruto jerked away though – not
looking at her, or the rest of them – his eyes on Harry.
"I watched it happen." Naruto's voice was somehow older filled with his regret
and hopelessness.
 
----
AN: Okay – because you waited so long (and will likely have a longer wait still
ahead…) here are some Christmas treats – for the so far very patient slash
fans…. Some Itachi/Naruto goodness…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Song of the Caged Blackbird;A Closer Look
Chapter 21(?)
Itachi /Naruto
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Scene;
Naruto, who had been mostly ignored – gave a soft whimper. Gaara and Blackbird
had tensed upon glancing to their fellow Jinchuriki only to see him pinned to
the branch he had been sitting on – a figure was crouched over him, straddling
the blond – dark hair hid the persons face from view, but both Gaara and
Blackbird had recognized him at once.
Slowly, he lifted his head – crimson eyes gleamed at the group, and a smirk
crossed his crimson painted lips.
"Hello, little brother." Itachi Uchiha purred, his hand flexing on Naruto's
throat.
"Itachi…?" Sasuke gasped hate – and fear – rolling off him in waves. Temari and
Kankuro traded glances, both knowing better then to attract attention to them
selves – they, single-mindedly, chose to wait and see.
Sakura had no such thoughts – she swallowed and stepped forward – determined to
get that man off Naruto. Three kunai hit the ground around her feet – her eyes
widened, surprised.
"Do not come any closer, little girl. This does not concern you." Itachi purred
soft and threatening, his gaze not lingering on her in favor of Blackbird – he
smiled, and though it was chilling, it had certain warmness to it.
"Blackbird, how… pleasant, it is to see you." Itachi murmured softly, taking in
the others injuries, his nails digging into the soft skin of Naruto's neck,
causing the boy to jerk in distress.
Itachi leaned down on him, full length, making Naruto increasingly
uncomfortable. The snow white sand had left Blackbird, and gathered around
Gaara, small waves of it lapped at his feet.
"Let him go."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Itachi had come out of no where so quickly that Naruto had been caught
completely off guard by his sudden 'attack'. Naruto's back met the rough bark
of the tree – even as he tried to squirm free – he found it an impossible task
with Itachi's weight atop him.
"Be still, boy…" Naruto had frozen when Itachi spoke – the stranger's voice was
soft and whispery so not to attract the attention of those below them. Naruto
though, had frozen for a different reason – he would have been a fool not to
have heard the husky need riding the Uchiha's tone.
Out of the corner of his eyes Itachi saw Naruto go still, the blue eyes
widening impossibly at what the blond had detected. Itachi did not have to
guess to know why – his body had betrayed him. The soft warmth of another's
living flesh beneath him was a rare gift. His length longed to bury itself in
the blond boy's entrance – to feel the heat of his boy's body around him – to
hear his husky pleas and soft whimpers.
"Good boy, I bet you do exactly as your told," Itachi purred into the blonde's
ear nuzzling his cheek and neck, Naruto's eyes flashed red, and his teeth
flashed against his lips, "with the proper …way of asking…" Itachi licked the
boy's whiskered cheek. The blond shivered –the ruby tint in his eyes faded.
They widened abruptly with Itachi's next bold movement. Itachi's hand cupped
Naruto's hardness, Naruto's breath caught in his throat.
"Ummm, you are so very warm…" Itachi murmured against his ear, licking the
shell of it – shivers (Naruto tried to tell himself they were of disgust, but
his body willfully betrayed him) raced down his spine, even as he lay prone
beneath the elder teen.
Naruto did not know why he did not call for help. Did not know why he was
starting to – albeit reluctantly – enjoy the open teasing he was receiving.
Perhaps it was that Naruto was so often overlooked – or because he had never
felt anything alike to this – whatever the reason, Naruto gasped softly,
writhing suggestively beneath Itachi.
"Don't tease, boy." Itachi growled under his breath, Naruto felt the hard
length of the stranger rub forcefully against his inner thigh. Naruto didn't
know –but his fingers had grown claws – these sunk into the hard bark of the
tree branch – because Naruto felt he would scream if he did not have a hold of
something.
For, Naruto certainly did not control his own body.
It arched – pressing the stranger's weight closer – and it trembled when
Itachi's fingers and hand, slender and long – yes – but larger and larger then
Naruto's own, caressed Naruto's length. It shivered with desire, and made
noises Naruto never would have believed could have come from him – if Naruto
hadn't been there to hear them.
"Do not make a sound, my sweet boy." Itachi purred – the breath of his words
brushing Naruto's ear like a whisper in the dark. Then – before Naruto could
wade out of his swirling feelings enough to understand what Itachi meant; they
were moving together like moon and tide. Itachi was urging him to some abyss,
some final step that Naruto could not see where it led – and Naruto, reluctant
– but oddly willing – followed in Itachi's movements.
Itachi moved atop him – his mass pressing against Naruto, drawing him closer to
the abyss. Naruto struggled not to make a sound as he felt Itachi's thrusting
against his thigh – then closer, forcing him down as he moved against Itachi.
Naruto's own hardness was being fisted roughly – yet – Itachi's movements were
oddly gentle at the same time. Itachi was bent over him, panting - his knees
were already on either side of Naruto's waist –holding him still as Itachi
pushed his hardness against Naruto's rear.
Finally – after what had felt like an eternity of this oddly deadly dance –
Naruto, even having been warned to be silent, could not help the whimper that
escaped his lips as his body arched against Itachi's navel with his release;
Naruto's wide blue eyes were upon the stranger's narrowed red eyes.
Both know the 'game' was up. Itachi raised his head – his hand that had gripped
the bark of the tree to keep his balance moved to Naruto's throat as a gesture
of dominance. Sure enough – Naruto's soft whimper had alerted the others to
Itachi's presence, he made sure to let them see the hand upon Naruto's throat –
an excuse to why Naruto had made no attempt to alert them to Itachi's presence
until then.
Naruto didn't know if he was supposed to be grateful – ashamed, or upset that
the Itachi wouldn't risk touching him so intimately with so many eyes upon
them.
"Hello, little brother…" Itachi murmured, having spotted his sibling among the
other children. His hand tensed in response – and Naruto stilled – trying to be
as unthreatening as possible.
"Itachi…?" Sasuke gasped in disbelief fear and other things lashing out in his
chakra. A pink haired girl, braver – or more foolish then his brother, stepped
foreword – her eyes locked on Naruto's form.
His three kunai hit the ground around her feet – her eyes widened, she
was…surprised.
"Do not come any closer, little girl. This does not concern you." Itachi
purred, tone both soft – for Naruto's sake, for the girl clearly valued him –
yet threatening, but his gaze not linger on her in favor of Blackbird. Itachi
smiled at the boy, and though it was chilling, it had certain warmness to it.
"Blackbird, how… pleasant, it is to see you." Itachi murmured softly, taking in
Blackbird's injuries, his nails digging into the soft skin of Naruto's neck,
causing the boy to jerk in distress.
Itachi leaned down on him, full length, making Naruto increasingly
uncomfortable. For – Itachi was still very hard. The snow white sand had left
Blackbird, and gathered around Gaara, small waves of it lapped at his feet.
"Let him go." Gaara demanded –no…ordered. Itachi sighed – turning his gaze to
Blackbird, who tilted his head slightly – a nod, pouting – Itachi obeyed.
"As you wish, Gaara of the Sand." Itachi said, his voice falsely sweet –
delighting in the sudden tension of the Sand siblings. Nonetheless, Itachi
found himself obeying, but not Gaara's orders – Blackbird's unspoken ones were
far more important to him. So, gathering his cloak close to him – for, it would
not be due to show the lot of them how aroused he had been by Naruto.
Itachi standing now, leaned against the trunk of the tree, loftily looking down
at the teenagers below. Naruto, who had been trapped beneath him only moments
before, was quick – despite his earlier whirling emotions - to escape,
appearing beside Sasuke and Sakura.
So…that is how it will be, my boy? Itachi wondered, his gaze lingered on Naruto
a little longer, before turning his attention to the group.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
And for those who want a peek at the next chapter (so far…)
Naruto didn't know where he was – he remembered fighting Orochimaru. He
remembered defending Sasuke – and he remembered (though he wished he didn't)
the feeling of Orochimaru's tongue wrapping around him. The slick muscle moving
against his skin – all gentle niceness – until it had brushed against his
navel.
Naruto knew – despite many people thinking otherwise – what arousal was, how he
could not when Kakashi all but paraded erotic (and pictured!) "novels" in front
of him? Even after having mastered the "Sexy No Jutsu" - he just didn't see
what the big deal was.
In all his life he had three experiences with arousal, all had been followed by
pain – from Sasuke's kiss, which he had then been beaten for, to Kakashi's
"Thousand Years Of Pain", which had been painful, but it had left a odd
yearning within him – a yearning he blamed upon the Kyuubi.
Now this - Orochimaru's tongue, touching him – petting him…it was inevitable
that the pleasure of being touched led to pain – physical or mental, it was
still pain. But this… it was worse then a burn. It was a searing all-consuming
pain – the kind he thought might accompany a sword cutting through him, or
drowning.
Kyuubi had assured him in his youth (though he hadn't known it was Kyuubi – he
had thought it his 'imaginary friend') that though the villagers may mistreat
him and hurt him – physically or mentally – that he would always heal, that
pain would fade. In some part of himself he had always believed Kyuubi – but
now, he wondered. Wondered at the price of that pain fading.
Had he become less then human?
The place he found himself in was downright scary. It wasn't real – couldn't be
– but …it felt as if it was.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
***** Within The Mind *****
To Harry it was a blur, ever since he had entered the forest and glimpsed
Naruto helpless. Most of the time, he hadn't been sure who had been in control
of his own body. Harry hated that feeling.
Within his own mind, it was dark – alike a cave, for he did not want to see
what lay beyond the darkness. A small part of him self – uncontrolled and
willful, wanted to curl up and scream forever – shirking into the darkness,
perhaps to merely hear a sound other then his own breathing. The silence around
him was thick – there were other noises, his breathing – the soft dip of water,
but nothing was as constant as the silence – it chained him to the cave, he
could not go out.
That was how Harry knew – he was within his own mind, Houkou having ensured he
would not interfere. Harry could not say then if he blamed Houkou for his
actions or not – all the times before, Harry had been let to see what was going
on – at least in part, have some say in it. Houkou had always offered an
illusion of control. This was different – this was a complete and utter
disregard for that illusion.
This was a take over, a blunt show of power.
In the silence of the dark, Harry's breath came faster in his fear.
He did not know what was going on – what Houkou would do with his own body.
As if in answer…the cave shuddered around him, flickered – trembled like an
illusion, a heat wave, then stilled. Harry knew then…
Something else was with Harry in the dark – something had brightened the
entrance, illumined it – and stood against the light, reaching into the dark
for Harry.
Hoping to lure it closer – for a mere glimpse of what he faced – or perhaps out
of fear, Harry took a step back from the entrance of the cave, his back ached
sharply when it came in abrupt contact with a outcropping of rock from the
walls of the cave that enclosed him.
Harry hissed in his pain, then silenced himself as the thick silence around him
faded, replaced by soft echoing laughter.
"Silly boy…you can't hide from me…"
The man, for however feminine the tone was – the presence was clearly
mescaline, Harry saw him shift in the light, ever so carefully he had glimpsed
the man who had hurt Naruto… and realized abruptly, like cold water splashed on
him to wake him, that the man was somehow - however unwelcome, within his mind.
"…come to me boy, I will make you strong – you will not need to hide in the
dark anymore…if you only come to me…"
Harry shook his head – flinging the temptation to walk only a step closer away,
his hands were clenched at his sides – in the dark he had no weapons – there
was nothing to use to defend himself with if the man chose to come closer.
He was helpless; the cave seemed to shift knowingly, and it comforted Harry. It
was as if the cave promised to protect him, silly – but within his own mind,
Harry knew there would be no second chances – he would take what protection was
offered.
Orochimaru reached out a hand – his skin was soft light, for all that if seemed
to burn Harry.
"Get away…please, go away…" Harry managed to choke out as he begged, feeling
his skin grow hot, as if he was suddenly badly ill – he shuddered as Orochimaru
slowly smiled – it was mocking, knowing – and all at once sinister.
"I will not leave." Orochimaru spoke as he took a step into the cave, lighting
it – there was awareness to the light and dark – for the darkness swirled,
resisting the light, resenting it.
"You are mine now…" Orochimaru hissed, half way to Harry.
The darkness clung to Harry – for all that it was a pure darkness moments
before, it was becoming lightened, washed away by light. Harry, tucked in the
darkest corner of the cave, merely watched – silenced by what he saw.
The darkness threw all of itself upon Orochimaru, and Harry hissed as it lashed
through his mind – seeming to burn him, for all that it was darkness, not
light, that chained him.
Orochimaru was inches from him, the light filling up the cave, as it did so –
the chains Harry had always known in the dark were lessened, and Harry saw the
burning hand being raised to his cheek and wished he could scream – could beg
to die – anything but the silence.
He couldn't – he merely watched, feeling the darkness slipping away, and
Orochimaru's sinister light tugging at him – drawing him closer, teasing him.
The cave again trembled, and Harry could see now the marks on the walls –
indications of claws, of attempts to escape – neither light nor dark were his
friend. Both trapped him, caged him.
Orochimaru's skin was cold – as if dead, for all that the light burned, Harry
was at once cold and hot – he stared up at Orochimaru, wondering – if being
caught would be so bad…
Orochimaru leaned in closer, and Harry's eyes widened, the mans breath was cool
against his neck – nails, a hint of danger, a hint of death, scratched against
his cheek for all that the man held it tenderly – as if cradling a precious
possession. Harry could not help being caught in the mans mesmerizing snake
eyes – the words Harry had heard came back to him – changed, as if Orochimaru
had shoved them into his mind as a reminder, "you will be mine".
Harry's head was caught – he was unable to turn aside, real panic surfaced –
tensed his spine, halted his breath – Orochimaru smiled as if he knew what was
going on, planned on it, was waiting for the right time. Just as the last of
the darkness faded, a low growl vibrated in the cave passing through Harry –
and it seemed as if Orochimaru flickered.
"I will not let you have him."
Harry slumped in relief, the tension going out of him as Orochimaru jerked away
from him, pivoting to observe the many tailed silver ghost dog that stepped out
of the shadows.
"…you can do nothing, I will have him…" Orochimaru trailed off as the dog
stalked closer, putting itself between Harry and Orochimaru.
"You have no right to him." The dog – Houkou, did not speak, his words merely
echoing in their minds.
"My mark is my right, demon." Orochimaru proclaimed arrogantly, Houkou merely
snarled, his fangs gleaming in the suddenly fading light.
"We shall see which is stronger – my will or your mark…" Houkou eyes gleamed –
seeming to spark with the element of fire that he possessed. It caught Harry's
attention – whispered 'run' to him. Then, Houkou who had been crouched on his
belly sprung up, a snarling silver ghost that attacked Orochimaru ruthlessly.
As for Harry – he obeyed the spark he thought he had seen - fleeing out of the
cave with Orochimaru's attention caught on Houkou. He ran along a beach – the
sand seeming to cling to him, he did not have sandals on – in fact, save for
some ragged street things – he wore nothing.
He only knew he needed help – so he called out with his mind, screaming,
awakening old bonds Houkou held – and accidentally pulling another
consciousness into his own mind….
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Naruto didn't know where he was – he remembered fighting Orochimaru. He
remembered defending Sasuke – and he remembered (though he wished he didn't)
the feeling of Orochimaru's tongue wrapping around him. The slick muscle moving
against his skin – all gentle niceness – until it had brushed against his
navel.
Naruto knew – despite many people thinking otherwise – what arousal was, how he
could not when Kakashi all but paraded erotic (and pictured!) "novels" in front
of him? Even after having mastered the "Sexy No Jutsu" - he just didn't see
what the big deal was.
In all his life he had three experiences with arousal, all had been followed by
pain – from Sasuke's kiss, which he had then been beaten for, to Kakashi's
"Thousand Years Of Pain", which had been painful, but it had left a odd
yearning within him – a yearning he blamed upon the Kyuubi.
Now this - Orochimaru's tongue, touching him – petting him…it was inevitable
that the pleasure of being touched led to pain – physical or mental, it was
still pain. But this… it was worse then a burn. It was a searing all-consuming
pain – the kind he thought might accompany a sword cutting through him, or
drowning.
Kyuubi had assured him in his youth (though he hadn't known it was Kyuubi – he
had thought it his 'imaginary friend') that though the villagers may mistreat
him and hurt him – physically or mentally – that he would always heal, that
pain would fade. In some part of himself he had always believed Kyuubi – but
now, he wondered. Wondered at the price of that pain fading.
Had he become less then human?
The place he found himself in was downright scary. It wasn't real – couldn't be
– but …it felt as if it was. It felt as if there was sand under his sandals –
it smelt as if there was an ocean, it looked and sounded real. He even tasted
the blood when he accidentally bit too hard into his lip.
As far as he could see there were no other people – a paradise, but with no one
to see it with him.
That's what he thought.
Out of nowhere, a body flung itself at him of its own accord – Naruto held back
his urge to scream as he hoped it was a living body – not a dead one. The
person beneath him groaned softly, and for the first time, Naruto looked to see
who had captured him.
At first he thought it was a girl – the skin was pale and soft, the eyes that
looked into Naruto's were green. A green to match his blue – it was when they
breathed, trapped, that Naruto realized he was dealing with a boy.
"You're a boy!" Naruto muttered, his face scrunched up in his confusion as he
scrambled to get up. The green eyed boy did not seem to be in a rush anymore as
he blinked at him, the black hair fluttered as the boy raised his head up– it
was a familiar movement, one Naruto rushed to place.
"Of course I am Naruto. What else would I be?" Naruto's jaw dropped open – it
was Blackbird. The other Jinchuriki did not look like himself at all – he
looked weak…human…with that realization came fear.
"Where am I?" Naruto asked rashly, hopping he was wrong – his eyes pleading
with Harry's to tell him his hunch was wrong.
"Inside my mind…I think…I think I pulled you into it." Blackbird murmured,
looking aside, as if ashamed to find Naruto with him.
"Why'd you do a stupid thing like that?" Naruto asked bluntly as he helped the
other teen up – he noted that Harry seemed weaker here – and he had no weapons,
something that would never have happened to Blackbird.
"I…I think Orochimaru is within me…" Harry's voice was faint, and Naruto tried
to ignore his urge to offer his protection. Ninja did not like to be reminded
of their weaknesses – but Harry was so unlike a ninja…
"How'd he get in here then?" Naruto asked as he scanned the horizon, knowing
that like with Harry – it would do no good if Orochimaru caught them off guard.
"I don't know." Harry did not look at him; he looked upon the island as if he
recognized it.
"Been here before?" It was a stupid question, Naruto realized only moments
after asking – of course Harry would have been here before – this was, after
all, his own mind.
"Yes – but I was with Gaara at the time." Harry's voice was carried off by the
breeze that had picked up. Naruto looked to the sky, frowning – Harry seemed
somehow absent, as if he wasn't really there.
"It looks as if it's going to storm." Naruto did not know how that was possible
– moments before it had been calm and clear. Maybe weather patterns in the mind
just worked like that…
"I'm not surprised, Houkou is fighting Orochimaru." Naruto heard Harry say it –
he just couldn't believe it. Mostly that was because he glimpsed Houkou's
silver coat on the stretch of beach in front of them.
Naruto touched Harry's shoulder, silently nodding in the direction – he was
silent because he knew it might be a trap, he did not want to be trapped inside
Harry's mind forever…it was too strange for his tastes…
They ran up the beach, and were beside Houkou's muzzle in no time. His head was
flung back – and red wet blood coated the silver fur, painted it – red on
white. Feebly, the tails flipped up and down, as if he was happy to see them.
"What happened to us?" Harry asked, voice soft, his eyes bright with unshed
tears. Beside him, Naruto shifted, wondering why Harry's moods were so wild –
one moment he was there and real, the next distant – and a moment later
depressed to the point of killing himself.
"I've locked the two Curse Seals together…but, Harry – you have no shelter from
my mind now…you will go insane…" Houkou whined softly, Harry did not seem
worried, merely petting Houkou's soft fur, calm. While Naruto was relieved that
he did not have to worry about Orochimaru surprising him, he was puzzled at
what Houkou meant…
"That's alright… you have a beautiful mind." Harry murmured looking over the
volcanic island; Naruto felt a chill crawl up his spine. He realized then, that
this wasn't Harry's mind – it was Houkou, and Harry was lost within it. No
wonder he had summoned Naruto to him…
"C-can you fix it – can't you protect him from yourself?" Naruto asked,
pleading for Blackbird's sake. He wasn't sane – couldn't be, for he was
…humming a nursery rhyme.
"Without the shards, I am weak – what shelter I can offer, he would have to be
within me…" Houkou trailed off, his eyes resting on Naruto – he knew then,
without questioning it, that Houkou did not mean on the open island of his mind
– but within the body Houkou appeared to possess even in his own mind.
"I will hold his mind within mine… it will affect his physical body, he will
appear as if he is half animal…" Harry, eyes crazed, giggled softly. Naruto
turned his gaze away from the other, resting on Houkou.
"Do it…please, anything is better then this…" Naruto murmured, knowing it for a
truth – he and Gaara would not be able to coop with an insane Blackbird.
Slowly, Houkou's great head nodded, and he opened his mouth, as if it was a
cave leading to a tunnel – a safe haven, instead of a stomach.
Harry looked at it, blinking – turning to Naruto who had stayed standing.
"I'm scared…" Harry murmured, seemingly worried by his own admission of fear.
"It'll be alright." Naruto choked out, not looking directly at the other boy as
he helped him stand, facing the jaws that were Harry's only chance… Harry
blankly blinked at him, and when Naruto nudged him toward Houkou, he did not
pause as he began to walk into the demon's mouth.
Once Harry was within – just beyond the teeth, the jaws shut, and Naruto
flinched away.
"Leave." Houkou commanded within his mind – and Naruto felt pain again – as he
was thrown from Houkou…no, Harry and Houkou's mind. His last sight of it was
the storm breaking, and Houkou's amber eyes flashing green.
***** In The Wake of Demons *****
-Just After Gaara Left the Tower, Dusk-
"No," Gaara answered her abruptly – she seemed to shake with the force of his
tone - when Shino frowned at him, he continued more gently, "I will be back."
In a whirl of sand Gaara was gone – Temari and Kankuro looked between each
other – then to Shino.
"Was that enough time?" Kankuro asked, Shino slowly nodded, and Temari
chuckled.
"Well then, what are we waiting for – let's go after him!" Kiba growled, upset
that Gaara had shaken Hinata in his haste to leave.
"Are you a fool – or just too brave for your own good?" Kankuro growled at him,
and Kiba looked up again, his eyes narrowed and his fangs gleaming. A low growl
echoed from Akamaru, Kankuro snorted at the small animal.
"If we follow too soon, Gaara will sense us coming." Temari spoke, before her
brother could attempt to swallow his other foot.
"So…we wait." Shino murmured, glancing to each of his fellow teammates – Hinata
nodded without prompting, and Kiba, cursing softly under his breath, also –if
reluctantly - agreed
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Hinata peered up at the pacing Kiba from beneath her bangs. Kiba, she knew, in
some small way cared for Harry, even having been at one point his rival. She
too found herself worrying for Harry; she glanced away from Kiba to Shino.
Nervous, she twiddled her thumbs, wondering at how to phase her question to the
normally silent boy that stood staring out the window into the forest that
surrounded them.
Kankuro and Temari stood together, silent and forbidding.
"A-ah, how much longer do we wait, Shino?" Hinata found herself asking in a
hushed whisper, she heard Kiba cease pacing to hear Shino's answer. Shino had
literally planted a bug on Gaara, so of all of them, he would know how far away
Gaara was, while his siblings would know at what distance to follow him.
"I believe we should set out now." Shino told them, tilting his head toward
Kankuro and Temari. Very solemnly, Temari nodded for him to lead the way, in a
whirl of leaves and yellow sand, they took off in the direction Shino – through
his bugs – sensed where he had gone.
Kiba was just behind Shino as he ran, with Hinata following them - Kankuro and
Temari kept pace with her, so there was nothing to, reasonably, slow them down.
Yes, all of a sudden, Shino had stopped, frozen where he crouched on a branch.
Kiba, who had been speeding up behind him nearly lost his balance on the branch
he had gripped, trying to stop before he tumbled into Shino and sent them both
to the forest floor.
"What's wrong kid?" Kankuro demanded, his arms folded as he came to a stop,
clearly disapproving pausing – nonetheless Temari and he were in defensive
stances – Hinata having followed their lead, was summoning up her chakra to
activate the Byakuugan.
"I smell blood." Kiba spoke up when Shino merely continued to observe their
surroundings. Akamaru, atop Kiba's head, whined softly in worry – shivering, as
he did. It was then they knew that someone very powerful was nearby – for
Akamaru could sense how strong someone was, and only shivered when he feared
them.
Shino was all of a sudden in motion again, ducking down as several shuriken
came at his head.
"Who's out there?" Kankuro yelled into the forest, Temari had taken hold of her
fan, holding it aloft in front of her – as if a shield - as she waited for
their attackers to show a sign of themselves.
"Show yourselves you cowards!" Kiba snarled out – pissed off for Shino's sake.
Hinata glanced to Shino as he cautiously touched the top of his head, finding
he had been lucky – one of the shuriken had torn a sizable hole in his hood.
"Kiba…?" From the forest foliage, Tenten unexpectedly emerged with Neji; both
looked somewhat guilty – although it had clearly been Tenten who had thrown the
shuriken, for she was the best thrower of the two of them. Recognizing them,
Kiba, Hinata – and even Shino seemed to relax, though Kankuro and Temari
remained tense.
"Why did you throw those shuriken? Are you trying to kill Shino?" Kiba yelled
then, getting over his relief to remember that for all that they might be from
the same village – they were still competing against each other. Tenten opened
her mouth to answer – when Neji interrupted her.
"Do not be a fool; we merely did not realize it was you. Tenten was only trying
to disable whomever we thought had killed this man." Hinata would have
recognized Lee anywhere – but it was quite a stretch to see his familiar
features from beneath the bloody – somehow blue skinned – man over his
shoulder. It clearly did not strain him, for all that it looked to be.
"Who the hell is he?" Kankuro demanded, somehow having expected the trio to
know, for all that they had only found his body. Lee shrugged from beneath the
literal dead weight.
"I think I know – he might be Kisame, a former member of the Seven Swordsmen of
the Mist." Temari murmured softly, Kankuro turned to her – slightly concerned
with the dire tone she had used – she looked spooked. Neji looked troubled, and
that was enough for Hinata to know for certain that they were in very real
danger.
"We need to tell someone…" Hinata choked out, but knowing that they didn't have
time Gaara might be in very real danger. Or perhaps Naruto and his team – or
even Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji. Whoever had killed Kisame had done so quickly,
clearly they had been in a hurry – Shino shifted his weight, glancing in the
distance and back to the gathered group.
"Gaara is out there somewhere – we need to get him." Temari had followed
Hinata's line of thought and voiced it. Kankuro was clearly in reluctant
agreement with his elder sister – though Kiba looked torn between his desire to
get Akamaru away from the area and the body of Kisame – as one of the two was
scaring him.
"What can this Gaara do? Protect us?" Neji asked bitingly, Hinata bit her lip,
looking aside.
"No – but he and the others from your village are in danger, and it is very
likely they are together. Some of us need to sneak out and put the body where
the adults will notice." Temari spoke up, ignoring Neji – which clearly annoyed
the darker haired boy.
"We'll do that – we were on our way anyway." Tenten insisted, Lee nodded,
through his thoughts were clearly on getting back in time to 'save' Sakura.
Just as they were about to part, Hinata haltingly walked foreword to stand near
Neji, although looking as if she'd rather be anywhere else. She bit her lip,
and then – much to Neji's amazement – got on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
"Get Blackbird's sword – it's at Kurenai's place," she looked aside worriedly –
not knowing that Shino and Kiba were staring at the two, tensed and ready for a
fight. While Tenten and Lee stood aside, knowing the two would have to handle
whatever had happened on their own, for a moment Neji looked solemn and
reluctant, "please…" Hinata begged in a whisper – her eyes worried and urgent
when they met Neji's – finally he nodded.
"Thank you." Hinata breathed out relieved.
"I'm not doing this for you, Hinata-sama, but for Blackbird." Neji spoke quite
rudely – Kiba's hands fisted, his lip raising up of his teeth in a half snarl –
but Neji took no notice making some unspoken signal – Neji, Tenten, and Lee
raised off at a blur, for all that the weight of the body upon Lee's shoulders
should have slowed him down.
"We've got to go." Shino spoke suddenly, and when Kiba turned to him, he saw
quite plainly that he was shaken – but before Kiba could determine what had
frightened his friend, Shino leapt to the next branch, leaving the rest of them
will little choice but to follow.
They did – and when it got dark enough to make them wary in leaping from limb
to limb on the giant trees, they were glad for the full moon above them.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The first sign that something was terribly wrong – that his "mental escape" had
not just been a strange dream – was a fluttering lurch within his chest. It was
as if his heart had stuttered to a stop – Harry woke to that impression – to
thinking he was going to die.
By the end of the change – he almost wished he had.
Pain hit first – it was worse then all the pain he had ever experienced before
– it scalded his spirit like Miyabita Shi had burnt his hands, it cut him open
and poured acid on his bones alike to the snake demons of the Sand.
It bent his spine – and he was screaming, he could not stop - though he did not
remember starting to scream. In an absent minded way, he saw Gaara and Itachi
hovering over him helplessly.
Harry knew Naruto was near – his fingers dug into the ground, nails lengthened
into claws that tore into the ground, shredded the hard packed earth and dug in
deeper, trying to hold onto something – anything – to hold onto his sanity
while the pain and changes washed over his broken body like waves.
His heart beat – once – throbbing in his ears – burning the edges of his ears,
reshaping them to be pointed, and it seemed to boil his blood in his veins. He
could hear Itachi, Naruto – and even Gaara pleading with him to open the links,
to share the pain, they feared he would not live by being burdened with it
alone.
Though he could hear them, it was as if he was a great distance away – he could
hear their hearts beating in their anxiety for him – not pain, and was
reassured that the pain was only happening to him.
Out of the corner of his eye he glimpsed his hair turning silver – it was like
watching himself growing from a teenager to being an elder in mere moments. He
inhaled sharply as his heart beat again, he jerked as it spread the burning
blood that somehow strengthened him as much as it hurt him.
Harry jerked again this time in surprise – for all that the screaming had faded
to growling, Itachi had stuffed fabric in his mouth to stop him from closing
his mouth. Though he did not precisely know why, he suspected it was because he
could taste his own blood in his mouth.
Vaguely – as if life were the dream - he remembered cutting his lips, gums, and
tongue on the sharp fang like teeth that were now pressed against the cloth.
Gaara was talking – but Harry's attention was elsewhere, his face was burning
like his blood – sharpening everything, he felt his heart throb – and the pain
faded enough to let him know…know that Hinata was close, for he could smell her
on the wind.
Kiba – Shino, Kankuro, and Temari – all five of them were close, but a good
distance away from him still. He could smell them. Then Harry realized that the
pain came only because his senses had sharpened to unnatural – no, demonic,
preciseness.
Even as Harry shut his eyes he saw the texture of skin – the brightness of the
night stars burning, it was no wonder that demons chose to dwell in the dark if
this was the agony they faced during the day.
Harry did not know if he could burden it – though he adamantly refused the
whisper that told him he could 'give' this pain to the others, share it. He
would not abuse them – Harry did not even know if he could summon the energy to
send the sensations through the links. It was with that last thought that he
drifted to sleep.
Finally – finally, though it felt like it had been forever, the pain was not so
acute, it felt as if, instead, that it was a healing wound – as if the pain was
trying to apologize for dumping an entirely different set of sensations upon
him.
Slowly, he opened his eyes – letting the soft brush of his lashes lay against
his cheeks as he peered out cautiously. It was day – the sun high in the sky,
he breathed in everyone was nearby – sleeping, he realized hearing the next
moment a soft sniffle, he knew that assumption to be wrong.
Harry stirred, wriggling as he tried to move – to get to the one who was crying
- it was then he realized he was wrapped in Itachi's cloak – and Naruto and
Gaara were laying on either side of him, holding him to them.
Harry sighed softly, the air stirring – he actually smelt it as it mixed with
the rest of the scents surrounding him. His cheek lay on soft cloth, a firm
pillow he summarized, though when the 'pillow' shifted he flushed, realizing
that his head lay in Itachi's lap.
Itachi had been so quite, that Harry had not realized he was awake – fingers,
long and soft touched his forehead running down to brush against his cheek.
Harry, realizing there really was no point in pretending to sleep when Itachi
so obviously realized he was awake, snapped his eyes open to peer up at
Itachi's bloody and black gaze.
"I would not suggest entering the village." Itachi spoke quite plainly then,
when Harry was still at a loss as to what to say.
"Why?" Harry asked in turn, laying still as his eyes flickered around, finding
himself reassured to be beneath one of the great trees as he had guessed.
"You…you don't look human…" Naruto, who had had his head nestled against
Harry's chest, had flicked his eyes up to look Harry in the eye. Beside him,
Gaara snorted softly shifting to sit up, though he made no move to flee.
"Sakura - your mirror?" Harry was momentarily surprised Gaara had bothered to
learn the pink haired girl's name. Sakura moved into sight, eyes looking red
and watery– Harry stared at her, unable to look away, realizing she had been
the one who had been sniffling. She held up a mirror. A stranger met his gaze.
Harry swallowed – so did the stranger – for all that he had known he had
changed, he had not thought it would be so bluntly physical – nothing could
have prepared him for what he saw.
What he saw was clouded green eyes – green peeked out of the clouds like
looking down at a forest from a great height, the purple was almost too small
to notice – a tiny slit, as if overwhelmed by light and emotion.
He was older too, or looked it – he judged himself to look about Itachi's age,
though rough looking with a rogue-like look. His hair was like salt and black
pepper, though there was far more silver then black. His hair spilled over his
shoulders, tumbling into his lap like a black-and-white waterfall.
His lips were plump enough, swollen by bite marks – Harry opened his mouth, his
teeth were sharp, noticeably sharp- yet still somehow human sized. Orochimaru's
bite mark at the base of his throat stood out against his pale skin, it looked
like he had spent his entire life indoors, for all that he remembered tanning
in Sand.
His nails – hands and feet, were claws, and Harry saw in the mirror the holes
he had dug into the hard packed dirt. His eyes jerked in the direction of them,
as if to be sure. It was then he caught sight of his ears in the mirror. His
ears were not pointed – and by far, not normal – they had been hidden by the
spill of hair, or Harry's mind had simply been overwhelmed and chosen not to
see them until forced to.
They looked like silver puppy ears.
Itachi grunted from behind him, as if trying to draw him back to reality.
In the mirror, something dark flicked on Gaara's thigh, Harry slowly looked to
the red haired boy – and saw for himself that the…tail, that had snaked around
Gaara's waist was…his.
"They don't disfigure you – in fact, I think they're kind of cute." Having seen
that he had noticed, Naruto spoke up and Harry turned to him, and, sure enough
there was a second tail. Both were midnight black like his hair used to be with
cream tufts at the end – they were like fox tails, but he knew them to be a
dogs.
"They are Houkou's two remaining tails – that of wind and fire." Itachi spoke,
it dawned on Harry then, the irony that the wind and fire tails were wrapped
around the boys who lived in the country that was their namesakes.
***** Walk into the Night (Don't Look Back) *****
-After Neji Left to Retrieve Miyabita Shi-
Neji found it surprisingly easy to slip into the home Kurenai shared with Harry
and Hinata. Perhaps, Neji thought sarcastically as he pushed open the bathroom
window and wriggled the rest of the way in, I was a thief in a previous life.
Neji glanced at himself in the mirror, with his ruffled black hair and wide
white eyes, he certainly looked the part…then – drawing on his memory of how
the house had been when he had once visited Harry, he headed to his friends
room.
At the threshold of what he assumed to be Harry's room, he paused – for all
that he had permission to get the sword, he still wondered – wondered if there
was not some kind of protection placed on the blade that Hinata had perhaps not
known about. There was also the matter of where Harry would put the sword…
Naji took a step into the room, and knew he should have expected a trap a
moment before there was a sword edge against his throat. Miyabita Shi. Neji
thought, though his body was frozen as the silver steel of the blade gleamed as
if in answer.
"Mortal…speak of why, or scream and die." It was a scratchy voice, so cold and
desolate – it sent shivers along Neji's skin by sight alone, but to hear it –
to hear it raised the hairs along your neck and made you sure that the reaper
was right behind you.
Neji dared not turn to look for a reaper, and it took him precious moments to
puzzle out that Miyabita Shi was giving him a chance to explain himself. It was
a chance that he dared not waste.
Miyabita Shi, for a weapon of slaughter - however lovely it was to look upon -
seemed oddly accommodating as it had waited for him to reply to a question that
was too much alike a riddle to offer any comfort of getting out of this
encounter unscathed.
"Hinata… she has sent me to retrieve you for Blackbird." Neji managed to choke
out past his fear, hope blossomed in his chest that there was some way the
sword would know he spoke the truth.
"In haste speak of where, or I will bathe in your blood and your heart will
beat no more." That was a clear sign, both that the blade believed him, and was
no less impatient to kill him for all that it hovered over his cheat
motionless.
"I'll have to guide you the way there – but he is somewhere in the Forest of
Death." Miyabita Shi did not point out just how aptly named the forest was in
that moment, Neji was quite aware of it as the sword placed itself along his
back. More alarming then the cold steel that pressed against his neck, he
noticed Miyabita Shi had somehow fitted its weight onto his shoulders, as he
moved to leave the home he wished he had never set foot in.
Taking one foot in front of another, moving in the shadows – all of it took on
a new meaning with the chill of the steel against his spine. By the time he'd
made his way back in the forest – it may have been his imagination but he was
apparently going slower then Miyabita Shi wanted – where steel met skin felt
like ice, for it pulsed with disturbing cold.
Neji, using the Byakuugan, had never been more relieved to see Hinata – the
Sand siblings, and his own team mates - not much farther ahead. She too was
using the Byakuugan, which was why – seeing that unique chakra signature – he
had found her so easily.
Knowing he was close to Harry, Neji quickened his pace while leaping from on
limb to another within the giant trees of the Forest of Death, eager to be rid
of Miyabita Shi. The especially cold shoulder he was getting from the sword was
something he wanted to be rid of as quickly as possible. As he leapt down
beside them, Hinata jerked out of her Byakuugan, but the others showed no sign
of having been surprised by his appearance.
"Why have you not approached their camp site?" Neji spoke to Hinata, his tone
starting out as a short demand trailing off as the tip of Miyabita Shi's blade
pressed threateningly against the back of his neck. With alarm, Neji realized
that Miyabita Shi seemed to favor Hinata…Which would explain why it let
me…lead…it to her. Neji bit his tongue as his cousin fiddled her thumbs,
looking nervously to Kiba and Akamaru.
"W-we can't," Hinata began, meeting Neji's eyes for a brief moment, "Kiba says
that Akamaru senses demonic chakra…coming from Blackbird…" A thrill of nerves
played along is spine, Neji tensed up – realizing that those emotions weren't
just his – the realization sent his stomach to his throat. Miyabita Shi could
manipulate his emotions.
Hinata must have realized something was wrong, for she studied him carefully
for a moment, before catching a glimpse of Miyabita Shi's smoky black grip. She
smiled shyly and reached for the sword – Neji was quite taken aback by what
happened next - Miyabita Shi warmed at her touch, and while Neji didn't think
he could have lifted the weight of the sword with one hand – Miyabita Shi made
itself conveniently lighter for Hinata.
It can recognize who people are, and what they mean to Blackbird – it reacts
with warmth to those he likes, and cold, to those who are strangers to Miyabita
Shi. It's a sword that does not trust… Neji realized the tightness in his chest
easing when he realized that Harry didn't hate him – no matter that Miyabita
Shi seemed to be distant if not outright unfriendly.
"Thank you for retrieving Miyabita Shi, Neji…" He barely heard Hinata, but
chose to acknowledge her words with a quick nod of his head. Hinata seemed
somehow more confident with Miyabita Shi in her hands – but Neji's thoughts
dwelled on what she had mentioned about the demonic chakra that was supposedly
coming from Harry.
"If you'd runts would rather stay and wait, that's fine with Temari and I.
Personally, I'd rather see what's happened, rather then sit here all bloody
night." Kankuro sneered down at them, his arms crossed to better empathize his
greater height. Shino snorted softly at his pronouncement, as if he could not
quite believe Kankuro's arrogance.
"Your only so brave because you've got Gaara incase something gets out of
control." Kiba glared up at Kankuro, holding Akamaru to his chest as he soothed
the shivering puppy with reassuringly gentle pets.
"It's up to Hinata – I don't care either way." Shino proclaimed softly from
Kiba's side – both boys attention seemed to shift to her, which had been
Shino's intention in order to avoid a fight between Kiba and Kankuro. Hinata
shyly ducked her eyes down, her gaze resting on Miyabita Shi for a time before
she dared to look up again – her gaze locking with Neji's and holding it.
"I think we should go to Blackbird, as was out intention in the first place.
Even if he's somehow demonic – Naruto's team and Gaara need to be warned about
that killer…" Very slowly, Neji nodded in understanding – Hinata was not
ordering him to come with her and protect her, she was giving him a choice – a
chance to leave, solemnly, he turned it down.
"There's no need to warn us…" Gaara spoke stepping out of the shadows as if he
had been there from the start and had every right to be listening in. Neji
stiffed noticeably clenching his hands together to stop himself from reacting
violently and throwing a weapon – it did not help matters that Gaara's voice
came from directly behind him.
It was almost comical how quickly Kankuro's body language went from a haughty
bully to timid - almost comical – but as Neji turned to look at Gaara, he had
to wonder what sort of person could inspire such a change in their siblings.
"W-what do you mean, Gaara?" Temari asked and Neji glanced quickly at her –
marveling, she had been confident only a moment ago, now she seemed as shy as
Hinata. In contrast, Hinata seemed relieved by Gaara's appearance, and though
Shino and Kiba were wary, neither suffered from such a twist in character. It
was truly a puzzle – and one that intrigued Neji.
"Itachi is here already. He hasn't killed anyone yet." Gaara seemed most
unconcerned by the name he had just so casually uttered. It had a noticeable
effect on Shino and Kiba, who – like the rest of their generation, had grown up
to horror stories told in hushed whispers about the Uchiha massacre. Its only
survivor had been Itachi's younger brother – Sasuke, and the sole murderer had
been Itachi. Hinata's eyes widened her Byakuugan activating with her fear –
franticly she looked back to the camp site, as if expecting to recognize Itachi
on site. Neji controlled himself better – but not by all that much – though his
skin went white and his eyes widened – a fine tremble went through his body as
he came to grips with his fear.
"Hey – what's wrong with you four?" Temari asked Neji, who seemed the one less
terrified of his own shadow in that moment. Neji slowly turned around so he
faced all three of the Sand siblings.
"Itachi Uchiha was a prodigy of the Uchiha clan, some years back – he
slaughtered all his clan members except for Sasuke." Neji was surprised at how
even his voice came out, calm – at ease – as if he wasn't discussing one of the
most horrifying events in Konoha's history, one that rivaled that of Kyuubi's
attack.
"Heh, interesting that you are also a prodigy of your family, Neji Hyuuga…"
Kankuro pointed out, seeming to say it just to get a rise out of Neji. If that
had been his intention, Neji knew he had succeeded –why had Itachi returned,
and why was it that when he came back Harry showed signs of demonic chakra?
"I wonder… what would happen if the two of you fought?" Gaara mused aloud, not
seeming to care if Neji heard him or not – Neji's eyes flicked to Hinata, who
looked nervously back to him. For all that Hinata was afraid; Neji could see it
in her eyes that if Itachi attacked him, Neji would not face him alone.
"I doubt it will come to that." Temari spoke warningly, both of her brothers
seemed to realize then that they'd gone too far, and did not meet her eyes
again until Gaara spoke while boldly looking them each in the face.
"Come with me. Much has happened." Left with little choice, they did follow
Gaara back to his camp – it relaxed the Konoha ninjas when they saw Itachi
wasn't there – though a wary Naruto and a nervous Sakura was. Sakura slowly
explained what had happened – for they saw quite clearly that Harry was
unconscious – and after a while of these explanations Naruto drifted off to
sleep.
"Itachi and Sasuke will likely be back soon – there really isn't enough room
for you all to be in here…" Sakura finished uneasily as she then took a piece
of cloth, dipped it in water, and padded it against Harry's forehead – every
movement she made was watched by Gaara. Neji thought it was almost eerie how
obsessed the boy seemed, though the others seemed to expect it.
"Your right, we should be away when they get back here – we do not want to get
in the way tonight. It will also give you time to explain who we are before we
appear in the morning." Neji agreed, for he seemed to be the only one able to
see what she was hinting at.
"B-but, we have no where else to go…" Hinata murmured softly then, caressing
Miyabita Shi's grip. Akamaru whined softly from Kiba's lap, as if to comfort
her. At her words, Gaara had looked up at then, frowning faintly in thought.
"There are some trees not far from here where I could create a dome for you to
shelter in for the night." From his tone, they were left with the distinct
impression that if Harry did not like them, Gaara would not have bothered to
suggest such a thing. Shino merely nodded, seeing the wisdom in the plan.
"That would be greatly appreciated, Gaara." Temari said as Gaara stood, the
rest of them rose to follow him. Hinata looked undecided at what to do with
Miyabita Shi, looking between Harry's unconscious form, and the sword in a
confused manner.
"It wants to protect me – it says that's what Blackbird wants it to do." Hinata
spoke shakily when Gaara, having noticed her hesitate, had turned his attention
to her. Shino and Kiba looked between each other, each knowing how protective
the sword was of Harry – and how odd it was that it felt it needed to protect
Hinata rather then Harry.
"Then let it protect you – he is quite safe with us." Sakura spoke, her gaze
meeting Hinata's for a mere moment. Hinata smiled faintly; for all that she
could tell that Sakura did not truly grasp the significance of Miyabita Shi's
attention.
None the less, Hinata only nodded in agreement – for Miyabita Shi was stubborn
– her teammates were tired. And though Gaara did not have to say it, he could
always change his mind – and she knew that they had had too many surprises to
possibly count Itachi Uchiha among the growing amount in so short an amount of
time. They would think better rested.
Neji seemed impressed – if only with how easy it appeared for Gaara to fashion
the shelter – though none of them took the time to admire the structure for
their eyes were heavy with exhaustion. As Neji laid down on one of the "beds"
seemingly built like shelves into the walls, it occurred to Hinata to ask about
the body.
"Neji – where are your teammates? Certainly they miss you; it can't take this
long to put a body in plain sight…" Hinata spoke then, Miyabita Shi warmed in
her hand showing it was pleased with her.
"They will stay with the body until they see it is found. They will likely meet
up with us tomorrow." Neji told her his tone soft, a few minutes later, Hinata
was almost sleep when a terrible scream erupted, startling everyone awake –
Temari and Kankuro tried to get out first, but fell away from the door as if a
invisible force kept them from exiting.
"What's going on – is that Blackbird screaming?" Kiba asked groggily – Neji had
fallen out of the shelf, and Hinata shook herself from her fear, though her
eyes widened when Neji – who had finally gotten to the door- fell to the floor
just as the Sand siblings had. By then, everyone was awake – and Shino gently
laid his hand on the seemingly empty space between the exit and the outside.
Though he's progress was halted – his hand stretching out as if on glass having
encounter the "door".
"Why had Gaara done this?" Hinata demanded of the baffled Sand siblings, her
heart aching as she heard Harry scream in pain again. Akamaru whimpered,
flinching against Kiba and shivering.
"I do it because Harry does not want harm to come to you, and neither you nor I
can help him in this transformation." Neji's gaze flickered to Miyabita Shi, a
cold feeling washing through him at the swords uncompassionate tone. Temari,
Shino, Hinata, and Kankuro seemed to take Miyabita Shi 'new' ability of speech
in stride – likely having suspected something of the sort.
Only Kiba – still on the ground from his tumble off the shelf-beds, gaped at
Miyabita Shi in open astonishment, and though he did not speak aloud, Neji was
fairly certain his lips read; "it talks".
"You will see him tomorrow. Go to sleep." With the swords grating order all of
them fell to sleep, seemingly unable to resist. Miyabita Shi pulsed softly for
a few moments as it – as if in after thought – put them back onto the shelf-
beds as if they had never been disturbed.
***** Where Kisses and Blood-Diamond Tears Do Fall *****
Harry let his cheek press against the cool cloth that covered Itachi's thighs,
his eyes shut, and for all that he was not sleeping. Itachi smelt of blood –
but not his own blood, it was a warm copper smell that filled his mouth, thick,
like fish – underneath the blood scent was arousal – it teased at Harry, for
all that he know what it was, he did not know its cause.
So, he dismissed it in favor of nuzzling Itachi's thigh and relishing in the
scent that was purely his – not the blood, or the lust, but a mix of stone –
cold and earthly, solid, and the moist, rich smell of autumn in the forest that
surrounded them.
Naruto curled protectively against his back, and every once in a while Harry's
tail would flick against his back – just to check that he was still there and
had not left him, for Naruto was unnaturally still, for all that the heat of
his body warmed Harry. Naruto smelled something alike fire, the smoke a
pleasant and heady mix with the warmth.
Gaara had long ago sat up since Harry had first awoken, but still allowed
Harry's other tail to curl around his waist. The creamy tip that lay against
his lap was held firmly, the soft fur stroked repeatedly – it might have been
subconscious, but Harry did not think so. Gaara smelled of the desert – of the
sand, dry and hot – yet beneath was the pleasant smell of the plants that
bloomed only in the desert night.
Harry's ear flicked as he heard movement among them, Itachi did not seem
alarmed, and for all that he had tensed up – prepared for a threat, even if
none was present. Harry knew without looking that Gaara saw Sakura had moved
toward them, something clutched in her hands.
"What do you want, Sakura?" Itachi asked coolly, regarding the girl with
narrowed eyes. It was clear enough that he had not liked being disturbed. Or
rather, that Harry was disturbed – though Harry's feelings were not upset
towards Sakura, rather he was bothered that he had heard Sakura approach.
He had not even thought to ask before reaching to use Gaara's sight to see if
his assumption had been correct. Gaara did not seem surprised that Harry had
reached out through the jinchuriki link without permission – and as if to
reassure him, through it, he assured Harry that his instincts were likely still
raw – and only another jinchuriki would understand his feelings of having
'lost' Houkou and being lost without the dog demon.
"I…you see, Hinata and her team came by last night, with Neji and the two Gaara
travels with – his siblings, I think, they had Miyabita Shi. Gaara told me he
had created a shelter for them not far from here – I...I think we should go
check on them…they should have returned by now." Sakura managed to say; for all
that she seemed fearful of Itachi.
"She speaks the truth. They were here when Itachi and Sasuke were speaking,
Naruto was asleep." Gaara reassured them, he did not have to tell them where
Harry had been – for the moment that he had spoken Gaara had stopped petting
his tail.
Disturbed, Harry peered up at her with one eye as Itachi and Gaara looked
between each other, undecided. Naruto sighed softly against Harry's neck,
reluctant to move – as for Harry, he looked up at the giant tree. Sometime in
the past it had rotted near the base of the trunk, someone had likely carved
out this shelter – for themselves, and for the trees continued health.
"I'm going to have to move, aren't I?" Naruto grumbled softly, his breath
tickling Harry's ear – it flinched, for even soft, Naruto's voice was loud when
against his ear. Harry hid his discomfort, and opened his eyes the rest of the
way – sunlight was bearable, but still harsh. Despite being in a forest where
shade hid the sun, there was still enough to feed the plants – and dim enough
to see, though Harry dreaded the thought of leaving the forest.
"I'm afraid so." Harry spoke then to Naruto, amused when the other boy only
groaned softly, nuzzling Harry's neck –the three of them were all reluctant to
be parted; they all knew that once parted, they would not see each other for a
very long time. That did not mean they would be cut off from the link – their
lack would be their true senses of each other – and that would be a very real
blow.
Nonetheless, Naruto, once his curiosity was stirred, had little choice in
following his instincts. And he was curious about Miyabita Shi, for all that he
had never met the sword personally – he had seen things through Harry and Gaara
that stirred his interest, so he sighed and disentangled himself from Harry,
being the first to stand - he was surprised the 'fire' tail lingered – still in
contact with him.
Harry had sat up, and with his lap free, Itachi wasted no time taking back his
cloak and standing more gracefully then most would give credit to a teenager
who had had a head claiming their lap for a pillow most of the night. Sasuke
was smirking – likely pleased with the fact that his brother was noticeably
uncomfortable.
Gaara stood, aiding Harry in standing – as he stood up Harry felt and saw that
he was noticeably taller, coming up to Itachi's chin and a few inches taller
then Naruto who had stood about the same size as he had before. Moving like he
had – however slowly- twisted something in his stomach, the thick lump in his
throat made him feel rather nauseous.
"Alright, Harry?" Naruto asked as he reached out to touch Harry's arm, Harry
gave a brief nod and took a step foreword, nothing seemed to suffer for it – so
he decided that if he walked slowly – and carefully, he would be alright. Gaara
took the lead, as only he would know where he had put the shelter.
Under Itachi's wary gaze they made their way to the sand dome at the base of a
near by tree – it was silvery white under the mid afternoon sunlight. Gaara
beckoned with his fingers – as if calling an opponent to challenge him - and
the white sand came to him easily, crumbling and slithering along the forest
floor to curl around him fading from site the moment it touched his skin.
"What's wrong with them?" Sasuke demanded of Gaara, who frowned slightly –
clearly puzzled. Once cleared away, the scene the sand revealed was quite
startling. The six of them lay – unharmed – but sleeping, as if the shifting
sand beneath them had not disturbed them. It was not a natural sleep – Itachi
frowned slightly at the sword that caught his gaze – his crimson gaze flicked
to Harry who was also looking at the seemingly harmless sword in a manner that
could best be described as scolding.
"I do not know – the sand would not do something of this nature to them." Gaara
told them in a low tone as he walked to where his brother and sister lay. He
knelt by them, relieved to find that they truly slept and it was not death that
held them.
"Then what happened here?" Sakura asked him clearly shaken by what she saw
before her.
"I think I know," Harry spoke up for all this tone of voice was a mere whisper,
"Miyabita Shi put them to sleep so that they would not interfere in the
transformation last night." Indeed, that seemed the case as the sword glowed a
pale light and leapt in the air of its own free will, alike to someone tossing
it – Harry caught it as if he had practiced doing so. He let out a soft sigh of
relief when he opened his eyes and did not have to squint because of the light.
"Well, can't it wake them up then?" Sasuke demanded from where he crouched with
Naruto and Sakura among the other Leaf-nin. At his younger brother's tone,
Itachi shifted his eyes away from them observing the surrounding forest.
"Yes. I'll ask it to." Harry's voice was unsure, having known the sword to have
a mind of its own, Gaara merely looked down at his two elder siblings hoping
Harry could convince Miyabita Shi to do as he willed, rather then what the
sword thought best.
The first sign that the spell had passed was Kankuro groaning as if in pain –
he sat up rubbing the back of his skull, he felt as if he had had far too much
to drink the night before.
Beside him, Temari muffled a soft curse before catching sight of the worried
looking - for Gaara, worried was a narrowing of eyes and pressed lips – some
would mistake it for annoyance, but Temari was sure it was worry that made
Gaara hovered over them so studiously. She touched Kankuro's shoulder drawing
his attention to Gaara, Kankuro let out a shaky breath with his younger
brothers gaze pinned to him. Temari smiled faintly at Gaara, a smile that the
youth did not return, though he looked more at ease at finding them to be
alright.
Neji sat up noiselessly, upon seeing Hinata blinking white eyes upon the forest
canopy; he turned his attention to Harry. He could tell it was still Harry –
however much had physically changed about the other boy, Orochimaru's mark -at
the base of Harry's throat - that Neji had glimpsed when Sakura and Gaara had
told them what had happened to them, was still there.
Beside Hinata, Akamaru barked softly and began to lick Kiba's face to wake him,
the dog-boy groaned in good humor, sitting up to see Shino pushing his glasses
further up his nose, looking in the direction of Miyabita Shi, a rather puzzled
– though clearly annoyed – the look could be pieced together from his
expression and body language. Kiba knew this for Shino's jaw was clenched in
annoyance, though his fingers tapped on the ground in a "puzzling" rhythm as
Kiba thought of it – it was the one thing Shino did that was not alike his
bugs.
"Blackbird! A-are you alright? We heard you scream…then…then Miyabita Shi put
us into a deep sleep." Hinata asked of him - she had been quick to take notice
of her surroundings, and having remembered his screaming and known that
Miyabita Shi would only lift such a spell at his request, though she had spoken
before seeing him. When she saw him, her voice faltered for a moment, for he
looked the part of a demon and for the first time in her life she felt
something akin to fear at the sight of him.
"I am…alright, though I don't believe I will be returning to Konoha with you
and Neji." His answer drew their attention to him, Shino moved carefully to
stand, as if he did not quite trust Harry to not attack him if he moved to
quickly. Kiba thought that wise, as Shino had learned to be so careful when
around him and Akamaru, so he followed in Shino's lead – standing, though he
carefully (and slowly) reached down to offer Hinata his hand as he spoke.
"Well, that's understandable – you're more dog then boy now. Houkou have
something to do with your new…appearance?" Kiba asked of him, keeping his eyes
adverted for the last thing he wanted was to appear to challenge Harry. Hinata
could have stood without Kiba's help, but used it anyway, tucking a strand of
hair behind her ear as she took in Harry's appearance.
"Yes and no. Houkou believed it was best if the effects of Orochimaru's mark –
and that of my Master, were locked away together – they, cancel each other out.
However, there were unexpected…side effects." Harry finished awkwardly; Neji
cocked his head to one side as he observed Itachi, who seemed not to take any
notice of them. As if they simply weren't worth being wary of- it bothered Neji
to be taken so lightly, but he glanced to Hinata, and let it be
Hinata looked both worried at the side effects, though she frowned lightly,
undecided in her question. She needn't have hesitated as Kiba asked what had
plagued her.
"Can you say who your Master is now?" Kiba asked hastily, and Itachi's
attention was suddenly focused upon Harry, as he waited to hear the answer.
"No." Harry answered shortly, not looking to Hinata or Neji as Itachi studied
him, attempting to find if he had spoken the truth or not. He is protecting us,
Neji realized wondering at Harry himself, if the other teen spoke truly or
simply did not want Itachi to mass murder another clan again, I wonder how he
keeps Itachi from killing all of Konoha simply to free Blackbird.
"Where do you plan to go – if you can't go back to Konoha?" Shino asked then,
his voice breaking the tenseness that had filled the air like unseen fog.
"To collect Houkou's soul shards…" Harry answered firmly, his hand reached up
to touch the base of his neck – where Orochimaru's mark lay, but at last moment
he seemed to realize what he was about to do and only flipped his hair away
from his puppy ears.
"…Harry?" Hinata asked softly, worried for she had heard loss in Harry's tone.
Kiba heard Akamaru whine very faintly as if sad for the other boy, and petted
Akamaru gently, hoping to calm his puppy.
"Houkou…I think he's still in here," Harry spoke touching the side of his head,
"but it's as if when I…changed, he was silenced. I hope that finding the rest
of the soul shards will bring him back to the surface." Harry finished his
explanation, the tip of one tail flicking in a fit of nervousness – the only
sign that told them that Harry was not sure of what he told them.
"You're sure you want to go, then?" Shino asked for he could tell Hinata could
not, very slowly, Harry nodded.
"Do not worry, Hinata – Neji…I will be back. I swear it..." Harry spoke,
clearly torn between what he perceived to be his duty – and what he felt was
right. Hinata had been studying the forest floor intently, she knew that Harry
had to do what he needed to do – she also knew that if he saw that she was
upset; he wouldn't know what to do.
Temari, who had been standing just behind Hinata gently reached out to touch
the younger girls shoulder, smiling slightly when Hinata looked up at her,
blinking away the wetness that had gathered at the corner of her eyes. Temari
leant in close to the younger girl, brushing away a few strands of hair that
had fallen in front of her ear as she pressed her lips together, preparing to
speak.
"Go hug him good-bye, Hinata, he won't think less of you for it." Temari
whispered in her ear, Itachi had his head tilted to the side as he observed
them silently. Sakura glanced to Sasuke, wondering what was going on. Hinata
bit her bottom lip, looking fearfully to Itachi, before steel came to her eyes,
and she nodded firmly in agreement with Temari.
"Hinata…" Neji spoke worriedly under his breath as she passed him- he knew she
heard him, but she did not halt, a part of him wanted to reach out ant stop her
– and another part wanted to find out what was going to happen when she reached
Harry. Temari though watched proudly as Hinata walked to Harry, smiling and
folding her arms – quite smug that she had gotten her way. Beside her, Kankuro
rolled his eyes, wondering if his sister's softness was going to get them
killed because of an Uchiha's jealously.
Itachi watched, wary, as Hinata approached determinedly – her chin raised up
defiantly. Itachi observed her, and then glanced to Harry – who looked
surprised that Hinata was making such a bold move, he knew Hinata was not
romantically inclined to Harry, though he was amused the others would think he
was so unobservant – or so jealous.
When Hinata stood in front of Harry, he noticed he was actually taller then her
now, before she enveloped him in a warm hug. Awkwardly, Harry hugged back, his
grip just as fierce. He wondered if any of them could understand what it would
mean that since childhood they had protected and watched out for one another,
only to be parted now.
When they released each other, Harry blinked rapidly; feeling wetness in his
eyes – it was alike tears of pain, but this was a different kind of pain –
Hinata gasped softly when she saw that Harry's tears were bloody, the crimson
drop fell from his cheek and landed on her palm, where she inhaled – shocked to
see what had once been liquid was stone.
"W-what's this?" Hinata asked softly, her voice shaky as she held the little
red and clear stone, Itachi tilted his head to see it better, and pressing his
lips to answer - but it was Naruto who spoke first.
"It's a blood-diamond tear, it falls when were leaving someone we don't want to
see die." Naruto answered softly, he sounded somewhat upset – glancing to
Gaara, both wondering if they were not important enough to Harry for him not to
want them to die.
"Keep it, Hinata." Harry told her firmly, closing her hand around it, Hinata
had seen the glance pass between Naruto and Gaara and had bit her lip, about to
offer it back to Harry. Harry stepped toward Gaara and Naruto, tilting his head
at them, and then smiling softly – it was a smile Naruto returned, though Gaara
only lifted a brow.
Harry wondered a moment what he could do to convince them he would miss them
just as much as Hinata – for all that he knew they would not die in his absence
– his gaze flicked to Itachi, remembering the times the black haired Uchiha had
kissed him good-bye.
Before either could protest, Harry's lips met Naruto's, whose eyes were wide
with surprise – Harry was faintly amused to see Naruto still staring dazedly
ahead, a faint blush painted on his cheeks as he carefully avoided looking at
anyone. Especially not Itachi – who looked to be torn between laughter, and
killing something by glaring it to death.
Gaara stilled when Harry turned his attention to him, Harry's lips brushed his
ear as he spoke, and for the first time in Gaara's life, he couldn't recall
what Harry had asked him. Naruto later said Harry had asked to kiss him, but
the blond would always tease him afterwards so he was never sure. Whatever
Harry's question, Gaara's slight nod had apparently been the proper response
for Gaara had every moment of the kiss with Harry burned into his memory.
He also remembered that his glare had matched Itachi's over Harry shoulder.
Harry shed blood-diamond tears for Temari and Kankuro (for which Gaara was
grateful, if Harry had kissed either of his siblings, Gaara was fairly certain
he would have killed one of them).
Gaara was all to amused, however, when Harry kissed Sasuke; Sakura sputtered
and blushed, and finally pouted and this was perhaps the reason she got neither
kiss nor a blood-diamond tear – or Harry had simply kissed Sasuke to get such a
reaction from the girl. While Naruto looked on to his rival – proud he had been
the first one kissed (he stuck his tongue out at Sasuke which made Sauske,
strangely enough, blush and look away) Itachi's reaction was a soft snort (once
Harry's back was turned to face Neji), and when Sasuke nervously looked to see
his elder brothers reaction, paled when Itachi made a death gesture.
Neji, however carefully did not look at Itachi when Harry placed his hand on
Neji's shoulder and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Take care of Hinata-sama, Neji-kun…" Neji nodded firmly, surprised when he was
kissed, the soft lips of the other boy pressed briefly against his own before
he was released.
Kiba absolutely forbid Harry to kiss him – his exact words something along the
lines of "no way in hell, Blackbird – Akamaru will kiss you for me, though", so
that's what Harry did – let Akamaru timidly lick his cheek. Within the sleeves
of his cloak, Itachi played with a kunai while glaring at poor Akamaru –
knowing well the bond the dog shared with the boy, Kiba held him protectively,
and Shino hovered near enough to aid his friend if Itachi attacked from pent
up…emotion.
To Shino, Harry merely hugged – hissing in the bug-boys ear that he was to take
care of Hinata, and if he did anything to her – well, whatever Harry threatened
Shino with was enough to make the boy sickly pale, swallow, and nod – Harry's
tails swished back and forth in a pleased manner as he went to stand near
Itachi.
The elder Uchiha brother placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, about to
transport them out of the forest when Temari and Kankuro stepped forward. The
others looked on rather confused as Temari distracted Harry, speaking to him
about how he knew where to go ("the soul within me calls me to go in the
direction of the other souls, Temari…").
While Kankuro forcefully turned a baffled (if annoyed) Itachi away from the
group, walked him to the edge of the clearing– and spoke to him in a harsh
whisper. Though Gaara had to strain to hear, he was fairly certain Kankuro said
"he's the only on who can make Gaara smile, so – hurt Harry, and I don't give a
damn how powerful you are Itachi - Sand will bury you so deep, no one will find
you till your bones are dust" – finding himself somewhat proud of his elder
siblings, though Itachi appeared unshaken, Gaara's lips twitched in amusement
as he watched Itachi nod hastily, and go back to Harry – only to be seemingly
disturbed when Temari winked at him – and took Harry away in a swirl of leaves
and shadow.
"What's so funny?" Naruto hissed to Gaara, seeing that Temari and Kankuro were
behaving rather smugly.
"I'll tell you when you're older." Gaara stated, Naruto huffed in annoyance,
and pouting then caught sight of the still blushing Sasuke and went to tease
him while Sakura yammered about how evil Harry was for touching 'her' Sasuke.
Gaara didn't know would be more annoying, but had pity for Sasuke.
"Are you ready to go little brother?" Temari asked then, knowing Gaara had
likely overheard Kankuro, who stood near the edge of the clearing, his arms
crossed as he waited for Temari and Gaara to join him. Gaara only nodded,
leaving the others – though he stayed long enough to see Neji convince Hinata,
Shino, and Kiba to leave Sasuke and his team to their 'petty arguments'.
Gaara did not answer Temari as he followed her lead to leave, his siblings
trusting in him to guild them safely back to the tower in the middle of the
Forest of Death, as he did so, his thoughts lingered on Itachi and Harry,
before fading to the background as he was reminded of Sands plans to attack
Leaf – and the part he would likely play in it all.
***** In Midnight A Glimpse of Blue *****
In a back-alley of Konoha, four men, at the orders of their leaders, met for
the first time. Two were robed and hooded in black, and wore white skull masks;
the other two hid their faces in the darkness of their midnight blue cloaks.
"Do you have it?" A man in a black robe and white skull demanded, one of
midnight blue cloaks, came foreword, slowly. The black robes fiddled with
sticks, and the other two seemed amused by this.
A small statue of a five tailed dog was held up; as if an offering – and the
black-robe closest murmured something softly, and the two midnight blue cloaks,
feeling something, stiffened.
"Very good; here is the potion and scroll that will allow your master to do as
he wishes." A white-skull hissed; the five-tailed dog statue was passed over to
him, for a vial of green-and-blue potion and an ancient looking scroll.
Once the dog statue was in their position, the black-robes, with a crack like a
whip, disappeared – moments later, if not quite as loudly, the midnight cloaks
followed.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
They stood just inside the forest, out of sight of the tall stone walls that
surrounded Konoha. They were two; one clutched a scroll – and the other a
potion of green-and-blue. They were waiting, there was a soft sigh as the
potion was held up to the face of the taller of the two.
"Those people could use magic." It was stated, soft, accusing - male. Dark eyes
gleamed as they turned to regard the other cloaked in midnight blue.
"I know, but we have no choice." The other shook off their hood, revealing long
locks of gleaming black hair, and the same dark eyes that the male had. Both
looked very similar, as if they were siblings.
"Do you even know what is written on that scroll or what secret this potion
will reveal?" He asked, eyes narrowed, his other hand clenched, nails digging
into his skin, not quite cutting.
"No, but he swore we could go home after this." She answered simply, though she
did not look at him as she spoke.
"Be reasonable Midoriko, even with all your power – we do not know where or
even when we are…" He pressed, she sighed softly, not disagreeing. He closed
his eyes, remembering how they had gotten into this situation.
Midoriko was kind hearted, and for some reason, she loved him. She had saved
him from demon possession, and in turn, he had followed her, her companion in
her quest to rid the world of demons. He thought it futile, in the long run, it
run down to time – she was not immortal no matter how powerful a priestess she
was, and demons, well, no one knew how long they naturally lived.
Then, they had heard what sounded like a child's cries and gone to investigate,
only to find it to be a trap. The cries had come from a well in the middle of a
forest, it had been dark, and neither of them could not see the child – but
Midoriko went into the well anyway. She had not returned, so he had gone down
after her.
Then, well, then they found themselves at the mercy of a two-tailed cat demon.
They knew well who they faced, Nekomata who could raise the dead, who was the
Death God's pet demon – who traveled the Gates of Death without fear. Who
offered them a bargain for their lives – the first part, they Sealed the demon
Gobi no Houkou into a figurine – then give the Sealed Houkou to the black
cloaked men with white skull masks.
The second part of the deal was they get the scroll – and the potion, and
waited for Nekomata in the forest outside the village – then, they would be
free to go home. At least, that was what Nekomata claimed – but as he and
Midoriko knew all too well, demons were not to be entirely trusted.
As if his thoughts had summoned him, Nekomata appeared before them, the two
tailed cat demon looked smug, his black wings practically quivering at his
sides.
"You have done well priestess. Now, give me the scroll." Nekomata demanded,
lips curling into what could be a smile – or snarl. Midoriko held it out, and
her companion could tell it tore something within her to do so.
With a flash of light, it disappeared – though all three of them knew it had
gone into the Gates of Death.
"Don't you want the potion?" He asked then, a queasy almost nervous feeling
clawing at his gut.
"No, mortal – it is for you." Hissed the two tailed demon – one moment,
Midoriko was there, and in the next she was gone in the same flash of light
that the scroll had been accompanied by.
"What have you done? Bring her back!" Her companion demanded – his heart
beating so rapidly with fear, he wondered if the demon could hear it.
"Oh, I will Magatsuhi, I will – but first drink the potion. I'll even tell you
what it does – it corrupts your love, turns it into a hateful obsession."
Nekomata purred, and where the glass of the potion bottle touched his skin, he
felt it chill, cold as death.
"Never…! I could never do that to Midoriko!" He denied harshly, part of him
wanted to smash the potion – but it was the only bargaining chip he had.
"Midoriko will not survive the Gates of Death – no mere mortal can. So, if you
do not, she will die – and you no better off." He shook his head – he could not
imagine it – Midoriko would not die and fade because of a Gate…she couldn't…he
could not imagine a world without her.
"What…what do you mean?" He whispered the words, they came from his shock, and
though he knew what Nekomata wanted, some part of him could not accept it.
"The scroll she gave me…I will use it to call demons to you, they will consume
you – they will bind what is left of you to them – making you an Evil Spirit."
That thought chilled him – for Evil Spirits were cursed beings, but Midoriko's
death was unacceptable to him – caught between his suffering, and Midoriko's
possible death – it was no choice at all.
"What about your promise…your promise to let us go home?" He whispered it
faintly, eyes on the potion – it would corrupt him – but it would save
Midoriko.
"If you drink the potion now, I will bring her back – she might be able to save
you, after all – then I will use the scroll." Nekomata's tone was sweet, as if
taking pity on him, Magatsuhi's hands shock as he opened the cork. The liquid
inside bubbled blue and green – and he a passing thought of spilling the foul
potion on the ground, and damn the consequences.
"…Fine…I'll do it." He spoke bitterly, and drowned it in one gulp – half
hopping it would choke him and somehow kill him before it corrupted him.
"Good boy." Purred the great two tailed cat demon, as it leered down at the
withering form of the young man before it; Nekomata then forced the stolen soul
shards of Houkou's power into the boy. With a demons soul bound to his own – no
amount of purifying power Midoriko used on the boy would be effective.
His wings fluttered and Midoriko appeared, pale and sickly – although her
features twisted to horror and worry when she saw Magatsuhi lying prone –
asleep after the trauma of his corruption - Midoriko turned accusing black eyes
to the demon, Nekomata grinned nastily – and a silver glow enveloped them the
Gates of Death taking them where he willed – into the well, and into their own
time.
Picturing the boy in his mind, he summoned the scroll from the Gates of Death
and begun to read it aloud. From afar in time and distance, Nekomata
nonetheless watched Magatsuhi become bound with demons – becoming an Evil
Spirit.
Time had no meaning to him – what could have been days in the past passed in
moments in the present. Nonetheless after seven days and nights of fighting –
ended in Midoriko, clothed in old armor and priestess robes – in the maw of the
many-demons-shaped-into-one. Using the last of her great power she sized the
corrupted spirit of her beloved and bound it within her own spirit – bound so,
the two spirits fought on, bursting from her chest and creating the Shikon
Jewel – the Jewel of Four Souls.
Nekomata knew then, all demons owed him a debt – a dept which would be paid in
full when the last of his plan fell into place. If not for Kyuubi, who came
hunting him – he would have collected it. But, he had allowed himself to be
distracted – and paid a hefty price, Kyuubi ripped his soul, intending to use
the power of it to restore Houkou – but it was too late for the five tailed dog
demon, Magatsuhi and Midoriko had already Sealed him and bargained him away,
across a veil of power that marked the beginning of the range demons held – and
that which they could not cross.
So it was that Nekomata was bound inside a tree at the base of a volcano, on
the island he had defected Houkou at – because of Kyuubi, who had hoped to use
the power of Nekomata's soul to replace Houkou's own power. Then, enraged at
the loss of Houkou – Kyuubi could only take it out on Konoha.
Nekomata watched as the pet of the priestess – a cat demon, went to the
priestesses' family, and many years later, became the companion of a Demon
Slayer who wandered ancient Japan with allies hunting a creature alike and
unlike what he had made Magatsuhi into – so it was that Nekomata watched and
bit his time, and plotted.
Only he knew what had become of Houkou, and he watched as the boy who acted as
his vessel crossed the veil of power in a fit of power. Watched as he and a
companion crossed the veil again, the shards of Houkou's soul, bound within
Magatsuhi acting the part of a beckon.
Without much surprise Houkou saw that the boy went down the well, a part demon
following after – the twisted tree shuddered, as if it was laughing.
***** Of The Bone Eater Well and Kisses Stolen *****
"So," Itachi's tone indicated he was a little less then impressed with their
surroundings, and he had every right to be so inclined, "this is it."
Admittedly it wasn't much to look at – a shrine to a religion neither ninja
cared for, on a hill overlooking a town like any other, a town that was so
normal – so utterly dull, it made Itachi want to commit a few murders, give
into bloodlust, if only to liven things up.
"Yes, this is where he leads me." Harry answered softly, though there had been
no question in Itachi's tone. Itachi glanced to the younger man, he wore a
straw hat – it served only to hide his silver puppy ears – and the spill of
black-and-silver hair had been pulled up into a bun under the hat, though it
gifted him with an annoyed expression. Itachi could almost admit he found it
cute.
The boy's two tails were wrapped around his waist like some loose black-and-
cream-tipped fluffy belt. Itachi had to be careful to keep his face utterly
neutral, if Harry so much as saw a smirk in his direction, he'd growl flashing
fangs – while it was somewhat exotic, in a twisted erotic way, Itachi knew they
were exposed and dared not act on the impulse that lingered whenever Harry's
more demonic nature surfaced.
Itachi found he could utterly blame his reactions on the fact he was descended
from a demon. Not that he wanted to be dominated by the demonic youth – and
not, he was sure, that he wanted his life threatened in a sexual challenge.
Itachi heaved a sigh, clouded – almost "blind white" – green eyes glanced to
him, as if to ask what the matter was.
"You realize we'll have to go into the shrine." Itachi murmured softly, leaning
close to whisper it into the silver puppy-ears. A cream tail tip flicked, a
slick tongue moistened lips. Sharp claws dug into the cloth on his shoulder. He
could almost say Harry had wanted to hurt him – Itachi firmly suppressed the
rush of heat.
"When do you wish to look? Night, or day?" They knew it didn't matter. The real
question was which of them had the better control.
"So, when am I going to get my kiss?" Itachi teased softly – lips brushing his
ears as he purred the words, Harry felt him self flush. He was surrounded by
the scent of the other man, engulfed by his cloak. They stood so close together
that if one breathed, the other could feel their chest expand or contract.
Harry had pulled away, and Itachi was not about to let him forget it.
"Now, I'll go in as a…customer, you watch my back?" Itachi finally gave in;
Harry gave a sharp nod, disappearing in a whirl-wind of leaves. Itachi's lips
curled into a half smile, then he turned to his target – the building – and
nothing of his amusement showed.
Itachi began to cross the street, just like a normal citizen, though the skin
between his shoulder blades itched. He was being watched; it was inevitable in
a place this…"civilian", though he ignored it and began to ascend the stairs.
They had scouted this place last night – a little boy, his mother, his sister,
and their grandfather – one animal - a cat - that was all that lived here. The
girl and boy went to school – Harry had seen them leave, and Itachi had made
sure they hadn't came back unexpectedly – then just a few moments ago, they'd
rejoined and surveyed their target – the shrine – where bits of demonic soul
were somewhere close by. He was in no danger.
Other then loosing all his money, Itachi nodded to the old man – a Priest – who
stood behind his stall. Almost as if being acknowledged was all he needed he
started rambling about his products. All fake. They'd made sure of that too.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Gold eyes glimmered as sunlight focused on them, an annoyed sigh escaped. It
seemed the only one able to have a noon nap was the cat. As if to prove this
true the cat's tail flicked and it rolled onto its white belly. Silver ears
twitched, as gold eyes narrowed, a tongue flicked nervously across dry lips.
Someone, InuYasha thought as he surveyed the yard below, is here.
Grandpa was with a customer. Only – fanged teeth bit gently into his bottom
lip. He inhaled, and the upper lip curled. Demon – somewhere in that
"customers" past, a demon had mated with a human – and a few generations later,
the "customer" was the result. He held himself wrong – he was tensed, it spoke
of a life bidding time for death, of killing, of waiting to be killed. Yet this
man held himself with a confidence – a sureness, that InuYasha had only seem
within his half brother, the Lord of the Western Lands – Sesshomaru. This man
was used to having his life threatened – he was equally used to killing those
that threatened him, coming out on top – but he was not full of himself, he
knew there were others that were stronger, and knew they had weaknesses. That
was what was wrong with him – people InuYasha had glimpsed on the streets of
this time were soft – child-like in their reactions to true violence and
bloodshed. Violence was seen as tragic, a rare shame – they did not have people
they knew every day dying – did not fear attackers from neighboring Lords.
This was no normal person of this time, he was…something else.
But why is he here? InuYasha found himself wondering as he crouched on the
window sill, Kagome had once described InuYasha's crouch as "dog-like",
InuYasha had scoffed – of course it was "dog-like" he was, after all, a half
dog demon. InuYasha tilted his head back as he observed the man, his silver-
white hair and bold red fire-rat outfit should have made him a target – an
"eyesore" impossible to miss. They didn't – they blended remarkably well with
vegetation, but in his "modern" time of metal and concrete – he was a target.
In the shrine though, it was almost as if he was back in his home time – only
there weren't supposed to be demons here.
There weren't supposed to be human killers with demon blood, gold eyes gleamed
in interest – then dimmed as they regarded the baseball hat and bandana on the
table beside the window ledge.
"Don't forget them if you go out. InuYasha, the rest," Kagome had waved a hand
to include his dress, claws, and pointed canines, "might be explained away, but
the ears – never, you have to hide them. It just isn't normal. I'm sorry; I
know how you hate them." Brown eyes were as sympathetic as they were stern, and
when InuYasha did not speak she sighed and shook her head, her black hair fell
in a way that reminded him of another, and he gave in, promising her to use the
bandana if he went out.
She really didn't understand though, his senses – sight, hearing, and smell,
had been critical to his early survival, if you were a child and a half-demon,
you were on your own, for no human – and certainly no demon, would hesitate to
kill you. You were an abomination – and only inborn demon senses and talent
might keep you alive.
He couldn't help but feel vulnerable here, his sense of smell was deadened by
pollution, and his eyes burned if he got too close to something "man-made".
Sometimes that included food – other times it was clothes, perfume – or
machines. Like cars – InuYasha loved and hated cars with equal passion – he
hated them because they stank and were loud – he loved them because they were
the only things that came close to matching him in speed when he wanted to
really run.
InuYasha inhaled, took the bandana cloth (and if he gripped it tightly, he
didn't notice) and unfolded it, only to fold it into a "triangle" and cover his
ears, tucking the ends beneath his hair and tying them lightly. If needed, he
wanted to be able to jerk the cursed cloth off his ears. He wasn't going to die
because his damned ears weren't normal.
Without a thought to broken bones or getting hurt- for as he had told Kagome a
number of times hurting a half demon wasn't easy, and certainly no half-demon
would do something stupid and risk being lame – the lame half-demons died
quickest. The lame were often the young – and he was almost an adult, even full
demons hesitated to engage him in conflict – especially as his parentage put
him in league with most demon Lords. Besides, if a demon did manage to kill him
– he had no doubt Sesshomaru would seek their blood. He would, at least, not
die without knowing death would follow his killer. For though his full demon
brother hated him, Sesshomaru knew who he feared – and knew who his most
dangerous enemies were – his elder brother hated him for his half-demon blood,
but would only allow InuYasha to die by his own hands. It was a twisted sort of
acknowledgement, it was more then most half-demons gained from their siblings.
With a grin that hinted at mischief and his intent to find out about the
trespassing stranger, he leapt off the window ledge and into the tree. For a
moment he sat there, still, sure he was being watched – though he could not
see, and certainly not hear who watched him. He inhaled sharply, and had to bit
off the urge to cough – pollution gripping his lungs and filling his head with
a hazy, dizzy, feeling.
It was then he saw him, a moment to glimpse silted pupils within cloudy green
eyes, a moment to see the black and cream "belt" and know it for what it was –
and a moment to glimpse teeth and claws as sharp as his own, it was a moment –
but it was enough. Enough to know and be sure – there were two demons. He
sneezed, and glanced to the stranger who spoke with Grandpa – if he had noticed
the exchange, he hid it very well.
InuYasha knew then what he had to do, he'd take of the one in the trees with
him – then surprise the other one. Hopefully one of them would still be alive
by the end of it – InuYasha did want to know where other demons were, what had
happened since his own timeline. He did not want to find out so bad as to risk
the lives of Kagome's family.
InuYasha knew the other demon – the one who looked like he did, would be
watching him. Even if InuYasha's own senses were confused, the demon he faced
had likely lived in these conditions, gotten used to them, could sort though
them faster then InuYasha. InuYasha crouched, licked his lips as his eyes
scanned the tress. No sign of him. But at least InuYasha knew where the other
one – the one with Grandpa, was.
As if to check, InuYasha glanced down to the stranger – and met gleaming red
eyes, hints of pupil and "commas" seemed to swim in the blood red. The
strangers gaze caught him, held him – and InuYasha felt himself unable to move.
Trap. It had all been a trap. Rage bubbled up, but it was useless against that
gaze, a killer's gaze- a demons gaze.
"Rise." The lips moved, and InuYasha found he was unable to disobey. It was
Kagome and the "sit" necklace all over again, the cold beads of the necklace
rested heavily on his chest. He fought to remain calm, to breath – yes he was
under the control of another demon, but it couldn't last forever.
He didn't know how the red-eyed man did it – one minute he was standing below
him, and in the next he was right there in InuYasha's personal space, smirking
– smug in his control of the other demon. He made InuYasha's skin crawl.
"What are you doing here?" The red-eyed man demanded, and InuYasha could feel
his breath against his skin – smell him, he had to stop himself from inhaling.
"Waiting." InuYasha fought the control enough to say one word. It was an answer
– he did not need to spill his life story, only to answer one question. Blood-
eyes looked surprised for a moment, when no other words were forthcoming.
InuYasha felt a moment of triumph, he had surprised the asshole – maybe others
had fallen easily under his sway, but InuYasha would not be taken in, refused
to be weak like them.
"For who?" He hissed, painted fingers tapping on folded arms.
"Kagome." He choked out, reluctant to give over even a name – vengeance
dripping from his tone.
"Who does he mean, Harry?" Blood-eyes asked, eyes flicking to regard someone
behind InuYasha. His back tensed – the other demon, it had to be the other
demon, behind him, and he hadn't even noticed.
"The girl." Amusement flashed in those cruel red eyes.
"What, I wonder, do you have in mind to do to her?" InuYasha jerked then, as if
he had been struck. They thought he was going to hurt her – InuYasha curled his
lips, gold eyes narrowing in his hate.
"Friend. Priestess. Purify you ass-holes." InuYasha shot back, as if was a
question and the red eyes pulled an answer out of him, confusion lucked in the
murky blood eyes.
"What is your name boy?" He asked, forming the words slowly, so they could not
be mistaken.
"InuYasha." He hissed, the other smirked catching the play on his name - dog-
demon.
"Itachi." A tongue flicked out, licking the lips that had just formed the name.
"Stop playing with him Itachi, we have to find it. It's close." For the first
time InuYasha got a good look at Harry – he was a dog-demon; there was no
mistaking the silver "dog ears". How he got the tails, InuYasha didn't know –
or care – what he did know was that the "it" the other half dog-demon wanted
was likely the Shikon no Tama, the Jewel of Four Souls.
"As you wish, Blackbird," Itachi murmured softly, there was something in his
eyes as he regarded the half dog-demon, but it was gone when those eerie red
eyes locked onto his own, "sleep." InuYasha made a noise of protest, but could
not help as his body obeyed, falling foreword into the arms of Itachi.
Itachi was surprisingly gentle as he set the young half demon more comfortably
into the tree. Harry's eyes were locked on a small shed; he inhaled when Itachi
laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Is it there?" Harry nodded and Itachi needed no other answer.
Both leapt down from the tree, and so smoothly it might have looked to be
practiced, they entered the little shed. It took a moment for their eyes to
adjust, a moment where their hearts pounded in the darkness, where they were
vulnerable - but only a moment. Then they recognized what they saw for a well.
Without pause, Harry came closer to the well, frowning down into its depths.
"Is it down there?" Itachi asked softly, his voice hushed – he did not know how
long it would take InuYasha to come out of the "sleep" – nor did he know if the
old man he had sent away to retrieve some fake merchandise would return soon,
and if he did – Itachi did not know how he would react at finding him gone. Did
not know if the old man had known of InuYasha, when they had not. There were
too many damned things he did not know.
"I think so, it might be buried." Harry answered, and Itachi watched as Harry
jumped down into the well. Worse that can happen is some dirt and bones. Itachi
tried to assure himself, only to find he was still tense – his breath held.
Harry had not landed, nor spoken, Itachi felt chilled.
He walked to the edge of the well and looked down – bracing him self for the
worst, the worst – he thought, was to see Harry injured and unconscious. He was
proven wrong a moment later when he saw…nothing. No sign that Harry had ever
entered the well – for a moment Itachi felt empty – no panic, or worry -
nothing, and when he climbed down into the well – he saw no sign of Harry's
presence. Then he felt fear.
Harry was gone – and Itachi had been left behind.
Red eyes narrowed in the darkness. Kagome – InuYasha, both had better have
explanations and a way to get Harry back, or Itachi would force them to witness
the death of everyone they loved. That might come close to the fear he felt.
Itachi took one last look around the shed and well and climbed into the
sunlight, knowing where to find his answers.
***** Of A Past That Can Not Rest *****
The first sign that the silver-and-black haired boy was awake was a twitch in a
cream tipped tail. Cloudy green eyes opened, Harry curled his nose when he
found himself face to face with a decaying skeleton – it was one that was oddly
formed, unrecognizable in its decay.
Slowly he got to his feet, surveying his surroundings – he did not remember
being forced into unconsciousness when he had went to explore the bottom of the
well in hopes of finding the missing shards of his demons soul. He was not the
least bit sleepy – and so it was highly unlikely that he had fallen asleep in
exhaustion - still, it was a mystery, one he disliked intently.
He looked up, the shadows in the well had fooled him – there was no old wooden
shed above him, only trees and sky. His eyes narrowed – the shed had been real,
it had smelt old, it had reeked of decay, yet it was as clear as the sky he
stood under that the very real, and very old, shed was gone.
Without a pause Harry leapt out from the well, crouched – his hands steadying
him and his legs bent, his body tensed – ready to flee into the trees at the
slightest sign of danger. Yet there was none, a small clearing stood around the
well – the forest stood only a few strides away, but other then the trees he
was alone.
Where am I? Harry wondered, the claws indenting themselves into the dirt. On
his back, hidden by his robes, Miyabita Shi pulsed with power becoming aware
through their link that Harry was faced with something he did not know how to
react to. Harry felt the warmth of her power on his back and felt for a moment
reassured. At least he was not entirely alone in an unfamiliar environment.
"I am lost here." Harry spoke aloud, tails uncurling from his waist as he stood
to his full height, atop his head his ears swiveled and twitched in different
directions to get a better sense of what was nearby him.
"Fear not, I am with you still – I will protect you. The bond between you and
the others is as sure as it has ever been." Miyabita Shi assured him, her words
ringing in his mind, he closed his eyes forcing himself to just be aware of her
– if he let himself, like when they had first met, he could become enthralled
with the sword of Graceful Death.
"You have traveled farther then I. Do you recognize this place, sense or
surrounding better then I?" Harry muttered under his breath, knowing Miyabita
Shi would hear him if he only thought the words, but at the moment, he'd rather
speak – it lessened Miyabita Shi's ability to enthrall him.
"No, but we are safe. I will not be parted from you; I will not let harm come
to you, be reassured." Harry's lips curved into a smile, finding he was warmed
by Miyabita Shi's assurances of what the sword knew to be facts.
"Very well, I am assured of our safety. It does not change the fact that I do
not know this place." Harry answered in kind, his skin shivered as Miyabita Shi
spread out its awareness; his ear flicked, but it was the only outward sign of
his unease.
"There is a village on the outskirts of the forest, people dwell there. We will
be safe there." Miyabita Shi told him the warmth lessened, and Harry knew the
sword to be in "meditation" for it was aware as he was, but keeping its power
to itself, as it knew he preferred.
With one last glance around the clearing, he leapt into the trees, his body
taking him in the direction Miyabita Shi's power led him in. It was alike a
game of 'hot' and 'cold' power as he perceived it, the cold leading him away,
and the warmth leading him in the direction Miyabita Shi guided him toward.
Sure enough, it was not long before he spotted the village, though he did not
yet dare to wonder into it. The first thing he noticed was their clothing – it
looked hand made, well used, if a bit on the ill-kept or frayed side.
They did not have shoes as he knew them – some wore something that looked like
a sandal, others went without. They looked poor – but that could not be so, for
they surely had enough food to feed all of them – none of them were ill, they
were just different.
Odd. Harry had never seen the like of them before, if your village was wealthy
you paved the road – if you were well fed it followed that your clothes would
not be so ill-used. Yet they used cattle, there was no sign of any horse rich
people preferred, no sign of train tracks used in even the smallest villages to
connect them to trade and supplies.
The roads were little better then dirt and gavel – they were small things, and
if there had been a mountain range near by Harry might have excused it – but
there was not. From the branch of the tree he could see that this was flat
land, dotted with hills and forests – but otherwise there was nothing to keep a
train from being built.
Harry felt stirrings of unease, for although through Houkou he was a demon, and
held the gift to understand all languages and communicate in them, this place
was strange enough to make him doubt.
"You can not stay in the trees forever. Greeting them is the only way to be
sure." Miyabita Shi reminded him in a tone that was close to scolding, amused,
Harry's lips twitched into a smile. He followed his swords rather reasonable
request and leapt down from the tree, he approached slowly, giving the
villagers plenty of time to see him and react before he reached them.
His tails he let curl and twitch nervously at his feet, so they could see them
as well. He had lost his straw hat in the fall down the well, so there was no
hiding his hair or ears. He kept his weapons and Miyabita Shi carefully hidden
beneath his cloak.
To Harry's surprise, when a little boy saw him, he spat at his own feet and ran
off into the village – but the others he passed merely watched him warily.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Lady Kaede - Lady Kaede! A strange demon has just arrived out of the forest
and he's headed this way!" The boys shouts stirred the rest of the villagers
like a hornets nest, some going for weapons and then to watch the demons
approach, others going into their houses with their children and hiding in the
passages that were likely beneath their feet.
"Fool boy, I have one good eye, I can see him as well as you can." A husky
mutter caught his attention, and the boy flushed, looking to his feet as Lady
Kaede came out of her dwelling in her priestess robes.
"What will we do?" The boy asked sheepishly, glancing up as two others came up
behind the old woman. They were both young, and his mother had warned him to be
wary of them for both traveled in the company of demons.
"He seems in no hurry to destroy your little village, so perhaps he only means
to speak with us." The man called Miroku spoke – he had fine features, skin
unblemished by insects or injury and his black hair was always held away from
his face, he was a monk, but one that had no sense of chastity, for he was
always courting with women in the village and asking them to bare his children,
though no marriage proposal was ever offered. His
"Or to catch us unaware…" The woman, who went only by the name of Sango, was –
according to rumor – one of the last of the demon slayers. Her hair was as
black as Miroku's and she had made an effort to blend in, though she clearly
wore armor and hardened leather beneath the kimono. Proof was furthered offered
by the Hiraikotsu – the giant boomerang made of demon bone slung on her back.
"Perhaps, but I would rather we attempt to speak with him then blindly
attacking." Miroku argued with her, their eyes caught and knowledge passed
between them, in the end though she nodded in agreement
"B-but…but InuYasha isn't here, if this demon attacks us we won't have help
until tomorrow…" A small voice chimed in childishly, and easily scampered from
the dwelling to Lady Kaede's side.
He wore clothing and a bow in his hair – all of it some form of blue that
matched his brown hair – it did not hide his sharply pointed ears, but it did
distract away from them. His tail was a lighter brown then his hair and was
longer then he was tall. His hands and feet were tiny, like little paws, his
baggy pants hid his legs, which looked like they weren't shaped normally
either.
"It'll be alright Shippo, we'll just have to hold the demon off until they
arrive, and that's all." Sango reassured bending to pat the demon child on the
head fondly, with a small sound of victory, a creature that at first looked
like a fox bound onto the demon slayers shoulder. Sango gave a soft laugh,
standing and petting the little demon.
"We would not leave you behind Kirara." Sango cooed to her, the little two
tailed demon cat let out a pleased purr and lay down on Sango's shoulders,
determined not to be displaced.
It was clear to the boy that they had dismissed him in favor of focusing on the
demon, and his task done he ran off to tell his mother he had been the first to
see the approaching demon.
He glanced only once over his shoulder to see the five going to the village
entrance to meet the demon newcomer.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"We are watched, though they do not mean us harm." Miyabita Shi commented, and
Harry saw well what she met, it appeared there was a welcoming party to meet
him – he only hoped that they were indeed welcoming. He stopped only a few
paces away from them, feeling that it was a safe enough distance away not to be
threatening – yet still be able to hear what was said.
"What are you called stranger?" An old woman called out to him, her skin was
wrinkled and her hair white and she wore an eye patch, though her weight was
carried by the staff she carried with her. Her clothing was finer then the
villagers and it was clear to Harry that she was someone important.
"I…I am called," Harry glanced around at his surroundings – at the people he
faced, and felt comfortable enough to tell them his real name, "Harry."
"What an odd name, what kind of demon are you?" A little one interrupted from
behind the old woman. It took a moment for Harry to realize the boy had pointed
ears and a tail, he swallowed – Houkou was a dog demon, and Harry had taken on
the aspects of one.
"Dog." Harry gave them a weak grin, flashing his elongated canines.
"Neat! I'm a kitsune – my name is Shippo – and she is a cat demon, called
Kirara." The little one came forward cautiously, and while the humans seemed to
hold their breath with wary protectiveness, Shippo had decided to come and
greet Harry as demons did. Her two tails flicked and Kirara came forward as
well, and though her tails fluttered with her unease she stood bravely beside
the child fox.
Harry was surprised when Shippo dared to yank on the creamy tip of one of his
tails, but he managed not to do anything embarrassing or potentially
threatening like yip or growl at the boy, the only sign of his unease was a
flick of his ear.
"You smell nice enough." Shippo announced with a wide grin, apparently his
companions found this amusing as the young man started to laugh, and did not
stop until the young woman glared at him.
"Well if young Shippo approves of you we are glad to introduce ourselves – I am
Lady Kaede, the priestess of this village – and these two are Miroku and Sango,
where do you come from?" Kaede asked him, and Harry glanced to the forest
behind him.
"I came through the well in the forest, not far from here." Harry told them,
deciding on the truth. Miroku and Sango looked between each other, and when
Sango turned to regard him, she looked wary.
"Did you perhaps meet another half demon dog on the other side of that well?"
Harry remembered InuYasha well enough, and frowned wondering how it was these
people knew InuYasha, nonetheless the girls accusing dark eyes demanded an
answer.
"Yes, we glimpsed each other only briefly." Why that was, Harry decided not to
say, if they knew him –and were familiar with him, it would not do any good for
Harry to any he'd let Itachi put the other into slumber or that InuYasha was in
possible danger because Itachi was separated from him.
"He let you pass through the well?" Miroku asked, his tone hinting at his
disbelief.
"I did not ask his permission to do so." Harry stated, deciding that would be
the safest answer.
"Y-you didn't hurt him, did you?" Shippo asked in a small watery voice which
Harry could not refuse to answer.
"No. I did nothing to harm him." That was the truth, and Shippo sensed it and
was quickly calmed as he hugged Kirara who purred him reassurances.
"If you passed though the Bone Eater's Well, you must be from the future –
this, young one – is the distant past; I believe Kagome called this time the
'Sengoku era of Feudal Japan'. Whatever that may mean know that you are five
hundred years in the past of the present you recognize." Kaede told him, and
Harry felt his heart flutter his disbelief. It made a sort of sense – he had
known this place was different from his own, from its mere appearance – but
five hundred years? It was almost too impossible to believe.
"I…understand." Harry managed to say, he felt a little lightheaded, as if he
were close to falling unconscious.
"If what you claim is true, and Kagome and InuYasha are unharmed, I do not see
why we should not go to the Bone Eater's Well – surely they will be coming back
here swiftly as your presence here is most unusual." Sango pointed out, Kaede
and Miroku traded glances, but neither of them voiced a refusal to the idea.
"As…as you wish." Harry murmured haltingly, and let himself be guided out of
the village and into the forest to the little clearing where the well sat. He
hoped Itachi hadn't done anything…damaging to either InuYasha or the girl,
Kagome, who InuYasha had waited for.
***** The Many Faces of Fear *****
Previously…
Harry was gone – and Itachi had been left behind.
Red eyes narrowed in the darkness. Kagome – InuYasha, both had better have
explanations and a way to get Harry back, or Itachi would force them to witness
the death of everyone they loved. That might come close to the fear he felt.
Itachi took one last look around the shed and well and climbed into the
sunlight, knowing where to find his answers.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Jerk…" InuYasha breathed out, slurring the words with a thick tongue – he
hissed, pained and out of breath, Itachi merely glared down at him,
unimpressed. Itachi knelt slowly, his grip in InuYasha's hair not tightening or
lessening in the least. Cold red eyes glared into gold.
"Be that as it may, InuYasha – you will tell me where Harry has gone… or I will
use means you will like even less." Itachi purred the words out, InuYasha
snarled, golden eyes narrowing in his hate.
Itachi remained unimpressed, though that may have been because even though
InuYasha represented a minor threat – for he had been drugged with a poison
that slowed his reflexes and left him weak limbed while his mind swam about in
a buzz of confusion. Itachi knew that very well indeed, because he had had the
very same drug-poison used on him.
"He went through the well." InuYasha choked out, and Itachi barely managed to
not ground his teeth in frustration – the half-human, half-dog demon had been
repeating that senseless phrase sense Itachi had started questioning him.
It was not possible to go through the bottom of the well – there was no trap,
no trick door. The only theory Itachi had was someone had waited for Harry at
the bottom of the well, and taken him away. InuYasha knew something, but –
whatever it was, whatever good it may have done for him, was lost in the haze.
Itachi knew there were ways to get someone to talk other then drugs, poison,
and torture, but Itachi knew the likelihood of them working on InuYasha – a
half demon, were as good as expecting an answer if asked outright.
Itachi could have even used his inherent demon abilities, but he had been too
enraged to think properly, let alone assess a half demons mind and come away
unscathed. Demons knew when their minds were invaded – and had natural defenses
to combat it. It would have, even with InuYasha unconscious and otherwise
unaware, most unwise to attempt such an information retrieval.
So Itachi had resorted to primitive methods that would be the most effective on
a half demon – weakening them, threatening territory and family – kith and kin.
It made no difference – while InuYasha was clearly trying to tell him what he
wanted to know, there was something that prevented Itachi from understanding
him.
It was frustrating. Itachi wanted answers, and there was one threat that was
most effective on anyone.
"If you do not explain, I will slaughter this city, this entire territory that
you consider yours –killing those who your kith and kin care for most in front
of them, just so you hear them weep. Then – when this city is abandoned of its
people - I will then kill them, now – give me an answer I can understand."
InuYasha jerked, tightening his bonds as he searched Itachi's features for the
truth. He was entirely serious.
"Bone Eater's Well…goes…goes to the past." InuYasha murmured haltingly, it was
like trying to communicate with a brick wall – only Itachi threaten to kill
him, and all he cared for. He could not let Kagome die – and because this
monster could not go back in time, it was pointless not to tell him the truth.
Though InuYasha half hoped he was unconscious, rather then witness Itachi's
wrath.
Itachi merely narrowed his eyes, the kunai in his hand tapping a rhythm against
his thigh. InuYasha was not lying – looking into the burdened golden eyes told
Itachi that much. He believed whole heartedly that the well was a way to go
into the past. Itachi knew the question now was how to go about opening his own
way into the past – there were theory's of ways to go back.
All of them vague and none of them with a way to fix to a certain person in
time – which left the obvious, some way Harry had gone back, he would likely
come back – or there could be a way for Itachi to go back as well. Somehow,
this "Bone Eater's Well" opened into the past – InuYasha was one half of the
answer – what he needed was the other half. Then he would have his question
answered, all that remained was what that question was.
It was a very backward way of thinking – but in the past it had served Itachi
well.
It was obvious InuYasha was protecting someone – and Itachi knew the likely
answer was Kagome. Who was the most likely second half of that answer, all that
remained was to wait for her – he told InuYasha as much, ignoring the defeated
golden eyes that closed in response.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kagome sped up her stride, setting sights on her home, disliking the fact that
she had had to stay after school to catch up on homework. Night was threatening
to envelop the city as lights were already beginning to be snuffed out within
the homes Kagome passed.
It was very odd, as if somehow everyone knew something she was not privy to.
However much she told herself this was not the case it did not stop her from
hastening her steps even more.
With click-and-kick steps familiar to her since childhood, Kagome swiftly
climbed the stairs that marked the shrine her family owned – where behind it
was her family's home, cleverly hidden and unremarkable to better empathize the
shine her family had cared for and looked after in some form or another for
generations.
Her shoes tapped, rhythmic and reassuring; on the pathway that led to her front
door – she knew any minute now InuYasha would show himself, for he had surely
smelt her approaching – as was his natural ability – long before she had seen
the shrine.
She would have preferred if he had met her on her way home, but he always found
something fascinating – usually loosing track of time, only to enthusiastically
show it to her by way of greeting.
That he was so far removed from her present life that everything "modern", from
phone to telegraph fascinated him, was refreshing so she could forgive him
that. At times he was even kept occupied by her family, when his pacing and
fretting got on their nerves.
She did not hear the muffled landing, but something had landed behind her – for
the leaves rattled charmingly though there was no wind. It was often her only
warning to InuYasha's approach - though he was trying to make more noise, if
only for her sake.
"InuYasha – how many times have I asked you to make noise…?" Kagome would have
continued in her rant, had she not already started to turn around only to come
face to face with someone who was most assuredly not InuYasha. She inhaled in
surprise – ready do scream for InuYasha, but the dark stranger moved swiftly,
and she found herself with a mouth full of cloth.
"Let's not cause a scene. We shall start with an introduction – you are Kagome,
InuYasha gave up only your name despite my rather professional methods." He
spoke in a whisper, soothing and smooth, as if they were chatting like old
friends rather then captive and possible kidnapper.
His black eyes glinted red for a moment, and he smiled – though it was not a
real smile, it was as if he didn't care if she thought he was being pleasant or
chilling. A somehow sinister breeze sent his black hair threatening – even that
harmless movement was threatening – daring her to do something to save herself
for an excuse to harm her.
"Your mutt is unharmed for now – merely drugged with a special blend of poison.
It will not kill him. You might wonder why I would go to such extreme measures
– my only answer is it concerns the Bone Eater's, I believe you call it –
charming little name. What I need from you, Kagome – is the answer to one
little question. One answer – and I will leave, and give you my word you and I
will never set eyes one another in this time and place again." He promised,
lips brushing her ear as he spoke, holding her securely against him so she
could not struggle or run. He was at least her height and weight – yet she
could not pull free of him, his gloved fingers pulled her chin to face his
eyes.
"Do we have a pact?" He asked and it occurred to her she did not even know his
name.
"Y-yes." Kagome stammered, quickly, for she thought she saw metal of some sort
– a knife or weapon – on his clothing.
"How would I go about going though the Bone Eater's Well?" He asked it slowly,
as if he expected she might have a problem answering or understanding his
words.
"I d-don't really know – I can go through it, because…of my abilities – I don't
know how InuYasha does it…" Kagome answered shakily, and he sighed as if
disappointed.
"Well, then we will all go down the well together, holding hands like little
children – just to make certain none of us are left behind. Do I make myself
clear?" Black eyes blossomed into rose red, bloody eyes – demon eyes stared
into her own – she felt helpless, heat rose to her cheeks – indignantly, she
prepared to snap at him, but his attention left her – a body thumped against
the gravel path, Kagome turned to where he looked and saw InuYasha.
He panted for breath, unharmed but for a bleeding cut on his collar bone – he
looked, sickly pale – and the golden eyes that gleamed from beneath his unkempt
silver hair were hazy, as if he wasn't seeing exactly as he was meant to.
"InuYasha – how pleasant for you to join us…I do not wish to use my eyes on you
again – so do obey me for the sake of the girl. We are all going to go take a
trip, down the Bone Eater's Well. Do you understand?" He asked InuYasha, and
unfocused golden eyes stared blankly ahead, bleak – beaten. He avoided the
others red gaze, as if a glance would take him into torture. Little did she
know that was exactly what her capture had done – mentally tortured InuYasha
for days, for all that time had not passed as swiftly as InuYasha thought it
should have.
"Y-yes, I understand…just…don't hurt her…" InuYasha begged, golden gazing to
the ground, she glanced behind her to see his expression shift, something like
pity passing though his features. It was gone before Kagome could truly tell
what it was, but it left her with a hope she clung to.
"This I will grant to you, for your good behavior." He murmured to InuYasha,
who held back a shudder. With his ears pressed to his skull in enraged
submission, his shoulders hunched and spine tensed, InuYasha walked foreword
off the path and to the shed which held the Bone Eater's Well.
With a hand on both their shoulders, he shoved them into the well's entrance –
keeping a tight hold on their arms. Kagome half hoped the well would part him
from their company, but it was not to be – in a silvery glow they arrived –
five hundred years into the past – to the sounds of a battle above them.
"Kagome - InuYasha, Naraku is here!" Kagome's heart leached into her throat to
hear Shippo's warning cry. Without so much as a glance, the red eyed man
disappeared in a swirl of leaves, and shadows that were somehow darker, then
even the dusk that darkened the heavens above.
Naraku may have met his match, against him…Kagome only had time to think as
InuYasha – somehow alert, though oddly silent and withdrawn – gathered her into
his arms and with a powerful jump, he leapt free of the well and with her by
his side landed beside Kaede and Shippo. In front of them, Miroku and Sango,
atop a transformed Kirara, fought to get past Kagura.
A two-tailed dog demon Kagome had never seen before snarled at Naraku who wore,
as always, a white bamboo pelt and ivory mask that hid all of his features.
Very slowly, the red eyed man rose from his crouch, where he had landed beside
the two-tailed demon. He smiled at Naraku – Kagome's eyes widened when Naraku
started to chuckle.
***** In Which New Allies Are Made *****
"So…what do you do…in the future?" Sango asked awkwardly of Harry. After they
had arrived at the Bon Eater's Well they had stood around for a bit, gotten
bored, and now sat in the clearing around the well. Shippo and Kirara were
talking amiably with each other, though, amusingly, it seemed to him the others
thought the little fox was talking to himself.
Miroku and Kaede were discussing "trade secrets" about something that Harry was
paying careful attention to ignore – which left Sango. She had been content to
meditate, but had begun to fidget, and now found herself speaking with Harry,
for the sake of not being bored.
"I…protect the heir of a great family in my village." Harry admitted softly, it
was the truth, at least. Sango looked interested now, and Miroku and Kaede had
stopped to listen, glancing at him occasionally in curiosity. Even Shippo had
hushed, the two little ones watching him with wide eyes.
"Kagome told us things in your time were much more peaceful in that time – is
this not true?" Kaede asked in a gravely voice, her eye patch distracted his
attention away from her expression, and Harry wondered if that was the purpose
of it.
"For the most part it is, I suppose, but my life is not like hers. I was
trained from a young age to protect a special person who I have left behind, I
was trained to be silent – invisible, but I am not that way anymore." There was
an ironic twist to his lips, which showed off his fangs. They were silent,
waiting to hear more. Harry could not see what the harm would be in telling
them more, of course he knew they could do nothing about it – and that, he
supposed, was why he trusted them to know. It might even gain him their trust –
despite whatever Itachi had done to Kagome and InuYasha.
"When I was a child, no more then a just born babe a betrayer of my family
sealed a great five tailed dog demon –called Houkou - inside of me. I do not
know why. Later, when I was a year old a man attacked them – this man had had
the betrayer put Houkou within me. This is a man I intend to kill. I remember
only later being placed in the care of relatives who hated me – perhaps they
knew of Houkou, or blamed me for my parent's death. I do not know, Houkou took
me away from there – it took him many years to recover from doing so. I did not
know of his existence until he was awoken, again when I met another child who
had had a demon sealed in him as a babe." Harry hadn't looked up since he
started to speak, at his pause he did, and was surprised to see the shock on
the faces of those he faced.
"You poor child…" Kaede murmured, shaking her head at the folly of those who
would do such a thing. Miroku lips were pressed in a firm line, his hands
clenched at his sides, the decoration atop his staff chimed, though there was
no wind, as if to sooth him.
Shippo and Kirara had come forward, and when Kirara placed herself matter-of-
factly in Harry's lap, he looked to Sango for what to do. He found her glaring
down at her hands which flexed, as if though time and distance she could
strangle whoever had committed such a crime against children. He decided he'd
better continue, for it seemed they were content to listen and question later.
"It was his father who had placed the one tailed Shukaku within him. It was an
unstable match, and if not for Houkou's intervention, I do not know what would
have become of him. Thanks in part to Graceful Death, my Miyabita Shi; he and I
defeated a horde of snake demons who sought the lives of his villagers. I left
then, and when we came back to the village we found news of an event that would
send others our age our way, so they could rise in rank. My charge decided to
enter the event – I…I had no choice but to let her do it on her own.
But…something happened and a man who was the enemy of my village attacked
during the challenge. I fought him; he placed this mark on me." Harry touched
the base of his throat; it was a tear-like marking they had thought only to be
demon rank marking.
"It would have corrupted me to power – to his power, and I would have been a
servant to him. But I can not serve two masters – my previous mark, which bound
me to my charges family fought it. It would have killed me, or left me mindless
– if not for Miyabita Shi and Houkou. Within my – our – mind, Houkou has sealed
himself in a cavern with the refection of power that both marks serve. He can
not last forever – and I can not hear him, so with my charges blessing, I seek
the missing shards of Houkou's soul – that search has led my companion and I
here." Harry finished, glancing to the well, he felt a touch at his thigh and
looked down to see Shippo's teary face. The little kit sniffed, vigorously
wiping his sleeve over his face.
"We'll help you! Kagome will know what to do!" Shippo exclaimed, Harry glanced
away – ruffling the kits hair comfortingly regretting placing his burden on the
little kit.
"I'm sure she will." Harry murmured quietly, gaining a grin from Shippo.
Mischief danced in the kit's eyes – for while he was still lingering on Harry's
situation, he had at least been reassured, as Harry had meant to do.
Teasingly he reached up to tug at Kirara's ear, the little cat meowed and
swatted at him, but Shippo danced away before she could strike him. Kirara
paused only long enough to rub her head against his cheek and give his hand –
which had absentmindedly been petting her – a lick before jumping down to chase
after the playful kit.
Harry smiled slightly at the sight, until Miroku cleared his throat drawing
attention to himself and Kaede.
"You should know - there isn't anything we can do about Houkou. Or the curse
seals… do you know where these soul shards might be?" He asked then, and Harry
only shook his head, the three looked disheartened, but not beaten.
"What dangers do you face here?" Harry asked softly, as unwelcome awkward
silence threatened to consume them.
"Mainly, only lesser demons that attack villages and owe alliance to no one,
more 'civilized' demons rule over them as Lords of certain territories within
the land." Sango explained softly, and Harry nodded in understanding – it made
sense to him, as Shukaku had considered him self alone, even with humans around
until Houkou had made his presence known.
That alone Harry credited to saving Shukaku and Gaara's sanity. Kyuubi had
mentioned, only in passing, how old demons were in comparison to humans, Harry
just hadn't realized how very long a tailed demons memory stretched.
"Also, there is the Jewel of Four Souls. It is a sacred object, once kept in
the trust of my sister the priestess Kikiyo, whom Kagome is the reincarnation
of, it grants it's holder a wish, but the jewel has been broken into many
shards, and until recently we held a fair number of the shards – and then
Naraku, once a evil man who desired my sister – now half demon, has collected
all but a precious few of them. The last is within Sango's younger brother, who
Naraku resurrected from death – when Kagome and InuYasha return, they intend to
go to meet young Kohaku and protect him." Kaede told him in low tones, so not
to disturb Shippo and Kirara.
"Is that so?" A voice penetrated the peace that had lingered in the clearing;
Harry looked towards the woods edge and saw a human-figure clothed in white
baboon pelt and ivory mask with similar features.
"Naraku…" Miroku hissed as he and Sango stood, wary, their frames taunt as they
stepped between him and Kaede and Shippo, who had ran to her. Kirara roared,
and Harry flinched as flames engulfed the little cat transforming it into a
sleekly muscular predator, the main around her neck was ruffled in anger. Her
red eyes were narrowed and when she opened her mouth her fangs, at least the
size of a human hand, showed.
Following their lead, he pulled Miyabita Shi from its sheath along his back.
"No need for such aggression. I merely came to greet the one whose power I
sensed. I take that to be you?" Harry knew when the ivory mask looked to him
that he was being addressed, and despite the mask, he felt as the other looked
him up and down.
"What do you want?" Kaede demanded from beside Harry, and Harry's ear flicked
at her tone.
"His power is not his own. He has stolen it from the one within him, and so I
will steal it back and use it as my own. That is what I want, old woman."
Naraku told her, and Harry sensed that if he could only see the others features
he would be sneering at her.
"If you want his life, you'll have to get by us." Sango proclaimed as she leapt
atop Kirara, helped Miroku onto the transformed feline and with a growl Kirara
ran at Naraku – only to be deterred by a gust of wind that came from no where.
A slim woman stepped forward, dressed in elegant clothing and holding a fan
aloft, Harry was reminded of Temari.
"If you want to stop him, you'll not get the chance." The woman stated,
glancing at Harry for only a moment. Kagura had red eyes, her pupil only redder
– pointed ears and beaded earrings ending in feathers, two feathers in her hair
caught Harry's attention, then she turned away and faced the three she intended
to fight in earnest.
Harry took one step forward, intending to aid his new found friends when Naraku
moved, and Harry found himself pinned to the ground, helpless. He's fast. Harry
thought his eyes narrowed at the carved ivory eyes of the baboon mask.
Naraku's hand came forward, and within it a small dark purple shard –
deliberately, he showed it to Harry, who fought to get the other off of him,
knowing that what he was faced with was likely a shard of the Jewel of Four
Souls which he had been told about. Naraku seemed to sneer at his attempts to
escape, the ground beneath him shifted – and that was the only warning Harry
got before roots broke free, clinging to his limbs.
Too quickly, for Harry to jerk away or call upon Miyabita Shi for aid (the
sword had been taken from his hands by the clinging roots) Naraku pushed the
shard against the scar of his forehead – the lightning bolt sent jolts of pain
as it adsorbed the shard. Naraku seemed to smile down at him, letting him go –
the roots falling away. A soft silver glow lightened the almost night sky, it
had come from the well.
Harry knew well what that meant, and stuggled to his feet not knowing that as
he did so the lightning bolt scar was glowing a sickly purple-black.
"Kagome - InuYasha, Naraku is here!" Shippo cried out from beside Kaede.
In a swirl of shadow and leaves, Itachi was crouched beside him, Itachi's
bloodthirsty red gaze promised death as he gazed at Naraku and slowly smiled,
aching to watch the person before him burn in the black flames of the
Amaterasu.
Naraku chuckled softly, and narrowed eyed with a chill crawling up his spine,
Itachi looked to Harry. Empty green eyes, sickly pale skin, and the lightning
blot scar illuminated by a pulsing purple glow that rested upon his brow met
Itachi's gaze boldly. Itachi felt fear tighten his gut, felt his heart drop –
and as Harry tilted his head to regard him with unrecognizing curiosity, Itachi
knew one thing – whoever had done this – would pay.
"What have you done to him?" Itachi demanded of the white clothed man-shaped
being before him.
"A fair question… what have I done to you, boy?" Naraku asked him, Harry
blinked slowly, as if he had to think about what was being said.
"Power… enough to save Houkou." Harry's voice was faded, whisper soft, and
Itachi felt ill to hear him speak so bleakly.
"Yes, power, and what must you do to keep that power?" Naraku asked, tone
tinted by triumph.
"Serve… you." It was a statement, unimpassioned – it was as if everything
Itachi knew was Harry was locked away, and only an empty shell was left. Naraku
gestured for Harry to come closer, and before Itachi could reach to stop him,
Harry stood between Naraku and the others, a living shield. Kagura retreated to
stand beside them, glancing again only at Harry once. It was as if the sight of
the change sickened her.
"Harry…?" Itachi asked softly, confused, hands clenching at his sides. Harry
blinked at him, and Naraku laid a hand on his shoulder – Itachi curled his lip,
snarling, he hissed in distaste of the baboon man.
"Come along…Harry." Naraku murmured, and Itachi had never hated anyone so much
as he hated the man before him right then. Itachi could do nothing as he
watched the female pull a feather from her hair – it expanded into something
all three could sit upon, and keeping Harry between them, they got onto it.
Harry looked again to Itachi, and despite his attempt at showing it, he hoped
Harry would show some sign of recognizing him. Of knowing him, anything but the
empty gaze that regarded him.
"Look for Magatsuhi…" Harry said then, and Itachi felt himself relax – there
was something, something he could look for and do to stop whatever was going to
happen. Was happening – he only needed to know the meaning behind the words.
Before Itachi could move to stop them (for what could a feather do?) the woman
made a gesture and they lifted into the air with an impossible gust of wind.
Itachi found himself sneering in the direction they had gone, he would follow –
and he would save Harry. He would see that man dead.
"W-who are you?" Itachi turned slowly to regard the group he had disregarded in
favor of getting quickly to Harry's side. It had been a young woman who had
spoke, she wore armor – and carried a boomerang that smelt of demons.
Typically, they looked like they knew more of what had just happened then he
did. He didn't have to look at their expressions very closely to know it wasn't
very good news. Added to the fact he had spent time torturing one of them, and
had kidnapped the girl, he wondered if he would have to kill someone to get
them to explain to him how it was Harry, who he had known for years, didn't
seem to realize who he was.
It was going to be one of those days, and he had thought only hours before,
that this would be a boring in-and-out mission.
***** Shikon no Tama *****
"W-who are you?" Itachi turned slowly to regard the group he had disregarded in
favor of getting quickly to Harry's side. It had been a young woman who had
spoke, she wore armor – and carried a boomerang that smelt of demons.
Typically, they looked like they knew more of what had just happened then he
did. He didn't have to look at their expressions very closely to know it wasn't
very good news. Added to the fact he had spent time torturing one of them, and
had kidnapped the girl, he wondered if he would have to kill someone to get
them to explain to him how it was Harry, who he had known for years, didn't
seem to realize who he was.
It was going to be one of those days, and he had thought only hours before,
that this would be a boring in-and-out mission.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Itachi." InuYasha practically spat his name, and Itachi did not begrudge the
animosity shown to him – he knew he would have felt the same disposition if he
were in the others place. Though, he was rather amused that the others were
confused. He did not think InuYasha and Kagome would keep them in ignorance for
very long. Itachi did not care either way, he was aware he was watched as he
knelt to retrieve Miyabita Shi from the ground.
He bit back the surprised yelp that threatened to escape his lips as his
fingers touched the hilt. If he were not already kneeling, the amount of
emotion he felt flung at him from the sword would have staggered him. It felt
akin to being hit by lightning.
"Demons. Danger. Blood. Protect."
Itachi felt a creeping shudder cross along his spine. It was anger.
"Yes …you were supposed to protect him," Itachi hissed the words softly to the
sword, uncaring if the others heard – or what they made of the fact that he was
speaking to an 'inanimate object', "what went wrong?"
"Hidden. Seek. Protect. Blood. Enemy. Death." Itachi curled his lip, disgusted,
Miyabita Shi spoke, yes, but its words were chopped. Messy… as if it could not
make itself understood to him, which only served to annoyed him. He felt for a
moment the temptation to throw the damned thing down the well and be rid of it.
But, no – Harry would not forgive him that. Miyabita Shi meant more to him then
the boy would ever dare to express in words.
"What are you doing?" Itachi glanced to the little boy, a demon child – who
stood watching him with wide eyes. The two-tailed cat stood protectively beside
him. If Itachi had not seen the small house-sized cat transform into something
the size of a tiger he would have laughed and happily cleaved the demon runt in
half, just to release some pint up rage.
"Attempting to find out what went wrong." Itachi said, settling for giving the
demon child an answer that would only give him more questions. He would be
cruel then, and not answer any more. A pity thing, but it made him feel better
to know that in this, at least, his knowledge was greater then theirs.
"Keh. You blind? What "went wrong" was Naraku." InuYasha muttered, rolling
golden eyes that never quite managed to leave Itachi's crouched form, his arms
folded as he glared resentfully at Itachi.
He let that go, the half-dog demon had, after all, just been tortured by his
own hands. Though, in truth, Itachi was surprised at how swiftly he had
recovered from the experience. He wondered what else InuYasha could recover
from. It would be…interesting, to experiment on him.
But, no – for now Itachi needed them, simply because they knew the land better
then he did – and while he did not doubt that Miyabita Shi knew it's masters
location it would be useless to ask it, when the answers would be so scattered.
As if the sword of Graceful Death was itself in shock at its masters
kidnapping.
"Naraku, then, was not enough of a threat for Miyabita Shi to be unable to be
rid of." Itachi declared softly, disdainful of Miyabita Shi but unwilling to
leave it, he stood with it hanging in his arm. He was not used to such a
weapon, and it showed in his lack of expertise in handling the blade.
"Graceful Death…the boy was only a half demon – how could he have earned such a
title?" The old woman asked in a scathing tone, Itachi narrowed his eyes as he
looked to her. He sneered, and lifted the sword high enough for them to take in
the sight of the black hilted sword which though curved was arm-length, it
curved like a scythe – though thicker, except where it turned in on itself at
the hilt, forming a crescent.
"This, old woman, is Miyabita Shi – the Graceful Death is sentient, alive in
its own way. Though, I can not make sense of it." Itachi admitted - glaring at
the blade, as though it were its fault he lacked this talent.
"A wicked name for such a blade, how did it come by such distinction?" The
young man in robes questioned, and Itachi, amused now, shrugged.
"You'd have to ask it. It chose its name." Itachi declared then, not surprised
when the youth and old woman stepped forward. They glanced between each other,
as if debating which of them would ask the question that practically screamed
from their features. They wanted to know if he spoke truth, bidding his time,
he waited, not wishing to volunteer the blade into their hands.
"If we may touch it?" The young man finally asked, surprising Itachi by boldly
meeting his eyes.
"What are your names?" Itachi asked then, not willing to hand it over so
carelessly – he half wondered what Miyabita Shi would do to them. If it would
reveal to them what it could not to him. Or if, at the merest touch, it would
kill them outright – finding himself interested in the answer to these
questions, he waited until they spoke.
"Mine is Kaede, his is Miroku – the young woman is Sango, and the two tailed
cat is Kirara – and the child is Shippo." The old woman – Kaede, told him. It
was more then he asked of them, and he didn't really have a solid reason for
keeping Miyabita Shi from them so he let Kaede take it.
"It only says "Magatsuhi"…" Kaede murmured in a disappointed manner.
"Who is that?" Itachi asked then, having remembered that Harry had told him to
look for such a person. The two looked between each other, and Miroku sighed,
looking once more to Itachi.
"It is no accident that Naraku took Harry – Kaede here was the younger sister
of Kikiyo, Kagome is her reincarnation, although Kikiyo is not entirely dead in
this time, for she was brought into being as a vengeful spirit." Miroku
explained, Itachi remained silent, not quite agreeing or disagreeing, but not
believing such an explanation outright. He remained skeptical, but still open
to the possibility while he was aware that the youth had more to say.
"InuYasha here later loved Kikiyo, and she him – only, you see, when they first
met InuYasha had intended to steal the Jewel of Four Souls, for the Shikon no
Tama could grant a wish. Kikiyo guarded the jewel which had been put into her
possession by Sango's ancestors. It had been InuYasha's intention to become a
full-blooded demon, only Kikiyo changed him, and he wished to become human."
Miroku told him, and Itachi still said nothing though Kagome and InuYasha
looked awkward now. No wonder, Itachi would have laughed if he had been alone –
it was all so…romantically ironic.
"This was not to be; instead a rogue called Naraku, who Kikiyo had been nursing
back to health, grew jealous of the two and deceived them. Kikiyo died, and
InuYasha was pinned to that tree over there for many years, until Kagome
awakened him." Miroku finished quite solemnly, and Itachi merely glanced at the
two, then to the tree. He snorted, he had had no desire to learn all that – he
only wanted to know what Naraku sought, and how to go about slaughtering in the
way that he would feel the most pain.
"Your point, quickly, I am growing bored with your tale." Itachi ordered,
sensing Miyabita Shi's agreement. The sword would only grow more impatient as
time went on without Harry to sooth it.
"My point is this – to accomplish his deceit Naraku called many lesser demons
to him, and in part they became him – and he is half demon because of such a
transformation." Itachi lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed. Perhaps it was lost on
them, that such a transformation to accomplish such a small task showed a
weakness of spirit that Itachi would have held in contempt – such weakness only
death could cure.
"What does this have to do with Magatsuhi?" Itachi asked whisper soft, for he
was frustrated with all this history heaped upon his question – it was a simple
one, and for a moment he favored the thought that he would get a clearer answer
with blood on his hands.
"Magatsuhi is alike Naraku in his nature – only he is more powerful, an ancient
vengeful spirit, once man – now more demon then human. Long ago he was fought
by a powerful priestess – she was called Midoriko. She fought him, but even she
was no match for him – her solution was to bind her spirit and Magatsuhi within
her soul, and continue the battle there – from her chest erupted the Shikon no
Tama. It is a shard of the Shikon no Tama that is imbedded in the scar of your
young friend. Does this answer your question?" Kaede demanded, having grown
tired of Itachi.
Itachi ignored her, in favor of considering the information. Harry had told him
to go after Magatsuhi – though the simpler demand would have been to go after
the Shikon no Tama. What, Itachi wondered as he gazed down at Miyabita Shi,
which still rested in Kaede's hands, is so special aboutMagatsuhi?
It was obviously not that he had become one with many lesser demons – even
someone as inapt in spirit as Naraku had managed that. It probably happened
once or twice a generation.
"Power… enough to save Houkou."
The Shikon no Tama had power – of that he had no doubt. Power enough for
someone as useless as Naraku to gain a hold on his Harry, even if in arrogance
and pride he thought that power to be his own alone to be able to use. That
power could easily be pure or corrupted at the whim of whoever wielded it, but
Harry had told him long ago that only the restoration of Houkou's own soul
shards would be enough to save Houkou.
Harry knew that.
That means, Itachi thought warily as he regarded InuYasha and Kagome,Magatsuhi
somehow holds the shards of Houkou's soul within the Shikon no Tama.
"Let me guess, to sum up that little fairy tale, you believe Midoriko is
connected to one of you, or perhaps is of the same soul as Kikiyo and Kagome?"
Itachi muttered sarcastically, his remark did not garner any attention – wary
at this he looked behind himself to find…
A slender woman, who shared some resemblance with Kagome, but Itachi thought to
be lovelier. There was no expression on her features; they were as if cast in
stone – her eyes were steel, though there was spirit in them.
Itachi merely raised an eyebrow at her unexpected appearance. If they insisted
on coming out of the woodwork here, they would not catch Itachi by surprise –
he was used to such things so much so that he found them common place. That was
likely not the case for others of his time and place, what that said about them
he was not sure he wanted to voice.
"Kikiyo…" InuYasha murmured, choked.
"No, Midoriko remains within the Shikon no Tama to this day." Kikiyo declared
watching Itachi with a wariness he approved of.
"What are you doing here?" Kagome demanded, her eyes narrowed and cheeks
flushed. It was clear that she was not inclined to favor the appearance of her
previous incarnation.
"I owe you no explanation; however, it is imperative you know –least you do
something foolish, that Kohaku dwells with Sesshomaru. I search now for Kouga,
the wolf prince demon, for if he lives, he holds the only shards not within
Naraku's grasp." With that dire, if not unexpected warning, Kikiyo left the way
she had came. Itachi did not know if he should be pleased or disappointed –
pleased, for he had found someone who was at least strong enough to maintain
herself after death – to do such, Itachi knew, required sacrifice of human life
– or disappointed, for she was so inhuman she frightened them, but clearly
longed to be counted as one of them.
"InuYasha – if what she says is true, we need to seek out Kohaku, your brother
may be powerful but mine will still be in danger…" Sango spoke up, and though
he looked reluctant, resolve had settled over InuYasha as he nodded his
agreement. Itachi had to wonder if Sango and InuYasha had always known each
other – it seemed a odd match for a friendship, a half demon and a demon killer
(as was obvious from Sango's weapon which smelt of demons blood, and he knew it
to be demon bone) but danger always brought out the oddest alliances.
"What of Kouga?" Kagome demanded of them.
"He can take care of himself, besides Kikiyo will be looking after him. You can
trust her to protect him until there is no other obtain available." InuYasha
promised, looking down once at Miyabita Shi, which he seemed to disregard in
distaste.
"Kaede, may I see the sword?" Miroku asked then, and the elderly woman handed
it over to him. They waited a moment, to see if it would speak for him, as it
had done for her – but he only shook his head and handed it back to Itachi, who
secured it to himself.
Itachi watched as they left, into the woods, little Kirara and Shippo following
after, when he looked down to Kaede, who stared up at him, just as blunt eyed.
"I'll walk you back to your village." Itachi declared, to which she only
chucked and started toward the village, Itachi following behind. It was not out
of kindness that he did this, merely because it would put distance between
Itachi and InuYasha's nose. Itachi could follow them just fine afterwards, so
long as he stayed down wind. He was a ninja, and being a ninja was as much
about being able to track your enemies from a distance as being able to use and
meld the power of mind, spirit, and body. Perhaps even more so important then
those – a ninja who had only power often did not live long after training.
When they reached the edge of the woods, Itachi parted from her, watching as
she descended into the village. Remotely he wondered at himself the question to
when he had decided he liked her – she, at least was clever. With a sigh of the
wind, Itachi disappeared from the edge of woods to follow the others from a
distance.
***** Howl Of The Wolf Demon *****
Itachi watched as they left, into the woods, little Kirara and Shippo following
after, when he looked down to Kaede, who stared up at him, just as blunt eyed.
"I'll walk you back to your village." Itachi declared, to which she only
chucked and started toward the village, Itachi following behind. It was not out
of kindness that he did this, merely because it would put distance between
Itachi and InuYasha's nose. Itachi could follow them just fine afterwards, so
long as he stayed down wind. He was a ninja, and being a ninja was as much
about being able to track your enemies from a distance as being able to use and
meld the power of mind, spirit, and body. Perhaps even more so important then
those – a ninja who had only power often did not live long after training.
When they reached the edge of the woods, Itachi parted from her, watching as
she descended into the village. Remotely he wondered at himself the question to
when he had decided he liked her – she, at least was clever. With a sigh of the
wind, Itachi disappeared from the edge of woods to follow the others from a
distance.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
InuYasha knew very well where Itachi was, and it was most assuredly not in
Kaede's village. He could smell the other following at a 'respectful' distance
that, if InuYasha had not been on the lookout for, he would have missed the
others scent. InuYasha was not a fool – he knew that short of killing Itachi,
he would not be rid of the other. That did not mean he wanted Itachi anywhere
near himself or his entangled "family".
He felt he was entitled to that opinion as he had, after all, been 'tortured'
by the other. The fact that the torture had been mental, and there was not a
mark on his skin to prove his claim, did not matter to him in the least. There
were scars, albeit ones unseen, that were worse then any observed "flaw". It
wasn't as if he had wanted to become any more different then humans or demons
saw. What he wanted the most was to be seen and accepted for whom and what he
was, rather then a weapon or bloodline.
InuYasha inhaled, taking in the scents around him – of the earth beneath his
feet and the rotting vegetation they walked carelessly over despite the life it
promised to bring forth in another season – of the growing things around him
that fed the lowest and highest on the food chain but kept their own council
all the same, they were assuredly the wisest – though so silent no one
appreciated the intelligence of growth and green things. Of the animals that
had wandered this area long before he had, or crossed his path only shortly
before – or scampered out of sight upon setting scent or sight upon him.
Of the demons that watched, wary of humans – or of him, but there all the same;
silent and bidding their time until they knew if he was merely passing through
or would fight them for their territory. There smell and presence was
unmistakable – though humans oftentimes did not take heed of it.
Demons were territorial by nature – and often what humans thought to be an
unprovoked attack was the result of that nature. So too were demons patient and
wary of humans – often if it was merely a wanderer passing through, they would
leave well enough alone unless it was during a time they were more restless.
These times were either of mating, food gathering, or because of to be born, or
newly born, children.
But if a human population settled where demons had, often the demons would wait
– and when it became apparent the people were not leaving they would try to
encourage them to do so without violence – odd sounds during day or night,
smells humans were to scent blind to notice – or destruction of property or the
taking of food.
Even then, often humans would not understand these signals as a demon would,
and their failure to do so resulted in a clash that humans suffered for but
demons were remembered and loathed for generations because of natural
instincts.
InuYasha's birth was seen as another grudge against demons for – obviously – by
their reasoning the only logic to a human and demon coupling would be against
the humans morals – so his birth, though it had been a human who had birthed
him and loved him and his father, was blamed on demons.
For demons, it was different – it was a sign of change. A sign that high
birthed demons saw humans as worthy partners, and companions – more so then
their peers or the 'lesser' demons – that enraged the lesser demons to the
point of attacking such offspring. The fact that, somehow, a high born demon
had a easier time mating and having children with humans then with other high
ranked demons or lesser demons rankled.
Often it was seen as a weakness – which was why InuYasha's own full demon
brother wished his death, for the fact that their father had coupled with a
human and produced offspring was seen as a weakness in the blood. This,
InuYasha knew, was what would cause the demons to question Sesshoumaru, not now
in the prime of his life – but later, when he was older, it would be harder to
forget what had been done in the past.
Demons planned for the long term, which was why Sesshoumaru wished to kill him
now – rather then later. InuYasha knew this all too well, even as a youth –
which had been why he had sought to become a demon in truth only fifty years
ago. Why he still sought to be either human or demon and not half of both.
Kagome likely believed – as Kikiyo had, that he wished to become human because
of his love for them, that, to him did not matter. What mattered to him was
that he became one or the other – he could not go on as he was, living half
like a human and half like a demon.
At times he longed to be as blind in his senses as a human – at other times he
hated them for blundering into things they didn't understand – a times he
loathed his demon instincts, at times he wished he had more of them, that he
was not burdened by a sword that held them back.
It was a confusing…no conflicting way to go about living, it was assuredly not
easy, and InuYasha feared that one day he would not be strong enough for it. If
he were human, he would die in the handful of years he had been held to the
tree – if he were demon he would live a long life, a life of ruling the western
lands beside his brother – but it would always be remembered what he had once
been. That would be annoying – to say the least.
InuYasha sighed, only then did he smell the musk of Itachi and a faint stench
of the humans. Though they washed, it could not be helped – they had delicately
thin skin and sweated easily. They were so hard to take care of, their needs
alike a infants – or worse, for a infant demon was animal intelligent at birth
gaining intellect and knowledge as it grew, always absorbing what knowledge was
offered even in their last years of life.
"We will stop here for the night." InuYasha told them, as if it were his
choice, they would protest heatedly if he did not stop so they could rest. Even
if he offered his own back and Kirara's transformed state to transport them
they would argue against his decision but he saw their reasoning it would do no
good to walk onward in the middle of the night, when they humans were blind. It
might even result in some strained limb or broken bone and they could not
afford to wait and bid time for it to heal. No, it was far better to stay put,
make camp, and wait out the night.
InuYasha only hoped Shippo was not picking up bad habits – it was unwise for a
young demon to travel through territories that they had no birthright or
alliance to, even for InuYasha whose father had been Lord of the Western Lands,
this traveling was not a "good idea" but it was a necessary one. It was why
Sesshoumaru did not catch up to them; if not for the politics of demon
territories his brother would likely have killed him long ago.
But by most demons – even the lesser demons – InuYasha was thought too human to
know territory and instinct, some left him alone in his supposed ignorance,
pitying him – others, smarter or not then those who pitied him, sought his life
for his "insult" in not knowing. Those who tried to kill him found ignorant did
not mean weak, as was often the truth with demons of high rank and low.
InuYasha chose his tree, settling into it – he did not help "make camp" as a
rule, for one he did not want to give any demon the impression that he was
lingering, and as far as he saw it, this was a human thing – he did not need a
camp to feel comfortable with the world that surrounded him.
InuYasha closed his eyes then, dozing, though he was aware of all that was done
or said around him; he had learned to tune it out, save for certain key
phrases…it allowed him the luxury of sleep – though the price was often
unwanted dreams…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
InuYasha was held by his mother, against her chest, her rhythmic heartbeat
lulled him into a comforting doze. She walked to in the direction of the
village, a human place – he could smell them, like and unlike his mother, most
unlike himself and his father.
InuYasha was too young to process the significance of that difference –
although any other child of full demon blood would have known. But that was the
difference between InuYasha and a full demon child – he had an innocence they
lacked, and for all his inborn intelligence and demonic instincts – it was that
too human innocence that made him vulnerable. Instead of fearing the scent of
humans, he was curious of it – likely, because his mother was the only human he
had ever encountered, and he knew no better.
"Izayoi! It is Lady Izayoi!" Someone cried out, causing InuYasha to blink open
sleepy golden eyes. He took in with interest the sight of the humans around
him, most of their attention was on his mother – and he did not understand
their anxiety, but he knew better then to fuss.
"How did you escape, Izayoi? We saw the castle burning!" Someone questioned,
and his mother brought the cloak that smelled of father closer to them, as if
for protection.
"By the grace of the Inu no Taishou, who saved me with his Robe of the Fire
Rat." The fiery red cloth as tugged and murmured over, and though InuYasha did
not know how else his mother might have chosen to reveal him, the villagers
discovered him that way.
"And what is this?" Demanded a harsh voice InuYasha did not like, he whined,
seeking his mothers reassurance.
"My son by the Inu no Taishou." Izayoi declared in a tone that could not be
argued with.
"And what will you do with the cursed child?" Asked that same harsh voice, in a
tone that InuYasha later would come to understand was loathing, but he only
knew then that he did not like it – hated it, and wanted to be rid of it.
"I shall keep him, and raise him, for the Inu no Taishou gave his life for mine
and my sons. I will keep my promise to him, and raise my son…my InuYasha, as
long as I live." Izayoi told them, holding InuYasha comfortingly close, though
the action soothed him somewhat – he was still distressed.
"As you will, Izayoi…you may stay here, but do not expect us to care for
your…burden." That was the last words from the villagers that InuYasha
remembered for a long time, in the twenty years that passed thereafter, his
mother kept him by her side and taught him all she knew until he appeared the
human age of five – though he was twenty years old by human count – only then
was he allowed to wander into the village to collect his food from the market
with her. He did not know that his childhood would have been considered lonely.
He remembered only one time where he encountered other children, and attempted
to make contact and play with those who appeared his own age. They rejected
him, calling him half-breed, mocking his "puppy ears", his "fierce fangs", and
"unclipped nails". He would have grown jealous and hated them, if it had not
been for his mother, who fashioned clothing for him from the Robe of the Fire
Rat, clothing she promised would fit him when he grew up to be a man – and then
no matter how many years passed, she would always be remembered by him.
Then, his mother died – he would always remember that day – for it was the day
the villagers demanded he leave them. After seeing the place they buried her at
and imprinting it into his memory with all his senses so he would always
remember it. He remembered the childish notion that if he stayed where her
grave was, she would come back – or he would die too, and be with her.
It was Sesshoumaru who saved him.
"No true son of the Inu no Taishou would waste away over a human's death."
Sesshoumaru had stated, standing beside the big tree InuYasha had taken refuge
beneath. The shivering silver haired child had looked up at Sesshoumaru with
wide demonic gold eyes. Inugami Daiyōkai gold. There could be no mistake,
Sesshoumaru knew – just as he was the elder son of Inu no Taishou, this sorry
pup that he had searched for with only whispers and hisses to guide him, was
the younger son of Inu no Taishou.
For his own part, InuYasha was quickly fascinated by the other.
"She…she was my mother." InuYasha told him when he had understood the not asked
question.
"Even more of a reason to go on – to honor her memory, she was but one unworthy
human, yet – through you, she will be remembered for as long as you live. That
is the highest honor a demon can grant a human." Sesshoumaru told him, his
attention on the boy before him, rather then the grave of the woman.
"I…I am a demon?" There was fear in the child's voice, and Sesshoumaru felt his
muscles tense – if the woman had not already been dead, he would have likely
killed her without a second glance as he took his brother.
"You are half human – but over time their taint can be reduced, because of our
father – the Inu no Taishou, you are Inugami Daiyōkai as much as you are
human." Sesshoumaru tried to explain, it had not been out of kindness that not
even fifty years after rumors of his fathers affair with a human had reached
him, Sesshoumaru had left the western lands in search of his younger half
brother. He had thought the boy would be a powerful potential ally – and if
not, at least he would know his half brothers location and could watch him. It
eliminated the unknown threat the boy might pose when he was grown.
"But – that is what she gifted me with, this…taint – I don't want to forget her
anymore then I want to not to be human." InuYasha argued – and it was the first
of such arguments that Sesshoumaru knew would come to pass.
"Then you must live. To live, you must come with me – or would you rather be
alone?" Sesshoumaru asked knowing that though it was unnatural for either human
or demon, the way InuYasha had been raised might play an influence with his
choice.
"I…I will go with you." InuYasha decided, and so as the sun dawned Sesshoumaru,
unwilling or not, held the hand of his half brother as they walked away from
the village InuYasha had been raised. He would learn that life among demons was
no easier – but in his brother he had a companion.
Then, when InuYasha appeared the age of a teenager, Sesshoumaru – as he had
warned – became hostile. He saw his younger brother as a threat to his hold
over the western lands, for his brother was of age to challenge him. It was,
ironically to Sesshoumaru, the same reason they had disagreed over the grave of
InuYasha's mother, of his half-breed blood. InuYasha could not offer mere
companionship, it was not enough, and he was not demon enough to understand
what it was Sesshomaru needed to cease finding him a threat.
For what Sesshomaru needed was not spoken of between demons – it was primal,
and though not spoken of – all demons knew. It was, perhaps, the reason most
half human and half demon children did not reach puberty. It was a ritual so
ingrained in demons it had become instinct.
Luckily, InuYasha had allies other then his half brother – upon the suggestion
of Myoga, a flea demon who acted as advisor for InuYasha, who had brought
InuYasha's existence to the attention of Sesshomaru – InuYasha drank full demon
blood – the result was so terrifying to the youth that InuYasha banished
himself until he could find away to become whole demon and settle the
difference between half blood and the alien full demon blood.
Though Sesshomaru knew this, he sent Myoga to watch his brother. Deciding to
give him fifty-five years until he would confront his brother once more, in the
first five years, InuYasha met Kikyo - then spent fifty years pinned to a tree.
InuYasha shook his head in a dream, while he was still pinned to the tree. He
had forgotten drinking full demon blood – forgotten its curse which Tetsusaiga
held at bay – forgotten why he had sought so long to become full demon for his
brothers sake.
He still did not know what Sesshomaru needed from him to let things settle back
to how they had been in the beginning...it was his fault this had gone on so
long, his fault…
"Where is he?" Furious crimson eyes narrowed upon him, but InuYasha fond
himself clinging to the reality they represented – as much as he loathed those
red eyes they did not match with the mismatched nightmare that was his own
past. He was pinned to the tree, supposed to be asleep, and yet those eyes kept
him aware….he was not helpless, not yet…
"W-who?" InuYasha hissed out the question, for in that moment he had forgotten,
forgotten what was going on in the face of revisited pain.
"Harry." Lips formed the words, purred them in a dangerous murmur that made
InuYasha quite sure he knew where he stood with this person – he was cannon
fodder. But…but he wasn't – he was InuYasha, son of the Lord of the Western
Lands, and a priestess – and half brother to the current Lord of the Western
Lands.
Harry did not fit into his past…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
InuYasha found him self jerked awake with that thought, inhaling the night air
– the scent of his companions, welcoming the reassurance it brought him. Then
he smelt wolf demon blood – Kouga's blood.
***** Tears of Blood *****
InuYasha found him self jerked awake with that thought, inhaling the night air
– the scent of his companions, welcoming the reassurance it brought him. Then
he smelt wolf demon blood –Kouga's blood.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Itachi crouched in a tree branch, watching as below him, a demon lay – dying.
It was very unusual in appearance, but – then, Itachi only had Harry and
InuYasha to compare its appearance to. Its messy brown hair, tied back into a
pony tail did not hide its pointed ears.
It had a rough look, wild. Though that could have been because of the loincloth
fur it wore around its groin – and the armor it wore about its waist. It was
strong; Itachi knew that – he could see the shine of sweat along its muscles,
even in the dark. Blood seeped through the matted fur of both its "boots". That
seemed its only injury, and Itachi wondered morbidly, how it was that it had
survived so long with what must be a torn artery in at least one leg- if not
both.
"You can come out; I know you're up there. Might as well face me while I'm
still alive…coward." Those were bitter words, broken somehow from what they
might have been. Itachi raised an eyebrow, wondering what the harm could be in
going along with such a request. Itachi moved then, his curiosity driving him
to leap down and crouch at the demons side.
It jerked back, snarling, obviously surprised.
"It isn't nice to scare a dying demon. We're still deadly, till the end."
Lectured the demon, once it had gotten its breath back, Itachi's lips twitched,
finding the demon alike Kiba in its manner. Such likeness almost made Itachi
sympathize with it.
"Of that I have no doubt, though I don't think I – at least – am worth the
effort to kill with your dying breath. I am Itachi." He didn't know what made
him give his name, perhaps he felt bad for startling the demon so badly.
Perhaps he wanted his name to be known even more in the world – if there was
such a place – after death.
"Huh… a human with manners, what do you know… now I've seen
everything…m'Kouga." The demon or – rather, Kouga grunted as it settled into a
prone position on its – his – side, likely to better taken in Itachi's
appearance. He recognized the name – it had been one which was familiar with
Kagome and their quest for the Shikon no Tama, but he had to be sure – had to
play the part of the fool, for someone else might know he lacked knowledge of
this person and might set this trap.
"What happened to you?" Itachi couldn't help but ask, he knew – simply by the
appearance of the demon before him, that it was powerful, yet somehow something
had crippled it. Toyed with it. It was no mere coincidence that Itachi had
stumbled upon it, and he intended to learn why before this clue died with the
demon.
"Naraku is what happened, he got me – ripped my shards out. Left me for dead."
Those words were bitter, heated, and Itachi found he sympathized. Though the
word 'shard' caught his attention, so much so that he frowned with a sudden
thought, why was everything that led him back to Harry connected to the Shikon
no Tama? Still it wouldn't hurt to be sure.
"These shards of yours – are they connected with the Shikon no Tama?" Kouga
snorted with amusement, rolling his eyes up to look Itachi in the eye. Itachi
got the impression he was being measured for his worth – and intelligence.
"They are the shards of the Shikon no Tama." Kouga explained slowly, carefully,
as if Itachi were a fool.
"Then you can not be allowed to die. If you will allow me, I will take you to
Kagome and InuYasha." Itachi stated, holding out his hand for the demon to
take. If it was fool enough to make a strike for him, he could always take the
news to Kagome himself, though he knew she would not like it that he had
watched one of her friends die. An attempt had to be made, if only to say he
had done so.
Surprise passed over Kouga's expression, but he did not say anything as he held
out a clawed hand for Itachi to take. Likely, the demon thought he intended to
help him up, but this was not the case as he intended to take him directly to
Kagome though a ninja transportation technique. He made sure to appear before
the tree InuYasha had dozed in.
At the stench of blood, InuYasha woke – as did Shippo, who stared wide-eyed at
Itachi as if he had carved up Kouga's legs. Fool child, Itachi's lip curled at
the thought – if he had intended to kill someone he would not make it so public
unless it was necessary. Kirara was next to wake, taking it upon herself to
wake the humans with her insistent mewls.
"Kouga…what happened to you?" Kagome asked, Itachi remained silent as the demon
again explained what had happened while Kagome, and the monk, Miroku went about
healing him. He did not need the Sharingan to know that Kagome intended to keep
Kouga with their group, or to know that InuYasha was not pleased by this.
Itachi found he did not care, he held the hilt of Miyabita Shi, and wondered
where it was that Kikiyo had gone to that had been more important then safe
guarding Kouga and his Shikon no Tama shards from Naraku.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
In the dead of night, Kagura knew she did not have to worry for the others
stirring to discover what she was doing. In this at least, she was trusted. She
had taken the night shift since her creation, and as she was within the
dwelling of her master, he was arrogant enough not to worry over her loyalty.
With footsteps muffled by cloth and the very wind, which stole the sound before
it could reach the ear of another, Kagura strode toward where the boy was kept.
The boy was dying, and her master did not care. Her master had what he wanted
from the boy – there was no other use for him.
But…the boy had been kind to Kagura. In the least she knew she could see that
he die away from this place. Kagura glanced only once to the door that kept her
from the boy before walking past it, knowing it would open for her. It was a
small room, cold – and it reeked of blood and fear, Kagura found the boy where
she thought she would, huddled in the corner, his green eyes gleaming in the
darkness.
Kagura knelt beside him, at a distance, so he would not be spooked – she knew
he did not like things that moved too fast towards him. She reached out a hand,
waiting until he toughed the tips of her fingers before speaking.
"I know you might not understand me, but you must remain silent so I can help
you. Will you let me help you?" Kagura asked, keeping her tone hushed – she
knew he did not respond well to loud pitch or rapid speech. Surprising her, the
boy nodded abruptly, his finger pressing to his lips.
She could not help but smile as she held both her arms out, as if wanting a
hug, without a word the boy curled snugly against her, tucking his head beneath
her chin, as a child might. With ease she lifted him with one arm; her master
had not been feeding him properly, though Kagura sensed he had always been
small.
With her other hand she took a feather from her hair, tweaking it on his nose
so he would not be afraid of it. Kagura then took him outside, when he shivered
from the cold night air; she scolded herself for not thinking of getting
another blanket. But she could not risk going back to get one now – as if he
sensed her thoughts, he clenched his jaw, determined not to clatter his teeth
together, as she had seen some humans do because of the cold.
With a sigh and a flare of power, Kagura knew the feather grew from something
one could hold in their hands, into something one could sit upon. Without
hesitating, Kagura stepped onto the feather, knowing the boy would not like to
leap up into the air as was her usual habit. Without much interference on her
part, she knew the feather would take them to where she wanted to go.
Her cheek rested upon the boy's wispy black hair, and she wondered if this –
holding such a vulnerable child, being responsible for it – was at all like
what a parent was to their babe. She knew that she would never know, and
blinked back tears, dismissing them as the wind stinging her eyes – though she
had never felt such a thing.
It felt like such a sort time, but then, she knew the night to be half over
when she spotted whom she had set out to find. Standing upon a hill was the
Lord of the Western Lands himself, Sesshomaru. He seemed to be waiting for her,
watching as the feather slowly circled as it drifted downwards – again, for the
boys sake.
"Kagura…this is a surprise." Sesshomaru murmured softly, golden eyes meeting
her red ones once before sliding towards the boy she held. Her grip tightened
protectively, and Sesshomaru's expression slid into bland disinterest.
"I require your aide." Kagura stated, knowing that Sesshomaru could determine
that much without her saying so, but she felt, also, that she must say
something. Sesshomaru did not have to so much as lift an eyebrow for her to
know he found her obvious statement amusing.
"This boy was captured by Naraku. He has served whatever his purpose was;
Naraku wants him only to watch him die now. I do not intend to allow that to
happen." Kagura finished her explanation – already she knew she had
Sesshomaru's attention.
"How do you think I can…help you?" Sesshomaru asked, though the answer was
obvious to both of them, she knew he would want her to say it. He would want
his role laid out in her eyes; Sesshomaru did nothing unless he knew what was
wanted of him, and how it benefited him.
"Keep him alive, Sesshomaru, that's all I ask. Call it my dying wish, if you
will do nothing else on my behalf." Kagura knew her time was short, for already
the dawn warmed the land. She had to have an answer, one way or another.
"Then, if it is so important to you, you have my word I will ensure the boy
dies painlessly when his time comes." Sesshomaru told her after a long pause,
needlessly drawn out to watch Kagura squirm. Or to read her true attentions,
Kagura did not care so long as he agreed to care for the boy who she regarded
as – if only within her own mind – hers.
"Very well, that is all I can ask of you, as you so like taking in helpless
humans." Kagura gently set the boy at Sesshomaru's feet, knowing that Rin and
Kohaku – who were below with Jaken and Ah-Un. If the boy would stay alive until
Rin and Kohaku awoke, Kagura knew Sesshomaru would have little choice in caring
for the boy – the chances of that were likely, even Sesshomaru knew that much.
Sesshomaru curled his lip, but before he could speak another word, Kagura fled
swiftly, feeling guilty – empty.
Sesshomaru glanced once more to the human boy at his feet, and inhaling,
kneeled to look the child in the eyes. Then he frowned, startled by his scent –
Kagura might not have noticed as she was, he knew – not a canine demon. This
boy had not always been human. Sesshomaru frowned, wondering just what it was
that Naraku was up to.
With little effort he lifted the boy, who stared at him, speechless, as
Sesshomaru took him into the camp. When Kohaku and Rin awoke they would have
another companion – that is, of course, if they could keep him alive.
Sesshomaru did not intend to see the boy die, and would do his part to keep the
boy alive, as – after all – was Kagura's dying wish.
Humans, he knew, would have likely thought her dramatic, but Sesshomaru knew
very well that arriving after dark without the boy might mean her death,
pending how Naraku felt this morning. Sesshomaru laid the boy beside Rin,
frowning when the boy did not say anything, merely staring about himself, as if
he did not know how to speak. It was not in Sesshomaru's nature to comfort
children, so he said nothing as he went to the fireside, knowing the children –
the human ones, at least – would be hungry when they awoke.
"Sesshomaru…what is another human child doing here?" Jaken grumbled, glaring at
the rumpled child who sat beside Ah-Un, leaning against the dragons hide to
take in its warmth. Sesshomaru did not answer; he did not have to for Jaken had
already wakened Rin and Kohaku with his words.
"Hello, I'm Rin – he's Kohaku, and the grumpy toad is Jaken, and you ought to
know Lord Sesshomaru, and the two headed dragon is Ah-Un. He's very sweet.
What's your name?" Rin spoke rapidly, always one to be chipper in the morning.
More sedately, Kohaku took in the boy's ragged appearance.
"He may not be able to speak, Rin." Kohaku told her gently, echoing a thought
that Sesshomaru had had.
"My…name…is Harry…Blackbird." The words came slowly, haltingly, as if he was
unsure of their welcome. Rin smiled with delight, and patted Harry "Blackbird"
on the hand easily. Not seeming to notice or care that in that moment the boy
had flinched.
"Hairy Blackbird…? What a odd name, but – don't worry, your safe here, I
promise, Kohaku and I won't let anything happen to you." Rin promised
seriously, and beside her, Kohaku nodded solemnly.
Jaken, muttering unpleasant things beneath his breath, merely rolled his eyes.
Sesshomaru kept himself expressionless, but knew that he too would do
everything in his power to ensure that Rin's word, and Kagura death wish, went
unbroken.
***** Black Flame of Amaterasu *****
At the stench of blood, InuYasha woke – as didShippo, who stared wide-eyed at
Itachi as if he had carved up Kouga's legs.Fool child, Itachi's lip curled at
the thought – if he had intended to kill someone he would not make it so public
unless it was necessary. Kirara was next to wake, taking it upon herself to
wake the humans with her insistent mewls.
"Kouga…what happened to you?" Kagome asked, Itachi remained silent as the demon
again explained what had happened while Kagome, and the monk,Miroku went about
healing him. He did not need theSharingan to know that Kagome intended to keep
Kouga with their group, or to know that InuYasha was not pleased by this.
Itachi found he did not care, he held the hilt of Miyabita Shi, and wondered
where it was that Kikiyo had gone to that had been more important then safe
guarding Kouga and his Shikon no Tama shards from Naraku.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Itachi…" InuYasha half growled his name, as Itachi had been tuning the
collative group out since they'd been discussing what to do – there had been
talk of taking Kouga back to Kaede's village.
Though, when considering how short they were on time, this had been dismissed –
how they were going to take Kouga with them (because they certainly couldn't
leave him here, as it was against their "pure" morals) was the next topic being
argued out; Itachi had only to glance at the half-dog demon boy to know he
wanted something from him.
He wasn't surprised, tilting his head; he acknowledged the group, focusing his
attention on InuYasha. He realized they had been silent for quite some time,
likely InuYasha had nearly been at the end of his temper.
"We need you," the words were spat out, reluctant, and Itachi nearly chuckled
to hear InuYasha say them, "to show us where you found Kouga." He was gritting
his teeth, Itachi had a feeling this "asking nicely" was Kagome's idea, he
resisted the urge to tease, or otherwise aggregate, InuYasha. Instead he merely
walked into the forest, expecting to be followed. Surprisingly, it was more
effective in pissing off InuYasha then any mere set of words.
Within half the distance to where he had found Kouga, Itachi was considering
killing Kagome just to spite InuYasha who was clearly enjoying this form of
round-about revenge. The girl whined about everything – bugs that she didn't
see, how far she had to walk, homework (as if that was important while
wandering around in a demon infested forest), looking and smelling "clean",
what her friends were doing – what her family was doing. If at any point Itachi
could have forgotten she was from the future, he would have been grateful. He
couldn't – it was impossible. He almost felt bad for Miroku, who had tagged
along and was the one most of these comments were being directed at. He didn't
care if the monk was a "pervert", he had the patience of a saint, and so far if
Itachi were to kill the group, he'd let Miroku live, just as a common kindness
for having to deal with her.
Without causing blood or screams (he was partly disappointed in this, but it
was just as well) they arrived, where he got the pleasure of seeing Kagome turn
a pasty white. He wondered if she'd puke. Then he turned his attention to their
surroundings, it would not be wise to let his guard down in such a place.
Miyabita Shi seemed to "sing" in agreement and approval at the edges of his
mind, the "noise" made him tense – he had not expected it, having gotten used
to the silence the sword gave off.
If this was what Harry had to deal with on an everyday bases, Itachi almost
felt bad for him. Itachi liked his privacy, and Miyabita Shi was anything but
"private"; to have a bond with such an inanimate object (most especially a
weapon) was...odd. He had always thought the same of Kisame, but it had never
interfered with the other mans ability – if anything it had improved his worth
to Akatsuki.
It still disturbed him, to find an ally of those he was traveling with, injured
so close to where the others camped. It was as if it had been setup as a trap.
Or to taunt them with the knowledge that they were helpless. It was why, in the
hush of the night – he glimpsed two orbs, burning with blue flames like eyes
glaring at them from the darkness of the forest.
Wary, he glanced to the others to see that both Miroku and Kagome had noticed,
and looked as if they were in a trance. InuYasha shared an almost panicked look
with him (he was hoping his expression was "neutral alarm"), before going to
Kagome's side and touching her shoulder. She looked to InuYasha, but he could
tell that she wasn't there – she didn't recognize InuYasha. Something was
wrong.
"They…they almost seem asleep." InuYasha murmured, looking to Miroku, who
seemed only to breath, staring ahead into the darkness. Itachi didn't like this
new development in the least. The two "flames" split into six, swirling about
and if Itachi didn't know better, he would have thought he heard hushed
whispers, and laughter. One set of six moved away, deeper into the forest –
Miroku followed it obediently, Itachi took a step after him – he wasn't about
to let the only one of this group he liked become demon chow.
"Stay with Kegome –try to get her back with the others, once she's away from
those," he nodded to the swaying blue glittering fireballs, "she should be
alright. I'll be back with Miroku." Itachi came as close to promising to bring
the young monk back –alive- as he had ever done since leaving Konoha.
InuYasha didn't look as if he was about to trust him, truthfully, Itachi
wouldn't have trusted himself either – but InuYasha had little choice. Itachi
went after Miroku, intent on getting his "human buffer" back - alive. Miroku
stopped, after they were away from the others – even out of hearing and smell
of a half-demon, Itachi was sure.
"Why do you possess this monk?" Itachi asked, careful to avoid using Miroku's
name. There was a certain power with knowing names. Besides, the question was
directed more toward the burning blue orbs that hovered and swirled about
behind Miroku. He didn't know how he would be answered – if he would be
answered – but it was clear that Miroku had been used as bait.
"He, and the girl, are… sensitive – yet their ability to protect themselves
makes them all the more vulnerable." It was Miroku's lips and voice, but Itachi
knew it wasn't really Miroku, there was certain blandness, and more then a
little arrogance.
"To what?" Itachi thought he knew, but it would be just as well to have it
explained to him. Demons were like people in one aspect – they over shared
information. Itachi was intent on taking advantage of that.
"I am a lust demon; this body is young, desirable. You are part demon; feeding
sexual energy from you would be…a pleasure." Possessed, Miroku licked his lips,
eyes lowered, as his hands played at undoing his robes, untying the fastenings
at the side of the cloth, so it hung loose, exposing him, Itachi realized all
Miroku would have to do is shrug his shoulders to be free of his clothing.
"You assume I will take advantage." Itachi murmured, not at all pleased with
this – while he was, distantly, attracted to Miroku – he wanted nothing to do
with what possessed him. An understanding passed between them, the burning blue
orbs flickered in indecision.
"I will give his mind back – I only need to be near to feed, this is what I
offer you." It was a deal – he could fuck Miroku – save him, for he did not
doubt that there would be some twist. It could not be as easy as the demon laid
it out to be. He would not give up his prey merely because his "victims" were
squeamish about rutting.
"If I refuse?" Itachi asked, his eyes narrowed at the three burning blue orbs
that were the "lust" demon, he loathed to be taken advantage of – manipulated -
so blatantly.
"I will kill him; I have already let one escape from me this night." With luck,
that "one" was Kagome and InuYasha – they had been closer to the edge of the
woods, something told him that this demon dared not roam beyond that line of
trees. Even so, Itachi was barely tolerated by the group; he could not go back
to them only to report one of their own dead. Worse, he needed their help –
they knew this place, knew who their – his – enemies were. For now those
enemies seemed one and the same.
"You have a deal, demon." Itachi spat the words out, loathing that he was
controlled as a pawn so easily.
"Very well – I will let…nature…take its due course." Possessed, Miroku smirked,
knowing damn well why Itachi was reluctant and, likely, finding it "amusing".
Hissing under his breath, Itachi vowed to see this demon dead. It was likely
weakest while feeding, it would not expect an attack with them distracted.
"I-Itachi? What, what's going on? Why are we out here?" He could tell it was
the real Miroku who spoke, could tell that he was a bit confused over the fact
his clothes were undone and they stood facing face to face. It would be a short
distance to close in on Miroku – to kiss him.
"Do you not remember? You wanted to see where I found Kouga. A…lust demon…has
infected you; it wants us to…fuck. It warned me that if we do not, it will kill
you." Itachi explained, finding the situation awkward and uneasy with the
silence that hovered between them. Worse, he had lost sight of the burning blue
orbs.
"That…actually explains something." Miroku mused, sounding almost relieved. As
they had nothing to be relieved about, Itachi raised his brow, letting his
Akatsuki robes slid down one arm. He supposed they could lie down upon it –
though it wouldn't keep the scent of what they had done off of them. InuYasha,
at least, would be aware – Kouga would likely know as well. Itachi only hopped
Shippo was too young to recognize such things.
"Such as?" Itachi drawled, when it became apparent Miroku wasn't going to say
anything more unless prompted.
"Why I…uh, don't get me wrong, you scare the shit out of me – but I'm not
usually into the whole kinky part of being scared." Miroku muttered, flushed,
Itachi felt a chuckle build and choked it down. This had to be done swiftly,
knowing Miroku was scared of him, though did not assonate that fear with
arousal he felt tightening his skin (likely a result of the presence of a lust
demon) was amusing, but would not be useful to saving his life. Itachi was
fairly certain he only had a certain amount of time before the lust demon took
matters into its own hands. If it had hands.
"Do you consent?" Itachi asked then, ignoring what Miroku had told him for now
seemed to be the best course of action. He had to know if this was going to
work, if not he was not above using his Sharingan to manipulate the situation
into something he could work with. He was going the "easy" way because he did
not want Miroku to suffer, but if Miroku did not want this – he was not about
to take advantage.
"What – oh! Uh, guess I haven't got much of a choice, do I?" Miroku seemed to
catch on, and smiled sheepishly, his eyes ran down the length of Itachi's body
– he always felt exposed when he unfastened the Akatsuki robes. He had never
liked the feeling, but knew it was necessary to continue in this…action.
"It is still a choice." Itachi commented, annoyed that Miroku seemed not to
consider this.
"Yeah, thanks for that. Yes. I consent." Itachi glanced up to see Miroku slip
out of his robes with a shrug, walking towards Itachi with a dark gaze that
seemed almost...hungry. Itachi felt suddenly trapped with Miroku's flesh
against him. Boldly, the other man kissed him, heat tightening his chest, made
him gasp. He had thought he would be the aggressor, he had never considered
Miroku to take the lead.
Long fingers lifted the back of his fishnet shirt, tugging it upwards. Itachi
got the hint, and shrugged out the shirt, letting it fall carelessly to the
forest floor. Miroku did not hesitate when his scars and other injures that
were a matter of course for one who lived the sort of life that Itachi did,
touching his bare skin, fingers paying along the dusting of hair – Miroku's
warm mouth enclosing his nipple, sucking on it – teasing it with teeth and
tongue.
Itachi felt dizzy – intoxicated to the point he wondered if he had been
drugged, he blinked to awareness when Miroku slid a long fingered hand into his
pants, unfastening them, playing with the sensitive hair along his navel. He
couldn't help but shiver when the cloth slipped away, his skin exposed – he was
vulnerable, he had never been so vulnerable. He shook with fear – with need –
when Miroku teased the sensitive flesh of his member. Dark eyes watching
Itachi, as if waiting – if he was waiting, Itachi did not know for what.
The tip of a finger scrapped along the flesh of his entrance – all too suddenly
he knew, he would dominated, as Miroku seemed to know what he was doing, Itachi
tried not to let this bother him. It was wiser to learn from experience then to
suffer for Itachi's ego.
"Is this your choice….do you want this?" Miroku murmured into his ear, lips
touching the shell, teasing the sensitive flesh there. Itachi shuddered,
closing his eyes to feeling, finding his own answer among the chaos of his own
mind and feelings, as it threatened to drown him – it was Miroku who held him
steady, who seemed to be the calm in the middle of the storm.
"Yes." Itachi's voice was shaky, not at all like what he remembered he sounded
like.
"Good." Miroku muttered licking from his ear to his jaw. Then with mischievous
eyes, the monk sunk to his knees, so he faced Itachi's loins. He smirked up at
him, watching Itachi as his tongue snaked out, licking at the tip, swirling
about until Itachi felt dizzy at the sensation.
He remembered gripping Miroku's hair, the silk like strands tangled about his
fist in a grip that Miroku would not be going anywhere anytime soon. Above him,
Itachi shuddered, half gasping and letting out breathy moans of encouragement.
He had never felt anything like this. He realized as his hips arched and his
neck tilted back, that he wanted more, even as he came into Miroku's mouth.
Miroku held him up, easing him to the ground, sprawled on his Akatsuki robes,
half on Miroku's lap; he weakly realized Miroku was still hard. Itachi looked
up at the other man, sweat glistened along Miroku's skin, Itachi didn't know
why –or how, but it was like Miroku had a haze of light settled over his skin.
It did not hold the lust demons blue taint, so he knew that was not what he was
seeing.
Miroku ran his long fingers through his hair, and Itachi realized the position
he was in. He faced Miroku's still throbbing groin, feeling awkward – and not
entirely certain of what he was doing, he hesitantly set his lips to the warm
hard flesh before him. Miroku watched him, seeming to savor the sight, as
Itachi licked and sucked, teasing with teeth, until the gentle grip on his hair
tightened and Miroku shuddered, gasping, as he came hot, and tangy in Itachi's
mouth.
They didn't speak as they dressed, though Itachi would occasionally catch
Miroku watching him as they walked out of the woods. Before they reached the
edge of the woods, he paused, remembering he had vow to fulfill, his hands
formed seals, and if he smiled a little ruthlessly as he spoke the words,
Miroku never mentioned it.
"Amaterasu." Black flames took the forest, targeting the lust demon, though
uncomplicated in nature, taking what lay between it and its goal.
***** An All Too Familiar Past *****
Though it was likely they had only gotten a few hours of sleep, and the still
dark night offered no other threats, none of them could sleep. Itachi had
retreated to a point that was safely away from the group, though within a wary
distance of the forest being consumed by black flame. It was eerie, how the
flames flickered and waved, silent as the wind, though so like the shadows that
seeped through the night he could have thought the flames an illusion of
shadows.
Though he strained not to show it, Itachi had weakened himself with that burst
of power. He knew he would be useless if they arrived to where they were going
(that Itachi was unsure showed all too well the fact that he was not welcome
among this close nit group) only to be exhausted by having gone all this way.
If he let Harry down in such a way…it did not bid thinking of.
A small mewling cry alerted him to the fact that he was not alone. His eyes
took in the sight of the small two tailed cat that had followed him the
distance away from the others, only to settle at his feet and look up at him
pleadingly for attention.
Itachi pressed his lips in an expression that could be equal parts amusement
and annoyance, knowing they would miss the little critter if it wondered off in
a huff simply because he had refused it attention. Likely ignoring it would end
up alienating him all the more. He could not afford to lose the only possible
allies he had in this strange place.
So it was for this reason, not some imagined softness for animals, that he bent
and picked up the small bundle of fur. It cooed happily, its tiny tails curling
about his hands and fingers as if reluctant to let him go. He tried not to show
how that oddly possessive gesture disturbed him.
His thought that the critter – Kirara, he remembered the cat demons name to be
– would be missed proved correct when he glimpsed the little fox boy – Shippo
by name, tug on the long sleeves of Sango, glancing in Itachi's direction. Her
eyes met his, and took in the sight of Kirara nestled in his arms.
She seemed amused, rather then alarmed. She patted Shippo's hair before
smoothly rising to her feet, Itachi noticed – as he was sure he was meant to –
that she had left her demon bone boomerang weapon, the Hiraikotsum with the
group. Itachi had little doubt that she did not have other weapons, but it was
still a show of faith on her part.
Miroku watched her leave the group – he was not the only one – but it was he
who Itachi concerned himself with as he wasn't sure what to make of the monk.
While Miroku had walked ahead to greet his group after emerging from the now
burning forest, Itachi had stayed behind.
There had been hugging – and sniffling, and until now they had spoken in hushed
tones with only the occasional glance in Itachi's direction. It was rather
obvious he was being talked about, he found he did not care, so long as they
did nothing to keep him from following they could gossip of him all they
pleased.
Itachi came back to the present when Sango stopped within arms reach of him.
Kirara chipped a happy greeting. For a while, it was the only sound as the two
studied each other. Itachi was not a fool, he recognized Sango for what she was
– she was a ninja, or what they had originated from as demon hunters. It was an
interesting fact, and explained their secretive ways, and why demons more often
then not chose to attack them rather then civilians. It also, Itachi knew,
explained how demon blood had seeped into ninja families over the course of
generations.
"It might help us trust you," Sango began letting Kirara sniff her gloveless
fingers, "if we knew something about you." Itachi glanced away, frowning, it
went against his nature to trust her, but he felt a kinship with her. A bond,
alike what he had felt for shinobi he had worked with.
"I search for my brother." Her volunteered words startled him, and he met her
eyes hesitantly. She smiled, though he saw it for something like a mask to hide
the pain. There was more to her then that simple statement.
"My own brother would have said the same, before I let him find me." Itachi
didn't know why he let her know that. It wasn't as if she could do anything
with his words, but he knew he wasn't fooling himself – every bit of
information held power, it was what you did with it that changed the opinions
of those around you.
"That is an interesting way to say what you mean." Sango commented, not making
any more threatening move then to run her fingers through the fur of the small
two tailed cat demon that had claimed Itachi's arms. He knew they were being
watched, knew that Kirara had likely planned to make him appear harmless, so
that one of them would approach him. For the first time he realized how cleaver
the two tailed cat demon truly was. For some reason she liked him – he wasn't
sure the feeling was mutual.
"We two are of the last of our family, the Uchiha – I killed the others." He
didn't have any reason to hide that from them – they suspected he was
dangerous. He spared only a moment to wonder what she – what they – would do
with the information he had given over willingly.
"Why?" Sango asked, her voice was steady, calm, though he wondered why that
was.
"There is demon blood that flows through me – though all Uchiha, I don't know
what kind of demon, but whatever they were they don't willingly share territory
with kin when they grow strong. It would not have been a problem, had my family
not acted to restrict my movements. I could not handle their manipulations, not
when I found the truth…" Itachi let himself smile, knowing it was not a
pleasant expression. He was not afraid of the fact that he liked to kill, but
Sango met his eyes – had not turned away – and he wondered if like did not
after all recognize like.
"My little brother was possessed by a spider demon under the influence of
Naraku. He set a trap for us – and Kohaku had little choice but to kill our
group – even our father could not raise a weapon against him. I thought I was
dead when his chain-sickle stabbed me in the back – when I was shot with arrows
along with my little brother. But we did not die. I went home – to find it
destroyed. Naraku manipulated me into thinking InuYasha had killed them; I was
overcome by blood lust for revenge. He could have killed me. He did not, only
later did I understand what had happened, and now I look for Kohaku – though he
is alive only because a shard of the Shikon…" What she was implying, Itachi
knew, was that they were not so dissimilar. It was an offer of – if not
friendship – then understanding. An understanding that they could work together
if they chose to, slowly, Itachi nodded, and Sango smiled as Kirara leapt into
her arms.
She turned to leave, to rejoin the rest of the group – then paused.
"We search for Kikyo." So, he was not the only one who wondered what had caused
her plans to protect Kouga to change.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
It seemed to Itachi, that once one made the mistake of saving someone, one was
somehow burdened with carrying said someone. Especially seeing as how Kouga had
had his legs slashed open, had bled out – and the damage had been done. As a
group they had decided Itachi was the resident pack-mule. It was most annoying.
Mostly because Kouga would not stop squirming.
"You don't talk much, do you?"
Or speaking, Itachi grunted what he hoped sounded like an affirmative.
"So, I've got to wonder how it is you got in the monks pants – he seems like
one to talk a lot while being seduced." Hot breath brushed the back of his ear,
Kouga at least kept his tone low or else Itachi would have killed him. As it
was his lip curled in distaste at the twist in topic, before Kouga had been
rambling on about his pack, his lands – as if Itachi should care about such
things.
"Unless he did the seducing…" Kouga chuckled darkly, feeling Itachi tense up
beneath him.
"Wouldn't have pegged you for a submissive…" The wolf demons voice was a low
growl, and he shifted position again, bringing Itachi's attention to his
hardening length pressed almost possessively against Itachi's backside. Itachi
gritted his teeth, but Kouga did not speak again. He had made his point. It was
obvious he was 'interested'.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
InuYasha was no fool; he had smelt the scent of sex waft off Miroku when the
perverted monk had rejoined them. He would have been worried, Kagome had
certainly reacted strongly to the blue-burning orbs, she had chased after him,
and her scent of arousal tempting – but InuYasha had known she would never
forgive him for satisfying his lust with her, however willing she had appeared
when not in her right mind. Nearly a day later – it was certainly becoming dusk
once more, and his lust, while abated, was still stirred.
It was hard, with Miroku beside him, and Itachi – who smelt just as strongly of
sex – behind them. It really was no wonder that Kouga had become interested in
the dark haired dangerous eyed man who carried him upon his back. InuYasha had
heard the promises interlaced within the wolf demons words, though Itachi did
not likely recognize them as such.
Promises of food, of care – of a pack and somewhere to go home to, such
promises, InuYasha was both pleased and amused to see, had had no affect upon
Itachi. Though what Kouga wanted had become obvious when he had become
suggestive. Itachi had said nothing, and InuYasha was grateful – for that had
shut the wolf demon up. He was pouting even now that his ploy hadn't worked,
thought Itachi found that most amusing.
Shippo was, luckily, distracted by Kirara and Sango to notice or question the
scent that practically smothered the two males. Neither had spoken of the
incident, but it didn't seem to have caused a rift – as if in the midst of sex
the two had reached an understanding.
It was the sort of understanding that InuYasha knew he craved. He also knew he
would not admit such – not even on his deathbed. He had called a stop to the
group's progress earlier, and was amused that Itachi seemed to take cover
beside Miroku and Sango who sat alongside Kagome, so the wolf was distracted.
That was another thing; Itachi was easing his way into their group almost too
easily. It disturbed InuYasha, this trust the humans held with this obviously
dangerous individual.
Then again, it could be – he knew well – the fact that this man had tortured
him was why he did not trust Itachi. Envied him, lusted for him inadvertently
because the man's scent was soiled by sex, yes – but trust and respect came
slowly for InuYasha.
"I'll take mid-watch." Itachi spoke up, obviously believing he did not need as
much sleep as the humans that surrounded him.
"Last." Kouga murmured softly, hungry gaze on Itachi who otherwise ignored the
wolf demon. That left InuYasha with first watch – a task he found he did not
mind too much. It meant he could make up the sleep he had lost the night
before. InuYasha was both amused – and annoyed – when Itachi settled to sleep
in the tree he had claimed as his own. He understood though – it kept him away
from Kouga whose legs had not yet healed to the point where he could stand, let
alone climb trees. Still, the wounds no longer bled, and were healing cleanly.
Likely he would be walking in another day or two.
InuYasha wondered if the other would be relieved to have such news, he turned
to speak to find Itachi asleep. It was odd; to see him so peaceful, there was
always tightness about his jaw and eyes when he was awake. Tenseness to his
shoulders and the way he held himself.
He is expecting, InuYasha realized in that moment as he gazed at the otherwise
helpless form of his torturer, an attack.
InuYasha wondered what his childhood must have been like, if he had been alone
– like InuYasha had been - or if something worse had happened to him. InuYasha
knew he was lucky in his early life, in those critical beginning years; he had
always had someone watching out for him, ready to protect him. Who, if anyone,
had this man had? InuYasha thought, perhaps, that Harry – the boy they were
looking for – might have been the key to Itachi keeping himself sane. If he
was, InuYasha hoped they found him alive. He did not look forward to facing
Itachi without any sort of restraint on the part of the other.
Startling him, Itachi made a pained sound, InuYasha glanced to him, wondering
if he should wake the other, or let him suffer within his own mind. Itachi
seemed to struggle, unable to call out. It was then InuYasha moved; leaning
over the other caught in his curiously as he studied the tormented face of the
one who had tortured him. What would such a man have nightmares of?
InuYasha held his breath; a small movement from either of them might end up in
one or the other touching, skin to skin. The thought was revolting, and oddly
attractive. Itachi tensed up before he jerked to wakefulness. Half lidded black
eyes watched InuYasha, wary – he had not jerked away when he realized his
position – his vulnerability. That spoke of training. InuYasha covered Itachi's
slender hands with his own long ones, clawed tips digging into the soft flesh
of his wrists. This man was mostly human, though his demon traits were obvious.
"What do you want, InuYasha?" The whisper breathed over him, lulled his mind,
temped him – tormented him. InuYasha could hurt him. Kill him. He didn't want
to.
"What you had with Miroku." Itachi's eyes grew cold at InuYasha's answer.
"What he and I shared was an understanding of survival. It would have killed us
otherwise." There was not accusation in Itachi, he was not being blamed for the
circumstances that had forced the pair to…mate. He understood that, but he
couldn't stop the rush of heat that tingled from the palm of his skin where it
made contact with Itachi's hands to along his spine and tightening along his
lower region.
"I want to…to feel…" InuYasha found he could not say what he wanted, though he
thought it well enough. He wanted the understanding that Itachi seemed to share
with Miroku. He wanted companionship. He loved Kagome – had loved Kikyo, he did
not love Itachi. They both knew that.
"Why are they drawn to you?" It was hissed, stung with anger and something
deeper – jealousy.
"I do not know." Itachi murmured, knowing that though his life was in danger,
he wasn't afraid. He could be free of the others grip, despite the claws that
dug painfully into his wrists, but while he knew that…he did not want it.
"They want you…I…" InuYasha found the words stuck in his throat, he glanced
away, eyes flicking to the ground below and his sleeping companions below. He
didn't notice the wolf demon shift in his 'sleep', only to turn his attention
to the pair in the tree. InuYasha's attention caught on Itachi, he wore a
curious expression – as if he understood.
"Want me?" Itachi murmured, closing his eyes as he remembered moments in the
past, people, who if not for Kisame would have taken advantage though Itachi
had not understood what the former ninja of Mist had protected him from. This
was the first time Itachi had mused over killing his long companion, it ached –
but it had had to be done. He knew that, no matter the regrets.
"Yes…" InuYasha finally answered having been caught up in the expressions that
had washed over Itachi's face in the moments it had taken him to speak. He had
recognized the regret – pain, and felt that he knew them as closely as Itachi
did. There was a kinship in this pain they shared. The pain of being something
different, of being alone until someone had changed that. Itachi seemed to
realize this in the moment that InuYasha did. The dog eared boy lowered his
head, licking Itachi's bottom lip to comfort him – to encourage an answer. It
was not too late to turn back – one of them could put a stop to this.
"If it is what you desire – and will convince you that I seek only to retrieve
Harry, then you may have what you want…what I want…" Itachi shuddered beneath
him, unresisting when InuYasha released his wrists to undo their clothing.
Itachi let his clothing fall away, caught in the branches of the tree they
rested in. All it would take was someone to look up and see the shadows moving,
and they would be caught. It was a disturbingly attractive thought.
Itachi felt as if his skin ached and burned to be touched, and let out a
startled whoosh of breath when InuYasha, letting out a rough growl, touched his
teeth along Itachi's neck – lapping at the sensitive skin, biting at the
vulnerable flesh – just below the skin his blood flowed, raced, seeming to
tease InuYasha. One of the half demons hands clenched in his hair, holding him
still. Itachi had never been so uncertain of where to place his hands and
settled for touching them along InuYasha's shoulders and sides, urging him
further along.
InuYasha knew the scent of their mating would frighten away lesser demons. It
was ingrained; lesser demons did not survive if they lingered near a coupling
pair. Most especially not something canine, though InuYasha knew other – higher
demons – like his brother or Kouga, would undoubtedly question the scent if
they came across it.
This was unclaimed territory, and both of them were partly human – and not
considered a great threat. Though InuYasha wondered what Kouga's reaction would
be – to find that the human he had promised so much to would rather have him
then a wolf demon…he felt a stirring of pride as he tightened his hold on
Itachi's hair, his other hand trailing between them to fist Itachi. He would
see Itachi release, and then mark his claim…
Itachi's tongue danced within InuYasha's mouth, playing curiously along the
sharp teeth – trailing, the tease, along the roof of his mouth, avoiding
tangling his tongue with InuYasha's in a dance of dominance, instead probing
gently, which stirred InuYasha more then dominance. He wanted to claim the
other – regain some of the dignity he had lost, but he was touched and soothed
that Itachi was curious of him, rather then using him.
Itachi unexpectedly arched his hip against InuYasha's thigh, moaning into the
kiss – a deep guttural sound that urged InuYasha onward, gripping Itachi's
shaft and moving against him – thrusting, rutting like he truly wished to be
while within the other – Itachi shivered, biting down on InuYasha's tongue –
drawing blood – as he came, arching and thrashing helplessly, against InuYasha.
Weakly, Itachi's eyes half open, he saw InuYasha's golden eyes tinted bloody
red, and fear of a threat stirred, only eased when InuYasha touched his chin
gently, long tongue lapping at his lips, removing his own blood from Itachi.
InuYasha growled softly when Itachi reached to touch the half-demon's length,
he paused, eyes on the pulsing shaft, hot and engrossed by lust. It tempted
him, called at him. He wanted to touch it, to be touched by it.
He understood in that moment, what InuYasha wanted, when claws gripped his hips
eagerly, spreading his legs, his groin trapped between their stomachs as
InuYasha pressed into him. Itachi was grateful the other hadn't thought to
prepare him, those claws touching him would – without a doubt – do damage. He'd
rather be taken dry then disemboweled accidently by an eager lover.
Itachi relaxed, using meditation to ease his muscles swiftly, he was surprised
to feel the head of InuYasha's groin was slick with pre, eagerly it twitched,
just within him, and Itachi breathed out in pain, trying to ease the urge to
tense – knowing it would only hurt more if he did so.
InuYasha did his part to distract him with kisses, licking at his neck and
ears, tongue playing at his skin. Though the pain he began to feel pleasure and
wondered if he did not, indeed, like the pain of being taken just a little too
much to be considered normal.
As he was thrust into, InuYasha touched something deep within him and he fought
not to cry out in need, instead digging his teeth and lips in the flesh of
InuYasha's shoulders, shaking with need, but otherwise noiseless. InuYasha
seemed to understand all to well, thrusting in faster and harder, eager to take
him roughly. It was then that Itachi found he did not care what others thought
of his love of pain and pleasure mixing. It was just him. Just as he loved
killing in a way that was not a mere thrill, in a way many considered unnatural
– he loved this.
"Thank you…" Itachi wasn't sure if he truly spoke the words, and wasn't sure if
he cared. InuYasha growled, threatening to bite into the base of his throat –
holding him there, helpless and crazed with want as he came inside of Itachi,
his wetness coating his inner thighs. Itachi panted, InuYasha atop him, they
stayed that way for a while, and when InuYasha, not saying a word, trusted him
enough to sleep along side him, Itachi spent most of his watch gazing at
InuYasha.
***** Allure Of Miyabita Shi *****
Itachi stirred, glancing to the moon above, his eyes narrowing. He knew demons,
and – in theory, half demons - experienced heightened sexual tension during
certain seasons or lunar phases. It had never been an issue for him before, he
was not one to be ruled by his desires – or be used. There was a remote
possibility that the influx of…sex…was natural, perhaps triggered by a cause
Itachi did not yet understand.
Somehow, he didn't think that the case.
Itachi had never felt the desire – or passion – that it took to be with
another, even when he had had the time for such things. Harry had been his
reason – his passion – for doing a great many things, but this…this felt like a
betrayal.
The first encounter he could excuse himself from – it had been under the
influence of a demonic succubus, in a situation where it was either sex or
death. Itachi would not aid Harry if he died for his pride. This time he had
progressed to penetration, and there had not been a visible or intellectual
force to encourage things. Itachi knew himself well enough to know that this
wasn't some attempt on his part to "making up" for years of chosen solitude. He
didn't doubt what conclusion he came to.
Itachi knew very well when he was being manipulated on a primal level. One did
not graduate from the Academy at age seven, master the Sharingan at eight, pass
the Chunin exam at age ten, only to becoming ANBU Captain at age thirteen and
slaughter the Uchiha clan only to become a fool some five years later. The only
questions Itachi had was what – or who – was doing the manipulating and why.
For this much interference with his way of life – there had to be a why. It was
only a matter of time before he uncovered it. In the meantime, he had to wash-
up, if this day had taught him anything it was that half demon or whole, they
had a greater sense of smell then Itachi himself had.
Itachi slid easily from the branch of the tree, slipping into the nearby bit of
forest where he had heard Kagome telling Sango of the naturally warm spring.
Sometimes he did not doubt that it was useful to have females as traveling
companions. Then, at least, no one smelled so bad that the enemies could smell
you rather then see you outright. It happened more often then Itachi thought
most cared to believe.
He slid out of his clothing, keeping it all bundled safely within the Akatsuki
cloak. His bare skin felt chilled against the cool night air, he rushed a
little bit, sliding along the edges so he had to crouch to stop from falling
into the bubbling hot spring. Though no one was around, he felt foolish though
it was soothed away by the warmth of the water.
For the first time he allowed himself to relax, closing his eyes as he listened
to the night sounds surrounding him. There were different sounds, melodies he
hadn't recognized and didn't know what they belonged to. He never the less
found himself content. Away from the group, he could relax, he didn't have to
"play nice" or carry their burdens. He didn't have to hide that he was a
killer, born into it like many of the families within Konoha.
Itachi knew others could pin a nice name up for it – defenders or protectors;
give reasons for an agenda – what motivated the person, but a killer was what
all ninja were in the end. Some could not live with that fact alone, they
deluded themselves, and so made themselves dangerous. Itachi knew what he was,
knew that it didn't matter if he killed on someone else's orders; it was still
his hands being bloodied. That was what made him more dangerous then everyone
else who wanted to believe they were good people despite the blood the stained
them. Itachi didn't bother being "decent".
Itachi had never cared about that. He liked the thrill he got from killing
another person. His mind buzzed with a primitive thrill of the hunt, where
others would falter – twisted by what should be and what was, he felt alive –
truly and wholly alive – when he killed. He had never admitted it, he had never
needed to, and others seemed to sense it about him. He had never let them get
close - no one but Harry.
"So this is where you went off to. Nice enough place." Itachi tensed, he should
have expected to be followed. He glanced to Kouga – walking, though leaning
heavily on a bent branch – and nearly snarled. The wolf demon had healed up; he
likely had not needed to be carried all day, though the others had insisted.
"I suppose. Is there a reason you're here Kouga?" Itachi asked his eyes
skimming the exposed area. It was nestled in a grove of trees, their thick
trunks blackened tangles like a trap in the night, even with his decent night
vision he couldn't tell what was passable until he was on top of it. It would
be foolish to run off, without clothes. Though it was unlikely Kouga would make
it as easy as that on him. Half full, the moon glimmered on the surface of the
spring Itachi sat in, he supposed the contrast of his pale skin dark hair, and
the dark gleaming surface of the water was what attracted Kouga's downward
gaze.
"I wanted to talk…about how I acted today." Kouga's tail shifted uneasily
behind him bringing attention to his strong legs and firm thighs, Itachi
lowered his eyes, knowing neither of them would be exactly comfortable with
apologizing – or accepting apologies. He didn't want to be temped and drawn
into another "passion" as he was starting to call them. It didn't make sense,
and Itrachi felt his skin tighten with heat.
Itachi felt something within him sting, when he realized he would likely have
to apologize with Harry. Harry was more a full demon then half, having a
Tailed-Beast sealed within him. He would smell it on Itachi, of that the dark
haired man did not doubt. It hurt something within him, though at the same time
he felt warmth tug at his lower regions. Am I truly this disloyal? Itachi
wondered feeling sickened by his own desires, though they still pulled urgently
at him.
"There is no need. I had not realized demons – or half demons – could smell
such things." Itachi excused, before Kouga could get it in his head to come
closer. It frightened him that he did not know if he could resist the urgency
in his own need.
"Well, your mostly human, I shouldn't have expected you to know anything of the
like. There isn't any shame in it, its just a release of tension, if that's all
you want it to be." Kouga's voice had lowered, resting his chin on his walking
stick, a lazy smile stretched over his features, though it did not match the
leer in his eyes.
"Leave." Itachi ordered, because nude or not, he was dangerous and the wolf
demon was already at a disadvantage. Itachi glanced to his pile of clothing,
his main weapons were among them – but he still had the slender needles which
could immobilize, or kill. He shivered, for suddenly the warm water seemed cold
– and he wondered if the skin of a wolf demon would not be warmer.
"Why do you fight it?" Kouga asked softly, eyes trailing with something alike
urgency and curiosity and lust all mixed. It was uncomfortably like hunger.
Kouga inhaled, chest visibly rising and falling. He's scenting me. Itachi felt
lust clench something fierce, like he was caught in the grip of a constrictor.
"I do not like being manipulated, leave – now!" Itachi snarled teeth showing in
a gesture he knew demons would recognize, dark eyes narrowed upon Kouga, who
only smirked, seeing the flicker of Sharingan within Itachi's dark eyes,
knowing the control Itachi was using.
Itachi saw the slight bulge in the others loincloth, didn't think it was
entirely his imagination when he smelt the musty spice of the others arousal.
Kouga took a step closer, and then moved with a graze and speed Itachi wouldn't
have thought the wolf demon capable of in his injured state. Kouga was atop
him, straddling him – eyes dilated, thin slivers of blue peeking out of the
otherwise slanted eyes.
"I want you." Kouga's voice was a breathy growl caught in the back of his
throat, as if surprised by his own urgency. Itachi froze, trying to tell
himself these weren't his real feelings, and he was being used. Manipulated. It
gave him the strength to twist their positions, if not for Kouga's injury – it
would not have worked.
Itachi, now atop the other, tried to pull away – but Kouga's legs were wrapped
firmly over his thighs. He had trapped himself. Kouga smirked, seeming to
realize this when Itachi did. He leaned in closer, the rough fur of his
headband rubbed against Itachi's skin. Itachi wondered if the reason he kept
his hair away from his face was because of his pointed ears – if they were as
sensitive as they looked.
"Mine now…" Itachi's fingers clenched in the wet fur of Kouga's shoulder
protection, it connected to metal and leather armor that covered his chest and
torso, leading to the loincloth, which was pressed firmly against Itachi's
shaft. Itachi's eyes fixed on the sword Kouga had abandoned on the bank of the
spring. He tried desperately to ignore the heat that felt like a fog within his
own mind.
Kouga boldly moved him, using Itachi's weight to slide his covering upward.
Itachi felt flushed skin and heat and shivered with realization. Kouga was bare
beneath the pelt loincloth. Kouga grunted, holding firmly to Itachi as he
shifted into a more comfortable position, still they were tangled together in a
mess of limbs.
Using his powerful thighs Kouga shifted Itachi upward and lower, using his
leverage to his own advantage as their lengths rubbed together beneath the pelt
of fur in the spring warmed water. Kouga groaned, shifting beneath him, the
touch of skin against sensitive skin enough to make him pant, moving at a
swifter pace until he was arching and writhing beneath Itachi, though held
reluctantly captive by the powerful wolf demon below him.
Despite himself, Itachi clenched eyes and jaw shut against the heat and lust he
felt building along his spine till it was pounding behind his eyelids. He cried
out, submitting to the raising need, opening his eyes to reach between them and
touch himself and Kouga. Seeing and feeling that he had given in, Kouga growled
pressing lips and sharp canine teeth against Itachi, urging and daring him
closer to the edge.
Itachi felt it then, what had latched into him – fed from his lust – and jerked
with surprise, letting out a moan, when it forced his pleasure, dragging it out
of him all at once so he shook with reaction. Kouga muffled his own cry of
release as he arched beneath Itachi, who felt the spurt of liquid heat against
his own sensitive groin. Held against Kouga's chest armor, Itachi glanced to
the edge of the spring pool, blurry eyes making out the hilt of Miyabita Shi,
half buried among Itachi's clothes, as it seemed to give him a glittering wink.
Itachi thought he knew what was manipulating him – and, perhaps, why. Miyabita
Shi only fed energy to Harry when he was weakened. It worried him, in the haze
of his mind, how weakened Harry had to be to need more then Miyabita Shi's
magical energy.
"Itachi?" Kouga murmured, his tone worried when he felt Itachi's full weight
relax against him. Itachi felt the vague sensation of being taken out of the
water and laid out on the grass. His eyes refused to work, though he managed to
blink when he felt Kouga touch his shoulder, something like fear crossed
Kouga's features.
"Have to…get…Miyabita Shi…to Harry." Itachi tried to explain his voice soft and
weak. He felt like he was picked up, though he thought he remembered something
about the sensation of the familiar cloth of his Akatsuki cloak against his
skin, even as the world slipped away.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"We don't know in what direction to go, Kouga…would you please calm down?"
Sango raised her voice, hoping some of her words would get through to the
agitated wolf demon. Miroku was already hovering over Itachi, when Kouga had
come back with him; both of them had been damp skinned and their hair wet. It
left little doubt in InuYasha's mind what, exactly, they had been doing before
Itachi had "collapsed".
"Look, damn-it, something isn't right about this sword he's got! You didn't
hear him; he sounded as if he was getting something drained out of him. I think
that thing is killing him!" Kouga actually snarled his words, frustrated that
he didn't seem to be taken seriously. InuYasha rolled his eyes, if Kouga wasn't
careful he would let slip what Miroku and InuYashe were trying to keep from the
others.
"Miyabita Shi? It belongs to his companion." Miroku commented softly, eyeing
the sword that glittered like water instead of metal in the dawn. Kagome had
been trying to stay as far away from the sword since she had first encountered
it before Harry had been taken.
"Yeah, yeah, I know that – he said as much, we have to get the sword to that
other guy." Kouga muttered, calmed somewhat now that one of them had grasped a
part of what he had been saying since he had came back. Kouga had never had to
deal with mortality as humans knew it, if someone killed you or you got sick
because of some poison – that made since. It didn't make sense for someone to
almost die because they were being drained by an inanimate object.
"We don't know where he is." InuYasha answered as calmly as he could, trying
not to agitate Kouga. Shippo and Kirara glanced between each other nervously.
"But, uh, she does." Shippo said almost too softly to be heard, but Kouga did,
and glared down at the little fox demon.
"Who does?" Kouga snapped, though his features showed his annoyance it was
plain he wanted to have hope in something.
"Miyabita Shi? It says to go that way…" Shippo muttered eyes downcast as he
felt the others turn to look down at him. He pointed westward. Beside him
Kirara nodded, seemingly in agreement as she nuzzled the small fox boy.
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Miroku asked with a slight frown,
remembering Itachi trying to communicate through the sword with Harry. Shippo's
little shoulders shrugged helplessly.
"No one asked me…" Shippo's voice was nearly a soft whisper, and Sango sighed
as she knelt beside him ruffling his red hair. She tipped his chin upward so
he'd look in her eyes, even as the others packed up camp around them.
"Next time, just say something – okay?" Shippo nodded, wide eyed, and then
crawled onto her shoulder – Kirara following his lead taking her other
shoulder. Sango stood, turning to watch as InuYasha took Itachi, something
protective in the way he held the slighter male telling her something had gone
on underneath the surface, Itachi had tortured InuYasha – and the half dog
demon did not forgive so easily.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry's eyes flicked open, taking in the sights and smells around him. He knew
he had been in and out of consciousness since arriving here – though he did not
know where 'here' was. The little girl, Rin chatted at the elder boy –Kohaku -
as they roasted something over the open fire. He was well aware of the fact
that they had been taking care of him.
Hoping it was not too obvious, his gaze flicked to the two headed dragon that
snoozed by the fireside, its muzzle was purposely pointed toward the fireside,
and when it breathed out it, its heated breath encouraged the flames.
Harry knew it was called 'Ah-Un', for the big-eyed pale skinned toad-like
creature had yelled at it a number of times while attempting to start the fire.
Not to mention Rin had introduced the dragon by name while Harry had struggled
to remain conscious, the called the demon 'Jaken' huffed, having noticed he was
awake. Its grip on its odd staff tightened, and Harry wondered what the object
could do.
"Lord Sesshomaru, our guest is awake." Jaken sneered at him, as if he doubted
Harry deserved to be called such.
Sesshomaru turned, strands of silver hair becoming untidy with the morning
breeze. He had amber eyes and a purple crescent moon upon his forehead two
lighter slash marks were upon each of his cheeks. Harry thought the markings
must be natural, for this was not the sort of creature that would allow itself
to be harmed by another. This, Harry knew as golden eyes met his green ones,
was a demon.
He looked startlingly alike InuYasha.
Harry just then felt the energy sizzle into him. It seemed to smother him, for
a moment he couldn't move – could not find breath, could not even make a sound.
It helped and hurt all at the same time. Harry hadn't understood what it was;
at first it had frightened him. He had frozen up, shaken by the extremes
twisting within his mind. He had the sense that this had happened before, but
it was vague and disjointed. He felt the touch of Miyabita Shi within his mind
and let himself be soothed by the swords reassurances.
"Are you well?" Sesshomaru asked his voice both soft and intent. Harry noticed
how his nostrils flared, and the golden eyes narrowed upon him. A small smile
curved his lips; it made him look distant and cold. Untouchable in power, for
all that he stood beside where Harry was laid out. Harry gave a small nod,
knowing it was only polite to do so.
"You smelt differently in those moments. You smell of a demon. What you were, I
wonder." It was not a question Sesshomaru asked; it was a demand for answers.
Harry could understand that, weakly he shifted into a better position.
"I was Jinchuriki. I held the five tailed dog demon, Gobi no Houkou." Harry
didn't know if that would make sense to Sesshomaru, though when Jaken snorted
deliberately in disbelief from behind him, Harry thought the other – perhaps a
dog demon like InuYasha – would have heard of Houkou.
"And now?" Sesshomaru asked softly, somehow knowing there was more. It would be
obvious, for Jinchuriki did not often appear human once more when their scent
had begun to shift as Harry's had.
"I need to find Houkou, I do not want to loose him. I am barely alive without
him." Harry did not know why he told this to the proud demon. Perhaps he could
help, but Harry did not think he was the type to do what others wanted without
it somehow benefiting himself.
"That is obvious." Sesshomaru stated, golden eyes studying Harry from top to
bottom. He seemed to have gotten swiftly paler since Sesshomaru had recognized
the scent of a dog demon upon the boy. Though his brother had likely met the
youth, this scent had been alien, and Sesshomaru knew well his kind, that of
theinu daiyōkai, were rare with only a handful left within his own territory.
It would not be unheard of to have found once such as himself and not recognize
Harry for kith or kin.
"Miyabita Shi is all that is keeping me alive, but it won't last for long. I
must find Houkou, his soul was taken from me by Naraku, when I retrieve the
Shikon, Houkou will be called back within me." Harry was sure of this much, and
felt he had to convince Sesshomaru of this as well. Sesshomaru seemed to
straiten, looking to the east something like fondness crossing his features –
if only for a moment.
"Foolish… though, perhaps, not as foolish as my little brother, InuYasha. I
fear you will be meeting him, and his "pack" of mortals, shortly." Sesshomaru
stated not unkindly, though loudly enough for Rin and Kohaku to hear.
They had very different reactions, Harry noticed – Rin seemed excited, while
Kohaku was pensive and hesitated while looking to the nearby grove of trees
which led into the forest. Harry was not the only one to notice, for though
Sesshomaru had made no indication of it, his eyes focused on Kohaku for a
moment before sliding to the valley where trespassers would have to cross enter
his territory.
***** Cries of the Corrupted *****
Harry lay on lush grass, content, feeling oddly full and at peace, though he
knew he should be anything but. He felt alive, and that seemed all that
mattered to him. Inhaling, he scented some flower which he hadn't smelt the
like of. He had never been so comfortable or fed at…his masters house, but he
was not meant to be either of those things there.
"Why do you frown so?" Sesshomaru's solemn and melodious tones flowed over him,
soothing. Harry knew there was something odd about all this, but he couldn't
think of what it was. He glanced to the other, wondering what to say, and let
his tongue slip, unguarded.
"I am remembering." Harry told him, knowing all at once that he did not want to
remember. While Harry thought through the truths of the thought, Sesshomaru
came up beside him. Harry was aware of his looks then, of his black hair and
too pale skin and pale gold-green eyes. He was human, weak. It was everything
the demon lord before him would hate. So why did Harry think he saw interest
linger in that amber gaze?
"What were you, before you came here?" Sesshomaru asked seeming to want to know
what made him frown in his memories and going the vague way about it. Two could
play that game. A bitter sort of smile quirked Harry's lips, while Sesshomaru
watched him with his solemn eyes. Harry wondered if he ever smiled, ever
laughed, but could not imagine it. It disturbed him that that was so, for it
seemed to him that everyone should have that chance.
"I had a Master I did not want; to him I am a tool, a usefully branded
possession to keep his Heir from harm." All at once Sesshomaru was filled with
something like rage. Harry felt it against his all too thin human skin, like a
hot splash of water. Shocking in its own way, with the heat and his half formed
fear of burns, but there were no burns. Harry had a moment to look over the
clearing, only a while ago it had been a camp site, now it was no more.
"Where are the others?" Harry asked all of a sudden, uncomfortable with
Sesshomaru's bold interest upon him and nothing in site to distract him.
Sesshomaru came out of his fierce anger to tilt his head at Harry, as if he was
a curiosity.
"I sent them away, Rin and Kohaku, Jaken and Ah-Un. They will be in danger if
they stay." If it had not been for Sesshomaru's words, Harry would have thought
the other unchanged. There was a bone chilling cold to those gold eyes, what
should have been warm and alive was not, and when they glinted as the sun set,
Harry became even more uneasy. A breeze played with Sesshomaru's silver hair,
white as snow, though it was a demons hair did not change the fact that it was
lovely all the same.
"Why?" Harry felt as if his question was childish, and the way Sesshomaru
looked at him made him uncomfortably aware of this. Seeing that Harry's
expression did not change, Sesshomaru merely let out something like – though
not quite – a sigh. Strangely he laid down in the lush grass beside Harry, as
if indifferent to the differences that marked them.
"The Blue Moon rises." Sesshomaru told him, and Harry could not keep his eyes
from watching his lips move. Sesshomaru was lovely, like something exotic and
strange, though he breathed and Harry felt the heat of his body all the same,
which made him all too real. It frightened him, in that moment that such as
Sesshomaru could live beside such as him and be unchanged.
It was as if the waves of the sea could suddenly whisper of all the hidden
places, and the earthen caves and mountains of old could murmur their secrets,
and all the winds could sing. It was something that before had only been
fantasy, something that was now as real as blood and flesh and bones.
"What does it mean?" Harry asked, breathless with the thoughts that swam about,
though he still had a vague notion of what Sesshomaru had hinted at being
important. Sesshomaru looked to him, and there was something in his look that
Harry could not name, but know all the same. It surprised him to see it on
Sesshomaru.
Though Harry could not reasonably see it, he thought he saw overlapped with
Sesshomaru's image the horizon, bleeding blue light as the moon crept up, like
a great spider rising on a dew splattered web. All the stars were dew, and the
lines that crossed were not to be seen my mere mortal eye. It looked like a
net…a trap.
"That demons stir to…mate…." Sesshomaru changed then, with his low pitched
words, gold eyes bled to red. He looked less human, but fiercer - with angles
and sharp edges his human looks had only hinted at – he looked, Harry thought
somehow knowing his own gold-green eyes were eerie silver, like he was intended
to.
Sesshomaru kissed him then, and there was nothing soft – nothing sweet – in it.
It was possessive, all tongue wrestling and nips from too sharp teeth. They
clung to each other until the more dominate – Sesshomaru, the darker of the
pair thought – drew blood from lip and tongue. Then there was a vague notice of
his clothes and Sesshomaru's were gone, ripped and shredded, as if by some
great dog.
Sesshomaru's skin was not cold, no matter his winter-like hair, it was burning,
scalding. Harry could not help but touch him, something like reverence hovered
his hand until Sesshomaru gave him a nod of permission. With a touch Harry knew
he was strong, if Sesshomaru had not control of himself – if he truly wanted to
– Harry knew with that touch that he could not hold him back without killing
him.
There was a power in that, and Harry let out a soft sounding whine when he felt
Sesshomaru touch him in turn. Clawed fingers traced his spine from neck to his
firm bottom, fingers teased there until Harry could do nothing but whimper and
gasp, having pity, Sesshomaru moved downward, hands caressing thighs and
parting his legs.
Harry was aware only then that he had somehow been pinned to the ground, with
Sesshomaru straddling him. He knew what came next, for Miyabita Shi had showed
him something very like this in 'dreams' of Itachi with a dark haired human he
knew as Miroku, a dark wolf demon, and a silvery half dog demon too like
Sesshomaru to be a accident. This, Harry had known was InuYasha.
As if Sesshomaru had sensed his thoughts had strayed he gave something like a
low growl and trusted into Harry. Somehow it did not hurt like Harry knew it
should, but he could not think of such things with Sesshomaru within him,
rolling his hips with each thrust, touching things deep within him that had, he
knew in that moment, always ached to be touched.
Harry could not help but come quickly; he was young and inexperienced, with a
soft cry he shuddered and trembled, even as Sesshomaru shoved in and out of
him, grunting soft breaths in the hair near his ears. Sesshomaru suddenly
tensed all over, and Harry saw that shinning upon his face was the blue moon,
and he howled, coming into Harry as Harry had came in the giving grass, lush
beneath his suddenly heavy back as Sesshomaru laid atop him, satisfied.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Finally awake, I see." It was Jaken's disgruntled voice that brought him from
dream to waking fully. Harry looked about himself, somewhat relieved – and only
a little disappointed – that the camp had returned to how he remembered it.
"I was asleep?" Harry asked, just to be sure, Jaken huffed and returned to the
fire side apparently too disgusted with him to attempt to confirm his words.
Ah-Un, none to pleased with Jaken's return to what the two headed dragon likely
thought of as 'his' domain, grunted a greeting – which was returned with a
thwack of his staff, and mutters of "disrespectful dragon tots", both of which
Ah-Un seemed immune to.
"Yes, we could not wake you." Kohaku admitted with a look over his shoulder to
the pass which lay between them and strangers. Or rather, as Sesshomaru had
made plain, InuYasha's "pack", among them Harry wondered who it was that Kohaku
knew.
"It was very strange." Rin added with a sweet smile for him, out of the corner
of Kohaku's eye, Harry noticed the amused look he gave her. Rin obviously knew
too and reached for his sleeve, about to speak when she was interrupted by
Sesshomaru.
"They are here."
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Hey, might want to wake up for this." InuYasha hissed beneath his breath to
Itachi, who – as he was weakened – he still carried. InuYasha had lagged
behind, he smelt Sesshomaru well enough from the grove of trees that led into
the clearing. He also smelt Harry, and knew all to well that Itachi might never
forgive him (and in fact, was likely to hold a grudge against him) and InuYasha
remembered all too well what had happened when he had been the enemy of the
other.
"Harry is here." InuYasha continued, bemused when that was all it took for
Itachi to stir.
"Let me down, I can walk." Itachi didn't sound dizzy or groggy, all the same,
InuYasha watched him with wary gold eyes as he let Itachi down on the
undergrowth of the forest. Haltingly, Itachi got to his feet; he seemed to
favor the side which Miyabita Shi hung. It was strange to InuYasha, for usually
it was the strong side the sword was supposed to be held to, though perhaps
they merely did things differently in Kagome's time.
Without being asked, InuYasha gruffly looped an arm to support Itachi's weight,
the slender man merely grunted his thanks, fixing his gaze on the rise in the
hilled land that InuYasha knew Sesshomaru would wait for them. Slowly, they
made their way to rest, who had paused when seeing that Itachi and InuYasha
were not among them.
'They try to be a good pack…' InuYasha thought, noticing Kouga nod respectfully
to him. That had never happened; InuYasha's leadership – from another leader –
had never been so boldly acknowledged. He knew all too well that his brother
had seen this interaction, and was likely curious by it.
So slowly, one might think they were doing it on purpose, InuYasha led the way
to his brother, who had remained standing, undisturbed, until InuYasha stood
before him. Without saying a word, Sesshomaru moved aside, and it was only then
that InuYasha saw – and knew – for sure that his brother had been guarding
Harry. InuYasha pressed his lips together, though he knew without a doubt that
this was Harry, it looked nothing like him. This pale creature was weak, and
human. Perhaps he had been born in this way, by morning, but something told
InuYasha was this was wrong. This was not natural, that this had been done to
InuYasha.
"Is this the one you seek?" Sesshomaru asked, though in that moment InuYasha
could not have said who he addressed. It was Harry who answered, all the same.
"Yes. You look well, Itachi, considering the drain that Miyabita Shi had been
demanding of you." Itachi had not moved or looked to anything besides Harry
while he had spoken. InuYasha was suddenly nervous; at times demons – no matter
if they had known each other all their lives – would turn on one another if
another show 'weakness' that would haunt till the grave. InuYasha glanced to
his brother, from Sesshomaru's wary gaze on Itachi, this was obviously on his
mind as well.
"How did this happen?" There was no curiosity in Itachi's words, though there
was a narrowing of his eyes. InuYasha tensed, suddenly aware that this man had
hunted after Harry with a single mindedness, no matter his 'indiscretions',
this was the same man that he feared – and who had all the same earned his
respect. Itachi was deadly in his own way, almost absentmindedly so, and
InuYasha knew he didn't know anything at all of Itachi in the moment he spoke.
"Naraku, of course…. He…he took Houkou, Itachi…I don't know what to do. Without
you and Miyabita Shi, I…I am barely alive." Itachi shrugged off InuYasha's
assistance, allowing himself to half-fall, half-sit in so graceful a manner
that it likely looked effortless. Now Itachi was bedside Harry, at his level it
would be merely impossible to do anything to stop him, he'd do some damage – if
that was his intent.
"This world of demons does not know us, Blackbird," In his own way, InuYasha
was sure this was meant to be a reassurance on Itachi's part, even as he slowly
and deliberately pulled Miyabita Shi from its makeshift sheathe, "even as you
are, with Miyabita Shi in your hands at last, I do not think even Naraku will
survive our wrath." There was something pleased in Itachi, at the thought of
blood. Not even a demon could be so bloody minded without killing friend and
foe alike, but for all Itachi seemed it – in that moment, InuYasha knew – he
was not a demon, no matter his blood.
"Is that what you think, child, or what you know, I wonder…." InuYasha tensed,
and turned to look over his shoulder even though he knew who he would find.
Kikiyo, with her pale skin and black hair, dressed in her priestess robes of
red and white. Little creatures, somewhat like dragons, swirled protectively
around her.
"What are you doing here, Kikiyo?" Kagome demanded, sneering, she took long un-
lady- like strides toward her, even dead; they could tell Kikiyo was amused.
She seemed to ignore Kagome all the same, fixing her eyes on Sesshomaru, only
to look last – and longest – at InuYasha. If anything, this infuriated Kagome
all the more, but before she could speak, Kikiyo fixed her gaze on Kagome, and
spoke.
"I have sensed death will come here." There was regret in Kikiyo, though she
showed it without expression or displeasure in her voice.
"Indeed? Have you now, Lady Kikiyo. It is just as well, for her betrayal I took
in Kagura, though not before learning where she had spirited this boy away.
Tell me, Lady Kagome, do you know what he is? A most amiable mix of power."
Naraku's voice was melodious, and Kagome froze, seeing the sickly dark sphere
of the completed Shikon no Tama hanging about his neck.
Though Harry and Itachi did not know it, the others knew well enough what
Naraku had meant by "taking in" Kagura, he had become so powerful because many
demons had gathered to him and, as he had asked, given him power. They had been
adsorbed into his body. It was only later that he took the name he had now. All
the same, his most loyal and devoted servants had been taken from his own body,
for he had found what he thought to be weakness within them. His words meant
that he had taken Kagura back into himself.
"You monster! Give me the Shikon no Tama! How dare you use it like this…?" At
Kagome's words, Naraku laughed sneering at the girl who defied him. Only Kikiyo
stood close enough to interfere, which she tried to tell Kagome with a look,
but the girl would not see it.
"After what I have done to it…do you truly think you can take it and purify it
without tainting yourself?" Naraku asked, still half shadowed by the grove of
trees. Kikiyo, clearly alarmed, turned to regard Kagome, who glowered at him
for his challenge.
"Yes!" Kikiyo could not have interfered quickly enough, for when Naraku took
the small dark sphere and threw it to Kagome, for all that her little dragon
like creatures had tried swoop and take it, and it seemed to make them pause in
the moment they needed to take it.
"Kagome, no!" InuYasha cried out, too late, for Kagome had caught it, and let
it fall into her cradled hands; she had closed her eyes and seemed to reach for
her power. In that moment of weakness, only a heartbeat, the Shikon no Tama
pulsed with darkness. As if in reaction, Miyabita Shi silvered, the metal
glowing and seeming to be hot as the day it was forged, Harry did not flinch he
was too intent upon Kagome.
Slowly, black hair falling away from her face to caress shoulders, Kagome
looked up at them – at InuYasha. Her eyes were the same pulsing sickly darkness
as the Shikon no Tama. She smiled at them, and her smile so chilled them they
froze where they were, as teeth were uncovered and the smile become a sneer.
***** Whisper of a Primal Secret *****
"Kagome, no!" InuYasha cried out, too late, for Kagome had caught it, and let
it fall into her cradled hands; she had closed her eyes and seemed to reach for
her power. In that moment of weakness, only a heartbeat, the Shikon no Tama
pulsed with darkness. As if in reaction, Miyabita Shi silvered, the metal
glowing and seeming to be hot as the day it was forged, Harry did not flinch he
was too intent upon Kagome.
Slowly, black hair falling away from her face to caress shoulders, Kagome
looked up at them – at InuYasha. Her eyes were the same pulsing sickly darkness
as theShikon no Tama. She smiled at them, and her smile so chilled them they
froze where they were, as teeth were uncovered and the smile become a sneer.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"What have you done, Naraku?" Miroku demanded, little Shippo trembled, clinging
to Kirara transformed back. Naraku's lips quirked, only then did his eyes stray
from Kagome who stared blankly at those who had been her friends. Sango glanced
unsurely to Kagome, then to Naraku, as if she did not quite believe this was
happening.
"I gave her what she wanted…" Naraku answered simply, smug with what he had
done. InuYasha would have stepped forward to Kagome, torn as he was, save that
both Sesshomaru and Kouga had stepped between the silver haired half-dog demon
and Kagome. She stirred with Naraku's words, seeming to be at his bidding, her
head tilted and she gave a soft pleased sound.
"Yes…" Kagome cooed the words, fingers stroking the Shikon no Tama as if to
sooth it, in response the dark stone pulsed with regularity, like a heartbeat.
"Kagome…" There was sadness in her name, spoken from InuYasha, she would
normally have responded with kindness. Harry had seen many times that even when
Kagome was most upset, when her name was spoken by InuYasha, her eyes would
soften and she would give him a small smile. There was nothing of what had been
between them now, instead the smile was mocking – the words sarcastic and
twisted to hurt.
"Silly little dog, there is nothing you can do to stop my Master…nothing at
all, any of you can do…for you must kill me first…could you do that, my
InuYasha?" Kouga lips curled into a snarl, for behind him he felt when InuYasha
trembled as the words clawed in deep enough to bleed. This wasn't the way it
was supposed to go, Kouga knew InuYasha was stronger then this. He had never
seen InuYasha like this – so vulnerable, he did not like it in the least.
"N-no…Kegome…" InuYasha murmured softly, his eyes lowered to the ground. It
seemed the spirit – the very soul of him – had been shredded. In that moment
Kouga hated Kagome. Kouga glanced to Sesshomaru, expressionless, wary – but
there. It was more then Kouga could say for others that he had met.
"Could any of you?" Kegome asked then, sounding actually curious as she sought
the eyes of her fellow human friends – neither Sango nor Miroku would look her
in the eye. Kirara actually growled at Kegome when her gaze went to the cat
demon and little Shippo.
Only Kouga and Sesshomaru met her eyes, unflinching. She did not get a chance
to look at Harry or Itachi, for they were for now out of sight. Kouga only
hoped Sesshomaru's little toad Jaken had been smart enough to get the little
humans away with the little two headed dragon to carry them off – Rin and
Kohaku were most vulnerable, for if Naraku got his hands on them, Sango and
Miroku would try to save them – and Sesshomaru…well, Kouga did not know what he
would do.
As for Kikiyo, she stood at InuYasha's back, watching – he did not linger on
what she thought, or would do. If she would do anything, when the time came…
Kegome moved then, catching his attention as she paced about in front of them
like they were in a trap. They might as well be.
"Poor weak creatures, I shall put you out of your misery – starting with you,
Blackbird…you who would take my InuYasha…do you like what you have made me
become, I wonder…?" Kegome had gotten around them, had seen what they stood in
the way of. She had moved too quickly, somehow the jewel made her more then
what she had been – for Kouga felt crispy the power she could use as a
priestess.
The power of a demon was not meant to meld with the power of a human, yet,
somehow within the sickly Shikon no Tama it had. It made Kouga feel sick and he
knew he was not the only one unaffected – InuYasha was stuttering with his
breath, quick and rasping, as if he could not get enough air. This was perhaps
a weakness of a half-demon, to know the power that could be melded and feel the
echo of it with in there own bodies.
Sesshomaru, who could have matched or overwhelmed her speed any other day, only
narrowed his eyes as he turned his head to look behind himself. His hand was
opening and clenching shut, the claws wicked sharp. Kouga realized in that
moment his mistake, in thinking to protect the humans. They were helpless.
Kegome stood above Harry, gathered in Itachi's arms, glaring down at the both
of them. Neither seemed to care how close she had come to them – or that she
meant to kill them, Harry only had to glance to Itachi and the other man smiled
a little, turning to face Kagome. There was a look on his face then that Kouga
caught that chilled him. It was death. If Sesshomaru was rage and power
smoothed by forced and focused calm, this was a weapon forged from birth with
the purpose to kill. Not even a demon would raise its children so ruthlessly.
He realized then that he had been a fool to underestimate the human man who had
saved him – who he had mated with…he was a stranger, for all that.
"I do not think so." Itachi's voice was collected, calm, the voice of someone
who knew how do deal out death and in some twisted way liked it. If there was a
warning that Kagome would –should have - recognized, it was in that moment.
She should have run; she should have never looked back. She did not have even
that much sense left to her by the Shikon no Tama. Itachi moved then, quicker
then Kouga would have given him credit for any other day. He realized too late
that it was in reaction to Kagome preparing to gather the power of the Shikon
no Tama, to use it against Harry and Itachi. She didn't have the chance.
"It…hurts." Her body had jerked with the force of Itachi's throw as the blade
of a kunai dug into her belly, spilling her blood over her white shirt and
green skirt. Itachi had not even stood up, but there were three more of the
same sort of weapon in his hand, little blades with circled ends to grasp so
not to cut the sensitive flesh of finger or palm.
"Good." Itachi hissed the word, though his gaze was on the still Naraku. Shikon
no Tama trembled in Kagome's fingers as she took a step back only to crumble
onto the ground at Kikiyo's feet, it was a opportunity that could not be
missed. Kikiyo's hands held Kagome at the shoulders, only then did she look to
the shivering InuYasha. Blood - Kagome's blood – was sprinkled across his face;
some of it had smeared where he had touched it – though he still looked to his
blood smeared fingers. It would be a slow death for Kagome.
"Forgive me, InuYasha…this must be done now." Kikiyo spoke, one of her little
serpent-dragon spirit creatures which stole the souls of virgin girls, slammed
into her back, coming out with a shimmering light, like a flickering flame
about to die. Swiftly, it moved with a flick of its tail to slide into Kegome's
chest. It took a moment for Kouga to realize what had been done. It was
InuYasha who spoke.
"Kikyo? What are you doing…?" His voice quivered only slightly as Kegome – no,
Kikiyo gasped with pain. Kouga realized what this would mean for InuYasha, in
one day he would lose both the woman he had loved – returned to life – and the
girl he had hoped to love. Such a thing had broken lesser demons to insanity.
Sesshomaru seemed to realize this as well, as the husk that was Kikiyo's former
shell of a body swirled away like dust with the wind. There was no going back
for her.
"Taking what is partly mine." Those were Kikiyo's words through Kagome's
pressed lips; her grip on the Shikon no Tama tightened, the small sphere seemed
to slowly lose the darkness that had seeped deep into it.
"Kikyo?" Itachi murmured, as if to be sure, he had stood, and now knelt beside
her.
"Y-yes…I do not have much time; you have injured this body badly…" Kikiyo
murmured, groggy with losing blood. Harry had crawled to her side, Miyabita Shi
clutched in his hand. It was not an entirely futile gesture, for he knew that
even if the sword could not save her life, it would delay death long enough for
Kikiyo to do what needed to be done.
"Do what you must, priestess." Itachi told her as he stood after exchanging a
long look with Harry; he faced Naraku then, prepared to fight alone. It would
not be like that, Kouga knew, for in the face of his determination, InuYasha
had stirred, nodding toward his two humans – Miroku and Sango nodded back,
small smiles crossing their expressions.
Sesshomaru made eye contact with Jaken who bobbed his head as he bowed, turning
to their human charges at last, stirring the two headed dragon with a whack of
his staff, it yelped but it got Rin and Kohaku moving as he waved the staff
about in violent gestures to get them to climb upon the dragons back.
Kirara, knowing what was expected of her, turned to run toward the cover of
trees, little Shippo clinging to the ruff of her neck.
Almost as if they were playing, Ah-Uh took off after her, Jaken crying out as
he barely held onto the two headed dragon's tail.
"The likes of you can not stop me." Naraku murmured, confident and bemused as
he watched the spectacle of the little ones escape. Miroku and Sango hung back
with Harry and Kikiyo, knowing that if they failed, they might only need a few
moments more to purify the Shikon no Tama and so win.
"That is true, but we can give her time." Kouga murmured, nodding toward the
dyeing body of Kagome, though the soul was of Kikiyo.
"Fools…." Naraku hissed at them with narrowed eyes.
"I doubt that." Itachi purred, with his words Naraku hesitated, losing
confidence though he kept from attacking. That would not do, they needed Naraku
angry – distracted, otherwise the many demons he held within himself would
ensure they would die. There were only so many of them, and much Naraku could
do to slow them down. It was hard to think that Naraku had once been only a
thief of a man, before his pact with demons turned him into…this
"You want only revenge for what I did to your little lover." Naraku snarled the
words out, sneering, smug now that Itachi would only get in the way of an
attack that was coordinated as a group. Itachi surprised them. He chuckled,
head tilting up so light glittered on his dark eyes. They turned red.
"Oh, yes, very much so…." There was a focus to Itachi now, something they had
not counted on. This was no loose cannon after all. This was a man who knew
that it meant death to loose, and Itachi was not about to die at the hands of
one such as Naraku. Such bold confidence inspired even InuYasha, who no longer
looked shaky at the sure loss of those he had loved.
"Die!" Naraku screamed out, hands outstretched, ropes of earth seemed to lift
from the ground seeking to trip them or choke them or drag them down to an
early grave…
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Harry…?" Kikiyo's voice was hushed, tired, though he could hear her over the
battle, human as he had turned out to be. Miyabita Shi lay beside her, so that
her fingers touched the hilt, though Miyabita Shi was reluctant, she saw the
need to purify the Shikon no Tama as a worthy goal.
"I am here." Harry assured her, knowing that he could not keep his attention on
both the battle and the woman who would soon die. So he did not, trusting that
the battle would go as it would. There was little he could do but wait.
"I am glad I will not die alone, though the journey must be made so." Kikiyo
murmured, her focus blurred, she had lost so much blood, it coated the ground,
and Miyabita Shi. Yet for all the blood lost, the Shikon no Tama grew pale with
a pink and silvery glow. He realized in that moment that the Shikon no Tama had
never truly been pure – not even in Kikiyo's lifetime, or when Kagome had
returned it to being the pale pink. Miyabita Shi pulsed warmly in his grasp,
like a thickly beating heart, caged; just as the Shikon no Tama caged something
else… Houkou…
"What will you wish?" Harry asked desperately, knowing that as she died she had
the chance to change things. Kikiyo smiled warmly up at him, her eyes going
heavenward as she closed them, taking in the warmth of the sun even as she
spoke.
"For this to be …over…." Shikon no Tama glowed with an inner fire, white hot,
so that Harry could not look at it. There was no warmth, but when the glow
dimmed, he saw the Shikon no Tama once a jewel, turn to shimmering dust. Three
people, very much alive, stood before him – one bent to pluck Miyabita Shi from
the ground, pausing only to wink at Harry, flipping his sliver hair as he
strode toward Naraku in determination.
Harry could only take notice that though his hair was silver, he had five
braids (that trailed to his thighs) each was colored –naturally - in a way most
familiar. Each resembled the elements.
Houkou…?
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"I've put up with a lot ofshitrecently. You are scum. You will die. I am going
tokillyou, though not before I tell youwhyit is you'vepissedme off." Naraku was
taken off guard, to say the least, when he was pinned to the ground by what
seemed to be the very air. He struggled, but the earth – once his tool – had
been turned against him as it hugged him in place. Left with little choice, he
looked up from his prone possession at the snarling white haired youth who held
him captive. He would have been lovely, if he did not look so deadly.
"Do you think I like being bottled up in an admiringly powerful human host for
a few years – only to be imprisoned in a damned senselessjewel?" Teeth glinted;
strangely shaped to fit the jaws of something that resembled a mortal though
was clearly not. For the first time, Naraku felt the chill of fear. He caught a
glimpse of the others, having smelt smoke - all around him was a wall of fire,
raging, as furious as the youth above him.
"Do you think that would earn you aswiftdeath?" The words came out hissed;
pleased at the terror that made Naraku's bones ache. A sword came into sight,
the weight of it against his chest – not pressing or hurting, but insistently
there, made Naraku tremble with the awareness that he was alone. He was going
to die, and not know why. Not even know who killed him.
"W-who are you?" Naraku begged to be answered. A head was thrown back with a
wild laugh that was like a howl. It chilled. It had more power then Naraku had
ever thought to be able to use in a lifetime. Impossible, but all too real,
somehow alive – almost…more then immortal – more then a demon, something
ancient and primal, God-like.
"Oh, this isrich…do you not even know whom I am? Whose little human
hostyouplayed with when you started playing atmypower?" Those last words were
snarled, spittle flung with the rage that narrowed eyes and the sword dug into
him a little, biting at his skin through the cloth he wore. It seemed the blade
was just alive and filled with power as the youth, greedily cutting into him,
keeping the blood slow so his death would last all the longer.
"I am Houkou, I am you death –this beauty isMiyabita Shi…Graceful Death, a
true…Reaperof the Deathly Gods. She will see you to hell to be judged swiftly."
Those words were a growl, one which came from the deepest echoes of sound and
made the meaning understood. All at once, the youth knelt down, the flames
licking at his skin. Naraku was going to be next, thought he would be more
affected then what Houkou was.
"You will take her secret to your grave, scum. Horde it well, it is your only
coin for the ferryman." The words were a whisper, then Houkou was simply gone,
and Miyabita Shi with him. For a moment Naraku was grateful, he thought he
might be alone. Then something like a shadow stirred, and a laugh like steel
grinding against stone filled his ears.
He never knew when he stopped screaming.
***** Mark of the Changing Seasons *****
"You've not done very well in protecting him, Itachi." The words came from out
of the fire and smoke, as he stood waiting, sure enough, someone he had thought
he had only glimpsed out of the corner of his eyes appeared; very solid – much
too real. Itachi curled his lip then, knowing that this being had no more right
to lecture him then any other.
"He needs little protecting. He is powerful enough." Itachi argued, he had come
forward to stand in front of Harry who sat, still, beside where the body of
Kagome that had been the temporary vessel of Kikyo had laid. With her death,
Houkou- and two others who watched this confrontation even now with wide eyes
–had been freed.
"You came here to make me whole, so I might free him from bindings. He is
caught in a tangled web. You are lucky he breaths." Blame was laid thick in his
words, but Itachi would have none of it. He tensed even so wondering if the
demon might demand his life – as it had killed Naraku so easily. He would not
die so easily. As if the thought had been plucked from his mind, Houkou smiled
slowly; there was nothing friendly in that look.
Itachi thought he understood then, in that moment, that he was a rival, somehow
– to the demon. It did not yet make sense.
"Stop speaking of me as if I do not sit before you both." Harry spoke then,
green eyes glinting gold as he looked up at them. Itachi bit his lips so he did
not speak. He had not started this, but he had every intention of finishing it
if Houkou provoked him further.
"As you will, little host…" The words rumbled out of Houkou, almost in a growl.
Itachi heard the little startled gasp that the demon slayer had made. He tensed
as Houkou turned his attention to her. Itachi had grown to like Sango,
somewhat, they were similar, Houkou chuckled seeing her surprise, as it amused
him.
"W-what are you?" She demanded, seeing now that she had his attention and
knowing she might as well get an answer while she had it. Sango knew, all the
same, that if this demon – which had killed with ease the one they had hunted
and tracked for nearly a year – turned against them, they would not likely
survive.
"Is it not obvious?" Sesshomaru asked of them, his voice soft in the stillness
of the air, there were no other noises save breathing. It had grown quite – as
if all life had fled in the face of this gathering of demons.
"He is something like Sesshomaru and I." InuYasha spoke then, obviously tired,
for they could hear that in his tone. He was also very burdened with the death
of the one he had hoped to take as his mate. Hearing him, not even Sesshomaru
stirred, though the demon seemed to look wary, if only for InuYasha's sake as
Houkou turned his attention to them.
"Silly little pups…call me what you will. There is something of the truth in
it." Houkou muttered, even he would not deny the likeness between himself and
the brothers, his hair was just as silver like, and his eyes as gold. There was
something that was strangely devoid between the three; that likeness had ended
after physical resemblance. Somehow Houkou was raw, not as sculpted as
Sesshomaru or as human as InuYasha. He was more; something of the elements was
within him, as Harry knew from experience.
"Cease you teasing, Houkou." Harry warned Houkou, who seemed to pout, though he
nodded his head to Harry's whim obediently. There was something of their
relationship that openly puzzled the others. Houkou seemed to delight in the
secret of it, even as he spoke subserviently to the little human.
"Of course…." Houkou yawned then, showing off his teeth for any who cared to
look. It was a warning to anyone else who thought to ask such things as Harry
could get away with saying. It was heeded.
"There is something I would like to know, none the less – who were you two…and
why did you try to make me cease to be, little priestess?" Houkou's attention
had strayed to the two others who had been trapped along side him. Itachi knew
it had been a dozen years or more for them, but he wondered how long it seemed
to Houkou that he had endured caged inside the little jewel.
"Forgive me, Houkou no Gobi – I did not…know." The young woman pleaded, she had
dark hair though her eyes were a soft brown, her skin was pale, though that was
understandable if she had been trapped within the jewel since it's making.
There was only one person who she could be.
"We could not have known, Lord Houkou, we had been isolated from what is and
what was that we were confused." The male stepped forward, as if preparing to
ask the blame be taken upon him. The woman reached for his hand, he took it,
hesitating only a moment to look to Houkou, who did not seem either pleased or
angered with their unity.
"He knows you two?" Harry spoke up then, demanding, even as he frowned to
Houkou, who smirked only a little, proving he still had his secrets.
"Yes, do you not remember us, Lord?" The woman asked, seemingly more worried
for Houkou then worried, her eyes met his own demonic ones – something like
warmth passed between them, reassuring the woman.
"Yes, I remember, though I worried that you would have forgotten." Houkou
confessed then, choosing the moment well to speak. He still had something of
his tendency for suspense, which Harry thought was just as well. He might as
well let Houkou have his fun while he could.
"It is a relief to see you among strangers…" The man confessed then, though his
words hinted at a deeper meaning. It was clear the couple did not belong where
they had found themselves. For the first time, Houkou ceased his antics,
instead he looked almost saddened.
"I do not have the power to pull you into your right times, but I think this
place will settle to you. It is without a priestess now and youMidoriko, had
talent for such things." It was not the answer hoped for, that much was
obvious. Both looked about themselves, not quite displeased – but assuredly not
content.
"I am honored, Lord." It was nearly a whisper, but those where the woman's
words. That much could not be denied.
"W-wait, what? I thought priestesses and priests were enemies of the demon
kin!" Miroku exclaimed, even as he stepped forward as if to defend the two. He
was quickly put in his place, as the young woman made a gesture, and Miroku
seemed to walk into a barrier. Her intent was clear, to defend Houkou – though
it was something he seemed amused by. It did not matter. At least not to her,
aware now of possible dangers, the young man tensed, his eyes skimming over
everyone.
"Perhaps it is so now, it was not so before Nekomata changed my Magatsuhi…" The
woman told him, eyes narrowed, Houkou seemed to snicker at his shocked look;
Harry and Itachi were not so very amused.
"Midoriko…you…forgive me?" The young man – obviously Magatsuhi, spoke then,
something demonic seemed to crawl beneath his skin, though it was seemingly
controlled. It was a mark of the demon Nekomata – lasting scar, though now it
did not let demons control his movements or change his shape.
"Yes, how could I not?" Midoriko asked of him, blinking her eyes clear with a
trembling smile.
"As much as I would hate to interrupt this…you need to collect your younglings,
least they stray." Miroku and Sango – as well as Midoriku and Magatsuhi seemed
to realize then that for whatever reasons, Houkou wanted them to go, so he
could speak with those remaining.
"Sango…Miroku, could you?" InuYasha seemed to know they would not go unless he
said something, and he had no wish to see his remaining humans harmed. Miroku
seemed to understand that, there was understanding in him, though his
distrusted Houkou plainly enough.
"Of course, InuYasha…just, come to see us once it's over …" Sango asked of him,
knowing that what was likely to be said wasn't meant or needed to be overheard.
There was little choice – either way, she would not be allowed to overhear.
"You will always have a place beside us, InuYasha, we would not lose you simply
because our task is done." Miroku more reluctantly, but no one could deny the
truth of his words. The two left together, lagging only a little as they walked
away, toward where Kirara had fled before the battle had begun.
"Sesshomaru, I remember your father well, we will do you the favor of
collecting the two headed dragon, your toad, and the girl." Magatsuhi spoke up
then, catching the young demons attention. Midoriku tensed only a little as
Sesshomaru's attention fell upon them.
"As you will…" Sesshomaru allowed, with a tilt of his head. He watched,
somewhat wary, even as they followed after the other two humans. He looked to
InuYasha then for a long moment; he had not seen his younger brother so filled
with remorse in many years. It was an uncomfortable thing. He wanted to say
something reassuring, though he disliked admitting that he had not known the
things he had perhaps most needed to understand.
"It seems your mortal friends are perhaps…worthy as one such as you, little
brother." Sesshomaru spoke then, a small admittance on his part. Kouga, who had
laid low until that moment, unwilling to come into conflict with something as
demonically ancient as Houkou did not remain silent with InuYasha being so
addressed.
"Where the hell do you get off telling him what he does and who he can interact
with? Huh?" Kouga came between the brothers, snarling and his furred tail
ruffled with his irritation. He had only known Sesshomaru for a few moments
after a battle with Naraku, already he did not like this "brother". Hs dislike
clear, though InuYasha did not speak, he seemed instead to find the whole
conflict baffling. His brother had always treated him coldly, and Kouga had
never defended him – only acting the part of a rival and alley in battle.
"This Sesshomaru is Lord of the Western Lands, little wolf." Sesshomaru
answered his words and posture chilling with a threat. Kouga snorted, getting
in Sesshomaru's personal space, as if he would not back down with that claim.
Titles changed, Kouga had learned that as he had fought to become the Leader of
his pack. He did not – could not – understand the hereditary title of the dog
demons.
"That means shit to me." Sesshomaru made a low sound, at first InuYasha and
Kouga were both baffled – InuYasha because he had never heard his brother
become so threatened as to growl – and Kouga because it echoed in his blood,
this warning, seeming unnatural with its very intent. InuYasha moved then, to
defend Kouga, understanding his danger – though Kouga did not.
Harry looked to Houkou, his demon did not seem interested in interfering with
this – whatever this was. He didn't want any more blood spilt.
"Perhaps you should be mindful of those more powerful…" InuYasha hissed at
Kouga, taunting the wolf demon, if only to get him to back down to face
InuYasha. Sesshomaru was aware of it, but his golden eyes bled red – it seemed
his little brother was betraying him – their very heritage – for the sake for a
mangy wolf…
"No dog is…" Kouga, distracted in truth, lent in close to InuYasha – so close
that their breath and scents mingled. Sesshomaru inhaled; confused with his
brother's relationship with the wolf demon – until he caught a scent – the wolf
was aroused. His brother had stirred with some life, if only to defend Kouga –
that meant he was worth something. Sesshomaru interrupted Kouga before the life
that had flared in his brothers eyes at a threat to the wolf faded with
whatever words would be uttered.
"I would advise you to guard you tongue." It was a snarl, despite his instinct,
Sesshomaru felt still as if his brother was being threatened – though he
understood now why InuYasha did not want to see the wolf come to harm. For his
brother he would attempt not to kill the wolf demon – though he was reckless –
overconfident in a way that InuYasha only pretended.
"Sesshomaru….that is not necessary." InuYasha murmured, almost submissive, for
he had recognized what Sesshomaru was attempting to give him. Kouga was
confused, looking between the two half siblings, as if he did not believe his
other senses.
"Though it isquiteamusing…." Houkou spoke then, before Kouga could figure it
all out. He should not have spoken, for it seemed that Kouga picked up some
clue with his words, his eyes widened – he swallowed, and stepped down.
InuYasha was grateful, while Sesshomaru warned him with bloody tinted eyes not
to move away or run.
"Houkou…" Harry sensed the tension, and swallowed, for Itachi was looking
toward Sesshomaru as if to kill him – Sesshomaru had been kind, had taken him
in – Harry had no wish to see Itachi fling himself into this fray.
"Yes, yes…" Houkou, having been apparently entertained, grumbled only a little
as he spoke. Itachi caught on, narrowing his eyes at Houkou – not in the least
threatened by the five tailed demon. Houkou, rather then be annoyed was
somewhat pleased – almost smug at being so dismissed from being a threat.
"Enough. You three may settle your disagreements elsewhere. If you continue, I
will kill you." His words – backed by the gapping grin of Houkou – were enough
to bring the three feuding to heel. At least for a moment….
"Eloquent as always, young Itachi." Houkou murmured the compliment, though
Itachi was clearly confused by it – he seemed determined to see that they dealt
with one thing before another. His concern was for Harry – and the words of
Houkou which still haunted him.
"Silence. You claim I am causing him harm – yet you do nothing while he
sickens." Itachi snarled tensed, as if ready to spring into an attack. Houkou
lifted his lip with a warning, teeth glistening.
"Do you imply that I would see him die and do nothing?" Houkou asked, coming
closer to Itachi, who narrowed his eyes, not backing away. He would not submit,
even with Houkou standing close enough for him to smell the dog demons breath.
"Is that not what you are doing?" Itachi hissed the words, softly Houkou
chuckled, and noticing Itachi shiver. He was not as inhuman as he pretended,
something of that passed between them then. They both had a goal to protect
Harry – though they both knew it was Harry who protected them from becoming
what others feared them as. That was a sort of strength that needed no fists or
blood to be showed for what it was.
"Perhaps you are a mate worthy of my other half…be wary, I will not see him
suffer any more harm." Houkou had tilted his lips to Itachi's ear, lips
brushing and touching sensitive flesh. Itachi's eyes widened at the strangely
intimate gesture.
"Understood…" The word came out, almost choked off. Houkou grinned, a little
bloodthirsty, a little more filled with lust then Itachi was comfortable with.
It was what Houkou was in truth, raw force – natural law unto himself. Harry
harnessed that sheer force of will – and had made a companion of it.
Houkou, as if to prove his thoughts true, moved away from Itachi – settling on
his haunches to regard Harry. Who looked only then to the bloody ground – all
that was left of flesh and soul that had freed Houkou; only then did it sink in
what it was that Harry must be thinking. Houkou had been within the jewel – he
had gotten stronger then he had ever been, Harry knew that his scar marked him
as Houkou's host – it bound them together even now.
If Houkou wanted to, Itachi did not doubt Houkou could kill Harry, rather then
being trapped once more.
"Houkou…she died…" Harry murmured, Houkou's hands rested on either side of
Harry's face – he pressed his forehead against Harry's own. It seemed they
stayed like that, as if thoughts passed between them, though Itachi did not
know that to be truth and only suspected it to be so.
"I will not let the same happen to you, little one." Houkou seemed to burn up
with an inner light, until they had to look away or close their eyes. He was
gone when they looked back; the lightning bolt of a scar seemed too bold on his
pale skin. Harry blinked blurry eyes, and Itachi knew that he had not looked
away – and closing his eyes would have done little good. With blurred vision,
Harry blinked, head tilted to the side as he did not panic relying on his other
senses even with his near bout of blindness.
Itachi knelt down to touch Harry's shoulder reassuringly, recognizing something
familiar in his touch, Harry spoke, unsure of what had happened.
"Itachi…am I…alone?" Harry asked, uncertain, Itachi glimpsed Miyabita Shi which
Houkou had held the whole time, though it had seemed somehow the sword was less
significant then the demon. Itachi let Miyabita Shi touch Harry, who grasped
the sword in old familiarly, somehow reassured.
"No." Itachi's answer was firm, without a doubt. Harry would not be alone, even
though Houkou terrified Itachi in a way that Itachi would never admit.
"Thank you." It was almost a whisper, but Itachi heard it.
"Now that Houkou is within you, this world – this time – is changing; you must
leave before the Bone Eater Well can no longer take you from now to then." It
was Sesshomaru that spoke, no one else had dared to interrupt. Itachi found his
lips tilting in amusement – it was like Sesshomaru to do what was necessary –
as it was for Itachi. They were more alike then Itachi had realized.
"And just how do you know that, Sesshomaru?" InuYasha asked, looking strangely
to his brother, as if he wasn't sure if it was, indeed, who it looked to be.
Kouga frowned, unsure of what either was talking about. Itachi was sure it
would be explained to him. Eventually.
"You do not disappear with subtlety, little brother." Sesshomaru stated softly,
there was a certain fond amusement in his tone. Kouga heard it – though
InuYasha seemed obvious. He boldly rolled his eyes heavenward, as if he had
suspected as much.
"Huh…" InuYasha mumbled, Kouga looked to him with a raised eyebrow, wondering
if InuYasha was acting, though it was clear he was not.
"We must leave now." Itachi interrupted, as interesting as the lives of his
ancestors were – as intriguing of a concept that this point of time was proving
to be with humans having a working knowledge of the dangers of the demons that
lived among them was proving to be; he had no desire to remain in this time
longer then absolutely necessary.
"Agreed." Harry murmured, standing on his own though he seemed to gain some
strength from Miyabita Shi. Itachi knew he would for a long time yet remain
wary of the sword that had forced him to couple with demons and morals, even if
it was to keep Harry alive – it had never told him – not that he would have
understood.
Sesshomaru seemed to move, flicker of a shape superimposing the mortal form
–dwarfing it – things seemed to settle into what had been imposed. Itachi
thought he might have done without the blatant show of power – though perhaps
it was good for Kouga to learn just what he was meddling with. Kouga swallowed,
nervous as he looked between Sesshomaru's giant dog like shape and InuYasha who
he had never seen in a second form save that of a half demon and human. The
implication was none the less obvious. Of course InuYasha could transform so.
"This shape will carry you swiftly." Somehow Sesshomaru being smug traversed
naturally from the giant canine. Itachi felt Harry touch his back, knowing that
though he could not yet see, he knew that they needed to move swiftly. Itachi
had little doubt that Harry would be able to keep up with his movements – they
had worked well together since Itachi had first started sparring with Harry.
That did not mean that Itachi trusted Sesshomaru in the least, as he leapt
upward, pretending that what he climbed was not covered with fur and was
breathing beneath his feet even as he hissed words he knew Sesshomaru would
hear.
"Just so you know Sesshomaru, Harry may trust you – but if you try to eat
either of us, I will kill you." It was snarled past clenched teeth. There was
no other answer then the leaping run that ate up distance and soon they had
passed over fields and were within a thick forest. It was then that Itachi
thought that perhaps thoughts had better been saved for after they had gotten
to where they needed to go. It was too late now.
All the same, Sesshomaru showed some respect – seeming to understand Itachi in
the same way that Itachi had understood him. He left them at the Bone Eater
Well, golden eyes that glinted from shadows in the trees were the last thing
that Itachi saw before a swelling light and soft music took Harry and himself
away.
End Notes
     -Challenge # 1 from Serpent in the Shadows-
     Harry Potter & Naruto crossover, Slash, or no relationships, brief
     summary: At the age of three, Harry, after a bad round with his
     Uncle, unknowingly used his magic to whisk him away and to a strange
     land; only to be found by Hiashi Hyuuga. The head of the Hyuuga clan
     decided to turn the boy over to the Hokage -but that quickly changed
     when he realized that this child could not be heard, smelled, or even
     seen unless one was looking directly at him - even the highly praised
     Byakugan could not see the child. Seeing the potential in this,
     Hiashi kept the child hidden from everyone, gave him the Juin Jutsu,
     and trained him hard from the beginning - teaching him everything he
     needed to know in order to protect his daughter, Hinata, who he
     deemed to weak to protect her self. His sole mission was to follow
     around the Heiress through her academy days, genin days, and so on,
     all without anyone ever knowing. With no rank, he was never labeled a
     Shinobi of the Leaf, no one knows about his existence except for
     Neji, Hinata, and Hiashi until the age of seventeen when something
     vile happens that causes his magic to explode allowing the wizarding
     world, who thought he was dead, to find him.
     Requirements:
     1.) Hinata will be seen as a 'sister'. He does not fault her for his
     seal or life.
     2.) Hiashi is hated, and Harry vows to find a way around the Juin
     Jutsu and kill the man for what he has done to himself, Neji and
     Hinata.
     3.) Neji can be seen as a 'brother', friend of if you choose a lover.
     4.) Magic must take a backseat in the Shinobi world. The only thing
     that Harry uses his magic for is to be 'unseen' but that was all done
     unknowingly when he was transported to the other world.
     5.) Yes, Harry will be powerful in the Ninja world; he has to be in
     order to protect Hinata at such a young age. You may think of him as
     another Itachi if you wish - he was trained since the age of three.
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