[Thread] Sasuke and Mercury are gone! The answer to their disappearances?!

[waterfell]

Characters: AU: Uchiha Sasuke, OU: Mizuno Ami [PGSM]
Guest Appearances: AU: Orochimaru, AU: Mizuno Ami [PGSM]
Where: A room in Neocontra
Summary:
Mercury joins Sasuke.
Orochimaru finds them due to his link to Sasuke.
the barriers to cross
final encounter: Orochimaru, Sasuke, Sailormercury, Mercury
the curse seal is given
Warnings: none

Comments

[embalmment]

The realization hurt. It hit him hard and strong and all at once... All the things he'd overlooked or brushed off as Naruto being busy or being typically ADD; all the little traits Sasuke had noticed that seemed off... The pure ignorance, the almost onehundred percet onesidedness of their relationship... Months it had been building without Sasuke even noticing. He believed in Naruto, and that was one hell of an acheivement. The fight on the water though reminded him of what he never thought would ever be true. When he called it off after their last fight it seemed like Naruto actually listened. He actually gave up. He actually stopped. That fight on the water... it reminded him so much of Naruto. The passion he always extroverted. The depth in his eyes. That sheer force of will. The need to get stronger. Even when Naruto was Rokudaime and Sasuke was assumed dead. In one way or another he was still following Sasuke. Searching for that opening to say, 'I knew it. I knew you were alive' Now? He was ignoring him. Flat out ignoring him in the time that he may well need him the most; and Sasuke would reach out to him but... what was the point? Sasuke wouldn't do such a thing like that. He didn't even realize how much he needed Naruto until this. Besides, that's all he'd ever done. Time and time again. It was so different. Things were just not the same. People change.

People change indeed.

Sasuke needed to think. He needed to sort his mind out. His thoughts and his emotions. He set off away from his apartment. He didn't really need to do anything as he was sure that no one would actually come looking for him. He just needed to feel alone. Away from everyone. His own space to just think. Sasuke had been here for seven months and done so little in the area's of social growth. Like it always was, he was sure the people who talked to him talked to him because he was intelligent; useful; powerful. That suited him fine, actually. It was comfortable. It was known ground. Without that bond there was nothing to loose. No pain to gain from loss of those people. He would love to convince himself that he would feel no pain if he lost someone he knew here. That he wouldn't care. But he knew that pain; that pain of loss. He knew it well. Like Skuld had said: revenge. And he knew that desire; that hatred. The strength that came from it. It was that strength that had given him the ability to stare death right in the face and tell it to fuck off.

But his time was running short. He knew it.

After that minor conversation with Orochimaru, Sasuke had left the washroom and collapsed in his room. It felt like someone was tearing his mind from his body. Probably was. Sasuke had been there for a while alone in the room. He'd calmed himself down, but his head was still throbbing. It wasn't nearly as excrutiating as it had been, however. It had taken him a small while to even be able to move after the inicial freak out. Though he was in the room now in a deep meditation. His legs crossed and back strait. Eyes closed. Slow deep breaths.

Sasuke noticed the presence. At the moment there was no barriers up around them; but if she wanted to come forward there would be. Undoubtibly people would come looking for her at least.

[waterfell]

Although she didn't know he might have, he hadn't put a barrier up against her. Mercury walked forward and then inside.

If she had been wholly conscious of the situation, she would still have been there. More importantly, your journal... She had worried, in that sort of hesitant, unsure, ineloquent way. However, in her current state, she simply wanted peace. A quiet mind.

Eventually, the blue-haired girl reached the room where the boy was meditating. She stayed outside it at first, watching him.

[embalmment]

Clear his mind of the clutter. The disorganized thoughts and frustrations. The mixture of emotions that he couldn't sort or understand at the time. Part of him knew that Mercury would be wondering off. He did not expect her to be coming and finding him; but perhaps that was just coincidence, or perhaps it was -- his throughts stopped there as he heard her enter. Sasuke understood both sides of the arguement. Skuld, and Mercury. He understood the power that bond could do and the power that revenge could do; but like Mercury, Sasuke leaned more towards the posed warrior aspect. These bonds were not neccessary. Friendship and happiness was not neccessary. And one was not always depressed and listless if they were not bombastically happy. Content? Or even apathy. The feeling of success. Adrenalin. Skuld arguement that everything was based on happiness was poor. It seemed like people were still not accepting the fact that Econtra was not their world.

No matter. Many people here fought together with the collective idea to live. He knew this. He saw this. He'd gathered people sorely based on that ideal. They worked together fine. On the trust that they all had that desire to live and defeat the enemy. Observation and analysis was just fine. Indulging your hearts in to others was a stupid idea. It was naive.

Sasuke took a deep breath. He didn't open his eyes or look towards the girl but her presence was noted. If she came in, than she came in. He hadn't noted her presence with a glare. That likely meant her presence was a welcomed one. They were... similar.

[waterfell]

What was there, really, to say? All of it was so obvious, between them who were similar: I left, too. I know why you left. I knew you would leave. We're full of that bitterness right now and we don't want to be! Either of them could say it to the other; both of them would be indulging in something completely unnecessary.

And yet, there was something to say, now that she was here. I want to stay here awhile. Simple, clean, matter-of-fact. It was just a statement of intent. As before, that time, she felt comfortable around him. Secure. She did not say it. Perhaps she did not say it yet.

Mercury stepped into the room and sat down near the boy engrossed in his meditations. Actually, they were similar to her own, but that wasn't saying much; meditation was meditation, to an extent - and similar was not same. She leaned her back against the wall.

[embalmment]

They stayed in silence as he put up the barriers and prepared the tactics to execute his defence. Things would be nice and silent for a little while. Sasuke had understood the silent wish: I want to stay here. And he had allowed it. He understood the bitterness too. In some way he was bitter against her, Mercury, as well. He wouldn't show that however.

It wasn't too long that someone, some two, had decided to come searching. Orochimaru, and her counterpart. Sasuke knew that Orochimaru would be able to get through this likely much easier than Ami. He also knew that Orochimaru would be unlikely to desire another visitor. If that was the case than Orochimaru may disappear; or fight Ami off. This meeting between Ami and Orochimaru might end very good, or very bad.

Nonetheless his eyes looked up at the girl. Scarlets shining bright against the pale white and black locks.

"Ami is approaching, what do you want done about this?"

[waterfell]

She had just been allowing herself to feel that quiet steal over her when Sasuke spoke, transmuting comfort to confusion. First, it was surprise that she was being asked.

Had she known about Orochimaru's approach as well, she might have been more decisive. Knowing only 'Ami is approaching', Mercury considered that. Why was her counterpart here? Although Ami hadn't been cruel, surely she'd shared the opinions of the others, and that was why Mercury was here. It was not precisely from simple hurt; it was also to discover whether she, Mercury, believed those views of herself.

"I don't want anyone to come," she said.

[embalmment]

He wasn't going to make it easy for Orochimaru; but Orochimaru was also a genjutsu user. Possibly not as lethal as what could be with Sharingan but he was well versed. He also knew the barrier. It wouldn't keep Orochimaru out but it certainly would be a pain in the ass to get in. Sasuke almost laughed at that. The smirk did touch his lips as his eyes lowered down to his hands in his lap. It was somewhere between hateful, bitter, neurotic, and had a dash of sadistism.

Part of him really enjoyed pissing Orochimaru off and being a pain in the ass brat; being typically difficult. Especialy when he was in a foul mood. It felt good to irritate something that used to be so powerful and strong. Squash it beneath your foot. Hell, if Orochimaru did end up getting angery than Sasuke would probably laugh.

Such cruel punishment; he almost wanted it. He did want it. Violence meant that someone cared. Cared enough to shove their fist through your face. Someone wanted him. Orochimaru wanted him.

So... did all of this make him sadistic, or masochistic?

When did it become like this? Was it always like this? No matter.

Sasuke did not respond; but her request was clearly being acknowledged.

[waterfell]

She knew those emotions playing across Sasuke's smile. What was he feeling them about? Something had occurred to him after he had asked her about her counterpart.

Mercury had no particular need or desire for Sailormercury to be harmed.

"I wasn't saying I wanted her hurt," she specified a bit sternly, shooting her companion a look. Some of the utter coldness had worn off - states of high energy were difficult to maintain indefinitely - and she had slightly more of her normal character.

There was an internal sigh. This did not seem likely to be quiet anymore.

[embalmment]

"Very well," he left it at that.

It had little to do with her counterpart. Perhaps his bitterness was showing a little more; or perhaps he simply wanted her imput. His emotions he displayed was his analysis on himself. That smirk was, as most things were, turned inward.

Because he was a horrible person. A terrible person. A bitter and lonely person. An untrusting and neurotic person. A liar. A murderer. Broken.

Very broken.

He said nothing further. Merely stared at his hands and retained that cool and calm composure. At least on the outside.

[waterfell]

She knew that. She knew the reticence in expressing it, she knew those thoughts. Those thoughts could have been describing herself, all save murderer; she was only an intended murderer. And to be fair, she did not lie.

Those thoughts were describing herself, Mercury felt right now. Certainly that was the message loudly and clearly received. I'll stop trying and all you see is Kunzite and killing the princess.

Why had she so strangely disliked that thought? She was supposed to think that way, that very way. And yet, she'd so liked that strange feeling when she had healed those people from worlds like Sasuke's. She had begun to question Metalia. She had begun to want to find another way for her world. She had felt as though at last, she was beginning to know who she was, what part of each side of her was true.

She had, it turned out, been wrong.

Still only two or three words had passed between them. She wanted to somehow express that she hadn't - intentionally - brought this trouble with her, that she hadn't known he was here but she had been looking for him at least on some level, that she wanted to stay because he was here and the only person she felt comfortable of right this moment.

Had she known he was toying with Ami anyway, she might have revised that opinion very quickly.

As she did not know, Mercury searched for words. Those words were surely lost inside Sasuke's genjutsu, because she couldn't find them anywhere and anytime she grasped at them, they flew out of her hands.

[embalmment]

Sasuke looked up. Wordless.

Ami had broken the illusion. Pushed him right out of her body; of her mind; out of her. Just for Mercury. No matter whether she actually knew what was going on or not. It didn't matter. The point was, Ami cared. She cared a lot. It took a hell of a lot of willpower to simply overcome his genjutsu.

He wanted to leave. Constant reminders of things that he never had. Even here. But he didn't. He said nothing as he stood and walked silently. Over to a window with no real purpose in that movement. Orochimaru would breech the barrier soon. Did he want to fight?

Sasuke glared out of the tarnished glass. Orochimaru was ever growing; and so was Ami. Orochimaru knew that secret. He was in the akatsuki at one point; and so he would know how to overcome the dopplegangers with ease. Sasuke considered dropping it but didn't.

It wasn't a measure of defence anymore. He just wanted to irritate the Sanin.

[waterfell]

She heard Orochimaru's voice but, not knowing the man except through the journals and what she'd been told by Sasuke, Mercury did not recognize it. She did not startle at the unfamiliar sound, but was immediately on the alert.

"Who is that?" the blue-haired girl demanded of Sasuke, "That man, whose voice is that?" Her eyes flickered towards the door then back to him for an answer.

And why didn't you tell me he was coming? She did not ask that question, but wondered it. She remained alert, ready.

She had not asked that second question because she wanted to decide for herself what she believed. There was, actually, despite a split-second gut reaction, no reason to believe a trap of any sort. After all, he had done nothing to bring her here. She had simply come.

Good, as far as that went. But it raised what she unexpectedly realized was an almost more troublesome possibility: The person on the other side of the door intended to interfere with Sasuke.

[embalmment]

"Orochimaru," he explained shortly. His voice rather flat and bland sounding.

The only person that cares. Orochimaru. So this was what he was worth. Snake food. He'd gone so far that everyone had given up. He didn't matter anymore. They were wasting their time on a younger more innocent version of himself who was fucking stupid. Denser than a god damn block of lead.

Fuck.

FUCK.

FUCK.

Why did Yuuko let him live. WHY. Fuck. Fuck it all. Fuck everything. Fuck. Everything. He didn't care anymore. He wanted to scream and destroy everything; and his muscles tensed with it. The bloodpooled red hues embedded with such powerful hatred; with agony. Hurt and pain.

Calm down. He breathed, and forced himself to calm down. He felt like he was choking on it; the hate; the rage; the pain. The cuff flaired up his arm. Breathe. Inhale.

Swallow.

The Uchiha didn't move from the window. His arms crossed over his chest as he stared.

"I don't know why he came," he responded as if he'd read her question; He hadn't.

His hand moved from its weave across his chest to his forhead as he felt that headache coming back.

[waterfell]

She knew everything about that reaction. That livid anger, that frustration, that half-fear of 'that' person but the half-release of knowing it didn't matter anyway, the caring that always seemed to go to someone else, the desire to destroy, the pain...

The headache.

In return, Mercury was calm; she could not act any other way right now. To do so would be dangerous, she could tell by that muscle tension and posture. She produced a small object she was almost never without and so had even here: a snow globe.

The blue-haired girl held the object out towards Sasuke. "Go ahead. The water is healing. It should help the headache."

[embalmment]

His fingers curled by the hairline. This headache... the signs were there. He almost lost his balence for a second. He knew what was coming and he didn't care. Why should he? Just one thing.. and he could only do so much for them.

. . .

Fingers moved to make a spafe for that one scarlet to look her way. He stared at her for awhile and at the globe. It wasn't a harsh stare but more one of almost confuesion. Sasuke was aware of the power it had. He'd seen it before.

He hesitated for a moment.

And after another moment he reached out with that hand to take the globe. There was silence for a small while as he used the healing water. It did help.

His eyes lowered to the floor for a moment. Thank you.

"They'll be here soon," he turned back to the window, "she has your will."

[waterfell]

She was as wordless as he was. How to say 'Of course I'd do that'? She had no expectation of demonstrative gratitude, and that thought was not bitter; it was freeing. That thought meant she could do a sympathetic act like that simply because she wanted to and not for any other reason.

When Sasuke had finished, Mercury took back the globe and put it away again. It seemed he understood. She glanced towards the door as he spoke.

They. Orochimaru and the other Mizuno Ami who was an incarnation of the senshi of the planet Mercury. They were both coming. Soon.

She'd been hurt, but for Mercury this leaving had not been to test whether someone would seek her. She had not expected that someone would, but her purpose had been to just leave behind the parts that were pain for awhile, and maybe to decide what she believed she was.

Always a foolish act, that. That man would have immediately said so, he would have reminded her bluntly that she was simply part of the darkness, always part of the darkness now, and he would have warned her not to look for anything else. He would say it in that voice that made everything he said into truth.

Yet time after time, she'd run away to look. She had not just run away from the senshi in her heart; she had run away from that man, too, many times. She was always slipping away to that waterfall or that lake or somewhere unexpected in the human world.

"I also, I have headaches," she said after another moment or two.