Chapter Seven
Glimpses of Darkness
Author: shattered-words
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, it’d be called ‘Gaara’. So, isn’t it a shame that I don’t own it? ("Falling Away From Me" belongs to Korn.)
Summary: The Kakurezato are on the brink of war and certain events leave several lives hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, what’s the fire wielder’s fate, and who is the deadly Oto Oinin that has suddenly appeared? (AU, Sequel of "Glimpses of Fire")
AN: This particular chapter came to me while I waited outside of Shenanigans Irish Pub and Grill for my bf and his grandmother. I had just finished eating and my head was hurting due to the loud music, so I stepped outside to the car. I had decided to see if I had any luck with this unfinished chapter. Lucky for me, my headache helped it along. Thanks for helping me with Life Drabbles Shadows, cause you reassured me there so the rest of my energies went into this. For you. Enjoy.
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Day, is here fading.
That’s when, I would say.
I flirt with suicide.
Sometimes to kill the pain.
I can always say.
"It’s gonna be better tomorrow".
Beating me down, into the ground.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter Seven: Unraveling Futures ~*~*~*~*~*~
Her back connected harshly with the wall and she heard the sickening snap to indicate that something had been broken, and she cried out before she could stop herself. Her breathing was labored and she knew that if she looked down, she’d collapse.
She’d lost count of the days she had been here, in this same situation, but her resolve was steadily wavering. The gray haired ninja wasn’t going easy on her, since her wrist was still broken, her ribs had barely mended and she was covered in other painful wounds and bruises. At the moment, she had felt something break through her skin.
There was a moments’ hesitation before looking down and her dirty shirt had a fresh spot of blood that was steadily spreading. The white hot pain was also creaping over her body, and her mind completely shut down as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and pitched forward.
The feel of arms encircling her was almost enough to bring her back around because she knew whom it was, but the darkness dragged her under. She was drowning in it and then she knew only knew terror as she lost consciousness.
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The figure moving steadily toward Tsuchi no Kuni paused and turned his head north. His eyes narrowed as he sensed the flash of heat and while it didn’t give him a specific location, at least he was pointed in the right direction. A cold smirk made its way over his features. "There you are, bakemono."
As dawn stole over the once black sky, he slipped under the cover of some nearby trees. Only his golden, glowing eyes were visible for a moment before they too had faded from sight.
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Kabuto hissed as he stumbled back, falling against the opposite wall as he cradled his scorched right arm against his body, the skin burnt and charred. His regenerating ability was already starting to heal the wound. The pain, however, wouldn’t fade as easily.
She was huddled in the corner with her arms around herself as she watched him with wide, fearful eyes. A few moments ago she had been in a state of unconsciouness, and now she was completely alert.
He had been having his usual fun with her, sharpening his skills with Shosen Jutsu, and his hand had slipped. It hadn’t been his intention to break her ribs once more, and what’s worse was that the jagged edge had broken through the flesh. The gray haired ninja was only glad that it hadn’t pierced a lung or she wouldn’t have survived. He’d hate to have to face Orochimaru after the girl had perished.
It hadn’t been his intention to severely hurt her but she had managed to wound him. The Yakushi had been toying with her and he’d been angered that she had been able to injure him, no matter how small the injury.
Of course, he had used more force then necessary when he’d thrown her into the wall. He’d caught her falling body and had been quick to heal her before she went into shock, or bled to death. During the times she had been here, he had been trying really hard not to allow her to get too hurt or let her get blood poisoning due to the filth in the prison. Also, it got pretty cold during the night and she seemed to be more susceptible to the cold then most individuals.
After he’d healed her his hands had wandered and her eyes had fluttered open. Kabuto had seen the fear he relished and expected as her eyes had widened, but then her features had gone slack. He might have thought she had passed out but he’d felt an intense presence manifest and overpower hers. It slammed into him and his whole arm had ignited and he’d jumped away to keep his whole body from being set ablaze.
It had been shocking since he didn’t think such power could come from a mortal girl, much less a twelve year old. Her eyes had faded to white before two burning points formed in the center, expanding quickly until they had been completely crimson. She had knocked him to the other side of the room before rising with a defiant air surrounding her.
She peered at him with a look of contempt and turned toward the door. Then she faltered and stumbled back against the wall, shuddering uncontrollably and started to cough up blood. Her eyes had changed back and she collapsed. The abstruse power she had used appeared too much for her body to handle as blood trailed from the corners of her lips and from her nostrils.
Kabuto stood as the wound completely healed, leaving behind only a dull ache and watched as she started to tremble when he approached. It seemed that whatever had saved her had retreated back into a dormant state. His lips stretched into a deranged grin as he flexed his fingers. He would enjoy paying her back for the pain he had experienced at her hands.
Her blood rimmed eyes were wide with an abysmal terror and he tilted his head to the side. "Douka shimashita ka?" he quietly asked, and enjoyed the sight of her face contorting in a flash of anger before dying in the face of her fear as he approached her. She was starting to learn that there was no escape from him.
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Amane paced back and forth from living room to kitchen, turning and moving back the other way, head lowered and strands of dark brown hair sticking in every direction. She paused and glanced out the window as dawn crept over the eastern horizon and brightened the once darkened heavens.
She had woken from a nightmare in the wee hours of the night and she had gone to drink a glass of water. Something had seemed off to her and she’d checked on her roommate, but had found her room empty. Of course, her first thought was to panic and run to Harukaze, but she had managed to stay calm. However, as morning came, she was starting to worry.
Her ears picked up the sounds of movement in the next room and she hurried to Iwane’s bedroom and pushed the door open. A figure stumbled through the window and swayed for a moment before moving to the bed. Amane could only watch from the door, unnoticed by her comrade as she kicked off her sandals and crawled into bed.
When the other girl had stopped moving she approached and saw that she hadn’t even bothered to push back the covers, and was still in her rumpled clothes. Her short black hair, which made her seem even more boyish, was in disarray and her bangs fell over her closed eyes. Amane felt an ache in her chest as she realized that in this light, Iwane almost resembled Arisa.
She neared her and caught the stench of sake and sighed before she started to undress her. The Itagaki left her in boxers and her spaghetti strap tank top. Afterwards, she pulled the covers from under her and placed them over her so she wouldn’t be cold. Of course, they had to be up in another two hours but she let her sleep at least that long.
Amane only slightly closed the window to let a breeze in and left the room. She glanced back once before closing the door. Iwane was spread over the bed, out cold and her face was more peaceful then she had seen it in a long time. For now, she’d leave the situation alone if only to save her friend’s sanity.
The Suna kunoichi left the door open and made her way to the kitchen where she turned on the coffee maker. She slipped into the restroom for a cold shower to wake her up. Even if she tried, she knew that sleep wouldn’t come, and she some how knew that more sleepless nights would follow. In the end, she only hoped she’d be able to help the Erizawa through this.
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The Itagaki lifted her head as she heard scratching at the window as she was getting ready to wake Iwane up after she’d finished her shower. She slowly moved to where she could see the window and the sight made her rush forward. A dark brown hawk flew into the room after she’d forced the window open and she watched expectantly when it landed and as it strut across the table.
She walked up to it and untied the letter around its leg. It was from Naruto, but her expression melted into a frown when she saw what was written there. The blonde had been lead by Jiraiya into Tsuchi no Kuni, but it seemed they had some difficulties.
‘I. & A.,
It’s been seven days since we entered into enemy lands and at first everything went smoothly. On the fifth day we met a four man group moving north and away from the village. We saw them first and were going to avoid contact, but luck wasn’t on our side...’
The Sand kunoichi’s fingers tightened around the letter and she quickly moved into Iwane’s room. She wasted no time and exuded no finesse in waking her up from her slumber. "Iwa-kun, wake up!" she snapped when the other girl groaned and merely rolled over. When that failed to do the job, she returned a moment later with a glass of water.
Amane stood at the foot of the bed as Iwane colorfully cursed her out before fixing her with an emerald glare. She neither apologized or explained herself and merely held up the letter. "From Naruto." Her eyes cleared immediately as she stood without any indication that she had been completely drunk a few minutes ago, and scanned the contents of the letter.
"Kuso," she sighed and plopped on the edge of the bed. She peered up at her and frowned. "You’re going to show this to that Hunter, aren’t you?" Her voice was nothing short of venomous, since it was no secret that she had no trust for the Oinin.
A smirk worked its way over the wind user’s features as she merely inclined her head. "I got some coffee ready if you want it," she only answered and moved out of the room.
Iwane’s sharp eyes followed the girl she loved until she’d rounded the corner and then returned her gaze to the letter. She read the part that Naruto hadn’t even bothered to code, and which disturbed her the most. ‘...the contents of the scroll was Oto asking for an alliance with Iwagakure against Konoha and its allies...’ She sighed and ran a hand through her wild hair, pushing back her bangs before standing and starting to get ready for another lousy day without Arisa.
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He was speechless for a moment at the younger man’s words before he was able to find his voice. "With Erizawa Miwako?" Hiroaki practically screamed. "Why on earth would you want to marry that filth?"
Motoki’s features hardened and the glass paperweight he’d been fiddling with was crushed in his hands. "Refrain from insulting my choice in fiancé, kudasai," he muttered with restrained fury. He sat up and calmly brushed the shards from his lap as he fixed the older man with a pleasant smile, but his sea-green orbs were like burning coals.
"I have chosen Erizawa Miwako as my mate because from the kunoichi in her age group, she is one of the strongest besides my own sister. I’ll be damned if I marry a stupid girl that cares only of her looks and what I have to offer." He crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back as his bangs fell over his eyes.
Hiroaki licked his dry lips and nodded after a moment. "I completely understand what you’re saying but surely you can see that her...upbringing is inadequate, Motoki-kun," he tried to reason. "As the future head of our clan, you’re expected to choose a girl of higher standards, beauty and wealth..."
The older man paused as his grandson stood up and fixed him with his chilling gaze. "Of course, I could always renounce the position as head of the Itagaki Ichizoku, and then I’d be free to marry whom I choose." He moved toward the door and paused before looking back at him. "You have others that would be perfect for your heir, like uncles Satori and Satoshi."
His words were enough to dry Hiroaki’s argument in his throat. He clenched his hands on the desk before him before looking up. "Hai, I see," he muttered. The older man cleared his throat and nodded. "I will...arrange the marriage but you must understand that it will take time, Motoki-kun. You had already been betrothed to another young lady."
Motoki smiled and nodded. "Wakarimashita," he answered. "See that it’s done, kudasai." He pulled open the door and left the room without another word.
Hiroaki was left with a curse on his lips and both a new found respect and loathing for Motoki. He was indeed his grandson to have inherited such a vicious and manipulative personality.-
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Translations:
1. Douka shimashita ka: Is something wrong? (Is something the matter?)
2. Wakarimashita: I understand
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End, Chapter Seven