18 - Didn't I Tell You?
"Can you walk?" Temari's worried tone caused Rena to look at her. Really look at her. She may have been too hard on Kankuro and Temari. Temari truly cared for Gaara, it seemed, although it may just be that everything was riding on this plan. However, she wasn't required to care for him, to make sure he was okay. She'd apologize after this was over and then barge into the Kazekage's office and yell at him for putting everyone in such a dangerous position.
Temari gently put Gaara down, getting out some of her spare healing salves. Rena crouched down, still supporting Gaara while looking at the area behind them. She was sure that their opponents were coming up fast.
"Come on, Gaara, we have to get you moving or the whole plan will fail." She screwed open the salve, but Gaara grabbed his head, pain racking his mind. The blood coming from him concerned Rena- it was just a regular red but she could tell it hurt.
"Leave me alone, Temari…" Gaara took a sideways glance at Temari. As far as Rena could tell, not much was wrong with him… he seemed the usual, stand-offish type of boy she always had to deal with. "Go away…!" His voice and mood took a sharp turn, causing Rena to step away as he glared at her. He rose to his feet, shakily, turning in the direction he expected the enemy to come from, his eyes locking on Temari as she tried to baby him. "They are nothing but a nuisance. Beat it!" As he backhanded Temari, he sent her flying into a tree- hitting it hard. She slid down the trunk, coughing up blood from the impact. She was clearly wounded from her previous fights and as Rena tried to walk over to Temari, but he glared at her. "I don't need you." He spat. She wasn't really sure why his attitude had changed, how he'd gotten so unhinged. He didn't look at her the way he did before, that night during the festival… were they right? Had Gaara been with the Shukaku so long… that he'd become a monster himself?
"Temari!" Rena called, as she rushed to the Sand Genin's side, kneeling down beside her. Gaara watched as she moved, his anger and insanity broiling inside him. How fickle was this damn girl going to remain?! She swore loyalty to him, no matter what he did. Nevermind that- he'd deal with her after he murdered his pursuers. He'd make her remember her promises. He closed his eyes, calming himself slightly, but then reopened them, only to find Sasuke standing on a branch above him with a smirk on his face.
"I've got no idea what scheme you Sand Village clowns have got going on, but I'll stop it." His smirk faded, nothing but serious, pointed threats remaining in his eyes. "No matter what it is!" Rena stared at Sasuke, her worry painted directly on her face for all to see, while Temari frowned. The girl placed a hand on Rena's, causing Rena to glance back at her sideways. Gaara's sand shield cracked, slowly, but the cracks began to grow. "Besides… I'm dying to see what you really are."
It couldn't be just a Jonin or just medics. Suno listened closely, his ear to the wall. One… two… three… four… five… sets of footsteps. He held up his hand, signaling there was more than one enemy. Tsukiyomi nodded, her eyes narrowing. Their conversation could be heard clearly the closer they got. "We'll detain the girl. Anyone involved with the Hidden Sand is to be eliminated or detained. If she fights, use lethal force."
The party watched as the medical shinobi walked through the door, of which there were two. Not yet. Ikari held a kunai, his killing instinct kicking in. He could see the ANBU masks from where he was hiding, as one entered the room. Tsukiyomi prepared, making her hand sign but not connecting the two. Another one followed, slightly behind the other, and as the first stepped one foot off of the tendril trap, a bead of sweat rolled off of Suno's face. As the third, and final, member stepped into the room, Tsukiyomi finished the hand sign. Tendrils shot up their enemies' legs, leaving them in a state of shock as they struggled. "Wha..?!" One of the ANBU began attempting to cut away the hair with a kunai, but more replaced it.
As the medical team turned around, ready to assist, Ikari launched himself from underneath the bed, coming up behind one and sinking his weapon into their neck. Blood sprayed out as he hit one of their arteries, causing them to collapse to the floor, dead. He bent over backward as another attempted to use chakra scalpel to attack him; his leg shot out, causing the medical shinobi to fall over backward. He took the kunai he had used to kill that shinobi's friend and jumped onto their chest, plunging it deep where their heart should be.
The world is a hard place, Ikari reasoned, thinking of his cursed childhood, and I'm not about to be the one that dies here so you can live.
Prior to her room being bombarded by her friends, out of habit, Su had woven thin threads all around the room- nothing that would make a difference, just so that she could feel disturbances around her. She could navigate the room easily this way; some of these threads, however, had been swept up in Tsukiyomi's hair, allowing her to hone in on the location of her targets. She prepared her needles, but they were no good for breaking the skin; they were meant to graze already-created wounds, of which there were none yet. As she patted Suno's back, he jumped forward, slicing with his sharp nails. Su spat needles as the wounds were created, quickly subduing and neutralizing her targets.
As they dropped to the floor, unable to move, Tsukiyomi retracted her hair, which curled back into the braid she had it in before. Suno kicked away one of the ANBU, clearing a path out of the room for them, but as they turned, it was clear they had two different methods of fighting. Ikari's method was brutal and unforgiving, having executed his enemy with no remorse. The look on his face was enough to instill terror in anyone; he clearly had no concern for the people he'd just murdered. In fact, they were the last thing on his mind as he strutted toward the door, not even sparing a glance at those dealt with by the others.
The party needed to get out of the hospital, otherwise, there would be even more casualties. As Ikari moved down the hallway, slowly but stealthily, he made a signal to the others to stop. People were definitely coming. They flattened themselves against the wall, only to watch medical-nin rush past with a stretcher, paying no mind to the hallway they hid in as they were much more concerned with the shinobi on the stretcher who was writhing in pain.
They had succeeded, at least, in not making any more casualties out of medical-nin. Suno, himself, held the preferences of someone who disliked wounding those who were assisting in the field of battle. It wasn't their fault that they'd basically invaded what should have been a safe-haven. Ikari crossed the hall the medical shinobi had, opening the window across from it. It opened up into the courtyard below, which was directly beside the exit of the hospital. Nobody should be in the main lobby at this time. "We can't go the way we've come, because certainly there's going to be people finding that shinobi who fell from the window about now. It's best we descend into the courtyard from here and continue out the main doors- a singular direction. Fewer threats, a more linear path to get the hell out of both the hospital and Konoha. Medical shinobi should be either out or not in the main area at all." He slid open the window, waving to the party. Tsukiyomi was the first to exit, jumping down to the ground with ease. Su and Suno followed, with Suno being nimble enough to land on his feet, perfectly balanced.
Ikari looked around, trying to gauge if there was anything else they had to be wary of, before climbing out, closing the window behind him and dropping from the third floor. His wrists still dripped from the fight before, much to his annoyance- this wouldn't cover their tracks for long. Black blood had its benefits, but it was not like normal Hikari blood. The issue being… he was incapable of hardening it enough to seal up his wounds. It was thick, surely, but not hard. He'd have to apply bandages otherwise.
As they continued through the courtyard, Tsukiyomi's hand shot up as someone stepped from the main hall into the light. "Tsubaki." With a flap of her wings, she hovered over the ground in front of their exit, her gaze filled with malice as her wings spread through the air. "You really didn't think I'd just let someone connected to her leave like this, do you? Whatever's happening outside doesn't matter- my mission is to destroy anything regarding that monster!"
Ikari's eyes narrowed. Just what they needed, someone who seemed annoying and unstable blocking their path. Judging by the Blood Empress' reaction to the Yoru Jonin, the Yoru were enemies of the Hikari. That meant that it was probably in his best interest to kill her… but he barely had the chakra to use his blood. He couldn't do anything.
Tsukiyomi stepped forward. "I will dispatch this enemy. Please go ahead, with haste." It seemed like Tsukiyomi was getting the match she was denied when she burnt out in the Forest of Death.
"We can't leave you behind. You're one of two who still has the strength to fight and you won't be able to escape alone!"
"Nobody knows my true identity, Ikari. I will be fine."
"It's not about that…! The more time we spend here, the greater the risk…!"
"Exactly. They cannot find you, Su, or Suno here. You can be directly linked with the Hidden Sand." She raised her hand, pointing at Kana. "But for me… they don't know me."
Ikari tch'd. They really didn't have time to deal with this crazy bitch and Tsukiyomi seemed eager to fight. "Fine. Catch up quickly."
"Very well." Tsukiyomi launched herself at the enemy, who easily avoided her attack- but at the cost of the three other members of their team slipping by Kana. She poised to go after them, but now it was Tsukiyomi standing in front of the door, not her.
"You're one of the ones at the written exams. You're so forgettable, I forgot your face… but you're definitely connected with her! Clearly, since you dropped out before the preliminaries, you're trash…"
"I'm afraid that you are incorrect," Tsukiyomi spoke, calmly and politely. "In fact, had I not met a rather unfortunate injury in the Forest of Death… I'd have completed the Chuunin Exams."
"Where is this backward confidence coming from when you're a failure?!"
Tsukiyomi stared with dead eyes directly at Kana, causing the girl to shiver. It was as if the girl was looking right through her…"I know I would have succeeded… simply because I am strong enough to be a Jonin." As she raised her hands, her braid began to unfurl, branching out in all directions. "I am by far, the one being that nobody should desire a fight with. Thanks to my creator, I have developed a whole new series of puppeteering Jutsu…" Her eyes began to glow as if triggering something deep within her, an innate nature built deep beneath her flesh. "Self-Puppetry Jutsu…. Blades of Hair!" Rather than one, as she had used to cut Rena down, there were ten. They swayed and waved in the air around her, to which Kana's glare deepened.
"I have no clue what you're talking about, but I'm going to knock you down a peg!" Kana procured shuriken from her pouch and began to throw them, aggressively. As they sailed toward Tsukiyomi, the blades of hair responded accordingly, slicing them in half and causing their trajectory to curve to opposite sides, a thin line of blood dripping down her cheek.
"I will tell you this now. Since I am your challenger, any and all attempts to fight me… is worthless. I am the guardian of Rena Hikari. This job comes with risks. I am not as sorely underdeveloped as Suno." She stepped forward, her hair tendrils swaying back and forth. "Byakugan."
"What?!" Kana watched as her eyes turned from blue to the color of those who belonged to the Hyuga.
"I originate from something so disgusting that anyone who knows will want nothing more than for me to die. But for me, I am the shade black itself. Nothing matters to me. Nobody matters to me. Only my purpose and designation are what lord over me. I can kill you. I can let you live. Neither have too much of an impact that I see the need for either."
Something… was seriously wrong with this person! Even Rena… Even what that monster was hadn't made fear like this course through her! This thing… whatever it was… the Jutsu it had, the dojutsu… it was wrong. It felt wrong. Still, she couldn't back down…! She had her mission! As she body flickered, planning to strike from behind, she screamed as one of her wings was severed by a blade of hair. Tsukiyomi didn't even turn around. "Didn't I tell you… it was pointless?"
Kana held the bloodied stump of her wing. It was no big loss- as long as it wasn't the roots, it would grow back. But still… she didn't see a way she could win this, let alone survive. Rena had been her level, what she was trained for, but every base instinct in her body screamed to run. This opponent was way too strong for her right now…! Tsukiyomi tilted her head to the left and looked Kana straight in the eye with a single eye. Her expression was nothing. That's the only way she could describe it- a blank, indifferent emptiness.
Before, Lady Rena had been in trouble, so she had to resort to the fastest method of dispatching the threat since it was much stronger than this mere Genin. It resulted in a burn-out, which in the end, caused her to temporarily have to shut down. She couldn't use her full power, because she was busy trying to make herself faster. As fast as possible.
Tsukiyomi wasn't even trying to attack her. She only retaliated whenever Kana attacked her. She was so sorely outmatched… and she couldn't do anything about it. "I…." Kana tried to steady her shaking hands, but it was impossible. "I give up…" She only hoped that this monster would just leave her alone… she prayed that Tsukioji would forgive her, but this… whoever this was…!
Tsukiyomi shut her eyes. When she opened them, her pupils were back to her original blue. Her hair began to concede as well, twisting over each other to make her signature twin tails. She simply walked past Kana, ignoring her, as if she didn't even exist. Every second was agony as Kana feared for her life. This was someone… that would kill her, and feel no special kind of way about it.
"How interesting." Tsukiyomi had stopped and goosebumps covered Kana. "You chose life. So this… is what someone who doesn't fight for their beliefs with their lives on the line looks like." Her footsteps continued and the rage within Kana built to a boiling point. She would get Rena for this. No matter what… she'd make her pay!
"Lady Owari." A woman with a rather suspicious appearance showed up outside of the Hidden Leaf, her eyes trained on the background and the absolute chaos of the scene going on within. "Where is the Young Mistress?"
Owari looked down at the woman who knelt before her, before chuckling. "It's fine, Fuyuki. We'll receive what belongs to us sooner or later. For now… we'll let her play pretend."
"The Leaf is a dangerous place. Aren't you afraid she'll…?" Owari's eyes narrowed, quieting down Fuyuki. "Understood, Lady Owari. The others eagerly await your return to Kyūden. Their blood is restless, so they sent me in their place to track you down."
"Calm yourself, Fuyuki." Owari tapped her on the head, causing the woman to rise. "Akito shall protect Rena, should something go wrong. We have nothing to worry about."
"You awakened the Blackened Beast?"
A single, morbid, lengthily glare from Owari once more quieted Fuyuki. "I don't see how it's any of your business, but yes. Don't worry- His power instilled in you is under my control, not his. His taste for vengeance will lead Rena straight to us. He still can't control the pieces I took from him." As Owari began to walk, her generals skipped and hopped by her side, Fuyuki following behind her. "Hmmm… how about we stop for a snack on the way home?"
"Oh, yes, Lady Owari!"
"Please, Lady Owari!"
"It's time to return to Kyūden." She turned, hearing the sound of distant fighting, but she could feel her blood pulse through her. More importantly, she knew where Rena was- her blood called out to her true mother, broadcasting her location. "Our beloved Rena will return home soon, after all. It must be presentable…"
Gaara's sand shield was cracking further, hatred burning viciously in his eyes as he stared at Sasuke. Everything… everything! He couldn't hold it back any longer… however, someone… or something else had different ideas. A scream ripped through the air as he grabbed his head, staggering around. His sand shield cracked rapidly, at a rate that it had been withholding before, but nobody was attacking him. Why was it breaking!?
"Gaara!" Temari and Rena called out in unison, only to glance at each other again. It was Temari that spoke again, however, her eyes filled with the most terror Rena had ever seen from her. "Oh, no…"
"What's going on, Temari?!" Rena pleaded, sick of not knowing.
"It's happening…!" Temari was shaking. The bravest person she knew, and she was shaking. She could probably take on anyone in the Leaf without a single fear. "Any second now and he's going to let that thing out! No, not now… not now!" Her voice echoed around the area as she called out to him, desperate. "No, Gaara, remember our mission!"
Gaara ignored her. He was no longer interested in Temari, nor was he paying any mind to Rena. It was as if she was invisible. "We're so alike, Sasuke Uchiha." He began, his eyes exposing his mindset. "I don't have friends as you have, but that's not what makes you strong." Rena clutched the fabric above her heart, the painful thrum becoming too much. He was alone. He was so alone and nothing she did could reach him. In the end, she hadn't even tried as much as she possibly could. She never got in his way. Did she… really have what it took to help him? He was speaking so calmly. As if everything meant nothing to him. "It's your purpose that does it. In that way, we're alike… You!" His voice became huskier, a harsh yell erupting from him, causing Rena to jump. Gaara's bloodlust was so thick it was almost visible, sinking into the people around him and paralyzing her legs. It was so much worse than the last time she'd experienced it. "But mine is the stronger purpose, for only by destroying you and all your represent can I prove that I exist! Only by killing you, can I know what life is!"
Who... was this person before her? Was it the Gaara she knew…? Or was Gaara… dead? She, too, began to tremble, unable to keep herself together. Was she really any better than the Hidden Sand? All that time she spent with him and she still… she still couldn't get rid of this damned stupid fear! But she knew it wasn't death she was afraid of. If it wasn't death, what was it? Why couldn't she move? Why couldn't she say anything!?
"You…" He began again, his pause complete. His tone got aggressively violent, "You! You are my…" A single heartbeat passed in between the two. Absolute silence pierced even the heavens. Gaara let out another scream, holding his head as he collapsed to his knees. "Aaaaaaaaagh!"
Rena desperately wanted to run to him, but she knew he couldn't be reasoned with in this state. She didn't know if she would be of any use or not, but if she interfered now…
"If I were to do whatever I want, right here, right now, even if that meant killing everyone else we know.. Would you get in my way?"
"I'd always side with you, Gaara. Regardless of anything, no matter what you do. It might be wrong… it might not be moral… I might not look like a strong, independent woman in the eyes of others… but I think that my love and my purpose runs deeper than all of those things. If it means I can stand by your side, why should I let pride get involved? Who cares if nobody else sees me as strong!? I know I am!"
Her fists curled, her teeth grinding together. She couldn't interfere. She promised him. Even though it made her suffer, even if it made her feel like she was going insane, tears of sorrow dripped from her eyes as she watched the person she loved suffer. If she couldn't save him, then she'd suffer with him. If she could even just bear a fraction of his suffering, that would be enough…!
"You are my prey!" Gaara screeched, viciously, his gourd erupting into sand and covering half of his body. An arm extended from the now-broken gourd, "My prey!" He screamed again, over, and over, and over, twisting his head from side to side.
She could feel all of the hope drained from her body. He was gone… all gone…
And it was as if something inside her shifted. Time had stopped, momentarily, this being a mere space in time… nonmoving, still. If she looked closer, things hadn't really stopped. They'd just slowed down to the point where every action felt like it would take a year to complete.
"What did I tell you?" She gasped, her head turning, meeting the dead eyes of the woman in the mask. "That… if you kept locked in the past, you'd become a victim of it." She could feel a sharp pain in her side- a kunai stuck out between her ribs, purple blooming from the wound. Rena could feel herself slipping, falling from her place beside Temari, deep into nothingness.
"Rena!" Temari called to her as she collapsed. She tried shaking her awake, but it seemed like it was impossible to get through to her. Her eyes widened. "Wh… how…?" She watched as her wound festered, opening further, purple spreading through her clothes. Temari ripped them open, the wound looking similarly close as if she'd been pierced by a kunai.
Deep within the dream, Rena could feel herself being pulled down, hands all over her body as the masked woman followed her into despair. "I will take back what's mine, initiate." Shuriken formed in her hands and she whipped them at the girl, who was nothing less than defenceless. She closed her eyes, preparing for the impact, but the ring of metal against metal was all that clashed. "Wh…. you?! What's your play here?! You've never done this… You've never interfered!"
She could hear the sound of footsteps as the hands pulling her down let go. She hit cold, hard, metal and the sound of metal bending and shifting caused her to open her eyes.
"Our interests are none of your business." The voice was familiar, yet not. "But, you made a mistake in coming to no-man's-land… at least in your domain, you were protected, but now…"
"Bring it, kitty cat." As Rena raised her head, she realized she was in what could only be explained as a birdcage. She slammed her hands against the bars, looking into the darkness, trying to understand what was happening. She could hear them clashing, their bodies moving so fast that she couldn't even comprehend what they looked like. Fire suddenly filled her vision and she stepped back from the bars just in time. Beyond the lick of the flames, she could see two figures duking it out- one resembling a human shape, and the other just barely human. "I won't let you take what's mine!"
"Do you truly think such an insignificant insect as yourself can stand your ground against me? Remember who made you, child."
"You're nothing but an old relic!" The woman in the mask snarled in response. Rena heard the clanking of chains as she watched a storm of them rise up, separating her eyesight from view once more. "You can't do this… you won't do this!"
"Begone, back to your hovel, child." All was quiet, but she could see red, glowing eyes in the darkness. She heard more footsteps as whatever the thing was that had won circled her. "I finally… no!"