Blood In The Sand

Rena could hear familiar voices, which distracted her from the pull of wanting to know more She turned, the bright light of the porch lantern catching her eye. "You were brave enough to tell me all of this."

"I understand if you want to leave, Baki. Knowing that I've lied to you about who I am, who Rena is, my entire life. If I hadn't, our past would've caught up with us."

"You've done some things that would damage a normal relationship, Sansa. When I proposed to you, I promised I would remain by your side, no matter what comes. I intend to keep that promise. Even if Rena's real mother comes for her, we'll stand against that psychopath together."

What did we tell you...? A psychopath is what they call your mother. Imagine what they call you when you're not looking... not to mention, everyone else knows. Everyone.

"They would have told me...!"

You have no friends, child. None but us. Nobody will tell you the truth but us. Nobody deserves your trust but us. Even Gaara fails to tell you the truth when you need it most because they're afraid you'll be a psychopath like your mother... Your real mother.

"Why... why won't they trust me?!" Hurt was replaced with a boiling, insufferable rage. She wanted to strike, lash out against everyone and anyone, bring everything down with her. Why would they keep something so important from her unless they didn't trust her love for them?!

Your mother intends on making you a weapon, but what if we told you that we could make it so that your free will trumps all? Your mother will erase everything you are, but if you trust me... when the time comes, we can ruin everything she tried to make you into.

"Anything... Anything to get out of this feeling. I don't know what it is, but it hurts. It's so hot. It hurts like someone is sticking needles in my heart...! Please...!"

Then you will have to forget.

"Forget... ? But...! Everything they say about me, all of their lies...!"

You will not remember a thing about the past two hours, child, until the time comes when she awakens the weapon within you. You will not know me. We will have to meet again.

"Wait. Can I at least leave myself a note? Something that... something that will tell me that I can't trust anyone else?"

No.

"Why not?!"

Even the slightest mistake will ruin our plan. Nobody but you and I, trapped in this moment, may know.

"Who are you...?"

The being was silent for a second as if it was thinking of a way to introduce itself.

I am Akito Hikari, the Black Cat, a demon sealed within you by the hands of Sansa Hikari and your true mother. Now, sleep. I will return you to your proper place... and we shall drive the world to ruin together.

She couldn't hear the last part, but she felt a need to sleep, aggressive and impossible to resist. As she fell to the ground, she wouldn't even remember being outside- she would only know that she fell asleep, waiting for Gaara to return...

As he crept into her bedroom, he brushed a tuft of hair from her face, causing her eyes to flutter open. As the two stared at one another, she shot up, giving him a smile. "Gaara! I've been waiting for so long!" He couldn't say anything, confused, as she embraced him, pulling him down onto the bed. He flushed red, but gave into her hug, her scent, having missed her. He knew he shouldn't and that this would only cause more suffering for her, that eventually, he'd have to give her up and if he didn't do it now it would be so much worse when he was forced to. He closed his eyes, nuzzling her chest, basking in her warmth. "I'm sorry."

"Huh?" She asked, drowsily. It was clear she was a bit out of it.

"In the end, I just can't stay away from you for long. Allow me to be selfish for a bit longer." He held her tighter, embracing her, his heart hammering away in his chest so hard he thought it would jump out and fly across the room. This... was this the love he had been seeking all along? Ever since he acknowledged it, it seemed so different from what he had first felt. Every day, his feelings grew. Every moment spent with her, he cherished her more. Every thought he had about her, the harder it was to stay away or think of other things. In the end, when she disappeared, it had answered a question he had been struggling with; could he bear to be without her? Even at a distance?

It was so wrong. His brother was supposed to marry her. Even though Gaara loved her first. Even though he had said it first. Even though he had suffered the most because she was gone...! Even though every time he had to face the Shukaku, every time he saw his sand, he blamed himself and it! The days he thought he'd murdered the person he held dear to him, it was enough to almost drive him to ruin. If he'd lost her for real, if she somehow died after this... could he control himself? He'd learned so much, but he didn't think anything could prepare him for how painful love truly was.

A figure crept next to Su's bed. They rose their knife in the air before bringing it down, stabbing into the sleeping figure. As they tried to pull it out, however, they found the knife stuck. As they tried to let go of the knife, they felt increasing pressure on their skin, binding them to the handle no matter which way they struggled. As webs came down on them, Su landed on their back, the glint of her paper-thin single thread making a mark of blood against their neck. "My brother should have sent more of you."

"You're a murderer and a fugitive. I don't regret coming here to try and kill you after what you did to my son...!" Su froze at the sound of the voice. He...he was... the moment she faltered, he threw her off of him, causing her to slam into a wall and slide down it. She struggled to stand up, coughing and wheezing as she brandished a kunai, staring down her assassin. "You deserve everything you're about to get, you monster."

Her grip on her kunai tightened. How could she fight him? No, how could she kill one of her closest friend's parents?

"We treated you like you were one of our own, Su. We let you be his friend and you murdered him!"

"It wasn't me!" She replied, feeling panicked. How could she deal with something like this?!

"Liar!" He spat, jumping at her, kunai clashing against kunai.

Sansa whipped her head toward the crashing sound, but a kunai sailing towards her gave her no time to check on the kids. She clasped her hands together in hand signs as the attacker stepped into the light. Hunter nin. Fuck, she thought. Knew it was a bad idea to take in these kids. Yet she couldn't say no to Rena when it counted most. "What do you want?"

"Sansa of the Sand, Devil Tactician. I know you have many names. Give me what I want and we don't need to fight any longer."

"Judging by the sounds upstairs, in my house, the fight has already started." And she was none too amused about it. As the two glared at one another, the tension raised to the roof. "Baki. You know the drill. Help the kids. I got things covered here."

"That is a bold statement. All you need to do is give up the girl."

"Fat chance. Should've sent a carrier pigeon asking nicely." As Baki ran into the house, dashing up the stairs, she got into a fighting stance, more than ready to take him on. "Then I could have at least wasted your time for a few days with a long, drawn-out 'Fuck you.'"

The Hunter Nin launched himself at her, but was met with a white, menacing cloud of smoke. He bounced back, not wanting to get caught in a trap, but he heard the words, "Summoning Jutsu!" He cracked his knuckles with his pinkies, one by one. A mere summon couldn't beat him. The smoke cleared and Sansa stood, alone, as the wind blew her hair over her shoulders.

"No summon?"

"Check again, kiddo." Her thumb pointed at the cloud behind her, where something twisted and writhed, shielded from view. As the smoke cleared, the Hunter Nin's expression turned sour, a scream heard as he took his final breath. "And that... is precisely why you should never fight someone older than you. Unlike today's summons, mine comes from a place long abandoned." Sansa lit a cigarette, taking a small puff before hearing the commotion upstairs subside. Shrugging, she kicked the pile of dust at her feet, watching it fade into the desert breeze. Turning and entering her house, she shut the door behind her. She was too fucking tired to deal with the paperwork tonight.

"You failed." The sound of running water was all that he heard as he glanced around the bathhouse. "Did I not tell you that this was possibly one of the most important things you had to do, child?"

The boy removed his mask, sighing. "I'm sorry, Lady Merui. She almost exposed my identity and we'd have more issues with that than I'm willing to risk everything for. I can't do much if I'm executed for something like this."

The old woman's feet echoed on the bathhouse tiles. Pillars of marble surrounded the pool; it was closed at this time, not that either intruder cared. "Kira. It doesn't matter how you do it, get that girl out of the village before they-" Merui stopped herself, momentarily, sighing. "Before they realize that she's not the one we're after. I want proper justice and to do that, there needs to be a scapegoat. You're dismissed for tonight, but finish your job properly, or there will be problems."

Kira nodded, bowing before body flickering away. Merui looked at her reflection in the water. Only a fool would assume they were alone. The voice came, soft and sensual, like a seduction- one that promised power and wealth beyond anyone's imagination. "Merui. I see you're keeping our deal secret."

Merui turned, her face blank. Her opinion on the matter was clear; she wasn't amused. "Orochimaru. Do you think this is my first time getting rid of a Kazekage? As promised, I've prepared the forbidden Jutsu for you. But... didn't you suffer losses in the Hidden Leaf as well? I heard you were injured beyond repair."

Orochimaru chuckled, but he shook his head. "In the end, I was. I'm not actually Orochimaru, girl. I'm simply one of his followers, here to collect in his stead. He figured you'd want to speak to him and that anyone else would be rather... Uncomfortable."

Merui shook her head, sighing as she picked something up off of the table beside the pool, handing it to the pretender. "As long as this finds its way to Orochimaru, I don't care who you are. Keep what you know a secret, monster. Thank him for me when you see him next."

"Do you feel no regret or guilt over what you've done?" The soldier questioned, tilting their head in a fashion she'd expect to see in Orochimaru. "It was a question he wanted me to ask you."

"Not even here, and attempting to provoke me. As always. Tell him that as long as I get my way, there's no time for guilt or regret. I do what must be done for the future of the Hidden Sand and trust me when I say the Suna Family is not going to cut it. They are weak. Rasa, especially. His final days were spent writing love letters and hiding them under his bed. He can't even kill his own son." Merui turned, laughing, her shoulders shaking. "I will not make his mistakes. His son will die. The Hidden Sand will be the greatest Hidden Village in the known world. My offspring, their offspring, and the offspring that come next will know security and superiority. The Hidden Sand will bow to no-one."

"Orochimaru says that he is excited to see the results play out for years to come and that he will be keeping a close watch on the events to come. He thanks you for this forbidden delicacy- Although the previous owner of this technique may come after you should he find it in the possession of my master."

"That's just like Orochimaru- to record a message before getting a response." Merui shook her head. "This forbidden Jutsu belongs to my family just as it does to the one who I enlisted to kill the Third Kazekage. My skill of puppetry is what truly brought this technique to life. Sasori merely assisted."

However, the man was gone, as if he'd never been there in the first place. Merui supposed she shouldn't expect him to stick around for a conversation; after all, she had to make preparations to allow certain hunting squads to find the Kazekage's body... within due time.

The sun began to rise on the Hidden Sand, blood shining in the light. Although there were only a few droplets, black mixed with red, Ikari's entire frame covered in cuts. He began to hyperventilate, his chest rising and falling with intense speed, but all breathing paused and his face turned white as the figure stepped in front of him. "This is a real war, boy. You must be willing to do anything. You don't interest me. You have nothing in common with me and I wouldn't die for you ... but I would die for Owari. Any of us would and that's the true glue keeping us together. We want to see what kind of world she desires."

"What are you...?"

"I am Fuyuki Hikari." A pleasant smile spread across her face, the sunlight hitting it at a perfect angle, banishing the shadows away; red streaked across her body, glinting and gleaming in the sunlight as something crawled underneath her skin. "And my blood is one of the strongest, most beautiful, styles in the entire history of the Hikari, praised by Lady Owari herself." She brushed a strand of hair out of her face, her cheeks flushing a light purple. She licked her lips, a similar colour, but it wasn't Rena's purple- a light lavender. He didn't know what it meant, only knowing what most of the primary Hikari colours held- purple, black, pink and blue. He'd never heard of lavender. He thought he knew everything he had to know about the Hikari, but just when he felt comfortable... they unleashed thugs into the Hidden Sand. Fuyuki's eyes never left Ikari, but he sighed, shaking off the fear. She had, after all, saved him.

In mere moments, he would die. There was nothing he could do about this situation. But still, he thought. How could he get out of this? How could he save himself? Would everything be for nothing? Coming this far just to die here...

As the glint of the blade caught his gaze, something thin and sticky caressed his cheek. He shut his eyes, knowing it was over- but he could feel no pain. Opening them once more out of morbid curiosity, he was taken aback when suddenly pain blossomed all over his body. He watched as the Hunter Nin jumped back, poised to strike and he readied himself- when the man just fell apart before his eyes, crumpling into a mass of blood and body parts.

"Take this." The woman produced a thin vial of some grey liquid. It sloshed about but was substantially thick to the point where Ikari couldn't determine if its fast movement was an illusion. As he grabbed the vial, turning it upside down, it acted as if it was molasses or perhaps even a lava lamp, but it was so fast that it couldn't be. "It'll fix the effect of my blood."

"The effect... of your blood?" He inquired, his attention being taken away from his pressing fears.

"You know the Hikari, boy. You know of the elite assassins in the shadows. But you don't know about our ever-shifting evolution."

"The Hikari... evolve?"

"It's true. We very well can. There have been some who have changed their blood colour entirely. Some become something different while others breed it into their familial lines. My blood is a legacy type; although experiments have changed me into something else entirely."

"Wait, experiments? I mean, I was told stories about the Hikari but never anything about this." Ikari followed her as she began to dig a hole with a nearby spade from a construction site. She looked at him in annoyance as he asked his next question. "What do you mean by experiments?" She handed him a nearby spade, her gaze almost ruthless as he joined in digging.

"I told you to take what's in that vial for a reason, boy. Although, it seems your desire for power and knowledge far outshines your fear. You're truly Hikari by blood, no matter who may deny it." The more they dug, the more she would explain. "The Hikari may be subjected to experiments should they desire to strengthen their blood beyond conventional means. When they need more, our doctor will provide the knowledge to make them more. Of course, such power usually comes with drawbacks. As far as I'm concerned, that's all you need to know, Initiate. Keep digging."

"What if someone comes for him? He's a Hunter Nin, surely the Hidden Mist will-"

"Do you think I'm an idiot, boy?" The woman's eyes narrowed, piercing him with an absolute, cold glare. "As far as anyone knows, they went rogue around the Hidden Cloud tracking the fugitive. I got the treasurer's money when they entered the village; I just didn't feel like killing them then and there. The treasurer has already sent word in their code about chasing after a dead lead; far into a cold wilderness, of course."

Ikari was glad that he had chosen the winning side in the upcoming war. The Hikari were ruthless predators, feared by those who preside over their villages. It was said by Fuyuki that only the Kage and a select few had access to any knowledge about the Hikari's involvement with the past. Due to their nature and people's ideals, it was best not to expose the massive monster that had allegedly been dealt with. He sighed as he shovelled sand onto the body, topping it off. "I have to get back or Sansa will notice I'm gone."

"Fine. I can get around the village by myself." As she refastened her cloak, she seemed rather inconspicuous; more like a poor beggar on the streets than anything else, her gaudy clothing gone. "If I need you, come to the Acacia Tree in the park four blocks from here. I'll leave a message in a spider web in the tree."

"Wait." The woman paused, raising her eyebrow. She was extremely impatient to get where she wanted to go. "How will I know you need me?"

"You won't. That's why it's your responsibility to check. Never keep me waiting." As he wanted to say something about how ridiculous that was, she body flickered away, leaving nothing but footprints where she'd been standing. He stared at them for a moment before departing from the spot.

News was spreading fast about the attack. People didn't know how many of them there were yet, but it was assumed that all of them were dead. ANBU were searching for more of them, but the public didn't know where they came from. Sansa knew she'd be in hot water if people found out they came from the Hidden Mist, so she'd taken their headbands and hidden them. She'd reported that they'd been there to attack her, perhaps a result of her involvement in the storm on the Hidden Leaf. The Elder Council could do nothing but accept their statements, and, deciding not to approach the Leaf for fear of rebuttal, let it be. Quietly and nicely wrapped up, in Sansa's opinion, but she'd also been less than pleased at lunch, returning from her meeting with the elders. "I don't know who you brought in my house, Rena, but we can't have assassins dropping in every fucking Sunday, you get me?"

Rena nodded, sighing. "I didn't think-"

"That's the problem. I told you this would become a problem, didn't I? You don't think. Luckily for you, I can't kick her out, but I put myself in hot water for this shit. This better not happen again." She took a sidelong glance at Su. "For both of your sakes."

"I'm sorry," Su said, paling at the anger in Sansa's voice. She didn't quite know how to respond to the woman yet since she seemed to only have one mood and that was don't bother me. She heard a few sets of footsteps as Sasna walked across the room, unsure who was following her.

"Tsukiyomi. You begin training with me today."

"Hey, what about me?"

"Did you forget?" Sansa turned to her, her glare deepening, causing Rena to shrink back. "I told you you're never going to be a shinobi. I'm not going to sit here and watch you throw yourself into danger over and over again with little thought."

Rena's hands balled into fists. She looked like she was about to blow up, but she took a deep breath. "I don't know about you, but if I have proper training, I'm sure I can minimize the threat!"

"There will always be a risk with this lifestyle, Rena. I don't want that for you. I don't want you to have to look over your shoulder like Su has to." She gestured to the blind kid, not realizing the irony of her statement. "I just want you to live a normal life."

"What about what I want?" Rena turned away from Sansa, looking out the window. "Don't I have a say in that?"

"Not as long as I'm your guardian. You should be a normal kid, and live a normal life, from beginning to end, happy. I want you to die when you're ninety, not when you're fourteen."

"But you don't want the same for my friends?!"

Sansa shook her head, sighing. "Someday, you'll understand what I mean. You'll have children of your own and you'll want to do nothing but protect them, even if it makes them hate you. Your friends have had proper training."

"Not really." Suno piped in as he shovelled food into his mouth, only pausing when Sansa gave him an ice-cold glare. "I mean, of course I do."

"Suno will become a doctor. I've already signed him up for a medical shinobi program with one of Lady Chiyo's apprentices. Tsukiyomi will be training with me, for the sake of protecting the Hidden Sand. Su and Ikari are still on lock-down, but I don't mind easing up on Su if she wishes to train. If she's going to stay, she has to become a productive member of the Hidden Sand." Now she was directly speaking to Su. "I don't care if it's the work of a shinobi, or working on the streets or in a business. Do something to make up for damages the assassins caused. As long as you report back at 9:30 on the dot, you're free to go wherever you want to."

Su would've spat at her, but she knew it wouldn't go over well to spit in the face of the hand that feeds you. At this point, Sansa was giving her clothes, food and a house- and asylum from her brother. It was a new life and she really did have to prove she had what it took to belong- and stay- here.

"What about me?"

"You take a step out of this house and I'll fucking beat you within an inch of your life, you little shit." Her tone change and everyone could tell she was speaking to Ikari. "I still don't believe you have Rena's best interests in mind." Rena wondered why Sansa would be so apprehensive toward him when she sent him to save her during the Chuunin Exams. Maybe... he was all there was to save her? She'd have to talk to Sansa about it later. "Speaking of little shits, Rena, I don't know why, but the Elder Council wants to see you. You'd better go now. Keep on their good side and answer any remaining questions they might have."

"Yes, mother."

Sansa froze. Her hands tightened, digging her nails into her palms.

A dark shadow cast over the floor, the Empress of Blood's eyes glittering in the darkness, bemused by the grovelling servant at her feet. Her gaze was the kind that never left you, that made you feel as if you weren't just being hunted; the hunt had already conceded and you'd been successfully caught. Sansa stood at her side, adjusting her glasses as she began to look over some parchment she had in her hands, ignoring the situation at hand.

A girl trembled at Owari's feet, sobbing. She wore rags, smeared in crimson red. She was on her hands and knees, bowing to the Empress, begging for her life. "Please, Lady Owari... spare me...!" She cried, her nails raking across the floor, but Sansa only rolled her eyes. No matter how much she begged, she had to know it was futile- especially with Owari. Most Hikari you couldn't beg to, even on a good day- and Owari only had good days.

"You think you have the right to beg for your life in a world such as this?" Owari's foot poked the subject's cheek, taunting her mercilessly with an unrelenting grin. "My dearest daughter slaughtered your entire clan, you know." Owari reached over to the figure beside who, who sat rigidly on the floor, staring off into the distance. Her nails slid against the girl's cheek, a thin line of blood welling underneath her gentle, firm touch. "You are the spoils of war, slave." Her tone was no longer jovial but full of disgust and hatred. "You are the losing side, so shut up and take it with the little dignity you have left. You had one simple, little, itty, bitty, task. I ordered you to cook. You brought me filth; slop that tastes like shit. You are nothing more than a disposable spoil that I won when Rena conquered your clan. Rena, finish the job."

Rena made no move to get up as the girl grovelled again, but this time to someone who she thought would be more sympathetic. "Lady Rena, please, spare me! Your Highness, please give me a second chance!"

"I don't give second chances, filth. Rena, I gave you an order." Her eyes shot to her child, her malevolence shining through. As Rena stood, she could only utter a simple response.

"Yes, mother." Her tone was entirely submissive; almost miserable, if you dared search for a tone in her voice. The Empress yawned, resting her chin on her hand. Rena took a few steps forward, brandishing her weapon. She couldn't disobey her mother; her body wasn't her own. As she raised the scythe above her head, Sansa saw the girl looking at the reflection of her own face, blank and expressionless, like a doll. Obeying the shadow that was the Empress was all Rena existed for. There was no higher purpose than serving her mother. As the servant's eyes widened in terror, trying to block herself from further injury by raising her arms to protect her head, a scream echoed through the halls of the Blood Palace. Rena brought the scythe down, blood splashing across the floor.

"You're just as brutal as the legends say." Rena shot forward, her scythe nearly touching the man's neck, but her mother stood, putting up a hand in the form of a stop signal. Rena stood down, lowering her scythe and stepping away.

The man had red eyes, redder than blood- the Sharingan gazed at Owari and Owari gazed back. "You're the head of the Uchiha Clan, aren't you? Did you make it here all on your own?" Sansa half expected the Blood Empress to kill him right then and there. "What could you possibly require from the Hikari?"

"Your beauty and temper are both exceeding my expectations of what I've been told."

"So bold, Uchiha. I should have you killed on the spot for that insult, but I like that you don't seem to fear me like all other peasants that have come before me. It's interesting. Although, I don't know your name. I was only guessing your position by the fact you made it past the defences."

"Tajima Uchiha, as you've guessed, Head of the Uchiha Clan. I've come here to gain the Kekkai Genkai of the Hikari to aid in our fight against the Senju, the Blood Style Release." As he stepped forward, he ignored the blood pooling around his feet, never taking his eyes away from the beauty in front of him. Sansa could tell he was spell struck; not to mention, in times of war, an alliance with the Empress of Blood was nearly unheard of- especially considering their ongoing fight with the Yoru.

"What an interesting man you are, Tajima Uchiha." As she stepped off of her throne, her kimono dragging behind her, her hand gently grazing his cheek as she studied him.

"I find you the most interesting. You named your daughter with the kanji for peace; despite the fact that she is one of your strongest assets in war."

"Peace is only achieved through war," Owari replied. "Constant, unending war will bring the Hikari peace."

"Your apprentice is named in a way that is not of this land, but further research came to the conclusion that her name means 'Saint'."

"Respect all cultures, not just our own traditions. Someday, I aspire to conquer more than just these lands; even though my legend has only just begun, I have a future over the waves. I want them to know that even as slaves, their culture will not be forgotten- simply replaced with ours."

"And your name means, simply, 'The End.'"

"My mother knew what I would be from the moment she birthed me. It's what she called me on her deathbed, and she was right. I am the end. I am finite. That will never change." Sansa didn't understand what she meant back then, but now, it was all too clear to her. Something inescapable and unmovable; unpreventable. "But how do you intend on getting my Kekkai Genkai?" She grabbed his hand, sensually moving it up the curves of her body, him standing slowly as she forced him to raise. Dragging it upward, past the curves, his fingers brushed against her lips, up her cheek, then her eyelid. "By ripping my eyes out, as someone would do to you? Would you do it with your bare hands?" Her voice was a mere whisper, her smile flirtatious.

"No," Tajima replied, falling ever deeper into her grasp, "That wouldn't give me the effect I want. Even if I had it, it wouldn't be passed down through my bloodline. I am asking that you marry me and bear my children, Lady Owari. Marry into the Uchiha family and I shall give you something desirable to complete the weapon you admire so much; the Sharingan."

Owari glanced back at Rena, before settling her eyes on Tajima. "I accept those terms. You are more interesting than anyone who has ever come before; I want to see the kind of world you shape with your very own hands, using my blood release style... but I have a much, much more interesting way to give my weapon the Sharingan. A much more... fun way. I've been meaning to try it."

Her grin consumed Sansa's memory, her eyes reminding her of the carrion birds that picked the flesh from corpses. She wondered how Tajima could handle any of it, from the ritual to marrying someone so tainted by the blood of others. Someone who wanted to do nothing but conquer others, one by one, to savour the feeling of taking something others held dear- freedom.

"Go." Was all Sansa could manage to say. She heard the door slam shut, but she couldn't react to it. She wondered why she was remembering something like that now. She hoped that would be the last of those bitter, dark memories; ones devoid of colour or emotion, dark things she simply either stood by and watched happen or actively participated in herself. She was a different person then. The Sansa of then didn't have to be the Sansa of today. She'd run from her past, even going as far to pursue the use of a different weapon and different Jutsu entirely, staying away from summoning, just to deny that part of her life- that part of who she was. She wouldn't let the darkness in again.