Everything Ends.
I knew even as I ran that this could potentially cost me my life. But if it worked, it would be worth it. He would be worth it. I glanced at the man next to me. He had a grim frown on his face but kept up with ease.
"Hoshigaki." I didn't pause but I knew he was listening, even if he wasn't looking. "If anything happens to me-"
"Nothing will happen. He told me to keep your stupid ass safe and I'm going to do that, Ying Yue." I rolled my eyes at his glare. He really was a loyal man.
"If anything happens," I continued as if I had never been interrupted, "I need you to look after my sister and that useless husband of hers. Ru Shi will need you."
He growled and adjusted the sword on his back. It wasn't Samehada, not yet, but soon. All too soon, he'd have that sword. It was a shame I'd never get to see him fight with it in person.
We were met by the sounds of combat. Yagura had been successful so far keeping the three Akatsuki at bay. But it was a hard fight even for him. I narrowed my eyes. "We need to get him out of here. I can buy us a few seconds. Once Yagura gets exhausted, I need you to promise me you'll get him home."
I felt the heat of his glare but I didn't dare take my eyes off of Obito. "That is an order from your Lady, Hoshigaki."
Kisame glared a bit longer. "Not my lady yet, Ying Yue." He said as he looked forward again. I smiled once more.
"No. Not yet. So do this for me and I'll consider it an early wedding present." My hands tighten around my iron fans. I take a few deep breaths. And when Yagura is captured in Obito's illusion, I do the only thing I can do. The only power I made sure I had when I came to this world.
I screamed and the illusion shattered. I knew someone had thrown something my way but I deflected it with my large metal war fans. I kept screaming until I felt my chakra reserves empty. Yagura shook himself as if in a dream. But by then, using my distraction, Kisame had swept the Mizukage away, still in shock from the Genjutsu that Obito had locked him in for that brief moment.
Within an instant, I knew I was dead. There was a blade through me, piercing every inch of me. Everything went cold.
Ah. I didn't know it would hurt this much. Still, I smirked and coughed out the blood.
Obito lifted me by the neck and growled something but I couldn't understand what. I spat the blood at his mask.
"There will always be a Jiang at his side..." I whispered, my voice going soft with weakness. "Your illusions will never taint him."
I think I was tossed back to the ground but it was so cold. I was so tired.
I closed my eyes and smiled a bit wider as I drifted away.
When I awoke, I was sitting on a lilypad in a great, wide pond. The Sanbi, Isobu, sat in front of me, his massive head rising out of the water, only inches from me. I smiled and gave his head a gentle pet. He leaned into it and nuzzled closer.
"He does not want you to go. I do not want you to go, Jiang Ying Yue. You did so much to help us. We could have saved you."
I shook my head. "Do you remember the first time we met? When you were throwing a tantrum and I calmed you down?"
He nodded. "You told me you had a mission and you weren't allowed to die before you accomplished your mission."
I gave him another gentle pet. "This was that mission. Saving you two...even at the cost of my life...I needed to do it." I wrapped my arms around his massive head. He patiently tolerated this. Probably because I was dying...
He huffed and stayed with me until I felt the light shining from above. I kissed his great head.
"Tell Yagura that I love him. More than I ever thought possible. Just as I love you, you silly turtle."
Isobu looked away, which was how he blushed. "It will be done, My Lady."
I smiled and stepped backward into the water. I let it surround me one final time as I drifted out toward the warm light.
Obito glared at the broken body. Long, straight black hair framed a pretty face with deep, dark eyes. White spots and strands of pure white appeared in her hair. He gave the body of the woman a hard kick. It went tumbling but she didn't rise.
"Come on," he said, "There will be easier targets. We'll be back soon enough."
Konan looked at the dead woman one more time. Then they were gone.
The empty body continued bleed, even as another scream rang out.