Flowers Bloom Again
Lightning slashed across the sky , Its report only a fraction of a second afterward.
Two Ninja were fleeing through the trees . The cloudy sky and wind making visibility difficult .
They should not have been seen , they were ANBU , the best The Village Hidden in the Leaves had to Offer.
But something was chasing them ,Its hunt cry joining with the keening wind ,shivering even these experience shinobi no the bone , no to their very souls . The beast cry was full of blood lust and an infernal hunger . The creature crashed through the trees , gaining on the retreating shinobi
"Hawk, what is that thing "one of the masked ninja asked its fellow who's porcelain masking looked like a pouting kitten .
"I don't know Cat but we've got to warn the village" the other replied .
Cat glanced back and immediately wished she hadn't , the sight made her breath catch . The creature was hazy barely discernible in the gathering gloom , A leering white skull like mask covered its head and face . But a skull unlike anything she had seen . The body seemed to be shrouded in gloom but what was visible was a massive muscled torso ,with jutting spines along its arms .The hands ended in Vicious retractable claws a swipe from which had ripped their comrade " bear " in half .
The creature suddenly lashed out and caught and slashed the tree the two ninja were jumping to spilling them , they recovered quickly and landed facing the beast . It loomed above them in the gathering half light. It howled then spoke with an amused sneer" Don't give up now meat I was just getting up an appetite". Both Shinobi suddenly lunged at the creature it slice through them both with ease. But when it sought to admire its handy work two logs lay on the ground . The beast howled its frustration , then began to laugh. It was a horrible sound full of kill joy , the joy of slaughter and its hunger seemed to grow. "Worthy meat" the beast screamed and gave chase again ." Know that I , come for you "The beast increased its speed easily catching up to the fleeing shinobi "I will drink your souls " It screamed at them " crush your bones" it continued like this until the shinobi passed a little waterfall and there dancing in the pool at its base was a girl of maybe 15 years ,
She was dancing on the waters surface , a kunoichi from konoha obviously maybe a genin or chuunin . As she danced the water from the pool seemed to follow her graceful movements The shinobi landed next to the pool to try to warn the girl or at least protect her as best they could . She wore a long Black Kimono with flared sleves that the hid her hands in her hands she held two kodaichi .
As the ninja tried to warn the girl , the creature suddenly landed behind them . The turned and face him . the creature laughed "Ah fresh meat " the beast cackled and lunged for the girl in the pool , for the moment ignoring the two shinobi it had chased for so long the girl stopped her danced and opened her eyes , revealing the pale lavender eyes of the Hyuga clan . For some reason the creature was brought up short it stopped and prowled slowly around the edge of the pool. Sniffing and staring at the young girl in the pool .
"what are you, meat? Your soul has a strange smell " the creature asked.
The girl smiled and answered " Years ago when I came here to dance I was called Hinata Hyuga "
the two shinobi gasped , they had heard of how The Hyuga heiress had been found near a waterfall pool without a mark on her , dead" The Hyuga clan had mourned her passing as did much of Konoha. The reason for her death was never found or explained..
The Young raised her arms revealing sheaths hidden within the arms of her kimono . From these she withdrew to small blades , The hilts wrapped in Lavender and white .Hinata pointed her Kodaichi at the beast and said "Karu (hunt) Komainu " the kodaichi gleamed silver and long ribbons flowed from the hilts of both swords. the ribbons swayed and moved as if alive.. one of the ribbons flashed outward and wrapped itself around the surprised beast hand . the beast made to yank her towards him and finish her
The girl Hynata said "Tsuzuri Raiden" (bound Lightning) and lightning flowed up the ribbon two the creatures arm . It screamed and writhed in agony
" how dare you " The creature screamed " do you have any Idea who I am "
Hynata's responded by drawing symbols in the air "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat!"she added . A red aura surrounded the creature. the creature froze unable to move .
"Of course I know who you are , You are a hollow " Hynata said in a kind voice "gomennasai ( I'm sorry) but i cannot allow you to hurt anyone anymore ". Hinata seemed to flicker and suddenly appeared behind creatures head . She plunged her kodaichi into the creatures skull like mask from two points Shattering it Her Sensie ,Tonio Shihoin would chide her on such a rough strike ." Killing with the point lacks artistry and style but still do not let an easy opportunity pass ". With a mournful wail the creature grabbed for its head ans shattered mask, even as its body seemed to be consumed by hazy black flames . In an instant it was all over.
The two shinobi looked at one another in astonishment .First how could this diminutive little one , so effortlessly defeat so horrible a beast, that had clearly outmatched three ANBU . What did she call it a Hollow . Second what was the dead Hyuga Heiress doing here ?
"Are you two alright she asked them " her voice kind and warm
" Yes " they both answered in unison
" Will you be returning to the village Hyuga-sama " Cat asked
"Please don.. don't call me that that was my name long ago " she turned away from them and a black butterfly appeared. A paper door appeared in front of her out of nowhere.
"now I am Shinigami " she said as she stepped through the doors into bright light .The doors closed and faded from sight, leaving no trace of their savior. Her last words were not missed either . Both ANBU pondered what she meant about being Shinigami ( Death God). .
Cat and Hawk looked at each other , many question hung in the air and they knew they had few answers . they took off through the trees again they needed to report what they could to the Hokage .What they were going to report they were not exactly sure of .