It has three parts, but it still classes as a oneshot - I'm uploading it here anyway in three parts. It's a collab contest, and the avatar is created by im-a-tumor.
{1} Nectar – a drink said to have been drunk by gods (god's drink).
Omnipotence
Omnipotence; n; the quality of having unlimited or a very great power.
A crowd of children gathered around the wrinkled elder, their excitement evident by the large smiles on their young faces. The sun was high in the sky, its glorious rays shining down upon the green earth, coating it in light and warmth. Overall, it was a beautiful day.
"Grandpa! Grandpa, tell us a story, grandpa!" The elder, who was in fact not their relative, cracked a brief grin. His hair was greying, matching along with his lacklustre dark brown eyes.
"And my dear, what would you like to hear?" His pruned hand reached up to lightly caress the white beard that hung to his chest. His eyes were lost in thought, as if his mind was transported to a place faraway from his current one.
"Why are there seasons, grandpa?" It was a rather young child that spoke, one with big green eyes and dark chocolate hair. The older man's head bobbed, before his eyes cleared with purpose.
"Well, a long time ago..." And so the tale was told.
"Mother! Smell these beautiful flowers, mother!" In her hands, a young woman was holding a dark purple violet, her eyes half-shut in honour of the godly scent. The woman next to her, the one addressed as 'mother' did not seem much older than her. A few years at most.
"Yes, those really do smell nice, Hinata darling. As a goddess of spring growth, you should very well note that down for future reference." The woman who had spoken had long dark brown hair, along with startling crimson coloured eyes. She exhaled softly, and turned her head upwards to face the sun.
Both women were leisurely lying on a patch of emerald grass that was situated in the middle of a meadow; the meadow adorned with many varieties of flowers that cheered up the already delightful scene.
"Mother... I might be a goddess of spring growth, but I can't compare to you, the goddess of farming and land." Hinata finally said, her tone of voice possessing a dreamy demeanour. She looked up at the cloudless blue sky.
"I'm sure one day you will, darling. One day you will." Her crimson coloured eyes twinkled as she too, turned her head to face the sky.
At the exact same date a few years later, the goddess of farming, Kurenai, and her daughter Hinata could be found in the palace of eternal flourish. It was a normal day... one of great feasts, festivity, and general wealth.
Everything seemed normal.
"Mother, I think I have finished learning of all the flowers that already exist on this planet." Hinata had a smile on her face as she informed her mother of this achievement. Kurenai, in return shook her head returning the smile. Her motherly hand reached up to pat her daughter's cheek.
"You have done well, my dear. I am impressed." Kurenai's faint murmur echoed around what could be identified as the throne room. It was large and gold, decorated with large, twisting vines of green ivy. Many different flowers and fruits also bloomed from the mysterious plant.
Kurenai sat on a large throne made out of gold, but it was covered with so many plants that it looked emerald. Hinata sat on the miniature version of the same throne next to her. The large, grandiose room was empty; with no visitors to be expected any time soon.
It could be called a mother-daughter day. But if one were to be specific, every day, no the ends of their own immortal lives, would be a mother-daughter day. But if only it were so.
And because of the tranquil atmosphere surrounding the room, of course that was when disaster chose to strike. Literally, a large thunder bolt disrupted the scene, suddenly appearing in the middle of the room.
The culprit was immediately recognised. "King Naruto!" Kurenai gasped, her hand reaching to cover her mouth. After a moment of shock, Kurenai regained her bearings and replaced the emotionless mask that usually inhabited her face when she was in front of guests. "What brings you here, M'Lord?"
King Naruto. Hinata watched, in awe of his rough features. King Naruto: king of the gods, king of the sky. The man that had taken down Madara from his very own throne. This very man who had the brightest blue eyes that she had ever seen... along with the brightest smile, and the brightest personality. Hinata had always done her best watching him from afar... because...
He was married. He was married to Sakura, the goddess of marriage and childbirth. And marriage was one thing that Hinata respected, even though the gods didn't find it especially noteworthy. Shaking away her thoughts, Hinata refocused on the conversation that was taking place.
"No! I won't let her! That's my daughter!" Her mother's voice... while it wasn't especially loud, you could hear it quite easily. Hinata tried to understand what they were talking about, but failed miserably.
"She has to, Kurenai. If she doesn't, a bloody civil war will be upon us." Naruto's tone was dark and forbidding, and it didn't match his usual countenance in the slightest. "Please understand. And besides, I'm sure she is old enough to decide for herself?"
Hinata cocked her head, still not completely grasping the chain of events. "May y-you please enlighten m-me further, your m-majesty?" Naruto's eyes widened, before a large grin overcame his face and his chest puffed out in pride.
"Your majesty? That's a good title, I like it, Hinata!" His piercing blue eyes managed to take Hinata's breath away. "Well, the deal is this: after dividing up the territory, someone alive has still not visited Sasuke. If we don't, the consequences will be pretty bad..." Hinata understood. Sasuke (the eldest brother of the big three gods) would be upset and get angry with the other gods. And Naruto really wouldn't want that, especially so soon after Madara's defeat.
There would be fighting everywhere, and it would make them (the gods) lose their standing. "I," she wanted to help. She really did. They were in absolutely no shape for a civil war. "I..." But still, going to the underworld where everything was dark and dreary… was she up for such a great challenge? "I… okay."
She had no choice but to agree when she was faced with Naruto's blue charismatic eyes. Naruto visibly brightened, and for just a second she felt glad for agreeing. "Okay! Good!"
But that was when Hinata sighted her mother. She looked worried, and her crimson eyes were full of disapproval that Hinata hated. Hinata flinched slightly, but quickly regained her bearings. There was no time for her to be like a scolded frightened child; not in front of the king of gods.
Kurenai knew that protesting would be futile, but she still had to try. "The Underworld is the world of the dead! That is no place for my daughter to visit… I refuse to agree with this blasphemy!"
Naruto faced her with a stern face, and Kurenai realised who exactly she was speaking to. Satisfied that he had ceased her banter, Naruto spoke jovially. "Preparations must be made!"
A dark figure sat coolly on a large throne made out of decaying skeletons. The figure, a man - wore an expressionless mask, and one could easily mistake him for a dead body. His dark eyes glanced at the wall on the right: while nothing was fully visible, he could sense the wandering spirits behind it.
He could hear their incessant moaning, mourning their death… their death that would come anyway, since they were nothing but powerless mortals.
Dead powerless mortals that he was faced with every day.
Most of the other gods declined visiting him. Then again, it wasn't like he particularly cared; most couldn't come in his domain anyway. Not without his permission, permission that he obviously wasn't granting. Solitude was more enjoyable than blundering idiots (the idiots that would want to visit him were the woman that would seek him out for his 'good looks').
However it was a paradox: he wasn't sure that he could ignore this insult for much longer. It was humiliating to know that he was the only god yet to be visited by another god. Not only to him: it was an embarrassment for the workers, the kingdom, and the very Underworld.
Yes, it was inevitable. If no one visited by two… three days, he would start a civil war. And Naruto knew that. He knew him well enough, even though they were on opposite ends of the earth. Sasuke sighed.
That was when he felt a parcel appearing in front of him. He snatched it quickly while it was still airborne, and curiously held it in his hands. The parchment was a dusty blue, and there was the stamp of Sai on the corner of the package. Efficiently, he opened it and carelessly threw the wrapping over his shoulder.
It was a letter. A letter announcing the arrival of the goddess of spring, Hinata.
A smirk momentarily emerged on his pale face. Hn. It seemed like civil war could be avoided, after all.
Hinata shakily sat on the back of Neji's golden chariot. He had graciously offered to escort her to the entrance of the Underworld. It was common knowledge were it was held - West - but most people did not have enough courage to even try and venture going there.
Neji, the god of the sun, medicine, music and literature was quite tall with a lean form, long dark brown hair and white eyes that were actually a lot like Hinata's own. It was very peculiar - especially since his own twin, Tenten, had chocolate brown eyes and brown hair.
She on the other hand, was the goddess of the hunt and moon. Supposedly, she had also sworn to remain a maiden forever.
"We are here." Neji's tone had a ring of finality to it, startling her out of her own wandering thoughts. Hinata looked around; there was a very large gate obscuring the view of everything but the seamless blue sky above.
She stared at the sky forlornly, knowing that she wouldn't be able to see it in a while. A week, to be precise. "Someone should be here to escort you…" Hinata turned to face Neji, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. There was no one waiting at the gate. Besides, how could anyone possibly know of her unannounced arrival? "They know." It was a matter-of-fact statement and it was almost like Neji had read her mind.
"H-how?" She inquired, furrowing her brows.
"They just do. Don't ask questions. This is the Underworld, after all." That was when Hinata heard the faint footsteps, muffled by the colossal iron gate.
It suddenly started to open, the ledges creaking in protest. Entranced, Hinata stumbled out of the chariot and onto the ground. That was when Neji spoke again. "This is where we part ways, I'm afraid."
She immediately snapped her head back to face him, ignoring the noisy entry. "I-is that so?" Hinata's voice was sorrowful. She liked Neji… he was a nice person, if not a little stoic. "Well, I'm sure we'll m-meet again?" The question in her tone was evident to both of them.
"Of course we will. We are both immortal, after all." It was the last thing he managed to say before another, higher pitched voice interrupted. Although he had been noticed beforehand, he had been ignored in the light of their conversation.
"Well, sorry to disturb," he didn't sound sorry at all. "But Miss Hinata is now needed." He smiled crookedly, and she was then aware of his very sharp and pointy teeth. They went along nicely with his spiky white hair, and dark purple eyes.
He looked like he had never seen the sun, and maybe that's why he protectively shielded his eyes.
Then again, that made sense. "Well," Neji started, "I suppose it's time for me to leave."
Hinata felt a sense of loss, but said nothing as he tightened his reign on the golden chariot. In a moment, he was a speck of gold high in the sky, illuminating everything left on earth. She looked away, and focused her gaze on the white haired stranger. "And you a-are?" It was a polite inquiry, one which caused the man to show his teeth again. Hinata winced.
"My name is Suigetsu, my lady, and I am the guardian of the River Taka." Hinata almost flinched, but managed to reign it in at the last moment. River Taka was acidic, and even the gods experienced brief amounts of pain while swimming in it. Or so the tale went. "Now, please follow me."
Hinata finally got the chance to peer behind Suigetsu and into the entrance of the Underworld. However nothing was particularly visible, and she could only see darkness seeping from within. "Miss?" Suigetsu wondered, his pupils narrowing.
"I'm f-fine. May we please... please c-continue the j-journey?" Suigetsu nodded in consent, and their steps ricocheted on the wall, creating a soothing tandem. And so, Hinata almost didn't notice the change... but they were finally... in.
Hinata took one good look around the Underworld, her eyes widening rapidly. It was dark. Very dark. But once her eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting, she was able to make out an abundance of figures and shapes; as well as hills, and strange... trees.
She focused on the large figure in the distance. It was moving; she could vouch for it. But what was it? It was large, and black, and... a river. It was the river Taka.
Hinata stood mesmerized, gawking at the large, blackish river. So this was the river Taka. Ripping her eyes away from that inspirational scene, she eyed the trees. Or... where they trees? Suigetsu followed her line of sight, and grinned (his grin imitated that of a shark's, Hinata noted) when he realised what she was staring at.
"Those are jewel trees, Miss." He informed, and Hinata was in awe. Jewel trees? That was the first time she'd heard of something that sounded so preposterous. And yet the evidence was situated right in front of her very eyes. One particular tree had diamonds for leaves... and if only the light was better, it would have been sparkling like a miniature sun.
Suigetsu resumed walking, no longer holding any interest in indulging her further. Hinata hurried behind him, not at all wanting to get lost in such a fathomless and strange land.
And that was when she noticed. Them.
Or more precisely, she heard them.
Their moans were load, and sent shivers through her very existence; and that was when she realised exactly what 'they' were. Average creatures, with two legs, two arms, a pair of eyes, a head, nose, mouth.
Souls. Dead, so very dead bodies.
Hinata immediately looked away. She wasn't particularly fond - no, not at all - of dead things. "Do they bother you, Miss?" Suigetsu asked, not looking especially bothered by the scene. That was to be expected; Suigetsu did live there, after all.
"Maybe a l-little..." Lies. They bothered her more than she cared to admit. If Suigetsu noticed the fib, he did not show it. Instead, he started whistling and kept leading her on deeper in the Underworld.
And after the numerous grass-dead valleys, they finally reached the river. River Taka in all its glory; there were detectable objects that swirled within the waters. "What are t-those?" Hinata's curiosity succeeded her.
"Dreams," Suigetsu said that nonchalantly, and Hinata still did not understand what it meant. "The dreams that people have to give up when they cross this river. They're very tasty." The guardian of the river licked his lips, and Hinata had to look away.
That was when he moved towards her. She fell back in defence, a couple of stray daisies growing at her feet. "Hey, hey, I don't mean any harm," she relaxed at the statement, and believed his words. Hinata always had had the uncanny ability to tell when people were lying.
Suigetsu picked her up bridal style. There was a faint blush on Hinata's cheeks as he did so. Although, she couldn't help but wonder of the reason why he was doing this. And she realised exactly why when he started wading through the acidic river.
She watched in fascination as the lower part of his body merged with the river, and he became water himself. His top half, however, retained its original form, and therefore no harm came upon her (it wouldn't have harmed her anyway, really, goddess that she was). "Perchance..." Hinata quietly mumbled, but Suigetsu was close enough to hear.
"What was that?"
"I asked, if... i-if perchance you w-were related t-to Gaara," Gaara, an important figure of the gods. The middle brother, and the ruler of the sea. Although it was unknown why he preferred to use sand based attacks rather than water based attacks.
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Who knows?" Evidently, he did not want to expand on the topic. Hinata understood and fell silent.
They steadily crossed the river, and once they were finally on the shore, Suigetsu gently put her down. "I wouldn't want the wrath of a goddess of your calibre," he joked, his purple eyes twinkling. Purple... they were a shade of amethyst, Hinata observed. That was when she realised: Suigetsu reminded her of Naruto. The thought brought a smile to her face.
After regaining her bearings, they finally set off. Towards the palace, Hinata presumed. And that was when she spotted the large archaic looking structure in the distance; it must have been their destination. "Yes," it was almost like Suigetsu had read her mind. Somehow, she wouldn't be surprised if he had. "That is the palace where Sasuke resides."
They both fell mute. The silence this time was tense, with an air of forbidding in it - but Hinata easily ignored those notions. Instead, she looked around at her surroundings, and realised there were three distinct meadows, all separated by a very tall and impenetrable magnetic field. That was when Suigetsu decided to do an introduction.
"The field of Terror. Some humans even named it as Hell," Suigetsu pointed out a large, decaying meadow that was left of where they were standing. "The field of Forgotten; the gardens of Prize. Synonymous to Heaven, I presume. We also have the Islands of Paradise, but a very few number will ever manage to enter them." Hinata quietly nodded to everything that he said.
"Has anyone ever managed t-to get i-into the Islands of Paradise?" An innocent question.
"No. For one to get into them, they have to be judged as heroes through three recurring lives. Of course, that would mean that they chose to be reborn instead of going into the gardens of Paradise." Suigetsu explained, so that she could understand. And she did.
"Lord S-sasuke created an i-impressive system." As much as she didn't want to admit, she supposed that she would have to. Hinata didn't think that she would have been able to create something like this herself.
"I'm sure lord Sasuke would be glad that you think so," and Suigetsu smiled a genuine smile, even if he couldn't help his teeth being a little pointy. "Ah! We're here."
When did they manage to walk all the way over here? Hinata did not remember such events taking place. Was she that absorbed in the conversation between her and Suigetsu? Maybe she had been. She then cast her eyes on the proclaimed 'palace' in front of her.
The title suited it, that she had to admit. It was a large, incredibly large structure; it would have reached the clouds had this not been the Underworld. It was made out of bronze - not gold. It, however, was encrusted with a lot of jewels that spoke miles about the wealth of Sasuke, lord of the Underworld. The jewels themselves - diamonds, rubies, and many more - reminded Hinata of the beautiful night sky.
"Shall we, Miss. Hinata?" Suigetsu laughed, and Hinata noted that he had already opened the door.
"We shall." And so Hinata crossed the threshold, stepping into the palace.
Sasuke was adequately surprised when he realised exactly who his visitor was (he had not bothered to fully read the letter). If he wasn't mistaken - it was Hinata, the goddess of springtime. She shakily stood beside Suigetsu, one of his slaves that escorted her here.
"What a pleasant surprise," Sasuke stated, narrowing his eyes. Yet his demeanour was still as nonchalant as ever. "I guess I won't have to start a civil war, after all." Hinata widened her eyes in apprehension as she regarded his insouciant manner of tone.
"I g-guess you won't..." It was an afterthought, a quiet mumble confirming his earlier sentiments. That was when Sasuke actually absorbed her image.
She was a petite thing, with large crystal white eyes accompanied with dark, raven hair. It almost seemed indigo. Her skin was pale in pallor, and went along well with her long white garb. Her sandals were made out of gold, and at her feet he could clearly see the green sprouts starting to protrude.
Fascinating. Even in this underground, in this barren land, she could still makes flowers grow.
"I... I'm due to stay here a week, lord Sasuke." Hinata muttered, tilting her head upwards to look at him. And that was when she first looked at him... properly.
He was too beautiful to be real. There was no way this was the lord of the Underworld, the king of death... because such a creature was meant to take away beauty, and not be beauty. His hair was raven black, shiny and sticking up at the back; his eyes were of the same soul-sucking obsidian colour, intense on her own. He had a lanky figure, and white, parchment white skin - as if he had never seen the sun. And if he hadn't, she realised that it wouldn't shock her.
"Done staring?" A question asked in a rather haughty tone. Hinata immediately snapped her gaze away, instead focusing it on his throne. A gruesome scene was revealed to her: the throne was made out of numerous skeletons and human bones. In a bout of morbid curiosity, she glanced at her surroundings. More bones. And was that a jewelled crown sitting atop one of the skull's heads? Hinata reigned in a shiver.
Her eyes wandered over to where Suigetsu had been, only to notice him gone. When exactly had he been dismissed? Or was there a silent rule of knowing when to leave? At any rate, she didn't want to be stuck alone with the lord of the Underworld, knowing that he could probably kill her in a heartbeat.
Sasuke sighed, his head resting on his hand. He was rather irritated at her avoidance of his query. Deciding to ignore it, he moved on. "I hope you're enjoying the Underworld?"
That startled Hinata. "Yes, I am... there are many b-beautiful jewels adorning most of the land." She admitted it, glad that she had only stuttered once. Old habits die hard.
"Well, I am called the Rich One for a reason." Hinata wearily ignored the trace of sarcasm in Sasuke's voice, instead continuing to observe the room. Once you got over the horrific throne, the rest of the room was actually quite normal. And grandly elegant.
The chandelier was made out of large white diamonds and most of the metal was actually bronze, and not gold. But even if it were bronze, it was covered in so many precious stones that it had a lot more value generally.
Sasuke's ego was boosted while he watched her admire the room. He himself had designed it, and it was nice to know that gods of similar (although lower) standing could appreciate the finely crafted details. "At any rate... I have work to do." Sasuke wouldn't have minded talking more with this goddess that lived above ground, but work was work.
He frowned. It really was inconvenient to work at such a time. When could he next see her? He really was curious about how the world above worked. Ah! That was it! "You will come for dinner, I presume?"
The comment startled her, making her jump slightly. "Yes, o-of course!" It came out as a squeak, and Sasuke couldn't help but find it slightly amusing.
"Well... I suppose then we'll have to eat food from above," it was a thoughtful mutter, if that was even possible. Hinata tilted her head slightly.
"B-but... why?" And she had wanted to try the fruits and vegetables that probably grew in the Underworld. Her mother would have been pleased to know what they tasted like, so she could incorporate it on her own land. And so would Hinata, to tell the truth.
Sasuke stared at her incredulously. Did she really not know how food from the Underworld cursed the consumer to be chained to the Underworld? How ignorant was she? And how could he possibly explain the consequences of her eating it? Well, it wouldn't be bad for her to stay, but... "Just because. Now leave, I have work to do." There was no place for her here.
Hinata nodded, intimidated by Sasuke's authoritative aura. "Someone will escort you to the guest chambers. Suigetsu!"
The guardian of the river Taka magically appeared next to her once again. Hinata almost hadn't noticed his disappearance, but nonetheless was glad that he was her escort.
Suigetsu flashed his pearly white teeth, unfortunately reminding Hinata of just how sharp they were. "Shall we leave, m'lady?"
Sasuke inevitably watched them go, and pondered upon the slight pang that he experienced when the door finally hid the goddess of springtime from view.
Hinata closed her eyes, enjoying the silken feel of her sheets against her soft skin. Her chambers were large, (as expected of the lord of the Underworld) decorated with turquoise stones upon bronze designs. It was beautiful, and if Hinata wasn't too discouraged by the suppressing feeling that the room offered, she would have wholeheartedly enjoyed the allure it displayed.
Suigetsu had left promptly after her showing her chambers. She vaguely remembered him informing her that she was not to go on the lower levels, although she was free to roam around the entirety of the west wing which had been given to her by default.
While she had been a tinge sorrowful to see him leave, she was relieved to have time to herself to think. Everything had happened so quickly; for a decade or so, nothing this exciting had happened... especially not in this magnitude.
Just yesterday, she and her mother had been playfully bantering over which flower would look better for the season's festival. And then later, a disastrous chain of events followed- the king of gods appearing out of the blue, her being ordered to go to the Underworld, and now her actually being in the Underworld.
It was true that she had been glad to be able to see Naruto (normally seeing him once or twice a year), it was certainly not a serendipity for her to end up being in a domain where no sun every shone. Especially since she was goddess of springtime, and her very being depended on the sun.
She shook those thoughts out of her head. To be truthfully honest, being in the Underworld wasn't that bad... so far, it had been pleasant, especially with the people she had met. True, the actual lord seemed like a smug arsehole, but it had been overall an enlightening experience.
Oh, if it could only stay so- there was a knock on the door. Hinata immediately sat up straight, smoothing over her white garbs. "C-come in?" While it was an invitation there was a hint of uncertainty in it, making the whole phrase seem like a question.
The oak door opened with a creak. Behind it stood Suigetsu, and a swell of relief instantly spread through her. But that was when she noticed the red head standing next to him, appearing to be sulking. "Ah, lady Hinata! Lord Sasuke says that it's time for dinner." Suigetsu refrained from disclosing the obvious - how he had come to fetch her - but instead beckoned her with a steady hand. But then it seemed like he had remembered something, and slung his arm across the red head's shoulders.
"Oh! I forgot to introduce her! This is Karin," an almighty gesture towards the woman on his right. "Karin, that's Hinata, lord Sasuke's visitor." Hinata thought that she heard a faint 'hmph', but she wasn't really sure. "Karin is supposed to pick out what you're supposed to wear today, Miss. Hinata!"
Hinata cocked her head to the side, slightly bewildered. "B-but why? I'm just f-fine like this." The statement was somewhat defensive, but that was understandable due to the situation at hand.
"Well, since you're Sasuke's first visitor, I think he wanted to raise a banquet in your honour. Or something." It was actually Suigetsu that inadvertently pestered Sasuke into doing so. "So you have to put on something fancy, and Sasuke thought that you probably wouldn't have packed something like that." Hinata caught on what lord 'Sasuke' was insinuating, and inwardly seethed. She did have nice clothing! It was just that she didn't like to wear it very often, that's all.
"And I have to make sure Karin picks something that looks nice!" Suigetsu winked. Hinata observed the red head yet again - she had the same shade of crimson eyes, and her hair was done in two different styles; half ruffled, and half not. It actually looked kind of cool. She also wore glasses, and right now she was sporting quite a scowling expression on her face.
"And so..." Suigetsu's grin this time had a demonic edge to it, and Hinata paled. She had a feeling that the upcoming session wasn't going to be particularly enjoyable.
And um, yeah. This is the first part. If you enjoyed it, if you could please visit this website and this page to see the avatar:
sasuxhina-fanclub . deviantart art /Collab-Contest-Omnipotence-454165690 [without the spaces]
Review, Review, Review,
Aurora