A note before I start this new chapter.

I'd like to thank my mystery guest and everyone whom has read and liked this story so far. I adore writing for you guys and I always like to get reviews, after all, they help us improve each other's work and inspire them! So please enjoy and review!

- SeverNSkull

My eyes opened to an unfocused, unnatural light. I was sure it wasn't sunlight, but I distinctly remembered being outside, lying in the cool grass. My nostrils were ravaged by the particularly unpleasant smell of a sterile hospital room. My back seemed to burn with the cold of steel against it. My skin protested angrily against metal restraints on my chest, wrists, ankles, and thighs. My body was sore in every way.

I blinked trying to refocus my eyes on my surroundings. I started hearing voices that seemed grumbled and unclear. My eyes set upon a light above me that burned so I turned my head to escape it, landing on a man in white wearing blue hospital-grade gloves, a white cloth cap, and a matching white cloth mask. There were countless others in the room, gawking at me like I was some sort of freak, but then again, to them with my odd appendages, I would be. Wouldn't I?

"Doctor, the subject seems to be gaining consciousness", a female to my right, out of my line of vision stated.

No shit? Really? Wow! We got a genius over here!

I truly and honestly hate doctors. It shouldn't be a wonder after having both of my arms reattached. I mentally shuddered at the sudden memory and I noticed a glint of metal. I focused on it, regaining my vision. The doctor had a scalpel in his steady hand and even with the mask, I could tell he was eager to cut into me – eager to see how I ticked, since by medical, scientific, and any other standards I shouldn't be alive. I shouldn't be alive with a beastly mouth where my core was, nor after that explosion. I was long due a death. I owed Death, but I wasn't going to let myself become a science experiment! My life was dedicated to art! An artist, a true, dedicated artist lived and died for his work and it wasn't over yet.

My mind started to sift through ideas frantically. My tongue was twisted and my mouth was dry, rendering me unable to protest. I was scared. I actually felt fear for once in my life. At last, I landed on an idea. I could use Kitsuchi-san's jutsu. I could manage it, but tied down it would require a lot more hand seals and time; that being said, I was short on time.

The white cloth-clad 'doctors' began to converse about their procedure, but I was too busy concentrating on my hands to listen; Snake.

The doctors put their attention on my chest-mouth and it bared its teeth angrily and made a sound much like a snarl, making the female on my other side scream in fear as the long pink tongue darted out to lick its lips. The distraction allowed me to get the second seal: Ram.

Another doctor tried to comfort her and the man with the scalpel barked out, "Make her shut up and get her the hell out of here!" He scowled and his bushy, black brows furrowed angrily as he let out a dangerous grunt. I smirked in amusement.

Dog. I was almost done.

The female was banished from the room and the other doctors seemed to become more tense and serious as they stared hesitantly at my foreign orifice. I scoffed and made the next sign, my knuckles rapping lightly against the operating table: Rat.

The doctor looked down at my hand and raised a brow, seeming to ponder an idea but he shook it off and began bringing the scalpel closer to me. Snake.

The scalpel pressed against my skin. I could feel the thin cold blade cutting through me and I whimpered trying to make a sound of protest or a scream or a shout or anything to say 'no', but no such sound escaped. I bit my lip to the point it began bleeding as well and I could feel my teeth through the other side. I had to get this last sign. I had to concentrate. It wasn't like losing an arm; no. If I failed, my consequence would be death.

Tiger.

"Doton: Kengan no Jutsu!"

My left fist became encased in a thick armor-like rock. I pulled it through the metal restraint and punched the doctor's elbow, breaking it awkwardly and making him scream. It was a horrible sound and everyone in the room seemed to follow suit and either stood frozen in place or making for the door, pounding against it. It was locked shut to keep me inside, not that it would make much of a difference.

I ripped the metal band off of my chest and then proceeded to free my right arm and my legs as the earth-based jutsu spread into my right arm. I slid onto the floor and looked at the terrified doctors. I really wanted to blow these quacks to pieces, but I couldn't without my clay. Where could it be?

My eyes darted around the room; there was a window to the far right. I took a running start and leapt through it, smashing through with my fists and falling a long ways to the ground what had to be two dozen stories high. The fists were fading out quick thanks to my own peculiar Kekkai Genkai, you know, the mouths? I landed on my feet, forming a crater in the asphalt below the building and making wheeled metal summons roar and cry in fear.

My chest hurt and I covered it with a hand, trying to keep the blood in, but I was swaying on my feet. My body was sore and I was tired. I needed to hide somewhere and heal. I had to run, so I ran. I let each chakra filled bound take me in an aimless direction. I had no idea where I was or where I was going, but I wasn't headed back and I wasn't going to be left a sitting duck!

I came into an area that had several businesses that seemed to be empty and dark as they had either begun to – or prior to my arrival – close for the night. I began to slow down as I became more and more drowsy. I was tired; so tired. My eyes were drooping in sleep. I hadn't thought I had lost that much blood, but my chakra hadn't fully recovered from my fight with that Uchiha. Damn him! Dead and he's still vexing me.

I turned into an alleyway, shadowed by the surrounding buildings. I eased into a crevice and slumped down, getting the pale powdery green pants dirty. They weren't my own and I didn't care any ways. Sleep was reaching its slender fingers out for me, gripping my hand, and inviting me close.

I decided to indulge in my desire to rest. I was simply too drained to care, but the only dreams I had were nightmares and nothingness.