Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable thing from Naruto. I just like to take the characters out of the box and play with them awhile. I promise to put them back when I am done. Everything else, story-plot and some concepts are mine though, so don't steal them.
Summary: 'Gaara.' Shikamaru warned. 'She is one of the Fell. Regulation dictates her off limits.' The shadow shifter's gaze flickered to the figure lying broken on the stone steps before returning to his lords apathetic facade. Gaara turned to him, his sea-foam eyes flashing dangerously with the veins of lightening overhead. 'Fuck regulation. She's coming with us.'
Note: Comment for a Cookie? It is rated for language and minor violence. The lyrics below are written by Within Temptation, scroll down for the chapter beginning. Oh, I was also wondering if I could get a record breaking 3 reviews for this chapter?? If I do, you may see two more chapters tomorrow as opposed to one...hint hint...
Thank You(s): I just want to give a big THANK YOU to Renee8725, Leah, and XxGaarasGirlXx for their reviews. You guys inspire me with your kind words. I know that sounds cheesy but it is true. So thanks!! Anyway, on with the chapter!
It's The Fear:
It waits for the day, I will let it out
To give it a reason, to give it its might
I fear who I am becoming
I feel that I am losing the struggle within
I can no longer restrain it,
My strength, it is fading
I have to give in
It's the fear,
The fear of the dark
It's growing inside of me
They won, they will come to life
Have to save,
Save my beloved,
There is no escaping
Because my fate is horror and doom
Hold down your head now,
Just let me pass by
Don't feed my fear,
If you don't want it out
Long ago, it came to me and ever since that day
Infected with it's rage
But it ends today
It's the fear,
The fear of the dark
It's growing inside of me
They won, they will come to life
Have to save,
Save my beloved,
There is no escaping
Because my fate is horror and doom
Chapter Three:
He heard more than felt the impact; the sickening crunch of bone, a soft pop of dislocation, fracture of wet stone, the air escaping lungs at the Falls end. The Angel let a single tear of regret slip from the corner of his eye as he awaited the tide of death to wash over him.
It never came.
A sharp gasp and cry of pain resonated through his ears, not realizing it was his own. Brown eyes snapped open to the kisses of raindrops and a carpet of grass beneath.
He was alive. A small hiss of agony escaped his lips as he turned to his side. His eyes narrowed in on a familiar outline curled upon the wet ground next to him. He lifted his working arm and delicately removed the gag from her mouth, feeling the tepid breath passing her cold lips. She was unconscious, but she was alive. Hope coursed through his veins, making his blood hum with renewed vigor. He proceeded to study their surroundings. Broken pieces of brick lay about them haphazardly. Decrepit walls lined them on three sides, the fourth open to a barren street.
That's when he felt it through the dying rain. The warm pulse of spiritual energy calling to him and his distressing state. The lull of it beckoned to him, whispering words of reassurance and strength. It promised healing, salvation, light.
'Sanctuary.'
With his remaining strength he struggled to stand.
--PageBreak--
Gaara looked at the fresh pool of blood sinking into the center of what was an obvious point of impact from something rather large. Sea-foam eyes glanced upwards to the now calm skies. The rain had ended moments ago, leaving behind a orange tinged overcast. He crouched down, dipping his fingers into the lukewarm liquid before rubbing it between his thumb and middle finger. A movement to the right of him drew his eyes away from the crimson rivulets now running down the crevasses of his palm. Shikamaru held up an ivory white feather, spinning it thoughtfully. The light of the street lamp danced off the silk spun fibers creating a small rainbow effect to dance across the surface.
"It appears he or she clipped a wing on the roof ledge of one of these buildings," The Shadow shifter nodded towards fragmented segments of brick crusted with more of the clotted fluid and torn feathers. Gaara plucked the feather out of Shikamaru's hand and stood as his advisor continued his version of events. "It slowed the descent, but if this Fall was like the others, it shouldn't have been enough to save him. Which means this one was different somehow. Someth-"
"Guys! Akamaru found something!" Kiba ran up clutching shreds of what could have once been binding rope. "We found it over there in the corner under some blown over boxes. It was still dry. Which is really really good for us. Because if it was wet then-"
"Your point." The rouge headed demon growled impatiently.
"Right." Kiba fumbled shifting uncomfortably. "My point is that...ah...Well you see it goes like this..."
"Spit it out!"
"Hold on, dammit! I'm trying and you glaring at me like that is not helping any!" Kiba yammered. "Okay." The Hell Hound took a deep breath, causing Gaara to prickle in agitation. "The point is, is that Akamaru was able to spot the scents."
"Scents?" Shikamaru folded his arms over his chest and closed his eyes in contemplation.
"Yeah, as in two. Two scents, both reeking of the Heaven realm."The trinagle-tattooed demon grimaced in distaste. "One male and the other female."
"Two Angels. How troublesome." Shikamaru grumbled pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He watched the wisps of smoke melt away into the air before taking a glimpse at his Lord's pensive facade.
"That would explain how they survived the impact." Gaara mused softly, looking down at the feather once more. Shikamaru sighed.
"One would of have had to be originally unbound, and as there are no bodies laying around here, also coherent."
"But based on the amount of blood," Shino stepped into the vacant lot after securing the perimeter. "They are heavily injured and subsequently could not have gone far." Gaara nodded in silent agreement at the Bug user, before turing to Kiba.
"Try and see if you can use what you have found to pick up a trail. You too Shino." Both men bowed in acquiesce and moved away. Shikamaru leaned back against the cold brick wall, the stone digging into the fabric of his jacket.
"Where are Sasuke and Naruto? I remember telling you to find them before we left." Gaara inquired, taking position against the wall next to Shikamaru. His words carried a dangerous undertone of dark promise. Needless to say, the Demon Lord did not appreciate blatant acts of disobedience.
"Sasuke wasn't at the mansion again tonight. That would make it the fourth night in a row." Shikamaru stated evenly, his voice not betraying the slight twinge of worry spiking in the back of his mind.
"Hn." Gaara could normally care less where the Sharingan user spent most of his time, but when it started to affect the avenger's obligations..."And Naruto."
"I could give you two guesses, but you'll only need one." He smirked before taking another long drag on his cigarette while Gaara sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I would be doing us all a favor if I just wiped that ramen stand off the face of his realm." Shikamaru snickered. A pregnant pause fell on the pair; the occasional bark from Akamaru and buzz of beetle wings breaking the monotony of silence.
"May I ask why, exactly, we are searching for two Fallen Angels. There has to be more to it than you just trying to sneak a curious peek." The Shadow genius questioned looking down at the fag stub in his fingers before flicking it down and stepping on it. The Demon Lord faced his advisor, but just as he opened his mouth to answer, Kiba ran up and informed him excitedly that they had discovered the direction the Angels left. Gaara stood straight and followed the Hell Hounds, ignoring his advisors previous inquiry. Shino, who strayed behind, shot Shikamaru a bored look and arched a single brow in question. The genius sighed and pushed himself off the wall.
"What a drag."
--PageBreak--
He ran a pale hand through perfectly disheveled locks pulling slightly at the roots. It had been the better half of a week now, and she still had yet to come back.
Onyx eyes gazed longingly at the empty lake. The waters lay tranquil lapping the shore in soft waves.
'She should be here by now.'
But she wasn't.
Sasuke sighed in defeat before jumping down from his concealed position in the Bur Oak tree near the waters edge. He walked away with heavy steps through the forest undergrowth forcing himself not to look back.
'She's not coming...'
End of Chapter Three: It's The Fear:
A/N: Don't worry, it will all come together. I know I am being kinda mean leaving you in the dark about who actually saved Hinata, but it will be revealed in the next chapter, which I'm starting later tonight, I promise. Love to hear feedback!