A/N: OMG! I have 10 followers now! That's awesome! Thank you so much, guys. And special thanks to Cloaked Depression and Yoshi for the first reviews! You guys really encourage me! And so sorry for the week without posting. I was at the gamescon in cologne, germany. It was fantastic. The new Naruto game is awesome! I can't wait!
Now back to the story. I think the plot in this story is taking form here. I'll get interesting, I dare say. XD
Now, please enjoy! :-)
The longest night
04.
Sakura always thought of herself as an excellent rider, only now did she realize how far behind she really was. Competing against Naruto, who was hailed as the best rider in the whole Land of Fire and Sasuke, who had a natural bond with his animal, Sakura just couldn't ignore the gap that had come to rest between them. In the end, she was only an Elementalist, while her team-mates were...
She still couldn't be sure of what Naruto really was. Everyone of rank and status in Konoha knew that a demon was bound into Naruto in order to prevent it from destroying the city. As Naruto grew up parentless, that exact secret had given him many troubles, as most fear the power of the Kyuubi. But when the young blond warrior proved himself more and more worthy to Konoha, people had come to accept what he was. Until today, they still believed that it was the demon who had given Naruto his unique skills. For decades now, Sakura had participated in the lie about the origin of Naruto's power. No one had doubted that it was the essence of the Kyuubi that had given Naruto his strength and stamina. How wrong they were.
Though Sakura couldn't be perfectly certain, she knew that the source of Naruto's power wasn't a demon. It was something more... divine. She could still remember the day when Naruto received that power. In one of the most brutal battle of her life when Sakura was only a recruit fresh out of the academy, she had witnessed something she knew would be singular. It was the mission in Wave where they had found their way blocked by the warlord Zabuza who was known as the Demon of Mist. In a moment when Sakura though she had lost the love of her life, it was Naruto who had given her hope. As the blond had held the unconscious body of Sasuke, a scream had escaped his throat. It was almost as if some deity above was listening and parted the clouds to give way to a shining sun. The golden light had reached down and touched the blond, who was about to falter.
In that moment, Naruto had burned inside an Anima of white fire as a golden fox appeared as his totem. It was so bright and magnificent Sakura had to shield her eyes. She couldn't say what happened, only that Master Kakashi and Naruto had defeated their opponents. From that day on, everything changed. Naruto had changed. Though he spoke the same way and thought the same way, Sakura had seen the deep metamorphoses inside him. His skills had quickly improved, even to a state where it shadowed Sasuke's. When Sakura had asked him later, Naruto only said that he didn't even know himself. It was as if all the things he found so difficult at the Academy suddenly became easy for him. He said, it was as if he remembered them from the past, rather than learning them anew.
It was in that conversation Naruto had first referred to himself as a Solar.
But what was with Sasuke, Sakura wondered. Before the last Uchiha returned to them, she hadn't even heard of something called the Lunar. It was after two years of constant speculation, Queen Tsunade who had been her mentor took her aside and told her the secret she had to keep. Unlike Naruto, Sasuke was rather quiet about his nature. He had never lied, but only refused to give away any information. Even his true skills were unknown to her. She wasn't interested in his martial art skills or his marksmanship. Anyone who practiced enough could achieve that. It was the secret of shape-shifting and its extent that Sakura sought to know. It was the deep mystery that shrouded Sasuke's essence and his way of using it.
Both her team-mates' powers were so different from what Sakura had learned. Unlike her kind who manipulated elements through the use of essence, Naruto and Sasuke didn't even need the benefit of an element to be powerful. Their control and reserve of essence were unmatched. When they attacked, they didn't need to channel their power through anything, but attacked purely with it. It was a control Sakura could only dream of.
She shook her head. Now wasn't the time to think about the difference between the Terrestrial and the Celestial Exalted, even though the knowledge about Naruto and Sasuke's power was rare and left many questions unanswered. Right now, she had to focus on the knowledge of the dead she had were she to be of more use to her Commander.
They had set out form Naruto's camp with an hour of delay. When the captain had finally arrived, Sakura could tell that Naruto had just strapped his armor on and took his pouches from his squire. When she asked, he only hinted that the hour wasn't wasted and refused to say more. She wondered if it had anything to do with Sasuke, who arrived shortly after Naruto. It was odd for the disciplined lieutenant to be late. She had thought about asking him, but stayed silent at Sasuke's obvious foul mood. She remembered that he didn't like to be interrupted during his sleep.
They had decided to leave Sai behind to watch the camp. As an agent of root, Sai had the authority to act as Naruto's substitution. That of course didn't please Sasuke, who but kept his mouth shut. He only threw an irritated glance at Naruto, who returned it with a sheepish smile.
It first caught Sakura's attention that something wasn't right when they paused to read a map Sasuke brought with him while their mounts drank from the river nearby. No matter what Sasuke was doing, Naruto couldn't stop looking at Sasuke's head, or the space just above his head to be precise. And when Sasuke directly looked at the blond, his focus was more with Sasuke's lips than his words. That of course wasn't missed by the last Uchiha who grunted angrily and shot Naruto one of his famed glares. Sakura felt a little excluded by it, but still was happy to see them return to their old rivalry. Anything was better than a mute Uchiha who followed Naruto's every command.
It became clear that something happened when Naruto made a joke about cats and Sasuke promptly wrapped his gloved hand over the Captain's mouth. Sakura had gasped, for in all those years Sasuke had joined their team, he had never tried to interfere with Naruto on a physical level. Now, out of nothing, the sullen Uchiha had decided to act like a premature recruit again.
She had wanted to ask Naruto on several account, but somehow she suspected that Sasuke kept a close eye on the blond, like a shadow in the corner. So, her chances had passed time after time and before she knew they had arrived at Kakashi's camp after two days of almost constant riding.
"You're late," the Commander greeted them with firm voice from where he stood behind his huge table. It was filled with rolls and maps, while an untouched breakfast sat at the rim. "I sent word for you two days ago."
"Well, it's a long ride!" Naruto protested, rubbing his butt. "I feel like I took a hard pounding."
A vein bulged on Sakura's forehead. Naruto might belong to the nobles of Konoha now, but he certainly didn't speak like one. Her hand clenched audibly, making Naruto wince. He grinned at her apologetically before approaching their mentor.
"So, what's up?" He leaned against the big command table and wasn't stopped. "Where's your army going?"
"Home," Kakashi finally looked up at them with his one visible eye. "In times like this, I fear for Konoha's safety."
Their Commander had the odd habit of hiding his face under a fine cloth mask that was pulled up to his nose. The left side of what was left of his visible skin was covered by a black headband with the emblem of a Konoha Commander that fell over his eye. When they were younger, in their first year of service, they often tried to find out what was under it. But after almost four decades, she had finally given up.
"How is King Gaara?" Kakashi asked, not knowing what topic he had just breached. Just as Naruto was about to open his mouth to answer, probably in his hot-headed way, Kakashi held up a hand. "Sasuke, report."
"Yes, Sir!" Sasuke finally stepped up to the Commander from the entrance. Sakura wondered if he kept up the protocol just to annoy them. Everyone knew that when the former Strike Team 7 was alone, no one cared about conduct.
Sakura listed carefully as Sasuke recapitulated their hunt with crisp sentences. She didn't miss that he had let out everything that was too personal or revealed their emotional state. With no word did Sasuke mention his argument with Sai, nor did he say anything about their conversation afterward. He didn't even mention that it was him who had kept Naruto from charging into the Shadowland.
When Sasuke finished, Kakashi had a grim expression on his face. He frowned deeply and put a hand on his chin. "It can't be a coincident."
"That's what I said!" Naruto exclaimed. He reached out for Kakashi's untouched breakfast and grinned when their mentor didn't object. "So what happened on your end?"
Kakashi sighed heavily. He came around his desk and leaned against it. Sakura could see the fatigue in Kakashi's face. The bag under his one eye was more prominent, the wrinkles at his eye seemed to have deepened. Even his voice sounded more tired than usual.
"I went up the mountain," he sighed again, closing his eye. "It's mostly the same as the town, all monks butchered. The head of the abbot is missing, we suspect that who ever did this took his head in for bounty. I sent Yamato and Aoba to check it out."
"So what did you call us for?" Naruto said with his mouth full.
"If it really is the walking dead, then I need your power." The commander turned to face Naruto, who sat in the chair on the side, mouthing Kakashi's breakfast. "There's a reason I didn't eat. I plan to show the town to you."
"That bad?" Sakura almost whispered. Kakashi wasn't the one to use the word butcher lightly. "What happened?"
"As I said, butchered." Kakashi shrugged. "But that wasn't the reason I called you here. I found trace of the walking dead, now I need Naruto to confirm it. You can feel them, the Creatures of Darkness, can't you?"
"Uh, I think so." Naruto shrugged. "It's not like I had a lot of dealings with them. I don't even know that much about them."
"That will be good enough." Kakashi nodded and turned back to study another map.
"Permission to speak, Sir," Sasuke interrupted.
"Granted."
Sakura hated that Kakashi and Sasuke always acted like they didn't know each other.
"Why do you ask for me specificity?" The last Uchiha glared. "What are you not telling us, Sir?"
"Sharp as usual, Sasuke," Kakashi nodded and turned back. He waited until Naruto swallowed his last bite of bread and fixed his gaze on the three of them. "I first wanted you because your sight might help us. My other eye could only see that much. Also, I'd like your knowledge on the dead. As I recall, Orochimaru was proficient in that area, was he not?"
Sakura turned sharply on Sasuke. For an instant she felt embarrassed to have boasted her knowledge in front of him. It was quickly followed by anger that he had tricked her into talking, shaming her for the little she knew. She had truly thought that she impressed him and made him agree on that date. She really believed that he didn't know. Sasuke of course didn't miss her resentful glare. He countered with on of his own and turned back to face Kakashi, leaving Sakura feeling the old pain in her chest.
"I am no student of the dark art," Sasuke stated again. "I know where they come from, how to fight them and how to kill them."
"That's it?" Naruto didn't seem satisfied. Sakura herself hoped for more, to be honest.
"That's all you need for now," Sasuke remarked. "If it's only the walking dead, then I am not worried."
"We found them outside a Shadowland." Kakashi lifted one eyebrow, clearly challenging Sasuke.
The last Uchiha was unfazed. "So?" He shrugged.
"Don't be a bastard, bastard!" Naruto yelled. "Tell us what you know."
With a sigh, Sasuke actually gave in. "They are dead bodies reanimated by the necrotic essence in the Shadowland. Mindless, powerless beings with a primal hunger for the flesh of the living. Some call them zombies. Necromancers can empower them with more useful features, but that's another story. You kill them the common way."
Sakura gaped at the fact that Sasuke who had never admitted to be a student of lore possessed such hidden knowledge. In Konoha, one needed the highest clearance to even access books about the dark art, let along study it. And here Sasuke stood, informing them about the those abominations as if they were only a barbaric tripe. Some of the terms he used, Sakura had never heard of.
"So what? We can just kill them?" Naruto asked.
"You can burn them." Sasuke smirked at Naruto who beamed at the comment.
"They are not dangerous?" He asked, his eyes not leaving Sasuke's for a moment.
"Not to us." Sasuke too seemed to have forgotten that Kakashi and she were present.
She cleared her throat loudly and saw how Naruto snapped out of his trance. "Is there anything more?" She asked, her thirst for knowledge almost overpowering her. She would grasp the chance at some hidden lore if she could. "Anything?"
"Does the sunlight hurt them?" Kakashi asked.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Of course not," he sneered at Kakashi. "You didn't take the Creature of Darkness literally, did you."
"It's not?" Sakura wondered. "Why not? Why are you called so?"
"Because they're outside the loom of f..." Sasuke quickly drew in a sharp breath. "Forget what I said."
"The loom of fate?" Kakashi's eye grew wide. "I thought that was a legend."
"Of course it is." Sasuke nodded quickly, staring at them intensely. Even without words, Sakura understood that he asked them to stay silent.
"Very well," the commander clapped his hands together. "And it so happens that I have dire need for your knowledge. With the strength of your eyes added to mine, and not to forget Naruto's power, we might have a chance. And if anyone of us gets hurt, Sakura won't be far, would she?"
"Great!" Naruto exclaimed. "So it's Strike Team 7 again!"
"When do we start?" Sakura beamed, ready to prove herself again.
"Now," Kakashi smirked at all of them.
Naruto grinned brightly when Sakura looked at him. It had been so long since she could work with Naruto and Kakashi again. Now, even Sasuke was here to complete her team. In this little moment as they all stood inside Kakashi's temporary command tent, Sakura could almost believe that they had never been apart.
-xXx-
Riding was one of Naruto's favorite activity. Whenever he climbed onto the powerful back of his mighty Simhata, he felt that he could go wherever he wanted. He loved the way his mount moved under him, carrying him over plains of hills. He loved the way wind blew into his face while landscape blurred around him in his speed. He even enjoyed the dust that his lion horse kicked up in the air.
But all that vaporized as they arrived at the small town Kakashi spoke of. In the midday sun, Naruto gagged at the stench of burned bodies and old blood. He understood why his mentor told him not to eat. As he saw the signs of the crime that happened here, he had to press one hand against his mouth to prevent his breakfast from spilling. Beside him, Sakura gasped loudly. She too took out a handkerchief to shield her nose, frowning with tears glistening in her eyes.
"What..." she breathed out, her eyes focused on something a few feet ahead of them.
Naruto instinctively followed her gaze. At the door of a traditional house, Sasuke stood with his head bowed low. He traced the darkened wood of that building with one hand, while his other clenched into a tight fist. Even from here, Naruto could see Sasuke tremble, not to mention the murderous intent the Uchiha was emitting.
Just as Naruto stepped away from Sakura to take care of Sasuke, Kakashi's hand came down on his shoulder. The commander looked directly into his eyes and shook his head discreetly. Naruto responded with some confused head-shake of his own, challenging his mentor to come clear about it. When Kakashi didn't answer, Naruto mouthed: what's wrong? Kakashi again shook his head and this time, his gaze told the young captain that it was final. Even more confused, Naruto looked at Sakura for help, who only mouthed: His clan.
Remembering how the noble Clan of Uchiha had come to an end almost half a decade ago, Naruto swallowed. He knew he should give Sasuke some space, but he just couldn't see Sasuke suffer like this. What if this all reminded Sasuke of the reason why he wanted to become powerful? What if this destroyed his willingness to stay with them and made him run away again? What if Sasuke remembered that his parents and clansmen were still unavenged and the murderer was still out there, somewhere.
"Sasuke," Kakashi called out, releasing Naruto from his inner turmoil. "Come, I have to show you something."
They all followed Kakashi silently, Naruto not leaving Sasuke out of his sight. He watched the black-haired young man at his side, his gaze unwillingly wandering up to meet Sasuke's ears. Every since he saw them in the stall, they had not disappeared. Naruto had noticed that they really were cat ears, even moving with Sasuke's mood. At times if was really difficult not to look at them. Right now, Naruto just wanted to pat Sasuke, smoothing his ears which hang due to his mood.
Not missing Naruto intense gaze, Sasuke lifted his eyes to glare at him. The black eyes Naruto usually meet were blood red now, with three black dots lined up in a circle. Somehow, it was hard to tell any emotions from them. So often had Naruto wondered what Sasuke saw through those eyes.
He was still thinking about Sasuke's eyes, or lips or ears when the sound of a bonfire reached him. He turned towards the main road and widened his eyes at the huge pyre in the middle of the town. Only after a closer look did Naruto realized that the burning pyre wasn't made of wood but hundreds of human bodies. He clenched his teeth at that sight for the fire wasn't red but a ghostly green.
"What the hell is that?" He heard himself ask.
"That's the question," Kakashi said next to him. "I lit it two days ago."
"What did you do, Master?" Sakura gasped.
"I found the men already piled up when we got here. Only when I burned them, it was normal fire." Kakashi started. Naruto listened intensely as his mentor explained how he had found the town and the people inside. Kakashi told them about the bodies that showed the signs which led him to suspect the dealing of the dead and how he had gathered the rest and set them burning with his own essence.
When he had finished, Sasuke was the first to ask. "How many?"
"What do you mean?"
"How many were they? When did they die?"
"Is that important?" Sakura asked.
"Would I ask if it's not?" Sasuke was in foul mood today.
"Two hundred maybe," Kakashi answered. "They died five days ago."
"So it was the third day when you burned them," Sasuke approached the pyre without hesitation. Naruto followed swiftly, not knowing what else to do. If Kakashi had hoped for him to detect any sign of the dead, Naruto would have to disappoint him. He didn't feel anything but the nausea of smelling so many burning.
"Master Kakashi, shouldn't they be ash already? I mean, it was two days ago."
"I'm worried about it also." Kakashi nodded truthfully. "I intended for them to burn within the hour. When I came back from the mountain, the fire was already green."
Naruto gaped, gesturing that the green fire. He wasn't a lore student, but he knew that this couldn't be good. Turning around to look at the intimidating fire again, Naruto's gaze focused on Sasuke, who strode around the pyre like a predator. Something in his movement indicated that he wasn't just looking, but searching for something specific. When the Uchiha finished his circle, a very dark expression was on his face.
Without any word, the young Uchiha drew his silver sword and glowered at them. Naruto instantly clenched his fists and took up a defensive position. Now his fear had come true. This town changed Sasuke. It reminded him that they stood between him and his vengeance and Sasuke choose this moment to add them to the pyre. Next to him, Naruto saw in the corner of his eyes that Sakura also reached for the two daggers at her hip. He could clearly feel her channel her essence.
"What did you do, Kakashi?" Sasuke hissed, his fangs growing larger in his mouth.
The question called Naruto off guard. Sasuke wasn't planning on attacking them? "What do you mean, Sasuke! Put that sword away."
"Kakashi!" Sasuke snapped. "What did you do before you lid the pyre?"
"Nothing," Kakashi shook his head. "I had the women and children brought here, that's all."
"Have you examined the ground? Have you cast any spell, used any charm?"
"What? No! I used a simple fire technique, that's all." Their mentor sounded distressed. Now, Kakashi too reached for the sword on his belt. "Put your sword down, Sasuke."
"Sasuke, stop it!" Sakura screamed.
"Yeah, Sasuke, stop it!" Naruto added. Seeing Sasuke facing them with his sword drawn, Naruto couldn't but feel the jab of betrayal. He desperately wanted Sasuke to come to his senses and just be himself again. But maybe, this was Sasuke being himself.
"Reveal yourself!" Sasuke hissed, pointing his masterly crafted Daiklave at them. "Hatake, reveal yourself!"
"Calm down, Sasuke!" The Commander said steadily, his hands still clenching the hilt of his weapon.
Naruto shivered as he felt a wave of familiar essence past over him. A white light came from his right as the ground beneath his feet started to crack. A white spirit wolf crawled its way out and came to stand before its master, fangs bared and snarling. As leaves began to fall from the sky a few yards above them and danced around their mentor, Sasuke who watched intensely finally relaxed some.
He put his sword back into its sheath and nodded, still looking very displeased.
"Would you tell me what this is about?" The commander asked, his Anima already beginning to fade.
"I had to be sure who you are," Sasuke explained. While he faced them, Naruto watched with wonder how he changed. His skin turned darker as his hair began to grow, turning into a dark gray and reaching down to the small of his back. Long fingernails emerged from his hands, shaping them into doubtlessly powerful claws. The white in Sasuke's eyes and his usually pale lips became black, as sharp fangs reached passed his bottom lip. Sasuke loosened his cape, allowing it to fall to the ground. He heard Sasuke grunt as two enormous wings of the falcon sprout from his back, their feathers shimmering in many spectacular shades of brown.
Instinctively, Naruto searched for the black cat ears. They were still there, only a little more hidden in his now long hair.
Busy with staring at Sasuke's true form and categorizing what animal Sasuke represented, he completely missed the fact that Sasuke had turned towards the green pyre. He took a breath and promptly dug his claws into those dead men's flesh. Naruto heard Sasuke hiss as the fire burned his forearm, yet the Uchiha didn't stop. With a determination Naruto had never seen in him, Sasuke was trying to destroy the pyre dedicated to the unjust murdered.
"What are you doing?" Sakura screamed. Naruto too winced as he saw Sasuke's hands already blister under the fire.
"There might be something hidden beneath it." The weird looking thing that was once Sasuke struggled with the corpses. He pulled one at the base out of the fire and yelped as a few on top fell over him. "That's no use. Sakura, crack the earth! I need to see what's under the body!"
"What?" She turned to look at Kakashi, who looked as confused as Naruto felt.
"Oi!" Naruto ran towards Sasuke and pulled him out of the fire. Standing directly in front of him made Naruto realize that Sasuke was almost three yards tall now. "Would you please explain what the hell is wrong with you!"
"Can't you feel it?" At least Sasuke's voice was the same. "There's necrotic essence under the bodies. I can see it with my eyes. Kakashi must have missed them. If I'm not wrong, this might be some foul ritual."
"You know, you could have just said so." Naruto snorted and turned to nod at Sakura, who was already putting on her punching gloves. "You need the bodies gone?"
"No!" Sasuke cried out. "If they are burned by this fire, the ritual might be complete. We need to stop the fire before the bodies are consumed and before nightfall."
"If you need those bodies out of the way, I can help." Grinning at him, Naruto channeled his essence inside him. With the rise of his power, he felt his Caste Mark on his forehead tickle and watched the light he cast into Sasuke's features. As it grew brighter, understanding reached the transformed Lunar. "Should I?" Naruto asked smugly.
To Naruto's surprise, Sasuke slowly backed away. He kept his eyes on Naruto, unblinking. It was just like in command tent before. Whenever Naruto mentioned his Solar side, there was always a strange glint in Sasuke's eyes as if he wasn't seeing Naruto but a hopeful future. Then, Sasuke lowered his head in respect.
"Please," he said, his voice suddenly soft.
Naruto took a breath and closed his eyes. Spreading his arms, the young captain channeled essence into his whole being, revealing his Anima. Every Anima of every kind of Exalted had a unique ability. Naruto had found out that his own power allowed him to cremate whatever was dead, releasing the soul from this world. He had not thought about where it went but knew deep in his heart that it was something good.
Just as the first ray of his internal light radiated from him, Naruto heard Sakura scream behind him. Before he had time to turn around, something charged into him, knocking him to the ground. His Anima which wasn't fully activated yet dimmed down so only his Caste Mark still burned. He felt air being pressed out of his lungs while the back of his head connected with the hard surface painfully. Cold finger clenched around his neck and squeezed. Gasping, Naruto snapped his eyes open. The man who was kneeling on his chest looked nothing like anything Naruto had seen. Though he couldn't say what really was wrong, he instinctively knew that this was a dead soldier, one of those reanimated Sasuke spoke of. His skin was greenish gray, though his flesh wasn't hanging loose from his bone like the walking dead. His long, dirty hair hung out from his black helmet and fell onto Naruto's face. He could smell the stench that made him nauseous but still gagged for air.
Naruto clenched his hands into fists and aimed for the soldier's unprotected nose. He heard the bone crack as he landed, rotten blood dripping down to Naruto's face. The soldier didn't scream, nor did he relinquish his firm grip. Slowly, Naruto was beginning to feel the lack of air. His arms and legs were getting heavier as a pain built up in his head. Desperate, Naruto punched the soldier again and tried to rise from the ground. The result was the same. This dead soldier remained seated on Naruto chest with his hands around the captain's throat as if he was rigid. As Naruto's third punch made as good as no damage, he feared that the battle would come to an end for him.
With a flash of silver, Naruto saw the head of his opponent fly out of his vision, a clean cut at the man's neck. The powerful fingers that were squeezing the life out of him suddenly lost its strength, allowing the captain to breath again. A heavy cough rushed over him as air suddenly returned to his body. He struggled against the heavy body over him with his weakened limbs as the weight was lifted off him.
Sasuke who stood above him quickly jerked him to his feet, snarling. The Lunar reached out over his shoulder and pulled the dead soldier who was blocking his wings over his head before slamming the enemy hard on the ground. Again, his silver sword parted the man's head from his body.
"What are they?" Sakura yelled, freeing herself from the grasp of one of the vanguard. She jumped and landed next to them, both daggers ready in her grasp. Kakashi followed just a moment later, his enchanted sword glistening with blue essence.
"Ghost warriors," Sasuke gasped.
Naruto channeled essence into his fists as they watched another fifteen of those ghost warriors emerging from the nearby buildings. They all looked dead, but moved like living persons. Their armor was made off a kind of black iron, inched with strange glyphs. Some of them carried pendents of white bones around their necks, others had skulls of humans dangling from their belts. Each one had a black shied in their left and blood stained axes in their right. They too were of the same material like their armor.
"What the hell are ghost warriors?" Naruto shouted, watching his enemies marching towards them in synchronized movements. "How do we kill them?"
"The way you kill everything!" The Lunar hissed back. Sasuke let out a snarl towards the ghost warriors, his blade glowing with silver light. "Commander, orders?"
"Naruto take the right. Sasuke, you left. Sakura, you and I take the center." The commander barked. "Go!"
Naruto charged into the soldiers from the right, his fists glowing with a golden light. He aimed at the unprotected face of that soldier and met his shield instead. For a moment, he felt the cold iron block his way, but then his fist burned through the metal and connected with the man's head. This time, the ghost screamed an inhuman screech. It sounded shrill and a chill ran down Naruto's spine. With the shield of the ghost warrior attached to his arm, Naruto could only see half of the dead. He felt his opponents move rather than saw it and dodged the edge of the blood stained axe. Swiftly, Naruto's left reached up to meet the man's head again. His golden fist smashed though dead flesh and bones, punching a whole into that skull. The first fell down with armors clattering.
The second was on him before he could pull his arm out of the shield. He gasped and blocked the man's axe with his bare hand. Instead of his fist, it was the axe of the ghost that took the damage. Grinning, Naurto smashed his fist with the shield into the man's chest. Knowing that those Creatures of Darkness couldn't touch him without taking damage themselves, Naruto fought with new won confidence. The shield that was constantly dangling from his arm bothered him only slightly. He adjusted to the extra weight and fought with it. In time, the rest of the shield would corrode away. When the fifth came at him, he lunged out and punched his shield arm into the man's chest with such ferocity, they both landed on the ground. Kneeling on the dead man's chest, Naruto had difficulty freeing his hand from the man's chest and armor. This time, the black iron shield certainly wasn't helpful.
Trying to free himself, Naruto glanced up to reassess the battlefield. His own flank was cleared, but that wasn't to say about the others. On the left side, Sasuke was battling three simultaneously, while two already laid dead at his feet. He moved faster than a man of his statue should and successfully defended against all their attacks. It was strange watching Sasuke fight. The Lunar moved differently than he remembered. He didn't only use his sword or his free arm, but took perfect advantage of his gigantic wings. As he dodged one strike with the axe, Sasuke bent down to rotate around his own pivot. It appeared as if the edge of his wings were sharp, judging but the way a ghost's head flew from his shoulders. Beside that, Sasuke did little damage.
As fast as he could be, the strength of his elegant sword wasn't enough to pierce the soldier's armor. Sparks flew when Sasuke's silver sword met the black iron armor. With a frustrated grunt, the Lunar jumped into the air and pierced down at the opponent to his right. The third who was at Sasuke's left reached out with his iron shield and slammed it into Sasuke's face. Naruto heard the Lunar scream in pain as smoke rose from his wound. For a moment, Naruto watched his Lunar twisting on the ground, his hand came up to shield his face. The ghost strode towards the fallen Lieutenant and drove his axe inside Sasuke's shoulder. Blood splashed onto the ground as Sasuke's yelled again.
"Sasuke!" Fused with anger, Naruto ripped his arm from the man's chest, making dead flesh and iron fly. He dashed towards his team-mate who was struggling to reach his fallen weapon. Just when the axe came down on Sasuke again, a breeze of silver essence left Sasuke's fingers and carried the weapon into his grasp. The clang of their crossing weapons sounded loudly in Naruto ears. Right now, he couldn't think much about Sakura or Kakashi, only Sasuke who was visibly fighting the excruciating pain.
"Not me!" Sasuke pressed through his clenched teeth. "Go help Sakura! I'm alright!"
Taken aback by Sasuke's words, Naruto quickly threw a glance at the center. If he thought Sasuke wasn't doing so good, it was nothing compared to Kakashi and Sakura. Both of them have more wounds than Sasuke, their robes already turning dark by the blood. Though the slashes and cuts didn't seem to hurt as much as Sasuke's, Naruto realized that they needed his help more direly than the Chosen of the Moon. Struggling with himself for a moment, Naruto choose to save Sakura, who had locked her daggers with a ghost soldier. She kicked the dead man in the stomach, but only met the iron armor.
Each of them faced two opponents, only one laid dead between them. Kakashi kicked one soldier in the head, but was blocked by the raised shield. He used that to flip over the soldier, coming into a couch behind the ghost. Quickly, Kakashi's blade went through the flesh at the back of his thigh, bringing the ghost to his knees. His hand came up to grab the black helmet the man wore while his sword cut through the unprotected skin on the back of his head. With a nasty sounding squash, Kakashi separated the head from the shoulder.
Naruto dashed in just in time to block the coming strike of the axe. He punched through the armor like paper and ripped a part of the flesh out with him. His head came down to meet the ghost worrier's forehead, smashing it with his strength. Kakashi muttered a quick thanks, then both men moved to help Sakura. Naruto's anger reached a new level as he saw the soldier slap her with his big shield, the same move that had Sasuke screaming. Sakura only fell back several yards, a hard grunt coming out of her mouth.
"Help her!" Naruto yelled with confidence.
The Solar channeled new essence into his fists, making them burn even brighter. With one hard punch, he smashed the soldier's head, making the rotting brain splashing through the air. He closed his eyes for just that instant to protect his eyes and in disgust. Feeling a weapon coming his way, Naruto lifted his arm to protect his head. The axe shattered as it met Naruto's arm. He reached out and grabbed his head. With a scream, he snapped the man's neck.
Panting heavily, he searched the battlefield for anyone who was still moving. In the center and at the right, all dead remained dead. He nodded quickly to Kakashi, who was helping a dizzy looking Sakura to her feet and the commander returned his stare. With both of them safe and alive, Naruto's worries returned to the fallen Lunar. At the left flank, Sasuke laid on the ground with the dead warrior laying next to him, both unmoving.
Before Naruto could register, he was at the Saskue's side, who winced with obvious pain in his body. The gash in his shoulder looked bad, the flesh blackened as if burned by some fire. Dark blood poured out and shimmered brightly red against Sasuke's silver armor. Unlike Sakura who only had a big bruise on her face, Sasuke looked burned. Naruto could clearly see the places the iron touched Sasuke's flesh and left dark marks on it. Even the glyphs that decorated those shields could be seen on the handsome face.
"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled at the shallowly breathing man. "Sasuke! Wake up!"
The Lunar snapped his eyes open, his red eyes spinning with speed. He pushed himself off the ground and immediately started to scan the battlefield. When he was satisfied, his gaze lingered with Naruto.
"Are you hurt?" Sasuke gasped first, his tone full of worries. Surprised by Sasuke's concern, Naruto didn't answer. "Naruto, are you hurt?"
"What? No!" He retorted, helping Sasuke to sit up. "How are you? What happened?"
"Where are Kakashi and Sakura?"
"They are fine! Sakura's little dizzy, but they'll be fine. What happened to..."
A sudden gasp next to them made them both jerk their head around. The one Sasuke had pierced with his sword still wasn't dead. The ghost soldier laid unmoving on the ground, his head turned towards them and a vicious grin on his face. He started to laugh as he caught Naruto's gaze and spat some rotten blood on the ground between them.
Again, anger drove Naruto to his feet. He crossed the space between them in three long strides and grasped the collar of that ghost soldier. Again, the fist he lifted blistered with golden essence. He hated those abominations, those who had hurt his friends. He would take all his anger out on this one, until everything of this revolting creature was gone.
"Stop!" Sasuke snapped behind him. He Lunar pushed himself off the ground and came to crouch next to Naruto.
"What the hell?"
"I have questions!" He turned towards the ghost warrior, his silver blade resting on its throat. "Why are you here? What do you want?"
Painting heavily, Kakashi and Sakura quickly came to stand behind them. They looked down on the scene, where Naruto shook the ghost harshly. "Answer him!" He bellowed.
"Can he even talk?" Sakura wondered aloud, speaking out what Naruto was thinking.
The ghost warrior could. He spat some more rotten blood at them and pressed words through his broken lips that Naruto didn't understand. They sounded like the language they spoke but somehow too different for him to distinguish the words. Also, the voice of this moving corpse was a choke, filled with gagging and hissing sounds.
"The old tongue?" Kakashi gasped from above. "They speak of the language of magic?"
"Do you know it?" Naruto didn't dare to turn his gaze from this creature. "Do you, Sakura?"
Before Kakashi and Sakura could answer, Sasuke snarled. Immediately, Naruto recognized that as the language the dead soldier used. Naruto knew that the language of magic was one they spoke in ancient times. Only those deemed worthy by the wisest scholar may learn it. He had no idea why Sasuke knew the old tongue, but couldn't wonder about it right now.
"What is he saying?" He asked no one in particular. He desperately wanted to know what Sasuke was shouting and what the ghost was choking.
"He says," Kakashi started as Sasuke pressed his blade deeper into the greenish flesh. "It's too late. You can't stop it anymore, it has begun. The prophecy has come true. Blood tribute has been paid to the gods by an honest man. Our time has come."
"What?"
Sasuke punched the prisoner in the face and snarled again. "Naruto, hold your hand over his head. If he doesn't talk, burn him!"
When Sasuke hissed at the ghost warrior again, Naruto could feel the seriousness of his threat. The dead eyes of the prisoner only narrowed and then he began to laugh again. Between it, Naruto made out some words that might have meanings.
"He keeps repeating: It's too late." Kakashi translated again. "Sasuke, ask him... He says: The blood has been paid. The King of the Underworld has risen from his slumber. His herald, the herald of the last days is on his move. The most vicious prince of darkness has returned. They will devour you. Together, they will bring destruction upon you all! They will devour you. You are all doomed. It's too late, you are all doomed."
When the ghost ended, Sasuke hissed, his voice suddenly very very dark. "Naruto, burn him."
At Sasuke's command, Naruto touched the forehead of the ghost with his hand. He pushed essence through his body and the golden light spread to the rotting body. They watched as the creature of darkness screamed and squeaked. Withing the minute, only ashes remained, all of the rotten flesh and black iron gone.
Sakura let out a trembled gasp as Kakashi took a deep breath. Sasuke winced next to him and finally accepting Kakashi's hand and came to his feet. Naruto stared at the ash for a moment, hearing his master's words spoken with the inhuman voice in his head. When he finally came up to stand next to his comrade, everyone of them carried a worried frown on their faces.
"What should we do?" Sakura asked first. "Should we believe it?"
"It doesn't sound like a lie," Kakashi nodded. "We should head back to Konoha. Queen Tsunade needs to hear about this."
Naruto nodded. Sasuke, who slowly returned to his human form, nodded also.
"Sasuke, are you alright?" Sakura stared into Sasuke's face which was covered by an angry red burn. Her hand came up to touch Sasuke's shoulder wound but the black haired man jerked away. "You need treatment."
"I'll manage," Sasuke pressed through his teeth. Naruto knew that he was fighting the pain. "Take care of Kakashi and yourself first. Their weapons might carry diseases. It'll be a petty way to die."
"But you're bleeding horribly!" She protested, ignoring her own wounds.
"It'll stop soon."
"We should hurry back," Kakashi suggested, his hand coming to support Sasuke. "Sakura can treat us there."
"No!" Sasuke gasped with effort. He shook his head and blinked rapidly, as if fighting unconsciousness. "We... we need to burn the bodies... All of them... before nightfall."
"Sasuke, let me look at your wound!" Sakura urged.
"Sasuke," Naruto came to support him from the other side. "Don't play tough, you're heavily wounded. Let her look at you!"
"No!" The Lieutenant gasped again.
Naruto knew that this could be dangerous. As battle raged, adrenaline always helped them ignore the pain. Now, as the body slowly calmed down, the full extent of the wound became visible. Sasuke already had problem standing. He tumbled slightly, supporting himself on Naruto. The captain caught his friend and felt the cold sweat on Sasuke's skin. He was pale as his breathing became more feeble. The grayish robe he wore under his armor was already red on one side.
"Sasuke..." Naruto begged. "Listen to Sakura."
"You don't understand..." Sasuke's knees gave out and he completely fell back against Naruto, who slowly sat them down on the ground. "Naruto, you must burn them... before nightfall. Or they might return. Stop... the ritual. Burn the whole town. Just stop it..."
"Sasuke!"
"Please, do it." The Lunar's eyes fell close. "That's your job..." Then, Sasuke went limb in his arms.
"Sasuke!" A suddenly fear caught him as Sasuke's head bumped against his shoulder. The tremble that went through his body robbed him of his breath. His head felt dizzy, with only an image of Sasuke not breathing in his mind. "Sasuke!" He shook his comrade again, desperately wanting Sasuke to open his eyes. "Wake up, bastard! Don't die! Sasuke!"
"Naruto!" Kakashi's hand came to clench his shoulder. "He's only unconscious. Do as he says, burn the bodies. Sakura will take care of him."
Only reluctantly did Naruto let Kakashi lift Sasuke out of his arms. Watching Sakura taking Sasuke's pulse then nodding, Naruto found his ability to breath again. Sasuke was right. He was always right. Burning these bodies and cleansing Creation of the tint of the dead was his first and utmost duty.
He, a Zenith Caste of the Solar Exalted. He who had been chosen by the Unconquered Sun to protect Creation. He who had received this divine mission together with his unmatched power was to bring hope when hope was lost. He was to be the Sun's banner, bringing its light to the darkest corner of the world.
As he set to work, Naruto smiled to himself at the irony. Of all people it was Sasuke, the deserter, who had reminded him of his duty and what he really was.
Terrestrial Exalted = Chosen of earth. A term for Elementalists (Dragon-blooded in Exalted.)
Celestial Exalted = Chosen of heaven. A term for Solars and Lunars. (And some more that wouldn't matter in here.)
Sorry if I made Sakura seem weak here. I'm not a Sakura hater, but she always is much behind Sasuke and Naruto. I'm just trying to write her as she is.
And I hope none of the characters are too OOC.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! :-) Please tell me how you liked it. :-) (Artwork for this chapter is online. Still can't post any links here. So, mail me and I'll send you the link^^)
I'll be back, I promise. (I think I would update once a week. And as I promised, Itachi would appear soon.)
