Rebirth of the Four
A Naruto Darksiders Crossover
Written by Silent Soul Ken
Rating M for Mature
Reason: Violence, Gore, Blood, Language, Nudity
Summary: The legendary Four Horsemen are dead and the angels and demons fight from realm to realm destroying them. The Charred council has no choice but to bring back the four but they only have enough power for one… War…
Chapter 3
Of Sacred Oaths and Dark Dealings
"Who's Ruin?" Naruto asked, looking at the Kyuubi.
"Ruin, the Crimson Steed of War, essentially your horse," He responded.
Naruto's eyes widened as he looked at it. The horse snorted flames as the demons surrounded it. It bobbed its head then got on its hind legs, raising its front legs ready to strike the demons that stood ready to attack it. Suddenly it got down on its front and charged, ramming a demon and toppling it, and then Ruin gave a whinny and began to trample the demon into a burning and bloody pulp. Naruto watched as the massive hooves proved to be effective mashing and grinding weapons as the demon faded away. A few backed away, one yelling in some language, and then they charged. Ruin snorted, his back legs kicking out punching a hole into one demon's stomach and the other'shead.
Ruin then charged running up the sand, a trail of fire sprouting behind him. The demons however charged after it, struggling as they ran up to keep up. Naruto gaped as Ruin easily charged up the sand, flames coming from it's nostrils, and then the steed turned and charged at the demons. Ruin lowered his head and began to run faster, and as he did, a sound like erupting fire sounded throughout the desert. He bashed through the demons, sending them flying like bowling pins. Ruin snorted and whinnied, rearing up and pawing with his front hooves.
"Well… looks like it's time already…" Naruto said, grinning, and he stood up and walked forward.
"Where are you going?" The Kyuubi asked.
"I'm gonna make him my steed!" Naruto stated with confidence.
"Kid, at your current level, you can't do it." The Kyuubi responded, almost in deadpan.
"I'm gonna ride him, and I won't give up till I do! Even if I'm broken, battered, and bruised, I won't stop!" Naruto shouted, and he began his descent down the sand slope.
"Oh kami… knowing him, he's dead serious… Heh, damn I wish I had someone to bet with... I'd make a fortune." The Kyuubi smirked. He decided to stay out of the clawed gauntlet, and watched from above the dune as Naruto approached the crimson horse as it snorted fire, its red glowing eyes trailed on the horseman-to-be. Naruto slowed down as he came face to face with the horse. Naruto awed out how huge it was. Just standing alone, it was taller than him. It huffed gently, shaking its head slightly. Naruto had never dealt with horses before. He raised a hand to it, but it snorted and backed off.
"Hey! I'm your master now, aren't I?" Naruto asked, and the horse snorted loudly. Naruto then jumped to the side as it charged, and then he managed to jump onto its back. Ruin whinnied loudly, rearing onto his hind legs. Naruto grabbed it with his right hand, grabbing its red mane and holding it tightly. "Agh! If you want to do this the hard way... then we'll do it the-ARGH, hard way!" And with that, Naruto held on, riding the flaming beast rodeo style.
-Konoha Village, Hyūga Compound-
Hinata sighed as she weakly hit the training dummy, her heart elsewhere. It had been a few days since her crush, Naruto Uzumaki had vanished, and she was worried. One perk to being a prized member of the Hyūga clan was that she could demand for information. Information such as that regarding Naruto's status to the elders. She had learned, to her disbelief and horror, that Naruto would be put in the Bingo Book and tracked by hunters in 6 months' time should the search party fail to return him to the village.
She couldn't believe that the village was so willing to hunt AND kill him after all he had done! If it wasn't for him, the village would be dust and a memory to all. She hit the dummy hard at that thought, as anger filled her. 'Ungrateful,' a wooden arm shattered, 'Selfish,' another arm, 'Spineless,' the head, 'Arrogant,' a crevice forming into the wooden torso, 'Fools!' the dummy flew off, crashing onto the ground breaking apart. She panted, her hands glittering red, her eyes pulsing with the Byakugan, the veins throbbing so hard, she almost heard it.
"Hinata…" Hinata turned around to see her father, standing there looking surprised. "Are you all right?" He asked.
"I… I'm fine!" She said, and she walked to her room, slamming the door shut. Hiashi frowned. Never before had he seen his daughter display such power. Normally, he would've been proud, but he knew the display he had saw was anything but confirmation of her progress and ascension.
-Konoha Village-
Sasuke Uchiha roared in anger as he slammed the Chidori into a wall, making a hole roughly the size of a basketball. He pulled his hand out, sweat now covering his body. He looked at the wall in front of him, which was dotted with holes, all of them roughly the same size. He punched the ground in frustration. "Why… why…" He breathed out, the words ragged, anger distorting them. "Why is he stronger than me? That… good for nothing… loser!" He punched again, his skin gashing, blood oozing out. "Yet again, he's gotten ahead of me I have to… I have to get stronger no matter the cost!" He roared, and he made the hand signs for the Chidori, uncaring of what happened to his body. All that mattered was that he became stronger.
-Orochimaru's hideout-
Orochimaru wheezed hoarsely as he looked at his minions, his second best card. The Sound 4, originally the Sound 5, but their leader, Kimimaru, was currently incapacitated. "You will go to Konoha, and you will find Sasuke Uchiha… bring him to me, alive! I will not tolerate failure; do not come back until you have him, understood?" He hacked out, coughing. When he finished, he glared at them with his yellow slit eyes.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" They responded.
"Do not fail me…" He hissed. They nodded and vanished. He sat back on his chair, and looked at his loyal servant Kabuto. "Kabuto… in the event they do not find me Sasuke… have a body prepared for me… the strongest you can find!" Orochimaru wheezed.
"Yes my lord." Kabuto said. He bowed and left Orochimaru in his seat.
"Sasuke… the power of the Uchiha will be mine… and your body the means to an end!" Orochimaru coughed, giving off a wheezy laughter filled with malice.
Unbeknownst to Orochimaru, a figure was watching him from behind the grill of a ventilation shaft, a evil sneer appearing on its face, before slithering away through the vents.
-The Desert-
Naruto grunted as he was thrown into the air and landed on the sand. He got up quickly and glared at Ruin, the horse snorting and shaking its head. Naruto gritted his teeth. "By the end of today, I will be a Horseman!" Naruto shouted, and then charged the horse. Ruin scuffed his hooves and charged as well.
-Anko's team-
Anko had to admit that this kid, Naruto Uzumaki, had been changed. She looked at the ground, looking at the pieces of wooden debris, and bent down and grabbed a piece. This wood was smoothed, as if… carved and waxed. Anko looked around and saw more of the smooth wood littering the area. She then saw a crushed form and got up and headed to it, grabbing it and turning it over, the color leaving her face. She saw the ripped robes of the Akatsuki, and this person… she knew him or at least heard about him. "Sasori of the Red Sand…" A Class S-Ninja… meaning this guy was the best of the best… and to be defeated by Naruto?
The kid was beyond dangerous, he was a catastrophe. Yet, despite this, he defeated 20 Jonin without killing them… why? Something was up. She stood up and walked around, and she saw the strange white blobs on the ground, found two arms strewn about, and winced in disgust as she looked at the mouths and tongues coming out from the hands. She went to a blob, and grabbed it, pulling at it. It stretched and then broke as she squeezed it gently. 'Clay…' which meant, 'Deidara the Mad Bomber from Stone!' a man who valued art, but took a rather criminal turn to express it, blowing up buildings and people… another Class-S Ninja.
"Anko," She turned to see Izumo land before of her. "We lost the trail… after this, the blood vanishes, and there are no foot prints."
"Well, guess we're on our own. Where might he go then? The road can branch off to many places." Anko said. Kotetsu, and the other two hunters, landed there as well.
"Well, let's look at the facts… so far, he's been heading in one direction, the three cross way… however, his particular route is leading him into Sunagakure. We can, however, assume since he's yet to have a mission there, and that he's probably lost in the forest." Izumo speculated.
"We could assume that, but we could also assume he got lucky and made it out..." theorized one of the hunters.
"Either way, we got a lot of ground to cover." Anko said. "Start the search in the forest, summon dogs, and send them out to track down Naruto's scent if we can… report back any leads you find… if none, then we meet back here in 4… starting… now!" They all leapt away as the sun began to sink down, becoming orange as the day was half-way done.
-Orochimaru's hideout-
Kabuto entered into a large open area in the underground base, filled with many jail cells below him. Casually, he moved toward a lever, and pulling at it, opened the doors of all the cells. The prisoners all began to shamble out, many looking ragged and worst for wear. They all exited out into the underground courtyard, looking up to Kabuto.
"Here's the deal… you're all free, but only one of you can leave here… Alive…" Kabuto stated his intention very clear, turning around, leaving the prisoners to fight amongst themselves. It took a few seconds as they looked at each other then, a fight broke out, the prisoners battling to the death with whatever skill and item was available to them.
During the ruckus of the fight, through an old vent shaft, dropped down a small figure into the fray. Its eyes roamed the battle going on before it, and then a cloaked prisoner's body dropped to the ground, dead in front of the figure. The figured sneered, and then moved toward the corpse, and opening the body's mouth wide, began to slither inside.
There was a few moments where swellings began to bulge from the body in random areas, before going down to a normal human size. Then, the prisoner, who was once a corpse, shot open his eyes, bolting awake. He got to his legs fully, and avoiding with ease an attack that would have killed him, and then he sneered a crooked smile, and moved into the fray.
-The Roof of the World-
An angel scout flew through the air, his eyes scanning the world that would be the next battleground. He had just flown over a vast ocean, and had come to an area of land, and descended slightly to get a better look to see if there was either any sign of demons, or creatures that would harm the armies of heaven. However, instead he had sensed a power here, one that was weak by angel or demon terms, but if compared to a human, would be immensely powerful. He flew to a particularly strong gathering of this power. He flew over a forest, and came to what looked like a small city or a village perhaps. His eyes widened, and he flew in closer and saw it. "Humans… but, this is not the first realm." He looked at them, some of which held the power, but yet, some didn't. These humans… with their strength… they could serve Heaven. He turned to the skies and flew off, the magic portal leading to Heaven opening, and he flew through like a shooting star.
-The White City-
The angel flew to the gate where St. Peter, the guardian of Heaven sat, the angel stopping before him. Peter was an aged man with a long beard, so long that the tip touched the floor. He wore a robe with glowing lines on it that were draped elegantly around his body, and around his neck was a rope that had a golden cross. In front of him was a pedestal. Peter looked at the angel, and nodded, holding up a hand, a glow emanating and then the massive gate opened, the angel flying through. He sped forward, his engine propelling him onward. He flew past buildings, all elegant and wonderfully structured, carved from stone and surrounded by nature, it was nirvana. However, it was no time to admire and praise. He flew, his eyes focused ahead until finally the structure appeared, the command center.
The angel quickly flew to the opening leading to a war room. At the door stood two angelic champions, massive angels with thick golden armor, and usually wielding a massive energy sword and shield, or the famous Redemption Cannons. The two looked at the angel, who placed a hand on his chest in a salute. "I must speak with Commander Uriel, it is urgent!" The two grunted and moved aside. The angel ran inside where the strongest members of Heaven stood, looking at the reports. Angels naturally had white or silvery colored hair, glowing white eyes, and facial tattoos that were unique to each angel. Azrael, the Archangel of Death, a tall figure dressed in elegant robes and bore massive white feathered wings with glowing blue runes adorning them. He had an angular handsome face with a single tattoo on it, his white glowing eyes currently scanning the map.
Nathaniel, a warrior of the Hellguard, who had abandoned the group then rejoined later. A huge angel with thick white and gold armor, with large feathery wings, he bore tattoo on his forehead, and his eyes shone brightly. Then, standing at the head was Uriel, Commander of the Hellguard. Uriel had changed, originally she had the armored wings and powered booster system, however with the fall of Abaddon, and her campaign against demons, she had risen through the ranks. Now, the Archangel of Power, she had large feathered wings that were shaped much like a swan's. The feathers were dotted with red glowing runes, and her formerly yellowed pupil eyes were now solid gold orbs. On her forehead was a tattoo, and at her cheeks another pair were marked. She looked up at the angel scout who just arrived.
"What is it?" She asked.
"My lady… I have scouted the next world for demonic presences. However, I have found that there are humans that dwell there." There was silence, and all eyes were on the angel.
"Humans?! But that isn't possible! Only one realm bore humans, and that realm is a desolate void!" Nathaniel said a true statement.
"This realm also hosts them, and some humans are strong… stronger than the humans of the first realm. It might be possible to convert them to our cause." He said silence as Azrael put a hand to his chin thinking.
"A gamble, but if they possess extraordinary powers, then they may serve us…. But they may also serve the enemy as well." Azrael said.
"Very well, send our scouts! Find those who are willing to join the cause of Heaven and the Creator!" Uriel commanded.
"Yes, my lady…" The angel put a fist to his chest and lowered his head in a salute, and then turned and left.
"I will go as well… I wish to see this world of humans!" Azrael stated.
"Very well." Uriel said. Azrael bowed and he glowed, gold energy rising and then he was gone, the air hissing and cracking. "Humans… here I thought they were extinct… but it seems fate has a sense of humor…" Uriel said.
-The desert-
Naruto panted, sweat on his body as he stared at the horse who snorted a few times, sweat turning into steam on the steed's burning body. Naruto charged again, the horse ready lowered its head only to whinny as Naruto suddenly vanished. Then Naruto's hand grabbed ahold of its mane. "Got ya!" he readied to ride it, when suddenly Ruin ran. Naruto grunted as he ran alongside it to prevent himself from being dragged. Suddenly Ruin turned, throwing Naruto's sense of balance off. Naruto readied to touch the ground, only for Ruin to turn again, sharply causing his body to slam into Naruto, nearly throwing him off. Naruto grabbed the mane tightly again, and was being dragged along the dunes. Naruto groaned as sand rubbed and chafed his skin. "Dammit! I'm not giving up!"
"Wow he really is persistent… hmmm… that tenacity will come in use much later on." the Kyuubi mused.
-Konoha Village-
Hinata laid on her futon looking at the ceiling, her eyes slightly pink, the faint trails of tears on her face. She gave a shuddering inhale before putting a hand to her face, sobbing gently. 'Naruto-kun… why… why did you leave?' Hinata now felt empty. The village had lost its single ray of light and good in her eyes. Naruto and his teammates had… wait a minute. Hinata sat up suddenly. "Sakura!" She said. Naruto probably talked to her before he left. Hinata got up, and going to her closet, she looked among the clothes she had. Finding her normal slacks she put them on, and she then went to her drawer where her ninja equipment was and she got her pack.
Ready, she activated the Byakugan, scanning the garden. There were no guards there, however the pathway leading to it was. She couldn't go over the wall for there were guards on the roof. However, there was a secret exit that she used when she was a child. The exit thankfully was hidden by foliage, so unless someone with the Byakugan was directly looking for it, they would dismiss it. However, there were the guards heading toward the exit. She bit her lips and thought of the illusion Jutsu she had learned a week ago. She got out and walked down toward the exit. Two guards were patrolling, and one saw Hinata and gave a stomp, the other guard turned around and looked at Hinata as well.
"My lady, what are you doing out?" The guard asked.
"I'm out for a walk… is there a problem?" Hinata said coolly, the guards were slightly stunned at the question.
"Well, as long as you don't leave, then we have no business disturbing you…" The guard said.
"Good now, if you would please move." Hinata said, the guards stood aside letting her pass. When she walked past she began to form the necessary hand signs for the Jutsu. When she finished, she turned to the guards, directing her technique to them. The guards looked at her, and then their gaze dulled as they were trapped in the illusion and began to walk, resuming their patrol. Hinata smiled, and went to the secret exit, pushing the bramble aside, only to find a solid wall. She placed a hand on it and pushed. It didn't budge. She groaned in frustration, and standing up, she looked around.
This meant she either had to get out above the wall or through the front. 'But would need a distraction, and I can't do that on my own, not without Shino or Kiba… but I can't contact them… I need to do this on my own… Naruto-kun, if you were in my position, what would you do?' She thought despairingly. He would burst through gung-ho fighting even if it meant he would lose. She smiled, but as much as she would've loved to bust out a Naruto, she would need to think.
The compound being as large as it was had several exits actually, but all of which were heavily guarded, more so than the main exit. She looked up to see the moon was rising. Around this time, the guards leading to the front gate would begin to switch with the reserve. Perhaps she could put in a sedative in their drinks and take advantage of it. While the compound tried to find out who drugged the drinks she would slip out. She smiled and turned around to enact her plan. Her head ran into something soft and she stood up, and backed up to see Neji standing there. He wasn't wearing his headband, revealing his cursed seal. 'Dammit!' She readied herself to fight, but Neji stood there.
"What are you doing?" He asked, curt and direct, classic Neji.
"Get out of my way! I have to find her!"
"Who?" he asked coolly.
"Sakura!" she snarled back.
"Why?" Hinata stood there hesitating.
"She may know… know why Naruto left the village and what happened to him. I have to find out why, I have to!" Hinata said her gaze steely, the Byakugan activating purely on her emotions. Neji raised an eyebrow, and then he closed his eyes.
"I will help you…" He suddenly said. Hinata's eyes widened.
"What?" she was surprised.
"One hour… that's all I can provide… stick to the crowds, and keep your chakra levels low." Neji said, and before he walked away, "good luck…" He then headed toward the back exit, where a single guard was posted at the moment. Hinata watched him go, and then she reeled herself in.
"Right… gottta get to the exit…" She said to herself, and she ran, heading for the front gate.
-Neji-
Neji stood, looking at the guard before him, his back turned to Neji. Neji raised a hand, and rapidly struck at the nerve cluster in the neck of the guard, who froze stiff, and then fell forward. Neji grabbed and pulled him, assorting the body. When it was done, he walked to the door and got into the gentle fist stance. He concentrated, and then he struck. The gate was blown open, and the moment it was, the seals on the door activated, sending a silent alarm to all members of the family. Neji jumped forward, and in his hand were a pair of Hinata's shoes. He landed on his hands, making a set of tracks with them, before jumping up and hiding the shoes, and landing in front of the gate. Within minutes, Hyūga guards were there. "What happened?" They shouted. Neji turned his face in the act.
"Hinata has escaped!" he shouted.
"Again? Lord Hiashi will be furious!" One of the guards said.
"Quickly! Find her!" Another said. Neji stood as they organized, and then he closed his eyes.
'Naruto… I do this for you… and for her…' Neji opened his eyes and soon joined the rabble.
-Hinata-
Hinata watched the guards carefully, waiting for them to catch the alarm. She saw them talking, 'Neji…' she was worried, but she had to believe in him. Naruto would've done so. The guards stiffened, and then they leapt into the air. Hinata ran out, her soles slapping the ground as she ran, using chakra to boost herself, and then when she came to the streets she slowed, joining the crowd, blending in and walking with them. She the activated the Byakugan, and began to scan for Sakura.
-Sakura-
Sakura punched the log before her, her mind focused, but distracted, thinking on Naruto before he left Konoha forever. "In a place I didn't wish to be, and a situation that I'm now a part of…" She hit the log, her mind going through too many possibilities and hypothesis. Where was he, what made him go there, what happened to him to leave? "Trust me when I say Sakura that this is not what I wanted... I... was taken..." Who took him, Cloud, Mist, Stone, or a smaller village that hated the Leaf? "...you wouldn't believe me even if I told you... and even if I did, what good will it do? As much as I hate my new task, only I can stop what's coming..."
Sakura punched the log one last time. Her body was sore and weak, her fingers bleeding from punching the log over a hundred times. She panted, looking at the slightly bloody log. Sakura reached into her pack, her fingers twitching with pain. She grabbed the bandage and began to wrap it around her fingers, taking her time. As she did this, she remembered her talk with Sasuke.
-After meeting with Tsunade-
Sakura walked out and headed home, and as she did, she saw Sasuke standing at a lamp post, his eyes on her. She ran forward to speak to him, eager to get his opinion on what happened, but he cut her off "You spoke to Naruto, didn't you?" He was looking at her, his face blank.
"Yes I was-"
"How did he look?" Sakura blinked.
'I-Is he concerned for Naruto? Sasuke… you…'
"Did he look the same, or stronger?" Sakura was brought out of her thought confused.
"Sasuke?" He stepped forward looking annoyed.
"Answer the question!" He growled.
"Um… st-stronger I guess?" She said.
"Tell me… are the reports true? Did he really manage to defeat Anbu level Shinobi?" Sasuke asked.
"Y-Yes… Hokage-sama said so…" Sakura answered hesitantly.
"And he defeated them all on his own with no backup or accomplices?" Sasuke pressed on. Sakura nodded. "You're sure about that!?" Sakura took a step back and nodded again.
"I can't believe it… that… idiotic… loser… he's gotten stronger than me? Every time I get ahead of him, he manages to out match me…" He snarled, and turned, punching the lamp post behind him, bending the metal. People had stopped to look.
"Sasuke… you… you never cared did you? About me, or Naruto, or even Kakashi-Sensei, did you?" She stared at the post wanting to cry but felt nothing. Sasuke, cool, handsome, and charming, was that really what she thought of him.
Sasuke turned to her, his eyes cold and steely, barely concealing the reservoir of rage underneath. He didn't answer her question, and walked past her, turning his back on her.
Now she saw an angry, selfish, and rude child who cared only about his own strength and not of his comrades… was that what she idolized?
-Now-
After wrapping the bandages around each finger, she placed the roll back into her pouch, and flexed her hands. When she was satisfied with their movement, she looked at the sky, which was darkening as evening was fast approaching. "I should head back." She grabbed her gear, and began to head back home. "Am I stronger now?" She looked at her hands. 'Am I strong enough to follow you, Naruto… to help you with your burden?' She looked at the moon, stopping for a second. 'No… I'm still weak. I need to get stronger to stand beside you.' She thought, and turned her gaze forward, walking to the exit of the training grounds. She was barely a mile away, when suddenly someone stepped in front of her. Due to the moonlight, she couldn't see clearly, but then the person stepped forward and Sakura raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Hinata! What are you doing-?"
"What did he tell you?" Hinata glared at Sakura.
"What did who-?" Sakura began.
"Naruto of course!" Hinata shouted, "Don't you dare lie to me or hold anything back. I'm not in the mood to tolerate it!" Hinata's stance shifted, becoming aggressive.
"Naruto, w-what are you talking about? He didn't… what makes you think he talked to me?" Sakura shouted.
"Who else would he talk to? Even when he was young, he had eyes only for you!" Hinata advanced on her now.
"Ah, you- you're wrong! What significance do I have to him?" Sakura tried to dissuade her, but Hinata wasn't buying.
"Stop it, you know yourself that isn't true… otherwise, you wouldn't have manipulated him the way you did! You're fully aware that he loved you, and you preyed on that to abuse and humiliate him!" She stood before Sakura now, her Byakugan activated. Sakura, panicking, struck out her hand, grabbing Hinata's hand and turned trying to put Hinata in a lock. But Hinata spun with her and got her hand out and she managed to move away from Sakura. "He cared for all of us, but he only loved you! If there was anybody he would talk to, above all else, it would be you! Tell me I'm wrong, lie to me!" Hinata shouted.
"I'm not… I'm not lying!" Sakura said. Hinata was trembling now, tears were forming.
"Lie to me one more time…" Hinata said. Sakura stood there.
"Naruto… Naruto never talked to me before he left!" Sakura said.
Slap!
The slap was sudden and out of nowhere. So hard it hit that Sakura actually staggered, her hand on her cheek, hot and throbbing. Hinata was glaring at her, tears flowing, dripping off her chin and onto the ground.
"The next one…" She inhaled, her breath shuddering, "I promise will be more severe." Despite the tears, her eyes were staring at Sakura with a pitiless glare that saw more than flesh; it saw her very core and soul.
"He didn't talk to me!" Sakura insisted, and even she could hear the lie in her words. Hinata slapped her again, this slap having echoed throughout the clearing.
"He loved you, even though your eyes were directed very clearly toward Sasuke… he tried his hardest to make you accept his love. A love he earnestly and whole-heartedly felt, and you harshly brushed it aside, humiliated him, make him seem like a fool, when the only fool is you!" Hinata said, her voice chillingly calm.
"Do-Don't be ridiculous, that doesn't mean that he would want to talk to me!" Hinata did a leg sweep causing Sakura to fall, her head hitting the dirt and making her see double. She felt Hinata's hand on her collar pulling her up, and she saw Hinata's hand raised into a fist, Sakura cringing closing her eyes. Then something wet dropped onto her lips. She opened her eyes seeing, the angry yet distraught face.
"Please... you may not care much for him, but I do... so please... tell me..." her voice was cracking, her body trembling, she was holding back more than anger. Sakura realized this now, and she looked away, unable to bear watching what was happening.
"Naruto… I found him purely by chance, after he had done what he did to the hospital… I saw… I saw his hair. But it didn't look like Naruto, so I followed him to see if it was really him. He stopped by Ichiraku and sat down, I then confronted him…" Sakura felt the grip slackening. "I wanted… wanted to know where he had been all this time. He told me somewhere he didn't want to be, in a situation he was now a part of. He said that he was the only thing that could stop what was happening… I…" She felt tears of her own. "I want to help him… whatever I did in the past, I want to say I'm sorry for, and I want to help him!" Hinata was silent then she released Sakura, her face hidden.
"You lost the right to do that…" Hinata said solemnly, and she walked away. Sakura laid there, the tears now flowing freely. She put a hand to her head, covering her eyes as she sniffed and then stood up, grabbing her stuff, and walked home desperately, trying to stifle the tears and sadness that filled her.
-Konoha, Back Alley-
A cat wandered through the alley, its black fur kept in pristine condition, fluffy and shining in the moonlight. It sniffed around in the alley, hoping to find some food a human may have discarded. There was a rustling sound, and the cat turned its eyes up, staring at some bags. It crouched slightly and began a slow stalk, looking at the bags carefully, wary for a mouse or a rat. It carefully slowed its pace, crouching, ready to spring, bouncing on its rear paws. Suddenly, a hole opened below it, the cat jumping in surprise, and turning its body in the air to flee. It landed, only for an open jaw to come up and close on the cat, the jaw crushing its stomach, killing it in an instant. The jaw crunched on the cat and then swallowed down its remains. "Ragh, cat… a tasty one too… but what have we here?" From the hole, a figure climbed out.
A huge demon with a massive belly, wearing a lower robe with a large demon skull inserted into the waist. His head was covered in spikes, and his eyes were covered in a visor that left his massive red lower jaw vulnerable where large pointed teeth jutted out. Around his neck, large tusks came out ready to spear anything that came to his head. He had short, stubby, arms that had hands with big fat fingers, one of which held a trident, black, with eye-like decorations on the trident head. The eyes would blink occasionally, glowing a fiery red. On his back were two pitiful demon wings that were upside down, and around his neck was an amulet with an eye on it that shined brightly. Behind him, a long tail trailed behind and it was laced with golden braces.
"A world with humans… such excellent smells, and yet I sense something… a power in these humans… Humph! It is not enough to stop me." He chuckled. "Their meat will be delicious… their souls more so." This was Belial, a cowardly and pathetic demon who somehow became a demon lord. He sniffed the air as he caught the scent of a human nearby, a young one as well. Belial licked his lips, his huge tongue coming out. He then floated into the air becoming a red ethereal type of phantom, a mass of black and red floating, heading for the soul he sensed. A powerful soul, filled with anger and hatred blacker than the abyss.
-Akatsuki Headquarters-
The Akatsuki stood on the fingers of the idol that stored the Bijuu, some appearing as holograms, those away from base. Its members all had one thing in common; they were criminals to their villages and S-Class in the Bingo Book. Among its members included Kisame Hoshigaki, the owner of the shark-skin sword Samehade. Zetsu, the mysterious man who had a flytrap like attachment around his head and was colored black on one side of his body, and white on the other. Hidan, a man who worshipped a god known as Jashin, and was immortal.
Kakuzu, a man with an irate temper, a love for money, and a life extended through unusual means. Konan, the mysterious second in command of the organization. Pain, leader of the Akatsuki and the strongest member. Tobi, the newbie who had joined only recently with an eccentric attitude, he is the down-trodden of the group. Itachi Uchiha, the second to last Uchiha who murdered his entire clan before leaving Konoha. They stood at the form of Deidara's broken body, who Tobi had just dragged in. Tobi wiped a hand over his mask. "Wow! He was heavy, and it was hard keeping him… uh… together!" Tobi said. Deidara was covered in bandages, and he coughed slightly as he laid there.
"Shut up Tobi…" Deidara hissed.
"This is unexpected… I didn't think the Jinchuriki would be powerful enough to make you end up like this and cause Sasori to defect!" Kisame stated.
"It is unusual indeed. You should've been more than a match for a mere child." Zetsu said.
"You fucking bastards… that little brat changed somehow… he's different. That armor and strength was beyond human!" Deidara hissed.
"To display such power… he must've mastered the Nine-tails." Konan commented.
"No… agh, he didn't use the Bijuu's power, he… he fought us on his own!" Deidara said. There was silence.
"This is troubling… Itachi, what do you know of the Jinchuriki? He was from your village, was he not?" Pain turned his eyes to Itachi, but Itachi was silent.
"Whatever happened, it would be something recent… Itachi hasn't been in the village for years…" Kisame said. "However, when Jiraiya left the village a month ago to find Tsunade, we tailed him. We believed he might've taken the boy, but when we confronted him, we found that Jiraiya was alone." Kisame said.
"And you neglected to mention this why?" Pain demanded.
"We didn't think it'd be important enough to bring up." Kisame said
"Whatever the case, we must find a replacement for Sasori… Konan see to Deidara, we need him back in working order." Pain said.
"Hey!" Pain turned to look at Hidan. "Me and Kakuzu will take a crack at the brat… there's nothing he could do to seriously injure us!"
"What? I'm not gonna end up like Deidara just so you can show off you zealot!" Kakuzu said.
"I agree with Hidan, perhaps you two would fare better than Deidara." Konan said.
"Grrr… fine, Hidan you better get ready, otherwise I'll leave you!" Kakuzu vanished.
"Tch, touchy… we'll be back soon with the Jinchuriki!" Hidan said. With that he vanished, Konan vanishing as well. Pain, Kisame and Itachi were left.
"Well Itachi?" Kisame asked.
"…" Itachi was then gone.
-Pain and Konan-
"Things have taken an unexpected turn." Konan said.
"It matters not. We will achieve our ultimate objective; a slight oversight is not enough to derail our plans." Pain said Konan looked at him then at the ground.
"…I don't like it…" she said concern clear in her voice.
"…" Pain was silent though whether in agreement or contemplation was anybody's guess.
"The fact that the Kyuubi had devastated both Sasori and Deidara, also the scene where they had fought the Jinchuriki is utterly in ruin, and they say that wasn't his Bijuu form? Something isn't right…" Konan said suspicious, Pain stood there unfazed.
"Even if something is wrong, we must continue… that is our only goal." Pain said, and walked away. Konan watched him go, and then she turned her gaze to the stars.
'I cannot shake this feeling… I… have to investigate this myself…' Konan resolved.
-Konoha, Sasuke-
Sasuke roared as he slammed his hand into the wall again, dust flying up. When the dust cleared a larger hole had formed into the wall. Sasuke smirked, and he looked at his hand, cut and bruised, and it mattered not what happened to it, for he was getting stronger. "So! This is the soul I sensed… quite the power, for a human… you'll make quite the meal!" A guttural growling voice said coming from behind Sasuke. Sasuke turned to see a massive bare chested being with horns, fat arms and a type of armor around his waist that had long tresses below. Sasuke stood back, his mouth agape, and then he closed it, a sneer on his face.
"Who the hell are you, fat man?" Sasuke spat.
"Defiance… it makes an excellent tenderizer… You will be very tasty when I eat you! Tremble before the presence of Belial, Demon Lord of Hell!" He held up his trident, slamming it on the ground, cracking it.
"Demon huh? Well then, I bet it'll be quite the deed when I kill you!" Sasuke shouted, "Chidori!" Sasuke shouted and electricity formed in his hand, a chirping of birds sounding off. Sasuke charged forward, the Chidori on the ground, pulverizing it, carving a trench.
'Impressive power… but it's too slow,' Belial moved to the side, but to his surprise, the human followed him. 'Impossible!' The human roared, but then Belial teleported behind Sasuke, raising his trident to strike, only for the human to backflip and come down, slamming the electric ball into Belial's shoulder. Belial grunted as he felt it burn his skin, but he inhaled deeply, his body bulging and knocking the human off. Belial looked at his shoulder to see his charred skin.
'Impossible… a human with this much power... a perfect pet for me.' Belial thought, but then froze as another scent came to him. 'No! Angels! Blast, of all the time… I'd better make this quick!' Belial turned to the human, who was standing in his fighting stance, visibly out of breath and shaking. Belial looked at the human, despite his ferocity, his body was badly damaged. "Enough human… you are strong, however I could make you stronger." This caught Sasuke's attention as his eyes then became more focused on Belial. "Sell me your soul and you will have power you would never have thought possible!"
Sasuke recomposed his fighting stance, not believing a word the demon said. "Tch… You think I'm stupid? You're a demon; you could turn around and stab me in the back, or eat me should I accept!" Sasuke said.
"Come now, if that were the case, you would be in my jaws and stomach by now. I'm offering you a chance at life, power, and glory; wouldn't that be preferable to death?" Belial growled out in amusement. Sasuke stood there, considering his options.
"This power, will it be stronger than a human's?" Particularly, Naruto, Orochimaru, or better yet, Itachi… after all, those were the pillars of power he had set for himself.
"Far stronger… none would be able to defeat you." Sasuke lowered his gaze, he thought of Naruto and Itachi.
"Fine, take my soul!" Sasuke declared hotly his anger blinding him.
"Excellent, come." Belial held out his hand. Sasuke walked forward, and Belial drew him in, and then a hole opened below him and he was gone, heading to Hell.
-Hinata-
Hinata walked to the front gate of her clan house. She was still sobbing and inhaling shakily. She heard shouting, and didn't even look up as footsteps were heard. "Lady Hinata!" The footsteps approached, "Where have you been?! Your father is furious!" A hand grabbed on her arm, pulling her. She followed without resistance, tired and weak; she was in the main house already anyway. Her father was in there, his face one of pure rage.
"Hinata… you do this again… causing a riot in our household, after leaving once for the boy, why again? Do you enjoy doing this? Torturing me with your disobedient behavior!?" Hiashi shouted. "Is it your goal to bring shame to our family?" Hinata was silent, her eyes not even focused on him. "You are forbidden from leaving this building for a month… no missions, no visits, you will train, and you will do so without struggle or complaint." Hiashi turned to a guard. "Take her to her room and make sure she stays there!" Hiashi snapped. The guard placed a hand on his chest in a salute, and then grabbed Hinata, leading her forward.
-Hell-
Sasuke screamed as he felt flames all around him as the fat demon had its hand clenched on his shoulder. Sasuke saw ground, and he braced himself as he landed hard, his legs jarring. He cried out in pain as he fell forward, clutching his legs. He got to his feet when his legs lessened in their pain, his eyes closed as he tried to deal with the pain. He then opened his eyes, and he saw walls of obsidian shining, and at the walls were flames, held up by frozen forms of demons. "Take him!" Belial commanded. Sasuke looked to see demons with blue-grey skin appearing. In their hands were axes, and on their backs were stubs that looked like wings. They growled and laughed as they surrounded Sasuke, leering at him. Sasuke backed away, fear invading him.
"G-get away," The demons ran forward, chains appearing in hand, and they threw the chains at Sasuke. The chains seem to come alive as they slithered through the air, wrapping painfully around him. Sasuke screamed as he tried to pull away, but the demons pulled him in with their superior strength. He fell to the ground wriggling in the chains that were wrapping around him, cocooning his body leaving his head open to see and move.
"Bring him here." Belial commanded. The demons did, so holding up the battered and cut form of Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes looked around, his breath coming in short hyperventilation. "And now my price…" Belial said, and he put a hand around Sasuke's head.
'He's gonna kill me… that… bastard… he's…' Sasuke screamed as his head was on fire, and then Belial raised his hand, and as he did, an orb lifted up into the air. "Aghh… what… my…" Sasuke's eyes lifted up as he fell unconscious.
"Yes… you're soul… take him to the river…" Belial commanded. Two demons grabbed Sasuke's constricted form, lifting him up and walking him away. When he was far enough away, Belial chuckled. "Fool… this isn't his soul… it is the memories of his bonds and companions… he'll obey me, might kill his allies, and be none the wiser… ha ha ha…" Belial walked away.
-Skies above Konoha-
Azrael and several scout angels flew across the village which was now asleep as the moon shined above. He could sense humans here, and like the scout said, some had strength above others. "Such a curious world, I sense happiness and kindness… but also cruelty and anger." Azrael floated above, flapping his wings slightly. Azrael, like most angels that went to investigate worlds with populations, had a spell rendered on them that made them invisible to all eyes save those the angels wished to be seen by.
"…Kami… please… help him…" Azrael turned his head in surprise. A human? In prayer? He flew to the source, his senses alert. It didn't take him long as he found the location of the person in prayer, a connection of buildings, the prayer coming from a corner. He floated gently down, his robes touching the ground as his eyes penetrated the walls, allowing him to see a girl with short hair that could be lavender blue, and her eyes were white like an angel's. The girl was dressed in simple black clothes, and she was on her knees, her hands pressed together, and tears falling from her eyes. She seemed confused as she spoke the words, but she spoke with such conviction and longing.
"Kami... please... help him... I know not where he walks, nor to what ails him... I lack the strength to be with him, or to protect him... I ask that you please show mercy to him, and aid him in his time of need... for I cannot... Please, I beg of you, oh Kami..." Azrael listened to this clumsy request; however he felt trueness in this prayer, sincerity and desperation. Azrael was touched, whoever was in this human's prayer had a blessing in a friend. Azrael folded his wings, and he grabbed the door and slid it open. The girl had heard his wings, and she looked at the door in confusion, and when he opened the door she stared at him. Her eyes wide and fearful, Azrael put a hand to his chest and bowed.
"Still yourself child… I am a friend." Azrael spoke; the girl didn't move, her eyes fixed on him. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Azrael, the Archangel of Death… but worry not, I'm not here to end your life. I wish to offer you a proposal… whether or not you except it is entirely of your choosing." Azrael stated. "May I enter?" Azrael asked. The girl nodded and he entered, his body lowering to allow himself to access, and when he came in, he stood. "What is your name?" Azrael asked politely.
"Hinata… Hinata Hyūga…" Azrael recognized the language.
"Toward a sunny place, a wonderful name… however you are not feeling sunny yourself, are you?" Hinata shook her head. "Sadness has consumed you, as well as helplessness… It pains me to see such a wonderful girl so sad, tell me the prayer… was it for someone dear to you?" Hinata didn't answer, lowering her head. "Forgive me… it is not my place to ask." Azrael said.
"…Yes…" Azrael looked at her, waiting for her to speak. "If anything, 'he' is my sunny place... To me, he made this place a place where I belong. But now… he's gone, and I can't help him or be by his side as much as I would sacrifice to do so." Hinata said, her voice choked, nearing tears.
"I see, I have an offer for you then, if you wish. I can give you the chance to find and help this person you value. The creator, that you call kami, values all life. My people, the Angels of Heaven, have carried out his will to create peace and equality. However... there is a war going on between my kind and that of demons... and I fear this world may be the next battlefield... I ask that you join the Army of Heaven… you will gain the strength to stand beside the one you hold dear, and you will protect this world from destruction." Azrael said. Hinata sat there, absorbing the information, and then she lowered her head again as an uncertainty arose.
"Why me…? I'm weak… there are plenty of others more powerful than me that would be an asset to your army." Hinata said, looking at him in sorrow.
"Strength is a matter of opinion. However, the strength you possess is what makes you worthy... a will to sacrifice for the one you treasure is strength more valuable than strength of arms. You bare the very virtue that separates us angels from demons... a will that IS worthy of the Creator..." Azrael said, his eyes shining. "Will you join us and ensure that this world and your companion can become a sunny place?" Azrael asked, holding out his hand. Hinata stared at him… his speech and words hit her to the core, and she felt the passion in them. She looked at the hand and grabbed it.
"I will do it… for a sunny place." She said.
"Thank you, Hinata… I will put a spell on you. It will allow you to pass through this world and into heaven with me. However, you will not be conscious, is that acceptable?" Azrael asked. Hinata nodded, and he drew her close and held a hand over her face, closing his eyes, concentrating. "Per potentiam caeli et ordo levem clypeum hoc ente a, supermundanae viribus ..." He spoke, and Hinata felt her eye's grow heavy, and within seconds, she was unconscious. Azrael caught her before she fell over, holding her gently, lifting her up and walking out. He turned and spread his wings taking off into the night, rendering himself invisible to all eyes.
-The Desert-
An angel scout flew over the desert his eyes scanning, looking to find a path to another village for humans. Human were infamous for living in various places. The angel scanned the sands, and he stopped and turned his gaze down his eyes narrowing, and then he gasped when he saw it. "Impossible! I must head back!" He said in trembling fear, and he activated his engine to full, rocketing back to the Leaf village. Down below, a red hooded man rode a horse with crimson mane and crimson hooves… at least until the horse stopped, thrusting his rear up and sending the youth into the sand. The youth sat up, spitting up sand as he turned to the horse.
"All right Ruin… no more Mister nice guy!" Naruto shouted.
"Man… it was funny the first few times, but now it's just boring." The Kyuubi said in a bored tone, lying on his side.
"He certainly doesn't know when to quit." A cool seductive voice said from behind. The Kyuubi didn't move, but his eyes widened, a chill running up his spine. "It's almost cute… a shame that we'll have to kill him… good luck with him!" The Kyuubi spun around, but saw nothing.
"Dammit… they're already here! This isn't good!" He then heard Naruto shout, and he turned to see Naruto land in front of him, Ruin running off into the distance.
"Agh, puh, yeck…" Naruto spat out sand, and brushed it off his body, and he looked at the Kyuubi. "What are you looking at?" He stated irritably.
"So what happened to making Ruin your steed 'Horseman'?" The Kyuubi stated sarcastically.
"Sh-shut up! One day I'll be able to ride him… it just won't be now!" Naruto said, and got up and walked away.
"One thing he does have right… he'll ride that horse one day… he is, after all, a Horseman," The Kyuubi said.
-Orochimaru's hideout, prison area-
The number of prisoners was now dwindling down into the single digits. One such prisoner was Gen'yūmaru, a man with white hair, who wore black wristbands with thick purple rope wrapped around his chest over a tan shirt, and black trousers. He had just managed to rip off the head of another prisoner with his bare hands, and was looking to the others, ready to finish the job.
"I'm the one getting out of here, now COME ON!" He goaded. One prisoner charged forward, revealing he was holding a shard of glass. He attempted to slash or stab Gen'yūmaru, but didn't even managed to land a hit as Gen'yūmaru grabbed his arm, and palmed his hand into his foe's elbow, causing it to be bent at a wrong angle. The man screamed in agony just be Gen'yūmaru grabbed the man by the sides of his head, and rapidly snapping it. The other prisoner attempted to land a haymaker on Gen'yūmaru, but he simply just ducked under the attack, grabbed the man by his wrist and shoulder, pushed and pulled, and managed to dislocate the man's arm. Gen'yūmaru then followed up with a knee to the jaw with enough force to snap the man's neck.
Gen'yūmaru then heaved, scanning the area for anymore opponents. Seeing none, he smiled to himself.
"I've won… I've won my freedom…" Before he could relax though, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around his neck, muffling his yells of protest, and dragging him into the shadows. This was soon followed by the sound of Gen'yūmaru gagging on something, his yells muffled out.
A few minutes later, Gen'yūmaru stepped out from the shadows, completely unfazed. However, on his face was a sadistic expression.
-The skies of Konoha-
Azrael flew ready to enter into Heaven's domain, when he heard the engine of lower angels. He stopped and turned to see several angels flying toward him. "What is it?" He asked, his eyes scanning them, they seemed distressed.
"M-My lord! I spotted a horseman in this realm! The Charred Council must know of us!"
"A horseman? But they were destroyed!" Azrael said.
"I saw him with my own eyes! We must head back to Commander Uriel at once!" Azrael nodded.
"Very well… check and see if there are other horsemen… when you've confirmed, report back at once!" He turned and flew again, ready to activate the gate. 'If a horseman is alive… then it might be possible to right this wrong I brought about… I must make haste to contact this horseman as soon as possible but first I must drop off this human girl...'and with that Azrael, was gone.
-The Desert-
Naruto walked forward, still grumbling, "You've got more important things to worry about than just one horse… you'd best focus on finding the other horseman first." Naruto stopped walking and turned to the Kyuubi.
"Why?"
"The demons in the forest… while it is true they were scouts, the numbers that they were in was too large for a mere 'scouting' party… they're here in force." Naruto's eyes widened.
"You mean-"
"Heaven and Hell are already here."
WHooo this took an ungodly amount of time to do! Hope you peeps like it!