A Sword through the Door

"Resa darling," Capricorn whispered into the stray blonde locks of the woman dressing him. "When you are done would you please have Basta come here immediately?"

She gave him a brisk nod and quickly with her nimble fingers fastened the buttons of his shirt. Capricorn was ominous when he was his usual expressionless cold self, but today he was unusually happy … And that made him all the more fearsome. He was asking her politely, occasionally throwing a complement here or there. Something happened the night before and she did not know what to think of it. The more and more she turned it in her head, the more she realized that it could be nothing good. For it made Capricorn smile, and what brought out his almost inexistent ghost of a smirk could be nothing good.

When she finished she lifted the domes off his breakfast and brought his coffee table closer to his arm chair. She nodded curtly before rushing out of his room …

"What does he want him for?! I thought he replaced him last night!" Mortola hissed waving Resa away. The blonde maid felt her legs turn numb while the old woman stepped out of the house to attend to Capricorn's command. Basta … has been replaced? Miria had stopped in her tracks holding a basket full of laundry, her back to Resa who was staring helplessly at the door. Basta's been replaced … That can only mean Capricorn has found a mad man worthy enough of his place … A man worse than Basta. She slowly turned only for her eyes to fall on the knuckles whitening with the tightening of Miria's grip on the basket. The red-head knew more than she let on, proof of that was last night's encounter with Basta. But even when asked last night, Miria only shook her head and stared into the night sky.

"Not just yet … " She had whispered when the blonde inquired. "Not just yet."

Now, she thought. Resa wanted answers now.

Thoughts whizzed through Miria's head, swallowing her into a vortex of her own making. Even when Resa had spun her around, Miria was completely silent and dazed. An anime character. An anime character walked the streets of the very village she was in. It seemed surreal. It shouldn't really … It was even more surreal for a word to materialize into a being such as Basta and Dustfinger, however with a character who's history she's known, who's end she knew, and who's face she's seen before, it seemed even more far-fetched. Her heart thumped wildly while her grey eyes took notice of the horror and the alarm that crept into Resa's face. No, they were not defeated, not just yet. No … not yet. All is not lost, Zabuza died a good person in the manga; all is not lost. She just needed to figure out how she would deal with him.

Just as I tamed Basta.

It didn't take the man a second to appear before her eyes, having bashed the door open and startled the poor Resa along with some other maids.

"You're not the favorite anymore you little rat! This door is still the door Capricorn's house while you are not anymore the right hand man." Mortola screeched behind him but he ignored. He looked sullen, his eyes were red and swollen and his face was hard as if carved out of rock. Miria did not dare follow him with her eyes but she felt the daggers of his glare on the back of her neck. He did not stop; simply trudged on forward up the stairs and soon away from their vision. He had passed them like a beast who had lost a fight to another larger beast and was now becoming wildly violently mad about it.

Two hands clapped in Miria's face. They were bony and therefore not Resa's. "What are you doing dazed off like an absolute idiot?! Get back to work!"

She stomped away with the laundry basket in her hand, not bothering to give Mortola any more of her attention. It was entirely focused on Basta and the man who had replaced him. How were things to unfold now? She wondered, risking a last glance at the empty staircase behind her.

It didn't take him long to come barging into the kitchen. Basta reached an arm and grabbed Miria pulling her with him. "You're coming with me."

Miria knew it best not to struggle, but Resa did not. She attempted a fight only to have Mortola pull her back and Basta shrug her off. "Capricorn's orders." He muttered back an explanation that hung in the air. Not for Resa's sake, but he did not want Mortola bickering off behind him because of the work that would be left undone. Resa looked at her friend with alarmed fear. However her face soon changed to that of encouragement; wishing her to be strong. Miria acted as though all was normal and simply mouthed ' I'll be fine '. She needed to stay in that mentality to push through what was to come. Fear would destroy her.

A little while into the walk Basta let her arm go. She trailed behind him as he continued on forward. As the houses grew emptier and emptier, the streets quieter and the men fewer his steps grew slower. He picked up feet made of lead and as their destination furthered away from the center of the village.

"You didn't tell me he could vanish into thin air and detour bullets into their own shooter's head."

Basta stopped. His tone was low and accusing. He turned to her with eyes filled with … betrayal?! She was shocked. He should be directing those eyes to Capricorn who replaced him not her! But she did not display that on her face, simply took a step back, and murmured. "That what happened … ?"

Basta pushed her back, seething by now. "You knew!" He pushed her back roughly with a pointed finger, jabbing it over and over into her collarbone. "You thought it would be a funny joke didn't you? Let's all laugh at Basta-" She let out an oomph! when a wall behind her halted her retreat. "-When Capricorn deems him utterly useless. Why don't you? Huh?! Huh?!" He was shouting furiously, not giving her a chance to even register his words. "Why don't we all enjoy as Basta's life is taken away from him?! What a sight that would be?!"

"If you didn't cling to a thug like that your life wouldn't be over without him!" She hissed at him all too suddenly, all too unaware of the words that poured out of her mouth until she had said them.

Basta's eyes had widened and his head shot to their right and to their left. No one. He turned back to her with a hand ready to fling it across her face, but she narrowed her eyes and held up her arms in defense. "Everyone is thinking it Basta … " She murmured helplessly trying to calm him down. "Everyone is laughing at you for it-"

He held her by the jaw pulling her face up to his, "And you are not?" He snapped.

She glared up at his eyes. She found it surprising to suddenly see them soften only very slightly, but it quickly occurred to her that that was because of the fear that had crept into her grey pair. No … she needed to stay focused. She needed to have the reigns in her hands, in her control.

"I don't find this funny." She whispered with a strong, almost condescending tone. "I find it too sad and pathetic to laugh at. And in answer to your question; no. No I didn't know he was capable of that. I knew he was capable of a lot of things; I told you that didn't I? I told you to be careful, he was a monster. I warned you Basta."

There was truth in what she said. She had told him things. She had told him what to expect … it was not right of him to accuse her. He let go slowly, the guilt of the accusation slithering into a corner of his heart. He didn't know why guilt surfaced with her, whatever he did with the rest didn't matter. But with her … it was different. Maybe it was because all of them he expected would be wishing for his downfall. They were all plotting against him. They all hated him. Resa, Dustfinger Cockerell, Mortola. The maids; the men. They would do anything to see him fall. While on the other hand Miria was not best friends with him, she did not give him false information. He knew she wouldn't be plotting his demise. In fact he … he was treading on dangerous grounds with his trusting of her … And it only then dawned on him that he did.

Miria could almost glimpse his thought process. She understood what she had to do perfectly. While the others proudly refused to even consider it, she knew the key to this village was Basta. Since her coming here, and after she had calmed down, she realized it. She couldn't be brainwashed like the other girls, yet she couldn't be hoping for escape from a prison with no key. Resa and Dustfinger … that was their fault. The key to his cage was Basta; they refused the very concept of it. Basta was only evil in their eyes; never a chance to build on for an escape. But Miria had to think logically. The two could not escape for the longest of time, one tried and was severely punished. Their idea of an escape was too risky. They had no weapons, no back up no means for an escape and yet they planned for it, in her eyes, poorly. Miria looked at it different. She would wriggle her way out of her even if it meant she would dig her tunnel out with a spoon. For that she needed Basta. Basta was the key, and she bought his trust by selling a little of hers.

However … that method had it's own risks. If she were to ever develop a soft spot for Basta … which she had thought of as impossible back in the day …

He looked to her with some sort of desperation, holding her by the arms as if he was begging. "Then tell me what weakens him." He whispered, afraid someone would rat him to Capricorn about trying to dispose of the new right man. Capricorn wouldn't be too pleased about that …

"Tell me how I can kill him."

Miria found the request completely ridiculous. Did he never learn this man? What would it take to have him realize Capricorn was not worth it? He'd just replace him again anyway. She shook her head. "You'll have to decapitate his arms and even then killing him would be a very hard task Basta. He's killed half an armed mob with a knife in his mouth … " She had to make sure he did not think of anything stupid. "He'd kill you in a fight with his eyes closed Basta, literally, so don't even think about it."

"Wouldn't that thrill you?" He spat, letting her go. All the hope he had two seconds ago drained completely. She did not answer.

It registered to him as she tried to move away that she did not answer. He grabbed her pushing her back. "Wouldn't it?" He hissed, demanding an answer.

It never came.

The answer should've been along the lines of a 'yes' but it got caught in her throat. He had kidnapped her. He was the reason for her misery. He was a tormentor like the rest who enjoyed bloodshed. They enjoyed killing families and setting their houses on fire while stealing their girls to enslave them and yet … despite all of that … despite her being one of those girls … She had no answer. The very thought of a dead Basta never occurred to her. He was an essential part of her plans, then her days, and now … she just could not answer his question. That seemed to have aroused so many more questions in his dark eyes.

"Wouldn't it … ?"

The last whisper came almost pleading for an answer. Again she stayed silent, eyes decidedly away from him. This was not good. She should say yes, Resa would say yes, Dustfinger would say yes. It was the only logical answer. But she could not …

"Aren't we getting late … ?" She whispered, changing the subject. "You're not the favorite anymore you shouldn't risk it … "

She was right … He was not the favorite anymore. He was still adjusting to that. Who knows what wrath Capricorn would delight in pouring over him if he was late. He let go of her reluctantly and resumed the walk to where she had not known. Her hands smoothed down her dress before she followed him silently.

All the while she thought and thought hard. Her inability to answer Basta's question would lead him to think otherwise of the delicate relationship they both maintained. She could not have him think they were friends. They were not friends. They were … acquaintances? Not even that. They weren't … obvious enemies either. She did not know how to title it, but she knew they both knew what it was. Now … now her inability to answer his question left him confused. Would she rejoice in his death? Her grey eyes focused on the black jacketed back of her companion in front her. Would she … ? She wouldn't … not as much as Capricorn. That was only because she knew Basta was no more than a puppet, a child Capricorn played with. The others were not like him. They either resented working for Capricorn outright but did it anyway to save their families, or they relished it and enjoyed it. Basta was neither. He did not have a family to protect, up until now he thought of himself family to Capricorn and was cruelly told he was no such thing. Yet … deep down under all the theatrics Basta did not enjoy his work as much as the rest did. It only brought him joy the idea of bringing joy to Capricorn; not in the doing of the deed itself. He did not light the fires, nor did he enjoy killing nor did he do it if he didn't need to. He was … caught between two worlds. Of course, that did not relieve him of sharing the responsibility of the crimes he committed under Capricorn's name …

Basta's was one convoluted story.

The house he stopped out was hideously worn down. Why here of all places? Wasn't Zabuza supposed to be the new favorite?

"Here?"

She tried to be as natural as possible, clearing the air between them. Basta turned to her, feigning that he too forgot the awkward conversation that happened moments ago. "Capricorn said let him choose as he pleases." He shrugged, "This is what pleases him apparently."

Miria frowned slightly at the door almost broken in front of them. What was he planning? This was a game board, and a new player had just been added. They still didn't know where his loyalties lay, what were his plans, and how he would contribute to this complicated game of wits and lies. Basta and Miria stopped in front of the door, and Basta took it upon himself to do the knocking.

Bang Bang Bang.

There was no answer. Basta's mood instantly went from pathetic little kitten in the rain to an annoyed beast made to work while being deprived his meal. He fisted his hand and banged on the door harder, Miria feared it would be knocked down. Still though with all his violent knocking they heard no sound. Basta called for him to wake up, but received no answer. He was getting increasingly agitated and decided a few more bangs on the door would do before he broke it down. It only took one more knock … and the answer appeared all too suddenly for Miria's taste.

As soon as Basta's fist landed on the door something protruded out so fast, sending splinters of wood flying around them. Miria had screeched from the impact but more so because the thing that had pushed through the door in lightening speed tore through Basta's jacket, under the arm that was raised to knock. He had quickly pushed her away with his free hand and threw himself out of the thing's way. They landed on top of each other taking cover on the ground. Dustfinger, who was in the shadows up to the point rushed out of them at the beckoning of her scream. The thing had broken through the door and left it simply a wooden mess on hinges and now fell on the cobblestones not far from them. A huge bulk of steel …

Miria's heart raced her breathing quick and her eyes wide staring at the huge sword that was so still on the ground. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes involuntarily. It had all happened so fast. One moment they were knocking the door, and the next the steel sword was thrown at them through the door and it flew out, crashing on to ground. Basta was knocking very rudely but … there was no need to try to kill them! This was no anime had that sword touched them they would've been ripped to shreds. Ripped to shreds …

"Are you hurt?!"

She was snapped back to her senses by Dustfinger who had a look of horror on his face. He was looking at her funny … She blinked, nodding. "Yea I'm … I'm fine."

His look was still too weird, his eyes averted from her to something beside her. She looked down; Basta. He was lying by her, and there was blood pooling from beneath him. Dustfinger did not move, he simply looked at the man. Miria however quickly straightened and pushed him on his back, cursing everything while at it. Her hands ran over his abdomen, his vital points. There was blood but she could not find the wound. His waist his side, where the sword had flown and tore his jacket and his shirt. Nothing.

Basta straightened, growling at nothing in particular. He seemed to be fine, so where was all the blood coming from? She turned sharply towards Dustfinger, who simply stood there. "Help me would you?! Get me a piece of cloth or something!"

Her demand was left to echo. Dustfinger did not move, and Basta decided to explain to her why. "It's Dirtyfingers' lucky day, you think he'll stop me from bleeding to death?" He spat, looking up at the scarred man he so loathed. Dustfinger raised a single eyebrow, "I don't expect any less from you."

"Shut up!" She snapped, at both of them. The last thing she needed was these two bickering about like children. Where was it coming from?! His side was covered with descending blood, and though she had checked the arm he used to knock; his left arm, before there was nothing. On further inspection, raising it up made Basta wince and glare at her. The bottom side of his arm, where the sword flew past. There was one thin long line of red extending from the bottom of his elbow the full length of his upper arm. She turned to the sword, the sharp side was curved downwards so that the sword had no tip. The beginning of the blunt side was curved to make a small sharp tip before the rest of the blade became blunt and harmless. The little sharp tip most probably flew under Basta's arm and created that long precise incision. It wasn't deep thank God. That meant that the sword only brushed against his arm …

Only brushed against it and it spilt so much blood. Wasn't Zabuza's hobby sharpening his sword?

The Demon only then surfaced. He had no shirt on, his bottom abdomen was bandaged and his face was lazily bandaged. He wore black pants and simply walked across the cobblestones barefoot. His hair was disheveled and his eyes heavy. He had just woken up it seemed and he was in a really foul mood. Before seeing him Miria had thought she would give him a piece of her mind greeting them with his sword like that. But when his eyes fell on her it was as if they had taped her mouth shut. She had no words, her throat was dry and she could only watch with dread and anticipation. The man was not a drawing on a paper anymore. He was not a figment of her imagination anymore. He was standing there, tall and mighty. Huge, angry and very much alive. She prayed silently that he was the only anime character Capricorn could ever manage to pull out. If Zabuza was this much trouble … God save the world should Capricorn decide to summon Zaraki Kenpachi or Alucard Hellsing.

Anger clouded one's judgment. That was very true in Basta's case.

"You could've killed me you moron!" He shouted, seething with rage. He scrambled to stand up but the loss of blood had left him a little dizzy. He almost fell over but Miria pushed herself to stand beside him and hold him still. She willed herself to shut him up but she was so frozen with awe, she produced not a sound.

Zabuza shrugged, bending down to pick up what he held not only as a weapon but a partner. "And Capricorn wouldn't have cared … I was to understand it was only his opinion that mattered no?"

His voice was too deep for her liking. It sent a shiver down her spine how it rumbled without him putting any effort to rumble it. He spoke perfect English. She found that surprising, thinking of all the possibilities why that would be. Was it because the manga he was read out was in English translation? She did not know … but now was not the time to think about it.

She looked at the man she held to steady, the demon's retort seemed to knock the wind out of his chest. Zabuza had just declared he had no qualms about killing anyone around here that Capricorn deemed expendable. And so far … Basta had topped that list.

"We came to wake you … on Capricorn's orders." Miria stated quietly. She sounded like a helpless mouse asking an annoyed lion to follow it.

"Capricorn said 'morning'. Morning extends from 6 to 11:59. He should specify when he expects me next time if he doesn't want to lose his people."

'His' people. Zabuza just highlighted that he was not to be considered one of Capricorn's people. Miria kept that note in the back of her mind. She also kept a clear note in her head never to come wake him up. He clearly was very grumpy when woken before his time. Grumpy enough that murder seemed like a good exercise before breakfast. She kept reminding herself of his world. They swung the sword and threw the knife so easily in his world. He was used to this. It was only horrifying here. But she had to keep in mind what the differences were, in order for today morning never to be repeated again.

She nodded once, realizing that Dustfinger hid again. That man was hiding in the shadows inspecting Zabuza. She did not know what he was up to, but she was going to have to ask Resa about it. Dustfinger told her everything.

The man was retreating inside. She followed behind him only to freeze in her step when he turned to her.

"What?"

Miria licked her dry lips once. "He wants to see you … now."

Zabuza eyed her with a single raised eyebrow. It looked as though he was glaring at her and she feared that she spiked his anger once more. He only simply replied, "I know." and continued on his way.

Miria was left utterly confused. She frowned at the broken door and turned to retreat to Basta's side. The previous depression took hold of him again, mixed with pain and light-headedness from the blood loss. She couldn't wait till they got back. It wasn't a deep wound but dangerous if left bleeding like that.

The door to the house creaked open once more, now it completely collapsed off it's hinges, clattering to the ground. Zabuza could be seen in the shadows, his hand beckoning the both of them closer,

"Come in."

Please R&R, I know, im horrible when it comes to updating " I do not own any of the ink heart/naruto characters. Miria belongs to me.