DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. I ONLY OWN THE PLOT, ALYSIA TSUKADA, TAKASHI TSUKADA, ITSUKA NOGI AND YURA.
Lose Yourself
Alysia stood on the walls of the the village. 'She's back then. Or still here. Why?'
"Talking to me now, Alysia?"
'Yura? What are you doing?'
"Someone had to stop you from killing that girl."
'Takashi?'
"Alive. Not for much longer though."
'What do you mean?'
"Our fire burns through to the soul. It doesn't need to be hot. It attacks the chakra system. But you knew this."
'Yes. So what's the next plan of action?'
"That all depends on Gaara. He might allow us to go to Ame and tell them what happened, turn them on Itsuka."
'And if he doesn't?'
"Then we prepare for war."
'I see...'
"No you don't. You don't understand anything. You won't even admit your feelings for the red haired Kazekage." The voice sighed. "Just be glad that Itsuka doesn't know about me. I can deal with her if you feel too weak to do it."
"No, I'll do it."
"Do what, Alys? Kill the Kazekage?" A snide voice said. Alysia sighed.
"Hello, Sukey. What can I help the traitorous whore with now?"
"I'm a traitorous whore? You're the one who ran from Orochimaru and betrayed Sasuke. Now, you're betraying Akatsuki, and me."
"I saved your life by bringing you with me. They would have killed you. I only wanted to be free. As for the Akatsuki, I'm merely fulfilling a promise."
"And what promise is that?"
"To be free and fall in love who ever I wish."
"Who'd you make that stupid promise to?"
"My first precious person."
"The stupid puppet? Why are you so stupid."
"You owe me everything. You'd be dead by now if it wasn't for me. Our business is over."
"You're wrong. Zetsu. Did you hear that?"
"I did." The two sided plant man came out of the wall by Alysia. "Explain yourself, Alysia."
"What's there to explain?"
"There's only one way out of Akatsuki."
"No. There's two ways. I'm taking the second way. She'll be taking the first."
"What do you mean?"
"My allegiance was to Sasori, and he died four years ago. I only used Akatsuki as a cover for my business. I never gave up my part of the bounty to them. You knew that, Zetsu. So did Kakuzu before he died, and Hidan, and all the rest. I was just merely too valuable to destroy."
"Because you did work for us. But, you're right. We all knew."
"Also, Zetsu. You know how Itsuka signs letters?"
"I.C.N. Why?"
"Read this." Alysia pulled out the letter that Gaara had given to her.
"Dearest Sabaku no Gaara, Kazekage of Sunagakure," The white side said. "I regret to inform you, once again, of the two bounty hunters that are presently after your life. They are two women. A blond, brown eyed stunner, and her more plain companion. They are already in Sunagakure. In fact, you have already met with both of them, are even taking care of them. I warn you that the plainer one is a tricky woman, known as either the Bee Charmer, or Death stalker She tends to seduce her victims, then betray them completely, usually ending their lives. Be wary of her. The blond is more stand offish and is simply called the Chimera. She is probably the more dangerous of the two considering she is not fully human. I've warned you twice now, dearest Kazekage, do not ignore me. I am merely looking out for you, because you seem to be too blind to see for yourself. Forever your faithful servant, I.C.N."
"It seems that the true traitor is the chimera," the black Zetsu said, glaring at Itsuka. The white Zetsu murmured an affirmative.
"What? How can you say that? I brought you here, to the traitor! She's the one fucking everything up! Everything!"
"So why send the Kazekage a message, Itsuka Nogi?" Alysia asked.
"To... To give you a challenge!" Itsuka's voice was desparate.
"To kill me."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No."
"Yes! Dammit! Yes, I want him to kill you! You should have left me behind! I hated you because he chose you, for everything! You were his first choice immediately, and then after, unless you started to cough, he chose you. To train, to fight, for sex, for everything. You were the favourite. Then when you left, you made me go with you!"
"You could have stayed."
"He would have killed me!"
"What does it matter, Itsuka? You aren't supposed to exist. You are an abomination of nature."
"Don't remind me, charmer. That's all you can do. You can't even run a blade through a man who tried to rape you. You're too gentle. So you charm, then get me to do the dirty work."
"You never asked me to kill them."
"You were always too gentle! You wouldn't have done it!"
"Zetsu, are you hungry?"
"Yes actually," the black side said maliciously. He looked at Itsuka and Alysia. "Alysia, what do you get out of it?"
"I want out. I'll kill her, you can eat her. You then tell Pein and Madara that we're both dead. That we killed each other, and had asked you to dispose of the bodies. Here." She took off her ring. It was Sasori's originally. "Give this to Pein. I'm staying in Suna. I'll still help you track, if you need it, just call on me." She handed him the ring.
"Are you sure that's what you want?" white Zetsu asked, taking the ring, understanding why.
"Just make sure I'm alone when you call on me." Alysia turned and dodged the blade just in time, the blade just breaking the skin on her side. "Dammit Itsuka!"
"Don't go ahead and plan my future for me. Ame will avenge my death!"
"No, it won't," white Zetsu said. "It'll rejoice. None of us wanted you there. You annoy us all. Especially Sasuke and Madara. You'll taste good."
"Back off, cannibal. You won't get a piece of the body whether I'm dead or alive."
"We'll see about that!" Alysia yelled attacking.
"Hah!"
They traded blows, sword against skin. 'Yura, did you really wash the poison off of my neko-te and kakute?'
"Yeah, you have a fresh bottle in your pocket."
'Okay, good.'
"Pay attention!" Itsuka swung the blade in a wide arc. Alysia ducked under the blade and punched the chimera in the chest, pushing her back, the kakute piercing through to the skin. Alysia laughed, dancing back, pulling the bottle out and poured it on her gloves, her sai and her tessen. She spun, dodging the strike, and flung her arm out, a tessen in her hand, dripping with poison. A shallow cut appeared on Itsuka's neck. "That's one, two more, she's down for the count."
'Hush, Yura. You're not helping right now.' Alysia slipped under Itsuka's guard, landing two solid hits, sinking her kakute into Itsuka's sternum and abdomen. Itsuka screamed and lashed out with her claws, slicing through Alysia's shirt, leaving three scratches parallel to the scars from the bird-girl. "Turning into a cat now, Itsuka? Fitting isn't it. That you'll die the abomination that you always have been."
"Shut up! I'm not the one who faked being sick to get close to the Kazekage, then decided to fall in love with him!" Itsuka was furious.
"At least my love is pure, and not contaminated with the heat you go into."
"Pure? You? Nothing about you is pure. You think Orochimaru didn't experiment on you as well?"
"I know he did. But he didn't contaminate my DNA, or kill me, and take my DNA and fuse it with a cat, creating a new creature. A complete abomination."
"No, he mixed your DNA with that of his two favourites. Sasuke and Kimimaro, enabling you to actually use fire, and manipulate your bones. Remember when you attacked me with your own bones?"
"You're fucked. My DNA was not manipulated like that. I've always been able to use fire. And believe me, if I could manipulate my bones I never would have needed your help. No, the experiments that Orochimaru did on me were for training. He never touched my DNA, as it was already strong enough, Itsuka." "You're wasting time, hit her again!"
"Bullshit! No one was ever strong enough."
"Obviously I wasn't worth his bite, or his experiments. I was a child, Itsuka. One that was going to die anyways. He didn't want to waste precious time on me, because he knew that I would either just die, or prove the strongest. I would have killed you too, Itsuka. Never forget that!" "Dammit, Alys, just finalize this! Kill her already!" Alysia ducked down from another swipe from Itsuka and jabbed upwards into Itsuka's stomach, digging her hand into the Chimera's abdomen. Itsuka coughed, blood spattering onto Alysia's skin. Alysia closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Sukey. You left me with no choice." Alys threw the dying girl to the ground.
"Bitch!" Itsuka spat. "I was going to die anyway, and you knew it."
"I know. I had to protect what was precious to me, though. The real Itsuka would have done the same, I'm sure." "As if..." 'Shut it, Yura.'
"I hope this village rots. I will be avenged. Maybe... Maybe your family will finish the job for me..." Itsuka exhaled, dead. Alysia ground her teeth, then finally opened her eyes.
"Get rid of that, please, Zetsu. Before it contaminates the very ground."
"The poison?" Black Zetsu licked his lips.
"Wait awhile before eating her. Sorry, but it's the fastest way to deal with things. In an hour or so, the poison will be inactive and won't effect you."
"Keep his ring." White Zetsu said quietly. "You're still welcome to work with us. And I know it has more meaning to you."
"Hmm no... I need to let him go." She looked up at the sky. "I need to set him free." She slid her eyes to look at Zetsu. "You're the best tracker there is, Zetsu. But if you ever have need, call on me. I am excellent at sneaking."
"I'm well aware."
"Goodbye, Zetsu. Enjoy the Chimera. If you're stomach or whatever starts bugging you, take this." She handed him an vial. "It's the anti-venom. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a war to deal with."
"Ame will help you, if you ask. Consider it a last favour."
"Thank you, Zetsu. I will need it."
Gaara stood in his office, his hands clenched. He couldn't risk the village, but he couldn't let her leave. "Shit..." he muttered. There was a tentative knock at the door. "Enter." He kept his tone completely neutral. His sister, Temari slowly walked into the room.
"Gaara..." she started, then stopped.
"What is it?"
"Sakura is going to be fine. The cuts weren't poisoned."
"I'm aware. Alysia... well... Yura told me."
"What?"
"Split personality brought on by the Tsukada clan. It's difficult to explain."
"Where is she?"
"Alysia is gathering her thoughts." Gaara closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Temari, council me on something. I have two choices. Let her go to Amegakure and get help to defeat her family and explain what is going on, or end up fighting Ame, the Tsukada clan and her former partner, Itsuka Nogi."
"Only the clan, now, Gaara." Alysia walked into the office. Gaara's eyes flew open "Ame will not fight you, and has agreed to help me, and Itsuka Nogi is dead."
"What?"
"She was here, attacked me, and I killed her." Alysia smiled weakly. "A representative from Ame was with her, and took my side. They will help with my war. You do not need to. Sunagakure is safe, if you'll let me leave until this battle is done."
"You told your brother-"
"Yura told my brother that it was war. You do not need to be a part of my fight."
"It's too late. We are. The Tsukada clan is almost on our doorstep. Ame may not make it in time."
"I am aware."
"Then you know my answer, Alysia. This has become my war as well." Gaara straightened his back and relaxed his hands, smiling ever so slightly at Alysia. "I would fight for you no matter what. I will not lose you to yourself again. And I will not lose you to those who do not deserve you. You are a member of this village, and you will be protected as one of our own. Is that understood, Alysia Tsukada?"
Alysia smiled. "Yes, Kazekage." She bowed to him. "It is a honour to have you fight at my side, Gaara-kun." She straightened. "Lets do this then."
Me: Well.. Hello again. .;; I'm alive and found this old fic, and figured that I should finish it. Two more chapters. Next one will be longer, and will be updated hopefully by the end of the week. Two years was waaaaay too long for you to wait. I wonder if you're all still there. Enjoy!
