It laid there on the ground motionless. Once beautiful long golden hair was charred and dirtied. One side of the hair was unbound from the usual ponytail, splayed out on the ground around the small head. The other side of the hair was shorter, weeping down to frame the head like a halo. Cracks were embedded on the face, blending with the once distinctive whiskered marks. Lids covered the once bright crystal blue eyes, not opening. The velvet blue dress was shredded, almost unrecognizable of what it used to be. Smudges of dirt decorated on the peach colored flesh. Stocking were torn with holes. One shoe came on done, lying innocently by the foot it used to be on. An arm lay apart from the small body. The blue rose in his hair and on his collar were missing petals. The blue petals surrounded the broken sleeping object.
"Sasuke..."
Ebony eyes shot wide open, and Sasuke sprung up into a sitting position on his bed. He was panting hoarsely, the dreaded image still lingering in the back of his head. A hand shot to his head, clenching the area tightly. Everything was numb within. Never has he felt this way before. This huge empty feeling of loss and pain. Never had he felt this way since his parent's...
The boy let out a frustrated groan, and pressed his stinging eyes against his palm. There was a tight feeling around his throat.
After an hour, the boy moved. He slowly looked up from his hands, and glanced over at the lone broken doll, sitting at the corner of his bed. Its eyes were closed. Its detached arm, resting on its lap. It was clothed in a white gown. The hair cut short, to even both sides. The cracks were still there, even when it was cleaned. Sasuke shakily reached out his hand, but pulled it away, so frightened that one touch would really shatter the fragile doll.
'No... he isn't just a doll... he's...'
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Hana Taisen
Act Twelve: The Will of an Uchiha
By: Datenshi no Uzumaki
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The whole house was quiet. A heavy atmosphere was present. No one dared to make a sound that wasn't necessary. Itachi came into the living room. His dark eyes grazed over the three dolls, sitting motionlessly on the couch. He could see the hands linked together, clutching each other. Itachi tore his eyes away from them, and set on to make some food for who ever was hungry. He knew no one felt like eating.
The news struck hard on everyone, even their friends that lived separately from them. Itachi hasn't heard his brother sound so broken, not since their parents passed away. The older Uchiha received a call in the middle of the class. He couldn't answer it right away, when he was in the middle of a test. The buzzing of his phone vibrating wouldn't stop, until the professor scolding him. Itachi had to walk out the class, and saw more then ten missed calls. When he called back his brother, he heard him crying, and something inside him broke. Itachi rushed to the park, breaking almost every driving law there was to reach to him fast.
He was met was the most tragic scenes. There was Sasuke, kneeling on the ground, silently weeping, as he was bent over, holding something buried between his arms and chest. There was Haku, and Sai standing frozen in silent shock. Sakura was on the ground, crying loudly like a child, her face buried in her hands. The whole area was nearly razed to the ground, a little smoke rising up from the desolate area of the park.
Naruto was defeated. The bright, happy-go-lucky, determined doll was defeated, and he was not going to open his eyes.
The news then reached the rest of the dolls, and they all rushed over the the Uchiha household to see Naruto. They never got to, as Sasuke locked himself in his room with the doll in there. Neji walked away with his Host, muttering how he knew the Blue Rose was going to fail them. They didn't get to see the hurt in his eyes, and Shikamaru silently apologized. Hinata openly wept with the Pink Rose. Shino held on to his doll, going home and trying to calm the Violet Rose. Temari cried for her doll, as Gaara withdrew into himself. Ino came by, crying with her pink haired doll. The other three dolls only had each other now, clinging on to one another for support.
For three days, Itachi tried to reach his brother, but he did not get a reply. The youngest Uchiha didn't come out at all, not even for food. The older Uchiha allowed his brother to mourn, knowing that Naruto meant something more to the boy. Itachi could only pray and watch.
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Frustration came to it. Small hands hit the wall repeatedly. Why? Why is he still with that broken and dead thing? It was nothing but trash! Why does he still hold and look at that thing as if its the most precious thing in the world? Why can't he let that thing go and see it?
"Oi! What are you doing beating the wall? What has it ever done to you?"
Dark eyes shot open wide, and turned to see two figures standing at the end of the alley. A light came in through alley, shadowing the faces of the two. Karin glared, and then turned her head away with a huff. "None of your business!" She hissed.
The shorter one of the two figures shifted in its position. "Well, there was news that Master was proud of what you did. You destroyed that doll like he asked."
"I don't care about that stupid thing! It was trash, and in my way. I had to get rid of it." Karin hissed, clenching her fists tightly into fists. "Even with that thing dead, he still won't look at me!" She cried out. Then she went into punching the wall again, ignoring the cracks that were starting to form on her hands.
The shorter figure grunted. "Calm down there, Missy. Master wants us to get rid of the other dolls too, you know."
"I don't care! Just leave me alone!" She shouted, tightly closing her dark eyes. She leaned her head against the wall. The shorter figure snorted, and then the two disappeared. "All I care for is you, Sasuke-kun... why can't I be your doll? Why?" Tears started to fall from her eyes. "Why?"
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Sasuke sat on his bed, his back against the wall. The room was clattered, unlike the usual clean place. There were scraps of cloth everywhere, and pieces of paper scattered on the ground. The boy didn't seem to mind, as his attention was focused on the thing he was doing.
The boy winced slightly, and lifted his finger to his mouth. The boy blinked once, and then glanced over to the lifeless doll beside him, leaning against the corner of the room. 'Naruto...'
The raven haired boy narrowed his eyes with an unknown emotion, and then he looked down on the task at hand. 'Naruto...'
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Itachi was sitting on the porch of the backyard. Beside him was the high school neighbor and the silent and sickly college student from across the city. They silently sat, staring at the cloudy sky. It seemed like the sky has been clouded for days, as if it wanted to cry, hiding the sun. Temari came over, dragging her doll she played Host to, to at least be around his friends. Shino also thought that his doll needed company, instead of mourning by herself. With the sliding door left slightly open, they couldn't hear any sound come from the dolls.
"I thought... the Host of a Doll of Eden would... die if a doll is defeated." Murmured the blonde teen.
Shino bowed his head, closing his eyes behind his sunglasses. "I questioned Hinata about it, as her former Host was Iruka-san." He spoke, in his low tone. "She said that if a Doll willingly gives up their own Rose to another Doll of Eden, then they can spare their Hosts from death, but that's only to another Doll of Eden."
Itachi furrowed his brows, frowning. "Not that I'm not relieved, but why is Sasuke not... I heard that the doll Naruto fought was not a Doll of Eden." The Uchiha was puzzled. Like he said, he was happy to know that Sasuke didn't leave him like his parents, right after Naruto was said to have "Fallen" asleep. Itachi lifted his silver brace. "And then the only closest Doll of Eden with a Host would be Sai, but there is no other gems in my possession." The other two stayed silent, also wondering the same thing.
Temari then perked up, a small light shining in her eyes. "What if... what if Naruto didn't really fall asleep, awaiting to wake up the next twenty years?" The two older males looked at the blonde high school student questioningly. "Maybe somehow... Naruto was able to... shut down... to save Sasuke, Sakura and Haku from falling... he's just... restarting his systems and will wake up again!" She thought hopefully. But the two stayed silent.
"That's a good theory and all... but Naruto is a doll... not a robot..." The three Hosts looked up to see Shikamaru walking up to them, his hands in his pockets.
"Shikamaru! What are you doing here?" Temari exclaimed in surprise. She thought him and his doll wouldn't come back, after seeing the hurt and disappointed look from the White Rose.
"The same reasons as you and Shino-san." The boy sighed, and plopped himself beside the sunglasses wearing teen. "And just to tell you... the dolls are not in the house." He said and he sighed again, bowing his head and closing his eyes.
Temari jumped from her spot. "What?" Itachi got up, and pushed back the glass doors, to see the room empty. There was no doll in sight. Temari turned to the lazy teen, glaring at him. "Why didn't you say anything sooner!?" She shrieked.
Shikamaru groaned and rubbed an ear. "I just got here and saw them run out the gate, when I was coming in. Neji just left without saying anything, following them." He replied.
Shino stood up, a small frown on his lips. "You don't think they..."
Itachi shut the door. "They will." He replied, and the four ran off to the direction of their dolls.
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High and low, there was no sign of the one that all Dolls shared a great hatred towards. With determination and heavy hearts, they spread out through the city and towns that they were familiar with for that one doll. Though a tiny voice told them that their only hope and great friend wouldn't want them to fight out of revenge, the reality that struck them that they lost that hope was encouraging them to get rid of that doll, like how it got rid of their friend. They wanted to erase it without remorse, like how it did to their friend. They knew they should have told their Hosts their intention, but seeing how strong that doll was, they didn't want their Hosts to be involved in this one fight. They didn't want to lose them like they lost their friend.
Neji and Gaara ran into each other, and stood on top of the roof top of a five story building in the city. They stared into the eyes of one another in a silent communication. The Red Rose was the first to turn away, to continue on the search. Suddenly, both pairs of eyes narrowed, and looked from the corner of their eyes to see two small figures, one sitting on the rails around the rooftop, the other standing close to the other.
The dangerous grin and the glint of blood lust sent warning signs in the two doll's heads. Neji glared at the figure, seeing as they were dolls. The one sitting had silver hair to its shoulders. It wore a tight violet sleeveless shirt, and jeans. The other was taller than Haku in size, with messy orange hair. It was wrapped in a faded blue cloak. Both dolls were male. "Tell us where that ugly trash is." Neji hissed venomously. Gaara's eyes hardened into a deadly glare directed at the two.
Sharp shark like teeth flashed in the silver hair doll's smirk. "The only ugly trash I see here are you two." He uncrossed his arms, and held on to the metal bar of the fence he sat on. Neji and Gaara growled as a warning. "Ne, Juugo, are you itching to see these trashy dolls in pieces?" The silver haired doll said in a playful tone. He raised his head, grin widening.
The orange haired doll, jumped down from the fence, and stood with its head bowed, shadowing its expression. The silver haired doll chuckled. "Have fun playing with Juugo!" He said, and then disappeared.
Neji and Gaara went into a defensive stance, watching the big doll carefully. When the orange haired doll raised its head, there was a bloodthirsty gleam in its eyes. The two were slightly taken back, becoming wary in front of the doll. Then it ran towards them. Juugo jumped into the air, and pulled back a fist.
Neji and Gaara separated from their spots, missing the punch of the bigger doll. When Juugo's fist connected to the ground, there was a big explosion, causing the ground to collapse in, and smoke rising. Neji and Gaara could only widened their eyes and the strength of their opponent. They glanced at one another thinking the same thing. 'This fight won't be easy.'
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Sakura and Haku landed on the ground, finding themselves in the new park that they visited at the edge of the city. They spotted Hinata and Sai already waiting at the spot they were supposed to meet, after an hour of searching. The pink haired doll ran up to them first. "Nothing?"
"Then we wouldn't be here, would we?" Sai said flatly.
Haku turned his head and narrowed his eyes with a frown. "Stop being an ass."
The Silver Rose's eyes flashed, and glared at the Gold Rose. "Stop being a goody two-shoes." The two glared and neared one another.
"P-please stop!" Hinata cried. Sakura stood between the two to prevent them from fighting one another. The two felt the tension among them, after Naruto fell. It was like without him there, their connection to each other was falling apart. Naruto was the link to all the Dolls of Eden. They were all blaming themselves, and blaming the others for no reason, wanting to take out their frustrations on each other.
"Fighting one another will get us no where." Sakura said, glancing at the two of them. "Though Naruto may not be here any more, we made a promise that we will continue Naruto's dream of working together. Please guys..." Hinata watched them with tears forming in her eyes.
Haku and Sai turned away from one another, crossing their arms and ignoring each other. Sakura sighed sadly, and glanced at Hinata. The Pink Rose looked around the park. "Neji and Gaara are not here." She whispered.
"They could have found that doll already." Haku said. "We should go and find them."
"I don't think so." The four turned their heads to see a silver haired doll standing on top of a lamp post. He was grinning widely at them.
The four all went into defensive stances, glaring at the unknown intruder. "Who are you?" Sakura said in a low tone.
The silver haired doll grinned, flashing his razor sharp shark like teeth. "A Doll of Sin, but you can call me, Suigetsu." He stabbed a thumb to his chest.
"A Doll of Sin?" Haku questioned, a foul taste in his mouth as he said it.
Suigetsu smirked, and crossed his arms. "Yeah, and you better remember it, because we are here to destroy all you Dolls of Eden. Then us Dolls of Sin will be the most powerful dolls in the world and make our Master happy."
The four dolls narrowed their eyes already knowing that they were not getting away without a fight. "I-I don't like this at all." Hinata whispered, not taking away her narrowed eyes from the silver haired doll.
Sai stepped forward, placing a hand out to his side. "Haku and Sakura, you should stay back. You guys can't fight using your elements."
Haku frowned at the Silver Rose. "We can still fight. We have our weapons." Sakura nodded in agreement.
"But I don't think that is enough to defeat him." Hinata said. Haku and Sakura looked at the usually shy Violet Rose. They didn't expect to hear those words coming from her. "He said he wants to destroy us. If we are going to protect our Roses, we have to defeat him."
Sai nodded. "She's right." Sakura and Haku felt helpless, slowly backing away. "But you guys can help as back up." The Silver Rose said, and the two nodded hesitantly, watching as Hinata and Sai took on stances.
Suigetsu smirked. "Let the games begin." He raised a hand to his side, and a giant sword, bigger than the doll itself, appeared in his hand. He let out a chuckle, and then jumped into the air. He raised his sword above his head and let out a battle cry.
The four jumped away, dodging the big sword. There was a big indentation left from the attack that missed. Suigetsu grunted, and then turned to the Violet Rose. He picked up his sword and ran with great speed towards the shy doll. Hinata widened her eyes and raised her hands above her head.
A heavy mallet swung down against the giant sword. The sword then was impaled into the ground by the one hit on top of it. A shock wave was released by the great force. Suigetsu looked up at the glaring determined pale eyes.
"Electric Shock."
The silver haired doll jumped away from the attack, as the electric power crashed on the spot the doll was. Suigetsu turned around in time to see Sai about to strike with his giant silver paint brush. The silver haired doll blocked with its sword. "What a stupid weapon." Suigetsu muttered. Sai glared, and sparks of electricity was released from around the doll.
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The bed gave out a small squeak when the weight on top got off. Sasuke walked to his desk chair, and spun it to face him. He knelt down and carefully placed his doll down. Eyes did not stir from behind the closed lids of the doll. Sasuke stared at the doll, and a small gentle smile came upon his lips.
He reached out his hand, and straightened out the folds of the cloth beneath his hand. He tightened a bow, and dust away a stray piece of thread on the leg. He carefully moved the left arm, which was placed back on to the body. His fingers lightly traced the cracks upon the face, and then the jagged whisker marks on the doll's cheeks. Sasuke leaned forward as he brushed back the bangs from the closed eyes. He placed a kiss on the forehead, and then retreated back. He gave a smile. "Don't complain if you don't like it, dobe. You should know I worked hard just for you." He murmured.
The boy then stood up, and turned to look at the clean room. Everything was back to how it was. No more scattered cloths and papers around the room. He looked over his bed and nodded with satisfaction when it was fixed. He glanced out the window, seeing drops of water from the snow melting from the roof. "Spring is almost here." He whispered.
Sasuke then turned to the doll sitting motionlessly on the desk chair. "I know you wouldn't like it, but I have to do this. You said that those who endanger the Roses have to be defeated to protect the Roses."
Sasuke closed his ebony eyes. "I will continue on your promise Naruto. I will gather all the Roses for you, so they will fight against the first Doll, and hopefully get Home to their Father." He said softly.
He reached out and ran a gentle hand through the short golden locks of hair. "So, just wait here patiently for me, okay?" He chuckled lightly. "It's not a command, it's just a request, dobe."
The door to the room closed softly. On the chair sat the doll, alone in the room.
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They ran through the streets of the city, following the intensity of the burning sensation from the brace, the contract and bond between Host and Rose. Shikamaru and Temari looked up to see smoke rising from several buildings of the big city. They passed by the people that stopped to look up, in awe and confusion. "This is not good... ordinary citizens are going to get involved in the Blossom War." Muttered the male high school student.
"Then how do you propose that we cover it up?" Temari questioned, as they both ran closer and closer to the smoking buildings.
"I don't know how strong Sakura is, but I'm sure she can cover it up with her Spirit Element." Shikamaru replied.
The blonde teen slightly frowned. "But remember, she can't use her powers since Naruto..."
The brunet teen remained silent, and then stopped at a crosswalk. Everyone looked as if their attention was turned to the explosions and the smoke from the buildings. No one seemed to be running away, panicking at all the destruction to the buildings. There were faint sounds of sirens that were coming closer, and the beatings from helicopter propellers. "Not good at all." Shikamaru muttered.
Suddenly, there was a sweet smell that passed under the high school students' nose. The two blinked their eyes and looked around. They saw a stream of green glitter, and softly glowing tiny leaves weave through the people, and hang up in the air. They watched as the people slowly looked down from their awe, and started to walk away as if nothing was happening at all. The cars started to move down the streets. The sirens of police cars and fire trucks passed by in front of them, going away from the smoking buildings. The helicopter above them flew over them and went passed the buildings. Both Shikamaru and Temari looked around in confusion.
"My Lord sensed your troubles."
The two widened their eyes, and turned around to see the familiar man with wide eyes and a black cloak. No one seemed to notice the oddity of the man, passing by him with out a glance. "It's Yamato, puppet of Hiruzen-ojiisama." Temari whispered in surprise, seeing the man.
Yamato, the name of the puppet, raised a hand out, staring intently into the eyes of the teenagers. "My Lord has left a gift for you, as he says times have become difficult in what is called the Blossom War." His hand stretched out, as if beckoning for their hand in a friendly gesture.
Temari blinked her eyes, and then lifted her left hand, the one with the brace. Yamato took the hand, and showed the brace. Both Temari and Shikamaru widened their eyes, seeing black engraved marking all around the brace. "My Lord says, with this, there is no problem in hiding your battles. Once a doll engages in a fight, they will enter the Dream, and those not involved in the war will not be able to see or hear anything. When a battle is over, the Dream will fix all damages to further not raise suspicions among the ordinary people."
Shikamaru raised his hand and stared at his brace. "That means we no longer have to rely so much on Sakura."
"The Pink Rose has her limits, says My Lord." The man-like puppet said, releasing the blonde teen's hand.
"This Dream you said..." Temari furrowed her brow, a questioning tone trailing off.
Yamato tilted his head in a jerky way, reminding the two that he was not as human as he looks. "The Dream is like an illusion, says My Lord. Anyone who knows how to utilize the element of Spirit can summon the Dream, as it is like a different dimension mirroring your world. Or the caster can create a world they wish with the Dream."
"Basically, the caster of Spirit can create whatever world they want and let any person they want into this Dream. It's like their own world, like how Sakura has been casting for battles. Whatever happens in the Dream will not effect the real world." Shikamaru replied. Temari nodded in understanding.
Then Yamato bowed. "My Lord says he awaits for the Roses to return Home to that idiot brat." The puppet stood up straight, blank eyes upon the teens. "My Lord also says that though the times seem dreary and bleak now, things will turn out for the better. Just know that if the will has given up, then everything will surely be over." Then he turned around, his back facing the teens.
"Wait!" Called out Temari. "What about... what about Naruto?" She brought her clenched hand over her chest.
The puppet paused in his walk and looked over his shoulder. He gave a smile. A wave of warmth rushed through the teens when they saw an image of the kind old man smiling at them through his puppet. They felt as something lifted in their hearts, and they felt lighter within them than before. Then Yamato turned back around, walking amongst the crowd, disappearing in the sea of people.
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There was an explosion, and a cloud of smoke and dust lifted around the area. Four dolls were panting hard, narrowing their eyes through the cloud of smoke. When it started to clear, they saw the figure of their opponent, also looking as tired and worn out as them. He was using his sword to help him stay up. Hinata and Sai were also using their weapons as a support. Haku and Sakura had their weapons in hand, but they were bent over, their hands on their knees panting.
"Even with us four, we can't easily defeat him." Sakura murmured. "Sai and Hinata really need their Hosts near them."
"But you can see that he is wearing out." Haku replied.
Suigetsu grunted, and raised his chin. "It's not over yet." The silver haired doll began to glow in a black aura. He raised a hand towards them. "Shadow Blades!" Black blades shot out towards the four.
"Aqua Shield." A wall of water appeared in front of them, and engulfed the attack, before it dissolved within the waters.
Hinata widened her eyes. "B-but I didn't-" She turned her head to see her Host and the older Uchiha running towards them. "Shino-san!" She cried out in surprise.
Sai felt relief but also anger that his Host came. 'They weren't supposed to come here.' Sakura and Haku watched the two college students coming up to them. Itachi stood behind his doll, slightly frowning. "Sai."
The Silver Rose bowed his head, looking away from his Host. "What are you doing here, Itachi-san?" His voice in a low murmur.
Itachi deepened his frown. "Why shouldn't I be here, Sai? I am your Host, am I not?"
Sakura neared the young man and tugged on the leg of his pants. "We just... we just didn't want you to get hurt, knowing how strong our opponents are. And... and we wanted to do this... for our selves... not involve the Hosts..."
"And you think I like it when you guys get hurt as well?" Itachi said in a low and cold tone, making the dolls flinch. They haven't heard him sound so cold unless it was directed to someone he doesn't like or know. Never was it directed toward them.
Itachi knelt down, staring hard at the three dolls that took up residence in the Uchiha Household. "I understand why you want to fight against that doll, but you can't do this alone." He glanced over at his doll he played Host to. "The bond of a Host and Rose states we do things together, isn't that right?"
Sai looked at his Host through the corners of his eyes. "We can't afford to lose any one of you again. Then Naruto's dream of you all going Home will be for nothing, if you fall asleep." Itachi said softly. The Silver Rose closed his eyes, and turned around to face his Host. Itachi smiled softly, seeing tiny trails of tears slowly coming down from his doll's pale face.
"Aren't you making me sick?" A voice spat out with disgust. Suigetsu lifted his sword and pointed it at the group. "No matter what you say, the Dolls of Eden will never go to your precious Home, and will all be destroyed completely." He declared.
Itachi and Shino stood up, a deep frown upon their faces. Dark glares were aimed at the silver haired doll. "Maybe it's time we show you the bonds between Rose and Host." spoke out Itachi.
"You will pay dearly for laying a hand on our Dolls and underestimating us." Shino said in a low and threatening tone. Suigetsu raised a brow, grinning at the challenge.
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"You."
Its dark eyes widened, and looked down from its perch in the branches of the dead and leafless tree. There standing on the ground below was the handsome raven haired boy. He was slightly panting, looking up directly at it. What was disheartening was the deadly glare directed at it from the boy it admired greatly.
"Sa-Sasuke-kun..." Karin stood up on the branch looking down at the boy lovingly. She felt heart broken as she was receiving the harsh glare from the boy instead of the kind stare the boy usually gives.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, clenching his hands tightly. "I don't know who you are, but you are a danger to the Dolls of Eden. And I will get rid of you, especially when you harmed my doll." He hissed dangerously low.
The red haired doll widened its eyes, slightly shrinking back. "Why..." She barely whispered. Tears started to spill from her dark eyes. "Why do you still care so much about that useless doll?" She cried. "Why can't you move on, and just accept me as your doll?" She shook her head and clenched her hand into a fist to her heart. "I can be a better doll than that thing, Sasuke-kun." She reached out her small hand down to the boy, in an inviting gesture. She gave a teary smile to the boy.
The Uchiha's expression didn't change, still glaring at it. "Never. The only doll for me is Naruto." He replied. "I care, because Naruto is not just a doll to me. He's my best friend... and he's the one that I..." He felt his heart skip a beat. His eyes softened when he thought of the blond doll. 'That's right... Naruto means more to me than anything... I l-'
Karin was trembling, a dark aura slowly radiating all around her small body. "Why..." She muttered, over and over. Sasuke slowly looked up, seeing the dangerous aura surrounding her. "Why does it have to be that thing? Why!?" She shouted, and the tree she was on exploded.
Sasuke jumped back, avoiding being hit by the pieces of what was left of the tree. "Because... you're not him. You can never replace Naruto."
Karin looked up at him with wide eyes, the black aura blaring out around her. "If I can't be with you, then no one can!" She shouted, and released her black powers out at the boy.
The Uchiha jumped back, and narrowed his eyes. The blue jewel in his silver brace sparked. "Aero Barricade." Then a strong shield of wind surrounded him, blocking the boy from the attack. Sasuke widened his eyes, suddenly feeling a clenching emotion in his chest. 'I thought I couldn't use my powers anymore... how...?' Then he suddenly smirked, and glared at the red haired doll. 'She's gone crazy and out of control.'
"Shadow Blades!"
Sasuke acted quickly, and brought up his shield again, blocking the attack. Suddenly Karin appeared in front of him, rushing towards him with a glowing black fist. She did a battle cry as she pulled back her hand. 'I won't be defeated.' Sasuke thought. 'This is for you Naruto.'
"Tornado Blast."
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The two stood back to back, panting hoarsely. They were unconsciously leaning against each other for support. They were covered in a veil of smoke, when the building was half destroyed by the powerful big doll. Neji had his white thread in his hands, looking around. Gaara had his staff in his hands, his eyes closed.
"It's either we are getting more tired, or he's getting faster and stronger." The White Rose muttered, clenching on to his thread.
Gaara slowly opened his eyes, looking around the area. The building they were on was already collapsing, but they stood on a stable surface. "We're weak without our Hosts close by." The red haired doll murmured.
"Shadow Blades."
"Sand Shield!"
Both Dolls of Eden widened their eyes in surprise when a wall of sand rose and blocked the dark attack. They turned their heads to see their Hosts, glaring threateningly at the bigger doll. The two Roses had relief and happiness at seeing their Hosts. Temari looked over her doll. "Gaara, are you okay?" She asked in her kind and loving tone only for the doll.
The Red Rose shook his head, and narrowed his eyes at his Host. "What are you doing here?" He said with a disapproving tone.
The blonde teen widened her eyes with disbelief. "What do you mean 'what am I doing here'!?" The girl nearly yelled. "I'm your Host, am I not? When my doll is in trouble, he needs me to be there so that we can fight together!" Gaara closed his eyes and turned his head away.
Shikamaru sighed, and sagged his shoulders. "Let's just not argue about this right now." From the corner of his eyes, he caught the impatient giant doll jumping up high into the air, a black glow surrounding its fists. The teen took his hand out from his pocket. "Neji, Heavenly Spin."
The White Rose glowed in a more fierce aura than before his Host appeared. Juugo was thrown back from the defense, and it growled in annoyance, only to dash forward with another attack.
"Gaara, Desert Graveyard!"
"Shadow Blades."
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"Tornado Blast!"
The red haired doll was thrown back by the attack, skidding across the ground and rolling over to the base of a tree. Karin struggled to get up, growling. Sasuke stood at a distance, glaring hard at the doll that dared to harm his own doll. He was radiantly surrounded in a blue aura, with light winds encircling around him. He had small scratches, cuts and bruises, but nothing compared to the damage dealt on the doll. Sasuke was not going easy on the doll. He had no sympathy or feelings towards it, especially when it harmed his doll.
"Giving up already?" The Uchiha said in a low tone, unlike the nice soft one that Karin heard he had.
The doll snapped its head towards the boy, and glared hard. It was radiating a taunting black aura. "Never." Karin growled, and then in a blink of an eye, she was dashing towards the boy with fiercely black glowing fists. She thrust her fist towards the Uchiha, but he dodged. In his hands was a giant fan, which he waved down, blowing away the doll into a tree. 'She's getting weaker and slower.' Sasuke thought to himself.
Karin sat up releasing a frustrated cry. The black aura around her was going crazy, as it started to destroy everything around her. She stood up and released a dark attack. "Shadow Blades!"
'I hope you're proud, dobe. I'm getting stronger by the minute.' Sasuke waved the fan to the side, as harsh winds countered with the attack. There was a big explosion. 'It's because... I'm fighting only for you.' The Uchiha jumped away, when Karin rushed out from the smoke with blackened fists. He dodged the fists, and hit the doll with the closed fan, like it was a baseball bat. The doll was thrown back in a distance. Sasuke panted lightly, and rubbed his eyes. 'Is it me... or is Karin becoming slower and slower by the second?' He rubbed his eyes again. 'And everything seems to get clearer suddenly.'
"Shadow Blades!"
Sasuke saw the attack, and then dodged it easily. 'The aura... the pattern... it's all the same... suddenly I feel like I can...' Sasuke blared in his blue aura. "Shadow Blades!" Dark shadows rose up from under Sasuke and attacked the doll. Karin shrieked in pain. Sasuke watched with wide eyes. 'What... what just happened? Did I... did I copy the attack of hers?'
He looked down at his hands, his body still encased in a warm blue aura. "Was that... was that Naruto's Special Ability?"
There was a loud shrill of frustration, and black wisps of energy were released, causing things to explode around. Sasuke brought his arms up as defense, while a strong whirl of wind surrounded him. When Sasuke rose his head, he found Karin up in the air, with a ball of dark energy growing above her head and a hand holding it up. The Uchiha widened his eyes, as flashes of the same attack greatly damaged his doll. Then Karin made a motion of throwing it down at the boy. "BLACK WRATH!" Somehow, Sasuke couldn't move, even when he watched the attack descend down upon him slowly.
"Sasuke, you idiot! Don't just stand there!"
The raven haired boy widened his eyes, recognizing that childish voice and the same lines. Sasuke narrowed his eyes, and strong harsh winds started to blow in every direction around him. They started to push against the attack, back at the one that casted it. Then the Uchiha blared violently with his blue aura. He raised a hand, his palm facing to where the red haired doll was behind the giant ball of black energy. Then the aura around him gathered in front of his palm, into a giant ball that was bigger than the black one. "This ends here." Sasuke said coldly. "Black Wrath!"
Then the giant ball of blue energy turned black and was released. It shot forward, engulfing the other smaller black ball. Karin widened her eyes in great fear, and cried out. Sasuke closed his eyes and turned his head away, hearing the loud cry of agony, until it gargled and blurred with the sounds of rumbling in the sky.
Pieces of pale porcelain fell to the ground, one bouncing to the tip of Sasuke's foot. The boy blinked his eyes and raised his head to see the smoke clearing from the area. There was no longer any sign of the crazy and possessive red haired doll. Then he noticed a small black crystal a few feet from him. It's glow died, and it split down the middle of the crystal. The Uchiha suddenly felt this great uplifting feeling from his chest. It was like this horrible weight just lifted and he was able to breath easy. "It's over." He whispered.
"Not yet."
The boy widened his obsidian eyes and jerked his head up. Suddenly tears threatened to spill from his glassy dark eyes. His heart started to race, and happiness and a warm feeling was bubbling in his chest. Sasuke chuckled, and closed his eyes. "You're late..."
"...Dobe..."
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They watched as the building crumbled, and smoke rise up from the destruction. Both Hosts, along with their dolls, were panting hoarsely from exhaustion. The two Hosts were separated, standing on top of buildings, watching the smoke in front of them. Temari growled. "Doesn't this guy ever get tired?" She stood up straight, going into a defensive stance. She was holding on to a staff in her hands.
Gaara stood beside his Host, warily looking around for their enemy. "It most likely is tired, but we're just tiring out in a faster rate than it." The red haired doll murmured.
"It's already lost its mind. I don't think that doll is conscious any more. It's just fighting mindlessly." Shikamaru said, looking around the area, seeing all the buildings that were crumbled and ruined. The high school teen was just glad that they were in a Dream instead of the real world.
"The more reason to stop it." Neji said, biting his lower lip as he scanned the area for any sign of Juugo.
"Black Wrath!"
The dolls and Hosts paled, as the attack descended down upon them. They were nearly hit many times by the powerful attack, and barely escaped from it. They just don't know how much energy the doll has to be able to release this many attacks. Temari and Shikamaru quickly grabbed their dolls and made a move to jump away from the area. The dark shadow of the attack cloaked the sunlight above them, and their heart raced to get away from the shadow.
"Aero Barricade."
The Hosts and Dolls all widened their eyes at the familiar defense spell, and turned their heads to see a figure standing at a distance, on top of one of the fallen buildings. There was a giant fan in the human figure's hand, as it blared in a blue aura. Powerful winds were blowing at every direction, blowing away the smoke, and the dark attack back at the one who casted it. They looked up to hear a strangled cry from their opponent as it was hit by its own attack.
"Black Wrath."
A giant blue ball of energy was shot at Juugo, and it turned black like the attack before. It hit the doll in a big explosion in the sky. The Hosts and Dolls had to cover their eyes when powerful winds swirled on impact. When it calmed down, they saw some thing small and black break apart and fall to the ground along with porcelain pieces. "What...?" Temari whispered, in shock.
"It's..." The blonde glanced down at her doll, and then followed the gaze of the pale green eyes. She turned her head back at the figure from a distance, and widened her eyes recognizing it as the youngest Uchiha. The boy stretched out his arms, and gave a soft smile as he looked above him. Something floated down into his arms.
Temari widened her eyes even more. "No way..." Tears started to fall from her dark eyes as she couldn't help but smile widely.
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They were all on the ground, groaning after the powerful attack. Suigetsu shakily stood up, and lifted his sword. He used it as a support to stand. He was still grinning down at the Roses and their Hosts. "What? Given up already?" The silver haired doll taunted. "It's not even over."
Itachi sat up, and looked around at the dolls that were sprawled around the area. He gritted his teeth as he looked up at the doll. 'Even when there is more of us, we still get beaten easily...' From the corner of his eyes, he sees Shino also sit up, taking off his sunglasses, as it was cracked. "Something about that doll isn't right." The young college student muttered, as he wiped the corner of his mouth.
The Uchiha stood up. "It is different from from Dolls of Eden." He lifted his silver brace, his hand slightly glowed in a silver aura. Sai coughed out, and scrambled to stand up. "I still have some energy." Itachi panted slightly, glancing over at the other Host.
Shino stood up, and nodded. "Me too." He lifted his brace, a faint violet glow surrounded his hand. Hinata staggered to get up. She dusted a part of her torn dress.
Haku and Sakura sat up shakily, watching the pairs of Host and Doll. Sakura bit her lip, angry at her self. 'I can't do anything... I want to help, but how?' She glanced over at the Gold Rose, knowing he was also feeling the same way as her. Sakura looked up to see the fight continue, both sides in a deadlock, even in power, even when it was two Dolls of Eden against this one doll that claims to be called a Doll of Sin.
"Black Wrath!"
All eyes widened, recognizing the powerful attack. Itachi and Shino quickly pulled their dolls into their arms, and ran out of the area, under the big shadow of the attack. The two young men ran up to the Pink Rose and Gold Rose, taking one in their arms with their own dolls. Then jumped away, just as the attack hit the ground. The impact released a big force that pushed the males further apart. Smoke rushed throughout the area, covering their sight of the place.
"That's enough."
A deep voice said, causing everyone to snap their heads up to look around for the source. It wasn't the voice of that silver haired doll. Suddenly strong winds blew all around them, blowing away the clouds of dust. When the area cleared, the four dolls and the two hosts widen their eyes in shock to see the Red Rose and the White Rose with their Hosts standing off to the side. Suigetsu was also surprised at seeing them. The doll lowered his head, grinding his teeth and growling. "Don't tell me you defeated Juugo." He said in a low tone.
Temari slightly tilted her head, and smirked. "Actually..."
The silver haired doll let out a frustrated cry and jumped up into the air. "I've grown tired of playing. Since it was so convenient that all you dolls of Eden are gathered together, I'll just destroy you all in one blow!" Suigetsu shouted.
"He's lost it." Neji muttered, also remembering how Juugo also lost control.
"BLACK WRATH!"
"Double Tornado Blast!"
At both ends of the park, two strong tornadoes were released, dangerously coming together, colliding with the powerful dark attack from the silver haired doll. The dolls and hosts had to look away, their ears suddenly becoming deaf to the loud explosion. When they felt the two strong powers died down, they all looked up to see a black crystal fall to the ground, shattering into two pieces.
Sakura released a breath she didn't know she held. "Is... is it over?"
"I don't see Suigetsu anywhere." Sai murmured.
Haku shot his head up, his brown eyes wide. "But that attack... wasn't that..."
The four doll all looked up towards the figure of a familiar raven haired boy. Itachi stood up, picking up his doll into his arms. His heart suddenly felt like something heavy was lifted. "Sasuke..."
The blue aura around the younger Uchiha died. There was a small smile upon his lips, his eyes bright and an emotion of great happiness dancing in them. Sasuke extended his arm out, his hand open in an inviting manner. Then from above, a small figure floated down gently, with soft winds encircling it. A tiny hand reach down, and Sasuke's hand clasped with the smaller one.
Tears started to run down Sakura and Hinata's eyes. Haku was smiling widely, holding back his tears. Sai closed his eyes, smiling, as he leaned back his head against his Host. Shino stood up, pulling his doll in his arms, feeling the joy rushing through the Violet Rose. "Naruto..." The pink haired doll whispered shakily, shocked with disbelief.
Sasuke pulled the small doll into his arms, shifting it to let the doll face the others. There sat the Blue Rose, smiling brightly, the sun paling in comparison. His eyes glittered with a high spirit that everyone always saw in those sky blue hues. His face no longer was marred by those horrid cracks. His golden hair was no longer long and up in those girlish pigtails. It was cut short into soft spiky layers, framing the dolls cherubic face. The clothes were new, with a perfect blue rose settling in place at the base of his neck, on top of a long blue bow. His clothing, they knew was made by hand by his Host, were in lighter shades compared to his old dark blue and black velvet 1800s styled clothes. The doll became cuter, and almost a little less girlish.
The blond doll was now grinning. "Miss me?" He jumped out of the arms of his Host. The other dolls, even Gaara and Neji, all ran towards the doll, nearly crowding around him. He was laughing, enjoying being around his friends. He then did something unexpected, when they were very close to him. He bowed, causing them to stop in surprise. "I'm sorry! I made you all sad, and worried. I know I was stupid to fight by myself, and going off alone..."
Then he stood up back straight, looking at the dolls, and their Hosts. "But I want you to know... everything will be okay now!" He chirped, determination burning in his blue eyes. "I still haven't forgotten my promise to all of you. I will definitely end this Blossom War, and bring all the Roses home to Father."
Suddenly the Pink Rose, hit the back of the smallest doll's head. "Ow! What was that for, Sakura-chan!?" Naruto cried out, holding on to his aching head. Sakura scoffed, while she wiped away her tears.
"You kind of deserved that, Dickless." Sai replied nonchalantly.
Naruto puffed his cheeks in anger. "What did you call me!? And what do you mean?"
Neji chuckled. "You're a fool, Fake, if you think you can do this all by yourself." The White Rose said, as he crossed his arms and closed his pale eyes.
"Everyone knows what will happen if you try to handle things on your own." Haku said, smiling gently at the small doll.
Gaara unclosed his pale green eyes, looking at the blond doll. "You showed us all that we can never fight alone." The Red Rose murmured in his low tone.
"Now you have to see that you're not alone either, Naruto-kun." Hinata said shyly, without stutter.
Sakura reached out a hand and affectionately placed it on top of the Blue Rose's head. "We made a promise too, that we'll end this war all together, including you, Naruto-kun."
The blond doll widened his eyes, and then tears threatened to form at the back of his eyes. "You guys..." Then he bowed again. "I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry!" He said in a teary voice. "Thank you everyone! I'm so happy... truly happy..." He gave a small hiccup.
Sasuke then scooped up the tiny doll into his arms. "Let's all go home. I'm sure everyone wants to fix their injuries and rest." He turned to the other Hosts, who were also sporting cuts and bruises.
"Then, we should also celebrate with cake." Itachi said, picking up the Silver Rose. The other Hosts came up to their dolls and carried them.
At the sound of the word of cake, the dolls all looked up with wide eyes, immense joy in their eyes, as they all sighed out in bliss at the thought of the dessert. It was like the battles they just been through were all left behind as they made their way to get their delicious treat with their most joyful friend back with them again.
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"What I don't get was... how was it you did not fall asleep like all Dolls of Eden when they are defeated, and I didn't die..."
Bright blue eyes turned to look into a pair of ebony eyes. "That's because, you unconsciously used our Special Ability."
"Huh? But I thought copying spells was already it." Brows furrowed.
A smile was on those lips. "But... it also turns out you unlocked another one."
"What?"
"Revival."
"...What...?"
"Teme." Naruto huffed, and crossed his arms. He pouted slightly in a little annoyance. "Like I said... you unlocked another Special Ability of ours, which is Revival." Then the doll's expression softened. "You have a big and kind heart, Sasuke. This hidden part of you, a very strong emotion locked in your heart was able to unlock another Special Ability, that you unconsciously used. That moment... I could have died, but then you used that ability probably within seconds it was thought that I 'died'."
Sasuke's eyes were slightly widen upon hearing these words. The blond doll reached out, and took the boy's hand into his tiny ones. He was smiling gently, while he stared at the boy's bigger hand. "And I felt it... when you used that ability, it pulled me in, preventing me from falling to that sleep where I would have woke up twenty years later." Naruto brought up the boy's hand to his cheek, and he closed his eyes as he nuzzled it. "And I was so relieved, because we made that promise that you would be my first and only Host. I really didn't want to wake up and get another Host, who wasn't you."
The Uchiha was blushes brightly, glad that doll wasn't looking. He was kind of sitting stiffly, as he watched his doll. "Also... back there, I really prayed hard that you wouldn't die. If I did go to sleep, somehow I felt that it will be useless to continue if I knew that you did die. But now I'm glad." Naruto looked up at his Host. "We were given this chance to grow stronger and be together longer! You don't have to be lonely, Sasuke." He gave a cute smile, causing the boy to stiffen and blush more.
When Naruto blinked open his eyes, and saw the red face of the Uchiha. He slightly tilted his head, in confusion. "Eh? Is something wrong, teme?" The doll stood up, and reached out a hand to touch the boy's forehead. "Are you sick?"
Sasuke almost felt like running, and burying himself out of sheer embarrassment. "...Dobe..." He murmured, while trying to desperately push the persistent doll away. 'Strong emotion... yes... it's true... I do love the dobe...'
"Ah! You're very hot, teme! I'll go tell Ita-kun that you're sick!"
"What!? I'm not sick, dobe!"
"Wait, come back here! You don't have to tell!"
"But I'm worried!"
"Uwah! Sasuke it redder than before! Itachi!"
"Dobe!"
0000000
A hand opened, and six pieces of black crystals were in it. There was a sigh, and the hand closed tightly around the crystals. "They weren't strong enough... what a waste..."
When the hand opened, black dust blew out from the hand when a breeze passed by. "He won't be too pleased." Then the dark figure walked away, disappearing into the shadows.
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EDIT (2013): Tiny adjustments and corrections here and there. ))
"Dream" - a place created by illusions set in a pocket of a dimension that mirrors the real world. People that could easily create a Dream are casters of the element of Spirit. The Dream is limited by the imagination and power of the castor of Spirit. All Dreams can effect the people caught in it, but all that happens in a Dream will not effect the real world.
Ages: (Those mentioned and are not a doll)
Sasuke: 14
Itachi: 19
Temari & Shikamaru: 16
Shino: 18
The Dolls:
Naruto – Blue Rose of Wind
Sakura – 5th child; Pink Rose of Spirit
Sai – 7th child; Silver Rose of Thunder
Hinata – 8th child; Violet Rose of Water
Neji – 4th child; White Rose of Light
Gaara – 6th child; Red Rose of Sand/Earth
Haku - 3rd child; Gold Rose of Ice
Karin – Doll of Sin (?)
Suigetsu – Doll of Sin (?)
Juugo – Doll of Sin (?)
Levels of Power:
1st- use of their respective element
2nd- able to use their special individual ability = host can use element
3rd- able to call out to a weapon = host can use special ability
4th- N/A = host can use weapons