Author's Note: Chapter 23? LOL. This is getting pretty long, isn't it? XP And it is still the surface of what I want to write… I hope none of you get bored with this, but anyway… I write to relieve myself. Reviews are cherished and I thank all of you, honestly. Everytime I see someone still reviewing this story… I open the file again and try to get the feel and to put back all the puzzles of this story once more (an attempt in which I failed big time in the past, hence the hiatus… =,=a). I hope this time, I succeeded at last.
Wee yea ra aulla bister mea tes yor.
Was ki ra chs deleir eterne falfa.
Uje bister sonwe dsier tes yora.
Diasee, Pauwee, presia grandus sos ciel.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the translation or the lyric or any poems or any quotes. I only own the idea. Oh, I also do not own Hymmnos Language –look above—
Chapter 23
The Bringer
Our eyes barely even meet, but our fates are intertwined
Our destinations are exactly the same, so run through the unbearable night alongside me
T. : "Resonance"
She opened her eyes, looking right to the top of the tent. She was alone. Her breathing was a bit incoherent and her hair was disheveled. She clutched the blanket that covered her, wet by her sweat. There was blood by her bed sheet but she noticed nothing. Since… the pain had stopped… her torment had stopped… Her eyes could see clearly once again…
Hime…
She blinked as a bluish lightning dragon appeared in front of her. Its fur was ruffled and the light in its eyes was not as bright as it had always been. It was exhausted, broken, damaged, injured; it had gone through something dreadfully horrible. It lowered its head and touched its Container's cheek gently. Her trembling hand instantly rose up and clutched its head tightly. She hugged it close to her heart, almost crying by feeling of longing and love… She rubbed her face to its scale, breathing in the scent that she missed so much that it hurts her…
"Tatsu…" her voice croaked before she knew it. The name… The name! "Tatsu…!"
Hime… Hime, I…
"Forgive me, Tatsu! Forgive me!"
There's nothing to forgive, nothing to apologize for, Hime… I could not protect you, I…
"No, Tatsu! I… I pushed you! Tatsu, I'm so sorry!"
Hime…
They could converse again…
The recent days were awfully agonizing for both of them. They lost connection of each other; Tenten's weak Heart Power unable to keep Tatsu with her and the Dragon was just too weak to materialize or even to talk to her heart. Her Heart had crumbled and almost completely destroyed. Her only piece of Heart was only Tatsu that also lost its Power… and it was unbelievably painful for both of them as the emptiness ripped the World apart…
If only Neji hadn't come…
She didn't even want to think about it. Tatsu was her Heart… her core… if Tatsu were to… were to… It was reaching impossible but… if Tatsu were… were…
She buried her face inside the soft fur of the dragon and allowed the tears she hardly let out rolled down her cheeks. Tatsu only growled gently and wrapped its Container with its body. They hugged so tightly that it was almost painful… but they had passed something worse… They had passed it… They survived. Now everything had finally returned once again…
The Enlightenment, Hime…
She slowly opened her wet eyes. Tatsu's bluish fur covered her sight but now she could see clearly; unambiguous and clear… the vision of her Path.
The time… has come. We have no time to spare…
Despite everything… they just could not run from their Fate…
X
Hyuuga Neji dried his face with the towel he brought along. The morning water from the hills was as fresh as always and it somehow washed all his fatigue away. He didn't wear any shirt, leaving his chest bared and showing the wound he had received last night. His right chest was angry red, with four cut that bled heavily until a few moments ago. His Hyuuga shirt was wet from his blood and was hanging by the rubbles a meter away from him.
Tenten had it rough last night… He had never seen her in such state before and he would be lying if he said he wasn't scared.
Neji dipped the towel into the spring again then pushed the wet fabric onto his wounds, wincing by the cold sensation. She was not a gentle woman in urgency… he would take a note about that. He left her after covering her with the blanket, alone in the tent. He wondered how her condition was right now… He hoped nothing happened now that she was alone…
Partner, the Dragon has finally regained its Power. I can sense it from here.
That's good.
You've helped her rebuild her Heart, I see… But her Pieces are not only you. It will take time until the Dragon is back to its former power.
Neji only stared at the towel that was red from his blood. He washed it then pushed it to his wounds again. His skin slowly attached themselves together—the power of accelerating regeneration of his Beast worked faster now with a calm mind and focused energy.
But the Enlightenment is approaching. I hope the Key won't do anything stupid and wound the Dragon's World even more… if you see what I mean…
The white eyes shimmered. That was more than true…
"She is important for me, Neji… She… She is… H-Her words are the only thing that keeps me move on until now… She… I-I…"
Tenten would do anything for those she loved… Just like how she did to him, no matter how wounded she was. If she were to go with her…
Neji turned and took his Hyuuga robe by the rubbles. Brown feathers fluttered behind him as he walked and the wind caressed his wound gently to ease his pain.
Let's go. We'll be having a meeting in the war tent.
If there were major pieces other than him in her World, then one of that pieces would be her.
Haruno Sakura.
X
The green eyed medic lifted the tray carefully. The plate and spoon clattered as she walked between the tents. The refugee camp was made in a hurry and every one in that camp was suffering the same thing. No one paid attention to a pink haired woman that walked silently between them. They all had something to worry about.
Soldiers spread amongst the citizen, providing necessary guidance if needed although mostly they just converse with their family—the only thing that remained from their home. Only the Senju Republic Army and the back-up soldiers that stood on guard—all Imperial Army guards were injured and could no longer do their regular duties. Hane was still a city though. The refugee camp was large, stretching almost as wide as the half of Hane and it covered the remaining part of the Hyuuga Castle. They did not need to worry of supply for now since the Castle had plenty of them and the city of Hane was not that destroyed, but they all knew they wouldn't be here too long if they were to survive. Hane was destroyed, and it would need more than a few months to rebuild it. There was no way for the citizen to stay.
It was something that was not spoken aloud but the uneasiness and agitation of leaving was apparent for those that were sensitive enough. Although the situation was calm, Sakura knew about the existence of this mental time bomb.
She went into one of the tent by the edge of the refugee camp, the place where the Dragon Mistress rested. She had always been sweating and Sakura always needed to change her clothes whenever she went in, even though the time gap was only a matter of hour. She hoped Neji was not in there now. With the presence of the Wind Bearer, there would be no way for her to…
"Is that… Sakura?"
The pink haired medic almost dropped the tray she brought along. The high pitched voice was clear, although a little bit weary and weak, but it was normal—in every sense. There was no strange aura in her voice; no wildness, no unseen strength, no unusual power that lingered in her voice. Her voice was… human.
Tenten was sitting by her bed side, blinking when more sunlight fell into the room as Sakura walked in. She had dressed to an oversized Hyuuga robe nearby. Hyuuga robe was originally for men but Sakura noticed how no other clothes was available close at hand. The tent was now a little bit untidy as it seemed like Tenten had disorganized some of the boxes as she searched for any fabric. The strange thing was… there was no sign of her leaving her place as she did so… If she moved from the bed, there should have been traces of sweat, since she was still sweating even until now and had nothing to cover her bare feet. But… oh yes… she had magic and that Dragon of hers.
Sakura placed the tray on an overturned box then approached the weapon mistress. Her green eyes were strange, filled with profound feelings and thoughts that it was almost impossible to guess her emotions at all. Tenten looked at her calmly though. Her composed manner somehow flared something inside the medic's heart.
"You're awake." was the first thing that flowed out of the medic's mouth as she stepped closer for check up and it didn't sound friendly a single bit. Tenten smiled at the saying. Her face was pale and weary but cheerfulness had found its way to her heart once more.
"Oh yes, of course! I can't talk to you if I wasn't, eh?" She grinned then turned to look at the tray. "Your breakfast?"
Sakura only cast a glance from her shoulder before saying, "You want to eat? I'll take more for you."
"Ah, I'll take it by—"
"Wait here for a moment."
Sakura already turned around. Tenten suddenly jerked forward upon seeing her leaving, raising her hand.
"Wait—!"
"Haruno Sakura?"
The medic stopped right by the entrance, halted by someone that was blocking her way. Akimichi Chouji stood right before her, shadowing her with his big body. His eyes twinkled when he encountered Sakura's fierce eyes and he said lightfully, "Oh, I blocked the way, yes… I'm sorry! But, oh yes… Neji also mentioned you back then…"
Sakura quickly turned to focus her emerald eyes on Chouji's cheerful ones. He scratched his cheek with his index finger, thinking.
"Hm… yes… I cannot be mistaken… He asked you to the meeting, now. You and Tenten-san. C'mere, Tenten-san. I'll help you to get there."
X
The way to the meeting place in the Royal Garden was quite something. Tenten was still so weak that she couldn't stand properly. Chouji managed to get her to the war tent—with her continous refusal for his help. She was quite embarrassed especially when Chouji offered her a lift. Sakura didn't mind the little fuss though—or even did she notice it. Her eyes hardened as she walked with mixed feelings bottled up inside. Upon arriving, she walked in silently to the war tent, standing right in front of the generals that had been waiting for her and Tenten to come in.
Hyuuga Neji was there, of course, accompanied by Gai—whose eyes wavering between weariness and strength. There were also Nara Shikamaru and Morino Ibiki of the Senju Army. Hinata and Hanabi were also present, along with their respective High Guardian. Namiashi Raidou and Shiranui Genma were there too; covered with bandages in a few places but still looked tough nevertheless… And surprisingly, Yamanaka Ino was also there. She looked weary and less cheerful but she was conscious, at least. There were three empty seats for the three persons that had just arrived… although Sakura had no intention of sitting with them. If she wanted to turn around and get out, she would do so with no hesitation.
Her intention seemed apparent since Neji's eyes roved to hers first—hard and overwhelming—before fell to the brunette that was coming behind her. Chouji helped Tenten to take a seat before finally sitting beside Shikamaru. It was clear that they were set, even with Sakura still standing by the entrance.
"I guess it is time to begin," said Hyuuga Neji, looking at the faces that were present. His white eyes met Tenten's brown ones and knew what those orbs said… Lee. He ignored it though, shifting to see Sakura by the opening of the tent. "I'm suggesting you to take a seat, Sakura, if you don't mind."
"I prefer to be here, thank you," She said almost automatically. She stood beside the entrance, tough and hard. That made her the third person that stood, since only the High Guardians that stood behind their mistresses' chairs. Neji didn't say anything more and instead turned to see Raidou.
"Hane?"
"Most citizen are saved and I have confirmed that 3/8 of our army managed to survive the latest assault," he said swiftly. "The supply that we have by the Royal Kitchen and from the city can be preserved until four more weeks, five if consumed in limited amount. Many citizen are still in shock, but nothing serious."
Neji didn't say anything. He turned to Genma.
"The situation?"
"We have confirmed the location of the fraction of Idion's army by the center of the Land of Sound," said the man. "They are to arrive by the border in two weeks. We still have no information on their current target but the one that lead them is Commander Kankurou of the Desert. The outer cities under White Sky Country are the port cities and two cities by the Plains of Ayate; Ranbu and Mugenki. The Senju republic has sent back-ups for the port cities and we have our men stationed in Ranbu and Mugenki a few weeks ago although I don't think the two cities can withstand the attack if we were not to give them back-ups. The Nara family from the Land of Water managed to open the fifth gate of the Water's border and are deploying their army for our cause. Asuma-dono of Aite City still cannot be contacted while Akimichi Chouza of the Akimichi Clan has told us that they have secured the supply path for our army and will try to discuss the matter of political affair with the Lord. As for the Wind Federation, currently there is still no reply."
Again, he stayed silent. Those are military information and most of the people that were present already knew the current situation very well. All that is left…
Neji's white eyes shifted to someone across him, the weapon mistress. Some of the people present hardened their gaze, shifting in uneasiness as they realized that it was her turn… to tell them everything.
Tenten's eyes wavered before his gaze. Sakura clenched her fists when she saw the silent conversation between the two. She didn't like it one bit.
"I see… of course," said Tenten in a weary tone. She opened her eyes, steady and fierce… then took a deep breath. She was not a 'formal' general or that she was 'someone' in Hyuuga Family. She was formerly taken in just by unexpected circumstances… but now it was obvious that there were something the higher-ups were hiding all this time. Ino's eyes wavered. She averted her gaze from Sakura's hard ones, the ones that were demanding answers.
And… Tenten began.
"The vibration of the world is increasing, along with the increasing activity of the Fragment of Abyss. I suppose you could ask Kiba for further information and research—"
"What the—?" Kiba bare his fangs. Akamaru barked. "What do you mean?"
"—and that confirms the beginning of the Tears' Awakening. The Tree of Rebirth has yet to send any message concerning this matter but I guess it will arrive here sooner or later. Meanwhile, the Fragments have also began to awaken, obviously, and this will stir some natural imbalance although it's still minor and I presume it will not progress in months to come. One of the evidence of the Fragment's increasing activity is the infection process happened to Uchiha Sasuke, whose whereabouts is unknown for the time being."
Everyone fell silent. This one was a completely different information. Sakura's body tensed as Tenten said everything. Why must they brought such information here? It didn't have the slightest connection with what they were battling against, right? And… Sasuke…
"… and along with the Tears' Awakening… there also comes the time of the Enlightenment."
Suddenly the weapon mistress's voice turned strange… and her brown eyes shifted to where Sakura stand.
"It has been confirmed that the time for the Key to be brought has come."
She looked at Neji once more, eyes clear and hard.
"And I, the Bringer, will escort the Key to the Tree of Rebirth and ensure the process of the Enlightenment."
X
"Gaara?"
Kankurou felt a strange shiver running up his spine. General Tayuya smirked upon seeing his slightly anxious face. She knew very well that he was more than what he lets on.
"He has stabilized. He'll be usable soon enough for confrontation. You still cannot summon him for a while though."
Usable. Kankurou felt the anger raged inside of him but didn't say anything else. She spoke of him like… a weapon. But he did not have any objection for that either…
"Just complete your mission," said his superior as she turned around. "Orochimaru-sama doesn't want any more failure."
She halted, then glanced at him from her shoulder.
"And I heard that your sister has had that blonde boy with her," she said lightfully. "Tell her to hand the boy to Kabuto-san. She will have other things to take care of… especially when those maggots pretending that they still have some hope over the Enlightenment."
Kankurou didn't answer at all when she continued to walk away.
"The Enlightenment…?"
X
The green eyes of the medic widened. She lost all thoughts as Tenten's words keep on echoing in her mind.
"… the Key?"
The voice… wasn't hers.
"… What is this all about?"
No one answered her. Kiba turned to see Neji's whose eyes were too white to see and shouted loudly, "What the heck does this mean? What are you all talking about? And taking my name in… What the hell do you mean by that? What's the Enlightenment?"
Nara Shikamaru heaved a deep breath. He turned to see Neji and said, "I've told you this is a bad idea, Neji."
"Though the longer we keep this as a secret, the worse it'll be, Shikamaru," Gai said nonchalantly.
"Maa… it's not that big of a twist anyway," Genma bit his senbon harder. "We're still on the same track in this war."
"And my King acknowledge the virtue behind everything," Morino Ibiki let out his voice. "We came because we know."
"B-But what is happening?" Hinata turned to see Neji. It appeared clearly that every higher ups knew what was happening but… she, the Heiress, didn't even know anything about what Tenten was talking about. "What does this mean, Nii-san? W-What is everything that Tenten-nee-san talked about?"
Hyuuga Neji didn't look at the eyes that all fixated on him. His piercing eyes were still locked on Tenten's brown ones—the ones that were shimmering under his gaze, that were wavering with knowledge and power.
"Orochimaru has long since been known for his power and unlimited arsenal of monsters up in his sleeves…" Tenten's voice slowly drifted to every one's consciousness once again. She sounded weary though… and that was unusual for her. "Those monsters don't spawn out of thin air; they are created. That said though… they are not exactly being 'created'. It is more correct to say that they are… changed. Morphed. Or any other words along that line."
Everyone now had their eyes on her. She closed her eyes… then showed them her powerful stare.
"Yes. They are originally human."
X
Hatake Kakashi straightened from his low stance. He looked up, narrowing his eyes when the light of the sunshine fell on his face.
Dozens of black-clad men lied motionless around him. The battle was unexpectedly short for such a large number of soldiers but it was just like Kakashi. They were low soldiers anyway… and he was surprised to find no higher commandant present there. The place they were guarding was sacred, it was strange…
"Find you."
Dark cave didn't look inviting. Well… it never did anyway.
X
No one said anything. Sakura had left her alertness along with the sound of the last statement. She was now leaning to the table, looking at Tenten with her confused eyes. The woman was calm though. In spite the fact that almost everyone was looking intently at her—some of them with accusing eyes or warned expression, others with questioning orbs that flickered with anticipation—she acted like she hadn't said anything wrong.
Kiba gritted his teeth.
"So all this time…" his voice trembled. "… we killed… innocent lives?"
He turned to see Neji who was sitting opposite of Tenten.
"You know, don't you? You know but you still tell us to slaughter them all? Those monsters? What do you mean by…"
"The changes are irreversible," said Neji curtly. "We have no choice but to…"
"There must be some kind of way!" Sakura finally let her voice rose. "So all this time you've cold heartedly told us to slaughter human? You think they're all monsters and just that, don't you? No matter how they look like monsters, they were human! You cannot just…"
"Do you honestly think we never tried anything?" Tenten's voice showered Sakura. The medic quickly turned to look at her. Her eyes looked somewhat darker than how it used to be. "Do you honestly think that we never tried in the whole four years? Do you think reverting them back to human is easy or even possible? This is not about medical incantation, Haruno Sakura! This is not your field anymore."
The green eyes widened. Blood rushed to her face as anger bubbled up inside of her heart. The saying was a direct hit… And she hated her more than anything else.
And Tenten suddenly grimaced. Her breath turned heavy as she tried to contain sudden agony that pierced through her like a spear. She took a sharp, deep breath and shuddered in her seat, leaning to the back of the chair as she abruptly broke the eye contact between her and Sakura.
"You talked too much," accused Neji, narrowing his eyes. He turned to see Sakura. "What we're dealing here is not regular magic. We don't even know if it is magic in the first place. It is something greater, something that Orochimaru should never have used."
"Something that is able to morph human into such monster," Nara Shikamaru folded his arms in front of his chest, leaning to the chair. "It's not something… that even Beasts can handle."
Everyone had their intention on him now. Kiba narrowed his eyes.
"… Not even Beasts can handle?"
He thought Beasts were powerful creatures… He couldn't think of anything that could overpower such spirit…
Shikamaru stared at his eyes with non-chalant look.
"… The Abyss."
X
"Take your time, Kabuto… Take your time…"
The King clicked his fingers as he watched the experiment done before his eyes. Kabuto looked at him from his shoulder and grinned.
They didn't even listen to the screams and shrieks of dozens of tortured human lives behind the bar. It was as if it's… normal.
"We're testing the Seed now. No need to hurry…"
X
"…Abyss?"
Kiba narrowed his eyes and Akamaru whimpered inside his coat. Hinata bit her bottom lips while Hanabi sat erect by her place. Sakura tightened her jaw. If her thoughts were true then…
"It's the "Power" that Orochimaru used all this time… the one that managed to help him obtains the whole land," Shikamaru continued with the same low and bored tone. He leaned back to his chair and played with the ink bottle cap in his hand. "It's the power that force every nation to retreat. Our main purpose of why we attack Mune."
"What?" Kiba voiced the thought of everyone. Shino moved a bit behind Hanabi. "W-Wha… T-Then we attack Mune without knowing the truth?"
"It's better to keep it that way at that time," Shikamaru shrugged. He turned to see Kiba. "It's better to let all of you know it merely as… tactical move. Not that it is a bad thing anyway."
"W-Well… yeah, but at least you can tell us the truth since the beginning!" Kiba growled. "That way we won't feel deceive like this! It feels like none of you trust us or anything!"
"And that is true," Neji closed his eyes. Kiba frowned at him. "It's better not to trust anyone."
"N-Nii-san…" Hinata moved, but stopped midway.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Sakura to Neji with a harsh tone. "What do you mean by not trusting anyone?"
"The Abyss is not a normal thing that you meet everyday," Tenten's voice resurfaced again. Her voice was trembling though—and unsteady. "It has the ability to manipulate people—almost like its ability to change people. This centers in someone's emotion. If one person, even for the slightest bit, has a hidden emotion of betrayal, then that someone will easily leak out information to the one who holds the Abyss."
"Orochimaru is the kind that only focuses on one ambition alone," said Shikamaru, sighing heavily. "He will ignore the rest. If none of you know anything, there is a huge possibility that you will most likely unharmed… as long as none of you ends up in his lab, then you all will be fine."
As long as none of you ends up in his lab. A few turned to look at each other's eyes. That last sentence didn't sound comforting at all to them.
"So… what is this Abyss anyway?" asked Kiba finally. Hinata looked at her guardian and nodded in confirmation. "What is this something that can battle against the Beast?"
"It's not 'battle against' the Beast but being 'battled by' the Beasts," Tenten sighed. She shook her head. "One Beast can't even battle a fragment of Abyss!"
"W-WHAT?"
Kiba jerked himself forward. A loud growling sound rumbled in his heart.
That hurts!
"What do you mean about that?" The dog lad gritted his teeth. "Beasts are…"
"Beasts are indeed a strong entity to begin with," Tenten closed her eyes. "But do you know what are Beasts exactly?"
The man tightened his jaw.
"T-That is…"
"Beasts… are not 'creatures' as you thought they were," the brunette continued. "They are not even actual 'beings'. You might have noticed it now, or you might have not… but let me tell you this, Kiba: Your Beast is yourself."
Kiba gritted his teeth. He didn't even realized how Hinata in front of him sat erect by her place.
"Beasts are emotions, they are a reflection of your heart," Neji continued. His eyes pierced through the black eyes of the Earth user. "They fluctuates to your emotion. The power of your Beast is the power of your Heart. It is something that born along with you, something that exists because you exists. It is a part of your soul, just like how you are a part of its soul."
"Now tell me then, Kiba…" Tenten turned her brown eyes to see the dog lad. "… Can you fight something that manipulates your own power?"
Silence greeted them. Kiba clenched his fists.
S-She is right, Kiddo. Too… correct, perhaps…
"Che!" The brown haired man looked away. Hinata closed her eyes before she finally looked at Tenten once again.
"Then… w-what can we do about this…?"
"We still don't know yet," answered Shikamaru. He scratched his head. "Well… I'm not a Beast user myself so I don't really understand your problem with the Abyss… but I do know that it'll be grave to have a Beast being controlled by that thing. So the least that we can do is locating the place of the fragments of this Abyss and guarding it from anyone else that might have used it for their cause, like Orochimaru has. Oh, and also trying to get the hands of those that already acquires it. That sums everything up, I guess…"
"We have also found out about this… organization called the 'Akatsuki' which consists of 'The Forgotten Names'," Genma finally said something. "They're apparently collecting the fragments of Abyss so they're kind of racing with us to acquire and locate them. We still don't know why though, and it is worrisome."
Silence greeted them. Everyone was lost in their own thought… except one.
"Why do you choose to tell us about this so suddenly?" Sakura narrowed her eyes accusingly. "Why must now, of all time?"
No one answered her directly. Neji swept a look to Tenten then answered.
"Because it is now vital for everyone to know the real objective, to make everyone clear about what the priority in this war is," he said steadily. "The situation is turning quite grave. Everyone must see what motivates us the most to proceed."
"And besides," Tenten added. She took a deep breath. "The time for the Enlightenment is drawing closer. We have no time left."
Hanabi growled then scowled, "What is this Enlightenment anyway?"
Everyone turned to look at the Princess, who was biting her lips, uncertain of what to say. Tenten looked at her and smiled.
"Yes… what exactly is Enlightenment?" the blacksmith whispered in a sort of amusement. Kiba looked at her with bewildered eyes and roared, "YOU don't know it yourself and you follow it? Freak!"
"Well no one actually know what Enlightenment is, even those who protect it with their life," Tenten grinned. Now Kiba was really pissed off. "However, the elders in the Tree of Rebirth believe in the famed Enlightenment that was written in the ancient manuscript to save this world. If you know the current state this world is in right now, you wouldn't take any other way than to try even the most absurd of ways."
Kiba showed his fangs.
"Current state this world is in?" Hinata looked at Tenten. The blacksmith gave her a thin smile. "What… what do you mean?"
"The Awakening of Abyss, the war, the natural phenomena, all are… signs of the ending of stage of this world," Neji's voice came even before Tenten. "Perhaps we can stop the war, or survive from natural disaster, but you cannot escape once Abyss has fully awakened."
"And besides!"
Now everyone looked at Tenten. The Dragon Wielder pointed her left chest with her thumb.
In here, you'll know it's calling us, Beasts.
Her eyes flew to Kiba.
Your life. Your Path. Something that you cannot run away from.
The whole room froze. The voice was coming out of her, but sounded so far away.. yet so close at the same time. One thing they all knew though, the voice spoke of power. It was more than a mere voice or a mere existence.
"But it's not enough reason for sacrificing people!" Kiba barked. "It's not enough as a reason… to risk the whole nation!"
"Then do you wish to risk the whole world?" Neji's cold voice cut off. His eyes burned. "Beasts are said to born inside of us not only because they are a part of our Heart, but also because the World wants it to. The voice of the Beasts correlate with the voice of the World. Our Heart's telling us to protect the world from the Abyss and that is exactly what we are going to do."
The Dog gritted his teeth. He pulled back, hissing in distress. Hinata was silent by her chair and so were the others. Sakura bit her bottom lips, her eyes wavered. She took a deep breath.
"… The Key that you were saying… was me, right?"
Slowly, eyes turned to see the medic now. She was calm and composed and she looked at no one but the Dragon wielder. Her breath was light as she spoke again.
"Because I am a Haruno? Or is there any other reason why it must be me?"
Tenten didn't answer. She only looked at her, eyes clouded with something as she watched her speak. Sakura held back a roar and spoke harshly.
"Why me?"
Silence. Sakura clashed her teeth together then looked away, clenching her fists till they hurt. She wouldn't tell her. Once again… Once again she wouldn't tell her…
"You are… chosen."
Sakura quickly looked up, staring at the blacksmith. The dragon wielder averted her gaze.
"Since… the very beginning… you are chosen."
Sakura tightened her jaw. Her next question was spoken low, with anger. Of course.. it was injustice.
"By whom?"
Tenten didn't answer for a while. She looked into the eyes of the medic, watching it as it hardened.
The Tears.
X
The meeting was closed with too many questions unanswered. Tenten refused to say much more and Shikamaru exclaimed that everything was beyond their understanding for the time being. What knew what was really happening was only Beasts themselves, and the information would only be regained if the Beasts regained their power and former knowledge—if the Container managed to regained their Names. It wasn't something easy to grasp, Neji said. It was all up to their connection with their Beast. So far, the only one able to fully use a Beast was only Tenten but she refused to say more about the Tears and the Abyss—it was not her 'right'. Because of that, she said, she only knew the portion of what she was allowed to know. The rest was all on the other Beasts' hands, just like pieces of a puzzle.
"Her 'right', my ass!" Kiba kicked a rubble, sending it flying a few meters before falling in a loud boom. Hinata walked beside him, silent. "I don't care about any fuckin' right in this kind of condition! We all deserve the truth!"
"But… Kiba-kun.. I think, she had told us everything…" Hinata looked at Kiba slowly with uncertainty. "Maybe… maybe we don't understand because… Just like she said, we… we don't know our Beasts yet…"
"Heck yeah we need to know!" Kiba groaned. He rubbed his hair. "I'm fed up with all of this! The Key… The Enlightenment… What is so great about them that we risked hundreds, no thousands, of life just to make them realized?"
Hinata didn't answer. She touched her left chest, pursing her lips as thoughts circled her head. What was so great about the Enlightenment? What was so great about the Tears? What was so great about… the Beasts? What were they exactly, and why must them that had the Beasts? Why were they Chosen? Why kind of path that they were supposed to take now?
No one can carve a path for you, Your Highness.
The Swan stirred her heart.
Just like how no one can choose your place for you in this world. But just as much as everyone's freedom to shape their will, they have limitation in their room. But as much as limited their option in life may be… everyone has the power to choose where they will be… just like a stretching thread.
X
Hime…
The air was suffocating. Her tent was dark, but she didn't need the light anyway. Her yellow eyes were the only things glimmering within that tent—wide, unfocused.
Her breath gradually regained its rhythm, slow… like it was counting. Perhaps it was… The Dragon counted how many cliffs managed to rose up again from the bottomless white cloud below it, the Container counted how many second passed since the pain in her body slowly reeked inside her bones… slowly consuming what was left from this rotten flesh of hers.
It stirred. Even the air created ripples all around her.
Yes… I know…
Her brown orbs returned. They softened, casting warm gaze to the top of the tent. She closed her eyes as the pain in her heart resided for a minute like a minute of relieve.
It's calling…
She sighed. The ripples appeared again, agonizingly slowly. It was painful... a silent groan.
It's… crying…
X
"If you want to know everything, come with me."
Sakura watched the plains of Hyuuga with blank eyes—examining the destruction the wyverns and Beasts made to the formerly beautiful land. The smell of corpse had arose from the bodies of the wyvern and now it wasn't healthy anymore to fill her lungs with the air of Hane.
"I will bring you to the Tears."
She clutched a rock in her hand, feeling it slowly gave in to her power.
"Then, you will hear the reasons."
X
The light peeked into the tent. Tenten's eyes slowly moved to the entrance, tracing the figure of the Wind Wielder who walked in in slow steps. He stopped two meters away from her though, his eyes fell on her with wavering gazes. She smiled wearily, closing her eyes with a sigh.
"Why… You don't want to tell me what happened to Lee, do you?" said Tenten slowly. She rested her head, her smile broadened slightly in a light sarcastic curve. "Why is he lying there unconscious, Neji?"
The white eyes examined the unfocused yellow eyes that casted empty stare to the space then he replied.
"You have enough."
He stopped for a while, waiting for her to move. But she didn't.
"Stop it, Tenten. You have enough of this already. I demand you to stop."
Her eyes shifted to him; dark brown orbs shimmered with questions. Hers were teary with exhaustion and somehow… breakable. It wasn't the eyes she used to show—he knew it was the eyes of the girl she hid. Closing his eyes, Neji absorbed the lingering pain in her voice when she asked him once again.
"Why, Neji? What happened?"
Neji closed his eyes. He wanted to escape the questioning gaze but he could feel how his feet brought him to her. He looked back at her fragile orbs and finally offered his hand.
"Come."
X
The reason for everything…
Sakura sat on a rubble of a fallen tower and watched the stretching view of Wyvern corpses. Frozen blood was everywhere and the remains of Ino's defensive dome still stood towering the half destroyed main castle. Whithered grasses colored the ground from the main castle to the turrets. It was a view of disaster… but Sakura's green eyes could still see the new green buds that has just begun to sprout.
"If you are still wondering whether or not Tenten has told you everything… I suggest you to stop and use your time to decide your answer."
The medic did not need to turn back to know that Ino was behind her. She clutched the stone in her hand tighter.
"So you know everything too."
Ino gave a chuckled. She stood behind Sakura and cast a look at their surrounding.
"Tenten's part, yes," She said lightly. After a while she let out a sigh. "Only The Bringer's part. I mean… I have yet to know the Name of my Beast. I don't know what the heck this obnoxious Bee's role in the fate of this world is."
Ouch, Little Girl! Yer hurting me pride!
Awww, stop the dialect. You cannot keep it!
Sakura glanced at her. She narrowed her eyes.
"All of you are just keep telling the same thing over and over again," she said with restrained anger. Ino raised her eyebrows, looking at the green orbs of her medic friend. "Do you know I am the Key as well?"
The blonde woman's smile broadened. She patted the space near Sakura then hopped on the rubble to sit beside her. Her pink haired companion stiffened almost immediately by her swift movement but she didn't do anything to shrug her off.
"Well, Tenten did tell me to protect you," Ino grinned. She then sighed when Sakura's angry green orbs flashed dangerously upon hearing her indirect answer. "Well, she did tell me you are important, but I don't know for whom exactly. I mean… I always thought I was protecting you for her own personal reasons. Perhaps it was right in a way, but now I know the additional reason of her ordering me to protect you."
"Additional reason?" Sakura narrowed her eyes. Ino smiled at her and raised her shoulders.
"Additional reasons," She said once again. Her smile turned softer. "Which of her reasons is 'additional' to her, I do not know, unfortunately."
Sakura narrowed her eyes again. She clenched her jaw and looked away. Ino watched her companion's bitter aura then sighed.
"You… must be angry. I'm so sorry."
X
There was only silence in that reunion. Tenten's brown eyes were empty as they looked at the view of Lee lying unconscious on the bed. Gai didn't say anything either and Neji stayed by the doorway, folding his arms as he looked outside. There were a lot to talk about but none of it spilled. The Dragon Wielder raised her hand and put it on top of Lee's forehead. Gai watched her, until she finally let out a sigh.
"… Moved… didn't it?"
Only a small nod from Gai answered her. Tenten gave a weary smile and put down her hand. Lee was sleeping so peacefully… it didn't seem like the Darkness was within him…
"We assume that since Lee has no Beast, there is no reaction between the Darkness with him," said Gai slowly. He sighed again. "But the Darkness has an aggressive nature… Perhaps he is sleeping because his inner self is fighting it."
"Who wins, is it?"
Gai didn't answer. In fact, he didn't need to; the one who understood the Abyss the most was Tenten after all. The blacksmith looked at Lee for a good long while, her eyes wavering with thoughts as she saw reflections of past in front of her eyes... A past she had never told them.
A small smile crept up her lips.
"So… in the end… we cannot escape, eh?"
Neji glanced to her side but said nothing. The small smile was still on her face and she repeated her words, slower... softer.
"We can never... escape."
Her back felt so far away, he didn't even dare to cross the distance to her place. He knew he would never make it.
X
"You're not the one at fault," Sakura looked away. She played the stone in her hand. Ino smiled widely and said softly, "Tenten's not at fault too, you know."
The medic didn't reply. She merely cast a dark look at her surrounding, as if not hearing her friend's previous statement.
"You know, I… used to hate her too, really."
Sakura looked at her. Ino sighed heavily then continued, making a face.
"She's a very, very ruthless teacher! All of her training is horrible and she rarely talk about the truth that was happening and only talk about some gibberish that, fortunately or unfortunately, really unimportant. Not that I mean I don't like it though," she added in the end. Ino sighed again. "And she… she was sooo distant. She keeps looking at something that I will never know what. That feeling of knowing nothing enraged me, a lot. So much that I even burst in front of her. Just like you."
Sakura raised her eyebrows. Ino took a deep breath then looked at the sky, her eyes tracing the white clouds—enjoying the feeling of serenity it gave. Why... she remembered it perfectly.
"I was angry, so angry, that I shouted at her about how painful her training was, how emotionless she had been, how I wanted to know everything, how I hate her for being so distant, how... everything," The blonde girl almost forgot to take her breath, it seemed. She smiled then continued. "I said to her, 'look at me! I'm the one in front of you!'..."
Ino closed her eyes, a small smile adored her face.
The eyes were widening slightly. They were light brown, so human that Ino couldn't believe her eyes. Even the Dragon Wielder had such eyes?
"She apologized, right away, with a tone I've never heard before from her except when she was talking to Neji-san," Ino chuckled. Her eyes cast a look at the green grass, watching the grasses as it slowly grew, extending its root just by her gaze. "And... she said..."
"I'm not used... to people listening to me," Her eyes changed. She gave a smile. "I'm sorry... I only have someone on my eyes when I looked at you. I shouldn't have done that."
Ino smiled as she watched Sakura's expression changed. The pink haired medic narrowed her eyes and asked slowly,
"And… the one she thought about was…?"
Ino nodded firmly.
"You."
X
"You can't go."
"But I must, Neji."
"I won't let you."
She sighed. He was stubborn, as usual. They had this conversations several times—not counting the silent gestures they exchanged between each other—up to now. It was only minutes since she opened her eyes but they had argued about this more than she could count already. She wondered if it was because of her lack of capacity to count or if them arguing already out of the limit.
Tenten shifted her body weight to the broken stone wall and closed her eyes. All these conversations rendered her utterly tired. Besides, she was not in a mood for some emotional drives. She had too much of it already. Watching Lee was enough to… to let a portion of herself crumbled.
She could almost hear Tatsu growled. It was enough of a pain for the dragon today, it didn't need additional suffering.
"Tenten."
Neji moved closer to her, his eyes hardening when her tired eyes slowly opening.
"I won't approve you… going alone with only Haruno."
"Neji, I'm not…"
The Eagle Wielder caught her shoulder. His blank eyes clashed with hers and they hardened with emotions.
"She is NOT who she was, Tenten."
X
"Why me?"
Sakura almost lost her composure when she said it. She was confused, too confused that it hurt her and she wanted a good answer.
"Why me?"
Ino gave her a bright smile. She raised her shoulder.
"Well… you… are…" Ino took her time as she chose her words carefully. She closed her eyes as she tried to reminisce then opening them with a smile. "You are someone she had met before sometime in the past. I don't know the details but.. You are important for her in many ways."
X
Tenten sighed. She tried to straighten her body but Neji's hand held her in her place. She could smell the iron blood from his chest and she closed her eyes with the realization of what the smell could mean.
But still…
"Everyone… changes, Neji…"
"You know it means different with her, Tenten," Neji's voice hardened. He shook her gently and lowered his head to level with hers. "She is not who she was."
The brown eyes were unmoving, as if not hearing the Eagle Wielder's voice.
"… She is not your friend anymore."
X
"Eh?"
Sakura raised her eyebrows. She blinked.
"W-Wha…"
"Well, I don't know what happen after she rescued you from Mune, or even before that, but... but she..." Ino moved while she tried to convey everything in her head. She groaned a while then sighed. "She… she genuinely loves you."
X
The movement was fast, so fast—that Neji knew it wasn't only her movement, it was also the movement of her Heart. It only took less than a hundreth of a second for Tenten to be behind Neji and walked away. The Hyuuga didn't even realized her releasing herself from his grip.
Her pupils were a mere slit when she looked back and said firmly.
"Do not misunderstand, Neji. Even if she wasn't who she was… even if she doesn't remember me… I remember her."
X
"What?" Sakura hissed, narrowing her eyes. "In WHAT SENSE of the word—"
"I meant what I said," Ino jumped down. She turned and looked calmly at Sakura's bewildered and enraged eyes. "The only thing that could make someone that determined to protect is only love."
Sakura tried to open her mouth to talk but nothing came out. It was all too outrageous for her to believe. Why, she had never…
"You have seen what she did for Neji-san's sake. She did everything for him with no second thought, giving her life and self just for his cause. I assure you, she would risk just the same for you."
After the last sentence, Ino gave Sakura a smile and walked away, taking in a deep breath of Hane's air—not even smelling the foul smell of Wyvern carcuss, but the smell of wind, air, and leaves.
X
The sound of crying woke her up from her slumber. She opened the brown orbs slowly, feeling how her cheeks were damp from her own tears that fell while she slept. But the crying wasn't hers. There was someone else…
"Who…"
"It's… beautiful…"
The girl in front of her continued to sob and cried but before she could say anything, the girl turned to see her in the eye with tears on her face. Her next words were delivered with genuine honesty.
"You have… such beautiful heart…"
X
Walking was painful for her, but Neji didn't take a single step to help her though he knew it. There was no need for words to make him know that she didn't want him to follow her. She was still with her previous choice, and Neji had no way of interfering with it. Anyway, faint as it always was, even Neji who hadn't had his Beast awakened knew exactly that there was no way of tugging an Awakened from his or her Path.
The ripples were getting stronger, she could even feel it without her trying to focus herself to her Heart. It was frustrating, it felt as if she could hear the cry faintly, always, at the back of her head.
It reminded her of her past. It reminded her of a time in which she couldn't even look up to see anyone's smile because of pain in knowing she would never smile like them.
"Tenten."
She lifted her head, looking straight at the figure of Ino. Ino's eyes were brimming with resolve, of what, Tenten had only a vague clue.
"I will accompany you to the Tears."
The blacksmith widened her eyes.
"Wait, Ino. I.."
"And that is final," Ino said firmly. Her eyes brimmed with determination. "And I made this decision with all my Heart."
The blacksmith didn't reply. There was always a silence understanding between The Chosens about the weight of that last word.
"And take me."
Tenten quickly turned to see the one who said that last sentence.
Sakura was standing behind Ino, her eyes firmly clashed with the Dragon Wielder's eyes.
"Take me to the Tears."
To Be Continued
Author's Note: Sorry for the late, I mean L A T E, update. Things had happened and they successfully cracked my whole plot line. Real life has been harsh too. Anyway, I thank all of you for staying with this fic. I hope I can keep up with NejiTen Family Story 2 too, because I know I have kept it way too long. AS for the rest of my fic… well, they all have to wait. Being in Veterinary Medicine Undergraduate is really… WOW… I have to pray to have time to breathe. Whew