This chapter is a little rushed, but I'm just trying to advance the story cause it seems like it's just kinda pussyfooting around.
ShadowBloodNinja- The storm has reached here and the wind is blowing hard. AWESOMENESS! Since I don't have to go to work tomorrow, I managed to get this up. Anyway...you're kinda there, but not quite. I'll give you a little hint. Think about what the kekkei genkai of the Tsuchihara clan is. Maybe that will help you a lil. Anyway...my dr appointment got canceled, so I'm a few days away from the medicine that I REALLY need :/. This sucks! I read your PM and I cracked up reading it. I can believe that all happened haha.
Onward with the story!
"Where am I?"
Selûne was standing in a room lit by a roaring fire in the fireplace and moonlight pouring through the windows. Rain lashed against the glass panes. In front of her was a bed, which contained a single person. The figure in the bed stirred slightly, turning over onto their side giving Selûne a good look at their features. A small gasp escaped her lips.
"Miyako…"
The elder Amakura slept peacefully in the large bed, unaware of the presence of the younger girl. The sound of the door opening softly caught Selûne's attention and she turned to see who it was. A rather tall man with long shaggy black hair and red eyes made his way into the room, closing the door behind him. He crept toward the bed silently, staring down at the sleeping Miyako for a moment before sitting on the edge of the bed and bending over her. Selûne couldn't make out what he was doing, but she suspected that he was kissing Miyako. The woman woke up and smiled at the man, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Madara…saiai…I missed you…"
"I missed you as well, Miyako."
Selûne's eyes widened. This was Madara Uchiha? He looked almost exactly like Sasuke!
"How's the baby?" Madara asked, his fingers caressing Miyako's cheek. The Amakura smiled and placed her hand over her rather large belly, rubbing the bulge fondly.
"It's doing well, but all that matters is that you have returned, Madara," Miyako said as she pulled the Uchiha into the bed with her. Madara gathered her into his arms, kissing the Amakura gently on her lips. "Aishiteru Madara."
"Aishiteru…Miyako."
Selûne trembled as she watched the two lovers slowly take each other's clothes off. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing for the vision to disappear so she wouldn't have to endure this. When she opened her eyes, she was in Miyako's room in her mind.
"Enjoy yourself?" Miyako said, her red eyes penetrating the girl.
"Why would you show me something like that? That isn't exactly something you show kin!" Selûne yelled, a heavy blush settled in her cheeks.
"What you just witnessed was the last night that Madara and I spent together before he fought Hashirama Senju. The last night I ever saw Madara alive…" Miyako stared down at the floor, her voice sad. "I was only a month and a half away from giving birth to Seiichi and Madara never got to see his own son. Madara…"
Miyako was almost to the point of tears when she looked up at Selûne. "But why show me that?" the younger Amakura asked.
"Because of your Uchiha, Itachi. He reminds me of Madara and the connection you two have is almost similar to what Madara and I had. You both love each other and will do anything to protect each other, even if it means your life. I may be hell bent on revenge, but even I have a heart."
"So you say…" Selûne said, crossing her arms over her chest and giving Miyako a skeptical look. Miyako chuckled as she turned to the small opening in the room that she used to look through Selûne's eyes. Selûne's eyes were closed at the moment, but Miyako used her mind's eye to see what was going on around the girl. She was in a room at an inn just outside of the Rain Village, Itachi sitting on the windowsill staring out at the moon. So instead of going to the Rain Village, they had stopped in a small town on the outskirts. She watched as Itachi glanced over at the sleeping girl, getting up and making his way toward her. Miyako grinned, a feeling of euphoria spreading through her.
"It's time for you to wake up. I think something interesting is about to happen."
Selûne couldn't get a last word in before she was forced out of Miyako's domain and into the waking world.
Itachi sat on the side of the bed that Selûne lay upon, looking down at the sleeping girl. It had been nearly three hours since their battle with Ryuunosuke and she had yet to wake up. This posed the perfect opportunity for Itachi as he leaned down close to her, his lips inches from hers. The air that blew from her nostrils warmed his lips considerably before they met hers, the coolness of her lips a slight shock to his. His eyes were closed as his lips moved against hers, so he didn't see her eyes open slowly. He didn't move when one of her arms curled around his neck and her hand tangled in his hair, pushing him more into her. Itachi put his arms around her waist and drew her up into a sitting position, breaking the kiss to nuzzle her cheek. Selûne smiled faintly, staring out the window.
"Well this is a nice way to wake up," she murmured, turning her head to look into his red eyes. Itachi spared her the smallest of smiles before untangling himself from her arms, standing up from the bed. The door opened and Kisame walked in carrying some food.
"Well it's about time you woke up, little girl," he drawled as he approached the bed and laid her plate on the nightstand, handing Itachi a plate of onigiri.
"How long have I been out?" she asked, taking a bite into an apple.
"Only a few hours. Any normal shinobi would be out for a few days, but you're just no ordinary shinobi, are you? We could even call you a jinchuriki, but you don't have a tailed beast in you, just an evil bitch of a spirit."
Selûne didn't respond. Instead she got up from the bed and walked over to her pack, fishing the Amakura crest out of a pocket. She stared down at it as she ate her fruit, running her thumb over the symbol engraved in the stone. The circle with the wing in the center sent a wave of nostalgia through her as she remembered the same symbol on her childhood home and the ring around her neck.
"There are two more crests to acquire…" she said slowly, catching the attention of both men. "We got the hard one out of the way, so the other two will be easier to get. But the Tsuchihara crest…what does he mean by me being the guardian? I can't possibly be the guardian…"
"Maybe you already have it, but you just don't know it yet," Kisame said, munching on his rice ball. Itachi didn't say anything, he just sat there quietly eating his food.
"It doesn't make sense…" she said. Itachi watched her carefully, scrutinizing her features. The hand holding the crest dropped to her side as she stared out the window at the full moon, her brows scrunched in thought.
'Guardian of the Tsuchihara crest…me? If that's the case, is the crest hidden in the prayer house? If it had been, I would have sensed it…'
"I figure we can stay for a day before we set out again," Kisame said as he munched on his rice ball.
"Hn. Fine by me," Itachi said. Selûne jumped onto the windowsill and sat on it with her legs hanging out the window. Her muscles ached slightly from the battle, but with a flash of her eyes, the pain dissipated.
'My body can't take the strain of Miyako taking control. Every time she does, she saps more of my strength and that is something I cannot afford to lose!'
She stood from the windowsill, causing both men to look at her. "I'm going for a walk. Don't wait up for me." She jumped from the window onto the ground and took off walking.
"What do you suppose is on her mind?" Kisame asked Itachi. The Uchiha didn't respond; he just kept eating his food like nothing had happened.
Selûne weaved her way through the villagers, ignoring lewd looks from the men and the stares from the women. Her mind was so preoccupied with what Ryuunosuke had told her that she bumped into someone hard.
"Hey, watch it!" she yelled, rubbing her shoulder from where she had been struck before looking up to see who it was. Her eyes widened at who she saw.
"Ryuunosuke?"
"Hey."
His eyes were no longer golden, but a beautiful warm shade of brown. His hair was still loose and flowing, but in a very masculine way. His blue and white robe was parted slightly so that a wide expanse of tanned flesh peeked through and Selûne blushed slightly as she averted her eyes from his person.
"What're you doing here? I thought you were supposed to stay at Namida Shrine?" she asked, trying to look anywhere but his exposed chest.
"Well even I am allowed to take a break from my duties as guardian. Besides I have a clone back at the shrine, so it's still protected," he said, crossing his arms over his chest and burying his arms in the long sleeves of his robe. "May I accompany you to wherever you're going?"
"Um…well…I-I guess so…" Kami, why was she stuttering like a love struck girl? She was eighteen years old for Kami's sake! Ryuunosuke smiled at her and she almost swooned at the sight, but stopped herself before she could. She steeled herself and walked past him, the elder Amakura falling into step beside her. An awkward silence settled between them for a few moments before Selûne broke the silence.
"So…how old are you Ryuunosuke?" The man looked at her for a moment before smiling and turning back to the road in front of them.
"Well…I've been at the shrine for nearly thirteen years, so I would say I am about twenty-seven years old."
Selûne fell back into her awkward silence. "If you don't mind my asking, how old are you, little Selûne?"
Her eye twitched slightly as she turned her head slowly toward him, raising a fist at him. "I'm NOT little! I'll have you know I'm eighteen years old! Legally an adult!"
He held his hands up in defense, a nervous grin on his face. "Alright, I apologize. I didn't mean to insult you in any way."
The two walked in silence once more, ignoring the strange looks that the villagers were giving them. Selûne noted that many of the women stared at Ryuunosuke, ogling him openly. The man didn't seem to notice them though, instead keeping his eyes on his beautiful companion. They stopped for a moment to purchase some dango from a shop before making their way out of the town and settling in a small meadow to eat their food.
"So where are your companions?" he asked as he took another bite of the sweet dumpling.
"They're back at the inn. The last thing they were doing before I left was eating dinner so I would assume that they're retiring for the night. After today's ordeal, I don't blame them," Selûne said as she stared down at her dango.
"I do apologize for harming them like I did. Like I said before, it is my duty to protect the shrine and the crest, but since you have beaten me and proven that you are one ordained by prophecy, I allowed you to take the crest. Also…I am in your debt for healing me and sparing my life. I cannot thank you enough."
"Well…I don't particularly like killing anyone especially if they do not deserve to die. Besides…it's nice to know there's one other of the clan who is still alive," she said, taking a bite of dango and chewing thoughtfully. She heard Ryuunosuke chuckle softly.
"You are an intriguing woman, Selûne. You have so much power, yet you don't flaunt it like so many others. I like that."
"Why should I? I like to keep my opponents guessing with me, so I try to give the appearance of one who does not look too tough so that when they underestimate me, I take them by surprise."
"Not to mention you also protect your comrades fiercely. I noticed how you protected that one man who accompanies you, taking damage for him just to keep him safe. It's obvious you care more for him than you would a mere friend…" his voice trailed off as he looked up at the full moon. Selûne's eyes shifted to him for a moment before looking down at the ground, watching the grass move slightly in the breeze.
"Have you ever been in love, Ryuunosuke?" she asked, her voice soft.
Ryuunosuke's head jerked to look at her, his eyes wide. "That…is a very personal question to ask."
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," she said, giving him a small smile. That smile reassured Ryuunosuke into answering her question.
"Well…since I was taken away from my normal life when I was only fourteen, I didn't have any time for love being the shrine guardian. I rarely venture out of the shrine, but ever since you came along, I feel like I can be out more often because my duty to the shrine is not as important anymore."
"But you still have to remain there?"
"Unfortunately yes…it's a sad fate. I have to remain there for the rest of my life," he said, his eyes returning to the night sky.
"I'm sorry…if I had known, maybe I would have granted you a swift death to escape such a boring destiny," she said, moving her hand to rest on his shoulder. He smiled at her, shifting away from her.
"A life without purpose is not a life at all. Those are the words my mother spoke to me before I was taken away to the shrine and ever since then, I have lived by those words. Being the guardian is my purpose and it has been my life for a long time."
"I admire your dedication…it reminds me of someone else I know," she said, suddenly thinking of Naruto. His dedication to becoming Hokage matched Ryuunosuke's dedication to his guardian role.
"Yes, but after today, I feel differently…" he said, turning toward her and moving closer to her. "Your generosity in sparing my life has left me indebted to you and I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to repay you now, but in time I know that I will be able to in my own way. No matter where you go, I will be there in spirit to help you through your hardships to offer advice until my time to repay my debt comes."
Selûne blinked in surprise as she watched his face get closer to hers. "You're a beautiful woman Selûne. Any man would be lucky to have you as his."
She closed her eyes expecting him to kiss her on the lips, but instead he kissed her cheek. She sat there in shock, her mind trying to comprehend what had happened. Ryuunosuke smiled at her, tucking a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear. "You look surprised, my dear. Care to tell me what's on your mind?"
Selûne shook her head and looked at him, her face growing hot. "W-well I th-thought you were going to…to…"
"To kiss you? To tell you the truth, I am sorely tempted to. You are the first person to pose a challenge to me and I admire strong women. It would be so easy for me to just give in and kiss you, but I get the feeling that it would not be accepted by you. Your heart belongs to another and that is something that I cannot change, no matter how much I wish I could. Just know that I will always be here for you in your time of need and will help you if I can."
Selûne blushed and lowered her head, trying to hide her face from his view. "Thank you Ryuu, it means a lot to hear that from you. You're not like most men…"
"Only because I'm devilishly handsome and irresistible," he said, a sly grin appearing on his face.
"Maybe compared to an ogre," she retorted, a laugh escaping her throat. Ryuunosuke jerked back, his eyes going wide.
"Excuse me!? I'll have you know I attract many women, young and old alike! I'm irresistible I tell you!"
"I'm sure…" she said, standing up and brushing her bottom off before placing her hands on her hips. She didn't notice the vein that popped out in Ryuunosuke's forehead before he jumped up and caught her in his arms. Her expression was surprised as he buried his hand in her hair and brought his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Selûne's eyes widened even more at what was occurring. Ryuunosuke was kissing her! What's worse was that she felt a warmth in her chest that spread throughout her whole body which made her relax into his hard body.
'It feels good…but…Itachi!'
An image of the stoic Uchiha flashed in her mind and she reacted immediately. She pushed him away, feeling guilty for kissing him as well. The elder Amakura watched her as she took a few steps away from him slowly before turning on her heel and running off into the town. He smirked and turned toward the trees.
"You can come out now, my friend."
There was a soft rustle as Itachi emerged from the branches, landing quietly on the ground. His Sharingan stared down the Amakura, the anger radiating off of him in waves.
"Why did you do that?" he asked, gritting his teeth to keep from using Tsukuyomi on the man. Ryuunosuke simply smiled, shrugging his shoulders gracefully.
"What can I say? She's a beautiful woman and any man would be lucky to have her, but I can see that you already have a hold on her heart. I can't make her change who she cares about, but I am kin. I will watch out for her safety and make sure that she does not come to harm."
"If I see you lay a hand on her again…" Itachi began, but Ryuunosuke cut him off.
"Come now. I won't touch her again after she rejected me. Even though she may not feel for me the way I do for her, I will be there for her when she needs it."
"You've known her for a few hours. You don't know what love is after only a few hours," Itachi said, his eyes slowly changing into the Mangekyou. "I've known her for years."
"Peace, my friend. I do not want to fight over such a petty argument. I will not fight you for Selûne's heart because you already have a hold of it and it is obvious I cannot compete with you. I only ask that you take care of her and make sure that she stays safe from harm," Ryuunosuke said, raising a hand in defense. Itachi watched him warily before nodding, his body relaxing slightly. "Good, now I must take my leave. Farewell…until we meet again." The Amakura made hand signs and disappeared in a whirlwind of blue feathers, leaving the Uchiha alone to stare at the empty air.
Selûne approached the inn, stopping to catch her breath, having run all the way from the meadow ever since her encounter with Ryuunosuke.
'I don't want to admit it…but that was exhilarating.'
The feel of his kiss still burned on her lips and she touched them gently, remembering how gentle he had been.
"Itachi…" she murmured. "I'm sorry…"
'I'll need to keep away from Ryuunosuke before something happens that I'll regret.'
She jumped through the window of their room to find Kisame asleep against the wall and Itachi nowhere to be seen.
'I wonder where he went…'
She snuck past Kisame to the bed and settled down in it without pulling the covers over herself, closing her eyes and willing herself to try to sleep.
'Tomorrow we'll start searching for the other crests and we'll need to be well-rested. It won't get any easier than this.'