It was a cold night on the roof of an Antioch building as Hinata gazed toward the dimly lit city. She had removed the heavy chain mail; leaving only the white Crusader robe with the red cross swung around her body. She couldn't move much as she had bruises upon her arms from the fateful days constant swinging, and cuts on her shoulders and back where the enemy had broken her chain armor. In a distance she could hear celebration from the prior week's successful break of the siege, now supplies could freely come in and the gloom had seemed to leave the Crusaders. The sounds of the men and music didn't bother the Hyuuga as she looked away to watch the Cathedral that towered in the city.
The wind blew through her hair as Hinata's sister climbed up the building with a ladder. Seeing she was disturbing a moment of silence for her sister Hanabi waited a moment and then said softly. "Sister, everyone is looking for you at the plaza. The Barons and even the Prince of Antioch wish to congratulate you."
Hinata rubbed her arm under her white robe as she turned to her sister and answered. "Hanabi, tell them I can not attend. If anybody ask where I was just tell them you found me walking the streets." She looked down with a embarrassed look and asked. "Is Haku with them?"
Hanabi giggled at Hinata's concern and responded. "Yes he's with them; though he's very quiet through the whole celebration. Heh if you don't mind me saying; he's very cute Hinata."
Hinata smiled feeling little threat from her sister's statement and simply smiled still thinking of Haku's stern face.
Suddenly a figure appeared in the dark streets; it seemed to move as if disillusioned or of a drunkard. It was only once it came closer that Hinata saw it was her cousin Neji that was down there. Concerned for her cousin's health Hinata moved toward the ladder that brought her up and said. "Hanabi! Neji's down their and seemed hurt."
By the time the two fellow Hyuuga had arrived; Neji had collapsed and seemed to be breathing heavily. It was a strange sight to see her cousin in broken down state; with tears flowing down his eyes. Getting a hold on himself he said with sadness in his voice. "Hinata…Shikamaru is dead! The papal legate died of plague two days ago in his sleep."
"Wh..what! No that can't be!"
"Well it is…I should have seen the symptoms earlier." Gripping his hands he continued "He was the model I strived to be in; I never doubted his purity in the priesthood; unlike others."
"Do the others know yet?" asked Hinata in a sadden tone.
"No he lies in his chapel cell. A group of monks informed me when this happened."
Lifting Neji from the floor Hinata grabbed a hold of him and said. "Come brother; we must inform the others."
The next day
The cathedral bell rang as everyone seemed to gather to see the papal legate. The caste lines were clear as all the knights sat in one area, the barons closest to the body, and the peasants outside of the cathedral. The fallen Nara's body was cleaned of it's outward Plague and dressed in his white papal garments. From such small beginnings came the end of the life of this reborn Christian. A mass was held in his honor and finally Legate Nara was buried in the grounds of the cathedral in Antioch. Much mourning came from the knights and peasants, but only discussion came from the barons.
For the longest time now the Baron's had been watched by Legate Nara and every action that occurred was noted in letters to the Pope himself. Now with the Legate dead their was no one to watch them and how they finished this Crusade.
"It seems the Popes eyes have been blinded from this recent events. Looks like Rome's spy is no longer an issue. " Said King Pain to his fellow Barons and Princes.
The older Sarutobi simply nodded in agreement saying. "I suppose it is for the best that the Legate passed away. Though he was a pious and pure man…heh a little slothful but he never let it disrupt his duty. Yes he would of made a fine patriarch of Jerusalem."
The old Prince turned to King Pain and said. "I have heard rumors my friend that you will not continue the journey to Jerusalem. I hope these are just what I claim; and hold no truth."
"Unfortunately; these rumors are true. I have no interest in taking Jerusalem and none of my Sicilians will be joining the army."
"I see…that is unfortunate.." The remainder of the day was silent as Sarutobi ordered his grieving army to make preparation for the final thrust to Jerusalem. The men half-heartedly prepared.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem
A battering ram splintered the gate as a massive force of the Fatamids Caliphate rushed threw with commander Gaara rushing in with them. Mercilessly he slaughtered the Turkish garrison; each moment and each thrust of his sword brought him a higher bloodlust until he seemed to show an aura of malevolence. The men stormed Jerusalem's Citadel and Gaara personally slaughtered the pathetic governor who poorly defended it for the Seljuk Turks. With an evil grin he slashed the mans throat and taking out a handful of sand in his palm he sprinkled the sand on his bleeding throat.
Kankuro walked into the throne room where Gaara sat; giving a bow to his younger but superior brother he said. "Brother the city is ours and the Turks have been routed; what should we do with the civilians?"
With his bloodlust gone Gaara said calmly. "they are to remain untouched; I want no solider stealing a grain from them unless they want to deal with me." The body of the dead governor still rotted beside Gaara as he looked at his brother with dull eyes. "Plus…I want them to witness the downfall of those Crusaders! Tell me brother; when will they arrive?"
"Well the only thing in their way is a poorly defended Garrison of Turks in Tripoli; should we assist the Turks their in the spirit of Jihad?"
"No, leave those monsters to fight the demon themselves. I want all of our defenses rebuilt for the Crusaders." A cynical grin returned to Gaara as he said. "I want too experience a fight that is worth dieing for…"
"Yes Gaara."