Kanojo Hisoka
Chapter Thirty Seven
A Shady Heart
A low, deep hiss filled a small room as the sound of tape ripping soon followed. The poignant smell of antiseptics and isopropyl alcohol wafted around the room, stinging the sensitive nostrils of the red haired kunoichi getting medical attention. It's been a few days since her last encounter with those wretched slayers. It was the first time she's encounter one of those, and it would be an experience she won't be forgetting soon. Demon venom was a lot more difficult to drain than regular poisons. The wound on her side hasn't healed due to the constant draining she had to endure, not the mention the blood loss she sustained.
"I can finally stitch you up tonight, Karin." At least there was good news tonight. "Finally!" The kunoichi sighed out in relief.
"You're lucky this type of venom just effected your body's coagulation function. If it were any other type you would have been a lost cause." The medic told her with a condescending tone. Karin rolled her eyes without a care. "Just do your job. I have to face Orochimaru's wrath sooner or later. I rather not face it all." Karin stated with a slight loll of her head as she stared unblinkingly at the lit candle on the bedside.
The snake sannin was not going to be please about her losing Kikyo. Her crimson irises harden at the dreadful meeting. She prayed he let her atone for her failure instead of killing her outright after hearing the news. It's been two days since she's lost Kikyo. Karin's only saving grace was that she locate the priestess before Orochimaru called for her. As soon as her wound was stitched up and somewhat rested she was going to set out to search for her.
The first lead she had was to search for that hidden slayer village. If the two slayers were nearby that meant their village was close too. She would start there.
Karin painfully grimace as the sharp needle tugged through her sensitive skin. She glared heatedly at the medic who gave her a careless shrug. "I'll be done soon, don't be such a baby." She stated coolly.
Karin gritted her teeth as she endured the pain of the stitching.
The medic was lucky she needed her assistance or else that comment would have gotten her throat cut open.
A set of crimson irises stared critically at the destroyed portion of the forest in front of him. It was clear that numerous explosives contributed to the mess along with jutsu and something insidiously dark. The area was flatten in some parts and it was clear that a fight took place here not too long ago.
"We missed the fucking fight." Hidan gritted out sourly to his partner as he kicked a pile of debris in frustration.
Kakuzu remained silent as he observed their surroundings. He wasn't as disappointed as his partner about missing the fight as he was about losing track of the girl. Hidan and he had to take out a few other guys who were after the girl. They had to ensure no one stood in their way of getting the target.
As his eyes swept the area he found two bodies in the far right. His eyes narrowed cautiously as he made his way over to investigate. Upon approaching the two bodies he identified them as Konan and Nagato. Kakuzu raised a brow in mute surprise. He wondered if they were dead. He gave Nagato a solid kick to the abdomen and watched the red head's body roll over from the assault and remained motionless. The prominent purple veins that protruded from his neck revealed that poison had been his killer.
"What the fuck are you looking at Kakuzu?" Hidan questioned with raised brows and curios irises. Upon seeing the dead bodies of Konan and Nagato, the religious killer grinned sadistically. "They got killed and by the looks of it from Sasori's infamous poisons." He stated in slight awe. "I wonder how Sasori managed to get their guards down like that." He questioned in thought. "Where's Yahiko's body?" He asked, growing alert as he scanned the area for the orange haired leader.
Kakuzu nodded and furrowed his brows in thought. The trio must have been ambushed by another group for the girl. He couldn't assess whether Yahiko managed to escape with the girl or perished somewhere else in the area.
There was a path up ahead that looked as damaged as the area they were in. "Let's check up there." Kakuzu stated before heading out with Hidan right behind him.
In the center of the clearing, a shirtless man laid sprawled on the ground, face first. The earth was dug into heavily, indicating that the man's body had been hit with such force that it skid the earth.
Hidan whistled in appreciation at the sight. "That must have been one hell of a hit."
Kakuzu proceeded to kick the body and instead of a motionless roll, a painful grunt sounded. Hidan and Kakuzu glanced at one another in silent meaning. Hidan grinned wickedly as he kneel down to grab Yahiko's bright orange locks. "So, you're the only one who survived." Hidan hissed out with amusement.
A silver of Yahiko's eyes opened to stare at the silver haired man, his breath labor and ragged.
"Where's the girl?" Hidan questioned with narrowed eyes.
Yahiko coughed up blood, causing some of it to splatter onto Hidan's face. The man's right brow twitched erratically and his pupils constricted sharply. The urge to sacrifice Yahiko to Jinsin was starting to burn within him.
"I won't ask again, where is the girl?" He gritted out sternly as he tighten his grip on his locks. Yahiko winced at the painful pressure to his already tender scalp.
"I... don't know..." Yahiko gasped out in pain.
Hidan sighed, clearly frustrated and antsy. He threw Yahiko's head into the ground, smushing his head into the dirt. He wanted to suffocate the man, but Kakuzu swiftly grabbed hold of his arm and pulled his back.
"We need him alive." Kakuzu warned strongly.
"I ain't killing him." Hidan replied with a glare.
"Yeah, but you made him unconscious, fool." Kakuzu gritted out.
Hidan scoffed before he stood back up with his arms crossed.
"How are we suppose to know which way the girl went now? I'm tired of this cat and mouse game!" Hidan seethed out in growing anger. "I don't mind killing people along the way, but it's getting old real fast. I want my wish dammit!" Hidan gritted out in upset.
"Sasori is probably already taking her to Demon Country as we speak." Kakuzu stated grimly. "We have to catch up to him before he delivers her to Kisame." He added with a determined gaze in his eyes.
"Can't wait for the reunion." Hidan smirked sarcastically.
Sango's eyes frantically search Kikyo's face for any indication that she was waking up. Earlier they had been traveling just fine when suddenly the priestess just passed out from her position on Yuki's back. The demon slayer was shocked to say the least and she got to work in making sure Kikyo wasn't injured and comfortable. She had set up camp in a cave she found not too far off. Kirara was standing watch at the mouth of the cave for any intruders while Yuki was securely tied to a tree, grazing as she pleased.
The young slayer didn't know what to do at the moment besides praying for Kikyo to wake up. The priestess seemed troubled in her unconscious state. What was even more disturbing was the fact that Kikyo was glowing dimly and bringing some light into the dark cave.
Sango assumed this was some sort of spiritual thing that didn't happen too often, hopefully. It was so strange and a little frightening. She didn't know a lot of spiritual people. Kikyo was the first priestess she's befriended; she's actually the first person she has befriended outside her village.
Sango was interrupted from her inner musing when Kikyo let out a groan. Her black brows furrowed tightly and sweat began to slid down her face. "Kikyo, can you hear me? Please wake up." Sango pleaded with worry displayed on her face.
Sango's plea was ignored as Kikyo continued to fight the battle going on inside her.
~0~
Kikyo squinted her eyes as she traveled down a long and dark corridor. The only source of light that filled the corridor was all the way down the hall. It was a pink glow that attracted Kikyo. The only problem she faced was that it has felt like forever since she has been traveling down this corridor. She didn't seem to be getting any closer to the light. The corridor felt dark and evil.
The goosebumps that littered her skin indicated her trepidation and anxiousness. The corridor felt familiar to her, but she couldn't place where she had seen it before.
An evil chuckle came unsuspectingly from behind Kikyo's shoulders. It startled the priestess and she swiftly turned around to investigate the source of the sound. When she turned, she saw nothing but darkness. Her heart accelerated within her chest, the pounding could be heard inside her ears. Her body let out a tremor before she willed herself to continue towards the light. Kikyo knew once she reached the light she would be safe.
Kikyo furrowed her brows in determination as she eyed the pink glow at the end of the corridor. Before Kikyo even realized it, she was running with a sense of urgency. There was a sick feeling in her chest that urged her to hurry. She licked her bottom lip as she grew closer to the end. Kikyo's pants filled the corridor when a sudden presence appeared behind her. She did not stop to look behind her shoulder. She had to keep going forward.
The dark presence behind her grew in intensity and pressure. It was menacing. It caused another round of goosebumps to spread across Kikyo's ivory skin with its intent of evilness.
Kikyo sighed in relief when she finally felt the glow of the pink light wash over her. The energy it radiated was warm and loving. She immediately felt the menacing evil presence behind her dissipate. She knew fear no more now that she was bathe in this holy light.
The priestess squinted her eyes from the glaring light as she enter into it. Every ounce of her being was engulfed with the pink light. She could hear low and painful hissing sounds emanating from the dark corridor she just enter from. The evil presence didn't dare enter into the room full of light.
With a new sense of purpose, Kikyo brought her attention to the center of room. There was a small sphere floating gently in midair. Kikyo noticed that it was cut in half. She approached the gem and felt compelled to touch it, so she brought her hand out to do just that. The moment her finger tips grazed the surface of the gem, a bright beam of light emerged and Kikyo's vision went white.
~0~
A sharp gasp came from Kikyo as the priestess sat up swiftly. Sango sighed in relief at Kikyo's revival. "Thank goodness! I was so worried." Sango exclaimed as she looked over her friend. Kikyo gathered her bearings and took in her surroundings. She was not in the bright room anymore. She was in a cave. "Where are we?" She asked brokenly. Her throat was extremely dry and made talking difficult.
"Here, drink some of this." Sango offered as she gave her canteen to Kikyo. The priestess drank the precious water.
"After you passed out earlier today, I found this cave and made camp until you woke up." Sango stated simply. "Does this happen often?" Sango questioned with a raised brow in wonder.
Kikyo shook her head. "This is the second time I fall unconscious like this." She admitted with a confused look in her eyes. "I don't know why it happens, but it feels like I have something important to do while I'm unconscious. I saw a bright room and a pink gem. I can't remember much of anything else at the moment." Kikyo stated with a small frown.
"That's so strange, maybe we should stay the night here and head out in the morning." Sango suggested as she checked on the small fire she made not too long ago. "Kirara, you can come in now. She's awake." Sango called out to the two tailed neko. The large cat demon transformed into her small form before entering the cave with a soft mewl.
Kikyo nodded in agreement before a worried look crossed her face. "I'm worried about my sister." Kikyo muttered softly. "You think she's in trouble?" Sango asked with understanding flashing within her eyes. It was a certain instinct siblings inherited. They always knew when the other was in trouble or not. She felt it all the time with her little brother growing up.
"Maybe," Kikyo replied with a sigh. "It's strange. I can just feel it in my gut. I wish there was a way we can get to Konoha faster." Kikyo stated. Sango hummed softly before glancing over to Kirara.
"If we rode on Kirara we should reach Konoha in three days instead of a week, which don't include time for Kirara to rest. But that would mean leaving Yuki behind." Sango told her bluntly. She knew how attached Kikyo was to her beloved steed.
Kikyo chewed her bottom lip in contemplation. It was a hard decision. "I really don't want to part with Yuki." Kikyo adored her horse, but she also felt the urgency to reach her sister. Maybe her dream was a premonition?
"No, we can continue on foot. I'm probably looking too much into this." Kikyo finally relented. She couldn't bare to part with Yuki and besides she could last a week.
One week later
Kikyo glanced around the path she and Sango were traveling on. It was completely surrounded by dense trees and bushes from both sides. It was beautiful and nothing like she has ever seen before. It was almost magical in a sense of how serene the area was. "These trees are incredibly tall." Kikyo commented in awe. They must have been fifty feet or taller. The tall tree leaves blocked out the sun and only allowed thin streams to peek through to the forest ground.
"Yeah I know, that's why they call Konoha the village hidden in the leaf." Sango stated with a teasing smirk as she effortlessly carried her large weapon behind her back. Kirara was currently nestled in the crook of Sango's neck. Sango gently caressed her head lovingly.
Kikyo lazily held Yuki's reign as they all continued down the path that would hopefully lead them to the hidden leaf village. It was until last night when they had set up camp for the night that Kikyo felt nervous. She was apprehensive about the inevitable meeting between her and Kagome. She didn't know what to expect from the meeting with her own twin. They had so much to talk about that the priestess didn't even know where to begin. She might be shattering Kagome's life by arriving so suddenly and with such tragic news about their true origins. She hope her twin believed her.
Kikyo also contemplated on what she would do after she has gotten to know Kagome. Would she return back to the shrine with Miroku and Mushin or would she set up residence in Konoha to be closer to her sibling? Would Kagome even want her to stay?
It would be nice to rebuild their relationship as sisters, especially since they were twins. They have already lost so many years and Kikyo didn't want to miss anymore.
"The path ends." Sango commented in confusion before pulling out her map to reevaluate their next move. She looked over the map and her brows furrowed. "The map says the village should be here, but I don't see any village close by." Sango stated with a frown.
Kikyo looked around the area through the thick trees that made up the forest. "Do you think the terrain might have changed since your grandfather made the map?" Kikyo asked in wonder. Sango huffed slightly as she realized Kikyo's point. "You're probably right. It's been over fifty years since this map was forged. The terrain might be different from back then." Sango agreed.
"Well, I guess we should set up camp for the night since it's almost sunset. We can look for the village tomorrow morning." Sango suggested with a raised brow.
Kikyo nodded almost eagerly.
She felt relief wash through her at the thought of delaying their arrival by one more day. It gave her more time to think about the meeting with her sister and to work out what she was going to say.
"Great, I'll go look for some fire wood." Sango told her before walking off with Kirara.
Kikyo released Yuki to openly graze as she pleased while she chose a nearby location for their campsite. They would be out in the open tonight seeing as how there weren't any caves or over hanging cliffs.
As Kikyo disrobed her outer white haori she sharply paused in her actions. She could have sworn she heard rustling from the tree tops. After a moment of silence, Kikyo resumed her previous actions. A small smile graced her lips as the cool summer breeze brushed against her bare shoulders. It was extremely warmer in Konoha than in Hot Tea Country. The cool breeze was welcomed, especially with the thin white tank top she wore underneath her haori.
Laying her neatly folded haori to the side, Kikyo released her hair from its bondage. The dark tendrils laid neatly against her back as she prepared to make a high ponytail, but before she could gather her thick locks into her hands a sharp hit to her gut left her breathless and in shock. Her turquoise colored irises widen intensely as some saliva flew out her mouth from the force of the punch.
A chocking gurgle left Kikyo's lips soon after as she gasped for air, the fist that imprinted itself into her gut pulled away slowly. Her body was so shocked from the unsuspecting assault she fell to her knees and crumbled into the soft, grass covered earth, clenching her belly.
Tears pricked her eyes as she fought the pain raging in her abdomen.
It hurt so bad.
Who had attacked her?
Pulling her head to the side, Kikyo brought her anguish filled eyes to the person standing nearby. Her face fell in confusion at the sight of the leaf insignia on the man's headband. It wasn't long before two more shinobi appeared, just as silently as the first shinobi had arrived. Kikyo grimace as she forced herself to sit up. She needed to talk to them. She had to let them know her sister was a leaf citizen. Surely they would take pity on her after she told them, right?
"My-" The shinobi's sharp glare paused Kikyo's train of thought. The man's dark irises were full of hatred and disgust. It was clear he did not want to hear a word from her. It made the priestess wonder if all leaf shinobi were so hostile and aggressive?
"How dare you show your face back here after what you did!" The shinobi gritted out in disgust. "Do you have any idea on the amount of destruction you caused our village?" The man asked before delivering a swift kick to Kikyo's abdomen. The priestess shouted out in pain as her body rolled side ways from the force.
"Captain, that's enough. Either we kill her now or we bring her in and inform the council of her capture." A kunoichi stated with a glare. She may not like what Kagome did to their village, but that didn't mean she had to watch her get beat by her arrogant captain. It was the one thing she despised most from the members of the Uchiha clan.
"This traitor doesn't deserve to be killed now. She deserves the entire village's anger." The Uchiha captain seethed out before he stalked towards Kikyo.
The last thing Kikyo saw was the bottom of his black boot as it connected to her head.
A/N: It's been awhile since I uploaded. I resigned from my job recently so I'll have more time to write until I look for a new one lol! This chapter is a bit of filler, the real drama begins in the next one!
So, I have an idea and I want to present it to you guys. I have this chapter completed, but I also have three more chapters already done and ready for you guys. Would you guys like it if I were to upload chapters 38-40 tomorrow or would you rather wait for the weekly updates?
If I upload those chapters tomorrow, then it will probably be a week or two until I write up the next few chapters for the story. So, let me know in the reviews what you guys prefer and there has to be an even consensus! I will be reviewing your votes tomorrow!
I'm so ready to end this story this month, but don't get me wrong, I love this story and how far it has gotten. I just never expected it to be this long in terms of chapters. So, I'm aiming to end this story by the end of August and those reviews will really get me going in shooting out chapters in bulks.
I really appreciate all of your reviews thus far! I take into consideration everyone's thoughts and suggestions to make this story even better! Those reviews really make my day :)
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