I have no rights to Naruto.
Enjoy.
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She awoke sitting ramrod straight in her bed blinking to see where she was, hands crumpled in the sheets as she listened to the sound of her heart thumping rapidly in her chest. The feel of hands, of touch on her skin made it crawl, deep breaths needed but hardly calming her. Catching sight of Hidan by her bedside Sakura was torn between relief and fear, even with the obvious she didn't want him to open his eyes for if he woke he would undoubtedly ask how she was, how she was feeling, if she was hurt, if she was okay ; stupid questions in her opinion. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, the transformation, battle and journey exhausting him, the worry and anger more draining that any physical state.
With the upmost care Sakura slid out from under the sheets, stopping and watching Hidan as the bed creaked, not even sighing with relief when the made no move to stir only slipping away like a ghost out of the room, over-robe and slippers in hand to stave off the chill that seemed to engulf her body. Unlike most of her clothes the over-robe was a pale pink, nearly white that unknowingly gave her a wraithlike quality hiding any other colour on her as she passed through the corridors silently, shadows covering her route and hiding her from prying eyes, giving her the peace she required.
On softly padded feet she went, body weary, mind distracted and soul heavy, passing through the doors and yards until she came to the stables and the shadows fled, the dimness of the stables comforting as she walked the stalls, soft noses reaching out to comfort her, wickers and whinnies greeting until she reached the end. Lifting the latch she entered the stall, Hades warm breath tickling her neck while she closed the stall doors. The large dangerous war stallion snickering in comfort as its Mistress wrapped her arms his neck and leant against him, his strength holding her up as tears went uncried.
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"Only fools train to exhaustion when battle is imminent."
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he looked at his sparring partner, the older man winded and sweating but without the harsh breathing Sasuke himself exhibited. Crouching to attack and letting the last of his anger fuel him Sasuke raised his sword and rushed the Guard of Jashin, revelling in the pull of muscles and exertion needed to fight the Guard, until he ended up face first in the ground. Humiliation through him, his anger quick to return as he surged to his feet ready to attack any who mocked him only to find no laughter or mocking, the guards who trained were focused on their own workouts and the ones who watched him actually gave him advice without any condescension.
"Lose your temper lose your fight Shinobi."
"Exhaustion is deadly; you're eating dirt when you should have rolled."
"Controlling emotions is important but so is acknowledging them."
Sasuke looked at his sparring partner, the Guard who had invited him to fight speaking last his steady gaze meeting Sasuke's quickly lowering the fierce battle axe he favoured and the large broadsword he used as a secondary weapon.
"On the morrow, dawn, when your tempers cooled, no holding back."
Chakra against the power held by the Guards of Jashin. Sasuke smirked in anticipation, the challenge sending adrenaline through him for a single second only for exhaustion to hit him, several hours of nearly constant sparring , there had been a change of partner or two but the level of fighting had stayed consistent and without let up. Acknowledging the Guard's words he bowed, sheathing his katana and leaving the training grounds to various salutes and nods, a strange feeling coming over, an understanding before it disappeared as he walked towards the castle passing the stables. The sight of blonde hair and orange clothing made him stop, feet bringing him to the door of the stables and bales of hay stacked inside the door.
"Teme."
"Dobe."
The words held a comfort, the tall blonde standing up to greet his absconded teammate, face to face nothing was said, nothing needed to be said for despite all differences they knew each other well enough. Suddenly a gust of wind came from the training grounds, a sudden shower of rain falling from the skies forcing them into the stables. Shaking the rain from his blonde locks Naruto gave a low whistle admiring the stalls filled with huge war horses, majestic and fierce the animals watched them. Naruto taking it all in looked at Sasuke in confusion when the pale Uchiha grabbed his arm speaking so softly that he whispered.
"Sakura."
Following Sasuke's gaze Naruto swallowed the lump sticking in his throat as he looked at the forlorn creature before him. Oh she looked beautiful, pale and ghostly but it was fragile; a spectre that if he touched or spoke too loudly would disappear, the sorrow and heartache filled him, the scene before him holding a profound sadness. A sadness that had begun to strike throughout the castle, infiltrating all to various degrees, deepening existing sadness and creating melancholy moods. Of all Naruto took it best, a childhood of sadness and pain known to him, the cheer he had cultivated now an innate part of him but looking at his black haired he realised he wasn't as lucky.
"Sasuke. Sasuke."
Taking back his arm Naruto punched Sasuke in the shoulder, a grunt his only answer but seeing the pain in his eyes Naruto sighed. Looking around the stables he walked back to the squared bales and grabbing two brought them back and dropped them within feet of the stall Sakura was in, he did this twice more until he had enough bales to sit comfortably and watch both of his original and absentee teammates, with a grumble he reached forward and tugged Sasuke down hiding his chuckle as he ungraciously landed on his ass with a grunt.
Listening to the rain hit the roof of the stables Naruto looked at the ceiling breathing deeply and relaxing, the sounds of the stables soft and quiet, they were in there own little world. Turning his head at the sound of a loud grunt he watched Sasuke shake his head slightly, fists clenching before he looked over at Sakura and sighed, only then did Naruto notice Sasuke was sitting in a meditative pose, muffling his laugh he smiled and nodded in affirmative as Sasuke tilted his head at Sakura.
Was she causing the pain and sadness? It seems so.
With the realisation of what was happening both young men seemed to feel a weight lift off their shoulders, muscles relaxing and dark thoughts easing. Moments passed in silence before Naruto started to chuckle and addressed Sasuke.
"I nearly had heart attack when I saw you fighting that Guard teme, it was worse than running from Sakura's fists."
"Hnn."
Naruto rolled his eyes but caught the satisfied look on Sasuke's face, glancing over at Sakura. With a laugh he did what he did best.
"Oi teme you really missed a lot. Did you know Sakura became a Chunnin before all of us?"
Sasuke quirked at eyebrow at this, Naruto smiling away. "I got a huge shock when I went back to Konoha with Ero-Sennin; she was as bad as Baa-chan." Leaning over he loudly whispered more for fun than secrecy. "She's worse."
"But we got the bells off Kakashi!" Naruto crowed with glee, explaining the battle in detail, their shock and pride as Sakura's strength (and horror she could hurt them so much more) and how they had fooled him by giving him a fake Icha Icha plot. This actually brought a smile albeit a tiny near invisible one to Sasuke's face, Naruto standing up and pointing at him in shock. "He's smiling! Sakura-chan the teme is smiling."
Sasuke made a small noise which constituted as his chuckle and looked over to see Sakura looking up at them, emerald eyes so dark they looked almost black, making the dark haired young man hope it was only the lightening in the stable. Looking at Sakura he sat up straight and spoke to Naruto.
"What else did I miss?"
With a grin Naruto clapped his hands and started to tell Sasuke everything he had missed focusing on the time Sakura was still in Konoha, Sai and Yamato joining the team, unable to keep the scowl from his face when he thought of Sai's nickname for him, the battle against Akatsuki, finding Gaara, Sakura healing Kankuro. He jumped from story to story with no time line staying away from any that would lessen the mood or remind them of bad times, stories with the other members of the Konoha twelve, nights out, training mishaps and more. Naruto laughed loudly and Sasuke smirked, the occasional Hnn and Nnn coming from him as well as a few questions as to the validity of some stories all the time the two Shinobi gave their treasured teammate covert glances.
A loud neigh interrupted Naruto causing them to stand in worry as the large stallion Sakura clung to shook his head.
Hades shook his mane, how stupid were those men. Neighing loudly he raised his head and motioned to the catch for his stall door, careful not to push his Mistress away or hurt her as he stamped his hoof in annoyance. She hadn't moved and she was still filled with such sadness and pain that Hades felt it straight through his large heart but as the demon containing blonde had spoken she had listened - not to the words but to his voice, it had comforted her slightly, Hades knowing with a power that made him so deadly and powerful that it had brought a feeling of safety to her. It didn't take away much but it was something. Even the cold black one had dragged his Mistress out of the daze she was in when he made that weird noise and pulled his face as if in pain. With a threatening eye roll he blew hot air from his nostrils and baring his teeth, ears flat against his head leaned forward and snapped at the catch before turning his head to rub his Mistress gently.
Finally the demon containing blonde seemed to get the idea, humans; so few were as clever as his Mistress but Hades would put up with it.
Hades rolled his eyes as the stall door was opened with care, inwardly satisfied and happy knowing the Shinobi feared him remembering what he had done to the scarecrows book and how he had fought and killed his Mistress's attackers. When the door was fully opened Hades turned and gently stroked his Mistress's side, she was so tired and hurt, these humans were familiar to her and were trying to help, she had been here for so many hours and though he loved his Mistress more than anything he knew she needed more than him and until her Protector came - though if he hurt her Hades vowed to snap off something – these humans could help. With a gentle nudge he let the cold one come forward snorting in approval when he didn't touch only stepped forward and back to guide her to the bales of hay, gently snickering and rubbing his soft nose in her hands and lap he pushed her to sit pulling his blanket from his back with his teeth and dropping it on her lap rubbed her head with his nose and backed back into his stall. When the demon containing blonde came forward to close the stall he reared up and stomped the floor daring him to come closer – they might be able to help his Mistress but he didn't trust them, the stall door would remain open and he'd kill them if they hurt her. Hades waited and waited and seeing the sadness start to completely overwhelm his Mistress again he snorted and stomped whickering at the cold one until he finally got the message.
His Mistress was the only one of worth, all other humans were stupid.
Sasuke blinked and exchanged a disbelieving look at Naruto who if he wasn't as confused as the Uchiha would have made some joke about the look on his face. Clearing his throat and giving the large black and scary Stallion another look Sasuke sat next to Sakura careful to keep at least a foot and a half between them watching Naruto do the same but with a profound gentleness pull the horse blanket over her shoulders. He waited and when the Stallion rolled his eyes and shook his mane at him Sasuke saw the darkening of Sakura's eyes again having missed them lighting to emerald. Swallowing he spoke.
"At least you haven't had to put up with Karin and Suigetsu."
Throwing him a mischievous grin Naruto nearly cackled in laughter. "Yeah -My Sasuke is naked I have to see him, show me him. Mine Mine Mine. - how many times has she tried to crawl into bed with you? "
Sasuke shuddered. "Too many, or waiting naked in bed for me, ambushing me in the shower, as I'm getting changed, peeking, at least Suigetsu doesn't do that."
Giving a chuckle at Naruto's laughter he proceeded to tell Naruto the funnier stories that had happened while travelling with the annoying duo and Juugo, tears nearly streaming down Naruto's face at Sasuke's deadpan deliverance and slight smirk at some parts if he hadn't been keeping an eye on Sakura, silver hair now hanging over one shoulder she was staring into space emerald eyes dull but not black thankfully. Glancing towards the door Naruto sighed at the lashing rain wondering when it would let up, the wind had finally died down and though the rain wasn't as heavy it was still consistent and neither Shinobi wanted to bring Sakura out in it. So they listened to Sasuke's stories, Naruto asking questions and adding more of his own throughout it both worried about their teammate so much so that all questions and curiosity about her being Hime-sama were pushed to the side although Ino would most likely be able to answer that for them.
Naruto suddenly laughed at Sasuke's Kage no bushin comment. "Konohamaru did one better than me! And showed Sakura-chan for the pervert she is after all those years of her giving out to us about it; Konohamaru created two you and Sai half-naked and kissing, Sakura-chan had a nose bleed and fainted!"
Naruto laughed and smiled, Sasuke focusing on Sakura's reaction was unable to help himself joining in but at a lower volume keeping down his annoyance when he added. "At least they weren't having sex."
"Only because she fainted and Konohamaru got such a shock!"
Wrapped in herself made cocoon Sakura had focused on the sounds of Naruto's and Sasuke's voices, innocent times, carefree and no danger. The stories filtered in through her cocoon, thinning the wall she had created, protecting herself, the pain was there, the sorrow, the hurt, the humiliation. She had been weak. She had been everything Sasuke had ever accused her of being and hearing the stories listening it only proved it. She had been unable to do anything. She had been unable to protect herself; she had fallen from her horse, been knocked unconscious and carried away for those to hurt her. The voices faded and the memories surfaced.
Sasuke and Naruto stopped talking as the air around them suddenly turned frigid, Hades stamping his hoof and neighing loudly in protest. Turning to Sakura Naruto cursed as he watched emerald eyes turn black, her face smoothing out to an emotionless façade, before his very eyes she was dying.
"Dammit Sakura! Wake up!" Sasuke knelt before her, shaking her arms in fear that he would lose her too and at that moment she felt everything he did. Sasuke stepped back as she looked up at him, black eyes flashing and head tilting, his stomach dropped and sweat covered his brow. He was caught in her eyes missing the fact that Hidan skidded into the stables and cursed when he saw her eyes. Her words, the death in her voice, the tinge of whispers sent shivers down their spines and ice through her veins.
"Taken and stolen the story is twisted, hiding and fleeing, taken and twisted, solider to pawn, it was the mother not the father."
Hidan stepped forward and knelt before Sakura, fear so stark in his face that Naruto felt sick watching as the large rain soaked silver haired man reached forward and tenderly brushed her hair back behind her ear, looking into her black eyes.
"Sakura, Sakura answer me. My Little Hime? Sakura?"
Hidan bowed his head for a second, Sasuke narrowing his eyes at the sight of tears in the corner of his eyes before they were gone. Standing abruptly he reached out and pulled Sakura into his arms, hands desperately tilting her head back and pushing her hair from her face. His words were whispered, desperate and full of despair.
"No Sakura no, you are stronger than this, dammit Sakura come on. Mo chroí."
"What is it? What's wrong with Sakura-chan?"
"Explain."
Hidan ignored them, pleading with Sakura before fury took over him and he growled loudly. "No I'm not letting this happen!" Shadows swarmed around the stables, the large stallions stamping their hooves and neighing at the power being called. Warily and resisting the need to pull weapons Naruto and Sasuke stepped back from the silver haired couple watching the shadows dance around them, Hidan's eyes flashing pink as black crawled over his skin, the deadly hell likening skeleton form he took appearing in flashes until the shadows devoured them with a earth shattering roar.
Naruto swallowed taking deep breaths as he looked around the now empty stables, the horses rolling their eyes and snorting loudly, the scary stallion behind them shaking his mane, looking at Sasuke he saw the same fear in his eyes and without a word both ran out of the stables into the rain to find their teams and to find where Sakura went.
Deep within the castle, in the room where it had all started Daisaishi stood, dread filling the old man as he looked around the Sacrificial Chamber, something was terribly wrong, the castle itself, it's very stones held grief and within the last few moments loss. Numb. A part of him felt numb.
"Jashin guide us within the darkness."
His words echoed in the large chamber the doors opening as Nisou strode in, her face marred with worry as she nervously pushed her hair over her shoulders. "Something is wrong, I feel . . . . grief overtook many, it lessened but now . . " She trailed off unsure how to describe the feeling, something was missing. "The pull was strong-"
Her words were cut off as the torches at the doors quenched without a splutter, darkness overtaking the room, a chattering and moaning filing the room. Eyes wide Nisou braced herself for the expected onslaught, taking Daisaishi's arm and standing tall, unseen winds grabbed their clothes, pulling and pushing the fabrics and hair, an unearthly roar filling the room. The lone light from the small high window disappeared as shadows soared and covered it, in the darkness of the room it was even darker a vocal point of power that converged before the altar, surging and rising to fall revealing Hidan his skeleton form flickering.
Nisou gasped running forward, Daisaishi closing his eyes as the High Priestess knelt next to the Protector, the Little Hime in his arms, pale, fragile, and emerald eyes the deepest black without the hum of power that she usually held when so. Hidan looked up; pink eyes unseeing, one hand brushing Saukra's silver tresses back as he croaked.
"She's gone."
Nisou covered her mouth with her free hand, a sob rising from her throat, tears spilling down her cheeks. "She has used Jashin's power to protect herself, hidden herself."
Daisaishi blinked his eyes and held his amulet in his hand watching the heart breaking scene, his words soft holding infinite sadness.
"You are harsh but fair my Lord. But we are only human and can only take so much before we break." Nisou was crying freely and Hidan was stroking Sakura's hair speaking so softly and lovingly that they were intruding on an intimate moment, Daisaishi let his own tears fall.
"Oh my Little Hime."
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Dia Duit,
I'm back! Finally and with a proper chapter, back in the rhythm
So I really hope you enjoy this and I cannot wait to read what you thought about it. I have been updating Ibiki's Little Angel so I haven't been too lazy. So enjoy and let me know what you think x
Lots of love,
The Rose and the Dagger x x xx
