Sasuke's head was low as he shuffled between the scurrying people throughout the market. The sun was shining brightly this midmorning, the people were a chatter of business, foods smelled through the air but Sasuke kept his face hidden in the shadow of his despair.
"He told me, to tell you, that he's gone to see Sakura because—he's sorry, but he's found his true love and…"
The voice of the innkeeper's message from Naruto played over and over in his head. After everything Naruto said? After what he shared? And what they shared last night? Sasuke shook his head, trying to not let it overcome him. His heart was heavy and full of sorrow, he should have known it was too good to be true, he had seen enough of heartbreak over the centuries. He continued shuffling along the path, not paying any mind to anyone around him.
Kushina began to set up the wares around the yellow wagon, getting ready for the business day. Her mistress was still sleeping, not uncommon for when she was out all night drinking it up with god knows what or who. She rather enjoyed the silence and quietness of the morning so she could patter around the site on her own.
She caught the glimpse of the dark haired man in her peripheral vision and had to take a second look. It wasn't everyday that such a well dressed individual came through the marketplace. Turning quickly, she immediately recognized him from the day before. Her mistress had played a cruel joke on him and the blond he was with. Being in her bird form, she witnessed it all sitting on her perch on the outside of the wagon when her mistress had turned the beautiful blond into a mouse. She knew something was up with the dark haired man when he tried to rush her mistress but was held back by an invisible force.
Kishina was suddenly hit with a memory:
"You shall not seek the star, touch it, smell or hear it. You will not perceive him even if he stands before you. Pray you never meet me again Kaguya."
"Hey! Wait!" she suddenly called out to the back of the dark haired man. He was the star! He had to be! It was the most reasonable explanation for it! "Hey!" she cried out again but the man did not turn. He continued to walk away from her, his head low and weaving his way between other people. Kushina tried to run after him but the enchanted rope, that held her prisoner, would not let her move any further from the wagon.
The man disappeared within the waves of people and Kushina pulled on her red locks. What could she do? How could she…? She turned to look at the wagon, a plan coming forth. She ran to the hatch door and peeked inside. Her mistress was still sleeping, her snores echoing through the small covered wagon. Kushina quickly shut the doors quietly, locking them securely and ran around to the back of the wagon where the horse stood tethered and eating.
==intermission==
Naruto strolled up the dirt road in the Hidden Leaf village. A relaxed smile on his face, he glanced at the homes that he strode by and gave friendly nods to the people that started to mill about. The town was waking up and Naruto was all too familiar with the sights and sounds of the morning. The townsfolk just nodded and smiled at him as he passed, not even knowing that he had been away or had changed.
Making his way up the dirt path, he stopped looking up at the two storey familiar family home of Sakura Haruno. 'The flowers certainly make the house look beautiful,' Naruto thought to himself as he bent over to scoop up a couple pebbles. He shook the tiny pebbles in his hand briefly while looking up to the second story window where Sakura's room was. Pondering it, he chuckled briefly before dropping the pebbles. He was going to do this right and knock on the household door.
Knocking on the door, Naruto took a few steps back, waiting for a response. Not surprising, Sakura opened the door in her morning wear and her green eyes widened at seeing Naruto staring at her in return.
Naruto smiled, "happy birthday Sakura."
"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed after she heard Naruto speak. Her eyes looked Naruto up and down as she walked slowly around him. "What happened to you?"
Naruto smiled and started rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I found the star Sakura," he informed her with a smirk.
"Really!" Sakura exclaimed and she clapped her hands together. "I can't believe you did it! Where is it? Where's my star!" She held both her hands out and her green eyes glittered with excitement while she rocked on her heels. "Is it beautiful?"
Naruto tilted his head, his eyes looking to the side in thought. "Yes...yes, very beautiful," he responded in a whisper.
"Well?" Sakura snapped out, breaking Naruto of his daydream state.
Naruto shook his head, his eyes looking back at Sakura. He let out an embarrassed chuckle. "Sorry, ah yes, it is here," he replied while pulling out a cloth from his inside pocket. He placed the wrapped up cloth in Sakura's waiting hands.
Sakura's brows furrowed as she examined the small cloth. "Well it's awfully small…" she criticized.
"Well, that's just a piece of it you see," Naruto cut in. "A token-for your birthday." Naruto smiled and nodded at the pink haired woman.
Green eyes looked up, holding Naruto's blues in her own. A sultry smile began to climb on her lips and she clasped the cloth in her hand and threw herself into Naruto's arms. Naruto stepped back slightly to balance the two of them, but found himself embracing Sakura. Her lips were close to his and her eyes flickered between his blue and Naruto held his breath.
"Well then...you can forget about the star," Sakura whispered out, her green eyes twinkling. "It's not the star that I want." Sakura fluttered her eyes as she moved her lips in closer to Naruto, hugging her arms around his neck tighter.
Naruto looked into those emerald eyes, looking back at him with desire, want and devotion. Her lips were plump and he couldn't help himself to watch her pink tongue moistine her lips. She had dainty freckles across her nose, funny, he never realized them before.
"You know what I want…" Sakura purred out, her one hand running through thick blond hair, her body pushing against Naruto suggestively.
Naruto's breath hitched and he stepped forward towards Sakura, moving so he was holding Sakura close, his lips moving closer to hers. Sakura began to flutter her eyes closed, "Yeah," he whispered lowly, "you want to grow up and get over yourself." He released Sakura immediately and her eyes flared open, her arms failed out as she lost her balance and fell to her ass on the ground. Naruto stepped back and snorted out a laugh.
A sudden noise of something falling to the ground and gasping behind him had Naruto turn quickly and face dark gray eyes and an open mouth of shock. The mouth quickly began to frown and clenched teeth appeared instead. The eyes narrowed as they looked at Naruto then at Sakura who was still on the ground. Dust was settling around a large brightly wrapped box that was now on the ground (that was obviously being carried), and the man held a large bouquet of flowers in his other hand.
"Sai," Naruto said plainly.
"Naruto," Sai responded, spitting through his teeth. "You must have a death wish," he hissed out.
"Oh...Sai," Sakura whispered out when she clasped her hands together at her chest and let out a loud swooning noise when she saw Sai.
"Sai. No Sai! It's alright!" Naruto held his palms out towards Sai and shook his head with a chuckle as he took a further step back from Sakura.
Sai dropped the bundle of flowers and began to move towards Naruto, pulling his sword out and pointing it directly at him, dark gray eyes glaring straight at him. Naruto shrugged his shoulders and pulled out his own sword and gave a few twirls in his hand, preparing himself for a fight before taking the dueling stance. His jaw was stern and his eyes bored directly into Sai's, showing no fear.
Sai gulped immediately and stepped back slightly, his sword drooping. "Ah...I see," he breathed out, his eyes flickered between Naruto and Sakura.
Naruto relaxed his stance and flipped his sword about before resheathing it. He let out a small chuckle, "she's all yours." Naruto flipped out his arm towards Sakura, who was still on the ground. He rubbed the back of his head, "you really are a perfect couple. The best of luck to you both."
"Well why would I want this?!" Sakura called out.
Naruto glanced at Sakura who was still sitting on the ground but she was looking at the small cloth that he had given her moments ago. He stepped closer, trying to see what she was looking at.
"It's just-just a measly handful of stardust!" Sakura pouted out, holding out her hand towards Naruto.
Naruto hurriedly took the few steps towards Sakura, grabbing the cloth out of her hand. Holding it in his open palm, his blue eyes looked in alarm at the black sparkling dust centered in the small dainty cloth. He ran his fingers through the silky soft dust, and it immediately blew into the wind, leaving a sparkle trail behind it.
Naruto's eyes widened in fear as he looked up, the cloth slipping through his fingers and fluttering to the ground when a thought immediately came to his mind. "Sasuke!" he cried out in panic. "He can't cross the wall!" Naruto turned on his heel and sprinted down the same dirt road he had just walked up. The fear hit him like a brick, the thought of Sasuke crossing the wall and turning into-into- he didn't want to think about it. He pushed his legs as fast as they could go.
==intermission==
The crack of a whip, a horse's stamping feet and the "hiyah!"call was all that was heard when the small yellow wagon jerked forward and started pushing through the crowded market square. Kushina yelled at the horse as she held the reins in her grip. The wind whipped through her fiery red hair as she guided the horse and carriage through the market. People scrambled out of the way, yelled out insults and swears but she ignored them as she pushed the horse hard down the worn path.
Sasuke dragged his feet along the stone wall, his fingers now and then tracing the stone. His eyes still looked to the ground, not caring where he was going or who he may come across. His heart still hurt while the innkeeper's message went through his mind on replay. His body felt heavy, but he trudged on.
The small yellow wagon came breaking out of the trees and Kushina could see a form far ahead, close to the stone wall. She cracked the whip again, pushing the big horse to go faster, for the gap in the wall was closer to the star and she prayed she could get there in time.
Sasuke looked up as he saw the broken area of the wall. Well, this is it I guess. He took a breath and continued to walk towards the opening. He could see a figure, cloaked with a hat sitting on a stool on the other side. Hope they let me in, what if I have to fight my way through? Sasuke frowned slightly, not really wanting to have to fight to just walk through the damn hole to walk on the field that was clearly on the other side. Making his way through the long grass, he placed his hand on the stones to make sure he didn't lose his balance while stepping over the broken pieces on the ground.
"Stop!" a shriek sounded out.
Sasuke hesitated for a second but decided to ignore the call. It wasn't from the guard on the other side, so he didn't care to wait around for whoever was trying to get him. He had had enough of witches, princes, pirates and handsome blond's thankyou very much! Moving around the broken rocks on the ground, he moved his way through the gap in the wall.
"STOP!"
Something grabbed Sasuke's arm and yanked him back fast and hard. Sasuke felt a jolt of fear rush his mind as he felt his body being pulled backwards, his body out of his control when he fell back but found himself being caught before he hit the ground. Shivering uncontrollably from the sudden rush of adrenaline of fear, Sasuke tumbled his feet about trying to stay up and get away from whomever was holding onto him. His arms flailed about pushing away the intruder as he scrambled to his feet.
"Stop...please wait," a soft breathy voice broke through his wall of fear. Sasuke slowed down and stood slowly, a hand was still on his shoulder and he followed the arm up to a shoulder, which had a frill of fabric, meaning it must be attached to a dress. Sasuke's eyes continued up until he looked into emerald green eyes that were glistening with tears and looking at him with just as much fear as he felt only a moment ago. Fiery red hair was wind tasselled, a blush of red was across her cheeks and she was breathing heavily like she had just run a mile. Sasuke looked at the woman with surprise. "Please wait," she breathed out again, her fingers gently squeezing his shoulder in a silent plea.
"Wha-?" Sasuke whispered out.
"If you go through that wall, you'll die." She shook her head through her breaths. "You can't go over there, trust me…" She gave him a pleading look before an explosion had both of them bending over and covering their heads.
"YOU LITTLE WENCH!" a scream hollered out through the smoke that was coming from the front of the wagon. "Where have you taken me!" The old witch out from the burnt out hole of the wagon, dropping to the ground and emerged from the smoke. Her eyes were flashing with anger, her hair flared up like flames as she scooped up the small enchanted chain on the ground.
Sasuke stood suddenly at the outburst from the old witch, the red haired woman stood between them, holding her arms out to protect him. The red haired woman suddenly shrieked out in shock as her legs were taken out from under her. The old witch pulled on the rope, the red haired woman grasped at the long strands of grass but it didn't help as she was dragged towards the old witch.
"You are in for such PUNISHMENT!" The old witch hollered out as she pulled again on the rope, the red headed woman grunting out while she was dragged. "You are so going to be taught a-"
A flurry of horses came around a bend from the opposite direction and Sasuke turned to see six black horses and a black carriage coming to halt, just a few feet away from him. 'HOLY shit what the hell?' His mind was a flurry of questions and confusion, as he looked back to the old witch who now had the red headed woman at her feet and she narrowed her eyes at the black carriage. The door flung open of the black carriage and Sasuke shivered at what was sitting on the inside.
"Planning to walk through the wall deary?" The sickenly harsh voice sing songed out as she stepped out of the carriage. "If death is what you wish my dear, I'd be more than happy to assist you," said a woman who wore a coloured wig of dread locks of reds and oranges stepping up to Sasuke. Her skin was gray and was hanging off her face with deep aged wrinkles. Her nose was crooked and her lips were thin and white. And when she cracked her lips into a grin, Sasuke could see the rotting discoloured teeth and black tongue. She lifted a gloved hand and moved her fingers to touch Sasuke's hair. Sasuke shuddered as he could feel the evil and darkness emanating off this wom--no-creature. He felt frozen in his stance, his body wouldn't respond as his eyes stared wide at the creature before him. She cackled quietly as her empty eyes roved over Sasuke's face.
"Are you talking to me!" the old witch called out, pulling the red haired woman off the ground harshly. The red headed woman looked at Sasuke sadly, her green eyes pleading at him.
The wrinkled creature snapped her head at the old with and snarled. "You," she spat out as she took steps towards the old witch. "Small world," she cackled out. "But anyhow, no. I was talking to the star," she breathed out and turned to look at Sasuke again, her fingers reaching out to him again.
Sasuke could see those empty eyes trying to consume him and he suddenly couldn't breathe. What the fuck was this-this thing?!
"What star? My slave is no star! Any fool can see that!" The old witch cackled out. "Besides, if my slave was a star, I'd have had the heart out of her chest a long time ago! Trust me!" The old witch sneered out and cackled again, waving her arm at the other for emphasis.
The withered creature snapped her head back, her wig dreadlocks whipping around when she gave the old witch a snarl. "Hah! Trust you? Not a mistake I'd be likely to make again I assure you!" She put her hands on her hips and gave a smirk before making her way closer to the old witch. "What will it be Kaguya? Heads or tails?"
A shrilling laugh erupted suddenly that had Sasuke jump back. The two old creatures had thrust their hands up and glares of heat and colours exploded from their hands directly at the other. The force from the blasts blew continuously around them, causing the old witches' hair to flare up like it was on fire and the old creatures' dreadlocks were flailing around. The creature laughed as her fire pushed and pushed on the other. The old witch wailed through her clenched teeth as she tried to step forward, her own flames pushing again the other.
Sasuke felt arms around him suddenly and he turned to be faced with the red haired woman with kind green eyes. He looked down at her leg and saw the silver enchanted rope around her ankle. The same looking rope that Naruto had used on him when they first met. 'She's a slave…' Sasuke suddenly felt he could trust the woman and he allowed her to embrace him while the two witches screeched out and shot their coloured fire beams at each other. And then it was over just as suddenly as it began, and Sasuke could see the old creature breathing heavily and chortling out with glee. She was bent over slightly, obviously exhausted and her coloured dreadlocks were no longer there. Her head was nearly bald, with strings of wiry gray strands of hair in various clumps.
Sasuke gasped out when he saw the old witch stumbling around the grassy area, her arms stretched straight out but a burnt area with a wisp of smoke was all that was left where her head once was. The red headed slave grabbed Sasuke and turned his face into her shoulder. "It's alright, I'm here," she whispered out as she watched the old witch's body continue to stumble about. Sasuke's eyes were wide open in shock, staring at the rocks that made the wall as he heard the shuffling of the old witches feet still moving about, the chuckling of the creature that did that to the witch while the red headed woman stroked his hair giving cooing noises of comfort. His body was trembling with fear at what he had just witnessed, right before his eyes and slammed his eyes shut, tears escaping when he heard the unforgettable sound of a body slamming into the ground. A sizzled noise rang through the air when the old witch's body disappeared in a flash of flame and smoke, leaving a burnt impression of a headless body in the grass. Sasuke hugged the woman tighter and he prayed that he wasn't there.
"Oh god," the green eyed woman whispered. She hugged Sasuke and stroked his hair. "We have to go." She clamped her mouth shut suddenly when she felt a tingle on her ankle. Looking down, her heart jumped a beat when she watched the silver enchanted rope begin to disappear into nothing from one end and run the length of the rope until it was completely gone. The enchanted chain that held her prisoner for decades was finally gone, because the old witch was dead. She was suddenly filled with exillerance and she pulled Sasuke's face out from her shoulder and ran her hand gently along his face, wiping the tears. "Look at me, look at me," she whispered out, her thumb gently rubbing away the tears. Sasuke's deep onyx eyes looked up through his wet dark lashes.
"Time to go!" The old creature crowed out as she stepped towards the two.
Sasuke eep'd when the red haired woman pushed him behind her, standing tall and proud between Sasuke and the creature. "He's not going anywhere with you!" she growled out.
The wrinkled creature stood before them, Sasuke could see her empty eyes gleaming with excitement as she tried to look around the red haired woman to see him. "Oh I think you'll find that he is," she laughed out. She put a hand on her hip, and tipped her head, looking over the red headed woman. She tsk'd out and twirled her fingers about. "Oh it's alright, you can come too!"
Sasuke gasped out as he felt a slithering feeling wrap around his wrist and he pulled his hand away quickly, only to find that he was attached to the red headed woman's wrist as well. The other end of the silver enchanted rope appeared out from the old woman's fingers and she yanked quickly, tugging them towards the carriage but Sasuke retaliated and pulled back. The old creature glared at him, not even fazed that Sasuke had pulled back. It was futile, the enchanted chain obviously didn't act like a regular rope, allowing the enchanter of the chain to have complete control. She tugged hard again on the chain, causing Sasuke and the red haired woman to stumble forward. He couldn't fight it! It felt like he was being pulled by a herd of horses rather than just an old lady!
"Now, you can either ride in the carriage or be pulled behind it. Your choice." Her voice was filled with annoyance while she opened up the carriage door, waving to the inside, while tugging on the rope. With each tug Sasuke and the red hair were flung forwards.
Falling to the grass on all fours, Sasuke breathed out heavily and glanced over at the red haired woman who had fallen to the ground beside him. Green eyes looked sadly at him and conveyed their apologies. With a sad look on her lips she grasped his hand and squeezed gently, trying to give silent support. He found her hand warm and comforting, and he threaded his fingers through her's, silently hoping he could give her the same comfort. With a deep breath, he gave her a nod and they both stepped up into the carriage together. The old witch cackled out happily as she stepped into the carriage behind them, slamming the door as the horses jerked forward and across the grass.
==/\/\==
Naruto jumped through the tree line, his feet landing in the tall grass while he continued to sprint across the field. He could see the old guard carrying his stool and muttering to himself as he walked away from the broken area of the wall.
"Woah woah," Naruto panted out, waving his arms about in front of the old man, screeching to a halt in front of him. "Wait, please, sir." Naruto placed his hands on the old man's shoulders to get his attention. The old tired eyes looked up at him in surprise. "What happened?"
The old man blew a raspberry. "80 years I have been guarding this and stopping you people from going through. 80 years!" He threw his arm up pointing at the hole in the wall. "But for what? What should have I really been worrying about?" He threw a glare at Naruto.
"Please, sir...what happened?" Naruto pleaded with the old man. His eyes looking from the wall to the tired face.
"What I should have been worrying about was those people from the other side coming in!" he shouted out.
"Please sir! Tell me what happened!" Naruto frantically called out, his eyes begging the old man to tell him.
Izumo looked at those pleading blue eyes and took a deep breath. He quickly explained what he had seen.
"Oh my god, no!" Naruto gasped out. His eyes searched the old man's and found no lies. "I-It can't be-"
"You wanna go through? Be my guest! I quit!" Izumo grumbled out as he shouldered his way past Naruto and made his way through the long grass, still mumbling curses under his breath.
Naruto gave a quick glance at the old man before he sprinted towards the hole in the wall. Leaping through, he slid to a stop, his eyes took in the horrifying scene. A burnt outline of a body was in the grass, still smoking and smelling horrid. Broken debri and a smoldering hole in a yellow wagon. He recognized that wagon, the same one that was owned by that witch that turned him into a mouse! His eyes surveyed the area again. He could see fresh horse and carriage tracks, leading in a direction.
A snort and whinny caught his attention as he noticed a horse as on the other side of the wagon, still slightly hooked up to the smoking wagon. He quickly unhitched the horse and hoisted himself on its back. He had to follow the horse and carriage marks, since Izumo's explanation was that Sasuke was in that carriage. Digging his heels into the horses side, he took off in a gallop, following the tracks. 'Hold on Sasuke, I'm coming.'
==/\/\==
Several minutes later, Orochimaru pulled his horse to a stop at the wall. He looked at the burnt silhouette in the grass, the wagon and then at the tracks on the ground. He recognized those tracks as his brother's carriage. He then noticed another set of horse tracks, following the carriage wheels.
"Hiyah!" Orochimaru shouted as he spurred the horse, reining it in the same direction as the other tracks.
==/\/\==
Sasuke's head wobbled back and forth in the carriage, the red headed woman holding him close to her. The shriveled up evil woman sat across from him, gazing her empty eyes at him continuously. Everyone so often a black tongue would come out and drag across her cracked gray lips while she stared.
"Who are you!" Sasuke spat out, annoyed and slightly scared of the thing that sat in the carriage.
The thing smirked at him and clasped her hands together. "Your saviour," she chuckled out.
Sasuke huffed out an annoying sound, glaring hard at the woman before turning his face to look out the carriage window.
"She is one of the three infamy sisters who are of the most heinous of the ordinance of witchcraft," the redheaded woman whispered out to Sasuke while giving him a squeeze.
"Ah to be famous," the witch cackled out. "If you know who I am," she leaned closer to the two. "Then you know not to cross me," she sneered out while glaring at the two of them before licking her lips again.
The redheaded woman frowned and looked away. Sasuke squeezed the redheaded woman's hand and she responded in turn. Sasuke lowered his eyes and leaned his head on the woman's shoulder. 'Naruto…it's too late for me.'
==intermission==
Sasuke was shaken awake when the carriage stopped. He hadn't realized he had fallen asleep. Blinking his eyes rapidly, he looked about to see the sun was indeed still shining and it was most likely around noon. A warm squeeze brought him back to looking at sad green eyes. 'Right…I'm going to die now.' He gave a response squeeze as they stepped out of the carriage, the creepy witch pulling on the chain.
Sasuke looked about to see that they had stopped at a tall castle, gray brick covered in moss. The stone structure went high up into the sky, with dark windows on every level. Looking around, Sasuke noticed that this castle was situated in the bottom of a large crater and the castle was built into the side of the cliffs. Goosebumps traveled up his arms as he was dragged into large iron doors and the smell of rot invaded his senses.
"Come on now, don't dawdle." The old hag tugged at the chain.
"The star!" a high squeaking voice carried through the hall. Sasuke's eyes took in the site behind the doors. A large hall, with arched ceilings and chandeliers hanging in various locations. The walls were dark, but had large windows allowing some light into the room. Dozens of animal cages littered the floor. Everything from small rodents to large beasts were filling the hall with the constant grunting, howing, chirping, that Sasuke wanted to cover his ears. But the smell was the hardest. Combined with the smell of rot was the smell of animal, animal droppings, and old blood.
"Oh ho! Good work sister! And just in time I see! You look awful!" The shrilling voice called out with a cackling laugh.
Sasuke watched as another wrinkled old lady came skipping around the animal cages. Her head was covered with a coloured wig, her eyes were deep black, her skin gray and hung in folds off of her face. Her clothes looked as if they were ragged from years of use. Her grin consisted of black blotched teeth as she made her way towards them. She looked over at Sasuke and he felt himself shiver at the glare.
"What is this?" she sneered out while pointing at the redheaded woman.
"A slave girl for us. It will be nice to have someone mop up after we are finished with our guest."
Hinata and Tayuya gazed at Sasuke closely, their nose twitching while they leaned in close to sniff. Their eyes were glued to Sasuke as if he was a piece of cake, ready to eat, their tongues constantly licking at their lips, their crooked fingers wriggling and reaching out to touch his skin. Their pupils flickered up and down his body while their ragged breath hummed out noises of desire.
Sasuke shivered and cringed as tried to back away but hit a wall of cages. The redheaded woman hugged him close to her, whispering to him but he didn't hear. This was it, the end was here and there was no escape.
Hinata stood straight and snapped her fingers, causing the enchanted chain to begin to disappear into nothing, freeing Sasuke and the redheaded woman.
"Konan! Come get this slave girl and show her where to start!" Hinata chuckled out as she and Tayuya grabbed Sasuke by his arms and began to drag him deeper into the room. A taller witch came out from somewhere and grabbed the woman's wrist while the redhead held Sasuke's hand as long as she could until she was dragged in one direction while Sasuke was taken to the stairwell, his head hung low and his feet shuffled along with two witches to his death.
==/\/\==
Naruto dismounted the horse a short distance away from the castle so as not to attract any attention. He glanced at the high castle but didn't stop to gaze at any of the scenery, his thoughts going strong on his next move. The same carriage he got a ride on with prince Hidan was parked over in the distance. He quickly moved toward a window and peered inside.
Naruto peeked in through the filthy window pane. "Who are you?" a deep voice whispered next to his ear. Naruto's heart jumped out of his chest but he managed to keep his body still. Shifting his eyes to the side, dark eyes glared at him and a small growl escaped thin lips.
"Orochimaru? I knew your brother, Hidan," Naruto whispered.
"What business do you have here?" Orochimaru hissed out, moving closer to Naruto. "Unless you plan to meet him in the afterlife, I suggest you answer my question. Now, what are you doing here?" Orochimaru shifted his sword to point under Naruto's chin, causing the blond to inhale deeply at the sensation of the metal pressing against his skin.
"I might ask you the same thing," Naruto snapped back but with a smirk. He shifted his one hand slightly that had Orochimaru flicker his eyes down at his waist but without moving his sword.
Orochimaru eyed the blond's fist that was holding a dagger, clenched tightly and pushed into his abdomen. Orochimaru brought his eyes back up to the smirking blond, who's blue eyes twinkled but didn't show an ounce of fear. "Touche," Orochimaru lifted a brow and snorted out a huff. He pulled back his sword from the blond's neck and stepped back.
Naruto pulled back his hand, sheathing his dagger back into his back holder. His eyes never left the snake before him but he responded with a snort as he stepped back slightly as well.
Orochimaru peered through the window, "there are four of them." He could see the four shadows through the filthy glass. He stood back, turning to the blond. "Do as I say and we may stand a chance," he whispered out sternly moving towards the large doors.
Naruto grabbed Orochimaru's shoulder to stop the prince. "Wait," he narrowed his eyes at the man. "How do I know I can trust you?"
Orochimaru smirked in response when he glanced from the hand on his shoulder to the glare he was receiving from the blond. "You don't. Why? Do you have a choice?"
Naruto's eyes widened slightly. "Uhh...no." His eyes looked to the ground briefly in thought.
Orochimaru chuckled deeply before shrugging the hand off his shoulder and continued to move towards the large doors. "Well then, let's go." Naruto followed his steps.
==/\/\==
Hinata and Tayuya gripped each of Sasuke's arms as they led him up the grand staircase. Sasuke continued to look at the floor, the depression ripping through his body causing him to stumble on the steps. He had no strength to fight, but then why should he? He would always be in danger in this world for what he was even if he managed to escape and he had no way to get home to the night sky without putting himself in danger of being seen. Sure there was Captain Kisame, but it wouldn't be fair to the Captain and his crew if he was with them, Sasuke would only put them at risk staying with them. He couldn't leave this part of the world, unless he wanted to be a cold lump of metallic rock. He was better off just letting someone cut out his heart and put him out of his misery.
"Come on darling," Hinata purred out as she pulled Sasuke up to the last step, the other witch giggling like a hyena on his other arm.
Sasuke lifted his eyes slightly to see a large table, complete with leather straps and several large crystal knives, similar to the one he had seen the witch use at the inn on the man in the tub. A dark cloud grew behind his eyes and he began to withdraw into the deep recess of his mind. He didn't need to see anything else and he easily allowed the witches to put him on the table and attach the heavy leather straps to his arms and legs.
"There, all comfy?" Hinata purred out again as she began to stroke the raven's hair. "Fear not, though it would be nice if you were relaxed so your heart would be brighter, but alas," she tsked and patted his arms. "This will have to do." She gave a grin with her rotting teeth.
Sasuke didn't hear her while his eyes turned misty gray while staring straight up. His mind was slowly hiding away within himself so he wouldn't have to be subjected to the pain in his chest any longer.
Orochimaru and Naruto pushed through the front doors, their swords at the ready, causing the doors to rebound off the walls and make a booming noise that rebound and echoed through the large hall. All the witches glanced towards the door, pausing only briefly in their work.
Naruto's foot smooshed through something on the floor causing him to stumble and fall to the floor against one of the many animal crates piled all over releasing a muffled 'omph' as he fell on his side.
Orochimaru paid the clumsy blond no mind and shuffled quickly, sword drawn around the numerous crates of caged animals, his eyes not leaving the two witches a few feet away from him on the other side. His steps were solid and heavy, his eyes glared at the two witches that had turned to see him, one had golden eyes that were behind gray saggy wrinkled skin, the other was much younger than the other with vibrant red hair and green eyes. Orochimaru suddenly stopped, his head tilted slightly, his eyes blinking wide and his lips parted slightly.
"Sister?" Orochimaru whispered but his voice was rich with questions.
"Orochimaru…" the redheaded woman responded, her eyes wide with surprise and shock. She stepped back in the surprise and the old witch that held her was raising her hands over her head and released a growl.
Orochimaru flicked his eyes back towards the old witch as she hissed and shrieked loudly while running towards him with her hands glowing and sparking out blue flames. He raised his sword, ready to take a run at the witch before he was blown backwards as the blue flames erupted from her arms, swirled in a tunnel and slammed into his body. He stumbled backwards, trying to keep the flames from his face by holding up his arms and his sword dropped to the ground, the cackling of the witch echoing through his ears.
"Fucking god damn it!" Orochimaru growled out when the flames died down. He bounced around, trying to pat at his cloak that had small patches of flames all over. He slapped hard at his body, smothering the flames out and the witch released a cackle of laughs at the sight.
Naruto scrambled to get off of the floor, seeing that he had slipped on what looked like animal shit and he grimaced at the thought. 'Real smooth Naruto' He quickly peered through the bars of the stacks of animal crates, watching as Orochimaru was being attacked by a tunnel of flames. "Shit," he whispered. What should he do? Should he help Orochimaru? But Sasuke-
Catching the movement in his peripheral vision, Naruto twisted quickly when a hand fell upon his shoulder and he held his sword up at the redheaded witch that was suddenly in front of him. He was ready to strike the witch dead when her eyes looked at him with such emotion he stumbled.
She quickly grabbed his cheeks and her eyes rimmed with moisture. "Naruto, my sweet Naruto," she whispered, the tears overflowed and trailed down her smooth cheeks. Blue eyes were wide and looking at each moisture green eye and her lips continued to whisper out. "I'm your mother Naruto, Kushina, I'm your mother." She ran her one hand down Naruto's hair, petting him over and over before she pulled the stunned blond into a hug. She hiccuped tears as she continued to stroke his thick hair and squeeze his body into hers in a firm hug.
Naruto hiccuped out suddenly and pulled back, his eyes again wide in surprise and staring at the red haired woman, her green eyes sparkling from the tears that ran out. Her smile was warm and welcoming and Naruto's heart thrumbed excitedly as if it recognized his kin. "M-mother? Seriously? Your really-"
Kushina chuckled out as she shook her head in agreement, her tears dropping out with each shake. "Yes Naruto, it's me, your mother." She held his head in her hands and kissed his cheeks quickly. A loud cry broke the spell between the two and they both turned to look between the crates.
Orochimaru growled out as a spinning mass of flames flared out again towards him again, but this time he slipped out the way. His shoes slid across the filthy floor, he almost lost his balance but he wasn't a trained swordsman for nothing! Being a prince, especially one that would be hunted by his own brothers for the crown, he had trained long throughout his life. The witch continued to laugh and dance around, spitting out fire from her arms in all directions. Orochimaru clenched his teeth. He needed to take care of this bitch! Where was his sword?!
Glancing about he saw his sword on the far side of the fowl witch who continued to laugh and dance about. Jumping out of the way of another whirlwind of fire, he saw a round canister just near him that looked as if it had a single sword. 'Just one more minute,' he thought to himself. The freak old witch flung her head back and laughed again when her flames hit Orochimaru again, leaving burning flames on various areas of his arm. Orochimaru slapped at his arm as he ran to grab the single sword.
The witch stopped laughing and smirked at Orochimaru, who held the sword and his eyes glared daggers at her. He stepped forward heavy and released a snarl. Clenching his teeth he pulled back his arm quickly, his one hand gripping the sword, and stepped forward, grunting out as he threw the sword at the old hissing, shrieking witch. The sword whistled through the air, spinning faster than the eye could watch and its point made a sickening crunch as it found its mark in the old witch's chest. Gold eyes widened when the force of the sword pushed her backwards, dragging her heels across the floor. She crashed through the large floor mirror, the blast still pushing her back through the air and a sickening thud rang through Orochimaru's ears as the sword found its mark. The old witch's golden eyes were wide in surprise when her body came to stop but didn't fall to the ground. She looked at the sword that was embedded through her chest and the wall behind her.
"Rot in hell you bitch," Orochimaru spat out.
Konan furrowed her brow at the prince. She gave a snotty chuckle, blood spraying out across her chest before her body fell limp.
Hinata and Tayuya perked up their heads from over Sasuke's body. Hinata squinted her eyes and huffed through her teeth.
"Why that fucker-" Tayuya snarled out and stepped around the table. She would show that prince what real pain was. She stopped when Hinata grabbed her wrist.
Hinata didn't look at her sister while she glared at the long back haired prince, her growls vibrating in her chest. She took a few steps towards the bannister, pulling a ragged small doll from her pocket. With her other hand, she whirled her hand around the doll, green streams of smoke leaving her fingertips and disappearing into the doll as she whispered some words. Tayuya giggled out like a hyena as she watched Hinta work the magic.
Orochimaru looked about quickly, finding his sword and scooping it up. His eyes were on the two witches at the top of the staircase, he could see the star strapped to the table. He was only two bitches away from getting his prize, so he would be king for an eternity. He sneered in confidence while he stomped across the floor.
Hinata held the ragged doll up to her eyes after she had imbedded it with magic. She could see the prince walking towards the staircase, fire in his eyes as he smirked in response. Lifting her other hand, her fingertips grasping the small doll's arm, she flicked up the arm and sneered as Orochimaru's own arm gave a sickening snap when it flew up in the wrong direction. Orochimaru's blood curdling scream filled the room as he tried to grab his now twisted and broken arm. Hitana chuckled under her breath watching as the prince wailed out in pain, his body thrashing back and forth, his disfigured arm flapping about. She moved her fingertips down to one of the doll's flimsy legs. Pinching it lightly, she twisted the leg up and cackled loudly watching Orochimaru's one leg flip up and another sickening crack was heard. Another blood curdling cry was released as Orochimaru fell to the ground, screaming and thrashing about.
Hinata held up the doll, her head tilting as she watched with a smile at the dark haired prince, with two limbs out in impossible directions and screams retched through his lips. "Hmph...still smoking I see," she tsked out loud.
Orochimaru clenched his teeth shut to stop his screams and rolled about, tears squeezing from his eyes and he managed to hold his eyes steady at the witch at the top of the staircase. He breathed out heavily through his clenched teeth, the pain still riddling in his system but he refused to show any more weakness at the heartless bitch. He was a prince for fucks sakes! Future ruler of this land that included that wench who thought she could defeat him.
"Let me help get the rest of those flames out hmm?" Her lips peeled back in a sneer, showing off her black teeth and thick tongue. The prince looked back at her, confusion in his eyes and Hinata's fingers open, the ragged doll slipped through her fingers and fell towards the ground.
Orochimaru watched the small doll fall, his black eyes focusing on the twisted arm and leg, he understood immediately what it was. It fell quickly and landed with a quaint little splash, into the fountain that was under the staircase.
He immediately felt the coolness of the water around him, though he was still on the floor. He didn't dare breathe, knowing what the doll was and where it was, the revelation in his brain. His body began to rise from the floor and he could feel his arms and legs floating about like they were in water. He could see his hair spreading out like running paint. Moving his good arm he tried to swim as if he was under the water, but his body parts refused to respond. They continued to float about the air, as if he was under the water. He screamed in his mind at his limbs to move, his eyes flickered about the room as he floated a couple feet above the floor. His eyes landed on the old witch at the top of the stairs, she watched him back with a sneer of achievement on her dry cracked lips. Orochimaru's eyes just widened at her, his senses began to waiver, he could feel his lungs screaming for air and he opened his mouth, but no air came to him. His body convulsed uncontrollably as it struggled to get air and in his eyes, where the darkness creeped into the corners he continued to glare at the old witch until there was nothing.
Hinata snorted out loudly, her nose turning up at the sight of the now dead prince falling to the floor, his body making a muffled wet hard and heavy thump. She turned her eyes back to the star, who still lay upon the table, not moving, his eyes staring blankly straight up.
Kushina covered her mouth, suppressing her gasp as she watched her brother, Orochimaru fall to the ground dead. Her eyes were wide with tears and she shook her head.
Naruto gasped lightly, his eyes taking in all what happened between the one witch, and the one that finished off Orochimaru. He glanced at the top of the stairwell, his eyes falling on Sasuke's figure strapped to the table, the two witches poking, touching and preparing him. He could see the large glass knives as each witch inspected him. "Sasuke…"
He turned to look at his mother, saw her tears while she took in the sight. He turned her gently, her teary green eyes looking at him and he ran a hand over her bright red hair. "I need to save him mother, Sasuke, he's-"
Kushina placed both her hands on Naruto's head and kissed his cheek. He looked back at her, his eyes wide and pleading. "Then get on with it," she whispered and nodded her head firmly. She pet his hair lovenly. "Be the man I know you are." She gave a small smile and dropped her hands to grab his.
Naruto nodded firmly, squeezing his mother's hands. "Get outside," he firmly told her.
"Be safe," she whispered, giving him a quick hug, and turned to head out the front doors that still were open.
He watched his mother slip outside before turning around, grabbing his sword firmly in his hand and took a deep breath.
This was it. It was witch slaughtering time. 'I'm coming Sasuke.'
==x00x00x00x00x00==
So I want to thank those who still read this, I'm sure there is only like 10 of you that are still around, or less? The story is coming closer to it's end, believe it!
This beta been a busy beta and with work, thus my poor chapters are falling behind. I figure things will settle soon, and then these chaps can have my full attention again heh