Chapter Two
2 years later~
CLANG
SHHHHTTT
TING
The sounds of metal weapons colliding sounded through the garden as I faced off against my uncle Shirokage. He was the eldest of my uncles and as such he was the strongest and fastest of my uncles. He fought with a naginata and damn he was good. After two years I was happy to be able to simply hold him off for a minute. Of course we'd been practicing for about three hours now and after training for the past two years and not winning, I wanted to end this battle now. I knew he would berate me later but, impatience niggled at me.
Which is why I ducked a fast slash before using my legs to try and kick his own out from underneath him. He jumped up anticipating this and swung down. I used my katana to block his downward stroke before I redirected his blow to the side before I turned and sliced the air. He blocked with his naginata resulting in us being in a stalemate for a few seconds. I wasn't strong enough to hold him for long but I could think of a few different moves. He shoved me backwards which I used to roll back away from his range before I got into a defensive stance.
He made a few movements to find a weak spot before I went on the offense. He blocked my swipe before the roles were switched and I was on the defensive. After five minutes of defending I saw a slight chance. Despite this being just training, I went for it. After Shirokage's next lunge I sidestepped to the right, faked going left before twirling back and going to the right. I used my leg to push his back footing off so he went forward before falling backwards onto his side. I quickly brought my katana down onto his neck and stilled. This was still practice, no drawing blood allowed here.
His naginata had whipped up to point at my chest, just below my ribs. It would hurt but it wouldn't kill me. I smiled at his disapproving look.
"I win."
"At the cost of injury Akana." I sighed moving backward to re-sheath my katana on my back.
"I thought the point was to win?"
"The point of these exercises is to win without getting injured." Shirokage stood up, latching his naginata to his back. "You are a brave warrior, but perhaps too brave. You should not be going for the kill especially if there is a chance you will die. You need to fight smarter. This was only training and as such you should not have gone for the kill."
"Understood." I looked up to meet his gaze. "But I still won." He deadpanned as I smirked.
"I am honestly wanting to discuss your training methods with your grandfather. Perhaps he could help curb your enthusiasm to return to the living world until you are better trained." I knew he was only saying this to get a rise out of me but dammit it worked. Fortunately I had reason on my side.
"While that may potentially work temporarily, you all know Akira and I only signed on for two years. Any more and my idiots may very well burn the world." Shirokage sighed. "Besides, Death Gramps tried to limit Hanako longer thanks to what uncle Shirogane and aunt Eiko requested, and while that payback was legendary and all, I grew up with a group of guys who are all assholes. Do you really want to see what I've learned from them?"
"The Akatsuki right?" Shirokage asked. I nodded while we walked to the sidelines. "Hmm."
I didn't look further beyond that hum as I got caught up in my own thoughts as I had been in the past week. Soon I would be leaving with Akira to return to Society 13. We had been in Society 1 for one month this time finalizing our practices and making sure our family here would be able to say we had learned all the necessary procedures and rites. Thanks to Shisui and Death Gramps' original proposition when we had first got here, Akira and I usually travelled back and forth between the Societies to learn the political, administrative and practical duties at both Societies. It was an experience but the long distance travelling between Societies was a welcome break. I remember the first week was a lot of information overload and anxiety just to learn what paperwork went where along with what society Reaped for what world, because apparently the Societies were all between dimensions. How fun, how annoyingly headache inducing fun.
"Akana," I snapped back to reality.
"Yes uncle?" He blinked at me knowing I had been lost in my head but he didn't call me out on it which I appreciated. He simply continued.
"You and your sister have learned a lot in the past two years and I am proud of you both. I imagine Tsukikage would be proud also."
"I suppose, though it is hard to know." I thought back to our last meeting when I had died. I didn't recall if he had said he was proud of me. I shook that thought away before asking, "Do you know what our graduation mission will be?"
"Of course. But I doubt that is what you wanted to ask." Uncle Shirokage was very intuitive and unlike most men, listened to the silences that were ignored. It was a good skill, annoying but good. I slowly asked him what I really wanted to know.
"Does it involve the Reaping of someone I know?"
"No." Shirokage wouldn't give any details until I had read them myself but if he knew who I was going to Reap, I prayed they went to Paradise. I didn't relish the thought of Reaping someone I knew. It was better to Reap a stranger than a loved one. "Akana, if you don't mind we do need to discuss some matters before we rejoin your sister."
"Sure, what's up?" I asked. He led me through a part of the garden that would lead us to the ponds. He didn't immediately go into what he wanted to discuss, of course he wouldn't, but I remained quiet. I liked spending our time like this.
"You know you and your sister have become true members of our family. Hanako and Kaori view the two of you as sisters and love and cherish you both. I know you in particular have difficulty with this at times, because of your connections with your Akatsuki members but I wanted to remind you that we are your blood." I admit it had taken me a while to get used to everyone here, mainly because I had difficulty seeing anyone other than the Akatsuki as my family. But they were patient with me and allowed me to relax and open up on my own. I appreciated that.
"I do understand this uncle. It has taken me some time I know, but if I am being distant I apologize it's just," A flash of memory and I was reminded of my idiots. Sasori and Itachi were at the top of that list followed closely by Deidera, Hidan, Kisame and Konan. After them it was Leader-sama and Kakuzu. Akana was still at the bottom while Zetsu and Tobi didn't even make the list. "I spent quite a bit of time with the Akatsuki growing up. They helped me more than anyone else had ever done. I owe them so much. That's not to say I regard them any more important than I do my blood, you are both equals in my eyes."
"I understand your loyalties Akana, truly it is a great group who have managed to win not only your loyalty but your heart. But from what I am hearing about them, I do need to say this," I looked at him as he paused. He met my eyes with his own blue ones. "We know what Akatsuki is planning for your world and this plan of theirs, it is violent, daring and suicidal. It will cost many lives, many unnecessary lives." The wind blew ominously through the trees as I absorbed what he was saying. I answered as calmly as I could.
"I know." I looked away to stare at the garden while I organized my thoughts. I had not expected to hear about this from anyone here, let alone my favorite uncle. I had let it slip my mind while I trained but this was something I had known about since I was thirteen. The Akatsuki plans for world peace through the Jinchuuriki was still the main goal and while we weren't ready to enact everything, fro what I'd been viewing from them, they were getting close. In a few more weeks they would be ready to look for the Jinchuuriki again. And thanks to me, they knew where to find the one tails Jinchuuriki named Gaara and the nine-tails named Naruto Uzumaki.
"I do not wish you to feel responsible for their actions Akana, but I do want you to know their path lies in the death of many civilians and shinobi alike. What they want to create is no being of peace it is a being of Destruction."
"You mean the Gedo Statue?" I asked.
"You know of this statue?"
"I read about it in some of the scrolls that Nagato had when I was younger. I wanted to know what Akatsuki's goals were and they didn't mind as I had proved loyal. It was also one of the first things I researched about in the libraries both here and back in Society 13." My tone naturally emphasized the 'loyal' of it's own accord. It wasn't a lie necessarily. I was loyal to Akatsuki, the true Akatsuki, not the sham that Obito had made it into.
"Then you are aware of it's destructive power. You cannot be in agreement with their resurrection of that monster." I shot Shirokage a glare.
"I realize that the Gedo Statue is more than it seems uncle and if what you and the other uncles hinted at during your history lessons is true then I'm positive I know how it came to be and what can result from it. I do not approve of the statue being a weapon but I can't help but wonder, what if it can be used to bring about peace through their illusions? Wouldn't that be better for all especially those who live such crappy lives that they are crushed of their hopes and dreams before they are even a fraction of their age?" Shirokage was shaking his head.
"That would be a false life, a cursed life. Nothing is ever as good as the real thing. Just because you know the history, does not mean you understand it. Lord Death was there when it was created. He reported upon it's horrors and the malicious being it created all because those Otsutsuki wished to evade Lord Death's scythe for longer than they were allowed." He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder and made sure I met his gaze as he spoke the next words. "Life is not fair to any living creature Akana, but that does not mean it is not beautiful. What the Akatsuki hopes for by achieving their goal is nothing but a fantasy. The Gedo is merely a guard dog for the monster that lies locked away."
"Kaguya?" I asked. He didn't answer but I nodded. "I know. I didn't say I approved of Akatsuki's methods, I was only asking a question. I understand the dangers uncle I do, but they are my family, I do believe in their mission, their original mission to pursue peace." My hands gripped the bridge we stood on hard enough to have the wood underneath creak. "There is a snake in Akatsuki poisoning them from the inside out. Obito has warped their true purpose into something for his own gain. Akatsuki themselves were not created to bring about the end of the world, rather it was twisted this way." I let my hands go.
"Have you any proof they are being used?"
"It's all on my tablet currently. Akira has a copy as well as a trusted individual. I may have done my own investigating into the matter. It helped once I was able to talk with a former original member named Yahiko."
"You have your own agenda don't you Akana." It wasn't a question.
"What can I say uncle, I will defend my family as best as I can."
"Be that as it may, you cannot keep them safe forever. All things die." That same line had ne remembering my fathers same words from so long ago.
"I know, but I have to at least try. If I don't, I will have regrets for the remainder of my existence." Shirokage sighed.
"The same headstrong qualities as your father. I know I will not be able to talk you out of doing anything stupid, so I ask that you at least be careful."
"I can try uncle."
"I suppose that is the best outcome. Now come along, we need to collect your sister." I nodded following him across the bridge to the secondary training arena.
Akira was fighting uncle Shirogane when we came upon them. She looked like she was holding her own. Shirokage and I stopped to watch the fight. Akira's chains clinked while the other end whirled with a whistling sound. The integration into Reaper Society was a bit of a struggle. At least on my end, but only because we had to live in Reaper Society 1 for a few months to learn how to get our spiritual powers to form into our death scythes. Akira had a Kusarigama that was sharp enough to slice through other metals. From what Shirokage told us, the Kusarigama was the hardest of weapons to master because one end was used as a shield or could be used to knock someone out if done correctly while the other end was used to hook, slice or stab someone.
My own weapons were surprising in that I obtained not one but three weapons, My main weapon was a katana which had been my weapon in life so I was able to adapt to it faster than Akira was able to adapt. Which led to me sparring with my uncles and cousin brothers more often than not to train my own footwork and my reaction times since they were faster than I was. Not to mention stronger. My second was a true scythe while my third was a dagger that came in very handy in stick situations. These took some time to use. Little by little, we had improved. From running fast to fighting faster and to just straight out getting stronger in general.
Watching Akira's determination and skills with her Kusarigama brought back a memory of our first time trying to form them.
Breathe in… Breathe out
Breathe in… Breathe out
Feel the chakra running through your body. Feel that familiar hum. That was an easy thing to do. I had first learned how to mold my chakra when I was about eight thanks to Itachi's gentle instructions and strict teachings. Considering how late on that I started I was surprised I had grown into a deadly kunoichi that Leader-sama felt was a good investment. No Akana, quit focusing on the wrong thing. Focus on your chakra. Focus.
Breathe in… Breathe out
Breathe in… Breathe out
Disregard that chakra feeling. Focus on that sharper fluid-like slip. That's your spiritual core. I felt it, it was a cool wispy feeling that closely entwined with my chakra. I couldn't even begin to separate them.
Breathe in… Breathe out
Mold that spiritual core and bring it forth. Let it pool and grow so you can continue to manipulate it. And that's where I failed. My meditation failed and I came back to reality in Death Gramps garden with Shisui, Akira and Shirogane watching us. I sighed before letting out a groan and falling backward onto the grass.
"I can't separate them. I can feel my chakra without any issues and when I go deeper I can feel my spiritual powers but to separate them, that's where it all falls apart."
"Well it's only the first lesson for you two." Shirogane commented.
"What is the point of this exercise again?" I asked as Akira flopped backward with a frustrated groan.
"It's supposed to help you reach your spiritual power so you can also summon your powers. You can't kill or harm any of the wraiths or demons with just your chakra." Shisui stated.
"I don't know about you guys but I can already summon hell-hounds. Can't I just call on them?" I asked.
"No. You cannot rely on the dogs of Hell for everything." Shirogane commented. "You need to be able to form your spiritual powers if you're going to be able to form your death scythes."
"When you say it that way it sounds cool but I can't seem to tear my chakra and my spiritual power apart." Akira stated. She looked at me. "Were you able to?" I shook my head at her.
"You two will get it. We just need to keep practicing." Shirogane's tone was gentle but there was an order behind it. I sighed before getting back into my meditative pose. Akira followed me and we started to meditate once again.
We wouldn't get it completely until about two months later but it was an experience.
Akira shot off the weighted end that was supposed to be used as a shield and wrapped it around Shirogane's arm that held his tanto. She then pulled him with all her strength before she forwent her bladed end and simply punched his face before pulling the chains again taut and then pulling him back to her. She held the blade at his throat and his tanto away from him.
"I win." She smiled.
"Good job Akira." Shirokage called. I rolled my eyes as he shot me a look.
"Good job sis!"
"Nice to see you two doing so well in your training." Shisui's voice sounded from beside me. "Course Akana still has some ways to go." Why that sneaky little cat faced rat!
"Good to have you back Shisui. You saw?" I asked giving him a level look. He laughed knowing I was continuing to curse him in my head. He had left a few days ago to do an impromptu mission that no one else could have done, or so I was told.
"Yep. It was entertaining to see how you won." I groaned in defeat. "I see Akira and Hanako finally convinced you to change your attire?" I looked down at my black and red top that I had been told went well with my black pants.
"I'm just glad they didn't fight me on the shoes. I yelled at both of them for trying to put me in kitten heels." I gave a dramatic shudder.
"They did get some make-up on her though." Shirokage added. Shisui did a double take to look closer at my eyes that thanks to my aunts, brought out the color of my eyes better.
"Looking good Akana." I glared at them both.
"I don't appreciate your teasing you goofs. Akira you ready to go?" I called. She turned to us and gave a thumbs up. "I'm going to go pack. Uncle. Shisui. See you both later at the train station." I did a shunshin back to the palace leaving both males to stutter out apologies. It was a funny thing to not like being teased but I had no problem teasing someone else.I knew it was hypocritical but it was in my nature and I found habits hard to break so generally I didn't break them. I was entering the building entrance when the doors swung open.
"Hi girl, how'd you do?" Hanako, youngest and only daughter to my uncle Shirogane asked. She was exiting the building, not doubt on a mission. We had bonded immediately upon meeting two years back. It was kismet as she got along not only with myself but Akira also.
"I won by risking myself in practice." She high fived me.
"They should at least be glad that after two years you managed to knock uncle Shirokage on his ass."
"You know how men are." I shrugged. "You going on a mission?"
"Yeah, there's some issues going on in Society 10. Something about the devil having a son or sons and throwing everything out of whack? I don't know but I have to go check this out."
"Hey if you see a boy named Rin tell him I said 'Hi'! And good luck dealing with Mephisto." I waved.
"Good luck here too, tell Akira I said to knock em dead!"
"Will do!" I waved at some of the Commanders who were entering a meeting with my uncle Hirohito. He had taken over for Shirokage and Shirogane once they had started training us. Commander Namikaze waved before being dragged away by Commander Inu no Taisho, The other Commanders nodded respectfully before I rounded the corner and left them all behind. In the two years here I had learned a lot about the separate universes and their corresponding Commanders and Generals hierarchy. The 13 Societies as I knew them were a bunch of different universes all connected by Death Gramps as he reaped their worlds also.
From the latest gossip, Death Gramps was in talks with getting authorization over another Society but so far they were still talking about it with that universes deities. Right now some of the different universes we looked over had either super heroes, demons, other grim Reapers who were cool to work with or other species entirely. Uncle Shirogane had ex[licitly states that Death Gramps was only one of a large number of Death gods who were all connected but all so very different. They all had their sections from what I knew but it got a little too complicated after a while so I had stopped listening, to be honest it kind of scared me.
Once I made it back to my room I started packing a change of clothes that Hanako and Akira had gotten me along with lip balm and some hair ties to put my hair into a ponytail if needed. I would have to get shinobi supplies once we got to a town in the Shinobi lands, everyone here used their own Reaper scythes since it was apart of you. They were always sharp and always returned no matter where you left them, due to this there was no need to buy any weapons here.
Another look around my room was done to make sure I hadn't left anything behind. The floor to ceiling windows gave enough natural light to see my king sized bed, comfy couch and chair arranged in front of my fireplace and my desk with my tablet on it. I couldn't take this kind of tech with me, so here it stayed, Funnily enough, a couple months ago I had no idea how to handle a tablet or even the level of technology that went into it, but Hanako had helped me get used to touching the screen to access whatever I needed to view my files or find a specific soul.
For now I was all set in packing. Tablet in hand, I thought about my next action only briefly before I turned my tablet on and typed in 'Sasori Akasuna'. It took a second before I was looking at a live feed of him in his room working on his puppets. He was either working on his puppets or on a mission. It was unfair to view him like this I know, but I missed him. I watched him work for a few minutes before I exited out and typed in 'Itachi Uchiha'. Itachi was with Kisame, they looked like they were in a forest somewhere just walking around. Kisame was talking to Itachi who was probably listening but not saying much. I couldn't hear what was being said unfortunately.
Soon I would be able to rejoin them.
The thought used to send fear through me but I had run this course already and at this point, everything was just anticipation and impatience to see them all again.
Slinking along the street like an orphaned urchin was actually pretty easy once you got in the hang of it. No one really looked at a child that was dirty and covered in disgusting things. Which is how I was able to slip through the crowd to my intended targets. Civilians were easier to pick pocket as they rarely paid much attention but Shinobi were better as they usually had more. Which is what I was doing to show the other kids I could steal from a Shinobi. The man I saw had long black hair and wore a black cloak with a red cloud on it. He seemed like he was having issues as his teammate was also a man with long black hair. They must be having an argument. Perfect.
I didn't want to draw this out for longer than I needed to, especially if they were distracted so I quickly darted forward and ended up being shoved into the man with long black hair. I looked up in fear to see him looking down at me with black eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes didn't move from mine as his eyes swirled to change to red and black. My own eyes whirled to life. This shinobi was a good man. I don't know where that thought came from but I knew it with my heart. I tilted my head in curiosity.
"Itachi are you okay?' The other man's hiss snapped me out of my trance. Right, I had a job to do. I backed away from the shinobi and darted into the crowd of people, knowing to stay low and to get out ASAP. Coins jingled in my hand making me smile as I met up with the other kids I took care of.
"Akana, you're back!" Little Umi cried in happiness. Oumi, Sen and Goro perked up.
"Of course. No Shinobi is gonna stop me." I handed her half of the coins before ordering her to go get something to eat. We would eat well tonight.
That night I woke suddenly from a dead sleep. The others were still asleep around me but I new something was up. My eyes activated in a swirl to see nothing in the shadows but when I looked up, I saw the same man I had run into earlier watching eyes were glowing a red that raised my hackles.
"Hounds of Hell, protect my friends." I called. I knew without looking that from the deepest corners of the shadows, Hellhounds came growling. The shinobi didn't react, simply watching me. What did he want? I kept my eyes trained on him while the Hell Hounds watched my back. We just stared at each other until finally, the man moved. His eyes stopped glowing and he got up.
"Come." He ordered. I tensed, I was expecting his friend to pop out but nothing happened. "Girl, come with me." Oh, he was talking to me.
"Ao?" I called. She came trotting over I hopped on her back. "Track." I ordered. The man was gone a second later. Ao snuffled before she pounced into the darkness.
A notification on my tablet chimed alerting me to a message. I shook my head letting the memories fall away from that night so long ago. I pulled up my tablet to see Shisui had messaged me.
'Come down, Akira and I are waiting'.When I checked the time I saw two hours had passed. Crap I was late. I turned off my tablet, threw it in my bag and left my bedroom.
I was silent on the way to the train station, pondering the memory that had taken hold of my mind. It had been a long time since I'd thought about how I'd come to be in Akatsuki. Shisui and Akira were talking a mile a minute. They didn't notice how quiet I was being which worked out better for me as I didn't want to be disturbed from the memories.
I snapped out of it when I saw that uncle Shirokage was waiting at the train station for us.
"Go ahead and say goodbye. I already said everything at the training field." Akira said to me. I nodded handing her my bag. She jumped on board while Shisui waited by the door. I went and hugged Shirokage goodbye.
"Remember what I said about your Akatsuki, just be careful. If you need any help message me." He stated.
"I understand. Thanks for everything uncle." He waved me off.
"Ready to graduate?" Shisui asked before I boarded.
"Absolutely." I answered. He nodded before we got into the train.
A long eight hour train ride later and Akira and I were entering the Society 13 departure gate.
"I can never get used to the long ride." I stated as I stretched my muscles out.
"Wish we could sleep. It would go by faster." Akira agreed.
"It's not that bad. Try going 8 hours one way only to realize you left your paperwork back at the starting point and then having to go back another 8 hours and then having to get back on again to finally reach your destination. That would be killer."
"Have you done that?" I asked, throwing my pack over my back.
"Let's go get your assignments." Shisui stated ignoring the question. Akira snorted but allowed the subject change. We headed out of the tunnels and back into the light above ground. The fresh air did me good as I got a good lungful of air. It helped to wake me up more.
"So do you know who we were assigned?" Akira asked.
"Nope, sorry squirt. Even I don't have that much clearance." Shisui smiled.
"This is our first and final Reaping before we get to return to the Shinobi Lands right?" I asked. Shisui nodded.
"Yes. So try and get this done quickly." Shisui ordered as Akira and I moved to open the administration building.
"No problem."
"Piece of cake." We entered one of the administration buildings. Behind some desks were other Reapers handing files to other Reapers who read their files before nodding, signing off on the mission and leaving. A few of them shot us greets or just nodded at us before going on their way.
"Hello." I greeted the familiar Reaper behind the desk. "Picking up an assignment."
"Reaper ID?" He didn't look up so I took this time to have some fun.
"ID# 252-620." He started typing. He froze when he saw my name and looked up at me. "Akana? Didn't think I would ever see you in here."
"I know! I swear they were trying to kill me with boredom back in Society 1." He chuckled.
"Well give me a moment." He started typing more info in. A file materialized on his desk. He stopped typing to look inside and make sure everything was correct before he stamped it and gave me the file. I took it and opened the file. A picture of the man I was Reaping was on the file along with his information. Name, date of birth, gender, what village he was associated with and personal information. On the opposite side was his date and time of death, cause of death, location coordinates of where he would die and where he would be going for his afterlife.
"Looks good. Thanks a lot Hizashi." I nodded before I signed off on the file.
"Good luck Akana." I waved good bye and walked out heading to the portals. I would be doing this Reaping on my own, any mistakes were my own as well as any screw-ups. No pressure.
There was a cold wind that caused the trees in the park to rustle like an ocean shore. Wood creaked as I passed beneath them. The stone sidewalks were my only guide as I approached a portal. I wasn't going back to the Akatsuki yet, that would be my next jump, but the anxiety pressed against my chest so hard I had to take a deep breath once I stood in front of a portal.
With one last deep breath I stepped forward and thought of the coordinates to where I was going. The portal would take me where I needed to go. With a flash of white light I was gone.
My target was a Shinobi named Kurai who worked as a spy for Kumo. He was also an informant to Kakuzu and this was going to be their last meeting as Kurai had disappointed Kakuzu for the final time.
I sat at a café drinking green tea when I spotted Kurai's form. He wasn't very memorable, in fact he looked like everyone else. I guess that's why he was such a good spy. I got up in one graceful move before walking out of the café. I was soon invisible among the throngs of people here in Kumogakure. In the blink of an eye I appeared out of no where just in time to bump into Kurai. My hands moved quickly to tap his forehead while he froze for a solid second before coming to. He looked both ways before shaking his head and continuing on. His soul was ready for me to claim it.
Thanks to what uncle Hirohito had explained, a Reaper had only to touch their intended target anywhere they had skin showing, and the soul would be marked as 'claimed'. Only I would be able to take his soul to his afterlife. All I had to do now, was wait.
I returned to the café and continued my tea that was now cool.
My second cup of tea was just cooling into ice when I felt the necklace at my throat pulse twice before it became warm. Kurai's soul was mine. I paid for my tea and walked out of the café, starting to head to the nearest ruins.
And to think, I thought this would be hard. I was slightly disappointed.
Walking through the mountain air was refreshing, nothing like walking after a good rain but it was a close second.
The nearest ruins were about forty minutes away and I made it with no trouble. I activated the portal before with another flash I appeared back in the dimensional rift known as home.
Shisui was pacing when I appeared. "Are you okay?" He asked, looking me over. I smiled before frowning in concern.
"Of course. Why what happened?" He stopped and shook his head.
"Nothing, it's- I was honestly expecting you to have some trouble with this soul."
"Why?" I asked. "It was a simple bump and touch before I went back to drinking tea. No demons or wraiths."
"Well that's good. Honestly I was expecting you to be the one that would run into troubles." Shisui chuckled, scratching the back of his head. I deadpanned.
"Your concern is touching. Where's Akira?"
"She's not back yet. She was supposed to be back before you though so she must have run into trouble." Just as Shisui finished talking Akira appeared from a flash looking relaxed and nonchalant. She stopped as she caught sight of me and Shisui.
"Did I miss something?" She asked. I rolled my eyes.
"No, Shisui was just going all maternal on us."
"I was not." Shisui gasped. I rolled my eyes again before I stepped around him to start taking my soul to his afterlife. "I was not, honest!"
"What did he do?" Akira asked joining me. "Wait, are you back before me?"
"Yep. He was surprised too." I stated.
"Oh, ouch." Akira sighed. "How disappointing Shisui." He ran up to us and gave Akira a betrayed look before he went on to explain.
"I was only being cautious. I mean out of the two of you, Akira would be the most reckless."
"Excuse you?" I snapped. "I was a goddamned spy for Akatsuki, I would not be reckless to jeopardize a mission."
"Konoha, Orochimaru, Kabuto and the seal?" Akira listed off. I shot her a glare.
"Traitor." We bickered all the way to the two afterlife buildings. I would be going through the building to Hell while Akira would be taking her soul to Paradise." We left Shisui behind to complete this next bit on our own.
When I entered the black building there were only four receptionists and not as many Reapers as I would have though. I tapped the tablet that waited on a dais upon entering. I entered my ID number and signed off that I had collected my soul. The tablet then gave me a number for which line I would be entering. Line 4 wasn't packed, in fact it was pretty empty so I simply walked to the teller.
"Reaper ID?"
"252-620. Soul collected successfully." I produced the file for the Reaped Shinobi. She looked through the file before stamping it three times and signing off. She gave me a number on a small piece of paper.
"Soul to room 621." I nodded before entering through her left and going to the elevator. Reapers were all waiting for the four other elevators while Line 4 and Line 5 were empty. I pressed the button to call the elevator and waited.
With a ding the elevator announced it's arrival and I entered, pressing Floor 6, the doors closed and flute music started to play. I didn't really pay much attention as the floors went past. Honestly the building was pretty boring if you entered as I had. It was all standard procedure, except of course once you entered the room then you were introduced to the various levels of Hell that existed. As far as I knew, the limit of doors for Hell were too numerous to count. Not that I had, but there were only 5 levels and this building itself didn't look like it held that many doors for everyone in existence, but I knew better.
The doors opened with another ding. The hallways here were lit in a bright light that burned my eyes. It illuminated the stark barren walls with doors that lined the limitless hall. It was clean, but it was ugly the way it practically shone. I quickly found door 621 and opened it. Inside this room, everything was dark. I didn't want to linger so I opened the locket at my throat and blew Kurai's soul into the darkness before I slammed it shut.
I didn't hesitate to get back into the elevator and down to the first floor. No one stopped me on my way out but I did see three other Reapers entering line 4. I waved before I exited the building. Shisui was waiting as it looked like Akira had just finished also. She had a lollipop in her mouth.
"Done." I announced to Shisui who smiled.
"Congratulations girls you are officially Reapers."
"And it only took 2 years." Akira drawled. I snickered while Shisui rolled his eyes."
"Yuck it up you two, you're going to be missing this place."
"We will." I nodded at Akira. "Right."
"Oh yeah. Gonna be odd to return to a world with actual seasons again."
"Oh, I almost forgot." Shisui pulled out two files. He was completely serious as he handed us the files. "These are for you two. Don't kill the messenger please." I frowned at him while Akira laughed. I flipped the file open, reading the name and demographics of the soul I would Reap next. I froze at the information in this file. No, no this couldn't be true. I looked up sharply my heart feeling like it was stuck in my throat.
"Shisui? What is this?"
GM NASAI: Cliffhanger!