Author's note: I was inspired, listening to 'Shadows' and 'Elements' by Lindsey Sterling. Also, thank you all for your feedback! You are the best!
Chapter 54: Personality Split
The next morning I was up before the sun's rays peeked through the sky. I quietly dressed into my bounty hunting gear and tiptoed into the living room where I nervously approached the end table next to the couch where Shisui was sprawled out. As I carefully took the papers, I peered at his peaceful expression as he slept soundly.
A small smile spread under my mask. I was going to make his life hell... At least until he gave up on not making any serious moves on me. I turned from him and silently made my way to the door. Just as I reached for the knob, the floorboard under my foot loudly creaked and I froze.
A low, quiet rumbling sounded through the air, causing a shiver to run up my spine. "Going somewhere...?"
I felt the heat of Shisui's body as he stood close behind me. I slowly turned to him with a sheepish grin, though I doubt he could see it.
"G-good morning, Shisui-sama..." My tone was filled with nervous embarrassment.
One of his hands planted on the door near the side of my head and with the other he reached around to flick the light switch on. I winced at the brightness before peering up at him.
His eyes were narrowed, an eyebrow raised. "Is someone running off now that she didn't get her way...?"
My eyes narrowed. "No... however I do think that you're absolutely ridiculous."
He smirked before kissing my forehead. "It will be worth the wait, Angel."
I pouted and rolled my eyes. We will see about that... "I have things that I'd like to do this morning...if you'll excuse me."
"You're angry with me?"
"Not angry..." I said softly, gazing into his eyes, "...just disappointed." I tilted my head when he grimaced at my words. My eyes softened, realizing that I've been too hard on him and I stood on my tippy toes to give him a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Sorry..." my eyes gazed to the side. I was ashamed. "...I love you, Shisui-sama..."
A light smile appeared over his lips and he gently touched my cheek. "I love you, too, angel." His deep voice was soothing to my ears and I could feel myself melt against his touch. "Hurry up and start making wedding plans." He stepped back to allow me to open the door with a grin.
"I'll do that..." I paused before making my exit. "...I'm really happy that you chose to persue guiding the young ninja of our village...Shisui sensei."
As I started to walk out, my wrist was caught and I turned to see Shisui with a deep blush. He pulled me back, sliding my mask down with the other hand and claimed my lips in a passionate kiss. My eyes were wide in surprise before they closed and my hands gently rested on his chest.
I'm going to have to plan this thing soon...I won't survive keeping myself together otherwise...
Shisui finally broke the kiss and peered into my eyes. "You're going to the Hokage's office?"
I was still having trouble controlling my breathing and the light blush that had formed. I quickly placed my mask again and gave a nod.
"Mind if I join?"
My head tilted and I smiled. "...You finished your studies...?"
He smirked at me.
"Silly question...of course you have." I laughed.
I hooked my arm in his and he was watching me curiously as we walked. "You do realize that no one else aside from us are up at this time...?"
"I intended to get some training in before visiting with the Hokage."
...
When Shikara said she intended to get some training in, she meant outside the village. She clearly wanted privacy as he walked with her to the camping spot. By the time they arrived, the sky was starting to lighten in color.
"Do you want help training?"
She turned to him with a soft blush. "You don't mind...?"
He chuckled at her sudden shyness. They had trained together before many times. "What's different now, angel?"
She paused in thought before replying. "I'd like to train, using the light energy...and also the dark that I have stored."
"You have dark chakra as well?"
She gave a slight nod. "If I don't start using some of it...it will deteriorate me from the inside out. That's what Kurai told me anyways."
"The demon?"
Her eyes closed. "I can feel it." She took in a breath. "It's like another part of myself that wants to be released." Her eyes opened again and gazed up at him. "If it starts to go out of control... please stop me."
Shisui's eyes narrowed. "How do you intend for me to do so?"
Their eyes locked. "By any means necessary." She said in a flat tone.
He blinked in thought. "And this needs to happen now?"
She gave another slight nod with determination in her eyes. "I need to do this before it comes out in the worst way possible."
Shisui sighed. "We need to get you that scroll..."
"I can't wait for the scroll. It becomes more difficult to keep myself under control as it is and I am to meet with the Hokage in just a few hours." Her voice became quiet. "It has to be now."
"This is why you were trying to sneak out this morning." She stared at the ground, holding an arm nervously. Shisui sighed and gently turned her head up by cupping her chin. "I'll make sure you don't go out of control. Just be careful, angel."
A small smile spread over her lips as she gave another nod. "I'll do my best. That's why I intend to use the light chakra at the same time."
Shisui was impressed with her logic. "You're going to try to balance it out...?"
"Yes."
He gave her an encouraging smile. "I'll be right here."
He hoped that his words were enough to give her the confidence she needed to pull off whatever it was that she intended to do. She gave him one last glance before turning to the water and slowly stepped forwards. Shisui knelt down to watch. He would stay attentive the whole time. There was no telling what might happen but he would try to be ready. He would protect her with his life, if that's what it came to.
...
I took a deep breath. This was my chance to finally release some of the over-powering energy which was causing my senses to go crazy. It was almost like having two people inside one body. Just like it was with Kurai but this time it wasn't a demonic presence. To my knowledge it was just the dark chakra eating away at me as Kurai said.
I raised my arm, commanding the air around to rise, then put my foot out and pointed my toe to give myself some extra momentum before spinning in a tight circle. The water around became a slow vortex. It was rare for me to use the air type element but this was necessary for me to gain control of the light chakra. I could feel it course through my body. Each movement I made caused the energy to gather and grow stronger as I moved across the water. As my movements became more quick to the imaginary tempo, I could feel the light aura begin to take form. My breathing became slow and calculated according to each movement. Every time I stepped, the water below my feet would freeze and become a beautiful frost-like pattern. The aura was now flowing around me as a mysterious glowing mist. It was time to call upon the dark energy.
I raised my arms and brought them down to my sides, creating a large circle as I focused deep down to my core. The light chakra bursted into runic symbols, the energy emitting from it caused the air to ripple and create a low tone that slowly heightened in sound. Bringing my hands together, my fingertips touched creating a triangular seal. I struggled to maintain the energy that was starting to become overwhelming. Taking a breath, I focused more from my core. My whole body started to tremble as the power from the light chakra started to ripple into an inferno around me. The dark energy finally surfaced. It began to intertwine with the light chakra. The immense power of the two combining and mixing together began to create a static energy.
My brows creased as I strained to remain in control. The amount of power started to erupt into a storm of fire and electricity. The dark energy was beginning to take over the light chakra and I felt it explode outwards, causing the air to whip around. A sudden mass amount of pain ripped through my body and I clenched my teeth.
I have to stay in control!
"Rrrraaaahhhh!!!"
...
Shisui stood and took a few steps forward, eyes wide in horror as Shikara became enveloped in both light and dark chakra. Her scream rippled through the air and he was left helpless. With the amount of raging energy of electric, flame and wind, he couldn't go to her without being blown away or seriously injured. She had summoned too much chakra. He tried to step onto the water but the amount of energy coursing through it prevented him from doing so. All he could do was watch powerlessly as his angel became consumed by an unexplainable storm.
"Shikara!"
A blast of energy knocked him back, he had to cover his face with an arm to protect his eyes. The amount of heat sucked the air right out of his lungs and he fell to his knees, coughing.
I told her I'd be right here, that I'd help her stay in control!
He shakily pushed himself up and by the time he was able to stand, the storm subsided. His breath finally returned and he charged forward.
There was thick mist all across the water. He had to carefully proceed with having little visibility. Just when he thought that maybe she had sunk below the waters, he caught a glimpse of a form laying across an ice sheet.
"Shikara!" He called out and ran forward.
...
I had no doubt that I had lost control of the insane amount of power. The last blast of energy came from inside and the amount of pain was measurable with when Kurai was ripped from my body. In fact it was the same feeling all over again. I was left paralyzed upon the cold sheet of ice that thankfully kept me from descending into the water below.
I heard Shisui call to me. I knew it was bad based on the desperation in his tone. My vision was blurry but I felt him carefully scoop me up into his arms.
"Shikara! ...Angel, answer me!"
I couldn't. My entire body was numb.
"Hang on...I'll get you back to the village..." I felt him stand, the feeling made me sick, my head was spinning. I was grateful to feel him pause. He was staring at something. "What...?" I heard him trail off before taking a few steps forward. "No..." was the last thing I heard before the world went completely black.
...
It had been days. Shisui was starting to loose track as he sat at Shikara's side. By orders of the Hokage, he sent word for Itachi to return. They were now in a mess that he wasn't sure how to clean up. Whatever it was that Shikara did, it went very wrong and he blamed himself for allowing her to proceed without enough knowledge on how to control her power. Things were so bad that ANBU stayed guard at her hospital room door and the Hokage herself ordered max security. When or if Shikara woke, she was in for some major detaining and questioning.
Shisui put his face in his hands. "Damn it..."
...
Itachi was put in a predicament when he received word to return to the village immediately due to some major forbidden jutsu, performed by Shikara who was now in critical condition. He had to play coy with Kisame which wasn't easy and somehow make his way back without being completely obvious about his true concern. If Shikara wasn't already considered to be dead by the Akatsuki, telling Kisame that he had to go to her wouldn't have been as much of an issue...the guy hadn't been blind to their...closeness.
When he finally came up with a good enough reason to leave, the day was already coming to an end. Shikara had been in the hospital for three days and it would take him nearly four more to get there.
Itachi sighed to himself. What did you get yourself into this time...?
...
Shikara's condition barely changed at all. Her breathing was shallow, even after having a blood transfusion. She had lost so much of her own blood that it was nearly impossible that she was still alive.
Shisui kept a close eye on everyone that entered the room. He had been questioned left and right about what had happened and he answered to the best of his ability but it didn't seem like it was enough.
How could they label a jutsu as forbidden when it's never been seen or heard of before...? He sighed and looked up at the many machines that were attached to Shikara. Her vitals were so low that he feared that they would flatline at any minute.
"Shisui..."
He turned his head to see Itachi at the door practically breathless. From the looks of it he had ran all the way here from god knows where.
"How is she?"
Shisui gazed at Shikara. "Not good." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. He was completely stressed out but refused to show it...much. "The Hokage herself as well as her subordinate will be performing medical ninjitsu just to try to stabilize her..."
"How did this happen?" Itachi knelt down beside Shisui and shared the gaze at the nearly lifeless angel before them.
Shisui took a slow breath and explained everything in a low voice. Itachi turned his head towards him when he finished. He was gritting his teeth. "It's my fault for letting her do it."
Itachi blinked a few times before he could reply. "She has made endangering her own life a habit...it's no one's fault other than her own..."
Shisui's eyes widened before he looked to Itachi squarely. "I can't deny that, however if she manages to recover they will imprison her for questioning."
Itachi's eyelids drooped a little. "She will be lucky if that's all... forbidden jutsu often times end in permanent imprisonment." His eyes met Shisui's again. "What jutsu did she perform...and why?"
There was a long pause before Shisui stood. Itachi watched him curiously as he crossed the room and stood beside a curtain which divided the room. "It was an accidental use of the jutsu...she didn't know what she was doing..." he then slid the curtain away to reveal another, nearly identical Shikara. She was in just as critical condition as the one they were familiar with. The only visible difference with this one at the moment was that her hair is a different color. It was nearly black.
Itachi's eyebrows creased as he stood to go take a closer look. "She..." he blinked in disbelief, "created a doppelgänger...?" The two men looked at one-another. Though Shisui had already seen her, the second her...his expression was just as stunned as Itachi's.
"This is why they have this place on lock-down..." Shisui was still eyeing Shikara number two, "no one knows how it will play out once any one of them wakes...if they do..." His eyes met Itachi's again. "I'm hoping for a peaceful resolution."
Itachi sighed, closing his eyes. "What will happen if there isn't one?"
It was a realistic question. Would they fight to protect their fiancé or allow her to face her crimes that she never intended to commit? The answer was obvious and the truth was everyone at that hospital knew just as well.
Shisui stood silently for a while before drawing the curtain back to its original position and rejoined at Itachi's side. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe...both of them."
Itachi gave a slight nod. He then suddenly coughed a few times, startling Shisui. Shisui patted his back, his eyebrows creased after offering his friend some water. "Thanks..." Itachi said.
"That sounds bad..." Shisui commented, eyeing his friend who was like a younger brother to him.
"It's nothing."
Shisui shook his head. "Yeah, okay..." after a few seconds he offered, "Shikara and I made my place home again...maybe you should go rest there..."
Itachi gave a low chuckle. "Coming from the person who looks as pale as our fiancé?"
A smirk spread over Shisui's lips. "Good point..." his head tilted, "if all goes well, what are we going to do about these two?"
Closing his eyes, Itachi slightly shook his head. "If things go well...she will need a good talking to..." his eyes opened again and peered at his best friend. "This sort of thing can't continue."
...
It wasn't long before a team of medical ninja filed into the room with the Hokage. A pink-haired young lady, who was eyeing Itachi entered last. They had briefly met in the past. Itachi calmly closed his eyes to avoid her gaze which was devoid of happiness to see him, especially.
"Itachi, Shisui, you will need to leave while we do this." Lady Tsunade commanded.
Both looked like they wanted to protest, however they did as the Hokage said. They weren't about to get insubordination piled onto their growing shit list.
Shisui turned to Itachi. "When they've stabilized Shikara I need to talk to you about something..."
Itachi gave him a weary look and eventually a slight nod. He rested his back on the wall and slowly slid down. There was no denying that he was exhausted. Shisui appeared to be worse than even himself as he joined Itachi against the wall. Now it was a waiting game.
It took hours before the team of ninja came out. One stopped to tell them that they could enter again. The two looked to one another before standing and slowly entering the room.
"How is she, Lady Hokage?" Shisui asked. He was definitely showing signs a fatigue.
The Hokage eyed him before a brow lifted. "I'm starting to wonder if she's doing better than yourself..."
Shisui bowed his head.
"We were able to stabilize her. She will need a few days before we expect her to regain consciousness again." The pink-haired girl informed.
"Thank you, Sakura." The Hokage said. "Good work today. You may be excused."
She left but not without shooting Itachi a curious look. Shisui turned his gaze to Itachi with a brow lifted. Itachi lightly shook his head to signify that he wouldn't be explaining anything here.
The Hokage cleared her throat to get their attention. "You two need to leave here and rest. You both appear as irresponsible shinobi to allow yourselves to be in such shape."
"Please let me stay, Lady Hokage..." Shisui asked and Itachi looked on with a similar determination in his eyes as well. They both wanted to stay and protect her.
Lady Tsunade gave them a flat expression. "I don't even want to know what kind of relationship you all share... however this is an order."
Their eyes widened. They wouldn't be able to protect her if they weren't there.
The Hokage rolled her eyes. "I've ordered for her protection...she will not be questioned by anyone aside from myself when she has recovered and she will be released as normal." Her eyes scanned from Itachi to Shisui. "She will be under my protection until you two have had a 24 hour rest... is that understood?"
The boys glanced at one-another, relieved. "Yes, Lady Hokage."
She smirked. "Good...now do what you need to and go." She went to one of the chairs and sat, crossing her arms with her eyes closed.
The curtain was drawn back again, revealing the second Shikara. Both of them had regained a healthy color and their breathing was no longer strained. The boys bowed to the Hokage.
"Thank you."
She gave a nod and the two departed together. They really could use the rest and they were grateful that the Hokage backed them. They would go to Shisui's place to rest and return same time tomorrow. Hopefully when Shikara woke she could answer some of their own questions.
