Chapter 70: The Tenshi Sage

Apparently, nearly a whole night slipped by. I hadn't realized that I had fallen asleep. Being snuggled comfortably, wrapped in Itachi's arms and realizing my own exhaustion couldn't have had anything to do with it, I'm sure. It was still dark, the morning rays of the sun hadn't touched the sky yet. The sound of approaching footsteps caused my eyes to snap open and there before us stood a dark, cloaked figure. Just as my heart began to race and before I could react, the person disappeared.

My voice sounded slightly panicked as I turned in Itachi's embrace. "Itachi-sama!" To my surprise, his eyes were already open and seemed to glow a deep red.

"He has returned." Itachi quietly stated.

My eyebrows creased as I had to process what that meant. "...S-sasu-kun...?"

Itachi blinked away the sharingan and peered at me with a solemn stare. "He wears the Akatsuki cloak."

My eyes widened in shock. What does that mean? Is Sasu-kun our enemy, then? Why is he here? To finish what Nagato couldn't? I tried to get to my feet but Itachi's embrace tightened.

"Be still."

I did with great difficulty what he asked. "Why are we just sitting here?" I whispered after a moment.

"They found us."

The wind suddenly picked up. Leaves fell from the trees. One came down and landed a few feet before us. Another shadow-like figure appeared, taller than the one before. The moon light illuminated the person. He wore a mask which swirled to one hole, where he peered from.

Itachi held me tightly, protectively. "What are you doing here... Madara?"

Madara? Like Madara Uchiha? My eyes widened. There's no way this man is him.

Madara Uchiha was a powerful shinobi, who battled Lord First for control of the Leaf. He was fearsome in his time. I learned of him at the academy during a history lesson.

The man before us stepped closer. "So this is where you've been..."

Itachi became tense, reactivating his sharingan. "What do you want?" His voice is calm but the feeling of intense caution radiated from him.

"I've come to extend a final invite." The man who calls himself Madara plainly explained, "I was hoping to find Shikara. I never dreamt that you would be here as well." He leaned forward, "I thought you would be dead by now, considering your condition."

I blinked away the initial shock before speaking. "How did you know I'm alive?"

"Heh," a chuckle came from the mysterious man, "I'm positive you've met one of my subordinates. He's good at attaining information from the shadows." Another ominous chuckle sounded through the air. "He's recruited you before."

My head tilted. "You're speaking of Zetsu?"

"Indeed."

I looked up to see Itachi almost glaring at Madara. He seems worried. Is this man really who he says he is? I peered back at the man before us and sighed, slowly slipping out of Itachi's grasp.

"Shikara, don't."

I ignored him and stepped closer to Madara and paused, looking to him curiously. "Why would you want me? I couldn't face Orochimaru, nor Sasuke myself. I'm not useful to you."

A small pause filled the air before it was replaced by the man's laughter. "Oh, but you are useful." He said animatedly. "I hear you've brought back the dead, split into two forms and have summoned demons at will!" He placed a hand on his hip and appeared very confident in the information he's gathered. "When I found out you were still alive, I thought to dispose of you, in case you became a problem." He seemed to grin behind that mask of his. "But you're not useful to me dead, now are you?"

My teeth clenched. He was threatening me and it annoyed every fiber of my being. I refused to show any more telling signs of my irritation and took a deep breath. "And if I refuse your proposal?"

I heard Itachi rise to his feet. He stepped close to my side and appeared to go on the defensive, preparing for whatever is to come.

"If you don't join me, there are ways in which I can make your vessel useful. Either way, it's up to you." He halfway turned away, still peering at us. "You have three months to decide. If you don't take my proposal, I'll have you and everyone in this village destroyed. Permanently."

"Really, and how do you plan to do that?" I challenged him.

He seemed to leer at us for a moment and then his chilling voice caused my hair to stand on end. "I have my hands on something that wishes to be released... specifically to take vengeance on you." Madara seemed to vanish from sight on that last word, into a spiral of air.

When I was sure he was truly gone, I knelt down to prevent myself from falling over in shock. My whole body quivered in fear, stomach in knots, I felt like I was going to be sick. Does he have Kurai in his possession? Would he really release a demon to devour the village?

I hadn't noticed Itachi holding me again because the shock caused my body to go numb. He was staring at the spot where Madara disappeared. A long silence filled the air. What do we do now? Where do we go from here? There was little time before he would return for my reply. In a off-handed way, the invitation also extended to Itachi. How will we protect the villagers from Madara's wrath?

Itachi helped me up. "Shikara?"

My eyes dropped down as I stared off in thought. I sounded mechanical as I finally spoke, "I must become one again." I tilted my head upwards to gaze into Itachi's crimson eyes. "Today."

In no shape or form did I want to press the Hokage to allow Angel and I to be one, especially with so much on everyone's plate, however a more imminent matter forced us into this position. It didn't take long for Itachi and I to find Shisui and Angel. They still rested soundly when we did. I knelt down and placed a hand on Angel's shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open and gazed at me sleepily.

She rubbed her eyes, the motion caused Shisui to wake as well. Angel then smiled groggily before greeting us. "Shikara...Itachi..." she stared at me for a moment before taking notice to my concerned expression. Her eyebrows creased worriedly as she sat up. "What's wrong!?"

I stepped back to give them space. "I'm afraid we must take action to become one again, Angel."

Shisui stood and looked to Itachi. "Why press this now?"

Itachi responded with lack of emotion. "The Akatsuki found us. They threatened to release the demon upon the village."

"Unless we join them." I added, observing Angel's stunned expression.

She quickly rose to her feet and took hold of my shoulders. "When?!"

"Three months from now..." I closed my eyes to hide the fear I felt. Kurai will not have mercy on anyone if released. "We have no choice." I looked to her again with determination. "Have you practiced any sealing jutsu?"

Her eyes seemed to dim and released my shoulders to hold her hands together with worry. "I have not. I never thought we would have to face him again."

"Now is the time." I replied. "We cannot allow Kurai to destroy the people. They're all that's left of the village."

Angel sighed and looked to Shisui. "Could you do us a favor, Shisui-sensei?"

He turned a little pink to hear how she addressed him. Angel only did this when she truly needed a favor. "What do you need?"

"Please get in touch with the Hokage. Shikara and I will go to the camping spot to make preparations."

"I'm coming with you two." Itachi said.

"I'll return with Lady Tsunade. Don't do anything until I have." Shisui had a serious, flat expression. He meant it, though we already knew the Hokage would be extremely upset if we tried to reunite ourselves without her to over see that it was done correctly.

"Okay." Angel gave a soft, solemn nod in agreement before taking my hand. "Let's go."

By the time Shisui arrived with the Hokage, Angel and I were sitting on our knees, facing each other on top of the water of the small lake. We were meditating, eyes closed, holding each other's hands.

Itachi calmly called to us from the edge of the water. "They've arrived."

Our eyes opened before looking to see the Hokage. She stood beside Itachi now, Shisui at her other side. There were a few others, including the counsel as well as the other members of the Shadow Ops.

Our audience caused Angel and I to blush in embarrassment. We weren't expecting a crowd. It seemed that there were others watching from the tree line as well. They must have thought they wouldn't be noticed.

Lady Tsunade called out to us. "When you're ready!"

I looked to Angel again and she returned the gaze. "Are you ready?"

She smiled nervously. "As ready as you, I'm sure."

Returning the smile, I replied, "okay, deep breath, start from the top."

"Right."

Our eyes closed to focus our energies.

...

Shikara and Angel bowed their heads, still holding hands and closed their eyes. They focused internally and after a few moments, each of them slowly emitted their chakras so that they were equally visible. In unison, they stood and their chakras began to mix between their bodies. They held their position for a moment before releasing hands and started to take equal steps back and away from one-another. That's when their dance began. Each movement from one is mirrored perfectly by the other. Every step, every form - perfectly matched. As they became more and more fluent in motion, their smiles began to show. They loved to dance and now they were set free. As Angel called upon the water, Shikara called to the wind. Though separate motions spoke to the elements, they tied together beautifully. Angel then sprung up, spinning rapidly while Shikara twirled similarly upon the water. The air twisted while the water turned as an electrical current began to form, the sudden heat in the air caused water particles to form into steam. It was becoming more and more difficult to see the pair as lightning burst from the sky and fire blew from the surface of the water. Everyone stood by intently. It grew eerily silent as the thick steam started to evaporate.

Shisui tried to take a step forward with concern but the Hokage gently took his sleeve to hold him back. Her eyes met his. "Wait."

As their attention returned to the water's surface. Light and dark energies equally rose, each one the form of a wing and between the two illuminated Shikara's form. Naked and pure, she lifted her arms to her sides, eyes closed and focused. Her beauty is breathtaking, she seemed to glow with immense power. This is what it was like to gaze upon a Tenshi Sage. She slowly stepped back onto the water, sending ripples in every direction. Her eyes peered open to look upon her witnesses with icy lilac eyes. Her wings wrapped around her to form a light and dark dress which flowed all around her, just like her hair which had turned a frosty silver. Shikara stood there for a moment before glancing towards the East, in the direction of the Land of Lightning. There was no reading the expression she wore before she turned her attention back towards the Hokage and the others and slowly approached. When she was near, she paused, gazing into each set of eyes peering back at her in awe.

Nobody moved and the air grew thick with anticipation. Shikara slightly tilted her head, seeing everyone peering back at her with wide eyes before cracking a sweet smile. "How do I look, did I do it right?" Her silky, angelic voice caused everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Shikara..." Lady Tsunade began, "you've mastered Sage mode?"

...

Lady Tsunade's question caused me to tilt my head again in confusion. "I suppose so?" I tried taking a look at myself from the reflection of the water but the power of the two chakras made the liquid continue to ripple, therefore making it impossible. "Hm..."

Shisui was finally able to come to me. "Are you alright?" He seemed a little unsure to stand so close.

I blinked a few times before blushing in embarrassment. "I don't know how to power down."

My audience's expressions became flat. The several who were hiding behind the tree line came forth, everyone aside from the few before me were still looking on with sheer curiosity and wonder.

Itachi and Lady Tsunade approached and the Hokage smirked. "You don't know how to 'power down?'" She seemed amused by my wording.

My blush became more severe. "Uh, um...could you help me out? I can't just walk around like this...forever..."

Their flat expressions changed and they all started to laugh. When Tsunade finally gained composure Shisui stepped aside to allow her room. "Now that you've mastered control over your chakras, you can control the output, correct?"

I gave a shy nod.

"Good, now focus on containing a good portion of the two, cutting off some of the supply."

I closed my eyes and focused on the different chakra points in my body. I released a soft breath and the energy began to subside enough to stop the flow. I no longer illuminated and the chakra wings dissipated.

Lady Tsunade quickly threw her green cardigan over my shoulders to cover my exposure. She smiled an encouragement. "Better?"

My face burned red. "I'm almost positive half this village has seen me..." I sulked.

Shisui covered his face to hide the embarrassment he felt for me and Itachi glanced a warning towards the Shadow Ops, especially towards Katsuo. He would not tolerate any one shaming his angel.