Just Once
Following Hidan's head was his headband and necklace as they fell to the ground.
Then Hidan's headless body fell, after Shikamaru's shadow retreated. Kairi just stared at her Keyblade. With every breath she took, the adrenaline died down and reality sunk in… She just killed someone.
Not a Heartless, or a Nobody; she killed another person. Destiny's Embrace was sweating with his blood.
She knew it had to be done. He was going to kill Asuma and eventually her and Naruto. There was no other way, so why did she feel like she was going throw-up?
"Well done, Kairi," Asuma praised behind her. The praise didn't make her feel better. Kairi swallowed down her unease. This was self-defense. She took Xehanort, and she knew Sora killed plenty of bad guys. Besides, she made it quick for him. She took in a deep breath, then used slight water magic to rinse off the blood. Then she turned towards the Kakazu… it was his turn.
"Shikamaru!" Kairi looked to see Shikamaru fell on one knee in exhaustion.
"Alright…" he gasped, "At least… that's one down."
"Yeah, and one more to go."
Everyone looked at Kakazu with a glare. Kairi raised her Keyblade when he looked at her. So, this was the girl who defeated Deidera, now she chopped off Hidan's head. Apparently, she really was stronger than she appeared. And, she looked a little bit like Mito.
He looked at Hidan's head, "If you wanted my help Hidan, you should have asked sooner."
"It was you, you're slow one Kakazu!"
Kairi couldn't stop the startled shriek when Hidan's disembodied head started shouting angrily.
"It was on purpose, wasn't it," Hidan accused.
Everyone was thoroughly shocked by the sight of Hidan's still living head. Kairi was looking between her Keyblade and his head. Did she actually some how screw up a beheading? No, Hidan wasn't surprised… He could actually survive being beheaded? Kairi's previous guilt about killing someone had quickly vanished and was replaced by confused horror.
When Kairi's heart was in Sora, she saw everything he saw. She remembered how the Cheshire Cat took off his head and stood on it, balancing on it like a ball. It was much more fun to watch than Hidan's trick, that's for sure.
"You were the one who told me to stay out of it at the start," Kakazu replied as if Hidan wasn't a disembodied head, "I don't think you're in any position to complain right now."
Hidan made a noise of embarrassment. He then released a nervous chuckle, "Alright, alright point taken. Maybe I did tell you not to butt in, but I assure you my friend, it wasn't out of disrespect or anything like that. Anyway, Kakazu, would you mind bringing my body here for me," After a beat of silence Hidan asked nicely again, "Come on Kakazu, won't you please bring my body back to my head… Come on," Hidan looked nervous, "Look, the Key Seal holder is right there, we can't let her get away."
That snapped Kairi out of her stupor. Freak show or not, she was in the middle of fight! She couldn't let Hidan regain his body. She charged over to him and raised her foot, ready to kick his head away like a soccer ball.
"Kakazu!"
The Akatsuki member, in question, suddenly appeared in front of Kairi. Then he slammed his metal brief case into her stomach, sending her flying away from Hidan's head and crashing into the staircase of the collection office.
"Kairi!"
"Kakazu," Hidan complained, "Watch it. We're supposed to capture her alive! If we accidently kill her then- ow…" Hidan stopped when Kakazu grabbed his hair and lifted him up.
"She's an Uzumaki," Kakazu said emotionlessly, "They don't die that easy."
Kairi proved him right by pulling herself out of the small crater.
"Hey, I asked you to bring my body to my head," Hidan complained, "Not the other way around, don't you get it?"
"It's lighter this way," Hidan simply said.
Kairi looked at Kakazu, she didn't even sense him coming. At the start of this, Hidan said they started with the wrong partner. She was starting to think he was right.
"Ow, ow, that hurts!" Hidan complained angrily, "Kakazu, you're pulling my hair, do you mind?"
"I'd think your neck wound would hurt more."
"You idiot of course it does! It hurts like a sone of a bitch!"
Kairi might had felt bad for Hidan if he wasn't trying to kill her and Naruto. Kairi focused back on Kakazu. He wasn't fazed at all by Hidan's injury. Not to mention, he was far too calm. It was five against one. He was either overconfident, or just the right amount of confident.
At the very least, she had to keep him from putting Hidan back together. Just as she was about to charge, Kairi sensed them.
No, not now!
Neo shadows jumped from the ground and surrounded Kairi. Kairi quickly jumped back from a strike.
"Kairi!" Asuma tried to move to help, but he was attacked by Kakazu. Kakazu slammed his foot on Asuma's leg injury, knocked him down with the briefcase. When Asuma tried to get up, Kakazu jumped and slammed his knees into his back, knocking him out.
"Captain Asuma!"
Kairi barely saw the brutal display as she killed one of the Neo Shadows. But the remaining monsters kept her busy.
Both Kairi and Shikamaru noticed the Heartless were only attacking Kairi. While Kairi was relieved the others wouldn't have to worry about the Heartless, it made her wonder why they were ignoring the others. Weren't they after Hidan and Kakazu?
Or, where they under orders to attack Kairi? Was Xigbar behind this?
%%%%%
Namine walked through Twilight Town. Tomorrow she was going with Merlin to the forest to train. So, her friends were throwing her a party. It wasn't big, just a small dinner party at the bistro.
"To Namine becoming a badass," Pence raised his drink in the air.
"Cheers," Everyone raised their drinks. Namine couldn't help but blush. She wasn't used to having parties thrown for her. Everyone was so happy for her, and she hadn't really done anything to deserve it yet.
The cake was brought out and everyone started eating. It was Olette that noticed the suitcase next to Namine's chair, "What's that?"
Namine squeaked as her mouth was full of cake. She swallowed before answering, "Um… it's nothing."
That made everyone look at the suitcase.
"Is it for your trip tomorrow?" Pence asked.
"No, um… well… Kind of…"
She had just come back from The Mysterious Tower, where she picked up her suitcase. She was surprised by everyone so fast she didn't have time to take it home.
"Namine, what is it, come on tell us," Roxas said.
Namine's face became redder, "It's… my new adventure outfit."
"What?"
"My new adventure outfit okay," Namine said, "I went to the good fairies, drew a design and they made it for me," she felt embarrassed. She picked up her glass and took a drink.
Everyone looked at Namine, and then looked at the suitcase.
"Namine," Xion said, "You do realize you now have to put it on and show us how you look right?"
Namine nearly spat out her drink, "No way. I'm doing it."
Ten minutes later
"Come on Namine!" Oletted called from the living room. Everyone was in their apartment now ready for the big reveal.
"Let's see your new look," Xion called next.
A few minutes later, Namine's door slowly opened, and the blonde girl stepped out.
Namine had a small white coat; it was buttoned up at the stomach, but it opened revealing a black top that had black straps that crossed over her chest and blue shorts. The coat was short, stopping at the back of her thighs, it was also sleeveless, so it was more like a vest. She had blue boots, and short black lace gloves. She also had a black hair band that popped in her blond hair.
She might had drawn slight inspiration from Minato in her design. She didn't think she'd wear it so soon.
"Wow, you look amazing," Olette said.
Namine's face just stayed red.
"Definitely a future badass," Pence complimented.
"I…" Namine squeaked bashfully, "I… I'm going to get us some ice-cream," Was all she said before running out.
She ran all the way to market street. She stopped to catch her breath; everyone was really excited. She wasn't sure how to respond. She was still getting used to everyone's kindness.
She looked into the window of the bookstore she was passing and saw her reflection. She examined herself in her new outfit. She really did look good. It felt right, more confident.
Namine noticed something in the reflection. She saw someone watching her across the street. Someone tall, wearing a black coat, and pink hair.
Terror caused Namine to turn around to look, but when she did, she didn't see him. Namine still looked around for him. She took in a deep breath.
It couldn't had been him. It couldn't had been Marluxia… or whatever his real name was.
He and Larxene were gone. It didn't matter to Namine where they were now. At least it shouldn't have.
Namine had questions, about Marluxia and Larxene. Xehanort knew they betrayed the old Organization. That they tried to overthrow them, and he still brought them back to the new Organization, with their personalities intact. Why? What was so special about them that he'd bring traitors back, when they followed the strict rule, "Traitors are to be eliminated."
Come to think of it, she thought she heard Even talking Ansem about something when they did their tests. That Xemnas spoke of a legacy, that they were picked for the original Organization for a reason.
Weren't they just gathering higher Nobody's?
When Sora defeated Marluxia during the war, he said he was starting to remember his purpose. What purpose?
Namine shook her head. She shouldn't care. They imprisoned and tormented her, she needed to move on and focus on her future. She didn't want them in it!
And the first thing she was going to do, was get her friends ice cream.
%%%%
While Kairi was preoccupied with the Heartless, Kakazu reattached Hidan's head to his body. Then Kakazu started to attack Izumo and Kotesu, Shikamaru's teammates.
Kairi needed to wrap things up with the Neo-shadow's and help them!
Thankfully, she had finally took down all but one. Now she needed to kill it. However, just as the Neo-shadow looked like it was about to attack Kairi, it stilled.
Kairi looked at it confused. She'd never seen one act like that before.
Suddenly, it jumped into the ground and it's shadow darted away from her. Kairi looked ahead wondering where it was going. When she realized, her body filled with dread.
Shikamaru was trying to use his shadow possession jutsu on Kakazu. The rogue ninja's arms seemed to have stretched out on strings and grabbed Izumo and Kotezu. Shikamaru was trying to use his shadow to stop him, unaware of the Heartless's approach.
"No, Shikamaru don't!" Kairi shouted.
But it was too late. The Neo-Shadow jumped from the ground before merging into Shikamaru's shadow.
Kairi shot forward towards Shikamaru. Even before his shadow had suddenly started to crawl over him, covering his body as he yelled in pain. Images of Hollow Bastion flashed into Kairi's mind. How Sora became a Heartless for her. She had to do something. She managed to save Sora.
But would it work for Shikamaru? Sora was someone dear to her. Shikamaru was barely her friend. Would it- No! There was no time for hesitating! She had to try!
Kakazu watched as the shadow user was attacked by his own shadow, after the creature jumped into his shadow. He also saw the Key Seal bearer running towards him. Intent to save him clear on her face. So, she was sentimental, he could use that.
He saw the strange shellfish like weapon on the ground. He threw one of the ninjas down into the ground, hard. Whether that killed him or not, he didn't know yet. He just wanted his hand free to grab the weapon.
Shikamaru felt himself sinking. His conscious was fading. He could feel himself forgetting. Everything was dark, darker and colder than his own shadow. He tried to struggle, but it was futile. He was going to-
"Shikamaru!" A voice cut through the darkness, along with a light.
Suddenly, everything came back to him. The next thing he knew Kairi was next to him, her hand on his chest. She looked relieved.
"It worked," She whispered. Then she saw something to her side.
It all happened so fast, that Shikamaru barely had time to process, Kairi pushed him away, then Izumo's weapon, slammed into her at great speed. Sending her flying into the air and landing on the ground, like a rag doll.
"Kairi!" Shikamaru got up to run and see if she were alright, when he heard Asuma yell in pain. He looked to see Hidan was standing in front of him. His own scythe was now embedded in his stomach. When Shikamaru looked at the ground, his blood went cold. At some point, Hidan had repaired his circle, and was standing on it.
The curse was in effect!
"Asuma!" Shikamaru ran towards his Sensei desperate to save him. This was his fault, if he only thought of a better strategy! If only he didn't try to use Shadow Possession Jutsu around a shadow Heartless. Kairi warned him! Warned him they could become shadows and warned him they were dangerous.
Hidan pulled out his spike again. Shikamaru tried to run faster. Tried to stop what was about to happen! But Hidan brought down his spike, and impaled his own heart and Asuma's.
Kairi was barely conscious as she watched. She struggled to stand, "Asuma… No…" She tried to get up, tried to save him, but the darkness consumed her. The weapon hit both her body and head, and she was exhausted from fighting the Neo-Shadows. Her body could not do more.
"You're going to pay for that!" Shikamaru yelled, Hidan just used the other ninja he was holding and slammed him into Shikamaru.
"A cash cow, and the Key Seal," Hidan started to use his extended hand to reach for Kairi, "This has been a very profitable day."
Before his hand could grab Kairi. A long pink tongue shot from nowhere, wrapped around Kairi and pulled her away. A swift second later, Kairi was pulled into the mouth of a giant frog.
"I finally found you, Kairi! Don't think that I'll go easy on you just because you were defeated by the Akatsuki!" Jiraya stood on top of the giant toad, "At the very least she did find you and now, we shall defeat you all."
As Shikamaru pulled himself together, he noticed a black feather float down on his face. He opened his eyes to see a flock of crows had begun to attack the Akatsuki.
Back up had arrived.
While the back-up was helping Shikamaru, Kairi laid inside the giant stomach of the toad. She opened her eyes. In her dazed state, she could only say, "This is the second biggest stomach I've ever been in…"
Then she remembered Asuma. As she fell unconscious again, tears ran down her face.
Just once… can't I protect someone, just once?
%%%%
Namine dropped her ice cream stick as she felt something.
"Namine?"
She looked up at her friends, scared, "Something's happened to Kairi?"
That caught their attention. They all talked over themselves as they asked their questions.
"What do you mean?"
"What happened?"
"Is she alright?"
"She's alive," Namine clarified, "But… something happened. She's in pain, emotional pain. It's so great that, I feel it with her."
Namine quickly got up and ran to her gummiphone. She dialed Kairi's number, but she didn't answer. That made her worry more. She tried sending her message.
Kairi. Are you okay?
Of course, no answer came right away.
She dialed Riku's number. He picked up, "Hey, Namine."
"Riku," Namine fretted, "Did you reach Kairi's world?"
"No," Riku said.
"Are you at least almost there?" Namine asked even thought she knew he wasn't.
"Namine," Riku sounded concerned, "What's the matter?"
"It's Kairi," Namine said, "I-I feel… She's in pain and she's not answering her phone. Riku I'm worried, I don't know what to do but-…"
"Namine, calm down," Riku said on the other end, "Listen, I'm scared too. But we need to stay calm."
Namine was breathing heavily by this point, but she tried to calm down, "A-alright."
"Listen, I don't like this either. But whether we like it or not, Kairi's going to take hits. Just like Sora and just like me. We're going to take hits. We're going as fast as possible, but we won't be there soon. Right now, we can only wait and hope Kairi calls us again. She's tougher than she looks."
"Okay…"
"I gotta go, talk to you later."
"Bye…"
Namine hung up. She felt someone place a hand on her shoulder. She looked to see that it was Roxas. Namine gently squeezed the phone in her hand.
Pleas Naruto… Please protect Kairi…
I think it's time Namine got some new clothes. Kairi got new clothes, Xion got new clothes, it's only fair Namine gets new clothes.
I know a lot of you were hoping Asuma would be saved, and while I do like him, I feel Shikamaru became a better ninja because of his death. And Kairi, can't win every single time. That would be boring.
