The Void continued to disintegrate as the roars continued to echo around them. Her Soul Blade panged with the terrible recognition of Shino's agony mingled with her own. His suffering was over-whelming as it rivaled even her own. It brought silver tears that glistened in the corner of her eyes. How could she have done this? A crack widened into a portal, but she made no attempt to escape.
"He's out there," Akihiro gently pressed. "You can sense it?"
"I…can't face that," she said hoarsely as she drew back. "My fury is monstrous enough; I can't possibly take his own too."
Disappointment was etched in his features. "So even this Ordeal is too much for you to handle?"
She bristled at that; her face pinched with irritation. It so reminded him of the proud toddler who refused to admit weakness in the face of complete ineptitude. He couldn't help but chuckle with a smile. His slip startled her out of her own stubbornness. "I know you can do this Izzy."
"How can you say that when I failed the first one?" She groaned in exasperation.
"Because this time you're saving more than just yourself."
She blinked in surprise as that began to sink in. He was right. Last time she had to face the pain on her own and her resolve crumbled. But she transitioned into a demon, a nearly immortal creature. Shino was mortal, no divine intervention would step in to spare him from this grisly end. How could she abandon him to such torment? She closed her eyes as she brought her Soul Blade up to her lips. She could hear his faint whisper, Isae… I know you're still in there. Don't give up. I haven't. And I'll never stop. She could feel his resolve radiate with such warmth. She summoned her strength, this time calling upon her original resolve. Akihiro smiled with pride as he recognized the Will of Fire. Her eyes flashed open with clear purpose. "I made him a promise and I won't go back on my word." She strode past her father and approached the edge of the Void. She paused at the last second and glanced quickly over her shoulder. "Thanks Dad, for not giving up on me either."
He gave a roguish wink as he began to fade away. Go make me proud, kid.
She took a deep breath to settle any remaining nerves. Obviously as a demon, she wasn't reliant on oxygen, but human habits can be difficult to fully shake. She stepped through and the Void collapsed behind her.
She craned her neck to look at this beast in its entirety, her face pained to recognize Shino's agony enmeshed with her own. She suspected it was currently feeding off Shino's soul, fueling his own rage. At its center she recognized his chakra signature convulsing. She was shocked to sense he was still intact, but it gave her the courage to face this monster of her own creation. The darkness in one's heart is truly a force to be reckoned with. She took a moment to assess the situation. They were alone in this great room, but she felt unseen eyes in all directions. She couldn't trust that interference wouldn't interrupt them, so she'd have to make this quick. Channeling her flame directly into its Sealing Sword form, she held a battle stance that meant business. "Release him NOW!" Her command rose above the commotion, unwavering in purpose.
To her surprise, the creature threw back its head with raucous laughter, grating in rough tones. Clearly it wasn't meant for humor. "Your stupidity is incredible! He's held us back from the very beginning, the one tie that's been unbreakable. And once I devour his soul, unlimited power is within our grasp! Yet you still cling to your pathetic humanity!"
"I don't want power at the risk of losing my identity," she repeated determinedly, feeling a sting of shame that she ever gave up so easily.
"And what identity is that?" It further mocked. "Some scrawny little mortal playing shinobi in some backward village?" It taunted as it rushed forward and caught hold of her blade. It sizzled in its palm as it squeezed tighter, black blood dripped onto the floor between them. "You've betrayed everyone who ever cared for you! You're nothing more than a traitor!" Isae grit her teeth as she tried to keep its influence from corrupting her resolve. She had no idea how much influence He'd gained over her. Its face twisted into sinister sneer. "You can't hide your true feelings from me. I know you better than you know yourself."
"Don't exaggerate," she scoffed. "I created you."
"But I don't suffer your mortal limitations," it was quick to counter. "Fueled by your dreams of vengeance, I've made you stronger than the Former Right-Hand. There is no going back now. Don't fear greatness because you're too afraid to take it!" Its other fist slammed down to smash her to the ground. Just before contact, a rush of air swelled between them which forced them apart. Adrenaline from the close call left her a bit wide-eyed with panic. The beast growled in annoyance as it waved its claws to brush something aside. "Curse these insects! Such pests…"
She blinked in recognition as it dawned on her. A soft hum rose around her and she turned to see a thin thread of a rising swarm begin to surround her. "Shino? Is that you?" She asked cautiously as she raised a hand. Instead, they rested on her sword hand; humming in a melancholy tone that sounded eerily familiar. She frowned down curiously at it, gasping as she felt them begin to constrict.
What strength is ours; we freely share. The words weren't spoken but resonated within her soul. It was then that she recalled the time she tried to save him just after the Ordeal. And like before, she could sense their desperate desire to save their Master. It reminded her of Hiro's devotion, and she clutched at her chest as the sudden memory pained her. What became of her faithful Ninken?
"You know what happens to the Ninken of traitors, why do you suddenly care?" The beast mocked her despair. "Its just one less emotional tie to deal with. Give it up already!"
Isae scowled as she felt the insects mild rebuke to remain focused. She took up position once again as it charged at her. Its claws slashed at her like multiple blades, coming at such a dizzying pace. It took all her concentration to deflect without being forced back. There certainly wasn't an opening to strike through. She was quite skilled with her weapon, but she felt that some of the movements were guided by her unlikely allies. "This is between you and me, leave Shino out of this!"
"Why?" It taunted with a smirk. "I like the taste of his misery." Suddenly it took on a dramatic expression of despair. "Why did you have to leave? Why wasn't I strong enough to save you?" Isae was startled to hear Shino's voice and her grip faltered, missing her strike. It laughed in its own cruel tone before continuing to air Shino's grievances. "I don't want to pretend that what we had never happened but how can I carry on without her?"
"Shut it!" She hollered in its face as her temper began to get the better of her. It was habitual now to draw on that sort of strength, and she realized her error too late. It smiled in satisfaction as its surface hardened into a sort of armor and the next strike bounced off harmlessly. A sudden sideswipe knocked her off her feet, though his insects bore the brunt of the attack. Seizing her sword, it twirled it elegantly between its claws before stabbing it into the ground to mid-length.
"This fighting is pointless; can't you see that?" It scoffed at her impatiently.
"I won't give him up so easily, because he never gave up on us," Isae reminded it as she carefully pulled herself up on one knee. "Don't you remember what it's like to care about someone other than yourself?"
"Comradery is for those too weak to support themselves, we don't need him anymore. I alone give you all the strength you need." It knelt before her with an extended hand of truce. "My purpose is yours, vengeance upon all of humanity."
Isae frowned curiously as something occurred to her. What was it Dad once said? If she couldn't control her anger, it would control her. And in this case with it feeding off Shino's soul, it was twice as strong. She'd have to try something else, but what is stronger than anger? You will learn to let go of your hate, you must! She felt the memory of her Dad's warning stir within her. Then you will reach your true potential and be free of His influence forever.
With wide eyes, her gaze drifted past the beast as she considered her Sealing Sword and its actual purpose. For too long she'd been misusing it, and in this moment, she knew what had to be done. She threw out her hand, calling it to her. It wrenched itself free and sped towards her outstretched palm. The beast tried to intercept the blade, but she kicked it high into air. It snarled as it lunged for her once more. With a backward flip, she launched herself up after it. She twisted in midair with acrobatic grace, reminiscent of the Inuzuka's Fang over Fang technique. The nostalgia made her smile in spite of herself. But she had made up her mind and there was no turning back now. She summoned the Sealing Sword to her but made no effort to catch it. With arms outspread, the blade pierced her right through the chest.
It clawed at its chest with an agonized roar. "You would dare-?"
She forced the blade in deeper, twisting it with a grit of pain to shut it up. She closed her eyes as she faced the suffocating pressure of years of loneliness, hatred, and vengeance. There was no running from it now. It was time to face it, the final reckoning. The beast's form convulsed as its anguished cries match her own and the agony threatened to drive her mad.
Motivation. She needs a reason to remain human—a desire stronger than hate.
A scene tugged at the corners of her mind, a buried memory from Akihiro. In hound form, he sat before her and Shino, his gaze was solely on the Aburame. Perhaps you can inspire her?
Shino nodded with clear resolution as he accepted the challenge. How could he do so without hesitation? He had to know that the odds were against him. No Aburame would take on such unnecessary risk with failure so inevitable. At the time she'd been too wrapped up in her own worry to even notice this silent exchange between them. But now in reflection, she felt the gravity of the moment. No, he wasn't naïve and he wasn't a fool. He knew what he was getting himself into. It just didn't matter when compared to his goal, and nothing would shake him from it. He wasn't acting out of duty to Village and Hokage either. No one would go as far as he did in the name of duty.
She wanted that too, to be the Hero who saves out of love and not just loyalty. She grinned despite the pain. Her mind now firmly locked on pleasanter memories, ones of close friends she loved and missed more than anything. It took the edge off her pain considerably. It didn't erase or replace it, but it wasn't the only thing that defined her anymore. A bright light shone through her closed lids and she squinted against its brilliance. She could just make out that it was coming from the beast's chest. It heaved with such labored breath, but its strength was slipping as quickly as its massive form. Shino was far from destroyed; he was fighting back.
It was time to finish this, and she resigned herself to what would follow this ritual: purification that comes with death. As restless as Kumori are, they fear death even more. But in this moment, she felt at peace. It came as such a relief that soothed her troubled soul. To know that her end had been truly heroic. Shino would survive this; he would go on to live a happy life with the ones he loved. She thought briefly about the medic she set free. It was obvious how much she cared about him. No doubt she would make him just as happy. She summoned white flame to consume the blade, to burn within before being destroyed. She gasped at its icy coldness, the sort that would eventually numb all feeling. She didn't try to fight it and closed her eyes in acceptance.
Suddenly, heat emanated from her center, a warmth she hadn't felt in forever. She opened her eyes to see that his chakra signature had grabbed hold of the hilt, weaving securely round the ornate handle. His insects returned to their Master, giving him both shape and strength. The beast slipped off like a discarded cloak and shriveled into dust. She stared in shock, that should have been her as well. But she was still standing. She gasped as she felt the blade tug in the opposite direction, was he trying to pull it out? There's no way he still had any strength left. He was so unsteady on his feet that she suspected he was solely supported by his insects, acting on his will alone. She was touched by the effort, truly, but it was useless. She caught hold of the blade, stained with her black blood. "Its ok Shino, you can let me go now."
"No…more…no…more…goodbyes," he was mumbling with a voice thick with emotion. She could feel his despair, his anger and loneliness. He wasn't free from his own demons, so that's what set hers into action. Her face fell as she realized that it wasn't over yet. She pulled the sword back inside, hand over hand, dragging him towards her. She reached out to wrap her hand around the back of his head, embedding her fingers into his short spikes. "I'm grateful to you Shino," she whispered as she rested her forehead against his. Just the hilt remained between them. "You saved me from myself, pulled me out of the darkness I created for myself." He trembled against her, but she knew that he was at the end of his strength. "I wish the same freedom for you," she whispered as she drank in his scent one last time. It was every bit as intoxicating as it had been in life. She nearly gave in to the temptation to taste but turned her attention instead to siphoning off his darkness. But instead of feeding off it as she normally would, she released it into the air where it crackled and sorted out. "We both kept our promises," she reminded him. "Now rest in peace."
He slipped through her fingers as he collapsed at her feet. His insects shrank back inside, leaving him to himself. He looked in a hell of a shape, but she was confident he'd recover.
She took a step back and grabbed hold of the hilt. Far from succumbing, she felt rejuvenated. Whatever influence he'd had, she knew it had altered the ritual. It changed shaped, reverting into her Soul Blade. She threw it across the room, letting it clatter loudly across the floor. "Take it!" She raised her voice along with her hands. "I know you're out there so do your worst!" She couldn't resist challenging aloud.
A sharp pain ripped through her chest as she felt the familiar sting of a Nara jutsu seize her from behind. She flinched but made no effort to resist the darkness that crept into her vision. Her limbs grew heavy as lead and she sank down to her knees. It was then that she noticed a man dressed in Aburame fashion gather Shino into his arms. They so resembled one another that she was certain this was his Father. Even through his shades, she could feel his gaze fixed on her. Her face twitched with one last regret. "I'm sorry," she choked out, the words felt thick on her tongue as the numbness continued to spread. Her voice died in her throat as her mouth moved uselessly. She couldn't finish and her eyes rolled back into her head as she fell unconscious.