Drowning in Freedom

Chapter 17: Silver Sparks

A/N: Sorry if the quality of this chapter isn't good, I had to write it away from my personal laptop. I also am working 70+ hours already this weekend so if the spelling and grammar is worse than usual that is the reason why.

Des: Thank you so much for the compliment and I am happy to hear that you like this story so much! Haha I am glad that you have been able visualize each seen as much as you have from my writing :) Oh most definitely. I want to keep AMaya powerful, but at the same time, keep her as true to herself as she can be... all the while still kicking ass. Thank you again and i can't wait to hear what you think about this next chapter!

DaddysLiitleGirl: Your comment made me laugh so hard! However, I am sorry that I gave you so many feels while on your period.. that stinks so much, but hey, if I didn't give you as many feels as I did you probably wouldn't keep coming back :P We seem to both be masochists at heart when it comes to this fic :P

PrismRootStarlight: Haha well I am glad you liekd both the chapter and the character of Amaya. She is actually kind of difficult for me to write because she keeps to herself and isn't very vocal. Lots more in regards to internal strife, as you can probably tell Heheheheheeh, but hey, if a heart is waht I have to break... I am willing to do so! Okay awesome, thank you for the input :) I'll make sure to let you guys know what I decide on that front... I have a general idea of the OC already, just have to know what I want to do plot wise with it...

moonlight46: Well you are most welcome! I really wanted to do a good job trying to get all the fighting down and I am happy that it turned out so well; that you guys like it so much! Well thank you for the compliment and I will definitely keep you posted in terms of the Gaara/OC fic... Anyway, please enjoy this next chapter!

"Everyone hold," Shikamaru said lightly, trying not to disturb the forest around the group as he held up his hand in a closed fist.

They were just outside the grounds that took Asuma's life, and where presumably, Amaya fought the Akatsuki members so that Shikamaru and the rest could get away. Everyone halted and didn't move a muscle, making cure that the surrounding grounds were quiet. The only movement being Pakkun sniffing the air around them, and the only sound was the wind whipping through the trees. Most of the scents that were once strong had been muted by the spontaneous thunderstorms that came about. As the Konoha nins took Asuma away, they had noticed that the clouds were traveling this way, but now they knew why. The spot of impact for most of the storm was this very spot.

Shikamaru knew that everything seemed almost as if it was too quiet. As if the landscape around them was trying to take a breath or mourn in its own way. He took a deep breath and nodded to his group, before taking a few steps out to the outer branches to get a good look at the battle field he was forced to leave earlier. His mouth instantly went dry, and his back became instantly tense with what he saw in front of him. He wasn't sure if there were any bodies down below or not, but there truly was a fight that went on here. Even with all the rain, it wasn't able to wash away all the blood that seemed to have been split and absorbed into the ground.

The chunin debated whether to let the rest of the group see what was in front of them, or if he should have been the one to scout out the area first. However, that choice was taken away from him when he realized that Kakashi was next to him with Pakkun on his shoulder. Shikamaru could only imagine what was going on inside the head of the forth member of their newly established group. Even with a mask to cover the lower half of his face and his headband slouched, covering an eye, a mix of emotions had run across Kakahsi's face that Shikamaru couldn't place. There was the normal rage, alongside sorrow, but there were some mixed feelings as well. If Shikamaru had to guess, it was probably guilt that was the most prevalent. Shikamaru wouldn't say anything about it, and typically he always thought these things were a waste of time, but after just losing his sensei, he could understand why Kakashi was feeling the way that he was. Hell, Shikamaru was feeling it, and he wasn't looking at the possibility of finding a lover dead.

Shikamaru loved Asuma, but he knew that they way he mourned would be different than Kurenai. Not just because they were different people and grief affected everyone differently, but because they had different loves for the man. Kurenai and him shared a chosen kinship and she was going to have his child. On the other hand, Shikamaru was stuck with Asuma but through trials and tribulations, he grew close to his teacher, the two sharing in things that were unique to their relationship—like playing shogi. Even though Kakashi was in a different predicament, Shikamaru knew that he was feeling the shock that Kurenai had dealt with, only that Kakashi was able to hold it inside him a bit better.

Kakashi couldn't stop looking at Amaya's hidden mist blade that was lodged into the ground. His eyes watered at the sight, and he quickly blinked away the wetness forming. He knew that he couldn't do this right now nor did he have any results to go off now. However, it was like his body refused to move. Refused to take that first step forward. His heart kept dropping as it felt like it was in his stomach. But, with a grumble from Pakkun, Kakashi was kickstarted again. He didn't care that Shikamaru didn't call out orders or that he was being careless for jumping forward. He had to check out the battle scene that was in front of him. He wasn't asking for much, he just wanted a sign. A sign that Amaya was still alive.

Shikamaru cursed under his breath and pulled Choji and Ino up, as they looked at the battle scene. Both in shock with the carnage around them. Shikamaru let them take in the sights and then told them that Kakashi would be the one to check out the battle grounds right now, and that they should secure the perimeter. He knew that his companions wouldn't argue with him about the direction of what to do, but they did still, not going to their posts right away.

"You think he will be okay?" Ino asked, only for Choji to respond.

"Does he look okay to you Ino? I mean Amaya sensei may be—"

"We should be more concerned about Kakashi than a traitor—"

"Enough, Ino. She isn't a traitor," Shikamaru spoke up, recalling in vivid detail how, without hesitation, Amaya had saved him.

Amaya risked her life for him, for them and the village of Konoha. Whoever thought she was a traitor was dead wrong.

"Ino, I know it hurt Sakura and you when she left, but it hurt me too. She would always share her chips with me… even when I knew that she wanted them more…" Choji sniffled and wiped at his eyes.

Ino licked her lips and refused to meet the eyes of her two closest partners. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck and looked at Kakashi and Pakkun, who seemed to be frozen in time as they were about a foot away from the Amaya's blade that was in the ground.

"Imagine what you two are feeling, and then amplify it to what he is," Shikamaru stated, pointing towards Kakashi and bringing back the attention of both Choji and Ino.

Shikamaru cleared his throat before talking again, feeling emotions bubbling up over the passing of Asuma and the fresh wounds of seeing the battle ground that may have taken Amaya's life.

"Let's go check the perimeter, and give some time to Kakashi-sensei… I have a feeling that he is going to need it."

Pakkun stood next to Kakashi, jumping of his shoulders before they left for the middle of the battle field. Kakashi's feet sunk slightly in the wet sod that held up the blade's resting place. He couldn't tare his eyes away from the weapon. If he knew anything about these blades their users never left behind unless they were dead, but he refused to think such things without seeing a body. He curled his hand into a fist and took a deep breath and let it out. Keeping his lungs deflated, he used this change to take in the other clues that a fight had gone down here. There was destruction all around, especially to the soggy ground. There was the area that was cracked as if someone had dealt great force onto another, a trench that was made to house a body, and two gutted lines in the ground that were thin, as if someone used two sharp weapons to slow them down before they ended up against the trees.

The clouds up above the two of them were dark still, threatening to unleash more water than what was already in the humid air. Kakashi had a feeling that the clouds were from Amaya doing something, but again, he had no proof of anything. The only thing he had proof of was the physical evidence in front of him. Even with the ground as destroyed as it was, there were also a few other things that were amiss. In the distance, there was a tree that had been knocked over and another had its trunk bent inwards as if a body made contact with it. To top everything off, even the rain couldn't wash away all of the blood that was on the ground. Especially around the ritual seal that was on the ground. Kakashi walked towards the ritual seal and crouched down, placing his hand on the bloodied dirt. He didn't care if Pakkun followed him or not, but he breathed in and tried to get a sense of what had happened here.

Pushing chakra towards his nose, every scent was still muted because of the rain, but he focused on the blood that was underneath his hand. He took a few deep breaths in and then opened his eyes when he found his answer. With a mixture of sweat and some blood that he was unfamiliar with, most likely from the Akatsuki, there was that of Amaya's, drowning out everything else. It was her blood that had been spilt here. Kakashi's body started to go numb, being seated in the same way, unmoving, but he didn't seem to notice. Nor did he notice the other Konoha shinobi in the woods doing a perimeter search, and evidently watching him the entire time. Almost as if they were watching to see if he would break down on them. The one benefit of having lost many around him, Kakashi knew how to desensitize himself to it, at least, until he was alone, and he could partake in his personal destructive habits.

The more Kakashi looked, the more he realized that Amaya had been gotten the better of somehow. In his head, the battle started to replay, and if he knew anything about the kunoichi there were some new tricks up her sleeves that he didn't know about. She probably started out with those, drawing the Akatsuki members close, only for the tides to turn, which would make Amaya use her last card, her most powerful one she didn't like to use. The Akatsuki would be put into a bind, the only thing was that Kakashi couldn't determine who won the battle and who lost. That was, until he saw something next to the bent in tree trunk that seemed broken and covered in dirt.

He stood and ventured over to the object only to realize what it was. Kakashi felt his blood turn to ice and his heart paused. There was no doubt who won the fight now—and it wasn't Amaya. Kakashi looked at the object, refusing to touch it, as if it was a marker for the body he was soon to find. The world stilled and the only thing the shinobi could here was the sound of his hurried breaths as if he was about to start hyperventilating without realizing it. He was in shock and his body was going into a panic. He thought he had prepared himself for the inevitable outcome, but it seemed as if that wasn't the case at all. He just had to bury his good friend, he wasn't prepared to bury another so soon.

"Kakashi, you know what this means don't you… what the outcome of this fight probably was?" Pakkun voiced in his usual gruff tone.

"It isn't what you think…"

"If she doesn't have that, or her blade, she lost Kakashi. She lost this fight."

"You don't know that, Pakkun!" Kakashi shouted at the ninkin, but the dog was unaffected by the outburst.

"Look around you, Kakashi, I know you love the girl, but the amount of blood and destruction that is around, don't you think that it is more likely that she is—"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Pakkun."

The two stayed in silence for a while, and the dog shifted his weight on his paws as if he was waiting for his master to give him the next set of instructions.

"I'm scared too, Kakashi."

Kakashi turned his head towards the talking dog, but Pakkun refused to meet the shinobi's gaze.

"I have my own things to work out with Amaya, but I love her too. She saved me, and I owe it to her to do the same. She may have left me, as if she was returning me to a shelter, but as her canine companion, I will never let her go."

"I thought that you had a vendetta against her or were trying to seek revenge…"

"I was… For a long time, I was in an angry place just like you were Kakashi. Why did she leave me? Did she never love me? If she loved me then she wouldn't have left me. Those were a mantra in my head for a long time, but I would go through the pain of losing her again, just to see her for an hour longer, a minute, or even second. Time is all we have with people, and even then, that isn't guaranteed. So, I am mad at her for leaving, yes, yes I am. But do I still love her and want to live with her again? I wish for that every day."

Kakashi knew that Pakkun wasn't just a dog or a pet that he was a talking ninkin, but at the same time, he never realized how loyal and faithful he was. Or the fact that he was patient and willing to forgive Amaya in a time where Kakashi wasn't even ready to do so. Pakkun was wise for a dog, much wiser than Kakashi had ever given him credit for. The shinobi didn't have a comment for the ninkin after what he said, nor did he have time to give one. That was when Kakashi felt the rest of the group start popping up behind him, as if they were waiting for him to finish whatever silent prayer he was saying.

Ino was the first one to step behind Kakashi, and she saw what he was looking at. She wanted to reach out and provide comfort but didn't know if that was the best thing to do right now. Or, if she should because she didn't want to overstep any bounds that were set up that she didn't know about. Choji and Shikamaru finished up in their areas and quickly made their way to where Ino stood. Ino glanced at the two boys and asked a silent question as if to ask what ws going on, but Shikamaru just shook his head. The action silenced both Ino and Choji any further, and Shikamaru decided that he had to be the one to approach Kakashi, moving their group forwards.

Shikamaru came up next to Kakashi and Pakkun, feeling the unease roll off of the two of them. He hated to be the one to do this, but they needed to move on, it wasn's a good place to stop out in the open like this, especially since they had no idea where their enemy was. The Akatsuki could appear at any moment, and he knew that they wouldn't have any sympathy of seeing a fallen comrade, or the evidence of one.

"Kakashi…"

"I know Shikamaru… I know…" Kakashi said softly, almost in a whisper.

Shikamaru started voicing to the group that he would tell them the plan on the way, assuming that the enemy isn't close by. He also directed to Pakkun that once the enemy is spotted to hightail out of it, and Pakkun gave no ill-retort. Kakashi just meaninglessly nodded his head. He knew that it was important to listen, and he would once they got moving, he needed some time to clear his head, thinking that the only reason all of this happened to Amaya was because of him. Choji, Ino and Pakkun jumped towards the trees, ready to go, but Kakashi and Shikamaru stayed where they were.

"We will get her back Kakashi."

"Maybe… or maybe just what is left of her…" Kakashi said with a hint of attitude, his hope faltering.

Nevertheless, Shikamaru and Kakashi parted with the old battle ground and caught up with the others, leaving Amaya's split and broken Anbu mask behind.

Hidan cracked his neck, his eyes still closed. He placed his hands from the jutsu he had been holding down to his sides and when his eyes open, the normalcy of his personality came out. He started to bitch.

"What the hell, six days out here in the rain, for what?" Hidan yelled at no one in particular, the only person present enough to hear him was Kakuzu, who, like most of the time, ignored his partner.

"…"

"I swear to god that I am getting tired of this shit. I need a break."

"You just had a break."

"Yeah, trying to get you your money from that fire monk or lord whatever the hell he was. Now, we have to deal with more of this shit because of her."

"If you have such a problem stay here and I'll come back for you."

"Oh, shut up Kakuzu, what the hell do you know, you old fool?"

Kakuzu just sighed and realized that one of these days he was going to be the one to decapitate his partner because he would get on his nerves. But, today, today unfortunately wasn't that day. Kakuzu had a lot of patience from being around for so many years so it took a lot to annoy him, and furthermore, more to even impress him.

"Anyway, did you see the way Kisame and Itachi looked when I told them that we had their prized pupil?"

"Itachi was normal and Kisame still thought you were an idiot."

"No they didn't. I could see that they were troubled—"

"No they weren't. I was there too you idiot."

"It was funny to see them so distraught over the loss of someone they hold dear," Hidan started to chuckle.

"…"

Kakuzu wouldn't tell Hidan it, but he was right. The shift in the room when Hidan yelled at Kisame and Itachi was noticeable even through being a hologram. Both gave off a deadly aura, as if they would remember this for a long while to come. The group of assassins weren't ones to rush in and achieve their goals quickly. No, they liked the long game. They weren't vocal about it, and they did a good job hiding it but Kakuzu knew that he wouldn't want to be in a room alone with Itachi or Kisame any time soon. They may have trained Amaya, they may even hate her, but that was the one thing all of the Akatuski members hated. There were some people that were others to kill, and Kakuzu had a good feeling that Kisame wanted to be that person for Amaya. Have that whole teacher versus student fight. Then again, Kakuzu could be wrong, Kisame was a strange one after all.

Shifting tone, Hidan yawned and asked Kakuzu a question: "Do you think that this rain is ever going to let up?"

"I have a feeling that it is about more than rain."

"That wet stuff that is coming down, I don't know what era you are from but we call that shit rain."

"I know it is rain. I just mean that it seems as if nature is in mourning."

"For my God who is ever holy, would you cut it out with that shit? It is just a made up story about a kekkei genkai. Hell, each person who possesses one seems to have some fucked up background anyway."

There was another pause, and the rain just coated the pair more. It was steady and relentless. Cold enough to cause a someone to get sick.

"I think it is time to get going, Hidan."

"Yeah, yeah, I don't need reminding."

The two males jumped off the rocks they were on. Hidan picked up his scythe and slung it across his shoulders as Kakuzu reached down and picked up Amaya. He slung the kunoichi over his shoulder, her hair matted to her skin from the blood and rain. The two started to walk away from their perch, and evidently the rain started to clear up. The dark clouds loomed above, but the sky was done crying for a bit. Kakuzu titled his head up and closed his eyes while he walked, almost as if he was basking in the sunlight that wasn't there.

"I still can't believe you tried to save her after everything. We should have just let her die."

"She is worth more money alive than she is dead. If she is alive I can prove that she is the last maiden," Kakuzu said, not wanting to give Hidan the real reason for healing her.

Hidan just scoffed at his partner, still not understanding his reasoning. Hidan didn't say it, but he knew that Kakuzu bringing her back from the point of death was going to bite them in the ass somehow, someway. Yes, the kunoichi hadn't woken up, nor did she have the strength to. She was on the literal edge of death, but still, Kakuzu wouldn't let her pass in peace. He made her suffer. At least Hidan was going to let her bleed out, but hell, now he really was getting the itch to sacrifice her to his God. Kakuzu on the other hand, in all honesty, there was something inside of him in which he couldn't bring himself to let Amaya die. Yes, he was going to still turn in her body to the collectors and get his money, but, at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to be the last one to kill a maiden. So, after the fight, after Amaya had passed out, he had used the very little knowledge he had about medical jutsus to try and fix her to the point where she was teetering on the side of life, about to jump into the abyss of death.

When the two referenced how far gone she was, they meant it. Amaya was so far gone at this point, besides the shallow beat of her weak pulse, the pair really would have thought she was dead. She was so incapacitated that one could do anything to her, and she wouldn't notice. She was that close to death. However, even though Amaya didn't move nor did she interact with the world around her, the pair refused to take any chances. As they walked through the dusty landscape, trees becoming more scarce but taller, Hidan started to chipper up.

"I can't imagine how people live in the land of rain or mist. I was in the rain for six days and I want to put a kunai through my own head."

"Why don't you?"

"My God needs me, Kakuzu, what the hell type of question is that?"

If Kakuzu was a teenage girl, he would have rolled his eyes so hard that they would permanently be in the back of his head. The two men then decided to walk in silence. It was better this way, less grief. They did get along and work well together, but like any relationship, they could annoy the living crap out of the other.

"Hidan…"

"I know…" Hidan responded before he clutched the hilt of his scythe, ready to use it.

Even though it had been six days and they didn't use many of their skills just sitting on a rock and joining in with the rest of the group to extract the chakra of the two tails and three tails, they still weren't in their top fighting shape. The battle with Amaya had really done a number on them. However, they did come out of it being victorious over her, who was now slung over Kakuzu's shoulder unconscious with dried blood and dirt all over her. Both men jumped out of the way, noticing that a shadow was starting to follow them. Like it was being manipulated. Hidan cursed under his breath and Kakuzu tried to get out of the way, by maintaining his center of gravity, all the while juggling Amaya's body on his shoulder. The Konoha nins were back, but this time, the taste of revenge was in the air.

"Amaya get up!"

Amaya heard the voice before she felt like someone was shaking her. She weakly pried her sand-crusted eyes open, only for the blurry image of Mizuchi to appear.

"Oh thank god, okay… okay," Mizuchi's voice faded out, and besides felling something soft brush her cheek, the rest of the world seemed cold and dark.

Amaya blinked away some of the confusion, but the world around her still seemed blurry, as if it wasn't real in the first place. It was just dark. So dark. Mizuchi had her body propped up, as he used his remaining chakra to keep them both floating. Half of Amaya's body was sinking in the water they were in, and the dragon was doing its best to keep the kunoichi afloat. At times it seemed that she was sinking deeper into it, and at others, Mizuchi had a burst of strength to pull her body out of it, a little bit further each time. However, Amaya dind't seem to care, or even feel the water as she started to drift back off again.

"No, you can't do this Amaya, you have to wake up!"

"Just give me a few more minutes," Amaya mumbled, her eyes already closed, and her body started to shut down again.

"No, you need to wake up, or all of what you fought for will turn into a waste!"

What she fought for? What was that again? The only thing she knew about was that she was tired, and Mizuchi made a good pillow. All she wanted to do was be enveloped by this peaceful feeling, let it take over her whole body.

"It's okay, Mizuchi, you can let me go. I'm ready." Amaya said, jumbling up the words but getting her point across.

She didn't feel Mizuchi hold his breath, but he did. In a gush he spoke out, almost as if he was pleading with the kunoichi to stay with him, to stay awake.

"You may be ready to leave… but I'm not ready to let you go…"

Shikamaru smirked as he captured the two Akatsuki nins in his shadow possession jutsu. First things first, before he could help enact his plan with the others, he had to make sure Kakuzu dropped Amaya safely on the ground. It had been a while, about six to seven days since Asuma's passing and the Konoha nins tracking the pair down, but here they all were again. It was strange though, both parties looked tired. The Konoha nin's looked mentally tired, but the Akatsuki members looked physically tired. Even after a few short days, the men looked worn out from Amaya's attacks, she really did a number on them. However, the strange thing wasn't that everyone was tired. The strange thing that Skiamaru asked himself was why Kakuzu was still carrying around what looked like to be Amaya's dead body. The only explanation being that he needed it for some reason.

He figured that it wasn't bait, it was probably to be turned in for money. If that was the case, then they could have turned her body into the collection agency just behind the battle ground that everyone fought at. Instead, they still had it, carrying her around as if they had won some trophy. To Shikamaru's hope, maybe it getting the better of him, he figured that there was a slim, the tinniest of chances that Amaya was still alive. That they could save her if they acted quick enough. However, Shikamaru should have known better than to take his thoughts away from his opponents, he returned it to them, fully after Amaya was safely on the ground. Surprising the pair, Shikamaru made Hidan and Kakuzu start running towards each other at top speed.

However, just in the nick of time, Kakuzu was able to duck out of the way of Hidan's scythe coming for his face. Kakuzu was officially out of Shikamaru's trap. He had used his standard move that he had used against Amaya in their fight. When Shikamaru and the rest had their attention drawn elsewhere, he took the opportunity to detach his hand and hide it underground until it was needed. This time, he was able to get out of the shadow clone jutsu by removing Asuma's blade from the ground. Just in time too, that was how he was able to duck as Hidan tried to decapitate his partner, all the while Hidan never broke character, yelling, or maybe warning Kakuzu to do something about the predicament the two were in.

But, within the same breath, as Kakuzu backed away, making sure that he couldn't get captured in Shikamaru's clone again, he walked into a completely different trap. Kakuzu never expected it, and instead, he saw the light first before he heard the screeching of what seemed like 1000 birds squawking at once. Then, his body reacted, putting him in a coughing fit as he turned his head to the side, knowing exactly where this Konoha nin placed his attack.

"I never even sensed you move… how…" Kakuzu winced, pain radiating from his chest where Kakashi had punched a hole in his chest.

Kakashi ignored the comment and instead made one of his own, "Your hardening jutsu you use, it is just a smile earth one…"

"Heh, you can read the signs I use then… and with that mastery of the lightning style jutsu… you're—"

Kakashi doesn't let him finish the sentence and cuts him with words of his own.

"Earth has always been inferior to lightning… you're in bad luck," and without any notice, Kakashi pulled his hand out of Kakuzu's chest.

Kakuzu placed a hand over the opening in his chest as he swayed, trying to remain upwards. He wasn't expecting someone to come after him like this so early on, granted, he knew that the Konoha nins weren't around to play this time.

"Suckered punched right to the heart, huh? Can't believe you were done in like that," Hidan scolded Kakuzu, who fell over onto the ground.

Kakashi looked at the man who was on the ground and brought his eyes up to meet Hidan's.

"You're next," Kakashi said in a tone that was matter-of-fact.

"Heh, I don't know about that," Hidan jested, raising his eyebrows.

Just as the cult follower finished his words, Kakashi was sent flying backwards. The white haired nin never realizing that Kakuzu sprung up into action and just as he passed, what seemed to be the lifeless body on the ground, Kakuzu sprang back to life and gave Kakashi a round-house kick to the chest, evidently propelling him backwards.

"Alright! Let's get this party started!" Hidan started to cheer as Kakuzu took his place to stand next to his partner, even though Hidan was still being controlled. Kakuzu took his time, but he started to shrug off his cloak, letting it fall entirely to the ground at his feet. He ignored the stares that he was receiving. Kakashi winced as his body kicked up a dust storm as he was thrown against a formation of boulders, knocking the air out of him, alongside hearing some of his own bones crack. He was sure that he had gotten the guy's heart, and yet, here he still was walking upright like nothing had ever happened to him. Not only that, but it seemed as if masked creatures with tentacles made their way out of the man who just disrobed. Kakashi pushed himself to retreat back with the group, and he made his way to them as these creatures started to appear from this guy.

When all of the creatures came out of him, a chill went down each and every single on of the Konoha nins as they realized how intensely powerful these monsters in front of them were. They knew going into the battle that these Akatsuki members were going to be the strongest opponents they had ever encountered. The only thing was, was that the true question arose. Did these guys just have several jutsus keeping them alive, or were they actually immortal?

"The one that the copy-nin just hit really did just die on you didn't it?" Hidan yelled, but Kakuzu didn't say anything in reply.

With Kakuzu not speaking to him and the rest of the Konoha nin too much in shock to really say anything else, Hidan continued onward, basically carrying on a conversation with himself.

"You really should have taken Amaya's heart when you had the chance, Kakuzu. Now what the hell are you going to do? I mean you could have just replaced the one she killed with her and you would have had no issues killing off these idiots then."

"What did you just—" Kakashi spoke up, but he didn't have time to finish his sentence.

He acted quickly, the white-haired nin, as he treid to get everyone to safety. He saw what was going to happen before it did, but that didn't make it any easier to take on the attack. In rapid succession, Kakuzu's monsters attacked one right after the other. First, a wind jutsu was fired off, something alongside a pressure damage jutsu. Then, it was quickly followed up by a lightning styled attack. Kakashi and the others had been knocked down by the strength of the wind jutsus, but that didn't stop the white haired nin from getting back on his feet and dealing with the second attack he knew was coming. There was no way that the rest of the group would be able to evade it, so Kakashi decided that the only was to counter it.

Kakashi produced his chidori as fast as he could, but it wasn't quick enough. As lightning crashed against lightning, he held up his hands to block the rest of the creatures attacks, absorbing it into his hands as if he was a human version of a lighting rod. He winced as both jutsus faded away, the smell of seared flesh in the air. Steam came from Kakashi's hands and he knew that if he looked at them, there would be red hot scabs on them from the burns he just received. The rest of the Konoha nins rose to their feet and quickly came by Kakashi's side to ask if he was okay. He just nodded and all of them returned to the enemies at hand. Kakashi wasn't in bad enough shape to worry about right now when there were bigger issues at hand. Ino did offer to heal Kakashi, but Kakashi declined, his only thoughts going back to the girl who laid unconscious on the ground in front of them. On the other hand, Kakuzu was getting angry and Hidan could sense it.

"Kakashi, I have to hand it to you," Hidan smiled, trying to get under Kakashi's skin, "you're the second person only to ever survive Kakuzu's attacks like that… but to have two people do it so close together… Kakuzu you really must be slipping."

"This isn't like that, Hidan. Kakashi just took on two, Amaya took on four at the same time… don't compare the two."

Hidan rose up his hands, to see if he could. Not only to try and piss off his partner but see if Shikamaru was still paying attention, if his jutsu had lost any of its strength. It had not, so, Hidan was only able to provoke his partner by sneering at him. However, through the course of their conversation, Kakashi and the others couldn't help but feel their mouth go dry. Not only did Amaya take on two of these Akatsuki members by herself, but, she also took on four of Kakuzu's creatures that had tremendous powers and chakra manipulation. Amaya took on those threats, and she somehow managed to slow down the members tremendously. Kakashi just now noticing the small healing bruises and injuries that befell his opponents. He knew that Amaya had done it, had caused them that pain, and all he could think was that she did one hell of a job.

The Konoha nins didn't have much time to gather their thoughts after the lightning attack, because without even realizing it, the win creature creature came out again, and didn't hesitate to spit a giant airball towards them, as if it was trying to play a game with them. All the nins scattered, Shiakmaru accidently breaking his hold on Hidan. When that happened, Hidan gleefully expressed how happy he was to have his freedom as the two Akatsuki members grouped back up together, the creatures taking on a defensive arc in front of them.

"I figured that with their attitudes they would hate each other… but their teamwork is seamless," Ino shouted out to the rest of the group, Choji being the one to respond first.

"Kakashi-sensei, I thought you killed that one guy! You hit his heart, didn't you?"

That's when Shikamaru replied with his collective thoughts on the battle thus far. He wasn't just doing nothing all this time, he was observing, watching for any tell or inside information that he could use against these men.

"It seems that the guy with the creatures… it seems that each creature has its own heart, that it is moving based on that!"

"Well that just isn't fair!" Choji yelled, and Shikamaru wanted to roll his eyes.

No fight ever was.

"Well, if what Hidan said was true, Amaya was able to kill one of those creatures, and the one that Kakashi just took out means that there three left!"

"It seems boy, that your eyesight and intelligence hasn't wavered in the time that I saw you last," Kakuzu spoke up, addressing Shikamaru, "However, you forgot one detail…"

"And what is that?" Shikamaru asked, playing along with Kakuzu's game for now.

"Each heart that is in those creatures came from a shinobi that I got the better of… because this jutsu only works if I take their hearts while they are alive. Most scream even after their hearts have been ripped out of their chest… the last thing they ever get to see in this life is their own bloodied hearts. I guess, with how this fight is going, I am going to have to take both Amaya's and Kakashi's, since they need to repay me for taking what is mine."

"Don't ever underestimate the immortal duo!" Hidan screamed out.

Shikamaru could feel Ino and CHoji's minds slipping, that they were getting scared. Kakashi was injured but Shikamaru knew that he wasn't thinking straight with Amaya on the ground like she was. So, he brought his voice up, and loudly spoke orders to the group.

"Everyone, we stick to the plan—"

"I can be a decoy, Shikamaru, you know I can play that part—"

"I can't have you do that Ino. No, we are going to stick to the plan because once it has started your main job is keeping Amaya alive, you got that?"

Shikamaru couldn't see it but he had a feeling that Ino nodded her head in confirmation with what he just said. It would have been easier for Ino to use her mind transfer technique, but right now, her medical skills were needed much more than anything else. A part of Shikamaru would owe Amaya more than he could ever repay her. She made sure that himself and the others got out safe and she took on the burden of fighting these people by herself, knowing that the most likely outcome was her own death with no hope of ever being rescued. Not only that, but it was like she knew that Asuma was going to pass away, and she made sure to give Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji enough time to say goodbye. Even though it wasn't the best of circumstances, it was the only thing one could hope for. To say goodbye to a loved one. So, Shikamaru took a step forward, and commanded attention to himself.

"Kakashi, I'll take Hidan, I trust the other one to you…"

Kakashi nodded at Shikamaru's demand, and before he knew it, Shikamaru took off running towards HIdan, baiting him. Without thinking about it, Shikamaru was able to trap Hidan once more and the two of them ran off, deep into the woods. Kakuzu never looked behind him to see where Shikamaru was taking Hidan, almost as if Kakuzu had full faith that Hidan would be victorious. That his partner would be the one that was coming back. Kakashi stepped forward, as did Kakuzu. The two never let their eyes wander from the other. Kakuzu didn't even bother to look at Choji and Ino, his eyes only set on the true enemy, Kakashi.

"You should know that your girl isn't dead yet."

"How can I trust you."

"I guess you can't, but I have a soft spot for her kind."

"What is that?"

"If she hasn't told you, then I am sure she doesn't want you to know. I just wish that I was able to give the two of you another chance, but after you both left me in this type of predicament, I have no choice. I have to take both of your hearts."

"I won't let you do that, and why the hell do you think we are together when—"

Kakuzu tore his eyes away from Kakashi and sighed, only to look at Amaya's limp body. Her hair spread out around her.

"You can probably fool a lot of people with a tone like that, but I have been around long enough to know when I see love. You look at her if she is the moon to your stars and all that romantic shit."

"That still doesn't answer my question."

"I only knew Amaya a little bit when we were working together, but I had a feeling that she always had someone she could have gone home too. I knew that Kisame would terrorize her about a guy, never mentioning his name around us, but I presume that it has to be you. Why else would you be here?"

"I am here because I am doing my job, I have to protect my village from the likes of you."

"No… you're here for more than that. It's a stronger feeling. See the others, they just want revenge… see you want something more here… but who would have guessed that she would have gone for someone like you?"

"You're going to hell," Kakashi spat.

"I'm pretty sure I have already been. However, let me just tell you that Amaya, even though she was an orphan from the mist village, she has the strongest will of fire that I have ever seen. Fighting her reminded me of the very first Konoha nin I fought… the first Hokage."

Ino and Choji gasped behind Kakashi, and Kakashi just made fists with his hands. Each word that came out of Kakuzu's mouth seemed to get under Kakashi's skin.

"Then, you really are immortal, aren't you?" Kakashi asked.

Kakuzu chuckled, "No one is immortal, not even myself of Hidan. I managed to prolong my life by stockpiling hearts over the years, and Hidan is just a deranged cult follower. However, I hope you have agreed that this is enough conversation from us both. With how weak you are right now, after those few attacks, I think this is the perfect time to add your heart to my collection. Especially since Hidan is occupied, I don't want him getting in the way like he did with Amaya. Don't worry, I'll make sure she dies right alongside you. I don't want to have to send two lovers to their grave—alone."

With that, Kakuzu launched himself at Kakashi, aiming straight for his heart.