Mesa no own Naruto
Seito: And we're back with another chapter!
Warning! There will one more OC for this chapter. We promise it's only for a flashback! (Seika: Why did you add me again?! I thought you said you weren't going to add me in! Seito: The La/-/er started it! La/-/er: Hey!)
Replies to Reviews
Falcon-Rider
Kyuubi isn't awake.
SoulDemon80
Ummm.... No? At least we think there aren't. Right now we're focusing on the action part and the romance will come later.
Izumi
We understand.
Yum
Umm we don't really know how to answer your question. Gaara sorta saw him†but everyone else was too shocked about the fire. And according to Laer, it wasn't really much of change so yeah. (La/-/er: just facial features and they're too far away to tell, sorta like in the manga, sometime after Sasuke punched a hole through Naruto's lung... )
Lostlily
Blink, blink Hotaru and Kage a part of Shin? An interesting thought... though I'll say this much. Both Kage and Hotaru have existed before Shin/Naruto was born. Yeah, the last chapter was confusing. I didn't even understand. (La/-/er- It's because my brain's all weird... and stuff.)
Ghostninja85
Let's see the reason why they can see Hotaru is explained in this chapter... sorta. As for other part Gaara noticed, but didn't say or do anything about it.
To the rest of the reviewers
THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!!!!!!!
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Without Life
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Chapter VII: Life, Death, and Everything In Between
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Each heart knows its own bitterness,
And no one else can share its joy.
-Proverbs 14:10
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
-Proverbs 17:22
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Last time
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"It was Umino Iruka."
Shin sat down with a 'whomp', distantly wondering when he had ever gotten up. "How...how is he?" A stab of pain pierced him, even while he wondered why he cared so much.
"He's in critical care and we're not sure if he can make it."
&----------------------&
Shin felt his world slowly crumble. Iruka? Some of his worse nightmares were slowly coming true. Kage was hurting the ones he had come to care for. Yuri was dead... Iruka dying... and who knew who was next. Sakura? Kakashi? Lee? Neji? Sasuke? Whoever it would be... it would be all his fault. Shin felt numb as his emotions ran amuck again. The silence of the room was oppressive as the night wind howled and blew violently.
A piece of information clicked together in Shin's head as he admitted to himself that Iruka was in grave danger. If Iruka was dying... "Hokage-sama, can I see him," he asked hesitantly. There was a hint of desperation in his voice.
Tsunade paused and looked at him. With a heavy sigh she nodded. "I suppose so. I'm headed there right now."
&-------&
Sasuke ran through the streets of Konoha. He had just finished helping with the second fire when he learned that Iruka-sensei was hurt.
As he ran, thousands of questions ran through his head. What started the fire? Who started the fire? Why...? Why was the fire so hard to put out? It was almost like something else was controlling the fire, making it resistant to the water jutsus. It didn't make sense to Sasuke and for some reason, Sasuke believed Shin held the answers he needed.
&-------&
When Shin walked into Iruka's room, Kakashi was already there. However, the Copy Ninja didn't respond to his presence, more concerned about Iruka. Shin understood well and didn't offer a greeting.
Frowning, Shin looked around. He disliked hospitals. Even though the nurses disinfected everything and washed it clean; the stench of death still lingered. A place that can produce miracles and tragedies. Death and Life met here...
'Iruka-san...' he thought. The Chuunin had yet to regain consciousness and was wrapped in stark white bandages. Even from where he was standing he could smell the burnt flesh. 'I'm sorry. This is all my fault'
Outside, Hotaru watched the sad scene unfold in front of her. Death would be coming soon...
&----&
Sasuke came to a stop. It wasn't because he arrived at the hospital or that he saw Kakashi-sensei in the window... no, something else made him stop. Sasuke had to blink twice to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Behind him the cold wind of the night howled and an eerie silence seemed to settle around him.
Sitting just a few feet away from him, was a person... well, at least Sasuke thought it... she... was human, maybe an angel? The angel in front of him had long black hair. Her emotionless crimson red eyes were staring into the room that Iruka was resting in. The cold wind blew through her raven black dress and sash. The moonlight reflected off the silver trimming. She was extremely pale; she looked like a ghost. Behind her a pair of long, dragon-like, leather wings stretched out. In front of her, a gray orb glowed dully... turning darker and darker. It would only be a few hours before the orb turned completely black.
Slowly she turned her head towards the direction of Sasuke. In a few seconds he found himself staring into those cold crimson eyes. As if something icy had grabbed or touched his soul, an unnatural fear seemed to settle in his heart. His hands felt clammy as his body began to quiver and shake. Sasuke felt he was looking at Death in its face...
Suddenly a harsh gust of wind blew, causing Sasuke to close his eyes so that the dust wouldn't fly into them. When he opened them again the angel was gone
&---&
Shin watched Tsunade look over Iruka's injuries. He was torn between anger and guilt. Anger at Kage and at himself for not being able to do anything and guilt at the fact that he was the reason to why Iruka was hurt. He had lingered in this village for too long... now they were the ones paying the price while he silently suffered.
There was only one more thing he had to confirm and there was only one person who could answer him. If she would answer him. ((Onee-chan?))
She didn't answer. Strike one as a bad sign. Shin tried again. ((Onee-chan?)) This time he heard her sigh. Strike two as a bad sign. ((HOTARU!))
Outside, Hotaru winced at the tone of her brother's voice/thought. That tone tore at her heart; placing a burden of guilt and regret upon her again. Again Shin called out to her. ((Onee-chan, please?))
Could she refuse to answer him? With a heavy heart, knowing she was about to cause him even more pain, she answered. $$...Yes Shin?$$ She was tired.
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'Such beautiful screams.' Tormented voices seem to flow around in the room yet there wasn't a single soul in sight. The screams were like a beautifully crafted song, each time it played it was different. In the middle of a dark room, inhuman crimson red eyes gleamed, full of malevolence. 'Such a beautiful lullaby.'
There was a spark of black lightning. The energy crackled as it blended in with the surrounding darkness. Fires were fun... but shadows provided more amusement. Unseen in the darkness, a malicious smirk spread across the face. 'Two down...'
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((Will Iruka...?)) Shin trailed off his thought, knowing Hotaru understood what he was asking.
Sadly Hotaru gave him the answer he didn't wish to hear. $$Yes.$$
Feeling a lump rise in his throat, Shin asked the next heartbreaking question. ((How long?))
&&Till Morning Light.&&
With just a sliver of hope Shin asked again, ((Is it avoidable?)) If there was any way to prevent Iruka's death he would take it. He didn't expect Hotaru's answer though.
&It is...but there is nothing you can do. Whether he lives or dies depends on him, Shin. If he wants to live...he will pull through. But a shadow haunts his heart, drawing him away from life and then pushing him away from death. He may be searching for death. I do not know.$$ Shin collapsed in the chair he was just sitting in. At the same moment Sasuke walked in.
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Sasuke walked in to see Shin collapse in a chair. Briefly wondering why the sapphire/crimson eyed boy was here, he waited for Tsunade to finish before he started shooting off random questions about his former sensei. Finally, when she was done, Sasuke began to ask, "Will Iruka-sensei be alright?"
Tsunade and Kakashi turned towards Sasuke, slightly surprised. They didn't hear him come in. Behind Sasuke, near the window, Shin began to pale a bit, but the cloak and scarf that he borrowed helped to hide the paleness of his face.
"We're not sure," Tsunade answered truthfully. A frown appeared on Sasuke's face, a rare expression of emotion from the quiet Uchiha. Remembering what he just saw, he turned to Shin.
"Shin, you didn't happen to see someone outside, looking into this room when you came in, did you?"
Shin blinked, surprised at the question. "No," he answered honestly. He didn't see anyone outside of the hospital. Unless... he peered out the window, nothing. 'Hotaru was right outside all this time?' A very long talk with his sister was in order. She was keeping things from him again and he didn't like it.
Sasuke then turned to Kakashi and asked the same question. Kakashi shook his head. "No, I haven't, but I haven't been paying much attention either," said the Jounin. Who could blame him? His boyfriend laid unconscious on the bed before him, badly burnt. It would make anyone inattentive. "Why do you ask," Kakashi continued.
Sasuke shook his head. "It's nothing." Still, he couldn't get the image of the black angel out of his head. He remembered words that someone once told him. He had an interesting conversation with a snow ninja (1) a few years before. The Snow shinobi came to Konoha to open a weapon store here. Sasuke found the store to be very reliable and went there everyday. The Snow Nin, her name was Seika, often had small conversations with him from time to time. She left a year ago to take care of some business back in her own country. Sasuke hadn't seen her since. However, one conversation he had with her stood out in his mind.
"Ne, Uchiha-kun, what do you think death is?"
Sasuke looked at her with a blank expression. Seika ignored the look and continued. "They say it's nothingness, but I believe it's an angel." That got Sasuke to raise an eyebrow. "For every Yin there is a Yang. If people believe life is an angel, then death should also be an angel. Yin and Yang, Life is a white angel with blue eyes as Death is a black angel with crimson red eyes. At least, that's what I believe," said Seika. Strangely, there was a cheerful tone in her voice.
"No one has ever seen an angel," Sasuke said skeptically.
Seika just smiled. "Can you see wind?"
Sasuke's frown deepened. If what Seika said was true then the black angel he just saw was Death. But why was she outside Iruka's room...? Unless... Sasuke's eyes widened. That meant Iruka-sensei... Sasuke refused to finish that thought. Then another question rose in mind. How was he able to see the angel?
&---&
Shadows danced as the flames flickered. The dull light of the fire now lighted the room that was just engulfed in darkness. Instead of one person there were two.
So, you are as powerful as you say.
::Do you doubt me, mortal?::
No. Although I am impressed. You managed to get into Konoha undetected and start two fires.
::I've done it once before, mortal. You underestimate me.::
Remember, I want Uchiha Sasuke alive.
The person who just thought that suddenly found himself pinned against the wall. Golden snake-like eyes and inhuman crimson ones met. Kage let out a dangerous hiss. ::I am grateful you freed me mortal, but that doesn't mean I will bow down to your orders. I could care less whether that boy lives or dies. In fact it would be better for me if he died.:: Kage loosened his grip. "latrom akab (2)," he said. Then he disappeared into the shadows.
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Hotaru reappeared in the treetops at the outskirts of Konoha. That little run-in was a little too close for comfort and Hotaru felt like someone could see her when they shouldn't be able to. 'The boy...' she thought. Somehow she didn't like it. When she saw him, her instincts immediately told her to get out of there. She didn't know why though. Hotaru was almost sure he could see her... but how?
She was so quick to get out of there that she didn't pay much attention to her surroundings. She nearly fell out of the tree when she heard someone say, "Who are you?" Hotaru looked down.
There down below stood Gaara of Sand. Hotaru frowned and resisted the urge to step back. Surely he wasn't talking to her. He couldn't even see her. She was invisible. No one could see her except for Shin.
"Who are you?" repeated Gaara.
Hotaru didn't answer. Her mind was swimming. How was that possible? Her began to compile the possible answers. Hotaru blinked. 'Wha-? No way.' Biting her lip, she decided the best thing to do was disappear again. A gust of wind blew and she vanished.
Gaara frowned. Who was that girl?
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Hotaru reappeared high above Konoha, her wings flapping as she hovered in the sky. Those two boys... She closed her eyes. Those were some close calls. The images of Sasuke and Gaara rose in her mind as she tried to make sense of what was happening. It just didn't make sense.
'Another pair of Demon Eyes... I better watch myself around him,' thought Hotaru. Her eyes opened as she looked down at the small figure moving away from the area she had just come from. Her gaze then turned towards the hospital.
'But how could that other boy see me? He doesn't possess Demon Eyes and I doubt he has Immortal Eyes either. The God Eyes disappeared ages ago. Hmm... I wonder...' thought Hotaru. Before she could ponder further, Shin interrupted her.
((Hotaru, isn't there anything you can do?))
Hotaru let out a sigh. Shin was so persistent sometimes. $$He has to choose for himself, Shin. I can't interfere.$$ Hotaru turned and headed towards the hospital. She didn't want to get too close else Sasuke would see her.
((But I can. At least let me try.))
Hotaru chewed on her lip. True, Shin could help. He wasn't bound to the same rules as she war. Still... Hotaru shook her head as if she was trying to rid herself of those thoughts. Since when was she so hesitant? Since when did she care about the rules? $$Oh alright. But remember, you can't tell him directly.$$
At the hospital, Shin smiled behind his scarf. Finally, a chance to help. He looked over at Kakashi who seemed very stressed out. Next to him, Sasuke stood by watching his two teachers. Tsunade had left just minutes before with a promise to come back in the morning.
$$You ready?$$
((Hold on.)) Shin arranged his body so it looked like he fell asleep. ((Okay.)) Then darkness engulfed him.
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Iruka blinked, once, twice, three times. Everything around him was gray except for two tall doors. The door to his left was black. Engraved into it was a pair of red dragon wings. The silver handles were also shaped like dragon wings. To his right, there was a white door. Blue bird wings were etched into the door and like the black door the white door had golden handles shaped like its engraving.
"What is this place?" asked Iruka.
"A place where you're about to make the most important decision of your life, Iruka-san."
Iruka turned around. Standing behind him was a person wearing a cloak and scarf. His eyes widened as they met the familiar sapphire/crimson eyes. "Shin?" asked Iruka.
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Sasuke look over to where Shin was sitting. It surprised him to find the boy asleep. The young Uchiha still had questions to ask when Shin woke up. Many of them were about a black angel...
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Hotaru hovered above the hospital. Well, she would know soon enough whether she would be taking someone beyond her doors. She let out a sigh. The only thing left to do was to wait and see what happened.
&&I suppose I should thank you.&& (3)
Hotaru let out a huff. $$For what? I wasn't the one who lost control.$$
&&Oh, so now you're blaming me? I wasn't the one who lost control, the brat did.&&
$$And you're supposed to make sure he doesn't lose control.$$
&&And you're the one who's supposed to make sure Kage doesn't hurt anyone.&&
Hotaru sighed, knowing this conversation wasn't going anywhere if they kept blaming each other. $$Look, let's just drop it. I'm not in the mood to argue with you.$$
&&Fine, but how on earth did you let Kage get in here without you knowing?!&&
$$The same way he attacked otouto the first time.$$ Hotaru felt the voice draw back for a second before returning with the same force as before.
&&How the hell did Kage get free anyway? You told me none of them should be able to escape!&& Hotaru rolled her eyes at the accusing tone. Like it was really her fault. However, when she did find out who was responsible
$$The seal was never supposed to break and since there is only one Kage, there is only a small break. Care to explain how that black mark appeared on Shin?$$ Hotaru shot back.
&&How am I supposed to know? I was concentrating on putting the fire out.&&
$$Of course... you are a fire master after all. You were always a pyromaniac. Kage probably placed the seal in the fire.$$ She felt the smile at the word 'pyromaniac'. She shook her head.
&&So the only thing left to do is wait, huh?&&
$$Yup.$$
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Iruka blinked. What did Shin mean? Actually why and how was Shin here? Before he could ask, Shin spoke again. "Behind the white door to your right awaits your friends and Kakashi," Shin said softly. He looked towards the white door. "Behind the black door is a world without pain and suffering." He gestured towards the black door; the familiar words he was once told rang in his head.
Iruka could only stare in shock as he tried to make sense of what Shin was saying. Shin continued, "So Iruka-san, which door will you choose?"
"What do you mean?" asked Iruka. He still didn't understand.
Shin repeated himself. "I asked which door you will chose. Once you have chosen there is no turning back. Do you take the path that trails behind the black door or do you take the pathway that lies beyond the white one?"
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Kakashi was a mess. Barely acknowledging the fact that his student and Shin were the same room, his entire attention was turned to Iruka. The Jounin wasn't sure how long he would last if Iruka died. He had lost too many people in his life, his friends, Naruto, Kakashi refused to believe one more person was about to be added to that list.
'Iruka...' the Copy Ninja thought. Once again he was helpless to do anything.
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Silence...
While a world without pain and suffering did sound tempting, Iruka knew what he truly wanted. His life wouldn't be complete without Kakashi. He took a step towards the white door, but before he touched the handles of it, Iruka turned and looked back at Shin. "Tell me Shin, who are you really?" he asked
Behind his scarf Shin gave him a ghostly smile as sadness reflected in his eyes. "That Iruka-san, is the one thing I hope to find out."
Not really satisfied with the answer, Iruka decided not to push it. As he turned back to the door, Shin's voice stopped him again. "Ah and Iruka-san... Gomen nasai. This is all my fault," whispered Shin. Iruka snapped around, but Shin was already gone. More questions rose in Iruka's already confused mind. What did Shin mean by that?
Ignoring those thoughts Iruka pushed open the door.
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Above the hospital Hotaru felt a surge of power. She let out a sigh of relief as a small smile broke out on her face. Thank the stars... she wasn't taking anyone beyond Death's Doors. A soft glow surrounded her.
Down below in the hospital, Shin woke up. Kakashi and Sasuke hadn't moved from their spots when he last saw them. Shin smiled, feeling part of his guilt wash away. He managed to save one person. That was all he needed to know. For now he waited.
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Iruka shielded his eyes as a bright light shone in his face. When the light died down there was another person in its place, an angel so to speak. The angel had long white hair and sapphire blue eyes. Her long white robe was trimmed in gold. Feathery white bird-like wings flapped as she floated in the air.
"Who are you?" questioned Iruka.
The girl smiled and landed right in front of him. "I'm here to take you home." She held her hand out. "If that is what you wish." Iruka hesitantly took her hand. The bright light appeared again. This time it surrounded Iruka as well.
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On the hospital bed, covered in multiple bandages, Iruka woke up.
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(1) Read Adventure II: Training Time
(2) Can anyone guess what Kage just said?
(3) Can anyone guess who the voice/thought is?
Seito: That's it for now! See two chapters from now!
Laer: ....... My turn....... pooie
PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
