Warnings: religious implications. Some cursing, some violence, YAOI. Implied interest between Sasuke and Naruto. The romance begins towards the end.
Disclaimer: I own no Naruto characters, or rights to anything.

Author's note: the next section's really long…I think it's about twenty pages. The section after it's about the same…

Reach.
a tale of
falling
higher and
rising
lower still

Chapter Three, Sasori…by Taes

I look down upon the earth, impatient to be gone. The task that has sent me here has been followed, but the two beings in question of yet to show their faces.

So far as a Walk on mortal realms go, this one has been quite uneventful. Walks of the past have brought me wonderful followers…creatures like Joan of Arc, with her pretty speech and puppet-like reflexes…but alas, she did not listen in the end, and died for it. The poor child…

I visit her, upon occasion, but the insane thing insists on calling me Gabriel, despite insisting she call me otherwise.

My name is Sasori.

In any case, I breathe the dampened air, and wait. Seeing that Itachi thought our young brother, Sasuke, might need assistance, I am here. If it were any other angel, I would be tempted to leave them to fate. But I can recall the moment the seraphim came to life, and his smile shall hold me captive ever more.

I smile for the thought, slowly, and tap my fingers against the opposite arm's wrist.

Humans, angels, everyone is so slow.

At last my waiting is rewarded.

My eyes widen when I see the two. Naruto, demon of Hokuto—the fifth Circle of Hell—and Sasuke walk close together. It amuses me, that they should make such a splendid, beautiful pair, even when quarreling. Furthermore, that they frequently dress in compliment of the other makes for good humor.

Currently, the two trade various insults. Each one with a psychology textbook under arm. Clearly, the rambunctious demon-child has been goading dear Sasuke, possibly from the end of their class.

I perch on the edge of a building, ready to offer aid if the small angel should need it. A fight may do me good, after all…

"Bastard, you've no right to ignore me! Hey, come back here, fag—" he laughs, bright and brilliant. Oh, what a magnificent light he possesses…the power to ignite anyone. Even while his strength is below average for a demon, that gift is surely greater.

Beastlike laughter echoes this golden prince's, and a quiet sigh from the shadows alerts Sasuke of the others.

Foolish child…you are still too weak, aren't you, Sasuke? The Creator will surely deny you entry to our Wing, Akatsuki…those demons are not skilled in the least at deception.

Sasuke unfurls his wings and draws his blade in a grand Circle of design. The action is thoughtless. Swords, dear, are best for close combat, and these demons are Winged. They will not allow for tight, controlled fighting…they will attack from afar, with spells and other demonic techniques to catch your wings aflame.

I sigh, no longer interested in how the young angel continues.

Be bold, Sasuke.

As the English say,

Be bold, be bold, but not too
bold…lest your heart's blood
should run cold…

…the brawl continues, and my eyes are drawn to the blond-demon. The wings of the golden prince are as light. They carry him by sheer force of will, not by muscle or strength, as those of his dog-friend and shadow-stealer's wings do. The boy laughs, erratic and spontaneous as he's proven himself to be.

I smile as he forms hand signs.

He violently forces blue light together, life energy made visible…that technique…

My wings flutter uneasily. I have seen only one demon use that technique…rather, only one of the Fallen…

The blue energy collects in a swirling manner, building in strength and speed as he holds it. It has a tiny, complex, center. One could assume that it could blast through anything. But the instant it touches Sasuke's sword—and touch it must, as it's aimed at that small angel, who is bound to block any attack thrown at him—it collapses.

Just, it seems, as our Shadow-Weaver wanted.

My lips curl.

How, dear Sasuke, will you respond?

Nevertheless, I do not move. Interfering now would bring shame on any respectable warrior.

The shadow arms lengthen to a remarkable degree, trapping sweet Sasuke in an embrace of darkness.

I tilt my head to see better and contemplate. My dear, the darling of Fury, you'd best be careful…

Shikamaru of the Nara clan of demons has bound Sasuke to his Will. Experimentally, the young demon lifts an arm. Sasuke, in accordance with the technique, does the same. It would appear that the Shadow-Claimer is skilled indeed, to hold this angel…

Sasuke's wide, beautiful smile, however, is not what one would call sane. Sasuke laughs.

Shikamaru snorts. "You've already exposed your wings, haven't you, Sasuke?" Shikamaru knew it to be true. It is clear for all to see, who can. "We could cut 'em off, you know," lazy little child, he'd rather watch the clouds, I know it…

Kiba of the Inuzuka clan finishes the threat. "Yeh, and you know what else? You'd be one of us."

I have to chuckle at that. If it is so, there would be precious few angels left in the Heavens.

"An' we could—"

"Shut up, you shitheads, this asshole's mine." Naruto screams, and he aims a power-laden blow at Sasuke's neck.

Sasuke may have died, if not for the weapon. His sword flares at Sasuke's command, until the blinding light dispels all traces of darkness. Freed, Sasuke swings the pure blade at the demon's oncoming fist, and a string of blood falls to the earth.

My expression of indifference holds, but I must say, I am surprised, on both accounts.

What a kid, to go up against a Seraphim angel…when he need not.

He closes those wonderful blue eyes of his, and forms a quick spell with fingers quick from irritation. His eyes open, and with that motion comes a small hoard of clones…each with a smaller sphere of light, aimed at the angel's lower back.

I rise, ready to help my brother. He was formed a mere day before man, and this makes him a young, beautiful fool…one who ought be preserved by those of us who built the heavens.

But I act too soon.

The angel Sasuke waits not a moment; he springs to the air and holds himself aloft; flying in such a beautiful manner that even the demons are shocked. He puts one hand to his lips, and he breathes.

A wave of force encompasses the scene, and the shrill, dying screams of the clones fills the air. It is a sound like a drowning babe, high-pitched, harsh and ragged before going to extinction. Those mortals sensitive to such things will have nightmares...and NightTerrors will be inspired of their utter fear.

Despite this blow to his defenses, Naruto, prince of darkness in fire, has joined his rival in flight. With a short blade of magic and fire, the demon aims for soft, feathered wings.

Shadows and hellhounds arc towards them from the walls. The beasts are like dogs of strange breeding; cruel tempers mark them. Their eyes are red as ancient rubies, their necks unnaturally long and agile…whispering of snake influence and cunning. Their legs seem far too lengthy for such a body, while their teeth are terrible for man to see, the claws unbearable.

Sasuke merely grins all the wider.

He Speaks, and his Will is mighty.

The hellhounds vanish, and the shadows dissipate.

Only the demon children remain.

Sasuke smirks, well aware of his developing Power. "I saw your Summons, children of flame and darkness." He holds his head high. "and I know them, now." He laughs.

The two demons look as though they want to take to the air.

But Sasuke is not done. "I, as an angel of the Lord, our Creator, have invested in me the Ability to take Hell's minions, whereupon I may cast them into their fiery Pit

"To rot." His smile grows.

"No Purpose guides you on this plane; your Will alone cannot help you.

"Your return will be." He crosses the sword with a line of Light. "We shall meet again." He promises with an opening hand. "And you will die for it." He closes his fingers around Sword and Light.

Where blood falls, a shadow builds in the earth. A portal opens. The lad has gone and built a window to Santai, the Three Realms. It is certain that the demons will go this way.

As I thought would occur, Kiba and Shikamaru walk towards the darkness as though entranced. Their feet are heavy, their Wills strong…at least, better than Sasuke lets on. If they can resist even a little, their minds are good. Their expressions are set against it, but it is as if their bodies betray them.

They are compelled to leave.

The portal seals itself with a flash of light…and it is swallowed by the darkness.

Sasuke is left to stare in amazement at the remaining boy.

I smile.

I had thought this would happen.

"You—" Sasuke begins, but he is cut off by Naruto's laughter.

"You can try that shit on me all you want, freak, but it won't work." His voice is a tad slow; the trials had tired him.

Sasuke glowers in silence.

"I'm not under your dominion. I owe no allegiance to Hell!" he laughs.

Sasuke seems confused.

The poor child.

He ventures a complaint. "But you're a demon—"

"No, I ain't. Demons and Fallen may be sent back by the likes of you, but I wasn't, now was I? I'm not one, got it?" his laughter sparks.

I decide it best to land, and circle gracefully down to the two. It takes not an instant, and to these beings of lesser power, it would seem that I appear from thin air.

I smile openly at the two. "He is correct, Sasuke of Vengeance…" I tilt my head to regard the child. "Your magnificent gift will not work against him." I laugh quietly.

Sasuke bows slightly. "Why?" he begs, curiosity in widened eyes.

"Because," I begin.

My voice carries far. "He is neither demonkind, Fallen, nor mortal.

"He is, due to his heritage, a free-willed soul. Free to choose Heaven or Hell."

Sasuke looks at the floor, far below us, and its broken pieces of gravel. He looks at the cracks, and he looks at Naruto.

His eyes are unbelieving.

"Free?"

Naruto nods, slightly. Proudly.

Sasuke truly smiles.

I am pleased to see it.

"Then you will return to Heaven, where all souls long to be." He reaches for Naruto.

"Take my hand, Naruto."

I smile.

My brother has Found his purpose.

tbc…

How is it, so far? What do you like? What do you think will happen?