Reach Chapter Four, Naruto, a naruto fanfic

Warnings: religious implications. Liberal cursing. Hints of SasuNaru and NaruSasu. Some angst.
Disclaimer: like I own anything, much less the Naruto cast…? Sure. In my dreams.

Reach.
a tale of falling
higher
and rising
lower

Chapter Four, Naruto…by Taes

"Take my hand, Naruto." The fagot bitch commands.

The prick! He thinks I'd wanna go to a fucked up place like Heaven? "Fuck you!" I grumble, but before I can even stuff my hands in my pockets the almost white-blond-haired bitch—some kinda higher angel, fuck it all—is in fron'na me. He's gone all 'holier than thou' on me…

Great.

The ice blue eyes are so frickin' cold, too...people think it's my side who's all creepy an' shit, but hell. This dude could give even Sammael—the Lord of Hell—a run f'r 'is money, hey?

"Dearest." Damn, that lil' smile o' his doesn't twitch an inch...and his eyes, man, they don't widen or nothing. They're just kinda staring and open like...like...

...I dunno...

Why's he looking at me, anyways?

I laugh, but he's already started talkin', the fucker...

"Surely you aren't declining an offer to heaven..." a gentle, noble-like laugh sticks him in the 'bastard' category, in my book.

I glower meanly at 'im. "Hell yeah! I'm not even gonna set foot in that place—"

Sasuke laughs crisply, arrogant and oh-so stupid. Damn, he annoys the shit outta me...

"If you were half as intelligent as you should be, demon," he snarls prettily, not a hair outta place. "You'd know that you already have been to Heaven." The smirk widens, his eyes close, and the shithead crosses his arms. "The Three Levels is a convergence of our Realms, brat, with clear gates to all of the Universe—"

I snort. "Yeah, uh, but..." I try and come up with something to say, but he's got me good. "Um..."

The other angel lets his wings spread wider, and through an extreme exertion of Will, he's pulled all've us down to the ground.

I really hate showoffs...

The blond angel holds out his arms, and for a second, I wanna actually let 'im hold me...but the moment of weakness passes, and I just smirk knowingly at the bastard. The ground between us is a cinch to cross.

"What, you wanna take me home?" I flutter my lashes and wrap my arms instantly around his neck. The ol' prick doesn't seem to notice, so I nibble at his ears. "Huh?" so quiet...nobody ever thinks I can be...

Sasuke pulls me off'a the other guy and I'm laughing so hard it hurts.

"Stay off Sasori." Blackie demands.

I rub my hair. "Okay." I grin. "Guess I'll be goin' then..." I smirk. "He's the only interesting thing here, yeah?" as I merrily turn away, I gather my shields to me.

They won't know what hit 'em.

I pull a long paper from my pocket and thrust it into the air. It bursts with a flash of flame, and in that split second, I'm at Sasuke's throat, clawing at the soft flesh there with an eager grin—

—but I'm on my back before I know what happened.

Dazed, I stare upwards.

Sasori, this blond mother-fucker with an attitude, stands over me. There's a creepy smile on his face. He tugs at the edge of one eye, pulling the soft folds down as he talks. "—a foolish move, Naruto." His lips twitch.

I roll my eyes. "What'm I supposed ta do, huh? Let heaven's agents kidnap me without a fight 'er nothing?" I laugh, and spit a tiny fleck of blood on the blond's porcelain skin.

Sasori doesn't notice the mixture of blood and spit. He kneels down, and his hair successfully hides 'is eyes. Like this, he bends over me, one dainty-lookin' arm on my chest ta keep me from movin'. I try an' sit up, but it's like moving a boulder. And he's doin' it with no fucking effort.

Shit. I'm so outclassed here...

"Naruto, you have my word—"

I leer, tilting my head to the side for a clear view of my neck. "Not good enough." I tilt my head towards Sasuke—the small angel's all broody an' arrogant at me.

I hate that, too.

Sasori rolls his shoulders. "So, you won't take the perfect opportunity to infiltrate heaven...and gain precious knowledge of our inner workings?" the bastard continues to smile.

...but he's got a point...

"Le'me up." I demand.

He moves obligingly.

I pull a proper scroll from myself—it was encased in the armor my bones offer. That's a pretty neat trick that most demons know by the age of four. It makes for a good way to carry a favorite toy when your mom're whoever's busy…Anyways, I unroll the scroll with one smooth flick of the wrist.

In the instant it starts to open, I've bit down on my thumb, and I'm smearing the forthcoming crimson liquid into the characters for 'contract.'

All the while I murmur the soft, smooth words to help bind everything together. A quick circle with two fingers, then I touch the same two to my lips. "Kai." I mumble.

I've called up a brush, and in quick, sprawling letters I form the pact...my blood drips from the fine bristle, charmed to call it up from just outta my heart, all warm and alive.

With another word and a thought, I clean the brush of my heart's blood.

...I'm a little dizzy, but way used to that. Ya see, all demons, all the Fallen can do this...we're all used to it.

Blood magic.

I smirk.

"You swear, angel?" I challenge.

And the white-blond angel just laughs.

A slight tilt of the head, and light encases my scroll...next up are smooth, flowing letters, precise and artistically arranged. His part of the bargain gives me no room for loops, but shit, I wouldn't even know if the angel put anything bad in, it's that elegant.

I guess I'll have to assume Heaven's angels're a lot more truthful 'n Hell's people.

"Done." The angel breaths. I glance at his writing, not of blood, but essence...

...angels, I guess, can put more 'n just the physical down on paper. Maybe it's the imprint of himself, like a human's soul...the ghost of a fingerprint, I guess.

I scan for his name.

...Sasori, archangel of war...

No fuck.

I cover my eyes with one hand, laughing in cheerful embarrassment...no wonder I couldn't lift a hand ta this guy...

...and Sasuke? I don't really give a fuck if he signs 'r not, but dude...appearances are everything, hey? "What 'bout him, hmm?" I ask, emotionless and exhausted.

Sasori's playing with his skin again, this time pulling at his fingers, as if to gauge how they're put together, the freak... "Sasuke is under my wing."

I roll my eyes.

"Anything bound to me is bound to him, as well." The archangel replies languidly.

I swallow.

Fuck...I wish I'd'a paid more attention in class...man...then maybe I'd know what the fuck I'm getting in to...

So Sasuke-boy comes forward, like he's the one in charge of the whole situation. With 'sweet,' black orbs in almond slits for eyes, the guy offers me a hand and his white wings—so like the Fallen angels' black wings it's almost spooky—swoop back and forth. I ignore the proffered assistance and fly by my own strength, light and weird as they may be in comparison to dove-feathered assholes…

I fly, hard and fast.

The archangel flanks me, and the bond we drew up pulls me back to him. I frown. So I can't even get too far ahead, huh? Guess the reverse's true, too…the thought of being lost—and alone—in heaven isn't really something I'd like to think about, now that you mention it…

I mean, anyone who could let men and women do the things they do on a regular basis? The jackasses runnin' the joint don't care at all about 'em! And shit, I don't want 'em lookin' after me with such 'love' or whatever…

Sammael gets pretty damn mean when he's punishing souls for redemption. A lot meaner 'n any demon'd be when doin' it all just for the hell of it…

…an angel, I'd bet, would be twice as bad.

"Wait, Naruto." Sasori calls, and like a damn puppet, I stop.

Glaring, I try and pinpoint the power he's set over me, but my eyes aren't nearly as good as, say, Neji's 'r nothin', so such a tiny thread's lost to me.

"Fuck," I moan, knowing I'm pretty much stuck. If he pulled anything in that contract, I'm gonna be good as toast. "fuck." I repeat, barely over a whisper.

He holds me still, a doll with no support. I think I'm gonna fall, for a second, but he holds me up with 'is mind…with his power? It's like there's invisible strings, holding me air-bound.

Sasori is next to me in an instant, moving between space like it's not even there. His wings enfold us, and his cold, slender hands grasp my shoulders tightly. I want to close my eyes, but shit, all I can do is sit and stare into too-wide, ice-blue eyes.

When his wings go slack, I see Sasuke standing behind him, wings folded back gracefully. He turns to us so slowly, and it's like I can see everything in super detail…each fold of perfect skin, each feather as it rustles.

My eyes are wide, I know, and even my thoughts slow down…smiling becomes a real chore…my fingers, even, are so heavy…I wanna let go've my wings, too…so I can't feel the awful weight.

Sasori's voice is slow, but steady, when I realize it's there. "—'come to the first heaven, Kuuchin."

My eyes widen in what feels like a fuckin' age. "The" shit, my tongue's heavy, "The Void."

Sasori laughs. His voice, the little shit, is no slower 'n usual, and he speaks with seeming ease…even his movements are liquid to Sasuke 'n my sluggish, marble-like actions.

I bet it has something to do with his power, with his rank.

"The first heaven, as you may well know," he knows—like hell—I don't remember that. "Lies on the edge." His lips twitch. "It's the threshold…"

Sasuke, with effort, picks up the thought. "…without it, Heaven and hell would collide…"

Heheh, his voice's just as slow 'n weighted as mine! He isn't nearly as strong as Sasori. Good.

Blackie takes my hand, and with amazing effort, he pulls me to my feet.

I know, after a second or two of observation, that there's nothing around us. It's all gray and misty, even, like nothing's here at all. I swallow, and try an' grin. My mouth hurts for the crack of my indifferent mask. "There's one of these in Hell, too…" I breathe deep. "But unlike your shit hole, it's not empty—"

Sasuke's laughter surprises me. "Empty?" He grins, slowly.

I think of the demon cat who appears—first and last—with its sharp, wide grin. I smirk back at Sasuke, wondering if the bloke knows how demon-like he can be.

"Sweet fool," the angel-fag says, "Open your eyes." He motions to our side—it's hard to think as anything as 'left' or 'right' here—without pausing his grin.

I squint to the distance, trying my damnedest to see what this bastard's claims's there. "Don't fucking shit wi—" I begin, turning to face him irritably—

—when , amazingly—

—burning, magnificent and painful, the light sinks into my eyes and pulls me down, down, so far below it's like I'm nothing, and it's so—

—it's brilliant.

"…what…" I breathe, eyes glued. "…was…?"

Sasori saves my frazzled nerves. He withdraws a long, curiously straight stick from his robes and points at the fading, blue light. "This is the beginning of creation." He murmurs. "The heart of a star, carried and guarded by an angel of some order." The long, black rod circles an area of dense, golden smoke, and the archangel smiles cryptically. "What do you see?" his voice is so fucking soft…

I can't think of a reason why not to try. So I look.

I squint.

…the golden cloud comes into focus, and inside the swirling malevolence, I grasp something like a mouth…turned down in sadness, and a long, pretty nose under cerulean eyes—

—the same color as—

"What…" Sasuke asks, quietly. "do you see?" his words are so slow, but so quick to my churning mind.

Damn, this place is…nothing like the Kuuchin of Hell… it's too full, too damn sad…

My eyes tear away from the newborn star, and I glance into Blackie's stormy eyes. "Nothing!"

The angels frown.

"Surely—"

"—fuck—" I labor to speak. "You!"

Sasori, of the two, seems unaffected, the stupid bastard. "These stars," he withdraws the black, cylinder-like pointer, and for a second it touches my arm.

It feels like fire and ice, crying and broken and awfully alive…the texture's like bone—

I yank myself away.

Sasori continues without more than a second's pause. "…these stars," he repeats, "…will be protected,"

…argh….does he hafta be so self assured?

"Nurtured until they reach the next stage…from there," he takes my and Sasuke's wrists, and pulls us onward. "They will proceed to the second heaven…Genbu."

I look back at the just born nebulas, and bite my lip. Fuck, these two angels are always tryin' ta get me to do somethin' I don't wanna do…I almost wish the star'd say something—

—with a smile, Sasori gestures to an older star, less defined and surrounded by the mirage of water, ice and dust…it's like a molten core of fire, this one, and I think the angel tending to it is as small as a bird—

—until I realize that we're very, very far off.

"Fuck, man…" I walk forward, ready to touch the thing—

—but Sasori's wings are about me, and off we go again, without moving another step.

…the stupid angels must've learned magic 'r somethin'…I mean, it's not possible to do that kinda stuff by sheer Will, right? I mean, the focus an'…concentration an' shit'd be…too impossible, 'cause it's so…different…an' while holding another guy…it'd be doubly unfeasible…

…shit…

…this is a hell of a lot to swallow.

Finally, I realize I've closed my eyes. An' as stupid Sasori brings 'is wings back, I see first that there is a ground, an' I'm nowhere near it. Panic woulda arisen if not for the instincts Iruka-sensei put in all o' us as fledglings…so, uh, needless to say, I um, don't fall—not even the slightest.

Besides for when Sasori lets go an' I'm, er, getting enough distance 'tween us.

Yeah.

So we won't…uh…hit wings together 'r nothin'…

So Sasuke, yeah, him? He's right next to me, right? An' then there's some level of space and, you know, boundary between us, so we're not glaring as much as we could, an' I finally look at him straight.

"What?" I challenge.

The fag smirks down at me, an' says, "This is the Second Heaven, Genbu."

I nod, and a sly little smile spreads across my face. "Yeah, Mysterious Tortoise." I grin wide.

Sasuke rolls 'is eyes. "Mysterious Warrior, asshole." He growls.

With a whoop of laughter an' two hands over my mouth in disbelief, I grin with only my eyes. Fun-loving as ever, I says, "Shit, man, yer in heaven and you cursed me!" I swear, I coulda fallen outta the sky an' been pleased.

But I didn't.

Sasuke's busy ignorin' me. He's moved on to the rest of 'is planned, dry speech or some shit like that. The bastard's pro'lly gone an' not heard all've what I said.

"The Second Heaven," he begins, "Is an in-between sphere, really. You know that all Realms touch in The Three Levels, don't you?"

I roll my eyes. "No fuck, Sherlock."

Blackie rolls his eyes, now. "Well, Reality exists, to some extent, in the Second Heaven, as well…" he smiles vaguely as he gestures to the left. "In truth, all of the heavens exist—in part—in Reality…"

I stick out my tongue. "Yeah, well, so do the hells!" I look at the thing he's been pointing at. I sigh with exasperation. "…so? It's a cloud." I frown at the fluff-ball obstructing my view.

Hey, Sasuke's really good at looking bored 'n 'better than you' in so many ways…I mean, dude, who coulda thought…

…you know I'm being sarcastic, right?

Good.

"Look beneath the obvious, loser." He daintily touches two fingers to the bridge of his nose. He tilts his head back slightly, as if to drain my influence from his poor, pretty face.

I pout at him, trying not to snigger. "Hey, no fair…I didn't get to use that one first!"

Sasuke laughs, slow and smooth and honestly grinning at me. "Some insults," he murmurs, silky and low, "are reserved for you alone." He winks, and turns away. "Come to the ground."

An' he dives, like he's a falcon 'r something.

I stare after him.

Look at Sasori. "Er…?" I question.

Sasori pulls that 'faster-n-everybody' trick o' his, and all the sudden I'm on pins and needles. Shit, dude, he bound me to 'imself! That means that if he gets too far away, I've gotta, go to 'im.

…if I survive this, I'm so killing the sick fuck…

I don't like thinking about the fall.

But, I will say this; I'm good at landing. I swear! The crater I made wasn't even that big…

When I crawl outta the dust, I see it…a transparent, not-quite solid tree. I stare at the mirage.

After a bit, a human hand shimmers around an orange—it's an orange tree, I guess—and the fruit falls. I wait eagerly for it to splat… 'cause that'd be just awesome to see in vague, ghost-like transparencies. But the fruit doesn't get to.

See, a gray, gargoyle-like claw reaches up from the roots, snatching the sweet, round fruit from the air. The thing was so perfectly camouflaged that I almost didn't see it…an' then this nasty, red, red mouth opens and a long, crimson tongue gnashes at the sweet flesh…

…it's got no teeth…but that just makes it worse.

Sasori puts a hand on my shoulder, and the other on Sasuke's. He pushes us together. "Learn well, children." He smiles pleasantly. "Reality exists on more than one plane…knowing this, we can gather that these poor fools may hold unexpected power over even you." The puppet-master bends down. He pats around nowhere—in my perspective—to elicit a rough, disgustingly fertile purr.

"These are not-yet fallen angels…still a part of the heavenly host, but they may never reside in natural heavens." Sasori toes a vague blur in the ground, and lifts a perfect, silver chain. His ice-blue eyes meet mine. "They are bound here by their love of the Lord," his smile is empty, "But their corrupt hearts have soured their once-fine bodies, and sent them to a half-fallen state." Once again, he rubs the awful thing's head.

"Er," I mumble. "…what could they want that's so—"

Suddenly, the thing's lashing out at Sasori, all nails and teeth, blind as anything. The archangel, I'm pleased to find, dodges most easily.

The ice-eyed angel smiles at me. "Blood." He shrugs delicately.

Sasuke coughs lightly. "Sex."

Sasori turns his light eyes on me. "Power."

I grin at the two, and their so-perfect embarrassment over the subject. I've seen a hell've a lot of stuff, living in hell. Monsters who eat their young, blood-thirsty creatures and a hell've a lotta sex.

I know what is and isn't profitable, and I know what I can take and what I can't.

I bend down, and offer a hand to the poor thing. It'd suck, to be caught between one stage and another. "Here, lil' guy…maybe you outta get the hell outta here, hey?" I smile a little wider.

He might be more at home in hell, yeah?

The thing eyes me with gray eyes, and it sniffs a little…like a cat…then it snorts, and falls back down.

…but it eyes me in this creepy, hungry sorta way…

Sasori smiles innocently. "These angels, Naruto, get rewarded, sometimes." His face'd be expressionless, if not for that tiny, tilted lil' smirk. "And if it weren't for our contract, dear, you may very well be a pile of bones." He chuckles to himself, thoughtful. "So be thankful, sweet."

Sasuke shifts uncomfortably.

Sasori takes me up in his arms, putting soft wings around my aching head. I relax, and let him work his magic.

Easy as one, two, three, and we're off again.

You'd think that all this quick-as-light travel'd make Sasori tired, the bastard…but nope, not at all. I kinda hafta wonder if all archangels're like this, you know, but maybe it's just this guy, yeah? I mean he does preside over war…and battle moves quick. There's no time for recuperation.

…gah, I'm getting myself so confused…

I look around for the familiar setting we see in the Three Levels, but strangely, none of the landmarks're here. Man, these angels…they like ta confuse the hell outta me…takin' away stuff we should see…

"So what's this place about, huh?" I grin as Sasori takes his feathery blanket away. I playfully swat at the guy's feathers, like I sometimes do with Sammael…

Sasori, amused but not pleased, declines an answer, leaving such a mundane act to Sasuke.

Blackie smirks at me, his perfect oriental features in stark contrast to the mostly-European concept of beauty.

I grin wider, an' look at Sasori, the greatest rep of Christian angels.

Sasuke, living proof that no culture's loved above another, shakes his head at me, less than amused but somewhat pleased at my curiosity. "Naruto of the lower realms, the third heaven—"

I snigger. "—Santai, the Three Levels, bastard—"

But stupid Sasuke ignores me. "—is home to the paradise all souls dream of, child. Sasori presides over this realm." He levels me with a tired glare, the bitch. "Here, every soul is satisfied by heavenly design—" his eyes light with an inner flame, and I almost see the crimson shade his weird eyes become during battle…but it's only a trick of the light.

I look on, up and down, left and right. Curious... "So where are they?" I ask, finally.

My eyes must've betrayed my thoughts, 'cause the two angels only look at each other.

I frown, annoyed an' a bit frustrated. Man, I came here ta get somethin' done, dammit, not ta learn useless shit. "Come on, now, how do I know if I'd be happy here, huh? If I can't see them?"

I poke an' prod, but they just smile at me.

Silent as statues…geeze.

I look around again, and as I do, I finally see that the surroundings—though corporal—don't really stay together 'r nothin'…the stage changes as easy as a theater's mock-up, only without the dark flashes and shit. One second, it's a courtroom—like all the Eropeans've used for centuries—then it's'a grand, marble-based arena—the outta doors type. A moment goes, an' it reminds me of Egypt, with the beast who devours hearts…and on, and on the sceneries go…like some kinda motion picture…

…the only thing of all the visions is the Judge, carrying a set of silver scales, an' his black, black eyes that flash—at times—of red…with tiny little black swirls thrown in for good measure.

I blink, rub my eyes, and think, shit, this guy's just—

I look at Sasuke in amazement. "Dude, how're you here an' there at the—"

Sasuke's laughter catches me by surprise, the fuckin' prick… "Oh, poor soul," he grins, sarcasm heavy in his voice. "Not even an angel may hold office in two places at once."

Sasori offers a quiet chuckle. "Those of us with far-spread duties are gifted with—"

Knowing what's coming, I grin an' say, "—unnatural—"

at the same time, he says, "—speed, unlike the lesser courts."

Sasuke sniggers, quietly.

That's it, as far as interesting stuff goes.

I glare, an' sulk the rest of the time, movin' about the dull, long routine of sight-seeing while they point out hazy shit like the H2O rooms—where we meet every fuckin' week on Earth—an' the clear-cut places of God, like churches 'n shit like that…

…and all this fuckin' while, they treat me like a toddler.

Shit, I'm not as young as they seem ta think! I don't need Blackie holdin' on to me like I'd get lost…even though it'd be kinda nice to 'wander away' and shake up the paradise livin' souls for a second or two…

I'm pleased when Sasori finally wraps himself around me, just as Sasuke's hand slips away.

…I should get Sammael to do that for me…I don't think I've been held since I was little…an' you know what?

It's nice.

Makes a guy feel…I dunno…

…cherished.

Ahh, fuck, these goody-goods are makin' me look bad, givin' hugs and shit like that…I mean, who the hell'd think that I—part demon an' all—would be able ta even…

..screw it. I'm not sure what's going on.

The fourth heaven, nanjuu, it's the 'southern star.' And, ya know what? It isn't near as important ta heaven as it is in hell…nah, the offerings given ta 'the Lord' or other holy powers? They ain't worth shit, yeah?

Not at all, man…an what's the fuckin' use've listening to church services, or glorious 'hallelujahs' from overfed, fat an' bitchy singers?

Yeah.

I wasn't much impressed with that, an' as we go ta the fifth heaven, the good ol' north star, huh? It's…

…not exactly like I thought it'd be.

See, the fifth circle of hell's about the middle of the lower realms…so a lot've important stuff's there, ya follow me? So it's no easier to get to Hokuto from one direction as another. The Black City…Sammael's home, yeah? It's there, an' all the Winged demons take residence around it, see…

But the fifth heaven's only another gray-blue plane, with a barely distinguishable floor an' ceiling…

I roll my eyes as I step away from Sasori.

The dude's bein' creepy again, too. Pulling lightly at his eyes, like he's tryin' ta see somethin'—or trying to block something out—that's not all there.

"Uhh…" I start. "Yo. Archangel." I grin widely. "'s this place as useful as the fourth heaven?"

Sasuke snorts, and takes the pleasure've answerin' for the ice-eyed blondie. "The fifth heaven is home to many things, demon-child." He says, all aloof on me.

I'm'a rollin' my eyes again. "I was asking Sasori-boy, not you, so fuck off." My voice's perfectly even, perfectly silky an' sensual as-you-please.

A low chuckle comes from beside us, an' the world's all the sudden well-defined…round, round rooms with perfect circles for windows. It's too quick ta be coincidental, with that laughter, too…

…shit…somethin' gives me the feeling that—

"—ahhh, Naruto-kun."

I whirl about, eys wide an' mouth open ta deliver a witty reply.

But the angel before me stops all've that… "I've been watching you."

Round glasses, steel blue eyes…gray wings. Like ash.

Fallen angels, Kakashi and Sammael an' all? Their wings are black as pitch, seeped in blood too long. Their wings aren't nearly as soft as true angels, and the Fallen's are definitely a far cry from white.

I turn to Sasori, whose wings're perfect…like the light of the moon. "Who's this, 'n why can they see me?" I demand.

Before, no one but these guys could make direct contact with me…or even notice I'm here…I guess Sasori figured someone was bound ta get into a fight with me, bein' a demon of the lower hells and all.

Sasori's lips twitch. "Like my partner—"

My mouth drops—"—he's an arch—" I start to ask.

"—Kabuto. My name is Kabuto, and I am a Watcher, m'boy." His voice is faintly accented, like an Englishman, and the words are crisp enough to well-define intelligent eyes. All of this is in contrast to a vaguely round, young-seeming face. It puts me on edge, all that soft an' then the harsh. "I was sent to Earth before countries bickered among themselves." His smile is slow, and consequently, a small, pink tongue touches between both lips. As if to prevent chapping, I guess. "I was to inform the lesser beings—"

Sasori sighs, tired. "—they are the people of—"

"—of God's wishes, of paper-making and glass forging, all to benefit those disabled few—"

Eying his glasses, I grin a bit. "Y'know, I always figured angels were all perfect—"

The lazy smile turns cold; there's no feeling in steel eyes, and a mysterious flash of white light further obstructs the picture. "We were the first allowed contact with men and women." His voice's hallow. "How were we to know that mortals, with their lusting eyes and forceful hands, would fling us from grace?" it's a question I'll bet he's asked tons've people.

I smile, wide and bright. "Hah, that's great!"

Everyone freezes.

"You get laid once, 'n ol' Dad says, 'see here, now, that's for grown ups…no playing with the—'" I'm cracking up.

Unfortunately, no one else finds it all that funny. And just as I'm 'bout ta go an' look about the rounded place, there comes a shimmering light.

It's a star, I realize…and there's other little lights all around it…my eyes trace the features of the room. "…the north star…?" I wonder, amazed and a little shocked.

"Yes," Sasuke murmurs. He puts a hand on my shoulder. "In every watchers' dwelling, the main lamp is in the north star position—"

Kabuto's voice interrupts. "—to call on each of us, when an earth-bound soul demands it, to guide—" he spreads his wings.

There are six sets on each side, I see. From the bottom up, each spans a little farther than the last…starting with the smallest at his midsection and the greatest below his shoulder.

Sasori smiles, amused as ever about nothing. "We need not interfere. Let us be off."

I pout. "Nuh-uh. I wanna hear his story! How come these guys're here, when others are in Hell—"

"Later, child." Sasori bids, and the heavy cloud wraps me up in a sweet embrace once more.

My head aches.

"…ugh, Sasori, stupid Sasuke…" I groan. "My stomach's really starting ta hurt, with all this grabbing and shoving…" I open my eyes warily. I close 'em again real quick and tight. "…and I'm definitely sick. The whole place's blue, and fuck, I feel like we've been here for ages…and ages…man, while I just talk—"

Their laughter surprises me.

Wearily, I open my left eye. "Er," I say, trying to get it. "…what?"

Sasuke's true smile is…sweet. Endearing, almost. "You're right, Naruto." He agrees. "It is blue here…" a moment of warm silence is shared between us. "But Sasori's gotten permission to slow time back to Reality's pace rather than to let millennia pass in moments." The grin fades. "we don't want anyone to miss you, hmm…?"

I blink, slowly.

"…what's the fucking point of having a blue heaven?"

Sasori pulls out a long, graceful flute. He runs one finger around it, tracing the patterns and circling the tiny openings. "…that, dear, is merely an after-affect." He smiles vaguely. "The purpose of the sixth heaven—"

"--Seiryuu, right?" I laugh. "The blue dragon." I leer, looking around. "What're those lil' lizard-lookin' things? You know, with the white eyes an' scaley bodies…?"

Sasuke's grinning at me, now. Like I'm a proper lil' student. "Very good." He notes.

I can feel myself flush with pleasure.

But I replace it with a scowl after a sec'0, tryin' ta forget that even Iruka-sensei didn't praise me.

"Most people will never realize these guardians exist…" he's smiling cheerfully, petting one like it's a cat. "If you were mortal, one would follow you everywhere…until you discouraged it too much."

Sasori chuckles, and the soft breath calls sound to the delicate flute. "They're angels, of sorts, but rather like dogs, actually…it would take a mean spirit to drive one away for good." He continues to toy with the flute.

Eying the swirling, playful-looking things, I try an' think of a reason to let the critters go. They look kinda fun to play with…unlike Hell's demons.

"Ahh, you're here, Sasuke?" the low, richly feminine voice takes me buy surprise. "and with Sasori, no doubt!" she laughs, cheerful and bright.

"…ah, Anko, Lady of the Guardians…" Sasuke greets with a slight incline of head. "…did you—?"

She shakes her head mischievously. "No. But did you want—?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I see it. A long, graceful hand touches Sasori's flute, and the faint echo it'd made stops.

I didn't even know it was there.

"Sasori." The deep, eloquent voice greets. "…I am glad to see you caring for my little brother…"

I turn.

"Holy fuck, you're that Judge!" I stare, and quickly turn my head to Sasuke.

Anko, I see, has realized I'm here, with that one sentence. But, a look from both Sasori and the newcomer leads to her hasty retreat. I watch her short hair flutter as she flies.

I chuckle, embarrassed. "Yo." I smile tentatively. "Er, you aren't Sasuke?"

Now Sasuke's laughing. "No. I was made in his image, Naruto…with a few changes…when the Lord saw man's nature."

I blink dumbly.

"Huh?"

The other black-eyed angel, I see, is taller. He says, "I am Itachi, called Michael. I am the warrior of God, he who will triumph over Satan and cast him to the flame."

I frown, agitated and a little sultry. "Dude, no you wo—"

"—and when the Creator saw that man would destroy himself," Sasori interrupts, "Sasuke was…born. Brought to existence to cherish the waifs and strays…"

Sasuke smiles, vaguely. "…and raised to find my Call in Vengeance. I will right their wrongs." He finishes, slowly.

I stare at the archangel—he called Michael, named Itachi…

"…you're the leader…?"

A nod, no smile. "My duties are many."

Sasori rubs a small circle in his flute. "Meet the benevolent angel of death, child." He smiles, slow, and resumes the polishing of his instrument. "Perhaps, one day, he'll save your precious soul from ruin…" a languid thought, not believed in the slightest.

"Fuck you, too, Sasori…" I mumble.

"We have intruded on your time, Itachi. Please forgive us…" Sasuke smiles, bashful.

…cute, really.

I hafta chime in. "Whas'e do?" I don't really want 'im to go.

Itachi's eyes are red.

"I assign guardian angels to the souls who need them." He looks within me, perfectly willing to put me on edge.

"The greater the soul, Naruto, the more Sammael should desire it…" Itachi's voice is level, soft. "…want…" he pauses, "to keep it close."

He holds up his hand, and circles us with a line of light.

"You tarry, Sasori. Be off, before time warrants his return." A cold smile. "I will see you again, boy."

And then darkness swallows me, as two sets of wings keep me safe. Keep me from knowing what the hell's going on.

…I don't even have time to say 'g'bye.'

…but maybe the guy knows something I don't.

…maybe…

…maybe 'e…

I can't easily shake that shitface, Itachi, outta my head. I mean, he did something that makes my head hurt—like Iruka's just pulled some kinda spell on me, to teach me 'humility' or some crap like that.

..but just as Itachi does whatever it is he's gone and done, Sasori and Sasuke catch me…in fields of white and soft, soft fluff…man, I'm real glad that there're only nine heavens…assuming it goes along with Hell…too many more of these, and I think I'd be all too mushy-gooey sensitive for my own good.

…crap, my stomach hurts.

I clutch my abdomen, and shake my head, tryin' ta get the dizzy, sick feeling to calm down. It doesn't help, but the two angels seem ta be good at sensing stuff like that. Sasuke's behind me, quick as fire, two arms wrapped comfortably around my middle, and a strong, firm chest pressed against my shoulders.

…yep, that's real nice…

"…your wings…" Sasuke mumbles, a trace of surprise in his voice.

I smile, too comfy to be on guard. "Er…see, I ain't really Winged, per se…" I laugh, grateful for the support behind me. Otherwise, I mighta fallen down. "Not like normal demons…"

Sasuke tilts his head, putting his cheek in the space co-occupied by my wings…and it just passes through, I know. Like my wings aren't even there at all…

Lots of people've done just that…but it's only air, my wings? Only air, and light thrown back at you.

Sasori stands back while I gain my balance, regain the sense of self that keeps me feeling peachy, even when I ougtta be throwin' up. Hah. I bet angels don't have that privilege…hehe, only me.

…Sasuke's soft…

After a while, though, Sasori gets impatient, despite his angelic demeanor. Pro'lly he's just jealous that he don't got a warm, faintly breathing pillow behind his neck…then he'd be quite content to stay put. Anyways, the fuck pulls my hand—an' me, consequently—on.

Heavenly people sure are touchy. Yeesh, what's wrong with a little break, huh?

…but Itachi did warn 'im…ugh…now my head hurts again…

I still feel like I'm gonna vomit. "Shit, Sasori, I don't feel good—"

His voice is crisp. "I know."

I get bitchy when I'm sick, I know. Everyone reminds me. "I'm gonna fuckin' puke all over your fucking wings, ya bastard! What happened ta me not bein' hurt, huh?" I demand, all the while trying furiously to push the headache out with two fingers at the base of my skull.

Ice blue eyes turn to me, and that tilted smile sinks into my brain. "That, dear, is merely an after affect."

I sputter. "Same diff, I still feel like crap!"

Sasori chuckles, and runs one soft finger around the perimeter of my cheeks, stopping at my mouth.

I hold perfectly still. "Uh."

Sasuke decides to explain, saving me the embarrassment of asking for clarification. "It is only in your mind, Naruto. Nothing has been done to your fragile skull, nor to your soft body." A smile, nothing short of charming. "Sorry…Itachi has that effect on people…he's very serious." The guy rubs circles in my neck as we walk on, a bit bashful an' somewhat…

…I dunno…

…kinda sweet, really…

I step on his foot, to see if he stops the massage.

He doesn't.

"…where the…" damn, that feels much better… "fuck…are—"

Rich laughter from above, full and old and wonderful.

…I immediately hate the guy who's attached to that voice.

Long, long white hair, black eyes and two red streaks painted on his cheeks, the ol' guy looks like he belongs in a theater, not winged an' flyin' in heaven.

"Hark!" the guy says, laughing still, an' so not caring he sounds stupid. "I spy with my lil' eye, a living soul!" he chuckles, booming and loud and fun, even when he's so far above us.

"Whas' this, ay? Huh, huh, Sasori? What've you brought inta the nursery, hmm?" he lands, red-sandaled feet first, great, arching wings last.

Mischief creeps into his voice. "A toad, is it?"

My face flames. "Fuck. You."

A sly, long grin overtakes the guy's face. "Oh, no, must decline." His eyes close with pleasure in the game; me tossing insults, and him teasin' me right back. "I prefer women, you know, and angels are under strict orders to look an' not touch." He elbows me.

I almost fall over. Stare. Turn to Sasori. "Is he really an angel?"

Sasori nods.

I look back at the giant—he's easily taller than anyone I've ever seen—and offer a bit of words. "…you'd be better off in Hell, dude. You can have all the ladies you—"

But he cuts in. "—don't wanna, thanks. It's more fun here." That peculiar stretch of lips never suited anyone better.

Suddenly, the guy takes a few steps back, eyes wide and a comical smile on his face. "Oh dear, you're you!" he exclaims, all laughter and mirth and…familiar…

The guy pushes open a gate I almost ran into.

I blink a few times, still not quite following. "Excuse me?" this fuck's so nuts…

"Naruto, son of…ah hah, sorry, kid, almost spilled the beans, eh?" he sniggers quietly, elbowing me again. This time, I manage not to lose my balance. The old guy shoots a look at Sasori, and then steps back a bit farther to get a better view of my fine bah-day.

He strokes his chin with one finger, an' circles me once or twice, humming quietly and nodding a bit.

Finally, he proclaims, "You look good, brat."

I roll my eyes. "Gee." Deadpan. "Thanks." …but I can't help it. "Geezer."

The old guy's eyebrows twitch. "The name's Jiraiya, ya little horror…"

Sasori chuckles, pleasant and quiet. "Sammael, dearest, calls him by another name, I believe…"

I blink. "Huh?" and then it hits me. "Guh. You're the angel who Sammael fights with all the time?"

It strikes me as wise not to tell them what it is Sammael calls the tall angel.

Great guffaws of mirth litter the air. "Not too bright, is 'e?" Jiraiya notes, and winks. "You bet'cha, kiddo. I'm the one who gives the guy a hard time, 'till, you know, Itachi gets his memo to go start the apocalypse with the destruction of Satan." He says all this so casually, like I ain't even here.

Then he goes on in the gate, calling over his shoulder, "Come on in…say hello to the newest souls…" his voice trails off.

…holy fuck…

…this is…?

"The Seventh Heaven's…Byakko …the white tiger…" I whisper.

"And," Jiraiya notes brightly, "A nursery for the cutest lil' souls you ever saw." He chortles. "It's my job to decide what gender each lil' one is, an' then to send 'em on their merry way." He nods. "If you'll excuse me…this'll only take a minute." He disappears inside.

A low voice calls from where Jiraiya just went. "Come in, and close the gate." The voice is slow, deep. This guy's down-to-business, I can tell. "The light hurts their eyes."

I smile, already at ease. Something about this guy reminds me of…I dunno, an' ol' teacher…like a guy who was around when I first started to talk. "Souls don't got eyes," I call back.

The angel before me now is bronzed, like he's spent most've his life out of doors. "'They don't have eyes,' Naruto." The man corrects. "And that, child, depends on your interpretation."

Every angel here seems to think I'm still just a little kid.

My eyes adjust to the dim light with some concentration. "And you are…?"

A quiet smile. "Zabuza, keeper of souls." He's carrying a shimmering, golden light in his arms, but even that is shadowy. Transparent.

My gaze softens. "Oh. Zabuza, huh?" I reach for a soul—a baby—and hold it close to me. It automatically reaches for my cheek, and even though it's not in the least bit physical, it snuggles against me. I smile, amused. These lil' guys are a lot nicer than their hellish foils. "He talks about you, sometimes." I murmur, pressing a finger to the little soul's middle and running it up to the top.

The soul giggles.

Zabuza's expression is blank.

He's called the 'beast-like' angel. That's what Zabuza's known as in the underworld…I think the name came about on account for his protectiveness, really…he was unhappy, once, and his disciple—

—the thought's broken. "He?" it's dead quiet in here, all the sudden.

I shuffle. "Er…in case you're curious or somethin'…" I'm blushing fair hot again, and the soul in my arms inches closer, like it enjoys the warmth. I bet my face looks pretty weird, with the light so close.

Quiet laughter behind me wakes me up. "Ahh, Naruto…" Jiraiya's amused all over again, back from whatever it was he went to do.

He probably just sent a couple of souls from this safe little haven down to shitty earth…

The old guy ruffles my hair, picks me up an' swings me on his back. " I shoulda made you a girl, kid!"

The soul in my arms tinkles with bell-like laughter.

I sputter, aghast. "What the hell!"

An arrogant smirk from Sasuke. "Women tend to be empathetic—"

"—nah, I'm just sayin', he'd be cute with pigtails!" whooping laughter takes me by surprise. He spins around a little, and the tiny soul murmurs happily.

I think it's getting sleepy…

I scramble off the guy's broad shoulders. "Okay, enough. Let's go."

Jiraiya smiles at me an' pinches my cheeks. "Come back an' visit, ya hear?" warm chuckles. "I'm sure your ol' dad isn't against friends—"

Sasori coughs. "Unless Naruto chooses to live here—by his free will—" all the angels look at me. "That one will see to it that Naruto never leaves hell again, Jiraiya."

The kind face darkens. "Hmm."

Not much of a reply, that.

Zabuza comes forward, and takes the soul from my hands. I wonder if being hauled around by Jiraiya hurt it. The soul, though, just gurgles…

The 'beast-like' angel smiles unconsciously. "Tell him…"

So we're back to earlier conversations.

He coughs a little. "…that if he can find a way…"

I nod. "Yeah. I'll tell I'm ya miss 'im, 'kay?"

A promise. The light around us shimmers with the unspoken pact. Zabuza nods, and I smile back at him.

Sasori puts two cold hands to my temples, holding me close.

I bet he's just tryin' ta keep my head from hurting…the angel pro'lly don't like my bitching much, eh?

The light, comfortable thought's gone in a second. The numbness returns. In a daze, I fly through the maze of the eighth heaven, only half aware an' not at all caring about the place.

I wanna go home.

I want everything to be simple again, with me on one side an' them on the other. No tricks. No gray between good an' bad, no fucking limitations on how I think of these fucking angels as enemy, like I'm supposed to. I wanna believe all've what I was taught, growin' up…I wanna believe that there is no part of heaven that I could like…that it's wrong to take Choice from the souls…

I don't wanna know that something's telling me, 'they're doing something right.'

…shit…it's just one thing after a-fucking-nother.

"The Eighth Heaven," Sasori murmurs, "is a place redefining time and space…"

It turns out that this Gyokunyou, 'The Virgin' realm is another haunt of Sasori's. But more than his realm, I'm told, this one's some Voice-guy's…that Orochimaru—or was it…oh, never mind—is the guy in charge. He's supposed ta be the twin've ol' Jiraiya…heh, I bet he's just as fucked up as that ol' bat, too…neither Sasuke nor Sasori'll say much more about the guy, though. Just that he's in charge of human-heaven relations, and more crap about 'the Voice,' whatever that means.

We go to the center of the heaven, and get ta see the spirit in charge of dreams. See, that's what this place is really about. This spirit, ya got me? She's all white, with a lovely face an' clean, virgin hands…she's like a big spider, each set of legs weaving and shaping a dream for someone…some goal, some promise…

…a hope…

"Who's she?" I ask.

Sasori smiles. "He," the angel corrects, "Is Kimimaro. The dream-weaver."

Our voices call his attention to us. There is a circle in the middle of his forehead, a blush of lavender to match his faintly colored lips, and gray-blue eyes. When he looks at me, he smiles.

I ask the others, "…do stars have dreams?"

I say it on whim.

There's no real thought involved.

Sasori looks at me with icy eyes, and the smile on his lips falls, for a second. He squints at me, but shakes his head, like I can't enter Sasori's eyes.

And he answers. "Yes, young one." Kimimaro's laughter is rich. Like water cascading down a rocky path. He changes form in an instant, coming from spider-thing to a young boy with a long, long neck and hair that touches the ground and goes on…bone-white hair.

He extends his head towards us, but his body stays where it is. Only his neck expands. "Won't you have some tea?" beautiful, creepy boy, this virgin… "…and we can discuss it in full." His eyes are knowing, his eyes are red.

I blink.

His eyes are gray-blue.

Fuck this bitch, I ain't gonna stay here!

"No, thanks," I quickly dodge behind Sasuke 'n Sasori. "We gotta run."

He doesn't stop smiling. "Oh?"

Kimimaro turns to Sasuke, still gentle and sweet. "Poor dear." He wraps his neck around Sasuke's, and licks a bruise on Blackie's shoulder with a pink, pale tongue.

Everything about the boy is washed thin…like he's been done out in water colors. Like he's been used too long, and lost his old flare.

"Don't worry." He says to Sasuke. "You'll find your dream, soon enough…"

To Sasori, he nods, laughing. Ever bright, ever dull, his voice and his image are fuckin' opposites.

"Beg your pardon, Dream," the puppet-master murmurs, and he gently strokes the dream-weaver's hair.

Kimimaro sighs.

"But we truly must be off."

He nods, breathes quietly, and a smoky mist surrounds us. It's like a shitty picture in the fog…no focus, no real color, and everything feels like smoke on my tongue. Except that it's tasteless…barring the times when it fills your mouth with chalk.

It's a whirl of confusing senses and emotions.

Soft lips touch mine. My eyes fly open.

I see eyes like mine, a stark and cerulean blue, staring out from a ball of bright and brilliant light.

And I'm sent careening backwards.

Sweet Kimimaro has sent me on to the next heaven.

And this time, there are no winged angels to catch me.

The air is red.

The first fucking thing ta be seen is red space an' a black, ebony backdrop, like nothin' in the world…shit, man, I wouldn't even care if it were just that, but there's this awful ringing in my ears.

My head hurts. My stomach hurts. Hell, my body aches of old pains an' it's all the sudden harder ta breathe in here than anything…

…my eyes sting. I look around, feeling the god-awful pull to Sasori—the worst fucking angel I've ever met—but I dunno where to go. I duno how to get to him…I try an' fly, but the air's so thick…

I need to go. The pact we drew demands it. My heart's blood needs me to leave.

However, rigt in fron'na my eyes, I realize there's this big ol' ball'a light, see? An' it's not just the light that tells me it's there, neither…there's this forlorn whisle of an old eastern instrument—an ocarina, hey? And I think maybe I see this lil' guy, this seraph holding the thing to his lips…
…how the hell can I see somethin' so small, huh?

Huh?

And the world—for it's a star— starts to collapse in on itself with this terrible moan… this fucking death cry that matches pitch to the haunting, eerie melody the lone seraph plays.

There are no living things. Don't you try an' shit me, none on that star…but it has its angelic guard, but no fuckin' rep from my side…

…guess maybe ol' Sammael don't care if it don't got any profit, eh?

It's…sad…the death of something so beautiful, so heart-wrenchingly complete. An'…nobody cares but that seraph, the poor bastard…

I reach out, tryin' ta offer a hand to the two, tell 'em I'm here an' I care an'—an'—

…something…

…but when I stop to think about it, even for a second, the pull on my body's so fuckin' great…it hurts.

I don't give a damn.

My eyes close. Breathing slows…

But before I can fall—on an' on, forever in the last stage of creation—I feel a tiny breeze on my cheek. My eyes open, and I know.

…the star can see…

…its soul, its great an' bright an' marvelous soul, it's got eyes. Zabuza was right after all, the old, sentimental bastard…souls have windows, they have portals, and they sure as hell are eyes. And these eyes? The star's eyes…they're the color of the sky in the desert…

…a rich, deep, cerulean blue.

Piercing. Aching. Locked on…on—

A rumble is heard throughout the space and time continuum. There's a brief pause in everything that ever was. The star-soul smiles at me…I think, maybe, just maybe, it's saying, "…thank you…" There's a pause. Its voice is huge.

I hold my breath.

"Thank you, brother…" and its eyes close.

No sigh of relief. No cry for more time.

That's it.

There isn't anything else worth noting…just a collapse of force and body, a literal explosion of fire and light. It's just like the end of a fireworks show, see? You see it for a split second, but no one can remember it all in all…nobody can fucking remember something so great; it's too big! And guess what. On such a big think, there's no fucking witness.

'cept for me.

It's just me. No one else, and wha' do I care? Huh? Why should I

cry.smile.weep.grin.mourn.laugh?

…so I fall, down and down, 'cause there's no reason not to.

I.see.I.fall.I.am.

….close

..eyes.

tbc...

Thoughts?