Notes at the bottom
Between the Devil and the Deep
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Chapter Six
Comrades in Arms
*Farewell to the Gods*
It had been many years since their mother had left the mortal realm, and Hagoromo and Hamura stood on the precipice of their own departure.
"How do you think they shall fare?" Hamura asked, nodding to the mortal world below.
"Well enough, I expect," Hagoromo said mildly. "Better than if we interfered."
"Perhaps. And what of the Guardians?"
"They shall remain. Isn't that right, Kurama?"
The fox gave a grunt from his position overlooking the mortals, his nine tails wrapped around himself. "We shall do as you ask," he said gruffly.
"Don't mind him," Matatabi shimmered into view and paused to rub against Hamura's leg and push her head under his hand. "Kurama is too proud to say he will miss you both."
"And we shall miss all of you," he said fondly.
"The others send their regards, Masters," Matatabi continued. "They asked I tell you they have each found a home in the mortal world."
"And what of you, Matatabi?" Hamura let the blue fire of her fur lick against his skin as he scratched her behind her ears. "Have you made your decision?"
"She is abandoning me," Kurama's topmost tail began to flick. "She speaks of residing on the moon to serve as a messenger, rather than watching her charge."
"I think Indra has long out-grown having need of me," she chuckled. "He and his people are quite at home on the Sea."
"Well, Asura hasn't," Kurama grumbled. "He is utterly hopeless - the only chance he has of maintaining these connections he's built with the other territories is to have someone looking out for him."
"Someone other than Kanna?"
"Yes," Kurama snapped.
"Ah," understanding blossomed on Matatabi's face - Kurama was feeling replaced by Asura's young bride. "I see," she tipped her head to the side as if to consider. "Perhaps I had better stay a while longer and watch over Indra and his family. The others will be too far away to help if Asura gets out of hand."
"Exactly," Kurama sniffed, and she smiled at him.
"It's alright," she sidled up to him, and nuzzled her head under the fox's chin. "I would have missed you, too."
"Feh," the Fox scoffed, but did not push her away.
"And what of your children, Brother?" Hagoromo turned to Hamura with a glint of amusement in his eye. "Are they as troublesome as mine?"
"They are not so dissimilar," Hamura gave a wry smile. "One wishes to foster a relationship with Land Walkers while the other wishes to avoid interaction except when safeguarding the other Children of the Sea."
"I have heard reports of Merfolk assisting Indra's people," Hagoromo mused.
"As have I," Hamura agreed. "But my son in the Northwaters is less inclined toward such pleasantries."
"But he wishes to protect the Children of the Sea?"
"Yes. The waters are wide and deep – I do not fear conflict between them; I fear potential conflict between my son in the Northwaters and the Land Walkers. If you have counsel to give, Brother, I would like to hear it."
"Mm," Hagoromo crossed his arms and thought for several moments.
"A gift," he finally said, stroking his chin. "Two gifts, actually. One to the son in the Northwaters, the other to the friend of the Land Walkers. To the first, we give care of Mother's underwater palace under the condition they do no harm to the Land Walkers. They shall continue the care of the creatures in those lands, and grant amnesty to any on the vanishing isles. To the second, we shall grant the Sight of the Third Eye. When our children combine their bloodlimits, they shall be able to exceed the bounds of both of their gifts, encouraging them to foster and maintain a good relationship."
"Formidable gifts if they should be used for protection," Hamura allowed, "But can they be turned against the others?"
"Any gift turned against those it would protect, will rob the abuser of their magic, and their eyes of light."
Hamura nodded gravely.
"So shall it be."
Before the last star faded from the sky, the Sages were no more, and the age of Mortals had begun.
*Sixteen Years Ago*
The world above the water was even more dazzling than Hinata imagined. She'd watched the rebuilding of the Comrade with tireless interest, learning all of the enchantments and protections woven into the wood.
"It is a gift," her uncle explained. "A show of good faith. This vessel was crafted by one of the Great Kings, and it was felled protecting both the Land Walkers and our kind. We are returning it from the sea, to unite the Clans once again."
"But how shall we return it?" she'd asked in awe.
"You'll see, little one," he smiled. "You'll see."
Hinata had stood next to her Uncle as her Father raised the ship, his magic strong and one with the water. He was a powerful ally and an unforgiving foe, who could sink a ship with less than a thought. But he honored the old ways and defended their pact with the Land Walkers (even if he discouraged the young from going to the surface).
Discouraged, but did not forbid.
Therefore, Hinata reasoned, she wasn't strictly disobeying when she followed her Grandmother to those places she deemed ideal for teaching her to read the stars and the winds and about life above the water.
And now, she couldn't contain her own awe of journeying as the land walkers did - sailing on a boat while standing on two legs. Once her Uncle had given her a nod, she hurried to the bow, and fixed her eyes on the distant shore, trying to quell the fluttering of her nerves before they could turn her stomach.
She hadn't meant to use her magic, but she simply had to see everything in its smallest detail. The glint of sunlight on metal had caught her eye, and she followed it until she saw the boy watching the ship. He waved, and her heart pounded against her ribs as she nervously returned his wave, chiding herself for thinking he could see her specifically even with his spyglass. Perhaps he was just waving to the ship, or the scout in the crow's nest.
But then the surprised voice came, carried by the wind.
"You can see me?"
She didn't trust she had truly heard, so she didn't trust her voice to reply, and instead nodded.
"Who are you?"
And despite knowing that names hold power, and that no one should give their name without the assurance it can't be used against them, she answered,
"Hinata."
She thought the wind sighed her name back to her in a mix of awe and disbelief, but a second later, she heard her name clearly.
"Hinata!"
"Yes!" she snapped her head to the side to find her cousin striding toward her.
"There you are," his smile was small but fond. "Well, what do you think?"
Hinata looked across the vista before them and avoided looking toward where her new friend was watching. "It is breathtaking."
"You'll not be used to the sun," Neji urged her. "Come. Come below until we get closer."
"Yes.. yes of course, Cousin."
Neji turned and offered her an arm, and with a final apologetic look behind his back, she turned to follow him below deck.
The wind tugged at her, and she paused.
"I dropped my pin," she put her hand over her heart, and hurried back to the bow, kneeling as she pretended to reattach her grandmother's pin to the cloak. She could sense the boy watching her, and she wondered briefly if she'd made a mistake giving her name. If Neji found out...
"My name is Sasuke," he blurted out, drawing her eyes across the waves to where he still sat, high on the hill and watching through the spyglass. "Will I see you at court?"
"I will be there," she breathed, a small, happy smile on her lips – for names exchanged were a form of protection. She might have said something else, but Neji was waiting for her, hand extended.
"Hinata? Are you alright?"
"Fine," she stood, and with one final, small smile to the shore, she allowed her cousin to lead her below deck.
The day that the Comrade was returned to her home port was the stuff of legend. The Grand Summit had already set the Harbor and her people abuzz with anticipatory energy. Allies from all points on the compass would be arriving – mostly by sea, and some by land – for the event, therefore crowds were quick to gather when the word filtered through that the ships had been sighted.
Sasuke and Itachi were permitted to watch the ships dock from somewhere other than the Grand Balcony, under the promise that as soon as they were bidden, they would return to their rooms.
"There will be so many arriving," their relative Obito had explained as he led them to a watchtower, "that the greeting protocol of meeting honored guests at the docks has been suspended. The Queen will keep watch from the Grand balcony until all guests have arrived, and then she and the King will formally welcome all of the guests at tonight's banquet."
"So... what?" Sasuke followed up the steep stairs. "The guests just show up at the castle and knock on the main gate?"
"Hardly," Obito chuckled. "There's a representative to each delegation that will greet and guide the arrivals at their respective dock or checkpoint. With so many people from so many different places, it is a good idea to keep them separated at least until they've refreshed themselves and had something to eat."
Sasuke gave a grunt of understanding. He himself never got seasick, but it had taken Naruto several voyages to get used to the rocking of the waves. Conversely, he hated long journeys over land, and he could see the wisdom of allowing guests time to recuperate. Grumpy delegates made for poor negotiations. Obito glanced out of the window. "I'd better get to the docks. I have an old friend arriving, and I don't want to miss him." With a wink, Obito's eye swirled with red and he was sucked into the spiral to disappear with a small 'pop!' Luckily, Sasuke had seen this many times, and was unfazed.
He joined Itachi on the small, covered balcony, where the excitement of the crowd seemed to sing on the air. Sasuke's senses were bombarded with snippets of conversation skating on the back of the wind, and he had to actively ignore the stray comments. It became easier once the call came that the ships were in sight - everyone was excited to see them cross into the Harbor.
No one there had anticipated the sight of the gigantic and impressive figure of the Comrade slicing across the water, flanked with the ships of the other delegates. She could have easily outstripped them and arrived ahead, but in what was surely a show of solidarity and masterful seamanship, she arrived alongside the other ships – to the uproarious cheers of approval from the crowd. Once they realized it was the Comrade returning home - a ship of legend lost at sea before anyone living had been born - they spread the news like wildfire. People rushed to their windows and out of their homes, and swarmed up trees and climbed on roofs, all to see the impossible vessel and welcome her home.
Sasuke recognized the Evergreen flag, and hoped to spot Naruto (and maybe Hinata on the deck of the Comrade), but before any passenger could alight, Obito's wife Rin retrieved them and led them back to their rooms with the promise that lunch would follow shortly.
Sasuke sat in the common area between his and Itachi's rooms, his heart still thumping with the excitement, his mind still lingering on the girl he'd seen on the bow of the Comrade. He had only faint memories of the last Summit called; he had been barely three, and he had traveled with his parents to Evergreen – a place they had traveled many times before. He racked his brain, trying to think if he had seen Hinata then, but had no recollection of the girl.
"Who came to Summit last time?" he asked Itachi, who looked up from his reading.
"There were representatives from all of the clans and kingdoms," Itachi considered him. "But only one representative came from the Hyūga. There had been some incident with the Royal Family."
"An incident?" Sasuke raised his eyebrows.
"Someone tried to kidnap their princess," Itachi frowned. "The plot was foiled, but King Hiashi decided it was not wise to venture too far from his kingdom at that time. I believe Hizashi and his son attended then, as well. It is something of a touchy subject," he advised. "Best not to bring it up."
"Must be alright now," Sasuke reasoned. "If he is here."
"This is a Grand Summit," Itachi looked back at his book. "These happen only every twenty-five years, I doubt that anything short of his own kidnapping would keep King Hiashi from being here."
"I don't even think that would stop him," a familiar and jovial voice offered. "The Hyūga are terribly conscious of all things protocol."
"Shisui!" Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Your ship wasn't due for another week!"
"True," he reached out and rubbed Sasuke's head affectionately, "but it isn't every day a Grand Summit is called. The Captain made good effort to bring us back. Here," he handed Sasuke a wrapped parcel. "Best hide it in your room," he lowered his voice and winked. "I saw Naruto on the docks."
Sasuke clutched the present to his chest and did as bidden, almost letting the door close behind him. He had turned to pull it closed, but stopped when he heard the low, earnest voice of Itachi.
"How did it go?"
"Hard to say," Shisui grimaced. "I do not think the Ōtsutsuki oppose us, but they do not desire to join us at court. We shall send an envoy to them later in the year, when their waters are less harsh."
"And was there any mention of the prophesy?"
"Loads," Shisui said dryly. "They were happy to tell me we are doomed, but not so forthcoming with specifics. We may yet have some time."
"Not if the reports about the kelpies and selkies are true," Itachi murmured. "Another clan wiped out – with no reason or clue."
"You can imagine the Ōtsutsuki are less than thrilled with the idea of partnering with Land Walkers – since our ships have been sighted near many of the massacre sites."
"Something is not right, Cousin," Itachi pressed. "This is more than pirates or hunters; something or someone is behind these attacks and they are being carefully planned and executed."
"I wholeheartedly agree," Shisui crossed his arms. "Unfortunately, we need more than supposition to bring it to the Summit. I will share what I know, but it is up to the Elder Council to decide how to proceed."
Unfortunately, before Sasuke could hear any more, their Mother and several servants arrived with the promised meal. Upon finding Shisui there, Queen Mikoto's smile brightened.
"Shisui!" she grinned. "What a wonderful surprise!"
"My Lady," he bowed to her, eyes dancing brightly. "You are as radiant as ever."
"And you remain my favorite nephew," she laughed. "Come," she bid him to join. "Eat with us while I have your room prepared. The King will be most pleased you have returned!"
Shisui complied, and Sasuke hurried to rejoin his brother and cousin as if nothing were amiss. Neither appeared to have noticed his extended absence (and if asked, Sasuke would explain that he didn't want the Idiot ((Naruto)) sniffing out Shisui's gift), so he breathed a sigh of relief.
He enjoyed the meal, but his mind was mostly humming with what he had overheard. Who were the Ōtsutsuki? What was happening with the selkies and kelpies? What prophesy?
Unfortunately, his questions were to go unanswered. His Mother whisked Shisui away, and Itachi soon followed, murmuring something about needing a book from the library. Sasuke was forbidden from joining his friends until later, so returned to his room to think.
"Ōtsutsuki," he murmured.
He did not know the name, but it tasted old and powerful. Unbidden, the image of the pale-eyed girl on the boat sprang to mind, and a rush of blood to his cheeks followed. In the excitement, he had forgotten that this evening would also, most likely, result in an introduction to Hinata.
Suddenly it did not seem like such a burden to prepare for the evening. "Who knows," he said to himself. "Itachi says everyone on that ship was a Child of the Sea. Maybe she knows something that can help."
He told himself that was why he was excited to see her - she might know something helpful about the selkies and kelpies and Ōtsutsuki, which would help Shisui and put Itachi at ease. Of course, he'd have to see what information he could ferret out of Itachi as well; he didn't like seeing his brother so concerned.
A familiar flicker of magic pricked at his perception, and he smirked.
Naruto had made it to the castle.
Spirits lifted and humming, Sasuke prepared for the evening.
*Ten Days Ago*
Despite its usefulness, the Natrix was not deemed as up the Royal Navy standards; the vessel was acquired and retired in one fell swoop, and the crew was reassigned.
"I'll miss the old girl," Suigetsu said fondly, checking his newly-uniformed reflection in the mirror, "but I gotta say, this fancy-ass shit suits me."
"Vain," Karin hissed, idly tucking her bright red hair behind her ear.
"Looks good on you, too, Karin," Suigetsu leered, gratified by the blush that darkened the tops of her cheeks – doubly so by the fact she hated when she blushed. "And you, Big Guy," he turned to Jugo. "Bet that tailor never had to make a uniform in that size before!"
"He was very kind," Jugo's grin was warm. "Said it had been too long since he had that kind of challenge."
"Guess you'd better make sure you don't bust out of it, then," he snorted.
"Actually," Karin adjusted her glasses on her nose. "After our inspection with the Admiral, he advised the tailor as to Jugo's …specific needs, and he adjusted accordingly."
"Nice," Suigetsu's grin widened. "That'll save them a bundle. So," he looked around the opulent room. "Where's our fearless leader?"
"The Admiral asked me to come collect you."
Suigetsu jumped at the sudden an unexpected voice, with a curse, turning to swing at the man who had appeared at his shoulder.
He missed spectacularly, and he glared at the lithe, pale newcomer.
"Damnit, Sai," Suigetsu grumbled, tugging his uniform jacket back into place. "Do you have to go sneaking around like that? Damn near gave me a heart attack."
"Seems unlikely," he shrugged lazily. "For one thing, you would have to have a heart, although I am more convinced of that likelihood than you having a penis."
"Oh, I'll show you a-"
"What does the Admiral need," Karin hurried to interrupt as Jugo put one, giant hand on Suigetsu's shoulder, effectively pinning him in place.
"We have orders," Sai looked them over. "I suppose you are presentable enough. Gather your things and follow me."
With only minor muttering from Suigetsu, they followed from the common area in their quarters to the harbor, and boarded the Dagger.
Jugo placed a hand on the rail of the ship.
"I am glad she has passed into good hands," he murmured. "I believe it makes her happy."
"Shin will always be her captain," Sai nodded to the crew. "I am just standing in at the helm. Karin, with me."
Karin was quick to comply, adjusting her glasses nervously as she followed Sai.
The crew of the Dagger responded deftly to Sai's commands, just as they would have to Shin's, still wearing black banded across the top of their left arms for their fallen brethren.
Suigetsu scanned the crew, recognizing the majority of them from their joint efforts to rescue the children Danzō had so cruelly, yet cleverly, dumped into the waters to secure the escape of the Fortitude.
"Got to hand it to him," he murmured to Jugo as he leaned his back and elbows against the forecastle rail, eyes on the sailors. "Sasuke's been pretty sneaky selecting this crew. Their only loyalty was to Danzō, and they'd started to break away from that before Madara locked him up. No ties to the King, and no ties to Danzō means ties only to Admiral Asshole."
"Then they are in the same position we are," Jugo stroked the glossy head of a large raven that had come to sit on his massive arm. "Our loyalty is also to Sasuke."
"Maybe," Suigetsu smirked. "But I prefer to think of ourselves as contracted specialists."
"Mercenaries?" Jugo offered.
"Well, I'm not going to work for free, but you are certainly welcome to."
"Sasuke has already made it clear that we are to be paid and are under a special conscription in his service. That is good enough for me."
"You like him," Suigetsu looked his friend up and down. "You trust him."
"I do," Jugo nodded. "And you, Suigetsu? Do you still trust no one?"
"You don't do 'friends' when you are at the top of the food chain," he grinned, his teeth sharp and glinting in the bright sun, "but as long as Sasuke keeps his end of the bargain, I can hang around. Unless I gotta risk my hide or pretty face. Then I'm gone."
Jugo didn't reply to that, and Suigetsu guessed it was because he didn't see the point in arguing. He knew how Jugo felt about Sasuke, and also how he disliked disagreement. "Where's Karin," he muttered. "She's more fun to antagonize."
"Up," he flicked his eyes to the rigging of the ship. "Sai sent her to scout."
Suigetsu frowned. "She hates heights, and she gets seasick. How's that gonna work?"
"She took something," Jugo shrugged. "She will be fine."
Suigetsu's frown deepened.
"You sure about that? You know how she gets with some things – it's hard for her to quit shit once she starts it."
"I am sure," he said mildly, "but you are welcome to go check."
Before he could retort, Sai rejoined them. Suigetsu transferred his irritation with a sardonic smile.
"Ah, there he is: Mr. Tall, Dark, and Pasty himself! So, where are we going?"
"Sasuke has provided us with some locations to scout. Hope you brought a change of clothes," he gave an insincere smile. "You're going swimming."
"Figures," Suigetsu grumbled as Sai strode away. "Got all gussied up for nothing."
"Not quite nothing," Jugo said, focusing his attention on the bird on his arm. "Karin seemed to approve of your uniform."
"She, did, huh?" Suigetsu grinned. "Guess I'd better not disappoint, then. Let's see if we can't find some Merfolk!"
*One Week Ago*
It had been nearly a week since they had scouted the area, and three days since Shikamaru and Kiba had gone into Madera's mines.
Their time had been spent on tenterhooks as they cautiously laid enchantments above-ground to stabilize the mines below – just in case the scheduled detonation got triggered early. Sakura was methodically sorting through her medical supplies, murmuring to herself as she worked, and reassured by the intricate maze of traps and protective seals surrounding the camp.
Akamaru pressed against her side, and she lifted a hand to scratch behind his ear.
"Kiba will be back soon," she promised.
Akamaru just pressed his head into her hip. He'd stayed close to her while Kiba was gone (when he wasn't puppy-eying Choji for handouts) and had kept her company.
"Wish we could get some news of Hana," she murmured as she focused on the feel of Akamaru's surprisingly soft coat in between her fingers. "Maybe someone in the mines knows something," her voice trailed off as she became lost in her thoughts.
"Sakura!"
Sakura stood straight up, as did Akamaru.
"Ino?"
"Sakura – Kakuzu is dead, and Shikamaru defeated Hidan, but the mine isn't stable. We need to create a new exit ahead of the unstable tunnels to get everyone out."
Sakura's lips twitched into a wicked grin.
"I can do that."
Akamaru nudged Sakura to get on his back before bounding into the trees to where Chōji was waiting for them, his face pained and unsure until they arrived.
"Sakura!" he breathed relief as she dismounted from Akamaru with a pat to his head. "This way," he waved her forward. "That tunnel should lead to one of the main intersection points of the mine. None of the tunnels beyond it are stable, but the intersection itself should be solid."
Sakura knelt and put her hands to the ground, closed her eyes, and listened.
Almost all healers had their magic rooted in either Earth or Water. Sakura's was rooted in both, and she was able to access both natures of her elements – a rare gift.
She pulsed her magic through the ground and vegetation, even as she felt Ino's magic whisper at the back of her mind like a hand on her shoulder.
Sakura's mind was comparable to any Nara's, and quickly triangulated the data.
"There," she said under her breath, walking just a few paces to test the ground. "Found it. You ready, Chōji?" she called over her shoulder.
"Yeah," he set his jaw with determination. "I'm ready."
Sakura pulled her gloves more tightly onto her hands, as her magic glowed green and vibrant around her palm. She reared back her fist, and with a grunted "SHANAROO!" she pummeled the Earth, the immense force of her magic and power resonating through the ground and along the mining tunnels, strategically collapsing the empty ones while the earth under her fist began to crack and shatter.
Chōji counted to three under his breath before jumping in to disappear down into the crumble and dust. A bright burst of blue light blared through the debris as enormous butterfly wings cleared the crater, and Chōji stood as a giant, the spared mining tunnels behind him. Sakura focused her energy on stabilizing the walls of this intersection of tunnels – the exit point for those fleeing. People began to pour out of the tunnel into the crater, and Chōji quickly scooped them up to where Sakura was waiting to hurry them along. Naruto's clones appeared, guiding people back toward her medical camp, even as the original hurried to her side.
"We have a problem," he said in a low voice. "One of the villagers just told me that Shikamaru isn't with them, and Kiba went after him."
Sakura frowned, but dropped to the ground and focused her energy in the mines. "That's not good," she said, concentrating. "Can you sense them?"
"I'm going to try Sage magic."
"No!" Sakura stood and quickly took his wrist. "That kind of magic will alert Madara to our presence as surely as if we invited him. We need him to think this mine was collapsed by his people and according to plan – otherwise we might jeopardize Kakashi and his part of the mission!"
Naruto grimaced – he hated when she was right.
"Ino!" she called to her friend. "We have a situation."
The enemy ship was not terribly far away – not for Neji. Leaving Kakashi's ship behind and out of sight, Neji sped toward his target, reviewing Kakashi's instructions.
There were several ships, but they were targeting the main one. If Kakashi's source was to be trusted, the flagship did not have a large crew for its size, but it was heavily fortified with enchantments.
"The crew is deadly," Kakashi told him simply. "There aren't many on board because they don't need many on board."
The ships were finally in plain sight, and Neji used his Byakugan to locate where in the flagship the prisoners were held. Mindful of the seals already plastered along the bottom of the ship, he used his magic to guide Yamato's small wooden spheres until they connected with the wood of the ship. The last sphere was placed on the stem of the ship, absorbing into the wood, and saturating it with Yamato's magic – magic strong enough to mask his own. Steeling his resolve, Neji positioned himself against the hull like an underwater figurehead and allowed the wood of the ship to absorb him.
Yamato's magic was always disorienting, but it never failed. Neji passed into the ship undetected, and the ship took on no water. In fact, he stood in human form, dry, dressed, and armed; the transformation his own, but his attire and weaponry part of Yamato's magic. He checked his supplies quickly before pulling his long hair back and tying bandages around the mark on his forehead.
He had been given no direction as to how to make contact with his ally, or even who was waiting on board. He'd merely been told "they'll find you." Before he could check the ship with his Byakugan, he heard two crew members approaching.
"So, is it true?"
"Can't say."
"Come off it," the first scoffed.
"Alright, fine" the second lowered his voice. "It's true. They've got her down below. Keeping her contained with some pretty special magic, I can tell you."
"Don't Merfolk got to stay in the water?"
"Heh," he gave a cruel laugh. "They can survive out of it. Water gives their magic strength. We give her just enough to get by."
"Like, what… a drink?"
"Naw," his chortle was thick. "Just throw a bucket or two over top now and again. Keeps her alive but weak. I'm going down now… want to see?"
"Maybe later," his lips twisted into something devilish. "Until then, say hello for me."
The first man went on his way, and the second strutted down the corridor, whistling something irritatingly off key.
Neji was seething.
There was only one possibility as to who their captive could be; once he secured Hinata, he would make sure that this…detritus paid for their crimes.
Silently, he followed the man as less than a shadow, not for the first time wishing he could borrow Yamato's trick of moving through the wood. Academically, he knew he was moving away from his intended targets, possibly jeopardizing the mission. His keen analytical mind would have normally questioned the likelihood of overhearing about a captured Child of the Sea or how it could possibly be Hinata, but once he'd fixed on the sailor's words, he could think of nothing else.
His pulse – normally slow and steady – was thrumming, and anger knotted deep in his stomach. His thoughts became a roiling jumble of what he would do to this person as soon as he secured Hinata – sooner if the timing allowed. The more he thought, the angrier he became, and the more his objective shifted to swift and brutal retribution against anyone who stood in his way.
The man stopped at short passage with three doors, the largest of which was at the center. He pulled out a ring of keys and fiddled with it, his atonal humming pushing Neji to a breaking point as he reached for the weapon at his hip.
He barely had time to register another presence before he was attacked from behind. A thickly gloved hand darted out to cover his nose and mouth, pulling his head back and holding him fast while placing the cool edge of a blade to his exposed neck. Neji drew in a sharp breath, and for the smallest of seconds his vision went red with rage as he tensed, preparing to round on his enemy and end his miserable life… until he heard one, simple word.
"Dispel."
The red began to fade from his vision, and his thirst for blood dissipated like the last of the morning mist at dawn.
The smell of something grounding and familiar overcame him, and his next inhalation was one of relief as the world came into focus. The man he had been following had disappeared entirely, although he couldn't fathom how, as the door remained locked, and he'd not tried to escape. The tension left his body, leaving him drained and dizzy.
"Steady – I've got you," a voice was low and warm and reassuring in his ear. "Just a couple more deep breaths."
Neji did as directed and felt his equilibrium return and his breathing stabilize.
"There now," the voice – a woman's voice, Neji noted – continued. "Sorry about that," she withdrew the blade from his throat and guided him to sit on the low bench recessed in the wall – no doubt where she had been hiding, "but if you're even half as skilled as I've been told, then I didn't want to face you as an opponent. Here," she handed him a canteen. "Drink."
Neji did as bidden. The water was sweet and clear, and instantly rejuvenating to both his mind and body.
"What just happened?"
"You mean other than me ambushing you?" a smile tugged at her lips as she removed and tucked the large glove away and tugged on the fingerless one underneath to keep it in place. "You just got a taste of some of the protection magic on this ship."
Suddenly, it was all so clear to him - the men talking, the need to follow them, the building, blinding rage….
"It was all an enchantment, wasn't it?"
"A very powerful one," she agreed letting her eyes linger down the hall before turning to consider him. "It simultaneously detects intruders while ferreting out what quarry or treasure would most entice them. Once a victim falls prey to the enchantment's suggestive powers, they become overwhelmed with whatever emotion would best incapacitate them. They are then lured away by specifically tailored illusions through a sealed passage to a cell where they are trapped until someone can deal with them."
Neji grimaced.
"So, the crew knows we are here."
"Ah," her lips twisted into a half smile. "That was the tricky bit. I interrupted the part of the enchantment and rerouted it to alert me of any intruders instead of the crew. Once I knew you were on your way, I just waited."
"But how did no one else on such a magically fortified ship notice my presence? I doubt I was masking it well at the end."
"The paths the illusions follow are set, and are therefore sealed. They aren't as effective if interrupted, so no one can intercept the intruder until after they are locked away," she explained. "Since I disrupted the initial alert of the enchantment, it was the best way to get you here undetected."
"And the substances on your glove?"
"An antidote to the enchantment if you will. Works best if inhaled, and as we are short on time and you are reported to be long on skill, I thought this the best option."
Neji shook his head in disbelief. "I'm not sure if I should be flattered at your precautions or concerned that you subdued me so quickly."
Her eyes sparked with mischief.
"Go with flattered."
"My pride thanks you…?" he lifted his eyebrows in question.
"Best not to use names on this ship," she glanced around, eying the darkened hallways. "Real or otherwise."
"You seem rather comfortable for someone preparing to take down a ship with only one other ally."
Her lips twisted into a wry smirk.
"This isn't exactly the first ship I've sabotaged."
Something clicked for him.
"So, you're the one sinking the ships."
"One of them," she allowed. "But either way, you should finish that," she nodded to the canteen, "and we should get moving. They will send meals down to the jailer shortly, and that will give us an opening to get to the prisoners."
Neji nodded, and drained the canteen. He stood and handed it to her stopping short at his first clear look at her face.
There was a jolt somewhere under his ribcage when he was met with eyes he was certain he recognized, and before he could even think about stopping himself, he blurted out: "I know you."
She took the canteen with a secretive smile. "I bet you say that to everyone you sabotage a ship with."
"No," he insisted, stopping her with a hand on her shoulder, scouring her face. "I know you."
Something skimmed across the shifting hazel of her eyes. "Residual disorientation," she shrugged, "It will pass." She tucked the canteen away and pulled out a dagger. "Take this," she handed it to him, handle first. "It might come in handy."
Neji accepted with a nod, and tucked it into his belt, next to his other weapons.
"Stay close; I have detonation points ready to trigger, and we don't want them to go off early."
Neji stopped.
"You're kidding right?"
Her grin was wicked - her sharp nature a contrast to her two-bun hairstyle and impish eyes. "Not even a little bit. Try to keep up, friend." With that she slipped into the shadows, leaving him to follow. Taking only a second to wonder what Kakashi had gotten him into this time, Neji followed after her.
"You're fucking heavy," Kiba grunted, Shikamaru's arm slung around his shoulder, now and then pausing to sniff the air.
"No one told you to come get me," Shikamaru muttered.
"Ino did," Kiba snorted. "She still is – and she is royally pissed at you." Kiba winced and then said, "Well you are."
Kiba hurried them along even as he felt the mines shudder underfoot. He bit off a curse, and stopped to sling a protesting Shikamaru across his shoulders.
"Gotta move," he said by way of explanation (an almost apology,) and picked up his speed, hurrying toward the opening he sensed but did not see.
"Where are you going?" Ino cried into his thoughts. "That's the wrong way!"
"No, it isn't," Kiba growled. "I smell fresh air this way – and it is closer than the way you want me to go."
If Ino hoped to change his mind, her point would've been moot not a moment later when a fissure appeared in the wall above him. Kiba veered toward the scent of wind and sun, and away from Ino and Sakura's plotted departure point. The mine was collapsing quickly now, and Naruto was blending his magic with Sakura's to ensure Hidan remained sealed underground.
"Must've been some left-over tags?" Kiba scanned the side tunnel he was shunted down, hoping it was stable enough to let him get to safety.
"None on their plans," Shikamaru offered between gritted teeth. "Not even the same kind we disabled."
"Gosh, maybe they had more enemies. Such a shock."
"It is if they could get into the mines," Shikamaru grimaced before coughing blood onto his arm.
"Don't you fucking dare," Kiba growled. "You keep your shit together until I can get you to Sakura who is going to heal your lazy ass because I'm not dealing with a screaming Ino, and the scent of dead guy hangs in the nose for fucking-ever, so keep your punk-ass awake and alive until I get us where we need to go."
If Shikamaru had a retort, it was lost in the sound of crumbling mines and Kiba's sudden burst of speed. Suddenly the air was clear, and he was blinded in the bright sunlight as Kiba tumbled out of the mines even as the entrance collapsed behind them. Shikamaru felt himself be dropped to the ground as gently as Kiba could manage before he heard the thud of his friend collapsing beside him on the grass.
Kiba sucked in the clean air, and coughed out the last of the dust; momentarily disoriented by the bright light after too much time in the mines. He closed his eyes and basked in the warmth of the sun on his skin as he reoriented himself to aboveground.
"You alive, Nara?"
"Yeah," he grunted as a familiar howl echoed in the distance. "Ino let Sakura know; she and Akamaru are on their way. She said she'd give us ten minutes of peace."
"Thought she was being awfully quiet," Kiba sighed happily, flopping an arm over his eyes, and letting the tension begin to bleed out from his body and into the tall, soft grass.
"I won't tell her you said that," Shikamaru chuckled. "But just because it would be troublesome otherwise."
"Also, because I just saved your ass."
"There's that."
Kiba smiled wearily under the crook of his elbow, content for a moment to just 'be.'
He must've dozed off, because the next thing he knew, he was being nudged by a large, and familiar wet nose.
"Easy, Big Guy," he said gruffly. "I'm still a bit sore."
Akamaru whined, and he chuckled. "Alright, alright – I'm getting up." He opened his eyes to find a person silhouetted against the sun, holding out a hand to him.
"Thanks," he took the offered hand, and let himself be pulled to standing.
"Been a rough day?"
His exceptionally keen senses were still overloaded from the mine – or perhaps it was the after-adrenaline rush that dulled his perception – but his mind was slow to process that question.
More importantly, it was having a problem with who asked it.
Because while it was Akamaru that had nudged him awake (while Shikamaru dozed in the sun, or maybe just pretended to), it wasn't Sakura that helped him up.
"Still getting into trouble, I see," a familiar and crooked smile met his own. "Nice to know that some things never change…. Little Brother."
Kiba blinked several times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Or dead.
But then her smile curved into that sharp grin that Tsume had given them both, and with a muttered bark of exhausted disbelief, Kiba crushed her to himself in fierce, protective embrace.
"I missed you, too," she hugged him tightly.
"Mom is so going to kick your ass," he muttered. "Where the fuck have you been, Hana?"
"Long story," she said wryly, letting him hold on a moment longer before she leaned back to better see his face. "I'll tell you all about it as soon as we get the miners treated and en route to safety." She studied him critically and lifted a glowing palm to a cut on his forehead. "Let's get the two of you back to your camp – Sakura is waiting for you."
Kiba arched an eyebrow. "You know Sakura?"
"We met earlier,"
Hana gave several sharp whistles and three large dogs bounded to her side.
"You awake enough to take a ride, Nara?"
"No," he sighed, opening his eyes and turning his head to the side to see them. "But I guess that wasn't really a question."
"They were right," her grin was sharp again. "Naras are smart."