Chapter 14
As the drop-off came into view Asuma smiles. "Remember the plan." He said seeing one lone figure clad in black sitting on the front steps. Nodding to him when Izumo sends off more of his doves for reinforcements. I cut my energy off and break away from the others. Asuma continues forward as Shika, Izumo, and Kotetsu go for the back of the building. Stopping on a tree I watch as the three jump onto the rooftop and Asuma moves to the front. I could feel a lump growing in my chest. "I have a bad feeling about this." I whisper to myself before moving to the side of the building.
Pressing my back against the wall I close my eyes listening to everything around me. The building itself shakes from an impact on the roof. Slowing my breathing I finally ease out my energy, blanketing the area around me. Now that their attentions are focused on the four in front of them, it is less likely for these two, to notice me. Working through the movement in the area I focus on more than just the large falling debris as pieces of the building crumbles to the ground.
"That fellow in the front. Well well for once you struck gold, Hidan." Kakuzu's voice rumbles in the now silent area.
"Kakuzu, just stay out of this alright? I want these three for my ritual." Hidan yells and I shake my head. Are they really going to fight each other right now? "You can have them after." Hidan chuckles and I lean my head back against the wall. I could feel all of them just standing around. Except for Shika, he was crouched down like usual. Probably thinking about the situation.
"Very well, but don't get careless, or you're dead." Kakuzu states plainly as Hidan begins to draw his Jashin symbol on the ground with his own blood. I can already guess they tried to kill him but weren't quite able to sever him to pieces like I had told them to.
"Not that again. Knock it off, will you? Believe me, I wish someone would kill me." He sighs as he finishes drawing his mark. "But that's… not possible." He wants to die, but according to his commandments it can't be by suicide and he has to find an opponent worthy enough to beat him in a battle. He has to fight to his fullest extent. Even then, I never wanted to tell him that it is truly impossible. Even though deep down he knows it too. When you can survive in pieces, stab yourself anywhere in your body including your heart. It's impossible. I'm not even sure if a large injury directed to his brain would do it.
"Shikamaru, stick to the plan, climbing silver." Asuma says as I feel him look over his shoulder at Shika. Even now, as I stand here. I feel myself pulled in two directions. When it comes down to it. I'll have to choose. Hidan and Kakuzu, or the team I am currently on. Basically the Akatsuki or Konoha. To me, it's a rather difficult decision. Currently, I am on two missions that are intersecting with each other. If I try and help Hidan then I would have to leave with them. If I help my team then even the leader would probably see it as my defecting.
"What pests you are, poking me right and left." He pulls the last blade out of him as he smirks at my team in front of him. "The gods shall punish those, who do not understand the pain of others." Hidan then spins one of the blades around that he didn't drop to the ground and leaps at Asuma. Asuma ignites his chakra blades and meets Hidan in the air. A brief clash of metal echoes when they meet in their leap.
"That's a nifty little weapon you've got there." Hidan compliments as the blade he was wielding breaks in half and hits the ground. I could already feel Shika's shadows racing over the ground chasing Hidan to try and capture him. Hidan's scythe flies through the air and I nearly bite my bottom lip. I have to decide what plan of action I should take! Sighing to calm myself I cross my arms under my breasts.
Leader, please tell me what you want me to do. Hidan and Kakuzu's actions drew the attention of the leaf and it wasn't even over the jinjuriki. "Get to him." Shika grunts nearly making me open my eyes. I can't contact the leader no matter how much I want to right now. I can guess he would want me to help Hidan and Kakuzu get away because we can't afford to lose any more members. He would also want me to stick to my mission until further notice.
Thinking like that, I need to find a way to help Hidan and Kakuzu but also keep the leaf off my back... But how... Sitting down in Indian style on the ground I bring my right hand to my chin. Cupping my fingers around it as I bite my bottom lip in thought.
"It's always the same for you nonbelievers! You always go for the most obvious line of attack. You're so transparent." Hidan clicks his tongue in distaste.
"You play around too much when you fight, you know that?" Kakuzu grumbles just as I feel Izumo and Kotetsu move to join the fray. Just before Asuma and the two of them throw shuriken at Hidan.
"You have nowhere to go." Shika claims and Hidan stops with a smirk.
"Then I won't run." Hidan then runs straight for Shika taking the blades that were thrown at him. Grunting as they sink into his body. I couldn't help but shake my head. Their attacks are useless. If things keep up like this it will be my team that is wiped out. Why would you waste time and tools attacking someone like him?
"Immortal jerk." Shika growls and I finally stand. My team are outclassed. They will be the ones to die. No matter how smart Shika is and can think three moves ahead. Since they refused to put me into this fight they just simply don't have the skills to win.
"I guess I'll just take care of the weak ones first!" Hidan snaps nearly making me smile. He's an idiot but he knows how to fight. Even though to be honest, Hidan is the weakest member of the Akatsuki. The only thing he has going for him is his one jutsu and his immortality. Just goes to prove that you don't need a lot of power to beat most of your adversaries. In fact, in terms of energy, he is severely lacking. Yet he made it to the status of S-class criminal.
"Leave them alone! It's me you want!" Asuma yells as he runs to meet up with Hiden to stop him from hurting the other three. Hidan then throws a kunai at Asuma before flipping backward in the air. Showing Asuma had gotten Hidan's attention back away from the weaklings. If Asuma continues having to protect those three. He's going to get himself killed… It was then my eyes widen. Scenarios playing out in my mind before I look out of the corner of my eyes in the direction of the battle. It's risky.
"Burning ash!" Asuma yells just before I could smell something like gunpowder spewing into the air. Moving away from the wall I take my time to walk around the back of the building towards the other side. To put myself closer to where Asuma is fighting. Reminding myself. Slow, deliberate, silent movements to not be noticed. A large explosion roars to life making me smile briefly. Moving faster to my destination, using the rush of flames on the other side of the building to mask my movement, allowing me to move freely for a few seconds.
Stopping I lean my back against the wall again as the flames disperse, fading from existence. "Hurts, doesn't it?" Hidan chuckles darkly nearly making my skin break out in goosebumps like usual. Whenever he starts his jutsu. It's always like his personality takes on a darker form. More sadistic. I could feel Asuma drop a chakra blade as he quivers and winces in pain, the scent of burning flesh permeating around us making my nose wrinkle in disgust. "Judgement has been passed."
"Wha, what the hell is going on?!" Izumo shouts as he steps forward. Everyone was confused. Kakuzu's eyes however shift in my direction making my breath catch. I should have known I could not remain hidden for long with Kakuzu around...
"So what do you think? Helps you understand the suffering of others a bit more, doesn't it?" Hidan stands his voice dropping low again. "I have already cursed you, and the ritual shall now begin." Moving my foot forward a bit as I turn to peek around the building I could feel Asuma's eyes shift to me. As if telling me not yet. "Let's experience the ultimate pain together. Shall we?!" Shaking my hands a bit I watch the now black and white Hidan glaring at Asuma. His eyes are bloodshot with his own blood lust.
Tch, I click my tongue. Masochist. "I don't understand, what happened to Captain Asuma! That fire jutsu engulfed the Akatsuki, not him!" Izumo exclaims, shocked by what is going on. To me, the jutsu is simple, easy to read. But I expected more of Shika. He should have figured this out quickly. Unless I've seriously overestimated his abilities.
"There's no question about it. Although it looks like Asuma somehow must have caught a piece of it as well." Kotetsu explains for his friend and I sigh. Idiots.
"Oh no, don't tell me." Shika speaks almost as if he was finally piecing together Hidan's jutsu. About time. Hidan then lets his maniacal laughter escape him. Pulling one of his spears out from under his robes.
"All of the preparations have been completed. Now you and I will share in the ultimate pain!" Hidan exclaims as he extends his spear making Asuma spin his chakra blade in his left hand before holding it out in front of him ready for an attack. I watch as he sidesteps calculating his point of attack before pushing forward. Rushing at Hidan. Predictably the first limb Hidan chooses is only meant to stop Asuma. To prolong his suffering. Hidan pierces through his own left leg causing Asuma to fall face first in the dirt. "Hurts huh!" Hidan cackles watching the dirt settle around Asuma from his fall. "And I didn't even hit a vital spot!" He cackles again, losing himself completely to his blood lust. "But that kind of pain is the best!"
Come on Asuma, I need you to get up. I know it's hard, I've been in this position myself more than a few times. Get up... I silently tell him watching him laying in the dirt. "Hit the other person's agony as the final moment of death seeps into my body. The pain is transcended and becomes the purest ecstasy!" Hidan continues to cackle completely losing track of the entire battle. Now completely caught up with causing Asuma pain.
Asuma finally raises up onto his left arm while applying pressure on his wound with his right. Staring up at Hidan, fear no doubt running through his veins as he is realizing there may be no escape left for him. "Asuma." Izumo says in disbelief. "He's holding onto his left leg. Something weird is happening."
"His injury, it's the same as the Akatsuki's!" Kotetsu exclaims glaring in the direction of Izumo. Either from anger about the situation itself or in irritation with Izumo not catching on quickly.
Sorry Hidan, but this won't kill you. It will hurt like hell but I think I'm understanding more about this technique from the last time I used it. It's time to see if I'm right. Pushing out of hiding I leap from my hiding place as I shoot my energy through my right hand. Coating it in an underlying layer of energy as I push my flames outwards. Letting them extend from me as I tighten the energy into a tangible form. Cracking it like a whip in my jump brings Hidan and Kakuzu's attention towards me. Hidan's eyes widening in shock as I throw my fire whip out towards him.
Knowing him he will refuse to leave his symbol no matter what since his jutsu is already cast. He won't dodge this... Even though he should. Wrapping my whip around him three times I nearly smile as he and Asuma both scream in pain from the fire burning at their skin. Officially stopping Hidan from piercing his heart with his spear. Landing on the ground I run towards the front of the building watching Hidan. "You traitorous bitch!" Hidan yells just before I pull him hard enough to make him stumble out of his symbol.
As soon as both feet leave the symbol I see Asuma's eyes widen in my direction. Catching his breath before he stands up. "I see. Your jutsu only works when you are in your marking." He says lowly just as Shika catches Hidan in his jutsu to keep him put. About time you catch on, Shika. Releasing my whip I let it fizzle out. My fingers stinging told me all I needed to know about my technique. I'm on the right path. Soon I'll be able to prevent any form of damage taken by it. "I'm going to kill you! I will offer you up to Jashin as a sacrifice! He will be pleased by my offering!" Hidan yells at me his skin returning to normal as Asuma grabs his chakra blade. "Shikamaru, what's going on?" Izumo asks his eyes moving from me to Hidan.
"By forcing that stupid creep out of that diagram he drew on the ground, it undid his jutsu and ended the curse." Shika grunts as he fights to hold onto Hidan who was trying to pull himself out of Shika's hold by pure force.
"What do you mean?" Izumo asks his eyes fall on Shika at his side. Confusion lacing his words.
"That giant Scythe of his, it's got three blades. By the shape of it, I'd say it wasn't meant for mortal blows, but extending the wielder's range. Allowing him to reach his opponents by increasing his range and causing some degree of external injury, great or small." Kotetsu gasps at Shika as he begins to shake with the amount of concentration it was taking to contain Hidan. "In short, if he can inflict even a single shallow abrasion, his jutsu will lead to the opponent's certain death."
"That's his curse then huh?" Izumo asks Shika as I look away from them to watch Hidan, now grunting and growling with his fight to free himself. "But how in the world does it connect back to the initial wound inflicted?"
Shika grunts as I see Hidan raise his right arm just a fraction. "Blood. In order to link himself to his intended victim, he has to take his victim's blood into his own body." At this time Kakuzu looks away from me and back to Shika. Probably now realizing, I never told them anything about their individual jutsu. I nearly smirk thinking of how confused he must be right now.
"I saw him lick the blade too." Izumo gasps as he realizes what Shika is talking about. "So the blood. I see. So if he can wound his opponent and get even the slightest drop of it onto his Scythe he is then able to curse them."
"When he licked the blood his body changed color, so it was pretty easy to figure that part out. But that's not all there is to it. There is one more crucial step that needs to be completed to activate the curse." Shika tells them as I can feel him glare at Hidan.
"There's another one?" Kotetsu asks as a bead of sweat rolls down the side of his face looking back at Shika.
"That guy totally ignored the fire-style jutsu Asuma threw at him earlier. He didn't even bother to avoid it. He just went straight for that marking. Then once inside it, he said the ritual would begin. Then barked about the preparations being done." His use of the word barked almost made me laugh remembering the times I told Hidan to stop yapping like a little puppy. "So the curse jutsu can only be completed while he's inside the diagram."
Hidan interrupts Shika's explanation as he looks away from me towards Shika out of the corner of his eyes. Continuing to fight the jutsu. "You little brat!"
"It's not my fault you run your mouth too much." Shika snaps at him as Hidan gains enough control to look directly at him.
"Enough talk then! I'm going to kill your friend then tear you apart and kill you later! You hear me!"
"There won't be a later! Asuma now!" Shika yells as he changes his hand signs. The shadow jutsu now expands out as if they were tentacles before they stab through Hidan in a multitude of places.
"How dare you... Still stuck!" Hidan complains as he is held further into place by Shika's jutsu. Giving Asuma time to limp towards Hidan, sending his energy into his chakra blade as he limps. Hidan clicks his tongue seeing Asuma draw closer. "Kakuzu a little help here!" As Asuma raises his chakra blade Hidan's eyes widen with fear. "You idiot! Do something already!" I glance at Kakuzu seeing him just watching what was happening. Of course, he won't help, you told him not to in the beginning. Plus you've been pissing him off long enough that he wants to see what happens. It's how Kakuzu is. You also called him an idiot, a big mistake.
It was then Asuma draws close enough he swings his blade letting the chakra slice through Hidan's neck. "I told you to be careful didn't I?" Kakuzu nearly snarls watching Hidan's head hit the ground. Shika withdraws his jutsu making Hidan's body hit the ground unmoving.
"He isn't moving. We did it!" Izumo gasps as I tilt my head. Waiting for Hidan to start his screeching.
"Yes." Asuma breathes as he puts his hand down to his side. Panting from the pain he was currently in and the amount of focus it took to make his body move. Shika then drops to his knees. Spent from the use of his shadow possession.
"Shikamaru!" Izumo calls as he and Kotetsu turns to him with worry.
"Alright guys, we need to get out of here now!" I holler to catch their attention. "Shika is spent, Asuma is injured badly. One is incapacitated for the moment. Now's the time to fall back! We can't take on the other one right now!"
"She's right." Asuma speaks lowly as he tries to keep his balance. Moving over to Asuma I bring his uninjured arm over my shoulder so he can lean on me.
"I'll heal you once we get away, just hang in there." I inform him gently causing him to grunt. Izumo helps Shika up as Asuma and I take a couple of steps towards the others. They were all keeping an eye on Kakuzu who just seems to stare at us. Probably trying to figure out what is going on.
