Chapter 3

Hinata and Kiba bury Shino in the clearing. I assume they had gotten close to him over the weeks they had been stranded out here. With tear filled eyes, they re-join our group and we return to mindlessly trudging through the woods.

"It's strange…" Shikamaru comments. "The sun rises and sets in different directions every night, and the days are shorter."

Naruto adds. "Maybe we've been abducted and taken to an alien planet! Yo', have you ever watched the movie Predators? It's a good one..."

Ino quirks a brow. "You make it sound like a good thing, Naruto-Kun."

A sigh reverberates through my chest. If there's one thing I've realized, it's that Naruto is an A-grade idiot. Not once, but twice, he trips on rocks and branches; barrelling into me and causing me to fall.

"Idiot!" I shout at him as I rise to my feet. "I can't stop myself from falling if my hands are tied."

"Whatever, Sasuke! I'm glad you're falling face first into the dirt. You're such a jerk after all."

"Oh? Did you want me to be nice to the group of strangers who've bound me in rope? Who are currently dragging me through a mysterious forest, with no way to protect myself?! Bite me, blondie!"

Kakashi demands. "Cut it out, both of you."

Kabuto agrees. "He's right. We are all in the same situation. We need to work as a team."

I smirk. "Except, you guys aren't tied up with rope." I gesture at my hands. My wrists are turning dark red and purple. The bruising has moved down into my palms.

Shikamaru nods. "Once we figure out what's happening. We'll let you go, Sasuke. For now, just be patient."

Naruto puffs his chest. "I wouldn't count on it! Sasuke is obviously a dunce."

"Coming from you…" I growl.

That's when I spot something in the distance.

"What the- everybody, look at that." I point in the distance.

It's a huge cabin, three stories tall and unkempt. The windows are shattered and the wood beams look like the leaning tower of Pisa. The eleven of us stand in a line by the front steps that lead to the patio and a wooden door.

Something about this place makes my head spin...my eyes dart back and forth looking to find an incoming threat. But the forest remains silent, and the cabin beacons us in.

Choji's voice wavers. "After facing that scary two-tailed monster, I'm not wanting to stay out in the forest again. Nope- not one bit!"

Kabuto responds to Choji while fixing his glasses. "You are correct. Our chances of survival will be increased drastically in a fixed shelter."

Naruto's skin is pale. "Even if it looks like a' haunted house? Aw man…"

Sakura pats her yellow-haired friend on the shoulder. "It'll be ok Naruto. We've got each other remember?"

Rock-Lee pumps his fist in excitement. "That's right, the twelve of us as a team. We can do anything!" He pauses, and recounts the group. "Eleven...sorry." Kiba and Hinata look insulted.

Kakashi leads the way. He opens the door and it creaks on it's hinges. I trail at the tail end of the group- before entering the abode I take one last glance behind me. A gust of wind blows through the trees, making the foliage look like it's breathing. My vision twists and my heart palpitates with fear. I leap into the cabin and slam the door shut.

When I turn around, I spot a bloodcurdling sight. Me and my companions are staring at a huge living room decorated with altairs. Nine in total...the statues are twisted with twigs and leaves. Each beast has a set of wicked jaws. Each tooth is a stone with a cracked exterior. The statues form a semicircle. Each beast has a different set of tails...ranging from one to ten.

"Woah, look at this!" Naruto recklessly bounds forward and stares at the statue with two tails. "This is the monster that attacked us at the campsite! It has two tails, and looks like a cat. See? See?!"

Kakashi nods. "We see Naruto." He gives the young boy a thoughtful pat on the head. "I also see that this statue is the only one that's broken."

The middle of the two-tailed statue is broken down the middle, spilling leaves onto the floorboards like guts.

Hinata gives a timid reply from the corner of the room. "Th- that must mean the forest is inhabited by all nine of these beasts."

Kiba flexes his fists. "That also means they can be killed. Maybe that's how we'll get out of here!"

Shikamaru nods. "It's definitely a firm hypothesis. Either way, we should explore the rest of the cabin and make sure it's secured and safe."

Kakashi. "He's right. Everybody form a line…" Once again I'm shoved in the back of the line. We cross the living room and enter a cramped stairway. We stick together and make our way to the second floor. It's a single hallway with three rooms. Kakashi hesitates…

"Shikamaru, Choji and Kabuto check the last room. Kiba, Ino, Rock-Lee and Hinata check the second. Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke stick with me."

They obediently follow the elders' orders. Kakashi opens the door...everybody is armed with knives except for me. I'm forced to tense my body and prepare for an incoming attack.

Kakashi grunts. "Nothing but a staircase and some real fucked up decor…" We examine the walls. Strange markings are carved into the rotted wood. One in particular catches my eye...it's the shape of a circle crafted by three tomoe marks.

"This is fucked." I comment as a shiver trickles up my spine. "We shouldn't be here."

Naruto chuckles. "What's the matter, you a scaredy-cat?"

"As if you stupid-"

"Stop." Kakashi says. In the distance, we hear the others shout that they are "ok" and "Continuing onwards"

We creep towards a tiny staircase that leads to the top floor. That's when my heart begins to race. I gasp. It feels like an invisible hand is twisting my insides with a fork! I clench my teeth and shut my eyes. The urge to throw up consumes me.

"Yo' Sasuke. You alright?" Naruto pats me on the shoulder.

"I- I'm fine." I brush him away. Kakashi gives me a brief once-over and shrugs.

"It's probably just withdrawal."

Red hot blush engulfs my face. The three of them instantly recognize my embarrassment and backpedal. "Anyways…" Kakashi shrugs. "Let's just keep on going."

The top of the staircase opens up into a single room the size of a bedroom. Kakashi's large figure blocks the entrance so I can't make out what's inside. The older man's breath hitches. His shoulders tense, and his knife hand wavers. Naruto's eyes widen.

"What is it?! Are you ok!?"

He jumps past Kakashi and into the room.

"Don't just run into danger Naruto-Kun!" Sakura demands, but her order is cut short. Kakashi side steps revealing the horror that is in the room.

Dangling from the roof are eyes in tiny glass jars. The cork tops are wrapped with rope and tied on the other end to the rafters. Beyond the mind bending maze of dangling eyes is another statute.

This one is not a member of the tailed beasts...it is a humanoid figure. With two large wings made from human ribs and bones. The torso rises from the ground held up by loose floorboards and logs. It's neck is a twisted mess of fabric. Yet the head is the most horrific part. It has a square mouth made from human teeth, a long nose fashioned from branches; and two horns that protrude from it's nonexistent ears. It's eyes are human. Bright red with three black tomoe wheels. At the base of it, on a wooden plaque- reads "susanoo".

"What...the fuck, is that?!" It's staring right at me! The statue fills me with terror. I collapse into the nearby wall and fall onto my backside. Sakura rushes to my side.

"It's ok Sasuke, it's just a statue."

"N- no." I tell her. My entire body is trembling and my chest is tight. "There is something very wrong about this place. These statues- they'll hurt us!"

I've never been the kind of man to panic. Usually, I'm calm, cool and collected. But for some reason it feels like those red eyes are bearing into my soul. This statue is calling out to me. When my stomach twists and my head reels- I get the sinking suspicion it's because of this...thing.

"Sasuke, breath. You're having a panic attack-" Sakura's touch is far too friendly. She presses her palm against my heart and leans into my ear. I shiver and launch to my feet. "-I'm sorry."

The three of them stare at me concerned as I backpedal into the hallway. My backfoot slips and I almost tumble down the stairs.

"If we stay here-" My voice wavers. "-keep me the fuck away from that thing."

I run down the stairs and back into the living room. I swear- I can hear the twisted statue laughing at me as I flea.