Rayne Says: As proof of my dedication to continuing work on Reborn, here is another chapter- within hours of the last one. Maybe still not as long as it should be, but not bad. Plus! It has a thing some of you have been waiting for… So R&R and I'll update sooner than later.
As my shoes left soft prints in the sand,
I returned to my body and found I felt nothing.
No disgust at the drying bloodstain on my once-pure cloak.
No fear for what I was becoming.
Nothing but the sated hunger for blood
that my god demanded.
By about three hours after my killing-spree I was ready to pass out. Unfortunately, no shelter could be seen in the endless distance and I was about to just dig a hole in the sand and call it good. I didn't know any jutsu that could build me some kind of shelter, and from the brief flickering of the wind I knew a storm was on its way.
Dragging my feet through the sand, I collapsed into the grainy goodness. If I ignored the grains that went up my nose, it was almost comfortable. Sneezing, I lifted my head and- miracle of all miracles- a cave suddenly appeared. Not one to complain or even worry about the dangers present in a mysterious, dark cave, I made my way to my haven and fell to the ground as soon as I was inside.
"Jashin-sama, is this from you?"
'You have pleased me. I see no reason not to grant you shelter.'
"On the inside, you're a big softy," I laughed to myself, ignoring the minor zap from the necklace.
'I am a fearsome God of Death and Disaster! Not some kitten.'
"Whatever makes you happy," I giggled, my eyes closing of their own accord.
When morning came, it woke me up with a powerful bolt of sunlight. Gone was my cave and its nice shade. All I had now was the blistering sun and sand for miles around. I was sick of the damn desert. So I decided today was the day I would make it to the Land of Fire.
Shouldering my swords, I ran. And ran. And ran.
Eventually, I got tired of running and stopped. Something was weird about me running. By my calculations, I'd been running for three or four hours. During that time, my weapons had become heavier, my water canteen emptied, and Jashin-sama said not a word. If the first two clues weren't enough, the last was a definite sign that something was wrong. The rock to my left looked exactly like one I'd passed fifteen minutes ago. The same spider lay atop it.
This could only mean one thing, and it wasn't good.
"Kai!" I shouted, releasing the genjutsu I'd been under. The desert around me vanished and I found myself in quite the predicament. A) I was tied up under a tree. B) About six feet away sat two forms, wearing black cloaks with red clouds on them.
Trying to avoid the impulse to jump up and scream, I slowed my breathing and calmly stared. If I could figure out who I was up against, it could make it easier to take them down. When I'd worked for Tsunade, I'd been privy to valuable information about the Akatsuki. Maybe, just maybe, I could escape them if I bought enough time.
"Kunoichi, we know you are awake," a cold, silky voice spoke.
Something about the timber of the voice and its ability to instantly weaken whatever resolve I'd had to fight told me that it was Itachi Uchiha. Which meant that the person beside him was Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the seven swordsmen of the Mist. I was so screwed.
"Uh, yeah, hey," I squeaked, finding that my voice had been reduced to only high pitches.
Laughter boomed out of the fish-looking ninja and I swiftly reduced the urge to slap him. Not that I could since I was tied up. Grasping the handle of the bandaged sword, he swung it around and I was face to- well- face with the fearsome weapon known as Samehada.
"Well girl? How did we happen to find you in the desert?" Kisame asked, the amazing control he displayed over holding the sword enough to make me sit as still as possible.
"I was traveling."
"Traveling."
"It's what one does."
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
"You got blood on your cloak, kunoichi. How'd it get there."
"How does blood get on cloaks?" I drawled, trying to buy enough time to think of a plan. Nothing good came to mind besides somehow turning into a bird and flying away.
"Do not play around, kunoichi," Itachi said, stepping closer. His crimson eyes making him instantly dangerous. I averted his gaze and chose to stare at a nearby fern. It really was a lovely fern. "If you do not answer our questions we will kill you."
"Oh," I gasped, feeling horribly nauseous. Why was it now of all times that my stomach decided to be queasy? Oh, I could stab through a man's gut and rip out his intestines without a blink, but when confronted by two men I lose my lunch. No logic.
"Who do you work for?"
"No one."
"For every lie you tell I will cut a notch in your arm," Itachi said smoothly, reaching into the pouch at his thigh and pulling out a kunai. Great. Just great.
"I ask again. Who are you working for?"
"Myself."
His eyebrow raised and for a moment he resembled Sasuke so much I could cry. The kunai didn't move and I knew he believed me.
"What village are you allied with?"
"None."
The kunai lunged forward and I hissed as it drew across my wrist.
"Really! I'm not from a village."
"What village are you from?" Kisame asked, grinning at the thin film leaking across my arm. Sadists. They were all freaking sadists.
"Konoha," I gasped as the blade drew across, taking my silence as protest. Itachi's eyebrow rose again and I prepared for another cut but he held it in a way that let me know I was safe for now.
"Then you know who I am," he said.
"Yes."
"Were you sent to kill me?"
"No."
"Were you sent to kill my partner?"
"No."
"What is your name?"
"Sa-Shiro Hana."
"Sashiro Hana?"
"Y-Yes."
He almost sighed as he cut again, as if the blood was a waste.
'Jashin-sama, I could use some help here!' I cried.
'But the blood you're spilling is so lovely,' he practically whined.
"Who are you in contact with?"
"No one," I said.
"You were just speaking to someone."
"No I wasn't."
"Kunoichi," Kisame grinned, playing with a toothpick, "I wouldn't lie to Itachi when he's in a bad mood. It always ends badly."
"Gotcha," I squeaked. "Look, Itachi…sama, I'm a nukenin from Konoha. I'm wanted in Sunagakure for murder by the Kazekage himself and I really needed to get out of the country, so thanks for helping me. If you'll let me go I'll continue on my merry way and never bother you again."
"If captured you would give information to Anbu."
"No I wouldn't. I think."
"Have you been captured before?"
"No."
"Then you would give information away," he said simply. "It would be in our best interest to kill you."
"I can heal your eyes!" I blurted and immediately wanted to take back. I shouldn't have known that. That was top-secret information and, oh Jashin-sama, he was so going to kill me for that.
"How do you know about that?" Itachi hissed, his Sharingan flashing dangerously and I almost fainted.
"I heard you were looking for a medic to heal your eyes. I can do that."
He paused, the silence horribly scary, and then blinked. Kisame swore softly, and I wasn't sure why until a kunai buried itself in the tree over my head. Three masked figures leapt out of the bush and attacked the two Akatsuki. They managed to keep up quite well, but another person joined the fight. I felt hands grasp me and pull me back before a gag was tightly fixed over my mouth. These were Konoha Anbu and they were probably going to take me in. Oh shit.
'Jashin-sama, I could really use some divine intervention right now!' I mentally screamed.
'You owe me the blood of this person in exchange.'
'Deal.'
The bonds around my wrists lightened and I felt immediate gratification. At least someone was on my side. The Anbu grasping onto my arms took notice of my, now free, arms and took hold of his sword before unsheathing it and bringing it down. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my swords and leapt for them. The first one that fell into my hands was the red blade. I didn't question it, but shook off the casing and held it tightly in my right hand.
The Anbu struck me from my left side and I barely was able to block with my own sword. Sparks flew as the blades caressed each other and the other ninja and I broke apart. Somehow the sparks in my mind reminded me of Asuma and his chakra blades. I wondered if I could do that with my sword.
My opponent disappeared and reappeared over me, bringing the blade down heavily. I braced myself and my heels dug into the dirt as he forced me down. Concentrating my chakra to the palms of my hands, I felt the katana absorb my chakra. The sword's hum echoed in my ears and I could distantly hear Jashin-sama laugh in glee. I wasn't sure if this was a good or bad thing. I countered the next blow and managed to land a hit in a vulnerable part of the Anbu's armor. Instantly, he froze.
I almost drew back my sword, but noticed that the chakra I had transferred to it was leaking into the man's wound. His eyes widened in fear and he screamed out in pain, collapsing. The katana stopped transferring my chakra so I took it out. A quick zap from my necklace reminded me of my promise to Jashin-sama. He demanded a sacrifice and so I gave it. A quick slash of my blade beheaded the man and, taking a kunai from his holster, I drew Jashin's symbol upon his chest.
I felt a wave of approval as this man's corpse became bones just like the others. That was followed by a feeling of exhaustion and I tiredly wiped the blade on my cloak. I sheathed it again and noticed that the bodies of the other Anbu littered the ground. But where were Itachi and Kisame?
"Well, girl, looks like you survived," Kisame's voice spoke from a field ahead of me. I walked through the trees and came to find the ninja rewrapping his monstrous sword. "Maybe you're not as weak as you look."
Had Kisame Hoshigaki not been a shinobi of renowned power and strength, I would have beat him senseless. A noise behind me made me turn and I barely had time to stare in another direction as Itachi walked into the area.
"Your enemy's body is quite unusual," he commented lightly, cleaning his own blade of blood. "It looks as though he's been dead for months instead of moments. How unusual."
"Uh, yeah. Side effect of my jutsu, I guess?"
More like the leftovers of Jashin-sama's meal.
"What jutsu is that?"
"Kekkai genkai," I blurted, wishing I would think before speaking.
"I've never heard of a kekkai genkai that could turn flesh to bone."
His Sharingan flashed and I knew he was wondering if I was telling the truth. Not like he'd believe it.
'You never know, my little murderer. He might.'
'As if.'
A sharp zap told me he didn't like my tone.
"Kunoichi, why do you wipe the blood of your blade upon your cloak?"
"Oh, you know, for fashion?"
"Itachi-san doesn't appreciate sarcasm, girl."
"Good to know. I meant that I do it to let my enemies know I'm dangerous?"
"Foolish. Idiotic. Prideful."
Those three words had the same effect as his brother's endearing 'annoying' three years ago. My ego instantly deflated and if I hadn't given up on tears they would have been shed. I may have been stronger than I was at twelve, but words still had the same effect.
"Well then, it doesn't matter what you think," I lied.
"Kunoichi because you defeated one of the Anbu, we will not kill you. I cannot say the same should we ever meet again."
"Dully noted," I responded, my pulse thrumming. Itachi Uchiha is not going to kill me. I met Itachi Uchiha, murderer of his whole clan save one, and survived. If I had anyone to tell they wouldn't believe it. The two Akatsuki disappear swiftly and I know without trying that they've masked their chakra.
I guess it's lucky that I'm not Sakura Haruno anymore. If I had been I'd have been dead for killing Sasori. My luck seems to be never ending. Hallelujah.
Of course, an unanswered question hung in my mind. Why did Itachi really let me go? Surely he couldn't have forgotten my ability to fix his eyes? A nagging sensation on my arms told me that there was more to the mystery of Uchiha Itachi than meets the eye. Healing the cuts made by him, they scarred. Usually, I could heal without so much as a scar. Since I'd become Hana my wounds had all healed themselves. The cuts on my arms were oddities. My trust of the eldest Uchiha didn't run deep and, if anything, became less at the pink lines on my pale skin. Something didn't sit right.
'Jashin-sama, can you heal these?'
'Fool. Look closer at the marks.'
Doing as he said, I closed my eyes and then reopened them. If I looked at the angle of sight Itachi had been at…the scars didn't look like random slashes. Instead they formed some sort of kanji.
"Oh fuck," I cursed as the symbol became clear.
The symbol created from the cuts was Exterminate.
It could only mean one thing. Itachi had marked me for death. Somehow, this mark was going to kill me.
As I looked down at the violent death-markI could only fear my eminent end.
I had avoided death during battle and
instead been branded with a curse.
I had been denied an honorable shinobi death
and was going to die pitifully—
the harbinger being the brother of the boy I'd loved.
Rayne Says: Cliffhanger! Not a first for this series, or a last, but something that should make you come back for more. I know, I'm evil. Don't worry, the Akatsuki are going to be back for action. Please review!