"Leader-Sama I know this is unorthodox but I would like to request to lead a mission of 5 members alongside myself and Tobi. When I joined I was informed that I would be given the opportunity to take my revenge on Orochimaru and to do this in a timely manner I need other members to aid me. Orochimaru has been a thorn in everyone's side and killing him now with help will be more beneficial than letting Tobi and I do it on our own over a longer span of time." Pain was sitting with his hands interlocked in front of his face as I kneeled below him, my eyes staying locked onto his Rinnegan.
"You have three weeks, if your mission is not accomplished by this time everyone else is to return home at once." Pain's deep voice boomed throughout my shoddy lit room. Konan was standing by his side and I flashed her a smile before turning back to cadaver of sorts and gave a quick bow.
"Thank you Leader-Sama!" Their chakra made holograms faded the slight buzzing on my Akatsuki ring faded signaling the meeting is over. Everyone was gathered in the Hideout for the first time in a few months, perfect for me to gather my allies. Me, Kisame, Kakuzu (who I bribed to give him the bounty off of Orochimaru if he came), Hidan, Tobi, Itachi, and Deidara were sitting around the floor staring at a map of the continent.
"So from the intel Sasori gave me and everything I have gathered myself, Orochimaru has more or less of 20 hideouts scattered throughout every land. If you find Orochimaru in your area, alert me immediately and I will be there. Same goes for me, I will let whoever's closest to aid me when I find him. If you are the one to find Hiashi Hyuga drop whatever you are doing and get him to safety, bring him to the gate of the leaf village and I will give you whatever you want in return. He is not to be harmed by you under any circumstances if I find out otherwise I will kill you in the most brutal ways possible. Shark Boy." I circled the area between Kiri and the land of waves. "You are going to be here, water is your strong suit and you know the layout of the area surrounding Kirigakure better than the rest of us so you will find the hideouts in this area and if they are empty destroy them. One hideout I know of in that area is being ran by a girl not much older than me named Karin. Orochimaru never goes to that hideout so don't worry about finding him, just destroy it. Karin can sense chakra at an inhuman level, being able to distinguish chakra up to 80 kilometers away, she's not much of a combatant though so be warned. If possible get her to join but if she refuses do whatever necessary to stop her and anyone else that stands in your way. I want the prisoners from that area to be released and to spread the news that Orochimaru is going to meet his end."
"Sounds intriguing." Kisame flashed me a grin and tightened his straps holding Samehada in place.
"Dei."
"Hmm?" I circled around the Land of Wind and marked the areas that known hideouts were located.
"You have the largest search radius to look. When you find a hideout if Orochimaru is not there you are to light it up. I want it to be known that you were the one who took down the hideouts, make it big and flashy. We're sending a message."
"Sounds like a blast, un." Deidara had large bags of clay strapped to each of his sides, an excited and maniacal grin on his face. He was one of the most ready to kill Orochimaru, they have some kind of score to settle for reasons he wont tell me.
"Kakuzu and Hidan, you are taking the Land of Fire together, it's Orochimaru's home so there are many hideouts in the surrounding area. There are also a lot of Orochimaru's willing subordinates hanging out in these hideouts so your job is to slaughter them all. Sacrifice them, keep them for bounty I don't care they're all gone. You two are probably the ones who wouldn't die on what should be a suicide mission."
"Fuck yeah, Lord Jashin is going to love this!"
"Hear that idiot, don't die. I'm not going to come save your ass." Kakuzu stated gruffly, smacking Hidan on the back of the head.
"Every damn time… That's not something you say to me you greedy old fucker… If they can kill me, I couldn't be happier. Although… they can't!" Hidan gave me a proud boastful grin promising to fulfill my wishes making me smile and roll my eyes.
"'Tachi." His blazing red eyes turned to meet mine and he was pissed. He wanted to join me as protection but I need him elsewhere and we had an argument about it for the longest time so I changed his positioning to make him the closest to my location. The stubborn ass. "You are Taking care of The Land of Earth outside of Iwagakure. This one is a stealth mission, we do not need the Tsuchikage on our asses for any reason, take down the hideouts and if you don't find Orochimaru as soon as you can get out and join me in Otogakure. There is one hideout there filled with curse mark experiments and a boy by the name Jūgo. Kill the experiments, put them out of their misery Orochimaru casued but make sure you save Jūgo, you can only calm him with your Sharingan and make sure he knows you can."
"Yay it's finally Tobi's turn what does Hinata-chan want?"
"Tobi you are out wild card, you can sneak in and out of places unseen when you want to and are the only person I think can escape if somehow the Raikage somehow gets wind of us being near the borders of Kumogakure. Like the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning has few hideouts but they still need to be stripped and destroyed."
"Tobi will do his best Hinata-chan!"
"And last but not least, when you go into the hideouts, if you come across a boy named Suigetsu Hozuki, bring him to me or the hideout. If I find out you killed him I will shove your balls so far up you, they'll come out your throat." Everyone was packed and ready to go, my entire body was humming in anticipation. It's time I'm finally going to get my dad back and Orochimaru is going to lose everything he worked for as well as his life. Kabuto has been off the grid. As much as I want to shove a kunai in his chest, he is even more elusive than Orochimaru, his skills as a spy are no joke and he has all but disappeared doing whatever it is he does, he is not my target for now.
—
After searching endlessly with my Byakugan I found the entrance to Otogakure. The people here were dressed like civilians but their chakra flow, even when suppressed, was not able to hide from my vision. I was wearing Shisui's clothing still but this time I had my Akatsuki cloak on and unbuttoned, it billowed behind me like a menacing cape as I walked straight into the village. When the people who seemed to be hidden guards caught sight of my cloak they landed in front of me blocking my pathway, weapons at the ready.
"What do you want puny Akatsuki scum?" My lips turned into a vicious smirk as I circulated chakra into my hands.
"Where is Orochimaru?" The men in front of me scoffed and narrowed their eyes.
"If you think we'd betray out Lord like that-" Without giving any more time to respond my hand was punctured through the both of their chests. I sharpened my chakra to that of a blade and enhanced it to break through the bones shredding through their weak frames and piercing their hearts. Blood came dripping out of their mouthes before they were both limp on my arms. I tossed their lifeless bodies to the side carelessly and wiped the blood against my cloak, continuing my walk into the village, Byakugan still activated to see where a hideout would be located. The underground here was filled with catacombs that at some point should lead me to the various hideouts scattered throughout. Each and every person that got in my way was cut down, my kunai supply was already running low but it didn't matter, I just continued on my blood ridden path further and further into the elusive village.
Every slash filled me with guilt of all the lives taken by my hand, the further I went into the village the more my nightmares came flooding forward but I pushed them down and locked them, letting the overwhelming rage take over. Rage for everything that happened, for losing my father, for not being able to help Orochimaru change, for all the pain and fear that still lingers.
Finally I saw a point in the underground catacombs that had a drop off and chakra suppressant seal. I slammed my heel into the ground and let it shatter at the entrance where I took off the seal and entered the hideout. The lights were dim and the walls were uniform in the deep brown of the soil that was packed and hardened. There were small lanterns lighting up the way in the small hideout. There were two rooms, both of them devoid of any human chakra. There were papers scattered around the room all with failed chemical equations that I had never seen before. There was nothing of use anywhere so I attached one of the paper-bombs to the celling and continued my journey through the tunnel. When I was far enough away, I activated the paper bomb and choked a bit on the large burst of dirt and dust from the total annihilation of the hideout.
I repeated the process a few times over until I reached the largest Hideout I had been inside of. My heart was racing and when I looked inside of the hideout, there was a massive chakra just waiting behind the wall. The familiar and intense slither of the chakra as well as the crushing bloodlust coming from it heightened my senses to the extreme and my body was trembling in a mix of anger and fear. I sent 4 small bursts of chakra into my ring to let everyone know I found him.
—
(3d POV)
When Hinata's chakra flared out the intensity of her rage was felt in a crushing force as the walls around her shook. Behind the closed door, Orochimaru's tongue ran languidly over his lips and fangs, his mouth stretching out into a smirk of sadistic amusement. Oh how much he loved her anger, he didn't have to do anything. Keeping her father was a perfect plan in getting his little pet to come finding him. Even better, she didn't try to sneak and attempt to assassinate him, she took out his finest men and busted through his front door alerting him of his presence. This game was fun for him and the snake-like human was ready for the next stage. He already brought the darkness into her, all he had to do was bring out that darkness and she'd be his little pet. Breaking a few of her bones now will be beneficial to fully make her obedient. She was so close last time, all he wanted to do was give that little push off the deep end and into insanity.
His long pale fingers clasped together in the snake seal and the walls surrounding them collapsed. The sunlight flooded in the makeshift battle ground illuminating the two competitors. Orochimaru was calm and composed, his yellow eyes were staring at the girl in front of him with no attempt to mask his excited thrill at her state. Hinata was glaring daggers at Orochimaru, her teeth were bared in an aggressive snarl and her lavender eyes were narrowed dangerously, the veins from her Byakugan bulging from her face.
"Oh my darling little Hyuga how I've waited for you to come back to me. You've been such a bad girl I'm afraid I'll have to punish you again." At the slight mention of what he had Kabuto do, the navy haired girl took a step back, her eyes flashing with fear before she grit her teeth and let out a growl. That bit of fear in her eyes had Orochimaru letting out a little laugh, oh how entertaining this was going to be indeed.
"Fuck off." She snarled.
"Oh you're still so uncouth, I would have thought your father would have taught you better by now. Oh… wait." He spoke with such fake sympathy all of her fear was gone an Hinata was raging, gripping her fists to tightly together blood began to drip down her fingers and onto the ground below.
"Where. is. he, WHERE THE HELL IS MY DAD!" The low growl turned into a pained and angry scream
"He's not here if that's what you're wondering. He's locked up in another one of my hideouts, if only you had found him instead of me, you'd get to see your loving father once again. He's really been strong, none of the experiments we've done have managed to break him. He was being so strong for you, pity." The snake bastard teased, trying to rile the already entertaining girl up. The madness, the rage in her expression was fueling him. He loved it, he thrived on it, he was going to break her completely and she'd submit to him wholly just like the rest of them.
(With Itachi)
When Itachi felt his ring pulse with Hinata's 4 beat code his heart started beating faster and his speed increased that much more through the Northern Hideout. He didn't want her to be the one to find Orochimaru, he had seen the darkness that the monster forced upon Hinata, he had been there to help calm her after her nightmares. The Uchiha prodigy didn't know if Hinata would be able to face him alone. Sure, she was strong enough but sometimes its those who are strong that are mentally the weakest. He could see her struggling with herself, pushing down all of her feelings and masking them. Itachi should know, he has been doing it for years. Seeing Orochimaru is going to make that gate burst and he didn't know if she could handle it alone.
All the boy wanted to do was turn around and head to Otogakure as backup, he didn't like not being there to protect her. If she got hurt or worse, he would be breaking his brothers one wish and Itachi couldn't live with himself if that happened. But he'd be damned if he didn't save this Jūgo guy, Hinata begged him and as much as he wanted to say no, if she felt like the boy deserved a better life, Itachi would comply to her and help save him. If he's the only one she's saving, there's something special about him and that was enough to have Itachi rush into a hideout filled with half human half monster people who were begging for their painful lives to end. Even as a pacifist at heart, the amount of killing has numbed Itachi, each person whose life he ended did nothing to phase him, at least this time they weren't crying in anguish because of him.
When Itachi reached the top floor, he opened each room and when Jūgo wasn't there, he killed the 'prisoner.' It was finally a room locked heavily in the right wing of the hideout that he knew he had found his target. With a small fireball, he melted the locks and opened the door ready for whatever is behind this heavily guarded door in a place full of monsters. Instead of a half morphed person like he was expecting, there was a large broad teenager with bright orange hair. He was sitting with his knees pressed up to his chest and he was trembling, staring at his own hands in fear. Jūgo's orange eyes met Itachi's burning red ones and Itachi watched in interest as the fear dulled and they became clouded over. Red markings spread from his left hand covering half of his body and turning his skin grey and hard like stone. The Uchiha recognized this as the curse mark, but it had no remnants of Orochimaru's chakra. Jūgo's face morphed into a wild grin and he let out a booming cackle.
"Perfect, it's a man. I'll KILL YOU!" The massive frame of the boy hurdled speedily at Itahci, his fist quadrupled in size and spiked protruded from his skin. With a swift counter, Jugo's hand implanted itself into the uncut granite wall behind Itachi, cracks forming and crumbling around the impact point. Itachi flickered in front of the raging and mentally unstable boy, he brought their heads together, gripping the back of the cursed boy's neck and locking eyes.
"Calm Down." His Sharingan bore into the orange and yellow eyes of Jūgo, persuading his mind to relax. The scaled markings covering the boy faded and he was released. His orange eyes were open wide in shock as he took in the appearance of Itachi.
"H-how?"
"Jūgo-san my name is Itachi Uchiha and I have been sent to rescue you from Orochimaru."
"You can't just lock me back up, I-I don't want to hurt anyone else." The orange hared male turned to walk back into his cage but Itachi stopped him. This boy was like him, he didn't want to hurt people but had no choice; no wonder Hinata wanted to save him. He was a pure soul.
"You wont, I can promise that. I calmed you down, I will do it again. You will be able to be free, experience the beauty of nature, find people who care about you. I will be your cage, you won't have to accidentally hurt anybody anymore." The taller teen looked over Itachi and when he found no hint of insincerity, he relaxed. Itachi didn't hold the same dark harshness Kimimaro had but his eyes were just as sincere at wanting to help Jūgo he wanted to follow him. Kimimaro was gone but Itachi was here, he'd be able to live again without the fear of snapping and rampaging.
"Ok, I will follow you Itachi-sama." Together they left, rushing to Hinata's side as Itachi informed his new companion what was going on and how Hinata was the one to want him to be saved.
(With Kisame)
When Kisame felt Hinata's chakra code pulse his teeth spread into a grin. He was glad she found him, although he wanted to be the one to crush Orochimaru her vendetta was interesting and he wanted to see if she truly could take him out, from what Itachi said it's possible but Kisame wanted to see what the small fry had in her. And he was having fun destroying things and Samehada was enjoying the chakra meals he was getting from the people who tried to fight them both. They were at the last hideout, the one where the Karin girl was in charge of and damn she was annoying. Her chakra sensory skills were no joke though, she sensed Kisame's unreal chakra from miles away and knew id they fought, she would lose so she was buying her time until she could find a way to escape.
"I just got the signal, Orochimaru is as good as dead now that he's facing her. Eh, brat are you going to join us or what, I'm itching for a fight if you say no."
"Lord Orochimaru wouldn't lose to some stupid girl. Hmph, you should just leave me to my business." Karin pouted, crossing her arms in annoyance. This was bad, he was expecting a response sooner than later and if she said she'd leave with them she was dead and if she said she wouldn't, she was dead. It was a matter of the lesser of two evils, face Orochimaru's wrath or this large shark man. "And as for leaving, it's impossible. I'm the warden here I keep these lowlives in charge, I can't leave my post." She was going to hightail it out of there, if she moved quick enough and held him down with chakra chains she should be able to escape, and releasing an inmate or two to distract the sword wielder would be better than having Orochimaru find her after leaving, the torture she would ensue would break her. She's done it enough to others to know her horrific fate.
"Suit yourself, Samehada is going to have fun shredding you." Kisame swung his sword down at the redhead but with nimble movements she managed to dodge and make her way out the door, bursting open a jail cell, yelling at the inmate to attack. Before he could do anything, he was shoved back into the cell and they all watched in extreme fear and mild fascination as Karin tried to use her chakra chains only to fail and have her chakra drained before her body was sliced to ribbons and thrown in the water, staining it red for the sharks to devour her. Kisame stalked back into the 'prison' and grinned menacingly at all the cowering men.
"Ah what a waste of time, at least the brat had a large supply of chakra for Samehada." He swung his sword with ease, knocking the metal barred doors off their hinges and standing in front of it, his large frame towering over the trembling men who were accepting their deaths. "You are free to go from this crap hole, unless you want to fight that is. I'm itching for a good opponent." Everyone shook their heads in hasty no's, their wide and fearful eyes looking up at Kisame like he was insane.
"W-We're free to g-go?"
"Yep! Make sure you spread the news that Orochimaru is dead, killed by the Akatsuki." Kisame had faith the snake Sanin who had been a thorn in everyone's side was going to die, whose hand to do the job he was unsure but he knew Itachi wouldn't let him live even if Hinata failed. The creep pushed his luck one too many times, nobody gives a more deadly wrath than a woman scorned, or an Uchiha who is protecting someone they love. Kisame strapped Samehada onto his back and strutted out of the hideout deciding to meet up with Itachi back at the hideout, by the time he reached Hinata's position the deed would be finished. Although he wouldn't admit it, he was hoping the little Hyuga won her battle, he'd finally accept that she's a hell of a fighter if she beats someone on his caliber plus the kid is entertaining and Itachi's his friend and first comrade he doesn't want to shred so having her lose would make their often quiet travel that much more unbearable.
(Deidara)
Deidara was highly disappointed, he wanted to be the one to blow Orochimaru to high hell. That snake freak has been pissing him off since their first meeting, Deidara was the better partner for Sasori and he'd kill anyone who said otherwise. He respected his elder, he had a narrow-minded and convoluted view on what art was but Sasori is a respectable man and Orochimaru is a prick, a prick who was obsessed with the clan he hated most. He praised the Uchiha's eyes like it was true art, something sent from the heavens above when the eyes were truly nothing more then cursed. A man with such views, someone who every interaction had made Deidara blow his top deserved to be blown to bits. Unfortunately for him, Hinata got lucky and was the one to find the bastard. At least the one to end Orochimaru's life was Hinata and not Hidan or god-forbid Itachi, he would get over it since she's his friend. She respects his art and even sees the beauty in it, she's pretty fun and he can tease her without getting almost-decapitated. Plus she's interesting, like a puzzle he wants to figure out, her personality is fiery and erratic but intelligent and he never know's what she's gonna do or say. Unlike Sasori who is aggravated with the girl, Deidara enjoys her company more than anyone else he's ever met.
The blonde bomber grinned wildly as he watched the followers of Orochimaru finally become beautiful, he released an array of small C2 bombs, letting them all attach onto people and watching in glee as their bodies were blown apart. Each hideout was a beautiful sight when he finally turned the areas into his art, the bright flashes of yellows and oranges as his bombs went off in vivid and beautiful art. It was nothing short of spectacular, the intense and fleeting moment of the explosion, the heat from the blasts, the aftermath of there being nothing left. He got to let loose and destroy the property of a man he hated, it was amazing. He took out the sentinels then the bases, if he gave nobody a chance for them to spot him, there would be no chance for survivors. After taking down all of the bases he could find, he flew full speed to Otogakure, maybe he'd be able to deliver the finishing blow and if not, he'd take the surely exhausted girl home and make Itachi walk, the only time he can make the 'too cool for any-fucking-thing' Uchiha is when Hinata is involved and Deidara will continue to exploit that to it's fullest until he can finally rid the world of those dreaded eyes.
(Tobi)
Tobi's job was easy for him, almost hilariously so. He slipped in and out of each hideout around Kumo with little to no effort. All of the people there were not worth his time, they had nothing that would benefit him so when he destroyed each hideout, he let them parish too. When he got Hinata's notification he was amused and intrigued. Orochimaru was no joke of an opponent, he was a difficult to kill snake that was getting closer and closer to needing to be taken out. Tobi fought Hinata when she was young, she was extremely skilled as a child, and had a loudmouth with information that she shouldn't have had and Tobi wanted to see how this one would turn out. If Hinata had not grown since childhood she would parish but from the information Zetsu had given, her abilities have grown exponentially putting her in the upper half of strength in the Akatsuki so hopefully she'd win.
If she died it wouldn't be bad but Tobi was rooting for her to win, she was a very nice girl if nothing else. When they'd met the first time, she was so loving and determined, that fire to protect Shisui reminded him how Rin always had that burning desire to help him and her wild personality that didn't fit the norm reminded him slightly of his younger self, the person he was going to become once more. Hinata was also the only person in the Akatsuki (who didn't know who he was) who was always kind to him, it showed how she was a nice person even though she was slightly lost in the darkness. He wouldn't lie and say he wasn't fond of the girl the more time he spent with her the more he grew to like her presence, she was strong, kind, smart, weird, and beautiful but she was also something he had to watch. She knew who he was when she was a child and how she knew plagued his mind sometimes and if she were to find out again it would make things more difficult, only time will tell what he has to do to the Hyuga.
(Hidan and Kakuzu)
Hidan nor Kakuzu cared when they weren't the ones to find the Sanin. The Jashinist had the fullest faith in Hinata, she was his girl and wouldn't go down to some shitty atheist, false immortality bastard like Orochimaru. They fought and there was no way she wouldn't kill Orochimaru too, a girl like her, one who slaughtered the sound 4 wouldn't lose. Kakuzu was getting the bounty either way so at least he didn't have to go through the time of using his resources to get to Orochimaru himself, this way he was able to find other men with bounties on their heads while Hinata was getting the largest bounty he'd ever gain on her own.
Besides, fighting Orochimaru would only be one worthy sacrifice for his lord but her sending him to the most populated hideouts at the moment has allowed Hidan to rack up sacrifices and not have to go against his commandments by only doing half-kills like the fucking Akatsuki leader has been making him do. His lord was pleased and it pleased Hidan, Lord Jashin deserved his sacrifices, deserved to see slaughter and this was filled with it, the floors were stained red.
"Ahh do you feel that, lets experience the upmost suffering together. Let me your agony as you become Lord Jashin's. Dying feels amazing but living through your pain feels even better!" His body was almost overwhelmed in pleasure as he completed his ritual at the hideout, the mutual pain coursing though his and his victims bodies was mouthwateringly savory. Their agony radiating through his body felt euphoric, it was amazing. If only he didn't have the antisocial old fucker Kakuzu with him, he always rushed his rituals and stooped so low as to defile a persons death by killing them for money.
At the last hideout after all the people willing to fight were dead, they entered the underground labyrinth and checked in each room, Kakuzu only taking things of value. There were a few prisoners that they released (much to Hidan's dismay) until Hidan reached a cell not only locked normally, but with seals to block the usage of Chakra within the room as well. Who or whatever was in there was important enough to be locked up with such high security and with no hesitation, Hidan cut the door down and went in seeing a malnourished brunette man.
"Hey, Kakuzu is this the man the hot bitch was talking about? He looks pathetic for a clan leader." Kakuzu went over to the room and looked inside. He looked at his bingo book and although the man looked frail and he was littered in scars it was no doubt Hiashi Hyuga. The man had a bounty of over 800 million Ryo but Orochimaru's was more than double, as well as the gift she was promising, and he knew it would be more profitable for him to save the man for Hinata and gain her reward than to cash Hiashi's head for money.
"You did something right for once. Let Hinata know and we'll bring him close to Konohagakure." Kakuzu slung the man over his broad shoulder and started walking out, ignoring the annoyed shouts of his companion. Hiashi didn't even groan as he was carried like a rag-doll, his body was barely functioning at this point and his chakra was weak to borderline death, he didn't even know what was happening, being carried he just assumed it was for another experiment. Little did he know, his staying strong would end well, he would finally see his daughters again and return home away from this hellhole.
"Oh man, hot bitch is gonna fucking love me for this." He grinned, his magenta orbs glowing as he pulsed his chakra in tow sets of 3 letting them know he had found and is returning Hiashi to Konohagakure.
Hinata was gripping Orochimaru by his pale throat, her eyes were burning with rage as her nails pierced his skin, small trails of blood dripping from the small punctures. The pain to his neck did nothing to deter the wicked smile on his face.
"Why, why are you doing this?"
"At first I all I wanted was your knowledge but now, now I want to see how far I can push you, how far I bend your flexible body before you break and finally submit yourself to me." Her grip faltered slightly as his tongue licked up the side of her face, that was not the answer the Hyuga heiress was expecting. Before Orochimaru could take advantage of her loose grip, she tightened once more and knocked his feet out from under him and slammed him into the ground stemming small cracks at the impact.
"You kidnapped me, had me tortured, kidnapped my dad, and left me traumatized just to see how much I could handle, to try and get me to submit to you? Are you fucking kidding me!" Her tightly clenched fist slammed into his head eliciting nothing but a hiss-like laugh as blood trailed down from his lip. His tongue wrapped around her neck and threw her off, making her back hit a tree and knocking the breath out of her lungs. The snake's long tongue flicked out of his mouth and lapped up the blood his thoughts on how fun this was going to turn out. That fire in her eyes, he was going to crush it. Hinata pushed herself up and rushed towards him starting their clash, their chakra's baring down on one another as he dodged her flurry of attacks.
"Give me all you've got, I want to see how much you've grown since last time." The snake Sanin thrust his hands towards the blue haired girl and released the snakes from his palms forcing her to flip out of the way and pull out a kunai to slash the poison carrying serpents. The few snakes that impaled into the ground Hinata used as a bridge, running up the snakes before Orochimaru could draw them back to his body. She aimed a punch o his face and when he dodged to the left, her left leg came swinging up through his defenses and cracking his sternum on impact. Before one of his now shattered rips could pierce into his lungs, Orochimaru shed his skin, molting the layer like that of the snakes he uses. The new, seeming soulless body hung limp for a second as the slick slime from his mold dripped off of it until the bones cracked and seemed to snap into place. Orochimaru raised his head and that infuriating smirk was still plastered on his face. "Ahh I didn't think I would have to change so soon, you have grown well my pet."
"Fuck you." In yet another battle of brute strength and speed, it became clear that Orochimaru was outclassed and outmatched, Hinata's alternating use of her Olympic style and Hyuga style was too difficult to find a solid pattern in her attacks and had ended with Orochimaru shedding another body yet again when all of his chakra points were closed off and she all but ripped his arm out if its socket. The only other person Orochimaru had felt so overwhelmed by in close combat was Itachi, but as far as he knew, Orochimaru still had the upper hand in Jutsu's. The snake Sanin put some distance between the two of them, pinning Hinata down with a snake that came from behind giving him just enough time to complete the summoning jutsu to bring out Manda before Hinata ripped the snake apart with her bare hands uncaring of the blood that splattered against her face.
"Manda-sama, restrain that girl. Beat her just before death if you have to."
"Hah that puny brat is beating you, next time you call me for something so insignificant I'll eat you." Manda hissed out, baring his fangs toward his summoner. Orochimaru expected some kind of fear to be on Hinata's face when she saw Manda, even someone strong like her would struggle with a summon as strong as him. When he looked at her face she was smiling, grinning even as she eyed down the giant snake. She swiped the blood that was dripping from one of her wounds and her nimble hands moved into the familiar signs before slamming into the ground. Smoke billowed around her and when it dissipated there was a large reddish-golden lion whose fur was shining to the point of it looking like it was glowing in the bright sunlight.
Orochimaru blinked as he stared at the massive lion, he had never seen a lion summon before and was shocked that Hinata had managed a contract with arguably one of the strongest animals in existence. His yellow eyes were narrowd onto the two as Hinata bowed to the large creature, earning a bow in return. Orochimaru has never seen a summon behave so cordially to their 'master' they were always ornery and demanding compensation but Hinata and her summon seemed to have a mutual respect for one another.
"Thank you for showing up Muramasa-sama, I'm in a tight spot and would appreciate your help in smacking this asshole to his grave and can't do that if Manda is attacking me as well." Muramasa noticed the tenseness of her body and the blood flowing from her shoulder and he deduced that this was the man that Hinata had vowed to destroy when they had spoken for the first time. His large paw only slightly pressed up against the child hoping to give her some confidence and comfort. She leaned into his paw and ran her fingers through his silky fur waiting for his response.
"Of course Hinata-hime I'd be glad to fight on your behalf." Muramasa's glowing dark blue eyes looked over to the Snake duo, his eyes narrowing and he bared canines in warning as he spoke. "Manda-chan it's been a long time old friend. Has your body healed from last time we fought? It would be a shame to have to fight you if you are unable to perform to the best of your ability… not that it would matter much against a king like myself."
"I'll squeeze that arrogance out of you asshole." Manda raised his body and struck at Muramasa but was pushed away with a harsh swing of his paw. The impact of their attacks had wind forcefully pushing up against Hinata, whipping her long pinned back hair around and forcing her to apply chakra to her feet to stay planted to the ground. Muramasa noticed the young girls struggle and he placed one of his paws in front of her, instructing the Hyuga to hold onto him. Her fingers gripped into his fur and he let out a loud, ear splitting roar that was laced with wind chakra aimed directly at Manda who was guarding Orohcimaru. Hinata held on tighter to Muramasa's fur as she felt the ground beneath her rumble with the force of his roar. The force of the wind was so strong it sent the massive snake skidding backwards and Orochimaru flying through the air before hitting the ground, his body skipping like a stone over a lake.
"Hinata-hime go, I will move our fight away from here so you are able to fight this man alone, I will return to my home when finished here."
"Thank you, I promise to give you whatever you want when this is over." Muramasa's large sandpaper tongue gently licked up Hinata's bruised body in the same manner he does to his children, making her lips drop the frown and turn into a smile for the first time since he had arrived. "Be safe Muramasa-sama."
"You as well my child." With long strides Muramasa bounded off away from the humans, Manda following in annoyance as they prepared their battle. The Byakugan princess could hear their battle raging on but that didn't matter as her eyes were narrowed back onto her target. She could feel her ring pulsating: Itachi was going to arrive soon, Deidara was also on his way to her, Tobi and Kisame were heading back to the hideout, and Hidan and Kakuzu had sent nothing yet. She wanted to finish this before Itachi or Deidara would arrive, knowing Itachi he would step in when he saw the bloody and bruised form, she can't molt her skin like Orochimaru to make all the cuts disappear.
Orochimaru was up and ready to fight once again, his damn summon had left him but that didn't matter he still had the upper hand on distance combat and he was going to use it to the fullest. He knew his prize was skilled in water ninjutsu and could at least use a variation of lightning but he was able to use 3 elements to perfection and close to mastering a fourth, this girl was finally going to break beneath his foot. In swift succession, he sent earth and wind attacks towards the girl, when she dodged the spikes of earth the wind managed to push her into the air leaving her open for a fireball. Hinata saw the large ball of raging fire hurtling towards her as she fell from the air. There was no room to dodge or produce any water to protect herself so instead she threw her left leg around her body and used the momentum to angle herself so the fire burned into her side instead of hitting her entire body head on.
A pained yelp escaped her mouth as the fire burned through her shirt and a few layers of her skin, the smell of burning flesh found their way to her nose, making her gag slightly. She gripped tightly at the burnt skin and landed on the ground, her feet taking the brunt of the impact as she skid backwards on shaking legs. Orochimaru was only faring slightly better than the girl, he looked relatively unscathed but was down to his last few skins and his face was even paler than normal, the exhausted sweat glistening on his skin as he panted. Hinata stood up and released her hold on her side, straightening up gritting her teeth through the pain. Without wasting any more time, she sent a water serpent at the Snake man, having the creature grip him in its liquified jaws as she applied lightning chakra into the serpent, letting it shock him before he broke the jutsu. The normally straight inky black hair of the Sanin was staticky and frazzled from the electrification to his cells. His eyes wandered over the small form before him, hunched over in pain and moving more sluggish in exhaustion from the multiple jutsu used and the raging battle between them. He thought she was at her wit's end, the broken look in her eyes as she glared at him was invigorating.
The rogue slithered his way to her and her body straightened out, there was no way she was going to lose and if she exaggerated her exhaustion she'd be able to bring him once more into close quarters to crush his heart with her bare hands. She wanted to be close as the light left this eyes, she wanted to see his face lose that fucking smirk as he realized everything he had built is gone before his life ends. Orochimaru's neck stretched out, moving at incomparable speeds towards the girl, his fangs bared as he went to place a curse mark on her, one that would drive her weakened mind to submit to him, to become his pet, a perfect toy soldier to appease any of his desires. His lips curled back, his jaw unhinged as he was at her neck but right as his lips made contact with the supple skin of her neck, her fist came barreling into his jaw, releasing a mass amount of her chakra from a single point in her fist forcing his head to snap sideways and his body to follow the direction his head was sent from the extreme power of the impact. Orochimaru stood up slowly and pushed his jaw back into place, the smirk on his face was gone and his yellow orbs were narrowed staring deadly towards the disobedient little girl. He swiped a lanky finger over his tensed jaw and brought it up rubbing the crimson liquid between his thumb and index finger.
A low, angry chuckle rumble echoed through the shattered grounds as Hinata met the snake-like eyes of the angry Sanin. He was done playing nice, it was time to end this. He was going to disfigure her, Kabuto would put her back together and make sure she was still breathing. Hinata's heavily breathing body tensed as he laughed. She had never been so inexplicably terrified, all of the other times he smiled at her as she was the prey but now, he was staring at her with such anger and his aura was so menacing if she wasn't so filled with white hot, blinding rage she would have run for the hills.
"I have been giving you a chance to submit but you've been impertinent and now, I'm angry. Little girl, I'm going to bring you within an inch of your life and then maybe you'll understand how not amusing this has become." He hissed out as his blood lust bared down on the wide eyed princess. When he took a step forward, Hinata's shining lavender eyes narrowed once more and a sadistic smirk overtook her features.
"Run your mouth all you want because soon you wont be able to say anything. I think you know that cuz from over here it looks like you're scared of me, if the sweat of your face says anything, you're pushing your limit." Her words rang true and were spoken with such confidence it hid the tremble running through her body. They both knew this was it, one was finally going down and by the lack of sounds around them, their summons had finally finished their battle as well. Both ninja's charged at one another, fueling their attacks. Orochimaru's Sword of Kusanagi pushed its way out of his throat as the seemingly never ending sword weaved its way towards the bluenette as she sent chakra to a specific point in her body and activated her Byakugan and prepared for a fatal series of strikes.
Itachi and Jūgo could both feel the large surge of malicious chakras surround the area. The long haired Uchiha breathed a sigh in relief knowing Hinata was still alive but with the large influx of chakras he knew it was their final strikes towards one another so he pushed himself to go faster, he needed to get there to save her if need be. He made it onto the scene just in time to witness the Kusanagi sword pierce through Hinata's chest and blood to flow out of her mouth as she choked on the crimson fluid. His eyes evolved into the Mangekyo and he was ready to rip the head off of Orochimaru but before he could, a soft yet firm voice called out to him.
"No." His eyes met hers and instead of the light fading, they were burning with passion and victory. A large burst of her chakra filled the area, more chakra than Itachi had ever felt come from her before and at the center of her forehead a lilac purple diamond appeared before shifting and spreading around her body in intricate black designs. She wiped the blood from her lips and the bruises on her body faded, Orochimaru stared at her in shock, his entire being filling with rage and dread as he recognized the jutsu.
"No, you little brat, HOW!" She could feel her body overflowing with power, the chakra released fueling her every cell as her body mended itself and was basically pouring chakra out of her. It was unbelievable and completely amazing, she felt powerful, invincible. Hinata gripped onto the blade, her hands healing as fast as it was cutting into her palms as she pulled her body down the blade closer and closer to the Sanin. He retracted the blade and slashed at her throat, slitting it and letting the blood flow but as soon as it started, the wound sealed itself went for another attack but was too late her strength had increased exponentially and any damage he inflicted upon her was healed instantly. The jutsu would wear off at some point but his time was already up. Her hand gripped around his throat as they went tumbling to the ground the bloodied smirk never leaving her face. Her smirk turned into a full blown smile as she felt the chakra pulse from Hidan, he and Kakuzu had found and saved her father, there was nothing left for the Sanin to hold over her. In a hail Mary Orochimaru spoke out, "If you want to see your father again you won't kill me." In return the Hyuga heiress just laughed it seemed almost too innocent, the beautiful sound would have been music if she wasn't ready to rip his throat out.
"But that's where you're wrong, you see my father is safe. The whole time we've been together I've been having my little friends take down each one of your hideouts and thankfully Hidan found him so you have nothing over me anymore." She held tighter against his throat as her lips leaned down brushing against his ear. "So tell me, how does it feel now that I've taken everything you've spent your whole life building, all gone in an instant. My plan wasn't to just kill you, I've taken everything. Killed all of you're loyal followers and released your unwilling captives. In death everything down your reputation will be destroyed." His body fueled with his final attempt to kill the girl but her hand was plunged into his chest before he could react. Her fingers gripped around his heart and squeezed, feeling the muscle cease its pumping under the pressure and when she added her chakra, the entire thing overflowed with the interwoven chakra and burst, spraying blood out of the cavity. When she removed her hand it was dripping with the hot plasma and her eyes just stared at it before they rolled to the back of her head and she toppled over, only being saved from hitting the ground by Itachi catching her in his arms.
The black lines on her body receded back into forming the purple diamond with the limited chakra still flowing through her exhausted body. The Uchiha cradled the girl in his arms and the warmth emanating from his body woke her just enough to smell the unmistakable scent bringing a small smile to grace her blood smeared lips.
"Mmm I need to find Suiget-su." She breathed out struggling slightly.
"You foolish hime you need rest." He chided lightly, picking her up from the ground.
"He needs he-lp."
"Always thinking of others before yourself huh?" He smiled softly at the girl the harshness from his sharp features faded.
"You're o-one to talk." She tried to glare at him but once again it looked like a pout that made him poke her forehead softly. Itachi walked over to Jūgo who was conversing with the birds.
"Please take care of her while I handle Orochimaru." Carefully he shifted the girl into the large arms of the young teen before turning back to the dead man and working on sealing the body into a body seal. The ginger stared down at the girl in his arms as he carefully held her to not squish her. This was the girl that had him saved, that found a way for him to have freedom once more, the one to defeat the monster that was Orochimaru. Even when ready to succumb to sleep, she wanted to save another person first, Suigetsu that name was familiar to him. Her eyes blinked as they went in and out of focus trying to see the person holding her. When she was able to make out spiky orange locks she took her guess.
"Jūgo?"
"Yes, I thank you Hinata-hime for bringing Itachi-sama to me. I am in your debt for providing me freedom to live with the nature." He spoke with respect and honesty, gratitude overflowing at the girl resting in his large arms. He carefully pulled some of her burnt and ripped shirt around into a good resting place to save her modesty of the skin that was showing. The dried blood and dirt smeared on her face took away from her features but he could see the soft elegance of her princess-like face. He was slightly taken aback at how such a soft looking girl was able to defeat Orochimaru, she looked more suited for being a feudal lord's daughter or mistress than a stone cold ninja, it was hard to see her as the same girl that had just plunged her hand into a man's chest and all but ripped his heart out.
"I-I'm glad you're ok. P-Please save Suigetsu. I think I-I'm too sleepy now." Her voice trailed off as sleep finally took over to let her body rest and rejuvenate from the intense battle and extreme chakra loss. Itachi had walked back up to the taller boy and brought the knocked out girl back into his arms, his stoic face unchanging as he began his trek forward and into the final hideout. They moved through the rooms quick and efficient until they finally found the one they were looking for. Inside the stone walled room there was an array of empty tubes fit for bodies but there was only one that was plugged in and glowing with a greenish blue light. The only visible trait in the seemingly empty tube was a set of purple eyes staring at the new guests. The eyes bobbed up and down slightly, flashing in amusement as they took in the intruders.
"You know when Lord Orochimaru finds you he's going to kill you, or have me kill you. I don't like serving him but if it means living I'd gladly cut you all apart, especially you Jūgo you psycho bastard."
"Lord Orochimaru is dead."
"Hahaha no way, that son of a bitch never dies…" He took one good look at the two and the knocked out girl before gaping in shock. "Wait you're not joking. Well damn, who is the idiot that fought him and won?" Both of the non-captured boys eyes turned towards the sleeping girl and Suigetsu finally got a good look at her. She was covered in dry blood and her clothing was shredded like she was in a battle but there were no wounds on her being, the only sight of a ton of blood was surrounding her hand. "The little cutie killed him? I don't believe it… wait is she that Hyuga girl that escaped?"
"Yes."
"Man Lord Orochimaru was pissed after that one, she even riled up Kabuto man I'm finally meeting the legend in person. I'm impressed that she came back and got her revenge, which brings me to why are you are all here?"
"Hinata-hime has requested of us to free you from your captivity and ask that you join the Akatsuki." Suigetsu opened his mouth to respond but Itachi could tell it was coming so he kept talking in his bored tone before letting Suigetsu speak. "She wanted me to tell you something about how you were wanting to collect all of the swords and if you teamed up with her, she would help you. After all, she knows 2 of the remaining 3 swordsmen." The younger Hozuki brother was in awe, this girl not only killed Orochimaru but she knew information about him that he sure as hell didn't tell her or anyone she would have spoken with. He moved at the beat of his own drum and was excited about the prospect of freedom but he wanted to meet the seemingly genius girl before he made his final decision. I mean he at least had enough respect to wait for the girl who is providing him his freedom to wake up before making his decision.
"Fine, get me out of here and I'll wait to talk to the cutie myself, I'm interested to see if she can get me the seven swords and I want ta know if she's as crazy as she sounds." The water moved and his sharp teeth became visible as he grinned like a cheshire cat. Jugo smashed the glass and Suigetsu's liquified body spilled out of the container, swirling around in the small makeshift pool until his cells were free of the chemical forcing them to separate and he reformed in all of his naked glory, only deciding to put his clothes on when Itachi sent him a shiver worthy glare. The new trio and a K.O'd Hinata left the hideout and walked to where Deidara was sitting on his bird, blue eye trailing over the newcomers until his vision landed on his best friend's sleeping figure wrapped in the Uchiha's cloak. He could make out the smeared blood on her face and the interesting looking diamond on her forehead but there seemed to be no visible injuries. He smirked and let out a pleased huff, the girl actually managed to take down the seeming immortal snake bastard and everything he owned in one fail swoop.
With ease Deidara hopped off the hovering clay Owl and his eye hardened into a glare at Itachi. Suigetsu sipped his water and watched the entertaining interaction a small distance back. Jūgo watched close to Itachi, sensing the hatred and jealousy off the blonde instantly and standing in ready to protect his new cage if deemed necessary.
"Hand her over Uchiha, I don't want her tainted anymore by your cursed, artless bloodline un. I'll fly her home faster than you can carry her, you can follow along like the bastard you are, yeah." Itachi did nothing but release a heavy sigh and cradle Hinata's body closer to his own. As much as he hated to admit it, Deidara was right and getting Hinata home and into a bed was priority so letting her go with the bomber was the best option. The unchanging stoic face of the Uchiha did nothing but spur the blonde's anger but he soon smirked as Itachi held out the limp form of the Hyuga, Deidara grabbing hold of her smaller from and sliding her onto his back. His feet firmly placed themselves back onto his owl and he took to the skies, smoothly flying home as he could feel the slow breathing of his friend as her head rested on his shoulder, her nose ever so slightly brushing his neck when she inhaled.
"Awe man, I wanted to fly to the hideout too."
I woke up seriously distorted. My entire body felt like I decided to drain body of bone and muscle and replace it with Jell-O, most likely the repercussions from using the cellular healing aspect of the seal. Even with the complete and utter lack of energy and muscle usage I could still feel my body flooding with the new reserves of power that I'd unlocked. My chest felt heavy with guilt from the ruthless massacre of Orochimaru and his followers but the feeling of happiness and freedom was more overwhelming than my guilt. I'd finally taken out Orochimaru and stopped his reign of terror, Jūgo and hopefully Suigetsu and Karin are also joining the team, and last but not least my dad is safe. The feeling of relief that entered my body when Hidan sent the signal he'd found and returned my dad to the leaf was bliss, happy tears pricked at my eyes knowing he was finally safe from my mistake.
All of the blood I remember being covered in was washed away and I could feel my hair laying out around me, it was no longer crusted with blood and out of the ponytail resting in its natural slightly wavy state. My previously shredded clothes were traded out for a large shirt and even laying down I could tell it went to just above my knees. It had to have been Kakuzu's or Kisame's, nobody else is large enough for a shirt this big. My entire body was screaming with exhaustion as I tried—and failed—to sit myself up against the bed. My eyes traveled around the room and at the edge of the bed was a silver head of hair. Hidan was sleeping sprawled out half on the bed and half on the chair, drool dripping out of his mouth as he mumbled incoherently.
"H-Hid-an." My voice croaked out from the lack of use but it was loud enough to wake up the surprisingly light sleeper. His magenta orbs opened and blinked a few times before focusing on me, he grinned and moved towards my side.
"Damn Hot Bitch for after three days of you being out, I thought you weren't gonna wake up. Man you really did a fucking number on the creepy snake bastard, putting a hole in his chest like that…ruthless. You were covered in blood, if you weren't passed the fuck out it woulda been so sexy." He smiled that sexy smirk of his as he praised me. The tears I had been holding back started to fall as I smiled, the brightest and most grateful one I could muster up. "Ah fuck stop crying. Why the-" I cut him off but using all of my energy to throw myself onto him, hugging him. Getting over the surprise of my affection that I'd never given him before, Hidan relished in it and wrapped his muscular arms around me, holding me at the waist.
"Thank you." I mumbled to him, he knew what I was talking about and grinned, lifting me up and sliding in besides me so I could hug him without too much energy. I lifted my head slightly and placed a kiss on his cheek, he smirked cockily but his cheeks turned slightly red as he gripped his Jashin pendant and mumbled something inaudible.
"No sweat. Lord Jashin was satisfied enough with my sacrifices that saving your old man was nothing."
"That's the most humble I've ever heard you." I smirked and he glared at me.
"Shut your damn mouth, I'm humble all the time!"
"Sure you are." I rolled my eyes and laughed slightly. Hidan reached behind him and pulled out a container of instant ramen, the same kind Naruto swears by. My stomach rumbled and I realized how hungry I really was. I tried moving my hands to grab the food but couldn't lift them enough to really do anything useful. Fuck. Hidan was bellowing with laughter.
"You're so fucking useless right now!" He cackled and grabbed the chopsticks to feed me the vegetable miso ramen, I glared in embarrassment. He was enjoying my weakness way too much. I opened my mouth to say something shitty back but he slapped his hand over it, magenta eyes still sparking in hilarity. I stuck my tongue out and ran it over his palm getting it super wet and then bit down. His face contorted into disgust and he pulled it away yelling.
"YOU SICK LITTLE FUCK! Don't lick peoples hands like that, thats so fucking disgusting." I giggled and stuck my tongue out, my body relaxing completely against him.
"Says the person who licks other peoples blood." I grumbled tiredly. "Just feed me." He shoved the ramen in my mouth, talking animatedly as I ate. His loud voice must have alerted whoever else was still here and the door creaked open Kakuzu's large form was the first one I noticed so I gathered up my strength to go to him but as soon as both of my feet touched the ground I started to sway and was ready to hit the floor but a large tanned hand had gripped the back of my shirt, lifting me up and dropping me unceremoniously onto the bed.
"Stop trying to move brat, conserve your energy so I don't have to help you anymore." I smiled as cheekily as I could, the so called partner murderer was helping me.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving my dad. Whatever reward you want, I'll find a way to get it." His red and green eyes bore into me as he thought of something, he was in a good mood probably from getting the bounty on Orochimaru.
"You're gonna count all the Akatsuki's money when I tell you to." His gruff voice said, I shrugged and agreed to it. It could have been worse, I'm surprised he didn't ask me for all my money though.
"Stop trying to corrupt her you greedy old fucker."
"Shut up or I'll kill you religious idiot." The door opened and a flash of orange entered before I was tackled down and smothered with hugs.
"Hinata-chan you're awake finally. Tobi was worried about Hinata-chan after she came home all bloody and had a weird purple thing on her face!" He rubbed his mask against my face as he talked excitedly. I pat his head like a child and giggled at his amusing rambling. "oh oH OH, Hinata-chan Tobi is a good boy and washed Hinata-chan's hair because Tobi remembers on missions how Hinata-chan always takes her hair down and dries for bed so it doesn't get tangled. Itachi-kun didn't let Tobi wash anything else though because it was womanly parts." I couldn't help the laugh from bubbling in my chest and was cracking up at him whispering into my ear thinking it was inappropriate. I should probably feel a bit more stressed about someone changing me but I trust Itachi with my life and know he wouldn't do anything bad, knowing him he probably did it with his eyes closed. As much as he scares me the fact that Tobi remembered that I always took my hair out and washed it before bed so it wouldn't get messy just proved to me that he was still a good person. It was something so small but it brought me so much warmth and happiness.
"You're a nice person Tobi-kun, thanks!" He placed his hands on his mask and squealed at the honorific. As much as I was enjoying talking to them, I was still drained and my eyes fluttered shut when I finally fell back asleep. My bed was still hot as Hidan and Tobi both were still in it with me but I was too tired to even care how hot it was. My dreams were plagued with the screams of all the blood on my hands and although I didn't know it Tobi and Hidan stayed and helped me sleep through the nightmares, letting me grab them tightly as I slept for two days. The hideout I was in was empty from teams other than Tobi and I so Konan had come to check on me when I was sleeping, I was a valuable asset and she was glad I seemed to be ok. No matter how cold Konan was, she didn't want someone as young as me to die from trying to protect my family. I had earned her respect as well as most of the other members even though a lot of them believed I was too soft hearted for the criminal life even after how many lives I had directly and indirectly taken.
The next time I woke up I felt so much better, my muscles no longer felt like they were nonexistent and the process of sitting up was marginally easier, that still didn't take away from how utterly exhausted I felt: both mentally and physically. My throat was burning slightly from misuse (or how much I screamed in the past week, I'll never understand how Naruto does it) and swallowing felt almost impossible. On the bedside table there was a water bottle, I wrapped my nimble fingers tightly around the plastic and brought it to my lips, the cool liquid coating my throat and soothing the dryness almost instantly. I breathed out a pleased sigh, slumping back into the wall behind me and realizing I have nothing to do.
I was sitting in the eerie silence for less than a minute when my mind started to go into the dark places, the heavy hand of guilt squeezing in my chest. To ease the pressure I did what every good ninja does and shoved it deeper into the already fucked corner of my mind and focused more on entertaining myself with the only training I could do in this pitiful state. My hands pressed into a seal and channeled my chakra flow into the water, merging my chakra with the faint, slow moving traces of chakra in the water from my bottle, having the clear liquid move its way out of the glass and make a sphere resting against my palm. In an instant I was entranced by the movement of the water, no matter how much control I had over the liquid it still flowed on its own path. Water was so free, so beautiful, so calming and yet it was still so powerful and vast; it was beautiful. The small strain of chakra I kept flooding into the water allowed me to mold the unpredictable liquid into whatever shape and form I wanted: small little lions that I could make run around my body, the best version of the Elder Wand I could muster, a heart that I had burst and reformed over and over again, and overall anything I could think of to try to shape. It was fun and took a lot of concentration, it was refining my chakra control even more.
The water was shaped into a small wolf that was moving around the room when the door opened and out of instinct, I barreled the water into whoever walked through the door and soaked them. Itachi's head peaked through the doorway, a scowl on his face as his now damp bangs stuck to his forehead as drops of water dripped down his features making a small puddle on the floor. His hand carefully ran through his now dripping hair and pushed the locks out of his face before coming to stand beside me, red eyes staring down into mine.
"Uh sorry about that?" It came out as a question as I chuckled at his slightly drowned rat look… even disheveled and dripping with water he was still hot though which is totally unfair like to every freaking person ever. Damn Uchiha genes.
"No.. you're not." He released a sigh but even with the slight annoyance I caused, his eyes betrayed him by shining with such love and happiness at my well being.
"You're right, I'm not sorry at all." I grinned at him and he held the smallest of smiles, almost unnoticeable to the untrained eye. I looked to the door as more people entered, it took me a second to recognize them (ya know not actually looking animated and stuff) but the large stature and orange hair gave Jūgo away especially now that I'm not practically fainting in his arms. The other figure was smaller but sipping on a bottle of water, his sharp teeth and icy hair were prominent features of…Suigetsu. My eyes went wide connecting with Itachi before looking back at them. They actually found him and he's here! I relaxed back into the wall once more and smiled at the two of them, feeling slightly bad when I realized the absence of Karin, that means Kisame 'took care' of her. "Hi Jūgo, nice to see you when I'm not tripping on exhaustion." He nodded, petting the small bird perched on his finger
"Hello Hinata-hime it is good to see you…well." I groaned at the name, feeling Itachi's amusement practically pouring from him even when he still looked stone cold.
"Please don't call me Hime, Hinata-chan or just Hinata works. 'tachi calls me Hime more so because it annoys me than because its proper." The orange haired teen nodded and I shifted my attention to Suigetsu who was still sipping his water, watching us talk. When I met his amethyst eyes he exposed his fang smirking at me unashamedly checking out my borderline scantily clad form. "Hey Suigetsu, I gotta say I'm pretty glad you decided to stick around at least until I woke up instead of going off on your sword hunt."
"Itachi-san made a good argument for me to stay, you know two of the living three swordsmen and hanging with you will make my job easier. Plus, I wanted to meet the person killed the annoying bitches Karin and Sakura and managed to piss off Kabuto so easily, four-eyes was such an annoying prick so watching him lose it was priceless." He grinned, shark teeth on full display. "Gotta say, I'm not disappointed cutie." He took another sip of water and pouted, whining, "awe man I'm out of water! Going to get more is so exhausting."
"I would give you the last of mine but…Tachi already took it all." Suigetsu laughed when Itachi's narrowed eyes on me, hair still dripping wet. Itachi glared at Suigetsu and the intensity of the Sharingan had him flinch back in the slightest before puffing his chest out once more. Jūgo and Suigetsu both took seats in my room and we were figuring out more about one another.
"So Hinata how did you kill Lord Orochimaru, I never thought he was going to die…the scary creep." Suigetsu's body shivered at the thought of his captor, Orochimaru was truly a scary mofo for all of us not blessed with Itachi level skills, which is basically everyone.
"He was weak, I wasn't fighting Orochimaru at his full strength or I might not have won, or at least had as little damage as I did. I could see his chakra flow being disrupted as it was rejecting the new body he was inhabiting so it made it a lot easier to kill him then it would have been… plus I was going to make sure he died even if I went with him." He kicked his feet up and put his hands behind his head, relaxing into the wall.
"Makes sense, you just got lucky then. Don't get a big head cuz of it, anybody could kill him if he's weak like that." He grinned teasingly, trying to rile me up while saving his pride for not being able to kill the person he feared.
"I'll punch a hole right through you water boy."
"Yeah yeah, so when are you going to help me get the swords? I've been itching to spar with Zabuza-sempai and show him his place." Suigetsu winked cheekily at me. "I'll be your ally until I collect them all, unless you want more from me; I'm always ready to please the ladies." He informed me of already meeting Pein and being offered a position on the Akatsuki. He's joining Tobi and I while Jūgo is joining Itachi and Kisame needing the Sharingan to stay calm. We discussed the sword to go for first and decided on finding Hiramekarei or Kiba one because I knew it was in the mist and the other because it is cool and currently inactive after the last user died, Suigetsu was going to have to defeat Zabuza and Kisame to get their swords. When I was finally able to move easily we went to the living room and let Jūgo make dinner in which Kisame and Tobi joined us for.
"Is that you little Suigetsu-chan? You've gotten big."
"Big enough that I'm going to kick your ass and take Samehada as my own." Kisame chuckled and turned towards me.
"I'm impressed that you succeeded small fry."
"Did you expect anything less Shark Boy?"
"Yes, I was expecting you to die." He put his large blue hand on my head and ruffled my hair.
"Well since I'm alive does that mean you'll finally train with me?" He smiled impishly at me.
"You've gotta keep up or I'll shred you."
"I can't wait." I was content and ate my food in happiness, if anyone will help my stamina it would be Kisame.
Later that night I entered into Itachi's dimly lit room and sat at the edge of his bed looking at him. He was extremely pale and coughing a wet cough that caused his face to scrunch up in pain.
"G-get out." He groaned through a wheeze. Itachi hates looking weak, he didn't want me or anyone else to see him falling so sick to his illness. Kisame only got to see it because they were together so often but even then Itachi played it off like everything was fine. His eyes were one thing but this, I don't know if I'll be able to heal him to keep him alive. It broke my heart, he's the strongest person I know and he was so fragile and I couldn't do anything about it.
"You're getting worse." Another fit of coughs racked through his body leaving him unable to respond. I placed my hand on the center of his chest and pushed him onto the bed so he'd stop sitting up. "Just-Just let me take the pain away for now. I'm going to find a way to heal you. I wont let you die, not yet." My hands glowed a faint green as I pushed my chakra into his body focusing on healing the shredded tissue of his lungs. I could feel his sickness pushing against my healing, it was in his bloodstream and just continually made him more and more sick. I focused on warming up my chakra so that it would bring the fever down and hopefully break it. I could feel Itachi's body relax more into his bed, the furrow of his brows finally released and he breathed a sigh, the pain being numbed down. When I healed as much as I could of the damage done by the toxin in his blood, I brought my hands up to his head and pressed slightly against each side of his temples. My hands glowed green once more and I focused intently on his eyes, healing the muscle strain done by his Sharingan. My eyes were closed as I healed so I didn't see the way Itachi studied me as I healed him.
His onyx eyes carefully looked over each feature of my face, being able to discern more and more details of my concentrated expression as his vision relaxed and started to clear once more. He smiled at how my tongue stuck out slightly in concentration and the way my nose scrunched as I used up my chakra, letting it mix with his as I forced it to heal every part of him I could. The heavy pressure on his chest lifted as he could breathe once more and the raging headache from his deteriorating eyes was fading into a dull thrum. When finished with everything I could do I got up and entered his closet, grabbing the loosest shirt of his I could find and a wet cloth. Itachi's hair was plastered to his face and his shirt was sticking to his skin from the sweat, his tired eyes were watching me move around until I came back to his side.
"Hinata-hime don't take care of me. This is what I deserve." I didn't respond and instead sent him a glare that conveyed all of my anger at the little care he has for his own well being. He tries to take care of everything for everyone else no matter the burden, it time to let someone else do that for him.
"Raise your arms." He did so dutifully and I pulled the damp shirt off of him. His pale skin was glistening with sweat and I took the wet rag, carefully rubbing the warm cloth against his chest. My fingers brushed against his chest and he shivered slightly, muscles contracting then easing into my touch. When all the fever sweat was gone, he put the shirt on and slid back down the wall, resting his head on the pillow. I used a cool rag this time to wash his face and let the towel lay on his forehead to help cool him down. I pulled the holder out of his hair, letting the silky dark locks free and brushed through it like Sasuke used to do for the both of us. His eyes fluttered shut and his breathing slowed to a steady rhythm. I pulled the covers up and slid in beside him, his body was hot but he needed as much warmth as possible to try to break the fever and I wanted a nightmare-less night.
"Good night." He whispered, poking my forehead softly before wrapping his arm around me and I nuzzled into his side, listening to his heart beat. It was comforting, a reminder of when he, Sasuke ,and I all used to have sleepovers and each of us would share a side of Itachi.
"Night." I mumbled, feeling myself relax into slumber, thinking of happy memories.