A/N: I'm so sorry for the long wait, everyone! :O I was so depressed by the last chapter (maybe I'm just being a drama queen but heavens that chapter sucked; I'll willingly admit it) and lazy, but anyways- Spring Break is just around the corner, but I won't be able to update during the week since I'll be at the beach ;) I finally saved up enough to take a little trip c: Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
!Warnings!
- Dark themes.
I do not own anything!
~:~
Inner Demons
Though you wish otherwise
Your demons are never separate from you
Always, buried parts of us, growing
Like weeds among the roses
By Don Iannone
~:~
The walls were an eerie transparent. Every step she made was reflected back to her, and it frightened her. Her wrapped feet made dull sounds on the cold floor; there were no echoes in any way, making the large corridor seem endless and contained.
Maiko hurried along, her eyes downcast as she made her way down the hallway. They were made out of some sort of mirror-like material; the walls were. The floors, too. They weren't glass. They didn't break; she had tried before.
Stepping out of the corridor, she entered a large chamber, made of the same clear material, as if it was made out of nothing and yet everything. The bony imp slowly paced to the center of the area. The area was completely empty except for two stone formations on separate sides of the room. They were rugged and broken in places, but that wasn't what she was looking for.
She scanned the hall until she met one of her many reflections. Her eyes were the same hue as the walls. They were both strange, translucent oddities. Turning away from the image quickly, Maiko glared at one of the stone figures.
"Yami! Hikari!"
In an event that could only be described as alien, one of the boulders melted. The rough surface of the rock seemed to suddenly shift to water and splash onto the ground thickly, created a glob of stone on the lucid floor. The same occurred to the other formation.
Two figures had taken the place of the boulders, neither male nor female. Their bodies were luminous, but in different ways. One was radiant and shining, their entire model draped in white, while the other was gleaming with black cloaking them.
"We are listening," said the one in white.
"Yami, Hikari, I need to use them again."
"He-he-he-he," the dark one chuckled, "you know the consequences of that."
"You are already experiencing it," pointed out the other figure, lifting a delicate, light arm to motion towards the greenette.
Maiko used the back of her hand to wipe away the blood slipping from her odd orbs. The crimson liquid smeared on her hand, and refused to stop leaking from her eyes.
"It's what's required of me, Hikari." She replied.
The beaming figure, now identified as Hikari, returned their arm to their side in a graceful manner, "You know that is not true. There is a real future waiting for you."
Yami, singled out as the dark figure, turned to stare at their counterpart with a glare, "Shut-up! She makes her own decisions, isn't that right, Maiko?"
Hikari frowned, "Yet you persist."
"I'm giving her my opinion," Yami retorted with a hiss, "that's what I'm here for, fool."
"Stop it!" Maiko yelled, "Just give me what I need!"
Yami and Hikari looked away from one another, their godly gazes landing on the gangly criminal. Rolling down her cheeks were droplets of blood. The decision had to be made soon.
"I cannot give you what you seek, lest you use it against your future," Hikari said, shaking their head.
Yami bowed, in a mocking, yet serious manner, "But I can, for the future you are pursuing is in our, no, your favor."
"Why do you need this power? It is wounding you deeply, so why proceed?" Hikari inquired.
"It's what my family wants," Maiko responded vaguely, making her way up the small staircase that leads to the two supernatural beings, "and I would do anything for them."
"They are not your family; you know this, do you not?"
"I said shut-up!" Yami growled, "You are just trying to get in her way!"
"If anything, I am trying to save her!" Hikari argued.
The two counterparts were prepared to attack one another when Maiko made her way to the area where the two resided. Yami and Hikari looked at one another with contempt before aiming their gazes back at the greenette.
"So," The dark and light beings said in unison, "what fountain will you drink from?"
"The fountain of hope?" Hikari placed their arms out in front, cupping their hands.
"Or the fountain of power?" Yami mimicked their counterpart.
Freakishly, the two froze, their statue-form returned. Hikari had turned to a white marble, their hands still cupped. Yami morphed into sleek obsidian, glimmering in a dangerous manner.
Maiko strode forward. Each time she was given a decision, but each time she made the same choice. Her transparent eyes landed on the shadowy statue of Yami and she made her way to it, feeling the loss and grief hitting her back from Hikari.
When she came face-to-face with Yami, she looked down at the being's hands. Cupped there, was a thin liquid, the color of night.
"I choose… the fountain of power."
The statue tilted its hands, the black drink pouring down endlessly. Maiko prepared herself, giving a glance behind. Hikari had brought their hands closer to their body, their eyes closed and sorrowful. Hurriedly turning away, the imp advanced, until she was nearly underneath the spray.
Maiko cupped her hands underneath the pouring fountain, gathering some of the shadowy liquid. After she had done so, the statue lifted its hands back to their original position.
The drink seemed to shimmer in her grasp, causing Maiko to send a final glance to Hikari. A single, clear tear was slipping from their eyes. Quickly, the imp lifted her hands to her lips, tilting her head back and taking the black poison into her mouth.
Yami looked down with a cruel grin. The drink sizzled and burned in Maiko's mouth, causing her to nearly spit it out. She would if she were able. Her lips were suddenly sown together with black thread, and she could not release the deadly venom.
She really should be used to this by now. Swallowing, the black toxin slithered down her throat until the burning sensation spread throughout her body. Yami slipped down from its previous statue state and grabbed Maiko's face.
In her eyes, black liquid was penetrating, as though a dye had been poured into water. Yami sneered at Hikari, chuckling madly before the two returned to their stone states.
The thread that once held Maiko's mouth shut tightly was gone and she breathed heavily after being released. Falling to her knees, coughing furiously, the green-haired murderer met her own gaze once again. This time, her eyes were a foul black.
Night swallowed the walls, dyeing the mirrors evil ebony.
She smiled, her sharp teeth glistening threateningly.
~:~
Colors slowly returned, reality pushing in on all sides. The soft yellow and orange of the flames of candles revealed itself. Motion resumed.
The large black chamber had disappeared from sight, and Yami and Hikari were nowhere to be found.
Maiko's eyes flew open as if she had awoken from a nightmare. She anxiously looked around to ensure that she had escaped, and sighed in relief when she saw her leader.
"I will now perform the jutsu," she said quickly, performing a hand sign in front of herself, "Just as you commanded."
Not waiting for a response, Maiko focused in silence, feeling the slithering of a droplet of blood begin to roll down her cheek.
"Doragon'aizu-jutsu."
~:~
It had been a total of two days. Her arms had healed nicely (she had ditched the idea of wearing the slings any longer after a short time) and ever since her run in with Sasuke, she had started taking up training once again. Kotone was neither uncomfortable nor comfortable with his presence, but found that ignoring him was the best she could do to show him he was not welcome.
She did nothing but read the surviving books that she had salvaged and stare into the scenery of the Nishi no Sabaku. The golden lyre sat on her parent's bed, where she would play a few notes to put herself to sleep; glad she was able to rest without the need of another person.
Sasuke would follow her around on occasion, believing her to be up to suspicious behavior, but that was as far as their interaction went during the day. At night, he would sit at the balcony and listen in silence as the queen strummed away at the instrument, experimentally changing pitches and tunes in an attempt to sound more like her mother's playing, but to no prevail.
Tonight, though, was her final night. Amaterasu packed her things appropriately, preparing herself for the journey to the Kazekage's village. She anticipated visiting her friend, and lay on her parents' bed, counting down how much longer until the sun rose impatiently and tiredly.
She had not touched the lyre all that day, looking at it in its golden glory, wondering if she should take it back with her. Kotone did not see why she should bring it. Her bag was already filled with books from the libraries, and it was her mother's property; it should stay here, right?
That is it then, Kotone thought, rolling over onto her side, I will leave it at her grave. It was only respectful to return the precious instrument to its rightful owner.
Tossing and turning, the princess tried to keep her eyes closed, but she could not stop thinking. Finally, she decided she was not going to get any sleep what so ever, and leapt out of the bed in a flurry of sheets. Politely, Kotone remade the bed and grabbed her bag gently, and made her way to the burial site.
Akio, Aiko and herself had created a small graveyard for the remains they could find. The foreign flowers they rested upon the queen's grave were an elegant, appropriate touch.
Creeping out into the courtyard, the harsh cold of the desert hit Kotone in the face as she struggled to put on her cloak. When the cloth was successfully wrapped around her, she forced herself to stomp against the deadly winds.
Amaterasu found herself in front of her mother's grave in no time at all. The flowers that were once there were dead or blown away by the harsh gales and Kotone knelt down in front of it with a sad expression. She traced a shape onto the dirt, wondering curiously if there was something she could possibly say.
Reaching into her bag, she yanked out the lyre, its gold glimmering in the moonlight. Amaterasu ran a single finger along its curved shape and gave it a final pluck before resting it over the shape she had drawn.
"Lady Arisu," Kotone said softly, "you deserved more than I."
Naturally, there was no response, but she thought she heard the laughter of a fairy, as soft as a bell's, drifting on the wind. Clearing her throat, she continued.
"The books I read… They explained the war, and my heritage. I know now that you meant for me to know the truth."
Wind swirled around Kotone's white locks, twisting them and playing with them affectionately. The wind loved her and it loved Arisu. Both of their pure souls could not be pierced by the sharpest gale.
"Thank you, my mother."
Amaterasu left, leaving behind the rusted, old, battered lyre on top of the mound of dirt identified only by its dead flowers and the vague shape of a heart decorating it.
~.~
Hiromi held Shikamaru's hands, carefully examining his wounds. She had asked to be allowed to visit him so that they could secretly discuss Maiko, yet she also wished to check on the genius's wounds.
The bond between the two of them was friendly, if not platonic. They were both pursuing the same goal; they almost had to work together.
Piercing the veil of silence, Hiromi cleared her throat and spoke softly, "How are you feeling?"
The dark-haired chunin rubbed the back of his neck as the blonde released his hands. His chestnut eyes seemed to be scanning the ceiling for an answer and he let out a melancholy sigh.
"I don't know," Shikamaru replied, "I really don't know what to think."
"Well," his blonde companion responded, "what are you feeling right now? Are you angry? Sad?"
"Both. Maybe also a little disappointed."
"… Me too."
The two mourners sat in silence. Haru was nowhere in sight since Kakashi had a day off to spend with his daughter and Hiromi missed the warmth and innocence of the reclusive silvernette.
"What do we do now?" she asked quietly.
Shikamaru gently pressed a finger on the wrappings of his hands, "Wait."
"For what?"
"For Maiko to come back."
Hiromi frowned, "I don't understand."
"We can't do anything," Shikamaru explained, "so we'll just have to be patient. I have a few theories of where she may be, but…"
"You can tell me," the petite teen reassured.
The genius shook his head, "No, I shouldn't. I want to disprove my theories; I wouldn't want to make you worry even more."
Hiromi was secretly glad he hadn't told her. She had too much on her plate already. Maiko was mentally ill, Haru was becoming a loner, and she was in love. Her cheeks lightly glowed pink at the thought of her object of interest and she shook her head. She was being selfish, thinking of love at a time like this.
But it was bothering her. She didn't have many people to confide in about these sort of things except for her parents whom she had a close relationship with, but she felt like she needed someone around her age to discuss things with; Hiromi needed someone to listen to her and tell her what she needs to hear.
Shikamaru obviously wasn't going to be said person. The blonde Sato doubted he wanted to hear about her problems. He had plenty of his own. Standing up from her seat beside him, Hiromi bowed politely.
"Thank you for discussing this with me. Please take care."
"Be careful," the brunette called after her considerably.
"You, too."
Hiromi slid the door shut behind herself and made her way out of the hospital. She was emotionally exhausted and just wanted to have a hot bath and drink some tea, preferably green tea. She just wanted to sit back and think about nothing for a few minutes.
We have tea at home, she thought to herself as she walked mindlessly past the lively shops and stalls, but I feel like eating out.
"Oh, Hiromi-chan!"
Snapping out of her thoughts, the blonde looked up to meet the milky eyes of Hinata Hyuga, "Good afternoon, Hinata-chan."
"You look tired," the Byakugan wielder noted, "Do you want to talk?"
Hinata was good at reading people, almost too well at times. She was especially good at reading Hiromi's emotions. They had been friends for ages; her own emotions likely showed through more clearly.
"You know, I was just thinking of getting some tea," Hiromi smiled, "Would you care to join me?"
"Of course!"
The two found a small shop nearby that was cheap and homey. They immediately settled in and ordered variations of green tea. When their drinks arrived, they sipped at them politely until Hinata stared determinedly into her friend's eyes.
"So, tell me what's going on."
When she wanted to be, the Hyuga could be very persuasive.
Hiromi rested her head in her hands, "I don't even know where to begin."
"Start with Kiba. How are you two doing?"
The blonde nearly spat out her tea, but swallowed it and coughed hoarsely for a few moments before wiping off the liquid from her chin. Her face was bright red as she tried to avoid the knowing and loving expression of the young lady sitting across from her.
"T-t-that's not important!" Hiromi exclaimed nervously.
Hinata smiled, "Calm down. Sometimes it's good for you to stop and just chat about things like this."
The blonde kunoichi took a second to fiddle with her napkin before shyly responding, "I… I think I like him."
"You think?"
"I-… I don't know how to describe it! I just… I feel like I don't want to leave his side and his smile makes butterflies in my stomach."
"So this isn't like the time when you liked Neji-nii-sama?"
"N-not at all. I still felt nervous around Neji, but I never tried to kiss him. I mean-!" Hiromi jolted, her face lighting up.
"K-kiss?" Hinata inquired with a light blush.
Hiromi shoved her face into her hands, timidly trying to hide her expression.
"Tell me all about it!"
"S-so embarrassing!"
"Please?"
"No way!"
When there was no response, Hiromi looked up from her barricade. Hinata was beaming happily, her eyes wet with tears.
"Ah!" the blonde panicked, "Hinata-chan! Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine," the Hyuga responded sweetly, wiping her eyes, "I'm just so glad you're back to your old self."
"My old self..?"
"Yeah… Lately, you've been in the midst of so many traumatizing events… Hanako-sensei's death and all… You haven't been smiling as much. I missed it."
"I… I had no idea," Hiromi spoke softly, "I'm so sorry, Hinata-chan. I've just been so upset lately."
"Don't be sorry; it's okay to be sad. I suppose it's kind of selfish of me to try and tell you to stop mourning."
"No, no, that's not how it is at all… I … I think you're right."
Hiromi looked down at her tea cup, watching the little specks of leaves dance in the beverage. She had been so absorbed in her own misery that it was inflicting others… But didn't she deserve to be sad? Her sensei was murdered by her best friend.
"But… I still want time to be miserable!" Hiromi proclaimed, "I-… It's only fair, right?"
Hinata smiled sadly, "Okay. Why don't you stay at my house for the night? I know it's a little American, but I really do enjoy it; we can talk and discuss whatever you'd like."
Reaching across the table, the blonde wrapped her friend in a strained hug, "Oh, Hinata-chan! I'm so glad you're my friend!"
"Ha-ha, I'm glad you're my friend, too. Come on, let's go get you some clothes."
"O-okay!"
~:~
Perhaps she had underestimated the strength of the winds.
Kotone nearly left the ground with how strong and angry the howling storm was. She had predicted a sandstorm occurring, but she had no idea she'd be smack in the middle of it. Her fingers clutched at her fluttering cloak and the queen didn't quite know where she was heading.
A few hours ago, she had clear sights on which direction was which and where the village was, but her map had been ripped from her hands by the violent gales and there was seemingly no hope in trying to locate Gaara. She thought maybe there might've been a way to communicate with the Kazekage, but she was too drained to put any effort into doing so.
Reaching up to her ear, Amaterasu gently rolled her earring in between her fingers. It felt slightly rough, considering it was made of sand, but it was the only thing that was extremely personal about her apparel.
Was the sun disappearing? Was it already night time? Wasn't it just night time just a moment ago?
Kotone stumbled and landed on her knees in the sand, her vision impaired by the sandstorm. She felt like resting and just sleeping until the tempest had passed, but she knew that if she took a nap, she would wake up buried beneath the sand.
If only there was a cave somewhere! Then she could recover and sleep for a while. When was the last time she had slept? Ate? Drank?
Her water had run out relatively early in the endeavor and for some reason, she completely ignored the necessity of refilling her flask while in the Nishi no Sabaku. The last meal she had eaten was an animal she had roasted and eaten on her way to her homeland. Her stomach felt empty and cold.
The sun really was gone because the sky was black and Kotone couldn't see anything and she felt tired so she closed her eyes to rest and suddenly she really didn't see or feel anything.
~:~
"Kazekage-sama, a message from Konohagakure has arrived."
The redhead looked up from his paper work, his blue eyes outlined by the memories of his insomnia. A muscular assistant handed over a letter before bowing and disappearing, leaving Gaara to read the message alone.
"Kotone…?" He mumbled to himself.
The letter said that the young woman would've arrived that morning or earlier, yet Gaara had not seen her at all. Looking up at his door, the Kazekage noticed his older sister enter, her trademark fan off somewhere else.
"Temari," Gaara spoke, "how are the conditions of the area around the village?"
The blonde crossed her arms before responding, "I was just about to report to you. A sandstorm is heading our way from the west. It's pretty rough, but we can handle it."
From the west…. The redhead read over the letter once more.
"I'm going to need a well-suited search team."
"W-why? It's too dangerous to go out there on a mission!"
"Kotone Kimiko from Konohagakure was supposed to arrive here this morning, but never showed up. The area where she was coming from is in the west. I fear she may have been caught up in the storm."
"Even so," Temari reasoned, "Don't you think Kimiko-san can handle herself?"
"I do, but the message from the Hokage spoke of how Kotone-san hadn't prepared for dangerous weather."
For some reason, he thought, I can see her doing something as reckless as that, believing her to be invincible.
"Well, if those are your orders, I will carry them out. In fact, I'll personally go out there. I'm well-suited for a mission in a sandstorm. She'll be back here in no time, Gaara."
The Kazekage nodded to his sister, "Thank you, Temari."
When the blonde had shut the door behind her, Gaara stood and went to his window. It was the same one Kotone had jumped out of when she visited all those months ago. In the pit of his stomach, the redhead felt something akin to anxiety. He had not seen his friend in quite a while and he wondered if she had surpassed him in strength at this point.
A ghost of a grin landed itself on Gaara's visage. Unconsciously, he prayed that she still had her earring hanging from her right earlobe.
~:~
Kotone was unconscious. She was dreaming. She was dreaming of lying in bed with two warm bodies beside her, holding her hands comfortingly and stroking her hair whenever she whimpered in fear of the unknown nightmare that would dissipate with the slightest touch. Sometimes it would be her mother and father, but most of the time it was Akio and Aiko. Aiko would smile and laugh and roll her eyes and Akio would whisper sweet words to calm others.
She also dreamed of a sweet blonde, with locks that were silky and eyes that sympathized with all. Kotone knew it was Hiromi when the teen leapt into her arms in the dream, abstractedly giggling.
Hanako-sensei also made an appearance, holding Haru in her arms with an elegant grin and a kimono that flowed and danced in the wind.
Then, there came the nightmares. They each revolved around Maiko. Her eyes, her skin, her hair, her bony, abused body all caused Kotone to suffocate. Her lungs were collapsing on themselves as she tried to escape the nightmarish realm of her own mind.
And then she realized that she wasn't just suffocating from Maiko strangling her with her sharp, bony fingers, but from sand entering her lungs. Choking and sputtering, Amaterasu tried to escape the trap that was the desert, but only felt her right hand meet the surface of air and life, and even then her fingers just barely breached the sand.
I hope I don't die here, Kotone thought to herself morbidly. She had to be hopeful in some aspect, but the sand was so cursedly heavy and she was tired and weak and there was no way she would ever be able to just propel herself out of the sand.
Her mind blanked when she felt something grasp her hand. Perhaps it was a wild animal, or a bandit looking for a woman he could take advantage of. She would try to thrash and escape, but she couldn't move so she simply listened as her brain began to shut down due to the lack of oxygen.
"Gah, what an idiot."
Kotone knew that voice. Or did she? Was that… Kakashi? What was he doing out in the desert?
"Did she even think about preparing for a sandstorm? They're a lot more frequent than one would think."
The voice was so muffled, but Amaterasu could feel freedom pulling her, or was it just a person?
With a sudden yank, Kotone emerged from the prison of sand gasping and coughing, though there was no way to unclog the sand in her throat. Her sight was reducing to nearly nothing and she saw some blonde hair before she nearly threw up, grains rubbing her throat raw.
"It's me, Temari, Kimiko-san; I'm taking you back to the village. Just stay calm."
Of course she would stay calm; there was another dream waiting to greet her as her body went limp and her mind went blank. Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming.
~:~
"What do you see?"
"A village… It's… completely destroyed. There's nothing left. Everyone is dead."
"This means you shall succeed."
"What else?"
"Women and children have been slaughtered. Men fight and fail. This village… is dead."
"….Good."
"I can't see anymore. It's too blurry."
"Try harder."
"Of course, Leader-sama."
Maiko pressed her eyes shut, focusing so hard that she felt a vein on her forehead and near her black orbs. She felt the teardrops of blood begin to cascade and growled under her breath. She was sick and tired of all the crimson that slipped for her eyes!
"I see… the death of an old man. He is wise and is a teacher to many. His power is rivaled by few… And… he… will be mourned."
"…. Continue."
"There's nothing more of the old man. Just… the fade of red to orange."
"I see."
She opened her eyes and noticed his expression. She lost focus and leapt down from her seat.
"L-leader-sama! Are you displeased with me? I-… I'll try harder! I'll offer more!"
He did not respond.
"I will! I will satisfy you, Leader-sama! Return to me tomorrow; I'll be more powerful! More-!"
Turning around and hugging her stomach, Maiko released the contents of her stomach. When she finished hurling, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, careful not to get the blood on her cloak.
If the other man was there, he would have diagnosed her issue easily and stitched up whatever needing stitching. But he was dead.
"You're ill."
"No! It's nothing." She lied.
"Good. Make sure it stays that way."
"Of course, Leader-sama."
He left and then she was alone again, sitting in the room with the stench of her vomited blood. This room had so many stains from the beatings and the cutting…
Cutting was the only way for her to get it out. It was in her veins and it was hurting her always. She needed a cure, but the other man was gone and she lacked his medical expertise. Sure, he wasn't that great at the common illnesses and the more internal things, but whenever she cut herself too deep, he was always there. She still had all of her stitches.
She wasn't going to be useless. She was going to help her leader complete his dream. She was going to go with him whether he liked it or not.
Maiko was going to exact her revenge and kill those who she hadn't before.
~:~
End of Chapter 12.
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A/N: Hello, everyone! :D I'm so glad I got this chapter out there! I was having so much trouble typing it up! But I think it turned out pretty well v.v
I'm so excited about going to the beach XD I haven't gone in ages; I'm really pale and I need the Vitamin D :)
Easter was an interesting adventure ._. My grandmother finally decided to spice things up and get the adults involved; she put money in the eggs. I probably looked like an idiot running around shoving kids over to get to the eggs XD But I got enough money to go on my trip so I don't really care!
What are you guys doing over Spring Break? :) How did you spend Easter? Tell me in a PM or review! c:
Thanks to...
{Reviewers}
ShadowBloodNinja - I know how you feel v.v I don't really mind if you skip some paragraphs c:
OH THANK GOODNESS
I love Ib the most out of all of those :I it may have to do with the fact that Garry was the best person ever. Maybe.
Idk why I got in it ._. But I'm very grateful c:
Oh, don't be sad :O If I were near you, I would send you billions of Valentines! But only the corny ones ;)
Yay! Naruto merchandise! :) The same thing happened to me when I was younger; my brothers all got me gift cards to the same place XD
Sorry for the late update! :D Please do enjoy this chapter!
Dreamer010102 - Thank you very much c:
tmjay10 - Thank you :3 Sorry for the late update, but here it is!
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Thanks for reading! :)