Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable thing from Naruto. I just like to take the characters out of the box and play with them awhile. I promise to put them back when I am done. Everything else, story-plot and some concepts are mine though, so don't steal them.
Summary: 'Gaara.' Shikamaru warned. 'She is one of the Fell. Regulation dictates her off limits.' The shadow shifter's gaze flickered to the figure lying broken on the stone steps before returning to his lords apathetic facade. Gaara turned to him, his sea-foam eyes flashing dangerously with the veins of lightening overhead. 'Fuck regulation. She's coming with us.'
Note: Comment for a Cookie? It is rated for language and minor violence. The lyrics below are written by Within Temptation, scroll down for the chapter beginning.
Thank You: I just want to thank Midnight blue08 for reviewing last chapter! Reviews make me smile...
Final Destination:
I escaped my final moment
But it's turning back at me
On every corner I can feel it waiting
Just a moment, no awareness
I could easily slip away
And then I'll be gone forever
I'm search,
I'm fighting for a way to get through
To turn it away
It's waiting, always trying
I feel the hands of fate, they're suffocating
Tell me what's the reason
Is it all inside my head
Can't take it no more!
All around me I see danger
And it's closing in on me
Every second I can hear it breathing
I can't stand the fear inside me
Cause it's leading me astray
And it will be my ending
I'm searching
I'm fighting for a way to get through
To turn it away
But no one faced what's coming my way
And I will let my fear fade away
Whatever may be, I'll have to find out
Chapter Four:
'Just a little farther.'
The pain in his shoulder was throbbing, sending spasms of despairing misery ripping through his veins. He cursed himself between labored breaths. He shouldn't have tried to set the ball joint back into alignment on his own, but there was no other choice. It was either set it or drag his Lady through the filth ridden streets as his wings were rendered completely useless for the time being. Speaking of Hinata, she had yet to stir. The limping Angel knew it had something to do with the rather large, blood-crusted knot on the back of her head.
The welcoming hum of spiritual energy grew closer with each strained movement forward. He could now see the cobbled steps leading up to the shadowed entrance way of the small church. Optimistic driven adrenaline sent his hopes soaring as he began to limp faster. He shifted Hinata's position on his shoulder, feeling her slowly slipping off to the side.
"We're almost there, my Lady." He whispered into the night. "Just hold on a little lon-"
A chilling howl erupted into the skies from somewhere behind him, enclosing. He froze momentarily, fear now replacing hope, as he launched himself into a stiff sprint. Hearing the thundering approach of the large Hell Hound, he picked up his pace even more. He could feel the cold sweat pouring off his face, soaking into his ruined clothing, making it stick to him uncomfortably.
A snag of cloth.
A shift of weight.
A sharp gasp.
Pain.
Blinding pain exploded from his left side as his ribs rammed into the stair edge with unforgiving force; Hinata flying from his grasp and landing on her back with a small bounce a few feet away. In his frenzied state, he took his mind off his feet to keep Hinata from slipping off. The result of that momentary distraction proved disastrous. It took all his will power to not cry in desperation when multiple silhouettes stepped out of the shadows; 4 unknown demons and 1 Hell Hound beast.
His brown eyes flickered to his Lady as he rolled himself over.
'I have failed you.'
--PageBreak--
Gaara looked upon the scene with something akin to boredom, but inside he was grinning victoriously. If his research was correct, the final piece to the puzzle was there before him, like a single white rose standing out among the sea of red. All he had to do was reach out a pluck her. His eyes then narrowed in on the shifting boy. He was awake, but in considerable amounts of pain. The male Angel was cradling his right arm to his chest, the other hand grasped his ribs. His wings were flattened upon the stairs, probably due to the fact that their physical condition prevented him from encasing them. On any other day, the snowy white extensions would have been glowing with love or some other touchy-feely emotion that made him shudder. But as it stood the right one was bent at an odd angle, obviously broken, and the left had an uneven gash starting from the connection point ending just before the tip. The cut was seeping a thick crimson, matting down the satin feathers and clumping them together in dark tangles.
The Demon Lord smirked watching the Angel's brown eyes narrow in defiance. He brushed off the small flare of power emanating from the Heaven realm creature and nodded to Kiba. Eyes of icy aquamarine scrutinized the scarred tissue marring the alabastor skin of the female's left shoulder.
"Grab her."
A heavy silence descended on the group as all heads snapped to Gaara.
"G-grab her?" Kiba sputtered, his eyes flittering back and forth between the shocked Shikamaru and resolved Lord.
"Gaara." Shikamaru warned in a hiss, very unlike his normally desiccated tone. "She is one of the Fell. Regulation, dictates that she is off limits." The Shadow Shifter's gaze flicked to the broken figure laying on the stone steps then returning to his Lords' apathetic facade. Gaara turned to him, sea-foam eyes flashing dangerously in the streetlight.
"Fuck regulation. She's coming with us." He directed a glare at Shikamaru, challenging him to speak out against his demands once more. The advisor shook his head.
"It is my recommendation, my Lord, that you think about what you are about to do. Brushing off rules that date back to before time, without second thought is not only dangerous, it's stupid." Gaara lifted a non-existent brow. That was probably the first time anyone had ever had the gaul to call him, the Demon Lord who reigned over the realm of Hell, stupid. He found it mildly entertaining.
"Your...opinion, on the matter is duly noted." Gaara stated shifting his gaze back to Kiba and nodding for him to continue. After a moment of unease Kiba shrugged stepping forward.
"Alright, but I agree wit-" Kiba's footing slipped, flailing his arms about before finally falling backward onto the asphalt in a heap. He let out a small whimper of pain.
Gaara turned to the sound of a small chuckle. The male Angel was smirking triumph-fully from his position on the steps before doubling over in pain.
"He is an Ice wielder; Element: Water." (1) Shino declared softly holding an arm out for Kiba. The Hell Hound shoved the offered hand away and snorted.
"No shit, smart-ass." Kiba pushed himself off the ground with a small growl, sparing Shino a small glance. "Anymore obvious quips you want to add, Bug Freak?" Shino shrugged, the motion slightly hindered by the large trench coat he wore. Gaara crouched down and let the tips of his fingers slide across the small film of ice that now covered the steps.
"That explains the chakra spike a moment ago." Shikamaru mumbled from his standing position.
"Hn." Gaara drew his slightly curious eyes up to the Angel. "Your name." The Ice wielder's eyes grew round, before clamping his jaw shut in opposition.
"Well he's obviously not one of those Hyuuga morons." Kiba stated dusting of his coat. "Or else he'd have those creepy eyes."
"That means he's Cherubim." Shino added softly, adjusting his glasses.
"A Cherubim, trained in combat?" Shikamaru mused pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"I thought they granted wishes and shot people with love arrows and stuff."
"Don't be ridiculous, Kiba." Shino reprimanded. Kiba looked away blushing slightly mumbling something that sounded like 'Your just mad they don't grant wishes to assholes...Asshole...'
"Since he is apparently trained to fight, the only position he could be in is Protection of some sort." Shikamaru went on, ignoring Kiba's continuous two-bits projecting his retardation on the subject. All the while Gaara fixed his gaze on the Angel, silently savoring how his face continued to white-wash with unease. "And in Heaven, the only ones deemed important enough for protection, are from the roy-"
"Haku!" The Ice-wielder practically shouted at Gaara, desperate to get the Shadow shifter to stop talking. The last thing he needed was to let the Demon's find out that they just stumbled upon a cast down Angelic Royal. He could only sit and conjure in his mind the devices of torture they would use on his Lady to get her to spill the secrets and plans of the Hyuuga clan. "My name is Haku."
Gaara smirked.
"Well Haku. If you would be so kind to now inform us of the name of your companion, and why she took the Fall." Haku's brow pulled down into fierce preservation. Gaara's coal lined eyes grew darker, as moments passed by and the Angel continued to remain silent. "I could always just kill you now, and beat it out of her later." Haku gulped, sparing Hinata an apologetic glance before lowering his eyes in submission.
"She is called Hinata, and the crime she was found guilty of was Murder." The Demon Lord lifted a brow, his eyes flickering to the mere slip of a girl barely breathing a few feet away.
"Who did she kill?" Haku's eyes followed Gaara's, glazing over in pity for his Lady.
"Her Uncle."
End of Chapter Four: Final Destination:
(1) I wanted to explain the 'Elemental' thing I am weaving into the story. Basically Angels wield the elements of Air, Water, and Light. Demons, therefore, have Earth, Fire, and Void (Darkness, Shadow, ect. ect.). For instance; Neji (as you will find out) is Air, Hinata is Water, Haku is a variation of water; Ice. Gaara, Kiba, and Shino are Earth, Shikamaru is Void, while Sasuke and Naruto will be Fire.
Get It? Good.
A/N: More to come. I was planning on adding more to this chapter, but I thought this was a good stopping point. Not to long, not to short. Remember to review and tell me what you like. Constructive criticism is very welcome.
Question: Does anybody know the name of that damn cat they are always chasing in the show? That one D-ranked mission cat that claws the crap out of everyone. If you know it, please tell me. If it doesn't have a name, you are allowed to send a review mocking my obsession for the insignificant.