I'M SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT!

For this chapter, I recommend reading Eyes Like Fire, mainly chapters 13-16. The follow chapter is in Natsu's POV. Shizen's is entirely different, one can assume. Also, Shizen's full wonderfulness will probably not be displayed here, so I encourage you to read more about her. She's a great character, really. Now, enjoy.

Memories of Nobody

Chapter 7: Hotamae Shizen

Natsu gazed at the door before her and ran her hand down it, noticing its coldness. She sighed – it had been a while since she had been called to her master, the famous Sannin Orochimaru. The faint memory of her previous mission came to her mind. She smiled, thinking of the red-haired shinobi, Sasori, whom she had met. The two had made a sort of connection, both of them being artists. She then shook the feeling away – shinobi could not love. Love hindered abilities, clouded judgment, caused foolishness. She regained her blank composure and knocked on the door.

"Koi," came a deep voice.

Natsu bowed, "Nani-yo, Orochimaru-sama?"

Orochimaru smirked, "Natsu, Natsu, Natsu… how many times have I asked for your help?"

Natsu thoughtfully looked up at him, "Yare, yare… I don't know, Orochimaru-sama. Gomen-yo."

He chuckled, "Precisely. Sadly, I must ask for your help again."

Natsu nodded, "Wakata-yo. Tell me what you want to have done, and I will do it; tell me who you want to have killed, and I will kill them – I am your trusted assassin and servant."

Orochimaru smirked, "Yes, yes you are." He paused, "I have a feeling that the Sound Four will not be able to get Sasuke-kun to me."

Natsu raised an eyebrow, "Naze-yo, Orochimaru-sama? Kimimaro-kun should be going with them – if there's any trouble, he should be able to take care of it."

Orochimaru gave a deep sigh, "You have heard of his condition, da ne?"

Natsu frowned, "Ee, I have. It is so sad that such a shinobi…" Her voice trailed off.

Orochimaru nodded, "Ee. Kabuto fears that he may not survive. Thus, I am leaving the retrieval of Sasuke-kun in your hands, Natsu-chan."

Natsu bowed, "Wakarimashite-dayo, Orochimaru-sama. I shall not disappoint you."

Orochimaru gave a small, slight smile, "Hm! And you never have."

Natsu walked out. She looked down at her red clothes and bit her lip – she had still not forgotten the massacre of her previous friends: Kutai and Sha. However, this new mission had uncovered different feelings.

She was jealous of Sasuke.

She knew that he was chosen as Orochimaru's now body, but still… he was an Uchiha. She had gotten used to Kimimaro's special treatment, but this Uchiha… was different. He was a rare breed. His kekkei genkai was far more useful than hers and Kimimaro's put together. This made her feel dejected and forgotten, like a used toy tossed aside for a newer one. She bit her lip and sighed. And yet, despite all of these mixed emotions, she still respected her master's wishes and obeyed every order, no matter how hard her heart ached.

Her thoughts of envy were shaken abruptly as she heard Tayuya's rough voice bickering with Orochimaru. It seemed that she was very upset about Natsu being the leader.

"Orochimaru-sama! How can you assign that-that-that teme the position of 'leader'?!?!" Her voice was filled with pure malice and hate. "Naze? I should be the only genjutsu user here and here she is using genjutsu that doesn't even compare-"

"I beg your pardon…Tayuya," Orochimaru interrupted. "But Natsu's techniques are far superior to that of yours."

Natsu smirked.

He continued, "She has more techniques that you and are, as she puts it, 'works of art.' Your techniques are filth in comparison. Now, get out. I don't want to see you again until you come back with someone who at least has some talent – Sasuke-kun. GO."

To be stated bluntly, Natsu did not like Tayuya. Ever since the petite, yet foul-mouthed, girl had arrived, Natsu's life had become quite chaotic. Tayuya, even though Natsu had obviously came first, insisted that she was the only genjutsu user that Orochimaru would ever care about. This caused the two to verbally spar with each other constantly. This time was no exception.

"I'll kill you, Natsu. There's only room for one genjutsu user-"

Natsu rolled her eyes, "Baka." She sighed, shaking her head, "Sugoi-yo! I knew you weren't talented, but I didn't know that you were deaf, too?!" Natsu narrowed her eyes, "I was here before you were even training to become a shinobi, gaki." (Kid.)

Tayuya bit her lip, "I dare you to say that again, kisama!" Most people would have stopped taunting Tayuya at this point. Her voice had reached a low and threatening tone.

But not Natsu, who laughed in response. "Hm! Going to swear at me again, da ne?" She smirked, "Two can play at that game, te-me." She once again narrowed her eyes, her orange orbs piercing Tayuya's soul.

Tayuya dared not meet her gaze. Those orange eyes with the painted teal triangles made her shiver. To mask her uneasiness, she let out a menacing growl, bluffing, "You better watch your back, teme. Or-" She pulled out her smooth, purple flute. She pressed it gently to her lips.

Natsu let out a cold, high-pitched laugh, "Going to play me a little song, da ne? I'll let you do that. I, unlike you, have some matters to attend to. Sumimasen-yo."

Natsu left Tayuya fuming. She then smirked as Tayuya winced in pain, the sharp wind cutting her cheek.

Natsu packed her things and set out with the Sound Five, taking the lead. She didn't want to gaze at the stupid red-haired bitch that brought up the rear. After awhile, she turned to look back at Kimimaro, who nodded in response. The two of them then disappeared and reappeared on a cliff. They would sit down and wait until Sasuke arrived, or until the Sound Four came back with their treasured prize.

Natsu sighed, "Such a peaceful sight, da ne?"

Kimimaru remained silent, choosing to look up at the sky.

Natsu turned to him, "Kimimaro-kun?"

He turned to her, "Hn?"

"Do you really think they'll make it back with Sasuke-kun?" Natsu sighed, "Orochimaru-sama has his doubts, which is why he sent you and me to watch over them."

He looked back up at the sky, "Iie, I don't think they will. They are far too weak, even with the aid of their seals."

Natsu smirked, "Hm! So ka-dayo? I believe we think the say way, then."

"It's a shame that they'll die today, then."

"Zannen-dayo," she added darkly. "They're merely just pawns, da ne?"

"Ee, pawns," he replied.

She got up, brushing herself off, "And pawns must be sacrificed so that the queen can be played." She turned to him, grinning, "Ikuze-dayo."

Natsu smirked, staring at the two shinobi who had passed the previous obstacles. She snorted at the first – what a joke! He was clad in all orange and had blond hair and blue eyes. He was said to be the container for the Kyuubi. She then gazed at the girl. She had dark purple hair, cool ocean blue eyes that reminded Natsu faintly of her own, a black Chinese-esque button-up shirt with a matching skirt, long black fingerless gloves, bandaged legs, and her blue hitai-ate around her waist.

She jumped down, smirking, "This is as far as you two'll go-dayo." She smirked, "I'll make you regret getting past the pawns. Zannen-dayo!"

Naruto turned to Shizen, who nodded. He whispered to her, "Ki o tsukete, Shizen-chan." He jumped over Natsu and followed after Sasuke.

Natsu frowned, and was about to follow him, when Shizen appeared in front of her, "Iie, your opponent is me, and only me."

The two had moved to a different area and were now staring menacingly at each other. Natsu then charged at Shizen with lightening fast speed, calling out to her, "Ikuze-dayo! You are now my prey!" She grinned evilly and let out a high pitched laugh.

Natsu pouted when the purple haired girl managed to dodge her first attack. She noticed that she hid behind a tree and smirked, appearing right beside her, laughing, "Looking for me, da ne?" She laughed again when the girl seemed shocked as she stood on the tree. Natsu gracefully jumped down.

Natsu raised an eyebrow, "Ho? You have some pretty looking eyes there. Are you – why yes, you are!" She clapped her hands in twisted delight, "A genjutsu user and a Jigokugan one at that!" Natsu gave Shizen a crazed maniacal grin. (AN: For those of you who do not know what the Jigokugan is, it is an ocular kekkei genkai that enables the user to excel in the field of genjutsu.)

Shizen smirked, her dark green, snake-like eyes pierced threateningly at Natsu, "So you're a genjutsu user, too, ne? It's been a while since I've went up against one."

Natsu smiled, "Same for me-dayo!" She jumped high into the air, shouting, "Sinu Ame Sakuhin!" (The Art of Death Rain.) Sharp red needles shot out from her long sleeves and whizzed at Shizen in every direction. Natsu laughed at her evilly, floating in midair with her arms crossed at her chest, smirking.

Shizen struggled to dodge them, wincing when one of them cut her cheek. She then called out, "Wasurerumiru no Jutsu!" (Invisibility/Forget to See Technique.) Shizen used this as a chance to slip away behind a tree, panting.

Natsu sighed, hovering over her, "Just because I can't see you, doesn't mean I can't hear you, baka-yo!" She shot a needle at Shizen's side, connecting. Smirking as Shizen released the technique, wincing in pain.

Natsu sighed again, pointing one of her needles at Shizen's throat, "Zannen-dayo, I thought you would be better than his! Shigata nai-yo."

Shizen snarled at her and with a burst of speed, kicked Natsu hard in the stomach, sending her smashing into a tree.

Natsu swore, wiping the blood from her mouth, "Kisama! I'll get you for that-dayo."

But before she could say anymore, Shizen smirked, "Itaishi." (Death Poem.)

Natsu gasped – she was frozen in place. She struggled, 'Nande-yo? What the hell is happening to me? I can't move my limbs!' She internally frowned, 'The pressure is a hindrance, too. However… I can feel her inexperience.'

Shizen took this opportunity to take a kunai to Natsu's throat. She whispered harshly, "What's it feel like, ne?" She then stabbed her in the stomach. After Shizen took the kunai out, she punched her where she had just stabbed Natsu. She spit in her face, "That's payback for before, teme."

Natsu smirked inside, 'Heh, not for long.'

"Obake-" But before Shizen could perform the entire jutsu, Natsu broke free from Shizen's technique.

Natsu chuckled. She found her opponent's shocked face very entertaining. She then used another jutsu, "Kurai Yuki Sakuhin!" (The Art of Dark Snow)

As soon as Natsu said those words, she saw the purple haired girl shudder with intense cold. She grinned as she collapsed to the ground, shivering, goose bumps covering her entire body.

The girl tried as hard as she could to keep warm, rubbing up and down her arms at a furious pace, "Tsu-metai!" (So cold!)

Natsu stood over her, "It won't go away! Even if you kill me, it won't go away." She closed her eyes, smiling innocently, "Zannen-dayo, baka-yo!"

Shizen's eyes widened in shock; she looked up at Natsu, snarling, "Kisama!"

Natsu laughed her infamous cold laugh and kicked Shizen harshly in the stomach. She continued to laugh and giggle and she gagged, coughing up blood as Natsu kicked her again and again and again. She then delivered one last kick to the purple girl's stomach which sent her flying into a tree. Natsu watched Shizen cry out in pain, falling to the floor in a defeated heap.

She laughed, "Baka-yo! Did you really think you could win against me, dayo?" Natsu's haunting pale orange eyes pierced Shizen's bone-chilling green ones. She shook her head, "Even your eyes can't win against mine."

Shizen gave her a death look, "Ki-sa-ma." She struggled to get up, but stopped. She stepped uneasily on her trembling feet, showing signs of dizziness and nausea.

Natsu courteously waited until Shizen stood up. She smirked, "That's more like it. I want you to see what real genjutsu is, not your petty ones with no bite." Natsu closed her painted eyes and opened them again. She then whispered in a low voice that echoed in a dark, but beautiful, way. It flowed like ink on paper. "Obake Fude no Sakuhin." (The Art of the Ghost Brush.) A gust of wind swirled around Natsu as she slowly transformed into another person.

Shizen gasped, feeling her heart stop, "Pl-please, not him." She begged. She then whispered under her breath, "Anyone but him…" She stared painfully at the man who had killed her entire family. Her grandparents, her parents, and her beloved sister who she had tried to save. The painful memories that she longed to purge from her mind where coming back.

Natsu smiled, sensing her discomfort, "You like, da ne?" She smirked, "My Obake Fude no Sakuhin allows me to take the shape of those who have caused you great pain and suffering. It seems that it works wonders on you, da ne?"

Shizen clutched her fist, a tear streaming down her cheek. She bit her lip, the memories of seeing her dead family members were as clear as day and the terrified screams of her little sister drove her blood cold with revenge. She clutched her fist even tighter, blood streaming down her fingers, "I couldn't save her." She said.

Natsu perked up, "Nan-dayo?"

She then looked up at Natsu, hate filling her eyes. She then uttered to her in a voice that sounded nothing like her own, "I'm going to kill you. You will die the most miserable death imaginable. Right here, right now." Shizen had formed her resolve, her body and mind determined, unwavering.

Natsu shivered slightly, but regained composure. She was confused at the girl's words, 'What's with her? Something in her has changed. And her eyes as well. Masaka!' She swore, 'It is! I have to release the technique!' But before she could do it, she stopped. Her breathing came to screeching halt as she looked up and gazed into Shizen's eyes.

Natsu swallowed, feeling her body go numb. Her body felt heavy and stiff as a board – she couldn't move it. She swallowed again fearfully, 'I haven't seen someone with eyes this scary in a long time. Only Orochimaru…' Her thoughts trailed off as she winced painfully, griping her ribs, 'How can her eyes – which had no effect on me before – be effecting me now? It's impossible!' She then snapped to attention, seeing Shizen walking towards her.

Shizen then stopped, facing her, imitating Natsu's smirk, "'I want you to see what real genjutsu technique is, not your petty ones with no bite.' That's what you said to me, ne? Now… I'll show you." She gave her a look of determination and closed her eyes, concentrating hard. She hesitated only for a second, but then opened her eyes, "Damasu Yume no Jutsu!" (Deceiving Dream Technique.)

Natsu gasped as Shizen turned into Orochimaru and swallowed, almost instinctively knowing that this was Shizen's most powerful attack. She felt herself inwardly wince, 'N-not Orochimaru-sama… He wouldn't… but this isn't Orochimaru-sama! Demo…' She swallowed, 'My brain and eyes shout out that it's him, but my heart says no!' Her thoughts were suddenly shattered when she heard Shizen's Orochimaru voice. She shivered – it sounded just like him.

"Ayashi," Natsu heard Shizen muttered, coming face to face.

Natsu found that she couldn't move. Her body was frozen. Shivers went up and down her spine as she felt Shizen's breath against her neck and cheeks. She wanted to get away, kick her, defend herself, but she couldn't move. She wanted to kill her for making her feel… afraid. She was scared. Scared for her life. She was even more afraid than the time she almost died when she and her previous squad went after Jun. Natsu inwardly bit her lip.

'I'm going to die today, da ne?'

"Hishi de," Shizen's fingers became sharp claws as she scratched and clawed at Natsu. Blood red shreds of her outfit where stuck to her claws, mixing with Natsu's actual blood. Shizen resisted the Orochimaru-like urge to lick them.

Natsu wanted to scream in pain, but she couldn't. The pain just continued to build up inside with each scratch and stab of Shizen's sharp nails. Natsu thought she would explode in utter pain.

Natsu then blinked, noticing Shizen hesitate slightly, 'This is… her first time doing this technique, da ne? I can see it in her eyes.' She sighed, 'And yet she still manages to defeat me.'

Finally, Shizen rasped, "Kopidoku!"

As soon as she said it, Shizen's hand glowed a deathly black color. She then jabbed it through Natsu's stomach and pulled it back. Shizen's technique then wore off and she returned to her normal state, her eyes turning back to normal, as well. She fell to the floor panting.

Natsu fell next to her on her stomach, blood gushing out of her wound. Blood streamed down her lips as she smiled at Shizen, "Oi! Your name… what is it? I want to know the name of the person who beat me."

Shizen panted, "Watashi wa… Hotamae Shizen da."

Natsu smiled, "Hotamae Shizen-yo?" She chuckled, but her chuckles soon turned into violent coughing, "Hm, tanoshikatta-dayo." (It was fun.)

Shizen swallowed and continued to stare at the person she defeated, "You… remind me of myself."

Natsu looked up, "Heh." She then blinked, looking at the purple haired girl, "If you see a man named Sasori… tell him… I'm sorry."

Shizen looked at her with disbelief, but nodded, "Ee, I will."

She then turned to the sky, smiling sadly, apologizing, "Sumimasen-yo, Orochimaru-sama, I am most truly sorry that I have lost. Demo, we'll meet again… I hope. Sayonara-dayo, O-ro-chi-ma-ru-sa-ma…" And slowly, Natsu felt herself drifting away. Death was almost like sleep, except… you were never, ever going to wake up again. And she knew it.

I told you it wasn't going to last very long. The next 'chapter' will be the last.

Some people might be mad and probably remark 'why did you make an OC just to kill her off?' I say to these people – because it's realistic. I can't make Natsu live. The rest of the people that Naruto and Co. went up against died, thus she had to die. If I didn't make her die, she would become somewhat of a Mary-Sue. The first time I 'killed her off', I wasn't happy – which is why I came up with this side story so you can see a little bit more of her and see that she wasn't just a cold, ruthless fighter that Shizen had to kill.

Hopefully you all understand.