Caranril: I've gotten addicted to the Japanese metal group Dir en grey. The pain in their songs is actually quite helpful when writing the angsty bits, hmm!
Legolas: Thanks Meira Evenstar. Your reviews allow me to keep my job!
Caranril: Midterms are over yay! That was one stressful week, lemmee tell you...so this chappie has been boiling for a while now. Got it out in just a couple hours. Yay for you! Yikes for my cramped fingers...
disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.
Chapter 8: Curses
"So I've been looking up the lore of the country in my spare time," Temujin said, helping himself to more curry. "Everything is heavily influenced by the Dragon Order, which was a highly religious group that worshiped the Dragon of the Zodiac. Some small amount of people still follow the Order's guidelines, but otherwise the practice is pretty much dead. Apparently, this country used to be called the Land of Dragons. The legend of Creation has it that the Dragon created the people because it's kind-hearted instincts yearned for children. The Dragon forged humans out of fire from its belly, salt from the sea, and soil from the earth. The Dragon had the ability to grant the people's wishes and protected them from the more vicious members of the Zodiac. However, the other Zodiacs were displeased by this display of power and wanted it for themselves, and they fought a tremendous battle." Temujin pulled out a scroll and spread it along the table for all to see.
"It's been worn out through time, but you can see there's a huge battle that formed the terrain. This volcano," Temujin pointed, "is dormant today, but it was said that the heart was formed when the Dragon's blood spilled into the earth."
The scroll was long and faded, but the brighter colours remained, depicting a magnificent battle between a dragon and a creature of fire. The clearest figure was a young girl in the foreground, praying with all her might.
"Who's that supposed to be?" Naruto asked, pressing his face closer. Temujin swatted him back.
"I'm getting there. She could be there for two reasons. One: there's a pagan influence to this in that the Dragon demanded virgin sacrifices, or two: she's presenting her wish to the Dragon."
"Did it work? What was her wish?" Naruto scootched uncomfortably close again.
"We don't know what her wish was. Besides this painting, a reference to this girl nowhere to be found," a loud voice spoke.
"Tomi-san!" Temujin brightened and stood to greet his fiancee.
"Ah, I was wondering how he'd managed to find all this out in such a short time," Kankurou muttered. "Doubt these people have a library to raid when they have questions."
"We do have original documents of a high-ranking member of the Order who kept a diary of her strange visions. She expressed her fears of her fellow members finding out, for they'd probably punish her for heresy." Tomi adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat, glancing at a scroll. "Quote: 'My heart pains with slanderous visions, yet cannot be unveiled 'less by ink. The exigent of Our Lord, unfathomable quarrels ended, hastily ensconced to preserve the divine dignity. I am but my Lord's humble servant! To bear these dreams and speak of them, 'twill but earn the accuséd "falsehood" and consequent attendance to Death and his court!' Unquote." She snapped the scroll closed and leered at the befuddled faces staring back at her.
"How troublesome," Shikamaru sighed, returning his focus on his curry.
"What does it mean?" Kaori asked, her brow furrowed.
Tomi sighed and pushed her glassed up her nose. "This is but a rough translation and we still have much more to sort through. But for those of you who don't understand the old language, the woman was seeing visions of the Dragon's defeat, which would mean that the Dragon Order was serving a non-existent being. They'd kill her for spreading lies. She explains some of these dreams in detail, such as the Dragon's tails were cut off to prevent its return to power. These came to her when engaged in carnal actions. Which, again for those of you who don't understand, means while having sex."
"Or when she was in battle," Temujin added quickly, noting Kaori's rising anger. "She was a member of the regiment after all."
"Do we know her name?" Temari asked.
"She leaves no surname in the journals, but we do know her forename. Kaori."
"What?" Kaori muttered, expecting another jab at her intelligence.
"Not you. Her name was Kaori."
"Really?" Naruto wondered. "Maybe you're related to her Kaori-chan!"
"Of course not!" she protested. "'Sides, I named myself that. It didn't come from anywhere. The old ladies named me Akumako."
"How rude of them!" Naruto protested. "And you never had any friends! It's cause you had a sucky name!"
"Oh fuck off," Kaori growled, getting seriously irritated.
"Kaori!" Temujin warned. "Don't-"
"Yeah, yeah, leave the sailor mouth on the ship," she muttered, then grinned. Her grin fell away as she spotted the dark atmosphere standing next to him. Tomi's expression had gone very pale, and she had dropped her scrolls. She looked terribly frightened.
"Tomi? Are you okay?" Temujin asked, concerned.
"Stay away!" she said in a panick.
"What's wrong with you?" he continued.
"Sakura," Naruto barked.
"Where does it hurt, Tomi-san?" Sakura stood and walked slowly towards her.
"No one come near me!" she shrieked. After a moment of uncontrollable shaking, she raised a hand and pointed at Kaori.
"You," she gasped through heaves. "You. You're...the Akumako?"
For a moment, Kaori just stared at her, shocked by the situation. Then the question hit home.
"Oh. You're one of them." She crossed her arms and stared back with cold grey eyes.
"You ruined my life!" Tomi burst out suddenly. "Because of you, I've lost everything! Everyone! I've been so alone! Because of you!"
"Me?!" Kaori was severely put out. "What did I do to you? I've never even met you before!"
Tomi giggled maniacally. "You don't remember? How could you not remember? The day you cursed me!"
"Not again," Kaori growled, turning to leave.
"What's going on?" Sasuke said testily, tired of the direction the meeting had turned.
"She's just another one of those people who thinks that everything wrong in their life is my fault. Just cause I'm different." Kaori glared back at Tomi.
"No, no. That's not it. If you don't remember, I'll tell you." She'd regained some composure, but she still refused anyone near her and broke into a heavy sweat.
"Ten years ago. There was a prize out for your head. It was a secret bounty, so very few knew about it. I needed the money to leave this place and go to school, so I thought I could get it by killing you." She laughed hysterically. "Oh yes, my plan was perfect and everything, but some stupid animal set of my trap just before you reached it. Your eyes were all red and weird and you said in this voice, 'Everything but your life.' I was scared by your appearance more than anything and ran home, terrified. After a week, I calmed down and figured that I'd managed to escape the curse that follows everyone who ever tried to kill the Akumako. Then, one by one, anyone I'd every known or cared for started dying. Sometimes by disease, sometimes by accident, sometimes by murder. Always horrific, painful deaths. I began losing everything. My hopes to get into school, my dreams of being a teacher, gone! Then six months or so ago, my luck turned up. I came into some money and was able to go to school. A wonderful institute was set up here so I didn't have to leave, and everything was peaceful. And then I met Temujin. I was so happy. Oh so happy. But now..." Tears were pouring from her eyes.
Kaori couldn't help but feel unsympathetic. "You tried to kill me. You got what you deserved."
"Kaori!" Sakura hissed.
"You don't get it, do you?" Tomi sank to her knees and barely held her head up to glare at Kaori. "Now that you're back, I'll lose it all again! I'll. Lose. Temujin!"
Kaori collapsed to her knees as well, realizing the danger of the situation. She looked at Temujin, who was at a loss for words.
"Well, um, I don't really curse people, you know," she said nervously. "I say things to scare them away. I don't have any sort of power to do that."
"But you do!" Tomi shrieked. "It's the Akumako curse!"
"I'm not a fucking demon!" Kaori shouted, standing suddenly and wrapping her hands around Tomi's neck. "You people are the demons!"
"Kaori!" Naruto grabbed one wrist, trying to pry her away from the choking Tomi. He hissed as the Chakra field began to bubble. "Shit!"
There was a crunch. Kaori's eyes went wide as her breath left in a hurry, driven out by Sasuke's fist in her diaphragm. She released her iron-like grip on Tomi's neck. As her vision grew dim, she peered through red eyes at the other woman.
"If something happens to him, I will kill you," she whispered through pained lungs before passing out.
"Shit," Kankurou said, sweating slightly from Kaori's sudden intent to kill. Since Gaara had changed all those years ago, he'd forgotten that intensity.
"What just happened here?" Temari asked, her blue eyes filled with apprehension.
Temujin held Tomi, his expression furious. "What did you Shinobi do to Kaori?"
Sakura squatted next to him, checking Tomi for damage extent. "We didn't do anything to her, Temujin. She was...born that way. Kaori-san has a bijuu."
"Bijuu?"
Sakura's eyes met Naruto's, who closed them for a moment then stood Temujin up while Sakura tended to Tomi and Kaori. He started simply, explaining what he could of the situation he, Kaori, and formerly Gaara were in. He had to bring up Akatsuki too in order to explain the disappearance of the other bijuu. He was the only jinchuuriki left in the world. Kaori didn't really count, for they weren't even sure what she had inside of her, despite the creature's insistence that it was a bijuu with a grudge. Temujin's head rested in his hands as he sat down, unable to process all the information.
"So she's had this thing in her all along?"
"Guess so. She always said strange things happened, but she figured it was cause people treated her like a monster." Naruto scratched his head.
"I was going to tell her that I found where her father was from," he said quietly.
"What?!"
"I managed to trace her mother's direction back to this cursed town not too far away." He let out a wry chuckle. "Why is everything 'cursed'? Those people who were able or willing to talk said they'd once seen a man who matched Kaori's description. White hair, grey eyes. Apparently she looks a lot like her father."
"Isn't this good news?" Naruto asked.
"I'm not sure what to do now that I know she is...a monster."
Naruto's fist connected with Temujin's face, the sound of the impact causing the entire room to freeze.
"You really are a bastard, Temujin," Naruto said with dangerous intensity. "She isn't the monster, it is inside of her. And if you were truly her friend, you wouldn't care." Naruto left the room with an ominous silence.
"Um, well, Temari, Shikamaru and I have a meeting with a county official. We'll be going now." Kankurou gathered his puppet-summoning scrolls and strapped them to his back. Temari and Shikamaru agreed and left hurriedly.
"I'm going to find Kakashi," Sasuke said. "He's been gone since...for a long while now."
Sakura gave Temujin an encouraging smile. "They'll both be fine. And I wouldn't worry too much about what Tomi said. I don't think your life is in danger."
Temujin couldn't offer a smile back. "How do I choose between them? Do I really have to pick a 'side'? I mean, who's the right one here?"
Sakura pondered a moment. "I think when your mind can't decide, you should let your heart do the work. When I was young, I never did anything smart. Everything was for Sasuke. Then after he left and I realized I couldn't hold onto him, I recognized my true purpose: to become a great Shinobi. I began using my brain, focusing, but when the time calls for it, I still use my heart. Does that make sense?"
Temujin remained silent. Sakura studied him for a moment, wondering what was churning behind those blond locks. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
"And if you can't decide instantly, try not to worry about it," she said gently. "Everything will become clear with time. It's hell to wait for time to come around, but eventually, it does."
Temujin offered her a slight smile. "You're very cryptic, aren't you?"
"Ah, I get that from working with Tsunade-sama. Sometimes she prefers I figure things out without her telling me exactly what she wants."
"Exactly what she wants," he murmured. He glanced at Sakura, who was watching Kaori's unconscious face, which contorted slightly in her dreams. The sun had set and the lit candles cast a warm glow on her features. And he had a sudden urge to...
"May I kiss you?" he said with a gulp. Sakura looked up, startled.
"W-what? Why?" She hadn't even realized how close they'd been sitting until he said that. And they were getting closer.
"Kiss...you?" Temujin's voice dropped as their heads drew near.
"I...don't know..." Sakura whispered unconvincingly. She lightly traced Temujin's jaw. His slightly-chapped lips tentatively touched hers, and for a moment neither of them moved. Then Sakura leaned in and initiated her own kiss. It was tender and sweet, and when they pulled away Temujin seemed sad.
"I'm sorry, Sakura-san, I shouldn't have done that." He stood with Tomi in his arms. "I'll take her to her room. Can you handle Kaori?"
Sakura nodded and watched him leave. Then she touched her lips, entranced. That had been her first kiss. She was already 18 years old, and while most of her life she'd wished desperately to kiss Sasuke, after giving up on that idea, she hadn't sought after any other guys. And they hadn't sought her, because they were terribly afraid of her power. The only one she didn't mind was Lee, but he was a sweetheart and made her smile.
"I wonder if that was his first kiss," she mumbled to Kaori, whose weight she could carry easily but she was so damn limp. Couldn't have been his first kiss. He had a fiancee. Though she didn't seem like the type who'd engage in physical pleasures. "Am I jealous?" she wondered, padding down the hall back to the hotel room.
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"And just when I think I got my life figured out, I hafta go an' do somethin like this." Kakashi took another swig of sake. He sighed. "'Nother bottle please."
"Sorry, okyaku-san. You drank more than anybody here tonight. I think you're done."
"The heart's a fickle thing. Ah, strange word that: fickle. My fickle heart. Wanting things it can't have. She's my bloody student. I'm supposed to be a role model. How do ya be a good role model for someone ya wanna make sweet, sweet love to?"
"Sounds like ya got troubles, friend. Ah! Sorry, I didna mean ta listen in, but the bartender's been helpin other people, so ya were jus' talkin ta yo'self."
Kakashi glanced at the man who scooted a couple bar stools closer. He had long, lavender hair and dark brown eyes. One might almost mistake him for a woman if not for the firm chest exposed by the cut of his white robes. He bore a katana with a fancy pommel along with a wakizashi. The colours black and red were pleated in a small section of hair behind his right ear. Kakashi could only assume he was a member of one of the sects Temujin mentioned.
"Let me buy ya another bottle," the beautiful man offered. "Cup ta ease yo' troubles."
"Thanks." Kakashi couldn't say he was entirely grateful. Had he been more sober, he would have listened to the warning his instincts gave him.
"So. Women gettin ta ya?" He rested his chin on his fist as he watched Kakashi.
"Just one."
"Oh? No one woman is worth all this heartache yo' experiencin' now."
"She's pretty amazing," Kakashi slurred. "It took me a long time to realize it, but...yeah. I realized it. Then I saw her with another one of my students. Such an idiot!" He banged his head on the counter, causing a vibration to travel through the metal on his hitai-ate. That hurt.
"The student's the idiot or ya are?"
"Me." Kakashi sighed. "It's like I'm cursed. I'm not capable enough to have a real relationship. And I'm gettin' so ooold."
"Hm, ya still seem young enough ta me," the man purred encouragingly.
"Thanks, but you're not the one I want, so what's it matter?" He suddenly felt his vision grow blurry. Was he seriously going to pass out?
"But yo' the one I want," the man responded inaudibly, catching the ninja as he collapsed. "I'll just take my friend ta his room," he said to the bartender, who was relieved that Kakashi wouldn't be slouching over his counter anymore. He hefted the drunk over his shoulder and carried him up the wooden stairs. He didn't actually have a room, but an unoccupied one would be easy enough to get into. He passed his hand over the lock, manipulating the metal into releasing the bar. The unconscious man was obviously a warrior of some sort, though he saw no sword or gun. But his hands were well-worn, indicating he used some form of hand-to-hand combat. Those hands would have to be neutralized. He removed the green jacket and blue shirt and used the wire he found in the man's pack to tie his arms to the headboard. He'd need the legs free. With a gulp, he eyed the pale, scarred flesh on his body. Definitely a warrior.
He stroked the masked face, noting how peaceful his one eye looked. He lifted the metal thing from his other eye and traced the beautiful scar the cut through it. Then he peeled down the mask. Stunned, he couldn't help but stare at the ethereal man beneath him. Was wearing the mask a way to hide his beauty? Or just his identity?
"Hello there, angel," he whispered into an ear, hoping to wake the man. He groaned, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. The scarred eye remained closed. He was in a daze.
"My name's Kaoru. What's yo's, angel?"
"Kaori?" He grew attentive instantly.
"No, angel, Kaoru. Angel, I need ya ta save me. Save me from this world." He hovered over Kakashi, staring deep into his eye. "And I'll save ya from the depressin' world o' women." He sank down and nibbled along the man's neck, savoring the slight taint of sweat on his oh-so-pale skin.
"What...what's goin on?" Kakashi struggled desperately to come to his senses. First, a man was on top of him, kissing his chest (if he wasn't so drunk he'd mind more but right now it was ahhhhhh). Second, his hands were tied to the bed. Third, his vest and shirt were gone. Fourth, so was his mask. Panic. Panic! No one had ever seen his face! No one. Well except for that time at Ichiraku Ramen...but that didn't count! Shit!
"Oh yo' heart is racin' so nicely," Kaoru purred. "But not the kind o' excited I want ya ta be..." He traced a long finger along the contours of Kakashi's muscles, which tensed under the ministrations. "So what's yo' name?"
"Hatake...Kakashi." Never had Hatake Kakashi been so at the mercy of another man. Never.
"Well, my scarecrow, I'm gonna make ya a very stiff scarecrow..." he chuckled, tracing his tongue along the same path his finger had a moment before. Kakashi arched his back, desperate to focus. Think: how was he going to get out of this? He was a genius ninja! So why was he so stuck in this situation?
"Ah!" All thoughts fled as the tongue prodded his member, encouraging it to come alive. No, no. This was all wrong.
"I don't swing that way, Kaoru-san," Kakashi said, trying not to pant.
Kaori moaned, sending vibrations from his lips into Kakashi's disobeying cock. "Say it agin. Say my name agin."
He absolutely would not. "Let me go."
"No." Kaoru slithered back up and lifted his head into a heart-stopping kiss.
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Sasuke wandered the streets of the town, feeling for Kakashi's Chakra. If he was drunk, he wouldn't bother hiding his Chakra field. Sure enough, he was led to a bar. Go figure. The old man was either reading his smut or drinking his sake. He was like a combination of Jiraiya and Tsunade. Sasuke wandered the bar, noting the wary glances at the sword he had strapped to his back. The bartender told him that the masked man had passed out and was taken upstairs by his friend. Sasuke gave his thanks and loosened his sword in its sheath as he went upstairs. Any "friends" Kakashi had were still at the hotel. He knocked on each door, unable to specify which room Kakashi was in.
"Let me go."
Kakashi's voice. Sasuke drew his sword and sliced through the door in one swift movement. He was next to the bed with the sword at the stranger's neck before the broken halves of the door hit the ground. The lavender-haired man froze, then gave him a polite smile.
"I'm sorry. Ya seem to be misunderstandin' somethin'. We're just doin' a lil BDSM."
"No, no, no we're not!" Kakashi insisted.
"You have three seconds to get out of here before I cut your head off," Sasuke said casually, his eyes burning red with the Sharingan. The man leapt off of Kakashi and grabbed his robes and swords before dashing out. He wouldn't really have needed to use Sharingan; it was just to scare him away. He nicked the wires with the tip of his sword to set Kakashi free.
"Thanks." Kakashi was severely embarrassed, particularly by the fact that Sasuke had seen his face. But the younger man said nothing of it.
"Come one. Bad things happened while you were off getting drunk. Time you came back." Sasuke sheathed his sword and stalked out of the room, leaving Kakashi to be very grateful that Sasuke wasn't a gossip.