Ah, sorry for the wait; took a little vacation.
…...
Taking the high grounds was always his job, the clay birds he shaped being perfect for controlling the airspace. The wind picked up as he dropped and gained velocity. Leaping from the clay-feathered creation in split-second timing the large explosive plowed into the stone side of the massive capital and did what it does best. The rocketing blast sent brick and stone flying as the blond artist took cover. The maneuver was well timed and panic flew through the hallowed grounds of the famed building, but what else could you expect of a plan from the pissed Akatsuki leader?
As the defending enemies rushed the few visible shinobi, they were taken down without mercy, the angered aggressors beyond showing remorse. Itachi sliced through the enemy without pause, his entire body a living breathing weapon. Inhuman shrieks rang out from the fallen adversaries, continuing to move as their bodies fell apart with each motion in a sickening display. They weren't human anymore; they'd be pushed past that, into something unrecognizable and horrifying.
Their minds, their very humanity, were gone. Death was the sweetest mercy for the unfortunate souls, something the Akatsuki provided.
"We can't keep this up!"
Sasori was the first to realize there wasn't any point in fighting an army that could not die. Hidan was enough for anyone when it came to hard to kill and something needed to be done. That's when it hit him.
"Someone's controlling them, ignore them and find the puppeteer!"
Neji bolted ahead; he wouldn't be able to do much good here. His talents mostly leaned towards those with chakra points, and these beings pathways were eerily quiet. Reaching the darkened entrance, he stretched out his senses.
"Straight up, eh?"
…...
Hidan at the flank seemed the best option; unable to die he shrugged off the attacks of the writhing mass easily. Not that they had much chance to do so; he resembled the reaper, his swaying scythe clearing large areas effortlessly. Death was on swift wings when it came to his fighting style, everything within range decimated in just a couple swings. He was having fun.
…...
His kills were fast and efficient, moving at speeds that could fool the untrained eye. They didn't stand a chance in hell against the silver-haired copycat. He turned path after path and the narrow hallway gave way to a spacious round chamber. Dimly light and crawling with a moody atmosphere he paused just inside. Laughter filled the air as stone flew to cover the lone exit tightly and the room began to fill with murky water.
…...
Scrapping sounded around the room as clanging metal signaled the room was moving. Earlier shocks from what seemed to be quite close caused an earthquake-like effect to ripple through the room.
"Shit."
Now she knew something was wrong, identical looks of worry were plastered to each of her companions' faces. The normally cool and calm Kimimaru seemed agitated and fidgety, Zetsu seemed to move closer turning his back to her, and Gaara now crouched at point seemingly leading them without moving.
"Sakura, we aren't the only ones down here, Orochimaru decided to put another of his subjects in this abyss."
A roar sounded as something awoke.
"Only, we've never had to encounter it before, it was kept away behind the bars, and sealed into sleep.' 'Though it seems whatever that force was both woke it up and set it free."
She took in their whispered words in and spoke.
"It?"
"Her mind is gone now; all that remains is a monster."
He paused.
"And to top it all off, all we have is what we've been told to go on."
Another screech, closer this time.
"Though I have heard it's extremely volatile."
…...
Pein had tracked Orochimaru and spilt paths from her a while back. She was practically flying down hallways, covering distance in nothing flat. Chakra pulsed from two people just ahead, and she pushed herself faster reaching the end.
…...
Deidara, in a stroke of luck, saw him before the blow hit, fanatical laugher poured past the living tank's lips as he barely dodged the deadly swipe. For a short while, all he could do is move back as the behemoth barreled forward with deathly intent. In such close quarters, with him at a towering height, Deidara was unable to avoid a reeling uppercut that sent him flying back out into the streets.
The ground yielded to the attacker's strength, cracks forming as he charged once more. The blonde, only just recovering from the dizzying hit, glanced up only to see something kin to a freight train upon him.
…...
"It's coming!' 'Zetsu, get her hidden!'
Tossed like a rag doll into the bi-colored mans arms they retreated until his back hit a slightly damp brick wall. Her skin crawled and suddenly she could no longer see herself or Zetsu.
"We're.. invisible?"
He shifted her in his arms.
"It's the best I can do with someone else with me."
Light filled their shadowy cage, and their opponent appeared. Built like an Ox and practically filling the room, a giant mass of crystal moved in a varying pattern. The eyeless face shifted shape to shape, from bird, to lion, to snarling dog. It moved from four legs, to eight, to two. From wings to spikes, claws to razors. It was by far the most terrifying thing she'd ever seen. It rose up to strike at the remaining shinobi; that's when she spotted it.
There, under the color-changing stone, was a corpse. The eyes and nose were long gone, the ears and sparse facial tissue hanging on by a thread. The inclosing crystal seemed to be the only thing holding the cadaver together. She covered her mouth to quiet her gasp of horror. Zetsu shifted her to the ground, going forward to join the stand-still fight. Not that she could see him do so.
Suddenly, she realized something, and looked to the unmoving beast.
'It doesn't have eyes…' 'It doesn't rely on sight!'
As the creature moved for the first time she screamed.
"Zetsu, it's not safe!"
One massive arm wrapped around an invisible limb and a pain-filled yell rang out. The man regained his ability to be seen as the crunch of bone sounded.
…...
Hmm, I wonder if he'll live? Well, I don't wonder… You will.