Yo! Another chapter. A little short, but I want to start the action on a chapter all its own.
First off, I want to thank all you guys for your support and letting me know I'm just a raving lunatic! It means a lot to me!
Secondly, I would like to say that one of you reviewers nailed spot on a little fact. I won't say who's involved because that would give things away, but when the revelation comes around, pat yourself on the back (you know who you are!). So sit back (or forward, whichever is more comfy) and enjoy!
The usual disclaimer (even though I don't have to say this): I do not own Naruto, but I do own the original characters, plotline, and a small bottle of whiskey.
Hinata spent the rest of the day with Naruto exploring the extensive fortress. She had learned that the newest additions to the stronghold were the portions that resembled intricate cathedrals, and that said attachments were set in place under the command of the current Zersvampirie leader, Vahre Blus. She was surprised to learn that the 'young' vampire was, chronologically, well into his forties while his biology claimed him to be in his twenties. Apparently, vampires aged differently than normal humans, even if they were still subject to death from old age.
She was still disturbed by the scene in the dining hall that morning, although she was able to push it from her mind for the most part. Spending time with the ever cheerful Uzi put her at ease, but as soon as she settled down a little voice in the back of her head reminded her of the impending future. Strangely enough, that little voice was… unfamiliar, distant… almost as if it were not hers.
Her concerns were not limited to just Sünden and his decision though. As she gazed ahead, she also considered what she felt about her current stead in life. She had completed her childhood goal of finding Uzi, but now what? When she first started out, she had a clear reason; she was following her loved one. But as time went on, her infatuation began to die as she was continuously separated from her special someone. He was certainly a good friend and loyal companion, but like Shades had told her, he felt… distant. She even knew his secret and accepted it without a second thought, but something else seemed to be holding him back. Not that it all had to do with him anyway, as she herself couldn't tell what she felt towards the blonde anymore. She didn't know what to do.
Even Naruto was in turmoil, and not just over Sünden's critical situation. As much as the elder man had helped him in his youth, he never was able to pay him back for his kindness. He even wondered if constantly keeping the fox in check might have strained his master's seal and was slowly killing him. As dark as these thoughts were though, they were not the foremost fears present in his mind. He thought back to when he saw his blue-haired companion killed by the insane priest and how it tormented him. All these years, he specifically kept himself from getting close enough to anyone that their inevitable death would cause such pain, and yet he violated his own self-inflicted rule. He knew full well that the future would be no safer, and, as selfish as it may have seemed, he did not wish to go through such heartache ever again. On top of that, there was Hinata's frightened reaction to Sünden's power. Sooner or later, he would posses a portion of that power, and he was equally terrified at losing her due to something beyond his control. It would be like being exiled from his old home all over again.
He was silent as he pondered his conundrum. It was as if he both wanted to get closer to the white-eyed woman while at the same time keeping her at arm's length, so to speak. One part of him desperately wanted her, yet didn't want to feel the pain of losing her. The simplest answer to his problem would be to protect her at all costs, but he was mature enough to know that merely because he willed something did not bring it about. To put it simply, he didn't know what to do.
"Hey," he spoke up in an attempt to break the awkward silence and distract him from his own thoughts. "I think Daemon might be leaving soon. Wanna go see him off?"
"Yeah," she nodded in return; glad to be equally distracted from her brooding.
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The eastern duo approached the red-eyed demon slayer as he exited the front gate of the massive stronghold. He turned to greet them with a smile.
"Naruto, Lady Hyuuga," he spoke with his raspy voice. "You two here to see me off?"
"Of course," Uzi replied.
"Well, thanks." He unclipped the long smooth sword from his back and gently stuck the tip gently into the ground, hands resting on the knobbed hilt. "I discussed our course of action with Master Sünden this morning. Our forces not under fire are going to move out tomorrow."
The blonde red-eye nodded. "Alright. I assume the details will be relayed to everyone by the red-eyes?"
"Yep." As soon as he replied, Vahre Blus appeared from the gates, attracting Naruto's attention. Daemon took this momentary distraction to turn his focus towards Hinata. "Lady Hyuuga," he quietly addressed her.
"Yes?"
"I heard about the… incident this morning from the master. You alright?"
"Yeah… yeah," her voice was subdued as her gaze shifted downwards. She was obviously trying not to think about it too much.
"Listen," the red-eyed demon slayer continued, "If it's any consolation, when that power gets split four ways, it's manageable. Naruto's not an apprentice so he was never taught this, but that power is compounded; it cannot sustain itself if broken four ways. Besides," he added, "Master Sünden was suddenly cast into the fire without any knowledge of how to hold it back. After a lifetime of figuring it out, we now have the strength of mind to deal with it. Does this news… appease you in any way?"
She thought over it for a moment and decided that it did put her mind to ease a bit, even if her underlying fear was still there. "Yeah, that helps," she smiled lightly.
"Good," he said as the blonde's attention as well as the vampire's was turned towards him. "Well guys," he announced with a smile as he lifted his sword and struck the ground, "I'll see you in the capital!"
Hinata was surprised as the ground suddenly split when the sword struck it. She felt a wave of heat that passed after a brief moment. Daemon wasted no time in casually stepping over the crack and falling in. She leaned forward to see what he had done, and observed that he fell smoothly through the deep, craggy hole and disappeared in a wave of flowing lava. She immediately turned in horror to Naruto and Vahre Blus who looked on as if it were an everyday occurrence.
"What- what…" her brain tripped over her words as she struggled to voice her bewilderment.
"Oh," Vahre Blus explained casually, "That's how he gets around so fast. He'll be fine. A little dried out on the other side, but fine…"
Naruto had a good laugh at Hinata's expression as he put his arm around her in a drinking buddy manner. "You should see the look on your face!" he exclaimed between outbursts. "It's great!" He started leading his blue-haired companion back to the open gates.
Before the eastern duo passed through the outer opening, the Hyuuga woman glanced back towards the overcast western sky before redirecting her eyes towards her front. Her subtle action caused Vahre Blus to stop and gaze in the same direction. Something… different was in the air. His blood felt it.
He kept his thoughts silent before continuing through the massive gates. "Alright guys," he announced as the doors were closed. "Rest up for now! We're moving out in the morning!"
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Night had fallen as the multiple zeppelins hovered high above the clouds over their target. Colonel Silba stood resolutely in her usual position at the edge of the flight deck. This time, however, she was not alone, as the deck was stuffed with her subordinate soldiers checking and rechecking their equipment.
She peered into the night sky at the brilliant full moon. "Excellent," she thought, "Even if the clouds are out tonight." She gazed down at her equipment, which only consisted of a small field surgeon pack and a slim combat knife strapped to her overcoat's loose belt. Some of her troops actually carried firearms and explosive ordinance, but everyone knew the real weapons lay with the soldiers themselves.
Silba glanced over at the other blimps. All the open air flight decks appeared loaded to the brim with her soldiers ready to go at a moment's notice. She listened intently to her portable radio as each battle group reported their status. As soon as all the groups announced their readiness, she touched the transceiver button and gave her order. "All teams descend!!"
With that, she jumped off the platform and was immediately followed by her thousands of troops. Their tan overcoats flapped violently as the wind caught them and their golden eyes and silver hair shined in the moonlight. The hordes of soldiers were utterly silent as they fell untold thousands of feet through the sky, ready to pounce on their enemies.
As soon as they fell out of the clouds, Silba's sharp golden eyes darted back and forth in search of her target. Her vision was as clear as ever in the night sky and her focus was unhindered by the thousands of feet she had left to descend before her feet found the ground. She caught a hint of blonde hair with red streaks and smiled as she angled herself towards it.
"Gotchya," she muttered through a grin.
First off, I'd like to apologize for the overload of angst in our favorite duo. I kept thinking, "What the hell did I just write?!" during the editing process, but it is necessary for their situations to be understood for it to work out extra well (if that's possible) in the end.
Secondly, the action will begin next chapter! Of this, I promise!
Catch ya'll later!
