Published: A man woke to find the woman he had saved only moments ago watching him in fright. She was the only person he had seen in a long time and he could not help but desire to comfort her. He wanted her to stay with him to help him cope with the loneliness. It felt like he was becoming insane talking to himself, to the books, to the walls. Now he had an opportunity to start a new chapter in his life... maybe she was his answer.
He saw her as she sat on the couch furthest away from where he sat. She watched him intently, gasping for her breath. It was only a moment of chance that he happened to spot her before that green thing attacked her.
There wasn't really a fight that was fought, nor a battle that was won. He only worked on instinct, ran toward her rescue like a maniac, grabbed her by her arm then hurtled away with her as fast as possible. He called it chance that he wasn't followed or killed and she called it luck. She was grateful for this man's insane action that he had taken for her. She could not stop thinking how she might have been dead at this very moment if he hadn't rescued her.
Now she remembered that she hadn't thanked him yet. Slowly, her heartbeat began to rest for this man then she spoke with sincerity, "Thank you for saving my life."
When he heard her voice, he could not help but love the southern accent she possessed. It was both mesmerizing and charming. "You are welcome, but I am the one who should be thanking you."
He sounded bizarre to her. He saved her and now he wanted to thank her?! "Why would you thank me?" She couldn't help but request an answer.
He chuckled more at himself than at the question, "I have someone to talk to now. I was going insane all on my own."
It was difficult to explain the emotions that she felt as he noted his loneliness and sanity, yet she remain thankful for ending up with such a beautiful man. Her heart was calling for a love story, however, her mind was calling away from it. This wasn't the time for romance, yet something peculiar pulled her toward him. That day was filled with light humor and mingling as they learned they had become family.
Chapter 16- Family
After he left, I spoke with Sasuke. Minor words left our lips and little dialogue was ever accomplished. I didn't want to reminisce upon the pain that we wield. It would only open unnecessary wounds further. Our suffering, and past, were bearable at the moment. For the time being, I was only hoping to enjoy it in silence and so it followed that way.
A sigh of exhaustion exited my lips as I had to depart from the hall. I spoke my farewell to Sasuke and made certain he knew how to act when I was away. He needed to be certain to defend himself if he felt in danger. With a whisper, I noted that he was always being watched. No matter where he was or what he did, he was under surveillance. Even though I was warning him of the dangers, I was confident enough to inform him not to run away. It would only cause problems for the both of us that we need not worry about at the moment. Then I left with a heavy heart and aching feet.
My feet dragged upon the solid ground in heavy footsteps, echoing menacingly in the empty halls. It felt like I had aged a thousand years as I moved toward Madara's office. An unbearable pain pulled against my shoulders in an excessive, sinking toll, almost crushing me flat. But for some reason, I was still standing on my feet and moving forward.
As my pace decreased in speed, I heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind. In no hurry, I gazed to the side and saw Sasuke standing only meters away with a pout on his face. There was a depressed look plastered upon his small features as he gazed at me with disapproval. Soon he spoke with a low dreary voice that I found so distant and alone, "Take me with you."
It was a demand... no, a command from him. Another sigh escaped me, yet this one felt so normal as if the past washed over me with its cool rejuvenating waves. With my fingers, I pointed for him to advance. A wide grin spread upon his face as he ran merrily toward me. When the tips of my fingers met his forehead, he backed away in slight pain as if the collision had caused him a great wound. And with that I spoke to him, "Sorry Sasuke, maybe some other time, okay?"
A light flickered within the irises of his eyes as he rubbed his forehead with dismay. The spark shone brightly before he turned his back with no objections and headed to the room he had been resting in. A small grin tugged on the corners of his lips. It had been then that it struck me dead that Sasuke had brought himself here only to rest the quivering sense of defeat that swirled within me. His call had not been for him to join me on this mission, it was only an excuse. For a moment, we were able to rekindle in our past.
The misery that poisoned and infested my mind was pushed away. And a patch had been healed within me as it re-ignited. Maybe there was still hope for our survival.
"Thank you, Sasuke", I called to him.
With a reddened face, knowing that his trick had been revealed, he stuck out his tongue, "I'll be waiting here for you, big brother."
I watched him as he ran then I inhaled this new sense of meaning. This mingling cool sensation struck my body like a reinvigorating life source. It was time to settle this once and for all. No matter what happens, I must never lose hope.
Licking my dry lips, I began to head toward Madara's office in order to receive my mission.
Moments later, I found myself entering the office of the House of Unity in South America. Madara sat behind a handcrafted wooden desk with a single withering rose rested on its surface. Seating myself, he raised his sight from the loads of papers he had spread before him.
A chill ran within me as his eyes grasped my renewed incentive. "You aren't planning on betraying me, now are you Itachi?"
To stand for reason, there was no doubt in either of our minds that I was about to betray his trust. But when I spoke I uncapped that sense of rebellion that brewed inside, "You shouldn't be afraid of me. After all, you have Sasuke to hide behind. I am incapable of treason."
"Believe me when I tell you this, Itachi. Sasuke will perish if you do not obey like the dog you are. Now, I do not wish to beat you for your intolerance, but if you continue to give me a reason to mistrust you, I will not hesitate. If you would like a show then say the word and I will have your brother burn inside out. His rope lies within your hands. You pull hard on it and he will die soon enough. I will let him burn before you and you will be incompetent to save him. Once he perishes, he will not be a part of history nor will he be a memory of the past. He will not be. There will never have been a Sasuke Uchiha and your memories of him will vanish. Your mind will be reset and empty. You would become nothing more than a broken toy in my grasp. It is your decision to protect him or the girl. Now you choose. Who is more important to you?"
The answer was clear, but I remained silent.
"Speak!" he demanded.
"Sasuke of course."
"Then you will bring me the girl."
I was not prepared to sacrifice my brother for her, "Yes", I spoke without a doubt running through my mind. If her world were to perish, I was certain mine was to follow and we were all to end with the same fate. But I was to be careful with my decisions, we were at a critical phase in this plan.
Madara seemed proud and power hungry. I could detect the power driven manifestation that has devoured him. His eyes fell on mine and I knew there was something else he had yet to reveal to me. A lump formed in my throat. "I will insure that", he spoke with such dryness and hate. Without a second to spare, he revealed two more cards before me.
A knot formed in my chest as I spoke, "Bastard." He had my mother and father in his custody.
He was gloating now. "I have your family Itachi." He eyed me cautiously. "Give me one reason to think that you will slip up, one reason to assume that you will betray me and I will burn your whole family to ashes one by one."
"Go to hell", I didn't hesitate. This man was pure envy. He was prepared to kill my family before my very eyes to torture me.
I could feel myself placed on a tightrope with no net secured beneath me if I fell. If he burnt their cards... my memory would not recall them. In fact... they would not be. My eyes watched him dangerously.
He was satisfied with the injection of fright that he had placed on me. "I believe I have made myself clear. Am I correct?" He raised his voice demandingly.
"Yes", I breathed. He provided me with a new purpose now and I must complete it with obedience.
In silence, his eyes met mine. Straight, he spoke to me with an uninterested voice. "When I say bark, you have no other option but to obey. I'll have you know that I do not care for your child brother nor your family. I could burn them now to mere dust that I could clean with a broom and dust pan then have them thrown into the trash. You stand tall, but your height is going to fall slowly beneath my feet. Now if I tell you get me the girl, you say?"
In defeated, I barked, "Dead or alive?"
"Good. There is no chance for error Itachi. Now go and don't return without her."
A portal opened and I was sent through it.
4316
My eyes jolted open with terror once I felt a searing pain pierce through my neck. I felt the blood drain from my face as I shook widely in this menace's hands. Everything around was crashing down so quickly and my body couldn't keep up with all the demand. Slowly, the horrors devoured me and I couldn't hear anything but the buzz in my ears. The daily torment... the defeat... I only desired one day of freedom from this drowning pain. Heat consumed my body as I felt death diving in like I was nothing more than a mere pool of water.
The sounds of laughter dove into my ears nimbly as I thrust in pain on the grassy floor. I could see the joy within their eyes as they lead me down and seeped the poison into my soul. I began to feel cold and numb. Tears of deception rolled down my cheeks and I felt myself choke with my unheard screams.
Right then I wanted nothing more than to go home. I wanted to be awoken from this nightmare. I was alone and cold. Everything was becoming darker and I couldn't handle it any further. I hoped soon someone would call my name and wake me from this nightmare. Wake up, my body burnt, WAKE UP! But my heart would not stop thumping.
The sweat poured down every inch of my body. I couldn't move or hide from their sights. Gradually, my vision began to fuzz and their images commenced to dissolve, taking the pain along with them. My mind commenced to adjust to what had happened. Quickly, my fingers brushed the tip of my neck... there was no bite. The fire of my body escaped and the demons that brought it upon me seemed to have gone home. My body shivered in cold sweat and attempting to cover within the earth and grass did nothing to hide my fear and terror. My head slumped back on the ground dizzied and deprived of sleep. Air swiftly returned to my lungs before I fell unconscious.
4316
"I found you", I mumbled as my gaze fell onto her body. The appearance of her state showed signs of exhaustion and fatigue. For once though, she seemed at peace. It disheartened me to wake her from her slumber, however, we were both running out of time.
Quickly, I nudged her with my fingers. Her eyes squinted from the disruption as her body gradually began to awake to consciousness. Soon, she began to stretch her body and open her eyes.
"Hell", she yelled in my face as she commenced to back away. It took her little time before tears fell from her eyes and she recognized the man before her. We fell in an embrace as the joy of our reunion ignited. It would be a lie if I said that I wasn't overjoyed to see her as we tugged a little tighter on each other's shirts.
"Itachi!" she yelled happily.
"I need your help", I whispered gently with no second to spare.
She embraced me more securely this time, "I thought you were dead!" she spoke with bafflement, "I can believe you're here!"
Silence engulfed me as she held me closer as if worried that I were to vanish.
With a need to breath I spoke with weariness, "Madara has something valuable of mine and I must get it back."
She released me quickly to gaze into my eyes. "Does he have your card?!"
I wasn't prepared to tell her the truth. My family was in danger and the chaos she had caused to my home was far more than enough to suffocate her. She would cry and sob if I spoke of the extension of her mistake... and my heart couldn't take another sorrowful person. It was best for us both if I did not speak of the truth. So I played along with what she said, but I did not speak. I gazed away, allowing her to believe the words she uttered. I was only playing carefully with her mind.
Her hands clamped her mouth as she gasped, "How?!"
"It's a long story and we don't have time for it at the moment", I excused myself of a lengthy explanation.
Her eyes fell to the ground. "But I'm not ready", she informed me, "I can't do this."
"Yes, you can. I am here with you", I comforted her.
"Maybe", she looked me in the eyes weakly.
"Are you ready to go?" I was in a rush. When ever I was not moving, I thought of my family and it bothered me to think of my family. They were here, being hurt, and I was being manipulated. I could not show Nora that I was under stress.
Gazing up at her, I watched her as she walked around like a maniac before she found a car deserted in the road. Rummaging through her stuff, she took out a book she found then gave it to me to examine. A glow burned within my eyes as I began to feel ecstatic. This will help me set things right. Maybe... just maybe I wouldn't have to hand her in. Maybe there is a plan 'b' that could succeed, but that was a risk. I was prepared to put everything on the line.
"Nora", she gazed at me with innocent eyes, "Thank you." What she gave was far more valuable than a card. It was a possible solution to our problem. A comic book with the truth written within it.
4316
The time we reached the House of Unity, the sky was gloomy and the forecast called for rain. The smell of moister in the air was a great indicator that this was going to be the darkest day of history. Civil wars raged in every country, in every continent. People were dying, people were getting born, and people in the middle were delusional and hypnotized. This was to be a battle even I would never be prepared for.
As we neared the House, we found a mass of people gathered in its gardens. Clusters of them scattered everywhere just standing there like frozen statues. I gazed at them bewildered, wondering why they were positioned there in such an odd climate.
"They're here awaiting our arrival. For the final showdown", Itachi concluded.
I only agreed with him then averted my gaze to the door. "So how are we going to enter?" I asked him.
Grabbing my arm then throwing me in his arms, he answered, "Through the window."
Without warning, Itachi flew past all of the oddly positioned people then soared right through an opened window. The room that we had entered was dark without a single light lit. I felt a shiver crawl up my spine as I thought I heard footsteps coming near the walls.
"Don't worry, there is nobody here", he whispered gently into my ear. He let me down to the ground to walk using my own two feet.
"So what's the plan?" I asked with a mumble.
"Find what I had lost then get you somewhere safe", he murmured back.
"That's a good start. Let's begin looking then", I told him with confidence. He held my hand as we scanned the dark room slowly, being extra careful not to hit any ornament or cause a ruckus. Turning the lights on would only attract unwanted attention so it was natural to search in the dark. It wouldn't be there, we concluded fast. Madara wasn't an idiot. So we tapped gently on the walls until we located a door.
With a gulp, we began to head out of the dark gloomy room into the long, never ending halls. Every single step forward caused my legs to shiver and shake, and my body to ache. Unwanted memories commenced to flood and a bitter taste emerged in my mouth. Maybe this was a bad idea. My return to this House of darkness was far more nerve-wrecking than I thought.
On a positive note, we proceed through many of the eerie halls without any confrontations. On the negative side, the House of Unity was unnaturally quiet.
Before we turned into the next hall, an odd creaking sound emanated through the hall before us. A sinister pair of eyes peered through one of the dark ends of the hall, while another pair of footsteps could be heard from behind. The two leaders of Akatsuki had surrounded us as if we were a pair of scampering turkeys running from the griddle. I hid behind one of Itachi's arms and held onto his cloak tightly.
Shivering behind Itachi, I began to yell, "Where is Itachi's card?"
They appeared puzzled by my demand, however, neither of them replied. I watched in horror as Konan took several steps forward, approaching us, but keeping enough distance between her and Itachi. She held her hand out for me to grab, "Why don't you come with me and I'll take you to find it", she spoke so tenderly with an alluring motherly tone.
I wanted to take her hand and I would have only if Itachi hadn't held me back waking me from this odd temptation. "Liar", I bellowed, "You're a liar. You're going to take me to Madara", I felt my mind blow as I uttered his name. My sanity slowly began to drain. I couldn't help but wonder, 'How did Itachi convince me to return here?'
She directed her eyes at Itachi. "Uchiha, give us the girl", her voice demanded with severity.
"If we fight here, she will die", Pain noted firmly, "Her death is nothing but a mere addition to the many we have given to this cause. She is a sheer mortal with an insignificant life. Besides, we had a deal, did we not?"
A lump formed in my throat as I gazed up at him in disbelief, "What?" I mumbled.
"I don't believe that the previous deal stands. I find it quite uneven, no?" Itachi reflected on his leader's comment, "The girl who has the Earth betting on her success verses a mere insignificant group of people. Sounds like a one-sided deal, correct?" Itachi challenged.
"Huh?!" I began backing away from him only to be grabbed by my wrist. I struggled against his strength, but sadly, I wasn't capable of breaking free.
Pain snickered at Itachi with an odd roaring flame illuminating in his eyes, "This is your free will, you are responsible for the choices you make. You have the ability to act against them as well. You plan, deliberate, and make decisions however, you're wrong. It seems that you want to be freed of your burden. Are you ready for such loneliness to engulf your life?"
The Akatsuki leader began to proceed forward, step-after-step, nothing changing his mind, "If you would prefer her death over her safety, either one will not change my mind. Her fate, and yours, is set".
Briskly, he did not provide Itachi with adequate time to speak before he threw a metal rod aiming it perfectly toward his head.
Without warning, Itachi pushed me roughly to the side causing my face to collide, unpleasantly, against the wall as he dodged swiftly to the other side... unharmed. The agony my face harbored from the collision was difficult to endure as I held my face and hollered in pain. It was luck that my nose did not break nor did my vision stir for long.
Gradually, my sight gazed at Itachi's whereabouts as my heart rose in worry and distress. Eventually, I was able to locate him in time to watch as a prison of paper ruptured from beneath him capturing him. My mind was caught in the moment as I rush over to the wall of paper, attempting to free him. As I was about to tear the papers away, a powerful surge began to tug on my body. Gazing to my side, I watch Pain's eyes concentrate and his arms aimed toward me. My heart dropped and soon I was unable to withstand the attraction forces exerted upon me. A scream escaped my lips as my body began to float. Quickly, I ended up in the Akatsuki leader's arms. A twist formed in my gut when I felt a hand grasp onto my wrist. Soon, my eyes gawking straight into his and my stomach shattered to ice. My eyes searched for mercy in his wild onion like eyes. And when he spoke, I felt like I was about to die. "We have a special surprise for you", he commented with pure dryness as he pushed me through a door. I was not prepared to prevent the door from closing for he was watching me.
Once the door slammed shut, the sudden fear that Madara was near consumed me. The horrors that could unfold! I hurried hastily toward the door and slammed my fists against it in rebellion. "Open the door!" I yelled in frustration. No answer was presented to me. Then I knew that I was stuck until I was able to locate the gift they had left me here. Along the silent hallway I found the surprise Pain had uttered about. Walking closer, toward the end of the hall, I found several familiar bodies standing patiently awaiting something... or someone.
Terror held me back from calling or arising attention, but once my eyes focused on the image before me, I realized I had found my family!
"Mom! Dad! Eric! Sabrina!" I broke aloud running to them in disbelief. I received no reply from them as I approached other than a cold turn of their bodies to face me, an uncaring gaze into my eyes, and a wave of a hand from my father. How did they get here?! Or more importantly, why were they here?!
I wanted to be cautious near them, but I was unable to. They were my family and I hadn't seen them in a very long time.
Gradually, my father held his arms apart bracing himself for an embrace. This was unreal! I ran into his arms holding on tightly to his warm body and crying into his hard stony chest. Longing ached through me as he began to pet my head and play with the strands of loose hair on my shoulders. A bear-hugging grip of his arms around my shoulders made me secure and rested the never ending fear I felt in my chest. Oh how I missed the good-ole-days when my father's embrace cradled me like a fragile child in need of care. He was my protector, my guardian, alive and strong as the day he had left for that trip. But here we all were, together again, in a single hallway.
As I inhaled his scent, I couldn't help but notice the smell of my father had changed drastically from the last time I had breathed a whiff of his masculine cologne. Now, as I breathed in more of his aroma, all that seems to enter my nostrils was the smell of lumber and wood.
"Are you hurt?" I asked panicked by the silence they demonstrated. His gaze fell on me and I studied his eyes considerably, searching for any signs of hypnoses. Nothing. There was nothing evident in his earth colored eyes.
"Are you sick?" Frustration filled me as no answer was provided. Were they mad at me? Or were they unable to speak? Am I missing something here?
All of those questions swelled in my head as I placed my hand on my father's cheek. My heart sank far below anything I had ever felt before. As my hand slowly traveled gently across my father's cheek, all that was felt was the sensation of wood underneath my fingertips as a splinter entered my skin. My stomach turned to ice as I fixated my eyes on my father as his jaw began to jitter intensely.
File X Closed