What's up? Hmm? What was that? Hmm? Oooh. I see. Me? I'm enjoying my Christmas vacation! XD. And now I shall continue this fic due to the cliff hanger I left you all in.

Dei: Kari-chan doesn't own Naruto or anything else previously owned un.

Thanks.

Chapter 14: The Shadows

Sasori held Deidara close as they fell further into the darkness below. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" shrieked Hidan frantically throwing his arms out to try and latch on to something. Deidara poked his head out from under Sasori's arms and tried to look out into the darkness. "WHEN I FIND OUT, I'LL LET YOU KNOW!" he called back to Hidan, the wind blowing past them annoying the blonde immensely. They were falling fast and picking up speed. Deidara was racking his brain, trying to think of something that could stop them before they hit the bottom…if there was a bottom.

A thought hit him.

"DANNA!" Sasori looked down at him, "YEAH?" "YOUR WINGS UN!" Sasori blinked at the blonde for a minute, not understanding. "YOUR BAT WINGS DANNA!" exclaimed the blonde. Sasori's eyes widened as realization hit him and he nodded. Deidara could see blood red bat wings rip from Sasori's back, said red head flinching a bit. His grip on Deidara tightened as he spread those wings, catching the air.

Deidara reached out and grabbed Hidan's ,scythe the three stopping in mid-air and Hidan clutching to his weapon for dear life. Silence consumed the air that was once filled with the sound of wind. Deidara and Sasori looked around, trying to see in the pitch blackness around them. "What now?" asked Hidan. Deidara looked up to see that the ground had literally swallowed them, he couldn't see the moon as he had on the street. "Well, considering the ground basically ate us like Hidan when there's pizza on the menu, I suggest we try to see where we are." Sasori heard Hidan growl and chuckled, "I don't think you can really say anything Hidan. Deidara is the one keeping you from falling into the dark abyss." He explained. "...I'd rather not fall…" stated the silver haired teen.

Deidara held the scythe in one hand, Hidan feeling the shift and yelling, "NO, NO, NO! I'M A FRIEND! DON'T KILL ME!" Deidara rolled his eyes, "I'm trying to get the witch light that Cassie gave me in my pocket smart ass." Said Deidara, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a dark blue stone in the shape of a wolf. "Kagayaku." he muttered to it. A bright blue light shot out of it and formed an orb that started to swirl around the trio. "Whoa. And I thought I had seen it all." Muttered Hidan as he looked up at the light. He saw the shocked look on Deidara's face and blinked, "What?" he asked, "What are you looking at."

Sasori looked down and his expression changed as well. Hidan blinked, turning his head to see what the hell was going on, and saw what looked like a huge, black, three headed dog. "WHAT THE-" "SHHH!" Hidan shut his mouth as the dog thing stirred. He started again, whispering this time. "What the hell is that thing?" Deidara and Sasori muttered simultaneously, "Cerberus." "Cerberus?" Deidara nodded, tightening his grip on the scythe, "Hades' dog." Hidan gulped, Deidara seemed troubled. And if the blonde was troubled, that couldn't be good. "How did he not wake up when we were screaming at each other before?" asked Sasori.

"He did." Stated Deidara, "He's just waiting for us to move closer un." Hidan blinked, "What?" "We're still too high up. If we would've fallen any further, he'd have eaten us. He's still trying to see if one of his heads can reach Hidan un." Hidan's eyes widened and he pulled himself higher onto his scythe. He looked down and saw that Deidara was right; Cerberus' three heads were trying to reach up. He jumped, not reaching Hidan's foot and falling back to the ground. Hidan gulped again. That this could swallow him in one bite.

"What do we do Dei?" asked Sasori, trying to pull them a little higher. "Damnit, Hidan's heavy!" he exclaimed. Deidara pulled Hidan up, moving so fast Sasori didn't have time to react. He slipped out of Sasori's grasp and slid the scythe into it, letting himself fall.

"DEI!" "ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?" yelled Sasori and Hidan simultaneously. Cerberus bared his teeth at the blonde, the promise of death in the six eyes. Deidara spun himself around as one of Cerberus' heads opens its jaws, its razor sharp teeth waiting for the blonde. Deidara looked up at Sasori, the red head practically hyperventilating. "You can move me anytime you know!" said Deidara. Sasori blinked and nodded, finally getting what Deidara planned. He focused his attention on his blonde and moved his gaze to the right. Deidara felt himself yanked to the side, narrowly dodging death. Cerberus didn't seem to like that as his second head went for Deidara. Sasori thought quickly, moving his gaze up and to the right a bit more. Deidara yelped as he was yanked again, Cerberus' head smashing into the wall and the third coming at him. Sasori moved Deidara away, the blonde landing on his feet. Deidara looked around. Sasori sighed in relief, not noticing the first head going at Deidara again. Well, he didn't notice until it had basically swallowed Deidara whole.

"DEIDARA!" exclaimed Hidan as Sasori processed what had just happened. It was silent a moment. As silent as it could be with Hidan around. "DAMNIT! WHAT NOW? SASORI?" But Sasori still hadn't processed the situation. Had Deidara really just gotten…eaten? No, it couldn't be. There had to be more to it than that. It couldn't end like that. "DEIDARA!" he exclaimed in frustration, "YOU GONNA LET A DAMN DOG PUT A WOLF DOWN?" Hidan remained silent, figuring that Sasori had snapped and not wanting to be dropped to his doom. It was silent. Well, as silent as it could be with a growling dog. Sasori ground his teeth. No. Deidara is tougher than that. He's fought demons, angels, withstood Hades himself, he would NOT lose to this animal!

BOOM!

Sasori and Hidan were thrown up a bit by a strong force. A bright light and intense heat reached them, causing them to shield their eyes due to the sudden change from dark to light. Something splashed onto their faces and Hidan nearly let go of the scythe just to shield himself further. But he wasn't THAT stupid. After the light faded, they looked down, seeing the witch light again. The first thing they noticed was that one of Cerberus' heads was no more. With a few staggering steps, Cerberus fell to the ground. Deidara walked out of what was left of the neck of the blown up head. The witch light immediately went over to him, shining on the blood and slobber that was covering the blonde. Sasori noticed that Deidara's ears and tail were out about two seconds before they vanished. "Is…is it dead?" asked Hidan. Deidara stretched and laughed, "Not dead. We have a good five minutes before it goes Hydra on us and grows that head back…at least only that head…I hope…"

Sasori dropped Hidan and landed next to Deidara gracefully, hearing Hidan land with a grunt. "FUCKER!" exclaimed the albino as Sasori looked Deidara up and down, gaze falling on the annoyed look on his face. "What?" asked the red head. Deidara pouted, "As if I'd let a DOG out me down!" he said as he turned to search for the exit. Sasori chuckled. "You are too cute sometimes Dei." He said. Deidara scoffed and walked forward. "Come on un. That thing won't stay down for much longer."

Sasori smiled at Deidara and followed. "HEY! WAIT UP!" yelled Hidan as he ran to catch up. Deidara heard rustling behind them. "Hurry it up!" he yelled, grabbing Sasori's arm and sprinting for the door. He kicked it open and pulled Sasori inside, waiting for Hidan to leap in after. Deidara slammed the door shut just as one of Cerberus' heads was headed at them…And they were once again engulfed in darkness. "Ugh, the witch light went off when the explosion happened. Kagayaku." The bright blue glow shined around the trio once again as they looked around the new room.

"Isn't this your house Deidara?" asked Hidan. Deidara blinked and looked at the albino, "And how would you know that? I never let you in my house un." Hidan shrugged, "I had to search it back when I worked for Hades. Not that I actually told him anything useful, but I did get a good look around. A lot of shit that I didn't understand there." Deidara chuckled. Yeah, Hidan wouldn't understand the devices that had served as his security and his communication with hell…which..Deidara just noticed weren't here. "This isn't my home." Deidara stated. Hidan and Sasori looked at the blonde that had moved deeper into the room. "My home has all of that shit Hidan doesn't understand un. None of my stuff is here. This, plus the fact that we went from Cerberus' cage to here in such a short time, means that this is an illusion."

The room shook and Deidara looked up. "That sound…hmm…we're in the Shadows." "The Shadows Dei?" Asked Sasori as he went over to him. Deidara nodded. "This isn't good un. That means that one of Hades' men saw us. The fact that he can use the Shadows Illusion means that he was once part of Luci's Army back in the day…which means he was either desperate or frightened un." "Frightened? What the fuck can a soldier be afraid of?" asked Hidan. Deidara sighed, "Even here, in the farthest depths of the Underworld, news of Lucifer's death has flowed. Though most of the soldiers respected Lucifer enough to still remain loyal to his family even after his demise, there are those that are cowardly un. They fear only those they see as the strongest. Since Luci was killed by Hades…" "They're now switching their loyalty to him." Reasoned Sasori. Deidara nodded.

"It's treacherous, shameful, but it is the truth un." Deidara sat on the floor, "The only thing is, the Shadows is not an easy illusion to break. It's not even easy to cast. Once you cast it once, it takes about twenty minutes before you can cast it again. Also, it's harder to hit more than one person at a time…which means the one who cast the illusion had to be a witch or warlock, they are the only ones that can cast such an illusion with such precision. They are probably contacting Hades right now un…and we're most likely passed out on the floor, unable to do anything…"

"So how do we get out of this?" asked Sasori, "And how are we able to communicate anyway?" "We are under the same illusion for the sole reason that the caster does not know any of our personalities. This makes it harder. They have to make sure that the illusion is believable enough so that we won't notice the illusion and it can feel like real time." "But they didn't count on getting you." Stated Hidan, "You were Lucifer's fucking favorite, so he obviously trained you to notice the simplest details right?"Deidara nodded, "Right. I have to keep both eyes open for times like this…" "But…Dei…how do we break free?" asked Sasori.

Deidara looked up at the ceiling, thinking back to his training with Lucifer. "I'm surprised you don't know Danna." He muttered. Sasori raised a brow at him. Deidara closed his eyes, "After all, Luci trained you too…" Sasori's eyes widened in realization. He thought for a moment. Sasori. To escape the illusion, one must die. Sasori's eyes shot open. Deidara nodded, "You remember." He said. "But…what does that mean?" Deidara chuckled and stood up. "It's simple un. You can't escape the Shadows unless…"

Moving swiftly and quickly, Deidara's claws made their way into Hidan's throat. The albino stared at him in horror, not understanding what was going on. A strange gurgling sound came from him as blood dripped from his mouth. Deidara then raised his free hand and tore open Hidan's chest, tossing him aside. Sasori was too shocked for words, "You die." Said Deidara. He turned to Sasori, his sapphire eyes holding a determined look to them. "But don't worry un." He appeared before Sasori in a flash, "I wouldn't do this if it would really cost you your life." He said with a smile. A gunshot rang through the air…

Sasori gasped and shot up. He blinked a few times before regaining his senses. The first thing he noticed was Hidan swearing, "FUCK HIM! HE COULDA TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T ACTUALLY GONNA KILL ME THAT FUCKING MUTT!" Sasori picked up a rock from the floor and chucked it, hitting Hidan on the head. "OW! BITCH!" yelled the silver head. Sasori looked down to see Deidara, as if he were asleep. Why wasn't he up yet? He placed a hand on Deidara's face, smiling at the blonde as his eyes fluttered open. He got up calmly and looked around. "Good. It worked un." "BITCH! YOU COULDA-" "You would've still been reluctant Hidan. IT was the quickest way to go. Now come on. We have to get out of here un." Deidara smiled at Sasori before jumping to his feet.

As they walked, Deidara took out a small clay figurine. "What's that Dei?" asked Sasori curiously. Deidara just smirked and whistled innocently. Hidan gulped, "That's not good. I don't like the innocent shit." He said. Deidara laugh sweetly and held the figurine up. Hidan and Sasori took notice that it was a clay bird, no larger than a hummingbird. Deidara blew on it and it came to life right before their eyes. "Whoa." Breathed Sasori, "That's cool." Deidara smiled as the bird took flight, headed for a building off to their right…

An elderly man, looking around eighty years old, was watching the group. "Intriguing. They were able to break out of my Shadow Illusion." He said with a smile, "Maybe…maybe Hades ISN'T the most powerful. Wait…is that…it looks like Atisuto! But Atisuto-sama was killed almost seventeen years ago…The boy…Lucifer's son…wait…Lucifer's son, and Atisuto's son? Heh…I was wrong. I should've never…" he blinked as a small hummingbird landed on the windowsill. "What's this?" he asked. "Forgive me. You have probably been through a great deal at this age." Came a voice from the bird. "…you really are Atisuto's boy aren't you? The Katsu ability is very interesting..and very unique…" "Yes…my name is Deidara. What is yours sir? I would like to know who I am to forgive after we have gotten away from here." "Forgive…heh…as kind as your father…I am Zero…and I am gravely sorry for attacking you Deidara. If you are smart enough to have detected my location, I have nothing to fear from Hades. Fear not dear boy, for I have not called upon him. I merely wanted to detain you for the sole fact that I am highly paranoid by those that pass by here."

It was silent a moment before Deidara replied, "I guess I can understand. Though…Sasori-no-danna, what do you think un?" A different voice came from the bird this time, "If he lets us go without any more trouble, we can leave him alone. He worked under my father before so I don't think he's all bad." Zero smiled softly and looked down at the group. Atisuto's son, Deidara, was looking up at him, his gaze kind, but determined. Lucifer's boy, Sasori, looked up at him with a bored expression. It was like going back in time and working as Lucifer's General again. "Are you able to leave this bird here as Atisuto once could, Deidara?" Deidara nodded at the question. "Good. If you ever need assistance, I know of others that would be delighted to help protect the new king. Fare thee well, sons of Lucifer and Atisuto. And protect the king, Guardian." "Will do Zero-san."

The three turned down the street and headed off. Zeros smiled, seeing the duo from so long ago through his mind's eye. "If those boys are truly the sons of their fathers…we have nothing to fear…"

~Fifteen minutes pass~

"He seemed nice." Stated Hidan as they made their way to Shuhan's Home. Deidara nodded, "Desperation. That's all it was. He wanted to keep the peace, and we intruded. It was an accident un." Sasori sighed causing the other two to turn to him. "What's wrong Danna?" asked Deidara. "How much longer before we get there? I'm not trying to seem spoiled or anything, I'm just so tired of all this…" Deidara placed a hand on the red head's shoulder, "I know it's hard Sasori-no-danna, but you have to be strong un. Besides-"

Deidara stopped mid-sentence, looking behind the group, listening. "Dei? What could possibly be wrong now?" asked Sasori as he turned to look at what Deidara was eyeing. Deidara grabbed Sasori's arm and sprinted forward, Hidan scrambling after him. "YO! WHAT THE HELL BLONDIE?" exclaimed the albino. Deidara just kept on running. "We're almost there, I won't let Hades catch up now." Muttered the blonde. A grin spread across his face, "THERE!" he said as they reached a large mansion. It was old fashioned, like something out of the 1920's, except black with grey trimmings.

There was a strange slithering sound behind them, causing Deidara's eyes to widened. He shoved Sasori towards the mansion as black veins shot at him. Having missed their target, the veins clung to Deidara's feet and yanked him away, causing the blonde to fall face first into the ground. (OW! FUCK! That hurt!) he thought as he chin slammed on the concrete. "DEI!" Sasori leapt to his feet, but, "NO! GET INSIDE AND TELL SHUHAN THAT YOU'RE ALIVE UN! I CAN HANDLE KAKUZU!" Sasori stopped dead in his tracks. He didn't wanna leave Deidara to fight alone. "Don't worry Sasori." The red head turned to Hidan, "I'll help him out. You get inside." Sasori glanced at Deidara, but he knew the blonde was right. He could handle that low life Kakuzu. Besides, getting Sasori to see the councilmen was the whole reason of them being here… Sasori dashed inside…

Once Deidara saw that Sasori had made it inside, he dug his claws into the concrete and pulled himself against the veins. "Not getting away this time Deidara." Said Kakuzu. "FUCK OFF KUZU!" exclaimed Hidan as he brought the scythe down and slashed through Kakuzu's chest. The stitched man let out a grunt of pain as he fell back, Hidan slicing through the veins and cutting Deidara loose. The blonde got to his feet, pulling out the crossbow. "Aww, still have the other brat's memento Deidara?" asked Pein as he walked up besides Kakuzu. "You have no right to call Tobi a brat. And you should leave un." Deidara hissed. Pein chuckled, "Aww, is the little puppy still angry about losing his friend? Well isn't that-"

Pein never finished his statement.

Deidara shot an arrow through his stomach. "Why not just kill the fucker?" asked Hidan. Deidara walked up to Pein, who was breathing heavily, and knelt down in front of him. "What happened to you Pein?" he whispered, "You and I were friends in the Training Zone un." Pein looked up at him, "Work. We both have a job to do. It's just from opposite sides." Deidara glanced at where Kakuzu was clutching his wound and sighed. "And yet…you still choose to work for Hades…I hope I don't end up killing you two…I really don't want that un." Deidara got to his feet. He took a step and hear the click of a gun. "Come on Pein, don't you think it's-" "DEIDARA IT'S HADES!" Deidara jumped up over Hades right as he pulled the trigger, dodging the bullet and landing behind him, crossbow at the ready. Hades chuckled, "Hello Deidara. You got really lucky that time." He said. Deidara remained silent, making Hades laugh, "Well, since I have no time for you, I shall leave you to Itachi." He stepped forward and before Deidara could react, a hand clamped down on his mouth and pulled him away from the man.

Deidara elbowed his captor in the stomach and flipped him onto his back. Itachi vanished into crows and appeared before Deidara in a flash. "Hello Dei." He said with a smirk. Deidara scowled at him, "Out of the way Uchiha. I have bigger matters to attend to un!" Deidara aimed a kick to the raven's face, only to have said raven grab his foot and swing him into a lamppost nearby. Deidara flinched, but kicked out at the Uchiha once again. This time, Itachi flipped hi, grabbing him around the waist and pinning him to the post. He pressed against Deidara.

Deidara struggled to break free, only to find that the Uchiha had somehow become much stronger than before. "Don't fight this Deidara. I want you, and I know you hold feelings for me somewhere in that heart of yours." Itachi whispered. "Any form of attachment I had for you died with Tobi." Growled Deidara. He glanced around the weasel to see Kisame and Hidan fighting in the background. Itachi sighed, "You protest too much." He said before kissing Deidara hard…

~Meanwhile~

Shuhan looked up from his papers to see Sasori at the entryway. "Prince Sasori. Good. You made it in time." "Yeah, now what the hell are we gonna do about what's going on outside?" asked Sasori, trying to keep a level head. Shuhan looked at the redhead, "Outside?" "Deidara and Hidan are outside fighting with Hades' men right now. What are we gonna do about-"

Sasori froze. A strange feeling came over him, as if someone had just done something they will seriously regret doing. He touched his lips and turned to the window. Walking over to it his eyes narrowed. "That. Damn. Weasel." He snarled. "Aww, my nephew is so possessive of the blonde." "Hades." Shuhan stood and walked in between the two, "I will have no murder in my home." Sasori ignored Hades completely, opening the window. He was about to jump out when Deidara kicked Itachi in the crotch, causing him to release the blonde and double over in pain. Sasori smirked at that for a second before he felt someone grab him by the throat and was suddenly looking at Hades. "You really do love that puppy, don't you?" he said with a cruel smirk. Sasori just glared at him. "I'll take that as a yes. Well then, I wonder how you'll react if I do this?"

Hades pulled out a gun, aiming through the window. "And just so you know, the bullets are coated with Moon Silk." And with that he pulled the trigger. Sasori saw Deidara turn just as the bullet went through his left arm. He clutched it in pain. Sasori's eyes widened…

~Outside~

"FUCK!" Hidan and Kisame turned to where Deidara was as the blonde clutched his left arm in pain. Itachi went over to him. "Don't touch me." Muttered Deidara. "I want to help you." "Why?" "Just let me see it Deidara." Itachi grabbed his arm and examined the bullet wound, his eyes widening. "He swore he wouldn't…" muttered the raven. Deidara, about to retort, felt his head start spinning. "D-damnit…M-moon Silk." He said. He shook the affects off and backed away from Itachi. He looked at his watch. 11:59. Good. At least Sasori was already here. Deidara heard movement and dodged Pein's roundhouse kick. Kisame appeared before him, kicking him into the post that Itachi had had him pinned to not too long ago. Deidara coughed up blood, but kept his composure. He looked around to see Hidan leaning against a wall, a large gash in his side. He actually felt sorry for him. Hidan had been helping him for a while…

He looked up at the crescent moon, wishing it was full. When suddenly, it turned red. Deidara's eyes widened as he felt a burst of energy. He looked down at his watch.

12:00.

(A/n) Well, what do you think guys? XD

R&R! Flames to be used to light the fire in the fireplace!