A/N: Chapter 34! Man, this story is long. But hell, I love it so much. You know what I'd love? I'd love to work with someone and make Unspoken into a doujinshi (fan comic). Please, if you think you could, or know someone who could, please tell me! I love it when you people draw stuff, I really do. As always, thank you for reading, and check out my other KisamexOC story, Of Sharks and Shadows. And, just to forewarn you, a big plot twist-ish-thing came into my head the other day, an now is part of the story.
UNSPOKEN
There were several long moments of silence as Tsume and Hidan watched each other, evaluating their opponent. Or, in Hidan's case, reevaluating. He had grossly underestimated Tsume, and had been wounded because of it. He would not underestimate Tsume a second time, for it could prove to be the death of him. Tsume watched the pale haired ninja with narrowed, glowing eyes, a snarl twisting her lips. The curse mark had unleashed her anger, and now she wanted to fight Hidan, and to win. Though part of her hated wanting blood, all of Tsume wanted to fight Hidan, and to make him regret his insulting words. She had been called those things before, and back then, she had been unable to defend herself. But now, after so much had happened, Tsume had more than enough power to fight the one who had insulted both her and Kisame. She would defeat Hidan, and she would make him apologize.
Tsume hefted her sword a bit higher and she flexed the claws of her free left hand, the hand that had slashed Hidan across the chest. And then, glaring at Hidan with burning anger, Tsume charged, a wild yell torn from a place she did not know the name of.
UNSPOKEN
Ultramarine eyes were tainted by fear, and pail skin was marked by blood. She raced across the flat plane, leaving bloody footprints in her wake. Her breath came hard and heavy, her two long blades notched and scratched. Her dark brown hair whipped about her face as she ran, her ragged, dark blue robe flying out behind her. There was a wind building, and her keen senses could sense a coming storm. Dark clouds gathered overhead, and what few animals lived in the area had fled to shelter. But a storm was the least of her worries.
Suddenly, a loud, angry roar cut the air, making her freeze and whirl around. "KAIITE IZUNAME!!" The man appeared from no where, his gray eyes blazing with hatred as he stared at Izuname. He held a long whip of braided metal in his left hand, and an o-katana in the other, the blade stained red with Izuname's blood. He was clad simply, a black tunic and black pants. His long, navy blue hair was pulled back in a loose horse-tail, whipped around by the rising wind. His face was pale and thin, with a straight nose and high cheekbones. He wore a battered, moss-green cloak, fastened at his throat. The hem was ragged and torn, billowing out behind him as he glared at Izuname.
A lump rose in Izuname's throat, memories flooding her mind and tearing at her heart. When she finally found her voice, Izuname cried out in anguish, "leave me alone, Hoji! It's been more than ten years! I never meant to kill Yoji; I loved him! Please, stop this!"
Hoji lashed his whip in anger, the weapon cracking against the earth. "No! I'll not believe your words, demon bitch! You murdered my brother in cold blood!"
Anger flared in Izuname's eyes. "NO!" she yelled. "I loved Yoji with all my heart! It's not my fault! It's not my fault!"
Rage and hatred were painted across Hoji's features as he charged at Izuname, features that she knew so well . . . features that looked so like her beloved, Odemada Yoji . . .
UNSPOKEN
Tsume ducked to avoid the swing of Hidan's scythe, darting in and slashing at him with her claws. But she had to shove herself to the side as Hidan's spike came at her like a spear, aiming straight for her chest. Tsume twisted her sword, using the circle cut in the top to capture the spike. Again, she twisted with all her strength, pushing against the metal. With a resounding clang, the spike snapped in two, the tip careening off to the side. Ignoring Hidan's curses, Tsume leaped back, snatching up the spike and flinging it off into the darkness. She moved in again, swinging her sword in swift, heavy arc.
Hidan swung his scythe in the same moment, and it's three blades caught and trapped Tsume's blade. He twisted hard, tearing the blade from Tsume's grasp. Tsume's glowing eyes snapped open as she heard her sword tumble across the floor and into the shadows. But she had not a moment before Hidan came at her again. Snarling in anger, Tsume flipped backwards, having to move again and again as Hidan pushed her back. From what little Tsume had learned of weapons, she knew that a three bladed scythe was cumbersome and impractical. It was a weapon to slash and cut, not to kill. It was to draw blood, and as much blood as possible.
Then, something that Hidan had said echoed in Tsume's ears. "Mm, you're pretty. You'll make a fine sacrifice for Jashin-sama." Realization crashed into Tsume's mind as a fleeting memory returned to her. She remembered Aki-obaa-chan telling her of a religion that worshiped the god called Jashin. The religion condemned anything less than slaughter in battle. There was only one technique that Tsume remembered. Though she did not know the name, she knew what it could do. If Hidan drew her blood, then he could use his own body as a puppet to inflict damage on her. Tsume had touched Hidan, but she dared not try to use his abilities. She was not immortal, and trying to imitate Hidan would be the death of her. What Tsume knew was that she had to avoid Hidan's blades at all cost. If he drew her blood, she was done for.
The words spilled from Tsume's throat before she could stop them, her true self shining through from beneath the influence of the curse mark. "I WON'T DIE! I WON'T DIE AND LEAVE KISAME!"
UNSPOKEN
Rage glowed in Izuname's eyes as she pressed her swords against Hoji's o-katana, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "I NEVER WANTED TO!" she screamed at him. "I never wanted to be born to a demon father! I never wanted to hurt Yoji! I never wanted any of it!!"
Hoji used his whip to force Izuname back, cutting her across the face with the tip of the weapon. "Stop lying!" he screamed back. "You took my brother from me! You murdered him! How can you expect me to believe that you loved him?!
Izuname stabbed the sword she held in her left hand into the ground, bringing up her hand to show Hoji. A thin gold band glittered on her middle finger, while a small scar circled her ring finger. "Look at this! Look at this, Hoji! Yoji asked me to marry him! I said yes! I wanted to be with him forever!" Izuname's voice fell, and began to shake. "He . . . he was the only one. The only one who didn't hate me for who my father was. He didn't hate my demon blood . . . he accepted it, he embraced it . . . he loved it. Yoji told me he loved me, he told me so many times . . . and I was scared to say it back." Izuname took her sword again, but she now held her weapons loose and low, unguarded for attack. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her face twisted in sorrow. "Yoji was so honest; I knew that he truly loved me. But I thought—I thought that if I said it back . . . it would all disappear."
Hoji jerked away, shoving himself back from Izuname. "Stop . . ." he said, voice broken and halting.
"No," Izuname breathed. "Not until you understand. I won't stop until you understand that I loved your brother with all my heart, and that I never wanted to hurt him. My father made me a monster, and in killing him, I killed the man I loved, and who loved me. The only time I ever told Yoji that I loved him was as he lay dying in my arms. Do you know what it's like, Hoji? To hold the one you love in your arms as they die? And the reason they're dying is you. You're the one who hurt them, and they're dying because of you. You can never understand that, can you? If you must blame someone, blame Shi-Kurushi, my father. Blame the demon who brought me into this world. Please, I've lived a life of shame, hidden beneath killing and blood. I tried to hide who I used to be, hoping that the pain would go away. But it never goes away, does it? The pain of losing someone dear to you never goes away."
Hoji's head was lowered and his head was shaking. "Why?" he breathed. "Why do you continue these lies? Why do you pretend to love my brother? Why do you not take your demon form and simply kill me? You could do it with ease!"
Before Hoji could react, Izuname was before him. Her empty hand lashed out . . . and slapped Hoji hard across the face. Then her hand was around his throat, and she had lifted him into the air. "The only reason that you aren't dead, Odemada Hoji, the only reason why I didn't kill you all that time ago when you first confronted me . . . the reason is your brother. After what I did, I swore that I would never again use my demon blood to fight! I swore to use only my strength, and to never use the strength that killed my beloved!"
UNSPOKEN
From above, Kisame watched in helpless tension as Tsume leaped about the battle field, trying in vain to reach her sword once more. But Hidan, intent on drawing the blood of the young woman, refused to let her retrieve the weapon which would prevent him from doing so. Tsume's movements were quick as lightning, and with her increased strength and endurance, she moved about like a wild animal, darting in to slash at Hidan with her claws whenever she could.
"Tsume-chan," Deidara murmured behind Kisame, "kick his ass, un." Kisame blinked and looked around at the artist, raising a brow. "I told Hidan that if he didn't respect Tsume-chan, there'd be so many pieces of him that it would take decades to put himself back together." A wild grin curved Deidara's lips. "You know, I've been making a new kind of bomb in my spare time, un."
Kisame caught the meaning and returned the grin, baring his pointed teeth. "Let me know when you want to test it out," he chuckled. Deidara nodded, and then he and Kisame turned their eyes back
to the fight at hand.
They looked back in time to see Tsume land a devastating kick in Hidan's chest, sending him flying back. Tsume followed him, slashing at his right wrist. Her claws bit into flesh, cutting tendons. Hidan's grip faltered, and he dropped his scythe, fingers useless. Tsume twisted on one leg, using the other to hook around Hidan's waist and throw him behind her. She spun around to face face him, the smile of a predator just beneath the surface. Now reduced to taijutsu, the two shinobi lashed out at each other with hands and feet. Few had seen Hidan in plain physical combat, and they watched with interest. Tsume's style was similar to Kisame, he having been her teacher. But she relied on speed more than brute strength. Her attacks came swiftly, finding and creating openings as Hidan was forced to use a skill that he had not used in many years.
UNSPOKEN
Hoji lunged at Izuname, freeing a hand to grab Izuname by the throat. He lifted her into the air, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared up at her. "I won't listen to this incessant drivel, you demon wench," he growled, thunder rumbling to punctuate his words. "I will have the revenge that I have been seeking! You will not take it from me!" Hoji leaped forward, shoving Izuname with him. They were coming up on the edge of a looming cliff. Hoji would kill Izuname and drop her body to be broken on the earth. He would not have his vengeance stolen. He had been living for it too long only to have it taken from him.
Izuname let her swords drop, but they vanished before they hit the ground. Her eyes were full of tears, and she did not struggle as Hoji held her. "You deserve it I suppose," she murmured. "I took your only family from you, you have every right to hate me." Izuname lifted her head and gazed sadly up at the dark sky. "Kisame . . . Zabuza," she murmured, "I'm sorry that I left. I never should have, I left when you needed me most . . . I'm so, so sorry. And Yoji; forgive me. Forgive me for what I'm about to do . . ." Izuname's chakra exploded as she released the seal on her demon blood. She wept tears of anguish and howled the cry of a wounded animal. The earth around them shattered, gouging a hole deep into the cliff, exposing the battle between two other shinobi.
UNSPOKEN
Tsume's balance was thrown off as the earth shook violently, and Hidan landed a punch in her stomach. She countered as best she could with a swipe at Hidan's face, though he jerked back in time to receive only a small cut across the bridge of his nose. As the gray light streamed in from inside, Tsume glanced up in surprise . . . only to have Hidan drive a kunai deep into her chest. She staggered, turning her head to look at Hidan. Her clawed hands rose up to clench around his wrist, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth. The claws vanished, and the curse mark retreated. Tsume stood shaking before Hidan, stock still as rocks fell from above. "N-no . . . I can't . . ."
The cry that rent the air was one of pure anguish and rage. "TSUME!!" The next thing that Hidan knew, Kisame's sword had torn his arm from his body, and Kisame had sent him flying across the room. Kisame instantly turned his attention to Tsume, cradling her in his arms and slowly lowering her to the ground. He turned his head to the darkness. "TOBI! TOBI, WHERE ARE YOU?! GET OUT HERE, DAMMIT!! TOBI!!"
"Tsu-chan!" Tobi was there in an instant, appearing from the shadows with glowing green hands and a tone of worry. As he removed the kunai and his hands touched Tsume, he shot a gaze back in the direction where Kisame had kicked Hidan. "It's your problem now, Hidan-senpai," he growled in the most uncharacteristic tone that Kisame had ever heard him use. He looked down at Tsume, her face pale and covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Her shirt was stained with blood around the wound that Tobi was slowly closing, using his chakra to replenish blood and heal ruptured tissue.
In that moment, Kisame realized just how profound an effect Tsume's presence had had on him, Itachi, Deidara, and Tobi. She had inspired feelings in them that were normaly unneeded and unwanted in the life of a shinobi. There were bonds among them now, bonds of friendship, and bonds of love. Things that none of them had ever expected to have. It was all because of this young woman who had once been a meek creature who could not speak or defend herself. As she had changed, she had also changed those around her. Kisame almost smiled as he cradled Tsume in his arms. She had even crated a bond with Itachi, one who was thought of as cold and emotionless.
As Tobi pulled his hands away, Kisame drew Tsume up in his arms, nuzzling the top of her head. "You were wonderful, Tsume," he murmured. "You were wonderful."
And then, as Kisame cradled his beloved in his arms, he heard a voice behind him that brought a flood of memories. It was a voice that he had loved, and a voice that he had made a promise to, once long ago. It was the voice of Kaiite Izuname, the woman that had once loved.
"Ki . . . sa . . .me," she murmured, her voice tainted by her released demon blood. "Kisame?"
Slowly, still holding Tsume in his arms, Kisame turned. And there she was. Battered and cut and bruised, Izuname stood in the intruding light that came from the hole in the cliff. Her teeth were long fangs, her fingers clawed and deadly. Her ears were pointed, and streaks of bright blue lined her cheeks. Her eyes were bright, the pupils slitted like that of a beast. But still in those eyes was the human half of Izuname, the half that recognized Kisame as the man she had once dared to love. She took a hesitant step forward, reaching out towards Kisame.
When Kisame spoke, his voice was soft and broken. "Izu . . . Izuname," he breathed. "You're still . . . alive."
UNSPOKEN
A/N: Are you mad? (is scared) I really wanted to bring Izuname into the story, because I wanted some extra closure on Kisame's relationship with her, and I also really wanted her and Tsume to meet. There's obviously gonna be some conflict, but don't you worry, Kisame and Tsume aren't gonna be torn apart, I'm not gonna do that again. (is scared of a particular plushie-napping reader) Please, enjoy this chapter, and I'll work on the next asap.