Natsumi looked up at the group. "Maybe I should explain these enemies. Reina is a stunning woman of beauty. She seduces men in order to kill them. She controls plants and can even turn flowers into cameras. Minako has faced her before-"
"We thought we had killed her, but she had made a plant-clone at the last moment - we have been looking for her since." Minako explained.
Natsumi nodded. "Also, she is Nagato's niece, so she possesses the Rinnegan. She may be the worst." She sighed. "The twins, Deila and Kyna, are extremely intelligent. They will know who you are before you can even say your name. They read minds in order to do this. Kyna is the older twin; she wears red and control fire style type jutsu. Deila wears blue and is a water jutsu user. They are not good at close range battles that will be how you defeat them. I'm quite sure that they are not alone - that more people are with them that we are unaware of. My eyes and your Taijutsu's will be the key to rescuing the two. Also, Minako." Natsumi looked down at her friend nervously.
Minako nodded. "If I am angered, my mind will slip. Without Hibiki here, I will kill whoever is in my way without a second thought - that includes any of you." She lowered her head in shame.
Natsumi rested a hand on her shoulder. "Minako will also be key; she is a brutal fighter but will not stop until she has finished what she started. Understand?" Her scarlet eyes searched the group, mostly Illua, for answers.
The three had listened to Natsumi intently, taking in all she had explained. About the enemies, the jutsu and more. Illua gave a single nod, understanding what she had been told. Illua felt disgusted by what seemed like to be the leader, Reina. She would have liked to eliminate her herself, though she knew that she would have a better chance of fighting the water twin, since Illua's chakra nature is Lightning. Yahasu had also understood everything. "All this information is very valuable... And with that we already know some of their weaknesses..." Yahasu said in a quiet monotone voice. As Minako explained about her mind and how it could slip, this worried Kaizen and Illua. If it would, they would have to watch their backs, and they wouldn't try and fight back, they couldn't risk hurting an ally. "We will follow your lead, Natsumi." Kaizen said, nodding once.
Natsumi nodded to the group and Minako before breaking off into a run. Minako followed, basically jogging to stay with the group. "Oh yeah, and we're heading to the Rock Village!" Natsumi called back to the others.
As Natsumi picked up speed to a run, Illua followed shortly after, then Kaizen beside and Yahasu in the back. "The Rock village huh...?" Kaizen seemed to be talking to himself. "I have never been there." He added, pondering the thought of the Rock Village and what it might be like. Illua smiled at Kaizen's spoken thoughts, But suddenly her attention was turned to the bush beside her. She heard the voice of her feline friend, Gensou, in her head. 'Hey! Did you think you'd leave without ME?' He had said in her thoughts. Illua looked above to see Gensou leap from a tree above her onto her shoulder. Illua narrowed her eyes as she felt his sharp claws dig into the flesh on her back. "Damn it! You are such a pain!" Illua said, trying to be quiet. "Well, you should have waited for me!" He hissed in her ear.
Natsumi laughed softly as she peeked behind her to see the cat-like creature jump onto Illua's shoulder. "And it's back!" Natsumi laughed more loudly as she kept her eyes ahead.
Gensou started to chuckle behind its mask. "Did you miss me? It's too bad my master didn't." He seemed to sulk. "I am so unappreciated, y'know?" Gensou continued. "Oh god, here he goes again..." Illua mumbled under her breath. "I have done SO much to help Illua in battles, yet she doesn't give me praise! Or treats!" Gensou continued with his rant. The thought of the last fight she was in with Gensou by her side gave her shivers. It was horrible. He was always in the way.
Natsumi reached into her pouch and pulled out a piece of jerky. "Like jerky?" She asked the cat-like creature.
As Gensou saw Natsumi pull out some jerky, Gensou's eyes, from under his mask, lit up. And he pounced on Kaizen's head, then onto Natsumi's shoulder. Kaizen rubbed his head slightly and frowned at the abomination. "How... How'd you know? That's my favorite!" Gensou said, as he chewed it happily on her shoulder. He was not too heavy, for someone his size, more lightweight then what someone would think. Illua sighed, "Eh, I wouldn't have done that." Illua said, looking over to Natsumi. "Once he gets once treat, he always suspects something." Illua said, with a laugh.
Natsumi shrugged, stroking the creature. "I'm alright with that; you're not all that bad. Oh, and I knew 'cause of my eyes." She snickered.
The furry abomination began to purr, Or what sounded like a clogged motor, as Natsumi stroked his fur. As Natsumi said that she could tell he was not that bad because of her eyes, He got curious. Gensou tilted his head, almost completely upside-down. "Your eyes?" Gensou asked curiously.
Natsumi nodded. "Do you not know? I figured Illua would have told you." Natsumi continued to lead as she explained. "The Hitama clan only has my brother and I left - the rest of us were killed off because of our Kekkei Genkai. Anyway, when I activate them, I see thoughts, emotions, and physical bits of any living thing. I know what you think of Illua now." She laughed. "I can kill an enemy in seconds with them as well."
Gensou listened to her talk as he shifted his position on Natsumi's shoulder. After she finished, Gensou chuckled. "I remember!" Gensou exclaimed, As Illua sighed. She had explained it to him. But it seems like everything goes in one ear and out the other. "My eyes cannot do anything like that..." Gensou said. He had seemed to be jealous. Kaizen, who had also been listening, seemed to be in awe. "That is some Kekkei Genkai, you have there, Natsumi..." He said, looking over at her in wonder.
Natsumi smirked as she turned back to face Kaizen. "Thanks." She turned back ahead, a chuckle leaving her lips. "Not that I own it without consequence. When I was a child I called it a curse - it almost killed me multiple times."
Kaizen, most of all, listened to Natsumi as she talked. He listened about how she called it a curse. It sort of sounded like him when he thought of his own Kekkei Genkai. He had thought he had the eyes of the devil himself. Kaizen raised an eyebrow, "Killed you multiple times? It's that dangerous? ...It has some risk..." He said, looking straight ahead.
Natsumi nodded, not looking back to meet his eyes. "See, in my clan, at age five the parents are meant to perform a kinda of ritual - it meant to ensure the child will survive, but since mine were not around, each and every time I used my Kekkei Genkai, I was risking my life. Back then though, only one of my eyes was like that, and it was constantly white." She sighed. "It wasn't until I was about fourteen that I made it through the change and no longer had to worry." She laughed. "It was horrible though, blood would pour out of my eye when I used it." She shook her head of the memories. "I'm fine now though."
The two Oshue, Apart from Yahasu, was listening to Natsumi explain about her clan. Though, Kaizen was more fascinated by it all. The part about when her eyes would bleed sounded very painful, he couldn't imagine that... "...You... Didn't know your parents?" He asked gently, looking over to Natsumi. Trying not to be rude by asking, and trying not to offend her. It sounded like himself; he was only six when he lost his parents. During this time, Illua was not feeling herself, she felt as if she was being ripped open from the inside...
Natsumi nodded. "When I was three or four, my brother and I were captured and my parents killed; Hikaru was the one who saved me. I had to leave and he blanked my memory of him, but it eventually returned. It's no big deal, I just want Hikaru back..."
Kaizen had quieted and listened intently as she spoke. "...Don't worry. We'll get him back." He said, with a warm smile. It was at this time, Yahasu had noticed Illua falling behind. Illua had soon come to a stop and fell to her knees in the forest. "Kaizen! Natsumi!" Yahasu exclaimed, to get their attention. Illua had her hand to her mouth and was coughing rather bad. It had sounded like she could have coughed up a lung or something. Kaizen had stopped and approached Illua. She had her gloved hand to her mouth and she let out one worse cough. Illua's head hung, and she was breathing very heavily. Kaizen looked down and wore a concerned face. As she removed her hand form her mouth, it was tinged it a crimson liquid. She lifted her head slightly for a second and the same crimson substance was at the corner of her mouth dripping to her chin.
Natsumi knelt down in front of Illua, her eyes fading to their white form. "You never told me of this." She murmured, looking intently at the illness visible through her eyes. Minako shifted awkwardly, trying to keep herself in control with the blood. "Kaizen, please stand by Minako - I don't want her pouncing."
Illua had tried to talk, but... She couldn't. Kaizen had noticed Minako shift awkwardly, and Natsumi said for him to stay by her, she didn't want her 'pouncing'. He wondered what that meant but he didn't want to find out. He did as Natsumi said, and stood by Minako. Yahasu looked down at Illua, she seemed to pity her. To some Oshue, this was their end, a long, slow, painful death, with no hope of remedy. Illua could at least try and speak now, "I never told you... because I am ashamed." Illua said, gasping slightly. Kaizen quieted, he had known what caused it, but because of what choice she made when she was younger, it made it even worse. Illua wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. Yet she couldn't look up at Natsumi. Gensou hopped off Natsumi's shoulder. "...You... didn't take… your pills... did you?" Gensou asked quietly. This had always happened more when she didn't. Illua shook her head in denial, "No... I am fine..." She said attempting to stand, her legs wobbled and the heavy breathing continued.
Natsumi only smiled at her friend. "You really have no idea of my power, do you?" Natsumi lifted Illua's chin to look into her white eyes. "I can make you better in seconds."
As Natsumi lifted her chin, Illua closed her eyes. "No. You cannot. I have tried many, many different remedies. Not even my own Medical Ninjutsu is strong enough." Illua stood up straight, maintaining her balance fairly well. "This is no ordinary illness. It cannot be cured. It runs in the bloodline of my clan. It is punishment for using our Kekkei Genkai, it's been that way since ancient times... Some are lucky to withstand. Some are luck to get a simple flu every now and then... While others... It can kill." Illua shook her head. "Even if there was some kind of miracle cure, it comes back. I simply take strong medicine to prolong my life." Illua confessed. Kaizen knew it, It was all true. In fact everyone knew apart from the children. Illua continued, "I know there is no cure because... My father himself had thought of a cure. But he only found out the only remedy is death. That is the only thing that can free us."
Natsumi shook her head. "Well, if I cannot cure you, I can at least help." Natsumi's hand rested gently on Illua's head, her eyes narrowing. Natsumi let out a breath as she tried to cure Illua's illness in any way that she could. She watched as the illness bubble, shrunk, but did not disappear. She pulled her hand back as her eyes faded back to scarlet. She suddenly felt lightheaded and stumbled back, bumping into Kaizen. She blushed slightly as she used him to keep herself standing. "Feel better, Illua?" Natsumi asked, only slightly winded.
As Natsumi had used her jutsu to try and help Illua with her illness, she had already begun to feel relived, and a bit better. There was still a faint taste of blood in her mouth, though. As Natsumi bumped into Kaizen, and she used him to keep herself standing. He had also seen her blush; Kaizen had smiled and made himself blush a bit as well. He had begun to... Feel something. It was strange, something he had not felt before, all right. The tall male looked down at her. She seemed to... Glow in the moonlight. He put his hand on her shoulder, assisting her in standing straight. He had seemed to blush a bit more. Illua had seen what happened, it was unlike Kaizen to be like this... She wondered... "I am feeling better. Thank you, Natsumi."
Natsumi grinned weakly at her friend. "No problem but... man! That illness of yours is way stronger than it looks!" She pushed herself from Kaizen, only to stumble back again. Minako looked worried as she watched Natsumi's motions.
As Natsumi said that it was a strong illness, Illua nodded. "I believe you. It has only gotten worse these past three years. The amount of pain and amount of blood coughed is rising..." Illua strayed from thought. She was brought back as Natsumi seemed to pull herself away from Kaizen, who she was leaning against, but stumbled back again. Illua blinked. Kaizen; who was unusually shy during this moment, had seemed, if it were possible, to become even redder in the face. With an exhale the blush faded. He had no idea what to do in this situation. "A-Are you alright... Natsumi?" Kaizen said, looking down at her. He didn't want to move in case she would fall over, so he stayed in place. Illua raised an eyebrow, "Maybe we should rest here." Illua suggested, looking at Kaizen weirdly.
Natsumi nodded weakly. "P-Possibly..."
Minako stepped forward and looked Natsumi over. "The problem is not your friend's illness... the problem is this..." Minako pushes up Natsumi's sleeve to reveal the blood pouring down her arm. "O-Oh y-yeah... I-I forgot to look after that..." She slurred. "She's loosing too much blood." Minako stated, looking over at Illua.
Illua had jumped over, in the process of stepping on Gensou's tail, making his shriek. Illua Ignored that. Laying her down, Kaizen sat beside her. "Illua, you are the best in the group with Medical Ninjutsu, save her... Please." Kaizen said quickly, he always appeared to be cool, calm and collected, but he was panicking. Illua seemed to rip off her gloves and quickly a green glow surrounded her hands. She had begun to heal the wound.
Natsumi's eyes felt heavy and even with them closed, she felt like the world around her was spinning. Voices around her seemed far off i the distance. She didn't realise how bad her injury was; being in the Akatsuki for almost ten years, makes you forget about wounds - it was a habit she never broke...
Minako sniffed the air; she almost swore she could smell death - a scent she had smelt far too often in her lifetime. "Illua, hurry, Natsumi won't last if she keeps bleeding out!"
Illua had become panicked herself, and the once green glow turned to blue. It was a much higher level medical Ninjutsu. "I-Illua..." Yahasu said in disbelief. She had known she was gambling everything now. Kaizen had gotten even more panicked as Minako spoke, and he had soon decided he'd help too. He just learned medical ninjutsu, but he couldn't see Natsumi... Die... His hands began to glow green and put them by Illua's. Illua called for Yahasu over, and she also joined them in healing her..
Minako watched intently as the three's hands glew with the beautiful chakra. It made her think of Hibiki and made her almost block out the suddenly screaming. Natsumi's screams intensified before stopping completely. She groaned in pain as she panted. ''She'll be fine now.'' Minako stated, letting out a breath as the smell of death faded away to nothing but the cool midnight air.
Illua fell back to the Earth's soft grass, breathing heavily. The jutsu had really taken a lot out of her. Kaizen was the last one to stop. He keeled beside her, looking over her, just praying she was alright. He honestly felt stupid, about it all. He just stood there! Why didn't he help out first thing! It pissed him off. He felt so... useless.
Minako knelt down beside Natsumi. ''How could you forget, idiot?'' Natsumi didn't respond at first. Minako watched as her chested heaved up and down. Finally she spoke after what felt like minutes. ''Old... Habit.'' she choked out. Minako frowned - she didn't want to stop, but she now knew it was the best thing, even Hibiki would agree with her. ''We must rest for the night - but not here in the open. Kaizen, are you strong enough to carry Natsumi? I know of a cave we can rest in for the night.''
As Natsumi and Minako spoke Kaizen listened quietly. Illua, who was now standing, was slipping on her gloves. Yahasu was standing beside Illua. Minako had asked if Kaizen could carry her, because they couldn't rest in the open, Kaizen nodded. "Yes, I can." Kaizen smiled slightly. Soon after, Natsumi was in Kaizen's arms, and he was ready to go.
Minako stealthily lead the group to a nearby cave. She sat on a rock by the entrance to keep guard - not like she slept anyway. Natsumi stirred in Kaizen's arms. Even though she knew she was fine, on the way to the cave Natsumi had passed out, making Minako more uneasy as to her condition.
As the group approached the cave Minako talked about, Illua had noticed Minako sit on a rock by the entrance. As Kaizen entered the cave, He looked for a comfortable place to set Natsumi down so she could rest. Kaizen had planned to stay near-by Natsumi; since he had been worried she had passed out on the way. He felt like he didn't want to let her go. After setting her down on the ground, Kaizen stood up straight and stretched. He hadn't slept in a while and was exhausted. Kaizen, finding himself a rock to lean against, could see Natsumi lying down in a short distance. Less than a minute after he closed his eyes, had fallen asleep.
Illua had just finished exploring the cave, making sure there was no 'surprises' hiding in the back. It was a fairly big cave, with a tunnel leading down in the earth, but it had been closed off by a boulder, after what looked like to be an earthquake. The other two Oshue had already gone to sleep. Illua was about to do the same, until she saw Minako. Illua approached her, "Do you not sleep?" She asked as Gensou jumped to Illua's shoulder.
Minako turned her gaze from the sky to Illua. A weak smile fell over her lips. "No, I cannot. Even with Hibiki..." She sighed. "I'm sorry - you must be confused. You do not know much about me, do you?" She laughed slightly.
As Minako said that she could not sleep, Illua blinked. She was surprised how her body could function. But Illua had maybe thought it was because of her mind and how it can slip. "No, I don't know much of you.." Illua said, shaking her head.
"Would you like to?" Minako asked coolly.
Gensou chuckled in curiosity. "Oh, Yes! I do!" Gensou said, hopping form Illua's Shoulder to the ground. Illua shifted her position. "Sure." she said, smilingly slightly.
Minako nodded, taking in a breath to calm herself. "Basically, the Uma clan is the fastest shinobi family in history. I am a wind jutsu user and an excellent Taijutsu user. When I slip into insanity I become almost like an animal. I cannot sleep or else I wake up screaming. Hibiki was always able to calm me - this is the longest I've gone without sleeping since I met him." She sighed, she missed him so much.
Illua had quietly listened to Minako. She had found it all very fascinating, about her clan and about Hibiki, The only one who could keep her calm. That worried Illua, without him here, she was practically a stick of dynamite next to a lit match. "Don't worry. We will rescue him, and Natsumi's brother. You have three new friends here to assist you in whatever we need to do to rescue them." Illua said, reassuring Minako with a small smile.
Minako nodded. "F-Friends... that is good then..." Her eyes lifted to meet Illua's. "Natsumi is a good person - caring. She and I met a few years ago when she was in the Akatsuki. She was sent to take me in, but refused when she saw me. She said that what she saw in her eyes made her pity me. She and I have been friends since." Minako explained, her eyes drifting over at Natsumi's sleeping form.
"Natsumi I trust. She will stop me if I get out of hand."
Minako had then talked about how she met Natsumi, That Natsumi was sent to take her in. Illua nodded once, showing she was still paying attention. As Minako looked over to Natsumi, so did Illua She seemed to sleep peacefully. "She will? Is it only people you trust who can? Or is more of a bond thing?" Illua asked.
Minako shurgged. "I'm not really sure what it is... maybe it has to do with her eyes?" Minako laughed. "Her and Hibiki and the only people I have given my trust to, ever."
Illua raised a hand to her chin and nodded, "I see..." Illua said, seeming to examine Minako. Illua, herself, had not trusted anyone years ago, so she knew a bit of how she thought. (That was only because someone who she thought was trustworthy and a friend, but ended up just using her and costing her all she ever loved...) But Illua could not Minako for not trusting her. They barely knew each other, after all. "Well, I suppose I will see you in the morning." Illua finally said.
Minako nodded. "Sleep well."
Illua nodded, Then left to find somewhere to sleep. She sat up against a rock, in the view of the others. Gensou had sprinted over and laid on her lap, falling asleep almost instantly. Illua, herself had fallen asleep shortly after.