Finally, another chapter!
Deviantart: /Ask-PapaRussia
Chapter 8
"Stay away!" an angry, inhuman voice growled.
The irritated monstrosity was no other than the Ringer, although this time, the massive puppet was speaking without strings. And to make matters even strangers, his once intimidating and malicious master was huddled in a corner, dressing in only his black jeans and thick rimmed glasses.
And he was shaking with torment.
"Stop… just stop." The puppet master was tremulous and sick to his stomach, for he knew that this demon of his own design was alight with fury all because of his actions. Why did he have to start experimenting in the first place? And god, why did he use his own blood to do it?
The Ringer shook its wooden arms that were hung by metal shackles. The flimsy, silver chains could barley handle the figures overbearing weight, especially when it was this omnipotent.
You see, Thaddeus had not thought about the consequences—such as being trapped in a corner—when he first set up an artificial organ system in his toy. He planned to have the Ringer be almost like a second partner, one who would follow his every command. But alas, the poor man had a rude awakening many years ago when it was discovered that if his puppet doesn't get just the right amount of blood, it would start to… develop its own. And with a specific DNA code, the Ringer could potentially become an individual; a very pugnacious individual to be exact.
"Let me go!" the venomous puppet spat again, nearly collapsing the wall behind it.
"Not until the transfusion is over!" Thaddeus screamed and began lunging for cover as the veracious figure broke free of its chains, falling to the floor.
The Ringer was not quite ready to get the system inside of it to work; the blood flowing from a pipe in the Ringer's blind spot would not let its organs work on their own. The only good thing the puppeteer had done when realizing his creation could go out of control had been the fact every transfusion of blood contained a dose of his own chakra, chakra he constantly had to keep in check with. It was a back- up plan, one that ensured if that monster went anywhere near Alice or Gaara, he'd have the advantage to stop it.
His puppet maybe powerful, but if it ever went to attack those dearest to him, he'd do almost anything to stop it. Which is why as he clutched his bruising hand for an ounce of chakra, slowly gaining control over the demon he created, his will power was strong.
He would not let the Ringer tear him apart, and even if he was ripped to shreds, there was no way in hell Alive would be dragged into the chaos as well.
"Where have you been Thaddie?" the bird tamer asked with a confused wrinkle in her brow. It had been at least two hours since she'd seen him in the house they roamed through, and now she was lacing up the strings on her boots, Alistar sitting on the kitchen counter with intent, dark eyes.
"Oh dear, I was just fixing up the Ringer. It had a little knick in the side of its rib structure." Thaddeus said nonchalantly, waving his hand in the air to bring a more relaxed tone into the room.
Alice rolled her eyes and finished tying off her shoe, stomping it to the ground. "Well, I'm going out with Gaara for a walk, are you in?"
"Whoa—"A sudden, shocked red haired boy said with a baffled tone. "We are going outside? The shinobi are after you, my brother is after you! That is way too dangerous… you'll get hurt."
The tamer laughed, grinning like a fool, eyes closed and amused. "Oh Gaara, are you always this cautious? We've got everything covered; there's no way we'll get hurt!" Alice gave a small pat on the Kazekage's back, drawing him nearer to the both of them. He felt like a little toddler when he was treated so foolishly, and he pouted at the treatment they were giving him.
"Sounds like a plan then," the puppet master declared, slipping on his jacket that lay on the metal coat rack near the door. "Shall we go?"
Gaara, although very confused by the irresponsible behavior the duo had, felt no choice in the matter, nor did he need one. So, the shinobi slipped on his sandals, kicking the heel into place and shuffled out the door with Alice trailing behind, a very proud eagle standing on her shoulder. Even if Gaara only knew the pair for a short while, he plainly saw that he needed to expect the unexpected from the Collins'.
The three, as Gaara finally found out, were indeed still living in the Leaf village, even though he couldn't understand how the transients could own a house to board in. all it came down to was the fact the Collins' had a place to sleep, a place they obviously felt comfortable in.
"Hey Alice," the red head turned to meet her hazel eyes. "What route are we planning to take?"
All at once, both shinobi laughed at their captive friend, earning him the right to have a flabbergasted expression.
"Dear boy, we aren't on the same page, are we? Don't imply that taking a walk means the same to us as it would to you… show him Alice." The puppeteer motioned his partner forward, rolling his wrist like he was spinning wool.
Sighing happily, she outstretched her arms, imitating the form of a crucifix, before letting a sputter of bone rise out of her skin. The slightly damp cartilage made an odd, fuzzy noise when Alice tapped the bone together in a melody. Eyes closed, she stopped the strange tune and popped the glimmering ivory back into her muscles. The vibrations echoed through the forest until it was abated by an even more notable sound.
The sound of giant wings, a symphony of tiny, metal chimes tapping against each other collided with the air.
"Endrich! Over here sweety!" the flamboyant Alice called, waving her hands to and fro, like an idiot. With a red brow raised, Gaara didn't even flinch, for he already knew a surprise was going to rear its head.
Of course, his implications were correct, and as Alice jumped with glee, ecstatic delight in her eyes, he saw a large, majestic owl. It was bigger than a mastiff, almost as tall and wide as a horse. The slightly metallic brown feathers danced as the bird shook out his wings, a bit of white flecks present as Gaara focused on him.
Alice turned and grinned at the men behind her. "He's cute, no?" Endrich cawed, looking for attention, and the tamer skipped over to the beast and hugged its plushy neck, cheek rubbing against his black beak.
"What exactly is it?" Gaara pondered, fixated on the sheer size of the bird.
However, Alice was so focused on her beloved pet that she ignored the sand shinobi completely. In turn, Thaddeus rolled his eyes and mumbled in Gaara's ear. "Endrich was an owl. Unexpectedly, Alice altered more than one of his chromosomes when she injected him with her blood. Thus, the feathered rat grew to this enormous size in less than a year."
"A year?" Gaara's face widened, bottom lip puffing up. He must've been chewing on it when the puppeteer talked.
Before the conversation could go any longer, the two were interrupted by Alice.
"Come on' guys, we're going for a ride." She grinned, hopping on to Endrich's tail then crawling up to his neck.
"Are you insane?" the red head spoke up, eyes erratic, searching for some reason in the shinobi's hazel eyes. "We can't ride that! We'll get shot down!"
"You can't shoot what you can't see." The tamer winked. Sighing, Gaara was ready to resist, that is, until Thaddeus grabbed his wrist and lunged the both of them forward. Once both were on the seemingly comfortable back of the owl, Thaddeus started to pull at the sand gourd wrapped around Gaara's torso.
"You won't need this right now. Too much weight for Endrich to fly with. The puppet master laid the container on the grass, and soon after, the big green cockapoo Sciar appeared from the house, grabbing the gourd by its strap to bring it with her.
"Now that's what I call excellent service." Thaddeus laughed, teeth gleaming.
"Let's get going!" Alice quipped, whistling at Endrich.
And like something out of a movie, the three ninja were lifted from the ground, a giant predatory bird drifting them into the clouds.
End of chapter.
Phew! I'm glad to get this chapter done, because I know I don't want to procrastinate like I could when I don't care. Thanks for all the views, and leave a review please! Love all of you, bye!
From Russia