Chapter 2

The tiny embers floated upwards, flickering like the fireflies of Hinata's homeland as they drifted slowly towards the moonlit sky. The roof of Rain country remained cloudless, stubbornly defying its namesake. For this Hinata was profoundly glad, as she had always hated the cold. She was Fire country born and bred. She shot a baleful glare at her companion, who had once again fallen asleep. She honestly didn't know how he could bear to doze off after just waking up from a fifteen year coma.

The annoyed Harmonixer turned back to the fire, staring grouchily at the myriad flakes of red. "Stupid," she muttered. "He's got some nerve." Whether she was referring to the Saint's initial dismissal of her or his current lethargy was unclear.

"Unh... uhhh." The Saint stirred, scaring the life out of her. "Grandpa..."

"Wha... You talkin' in your sleep? Don't scare me like that!" shouted Hinata, somehow failing to wake him up. For some reason, the idea of a being such as him possessing the capability to dream seemed ludicrous. She looked at the Saint's sleeping face for a while longer, his moment of unrest gone. With one last twitch of irritation, Hinata rose to her feet. "Man! Why am I stuck protecting this ungrateful blonde!"

She paced restlessly about the fire, unable to stop her gaze from gravitating back to the slumbering gunman. Giving into her curiosity, she crouched down and stared directly into his face. Strange, she hadn't thought it possible for a man to sleep without snoring. "Don't tell me," she said, deliberately exaggerating her disbelief. "He's dreamin' about his GRAMPS!" She shook her head and rose to her feet once more. "Damn, I'm gettin'' a bit sleepy myself."

As she walked towards what she had designated as her 'spot' the light cast on the ground in front of her flickered, as though someone had passed in front of the fire behind her. She whipped around, her speed born of years of paranoia.

The clearing, however, was empty.

"Wha-what the... This aura, it's-" Her voice died in her throat, choked by terror as a familiar figure materialized on the other side of the fire.

She was the same height as her, and was generally dressed the same. The only difference was her trench coat was green rather than brown, and buttoned shut rather than left open. Hinata wasn't looking at her clothes though. No, she was looking at the hair – long, elegant and bluish-black, just like her own. If that didn't clue her in to who this person was, the mask let her know instantly. It was the old white fox mask this person had bought her when she was four years old, at the Festival of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

The woman laughed. It had changed, that which was once musical and comforting was now harsh and contemptuous. "At last," she smirked. "We meet."

Hinata recoiled, as if struck. "M-mother! What... What are you doing here?"

"I've come to visit, child," said Fox Face (that'snotmotherthat'snotmotherthat'snotmother). "The souls of the monsters you've killed are quite lonely, you see."

Hinata took a slow, horrified step back. "Souls of... the monsters?"

The apparition ignored her, turning it's face to the unmoving Saint. "Such a pretty face," she mused. "But I must show courtesy. It is thanks to this man's power that I am even here."

Hinata struggled for words, involuntarily flinching as Fox Face's masked visage turned back to her. "His power? What!"

"Haven't you noticed?" laughed Fox Face harshly. "This world overflows with the ghosts of the monsters you've slain! The gate of eternal darkness was closed until now, you see, but this man is causing it to open!" She took a step forward, and Hinata stepped back. "The ghosts sealed inside the darkest depths of your heart... they call to me, child." Her voice rose into a terrible, fanatical scream. "AND THEY DEMAND THAT I DEVOUR YOUR VERY SOUL!"

Fox Face disappeared from where she was standing and reappeared directly in front of Hinata. Startled, she stumbled back. "Stay away," she whispered. Fox Face just gave that harsh, cruel laugh, then vanished once more. For all of ten seconds the glade was silent, until Hinata could take it no more.

"STAY AWAY!"

The Saint of Killers bolted upright, wide awake after Hinata's terrified scream. He looked in her direction just in time to see her fall bonelessly to the ground. He caught her moments before she hit the dirt, lowering her gently to the earth. He scanned his surroundings for whatever had scared her so, but saw nothing. He looked once more at the senseless girl in his arms. "Hinata?"

His only reply was a hungry growl from the outskirts of the camp. It seemed that the sounds and smells of fear had attracted a large group of wolves that frequented the broad plains of Rain. The pack that was currently sizing them up for a meal was a mutant sub-species, evolved from a mixture of the hideous amounts of pollution that built up around a country as technologically advanced as Rain and from a diet relying heavily on the carrion of Rain's many battlefields.

A diet that had given them quite the taste for human flesh.

The Saint straightened up, slowly removing his guns from his belt. "Hinata, you should really be waking up round about now."

And wake she did. But as Hinata sat up and rubbed the drowsiness from her eyes, she saw something far different from the camp-fire she remembered passing out next to.

She sighed. "Not another freakin' graveyard."

The scenery was a was quite a bit different from where she had found the Saint of Killers, however. Whatever was providing light for the place was hidden behind a thick layer of grey cloud, the surroundings partially hidden beneath a thin white fog. Compared to the Saint's old resting place it was rather small, enclosed within a high steel fence and with grey cobblestones paving the ground. In fact, Hinata had only six graves within her immediate field of vision. Rather than writing, each tombstone possessed an odd mark: each one different, and one glowing a peculiar, earthy green.

"Uh," said Hinata distastefully. "What's goin' on?" She took a few steps forward and turned in a slow circle. "Where am I?"

Suddenly, the graveyard seemed horribly familiar. "This is just like in my dreams." She racked her brains for the reason she was there, then jerked her head up sharply. "Huh? Where's..." Her head whipped from side to side, like an animal that has just realized there are predators nearby. "Where is she?" When Fox Face didn't immediately jump out at her, Hinata relaxed with a sigh of relief. She gave a small, nervous laugh. "So she didn't come with me, eh? Damn! I can't believe this! Honestly, this is a pretty lame illusion. If... if it is an illusion."

She walked further into the mist, obviously unfamiliar with the horror movie stereotype that said 'this is the fastest way to die'. "Yup, this is it alright. The graveyard from my dreams. Aw, god! I don't wanna be remembering this!" She began to shoot furtive looks into the mist, the paranoia of the hunted setting in. "Now's the part where I get lost, then wake up in a cold sweat just as a monster's about to eat me. No no NO! Nothin' but trouble ever since that damn voice showed up! Maybe I've lost it completely. First Mom jumps out of my nightmare and shows up right before my eyes, and now I'M in the dream." She began to pace restlessly, enraged by the injustice of it all. "I save that guy an I don't get so much as a SMILE!"

She froze, wondering how the Saint had managed to make his way into her thoughts. Her whole body slumped. "Aw, now I'm all depressed." She realized she was standing next to the glowing green tombstone, starting in alarm from the light. "Damn, aren't these tombstone thingies freaky! Almost like they're alive." She began to chuckle as an amusing thought occurred to her. "Wouldn't it be hilarious if all the monster I've killed started crawlin' out of these?" She continued laughing for a few moments before trailing off awkwardly, realizing it wasn't all that funny. She looked at the lump of rock for a moment more before recognizing the glowing symbol, vaguely recalling it from her lessons at the Hyuuga Clan compound so very long ago. Slowly, she stretched one hand towards the symbol.

"Seal of Earth, right?" And as her fingers touched the grimly glowing grave, all hell broke loose.

The creature that erupted out of the mark resembled a tiger, only it walked on its hind legs and had opposable thumbs. Its fur was green rather than orange, while its arms were a great deal longer than its body and likely would have dragged along the ground were it not currently using them to try and kill her.

"Holy mother of-" Hinata leapt out the way of the creature's claws, landing on her hands in order to back-flip gracefully away. The creature glared at her through slitted green eyes, hissing at her hatefully. Hinata made a face, knowing what she would have to do next.

The monster made no move to react as Hinata's hands clamped on the sides of her head, a familiar agony ripping through her as she morphed into the form of the black demon. It merely stood there, crouched and waiting.

This would prove its final mistake, as it would all be over in moments.

As the blinding light that always accompanied her transformations blasted out from Hinata's body the tiger-monster raised its immense fore-limbs to shield its eyes, letting out a yowl of displeasure. Taking advantage of its momentary blindness Hinata vaulted over its head with one powerful flap of her wings. Before it had even registered her presence behind it Hinata struck, sending a powerful spinning kick diagonally upwards to connect with the back of its head. Even as she felt her hoof hit home the Harmonixer was twisting into the next blow, using the same motion to bring her left claw around to impale the creature through the back. The tiger-monster had just enough time to shoot one dumb look at the appendage protruding from its chest before Hinata ripped its head off with her free hand.

The effects were instantaneous. The creature's entire body erupted into white fire, both head and torso igniting as Hinata hastily backed away from the inferno. After every inch of its body was consumed the flames gathered together into a single glowing orb, bobbing up and down at chest height. Without warning the orb flew forward and impacted with Hinata's chest, smashing her backwards into the very tombstone from which the tiger-monster had sprung. She let out a groan of pain, her disorientation forcing her back into her natural form. She slowly forced her way to her feet.

Hinata simply stood there, leaning on the now lifeless grave for support. She began to tremble uncontrollably, desperately trying to quell the sudden violent impulse that welled up within her. Then, as quickly as it came, the impulse faded. She straightened. She could feel it, a presence in the back of her mind lying side by side with the soul of the black demon whose power she had relied upon for so long.

"A new spirit to fuse with," she whispered. "Is this... my power?" She looked down at the tombstone. The tiger, it seemed, was an earth spirit, while the black demon was most likely a spirit of darkness. The tombstones appeared to be spawning points for the fusion souls her power was reliant on. However, she had to fight and subdue each soul before she was able to use it.

She walked a circuit of the graveyard, checking each grave for its elemental symbol. "Earth, water, fire, wind, light and darkness," she murmured. "Two down, four to go." Unable to find a way out from her current location, Hinata began to wander deeper into the graveyard.

When it came into view - rather than slowly becoming visible - the mountain appeared suddenly, rearing up out of the mist like some colossal fortress. At the base of this grim, featureless peak was an enormous stone door - or rather double doors - which were inscribed with odd, swirling symbols. Hinata frowned pensively. "That door..."

As she approached, four floating masks materialized around the door. The one on the bottom left resembled a pharaoh mask, but with a dog face and horns. Though blue, Hinata recognized it as being made from a rare kind of gold. The one on the bottom right was similar but birdlike, and had what looked like a cup on top of it's head. It would probably be more accurate to call it a grail. The one on the top right was also like a bird, but had a fan of blades sticking out around its head. An additional blade, long enough to be considered a sword, protruded down in parody of a neck. The one on the top left was made of wood, with a crudely drawn face and two odd horns carved to resemble flames. If the last mask was a sword, this mask was a staff.

Hinata strolled up to them, grinning with cocky familiarity. "Now I see, so it was you all along pullin' the strings, huh?"

"We are pleased to see you, child," cackled the Sword Mask. "The detestable young Harmonixer who damned us to eternal hell."

"No need to thank me. But to be honest I really haven't missed you guys at all."

This time the Staff Mask spoke. "Your pathetic bravado can't hide your fear."

"Keep laughin'," snarled Hinata in sudden fury. "I'll slice that stupid mask in two!"

"Your mind may not understand this place, but your heart understands it full well," laughed the Gold Mask derisively. "Yes, this world is a reflection of your own mind's darkness. Darkness you have created yourself."

"The more of our brethren roaming about the world you strike down," sneered the Grail Mask. "The more you shall become saturated with venomous Malice, born of their bitter vengeance. And when the limit is passed, so then shall SHE be reborn into the realm of the living." All four masks began a cruel, raucous laughter. "The woman, the very thought of whom makes you shrink in terror."

A familiar figure in a fox mask appeared in front of the door, but even as Hinata flinched back it vanished from view once more.

"Enough!" screamed Hinata. "Shut your stinkin' mask face! That's enough! You think I'm scared? Don't make me laugh! I've been huntin' monsters for over fifteen years! I can handle one or two of those guys with a flick of a finger! You got that, you bodiless freaks!"

"Don't get so excited," said the Sword Mask, unaffected by her outburst. "You loved your mother so much, that now you're wandering aimlessly in search of her."

"Stay out of this! Look, I'm just out for revenge for my parents. It's none of your concern!"

"Heh," snorted the Staff Mask. "Strange words from someone who still desperately wants to believe her mother is alive somewhere."

Hinata's fists clenched, her eyes narrowing with hate. "You, now you're really startin' to piss me off! Say another word and I'll smash your smirkin' faces in!"

"Slow down, child." laughed the Gold Mask. "Worry not, we have a proper opponent for you! To sweep away the accumulation of Malice, you must do battle!"

The translucent being that materialized before the door didn't even have time to move. Before Hinata had even registered what it looked like she had utterly crushed it with one fist, putting all the frustration the conversation had built up into the blow. "Hah, c'mon! At least give me some sort of challenge! Who's next, you guys?"

"Well done," chuckled the Grail Mask, undaunted by her victory. "Your victory has swept aside the vengeance of our brethren. And it appears the reactions of that cursed talisman you hold have vanished as well." Hinata blinked in confusion, then looked down at her pendent. The red gem set into its head had changed to a dark blue, strongly resembling the eyes of the Saint of Killers.

A Malice-ometer. Handy.

"It's too early to get cocky, child," said the Sword Mask. "This purification is only temporary."

Hinata looked up from her scrutiny of her necklace. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Again, a chorus of laughter. "When you return to your world," said the Staff Mask, being the first to compose itself. "Killing our compatriots will only result in increased Malice. Then you will come back here to lower it. No matter how many you slaughter, this hell will continue."

"Then," said the Gold Mask. "In due time, SHE will be resurrected. The woman you fear more than Death itself!"

"Do you intend to keep running forever?" the Grail Mask chipped in.

The Staff Mask adopted an air of mock sympathy. "How much easier it would be for you if you'd simply come here in death."

Hinata turned to walk away. "Enough! Shut up!" She strode away, the voice of the Sword Mask floating after her.

"Begone with you, child. Return to the world of the living."

Hinata gritted her teeth and broke into a run, quickly putting the Mountain of the Four Masks behind her. But soon her muscles grew weary, and she had to stop to catch her breath. She found herself next to a huge wrought iron gate, tall and foreboding in the darkness. Whatever was behind it lacked the aura of darkness exuded by the stone doorway, but rather seemed sad, lonely and afraid. Hinata found her hand was reaching to open-

...ease...Wa...up!

Hinata's hand froze mid-reach. "Huh?" she said intelligently. "That voice..."

Hinata! she heard the Saint call. Wake up already!

Hinata's eyes snapped open, only to see the Saint's annoyed face filling her vision. With an alarmed squawk she bolted upright, inadvertently head-butting the Saint in the forehead. With a mutual bellow of pain, the two fell back. The Saint recovered first.

"What the hell!" he roared. "What was that for!"

"Asshole," Hinata bit back, one hand clutched to her throbbing skull. "Why were you... were you..." She trailed off, having finally noticed the devastation around them. The surrounding area was littered with dead wolves, each one nailed in a vital organ by a bullet from the Saint's guns. "Whoa."

"'Whoa' is right." said the Saint furiously. "The only person who should be able to sleep through that amount of gunfire should be me!"

Hinata just sat there, the anger sapped from her body. "...How long was I asleep?"

"Only two or three minutes," said the Saint. "Why, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Hinata stood up and brushed herself down. "Let's get going."

After a brief moment's hesitation he followed, and for a time they walked in silence. Then...

"Anger."

"Huh?" started Hinata, who had been brooding on thoughts of masks, Malice and mothers. "What did you say?"

"The earth spirit," said the Saint of Killers calmly. "It was born from your anger." Hinata stopped walking, gawking stupidly as the Saint kept going. "The other one however was born of hatred," he rambled on. "And anger and hate are never a good combination. They'll make you old and ugly and-"

"STOP!" Hinata shouted, running in front of him. "How did you know about that?"

He gave her a blank look. "Isn't it obvious?" He tapped her between the eyes with one finger. "I can see them vying for leg room in your soul right now. Such is the prerogative of the Harmonixer."

Again Hinata was stunned. "You know I'm a Harmonixer?"

"You think I slept for fifteen years straight out of laziness?" he laughed. "The Big Guy was downloading information directly into my brain. Saves him having to teach it to me."

He began walking once more, and Hinata quickly fell into step beside him. "The Big Guy? Who's that?"

"You don't know the Big Guy?" he grinned foxily. "Loser."

She immediately rose to the bait, and for a while she forgot about the demons within her soul, about Malice and masks and the parent who would one day come to reap the life given to her.

There was only the road ahead, and the one who would walk it with her.