Chapter Sixteen;
Evelynn lay in a comatose state for over a week. Ryuu kept her in his cave in the mountain the whole time. He refused to let anyone near her. Much to the annoyance of Shoto and Mira, who were desperate to check on their friend. After the rescue Evelynn had been weak with blood loss, dehydration, and hunger. Mira was able to heal most of the wounds, and confirmed to Sasori, who had been terrified of the thought, that Evelynn had not been raped. Though it had seemed like she had been violated, her virgin barrier was still in tact. It wasn't that Sasori wanted her virginity. He had only been worried that Hanzo had forced himself on her. Sasori couldn't describe the relief he felt when he learned Hanzo hadn't.
Now, all the five could do was wait for their comrade to wake up. It was nightfall on the eight night, and Shoto had decided to take a hike around the base of the mountain. She knew that they should be rallying the rebels together. Yet, none of them could bear to leave Evelynn behind.
"I know you're following me." Shoto remarked softly.
"I figured I'd wait for you to say something." Itachi replied as he stepped from behind a high ledge on the mountain side.
"Is there any particular reason you're following me?" Shoto raised an eyebrow as she turned to him.
"You can't be too safe anymore." He reminded her. Shoto just nodded. "You're worried?"
"How can I not be?" Shoto sighed as she sat down on the ground, her head cradled in her hands. "If Evelynn doesn't wake up soon I'll have to take over. I can't do that. I'm not a leader, I'm a strategist. I can't just bark out orders at any given time. It's not my thing. Besides, if I take over as leader, someone else has to take over as the strategist. Mira can't do it. Her specialty is medicine. There's a reason all three of us ran this revolution smoothly. We each had our strong points, and we were able to use them to the advantage to all. You take one of us away, and we're nothing."
Itachi studied her intently as she spoke. When she finished he knelt down, and took her face in his hands. His dark eyes stared into her deep blue ones.
"Evelynn will wake up." He stated firmly. "Even if she didn't, don't you ever think that you suddenly become nothing. Even if you take over as leader, you can play that as well as strategist. I would help you. Even if it meant weeks without sleep, and days without eating. I would help. Just because one falls, does not mean you've lost. It does not mean you become nothing, because you will always be Shoto, the lead strategist of Cadonia's outlaws."
Their eyes were locked intently together. Then, before she could stop herself, Shoto crashed her lips against Itachi's. He groaned slightly, and pulled her into his arms to deepen the kiss. Shoto whimpered as his tongue dominated hers. Yes, she may be Shoto, the lead Strategist of Cadonia's Outlaws, but for now she was just Shoto. Just Shoto who was embracing the man she had grown to love in the year she had known him. It wasn't like her at all. To admit she loved anyone. Yet, this was something she didn't want to deny. She didn't want to escape. Even if they were on the brink of war, and everything logical was telling her to stop. She refused to listen to that logic, just this once.
-Time skip!-
It was noon on the eleventh day of Evelynn's unconsciousness. Sasori had enough. He was going to see her, and he didn't care if he had to fight Ryuu head on to do so. Since he made up his mind he climbed the steep stairway up to Ryuu's cave, and stopped at the entrance. Sure enough, Ryuu was guarding the domain.
"She's not awake yet, so leave." Ryuu snarled.
"I'm going to see her, and I don't care if I have to turn your hide into a pair of boots in order to do it!" Sasori snapped back.
Ryuu eyed the red-head wearily. He hadn't been to sleep since Evelynn's return. This wasn't the first time Sasori had demanded to see her, but something was different about it this time. This time there was an edge to shinobi. Something fierce that almost warmed Ryuu's heart that Sasori wanted to desperately to get to the unconscious woman. Ryuu lowered his head.
"Why do you wish to see her so desperately?" Ryuu asked.
"I just.." Sasori trailed off. He knew damn well why he wanted to see her. To make sure she was okay, and to try and help her wake up. It was voicing that reason that made him uneasy. Before he could speak a new, familiar voice drifted to there ears.
"R-Ryuu.." The dragon and the man turned to the voice.
Evelynn was standing near the cave entrance. She had the sheet she was sleeping under wrapped around her. They had been to nervous that dressing her in her regular clothes would make her uncomfortable, or it would open a wound. So, she had been nude. Sasori took in her appearance. Her hair was tangled, but it looked much better than from when they had first rescued her. Her once deathly pale skin had regained its colour, and her wounds were completely healed. Really, she just looked a little tired. Without a word Sasori walked over to her, scooped her up in his arms, and turned to Ryuu.
"I'm taking her to get a bath." Was all he said, and then he turned to leave.
Ryuu let them go, and chuckled in amusement as Evelynn started snapping at Sasori to put her down. Ah, even just waking up she was a stubborn spit fire. Sasori paid her no mind as he took her to the hot spring.
-Hot spring-
"If you don't put me down in the next two seconds I'll have your head on a silver platter!" Evelynn snapped. Sasori rolled his eyes, and set her down on top of a boulder. Her turned his back to her.
"Get in." Sasori ordered as he pointed to the hot spring.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Evelynn growled as she crossed her arms. Honestly, the idea of a warm bath was a good one, but she wasn't going to be ordered around so easily.
"You can get in yourself, or I'll rip that blanket off you and throw you in myself." Sasori threatened.
"You wouldn't." Evelynn challenged.
Before another word could be spoke, or a move could be made, Sasori turned back to her. Evelynn tried to pull back, but Sasori grabbed both of her wrists. It actually surprised Evelynn how gently he took hold of them, and she looked at him in confusion.
"You think I would hurt you?" Sasori asked softly.
Gently, he pulled her hands away from the fabric that concealed her. She shivered as the sheet fell away, but it was quickly replaced by the warmth of Sasori's arms as he wrapped them around her. She laid her head against his shoulder, and he laid his head on top of hers.
"Don't leave again." She mumbled as she buried her face against his neck.
"Never." Sasori promised her.
-Time skip!-
It was the day after Evelynn's awakening, and the six comrades were gathered around a fire. Evelynn, once again, dressed in her chest bindings, skin tight black pants, and two-inch heeled sandaled boots. Itachi told her of how the jutsu worked, and that the flaw had been fixed. This time, there was no way for them to return to their world. Though, they needed to once again remove the seals. When they were finished everyone turned to Evelynn. Their anticipating faces as they waited for orders made nostalgia wash over her. Oh, how she had missed this.
"The full moon was two days ago." Evelynn commented as she stood up. "We can't wait another month for another full moon. We need to get the rebels rallied together, ad we need to take Hanzo down."
"Which when then?" Shoto asked as she stood up as well. Mira followed their example.
"Lead the w-way." Mira said as she smiled at Evelynn. There was a spark between the three of them. Like an old wire being hooked back together. Evelynn couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face.
"Ivanna's traveling towards the desert around this time. If we go now, it'll take about a week and a half, but we can cut her off before she gets there." Evelynn stated.
"Well then, shall we get started?" Itachi asked as he and the other two men stood up.
"It's the middle of the night.." Tau frowned.
"Oh, don't w-worry about us." Mira comfortingly patted his nose.
"It's safer to travel at night, anyways." Shoto commented. "Hanzo's meant might be more alert, but they're fewer in numbers when it's nightfall."
"Just be careful." Hebi hissed as he lowered his head. Shoto comfortingly ran her fingers over his head.
"Stay sharp." Ryuu commented as he nuzzled his nose against Evelynn's side. She grinned.
"We got this." She assured.
The six waved goodbye to the three great spirits as they headed off into the trees. When the mountain base was out of sight, they started to run. From there they were they would go south east, and then go completely east when they hit the desert. From there, they would be able to cut off Ivanna, and see if she knew another way to remove the seals. Though, what happened the last time they went to visit her was clear in her mind.
Uneasily she eyed Sasori, who didn't look like he was particularly happy with having to visit the gypsy witch again. He had promised himself when he left her tent the first time that he would do everything in his power to keep away from her. Now, they needed her help again. Regardless of the uneasy feelings, the six kept moving forward. For the sake of them comrades, of nothing else.
-Time skip!-
The six had reached the desert, and were currently hiking through the sand line just on the edge of the forest. It would be around this area that Ivanna's tribe would be migrating through. Now all they had to do was wait.
"How long do you think?" Evelynn asked as she turned to Shoto. The raven haired woman pondered for a moment.
"About two days." She replied.
"You know, you two have been awful friendly!" Evelynn yelled over at Deidara and Mira.
The two had been trying to steal a kiss behind a tree before they joined the others. Deidara stepped out with a sheepish grin, and Mira's face had turned a bright shade of pink.
"Ah, w-well you see.." Mira trailed off.
"We're getting married, un." Deidara finished, his grin still plastered on his face.
Sasori choked on the water he was drinking, Evelynn fell off the fallen branch she had been perched on, Shoto looked at the two in shock, and Itachi raised a questioning eyebrow.
"When the fuck did that happen?!" Evelynn exclaimed as she climbed back on the branch.
"Th-the day after they r-returned, he asked me." Mira explained shyly.
"Well, damn.." Sasori turned to Deidara. "I didn't think you had it in you."
"What, un?!" Deidara looked crestfallen that his friend didn't think he had the guts enough to ask Mira to marry him.
"You owe me fifty dollars Sasori." Itachi reminded him.
"Damn." Sasori muttered again.
"Why?" Shoto raised an eyebrow.
"We made a bet. Itachi bet Deidara would ask Mira as soon as he got back. I didn't think Deidara was brave enough, so I bet he wouldn't ask her until after the war." Sasori sighed.
"You made a bet, hm?!" Deidara wailed.
"Yeah, what the hell is wrong with you?" Evelynn asked.
"Thanks, Ev-" Deidara was cut off as Evelynn continued.
"I wanted to bet, too! Damn, you guys suck." Evelynn pouted. Shoto snickered at Deidara's crestfallen expression.
"Anyways, congratulations." Shoto told the two.
"Th-thanks." Mira giggled.
"Quiet!" Evelynn suddenly snapped.
Everyone got quiet, and no sooner had they done so a large, clawed blade shot out from the trees. It headed straight for Sasori, and would have hit him. Only, Evelynn jumped in the way. The clawed blade ripped through her stomach, and out of her back. It was attached to a rope, which Evelynn grabbed. Evelynn glared into the the trees.
"You fucking coward.." She growled. "Get out here, and face me!"
She yanked on the rope, as hard as she could, and a man dressed in all black was yanked towards her. Evelynn pulled back her fist, and landed a blow into his gut that made him cough up blood as he hit the ground. Mira used her dagger to cut the rope, and the pulled the clawed blade out of Evelynn's back. The red-head fell back on the ground, clutching her stomach.
"Here." Mira set to work healing her wounds, and Shoto and Itachi tied up the black assassin.
"Why would you do that?" Sasori scowled at Evelynn. "You just got over your last escapade."
"I didn't want you to die." Was all she replied as she waved him away, and walked over to the assassin.
"So.." Evelynn started as she sat down cross legged in front of him. "Hanzo?"
"Why would I tell?" The man coughed out.
"Well, if it was Hanzo, we can heal your wounds." Evelynn explained. "Then, once those wounds are healed you can send a little message to Hanzo from me."
The assassin eyed her wearily.
"You're an odd woman."
"You're a fucking idiot if you thought you could kill me." Evelynn's eyed met evenly with his. Slowly, he nodded.
"I'll send Hanzo your message. I never liked him much anyways." The assassin shrugged. "My name is Kujo."
"Very well, Kujo." Evelynn stood, and gestured to Mira.
"Are you sure about this?" Shoto hissed in Evelynn's ear. The red-head just nodded.
Mira healed the mans wounds, and Itachi untied him. Kujo turned to the three girls and bowed respectfully.
"For sparing my life I'll send Hanzo your message." He stated. Evelynn leaned forward, and whispered in his ear. Kujo nodded, stood up straight, saluted, and then took off.
"What did you tell him, hm?" Deidara asked. Evelynn turned to all of them and grinned.
"The Great Spirits law reigns."
Mira and Shoto smiled. How fitting of a message it was. So similar to the message he had left them when he destroyed their villages. Now, that same message would be the one to end him. Contently, the six friends waited for Ivanna's tribe.
-Hanzo-
Over two weeks had passed since the rebel leader, Evelynn, had been rescued. He didn't know where she was, but he had a vague idea of who rescued her. Any time Evelynn's small troop fought they always left behind a trail of blood. So much blood. They were becoming known, not to their knowledge, as the Outlaws of Death. Not a named Hanzo wanted them to have. If his men feared them more than Hanzo himself, they wouldn't obey him like they should. That thought alone drove Hanzo mad.
So, he had sent an assassin after them. He figured even if they were 'Outlaws of Death' there was no way they could out kill a trained assassin. He was about to be proven wrong. There was a knock on the door.
"Enter!" Hanzo barked. Kujo entered, went down on one knee, and bowed his head. "So, you got the job done?"
"No." Kujo smirked. "I do ave a message for you. From Evelynn of the Outlaws herself."
"What is that?" Hanzo hissed out. Kujo looked up, the smirk still on his face as his eyes met Hanzo's.
"The Great Spirits law reigns."
"Kumo!" Hanzo snapped.
Before Kujo could move Kumo had him tied up with her web.
"Kill him." Was all Hanzo said as he waved a dismissive hand at Kumo. The spirit spider retreated back into the ceiling, and scuttled her way outside.
"I'm sorry about this, but I have to obey." Kumo whispered sadly.
"It's okay, Kumo. I understand. I don't mind dying anyways." Kujo smiled. "No, I don't mind dying for Cadonia."
A tear slipped from one of Kumo's eyes as she sung her fangs into Kujo. The man started to convulse as she injected her venom. He frothed at the mouth, and his last sight on this earth was a great mountain. A great mountain surrounded by clouds. Kujo could have sworn, as he died, he saw the faces of a Snake, a Lion, and Dragon among those clouds. Then he understood the message, as he finally faded from the world.
The Great Spirit's law reigns, because the Great Spirits were still with them. They always had been, and would be forever.
A/N; Sorry I didn't update at all yesterday. I've just been really busy lately. So, please try to bear with me if I only post one or two chapters a day. I promise, I didn't forget the story or anything. So, yeah.. Reviews are welcome, and I hope everyone had a good day/night.!