Meh. The third and final part to this one shot.

Omnipotence

Omnipotence; n; the quality of having unlimited or a very great power.

Sasuke stared at the naked figure on his own nude lap. Her dark hair fell cascaded downwards, just like a waterfall. He couldn't resist threading his fingers through her lush locks, satisfied when he felt their silkiness.

It was good that she was asleep. Or rather, she had passed out soon after their coupling. She had been impervious at first; but she had eventually gotten into the pattern of it. He was pleased to know that he had been her first. Not that he didn't know that beforehand.

He glanced outside the chariot, noting that it was already descending down a dark spiral. They were already in the Underworld - and if all went well, she would soon become his wife. A smile graced his lips. He liked the thought of it; and it wasn't like it particularly mattered whether or not she was unconscious during the ceremony.

His hand reached for his coat; fishing out a black velvet box from the pockets. Sasuke flickered the top open, pleased to note that the raw diamond sparkled even more beautifully than when he picked it from the tallest diamond tree… and the amethysts surrounding it were a good choice.

The ring was platinum, with an obsidian ring running through it, and it fit perfectly on her finger as he elegantly slipped it on. Sasuke took her hand, pleased with himself. It looked good on her… it suited her. He wouldn't have settled for anything less.

Finally, the chariot came to a steady stop; the soothing feeling of the horse's galloping ceasing. Sasuke dressed both himself and Hinata in a dark cape, before exiting the carriage with her in his arms. She was light, he observed as he experimentally lifted her figure up and down.

Shaking such thoughts away, he directed his movement towards the side of the large palace; for that was where the chapel was located. It was a trivial thing, built for no particular reason of importance; and yet, he was glad it was there, since that ceremonial building would be where he and Hinata would be united in holy matrimony.

It didn't even matter that Sakura would know when he and Hinata married; not when he would finally be considered one with Hinata.

While he was lost in thought, he had already approached the chapel. Entering steadily, he eyed the preacher that would carry out the sacred ceremony. Orochimaru.

Previously, the pale, dark haired preacher had tried to betray him; evidently, he had failed, which led to the denouncement of his position. Now, he was a preacher just for Sasuke's amusement; Sasuke knew how much Orochimaru loathed his job. The mentioned preacher stared dubiously at the bride in Sasuke's hands.

"I am not s-sure if this-s is legal, S-sire," like usual, Orochimaru practiced his annoying habit: slurring the s's. It made him sound like a snake, which was undoubtedly what he was.

Sasuke shrugged. "It doesn't matter, as long as she's married to me," he then motioned to the goddess in his hands. "Make Kabuto change her," Kabuto was Orochimaru's assistant, one that had tried to partake in the attempt to overthrow him.

"Yes-s, S-sire," Orochimaru confirmed as Kabuto took Hinata from his arms. Sasuke couldn't miss the way his eyes glinted as he stared at her body. It was filthy, disgusting, and it made Sasuke sick.

"I changed my mind. No, I want to marry her the way she is now." Sasuke glared at Kabuto while saying this, burning holes through his body. Kabuto, despite his stoic façade, looked shaken and retreated to the reprieve of his room.

"Unders-stood, S-sire," Orochimaru gritted through his teeth, before strenuously proceeding through the procedure.

It took a matter of minutes before Orochimaru was finished. Sasuke had mostly dozed off through most of it. "You may kiss-s the bride," was the conclusive finish, one that Sasuke was wide awake for.

Dropping to his knees, Sasuke kissed the unconscious Hinata's lips. And so, even though she was insentient - they were married.

Hinata woke up stiffly, her head pounding and her body burning. Her mind was blank, empty of the memories made yesterday. There was a foreign weight on her finger; curiously, she glanced down at it.

A ring. Wait, two rings.

Examining them, she was positive that she had never seen them in her life before. Strangely, they fit comfortably on her fingers, but still... it was still like they weren't supposed to be there. They were alien.

The first one was pretty, showcased with a large polished diamond and glittering amethysts. It was... platinum (maybe), with a small black band running around it. The one next to it was a simple ring made out of pure gold. It felt soft against her pale skin.

Feeling effected by their strange presence, Hinata made a move to take them off. But just when she was about to slide them completely off her ring finger (why was it on her ring finger, anyway?) a hand moved to stop her.

"Bad girl. You aren't allowed to take those off." The tone was pleasant, light, and... familiar. Hinata froze, her eyes turning upwards towards the body that was connected with the hand. "You're mine now... and this is the evidence."

Last night's (or was it morning's?) events swiftly came back to her, causing her to flinch at the sound of his voice. The lord of the Underworld had appeared yesterday, ruthlessly kidnapping her, without a hint of regard for the consequences. And they... had also... she had been forced to... Hinata couldn't help but wince again, reflexively squeezing her thighs together.

"Why," her voice was unsteady. "Why a-are these r-rings here?" Her hands had unconsciously formed into fists.

"Ah. I suppose you are as dumb as you look." Sasuke smirked, looking pleased with himself. "You're married to me now."

Hinata took a sharp breath, her face looking more than slightly terrified. "When? W-why?"

He paused. "When? Last night. Why? Don't ask stupid questions. I won't allow them, even if you are my wife."

Hinata's face lost all colour, and her breathing became unsteady. It was only natural for the world to become black before her eyes, and for her to slip back into unconsciousness.

Sasuke sighed arduously. "God dammit, woman, I really don't appreciate this habit of yours."

A brunette goddess was on her way back to her palace, returning from a day of tedious work. It was a lot of effort to make the crops grow; a smile of satisfaction arose. And yet, it was the most fulfilling job that Kurenai could imagine having.

Upon her return, she immediately scent a search for Hinata, noticing that her presence was absent from the palace and grounds nearby. She was only slightly worried; after all, Hinata was a big girl, and she could take care of herself, even if she usually informed Kurenai when she was going somewhere.

But call it a mother's intuition... she could feel that something was wrong. Horribly wrong.

And that feeling would only be proven right when the search party came back... disappointingly empty-handed.

The next time that Hinata woke, she found herself inevitably lying on a large, king sized bed. Her hands were clenched around the black silken sheets while her eyes darted around the room she was currently in. It was considerably colossal, and was still painted in a black soul-sucking colour.

She then heard a soft exhale, and her body froze. No... he couldn't possibly be here... could he?

Turning her head, she cautiously looked over her right shoulder, her eyes landing on a dark figure. One couldn't mistake it; it was the lord of the Underworld, god of the dead, Sasuke. His soft raven haired head was resting on his hand, while his body lay parallel to her.

"Finally awake, princess?" A sardonic smirk accompanied the rather rude question. "Or more appropriately, queen of the Underworld?"

Hinata shook her head furiously, still experiencing a fierce denial. "No! I... I-I can't possibly have married you! And you can't marry an unconscious person!"

Sasuke's head tilted in amusement. "Can't you? Face the facts, woman... You. Are. Mine." His face approached her to the point where she could feel his breath on her mouth.

And so he kissed her.

"Aren't you going to eat?" It was the normal question, given to her on all the days she had been in the Underworld so far. While she had done all of her duties as a 'wife', she refused to eat any of the food... knowing what awaited her if she did. Inside her, there was still a faint hope that someone... whether it be her mother, Neji, or even Naruto... that someone would come to save her from the depths of hell.

"No," she turned her head away from the offerings. Inwardly, she counted the amount of days she had been kept hostage here. Four. Four days.

For four days, she had been locked up in a dark room, made to obey her husband's iron rule. "Why?" She asked suddenly. "Why do you keep me here? For what purpose am I here?" Hinata hadn't noticed, but she had lost her stutter a while ago. Maybe it was when remains of modesty and decency had been stolen from her.

"Why not? You're my bride, my little Hinata. And that's your purpose, if that makes you happy - to be mine." Sasuke replied, genuinely looking perplexed. Who wouldn't want to be his wife? He had everything: the riches, the kingdom, the looks. Why was Hinata so different?

But then a fond smile appeared on his face. That was why he had chosen her, wasn't it? Because she was different; a creature with an abundance of compassion, a goddess that was truly good without trying.

"Yes," Hinata was near tears at this point. "But why me?"

It took Sasuke a while to answer, because he wasn't sure how to phrase it honestly. "Because - well, you're you. And I don't want anyone else."

Four days. Hinata had been taken hostage in the Underworld for four days.

And four days it would stay, because Hinata was sure that from now on it could no longer be called taken hostage - not when she might be there of her own free will.

Far above the Underworld, the earth raged. The land was barren, and drought had been brought to bay; the tree's leaves were falling, the grass was yellowing. Mortals were in a heady state of disarray.

And so was a certain goddess of agriculture, going by the name of Kurenai. "Where is my daughter?" It was the normal demand, one filled with a daunting rage.

And as usual, no one would reply.

Four days had gone by, and there was still no sign of her daughter. Not a hint. Nothing other than the strange red rose petals that had been scattered in the meadow she had been visiting. There was absolutely no trace of her beloved daughter.

And so the world would continue to rage. Kurenai would make sure of it; they would see the extent of her own rage.

"Why aren't you eating?" This time, there was a fair amount of worry foreshadowing the demand. Sasuke eyed his wife with poorly veiled concern; a month had passed, and still, she had not so much as tasted any food.

"I have my reasons," a demure smile. "Besides, I'm a goddess - the goddess of spring, no less. I won't starve." Hinata reassured her husband, whose eyebrows were knitted in apprehension despite trying to hide it.

"Fine. Be that way." Hinata smiled at his antics. This past month, she had become well acquainted with Sasuke and his habits. She had assessed that he was overall not a bad man... and he was surprisingly more emotional than he led on. What Hinata would call a 'romantic' at heart.

And while Hinata had absolutely no qualms about sharing the rest of her life with this god, she could say that it bothered her; the fact that she would never be able to lay eyes on a patch of earth again. She missed it; she missed the feeling of the grass between her toes, the feeling of greenery in her fingers - a feeling she couldn't give up for anything else in the world.

And as much as it pained her to say it, Sasuke was included in the 'anything else' category, even though he was a lovely person.

Really, it wasn't so bad staying in the Underworld; while Sasuke was strict and possessive, he occasionally let her see other gods... mainly Suigetsu, Juugo and Karin (she mostly tended to stay away from Karin, especially since the red head was jealous... of what exactly, Hinata would never know). To be honest, it was flattering to know that someone wanted her all to himself.

But even if she was enjoying herself, she still couldn't let go of the hope that someone would come save her.

And so she continued to starve.

"What is this?" High in the sky, it was the only thing the king could say as he stared down upon the earth in horror. A season that had never been seen before held the earth in its cold clutches; a season that was more than a measly threat. A season that had lasted for as long as six months.

The greenery, that would normally be in a grand flourish was no more than a devastating patch of barren land. Rot and decay of leaves and foliage lay in riotous layers. And yet, the king could only repeat a single, appalled phrase: "What is this?"

The queen, who sat on the throne next to him decided to answer. "Kurenai is going on a rampage," Sakura sniffed, her green eyes scornful. "What did you see in that woman, anyway?" The king chose to ignore the remark, focusing on the previous statement.

"Why is Kurenai going on a rampage?" There was an icy calm in his tone, one that was frightening considering how cheerful Naruto normally was.

And yet, Sakura was not phased. Knowing her husband, she had grown to deal easily with his frequently changing moods. "Reasons," it was stated in a sulky tone. After all, Sakura was well familiar with the fact that Naruto had cheated on her with that... that goddess.

Naruto sighed. "Get over that, will you? That was like... millennium ago. And you still haven't answered the question. Why is Kurenai going on a rampage?" The last statement was heavily intoned, clearly conveying the vast importance it held.

Finally, Sakura took it upon herself to explain. "Well, Kurenai's daughter, Hinata, is missing. Sasuke kidnapped her." Naruto didn't know how she knew this. "At any rate, Kurenai doesn't know this. But I am certain that she will soon find out. I suppose she won't be pleased."

"Of course she won't!" Naruto roared, exasperated with his wife's apparent boredom. "But that's not the point. How will we get Kurenai to restore the earth back to what it was?" It was a question, that Sakura personally found quite juvenile and pointless.

And so she shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? We must return her daughter to her. That is, if you want to stop the rampage."

Draped in silky black sheets, Hinata had no right to say that she felt uncomfortable in any way. Her bedding was extremely soft; but it wasn't only that, it was the warm arms that enveloped her. Warm, strong, pale arms that hugged her waist, keeping her close. At that given moment in time, Sasuke was blissfully asleep, breathing in Hinata's soothing aroma.

There was a ghost of a smile on Hinata's face. So far, she had spent a total of six months secluded in the Underworld. And she couldn't say that she had hated every minute of it. On the contrary; she had found times when she was enjoying herself completely.

While Sasuke still remained busy, he spent most of his time with her. After a time, his presence became the norm for her; without him, Hinata didn't even know who she'd be any more. He completed her existence; she had utterly forgotten what it had been like when she lived without him.

And still, she refused to eat.

Sasuke's face burrowed deeper into her bosom, and she raised her hand to carcass his head. He finally seemed to awaken somewhat, because he started to talk. "Hinata... don't you love me?" Hinata frowned. The term 'love' was still a grey area for her. Could she really love a person who had kidnapped her, no matter how nice they were afterwards?

He still wouldn't let her go home, nor would he let her see the place where she belonged: earth. And that was why she couldn't answer his question. But he took that as a negative, and tilted his head upwards so he could look her in the face, even though it was evident that he was still half asleep.

"Because... I'm pretty damn certain that I love you." A love confession. It had to be a love confession. What else could it possibly be?

This was the first time... the first time that anyone had liked her; at least enough to confess it to her. Usually, gods wrote her off because they found her boring or uninteresting. But Sasuke... hadn't. He was an anomaly that shouldn't exist. And yet he did.

Just as she was about to thank him, she managed to hear soft exhales. She looked down, only to find him sleeping peacefully. Shaking her head, she let out a tender giggle. Even if he wouldn't be able to hear it... "Thank you."

"Please... please eat." Her first year anniversary was quickly approaching. And still, she hadn't eaten anything during the whole time she had been there. Sasuke had even started to plead with her; his desperation reaching new heights. "I... I can't bear to see my wife suffer like this any more. Even I have my limits. Why... why won't you eat?" He, also being stubborn himself, refused to bring her food from above.

But it was true. Hinata almost looked like a skeleton by this point, nothing more than skin and bones. And all she could do was smile sadly. "Because... I still hope, Sasuke."

"Hope for what?" His voice demanded, furiously shaking her. "Don't you like it here? Don't you love me?"

Hinata sighed, her words quenched in sorrow. "You won't understand. You don't wish to understand."

"Fine. At the very least, won't you try this fruit?" He took out a large ball that reminded Hinata of an orange, and swiftly cut it in half. Inside, there were small edible looking seeds that sparkled like the raw jewels that could be found on the trees outside. "This is a pomegranate. If you ever loved me, or at least felt something towards me, please eat at least one seed."

Hinata gulped. The seeds really did look appetising, and so she had to concur. She hadn't had anything to eat in so long... and it was apparent that no one was going to come save her. Not that she wanted to saved. "Fine. Just one."

Just one. Her shaking hand reached for the plump ruby jewel like seed, grasping it in her bony fingers. Greedily, she swallowed it down, convincing herself that this had not locked her fate. She would still be able to see the earth; just one tiny seed would not chain her to the Underworld.

Sasuke sighed in relief, smiling. His smile shined brightly, almost too brightly for the god's face. "You're mine now. You're staying here forever with me."

Hinata's eyes widened. "Forever? From just one seed?" It was just one seed... but it seems like that just one seed had sealed her fate.

Naruto stared down at the blanket of white below him. He was well acquainted with it by now; having been observing it for more than half a year by now. And to be honest... he was sick of it. Complains were coming left, right, and centre... and it left him with no choice. He would have to confront Kurenai, and this time, he would be firm (unlike the last times that he had tried).

He instantly set to work, travelling at the speed of lighting - and finding himself in front of Kurenai's throne in the next second. Naruto couldn't deny being shocked; as even Kurenai's throne was devoid of leaves, only leaving it with dry, gnarled branches.

She was sitting on her throne, her face stoic. Kurenai gave him a disinterested look; preferring to look down at her unusually perfect manicured nails. Finally, Naruto could hold it in no longer. "Kurenai!" His roar echoed throughout the eerily empty throne room. "We can no longer take this! Enough is enough! Bring back the greenery!"

But Kurenai was composed, and still gave Naruto the disinterested look that made his blood boil. He was usually easygoing, but even he had his limits. "Then bring back my daughter!" Her rage surpassed even Naruto's, and he stepped back. "I know you know where she is. And still you haven't told me! I refuse to do anything until my daughter comes back, and until I know where she is!" She was furious beyond belief but she restrained herself.

"She's married to Sasuke, my eldest brother. You have absolutely no need to worry. So stop it already!" Naruto realised that he said something he shouldn't have a second too late.

Kurenai's face went through stages of outrage, before it finally settled on an icy calm. "The moment you bring me back my daughter from that hellhole," she paused, before continuing, "will be the moment I bring back life."

Naruto stared at her. "Fine. But I can't promise anything."

Crystalline tears were dropping from her cheeks onto his lap, especially as she quietly sobbed away her sorrow. The worried expression on his face was confirmed further as his hands threaded comfortingly through her hair.

Sasuke was seated on his throne of skeletons, Hinata's head laid on his lap. A couple of stray daisies grew at her feet, remaining unperturbed by their mistress's disturbance. The hall was enveloped in darkness, as it always was no matter what time of day it was.

More liquid soaked through his garment, and tormented his skin. The lord of the Underworld finally snapped, his eyes alight with anguish. "Why? Why must you be so miserable? Don't you love me? Don't you enjoy being with me?"

"I... I-I do!" Hinata cried, more tears dripping down her face.

"Then why? Why do you cry every single day?" And she had. The day that she had sealed her fate by giving into greed and gluttony was the day that marked the beginning of her tears. And she had refused to give into those vile emotions again; she was forbidden to eat.

"I... I'm never g-going to see Earth again," Hinata explained sadly, still unable to stop her weeping completely. "I... I'm never going to get to go back home. To s-see my mother." Sasuke's face warped into an expression of jealousy.

"Is your mother more important than me?" He demanded to know. He had to be the most important person to Hinata; as she was to him. If he wasn't... he wasn't sure what he would do, but he knew for certain that whatever it was, it wouldn't be good.

"Of... o-of course not, Sasuke. But I a-also love my mother as well. And this - this is a-a totally alien environment for me. My kingdom i-is above, you know." Hinata tried to explain, but she found that she couldn't. And if she could, Sasuke was not accepting.

"So if I let you go, you'll be happy?" Not that he could do that; she had eaten a seed. But it was a thought to be considered: could he let her go? Could he let her be away from him, even if that made her happier?

"I... I d-don't know," it was the truthful answer. Could she be happy, now that she had lived a year in the Underworld, a year with Sasuke? While she couldn't live well without the earth, could she live at all without Sasuke?

Even though she disagreed with his ways, most of his intentions had always been pure. He didn't want her for convenience's sake, like most of the other gods did - he wanted her for who she was; and he was the first to be so. That had proved to her that he wasn't just the enemy in the situation she was in; that in fact, he proved to be the husband.

And he would be a better husband than Naruto ever would; the god who she hoped would save her in the beginning, but he hadn't. That had just proved to her that her previous thoughts were far-fetched fantasies, that were better off being non-existent.

While she was thinking, both she and Sasuke heard a buzzing sound enter the throne room. She looked up, lifting her head off his lap, anticipation rising. What was it?

The object in question turned out to be a scroll with wings. Hinata easily recognized the symbol of Sai, the messenger of the gods. The scroll landed on Sasuke's lap, the place where Hinata's head lay before.

Sasuke hesitantly reached out to take the scroll. It also bore the mark of Naruto, Sasuke noticed. He cocked his head. What could his little brother want him for this time...? With more confidence, he opened the scroll, his eyes searing over the words inscribed within.

A couple of seconds passed, and Sasuke was still staring at the scroll. Finally, Hinata couldn't take the suspense any longer. "Sasuke? W-what's in the s-scroll?" Sasuke didn't reply for a few good minutes, before opening his mouth.

"Hinata. Naruto has come up with a proposition." Sasuke explained vaguely, a hand reaching to his face to massage his temples. "Supposedly, the world above is in chaos due to the rage Kurenai harbours from your disappearance. And Naruto has come with a proposal to amend this situation."

Hinata's eyebrows shot up in curiosity, but also in despair. Why did her mother care about her so much? Was it only because she was Kurenai's daughter? Hinata really didn't want to know, so she chose to distract her thoughts. "And w-what's the deal?"

"Do you love me?" Sasuke asked beforehand, looking beyond serious. Hinata inhaled, and finally answered something she had been putting off for a long time.

"I love you," no stutter. A confident statement.

"Say it again," Sasuke demanded, his eyes wider than he thought they were.

"I love you."

"Again."

"Sasuke!" Hinata rolled her eyes. Even if it was the first time she was admitting it fully, but still... "I love you."

Sasuke smiled lightly, but it illuminated the entire room. "I'll probably regret this for the rest of my eternity, but..." A mutter. He cleared his throat. "Fine, I haven't told you one thing: one seed does not limit you to the Underworld, as you are a goddess."

Before Hinata could cry in complete and utter outrage, Sasuke raised his hand to silence her. "Let me continue. It only limits you however much I want to limit you. And so far, I had wanted to limit you to stay here... forever." There was a bitter smile on his face. "But since you love me... I'll let you go. For half a year."

"You'll spend half your year with me, and half your year with them. But no matter what, you'll always be my wife. I hate to agree with Naruto on this, but... it seems like you aren't completely happy here with me." Hinata smiled, feeling light with euphoria.

"You decided that quickly," she teased.

Sasuke reddened. "Shut up."

"So grandpa, is that why there are seasons, grandpa?" A young, pale, dark haired child spoke. The grandfather's eyes crinkled.

"Yes." His eyes turned upwards to face the bright blue sky. He smiled, imagining the faces of the gods in the boundless sky. "The goddess of agriculture could not rule without the goddess of springtime. The months that the goddess of springtime were in the Underworld became known as autumn and winter. The months that she was here, on earth, summer and spring."

The young children were awed. They looked around, observing the beautiful spring day. "Does that mean that the goddess is here with us...?" A quiet little girl chimed in, her large doe like eyes staring at the daisy at her feet.

"Might be. Might be." The elder chuckled good naturedly. "But the goddess of springtime is always with you. As long as people tell the tale - the goddess of springtime and the god of the Underworld will be immortal forever. Even if they weren't omnipotent in the past, they are now."

"And why is that, grandpa...?" One of the older children asked, the only one knowing what omnipotent meant.

"Because omnipotence is remembrance. That is when you are truly untouchable - truly all-powerful. Granted with the power to change youth with your mere memory." None of the children understood, but they all nodded in agreement anyway.

The one named grandfather full roared with laughter. "You will understand once you are older. Now, I have an appointment I must attend to - but don't forget to tell the tale!" He left with the spring breeze, leaving the fragrance of roses wafting behind him. A green eyed youngster even managed to catch a rose petal.

And so the tale was told.

And so the tale was told.

End. That... that was not how I wanted it to end. But meh. I hope someone could make sense of it.

Anyway.

And that's the end of it, folkes! Share your opinions with me, please!

Aurora.