Title; Fading

Disclaimer; Nope I don't own any of the Naruto characters.

Chapter - 15;

The Mystics of Naru are divided into five separate orders or corps in a rather lax sense of organisation.

The Alchemists Order or the Smiths Guild depending on whom you asked held the membership of all the citadels Gifted Alchemists and weapon smiths as well as any other smiths or craftsmen of notable repute among the unGifted population; the Alchemists of course worked on imbued weapons and items for the nobility whilst the regular smiths were largely responsible for crafting the soldiers regular weaponry.

The Mages Order held account of all the cities Mages from the most minor to the cities rulers of every God paths, generally the Order was divided strictly upon the members affinity, Greater and Lesser Gifted were kept completely separate so much so that the Order seemed more like two separate organisations and had in practice two leaders- the Professor Sarutobi commanded the Greater Gifted while a Mage of Water named Iruka Umino handled the organising of the Lesser Gifted.

The illusive Summoners Circle held neither a formal leader or any other element of a chain of command, instead it was held that they reported directly to Lord Akame.

The Saints corps run on a very strict hierarchy system mostly credited to their dual nature as both Soldiers and Mystics; the Snake Lord Orochimaru is the undisputed head of the corporation ruling with at times an iron fist and at other times disjointedly and almost whimsically.

Beneath Orochimaru are firstly his two commanders Kabuto and Kimimaro; and beneath them Generals, Kabuto as head of the Hunter division kept the identities of his Generals hidden from public knowledge though Jirobo, Kidomaru, Ukon and Sakon were well enough known beneath Kimimaro.

The Healers corps were less organised, the Lady Tsunade was in charge of course but past that there was no solid chain of command; instead medics were rated by hearts- the higher the more skilled- and any medic of a higher rank could command any medics of a lower rank- in many cases this could lead to more than a small amount of confusion, and the occasional otherwise avoidable death.

Rumours persisted that many of the Healers corps troubles spawned from Lady Tsunade's personal problems but that wasn't a popular topic for those whom wished to avoid a confession chamber.

Naturally it was not unheard of for a Mystic to be a member of more than one organisation, all Mystics were automatically assigned according to their affinity as an Alchemist, Mage, Healer or Summoner but could easily join with the exception of the Raiders any of Naru's soldier corps- for example Captain Kakashi was a member of the Mages Order in conjunction to his rank as head of the Guards corps, though his attendance of Order meetings could be best described as lax.

"I think we should rest here a while, there seems to be more ruins deeper in." It was strange to hear the Uchiha sound so unsure of himself though I wasn't in any position to offer any advice of my own.

"Here." Growled the elder Raider loosening the leather bag from his belt and tossing it toward me, the rations however sailed slightly to my left and despite getting a hand on the bag I dropped them after an awkward fumble; once I'd snatched the bag up I blinked at my companion in mild confusion and embarressment.

"If it comes to it I can eat Daemon meat, you can't." remarked the Uchiha, I attempted to hand the bag back to Sasuke but he refused with a glare.

"I ate the Wyvern meat, if you're risking it then I can too." I argued myself, I was not taking my friends rations of that I was resolved.

"That was luck." He shot back and for a moment we simply stood there staring one another down.

"Sasuke…" I began but he cut me off pushing my hand and the rations back against my chest.

"We won't make it if you're poisoned Gin, this is our best chance." Answered the stoic warrior before he selected a dusty bunk for himself and set down to rest; an echo of 'stop being pig headed' rang in my ears alongside another that may have been more entwined with my own neurosis- 'you're not strong enough'.

I sat down on a bench further away from Sasuke than was absolutely necessary twisted and unhooked my long sword from my belt and lay down crossing the blade over my chest keeping a hold of the smooth leather handle.

A second ago I'd been happy just to have been in dry clothes once more, I was outside Naru's protective walls but at least I had Sasuke with me…Sasuke who couldn't be touched by the magical corruption, who had denied a God, who had slain a Wyvern and who I couldn't allow to die trying to protect the fool playing Raider.

Sleep didn't come and after a moment I glanced over towards the Uchiha's prone form then raised myself up from the bench and slipped outside hooking my sword back onto my belt, it felt heavy right now and once I drew it I held it limply letting the tip graze the dirt.

The high noon light cut through the thick canopy in random places and I tried to ignore the dissonant quiet that set my nerves on edge; when you were in Naru there was always noise, of civilians going about their business in the day, Raiders theirs in the night, of the guarding rains, and then when you were on a Raid there was the noise of your comrades- there was never this damned chilling silence.

The air was thick with a bitter sting that could either be attributed to the air itself or the after effects of my earlier mouthful of the muddy corrupted water, at either rate I paid it little attention in my single-minded need to scan the area.

The sights of the swamp proved a direct contrast to the noises; against the silent backdrop was a canvas of constant movement; leafs, branches and bushes danced and swayed against the wind, murky puddles twinkled wickedly reflecting the sunlight as I realised the challenge I'd have in trying to spot any signs of coming danger- the wisdom of entering whatever ruins lay ahead and escaping this Gods forsaken swamp became much more apparent.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes stretching out my other senses in what was likely a futile effort.

"You didn't sleep?" asked the Uchiha stepping out from the guardhouse with I noted his newer straight sword hanging lightly in his left hand, he had a slight dazed look about him and I was a little surprised to realise he had actually slept a little- I wasn't sure if I respected the boldness of such an act or condemned the arrogance of it.

"Couldn't." I answered my voice thicker than I had expected it to be but I didn't dare to cough and clear my throat.

"Let's head out then." Commented the warrior loosening his second blade with a distinctly abysmal manner; I got the feeling Sasuke was less sure of our chances than he wanted to let on, he was that type of man for whom hope was not a factor- even certain of his demise he'd saunter forward with a grim determination to usurp fate.

I tried not to let it bother me, I needed the hope.

"Let's go." I spoke above a whisper following the Uchiha's lead creeping as best as I could over the uneven floor of twisted gnarled branches and watery potholes, as ever Sasuke made the task seem simpler than it was, after only a handful of minutes travel we came to a stone path mostly overtaken by the forest now but still a fair guide- in the distance just through the trees I spied the spire of some ruined tower.

"What do you think we'll find in there?" I asked matching pace and walking alongside the Uchiha now, I kept my voice low conscious of the necessity of our hearing in this place.

"Doesn't matter, we just need to get high enough to map our surroundings." Answered Sasuke his own voice achingly quiet; there was a crunch to our left and we both reacted raising our weapons high side by side against the potential threat, I scanned the area desperately but no beast revealed itself among the swamp roots, there was another crack and both Sasuke and I seemed to realise our mistake in the same moment.

We moved in separate directions both of us rolling and tumbling with different levels of grace to the left and right as the creature pounced from the trees onto our former position, I knelt for a moment simply gawking at this new Daemon in horror.

A dozen warped hairy legs dug into the path extended from the round dirty brown and black body, a single thick long fang or stinger extended from its lower body piercing the stone path a foot or so deep where Sasuke had moments ago stood, but it was the eyes that chilled me the most; scarlet Daemon eyes blinked out from all directions, dozens of tiny eyes glinted from above the monstrous dripping gapping maw, others flashed half hidden beneath the hairs on its body and legs.

Sasuke reacted faster than any sane man had a right to cutting into and severing two of the monstrosities long legs almost as soon as it landed drawing a horrendous squealing wail from beast as it rounded fully on him raising onto its hind legs and lashing out with its I now realised clawed forelegs; it stabbed slashed and struck at the other Raider with half the claws whilst it's others tried to flank and surround the Uchiha and draw him close to its fangs and stinger.

I somehow regained my composer and lashed out at the distracted creatures back legs, my enchanted blade sank easily through the beasts leg breaking through the stressed bone; without the support of the leg the Daemon toppled forward but not before a leg struck out at me denting my small shield and almost tearing my arm off with the force of the strike.

Sasuke however had taken advantage of the monsters opening severing two more limbs from the beast and cutting twin crossing fissures into the creatures supposed face drawing pale blue blood and sickly yellow puss from the destroyed eyes, as the monster howled in its agony I took my own chance to add to it stabbing into the creatures lower body and tearing my blade downward through its stinger producing a foul smelling grey liquid with the other awful juices as I pierced what I guessed was its poison sack.

As we both moved forward for another strike the fiend squealed viciously and lashed out in every direction forcing us backward on our guards before it threw itself into the canopy in what I hoped was retreat.

Sasuke and I shared little more than a look before we took off running down the vague path; it didn't need to be said, there would be more of those creatures here and next time we may not be so fortunate to hear it coming…or it may not be alone- we needed to get away from these trees.

Maybe three minutes passed by of wheezed huffing breathes near falls and terror before we glimpsed the walls of the castle ruin and redoubled our pace.

The courtyard was not empty when we burst into it, white silky webbing covered the eastern walls and cocoon's the size of large men dotted the nest, in the centre of the webbing though was a terrifying sight, similar to the monster we had fought before was the uncoiling form of a great blue brute three times its size.

I felt Sasuke grasp a hold of my shirt and drag me into a run, I tried to ignore the unholy screech of the thirty foot monstrosity as I pushed my aching muscles to move faster towards the small opening in the inner western wall of the castle; at fifteen feet I heard dozens of lower cries join the giant Daemon's war cry, at ten feet the ground beneath us began to shake, at five feet two long legs crashed against the sturdy wall before us and the monster loomed above.

And then I was rolling alongside the Uchiha painfully crashing down worn granite steps as the brutes massive stinger stabbed and thrust in a futile quest in the air above and we forced ourselves to roll even further to escape the nightmare appendage.

We finally came to a stop tangled up in one another every joint I possessed throbbing furiously, my head both dizzy and excruciating and my right eye swollen half blinding me where my face had whacked off one of the stone steps.

I glanced at my companion through my left eye taking in his own damage, I was relieved to note that a couple of cuts and scrapes were the worst visible; with a too loud grown I forced myself onto my aching legs and crawled upward a couple of steps to where my sword had come to a rest grabbing Sasuke's straight blade two steps higher as I did- somehow or for some reason he'd retained his grip on his curved sword.

"So…" I croaked handing the Uchiha his blade handle first.

"There's got to be another exit." Grunted the elder Raider refusing to look at me, I'd actually been considering highlighting that we were in dire straits and seemed to be only falling further and further as we went.

And there was something I wanted to say.

"Sasuke listen…I…I've got something I need to tell you." I began, the hope had faded with those multi-legged monsters arrival into the equation, I didn't believe I'd make it back this time.

And I didn't want to die without Sasuke knowing my name.

"This isn't where I die, and it's not where you die. We've got debts to pay remember. You can tell me when we get through this." Cut across the Uchiha fiercely and I saw it now, that thing in Sasuke's eyes that replaced hope, it was a determination devoid of anything positive; anger, wrath and murderous intent swirled within him and it refused to accept failure.

"Then would you pay it, my debt, if I couldn't." I asked, his red eyes still burrowed into my own in a way that drew me and frightened me in the same moment, the tangled dark hair, the glinting red eyes, the pale sweat slicked skin and the taunt tense muscles composed the image of a man in his true environment- all this chaos seemed to become him and enhance his already inhuman demonic presence, I didn't believe those abominations could kill this man.

"What would you ask me to do?" he questioned, not an agreement but at least he'd hear me out.

"My sister, Hinata, help her." I answered feeling empty and right all at once, a great weight had been lifted, I wondered would it feel as such to release this secret's twin.

"I promise." Answered Sasuke finally breaking our eye contact and striding down the near pitch black corridor, I released a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding and followed disappointment hanging in the pit of my gut.

A little more courage and perhaps I could have heard Sasuke say my name before this death-trap claimed me.

"And I'll pay your debt." I threw toward his back, he turned and raised an eyebrow at me almost in amusement.

"You don't know what my debt is Gin." He responded gruffly, I smiled a sly secretive smirk, that was true but I knew Kakashi and Sakura knew what it was, I could find a way.

For three hours we combed through the lower levels of the castle before we found a useable means of ascension climbing the barely intact stair case we broke into a large foyer style room with little more than scorched walls and broken furniture littering the corners; the large room however set me on edge, large open areas had come to be linked to large monstrous Daemons in my mind.

My arm ached from holding my blade at the ready for so long and I was a little slow reacting when an iron shaft swung out in a wide arch for my head from a doorway to my right, the attack hit my clumsy defence and knocked me off balance- had I been on my own I would have likely been harshly wounded if not outright killed by a follow up strike.

I regained my stance to see Sasuke engaging a strange man wielding a long iron spear- most notable he wore skins that must have come from some Daemon given their colouring and texture and bore bright blonde hair- there exchange was a brief affair, had the man the distance he may have fought better but they were too close and Sasuke's faster weapons soon overcame his defence.

The spear was dislodged from the man's hand with a vicious left strike in the same moment Sasuke's right blade arched upwards pausing just beneath the warrior's throat, their eye's met and I saw a degree of subtle shock enter Sasuke's face and a more obvious surprise the other mans.

"Rikjin!" exclaimed the man in foreign tongue staggering backwards, amazingly Sasuke let him lowing his blades slightly as he squinted at the warrior in curiosity, the man muttered his strange word again with a wide grin before he frowned appearing confused for a second.

"Brother, Wraith." He spoke with a strange reverb in his pronunciation, it was my turn to be confused as he turned his scarlet burning eyes on me.

"Lucgar." Spat the warrior with a snarl before he darted backward into the corridor he's entered from, Sasuke and I both hurried into the corridor far too eager, at the threshold we were met by the warrior standing maybe twenty feet away a bow and arrow trained upon us.

Had we our armour the flimsy looking arrow wouldn't have been so serious a threat but as we were with our weapons such as they were a ranged attack was highly dangerous.

"Rikjin, morra va Lucgar." Shouted the man a look of disappointment dawning his rough features before he darted away once more, we did not pursue this time.

"What the hell was that?" I asked feeling my pulse return to normal after a moment, the Uchiha's brow furrowed and he shrugged but didn't offer any answer.

"Another Wraith, he called you his brother." I continued before glancing at Sasuke with wide eyes, he'd said the man he was looking for possessed the same eyes as him.

"The spear and the language, I'd guess he was a Phalanxes, but how he came to find himself here…" trailed off the Uchiha and I noted that this was a third Wraith previously unknown to Sasuke- which was a relief once I recalled that this Rider was known for controlling a Daemon on par with if not beyond the Wyvern.

"He didn't seem to like me." I remarked offhandedly, sure I'd been disliked before but never had I made so bad a first impression as to warrant death.

"No he seemed to consider you an enemy." agreed Sasuke with a nod examining the tunnel critically.

"Why didn't he take his shot then?" I asked, at that range I didn't doubt he could have at least severely wounded me.

"He didn't want to hit me, obviously, he's just as curious about me as I am him." answered the Uchiha with a frown, I was almost tempted to crack a joke to lighten the mood- a maniac interested in Sasuke...there's a surprise.

"I think he's been living here, and I doubt he's been fighting or sneaking his way past those things for water and to hunt." Observed the elder swordsman stepping back into the foyer, I followed the logic well enough- given the nest we'd seen there was no way past those Daemons that I could see.

"There's another exit then." I concluded, feeling silly for it when I realised such an obvious fact didn't need to be put into words.

"We climb then, for our survey." A twinkle of hope seemed to spring from this latest near death experience, if an unarmoured man with less fighting skill than Sasuke alone had survived here alone our odds together seemed considerably better.

Another hour or two saw us ascending the spiral staircase of a watchtower, the climb was difficult in parts where the stairs had fallen somewhat through and we were forced to shimmy along the remains.

Panting we reached the top of the climb coming into what appeared to be an old bedroom or study, a rusted iron ladder in the corner led up to the room and the last dredges of evening light filtered through the opening; while I headed straight for the opening though Sasuke seemed more amazed at the books lining the walls.

I watched from beneath the opening as the warrior rubbed the spine of one leather backed tome and pulled it free to examine it, I decided to leave him to the task climbing the uneven ladder into the open air.

Before me I witnessed swampland stretching out for miles on end and as I glanced to my left I was burdened by a queasy feeling as I saw the Daemons web that almost covered the wall we entered from; it was abuzz with activity and after a moment I pulled my telescope from its pouch on my belt to see what was happening.

Whilst the sight of the creatures repulsed something deep inside me if they had managed to cave in a castle wall or something I wanted to know.

I immediately regretted inspecting the nest; familiar dissected and torn figures in Raider's armour were being dragged toward the webbing, not all of them dead.

In particular I noted two old faces among the still living, Richard and Mako near surrounded by comparatively smaller Daemons- adolescents I guessed- both of them appearing incapable of walking, the former was missing a single leg that spilt blood freely while the latter's left leg hung at an odd angle.

Two of the creature darted forward offensively and I was shocked to see Mako grasp and push his friend towards them in some demented offering, they nipped and bit chunks out of his limbs as he curled in on himself defensively before they allowed him to crawl away…they had injured and brought them there as sport I realised.

I spotted Rex too, his body thankfully long dead as it was feasted upon by tiny versions of the Daemons, the new born ones likely.

I lowered my scope unwilling to watch any further; had they come after us, unlikely, rather they had probably fled from the giant Daemon into the swamp land at some point and been picked off by these things.

I looked to my right hoping to see an edge to the swamp but instead saw a flash of bright blue arching towards my head wielded by the unknown Wraith, I blocked the strike with my shield but something passed through it numbing and deadening my arm.

I attempted to attack with my blade but the man managed to tackle me mid swing taking us both to the cold stone floor, I felt my weapon fall from my grip and my head stung as it hammered painfully against the rock.

I blinked the black spots from my eyes and raised a hand in defence as my attacker thrust downward with his strange dagger, I got a grip on his wrist and for a moment held the blade back before the Wraith added his second hand and began to apply his weight to the attack, my right hand still lay unless by my side as I gritted my teeth and half screamed from the effort.

The blade drew lower and lower until I felt it finally cut flesh and the numbing current enter my body…my thoughts began to grow hazy and I fought to hold on as the numbness took over.

I'm sorry Hinata, but Sasuke promised, I know he'll get you out of there. And don't be sad, these last few months, with him and Sakura, they were the happiest moments of my life, I don't regret a damn thing that's happened since I joined the Raiders.

Still, I wish he could have called me Hanabi just once.

Will you take care of him for me?

I allowed myself a soft smile as I examined the other girls craftsmanship, she may not have provided the sliver smiting but that wasn't the important part really, I could feel the magically prowess of the item radiating and warming my skin.

"Do you like it?" she asked her wide brown eyes glittering with excitement.

"I do Sara, it's beautiful." I answered the young girl, of course given her Gift it was still far from the level I knew she would one day be capable of.

"I asked Lord Akame and he said you could keep it Hini." Added the girl retaking the pendent from my hands and beckoning me downwards, I leaned down and allowed the excitable six year old to awkwardly tie the pendent, I smiled happily at her nickname for me.

"I'll have to wear it always then." I told her standing back up- of course Akame wouldn't mind, after the ritual it could simply be removed from my cold corpse- I offered my hand to the girl and she grasped it happily pulling me along toward the recreation area, I giggled at her enthusiasm.

"Will you tell us another story today Hini?" asked the girl after we'd reached the room, I was lead to a small cushioned chair and soon had Sara bouncing excitedly on one knee and another, a boy named Orca, upon the other.

"Alright, this one is a special story though." I begin drawing grins from the two Gifted children, like myself they held Naru's holy Gift and like myself they were orphans not to be entered into an already overcrowded Noble caste for their abilities but instead kept hidden and used ungratefully.

"What's special about it Hinata?" asked Orca preferring the use of my proper name- Sara stuck her tongue out at him and whined 'call her Hini'- I smiled at the two of them and giggled at Sara's actions.

"It's about someone very special, my sister." I answered, it wasn't a true story by any stretch of the imagination but did star a character I based off Hanabi's tough bold persona.

For some reason she'd been on my mind all day, I knew she was out in Naru alone but I'd had promise she would be somewhat cared for in exchange for my going quietly…I knew that might be an optimistic notion but I'd had some news from guards, little snatches of a girl hired by a Noble family as a well-cared for messenger.

I began the story attempting to recall the last time I had seen my sister, I'd been working for the Nara clan and we only saw one another at far too infrequent intervals between our work.

Later that night as I recalled my latest tale and the newest gossip I'd aquired I mused quietly to myself.

I found the images my story conjured in my mind strangely bizarre, Hanabi suited in armour fighting made up monsters meeting a handsome knight and falling in love- nothing like the quiet and peaceful life I knew she lived.

Though apparently such stories weren't so impossible.

Sasuke Uchiha, the name seemed to be on every guards lips these days, the stories that lingered about the man seemed absurd, slaying a Daemon alike to my stories Dragons and returning to Naru- having abandoned his armour- after his squad had been torn apart by monsters worse than anything in my stories.

There were all kinds of stories of the Lords interests in the man; Orochimaru had been apparently chasing him for years, the Guard Captain too, Lord Akame himself had offered an audience, it seemed more or less every council seat holder wished to be seen with the local legend to boost their support.

So…thoughts, opinions? Am I a bastard or what?

Richard and Mako, fifteen chapters in but there's karma...I wasn't too harsh on that note was I?

As per tradition if you've got any thoughts, opinions, questions or just want to wish me well please don't hesitate to leave me a review…if fact even if you haven't got any thoughts, opinions, questions or well wishes go ahead and leave a review- they get me up in the morning.

R&R