Title; Fading
Disclaimer; Nope I don't own any of the Naruto characters.
Chapter - 19;
Order and Chaos.
There exist magic domains outside of the God's bloodlines, lesser known far obscured and random Gifts not given but rather discovered.
These are the Chaos Gifted.
The God's control the order of the world, every ordered aspect of nature is attributed to their control. There is however more to the world than what can be controlled and measured, Order's twin Chaos leaks its own influence into the world creating Gifted individuals of its own brand.
Losatial was the ancient term for these people; the Divine Mortal.
Some of the Chaos magic was instinctual and limited to those born into it- a random process as unlike the Ordered Gifts, Gifts of Chaos are not passed down through blood- but a large portion of the techniques are available to all assuming they agree to certain costs. There were many well rumoured techniques that circled Naru's beer halls.
The Eternal Eyes, a ritual which offered a degree of foresight at the expense of the users sight. The Demon Lord's Arm, a technique which would expand the users left arm's strength to four times it's natural level at the price of putting it into hibernation for three days afterwards. The Hero's Soul technique which would erase exhaustion and heal any wound; though the ability put tremendous pressure on the heart and each use drained at least ten years from a person's lifetime, a fourth use would cause a user's heart to explode. And possibly the most rumoured of all was the final technique of the desperate warrior, Earth Ending Vengeance, a technique that inverted all damage and exhaustion into pure power and increased a warriors fighting power far beyond human capacity…in exchange wounds would never heal, once the technique was activated every wound would remain forever open to fester and rot until they brought death.
Of course there were other techniques with less steep expenses but they garnered less acclaim.
Closer and closer the two warriors drew until finally their blades ghosted one another, the distance was established and the duel began.
I wasn't surprised to see Sasuke move first sliding his straight sword forward in an opening feint towards Kimimaro's face as his second blade flashed lashing out in a midlevel cut. Kimimaro countered perfectly pushing away the high thrust just enough to set up his own and blocking the midlevel strike with his back hand, with a step he thrust forward with both weapons one high and one low aimed for the knee.
Kimimaro likely expected to force the Raider back with his counter, he did not know Sasuke. The Uchiha stepped into the attack instead, slightly off to his right, lifting his left leg off the ground to save it from being punctured. He struck horizontally with his right and vertically with his left.
Kimimaro blocked crossing his blades in a noticeably awkward manner caught off guard by the unorthodox and unrelenting style of the Wraith. He shifted his guard again in a still unstable stance as the Uchiha took a twisting step striking out with both blades horizontally in a viciously powerful strike. Kimimaro's guard gave way but he escaped the blades rolling backward out of range.
Sasuke raced forward in pursuit and suffered for it as Kimimaro struck out recovering with a remarkable swiftness, one of the silver haired swordsman's blades cut into the Raiders side grazing his ribs and drawing a crimson stain to the Uchiha's shirt. The Wraith struck out in retaliation though without pause forcing the Saint onto the defence as he attacked with a vicious tempo first the right horizontally, then the left vertically and with a flick against the block he drew the left to the side cutting a shallow grove into Kimimaro's cheek before he finished with a crossing slash of both blades rattling the Commander's defence and forcing him to take several steps backward.
Both combatants were breathing more than lightly now both wearing expressions of determination and excitement, Sasuke rolled the shoulder of his injured side and Kimimaro brushed his wounded cheek with the back of his fist. Neither had a clear advantage; Kimimaro had likely done more damage than the Uchiha but at the same time Sasuke had dominated the clash- still I had noticed the difference in speed, if Sasuke allowed the other man to take initiative with his faster style the results could be decisive.
Kimimaro had shifted into a deeper stance, clearly he was ready to make a stand against the Raider's offense. Sasuke slid closer squaring up his blades.
Both blades flashed out in opposite diagonal strikes, Kimimaro blocked the offensive and countered with a swift stab. The Uchiha stepped again to the right pushing the stab away and slashing with his right weapon, the Saint impressed me entangling Sasuke's straight sword as he side stepped in a dodge disarming the warrior as he went. Even still Sasuke pressed his attack stepping forward and into a crouch sweeping the Commander's leg with his left arm. The pale haired warrior crashed to the floor with a grunt landing heavily on his right side, he barely managed to raise his left blade in defence as his right slide away across the stone floor.
Sasuke wasn't done though, he'd straddled the other man and as he pressed his attack with his right he drew the enchanted dagger from the back of his belt. Kimimaro managed to get a grip on the Uchiha's wrist before he could strike pulling and twisting the Raider from his mount. They rolled and tumbled for a moment both losing their blades in the entanglement.
As they came to a stop the Saint sat astride in the dominant position, he wasted no time in raining down strikes upon his opponent. Two punches landed through Sasuke's guard but Kimimaro's third missed it's mark, the Uchiha shifted and the warriors fist crashed into the stone with a sickening crunch.
Taking advantage Sasuke wrapped his arm around Kimimaro's and jerked on the elbow roughly, there was another jarring crack as the arm bent into an unnatural shape. Kimimaro hadn't been idle though, as the Uchiha had worked on his arm he'd noticed the dagger lying nearby and had sacrificed defending his limb to reach it.
Had it been any other dagger Kimimaro would have been the victor, but it was Sasuke's dagger a weapon made for the use of Wraiths and Wraiths alone.
Magical lightning lanced out from the weapon's handle shocking the Saint, his eyes flashed from the pain as his muscles instinctively clenched tightening his grip on the weapon and drawing out further punishment from the weapon- the weapon's sadistic trap for Wraith enemies.
I moved forward mindful of the squad still in formation around us. I hoped the Uchiha wouldn't be overly offended as I kicked his weapons toward him as he threw his unconscious opponent from him relieving him of his borrowed weapon and reclaiming his still gleaming curved blade.
"You okay?" I asked keeping my eyes trained on the still stationary guards.
"Fine." The man grunted in response appearing at my side with a slight limp in his walk, my gaze flickered for a second and I noticed the trail of blood working its way down his pant leg- a nasty looking wound indeed.
"Far from impressive Sasuke dear, but a victory none the less I suppose. Attend to the Commander." Commented the slimy silver haired Mage before he barked his orders at the silent guards. Once Kimimaro had been removed and Kabuto made his exit I was surprised to feel the Uchiha lean slightly on me with a curse.
"Not alright after all huh?" I asked helping him shift into a better position on my shoulders heedless of the burn that erupted from my own wound at the effort of supporting the heavier Raider.
"No, that was…closer than I would have liked." Grumbled the swordsman as we began our three legged limb from the temple. I knew he was rattled though, had Kimimaro taken the initiative in their duel the results likely would have been different. I spied the older Raider's straight sword lying abandoned several feet away.
"You don't want that anymore?" I asked in joke gesturing with my chin, though the Uchiha surprised me nodding and voicing his intention to leave the weapon.
"It's too damaged for repairs." Answered Sasuke much to my confusion, he seemed to read as much though.
"You can't see the damage can you?" he asked as we shuffled close to the weapon. The Uchiha surprised me as he lightly stomped on the blade causing it to crack and split in two.
"His right weapon had some kind of enchantment that rusted the blade, Decay I'd guess. Since you couldn't perceive the damage I'd also guess there's some cloaking magic attached to his other weapon." Explained Sasuke clinically, kicking away the pieces of his former weapon.
"You never seem to hold onto your left hand's weapon for long." I commented drawing a chuckle from the warrior as we shuffled awkwardly toward the entrance.
"Today seems determined to remind me of my need to improve." Commented the Uchiha…as if it were a simple trivial task to be performed.
"If we intend to leave this place, we'll both need to surpass what we are now. We both need to surpass what I am now." Remarked the Uchiha, I waited a beat before I offered my opinion.
"Blood loss makes you insanely optimistic it seems." I answered in snarky defence, despite the apparent luck involved in his victory the Uchiha had just claimed a victory over a man in line for the Finest Blade in Naru. That he should expect to eclipse that accomplishment seemed arrogant, that he seemed to expect me to do as much made me question his sanity…the little of it I believed he possessed that is.
"You've a talent for it Hanabi, I'm happy with my gambit." Returned the Uchiha in his traditional style of compliment, why simply praise after all when you can line your words with shadows and doubts.
"This is a pleasant surprise. It seems like you've gained some impressive standing with Akame." I remarked walking perhaps a little too closely to the Raider under the pretence of avoiding the icy rain.
I was outside Naru castle from the first time in years.
"Not really, Akame owed me one after his failed attempt at having me killed. A peace offering if you will." Answered the dark warrior with an understated casual disregard, I tried not to let any distress show.
"Do you always do that? Make light of danger." I asked, it was a startling change when compared to the palace Guard's behaviour. They were a superstitious bunch prone more to exaggeration and tall-tales endlessly frightened of whatever monster or danger was the talk of the city that day...which as it happened was Sasuke these days.
"Raider mentality." Was the Uchiha's enigmatic response.
"Do you make your plans with the same style and care?" I asked drawing a small smirk from the dark Raider as we continued to walk, I pressed on hoping to draw a laugh from the man.
"Is this your plan for escaping Naru then, we walk until Akame's spies become suspicious then make a break for the gate." I theorised, I didn't earn the laugh I had hoped for but his smirk seemed to draw wider- or at least I convinced myself it did.
"That's plan B." he remarked and I got the nagging suspicion that he meant his words.
"So what is this walk for? Not that I'm not happy to be outside or anything." I spoke my question lightly, I doubted I would get the answer I hoped for though. If not for Hanabi then Sasuke wouldn't be involved with me at all.
"Hanabi wanted to see you." Answered the austere swordsman freezing me in my step, he paused a beat later and turned. I stared at him owlishly for a moment trying to find the words I wanted to say.
"W-we're going to meet her?" I asked my heart a flood with different emotions, happiness, excitement, longing and…trepidation- fear. How would she greet me, had Sasuke told her of the things he no doubt realised I did in that tower or would she perhaps simply see it in my eyes. A purity sold and violated making me something less than the sister she had known, the sister she had wanted to be reunited with.
I hadn't seen my reflection in years. I probably wouldn't recognise myself, would Hanabi be able to.
"No." the answer spoken cold and indifferent left me empty, the fear evaporated but so too did the happiness. Sasuke began to walk again and I chased him grabbing his shoulder and twisting him to face me.
"Just no, that's all? No and that's it." I spewed my voice angrier than I expected it to be. Then again it was a deserved emotion, why did he bring up the topic only to cruelly shoot it down.
"Akame's eyes are everywhere in this city princess. How do you think our meeting with Hanabi would look to them?" his scarlet eyes bore into mine and I felt a similar shade ghost my cheeks. I felt foolish under his relentless gaze, panting with impotent anger I'd thrown at him falsely. I never knew I had so much tension lying beneath the surface, so much resentment at my position in life. We walked on in silence.
What was it about those blazing eyes that melted away my icy defences.
They came upon me again moments later just as the silence was becoming unbearable. He caught my elbow in one hand and spun me to face him, he stepped closer brushing my hair back with his free hand as he leaned close to my ear. I felt the warm breath in the shell of my ear and the heat of his body so close to mine and shivered.
"Look over my shoulder." He ordered voice dipping low, I felt my blush return but did as commanded.
Through the window I saw the single patron of the bar a young boy with messy short cropped hair dressed strangely similar to the Uchiha sipping on a mug of some ale, his pale eyes stared back at me and I saw a smile stretch along his soft features. He seemed beat up, a recent scar gracing his cheek just below his right eye.
"Is that…" I breathed out, he whispered in the positive. I tried to step around the Raider but he snaked an arm around my waist stopping me.
"I don't care to repeat myself, it's too early Hinata." He chastised me, I didn't bother struggling. I knew he was right.
"She looks so different, and that scar, how did she get hurt?" I asked drawing back, I saw something flash in the swordsman's eyes and his jaw tense slightly.
"That's not her only scar is it?" I asked. Of course it wasn't, she'd joined the Raiders, her continued existence was a miracle in itself.
"Let's keep walking." He changed the subject, I allowed him. On reflection I probably shouldn't know the story of Hanabi's time as a Raider, if I did I mightn't be able to stop myself from entering that bar.
"Why did you call me princess?" I asked as we continued our walk, the rain hammered the ground heavily outside the shelter but I noticed that passers-by opted instead to remain out of the famous Raider's path. Or maybe it was me they hoped to avoid, dressed in unmarked Mystic robes.
"It seems appropriate. You are held captive in a tower by a monster after all." Answered Sasuke, I smiled at the explanation a thought on the simile occurring immediately.
"Would that make you my Knight then?" I asked finally drawing a sharp chuckle from the man as he shook his head at the thought.
"I'm no knight I'm afraid. Hanabi would fit that role better." He answered to my disappointment. We took a turn down a more crowded street, it seemed some form of market was in process.
"So what are you then?" I asked fixing Sasuke with a curious look.
"Ugly deaf Raider!" came a response and I blinked in shock for a moment before I realised it wasn't Sasuke that had answered, we turned together to see an elderly woman sat at what appeared to be a fortune tellers booth watching us with unveiled interest.
"The hag." I heard Sasuke whisper before he made his way over towards the woman with some slight hesitance, I followed curious at the whole situation. Sasuke didn't seem the type to put weight in fortune telling.
"Found a new one I see." Commented the woman with a laugh, it drew a glare from the warrior and a blush from me at the implication.
"Why did you call me wrench?" asked the Uchiha, she flashed him an ugly toothless grin.
"No brat. Hallowed lady." She spat sharply turning her stare from Sasuke onto me and brushing a handful of rusted tokens toward me.
"Cast, drop, throw." She ordered, I looked to Sasuke and received a sharp nod. I gathered the strange pieces and dropped them onto the board watching in amazement as they moved unnaturally as if they were manipulated by some spectre's hand.
She pointed toward a symbol I recognise as that of the God of Shadows, Omlan Cistus. A four point star and a bird lay in its boundaries.
"Enemy and watcher, the Shadow watches the child of its enemy with hunger." She grit out in a rushed whisper, the empty presence in her eyes chilled something in my core and I looked away focusing my attentions on the board at she moved her hand to the symbol for Naru. Both a three and four point star lay over it alongside a crown, a square and a tooth.
"Enemies and Allies within this conflicted Gods embrace, it is your lord and within its hold you are imprisoned, without change it will devour you." Spoke the old woman, still enthralled she pointed to Light's picture. The four point star, a lock, jagged sword and death hovered around it.
"Master of your slavery, greatest danger and bringer of death?" called the woman shifting to point to Death. A three point star, a chain and a shield lay a top it.
"Death believes itself your lofty ally and offers a degree of protection should you remain near your companion, his interest." She commented fixing the Uchiha with a momentary glance, I wondered at its significance. She pointed next to the Wandering God before crackling shrilly in amusement- a hook and three point star flanked it.
"The Wanderer is intrigued and beckons you to join it. Echoing its feelings for this one. What does the Wraith Lord plan I wonder?" mused the old woman looking at both of us with a keen amusement, I felt my blood cool to a painful chill. I glanced toward Sasuke as the woman continued her reading.
"Your fortune seems much in accord with the Raider's. Darkness, Oceans, Wind, Earth and Storms ignore for the time being. Forests, Decay and Disease stand minor adversaries loyal to the Light and the fight mongers Fire and War stand potential allies." She spoke to no real interest of mine, in comparison to her earlier readings the noting of bystanders positions seemed trivial.
"And the flickering flame remains undecided, guide or hunter it refuses to choose." Finished the woman a presence vanishing from her as she seemed to deflate. I resisted the urge to activate my Gift, Akame had warned me extensively of the consequences of using my abilities outside the castle.
Sasuke was quick to dump a couple of coins on the table, we moved on as the ancient woman howled a sickly crackle.
We were silent all the way back to the castle as I pondered the strange woman's prophecy, had Sasuke intended for me to have such a reading. We came to a stop at the entrance to Naru castle, I could see guards awaiting me just inside.
"Ignore that crones wisdom, she offered me the same nonsense once before." The Raider told me before he closed the gap between us. I felt my heart skip a beat as he leaned in, his lips drawing dangerously to my own. At the last second his thumb covered my lips blocking a kiss as he pressed his lips instead against the appendage…wide eyed I cursed its existence.
"It's best that Akame believes I've a romantic interest in you. What's wrong?" Asked the warrior in a husky tone fixing me with a look of concern as he noticed my disappointment.
"You shouldn't use your thumb then." I remarked a little boldly, Sasuke looked momentarily taken aback before he smirked wolfishly.
"If you're a Princess and Hanabi your Knight then I'm the Dragon." The Raider answered my forgotten question changing the subject away from my awkward flirting.
"I'll need to think of a new story then, with a heroic Dragon." I commented with a smile before we departed from one another's company. I wondered what Sara and Orca would think of such a strange tale, the Princess and her Dragon.
"So what do you believe they'd think if they looked up now?" I asked from my place starring out from the window as I felt Sasuke wrap his arms around me from behind, his strong chest wrapped in bandages pressed against the bare skin of my back and I felt his breath on the back of my neck.
"They'd think a Raider was wasting coin on a ragged looking prostitute." Commented the older Raider…still unfamiliar with the idea of sweet talk it seemed.
"Don't be silly Sasuke, you make a very pretty prostitute." I returned twisting in his grip, he laughed lightly at the words.
"That's left a nasty scar." I commented sadly our joking passed, I reached up to brush the mark above his brow. A mark he'd received chasing after me on our last Raid, he reached up and brushed my cheek where my own recent scar sat marring my features.
I allowed my gaze to trail downward, the Wraith had far more scars than the one on his brow. A long stain ran along his stomach and another his left forearm earned I remembered on my first Raid when he'd lost his armour but had been forced to lead on. His right bicep bore a particularly grizzly design from our battle with the Wyvern. No doubt he would bear two new markings from his clash with Kimimaro.
His own hand pressed against my almost healed stomach wound, I too was covered in ugly marks that spoke of my battle history. A round puckered scar from the Wyvern encounter, twin lancing blemishes upon my legs courtesy of Omlan Cistus and a thin mark where my own weapon had cut me on our last outing.
"I'm going to miss this." I commented leaning into the embrace, it was tricky given our mutually injured states.
"It won't be long now, once we're free of this place you can live as you like." Whispered the Wraith. I liked that idea, I could grow my hair back out, stop tying myself down and show open affection for my partner.
I leaned upward and caught Sasuke's lips in a frantic kiss. I was perhaps overly eager as I tried to forget what I'd seen earlier today, it wasn't that I was unhappy to see Hinata again…there had just been something that touched a nerve.
Namely her and Sasuke's apparent chemistry and the sight of them embracing. If the Uchiha compared us even before I gained my scars Hinata would stand the more impressive figure with her curves and soft lines.
That's chapter 19, hope everyone's still enjoying the story. As usual any and all questions and opinions are greatly appreciated.
R&R