Title; Fading

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

A/N; I thought I should point out that this story isn't about heroes and is very much a grey and grey morality affair. Sasuke in particular is a Byronic hero and will at times border on being a villain protagonist in his actions. Bare that in mind with every chapter.

Chapter - 23;

If the Divine had some foil or counterpart amongst the Force of Chaos then it would have to be the Fair Folk.

While it could hardly be said that the rulers of Order in this world had humanities best interests at heart they did hold the lofty and more amiable title of lesser evil. The Divine wished for worshipers and servants and at best they would only ever look upon humanity as kindly as a master would some confused pet. The Fair Folk saw humans as something considerably less, namely they saw human beings as toys, trifling amusements for them.

They took something of an interest in the human atrocities of torture, murder and rape; many would even lay claim to originally creating and introducing such pastimes to humanity. The Fair Folk made certain to apply them as regular foreplay to whatever human settlement lay in reach of their keeps. Their true forms of pleasure were more occult and infinitely more strange in design. They held a fascination for the human arts forcing dancers and musicians to perform until their deaths for them…and death could be a long time coming under the watch of a particularly amused member of the Fair Folk. They held an amusement for drama seeing it as humanities pale attempts to imitate their own shape shifting ways. They murdered livestock, enough to cause hunger but not death. They would steal children for servants and woe betide those whom entered their fanciful Keeps.

Lit in the light of Cold Fire music ever played courtesy of the bloodied fingers and lips of the players and dancers danced endlessly to a tune they could no longer hear. They were made immortal but never ageless inside those walls. Blood from open festering wounds ran in rivets and painted the rooms in scarlet.

They balked at any name that was not fair, to refer to them unkindly was to invite their wrath down upon you unendingly. They held a particular dislike for the title Fairy…though as to why was a mystery, some supposed they disliked the ignorance of referring to them even slightly incorrectly.

Some legends claimed the Fair Folk couldn't lie, others merely deemed that they chose not to out of pride. The symbols or items of divine relation were supposedly capable of frustrating the Fair Folk and salt or the sound of a ringing bell many claimed would send them fleeing- others still claimed this was untrue and rather it only amused the Fair Folk to feign weaknesses to lull humans into false security. In truth there are only two things the Fair Folk could not stand other than the presence of a God, the echo of their own name which would bind them to a contract with the speaker and the kiss of Cold Iron.

Fair Folks however could never die even against the bite of Cold Iron, unlike even the Divine the Fair ones were truly immortal. Order may end but Chaos is eternal they say.

"Where are the Daemons?" pressed Hinata's voice in mild confusion, I had to agree with her confusion myself. There was no reason why the Daemons should be avoiding us, we'd considered using Sasuke's blood as a deterrent again but abandoned the thought given how much blood it would take. I hadn't been capable of noticing Sasuke's condition last time but he'd explained well enough that he'd been barely capable of lifting his weapons let alone fighting.

"Hinata…no don't turn around, I'm in your blind-spot right?" Sasuke questioned my sister from a position that made me distinctly uncomfortable, his chest was pressed almost flat against her back and if I didn't know any better I'd say Hinata was leaning back into him. The plan was a shot in the dark but I saw he was at least taking a precaution to avoid causing Hinata any avoidable pain.

"You are." She returned softly.

"Activate your Gift, and tell me what you see, the energies or magicks." He ordered, Hinata flinched in discomfort as her ability came to life, it wasn't a hugely pretty sight as the veins around her eyes bulged and her eyes flared with an unnatural energy.

"There's Hanabi, and I can see her Chaos Magic, and there's something…disgusting all around us, about seventy, no sixty feet." She whispered I thought a tangible sense of panic washing over her at her revulsion.

"Something's surrounding us then, are there any breaks in the line." Questioned the Uchiha calmer than I thought he had a right to be, if something could surround us that far out we were dealing with some massive entity or perhaps worse a coordinated attack by a legion of Daemons.

"Just one, there's an area without any of that ugly energy. But it looks a lot like Hanabi, just a little darker." It took me a few minutes until I realised Hinata meant there was Chaos Magicks pooling on our single available path. I stretched out my own senses in the direction she had gestured towards and cringed at the feel of the powers. They may have looked a little 'darker' to Hinata but I got a far fouler flavour from them as they threatened to overwhelm me intensifying my headache tenfold from merely having probed them. Still even stranger than its power I could feel some silky presence from the epicentre almost beckoning me to draw nearer.

"We shouldn't go that way, I sense a trap." I spoke up as I noticed Sasuke's gaze lingering on the direction. Whatever was surrounding us had yet to attack and I couldn't help but hope that perhaps it was frightened, if the Daemon or Daemons could sense our presence. We were a Wraith, unique higher Gifted and a Chaos user. The theory died quickly enough though, we'd been attacked unendingly on our way to the execution site in greater numbers after all.

"I'm inclined to agree but I don't think it's an intentional one. The Daemons are afraid of that Chaotic energy so they're avoiding it." Answered Sasuke folding his arms and drawing to his full height in an obvious display of authority.

"Why are they surrounding us though?" asked Hinata voicing an important question, as to why she would think Sasuke had the answers I didn't know. I found myself smiling in bittersweet amusement at the sight though, seems Sasuke had impressed my dear sweet sister into my old position. Not so long ago I would have aimed any and every question I had his way too with the naïve thought he'd somehow make things alright. No doubt Sasuke could fix the problem, maybe any problem, but you wouldn't call things exactly alright after his actions.

"They're looking for you." Answered the Uchiha hiking his pack high on his back and beginning off in the direction of the Chaotic power much to my chargin, maybe it was the right call but that chilling whisper I'd felt still had me on edge. Hinata was slow in following her new hero though as his words registered to her.

"It was the same during the escort, something about your Gift aggravates the Daemons." Answered the warrior and I felt my head cock immediately in his direction a question rolling off my tongue before I could completely process it.

"You didn't draw them out?" I breathed out, he snorted and I surprised myself grabbing his arm and pulling him close as I repeated the question.

"No." he returned eyes empty but not cold.

"Why didn't you tell Kakashi that?" I questioned him, heedless of the idea that this wasn't the best place to have this or any other conversation. I had to know though why he hadn't tried to explain or defend himself against Kakashi, rather he'd antagonised the older soldier it appeared intentionally.

"Whether I aided in the Daemons attack or not doesn't matter, it had been my intention." He answered and for the first time I thought the Uchiha an idiot, an absolute fool. He hadn't realised it would matter to me that the blood bath hadn't been his fault and I felt sure now despite his supposed 'intention' he hadn't wanted to cause so much trouble. He'd only wanted a distraction as we had planned.

"People wouldn't see you as a monster you know, if you stopped pretending to be one." He pretended not to hear my words and I felt a little jilted. Whatever progress I'd made with Sasuke or rather whatever progress he'd made in dropping barriers they were still there, frozen constructs painful to the touch and as strong as steel.

But he wasn't the monster he thought he was, even if he almost had me fooled at times.

"What will you do when the fighting's done Sasuke, can you tell me?" I echoed Kakashi's question, Sasuke had refused to answer his mentor and I expected a similar brush off. It was the Uchiha's callous way, to simply ignore the things that made him feel powerless.

"I don't think my fight ever will end Hanabi, but if it does…can we be together somewhere." The Uchiha hadn't paused in his pace his training as a Raider showing in his inability to keep still outside of the cold protective embrace of Naru. I tried to associate the casual battle ready body language with the words which were frightfully all but a marriage proposal. Hinata too seemed rocked by the swordsman's unexpected words.

"I'd like that Sasuke. But we mightn't last all that long taking this direction." I warned changing the topic back to my worries as a heated blush crept its way uncomfortably up my neck to my cheeks. I'd never expected words like those to come from the cold man.

"Considering the numbers we've got no chance against the Daemons surrounding us. Maybe this Chaos user is functionally more dangerous but it's threat in magical not physical." Answered Sasuke with the one reasoning I feared the most. While I've had my doubts today about the man's nature there was no denying I loved him regardless. It's easy to do when he's displaying his proud noble qualities…but I knew even if he were to descend to the barbarism of a common murderous fiend I'd still be drawn to him, follow him, clutch him near and protect him.

I didn't like the idea of his obvious plan to solely confront this powerful entity, maybe he had certain advantages but he was still human and this thing we journeyed to meet felt decidedly less so.

I found myself strangely upset to see Hanabi's anxiety of Sasuke subside with his reveal. I wasn't a fool and I knew exactly why I was upset, I just hadn't realised I could be so petty but then when was I ever myself around Sasuke. No he seemed to take over some part of me removing my restraints for better or worse.

"There's a small settlement in the distance, I can't feel any magic users but it could be populated." I heard Hanabi announce, she was dragging her heels slightly from the stress of travelling all day but was noticeably less exhausted then I was. I could only imagine the desirable sight I made slicked in sweat with my hair plastered to my forehead and smelling distinctly like something that crawled out of a dank hole.

"The Chaos energy's further back, in the forest somewhere. There's people in the village but I can't really see a lot...they look terrified...I can't actually see any other emotion in the whole village." I offered my own senses input. I thought it impressive that Sasuke had seen this application of my Gift when the crafty Akame had failed to see it.

"How does it look to you Hini? When you perceive magical energy." Asked Hanabi as the Uchiha picked up his pace to take point, her eyes held a flash of intrigue at how my own powers functioned and I wondered when she'd developed such an interest in the arcane arts.

"It's colourful, but not human colours. Each God has their own colour and the shade and texture determine the nature of the Gift. Chaos has its own type too." I answered finding it hard to quite put into words what I saw when I activated my Gift. The textures and shades I didn't so much understand as I simply read on instinct and hoped I did it correctly. It was complex and bizarre without even getting into looking past that to read someone's personality, which was a process entirely dependent on my instincts.

"Mines a lot more limited so, I can sense different magicks but it's a lot more like touch than sight. If I'm not searching for it or it doesn't connect with me I won't actually notice it." Explained Hanabi bringing to mind a strange mental image of her bumbling around in search of various magicks.

"If it helps I don't have any fire balls." I offered lightly, or much of any defence really. I had the knife Hanabi had given me but I doubted I'd be of much of a threat to either man or beast with it. I'd seen the way Hanabi moved now, swift and graceful she could swing that sword of hers effortlessly. She'd proved herself more effective than those guards in the prison. I hadn't actually seen the Uchiha fight yet, only heard the rumours. There was something in his step though, a confidence that crackled around him I knew spoke of years dedicated to perfection in his craft.

"Have you considered learning how to Hini? Out here a way to defend yourself could prove invaluable." Hanabi prompted gently. I could see conflict in her features at the thought of urging me to take up arms.

"Would you teach me?" I asked thoughtfully. It had occurred to me quickly enough that I was an anchor to these two, that my sight could now help us navigate was some comfort but I still felt as if I was weighing Hanabi and Sasuke down. And just maybe the thought had crossed my mind as a way to draw closer to the austere weapons master.

"Of course but you might be better off asking Sasuke. I could train you to fight like I do but I've got no clue about any other form or weapon." Explained Hanabi to my quiet pleasure, I tried to keep the eagerness from my expression.

"If you think I should." I answered feeling not unjustly like a grand bitch. I wasn't going to try anything I told myself, I just wanted to learn to defend myself and maybe get to know the Uchiha a little better.

Platonically.

If I were being honest I'd realise things between Sasuke and I on my side at least could never be remotely platonic. Since the moment I first looked at him I was trapped.

We were only a stone's throw from the village now and I could see the people busying themselves around the central seeming square. I thought they appeared festive until I noticed the torches and the pitchforks raising high in our direction. Both Sasuke and Hanabi seemed calm as they drew around us some bursting from hiding spots they'd occupied in the bushes and scrubs now behind us.

"We're making friends quickly it seems." Remarked Hanabi dully her eyes flickering to both her distinctly bored mentor and to me. I wondered at the casual manner they both held...it was unsettling given the circumstances.

"Move." Ordered one of the men, the leader I suspected. I was more than a little surprised that he spoke the same tongue as we did, even Molrra and Reylass speech had a slightly different sound to it but as I listened to the mob speak amongst themselves I noticed that their language was completely identical to our own.

"You got a plan…besides the obvious." I heard Hanabi whisper discreetly to the silent Wraith, if he saw the men surrounding us as a threat then it didn't show. In fact I suspected he saw the angry mob as an honorary escort of sorts to his duel…even if these people's master likely was completely unaware of his presence.

"Magicks are your territory Hana, I'm as blind to this Chaos warrior as he is to me." Answered Sasuke with a casual shrug. I got the feeling he wasn't as upset as he should be at facing a completely unknown tyrant on his own ground. A small smile flickered to life on Hanabi's sharp features setting them alight and for the first time I remembered that despite her cropped hair and new scar she was quite the beauty.

"You feel just like you did before the Wyvern, all determination and dark promise." Commented the girl lowly in what I thought might have been an effort to avoid me hearing her words.

"Dark promise?" questioned the Raider in a deep rumble drawing a soft laugh from my sister. It was probably a reference she'd never spoken aloud but used often enough within her own mind. The energy dancing between the two now seemed repulsive to me and I suddenly wanted to interrupt them and try to draw the dark man's attention to me. I didn't though, as much as I wanted to I couldn't be that petty.

"Hm yeah, you get this far away look, lower your voice a bit and move just a bit more purposefully. You're excited about this fight. It's kind of sexy." Whispered the younger Hyuuga and if my hearing hadn't been as good as it was from years spent in quiet captivity I wouldn't have made the words out. I wish I hadn't heard the last part, I didn't want to hear my baby sister calling anything 'sexy'…even if I happened to agree.

"I didn't realise how closely you watched me. Is that why you used to take such long baths?" I didn't make out the words this time as Sasuke leaned in to whisper his words quietly into Hanabi's ear. I could guess something of their meaning though as the younger girls features lit up bright scarlet. Great we were potentially on our way to our deaths and the natural response of my companions was to flirt.

I had to look away as a moment later the Uchiha smirked and the two drew close for a light kiss. So imminent death… suddenly it sounded rather pleasant.

We were led into a woodland that quickly proved itself to be a touch less natural than it should have been. Blue fire that burned it seemed coldly flickered here and there among the trees I thought revealing a path, I could see my sisters brows tightening in mild ache and thought it wise to keep my own abilities dormant. Unnatural plants in bizarre colours began to appear and soon enough dominated the landscape as shadows no longer behaved naturally but contorted and twisted like living creatures. Even the sunlight itself no longer appeared quite right. The spectrum was wrong, the light green tinted and as I caught a glance of the sky through the tree tops I saw it was no longer blue but a twisted mix of sea green with black purple clouds hovering in its rolling current.

"How does this place seem to you Sasuke?" I asked half in wonder and half in horror, I wanted him to deny the magic so I'd know it was only a trick, an illusion. And I wanted him to be able to see this wondrous if somewhat horrifying scenery.

"A forest like any other." He answered dully I knew aware of the magic surrounding him only by the reactions of myself and Hanabi.

"I'm not sure if I envy or pity your eyes Sasuke." I told the Uchiha as we came to the end of the forest path, breaking into the unnatural light we came before a monstrous tower of black stone lit in places by torches of the same frozen blue fire.

"The feeling's mutual." He returned stepping forward as Hanabi ghosted backward to my side. The mob had fanned out now in apparent fear of the tower, they continued to shout at us to move forward into the tower though. It seemed needless given Sasuke's drive to move forward into the newest challenge, he unsheathed both of his weapons and beside me Hanabi did the same.

The heavy engraved oaken door creaked open it seemed of its own power.

"A third! A third! Hum yes all in threes all in threes as it should be." Crooned a high voice as we entered the strange court. Painfully bright coloured banners covered every surface in sight and music echoed all around the hall somehow managing the strange effect of being both lively and dead at once, the notes were high and cheerful and yet lacked in any kind of passion. Dancers lined the hall some young and beautiful if not for the misery lining their faces, others old and haggard that ugliness only enhanced by the fatigue their features wore. Beneath each dancer were crimson stains and scarlet blood ran in rivets down their legs and splashed grotesquely about them as they twirled in time.

"But this third's mind says nothing to me. What do you say Infant Chaotic and Diminutive Goddess?" Questioned the inhuman figure stretching and dancing gracefully from his throne. He- I assumed the thing was a man but I could hardly be certain- was proportioned like no human could ever be, too angular he stood over seven feet tall with shoulders perhaps three feet wide and a waist that was only one. His skin appeared light blue at first then pale green as we drew closer and finally the blue again once we drew closer still- I didn't doubt it was some arcane affect and not the lighting at work. His purple eyes drew over myself and Hanabi as he seemed to search for the answer to his question with his vision alone.

Infant Chaotic was obviously Hanabi but I wondered at my own title, was it perhaps some strange synonym for a Mage.

"A Raider and a Wraith, a Hero and a Villain, a Lover and a Murderer, such conflicting and strange and unfamiliar titles you both allocate this one." I blinked in confusion at the creatures sing song words, reading our magicks seemed natural enough and deducing Sasuke as a Wraith seemed fair. But how did he know Sasuke had been a Raider.

He began to step closer and with a flicker of his wrist a bolt of lightning flashed to life eclipsing Sasuke in his bright path and burning a hole into the door behind him. A ball of coiling flames flew towards the creature courtesy of Hanabi but broke harmlessly against the thing's unnatural flesh.

"Naughty girl, the Fair Folk cannot be harmed by such weak magicks." Taunted the thing in a distinctly creepy cooing tone to the seething Hanabi.

"And what of iron?" called the Uchiha's voice as he appeared unscathed by the magical offensive. The 'Fair Folk' as he'd called himself hadn't appeared any more surprised than we had and I knew then he'd read our minds and gleamed at least that much information from us. He blocked Sasuke's first swing of his curved blade with his sceptre but his eyes widened in shock as the swift second attack of the straight blade impaled his chest.

"Will not work either." The thing retorted highly and amused unaffected as his sceptre crackled with energy and arced down smashing into the Uchiha's unprotected face. Despite Sasuke's immunity to magical force he was taken from his feet and tumbled several feet from the force of the blow, the thing had immense physical strength it seemed. The Wraith climbed back to his feet a bloody trail working its way down from his wounded cheek. His weapon was in worse condition, the blade had been melted away as far as it had pierced the things chest.

"Shit." I heard Hanabi mutter softly, I was inclined to agree.

As ever I hope you're enjoying the story thus far, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated of course.

Maxium: Yes the way I see it Kakashi wouldn't be able to bring himself to kill Sasuke for an act that mirrored his own modus operandi of the end justifying the means unless Naru were in the balance, hence the threat should he ever return. As for a sociopath...I'd say borderline...maybe.

Justsomenobody: Good to know, I was worried that last chapter might not go over well with its dark moral tone. Yes this is very much a matter of grey and grey morality…well among human characters anyway.

R&R