Chapter Twenty-one: Gone
~Ninja's POV~
"Mel!" Naruto yelled as he, Itachi, Sasuke, and Kisame came to a stop beside the silver Jeep. Melody's eyes snapped up to meet his.
"Oh thank the Goddess; I need one of you to take Memphis and Keira home."
"Where's Amaya?" Itachi asked looking around. He sensed her magic around Keira but it was fading slightly. With her shape-shifting abilities she could've been anywhere.
"I have a feeling she went to the Academy." Mel answered putting Memphis into the car seat in the front.
"Why would she go there?" Kisame asked.
"Some a**hole had the nerve to upset Keira and Amaya went to go deal with him." Mel growled. Her eyes flashed a dangerous yellow.
"Is Memphis okay?" Kisame asked looking into the Jeep.
"He's fine. It's Amaya I'm worried about. My sister is scary when she's angry." That was the moment that Itachi felt a sharp pain in his chest along with a pain in his head. The pain hit him so swiftly that he automatically reached his hand up to his head and closed his eyes.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Itachi." His eyes snapped open to see Sasuke had a firm hold of his shoulder while Naruto had his other side.
"You okay Itachi?" Naruto asked worriedly. Itachi shook his head as the waves of anger and Amaya's fury faded with another sharp hit to the head.
"I'm fine." He replied.
"But?" Mel asked sharply. Itachi met her eye.
"Amaya is furious. She's already engaged in a fight."
"Who?" Naruto asked. Mel growled and tossed the keys to Sasuke who caught it in confusion. Not that he let it show.
"I couldn't see." Itachi answered before Melody started to talk.
"Sasuke, take Memphis and Keira home. You're the only one who knows how to drive besides Itachi but I need him. Kisame you're coming with us."
"What about Naruto?" Sasuke grunted in irritation.
"Knowing Naruto he'll somehow drive this thing off a cliff." Naruto scowled but only nodded as Mel hurriedly took off her jacket and the air around her shimmered. Itachi and Kisame shared a look before they started running.
Behind them a wolf howl sounded.
'I hope you have enough sense to not do anything too rash Amaya.' Itachi thought as he ran. 'The last thing I want is for you to get into trouble.'
Naruto's feet slid on the thin rocks as he came to a stop half a second before Itachi and Kisame appeared beside him as Mel, in wolf form, slid to another stop beside them. The castle didn't look that different than the last time Naruto had been here but even he could feel the slight thrumming in the air as Kurama growled at the back of his mind.
"Something's wrong here." Mel murmured as she shifted back to her human form. Her nose was in the air as she sniffed.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked looking around at the deserted parking lot and the creepy castle that seemed to be getting bigger the longer he stared at it.
'Evil...' Kurama growled. Naruto shushed him.
"Shouldn't Amaya know we're here?" Kisame asked as they approached the castle behind Mel's cautious walk.
"With all the magic in the air, I'd be surprised if she could even sense whoever she's fighting." She touched the large wooden doors. "But she shouldn't be fighting against someone like this." The doors swung open without a single sound but Itachi could feel the oppression of magic that rushed out as the hair on his arms and at the back of his neck stood straight up.
"Whoa!" Naruto gasped as he got a good look at the destroyed front hall. Marble and stone was strewn haphazardly all around as huge holes in the walls, ceilings, and floors were cracked by what Naruto could guess was pure pressure. (He had enough experience to know what those looked like thanks to Sakura.)
The ninja followed behind Melody as she darted inside the castle, making sure to watch out for the shattered marble and stone. So far they hadn't heard anything and if anyone was watching them, they weren't aware. But no sense in making a loud entrance and giving up the element of surprise.
"Where are we going?" Kisame asked.
"To Ms. Kieran's room. I doubt she would do anything bad but she probably has a sub today. Here it is." Melody slid to a stop right in front of a door that had been blown off it's hinges.
Naruto whistled as he and everyone else got a good look at the destroyed classroom. The windows were all shattered and in some places were completely destroyed allowing the wind to come blowing in. The floor was burned and littered with scorch marks while the ceiling was blasted through allowing rubble to rain down occasionally along with small trickles of water.
"This is not the work of a witch." Kisame murmured. It looked more like someone had unleashed a mini Bijuu.
"It is." Melody said reaching down to pick something up off the floor.
"What is it?" Itachi asked.
"We were too late to help Amaya." Melody said looking around the classroom. "The magic is thinning."
"So where's Amaya?" Naruto asked looking around for the strong/scary witch. Melody turned around to show a small silver moon in her hand that had a round stone that looked like the night sky.
Itachi's eyes widened only fractionally before he felt his mind blank as he was ripped out of his body.
"Itachi!"
Itachi's eyes opened to see a dark expanse with white fog drifting around. A small dripping sound was the only sound Itachi could make out as his eyes were unable to tell the difference of the surroundings around him. The fog played tricks and looked to form a surface before it dispersed. The silence pressed in on him as he looked around for something that would allow him to see where he was.
"Itachi." He turned to see Kakashi getting up from the fog. There was a floor under the dense fog, he idly thought.
"Are you alright?" Itachi asked as Kakashi rubbed his head.
"I'm fine. But where are we?" He looked around the dark place trying to see past the encompassing darkness.
"I don't know." Itachi admitted. "Where ever it is, it is not a place I have ever been. I doubt we'll be able to get out of here by just willing it."
"Hm, it would seem so. I thought Nagato would be here since you're here. Two of us aren't usually summoned like this without Nagato."
"It would be helpful if you got off of me Hatake." An irritated voice cut through the silence. Kakashi blinked before getting up quickly. Itachi only raised an eyebrow as Nagato came into view looking ruffled but otherwise unhurt.
"Leader-sama." Nagato cut his eyes to Itachi and narrowed.
"Never repeat this Uchiha." Itachi's only response was to look away as the sound of water changed into footsteps. "Now where are we? And where is Amaya?"
"Why would you think she has anything to do with this?" Kakashi asked.
"Itachi had a point. The three of us are connected to Amaya. We would only be somewhere magical and disturbing like this if she was directly involved." Nagato reasoned.
"Fair point." Kakashi conceded. "So Itachi, where is she?" Itachi frowned slightly. Before any of them could say anything a pale light appeared a little ways a head of them; like it had come from around a corner. Soft footsteps padded along what was now revealed as a hallway with black silky marble and indents in the walls, like pictures were supposed to be there.
The glow dimmed as it came closer to reveal white hair and the outline of skin along with clothes as a young girl came walking down the hallway.
"Hello, I'm afraid my colleagues and I are lost, can you tell us where we are?" Kakashi asked politely as the girl stopped in front of them. She merely looked at them briefly before speaking in a familiar voice.
"Move." Kakashi, Nagato and Itachi found themselves being pressed back into the walls by an invisible force. The girl continued on her way as if nothing had happened.
"What the-" Kakashi gasped.
"Children." Nagato sighed. The girl stopped at the end of the hall and looked back at them.
"If you want to see Amaya come with me. He has a message for you and only you."
"Who are you?" Itachi asked. The girl only looked forward and continued walking around a corner. The three ninja shared a glance before they followed the fading light.
The girl led them through a series of long hallways that all seemed to ripple away from her light and bend to her whim. In fact, Nagato noticed, when they left a hall, the darkness would swallow everything and just become a void once again.
"Where are you taking us?" Itachi asked after what seemed like hours. He'd gotten used to the darkness but it disturbed him with how often he heard other things in the hallways. Voices.
"To the Central. He wants to see you." The girl replied once again.
"Why us?" Kakashi asked.
"You're connected."
"Who are you?" Nagato asked. The girl stopped forcing everyone to stop too. The girl reached out a hand and touched a spot where the darkness didn't seem to be. A loud click sounded as a three inch octagon came to life and twisted to the right, then to the left, and then finally made a whole circle to the right once again. Air seemed to escape as the door in front of them opened with a loud thunk.
The girl turned around to see them.
"My name is Amaya." With that, 'Amaya' disappeared in white smoke. The three ninja stared for a moment before readying themselves and going through the door.
Inside was the complete opposite of the dark halls. It was golden, marble, and lit with fire while white curtains fluttered as if in the wind. Thick pillars lined the walls along with pictures that seemed to radiate joy, love, and friendship. In the middle of the stone room was a black pool.
Standing with her back to them was Amaya looking like she'd been in the worse fight of her life.
"Amaya." Itachi called. The three ninja moved to reach their witch when the fires blazed in warning.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A calm voice called out. Itachi was quick to notice the man leaning against one of the pillars that depicted Amaya and him talking on their first 'date'. His shaggy brown hair contrasted with his pale skin and green eyes that had dark circles underneath.
"Who are you?" Kakashi asked as a kunai immediately appeared in his hand. Nagato and Itachi didn't move but they were also ready and tense. The man smirked before shrugging off from the pillar.
"There's no need to get violent is there? Besides, I'm only here to talk. Maya knows that, right sweetie?" He looked over to Amaya who didn't so much as flinch. Itachi narrowed his eyes.
"What have you done to her?"
"I didn't do much… Well I'll admit I did have to fight her a while ago. She just wouldn't stop fighting so I may have had to use a spell to cause her to black out and remain in a limbo state in consciousness and unconsciousness." He shrugged like it was no big deal while also getting closer to Amaya. He stopped when he was a foot away from her but only because Itachi's eyes had melted into the Sharingan. "So you're the man who stole my love away from me."
"I don't think she was ever yours to begin with." Nagato interjected before Itachi decided to use Amaterasu on the idiot. The boy only shrugged.
"Tomato, tamato."
"What do you want?" Kakashi asked getting to the point. The boy smiled.
"Well I'd like for you three to not be my love's Familiars and I'd like her to not be a witch. But for right now, I'd like you three to stay calm or I promise I won't be giving Amaya back for a long time."
Itachi felt the glare Nagato briefly shot him but he didn't stop using his Sharingan. He merely nodded at who he guessed to be Damon.
"You have our attention." Nagato said. The boy grinned.
"Excellent." The room dimmed slightly as a heavy oppression of serious pressed in. If Kakashi looked closely he could've sworn he saw bat wings on the back of the boy. "I'm sure the shorty told you before she brought you in, but I have a message from you from my benefactor. She wants you and your ninja gone. At the same time she also wants you to pass on a message to the three witches you have at home, you know the ones I'm talking about."
Kakashi nodded.
"Tell them Lily wants the Black Curse. She'd like it in three days."
"That would be good to follow through with, but unfortunately we won't do anything until we get Amaya back. We can't leave anyways." The boy's green eyes flashed.
"Lily will take you home." Itachi and Nagato didn't blink. Kakashi only felt his mouth press into a line as the boy continued. "She'll take care of you and make sure that everything is set for you. She'll even be willing to bend the rules and let your pathetic organization survive."
"What's the catch?" Itachi murmured.
"No catch. Everything will move on in your world as if nothing happened."
"We'd forget your world." Nagato murmured. Damon grinned.
"Exactly. In three days you get the Black Curse to Lily at the Witches Circle by midnight and you go home. Amaya will be safely returned to her family and life moves on."
Without Amaya, Analia, Ariel, Melody, Memphis and Keira.
Itachi could practically hear Damon's excitement as they pretended to think about it. There was no way he was leaving Amaya. He loved Sasuke, but his little brother had proven that he could take care of himself now.
Nagato was thinking about the Akatsuki and how they seemed to be more familial and friends. If he left it would all disappear, along with Yahiko. He loved his village but he also loved his best friends. Besides, he had nothing to go back to. He had died, what more was there?
Kakashi on the other hand seriously weighed the consequences. At least for three seconds. It would mean living without Icha Icha Paradise for a while longer but he had faith in Analia that she would get them home. Besides, Naruto would never forgive him and what had he taught Team 7 the first time they'd met? He'd never live that down.
They didn't have to look at each other as they all made their decisions. The Familiar bond seemed to be enough as, in Amaya's mind, a golden string appeared out of her back that led to each of the ninja's.
'Ocean… Cliffs… Iron…' Amaya's voice echoed from all around the room as Damon looked around in surprise.
"Sorry, but we don't abandon our friends." Kakashi said coolly.
Damon glared before an evil smile appeared on his face.
"Then you can kiss Amaya good bye." He snapped his fingers and Amaya dissipated into smoke. The golden thread disappeared but Kakashi, Itachi and Nagato still felt the connection. She was alright and still alive. "Three days, the Black Curse. If you don't show, then I can promise that it will be your biggest regret."
The ninja's eyes closed as one.
Itachi's eyes snapped open as he felt rubble under his body along with a soft breeze and the smell of earth. Voices sounded muffled but that was only because they weren't in the room he was in.
A blue face appeared in his line of vision followed by gold.
"About damn time Itachi." Kisame grunted helping him up quickly. Itachi barely had a second to get his bearings before Naruto gave a sharp whistle.
"We need to leave. Mel's got things covered here." He reported. Itachi's confusion must have shown on his otherwise blank face because Kisame answered.
"The Guardians showed up. Since we're still under the radar Melody suggested we leave as fast as possible once the coast was clear." Itachi nodded.
"I'm fine. We should go."
In the blink of an eye the three ninja disappeared in a shunshin, barely missing the group of Guardians coming in.
"As of this moment we are on lock down." Nagato reported as everyone digested everything he had told them. "Keira and Memphis can take a leave of absence until all this is over and done with. Analia, Kakashi and Itachi will be working on the Black Curse. Whatever it is." He didn't miss the look Melody shot Analia and Ariel. "Ariel, you said you have tracking spells, I want you to work them to see if you can find her. Melody, I want to talk to you when this meeting is over. Keep Keira and Memphis from worrying too much. We will get Amaya back."
"Hai." The ninja nodded.
"Everyone else, go about your business. Find out more about the letters Lily exchanged and find out who she is. Review the video feeds." With that Nagato excused the ninja. He motioned to Melody who stood and walked to the library. Deidera and Sasori kept one eye on her as Nagato followed behind.
"What do you think that was about, hm?" Deidera asked.
"Whatever it is, it can't be too serious brat. Now let's get to work." Sasori growled pulling Deidera away.
"What is the Black Curse?" Nagato asked once he closed the door.
"Huh?" Melody asked.
"I know you know." Melody shifted her eyes.
"I don't-"
"Your sister is missing. We have no idea where she is and we certainly have no way of finding her. I suggest you help us by telling about this Curse." Melody's shoulders dropped.
"It's not a curse… It's a mirror." Nagato's eyebrow rose. "It's a portal to other dimensions that only demons are able to access but it takes the appearance of a mirror to protect itself."
"Your family protects it. Amaya mentioned it once." Melody nodded. "Lillith's Mirror…" Melody's eyes widened at Nagato's implications.
"It can't be her. She's been in purgatory for centuries!"
"She could have gotten out." Melody shook her head.
"No. No one ever escapes from Purgatory. Even if she did every Black family member would have felt it."
"Unless she's not all back." Nagato and Melody turned to see Yahiko coming in.
"Yahiko." Yahiko only held up his hand.
"We have visitors. Apparently one of them says he knows Melody and Amaya."
"Did he give a name?" Nagato asked as Melody rubbed her forehead muttering about idiotic boys and their tendency to stick their noses where it doesn't belong.
"Dominic." Nagato didn't know who that was but apparently Melody did. She whirled around. "I take it you know him?"
"He's my brother. Amaya's brother." Melody said. Yahiko nodded.
"Well he came with a few other people." Nagato followed Melody out to the living room where tensions seemed to be running high as a group of people faced the ninja. Analia and Ariel were the only ones keeping the peace for right now.
"Dom!" Melody called before she slammed into the tall, lean, man. Nagato could see that his movements were quick and smooth enough to disengage his arrow before his sister hugged him.
Deidera felt his eyebrow twitch in annoyance at Melody hugging someone he didn't know. Beside him he felt Danna tense. Before they could let it get to their heads the man spoke.
"What the hell are humans doing here Mel?" Dom asked not wasting time. Melody didn't move away.
"We were invited." Naruto muttered. He shut up after Sakura gave him a 'gentle' poke in the ribs.
"Amaya's ex-boyfriend kidnapped her, Lillith's back and she accidently brought good ninja with her, I've missed you and WHYTHEHELLISDADWITHYOU?"
"I have a feeling we're going to need the full story." Gabriel Black answered smoothly, being able to hear his youngest daughter's words in her hurried voice.
"You don't say." A woman with long dark hair came out of the fireplace looking very much like an older version of Amaya. She had dried blood on her hands as well as splatters on her pants and face. "What has my daughter done now?"
GM NASAI: I know, I know... I'm late. Well, sorta... ish. I know I made you all wait for this long and I hate myself for procrastinating but the words just wouldn't come! I finally sat myself down and forced myself to write. {It also didn't help that I went on a Castle binge, hehehe}
So I have an idea for another story. I know your probably thinking that if I can't even keep up with this then why the hell am I writing another. But it just wont leave me alone. Here's the gist: Cops/crime/twins/Sasori. That's all you get. Details? Then review. I could use some good murders. {Fake ones, not real ones! The last thing I need is the FBI knocking on my door and accusing me of conspiracy or murder.}
As an excuse so you will not hunt me down and murder me, I will present to you, this omake! Enjoy!
Date...?
"Favorite color?"
"Black. You?"
"Why is it that I believe that... I've always had a soft spot for blood red. That and royal blue, green, and gold." A twitch of the lips.
"You like all the colors."
"Except pink." I protested. A roll of an eye.
"You love pink because it's apart of the sunset."
"Damn, how do you know so much about me when I'm just getting to know you?" Itachi smirked slightly.
"I thought you knew everything about me?" I rolled my eyes and sat back into the porch swing.
"Knowing and learning are two different things. I know about you in the books and the anime but I don't know the real you. It's... It's like seeing a friend after they've been gone for a long, long time. I know the basics but not... deeper."
"True... I pay attention." I raised an eyebrow while raising my tea to my lips. "You say you have one favorite color, but you like all colors. Your favorite food is anything but spinach, processed cheese, and anything too healthy. You love music and reading."
"And you figured that last part how?" I asked.
"The books in the library." He smiled. I rolled my eyes.
"Okay I got it. Let me try." I put my cup down and turned to him. That only made my mind blank as I met his black eyes. "Uh..."
"My favorite color is black." He smiled leaning in slowly. "I was born on June 9th. I'm in my 20's... I like rice balls and cabbage." He was now an inch from my face as I pretended my face was only hot from being sunburned. "I like that fusion of Egyptian flower you put on every morning... I like your cooking... And I like your open mind."
I gulped feeling his face move to the side of my neck to smell me. I heard him sniff delicately right before he moved up to my ear.
"I like making you feel this flustered and nervous."
"I'm not nervous." I gasped. He pulled away so I could see his smirk. My eyes narrowed as I caught the playful glint in his eye. It was so on! I gulped down my embarrassment and shut off my thoughts before I reached out my hand and touched his neck. He raised an eyebrow but didn't move. When I quickly leaned in and licked his neck... Ooh, the look on his face was priceless. "Something wrong 'Tachi?" I asked sweetly. His eyes narrowed a second before I felt my hand rise up and something warm was on my wrist. It was his mouth.
I WAS NOT BLUSHING!
"Something wrong Maya?" He asked when he was done. I am not sure what would have happened next but I could guess. If only a certain idiot hadn't opened his mouth.
"OI! IF YOU TWO ARE GOING TO START F*CKING THEN DO IT WHERE WE CAN'T SEE YOU!"
"I'm going to kill him." Itachi muttered. I grinned.
"You know, he can't escape the two of us. And no one else will get in the wayonce he's gone." Itachi's lips twitched.
"Amaya, would you join me on another date?" I smiled.
"Gladly. When does it start?"
"Right now."
GM NASAI: I know I shouldn't, but I love torturing Hidan. R&R!