RECAP:
"We did not take her just to lure you out, Uchiha."
Itachi's eyes opened again. He was glaring dangerously at Tatsuo. Tatsuo could see he had gotten the Uchiha prodigy's attention.
"We have also taken her...to release Akako, the Fire Faceless Demon, from her imprisonment...from this necklace."
Let's go on with the story!
'_____...'
Hm? You looked around, but you couldn't see anything. You stepped slightly and your footstep echoed loudly around you. Nothing but darkness had enclosed itself around you. You squinted your eyes, desperatly trying to see ahead of you. You stepped again and suddenly stopped when a bright light came from the ground. You looked down, your eyes wide in shock as the ground below you began to move.
The ground itself seemed to slowly shatter into pieces, breaking and flying off from the ground. Each piece that broke off revealed someting crimson and bright underneath it. As the pieces of darkness began to clear up, you could start seeing some gold mix in with the crimson.
Your mouth opened in agape as you stared down at the Fire Kanji symbol on a crimson ground undernetah your feet.
"W-what is this?" you asked out loud. Suddenly, the symbol written in gold seemed to shine brightly, causing you to cover your eyes in pain. Flames came shooting out of it symbol, sending a strong burst of energy at you. You shut your eyes tightly, trying to block out the bright light as the waves of heat washed over you.
You felt the embers from the flames singe your skin slightly, making you step back even more. Slowly, the heat seemed to die away. You lowered your hands, hesitantly opening your eyes. Your eyesight was caught dead on by solid crimson eyes.
"Akako..." you whispered, your eyes wide.
clicky
"Remove Akako from the necklace?" asked Itachi, trying to hide the hint of curiosity. Sasuke smirked as he still held your body close to his.
"Yes," said Tatsuo simply. He stepped closer to Sasuke, holding out his hand for you. Sasuke nodded and let go of you. You turned your solid white eyes to Tatsuo before slowly stepping towards him. Itachi made a step forward when Sasuke suddenly pulled out his katana, holding it out to block Itachi from getting any closer.
Itachi glared at his little brother while glenching shuriken underneath his cloak sleeve.
'I would normally just use a genjutsu and attack them, but ______ would probably get caught in it as well,' Itachi thought to himself, narrowing his eyes at his brother.
Meanwhile, Tatsuo had grabbed your upper arm and pulled you very close to him. He grabbed your necklace, making seem to truly choke your neck. You just remained emotionless, unaware of everything that was going on around you.
clicky
Akako's long, black, red-streaked hair shaped her face perfectly. She was wearing a red corset with black strings tied at the middle. Below it was a black skirt with black thigh-high stockings. The stockings were ripped and covered in blood, as though she had just gotten into a huge thorn bush. Her shoes were made of black leather, having a slight heel to them to make her appear taller.
Her large, dragon wings were folded neatly around her, hooked together by the huge spikes at the end. It looked almost as if she had a blanket covering her. You stared at her, unable to believe you were actually standing before this demon.
"_____...there is something important I need to speak with you about," said Akako in a low voice, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly.
"W-wait, hold on! Where are we?" you interrupted, stuttering slightly.
"We, _______, are in your mind. This is how I communicate and transfer my chii into you. Listen carefully," she said, seeming almost impatient, "That Uchiha boy's younger brother has sent shock waves of his chakra into your necklace, causing it to counter act with the chii. Do you know why this happened?"
You shook your head, a lump seeming to have caught in your throat.
"Let's see if I can explain this quickly. Chii was the first form of controling jutsus. Although it isn't as efficent as Chakra, it still could get the job done. The difference between chakra and chii is that chakra flows all around the body, while chii comes from the stomach region only. When chakra and chii mix, they clash together, forming waves of strange electricity. Since that boy sent chakra straight into your chii necklace, it sent the electricity straight to your brain. Now you are locked in your own mind."
Your lips were parted slightly as you stared at Akako in disbelief. Before you could speak, Akako continued,
"Now something else has come up. A traitor of my time has now joined Sasuke. Since you have no control of your body, I cannot tell what he is going to do, but I know it isn't good."
"Who is he?" you asked curiously, arching an eyebrow. Akako closed her crimson eyes, taking in a deep slow breath. Finally, she whispered,
"Tatsuo."
"Tatsuo?" you questioned in shock, "That boy that saved me from the priests?"
"He did that from under their commands," said Akako, slowly turning her head away from you. You stared, stunned by her words.
"_____...there is something else I have to tell you," said Akako, slowly reopening her eyes to look at you. You stood patiently, waiting for her to continue speaking.
"Tatsuo...was once...my lover."
You were surprised your jaw didn't drop to the floor.
"W-what? Your lover?! What happened?" you asked, stepping towards Akako, wanting to find out everything.
"He and I were together a very long time ago. And then...he turned me over to the priests to be sealed...in exchange for an immortality technique," Akako said in a hushed voice. Her eyes, even through they looked like blood, you could see a shimmer of sadness in them.
"______...you CANNOT let Tatsuo get his hands on this necklace. It would be the end for everyone - whats going on?!" Akako suddenly said, looking around wildly. As if on cue of her words, the ground below you began to rumble and shake violently.
You looked around as well, trying to find the source of the problem. A scream echoed through your ears. You looked over and put a hand over your mouth when you saw pieces of Akako disappearing into whisps of smoke.
You tried to run towards her but as you tried to grab her, a blinding light caused your eyes to cringe in pain. You cried in pain as you clamped your eyes shut, falling onto your back as the blinding light completely surronded you.
clicky
Tatsuo clutched your necklace, sparks and electricity streaking from the palm of his hand to around your neck. Itachi watched before dodging a swift katana strike near his shoulder. He rolled to the right, kneeling against the ground while holding a kunai. Itachi narrowed his sharingan eyes as he saw your necklace glow a strange white color.
Sasuke tried to strike at him again and he jumped out of the way, sending a hard kick into Sasuke's middle. Sasuke managed to block it, but it still sent him back a few feet. Itachi's quick eyes glanced at you and suddenly everything went white. He shielded his eyes as the blinding light covered the entire clearing, streaking light through the trunks of trees and leaves.
The sound of an explosion rang through Itachi's ears. Itachi instantly used his chakra to make his feet to stick to the ground as the force sending his body nearly flying. Itachi glanced at some near by trees to see his younger brother slam into them at bone-breaking force. Sasuke was knocked out almost instantly from the power of the explosion.
As quickly as it came, the bright light left. Two dark figures went shooting off in two different directions. He instantly saw a flash of crimson on your necklace and rushed over to you. He caught you bridel style in mid air, landing skillfully on the ground. He looked down at your unconcious body that lay limp in his arms. The strange explosion had left you cut and bruised, blood running down out of gashes in your body. The sound of a groan the opposite direction made Itachi look up.
'What is this? That person looks...familiar,' he thought to himself while slowly standing up with you in his arms. About 20 feet away, a figure slowly stood up, clutching their own head in pain. The person looked like a monster as what seemed to be growths sprouted from their back.
"Akako..." said a voice suddenly. Tatsuo slowly removed himself from the trees that he had shielded himself from. The hunched figure's head shot up and Itachi instantly saw those crimson eyes.
'That's Akako?' he questioned himself, suddenly realizing your eyes slowly opening. He looked down to meet eye contact with your (color) eyes.
"...Itachi?" you asked questionably, looking rather confused. You tried to sit up, causing Itachi to let you down on the ground. You clutched to his arms though, looking around confusedly. You saw Sasuke completely blacked out while leaning against a tree, Tatsuo with his back to you, and then...Akako.
You sunk your nails into Itachi's Akatsuki cloak, your eyes widened as you stared at Akako. You suddenly grabbed your necklace, ripping it off and staring at the round jewel in the middle. There was only solid crimson...but no fire kanji symbol.
"No...he got her out..." you whispered, your eyes widening as you looked back at Tatsuo and Akako.
clicky
Deidara huffed as pain sheered itself through the upper part of his arm. He looked down, seeing the tattered part of his Akatsuki cloak swaying in the wind.
'Damn kid, un,...got my arm,' he thought to himself, grimmacing at the thought of it. He looked over at his clay bird, looking at the unconcious body of the Kazekage, Gaara.
'Sasori-donna was right...he was stronger then I suspected. I almost ran out of clay, un,' Deidara thought while looking away. He glowered ahead of him at the thought of almost being beat, and then that Kankuro kid tried to come and take Gaara back. Hn...pathetic.
The boulder blocking his trip sent a halt in his thoughts. He looked up it and then looked at the large puppet next to him. Sasori used his chakra to teleport them into the cave.
The moment Deidara set foot in the cave, a squeal and a blur of red hair obscured his vision as the wind was nearly knocked out of him.
"Deidara! I'm so glad you're back!" cried out Mizuki, nuzzling her face into his chest. Deidara's face turned different shades of red as he just stared down at the red haired girl underneath him. He heard a deep chuckle next to him. He looked to see the puppet of Sasori staring ahead while saying,
"So, is this your girlfriend? You pathetic excuse for an artist."
Deidara's whole body seemed to flush at that comment.
"No! She is not my girlfriend, un!" Deidara shouted, Mizuki still clinging to him.
"That's good...you'd just blow her up anyway," said Sasori, walking forward. Deidara growled between clenched teeth before noticing Mizuki again.
"How was your trip Deidara?" Mizuki asked, finally releasing her vise grip on him and stepping back. Deidara hesitated for a moment. Of course...Mizuki was blind so she couldn't see that fact that one of his arms had been blown off.
"Erm...uh...yeah...un..." said Deidara, stuttering as he scratched the back of his neck with his good hand. Mizuki blinked for a few moments before saying,
"I can tell you're lying...what happened?"
Mizuki stepped up to him, slowly placing her hands on his shoulders. She then slid her hands down the upper part of his arms, but only one hand went passed his elbow. Mizuki's milky eyes widened for a moment as she continued trying to find the elbow on the arm that had gotten blown off.
She swung her hand underneath it for a moment before staring at him straight in the eyes. Mizuki gave a little 'oh' before suddenly falling flat on her back. She had fainted. Deidara sighed as he reached down to pick her back up.
clicky
Akako stared at Tatsuo, mixed emotions running through her face all at once. Fear, anger, sadness, confusion.
"H-how?" whispered Akako, staring at Tatsuo in disbelief. Tatsuo smirked as he towered over her.
"Too much of chakra and chii together gave me enough strength to temporarily pull you out of the necklace so I could speak with you," said Tatsuo darkly. Akako just stared up at him, almost seeming to cower under his shadow.
"Why do you want to speak to me?" she asked, trying to look away.
"Because...it's time that you and the rest of the Faceless Demons return back to your master," hissed Tatsuo. Akako's face was suddenly contorted with anger. She flashed her crimson eyes at Tatsuo, her fangs bared.
"I refuse to return to her," hissed Akako, standing up fully now. Tatsuo's smirk faltered as he saw her confidence returning.
"Come now Akako...you really think you can run from your master...your creator...forever? You are a Faceless Demon. Your life was cursed with the burden of torturing the souls since you were created. You don't belong here...you belong in the Valley of Death," said Tatsuo, his hands in his pockets. You stared at the two of them, so many questions running through your mind at once.
'Who is her master?' you wondered, biting on your bottom as you still clung to Itachi's cloak. Akako shook her head, her long black hair moving from side to side.
"I've felt too much...human emotion now-" Tatsuo's laugh suddenly interrupted her.
"Oh, that whole 'love' thing again, Akako? You're pathetic," he spat. You could see Akako's body starting to shake over as she tried to swallow back tears.
"I told you before...I never loved you. I used you to get what I wanted," whispered Tatsuo, stepping closer to Akako. You don't know what happened, you just wanted to go comfort her. You let go of Itachi's cloak and tried to step forward, but you collapsed on your knees. You felt so weak, and you didn't know why. Tatsuo heard you fall and looked at you.
He sneered at you before turning back to Akako.
"Why...why Tatsuo? Why can't you just-" SMACK! A sharp slap was sent across her face. She went flying into the ground, a red mark appearing on her cheek. You gasped and tried to stand up again but with no effect. Tatsuo glared at Akako as she moved to a kneeling position.
Akako kneeled on the ground, her fists clenched at the dirt. Her long black, red-streaked hair covering her eyes. You kneeled about 20 feet away, looking at her with a look of sympathy. Even from where you were, you could just see her trembling. You could see dark circles on the ground where her tears had stained the earth. You turned to look ahead of you to see Tatsuo standing there, smirking evilly.
You stood up shakily, the cuts on your legs stopping you from too much motion.
"How could you...? How could you just break her heart like that?" you asked softly. Tatsuo turned to look at you, his smirk disappearing, "She tried to be so close with you...and then you abandoned her...FOR POWER?!" you suddenly shouted, your eyes flaring. Akako lifted her head quickly, staring at you with wide eyes.
"She did everything in her power to stay with you, but you abandoned her for your own gain!" you continued to shout, your hands clenched tightly. Tatsuo stared at you for moment before his smirk reappeared.
"Are you speaking for Akako...or are you speaking for what the Uchiha did to you?"
Your eyes suddenly widened, your lips parted slightly. Itachi's eyes widened at this too. He looked at you through the corner of his eye. You looked down at the ground slowly, a shadow creeping over your face.
Your clenched fist began to shake slightly.
"What Itachi did," you hissed through clenched teeth,"has nothing to do with now. I've put the past behind me."
Tatsuo frowned slightly when suddenly you turned your sharp (color) eyes to him, your eyes flaring. He stepped back in shock as your hands flew through hand signs.
"You, on the other hand, have no point in living!" you screamed before you suddenly blew up your chest. Akako stared wide eyed when suddenly you blew while shouting,
"Katon Karyuu Endan!"
Tatsuo's eyes shined with the reflection of a huge fire dragon bursting out of your mouth, heading straight for him. He quickly gathered his chii and teleported out of the way just in time. Akako did a swift movement of her arm that sent the large stream of fire away from her. You slowly closed your mouth, making the fire die almost instantly. You could still feel your body shaking.
You suddenly felt weak and collapsed onto the ground on all fours, coughing up some blood. Itachi did nothing about this, he just stared down at you. You heard soft foot steps coming towards you. You looked up slowly to see Akako standing before you.
"You chased him off," said Akako softly before kneeling in front of you. Both of your eyes locked.
"How are you going to get back into the necklace?" you asked weakly.
"All I have to do is transfer my chii in the necklace to fix where the chakra had damaged it," said Akako, looking down at the necklace dangling from your neck. Her long, thin fingers reached out and wrapped themselves the necklace.
"______...thank you," she suddenly said. She closed her eyes, and you could feel her chii pulsing through her.
Once again, a blinding white light engulfed all of you, leaving you temporarily blind. Once it went away, Akako was gone. You looked down at your necklace to see the Fire Kanji symbol on your necklace again. Suddenly, someone grabbed you and lifted you to your feet.
You looked over your shoulder to see Itachi standing behind you. He didn't stop to see if you were ok though, he just stepped passed you and walked forward towards the base. You watched him, arching a slight eyebrow.
'Wait...Sasuke!' you suddenly turned to see where Sasuke had been, but he was gone. You looked around, but Sasuke was no where to be seen. You looked back at Itachi to see he was almost out of sight. You sighed and limped towards him, not getting too close.
clicky
After ignoring everyones questions and pushing past all the 'interviews', you stumbled into your room. You sighed as you leaned your back against the door, your eyes closed. You just wanted to go talk to Itachi since he didn't even glance at you the entire walk over back to the base. Something was wrong now...you just knew it.
You sighed and walked over to your bed, not bothering to change. You collapsed ontop of it, clutching your pillow near your head. You stared at the wall that lay in front of you. Your mind was just on Itachi and everything that had just happened.
Who was Akako's Master? And what was wrong with Itachi? You shivered as you curled up under your blanket. You were so used to Itachi sneaking into your room and laying next to you all night. But this night, he never came...
Go to results for a sneak peak of the next chapter!
Sneak Peak:
..."How is your mission going?" whispered the dark voice in the shadows, watching Itachi carefully. Itachi didn't look away from the candles that lined the wall.
"I have her trust now," said Itachi softly. A dark chuckle echoed off of the dark, deep walls.
"Excellent...soon, I will have the power of that Faceless Demon and have her under my control," said the voice. Itachi turned to glare at the figure, his fists clenched under his cloak.
'That power...is MINE,' Itachi thought to himself...
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