Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Weather man ❯ Metal coffin ( Chapter 6 )

Ok ladies and gentlemen! Onward with my 6th Chapter!!!!!!! OH YEAH! HECK YES! Well, I must continue typing AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

 

Warning: Deltora gave me ideas. Like the cavern and the octy-wocty… ^^ Monsters that you'll see, most likely come from Harry potter, Deltora quest, Shadowlands, or Dragons. Alright, you're warned. Oh… and some… flowers… too…

 

READ AND REVIEW! I command THY!

Enjoy. <3

 

~

Less then an hour later of trending up the steep slope of the mine, two figures slipped silently into the depths. Once inside, they noticed that oil lamps were still hung up at the sides, used for lighting the way.

 

Amanda was irritated. Meeting with her father had put her in a sour mood, and now going into a coal mine where she could get black-lung [1] wasn't as appealing either.

 

“What was this mine used for?” She heard herself ask, “It seems to be-”

 

She broke off as her eyes fell on Sasuke. Since they were still fairly close to the exit, the moonlight was reflecting off of his cheeks, casting eerie shadows on his elegant face. The transition between light and dark seemed to dance across the fine strands of his midnight hair. His bangs, hanging over his eyes seem to contrast with his eyes; making them appear deep and blacker then before.

 

“The mine was used for steel.” He replied, capturing her gaze within his own, “Other then that, it was mined for rare metals “Sasuke said uncomfortably. “I know nothing of what was shipped in and out.”

 

After these words were spoken, an almost tangible silence filled the air around them.

 

Amanda nodded, mouthing an `oh'.

 

~

The violet eyed girl tightened her lips, and gave a snarl of discontent. “No!” She almost shouted, knuckles turning white, “I refuse!”

 

Sasuke gritted his teeth and licking his lips, wetting them. “And why not?” He growled.

 

She turned her flaring eyes in his direction. “Because that's a stupid idea!” She snapped angrily.

 

Sasuke sighed and leaned against the cart he had been trying to convince Amanda to ride.

 

The girl had flatly refused. Why you ask? Because the railing went down at a rather steep slope, zigzagging around curves and going straight down.

 

(A/n: For those of you who have played Donkey Kong think of the mine-ish level where you have to steer a cart down a rollercoaster.)

 

This is when Sasuke had figured out his companion was deathly afraid of heights.

 

DEATHLY afraid…

 

Sasuke had tried reasoning with her. This was the only safe and possibly the ONLY way they could go without being delayed.

 

He paused and blinked.

 

Speaking of delays… his internal clock was screaming at him to get his ass in gear. Choosing not to ignore his extremely accurate time management skills, he did the only thing he knew would sedate the mental struggle of staying on time.

 

He pulled out a length of rope.

 

He snapped it in between his hands to test the sturdiness

 

A wicked smile spreading on his face.

 

“Oh Amanda…” He said sweetly. “Come give me a hug…”

 

The girl looked up, purple orbs widening in a strange mixture of shock and horror. “Sasuke…”

 

~

Bound with ropes as this as fists, Amanda was nestled into Sasuke's chest.

 

He was huddled against her, one hand at her waist, the other in a handful of her shirt. The younger teen had been tied securely around his own waist to prevent her escape.

 

He clambered into the metal cart, once inside and seated, he noticed something was just a bit off…

 

The boy ran a creamy hand over the cool metal, his angular eyebrows mirroring was other, bother furrowed from deep thought.

 

Instead of the usual steel that would have been most commonly used, along with iron. The inside of the care was lined with a flimsy, yet heavy, thin layer of metal.

 

One he didn't recognize.

 

Before he could tell the squirming girl to stop moving around in his lap, or inspect the metal further, there was a sudden lurch.

 

And the cart tipped, beginning its long journey down the rail.

 

~

It was like hurtling down one of the most stomach churning skydives of their lives. The colors flashed around them, blending into each other, a painted rainbow swirling around the cart.

 

It was speeding along, going faster then any cart known to mankind, aided by gravity… and some other force…

 

Sasuke would have pondered the unusual speed if he wasn't brought hurtling back to reality by Amanda's piercing scream.

 

Her eyes were squeezed shut, fist gathered tightly in his shirt, her legs tightly wrapped around his waist, glomping him close for dear life.

 

Apparently the ropes had been ripped off either by A.) The force of the cart, or B.) Her sheer terror.

 

He was willing to bet choice B.

 

His back was pressed almost painfully against the harsh metal, gritting his teeth when the metal turned hot.

 

The metal coffin pressed on them from all sides, gravity keeping them trapped in its metallic walls.

 

He couldn't see where they were going anymore, Amanda's ponytail had come undone and the long hair was whipping around her face. He would have noted how surreal it looked if not for her piercing scream.

 

“Sasuke! The rail's broken off!!!!!!”

 

Apparently she could see where they were going.

 

His stomach lurched, arms holding Amanda to him. One arm around her waist, the other protecting her neck.

 

That was all he could do.

 

So with a final twist, the Metal coffin broke off the rails, sending the two passengers toppling down in the shadows below.

 

~

Beneath them, the surface of a lake rolled with the finesse of carved class. Above them, sharp stalactites pointed down and brushed their heads. Taylor and Kakashi were standing by the bank of the water, every now and then Kakashi making his way around. Their reflections were painted across the black surface, giving their faces a pale glow. They were in an under sea cavern off the outskirts of the town. Every time they went to scout a place out, they were swept further and further away from Rock.

 

Looking on with dismay, Taylor watched Kakashi moving around the bank, poking the sandy gravel with his shoe. It's so different between us now… She thought completely forgetting about the mission at hand for a moment. Every since that…that… She let her thoughts trail to an end.

 

Kakashi was moving something out from under the ground now. Inspecting that totally random thing with interest, a smile curving in his eye. Taylor couldn't help but grin, nudging a pebble with her boot. Her heart gave a great thud. Warm certainty settled on her like a blanket.

 

She kicked the pebble into the black water, ripples from the small stone danced off the banks, leading back into the center, disturbing the smoothness.

 

Kakashi had found a metal ball, perfectly smooth and extremely small, however it was very dense, making that metal ball very heavy. Kakashi placed it in his pocket.

 

When Taylor was about to ask what it was, (other then a small metal ball…) a low rumbling sound was heard.

 

Both the ninja's looked up in confusion. A dangerous sort of energy was flowing through the once calm waters. The black surface began to break, water trending up the rocky sides and splashing the two companions.

 

The stood up swiftly, both raising their weapons in alarm. The black water turned gray tipped, splashing into white.

 

Taylor and Kakashi were drenched, nerves stretched taunt.

 

The water swirled to a whirlpool, water spraying everywhere.

 

Both at the ready, weapons drawn and chakra centered.

 

But it seemed like those weren't needed. The water calmed, the waves ceased, the water went as still and black as it was before.

 

Kakashi quirked an eyebrow, keeping his kunai up, slowly lowered it.

 

Eight tentacles shot out from the surface, a dark shape just under the surface. They each were a pale sickly yellow color, tipped with eight white stingers on the tips. A tentacle wrapped around Kakashi's arm, jerking the kunai out of his hand and pulling him into the Black water.

 

Before Taylor could do anything, scream, shout, panic, curse, flail, and beat the crap out of the thing, the sickly yellow tentacle wrapped around her leg, pulling her swiftly into the water.

 

And the surface remained still.

 

~

Neji and Bianca crawled to their feet, dripping and shivering. They stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at each other. “I hate rivers.” Neji muttered. “I didn't expect for the bridge to fall apart right when you walked over it.”

 

“Yeah” whispered Bianca, through chattering teeth. “What can I say; I have horrible lu-…” Her voice faltered, a sneeze coming out instead at the end of her sentence. Neji wrapped an arm around the shaking girl and pulled her to his chest, trying to warm her up against his own damp body, her chattering ceased a little.

 

They arrived at a place called Ruby Isle; apparently, it was named that from the deep satin red flowers that covered the entire island. It was the only territory of Rock that truly had a rich organic life.

 

They were wading across the red flowers, marveling at how far the plants stretched, from one side of the island to the other. It was a shame they had to trample on the flowers so they'd get to the end. In all truth they were trying to get to Diamond Isle, an island just beyond Ruby isle, it was impossible to get to Diamond Isle by sea, and since the two islands were connected by a sand bar that showed itself during the full moon (tonight) The two were going to cut across Ruby Isle and make it to Diamond Isle in short time.

 

The air was sweet with the pollen's perfume, making them drowsy and content. Neji's arm was still wrapped around her waist letting Bianca wade in her thoughts of `if this is a dream please don't wake me up…'

 

But something was scratching the surface of her dream. She could tell. Through the thick miasma of pollen, there was a scent all too familiar to her. She was trying to figure out what the scent was. It was hard to tell through such a nice scent of flowers… Just thinking of the flowers made her smile, to drop down and go to sleep.

 

Blood…

 

She jerked and shook her head.

 

Blood…

 

She recognized the scent, it was blood. It was a scent most ninja's knew, but she was accurately tuned to the scent from working around blood so often. If you discarded the pollen… she slowly realized the air is thick with blood….

 

But where is it coming from?! She thought with alarm, looking around wildly.

 

Until a thought struck her.

 

Jerking away from Neji she began stomping on the flowers and brushing her legs wildly. The boy gave her a look of meek concern, “What's wrong?” He asked, clearly thinking she was going mad.

 

“Neji, look down!” She screamed, brushing her legs off wildly.

 

The boy looked down, pearl eyes widening in shock. Large crimson colored insects were biting at his legs, trying to eat at his flesh and drink his blood. They were large and angular.

 

In the shape of flower petals…

 

Realization dawned on him as he began to beat the bugs off himself. “The bugs hide under the flower petals and attack passerby's, while the flowers make the victims numb to the pain!” He grunted, realizing the truth all too late.

 

Bianca could barely manage a nod, trying to brush them off her shoulders, ripping them off one by one.

 

The cold reality was... they were surrounded.

 

~

Sasuke was hanging upside down on the wall by his shirt. He was scraped battered and unconscious. He was in a waking dream though, He knew he was unconscious, he just couldn't wake up. He wanted to know where Amanda was, or if she was ok.

 

It was a long drop after all…

 

He really hoped his shirt didn't rip.

 

A long slow ripping sound could be heard.

 

Oh crap…

~

 

Amanda groaned, her purple eyes fluttering open. She winced and sat up, noting she had a long gash on her arm from her wrist to her elbow. She probably got it when she fell. She looked up, squinting her eyes. She fell a long way… Sasuke probably had been holding her pretty close for her to only get out of this wreck with only a miner wound.

 

She froze.

 

Where's Sasuke!?!?

 

She jumped to her feet with a new found vigor, calling out Sasuke's name in panic.

When she was about to give up, a low grunt was heard above her, telling her to be quiet and not talk so loud.

 

Sasuke was there hanging from his shirt, onyx eyes opened halfway, staring at Amanda in some slight annoyance.

 

“Sasuke-kun!” Amanda cheered a wide smile on her face. “You dummy! You had me worried!”

 

He pointedly gave her a glare to get him down, but she didn't notice, continue ranting about his stupidity.

 

He sighed; He had hoped to keep his shirt-

 

Whoops, there it goes.

 

He landed on the ground in a crouch, his shirt completely ripped off a dry look in his eyes. And Amanda, who still hadn't noticed Sasuke was down, was gaping in shock when she felt herself pushed up against a hard wall.

 

“You weren't the only one who was worried…” Sasuke growled, eyes flashing. His bare, toned chest was pressed against her, his arms were pinning hers above her head, restricting all her movement.

 

Whatever Amanda was thinking next, was shut off. Because in the next moment, Sasuke's lips had captured hers in a full kiss. He bit at her bottom lip before breaking away, letting her slide back down to her feet.

 

Amanda blinked, letting her shock subside before scrambling to her feet. She opened her mouth to ask him what all that was about, when he turned and walked swiftly to the cart.

 

He half turned to her, a wiry smirk on his face before crouching down. “Looks like this thing runs off electricity…”

 

~

Afterwards, Taylor and Kakashi remembered nothing of their time in the lake, but that desperate struggle for air, and the fight underwater.

 

They had been losing badly, the white stingers draining them of their chakra. They know they both passed out, but when they regained their senses; they were lying on the gravel, the metal ball that was in Kakashi's pocket, in his hand.

 

When they left the cavern, they could tell by the sky it was early dawn. Dimly they wondered how the others were doing. But they were tired, wet, and cold. Right now, they couldn't care less if they were alive or dead. Stiffly they made their way back to camp and sat down: Huddled next to each other and protecting themselves from the cold.

 

They could not believe they were alive.

 

Kakashi ran his fingers down the crook of Taylor's spine, favoring the way she shivered at his touch. He thought back to the beginning of the mission, when he couldn't wait to be rid of the girl he had grown so attached to… And now he dreaded the end of this mission.

 

He didn't want her to leave…

 

His grip tightened on the girl he was holding close to his heart, breathing in her soft scent. He closed his visible eye, I'm not… He opened his eye, Taylor was staring at him, green eyes getting their usual energy back. In… She was poking a marshmallow in his cheek, trying to get him to eat it. Love… with… She blinked, and the marshmallow was gone, she looked around for it bewildered. Taylor… Am I? She gave Kakashi chibi eyes, and began begging him to take his mask off again. He smirked, and flicked her nose.

 

Be patient…

 

“Be patient” He said lazily, leaning back, arm still around Taylor's waist to drag her down with him.

 

Taylor pouted and made some whining noises about things not being fair, but she settled for snuggling into Kakashi's chest in content.

 

Once Taylor's chest rose with the rhythm only sleep can bring; Kakashi sighed.

 

He was in love with Taylor.

 

~

Neji had burned a clearing with a fire jutsu, Bianca huddled close to him. They were both bleeding severely. The insects were at bay for a moment, but soon once the ground stopped sizzling, they'd try to attack again.

 

The only way they could live was to go back the way they came, he wasn't willing to return empty handed, but at this rate, they'd both surely die. So gathering the limp girl in his arms ignoring her protests, he ran back through the way they came.

 

He ignored the blood lilies and fleshbanes and ran. Ran all the way back to camp.

 

~

It was mid-morning by the time Sasuke and Amanda had made it back to camp, a chunk of the cart Sasuke had broken off was nestled in Amanda's hands, crackling with energy the entire time.

 

They were met with an interesting sight, Neji and Bianca bloody, Kakashi and Taylor Bandaged.

 

“I take it the search went well.” Sasuke muttered, eyebrow raised

 

“Oh shut up” Taylor and Bianca muttered, both throwing a shirt at Sasuke at the same time.

 

~

Vegeta paced in his room, yellow eyes narrowed in concentration. He seemed to be contemplating something before he gave a roar of frustration and throwing a chair. “Those brainless colts!!!!!!!” He yelled.

 

A tall boy entered the room, the chair whizzing past his ear. He stared at it for a second before turning on his heel. “I guess this is a bad time!”

 

“Wait boy!” Vegeta hissed, turning slowly.

 

The teen sighed and turned, Damn, REALLY bad time!

 

“Yeah…?” he asked slowly his golden eyes drifting up to the yellow eyes bearing down in front of him

 

“Go get the rest of your siblings… Report back here… IMMEDIANTLY.” Vegeta snapped, giving the teenager in front of him a `no-nonsense' look. “I mean it Kouji. Go.”

 

Kouji nodded and saluted Vegeta, frog marching out of his office.

 

Soon a group of people re-entered the office, Kouji, Two girls, and a younger boy. Vegeta smirked, “I'm glad my children could all make it…”

 

“Nabiki”

 

The oldest girl shrugged and cleaned the barrel of her gun.

 

“Kouji”

 

The oldest son bluntly ignored him, causing him a thwack on the head.

 

“Eric”

 

The youngest son merely flipped his dad off, resulting in his middle finger now broken.

 

“And Sota…”

 

The other girl now mentioned was the exact replica of Amanda. Long brown hair, same looks, everything. Except for one minor thing.

 

The two strands of bangs the ran down the side of her face were pink instead of purple, the stripes on her cheeks were pink, and her eyes were pink.

 

“You will be an important asset… for once.” Vegeta smirked, “Assuming you don't screw up however…”

 

Sota rolled her eyes and sighed.

 

He smirked, “Bring your sister, Ai back…”

 

Nabiki quirked an eyebrow, “What did she do this time?” In truth she was just a tiny bit worried.

 

Kouji sat down, “What's it to us what she does?” He put his arms behind his head, obviously bored.

 

Vegeta continued, ignoring Kouji and Nabiki's remarks. “She's going by her middle name, Amanda, She's with a group of people who are jeopardizing… my mission” He muttered, intertwining his fingers behind his back. “Bring her back here… Kill if you must…”

 

He trailed off.

 

“But if you fail…”

 

He turned to his children all of them immobile. His yellow eyes glided over the stripes tattooed an all of their faces. “If you fail…” He repeated, “There shall be….Dire...” He put his hand on the doorknob to his private study. “Consequences…”

 

With these words he opened his door. “If you can't bring her back.” Kouji and Nabiki raised their eyebrows, waiting for their father to finish (Sota and Eric didn't care). “Kill her.”

 

~

Hahah, eleven pages… hm, not bad… *grins* I'm pretty proud of this chapter… oh… just wait, it gets better…. >=D