Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight ❯ The Repertoire of Love and Sorrow ( Chapter 24 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 18: The Repertoire of Love and Sorrow

Sakura shakily leaned on SasukeÕs shoulder, breathing in his comforting sandalwood scent. She felt him tighten her grip on her waist gently as they descended the stairs towards the dungeons slowly. He assisted her in her steps, but since she was having quite a hard time walking straight in her position and situation, he just resorted to another way: carry her.

He swooped down and swept her feet of the ground, making her grasp tightly at him before relaxing again in his arms. He carried her bridal style down the staircase, not minding the suggestive gazes of Kouji, Itachi and Naruto.

ÒTake those sticky eyes off my back, you three,Ó growled Sasuke as he slowly descended the last few steps.

The three young lads behind him snickered lightly. As they neared the foot of the stairs, however, their snickering faded as the stench of blood and exposed flesh intensified up to the point that they almost gagged from the smell. It was like the blood was kept in a certain closed area for a long time that the smell accumulated like that. As Itachi pushed the open cell door that led towards the corridor, candles lit up along the walls between the cell bars, lighting up the dark cavern. The smell didnÕt fade a bit. It only grew more and more as they approached the last, and the only occupied cell, and itÕs occupant.

Kazahana Kouji.

As they turned towards the darkened cell, eyes went wide from the sight that welcomed them all.

Blood was everywhere.

Splattered on the walls.

Daubed on the sheets.

Formed in puddles on the floor.

And in the center of the cell painted scarlet by blood was Kouji, holding a mangled and bloodied, barely breathing Tenten in his bloodstained arms.

Hinata flinched slightly at the sight of TentenÕs nearly severed arm and the long gash on her side that opened to her insides. She was almost dead because of blood loss.

ÒWHAT the FUCK is going on HERE!Ó screamed Naruto, startling Kouji awake from his stupor.

ÒU-UzumakiÉÓ he muttered, tearing his gaze away from Tenten and turning it towards Naruto. His eyes were pleading and teary. ÒTentenÉ save herÉ pleaseÉÓ he sobbed, collapsing into a fit of hysterics, crying, sobs racking his frame, shock burning his senses and clouding his perception. He was not himself for now. It was trauma.

Naruto immediately entered the cell and held back Kouji from Tenten, and had quite a hard time doing it. Hinata rushed to Tenten and checked her wounds closely, assessing what was needed to be done. Itachi and Kouji-dobe assisted Hinata in transporting the body to the clinic ward where there was a more sterile environment and tools to properly do the job. Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto were left in a puff of smoke after the three disappeared towards the clinic.

Sasuke looked down at the helplessly crying Kouji, not knowing what to do. He felt Sakura squirm in his grasp gently, and he let her down from his arms, still supporting her frame just in case she collapsed again.

ÒIÕm fine, IÕm fine,Ó Sakura assured him, but Sasuke insisted, and so, Sakura just let him be.

She approached the crying Kouji and reached an arm outwards to touch his shoulder. As her fingers grazed the skin under his net shirt lightly, he immediately jerked violently in reply, jackknifing into a fetal, defensive position on the bloodied floor. He cried even more and bawled his vocal chords out.

ÒI DIDNÕT MEAN IT, I DIDNÕT MEAN IT, I SWEAR, I DIDNÕT MEAN IT, I DIDNÕT DO IT!Ó he yelled, sobs still racking his lean frame, making him look like he was convulsing from huge electric shocks delivered to his body.

ÒDidnÕt mean what, Kouji-kun?Ó Sakura gently coaxed. She was a psychologist-specialized medic nin, and it was her expertise to use mind-play over patients who are undergoing traumatic or post traumatic stress. This was her field, and she was determined to find a way to help him relieve whatever he is holding up inside himself, no matter what it may be.

ÒTO HURT HER! I DIDNÕT WANT TO HURT HER, I DIDNÕT WANT TOOO!Ó he screamed at the top of his lungs, probably to relieve the stress he was feeling right now, the burning, constricting feeling of guilt building up inside him and constricting his airways in reflex.

ÒYou were the one who hurt her, then?Ó Sakura asked gently, stroking his bloody head.

Kouji nodded painfully, his face contorted into an expression of utmost pain and confusion.

ÒWhy did you do it then, if you didnÕt want to?Ó

ÒThe demon,Ó he breathed in rage, his eyes snapping open and flashing red. ÒO-Orochimaru sealed a demonÑÒ he started, his voice breaking. ÒÑinside me long agoÉ when I was a child, after I ran away from RiriÉÓ he choked, more tears streaming down his face, presumably from the memories that the town brought back to his mind.

To think of it, the summation of the stress from the memories and images from his past and the images that heÕs seeing right now, plus the stress of TentenÕs injury on his own unwilling hands must be the reason for this breakdown. This is not unusual, but his case is special, because he actually sports a demon inside him that explodes out in fury and actually manages to hurt and kill. This is highly dangerousÉ Sakura thought silently as Kouji compressed himself into an even tighter, more impossible position.

Sakura motioned for Sasuke and Naruto to support him. If he compresses his body and forces it into an impossible position, he might hurt himself, twist some bones off itÕs sockets from the force, for example. At the very least, he could pull muscles, and in the worst case scenario, he could commit permanent and extensive nerve damage that he could paralyze himself into that position.

Sasuke and Naruto removed Kouji from the fetal position he was in and rested his back against the bloodied wall, keeping him in that position using brute force. KoujiÕs arms were struggling to get free to be able to punish himself in extreme guilt and trepidation. Sasuke and Naruto didnÕt have a hard time with stopping his struggles, though they were having a hard time standing the stench of the stale blood and flesh bits rotting in corners of the cell.

ÒCan we move this session in a more conducive and cleaner and fresher place?Ó Naruto complained. ÒLike the living room, for instance? Or maybe an unused roomÉ better yet, the kitchen! Argh, anywhere can do, except here!Ó

ÒYeah, itÕs starting to REALLY stink here, guys,Ó Sasuke muttered, wrinkling his nose back from the smell.

Sakura nodded and all of them disappeared in a wide puff of white smoke.
Kanata smirked as Fukai and Neji wheedled information on how he survived. It was really a surprise that he encountered the last of the Shimatanis in a battle. It was a rare opportunity, and this girlÕs head was worth much reward if he could manage it. She was a special girl but it seemed that she did not realize how special she was. Neither did the leaders of their enemy, because they stupidly sent her out as a frontier soldier to filter out whoever goes in and out of the perimeter where the fight of the Supremes would take place.

Kanata turned his head towards the other ninja hounding him. A Hyuuga. The Hyuuga Branch heir.

How interestingÉ a Hyuuga Branch heir reduced to a mere frontier soldierÉ and he agreed? WhoaÉ

Kanata smirked as he observed the boy. Chakra reserves were good, and he looked smart enough to handle the position of being Hyuuga Branch heir. Quite well-developed physiqueÉ he could pose as a threat.

But damn, the leaders must be really good to just reduce a Hyuuga to the rank of frontier soldier!

Two special ninjas out to battle him.

ÒHmmÉ two talented ninjas to fight only meÉ I am quite honored, to say the least.Ó

ÒKeep your honor, Kanata. ItÕll be the last youÕll have before I slaughter you with my own hands. YouÕre going to where youÕre supposed to beÉ six feet under!Ó

ÒBut before weÉÓ Fukai intercepted a heated Neji, glaring at him. She cleared her throat. ÒÉshall we say, bury you six feet underÉÓ she snickered, covering her mouth with her hand. ÒÉtell us how you managed to survive first. And you managed it without a single scratch, from what I notice,Ó she ran her eyes up and down his physique and came up with no signs of any injury whatsoever.

ÒSimple,Ó Kanata smiled. ÒThe ÔKanataÕ that Sabaku no Kankurou killed wasnÕt the real Kanata. It was actually my long lost twin, employed by Orochimaru as well. I was away during that time, I went with a squadron of ninjas to examine the Shimatani Mansion. Nice place, by the way, you wouldnÕt mind if we looted several scrolls about techniques, did you?Ó

Fukai scowled momentarily, but smiled again. ÒItÕs okay, I memorized all those techniques already, and you wonÕt be able to do it, coz you donÕt know the Runic password. I sought help from the Tasogare leaders to seal off the important ones with Runic seals and presto! All secured and locked up!Ó

Kanata sighed. ÒI figured as much. Those were special scrolls, I was doubting why I got them that easyÉÓ

ÒFinish, Fukai?Ó Neji scowled, flexing his fingers.

ÒDonÕt be too excited, Neji,Ó snorted Fukai. ÒWe can wheedle out info, think about it.Ó

ÒAs much as I want to say that thereÕs no use for the information youÕll gather because after this the warÕs over, IÕll keep my mouth shutÉÓ Neji frowned, making Fukai smile. ÒÉfor now.Ó

Fukai blew him a raspberry.

Just then, Neji heard a whisper in his ear, making him smirk. Fukai sighed, hearing the whispered message, but not really comprehending because it was made into a code only Neji and the messenger could understand.
Probably Sasuke or someone importantÉ

Fukai wasnÕt really paying attention to what was happening, neither was she focused on their ÔprisonerÕ. All she knew was that there was a flurry of movement, and Neji and Kanata were suddenly engaged in mano y mano combat, Neji using the Gentle Fist Technique of the Hyuuga clan and Kanata using his own version of taijutsu based on his abilities. Neji gave Fukai a meaningful glance and she nodded and sprang into action herself, getting the gist of what Neji was trying to tell her.

Kanata pulled out a kunai and flipped it against NejiÕs neck, but in a split-second, Neji disappeared and connected a sharp palm against KanataÕs open left side. Kanata buckled over, feeling the shock of the chakra and the physical impact and force of his palm. He coughed up a little blood as he felt his left lung implode from the impact.

Painfully, he finally realized how the secret Hyuuga Gentle Fist really works. Being a nin from the Lightning country, he knew very little of the Konoha techniques. There was a reigning code of secrecy in the ninja world, and each country would keep itÕs own secrets. That was the main reason why the ANBU existed, to erase any stray ninja or a piece of the secret that has escaped the country. And since the Hyuuga clan is one of the most secure and secretive families of Konoha, not to mention one of the most influential and long-lasting, the secrecy of their techniques is even more intense.

Acting to his new realization, Kanata backed off, ignoring the burning pain and the difficulty in breathing he was experiencing at the moment. He was right in thinking that the Hyuuga was a tough opponent. He was still fresh from his virus sickness. He was infected by a virus that destroyed the immune systemÕs functions and he just barely managed to survive it. But his resistance from pain and pressure was still weak, all thanks to that dratted virus, and it was a drag, his body was even weaker than he had initially thought.

Damn, and if I had just listened to Kabuto and refused OrochimaruÕs orders to come back hereÉ I shouldÕve left my dratted brother here anywaysÉ Now my life is in dangerÉ Argh!

Kanata smirked, as a certain object brushed his skin lightly under his haoriÕs cloth.

But before they Òbury me six feet underÓ, IÕll have a little gift for themÉ a surprise.

Neji smirked as he felt his palm connect sharply against KanataÕs side, and he also felt the shudder of flesh as his enemyÕs lung imploded violently inside his body. If he keeps moving around, he could be dead from internal hemorrhage in mere minutes. But the keyword there was that he could.

Just as Sasuke had said before they left the base, there was no room for any errors in this war, because theyÕve made only far too many already. So he intended to be sure about his kill. After all, part of the ninjaÕs code is that you never go for the kill unless you are a hundred percent sure about it.

Thank you, Itachi-sanÉ I think I can trust you nowÉ and I should, because I owe youÉ

Neji smirked.

It feels fishy, but this is all too easyÉ

Neji flipped back a kunai and poured more chakra into his eyes, accelerating and increasing the stability of his doujutsu, and then charged sharply, using blinding speed that Lee and Gai-sensei had helped him achieve. (a/n: Doujutsu: Eye Techniques. Examples: Byakugan, Sharingan, Mangekyou Sharingan.)

He circled around Kanata in lightning speed, creating illusions of himself doubling and tripling. He started throwing kunais across the circle he was forming and caught them as they crossed the full diameter at the other side using his newfound speed. These kunais crisscrossed inside the circle, making several deep gashes and minor scratches on KanataÕs whitish skin. His haori was being tattered by the barrage of kunais but Neji was relentless and showed no mercy, even if the enemy could not fight back from the injury he had acquired.

Fukai noticed that Kanata was straining to see where the real Neji was apart from the illusions. It was easy to find, really, because the illusion was pretty minor. If you had sharp eyes, youÕd be able to point it out. And one requirement for being an effective ninja is the sharpness of the eyes.

When Kanata buckled down and fell to his knees, Neji stopped the barrage and halted in front of Kanata, not showing any sign of exhaustion from the round up running.

ÒNeji, why did you bother with such a troublesome technique?Ó Fukai sighed. ÒYou still have your chakra reserve full, why not just create a chakra illusion? A genjutsu?Ó

ÒKanataÕs specialty is genjutsu repelling and analyzing. It would be pointless to fight an enemy using a technique he knows how to counter,Ó Neji shrugged. ÒIn order to ruin his concentration, I imploded his left lung first with the Gentle Fist, and then I created the barrage of kunais using a taijutsu-produced illusion. Troublesome, I know, but effective.Ó

Thanks a lot, ItachiÉ

Fukai sighed and nodded. ÒSo,Ó she said. ÒWhoÕll do the honors?Ó

ÒWe donÕt need to, in about a minute, heÕll die,Ó Neji observed. His lung is leaking blood into his airways, and sooner or later itÕll clog up and heÕll choke and bleed to death. Besides, those gashes are pretty deep.Ó

ÒYou sure?Ó

ÒYep, but to be careful, letÕs just stay and watch him.Ó

ÒSadist. You can take watching a person die?Ó

ÒWhy, yes. Why not?Ó

Fukai just shook her head. ÒYouÕre impoÑahhh!Ó

She screamed as she felt the prick of a long needle in her knee. Neji snapped his averted gaze to her and down to Kanata, who was now on all fours, but one hand holding something that looked like an injection tube, the needle imbedded in FukaiÕs knee. Kanata seems to have crawled the small span of distance towards her while they were bickering. In rage, Neji ripped off a hysterically laughing Kanata from Fukai and carried the girl a good few meters away from the wheezing, dying man in hysterics.

Neji gently reached to FukaiÕs knee, where the injection tube stuck out, the needle in. He gently coaxed the needle out, amidst FukaiÕs pained screams. He couldnÕt blame her, it was the knee, it was a sensitive spot. There were nerve bundles, a bunch of arteries and bones and ligaments there. (a/n: The most painful spot in the body to get shot by a gun is the knee. My mom said that.)

ÒWHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!Ó Fukai screamed, clutching her throbbing knee, watching the skin and flesh around the point where the needle inserted color an angry greenish violet.

ÒWelcome to world of contagious viruses, Shimatani,Ó Kanata gasped with a raspy voice. Nevertheless, he was grinning like a psycho. ÒItÕs a virus that will cause you to slowly bleed to death, and within the span of a week, youÕll die. Anyone whom you have prolonged contact with catches the virus as well, and dies in a week. There is no known cure, missy. IÕm sorry, but this is my revenÑÒ he choked, coughing out more and more blood. He started gagging and struggling to breathe, and in a matter of seconds, he was dead.

ÒWHAT!Ó yelled Neji. He stared at KanataÕs corpse soaked in blood, and back to FukaiÕs throbbing knee, watching the violet-green bruise even worsen by the minute. It was evident that the virus was spreading quick, and Neji didnÕt know what to do.

Fukai was whimpering in pain. The needle seem to have hit an artery or something, or else it wouldnÕt be all this painful. She gritted her teeth in pain, squeezing her eyes close as her brain failed to process what was really happening with her knee. She was startled when Neji suddenly pulled out elastic rubber bandages and pulled on her leg.

ÒThis will hurt, Fukai, but I have to do it in order to prevent the virus from spreading,Ó Neji muttered as he watched the virus creep upwards. The veins turned violet once the virus touches it, and it was creeping up FukaiÕs thigh, although very, very slowly. Neji wrapped the rubber bandage around FukaiÕs upper thigh in a circle, then pulled, compressing her flesh and closing off the veins and arteries. He kept the pull on the bandage all the while tying it into tight double knots and securing it before letting go.

Fukai groaned as she almost fainted from the pain. The rubber bandage was the thing that was now agonizing her instead of the needleÕs pain. It was so tight that in a matter of minutes, she could no longer feel her leg.

ÒCome on, Fukai, we have to take you to baseÉÓ Neji said, positioning her in his arms.

ÒNO!Ó Fukai snapped. ÒNo, Neji, youÕre needed here!Ó

Neji sighed. ÒFukaiÉÓ

ÒNeji, this war is for the people of Konoha and for the rest of ninja world. PleaseÉ please do not leave your post and do as the leaders said!Ó

Neji looked into her eyes. She looked real serious and it seemed that she was not planning to change her mind. Neji sighed and nodded slowly, closing his eyes and deactivating his Byakugan. He lifted a hand and raised it to press on his ear and turn on the communicator.

ÒNeji here, Sasuke, I need paramedic nins here pronto, Fukai has a serious injury,over,Ó Neji hurriedly muttered.

ÒWaitÉÓ Sasuke grunted, like he was doing something. ÒYes, copy that, Neji, what kind of paramedics are in need? Over.Ó

ÒUhmÉ IÕm not really sure, the condition is sensitive. FukaiÕs been injected with a contagious virus and I stopped it from spreading temporarily by a tourniquet, over,Ó Neji said uncertainly, supporting FukaiÕs back with his arm.

ÒCopy that,Ó Sasuke said on the other side, and then there was the sound of another voice.

ÒYou need the chemist paramedics, Neji,Ó Sakura came in. ÒIÕll be sending a team of four to assist the two of you, over.Ó

ÒDo NOT leave your post, Neji, weÕll take care of Fukai and make sure she gets well, you donÕt need to worry,Ó Sasuke barked. ÒYou will NOT leave your post, do you copy?Ó

ÒRoger that, Sasuke,Ó Neji sighed.

ÒAs for now, I want you to stay put and wait for the medics, theyÕve already left and are on their way,Ó Sasuke finished. ÒIs there anything else?Ó

ÒNo,Ó Hyuuga replied shortly. ÒThank you for the assistance, over.Ó

ÒAiyt, be careful, Neji-san!Ó Naruto said. Neji could almost SEE him grinning over the line. Neji scowled.

ÒTransmission over,Ó Neji growled into the molar mic, turning off the communicator. For some reason, he felt really annoyed at Naruto right now. Maybe it was the grinning business of the idiot or something.

Boy, does he even know how to be solemn?

But he knew the answer to that. He was solemn when the Sandaime had died before. But that was just for a while. For a little while. It was just a span of a couple of minutes, but then, as he saw his friends again, it was over. He was chipper and bright again. Neji sighed. The guy has barely just an ounce of solemnity on his body. Everything else was counted as chipper andÉ well, chipper!

A few minutes of FukaiÕs moans and NejiÕs hushing passed, and there was the sudden rustle of leaves from NejiÕs right. He braced himself at first, but thought that it was not an enemy, because an enemy wouldnÕt have announced his presence just like that. Well, unless the ninja was a complete and total knucklehead. But it turned out that his thought was correct, as a couple of medic nins from their base, two of them wearing distinct Tasogare medallions, approached him, saluting.

Neji just nodded, incapacitated at the moment because his right hand was being crushed by Fukai and his other arm was looped around her back as a support.

The paramedics rushed over to the young girl writhing in pain that was emanating like pulsing waves throughout her body. The virus was burning in her now numb leg, but that was the mystery. Her leg was numb, so she wasnÕt supposed to feel the pain of the searing virus.

Her leg was slowly turning a bluish dark violet from the lack of oxygen.

ÒYou can leave her with us, Neji-sama,Ó the Tasogare kunoichi said to Neji, smiling. Neji nodded and squeezed a crying FukaiÕs hand one last time, whispering a desperate ÒI love youÓ into her ears and receiving the same reply before they disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Kouji blankly stared at the stacked books against the wall. His clothes have been changed by Sasuke and he was helped into a shower by Naruto. He didnÕt even utter a word throughout the process, even when Naruto started pointedly molesting him just to make him spill the beans.

(And that was the main reason why Hinata was blushing like hell, Sasuke had his eyes twitching irritably, and Sakura had a smoking fist fresh from NarutoÕs mangled and fainted face.)

Sasuke rubbed his forehead slightly, raising both eyebrows as he and Naruto sat (lay, in NarutoÕs case) with the ever-silent Kouji. Sakura had told him that it was natural; the guy was either in a state of post-traumatic syndrome, or in the trauma itself.

Sakura had guessed that what went down earlier was something that had not been intended at all, and most probably, something had happened to provoke the spy ninja to go into overdrive and harm Tenten, whom, obviously, he really did not want to hurt.

Sasuke had added that the overdrive in the guyÕs brain must have been caused by the Curse Seal Naruto had found earlier on the spyÕs nape. Naruto breathed a big breath of relief when he saw that the guy didnÕt assume level 2. That was something he did not want to see again, clearly. He was already traumatized with what he had seen with Sasuke and OrochimaruÕs other henchmen.

NarutoÕs reason why he didnÕt want to see them?

ÒBECAUSE THEYÕRE FUCKINÕ UGLY, MAN!Ó

He earned a punch from Sasuke for that nasty comment.

ÒDid you forget that I acquired level 2 too, dobe?Ó

ÒExactÑly!Ó he moaned from the floor. Sasuke had narrowed his eyes and stepped on his face, taking immense pleasure in crushing it under his feet.

ÒWhoÕs ugly now, dobe?Ó

ÒUrghÉ mmph ph mhuphÉ unghÉÓ came some sounds from underneath SasukeÕs feet as he continued squishing.

ÒHow dare you call me ugly! Look in a mirror, dobe, then tell me whoÕs the uglier than the two of us!Ó (a/n: Man, sorry to Naruto fans, but I totally agree with SasukeÉ heÕs WAY more handsome! Right, guuuurlz? drools a lake)

SasukeÕs eye twitched again, as the bloody pulp that was Naruto twitched helplessly on the floor.

Suddenly, Sakura and Hinata barged into the room, still wearing surgical aprons, gloves and all sorts of protection. Naruto cringed as he smelt the bloodstains on Hinata and SakuraÕs aprons.

ÒTentenÕs condition is dangerous. VERY dangerous,Ó Hinata spoke in one hurried rush of breath. ÒI think there is no more hope left.Ó

ÒNO!Ó Kouji snapped, standing up from his seat on the sofa, suddenly wide awake. The wet towel in his hand fell to the floor with a fleshy flop.

ÒCalm down, Kouji-san,Ó Sakura confidently spoke. ÒI know of a way in which Tenten can survive. But it needs a selfless sacrifice.Ó

ÒAnything! Anything at all, just tell me! What can I do? IÕd give ANYTHING to have her well!Ó Kouji gushed. Then he broke down. ÒI was the reason why she became like that! I donÕt want her to be like that, and even if it costs me my life, I will do everything in my power to bring her back as she was!Ó

ÒAre you sure youÕre completely willing, Kouji-san?Ó

ÒYES!Ó

Sakura looked him straight in the eyes, searching for sincerity. And there she found it. Not even an ounce of fear or uncertainty. This guyÕs seriousÉ

Sakura sighed. ÒI will explain the implications and the rules of this process, Kouji-san. But brace yourself, for it is not necessarily a pleasing one.Ó
Fukai groaned as wave after undulating wave of pain racked her body, numbing her nerves to the other sensations around her except for the white-hot blinding pain.

Am I dyingÉ?

She blearily forced an eye open, much to a struggle and coaxing more waves of pain upon herself, but endured it. Barely. She was staring up to the green foliage, thick leaves obstructing a clear view of the sky, but gaps making it possible for moonbeams to reach through and lighten the atmosphere in the undergrowth.

The dappled moonlight of the early morn looked beautiful, only if it wasnÕt scarlet as it was.

The sky was stained red, probably because of all the chakra waves undulating through the biosphere around them. It created a magnetic field that made the moonbeams look red.

It was beautiful, yet ugly at the same time.

It looked peaceful, and it would be, if it was not for the noises of war filtering through the air and reaching FukaiÕs straining ears.

I probably amÉ I think the poison might have slipped through the torniquet Neji-kun madeÉ

She sighed.

Neji-kunÉ

And as her mind focused on that one person, images flashed though her mind. Blurred and rapid though they were, to FukaiÕs eyes, they were as clear as crystal.

And right then and there, she realized what her fate was, why she was called the savior, why she was importantÉ why she was hidden away from the worldÉ why she was called DeepÉ

Deep within herself she found her fateÉ and left to follow it.
Sasuke, Hinata and NarutoÕs jaws were long introduced to the carpeted floor as Sakura finished her speech.

ÒNo. Way. In. Fucking. Hell,Ó Sasuke swore.

ÒDamn, thatÕs one HELLUVA sacrifice!Ó Naruto screamed.

ÒGosh, Sakura-chan, who taught you that!Ó Hinata yelped, shocked.

ÒAya and Miyu took the honor of introducing me to the best of our medic nins in Tasogare, Rie-san, and she taught me everything she knew about medicines and curing heavy injuries like this, as well as sacred rites and ceremonies that performed special tasks in benefit of the injured, but with a concluding sacrifice,Ó Sakura sighed. ÒIt is a heavy burden to bear, Hinata, and donÕt wish that youÕd learn it, because youÕd have to bear the repercussions and guilt in your guts by simply performing it.Ó

ÒI know,Ó Hinata muttered, bowing her head.

ÒWell, do you agree to all of this, Kouji-san?Ó

There was a long silence, as everyone in the room, including a reading Shikamaru held their breaths for his answer.

ÒYes.Ó

ÒGOD!Ó Shikamaru exclaimed.

ÒYOUÕRE REALLY DESPERATE, ARENÕT YOU?Ó Naruto yelled.

ÒFUCK, THIS IS CRAZY!Ó Sasuke screamed, tempted to pull his hair off his head in shock.

ÒI swore to myself that IÕd do anything for her,Ó Kouji said. Not even a single trace of fear leaked through to his eyes. ÒI love her and I will do anything for her. Anything.Ó

ÒAwwÉÓ cooed Sakura and Hinata.

Sasuke and Naruto glared.

ÒWell, if youÕre decided, then itÕs best to proceed right now, because frankly speaking, we donÕt have much time, and I still need to clean up after this for the battle,Ó Sakura nodded, ushering Kouji into the medical room and shutting the white, claustrophobic-looking door behind her.

ÒHe has guts,Ó the three guys said, blanching as they imagined what would become of Kouji.

Itachi and Kouji-dobe came out of SasukeÕs room, all freshened up.

ÒYo, whatÕs up?Ó

ÒKouji just practically gave his life up for Tenten.Ó
Gentle, artificial afternoon sunlight filtered through the white-washed room from the ceiling where a bulb was attached. The light flickered steadily, creating an illusion of real sunlight. Tenten groaned as she woke up to one of the most massive headaches of her life. And to the face of her old teammate.

ÒTenten. YouÕre awake.Ó

ÒW-what happened?Ó

ÒYou donÕt remember? You should remember.Ó

Tenten frowned and scrunched her forehead up. Images flashed through her mind, blurry and disoriented. Then one by one, the images and motions fell into their own place.

ÒThe battle. Where areÑÒ

ÒThe battle is still on-going. The others are helping out. I was assigned here since I was heavily injured while I fought Orochimaru,Ó Neji muttered, motioning to his broken arm, concussion, 5 broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and a crushed left hand. (a/n: O. Kay. O.O Officially freaked out.)

Tenten fell silent for a moment before she snapped up straight.

ÒKOUJI! Where is he? Tell me where he is!Ó

ÒTentenÉÓ Neji started uncertainly, avoiding her eyes. It was the question he was hoping she would not ask.

ÒNEJI! WHERE IS HE?Ó

ÒIÉ TentenÉÓ

ÒKouji! HeÕs notÉ heÕs reallyÉ Neji?Ó

ÒYes, IÕm afraid so, TentenÉ K-Kazahana KoujiÕs d-dead. Passed away this morning, with a few words. He wanted me to tell you that he loved you and he was sorry,Ó Neji said, bowing his head.

Tears flowed freely from TentenÕs eyes as she hunched over on her bed, loud sobs racking her delicate, recovering frame.

NejiÕs eyes brimmed with tears, partly because of his former teammateÕs pain and partly because of his current dilemma.

Not his injuries, no, heÕs endured much much more than this.

But another thing.

Fukai.

She wasÉ declared officially missing as of last night.

Neji stood up and walked over to the bed, wrapping a good arm around Tenten and resting his moist face on her shaking shoulder.

ÒHush, baby, everything will be fineÉÓ he said, hoping his words can assure even his uncertainty. Tears dripped silently down his cheeks.

Somewhere in the distance, sad notes floated softly from a flute.