Chapter 14: Escort Arc

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Shocking, right?

Playing the Role of the Byakugan Princess

Escort Arc

Chapter fourteen

Okay, close your eyes. Don't look at the topple-sided head, who is able to speak and live without his body. Ignore him. Calm down. Clear your mind. Deep breaths.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

You cannot have a panic attack right now. You are still on a mission that needs to be completed. You are the one with the advantage from having hidden knowledge about Hidan and need to keep a rational mind to find moments to casually slip the information in. Focus on anything beside the bodiless immortal for now.

"I think Sakura just fainted," I announce as I sit down and ran a hand through my hair. Perfect subject to think about. "And, your daughter is freaking out."

Norio sighs. "She will be okay for the time being. She's already seen worse." Are you sure that this guy isn't really a Shinobi and not a current civilian? He is speaking like one. Norio glances over at Hidan. "Michi can be comforted later. What are we going to do with him?"

"Don't look at me you son of a bitch unless you're planning on reattaching my head back to my body!" Hidan snaps and Norio widens his eyes and averts them away.

I shut my eyes. Please stop talking.

Inhale. Exhale.

Both men are ignored as Asuma walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder. "You okay?" he asks, giving me a concern look. I am a little touched that my mental state is top priority at the moment.

In any normal situation, this would have been considered my first kill. But, immortal bastard over there took that glory away from me so, no, I'm not okay.

Yes. Convince yourself that that is the reason why you are upset.

I open my eyes and shrug. "I am not going to be traumatized," I lie. "But, I am a little disgusted and shocked at the moment."

"It is normal to feel a mixture of emotions after your first kill," Asuma tells me. He briefly looks over at Hidan. "Well, you can take it upon yourself to decide whether you consider this your first kill or not. Most Genin do not experience something like this so I suggest trying to find a way to cope with this and just calm your mind. If you need to talk to anyone about it, I'm all ears."

In other words, I need to hurry and get over this so I can focus my attention back on the mission. I know that wasn't what Asuma meant, but it is kind of an unspoken rule. You do not want a Shinobi to completely lose control of their emotions while on a mission. Yeah, it sucks to have to kill another life, and I will probably have nightmares for the next few weeks now. But, it is part of being Shinobi and the more kills we commit the more we become immuned to it. Though, I do not think any sane person can be completely immune to killing.

I nod and only say, "Thank you, Asuma-sensei."

I do not want to talk about this anymore.

"Now, why don't you take Shikamaru and go check on Sakura and Michi?" Asuma suggests. "You or Sakura can perform first aid on Shikamaru. I'm going to have a little chat with our other client."

I really hope Norio didn't know about Hidan running rampage throughout the countryside and never mentioned it so the mission's ranking can be lower so he didn't have to fork out as much money. This would be really similar to Naruto's mission he is on right now. Then again, Norio seemed genuinely surprised to seeing Hidan, and neither of they acted like they had fought beforehand. Norio even mentioned that he saw Hidan last in his village before leaving it so I don't think Norio was hiding anything from us. If that is the case, why does Asuma want to talk to him alone?

"Yes, sir," I reply. I walk over towards my injured teammate and sweep him off of his feet, bridal style.

"This is embarrassing, you know?" Shikamaru whines as he rests his hands on his hurt side.

"Don't start your complaining," I tell him as we make our way slowly over towards Sakura's position. I do not want to go my normal speed to prevent Shikamaru's wound from reopening. I walk up the tree and propped Shikamaru up against it once we reached the branch. "Sees, that wasn't so bad."

"Tch, troublesome," Shikamaru grunts, rolling his eyes.

I set my focus on Michi and Sakura before I work on Shikamaru. "Are you okay?" I ask the little girl. She has just been in a frightening situation and just witnessed something gruesome. That is something a young girl shouldn't have to experience and I want to see how she is feeling.

She nods, but she is the opposite of okay. Her face is currently frozen in a mixture of terror, shock, and distraught, her eyes are bloodshot from crying, and her body is slightly quivering. "Y-your friend s-suddenly just fell o-over," she stammers. I'm surprised she can even speak in the emotional and mental state she is in.

I extend my hand out and smoothed her hair down to comfort her. "She will be fine," I assure her. "You know, you are a brave girl."

She widens her eyes. "I-I am?"

I wink at her. "You stayed hidden and quiet when you were supposed to, despite the situation."

"T-that is nothing s-special," she retorts softly.

I give her a melodramatic shake of my head. "No, really! By doing that, you saved your father. Most children your age would have screamed and gotten caught."

"R-really?" she asks, her face beginning to brighten up.

"Mhmm." I say, nodding.

She slightly relaxes her body and her facial features. "B-but, I was scared," she tells me. "That man yelled and c-cursed a lot. I didn't like that. And, that sharp w-weapon of his was scary also."

"Do you want to know a little secret?" I ask. Michi nods and I lean in closer to her ear. "I was scared, too. My whole team was."

Michi narrows her eyes. "What? No, you weren't," she accuses. "You fought the guy and even sliced his head off!" Well, she said that without any fear.

I grimace. "Yeah, don't remind me," I mumble before clasping my hands together. "However! While we did fight him, he still terrified all of us. Like you, we just put on a brave front and prevailed. You prevailed by staying quiet and protecting your father and we prevailed by fighting the bad guy. It was a teamwork situation!" Okay, I am totally just bullshitting by this point, but I am trying to make the little girl feel better.

I manage to break a small smile on Michi's face. "I guess I was brave," she says to me.

I give her a thumbs up. "That's the spirit!" I tell her. Shit, I am acting like Guy and Lee right now. "Now, can you do me a favor and try to wake up my friend? I need to heal my other one."

Michi frowns in worry. "Is he severely hurt?"

I give her a hopeful smile. "He will be fine," I reply, avoiding her question.

She doesn't seem to notice as she goes back to Sakura and begins to softly shake her. I head over towards Shikamaru and pull out the small first aid kit out of my backpack. I open it up and took out a rag, some alcohol, and some bandages. "This might burn a little," I tell Shikamaru as I pour a few drops of alcohol onto the rag.

"I'll live."

I lift up his shirt to rub the rag on his wound and he winces a little. Afterwards, I wrap up his side with the bandages and then I attempt the same method on his shoulder. He looks like a mummy now. "There! Good as new!"

He tugs on his bandages. "They are a little tight."

"Hn," I snort, pulling a Sasuke. "Like you can do any better."

"Actually, my clan possess a lot of knowledge in medicines and has developed many that has been very useful to the village," Shikamaru informs me, giving me a look of slight seriousness and amusement.

I give him a deadpanned stare all the while resisting the urge to smirk. Must he always find a way to up one me... and succeed?

"That doesn't prove to me that you can wrap bandages better," I retort back.

His expressions changes to boredom. "Yeah, whatever," he replies. I guess it takes to much effort for him to argue back with me.

Lazy ass.

"On a serious note, do you think this will hold you over until we reach Yugakure?" I ask.

"It should help stop the bleeding, which was the most important issue," Shikamaru tells me. "We aren't that far from the village so I can deal with some pain until then."

I nod. "Good."

"Are you going to be alright?" he questions, raising an eyebrow.

While I would rather avoid the question, and the topic altogether, I know he is just asking out of concern and as my comrade and friend. Plus, I am going to hear this question from Sakura, Norio, and probably a few other people once I get back to Konoha so I shouldn't really get too irritated by it.

"I'll live," I tell him. No need to sugarcoat it with a lie or fake answer. I doubt Asuma bought my lie earlier, but went along with it anyways. It's a simple response and Shikamaru is smart enough to know what I mean behind it and how I truly feel. No need to go into detail.

Shikamaru proves me right about my thoughts of him, as usual, by only nodding and saying, "Good."

From behind me, I hear Sakura mumbling and rising up. "It seems like our cherry blossom has finally awaken," I tell Shikamaru, forcing my tone of voice to be light-hearted. "You stay here and rest while I go check on her."

I make my way over to my female teammate and sit down next to her. Michi gives me a relieved look. "I woke her up," she proudly proclaims.

I give her a smile of approval. "Great!" I look at Sakura. "You kind of scared her by suddenly fainting like that."

Sakura grows embarrassed. "Sorry," she replies. "I didn't mean to! It was just… well, you know… you…"

I hold up my hand. "I didn't say it was wrong of you to pass out. We all understand your reasoning for it. You do not have to explain yourself."

Sakura sighs. "Good. I don't even want to think or talk about that!" Then, she gives me a worried glance. "But, are you-"

"I'll live," I quickly answer. Hey, she said she didn't want to talk about it. Plus, I don't want Michi to get involved in such a conversation.

Sakura frowns. "How can you say that when-"

While Shikamaru accepts things, Sakura likes to question them. "Thank you," I cut in, causing her to widen her eyes. "I appreciate your concern, but, like you, I do not wish to think or talk about it right now. I'll live." I give her a reassuring smile for affect.

Sakura gives me a disapproving look, obviously not satisfied with my answer. "Well, okay. If you say so."

I look at her head to change the subject. "Does your head hurt? We don't want you to have a concussion or anything."

Sakura shakes her head. "I feel fine."

"Good," I say as I activated my Byakugan for a split second. "Now that I am done playing doctor, I think we should head back over to Asuma. He seems to be done speaking with Norio."

Sakura rasies her eyebrows. "Did he want to talk to him alone or something?"

"Yes, but I don't know why," I tell her. "If you will get Michi, I will grab Shikamaru."

We pick up our respectable companions and walk down the tree and over to Asuma and Norio. They seem to have dug out Hidan's body during their talk and Asuma is holding the man by his hair as he screeches in pain. Deep down, I wished Asuma knew that Hidan killed him in the anime/manga. He would be taking such pleasure in causing him pain right now.

"Are you deaf?! Put me down, bastard! That hurts!" Hidan yells as we approach them. He notices my presence and scowls. "And, you! You're the bitch that caused this! The wrath of Jashin is going to come upon you so hard that you will be begging for mercy and repent! I am going to kill you at the next possible chance I get!"

I feel Shikamaru tense of in my arms at Hidan's words as Asuma swings Hidan's head back and forth. "Oops, sorry," Asuma casually the immortal. "Had a muscle spasm."

"Agh! Stop that!" Hidan yells some more.

"This guys is giving me a headache," Shikamaru states, rubbing his temples.

"Inhale. Exhale," I say out loud.

Shikamaru looks up and gives me an odd look. "Huh? Me? What are you talking about?"

Wait, I was suppose to say that in my head. "Nevermind," I quickly say and give him a nervous giggle.

Shikamaru rolls his eyes and directs his attention to Asuma. "What are we going to do about him?"

"I was thinking about sealing his body and head in one of Hinata storage scrolls that she thoughtfully brought on this mission," Asuma replies, look over at me.

I take the compliment and stick my tongue out at Shikamaru for trying to show me up earlier and he rolls his eyes once more. "I have a couple of empty ones that we can seal him in," I informed my sensei, looking back at him. "We will probably have to separate his head and body since my scrolls aren't large enough to fit both of them."

"Fuck no!" Hidan shouts. "You are not putting me in some damn scroll!"

"We will have to do something about his weapons," I continue, ignoring him. "I will not have any room for them."

"We can destroy then," Sakura suggests as she drops Michi so the girl can reunite with her father. "That scythe is dangerous and gives me the creeps." She shudders for emphasize.

"You will not do such a thing!" Hidan hollars, veins starting to bulge out of his head from the stress of his anger.

I guess if he can still talk then his internal parts in his head can still, somehow, function without his body.

"I think we should hold on to them for the time being," Asuma insists. "While they are dangerous, they are powerful weapons and can be quite useful. Maybe one of you can train and learn how to wield the scythe." Pfft. Not me. "Maybe like Hinata." Of course he says me. "It can be an improvement in your long range tactics since you are a close range fighter."

"I think I will stick with my kunai and wire," I say. I don't want to possess anything that belongs to Hidan.

Asuma shrugs. "Eh, it was just a suggestion. Anyways, let's seal him up."

"Are you going to be okay if I put you down for a few minutes why I get my scrolls?" I ask Shikamaru.

He scoffs. "I'm not a baby. You don't have to keep carrying me around."

"Awhh, but you whine like one," I reply as I gently let go of him and he stands next to me.

I see everyone smirk at my comment, even getting Hidan to snort. Shikamaru turns slightly red and looks away. "Why do you always have to act so troublesome towards me?"

"The same reason as to why the sky is blue and the grass is green," I tell him as I pull out two scrolls out of my backpack.

"Great. Now you're answering me in riddles," Shikamaru says. He looks over at Sakura. "I hereby denounce you as the "Troublesome Woman". Hinata has won that title now."

Sakura shifts her eyes over to her teammate. "Gee, thanks, Shikamaru."

I spread out the scrolls on the ground. Asuma sets down Hidan's head on top of the scroll and begins to weave some hand signs. "Do not fucking put me in that scroll! I will make you regret it!" Hidan warns.

Asuma finishes his signs and lifts up a finger. The scroll lights up as Hidan's head sinks into the scroll. Hidan starts to curse loudly and screams about Jashin, causing Norio to cover his daughter's ears, until he is silenced by completely emerging into the scroll.

"Let's keep him in there forever," I hear Sakura mumbles as Asuma drags Hidan's body over to the other scroll and seals it.

Asuma rolls up the scrolls and tucks it in his own backpack for safe keeping. "Shall we continue our path to Yugakure?" he asks as if none of the recent moments had occurred and we had stopped to take a break instead.

"What we are going to do about Hidan?" I question.

"Norio and I had a discussion about that," Asuma replies.

I wait on him to elaborate, but he never does. Instead, I sigh and follow my teammates actions into getting ready to travel again. I stick out my hands towards Shikamaru. "Ready to be carried?" Shikamaru just stares at me. "Would you rather have a piggyback ride?"

"I can walk, thanks," Shikamaru tells me and proves so by walking away from me.

Humph. Party pooper.

All of a sudden, an eerie feeling of be watched overwhelms and I instantly go on guard, triggering my Byakugan to scan my surroundings. Strange. I do not see anything out the ordinary.

But, instincts like these do not just hit a Shinobi out of the blue for no reason.

If I want to be paranoid, I can start overanalyzing the small black crow that is perched naturally on a branch, cocking its head to the side and shifting its wings. Sure, it looks and acts like a normal crow. However, I can start assuming that it is actually Itachi spying on me. Which can be indicating to me that the Akatsuki is nearby and some of the members are searching to recruit Hidan.

But, that's if I wanted the paranoia to takeover.

And, I think it is what I will allow to happen.

"What's wrong?" Asuma demands with concern and alert in his voice as he notices my Byakugan.

Though, I cannot logically admit this information out loud. Despite the fact I know things that the others do not, I could be thinking too cautiously and it is just a normal crow.

I relax my body posture as I deactivate my Byakugan. "I thought I sensed something, but I was wrong," I tell him, not knowing if I am telling a lie or not. "It is only a bird."

Asuma gives me a suspicious look. "Are you sure?"

I nod. "Yes. I guess I am just still shaken up by that guy." Asuma drops his stern look and nods in understanding. "I'm just going to create a Shadow Clone to check out what my Byakugan cannot see, just incase there is anymore like him running around."

"It makes sense," Asuma say. "Whatever help eases your mind." Good. He is seeing this as one of the coping mechanisms he suggested I find earlier.

I make a cross with four fingers and a Shadow Clone appears beside of me and runs into the depths of the forest. We all take that moment to turn and continue our trek towards Yugakure without another word while I silently pray that my Shadow Clone doesn't come across Itachi and whoever else is keeping him company.

Despite what Asuma had said earlier about arriving early the next morning, we actually reached Yugakure in about eight hours. We had traveled a little faster than the civilian's pace that we were doing to get here faster so Shikamaru can get properly treated. We weren't going fast enough to where it reopened his wounds or gave him chronic pain and Asuma and Norio took turns piggybacking him when he felt tired or was hurting. When I offered to carry him, he politely refused and made some comment about he shouldn't be relying on a girl for this type of thing.

Pshhh. Men and their pride.

After getting looked at, Shikamaru's wounds coming out to be nothing fatal, Norio booked us a room at an inn since his house will not sleep all six of us. Since it was night time when we finally arrived at the village, we were tired and retired for the night, deciding to handle Hidan and the exploring of Yugakure and it's hot springs in the morning.

We wake up the next morning to eat breakfast and get ready for the day.

"I am meeting up with Norio and some other officials in the village to see what we should about the guy," Asuma tells us as we finished eating. "Norio's daughter is going to show you three around the village and visit the hot springs. She should be on her way here as I speak. The hot springs and lunch will be at the expense of Norio so be sure to thank him later."

"We aren't going with you?" Sakura asks. "Isn't our reports going to be needed?"

"Remember, Yugakure is not considered a Shinobi village anymore even though there are a few active Shinobi living here," Asuma explains to us. "They are not going to need every person present to give every single detail that happened during our fight. They are going to want the person in charge and Norio, because he witnessed the fight and he is a villager here, to explain the major details. Afterwards, they will decide what will happen to Hidan, though I already have a feeling what."

We wait for him to elaborate more, but he doesn't. He is really bad for that.

"So, you're not going to tell us your feeling?" I ask.

Asuma takes a puff of his cigarette and blows out. "You'll find out. For now, just enjoy your day and we will meet back at our client's house later this afternoon." He gives us a wave and uses Body Flicker to leave the room.

"I wonder what the verdict is going to be," I wonder aloud.

I really hope we don't have to take Hidan back to Konoha with us. What if we run into the Akatsuki? My Shadow Clone hasn't dissipated yet since I created her yesterday. I haven't received any sudden barrage of memories so I know she hasn't.

Though, I did have a strange dream last night now that I think about it.

I had been running through the forest and the full moon above me was beautifully illuminating the night sky. The constellations surrounded the moon were glistened brightly and I was having the urge to allow the mysteries of the celestials to captivate my attention and lie down to watch them. I was actually about to do so when a noise of leaves snapping shattered the spell I was under. I instantly stop moving and hid underneath a bush with ears perked and Byakugan activated. My eyes widened as I found the people who were making the soft noises. Three people in black cloaks with blood red clouds on them were striding slowly through the forest: a tall dark haired young man, a shorter older man with green eyes, and a petite woman with short blue hair. Itachi, Kakuzu, and Konan.

I had tensed up and held my breath in hopes of not being noticed. My actions seemed to have failed me as Itachi abruptly stops and turns to glare in my direction, Sharingan awakened. Kakuzu and Konan say something to Itachi, but I cannot hear them. Probably along the lines of "Is something wrong" and "I almost ran into you. Stop like that again and I'll kill you". I see Itachi slightly shrug and mumble his own string of words before the trio continues on their path.

When they are out of view, I close my eyes and I let out the breath I had been holding in relief. Good, they had not noticed me. I open up my eyes and freeze on the spot. Two red eyes were staring into my lavender ones and I suddenly felt my mind try to go into a trance, but it failed. Was he trying to use genjutsu on me? It doesn't seem to be working. I seen Itachi's stone cold face twitch slightly in what seemed to me confusion before he raises up his arm, revealing a kunai in hand. Feeling as if I'm about to die, I gather the thought process of wanting to get out of here and Itachi and the forest dissolves around me and then everything goes black.

And then I woke up.

Was that really just a dream or had my Shadow Clone dissipated while I was asleep and the memories were flooding back to me as I slept, making it look like a dream?

I widen my eyes and freeze up.

Oh my God. What if my Shadow Clone really did see Itachi, Konan, and Kakuzu and Itachi had caught her?

Shit. Shit. Shit.

What do I do?

Sakura stretches, not seeming to notice my change in body language. "Whatever it is, we will find out later like Asuma-sensei said. I don't know about you guys, but I am so ready to hit those hot springs! I want to experience how famous these hot springs really are."

Shikamaru shrugs. "They are probably just hyped up and are actually just regular hot springs like the ones back at home."

There is a sudden knock on our door.

"Michi will be able to give us an answer!" Sakura says excitedly as she skips over to the door, but I pull her back.

"Wait!" I hiss as I step in front of her and Shikamaru.

They both blink. "Why did you do that for?" Sakura snapped.

"Sssh," I tell her. I trigger my bloodline and see Michi standing on the other side of the door, waiting for someone to answer it. I expand my vision to see if I can see any Akatsuki member or crows or paper butterflies or anything suspicious. Nothing. I deactivate my Byakugan. "Okay, you can open it."

"Sheesh, Hinata!" Sakura exclaims. "Scaring us like that! You've been on edge since yesterday! Our first stop is definitely going to be the hot springs. It will help calm you down."

I do not say anything back as Shikamaru just raises his eyebrow at me as Sakura opens the door for Michi. "Sorry for the prolonged wait!" she apologizes. "We were just... doing some last minute packing."

Michi looks around and gives us a cute smile. "That's alright! I am here to show you guys around Yugakure today! Where would you all like to do first?"

Twenty minutes later, I am submerging myself into the hot springs and my body falls in love within the first second. The water is super hot, but not hot enough to boil my skin. In fact, it actually seems to be purifying it, along with the rest of me. On our walk to the springs, Michi had told us why the hot springs are a major tourist attraction. The springs can quickly replenish chakra reserves and cure any minor illness or wounds that a person may have. While Shikamaru wounds are considered moderate, the springs are going to hit the spot for him and help heal him. The springs also have the power to put its visitors in a relaxed state of mind, making you forget all of your worries.

That is the only power at the moment that is not working for me. Maybe it is just because I am not allowing myself to succumb to it.

I keep on thinking about my eerie feeling yesterday, the crow, and my "dream". They all must have a connection to Itachi. It is just too coincidental.

I get a bad feeling, I see a crow, I send my clone to scout at the area, and I have a "dream" in my sleep of seeing myself running through the forest and coming across Itachi, Kakuzu, and Konan.

I am one thousand percent sure that my Shadow Clones tumbled upon them last night and Itachi managed to somehow catch her watching them. But, it didn't' seem like he alerted the others of her whereabouts. I know Itachi is technically good and all, but I'm not supposed to know that.

Why would he tell his comrades one thing and then secretly confront me with an attempt of genjutsu?

Was he trying to mess up my mind and torture me?

Or was he trying to it seem like I was seeing things or somehow make me forget that I saw them for my own safety?

Whatever he was trying to do, he obviously knew it was only a Shadow Clone since she didn't fall under his Sharingan.

The logical thing for him to do would be to find and kill me before I blab to someone that I had seen him. Or he could be relying on the fact that the real me could have been asleep and that it could all have been just a dream that I only had.

But, he wouldn't take such a risk. If he didn't have the heart to kill me, being one of Sasuke's best friends and all, he would somehow get another member to.

Great, that's a wonderful thing to think about.

I keep screwing up the timeline and changing things without meaning to.

I am such a terrible Naruto fan.

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself," an unfamiliar voice says to me.

I jump, startled, and look over to see an elderly woman with grey eyes soaking next to me. When did she get here? I cast my eyes over to Sakura and Michi and notice that they are only ten feet away from me, caught up in their own little worlds with their eyes closed.

I drown the annoying feeling that was trying to push its way up and give the stranger a fake smile. "I really am! I'm just lost in thought, that is all."

Calm down. She is probably just wanting to make innocent small talk before letting the spell of the hot springs take her over. Old people like to talk and be nosey.

The woman seems unconvinced. "You are at the hot springs, little girl. You should be relaxing, not fretting."

I will relax when you move away from me, lady. "I am fine. Really! But, I will take your advice. Thank you for it."

I drift a couple of inches away from her and quickly snap my eyes shut. I feel the sensation of her scooting closer to me. Has this elder ever heard of personal space and minding her own business? What the hell does she want?

"It is nice to see the youngins of today are traveling the world to broaden their horizons," the woman continues as I resisted an irritated sigh. "Where are you from, lassie?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "How do you know I am from outside the village?"

She gives me a grin, the crinkles stretching across her face from the aftermath. "I have lived here my whole life and I have never seen you around before."

Oh. Well, I feel a little stupid. Though, this woman is stupid for bothering me.

Damn. Why am I so ill all of a sudden? I never get angry this quick.

"I am just passing through with my friends and one of their uncles," I tell her, not really answering her question.

The woman frowns. "You ignored my question and just lied to me. You are being very rude right now."

My eyebrows twitch. How the hell did she know I was lying?

"I am sorry, but I do not know what you are talking about?" I say to her.

The elderly woman glares at me with such killer intent that I take step back and avert my eyes in order to avoid being paralyzed with fear. I wildly look around, but everyone, including Sakura, seems to be at peace still.

Why isn't anyone else picking up on this?!

"You lied to me, again!" the woman raises her voice at me. "That it is a sin. In fact, you have committed a lot of sins recently and I am not very pleased."

"W-what the hell are you talking about?" I stammer, taking another step back.

Suddenly, the world dissolves around me and I find myself floating over a pit of flames. All below me is flames and above me is nothing but eternal darkness. The elderly woman is gone and in place of her is the most beautiful yet terrifying man I have ever laid my eyes on. He is tall and slender with no clothes on and has long black hair that cascades down to his waist with piercing emerald eyes, a sharp nose, and a small mouth with thin delicate lips. Those are the parts that made him beautiful. What contradicts that is same manic smile that Hidan had resting on his head and that same insane look in his eyes. His pale skin seems to be melting in some places and dripping with blood in others all the while having the symbol of Jashin embedded in his stomach. Two large wings of blood extend out of his back as a tail of flesh swung from behind. Where his arms and legs should is nothing but straight veins and bones and a black aura engulfs his entire being.

"You should have repented and gave in to my Way when my follower commanded you to!" the man yells, glaring a hole through me. "If you had, I would have spared your life and created you anew, allowing you to follow under my Way! Instead, you committed blasphemy, interrupted my follower's ritual, and proceed to attack him! I WILL NOT FORGIVE SUCH SINS!"

"Who are you?! Where am I?!" I scream back at him. I try to move towards him, but my body will not obey.

The man glowers. "YOU DARE TO MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME, ASKING WHO I AM?! I AM JASHIN! THE UNMERCIFUL GOD OF DESTRUCTION AND DEATH WHO IS SENDING YOU TO HELL!"

I feel myself trembling in fear. This guy's killing intent is so strong that it is making me want to commit suicide just to get away from it.

This man is Jashin? Jashin is actually real?!

"No, no, no, no," I hear myself whisper as I feel my mind slip and I being to pull at my hair.

Jashin seems to be enjoying the torture he is putting me through with his simple glare. "IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO BE PUNISHED FOR YOUR SINS!"

The god suddenly appears before me and begins to wrap his flesh like tail around my body as he strokes my head with his veins and bones. Blood begins to drip onto my cheek and slowly begins to spread all over my body, as if it is trying to swallow me up. Without warning, my vision in my left eye is gone and Jashin is holding the eyeball in his "hand". He rolls the eye around before popping it like a water balloon and all I can do is watch with my remaining eye. I feel nothing but complete fear and emptiness. Piece by piece he begins to decapitate me until only my right eye is left. I watch as he takes my dismantled body parts and proceeds to do inhumane things with them such as eating them, breaking them into smaller pieces, spurting the fluids and blood on himself, and tossing the leftovers into fire below me. He picks up my eye and looks into it with a ridiculous smirk before tossing me into his mouth and chomps his teeth down, causing me to explode into nothing.

That quick second of nothingness that I am in turns into a slightly different scene. I am nailed to a cross and I am completely attached again, but I am hovering over the pit of fire and Jashin is still in front of me. He has many small nails floating around him. He waves his hand and one by one the nails starts to impale me all over my body. Once again, I experience only a mixture of fear and emptiness as I feel my my left eye being punctured, my heart being stabbed, and my lips being pricked. A small batch of nails manages to squeeze their way through my lips, actually, and begins to puncture my insides until I looked like nothing more than a voodoo doll.

A few more tortuous situations went underway such as repeatedly getting my head chopped off, having my skin melted off, and being burned alive until something finally hit me.

I do not feel any pain and I should be long dead by now.

I think I am under a genjutsu.

I begin to resist the current torture session that is going on, being taking apart piece by piece again, and struggle to move my body. I can't. I must be under a strong genjutsu.

I feel my left slowly being to rise on my own free will and then my right. My missing legs seem to have miraculously grew back and I was not missing an eye anymore.

Move! Move! Move!

Each time I am able to move a body limb, the flames below begin to grow smaller and parts of Jashin begin to fade away.

Hinata…

Hinata…

Who's calling my name?

I notice Jashin's face contort in anger again and he unleashes his killer intent unexpectedly on me once more.

Murderous scenes begin flashing through my head as I witness myself going through the torture sessions and I vomit in disgust. I see scenes of me grabbing various weapons and hacking off different parts of my body and just committing suicide over and over again.

I scream in terror as I begin to pull on my hair again.

Hinata!

Hinata!

Stop saying my name!

Hinata!

Hinata!

Please, just let me die!

Hinata! No, wake up!

I can't!

KAI!

I feel myself being sucked upwards and then there is darkness.

Author's Note: Sorry for the late posting. I have been sick but I hoped you enjoy this chapter!