Undisclosed Compound.

[marvolous.]

I could hear everything.

It was garbled, quite like a television set too low, but I could hear several distinct voices. The soft reverberations that accompanied their words alerted me that I was surrounded by others, though I could not tell by who. I wasn't conscious, not completely at least, but my mind was traveling on the thin line between it and unconsciousness.

The voices lingered for several moments, and throughout it I tried to decipher their origin, but found nothing. Eventually they disappeared for the most part, along with the numbing feeling I hadn't even realized was there until it was gone, so I tried to move. I expected the rush of pain to once again overcome me, but there was nothing-- not even a trace of any feeling.

My eyes opened then, slowly, having to adjust to onslaught of lights that hovered over my body. The voices were gone, that was for sure, but I could tell I wasn't alone. Still without sight, I extended my arms out, embracing the person I could feel was there. Despite having just been on the verge of dying, my body was relaxed; almost as if the person's very presence was soothing every fiber of my being. It was Beppin, for sure; no one could calm me to such a degree aside from her.

"I'm sorry I did not get you myself, love." I pulled her closer to my chest; having leaned forward, my face now rested on top of her crown. "Where are we now, outside of Sunagakure?"

My injuries were gone, from what I could tell, but my body was still felt... empty. Was Blanche responsible for healing me? Rather, where was she? Judging by my surroundings, I had to assume she had been. Without skipping a beat, I followed up my question.

"Beppin..." I paused, gazing at her fully now that my vision was clear. "What happened to the village?"

[Apple]

It wasn't long after I confirmed his notion of moving in to a different room to allow Soratsu and Beppin space that I found myself whisked away in his arms to the connecting room, my feet moving in line with his own, although with such movement, I found myself steadily becoming unbalanced once more. Upon entering, I chose to stand close to one of the several counters in the room, now leaning my back against it with both hands held to either side, pressing down on the metallic tabletop as I watched Kouketsu himself move elsewhere in the room, my eyes, despite feeling heavy, following his movements across the tilted floor and the shadow that his form cast across the imposingly lit room. The room itself was indistinguishable as its purpose - whilst it contained what appeared to be a kitchenette, and a table, it too housed a single bed, although it was, due to some reading I'd taken to, littered with medical textbooks - in fact, the entire room was covered in them. In bookcases, on the floor, atop counters - everywhere. Of course, it was, undoubtedly, my own living arrangements, my love for reading so painstakingly clear through each and every worn book that the room housed, each one crinkled at the spine due to usage. But even now within the room, with my senses still flaring and such a clouded mind, I knew, that the very moment I heard the door click behind the both of us, that something was wrong, and my concern could be seen easily on my face. As I leant against the countertop behind me, the same soft trails of my dress lingering only slightly above the floor, his voice soon sounded to my ears from the distance he was situated at. In response, my expression perked up somewhat, although - from what he seemed to be speaking about, it seemed as if my assumptions about the topic being different to our usual discussions had been correct.

And at this time, as his voice sounded to me, all I could do was stay silent and watch as he detailed his account of the first shinobi war and the truth of his own story. Too often had he been portrayed as a demon who had slaughtered thousands. And whilst he had, relentlessly, as far as the documentations go, he seemed to have what I wouldn't describe as a good reason, but something which I'd never expected him to explain, as a reason for such disastrous events. However, although already surprised at those words, what came next blew it all out of the water - the removal of his mask hadn't fazed me.

"..There is a storm coming, Blanche, one greater than any have ever seen... and I now know where I belong--"

"--here, protecting what is truly important."




"...!"

In regards to the words that he had said, had it have been anyone else, perhaps they would have been touched by his words but not I. Although incapable of distinguishing any emotions from each other, I was quite sure that what I currently felt was dread. Whilst, at the start, even with his cruel words in Hi no Kuni, I'd envied his control and the sheer power that he could so easily call upon, it, even now being something that I so desperately needed. The rumors which had lingered about him and my brother had been enough to send me in to fits of rage as I had believed that he, the Uchiha before me had corrupted him, broken him down and entranced him in to becoming his so-called "Friend". But, save the fact that my previous assumptions were now viewed to be far from the truth how ironic it was that one Kikkawa, Uekyuuchi's sister was the one to ground the Uchiha's once so manipulative mind down to dust.

"..Wh- .. What are you saying?" I stuttered, as if he'd spoken in tongues. It had never meant to be this way. It had been merely business - formal and professional with little room for ties lest both parties become too involved. As the days and weeks went by with constant exposure to each other, past the ravishing allure of his chakra which was so generously sacrificed to me, even I'd noticed a change in his attitude and despite the fact that beyond the same craving that I felt almost each waking hour which caused me to feel so attached, I admitted - Even I had become too accustom to the other party across time. But now as he seemed to submit so easily, his plans changed because of circumstances and the fact that it seemed that everything had spiraled out of control, I couldn't help but feel guilty to be the person who had brought him down from the pedestal that he had once found himself so highly positioned upon. He spoke of endings and of a clearly changed frame of mind, and I still watched on, unsure of what to think. Whilst a part of me was glad that he seemed to want to cease his plans of tyranny, another seemed so ... uneasy. The same undying sense guilt spiraled in my mind as I faced the possibility that I could have inadvertently ruined his plans while trying to make sense of everything that he was speaking about. The soft blonde curls of my hair were soon taken in by his unclothed hand, an action which he often took, and at this point, all I could do was watch as I felt my heart drop deeper and deeper in to oblivion.

I didn't want him to feel like this - chained. Whilst he seemed to make it out that he was the one who truly wanted it for himself, I couldn't be sure, as his mind had changed so quickly in such a short amount of time. "..Kouketsu.." Perhaps it was true that time changed people, but perhaps too I was lying through my teeth. As word of Iwagakure attacking Suna was released and the man who I knew as perhaps one of my closest friends having been injured gravely, and with word of an oncoming storm, needless to say it terrified me under the circumstances that both he and I were in, not that I already wasn't scared because of the circumstance itself. As he came in to embrace me, I returned it with an equal amount of effort but I released myself so carefully from his grasp, my own blue eyes now so desperately searching his for the truth that I needed. With my hands dropping down subconsciously to the intricate texture of my dress as it cascaded so beautifully over my lower half, I held my position and gazed down at my delicate fingers. He'd always been so secretive about some things, so it was no surprise that such a life-altering decision was something that I had to pry apart and question. Although my expression had been that of pure elation previously, I now watched on with a gaze overflowing with anxiousness, each word spoken quickly. Maybe it was merely reverberations from the past that terrorized me to push him away, but at this point, even I couldn't tell. Had his stance on our entire situation changed completely? Or was it something else? I wasn't meaning to reject him, but I was quite greatly taken aback by his declaration. Whilst it was cruel in a way to speak of such a thing as business, both he and I had our reasons, but I never expected him to change his mind so quickly - or change his mind at all in regards to the agreement that had been mapped out so carefully. If to be at peace was what he truly wanted, I couldn't decline him - but with his known notoriety, I didn't doubt that others wouldn't allow him such a life.

It all tore at my mind with so many questions.

"..Everything --"


I lost my words amongst such thoughts.

"... -- Everything that we'd talked about.."

"I- .... didn't think-.."

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I trailed off on my words, unsure on how to voice my thoughts. But, eyes moving swiftly from my fragile hands back to Kouketsu, I stared in to both of his intricate eyes, as my mouth shifted to speak again, albeit shakily.

"..What will you do?.."




I weakly asked. I admitted; I did need him.
But at the same time, I couldn't be the person holding him back.

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[NARRATOR]

"I don't know," he admits shamelessly.

Stepping away, he tilts his head up so that he can passively gaze at the ceiling. It is clear his eyes are looking at something very far beyond the lights and hardened materials; far into the depths of the expansive cosmos and whatever may be beyond its seemingly endless scope. "Even with all that I know -- all that my eyes have afforded me, I have much to learn," he adds simply. "I've been alive for so very long, Blanche; so many times. Yet, I've never truly been alive."

"Never once have I simply lived for myself, or those that I love and care about." There is no regret in his tone. In fact, he shrugs lightly. "Though I have a somewhat odd method, and many do not understand my motives, everything I have done is for the people of the world, Blanche. I have always put their welfare before my own. I think that it's finally time for me to live for my own reasons."

He sighs. "I am human, after all."

Oddly enough, despite the entire dissolution of a plan he has been planning for over a decade, Kouketsu doesn't seem bothered in the slightest. In fact, he almost seems elated -- relieved, even, as if he has finally removed some unspeakably heavy from his shoulders. He just feels different, even though he's incapable of forming a coherent sentence to describe it.

"Am I wrong for that? To wish for whatever happiness someone like me can obtain?" He walks closer to Blanche, reaching forward to cup her face in his palm and gently stroke her cheek with his thumb. "Am I wrong for wanting to be happy with you, Blanche?" His eyes dip as he falls momentarily silent. "With the both of you?"

[Apple]

Leaning back against the metallic countertop, the imposing heels of my boots proving only basic support, I moved my left hand, pressing it against the surface of the counter to anchor myself. But despite this movement, as he spoke, all I could do was stare aimlessly in to the distance, blue eyes so full of life, but at the same time, dulled of the exuberance that usually came forth after siphoning. I could hear him speak but as like before, it all was hard to take in. Although the feeling of euphoria I'd experienced not even an hour ago had dulled down, what still resounded was the scrambled feeling that always came with it and the dull pain that was usually hidden by the veil of exhilaration. Such a playful state was forced in to a mindframe that it simply couldn't harbor efficiently, and for that reason, I forced myself to listen. And while I understood, I was lost for words and I couldn't bring myself to accept the weight of what he was trying to say. As I watched onwards as he moved across the room, I managed to capture his image in the corner of my eye as a black, inky mass amongst our surroundings, and I held my gaze.

And it was me - It had always been me. A part of me wanted to submit to his desires and allow him the peace which he claimed that he now wanted more than anything, but I stood tense. It wasn't, when in clear mind, a trait of mine to jump along on spontaneous decisions, and perhaps it was my own sense of commitment, broken after the horrors of the first shinobi war, that made the doubts and feelings of unease close in on my throat. There was nothing, even now, that I could do to overrule it. Although I had volunteered myself to join his plans so recklessly, I now paid for my choices but I hadn't the strength to bring them to a stop. From his lips bled words that carried so much care but I pushed myself away. As the days went on and on I found myself living so.. invisibly, waking each morning only to sleep at the end of the night with little to no joy evident inbetween. I wasn't depressed, no. Merely.. empty. I hung in an apathetic state each and every day and the more control I lost over myself, the more I began to wish for change.

I needed it;

the action, the danger, the overpowering, blissful feeling of pain and adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Although such powerful desires and fears were quietened somewhat by the gift of chakra by Kouketsu's own hand, they still burned rife in my chest, scalding my skin as I now stood motionless. With my right hand now positioned on my hip, fingers softly gliding along the siken fabric, my head perked a little. I was overcome with thoughts, and for a moment I'd zoned out completely, my mind elsewhere on some other plane as my physical form clung to the side of the counter. Moving my right and pushing back an almost endless stream of golden hair, all I could do was listen, the previous lively shade of of my face paled. Our plans had previously been grounded in concrete, and I was a person who depended on order the majority of the time - I'd done so much thinking, so much planning, but this changed everything and with no clear inclination of what the future held for not only myself, but for the village, I grew edgy.

I didn't know what to do.
I lived for the next hit.

"Am I wrong for wanting to be happy with you, Blanche?"

"It's not you, Kouketsu - I-"

"..With the both of you?"

It was becoming all too real for me to contain myself.
Something in my mind broke, and my thoughts came spilling out before I could bring myself to stop.



"..I need more time -
I'm not ready for this- .... I ---!"

"I can't -"

[/b][/color]

".......!"

I paused, coming to realize that I was quickly becoming hysterical. Releasing his hand and allowing myself to move across the room, I called upon what little balance I had left to compose myself to prevent myself from falling. Although, despite how out of touch I felt at the moment, I'd manage to make my way over to the book-littered bed, lowering myself and allowing me to sit on its edge amongst various medical textbooks. "I.. I need time to think. About it, about you, the village - about.. about everything.." It was just above a panicked whisper, but as I sat now, my left hand again busied itself by tracing an undecipherable pattern across the waterfall-like dress I wore, whilst the other pressed against the frame of the bed. I turned to look back at him shortly thereafter, closing my eyes to try and calm myself and steady my breathing from the distress which had taken over. I was, unfortunately, fully aware that I'd allowed such paranoia to surface beyond the reeling thoughts in my mind.

"..Please, --.."

I exhaled heavily after speaking, eyes glassy.

"..It's all going to be okay.."

"......"

"...right..?!"

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I wasn't sure if I believed the words myself; but I desperately needed him to.
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[Ichi]

"There's no need to apologize," I said breathlessly as I cradled him in my arms. "Kouketsu was able to get me out safe. You were busy defending the village. If anything, you should be apologizing for not letting me assist you -- I'm not just your wife, Soratsu. . . Sunagakure is equally as much my responsibility as it is yours."

It took everything that I had no to burst into tears. I was so relieved that he was alright; I was overflowing with joy. But, his inquiry about our beloved village was a dagger to my happiness. It stabbed into my chest, causing me to inhale somewhat sharply.

"It's gone," I whisper. "After you were forced to flee, Iwagakure wasted no time eliminating the remainder of our forces. Sunagakure belongs to Iwagakure."

I shook the thought from my head. "But never mind that - it will be ours again. How are you?" I give his body a thorough glance, unable to believe all of his wounds vanished so quickly. "Are you hurt? Do you feel anything?"

[NARRATOR]

Kouketsu was at ease.

He'd never expected Blanche, a woman who relied so feverishly on concrete plans, to be immediately okay with the sudden changes he was proposing. Their relationship was unorthodox and utterly unique, and to have it be said, out loud (as the emotions were there), that it could become something more wasn't something small. He knew her; he knew that she would need time to adjust and think things through. But, it was time that he saw as well-spent and was more than willing to give her.

"That's perfectly fine, Blanche," he said lovingly. "I'm in no rush for an answer, and I know that it's a lot to take in. Even in these early stages, we've both invested quite a bit into these plans. These changes aren't-- anything close to minor." Still, he shrugs. "But, it's something that I want; it's something that I feel will be the best for all of us. . . the Village, as well."

He begins walking about the room, though continues to glance in her direction. "Just know that regardless of what you decide, Blanche, I will always be there for the both of you. Kusagakure, too. The Hidden Grass is just as much my home now as it is yours, and I will protect her until my dying breath."

Stopping near one of the other doors, opposite to the room Beppin and Soratsu occupied, he placed his hand on the handle. "Would you prefer that I left you alone, right now?"

[Apple]

His lenient behavior towards the oil-slick of emotions I'd unleashed upon the floor of the compound was something that reassured me, understandably. Not even looking at him at the current time, such soft blue eyes were shaded by skin as my eyes lay closed. As he kept speaking so gently, I calmed considerably enough to the point where after a few minutes between the sound of his voice looping together words, I'd open them once more. Such vibrant black pupils constricted against the harsh light of the compound, allowing the blue iris to drown any other hue that dare taint them. Despite the fact that a small part of me continued with - with this for my own selfish reasons, I felt so conflicted. Could this truly solve everything? I was fine by myself, and although my very existence was hypocritical of that notion, I didn't want to have to lean on anyone for my own survival. I looked out for myself, and only myself - and it had worked for this far. Merely becoming involved with him had weakened me beyond measure, and I detested it.

Even now I could feel chakra slipping from my body.

But to this, all that he had to say, I couldn't find the words to reply to him. Mimicing the exact words that I said, I needed to think about everything. The village and what would come from that in response, my friends, Soratsu and Akatome among very few others - I had too many things to say and such little strength to word them out but I knew that the day would surely come soon. There were several factors to consider, after all. Pressing both of my hands against the frame of the bed, I allowed my fingers to pass atop the binding of a single book, before pushing myself up to my feet as he too began to move about the room. Allowing the same radiant blonde strands of hair to travel softly along the dull wind of the compound, I moved across to the sturdy door that he now stood by, allowing myself to stand a short distance away.

"Would you prefer that I left you alone, right now?"



"..I'm fine;
..I'll be alright."


A trying smile.

I then approached him, awaiting for him to release the both of us back to the two who had been surely talking in the other room whilst Soratsu was resting from the injuries he'd sustained. Tranquilized, such intense emotions having been fleeting, I exhaled, allowing both of my arms to drop to my sides, the soft, angelic fabric of my dress flowing alongside the beautiful, shining cascade of gold.

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[marvolous.]

I could almost feel that same stabbing feeling within my own chest. It must have been a lot worse, for while Beppin remained composed and stable I found my thoughts darkening, my control over my emotions once again slipping. In the end I accomplished nothing trying to save my village.

"I feel fine, honestly." I welcomed the change of topic, instead focusing my mind on trying to figure out how my various wounds had been healed so fast. To demonstrate I wasn't lying, I extended my arm out, flexing it infront of her - it felt more than fine, frankly. "My wounds aren't just healed, but I feel better than I did even before I began fighting."

With the word 'fighting' having left my lips, my outstretched hand instantly shot up to my right eye. Using Amaterasu had left it blinded - or so I thought - but it was fine now, just another part of me that seemed to working better now than it had originally.

Shifting Beppin slightly, I adjusted my body so that me legs hung over the side of the table I was perched upon. "I'm assuming Blanche is respon--" I heard the approaching footsteps coming from outside the room, and instinctively - as a direct result of having been attacked so blind-sightedly - my eyes were replaced by that of my Sharingan.

[Ichi]

"Blanche and Kouketsu," I corrected him as he fell silent. His attention was elsewhere, but I didn't mind. "Blanche was healing you, but your injuries were very severe. K-Kouketsu touched her her arm and flooded her with chakra. I've never seen so much chakra before in my life."

It was, admittedly, intimidating. He was like an ocean of power without end. "Your wounds were healed in seconds. Though, I'm not complaining." I offered a humble smile, placing my hands on his shoulders. He was still looking at that door, or was it the wall?

"Sora," I said softly. "What's wrong?" He had that look on his face. "What is it?"

[NARRATOR]

OOC: This is essentially a filler. Not much to do in this post. I apologize.

---

Kouketsu couldn't help the humbled smile that made its way across his face. Blanche was far stronger than he'd ever be able to give her credit for. Even with all that they were going through -- all that they had gone through -- she had the courage to stay. He'd expected her to request his absence for quite some time, honestly. But, then again, Blanche wouldn't be who she was if she wasn't surprising the Uchiha every chance she could.

"Very well," he replied. Patiently, he waited for her to take her rightful place at his side.

[Apple]

With his final words, I'd then come to draw closer towards his form by the door, preparing the leave the room for now. I simply hoped that the two had finished talking; Not that I was becoming soft or anything - but given what Soratsu had been through, they deserved that small amount of time to become reacquainted with each other. It was the least that both I and Kouketsu could give them at this point. Turning my head back slightly to look back at the untidy room that I called home, I allowed my gaze to hang there only momentarily, before going back to my destination. From my gloved hand I then would place it atop Kouketsu's own upon the handle of the door, pressing it down to allow us access out of the room. And so - I emerged gracefully, the delicate edge of my dress billowing slightly amongst the soft breeze formed, almost as if a fleeting wind surrounded the doorway. Moving my hand and pressing it backwards to push the door back open to allow Kouketsu's own move, I then made my way in to the lab. From a brief look towards the Uchiha before me I could see that he'd shifted his position somewhat, his gaze now fixed on the doorway that come from, and from where I was, even I couldn't ignore the glimmer of crimson that radiated from his eyes. "Sora - it's just me. You're alright." I assumed that it was some after-effect from the war he'd obviously been the victim of. "It's okay." I spoke such words so softly in an attempt to calm him and soothe the piercing red from his eyes. I wasn't concerned, of course - he was my oldest, and perhaps, only true friend in this world, and I understood his reason for being on edge at a time like this.

"..How are you feeling?"

I could recall the smell of molten skin which had pierced senses and merely thinking about it made my stomach feel uneasy. His skin had been charred, some portion of his clothing burnt and his livelihood in general quite at risk. However, it had all been controlled from what I'd gathered after healing him, and it was, of course, reassuring to see him awake, conscious and able to move. I only hoped that what healthy external appearance he bore too reflected internally. Although I did bear considerable and notable talent in the medical field, with the addition of Kouketsu's own chakra to my use of shousen, I wasn't sure if it caused any side-effects, but any kind of progress developing from the condition he had previously been in had to be worthwhile. I was simply glad that he was able to find him when he had. If he'd halted finding him within the destruction that surely plagued Sunagakure for much longer, I feared that he may have perished amongst the rest. Awaiting his response, I stood in place a handful of meters before the duo, my arms crossed as the same warm smile spanned my mouth.

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[marvolous.]

"Sora What's wrong? What is it?"

Truthfully, I did not know.

There was something off about this whole situation, though I could not tell what. My heightened paranoia was surely a result of Iwagakure's attack, no doubt, but my body seemed alert-- quite like it sensed danger, though with my recently healed injuries, I knew that couldn't have been farther from the truth.

Still, though, with Beppin at my side and likely focused on my face, my digits searched the top of the metalic table I resided on. My attempt was clandestine, careful not to alert Beppin for I did not want to scare her for what was surely a mere precaution. They eventually found the cool surface of what seemed like a surgical knife, and with a simple flick of my wrist it was carefully pressed against the flat side of my hand, tucked away from all sight.

It was then Blanche and Kouketsu entered the room; my eyes found them instantly, registering their presence but unfaltering in their strong glare. I ignored her words, too-- something else caught my eye. Perhaps it was because I was so attentive to everything that I noticed it, or because I could feel and sense his chakra flowing within me, but I discerned something previous hidden through her abundance of chakra.

"It all makes sense." I shot out suddenly; cold, sharp - it was such a contrast to my normal voice that it sent shudders down my own spine. "I thought something was off when I first saw you, Blanche."

Even colder and venomous than the words that oozed from my mouth was the narrowing gaze my eyes formed as they rolled from Blanche to Kouketsu.

" 'Everything is fueled by his own personal agenda.' "

[Ichi]

Sora's sudden outburst was startling, but not entirely surprising. When Blanche and Kouketsu entered the room, I had a feeling that the tension was going to reach a breaking point. These two lions of men -- they'd reached a point where, like in nature, they needed to create their own prides. There could only be one alpha, and knowing my husband, he would not settle for any other option than it being him.

Adjusting so that I could have the two Kusa-lovers in my sight, and be at Sora's side, I stood by the table. What my husband said next was... confusing, though. What was he seeing that I could not? What did he see in her?

Curiously, my eyes focused -- the veins on either side of my face began engorged on chakra, and my pupils visible as my Byakugan activated. That's when I saw it. "Oh god... " I whispered, surprised -- and terrified -- by what I could see. "Blanche... you're.... ?"

[NARRATOR]

So, it seemed fate had other plans for the wayward Uchiha.

Kouketsu was expecting the less than warm welcome from his former conspirator, but there was something different in his tone. His disgust and hostility was even more geared in Blanche's direction than his; that's when it became clear that they'd done very well in keeping their little secret, though it seemed that the cat was out of the bag.

Instinctively, Kouketsu placed a hand upon Blanche's stomach and eased her to a halt. Stepping in front of her, his eyes -- which were natural, for the first time in quite a while -- narrowed. "I'm not sure what you're talking about, Nagato," he said, "But I assure you that the only agenda I have is to live out the rest of my life in peace... with my family."

His voice was stern. "Blanche and I were just discussing the reason I brought you here; I simply wanted to say goodbye. Neither of you will ever be seeing me again, and I will make it a point to stay out of all the affairs of your life-- and Youka's, as well."

[Apple]

It seemed that the genuine concern I'd shown for his health after having healed him was being disregarded. Having known for him for years, from the several times that I'd come to to give him medical assistance, he'd always been gratuitous . However, as I watched him now, silence seemed to wrap around him, as a look of sheer disgust began to show on his face, which only made me worry - was something wrong? Had the treatment not gone exactly the way that I'd hoped for it to go? With no way of telling at the short distance I was currently positioned at, I merely watched, my eyes focusing in on him as the slightest of quivers emanated from his mouth, preparing to speak. As I felt the same gentle flow of chakra seeping away, I tried to do my best to concentrate on what he was saying, and although I was unsure at the start of what he was trying to put through, I soon caught on as I was reminded of the crimson glint in his eyes. With widened eyes I opened my mouth to speak - but failed, frozen in time itself.

"I thought something was off when I first saw you, Blanche."





I felt my face grow sickeningly pale.

I had often in the past seen him irritated or angry - sometimes at me, but this was different, and at this current time, my mind clouded over with so many incoherent thoughts, even I was slightly alarmed. So many words, sentences and broken fragments of scriptures long past plagued me, writhing within each little nook and cranny of my brain and stung it with their screams. And then the chakra - so little. Although I had noticed that my assistance given to Soratsu, even with Kouketsu's help, had left me weakened, it continued to build up and up, causing my hands to shake merely from the temptation that came with such an addictive curse. But I couldn't bring my eyes away from the Uchiha before me, almost as if I was glued to the very hate that lingered within his voice. I.. didn't know what to say. "..Sora-!-" I wanted to apologize - but by the look in his eyes and his tone of voice, I didn't know if it was enough. I wasn't even too sure about what I wanted - was this really all that I needed? I had killed in his name, for the sake of justifying the heartbreak and devastation I'd suffered all those years ago - but was retribution as easy as this? I wasn't satisfied and I grew uneasy with each passing day, sharp nails digging in to the soft flesh of my hands even now - and despite his hostile behavior at this current time, it was myself that scared me the most.

"Please -- don't do this. I promise, it'll be oka--" I was cut short as I heard Beppin's voice.

"Oh god... "

I felt .. invaded, more than anything, as I watched the skin around the dark haired woman's eyes become contracted, almost strained. It was an obvious trait of her Hyuuga heritage, and I could easily tell what she and her husband were studying, and that concept in itself caused my hands to drop protectively to my stomach in some subconscious attempt to shield it from their prying eyes. I knew that it was to no avail as their intricate eyes had surely seen enough, but I felt concerned - almost disturbed by the look of sheer terror on her face. I couldn't bring myself to answer her question, as instead my eyes merely dropped before meeting her own, my gaze then soon creeping back to Soratsu's. Through the heat of the moment which had long since caused the same throbbing to appear in the forefront of my skull, such cold hands soon came in to contact with Kouketsu's own momentarily as he moved past me. As I'd stood, I'd fought against such an unbearable supply of chakra that I was currently holding, but I needed more - I couldn't -

I felt his hand so close to my skin-- and his chakra --

I quickly grew restless as such a voracious appetite rekindled dangerously, each moment that passed soon thereafter became painful to live through.

White noise overwhelmed me.

And instantly, my right hand moved forward to grip his arm - tightly squeezing it for all I could give.
But I forced myself to resist.

And in its place, everything roared.

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