Til death and beyond

Realizations

Even in death, Sasuke still taunted him.

What was with that guy? Wasn't he in awe? Didn't he tremble with fear and despair?

Didn't he scream "What the hell is this?!"?

How could he have survived his ultimate art?!

He heard Kurotsuchi yell and kick at the puppet imprisoning him but the blonde was no longer listening, determined to finish what he started. Sasuke would never be able to outrun his art anymore!

While he was formulating a plan on how to escape and get revenge, a sudden loud crash sounded from where Anjira was kept, followed by gasps of shock and subtle clanks of weapons being drawn. As he tried to peek through the tiny holes to see what was going on, the puppet holding him broke down and he was greeted with the sight of Anjira standing above him in her cursed seal form, her golden eyes boring into his. She yanked the wires away from him and grabbed him by the collar.

"Seal them back!"

Before the others could even try to apprehend them, Anjira spread her wings and took off, carrying him along.

"Why didn't you break out sooner, hm?"

"I haven't been in full control of this body..."

I see you've escaped.

"Kabuto?"

I'll take it back.

"Wait, my ultimate art was completely rejected! I can't just die this... even if I'm already dead, hm."

Very well, suit yourselves. Don't go too far though, I still need you.

Anjira scowled at the exchange, landing near a hill and much to his relief, reverted back to her original form.

"I'm glad to see you and Kabuto are such good friends." She said sarcastically.

"You're still going on about that?" He huffed in annoyance.

"Back then you told me you would help me kill him. What the fuck is this?"

"I am wiser than to plan a conspiracy against someone who can raise you from the dead! Pout all you want, this is my chance to expand my artistic horizon and I will take it, hm!"

"Just like how you thought you could expand your artistic horizon when you tried to kill Sasuke?"

"It was necessary, hm!"

"Necessary, my ass! We're both dead while he's still alive!"

"Are you done? I hope you didn't break me out just to nag at me!"

"No amount of nagging would go through your thick skull anyway."

She made a ripping gesture on her hand and it exploded.

"What the-"

She did it again but her hand blew up just the same. That's when he noticed that what she was trying to remove from her finger was the ring he gave her when he asked her to marry him.

"Why can't I get this stupid thing off?!"

Even though he was annoyed with her, it stung to hear her call the engagement ring a 'stupid thing'. It was something he never created before just for her and she was trying to get rid of it as if it were something diseased.

"What did you do with this?"

"I didn't do anything, hm!"

"As if I wasn't carrying enough curses already..." She angrily grumbled under her breath.