Ikigai

Chapter 28: I am Vaatu

"Control, power...order, there will only ever be true peace when you control the hunger of chaos, this is what I offer Kintsugi."

"No!"

The flames were still swirling as Kintsugi's body felt the heat of the flames all around her, hungry for a taste of her own skin in the enclosed room. 

The steady stream of air she was using to still breathe the air and ease the heat away from her was the only thing preventing her from burning up in Vaatu's anger. 

She just hoped that Yami, Itachi, and Kisame had managed to escape in time.

"These weak humans will only ever use things you love against you, and those that claim to care will always reveal true selfishness. Do you think that the peace Raava claims is real? Peace will always come at someone else's expense, and you will be the brunt of it. Why not stop it all now? I will show you what true peace really is."

"...I will not work for you...or Raava."

"To hate me is to give me life, my child. Your resistance to me will only ever strengthen me."

"I do not hate you. I merely don't care what you do. As long as I don't lose myself...I'm good."

"Kintsugi!"

It was Kisame again, he was alive and for a small moment, Kintsugi forgot to breathe as her feet finally rested against the wonderfully solid ground knowing she could fall no further.

The temperature in the room was uncomfortable and the constant noise of air whooshing against her ears only served to harmonize with the pain in her mind.

"You will never win against me. Resist me or join me, but I will still live."

"Out! I do as I please Vaatu."

A part of her was still fighting, she could still feel Raava within her, but the presence of Vaatu was stronger as he fed on her anger. And from a safe distance, Itachi watched from outside as the fire expanded against the wooden window frame of Kinstugi's room, cracking the glass as it burst through, hungry for more.

"Kintsugi!" Kisame yelled for the third time. "Should we do something?"

"I don't think she can hear you."

"This isn't good Itachi. People are going to see the fire and wonder what's going on."

"Control the fire as much as you can Kisame, and Yami...."

The frightened dog whined as he moved his tail back and forth watching in anxiousness as the fire spread over his home.

"Yami, stay here okay," Itachi knelt, brushing the faint coat of ash off his fur that was blowing their way.

"Water release!" Kisame shouted as liquid burst against the hot tendrils serving to calm the ever-growing heat. The flow of the water he controlled quickly evaporating amidst the flames.

"I'm going in, keep trying from out here and make sure Yami stays next to you," Itachi ordered.

"Make sure you don't die, I don't want to go through the process of finding a new partner," Kisame smirked as he stretched his arms again, "Water release!"

----

 Yes, Kintsugi hated love.

If she didn't love, she wouldn't have to worry about Yami's safety. If she didn't love, she wouldn't worry about Kisame re-opening his recent wound from one of their previous missions as she felt the vibrations of the water he poured her way.