Dream Skirmish

Chapter 15

"I don't know!" Naruto cries out, frowning in worry. "I can't find her anywhere and no one has seen her all day."

"Well, she has to be somewhere." Sakura replies, her hand upon her hip. "Have you asked Kakashi-Sensei? Those two have been attached by the hip lately."

The young boy nods, his eyes wandering down to the ground. "Yes... but he has no idea where she is either."

"That is strange... but maybe she just went a bit further out into the forest to train? We should probably wait a bit longer and if she's still nowhere to be found we'll tell Lady Hokage."

"I guess we could wait a bit longer... I'm just really worried, ya know? She's been so weird lately..."

"We all know, Naruto." The young girl nods in agreement. "And we're all worried about her strange behavior."

"You don't even know the half of it! You weren't there when... when she..."

Sakura tilts her head in curiosity, her brows furrowing together. "When she what? What did she do?"

As he's about to explain the situation a familiar face passes them by. They both turn to look at Hell who seems to be lost deep within her own mind, but that doesn't stop them from bothering her anyway.

"Hell, wait up!" Naruto yells, "I need to ask you something."

"Hm?" Ripped from her thoughts the ghost looks around in confusion before her hollow eyes land on the teens near her. "Ok... what?"

"I need to know if you've seen Blacky anywhere? I can't find her..."

"That's because she doesn't want to be found, Naruto." She states bluntly with a shrug of her shoulders.

"But... you've seen her then?! Where did she go? I need to find my sister!"

Dumbfounded, Hell can only stare at him in disbelief. 'Is he really that thick or purposefully ignoring what I literally just said?' "Seriously, just leave it be... I know it's hard for you and I understand that you're worried and want to find her since she your sister, but I suggest you let her go on her way... who knows what she would do to you if you try to force her back here."

"So... so she really left then? She went rogue?" Sakura asks, sounding less than surprised by the news.

"I can't say for certain, but it would seem so. Now, is there anything else? I have things I need to take care of."

"Hell, please tell me where she went... maybe I can change her mind." Naruto pleads with puppy dog eyes.

For a brief moment the Seishin considers spilling the destination her best friend is set on, but knows that it is best to keep it a secret, even from Blacky's brother. She simply shakes her head and calmly walks away without uttering another word.

"Sakura... what am I going to do? My sister is going to get herself killed at this rate... she needs to come home..."

The pink haired teen gives him an almost sympathetic look, but also can't help but agree with Hell. "Naruto... maybe it's really best if you just leave well enough alone...or you'll get yourself killed, too..."

"No! I can't just stay here and do nothing! I'm going to find her with or without your help!"

Sakura can only watch as the eccentric teen races off, knowing full well he's too stubborn to be stopped. She groans in frustration, her hand rubbing her temple and decides that she is not going to get involved, but instead heads to the Hokage's estate to inform her of what's going on.

A few days have passed since Blacky has left the village and Naruto set out to find her and bring her back. Hell sits perched upon the roof of her home with her black and white eyes scanning the streets below, watching the peaceful villagers go about their days as if nothing is wrong in this world. A knot forms in her stomach when she can hear a crow cawing above her, knowing full well what is about to take place.

The black bird lands beside her, a whole murder of them gathering together and none other than Itachi is now sitting next to her, his gentle gaze finding her.

"Have you made up your mind?"

The young woman nods numbly, her expression never changing. "I have... and... I want to accept it... I can't bear that guys clone, I would hate my own child if I'd did..."

"Understandably after what you went through. Have you also decided on whose DNA will replace Orochimaru's?"

"I have..." she speaks softly, still unsure about her decision. "I... I talked to Sasuke and he agreed to it..."

The tall Uchiha seems somewhat surprised, but that feeling is quickly washed away by joy and excitement. "So, I'm going to be an uncle? That will be exciting."

"Sasuke did me mention you might be thrilled." She lets out a short, uneasy laugh, her fingers fiddling with one another. "So, what now?"

"Now, I will return for you at nightfall and bring you with me to one of our safe houses after getting Sasuke's DNA. Then one of our members will perform the operation and you can go about your normal life as if this never happened."

"I see... this almost sounds too good to be true..."

"Sometimes good things do happen at a low cost." He smiles reassuringly. "Remember, I'll be back by tonight."

Hell watches in awe as his body dissolves into a black fog from which crows emerge and fly away into the distance. Anxiety gnaws at her bones as she mentally prepares herself for the coming events.