Rain To Wash The Blood Away (Nagato x reader)

22. Limbo

You were caught off-guard by the question and started asking some of your own.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking if you would like to be strong," she repeated, continuing to stare up at you, eyes unblinking. You gave it a moment of thought before giving in.

"I guess so, everyone wants to be strong."

"What would you do if I said I can make you strong?" she asked, moving closer to inspect your face. The offer was tempting but you were unsure of whether or not you should take her up on it, you didn't know who she was nor what she was.

"Tell me who you and where I am first," you demanded, surprising her. She gave a enthusiastic nod before reaching for you hand and grabbing a hold of it. At first you were tense but soon relaxed, being able to see her as a little girl rather than a monster. Her hand was cold but it brought you no discomfort, allowing you to remain in her hold.

"My name is Machi and I am a spirit," she told you, beginning to lead you around the dim world.

"A spirit?" you questioned, not believing it. She nodded once again, he foot steps silent whilst your crunched loudly against the gravel of the ground.

"Yes, I was born many generations before you as a human but died at a young age. I was reborn as a spirit in this land."

"And what is this land?" you asked, taking another look around.

"We call it Limbo, a place of waiting. We spirits that live here have no purpose and are left behind in Limbo where we are supposed to wait for our purpose to arise, but we have already given up all hope. Usually when humans fall into our world, we hope that eating them will enable us to return to the human world above. But after generations of waiting, I have come to the conclusion that this does not work. That is why I have saved you from their bellies and hope that we will be able to re-emerge from this land and return to the human world together." You stared at her, confused.

"How could I ever get back up there, I can't even see the sun and it's the middle of the day," you tried to reason, but it didn't look like Machi was going to give up.

"I can sense your power, there is so much untapped strength and if you work with me we can work this through. I promise that if you accept my deal, I will help you get to the surface and complete your task," she continued, shaking your arm. She seemed to be excited at the idea of being able to get out and you couldn't help but want to help her.

"What's your deal?"

"If I give you my power, we will merge into one being and will be able to escape Limbo forever. From there I will give you time to protect your loved ones but when the time runs out, your body will become mine and you will die." You stared at her in shock, not being able to comprehend what she had just offered. It was a horrible deal, one which guaranteed your loss but you considered it. You were desperate, you wanted to get out of Limbo and see your loved ones again.

Yahiko.

Konan.

Nagato.

All of them were waiting for you and there was no way you could leave them. Even if it was to see them one last time, you were willing to risk it all.

"How long will it take?" you asked Machi, being pulled to sit across from her on the ground.

"Years will pass for your training but I promise you it will all be worth it in the end. In Limbo, both physical strength and what the humans call chakra can increase and be trained. But hunger and aging does not exist in Limbo for it is a hell of waiting, a trap which is meant to be inescapable. Now, do you accept my deal?" she questioned, offering her hand for you to shake. You gave another moment to think before taking her hand and shaking it, not caring about the consequences of your actions.

Without Machi's deal, you surely would've been eaten by the other spirits, or if you had been able to fight them off, trapped for the rest of your never ending life. You wouldn't age and you wouldn't get hungry, you would remain alive and eventually go insane. You didn't regret making a deal with Machi, but you weren't happy with the pain which came with the agreement.

"Which arm do you like the least?" she asked. You didn't think too much into her words, your mind heading straight to your abilities. In your right hand, you could heal others, the trait which you treasured the most. But your right was for death, the ability to suck the life out of anything living. Without thinking, you spoke.

"Left." Machi then reached out and touched your left arm, putting you in excruciating pain. Looking down at it, you watched as the skin was covered in what looked to be a pitch-black tar. Falling backwards, you tried taking deep breaths to calm down but they weren't helping at all. You were in so much pain that you were seeing white. It was hard to think and go over what was happening but you managed to rethink what Machi had said.

"We're becoming one," Machi whispered, her form in front of you disappearing as the darkness covered your left arm completely, leaving only your hand untouched.

"We are only partially together but once we have reached the surface and your time is up, we will begin to merge fully into one and I will take over your body completely. Then you will be swallowed by darkness and you will die, this is what you agreed to, are you happy with your decision?"

With tears filling your eyes, you choked on a sob. You knew for a fact that it wasn't from the pain, but instead it was the thought of going back to the surface world that filled you with emotions.

"Thank you, Machi," you choked out, letting your emotions overflow.

"No, thank you."

I just want to say that Machi isn't an evil spirit and has no intention of harming others once she returns to the human world. You haven't heard of her otherwise besides one part where I mentioned Tobi touching your left arm and it hurting. This is where you are partially merged and as your time begins running out, Machi will engulf more of your body . I hope this concept makes sense, if there's anything you want to know feel free to leave a comment and I'll try my best to answer.