Bless Our Immortal Souls

2-Immortal

“My cousin, which room is he in?” Shikamaru asked the nurse. He followed her as she led him to the room his cousin was in.

“Hiro! What happened?” Shikamaru questioned his bed ridden cousin as soon as he entered the room.

“Damn, you’ll have to forgive me for being so lousy. Someone stronger should have been there.” Hiro apologized heaving out a sigh.

“Don’t worry about that...Just tell me what happened exactly. Who was in the forest and why?”

“A woman...and I think she’s the infamous Shadow Queen...”

“Shadow Queen? Hiro, what makes you think that? The Shadow Queen disappeared years ago.”

“I know Shikamaru...But after I caught her in the Shadow Paralysis Jutsu, she attacked...She was indeed trapped in my technique, but without moving anything shadow based spikes came out of the shadow...Shikamaru, not even the most experienced member of the Nara clan can do such a technique.”

“Sounds like her to me.” a voice coming from the doorway spoke. Turning around to see who it was Shikamaru saw that it was Kakashi.

“So you know her? Or fought her in the past?” asked Shikamaru.

“I fought her once during a mission. And indeed, the woman is an expert in shadow justu.”

“I take it you couldn’t defeat her.” Shikamaru announced looking up at Kakashi.

“Well, in the first place she wasn’t my target...Actually; during that mission she killed my target. She wouldn’t give out any information so I engaged in battle with her. And quite the battle it was, reading her movements with the Sharingan proved harder than I thought. But, I could never find out if I could really defeat her since my backup arrived and she took her escape at that moment. However I dare say that we were quite evenly matched...Oh yeah, now that I remember; she did have a strange rosary around her neck.”

“Rosary?” Shikamaru raised his eyebrow at this. “What kind of rosary?”

“A circle with a triangle inside of it.”

“That’s...!” Shikamaru’s eyes widened as realization hit upon him.

“Yeah, I realized it too. It seems she must be an ally to that Hidan guy.” Kakashi stated burrowing his brow.

“Hiro!” Shikamaru turned in a snap to face his cousin. “Was she carrying something?”

“Actually, she was carrying quite a large bag. But...the others that investigated the forest said that the grave was intact.” Hiro explained.

“A team of ANBU was sent to investigate further and I also sent Pakun.” Kakashi announced. As if on cue, Pakun appeared in front of Kakashi.

“Well?”

“The grave is empty. She did take the body.” Pakun stated with a worried look. Shikamaru and Hiro were both shocked at the news.

“But, how? The grave was intact.” Hiro asked quickly.

“Seems she used some sort of special jutsu to get the body out without moving anything.” Pakun explained.

“Shadow Transportation Jutsu.” Kakashi said out loud, though more to himself.

“Of course! But, that jutsu is practically impossible. Very few in my clan’s history have been able to perform it successfully without killing themselves. I take it you discovered this jutsu when you fought her, Kakashi.” Shikamaru said with a serious and analytic look in his face.

“You’re right. She used it quite a few times to transport herself or myself in an attempt to confuse my sense of direction. I believe you ought to know that she also knows medical jutsu. So consider the possibility of that Hidan being put back together.”

“Consider it? But even being an advanced medical jutsu specialist, putting a body back together is basically impossible. The only one we found out could do that was Kakuzu and he didn’t use medical jutsu.” Shikamaru debated, finding Kakashi’s suggestion rather impossible.

“Yes, you are right. However, there had been past reports of ninja who’ve fought her, besides me of course, that claimed that they’ve managed to chop off a part of her body. Then she’d momentarily disappear and reappear complete again.” Kakashi explained.

“Hmmm...Then we’ll have to take every precaution and expect even the impossible.” Shikamaru replied as he went into deep thought.

“I’ll go and assemble a team.” Kakashi announced and with that he disappeared along with Pakun.

“I’ll truly avenge you, Asuma, I promise.” Shikamaru whispered to himself as he stared out the hospital window with revenge written all over his determined and analytic face.


She sat on the edge of his bed quietly and gently as to not wake him. And to think that when he woke up earlier he was stubborn and eager to get some questions answered, and now he was just peacefully sleeping.

A smile dared to draw itself on her features as memories of their younger days together came back to her. She stroked his now slightly messed up hair softly and as she did so he opened his eyes slowly. She stopped abruptly as he stared up at her and stood quickly from his bed, however, he quickly grabbed her and pulled her back.

“Hey, why’d you stop? I really liked that ya’know.” Hidan scowled at her with what was supposed to be a pout.

“...” she didn’t look at him; she just stared blankly out the window by her bed.

“Maru, don’t give me the silent treatment.” Hidan said and again he received no response from her. He growled and pulled her with force, making her fall down on his bed and taking the opportunity to pin her down as he towered over her. Finally she looked at him, but her eyes and face were devoid of any emotion.

“Damn it Maru! You talked to me earlier so talk now! I haven’t seen you in the last fucking 3 years and now all you do is ignore me and give that look you know I hate so much!! Fuck! Say something!” he yelled outraged as he looked down at her with intensity. Her face however didn’t even twitch.

“...Same old Hidan I remember. I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help blowing your fuse; you’re just so amusing when you get angry.” Maru said as she finally gave him a smirk.

“Damn bitch. I can’t believe I fell for that after these years.” Hidan chuckled at this as he looked down at her. Their eyes were locked for a few moments before Hidan began lowering his face closer to hers. As his lips brushed hers she abruptly turned her face making his lips land on her cheek.

“That’s about enough Hidan. Now please allow me to sit properly.” Maru told him with serenity back in her voice.

“Tsk...Fine, you cold hearted woman.” Hidan complained as he got off her and sat next to her. “So...are you gonna tell what’s been up the last 3 years?”

“The sky.” she answered with a sly smirk.

“Oh yeah...You know your jokes are fucking weak.” he commented as he began to laugh at her but quickly shut up when she glared venomously at him. “Anyways, you know what I mean.”

“I’m sorry...”

“Huh? For what?” Hidan raised an eyebrow at her in confusion.

“For not going into Akatsuki with you.”

“What? You’re still fucking resented about that? You know I didn’t join Akatsuki out of my own will, I—”

“Yeah, I know they forced you.”

“And they wanted you too. You know I gave you the chance to escape you dumbshit.”

“...I know...”

“So...what—”

Knowing that he was going to ask what she had done in the last 3 years, again, she cut him off.

“I found the last ritual.”