Moon's Light, Reality's Dream

Author's Note: Finally, the last chapter that consists in the manga arc. I, personally... LOVED writing the next chapter. Amy was pretty upset writing it. Probably because her character is Hitori, but... The Nisei hospital part is actually funny, I think. I think until the photo is finished because drawn of the original OC's, that I'll just post the inspirated photos in the Author's bio. So, be sure to check that out. Enjoy this chapter! Thanks for all of the page hits.

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Moon's Light, Reality's Dream
月の光、うつつの夢
Chapter Six - 失われています (Being Lost)




知りたくもないような現実にただ無感情で
Still emotionless in the reality I don't seem to want to understand,
声も出さずずっと　瞬きすら忘れて　あなたに見蕩れていた
Forever silent, I was so fascinated by you I forgot to even blink


Nisei tapped the heavy kunai against the palm of her hand rhythmically as she cast a critical look at the area around her. The ground had been crumbling around the team as they attempted to get the barrier open. That was the last thing Nisei remembered until they found the Anbu Root, who was now receiving medical attention. The captain crouched down to get a better look at the redhead, peering at her intently as she tried to figure out what the other's purpose was. Whose side was she on? This was her kunai, the one she'd left stuck in a tree to lead the way. She'd obviously been expecting Suna’s backup.

“How’s her fever?” Nisei asked the young medic beside her. Kouki’s team was proving to be useful to this mission beyond her original expectations. Minase's medical knowledge gave her the ability to better explain Hitori’s critical condition than the captain could figure out on her own. Nisei had been the one to find her - with a soft, fluttering pulse that only seemed to grow weaker until Minase got to work on her.

“The poison was easy enough to remove, but her fever wasn’t caused by that. The wound below her ribs, and then cut across her chest…" The medic's head shook regretfully. "She's been lying here for hours, possibly even a day, slowly bleeding out. Whoever did this to her left her here intending for her to die.”

Hitori couldn't open her eyes, and she wanted to see, wanted to know who was speaking these things. She could faintly hear a young girl’s voice in her head, a child’s ragged breathing. The acrid, metallic smell of blood mixed with fear, to become a bitter taste at the back of her throat. It seemed strange to feel it again so strongly.

Kouki gently placed his hand on Nisei’s shoulder, drawing her out of intense concentration. Her golden eyes had been focused on the damage that was done to her fellow Anbu. She was still conflicted about her opinion of the other operative. Nisei stood up slowly, stretching and following Kouki. “What’s going on?”

“From what I could tell, the Kazekage is dead.”

“What?” Nisei’s voice lowered and softened as her gaze slowly moved over Hitori. The girl’s teeth were chattering, the fever continuing its rampage through her badly wounded body. Hitori’s mission must've been to protect Gaara from this organization. There's no way it was a coincidence that the Anbu Root was present at this time in Suna. Danzou was holding more cards than he was showing Tsunade. Just how many of them were up his sleeve?

“They extracted the biju from Gaara and it resulted in his death. Team Kakashi are taking control of the situation as we speak, and so far there are only two Akatsuki members accounted for." Kouki sighed, aggravated with the entire situation. "Team Gai has yet to return from their set points after they removed the tags, and nothing has come in on our radios,” Nisei could see the creases around his eyes that meant he was frowning behind his mask. “Naruto’s temper seemed to be flaring the moment he saw them. He thought Gaara was still alive.”

“Oh no…” Nisei struggled with the overwhelming sensation burning throughout her chest, trying not to let the tragic thought of Naruto meeting Gaara’s dead body cause her to cry at such a hectic moment. Rescuing Gaara was the only drive Naruto had on this mission, the only thing he spoke about. Somehow these two had formed an amazing sort of bond, and now the one person Naruto felt he could fully relate to was dead.

“How’s the Root?” Kouki's head nodded towards Hitori.

“Inconclusive,” Nisei laughed sadly to herself, while gently resting against the nearest tree. “She left a trail for the Sand to follow behind her. It was an act of protecting Gaara, and also aiding the Sand. She’s doing her job. I just find it ironic that the Sand’s Kazekage gets kidnapped by the Akatsuki around the same time Red, here, shows up.”

Minase peered down at the girl she was currently doing her best to heal. The glowing, earthy green chakra ran along Hitori’s ribcage, then up along the dark, deep bruises, the tiny cuts in her skin, and eventually the gash across her chest. She wondered absently to herself how the Anbu didn’t die, when it was quite clear that she should have. Perhaps strength of will or something silly like intuition? Minase smiled lazily to herself as she tore her gaze from the deathly pale complexion, and focused harder on the closing wounds.

The ground trembled again and this time Hitori groaned, her eyebrows creasing in a look of pain. Sweat glistened down her neck and covered her overheated and sensitive body. It was the aftereffect of being healed, her body forcibly rejuvenated by an unnatural source. A body resented having its natural healing process unbalanced, especially without its consent and in such a quick manner. It was a strain on an already delicate system, but a necessary one. Air seemed to both prickle and stab the Anbu’s skin, and she instinctively tried to turn away from it, only to be stopped by Nisei’s restraining hand pinning her shoulder to the ground.

“Hitori,” Nisei’s eyes narrowed as she watched the Root open her pale green eyes and take in the sky above her, before being able to focus on both operatives. “You’re safe now. The Leaf has responded to Suna’s request. Minase here has closed your wounds, but your fever is our main concern. If you can answer the following questions nod your head.” Her voice held a soft tone that she certainly didn't feel, but it might get her more truthful answers than using an interrogatory style.

Hitori slowly nodded, unsure of what she was feeling as her body continued to tremble and shake, no matter how hard she tried to control it. Nisei smiled. “Good. The Akatsuki member who attacked you, what did he look like?”

It was difficult to remember, especially in her current damaged condition, but she tried anyway, forcing her mind into a more coherent state. She wanted to close her eyes. Her body felt heavier, more sluggish than she could ever remember feeling before. That surprise attack was impossible to completely forget, “He was…He had a black and white face, more gray than white.” The Anbu continued, as she gritted her teeth to stop the chattering long enough to sound coherent. “It looked like he had some type of cage around his head, made out of a cactus, or other spiny plant.”

“Very good,” Nisei said, trying hard to not sound patronizing. Frowning slightly, she looked up over her shoulder at Kouki. “Did you see anyone like that?”

The Anbu captain shook his head, a quick, short movement. “No.”

Nisei nodded slowly, her attention shifting back to the Root. “What was his fighting style? Do you remember?” Hitori winced as Minase pull her shirt down then gently settled her arm in a less uncomfortable position.

“He only used taijutsu. Though I’m positive he's capable of much more than that.” The Anbu closed her eyes, remembering that he only used taijutsu because he could feel how weak she was. At least that’s what he'd said, as he proceeded to taunt and then nearly destroy Hitori with hardly any effort. The power she'd felt in her opponent was frightful, terrifyingly impossible to overcome, and it was the first time Hitori had felt such degrading weakness during a fight.

…Gaara…

Nisei watched the Anbu Root’s eyes fall closed as she once again slipped into unconscious. There were more questions she wanted to ask, but they could wait for a better time.

The next time Hitori opened her eyes she was standing, and firmly supported with her body weight pressed against Nisei. The loud scratchy sound and the light coming from what she assumed was a jutsu made her instantly alert upon her awakening. On the ground in the thick grass, was Gaara. Nisei didn’t try to stop Hitori when the Root took a shaky step forward.

Where did you go while you were lost in obscurity…?

‘I allowed them to take, and kill Gaara…’ Hitori stopped as her world seemed to spin once more, and only a strong hand settling on her waist stopped her from making a scene that would have mortified her. She wasn’t in the frame of mind to argue as Kankurou's hold kept her from falling onto her knees. For once, she was pleased to see him, relieved that he was alive. That feeling quickly receded as she stared at the present reality of Gaara lying motionless in the tall grass.

In the dark, how scared were you…? Even now, do you struggle to find your way?

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Nisei crouched down next to the exhausted Jonin, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. He was crouched on one knee with his chest heaving, and obviously struggling to stay upright after using his Mangekyo Sharingan to absorb both Deidara and his explosion, and then teleport them somewhere different. She honestly didn't know how Kakashi could still be conscious after all that. A tiny smirk twisted her lips as she leaned a bit closer, unable to stop herself from whispering, “I believe you overdid it.”

Kakashi kept his hooded gaze focused on the chakra leaving Chiyo’s body, maintaining a soft, low voice as he replied. “I’m not the only one who will be in the hospital for a few days. Ne, Nisei-chan…” In spite of everything he'd just been through, she was sure she heard humor lacing his words.

She bit her tongue to keep from saying anything rude, watching Gaara’s body flinch noticeably as life was pushed back into him. The only thing she could feel was astonishment as he slowly sat himself up. His eyes were wide, both shocked and confused, like someone who had been ripped out of heaven. Then her eyes fell on the Anbu Root, narrowing as she stared closely at her assignment. Hitori wasn't supposed to have feelings at all, but obviously there was something there. What, exactly, did she feel for Gaara?

Cheering and jumping people quickly blocked her view. The Anbu captain could no longer see Hitori, as Naruto stood next to Gaara smiling at the relief of Suna's ninja. They were genuinely glad to have their Kazekage back.

Hitori squashed the confusing emotions that had started to fill her, replacing them with something she was much more attracted to - finding the guilt in herself. Even if Gaara was alive, she had still failed. Danzou would hear of it, and he wouldn’t be happy.

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“So, you’re staying here with the Sand?” Nisei asked, as Kouki nodded solemnly. “Alright then, if you’re sure…”

“Would you get out of here?" Soft laughter came from him before he continued on. "I’m more than sure. Get yourself home and rest. You need it.” He turned his back towards her, leaving her there with a look of confusion and a sense of being lost. She turned on her heel towards Team Gai, watching as Gai held Kakashi against his back in a forced piggyback style. The Anbu stopped, her eyes widening at the comical display as Gai sprinted his way into the desert, Kakashi’s thin body seeming to flail awkwardly behind him.

“It's training!" Rock Lee cried happily as he bent forward and called to his team mate. "Neji!” Gai had laughingly challenged them. Whoever reached Konoha first would be the victor.

The Hyuuga’s face turned up disdainfully. "Absolutely not," he declined almost politely, and swiftly walked past Lee, heading into the desert with TenTen close behind him.

Nisei turned to regard Naruto and Sakura who were taking their time to properly say their good byes. Next to Gaara stood his older sister Temari, and his brother Kankurou, who still had an iron grip on Hitori. There seemed to be many thoughts swarming Danzou's little operative. The Anbu captain decided to leave it at rest. She would tell Tsunade every happening when she returned, and Kouki would keep an eye on Hitori.

With a strong jump, Nisei started off towards Konoha, tracking effortlessly behind Team Gai, and too many thoughts racing through her mind.

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“Hitori,” Gaara turned to regard the limping Anbu as Kankurou staggered a little, turning Hitori so she would land on her bed. She kept her back towards Gaara, focusing her eyes on the wall in front of her. It was hard not to shiver, hearing his deep voice – he was alive. She couldn’t care less about what happened to her now. The only acceptable form of failure was death, yet she was still alive. She glanced to the side, unable to meet his penetrating gaze, knowing that once she did, something inside of her would break.
“Thank you.” Gaara’s voice somehow blended perfectly with the oddly loud silence. The small compliment didn’t have its intended impact. Hitori could only focus on one thing, especially in the face of those words. She didn’t deserve it.

Kankurou smiled broadly. “Next time don’t get injured. I don’t know who else here I would boss around if you were dead. You’re my new rival. Remember this inu-face.”

She nodded slowly. It was impolite not to make eye contact, and even more disrespectful not to answer, but she couldn't make herself care. The feelings that were overwhelming her were unavoidable, they were indeed as strong as Yomi warned they would be. Of course, Yomi was always right. She smiled bitterly to herself, feeling even worse as she did. Holding back so much emotion, she barely kept herself still, though her lips trembled. The soft pats moments later indicated that both men were leaving, which would be for the best. No one should see her like this. Her body was still trying to conquer the fever, leaving her as physically weak as she felt mentally.

Kankurou rapped his knuckles lightly against the door as he left. “I’ll send a medic with something to bring down that fever.”

That left very little time for the Anbu to pack, but luckily she had very little. The first thing she grabbed was her Anbu mask. Her movements were quick, forced and painful. She placed the mask on her face as she slid her cloak down over her sides. Danzou would want her to return, right? She tried to think and rationalize though her mind felt incapable of deciding anything rationally. Her teeth were clenched hard as she tried to hold back the sounds of pain. Every movement was an agonizing chore.

She was trained to be silent, to slip by unnoticed no matter what, and she knew she could do this. There was still a massive celebration happening outside of the Kazekage building. It would be easy to sneak past them. She stepped outside the room and immediately made a right, walking swiftly as she swung the door opened and took a few careful steps, putting on a show for any who might glance at her, and doing very well at it. Her mind insisted, ‘no, this isn’t painful at all’, before she rushed into the Sand.

Kankurou gently closed the door she'd left open, having stood behind it as he watched the girl sneak out. It had almost hit him in the face. He nodded to himself, fully understanding. He'd expected something like this to happen. Sighing, he gave the medical ninja orders to head back, but Kankurou kept the medicine he'd had the man bring. He was going after her, but first he’d have to discuss it with Gaara. Swearing, he started running upstairs to the Kazekage’s office, muttering about troublesome Anbu dogs under his breath the entire way.

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Thanks for reading! Next chapter is pretty uhm... Well, It's pretty! So. I like to post chapters judging by the amount of hits. Usually, I'll post if there's about five. Just incase anyone is wondering why we don't post chapters when they're already written.