[kararayn]

Chapter 2 - This is How we say Goodbye

The smell of ashes, and burning flesh clung to the air, even to those much farther away, then she was. Collapsed to the ground, and on her knees, she stared at the charred ground, though she wasn't burned. Her thoughts were tracing back; reliving it over, and over again, in her mind's eye.

The man, that had come to them, asking for her help. Saying that his brothers had been hurt by some rogues, and covered in blood. As a medic, she hadn't refused, and her partner, her fiance, had gone with her, offering protection, in case of further attack. They had let themselves be led, to a small humble home, cracked, and stained with blood. But the man had disappeared soon after, revealing it had been a trap.

They had found themselves facing a former mentor. The same reddish - brown locks, and those terrible, hatred - filled eyes. Her partner, had placed her behind him; trembling with both terror, and rage. He had glared at the demonic seal upon her fiance's chest, while she shuddered in fear of what he would do.

She could hear him telling her to stay out of the fight, even as he struggled to break free of the man's relentless offense. Seeing a second clone headed toward his unguarded back, she had rushed forward, destroying it; only to be trapped in the thick rubble of an earth-based jutsu trap. Squeaking in surprise, as she could no longer move, she called out.

"What would you do...Hiroshi..if I were to kill this woman?" the man spoke, quietly taunting.

"Let her go!" her fiance's face stricken with horror.

"You know I cannot do that.." he replied, smirking.

Biting his thumb, and smearing the blood on his palm, he slammed his hand onto the ground. Dark, smoky fumes, began to rise, as the demons he controlled, rose to his calling. "Rakoku!" Hiroshi yelled, causing the other man's eyes to open wide in surprise. While he was offguard, a red blur, broke her free, and placed her beside her partner once more.

"Well played...but you are too late.."

"What do you mean?!" she had yelled.

"Look on your chest, girl..." Rakoku pointed at the small black crest upon her collarbone.

"What is that?" she asked, looking up at the red demon.

"That bastard...Leon...placed a curse on you," Rakoku gritted his teeth.

"How..how do we get rid of it?"

"Kara..." She looked over at him then, and nearly cried as she realized what he intented to do.

"Please..."

"I'm...so...sorry..." he whispered.

"No..."

"I...I..l-love..y-you...k-kara..." he said, softly.

"I love you..."

"Please....forgive me..." he whispered, kissing her, and hugging her tightly.

"You're...always forgiven..." she told him, kissing him gently.

He let go, far too soon, she felt now. There hadn't been time, as he performed the last handsign, while Rakoku, had engulfed her in a demonic barrier. Unable to bear watching, and yet she couldn't look away. She wouldn't look away. Even as the enemy's body fell, and crumbled into ashes. Even as Hiroshi's body, was fading away into a mist. She stared at his eyes, as he cried, even as they whispered their goodbyes, before he disappeared from sight forever, and the flames had died.

Hearing the soft steps of several persons, she found herself, looking up into the faces of Hoshigaki Kisame, and Itachi Uchiha. Staring up at those onyx eyes, and the blank face. His eyes narrowed, as she didn't speak, and she turned to his blue - skinned partner. He had set down his trademark, Sameheda, and knelt in front of her, meeting her on eye level. He only nodded slowly, seeming to know the question, she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Is he really gone?

Unable to hold back any longer, she screamed, her voice breaking with sheer pain. Her tears began to stream down her cheeks, and her body was wracked with sobs. Itachi glared at her fiercely, but Kisame raised his hand to stop him from saying it, shaking his head. "Let's go.." Itachi growled, annoyed. Strapping his sword to his back, he picked her up slowly. She didn't fight his hold, and simply cried into his chest; even as they took off, taking her away, while Kisame carried her in his arms, she only sobbed, finally, slowing down into a low murmur, though her tears wouldn't seem to stop.