Sorry for the (very) late update! I'm basically drowning in a lot of stuff at the moment. Thanks for supporting my stories to this point. -bows-

Chapter 8: Cyclone

-----'s Point of View

It was a good dream while it lasted, I told myself.

Even with the pain, the tears, and the numerous losses...

It was still a good dream.

But all good things were meant to come to an end.

And in the end, the dream was just a dream after all.

The first was gone as quick as it came. The war had destroyed much of the world, including my life. I was five years old.

The second took place in a story where two lovers sacrificed their own lives to be with another. It was a terrible dream where a simple misunderstanding took everything from me. We were merely children, I remembered sorely.

Then there's the third, the latest to date. There's no need to elaborate on that one.

And with all dreams, a nightmare comes.

But the difference is that the nightmares never cease to stop. Through each dream, the nightmare follows; it never lets me forget my grave sin.

Every scene shows the same thing: Walls splattered with a fluid that smells and tastes metallic.

And finally, the centerpiece.

Its horror both disgusts and intrigues me as it carries a familiar face. The body was on its side with the wrists slashed. Its expression was a mixture of pain and satisfaction.

It was satisfied because he finally escaped.

It was pained because no one would care that he was gone.

And so the nightmare caught the dream in its grasp, and reality made its way back once again.

Hinata's Point of View

“Don't make me say it again, Sakura. Where is Naruto?”

“I already told you, Hinata,” she sighed, “He left once he woke up. I don't know where he is.”

But I could see it in her eyes, thanks to my Byakugan. She knew exactly where he was, but I resisted the urge to grab her and scream because I knew that look on her face...

It was of one who was lost.

She had found me earlier to ask if I had seen Sasuke, which put me in a difficult position.

“Sakura,” I started, “Please. I need to know where Naruto is. Sasuke is still out there somewhere and-”I immediately paused. I didn't mean to say his name.

“What does Sasuke have to do with this?” Sakura calmly asked.

I began to backtrack, “Wait, Sakura, Naruto-”

“No!” she screamed as her grip on me turned bruising, “Tell me about Sasuke now!”

Too tired to argue, I weakly nodded.

This was going to kill her.

Normal Point of View

He stood at the tallest peak in the city, on top of the Hokages. His eyes were dark, a contrast to the gleaming sword at his side.

'It's ironic,' he mused, 'That I would be one of the archangels.'

Steadily, he sheathed the holy sword as his wings spread out, ready for flight.

The break was over.

The search for his fugitives would begin again at once.

Hyuuga Household

“Neji-niisan, where are you?” Hanabi had called. Frustrated at the lack of a response, she had arrived at the outside of her cousin's room. “Neji-niisan,” She tried again and began to sense that something was wrong. Hanabi gulped and opened the door.

The sight of her cousin lying awkwardly on the floor froze her.

Without touching her cousin or using her byakugan, Hanabi knew he was long gone.

Breaking from the spell, Hanabi screamed for the one person who would know what to do, “OTOU-SAMA!”

Shinigami's Point of View

The chamber, untouched by time, seemed to decrease in temperature with each step I took down. It concealed the most valuable, and perhaps precious, items in the entire Universe. I passed the elixir for immortality and the answer to the meaning of life, sighing. Humans used up their entire lives searching for these two and yet, they were in the grasps of death's hand.

The irony of it all made me laugh at the stupidity of humanity. Only a few were humble enough to accept their way of life and welcome me with open arms.

Eternal happiness and true love; there was only the absence of material riches. After all, they could never honestly satisfy someone.

I headed towards the one chamber where only I could access: my private chambers. It was odd that Death would have its own sleeping quarters (because I didn't even need to sleep), but it was convenient to hide things.

The center contained absolutely nothing but four swords. They were possessions that I had collected as a price... except for the last, Judgement, which was yielded by me. Justice may have rights to the incoming dead for Heaven, but I was the ultimatum.

I chose whether you're sent to Paradise or Hell.

Glancing upon the other three, I noticed that one had completely frozen over. It could never be used again for its wielder was forever gone. I had obtained it as I collected its owner not too long ago. I grabbed the first three and turned my back on the fourth sword. There was no need for it.

After all, he had already done his part, had he not?

Sloth's Point of View

Who am I?

You are Sloth.

Where am I going?

You're going to find someone.

Who am I looking for?

You are looking for her.

Why do I feel so afraid?

Because there will be consequences ahead.

Then why am I still trying to find her?

...Because you love her.

Normal Point of View

Looking out the window, Sakura merely sat there silently as she took in Hinata's words. “I used to have dreams of him when I was still an akuma,” she began, “It was supposed to be impossible because he was an angel, and I stuck to that... until I heard about you and Naruto.” She paused to glance in my direction, and she smiled, “You gave me hope that maybe, one day, it could happen.”

“Sakura,” Hinata whispered, “I know it's a shock but-”

“Let me finish,” Sakura interrupted as Hinata went silent, “As I was saying, you both gave me hope and yet, I knew it wouldn't last. Nothing does. So after the two of you were taken away, I was ordered to watch over Naruto, and that's where I saw him again.” There were suddenly tears in her eyes, and they fell while grazing her cheek. “It didn't last either.”

Hinata's eyes had closed in the midst of the akuma's story. “Why us?”

“Fate is cruel, Hinata. We must endure, for that is the reason for our existence. To endure,” Sakura finished. She looked at her friend and spoke, “I have to find him and end this.”

“No!” Hinata shouted as she jumped from her seat, “You're not going to leave me, Sakura. He'll kill you!” Sakura went over and took her into an embrace.

“I'll never leave you, Hinata, as long as we're friends,” but as she spoke, Sakura had grabbed Luxuria, her sword, and punched Hinata in the gut with the hilt, “But I must do this on my own.”

“Sa...kura,” Hinata choked out before collapsing.

“I'm sorry,” and then she set out to kill the man she loved.

Hyuuga Household

Hiashi Hyuuga was in a pickle, to put it in a nutshell.

Hinata was missing, Hanabi was currently attending a session with the Hyuuga household's mental therapist, and his nephew was dead.

His thoughts to be exact, 'The only thing that can get worse is that Konoha is attacked.'

Oh, Hiashi, how right you are.

The sound of footsteps alarmed him.

“Who's there?”

The Angel of Justice moved towards the fugitive. Words weren't necessary as recognition flashed in his eyes...

“Sasuke?”

The Angel's eyes remained passive.

“No, I am Justice,” He whispered, “and you will die tonight, Naruto. Or should I say... Sloth?”

Sloth flinched, but he didn't back away.

“Yes, that's right, but I don't want to die this time,” he looked directly at his former friend, “I won't die this time.”

Justice's eyes narrowed, “I was afraid you were going to say that. Nonetheless, you don't have a choice in the matter...” He prepared to unsheathe his sword, “And Sasuke is dead. There is only Justice here now.”

“No! You're wrong, Sasuke is stronger then you think!” Sloth desperately argued.

“Wrong, again. He may be strong, but his metal capabilities were weak. He was eroded before I arrived. The memories were too strong, too overwhelming...” Justice paused in a thoughtful glance, “There is nothing of him left. My name may be 'Sasuke'(1), but the Sasuke you know is gone.”

And suddenly, Sloth was overcome by Naruto's anger. His eyes flashed crimson but before he could strike, a streak of pink had attacked his assailant.

“Sakura-chan?” Naruto watched in horror as his female teammate stood against the Angel.

“Go! Now!”

Sloth had regained his control and shook his head, “Not without you-”

“I SAID GO!” Sakura screamed while holding her own against Justice, “She's waiting, now go!”

They(2) struggled to choose... but in the end, they knew who came first.

“You better come back, Sakura-chan,” they whispered as they dashed away from the fight.

Justice glanced down at his obstacle and flinched, “Of course it's you...” he said as he dodged another deadly punch, “Sakura.” Instead of wincing at the sound of her name from his lips, the pain in her eyes worsened.

“We end this, now.”

For an instant, she could have sworn that painful expression was Sasuke's, but it was gone as soon as it came.

“Agreed.”

Unknown

Diligence struggled for consciousness as he sensed a presence above him.

“Who...?” he asked as his eyes opened and adjusted to the strange glow of the world.

The stranger smiled, and Diligence's eyes softened as he recognized the man above him.

“Father?”

“There's much to talk about. Now come along... Neji.”

Hinata felt horrible as she started to wake from her momentary period of sleep.

'To think that Sakura would punch me in the stomach...' She flinched as needles seemed to stab into her gut. With a shock, she realized that her chakra was also depleted. Her eyes flooded with tears as she struggled to rise. Hinata hated herself for not being able to stop her. She knew that Sakura wouldn't be coming back. A wave of nausea overcame her as she stood on her feet. She was able to reach the front door until she collapsed to her knees.

'I have to go... For Sakura, for Neji, for-'

“Naruto,” she whispered as she slipped out the door.

Forgetting the fact that he was a ninja, Sloth ran down the streets to Sakura's house. He was thankful that no one was there to see him in such a panic. He really didn't need any questions at the moment. His mind was clouded with her, almost to the point where he forgot where he was headed. Sloth fell to his knees in exhaustion. His fists clenched as he stood once again to find her.

'I've lost her once. There's no way I'm losing her again.'

And yet, there's always another obstacle in the way. As he prepared for his next trek, a familiar face caught his attention.

“Shikamaru?”

His fellow teammate's expression grew solemn as he got closer. “Sorry, Sloth. Orders are orders.”

Sloth winced at the blunt reply from his friend.

“That's cruel, Temperance. I thought we were on the same team. You hate your boss, I hate mine,” he joked in an attempt to see if he was serious.

Temperance merely shook his head, “It's different this time, especially after Dilligence betrayed us,” he sighed, “This is so troublesome... You've really screwed things up this time.”

“Geez, thanks for your support,” Sloth stated dryly. If he had to fight this one, it would be difficult. It's not easy to win against a genius, after all. As he deliberated over his next move, Temperance froze in his place.

'This is getting more troublesome by the second...' he thought to himself, 'It's going to become a war at this rate.' “Looks like another one is heading this way.”

Sloth looked up in alarm as he sensed another presence that was headed this way. His mouth felt very dry at the moment, “Don't tell me...”

Temperance nodded solemnly, knowing what Sloth was going to ask, “Konoha is where we all relocated to... thanks to you and Kindness. It'll become a battleground,” he paused, and with an impulse that he knew would bit him in the ass later, he muttered, “Go, I have business to take care of here.”

Sloth's eyes tightened as he moved swiftly past his temporary comrade, “Don't die, got it?”

“I'll try.”

Just as Sloth exited from the scene, another took his place, and Shikamaru cringed.

“Gluttony.”

Hokage's Office

Tsunade paced back and forth in her office. The situation was getting out of hand, and she was regretting her decision to agree to this... plan. A thing claiming to be a shinigami appeared in her office as she was preparing to retire for the night. She was incredulous at first but as it's- her story progressed (she had also said something about interfering with a message), it became clear to her that if she refused to believe in the impossible, her village would suffer in the end.

That and, well, her future successor.

It would be a difficult procedure, but she knew it was the best choice.

“Shizune,” Tsunade called, “Prepare the evacuate the village immediately.”

The feeling in her gut told her she was right, but she knew there would be some who would object.

She'd deal with that when it came.

Unknown

“If I may ask, how have you been?”

Diligence looked up to his... father and wondered when it would be a good time to tell him that his son was a completely different entity.

“I've been fine, father. Things have changed after you left...” He wondered why the words didn't seem right, “I...”

Hizashi stopped to gaze upon his son. He didn't tell him that he knew everything after arriving at this beautiful, yet eerie haven. He knew about everything: the angels, the demons, the worlds that he had never seen... 'It's frightening to have this much knowledge, but I guess it's the way this place works.'

“Tell me, Neji, are you happy?” and he patiently waited for his son's reaction, wondering if he would understand the meaning behind his question.

Diligence paused and turned to look his father in the eye. 'I'm completely happy. She'll be happy with or without me... I died for the one I love, isn't that enough?' But he knew that it would never be enough, that's just how love was. “No,” he whispered as he broke from his father's gaze to stare down at the ground, “I'm not happy.”

“Is that so...” Hizashi decided it wouldn't be wise to linger on the topic and so, he motioned for Diligence to follow him once again.

Konoha

The sound of ringing filled her ears as she felt her energy lessen by the second. Sakura knew she was going to give out soon, and she needed to end this now. The last strike had caused them both to step backwards, allowing Sakura some time to catch her breath. 'Damn it! Why aren't my hits reaching?'

Justice, unbeknownst to Sakura, was just as worn out as she was. Although his breathing was even, he felt the strain of fighting too long and though she though otherwise, her hits had reached. He was a good liar. He always was. 'Looks like Lust hasn't taken over... So how is she still so strong?'

“Sasuke,” she started, “Will you wake up and realize you are still you?” Justice raised an eyebrow at her statement, and it suddenly became clear.

'She still thinks he's in here, somewhere,' He smirked, 'What faith she has in a traitor...' “Haven't I made it clear? The Sasuke you know is dead. The one you see is the one staying.”

Sakura merely stared at him while attempting to control her breathing. Although he assumed he was correct, she knew that there was still some way to bring her Sasuke back. “You're wrong. You are him, you always have been.”

Justice flinched at her accusation and a low growl escaped, “You know nothing-”

“You just locked that part of you away because you're afraid,” she grimaced, “You're afraid of showing any emotion that you've gained in this life!” He shook his head, “You've finally found happiness, but you're afraid of losing it... just like how you lost it in your first life(3).”

And he froze. Slowly, he looked Sakura in the eyes. He never told anyone, not a single word of his poor, despicable excuse of a life he had before he became what he was.

“How?” He was able to choke out.

Sakura held his gaze, but he could see the pain and somehow, he felt guilty for being the one to put that emotion into her eyes...

“I was there... you just never noticed.”

Meanwhile

It was a struggle to just stand for her. Every step she took felt like swords were stabbing into her legs. 'I can sympathize with the mermaid(4) Neji-niisan told me about when I was younger...' She laughed weakly at herself. Hinata knew that her pain wasn't from Sakura's punch; it was her curse. She knew that if she was feeling immense pain, Naruto was nearby. Hinata could only worry; she had sensed a numerous amount of new beings appear. It was inevitable for them to meet up with another 'enemy'.

Hinata was glad that it was the last time. At least they wouldn't have to run anymore, not like they did for the first two lives after being reincarnated(5).

“Never though I'd see the day where we'd fight each other, Chouji.”

“Temperance, haven't I told you that we don't have to? Besides, I'd expect you to call me Gluttony or something.”

“Man, that's way too troublesome. You know how I am with names... We have our orders.”

“We do.”

Temperance paused. “So you know what we're supposed to do?”

“They changed our orders, didn't they?”

“We're supposed to kill the first akuma we see-”

“Vice versa for us.”

Gluttony paused. “We got screwed over. They're going all out. They just want to eliminate each other now.”

Shikamaru sighed, “If the city hasn't been evacuated yet, we can't exactly start.”

“Orders?”

“You know how Kami-sama is with the humans. He sent a message to the Hokage.”

“Right, right. Akuma-sama doesn't really care.”

“Well, he is supposedly the evil of all evils.”

“True. We're just delaying the inevitable, aren't we?”

“Whatever. I'm craving dango, you?”

“Sure.”

Heaven

“Kami-sama, why have the orders been changed?”

We need to purify ourselves of our evil counterparts. You may not know, but the akumas are planning our demise.

The angel hesitated. This seemed as strange behavior for the good of all ... good. As His faithful assistant from the start, the angel knew what kind of behavior his Lord exhibited. Well, what could he do? He wasn't even second-in-command.

“Alright, Kami-sama.”

Hell

“Your orders, my Lord?”

You know what to do.

“Yes,” she replied as she headed to her new mission. 'Things are getting worse for us. We might not make it this time if we are to go to war...'

Shinigami's Point of View

“Those swords...”

Rina, in case I don't make it back...

“Shinigami-sama?”

I turned to my apprentice, and kneeled down to her height.

In case I don't come back, I started again, I know you are more than capable enough to take care of things if I'm gone.

She tried to blink back her tears as she nodded, but they still overflowed. 'She still needs to work on controlling her emotions...'

This is my last lesson, she looked up attentively, and I knew from that point on that she would be okay, Gods can still die, I ignored her shocked face and continued, When they do, they reincarnate and are given a second chance like all angels, demons, and death-gods do. It just doesn't seem that way because we can all live forever if we needed to. You will be just fine... I kissed her on the forehead.

Take care of yourself.

And with those last words, I left and never saw my apprentice again.

"Cyclone" by 12012

Listen, a heartless shout
Listen a heartless cry
Listen, a heartless world x2

I don't even know your fragrance
I don't even know your actions
All of my memories have been erased

I don't even know what it means to start over
I don't even know what it means to survive
If I think, who did I fall in love with?

In the passing season, in the current of cycling time
Everything gets swallowed up
I'll struggle on towards where you are

The day which where spent in conflict and even the nights
When I crumbled in sorrrow have begun to change into the provisions
That keep me alive

Listen, a heartless shout
Listen a heartless cry
Listen, a heartless world

I don't even know your whereabouts
I don't even know your smile
It's all been drained into a swirl of anxiety

The scars on my heart won't heal
And the tears of my heart won't stop
It seem I'll go mad, trapped in solitud

As though the season we fell in love
Just like the lovers of that one time, Everything is forgotten
Without fail I'll come to be with you

The days which where spent in hatred and the nights
When I suffered in despair
They've changed into the provisions which compose me

At the promised place,
Right now I'm waiting at a distance,
Looking everywhere for you

But you won't appear
Someone please answer me

I don't even know your fregrance
I don't even know your actions
All of my memories have been erased

I don't even know what it means to start over
I don't even know what it means to survive
If I think, who did I fall in loved with?

As though the season we fell in love
Just like the lovers of that one time

Everything will be lost
Everything is forgotten
Without fall I'll come to be with you

"Is my future self really laughing right now?"
The me who exist now say to myself

It's the promised time,
Isn't it, Even though right now
I'm here looking for you

You aren't anywhere
Why not? Someone please answer me

Listen, a heartless shout.
Listen, a heartless cry.
Listen, a heartless world. x2

(1) As you know, the Sins and Virtues share the same names as their reincarnations (or should I say it's really the other way around...) and although they share the name, their personalities might be somewhat different. Sorry if this chapter confused anyone!

(2) Continuing from the previous note, sometimes one personality will dominate the other, but their souls are one and the same. They are still the same person... I guess you could say they're bipolar. A good example of this would be Akito/Agito from Air Gear.

(3) Hmm, think about it this way. Your slate is perfectly pure only once. After you die, your slate is written with your memories and your personality. When you head into either afterworld, and you reincarnate, your slate is wiped of most of your memories and personality. However, a small part of you remains and more vivid each time you die and reincarnate. Sins and Virtues are assigned every 100 years, and you must be of fifty life spans to become one (so there are beings that have passed along their title. They are still revered, and you will see them in the next chapter or so). For example, Hinata in her first life was not the Hinata you know now. As each life goes by, more of her core personality is developed into the Hinata of now. According to my plot, this is her... 56th life span. She became one at her 50th life span. She had three years of peace, then... you know the rest. A life span would include a human life and the afterlife (you would start as a child in each).

(4) Long story short: a little mermaid longs for the surface, sees prince, asks witch to turn her into a human, becomes a human but loses voice, but she can dance beautifully, but every step she takes is like swords through her legs, has to have prince marry her so she can have a soul, if he marries other, and she dies the next morning, he marries someone else, she's given offer to kill him to go back to the sea, kills herself instead, and becomes a daughter of the air. So she doesn't have a soul, but she can work for one now. Although I cry almost every time I read the story, it's still one of my favorites. If you have time, read it instead of my shortened, crappy version.

(5) Last note, promise. Remember that one chapter where they were supposed to be in the abyss after their next life? Because Shinigami-sama intervened, they were able to escape that fate by a) never meeting each other and b) they killed themselves. They never went back to Heaven of Hell. They just continued reincarnating for the past two lifespans.

Okay, chapter eight is finally done, no help from me since I've been gone for quite a long time. I apologize for that. In the meantime, I will attempt to continue writing as quickly as possible. I thank all my readers and their wonderful reviews! I deeply apologize once again! -bows-