Sasuke eased in, every sense extended to the potential dangers. After all, this cabin was a mere three kilometers from the Woods he'd just escaped from. There was even a path leading to within the last kilometer. Whoever owned this cabin had a way of dealing with whatever was in there.
That was something he needed himself. He had no idea if it was just that forest or if there were more. He knew he didn't want any part of it if he could help it.
The window shut behind him with a slam and a click.
Sasuke estimated the weight of several of the items around the kitchen and how likely any of them were to be able to break the glass.
"Creepsie creepsie like a thief,
who comes now to bring me grief?"
"Just a traveler from far away," answered Sasuke, looking for the source of the old woman's voice.
"A traveler is what you say?
Coming here, you've lost your way."
Sasuke frowned. Was bad poetry a means of politeness in this world's society? "What makes you say that?"
"The Wood is not far from here,
Many do it rightfully fear."
"You don't," pointed out Sasuke.
"I use the Wood, oh yes I do,
But also - the reverse is true."
"So it's just the one forest, not all forests in this world," said Sasuke. One of the pots hanging down was highly polished, and now he could see a reflection in it. An old woman, stooped with age, was standing where his eyes told him nothing stood.
Obviously a ninja technique.
"Enough of this idle chatter,
You'll be tasty dipped in batter."
"Fire Release! Great Fireball!"
Naruto ran, the glow dropping from him as he left the Woods behind. When it did he nearly collapsed there but a glance back at the darkness caused him to pull up enough reserves to continue.
There were Things stirring in the darkness. Not just the spiders either. If they pursued him out of the forest, he wouldn't stand a chance.
A segmented leg moved out of the darkness into the grass beyond the forest.
Naruto ran.
There was a trail, but experience hiding and pulling pranks told him not to follow it. Instead he ran off to the side, leaping over the brambles and shrubs.
The easy path just got you caught.
The Kyubi stuck his head up. "We're out of the Woods, but I sense the presence of that Thing that dwells within. It clings to the area like a fog."
Sakura whimpered.
"I do not like you being here any more than you do. Less if that is possible. Stop crying for crying out loud!"
"I'm dead and I'm a ghost!" Sakura wiped tears and glared up at the Rage Incarnate. "I think I have a right to be upset!"
"Come into this cage and I'll end your suffering."
Sakura considered the kind offer briefly. "Nuh-uh!"
Sasuke tried to move his limbs. To shout defiance. To scream in rage. Nothing.
"Locked up tight inside your head,
Granny's feast once you're dead."
Sasuke tried to manipulate his chakra desperately as the old woman, now clearly visible, gathered various ingredients on the counters.
"Don't need wrappings for my feed,
Wood for the oven - that's what I need."
If he could have moved his eyes would have widened. His clothes and equipment, turned to wooden logs while he watched. What kind of jutsu was that?
"Oooh. Pretty eyes that changed they did,
Something new that you once hid?"
What was she talking about? He... he could see her clearly, more than before. He could see HOW she was moving too. Almost as if? Sharingan? If only he could move, then he could show this old woman what an Uchiha could do!
"Now what to make, the question clear,
What kind of dish from you, my dear?
Savory sausage? Fresh meat pie?
Ground up fine? What should I try?"
Sasuke tried focussing all his will on moving SOMETHING.
"Well, old Granny knows what to do,
But muscley boy - the taste is crude."
Sasuke felt it. Something hadn't gone right just then and a toe had twitched as the hold on him had loosened just a bit. Did that mean that the restraint required bad rhymes but if they didn't rhyme at all, it was weakened?
"Gamey boy is not to my taste,
but worry not, Granny won't waste."
A large pot was lifted out of the stove and was briefly visible in Sasuke's line of sight. He felt himself lifted, set down inside the pot, and then the lid clanged down like the sound of doom.
"In Granny's pot so shift the flesh,
to something that my tastes will mesh."
KA-BLAM!
"Intruder now be still!
"This is Granny's wi-"
BOOM!
"I HAVE. HAD. ENOUGH. OF. THIS!"
CLANG! "Shut up!"
WHANG!
"Shut Up!"
KA-BONG!
"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS WOOD! CREEPY OLD LADIES! SPIDERS! GIANT PLANTS! I'M TIRED AND I'M HUNGRY AND I'M PISSED THE HELL OFF!"
CLONG!
"Sasuke? You there?"
Sasuke debated speaking up. After all, being rescued by the Class Clown was kind of beneath his dignity. On finding that he COULD move, he decided to announce his presence.
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(Posted Fri, 17 Jul 2015 05:48)
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