The Last Avenger and the World of Omni: Homecoming

[Sasuke Uchiha]

The sweltering warmth of the Dunes began to show mercy, as the day’s sky, drenched in hues of tangerine, slowly began its descent into twilight. Sinking into the horizon, sun rays dimly lit the commotion taking place on the streets of Nippur.

Is that the hand to the king?! Who is that other guy?! Oh no, is there to be another battle?! Embolden by the announcement of their king’s return, once frightened citizens had scurried from their refuge, only to now be suspended in fear. A gust of wind billowed through Nippur’s bazaar, parting demon from shinobi, and ruffled the strands of black hair, protruding from Sasuke’s headband. Scarlet eyes reconciled against the demon’s own, delving into their being, and uncovering a swirling construct of souls.  

“No one is stranger to an Uchiha eye,” the shinobi spoke, void of emotion, and to the sound of Kasunagi being sheathed, then lingered his glare on Kuzuru a moment longer, before giving the demon his back. With their fear relinquished, witnesses took to hushed whispers and gossip, as the ninja continued his trek toward the palace, only this time, at an elder’s pace, allowing for the mercenary to fall in next to him. “I see you completely, Kuzuru,” Sasuke said as the duo came upon the time forsaken courtyard, “or is it Renji? In either case, I hope your tracking is as quick as your tongue.”

"Oooh,” the mercenary quipped, “spooky little trick you've got there." Kuzuru studied his prospect inquisitively before adding, “Don't you worry your pretty little head, if it has a pulse I can find it."

The pair arrived outside the courtyard gates, just as the sun surrendered to the moon, upon the bloody scene Sasuke had painted with Kusanagi, just an hour or so ago. Seeing the fallen bandits he’d dispatched earlier, the shinobi thought of his original intention, to bait the head of the snake into coming to Nippur, but with Kuzuru here, there was no need for that. “That’s comforting,” the ninja said as he halted and faced the demon, “care to demonstrate?”

“Ordering me around like a big shot, eh?”  Kuzuru questioned with an ornery temperament and said, “Let me clarify the relationship between me and you.” The shinobi carried a blank expression as his new acquaintance advanced on him, coming face to face with the Uchiha. “Just because you defeated the Abyss, doesn’t make you better than me, and I don’t need you anymore than any other jackoff with a sword,” the demon sneered, “keep that attitude up and I’ll cut you down right now.”

“Say we test that?” the shinobi smirked, allowing his adolescence get the better of him, and placed a hand to his blade’s hilt. The successful blow to his chest, compliments of this demon, still fresh in his mind. With sharingan blessed eyes, Sasuke felt the murderous intent flare within Kuzuru, and prepared against it. Adrenaline surged, awareness heightened, and the hair on the back of Sasuke’s neck stood on end; the ninja couldn’t help but fall prey to the challenge Kuzuru represented.

“Gotcha,” the demon jeered, “lighten up a little, I was just kidding.” Showing the palms of his hands, the demon chuckled, “It’s my job and you’re the client.” Kuzuru’s homicidal aura had not dissipated, it simply wore a salesman’s smile. “I'd be more than happy to talk to dead people for you.”   

“Perfect,” Sasuke replied, exchanging his excited tone for a monotonous one, “I’d rather not return to the palace empty handed.”

The demon waved his arm and offered a slight bow, “Allow me, your grace.” He scoffed; his orneriness returned, “Anything for the great Sasuke Uchiha!”

“You’re too sweet on me.” The ninja smirked before asking, “What can you pull from these men here?” indicating to the slain men laying askew against the courtyard sandstone.  

“Oh, we’ve already been introduced,” the demon grinned, as he slapped a hand to Sasuke’s shoulder, then cooed, “but we can get better acquainted if you like.”

Sasuke remained unmoved, his eyes always calculating, “They said they belonged to the Deathchew clan.”

“Who’s that?” Kuzuru questioned as he moved in and crouched down for a closer look at the dead.

“Vermin.” the shinobi answered simply.

“What are you going to do when we find them?” The demon asked as he raised a dead man’s wrist for inspection, took in a deep breath, and came away all smiles.

Meticulously and exuberant, Sasuke found it odd, the way Kuzuru examined the bodies, but decided not to mention it.  “Something I should have taken care of a long time ago.”

“I see, well,” the demon said abruptly, plopped down on his haunches, and crossed his legs, “I’m going to need about twenty minutes unobstructed.” He then dipped his finger in the blood, tasted it, and closed his eyes while shivering. “Think you can manage that?”

Sure. That’s normal.

“Take as long as you need.” The shinobi said as he leaned against a gate post, and prepared to stand watch, “No one will disturb you.” However, as soon as the ninja finished the sentence, a booming voice from further inside the courtyard made him a liar.

“HOLY GILGAMESH,” the voice screamed, “IT’S SASUKE!!!

Kuzuru opened one of his closed eyes and used it to burn a hole through Sasuke. This time it was the ninja who revealed open palms as he spoke, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m on it.” The shinobi became a blur, advancing on the voice, and leaving a meditating demon behind.