I don't own Naruto or destiny.

They were exhausted. With everything that happened at the reef, they couldn't believe how busy things got and so fast. Now that everything was finished with the Queen and the reef, they thought they would be able to relax for a moment, but it seemed that it wasn't going to be that way. Hinata stood beside Naruto and Sasuke, twiddling her thumbs while they discussed everything that was happening now. "Ugh... is there ever a break in this?" Naruto grumbled and she smiled up at him softly. "No." Zavala said shortly as he continued on about what they were going to have to do.

"So, as you know the taken king is making an advance. I need you all to attempt to cut him off before he can gain ground." Zavala said and Hinata looked up at this. She didn't feel right about this, but she couldn't complain in the slightest. This was their lives now. Weed out the darkness and cull its spread. "We have ships ready for you all to go and look for the guardians we have sent there after the ones who vanished." Zavala said and Sasuke nodded as he listened to the man give the rundown on the situation. Ashura and her friends were all there on Saturn and some of them were not responding to comms. A chill ran down his spine at the thought of the brash woman actually being injured.

His eyes landed on Hinata who was fiddling with her fingertips. He knew she was worried about her friend and he knew he had to help save the woman if it was the last thing he did. The moment they landed they began their search. It didn't take long to find them upon hearing Ashura's ear shattering scream. Hinata took off ahead of the group and Sasuke followed swiftly after her. when they stumbled upon the scene, Hinata seemed to freeze in place as she watched the titan rain blow after blow upon Ashura. Sasuke frowned and released a soft breath as he placed one hand out before him touching the fingers of his other hand to that hand before pulling back, as if knocking a bow.

The void energy that manifested formed a bow and arrow and he released the arrow of energy, which struck the titan and yanked him off the smaller woman he had shown no mercy to. He rushed forward with his blade drawn and struck swiftly, impaling the titan upon his blade. He gently pulled the blade from the titan and began trying to lower him to the ground, only for his body to begin turning to dust and flying away with the wind. "Damn him!" Ashura sobbed as Hinata helped her to a sitting position. He watched as Hinata and Ashura conversed amicably despite the situation at hand. Sasuke then told them about the ride that was on the way for them and they nodded.

They seemed to be well enough off that they didn't need an escort to the landing zone, which was a relief to him. Not saying he didn't care what happened to them, because he did, it was more so he had more important things to deal with rather than babysitting the injured. It sounded cruel, but they needed to rid themselves of the threat of oryx and rather swiftly. "I'm sorry about your friend." He called out and Ashura locked eyes with him, giving him a small nod and a sad smile as she fumbled with a small coin in her grasp. He briefly wondered what the coin was to her but seeing as she clutched it to her chest, he assumed it had something to do with their deceased friend.

He turned back to the group and they stood around awaiting his orders. He was amused with this ever so slightly. He looked around him at his group of friends and he couldn't help but feel proud of them. They had all manifested new abilities and they were exceptionally skilled at using them already. Unsurprisingly enough for him, Hinata had been the first to manifest her Stormcaller. The others were shocked when she had discovered her ability and used it in a healing manner, but he was not. He knew she had pure unbridled power residing within her and he hated that the rest of them still seemed shocked when she would show off a new skill.

Naruto alone should know better than to doubt her.

He looked back at Sakura and Naruto and they were watching him intently, he wondered what could be going through their minds right now. It was clear Sakura was itching for a fight, the way she was tossing her small solar hammer from on hand to the other was enough to signify that. Naruto seemed antsy as well, but he was better at controlling it as of late. "To the Taken king. That is where we are going now." Sasuke said and Hinata looked up at him and nodded. He saw the slight fire that hid behind her eyes and a small smirk crossed his lips.

She was ready to fight as well, and he knew it was because this creature's child had kidnapped her. they turned and all readied their weapons. They followed behind him as he ran, they took out taken, hive, and cabal every step of the way. They made their way to the mausoleum where hive acolytes waited for them in front of a portal. Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances, only for them to rush through the gate. They were transported to the founts it seemed. They made their way down the hall towards the asylum and watched as the large lanterns lit up as they came within proximity of them.

More taken appeared when they arrived there and they each pulled their weapons, preferring to take them out from a distance rather than fight them up close this time. As they fought their way through a feeling of dread washed over them and they exchanged glances once more. They approached the small wisp of taken aura and the image of oryx appeared before them. "You are the last hope of the light? I have taken entire worlds... You are not worthy to face me." He said and they opened their mouths to respond, but before they could the image of him vanished and the portal behind him opened.

A large cabal made his way out of the portal, only to be quickly terminated by one of Sakura's destructive punches. For a creature who didn't think they were worthy of fighting him he sure sent weaklings to fight them. Sakura rubbed her fist lightly and sighed, having been expecting more of a challenge from someone who called themselves a king. As if feeling the haughty aura overcoming the group, Hinata spoke up. "We shouldn't be too hasty... don't forget he..." she sighed softly and he looked over to her as she rubbed her hands together nervously. "He did take out the entire awoken army." She whispered and the overconfident feeling left their bodies.

They should be more wary given the circumstances. They each exchanged looks and with a solemn nod they carried on through the corridor before them. They fought their way through to the Trenchway and paused to gather their breath for a moment and take in their surroundings. A large door stood before them and as they approached it began glowing with the symbol of the taken king. It slowly began to open and they each readied their weapons. When they made their way into the room the image of oryx manifested before them. He held one hand out to them and they felt their light draining from them little by little.

Sasuke grimaced lightly seeing as this was how the creature thought he was going to win. The lack of light was slightly stifling, but they could win this without their light. Sakura rushed in to try and land a hit on him only to be swarmed by taken thrall that spawned out of nowhere it seemed. Naruto pulled a rifle and began pelting the large creature with repeated hits to the head, which seemed to only anger oryx. Hinata began channeling her light in an attempt to build it back up enough to attack him. He stood before her and continued to fend off the thrall and knights that Naruto and Sakura hadn't gotten to first.

Oryx held his hand up once more and all the light that Hinata had manifested was swiftly drained away. Sasuke cursed under his breath as she hit her knees and fisted her hands against them. "Get up." Sasuke commanded and her head snapped up at him. Her opal eyes wide in surprise at the tone of voice he had used against her. "Get up and fight, not with your light." He commanded once more and she nodded and pushed herself up to her feet. Naruto opened his mouth to make a comment on the tone he had used but when Hinata rushed forward swiftly he clamped his mouth shut. Hinata spun into a rotation and wiped out all of the thrall that had just spawned in.

Her and Sakura nodded to one another and began landing hits upon oryx with their bare hands. Sakura's chakra enhanced punches sent Oryx recoiling in midair and he made a move to flee, but Hinata slammed both palms on his back and a wave of energy erupted from Oryx and he collapsed to the ground, his sword a few feet in front of him. He held out his hand and energy began flowing out of the blade and formed an orb in his hands. He then slammed the orb into his chest and the energy engulfed him and he swirled away to nothingness, leaving nothing but his blade in his wake.

The group looked at each other and sighed as they gathered their bearings. "Hey, are you guys alright? It's been days since we heard anything from you." Cayde's voice came in over comms and Sasuke managed only a small chuckle at the brooding mother hen that the exo was. "Yeah, oryx is gone." He said and Cayde sighed audibly over the comms. "Good job guardians. Come on home, Eris is coming to retrieve his sword." Zavala said and the group nodded to themselves. They each stood and made their way to where Ashura had placed a transmat beacon when she had arrived. When they got closer, they saw someone transmatting in. when Ashura appeared before them Hinata rushed over to her and her group.

"What are you doing here?" Hinata asked in a motherly tone, while Ashura only watched the woman in amusement. "Big guy, gotta kill him." She said and Misra nodded excitedly while Lion only sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't seem to want to be a part of this little get together. Something told him deep down the man was just as excitable when it came to killing the big things, he just didn't want to show it. Ashura seemed to be healed from all her injuries and that was all that mattered to him, he couldn't have Hinata losing her friend now could he?

"Stay safe." Was all he had to say to her and she nodded to him. As soon as their conversation was over, Ashura and her group were on the move once more. He turned to his group and they all looked worn down and exhausted. It had been quite the fight with oryx and they all needed their rest.

:-:-:-:

Sasuke looked over at Hinata's bunk and noticed she had taken up her old hobby, knitting. She had a pile of small knitted items sitting beside her already and he wondered what they were, but he wasn't going to pry. He just continued to watch as her nimble fingers swooped around one another and created knot after knot. Her eyes flicked up to catch his curious gaze and he felt embarrassment flood his being as she just offered a small smile. "Sorry..." he mumbled and she released a soft laugh, one that put him at ease ever so slightly.

"You don't have to apologize for anything." She said and he opened his mouth to say something but she had already beat him to it. "Why do you protect me and make me fight all the time?" she asked and he fumbled over his words lightly. He wasn't sure how to actually explain it, not that he wanted to, anyways. She released a soft sigh at his silence and continued her knitting. "You can tell me, I won't embarrass you to Naruto or Sakura." She whispered and he rolled his eyes. It wasn't that he was worried that she would do that because he could handle the two of them.

"Naruto seems to think I have fallen in love with you." The words escaped him before he could even think to stop them. He cursed himself silently upon catching the look on her face. She seemed saddened. "You know, I thought you were easier to read than he ever was." She said and he blinked at her. "I know you feel something for me, or at least I assumed it." she continued and he released a breath he didn't know he had held. Was she reciprocating what he felt?

She gently set down her supplies and patted the bed next to her. He made his way over and sat down beside her much to her enjoyment it seemed. He liked the feeling of being close to her because she made him enjoy the peace and silence, much unlike Sakura and Naruto. With him beside her she continued her knitting. Ever so gently leaning closer to him. It was silent, but it was a confirmation of affection. Something he hadn't realized he had needed.

However, now that he had this confirmation, he was going to ensure she were going to be ok throughout all of this. "Where'd the fire go, Hinata?" he asked and her hands froze their movement, but her eyes refused to meet his. She had reverted back to her youthful fearfulness and he wondered why she had. What could have been so traumatizing that it had set her back in such a manner? When she finally looked back up at him he could see what it was. It was her fear of dying first.

A scowl formed over his lips and he released a sigh. "You are stronger than most of the guardians in this tower and yet you still fear death? They die on a daily basis and you still have yet to have to be revived by your ghost." He grumbled and she released a small sigh as she began working those fingers once more. "While what you are saying is true, I still feel as if we are meant to fear death. Something tells me that there will be a day when we cant rely on the light to bring us back so I don't want to not fear it." she said and he nodded. He could understand her reasoning now. But he still wanted to see that fire in her eyes like he had when her children were acting up. He always did enjoy seeing her riled up.

"Don't let it dim your flames though. You can be strong willed and cautious, I've seen it before." He said and she smiled at him softly. "You always do think so highly of me." She sighed and reached to touch his hand gently. As soon as he laced his fingers with hers, Naruto and Sakura burst into their room. "Hey guys! We are going to get food do you wanna join?" Naruto blurted loudly and the two of the sighed, so much for silence.

Sakura knocked him over the head and began scolding him softly while pointing to their hands. Annoyance rose within him as they continued to discuss them like they weren't in the room. Typical of the two if he were being completely honest. As soon as Sakura managed to shut Naruto up, she gave them a thumbs up and took off out the room. As soon as they were gone he felt Hinata move, only for her lips to meet his when he turned his head. A blush formed on his cheeks and he pulled back as did she. He knew she had meant to kiss him on the cheek, but when he had moved it accidentally changed direction.

He reached over and brushed his thumb over her cheek, only to press his lips against hers fully. When they pulled back he offered her a hand. "How about we go get some food. My treat." He said and she nodded as she took his hand gently, the blush still dark on her cheeks. He had never meant to fall in love with her, things just turned out that way he supposed. He offered a small smile as she took his hand a little tighter and she followed him out of the room.

Before they could get further down the hallway Nina ran up to them and called out to them. "Hey guys wait..." she said and he turned to look at her in slight disdain. The last time the woman had come asking them for help Hinata had been taken captive by Crota. He was not willing to let this happen again. "I need your help Hinata... Ashura just got the go ahead to go find Uldren." She said and he opened his mouth to speak, but Hinata patted his hand gently. "I would love to help her." she said and he could only curse mentally seeing as she was going to run off with them once more.

Hinata turned to face him and offered him a small smile, a reassuring one. He sighed and waved her off gently, giving her the go ahead she was looking for. He sighed as he watched her retreating form only to see Shikamaru making his way over to him. The man lit a cigarette up and offered him one as well, which for the first time in his life he accepted. Their conversation was silent, but they each knew what the other was saying regardless.

They exchanged glances and then nodded to one another as they put their respective cigarettes out. Something didn't feel right and neither of them couldn't place the feeling. They made their way around the tower together looking for what could be causing their unease, but he just supposed it was Hinata's absence that unsettled him. That was until Ino had joined them and had begun discussing her worries with them. She said it was something that tugged at her soul and she couldn't figure out what it was.

"So you feel it too?" Shikamaru asked and the blonde nodded. "I feel like things aren't over with Oryx." She said and Sasuke repressed a scowl but acknowledged her feelings as valid. "I don't think so either. He vanished too easily to have died." Sasuke said and Shikamaru nodded as he lit up yet another cigarette, which Ino scolded him for. The brunette man sighed and waved her off, but he still put the thing out after he took two small hits. He then slipped the thing back in the box.

"How do you even find those in this day and age?" Sasuke asked and Shikamaru smirked. "If you know where to look you can find almost anything. The civilians down in town grow tobacco in their fields even though it's frowned upon." He said and Sasuke nodded and offered two fingers to the man, to which a cigarette was placed between his outstretched fingers. Ino scolded him as well but Sasuke just ignored her. Sometimes he just needed a little something to take the stress off his mind, just as Shikamaru did.

They spent hours talking about everything that was happening with the world at the moment and about what they could do about it. The whole group got together and their discussions continued on this topic. Gaara had plans of eventually going to reclaim mars for humanity and creating houses out of the sand to assist in negating some of the sandstorms there. Ino and Shikamaru planned on staying in the tower, while Sakura and Naruto planned on eventually going out and reclaiming parts of earth for humanity as well. Sasuke had to admit that these ideals were needed to make it through this rough time, but he didn't know how well they would actually turn out. Not that he was being pessimistic, but more so realistic.

He briefly wondered what Hinata wanted to do, seeing as she wasn't here to offer her thoughts. A transmission request appeared on his gauntlet and he looked down to see Hinata's face looking back at him. He tapped on the screen to accept. "We found prince Uldren. We are going to need Sakura because he is injured." She said and he nodded and looked over to the pink haired woman who was waiting expectantly. "I will meet you at the ship dock with Zavala and Cayde, Sakura will be in the med wing waiting to assist you." Sasuke said and she nodded and looked off to the other side of the ship where Ashura and Uldren were sitting together against the wall.

"He's hurt pretty bad and doesn't seem to recognize us." She said and he nodded once more, taking in the beat-up appearance of the man and the exhausted look of the woman who was currently holding bandages to his chest. He made his way down to the dock, thankful nothing had gone wrong on their mission to retrieve him. He didn't quite like the man, but Ashura was willing to risk her life for him time and time again so there had to be something about him that made him worthy of her devout love.

When he got there, both Cayde and Zavala were right behind him ready to help carry the man to the medical ward. Zavala scooped the large man up with ease and took off towards Sakura. Ashura just sat there in her ship for a moment holding the bloodstained cloths in her hands. He made his way over to her and crouched before her. She looked up at him and offered nothing but a smile before she threw herself to her feet and chased after the man who carried Uldren away. He sighed and followed after the group.

He shot past Ashura and stood by the door to block her path into the room. He wasn't being cruel when he did so, he was actually being kind. "Go, get washed up and get something to eat." Sakura told her and she nodded and gave him a small glance before she took off towards the barracks. He made his way to his own barrack to check on Hinata. When he got there she was fidgeting with her fingers while sitting on her bed. Her hair was soaked and he too a guess she had just gotten out of the shower.

"How is he?" she asked and he crossed his arms over his chest. "What are you not telling her?" he asked and her head snapped up at him. Her eyes were wide in surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to guess something had been wrong. "When we came back under the light of the traveler a dark aura diminished from him." She said and he nodded. He could understand why she wouldn't tell Ashura something as serious as that. "So, he was taken?" he asked and she shook her head.

"He was being controlled, but something was off about it. He was still in control of his body all the same, he just couldn't recognize any of us. I didn't get to get a close look at him because he was unconscious the entire time we flew." She explained softly as her fingers began fumbling with the towel in her hands. He watched as she gripped the towel tightly in her hands, only to throw it across the room in a small fit of anger. She jumped to her feet and clutched her hands to her chest.

Angry tears lingered in her eyes and his heart sank. He didn't like seeing her this upset. "Sasuke she... she can't be without him." She said as the tears spilled over her cheeks. He knew how much she cared for her white haired friend and he reached forwards to embrace her gently. "Best case scenario... we can save him from whatever this is." He said and she gripped the back of his shirt tightly. He knew what the worst case scenario was, everyone did. Everyone had been forced to read the books of Osiris just as Ashura had been told to.

Worst case scenario... she has to kill him.

They decided at that shared thought it would be time to make their way over to the ramen stand with Naruto and the others.

He stood beside Shikamaru smoking yet another cigarette. They watched as Hinata and Naruto chattered amongst themselves. He couldn't help the amusement as he watched them. Despite how things had turned out, those two were still the best of friends. He was grateful for that much, as he harbored no ill will towards Naruto or Sakura for getting together after he and Hinata had perished. Seems she held no ill will either. Ashura appeared in his line of sight and he quirked a brow as he noticed she was still filthy. Seemed she couldn't relax in the slightest, but who could blame her.

She sat down beside the two and they all continued to talk amongst themselves for a while. Eventually Shikamaru and Ino joined in and he was left leaning against the wall by himself. Eventually Cayde made his presence known and Ashura left with him. He made his way over and took the seat that Ashura had been occupying beside Hinata. She looked over at him and offered him a small smile as he crossed his arms over his chest while he leaned towards the ramen bar. It was just like old times.