A/N: Welcome to my story. I've been majorly editing chapters 1-5, and I've now finished. Should make more sense, and fix the only major mistake I made. Enjoy!
I was seventeen when I found him – I nearly tripped over the scrawny, dirty child (too much like I used to be) curled up on my front step. The kid, under all the dirt and rags, had blonde hair and golden skin. When he looked up at me I could see he had light blue eyes.
I gave him my jacket and took him inside, getting him clean and warm. He was an angel, if a bit energetic. Every time I spoke, he looked at me like I was his whole world. Not long after, the kid was my kid.
Of course, I realized that it wasn't a good idea. I was seventeen, had no parents, and was living off of a full-time minimum wage job and my life's savings. Another problem with the whole arrangement is I am not exactly normal. I have dark (literally) powers that protect me but lash out at others. My powers haven't been there all my life, but they surfaced when I first became a street rat. They protected me from the horrors no child should experience.
Alright, I know what youre thinking. In our world, it is unheard of to have powers. It's the stuff of fantasy and science-fiction. And hoaxes. And Anime. (Thus, the reason why I was so hooked on the stuff. My powers were just like Gaara's, but with shadows!) However, clearly, no one told my powers – or the voice in my head – that.
'Brat, like you can talk. I'm the only reason you're still alive!'
ANYways... as I was saying, even with all the reasons I had not to take the kid in, I still had one little problem.
The second I let someone into my heart, they become all that matters to me. My little boy, an orphan who I found outside of my apartment, was no exception. When I took him under my wing, he didn't have a name. He was five years old, lost, lonely, and he needed me. I was seventeen when I became a mom. He called me Kaa-chan and everything. When I sat him down to introduce him to 'Naruto', something that had influenced my life greatly, he had an instant connection to the main character. They looked the same, had the same personality, and knew the same pain. He insisted on his name being Naruto from that point on.
I raised him, and he became my world. Everything I did revolved around him and his needs, and I loved it. I finally had a purpose and someone to love and be loved by. Every wide-eyed look of curiosity was treasured, every laugh was engraved in my memory. I loved him with everything I had. There were a few times throughout those years where problems arose, and I did my best to keep my powers under wraps, but once Naruto found out he simply loved them. I don't know what possessed the kid to love my darkness, but I couldn't help but wish he was more careful. Two years later, when he and I were surprised by a shirtless, green haired man with a gun, I was prepared to do whatever I could to save the kid. Even though I never expected to be accosted by someone on our way home from the library, when the stranger was in front of us, I stepped in between the man and my precious seven-year-old boy in the span of a heartbeat.
-present tense-
"Leave us alone," I growl, subtly glancing around. We are standing on the side of a read, regrettably a fairly unused one. Please, someone, drive by, I plead mentally, desperate. The dark power flickers in my stomach, but I push it down in fear of losing myself to the darkness and hurting Naruto. I need my life, my little Naruto, safe. Naruto doesn't fear my power like I do because all it has ever done is protect him. The shadows caress and protect him just as they do to me, but I've hurt so many people unintentionally with them that I can't help but want to keep it away from Naruto so the worst possibility doesn't come to pass.
"Hahaha! Yeah right – I got stuff to do, places to be, and people to eat! Mother needs you gone, so that is what is going to happen." I look at the apparently cannibalistic maniac in confusion, taking in is unusual appearance. He has yellow eyes, weird papery white skin, and we can't forget his previously mentioned green hair and obvious lack of shirt. Wait a minute... This guy... what does he remind me of?
"Step away from the civilian brat, and he won't have to get hurt." My body stiffens in fear, but I bark a laugh in feigned confidence.
"You want me to stop shielding him from you? That... you realise you are pointing a gun at us, correct? So, fat chance of me leaving him vulnerable, Greenie." The guy, hereby dubbed Greenie, grimaces at the obvious nickname.
"What the heck do you want from me? I also have somewhere to be. At home, safe, away from you. What's with the whole 'Mother' thing? I can stay out of whatever business she has if that's what you want." Greenie grins, revealing too many sharp teeth. Little Naruto's breathing hitches slightly, and he clutches my shirt tightly.
"Kaa-chan," He whispers, "It's the Black and White tree guy! The one in the Red Cloud group on TV!" My eyes widen, finally recognizing Greenie.
"What, the - are you some psycho cosplayer or something? Look, you've got a Zetsu clone spot on, aside from the whole gun thing. Can you leave us alone now?" Greenie gets a nasty look on his face and snarls.
"How do you know so much already? Scum, I'm going to eat you and that boy!" A sudden weight slams down on my shoulders, filling me with a dreadful feeling of terror. Bone-chilling fear causes me to freeze, feeling as though I am looking my death in the face. However, when a small face is pressed into my back and the choking sounds of sobs reach my ears it makes me focus and think. This... is Killing Intent. This man... Is he really Zetsu?
My question is answered by the man himself as he suddenly transforms. The right half of his face seems to melt, leaving a deformed mass of white flesh. The green, cage-like formation grows around his left side, and an Akatsuki cloak suddenly rests on his shoulders hiding his bare chest. The gun he had been holding simply shimmers out of existence, leaving his bare, outstretched, clawed hand. My head pounds and the ripples of pain cause my body to shudder.
I need to get away from Zetsu! He's going to kill us - us... no. Not us. Never us. Naruto will not be hurt.
"Zetsu. You said you would let the kid go earlier, right?" My voice is shaky because he already threatened the kid, my kid, my Naruto. He threatened to eat him. But maybe, just maybe there is a chance... Nope. My hope is shattered when a cruel smile stretches out over his cheeks.
"I was going to before, but now, I'm just starving. He knows too much as it is - besides, the small ones always taste the best! Mother will be pleased!" My knees almost give out as I feel Naruto's little form ripped away from mine.
"Naruto! " I cry, spinning around. Entangled by vines, his big blue eyes are wide open in fear and spilling over with tears. Seeing my baby in such a sorry state shatters my heart.
A dark power rises up inside of me and I greet it eagerly - something I haven't done in years - before triggering a full change. My amber eyes turn black and red, and my dirty blonde hair turns white. Now lighter than Naruto's sunny yellow, my own hair whips around in a silent, icy whirlwind. Shadows take a solid form around me, coiling around my limbs like snakes. My attention zeroes in on Naruto, and I see his Captor is another white Zetsu clone. My voice rumbles out of my chest with a deep and menacing growl. When Naruto hears it, however, his crying stops. When he sees my changed state, he sends me a blinding smile. He has always found comfort in my dark side. A fire ignites at my center and I bare my now-sharp canines in determination and anger.
"Let him go. You will not hurt what is Mine." My shadows rise and shoot out towards the clone, smoothly detaching the clone's head from its body. The tendrils wrap around the head and send it flying at the original Zetsu who stands motionless behind me. I don't pay attention as the head impacts Zetsu and is merely absorbed. Naruto runs to me, laughing, as the dead clone's vines fall from around him. I pull him into my arms with a purr of contentedness.
All of this seems like a dream. After all, Zetsu shouldn't even be real. He is in the Anime 'Naruto', and he is one of my least favourite characters.
I duck my head into my precious baby boy's neck, my newly-sensitive nose taking in his unique scent. The smell of fire and cinnamon sugar is like a balm to my nerves. I have him. Taking a deep breath and memorising his scent, I lift my head and turn back to face the original Zetsu.
My shadows come between us and the enemy, forming a shield.
I don't know what is going on, but if this is really Zetsu, and it clearly is, the Elemental Nations and 'Naruto' might not be fake either. Rage and loyalty surge through me, inspiring me to fight for my Naruto, and the world we love so much.
"You made Naruto cry, Zetsu. I'm going to slaughter you, and your mother. Kaguya will never be free to hurt anyone. Uchiha Madara will die, and Konohagakure will not fall. I will make sure of it." Zetsu doesn't say anything for a few seconds, merely watching me and the smiling child who I am clutching to my chest.
"I'm lucky. I caught you early. It's a good thing I came to kill you before hunting the Bijuu. This... should still work." His hand starts shining, elongating into a glowing javelin. My eyes widen and as he moves too quick to counter, I look down into my baby Naruto's face. He is still smiling, looking at me with utter faith.
"NO!"
Pain.
It's too late. Naruto's body goes limp in my arms, his face slackening as he is pinned against me. A green, rock-hard pole is sticking out of his back, plunging straight through us and protruding out of my own back. My shadows are screaming, writhing around as they dissipate into the air after being torn apart by Light and Life solidified. Numb, I slowly pull the javelin out of the sheath it has made of our bodies and drop it to the ground.
"Naruto," I say blankly, my eyes never leaving his shining ones as I fall to my knees with him in my arms. There is a gaping hole in my chest, but it is not the one that was just torn by Zetsu. My heart, my soul, is lying in my arms. His eyes are blank and glassy, his normally hot body already beginning to cool. Blood is everywhere, and red is smeared across the ground. His heartbeat is silent. It is nonexistent. His heart is gone.
My Naruto. My little boy. Is this it?
'Kit, I'm so sorry...'the Voice whispers, but I barely notice. I look up at Zetsu blankly, my eyes losing their violent colouring. My hair glows a bit, and as the light fades my hair matches what Naruto's was before the blood began to stain it. Zetsu looks... disappointed?
This can't have just happened. He was right there, smiling, and within moments, his face was splattered with gore. The knowledge that I am completely alone nearly drowns me as I try to stay sane. The too small body lying in my arms has my composure crumbling, my limbs trembling.
"No," I beg, eyes wide in disbelief. My heart seems to shudder at seeing the bloody hole in my child's chest. No rise and fall, no movement, just silence. The whole world simply freezes around me. At least, until the cause of it all shatters the everlasting moment. Zetsu sighs.
"Kill me," I whisper, "Now."
"I thought you would be more of a challenge. Such a pity. I don't feel like eating such a weakling. You have no fight left in you, do you? I guess I'll just finish you off, then." I struggle to deny his words, but while my mind yells at me to fight, my heart is lying on my lap unresponsive.
I search inside my soul for the fire that drives me and I find it gone. My fire was Naruto.
Naruto.
Suddenly, a flicker. A bright blue eyed, yellow-haired boy laughing. Cheering. Yelling.
Get up, and fight! Don't just let him talk to you like that! ...Naruto? Don't give up, never give in! That's my ninja way!
Tears fall from my amber eyes, burning tracks down my cheeks. Naruto. My Naruto. A spark ignites. I'll fight for you, baby. I reach down, brushing away (smearing) the blood on my baby's cheeks. I close his eyes gently, giving him the illusion of peace.
The image of his bright blue eyes glistening with determination and joy displays in my mind and my own eyes shine brightly for a moment before turning an identical blue.
My whole face is set aflame in anger, and the air around me seems to darken.
"You piece of scum. I will tear you apart!" The scream leaves my throat raw and dry. "You took him away from me! You took… I… he's my… my baby," My yelling turns into sobbing, and the tears in my eyes blur my vision. My chest is bursting with grief, sending spikes of pain into my arms, legs and head.
I'm alone again, notfairnotfairnotfair! I had him! I had found himhimhimhim
Now, fight. I slide my heart off of my lap, setting him on the ground gently even as my arms shake. Blood pools around us, both his and mine.
Now, fight!
I stagger to my feet, growling viciously even though I am not drawing on my power. I glare at Zetsu who simply looks bored. Faltering after taking a single step, pain shoots through my stomach and spine causing me to double over and howl. I hesitantly look down to examine my injury. My front is bathed in blood. The tear in my shirt sits in the centre of my chest. The wound is ugly, raw and bloody. I can see far too much of my insides. There is a tingling in my legs and head that tells me I don't have much functioning time left.
I don't care. If I lose, so what? If I die, so what! But I will never stop fighting!
I straighten up, fire burning in my eyes. I pick up the javelin used to kill my Naruto and start running. Warm energy floods through me and in a flash of red and a gust of wind, I am in front of Zetsu with the weapon plunged straight through his throat.
"Burn!" I scream, my voice raw and animalistic. Fire ignites from around the javelin, burning Zetsu's neck into ashes. His decapitated head falls to the ground, and so do I.
My body protests at the impact and all of my pain floods back to me. I turn my head and see Naruto lying just a few meters away. I cannot move. I take in his precious, blood covered face and closed eyes.
I'm so sorry.
Then, everything ends.