Chapter 1: Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary
The night was black, blacker than any night she had known before. Not a star shone in the sky, nor even the moon, for low in the heavens above, a cloud of darkness loomed. It was a night that told of her dread, a night that sang her sorrow in the rain. As she lay upon a bed far too soft for one so sad, she thought of a day not so long ago… a day that marked a change. A day that would forever be remembered as her sorrow. She was weak and weary, pondering… pondering…
"Why would you want to join me?" He asked suspiciously. "What are you trying to pull?"
"I have no ulterior motive." She replied with longing in her eyes. "Ever since you left, I've regretted not going with you. I'll do whatever you want. I don't want any more regrets."
"Do you know what I want?" His eyes narrowed in spite.
"It doesn't matter… I'll follow any order you give me." She replied in desperation.
"To crush the village. That is my goal."
Her eyes widened to reveal the whites around her emerald irises.
"Are you willing to betray your home for me?" He asked in a voice like ice.
"If that's your desire… yes…"
"Prove it." He pointed down, down at the pathetic woman lying at his feet. "Kill her and I'll take you."
The request, so treacherous, so heartless, took her by surprise. But determination, strength, took grip of her knife. "Who is she?"
"One of mine, but she's rendered useless." He replied without a hint of emotion in his black orbs. "You're a medic, aren't you? Perfect, you can take her place."
He's changed. She thought in despair.
"Can you handle this?"
Her hesitation, a brief moment, a lack of action, provoked him. He made his move, cruel, heartless, his move to smother her life.
There was a rapping at the door, waking her from her reminiscing. Another one come to watch, a friend to care when he never did.
"Another visitor," she sighed with a sigh so deep, she longed to release her final breath. "It's not important, not anymore."
"I know you're in there." Came a voice as to remind her of her life.
She ignored the voice, that of a familiar man.
"What a bother." She heard him mutter outside the door, a door that kept all her dark feelings locked inside.
"Go away!" She yelled desperately, hoping he'd think again of bothering her further.
"I'm coming in." And that he did.
With a crash and bang, a sound much like thunder, the door fell through splintering, splintering on the ground. He entered in slowly, his face apologetic, his hand scratching his head.
"Sorry," He said quietly.
She glared, her red eyes stinging each moment. "Why are you here?"
"My turn to watch out for you."
She was dry, no longer able to shed her tears. She merely sat, hating the kindness being given. He took a few hesitant steps, uncertain, unsure, and sat beside her, willing to console. He offered his shoulder, a solace, a comforting gesture… and she took it.
"I can't do this anymore."
"No one's asking you to." He said softly, so quiet, so gentle, she almost missed it.
"Nevermore will I love him… nevermore."
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
" 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;
Only this, and nothing more."
A/N: I do not own "Naruto." Story inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven, by request. This one's for Sarah. Hope you like. Pleas read and review.