Prologue
Naruto sighed, watching yet again parents take their children home from the Academy. Why can't that be me, Naruto thought. Why am I neglected and hated by all? Why do I know what I cannot feel? Naruto looked on in contempt and envy as a yellow haired girl walked away with her parents. Probably telling them about how Iruka-sensei taught us how to throw kunai. I bet they're gonna go and have a celebration. Why? Why can't I have love, yet am touched by it every waking moment? WHY!!?!?!
Noticing that everyone had left already to go home, Naruto finally got up and trudged off, leaking sadness.
Unbeknownst to Naruto though, a creature was watching him from the tree above him. As Naruto walked out of view, the creature leaped down from his perch, greedily licking its long tongue around the swing and the nearby surrounding area on which Naruto sat and walked.
"Ahhh…."the creature sighed in pleasure as it finally finished its meal. It had taken every bit of its willpower to keep from leaping onto the boy at once, such misery just leaking off of him. The boy's aura of pain was far too delicious. It's a good thing I'll be killing him tonight, the creature thought, chuckling to itself, or I just may have leapt on that boy a moment ago. After checking one last time for any remaining traces of pain the creature shun-shined away, leaving no trace of himself.
"Thanks old man," Naruto said monotonously, "I really appreciate it."
"No problem, young man! You are a ninja-in-training and all ninjas deserve a good, hot meal!" the owner of the little Ichiraku ramen shop replied jubilantly.
Naruto, not paying attention, got up and trudged out, leaving the old man behind.
The old man sighed, saddened that he hadn't been able to help him. Henge-ing into his true form, he sat down, his 200 year old legs creaking as he went. If only I could do something for you Naruto-kun. If only I hadn't been stationed to just keep watch over you. The old man sighed once more, heading towards his room.
Well, time to get myself home, before any of those mobs wreck up my house again, Naruto thought as he headed down one of the many darkened avenues of Konoha, kicking a can as he went.
"I can't take it anymore," the creature yelled out, as he jumped from the tree from which he was observing Naruto. Landing with a small thud, the creature let out a screech of ecstascy. It took in the negative feelings in from Naruto, Its night anyway, and it's not like anyone in this village is strong or fast enough to kill me, the creature thought as it approached Naruto."Your soul is mine, boy!" as suddenly it shot out its tongue toward Naruto.
Naruto, having lived in a world where he had constantly had to dodge beatings, luckily was able to roll the side. "Who are you? What are you?" Naruto questioned, getting into one of the few taijutsu forms he had been taught at the Academy as he saw the creature come out of the shadow.
"Who am I?" the creature cackled insanely, drool dripping from his mouth. "You can call me Dul-Arai." With a loud roar its tongue shot out and grabbed Naruto's foot.
"Let me go!" Naruto cried as he fell to the ground. The creature pulled him in closer, closer. Naruto closed his eyes in sad defeat. He could only hope that death would come quickly….