Naruto: Beast
A.N. (as well as a general apology to my readers) I am back and I am so so so so (you get the point) sorry about not posting for so long... well kinda at least. I have a good excuse!
No that's a lie I really don't...
I started to play WoW again, and that takes up a huge amount of time. Reason I started to play again, peer pressure! I swear! That and I hit a massive road block in my writing. Do not fear 'The Hunter' will be continued. Though to keep it so I don't burn myself out like I did before I plan to write this story along side it.
Also cata came out (for those of you who know what I'm talking about good for you) so I'm taking a break from it since its gonna be buggy as shit an I dont feel like dealing with it.
As a short summary this story will be completely original (at least to my knowledge) and to learn more your going to have to read on. It will not follow cannon in the slightest though some tidbits will appear here and there.
Kidding I'll give you all a basis.
A simple mistake can change the world. A decision can alter all that matters. Destiny can change direction with a single word. When these things all happen in tandem, only Kami can tell you what may occur.
Also I plan to write this story the way I WANT it to go but as a general rule, I allow and welcome feedback and you the readers opinion. Hence there is going to be one poll and ONE poll only on the pairing for this story. I refuse to turn this into a harem fic, I allowed it to happen in 'The Hunter' it will not be happening in this one.
Naruto/Kurenai
Naruto/Anko
Naruto/Yugito
Naruto/Mei (aka the Mizukage)
For the sake of this tale he will have to be paired up with an older lady so their ages will stay the same.
ALSO for the love of all that is HOLY! Go check my profile for the poll, literally 10 seconds of your time.
Like the majority of my fic's this will be mature so please have the brains to click the back button if you are not of age (or get a queasy stomach from the idea of blood and gore). This is going to be action heavy, and like most of my work I am usually pretty descriptive.
Once again I do apologize for the long wait, and am currently working on all of the stories I've allowed to sit on the back burner.
Now please sit back and enjoy...
Naruto: Beast
Here is your little guideline:
"Blah blah blah!" ← regular speech
'who am I? where am I? who are you?' ← thoughts
"I AM KYUUBI HEAR ME ROAR!" ← furball/demons speaking
"THOUSAND YEARS OF PAIN IN YA ASS!" ← jutsu
Middle of bumfuck nowhere ← location
Prologue
Enter the Stage
Gates of Konoha
The fiery orb in the sky hung low over the horizon; slowly descending, dragging night in its wake. The two unusual occupants of the booth leading into the ninja village of Konoha watched, pleading silenttly for it to finish it sojourn announcing their shifts end. It had been hours since the last person to pass through the gates into the city. With how the incoming traffic of the day had been, it would most likely be many more before another person came to the gate.
The two women sitting in the booth let out a sigh in unison, looked briefly at each other and smiled. The pair of friends waited impatiently, they had been through thick and thin together. Fought with and for each other. However the tedious job they had been assigned as a "punishment" was wearing them down to the last nerve.
The topic of which was causing a very animated discussion to take place.
"I swear though, I STILL don't see why we got punished for it Nai-chan!"
"For kami's sake Anko... just because they ogled us a bit doesn't mean you have to go off the deep end!"
"B-but Nai-chan they deserved it!" Anko protested crossing her arms defiantly over her chest. "I mean one of them was drooling!"
"No I'm pretty sure he was passed out... they WERE carrying him out of a bar after all." Kurenai grinned at Anko who stuck her tongue out at her. Sighing she shook her head "Well if you ever decided to cover up a bit more perhaps these things wouldn't happen."
Anko gaped at Kurenai before suddenly standing up, knocking over the chair she had been occupying "Blasphemy!" she shouted throwing her hands up into the air dramatically. A twinkle appeared in her eyes and grinning mischievously Anko leaned forwards with her hands upon her knees her arms pushing her generous amount of cleavage together. "It would be a crime to not flaunt the amazingly sexy body of Anko-sama!" she whispered huskily.
"A trench coat, body mesh shirt and mini skirt will draw attention anywhere you go Anko." Kurenai deadpanned listing off her friend's usual attire. Doing this caused Anko's elated face to fall into a pout and she giggled to herself as much as it was at her friends actions, "Though it was worth it wasn't it?"
Brightening instantly Anko nodded enthusiastically "Yeah those guys won't be able to sit down for weeks!" she exclaimed as she moved the chair back and took a seat once more.
Kurenai allowed herself a small grin "I never knew a man could reach that high a pitch." looking back towards the setting sun she sighed "Still a weeks worth of gate duty I can't say I would do it again..."
Crestfallen Anko nodded in silent agreement.
"Nothing interesting ever happens at the gate." Kurenai added.
"This sucks." Anko whined, "I'm bored Nai-chan."
A moment of silence passed between the two women.
"Well at least its only a week." Kurenai stated trying to look at the situation positively "Want to get dango after the shift ends? We never got to celebrate your promotion to special jounin after all."
Anko looked sheepish for a moment; prior to giving those perverts a kunai enema the other night, that had been their plan. "You read my mind Nai-chan." she quipped before looking out at the horizon. Noticing a small group of figures in the distance she suddenly pointed and announced, "Nai-chan look we got visitors!" a second later she picked up something only a trained eye would notice from such a great distance. "Looks like a pair of ninja from the speed their going."
Squinting Kurenai looked in the direction Anko was pointing, "It's pretty late for that," she muttered while looking down at the list that they had to notify them of any incoming missions. Nothing was scheduled for this late, "can you tell where their from Anko?"
Anko stood silently for a moment and a confused expression crossed her features, something Kurenai picked up on instantly.
"What is it Anko? Are they hostile?"
Anko sat back down turning to her now worried accomplice, cocking her head to the side quizzically she asked "Nai-chan, isn't Kiri in the middle of a civil war?"
An odd look crossed Kurenai's features, "Yes," the look turned to confusion. "but why would they come here?" she questioned.
It was true, any ninja worth their kunai knew that Kirigakure was in the middle of a bloodline war. For the past year reports had been coming out of the land of mist stating horrendous casualties. The real question on Kurenai's mind was which faction was heading their way. Either way something about this didn't add up, and she had a feeling that something big was approaching.
Looking back towards the incoming nin Anko shrugged, "Well we're gonna find out pretty soon!" sitting down she jabbed her thumb over her shoulder "cause their almost here."
Just outside the Gates of Konoha
"We are almost to there Terumi-sama."
Mei looked over her right shoulder and pouted at the man who spoke. He flushed slightly at the full lips and half lidded eyes of his leader. "Ao, how many times have I told you not to call me that?"
"I lost count many years ago..." he replied, schooling his features once more.
Sighing to herself Mei looked over her second in command, wearing nearly an identical outfit to herself. A left eye covered by a bandage, blue Kiri jounin vest over a long sleeve black shirt, faded brown cargo pants and black ninja sandals.
Though in her case it was one of her long auburn bangs covering one of her eyes, a black mini skirt and stiletto heel style sandals.
'I pray that Konoha will answer our pleas.' Mei thought as the pair continued to run. Spotting the massive wooden gates to the city she took a deep breath and quickened her pace. 'For if they do not we may have no hope at all...'
"Quickly Ao!" she called over her shoulder "We must reach the gates before they close!" his faint reply of "Hai Terumi-sama." caused a scowl to form on her delicate features.
'Again with the sama... why can't anyone call me by my name?' was the last thought on her mind as she slowed down having finally reached their destination.
In the visitors booth she spotted two woman both giving her cautious looks. One was dressed in what could pass as a call girls apparel, trench coat body mesh and skirt. The other wore what seemed to be an outfit made of white bandages, though one of the arms was colored crimson.
"State your name and business within Konoha." the trench coat clad woman asked with authority, pushing all thoughts of their odd apparel from her mind.
Mei strode up to the desk giving them both a curt nod. "I am Terumi Mei, jounin of Kirigakure. I come bearing an urgent message for your Hokage." as she finished speaking Ao appeared at her side.
"I am Ao, fellow ninja of Kirigakure and body guard to Terumi-sama." he answered before asked to which Mei rolled her eyes.
"Don't call me that!" she snapped noticing the faint smile on the bandaged clad woman's face. Directing her attention back to the two Konoha nin she asked "When is the earliest I could meet with your kage?"
Kurenai was puzzled, for one she could tell by the Kiri nins body language that the woman who had introduced herself as Terumi Mei was an important figure. Of which side she couldn't tell but it was there. The protective aura given off by her 'body guard' spoke loudly that this was a diplomatic mission of sorts.
"You will be able to see him as soon as you paperwork is cleared." Kurenai stated with finality, noticing a downfallen look cross the auburn haired woman's features. "The earliest I could say being tomorrow evening."
Seeing Mei's shoulders slump slightly she guessed that they had hoped to see the Sandaime earlier.
"Oh c'mon Nai-chan!" Anko quipped from her side whom she shot a withering glare. "You know that paperwork doesn't take to long!" her purple haired friend continued.
It irked her even more at the questioning look being given to her by Mei. Especially the arched eyebrow at Anko's name for her.
"Anko knock it off!" she whispered harshly.
"But Nai-chan!"
"Really Anko must you always act like this?" Kurenai continued "there are procedures to this!"
"Excuse me."
Anko and Kurenai both turned and shot a glare at Mei who was slightly taken aback, though she had a feeling that this was really just friendly banter. So she pressed on. "Is it possible to meet him earlier then that?"
Sighing Kurenai nodded in defeat while throwing a dirty look at Anko who was looking away while whistling. "Yes," Mei smiled widely hearing this. "though we will have to escort you."
"That will be no problem at all." said relieved to be able to meet with Konoha's leader so quickly. "Ao and myself will wait until you have time to escort us."
Light laughter filled the air and the group turned to look at Anko, before they could ask what was so funny she answered quickly by pointing further into the city. "Don't worry bout it." at the odd looks she was getting she elaborated "Izumo and Kotetsu have the next shift and I can hear them bickering from here."
True enough the group could hear in the distance two men arguing about who knows what. Though from the sounds of it, it was over who had better aim with a kunai.
Kurenai sighed as she stood and stretched with her arms above her head, relishing the feeling as he stiff shoulders got a much needed reprieve. Walking out from behind the desk she looked at both Ao and Mei.
"Let's get going then," motioning the two Kiri nin to follow she started walking towards the tower in the middle of the city. "please follow me Terumi-san, Ao-san."
Night had fallen upon the city of Konoha and Mei basked in a feeling she had nearly forgotten.
Peace.
Konoha radiated it like a fires flame gave off heat. An innate feeling that everything would be alright no matter how bad things may become.
The small group walked in silence through the market district though Mei noticed that many of the villagers that were out this late seemed to look at Anko with distaste in their eyes. Though the chipper woman seemed to shrug off these looks easily enough as if it were common place. These actions however were confusing her greatly. Which caused her to comment.
"Anko-san." Mei started hesitant to offend the other woman, though now that she looked closer the girls accompanying her were perhaps in their mid teens at the latest. Many years younger then herself.
"What's up Mei-chan?"
'Mei-chan?' she thought throwing a look to Kurenai who was shaking her head while face-palming at her friends actions. 'Oh well its better then Terumi-sama...' "I am curious about the odd looks some of the villagers are giving you... it seems out of place." Mei watched as the younger woman cringed and then rubbed at the side of her neck. "I don't mean to offend it's just that most civilians look up to ninja for protecting the village, I just found it odd."
Before Anko could answer Kurenai spoke on her behalf "Some people are unable to see the entire picture of certain situations and leave it at that."
Mei noticed the grateful look Anko shot to her friend and nodded, deciding not to press the issue any further.
"Can I ask why you are in Konoha Terumi-san?"
Mei looked to her left and saw Kurenai looking at her expectantly, sighing she gave in deciding that if she wanted Konoha's support she should be honest of her intentions. "I am here to plead for aid..." Mei began, cutting off Ao before he could speak with a wave of her hand. "I am the leader of the kekkei genkai resistance," both Anko and Kurenai were now looking at her intently. "we are desperately in need of aid if we are to succeed in overthrowing Yagura's faction."
"So you're here to ask for help?" Anko quipped successfully shortening her explanation to its bare bones form. "Well Hokage-sama is the right guy to ask!"
With a light smile on her face Mei nodded in appreciation to this show of support. The young woman's cheerful disposition was infectious.
"I pray to Kami your are right Anko-chan." she saw the girls face light up at the affectionate suffix. "I pray that you are right."
Hokage's Office
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WONT HELP THEM!"
"Anko behave!"
"But Nai-chan, you've read the reports! If they don't get help they will lose the war!"
"It's alright Anko," Mei spoke softly with a forced smile. Though on the inside she felt her will crumbling, if not Konoha who would help them. The essential time spent traveling here was time wasted, the people who had bought it with their lives died with their dreams left unfulfilled "the Hokage has given a just reason for not wanting to be dragged into our fight..."
The discussion had been brief, after pleading her peoples case the elderly Hokage had declined. Offering condolences but unable to give support without being dragged into the war. She could understand his concerns though, as a fellow leader giving up man power and supplies to the losing side was fool hardy.
Though that logical form of thinking brought more pain to her heart.
"Once more I apologize Terumi-san, " the elderly Hokage said taking a deep puff of of his pipe. "But we ourselves are just now recovering fully from our losses of the Kyuubi attack several years ago." he exhaled letting a slim stream of smoke escape from between his lips "I would like nothing more then to grant you the aid you need but with us in the final stages of recovery we cannot."
"I understand Hokage-sama." Mei bit her lip trying to stem the flow of tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. "Thank you for your time," she gave the elderly man a slight bow. "it would be best for Ao and myself to return as soon as possible however so we will take our leave."
Swiftly motioning for Ao to follow she exited the room, from behind her she could still hear Anko making a fuss. Bringing a small yet sad smile to her lips.
"Terumi-sama I know that we must make haste in our return but per-"
"I understand that your people need aid and Sarutobi refused." a voice cut off Ao's words and the pair turned swiftly to see who had snuck up on them. From the shadows stepped an elderly man dressed in black robes his face and right arm were heavily bandaged and in his left he held a gnarled wooden cane. However even with his advanced age Mei could feel power radiating from this man, someone not to be trifled with.
"Who are you and how do you know that?" Mei hissed, while the intruder was old she was weary of him since he somehow knew what had occurred in the Hokage's office.
"I am Danzo, and I have heard your pleas." the man hobbled closer "Sarutobi has gotten weak with age, though he is a powerful leader."
"Your words are nearing treason against your own village Danzo-san." Ao spoke up looking carefully at the man in front of them.
"Nothing of the sort my friends, just that Sarutobi is far to lenient. Peace has caused this." Danzo continued walking closer before passing them.
Mei noticed immediately that this man was a politician of high standing, able to string words into a web like this there was no other explanation.
"Helping a potential ally should be a valid reason for action."
Definitely a politician.
"You would help us when your Hokage has chosen not to?" Mei knew better then to let herself get her hopes up, but the temptation to save her people was overpowering. "How can we trust you and what can you do?"
"I will answer that but you must follow me..."
Ao shot a look at Mei who returned it with a slight nod, whoever this man was if he could help their cause...
The risk was worth it.
It seemed like hours had passed, Danzo had lead them into a hidden set of catacombs beneath Konoha. Not a word had been spoken between them since his introduction. Mei could feel that they were many hundreds of feet below the surface from the coolness of the air. Questions raced through her mind many directed at herself for listening to this man.
"Ah we are here." Danzo's voice broke the silence and Mei noticed that they were in front of a heavily fortified iron door. Seals covered its entire surface, but what struck her the most was the kind of door it really was and where she had seen them before.
A prison door.
Mei peered into the room confused as to why such heavy sealing had been done to contain a single individual and why they were being held in such an isolated area. Intricate looking runes and seals she could spot lining the floor, the ceiling, and all four walls. Some Mei recognized the majority were chakra suppressing, though the likes of which were used to hold only the most dangerous of criminals. Others she couldn't recognize, yet from their complexity she could tell they were powerful. She glanced to her right and saw the same questions in the eyes of Ao.
Oddly though as Mei looked into the room; extending her senses to pick up something, someone, or anything within it. All she got back was silence, an eternal emptiness, a void that made her feel as if entering that room would cause her to cease to exist.
Confused Mei cocked her head to the left shooting a questioning look at Danzo. The bandaged man however remained impassive. Standing beside them like a statue; silent. His face unreadable yet, for some reason Mei could sense a form of pride radiating from him. It was faint but it was there.
Unable to figure out what exactly was going on Mei asked a single question, "What exactly are you showing me Danzo-san?"
The barest of smiles crossed the mans face "Terumi-san perhaps you should ask him yourself." with a wave of his hand Danzo gestured towards the metal door. "In this room is the key to freeing your people." again the flicker of a smile passed across the bandaged mans face, "Do not fear though, for if you do he will sense it."
Mei wasn't sure by what Danzo meant by that, the enigmatic man had been all rhymes and riddles since he first approached her. "Very well." She answered while steeling her will she threw a cautious glance towards Ao, just in case of any funny business on Danzo's part. He answered with a slight nod.
Walking towards the door Mei hit the lever next to it and with a metallic screech the thick iron slid into the wall. As soon as it opened however she felt it, an ungodly evil radiated from within this room. It was thick and suffocating, as if the very air that filled it was trying to suck the very life from her body. Terror gripped her but remembering Danzo's words she did her best to school her features and stave of the innate fight or flight response that was hardwired into her brain.
"W-who's here?" Mei winced at how weak her voice came out, barely above a whisper. With a brief mental head shake she tried once more, "Who's here?"
It was better, but not much.
The moment those words left her lips though it hit her, like an A-rank raiton jutsu. Killing intent unlike any she had ever felt before, even what she felt when she had faced off against Yagura on battlefield felt miniscule in comparison. Like a relentless current it fell upon her waves of images each depicting her death assaulted her mind, each more graphic and horrifying then the last.
Indescribable fear and agony coursed through her body forcing her to her knees. The air that had been humid and pleasant turned frigid, as if she had dived into a frozen lake. Mei gasped hugging herself tightly as torrents of pain lanced into the very depths of her soul.
From behind her, Mei heard Ao struggling to come to her aid but she could tell it was already to late. It had been a trap all along. She was to die here, she could feel it, sense it; against a foe she could not see or fight, it was coming. The Shinigami himself had her at his doorstep, his cold grip wrapping around her dragging her into the abyss.
The desperation to save her people had lowered their guard and she would pay for it with her life.
Hot tears formed in her eyes as thoughts of home began slipping into her mind; her people would suffer because of her mistake, she mentally screamed trying to fight with all that she had against this feeling of doom. To no avail, Mei could feel her lips move yet her cries were silent. She wanted to curse to shout to the heavens and damn Danzo's soul for his treachery, yet she could not. Even that simple solace was taken from her.
'So this is how it all ends... Ao I'm sorry. So very sorry to have failed...'
Just as Mei felt her consciousness begin to slip away, her body functions beginning to shut down. The torment ceased as quickly as it had struck her. With a choked gasp she began to greedily gulp large lungfuls of air realizing that throughout that entire ordeal she hadn't breathed at all. She felt the tears that had once been in regret turn into relief and run down her cheeks and through blurry eyes she was welcomed back to the land of the living by something she would never forget.
A young man, no a child stood in front of her. Even in her kneeling position he barely stood taller then her. Where he came from she couldn't tell he had not been in the room before. His head was lowered to the ground causing his long shaggy gold colored bangs to cover his eyes, the tips of which had crimson streaks. The skin on his face was pale; nearly albino, the gaunt skin pulled tightly over his cheek bones. Not a single blemish on his features except for three narrow whisker like markings on each cheek. He was dressed in a plain white tee shirt with tattered cloth bandages wrapped around his forearms. Faded black shorts and on his feet were a pair of plain black tabi.
Fearing for her safety as well as the boy's, Mei struggled to control the violent tempest of emotions roiling within her. Desperate to at least save this child in front of her before whatever monster that had nearly claimed her returned.
"R-ru-run!" no strength carried in her choked whisper and to her own horror she saw the boys lips turn upwards into a grin. Exceedingly long canines poking over his lower lip as the grin turned into a wicked, bloodthirsty smile.
For it was not his image that would burn itself into her memories for all eternity. No it was his voice and the words he spoke to her.
"Wow! Now THAT was impressive, most are twittering piles of goo after my greeting!" insanity laced his tone; promising chaos, destruction, and death. "Are you my new toy?" his voice had an odd echo that accompanied it, as if two people spoke at the same time it started as a child's voice but the double was deep and menacing.
Demonic even.
Mei tried to speak but found that she could not as he crouched down placing a hand on her shoulder. She moaned as sharp claw like nails dug into her flesh and she felt hot liquid seeping into her clothes, no doubt her own blood. Now that he was at eye level with her she saw his eyes that had been hidden beneath his bangs.
Crimson.
Brilliant slitted crimson orbs filled with madness.
Her voice still failing, she felt as if she were being sucked into those orbs like they were tearing her soul from her body. All that however was forgotten as her blood ran cold when he spoke once more.
"My name is Naruto. Please don't break like the others, or we wont be able to have fun."
Prologue End