Author Notes;I do not own naruto or Diablo (strong influences)
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The Devil Inside
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The roar of thunder followed the flashes of lightning that covered Konoha. The rain fell thick from skies as black as sin had quickly created a network of streams flowing through the streets. For days now the storm had been picking up, but it was worse than ever today, the veil of shadow had fallen upon them, causing the village to be naught but a series of glistening lights lost in the immense darkness that had devoured them.
The storm began to build when Naruto had returned, his usual cheery self gone, in his place a quiet stranger to them stood. His seal had weakened not long before his return. The demon within had gotten stronger and its influence expanding. Shortly after his return he had gone missing, leaving not a shred of evidence to his destination or reasons for leaving.
Or so it had seemed at the time. In her hands Tsunade held a water stained note, ripped out of a diary seemingly. The ink had somehow barely run despite the endless rain and streams that had carried it into town. By some chance it was found by the right people, who recognised Naruto's handwriting. Another bolt of lightning lit up the room, followed by a roar that rattles the room.
"What does it say, Tsunade-sama?" Sakura asked, speaking for the group of Naruto's old friends that waiting for her patiently to begin in her office. Tsunade's lip twisted uncomfortably, having reread the dark message for the dozenth time trying to comprehend its meaning.
"Many sleepless nights have passed since it all began. Since then I've tried to forget the terrors I beheld beneath the cold veil of my mind, and the twisted nightmares that have haunted me even beyond my dreams, well into my every waking moment." She recited her voice lined with fear for the boy who wrote the words. Fear for strength to fight the demon. And for fear for the consequences unto the world should he fail. The sky rumbled above them once more, causing Tsunade to pause, the people in the room tense, having learnt by now what Naruto kept at bay. The Kyuubi, most powerful and terrible of all the demons known to exist, the devil itself.
"There's something dark within me; I can feel it now, driving me towards the West, assuring me that my salvation lies within the ruins of ancient kingdoms. Though I somehow know the way, I know not what dangers will arise to hinder my journey, and as I pass through the gates of Konoha …" Tsunade trailed off, as she picked something up from behind the letter, a dark string falling from her clutched fingers.
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The carriage rocked back and forth, its study woodwork creaking as it was being put to the test in the drenching gale. The passengers rocked back and forth in the back as the horses struggled onward up the hill with the rain turning the roads into black mud.
The driver whipped the horses to push on ahead, a strange ominous feeling festering in his heart. He had never seen a storm this bad in this part of the world before, so far away from the ocean and with so little mountains surrounding to create these kinds of winds. There was something unnatural about the whole thing. But that was not what he feared. Ninja's could do all kinds of unnatural things. But those clouds, he thought turning back looking at the amazing shade of the clouds he was trying to leave behind. They were the blackest he had ever seen. And to his more immediate concern… they were following them.
Lightning struck a tree nearby, causing an almighty BANG! Splinters of wood pelted them and flames arose from behind the treeline. The horses reared, causing the carriage to slide backwards in the mud, threatening to begin crashing down the hill. The driver screamed at them beating them as hard as he could to get them to push on, knowing they would not survive the fall. From inside the carriages cries of the two children could be heard, while the adults held on tightly, their faces pale and scared having felt themselves lurch back after the bang, they feared the worst. All but one. The hooded stranger who sat on the edge, not budging an inch; he could've been dead.
The horses responded to the pain more than their fear, and they began moving on once more. The children hanging onto their mother tightly who did her best to reassure them. Across from them the lack of response from the stranger had caught his eye. Had he passed out?
"Hey, you alright boy?" he called out from across the carriage. But his only answer was the skies monstrous growl that causes even the carriage to vibrate. After a moments hesitation he got up, and reached towards the boy.
In the flash of a lightning strike the figure snapped his head up looked at him, his red slit eyes glaring at him. Beyond him even, before falling again, behind the curtain of his hood. He stumbled back into the corner, gasping for the breath that had been ripped right out of his lungs. Was this storm getting the best of him too? It had to be… That was all it was...
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"I know that the better part of my soul will remain behind..." Tsunade paused, opening her had to reveal the stone she gave him. "…Forever"