Chapter One
The oppressive shadows curtained the dirt path, as I stumbled to find my footing. The moon hung like a fine double edged blade bleakly staring out at the world, it's light dulled with age. It's glorious rays, never once penetrating the darkness that surrounded me. Fool that I was, I chose to travel at night to a place I'd never seen in my life. Searching for a clue to the gruesome murders that plagues the poor little village Whisper's Echoing. I knew, I should have been more prepared for the journey, but being the somewhat impulsive being that I am, I haphazardously began this accursed journey. All in the sake of appeasing my vivid curiosity.
The open fields did nothing to alleviate my uneasiness. Instead it served it's purpose in proclaiming that I could not hide, if I were wont to. The silver glass glared at me, swaying omniously in the cool breeze. I could feel my heart hitch in agitation. I hurried my stumbling pace, hoping to reach the gates quickly, before something unimaginable happened to me. This could be my over active imagination at hand, still, never safer than sorry, as a dear friend would offtimes remind me.
Searching the horizon, I saw in the near distance the wooden gates, praising whatever God, had given me for such good luck. Speeding up, I could almost feel the darkness begin to shroud me. My quickened breaths and the echo's of my feet on the path were the only noises that reverberated in the still darkness of the night. Running now from whatever heathen montrosity that sought me, I reached the gates, never once hesitating to raise ruckus. Beating ferociously on the door, I heard the gates small window open as a man looked upon my somewhat terrified form.
"Who goes there in the middle of the night. A fool I should think." Rasped out the man as he stared intensely at my being.
"Aye a fool I may be, but a hungry and tired fool at that." I replied my hand ruffling through my silken blonde locks, my tired azure eyes sagging in bone deep weariness, just wanting to be in the safe sound walls of the village, before the dark decided my being was unnecessary.
"A name first, so that when you do enter here, I can carve it on your gravestone, because no doubt, you've come to figure out the murders...eh?"
"What an astute man you are." I jovially told the man, I could really care less about his attitude, but then again, I wanted inside, did I not? "Naruto Uzumaki." I relented.
"Well, come in. And let's not try anything stupid, we don't need more of your kind, screwing up what little peace we do have here, understand?" The man commanded me. As if I wanted to be here in the first place, I think not, but didn't they say curiosity killed the cat? I'm sure there is something along the lines that dear, dear satisfaction brought it back right? Either way, I was here, and unlike the poor bloody fools before me, I would catch the terroizer that plagued this place.
Doors creaking in protest, I was finally allowed in, leaving behind, and I am ashamed to admit how scared I was of it, the cruel darkness of the night.
"You'll find a tavern with a few rooms to rent above the bar. Just walk straight down the lane and turn to your left about halfway there. LIke I said before, nothing stupid." The man turned his back to me, before shuttting the gate doors. Relieved that he had actually given me a room, I pressed on in my ill-fated journey, reaching the Shamed Maiden tavern in record time.
Going through the doors, I walked quietly over to the bar, noticing the contemptous looks from the villagers. How cliche. Hate what they fear and do not understand. Looking at the friendly face of the bartender, what a relief, I asked for a spare room, one for which I would gladly pay for.
"No need to pay. You'll likely not make it through the night." I take back what I said, he was rude and obnoxious.
"You have a room though?" I again repeated my question.
"Yes, take the stairs on the second landing head to the third room down. There should be a free room there." Mocked the obtrusive bartender.
"Thank you...?" I asked. I really wasn't in the mood for his conversation or company, for that matter, anymore.
"Call me Chouji, oh, and if you make it through the night, I'll give you the room free for as long as you're here, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you." He chuckled out.
Really, the man was quite rude, but I believe he had a basis for believing that I would not survive for a reason. Trudging slowly up the stairs I made it to my room, surprised when I opened the door, to find a rather cozy room. Against one wall, lay the fireplace, infront of it, sat an armchair, while on the otherside lay an armoire and a nice sized bed. Hmm...my luck didn't seem to bad at the moment. I was in for a very rude awakening.
Stripping to my undergarments, I lay down, letting my erstwhile eyes fall under heavy lids, sleep claiming my easily this night.
What seemed like hours, I awoke to soft whisperings.
"Hm...this is their sacrifice. A little on the scrawny side, don't you think?" Was tauntingly whispered.
"Aye, but so very, very pretty. I think the Coven, will like him." Answered another.
"We shall see, here, before he wakes up, grab him." Commanded the first voice. Right as the other reached for my body, I let my force be known.
Jumping quickly, I called upon my...strength, casting a very strong telepathic force to crawl over the two, luckily for me, they had no clue what had hit them, before knocking them unconscious. Fool that I was, I thought there was only two in the room, so I didn't expect the blow from behind. Before losing consciousness, I heard a voice say,
"I think the Master, will like this one."