Sound of Darkness, Sound of
Light
Disclaimer: The
"Naruto" characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi. I have put them in situations
that diverge from the original storyline, but with no intent of compromising
the integrity of his work. I make no profit from this story. The character of Hikari is my own creation.
C & C appreciated
ashoro@excite.com
Chapter One: Discovery
"...dog...pig...rat...snake...tiger...dragon...tiger..."
The expression on the boy's face was intense as his hands changed position with each whispered word. Blue eyes burned with concentration. Small beads of sweat condensed underneath his wild blond hair and rolled down his face, leaving translucent trails over the light markings that radiated across his cheeks.
Damn it, he thought, I've been working on this jutsuu for almost two days now. Why is this giving me so much trouble?
Uzumaki Naruto paused, then sighed. It was time to take a break. Looking up he realized that the day was already drawing to a close. The late afternoon sun against the trees cast shadows across the clearing. The canopy of autumn leaves above Naruto's head had displayed bright orange, red and gold earlier in the day. Now, with the daylight hours winding down, the colors had become muted and muddy. An early evening breeze rustled through the branches, sending the crisp, dry smell of the leaves spiraling downward to the boy below. Taking a deep breath, Naruto felt like the essence of the woods was filling his lungs. It was a good feeling, bringing to mind thoughts of a summer's accomplishments, and work well done. But it also carried a note of caution, because one knew that winter could not be far away.
I should pack it in for the day, thought the young ninja, rolling his neck and shoulders to release the pent-up tension from hours of intense concentration. He reached down to grab his orange jacket from the ground where he had laid it hours before. I'll just have to try again tomorrow. Ero-senin said I should be able to do this by using just blue chakra, but I'm not getting it for some reason.
The young ninja's musing was cut short by a loud noise, almost like a roar of thunder, coming from the west.
"Nani?" The sound had been so forceful, and so unexpected, that the boy spoke out loud. "What in the hell was that?" Naruto looked back up at the sky. Though growing darker, it was obviously not threatening to storm.
Hmmm... this can't be good, he concluded. Treading lightly, he sprung up into the branches of one of the smaller trees, then bounded from tree-to-tree towards the disturbance. His movement was surprisingly silent, and any watchers on the ground would have had trouble keeping him in view, as his orange pants and jacket blended in with the thick fall colors.
As he approached the source of the noise, Naruto noticed an acrid, burning odor that began to overpower the rich scent of the autumn forest. A trail of smoke was visible against the early evening sky as well. Hmm, that's odd, the young ninja observed, the smoke is spreading so low to the ground - almost like fog. Growing more curious, and slightly apprehensive, he changed his balance slightly, approaching the scene a little more quietly and cautiously then he had originally planned. His right hand gripped a kunai knife that hung from his shoulder, wrist turned under, ready to throw if a foe appeared.
As Nauto approached the small clearing, the smell grew stronger, and the foggy smoke grew thicker. But there appeared to be little else of interest present. Scanning the ground and the trees, Naruto saw no movement other than a few wisps of smoke being parted by the autumn breeze. There was no hint of flames, and the trees didn't show any sign of damage from fire. Then, looking more carefully at the forest floor, the boy noticed a small, pale shape near the center of the clearing.
Moving carefully, Naruto flipped the kunai in his hand, preparing for a block or jab if he was walking into some kind of trap. Not that I should be worried right now - things have calmed down considerably over the last few months. Still, the boy crept forward with ninja caution.
The pale shape in the center of the clearing appeared to be a small child, of about seven or eight years old, with pale skin and black hair. Its bare body was laying face down and motionless. There was no sign of any other person in the area. Naruto moved into the clearing, and crouched down.
"Hey," called Naruto tentatively, as he reached out his hand to touch the still form. He cringed slightly when he touched the child's skin. Damn...cold as ice! Caution began to give way to concern, as Naruto gently grabbed the child by the shoulder and rolled it over.
He was a young boy. Dark black eyebrows and lashes stood out starkly against the pale skin. His lips were colorless, and pursed shut. Naruto carefully placed his ear against the boy's bare chest, ignoring the discomfort of the ice-cold touch, and was relieved to hear a faint heartbeat and shallow breathing.
"Don't worry kid - I'm here to help you. Everything will be just fine." Naruto didn't think the child could actually hear him, but it felt important to sound reassuring anyway. Removing his jacket, he carefully wrapped it around the small boy, then picked him up, holding him close to his chest. "It might be a bit of a rough trip, but don't worry, I gottcha good and tight."
He needs some help, fast, thought the young ninja decisively, as he began once again to bound through the forest, the small, pale form held closely against his chest.
At the edge of the clearing, dark thoughts observed Naruto's departure with the pale child.
I/We follow.
The story continues in Chapter Two: Pursuit
C&C appreciated - ashoro@excite.com
