To Change a Demon's Nature
Chapter One: A Proposition and Settling In
"Are you sure this is a wise course of action, Hokage?" The concerned chuunin questioned his commander and chief, moving the dense bolder from its lodging and staring anxiously at the moss-covered entrance. Peering through the opening he squinted into the swirling darkness as it melded with the misty beams of sunlight cascading down the dirt-laden walls. The hazy mid-afternoon sun illuminated the first couple cracked slabs that were the component of the stairs descending at a steep incline into the thick darkness that one imagines contains demons and devils of numerous varieties, eager to tear one's soul out of one's chest and cast it into the hellfire. Inspecting the tunnel, while his imagination ran rampant, the boy tried in vain to gain any knowledge about the journey into the ancient dungeon, long forgotten, almost completely lost through the sands of time.
Sarutobi, the elder of the two, glanced toward the brunette with kind, knowing eyes. His "guard" was currently preoccupied searching the area for nonexistent danger and lighting the weathered torch, that hung casually on the wall beside the entrance, with a simple fire jutsu. The adolescent man's thin brows were furrowed in confusion while his jade eyes glistened in the torchlight showing his evident worry as the flame danced sporadically, surging up fiercely only to plunge down rapidly as if under attack. The chuunin, who in truth wasn't much older than a boy, seventeen, cast the elder one final glance seeing if his superior by some heaven-sent miracle had changed his mind, the youth's visage pale at the thought of the descent into the stifling earth. Seeing no change in the old man's eyes he began without waiting for a verbal answer, knowing that the leader's mind was made up by the confident air in his oaky eyes. Shining the torchlight on the path, making the first crucial steps visible he started the journey deep into the core of the earth.
As the brunette led the Hokage down the spiraling staircase an uneasiness seemed to seep into his soul from the musty, stagnant air contained in the earthy tunnel. The thin hair on the posterior side of his neck began to rise from their relaxed resting place until they were straight and bristling, coarse and sharp as needles. The atmosphere seemed to be suffocating the youth and no matter how the juvenile tried to steady himself his knees began to quiver slightly, threatening to give out leaving him to crumble into a disgraceful heap in front of the most influential and powerful person in Konaha. Gulping the bulge in his throat he persevered, down the winding staircase, consciously making an effort to place his feet firmly on each slab of concrete as they plunged themselves deeper into the dormant earth.
The unknown pressure seemed to be growing, making the air thick and menacing, overpowering the boy, threatening to crush him under its colossal might as said boy stubbornly continued. Never before had the youth felt such malevolence and spite, it raised goosebumps that covered the entirety of his body, chilled his blood until it felt as if liquid nitrogen was sliding steadily through his veins while at the same time almost burning the flesh off his bones as if he was being dipped in a vat of sizzling acid. Though his breathing was becoming strained and labored and every nerve in his body told him to run faraway, to some remote, safe location as if Satan himself were chasing him, he determinedly persisted, determined not to bring shame upon himself or his family name.
The leader of the Hidden Leaf Village noticing the young man's ailments, gave him a sympathizing look, placed an aging hand on the guard's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He pointed his wrinkled index finger toward the way they had come, motioning for the boy to proceed back the world of sunlight and goodness before his wits were rattled beyond repair. The brunette was relieved but shook his head vehemently, wanting to complete the task entrusted to him, his shaggy hair whipping into his face violently with the force of the action. He tried to bravely take another step forward but was suddenly overcome with a new wave of repugnance, daring him to continue deeper into the creature's lair. Collapsing to his slim knees he realized that it was physically impossible for him to move on. His head hung in shame at his own shortcomings he handed the torch to his superior. Seizing it, Sarutobi irradiated the hidden path leading miles underground and proceeded onward, leaving the still terrified youth in his wake.
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The elderly man continued down deeper into the earth, heading miles away from society. In this place there was no light to give a sliver of hope, only pure darkness. A darkness so deep that one would find it almost tangible, as if one could feel it ghosting through one's fingers and brushing past one's face. No matter the age, nor the power, nor the amount of knowledge or reason a person has, in the dark all become children. Though some try to convince themselves of what they see and what they don't, it is all in vain, their minds will always get the better of them and show them the monster that lurk in the dark waiting to feast on their innards.
The Hokage redirected his eyes from the stifling, shadowy obscureness, focusing only on the light radiating from the hefty torch. Though the man had escaped the darkness and the blood-lusting pressure he couldn't escape the final element of this torturous chamber. The utter and complete silence. If the darkness alone couldn't drive the most sane, logical being into a demented, crazed state, the silence surely would.
Many believe that they have heard silence and enjoy it from time to time but no one truly knows it until they arrive in this place. Not a sound of life could be heard, not the light whoosh of a velvet breeze streaming through the trees, or the subtle dripping of a water source found in many "silent" caves, or even the sound of ones own breath or heartbeat as that sound was also sucked into the vortex of quietude, that thick silence that muffled and muted all. If one could imagine the beginning of time before the world, before the stars, before the universe, it would be this, infinite silence in surrounding darkness, the epitome of nothingness.
It had only been a few minutes since the Third has started his quest and yet he already felt his mind starting to give way with the loss of his senses. He quickened his pace, wanting to reach his destination as soon as physically possible and return to his world of light above the surface of this abyss. Finally reaching the lowest landing of the seemingly, never-ending staircase he was confronted with a sturdy, steel door. Seals, locks, chains and other constraints covered every aspect of the thick door and the Hokage hurriedly unsealed, unlocked and removed them all, then hastily opened the door with one powerful tug. Inside he inhaled in shock as adrenaline started to course through him in a fright flight reflex.
An omnipotent demon with nine large red tails gazed down upon its visitor. The elderly man remembered the ferociousness of the Kyuubi no Kitsune and the horrors it bestowed upon the world. The mere idea that the beast had been released from its prison made the wise, respected leader of one of the most renowned ninja villages freeze becoming an unmoving statue. Plans of steps needed to be taken against the monstrosity rapidly raced through the man's mind as he began forming the necessary seals with nimble fingers. The jutsu soared through the darkness to collide with the grinning demon to no affect, as if it had been merely reflected. After a moment, the man regained his composure and some of his common sense and noticed that the fox hadn't moved an inch, as if engraved in stone. He lifted his torch closer to the ruler of the tailed demons to find that it was no more than a painting on the smooth, cement wall.
Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding he began the last league of his trek down the lengthy, strait corridor, his torch only casting a beam of light surrounding a three foot radius. As he drew closer to the end of the room he heard a soft singing. It was beautiful, but was laced with hatred, bloodlust, rancor and animosity, a pure white ribbon of music tinted by the sins of humanity until it was completely consumed. The song sent a chill up the old man's spine as memories of his own sins coursed through his mind's eye replaying in a slideshow.
Exhaling he calmly cleared his mind of the imposing thoughts and returned all of his attention to the task at hand. The reinstated Hokage had faced many trials in his life but never was one as dreadful and foreboding as this.
"Down, down, down and around he goes." The voice sang, overcoming the stifling silence to ring out and echo throughout the chamber, increasing in volume and becoming more haunting as Sarutobi took a couple more steps forward. Flaring russet fire now outlined the slim figure sitting in the corner, his back toward the older man.
Stalling for time, trying to recollect his thoughts the elder of the two looked around the subject's dwellings. The once mousy-gray walls were covered with vermillion paintings. One in particularcaught the elder's attention. It showed a man with flowing hair pulled back into a low ponytail. A pinwheel resided in the handsome man's cruel eyes, indicating the mangekyo sharingan. Behind him lay pile of corpses all brutally slashed with kunai and like weapons and a boy that resembled the last Uchiha heir, clutching his head with desperate, thin fingers, eyes wide with fear as tears of blood seemed to flow from the youth's eyes.
"Through the tunnels to meet his foe." The blood draining voice continued as the figure raised a hand, showing fingers that were transformed into deadly, sharp claws. Red droplets clung to the pointed tips of the being's fingers, shimmering like priceless rubies though the elder barely noticed, he was too focused on the wall's artistic adornments. He scanned the surfaces with a mixture of curiosity, dread, fear and disgust. In one on the eastern side he noticed his old student.
Long hair framed the pale face in an eerie likeness. The man's snake-like eyes danced with mirth as his sharp incisors sunk into the tender flesh of what looked like an older version of Sasuke. Entranced Sarutobi shuffled closer to the painting to inspect it further. He was suddenly startled back to reality as he vaguely heard a soft mumbling proceeding from his charge's lips. Taking a couple more tentative steps closer the Hokage was able to see what act his subject was preforming.
"Left his guide, came on his own." The raised hand came down in a swift, fluid motion cutting the owner's other arm. Crimson slowly dribbled out of the wound landing on the floor in a thick puddle with a soft, repetitive plip. A finger then delicately dipped itself into the thick fluid and brushed it onto the wall, acting as its own instrument to create yet another scene foretelling the calamities to come. Interested in what the youth was now painting he strained his neck forward, trying to gain access to the sight of the subject's newest creation.
"You will die, you are alone." At this the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village was able to see the painting that the boy had just finished. It was a realistic portrait of Sarutobi but his eyes were glazed over and a thick gash was on his neck, thoroughly torn through, as if he had been mauled by a vicious, rabid animal. Adjacent to that painting lay another of the leader's death. A gash adorned his chest, as if a sword had continued through the entirety of his body. A contented smile adorned the elderly man's face as his eyes seemed to begin to fade into oblivion.
The sight the the man beheld greatly confused and bewildered him. When the boy was younger he would always draw or paint the misfortunes of others which led the council to place him in such a place away from the world, though that was only one of the reasons. Never before had he showed two outcomes to the congruent situation. The memory of the first time the boy's ability had been discovered danced through his head, determined to plague the man unless it was acknowledged.
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It was a beautiful day in the month of June, the sun shone brilliantly through the minute layer of cloud that stagnantly resided over the peaceful area. The Hokage kindly smiled at the villagers as he strolled past them on the dusty path, patting the children tenderly on their shaggy haired heads as he passed. A slight breeze surrounded his being, lightly tickling and caressing him until it suddenly flowed onward to its next object of interest.
Sarutobi composedly meandered to the establishment in which his little ball of sunshine resided. The newly painted white, wooden exterior gave the edifice a clean and welcoming aura complimenting the garden containing various flowers such as daises, roses, lilacs, irises, peonies and azaleas that gave the building a nurturing and loving ambience. With the cherry oak door wide open, the man didn't bother to knock and merely stepped through the entryway and tread upon the newly waxed maple floor that shone in the morning sun, reflecting the outline of the man's figure.
Locating the jounin in charge to observe the boy for any changes or complications and to also protect his charge from all threats he gave an indolent wave of the hand, dismissing the protecter for the time being. The jounin, a lithe, slender man with strawberry blonde hair cropped short against his slim, pale face speckled with freckles, nodded pointing a long index finger toward the ceiling before disappearing from the elder's sight in a flurry of leaves.
Proceeding up the stairs, making as much noise as possible he slowly ascended until he was attacked by a two and a half foot bundle of energy. "Oji-saaaaan!" he cried, cobalt orbs sparkling in delight as he hugged said man's leg with such an intensity to make the elder's heart swell with love at the affection.
"Hello, Naruto and how are you today?" he asked as he pried the blinding blonde off his legs that were currently loosing circulation.
"I'm wonderful Oji-san!" He cast a dazzling smile, showing his absolute joy at the man's appearance. For a couple moments the boy just grinned at his father figure until his eyes widened and he inhaled, remembering something that he deemed important and worth mentioning. "Guess what! Guess what! Jounin-san gave me a set of paints and brushes and taught me how to paint today! Do you want to see? I'll show them to you!"
The orphan, now completely ecstatic, excitedly grabbed hold of the other's hand, clamping his tiny fingers in a vice-grip. Sarutobi smiled lovingly at the blonde as he allowed himself to be dragged into the boy's room. It was a well-furnished dwelling, containing a bed complete with an orange comforter, a dresser that remained bare except for a miniscule amount of clothes, a hand-carved birch rocking chair and a plastic, lemon table situated in the middle of the wholesome environment. Releasing his grip, leaving the man to stand patiently in the doorway he darted to the table and grabbed a thin stack of papers. He returned to the elder and handed them over while casting an expecting look to the other.
"Isn't it pretty?" His angelic voice questioned as a wrinkled hand ruffled his golden mop of hair.
The Hokage glanced down at the paintings and were astonished at what he saw. They were exquisitely done, identical in likeness to their subjects but all of them were horrifying in their content. He saw the jounin that was ordered to guard Naruto, agony and abhorrence evident on his features as blood flowed from a kunai wound that sliced the length of his chest. Another showed a teenager with a bowl haircut, thick obsidian eyebrows and eyes that showed horror and suffering as he clutched his leg that contained traces of a grainy substance. Sand or dirt Sarutobi didn't know which. Flipping through the whole pile he gave the boy a shaky grin, trying to reassure the four-year-old, as he had sensed the Hokage's displeasure and was scuffing his feet into the floorboards, eyes downcast.
"Hey Naruto," he calmly entreated, kneeling down to be eye level with the youth, lifting the boys chin so that he would stare directly into the elder's eyes. "What made you draw these pictures?"
Seeing that he wasn't in trouble the former beamed, replying, "Well Oji-san sometimes when I sleep I see this thing," he pointed to his painting of Kyuubi in something that almost seemed like reverence, "and he tells he'll show me something interesting. Then he grabs me from behind the bars and brings me into his cage. After, he turns on the projector and we watch a movie or slideshow on the screen he set up for me. Sometimes it has people I know and sometimes it doesn't. I wonder where he gets all these movies?"
Sarutobi paled thinking 'The Kyuubi is already starting to influence him?!' but he ruffled the container's hair again while replying "That sure is interesting, Naruto."
The younger pouted, sticking his rosy lower lip out, stamping his foot in indignation, "Oji-san, you don't believe me! But I'm telling the truth!"
"I know you are. Now would you mind if I borrowed your paintings for a little while, Naruto?" Satisfied that his beloved Oji believed him, he nodded and danced around him tugging on his robe and playing cheerfully with him until it was time for the Hokage to return to his office.
Leaving the rapidly waving youth in the care of the jounin, he started wandering down the familiar path, moving from muscle memory and pondered all the events of the day. 'What could these paintings mean?' Sighing he dismissed the thoughts as he reentered his office and resumed stamping papers approving and declining trivial issues such as if Konaha should repaint its front gate.
As the sun began to fade behind the horizon and the crescent of light rose into the man's view he yawned and prepared to take his leave and retreat into his home for some long needed rest when an ANBU with a white wolf mask decorated with five red stripes on its right side barged through the door.
"Hokage-sama, forgive my impertinence and rudeness but Naruto was brutally beaten by his protector and is being treated by your personal med nin presently. My squad was on patrol duty when we heard a scream, rushing to its source we found the perpetrator slicing the boy's arms with a rusted kunai. Upon noticing our appearance he tried to escape which ended up with us inevitably killing him via kunai." The monotone voice stated hurriedly behind the mask, knowing that when it came to Naruto you would be sorry if you wasted time mincing words.
Pinching the bridge of his nose in aggravation, he sighed, "Bring the body in for confirmation." Looking down at the body of the strawberry blonde there was no doubt that it was indeed Naruto's guard. A sense of deja vu descended as he looked at the man's features, twisted in hatred and pain. Crimson soaking the area surrounding the gash on the length of his chest. Sparing no time he whipped out the similar painting and started when he saw that they were identical in every way! Dismissing the ANBUs and having the body taken out he plopped onto the comfortable, red-cushioned chair. Taking out a his pipe he took a deep, timely drag, wondering 'What is going on?'
It was not long afterword that the council was notified of the new advancements in Naruto's case and the decision was unanimous that if the Hokage would not allow him to be killed they would lock him away in a place where he could do no harm. The day came upon them quickly when Naruto was dragged from his home, salty tears leaking from his eyes as he hopefully pleaded to Sarutobi for help and salvation. His plea was heard but nothing could be done, the elder just turned his head in sorrow and helplessness and left the scene, detaching himself from the boy's chilling screams and cries that would replay in the Hokage's mind for the rest of his days.
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Lost in his remembrance the old man barely noticed as the head of the person he came to talk to rapidly swiveled around to stare at the intruder.
The person was only a fragile looking boy of eight years, who sported long, shining blonde hair that belonged to the most pure of angels. His once reflective, crystalline, azure eyes were now a deep crimson, with a thin black slit for a pupil running vertically in the center. A crazed smile lit the pale boy's face, showing his dagger sharp incisors. Whisker marks that were usually no thicker than a pencil marking were wild and threatening. Within a second the boy was poised to attack when the Hokage made a hand sign which sent the boy writhing in pain.
His pain was caused by a mahogany seal that ran horizontally across his neck that looked like a collar and acted as such. Whenever a high ranking ninja made the sign to activate the seal an electric charge was sent through the young boy's chakra network, slowly electrocuting him from the inside out. It was almost unbearable, ones heart would stop for a moment as if having a heart attack, while the muscles would spasm, the lungs wouldn't be able to obtain any oxygen and the senses would become disoriented while the subject was being mentally traumatized by said experience.
After releasing the technique, the old man looked pitifully at what had become of the Fourth's son. The child that he had once considered his own was no longer, his time to be saved long passed and gone. Still the man had to try to atone for his sins and help in any way he could thus he made the decision to come down this day after discussing this affair with the council. Naruto shakily stood up, using the wall for support as he ran his bloodied hand across the painting of Sarutobi's death by the boy's claws and fangs, wiping it from existence. Leaving only the other. 'I guess it is impossible to kill someone who's death has already been determined. Quite a shame I wanted to feel his warm blood trickle through my fingers as the life drained from his eyes.' The blonde contemplated with disappointment.
"Now Naruto," he sternly stated in an official business tone interrupting said boy from his thoughts, "I have a proposition for you." At this the blonde's ears perked up. His head swung up rapidly resulting in a direful cracking sound from his neck in protest. Ignoring the minor whiplash as it would heal in a rather short amount of time he looked into the Third's eyes, a grin starting to once again spread across his face. A sickeningly sweet smile that made visible the glistening incisors and canines.
"What kind of proposition, Oji-san?" He replied, the last words in a sneer, but still genuine interest and amusement in his eyes.
"You will be able to leave this place and once again live on the surface world in Konaha." The wrinkled man answered, choosing his words carefully, though he doubted the eight-year-old would refuse.
"I suspected as much but what's the catch old man?! The catch!" Naruto hissed impatiently, earning him a heavy sigh and head shake from the elder as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I guess I won't beat around the bush, Naruto. You will still have to wear your collar to keep you in line. You will not kill anyone under any circumstance. Also, you will take up a personality that we assign you to use as a facade. You will soon enroll in the Academy. Lastly, you will be killed on the spot if you try to escape. You got all that? Now what do you say."
"I say Oji-san that there is something else you're not telling me because this is far to lenient to the 'demon-child' hated by the gods and the world, but I guess I'll find out your true motive in time now won't I? Well, in short, you've got yourself a deal." At that the eerie smile was once again evident on his face as his protruding claws sank back into his skin and he outstretched his hand to the man he used to trust more than life itself.
The Hokage, relieved that the boy had accepted gave the pale hand a tender shake and began the journey back to the surface and out of the smothering dark and silence.
'Finally, the time has come for me to compensate you for the horrors and hardships I've put you through, Naruto.' Sarutobi thought as he cast a concerned, caring glance at the now stoic looking youth, though wicked joy could still be seen fluttering through his now cerulean orbs. The boy was unaware of the elders sentiments as he relapsed into his own thoughts.
'I don't know what your goal is or what your aiming at, Sarutobi but I will soon. Although I can't kill you myself, you wretched being, I'll be having a front row seat to your ultimate destruction!' At this a minute smile once again graced the jinchuuriki's face as images of the man's untimely demise fluttered through his mind's eyes as the two climbed the stairs, enraptured in thoughts of two completely different natures.
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Reaching the final concrete slab at the top of the staircase the blonde youth spritely bounded into the sun as the chuunin once again blocked the entrance while sending suspicious glances at the ecstatic boy.
'How many years has it been since I saw the sun last?' He wondered as the rays of intense light collided into him, temporarily overwhelming his senses as if he had been butted by a territorial ram. After a few minutes of readjusting and waiting for the red blotches and spots to disintegrate into nonexistence he surveyed his surroundings. The world around him seemed so bright, so carefree, it made the boy silently heave. Chickadees and robins chirped their mating song merrily as they effortlessly drifted on the light air current landing in a majestic oak tree, that shuddered as it dispelled the cool water that clung to its leaves from the presumed morning storm. Squirrels, rabbits, and mice all scurried pleasantly through the untrodden, vibrant grass as the leafy tendrils gently caressed them.
Miles away he could see children playing at the park, laughing as they swung on the swings, excitedly pumping their legs to try to go so high as to touch one of the wispy cotton clouds that meandered across the horizon. Others would give chase as they played a game of tag with their friends, desperately trying to pass on the status of being "it". Oh, the memories and experiences he never had and would never see in the same light again after experiencing hell on earth.
The spicy smell of cinnamon wafted through the air on the velvet breeze, tickling the unaccustomed blonde's nose. Impatiently scratching at his sensitive nostrils he shot a rapid glare at the man who had taken these sensations away from him many years ago. The said cause of the blonde's misery noticed the look and let out a deep sigh emanating his feeling of guilt and regret as he noticed the rage, hurt and mistrust in the youth's deadened orbs.
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Attentively standing guard on the left-hand side of his commander the chuunin, though young and not yet attuned to his senses could feel the ominous aura he perceived in the stairwell, though not as potent or concentrated as before. His bony fingers twitched, inching toward his kunai holster as he worriedly exchanged glances between the Hokage and the seemingly harmless but undoubtably lethal boy. As he peered at the dungeon's captive he noticed the whisker marks that adorned thin, pale cheeks.
Memories of the traumatic night when the Kyuubi attacked suddenly flooded his mind, bursting through the door that he had pushed the thoughts behind so many years past. Gruesome images of people lying on the barren wasteland, stripped of trees and blackened by the beast's fiery breath as blood sank into the soil dyeing it a menacing red. Limbs scattered around the field as med nins tried to help the countless wounded through the pandemonium. Many died before a med could reach them, screaming for help then eventually screaming for death, they would die by causes of bleeding out, shock or by taking their own life. Jounins being swatted aside as if they were nothing more than rag dolls. Civilians being sliced by enormous paws as they tried to flee to safety, one was his beloved older brother. The boy lay motionlessly on the coarse, unforgiving ground as the precious fluid of life gushed out of the gash that ran posteriorly across his chest.
His fist clenched around the kunai he now grasped, his nails burrowing into his calloused flesh until it drew blood. Teeth began to grind against one another as he viewed the murderer walking around freely, as if he was getting off from his crimes without retribution. In that moment that lasted no long than a split-second he decided that he would enact justice upon this stain on humanity, this monster in the guise of a human. All he had to do was wait for a proper excuse to execute the beast that the Hokage didn't have the spine to kill.
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'How many years has it been since I've seen anything? Experienced anything? Heard anything?' The incredulous thought plagued his mind as he started to stretch his malnourished limbs. He couldn't say, he couldn't even remember a time, in his dark prison time seemed to stand still. A second could last hours while a minute could be a year, the sands of time had stopped falling, clogged in the center, prolonging his agony. Banishing the memories of his years in captivity he jogged to a nearby puddle after making certain that the Hokage knew he wasn't trying to make a break for it.
Staring into his reflection he saw a childish face. It struck him that not much time had passed at all, four years at most. Four frightful, changing years, years that would lead his mind to shatter and bring him over the edge of insanity. He once again shook those remembrances from his consciousness, sealing them away in a mental box, only to be unleashed when he wished to exact his revenge upon the spiteful population inhabiting this village and be witness to his "Oji-san's" demise.
Glee began to fill his entirety as he imagined the oncoming events, once he had the accursed collar removed and was able to pursue his deepest wish, to grace all the insignificant humans with the gift of death. The women, the elderly, the children, the ninjas, all would die gasping beneath his paw, begging for mercy but he would show none. The youth planned to spare none for in his mind all were equally guilty, no one was born clean and all would bear the sins their relations had committed.
Returning to his reflection he viewed his once stunning, sparkling eyes that used to be filled with innocent mirth. They were transformed into cold, collective, dulled stones, weathered under all the events and trials he had to overcome and live through, though at times he wished he had chosen death. With skin that was ghostly pale almost translucent and crimson arteries and royal blue veins bulging from his stick thin figure he looked as though he was a long dead child raised from his catacomb to once again walk the earth, which was nearly true since most already thought him dead.
After a couple more moments of contemplation he strode back to Sarutobi, looking him square in the eye, self-assured and confident. "So what now, Sarutobi?" No sooner had the words left his mouth he was assaulted by several newly polished kunai and shurikin. Lengthy blonde hair trailed behind the tiny, lithe boy as he deflected the obtrusive objects and speedily advanced on their caster.
"Watch how you address the Hokage, demon!" The brunette threatened before he fully registered his advancing opponent.
"I'm only the demon you made me out to be. I'm only fulfilling what is expected of me by society. But you have seen nothing yet, though I may have only been a demon in form to begin with I can assure you now that I encompass every aspect of the wickedness you all place in me. Do you care to observe firsthand?!" His words dripped with malice and promise of a prolonged, torturous death. To the chuunin the air surrounding him seemed to decline rapidly in temperature as numbing frost began to form on his trembling lips.
Receiving no reply Naruto smiled, his upper lip thinning and curling up to show his strikingly sharp canines tinted with blood stains from the poor rodents that had the misfortune to find themselves in his lair. The bloodlust started to become overwhelming and thus the boy pounced, claws materializing from his fingertips as a crimson chakra lightly coated him in a sizzling, protective armor, eyes no longer cerulean but a deep red, insane, demented and crazed by the thoughts of a fresh kill. Clamping his eyes shut the chuunin waited for the incoming pain that would befall upon his existence but it never came. Wondering if the boy was merely playing with him as a child with his food he fearfully cracked open one eye. He sighed as he became aware of the boy having a spasm on the ground while the Hokage advanced offering a hand to the relieved brunette.
"The elders were right Hokage! You can't unleash this menace upon the world! It should be killed now while we still have the chance!"
"I have already told you that this was my decision and it is final. Naruto is just a little bit sensitive when it comes to being called a demon." The chuunin scoffed at the understatement but nevertheless dropped the subject as watched in grim satisfaction as the boy's face contorted in pain. After once again releasing the jutsu for the second time that day the old man, who seemed to be aging by the minute in the presence of his new charge, strolled toward a disoriented Naruto and helped him to his feet while absentmindedly brushing the dirt, mud and other such materials off the blonde.
"Now what did I tell you just a few minutes ago. No killing anyone-"
"But he, that miniscule ignoramus that isn't worth the air he breathes," Naruto interrupted, sending a vicious glare toward the current object of his extreme discontent, making said object gulp in discomfort "started it!"
"It's rude to cut in, Naruto. As I was saying, you just agreed to no killing anyone under any circumstance. Am I right?" At this the boy scowled and stared at the ground, running his ghostly, bare feet through the soil until he uncovered a worm which he contentedly crushed under his heel. Regaining his thought and composure he once again met the older man's dark chocolate eyes.
"I apologize for loosing my temper and will try to control myself forthwith. Now what is our next course of action, Hokage-sama." Naruto questioned in a mockingly polite tone, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Well, Naruto here are your files." Stated the Hidden Leaf Village's Kage as he handed the youth a rather substantial amount of files. "Your alibis, your new identity, new personality, residence, list of techniques you can and cannot use, assignments and so forth. Now if you have any problems you may always contact me or any of those on the specified list of my trusted personnel in the maroon file. With those in hand I will leave you with a final warning, be on your best behavior at all times, my boy, because we will always be watching." At that the man disappeared in a rapid tornado of leaves with the chuunin hurriedly scrambling from tree branch to tree branch, trying to escape this frightful person's aura as quickly as possible.
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Left to his own devices Naruto leaped onto the nearby oak tree and swiftly ascended to its uppermost branch in order to view a sufficient amount of the village, while he opened the first file and flipped through the multiple documents. Pulling out the document labeled Naruto Uzumaki's Modified Identity he haphazardly skimmed it, instantly memorizing it and storing it in one of the file cabinets of the vast amounts of information that resided in his consciousness and could be retrieved at any given moment. Said document read as such:
Name: Naruto Uzumaki
Age: 8
Status/Alibi: Orphaned since birth, contracted an illness and was hospitalized in the Hokage's personal hospital since the age of two, was cure when the great Sanin Tsunade visited to borrow some money for a debt. Currently will be entering the Academy to learn the basics of ninja training.
Location/Residence: Will be currently living in the Hitomi Housing complex, in the Old district, in room 204.
Personality: Happy, go-lucky, boisterous, confident, prankster, moronic, class clown, trying to prove himself to the rest of the village and a wide, warm smile always present on his face.
Techniques/Skills To Use: Is the least successful student in his class. Can make one clone with minor defects at most, scores below average with taijustu, ninjustu, genjutsu, shuriken and kunai practice, stealth, speed, power and knowledge. The basics and any harmless jutsus that will not arouse suspicion may be used.
Forbidden Techniques/Skills: Since the amount and prowess of training or knowledge obtained by the Kyuubi in the time in captivity is unknown it is forbidden to use any and all techniques or skills that were gained from the Kyuubi no Kitsune. Similarly, anything that will conflict and compromise one's alibis are also forbidden.
Naruto then skimmed and rapidly memorized the rest of the files including the list of those trusted by the Hokage which were exceedingly small. Glancing at the map contained in the blue folder he located his new "home" and was about to transport to the location when he felt a presence staring holes into his turned form, daring him to try to implement such an act. Sighing he left from the tree and dashed atop the roofs of the crowded village at an acceptable speed for his profile. Reaching his dwelling he gawked at the rundown complex.
The metal stairs leading to the rooms were rusted and broken in such places that would cause one to seriously injure oneself and contract a disease from the rust. Doors hung aloof, hinges broken and decrepit creaking in the slight breeze. Shattered glass lay strewn on the ground, dents from bats and such were frequent and scorch marks appeared at random intervals. Carefully but hastily he climber up the stairs as any normal child would and made the way to his room.
Taking the key that was placed in an envelope in one of the files he jammed it into the lock, shoving and jiggling it until the door popped out of its resting place and allowed its new resident to enter. Locking the door behind him, though he really did not have anything to fear with his amount of strength he then observed the place where he would be inhabiting until he would release the collar's seal.
The white wallpaper was peeling revealing the rotting structure usually hidden from knowledge. Besides the hazardous foundation the room was in no way dreadful. It was quite lavish and must have been a fortune to refurnish. The kitchen had a marble counter, with a shining silver sink and refrigerator. Adjacent to it was a living room with two comfortable, dark viridian couches that could easily fit four persons each. Continuing through the living room the curious blonde located the bathroom. Baby blue tiles adorned the floor and shower area, a bleached sink and toilet were also present and a fresh vase full of lilacs were place on the room's windowsill. Moving soundlessly to the final room he reached his bedroom. The walls were painted in a dull gray, suitable to the boy's taste. A large bed was placed in the northwest adorned with flowing, onyx, satin sheets adorned it along with a couple decorative pillows. One nightstand with a royal blue alarm clock, a dull white, so as not to be blinding in the dim atmosphere, dresser and a desk were also situated in the room. Lastly, he opened the dark oak doors that led to the closet to see what wardrobe he was required to wear. He guffawed and heaved slightly when he saw the monstrosity that was the neon carrot jumpsuit. In fact all of his clothes were of that color except his sleepwear which was of a tint of blue and a set of obsidian trousers and dress shirt for formal occasions.
Sitting on the bed, which was so soft compared to the chilling, hard cement that he had known for the last few years he thought over the purpose of this surprising establishment. 'That old man is trying to get into my good graces, to make me believe in him and trust him again. Like that will happen. If he wants to get into my good graces he should just present himself to me a let me slice his throat open letting his blood stain this expensive cherry oak floor.' Deciding that he had spent enough time pondering about the doings of a man gone senile he returned his attention to the stack of files. Being no longer of use since the information had been absorbed he sent chakra into the palm of his hand and released it in a quick burst, immediately disintegrating the condemning files.
Returning to his mental copy of Naruto Uzumaki's Modified Identity he snickered. 'I guess it will be interesting, honing my acting skills until the time comes when I am released and will be able to kill all these miniscule, insignificant beings.' At this he barred his fangs in a feral grin and elapsed into the back of his subconscious to converse with his only companion.
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Author's Note:
So what do you guys think? I haven't written in almost a year but I think that this chapter turned out fairly well. I hope that you did enjoy it and will comment, if not I hope that you will consider giving me suggestions on how I should continue this story. I don't have much of a plot yet and am just making it up as I go so I'm an open slate for ideas. I doubt that I will be pairing Naruto with anyone, if you haven't noticed he is kind of insane and very angry (understatement). Maybe in later chapters after he has started to become human again, but then again I don't have anything planned out. DON'T EXPECT QUICK UPDATES because this first chapter took me two weeks to finally become acceptable to publish on this site but I will try to update every half month. Sorry, I'm rambling. In short, thanks for reading and I hope that you comment.
Sincerely,
Infinity of Silence