NeoJericho Productions Presents...
a fanfiction by Khaoi
Fox and Snake
Prologue
"Once upon a time, there lived a fox spirit with nine tails."
Seething fur colored the fires of hell.
"He was so powerful that whenever he shook those tails landslides and tsunamis would result."
Tremors wracked the earth, and the great spirits themselves trembled.
"The suffering people gathered the great shinobi clans to fight this menace."
Anguish filled the air.
"Finally, risking his life, one ninja was able to imprison its soul."
Suffering tainted the calm night and a fierce blood lust danced across the pale moon.
"Having defeated the demon, the brave shinobi died."
Winds tore at the people and ravaged the land; lives were taken and forests were ripped down.
"That shinobi was the fourth Hokage, the fire shadow, champion of the village hidden in the leaves..."
Satisfied, all went still.
The world held its breath, staying in wait, should another calamity arise. None did and the night resumed. Letting out a great mournful wail, the fire fox demons of the great mountain fled deep inside it and did not return.
Soon, it was forgotten that they had once protected the people of Fire Country. It was forgotten they too parted with grief. They were regarded with hate and fear, for humans do not forgive so easily as their lives are short and filled with bitterness.
"Shh... easy little one, do not cry so, they will hear you." whispered the kind young lady, tightening the wraps around the babe, hiding his shock of blond hair, his deep whisker-mark scars. Sparkling blue eyes opened. Tears dripped from the sweet, chubby face and soaked the blanket it gripped so hard. Soft whimpers escaped its small throat.
"Nun, nun, nun." cooed the lady.
"She can not have gotten far! Find her!"
Head snapping up, she hunched further into the wraps that portrayed her queenly self a beggar at the village stoops. Orders from her beloved Hokage swimming in her mind.
Take him from here, be secret. Keep him safe. No one shall know he ever existed.
"You there! Beggar wretch!"
"No," air slipped from her lips and she turned around just enough to see him. But she did not consider him seeing the babe she held.
"What's that you've got there..." the man questioned, "a baby?" his eyes hardened. "Come here wench, give that babe over."
"No," it came again, weak, afraid.
"What was that?" he advanced on her and she felt the gentle touch of her kunai in slim fingers. Surveying him, her movement was lightning quick. Blood gushed from his neck in a waterfall of crimson.
"The same color as the sunrise... such a pretty color in such an ugly person. Ironic." whispered the lady, the babe quiet, she looked to the east and sucked in a short breath. Indecision littered her thoughts. Determination filled her and she stepped from the murder scene, vanishing into the slow waking dawn. Behind her, she left her village, her life, her family and her crimes. In leaving, and in the future years raising the baby boy, her past was something she could outrun. Not forever, but for a time.