CHAPTER 1
"LAST LIVING SOULS"
-Gorillaz
It was late afternoon at the ninja academy in Kumogakure, the Village Hidden in the Clouds. The training field was deserted other than two young students. There was a young girl of about 7 years old with light brown skin and dark brown hair braided with blue. She wore a dark blue dress, matching arm warmers and black shorts. The girl practiced with her cousin, who was a little older than her. He had much darker skin and buzz cut short hair. He wore a black jacket over a green shirt and tan shorts. Their final test to become ninja was coming up and they felt that they were ready.
"Kotone...Why do we need to practice?" The boy, Natsu Niru, said to his cousin. "We're practically the strongest ones in our class. We'll be Genin easily. Maybe even Chunin."
"Just in case Niru." the girl, Natsu Kotone, said throwing a shuriken at a target. "I don't want to look stupid in front of everyone."
"You make them look stupid." Niru said watching Kotone. "You're the youngest in class. Not many girls become kunoichi at 7."
"That's why I have to practice." Kotone said. "When I grow up, I'm going to be a great and powerful ninja. No one will stop me." Niru figured there was no use in arguing with her.
"It's getting late Kotone," Niru said. "We should head back home." Kotone sighed and retrieved her ninja stars and together they walked across town to their clan.
A few weeks later, the graduation ceremony was held. Kotone and Niru, being the top of their class, got their Cloud headbands. Many parents were unimpressed. The next day was their first "mission" and the day they'd be organized into three-man squads and assigned to a Jounin, their squad leader. They trained hard all day, everyday that week. The other members of their squads couldn't keep up. They stayed distant with Kotone especially.
"Kaa-sama, why does everyone hate me?" Kotone asked her mother one morning.
"They're just jealous." her mom said reassuringly. "They see your power and knowledge and want it too. Just ignore them. Off to school with you now."
Kotone took her bento box and left the house. She never looked forward to school since the day they were put into teams. She always felt alone and had no friends. There was only her cousin Niru to talk to.
"Why can't you get along with your teammates?" her instructor constantly asked.
"Why can't they get along with me?" Kotone would always answer. But she never got an answer.
No one ever told her that it was fear that kept everyone away. They all feared the power of the Natsu clan. Each member of their clan had a special skill called a kekkei genkai, or a blood inheritance. The Natsu clan's kekkei genkai allowed each member to physically change their appearance. It also helped to increase their strength and chakra.
Later as the sun began to set Kotone remained in the training field and practiced alone.
"I don't need them." she thought. "Who cares about teamwork." Kotone practiced in her bloodline state, flaunting long black claws and horns. Her skin was pale and her eyes a jet black. She practiced hard to its many special abilities. The sun had set when she decided to leave the field. In the distance, the darkened sky was turning a bright orange. Curious, Kotone ran to see what it was. In her village, a large fire had been set, burning the homes of her clan. People were scrambling to get away from the heat and find water. Panicking, she searched for her family but found no one. As she looked around, someone grabbed her arm. Startled, she turned to see Niru.
"We have to get out of here!" he said.
"But what about--?"
"I don't know where they are." Niru cut her off. "We need to go. Now!" He pulled on her arm and led her out of the area. They ran away from the fire. In the mix of the villagers they saw strange ninja. In all of the confusion the ninja seemed to be ignored.
They sat helplessly on top of a hill and watched the fire slowly fade. In the morning, only the ashes of their home remained and still smoking. They wandered through the ruins hoping to find any sign of their family but it was no hope. The Village spoke of the incident for days. In the two children's' groups, their teammates talked behind their backs.
"Did you see the fire last night?" one asked one day.
"Yeah, I heard it burned that whole clan." the other replied.
"Serves them right. Show offs."
Kotone and Niru never saw their family again.
One night the two Natsu trained alone in the fields. Kotone figured it would ease her anger. She threw shuriken furiously into trees, lodging them deep into their trunks. Little did they know that they were being watched...
"So much power..." they spy thought from within the brush. "I want it." Out of the trees other ninja appeared. They hid themselves to remain unnoticed. On their master's command they all leapt out of the trees and confronted the two children. The ninja went for them in an attempt to capture. Like anyone in danger, the children fought back. They hadn't learned any skills capable of completely aiding them in this situation so they used their dark kekkei genkai,Kurayami.
"Interesting..." the spy said from his hiding spot in the trees. He watched as each child took down the ninja one by one. There were a few of the ninja left. Kotone stopped as she heard a scream of pain. It sounded like Niru. She looked in the direction of the voice but saw no one. The ninja circled her. Kotone quickly focused her chakra to use one of her special attacks. Oddly the ninja stopped and began to back away. Suddenly, Kotone's body seemed to freeze. She felt two hands on her shoulders. A man with long black hair and snake-like features towered over her.
"So young..." he said. "Maybe too young...But so much power..." He bent over towards her and sank his fang-like teeth into her neck. Kotone couldn't move. He pulled his mouth away from her and a black mark appeared to be tattooed onto the skin on her right shoulder. The man let her go and she fell to the ground. Curled in a ball, she put her hand over the mark and screamed in pain, just as her
cousin had. The man kicked her in the back of the head to shut her up. Her body fell limp as she went unconscious.
"Get them out of here." the man said.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." the ninja replied. They grabbed the two unconscious children and carried them off.
Niru and Kotone awoke inside of what looked like some sort of underground prison cell. They looked around and saw others locked up in similar cells.
"Wha-? What's going on?" Kotone asked. Niru shrugged his shoulders. Then they heard footsteps. The same man from before with the snake-like features came towards them.
"You're finally awake." he said. His voice was like a hiss.
"What do you want with us?" Niru asked. "Who are you?"
"My name is Orochimaru." he said. "But you will address me as 'master' from this point on. You are probably wondering why I took you two aren't you? Well, though you two are so young, you have so much power. I was hoping that the two of you will serve me as Sound Ninja. If you are lucky, you may be worthy enough for me to use as future containers."
"Containers?" Kotone repeated.
"For reincarnation." Orochimaru said. "With that mark, both of you are a part of me. Now, I have control. Disobey me and suffer the consequences." Kotone trembled in fear. "Are you scared, Kotone-chan?" Orochimaru asked. "I thought you wanted to be a great ninja?" She didn't answer. "I can help you accomplish your goal." he said. "Work for me and you'll become stronger. Be loyal to me and you'll have all the power you could ever want." He began to walk away. "Let me know when you've decided your fate." he finished and left. Neither Niru nor Kotone spoke the rest of the night.
The next morning, Kotone and Niru sat on their cell floor contemplating their problem.
"There's nothing we can do Niru." Kotone said. "We're stuck here. We have no where else to go. You know that."
"There's no way I'm working for that freak." Niru said.
"But he'll kill you if you don't." Kotone argued. "At least we can still be ninja."
"Is that all you care about? Being a ninja? Just give it up!"
"I can't. I won't abandon my dream." Kotone said simply. The door opened and Orochimaru walked in.
"Have you accepted my offer?" he asked. There was a sense of hesitation in the air. Niru looked at Kotone.
"What would become of me if she accepts and I don't?" Niru thought. "What would become of her? She could get hurt..." The silence went on.
"Well?" Orochimaru asked. Kotone opened her mouth to reply but was cut off.
"We accept." Niru said bowing his head. "Orochimaru-sama."
"Niru..." Kotone thought. "Why did you...?"
"Smart choice." Orochimaru said smiling. "I will have a mission for you soon. I expect you to complete it." and he left. When it was quiet, Kotone turned to Niru.
"I thought you didn't want to work for him?" she asked.
"I'm not letting you do this by yourself." Niru said. "You're the only family I have left. We have to stay together. And you have to accomplish your dream." Kotone smiled and hugged her cousin. They were ready for any mission Orochimaru had to offer.
Natsu Niru and Natsu Kotone carried out various missions in the time they served Orochimaru. The tasks ranged in difficulty and they came close to losing their lives many times. They worked with other Sound ninja like themselves and in their spare time were granted permission to train with the others. One day, Orochimaru came to them with a mission. He told them what to do but not where they were going. Other Sound ninja joined them and they set off. They travelled north for a day or so when they reached their destination. They were back at Kumogakure, the Hidden Cloud Village. Upon their arrival, the Natsu found that their mission was to destroy an enemy clan and all others who oppose. One of their fellow teammates told them the name of the clan they were to eradicate. It was recognized immediately. One of the targets was Kotone's former squad member. Kotone hesitated a moment before memories of the times with them flooded her mind. They teased and talked behind her back and now, Kotone had no sympathy. She figured she'd mess with them for a while before actually taking them out. The group of Orochimaru's followers spread out. A few ninja started off and slaughtered the first of the clan. Others of the clan became aware of the attack and came out, weapons in hand and the battle began. Kotone decided to use kurayami, the Natsu clan's devil-like blood inheritance. She formed hand signs and her appearance changed. Horns and claws formed and her eyes turned black. As she went to attack, pain pulsed through her right shoulder. She stopped and remembered the curse that was given to her. The pain increased and she gripped the mark with her
hand. She looked up to see people encircling her. But something strange occurred. Red marks moved across her entire body. The curse was spreading. Soon the marks turned a solid black. Young Kotone glared at the people.
"You'll pay for the pain you've caused us all." she said. With lightning speed, she charged at the villagers. Each one she destroyed so easily. "What is this power?" she thought. "There's so much. Is this the power Niru discovered? The power Orochimaru-sama spoke of?"
"Kotone?" came a curious female voice. Kotone turned to see a girl standing behind her with a kunai knife. It was the girl from her group. The girl stood there in disbelief.
"Where have you been?" she asked. "It's been almost a year. Everyone thought you had died out on some special mission or something."
"That's just what you all wanted to believe." Kotone said becoming quite anxious to kill. "Everyone wanted us dead. But we're just fine. And working for the all powerful Orochimaru." The other girl then made out the music note on Kotone's headband.
"So that's how it is, isn't it?" she asked.
"This is the end." Kotone said forming hand signs."Dendou no sutoraiku." A ball of energy formed in her hand. "Electric strike!" Kotone hit the girl in the stomach with the blazing ball of light and her hand went right through her. The girl spat blood on the ground. There was a moment of silence.
"I...I knew you...couldn't be trusted." she said. Kotone smiled evilly as she removed her hand and the girl's lifeless body fell to the ground. The curse faded and Kotone returned to normal. She looked at the warm blood that dripped from her hand. She suddenly became aware of what she'd done. In a way, she felt satisfied. In another, she felt that she'd done a terrible thing.
"Stuff like this happens all the time in the ninja world..." Kotone thought to relax herself. "Get used to it." Footsteps were heard coming towards her and she turned to see Niru standing behind her. He looked from Kotone's bloody hand to the body on the ground.
"Mission accomplished." he finally said. What Sound ninja remained headed back south to their underground hide-away.
Inside of Orochimaru's hideout, Niru and Kotone noticed that they weren't the only ones with the mysterious curse mark. Some of them could make the mark completely change them to a whole new level.
"It's the second stage." others would say. "If you're lucky, maybe you two will get it too. It's even more powerful than the first stage. But it could be fatal. You guys may be too young. Think about it first." And they did. When they felt they were ready, Niru and Kotone confronted Orochimaru.
"No." Orochimaru said shortly.
"But Orochimaru-sama--" Kotone pleaded.
"I said no." Orochimaru said again. "You are too young. And if the procedure fails, you will lose your lives. It will be a waste and I will lose two of my valued servants. Plus, you can barely control the curse you already have."
"But if we gain the second stage, we'll be even more powerful." Niru said.
"What could an 8 and a 10 year old possibly do with such power?" Orochimaru asked rather curiously.
"Serve you, Orochimaru-sama." Kotone said. The room fell silent. They figured Orochimaru was contemplating the matter. He looked from one child to the other. He sighed and said, "Very well." Niru and Kotone's faces lit up. They bowed and said, "Thank you Orochimaru-sama."
"But--" Orochimaru continued. "There are side effects. The longer your body remains in the second stage, the more quickly it erodes away. Keep that in mind and use it well. I don't expect you to attempt to use this power against me. It is a gift and an honor."
"Yes Orochimaru-sama." they said.
"And also..." Orochimaru said. "Because you two are so young of age, I can't guarantee this to be successful. Your bodies are not yet strong enough to balance out with the curse's extra power. There is a very high chance of you dying. Remember it is at your risk and I recommend you turning away now. It's not too late."
"We feel that we can handle whatever may happen." Niru said.
"Then go." Orochimaru said. "We will begin tomorrow." The two left and went back to their cells. Orochimaru remained alone. "Why did I just let them go through with this?" he asked himself. "I'll be amazed if they live. Not many have. And at such a young age. They just don't understand what they've gotten themselves into..."
The next day they were awoken and taken into a room with two large barrels. Other ninja stood close by.
"You will have to die first." Orochimaru explained. "But, if this is successful, you will be brought back. Are you ready?" They nodded and Orochimaru explained the procedure in more detail. They were each given a red berry. They ate it and collapsed; dead. The ninja worked quickly to get them into the barrels and seal them completely before the remaining children of the Natsu clan were gone forever. Soon the barrels were sealed and all that was left to do was wait. Sound ninja were constantly watching over the barrels as time passes. A day went by. There was still no sign of the transformation being complete. The next morning, Niru's barrel began to smoke. It soon burst open in a mini explosion and Niru emerged. Niru's eyes were completely black except for his irises which were white. He had large fangs and bloody bat-like wings emerged. Niru observed his new state before returning to normal. He was told to return to his cell. Kotone remained in her container. Another day went by and still nothing happened. Some were beginning to worry.
"Maybe she didn't make it." one of the guarding ninja said. "Or maybe her body wasn't compatible with the curse." But to their surprise the barrel began to smoke a few hours later.
"You're such an idiot." another said. "Only you would come up with something like that." They waited as the dark clouds rose out of the barrel's sides. Soon the barrel blew up and there stood Kotone. It was like looking at her kekkei genkai altered. Her eyes turned an electric blue along with her hair but her horns and claws remained. Her horns, however, increased in length and two smaller ones formed on her forehead. A few stray marks from the curse remained and covered her body. The new addition consisted of a devil like tail and large bat-like wings that had formed on her back. She also studied the change before returning to her cell with Niru. They did not speak of their new-found power. Not to anyone or each other.
Training for them became difficult because now, many of their training partners' strength were below theirs. Sparring them was dangerous and frequently caused serious injury. Sometimes they sparred each other, but it was obvious that Niru was stronger, like he's always been. Other times they
sparred the stronger ninja, who also had the second state of the curse mark. Niru and Kotone had served Orochimaru for almost 2 years when disaster came.
Kotone and Niru were in an open room one day with other Sound ninja. They were quiet, not bothering anyone. A few of the other ninja began to bother them. They teased and taunted.
"I think you should leave them alone." one said.
"What for?" said the other "What's a little kid going to do? They think they can come in here and take our jobs and power?"
"But they have the curse--" said the first.
"And? They don't look so tough." The second ninja walked over to the Natsu children. "Hey kid, I want to fight you." Niru and Kotone ignored him. He got closer to them. "I said, I want to fight you." They still ignored him. Angered he got in their faces. "Did you hear me?"
"Leave us alone." Niru said. "We don't want to fight you."
"Chickening out are you?" the ninja taunted. Others heard the argument and come out to watch.
"Leave us." Kotone said. The ninja became even angrier.
"You're probably just too weak." The other ninja said. "Don't want to lose to me in Orochimaru-sama's presence." Niru laughed at his statement.
"I'm not afraid to lose to you." he said. "Only because there's no way I will." This infuriated the ninja.
"No one talks back to me." he said grabbing Niru by the collar. But Niru was ready and punched the man in the side of the face. A few of his teeth fell out from the blow. Blood streamed down his chin. The others got excited and began to yell and chant. Niru grabbed the man by the arm and threw him into the stone wall. It caved in a little and the man fell unconscious.
"We said leave us alone." Niru said. The watching ninja joined in the fight. There were many attacking Niru at once, so Kotone helped him out. They were doing quite well until a yell of pain was heard. Everyone stopped as the blood dripped to the ground. Niru stood there with a look of terror on his face as a kunai pierced his insides. The warm blood flowed down his front. A ninja pulled the knife out of Niru and he fell to the ground. A few more ninja came and they began to beat up Niru as he lay helpless on the ground. Kotone couldn't stand it anymore.
"Kurayami!" she yelled forming hand signs. "Let the Darkness aid me..." Her clan's demon kekkei genkai overwhelmed her body. Her skin turned pale and her eyes black. Horns and claws formed. Unfortunately, the curse spread across her body soon after. But the Sound ninja still didn't find her a threat. Kotone attacked them, blood splattering everywhere. Soon only the strongest few remained, so Kotone decided to test the power of the second stage. The curse marks began to fade, leaving only a few behind. Her large wings spread out in full-length. She continued to fight off the ninja to save her cousin. After one was finished in a bloody mess, something went wrong. Kotone's chakra greatly increased and she lost control of her actions. The chakra from her body could be seen swirling around her in a large purple cloud. The remaining ninja ran towards her as she made hand signs.
"Hekireki nami!" she said. "Thunder wave!" A large wave of energy pulsed through the ground, knocking all the ninja over and cracking the floor.
"What was that?" one asked in a fearful tone. Kotone's hand signs changed.
"Raikou ami." Kotone said. "Lightning rain." Bolts of lightning-like energy came down from the ceiling and electrocuted every living thing it touched. Once the mini storm was over, every last opposing Sound ninja in the room was dead. Kotone went over to Niru. His heart was still beating. She struggled to get him back to their cell. Once there, she returned to normal. The second stage and her new-found powers consumed almost all of her chakra. Weakly, she fell to the floor, breathing heavily. She lay there in silence before the room went black.