A/N: Well, I just wanted to know how many people are still on fanfiction. I took a break from it since HP ended but I am not sure if it is pretty active anymore.
Awakening
By DarkLordRising
Prologue
A difficult time awaits you...
An unsurmountable challenge...
Are you willing to accept your duty?
Are you willing to accept the responsibility it entails?
Only once you are sure, must you move on...
Seek me soon...The time has come...for us to unite...once again...
I woke up.
It was the same dream that had been bothering me. The dream consisted only of that particular voice...asking me questions...tempting me...I could only hear the voice. The world always seemed darker when I heard it. I couldn't explain it but somehow it gave off a really bad vibe.
The voice spoke of joining with me as if it had been a severed part of me. I didn't-
"It's time to go...Come on..." A voice said to me. I instinctively turned around, kunai in hand, only to notice that it was my comrade who had spoken.
I nodded to him and we gathered our things from the small makeshift camp. Jumping onto the trees, we began our trip again.
It was well near midnight when we set up camp again. We were in the middle of a vast dessert which was to be expected since we were headed towards Suna.
"You seem distracted..." My companion said. "...I don't like distraction...It gets in the way of the mission."
I sighed, nodding again. He was simply stating page 300 section 9 paragraph 4 of the Shinobi code.
"Well...remove it from your mind...whatever it is..."
"I know..." I replied. It was unspoken how much this mission mattered. Then again, the subdivision of Root which I was part of never took trivial tasks.
"Who is the target?" I asked.
"You didn't read the mission detail?" My partner said, raising his eyebrows. He quickly masked the surprised emotion. "...I need to report this misconduct when we get back..."
"Report this and I will report the times you have lost control of your senses during a fight." I replied, in a monotone. "I repeat...Who is the target?"
"A kunoichi by the name of Temari. She sticks very closely to the Kazekage and we believe killing her when she is near the Kazekage would make it look like the Kazekage was the intended target."
"So why isn't the Kazekage the target to begin with?" I asked.
"Because master believes that the Kazekage is useful for Konoha...for now..."
I didn't reply and the conversation was considered ended as we turned in for the night.
I lay tossing and turning but sleep evaded me. Hesitantly, I got out of the tent. I looked at the sky and descerned the time from the clouds. The sun was about to rise soon.
I lay against a rock and looked up at the night sky. The stars twinkled brightly as a small breeze fluttered past. It was a bit soothing.
We are nearing the beginning of the end...Make your descision soon...
I looked around sharply but couldn't find the source of the noise. It seemed to be coming from inside my head...How was this possible?
A short seal later, the chakra scan only informed me of my sleeping comrade's position, making me wonder if my ears were ringing.
Ease yourself. It is only I...
"Show yourselves!" I whispered, kunai in hand.
It is unfortunate that you don't remember me...Let me refresh your mind.
My eyes widened as I found myself standing in a black corridor. What was this place? How did I end up here? I controlled my emotions like I had been taught.
Taught or forced?
"Who the hell is there?" I snapped. It was not looking good. I was at a major disadvantage and I had already found myself stuck in this person's illusion. Dispelling didn't do anything at all.
Still don't remember? Those memories must have really been buried deep. This will be painful. Try not to throw up.
I stood there, hardening my fists as I prepared for the onslaught. It wasn't physical.
Sweat poured from my face as I clenched my teeth to bite back the pain. I had been taught to withstand great amounts of pain but this was simply a level beyond comprehension. I felt dizzy but managed to remain standing. What the hell was going on? I tried to concentrate but the pain made it hard to see anything. Then, suddenly...
I stood in a small field. Soon, I realized that something was wrong. There was a certain dullness to the world, as if everything had been painted grey. What was going on?
A small sound made me tighten my grip on the kunai. A small boy burst out of the bushes as if he was escaping someone. I made my way over to him to see what was happening.
To my surprise, the kid passed through me without a sound. It was like I had become a ghost.
This is a memory, Naruto...Your current self does not physically exist in it.
A memory? Is this my memory?
I received no reply but I didn't need one. It soon became clear as a tall, dark man approached the tired boy.
"There is no need to run, kid." The man said. My eyes widened as I recognized him. It was the leader of Root, Danzo-sama himself, but what was he doing here?
"Stay away! Stay away!" The kid cried. "Umm...Er-I have planted mines across the entire field. Just stay away if you want to live."
Danzo smiled at the obvious lie and mockingly took a step forward.
"It is time to stop playing games, young Naruto. The Hokage's guards have been very protective of the Fox... But I waited. I waited patiently. I knew there was going to be a slip someday. And now, I am finally rewarded." Danzo said, reaching forward. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the little version of me. Had I really been that small?
The little version of me hesitantly took a step back, staring quite fearfully at the Danzo.
"Come now, Naruto, how long will you hide behind the Hokage? Don't you want to know the truth?" Danzo asked.
"The truth?" The kid version of me asked.
"Ever wondered why everybody hates you?"
I froze. I felt a slight pain in the back of my head.
"Why does nobody want to talk to me?" the kid asked, meekly. I knew this moment.
"Come with me if you want to find out." Danzo said, smiling. "I promise I won't bite."
I remembered...
