Demon Parts
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Memory
As he gazed at his approaching pursuer, Naruto struggled to remain conscious. The bleeding stumps of his legs were not helping.
As the mysterious, murderous ninja approached, Naruto tried to back away. As he did the memory of how he had gotten into this situation surfaced into his mind…
Konoha,
One hour ago…
Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha, ignoring the glares he received. Having just left the Hokage's Tower after a chat with Sarutobi, he was headed to Ichiraku's Ramen to fill his growling belly.
Unfortunately, the weather had decided become uncooperative at that time.
Naruto looked up as the storm clouds blew in. He gave an annoyed sighed, and ran the rest of the way.
Just as the stand came in sight, his face collided with a solid object. Stumbling back, he lost his balance and landed on his rump.
"Watch where you're going, boy." Whispered a deep voice.
Groaning, Naruto rubbed his face and looked up.
The figure towering above him wore a large overcoat, and hood. Naruto also spotted the lower portion of a headband, marking him as a ninja.
Naruto stood up and brushed himself off. "Uh, gomen." He said, and rubbed his head.
"It's alright. Just be careful next time." The ninja whispered.
"Arigato." And with that Naruto ran off. He never noticed the mans' eyes narrow as they followed him.
Outside Ichraku's
45 minutes later…
Naruto stepped outside of the stall, and, after thanking Ayame and Teuchi for the ramen, proceeded to his apartment.
As he walked away from the bar, the clouds, which had withheld their rain, let loose with a mild shower, causing him o break into a run.
Naruto turned down a side street. As he passed a building, something moved into his path. He crashed and, once again, found himself in a sitting position.
"Did I not tell you to watch where you're going?" Chastised a familiar voice.
Naruto looked up. Standing in front of him was the ninja he had run into earlier.
The jinchuriki scratched the back of his head. "Er… Gomen'nasai. I just want to get home and out of this rain."
The ninja nodded. "Understood."
Naruto stood up and was about to leave, when the strange spoke again.
"Boy."
Naruto turned to him.
"Yeah?"
The ninja put his hands together inside his sleeves, before speaking.
"What's your name?" he asked.
'Um… I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki. What's your name?"
"Shukketsu Tsuki." was the simple reply.
Lightning illuminated the area, and a clap of thunder sounded. The rain began to fall harder.
"And was there something I can do for you, Shukketsu-sama?" Asked the boy.
Shukketsu nodded. "Yes. If it is not too much trouble, I was wondering if you could give me something, Naruto-chan."
The rain fell even harder.
Naruto looked about himself, and then shrugged. "Like what?"
"Your life." Shukketsu replied conversationally.
Another lightning bolt streaked across the sky, and the thunder roared. Naruto backed up a step.
"W-what?"
"You heard me."
"WHY!?"
Shukketsu shrugged. "Give me a reason to tell you." He reached out to grab Naruto.
Naruto ducked under his hand and sprinted into the alley.
Naruto shook his head free of the memory. Shuketsu stood over him, his hands once again folded in his sleeves.
By now, the blood from his stumps had mixed with a puddle, turning it red.
"Hmph." Sneered Shukketsu, "And here, I thought you'd get further than that."
He placed a foot on Naruto's chest, pinning him, and flung his arms apart. A pair of short swords flew out of his sleeves, where he caught them.
The swords were single edge and had a red sheen. The backs were serrated, like a saw.
Barely conscious, Naruto peered at the sword through the rain. "What are you going to do with those?" He grunted.
Shukketsu's eyes took on a predatory gleam. "I love what I do." He held up a sword and examined it. "With these, I do what I love."
He gazed back at Naruto, and you could tell he was grinning.
"And I love this job."
And so ends Chapter 2 of Demon Parts.
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