Demon of the Night

Chapter 4

Journey to Konoha; the Uchiha Prodigy…Itachi Uchiha…

Note: the breaker of places or time is 'Demon of the Night' the f-king editer here wasn't leaving me put in a line...

Demon of the Night...

A brown book was planted on the table in front of him on his study desk. He picked up his ink brush and opened its clean pages. He darted to the middle of it where he had recently stopped with his last illustration.

Dipping the brush in black ink he wrote the heading on a new page;

"The Secret to Immortality."

Then, he moved under it and wrote in joint writing, the tip of the brush gliding across the page.

"I'm not sure how long I have…I already feel like they've found me out…however…with this last piece of writing I shall surpass everyone."

There was a sharp and loud knock on the door.

"Hey, Nightingale-san! Lord Death wants to see you right away!"

The knocking ceased and he heard the servant's steps fade down the hall. Nightingale's dark, crimson eyes danced against the candle-light. They shone with the reflection of the room. Books lay scattered everywhere, a bed to the left side of the wall, white writing traced all over the walls and ceiling.

He set the brush down on the table and turned to leave the room. Opening the door he swiftly walked out closing it behind him.

Just as he closed it, the candle suddenly went out. Grey smoke floating upwards from the once lit wick.

Demon of the Night...

Dark's P.O.V

There are some things in this world that I don't know. I'm not a genius; I'm not even half a genius. My name is Dark, and I know nothing of who I am, or where I came from.

'Dark' is fake name. My age may even be wrong. Even though people say you shouldn't know everything in the world, is it fair to not even remember your own parents? Is it fair to not even recall where you grew up? I've been living like this for two years now. My only family is Kairi and my only memories are of that of a dark room and a single lit candle, messy writing traced all over the wall in white chalk and books of all sorts scattered everywhere.

This image, was it something of my past? Was it my old bedroom or perhaps my father's study? What was it?

…did I even have a family….?

Every night, I would lie awake and stare up at the millions of countless stars scattered across the night sky and think: is life…really important…? Why do people cherish their existence…?

Many more questions including these plagued my empty mind and I had no answers to satisfy my need for information. I had been all over the land already and uncovered nothing about my past. I was beginning to lose hope. In fact, I was thinking about giving up and forgetting about my life.

I wanted to die.

What purpose do I have if I cannot even come to a conclusion I was from 'so' and 'so' somewhere. Even my real name was out of my reach…to not know anything about your existence, after a while it takes quiet a toll on you. I felt the light of living fading quickly and…

…I didn't give a damn…

I shook my head, trying to hide the bitter sorrow in my dark heart. However, countless times Kairi had mentioned it and all I could do was give her a glare that said 'whatever.'

But I couldn't get one thought out of my head as I packed for the trip to Konoha ahead of me: "What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to take this mission?!"

I had absolutely no experience in the battle field as a ninja. One could call me a simple traveller going from place to place learning all I could but to take on an A Rank mission?! What was the Kazekage thinking?!

One could say I was slightly angered, and confused as to what came over me when I actually said; "yes…I'll take the mission."

That man is mad in the head…I'm positive about it.

End Dark's P.O.V

Dark stood in his small Inn room, the curtains were closed and there was a single candle lighting in the far corner of the room. It gave off a dim glow, not much light but for Dark it was enough. Dark wasn't particularly fond of the light so to speak. He didn't hate it, he just preferred darkness. He opened the drawer in the nightstand and took out his single most prized possession. A medium sized, worn, brown book of every jutsu he had or planned to learn. Its pages were slightly torn and also worn but still good enough to write on. A few diagrams and instructions, possibly equations of some kind or illustrations of seals could be found amongst its pages. He sighed and opened the manu-script; he still had forty five minutes before he had to be at the Gates. He could read a bit before leaving.

Demon of the Night...

On the other side of town, the three Sound Ninja were walking casually along in the shade of the trees towards Sunagakure's gates. The sun had lowered in the sky signalling it was evening time and there was a calm breeze in it. Much more suitable to walk about and not get sweaty or tired. However, Kimimaro and Kabuto still had their cloaks hoods up and Orochimaru his white hat. Mostly to conceal their identity but Orochimaru knew, by the look in Dark's eyes, that the raven haired child had already caught onto who he was. That might unfold into a problem, but for now Orochimaru waved it away as a side-thought.

Instead, he focused on his plans. To travel to Konoha, kill his old Sensei and burn the damn village to the ground. Just thinking of the flames enveloping the buildings and the inhabitants' screams of agony brought an evil smile to his face. After ten long years, he would finally have his revenge on the village; to quench his undying thirst for blood.

Orochimaru walked in total silence thinking of this when his thoughts drifted to that of Dark and the girl named Kairi. The Kazekage had told him all he knew of Dark, which wasn't much to go on. However, the old man had failed to tell him anything of the girl. He had seen nothing about her that caught his eye unlike Dark. He had sensed Dark's chakra from the beginning but not the girls. However, if there was one thing Orochimaru had learned in his life time of study is that the most significant of powers can be found within. However, he had yet to come across this theory to be true.

So, one question remained, kill the girl or not?

"Lord Orochimaru-sama…?"

"Hai, Kimimaro-kun?"

"In regards to the trip to Konoha, along with Dark there are two other ANBU Black Ops accompanying us and also that girl," Kimimaro looked at his Master thinking.

Kabuto looked over at Kimimaro, "yes…unfortunately we must enter Konoha in secret and not attract attention. Thus we will devise a plan to somehow get rid of-"

"No…." the Snake Sannin interrupted Kabuto making the medic ninja look up at his master, "first, we shall see what kind of powers this girl has. If she proves useful then we keep her."

Kabuto smirked wickedly, "and if not?"

Orochimaru looked over his shoulder at his two accomplices, his snake eyes retracting to threadlike slits, "simple, you can kill her."

Elsewhere, in a dark realm…

Long, grey, wrinkly, fingers grasped a crystal ball and held it in their grasp. Amidst the never-ending darkness it was in, the blue aura it emitted dimmed in the frightful shadows. The hands wrapped themselves around the ball, as if to savour its warmth. Terrifying, dark, malevolent eyes glared down at the picture within the ball. It housed Orochimaru's form along with Kimimaro and Kabuto walking in Sunagakure.

"Humans are so interesting……burning a village to the ground? Childish behaviour….." the deep voice was merciless as it spoke. It sounded like it was suffering from a terrible cough. Its sentence ended with a malicious hiss.

Another claw revealing more long, grey fingers was extended to a dirty fruit bowl and plucked a rotten grape, detaching it from the decomposed bunch. The grape went up, travelled through the air and fell into a large mouth with teeth sharper than sharks. The large figure looked back down into the ball and moved one hand over it. The picture faded and became another scene. Dark was sliding off the bed and putting his book into his bag, ready to leave.

"Heh…and what are you going to do boy….? Just keep trying to uncover your past…?" the voice grew louder, "when the predator successfully subdues it's catch, the prey generally knows when to give up and die….yet you don't seem to be doing that just yet hmm? But you also don't seem to realise the terrible position you're in either do you? Heh…."

The hands left the ball and a loud cackle echoed through the air. There was silence then as the figure brought his right hand back to the ball hovering over it as he watched Dark leave the room closing the door behind him.

"Argh! Foolish child!"

In fury, the crystal ball was swept off the table and shattered on the ground. The blue light became a faint glow but the picture remained amongst the broken shards; Dark's black, empty eyes shone against his blank expression.

Back in Sunagakure Gates...

Kairi gave Dark a disdainful glare when he finally arrived, "you're late Dark-kun." A few seconds ago, Dark had arrived at the mission checkpoint, an emotionless expression on his face. He wasn't happy to be on this mission. He apologised briefly to Kairi and the girl nodded accepting it seeing now wasn't the time to argue.

The two ANBU who were also to accompany them opened a map and explained to Dark where they were headed. Orochimaru and his two subordinates stood slightly off to the right, not attempting to make conversation. Dark stole a glance at Orochimaru from the corner of her eye trying to decipher what was going on in the snake's head. Kairi saw him doing this and followed his gaze to come right into eye contact with Orochimaru. Blue eyes met poisonous, golden slit ones and for a moment she couldn't move her body. However, she managed to look down and hide her eyes under her blonde fringe in somehow hoping to hide her embarrassment.

Orochimaru looked at the girl a bit longer after she had looked down, trying to see if she had any talent. Nothing sprung to his senses, he sensed she had chakra but there was nothing odd about it or her.

Kabuto glanced at Orochimaru as he studied Kairi. His expression was blank under his hat making Kabuto wonder what he was thinking. As far as he knew, that girl didn't have any talent at all.

"And that's it, have you got all that Dark-kun?"

"Yeah I got it. I've been to Konoha once before so I'm all set."

The ANBU members rolled up the map and put it in a backpack, to which one of them put on their back.

"Alright," the first member began, "we can set out when you're ready Kaito-sama."

Dark's eyes shot up to Orochimaru's over-shadowed face, "Kaito-sama….? Ah…an alias…"

'Kaito' nodded then and followed the ANBU as they led the way outside the gates. Dark and Kairi trailed behind keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings as they began their journey. Sand dunes turned to blurs as they zipped across the desert on a single trail path. However, after a while, the heat was making it hard to continue.

Blue sky turned to orange, it was now late in the evening and two hours had past since their departure. There was no talk amongst the group, only Kairi would chat to Dark every now and again. To which 'Kaito's' ears were tuned into the conversation to see if he could pick up any valuable information on either of the two. He wasn't that interested in recruiting either of them; however he had no intention on recruiting Kimimaro when he first ran into him. But that changed didn't it?

"You should get that thought out of your head," Kairi commented suddenly, "don't think like that….inside you're aching …"

Orochimaru's eyes shifted so he could look back over his shoulder at them. He glared at the two from the corner of his eye.

"It generally happens when one cannot remember a thing about who they are Kairi-kun…"

"…to want to die is no excuse Dark…"

Orochimaru focused all his thoughts on that simple sentence….

"…..to want to die…."

Orochimaru smirked. Was it that Dark didn't care if he lived? If he decided to recruit him, this information would be a valuable asset….

Their voices faded to a little louder than whispers making it hard for Orochimaru to catch what they were saying.

"….just because we haven't found anything doesn't mean there is nothing to be found Dark…."

"….Kairi….I think I'm beginning to realise that there is nothing of my past anywhere…." Dark looked down, "….and I think I'm right….there's so many questions in my head right now….and no answers….nothing…."

"Dark…please…the pain in your heart is hard to with-stand…."

"….I can't control what I don't know….do I even have a heart….?"

Afterwards, there was complete tension filled silence. Orochimaru shifted his head so he was looking straight again. He smirked and tapped Kabuto on his shoulder.

"Hai, Kaito-sama?" Kabuto said, looking back at his Master.

"Alert the ANBU that I wish to have Dark and Kairi escort me from here," Orochimaru's smirk grew and he nodded when Kabuto threw him a questioning look.

He brought his head back around and called out to the two ANBU in the front, "Kaito-sama would wish for Dark-san and Kairi-san to escort us from here."

At the sound of their names, Dark looked up stunned and Kairi mimicked his expression. The group stopped suddenly and Dark nearly went crashing into Kaito's back but stopped himself at the last moment.

For a moment, the two ANBU swapped gazes with Kaito. They seemed to be thinking hard about this, they were suspicious, yet it made sense since they knew nothing of Dark or Kairi….or Kaito himself. The Kazekage wouldn't give them any information on him when they had inquired.

After what seemed like forever (but only a few seconds) the two ANBU respectfully nodded to Kaito, handed Dark the map and dashed out of sight, back over the horizon leaving Dark casting a strange look after them.

Kairi looked suspiciously at Kabuto and Kimimaro, where as Dark threw Orochimaru a suspicious look. The two locked gazes for a moment as if trying to read each others mind. Eventually, Dark narrowed his eyes and assumed the leading position breaking eye contact with Orochimaru. He stood up atop a single, high sand-dune and looked over his shoulder at the four, his ebony eyes glittering against the now setting sun.

"We should be an hour from Konoha, we'll arrive there at nightfall," he told them, an impassive expression on his face.

Kabuto and Kimimaro nodded understanding.

Orochimaru smirked, "excellent Dark-kun. Knowledge is one of a ninja's primary skills."

Dark blinked, unsure of what to say. He let his impassive mask slip for a quick moment and he nodded, however, behind the three Kairi stood there frowning sadly at him. To this, closed his eyes and looked away. Kimimaro looked behind him to see Kairi looking at her feet in sorrow. Even a fool could tell there was something secretly going on between those two.

Kimimaro's P.O.V

The minute I saw Kairi-san's eyes I knew there was something wrong. There was a thick layer of tension in the air. I wasn't sure if my Master noticed since he didn't seem to be showing any changes in facial expression. I carefully looked across to Kabuto who met my gaze, he also sensed it. After a moment of silence between us Dark-san leapt off the sand dune continuing our journey. Orochimaru-sama dashed almost immediately after him followed by Kabuto but Kairi-san didn't move.

I turned my head to look back at Kairi-san. She didn't look up but only down at her feet.

I tried to speak softly to her, "aren't you coming Kairi-san…?"

I seemed to have frightened her because she suddenly looked up, her eyes widened. But she relaxed then, eyes becoming more relaxed and her frown turned into a half-hearted smile. She walked to my side and gave me a smile. All signs of sorrow seemed to disappear just then, but I knew that behind that smile Kairi's heart still ached. I looked down watching as Kabuto-san, Orochimaru-sama and Dark-san became small specks as they bounded towards the forest on the horizon.

I grabbed her hand and raced after them, practically dragging her behind me. She let out a slight screech at first when with the sudden movement but afterwards she was silent as the wind rushed against my face whist we tried to catch up to Orochimaru-sama. Because of this, my hood flew off and I inwardly cursed. Now my face was clearly exposed and Kairi had gotten a good look at me. I sighed as we caught up with the others.

Kabuto-san noticed my face was exposed and cast me a warning glare. I nodded telling him I knew.

Orochimaru's P.O.V

I noticed it the minute I overheard Dark-san and Kairi-san speaking amongst themselves. The sudden layer of tension that settled in the air was both foreboding and suspicious. I stole another glance at the two behind me and noticed them to be looking away from one another. Matters only worsened when the two ANBU left us and Dark assumed the leading position. I was slightly surprised at his ability to adjust to the sudden change in plans and obtain his role as Leader. However, what I failed to notice then was the empty look his eyes portrayed. Now, as desert turned to forest, heat dwindled and we jumped from tree to tree I noticed Dark to be not blinking as much. He would stare off into space which showed he wasn't concentrating on the mission at hand. That was one thing down about him; so far I was satisfied with his personality. He seemed like the person that didn't question orders but I had yet to witness him in a fight. However, I presumed he had never had experience in a fight before. The Kazekage had him listed down as a traveller ninja.

Deciding to take a more direct approach, I began to question Dark about himself.

"Tell me Dark-san," I began, trying to sound casual but failing since Dark gave me that suspicious look like he had before, like his eyes saw right through me but I ignored it. "What are your talents in jutsu…? The Kazekage told me you had particular talent in wind jutsu."

Dark was silent before he answered. I thought that maybe he was thinking it over in his mind to play it safe and lie to me, or to trust me and speak the truth. Then he answered; "that is true Kaito-sama. I've found wind based jutsu to be easier to manipulate and control… unlike fire which I find unspeakably hard."

Dark had a polite tone in his voice. I found his answer satisfying but based on what I had heard earlier about his past, I decided to strike where it would hurt.

"What of family? Where did you grow up?" I almost hissed out the words, I wanted to make his heart ache. I felt that demented smirk cross my face.

Silence.

The silence lasted for minutes and still, Dark wouldn't say anything. I looked back at Kabuto who nodded and spoke aloud to Dark; "Kaito-sama asked you a quest-"

"I have neither family nor place of birth…..Orochimaru-sama," Dark interrupted. He looked over his shoulder, his dark eyes narrow and dangerous. He seethed out those final words.

My name.

Just as I predicted, he knew my name. I reached up and tore off my hat revealing my face.

End Orochimaru's P.O.V

Orochimaru's pale skin glistened against the last rays of the sunset and his golden, snake-like eyes danced with evil. Kairi's eyes widened as she saw his skin colour and long raven hair. This man was….a wanted missing nin from Konoha, and they were escorting him to the Leaf Village itself. This was definitely not good.

Kairi cast Dark a fearful look catching his curious ebony eyes with her sapphire ones. She saw Dark look at her from the corner of his eyes as he jumped from branch to branch, his head turned to look back at Orochimaru. He didn't say anything but merely ignored her and his eyes darted to Kabuto and Kimimaro as they also revealed their faces. Then they went back to Orochimaru's pale face as it glistened against the fading light in the sky.

Orochimaru was un-fazed as Dark called out his name. The snake could only smile sadistically as he questioned Dark further, "Would you elaborate on what it is you mean Dark?"

Dark's ebony eyes narrowed as Orochimaru finished his sentence. Dark felt like the snake was toying with him. He took another glance at Kairi who shot him a worried look. Then, shaking his head slightly saddening as he did, he went back to looking straight ahead.

"I have amnesia," he explained to Orochimaru. There is was. He didn't need to say anymore, for he didn't know anything else.

Kabuto looked up, eyes resting on the back of Dark's head, "if this is true, then you should have no memory since when?" The medic ninja wanted to get some of his own questions answered.

Kimimaro looked at Kabuto as a side glance, the Kaguya survivor then glanced to Orochimaru and then to Dark, waiting for him to say something.

"This is becoming dangerous," a voice called out in Dark's mind making him narrow his eyes even more, "you stand no chance if they were to suddenly attack you."

"They would have no reason to," Dark spoke abruptly back in his mind, "I've heard about Orochimaru, he doesn't waste his time on underlings."

"But now you know who he is… I'm sure he easily sees you as a threat to his identity and whatever he's planning now."

"And of course…I think I remember you reading somewhere that this person belonged to that Organisation we encountered not long enough.

Silence.

"Akatsuki…" the voice finally hissed the word, making it sound even more evil and fore-boarding.

Dark didn't say anything; he found his mind wandering from the situation at hand to the pair of men he had met not long ago and the thorough emotionless expression on the Uchiha's face. The razor sharp teeth on the other blue skinned man.

Flashback

Black cloaks fluttered in the light breeze as Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigake Kisame looked straight at Dark and Kairi. Dark narrowed his eyes and he knitted him brows. This wasn't good. These people were S-Class Criminals and had safely obtained a high position in the B.I.N.G.O book. However, why were they here? Preferably, why had they stopped and given Dark that long glare? Even now, Itachi kept his crimson sharingan eyes on Dark's form, not blinking.

Uchiha Itachi… the Uchiha Prodigy.

He was a ruthless, cold-hearted man. If Dark were to use something to compare him to. He would have to say that Itachi could easily be the devil in disguise.

Itachi stood his shoulder facing them as he faced side-ways. Only the upper half of his face, along with his malicious, red sharingan eyes, could be seen. The rest of his body was clad in the Akatsuki cloak and the Organisation's trade-mark hat atop his head. His partner, Kisame Hoshigaki already wore a smug smirk on his face as his beady blue eyes darted from Dark to Kairi.

"Didn't Leader-sama say something about this one as well….? Must we capture him too?" Kisame slung Samehada off his back and effortlessly held it in the air pointing it at Dark. He must have been pretty strong to wield a sword of that size.

"Maybe I should cut off a leg or two…"

Dark felt himself go numb with fear. What exactly was going on? He was clueless.

"No."

Itachi's voice was solid, cold and barely audible. "First we capture Kyuubi…then we will see to him…if Leader-sama requests it…"

Kisame sounded disappointed as he lowered his weapon to sling it back on his back, "hmm, fine."

"Let's go."

Itachi turned around then and didn't even glance back once as he disappeared, Kisame shortly after him.

Dark stood there, shock in his eyes as he gazed at the spot where they once stood. His mind was racing with thoughts. They were after him? Why? Who exactly were they?

End Flashback

"Uchiha Itachi…such an amazing mortal…" the voice called out again, as if to read Dark's mind, it continued, "and I thought all you pathetic humans were worthless…yet he proved me wrong. When I sensed his chakra, it made my stomach churn."

Dark couldn't help but agree. Even now, as he thought back to that day, the tension and chakra in the air covered him like a dark veil, butterflies fluttered uncomfortably in his abdomen.

He sighed heavily and banished the thought form his mind remembering he hadn't answered Kabuto's question. It had been five minutes when he chose to speak. He didn't want to answer the silver haired medic right now.

"I assure you I will not speak of your true identities to anyone, or even think it."

Kimimaro spoke his voice cool, "we cannot trust you."

"There is no need," Orochimaru told his student, "I will leave you off Dark, but be aware I shall have Kimimaro or Kabuto watching you in case you decide to go back on what you just said."

Dark kept his eyes looking straight ahead and his brows knitted together. He didn't want to be tracked everywhere. He stole a quick glimpse back at Orochimaru. "What are you playing at Orochimaru…?"

Finally, as if on cue, the veil of darkness covered the earth as the sun finally set and Dark saw the familiar gates of Konohagakure come into view. "We're here."

Demon of the Night...

"Nightingale-san..."a ruthless voice called from his stone throne.

"Hai, Death-sama..."

"I've heard some rumors about you...something along the lines of..."

Death grinned demonically.

"Immortality..."

My God…I feel like this chapter was a total waste of time to be honest. The only part I found exciting here was when Akatsuki were introduced. Mind you, you'll be seeing a lot more of them in the future. xD Sorry if this chapter is boring, I needed to get this crap out of my mind…grrr...

O.O…People…I have become one hell of an Itachi Uchiha fangirl….ooooooooh yes! Hawt shmexii boy he is! 3 :3

So I've decided to post an ItachixOC fanfic up and will start on it soon. I was planning on using Dark and Kairi in it…but I feel like I want a new storyline, yeah..…

If you have any ideas for it please message me via my account messaging system or leave them in a nice review. Thank you. :)