Death's Pale Court – Eyes That See (Part One)

TBL: Hello, my pretties. Anyways, sorry for being so late. Suffice to say, there really are no proper excuses for me to spout out. I'm just a lazy SOB. I probably should put something else in here, but I completely forgot what it was (that happens a lot). Oh well.

Disclaimer: I, Tainted Blood Lust, do not own neither Naruto nor Harry Potter. They belong to their respective owners. I DO however own this plot. Please, no stealing.

Special Chapter Warnings: some blood and gore (battle scene results)

MUST READ NOTE: There's a part in here about the Hyuuga teacher from chapter three. Assume that instead that Raidon doesn't know that she saw the eight-tails. I'm going to fix that part. Eventually. If anyone doesn't read this note and complains of being confused about that, I have every right to call you an idiot.

Enjoy.

X

"To that high Capital, where kingly Death

Keeps his pale court in beauty and decay,

He came."

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

X

A twelve year old Harry Potter stared through the opening in the cabinet door. A long-haired blond man glared at a shorter, shifty one, in a wealthy and aristocratic pose.

"Borgin, I will not say it again," he said in a posh accent that fit his demeanor. The other, Borgin apparently, looked defiant for a moment before cowering when the blond stroked his snake-headed cane.

"Yes, Lucius," he said meekly, finally, after the taller fingered the cloth covering his left forearm. Harry didn't understand the gesture but figured that it was wholly frightening to Borgin.

"Do not presume you know me, fool," Lucius hissed, getting in Borgin's face. He coolly and gracefully straightened up when another blond, a younger clone of the first, walked in. Harry's eyes widened. It was Malfoy!

"Father, I have found–"

"Draco." The tone in the older Malfoy's voice made his son stop in his arrogant request. His mouth closed while Harry's stayed open in shock. Malfoy could actually shut up?

"Remember what we agreed upon. I will be awaiting that shipment on the second," he said then left, the younger Malfoy on his heels. Borgin stared as they walked away and grumbled to himself under his breath. Then, he himself wandered off and almost bumped into something. Harry couldn't see what it was clearly, but it caused a terrified look to cross Borgin's face. He swiftly side-stepped it, mumbling.

"I should get rid of that stupid thing." When he was out of sight and the coast was clear, Harry came out, careful to make no noise. Out of a burning curiosity, he wandered to the thing that had troubled Borgin to peer at it. It certainly was strange but didn't seem all that scary to Harry. There was a small paper tag on the floor nearby, and Harry assumed that it belonged to the odd, egg-looking, lopsided sphere.

Beware the Hope Eater.

Harry tilted his head, puzzled. What in the world was a 'Hope Eater'? He again looked at it. It was a sickly yellow oval with black that crept up like vines. They looked rather liked polluted veins. Feeling somehow drawn towards it, Harry reached out a hand to touch the 'Hope Eater'.

It reached out to meet him instead.

A midnight vein unattached itself from the thing and lashed out like a whip. It attempted to wrap around his finger, but with the reflexes of a Seeker, he pulled back. But not before the thing broke some skin. It retracted, taking just a single drop of blood with it. The vine reattached to the 'egg', and the red droplet was absorbed. Where it had been taken in turned bleach white. Harry watched, fascinated, as the color slowly spread like blood being pumped through a body. Then, it started to give off a peculiar aura. It wasn't a light show – just a feeling that hung in the air. Images, whether fantasy or real, began to run through his mind, each clamoring for attention. Then, he realized what the unknown emotion was: despair. One scene in particular stood out.

"Stand aside, silly girl!" a voice hissed in the black background. Harry, a spectator to the heavily-shadowed event, thought the voice was eerily familiar but couldn't really place it.

"No!" a female said, the tone reeking of panic and sheer terror.

"You will move aside." It was low now, a threat soon to be carried out. He heard a sob and a weak whisper.

"No..."

"Yes!" the other yelled in quick continuation. "Avada Kedavra!"

A green light flashed, illuminating the scene. Harry shuddered despite it being most likely made up, but he couldn't figure out why. The light revealed, if only for a brief moment, a room filled with small toys, most indiscernible, and a crib in the center guarded by a woman. Those did not catch Harry's attention; the man did. His face was lit with the green light – now a spell, he realized – in just the right way, a picture that gave away the whole of his insanity. His maniacal grin took over the lower half of his face, and the eyes...

They were red.

They shone with a demon's sadistic gleam. Harry was surprised that all this was 'remembered' in great detail, but it was branded into his mind. Everything faded.

It took him a while to realize he was by the egg again and not in an image sequence. His breathing was heavy, and his chest felt tight. The feeling the slightly-off sphere gave off gradually lessened, making him feel better by the second. After it and the scenes ended, Harry just stared at it, mind blank.

Then, he felt an urge. At first, he didn't recognize it but did so after his arm involuntarily reached forward. He attempted to retract his hand but could not. His face screwed up in concentration, fighting for control.

Then, he touched the egg.

It turned pitch black in the blink of an eye then cracks started to form. They spread all over until the whole thing had hardly any untouched pieces. Harry could suddenly control himself and pulled his body back with urgency. The egg shattered, pieces spraying everywhere, only to fade from existence after a meter. They almost reached Harry, whose eyes were wide. A terrible, high-pitched noise reached Harry's ears as a... creature broke free. It looked startlingly similar to a bunch of rags.

With arms.

He knew – somehow – that it in fact wasn't just that. He felt an instant connection to it, and that scared him more than Uncle Vernon. Harry clutched his hair tightly, eyes shut, as something traipsed through his mind. The creature came over to him, gliding with the tiniest bit of ice left in its wake. It made a sound that Harry knew as one of curiosity. He was suddenly a backseat driver in his own mind. He watched as his mouth formed words in a strange, guttural language.

"Nameless dementor of England, I accept your bond. Do you also accept?"

The identified creature spoke in the same tongue, "I do."

Black flashed through Harry's vision, and he stumbled at the sheer pressure of the magic that surrounded them. A crash in an adjacent room startled him, and he looked up in time to see a short, hunchbacked man. Without thinking, Harry grabbed the 'pile of rags' and fled through another door. After shaking himself of the shock, the old man ran after the boy. But, by the time he had searched all of the rooms, Harry was long gone.

X

It was a year after the ritual and two since Raidon had first arrived, and he and Karasu were graduating from Shinobi Academy, Karasu ahead of those of his own age. For Raidon, it was somewhat expected by this point. He was older than the rest, and all of the teachers thought he was a genius. One sensei was handing out headbands while many of the parents watched on with pride and joy. The only person there for Karasu and Raidon was, surprisingly, Uchiha-san (as they had been expecting no one to show up). He was leaning against a tree in the back, obscured by the shadows. His red eyes glowed eerily. The two boys decided to fully concentrate on the ceremony.

"Inku Karasu," the sensei called, and the tattooed boy walked up, eyes watching him intently. He ignored them all, taking his headband in a polite bow. Another name was called as he walked off, and the rest continued in a similar manner.

"Tsuki Raidon." The teenager received his own and gave a barely acceptable bow, a light scowl dusting the sensei's face. Raidon held in a smirk; he never did like that sensei anyways. After him, various others went up, and to Raidon and Karasu, it seemed to drag on forever. However, they shut their mouths and endured it. Raidon could feel Uchiha-san's eyes on him, not glaring and not wide, just staring. He felt the urge to shift but did not. The elder would not be allowed to see that weakness, especially on this day.

Eventually, the ceremony ended. Uchiha-san sauntered up to them with a seemingly lazy, cat-like, and definitely confident gait. It still impressed them, that infinite control and sheer power just underneath the surface. He nodded to both new shinobi instead of a verbal greeting. It pleased the younger males, as it was a sign of acknowledgement, one, as far as they knew, few others got. He had a neutral face, but he allowed his eyes to show his amusement, however cruel, at whatever thoughts he had. The others stared at a spot just above his nose, the great gaze intense.

"Acceptable." His deep voice startled Karasu, the youngest shinobi visibly jumping out of his skin, while Raidon bowed deeply with reverence. This time he and Uchiha-san looked each other directly in the eyes. No words were said, Karasu not daring to interrupt the moment. Then, the Uchiha suddenly and gracefully turned around to stalk towards the mansion.

Raidon smiled.

Meanwhile, Senju Hashirama watched, unnoticed and perfectly hidden.

X

There were rumors, whispers of another war. They had the shinobi tense and the civilians frightened. It assuaged them, though, that the First and Second Hokage were working on it. The shinobi were put on more missions than before, but, strangely enough, they had nothing to do with correspondence. This obviously puzzled them. If there was to be another war, why would no attempted peace talks be made?Many newly-induced shinobi dismissed it; maybe the Hokage were taking care of everything. The older, battle-hardened warriors knew differently. Something was definitely going on.

Even though he had been recently named a chūnin along with Karasu, Raidon knew something big was being planned. It came from deep inside, instinctual, and he was tempted to say it came from the eight-tails, which had stayed silent for the longest time. It gave few clues in response to his questions regarding 'Lucifer's gift' although those brought more questions than answers, so vague in nature as they were.

Atropos' bane...

That was the only thing it had not answered to so far, no matter how much he asked. Raidon had not yet asked the demon about this feeling yet, thinking he could take care of it.

"Did you hear about..." Raidon was walking down the streets of Konoha, glancing at all the various wares on display at the shops. He was also, loathe as he was to admit it, eavesdropping on the local gossip. Normally, he wouldn't care what Takeshi did with his girlfriend's sister, but he had heard about something of interest earlier that day. He figured this way was the best to begin with. Raidon spotted Karasu at the ramen stand up ahead (Merlin only knew why there were so many) and went up to sit next to his friend. The smaller male took a few more spoonfuls to finish then turned to the right.

"Hey, Raidon," he greeted with a tiny smile, which the other returned. "I see you finally got out."

Raidon had been holed up in Uchiha Mansion for the past few days, researching and reading Road to Perdition. So far, it was pretty secretive, and even Karasu didn't know what exactly the teenager had been this excited about.

"Yes," he replied then subtly and hastily glanced about. He whispered, "I need to know about something that maybe you can help me with."

Karasu nodded and got up, Raidon following suit. "My place?"

His friend agreed, and they left.

After the relatively long walk to the Inku's house, Raidon finally spoke once they were safely inside, "What are the Nine Great Fiends?"

It was a strange term that Raidon felt he should have known. He sometimes cursed that fact that he hadn't ripped all of the eight-tails' knowledge, instead of what he had.

"The Nine..." Karasu recognized it immediately and froze. His face contorted as he had an internal struggle. Knowing to stay out, Raidon just stood there calmly. Sagging slightly, he finally let out a sigh after making a decision.

"The Nine Great Fiends, or tailed-beasts, are figures from mythology," Karasu lectured. "They were the nine leading Commanders in the Demon Realms. They had reign over many regions there and ruled with an iron fist. They, of course, made many enemies along the way, and plots were made against them.

"It varies, but myths all state that some great and terrible calamity happened. The Nine Great Fiends were blamed and cast out of the First Realm. They now walk the Hidden Countries supposedly, forced to wander the Mortal Realm for all of time."

Karasu stopped with that last bit. Raidon looked at him with a curious gaze. "Is that it?"

"Yes, that's all I read in the scrolls of the Inku personal library. They didn't have anything else unfortunately." The older male turned contemplative.

I heard he's gone to capture them.

Raidon had heard a whispered conversation earlier and caught a few choice words, such as 'Nine Great Fiends' and 'First Hokage'. With Karasu's information, he had found a new piece of the puzzle. Those that had been displaced still remained elusive.

But Raidon was determined to find them all and fit them together.

X

They had already started it.

His decision to rebel had not appealed to them. They claimed it foolish. But Uchiha Madara wasn't foolhardy. He knew the old fox, cunning and deceiving as ever, was plotting something. The clan, his clan, didn't believe him though. They just couldn't comprehend his reasons, valid as they were. The clan had started to shun him, but it had all started when he had taken his brother's eye, voluntarily given. It had been building for the longest time, and he had sensed it, even from the very beginning.

They had respected and revered him so long ago, but Madara knew those times were long past, never to come back yet – he was not naïve. He wouldn't try to get back into the fold, wouldn't beg for their forgiveness.

It was below him.

His plans had discarded in an instant, but Madara had knowledge on how to make new ones. Knowledge so much more vast than those fools. He would, however, not go so far as to say that everything was going to be alright, was going to go according to plan. Instead he would grasp it in his hand and make it happen.

But, he would have to wait again, a game he hated, however necessary. This push away from his clan would be a minor setback. They had barred the way momentarily and were ready to throw him out of the village, some of them.

But not yet, he wouldn't leave just yet. He would hold on for as long as it took. Madara's clan couldn't stop him with their current manpower and position. When it all came to a point, he would leave, and by then, the ever-changing play would be rewritten. Yes, despite the obstacles, this would work in the end.

It always did.

X

The collection is almost complete.

Raidon had 'snuck' into Uchiha-san's study after seeing the door cracked open a bit. He wasn't stupid; he knew the man had done it on purpose. However, his curiosity had gotten the better of him. On Uchiha-san's desk lay a single paper with a single sentence on it. Raidon didn't touch it but stood still for several moments, just staring with racing thoughts. He thought he understood what 'collection' this was but couldn't be certain. Raidon would need to tell Karasu about the eight-tails, and despite the trust between the two, he dreaded it.

He made his way back out of the study without trouble, plans already forming in his head. Any way he looked at it, this situation put him at a disadvantage. The hunt would soon begin, no matter what. Maybe an ally would come in handy. Besides, he had something to ask of them. However, he didn't know where to start looking. Obviously, the beasts wouldn't be walking around in corporeal form. He pondered it then suddenly the eight-tails spoke.

My siblings would be sealed.

Of course! The demons would most likely be in items or scrolls with protective chakra to prevent escape. Obviously, they would be hidden in places that would be difficult to find. Now, it was even more important to tell Karasu. The raven was good at puzzles.

Raidon stopped outside his room. He stared at the door for a moment, still lost in thought, then went in. He spotted his trunk that was, as usual, lying at the foot of his bed. His thoughts crashed. Maybe...

Yes, it would help.

Road to Perdition might have something in it.

X

Beast Locater Magic

Introduction and Warning

This type of magic is the art of finding creatures, often large in numbers. It is very precise, which is why few wizards use it. Also, strong-willed beasts have the ability to repel or throw off the magic. These are known as Nullifiers.

Beast locating magic is not recommended for the average wizard, as vast amounts of power are needed for these. However, average wizards may get around this by linking magic. Linking magic has downfalls also and often results in death or permanent magic transferal. Certain processes or "shortcuts" may sometimes prevent this (for more information, see pages192 – 203).

Beast locater magic should only be preformed if a wizard is in dire need. Other methods, such as consulting an AniMage, are advisable.

Beast Types

According to many theories, including Heraclitus', it is possible to call out all creatures. Although this is true, certain ones will be attracted with a greater force to the summoning wizard. This is due to the nature of, or element of, the wizard. If a wizard has a minor affinity with Fire, creatures of a similar nature will be located easier.

The size of the beast does not matter nor does the non-elemental classification (hybrid, bird, dragon, etc.). The intelligence of it is the most important factor in locating it. If it is one of lower intelligence, it will reveal its location instantaneously. Another with a higher one will have a stronger aura (see pages 358 – 429 for more information) that protects it.

The aura is semi-sentential and will guard the beast against location magic. This is why the wizard has to be strong or link magic for successful beast locater magic...

Raidon stopped there and didn't flip the page in Road to Perdition, Karasu finishing after him. He had finally told the Inku everything a week ago. It seemed like forever, but Karasu came around fairly quickly. Raidon told the other about his suspicions of the First Hokage and the capture of the Nine Great Fiends. They knew they had no hope of finding one on their own without some sort of help and couldn't ask just anyone.

"The tailed-beasts will have strong auras," Karasu stated. Raidon nodded gravely. They looked at each other and suddenly knew what the other was thinking. "We have to link our chakra."

Mind made up after a long moment, Raidon flipped to the first page on linking.

X

Karasu and Raidon sat in their usual places in the little abandoned forest with Judas watching over. The familiar hadn't grown much in two years, and it would take many more years to reach adulthood. He was a very capable dementor, though, and would guard the two fiercely.

"We don't know which Great Fiend he still has," Karasu started.

Raidon finished, "And their auras are going to make it extremely hard to find them."

They knew that linking would take care of the second problem, but the two shinobi were still worried. Numerous things could still go wrong. They stayed in silence for a moment before Raidon spoke, "Beast locating requires that we pick a specific kind – or, in this case, just one – and which one do we choose?"

The Tsuki's own demon twisted within its cage.

Nekomata, Death's favorite.

He only realized he had repeated it aloud when Karasu looked startled. A grin slowly crept up his lips.

"This is perfect," the older said, adopting a thinking pose. "We have an equal affinity."

"...But its aura?" The Tsuki hummed. "Is it going to be stronger than most of the others or not?"

Raidon responded, "Stronger."

He paused then explained, "Nekomata is Death's pet, Its slave. It cannot escape... but that does not mean that they don't play games. A never ending game of cat and mouse. Survival is essential; it doesn't have extra lives like the other Great Fiends. Death would not be so forgiving.

"To survive is to know how to play the game."

Despite the stronger aura, they decided to go with Nekomata. Raidon and Karasu worked on their plans to capture it well into the night, as Uchiha-san no longer forced a curfew upon Raidon. Then soon, they would link their chakra.

X

Someone once told her that They are immortal, have infinite lives. As a child, she had never believed her elders. Everything had its end... right?

She had been wrong, so horribly and frighteningly wrong.

Fū had been eight when that thing was sealed inside of her.

To save the village, they said. A load of shit, she sneered. They were just stuck-up bastards who immersed themselves into politics, too weak to be of any use. But perhaps that was the beast speaking. It had taken over a part of her mind now, and Fū was helpless to stop its advances upon her mind. It drove her mad, spurts of insanity spilling forth from time to time. The village had isolated her. After all, she was a Jailer, an abomination. Fū chuckled bitterly. It whispered to her constantly now. Its blood lust was seemingly never satiated. It wanted massacre and to revel in Death.

She had tried to kill herself once, long ago. It didn't work. She had woken up days later with nothing but healing scars and blood pooled around her. Alive. It had scared her and amazed her in equal parts. Then, she had tried later to kill herself again, taking suicidal missions left and right. It was then that she discovered she too could not die. It horrified her, and Fū had broken down.

Despite all the benefits – the inhuman strength, large chakra reserves, and so much more – it wasn't worth it. She knew she would have to watch all those around her die, never aging one bit. The seven-tails, the monstrous beetle demon took that despair to its advantage, molding her into a massive ball of hatred.

Why did they have to seal it inside of her?

Would couldn't they help her?

So many questions swirled around in her head, not a single one positive. They fueled her though, her fits of rage something to be feared. Whole troops of shinobi fell to their knees in front of her, begging for sweet, sweet death. Fū had granted their wish. After torturing them to their end.

Now she hid, fearing for her life. She had found how to die – extracting the beast inside of her. When the beast's powers had left, she would be mortal once more. Fū had gotten over her suicidal thoughts eventually (mostly because of the seven-tails' influences). The man, death to all Jailers, was coming for her.

Despite being not very religious, she prayed desperately.

X

Karasu and Raidon were sitting facing each other in a clearing past the Konoha walls. Now jōnin, they could officially spend a little time beyond the village (on the excuse of training, of course). The actual reason for being there was highly different. They were preparing to link their chakra.

They had both finished the meditative stage at the same exact moment – they had to. It was crucial for the two to do everything in sync. They had practiced beforehand (without the chakra) and knew each other well enough by this point that it was within the realm of possibility.

Now, they extended their chakra beyond their bodily prisons, Raidon's a strange green and Karasu's a deep, bordering on black, blue. Sweat was pouring off their bodies at the effort. Their energies touched at the same time, almost tentative at first, then the chakra took on a lives of their own. They intertwined, dancing to an unheard tune. They were completely out of Raidon and Karasu's control now. Then, they mixed, green and blue becoming one, visible to even the untrained eye now. It flared, sending out a massive chakra signal as some of the eight-tails' bled through in the form of black sludge. Those that were extremely chakra sensitive felt a sudden shudder wrack their bodies but did not know the reason. The two had known this would happen all along, and they were safe. The Sensors couldn't locate them; they didn't know about the demon Raidon housed.

The Inku and Tsuki opened their eyes as the energy retreated back into their bodies. They looked at each other and smiled, large grins gracing their lips.

"It worked," they said in tandem, feeling more energized than before. It was strange, though, that they didn't feel tired as much as they ought to. Raidon decided not to worry about it at the moment as Karasu came up and hugged him. He also ignored the strange feeling he got at Karasu's contact.

X

He felt something but did not lift his head. He continued on as normal, speaking to Sarutobi Hiruzen, enticing, seducing. The young adult – not yet a man – watched and listened cautiously, playing the game.

He multitasked while Sarutobi responded, placing a simple genjutsu on him and activating the mangekyou. The chakra of the world revealed itself, and although not to the extent of the Hyuuga, it was enough to see the black sludge hanging above the trees in the distance. He removed the jutsu that fooled the other's eyes and deactivated the advanced eye technique, eyes taking on the form of that demonic red with commas lazily circling once more.

Uchiha Madara's lips did not twitch; his eyes did not betray him. But he was intrigued. It was all going according to the script, yes, but it was an edit.

Madara continued to knot and twist his chain around Sarutobi, voice subtly changed. The man-boy would benefit his plans greatly, and he intended to have the younger.

He would, of course, pay attention to the Tsuki and his young friend. Yet, he would not act, not test.

There were others for that.

X

Hyuuga Yuri's head lifted suddenly.

She was at the ramen bar and enjoying beef-flavored bowl of the wonderful food. Others nearby, thankfully all civilians, looked at her strangely then dismissed it. After all, shinobi always did weird things. Other shinobi, however, would not have been so merciful. One simply did not do that without good reason.

As if in a trance, she got up, walking through the streets. Yuri avoided civilians with practiced ease, twisting and twirling like a cat. She used some of the less favorable alleyways. Nothing mattered but the goal.

In a sense, she knew exactly where she was going. Her conscious mind shunned it, but it was there always, clamoring for attention. Yuri had ignored that day a year ago as best as she could. The monstrosity had haunted her for a week after that with nightmares reigning, seeming so very, very real. The sensei and shinobi was terrified.

Yet, at the same time, a deep anger and longing for revenge stirred within her. They churned to create a potent mixture, one that, with fear, puzzled her greatly. It had consumed her life for a bit – disturbingly real for an equally unimaginable situation.

So, in that sense, it was obvious why she was going, running, instead of staying, cowering away from the dream-like truth. It would be better to face it then have that happen again.

Yuri made her way to the Konoha gates, slowing to a sedate walk, yet still following the trail she knew as if she were an elite Sensor. The lead was clear to her, and she wondered why more were not rushing over. Did they not feel the chakra, that Damned soul? But, it was a fleeting thought and disappeared quickly.

Yuri left the Konoha walls.

X

Karasu and Raidon broke from the embrace. Something was coming. It wasn't so much that they heard anything or felt another person's chakra, but it was a sixth sense, an unexplainable occurrence. They both lifted their heads to look in different directions. They needed not as a twig was deliberately broken some four meters away and immediately faced it to see a shinobi, one long forgotten named Hyuuga-san. She stood there with her normal serious look, but a small frown soon pulled at her lips faintly. Her eyes were almost imperceptibly glazed. Karasu's lips also turned downwards ever so slightly. Then, her eyes cleared, and his mouth straightened.

"Hyuuga-san," Raidon said, inclining his head just a little. The woman did not return it. They eyed each other, not bothering to hide it. Karasu stood off to the side, not interfering yet. Hyuuga-san should not have been there. It was puzzling to say the least, and he knew they had to be cautious. Those eyes were of a dangerous sort. Also, she could have told someone else or even the rest of the clan, he realized as he recognized her suddenly. But still, why wait until now?

The eighteen year old Tsuki was taller than Hyuuga-san (who was probably in her thirties) and thus had an added bonus for intimidation. But, she still had her chakra hidden, even in plain sight. The Hyuuga was biding her time.

Suddenly, she released her chakra, both males feeling the great power. A split second later, Raidon let out some of his own, careful not to draw from Karasu.

"Byakugan!" Hyuuga-san shouted in that moment. She could see the normal rivers and core of his chakra, but they had onyx molasses-like substances in the center of it all. However, not one to be distracted, she rushed forward, seeing a weakness. She used her bare hand, void of chakra, attempting to gauge his defenses. He moved fast, but as she moved, the black chakra spread out a little more. Raidon ducked under her jab, rolling on the ground and grabbing his staff on the way. It was the one he had made in Knockturn Alley, and was careful yet experienced in handling the sharp blades. He fell into a crouching position, staff held out. Hyuuga-san fell into her own stance, one that hinted in a strength in speed. Raidon narrowed his eyes, forgetting most else in the favor of battle. More experienced, the other kept her eyes on the Tsuki and looked for the Inku, who hung back, perched and expertly hidden in a tree somewhere.

Raidon knew this would be a tough battle with an opponent like this. She also had the advantage in speed. He was getting slower with each bit of the eight-tail's chakra leaking through his system. But, he knew he was probably much better at defense. Still, he would need some help. Raidon concentrated briefly on the bond he had with Judas but didn't say anything aloud. He wanted his little dementor to be an unexpected opponent to her. Already though, the shadows had started to gather, most unnoticed. Hopefully, the woman wouldn't detect them for a bit.

She didn't rush at him again just yet, preferring to stare at him. Then, she shifted her eyes ever-so slightly, and Raidon knew she was going to attack. Hyuuga-san's speed seemed to have increased from last time, and she went with her bare hands again. She jabbed to the left of his head, and he tilted it, bringing up one of the staff's blades to nearly cut her hand off as it returned. While her right was withdrawing, the left quickly went for the moved head with a palm. His right hand let go of the staff, reaching up to grab her wrist centimeters from his face, and the other moved up to get a better grip on the weapon. Using his weight, he drug her by her wrist to one direction then spun her around and off the ground with a chakra-enhanced grip. Raidon pointed the ends of the blades towards her as she came around that small distance.

Before she was impaled, however, the Hyuuga's chakra burst from her body in a tangible, opaque sphere that repelled the staff and Raidon. Holding tightly unto his weapon, he went flying into the air. Wasting no time, Hyuuga-san lept into the air with a boost , going above Raidon to hit him with a palm that intended to block chakra. When she drew level with him, he had his staff coming towards her side, prepared to hit her with the blunt side. Eyes darting quickly to her other side to see a line of trees, the Hyuuga saw that she was caught between a rock and a hard place. Her chakra flared out in a sphere again, more powerful on the blade front. She held the back of it as the front dissipated, softening the blow from the trees. For a split second, she sensed the Inku's chakra, but then it disappeared again, almost like magic. Meanwhile, Raidon held on to the staff in two hands tightly, landing on his feet and sliding back with grass tearing up on the way. Hyuuga-san hastily got to her feet and adjusted her stance once more, surveying with new information. It looked like she was going to go even faster now.

Raidon decided to give up wasting his chakra on a speed he could never keep up with and took down the 'dams' – so to speak – that separated the normal and demon chakra. It flooded his system, and he saw his opponent's split-second flinch. The scales on his body seemed denser, weighing him down, as was the cost of the eight-tails. He could no longer use his usual disguise as his tail as a belt, and it unwound to clap on the ground. Her eyes flew to it, surprise showing through despite all that shinobi training. It seemed she then cleared her mind because all of a sudden the woman rushed at him. Hyuuga-san reached him in no time, and Raidon had barely any time to raise the staff with his right hand and stab it towards her left. Thinking he couldn't dodge, she did the same as last time, reaching with her own right.

And, he didn't dodge.

He brought up his forearm to block something that would have broken a civilian's arm. But just barely. He had a feeling she was holding back, but he didn't know why. Also, Raidon was sure it was chakra-boosted.

Then why do that?

Suddenly, when she leaped back several meters. Next, Hyuuga-san was at his side, and his staff was swung in a wide arch at an angle. She had to duck in order to not be beheaded. She changed her plans quickly and went for his legs. He predictably jumped up. But, he continued with the staff's motion and cut under himself as he leaped. She rolled out of the way several times, going to a crouched position after the last. The Hyuuga now definitely has something up her sleeve. Faster than the eye could blink, she had already made a couple of hand signs.

"Wind Release Jutsu: Chains of Justice!" she yelled, finishing with 'dog'. The air in their surroundings condensed and wrapped around Raidon's wrists, becoming a faint white-purple, while the breathing portion became thinner. He hissed a nonsensical word in Parseltongue, as it stung like a severe rope burn, and Hyuuga-san yanked them back with one hand, the other ready to do damage. Thinking fast and using a previously untried idea, Raidon forced some chakra down the chains. The green pulsed and oozed its way down, and her own, the same white-purple, met his racing. Before a battle of wills could ensue, the demonic black sludge intermingled with the green to carry down into the woman's chakra. It covered her hands disgustingly then sank into them. The Hyuuga's eyes fully widened, and at that exact moment, the shadows that had been gathering in a corner unseen pooled and deepened. A chill filled the air, sinking into the her very bones (Raidon and, by extension, Karasu didn't feel it), as Judas appeared, angered by what he had seen through his Master's mind.

"Master." The single word spoken in that foreign, frightening language, unheard of to the woman before, was enough to freeze her completely in her tracks.

"Judas," Raidon acknowledged in the same tongue, letting his affection show in only his eyes and tone. Suddenly and completely unexpectedly, Hyuuga-san let go of the elemental chains, and Raidon wasted no time jumping back. She scrunched up her face in utter pain, confusing Raidon.

Then, she screamed. No, not in a painful way, surrendering hope. This was the call of a wild, crazed animal cornered in a cage. She ran at Raidon and slammed into him violently. Judas rattled in anger and rushed over. Forgetting everything about chakra, she had her hands positioned around his throat. Before the familiar got there, however, a blur got past. Sharp, black claws embedded in her neck, spraying blood everywhere when the jugular was hit. A wraith's screech was heard, high and clear, as the hand with claws came back, spine grasped in its clutches. The spine broke clean with a sickening sound, and her body slumped forward. Raidon stared at it for a second then pushed it off of him. He was unconcerned about another enemy after a second, as Karasu's tattooed face, hair disheveled and golden eyes worried, filled his vision.

"Are you okay?" his friend asked. He nodded silently then got up. His eyes automatically sought out his friend, ignoring the corpse.

"Are you okay?" the older asked. Karasu searched his eyes and smiled.

"As long as you are."

The decided quickly after that to let Judas dispose of the body. Karasu expertly erased the lingering presences of all three shinobi's chakra, and they left after Raidon restored his disguise. Karasu had had subtle 'visitors' to his house lately and thus went with his friend to Uchiha Manor in secret. With luck, no one would be there at this time of day.

When they stepped into the second floor library on the way to Raidon's room, Uchiha-san was there, reading a thick book. The two younger ones straightened up, and all three males eyes each other coolly. The Uchiha gave a slight nod in their direction, but it was hard to determine who it was aimed at. The man turned back to his book, clearly dismissing them. The other two left without a word.

X

The beast was beautiful.

It thrashed and roared tremendously, seemingly enough to shake whole mountains. Eyes scanned every little piece of it. The beast was trapped deep in a pit in the otherwise white landscape. His surroundings were of his own creation and were complex mazes of blocks, traps, and empty spaces. Few had seen it, all had died. But, the beast would not; it was needed.

The pit it was attempting to get out of was dark, a large contrast to its brighter counterparts. Yet, even through the darkness, light from the beast's fur, its inner fire, burned and lit it up. The shadow play would have been amazing and terrifying to anyone else, but he didn't care.

He had read the sacred Uchiha archives hidden underground (with the key in Senju territory, how clever) and discovered something completely fascinating, all those years ago. And, now, he finally had the beast in his clutches.

Madara was going to see if the First Uchiha Ancestor was correct.

His hands rapidly moved, and he calmly said, "Water Release Jutsu: Pressure Blast."

The highly condensed water shot from his mouth and hit its flank. Boiling hot steam rose from the air and clouded the pit, as the beast gave a resounding roar of pain. It madly shook to and fro again with an open mouth the revealed jagged, sharp teeth. Then, it opened it eyes as it turned to uncontrollably yowl at the 'sky', and Madara caught its eyes at long last. In the same exact moment the gazes connected with each other, mangekyou bled into his.

In an instant, the Uchiha felt glorious control, complete command over the beast's powers. Then, it started to fight back, and they both knew what it was: a battle of wills. The beast gave up quite a fight, and for once, Madara's eyes shone with a power-intoxicated fire that held a good amount of tainted gleefulness. Now, this was a challenge. The flames twined and danced with silent, malicious laughter as he had to put some more effort in, mental strength proving itself. A deep chuckle, barely audible, echoed in the space, nothing more.

Then, the beast's black eyes lightened and changed to a crimson as red as its fur, and black commas swirled around a large pupil hastily – the sharingan.

Madara had won.

Instead of making some complex system of hand signs, the Uchiha simply commanded the beast mentally. The opened scroll with seals over every bit at his feet glowed, and the beast disappeared into thin air.

X

They sat across from each other, seated at a long, ornate table. The hand-carved designs would have made anyone marvel at them, but not these three. The room they were in was small and smelled earthy, shadows creeping all around. There was little light, and it came from above, a hole in the roof that also let in breathing air. Although, it could be easily covered, all three knew. A wooden door, crude, was the only other way out and was behind the two. It amused the last that their secret meeting was held in a long-forgotten, underground interrogation room.

A most peculiar item, a deer's antler, was laid in front of the two. The other had nothing.

"You have brought it," the lone one said.

"Of course," the one with the white hair answered, his frown obvious. "You doubt us?"

"No." It was said calmly, the owner of the voice thinking he had nothing to fear.

"Enough," the previously unspoken one said, sensing the lie. "We shall prove that it is genuine."

"Brother-" the white haired one next to him said.

"Silence," the other brother interrupted. He picked up the antler, and it could be seen more clearly in the light. It was normal, except for the color; a white of the brightest hue, previously thought impossible on such an item. He infused some chakra in his hand then ran it down the side gently, drawing out something. The lone figure waited in well-hidden anticipation. The one with the antler drew his hand back, only to come back with sand, like a magnet. He twirled it lazily for a moment before pushing more chakra into his hand. Suddenly, killing intent exploded in the room, massive in its pressure. The lone figure thought he heard a faint roar. A wind picked up, circulating around the room. An outline of a four-legged creature formed above the antler and steadily got more corporeal. Then, the man let the chakra drain out of his hand and back into his core. It all stopped – the wind, the sand, the pressure. The silence spoke loud and clear:

Was that proof enough?

The lone man fingered the black mask of a large raccoon carved into the table and hummed, a neutral sound.

"It is an acceptable token," he spoke at last. "I assume the other Countries have received the same type of 'gifts'?"

The other two did not answer the question. The white-haired brother instead asked, "You will sign, then?"

"Yes." The brothers could practically see the thoughts running through the other's head. Plans of carefully calculated attacks, plots to upsurge Konoha itself – all despite this peace offering. In a way, it was an illusion. In the back of their minds, they knew they needed this, this challenge hidden in peace. They needed the thrill of battle, and this was the perfect plan to get just that. These things, these beasts, these monstrosities were the keys to unlocking the greatest game of them all, a power-play akin to the legendary, and perhaps imaginary, war of the Gods. This was what shinobi, mankind needed.

For what was a world without the bad, the evil? Perfect.

And perfection doesn't exist.

X

It was three days after the 'Hyuuga Incident' as they had dubbed it, and Karasu and Raidon were now on a mission. They had to deliver a scroll to the leader of a civilian village on the outskirts of the Fire Country. According to the Hokage, it was a simple mission, although they did have to watch out for rogue shinobi wanting to steal it (not that there were many, apparently). There was, of course, a three-man team, which included a random shinobi with a long, difficult-to-pronounce name. They all were silent as they jumped from branch to branch with a slightly slower than average speed.

After linking their chakra, there seemed to be no terrible and horrifying consequences. However, little things kept popping up. They could suddenly feel each other's emotions (to an extent) one day, and the next, they could finish each other's sentences. It was the oddest thing, however they did nothing about it, besides keeping an eye out for new additions. The good thing about this was they felt stronger and more energized most of the time. The two now practiced more often but not enough that there was any suspicion as to the sudden change.

Also, Raidon noticed, Karasu had been acting strange lately. He was curious about the behavior but didn't push it. The younger boy had been holed up in his house for the day before the mission, and not even Raidon was allowed in. Karasu had been clingy ever since then, not letting Raidon out of his sight, unusual because the boy normally wandered off for a little bit each day. Raidon supposed they were lucky that they had this mission together.

"Let's walk from here," Raidon announced quietly, slowing down before stopping completely and jumping down. The other two, having already deemed him leader, followed suit, and soon, all three could see the village just a few kilometers away.

"Finally," the random shinobi groused, unable to hold back after so long. Both Raidon and Karasu silently agreed, even if they didn't show it.

But, he had spoken too soon.

A kunai with an exploding tag attached landed at Raidon's feet, and he quickly hopped away, as did the other two shinobi. The young adult put a hand on the bladed staff on his back ready to be withdrawn. Karasu's eyes darted to and fro, searching for their mysterious attacker and ignoring the exploding tag that blew up, now safely out of range. Their teammate pulled out a kunai. Laughter rang out through the trees, melodious and chilling. Karasu stiffened subtly, several intense emotions bombarding Raidon at once.

Terror.

Sorrow.

Then, rage, the strongest of them all.

"Oh, little Inku, how you've grown. I've been waiting for this, this challenge, for oh so long." A titter. "Why, you're so lovely to look at now."

They could all hear the wide grin in that last sentence. A tiny, enraged-bird-like sound escaped Karasu. The tattoos whirled, twisted, and danced on his skin, forming shapes and letting them go seconds later. It was a beautiful and fascinating sight, and Raidon had to rip his eyes away.

"Wonderful!" It was again that voice. A light wind brushed their clothes stirring up some leaves on the ground then suddenly was gone, leaving, somehow, the sensation of the owner of the voice's departure. The three-man team turned as one, when two young, childish voices chuckled too. Two identical trees were in front of the team, and faces formed on the trees, symmetrical also. Wooden eyes looked to the team as smiles blossomed.

"Mistress is expecting you," they said together, "so we're going to bring you to Her."

What looked like legs extended from the trees' bases. It was a vague blob at first but then shaped into a more definite form. The rest of their bodies, still wooden, came out of the trees in a similar manner, and it was an otherworldly sight. After they were fully out, the wood rapidly colored, as if some painter were there. The ending result was a set of twins, one boy, one girl, still with those smiles.

And, all in a minute.

Snapping out of his shock, Karasu and Raidon's teammate stepped forward with an attack pose. Raidon assumed that he just wanted to deliver the scroll without trouble and to get out of there. However, the twins had no visible weapons and made no move to attack just yet.

"Mistress would be pleased if you came without a fuss, little birdy," the girl directed towards Karasu. She looked at the Konoha shinobi with great intensity, while her twin looked around lazily.

"A feline spys upon us, sister," the other remarked, finished with his search. The girl made a noncommittal sound.

She responded, "The Piece shall come out in time."

"Get out of our way!" the teammate interrupted. The two children turned to him. Their blank, expressionless faces scared him, but he refused to back down. The shinobi tilted his head back bit, nose in the air.

"We're only here for the bird," they said together. Raidon stepped in front of his friend protectively, eyes narrowed. Suddenly, their hands made rapid signs, perfect once more in their symmetry.

"Wood Release Jutsu: Strangling Roots!" Tree roots popped up out of the ground and moved forwards, leaping and twining like fish over and under the earth. They reached out like sentient vines, trying to grab a hold of any of the three-man team. The team jumped up and out of the way to land in trees. The roots followed, winding up their perches. Karasu made his own hand signs.

"Wind Release Jutsu: Air Razors!" he called, swiping his hand sideways at the roots. Invisible blades raced forwards to slice them in half, stopping the roots in their tracks. He repeated the gesture twice more to help Raidon and their teammate. Meanwhile, the twins were just watching.

"Impressive, birdy," the girl drawled. "Now, the real fun starts."

The boy immediately sunk into the ground, becoming just a pile of dirt. The other twin started off with 'dog', making more in rapid succession. Seeing this, the three leaped into action. The teammate teleported with a swirl of leaves to hide somewhere nearby. Karasu pulled out a kunai, ready to attack in coordination to what Raidon's actions were going to be. Raidon preformed his own hand signs, finishing before the girl, and called out, "Earth Release Jutsu: Spikes!"

The girl lost her concentration, losing the jutsu, as spikes made of dirt formed and shot out at an angle. She jumped out of the way, but with a single sign, more appeared in a cluster. She leaped up to avoid them, and then Karasu struck. Chakra-propelled, he rushed towards her to follow into the air above her. He slashed at her with the weapon, gravity bringing the two down. He just barely missed as she twisted out of the way. Meanwhile, Raidon had his staff drawn, on the ground, looking for the last half of the twin. So far, he saw nothing. The girl and Karasu separated upon reaching the earth, the male going back, next to Raidon. Raidon made a sign again, spikes coming up once more, surprising her.

Karasu quickly used Wind Release Jutsu: Air Razors again, sending the invisible daggers at her. She ducked her head, them just barely missing and close enough to clip her long, flying hair. Something glimmered in her eyes but was covered up immediately. She then grinned.

"Think fast, little bird!" she yelled. Her grin remained pasted on as she ran towards them, only a blur to some. She went to punch Raidon, while Karasu separated hastily to the side. The oldest blocked it with his staff and pulled the fist back as he turned the bladed staff to slice her. She only got nicked. The Inku tried to throw a punch of his own behind her, and she twirled to catch it. She let go, though, as Raidon jabbed his weapon out like a spear. She jumped to avoid it, drawing out shuriken and throwing them downwards to cut off the males' heads. Raidon preformed a jutsu in haste.

"Earth Release Jutsu: Sand Dome." A shell of dirt and grass formed above them, just in time to catch the shuriken. Raidon moved his hand with some effort as she landed to destroy the dome, bulging outwards to throw the weapons back. She threw some kunai to hit the shuriken and deflect them, sending them to imbed into nearby trees. However, one had a different course and hit Karasu in the arm. He was only able to save his arm from being cut off by pushing chakra to the area for defense. Still, it was a deep wound. The Inku pulled it out as he turned sideways to avoid a kunai jab from the girl. She was about to hit but Raidon's shell shifted over to take the blow. The dirt was quick, despite all appearances, and wound around the kunai to engulf her hand.

Her eyes widened almost imperceptivly, and she tugged her hand back. Or at least tried to. The dirt struck on strong and started to become denser. Her hand rapidly became heavier and heavier. While she struggled to free her hand, Karasu moved around the dirt to slash at her. As it came close to her, the girl grabbed it skillfully, mere centimeters from her heart. She tried to use chakra (for extra strength) to fling the Inku. Instead, the weapon was sent flying as Karasu let go, but not before he was sent several meters away, skidding. She tried to remove her hand once more while Raidon still concentrated on the jutsu.

Karasu came at her again, and in desperation, she used a single sign to teleport, leaving her hand behind in a spray of blood. Raidon dropped the shell, the lone hand falling to the ground. The scent of blood permeated the air, and the girl came out of the trees, an unusual scowl on her face.

What happened next seemed to be in slow motion.

Karasu's nose picked up the scent of blood, and immediately, something in his golden eyes changed. He screeched loudly, an avian call. His marks suddenly formed into what looked like feathers. His fingernails grew long and sharp, blackening. His eyes seemed wild now, untamed and bloodthirsty. The killing intent in the forest raised drastically. He was almost completely an animal now.

He rushed towards the girl, who was frozen in shock, with his claws extended. She tried to move out of the way, but he was too fast in his transformed state. Raidon watched on, keeping an eye out for the boy, as the girl got a claw to the chest. His hand dug in, reaching the heart with terrifying precision and squeezed the organ. It stopped immediately, and the male withdrew his hand, blood dripping and spraying in massive amounts.

A scream interrupted the grotesque moment, and the two shinobi turned to the direction immediately. Raidon gave his friend an unreadable glance then started off to see what it was: the boy or their teammate. In a matter of minutes, they found the lone body, already cooling, of their teammate. His mouth was frozen in an agonized scream, eyes open and wide. Although, the remaining twin was still missing, setting them on alert.

"Gotcha." It was a whisper, filled with tainted delight, but was clearly heard in the quiet forest. Quick arms wrapped around Karasu's middle as the twin boy popped out of the ground. In rapid succession, several things happened. First, Karasu reacted swiftly, driving his claws into the arms holding him. Second, Raidon slashed his bladed staff hastily, fearing for the Inku. Third and lastly, there was a feline yowl as something ran out in a blur and leaped to catch the twin in a graceful arch.

The result was interesting, to say the least. The boy grimaced, pausing those precious few seconds, when the claws hit and tore skin and muscle. He ducked his head after that, the slash cutting above his head closely. In the process of dodging, he couldn't avoid the third attack: another young girl. She came in on all fours like a wild animal. She had a strange, visible chakra around her, cloaking her. Part of it formed small cat ears and two long, sleek tails. She landed flying into the boy's side, making him let go of the Inku, as she knocked him down. He tried to sink back into the ground, but she clawed his eye fiercely first. Still, he managed it. She growled and swiveled her head this way and that.

Raidon and Karasu just watched.

She reached out a hand after sensing something, and the chakra extended to go underground, 'hand' reaching out with claws. She had apparently grabbed something and jerked her arm back sharply. While all this was going on, Raidon gasped sharply as he realized something about the girl.

She was what they were looking for.

The Nekomata.

Her hand cut into the twin's head until it was halfway in, as he was propelled forward by her other. She let him go, his body falling to the ground after she removed her hand. She wiped her hand on the black shorts, and then Raidon stepped forward.

"Are you the Nekomata carrier?" She tensed and slowly turned her head to their direction, eying them with an expressionless face.

"Yes."

Karasu came forward too. "Has he captured you?"

They all knew who he was, and the tension rose.

"Perhaps," was all she said and then continued after a brief silence, "I-"

The girl, however, was cut off. She yowled, clutching her forehead in pain. She pulled back her hands to look at the blood on them with horror. The two males could see faint lines etching themselves there, seemingly random scribbles. There was a low growl from her, and then white light shone from the lines. She fell to her knees.

Then, the Nekomata carrier just... disappeared. There was no crack like apparation or anything left behind like the shinobi version.

Karasu and Raidon had lost the chance as soon as it had come. Silence reigned.

X

END of Eyes That See (Part One)

TBL: Did that make up for all this time? Probably not. XD Anyways, a few notes are needed. First, there's no Madara x Sarutobi pairing (:shudder:). There was nothing sexual intended in that scene. Second, about not translating the jutsu into English... Well, if I did that, I'd most likely screw up monumentally and translators are shit. Japanese: 1, Seth:0. So, needless to say, it's in English. Third, the part about the kyuubi (as if you didn't already know that!) and Madara was written before the manga chapters about Kushina and her little fox problem came out. And I'm not going to change it just for the sake of those. I guess that's it.

Oh, and just for those who care, I've got up to chapter seven completely outlined. Hopefully, those'll help.