Yeah I know… It took me a while. Hehehehehe….
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Sakura peered eagerly into the jewelry shop. It was in downtown Konoha, visited often by the rich men and women with a lot of money to burn. She had spent the last thirty minutes trying to think up a good present for the most amazing person in her life. Sasuke. Ever since his accident with some enemy shinobi in the forest, he had become more bitter and quiet than ever, if that were possible. The reason? His nose had broken during the fight, making his voice strangely high pitched and shrill. Sakura stepped into the shop, the bell on the door tinkling cutely. She immediately began to examine the display cases for something she could buy for him. Finally she picked out a platinum dragon pendant strung on a silver chain.
'Perfect!' she thought with girlish excitement. She nodded to herself and smiled. Sakura was about to tap the service bell when the cashier on duty stumbled out of the staff door, carrying a black garbage bag. She noticed Sakura and gave her a tight smile.
"I'll be with you in a moment Ma'am." she said, stumbling slightly under the weight of the bag. Sakura nodded but then she noticed a pendant hanging out of a tear in the bag. It glimmered, practically begging her to take a closer look. Sakura's curiosity was aroused.
"Wait a minute!" she called to the cashier, running up. The overburdened girl gave her an exasperated look.
"Yes?" Sakura grabbed the pendant and tugged. Out fell a white box, with a beautiful pendant hanging out of it.
"Oh wow…" she was struck speechless. It was a swirling, glittering sea of color, constantly shifting and changing, encased in a glassy orb. She only had enough time to get a glance however, because the cashier started to panic and made a wild grab at the box.
"Th-that's not for sale ma'am!" she cried, dumping the bag to the floor. Sakura held the box safely out of reach.
"What, why? You're just going to throw it out anyway, right? If you sell this to me, you can at least get some money out of it." she was having a difficult time keeping the cashier away.
"No! I'm sorry but I cannot sell that to you!" she made another lunge at the box. Sakura sighed and reluctantly handed over the white box.
"Fine, fine. Take it." The girl snatched it out of her palm with a mutter of 'thank goodness.' Sakura stood, watching her quietly as she ran out of the door, holding the box in her hand this time. A minute passed and once Sakura was sure the cashier was gone, she gave an impish laugh.
'Never underestimate a ninja!' she thought, pulling the intriguing necklace out of her pocket. She had switched the platinum dragon with the necklace at the very last minute, when the cashier was too busy screaming to notice. She placed a considerable amount of money on the table. She may be a ninja but she was no thief. Sakura gave one last triumphant smile and decided to split before the cashier caught her bluff.
***
Hinata took a timid step into the Hyuga mansion. Yes, she was late but how could she help it?
'Okay. So I was training in the forest and I lost track of time.' she rehearsed her excuse in her head. 'No big deal. That's believable.' Thankfully the interior of the mansion was dark so she guessed that nobody was home. Hinata heaved a sigh of relief and was about to rush upstairs to her room when a lone lamp switched on. She froze like a deer caught in the headlights and turned slowly, expecting to see Hiashi.
"And where were you, Hinata?" Neji stepped into the light, staring at her coldly.
"W-well I w-w-was t-training i-in the f-f-forest a-and"
"Save it." Neji cut in. "I saw everything." Hinata turned deathly pale.
"E-everything?" Neji nodded, his expression was like ice.
"I can't pretend I didn't see the monster Naruto turned into. I can't just pretend I didn't see him nearly kill you!" Neji grabbed Hinata's shoulders causing the latter to flinch. But Neji's expression softened.
"Hinata…This is for your own good. I don't want you to get hurt. Naruto is dangerous the way he is now." Hinata had a feeling she knew what was coming next.
"So," Neji straightened but kept his grip on her shoulders. "I won't allow you to meet him again. Your coming and going shall be closely monitored and I will be personally responsible for your well-being." For a moment, Hinata felt weak. Like something very wrong was going to happen and she couldn't change it. She shut her eyes and sighed.
'You are weak.' Suddenly, she was struck with the memory of Kyuubi's words and a flare of anger hit her.
"N-no. You d-don't kn-know anything a-about h-him." she said, slapping his hands away. Neji was startled to hear Hinata say such a thing. It was not in her nature to argue.
"I-I know th-that h-he j-just n-needs s-someone t-t-to help h-him… T-to l-love him." she continued, looking Neji straight in the eye. But he just scoffed.
"Love is for dreamers, Hinata. This is life. Life is cruel and ruthless. And it does not wait for those are too weak to keep up." he said, being unnecessarily harsh.
"Surely you learned at least that much in the Academy?" insult upon injury. Hinata was silent. She bit back her tears and made a dash for the staircase. Neji didn't bother stopping her.
"Y-you c-can't tell m-me h-how t-t-to live m-my l-life, N-Neji!" Hinata shot him a poisonous look. Neji remained silent and let her get halfway up.
"Hinata." Hinata paused. "In the forest, I was so close to leaping out of that tree and slitting Naruto's throat open. I was this close to killing him! And if he hurts you again, I won't hesitate to take his life. Just remember that, Hinata."
Hinata stared at her shoes. She knew that. Neji wouldn't hold back if he saw Naruto like that again. Kyuubi was strong but, would he have a chance against Neji? And even if he did, wouldn't Neji be killed then? She shook her head, driving the thoughts from her mind. Right now she was going to concentrate on helping Naruto. Nothing else.
***
Kakashi and Asuma were seated on the bed in Kakashi's room. Kakashi turned the pages carefully, taking in any inkling of information. Asuma however, was looking very skeptical.
"Kakashi, you do realize that the beasts described here are only minor demons right?" he asked.
"Right." Kakashi stated simply without looking up.
"Usually such seals are sloppy and loose. The demons could come free at any time." Asuma continued, trying to make a point. His friend merely nodded as a response.
"But Kyuubi is different. He is a tailed beast. There is no way anyone could seal him away unless they performed a really good sealing. Seals like that don't break, Kakashi. They are permanent." said Asuma. Kakashi finally decided to look at him.
"That doesn't mean they can't loosen. It's been so many years." Asuma was taken aback.
"Do you doubt the Yondaime's power Kakashi?!" he cried. Kakashi sighed in exasperation.
"No. I'm just questioning Kyuubi's." There was an uncomfortable silence that followed, broken only by the subtle turn of pages.
"There." Kakashi seemed to smile under his mask. Asuma peered at the heading of the page.
"Tailed Beasts and the seals that hold them." he read aloud. Kakashi nodded and the two read together.
'Tailed beasts are the most feared of all demons. They are extremely large, strong and have the highest IQ of any demon species. These characteristics are precisely what make their capture and sealing a nearly impossible endeavor. Their sealing, as expected is almost always a suicidal effort if done well. But that is not the end of it. Tailed beasts have infinite patience and strength. They will wait for any opportunity, any gap in their seal, to break out. The process is usually drawn out and can be divided into roughly four stages.'
Following these words was a diagram of a tailed beast and the innocent looking girl it was sealed inside.
"That's Nekomata, two tails right?" Asuma pointed. Kakashi nodded yes. The next diagram depicted a transformation as Nekomata tried to get loose. At the first stage, the girl found herself with cat ears.
'The minor mutations like ears and whiskers begin to appear. Usually the container will remain mentally in control. The transformation can be easily controlled at this stage.'
In the second stage, the girl's eyes took on a tinge of red and a single tail curled around her legs. Asuma raised an eyebrow.
"Ears, whiskers and a tail? Can a tailed beast really make such dramatic changes?"
'The demon's feelings start to take over the host body and strange behavior can be expected. In some cases, the beast may temporarily take over the mind of the host at this stage. Another sealing can push the beast back into the host body. '
Asuma noticed that Kakashi was looking very serious but he decided not to ask. Even he had to admit that the coincidences were piling up. Why else would Naruto wear a top hat and an oversized cloak but to hide ears and a tail? They were about to read on when a knock sounded on the door. Kakashi hastily stuffed the book under the mattress while Asuma went to open the door.
***
Sasuke walked drearily down a Konoha street, buffeted by the bitterly cold wind. Ever since Naruto punched him, his nose was down for the count and he couldn't even speak without sending the people around him into peals of laughter. He knew it would heal eventually, (according to Tsunade) but in the meantime, he was stuck with a chipmunk's voice and a large bandage over his nose.
Fortunately Sasuke had managed to spread the rumor that it was an enemy ninja that attacked him. He wasn't trying to lift the blame off Naruto. It was just too embarrassing for him to admit that Naruto broke his nose.
"Sasuke! Sasuke wait up, I have something for you!" Sasuke froze. Not that annoying pink-haired girl again. Sakura had been after him for years perhaps. Sasuke had lost count.
'Might as well get it over with.' he thought and turned around. Sure enough, Sakura practically bounced up to him holding a small neatly wrapped red box.
"Here! This is yours. I picked this one out just for you!" she beamed at him, hardly bothered by the weather. Sasuke frowned. Honestly, he wasn't in the mood for gifts at the moment. He opened his mouth to say so but stopped self consciously. He couldn't talk to her! For goodness sake he sounded like a damn Muppet!
'S-since when have I cared what Sakura thinks of me?' he sighed. No use thinking about it. Meanwhile, Sakura shifted uncomfortably. Why was he being so silent and rigid? Her frown deepened. He probably just didn't like her. Sakura shut her eyes sadly, the weight of the unaccepted box heavy on her palm. But then the weight was lifted.
"Huh?" she blinked. Sasuke was holding the box. He had a slightly amused smile on his lips and he nodded. Then he opened it carefully, pulling out the beautiful orb. His jaw dropped soundlessly.
"So do you like it?" she asked hopefully. Sasuke put it on in reply and rewarded her with another smile. Sakura nearly fainted of sheer happiness.
"Thank you Sasuke." was all she could say.
***
Naruto stroked his fourth tail. Then he wagged it experimentally. He sighed, ears drooping. It was definitely real. The transformation had sped up dramatically.
"Don't worry kit. You're looking better and better every day." Naruto shut his eyes and blocked out the demon fox. He had been bothering Naruto ever since the incident in the forest.
"Shut up." he muttered. Kyuubi humored him and decided to leave him alone. Naruto began to pace back and forth. Finally, he just decided to let Hinata know about the new tail. Yes, it was a little late but she would understand. He put on his cloak and hat and stepped out the door. He shuddered as the cold air hit him hard. He realized that winter was fast approaching and for once, Naruto didn't look out of place as everyone was wearing winter clothes, some looking stupider than him. This revelation cheered him up considerably as he made his way to Hyuga mansion.
***
"Hinata!" Naruto knocked on the large wooden door. The mansion looked impressive against the backdrop of night, large and looming, it made Naruto feel quite small.
"Hinata, are you there?!" which was a stupid question. He had personally dropped her off just half an hour ago. And where would she want to go in such horrible weather anyway? He was about to knock again when the door swung open. Neji stood in the doorway, staring down at him coldly. Naruto gave him a nervous grin.
"Hi Neji! Is Hinata home?" he asked peering in past him. Neji's frown deepened.
"You're not welcome here." he said simply. Naruto cocked his head to the side.
"What?" but soon he was faced with a shut door again. Naruto's brow furrowed. What was happening? He ran around to the side of the mansion and stood just below Hinata's window. The inside of the room was dark making him wonder if she was even awake. Nevertheless he called up to her. A light flickered on. Naruto smiled hopefully. Then he saw Hinata walk up to the window. He waved at her mouthing:
'I need to talk to you.' He expected her to open the window and ask him to come up but was sorely disappointed. Hinata gave him a pained look and turned back into the room. Naruto was dumfounded.
'Was it something I said?' he thought, very confused. Then he moaned and clutched his head as another migraine kicked in.
"What's it like kit? To be shunned by your supposed friends? To have no one to turn to? What's it like to be alone?" Naruto tried to ignore Kyuubi.
"Shut up, stupid fox! You're wrong!" he cried shaking his head violently.
"Oh yeah? Is that why your mate just ran out on you when she knew you needed her?" Kyuubi said tauntingly.
"Firstly, Hinata's not my mate. She's a friend. Secondly she didn't run out on me!"
"You know you don't believe that." Naruto looked at his shoes. Kyuubi was right. He didn't feel so sure anymore. Actually he didn't feel sure about anything anymore. Naruto knew it. He was alone. He was always alone, no one really cared! Not even Hinata. He looked back at the empty window. She was with him till the going got tough. And then she got going. The wind blew past, sending shivers down his spine, reminding him how cold the world really was. Cold, alone and helpless, Naruto put his head in his hands and began to cry. Within him, Kyuubi knew that he would break soon.
"I can take away the pain, kit. I can make it end. Here and now. You won't have to suffer anymore. You could just let go of this world." Naruto stopped. Why did that offer sound so good all of a sudden?
"Just let go. Cease your struggling and I will make it end. Just give me this wretched body and you will never have to worry about anything ever again."
Naruto's shoulder's drooped. Maybe it really was better to let Kyuubi take over. Even if he didn't, nobody would notice his sacrifice anyway. But then he stopped himself. He remembered the stories of Kyuubi's attack on Konoha. He remembered all those people who valiantly died protecting their home…and the loved ones they left behind.
Naruto blinked rapidly. When had he become this self-pitying, useless, egotistic creature?
"I'm waiting."
"No." Naruto said defiantly. "If I let you go, you will kill thousands, no millions of innocent people. I can't let you do that. Even if nobody cares." He heard Kyuubi growl but then there was silence. Naruto sighed. He had refused to give in this time but… He frowned.
How long could he keep this up alone?
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Well there you have it. Please review! I get dejected when I get so many hits and nobody reviews. (If sasusaku disturbs you, please ignore it. It became necessary.)
Cya!
Kira