Chapter 6 – burdened or blessed?
A single tear fell from Kushinas face as she looked upon the face of her son, the shock and sadness etched in his face shook her to her very core. She hesitantly reached a hand forward unsure if she could bear to see what had become of her son. Stroking his face, Kushina could have broken down and balled her eyes out. Naruto's eyes held none of the warmth a childes eyes should hold, emotionless, cold, his eyes showed nothing except confusion, shock, hate. What could have poisoned his soul his very being, killing the pure hope of a child. Kushina fell to her knees embracing her son, "why? Cried Kushina tears building in her eyes.
Laughter shattered there delicate reunion, a black flame forming between them, pushed Kushina backwards away form Naruto's paralyzed form. A sickly black copy of an older Naruto forming form the fire, "don't worry" whispered the aberration as he stretched his arms around Naruto, "I won't let them hurt you again." Turning its attention to Kushina, a look of grim satisfaction on its face the aberration shielded Naruto from her gaze.
Kushina kneeled paralyzed with fear, how could his fear, his suffering have grown so big. When she had taken the trials she at least had a representative for hope. Hope was that what was stolen from him was his soul so damaged that he couldn't hope any longer.
"Let go of my Son!" spat Kushina getting to her feet, anger boiling within her.
"You don't have the right to even look upon him," spoke the aberration coldly, venom lacing every word. "You left him for dead, a curse to bear for all eternity," spat the aberration as it grew larger, its eyes a glow with fire. "You abandoned him the day he was born," lied the aberration murder in his voice. "You left him alone," the aberration said reviling Naruto's face, sadness evident in his every future. "I've been here for him ever since, isn't that right Naruto?" the aberration purred stroking a strand of hair from Naruto's face before placing a kiss on his forehead.
"That's a Lie," screamed Kushina as she dived towards the aberration. "I never abandoned him," said Kushina, the fury of a mother scorned in her voice, "I was taken from him, and I would have given anything to have been here for him." Pulling her hand back and plunging it into the aberrations chest Kushina felt as if she had just forced her arm into a frozen lake. "Give me back my Son," Said Kushina determination in her voice. Feeling a solid mass Kushina grabbed it and pulled. Her arm bathed in black ichor Kushina looked at her hand, a heart covered in cuts and bruises beat within her hand. "Maybe you did love him after all, said the aberration a glimmer of hope in its voice, as if slowly pooled into ooze around there feet.
Kushina stared as the heart in her hand slowly continued beating, an aura of purification and death emanated from it. Discarding the foul object Kushina embraced her son once more, tears poured from her eyes. "I never wanted to leave you..." Kushina begged, "I would have given everything if only to have held you one last time, to have told you I loved you just one last time."
"I Know," murmured Naruto as his arms snaked around his mother's waist. Kushinas couldn't stop the tears from flowing, "I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry," cried Kushina as she hugged him. Unnoticed by the reunited pair Kyu faced her own inner demon.
Kyu kneeled bound in chains of black fire, her dead kit at her feet. Several aberrations of black ichor staled around her.
Aberrations paced around her.
"You left your own children to die while you pleasured you mate," Spoke one of the aberrations pressing her face into the fur of her slain kit. "Pathetic whore," chorused the group.
"You left your Mate alone while you chased Revenge," spoke another. "Selfish Demon" chorused the group.
"Stop begged Kyu, "I loved them, Stop."
"To alleviate your rage you destroyed a town, said an aberration, a small village appeared at their feet, its buildings ablaze. "You slayed every man women and child you could find," spoke an aberration; the body of a small boy in its hands, the boys chest carved open a look of shock on his face. "Self-indulgent monster," cried the group.
"Stop.., cried Kyu her voice shaking, "I'm not... I'm not a monster."
"Your blood lust quelled, you left their bodies to rot, and returned to engage your mate once more." Spike an apparition. "Useless Bitch" chorused the group.
"Stop.., cried kyu tears poring form her eyes, "they didn't deserve their fate."
"Your mate left you a week later for a stronger female, you couldn't even please your mate" jeered an aberration. "Useless slut" chorused the group.
"Please.., Begged Kyu her hands shaking as she gripped her fallen kit, "Please no more..."
"In your Sadness you allowed another to influence your mind," said an aberration. "Failure," cried the group.
"It's not my fault," Implored kyu her chakra spiking as if trying to dispel a Genjutsu, "I couldn't fight it."
"Your weakness caused the destruction of countless lives," said an apparition in disgust. "Powerless servant," chorused the group.
ENOUGH! Spoke a booming voice, Kyu looked up puffy eyed, her hands still holding her slain kit to her chest. Naruto stood In front of her, eyes slit and blood read, teeth and whisker marks enhanced, his fingernails extended and thickened into claws. "YOU DARE JUDGE THAT WHICH IS MINE! Commanded Naruto vanishing from sight, only to appear behind an aberration hand buried in its chest. A shiver ran down Kyus spine as she watched Naruto disembowel one of her tormenters. "She has protected me," said Naruto ripping a still beating heart from the chest of another. "She has cared for me like her own." Spat Naruto as he ripped another's thought out.
Backing away from Naruto the aberrations spoke "you corrupt all you touch, even the innocent fall victim to your greed" "Self-serving indulgence," chorused the Group as they backed away.
I SAID ENOUGH! Yelled Naruto, a wave of Fire forming in his gaze, "Burn in whatever hell you crawled out of," Fumed Naruto Murder in his eyes as the wave of fire burned the retreating group to ash.
Still chained to the floor, desire burned in Kyus core. Such power, it was intoxicating, every primal urge in her body told her to submit to him should he desire her.
Kneeling in front of Kyu, and gripping the chains binding her, Naruto pulled, severing the chains hold on her. "I will forever be with you, growled Naruto, before gripping her by the sholders and sinking his fangs into her shoulder.
Fire coursed around them as two tails grew from behind Naruto wrapping Kyu in a loving embrace. The last thing Kyu heard before she blacked out would be forever burnt into her memories, "eternally mine!"
Tsunade woke with a start, a ripple of unquestionable malice rolling through the room. Fear etched into every fibber of her being Tsunade dashed towards the corridor, and down towards the main, only one thing on her mind "Naruto".
Jirriya stood in paralyzed in shock, Naruto kneeled with the bowl of fire in his lap, a cloak of chakra wrapping him head to foot, two tails curled around the cloak. Naruto's presence was intimidating to say the least, the monks kneeled unwavering in his presence, and Urath still knelt across for Naruto eyes closed and motionless.
Moving towards his godson Jirriya reached into a pouch on his belt and withdrew a small square of paper a seal baring the word calm in the center. sensing the movement Urath open his eyes and fixed Jirriya with a stare, rooted to the spot Jirriya just starred as light blue chakra slowly pooled beneath Naruto before forming a layer between his body and the cloak of crimson chakra, the boys enhanced features slowly faded. Releasing a sigh of relief Jirriya placed the seal back within his pouch.
Bursting into the main hall Tsunade gasped as she saw the kneeling form of her godson, blue and crimson chakra coursing around his body, as if battling for dominance. Tsunades hands balled into fists, "what the hell are they doing?" screamed Tsunade in her mind. "Jirriya seal it," demanded Tsunade her voice containing kindled fury and uncontrollable fear, "before we lose the ability to control it."
"That would not be wise;" spoke Urath sagely, "the will of fire courses through his mind and body sealing his chakra system would damage his body and mind irreversibly."
"You need to stop Naruto let it go," begged Tsunade as she reached a hand towards Naruto before she could even graze the cloak of crimson chakra a crimson tail lashed out, batting the offending appendage from its smouldering form. Grimacing in pain Tsunade looked at her scorched hand,"damn it," she cursed as she started to heal the burns.
"Where is Kyu?" demanded Tsunade fury in her voice.
"I don't know said Jirriya her body faded from sight the second the fire hit the dish," said Jirriya pointing to the black inferno burning between Urath and Naruto. "All we can do is pray he will pull out of this soon," said Jirriya his voice emotionless.
Releasing Naruto form her embrace Kushina smiled, "you've grown so much," said Kushina pride in her voice.
"I love you mom," said Naruto, wiping a tear from his eye "I missed you so much."
"I miss..." choked Kushina, a black knife protruding from the center of her chest. Horror etched on his face, Naruto watched in horror as the blade was slowly pulled from her body. A man clad in inky black robes stood over her fallen body, a mask of a large swirl over his face. "Finally," said the man as he forced his hand cross her stomach, "my slave will be mine once more."
Naruto petrified with fear watched as the man pulled a fiery red fox from his mothers stomach, "destroy them," commanded the man "leave no survivors."
The fox stared into Naruto's eyes and charged him, closing his eyes waiting for death to claim him he waited. Claws flashed, blood sprayed, yet Naruto still drew breath, opening his eyes he saw Kushina between them, claws buried in her chest, tears in her eyes. "No," gasped Naruto "No."
The fox simply starred into Kushinas eyes, rage burning in its own. "Kill them," commanded the man.
With drawing a clawed paw for another slash, the fox froze. "Never again!" said Naruto his voice cold and calculated. "Never again will you hurt those I love," said Naruto, a fiery cloak of chakra forming around him, a single tail thrashed behind him. The fox stared into his silted eyes, placing its paw on the ground and withdrawing its other it backed away, its head low to the ground.
In a moment of uncontrollable rage Naruto charged the man with the spiral mask. A chakra coating fist in his chest, the man in the spiral mask faded from view laughing as he vanished. Snarling Naruto turned his attention to the only thing left for him to vent his rage on, Naruto advanced upon the still bowed fox. Razing a clawed hand to strike down the creature down he looked upon it. Its eyes no longer crimson were void of the malice and rage they once held, replaced by sapphire blue eyes, filled with grief and regret.
"Don't, cried Kushina, her voice frail and fading, "it's not her fault." The cloak faded upon hearing his mother's words, dashing to her side Naruto pulled her close. "No, you can't die, not again, I can't bare being alone again" sobbed Naruto
"I'll never leave you, said Kushina weakly, tracing his heart with a shaking finger, "ill forever live in your heart."
"As will we all," said another voice. Turning teary eyes up from his mother Naruto saw Jimmu uzumaki standing a few feet away kyu beside him, behind them countless others stood all of them wore a large red spiral.
"I only wish we could see your father once more, choked Kushina, "iv missed you both so much?"
Naruto cried as the little remaining life drained from his mother, "I'll see you both again," promised Naruto.
"Your father's body and soul lay petrified ten miles south of the great valley, said Jimmu, what you both seek lays within his eternal sacrifice," spoke Jimmu as he faded from view.
"Carry us back to our village once more," said an elderly lady in the crowd. "Reclaim our treasures," spoke a young man. "Breath new life into our great tree," spoke a little girl. "Regather our great family," said a woman carrying a small child.
The group faded rapidly leavening kyu and Naruto alone once more. "I, need to be stronger," said Naruto his voice full of purpose, "I won't allow anyone else to sacrifice themselves for me."
Drawing Naruto into her arms and placing her head on his shoulders kyu murmured "and I will be there to help you every step of the way."
Outside Jirriya and Tsunade watched with baited breath as the swirling mass of chakra reseeded back into Naruto's body, the tails vanished, the whisker marks faded and the claws retracted back into his body. As the swirling mass of black fire disappeared Naruto moved rising to his feet and taking a step past Urath Naruto plunged his arm into the eternal flame. Withdrawing his arm, clutched in his hand a still burning ember of the great flame burned. "I will carry you home," whispered Naruto as he pressed the ember into his heart, the seal on his chest swallowing the flaming ember. Collapsing to his knees, a smile on his face Naruto blacked out.
"Naruto, yelled Tsunade dashing forward, hands ablaze with green chakra. Several minutes passed, as Tsunade worked at a frantic pace before Urath and three other monks joined her, "he will survive," said Urath comfortingly as he placed a hand over Naruto heart. The other monks each placed a hand on Naruto before channelling there chakra through his body.
"What the hell happened to him?" cursed Tsunade, as she worked, all his organs have stopped. "The will of fire is fuelled by raw chakra gathered by the monks, explained Urath, I've never seen anyone absorb so much before. "
"Senjutsu poisoning," said Jirriya, "countless people have lost their lives to this on mount Myoboku."
Placing a hand on Naruto's forehead Jirriya drew on the stagnant chakra within Naruto's body, dispelling it form his own as he went, small streams of smoke exited his nose and mouth as he worked. Tsunade was in shock, Jirriya knew what this was, the guy who couldn't do a medical jutsu to save his own life had identified and for the most part singlehandedly treated the affliction, if the heart beat in Naruto's chest was any sign.
"I haven't heard of that poison before," said Tsunade curiosity in her voice, "what plant is it derived from.
Chuckling, Jirriya replied, "It's not a plant but foreign chakra poisoning."
"Senjutsu poisoning happens when a body absorbs more natural energies then it can hold," explained Jirriya, as he picked Naruto's limp but very alive body off the marble floor.
"Please inform young uzumaki after he awakes that I would like to speak with him," said Urath, as Jirriya carried Naruto towards their room, Tsunade hot on his heels they disappeared from sight.
Once the door to their room was secured and Naruto lying in bed, Tsunade rounded on Jirriya. "What the hell happened? Tsunade fumed, "I go to bed everyone is very much alive and healthy." Pacing back and forth like a caged animal Tsunade continued, "I wake up beds are empty, the air is filled with kyuubi's chakra." Stopping in front of Jirriya in exasperation Tsunade grabbed him by the shirt caller and shook him, "well," demanded Tsunade, "what the hell happened the village at the base of the mountain could have felt that wave of chakra."
As soon as Jirriya opened his mouth to regal the story a grown from the next room caused Tsunade to suddenly release her hold upon him. Brushing himself off Jirriya followed the blurred form of Tsunade into the other room. Naruto sat upright in bed, his head in his hands. "Where are you?" said Naruto seemingly to no one, "I can't feel you?" releasing his head Naruto felt around his surrounding area.
"Thank kami," said Tsunade pulling Naruto into a bone crushing hug. "How do you feel?" asked Jirriya a hint of concern in his voice, as he entered the room.
"I'm fine," choked Naruto trying to pull himself free of Tsunades embrace. "Where has kyu gone," asked Naruto panic creeping into his voice.
"She faded shortly after you received the will of fire," said Jirriya, observing Naruto closely. Creping silence filled the room. "Gone," murmured Naruto, absentmindedly placing a hand on the death reaper seal branded on his stomach, before passing out.
Performing a diagnostic jutsu Tsunade started to diagnose his condition; Jirriya pulled up Naruto's shirt and pushed some of his chakra into the seal making it tangible.
Five minutes passed in silence as the two sannin worked, "I don't understand," cursed Jirriya frustration prominent in his voice.
"What's happened," said Tsunade working franticly, "all his organs just shut down."
"The seal is rewriting itself faster then I can follow," said Jirriya as grabbed a piece of parchment and ink form the table.
"Well stop it," yelled Tsunade, "if I can't get his heart and lungs started again we won't be wondering what it is doing."
Quickly forming the seals necessary Jirriya slammed his palm on Naruto's chest just above the death reaper seal before saying "barrier" sparks of lightning forming around his palm were his only warning that his attempt had failed. The large shock wave of energy that erupted from the spot Jirriya had tried to place the barrier seal blew him backward into the far wall.
"Damn it Jirriya," cursed Tsunade, "every time I restart his heart, his lungs give back out, I can't do this by myself."
As Tsunade withdrew her hands form his body to reposition herself blood started to poor from under the bandages covering Naruto's eyes.
Little did either of them know that their efforts were being thwarted by the battle going on within Naruto's very mind.
The field was ablaze, the lake dry, the house obliterated and the forest levelled. In the center of all this destruction kyu lay bound and chained tears pouring from her eyes. Standing over her, her hair held in his hand the shinigami himself stood, knife drawn and pointing towards the battered and bruised form of Naruto. "Stay down boy, commanded the shinigami, "her fate was cast long ago." Climbing to his feet and wiping the blood from his mouth Naruto spoke, "Never." As the charging form of Naruto advanced upon him the shinigami miry flicked a finger in his directions, obviously paying the angered youth little or no head. An explosion rocked the earth in front of Naruto sending spears of rock hurtling into him, several puncturing his flesh. "I said stay down, the booming voice of the shinigami yelled. "I will uphold the contract to seal her until your death," said the shinigami flatly, "your choice when it will be, child."
Pulling a large piece of rock form his chest Naruto coughed up a large amount of blood before falling to his knees. "Then kill me," spat Naruto, his eyes glowing red, "I'd rather die, then be left at the mercy of others again." "So be it!" said the shinigami, releasing his hold on Kyus hair and advancing upon Naruto's crumpled form. Knife in hand the shinigami stabbed into Naruto's chest, "do you truly wish to die so badly you would throw yourself at a force beyond your comprehension," spoke the shinigami as he pushed the knife closer to Naruto's rapidly beating heart. "Yes," whispered Naruto, pulling himself onto the blade, "but then again the contract stated she would be held until I died a "natural death""
Turning his head, the shinigami watched a small smile on his face as the chains binding kyu slowly unravelled as he inched closer to death. "So you would cast your life away for a being that you contain," said the shinigami a grain of respect in his voice, "noble."
Pulling his body in closer to his enemy, Naruto simply looked into the Shingamis black eyes, as the knife pierced his heart the life fading form his eyes he smiled, "now you have to let her go," croaked Naruto as blood ran from the wound on his chest.
The clattering of chain was the only warning the shinigami got before fire raked his body, "so you would strike at a god," said the shinigami passively, "foolish, you finally find a host who is selfless enough to let you free of your bindings and you would through it all away in rage."
Stepping form the inferno coursing around his body the shinigami gave a single look towards the enraged kitsune, 9 tails flashing behind her, a nodachi in her out stretched hand its white blade adorned with countless purple flowers, smouldering fire lay in the scorched earth at her feet.
"If your mind was ever unclouded by Rage would you know what needed to be done," whispered the shinigami as he reached down and picked up the fallen body of Naruto.
"He is MINE!," seethed an enraged kyu.
"How rude of me," chuckled the shinigami, throwing Naruto's limp body at her feet, "may his soul find its own way on."
Fading form view the shinigami disappeared, his cruel laughter all that remained of him.
Outside Tsunade shuddered as a wave of malevolent energy rippled off Naruto's body. As her hands passed back over his once being heart she froze, "what...happened" murmured Tsunade, the once being heart of Naruto uzumaki was gone, without a trace.
Dropping the nodachi kyu gently lifted Naruto's body in her arms, tears once again pooled in her eyes. "It's so cold, whispered Naruto weekly. "No..," choked kyu, "you can't die." "it's alright," said Naruto a smile on his face "a...st I fou.. .ou," sputtered Naruto as blood filled his mouth.
The life slowly drained from Naruto's eyes, kyu clutched his body to her chest, tears poured from her eyes as she cried for the kind soul she currently held in her arms. Placing a single kiss upon his forehead kyu whispered, "forgive me," her tails flashed behind her as they rapped round there body's, "doushi umarekawari," whispered kyu,fire coursed around there body's as 4 of kyus tales faded from view, "you will live, whispered kyu into Naruto ear.
Tsunade watched in horror as Naruto body convulsed, his golden blond hair slowly turned crimson, his whisker marks burned black, and his body slowly stretched taking his height to 4'8, filling in his cloths were once a malnourished body lay, a healthy body lay as if his body was chiselled through hard training and diet control, his toe and fingernails thickened into claws taking a slightly feral look.
As the convulsing stopped, Naruto snapped upright, "AHHHHH," Screamed Naruto, as he raked his face with his newly formed claws. As he ripped the bandages from his face large jagged pieces of metal were pushed from his eyes, the remnants of the torture he endured were forced from his eyes at an astounding pace.
Gasping Tsunade grabbed at Naruto's wrists as he went to rip the offending objects out of his eyes, "hold his arms," yelled Tsunade as Jirriya who was standing shock etched into his face.
Grabbing Naruto's wrists and holding them tightly Jirriya fought to keep his godson form ripping his own eyes out.
Carefully withdrawing the foreign objects from Naruto's eyes, Tsunade watched as the once blackened and scared eyes, took a faint purple hew, similar to that of a piece of amethyst. Tsunade watched in awe as the faint purple of the iris curved to surround a slit pupil, as soon as the eyes finished forming in their sockets the lids of the eyes closed.
As Naruto's body relaxed Tsunade whispered, "Can you hear me Naruto?"
Receiving a slight nod in response Tsunade continued, "How do you feel?"
"Thirsty," whispered Naruto. Grabbing the glass from the nightstand, Jirriya placed it in Naruto's hands. Taking the glass to his lips Naruto drained it in one.
"What happened," questioned Tsunade, as she ran a diagnostic jutsu.
"Shinigami," coughed Naruto as he placed a hand over his face, running a finger over the lids of his regrown eyes.
This caught Jirriyas attention, "I take it that's what was causing the seal to go haywire," questioned Jirriya once again turning his attention to the death reaper seal.
"Yes..." answered Naruto hesitantly.
"Well I don't know what happened," interrupted Tsunade, "your heart was gone one moment, your lungs crushed and liver ruptured." "And know your healthier then I've ever seen you," exclaimed Tsunade fascination in her voice, "I can't explain it."
"I'll explain everything in the morning," said Naruto calmly," but for know I need to sleep."
"All right," said Jirriya taking Tsunade by the arm, "we'll let you rest."
"In the morning I'd like to check the seal to see what changes were made," said Jirriya as he dragged Tsunade out of the room.
Laying down Naruto waited for sleep to claim him. Outside Jirriya and Tsunade exchanged looks, "I'd say were very lucky," said Jirriya his voice void of emotion. "Lucky doesn't describe it, said Tsunade in barley a whisper, "I have no doubt his new look is kyus doing, the question is why?"
"That is something I intend to find out," said Jirriya determination in his voice, "something tried to kill our godson today and I want to know what."
"Get some sleep," said Jirriya motioning to the futon on the far wall, "I'll watch him until morning, then you can take him to see Urath."
Taking a tired look at the futon Tsunade made the way there, "wake me if anything happens," said Tsunade, "and Jirriya..."
"Yes Tsunade," said Jirriya a small smile on his face. "Keep your hands to yourself," said Tsunade a slight chuckle in her voice.
A smile graced Jirriyas face as he took a seat at the table, "my hands will not stray," said Jirriya as he opened a scroll form his pocket and started to write.
It was going to be a long evening.
and thats another chapter down.
so like always please R&R your imput helps
duze