Chapter 15 Sasuke Uchiha

The idea of Kyubbi being a Witch both confuses and baffles me. Never in human history has there been a witch born out of the Uchiha bloodline. Not only that, but Kyubbi is clearly capable of very strong magic.

Is he really a witch? Or is he something else?

"If my hunch is correct…"

I mumble while setting up a ritual and altair in the center of the living room. Naruko and Naruto have pushed all the furniture up against the walls and doors creating barricades.

"...this spell will tell us everything we need to know about Kyubbi. Whatever memory he has inscribed here. I will see it happen through his eyes reliving it as he did. Whatever pain he experienced...or otherwise."

"Sasuke. That sounds dangerous."

"It is-"

I hesitate to comfort Naruto.

"-If my mind is weak, my spirit may break and I will fall into a sleep-like-death."

My blue eyed teammate is fraught with fear.

"But i'm sure i'll be fine."

I wink before placing my hands on the cold floor. I've drawn a pentagram in my own blood. A bundle of twigs and kindle has been placed in the center surrounded by rocks and stones. The jar of sharingan are resting under a stone and the scroll is wrapped around birchwood. I snap my fingers and fire erupts between the two digits. I cross my legs in a meditative state and risk a glance at the Uzumaki siblings. They are both staring in awe.

"If I don't awaken within the next hour. I'm dead. My body will remain still but my spirit will be gone. So do with my body what you will."

"Don't say that Sasuke!" Naruto snaps back. "You won't die."

"It's best to prepare for the worse. Naruto...but your right. I'm sure I won't."

But i'm not truly that confident. My stomach is twisting as if invisible hands are grabbing my intestines and spinning them like spaghetti noodles.

Aoda can feel my insecurity. He grows three times in size and wraps his body around me in a gentle embrace.

"Master, if you do not return I will end my own life as well."

"Aoda, you don't have to do that…"

"I promised to be with you till the end. My master, our lives are but one. I will see you on the other side if things do not go well."

"Thank you. Aoda."

I kiss his cold scales before resting my fingers on the kindling and setting the scroll on fire. I close my eyes and immediately the world slips away from me…

I'm falling backwards into darkness.

My body feels like t.v static.

Where am I?

Darkness.

Nothing.

A light?

Warmth.

Fire.

My eyes re-open, but I am viewing the world as Kyuubi did once a long time ago. I'm standing in the middle of Konoha village. My mind is reeling, and already I feel my soul breaking because of one shocking realization.

I have been sent into Konoha Village….in 1692...during the Salem Witch trials.

This is impossible. If Kyuubi was alive during the witch trials. That would make him a thousand years old!

Before me is a raging fire. Five wooden poles stand erect amongst the flames, bodies have been tied to each one. Three of them have been burnt to a crisp but two of them are still screaming. One man and woman. They look down at me, eyes burning with rage.

"You fool! You lied to them! This isn't our fault!"

My mouth moves against my will. When I speak it is in Kyuubi's voice.

"Foolish witches. You should have obeyed Lord Madara when you had a chance. Now, he and I will ensure both sides wage war against each other for years to come."

The two remaining survivors finally succumb to the fire. They scream in pure agony before their bodies go limp. My body remains stiff for a second. Along the horizon of the town, I can see an angry mob making their way towards me from the Forest Of Death. Yet Kyuubi remains calm.

Hashirama Senju is at the head of the crowd. He glares at me (Kyuubi) before speaking.

"I have done as you asked Kyuubi, all the witches have been hunted down and killed...but this one."

The crowd parts to reveal Indra, the first descendent of the Uchiha Clan. Indra is covered in blood and his black hair is a mess. He's been stripped naked. Indra looks up at me and screams-

"You bastard! I know what you are!"

"What are you talking about? I'm a human. Just like Hashirama and the rest of my beloved village."

"I first thought you were a witch…"

Indra growls as he is dragged to the fire.

"But you are in league with Madara! You have pitted us against one another! You are aligned with the devil!"

"You are the one aligned with the devil! Indra Uchiha!"

"Liar!"

Indra screams as he is thrown in the fire and tied to a pole. Embers cascade up his flesh but his eyes remain pinned on me.

"Demon!"

...demon?

"DEMON!"

Indra's body is engulfed with fire and he squirms before falling limp. Within an hour he is turned to ash.

"Burn the witch! Burn the witch! Burn the witch!"

Hashirama approaches me as the crowd cheers.

"Kyuubi?"

My head turns to face Hashirama.

"Sir-"

"Why did Indra call you a demon? I trusted you. You told me the Uchiha's where monsters."

"They are. You saw what was in Indras' house. Piles of bones and dead bodies…"

"Yes. But Indra made it sound like…"

"What? That it was really my fault? Hah! You think I could come up with such an elaborate scheme all on my own? Be silent Hashirama. And watch the good glory of god's work unfold before us. The Uchiha's are dead, and if anymore shall arise to study their demonic craft. The Uzumaki bloodline shall strike their heads from their necks."

It's a convincing and terrifying speech. Hashirma nods, and joins the crowd of dancing fanatics who wave candlelight around the town in barbaric celebration.

My feet skitter and I escape to the outskirts of town while nobody is watching. My vessel carries me into an open field. I turn. In the distance the fires are still dancing like distant stars.

"If only I could remember this moment forever."

Kyuubi whispers to himself. A wicked grin curls up to my ears.

"Yes, perhaps I will do something so I can look back on this memory years from now."

That's when I feel an all to familiar presence behind me. It's cold, menacing and sinister. Yet Kyuubi's heart remains calm as still waters. He twists.

Madara is standing in his human form. His long gold and black robes reflect little light from the full moon. His eyes are a wicked red and his skin is pale as the dead. His long midnight hair covers one half of his face and he tilts his head at me (Kyuubi)

"My faithful demon...I see your plan worked."

"Yes my lord."

My knees buckle as Kyuubi bows deeply.

"I planted the evidence at the Uchiha Clan household. The Uzumaki's will now have a reason to fear them for all eternity."

"Good...you are my favorite of the nine tailed demons, Kyuubi...or shall I say. Kurama."

Kurama? Nine-tailed demons? Oh my god. This is bigger than I could have possibly imagined!

The two of them laugh. Madara continues.

"We will rule over them for all eternity. I will control the Uchiha's and steal their souls under the guise of love. You, Kurama, will control the Uzumaki's for all eternity. You shall use your dark and demonic powers to mind-control those pesky Hunters. This way, we shall both benefit. We shall rule in positions of power for all eternity!"

As the two of them turn to face the dimly-lit town, the memory begins to fade.

I'm falling backwards into darkness.

My body feels like t.v static.

Where am I?

Sunlight.

People.

A light?

Warmth.

Skin.

Blonde hair.

Blue eyes.

Familiar scent.

"Naruto?"

I fling my eyes open. Naruto is hugging me with all his might. The fire has gone out long ago. I can tell from the smoldering ash and burnt kindling.

"Oh! Sasuke, thank god!"

Naruto pulls away. Are those tears I see?

"You were gone for so long. I tried to wake you...but your body went limp. I thought...I thought…"

Naruto's lips tremble. Aoda gently peels his arms off of me and whispers in his ear.

"It is alright now, Naruto Uzumaki. Sasuke is alive. You may release him. Afterall. You are also suffocating me."

"Uhm- sorry! Sorry Aoda!"

"We don't have time for this"

My voice is gentler than intended. As fast as my voice will allow, I tell them the story of Kyuubi's memories.

"So-" I cross my arms as a shiver erupts up my spine. "Kyuubi and Madara control the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans. They feed off of negative energy and hate. That's why Kyuubi framed Indra all those years ago. To trigger a bloody war that would last for all eternity."

"So…neither side is evil. Just pawns."

Naruko tosses her long blonde hair behind her shoulders. A look of determination and rage crosses her face.

"That means Kyuubi is actually a powerful demon from hell who is aligned with Madara, and he's been brainwashing our family for years!"

"That's right."

I stumble to my feet. Naruto helps keep me balanced and I lean against his shoulder.

"Sorry...Naruto, my body is so weak. Magic that is not of the elemental variety leaves me…ugh"

My arms tingle again and my brain is blurry.

"Oh no, not again..."

My legs buckle but Naruto catches me. I'm not unconscious, simply too weak to stand. He picks me up bridal style as he addresses his sister.

"Naruko. Sasuke needs time to heal. We'll need him at peak-performance if we want to stop Madara and Kyuubi."

"Are we going to be able to win?"

Naruto nods. He looks so heroic...and handsome. I gulp as my body turns into jelly in his arms. I snuggle my head into the crook of his shoulder and he grins.

"Yes, we'll win. Besides, I have a plan."

Naruto carries me to the bed. Aoda curls up in my arms and I close my eyes letting exhaustion take over.