Can you believe it? Another update. I have literally been spending nearly all my free time thinking about this story. I work full time and even think about this story at work. I want to keep putting out chapters because I want to get passed all the sad parts. I enjoy the sad parts because I know there is going to be a happy ending but I know it can be really nerve wrecking for readers so I'm trying to get through it with quick updates while still providing good detail. Need to get back to the fluffiness! But sad parts make the fluffiness better later on! Anyways, hope you enjoy the chapter. Let me know what you think!
"Kyuubi Speech"
"Midnight Speech"
"Everyone else's speech"
Chapter 17
On with the story
Discomfort. That was the gentlest way to describe what she felt. Midnight's eyes slowly began to blink open, her vision blurry but becoming progressively clearer over time. There was a man in front of her sitting down on a chair and staring at her stoically, a clipboard in his hands. Midnight analyzed all of his features, committing them to memory.
The man had two large scars going across his face, his figure rather imposing even as he sat in that chair. He had a forehead protector covering the top of his head, the leaf village symbol etched into the metal. Adorning his middle aged frame was a dark trench coat over a blue uniform.
Midnight kept her pitch black orbs stoically staring straight into his eyes unfalteringly. The man stared back in silence for a while, clearing attempting to intimidate her. He clearly didn't understand who or what he was dealing with.
As Midnight stared at the man she began to analyse her surroundings. Her 360 degree field of view, given her demonic eyes, allowed her to scan her environment without looking away from her intense staring session with the man.
Midnight was in a bare room, the walls made of stone. On one wall there was a large mirror which she could see herself in. Both her arms were being held up, the girl's wrists in shackles connected to a chain which hung from the ceiling. The metal chain was etched with Kanji. Midnight's body dangled from the ceiling, permanently forcing her into a standing position with her weight needing to be uncomfortably supported on the tips of her toes.
There were metal shackles around her ankles and tails as well, restricting her movements further. Other then the man in the chair the room was bare, the smell of old blood permeated the area, a few bloody spots staining the floors. Another clear attempt at intimidation. Despite her situation Midnight had to stop herself from chuckling.
"So it begins." Midnight thought to herself before the man finally spoke.
"Who are you?" The man asked in a gruff, monotone voice only to be met by complete silence.
Midnight just stared at him with an unchanging expression, clearly no desire to answer his question. The man noted that before writing something down on his clipboard.
"Where did you come from?"
More silence.
"Are there more of your kind?"
"What is your relationship if any to the demon carrier Naruto Uzumaki?"
Even hearing the name of her love elicited no response from Midnight. Every question he asked was followed by a few scribbles onto his clipboard. He asked a few more questions toward her, getting the exact same response. Complete silence.
Behind the single large one-way mirror of the room stood a group of observers. Kakashi was one of the observers. His mask and headband hid it but the man was shaken by the fight, replaying it over and over again in his mind.
"She managed to deflect my Chidori even with her body being completely immobile." Kakashi thought back to earlier when he went in for his strike.
He aimed his Chidori initially at Midnight's heart from behind but she was able to create a thin barrier of protective chakra around her torso and head which Kakashi's Chidori crashed into but could not penetrate. So instead he had to slide his Chidori down her body and attack her tails, slicing through one but only able to gash the other because of how strong the muscles were.
Kakashi even thought back to Guy's attack. The Hidden Lotus. With his Sharingan eye he remembered seeing Midnight's chakra form right where Guy's strikes landed. Not only did it reduce the damage from the initial strike, but the red chakra also acted as a cushion which broke Midnight's fall when she collided with the ground. The girl was left unconscious but alive.
It was blatantly obvious to everyone now that Midnight was female, something they couldn't be absolutely sure of during the fight. It wasn't something that was really at the top of anyone's mind at the time. But now that the fox demoness was captive the girl's features were obvious.
Midnight usually wore standard shinobi attire. Cargo pants, a fishnet shirt, a sports bra. But now her clothes were torn heavily. They had to be removed because they were so shredded. The girl was only left in a pair of black panties and her sports bra as she hung there in that interrogation room. The adolescent demon wasn't full grown but her wide hips, budding breasts, and of course the lack of a bulge in her panties told the tale. Not to mention her exceptionally long, knee length hair.
However Kakashi's eyes weren't focused on that. His gaze now settled on the two furry appendages sprouting from the girl's tailbone. Kakashi had cut off one of her tails near to the base and heavily gashed the other so much so that it was almost severed, but now both of her tails had grown back fully. In fact despite how bruised and beaten she was just hours earlier the girl's body didn't show any signs that she had been in a serious fight where she sustained major injuries.
The Third Hokage stood at Kakashi's side, casually smoking from a pipe and surveying the scene. He was especially interested in Kakashi's reaction. Sarutobi could tell that the experience had shaken the man.
"What's on your mind Kakashi?" The old man asked while glancing towards the masked Shinobi out the corner of his eye.
"Thinking about the fight. This...thing. Her strength is monstrous." Kakashi spoke in a serious voice.
Sarutobi nodded.
"From our reports she showed up during the attack on Naruto." Sarutobi commented matter of factly, drawing Kakashi's full attention.
"Are you saying that the demon appeared in order to defend her?" Kakashi questioned.
"Him." Sarutobi corrected.
Kakashi quirked a brow. It was understandable for the shinobi to mistake Naruto for a girl giving the boy's effeminate appearance, but Sarutobi was one of the few people that truly new Naruto. At least he thought he did.
"We can't know anything right now. Hopefully Ibiki can get to the truth. I'm going to check on Naruto." The old man stated while turning to exit the room via a metal door.
Kakashi nodded in understanding, turning his attention back to the interrogation. Ibiki was standing in front of Midnight now.
Ibiki towered over the girl, looking down at her with a blank stare. Midnight matched that stare with her own dull gaze. They had gotten no where.
"Here is how this is going to work. I ask questions, you answer." The man stated plainly as the door to the room opened.
A masked man entered holding a briefcase. The man handed Ibiki the briefcase before bowing and departing, not making eye contact with Midnight. Despite the man's presence Midnight kept her demonic eyes focused on Ibiki, craning her head back a little in order to look up at him.
Holding that suitcase Ibiki turned around, laying it across the chair he previously occupied, opening it up. The case was filed with dozens of various sharp objects. knives, needles, kunai, and other various torture devices. After inspecting the contents Ibiki turned around to face Midnight, leaving the suitcase open so she could clearly see what was inside. Ibiki noted her complete lack of a reaction. He then placed one hand into a Kanji, letting out a cold whisper.
"Summoning Art: Torture Chamber."
As he whispered this a cage suddenly appeared around the two. Metal bars formed a box around Midnight's body as more metal chains engulfed her form and squeezed tightly on her body. Her entire form was pinned to the walls of the cage. Outside of the cage special gears began to turn, causing the chains to twist and constrict tighter around the girl's body. Midnight had to grit her teeth to stop herself from letting out any sounds of pain. As the chains tightened Ibiki began to walk forward.
"This is your home now." He whispered hauntingly while raising his hand above her head, the man holding a surgical knife.
Midnight stared straight into his eyes, the girl unmoving, unflinching.
"So be it."
A while later, a long ways away...
Thick lashes fluttered open to reveal dull blue eyes. Naruto's vision was blurry, the boy taking time to raise one dainty hand to wipe away his grogginess. As he did the effeminate boy noticed a number of figures hovering over him.
"What...what's going on? Where am I?" Naruto asked in a concern voice while trying to sit up.
As he did so a gentle hand was placed against his forehead, carefully pushing his head back down onto a pillow.
"Calm down Sweety. You're in the hospital." Came a familiar voice. Naruto looked up to see Kurenai standing next to the bed he occupied.
Naruto laid in a hospital bed covered in sheets. The sun was shining through a nearby window. It was the next day. Naruto had been passed out all night.
The room was rather full. There was a doctor standing next to Kurenai already inspecting Naruto. Near the walls to the room a number of shinobi stood as well. Finally on the opposite side of the bed relative to Kurenai, Iruka stood. He looked down upon Naruto with worry evident on his brow.
"Naruto you're finally awake." Iruka stated in relief.
Naruto was a bit overwhelmed by the situation, especially as a bright light was shined into his eyes. In his human form Naruto's eyes responded like normal even though his demonic eyes were essentially immune to bright lights.
"She seems healthy. Or...rather, he." The doctor trailed off while his eyes trailed down Naruto's body to settle on the spot between Naruto's legs.
Instinctively Naruto squeezed his thighs together and turned his face away from the doctor. Kurenai narrowed her gaze at the doctor.
"Are you quite finished?" The woman asked in an agitated voice.
The man nodded his head, clearing this throat a bit before walking off.
"Yes. Physically the boy is fine. I don't know how, given the subject's state upon first entering the ward. However given what he has witnessed I would recommend therapy." The doctor said before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
Kurenai nodded in understanding before focusing back on Naruto. Naruto at this point had pulled the bed sheets half way over his face, trying to hide behind them. His knuckles were white as he held the fabric tightly, his small hands shaking. Iruka moved a hand down to place over Naruto's, giving Naruto an affectionate squeeze.
"Everything is going to be ok Naruto." Iruka spoke in a soothing voice.
This was something Naruto rarely heard from the man. The concern was evident on the Iruka's face. He was gentle, more gentle than he'd ever been. Iruka was always kind to Naruto but this was different. Seeing Naruto like this, so vulnerable, set off a protective nurturing instinct within the Chunin.
A lot of it had to do with Naruto's current appearance. This was the first time Iruka had seen Naruto in this form without Naruto casting a henje jutsu to hide his features while at school. Honestly at first when Iruka saw Naruto laying in the hospital bed he thought there was some mistake, immediately thinking Naruto to be a different person all together. A blonde haired girl. He had to check with the nearby nurse to confirm. But this was Naruto. The real Naruto.
To say that Iruka was surprised was an understatement. Iruka didn't find out about Naruto's state until the following day. Luckily he hadn't seen Naruto all covered in blood otherwise the man might have had a heart attack. Seeing Naruto this way, well...it changed his perception all together.
The gentleness in which Iruka held Naruto's hand served to slightly calm the boy. Naruto lowered the sheet, placing it around his belly. He noticed that he was wearing pink girl's pajamas, clearly not standard for the hospital. Naruto looked down in confusion. Kurenai smiled warmly while reaching down to clasp Naruto's other hand, giving it a small squeeze.
"I brought it myself. Thought you might like it more than some ugly hospital gown." Kurenai whispered softly.
Naruto stared up at her with a mixed expression, unsure why she, they, were being so nice. He could tell that the gown Kurenai had got him was a girl's but he didn't mind. It was just nice to receive a gift.
"T-thank you." He whispered in a quiet, barely audible high pitched voice.
Naruto's voice was even more soft than normal. Iruka's brow furrowed slightly when hearing Naruto's true voice. It was so different than the voice of a "Dobe" that he'd gotten used to all these years. Hearing how vulnerable Naruto sounded, it nearly broke his heart. This was compounded by the softness and frailness of Naruto's hand. Could this really be his Naruto?
"Naruto...what happened?" Iruka asked in concern, drawing Kurenai's narrowed glance.
Naruto's eyes widened, flashes of the previous day flooding his mind. Almost instantly tears began to well up in his already puffy orbs. He had been crying in his sleep. Kurenai tentatively moved her free hand down to gently caress the side of Naruto's face. He flinched at first but soon relaxed under her touch.
"That can wait until later." The woman stated sternly towards Iruka.
"I'm afraid it can't." Came a voice off to the side.
That voice came from the Third Hokage himself. Sarutobi entered the room with a small entourage of shinobi. One being Guy who had bandage wrapped around both his legs.
Upon seeing the Third Hokage Kurenai bowed her head, though she didn't pull away from Naruto. Neither did Iruka. This was contrasted by the fact that the other Shinobi in the room performed a full bow at the waist in the Hokage's presence.
Sarutobi walked to the side of the bed to hover over Naruto, the boy watching him with a wary, worried gaze.
"May we have the room?" Sarutobi asked.
Though of course that was less of a request and more of a command coming from the third Hokage's mouth. Both Kurenai and Iruka were conflicted but neither disobeyed. They pulled away from Naruto and moved to exit the room. Iruka gave Naruto's hand one final squeeze before departing. Similarly Kurenai did the exact same thing. Both of their nurturing instincts triggered by Naruto's apparent helplessness.
Being separated from their caring presence was clearly distressing to the boy, something that Sarutobi picked up on.
"Wait." Sarutobi called out, causing everyone in the room to stop.
"Kurenai, Iruka. You may stay." The old man stated which caused a look of surprise to show on their face. They both nodded before quickly returning to Naruto's side and picking his delicate hand back up. Kurenai cradled one of Naruto's hands in both of hers. Iruka mimicked her. Sarutobi could see the obvious calming effect this had on Naruto. Something which may make the upcoming questions easier.
After a moment the only ones left in the room were Sarutobi, Kurenai, Iruka, Guy, and Naruto. Guy was standing a little ways away, observing from afar. Sarutobi choose his words carefully.
"I need you to answer my honestly. Tell me exactly what happened." Sarutobi stated sternly. The command made Naruto freeze.
"Calm down Sweetheart." Rang Kyuubi's voice in Naruto's head.
"Mother...I don't know...I can't...Midnight…" The boy sputtered in distress.
Almost immediately tears began pouring down his cheeks. He could barely speak even through his mind-link, let alone out loud.
Iruka was the most alarmed out of the group. He'd never seen Naruto cry before.
"Please calm down Naruto. This is very important." Sarutobi spoke in a soft whisper. "I need you to tell me what happened. Every detail you can remember." The hokage continued to press.
Thinking about the events of the other day, thinking about the fact that he still couldn't hear Midnight. It was too much. Naruto opened his mouth to speak but was soon overwhelmed by a sea of tears pouring down his face. He pulled both his hands away from Iruka and Kurenai and began balling uncontrollably.
In alarm Kurenai leaned forward over Naruto, looking up to Sarutobi with a narrowed glance.
"Can't you see he isn't ready for this? This isn't going to work." Kurenai insisted in a protective manner.
Iruka looked on in shock that Kurenai was speaking so defiantly towards the Third Hokage directly to his face.
Sarutobi was a bit surprised, taking his time to think things over. Guy finally moved forward to place a hand along Kurenai's shoulder.
"This is important Kurenai." The man stated seriously. This drew a glare from the woman.
"Don't you think I know that? I was there too. I saw what that thing did. Still this isn't helping. You got my report. That should be enough for now." She insisted, causing Guy to back down and remove his hand from Kurenai's shoulder.
Kurenai hadn't seen anything that he himself hadn't seen.
Sarutobi thought over the whole situation. They knew very little about what transpired before the demon showed up. The villagers who were in a condition to answer questions gave very few details. From what they gathered the villagers attacked Naruto and the self proclaimed demon appeared in apparent defense of Naruto. The villagers didn't want to incriminate themselves, most of them haven been dismembered in some way didn't want to add more problems to their lives.
He'd tried to talk to Hinata as well and had gotten even less out of her. It seems she was in shock and was completely unable to answer any questions at all. She'd been taken back to the Hyuuga compound for treatment.
What Sarutobi really wanted to gather was whether or not this was intentional. Did Naruto summon this thing? Did the Kyuubi? Would something like it appear again were Naruto to be attacked or put in danger? So many unknowns.
Regardless it seems he wasn't going to get answers today. Not unless Ibiki had more luck on his side. After a moment of contemplation Sarutobi let out a soft sigh in defeat.
"Ok." Sarutobi commented shortly before nodding at Guy.
He then looked down one last time towards Naruto.
"I'm sorry to have caused you distress. Please focus on healing. Take all the time you need. We'll place guards with you at all times until further notice for your own protection. We won't let this happen again Naruto. You have my word." Sarutobi stated resolutely before moving to exit the room.
Naruto stayed silent as the two men left, watching them with a conflicted gaze.
"It's ok Sweety. Don't push yourself. When is the last time you've eaten? You've been unconscious for an entire day you know." Kurenai went on causing a shocked expression across Naruto's' face.
"An entire day? So this isn't the next morning, this is the morning after that!? What's happened to Midnight?" Naruto thought to himself in a panic.
Kurenai frowned as she saw the distress in his face.
"You must be hungry. I'll go make sure we get you a good meal. You need to eat." The woman insisted while standing up fully, giving Naruto's hand a squeeze before departing to find Naruto a meal, leaving the boy alone with Iruka.
Iruka was a lot more lost, staring down at Naruto, not quite knowing what to do or what to say. Naruto seemed lost in his thoughts.
"Midnight is...she is ok Naruto." Kyuubi spoke out hesitantly.
Naruto picked up on that immediately.
"Then why can't I speak to her!? She still won't answer me." Naruto cried out in alarm through their demonic link.
"She isn't in a position to speak." Kyuubi explained cryptically.
Naruto began to tremble.
"Why not? Why can't I see her. Mother please let me see her. Tell her to let me see." Naruto pleaded desperately.
Midnight was intentionally blocking her connection to Naruto otherwise he would be able to see the condition that she was in. Kyuubi with silent for a time.
"Mommy?" Naruto asked again.
"She doesn't want you to see her right now." Kyuubi continued to be vague.
"But why?" Naruto pressed.
"These are questions you don't want the answer to Naruto."
Hearing that caused Naruto to freeze, his imagination running wild. He was shaking uncontrollably now. Iruka was beyond distressed, calling out to Naruto but Naruto would not respond.
"This is all my fault. She's suffering because of me. She is in so much pain she can't even bare speaking to me or letting me see her." Naruto whispereed solemnly to himself.
Kyuubi stayed silent, all but confirming Naruto's suspicions.
"We have to save her! Mommy please save her!" Naruto cried out desperately.
Kyuubi took her time before speaking.
"I can't Sweetheart. The consequences would be too high." The woman explained.
Naruto was dumbfounded.
"What consequences? Why can't you save her!? I'll do anything. I just need to see her again!" The boy went on.
It was all he could do to control his outward reaction, managing to contain this conversation to his link.
"Would you murder?" Kyuubi questioned hauntingly, causing Naruto to freeze.
"In order for us to free her we'd have to kill lot of people. Murder them in cold blood. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters. Are you prepared to take the life of the innocent just to see her face again? Are you prepared to be hated by every single human?" Kyuubi finally asked that important question. Naruto was taken aback, his mind freezing.
"Everyone?..." Naruto whispered.
"Everyone but your family. Everyone. That's what it will take to free her. Are you ready to become that?" Kyuubi asked seriously.
Naruto didn't answer, as Kyuubi expected.
"If not then you know why I can't free her. It's up to her to escape. Trust her Naruto. It may take her some time but she will escape. Though I can't promise that she will be exactly the same when she does, or that it will be any time soon." Kyuubi stated bluntly.
The dread that Naruto was feeling was overwhelming. He couldn't handle it. It was too much.
On the outside Iruka and Kurenai were both hovering over Naruto. In the time it took to have that conversation she had returned with a plate of breakfast only to find Iruka trying and failing to calm down a hysterical Naruto who was bawling his eyes out. They were both now trying desperately to calm him down. They weren't making much progress.
"Ahh! Muther fucking...Ugh!" Midnight screemed inwardly as another sharp needle peirced her flesh.
"Who are you?" A cold voice asked.
"..." In response to Midnight's silence Ibiki shoved a blade deep into Midnight's tail, a pool of blood leaking from the appendage.
"Where did you come from?"
"..." More silence, causing Ibiki to take another needle, this time stabbing it into her chest and puncturing her lung.
"You are unique. Clearly able to endure much more pain than any human. Your healing is remarkable. It opens up so much more potential. Time for a lunch break." Ibiki stated emotionlessly, keeping the needle lodged in Midnight's chest so her every breath was a struggle.
As he left the torture cage Midnight dropped her head. She had been staring him in the eyes the entire time but these breaks gave her time to rest. She was covered in needles, blood staining her fur. One of her tails was cut in half, already healing back.
Kyuubi appeared in her ghostly, incorporeal form in front of Midnight, the woman standing upright with her hands resting regally against her own belly. Kyuubi walked forward and placed a gentle hand against Midnight's cheek. The contact caused Midnight to lean desperately into that touch, the only comfort she received in this place.
"I'm sorry Midnight." Kyuubi spoke out softly.
Midnight kept her eyes down, still wheezing heavily.
"Don't be. I chose this." Midnight responded back in a monotone.
Kyuubi took on a solemn gaze. But Midnight finally looked up. Kyuubi could see how weary the girls eyes were. Ibiki hadn't let her sleep.
"I can handle it." Midnight insisted before dropping her head.
Kyuubi frowned before leaning forward to plant a gentle kiss against the girl's forehead.
Midnight's' weakened state limited their connection. Kyuubi wasn't truly there. Her presence was like a phantom. She could only interact with Midnight in short bursts. Midnight's chakra was suppressed by the chains. Though even at her weakest the connection was never really severed. A demon's connection was a force of nature. Kyuubi stood up before turning her back on Midnight, turning around to see Ibiki returning with a bowl of ramen. He sat down in the chair casually, unphased by the sight of Midnight's broken form as he ate. He of course couldn't see Kyuubi in her phantom state. Kyuubi commited his face to memory before disappearing from the room to return to her cage.
Returning to that cliff the woman looked out on the sea. An image of Naruto appeared in the sea like a movie. Iruka and Kurenai had managed to calm him down. Kurenai had climbed in bed with him and was currently cuddling the boy to her breast. Kyuubi watched idly, the woman closing her eyes in order to suck in air and let out a calming breath.
As Naruto was cradled against Kurenai's breasts the ghostly form of Kyuubi appeared on the opposite side of Naruto. Naruto turned his head to see her, feeling as Kyuubi's arms wrapped around his skinny waist. She pressed her body into him from behind, spooning him. Iruka sitting next to Naruto's bed, had hand resting along Naruto's ankle. Kyuubi's ghostly legs began to entwine with Naruto's, Iruka's hand passing through Kyuubi's intangible body. Naruto let out a soft breath before closing his eyes.
This time he appeared within Kyuubi's cage, both of them laying across a grassy field. In the real world Naruto was curled up to Kurenai in the same way that he was curled up to his Mother in that cage, face buried within their breasts. After a while the boy finally fell asleep. Kyuubi watched him for a time before dozing off with him. The coming days would be a trial.
Thanks for Reading. Please review~