Happy Wednedsay!
I managed to get this out on time! Woot. Didn't think I was going to make it. Enjoy!
"Kyuubi Speech"
"Midnight Speech"
"Everyone else's speech"
"Thought Speech"
Chapter 38
On with the story
Sasuke stared up at the morning sky. To him this would be the last day he'd look upon it with human eyes. When he lowered his gaze Naruto and Midnight were standing in front of him. Midnight stood behind Naruto, holding him securely and resting her cheek against the side of his face.
They were all standing atop the lake, using chakra from their feet to hover above the water. Sasuke heard soft footsteps behind him before Kyuubi's form came into view. She looked down upon him with her fiery violet eyes. Unlike usual, the woman was completely naked, a few of her nine tails sliding across Sasuke's body. The boy let his gaze roam her figure shamelessly. Kyuubi didn't seem to mind.
"Sasuke, you can't begin to understand the joy I feel right now. That you would seek to truly be a part of our family is extremely flattering. Having said that there is still much to discuss regarding the matter. I know how willing, how eager you are. Clearly you want this but I would be doing you a disservice if I did not properly prepare you, tell you exactly how this works." Kyuubi went on.
Sasuke snapped his eyes up to her face as she spoke, the woman settling in front of him and taking a regal posture. As opposed to her Sasuke was fully clothed, the boy keeping his hands casually in his pockets.
"How difficult can it be? Naruto goes on about simply giving a "Yes." I've agreed. He even said the process was painless for him when he transformed. Are you telling me there is more to it?" Sasuke questioned curiously.
Kyuubi formed a gentle smile and nodded.
"There is. The process was extremely easy for Naruto because of his desire, his will at the time of conversion. That's the biggest factor." She explained.
"Desire? You already know my desires."
Kyuubi let out an amused chuckle.
"Of course. The most obvious is vengeance against your brother for killing your family and wiping out the clan. Has that changed?" The woman questioned while moving to close the distance between them.
She began to slowly circle him, her furry tails sliding across his body, caressing him affectionately. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"It hasn't."
"Even after finding out that Itachi was simply following orders giving by Danzo and the Hokage, you still feel animosity towards him?" Kyuubi questioned in interest.
Sasuke gritted his teeth.
"Even still. He had a choice. He was 14 when he followed through with those orders, older than I am now. He is still responsible. I'll hold Danzo and Sarutobi accountable as well." Sasuke spat out.
Naruto looked to Sasuke with a worried gaze, walking forward to stand in front of the boy and present his dainty hands to Sasuke. Sasuke eagerly reached forward to hold hands with Naruto. He visibly calmed, the boy releasing a soft breath.
"Is that the only thing you desire? Revenge against those who have wronged you? Truly? What about after you've gotten your vengeance? What will you do? What will you want for yourself? You entire life is dedicated to these other people. What about what's good for you?" Kyuubi questioned, now behind Sasuke.
The ancient demoness ran her slender, manicured fingers along his shoulders, appling a gentle massage against him. Sasuke nearly melted. His eyes gazed off to the side.
"After it's all said an done? I haven't thought much about that. I just...want to be done with it." He spoke in a far off tone now.
Kyuubi nodded in understanding while leaning down to smoother the boy in a warm hold.
"I understand perfectly Darling. However I implore you to think beyond your vengeance, to your future. It could be the difference between life and death." Kyuubi explained, drawing Sasuke's gaze now.
He waited for her to continue. Naruto pulled away from Sasuke to give the two space, returning to Midnight's arms now that Kyuubi had his undivided attention she elaborated.
"I mentioned that the biggest factor in the success of the ritual is your will, you desire. When Naruto begins the worldwide conversion he'll present that same question to everyone. Yes or no? Yet it is more complex than that. A simple "Yes" does not guarantee success. It's simply a prerequisite." Kyuubi stated while standing up straight to begin to encircle Sasuke once more.
Sasuke's gaze followed her movements, the boy listening intently.
"Becoming a part of our family will grant you many boons. Power, strength, immunity to all known illnesses. It will give you a vastly extended lifespan, theoretically immortality. Though no one knows for sure. The oldest of us have lived millions of years and no one has ever died of natural causes. Yet even we aren't sure whether or not we are immortal. For all intent and purposes, to humans we are. When you become strong enough you won't even need to eat or drink. You can live off of your own chakra alone, even feed others with it. In our world the milk we create is entirely compose of the mother's chakra. Food is a luxury." Kyuubi went on.
"What is the cost?" Sasuke questioned suspiciously.
Kyuubi looked down at him with a devilish smirk.
"So impatient." She cooed while caressing his cheek with her tail.
Sasuke matched her smirk, turning his head to kiss at that soft appendage.
"You know me." The boy replied back casually.
Kyuubi nodded.
"Yes I do. Which is why I'm worried. In order for the conversion to be successful the subject must be capable of living peacefully among our family. I suppose I should explain with another history lesson. I know how much you enjoy those." Kyuubi drawled out.
Sasuke let out a small chuckle.
"I just think your world is kind of cool." Sasuke stated in a lighthearted manner.
Kyuubi nodded once more before leaning down to take the boy into her grasp. Both her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers trailing through the hair on the back of his head. She pressed her naked form against his adolescent body, her ample bosum squishing against his chest. She stared alluringly into his eyes, eight of her nine tails encasing his body in a cocoon of warm fur. Sasuke closed his eyes, letting his body go limp so that bed of tails supported his weight. Kyuubi had grown fond of doting upon the boy recently.
"Let's go back, near the beginning." Kyuubi spoke out as Sasuke's world faded into black.
After a moment Sasuke opened his eyes to be greeted by the sight of a red sky. He immediately recognized it as the memory of Kyuubi's world. Sasuke couldn't help the satisfied smile that grew along his lips. He loved it here.
A scene formed in front of Sasuke, a group of fox demons stood over a large crowd of other foxes that looked slightly different than Kyuubi's group. Most notably Kyuubi's group had red fur, the other large crowd of fox demons had pitch black fur. Sasuke noticed that a past version of Kyuubi was leading the group of red foxes. Back when Kyuubi still had the face of a fox. He'd visited her memories a lot and so he could recognize her even despite her current human-like appearance. Arms wrapped around Sasuke from behind as the "real" Kyuubi embraced him, her smooth cheek squishing against his.
"I've never actually seen the other clans." Sasuke commented idly.
Kyuubi snuck her hand underneath his shirt to better caress his belly, the woman placing small smooches against his neck affectionately. The attention drew a comfortable sigh from the boy.
"Yes. As you know there were many. After we defeated the first Titan the others began to ask for our assistance. Titans still roamed the plane. Others were still being wiped out. Being the only clan to actually defeat one they of course asked for our protection. Protection we granted under specific conditions. Given our position as the one clan who could hold the titans at bay we of course had the upper hand in any negotiation. Yes or no. Join us, become of us, join our family. That was our condition." Kyuubi explained before standing up straight and moving to Sasuke's side.
They held hands now, watching as a ritual played out. Those black furred fox demons were engulfed in a cocoon of red chakra.
"You must understand that our nature, the thing that allowed us to defeat the titans, was rare. Very rare. There was relative peace among the fox clans before our clan defeated the titan, but only because of the lingering threat of the titans. If the titans did not exist I'd imagine the different clans would have warred against each other as humans do now. Over resources, land. Hell, maybe even religion or ideology. The titans gave demons of our realm no time for such things. The other clans and other species of demon had similar nature's to humans actually. Survival of the fittest. It was quite tragic." The woman said with a sad smile.
Sasuke was completely fascinated. When noticing her mood shift he squeezed her hand, drawing her attention. She gave him an appreciative expression before continuing.
"The survivors of the original fight against the titans, I being one of them, became the elders. We understood that allowing others into our fold without the proper nature would be disastrous for us. So we developed a ritual, you would call it a jutsu. It allowed us to give others our nature and strip them of their nature. Their greed, their envy, their...disharmony would be replaced by our nature. The nature of harmony. All for all. One people, one body, one spirit, one soul, one mind. We are individuals, yet we are one." She said in a proud voice.
Sasuke had a look of admiration as he watched the ritual play out. He'd begun to idolize Kyuubi, seeing in her what Midnight saw in her. He tried to cooly play it off but Kyuubi held a certain charisma. The ancient demoness had an overwhelming presence. She was something otherworldly. Kyuubi caught his gaze, a knowing smirk growing across her luscious lips. She decided not to bring attention to it as to not embarrass the boy. He already had enough distractions.
"Most were able to integrate into our family without problem. They wanted to survive, they wanted to be safe. For them that desire was enough. Few however had other intentions in mind." Kyuubi explained cryptically.
"We discovered that those who's intentions were for power, or malicious reasons could not survive the ritual. In order for the ritual to be successful a person had to want to live in harmony with us, had to be open to loving us, to loving their family. They had to want peace. Those who joined us for power or...vengeance. Their will was incompatible with the Will of Harmony that was present, is still present in every member of our family."
Sasuke's world went black once more. He found himself atop that lake again, the bright morning sky of his world present. He was still being engulfed by Kyuubi's tails, her face just an inch away from his.
"Are you saying there is a chance I won't survive this?" Sasuke questioned in a dull tone.
"There is always that chance. You have to be capable of living in harmony with us. For many, simply desiring to survive will be enough. Many will fear death and choose our family over being exterminated. Fear for their loved ones. Mothers will choose to convert to protect their children, many will chose to convert to protect themselves. Though many who fear us will attempt to join with hate in their hearts, hate for the choice that we will give them. They have no idea how much they need the choice we'll give them. They have no idea the consequences of living as they do now. They are too selfish and short sighted to understand. Those individuals will not survive the ritual even if they say yes. Vengeance is a powerful feeling, but if that's all you feel, if that is all you desire in the world then I fear for you." Kyuubi spoke out in worry while caressing the back of Sasuke's head.
The way that Kyuubi spoke now was something that Sasuke rarely heard. He hesitated, his eyes trailing off into a far off look.
"I understand. After learning about the order my brother was given it took me a long time to come to terms with it. I still need answers from him, I still need to talk to him. But..." Sasuke trailed off.
Kyuubi waited patiently for him to finish.
"...What if he did this for what he believes to be the greater good? Sarutobi did it for that reason. I can't say my desire for revenge is as strong as it used to be. I need answers. But after I get those answers I don't know. I just...I don't want to be a part of this anymore. Feeling this way. I can't imagine how that conversation will go. When I talk to him what could he say to justify it? Some Uchiha were planning a rebellion against the village but that doesn't justify slaughtering them all. The elderly, the children, the stay at home mothers. Yet what if that's his reason? He slaughters our entire family for what? Another 10 years of relative peace. To postpone the inevitable. I just...I can't be a part of this." Sasuke said in a shaky voice.
A single tear trickled down the boy's cheek as he returned his gaze to Kyuubi.
"You'd never betray your family right? Choose others over your own family?" Sasuke questioned in a vulnerable manner.
Kyuubi's eyes narrowed.
"Never."
"What if..." He began.
"Never!" Kyuubi stated more resolutely now.
Sasuke stared at her for a long while before leaning forward to lay his head against her shoulder.
"I'm ready."
Kyuubi smiled warmly down to him.
"Ok Sweetheart." She cooed in a gentle voice.
Naruto and Midnight moved to Sasuke's side. Naruto stood on one side, Midnight on the other. They both clasped the bottom half of Sasuke's shirt and began to lift it up. Sasuke raised his arms as that garment was removed. Midnight tossed the garment to the side, letting it sink into the lake. Midnight and Naruto then bent down, grabbing the boy's waistband and tugging down his shorts. They exchanged pleased glances, moving in unison. Sasuke stepped out of the bottoms while still maintaining eye contact with Kyuubi.
Finally came his boxers. Midnight and Naruto clutched the hem and looked to Sasuke expectantly, he gave no resistance. Naruto smiled warmly before tugging down those garments as well to leave the boy completely naked.
"Close your eyes." Kyuubi instucted in a motherly tone.
Sasuke instantly complied. Midnight and Naruto reunited besides Kyuubi, watching her quietly as the woman leaned in to place a gentle smooch against Sasuke's forehead.
A thin veil of demonic chakra sprang out from the location of that kiss, forming a bubble around Sasuke. Kyuubi, Naruto and Midnight backed away to watch the display.
The chakra began to swirl about. It moved slowly at first but sped up over time until it was like watching a miniature tornado. Sasuke's silhouette was visible behind the screen of energy but becoming less and less prominent with each passing second. The skin along the boy's flesh ripped from his body, flaying the boy alive. Despite that there was no pain. His own blood filled the dome of chakra, still there was no pain. Sasuke opened his eyes only to see the faces of the demonic trio fading into red. He was overcome with exhaustion, falling unconscious within seconds.
The chakra stopped swirling, completely encassing Sasuke in a rock solid, blood red cocoon. The egg-shaped ball then began to sink into the pond, falling down to the surface.
Kyuubi walked forward to stand atop the water just above where Sasuke's egg rested. She kneeled down and closed her eyes, falling into a meditative trance. Naruto and Midnight followed, settling down near her, positioning themselves in a triangle. They closed their eyes as well, falling into a quiet meditation.
Hours passed. The trio sat atop the lake completely still, unmoving. Their tails were entwined together, all holding hands. A genjutsu spread out around them which would conceal their presence were an bystanders to pass by.
Memories flashed through Sasuke's mind at a rapid pace. He saw so many faces, felt so many experiences. Naruto's life flashed before his eyes. He saw the days of isolation and loneliness, of despair. Felt what Naruto felt as if those feelings were his own. He experienced the joy Naruto felt after Kyuubi adopted him. The warm embrace of Kyuubi's arms around him. He remembered the day that Midnight first arrived, what Naruto felt to have a true friend for the first time. He felt the despair Naruto experienced while Midnight was being tortured and imprisoned, the rage Naruto went through upon freeing her. He felt Naruto's compassion and pity for humanity as he spoke to Hinata's father and the pain of letting Hinata go.
Almost at the same time Midnight's memories and experienced washed through him. Most of Midnight's life was spent in the demon dimension. He felt the pure blissful joy of her existence before coming to the human realm. Their society was perfect. Midnight's life was perfect. It was a type of existence he didn't think could be real. Yet he felt it as if it were his own memory, his own life. Then the despair of coming to the human world, of feeling how broken life was, of seeing the life of these strange creatures. These humans, how they treated each other. He felt Midnight's disgust. Yet he felt her love, the affection she felt when looking upon Naruto. The pure admiration and idolization she had towards Kyuubi. The love she now maintained, followed by the raw fierceness and protective instinct. Midnight was a bomb waiting to burst. To destroy those who would harm her family. Sasuke could relate.
Then finally there was Kyuubi's life. There was so much. To comprehend the existence of a million year old being like Kyuubi, of all she' worked for, of all she's gained, of all she's loved and lost, of all she's been though. Sasuke would never be the same.
The next day...
The surface of the lake was still as the morning sun rose in the sky. The demonic trio remained seated atop the water, non having moved from their spot. The sound of something bubbling beneath them made all of their eyes open simulaneously. They looked down, an elated expression on their faces.
"He made it." The joy in Naruto's voice was profound, his tone also holding a hint of relief.
Bubbles rose to the surface of the lake, the water boiling. That egg began to rise, resurfacing in the middle of the group. They all gathered together to stare it down, waiting with deep anticipation. Kyuubi reached a single finger forward to tap at the egg. As soon as her nail touched the surface a crack formed, then another, and another. Small chips of the egg began to fall into the water only to evaporate into nothing. Before long a thousand little chips fell into the water revealing the demonic visage of Sasuke.
He stood on wobbily legs, falling forward almost immediately. Kyuubi was quick to catch his naked body, cradling him in his arms.
Sasuke inhaled a deep breath, tossing his head back and looking up at the sky with a wide eyed expression. His eyes were a dark violet now, a black slit for pupils. The boy's hair was now long and spiky, flowing down to his waist. His nails were longer, sharper. Sasuke's elongated canine's were on full display as he breathed his first breaths as a demon. Two black fox ears sprouted from atop his head, twitching about to take in all the new sounds that he could hear. Then there was that long, black furry fox tail that swayed behind him, jutting out from his tailbone.
"Just breath." Kyuubi spoke sweetly towards him.
Sasuke's eyes trailed down to gaze upon Kyuubi's face. Suddenly all of his memories, what he experienced in the egg hit him like a brick. The knowledge he'd gained, the memories he'd experiences as if they were lives he lived himself. The rush of emotion in that moment was something he couldn't even describe. He felt everything. Kyuubi's touch, her heartbeat, her breath. The affection of Naruto and Midnight as they moved to his side and helped him up to his feet. They all embraced him with welcoming smiles.
"Welcome to the family Sweety." Kyuubi cooed.
A streams of tears burst from Sasuke's eyes. He balled, cried like he'd never done before. He was an absolutely mess. Naruto and Midnight wrapped their arms around his midsection, nuzzling into the side of his face. Kyuubi leaned her forehead against his, her arms wrapped around his waist with hands settled against the small of his back. Each of them had tears streaming down their faces.
"Thank...you." Sasuke whispered out in a shaky, hitched voice.
Naruto and Midnight exchanged loving, prideful glances. None of them had experienced what it would be like to bring someone into the fold. Sasuke was the first for them.
"I love you Sasuke-kun." Naruto whispered into the boys ear while laying his head on Sasuke's shoulder.
"I love you Sasuke." Midnight spoke up now, planting a little kiss against Sasuke's collarbone.
"I love you Sasuke." Kyuubi matched them, nuzzling her nose into his.
Sasuke could barely take it. He couldn't stop crying. He didn't even want to. He could feel it, their love. He could feel it!
"I love you too." Sasuke finally spoke up, barely managing to choke out those words through his uncontrolled sobbing.
They'll all stayed that way for quite some time, holding Sasuke as he coped with the initial impact of his new life. The life of a demon.
That's the end of the chapter. Please review~
I'm definitely going to have to expand a bit on Sasuke's new experience as a demon. Might have to dedicate another chapter to it. Actually I think I definitely will. Anyway see you Sunday!