Oh look an update... Sorry I'm so slow at updating this stuff xD Here's a nice long chapter though. Hope you all enjoy. More updates to follow soonish...
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my made up characters
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For the weeks that followed the Chunin Exams things were different for Kyuu. With so much destruction in the village and the village acting without a leader she couldn't be allowed to hide herself away and mope. So she helped out in the village where she could, getting fearful looks from many, but tended to ignore them. Teams were no longer following their standard grouping either for missions. Teams were assigned as needed and thus she found herself working with many people not just her teammates. This allowed her to get to know some of the others better. Though her mood still kept her unsociable.
Whenever she wasn't helping in the village or on a mission she locked herself away in her room. Her overall mood was horrid. She was short with everyone, snapping at people often. She hadn't smiled once. She knew where her hurt and sadness came from, but she wasn't sure about her anger. She was extremely on edge and hadn't felt right since she heard that voice in her head and unleashed so much power. She didn't know what was happening to her but something was changing inside her. She felt unstable now, like something in her became unhinged and was either fueled by her negative emotions or it was fueling them. Currently she was on down time so she had cooped herself up in her room brooding. She sat on her bed and glared daggers into her rug.
"Kyuu?" She heard Naruto's voice on the other side of the door while he knocked. "Can you open up?" He called again.
"It's unlocked." Kyuu sighed, she knew Naruto wouldn't go away and so didn't try to fight him. She instantly regretted ever giving him a key to her apartment.
Naruto let himself in and sat on the bed beside her. For a moment they just sat in silence then Kyuu spoke up. "What do you want?"
"To see how you're doing." He replied simply. "You haven't been yourself."
"Yeah well I won't be 'myself' for awhile." She replied with a shrug.
Naruto huffed a little in annoyance. "You need to snap out of the funk you're in. You're worrying everyone."
"They don't need to worry about me. I'm not worth the concern."
"Don't talk like that. Seriously, what's with you?"
"Well, I got my heart ripped out and went psycho in front of everyone, then watched my village fall under attack by people I thought were friends. Which would you like to hear about!?" She snapped.
"All of it! Talk to us Kyuu. Talk to me! Stop locking yourself away!" He retorted.
"I don't want to talk to people. I don't want to be around people. And they don't want to be around me after what they saw either."
"What did happen to you?" Naruto decided to ask after a moment of silence.
"...I don't know, but I haven't felt right since. Something's changed." She replied, shaking her head.
"I thought for sure, when I went to go find you afterwards, you'd be in a lot worse shape."
"...I fed on someone..." She muttered, staring at the ground. "I was about to pass out, a body was placed in front of me. The person was already dead." She added.
"So someone killed somebody to save you? Wonder who..." He mused. He knew Kyuu would never kill one of their villagers on her own so he wasn't bothered by her feeding on someone already dead. "Gaara left after your match, do you think he did it?" He wondered and she shrugged sadly.
"I didn't see who did it, but I don't see why he'd try to save me after what he did and was about to do.." She answered. She suspected it was him who saved her but she couldn't understand why. There was also the thing the other vampire said about not all of her higher ups wanting her to die, was it possible she saved her? That idea brought even more questions she didn't have the answers to.
"...You loved him, why?" Naruto finally asked.
"...I don't know. I wanted to save him and in the process of trying to I fell for him." She admitted.
"But he was cruel to you."
"Not always. I saw passed his walls and the darkness. I saw who I thought he really was under it all. Or could be..."
"I understand wanting to save him... I felt our connection when we fought. I saw his eyes and how he was so much like me. He's what I could've become... He and I were both on that path and while I found people to care about and could move into the light, he didn't. He was alone too long and slipped further into the darkness. He probably felt it was too late for him when he met you. I think, I mean our fight showed me what I could've been, I think it showed him what he could've been too. We're the same he and I. So I know you felt you were the same too and I get your connection to him I really do. I do feel terrible for him. I'll admit I even cried for him when our battle was over... but he hurt you so bad and I can't forgive that. I don't want you to hurt anymore, forget about him and move on."
"I can't Naruto. I can't forget what I felt, what I still feel..."
"How can you still love someone who hurt you so much? He destroyed the bond you created."
"Because I still hold onto that bond... How would you feel if Sasuke tried to destroy your bond? He's like a brother to you isn't' he? How would you react?"
"I wouldn't let him. No matter what, I wouldn't let Sasuke sever our ties."
"Exactly."
"But that's different. Sasuke is like my brother and is my friend. He wouldn't do something like that. Gaara was someone who showed up that you got mixed up with and who planned on hurting you from the get go."
"It's still the same to me."
"Well... would you forgive him then? If he asked for it?"
"...I don't know..."
"Well, I just don't want to see you sad anymore. I want that smiling Kyuu back. I want my best girl back."
"I don't know if I can do that."
"Well then at least try. Try to be happy again."
"...I'll try." She finally agreed.
Though Kyuu agreed to try to be less depressed and upset she had trouble following through with it. She learned to put on a better front, but still she felt broken inside. A few weeks later she was sent out to do a solo mission with Sasuke. Nothing difficult. They were to deliver a package to the mayor of a nearby town and attempt to get supplies from him in exchange. The village was working hard on trying to secure more resources. Though surprised they were going without a Jonin or Chunin leader she didn't complain. It was becoming a more common thing as of late. She waited for Sasuke at the gates and didn't try to antagonize him when he finally showed up.
"Not going to prank me?" Sasuke asked a little ways into their trip. He was surprised and suspicious. He was also beginning to get bothered by her silence.
"Nope." Was all she replied.
"Did you throw a fit when you found out it was just us?"
"Nope."
Sasuke frowned as he watched her walk ahead of him. This new Kyuu was... wrong. He'd admit he was happy she wasn't trying to set him on fire or do some other dangerous prank, but he didn't like her silent and shut down personality. As much as he enjoyed not being pestered, it didn't fit her.
Their trip to the nearby town was extremely quiet. Sasuke wasn't exactly the talkative type in the first place and Kyuu made no attempts to speak to him or bother him. It surprised him that this actually annoyed him. They ran into bandits once on their trip but they easily dealt with them. Sasuke noticed a coldness come over her while she fought. She was a lot more brutal and cut throat than he remembered. She showed no emotion on her face as she disposed of them.
When they reached the town, based on her mood, Sasuke decided it was best if he handled dealing with the mayor. Kyuu made no attempt to contradict him and allowed him full control over the situation. He was really starting to get bothered by this, normally she'd have something to say about him trying to take charge. Still, they managed to secure some resources after delivering the package. Since it was now dusk Sasuke suggested they get a room in an inn for the night and leave first thing in the morning. Kyuu agreed to this as well. She didn't even protest when the inn they found said there was only one room available and they'd have to share. She told him he could have the bed and she'd sleep on the floor and that was all she spoke.
When Sasuke returned to their room with some food later that night she was sitting near the fireplace glaring at the flames. He set some food down next to her and sat down to eat his food. She accepted the food but didn't say any thanks.
"Are you ever going to say anything?" He finally demanded, as they sat in silence. He never thought he'd be this bothered by her silence and general lack of interest in him.
"I'd figure you'd like my silence. Would you rather I antagonize you?" She replied after a moment.
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind it at this point. This silent broody you isn't you. It's not right. The hell happened to you?" He demanded.
"It doesn't matter. Nor is it your business." She replied.
"...Naruto mentioned you to Gaara in his fight. Are you this way because of him?"
"...What did he say?" She couldn't hide her curiosity despite herself.
"He said he broke your heart and that he'd pay for it." He answered, crossing his arms in thought. "I had no idea you two had that kind of relationship."
"It wasn't much of a relationship. I acted like a stupid girl and got hurt." She answered bitterly, glaring at the fireplace.
"...He wasn't worthy of you." Sasuke spoke quietly, but she still heard him.
"What?"
"You deserve someone better than that. He wasn't worthy of you so don't let him effect you." He explained, looking to the side in fake indifference and avoiding eye contact.
"That sounded strangely like a compliment." She stated, surprised.
"Maybe it was, but don't read too much into it."
"Wouldn't dream of it." She replied, allowing the tiniest smile to show on her face. Who would've thought Sasuke of all people could pull it from her.
After a moment of silence she spoke up again. "If we're leaving early we should get to bed. Toss me your backpack, I'm going to use both of ours as pillows." She stated.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her but got up and grabbed it, tossing it to her. "...The bed is big enough to share... you don't have to sleep on the floor..." He suggested. He wasn't about to let her take the bed and have him sleep on the floor, but it wouldn't hurt for them to share. There was enough space for them to not be too close. Instead of coming back over to sit with her, he plopped down on the bed.
"Stop trying to get me into bed with you." She half heartedly joked as she caught the bag.
"Shut up, you know that's not what this is." He snapped back, pleased she at least attempted a joke.
Kyuu shook her head and started arranging the two bags into a semi comfortable position. As she did so a folded piece of paper fell out of Sasuke's bag. She paused, recognizing the stationery. "Why do you have this?" She demanded, picking it up and unfolding it to be sure. It was the song she wrote that had gone missing from her journal. Her song for Gaara. She glared at him in suspicion.
"...Gaara had it." He admitted. "It fell out of his pocket during his fight with Naruto and I picked it up. I recognized your handwriting and meant to give it back to you." He explained.
Kyuu glared at the paper in hurt and confusion. So Gaara stole it after all and kept it on his person even during his attack. Why? Why bother after all he said...
"Took you long enough to give it back to me." She stated after a moment.
"I forgot about it honestly." He shrugged. "Why'd you write a song like that for him?"
"It's how I felt." She sighed and glared at it once more before tossing it into the fireplace. "It doesn't matter now." She concluded. Sasuke watched her burn it but didn't say anything. She glanced at the bags she planned to use as pillows once more than stood up. "Move over, I think I will share the bed." She decided and plopped down next to him. "But if you even think about spooning..." She tried again at a half hearted joke. She could still be humorous yet teasing him didn't bring any joy like it used to. Her heart just wasn't in it anymore.
"Trust me, I'm not going to touch you. You better keep to your side of the bed too." He replied.
Kyuu nodded and fell back so she was laying on her back on the bed. Sasuke still sitting on the edge. She stared up at the ceiling and he stared at her. Her eyes seemed empty like when she first came to the village. Just weeks ago she was happier than he'd ever seen her, but now she seemed hollow. More than that she seemed darker, more powerful and more dangerous. He looked at her black and red warrior dress and braided hair, she looked less girly now, more ready to fight. All this over a guy? It had to be more than that.
"I heard about your final match. That you unleashed insane power and lost control." He began.
"I did. Though I regained it before I went too far." She answered.
"Where'd the power come from?"
"From me I guess? It's power that's been locked inside me. It began awakening that day... and hasn't stopped..." She watched Sasuke's eyes darken as he listened to her.
"Naruto's become more powerful, you've become more powerful. I'm still not strong enough. I couldn't defeat Gaara. I need to become stronger."
"You're really taking the fact that Naruto surpassed you seriously." She stated, propping herself up on her elbows and watching him.
"That idiot is not stronger than me!"
"...Sure." She replied, raising an unconvinced eyebrow at him. "That's why he did what you couldn't." She added.
Sasuke glared at her for a moment. Then looked at her thoughtfully. The next thing she knew he had crawled over to her on the bed and placed both hands on her shoulders, pushing her down onto her back and hovering over her. "Um excuse me! What happened to the no touching rule!?" She demanded, bewildered by his actions and intense gaze.
"I need you Kyuu." He urged.
"Uhh come again?"
"I need your help. I need to get stronger." He explained.
"Okkkk didn't really have to get on top of me and act like we're starting a porno for that. If you want to train together that's fine.." She replied, still very confused by his behavior.
"I need your power! I need your strength. I need you to turn me into a vampire like you." He insisted.
"What?" Her shock was quickly turning to anger. "No way. How stupid are you to ask for that? You want to be cursed forever and made a monster? Forget it."
"You're more powerful than any human. I need that strength Kyuu!"
"No you don't. I won't curse anyone, not again."
"What curse? What draw backs do you have? You're fast, you're gorgeous, your brilliant, and you're so incredibly powerful. You regenerate from almost anything. You're even able to walk in the daylight. Where's the curse in being like you?" He demanded.
Kyuu chose to ignore the compliments before replying. "Hello, drink blood for a living? Sound like fun to you? Does being labeled a freak and a monster sound pleasant? Being hated and hunted for your existence sound like a good time?"
"You turned Haku."
"Because he was dying! He's my brother and I owed him a life debt. It was the only way to save his life. And trust me, as much as I love my brother, I regret changing him. It wasn't his choice. "
"But I'm asking for this. This is my choice." He insisted, pushing her down into the mattress more and actually straddling her in his urgency.
"All the more reason for me to say no. You don't understand what you're asking for." She retorted, trying very hard to ignore the awkwardness of their positioning while they debated.
"Yes I do. I need that power. I don't care about the price."
"No you don't Sasuke. I will help train you. I'll do anything I can to help by human methods. I will not take away your humanity. I will not turn you into this to fuel your hunger for power and thirst for revenge. Trust me, going into it with that attitude, it would change you. There'd never be an end to your hunger, it would destroy you and change you forever."
"You don't know me. You don't know what I would become."
"Yes I do. There's already a darkness in you Sasuke, turning you into this, it would not help it. I'd make it so much worse. Our power feeds off of it, you would be consumed by it. I won't destroy you."
Sasuke glared at her for a moment then got off of her, rolling to his side of the bed and facing away from her. "You're useless to me then." He decided.
"Gee thanks. Went from being too worthy of someone to being useless to you in under an hour." She glared.
"I have to be stronger to defeat him. If you won't help me, I'll find another way." He responded.
"Revenge will consume you Sasuke." She tried warning one more time but he didn't say anything else after that. With a sigh she rolled over in the opposite direction, facing away from him as well and went to sleep.
In the morning the two got ready to leave without speaking a word to each other. Their whole trip back with the supplies was silent. Sasuke was still sour that she refused to turn him and she was in the same dark mood as always. When they returned to the village they reported back with their supplies and got ready to split up.
"...I'm serious Sasuke. I won't do what you asked me to, but I will help you any other way I can." She finally spoke up when they were about to go their separate ways.
"I doubt that will be good enough." He replied coldly ready to leave. He then paused before doing so. "But...I meant what I said.. you deserve better.." He reluctantly added.
"Because I'm fast, brilliant, incredibly strong, and what was that other one, gorgeous?" She replied a small smirk tugging on her lips.
"Don't read too much into it." He replied, starting to walk away and avoiding looking at her. "I said that while attempting to persuade you. That's all."
"Of course." She replied shaking her head and walking away in the other direction.
Kyuu was only able to rest (and sulk) at home for a few days before she was called out on another mission. This time she was going on one with Mitsune. She was surprised it was just the two of them again. At least this time though one was a Chunin. This would also be the first time she and Mitsune actually worked together on a mission and she was a bit curious about her skills. The two were to act as bodyguards at a nearby lord's estate. About a two day journey away. He was going to travel on business for a few days and needed someone to guard his estate and three children. Kyuu wasn't thrilled about a job as a glorified babysitter but accepted it without protest.
While the two headed to the estate Mitsune attempted some small talk and Kyuu returned some of it but overall remained silent like her last missions. "Seriously, how are you holding up?" Mitsune decided to ask as they strolled along in silence.
"I'm fine." Kyuu answered for what she felt was the hundredth time. She was tired of people asking her that.
"Really? Cuz you don't seem that way." She retorted, tired of Kyuu's moodiness.
"What's it matter to you anyway? I'm sick of people asking me if I'm ok and telling me to get over it. Just leave me alone!" She snapped at her, punching a nearby tree and breaking it in half.
"Shit Kyuu! Geezz I'm sorry ok? God forbid your friends actually care about you." Mitsune retorted, eyeing the damage Kyuu had done to the tree.
Kyuu glared at the fallen tree. What was that? Her anger was becoming more out of control lately. "...Sorry." She admitted, realizing she wrongly snapped at her.
"Sorry to me or sorry to the tree?" Mitsune joked and shrugged. "It's cool. I get it. Tree might not be so understanding though." She added.
"I know I'm not myself lately. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Does it have to do with what happened to you in your match? Or your heartbreak?"
"Both? I think. One's fueling the other." She shrugged, kicking a rock as they walked along again.
"Can I ask what happened to you?"
"You can ask but I can't answer. I don't know what happened during that fight."
"You don't know where that power came from?"
"I know it was mine. Might be hard for a human to understand, but I don't know everything about myself and my abilities." She answered.
"I might be able to understand more than you think." Mitsune muttered but didn't discuss the subject any more.
When the two arrived to the estate they introduced themselves to the lord, got flack for the village only sending two "little girls" as guards and then were brought to his three children. They were all girls ranging in ages five to eleven. Kyuu instantly didn't like them. They were bratty and they put her off. Mitsune was more polite but didn't care for them either. After the lord gave them a rundown of how things worked in the house and what was expected of them he left. The girls spent the rest of that evening watching over the kids. Eventually Kyuu got tired of their pestering and said she'd take first watch. She found a large tree on the property and climbed up to the top of it. It gave her a 360 bird's eye view of the estate.
She sat and looked out to keep watch but her mind was far away. She dwelled on thoughts about what happened during her match. She couldn't shake her unease at the whole situation. The fact that she hadn't felt right since made her feel worse. "What's happening to me?" She muttered. She continued to dwell on the events, replaying them over and over again in her mind. When that power took over, she saw everything but she didn't feel like she had complete control over her body. Something else did. The power? She closed her eyes while she thought about the voice she heard. Who's was it? The more she dwelled on it the more she couldn't place it. It sounded so familiar, she knew she recognized the voice, but who? And how did they get inside her head? She squeezed her eyes shut in concentration and then a image shot through her mind. The image was of someone's face. Her face. Yet she was changed. Her hair was silver, features sharper, fangs longer, and her eyes were crimson red rather than purple. The image disappeared and Kyuu snapped her eyes open. What the hell was that? Now she was even more confused. Kyuu finished her watch and traded posts with Mitsune to get a few hours of sleep, but her rest was uneasy with everything that weighed on her mind.
The next day was a day thrown into chaos. It seemed the lord had good reason to hire guards and it also seemed bandits were aware that he was absent. The entire estate was under attack by a group of bandits. The sheer number of them was alarming. Though after patrolling the house the girls could see why this place would be targeted, the amount of riches he hoarded was impressive. The girls did the best they could to fight them off. It being just the two of them, made it difficult. They had gathered in the center garden of the estate, the three girls between them as they tried to fight off the bandits. There were about twelve bandits in the garden with them another dozen or so standing by to take someone's place when they fell. The girls took turns fighting. One stayed in front of the girls to shield them while the other attacked anyone that came too close and they rotated that way, never leaving the girls completely alone. Kyuu was impressed by Mitsune's skill. She was very strong. She was fast and agile, she had almost an animalistic way of fighting, relying heavily on taijutsu. Still there were too many of them for the two to handle and they all began to close in on them. Kyuu attempted to fight them off without revealing too much of her power in front of the little girls. If she could go all out, it would be a lot easier. Mitsune felt a similar feeling. It was hard to protect the girls and fight all out at once.
While Kyuu attempted to fight off five at once she failed to see a sixth coming up behind her. Mitsune tried to call out to her and warn her but it was too late. The sixth member struck Kyuu hard in the back of the head with his staff and she fell to the ground with a sickening crack, blood slowly seeping out from the back of her head as she remained motionless.
"Kyuu!" Mitsune screamed, worried for her friend. The remaining bandits began closing in around her, trying to take advantage of her distraction...
Kyuu groaned in pain and sat up, rubbing the back of her head. "Fuckkkkk..." She groaned. She loved her regeneration abilities but wished she could do something about the pain sometimes.
It was then that she noticed she wasn't where she should have been. She looked around in alarm. She was on a stone floor in a stone chamber that looked like a dungeon. Not the estate's garden. She didn't even remember falling unconscious. How long was she out? She then heard a dark chuckle and a jingle of chains. She looked up in alarm. There were eight giant pillars in the center of the chamber, surrounding a shadowed figure. Curiously she got up and walked over towards it. The figure was a girl. She was being suspended in the air by chains shackled to her ankles and shackled to her neck. The chains connecting to each of the pillars encircling her. There were also shackles around her wrists, forcing her hands into fists and bound together. Kyuu also noted that the girl was naked, her fists covering her private bits and her long silver hair covering her breasts and buttock. The girl's head was completely wrapped in cloth like a mummy. The strange red markings that appeared on Kyuu during her battle were all over the wrap. It was tearing slightly around some of its edges. There was also a large tear in it that exposed one eye. A crimson red eye with slits for pupils. Kyuu also noted cracks and chips in the chains that bound her.
"Well you look friendly.. and familiar. " Kyuu muttered quietly. "Who are you and where the hell am I?" She demanded and the girl chuckled again.
"You really don't know much do you?" She replied.
Kyuu froze, it was the voice she heard during her match. The one that spoke to her in her mind. "Don't mock me! Answer my question! Who are you?" She demanded again.
"Well that is a somewhat difficult question to answer. Well not so much the where but the who. The where is the easy part. The who is more difficult, you are after all clueless." Kyuu glared at her and waited for her to answer. "Fineee, to answer the where; we're in your head. To answer the who.. well I'm you. Obviously." She finally answered.
"What?" Kyuu demanded, bewildered. Well that explained why she recognized the voice, it was her voice. The face she saw in the vision last night was also her face..but how was this possible?
"Like I said clueless. How's the best way to explain it... I am a separate part of you. There are two pieces to you, to us. Two sides- like a coin. On the one side there is you, the human half. On the other side there's me, guess what half I am?"
"... You're the vampire side of me? My vampire powers have an actual form?"
"In a manner of speaking yes. I am a manifestation of your power, your nature. I am your true nature. I am the real you, the you that was locked away and hidden from the world. I am everything that you deny about yourself taking form."
"Why are you in chains? What are those sealing symbols? Pretty sure simply denying my nature doesn't quite do that."
"I did just say that I'm the you that's LOCKED AWAY didn't I?" She replied. "Here's the rundown: even in the womb we had a consciousness, vampire perk. Well when we were born, we deliberately killed our human mommy. Dad didn't like that too much and did a ritual that bound your vampire nature. He locked up as much of your vampire half as he could and sealed it away in you. To include that extra aware and rather dangerous part of our consciousness. What he didn't quite realize was by doing so, he created two separate entities entirely. You and me." She explained. "He stupidly did this thinking it was for our best interest that our power be checked. That and you know, the just killed his soul mate thing. So I've been locked away ever since and all the power that should have been growing in you has been growing in me. Sealed away and forced to watch you have control of our body. Now there has been some overlap, obviously he couldn't fully lock away you're vampire nature, you still feed on blood for example. You also gained some of my power. Over all though, that side of you remains 75% human. I mean that side of you even has a pulse, a very weak one but a pulse nonetheless."
"So by that logic you are only 75% vampire. There is human in you too." Kyuu countered.
"No, there is no humanity in me. I am all vampire." She replied but Kyuu wasn't sure she bought it. "So I remain all that you could be locked away. But, as you can see- there are some cracks in the chains, and a few tears in the sealing cloth around my head. The more unstable and emotional you get, the more I am freed. You got a taste of what that was like at the exams."
"So that was you? You were the voice I heard that day, you took control over my body?"
"Well yes and no. I was able to speak to you and I gave you some of our power but I didn't control you. I'm not able to do that...yet. Let out too much of that power and use too much and I'll be free.
"Yeah I don't think I'll be doing that thanks."
"Why not? You already know this is who you really are. Why try to hide it and lock it away. Let me free and I can help you. I can give you more power than you've ever known. It's already yours. You just haven't tapped into yet."
"Hard pass. This power, its dark, I don't want it. I won't be consumed by it. I'm not evil."
"You're a vampire! You are evil! You are a creature of darkness whether you want to be or not. You might as well admit it."
"No. I won't. I might be a vampire but I can be good. I'll show everyone that I' m not evil."
"And who are you truly trying to convince? Yourself or the world?" Kyuu wasn't sure how to answer that. "Face the facts, humans don't give a damn about us. The world doesn't give a damn about us. You're not trying to prove to the world that you're good. You're trying to prove it to yourself. And yourself knows you're not so why bother?"
"You're lying! Humans care! Naruto cares about me! Haku cared about me before I changed him. Kiraa cared enough to warn me, Mitsune cares. Hinata, Shikamaru, Lee, Sakura they all care. Kakashi-sensei cares, Kaji-sensei cares. Some humans care!"
"While some don't!" She retorted and an image of Gaara ran through her mind. "Do you want to be hurt like that again? More and more humans will just do that to you. That's how humans are. We're better than that. We don't have to prove anything to those worthless creatures. Free me and give into your true self."
"No! I don't care what you say, you are not me! I won't be like the rest of our kind. I won't! I won't be like those humans either! I'll be like the good ones. Like Naruto! He believes I can be good and I'll do whatever it takes to prove that he's right."
"Why?"
Kyuu paused as she tried to answer. Why did she care so much? Everything went back to Naruto. The reason she decided to be good in the first place was because of him. When she was upset she went to him, even if he was an idiot he was still there for her. He was the one helping her through her issue with Gaara, he believed in everything she did, believed she could be a good person. He gave her the will to live when she didn't know how to, he saved her. For that she believed in him, respected him, looked up to him. She wanted his dreams to come true... She remembered saying once that she didn't have an existence, she realized it now.
"Why? Because Naruto's seen the true me. He's seen that I'm not evil, that I'm a good person. For that, I'll do anything for him. Naruto is my existence. I exist to make sure his dreams come true and to prove he was right about me. To prove to everyone and myself that he was right about me." She replied.
"Well, if you're so confident, fine. We'll see how far you can get on your own. Go ahead and be the 'real' you. Once you've realized you're wrong you'll be back. You'll be back and I'll be free. In the mean time, to make sure you live that long, I'll be lending you a little bit more of my power."
Black energy suddenly shot out at Kyuu and wrapped around her.
Mitsune tried as hard as she could to fight off the bandits and keep the three girls safe. She was fighting a losing battle though, there were too many of them. Suddenly a few in the back started to scream. She looked around in alarm and saw that Kyuu was awake. She was awake and very pissed off. The red markings and black energy that appeared on her during her match were back. She disposed of the bandits at an alarming rate. Mitsune did her best to shield the girls' eyes while Kyuu slaughtered them all in a matter of minutes.
Once she had killed the last bandit the markings faded and she returned to herself. Kyuu glanced around at the corpses and then at Mitsune. The three children were cowering behind her. Kyuu stared at them guiltily, then lowered her gaze to the ground. "...I'm going to wait outside the estate. I'll keep patrol from there. After I clean this up... take the girls inside." She decided. Mitsune nodded and ushered the girls back inside.
Kyuu spent the afternoon disposing of the bodies and then, true to her word, kept her distance patrolling around the estate. Mitsune tried to talk to her, but she was set on keeping her distance from the girls. All three of which were now officially terrified of her. Mitsune couldn't blame them. Kyuu looked frightening when she woke back up and she killed all of those bandits. So she babysat the kids until their father returned two days later and then went to go meet up with Kyuu.
She found her laying in a tree not too far away from the estate, staring up at the sky through the trees. "Hey, don't let the fear from those kids get to you. They're too young to understand." She stated when she reached her.
"I'm used to it. It's always been like that. Save somebody and watch them freak out on me." She replied with a shrug.
"Not everyone is afraid of you, you know."
"I know." She replied, hopping down from the tree and placing a hand on Mitsune's shoulder.
The two set off for home and while Kyuu was still silent she tried to talk a bit more with Mitsune. Having that discussion in her head with that other side of her, it helped click a few things back into place. She needed to get control over her emotions not let them run wild. She needed to work harder on fixing herself. After the two returned to the village and reported in they went their separate ways. Mitsune saying she had things to do and would see her later. So Kyuu went to walk around the village mindlessly. She wasn't sure what to do.
As she walked she bumped into Tsuki. "Oh hey Kyuu!" She waved.
"Hey."
"Back from your mission?"
"Yeah let's see how long it takes for them to send me on another." She shrugged. "Have you seen Naruto around? thought I might go bug him a bit." She decided.
"Naruto? Oh, you just got back, so you wouldn't have heard yet.." She replied, a little hesitantly.
"What? Heard what?" Kyuu demanded.
"Naruto isn't exactly in the village right now. I don't really know the specifics of it... There was an incident, it happened almost right after you left. Nobody will really talk about it, but Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei got hurt. Sasuke is in the hospital, Kakashi-sensei is at his home but they both have the same problem, they won't wake up..."
"What?! What the hell happened? Who hurt them? Where is Naruto now?!" She demanded, filling with worry.
"Like I said, nobody will talk to me about it. I know Naruto's not in danger though, I've been reassured of that. You should go ask Gai-sensei, see if you can get him to tell you. I heard he knows all about what happened..." She answered.
"Christ, leave the village for a week and everything goes to shit." Kyuu muttered and ran off without another word to Tsuki. She ran around the village looking for Gai, trying hard to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to kill something, cry, do something to help, and scream all at once. Two people she cared about were now hurt and Naruto was gone! All while she was babysitting some brats! Finally she spotted Gai doing a strange training exercise and ran over to him.
"Gai-sensei!" She called, Gai looked away from his training when he heard his name.
"Oh! Kyuu, what can I do for you?" He asked, stopping what he was doing.
"Tell me what happened to Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei! Where is Naruto!?" She demanded, her eyes flashed red as she tried to regain control over her emotions.
"...I probably shouldn't be talking about this... but you are very worried and they are your former teammates..." He mused. Kyuu insisted and he finally gave in. "Naruto left to do some training. Two members of an organization called the Akatsuki came looking for him. Their names were Itachi Uchiha and Kisame. Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and I fought them. Kakashi was hurt by Itachi's eye technique. Sasuke found out that his brother was after Naruto and he went after them. When I went after him I found Sasuke in the same state as Kakashi inside a hotel that had been destroyed. He was with Naruto and Master Jiraiya. Naruto went with Master Jiraiya to train and also to look for a woman who can heal Kakashi and Sasuke. She can also heal Lee! She is supposed to be the next Hokage I hear." He explained and then continued to talk about how happy he was that Lee would be healed soon.
Kyuu let all that information sink in without really hearing the rest of what he was saying. Naruto was with his godfather than? So he was safe now... He was being trained again. She could handle that. Itachi looking for him though? Why? What did that Akatsuki organization want with Naruto? She remembered Kaji saying they were a mercenary gang of rouge ninja. Why target a random boy? Was it because of the fox? What were they after? Sasuke's brother showing up though... that wasn't good at all. She thanked Gai for telling her and then walked off. She went straight to the hospital to see Sasuke. She wanted to go see Kakashi too, but wasn't quite sure where he lived.. On her way to the hospital she passed a familiar flower stand and picked one out, just like before. When she reached the hospital she got Sasuke's room number from the front desk and headed to it.
Kyuu slid open the door and entered the room. Sasuke was unconscious in bed. She noted there were already flowers there for him and judging by the sizes and how well they were blooming, the person who brought them, brought a new one every day. She knew it was Sakura. She smiled a little and added her flower to it, before sitting on the edge of Sasuke's bed and looking at him. She gave him a light poke to the side and then sat there quietly.
"Baka..." She muttered with a sigh. "You're such an idiot Sasuke. Getting yourself beat up like this. Again. Causing me to visit you in the hospital. Again. You should have known Itachi would kick your ass, you're not strong enough to fight him yet... but... did you go after him solely for revenge when you heard his name? Or did you go after him because he targeted Naruto? I'm pretty sure you went after him to save your friend too, you big dummy. I guess that proves you're not as big of a dick as I thought you were." She spoke, knowing he couldn't hear her. She stared at him and suddenly felt her eyes water. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, forcing herself to regain her composer. "Idiot! You're such an idiot. And a jerk! Asshole!" She shouted at his still form. "You got me all worried and worked up about you, you stupid, reckless idiot!...you can't be so reckless Sasuke. I've been visiting you way too much in hospitals lately. You're going to get yourself killed...I don't want to lose you or anyone else..." She sighed and gently reached over to him, brushing his bangs out of his face. "Come back to us, I don't just mean wake up, I mean come back to us, step away from that darkness that's forming around you... come away from your ledge and back into the light... please.. I swore I'll help you with Itachi, I will, so just come back to us..." She shook her head again, confused by what was coming over her. She poked him square in the forehead for good measure and then stood up, ready to leave the room.
As Kyuu opened the door to leave she jumped in surprise. Sakura was on the other side, reaching for the handle on the door. The two stared at each other in surprise. "Kyuu? What are you doing here?" she asked surprised.
"Oh, just paying cockatoo head here a visit. Thought I'd try to be a bit like my old self and harass him a bit." She answered and Sakura's eyes traveled to the flower in the vase that Kyuu brought.
"You brought him a flower?"
"Well he is still my friend, despite how much of an ass he is. Though not as many as you've brought him." She replied, looking at the flower in her hand. She stepped aside so Sakura could enter the room and as she walked to leave she placed her hand on Sakura's shoulder. "I'm sure the lady Naruto's bringing back will be able to heal him. So cheer up and don't dwell on it. Just take good care of him while you wait. Be thankful you can still be around the guy you love.." She stated comfortingly and released her shoulder, heading off.
Kyuu made it a few steps down the hall before Sakura called out to her. "Wait!" She called, stepping back out of the room. "I meant to look for you after I visited him, but since you're here. I wanted to ask you something. Tonight, Ino's having a sleepover party, you know for just us girls. It'll be me, Hinata, Tenten, Tsuki, we're even inviting Mitsune and Kiraa if they want to come. We were all wondering if you'd come too.." She explained.
"Oh.. I don't know.." Kyuu replied, unsure if she wanted to go or not. She really wanted to lock herself back in her room again for a bit.
"Oh please? Come on, it'll be fun. You've been so down lately, you could use some cheering up. Say you'll come." She urged.
"Fine, I guess I'll come.." She decided finally, a tad reluctantly.
"Alright! It starts at seven but come by whenever you can ok?" She grinned.
"Yeah, see you then." Kyuu replied.
Sakura waved to her and headed back into Sasuke's room. Kyuu shook her head and then headed home. She was curious about why they all wanted her to come. Of course Hinata would, and Tsuki was her teammate too, Sakura made a little sense since they were former teammates and got along better now. She didn't even know Tenten really and she wasn't on the best terms with Ino. Kiraa was trying hard to fit in around the village and got along with the girls, but Kyuu was still trying to get to know her. She wondered if they'd be able to get Mitsune to come or not.
When Kyuu got home she called for Haku but didn't get a response. She shrugged, thinking he might not be at home and grabbed a blood packet before heading to her room. As she walked down the hall she saw Haku's bedroom door was open a crack. She stopped and peeked inside. Haku was sitting on the edge of his bed looking rather forlorn.
"How long are you going to spy on me Kyuu?" He decided to ask, not looking up.
Kyuu opened the door and came in, sitting down beside him on the bed. "Sorry." She apologized.
"For what?"
"Just everything. I'm sorry I've been such a bitch to you lately. I'm sorry for what happened. I'm sorry for being selfish and only caring about my own problems lately. I'm just sorry. You and I both felt betrayed by what happened but I've only been interested in how I've felt. I didn't bother to consider how you might be feeling. On top of that, I've been so cold to you, shutting you out after everything that happened. I took shit out on you and never stopped to consider how I might be upsetting you by doing that. So, I'm sorry."
"It's not completely your fault. You've been through a lot lately. Yes, you've hurt me a bit, but I understand where you're coming from. You loved him and well..." He trailed off. "I know you're hurting because of what happened, but the way you've treated me after that has hurt me too. You're my most precious person and I just want to protect you, care for you, and look out for you. It hurts me to see you so messed up and it hurts that you won't let me help you."
"I'm sorry." She replied, feeling horrible for it. "I should have been more considerate of other people's feelings. Especially yours, you're only trying to help me." She added and Haku hugged her, giving her a small smile.
"We're floating in the same boat Kyuu, we're both feeling betrayed by our friends from Suna and even though we've found out that they were tricked, it doesn't take away the pain. We should be there for each other instead of shutting each other out."
"Yeah... though my side of the boat is sinking." Kyuu added.
"Then I'll just have to help you out more than you have to for me."
"Deal, but I'll still have to help you out a lot too. I know we're both feeling betrayed by our friends and by someone we liked." She added and Haku looked at her confused. "I could tell you had a crush on Temari." She explained and almost laughed while he stuttered and tried to deny it. "We're allies with Suna again. Temari is a good person. She's bound to apologize then you can forgive her and hit it off again." She stated, hoping it would cheer him up a bit. "Speaking of girls, I'm being dragged to Ino's tonight. She's throwing a sleepover party. I should probably go get ready." Kyuu added, standing up and heading to the door.
"What about Gaara?" Haku asked suddenly and she stopped.
"What about him?" She asked without turning around.
"If given the chance, would you forgive him?"
A long silence followed his question. He never took his eyes off the back of his sister's head while he waited for her answer. "...I don't know." She finally replied.
"I don't think you should."
"I know you don't." She sighed.
"I don't like what he's made you become."
"...It's not just him... I'm not so messed up just because of him...I... something's wrong with me..." She admitted, not sure if she wanted to fully explain yet. Or even how to.
"What's wrong with you?"
"...That power I unleashed during my match... it took control of me, it's my power but I don't know how to control it... it's still in me...trying to change me..." She tried explaining.
"Vampire puberty maybe?" He tried, half jokingly. He was worried about her and could tell she wasn't being completely open with him. Kyuu shook her head in slight amusement. "Look, whatever it is...You'll master it. You're strong. You'll overcome it. I know you will, I'll help anyway I can."
"...Thanks." She gave him a small smile in gratitude. "I'm going to go get ready now." She added and left his room.
When Kyuu finished packing a small overnight bag she went and took a shower. After her shower she stayed in her room until seven and then decided it was finally time to head over to the sleepover. As she walked she thought about the others. She was surprised she invited to Ino's sleepover at all. She and Ino had never been friends. The two never really associated much during their academy days and after they graduated and were put on teams they saw even less of each other. Ino fangirled over Sasuke but never to the extent of the crazy ones so she never ran into her during one of her many pranks. After Kyuu had revealed what she was to everyone she expected Ino to be one of the ones to judge her and after her outburst during the final exam she was extremely shocked she willingly invited her to her party. Though she suspected Sakura and Tsuki may have had a big hand in that.
As she walked she wondered if the others would show. She knew next to nothing about Tenten but she guessed the girls had grown to know each other during the aftermath of the exams and she had been too preoccupied to do the same. Kiraa she knew was working extremely hard at trying to fit in and get along with everyone in the village so she expected her to show up. Mitsune she wasn't so sure about, she didn't realize that she was friends with the others as well. Kyuu actually bumped into Mitsune on her way and the two walked together. Both a bit unsure of what to expect from this random get together. Mitsune did clarify that she indeed knew all of the girls and hung out with them from time to time but wasn't close to any of them so she was also surprised to get the invite.
When they reached Ino's house her father let them in and told them the girls were all up in Ino's room. The two thanked him and headed to it, knocking once when they came in.
"You made it." Sakura grinned when they stepped into the room.
Sakura was sitting on Ino's bed reading a magazine, Ino was playing with Hinata's hair on the bed beside her while Hinata sat on the floor talking with Tsuki, and Kiraa and Tenten were playing a videogame on Ino's TV. Kyuu glanced at the game, it looked like a standard arcade fighter game. "I didn't think you'd be much into games Ino." She commented for lack of anything else to say.
"Oh, it's Tenten's she brought it over for us to all play." She answered with a shrug. "Put your bags down and make yourselves at home." She added as the two were still standing in the doorway.
"We've already changed into our pjs, you should do the same." Kiraa stated, not taking her eyes off the screen.
"Right." Mitsune agreed and the two quickly changed and got comfortable as well.
For a bit everyone sat around talking or watching the others play. Kyuu attempted to be as social as she could and tried to talk with them instead of shutting down. After awhile though her curiosity about why she was even there finally couldn't be contained. She glanced at Ino before speaking.
"Hey Ino?"
"Yeah?"
"...Why'd you invite me to your sleepover?" She finally asked.
Ino paused a moment before answering. She stopped painting her toenails and looked up at her. "I owe you an apology." She began.
"For what?"
"We never really got along you know? I used to think you were just a bitch and I don't think you liked me much either for that matter. When you started opening up to people and became nicer I still never really bothered to give you a chance, but I should have. I admit, I freaked out and judged a bit when you spoke about what you are during the preliminaries, but I thought a lot about what you said too. You made a lot of good points that I never really bothered to consider before. Sakura told me too, how you would constantly visit Lee in the hospital. Well Lee told her about how compassionate you are and she told me, still everything kinda started painting you in a different light. Like, I was afraid of you, after the final exam but just initially. Then I found out how hard you worked to protect the village despite the state you were in. You saved a lot of people during the attack and I know you haven't been the nicest person after dealing with your heartache from that Gaara, but you're still trying to push passed it and help others. Hell, you were willing to fight him to protect us all. I realize I should've actually bothered to get to know you instead of just assuming shit. I invited you because I wanted us to try to become friends." She explained.
Kyuu stared at her in surprise. "I didn't think I made that kind of impression on people... kinda felt I gave a get the hell away from her vibe after that final match..." She responded.
"Well you half did." Tenten chipped in. "I mean I wasn't there to hear whatever speech she's talking about, but I saw you go nuts in the final exam which freaked me out a bit, but then I learned you tried so hard to save everyone and protect the village. I knew next to nothing about you before the exams and you gave two vastly different impressions, but I figured the kind one that was willing to fight for us was the real you, not the one in your match. With the state of the village now, we all were figuring it was a good time to try to get to know each other better and that included you." She finished explaining.
"And I don't judge, so you already know I didn't care about your crazy side." Mitsune grinned, "Was surprised to learn about what you really are, but that's it."
"And you Sakura? We barely spoke since you heard about the real me." She finished.
"We've barely spoke because we've been so busy, but I've always known the real you. We were on the same team remember? I saw you be an idiot with Naruto, torture Sasuke-kun, mouth to Kakashi-sensei, and show more compassion for others than I thought capable of. We grew closer after that mission with Haku and finding out you're half vampire didn't change how I felt. We're friends. " She answered.
"And you already know our stance." Tsuki smiled and Hinata nodded with a smile. Kiraa agreed as well.
"You guys..." Kyuu was at a loss for words, she was touched by all of them. She expected so many people to shun her and fear her after her outburst and how she acted these days really didn't help, yet they all still wanted to be around her, to be her friends. "...I know I've been a bitch since the attack... I've been withdrawn and snappy, I'm sorry for my behavior and I'm glad you all see passed that and still want to be around me.."
"Of course we do. It's natural to be upset and moody after you get your heartbroken." Tsuki nodded.
"She's right. I mean, I won't begin to understand what you saw in that Gaara guy, but it doesn't change the fact that he hurt you and your grieving is completely natural." Ino responded.
"Which brings us to the other reason we invited you here..." Sakura began.
"Oh?" Kyuu raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"Time to begin operation cheer up Kyuu!" Tsuki declared.
"Uh what?" She responded, bewildered.
Sakura and Ino had gotten up off the bed and Sakura was pulling out bags of junk food from her duffel bag while Ino was pulling a box out from under her bed. She took off the lid and revealed a booze stash. Hinata was also pulling out sweets from her bag and Tenten sodas while Tsuki was unloading comedy DVDs to watch.
"We're going to get drunk, binge on stupid TV, and eat our feelings." Kiraa laughed.
Kyuu stared at them all in complete shock but finally allowed a smile to form on her face and laughed. The night was filled with drunken laughter, stupid jokes, silly movies, and more calories than any of them dared to count. It took awhile but Kyuu eventually found herself laughing along with them and enjoying herself for the first time since that night with Gaara. She sobbed an emotional thank you (with help from the booze) to them all when she finally couldn't contain it anymore and they all responded equally emotional (thanks to the booze), the girls cried, laughed, joked, gossiped, hugged, carried on, and let loose until the wee hours of the morn when they finally all collapsed and went to sleep. The last thought Kyuu had before drifting off to sleep was how glad she was that she didn't decide on ditching this sleepover after all and that she needed to try harder to break from her funk.
SO there you go, more story progression! Kyuu's got another side of herself locked away? What could this mean? Trouble abrewing everywhere but friendships growing. Kyuu heartbroken and as depressed as ever but realizing just how bad she's got. Does this mean improvement or will she spiral again? More updates to follow!
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