Weeeeellll... what do we have here?
After two years of seclusion, and trying to... ok, going through the whole 'omk, depressed teenager who the hell am I' bit... I have returned. For the past two years, I've gone through several drafts of several different stories, this being one of them. I've been trying to find my own style, and figure out my own identity, considering a few... personal problems that sort of destroyed my original state of mind... but, that's all in the past! I'm back.
So, this is... I guess, a sort of 'welcome back story'. XDD I hope you like it. It's a little rough around the edges and starts off a bit slow, but I'm proud of the plans I have for it...
Disclaimers: I do NOT own the Naruto characters, but I DO own the whole Kyuubi Doll idea and Mio, my character... actually, this is version 1 Mio... you'll understand when my other stories start to work themselves out. XDDD But, anyway, ya can't sue! I don't own it! ...although, I DID buy the Naruto RPG game for the GBSP!
And, YES, there is shonen-ai, here... SasuNaru, specifically, and there are a few canon couples, too. So, unless you think you can handle shonen-ai without complaining to me about it, please hit the back button now.
...ok, done? Let's go on with the story, shall we?
FULL SUMMARY: Deep beneath the Hokage's Tower of Konohagure lays a secret. A secret known only as 'Kyuubi Doll'. Few have actually seen it face to face, but many know about it. Stories of a ruthless, heartless being that the Fourth Hokage had sealed in to this... child, drifts amongst the villagers, and, as a point, no one has tried to make contact with the 'Doll'.
But, what kind of life is that? For a boy to live in confinement and isolation, treated to the very best, yet all alone...
When all he wants is someone to understand him?'
The Kyuubi Doll
By: Sakurako YumePrologue: That's how it always is...
Two minutes to midnight.
Tension at the Hokage Tower was high, as it was every full moon, with many ANBU members and a few jounin stationed at various strategic points. More stationed than on normal nights...
And most of them remained within the basement, surrounding a large, enclosed room built in the center of it, in a lowered area that steep stairs led down to. Each had some form of a subduing mechanism; numbing potions, tranquilizers, and talismans designed to restrain massive chakra reserves.
Currently, four ANBU were in that room, forming a large semi-circle, each holding tightly to the end of a chain.
A fifth, female figure sat centered between the four, dressed in red and gold kimono-style robe, the end of a chain held in one hand and a paper talisman in the other. Over her face was a mask, one of a similar type to the ANBU, representing a fox. But, it was different, with its base a deep blood red and streaks of gold covering it in elegant design, and its eyes silver slits in a calm glare.
Before the five who held the twined metal streams was a small figure, dressed in similar robes to the girl before him, but decorated with gold and violet designs. His hair was a bright yellow, but it was dimmed from the darkness, the faint color showing only by light of the moon. His head was bent down, his bangs falling in a strangely elegant manner over his eyes, but the three lines that raked across both of his cheeks were still visible. He was the one the chains had been wrapped around; his arms, his legs, his waist... his entire torso... but he did not complain.
Even if he wanted to... he couldn't.
One minute...
"This is how it always is..."
A whisper was caught amongst many as steps sounded, slow, dignified, and the appearance of a familiar shadow approaching. Those there by the stairs gave a low bow to the white and red robed figure that approached them, while the others at ready merely nodded as a sign of their acknowledgement. He nodded back at that, coming to a stop at the open door, watching as lithe streams of wispy red seeped from the room at the bottom of the stairs. As a pre-caution, not set by himself, much to his chagrin, he was not allowed to go downstairs and approach the main resident of the lower room during the nights of full moon. It was dangerous.
If the boy lost complete control, and the priestess was not able to keep hold, the Hokage would be in danger. So, best not to take any chances... right?
10 seconds...
Almost in unison, everyone tensed, waiting, ready, as the designated time closed in. Always a struggle, internally and externally, for dominance... for control... ALWAYS a fight to the death, but no one ever died. Still, it was best to be ready, ...because this is how it always is...
There, the first chime...
And an inhumane howl sounded out, combined in a strange, ethereal harmony with the cry of a young boy. It was loud, almost deafening as many of those closest to its source gritted their teeth, trying to remind themselves of their duties to, not only their Hokage, but everyone else in the village. The Demon would NOT take the boy, he would not ruin their peace, even if it cost them their lives.
"TIGHTER! PULL IT TIGHTER!"
"ADDITIONAL CHAKRA! HANG ON, EVERYONE!"
"MIO! START!"
Orders... so many orders, demands were screamed out as everyone continued bracing themselves. Several not accustom to the sounds merely sat in their spots with their hands over their ears; others with more experience vouched for use of chakra earplugs and one person fainted. The Kitsune-masked one heeded the command given to her and began her chanting, making sure to keep her breathing steady as her lips moved at a rapid pace. Words she formed were silent, unheard, but everyone was aware of their power as the talisman she'd placed on the chain in her hand seemed to activate, casting a golden glow to encase the metal and travel through to the boy and the connecting chains.
This enforcing seemed to only enrage the beast within as a hard yank was delivered to the nin on her far right. Several of the others scrambled to nab him before he flew off his feet, aware of the power the little boy had in this state as they struggle to hold the now glowing red chain down. No, he had to be controlled; he had to be stopped, if only until the next full moon...
There was a hiss, the girl raising her voice a few volumes, squeezing the chain tighter. The charm she held was joined by another that was hidden in her sleeve, enforcing the binding spell and overcoming the red chain once more with a gold aura. As the power increased, the number holding down the chain ends increased, Jounin holding on, other ANBU piling, and everyone struggling to keep everyone else, everything grounded...
There was a soft, small whimper and animalistic growl thrown in her direction, but she did not heed it, staring blankly ahead.
'Naruto...'
IT could see, though... behind the mask, her face was set in grim determination... never wavering, never dying... solemn, calm, accompanying soft chanting... and inwardly crying out for a hope that seemed so desperately far away...
'Please, Naruto, hold on. Just a few more hours...'
And as the wailing, growling, and shouts continued, the old man adorn in red and white robes stood at the top of the stairs, listening quietly to the cries that echoed. He sighed sadly, tilting his hat down over his eyes. How many years... how many TIMES has he had to endure this? How many has that child had to? That poor innocent... plagued by such a heavy burden. A decision that was never his, never had his say...
A louder cry, and he visibly winced, a grimace crossing his face. The sounds... it was almost enough to make him cry.
But, this was for the best...
To protect both the village... and the boy.
As the moon slowly began to vanish beyond the horizon several hours later, the howling and yells quieted, leaving only the lingering sound of chimes, quiet murmurs, and gentle sobbing to fill the night air...
And that... is just how it always is...
So, what do you think? Feel free to review; comments and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism are always welcome, and I'm open to any advice and suggestions anyone might have.
Anyway, I've gotta go! DMC3 is calling me. I'll post up the first chapter as soon as I finish it.
Love, Peace, and Pocky!
Sakurako Yume