Disclaimer: What is written is merely a distortion of reality. A view warped to suit the fittings of the mind. But enough of the mysticism which can cause headaches. For a simple translationà Me no own. Me no moolah. No lawyers please.
A/N: Before I continue, I would like to thank all those who have waited patiently for this chapter to be finished. I do not claim that it would be perfect, but I know I have put my best into this, and I am proud of it, no matter where it would lead. But I am sure you all would like to know the reason for this 2 month delay. The reason being would be the long word length involved in this chapter and not to mention writer's block. Subsequently every other chapter onwards would be around 10k, the progression should be faster because of the miasma of ideas I have in my head, but that does not guarantee that it would take 2 weeks or less to complete. But that would be typical of me, no:P Anyway…let the show go on!
"...": Speech
Italics: Thoughts
Bold: Kyuubi
Of Blades and Blood
Act III: Denial
"…Naruto?" Jiraiya asked slowly, his mind still at odds with reason and belief, as his leg seared with almost unbearable pain.
He looked at the man-, no, boy in front of him again. He had did not have the same air of confidence and energy like he did four years past, but instead a chilly aura of callousness had taken its place. He had grown taller during those last four years, now almost reaching to his height. His hair which was once short and spiky was now lengthy and straight, his fringe cascading over his forehead unrestrained by a forehead protector, though it was not long enough to cover his eyes. The whisker marks he had on his cheeks were now gone, but how the boy had managed to do it, he wasn't really sure. His features were sullen but his eyes…there was a wild glint in his eyes which said otherwise about the calm façade he was showing to the rest of the world. The way his eyes took in light without reflecting it back, it was almost unnatural. But the thought led to the lingering question of what he had been doing these past four years.
"Answer me!"
Naruto ignored him, but instead pointed to the injured leg he was cradling. "Channel your chakra using Ox, Tiger, Snake and Bird, and then try again." Jiraiya was dubious but did so anyway, feeling relieved as the pain subsided from his leg. But he frowned as a realization occurred to him.
"You did that paralyzing jutsu on me when we were in the smoke, didn't you?" He accused, his eyes glaring at the boy. How else would he know how to cure the ailment? The blonde nodded, brushing off the glare from the Sannin as if it was nothing.
"It was for your own good," He reasoned, buckling his sword to his waist, "I can't have you dieing on me since you were once my teacher, albeit a slow one. I'm not that ungrateful after all."
Jiraiya said nothing. Whatever tricks or tactics he had to persuade Naruto to go back were instantly washed away with the emergence of this new personality. But he couldn't give up now, not when he was so close and perhaps he could get the old Naruto back. He got up, relishing the feeling in his legs and dusted off his hands.
Naruto, seeing that all was said and done, began walking in away. A question broke his pace.
"Why did you leave?"
He turned his head back, sapphire eyes now staring hard at his former teacher, making the Sannin feel a chill through his bones. "I'm not obliged to say. Perhaps you could tell me why?"
Jiraiya snorted at him. "Long story short, you are just another case of Uchiha Sasuke."
His eyes narrowed at the comment, those same eyes turning into a light shade of crimson before reverting back to deep blue. "I am nothing like him, and I sure as hell don't go about betraying people." He spat, feeling angry to be compared to Sasuke.
"Then I am sure you will come back with me. To Konoha." Jiraiya so-matter-of-factly said. Naruto looked at Jiraiya with a hint of distain, his eyebrows arching as he glared at him.
The response was unexpectedly firm. "No."
Jiraiya looked at the boy in front of him, his features hardening. "It's been four years since anyone last saw you and I WILL bring you bring you back, using force if necessary." Jiraiya threatened. He would fight if he had to, even though he wasn't guaranteed victory due to his lack of knowledge about his abilities, though he was fairly sure that his binding would hold him long enough until they reached Konoha. He found those changed eyes staring at him, sizing him up, similar to just a few minutes prior when he faced down the Akatsuki lackeys. While he had taken managed to take on four A-rank missing-nins, it was waiting game that he played which made short work of them. Naruto had no such advantage over him.
"Do you honestly think you can?" Naruto asked in a causal tone, his fingers slinking to the hilt of his sword, enjoying the rough texture of it in his hand. Jiraiya knew that the boy was bluffing but he was tempted to find out how much stronger Naruto had become but he stayed his hand, opting to wait for a more preferable opportunity instead. Whether Naruto liked it or not, he was coming back with him.
Silence.
"I thought so. But…" Naruto remained silent for a moment before whipping around, a grin on his face, his mood changing as fast as a storm. "I shall agree to your request under two conditions."
Jiraiya was baffled now, his mind jutsu all but forgotten; by all rights, Naruto had nothing to gain by agreeing. This unexpected move on Naruto's part puzzled him greatly but if he was going to come willingly, he wasn't going to let it slip away. "Go on…" He asked with a healthy dose of doubt. He had to remind himself this wasn't the same boy whose determination he had found admirable and had taken him up as a student. He saw the old Naruto crumble, only to be replaced by this boy who was just, if not more perplexing. Or was it that he had just as many more masks to hide in?
"I want to remain known as 'Karaichi Seizou'." It was a strange request, but it was acceptable in any case. It was then while looking at him, he saw how different he was from the Naruto of the past. From the outside, he looked every bit of what Naruto would look like when he grew. But from within, he could tell that Naruto was already dead to the world. The Naruto he knew was never like this, and never so guarded in spite of the harsh life he endured. And never that powerful, a small voice in the back of his head whispered.
He didn't really like that voice.
"Secondly, I will not answer any questions regarding my four year…" He paused, trying to find the right word, "…absence."
Jiraiya frowned, shaking his head to clear his thoughts but he nodded his acceptance of those terms absently, the whole thing turning out better than he first expected. But the nagging voice in his head was still there. "What about the Akatsuki?" He jabbed a thumb in the direction of the fallen bodies, Naruto giving him a smug look.
"What do you think?" He had asked in return, compelling Jiraiya to tilt his head towards the bodies, only to find the ground empty save for several puddles of blood, the sight not really surprising him. It was going to be troublesome if they came back to stalk them again, but that was expected from the Akatsuki. The Nine had employed lackeys into their ranks. He could deal with them later; his attention was needed on more pressing matters.
Jiraiya regarded Naruto with a look, before he turned back to the direction which led to the Stone capital.
"We will go back to the city for a rest and leave at dawn." He said, not looking back to see whether the boy was following him. The footsteps against the earth telling him all he needed to know.
Konoha!
Why of all places, did he agree to go to Konoha! He fumed within himself, as he watched as dusk turned to night, his footsteps following in tune with Jiraiya's.
He didn't know what made him accept that proposal in the first place but he supposed it didn't matter either way. He wasn't fond of it but he had no place in mind to go next and he didn't really care as long as no one recognized him. His sense of irony probably had a hand in making the decision, as well as the Kyuubi; he was certain that the fox loved irony.
He laughed when he saw the look in the Sannin's eyes. Did that man really expect him to be happy to see him after four years? Was it hope he saw in the old man's eyes? He snorted. He had dealt with loneliness before, hell, he dealt with it his entire life, so what was another a decade or so to him? The Ero-sennin certainly didn't know that, not that he cared in any case; he had stopped caring a long time ago.
Nor did he care when he saw the despairing look in Jiraiya's eyes, praying that he would tell him that it was all a dream and that he was still the same, stupid Naruto after all this time, asking him to turn back into the weak little boy that needed shielding. It was laughable, really but he was also angry at Jiraiya for that. He was his own person, and they had robbed him of his free will once, and he would not allow that to happen again. He would be act how he wanted to act. It was his choice alone.
Did he want to change? He found himself asking. Did he want to revert back into his previous self? He didn't really know, though tempted he was to change, to give up this lonesome existence, to be acknowledged once more by those he cared about. But to do so was to be weak, and he hated every moment he was weak, the bitter feeling of helplessness still fresh in his mind.
No, if that was what it meant to change, then he rather be the same cursed person that he was now. He was alone, no matter what anyone would say. But he had power, and that by itself makes it worth the pain and burdens he had to carry. He chosen his path, and he intended to walk it.
But even if he wanted to, he could never go back. The Kyuubi made sure of it. But was the need to be strong such a detestable thing? He asked himself.
And was it really worth it? At this, he felt a tiny speck doubt before the thought was shoved away, never to be brought up again. He reprimanded himself for asking such a question. He was happy, after all, wasn't he? Though he reassured himself with those thoughts, there was an irksome voice saying otherwise, sowing the seeds of regret and pain in his mind.
Continue to lie to yourself, to ease the suffering, the irritating voice told him. I thought you were strong.
Shut up. It opened up his old wounds, pain reacquainting itself with his heart again. The voice never returned, banished into the depths of his mind. But the pain remained. He was happy, wasn't he? The question burning in his mind.
He didn't know the answer, letting himself a small smile before he slipped into another of his masks to hide from the horrible pain.
Sakura stared upon night sky, watching as the stars twinkled from above. A breeze drafted the cool air at her, sending a few shivers along her spine even through the thick padded vest she wore always when she was outside. Sighing, she rubbed her hands for warmth. It was late already and most of her companions have slept, leaving her with guard duty, but she did it by her own choice. She needed time to think. About anything but him.
Continuing to stare from the roof top of the hotel aimlessly, she didn't notice the sharp sound of opening and closing of the door behind her. Her muscles tensioned but then relaxed, her chakra enhanced senses telling her that the newcomer was of no threat to her. Not that there is a sufficient lack of those who could be, she thought.
"Haruno," An arrogant voice spoke, "Might I ask who's supposed to be on duty tonight?"
Oh, him. "Yeah, whatever, Neji." She said, her tone stating that her mind was elsewhere and that she wished to be left alone. Neji frowned. But walking walk was the last thing the Hyuuga was going to do, at least not until he confirmed his conjectures.
"You saw him today, didn't you?" It was more of a statement than a question coming from him.
Sakura didn't answer, silence filling the air save for the soft city noises in the background.
"I will take that as a yes."
"…"
Neji wanted to say something, but didn't out of sheer will. He known about Sakura's "condition" since the day she was assigned to the special ops group. How did she actually manage to get transferred to that detachment was beyond him, it was a bothersome thing at first knowing how weak she was with her ninjutsu and taijutsu compared to the rest of the squad. But those thoughts were banished once he saw how proficient she was at her trade of healing. On many an occasion, she had saved their lives many times, his included. Over time, he gradually began to treat her more as a shinobi rather than an excess burden. His concern for her was purely platonic, if not as a comrade, then as a friend. But some things have their limits. Such as his patience.
"Look, I'm am trying to say is that you should focus on the mission now," He continued, his pearly white eyes staring in disapproval. "Whatever troubling you can wait, especially in our line of duty." Sakura turned to him, an odd fire in her eyes which Neji recognized as unbridled rage along with something else. Even without the Byakugan, he could sense her chakra gathering . He widened his eyes as understanding dawned upon him and he jumped aside, narrowly avoiding the intense beam which shot from her eyes. A jutsu that was unique to her alone, due to her almost perfect chakra control.
Then it stopped, leaving a scorched mark on the wall. Sakura, realizing what she had done, began to apologize profusely. "Sorry, sorry, sorry-"
Neji just shook his head, accepting the apology before his features hardened. "Think about it." He said, the pink haired kunoichi flinching a bit. "For your sake."
She didn't answer, nodding her head absently as she resumed her star gazing. Neji gave her one last look, shaking his head in hopelessness before retiring towards his room. Sakura sighed, her body leaning against the railings. Several long minutes past, before another creak of the door alerted her to another's presence.
"Still reminiscing, I see." She jumped at the sudden sound. It was Tsunade-sensei's voice; though it was a bit slurred she could still tell it was her.
"Tsunade-sama, I-"
Tsunade gave Sakura a look which showed and betrayed nothing, taking a sip at the flask of sake she held. "I know, I know. But sometimes it's best to move on from the past, before you get hurt even worst." It was another of her prep-speeches, and it was beginning to irritate her. For almost the past two years, she had been subtly giving her hints to move on, no matter how much she tried to be the perfect, emotionless pupil. Her urgings didn't help much and even caused more grief until she requested that her sensei desist in her efforts, but somehow it always felt as if she was the one at fault, because she wasn't strong enough to move on from him. And it was true, she knew. Even if she didn't want to admit it.
Sakura gave her a deprecating smile, and the semi-drunk Hokage looked her over.
"Get some sleep; you look like hell." She winced. Even in the state, Tsunade-sensei still was able to tell The girl nodded, gingerly making her way to the door from the roof. Tsunade watched Sakura's retreating form until she left before turning around.
"Come out, I know your there."
There was a loud 'plod' and she squinted at the source, only to obscured by the shadows of the night. There were more 'plods' before it reached into the light. Long drapes of cloth and silk were wrapped around the body of the toad, covered by a midnight blue outfit which resembled what a human envoy would wear, though it was modified both by size and design to fit the toad. Oddly enough, it fitted the regal toad immensely It was strange sight to see a toad in such a manner, but it was a toad nonetheless.
And that was the reason she linked the green amphibian to the ever wandering Jiraiya, whom of she hasn't seen him for the last four years, not counting the semi-incoherent drabble she seemed to receive at times from his creatures. What could possibly be the motive for him to find her this time?
"Jiraiya-sama requests that you read this." The exquisitely toad-envoy croaked, its throat expanding widely as it handed her a scroll. Seeing that its task delivered safely, it disappeared into white smoke with neither word nor explanation save the noise of its departure, leaving Tsunade with only confusion and apprehension in her mind.
It was early in the morning; with the sun just starting to rise, and the people beginning to move to and fro in the city streets. Though it wasn't too early, not even in the slightest definition in the shinobi world for there was never a time which was too early fro them. Jiraiya leaned against the hard bricked wall, watching from the corner of eye the boy who stood a few meters away. He noticed that Naruto had changed his hair color from a golden blonde to chestnut brown just recently, for it wasn't that color the hour before. He didn't know how he did it, but hadn't changed his expression any bit, the blank look still on his face. The feeling of dread and regret welled in his chest, but it was easier to deal with now that the boy changed his appearance, reminding him less of his failure as a teacher.
He wanted to make amends, but whether or not the boy would forgive him, he could only hope. The blank looks he received from Naruto didn't promise much, only telling him that he was dead to the world at the moment. What happened to the vibrant and obnoxious brat who looked on at life with such enthusiasm? From the short time he spent with the silent boy, he found out many changes he had undergone since his disappearance. Instead of anxiety, it was replaced by calmness and instead of impatience; he saw wisdom that was beyond his years. All the qualities of an efficient shinobi were now found in Naruto, but instead of calming his mind, Jiraiya found those changes unsettling. But change wasn't always good and he found something worse in those eyes, something he overlooked before when the boy revealed himself.
A gaze he himself hadn't seen. But he knew it was dark and filled with unspeakable things.
Where had Naruto been all these years? Jiraiya didn't know the answer to that nagging voice plaguing him. But all will be answered in time. He could only believe it was so.
Tearing his gaze away from the despondent boy, his eyes turned to Tsunade who he saw approaching from the distance, along with her escorts. He smiled himself a small grin knowing it was another time for a reunion, and all would be well again. Just like it has been.
If he had been more attentive, he would have seen a barely noticeable curving of the boy's lips.
Tsunade eyed the Jounins at her side with calculative eyes, looking them over to evaluate their combat readiness for the day. The Hyuuga boy, she noted, was ready and well rested, no small part due to his chakra training. The other two Jounins looked bored but were fresh from the night's rest, though that may change soon. Her eyes then came upon her protégé, and instantly she noticed the worried creases along with an almost haggard expression on her face. She frowned, her lip curling inwards with displeasure. It seems that the girl was still unable to get some rest despite her urging. Though she could sympathize, at the rate she was going, Tsuande was sure that the girl would die due to fatigue rather than by the hands of enemy shinobi. She was going tell off the girl about getting enough rest one of these days, but for now there was nothing else she could do.
They were going to leave today, and meet up with Jiraiya at the southern gate. That was her agenda and if all goes well, they would avoid any traps set by Orochimaru and reach Konoha within five days. Any attack to them would occur outside the city. She knew that Orochimaru wasn't stupid enough to risk a frontal assault on her within the jurisdiction of the Tsuchikage, even with so many open opportunities to strike. Like Leaf, the Sound wanted to forge alliances with as many hidden villages as possible, though that goal may be hindered due to the unsavory reputation of being a backstabber that Orochimaru garnered over the years.
Soon, she was able to make out two silhouettes from the morning mist, the fog thinning with every step they took towards them, eventually revealing Jiraiya and another boy that was with him. She could deal with questioning him later, for now it was time for etiquette as demanded from him to her, no matter how much both of them detested it.
"Tsunade." He greeted, a placid smile on his face which was all but a mask to hide his weariness. She smirked mentally, knowing that he didn't expect her to know but she knew anyway; she knew better than he did. They all had their masks to hide in, after all.
"It's been a long time, Jiraiya." She returned the greeting, letting a smile creep onto her face. Like Jiraiya, it was a mask she wore, all the worries and problems pushed deep within her mind, to focus solely on the person in front of her. And that was the mask that kept The questions she had wanted to ask at bay, after reading the vague letter of his.
The morning wind breezed passed them as they stood silence, not needing any words for there was nothing more to be said. Both hated long reunion speeches and as such the silence was satisfactory for them. She took a good look at the Toad-sannin, as she had always done when they became reacquainted after so long away from each other's company.
Jiraiya, she saw, hadn't changed much since the last time she saw him, with only a few lines of age were showing on his face, but other than that, he was still the same unchanging Jiraiya she knew for the last few decades. It was good to know that some things never changed. Then she laid eyes on the boy next to him. She was surprised that Jiraiya had taken On the lean side of things; not too skinny or too muscular, she noted. Long brown hair which spilled neatly about his mantle, reminding her of the similar hairstyles people had back in Konoha. There was something about his eyes … Sapphire orbs which reminded her of someone she knew a long time ago…they reminded her of Naruto. But he was dead, the fact glaring in her face, and she dropped the thought altogether.
"Who is this?" She heard herself ask as brief memories flashed through her mind.
The lack of sleep was catching up to her; already she could felt the dull ache in her body with every step she took. But she willed herself to be vigilant for she took pride in the fact that she was a shinobi. Though that was something she said over and over, as if to convince herself and to push on with life. She needed to cling onto some sense of reason and that was the only thing she could rely on. She continued to listen as the Sannin moved to introduce his taciturn companion. She heard much about the Toad-sannin from Tsunade, most of it not flattering in the least. Though how much of it was true, remains to be seen.
"This is my drinking partner and part-time student, Karaichi Seizou." She heard Jiraiya say, a frown appearing as the words sank in. Drinking partner? The whole concept that one of the legendary Sannin bringing a drinking partner along to their trip was dubious to her but Tsunade waved her suspicion off with a laugh. Somehow, she suspected that it was one of his unusual habits. She almost swore that she saw the mysterious boy smirk at the Sannin's words, but perhaps it was due to her tired and overtaxed senses. She looked him over, already a few conclusions bouncing in her still functioning head.
From what she could tell, he didn't seem really impressive, though the hood blocked most of his face from the outside view. His frame, by her estimations, was rather lean, not actually showing any indications of significant strength in his body, whether true or not she would find out later. Her interest was sparked as her eyes landed on the sheathed sword bound to his waist, mentally marking him as a weapon-user, though whether or not he was on the same level as Ten Ten she would find out later. She hadn't had much hope for the stranger though, for Ten-ten, after all, was the best users of weapons in Konoha. And that was really much all she could gleam after only a first encounter.
But for now, all she wanted was to go back home and slink back into peaceful oblivion.
Neji looked at the Sannin and then at the silent boy next to him, noting that he wasn't really anything impressive. The blade that was in his sash only served to confirm his own thoughts about the boy; he was weak, as were most weapon users he had faced, and probably wouldn't survive should Sound shinobis ambush them along the way back to Leaf, which was by itself a high possibility ever since he scanned the city by the Hokage's request. How did he know? It was simple really, for he seen many like his kind before, swordsmen and mercenary alike were fodder compared to the superior caste of the shinobis. Lacking both the skill and fortitude to take on ninjas, why did they even bother to fight against such superior odds, he didn't really know.
He bore into the boy with his eyes, as if trying to discern any secrets that may be kept hidden within those shifting blue eyes.
He caught Neji giving him a look and he was amused that the Hyuuga didn't have the decency to look embarrassed.
Some things never change, he mused. The Hyuuga still wore the same white vest he had when he was still a Genin, the only difference about him was the dark green Jounin vest was worn over it. The rest of old lady Tsunade's entourage were unfamiliar to him
Jiraiya and Tsuande-baba were in front of the group, and were being awfully quiet, which was good in some aspects but also troubling in others. Though knowing Jiraiya, he would try to give subtle hints about his identity. After all, would they want to lose their weapon a second time? Unconsciously, Naruto licked his lips in delight before he shook off the sudden surge of blood lust along with a fair amount of angry at the thought.
A sudden pain in his hand caused him to lift it up to find his fingers turned to long bone-white claws, their outline glowing with a red hue which Naruto found hard to ignore. He fought down the growing urge of madness and sighed with relief as his hand shifted back to normal.
A second surge of Kyuubi's chakra screamed through his pores, catching him unaware and this time the strain of both masking and containing it took most of his will power. The Kyuubi had dumped some bothersome things onto him, much more than he was willing to take, but he didn't complain. Those who had sold their souls didn't have that luxury.
He had managed to mask his pain, but unfortunately, it would attract some attention onto his being because of the alluring property of the demon chakra. So it wasn't surprising to him when the pink haired girl turned to him with curiosity in her jade orbs, letting him take a good look of her after so long.
Ah, yes, Sakura-chan. How long was it seen he had last seen her? Three years? Or perhaps even four? He had lost count.
She grew back her hair it seemed; now it was long and lustrous as it had been, still retaining that vibrant shade of pink. Her features were more refined than what it was since the last time he had saw her. And she was so much more beautiful then before. His frozen heart stirred before another thought entered his mind. She probably did it for Sasuke. Oh, he knew. He knew when he first saw her after years. That faraway look in her eyes when Sasuke was still part of his team, that look he wished she would use to gaze upon him but never did.
Sasuke.
How he hated that name.
And there was silence, the air calm in contrast to the great vortex of hate that was him. Much can be gained by just listening to the voices lingering in the air, one could the hollow voices of the dead and the joyous singing of the spirits if one so wished. But the air also whispered to him of the things to come, things which brought only age and weariness to those willing to listen.
But for now, the world can wait, like it always did.
Calm and sunny, with just the right amount of shade. The forest path was pleasant to those of weary minds, the air was fresh from the night before. Almost the perfect day for anybody. Almost.
The sound of moving wire went unnoticed by them, walking unaware to the danger they were in. The wires snapped, and all went silent for a moment.
And that was when all hell broke loose.
Hiss…
…hiss
…hiss…
He watched from atop the shadows, as balls of angry red erupted from the ground. He laughed as he watched his creations wrecked destruction onto the leaf-nins below. He glanced towards the rest of his comrades as they rushed, their eyes wild and their bodies charged with chakra. They were now quite far from him, their blood singing for the blood of others. But his calling was not of battle; he didn't have that perpetual lust for blood like the others did. No, his calling lay within the subtle and vivacious art of summoning. A difficult skill to master, most would say, but the rewards were worth it. And Orochimaru-sama would recognize his strength and perhaps he would even replace that upstart Uchiha-. He stopped, his mind snapping back to the present. There were times for such thoughts and now was not one of them. There were enemies to kill and he would kill them well.
With a wave of his hands, another pyre of fire burst into the sky.
He could hear the sound of battle faintly from where he was but that didn't matter.
Clouds of smoke covered the region where his comrades were fighting. And from the smog three giantatic snakes appeared, crushing trees under their enormous size. Atop on their heads, their minuscule masters stood. And that was the signal to him.
It was time to deliver the final blow. The reason why he was so superior than the rest, his bloodline jutsu. His hands were in a frenzy, shifting to form one hand seal from another without pause. The jutsu was quite long and difficult to perform but it guaranteed success should it be used upon anybody. Anybody, and that included Uchiha Sasuke as well. He smirked as he felt his chakra wells expand significantly, the amount of chakra at his disposal increasing almost three fold. Then he began directing the energies to his hands and already he could feel them swell and ache as arcs of chakra fizzled from his hands. But he bore the growing pain, his mind tasked upon succeeding.
Soon, soon. I will be the one Orochimaru-sama favors… There was a slight shift in the shadows but he didn't notice, too busy with the jutsu and fantasizing about the future.
Neither did he notice the approaching blade as it descended upon his neck…
Naruto looked at the crumpled form of the Sound-nin, neck snapped and hands still surging chakra which now merely danced and fed mindlessly on the flesh of their dead master. Soon, the corpse would be devoured by the chakra, and nothing would be left save for ash. He snorted in disgust, sheathing his blade with neither regret nor sorrow in his features. He pulled his hood over his head, his grey traveling cloak covering him from view.
He had no desire to kill.
But there were exceptions to the rule. The Sound being one of those.
He had found out earlier that there was no hope for redemption for them. When you showed them mercy, they took that mercy and threw it back at your face with twice as much trouble before. They were mindless, like the chakra which only served to be used, turning mindless without its master. It was what they were, existing only to serve the purposes of Orochimaru without fail. The Sound had sold their souls for power, just like Uchiha did.
And remember, so did you. The voice in his mind whispered. You too, are like them.
He ignored the voice, like many times he did in the past but he couldn't help but feel a bit angry. He kept silent, not wishing to be baited by it, for if he became mad with rage, nothing would stop his path of destruction which he would unleash, save for himself. And Naruto hardly thought himself as being resilient.
He looked to the east where the battle was being fought. Already he could see the massive frog boss side to side with a huge slug, flanked by three snakes of the same size. He wasn't surprised by this, for he knew that the Sound had been getting more and more powerful shinobis recently. But he was sure that Jiraiya and Tsunade could handle them. Those two were after all, Sannin. While he was more concerned about the battle raging below, he wasn't sure whether to lend a hand against the Sound and risk letting his powers be known or just let the Leaf handle their own enemies.
The thought of Sakura fighting alone against unbeatable odds brought a sharp pain to his chest. She wasn't there when you walked the dark places of the continent, she wasn't there for you four years ago and wouldn't be there for you now! The logical and hateful part of his mind screamed at him, telling him that she wasn't worth it and that she should die for all he cared.
But another voice sprung up among all of those angry voices, pleading for him to go save her just this once.
Gods, he really hated that voice.
"Get down!" She heard Neji shout. She did as she was told, just in time to avoid the swinging tail of the snake that the Sound-nins had summoned. Trees were falling with every movement the gigantic monsters made, and she had to move every so often in order to avoid getting crushed, her position now quite far from Neji. Both Jiraiya and Tsunade-sama had summoned their own creatures and were now engaged with the snakes and their masters. While she was confident that both of them could hold own against the Sound, she wasn't so sure about themselves.
Whoosh!
She barely dodged the several kunai which were thrown at her direction, and without wasting her movement, she threw back a few attached with explosion tags. But she wasn't worried about whether they would hit their targets. Her concern was centered on the fact that their enemies were slowly, but surely isolating them. Already she could barely see Neji and the others fighting from the distance. But where the swordsman the Toad-sannin had brought along was, she had no idea.
But more importantly… there are five of them and one of me. This is going to be difficult…
"Come on, little girl." The one of the Sound-nin had taunted, his eyes scanning over her body a little too thorough for her taste. "We won't hurt you. Much." Sakura almost snorted, but remembered that she was outnumbered here. But that didn't meant she's totally defenseless though, and she had a few choice jutsu to use in this type of situations.
Forming the hand seal of Boar, she closed her eyes for a brief instant, molding what chakra she had gathered as she prepared for her attack. But the Sound-nins saw no reason to attack, but instead encircled her at a distance like vultures.
"Praying? Isn't it a little too late for-" The Sound-nin was interrupted by the streaming pristine beam which shot out from her eyes. "Shit! You're gonna pay for that bitch!" The beam continued to smolder the surroundings as the Sound-nins desperately tried not to be hit by the chakra powered beam. Its intensity lowered for a moment before it blazed even stronger than before, this time taking out one of the Sounds who was too slow to dodge. Sakura ignored the screams and the horrid smell of burnt flesh and struggled to keep the beam going, for she knew that once she stopped the Sound-nins would immediately pounce on her like wolves, fueled by bloodlust. The frenzied look they gave her didn't help her soothe her worries.
She heard the sound of a kunai traveling towards her and she jumped back, her attack losing its momentum, and the ocular beam stopped all together. A small amount of fear began to creep into her but she pushed it down before it could fester. She was a Kunoichi, dammit!
Her hands formed one seal after another, instinct driving her thoughts rather than her intelligence but for now, it was enough for her. It was a mass mind control jutsu she made herself, combing Ino's and Shikamaru's own jutsu with a few new features pioneered by her. In theory, it should be a flawless jutsu. However, there was something lacking that she failed to foresee…
The only thing that made it not a perfect jutsu was its range.
Suffice to say, the key to success with this jutsu was simple. All she had to do was force out a specific amount of specialized chakra and poof! Since it relies heavily on the intensity of the release of chakra to work, its area of effect was limited to a short distance from the user. She learned it the hard way during one of her training sessions when Kakashi-sensei surprised her as he continued to advance on her, apparently unharmed.
She had reluctantly dropped her little project, hoping to work on it when she could but never found time to really test it out. And now, her survival depended on whether her jutsu worked or not. But that was all shoved away as the last of the seals was completed and she felt her body go overdrive as chakra poured out of her like an overflowing river.
She released the seal. "Shitai kansei no jutsu!"
A palm full of chakra gathered in her fist as she lashed out towards the nearest Sound-nin, a small thread barely visible to the eye riveting towards the ninja unnoticed. It latched onto him, immobilizing him as a surge of chakra poured through the connection. Several big chunks of chakra then branched out from the body as it hit the surrounding the sound-nins. She slumped onto the ground, the expenditure of most of her chakra into the technique overwhelming her body.
But, she smiled. It was a success.
It was then she noticed that one was missing. Her eyes widened, willing her chakra exhausted body to move. She did so in time for several kunai to embed the grass she was just on. She scanned her surroundings frantically, her doujutsu unusable due to lack of chakra.
"This is for trying to burn us, bitch!" She turned to see one of the Sound-nins ready to stab her. She didn't dodge in time and the kunai went deep into her arm. She winced, before the kunai was savagely pulled out, bringing searing pain. She bit her lip this time, trying to prevent herself from screaming. Her concentration was shattered and her jutsu over the others was released. A kick to her solar plexus left her coughing and slam to her back sent her to the ground.
A shadow covered her, and caught sickening eyes unclothing her.
"Game over, little girl…"
This was the end. Without chakra, she was useless to do anything. Nothing at all.
She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the final blow to come. And she felt something within her snapped, releasing a lock to something she had kept secret from herself for so long.
Then, chakra filled her; gave her a strength which she had never thought possible. Its presence was foreign but strangely familiar as it flowed within her veins. With an instinct to protect herself, she stood up, her body, along with the surroundings, exploded with chakra, hurling the surprised Sound-nins through the air and into the depths of the forest.
And as soon as her strength came, it left abruptly, leaving Sakura to fall helpless on her behind. She was perplexed as to how she managed that raw chakra blast but she didn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Silently, she thanked whatever kamis which were out there for protecting her.
She heard the soft footsteps on grass approaching her and she turned her attention to the source, fearing the worse. Her fear was but she was still apprehensive of the
"You!" She shouted, her surprise getting the better of her. "What the hell are you doing here!"
The boy who accompanied Jiraiya before looked at her, and she could feel his eyes scanning over her even though the hood and cloak obscured his features. "Why, searching for you, of course. I got separated when they ambushed us." He said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Sakura nodded tiredly, too tired to consider the possibilities that it may be a lie; fatigue was beginning to take its toll on her, and the use of that jutsu just now made her even more light-headed. She struggled to collect her thoughts, but had failed. A hand shook her, and she instinctively knocked away the offending grip with a scowl.
"My, aren't we grumpy today?" Sakura narrowed her eyes at him. But before she could continue, she heard the faint rustle of the leaves in the wind and he pointed out the obvious. "They are returning."
She almost snorted at that. "What do you think they would do? Leave us here 'unattended'?" She said dryly, picking herself off the ground, her legs pretty much reduced to jelly from her exhaustion. She couldn't help but feel angry, which surprised her considering she barely knew the swordsman. She felt ashamed at her attitude, though the previous few moments she had spent with him made her consider otherwise. Still, it was unwarranted on her part. As if something made her to do so.
There was another rustle, this one was louder than the first. She moved her arm, pain flaring once again as she forgot to heal the wound. Her chakra was low, but she could afford to heal some of her wounds. She performed a few seals, her hand enveloped with the expected glow of chakra as she placed it on her arm, the wound closing rapidly.
"Trust me," She said, readily a kunai as she stared expectedly into the shadows cast by the trees, "You wouldn't last long against shinobi, so please spare me the added headache by getting out of my way.
He just shot her an amused look, which prominently declared 'Oh really?' even under the hood he wore. She glared at him, only to receive a shrug in return. She turned before he spoke again.
"I'm just here to help you." She found his words cryptic, but dismissed it as the Sound-nins approached. She could find out what he meant by that later.
And the battle was joined.
Enemy or not, he had to give credit to these Sound-nins. Where others would have been beaten minutes ago, they were still standing, much to his displeasure. It had also concerned him that Orochimaru had gained quite a few talents during these past few years, if the Sound-nins who were dispatched against them were any indication. And from what Tsunade had been telling him prior to the ambush, it wasn't a good sign at all.
He took a sideward glance at Tsunade who was on top of Katsuyu, noticing a worried tick beneath the calm exterior she showed. It was a slight sign but not inconsequential. But the question was who was she worried for? He could only guess, but he supposed that she was worried for the student she taken in while he was off searching for his. And the pink-haired kunoichi was, he noticed, was very beautiful and quite competent it seems, just like Tsunade was a few decades ago, and he wondered why she would need to worry about such an excellent student.
But he was not one to judge, especially since he was also anxious for Naruto, and no matter how much he showed his proficiency for both getting out and into trouble, he still felt responsible for him. But that was not the point, Naruto had disappeared the moment the attack came and his mind concluded that there was a possibility that Naruto ran away again. But he immediately dismissed it, for he knew that Naruto could escape with ease if he so wished. However, there was something greater which influenced him, something that not even Naruto consciously knew, but he had saw a piece of the old Naruto shine within those dead eyes for just a moment and it motivated him to bring back that light no matter what.
He grinned, the familiar rush of battle filling him once more.
Theoretically, he should be just at the level of a rurouni. Weak and easy to kill.
Theoretically, he shouldn't be alive now, from the hidden looks of surprise the Sound-nins gave him.
But that was all the technicality of assumption. He learned early on that nothing was what it seemed. Even the most obvious appearance had another side to uncover. And his identify was one of those fronts. No one would be able to tell that Karaichi Seizou, amateur swordsman, was one of the many faces of Uzumaki Naruto, S-class missing-nin, with numerous charges of possession of kinjutsu, all listed under his various aliases in the bingo book. But he wasn't using any of those aliases now.
"Katon: Saishuu Hantei no jutsu!"
A huge ball of fire surged its way towards him and at the last moment sidestepped, creating the impression that he had been hit. And when the smoke cleared, he was amused to see a big shock on the face of the Sound-nins as he stood unharmed next to a crater almost three times his size. The Sound-nins fixed their attention on him, He couldn't have Sakura-chan unfairly outmatched, now could he?
Bringing along that kind of attention would mean leaving Sakura-chan with one less opponent to deal with, which is just as well. He wouldn't consider three on one an unfair advantage. They were going to have to take advantage of everything they got, underhand or not, to win. He could sensed that they were at least lower Jounin level, and that much of the Sound's techniques were amplified to the max in terms of power. Not to mention curse seals, and the fact that he couldn't use any high level jutsus, or risk blowing the delicate identity of being just a simple rurouni. It was going to be a challenge. A challenge which he would enjoy immensely.
"Now then," He said, boredom in his tone as he unsheathed his sword which reflected its owner's lifeless eyes, "Shall we begin?"
He was insane. Utterly insane.
Sakura was convinced of that when Seizou didn't move an inch as the ball of fire raced to pulverize him. And when the smoke cleared from the blast, she was shocked to see him standing next to the huge crater so casually. And he was smiling to top it all up, as if it was all a game to him!
He was mad. Mad enough to taunt the Sound-nins to focus a three-on-one advantage on him, leaving her with possibly the weakest of the four. She didn't want to admit it but she still hasn't recovered from her previous…'experience' and was a bit grateful to him for that.
Though that wouldn't be long, once they deal with him, She though bitterly. I will be hard pressed to even dodge! After all, he is only a rurouni.
A rurouni who seems to be able to avoid jutsus, Her mind retorted, and she found it strange considering the circumstances. She recognized the jutsu used and it was rumored that nothing would be able to avoid its aim. Even if one was capable of such a feat, they would be hard pressed to deal with the chakra explosion from the impact itself. And yet, this boy almost her age, a rurouni no less, managed to do so without seemingly suffering the slightest of injuries. Even from the distance she was at, she could feel the raw power put into that attack. Coming to this point, she racked her mind, thoroughly frustrated at the impossibility of the situation.
There had to be a reasonable explanation for all of this!
Maybe he was a high powered rurouni or perhaps…
She didn't have time to think as she barely missed being turned to a kebab.
He stepped to the side, letting an icicle stab into the earth beside him as he deflected a kunai with a grace comparable to the wind. His movements were not wasted, honed by years of continued practice and necessity. With a casual gaze, he looked at his opponents who were starting to tire from the games he played.
Even with these odds, he still at an advantage, which suited him just fine.
His smugness was forgotten as they activated their curse seals, constructs of genius-fused insanity which fueled and boosted their chakra and strength by leaps and bounds by feasting on their life energy. An ugly smear of black spread across their skin like a cancer as they became faster and faster until they were almost a blur to him.
The dance just became more complicated.
Their attacks were more deadly, faster and far less sloppy. They encircled him now, each one sending either a wave of sound, ice or fire in a continuous cycle, and there was never a moment to rest or to catch his breath. There was but one thing he could do.
Naruto just dodged. Dodged and avoided those attacks like his life was on the line. Because it did. Because the scales of battle tipped in their favour. For now.
There was a break in his concentration and the Sound-nins noticed. Without warning a blast came at him, its trajectory towards his back. He shifted his body, narrowly avoiding it but the blast cutinto his arm even though he avoided it. Another wave followed the first but this time instead of dodging he hacked at the unseen attack, steering away the wave from him and into several trees behind which came crashing down from the force.
He twisted him body, taking full advantage of the opening left by his opponent, before…
"Ahhhhhh!"
He heard a feminine scream to his left, catching sight of a downed Sakura, in pain as blood flowed freely from her body. Memories resurfaced once more…
"-big forehead! What a big forehead you have! "
Unkind words accompanied spiteful laughter, soft sobbing unheard and ignored in the noise. A pink-haired girl with an unusually wide forehead sat in the sand, tears rolling down her dimpled cheeks. An orange clad boy with wild yellow hair watched silently from the sidewalk as he watched the scene, feeling angry that they could say such things. He thought that she was an angel, like the ones he had read from the storybooks the old geezer had given him, with those rosy cheeks and bright eyes. Smiles, not tears suited her, he though, before he heard the next line.
"I wonder whether that big forehead of yours can absorb the force of stones?" The bully pulled back his arm, his instruments of pain clasped within his grasp.
"Stop!" At the last moment, the yellow haired boy jumped in, using his body to shield the crying girl from the stone, wincing as his head bled from the impact. A fire flared in his eyes as he glared at the other boy who was almost twice his size, whose eyes of black scared him but still, he held steady in face of this. He turned his head, to see the girl sniff, curious and teary eyes peering at him with wonder. And at that moment, he wanted protect this angel. He had to.
The bully just pushed the interfering boy with ease, the latter lacking the strength to resist from malnutrition. He focused his attention on the orange clad boy, a cruel smile on his lips as he recognized the other boy. The one who was always shunned by other children and adults, as if he was a pariah. "What do you know? Orphan boy? Bet your parents abandoned you 'cause you're jinxed or something."
He stopped cold, the biting truth and reality in those words sapping him of his strength and resolve, leaving him as an observer in his own body. Words and insults didn't reach him now, already locked tightly in his own little world
The teasing continued.
And he watched on helplessly, unable to protect his angel...
He snapped, rage playing a cruel puppeteer with his body.
"You should be getting tired by now…" The Sound-nin sneered, sending another shockwave towards his opponent. The force he had put into it would have collapsed two city blocks if it had hit.
His foe grinned at that, dodging the shockwave with more speed than he seemed to possess, much to the Sound-nin's suprise. "Oh?" He asked, eyes twinkling with glee. "Don't be so sure…" He dropped his chakra barriers completely to allow his chakra to flow freely, his hands glowing with the gathering energy.
Impossible! This chakra!- His brothers had the same expression as he did. Shock and incredulity.
"I forgot to mention this but," The boy in front of him smiled, his posture changing into a crouch as his hands gripped his now sheathed sword, "I've been holding back..." The change in pressure wasn't notable at first, but there was a flash of red almost akin to the crimson hue of the sharingan which surrounded the boy, sent shivers into the other shinobis.
"Please entertain me."
He knew this feel of chakra, and unlike the soft presence of the blue, this one was menacing, inspiring terror to everything it touches. It flared around the brat, becoming visible to the naked eye. And it wasn't just any type of chakra.
It was the power of a demon.
When the monster looked at him with those eyes, he knew. There was a demon within, wanting to take control, wanting to sate its bloodlust. With their blood.
Within moments, he had killed almost all of his team. He was the only one who remained.
"M-monster!" He managed to stutter out. That stopped the monster in his tracks, and he turned his crimson tinted eyes towards him. Terror ran through his blood even more now, intensifying as the monster let his gaze fall on him. He had never known true terror before but now he knew. The choking feeling of helplessness was imprinted within his mind, his sanity slipping with every moment passed.
"What did you call me?" The incarnation of a demon asked in a very quiet voice.
"A monster!" The Sound-nin said, shocked that his mouth was moving on its own initiative. He didn't notice his curse seal activating.
The vessel of Kyuubi narrowed his eyes and the Sound-nin felt that oppressive aura beginning to choke him. Literally.
"Do you know why you called me a monster?" He asked, taking small steps around his prey, the sound-nin unable to answer, let alone breath. "No? Then let me educate you." He plunged his hand into the other man's chest, blood exploding from the wound.
And he screamed.
So easy.
So weak.
Naruto took one step towards the fallen body, lips curved like a demon before the other shinobi screamed, clutching his head as blood trickled from his eyes, mouth and ears. It broke him from his rage, not completely lifting the veil of bloodlust, but enough for him to remember. That he was not like them.
He frowned at the weird symbol which appeared on the Sound-nins head as he continued to scream. It was shaped like a snake, except that there were stringy lines which branched out from the main body of the snake. A sickening smell rose as the seal began to burn through the flesh didn't have him very much.
He would have recognized that seal anywhere, after being ambushed by so many who wanted to steal his techniques for their precious master.
How could he ever forget that?
It was a mind seal, very similar to that of the Hyuuga curse seal. But instead of a quick death, this seal was modified to give the bearer an agonizing one, through a maddening genjutsu planted within the mind. The seal, like all other , was only placed on those Orochimaru had deemed…'loyal'. He had seen such fanatic devotion to the Snake Sannin by his slaves before, and frankly, he wasn't impressed.
"Even in death, does your pitiful master controls you." He spat unsympathetically as watched his opponent's body thrash erratically. "Every second, every hour, till the day you die."
His bloodlust subsided completely and the crimson shade left his eyes, demonic urges slinking back from whence it came, to be replaced with the gaze of the shell which inhabited his body for quite some time. But even a shell knew small mercies. "But I will give you a quick death. That much I promise."
He raised his blade over the suffering body, the scene like a morbid ritual one would commonly find before the founding of Konoha, and plunged it into the heart of the convulsing body. Blood spattered on him from the force, but he didn't pay it any mind. The Sound-nin thrashed for a moment before he became deathly still, the smell of decaying flesh lingering in the air. Removing his blade from the corpse, he wiped it with a cloth he had carried in his gi, throwing it aside before sheathing his blade.
Watching the clouds darken, he closed the tortured eyes of the shinobi, muttering a quick prayer. He looked at the suddenly grey sky as he listening to the voice of the wind, not noticing emerald eyes watching him from afar.
"Hold on there, Sakura..." She mumbled on to herself, half hallucinating from blood loss. A sudden chill made her shiver
She had multiple stab wounds. Three in the shoulder, two to the abdomen and one in the leg, severing a artery in the process. It was painful to even think, let alone move. And there was the seductive lull of black clouds which would bar her vision very so often. She pushed her already tired body to mould chakra before, during combat with the Sound-nin. And now she needed to use chakra once more to heal. She knew that she may die from the exertion but there was no choice save a slow death from blood loss.
With heavy hands, she performed the seals to a jutsu she had used so many times to save the life of others and her own. Pain mingled with the feel of chakra, as the abused coils took on heavier loads than it could take. She held on, managing to heal the most of the wounds before the last fiber of chakra was extinguished
It was done, and she knew that it would take some time before she fell into the unwanted state of chakra exhaustion.
He turned and faced her, blood stains on his clothes of grey. She couldn't see his eyes clearly but they glowed almost red under the afternoon sun, lips set in a line. Even through her clouded mind, she was scared, not that she would ever admit. Then, she, for the first time, saw through the surface of those terrifyingly cold eyes, the secret which lay past the thin layer of indifference. And as she gazed once more upon those orbs of sapphire, and in her haziness, she wondered how much those eyes reminded her of someone she once knew, the sad, lost, cheerful boy who made her laugh when she needed it the most. Then she felt the gentle tug of her muscles finally giving way, becoming limp as her brain reverted to a sustaining state.
The world became foggy to her as it drifted away.
He could sense apprehension and fear from the jounins he couldn't recognize before. But Neji and Tsunade didn't seem to notice. He couldn't care less as long as his position wasn't compromised. Jiraiya was no where to be seen, and he suspected that the Toad-Sannin was still checking the perimeter of their position. Tsunade turned her attentions onto the injured jounins earlier whereas Neji just walked towards him, an unknown expression on his face, which confused him for a moment. He tensed as the Hyuuga prodigy stopped within arms length of him, only to pick up the pink-haired bundle leaning against the tree trunk.
"You fought well." The Hyuuga admitted grudgingly. The praise didn't faze him a bit. It would have meant something to him before, to be acknowledged by someone strong but no longer did he seek such childish whims. He wasn't who he used to be, and that was reality.
"It was nothing." He said, his eyes barely shifting to glance at the unconscious girl in Neji's arms. He found it hard to ignore the ache stirring in his heart, along with the subtle darkness. "It was nothing at all."
TBC
Ending notes: Finally! I thought I would never get it done… Now, I am sure you noticed some Naru/Saku fluff, if you consider that fluff, but I will make it up in the next chapter. (Not sure how though, perhaps suggestions are in order…) There is no author feedback for this chapter, though I wished I had the time to do so. :( But I appreciate everyone who has reviewed, one timers or not, cause you guys give me the motivation to struggle on.
I felt that this chapter could be done better; the scenes rushed and greatly compacted, to my deep regret. Why, you ask? Cause I can't wait to advance to the next stage of the story, and it should be good if my gut serve me right. :) But seriously, this chapter is a transition chapter to a more stable environment. Like Konoha. nudge So I can't help but rush the process…
The chapter may revised in the future, but for now, it stays as it is. My head hurts and it's about one in the morning, and coffee's not an alternative.
Technique of the day…
Shitai Kansei no jutsu: Body Trap technique. A technique developed by Sakura during the first years under Tsunade's tutelage. Orginally, it was like the Kaiten but its area of effect would be much larger than the defensive technique. After the technique showed a critical flaw, Sakura developed a variation of the technique. This variation is similar to the Shadow Bind technique, with the exception that it uses chakra threads instead of shadows as the mediums for trapping and that no additional chakra is needed for it to capture more targets or maintain its hold as it draws chakra from its victims to sustain itself.
Oh, by the way… here's a teaser for your troubles…enjoy:)
He stood unfazed, not by her or the huge office he was in, his eyes betraying nothing as he stared at her unflinchingly. She figured it was a good time as any to speak.
"Why," She asked, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Why did you leave?"
The boy's hair morphed and shifted, from dusty brown it gave birth to striking yellow, tangles of long strands of unkempt hair possessing a hidden grace taking the place of the once short and brown crop. His lips curved into a smile she had only seen once on one person in all her fifty years. The smile of a demon.
There was silence, before there was a small chuckle from him. That chuckle grew into mad laughter. And then there was silence once again.
He clasped his chin with his hands, a confounded expression on his face. And in a sing-song voice, he asked, "Why? Why oh why, I wonder?" He repeated, his tone pondering, searching for an answer like a child. Tsunade found it mocking, until she saw the lifeless glint within those dull orbs. She shivered. What did he endure to become like this? The thought lingered until a more chilling question came into mind. What had they done to help create Naruto into what he was now?
Naruto looked at her straight in the eye, face solemn and replied, "All I wanted was love, Tsunade-baba. And this village stripped it away from me."
To be continued in the next installment! Tune in next time!