Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapters
Super flashback chappie!!!!
The sun sets, and the creatures of the day return to their abodes to rest, and avoid the possible predators that roam under the moonlight. In such hours of twilight, the forests turn into a hive of activities, and sounds of the creatures that call the forest home call out to the moon. It's been six days since they returned to the monastery, away from the poisons that might lurk under the cloak of darkness that stretches far and wide. Yet, as safe as it seems to be, there are other hidden attacks, things that cannot be seen, assaults from within.
Naruto was alone, and he sat watching the small pool, and the still waters became the screen which the moon is projected on. The plants that ensnares the surroundings and captivates the visitors are silent, no wind for it to sing along. But it served him better, as he now had nothing to distract him from contemplating the future that might come.
He had not told Sena or the rest of the temple about the new beast that resides within his biological shell, for many fears chained his freedom from doing so.
---Flashback---
"Who... Who are you?" Naruto asked out loud.
"Kagizume is what I am called..." The voice was close, and he searched the surroundings franticly for it, but to no avail.
The blonde searched the surroundings again, but there was no sign of any creature that could have been the source of it. "Where... Where are you?" His eyes kept looking, his mind willed his feet to run around to search for it.
"I am within you. Inside the flesh you call your body." It spoke again, humming repeatedly inside Naruto's ears.
Instantly, Naruto dropped to the floor, his hands shaking outside of his control. "No.... It can't be."
"Is there a reason why not?"
"Why? What is this... How?"
"The answer will be given when you stop your unproductive fidgets, and after you return your injured friend to the monastery on the mountain."
----END FLASH-----
The moon in the pool broke into pieces when the falling stone force ripples throughout the surface, and for a moment there, the blowing gale sliced through the mountain air. In such moments of serenity, there was chaos and confusion within him. Dim lights of the monastery warned of the presence of others, but he ignored them. The dark navy night was filled with clouds, their luminensce amplified the beauty radiated by the full moon. But such beauty muted all others, and the colors of the flowers, buildings and the lustre of the carved rocks were shadowed by the celestial object.
---Flashback----
Naruto returned to the undecorated alleys that formed the labyrinth of the prison, to face Kagizume once more.
Kagizume wasn't restrained by any seals, and he was free to leave should he wish to do so. That point striked a plethora of emotions into the heart within him, but mainly, it was fear. But the rest was awe, for the creature was a stunningly marvelous creature in the shape of a man, and he was armoured in many sharp talons, razors and pikes.
"Seeking answers?"
He nodded.
"So, what do you seek from me?"
"WHY THE HELL YOU CAME INTO MY BODY FOR?" He screamed, angrily.
"I attacked you that day, because I detected the aura of a kinsmen, the breath of the reborn. I came into your body because I wanted to meet with this sibling of mine."
"That's all? So why did you attack me?"
"No. I am a warrior, but over the years, there wasn't anybody left to challenge my powers. The moment I felt the aura that might rival me, the bloodlust that had long been dormant was stirred one more, I felt the urge to fight against the one that could challenge me, and I did."
"Fine. Now that you have met him, and fought Kyubi, why don't you leave my body?"
"The bloodlust, once awakened, will not stop until it gets it's fill of the thrill of battle. I will not leave you until you are able to give me that thrill."
----End Flashback----
The water rippled, vibrating of the stone rocks that became the boundaries of the pool. Confusion stirred again...
-----Flashback-----
"Why do you like to fight so much?"
"I once had a goal, but that was long ago. I once had an aim, but it is now a memory. With no goal or aim, I am lost at sea. I lost the feeling of life, and only in these moments of true combat I would gain that temporary fix, that momentary satisfaction. In the nanoseconds of battling fury, I will feel alive."
----End flashback-----
The cerulean eyes moved to stare aimlessly at the stars in the sky, a sense of longing swept over him.
----Flashback-----
"Why don't you find a goal?"
"When a person is immortal, goals are either too easy, or impossible. I tried to have goals, but none proved worthy enough to satisfy the need. I had no use of material wealth, power or fear that man loved so much, for I had abandoned them, humanity a long time since."
"Abandoned?!" He exclaimed.
"Yes. Both myself and Kyubi have a form before this. You see me as a human, because I was a human."
"Was?"
"I had given up on humanity, and I was happy I did. I no longer craved for power, no longer bothered by the twisted things of man, spared of the constant struggle between so-called good and evil."
----End Flash----
His hands shook slightly, his heart pounded. The calm surroundings was no cure to the confusion inside.
Naruto believed inside that he could help Kyubi return to the proper road, return to the correct side of good. But what is good? Would he crave for power that Kyubi possessed? Would he set the monster free should he was angered by the citizens? Would he be corrupted by Kyubi and Kagizume? Doubts was clouding his mind, he knew it. But there wasn't much he could do about it.
What is good? That was the question Kagizume asked, and although he answered it, questions were emerging, and the very foundation of his faith in the good in mankind was slowing shaking.
Kyubi looked at Kagizume, and memories crept back. It was awhile since he had met with another reborn, and the flashing memories reminded him of the things he thought he had thrown away. Memories, tough, persistent things they are.
Reborn. That was the name given to their kind, their unique race by their master, but to the mortals that linger in the world, they are demons.
The light filtered through the window softly, given much needed light for work to be completed. The fan kept on with it's constant humming in the background, and the cup of hot chocolate exhumed a thin trail of smoke. Shikamaru stared at the papers, and his mind began to analyze it's contents.
Tusnade had made strengthened the military in the past few months, in face of rising tensions between the nations. The prospects of going to war was not well accepted, and if possible, the daimyos themselves would rather avoid such needless bloodshed. But economical pressures are forcing some nations to be expansive, and mist itself has been noted for it's constant meddling in the affairs of the nearby nations to generate economical growth in it's own country. Shikamaru, being one of the brightest, if not the brightest, is given the heavy task to assist in the planning of the defence of the nation.
But it is hard to defend a country so wide with so little forces. A large army spread thin can be easily defeated by a small but concentrated platoon. He knew that truth. So did Tsunade, and everyone else that has notable tactical knowledge.
Gaara practiced ceaselessly in the solitude of the desert, building up his chakra pool and mastering whatsoever jutsus that he would find useful.
The desert was an unforgiving place, the sun's unhindered rays blast the land with immense but unseen fury. The sand, heated to a high temperature, complicated the situation. Gaara once read of a theory that provoked some thought, and it was the edge of chaos. Life can only thrive in the right conditions, neither too hot, nor too cold. But in other conditions, life would be crushed underfoot, and he would now beat his opponents by making the surroundings too hostile for life.
He had seen the manifold facets of the desert, and often he found strength to continue at the sight of the scorpion scraping out a living in the emptyness of the sands.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu!" (I am in need of an animal that would fit Gaara.)
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