Dislaimer: I do NOT own Naruto or any of the characters involved. So no lawsuits please.

AN: 'thinking'

An part 2: --The Crane or Kyuubi speaking--

AN part 3: Sorry for the long awaited update. I don't know what was going on with my head. I moved...then my lappie broke...such sadness...such sadness. Well it's been a long wiat and I hope you are happy I have returned! YOSHA! I'm back and ready to roll on with the story. No more waits. I'm going to write this puppy! So! On with the show, ne?

CHAPTER 7

Aiko awoke to the sound of footsteps outside her door. She could hear the guards yelling orders to each other at a frantic pace. 'So," She thought. 'They have already begun the preparations for my death." She sat up and shifted into a comfortable position. Which was quite hard to do considering her hands and legs had been chained.

--They are in for a bit of a surpirse.-- Aiko snorted in response. --They don't know they are getting ready for thir own execution. How entertaining.--

'Why is it, that everytime we are arround other living beings, one of them dies? Is it a curse? Maybe it's morals. Yes. Maybe I have a moral dillema that makes me kill others.' She heard the Crane laugh inside her head. 'Just what do you find about this situation so FUNNY?'

--You humans always have to make everything so complicated. Morals and curses? Come now, don't tell me you believe that nonsense.--

'I was only throwing out an idea.'

--I will tell you why death haunts us. Why it follows our every move. Humans are afraid of that which they do not understand. Unfortunately for us, we fit into this category. They fear us. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. And...well...you know the rest.--

'Don't you ever want there to be some other way? Something other than death?'

--Something other than death? Such as?--

'Peace...A place where we can live in peace and not have to worry about whether or not we will be alive tomorrow.'

--Well, I must admit, that WOULD be nice. However, it is an unrealistic dream. How about this. If we ever find that place. We'll live there. I would not mind.--

'At least we agree on something.'

--If you call that an agreement.--

'That reminds me, do you know what time of day it is?'

--I have no way of knowing. Just like you I cannot see the sun. I do however, know that you only slept for about two hours. As for the rest of time...I do not know.--

'I see. So it is the same day. They sure do move fast.'

--Well they are ninja.--

'True. We aren't going to be able to leave without killing them all...will we?'

--I do not see how we could. It is a village full of ninja. All of whom will fight to the death on command.--

Aiko shifted positions before her leg became completely numb. 'We could die tomorrow.'

--We COULD...but we will not. I refuse let that come to pass.--

'I see. I guess it might be a good thing I am stuck with you.'

--Perhaps it is. Although for which one of us I am not sure.--

'How DID I get stuck with you anyway?' The Crane chose not to respond to this question. 'Fine...don't answer. Even though this could be my last day alive. Why do always avoid this topic?'

--I avoid it becuase it is a story that is not worth telling.--

'You don't think I have a right to know why there is a demon in my body?'

--Demon? That's cruel. I'm too kind hearted to be a demon.--

'I think I will refrain from commenting on that.'

--You must admit, other demons are blood thirsty. I only kill to survive.--

'Fine. I will agree...IF you tell me why you are inside of me and not someone else. After all, this could be my last day of life. Show some of that kind heart you claim to have.'

--You are manipulating me.--

'Perhaps.'

--Very well. I will tell you some of it. You can put the rest of the puzzle together yourself.--

'Fine. I can meet these terms.'

--I was quite the evil doer.--

'You?'

--I will trust that is not sarcasm. Yes me. In order to repay my depts. I was entrusted as the gaurdian of a certain family.--

'My family?'

--Yes.--

'How does this help me when I am the only one left?'

--Well technically you are not the only one left.--

'I do not understand.'

--You are a mix of two families. You're parents were exiled because of it. From what I hear, status is an important thing to both groups.--

'I can understand that.'

--To remove your banishment, your parents made a pack with the family that I owed a dept to. In order for you to rejoin that family, I was to be sealed within you. Considering your blood, you now make quite the lethal weapon.--

'I see. So I was to be made a weapon.'

--That was not the intention. You were supposed to be a guardian but things did not turn out that way.--

'What happened?'

--We will save that part for another day.--

'I don't have another day.'

--Well then, this should give you incentive to survive.--

'I already have that, thank you.'

--And what might that be?--

'I refuse to die. Not until the day comes, when I can look someone in the eyes and not see fear. When I only see trust and understanding.'

--Love.--

'Love?'

--You do know what that is don't you?--

'Of course I know what it is. I'm not an idiot.'

--It seems to me that you are searching for what humans call love.--

'I don't think that's it.'

--Think about it some more.--

Aiko sighed. There was no point in continuing the conversation. She wodered how she ended up with such an insane companion. Then again, she was lucky to have been fated with one. If she didn't have the Crane sharing her body she would have died long ago. It was probably the closest thing to a friend she'd ever had.

Aiko fell asleep, while thanking fate for her only friend.

end

AN: I had this whole chapter written...and my stupid cat unplugged the computer before I could save. So I had to rewrite it. I suppose I like this version better. Irony...don't you just hate it. Well anyways. Jade...has returned. Mwuahaha. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and tolerated the sappy ending. Another is on the way! So read...review...you know the drill. I take ideas...remember this.