Title: Demoniac
Author: Ais (aka Karaleyn)
Series: Naruto
Spoilers: IMPORTANT! This contains spoilers at least through Valley of the Ends and into chapters 246/247. Somewhere around there it diverges from canon, but I'll integrate some of the new info and techniques revealed, as well as probably some conversations and situations.
Pairings: Maybe none. If any, maybe one/a combo/all three of: SasuNaru, GaaNaru, and NaruHina. For others, I may have SakuLee, and possibly ShikaTem or ShikaIno. I have no clue.
Warnings: Dark, angst, drama, blood, violence, taunting, language, shitty things happening, and hopefully laughter and smiles too. May or may not contain het, yaoi, yuri, shounen ai.
Notes: I know the past in this story, but don't know yet where I'm going with this. Naruto's at least 18-20 if not a bit older, but I'll verify/change the age once I know more. If some interactions or personalities seem off, it may be due to my alternate timeline, or I may just suck at writing that character. Please tell me what you think, because if you're a fan of someone I'm writing terribly, your comments will be great help in getting the character more canon in future chapters!
Sources: According to the info at Wikipedia (much of which comes from the databooks), Tokubetsu Jounin are ninja who specialize in a single area rather than going for all-around Jounin training. Ebisu and Anko are examples. I got the names Fuki and Ayame from narutofan's character listing.
Summary: Demoniac – Someone who is, or acts as if, possessed by a demon. But where does humanity lie? Sometimes the containers of demons are more human than those who fear them. Inspired by the awesome ANBU!fics out there, I wanted to explore what life would be like if Naruto was never given the chance to succeed despite all his training and kindness, and a few key things went wrong at the worst times.

.. Chapter one..

He heard someone snickering from down the hallway when he opened his door, but he didn't even bother looking over. Although he used to have a few neighbors in the building, they had all since moved away from his floor, and only one young woman with her three squealing children lived downstairs. The newspaper was not outside his door, but he didn't expect to be. He just went through the motions out of habit, and because if he gave in little ways all day then the tension was let out enough that nothing big happened later.

While he stared at his doormat, ignoring scrawled words that obscured the 'welcome,' he held his breath and counted to five. Exactly on time, he heard the crashing of a window from his bedroom, and looked around with feigned surprise. The snickering became outright laughter that echoed around him, and, resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Naruto shut the door quickly as if he were flustered.

He smiled to himself slightly once no one could see him, and had to stop from laughing back at them. Did they really think this bothered him that much? Petty little jokes, but they made the villagers feel safer somehow and at this point he didn't even care anymore. It was sort of funny to him; an inside joke he snickered about at night as he tried to fall asleep.

Glass, as expected, littered his bed and the pile of laundry by the window. Not even bothering to wipe it away, he just leaned on a clean patch and snagged the newspaper from its perch. Must've been in a good mood, he mused with a faint tilt of his lips as he noticed it was actually rolled up and tied closed. When he unfurled the paper and shook the shards into a nearby garbage bin, he flipped through the pages, his chainless manacles inching down his arms in a familiar weight. Only a few articles were cut out this time, and they'd even left one page fully in tact. He noticed 'Ichiraku' in one of the headlines, but the article had been snipped away, everything else in the headline gone. Hmm. He'd have to stop by to see what that was about. Hopefully it was good news. It wasn't in the obituary section, and that was all he cared about. He didn't want to live to see the day the owner passed away.

Whistling a soft tuneless song to himself, he headed toward the bathroom and snagged some clothes along the way. A slight weight to the air behind him and the tingling of repressed chakra alerted his attention made him smile to himself. "Hey Fuki. There's some extra milk in the fridge if you want any. I'll just be a few minutes."

A shadow detached itself from the ceiling and fell to a silent crouch near his bed. Straightening, her deep red, spiky hair was easily recognizable behind the ANBU mask. "The Hokage is looking for you," she said after a pause.

Naruto shrugged easily. "Waiting never hurt anyone. I doubt anyone wants me near the tower smelling like this. I won't be long." He stopped in the doorway to the bathroom, tilting his body so he could grin widely, his blue eyes alight with amusement. "Unless what you're really sayin' is you guys have to follow me everywhere now, even into the shower..."

Fuki stayed still a moment, then reached up and slid the mask up, flattening her hair. She narrowed her dark eyes with an expression of mild annoyance not unlike Shikamaru, but she was lightly blushing. "Idiot," she murmured, and crossed her arms to stride toward the kitchen. "I'll be chucking out your rancid milk. Hurry the hell up so I don't have an angry Hokage to deal with this early in the morning."

Naruto closed his eyes and laughed. "Sure, sure, you can even time me. Five minutes tops!" He disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him and already turning the water on. "Oh, and don't throw that out! The milk's just fine!"

Fuki raised her lip in a slight sneer when she pulled the milk out of the fridge, but for once he was right. The expiration date was a good week in the future, and she didn't see any clumps floating around when she peered inside. Sighing to herself, she swiped the last empty cup from his cupboard, poured herself a glass and tossed the carton back in the fridge. Leaning against the counter, she sipped her milk and calmly waited for Naruto to reappear. Her eyelids drooped but she forced herself to concentrate on the refreshing cold of the drink, and on Naruto's whereabouts, and nothing else.

True to his word, he was out within four minutes and forty seconds, his hair sloppy and dripping water all over his black shirt, his grin as infectious as ever. Fuki put the cup in the sink, rolled her eyes at him, and slid her ANBU mask back on. "Hurry," was all she said before she disappeared.

Snickering, Naruto hopped out through the broken window, deftly avoiding the jagged edges. It was pretty impressive how large the break was, but Tomoe had plenty of practice. Naruto was sure she would grow into a formidable kunoichi with an arm and aim like that. He was speeding across rooftops in no time, with Fuki shadowing close behind.

- - -

Naruto waited just outside the door, Fuki to his right and behind him, looking as displeased as ever. She had her arms crossed and expression set to 'disgruntled,' and it was not likely to change any time soon with Ami still on a mission. Naruto resisted the urge to stick his tongue out or tease her; she usually just stared at him or responded poorly, and where was the fun in that?

"Rokudaime," he heard someone say on the other side of the door, "it's here."

A pause, a murmured response, and the doors opened before him. Naruto grinned widely, mischief in his eyes, but he stayed where he was until he was acknowledged with a simple, "Naruto."

Striding into the room, the smile still on his face, Naruto ignored the shinobi that stepped well clear of him near the doorway. He didn't recognize the man, which confused Naruto until he remembered that Kotetsu and Izumo were supposedly on an extended information-gathering mission. The room remained silent until the man left and Fuki shut the door behind her. Naruto waited a few seconds before saying cheerfully, "You missed me already, pervert? I was just here the other day."

With a sigh, the Rokudaime turned around in the chair and leveled Naruto with an unamused stare. "You're as disrespectful as ever, brat," he said flatly. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me a pervert?"

"Right," Naruto laughed, "and what else should I call you?" He walked closer to the desk but stayed a respectful distance away, and despite his teasing tone and eyes, his body language remained submissive. He left his hands in plain view in front of him, dangling as if a chain currently connected the manacles hanging on his wrists.

White eyebrows rose in a challenge as the Hokage leaned forward. "Rokudaime. Hokage. Jiraiya the Great. Toad Hermit. There is any number of respectful titles..."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, you perverted old hermit." Naruto grinned, closing his eyes just in time to avoid Jiraiya's narrowed glare. "I've known you too long for you to fool me."

Jiraiya rolled his eyes, mumbling something about impudent brats and 'kids these days,' but he seemed otherwise unbothered. "I didn't call you here to be insulted," he said finally in a normal speaking level, leaning back in his chair to cross his arms.

"Right, so, like I said, what'd you need?"

Jiraiya watched him carefully for a few heartbeats, his dark eyes intense and mouth pulled down into a serious frown. Naruto continued to smile at him, but his eyes were flat and alert and he straightened slightly at the look. After a moment, Jiraiya sighed heavily, seeming annoyed as he leaned against the desk. "There's been another incident report," he said finally.

"Ah," Naruto said, and the smile fell a bit. "You get those all the time though, right? Why tell me about one now?" His tone was light, his hands completely loose.

"Listen," Jiraiya said, and the weight of his words could be seen in the slump of his shoulders, "there has been a... rumor... circulating that the girl who vanished the other day was..." And here he paused for proper wording but Naruto just raised his eyebrows.

He had not realized anyone disappeared (probably one of the articles cut from the newspaper) but he could easily follow the line of thought. "Murdered?"

Jiraiya nodded. "There are witnesses that claim they saw her taken away by a man with red chakra."

"Ah," Naruto said again, his smile completely gone now. "I have an alibi."

"I know you do," Jiraiya said, waving a hand almost irritably. "Two ANBU were with you at the time of the supposed murder, and there wasn't even any sign of struggle, let alone any blood. I doubt anything happened, and any rumors are just that; rumors. She even disappeared with her purse and a few articles of clothing." Jiraiya paused, his cheeks reddening slightly as he grinned with a perverted gleam. "My guess is she's off on a torrent love affair, basking in bed right now, her beautiful body barely covered by a thin--"

"Lech!" Naruto said, though he could not help laughing, "You just never give up, do you?"

Jiraiya glared. "Respect! I'll get that tattooed on your forehead, you little brat!"

Naruto's laughter only grew. "Great! Get a picture next time I see Gaara, then. We could be the walking campaign for proper relationships."

Jiraiya rolled his eyes and settled more firmly into his chair. "Don't think I won't do it," he said, but the warning fell flat as the two sobered up to stare at each other. Frowning, Jiraiya looked out the window, his tone casual. "Anyway, just thought I'd let you know that there'll probably be some pretty indignant people today. You'd best avoid your usual haunts."

Naruto hesitated, his eyes narrowed slightly and expression serious. "The girl. Who was she?"

Jiraiya watched him from the corner of his eye. "Ayame."

Naruto stared straight ahead, expression unchanging though the room seemed a bit darker as he nodded finally and slid his eyes shut. "From Ichiraku," he said with his head tilted toward the floor. A humorless smile pulled at one side of his lips. "They're all hanging around the ramen stand today, aren't they? Up in arms, rocks and all?"

Jiraiya raised his eyebrows, still watching Naruto obliquely. "Yes."

Naruto half-nodded to himself. "Alright. I'll avoid it then." He bowed slightly at the waist, keeping his hands carefully loose and in view and shoulders slumped submissively. "Thanks, Rokudaime."

"You sounded as though you knew the answer to that question before you asked," Jiraiya mused. "Hiding something, you little bastard?" His tone was light, his words more a pet name than anything.

"Nah," Naruto said with a smile, looking back up with blue eyes that seemed distracted but otherwise clear. "Just realized a bit of news I missed earlier, is all." When Jiraiya just looked at him curiously, Naruto shook his head and laughed. "Stop looking so serious! You'll get all wrinkled and seem even older and you'll never get any girls again."

"You little bastard!" Jiraiya snapped crankily, straightening in his seat. "I'm irresistible! And don't forget that with my age comes experience. I could still kick your ass any day!"

"Bring it on, gramps." Naruto grinned, his eyes sparking with mischief and amusement.

Jiraiya scowled. "Insubordinate--! Just go home and clean some of your nasty dishes already. I'm sick of looking at you." But even as he waved his hand dismissively and Naruto obligingly backed away, there was definite concern in his eyes that the blond did not miss.

"I'll be back tomorrow to bug you some more," Naruto said firmly with a grin, and Jiraiya rolled his eyes but recognized it for what it was. A promise that he would be fine and that tomorrow would come with him still alive and in tact, ready to wreak havoc once again.

The door shut firmly behind Naruto and his guard, and Jiraiya sighed heavily and looked out the window again. Being Hokage was such a pain. He had purposefully refused it before; it was a shame he didn't have the luxury the second time.

Turning back to the endless piles of paperwork, he started half-heartedly shuffling through them, his eyes scanning the reports even if his mind was far away.

- - -

It was an unspoken agreement that they would use the rooftops on the way back, but when they arrived at Naruto's apartment he really didn't want to stay. There was no place in particular he could go, especially with Ichiraku off-limits, but something in him was prowling dangerously at the idea of being caught in those rickety walls. He knew enough to give in there too, as he knew to give in to the little indignities over the day, and anyone who had shadowed him long enough understood this about him.

After all, how could he be any different? He was known as the Beast of Konoha, and everyone knew beasts didn't like to be caged.

Naruto said nothing, but he glanced sidelong at Fuki with a slight smile pulling one side of his lips, his eyes dark and intense. She hesitated, watching him carefully for a few moments before twitching her head to the right in a silent 'follow me' gesture. Closing his eyes to himself briefly, the smile stretching to the other side of his lips, he silently thanked her for her understanding.

She was not his fan, and certainly couldn't be called a friend. She had to monitor him constantly after so many other candidates had resigned or been given other missions, and she disliked Sakura (who Naruto remained friends with) after their childhood encounter when her idol Ami was beaten by Ino in Sakura's defense. Yet when he was feeling desperate and frustrated, she always seemed to understand, and somehow always had a solution.

Not knowing what the solution was this time, he simply followed her closely as they sped along. He recognized the area they were headed, but did not realize her intentions until she suddenly skidded to a halt atop a house. Naruto paused beside her, straightening to look around in confusion, when two figures suddenly arrived facing them. Blinking at them, he had no chance to speak before one stepped forward with a grimace.

"Aww, man," Kiba complained, hands shoved in his pockets with Akamaru hovering like a bodyguard at his side. "Babysitting, Fuki? You said you had something new and interesting for us to do!"

Fuki didn't remove her mask but Naruto could almost feel her narrow her eyes. "This is new, Inuzuka," she said calmly, with a hint of an edge.

"Yeah but who wants to stand around watching Naruto all day?" He looked disgruntled, shoving his hands even deeper into his pockets as he slouched. "I'd be losing less brain cells watching grass grow. If I'd known you meant this, I wouldn't have stopped training."

"I'm not that bad," Naruto said mildly from Fuki's side, but his smile held a slight challenging edge to it. "I bet I could teach you all sorts of stuff."

"Yeah, like how to twitch in the most boring way possible," Kiba retorted with a roll of his eyes, though there was no venom in his tone.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, his shoulders tensing slightly though he said nothing back. Akamaru watched him warily, a low rumbling vibrating from his chest that Naruto did not understand until he realized he had unwittingly taken a half-step forward. Forcing his back to loosen, he stepped back and resumed his decidedly uninterested pose.

Fuki watched him sidelong, her mask barely tilted in his direction. With the power radiating within him contrasting the apathetic way he held himself, he reminded her of the times she had seen Uchiha Sasuke from a distance. Cold, impenetrable, and perfectly capable of ripping anyone's heart out should they displease him. This was clearly not a day to harass him unnecessarily.

Tch'ing to herself, she turned back to the others. Kiba remained belligerent as ever but she knew as well as he did that the Tokubetsu Jounin would follow her orders if for no other reason then that she was ANBU, and outranked him.

Behind Kiba, the unimposing voice of Aburame Shino waylaid the hostility. "Fighting and complaining will do nothing. We are just wasting time."

There was a pause while Kiba grudgingly nodded and Naruto remained impassive save the slight smile that seemed to grace his face more often than not since his detainment. Sighing, Kiba shrugged and looked away. "Fine, it's not like I was going to try any new training today anyway. But..." He glanced at Fuki with an expression caught between wariness and curiosity, "it this okay?" He looked pointedly between Shino's ANBU mask, and Naruto's manacles.

Fuki shrugged slowly with one shoulder. "Theoretically he requires two ANBU watching him at any point in time, but a Tokubetsu--even one as belligerent as you--with an ANBU is better than one ANBU who has been guarding for three days straight."

Kiba and Akamaru looked riled up at her slight, but Shino raised a hand to fend his teammate off. Looking sidelong at his friend, Kiba scowled and relaxed, though Akamaru growled a light warning Fuki's way.

Shino's expression could not be seen, but somehow it seemed he frowned slightly. "Where is the second guard?"

Fuki turned her head toward him, the silence heavy and significant before she finally murmured, "Never arrived."

Another silence, this one filled with tension from Kiba. Shino was the one who spoke, however. "Have you reported this to the Hokage?"

"I intend to right after this. Without a second guard I couldn't leave long enough to properly report this incident, let alone anything else." She paused, her voice a bit firmer, almost a shade annoyed as she tilted her head slightly in Naruto's direction. "And he is not allowed in meetings between the Hokage and any of his guards."

Kiba glanced in Naruto's direction at the comment, but if he had a problem with being excluded from the meetings or Fuki talking about it right in front of him, it could not be seen in his expression. He watched the conversation with a bland, half-amused smile, and though the sun was bright and the day was beautiful, his bangs shadowed his eyes just enough to cover the emotions within.

Not paying attention to Kiba or Naruto, Shino inclined his head toward Fuki. "We will take over from here."

Fuki nodded, turning slightly and tensing to leave, but Kiba had to get in the last word. "Wait... You'd better find us if we need a replacement. I'm not about to get my chances for promotion stripped 'cause I covered your ass today."

Fuki stilled, tilting her expressionless mask in his direction, and somehow the slow, dark smile could be heard in her voice. "Ahh. But of Tokubetsu Jounin, who better than an Inuzuka to watch Konoha's Beast?"

Kiba opened his mouth but did not answer, and with a slight chuckle, Fuki was gone.

To be continued...