The darkness continued to shave away at his sanity. Maruku had no idea how long he had been captured and bound. He was starving, dehydrated, and completely immobile. The boy had long stopped trying to escape. At a time like this, the only thing Maruku could do was turn inwards. Pushing his thoughts away to achieve true meditation, he saw the embers. His chakra had been restricted but it was still there, and that was enough. Maintaining his state he could feel something else starting to flow into him. The rush of power started to overwhelm his senses, just as he was about to lose himself to this new power, it vanished.

"To think that you would try to bend nature to your will, truly the peak of human arrogance." The deep feminine voice startled the hell out of the boy. For the first time in what felt like forever the darkness retreated to show a dimly lit room. Standing proud right in the center of the room was a giant flaming blue cat with one and a half tails.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" The boy's initial reactiondidn't surprise the beast in the slightest.

"Quiet down you noisy brat. Now then you probably have a few questions. I shall answer the most obvious one first. During your fight with my previous host, the sealing technique on your arm absorbed most of my power. Afterward, her seal was so damaged that the remaining bit of my chakra escaped, killing her in the process. Soon I shall regain my full power while still in your body." Maruku gripped his head as he tried to process the new information. Yugito was dead and it was his fault. He was directly responsible for the events that led to her death. He was struck by a feeling that had knocked him off of his feet. Grief. Memories of his mission before he blacked out came back to him. The enemy ninjas he killed. So preoccupied with his own survival and duty that he never stopped to consider his own mental wellbeing and feelings. Tears started to form in his eyes as Maruku reflected on his actions.

"None of that. What's done is done, you cannot change the past. The actions you took were to defend your own life and the peace of your homeland. Something like that is expected of those called shinobi. You've done your duty so hold your head high."The words of the beast were surprisingly comforting. Wiping his tears away and getting to his feet, he looked the force of nature in the eyes.

"Thank you. Your words have helped me more than you know." the beast gave a curt nod to acknowledge him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Were you not listening? I've already explained the circumstances for our meeting."

"It's nothing to with that. But I just wanted to ask, what's your name?" The beast was visibly startled as it took in Maruku's question. Glancing at him with mismatched colored eyes full of apprehension it answered.

"My name is...Matatabi." Maruku smiled at the answer.

"It's nice to meet you Matatabi, my name is Maruku and it looks like we'll be partners for the foreseeable future." Matatabi looked him over one more time judging him.

"Very well, we shall be partners for now."

"Can I ask you some more questions?" Matatabi nodded.

"How come you haven't escaped on your own yet? As far as I know, I don't have any special seals on me keeping you here."

"You don't need a seal. It's your bloodline that keeps me here. In other words, right down to your DNA you and possibly your descendants would be considered to be a perfect host. While it is not the fresh air that I seek, it is much more comfortable than my previous host. I can actually fully stretch out here." Maruku considered the reply.

"Well, sorry you can't get any fresh air, but that might change soon. I've been captured by the enemy and I have no idea what they plan on doing with me."

"I'm well aware, that is why I have been working overtime."

"Working?"

"Like a typical human you went and messed around with powers you didn't fully understand. All these body seals you have on your body are slowly destroying it. I've been using my power to burn them away. Then you give even more work to do by trying to take in nature chakra. What on earth was going through that pea-sized brain of yours when you attempted that." Taking in Matatabi's words, Maruku wondered what could have gone wrong with the seals. He also considered the nature chakra she spoke of, which would have to be researched in-depth at a later time.

"Thanks for the help. I had no idea of such side effects so I owe you one." The cat looked surprised at being thanked but nodded her head all the same.

"Is there a way that we can get out of here?"

"There is. I can flood your body with my power and that would give you the chance you need to escape. However given your current physical conditions, overuse of my power will kill you. If you die, so will I, given that I am currently inhabiting your body. You have one chance and only one chance, do you understand?"

"I understand completely so don't worry we'll get out of this." Matatabi nodded at his affirmation.

His eyes snapped back to the reality of the cage he was in. Soon incredible power flooded his entire body. It was warm and gentle, lacking any malice. The darkness that had fed on his psyche was now illuminated with soft blue flames. Flexing his muscles he broke all his bonds with ease. Kicking the bars of his cell he began to run, making his way towards the now visible staircase. Dashing upwards he encountered no resistance. Strange, a hideout such as this should be brimming with enemies. The staircase bled into a long and narrow hallway that seemed to go on forever. Deciding to make a shortcut, Maruku inhaled a deep breath and exhaled a brilliant blue laser towards the ceiling. The gambit paid off as a single sunbeam washed over him. With a powerful jump, the boy landed on the surface. He took a single moment to enjoy the sunshine.

"Don't linger. You're running out of time." Heeding his partner's words the boy used the sun to determine which direction home was. Fueled by Matatabi's power he ran homebound, burning everything in his wake to dust.