Chapter 12: Kaida

It's been two weeks since the battle with Zabuza and Haku, the bridge was finally complete and thankfully everyone in town was back to what they originally was normal for them before Gato. Kakashi said it would be best for our team to go to visit Zabuza and Haku's graves before they left.

Kira leaned against Kakashi, dark circles hung under her eyes. Every time she tried to sleep she kept hearing the screams. There was always so much blood. She would jump awake in a panic. Glowing red eyes, seeing herself rip a human apart with her teeth like a wild animal.

She just got angry, the idea of someone hurting a kid, someone who couldn't defend themselves. Something snapped within her. Now whenever she closed her eyes she would see herself committing the murder.

She was a monster. She wished she could have stopped. Just knocked them both out and tie them up like Naruto had. Instead she killed a man and almost the other. She should be locked away. The guilt was eating her alive.

Kakashi knew something was wrong with her, he had a feeling what was bothering her. When he saw her covered in blood he knew the seal was fading.

"Come on, we need to talk." Kakashi led his sister aside a few feet away. Sasuke looked back watching the two walk away. He was worried about her. He heard her toss and turn, her cries, then nothing at all. She wouldn't sleep. She stayed out at night, refusing to be in the same room as any of us. It got so bad that even Naruto had noticed.

Naruto who's oblivious to everything around him finally took notice to her distress in Sasuke's opinion. He didn't think she needed Naruto as a friend. Sakura tried to help saying that if she needs to talk she would listen. She smiled it off saying she was fine then would walk off to read one of her books. Sasuke wanted to help her, he didn't know what to do.

A few feet away Kakashi and Kira sat in silence. Kira's eyes started to droop, her body begging for sleep. Resting her eyes didn't help because only a few minutes later they shot open fearfully.

"Listen there's something I need to tell you." She looked up confused. Kakashi let out a sigh hunching his shoulders over. "In a neighboring village, there was an attack. Our Mother was working as one of the healers in a safe location. Being pregnant didn't stop her from trying to help the villagers. Father said that it was a dragon that attacked,"

"Dragon? Dragon's aren't real." Kira said annoyed.

Kakashi smirked shaking his head pulling her closer to him. "Yeah, that's what I thought. But if the Tailed Beasts exists then Dragons must too. When our Mother went into labor with you there were some complications. She wanted couldn't live with herself if she lost you…"

Kira stared at the ground. "Why are you telling me how she died?" she asked softly not liking to hear how she killed her mother. Kakashi was quiet for a bit. "It's part of the reason why what happened at the battle happened."

She looked up now. "Father had to make a drastic decision to save the village by making a sacrifice. He didn't want to, Mother knew you'd be a special one, she loved you so much. The dragon from that day is within you Kira." She frowned looking at herself her hands shook.

"What you experienced is a blood urge. The dragon's instincts were feeding off your emotions until it takes over."

It was her choice though. She wanted him to die. She wanted him to suffer.

"We can practice controlling your emotions that way it won't happen again." She nodded. She never wanted to do that again. It doesn't matter that the man she killed was her enemy. Being a ninja meant having to shed blood. Kill or be killed in some missions. She felt so hopeless not being able to stop.

She felt so light on her feet, happy even before she blacked out.

"Come on, lets pay our respects before we head out." She nodded holding his hand, letting him drag her back to the group. Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura watched them worriedly.

"Kakashi," Sakura called hoping to get Kira more animated at the moment and less like a zombie.

"Hmm?"

"I can't help wondering were those two right about what a ninja should be?" Sakura asked staring down at Zabuza and Haku's graves. Recalling what Zabuza said the day he died.

"A shinobi shouldn't be concerned with a reason for her own existence it is important merely that we exist as a tool for our homeland to use in whatever way they need. That's as true for us in Konohagakure as it for ninja anywhere else." Kakashi explained.

Naruto didn't seem to like that answer, just being used as tool? Nothing more? "Is that really what becoming a full-fledged ninja's gonna be about? I don't like the sound of it." Naruto grumbled.

"Do you really feel that was, Kakashi?" Sasuke asked looking at his instructor.

"Wellll, no." That caught everyone's attention. "And that's why all we ninja live our lives with that ideal always bubbling beneath the surface of our minds, disturbing us. Like it did Zabuza and the boy."

Kira shook her head not liking the idea of it. Knowing what she had in her, and knowing what people would do because she has it. What Kakashi said made sense.

"That's it. I've made up my mind. I'm going to create my own Nindo, my own ninja path. My own destiny." Naruto swore. Kakashi chuckled to himself very glad to see Naruto growing up.

Walking away from the graves Naruto and Kira stood close. Holding each other's hands for the upcoming battle. Naruto stayed close to Kira since the battle, it helped him know she was alive. When the battle was all said and done she told him everything that happened when he was gone till he came back.

She was so scared and terrified of herself. He wished he could help, he didn't know what to do. He watched her smile and act at times as if she was okay but when alone she would stare off into the distance looking miserable. Naruto swore he'd make her happy again.

"Thanks to you our bridge has finally been completed, but it's going to awfully dull around here, once you're gone." Tazuna called smiling sadly watching the group head on their way.

Inari was on the verge of crying, he was trying so hard not to cry in front of Naruto. "We've enjoyed your hospitality." Kakashi thanked smiling at the family.

"No problem, Tazuna, my man! We'll come back and play with you again sometimes!" Naruto laughed.

"You better." Inari tried to sound happy but the hitch in his voice showed how sad he was. Kira smiled softly down at the little kid. He really grew on her.

"Inari don't let it get you down. It's okay to cry, if you really want to!" Naruto joked laughing. His body was shaking.

"I'M NOT GONNA CRY! B-BUT NARUTO, HEY 'BIG BROTHER' Y-YOU CAN CRY! GO AHEAD!" Inari screamed embarrassed.

"Me? No way. See you." Naruto quickly turned around to hide his tears.

Inari started to sob sad that his big brother was leaving. Kira let go of Naruto's hand, kneeling down and pulled the little kid into a gigantic hug pulling him up with her when she stood.

"Oh Inari! I'm gonna miss you soooo much! You better write to me. I want to know everything that happens while I'm gone okay?" he nodded snuggling into her chest, tears and snot staining her new clean shirt.

"Okay big sister!" she leaned forward placing a small kiss on his forehead. "You've got to be the coolest little brother a girl could ever ask for. Take care of Mom and Grandpa for us, okay?" He nodded hugging her tightly before she put him down.

"See you soon Inari! Thank you again for letting us stay here Tazuna, Tsunami!" She called before joining Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi.

Back Home:

It was a full day's walk thanks to the bridge being complete. Everyone was tired and wanting to rest. Kakashi had to leave and give a mission's report. Sakura left for home ready to spend some time with her mom.

"Come on Kira let's get Ramen! You said you'd buy me some!" Naruto yelled excitedly, happy to be back home again.

"Want to join us Sasuke?" He smirked nodding following the two.

"Why'd you invite Teme? He's going to somehow ruin the food." Sasuke made a 'hn' sound ignoring Naruto all together. Though he was happy she invited him. Even if Naruto would be there, he was still spending time with her.

She shrugged her shoulders looking at Sasuke. "We need food. It's been a long journey and Ramen is perfect for this situation." She smiled linking her arms through both boys, pulling them closer. Sasuke didn't protest and of course Naruto wouldn't. He just glared at Sasuke.

It was rather busy over at Ichiraku, they had to wait fifteen minutes for a table. Usually they could just grab a stool and get their food fairly quickly.

The three sat in a booth after ordering, Naruto was practically bouncing in his seat with excitement. It had been so long since he had Ramen.

Over across the room a red haired boy watched the trio sit. The blond boy was almost yelling, he couldn't see the dark haired male but he noticed him watching the gray haired girl. She was staring at the blond laughing.

She leaned against her fist staring at the blond haired boy. The red head rolled his eyes annoyed, being all the way across the room he could hear the blonde yelling. Watching him shake the gray haired girl's shoulder with his excitement when the food came over.

He dove into his food eating at an alarming speed.

The gray haired girl looked around the room again. This time her eyes meeting his. She blinked a few times, giving a smile before going back to her food. Listening to whatever the dark haired boy was saying.

"Shut up teme!" Naruto yelled glaring at Sasuke. All Naruto wanted was to check on Kira alone, talk to her, and make her laugh. Teme had to ruin everything by agreeing. He knew she might have asked him but he couldn't believe he said yes.

"Boys! Stop fighting. Cant we just relax? We're home now! Our first real mission was a success!" She squealed.

"That's right! We passed our first B ranked mission!" Naruto ordered another two bowls of Ramen while Sasuke and Kira enjoyed their one.

Kira couldn't help notice that the red head was still staring at them. She wondered why. At first she thought he was spacing out, she knew fully well how creepy it could be when she spaced out, only to zone back in and see peoples weirded out faces staring back at her.

But he was staring. Studying.

"I can't wait to get more ramen for my house." Naruto called drooling at what flavors he would get.

"Naru no! We're getting you real food! You can't eat just ramen." Kira called shaking her head at all the ramen he ate.

"Why? I live off of Ramen!" Naruto whined.

"I'm going to get groceries tomorrow so you're coming with me. We'll get some food besides ramen. We'll still get ramen but not as much, okay?" he nodded in understanding. Kira always made sure he ate other foods besides ramen. She thought it wasn't healthy for him.

Sasuke nodded in agreement. "I'll be at the market tomorrow as well. We'll probably run into each other." Sasuke brought up, hoping she'd ask him to join her. She was warming up to him, after this entire mission she wanted to spend even more time together. It was amazing.

"Don't even think about mooching in on our hangouts." Naruto yelled glaring suspiciously at Sasuke. Sasuke rolled his eyes making it look like he didn't care.

Kira just shrugged it off knowing that those two would be fighting no matter what she did.

"Why would I try to join your hangouts? All you two do is talk about ramen." Sasuke stated boredly, making it very obvious that he didn't care.

Naruto continued to stare at Sasuke suspiciously not trusting him at all. After paying for their food the three went off in their respective homes. Sasuke leaving first of the two.

"See you," He called dryly.

"Later teme." Naruto yelled happy that Sasuke was finally gone.

"See you tomorrow Sasuke! We should grab lunch if we run into each other!" Kira called happily. Sasuke's heart sped up at the thought of her sitting beside him, holding hands, laughing at something he said. She'd stare into his eyes and just lean in, wanting him to kiss her again.

"You like him or something?" Naruto asked staring at Kira confused.

"No. I don't see Sasuke that way Naru." She sighed resting her head on Naruto's shoulder, she could feel his warmth radiating off of his body.

"If you say so…" The two walked in silence gaining nearer and nearer to their respective homes. "Kira I have to tell you something. Something important." He whispered dragging her to his house so that they could be alone and not worry that anyone would listen in on them.

"Sure Naru," her heart fluttered with anticipation. What was he going to tell her? It can't be good with how he's staring at her. Something was wrong.

In the safety of Naruto's apartment, Naruto let go of Kira pacing back and forth nervously.

"Remember when we were trapped in the mirror prison?" Kira nodded waiting for him to continue. "I just felt so angry when I saw Sasuke dead. I know he's not dead and that we don't get along but I just felt something come over me. Something bubble up inside me trying to take over."

He had to talk to her about it. Kakashi-sensei did his best but Kira would understand what he's going through. She always did. She'd help him.

Kira gulped knowing that feeling all too well. She started to get this uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Kakashi-sensei said it happens because of my anger." She stared at him confused now. "What?" Naruto blinked confused. "Don't you know?"

"Know what? Naruto you aren't making any sense." She frowned hugging her stomach nervously.

Naruto gulped fearfully. If he told her he had the Nine tailed fox in him what would she do? Would she run away? Hate him? No. Kira wouldn't do that. Kira was his best friend! She'd never hurt him on purpose.

"I have the Nine Tailed fox demon sealed within me." He said nervously, sweat formed at the top of his brow. He was scared to look at her. Scared to see the fear, rejection, the hate.

"W-what?" she whispered walking closer to the boy. Naruto cringed hearing her voice, she sounded so scared. Surprised.

"I'm still me, Kira. I'm still the guy you grew up with! Please don't hate me!" He begged finally staring at her. Her large red eyes wide with amazement. She searched his face for any sort of lie.

"Naru…" she whispered softly hugging the boy tightly. Naruto was beyond happy feeling his best friend snuggle into his chest, practically squeezing the life out of him in her hug.

"I'm not alone." She whispered to herself. Glad to know she wasn't the only person in town that had a monster inside them. If Naruto could control the Fox Demon she could control the dragon within her.

"Of course you're not alone, I'm here dumbass." Naruto laughed pulling back some creating some space. She laughed holding her head.

"It makes sense why what happened in there happened." She smiled, pulling away completely walking to his kitchen and pulling out two glasses, filling them with ice and water.

"How long have you known?" she asked softly staring up at him nervously. "About a month…" He was worried she'd hit him.

"You've known for a month? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She spoke softly, not angry, not upset. Just soft like. How she usually does when he's upset and having trouble talking to her about how he's feeling.

"I didn't know how you'd react. Everyone in town knows what I am. I didn't want to tell you and then you hate me…" She shook her head looking away from him for a moment.

"It's okay, I understand. But I'd never hate you Naru." He nodded in understanding. "I hope you won't hate me." She whispered.

"You killed him out of self-defense. I couldn't hate you Kira." She glanced back shaking her head. "No…I have a dragon in me…" That surprised Naruto.

"What? You do? Since when?" He questioned standing beside her looking her over confused. "I just found out this morning from Kakashi. He said it's why I did what I did."

They stood in silence, absorbing what they just learned.

"Who'd have thunk it, the two of us being holders and being best friends." Naruto smirked letting out a small chuckle of excitement.

"Fate really is strange." Kira giggled resting her head on Naruto's shoulder. The rest of the night the two chatted in great detail of when they started to feel not their selves. The friendship grew and grew. Dragon and Fox.

"So wait can I say you're being foxy if you're up to no good?" She giggled, smiling deviously at her best friend.

"Do it and see what happens!" He challenged sending the two friends into a laughing fit. Falling on their backs from sheer exhaustion. Kira snuggled up close to Naruto smiling to herself when he held her to him.

He was just so comfy. She could honestly just fall asleep on him right then and there. "Our lives are really strange huh?" Kira nodded in agreement.

"You said it. But Naru," he made a noise showing he's listening. "You'll make a great Hokage for this village. I just know it." He squeezed her tighter.

"We'll do a great job won't we." Naruto mused. It wasn't a question. It was a fact. Naruto and Kira would make sure this village was safe and take care of everything. As soon as he becomes Hokage Kira will be his right hand man. Well woman.

Sleep overtook Kira and for once it wasn't nightmares. It was different.

She was in a black abyss, alone though the ground looked like it had a ripple effect it was solid enough to stand.

Kira didn't know what to think of this, why was she alone? She just with Naruto, they were falling asleep on his bed talking about the future.

'You are not alone.' A loud voice boomed through her ears. She looked all around her. Twisting and turning. Trying to sense the presence of who was there. She felt a strong pull of energy ripple in waves under her feet.

"Whats going on? Who are you!" She yelled trying to locate the intruder.

'Fear not, for I will not harm thee.' The voice boomed the ground rippled under her feet watching as though something was swimming on the ground.

'Hold on. Is this water?' She wondered kneeling down touching the wet floor. Water clung to her hand, dripping down her fingers by the droplets. Bright lights surrounded her in a flash causing Kira to shrink back in pain, clenching her eyes tightly.

Her eyes blinded by the light slowly adjusted to what was around her. She was in a forest, standing in the middle of a lake. The sun shined high in the sky, there were few clouds in the bright blue sky, there was even a wonderful breeze that blew through the air making the area seem peaceful.

On land she saw a cage. Large enough to hold a beast much larger than Kira. Walking slowly toward the cage she saw it. There was a large blue and black dragon lying on the floor of the cage, its long blue tail was stretched out in the water, lazily swishing it around.

The beasts eyes were shut, it's head held up begging to feel the wind among its scales. As terrifying as the beast looked she couldn't help but marvel at the creature's beauty. Something of legends stood before her caged. No way of escape. It's wings crumpled together making it look squished.

'Child.' The voice boomed. Kira jumped in surprise staring at the dragon in shock. It was speaking to her. 'I called thee here to speak.' Kira gulped nervously. What did the beast want with her?

'Your lack of rest disturbs me.' It finally said.

"What?" Kira finally asked. "You're upset because I'm not sleeping? Well I cant sleep! I keep seeing…" Kira froze mid rant staring at the dragon's large crimson red eyes watching her. Her mouth ran dry.

Those same eyes haunts her dreams.

'Death is nothing to fear over. It is our way of life.' It spoke closing it's eyes again. 'The sooner you realize this, the sooner we can advance in training.'

Training? Wait what?

"What do you mean training? Kashi is doing a great job at training me." She defended herself. She felt silly arguing with a fake dragon.

A loud growl echoed through the peaceful area. Rattling the trees, 'birds' flying away. 'You think I am fake?! Believe me child I am real.' The ground shook, as if a large earthquake was happening. The ground broke open showing large amounts of lava pooling to the top. Kira yelped wobbling as she stood.

"Look I'm sorry okay!" The growling continued but the ground stopped shaking. The lava disappeared. "Who are you anyway? Are you the beast within me?" she asked slowly, quite worried to hear the answer.

'I am.'

Kira nodded slowly trying to take in what just happened. She met her dragon? Can holders even do this?

"Why did I lose control that day?" she whispered not really knowing if the dragon would answer. A warm puff of wind blew past her face. It smelled like charcoal. Looking up the Dragon was staring at her.

'We dragons are proud creatures. We anger easily, our hearts large. We attacked that man because he wished to harm the child.' It explained softer than before.

"We? Wait you were worried about Inari?" she asked dumbfounded.

'Of course, we are one in the same. If it helps, believe that I am just another personality of your own.' The dragon let out a chuckle of amusement.

"Whats your name then? I can't keep thinking of you as 'the dragon' in me."

'Most are born with names though there are exceptions like myself. I myself choose not to have a foolish name. Yet if it pleases you, you may call me what you like.' Kira struggled to find out if the dragon was a male or female. She didn't want to anger it any more than it was at her.

"Kaida." The dragon let out a puff of gray smoke at the idea of being small. In her true form she towered over buildings. Sending fear toward the ones she hunted.

'If that is what you wish to call me so be it.' Kaida agreed rolling her ruby red eyes to look out at the lake.

"Can all holders talk to the thing inside them?" Kira asked confused. Kaida nodded her head looking back at the girl.

'Since we reside within your bodies we are capable of speaking to you if we so choose. Wake now. Tomorrow I shall answer any questions you like.' Kira nodded not sure how to wake up from this but it was a lot easier than she thought.

Thinking of being awake and telling Naruto everything practically made her spring out of bed and onto the floor.

"Holy shit!" she cried sitting up from the ground not caring she rolled out of Naruto's bed.

"Huh? I'm awake!" Naruto yelled sleepily, looking all around him. Kira and Naruto had snuggled all through the night, he missed the warmth.

"Naru holy crap, you'll never believe what just happened!" Kira yelled jumping back on the bed staring at Naruto excitedly.