Why greetings! Fancy seeing you here. :3

Be warned. You're probably going to be taken aback by this chapter. It's up to you whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. But let's just give the disclaimer that this is fanfiction, and this is only as much of Naruto-verse as I desire it to be (with some input from you reviewers :P).

With that soft reminder, on with the show!

Promises Not Made are Promises Never Kept

Chapter Twenty-Four: Master of Cruelties

Naruto blinked in realization as Sai backed away in horror from his sketch book, raising an arm to shield his face.

"It's not over, is it?" The blonde asked Zabuza softly, making the man look down at him. Naruto lifted his eyes to gaze at Sasuke's teacher. "He's still in there?"

Zabuza looked at him almost sadly.

"It's never over," he replied simply before looking back to the fight. "At least not when it comes to him."

"What is that...?" Sakura breathed in a mixture of horror and awe, raising hand to her lips. "What is that... do you feel that? What is it?"

Naruto turned his head, blinking at his teammate.

"What is it, Sakura?"

Her breathing turned shallow, and she raised a hand to set it tentatively over her heart as she gazed downwards at the book.

"It feels like…" she breathed in horror. "…death…"

Lying there open, Sai's sketchbook seemed relatively harmless enough, but then a sudden pulse rippled outwards, making Sai back up even more.

I can't do it-

On its own, the sketchbook shifted, shuddered. The papers began to twitch. Shikamaru's eyes widened.

"What…" he breathed as he felt the blood in his face run cold. "What is this?"

I can't do this I can't control it I have to stop (you failed them) I have to stop-

A strange wind began to pick up in the room, and Hayate lowered his hand and looked around in unease as power began to sizzle through the air. Tremors of fear and anger and terror radiated from the book's pages like the power that sang a ghostly tune around it, and everyone could feel the breath catch in their throats. Red smoke began to issue out of the pages.

"What… what's going on?" Ino gasped, setting a hand on her chest and shrinking closer to Shikamaru. "My heart… it hurts!"

"This is intense!" Kiba bit out, closing his eyes and clenching his teeth as he gripped the railing for dear life. He felt as if the book was attempting to suck him in, and Akamaru began to bark wildly at his feet as his animal instincts began to run haywire with fear. "This is too intense!"

I have to protect them I have to save them (but you couldn't save them) I have to keep this under control-

Kakashi felt his heart drop as fear rose to take its place, and he drew in a shaky breath.

"Oh no," he breathed. Burn the book we have to burn the book- "Oh no. Oh no, please, Sasuke-!"

I can't let it burn again I have to stop this (Inaré and Haku depended on you) I have to regain control-

Naruto's eyes widened as he felt that fear return, and his skin began to relentlessly crawl as Zabuza tensed beside him.

I can't let them down this isn't me (you let them both down idiot) this can't be me this can't be who I really am-

"There is something great and horrifying within you, Sasuke..."

NO!

Dagina was unconscious against the wall behind Sai- the last thing that had allowed Sasuke to cling desperately to reality was gone and now the tension in the room was growing and growing and growing, swelling like a mighty tsunami seeking to engulf the land-

I have to stop this I have to end this I have to try (it's because of you) I have to keep sane I have to-

And suddenly everything seemed to still. Kakashi could feel a great mouth beneath him opening wide in a silent scream, like a whirlpool spreading wide to consume everything unlucky enough to get caught even in its outermost currents as an acute sense of dread filled his lungs-

I have to stop this I have to end this I have to try (they're dead) I have to kIIIIIILL-!

The stench of death flooded the room.

A great, unearthly roar not of this plane erupted from the pages of the sketch book, and flickers of lightning seared the air around it as it quivered and shook, dancing around with pages flapping and hopping as something within it moved and threw itself against its prison bars. The sound of something guttural and demonic filled the room – a single note of living hell that grew stronger and louder and never paused or hesitated, and a storm seemed to take shape, wind increasing in intensity and the flickers of electricity become bigger and more powerful the more the sketchbook quaked. Unholy mixtures of screams of terror (like a poor woman being ripped to pieces and begging, begging for it to stop, or a man yelling his surrender as he was torn apart) and roars of rage mingled together like a ghastly chorus, filling the room and everybody's hearts with dread. Sounds of ripping flesh and spraying blood intertwined as it seemed like the book had turned into a portal directly into the infernal abyss.

"Oh…" the Hokage murmured. "This is going to be bad."

The sound of an explosion broke the barrier as an arm - clawed and solid burgundy in color, any sort of skin tone or nail coloration completely gone - burst from the pages of the book, stretching up into the air before reaching back and then lunging forward, slamming downwards to dig its talons into the floor in front of Sai, etching deep scars into the concrete. As if it sought to anchor itself so it could drag the rest up with it. Sai leaped back, quivering as he watched the arm begin to shake as it started to pull.

Like a demon trying to drag itself out of hell.

Unnatural (or natural, considering the circumstances) fear struck everyone's hearts, and even Zabuza had to close his eyes and look away.

No, Sasuke. He thought in horror. No.

"I knew I shouldn't have had those gummy bears," Choji stated simply, eyes wide and pupils dilated as he stared dumbly downwards.

The roar descended into ominous rumbling, and everyone could see the arm tense up and pull itself back a little bit more as it fought against the binding Sai's jutsu had upon it, the limb trembing with the strain.

"Oh Gods…" Temari breathed in shock. "What is that?!"

Her remaining brother simply stood there, braced against the anger and the fear infecting his system as the monster within him thrashed and writhed like a frightened animal.

What's going on? He thought in horror that wasn't his as the creature's instincts told him to run, run far away or Gods both of us are going to die-

What is this feeling?

The limb succeeded, and the head and shoulders burst up through the pages with another baritone cry, making everyone gasp.

Sasuke's hair had gone completely white, save for the streaks of burgundy (like the color of dark red wine or poisoned blood) along the strands, moving and writhing about like a halo of snakes. The whites of his eyes had changed into that same color as well, with the pupils and irises having bled into white. His face still largely retained the same skin tone, but now there were dark red symbols (from the Curse Mark) littering the skin in patterns that wasn't completely drowned in the different color.

It wasn't completely the Curse Mark, but it wasn't completely Sasuke either. Kakashi was baffled and terrified all at the same time.

Oh. I don't think I quite know how to deal with this.

Canine teeth elongated into the length of a massive predatory animal, Sasuke turned his attention to his opponent: Sai.

"What... what is that?!" Sai stammered, practically pissing his pants. "What are you?!"

"Well…" Kakashi breathed grimly. "I suppose a demon might be a proper name for it."

Sasuke didn't answer; he simply opened his mouth wide to let out another cannibalistic cry that shook the room as he yanked up his other arm from the pages, sending it to crash down into the cement to find purchase in the ground.

There were no words with this new Sasuke as he dragged himself out of the book towards Sai, his entire body emerging from the pages and the object falling lifeless behind him, smoldering. There were only feelings, only images. Rage enveloped the room; a misty red haze issued from the pores in his back along either side of his spine as his shirt had seemed to meld into his skin and as he crouched on all fours (palms and feet), his left shoulder blade pulsed fiercely with Chakra, pounding the hate into his system. His entire body moved and shifted and rolled within itself and its fury.

I don't understand it. Kakashi thought, knowing he had to act to stop it but finding himself unable to move. He was sure all of the other teachers in the room were being affected the same way. The pressure he felt upon his lungs was unlike anything he had ever experienced before - like a mighty creature three times his size pressing its hoof upon his chest as it leaned down to rip his arms off. The seal isn't broken. Just fractured. And yet this is happening. This shouldn't be happening. If the seal is still partially there, it should still be helping regulate the Curse Mark's Chakra. Unless…

His eyes widened.

Unless that Chakra isn't all coming from the Curse Mark.

"No…" he breathed in horror. "No. No way."

Sasuke's talons wordlessly elongated, piercing the cement beneath his hands, and the canines that were already longer lengthened still and he bared his teeth like an animal. The haunting cries of agony seemed to intensify in both greatness and severity, and the sounds of snapping bones joined the fray. Lightning and thunder flashed and rolled from the storm cloud that had gathered upon the ceiling, and powerful winds whipped through the room as the red mist surrounded Sasuke's form like a poisoned fog.

"O-okay!" Sai stammered, stumbling backwards and lifting his hands up. "If the match is that important to you, you can have it! I surrender! You win!"

"It's too late for that," Kakashi muttered. "It's already too late." It's been too late. Moving, he leaned over the railing and yelled to Hayate as Sasuke tossed his head, every single muscle in his body quivering beneath the darkened skin as he seemed to sniff the air. "HAYATE! WE HAVE TO STOP SASUKE! IF WE DON'T HE'S GOING TO KILL SAI!"

As if on command, Sasuke growled and leaped forward, lunging for Sai's throat as he moved like some deformed, half-man half-beast. His speed was ridiculous, and he cleared the half of arena that separated him and his prey in four long strides. Wordlessly, he leaped high up into the air and sent himself directly at Sai, claws extended.

Sai was too terrified – a prey caught in a trap of Sasuke's fiendish eyes – to move, standing there with wide, horrified eyes as the beast came for him.

"SAI!" Naruto called raggedly, leaning forward. "MOVE!"

He didn't.

Before Sasuke could slam into his opponent and sink his angry teeth into the other fighter's throat, Kakashi tackled him furiously, sending him careening sideways as they both hit the floor. Tumbling, tangled up in each other, Kakashi managed to throw Sasuke sideways, slamming his back into the far wall.

I'm ready. I'm ready to die to stop you because there is just no way you are the student I used to have-

Pressing his hand to Sasuke's throat and pushing down on the boy's windpipe, the Jounin fought back the senseless fear and rage and terror he felt as he breathed in the blood red fumes surrounding Sasuke (something that smelled like rust and death and horrific agony that made him want to piss his pants and slaughter babies all at once) and pressed the blade of a kunai against his ex-student's throat.

He can heal, you idiot... The thought passed idly through Kakashi's mind, but he had no choice to ignore it as Sasuke gagged. Don't care – what choice do I have?

"You have to stop, Sasuke!" He bit out, staring into those all-consuming, petrifying red and white eyes, wincing beneath that feral gaze as every instinct in his body screamed at him to run and take cover. He felt like a bunny rabbit raising cane to the very hawk that hunted him, so great his terror. "Stop, or I will kill you!"

Burn the witch burn the witch burn the witch-

His warning seemed to go unheard, as the Uchiha struggled and writhed and hissed beneath Kakashi's hand, his breathing choked and strained beneath Kakashi's palm as blood seeped down his skin and onto his ex-teacher's hand. Kakashi's eyes narrowed and he inwardly kicked himself. There now he's done it he made the threat and now if he doesn't follow through he'll never be able to save Sasuke after all-

Sasuke made as if to lash out for Kakashi's throat, to force the Jounin's hand and make him send that kunai into the boy's neck, and as the grey-headed man whimpered silently and started to do so Sasuke violently jerked as if he had been punched across the face, quietly slumping beneath his old teacher's hand with head bowed and going completely limp.

Enough.

Slowly, all of the insanity that had clouded the room seemed to fade. The chilling chorus fell silent, the red mist and storm cloud that had filled the room dispersed, and the abnormal color that had tinted Sasuke's skin disappeared, his hair bleeding back into his characteristic dark silken black from tips to roots.

That is enough.

Breathless, Kakashi could only watch in awe as he felt the pressure upon his heart lift. What if this was a trick? Some sort of ploy? But no it couldn't be because Sasuke's very Chakra was changing-

Your temper tantrum is over.

Now it was like he didn't have any.

"Thank you, Kakashi," Sasuke stated simply, monotonously – as if he were bored with the whole thing. Raising his chin, he gave Kakashi a chillingly emotionless stare that made Kakashi blink in confusion. The boy's eyes were bluish-green now, clear as a pale sea green ocean as his teacher dumbly stared at him. "You can let go of me know."

"You…" the Jounin breathed, scrunching his eyes as he gazed at his student. Then a flicker of realization of something seemed to pass across his mind and he could feel himself piecing it together as he continued and oh Gods he knew it- "You're the-!"

"Kakashi," Sasuke reiterated emotionlessly, cutting that train of thought off as if Kakashi had been ordered to do so, making the Jounin blink dumbly at him as whatever he had realized was forgotten. "Release me, please."

Numbly, Kakashi obeyed, blinking in confusion as Sasuke wordlessly dusted himself off and walked past the older man, face carved into stone.

Reaching the center of the room, Sasuke slowly, slowly, sloooooooowly turned his gaze to face Sai, the entire time his opponent winding himself up like a terrified clock-

"Boo," Sasuke stated simply, raising an eyebrow at the other. Shrieking, Sai stiffened and dropped to the floor in faint. His eyes maybe flickering in something akin to satisfaction but other than that face blank, Sasuke turned and began to walk in the way of the hospital. As he did so, his eyes flickered upwards towards Gaara, and the redhead stiffened beneath the cold, cruel gaze.

This could've been you.

Then Sasuke's eyes found Naruto as he continued turning, and Naruto – strangely – felt relieved beneath that chillingly blank gaze as Sakura tensed beside him. Sighing, Naruto took a deep breath and allowed himself to release the railing. He recognized that look. He recognized that stance Sasuke now possessed, that aura. They were the ones he had adopted when he had fought Orochimaru and respite flooded Naruto's system as he realized he could finally breathe again.

He's okay. He's okay now. This is the Sasuke I can trust.

Managing a weak smile, Naruto nodded down at the other, keeping eye contact with him.

With that, Sasuke turned his attention to Hayate, who visibly stiffened beneath the gaze of nothingness.

A mere child should not have those eyes.

"I wouldn't waste my time counting to ten, if I were you," he told the proctor, who stared at him suspiciously. Without even looking at the man as he passed, Sasuke vanished down the dark hall. "He's not getting up for a while."

Dagina, miraculously awake now with Moira perched on her back, padded after him, unharmed. Hayate made sure to watch him leave before clearing his throat and looking back to the others.

"Sasuke Terranova… is the winner then," he proclaimed, eying Sai's unconscious, wet form. "And that concludes the preliminaries! Thank you everyone! Instructions for the next step will be given once everyone moving on has recovered from their injuries. Thank you for participating and for those who did not proceed to the next round, better luck next year! Have a good day!"

Well, as good as you can, at any rate. Kakashi thought from where he stood in the arena, eying the blood stains on the floor. The janitors are going to have a hell of a time cleaning this shit up.

Raising his eyes, he looked up to Zabuza, the look clearly stating that they were going to have a talk later.

Zabuza looked at him, knew what the other was saying, and completely ignored it, turning away from the arena and vanishing, obviously to go find his student. Kakashi simply stared at him from where he stood next to his unconscious student as medics entered the room to take him beneath their wing.

What was that? He asked himself, feeling like he had just brushed with the devil himself as he realized his entire body was completely numb. He was pretty sure somebody could prod him with a hot pick and he wouldn't even notice. Sasuke, what ARE you?

He found that he was getting very, very tired of asking himself that.

End Chapter Twenty-Four: Master of Cruelties

Yeah, shit hit the fan pretty quick, huh? That's just how I roll, yo.

Enjoyed? Let me know. :3

Much love,

DDB