[I Call You Beloved]

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She flees from him as if his parting words had burned her and set her aflame. She runs as if the world is falling too pieces all around her, as if she has no other choice but to run from these things as she always has and always will.

The haunting notes of his laughter follows her into the deep dark of the forest as she flees. He does not chase her, does not seek her. But those deep hooded eyes follow her long into the gloom of the forest. He is not one to chase, even though she knows that he could catch her in the span of a breath. She is conscious of nothing but the ferocious pounding of her heart, the ragged gasps of her breath. In this moment she runs from him without thought, conscious of nothing but a bitter, restless fear. It is not Naruto that she fears, that makes her blood chill and her draw breath in pained, ragged gasps. She does not run from blue eyes and the comforting sound of his laughter. She runs from that dark shadow. She runs from that creature made of nightmare and shadow, with eyes that burned like hellfire. She runs from him.

'That wasn't Naruto! It was him- it was him-!' She could only think in disjointed moments of clarity in the midst of her frantic fear. Such power!- darkening the sky of the mid day morn, throwing a pitch black shadow of nightmare beneath her feet, making everything within her cry out in horror, in revulsion. She cannot begin to understand the depth of this wild, breathless, all consuming terror that has grasped her. More potent than the reminder of her father's disappointment, more scarring than the reminder of his cold cruelty, his bitterness- this is far beyond her.

She runs even when she knows he will not harm her, that he will not, cannot. She runs without shame, without thought even though she knows that Naruto would never hurt her. For the promise, for the vow- he would never so much as harm a hair on her head. But nevermore could she allow herself to forget or forgive the flash of those fangs, giving her a wicked grin. Or the deep, dark, of those eyes the color of flame and hellfire. The dark shadow of the beast as it smiled- 'A-And those…were not N-Naruto's eyes. Those eyes-'

She cannot bear to think of it, to dwell on it. She wants to run from it with everything inside of her. Skirting the underbrush, ignoring the way the wind seeming to whistle mockingly in the trees, every bird song telling a bitter tale of her own foolishness. She had known. She had always known that beyond the blue eyes of the one called Naruto...there was...something else. Something dark. Something restless. Something formless and bitter. Something old and monstrous.

'If I were to probe the darkness lurking behind those eyes…would I…go mad?' She had seen it for herself. There it had been in all of its harsh, unforgiving reality, in its truth. The monstrous shadow beneath her feet. She fought back a wave of nausea, of horror, closed her eyes against the harsh bitter tears that threatened to choke her. Silly Girl! Foolish Girl! Coward! She had always known!

'But why- why after all this time-!' She thought with a pained, sick fascination, seeing again and again the moment the shadow of the man had darkened, had grown, and become that which had lingered in the dark of her nightmares from the time she had first asked herself about the boy called Naruto. Why after all these years…of his taunting words, of long held glances, of the fleeting warmth of his touch and the echo of his laughter? Why in this moment… had he said so much, reminded her so completely of their truth.

He had seemed content to let her wonder, to watch her lie to everyone and to herself. He had seemed to enjoy the pained, agonized look on her face, the way she had so completely pushed the truth deep down into the depths of her being. He had played along with her, had helped her keep the charade perhaps for her own sake. He had never pressed her before, had never reminded her. He had never once spoken to her with such darkness, such desire and passion flitting through his eyes like banked embers just waiting to erupt into a unforgiving blaze. She remembers the mocking edge to the sound of his laughter.

]Maybe it had all amused him- watching her lie, watching her hide. Trying so hard to be obedient, to be faultless, to be the perfect heiress that her family expected and wanted. Maybe it had amused him to see her go out of her way to keep a respectable distance between them, to try and keep things cordial. To willingly forget the secret vow between them. Maybe that was why he had sought her so insistently, and teased her so unmercifully.

'Here I am.' His laughing blue eyes seemed to say as he watched her squirm, speaking a language that only she understood. 'For you-' But she hadn't dared acknowledge it, had been too frightened to speak of it, to think of it. She staggered to a halt, her body trembling with exertion, her skin gleaming faintly with sweat beneath the dark over hang of the trees. She sucked in a gasping, shuddering breath as she collapsed against the warm, worn bark of a willow tree. Her thoughts are disjointed, fragmented. Everything within her feels as if it is being thrown asunder. Again- she imagines she can hear the echo of his laughter through the wood- how often had they played together here? How often had it become a place of wonder and joy for her- because he had taken her hand? Together they had explored its tangled depths, climbed trees and skirted the underbrush. And he would say-

["Behold the beautiful princess! All make way for Hinata-Hime!" He had laughed once long ago, as they had played in the dark of the forest. Seating her on her throne, the ruined remains of a fallen tree. A badly woven crown of flowers adorning the dark of her hair. He had bowed before her with a bright grin, playfully kissing her hands and her slippered feet, reveling in the innocent blush that graced her cheeks. With absolute sincerity, with the utmost seriousness, brandishing a stripped bough as a sword- "And I- Naruto- am your loyal servant! The princess's mighty knight! For Hinata-Hime's sake, I will conquer kingdoms, and slay dragons! For the beautiful princess-" That smile even then, arrogant in its truth. "I will do anything-"]

She felt sick. She was burning up, feverish with warmth and exertion- but goosebumps were breaking out along her skin as if she were wrapped in a winter wind. She wound her arms around her body, leaned heavily against the comforting warmth of the bark beneath her. She feels the same heavy, restless burden on her heart. The unforgiving reminder that she had loved- did love- that blue eyed boy so deeply, despite all things, despite knowing. But he was beyond understanding, beyond reason. She could not forget again, could not lie to herself again. Her thoughts were sobering. 'This…this is all because of me. All because I…selfishly…wished for it. Because I was frightened, because I was weak….because I was such a coward. Because of me-'

She was the one who had called him here. That wonderful, captivating being born from the desires of her heart. She had called him into being, had called him to this world. But he…had not come alone. There had been a price for her selfishness. She had gotten Naruto- her wonderful, inspiring, courageous child hood friend. 'But-' She feels her blood chill, ice in her veins. She cannot fathom it again, the dark depths of the shadow she had seen. As if she had been standing over a black pit, darker than the black between the stars.

The being that had came with him…was that horrific, powerful creature, that unspeakable horror. She had felt him in brief spurts, easily forgotten. A dark tint to blue eyes. A veiled word or promise that whispered of more. The lines beautifully written just for her, flitting around the truth. For the first time- he had truly let her see the dark of his shadow. For the first time he had reminded her of the reality of their bond. With her own desires…he was the one that she had given life, had given form in this world.

She had called him Naruto, the boy of the bright blue eyes. The boy who with a glance could make her heart race, who with a word could make her skin flush, who with a touch could make her long for the warmth of his hands. 'But-'- she feels her blood chill again, as if she would never be warm again. She feels the very depths of her soul shudder. She hated herself in this moment, hated herself more than she ever had before.

'You...are a coward. You wanted to forget so completely. That h-he- on a whim can destroy everything you have ever known. Your precious Naruto-kun-' He could set her free or devour her whole. And his laughing eyes never seemed to say which one he wanted more.

The truth was the dark shadow she had seen beneath her feet. She could not forget the heat of her spine, the still visible goosebumps on her skin. She remembered the wild sound of his laughter, the flash of his fangs…and the dark silhouette of that massive beast with nine tails…

She felt sick remembering words of her tutors, her instructors as they had told horrific tales of the creatures that lived in darkness on the other side. Some of his kind…were known for their tailed shadows. And the more tails they possessed...the more powerful they were. She had counted. 'Nine-' She thought again with a barely concealed shudder, a sickening tremor.

Many decades ago- the last Arch demon that had passed through had nearly brought an end to the capital…with only four. But nine…was more than enough to destroy them all, to place everything she had ever known in peril. Not just this place. That was more than enough...to set the whole world aflame. If he only wished it- if he ever once changed his mind...there it was, her darkest fear. What...was he capable of? His kind were known to be volatile, violent, senseless creatures. If he ever wished for it- he could have this world. And she- would be to blame for such unspeakable horror, for ushering in a new age of darkness over this land. She would be the one who would be hated, be loathed, be scorned. She would never be able to overcome the weight of that burden, that all had fallen because of her. That burden would break her, would ruin her completely, would shatter her beyond repair. She could never survive, never live knowing that so many had suffered because of her weakness. She was frightened of the reality he didn't want to see, refused to speak on before her.

'But...if what he really wanted was to cause such chaos...then why go through all of this trouble? I don't...understand.' If he really wanted to see the world burn like the rest of his kind...he would have done it by now. The type of man Naruto was- if he wanted something he took it. If it was worth protecting, he cherished it. If it was worth savoring, he enjoyed it. If he fancied it, he owned it. He was a man of action, a man of power. If he had truly wanted this world...he would have long taken it.

'-but…he…doesn't want that. What Naruto-kun really wants…'

He had not come to destroy, as most of his kind did. He did not come to conquer. He had not come to cast his power, cruelly against all mortals. The tales of his kind were monstrous, horrific. They had been told how they would possess their summoners, and drive them to madness. Some demons would offer up promises and take the most precious of things in return. Some demons had wiped whole cities from the face of the earth on a whim. Once called to this world, some would settle for nothing less than destruction, chaos, anarchy. And once called to this world…demons could not return their own until they had fulfilled their vow. 'He cannot leave this world until I answer him...but still...Why...would he make friends? Join the Academy?' She was not so foolish as to believe he had done it just for her sake. But...

'But maybe...Naruto-kun…is different. Maybe he…always has been.' She thought of the sound of his laughter through the walls of the academy. The way he would fall asleep head in hand during lectures despite the threat of punishment. How boisterously he would tussle with Kiba in the halls. The width of his smile when he joked with Sakura. His familiar teasing to the stone faced Sasuke. And finally- the way his eyes would find hers. Those searching, laughing, knowing eyes. And the truth he hid behind a smile of mirth, lurking in the depths of bright blue.

...and then…there was the book…she still…didn't have the heart to finish it, to follow those hot, tantalizing words to the end. How would that dark tale end? How could she ever hope to response to words filled with such torment, such agony, such fevered passion and obsession? Those words were filled with many dark promises, of passionate confessions...but...'That...that isn't love-' The thought pained her, hurt her somewhere deep.

If he had truly been like the rest of his kind…she wanted to believe that she could not have loved him as earnestly as she did. She…wanted to believe that if he truly had been a dark, maniacal being like the creatures of legend….she would have the courage, the strength for once in her life to do what she must.

'Naruto-kun…is d-different…right? Do I…really believe he is different? Or is it that I…despite everything…don't want to believe that he could be…that he could ever…be evil? B-But…' This was foolish. She wrapped her arms around her form, as tight as she could. 'I know.' This love could end her. 'I know.' Foolishly- she remembered the staggering warmth of his embrace, his skin. His purpose was one far more inconceivable, far more absurd for a being born of such darkness, of such power.

What he wanted- She could hear it again. See blue eyes burn red- quickly, fleetingly, like a newly kindled blaze. How they had roared to life and then faded away again, back to blue, murky and clouded. The sardonic smile that made its way onto his lips."Now that one should be easy! The same thing I've always wanted, the same thing I've always craved." The sound of his laughter. "You."

She gulped harshly. Her. He wanted her.

She couldn't fight this- she never could. He called to her with something deeper, darker. Called to something slumbering deep down in her being. He called to the very essence of her spirit, her soul. And against herself, against reason, against all rational thought she found she could not stifle these feelings. Tormented- she felt as if she was being pressed on all sides, suffocating beneath an agonizing weight. Their truth. Naruto wasn't human. He had never been human. No matter what skin he choose to clothe himself in for her sake...he had always been a being of shadow, a creature wrapped in deceit, in mystery. For her...he was 'Naruto'- but how many lives had he lived? How many had come before her? To how many others had he sworn a promise, a vow? And how many others...had answered him?

But...she could not deny these traitorous, fickle feelings that robbed her of reason.

As she remembered, foolishly, unwisely, the sweet murmur of his words in that moment when he had wiped away her tears.

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On her tenth birthday she was told that when she came of age, she was to be wed to her cousin Neji.

At fourteen, Neji was already a boy of strength, of cold, calculated cruelty. He was just like her father. Strong. Proud. Cold. She had acknowledged the decree with quiet acceptance, a passive resignation. She did not have the strength to affirm or deny it. She had merely...bowed her head as she always had. Even then she could feel the stifling weight of it, this burden that was her 'birthright.' She had always been mature for her age, a girl who had long been robbed of any semblance of a normal childhood. Already weighted with impossible expectations, with disappointment. She had always understood completely that this burden was hers to bear, that she was destined to crumble beneath the weight of it. Fighting was futile. Tears were pointless. She couldn't stop this, could do nothing but bare it. Isolated for much of her youth, she had no companions, no friends. Only her father's bitter words and the quiet dismissal of her servants, the cold disdain of her tutors. A wayward child who owned nothing. In the end...he was all she had.

She sought him later that evening, searching the dark forest beneath the glow of a full moon.

[-'N-Naruto-kun-'] She had called out to him, her voice weary, faint as if she were on the verge of collapse. And he was there- wrapping his arms around her from behind, burying his nose in the short length of her hair. ['I'm here Hina-chan.'] He answered quietly. He always seemed to know, to feel, to understand her. She didn't have to say anything. She placed her palms against him, to feel the warmth of his arms with a desperation she couldn't quite understand. It felt like drowning, like sinking, like he was the only thing keeping her afloat.

He took her hand and led her to the wooden throne. She didn't realize she was crying until he had seated her there, just like many nights before. But she was- eyes wide, soundless tears streaking down her cheeks. 'How odd,' She had thought then. She knew crying was pointless. Her father hated such a visible display of weakness. But there they were dampening the throat of her night gown, the cloth in her lap. It seemed as if they would never stop. ['I-I'm sorry.'] She murmured quietly, not sure why she was apologizing.

['Naruto-kun-'] She remembered feeling tired, worn. Old. All she wanted was to play with him in the dark of this forest. To feel...normal, to feel free. But...It was hard to speak on the words lodged deep in her being. Such heavy words. ['I-It's...no use after all.'] They were cold tears. Why was she crying? She had known this was to be her fate from the moment she could speak, from the moment her mother had birthed her. It seemed absurd to her in this moment that she had allowed Naruto to ever make her smile, to ever make her happy. Why had let him despite the harsh training, despite her father's bitter commands? It seemed to her in this moment that she was not meant to be happy, not meant to have a childhood filled with mirth, never again meant to laugh foolishly beneath the stars with him. This was the beginning she felt, of something that would chain her for the rest of her life.

[-Neji and I-] She choked on the words. [-W-we are-we w-will be- m-m-married-] It was an odd feeling again. Knowing even then, in that moment that nothing was her own. Neither her life nor her fate. Her father…had always taken from her. Her mother. Her courage. Her will. Her right to control her own destiny. He wanted to take everything from her. Every moment it seemed, devoted to breaking her further, so that she would never forget. Over and over again. 'This is your duty. Your birthright.'

In the end, all she had left-

-Were blue eyes, warm hands as they wiped gently at silken skin, drying her tears.

[Hina-chan.] Blue eyes are pained, as if her agony caused him grief, cut him to the core. [Don't cry!] But in the same note there was a childish fury, a righteous anger at those who had dared cause her harm. And beneath that- was something else- but as always, he killed it before she could see it.

[Don't cry Hina-chan! Those shitty bastards aren't worth your tears!] She blinked in vain, fighting them as he took her hand, finding comfort in the same familiar warmth of it as always. He watches her carefully. His words were gentle, his eyes warm as they sought hers. Imploring her, reminding her-

[I won't go back on my word...you know that…right?]

Gently, earnestly- he leaned forward and placed his forehead against her own. The deep black and bright gold of their bangs intertwining. He breathed in a deep breath, coaxing her to follow. She mirrored him. Breathing in and out. Deep solid breaths, lulling her into a false sense of calm.

[Remember…?] He murmured quietly, to the gentle murmur of her breath. She says nothing, pale eyes dropping to fixate on their hands, joined in her lap. Her skin was pale, nearly translucent. His was bronzed, as if he had bathed in sunlight. Already she felt like she was fading away, would grow and fade away into nothing like the shadowy memory of her mother. In this moment it felt like he was the only one holding her, the only thing stopping her from disappearing. She wasn't strong. She wasn't brave. She wasn't anything. But for her...he...was everything.

[ I came here just for you. Don't forget that. I had been waiting for a very long time...for the moment when you would call out to me Hina-chan. ]

He whispered the words fondly, a mysterious smile flitting across his face as those blue eyes withdrew to stare deeply into her own. Intently, without blinking they surveyed her. It is a prolonged, measured gaze. She stared back helplessly, fighting the sudden urge to cry again. And quietly, he said-

[For me…It had to be you. No one…no one else would do you know? Hina-chan-] He carefully crouched on his knees before her- and gathered both of her hands in his own. Even then his hands had been rough, worn as if they had lived a thousand lives. His smile was forlorn…but earnest as he gently drew her hands to his lips.

[If you only knew Hina-chan! This future of yours has way more paths than you think. Just depends on how you look at it you know? Many things will happen. Maybe they'll be painful, maybe they'll be hard. But you're strong! And I'm here Hina-chan!] That infectious grin, that comforting smile. [And no matter what happens- no matter what I may say, no matter what I may do, everything is for you ok? For Hinata-Hime! So that one day, you will be free."]

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["Right now…eh…I don't expect you to understand. But-! That's…okay. Besides I already know everything you know!?] He smiles but its and odd thing. It is ill matched to the youthful charm of his face, stretching the odd markings on his cheeks. They reminded her of whiskers- she had thought once- almost feline in appearance.

[That silly old man hates you, as he hated the one who came before you. Hated her, because he hates himself. Hates himself because- Ha! Well it's actually kind of a funny story Hina-chan! You wouldn't believe it but that old fart's frightened of the shadow he's left behind! One day- you will be strong enough to know, to finally understand. There's alot more to it than I can say- But man…you silly mort-] He stops himself abruptly, his eyes watching her own carefully. But if she thinks anything of it- she says nothing. Her gaze is still impassive and pained. He frowns- whether at her expression or his own words she doesn't know- shaking his head in disbelief.

[But people…really use that word so loosely…'truth' when your lives are so fragile, so fleeting- The truth? Ha! That is-]

But he pauses, seems to remember in that moment again that there is a young girl tightly gripping his hands, her eyes still wide and filled with sorrow. But as always they watch him earnestly, carefully. He can see it again, how she struggled to fully understand the weight of his words and their implications. But he can only sigh, squeezing her hands gently in reply. Not yet-

[Well anyway…sorry for saying such weird things Hina-chan. I'll just keep waiting until then. I just hope…you won't hate me. Ha! What am I saying?! No- of course not! You wouldn't-]-quietly in half hearted jest, as if to himself, as if he could not even dream of it. [Besides!…they brought this on themselves. None of what is to come…will be your fault. But until that day Hina-chan-"]

Blue eyes brighten and dim in the gloom. He raises his head curiously, his gaze glancing around the forest as if tasting the wind- before his gaze returns to her.

[Neji will find us soon. And he's not going to be happy let me tell you!] She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She knew. She had vanished after the announcement, and had neglected to properly excuse herself. Such rudeness was utterly unbefitting of a Hyuuga Heiress. She had not wanted to retire to chamber, could not bear the thought that someone would find her their. She had quietly vanished into the forest to seek the solace of his company.

She should have known that someone would come to retrieve her, to return her to her father. She knew his punishment would be swift and merciless. He cared not for her feelings, her resignations. He demanded her cooperation, her obedience and had always received it. To find out how that she had been spending time quietly placing with a boy without the proper lineage or bearing- he would be furious. She was prepared to bare the brunt of his rage- but Naruto-kun-

Her expression was haggard, pained as she sought to gently free her hands from his own.

[Y-You have to g-go. If N-Neji finds you h-here...with me...h-he w-will hurt you.] She murmured quietly, her eyes feverishly searching the darkness. How much time did she have left before he found them? Neji was just like her father. He would not let such deceit slide. But he didn't allow her to free herself, his hands gently taking hers before they could escape him. She let her eyes find his once more, surprised by the odd look in them.

[Hina-chan…listen...if I leave now...] He paused. His eyes were murky, clouded. [We...will be separated for what will seem like a long time. I'll have to go for awhile ...okay?]

Suddenly there is a erratic, frantic fear that seizes her mind at the thought. She wanted him to be safe- but she realized in this moment- if she were not there to call him, what would happen? Would he vanish? Tightly she gripped his hand, her wide eyes growing panicked, haggard with anxiety. Did he mean she could not see him again? Would not see him again? He couldn't- he mustn't leave her! She was frightened in this moment- if she let go of his hand- would he disappear? Would he return to the nothing from where he had come? Would he-

[D-D-Don't.] Stumbling from her childish lips with a sudden passion. The color flooded her face as she stood, gripping his hands tighter than before. The word is quiet, heartfelt. She couldn't meet his eyes. If she did- she felt like she would break, would start crying again. But she wouldn't be able to stop. The time that they had spent together playing in secret...had been some of the happiest times she had ever known. No matter how late she would sneak out to find him, no matter the heavy pain of fresh bruises from training- no matter how harsh the words of her father, her tutors had echoed in her head…he had always been waiting for her. He would reach out his hand and nothing else mattered.

For a moment the always present echo of his smile vanishes completely. In the dark, she misses the look of pained, tormented agony that makes his eyes waver. Red flits behind blue- but he feigns hurt, gripping his heart in childish mockery.

[Ugh! No! That's not fair Hina-chan! Making that kind of face! You know I-]

But he stops again, shaking his head. His smile is comforting, gentle as he squeezes her hand back, his face and brow furrowing with thought.

[Well…think of it this way Hina-chan!] He added finally, a placating smile. [See the prince has to go build an ivory tower for his princess!] He adds with his trademark grin, and she raises her head, eyeing him inquisitively. [A-Ano...?] she asks curiously, still not understanding the way the sobering moment had shifted. But he only tosses his hair dramatically in reply, releasing her hands to pose confidently, with the same bravado that he had taken on many times before when they had played.

[That's right! Just like in your storybooks- I'm going to go build you a white castle on the moon! And a sea of flowers as faaaar as the eye can see. A dress made of stars! And a halo made of sunlight! A world just for the two of us! How does that sound Hina-chan? Then when I'm done I'll come back!]

His words were bold, as he stated them with the same reckless passion as always. Naruto…always spoke of the impossible, of the absurd as if…it could be done. He had always spoke of such outlandish things so easily...and even though she knew they could not be true…she could not help but smile through her tears.

[I-I-I...w-wouldn't need all of t-that Naruto-kun…] She added quietly in response to his brash words. And secretly, to herself…'You…would be enough for me. If I could just keep holding your hand…' But he scoffed at her words, his face crinkling incredulously.

[Pfft are you kidding me? You'll have all that and more Hina-chan! After all one day I'm going to be the king of the world, and that'll make you queen of the whole world! So you had better be prepared you hear me?]

He added with a wild bark of laughter, and she found that she could do nothing in reply save smile softly at his words. It was another of their games surely…most of their childish games had revolved around Naruto's consistent belief that he was to be 'king of the world.' She had never paid him much mind before, and had only played along as best as she could.

[But- I'll be back is what I'm saying! So don't be sad Hina-chan! By the time we meet again- I bet you'll be even stronger than you are now- and even prettier! So grow up fast okay?]

He had a way of speaking that made her anxious and uncomfortable- considering she was wholly unused to such praise. She had always been referred to as a 'dark girl,' a 'odd girl', a 'gloomy girl'….she had always been considered weak, worthless, spineless….he was the only one…who had ever called her anything else. She can say nothing to the words- she only lowers her head. But secretly…she treasures them. But their is the words of her father again. The prickling disappointment of her tutors and trainers. Always the same look in their eyes of thinly veiled disdain, of contempt. Like she was no good, would never be.

[N-Naruto-kun….I'm not…I'm n-not s-strong at a-all.]

He frowned, pouting childishly as he pinched her nose, satisfied with the small squeak that popped from between her lips.

[Don't be silly. You're the strongest girl I've ever known. Believe it. Neji, your father, your clan- they want to trap you as they trapped the one who came before you. They want to fill your mind with words that will rob you of hope. So you will want to forget what I have said- but-] His words grow thoughtful, forlorn-

[Just…don't forget me okay? You absolutely can't! One day you may be...scared of me…but…don't hold it against me alright? All that I do- I do for you ok?! Everything! So you have to promise me! Promise me that you won't…ever hate me for it. Pinky Promise!] Fervently reaching out his other hand out to her. She is uncertain of what to say to his words- but nods in reply as together they wrapped the small digits around one another. It was a promise. And as he kept every promise he had made to her- she vowed to do the same. She didn't know then what such a thing would mean. But he gives her a fleeting smile, gentle in its agony.

[In the end Hina-chan…I am what I am.]

Sheepishly scratching the back of his shaggy blond head as if to diffuse the somber expression ghosting along the lines of it. 'But what….are you?' She wanted to ask then, but the words stayed on her lips. It came in random bursts. To ask him who he was. What he was. Where he had come from. Where he went when she didn't call him. Why he didn't have a name, had nothing but what she had given him. But it would be many years later before they would rise to the forefront of her mind once more, in a moment just as sublime. And in that moment he would answer her and say that he was 'her friend.' But she knew it was more- so much more.

[…But don't forget. I want you to know that no matter what- with every passing moment, with every passing breath- I will, and have always been...yours.]

Staring at him with abrupt wonder and a wordless formless awe. The words have such depth to them that it is almost beyond her understanding. Such heartfelt, passionate words are beyond her-

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[-Just as with every passing moment, with every passing breath, you will, and have always been-]

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[-Mine.]

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-and there is the sweetest, most gentle kiss against her lips. She feels clearly for the first time, the last time, the depths of this strange, odd being. She feels for the first time, the strange tenderness with which his lips find hers. It is foreign, strange. He does not close his eyes. She also stares at him in hopeless, formless awe.

Blue eyes are soft, gentle in their agony. They understand that it is still…too soon. She does not, cannot understand- not yet- why his smile is fleeting, forlorn as he withdraws.

His eyes seem infinite, deep, dark in the shadow of twilight. She thinks in this moment that his gaze is old even though his lanky form mirrors her own. They are not…a child's eyes. The too short boy of ten(?)…with eyes like something old and dying at the bottom of a dark sea. She does not watch his shadow, shifting beneath the moonlight. She is transfixed by the somber blue of his once bright eyes.

And then he says the words she could not, would not, ever forget.

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[Don't worry. Someday, somehow...I will set you free. That is the promise, the vow that I will make to you. In return...there is only one thing I would ask of you...And that is-]

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And the words were whispered quietly, into the dark between them.

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'You are...a fool through and through. You always knew...what he was. You did not...want to face it. You did not...want to accept it. That the boy you loved, that he was really-'

Sick again at the thought of his shadow, sick at the thought of those eyes the color of hellfire, sick at the thought of that smile filled with fang.

'You fool. They were always the same. They were always- one and the same. You knew that..didn't you?'

The callous strength of his embrace, the staggering warmth that wafted from his skin.

'You knew the truth. You knew that- and he knew you knew, knew you wanted so badly to forget. You wanted to pretend, wanted to believe every lie you told yourself…because for you…he was everything you had ever wanted, had ever needed. But in the end he is-'

He was the boy she had called him to be. The boy of the wild hair and blue eyes. The boy who had the strength she longed for, the resolve she lacked. The boy clothed in a wild wind of freedom, of courage, who did as he pleased and lived how he liked. The boy who would always be there, to take her hand, to remind her that despite everything she would never be alone. He was everything she had wanted, had longed to be in the deepest depths of her being. Of course he was. That...was what they did. Show you a beautiful, wondrous dream. But beneath that was the dark echo of a nightmare.

'He did not...hide it from you. For all of his words, for all of his taunts-don't forget what he told you. That despite all things- everything...was for you. Remember your promise-'

The book was still right where she had left it. Remembering acutely, painfully the truth of the words she had found there. It was hard for her...hearing fully...the depths of those thoughts. It was hard for her...to accept the weight of his feelings. The words in their own way...were beautiful, heartfelt. Hinted at the reality of the confusion, the conflict that lurked behind blue eyes. The battle between the man she had made him and the creature he was. They had surely- come from the man, not...him. But…the words would shift, becoming dark, foreboding… promising, hinting at something she would never be strong enough to bear.

'But they are one in the same. And they always have been. There is no line between man and…and…demon.'

It was the first time...that she had ever admitted it, ever mentioned the word, even in the safety of her mind. But suddenly there it was, resting coldly on her heart, one of the truths she had always known.

'Naruto-kun...is a demon. He is not human. He is...your sin. And you are the one who called him into being, who gave him purpose. The minute you answered him…it was too late. Without you…without that vow…he would not have been able to exist in this world. And despite what he says…you know that demons…only know how to take.'

That was what she had been told her entire life- every word and teaching further testament to that fact. Demons were utterly incomprehensible. They were wild, powerful, chaotic beings. They only knew how to covet, were driven by desire, were quick to anger and came to this world to destroy and conquer. They were far removed from mortal sensibilities, from the mortal range of emotion. Demons could not 'cherish,' they could not 'love,' they 'desired' they 'hungered,' they 'craved'…

'And both- exist in the same body, the same form. They can not be separated...and you poor fool...did you really think... that if you loved the man so deeply, that the demon would disappear, would cease to exist? Did you really think that if you pretended not to know, that if you refused to acknowledge it, to think of it- that it would go away? That…demon of yoursbecame Naruto because you wished for it. Beneath the man…is him. In the end…you are what you have always been…a coward-'

["Oh Hina-chan!" The same mischievous laugh as always. "Ah! See!? That's why no one else will do. That's why it has to be you."]

'This…is wrong.' She could feel it again. Echoing in the dark of her heart, the steady thrum of barely restrained horror, panic. This was wrong. The entirety of her existence had been devoted to her clan, to their teachings. Her lineage was devoted to hunting demons, to fighting back against their temptation, their darkness. From the time of her birth to this very moment- everything- had been devoted to that goal. Even though she had yet to complete her training- the same would be expected of her. Had her father not told her? That was her one and only purpose, her reason for being? Had he not warned her- of the cost of such weakness? Had her mother…not paid the price?

["You have always put them before yourself, despite how much they have bound you, despite how much they have chained you. Is that…what you want? To wind up just like her? Just like-"]

Fighting a wave of nausea, of sickness, of that same old pain. Her clan had long been devoted to raising men and women of valor, of strength. Thinking again of Neji, and the sister she had never seen. But what of her? This pale pathetic being that she was? This worthless girl without purpose? Had her father…not long assured her of that? That she was, and would always be…a weakling?

[Remembering the warmth of his smile. "You're the strongest girl I've ever known.]

'Am I…really…?' Thinking through the same old weight, the same old bitterness. Reminded always of her weakness. How could that be true…when she could not even been capable of keeping one small promise? Despite everything...despite knowing...in the end he had always been the only one who had ever had faith in her. And for the first time- he had wanted to show her, had wanted her to know. And she...had fled from him, her blood cold and a scream stuck in her throat. How...could she have been so callous in that moment? Did she not...know him? Did she not trust him? Did she not...love him? 'But- things are different now- I am no longer a child. And he- how do I know I can believe him, can trust him? Simply because he has not given me an reason not too? But...what can I possible do? It's foolish...how can I...trust the words of a creature like him? How can I-' She felt crippled with indecision, torn. She knew this dark tale of theirs would not, could not end well. It was foolish to continue, to believe, to hope-

['Didn't I tell you to finish what you started?'] But he was right. She had started this. Innocence…was no excuse. Regardless of reason…it was her desire that had brought him here. And despite everything…never once had she truly tried to understand him. Never once had she reached out to him for clarity, for understanding since she had come of age. Since that night long ago when they had made the vow…had she not…turned her back on the dazzling world he had promised to make for her? Because she was a coward. She had always been too frightened to face it.

'I…was afraid. Now that I am old enough to understand, to fully realize what I have done. That what I did- was wrong. What I did- could end me, could end everything my clan stands for.' If they knew- if anyone found out the truth of the boy with blue eyes…she felt sick, nauseous with anxiety, with fear. What would they do? What…would he do? What would become of everything she had ever known? If she finally…gave him an answer?

'I…am still afraid. But-'

Reality was the haggard, pained look in blue eyes.

'But his shadow-'

Quietly- remember how much he loves you, has loved you-

'He's a demon- they cannot love- they can only envy, only desire, only hate-'

He waited for you. He came here just for you-

'But why…why me? I…my worth…is not so highly valued. How can he be so willing…to continue to go so far for me?'

You're the only thing he wants.

'But that…desire…is not…love…'

Remember his words, written just for you-

She was tormented by the painful agony of her heart. Hearing again, the echo of his words from a time long ago. [-Don't hold it against me alright? All that I do- I do for you. Everything. So you have to promise me okay! Promise me that you won't…ever hate me for it.]

'I don't understand you. I never have. I don't think…I ever will. But…no matter what I think, no matter what I believe…I cannot…relinquish these feelings.' She could neither refute nor deny them. 'In the end I…I truly…do…l-love him.' But she knew it was foolish to expect, to hope, to dream. No matter the face, no matter the form- beneath that bright smile was a creature she could never understand. But- ['Didn't I tell you to finish what you started?' ]

She sucked in a shallow breath- tossed back her head to stand, immobile beneath the light of the morning sun. 'If I…want an answer… if I want the whole truth…if I want to stop running from it…then I have no choice.' Feeling the words settle in her being with a strange trepidation, an anxious, wordless calm.

['-And more than anything- you should go shouldn't you? Isn't that what girls live for? The chance to be for even a moment- more than themselves? The chance to experience that feeling-'] She had to go to him.

In the end…had he not always known how to get her to do exactly as he wanted, had always been able to sway her mind and heart with a flash of his smile? Was it a trait of the man…or the demon, to sway hearts and minds so easily? She didn't know. What she did know…was that she could not let things stay like this any longer. Within a weeks time…her fate would be sealed, one way or another. Whether it would be to her clan…or to him…she did not know.

She had just one more week to give him her answer.

But before that, before everything- she had to go to her Father.


She flees from him. He watches her carefully, sighs from some deep hidden part of his being. He is acutely aware of the pain of her parting, of how desperately she tears herself away from him. As if…his words have not reached her, have yet to truly reverberate in the depths of her soul, her being. Fear. He smiles half heartedly. It is immediate, all consuming. Before him, before the black of his shadow and the weight of his presence, not even she was spared. He had expected it, had prepared himself for the sight of her eyes to go wide and blank with horror, for her lips to tremble, for the sound of her scream to rupture the morning chill.

But she...had looked so surprised. More than fear, more than hate, more than revulsion- she looked...wounded. Hurt to the core of her being, as if he had struck her. He had forgotten how quickly her eyes could fill with tears once you knew how. For many years now, she had only allowed herself to share them in secret, in the dark of her room where she thought none could hear her, letting them drown in her scented baths, smothering her screams wordlessly into her palms. She had hidden them and her pain beneath a soft, hesitant expression. His Hina-chan. She had such a quiet, noble beauty- it irked him to see that timid expression on her face. It was so...pitiful, so forlorn, so lost. Trying so hard to be strong, to be perfect, to be faultless-

It made him smile after her. 'But you don't have to be lost you silly girl. You don't have to be afraid. You don't have to be worried. I'm right here beside you aren't I? I came here for you didn't I? But you-' He scoffed, tossing his hands behind his head and casting somber blue eyes to the sky. 'Man these mortals...How odd! How fragile they are!'

But she always looked wounded now, everything about her soft and timid and filled with hesitation. So unaware of her own strength- denying what he knew still lay sleeping deep in her spirit. Beloved-

He wanted to kiss away those tears. Wanted to press his lips gently- against that pale, delicate skin. Drag his tongue lazily against the column of her neck, tasting the sweet scented skin there-

'Hmm not yet.' He thinks again with another weary sigh, eyes cast to the morning sky. 'Not yet…' There was time again. To think…he thought with a scoff. Time was something he had in such abundance…but how quickly it now seemed to sift through his hands, his fingertips. Here he could not grasp it in his fist and make it do as he willed. Bound as always, by the fickle rules of the world that was far removed from his own.

Here it all passed so quickly…had it not been but a moment ago…when those pale eyes had looked at him with such unabashed adoration, such reverence and awe? When that small hand had gripped his tightly, as if it would never let go? It had been the first time, the last time…that he had wished for time to pass more quickly. 'Hurry.' He had thought then- 'Hurry and become the woman you are destined to be. For me. Hurry Hina-chan- grow beautiful, grow strong-'

She had stood before him, a wondrous creature pale of skin and dark of hair. She…was no longer that small child he had adored. There was no longer the same passing fancy, the same curious desire. He had watched over her carefully- but let her grow without his interference. It would have been easy- but regardless... she…had become something even more precious, even more beautiful, even more Beloved. Despite all things, she had tried her hardest and done the best she could. She had grown well without him. But now it was time. He would coax her into bloom.

'Oh Beloved.' He thought with a tormented smile. Repeated endlessly, without ceasing, without end echoing in every fiber of his being, deep into the formless black behind blue eyes. "How absurd. Ridiculous." The demon laughs as it awakens to this moment, a dark thing of hate and fang and hunger. Eyes burning like a fire pit deep in the earth. "Demons were not meant to love."

'Ha! Cut the shit. Since when have the rules ever mattered to you? We've always done whatever the fuck we've wanted.' The man grins widely in reply, now a blue eyed shadow boldly confronting the red eyed creature. 'And you have some fucking nerve. Is she not our dearest? Is she not Beloved?' The beast smiles. Red eyes burning, blazing, roaring to life.

"-Valued above all others, above all things. She is-"

'-Beloved.' The one called Naruto smiles.

"But not yet." The red eyed creature murmured deeply, lowly to himself. "It is not enough yet." Perhaps…his words…maybe she thought them too cruel, too callous? It was shifting again, changing again- the tangled threads of her fate, crossed and interspersed with the black of his own. To bind her, tighter than steel, butterfly caught in the spider's web. It would take nothing to change them, to alter them and pull them towards-

'Tsk Tsk!' In his ear, the chiding words of the man as he stayed his hand. 'Now you know better than that. You have to mind your manners! That's cheating!' He added in jest, with a mocking smile. 'Toying with the lines of fate for everyone else is fair game, but you know Hina-chan is different. We have to be careful! Ee have to be patient. She has to choose.'

A hot flash of impatience, of begrudging consent as the beast stayed the motion. "-she cannot continue to run."

'No-' He added with resignation, and placating consent. 'You're right about that. She…cannot continue to deceive herself, to lie to her heart. Not any longer.' The man releases a tortured sigh. 'Oh dearest…'

"-to love me…to answer me…you must be able to face me. If you cannot-"

'If she cannot-?' The man asks curiously although the answer is clear to both.

Then murmured quietly, 'No- she may not understand us- but- she will. She has too. If she doesn't….'

Those laughing blue eyes reveal sobering red, bloodshot and ruined, ancient and weary like something old and dying. In that moment they had blazed, brighter than hellfire but now they were banked embers. "If not?" The demon laughs- an odd, mysterious thing- but it does not answer. They both knew the answer.

"Oh dearest…You are truly…the most precious thing in this wretched world." A fanged smile that is bitter, fleeting. Truthfully- was she not the strongest being in this world? If she but wished it, it would be hers. If she only desired it. Here both man and demon were of one accord. There had been many before her. They had wanted riches, power, prestige, glory, fame. They had granted the desires of all who gave them name, gave them form. And in return those wretched people had paid the price for their greed, their gluttonous envy. Oh yes- there had been many, many before her. Centuries. Men, women- and finally- a dark haired woman with pale eyes.

There had many before her. But she would be the Last.

Naruto smiles thinking of her. 'Oh Hina-chan- I could end it for you, you know? This entire fleeting, trivial world. If you only asked for it-'

But her heart was not driven by such desires, by neither greed nor ambition, be neither vanity nor arrogance. She…wanted nothing. Had never…believed herself worthy of anything. But tonight- every night until her answer- he would show her a dream, each more glorious than the one before. Each more breathtaking than the one before. Each more beautiful than the one before.

"Don't worry. So the lines of her fate are still…complicated. That's fair- we did meddle after all." The man breathes a sigh of contentment as he returns to himself. "She will choose us. Even if she doesn't understand, even if she's afraid, even if she is doubtful- It's our Hina-chan after all! When has she ever...not taken our hand?" He added fondly, thinking of the warmth of hers in his own. "But-!" He added abruptly, chiding the red eyed creature lurking in his shadow. "We can't get to carried away you know? I don't…like seeing Hina-chan like that."

'Oh...but it's…wonderful is it not? Absolutely delicious- the scent of her fear- the pale of her skin- the heat that rises-' That single fleeting moment when she had turned to run, the long rippling length of her hair swinging behind her. It was then. The red eyed creature smiled in the dark. 'It would have been easy to catch her, to take her-' But- it would not have been gentle. It would have been rough, unforgiving, relentless. He would have devoured her whole, tasted the sweet sweat of her skin, smothered her screams with a burning kiss. Marked every inch of that delicate skin with his lips, with such firm, unrelenting mercy that she would have never again forgotten. Imprinting it into every line of her body. 'Remind her- that with every passing moment, with every passing breath, she is and has always been-'

He could see those pale eyes staring at him helplessly, wide and wounded as they had done so many nights before. Would she have screamed out in fear? Would she have begged for mercy? Would she have spouted curses? Or would she have done as she always had, and simply submitted in silence? She was not capable of hatred, of loathing. '-Mine.' "We would have broken her." And they both knew this to be true. She would have been scorched to ashes under the heat of his touch. But the dark eyed creature smiles at the thought nonetheless. 'No- not her- she is strong. She is, after all, the one we have chosen. She is Beloved-'

The man had considered it many times before. While he had watched her sleep, blissfully unaware of his presence. It would have been easy to take her, to crawl into the sheets with her and gather her into his arms. To scorch her flesh against his own, to mold their bodies together until there was no end or beginning in a bout of feverish ecstasy. How strange it was sometimes, this traitorous flesh, this form she had given him. Whether she was aware of it or not. He had been given other forms, but none had ever hungered like this one did for her. He did not sleep. He would lay awake on dark nights and think of her.

He had considered it many times before. Considered it while he had lingered, unseen in her bathing chamber, basking in the warmth of her scent. He had considered it when her father had struck her a mighty blow, sending her reeling in agony, again and again in the quiet training room. Where she had smothered her cries, had swallowed the blood in her mouth because as always, all came before herself. Had considered it when the familiar scent of her tears, bitter and forlorn, had lingered in her scent as she had crossed the halls.

The demon had considered it many times before. It would be so easy to scorch this pathetic village to this ground. He could do it in a fortnight, perhaps less if he sacrificed personal enjoyment and amusement for efficiency. The screams of the people reaching high to the heavens, the ground choked with blood. All of those that had wounded her, had pained her, had contributed to her misery and had robbed her of the smile he adored. None were guiltless, none were faultless. All would suffer. Maybe he would start with the Inuzakas. The boy's untempered confidence had always irked him. And he alone caught the way ward glances that he would cast over her while she studied. Tear him limb from limb. Then the Haruno's. That pink haired slut had been nothing short of an eyesore since the very beginning. He'd tear her head from her shoulders. The Yamanaka's would be next. Loud mouthed bitch. Rip that tongue right out of her mouth. Every last one of those lineages that had hunted his kind since the dark ages. It was time to put an end to them, time to rob them of their unmerited sense of importance. Everyone that had lived in joy, in peace, while she had quietly suffered. There would be nothing left but a sea of ash and cinder.

He would save her clan for last. And he would enjoy them. One by one, until not a single one remained. He would devour them whole, bite by bite. Tooth and hair and flesh and skin. He would dance wildly in the flames of the white walled academy, let them try their hands in vain at slaying him. Laughing at their feeble attempts. For he was infinite. Red eyed creature made of dark and shadow. He was without beginning or end, a formless creature born of darkness.

But there was her face again across the empty, cutting through centuries of bitterness, of hatred and rage. Pale sentinel, forlorn creature, a delicate wisp of a girl. He imagined the look on her face. Pained. Tormented. Agonized. The man speaks.

"No." Firmly. "We promised. Not to go back to those days. I don't…want her to hate me. If she hates me...none of this no longer has meaning. If she were to hate me then..." It does not need to be said. The red eyed creature grows somber again, begrudgingly withdrawing back to the darkness. They know.

'The Book-' "Yeah." Softly. "She knows. She's read it for herself." A sardonic smile. "But who would have thought neh? That demons were capable of poetry? Of honesty? To think that these silly feelings would actually be useful?"

"And she…" Remembering acutely, the warmth of the sun in the dark of her hair, brightening the pale orbs, ghosting along delicate skin. He hummed hungrily under his breath at the sweet of her scent again. The anxious trepidation, the hesitation always laced through the lines of her form. But the red eyed creature murmurs darkly in the depths of their being-

"But if we would but taste her- imagine how wondrous, how absurd, how beautiful, how sublime- the moment where beast and mortal intertwine to taste the flesh of she- imagine, imagine- the sweet of sweat stained skin- the muted murmurs of half hearted gasps- the heat that makes her skin warm shamefully, traitorously-"

The man stops him again, reminds him. "Maybe they're right huh? Those mortals. Maybe we cannot love. Maybe we cannot cherish or protect. But we...love Hina-chan...Don't we?" The demon is quiet for a moment, skulking in the man's shadow, a black beast of darkness thrown across the clearing.

'Without her- it is back to madness. Back to darkness. Back to that unforgiving world without hope or dreams. Back to centuries of bitterness, a millennia of misery, of hatred and agony. Of blood and torment. A eternity without her-'

"I know." A placating smile as he cast blue eyes to the sky. "Enough of all this gloomy talk. It'll…be fine. I'll make her understand. With all of the time I have left in this world. I'll show her something amazing. Of what the world could be, of what it will be if she would only take my hand-" The red eyed creature murmurs again-

'Act quickly. They are coming to this place. They feel the echoes of my shadow here- and they will come to test it's strength. From the darkness…they will come…from the pits…they will come. Because I have risen here-'

The man scoffs, a boyish smile of mirth and strength. "Don't worry about it! Geez have a little faith in me why don't you? I've done a damned good job thank you very much! Although I bet those silly hunters eyes would cross if they knew a demon hasn't attacked the capital in years because I've been here! Granted that last one did manage to narrowly escape from between our claws…" He sucked his teeth in annoyance. "Tsk! And of course it had to be that damn snake! Whatever. Whoever called him had better make sure I never catch him slithering anywhere near Hina-chan."

"-Let him have as much as he likes. Soon-"

The dark shadow contemplates him, this creature she has created from him, more boy than man, more flesh than spirit. The one called Naruto laughs aloud, with the arrogance that comes with power. It's the man again, speaking boldly, brashly with confidence as he speaks to the dark shadow.

"Ha! Just let them come. This is pretty fucking funny isn't it? Who knew demons could want to protect, to cherish? But we will protect this place for her sake. And what does it matter anyway? In one week this will all end right? Her fate and the fate of this world. Let us enjoy ourselves! Let's have fun! For all the time we have left- let us enjoy this fickle world in full!"


AN: Been awhile, but here you have it.

Maybe this was confusing to read, I apologize in advance it made sense in my head. I was trying to show that Naruto and the 'creature' (who I imagine we all know by now) are fairly intertwined. They exist in the same body- but are separate entities. More detail to come in a later chapter, but in case anyone has missed it, the creature/demon 'becomes' whatever it needs to be for the one who calls it. Hinata was searching subconsciously for her polar opposite and got Naruto. Much of the remaining conflict will be over whether or not she can accept the fact that despite appearances, at his core her 'Naruto' is a crazy yandere demon thats obsessesed with her haha and on Naruto's side if he is truly capable of love

PSA this isn't M for nothing folks