Lurking Within
(Part 1 of the trilogy)
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Chapter 04: Provoking the Beasts
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Blood, the taste of copper and the smell of life, how he enjoyed watching it spill. Touching the lifeless hare in front of him, his mind began to wonder to the foolish mortals resting in their house. Amber eyes glowed in excitement as his imagination roved around. Dreams of anguished cries and mangled corpses, flowing crimson rivers and dry bodies, a life every demon wants. Cursing his luck, his claws stabbed at the hare's body, already mangled beyond recognition. Why had he promise his mistress? Contrary to what many think, his kind do have one code of honor besides killing, honor of thy words. He had given his word and he would not back out of it. The Shadow Wolf gave a lazy stretch and his sleek black coat rippled from the pure muscle underneath. His tails flickered about, the single white tip a damper in his pure coat. A rustle from behind him caused him, by pure instinct, to stiffen and ears to focus on the noise. Narrowing his amber eyes and licking his fangs, he spotted some entertainment. A man was hiding behind the bushes with a kunai in hand. Itzal felt a sense of adrenaline course through his body and he got into his favorite stance, ready to pounce. Sure he couldn't kill, but who would be stopping him from torturing?
Bunching the muscles in his hind legs, he emitted a low growl as warning. His keen eyes watched as the man turned to run. The aroma of his fear led a trail of evidence for him to follow. The demon found another bolt of excitement run through his body. Deciding it was enough time for his prey to have tried to escape, Itzal crept silently through the forest in search for his source of fun. His nose picked up the fresh scent of fear and his ears could hear the man's pounding footsteps loudly. As he drew near, the noise from the man faded. However, the smell of fear was still strong and Itzal eyed the wooden cottage in front of him. That man had foolishly led the demon back to his own den, oh how simple minded mortals were. Pushing the door open with his muzzle, Itzal's feral grin was hidden from the man; though the blazing amber eyes weren't.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are..."
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He never slept. He couldn't sleep. It would mean life and death if he did. Though he was not scared of death, more like welcomed it, he wish to die in battle and not in bed. Black lined jade eyes narrowed at the sudden intrusion of a knock on his door, he hated being disturbed. "Sir, the Kazekage is in dire need of your presence." The messenger boy called through the door, and Gaara smirked at the shaking in the boy's voice. Fear, that emotion was delicious and he lived to create that in everyone he encountered. Looking out the window, Gaara got up and made for the door. It was very late at night. The Kazekage must have something important to state. The door slammed behind him and he walked ahead of the trembling boy. It better be something important if the Kazekage of Suna wishes to live.
"Sabaku no Gaara," the Kazekage nodded before turning to the guest standing in the middle of the room. Silver hair, that thought pinpointed to only one man, Hatake Kakashi of Konoha. Sweat was rolling down his skin, and he could hear Kakashi's harsh breathing. It seemed as if he ran here, nearly depleting all his chakra. "The Godiame of Konoha needs your assistance in a matter." Not even answering, Gaara turned for the door. Noticing that no one moved, he turned his frozen eyes towards the well-known ANBU, ignoring the fact that Kakashi was about to pass out right then and there. "We leave at dawn." Smirking, the red-hair menace walked towards the gates leaving Suna. Sabaku no Gaara is heading for Konoha, and all should take heed.
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"Alpha to Beta, have blossom been found?"
The electronic crackling from his ear piece disrupted the peaceful scenery and his concentration, "Not yet" His low monotone voice echoed back to 'Alpha'. The sky had only begun to paint a portrait of dusky pink and soft oranges, the sun just starting to rise from its slumber. The air smelled of fresh cut grass and dew clung to the leaves. Nature was at its most serene. However, those few seconds of peace only lasted so long before a voice chimed in through the electronic device, frantic. "I found her, Omega to Alpha! Oh dear god!" Stopping in his tracks, 'Beta' took out his tracking device and quickly sought out Omega's exact location. "Stay where you are, Omega! Coordinates, Beta!" Alpha's voice yelled. "Head northeast, you're close to him." Beta's reply before he sped off, his mind already flashing images of what he might find there. Suddenly, nature didn't seem so serene anymore.
"Omega?"
To his left, he saw Naruto walk out from the bushes and towards the cottage. Calling once more to their comrade, Kiba, Neji made his way towards the open door.
"What's our plan of action, Alpha?"
Naruto swiveled his head and blue eyes bore into white, "God damn it Neji, drop the names."
Stalking with silent footfalls, the 'Alpha' made his way first. It was dark but parallel windows allowed light to filter in. The first thing Neji noticed was the smell, tangy and copper, a horrible smell. Then the sight grasped him, refusing to let his eyes wander, making him focus his gaze solely on to the bloody scene. "What happened here?" He heard his captain growl, he was clearly disgusted by the amount of blood splattered everywhere. "Alpha, Beta!" They heard Kiba's voice, rather than seeing him, and walked as cautiously as they can. Their stance ever alert. Reaching a wooden door, Naruto pushed it open. The door creaked, signaling their entrance. All eyes turned to them, both dead and alive.
Neji stood his ground, even when Naruto pushed past him to the door leading outside. Closing his eyes, the Hyuuga prodigy tried to push the burned image away from his mind in vain. He heard Naruto emptying his stomach outside and Neji tried to muster as much calm as he could. "Kiba, you may head outside, I know how much worse the smell is for you." The Omega of the group quickly nodded and went for some fresh air, removing the stench from his nostrils though the memory of the room did not. It's been a while since he saw so much blood, so much death, and cold slaughter.
"Haruno"
From the room of red, pink stood out though covered in blood. It only took a second for Neji to identify her. Top to bottom, left to right, the only color scheme was crimson. The blood was in puddles and mangled body parts were thrown around the room. On the opposite wall from the door, that was once white, were words written in dried blood; reunited in Hell.
"Do you like the décor? It's beautiful isn't it?"
Footsteps echoed closer as Naruto stepped into his view, bright azure eyes stared confused by his former teammate's reaction. Arms open, he walked forward to comfort her and most importantly, to bring her back home. "Come now, Sakura-chan. It's time to go home." Her eyes shot up and glared defiantly at 'Alpha' for even daring to come near her. "Traitors!" She screeched at them, her emerald eyes showing her near insanity.
"She's unstable," Neji began to say, "be alert."
He had seen his share of psychos, hell, he was pretty sure he lived in a world of psychos, but he never saw someone like her. Emerald eyes tainted with not only pain but insanity, slowly eating her away. Her bloody hands wring nervously on her lap, her body bare. A curtain of drenched pink-red hair sheltered her from prying eyes and suddenly, she threw her head back and gave a shrilling laugh. Naruto winced at the harsh sound. He couldn't believe such a horrible sound was coming from his Sakura-chan's throat. "Even now, you still think you can hurt me!" Sakura screamed to the tensed ANBU, Neji. "Remember what I said last night, Hyuuga. I will cut your tongue if you dare to step out of line once more!"
"Please, Sakura-chan, we need to bring you back, you're hurt. Please, Sakura." Naruto plead, his eyes locking with hers. Her breath quickened and she started to sob, great heart-wrenching sobs that shook her tiny frame. "Naruto" She wailed out to her former teammate, and best friend. Ignoring the warnings that the prodigy was yelling to him, the boy bent down and wrapped his arms comfortingly around her. He let her cry on his shoulders. Her hands, caked with dry blood, grasped for him desperately; almost afraid that the blond would disappear. Sakura started spluttering out incomprehensible mutters that apparently, made sense to Naruto whom rocked back and forth trying to calm her. Turning away from such a scene, Neji walked out of the house and into Kiba.
"Mission complete."
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It was white, almost too white to the point of blinding. "How is she?" Tsunade asked one of the nurses on call. "She is quiet sometimes and maniac other times. She is highly unstable, Tsunade-sama." Grunting at the obvious, the Godiame waved her away. Preparing herself for the worse, Tsunade opened the door to the sight of a lifeless Sakura.
"How are you today Sakura?"
The girl gave no indication that she heard the question directed to her, merely opting to stare at the blank wall in front of her instead. Tsunade issued another sigh and rubbed her temple, this was harder than she thought. "You are under arrest, Haruno Sakura." At this, Sakura jolted from her daydream and bared her teeth. "I have done nothing wrong!" Sakura hissed. Shaking her head, Tsunade allowed her eyes to check Sakura's body for any indication of pain. Wrists were held down with chakra bounds and ankles tied down with ropes, chains, and chakra.
"Sakura, this cannot continue. I have turned a blind eye to the numerous outbursts of violence and rage you have issued to the other shinobi. Hell, Sakura, I have overlooked the threats you've made to the interns here. But this, this is murder; no, this is manslaughter! I cannot just forgive this." Tsunade replied, her voice rising as she talked.
Haruno Sakura had become a danger to Konoha, and their only hope was in the hands of another danger; this was not looking too well. Kakashi had yet to return, having left 3 days ago. She was expecting his return, with Gaara, tomorrow the latest.
"Why are you doing this?" Tsunade snapped from her thoughts and gazed confusingly at Sakura, whom had averted her eyes. "I did no wrong." Closing her eyes in fatigue, the voluptuous Godiame got up to leave. "Why did you kill them, Sakura?" She was referring to the family of four, now dead in their cottage on the outskirts of the forest. "I did no wrong." Sakura continued to hiss, eyes clashed for a moment before Sakura averted her eyes again.
"I did no wrong. I did no wrong! I DID NO WRONG!" Sakura screamed in frustration.
Shaking her head, Tsunade closed the door behind her. She could still hear her most promising student screaming inside the imprisonment. "Do not allow anyone enter." The ANBU outside nodded and stood in attention as their beloved hokage made her way slowly down the corridor.
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Finally, he was back in Konoha after a long two days travel. His eyes glanced swiftly to the boy next to him, noting the expressionless facade. Making his way, dragging his feet mostly, to the Hokage's office, he nearly crashed into Tsunade. "Hokage, Gaara's here." In a puff of smoke, Kakashi was gone to the shelter of his home for a good night's rest. He didn't have any strength and he did not care at the moment for anything. No one is going to come between him and his bed.
Tsunade shifted her attention the motionless boy in front of her and she sighed. "Follow me, Gaara. There is much you need to know." He followed wordlessly behind her as she made her way towards her office. Today was going to be a long day, this calls for a bottle or two of sake afterward.
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"Mistress..."
She ignored it. His calls and his voice, whenever she heard it, she ignored it. Her anger rose when she thought of that day, all those people now dead. Their mangled... stop! She berated herself for even straying down that road, for even thinking back to it. "Sakura, you cannot ignore me for long." Her hands clenched into a fist at the sound of his sadistic voice, how she wished to punch the daylights out of him. "How could you do this to me Itzal! You broke your promise to me." Sakura shot back. She heard him snort and right then and there, she could picture him smirking wolfishly – no pun intended. "I did not break your promise. I killed for self-defense." Screaming in frustration, Sakura growled and opened her mouth to reply but stopped short.
The door opened and in walked Tsunade, again, with a most unexpected visitor. Disheveled fiery red spikes, raccoon-like rimmed eyes, the cold blank stare, and piercing jade; Sabaku no Gaara was standing there in flesh and bones. Sakura smirked and plopped her head back on to her pillow, so they've decided to call in 'reinforcements'. Fine then, she will entertain them, she agreed silently. "Hyuuga Neji would be arriving shortly, until then, please assess Sakura-chan's conditions. Thank you, Gaara, for your cooperation." Her hand touched the doorknob, but she made no further step. "Lay a finger on her hair, and you'll be answering to the shinobi of Konoha."
The door slammed shut behind the woman and that left the two alone. No one spoke, only the sound of their breathing was heard in the room. Jade locked with emerald in a seemingly never-ending staring contest. Holding his gaze for a few more minutes, Sakura scoffed and turned her gaze somewhere else, as if he wasn't worthwhile.
-Just let me at her, I will shred her until she begs for mercy. Even then I'll kill her!-
His hands, or rather sands, itched for the taste of fresh spill blood but he held that urge down. It wouldn't be good to kill that damn kunoichi, especially in her territory. The beast in him paced, snarled, growled, and cursed at being contained; he would do well in teaching her a lesson she'll remember. Her mocking laugh caught his attention for a moment, focusing on her rather than the beast in him. He found himself glaring at her unconsciously. "Can't let him out, can you?" She hissed at him, her eyes glowing eerily. "Why do you fear that sealed Jinchuuriki? They mock him, you know, back home the other demons mock him." Pink tresses flew backward with her head movement as she laughed out loud again. "That weak little demon is nothing now, our people no longer fear him."
He could feel Shukaku's anger directed at the girl and him, it was literally rolling out in waves; at her for mocking him and at Gaara for containing him. -Why do you fight me! I will bathe in her blood!- Once more suppressing the growing urge, Gaara turned away from her to leave; it was best to wait for the Hyuuga outside.
"Are you running away, Shukaku?"
That stupid girl! She doesn't know when to quit does she. Placing his mask back on, Gaara reached for the door, trying to indicate that whatever she was talking about had no effect on him. "Itzal wishes to fight you, you know. He wants to see you run away with your tail between your legs, will you give him the honor?" Gaara clenched his hands together and he slowly felt his barriers break away to leave only the monster known as Shukaku behind. Although his mind didn't recognize the name, Itzal, the monster within him did. It growled and snarled vigorously, determined to come out. It took all his concentration and training to suppress the beast from coming out.
He whirled around to meet the girl that had evoked such anger from him, only to meet with hybrid eyes of amber and emerald. "So you're the container of Shukaku," she growled, as if she wasn't Sakura but someone else. "Tell that damn bastard that what he did to me will be paid back, tenfold." Snarling, the amber eyes faded to matching emeralds. Her dazed expression quickly turned to one of anger and she hissed at him. His eyes twitched and the beast in him, surprisingly, was still. He didn't know for how long their resumed staring lasted, but it dragged on to Neji's arrival. The door opened and the ANBU captain came in, in all his glory. He received a frigid stare from Gaara and a scoff from Sakura. Closing the door behind him, Neji quickly wished for some kind of attack or event that would kill the awkwardness. His wish came true soon after.
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