A Demons Tears
Darkkinkachu: ah…I would like to apologize for my angst-y-ness in that last chapter. I tend to lash out when I'm this tiered and confused. In penance, I worked over time and stayed up late to bring you this chapter a few months ahead of schedule. I'm having Shukaku talk in fragments and stuff since I already said he doesn't know Human well and I just think that's how he would talk. Hope that doesn't bother anyone.
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Sea foam green eyes widened at the deep baritone voice, "I am Shukaku, Great Demon of the Sands."
What have I done? Sakura thought, starting to tremble, um…lets see… Inner Sakura said, striking a mock thinking pose, you…healed a big scary demon freak that's going to explode us with sand and then eat the bloody bits left over?
The girls cringe did not go unnoticed by the creature towering over her, "Are you afraid of me?"
Shivers ran up and down her spine. His voice was deep and rumbled and was filled with dark hissing intentions, "How did this happen?" She asked, desperately hoping boldness would impress him.
Shukaku watched her a moment longer, his tail swishing against the floor, "I was in boy. Men in cloaks ripped me out. Now this." He spread his arms, gesturing to the new body, "I don't know why. But…" a sick grin crossed his features and Sakura found herself wanting to hide, "Better now. I thank you. I spare you for saving me."
"Sp-spare me?" Sakura was torn between anger and fear, "What do you mean?"
"Mmm…" Shukaku walked around her and over to the window again, "Konoha…I hold no grudge here…but I kill Kyuubi while here. Then…Suna." He hissed out the last word with such malice it made the girl wince.
"Kill the Kyuubi?" Naruto! Her mind screamed, no! I wont let him! I cant loose any more precious people!
"Mmm I hate Kyuubi." The one tail turned back to her, golden eyes burning, "Thinks he's better than me. Laughing when his boy beat mine." He smirked slowly, holding up a paw and looking at it, "Now I have body and he doesn't…who laughing now, stupid fox?" he gave a rather high pitched squeal before breaking into a bought of twisted laughter.
"Ichibi No Shukaku."
Sakura jumped a little at the new voice. She had almost forgotten Tsunade was still there. The demon turned to look at her still wrapped in sand, "Hokage…."
"I have an offer for you."
Shukaku's eyes narrowed. He might not have been the brightest beast but he could certainly be suspicious.
"I will let you stay in Konoha if you swear not to harm my village or any of its citizens."
Sakura's eyes widened as Shukakus tail thrashed thoughtfully. Was Tsunade crazy? That thing couldn't stay here!
"You know our village is famous for its sealing techniques…"
The one-tail growled slightly, "Do not threaten me, human. I know what could happen…and you know I could destroy half your precious home before you could stop me."
Tsunade tried to shrug, "In this state who knows what would happen if you were sealed. Maybe you would die. Maybe you would just hang there in limbo for all eternity."
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I felt my fur bristle. They seem to think its from anger. Good…I don't want them to know…how terrifying her words are to me.
Die? No! I can't die! Not now! Not yet! Or worse…would I really get stuck in between? I would have no identity, no self, no mind. I am afraid.
But I trust this human about as much as it trusts me. If I agree, I'll have to be very careful not to kill any of its people and not get angry. If I agree, I will have some where to rest and recharge until I can move on to my real goal; Suna.
Some thing else tugs at my mind. The girl. If I stay I can be around her. I like to be around her, even if she is one of them. I want to know…if she meant what she said when she was talking to the boy. Hmmm…I call up my best political skills.
"Shukaku of the Sand agrees not to harm this village or any of its persons in return for food, shelter and care until Shukaku sees fit to leave."
I puff up slightly. They seem impressed. I am impressed. But I will just act like I have always been that good with words. I release my sand and stand tall, watching her carefully. According to the boy this woman is very strong. I do not want to be hit.
She slowly, grimly holds out her hand. Eh? Oh…what did the boy do? Ahh I shake it or some such none sense…but first…
"Shukaku also requests this girl be his guide and caregiver for his time here." I nod my head sideways at the pink haired girl. She looks at me blankly. I wonder what she is thinking. The Hokage doesn't look please that I'm tacking this onto our bargain. Tough luck human.
"Fine." My, that was quite a growl for a human…I encase her hand with my paw, clumsily bobbing it up and down. What a strange thing to do…I suppose I will never understand humans.
The blond human gives the girl an apologetic look, "I must go speak with the consul," she said softly, "Stay here with the thing." How rude…I bare my teeth at her retreating back.
"Mmm…I go find Kyuubi now."
"You…you can't do that Shukaku-sama." Shukaku-sama? Mmm…I kind of like that. Especially the way she says it…wait…what?
"Why not?"
"Well…your still not well. You need real food and lots more water and your body isn't ready for fighting yet…" A good point I suppose…as if on cue, my stomach grumbles its protest at being empty. Ick…look how skinny I've become…how simply horrid.
"Fine. I stay, I eat THEN I kill Kyuubi."
"You still cant do that…Naruto is Kyuubi's Jenchuriki."
"I know that." Does she think I'm that stupid?
"And Naruto is a Konoha citizen…"
Why is she talking? I don't care about the blond brat! I just want whats- oh…wait…
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Shrikes and howls of things like "nasty sneaky human!" And "She KNEW didn't she! I make her PAY!" echoed through the hospital. One last gurgling roar was heard before all fell silent.
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The council sat in stony silence. Tsunade held her face in her hands, silently thinking.
"Tsunade…" one of the elders finally speaks, "How could you make a deal with that…thing?"
"It cannot stay in Konoha!" another shouts.
"Send it back to Sand!"
"QUIET!" all went still. Tsunade beckoned Shizune, who brought a small scroll to the woman, "This is from Suna," she held it up and unrolled it, "I assume you all know that Kazekage-sama has been gravely ill since a few weeks ago."
A general mummer of acknowledgement went through the crowd.
"We got this just today…apparently, Gara is feeling better all the sudden." No one seemed to get it so she went on, "just today as a matter of fact…about the same time Sakura and I finished healing the Demon."
At their gasps and burst of sudden talking Tsunade held up a hand, "Gaara and the Demon are still connected some how. I have sent a letter to him, asking him to come to Konoha immediately with his best Sealers."
"Cant we just kill the thing and be done with it?"
"It may kill Gaara as well," The Hokage said, rubbing her eyes tiredly, "Even if Gaara is willing to give up his life to kill it, we don't know what would happen. Such a creature has never been recorded before…"
"Hai…Killing it may simply release it from its current container and form a newer, better one." Shizune elaborated, "We may end up killing the Kazekage and giving The Demon all his power back."
"And then Sand would hate us for not only resurrecting their worst enemy, but also killing their leader." Tsunade finished, "I'm afraid all we can do for now is wait and watch…The Demon seems a bit disoriented and placid at the moment, so we should take advantage of it."
The concil grudgingly mumbled their acceptance of the plan as they get up and slowly mill out.
"Sakura…" Tsunade sighed, "I hope you can handle this…"
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Darkkinkachu: It just occurred to me…that I have no idea where I'm going with this…I hate it when that happens. I really need some more ideas for this please! Thank you for reading and please review! (ok NOW I wont be updating for a while)