A/N: I am SO SORRY about taking so long! My inspiration sudenly died out on me and I became something akin to a ghost with this story... but I'm back and I'll try hard (really hard) to update soon. Especially sense I figured out how to write this chapter! This was probably the only one that I had to think from scratch, the next few already have a planned course. Woo~

Special thanks to: FumetsuKaji, Hawkgirl90, xxsmilesRayrayxx, Evaljily (I love silent hill!).

Super Special thanks to: Lonely Kitty; who has been with me sense day one, back when I only did poems. You are truly awesome and your reviews are like balls of happiness to me.

Once again, sorry for the wait.

Reading Legend

normal

"talking"

thinking

"Though talk"

SHOUTING

Expressing/Exaggerating

Blackened Chains

Chapter 3 Cling, Clang, Pain and Rain

If there is one truth amongst those who are listeners, it is the sound of the chains. They can hear it from themselves and from others. Oh how they adore the funeral rings of clattering chains.


Naruto really wanted to punch something and punch it hard. They were only a day away from Cain and yet he was still getting the questionable looks and worried eyes. It was really starting to piss him off.

If one more person asks me if I'm okay, I'm going to punch them in the face. He growled out as he clutched his fists. Just one more...

"Naruto?" Naruto was sure god was laughing at him. "Something wrong?"

"FOR THE LAST TIME NOTHINGS WRONG!" The angry blond shouted at poor Sai, forgetting his earlier, mental, threat. "Jeez! What's with everyone." He asked, leaving Sai an unanswered question.

"Are you sure nothings wrong?" Of course the teen would never let it go. Naruto sighed in defeat as he decided the best way in having the question dropped was to ignore them and... speed off ahead.

"Naruto! What do you think you're doing?!" Sakura shouted as the blond teen speed off ahead of them. "Jeez, you'd think that he was a kid or something." She commented, giving off a small air of maturity.

"I think he's just tired of us pestering him. We have been doing it straight for the past two days now..." Kakashi stated feeling a small tinge of pity for Naruto. "It must seem really strange for us to be all worried." He sighed into his mask "It's not like he remembers any of that..." The others nodded solemnly as they watched the blond doing flips and smiling ahead of them. Just enjoying the freedom of being outside. Kakashi smiled sadly "It's not like it would change anything any ways. That's just how Naruto is."

"I guess..." Sakura's own sad smile accompanied Kakashi's. "I guess you're right Kakashi-Sensei."


The village of Cain was small but busy. The whole town was like a market and people swam through the crowds. Naruto was shocked by all the different things that the merchants sold. Even Konoha couldn't compare!

Naruto was crazy happy when Kakashi and Yamato agreed to let them venture around the village as they picked up the package. Though the blond was a little dishearten to learn that he had to stick with Sai (of all people), their reasoning being his last fainting spell. Though the teen wanted to argue, especially since he fared so well the last three days, he couldn't deny that Sai's company was pleasant. The fainting had given Naruto a small tinge of fear and he didn't want it to happen when he was alone.

"Alright! Let's go find some ramen!" The boy cried out as his partner just smiled and nodded.

Though the ramen was no where near as good as home, Naruto still enjoyed every drop. Sai ate only a small pork bowl while Naruto allowed himself to dance along the menu. There was just so many choices here that the teen had a hard time narrowing it down.


The sun was setting as the crowds slowed their pace as they headed back home. Naruto was still talking about how amazing the ramen was while Sai listened intently, giving small answers and comments.

Ching...

Naruto halted in his speed talking as he turned his head in the direction of the noise. Sai looked at him questionably.

"Naruto?"

Ching...

He could feel Sai's eyes on him, but he didn't care. Naruto could feel himself reaching out towards that sound as something squirmed inside him.

"Naruto what is it?"

"Can you hear me, boy?"

Words now accompanied the soft sounds and Naruto took a step forward. "What?"

"Oh I see, still a new born..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Naruto who are you talking to?" However, Sai's words landed on deaf ears. Naruto could feel the world begin to distance itself, all that mattered was that voice.

"Who, who are you?" He was sure that Sai had said something, but it was blurry, as if he was far, far away from him.

"Yusumi..." The world swam back into focus, the strange blank white that he had entered dissipating around him.

"Yu-su-mi..." he repeated quietly as an unknown exhaustion took over his body, making his world turn black as Sai cried out once more, catching his now limp body.


Sai was uneasy as he stood still, waiting for Naruto to snap out of his trance. However when the boy started speaking as if someone else was their, his worry grew. The tall blond's eyes seemed to grow more and more vacant. He seemed to grow more and more exhausted as the 'conversation' drove on and Sai was repeatedly trying to get his attention. His attempts were fruitless and Naruto appeared to be ignoring him.

Sai was about to reach out towards his companion when the boy's legs suddenly gave out. Pushing himself forward, Sai was able to catch the now unconscious teen and quickly checked his breathing.

Sai relaxed as he felt the even breaths. Unlike last time, it seemed normal, just exhaustion catching up with the energetic kid.

Unbeknown to Sai, a pair of pale blue eyes watched him head towards the inn. The wind played with his purple kimono, his chains jingling invisible to all of those around. A small, sadistic smile seemed to adore the man's face as he appeared to disappear into thin air.


If Naruto had to sum up how he was feeling in one word, it would be "Shitty". He was ordered by Sakura to stay in bed and get some much needed rest. What was worse was that Sai was watching over him. Why the hell was he stuck with Sai all the time any way?! Naruto growled as he rolled over for the fifth time. How could he get any sleep with somebody watching him?

"We're worried that you might try something hasty..." Naruto huffed. Great, now Sai could read his mind. Just fucking great.

"Like what? I'm not so stupid that I don't know how to take care of myself."

"Then why have you fainted twice now?" Naruto clenched the blanket, glaring at the wall opposite of where Sai sat. "Well? If you're taking care of yourself why is it that-"

"I DON'T KNOW OKAY!" Naruto shouted at the black-haired ninja. "I don't know why I'm fucking fainting everywhere, okay?!" He curled into himself as shiver ran through his body. That feeling was there again, something swimming inside him.

Sai was silent as he watched his brother-figure (1)shiver underneath the blankets. He had insisted that he stay with Naruto because he was there for both of the blonds faints. It was a weak reason but he wanted to make sure that Naruto was okay. Much to his horror (and happiness) he had come to value the blond and wanted to make sure that he was safe.

"Do you have any idea's what causes them then?" Naruto snorted, uncurling himself.

"What do you mean?"

"Have you eaten anything that doesn't agree with you? Or perhaps you've been over exerting yourself?" Naruto was silent as he went through his head anything that could have caused it. "Or perhaps-"

"Chains." Sai's eyes latched onto blue ones as Naruto rolled over, gripping his pillow. "I- uh... Every time I feel dizzy or something, I can hear chains in the background. Jeez, what am I saying?!" The blond ruffled his hair, clenching his eyes closed. "I must be going insane or something!" Sai's eye's took on a soft form of pity as he watched Naruto clutch his pillow like a child would a stuff animal. His face was buried deep in it's comfort and the way his shoulders shook, Sai predicted that he was crying or at least on the verge of tears. Plastering on a fake smile (being truly disturbed by the strong teens tears) Sai patted his shoulder. Naruto looked up, his eyes watery.

"It's fine Naruto-kun (2), you're probably just tired." Naruto quickly brushed away his tears, rolling away from the teen.

"Yeah, whatever." Sai sighed as he leaned back against 'his' wall.

"Good-night, Naruto-kun." Naruto let his eye's slowly drop.

"Night Sai." he whispered out as sleep enveloped him. Sai's smile soon became real as Naruto's breaths evened out.


Yusumi stood silently outside of the boys room, his feet dangling on air. He wanted so badly to rush in there and comfort the boy, telling him that he was perfectly fine. A sad smile decorated his sharp features as he walked inside the room, right through the wall.

The blonds guard had also fallen asleep, but the pale man could see the tense muscles, ready to move if there was any sign of trouble. A sigh brushed past Yusumi's lips as he let his eyes fall onto the boy. The child was by far the youngest he had ever heard or seen of. He sat down quietly on his knee's beside the boy's futon.

Pale, blue eyes lit up as he smiled lovingly down at the boy. He was happy that he was able to come see the blond tonight. Usually he never gets to meet another bearer, let alone see one. He's always locked up in that damn cellar. Yusumi gazed at the boy's tanned face and was surprised to see his sky-blue eyes staring back at his own. They seemed glazed over, not really seeing.

He must still be asleep...Yusumi reasoned as the eyes continued to gaze at him. A hand, that appeared so much smaller than it really was, reached out towards him.

"Yusumi?" The boy's voice rang out silently. The man bit back a gasp and allowed himself to reach out and grab the boys hand. Of course the boy could see him. Their chains could sense each other, along with that horrid thing that came with them.

"Yes?" He asked, his voice washing over the younger of the two. The boy simply smiled and shook his head.

"Nothing..." And Naruto's hand fell through the others as Yusumi found himself waking up back in his own body.


Sakura smiled as a tired looking Naruto and Sai came down the stairs. In her hands was a small box, the package that was to be given to Tsunade.

"About time you guys came down!" she scolded them, smiling. "Really, it's almost noon!"

"My apologies Sakura-san (3). But Naruto-kun just wouldn't wake up."

"Oh?" Sakura let her eyes fall onto Naruto. If anything he did look like he needed more sleep. He had bags under his eyes and his hair seemed to droop. Noticing Sakura's gaze, Naruto quickly straightened himself.

"I'm fine Sakura-Chan! Let's go!" He cheered out, as he jogged out of the inn.

Sakura and Sai sighed as they both left the inn as well. They soon met up with Kakashi and Yamato. The older of the two gazed at Naruto with worry in his eyes. "Naruto, if you're not up-"

"What are you saying Kakashi-Sensei?! I'm fine!" The blond encouraged, jumping off into the tree's. The entire group sighed once again (they seemed to be doing that a lot lately) and jumped off, after their blond teammate.


The mission had felt too easy, so Kakashi wasn't to surprised when some rouge ninja had shown up. The mayor had warned him that there was important documents on the discovery of a new type of weapon and that criminals would want to get their hands on it. The ninjas headbands were scratched up so bad that there was no way to determine what village, and even their techniques gave nothing away.

Team 7 had broken up in order to throw off the other ninjas. It was clear that they were stronger than the thief's, but the trouble-makers still had their numbers. Kakashi punched another one in the jaw as Sakura did a round house kick to one of their faces. The two had at least five left after the original twelve.

"Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura said quickly dodging another attack. All the man did was nod and Sakura punched the ground with all her might, shocking a large number of the rouges.

"W-what the hell!" One of them shouted, clearly peeing his pants at the young girls strength.

"I may not look like it-" Sakura paused as she brought her arm back. "-But I'm pretty strong." And with a quick gut shot, the poor ninja was sent smashing through trees, landing unconscious.

"Sakura, please be nicer to our opponents." Kakashi openly mocked as he held a another ninjas arms behind his back, throwing him at the others. Sakura giggled, angering the ninjas.

"Sorry Kakashi-Sensei." The still standing ninjas growled deeply as they charged at the duo.


Yamato slammed yet another poor man into a tree, having the wood wrap around him in a strangled hold. Sai sent another rush of snakes down onto the attackers from his haven up in the sky.

"Got you know!" A ninja shouted as he jumped up behind a shocked Sai and punched his hard in the face, causing the teen to go through his bird and land harshly onto the ground.

"Sai?!" The captain called out only to have to avoid another punch. His eye's darted to where Sai was and sighed when he saw the pale child stand up, eyes set dead on their target.

Slamming his open hand into the puncher's chest caused the man to fly backwards, being fixed too a tree just like the others. He quickly turned around and ducked under another ones leg as she aimed for his head. Yamato sighed, not really all for hitting a women but dealt a swift punch to the gut, stunning the girl.

Sai had slammed his offender into the ground, returning the favor for earlier, as he felt a shiver run down his spine. He wasn't sure why, but he felt something was off. However his eyes quickly landed on the next opponent, all worries escaping him with the battle.


Naruto cured again as another weak punch landed on his bruising face. Guys that should have been easy were outrageously hard for the teen. He felt drained and pained, having difficulties even moving.

Landing a bloody sicking punch to one of the slower ninja, Naruto smiled in satisfactory as the man didn't even breath as he landed hard on the ground. Another attacker raced behind Naruto, crying out in rage. A fist landed in his face and he was sent slamming into a sturdy tree. The sound of cracking bones seemed to ring through the small area that Naruto occupied.

"W-what the hell!?" One of the ninjas cried. Just minutes ago he was loosing and now? A sick smile twisted across Naruto's face, his body filling with adrenaline and something else. It felt foreign to him but he welcomed it.

As Naruto charged at the shocked ninjas he let out a cry, the sound of chains breaking through his mouth as his blood shot out, morphing into looped objects of iron and a shadow that seemed darker than black with sharp, monstrous claws. (4)


Yusumi sat in his cell with his hands placed in prayer. He could feel the horrid clangs of the metal inside him. The priests above rushed about, having gotten approval from him that another bearer was awakening. As he prayed, tears fell like rain down Yusumi's cheeks. The child shouldn't have woken up so soon! And what if the priests didn't get to him in time?! Yusumi dared not think about it as he felt the monster inside the blond tear out with the chains, attacking what ever it saw as a threat.

Story Notes

(1) You know, with the whole Sasuke thing and the picture book? Seems pretty reasonable and all...

(2) Notice the sudden honorific? See #3

(3) I really have let to no idea on what honorifics that they use for each other. With Sai, I like the idea of it changing, espically with Naruto

(4) This is my first time doing an actual fight scene. I'm dead serous. Please tell me if I did it any good. It should have been longer I think, but I like how it was. Also I didn't feel like looking up their technnigues so their just that kickin'...