For anyone that asks, yes I am changing some of the characters personalities. Like Ino acts more feminine and seductive or Sasuke shows more of his vulnerability at times instead of keeping a cold, mysterious, and cruel attitude. Like I said, this isn't going to be exactly like the Naruto you know.
Chapter 3: The Demon Fox
The first thing I thought when I awoke to find myself floating in a yellow green liquid was that I was dreaming. Or nightmaring I guess.
I sat up, my wet hair sticking to my bare back, and I looked around. A dim light seemed to illuminate the area surrounding me. I saw stone walls that led to giant hallways. The stone was cracked and obviously wore down. It seemed this place was some sort of labyrinth. Behind me was darkness and in front of me was darkness. I could probably keep going and going but wind up in the same place I started.
I knew I probably shouldn't have said anything, but I couldn't resist, "Hello!?"
My voice echoed throughout the entire maze. For a few minutes there was no response. I stood there in the light, suddenly feeling a cold draft and wondering why I wasn't fully clothed. But as I looked down at my stomach I noticed something I'd never seen before.
It was a glowing red seal, made up of symbols I couldn't comprehend. It formed three rings with a dot in the middle. I touched it and heard possibly the scariest thing in my life.
"Come...child..." The voice said. It was low and rough but it got the point across well.
I found myself walking forward to some sort of red smoky light, I couldn't even stop myself. I felt even colder then I had been before but I couldn't even try to warm myself up. My body wouldn't respond to whatever I told it to do.
When I stopped walking I looked up. An enormous gate stood in front of me. It was built into the wall and had a peculiar lock in the center. As I looked closer into the darkness behind it I spotted a pair of red eyes staring at me. It showed its teeth creating an evil looking smile.
"You've come to me..." He growled. I could only nod in response. "I just had to give you a little nudge. Although you're probably confused about this dimension within you."
Dimension? In me? This had to be a dream right? The monster would break the cage and rip me to shreds in a few seconds, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
"This isn't a nightmare if that's what you're thinking. Nor is it a dream. I am not a figure created by your imagination as a representation of your fears and lurking danger. I am a being of great power and strength." The monster spoke. It seemed to read my mind and eliminate most of my assumptions. But this was too much to take in, the fog was still there and I couldn't clear it away.
"W-what are you?" I managed to ask.
"I just answered that you fool. Your clueless nature will never fade will it, Naruto?"
"I don't understand...have I seen you before?"
"Long ago when you were a mere infant. But I don't like to recall those times. It fills me with even more rage." The monster moved in the darkness. I could hear the ruffling of fur and I saw the movement of white claws. "I'm here now to explain everything, before it goes too far. I should've done this earlier but you weren't ready. That bastard you call Master needed to teach you and make you powerful. I've hid in the shadows, hiding my presence and watching your growth. Maybe now you'll be of some use to me."
"If you're going to explain whatever you're talking about, do you mind trying to make sense?"
The beast frowned and glared at me, "Don't talk to me that way, child. I am your superior! Treat me with respect or I will destroy you!"
I grinned despite the circumstances, "Then come out of that cage and get me."
That made him mad. He blinked and growled louder. "Shut up you insolent idiot! If I could I would kill you. Then I wouldn't be tied to you until the day you die,"
"So your sealed within me until about eighty years from now or so?"
"Hopefully sooner,"
"Well that's a pleasant thought."
"It is for me."
I sighed and rolled my eyes, this monster was becoming less of an "all powerful being," by the minute. At least I didn't have to worry about him killing me. But I still couldn't pinpoint exactly where I was.
"A dimension within the psyche. Only you and I can access this place. Unless someone uses powerful ocular jutsu. Like that Uchiha you call a friend." The monster answered, once again reading my mind.
"He's not my friend! He's my nemesis, my rival, the bane of my hatred!" I argued. The thought of Sasuke being my friend made me want to vomit.
"Whatever you say, only the ignorant hide their true selves. Anyway, I don't have much time left before the tiny crack in your seal is fixed."
"Wait, you said you were keeping a low profile. Why? Isn't it good that a super powerful monster was dwelling within my...psycho or whatever it's called?"
The monster stopped and stared at me. It's mouth that still showed teeth turned into a frown, "That's for you to discover, just know that if I did show myself you wouldn't be here talking to me right now."
It was my turn to stop and frown. I felt like the truth was right on the tip of my tongue, the pieces just wouldn't connect the way I wanted them too.
"Time's almost up kid, the only piece of information I can give you isn't even information. It's advice." The monster said, "For now, stick with that masked man no matter what that girlie says. I know your recent nightmares might make you question your allegiances but it's important you stick with your friends and your master. Once you reach Konohagakure things will become a bit clearer."
He laughed, "Much, much clearer."