AN: Completely forgot this for the prologue. Sorry.
This story won't be exceedingly long, but it will have multiple chapters, angst, etc, and the rating will go to mature after I get far enough into it.
Please note that I'm taking some liberties with the plot, like most FF writers. I don't plan on elaborating on everything the characters vaguely refer to for a reason; I don't know what Kishimoto plans to do.
Also, I will not put up disclaimers. This is FF, people. There should just be one big disclaimer on the home page or something.
Chapter 1: Messenger
The idea that anyone, let alone a human, could utterly subdue and take control of a demon is absurd. Even with the aid of protective seals, a jinchuuriki's mind cannot easily resist the will of the demon that inhabits them. Of the bijuu, those whose tails tally up to equate an odd number are the ones most harmful to their hosts; first, third, fifth, seventh, and possibly ninth. Those with an even number of tails, for whatever reason, appear to be less destructive to those they are bound to. This is most obvious in the differences between the effects on hosts of the first compared to hosts of the second.
The Nibi appears to be somewhat cooperative, whereas the Ichibi better resembles a parasite, so vicious in its nature that its jinchuuriki is unable to sleep without the demon feeding upon his or her mind. While the Nibi is easily controlled, the Ichibi must be forcibly subdued in a constant battle for control.
One theory is that the seals used to bind the even and odd tailed demons differ in some way, so that the odd tailed demons are either agitated or somehow have more control than their brethren. Another is that it depends solely upon each individual seal; perhaps the traditional seals for the Ichibi are inferior to the seals that bind the Nibi.
But one thing is certain.
"A demon held down only by the will of a jinchuuriki will surely take full possession of their host. No one person can withstand the might of a tailed beast."
"What was that, Gaara-sama?"
The Kazekage stirred from his reverie. He sat with Sakura, finishing up some tea before his inevitable meeting with Naruto. "A quote from a book," he said. "Tell me about the effects the Fox has had upon Naruto in the past."
On the Kyubi no Kitsune: Any information pertaining to the Kyubi no Kitsune is minimal, as no jinchuuriki has been seen and the demon itself rarely appears. Given that all jinchuuriki that have been observed have shown genetic mutations of some sort, it is reasonable to assume that a host for the Kyubi would have some physical characteristic that distinguished them as such.
Added note: According to Suna shinobi working within Konohagakure, the Kyubi no Kitsune attacked Konohagakure on October 10th. The Yondaime Hokage used his life to seal the beast within a child in order to prevent Konoha's annihilation. According to reports, the chosen host does indeed have the mark of a jinchuuriki; black marks on his face, as though the demon raked its claws across his cheeks. The jinchuuriki is male. No other information can be garnered; the Konoha shinobi are suppressing all other data.
I predict that the child will be consumed by the demon in a matter of months.
"Actually, no one witnessed the first incident. It happened on a mission in the Land of Waves. But from what little we gathered, the sheer force of his chakra shattered his opponent's ninjutsu."
"What triggered the loss of control?"
3rd of November
Chiyo,
You are hereby summoned to appear before Sunagakure's High Council on the tenth of November to discuss a matter of the utmost importance.
Your expertise in the obscure is required.
Yondaime Kazekage
"It was... Uchiha Sasuke passed out and Naruto thought he was dead."
"The resulting emotion must have given the demon a chance to exert control over Naruto. But you didn't see it."
"No. The second time was during the Chunin Exam in the Forest of Death. Orochimaru attacked us to get at Uchiha Sasuke. And that was the first time I saw a little of it. His strength was unreal. And he was fast. But Orochimaru did something; hit his stomach."
"Over his seal?"
"I don't... maybe, but Naruto seemed fine during the third exam."
"Then it is irrelevant; during his fight with the Hyuga, he was able to draw forth some of the demon's chakra at will."
"Naruto told me he met Jiraiya-sama during the Chunin Exams. He probably had something to do with it."
11th of November
Chiyo,
Karura and her brother are being difficult. I've sent him off. You will be summoned as soon as her water breaks.
Do not forget that so long as Konoha is in possession of the Kyubi, we are not safe. We need the power of the Ichibi.
Yondaime Kazekage
"Naruto's never talked about his fight with Sa... Uchiha-san, but we think he used the Kyubi's chakra because his skin was raw and burned in places."
"A chakra cloak. It can be dangerous to the host."
"It was during the time that Naruto was away that Jiraiya-sama altered his seal. I saw the result of that later."
12 of December
Chiyo,
Come immediately. She attempted to abort again. I don't want the future host damaged.
Yondaime Kazekage
"When he came back to Konoha, it was obvious that the seal was weakening for some reason. He seemed unable to control it at all. When we were on the mission to help you, Kakashi-sensei and Naruto went after the blonde Akatsuki member; the one with the explosives?"
"I knew him."
"Kakashi-sensei told me that he saw that chakra cloak? And that it changed Naruto. Longer teeth and nails, marks around his eyes, and the chakra took a shape, with ears and three tails. Naruto had made shadow clones, and they said that it was burning them and dissipated. Kakashi-sensei managed to bring Naruto back to his senses with something Jiraiya-sama gave him, but not before Naruto started attacking. Kakashi-sensei said that Naruto could not recognize friend from foe and lashed out at him."
"Why was Naruto so angry?"
The chunin gaped at him. "You're joking, right? Didn't anyone tell you what happened?"
"It didn't seem very important," Gaara admitted. "At the time, I was more concerned with Shukaku's loss, and when we returned to Suna, I had to arrange for the deaths the Akatsuki had caused."
"The Akatsuki guy was using you as a lure for Naruto. He kept taunting us about our failure. I think he was trying to rile Naruto up so that he could catch him off guard and capture him, but it backfired."
"It would."
"Naruto was probably going to end up with four tails, but Kakashi-sensei stopped him. When we went after Orochimaru, we were assigned two different teammates: an ANBU shinobi, Yamato, and one of Danzo's shinobi, called Sai. During that mission, Naruto formed four tails, this time because of Orochimaru's taunts about Uchiha Sasuke."
"And?"
"His... when I saw him like that, it reminded me of you a little. That shape you took. But it was... the chakra around him condensed, and it was like he was a small demon fox. I saw his skin burn off, and there was blood in the chakra. At one point he hurt me, and his chakra was like a poison. I have no idea how his body managed to withstand it."
"The Kyubi would have been healing him even as it harmed him, but all the same, such damage if received too often would have long-term effects."
"He used some technique; he made a globe of chakra and then ate it and spat it out, like a giant pillar of lightning. It broke through three all but impenetrable walls Orochimaru put up to defend himself. If Orochimaru had been anyone other than Orochimaru, I think he would have died."
Well, this wasn't good. Gaara had hoped his sand might defend him from the demon's powers if circumstances took a turn for the worse, but now it seemed unlikely.
"But it turns out that Yamato-taichou could use some of the powers of the Shodai Hokage, and so he was able to force the demon back. I had to heal Naruto." Sakura went quiet for a moment, then smashed her fist into the wall behind her. It cracked ominously. "What the Hell was the Yondaime thinking?! Sure, it worked the way he wanted it to, but look at what it's done! Why didn't he just seal the demon in some object and have it buried somewhere?"
"Maybe he was desperate," Gaara offered, "desperate enough to form some delusion that a demon could be controlled if a jinchuuriki simply tried hard enough. Maybe he thought that his blood might make Naruto somehow better than other jinchuuriki. Maybe he didn't want to think of what might happen if something went wrong."
23rd of December
Chiyo,
I have drawn up a plan for the conditioning of the jinchuuriki. You will go over it.
Yondaime Kazekage
"After that, Naruto could never exert full force in training or in battle without having to beat back the demon. Yamato-taichou had to be with him the whole time he underwent training to manipulate wind. You heard about what happened when the Akatsuki attacked Konoha, right?"
"Yes," Gaara's lips tightened. He'd been furious and disappointed with Naruto when he'd heard that the fox had been completely unleashed. "Have any countermeasures been prepared in event of the worst case scenario?"
"Shikamaru hasn't come up with anything for that, but he thinks we can handle almost everything else."
"He needs a new seal, I think," the redhead sighed. "Only one person who might be able to give him one comes to mind, but he is in Suna and likely there to stay."
19th of January
Chiyo,
You are to come to my living quarters.
Yondaime Kazekage
"Do you know why the Shukaku was sealed within me?"
Sakura gave him an odd look. "Chiyo-baa-sama said that the Kazekage wanted a shinobi strong enough to pull the village through the weaknesses of economic and military deficiencies."
"She would tell you that." Gaara's brow furrowed. "After the Kazekage's body was found, I broke into his quarters and went through his papers. Certificates, letters... I wanted to find the records that pertained to me. I stumbled across a recording of an emergency meeting called on November 10th; that was nine weeks before my birth. The Council discussed the danger of not having a jinchuuriki to combat Konoha's forces, should they choose to use the Kyubi against Suna."
"Why are you telling me this?" Now she leaned back, trying to size him up. How subtle.
"I am not bitter about it; it is because Naruto may have to be taken to Suna, and it goes without saying that my Council is not particularly fond of him. They feel Konoha is to blame for my existence. It is petty and erroneous, but... my point is that Naruto will be in danger in Suna. Though your resources are strained, I suggest choosing one or two of your people to guard him."
"You're awfully chatty today."
The corner of Gaara's mouth turned up. "When the subject is Naruto it is not very difficult. I would like to see him now, if you do not mind."
Sakura nodded and stood, slapping dust off of her clothes. "It's not exactly safe. It wouldn't be as much of a problem if Yamato-taichou was here, but he's off on mission. He should be back soon; even if Naruto wasn't having issues, we need him to help repair the village."
"Never mind; I can handle it."
...
Lee was not as speedy as a messenger hawk, but he was the next best thing, and soon he was passing through the narrow corridor that led to Sunagakure. He flashed his papers at the jounin guard, a young woman with hair of an eccentric shade of green, and asked for directions. Lee wondered if her hair was dyed but was too polite to ask.
"Ebizo-sama's residence?" the young woman repeated. "I know it. I will take you to him."
He bowed and rattled off his thanks.
"Don't be long," the other guard muttered- another woman. Lee could not make out any of her features, save her gray eyes. "I'm not covering for you if you aren't back by shift-change."
His guide shrugged and then started down the steps into the village. Her step was light and measured, and he perceived that she was skilled at taijutsu like him.
The walk was awkward, and Lee tried to make conversation with little success. "So, what is your name?"
"Yakootah."
"Oh. That is a nice name. I also have a mission request to deliver to the tower."
"Fine."
"O-okay."
He was very glad when they arrived at a path that led up towards a vast estate and Yakootah stopped.
"Ebizo-sama lives here," she said, and then started back the way they had come.
Lee forgot to thank her.
...
A servant led him through the estate, across an exotic garden and eventually into a vast room.
Ebizo had been old when Lee had first met him, but now he seemed brittle and ancient, as if he was merely biding his time till death came knocking. He crouched over a round pool, shaking hands clutching a fishing rod. Lee delivered Gaara's letter, only to have it shoved back in his face.
"My eyes are going and whoever wrote this must have used the smallest brush ever made. Read it to me."
"H-hai." Lee unrolled the paper and cleared his throat.
To the Honoured Ebizo-sama,
I request that you lend me your aid in a matter of grave importance that threatens the peace between the Five Nations. Uzumaki Naruto, ally of Suna and the current Hokage of Konoha, is also the jinchuuriki of the Kyubi no Kitsune, and it appears that the seals binding the demon are failing. Your experience in the field of sealing jutsu is now unmatched in Suna and Konoha, and your aid in this matter would be most appreciated. If you accept, send your reply along with your named price for your services to Konoha. Details of the situation will then be provided.
Godaime Kazekage
"You brats really can't solve your own problems, can you?" the elder sniffed. "Fine, fine; when are they coming?"
"Eh, I am afraid Kazekage-sama did not specify an exact date, neither in the letter nor to me."
Ebizo huffed and shook his fishing rod. "Then why are you still here? You're bothering me."
...
Temari and Kankuro did not seem particularly thrilled with the news Lee delivered. He would have liked to stay and chat with them, but Konoha needed him back as soon as possible, and so he made a beeline for the steps that would take him back out into the open desert.
"Hey, hey, wait up!" someone squawked at him. Lee turned to see one of the oddest shinobi he had ever met stumbling towards him. The boy tripped over his own clothing and slammed face-first into sandstone. "Ow, owwie. Damn fucking damn it. Ouch..."
"Are you all right?" Lee assumed that the boy must not be very skilled. He would have thought that the klutz was a civilian if not for the glint of metal around his neck. A hitai-ate.
"Busted up my pants... expensive... damn... what?"
"NothingIhavetogobye!"
The boy lifted his head in time to see a green streak vanish over a sand dune. "Wait a minute! Ugh, damn."
"He was delivering a message to Ebizo-sama," Yakootah commented from the shadows. "I take it you know the contents? You said you had something to do at Ebizo-sama's."
"Yes, yes; the fossil made Chic-san read the letter to him," the boy snorted. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone with such repugnant fashion sense. But whatever. You're gonna love this, Maysa'; it's beyond shady."
"What is it?" the other guard said.
"There's something wrong with their Hokage, so they're bringing him here."
Gray eyes crinkled at the corners. "You're right, Saad. That's interesting."
Yakootah gestured at the guards nearing for shift-change. "Let's get everything ready, then."
...
"Just in here," Sakura muttered, pointing at a door at the end of a passage in one of the newly built structures. "Sorry that everything's so bare, but most possessions couldn't be salvaged."
"It will make things easier for me, anyway," Gaara said. "Will you be waiting here, then?"
Her pink head bobbed. "Just in case."
Internally, Gaara scoffed. If something did happen, she would just get in the way. She was remaining purely for sentimental reasons. "I will not harm Naruto, and if he harms me, I'll have only myself to blame. Go along; you have more important things to do."
She looked like she wanted to give him lip at first, but caught sight of the hat strapped to his back and thought better of it. Gaara dismissed her and slipped down the hall, letting his sandals tap against the floor so as not to surprise Naruto, but he didn't bother knocking, and instead sent sand about the door to check for traps before having it pick the lock.
The door swung inwards, and Gaara found that the room was lightless save for the gleam of the moon through a few small, high windows. He made out little but the shape of a table or desk and what might have been a cot in the far corner.
"Naruto?"
AN: Horrors, I've made some OCs. I'll state ahead of time that I worked for about a week on developing their profiles and none of them will be paired with anyone, primarily because I hate pairings involving OCs. I plan on posting their profiles once I'm further into the story; I don't want to give too much away. Their names are Middle-Eastern and it took me quite a bit of time to find names for them that I liked. Saad is my favorite; I'm actually kind of proud of him.
A little bit about these first two chapters; I like having Sakura talk with Gaara. While she's not a character I particularly like, I find her interesting and often underestimated as far as fandom goes. I think this is almost solely due to her childish interactions with her teammates. I blame Kishimoto. She could be a real kick-ass character if he got his sexist head out of his- er, yeah. Anyway, I think that only a few characters would be able to get Gaara to open his mouth more than a few times in a conversation, and Sakura is one of those. She suited my purposes, and I like making fun of her pinkness. I should have put in a line about how she clashes, lol.
Also, though I'm following Gaara for now, I'll probably swap to Naruto in the future.