A/N: This is my darkest chapter of this story so far, nothing big but disturbing is probably the best to describe it.

Inner's POV!

In the Heat of the Moment

"That fucking Idiot!" I growl. "Almost killing her like that…what was he thinking!"

It's been about an hour since I've left Sakura in the hands of the Idiot, and I'm still fuming over him dragging her for about a mile at warp speed. I've spent most of the time trying to walk out the frustration of not being able to punch Naruto upside the head for that stunt. My charge's heart is stronger now than how it was when she was a child but her lungs aren't in top shape and she can't push herself that suddenly; she has to warm up to get to that point.

Snarling I turn to see my faded image in some electronics store window. The more furious I am the more I start to appear. Sakura never sees my reflection, she always wonders how come I can spend so much time in front of a mirror when I don't see myself. I never correct her because I don't see myself in the mirror, what I see is the part of me I always conceal that only faintly appears during times when I'm extremely emotional.

Long pointed ears stick out from behind my bangs, hot pink eyes- slit like a cats- glow neon as if to flash a warning to others how dangerous I am, float like lily pads in a pool of black. My markings-two per cheek- are purple and vibrantly stand out against my stark pale skin in the shapes of thick horizontal slashes. It continues down from my neck, like stripes on a tiger and work their way over my back and limbs. At the tips of my fingers are sharp black claws that I know match the ones on my toes. And lastly I open my mouth, seeing my small fanged canine teeth.

The vision Sakura sees of me is what I project in hopes of keeping her clam- if she saw me looking this frightening she might have a heart attack. I control myself to protect her yet Naruto can't control his impulses around her enough to think of her health?

"That Idiot…"I mumble while kicking a crushed can on the sidewalk of the busy street. I hear the startle yelp of some people, but I ignore them. They aren't my concern, I snarl in my head as I observe my surroundings, seeing the large carved sign reading MAIN STREET I sigh. All around me hundreds of people are shopping and laughing with each other. A few shouts of hellos echo in the distance while some cries of outrage work their way through the chaotic noise. Letting out a chuckle I look up towards the cloudless sky, as if hoping something would just fall into my hands telling me what I should do.

I'm supposed to be looking for answers as to what I and Sakura could be. What about us is so different from the others? The Fox called me a Shadow, he said there are no more meaning that I'm like the last one or is that what Sakura is as well? Ugh! What does it mean?!

"Meow."

Jolted I glance down to see a short haired brown cat with a red bow tied to its ear looking up at me.

"My aren't you a cutie!" I squeal, my previous frustrations finally leave me while I'm crouching down to see it's collar. Tora. Huh? Funny name for a cat.

I reach out to see if I could feel its fur, it's no surprise when my hand just phases through the little fuzz-ball.

"Sorry kitty." I stand. "Looks like I can't pet you." The little thing huffed at me, bitch, before she goes on her way towards an alley where I see a white cat with something on its forehead leading it away. Must be its boyfriend. I shrug before I go back to wander through the crowed street.

First I need to find someone who can tell me what a Shadow is. Once that's out of the way I'll be one step closer to figuring out the mystery. Before that though…I should try and clear my head. I smile.

With that in mind I leave my safe corner and head into the crowded street. The first person I phase through causes me to cry out from the sudden jolt of energy that spikes my system. Lust that's what they fed me. Someone is about to get lucky, I think with a laugh, as I continue through the buffet in front of me- I start to tingle will all the different kinds of excess energy that feeds me whole. Joy, anger, sorrow, happiness… I sample all these as I work my way through the people. Purposely stumbling through as many as I can before my high settles. Yet not one person tastes nearly as wonderful as my charge.

The people I phase through don't understand what's happening. They may feel a shiver racing down their spines or have a head-ache, if they are sensitive to spiritual creatures they may even see me. The mentally I'll may have an attack or something-depending on what they have. But why should I care? They aren't important to me. They aren't Sakura, so if they suffer a little it's not my fault.

I spin, floating in the air as while laughing. The excess energy clouds my focus to stay on the ground- gravity who really cares about that? The sky is no longer only blue; I see shades of purple and green weaving together in a kaleidoscope of shapes. My intoxicated grin probably wouldn't have fooled the Plush-Toy. That little goody two-shoes or a rodent has probably never gotten high off too many emotions before. The ecstasy only lasts a short while but that's fine with me. I giggle, lifting my hand I see how long my claws have gotten. Whoops. Maybe I've been baked for too long? Nah, I'll be fine if I stop now.

This isn't a habit of mine, but a little guilty pleasure. This won't be enough to fill me though, and I won't have to worry about being overwhelmed like I was while meeting that Fox. So it's fine and the best way to find me a demon to interrogate.

Why? Because this is how those bastards feed most of the time.

I hover over the crowd searching for…there!

A white ferret leaps up into the air, it's clothing and glowing red eyes give away its demonic nature. With a drunken laugh I shoot after it. Grabbing it by its throat then squeezing hard. It tries to hurt me but it's claws can't reach and its tail's too weak. Pathetic. Also given it's intoxicated state the poor thing can't really defend its self.

Well, I can't either right now but I'm the one with the grip not the thief in my hands.

"So, Fur-Ball, I'm new in town and don't quite know a lot. So where's a girl to go to get some information around here?" I bat my eyes flirtatiously, breathing in the anger radiating off of the little thing. Ooooooooh that's good.

"Fuck….o-off.."

"Hmm?" I squeeze tighter while holding a manifested knife to its back. "What was that?"

Demons can't bleed out, they don't have physical bodies. However they can leak out their energy, if they lose a lot the bugs will come and devour them. This little guy, even while as high as a kite knows this. His anger is drastically changing to fear, the combination nearly making me moan out loud from the exquisite taste.

"O-okay! I'll talk!" What was I doing? Right! Shadow, information. Need to find a place, or a person who can tell me what I want to know.

"Good, now who do I speak to for information?"

"I've only heard rumors," it frantically states. "Word is that if you want to know something you have to talk to the Will-o-the-Wisp. There supposedly is some living in the Toxic Forest." I tighten my grip, slowly I encase the furry beast in my arms. Making sure to keep the knife pointed right where it's heart would be if it had one. Bringing my lips to it's ear I whisper.

"Where is the forest?"

The ferret lifts its paw, pointing to the farthest part of the city.

"Anything I should know about that place?" Dragging the knife down and up its belly I hum. Seducing the creature as I get what I need to make my charge happy.

"It's where He was summoned. Because of that his essence tainted the ground with all the lives it took that night to bring him here. The Wisp's who lives in those trees are tainted now, they don't help for free. There is always some kind of price when dealing with them." Rushes the pathetic thing.

I grind my teeth, of course the He the ferret is talking about is that fucking Fox. It's bad enough that I met him in person but to have to deal with the after math the next day is just annoying.

After making my knife dissolve I bite the demon viciously on its ears making sure to burn it with my energy and thus preventing it from fully healing. Hearing it's screams gives me a surge of power, and pleasure. This is a mark of ownership, a humiliating feat for demons. If this one has any friends then he'll be constantly made fun of. Because now he belongs to me, he will always know when I'm near and will stay away from me. If I want I can force him to do as I say but that's just exhausting for both of us. This is a crueler method of enslavement; the simplest is to know his real name. But even I won't force him to tell me.

I've done this before, to the demons at the hospital after Sakura's return from her kidnapping. Learning she has a new heart, one that is undamaged, caused me to attack as many of the demons who resided there as possible. I didn't let a single one hurt her, and because of my vicious attacks rumors about me spread. Protecting Sakura from future feedings.

Lifting my head back I blow a cooling breath onto the pierced ear.

"Stay away from me and my charge. If I need you I will call you to me. Do you understand my little Thief?"

I take it's whimper for a yes.

Finally freeing the ferret I dash towards the forest.

My hair stands on end when I turn the final corner of the rundown neighborhood and lay my eyes on the tainted lands.

The energy in the air is familiar, filled with the heat of hate that I've only tasted once before.

The trees that have grown are still young saplings but a few of them seem to be fully grown. The leaves are a deep purple instead of the usual green, the same for the grass that grows beneath them. Even though the surrounding area is abandoned there is a beautiful diamond shape stone in the center of a brick pattern circle. When I step closer towards the glossy stone I see the symbol for the leaf village engraved and below a list of names.

It's the memorial sight for all those who have died during the Ninth Night.

I cringe when I notice all the names that begin with U. The Uchiha must have suffered greatly if all of those are a part of the family. Taking one step further I read the last name on the list.

U. Kushina.

She could have been Caveman's aunt or something.

"Kukuku…"

My head whips to the forest where glowing yellow orbs are found staring at me from within the shade of a tree.

"Look brother!" Called out a goofy voice. "It's a little Shadow! When was the last time we've seen one of those huh?"

"A few hundred years I'd say." Two glowing lights became four with the suddenly deeper voice.

"No, really?" it asks in an amazed tone. "I thought it was a few decades ago."

"Be quite."

I school my face, containing my emotion to the best of my ability. My high is nearly gone, I won't make any sadistic moves towards these two. They aren't something I can force to do what I want. I need to be professional and polite but I've never dealt with Wisps before, so I don't know the common courtesy to show them. However not showing them emotion-especially when I know they are tainted- seems like a pretty damn good idea.

"Are you the Will-o-the-Wisps who reside in this forest?" I cautiously question.

"Maybe…maybe not. Kukuku…" Chuckles the goofy voice.

"What do you want with the Wisps?"

"Information," I state.

The leaves rustle in the wind before I see a white face with dark green hair, golden eyes and shark like teeth emerge from the closest trunk to me. Wearing nothing but white pajama pants he floats towards me with a sadistic grin on his face, insanity in his eyes.

"Everything comes with a price."

I look towards me left where I heard the deep voice speak to see a black version of the white Wisp standing on the edge of the grass.

"So I've heard," I grunt. "So what do you want?"

A giggle from…Albino. That's what Whitey's nickname will be. "Depends on what you want."

"For you to tell me what a shadow is." I straighten my spine as I snarl my words, "Now state your price."

The two share a look then respond simultaneously. "Your true name."

I wince. If they know my name, my true name, then they will have a sense of ownership over me. They'll force me to do whatever they want. Firmly I shake my head. "Not gonna happen. Something else."

"But why not?" Whines the white one, Albino I think that's what I'll call him. "We'll give you ours free of charge! See it's Zet-" The black half's hand suddenly shoots out and gags the other.

Blacky hisses "Idiot!" Hmm…no, what should he be called then? Blacky just seems so unoriginal… Shade! That's what I'll call him! Albino and Shade and together they are…Albino said their name starts with Zet…Team Zet..Jet! Ha! They are now Team Jet! Yes! Team Jet is blasting off again…., I think with a mischievous grin.

"So Shade," he glares at me for his new nickname but doesn't comment on it. "No names. What else could I give you? Information for information and all that jazz." He inclines his head, thinking. I can tell he's about to tell me no when a breeze blows from behind me.

Like demon's I have no scent, but I do have an aura like all other things. And aura, like scent, can be carried off by the wind. It's how I was able to breath in the ferrets fear and anger. I like to think this is what changed his mind.

"Come," he demands me.

Wait what?

"You better check your tone." Yeah that's right, stay in control. Total bitch mode is on. Just keep focusing on that. Stay in control. I got this, I think with a smirk. I got this.

A burst of laughter comes from Albino. "Brother I like this one! Can we keep her?" He shoots me a predator-like smile. "We can tell the others she's our sister! She does have green hair, though much lighter than ours." He muses.

Shade snarls, "30 seconds."

"Um, excuse me?"

"Let us feed from you for 30 seconds. Each" He indicates towards himself and his brother.

Hmmm, so long as I get to Sakura fast enough I should be fine without the bugs attacking me. A little leak of energy won't have them swarm me.

"Fine but I want to change my half. 30 seconds for 30 minutes. During that time you have to answer any questions I have for you." Have to start off big otherwise I'll end up with a hell of a lot less.

"Match the time, 15 minutes for me and 15 for my brother. In small increments of course"

After arguing for a while we came to a conclusion. 5 minutes of feeding for 5 minutes of Q and A.

I can last 5 minutes, but it will be a rush back to the school so I can heal.

But first I want some answers.

"Alright answer my questions first otherwise I may not remember what you tell me after you feed."

"Fair enough, but you must stand on the grass so we know you won't run away."

Fuck, there goes that plan.

"Sure no problem."

With extreme caution I step off of the bricks and over the red grass, floating to prevent it from touching me and possibly infecting me with more of the Fox's wretched energy.

"What is a shadow?" I ask.

That's the chapter.

I'm sorry it took me so long to get up here, too much stuff has happened and I couldn't figure out how to word this right. But now things are settling down so I should be able to focus on writing more now.

This chapter is dedicated to MinaBlahBlahBlahAnimeFan as she is the one who requested Inner to meet Zetsu so long ago. I finally got to that part! =D

Also shout out to Maymist who is constantly giving me confidence when I'm down and keeping my spirits up when I'm just out of it.

And shout out to my newest friend kizukatana who BETA read this chapter for me and helping me out! If anyone of my readers are NaruSasu fans go check her stuff out! It's freaking awesome!

So what do you guys think of Inner now?

Please review!