The years passed, and by now the child had grown into a rambunctious teen, one that only continued to amuse him greatly. Sasuke often came, talking of his family and friends, how life had treated him. From what he gathered, school was a bore, girls were an eyesore; especially these two who were in constant battle over his attention. But then one day, it all stopped. And the fox simply waited for his return, wrought with worry. Yet, nothing came. And the crows, who sat, perched high up knew not of what to do, for they had never seen their master so distraught.
"The witch the witch!" They cried one morning, looking to him for any sort of response, "Tsunade!"
"Hmph." The thought displeased him, why she only brought about trouble, often arguing with him over the simplest of matters. And yet he knew they were right, what other choice was there? "That old bat?" He muttered, "She hasn't gone crazy already?"
So late one evening he ventured within the woods, pushing passed branches and leaves that clouded his path, anxious to get to his destination. And when the trees cleared, and the bushes gave way, he knew he had made it. Lying feet from him was a pond, its blue waters baring small fish that looked to him with a sudden sense of curiosity. Slowly he knelt, cupping his hands within its shallow depths as he then brought it to his lips. As he did so, the fish began to jump, sending ripples into its surface, and it was in that moment that she emerged, bare chest heaving from having just taken her first breathe. The blonde strands clinging tightly to her skin as the water fell from her body, back onto the surface, where she stood. Feet gently resting upon it. When their eyes finally met, he could see just how annoyed she truly was.
"Damned fox." She spat, "How dare you drink from me without even showing a shred of gratitude. I should poison these very waters until you come crawling back on your knees with an apology."
"Oh shut up." Her glare hardened as he continued, "I've come seeking your help."
"My help?" She scoffed at this, seemingly intrigued by his statement. But when their eyes met once more, she found herself taken aback by the sense of vulnerability that lied within them, "What's changed you fox? You seem almost…different."
"I'm not here to chat, I'm in search of something important to me."
She stood in silence for a moment, before pointing again to the water, "Have you forgotten how this works? Look to its surface, and it is there that you find what you so desperately seek."
Her head suddenly snapped back as her lids fell shut, breath quickening as he looked upon the waters. Her arms, outstretched as an image began to emerge its watery depths.
The male looked to his friend who stood, shrouded by tombstones, his face turned towards the heavens as if searching for any sign from God. His scent plagued with grief. With hands balled into fists, arms trembling, the boy fell, tears running from his cheeks as he cursed whatever God that watched over him.
"Show me more."
Her face contorted with agony as he continued to watch another image emerge, this one filled with death and decay. A story that told the tragedy that befell on the once noble clan.
The demon looked to his friend once more with a sense of sorrow, before throwing his hand out across its surface, "That's enough."
The pond returned to its usual state as her gaze dropped, looking to her old friend who seemed almost troubled by what he had just witnessed.
"Why does this trouble you?" She asked, her head tilting to one side as she pondered this herself, "You of all people should know just how cruel humans can be."
"That's all in the past-
"And?" She demanded, laughing at how childish he had become, "Do you believe they've changed? People don't change Naruto, especially not them. They hold themselves mighty, acting if they are some kind of God, gracing this planet with their presence. Do you not remember what they've done? Humans are not to be dealt with, and you know that. Have you no shame?"
"No." His gaze fell back against the water as they continued to argue, "What right have you to judge me? Am I not the ruler of this land, or have you merely forgotten? Have I not protected you all these years, shielded you from the cruelty that has become of this world?"
"And what will you do now?" She hissed, throwing her hands up above her head in disbelief, "Will you leave these woods as prey to that same cruelty, for a world who has subjected you to nothing but torment? Is that really what you wish for; to leave behind this world for another?"
"I'm not leaving, simply visiting if you will. This boy, this…human, believed in a world where everything was just. Where man and creature could live in harmony, can you imagine? Being able to walk around without people having to fear for their lives? He believed that one day the world could be just that, he saw something in us, looking passed out appearance. And now you expect me to sit here and do nothing as the world turns on him, as it had us? That would make us no different than they. Is that really what you want?"
"Fine, go." She looked to him one final time, before turning her back, submerging back from whence she came, "But heed my warning. If the world's turned on him, who's to say he hasn't turned on you?"
He approached the gates, looking to the village with a look of despair. Centuries had passed since he had last stepped foot, and here he was, ready to make his grand appearance. But the moment he began on that old cobblestone path, people began to stare. Eyes fearful as they made way, some running to warn of his arrival. It wasn't long before men arrived, looking for a fight, gear lining their bodies. And then, one man stepped away from the rest, all but one eye covered by a skintight mask.
"Demon." His voice fell flat against his ears, but still Naruto watched, intrigued by what he had to say, "What brings you here?"
"It needn't concern you." He looked to the villagers, who now dispersed, locking themselves within their homes. "But do tell me, how do you expect to kill a demon?"
"Like this."
The male moved, his feet barely touching the ground as he rushed forward. Now to the naked eye, it had looked as if he had vanished within thin air, but to Naruto he was as clear as day. Only he hadn't seen the blade hidden within his sleeve, until it pierced through the flesh lining his stomach. The male seemed all to boy with his trick, digging the blade further until its hilt rest against the skin. But it wasn't until he looked up when his blood ran cold.
The blonde still stood, as if nothing had happened, but his demeanor had changed drastically. His posture grew rigid as his ears slanted against his skull, much like a cats. He bore his canines, snarling as his stare hardened, almost burning a hole through his attacker. "Was that supposed to hurt me?" He spat, grabbing ahold of the human, "Don't make me laugh." With the mere flick of his wrist, the man was thrown against a building, its walls cracking at the sheer force of collision. He then averted his gaze to the rest, raising a thin blonde eyebrow, "Anyone else?"
"Naruto?" From the path came his friend who simply walked closer, head tilted to one side as he took in the sight, "What're you doing playing with these idiots?"
"Sasuke?" At the mere sight of the boy, his began to hurriedly sway from side to side, and his ears again twitched with excitement, "I've come in search of you."
The younger boy pointed to the weapon that lay, embedded in his skin. Again looking to the fox with dull brown eyes, "Doesn't that hurt?"
"Why would it?" He laughing, looking to his friend to join in, but Sasuke simply shrugged, averting his gaze elsewhere, "Sasuke. What bothers you?"
"Dunno. Nothing I guess."
You're lying. Why are you lying-
"Why do you care?" The bitterness of his voice took the demon by shock, but instead of apologizing the male simply sighed, "Look, what do you want?"
"I've come for my friend-
"Friend?" He spat, laughing at the thought, "Dud you honestly think a demon and a human could ever be friend? Let's be real here Naruto. Now why don't you just go back to where you came and leave me alone."
"What?" The fox looked around him, at all the men who stood with hate in their eyes, for fear of the demon that lurked within those woods. At the monster that stood before them. "To hell with you then." The skies began to darken as his began to burn a brilliant orange, the reds of his eyes now turning back into his skull. Thunder sounded somewhere in the distance as he fell to his fours. His back now baring four tails. "To hell with you humans," He snarled, laughing into the wind, "If a demon what you want, then a demons what you'll get."