Fear, Regret, and the Grave
Chapter 3
Days, Weeks, and Months have come and gone just like seasons. The new year approached quickly as everyone rushed to purchase their party items, calling friends and family to come join the celebrations of a brand-new beginning in the small town of New Leaf, everyone gathered at Crescent Moon Lake for the fireworks and food trucks. Near the lake was an abandoned unfinished bridge, it would've connected New Leaf to a small town called Rain Mist Village, which was planned for construction right after the completion of the bridge.
The plan was scrapped due to unexpected deaths during the construction of the bridge and the embezzlement scandal. Locals started the urban legend that the lake used to be a crossroad back in the days before a terrible rainstorm came and flooded the area, turning it into the body of water that is now. People have reported seeing shadows, an ominous presence when someone gets too close to the end of the bridge, and many have said that it was so quiet it would make a person feel paranoid and sick, locals have named it the Bridge of Forever Silence.
Everyone feared the bridge but to some it was a thrill for the chills. "Hey Akamaru, you ready for some adventure and spooks, pal" said the boy, his dog barked, sharing his excitement of adventure. "How about you Shikamaru, ready for some paranormal fun."
"Oh please, that old bridge is nothing more but a crumpling relic I heard that the town council wants to demo it, a lot of people have been complaining about it, calling it an eyesore and a waste of taxpayer money" said Shikamaru, coming out of the kitchen with a soda pop. "By the way Kiba do you know if Naruto, Sasuke, and the others are coming over for the party and who was it that planned this trip to the bridge, I got the same text invite. You do know that Naruto is still traumatized from the incident and funeral."
Kiba felt a wave of sadness since he knew that it the place their friend and Naruto's true love died, he felt ashamed, "Sorry Shikamaru, I wasn't thinking straight. The thought of doing something cool and exciting got the best of me. My bad but I wasn't the one who planned it or sent the invites, I swear.", Shikamaru shook his head while sighing in annoyance, how could Kiba forget about that and the funeral, he figured the dog boy was still going through the stages of bereavement, but he was going to find out who the person was that organized this. "It's alright dude, we all got through our phases when we lose someone close to us. Honestly, I'm no saint myself, after Asuma passed away I just lived my days like nothing happened, it was a troublesome week after Kurenai kept scolding me for it but please do not mention anything about the invite. Okay". Kiba nodded in agreement.
Both boys sat there in silence thinking about the incident, the funeral, and the mysterious text invite, they were pulled out of their thoughts when a knock at the door came, Shikamaru opened the door and was greeted by the whole gang.
"HAPPY NEW YEARS SHIKAMARU YOU LAZY ASS" said a blonde haired girl loudly as she gave him a surprise hug, the rest of the group rolled their eyes at the girls antics. "Jeez Ino let the man get some air you're crushing him with your gorilla grip hug.", Ino glared at the person who was munching away a bag of potato chips, everyone else were snickering or giggling which caused Ino to turn red with anger, she pushed Shikamaru out of the way while scoffing at the remark as she walked into the house as did everyone else.
"Thanks, Choji, you sure know how to get under Ino's skin with those roasts. Oh, and did you bring the beers, you know, the one that tastes like apples and raspberries." Said Shikamaru. "Oh yeah, got'em right here my dude, they were the last ones". Shikamaru thanked him over and over, he was finally in heaven with his favorite beer brand. Everyone settled in for the night of joyous celebrations and the anticipated display of fireworks at night. Kiba and Shikamaru were happy the whole gang showed up tonight, usually 2 or 3 would come while the rest were busy with studying for an upcoming exam or visiting family abroad but tonight was special. Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, Choji, Neji, TenTen, Lee, Shino, Nagato, Karin, Konan, Sai, Garaa, Kankuro, Temari, and even Naruto was here. Indeed, this was going to be a special night they would never forget.
The party raged on for hours as the group of friends watched movies, played games and did a bit of karaoke. It was a splendid time for them, and they hoped it would never end, inseparable friends till the end. As the clock approached 11 o'clock, Lee remembered about the invite and the fireworks. "Hey, are we still going to the bridge or not, I am so excited for this that I can't wait. It's going to be awesome" said Lee happily with a nice guy pose, everyone turned to him with either a disappointed look, a scowl, or just straight up blank stare. Lee stared back in confusion wondering why everyone was staring at him with odd looks and then there was a breaking of glass dishes and shocked gasps.
They turned to see Naruto standing in the middle of the kitchen with a thousand-yard stare, his body shaking with fear, the flashbacks came in rapidly as the boy slowly curled down to his knees. Karin rushed to his side, grabbing the numb blonde and embracing him in a hug, "It's going to be okay, just, just, remember something else besides that. Remember that time we went fishing and camping by the lake with old man Jiraiya and granny Tsunade." Said the Redhead, as she tried to break Naruto out of his state of paralyzing despair. Lee slumped down in sadness as he apologized repeatedly, he never meant to cause any kind of ill intent or to ruin the party.
Shikamaru stood from his seat and spoke, "It's fine Lee, I had a discussion with Kiba about it before y'all came, but what I want to know is who brought up this little field trip to the bridge, speak up, I know that Kiba and Lee weren't the only ones who planned this and got the invite". Everyone looked at one another to figure out who was the culprit that planned it, Shikamaru was starting to get impatient, and no one wanted to see his bad side. "It was me Shikamaru, I was the one who sent the invites and I have good reason as to why", all turned to see Neji stand up from his seat and walk over to Shikamaru, who was glaring at him with the most enraged look he could muster.
"Out of everyone here why did you plan this, do you have any shame or even an ounce of regret of your actions. Your cousin who was like a sister to you died on that bridge and I know that you saw what happened to her when you got there. Now you want to disrespect her like this" said Shikamaru angrily, he couldn't believe that Neji would stoop this low and trample on the memory of their friend. Naruto rose and yelled at Neji, "WHO THE HELL YOU THINK YOU ARE, PULLING THIS TYPE OF PRANK, ESPECIALLY AT THE PLACE MY GIRLFRIEND DIED. I SHOULD—", he wanted to hurt him as much as he was hurting inside but mostly wanted answers from him. No amount of beating would help him get what he wanted out of Neji.
Neji sighed; he knew that people wouldn't keep quiet about it, but he did this to himself and had to explain himself to everyone, even if it sounded ridiculous. "Well, I planned it because… Because I believe Hinata's death was caused by something paranormal, and this isn't a prank". Everyone looked at Neji as if he was joking but his demeanor was serious, and people knew that he wasn't the type to joke about anything that was serious.
"Wait, do you actually believe that Hinata was possessed by a demon or spirit?" asked Konan with extreme curiosity, she was the group's supernatural expert, and she had an obsession for it. The thought of Hinata playing with dark magic was confusing as to why an innocent and caring girl would want to conjure the Devil. Neji nodded to her response.
"Neji, don't you think this is kind of… Well, you know… I mean, I highly doubt she would try to do anything like that, this is just too crazy" said Sakura as she had a hard time believing Neji.
"Hey, if that were true then how come you never said anything until now and what was the point in inviting us to the bridge?" said Kiba, he couldn't believe the audacity of this guy. Yeah, he was guilty of wanting to go to the bridge, but this was low, Shino was shaking his head in disappointment. Everyone was on edge and waiting for his reply but the next thing he did surprised everyone, Neji pulled out from his pocket 3 photographs, in each of them it was Hinata.
Konan was the first to grab the pictures and as she looked over them, her face went from curious to horrified. Kankuro who was right next to her grabbed the closest picture, "What the hell is that in the back?", he turned the photo so that everyone could see it. The photo was of Hinata in her room with her desk light on and the shadow lingering behind her, the girl had an emotionless expression, standing in front of a mirror, and everyone could feel a cold aura coming from the photo. It was a suffocating cold fear that made them sick to their stomachs.
TenTen ran to the bathroom to empty her stomach. "I feel as if I'm dying from the inside, it's as if a cold presence is making the air feel suffocating" she said to herself as the girl was trying to make sense of this feeling and Hinata's motives as to why the girl was conjuring spirits. Naruto and Karin took the other photographs and gasped in horror, the other two had Hinata with slit wrists sitting in the middle of her bed and the same shadow in the back and the other was of her at the end of the bridge and instead of the shadow it was of a man, the same man Naruto saw at church. He could remember the giggling, taunting and haunting, the cold feeling of impending doom in the room was sickening.
"I sent those invites because I am too afraid to go near that bridge and found those pictures in a small compartment behind her bed. I am sorry for not coming forward, but I need to know more about what was going on with her and that Man," said Neji. Everyone had conflicting feelings about going to the bridge, "I would like to join you, but we are prohibited by family traditions from going near anything that is considered unholy and evil, but we'll pray for you, please be safe and have a blessed night" said Gaara as he, Temari, and Kankuro headed to the door. Temari turned to Shikamaru, "Listen, I don't know what's going on, but this is too much. I am sorry". Shikamaru nodded in response, she waved and said goodbye to everyone before walking out.
"Same here, Itachi would flip out if he found out I was messing around with witchcraft. Goodnight and I wish you the best" said Sasuke as he too was heading home. Sakura, Ino, Shino, and Lee decided to leave as well the night which was full of good times had been completely turned upside down and they had enough of it. "It's okay if the rest of you won't join me, I'll just have to find the truth myself even if it kills me" said Neji as he walked towards the door only to be stopped by Naruto.
"I'll go with you" said Naruto with a serious tone which caught Neji and the rest by surprise. The other two Uzumaki's looked at each other with worried looks but decided to tag along not wanting to lose their cousin. The other four joined in as well, they wanted to know what was going on at the bridge and the mystery behind their deceased friend, all seven friends jumped in Karin's car and drove to the bridge.
It was 12 midnight, and the fireworks show started, the townsfolks were enjoying the festivities and welcomed the New Year with great optimism to a new beginning. The group soon after as the fireworks display was dying down and the people were walking to their cars, they parked near the clearing where the festival was held, before they decided to go any further Konan stopped everyone and said, "Alright everyone, listen closely, whatever you do please don't wonder off alone and don't be afraid of anything, ghosts feed off of a person's fear and grow stronger so let's stick together, so follow me".
They all agreed with her and started walking down to the lake with flashlights in hand, as they etched ever closer, they could see the bridge and the atmosphere around them was becoming less lively and more sinister. Konan took note of it and stopped; the others looked at each other with bewilderment as to why the paranormal expert just suddenly stopped as they were almost close to the bridge.
"Konan are you alright, is there something wrong… Konan?" said Nagato, he walked up to the woman and put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump in fear, this place was terrifying and evil that it made her skin crawl. She turned to Nagato and nodded but he could see it in her eyes, the fear and distraught as he too felt it. Everyone was looking around with their flashlights as if someone or something was looking at them from several directions.
Kiba was the most frightened out of everyone from the group, "If only I brought Akamaru along, he would've given us some form of protection, this damn place is nothing more than the Devil's playground" he said in a low voice.
"As much as I would like to agree with you, don't you think Akamaru would be too scared to come with us, especially when there is something or someone out there, this place is indeed the Devil's home" said TenTen. The others shushed the two as they waited for Konan to say something, the blue haired woman gasped and gestured everyone to get down. They settled near bushes to avoid whoever it was they were hiding from and turned off their torches, suddenly they heard someone whistling, walking from the opposite side of the lake.
Naruto was sweating heavily with fear coming as a shiver down his spine, he stared at the darkened path waiting for the person or thing to appear. Suddenly the whistling stopped but they still heard footsteps, the person came into view, and everyone gasped as it was the man from the photographs. He was a tall, pale man with a black suit and purple tie, long dark hair, wicked smile, and eyes of a demon. They watched as he neared the bridge only to stop and look up at the full moon.
Neji and Naruto had the same thought of rushing over and tackling the man, demanding answers but they were squashed as they saw the man in question turned and fixated at their hiding spot, the group tensed up as the man chuckled and started to walk towards them.
They felt sick to their stomachs as the man stopped mere inches from them, the man stood there as the group kept still with eyes closed. Thoughts ran through their minds of how this was a stupid idea to come at night seeking out some ghoulish man but here they are, laying down in the bushes like scared little kids hiding from the big bad monster.
"Isn't this a wonderful night for a walk, don't you agree, my unexpected guest" said the man as he raised his right arm and an owl came out from the tree above, landing on the man's arm. He smiled and petted the large bird, the owl made small chirping sounds as it liked the petting and scratches, the man turned around and walked backed to the bridge with the owl. The group watched as he vanished into the void of darkness and waited until it was safe to come out.
Konan was the first to come out and scan the area, she gestured for the others to come out. Everyone was gasping for air and still shook from the ordeal, "That was too close, I never thought I would see this person so close and in solid form. I know that you two want answers, but this is way too dangerous, and it is probably best that we come back during the day" said Konan as she looked at Neji and Naruto. They both shook their heads getting shocked looks from the rest, Shikamaru was getting angry at them for their selfish action as if they wanted to put everyone in grave danger.
"That's enough of your little expedition into the unknown and Konan is right about this. This is getting out of hand and besides, that man or thing smelled of roadkill. We need to leave now" said Shikamaru. He wanted to get out of the woods badly, he was leaving either with or without Neji and Naruto as the danger level went from zero to hundred.
"You know he's right; I know you have your reasons to come here but this is just plain crazy and suicidal. Naruto, Neji please let's go back home. We'll come first thing in the morning, I promise." said Karin as she begged her cousin and friend. Neji was nodded in agreement as he too had enough of this place and the man, but it was the opposite from Naruto.
"You guys can go back home but I am staying here" said Naruto as he got up and started marching towards the bridge, Karin, Nagato, and Konan were about to stop him only for the boy to vanish from thin air. Everyone was shocked to what happened, the silence was broken as Karin started screaming bloody murder. Nagato started yelling Naruto's name and looking around in desperation, the rest just sat there with a look that went from confused to frightened, their friend was gone.
The sound of the water gently sloshing around due to the light air and there was a lingering scent of lavender which reminded him of Hinata. He reminisced when they first met at the town fair, their first date, their first kiss, soon the reminiscence turned ugly. The arguments, the numerous incidents that ended up with her going to the psych ward and him or Neji in the hospital, the cheating, and the funeral. He woke up from the nightmare and looked around to see that he was on the bridge, at the edge of it, suddenly the smell of roadkill filled the air.
He got up and stumbled on to the railing of the bridge; his legs felt like gelatin, he looked up to see the end of the bridge but only saw darkness, fear and worry gripped him as to where were his friends and if they were okay. "KARIN, NAGATO, SHIKA—" he stopped yelling as he heard a chuckle coming from the shadows, footsteps could be heard inching closer to him.
The man came out of the shadows smiling from ear to ear, his eyes stared at him as if they could pierce through his soul. "Well, it seems that I have a visitor, my dear boy will you please state your name and purpose as to why you are here" said the man as he was standing in front of the boy. Naruto never knew that fear could feel this way, the feeling as if a knife was thrusted into his soul. He did not know what to say, the man was staring at him without blinking an eye and sporting a smile which resembled a Cheshire smile. Naruto gulped and spoke softly but loud enough for the man to hear him, "Who are you… What are you?". The man chuckled and then went into a full-blown deranged laugh as he stared down at Naruto, he calmed down soon after and apologized for his rudeness.
"I have many names, people call me the Devil and while others call me a Warlock, but you can call me, Orochimaru." said the Demon. "So, what is that you want my child, is it immortality, Knowledge, or maybe… You want to resurrect that pathetic girlfriend of yours". Naruto got out from his stupor and with all his strength tackled the man to the ground, he balled his right hand into a fist and before he could even throw a punch Orochimaru grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the other side of the bridge and cursed the boy for attacking him.
"HOW DARE YOU LAY YOUR FILTHY HANDS-ON ME, YOU SHIT STAIN HUMAN, I SHOULD RIP OPEN YOUR CHEST AND EAT YOUR HEART" yelled Orochimaru, he calmed down immediately for he didn't want to kill the boy right away, also behaving like some enraged beast was beneath him. He had manners and was a gentleman of course but he knew that the boy needed to be punished for his actions.
"You… You…You are the… One who made Hinata…" Naruto tried to speak as he gasped for air, he hit the railing hard enough that the air got knocked out of him. The demon gave a puzzled look and remembered who he was referring to, the girl that smelled like lavender and eyes that resembled a full moon. "Oh, so you must be Naruto Uzumaki, I heard a lot about you from Hinata. Her soul was the purest and so naïve, also the most delicious one, too bad you weren't here to hear her screaming in pain" said Orochimaru tauntingly, he touched his face and screamed a moan in ecstasy as he remembered how Hinata screamed in agony, her face full of fear, the begging and pleas of mercy.
Orochimaru walked up to Naruto and helped him up to sit on the railing. The demon was enjoying every second of this and why not, he loved to play with his prey but he didn't want to kill the boy. "I'll spare your life this time but if you dare come near my bridge again be prepared to die a fool's death and to sent you on your way back, here's a little parting gift", he raised his left hand up to Naruto's forehead and yelled out an incantation. Naruto suddenly started to lose consciousness and balance; the man gently pushed him from the bridge onto the water. The Demon cackled as he saw his victim drift away to the other side of the lake but what gave him more pleasure was the nightmarish dream Naruto will soon experience.
"This is going to be a lot of fun and excitement with these foolish children, I can't wait to taste their souls, maybe their flesh will suffice as well" said a grinning Orochimaru, he slowly vanished as the sun was starting to rise. "Until next time, Naruto Uzuamaki".
*TO BO CONTINUED*