AN: Please leave me lots and lots of NICE reviews.
12/25/23
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Seraph of the End. They belong to their respective owners.
Part 1- Human
Chapter 2- A monster is born
A young, pale-skinned male limped across the harsh desert sands all around him. The harsh sun scorched his clothes, his hair, and his entire body.
And if someone were to look upon him they would instantly recognize that something was wrong.
Well, for starters his white clothing was torn. With what looked like an old uniform with a strange cloak upon his back he had serval tears throughout. But there was more than that, all across his skin were several bruises and cuts.
Yet still he trudged on, that was, until, someone walked before him.
"Man, Sasori always gets like this. Old memories within his old village I suppose," another young male muttered to himself.
This figure was slightly different, with blonde hair that was of a much darker and golden color than the more pale-haired boy before him. And his eye was covered, as he was adorned with a black cloak with red cloud designs all around it.
But what was stranger was the strange, mouth-like appendances across his hands. And the slashes forehead of the stone-like design across his Hitai-ate.
And it seemed that the blonde-haired rogue-nin finally spotted him.
"Oh great, another one of those sand nin sent after us, you'd think that they would send someone more capable," Deidara sighed before he became far more enthusiastic. "Alright, time to face the greatest of my art, because true art… is an explosion!" He shouted, as Naruto stood sweat dropped.
Not speaking for a second, and that seemed to annoy the enthusiastic artist.
"Grrr," he growled before he sent his hands forward, and several dove-like birds made of clay came rushing towards him.
All of them seemed to be cut in two within seconds, much to Deidara's shock. They all exploded several feet away from their intended target.
That seemed to irritate Deidara even more. "H-hey! How dare you do that to my art!" He yelled, still standing upon his large clay bird, becoming more wary of this new figure.
He formed serval clay spiders, crawling along the desert sands.
Each one was cut in two, and it seemed Deidara finally realized what was going on. This new figure seemed to move faster than many could see, slashing across the air and forming serval wind blades as he did so. Cutting down any of Deidara's clay attacks.
Growling, Deidara realized just how much clay he had used up within his battle with the sand.
Preparing himself for a final attack, all the while his unnamed opponent stood there, unable to move because of his injury.
Sending even more clay birds towards the male, and then…
Boom!
Several of the clay birds exploded in the distance between them. But that was just a distraction, as another flock of birds flew through the explosion created to get even closer.
Reaching their target, they exploded, right next to the white-dressed figure.
But, as the dust cleared, the smoke from the explosion dissipated. He could see, that the figure he had attacked, had not been damaged in the slightest.
That only seemed to anger the artist even more.
But that was, until…
He collapsed to the ground, unable to move; Deidara was shocked.
"Sasori! You just stole my kill!" The blonde-haired male yelled, spotting his partner appear right behind the collapsed blond. Spotting the small cut across his cheek that had delivered the poison into his system.
"Deidara, you fool, do you not realize who that is," Sasori spoke, his business being concluded, as he had just defeated the brother of the jinchuriki they had just captured.
"Hmm, what are you on about?" Deidara asked, confused.
Before Sasori used Hiruko's tail to lift the blonde, allowing his partner to once again see his face.
His skin was a lot paler, his once cerulean eyes were red, and his whisker marks seemed to have faded immensely.
Yet his facial structure was unchanged, and as such, Sasori recognized him instantly.
"Naruto Uzumaki, the Kyuubi Jinchuriki that seemingly died 3 years ago," the puppet master concluded.
"Huh? But why would the fool come seeking us out then?" Deidara asked, confused.
"I don't know, my spy network once told me that he and the Kazekage were close, perhaps he wished to save him," Sasori concluded, motioning the resting Gaara on top of the blonde's clay bird. "But that does not explain how he was so injured, nor where he had been for the last three years. It's best to talk with leader-sama about this since we need to seal the Kyuubi last for the ritual."
As Deidara nodded, staring at the unconscious Naruto, something not seeming right with the situation.
XXX
Later.
"So you have captured the nine-tails Jinchuriki," a new voice sounded out.
As his hologram-like figure stood before them, dawning a similar cloak to the people before him.
However, the man's most defining feature. What stuck out even through the projection technique he had been using, were his silver, rippled eyes.
As many of the other members of their organization's eyes widened. Particularly the dark-haired male with red tomoed eyes.
But their leader continued, "Excellent, I will send a member to retrieve him. Continue to keep his body sealed and confined within the hideout as we seal the Ichibi-jinchuuriki. Make sure nobody interrupts and interferes with the extraction," he ordered.
"It shall be done, leader-sama" both Deidara and Sasori sounded.
XXX
(With the Konoha team)
They were running out of time.
As far as they knew, extraction of one's bijuu would take a while, three days to be exact. They had already lost two days when they had arrived at the sand trying to save Kankuro. The fake Itachi clone had stalled for time as well.
All that was on any of their minds was the mission.
The Konoha team had managed to track down the Akatsuki hideout, and meeting up with team Gai, the backup team Konoha had sent for them. They then realized that Akatsuki had also been prepared.
Creating a very specific type of barrier that requires 5 people at the same time to remove the anchoring tags just to pass. Subsequently, four of the members needed to go off and remove the tags, and likely a trap was remaining in wait for them.
That left 5 of them to deal with the S-class ninja inside, as well as retrieving Gaara from whatever extraction seals they were using to steal the one-tails.
All in all, not a good situation.
Cold, black eyes stared at the rock in their way.
And on his mind currently was the mission.
They needed to save Gaara, the new Kazekage. And one of Naruto's old friends, one of the only people he could relate to.
If he could do that then maybe he could atone for his mistakes.
Just… maybe.
XXX
(Flashback, 3 years earlier, after Naruto's disappearance)
"He needs to be put in jail!"
"That's preposterous!"
"He's a danger to the leaf! A criminal."
"Troublesome."
"Everyone settle down!" Tsunade yelled as she flared her chakra, silencing the room completely.
They were in the council chambers, with the full council of both clan heads, and the three village advisors within the room.
She crossed her arms under her chest and nodded her head in acknowledgment, "Good."
"Now, we're gathered here today to discuss the fate of one 'Sasuke Uchiha'," Tsunade explained, as she motioned for the ANBU. Two masked figures brought out a blindfolded and restrained Uchiha, blinded head to toe in seals.
"Sasuke Uchiha, you are being prosecuted for treason, and desertion, along with the Murder of your fellow Konoha shinobi: one 'Naruto Uzumaki'." Tsunade read out. "How do you plead?" She asked.
Sasuke sat up straight, as the gags were removed with his mouth. "Guilty." He said as but a whisper, speaking so quietly that many of the occupants within the room could hear it.
"I see," Tsunade said stoically, as she collected her thoughts before concluding. "Well then, by the power vested in me as the reigning fifth Hokage—"Before she could finalize her statement she was interrupted.
"Hold on a minute," Koharu Utatane, one of the village advisors piped up.
Tsunade mentally sighed, before she looked at the old hag and mentally sighed once again. "Koharu? Do you have something to add?" She asked whilst slightly gritting her teeth.
"I believe it would be wise to take a look at the results of the tests you conducted before we come to a decision." The lady added.
Tsunade leaned back in her seat, as she looked toward Inoichi. "Alright, get on with it."
The Yamanaka clan head, a blonde man with a long ponytail and blue eyes stood up, gathering various papers within his grasp. Before he cleared his throat and reluctantly said, "Alright, from the various tests I have conducted over Sasuke Uchiha's mental state, as well as the tests conducted by our seal master: Jiraiya of the Sannin." He motioned toward the white-haired man. "The seal on his neck, as well as giving immense power, induced a heavy narcotic that is equivalent to what we have seen in many of the drug users we have collected over the years. That, coupled with the small portion of Orochimaru's essence, likely compels the carrier with an intense need to go to the person who gave them this mark." Inoichi explained,
"Tell us, what has been done to this seal," a pale-eyed man, Hiashi, asked.
"The extra seal that Kakashi Hatake, Team 7's sensei, placed upon Sasuke's body was based solely upon the carrier's willpower. The curse seal is a forbidden Juinjutsu. The addictive qualities of the seal likely degrade the user's will over time. I have asked Jiraiya-dono to provide a better seal, one that has no relation to the user's will, to be placed upon Sasuke curse seal, that I believe should hold Orochimaru's seal for long enough to find a more permanent solution to remove it." He explained.
"What about withdrawals?" Choza Akimichi asked.
And Inoichi answered from him. "From what we have seen from another curse mark carrier, Anko Mitarashi, the withdrawal symptoms are brutal, and we can only imagine what changes may have occurred since Orochimaru improved the technique." He said.
"Thank you very much Inoichi," Koharu said, as the clan head sat down. "I believe that Sasuke Uchiha's betrayal was a choice not made of his own free will, and thus, he should not be held accountable for his actions."
"So you believe Sasuke Uchiha should just walk free?" Tsunade asked.
And surprisingly Koharu shook her head, "Of course not. But I believe it would be a waste killing of the Uchiha clan permanently, and losing the Sharinganbloodline for good."
"What do you propose?" Shibi Abarame asked.
As Koharu went to speak she was interrupted. "I propose Sasuke should be given to me" All of the heads turned to see the owner of the voice.
Witnessing a familiar dark-haired and scared old man who appeared to have bandages wrapped around both his right arm and right eye speak up.
As he began to explain his reasoning. "Sasuke had already proven himself to be a flight risk. But with my training… he can prove himself to become an asset to Konoha, rather than become a slight against our village's name once again."
The intent was clear, and so was the hidden message as well.
Itachi, if Sasuke wasn't put on a leash he believed he would become like his rogue older brother. Many others did as well, and that's just what Danzo had intended.
"Giving Danzo jurisdiction over the Uchiha could prove worthwhile," the other member, Homura, spoke up, as many of the other clan heads nodded.
That was until another voice spoke up…
"I'll take him," a man said, all of the leaders widened.
"Jiraiya-sama you can't be serious," Hiashi spoke, not agreeing with the proposition for a second.
But the old sage continued, "Sasuke Uchiha requires guidance, someone to show him the will of fire that the village was founded upon."
Sasuke Uchiha had killed his apprentice.
That fact was true.
But what was also true was that Naruto wouldn't want this. He cared about his friends, more than any other. And giving his best friend to Danzo, the person he'd risked his life just to get back…
Naruto wouldn't want that.
But other clan leaders didn't agree.
"That's preposterous! Kakashi Hatake has already proven that those ideals will not work with a person like him!" The Kurama clan head yelled, but another clan leader wasn't so sure.
"Jiraiya, what would you do if your methods proved ineffective in Sasuke's mind?" Shikaku asked, finally speaking up in the debate.
As Jiraya's resolve grew. "Then I will do what's necessary for the prosperity of the village," he resounded, which convinced many of the unsure clan heads to lean over to his side.
"Jiraya training the young boy could prove worthwhile for the Uchiha's mental state," Koharu surmised.
"And he could provide a better deal for Orochimaru's vile power," Homura nodded.
Tsunade capitalized on this decision. "Then it's official, Jiraiya will gain full jurisdiction of one: Sasuke Uchiha. All in favor?…"
"I!" Many of them sounded.
As Jiraiya steeled his heart.
This would be what Naruto would have wanted. Sasuke would be alive, and he would train him to protect this village.
He would do right by the young blonde's demise, and, if not…
He would have two young boy's deaths on his conscience.
All the while, Danzo's hand tightened on his cane.
He was not happy with this result.
XXX
(Present)
He shook his head from the memories.
Now was not the time for reflection of past events. Meeting with his traitorous brother had done enough of that already.
Currently, they are still waiting for the final member to find the remaining tag. Only then could they remove the seal and find the Kazekage that lay within.
All they had to do was wait.
Give it time that they currently do not have. Every minute out here meant another minute Gaara might not make it.
That wouldn't do.
Yet he couldn't do anything to change it. He had never been so powerless before. Unable to do anything and just be forced to wait for others.
Absentmindedly, his eyes were drawn to their final and newest teammate.
'Naruto's replacement' as the Hokage called it, even if she was bitter at the whole ordeal.
Kakashi-sensei had said she was from Takigakure or the village hidden within the waterfalls. Why she was on a team with Konoha nin he didn't know. Nor did he know anything about her, other than her name.
Fuu, he'd been told.
As he observed the girl's strange appearance. Short, mint green hair with skin tanner than he had ever seen, almost dark or chocolate even. Her clothes were white, as she wore a pair of fishnet shorts and a shirt under an even shorter white skirt and crop top. Showing off her tanned and chiseled midsection; stark arm warmers also covered her frame.
It was as if she came from the desert, or, given where he'd heard she was from, a rainforest.
Yet the most striking thing he saw from her was her eyes. Orange, amber orbs that sparked with life.
He wondered if Naruto would like them, given they were his favorite color after all.
Her personality reminded him of him too. As she seemed to be set on receiving the friendship of everyone she met, it was her life goal. Just as Naruto's was to be Hokage, to gain acceptance.
She seemed to be a bundle of energy, one that was positively rolling on her feet in anticipation and slight nervousness for what was to come.
He wondered if she would be able to handle it.
Facing an S-rank ninja was no joke, the only would he could get credit for actually facing was Orochimaru. And even then the snake Sanin had been toying with him.
He was ripped from his sour thoughts when a voice entered through the radio Kakashi had been given.
"This is Lee, I'm in possession." It sounded.
"Excellent, well break in using the button hook entry," Kakashi voiced, standing on top of the massive boulder that was blocking their way, ready to remove the seal. Subsequently, Sakura stalked off to the side, ready to burst open and break through the rock using her immense strength technique taught to her by Tsunade.
"Alright, everyone! Remove the tags on the count of three!" Gai sounded his entire team in position.
"One… two… three!"
All of them pulled off their tags, Gai, Lee, Tenten, Neji, and Kakashi.
"Sakura!" Kakashi shouted for his student.
As the pink-haired girl charged towards the large stone. "Right!"
Crashing her fist against the rock it crumbled, shattering into hundreds of pieces as it was left unprotected from and defenses that once covered it. Everyone jumped inside and stood ready to lay within.
"We're too late…" Kakashi realized.
Right there, in front of them, we're the two Akatsuki members. Sitting on top of the Kazekage's dead body.
Such a sight was enough for anything of them in a deep rage.
"Now… which one is the jinchuriki?" Deidara voiced with a smirk, seeing all their reactions up their faces.
"It's the girl," Sasori voiced, his voice rough within his hiruko puppet.
"I know that, but there are two girls," Deidara said, both eyeing Sakura and Fuu, ready for a fight.
"It's the green-haired one," Sasori voiced. "Look at her skin tone, she's too dark to have grown up within fire country. It's obvious that she is the one from Taki," he reasoned.
"It looks like it," Deidara thought along the same lines.
All the while Sasori stood, staring at his grandmother, Lady Chiyo.
"Is that…" Fuu trailed off, seeing one of her fellow jinchuriki for the first time. Or at least, what was left of him.
"So that's Itachi'a brother, he will be suitable for my art," Deidara voiced, eager for a fight with the boy.
As Kakashi observed both the opponents. Recognizing Deidara to be the one who attacks Gaara and Suna. As well as Sasori who lay within the puppet of his own making.
A large fuma-shuriken was thrown, and many of them saw that it was Sasuke who launched it.
But it seems that Sasori was able to block it easily.
Which brought Deidara enough time to do what he was planning. Forming a clay bird within his hands, with a small handsign it grew exponentially.
"I hope you don't mind but I'm taking the Kazekage's body!" Deidara announced, jumping upon his large claw bird. And, as the large beast swallowed Gaara's body, the explosive expert blew a large hole out of the top of the cave.
Not wasting any time, Sasuke voiced, "I'm going after him." As he left out the newly made entrance they first came, giving no time for Kakashi to stop him.
"Sakura, you, Fuu and Chiyo deal with Sasori. I'll go after Sasuke for Deidara," he told them.
They all nodded, not leaving their eyes off of the puppet user for a second.
XXX
Some time later.
(With Sasuke)
They had been chasing after Deidara for what seemed like hours. But in reality, it had likely been a lot less than that.
Deidara's clay bird was fast.
Not only that, but it was also extremely agile, and it had the ability of unassisted flight.
If this kept up, then Gaara's body would be lost. Sasuke realized this, but that was a reality he could not allow to happen.
Yet they were powerless to stop it.
"Sasuke, get ready, I'm about to use a technique I've been preparing for the last three years. One specifically trained to take down members of Akatsuki like this," Kakashi spoke.
As Sauske listened on, wondering just what technique the legendary copy ninja was talking about. Nonetheless, he nodded, using all of his strength to leap even further ahead of his sensei. Jumping along the large wooden structures along the canyon they were traversing.
But, as he kept off, heard a single technique being performed, one that nearly caused the Uchiha to stumble within his steps.
"Mangekyou sharingan…" Kakashi prepared, as Sasuke's eyes widened.
Looking back, he would see the three tomoe within Kakashi's borrowed sharingan enlarged Interconnecting to form a strange shuriken-like pattern.
Unaware of his current predicament, Deidara watched from above as the two ninjas followed him. Deciding to keep a close eye on the Uchiha, a smirk lying across his face. "So, they're still following me, that's good."
He felt a strange pull across his entire body.
"K-Kamui!" Kakashi shouted, keeping his lone sharingan focused on the blonde-haired man.
Instantly, a dark portal manifested near the blonde rogue ninja. Kakashi aiming for the man's head. The vortex sucked everything it could.
Including the man's arm.
And, as he went down to try and gain even more distance… Sasuke was there waiting for him, a Chidori at the ready.
XXX
Elsewhere.
In a dark room sat an unknown figure, the one that was stated to have once been the boy known as 'Naruto Uzumaki'. But here he was nothing, left chained on the dirt and stone floor, seals littered his form, each made to cut off his chakra points.
He knew he wouldn't have long.
Idly, he could hear a grand battle taking place, one of the infamous Sasori of the red sands, but his opponent was one he was once far more familiar with, someone he longed to see for a long time.
He knew this would happen, just as that blasted woman had told him, instructed him to do so.
Soon he would be free from her, he knew so.
Suddenly, his once-closed eyelids opened so fast it was akin to a bullet speeding out of a gun's barrel. Red eyes glowed in the dimmed shadows.
Yes, it was time…
XXX
(With Sakura)
Wood and stone littered the floor around them.
As bodies littered the floor. But these lifeless husks were strange, preserved, and filled with chemicals as to keep their beauty and life within them. Yet they held none all the same:
Their eyes were dull, their joints creaking, as blades littered their form.
This was Sunagakure's signature jutsu. A specialty within the village hidden in the sand, and a technique that required the user to create small, thin strands of chakra. And connect them to a specially made puppet as a way to attack precisely from a distance.
This was Sasori's life's work, to create no small army of puppets forged from the dead bodies of those he'd killed. And, in his long life as a shinobi– and later a rogue nin– he had amassed a group of nearly 300 woodened creations, built, handcrafted, and sculpted for one thing; killing.
Or so he thought, but it seemed things weren't quite going to plan. His grandmother— and he meant his well and true grandmother— had stepped onto the battlefield, likely his worst opponent to deal with in terms of being in a matchup. She knew everything about him, his tricks, his hidden weapons, his craftsmanship, after all, she had been the one to teach him.
On top of that, any new techniques he had discovered and built upon in his time away had been utterly useless. Granny Chiyo's old age and experience were nothing to scoff at and had been what carried the two of them throughout their battle.
That didn't mean the pink-haired one, Sakura Haruno, as he'd come to find out was anything to scoff at. She was the apprentice of Tsunade Senju, and a clear practitioner of the woman's apparent super strength technique. Plus, she happened to be just as skilled when it came to neutralizing poisons as he'd come to find out. Having stabbed them once already. He'd found the deadly poison he'd covered in all his blades was little more than useless.
Not to mention, there had been that energetic and equally troubling Nanabi-jinchurki, who had flown around his puppets and taken them out from the distance, not allowing him to approach the girl for a second.
Even his greatest technique, the ability to use up to 100 of his puppets at once hadn't been a match from his grandmother's legendary Chikamatsu collection. As, little by little, they were able to take out each of his hundred puppets, him taking out a majority of his grandmother's puppets as well.
It seemed his fighting had been all for naught, as Sakura, lady Chiyo, and Fuu had used a combination of Sakura's strength and Chiyo's puppet mastery to render his own body trapped by a puppet specifically made by his grandmother to render his puppets, and his puppet form, absolutely useless.
"You can't move," Lady Chiyo said resolutely, storing at her grandson's limp puppet form, his eyes being overshadowed by his hair, not being able to look any of them in the eye. As they all panted from the exhaustion of the grueling battle. "You can't use your chakra threads anymore," she said, shortly thereafter she collapsed, likely due to the slight amounts of Sasori's poison in her system.
"Laddy Chiyo!" "Granny!" the two girls shouted, rushing towards the older woman in fright at what might have happened to her.
"Please, use the antidote quickly!" Sakura shouted, trying to retrieve the last vile of the neutralizer she had made to counter the S-rank nin's toxins.
However, what they didn't expect, was for their former enemy to energy, using another of his puppets as a vessel for his flesh-like core to inhabbit to escape from his wooden prison. "Granny, look out!" the green-haired girl shrieked, not being able to believe the Akatsuki member could have survived their onslaught.
Sasori charged toward his grandmother, a sword in hand, as charged for his grandmother. A damaged sword in hand, his puppet littered with weapons.
Sakura's green eyes widened as well, hoping to get to the old woman who helped her so much. Fuu was the same in that regard, summoning up her wings as she tried to reach the S-ranked puppet user.
All of their efforts were naught, they weren't able to reach her in time. Until…
Squelch.
A figure appeared right behind him. Blood spilled in the air, all eyes were left in surprise.
Sasori's more so, as a chipped and bloodied blade met his core, the heart of his very being. He had turned himself into a puppet for the sake of his ambition. He wanted to attain true beauty, to gain an immortal timeless body that would never wither, never decay, and never lose what he sought. He had performed a forbidden jutsu on himself, transforming his whole body into that of a puppet. Only leaving a single piece of his flesh sealed within a cylinder to keep himself alive, it was his only weak spot.
Instantly, his eyes were directed behind him, staring at the one figure he hadn't expected.
It was him!
How had he escaped? They should have sealed off his chakra. How had he been able to cross the distance between them so fast?
Naruto's crimson eyes stared down at him, they were cold, almost lifeless, but all who looked at him could still recognize him.
Sakura gasped, his hair had changed its color, his eyes were different, and his whisker marks faded. But it was undoubtedly her long-lost teammate. "Naruto?"
His eyes turned towards her, pulling out the sword from Sasori's now dead body. "Hello… Sakura," he told her.
The pink-haired girl couldn't quite place his expression, but one thing was clear. Her teammate had changed.
Just what had happened to her long-lost friend?
XXX
Three years ago.
(Elsewhere, Unknown location)
He awoke in a haze.
And as he leaned up from his resting position he could feel his whole body ache in pain. Screaming out as if he were stabbed by almost a thousand knives in the process.
How was he alive?
Feeling around his abdomen, he noticed the obvious lack of a hole within his torso. But there was more than that, his chest had bandages wrapped around him.
Looking around, he noticed how bright it was. Was he in a hospital, had Konoha found him? If so expect Sakura or granny-tsunade to come rushing in.
Surveying his surroundings once more he noticed he was in no such place. The room was large, and the walls were made of stone. It was unlike any hospital he had ever seen.
Just where was he?
"Oh, you're finally awake," a sound echoed throughout the room.
Slowly turning his head, as much as he could within his injured state. He found the owner of such a voice, as blood-red eyes stared back at him. He recognized the person, as a rush of memories were sent back to him.
Pink hair, dark frilly clothing, and those red-slitted eyes that pierced his very soul.
It was like a distant dream, how he saw the girl on the brink of death as he blacked out. Was she the one who saved him?
"Who are you? Where am I?" He asked with narrowed eyes. But the girl only continued to stare at him with a cold indifference, as if she hadn't heard his question at all.
There was something about her, something that set his whole body on edge.
"Hey! I asked you a question," he yelled, trying to gain her attention.
The girl narrowed her eyes, "You've only just woke up and you're already so defiant, I guess we'll have to fix that," she mused.
"As for where you are…" she put her finger to her chin, "we're still in the same cave you found me in," she told him.
Looking around once again, he saw what she stated was indeed true. The stone walls were large, Whatsmore, there were large spikes that jutted out along both the ceilings and floor.
Wait a minute, the cave he had been in was dark, why was it so bright right now?
He rubbed his eyes as if the bright light was nothing more than an illusion that he could rub away.
"I see you've already noticed," the girl stated.
"Noticed what?" He questioned.
"Your transformation," she answered, although her answer only stemmed more questions.
"Transformation?" He repeated. Just what was this girl talking about?
"Don't you notice that your body feels a little bit stronger, that your eyesight is just a little bit better? If you were attentive enough you might have noticed your skin is paler, and your teeth are even slightly sharper," she told him, and she was right.
Although his body ached, he could feel his muscles being slightly stronger, and he had already noticed that his eyesight had already changed.
His normally tan skin had become s ethereal pale, as had that matched his own. And as he fished through his teeth with his tongue he could feel his already pronounced canines were slightly longer.
Just what was she going on about?
"You have evolved into something far superior to the pathetic human that you had previously been," she told him. "For you have become… a vampire, just like me." She told him.
What? What was this girl talking about? A vampire, those were only myths from village folklore, everyone knew they weren't real
"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed, as the girl neared him. "Vampires aren't real, as if I could be a—"
"A monster?" The girl interrupted, as Naruto whipped his head towards her.
"How did you?" Naruto trailed off in shock.
As the young-looking girl got close to him. So much so that he could feel her warm breath trickling across his skin.
Oh, how he hated the feeling.
An absolutely infuriating smirk filled her face. "How did I know?" Krul asked his unasked question. "I can assure you, I'm telling the truth," she said, as a pale hand laid itself across his cheek.
Her skin was soft, softer than any silk he ever felt before.
Yet he knew it held a roughness like no other. Sandpaper couldn't begin to describe it, as it bore a hole within his cheek like a burning ember.
So much so that he had to pull himself away— all the while she had that same damn smirk across her face!
"…and you were already a monster long before I showed up," she said as she turned away.
As Naruto's now crimson eyes widened. "N-no… I don't know what you—"
But it seemed he was interrupted, as Krul still had that infuriating expression across her lips.
"Oh please, you and I both know that's not true. You're just saying that to try and convince yourself otherwise," she spoke.
"What? N-no, you're wrong!" Naruto accused, glaring at the woman.
"I'm not wrong," she said as absolute.
Yet Naruto couldn't take that.
Everything about the woman infuriated him. From her scarlet eyes, her cherry pink hair, and her high-pitched voice. Her touch, her pale skin, her word… but the thing that he hated the most was that expression across her soft lips.
Oh, how he hated that look!
And so, he struck out.
Faster than any of them could imagine he grasped upon the aged vampire's neck.
Holding her up off the ground, saying, "Don't you ever; Say that again!" He spoke in a demonic tone, as his crimson eyes formed into harsh slits.
Even Krul was surprised, not expecting this level of power from such a recently turned vampire. Especially considering the fact that his body had already been pushed to its limits, suffering at the depths of harsh waters as he tossed and turned into this very cave.
That thought made her smirk even more, just how powerful would he become? She was giddy.
But even still; she couldn't allow such defiance within her pawn.
Pushing back, the high-ranked vampire grasped onto the young Uzumaki's wrist. So much so that his grip lighted to the point she could break herself free.
Naruto was helpless to stop her, he couldn't. It was as if this woman were as strong as Tsunade herself—No, possibly stronger!
Yet she still held that angering look upon her face.
"Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant, you can't deny the truth," she told him, turning away.
He tried to get up to leave, but it seemed his body stopped him.
"When I found you you've already sustained a great number of injuries, I've tried to help when I can but it will still take a while for your body to naturally heal." She called out," It's best if you stay there for a while, I will return shortly," the girl told him as she left.
Leaving Naruto to think about what the girl said.
He still hated her, though.
She was wrong.
End Chapter.
An: Okay... so I've thought a lot about how I want to take this story. Different directions, different motives, and overall, just a lot of things that I eventually threw out.
But, at this point, I have a more concrete idea. And, as right of right now, the most major change is the introduction of another character, Fuu, and someone who will play a main character role in the story.
What that role is will be revealed in the future.
We also see a bit more of Naruto's and Krul's initial interaction, and just how well he takes to becoming a vampire. We should see more of that in the next chapters.
And although this story shouldn't have too many flashbacks, it will have some detailing Naruto's time with Krul. And explaining just what happened with the two.
Naruto will also return back to Konoha, but whether he will stay there is anyone's guess.
Stay turned to see more, or if you have a suggestion on what should happen in this story, please send them.
Sorry if this chapter felt a little rushed, I was really just trying to get this out there so this story wasn't sitting around for another year.
Next Chapter: Naruto's return to Konoha, where past feelings are revealed.
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