Red Howling
Naruto / Other Fusion
By Perfect Psionic Soldier
Disclaimer: I do not own the various anime/manga thingies. The respective
creators do. (I just pretend their mine ~_^)
Before you read on please note that some of this story and or wordings may not
make sense to you but please bear with it, as it will become clearer as the
story progresses from chapter to chapter.
If you have any questions that weren’t answered however, then please send me an
email, address given at the Author’s Corner, and I will answer them to the best
of my abilities.
Note: This takes place after volume 22+. Which means that I’m pretty darn far
into the series and I hate it cause I can’t get
enough!!! So there are spoilers and the personality of the character Naruto is
going to be changed as I more or less implement other anime stuff into this
series! I like it! But that is just my opinion… Hope you Enjoy.
<("<) <( " )> (>")>
Author's Corner- First!
Hey Merry Xmars! Ahahahah, XMArS I say!
This is just a teaser thingy, and since I felt kinda bad about doing nothing
but thinking up new fic ideas, itsa bad habit, im sorry, but I do work on my current fics, every now and
then, so this is a teaser that no one knows about, not my editors, not me or
even you! Even though you read it already...
Well please hold on the reviews as this isnt a
complete chapter, its like only half and I feel that I left it off at a good
point! ^_^
I hope to release the second half soon! May the goddess praise my work and give
me lots and lots of good luck!
Well enough of this, I talk/type/not write enough... so yea, food is almost
ready, but anyways, Merry Christmas and send me 1)Slaves
(With warrenty!) 2)Candy 3)Cash! 4)Souls!
Always good to have a few spare ones!
I dont do half releases, but since its is Christmas
and I feel like I should do something... I give your a half release! So enjoy this and may you all bask in cliffhanginess as I didnt get
enough of anything, souls/candy/slaves/cash. No. All I got was Annoying friends
who bug me to "Update!" or "Faster!" bah.
As to the rest who have given me good reviews, I give you... the pleasure of
reading this half a chap!
Lates all! Until The actual release (This is a 50%
release...)
Version .50
***
Chapter 02
Title: Chapter Two
The small house was silent
except for the rhythmic sounds of strong fists striking quickly at the air. There
in the center of the kitchen was a person following through with his morning
physique.
A young man with blond hair
stood shirtless as he preformed his morning exercises. His fists pounded
against the small space of air before him, hammering it relentlessly as he
continued the rhythm of his strikes, keeping it at a constant pace as he
focused solely on a single strike at a time, though his fists quickly hammered
the air.
His attacks were quick and
deft, creating the most impact with the least movements. He had trained himself
to recognize the workings of his body so that it could co-exist with his mind
and soul. For only when they were one could he ever achieve
the right to walk down the path of warriors that his half memories hinted at.
Finishing his punches with a
final double strike with both fists, Naruto straightened his body as he drew
his arms to his side. He held the pose for a mere few seconds before he allowed
his body to relax while beads of sweat trailed down his body.
He wasn’t by any means lean or
muscular, but at least he was fit and able. With a sigh, Naruto turned his
thoughts inward while he checked his mental list of exercises. Crossing off his
final task, a three hundred punch set, Naruto heaved a sigh of relief as he
realized that he was finally finished.
Walking off to the kitchen
table, he picked up his cool glass of apple juice and downed it in a few gulps.
Moving to the sink, he simply rinsed the used glass and set it on the dish rack
to dry.
Returning to the kitchen table,
he grabbed the simple folded parchment and unfolded it. What was written on the
paper, were the names of three people and their portraits.
Laying it down on the tabletop, Naruto scanned the faces and names of his new
comrades as he started to pull on his jacket.
Scanning the first face showed
a lazy looking man with his forehead protector drawn over his left eye as his
lower half of his face was hidden from view under a mask. The name Hotoko Kakashi was written under the portrait.
The second person was a young
man with a cold and calm expression. He looked kind of cool with what seemed
like a self-assured attitude. Neck length hair was about the only thing
interesting to look at in the picture, expect for his dim smirk and what looked
like intelligent eyes. The young man’s name was Uchiha Sasuke.
The final person was a young
lady with pink hair that went beyond her shoulder. She had what looked like a
slightly big forehead and she had her forehead protector placed on top of her
head, like a hair band of some sort. She had a look of an innocent girl with
both happiness and confidence tugged at the rims of her eyes. Her name was Horiono Sakura.
A gentle knock on the door
reminded him of his appointment. Looking at the picture was good enough, he
guessed, but meeting them in person was most likely better.
Folding up the piece of paper
and tucking it into the inner pocket of his jacket, Naruto then zipped up his
front halfway as he went to put on his shoes. Taking a final look around the
place he had learnt to call home, he then opened his front door and locking it
behind him, leaving to meet the people he will come to call teammates.
***
Tsunade sat at her desk as she
allowed Jiraiya to read over the recent reports of another small team recently
killed, however this team was comprised of four Anbu. The four were killed in
neutral territory, not even ten minute away from Leaf’s borders.
It seemed that the four were
killed through physical combat and were finished off by a strong taijutsu. The imprint of the attacker’s fists was marked on
the bone structure at vital points. They apparently stood no chance.
If it wasn’t for the fact that
a small team of Jounins that were returning from a recently completed mission,
the four might not have been noticed at all.
Setting the report on the desk,
Jiraiya frown as he scanned the first few words again. “This is a bad sign.
Especially since
With her hands clasped before
her and elbows resting on the desk, Tsunade let loose a sigh as she lowered her
head onto her hands. “I know, I know. But what irks me is that those four were
experienced shinobis. They must have known better
then to stay and fight.”
Jiraiya found himself nodding
at the Fifth’s words. He knew the four that died. They were anything but stupid
and were in the superior B class, elites in their rankings. Not quite Jounin
but very close.
“Then there are the three chuunins that were killed in another village…” Tsunade
added in as she plopped her head onto her desk.
“So there is potential for yet
another plot against our village. We must seem like ripe picking, especially so
now as we barely have 60% of our forces active, meaning every ninja in the
village is doing something… the other half dead…” Jiraiya stated as she
finished the calculations in his head but he also knew something else. “Its
Naruto isn’t it?”
Raising her head in slight
surprise, Tsuande frowned momentarily before she
nodded once. “Yea. He’s now awake, but he is
completely different.”
Raising an eyebrow, Jiraiya
couldn’t resist. “Different?”
Nodding once again, Tsunade
explained. “Naruto woke up roughly a month ago, his
condition went from the hopeless one that you left five weeks ago, due to an
assassination mission, to miraculous recovery. However, he doesn’t remember
anything prior to the age of thirteen, and only the first seven to eight years
are remembered clearly. He has regressed back to his original personality. Or
that’s what Ibiki Moriono says at any rate.”
Jiraiya nodded as he took in
the new information. “Heh that kid should know. He is a master at psychological
warfare along with that torture and interrogation stuff. He has got some odd
hobbies while growing up, but other then that, how is Naruto doing physically?”
Tilting her head, Tsunade let
loose a wry grin. “He came out of that coma in an unusual fashion, he is
stronger physically then when he went in… He can move faster, is stronger and
has a far better stamina then ever. I also heard that after he came out of his
coma he went directly into training. My Anbu said that Naruto is far stronger
then he was eleven months ago… and… there is something else…”
“Something else?” Jiraiya asked
with a raised eyebrow that quickly expanded as his face went white with shock
with what Tsunade stated next…
***
Naruto stared at the afternoon
sun as he trailed after his Anbu escort. The world was bright outside. It never
ceased to amaze him it seemed. He always found himself staring that the scenery
in awe, as though he had been away in a desolate land for so long that life
like this was almost unimaginable…
Shaking his head, Naruto
momentarily felt images cloud his eyes. Places here and there. Everlasting
scars of countless battles marred the desolate land. The images brought forth
feelings of longing as his heart yearned for what he felt was… was… was… home?
Shaking his head once again,
Naruto took a deep breath as the images faded. His heart
slowing down to a gentle rhythm as he reviewed what he had seen. Why did
his heart yearn for that desolate place? Why did his mind call it home? Why?
Looking up, Naruto blinked as
he noticed that his Anbu guide had stopped and was currently looking at him
expectantly.
With a reassuring smile, he
instead shrugged off his thoughts and worries as he moved forward. If it were
something important, then he would remember. There was no point in making his
guide wait anyways. After all, he had plenty of time, right?
“Are you sure?” Jiraiya stated
in wide eye shock. “The seal is gone?!?!”
Tsunade nodded solemnly as she
locked her gaze with his. “I am positive. I did a few tests with the more
specialized Jounins and its all been concluded. Naruto has lost the seal that
withheld the Nine Tails Fox Demon…”
“But how can this be!” the senin asked in shock and frustration. “No one should be
able to undo that seal unless they know how to also perform it. It took the
Fourth ten months to even master that sealing method…”
“I don’t know. We all don’t.
For the entire duration, Naruto was placed under strict surveillance and move
to the outer detention center. Other then a few jounins,
elite Anbu, you and myself, we should be the only ones with the information
about Naruto.” Tsunade answered in a tired voice. She had been very busy as of
late. It had been barely over a year and it seemed as though everyone wanted to
pick on her village…
There was a knock on the doors
and with a prompt answer, the doors opened and allowed the person in. The two
legendary ninjas looked up to see who had entered.
Walking in at a leisurely pace
was a ninja wearing a facemask while he had his left eye covered with his
forehead protector. Stopping in front of the desk, his face lit up in a small
smile. “You summoned me, Hokage-sama?”
“Yes, yes I have. Do you have
any idea why?” Tsunade asked as she got up from her desk and shuffled around a
few pieces of paper.
“Uh… could it be about Naruto?”
Kakashi asked as he remembered hearing something about his young student as he
passed the hallways. Something about being awake for some
time now.
“Exactly.
I guess you heard it shortly after you returned. Naruto is now awake and you
have to know a few things. First is that he has changed and has almost no
recollection of the last three years of his life. He doesn’t really remember
anything before his first genin exam and that was a
long ways off.”
Blinking, Kakashi simply
nodded, as he was unsure of what to make of the information. He was glad that
his student was all right, but hearing that Naruto had amnesia was something of
a disappointment.
Was Naruto even to be
reassigned to him? Or was he going to be placed in a special training camp to
relearn lost knowledge? But then again, it was Naruto, maybe lost uhhh… blinking, Kakashi cautiously wondered what Naruto
would relearn, other then a few jutsu and kage bushin, there wasn’t much
that Naruto knew…
“He is being reassigned to
you.” Jiraiya stated bluntly as Tsunade searched around her desk with a slight
frown. “He might remember things more clearly if he is by his former teammates. And there is something else.”
“Something
else?” Kakashi asked as he raised his one visible eyebrow.
“If what I hear is correct,
Naruto has regressed mentally, meaning that he will act differently and see
things differently. I was told he has regressed back to his original
personality. So don’t be too surprised if he acts in a completely different
fashion.” Jiraiya concluded as Tsunade gave her desk an evil glare, her hands
quickly flipping through a rather large stack of papers.
“Another
thing. Though we don’t know how…” Jiraiya said in a serious tone,
catching Kakashi’s full attention. “Naruto no longer seems to have the seal on
him anymore, meaning that the fox demon could already be free. Though nothing
has happened, be cautious. He went into the coma as Naruto and came out
differently…”
Kakashi’s eyes widened but he
kept his mouth shut. If Jiraiya and Tsunade, two of the legendary ninja’s
didn’t know, then it was safe to guess that most shinobis
wouldn’t have a clue either. The following missions with Naruto could be more
dangerous to themselves then not. But what Jiraiya said at the end bothered
him. “Differently?”
“He might have come out
stronger then when he went in. How? I honestly don’t know, but be sure to keep
a closer eye on him.” Jiraiya finished as he scanned the paper piled desk that
Tsunade was currently digging through. He didn’t know what she was looking for
and he felt like he didn’t want to know…
“Naruto is going to rejoin the
team today at your usual meeting spot. One of my Anbu is currently escorting
him to the location and I have no doubts that the rest of the team is already
on there way to go waiting for you. So you are dismissed. You are to continue
with your current mission today, Naruto’s presence is irrelevant.” Tsuande stated busily as she rummaged through her third
stack of papers.
With a respectful bow, Kakashi
turned to leave and Jiraiya was about to get up when Tsunade clamped her hands
onto his shoulder. “Now you, frog boy, are going to help me sort these out,
lest I tell the women folk of Konoha that your in town, again. Let’s not have a
repeat of last time, eh?”
Thinking back to the last time
the women knew of his presence, Jiraiya smiled faintly and nodded. “I’d love to
help you, Hokage-sama.”
With a bright and cheerful
smile, Tsunade made a cut in the air and sweeping her hand across the left side
of the desk, towards Jiraiya. “Good! This half is yours!”
Closing the door, Kakashi
couldn’t help but smile. He remembered the last time the women knew that
legendary senin was around. They started an
Anti-Lecher campaign and began a village wide manhunt. Jiraiya had then quickly
left on an important mission the hour after the women began their campaign.
***
The trees stood steadily
against the wind as their leaves fluttered. The rising sun was still moving
towards
Continuing after the Anbu,
Naruto had his hands in his pant’s pockets as he trailed after his escort. He
honestly had no clue were he was supposed to meet his teammates
but he was glad that someone was showing him the way.
Walking along the park pathway,
Naruto found himself gazing around himself in wonder. Everything seemed to have
a color scheme and this scheme was green. Everywhere
he looked was green. Green grass, green leaves, hack there was green moss on a
few rocks that littered the around the sides of the pathway. No matter how many
times he saw this, it still awed him at the vibrant signs of life that existed
all around him.
He found himself smiling as he
saw a few birds glide by, their wings stiff as they
glided from tree to grass, using their beaks to peck at something, maybe food, or
twig. The sounds of life were hanging in the air as they chirped. There were
even a few squeaks as a furry rodent, he would later remember as a squirrel,
scurried up and down the trees.
Turning his attention back to
the Anbu in front of him, Naruto briefly wondered if the person also felt such
elation at seeing all this life. Or was there some ignorance at the beauty
around them? He knew that some things could be taken for granted, but he also
knew that they would realize the importance of their surroundings if they just
vanished.
Thinking inwards, he wondered
if he himself was taking something for granted. He quickly found himself
drawing a blank. He was admiring the life around him, so he recognized nature. He
never had friends or comrades, at least people that he remembered. And he never
had family, so he had never ever touched the odd bond called love…
Thinking on the subject, Naruto
felt a small bout of depression wash over him, the world suddenly seemed a bit
darker as his cheerful smile wilted to a frown. Love.
What was that? He knew it was something that many people prized and have felt,
but him? Nope. He had never known the heart of family or the touch of even
respect.
The sad feelings then began to
claw at his eyes, making him narrow his view as he continued to wonder what his
purpose here was. Why did he become a ninja? Did he even have goals or dreams?
He felt empty, as though only a
void existed within his body, mind and soul.
But then a memory returned.
The shadowed stranger laughing
with cheer as he performed his newly acquired ‘Sword’ technique. There had been
a smile there, though he never noticed until now. The man seemed to know him,
and… and Naruto’s eyes widened as something dawned on him. The man knew him
and… and…
A memory surfaced. There was a
large circle drawn in the dirt. His body battered and bruised. His position was
that of defeat, his knees on the ground and the only reason he was still
slightly upright was because of his right arm, his left broken and useless. Yet,
before him stood that shadowed figure, a mocking grin on his face, arms
outstretched. “Today you have lost, tomorrow is still yours for the taking.” The
figure stated warmly as he grabbed his good hand and helped him up. They were
warm hands and the man’s eyes… his eyes were filled with…
Breaking out of his trance,
Naruto wiped away a tear as it began to slide down his cheek. He smiled once
again. He remembered those moments, of the many different scenes. Yet they were
all the same, the same victor, the same words, and, and the same eyes. Warm
eyes that held only acceptance and something more…
Looking up at the bright blue
sky bathed under the warm sunlight, Naruto blinked as he gazed at the greenery
once again. A memory… It was a simple memory, yet it meant so much. “I wish to
know who you are…” Naruto stated solemnly as he slowed down for a few moments
to stop a few more tears from overpowering him.
Shaking his head to clear his
mind, Naruto then blinked away the last of his tears as he quickly began to
move forward. His guide was still waiting for him and if his tears were noticed
or not, the Anbu did not give a hint of knowledge nor care.
With his hands in his pockets,
Naruto smiled as he walked under a large tree and crossed through the shade. A
dream... He had discovered one now. He wanted to know the person who was still
a shadow to him. The person that he held in high regards and respect, but most
importantly, this was a person who accepted him.
Though it was for a briefest of
moments, the darkness around him lightened for a moment, and he almost forgot
the void that resided within.
***
The numbness that surrounded
his arms did not change. It never did. Ever since that last battle with the
third, his arms had remained the same. True he had defeated the greatest of the
five kage leaders of the hidden shinobi
world, but the trade off was immense.
He had lost the usage of both
his arms, rendering him almost completely useless. Of course he could still
fight and undoubtedly be on par with perhaps a jounin
or even two, but that was pushing his current limits. Limits that shouldn’t
even exist!
It wasn’t the fact that he lost
the usage of his arms that annoyed him. It was the fact that he had lost the
usage of over ninety percent of his justsus! That
fact alone angered him above all his previous losses.
However, that would soon
change. He would regain his former powers and gain the strength to surpass all
those he previously knew.
Standing in front of a large
stone statue of a giant snake, Orochimaru blinked once as he found himself staring
into the statues eyes. Even from his rather limited knowledge of gems, he found
it easy to identify the blood rubies that were embedded as the snake’s eyes. The
size of most large boulders, the rubies gave off a sinister feeling.
He was tiny compared to the
immensity of this single stone carving. It was painfully obvious that this
statue was carved with the greatest care, even though it didn’t resemble a
snake type that he was familiar with.
For one thing, there were
spikes jetting out along the entire snake’s backside. And its scales had an
unusual pattern to them. They were like triangles with the edges pushed
inwards, forming unique pattern as it stretched across its skin. Though this
creature was made of stone it was flawlessly duplicated.
All around him was strewn
jewels of gold and silver. Piles of coins littered around the statue with
ancient markings on them. The coins were old, very old, but from what period,
even he did not know. But it was safe to say that this statue was around for
far longer then anyone could ever guess.
He had seen this snake many
times. It haunted his dreams with its overbearing voice. It was a powerful
voice that shook with supremacy and left him to wake up trembling.
Set. That was the voice’s name
as he had learnt. And it promised him power in exchange for his loyalty. It
promised vengeance in turn for deaths. He would serve this spirit as he felt
the truth to its words. His arms were promised to be unsealed. All he would
have to do is allow this spirit into his body. He would then gain access to its
knowledge and skills. He would take a step closer to becoming the greatest.
If Set was a summoning gone
wrong, then Orochimaru did not care, nor did he mind. This was a creature that
radiated power from just its Image. Power. This was
true power that he could not claim anywhere else or through anyone else.
All that Set asked of him was
obedience and the usage of his body. Set had shown him a few skills that he
himself did not know even existed! He now had a simple strike that would allow
him to kill an opponent through even a barrier of solid stone. It was extremely
complex but he had mastered it, he had used it on three simple leaf chuunins a few days ago. They were simply obliterated while
he stood three feet away from them. It was so easy.
He knew the truth of Set’s
words and thus began to hunt for the snake’s tomb. His elite aid, Kabuto was
the one to find it and bringing his old body, as Set had instructed, as he now
stood in front of the tomb of Set.
It laid before him now, his old
set of eyes closed in eternal slumber. He had Kabuto bring it and lay it before
him before he was ordered to depart and guard the entrance. They were alone out
here, as the need for the rest of his jounins did not
exist since they were busy preparing for a very special war.
He did not know the reason for
the presence his old body, but he had kept it safely tucked away in a sealed
room. It still existed in case he had need for it again and for his foresight
he was rewarded with its need.
“Young Snake! You have come!” a
voice boomed through the giant cavern as an immense presence smashed into his
body. It took all his will power to not crumble to his knees. Muscles
straining, he finally won as the presence withdrew itself.
Eyes glowing, the stone snake
seemingly looked down upon him. The statue itself felt alive as chakra radiated
from within the snake’s stone body.
Looking up with a ragged
breath, Orochimaru suddenly found himself in a dangerous position. Set’s
presence alone seemed like more then enough power to snuff out his life. He was
suddenly completely sure that even the Manda would have been defeated if Set so
desired while sleeping within the stone statue.
Instead of worrying however, he
stood straight and tall. He was a snake and thus could relate to this creature.
“I have come. And as you have asked, I have brought my original form here. What
do you wish of me, Set?” Orochimaru asked proudly, but humbly as he knew Set’s
displeasure would be profound and deadly to himself. It aggravated him that he
was weaker but he was not so proud as to pass up an opportunity for greater
power.
“You must submit unto me, as
you would have your loyalist servants submit unto you. I am Set, one of the
last of the Seconds. I have slept for centuries within this stone prison,
searching for the perfect master. You young snake have much to grow, but you
are qualified!” Set bellowed as chakra pushed Orochimaru back.
Fighting to stand upright, his
eyes widened in awe at the simplicity of how Set had
pushed him back with seemingly no effort. In the face of Set, he, Orochimaru,
was complete and utterly inferior. And he could become this creature’s master…
a wicked grin began to tug at the edges of his mouth.
As though lit with passion,
Orochimaru cried out in excitement. “What would you have me
do to master your strengths and loyalty?”
“You must submit unto me as you
would have others submit unto you.” Set replied in a calmer voice. “You must
return to your original form, for only there can you claim the strength of
Set!”
“My original
form? But why Set? It is old and dying! My current body is young and
fresh!” the young man challenged as the ruby eyes of the snake glowed once
again.
“Fool!” Set bellowed, his
chakra rocking the cavern and knocking Orochimaru instantly off his feet and
into the far wall along with his old body. “Your current body is youthful, yes,
but it is inferior to the body of your old! You can never have the perfected
unity of body and spirit in the host of another! For only in your original form
can you surpass the limits of the flesh. No others!”
“Then, then what must I do,
Set!” Orochimaru cried in return as he regained his footing.
“You must submit unto me, as
you would have your loyalist servants submit unto you.” Set replied once again.
“What does that mean? What will
you have me do, Set!” Orochimaru screamed in return.
“Kneel before your body of old.
And from there we shall join and begin the process of old. We will become one, young snake and you shall gain the powers of Set. With
that, no one of this world will be able to stand again you, nor kill you!” Set
stated with a calm voice once again as its eyes flashed a crimson red with each
sentence.
Kneeling in front of his old
body, Orochimaru then stared defiantly at the stone statue and cried out. “I am
ready, Set. Grant me the powers that I deserve!”
“As it should
be!” Set bellowed as the ruby eyes cracked and shattered. From the
moment of destruction, the stone statue burst apart as a flow of chakra slammed
into towards the far wall and connected the two bodes, moving one spirit from
one form to the other.
In a flash of light, there was
suddenly nothing in the cavern but melted rock and pools of gold and silver. At the far end of the cavern, stood a single solitary figure.
Standing, the figure then moved
its arms and flexed its fingers before it let out a sinister howl of laughter
as his he focused his chakra to his arm, creating a dark emerald green hue
around his open, yet tense hands.
The laughter deepened into a
crazed frenzy.
***
Silver eyes opened back to the
light. For a few moments, there was no picture, no sound, but a dull soundless
roar as a solid blend of colors shined before him. It
was a blank color, a pure white that showed all, yet
revealed nothing...
In a moments rush, it roared,
the ever-lasting dull sound of a moment. But in a flash, everything came into
focus. The sounds of animals moving and chattering filled the air, the vibrant
flow of the wind caressing the land and the hazy sounds of a waterfall damping
everything around it.
“Good Morning, Master.” A
gentle voice filled his ears. “If you are hungry, there seems to be plenty of
prey around us. Even you could eat your fill here without killing too many of
them.” The voice chuckled lightly as the warmth of the voice’s chakra embraced
his body.
Blinking a few times, Silver
sat up slowly as he felt his body protest in return. Resting his head on his
right hand, he took a moment to focus on his body.
Taking in a deep breath, the
sounds of the air filled his mind for a moment before he released a deep sigh. His
body was more or less currently crippled. Thinking back at what was the
potential cause of his misery, he also wondered briefly what he should eat.
Images flashed before him. A creature of gold, leader of the Shadowed Sun. He
remembered now, his last fight. It was a demon lord that almost rivaled his powers. Or at least did.
Flexing his left hand into and
from a fist, Silver slowly got up as he felt his body protest loudly against
him. He felt the pain course through his body as he slowly stretched.
He was tired.
Looking up at the blue skies,
he blinked as he once again realized how drained he was. He was at his limits,
though the final fight between him and the Golden General was fun it was also
extremely brutal.
His body was barely functioning
as it was and he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it would be months before
he could regain his original strength. His recovery would have been faster but
he was also drained spiritually. There wasn’t enough excess power for him to
carelessly indulge in mass regeneration. It would take weeks if not months as
well to restore his reserves of soul. Even his fox, Lady, one of the greatest
nine tailed fox demons in existence was almost tapped.
He then briefly wondered were he
was as he saw a little furry animal with long ears that stuck upwards and plump
body hop by. With a deft lash of his left arm, Silver simply stabbed his hands
at the general direction of the small creature as the energy of his soul lashed
out and pierced the creature.
It died upon impact.
“I think they call it a
rabbit…” Lady stated slowly to his ear as he walked over to it and examined it.
It seemed edible.
Grabbing the creature by the
back of its neck with his left hand, Silver studied it for a moment and
deciding that he didn’t want to eat it raw right now, he simply held the rabbit
before his right hand as he concentrated.
Within moments pulsating silver
fire formed on his right palm and with a thought jumped onto the rabbit,
engulfing it within its flames as it simply ate away at the fur and skin before
receding into the meat.
“I hope you like it well done
master, I took off the fur.” Lady announced in amusement as her master licked
his lips in anticipation.
Sinking his teeth into the
meat, Silver chewed for a few moments before swallowing the rather tasty
morsel.
Plunking down onto his rear,
Silver found himself staring at the sky as he ate. His fox settled down around
him, her chakra giving her a faint form as he slowly wondered why he was here
in this strange world.
Licking his lips, Silver burped
as he finished off his meal and with a grin and raised eyebrow, began to look
around for another one of those ‘rabbits’.
***
The sun continued to embrace
his body, seemingly wrapping him in both light and warmth. Following his guide
through the village, Naruto found himself walking at a relaxed pace as he
trailed through the many buildings and streets.
He honestly didn’t know were he
was going, but he found that his feeling of contentment under the warm sun was
being continually prodded.
The village itself was amazing,
with its artfully constructed buildings around the living forests. It was as if
the creator of this village had simply taken a large patch of forest, laid down
stone lines and littered building around the busy streets.
All around him was the people
who lived in this village of leaf. He had guessed that they had lived here all
their lives as his memories didn’t tell him of those who came or left. Heck,
his memories didn’t recognize more then two or three faces out of the countless
he had met. But, there was vibrancy in the air that seemed almost apart of the
trees and stones around everywhere, just as he remembered during his younger
years...
However, there was a constant
thing that didn’t seem to have changed since his youth. The cold stares he
remembered still grazed at him with every passing eye. It seemed worse,
actually, since those days. He knew now why he was hated and the people’s cold
gazes seemed to have gotten colder, as if they blamed him for knowing why they
blamed him.
It was with the strength of sun
though, that he didn’t allow their cold hearts to touch him. Oh he knew their
unspoken wish, it was voiced through their very eyes. They
had wished that he didn’t exist, that he was simply a horrible stain in their
lives that would never wash away.
He wanted to… to…
Clenching his teeth, Naruto
tried to suppress his inner desire. He refused to stare them in the eye lest
they knew his deepest wish… a wish that he was rather fond of.
It wasn’t his first time trying
to block out his thoughts in this area. He had grown used to it, as he knew it
would solve nothing. But he still wished for it. For it had been the sole
reason of existence so long ago.
He had changed hadn’t he? Since
those days of old…
He knew that he was missing
most of his memories. Most of the time it seemed as though his memories were
nothing more then someone else’s wish for their existence. If it weren’t for
the fact that he felt he should know more, should strive to find that man who
was cloaked in shadows, he wouldn’t have bothered. In fact he might have given
into his deepest desire…
Taking a deep breath, Naruto
once again tried to ignore that part of his mind, its seductive heeds for him
to listen. To obey, to give into…
His bubble popping, Naruto once
again found that his good cheer evaporated like a warm dream, instantly fading
and leaving him back to the endless cold.
Then there was another one,
another cold stare from a young woman who was smiling but a moment ago. She
passed him without word but her gaze said more then enough.
Naruto quickly found the dark
parts of his mind reaching forward, demanding to be heard.
<Kill them! Kill them all!
That is why I exist! > Wide eyed, Naruto found his hard gaze tracking to the
back of the passing woman, his urge to destroy peaking as his eyes found the
current object of his hatred, and focused…
With one forced, hard blink,
Naruto willed that part of his mind back as he turned his head around. He had
changed since those days of old. He had found a dream and no longer floated
around aimlessly. He had found the dream to work towards, to find the man who
smiled at him with kind eyes…
<Alone! > The faded
echoing voice in his mind stated before it seemed to blink and vanish back to
it’s originated from… the many memories of those cold gazes.
Eyes clear, Naruto found a
small masking smile tug at his lips. He had survived here for longer then he
remembered and he would survive still. He would not harm them without cause,
for they were nothing to him, just haunting memories that simply wouldn’t go
away.
Picking up his pace to catch up
with the slightly distant form of his guide, Naruto ignored the slightly
fearful expression of one young lady who had turned around. Her eye was filled
with fear, as though a wild beast was but for a moment, stalking her from
behind…
***
The
sounds of running water were the first indication that the scenery was still
changing. It was a calm sound as there was no one else around.
Still ever following his Anbu
guide, he found her slowing down as they approached a bridge… a bridge that
tingled the back of his mind and he found himself forgetting everything as… as…
as something nostalgic washed over him.
He found himself walking to the
bridge, his feet moving on its on accord as he forgot everything else.
Moving to the edge, to the side
of the wooden bridge, were there were railing to protect one from falling in,
Naruto found his hands caressing a small area on the top of the rail. His hands
ran along the worm and smooth wood, a faint feeling of recognition wash through
him anew as he found himself lightly hopping up onto the railing, sitting so
that his left leg was lying on its side, his right leg dangling freely.
<I’ve done this before…
sitting here… and… waiting… for something… > Naruto mentally stated as he
found himself staring on what he was sitting on.
The Anbu however, memorized
what had just happened and figured that the Fifth would want to hear about
this. It seemed that Naruto at least recognized his team’s original meeting
place for missions and training. So a complete recovery was not only possible,
but potentially quick if his mind would recognize enough things to jog his
memories back.
With a slight frown that only
the most elite shinobis would notice, the Anbu turned
her masked face towards her trailing charge. “The rest of team seven will meet
you here. I have fulfilled my tasks.” She stated calmly and turned to leave.
“Thank you… for helping me…
and...” Naruto replied a bit shyly. He wasn’t sure how to thank her, so he
decided to be blunt. “And for not showing your hate for me… even though you too
must also despise me, deep down...”
The Anbu had paused for a
moment, when Naruto had started to speak, but she didn’t show any
acknowledgement his words as she simply left, vanishing in a small wisp of
smoke and a rustle in the still air.
There was a moment of silence
after his guide had left. He found that he was slightly happy. True she had
said nothing to him as she left, but his had spoken with his heart, his words
simply the truth. She never once gazed on him with the cold eyes like everyone
else. He could almost feel it however, what she masked behind her cool gaze. She
disliked him as much as anyone else, perhaps more as he realized that it was
many shinobis who died fighting the demon within him…
But, she had shown none of it,
making it easier to be around her. She had never really said anything to him
unless needed, but neither had he ever heard her whisper behind his back, or
even disproval of her always needing to wait for him to catch up to him.
Staring wistfully at where she
was standing but moments before, Naruto found himself
idly wondering were she was going, and what she had to do.
With a slight frown, Naruto
noticed that other people were approaching. It wasn’t just a feeling, but a
collection of senses. The sound of their light steps, the faint voices but most
of all, there was something else, tugging at the back of his mind. It was
unexplainable, but he knew, even without all his other senses, that not one,
but two people were currently walking up this bridge.
Turning around, Naruto felt
confused for a moment as a moment of nostalgia once again wash over him. There
boy with black hair leading the way with a pink haired girl trailing slightly
behind, her voice was floating in the still air.
The moment instantly vanished
as the two people stopped and stared.