Post by Myrdraxxis on Dec 28, 2008 15:22:23 GMT -5
Way of the Blade
Chapter 1
Two figures stood opposite of each other, in the battle ruined Valley of the End. One was covered in fiery red demon chakra, and had a feral appearance. The other looked something from a nightmare, with long hair and two, hand-like wings sprouting from his back.
The feral one growled menacingly.
“Sasuke!” he said in a guttural, unnatural voice. Sasuke gave a wicked smirk and created a Chidori. Naruto growled and formed a Rasengan, pumped with the demonic chakra and glowing a blood red. Both gennins launched themselves from at each other.
Chidori!
Rasengan!
The cries of the two lethal attacks rang across the valley and was soon covered up by the roar of energy. The two met and both attacks collided. A massive explosion ripped across the area, making it impossible to see either boy.
Finally the dust cleared, to show Sasuke standing over a bleeding Naruto. The Uchiha had a crazed grin on his face.
“I did it!” he panted. The tattoos of his curse mark began to recede back into the seal, until Sasuke was normal again. The raven-haired boy glanced down at his rival with a sick sense of satisfaction.
“Dobe.” He spat and turned away from the body. He began to walking, heading to the Rice border. Orochimaru awaited. The one who could give him power to defeat his brother.
The valley was quiet, Naruto’s body left broken and bleeding profusely by the riverbank. A strange silence hung over the valley, as if the battle between the two possessed teens had been a passing moment and life continued on normally.
The silence was broken by footsteps echoing around the valley, as a figure stepped into the wrecked valley. The man was wearing a grey hooded cloak with his face shrouded, and his body concealed. He stepped up to Naruto and bent down to examine him.
“How tragic.” He said, his voice was soft, but hinted that he was a younger man. He stood and examined the surroundings. “Incredible.” He breathed. “These two boys were exceptionally powerful.” The man said. He had watched the fight between Naruto and Sasuke and was needless to say, quite impressed. “This country is truly startling, to produce such youth.”
Suddenly a rasping cough jerked him from his thoughts and to the form of Naruto. The boy was alive!
The man knelt down quickly and examined the boy. “How?” he asked in disbelief. “That wound was fatal.” And yet even as he watched, the wound was closing up. The man watched for a moment before placing his hands over the wound. “I’m no monk, but I still know some healing spells.” He focused, and small runes appeared around the man’s hand. A white glow eminated from the runes lasting for a brief moment before vanishing. When the man took his hands away, there was no trace of the Chidori’s mark.
The man nodded, satisfied. “Now I need to..” he stopped and jumped out of the way and a kunai landed between him and Naruto.
Kakashi and Pakkun arrived to find a stranger standing over the wounded form of Naruto. Kakashi pulled out another kunai. “Who are you?” he growled. The man put his hands up in a placating gesture.
“Whoa there, I was just helping this boy out. He took quite a beating.” He said. Kakashi lowered the kunai, but remained on guard. “Again, who are you?”
“A simple wanderer. I was travelling the area and I came upon these two fighting-“
“You saw Sasuke?” Kakashi interrupted in an urgent tone. “Where is he?” He asked. The man paused for a moment in thought.
“I imagine far from here. He left after he used some sort of lighting attack on the this one here.” He nodded towards Naruto. “Speaking of which, you might want to get him to a hospital. I healed his major wound, but he is still severely wounded.”
Pakkun nodded. “He is right Kakashi. We need to hurry.” The summon said. The man started slightly, not expecting the dog to actually talk.
‘Thought it was just a pet.’
Kakashi was still grasping hold of the fact that Sasuke had actually used the technique that he had taught him on a fellow Leaf-nin. And a teammate! After a moment Kakashi nodded and scooped the gennin up and over his shoulder.
“Right, thank you for helping Naruto, but I must get back to Konoha.” The man nodded.
“Of course. Actually I was headed there myself.” He said casually. Kakashi looked at him strangely.
“Well, I suppose if you can keep up you can come along.” He said. The man chuckled.
“Lead the way.”
And so the small group headed back to Konoha, racing as fast as possible to get Naruto help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsunade was in the hospital, having just finished treating Chouji and Neji. The team had been collected by medics hours ago, but had yet to find Naruto. Tsunade had to suppress her maternal instincts for the boy and work. Both Neji and Chouji were stable and the rest of the team was safe. The slug sannin could only worry about the saftey of her surgate son.
“It will be alright Tsunade-sama.” Shizune said, walking up next to her mentor. Bother were in the main hospital lobby, as doctors and nurses hurried about them. The doors suddenly burst open and Kakashi came rushing in with Naruto in his arms.
“Hokage-sama! Naruto needs treatment fast!” he said, setting the boy down. Tsunade rushed over, an icy feeling of dread forming in her stomach.
“What happened?” he demanded and she ordered for a gurney. Kakashi looked drained.
“He caught up to Sasuke. They fought and Sasuke won.” He said sadly. Tsunade sighed.
“Do you know where he is now?” she asked. The jounin shook his head.
“Probably already out of Fire Country and into Orochimaru’s clutches.” He said with defeat. Shizune rushed over with a few nurses and took Naruto, heading to the operating room.
Tsunade let them go. She would join the shortly. As much as she wanted to help Naruto, she was a kage first and foremost. She turned back to Kakashi and only then noticed the cloaked figure standing silently next to him.
“And who is this?” she asked. Kakashi turned to the man.
“Ah, this is…..” the man took a step forward.
“I am known as Zenku. Zenku Ryuuken, Hokage-sama.” He said. Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the strange name.
“And why are you here, Zenku-san” she asked. Kakashi stepped forward.
“I found him with Naruto, Tsunade-sama. Apparently he healed Naruto some.” The white-haired jounin explained. Tsunade turned back to Zenku.
“Did you?” Zenku nodded.
“Yes, I did. I watched the two boys fight. Quite something.” Zenku said, glancing around the office. Tsunade frowned.
“I am thankful to you for saving Naruto, Zenku-san, but I am curious as to where you are from?” she inquired. Zenku grimaced under his hood.
“With all due respect, I’d rather keep that to myself.” He said. Tsunade frowned.
“I’m afraid that unless I know where your allegiances lie, I cannot let you stay in this village.” She said sternly. Kakashi moved in front of the door. These situations could get messy. Zenku shook his head.
“I assure you Hokage-sama, my home is no threat to you, nor am I. I am just wandering around, hoping to have shelter here for a few days.” He said evenly. A silence hung in the air as the kage and man stared at each other.
“Very well.” Tsunade said finally. “But I will have ANBU surveillance on you so do not try anything.” She said. Zenku merely nodded in agreement. The blond kage ran her hand through her hair, sighing for the millionth time that day.
“I need to go help Naruto. I want to speak more of this later in my office. Kakashi, help Zenku-san find a hotel and then get a mission report prepared.” She ordered and left the two men in the lobby.
Kakashi turned to the traveler. “Well let’s get you settled in then.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto opened his eyes weakly, then shut them again as light blinded him. He groaned and opened then again, taking stock of his surroundings.
‘White walls, white sheets, uncomfortable bed…..yep I’m in the hospital.’ He groaned again and sat up. He was alone in the room with some minor medical equipment set up. He could hear nurses rushing around outside. Nobody came to check up on him.
‘They’re probably hoping I die from injury.’ He thought bitterly. He suppressed his dark thoughts and tried to recount the events in the valley. His eyes widened.
‘Sasuke!’ Naruto remembered the Uchiha fighting him, and apparently defeating him. ‘I….couldn’t bring him back. I couldn’t keep my promise.’ He thought hopelessly. He jerked out of his thoughts at the sound of someone entering his room.
“Ooba-chan?” he asked weakly, as Tsunade walked into the room, clipboard in hand. She twitched in irritation at the boy’s name for her, but it was quickly replaced with relief. He was alive. Her little brother was alive! She walked over and embraced him in a large hug.
“Don’t ever scare us like that again.” She said in a motherly tone. Naruto was gasping for breath, crushed by Tsunade’s monstrous strength.
“B-baa-chan! Can’t breathe!” he choked out. Tsunade quickly let go, muttering a quick apology. Then she noticed the downtrodden expression on his face. She frowned.
‘That fight must have gotten to him. From the sounds of it, Sasuke was like a brother to him.’ She put a hand on his shoulder.
“Listen…Naruto. It isn’t your fault that Sasuke got away. I shouldn’t have sent Gennin on a mission like that.” She said, hoping to console the boy at least a little bit. Naruto looked up and Tsunade found herself staring into eyes that held far too much pain and loss for a teenage boy to possess. She flinched.
“It is my fault Baa-chan.” He replied sullenly. “You gave me a mission and I failed. I failed to bring Sasuke back.” He repeated the words, as if trying to somehow grasp the deeper meaning behind them. His teammate was gone. He had betrayed the village. He had betrayed Naruto. “May I leave now?”
Tsunade looked down at her chart, trying to hide her sad frown. “Yes. From the looks of things you have made a miraculous recovery. I guess we have the Kyuubi to explain that.” She said, noting how Naruto flinched when she mentioned Kyuubi. “You may gather your items and leave.” She said, turning to leave. “But I want a mission report in my office by Thursday.” She said and left the small room.
Naruto sat alone for a few more minutes before sluggishly gathering his clothes and leaving.
On the way to his apartment, Naruto noticed the villagers glaring at him. That was nothing new, but their eyes held a new sort of emotion.
Accusation.
“There’s the little bastard that made Uchiha-sama leave!”
“I bet he tried to kill him.”
“Demon probably ran the Uchiha away.”
Naruto tried to shut his ears to the whispers, but each remark cut him in a way no knife ever could. He dashed towards his apartment, past the villagers and their hatred.
Once he was safe inside his small abode, Naruto threw his belongings carelessly and crashed on his bed. He stared at the ceiling for hours, as events replayed in his mind.
‘Sasuke…why’
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning met Naruto in the same mood as the day before. The boy stared out his window glumly for a while before rising. He figured that, with a teammate gone there wouldn’t be any missions for a while. So Naruto grabbed his gear, got dressed and headed out to train.
He passed through the village, trying to ignore the barbs, insults and hateful glares of the villagers. He would have been fine, had he not seen someone quite familiar.
“Sakura-chan?” he asked. The pink-ette was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, a blank expression on her face. Naruto frowned.
“Look…Sakura. About Sasuke I-“
SLAP!
Naruto stood there for a moment, stunned by the force of the slap. Sakura was glaring at him now, a hand still outstretched.
“How dare you let Sasuke leave!” she yelled, drawing attention from passing people. Naruto raised his hands in defense.
“Sakura-chan I tried..”
“Don’t call me that!” she screamed at him. “You promised me! You promised you would bring him back!” the girl said, tears streaming down her face. “I hate you Naruto! You never could do anything right you…you..Demon!” She slapped him once more and then ran off, crying pathetically. Naruto just stared at the space that she had occupied, barely aware of the world around him.
He could practically feel his heart shattering as he gingerly touched his stinging cheek. Her hatefull words echoed through his head over and over.
A villager walked ip to Naruto with a big scowl.
“Yeah demon!” he spat. “How dare you make Uchiha-sama leave!” he yelled. Villagers began to gather and Naruto didn’t respond. People were surrounding him. The man from before stared at him with utter hatred.
“You drove away Uchiha-sam! You little bastard!” He yelled, and quickly punched Naruto in the gut. Naruto took the blow full on, gasping for breath. Someone threw a rock at the back of his head, making him topple over, bleeding.
That was all it took. The villagers swarmed on him and proceeded to beat the living hell out of the poor boy.
Naruto just let the pain come, barely staying conscious. He didn’t care. The physical pain was nothing compared to what he was feeling inside.
Bones snapped and blood began to pour. The villagers were so engrossed with their work, that they didn’t notice a new figure approach.
“And just what is going on here?” Zenku asked loudly. Everyone stopped and turned to him.
“We are just taking revenge on the demon brat!” one said. “If you want to join us go ahead.”
Zenku cocked his head. “Really? I see no demon here.” He said. To a normal person his tone was casual and lazy, but to a trained professional, there was murder in his voice.
A man scoffed. “Oh yeah? Demon-lover.” He spat. “This boy is the Kyuubi in disguise. He butchered our families and friends!” the man shouted. Several shouts of hate punctuated the statement.
“I think you should leave. Now.” Zenku warned.
“Go to hell.” The others roared in agreement. Zenku sighed.
“Is that your final answer?” The man spat at him in response. “Very well. May Grenth have mercy on your souls.”
Before anyone could question the odd statement, a villager at the edge of the crowd suddenly dropped dead. The others looked at the body in surprise. Then another dropped. Then another. The villagers looked back up to Zenku standing in a fighting stance, with two knives in his hands.
Both were covered in blood.
“H-how?” someone stuttered.
“Monster!” another shouted. Zenku just grinned and suddenly disappeared in a cloud of shadow. Then he was among them, dancing in between the bodies, killing instantly. Villagers dropped like flies. Many turned and ran in terror of this strange demon.
Zenku shadowstepped back to his original position, a grim smile look on his face. There was only a small group of villagers left, cowering in fear. Naruto seemed to be forgotten at the moment.
“Get the hell outa here.” Zenku said darkly. The remaining villagers turned and fled. Zenku recognized the man who had addressed him among them. Faster than eyes could trace, Zenku drew a throwing knife and and threw it at the man, burying it in his skull.
Zenku stepped over the bodies until he reached the broken form of Naruto. Zenku winced at the wounds he saw on the boy.
“Poor kid.” He muttered. He picked Naruto up carefully. He noted with surprise that someof the wounds were already healing.
‘Kid…you certainly are a strange one.’ The man thought as he carried the boy down the street, completely ignoring the shouts of horror as people discovered the dead bodies of the road.
“Strange ANBU didn’t stop me…” he mused. Then suddenly five ANBU jumped down in front of him.
“Ah.”
“Zenku Ryuuken. You are under arrest for the murder of civilians. Come with us to the Hokage. Resist and you will die.” The lead one in a Cat mask said. Zenku sighed and nodded.
“But the boy comes with me.” He said. The ANBU hesitated before nodding slowly. They grabbed Zenku by the arms and teleported the group to the Hokage’s office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1
Two figures stood opposite of each other, in the battle ruined Valley of the End. One was covered in fiery red demon chakra, and had a feral appearance. The other looked something from a nightmare, with long hair and two, hand-like wings sprouting from his back.
The feral one growled menacingly.
“Sasuke!” he said in a guttural, unnatural voice. Sasuke gave a wicked smirk and created a Chidori. Naruto growled and formed a Rasengan, pumped with the demonic chakra and glowing a blood red. Both gennins launched themselves from at each other.
Chidori!
Rasengan!
The cries of the two lethal attacks rang across the valley and was soon covered up by the roar of energy. The two met and both attacks collided. A massive explosion ripped across the area, making it impossible to see either boy.
Finally the dust cleared, to show Sasuke standing over a bleeding Naruto. The Uchiha had a crazed grin on his face.
“I did it!” he panted. The tattoos of his curse mark began to recede back into the seal, until Sasuke was normal again. The raven-haired boy glanced down at his rival with a sick sense of satisfaction.
“Dobe.” He spat and turned away from the body. He began to walking, heading to the Rice border. Orochimaru awaited. The one who could give him power to defeat his brother.
The valley was quiet, Naruto’s body left broken and bleeding profusely by the riverbank. A strange silence hung over the valley, as if the battle between the two possessed teens had been a passing moment and life continued on normally.
The silence was broken by footsteps echoing around the valley, as a figure stepped into the wrecked valley. The man was wearing a grey hooded cloak with his face shrouded, and his body concealed. He stepped up to Naruto and bent down to examine him.
“How tragic.” He said, his voice was soft, but hinted that he was a younger man. He stood and examined the surroundings. “Incredible.” He breathed. “These two boys were exceptionally powerful.” The man said. He had watched the fight between Naruto and Sasuke and was needless to say, quite impressed. “This country is truly startling, to produce such youth.”
Suddenly a rasping cough jerked him from his thoughts and to the form of Naruto. The boy was alive!
The man knelt down quickly and examined the boy. “How?” he asked in disbelief. “That wound was fatal.” And yet even as he watched, the wound was closing up. The man watched for a moment before placing his hands over the wound. “I’m no monk, but I still know some healing spells.” He focused, and small runes appeared around the man’s hand. A white glow eminated from the runes lasting for a brief moment before vanishing. When the man took his hands away, there was no trace of the Chidori’s mark.
The man nodded, satisfied. “Now I need to..” he stopped and jumped out of the way and a kunai landed between him and Naruto.
Kakashi and Pakkun arrived to find a stranger standing over the wounded form of Naruto. Kakashi pulled out another kunai. “Who are you?” he growled. The man put his hands up in a placating gesture.
“Whoa there, I was just helping this boy out. He took quite a beating.” He said. Kakashi lowered the kunai, but remained on guard. “Again, who are you?”
“A simple wanderer. I was travelling the area and I came upon these two fighting-“
“You saw Sasuke?” Kakashi interrupted in an urgent tone. “Where is he?” He asked. The man paused for a moment in thought.
“I imagine far from here. He left after he used some sort of lighting attack on the this one here.” He nodded towards Naruto. “Speaking of which, you might want to get him to a hospital. I healed his major wound, but he is still severely wounded.”
Pakkun nodded. “He is right Kakashi. We need to hurry.” The summon said. The man started slightly, not expecting the dog to actually talk.
‘Thought it was just a pet.’
Kakashi was still grasping hold of the fact that Sasuke had actually used the technique that he had taught him on a fellow Leaf-nin. And a teammate! After a moment Kakashi nodded and scooped the gennin up and over his shoulder.
“Right, thank you for helping Naruto, but I must get back to Konoha.” The man nodded.
“Of course. Actually I was headed there myself.” He said casually. Kakashi looked at him strangely.
“Well, I suppose if you can keep up you can come along.” He said. The man chuckled.
“Lead the way.”
And so the small group headed back to Konoha, racing as fast as possible to get Naruto help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsunade was in the hospital, having just finished treating Chouji and Neji. The team had been collected by medics hours ago, but had yet to find Naruto. Tsunade had to suppress her maternal instincts for the boy and work. Both Neji and Chouji were stable and the rest of the team was safe. The slug sannin could only worry about the saftey of her surgate son.
“It will be alright Tsunade-sama.” Shizune said, walking up next to her mentor. Bother were in the main hospital lobby, as doctors and nurses hurried about them. The doors suddenly burst open and Kakashi came rushing in with Naruto in his arms.
“Hokage-sama! Naruto needs treatment fast!” he said, setting the boy down. Tsunade rushed over, an icy feeling of dread forming in her stomach.
“What happened?” he demanded and she ordered for a gurney. Kakashi looked drained.
“He caught up to Sasuke. They fought and Sasuke won.” He said sadly. Tsunade sighed.
“Do you know where he is now?” she asked. The jounin shook his head.
“Probably already out of Fire Country and into Orochimaru’s clutches.” He said with defeat. Shizune rushed over with a few nurses and took Naruto, heading to the operating room.
Tsunade let them go. She would join the shortly. As much as she wanted to help Naruto, she was a kage first and foremost. She turned back to Kakashi and only then noticed the cloaked figure standing silently next to him.
“And who is this?” she asked. Kakashi turned to the man.
“Ah, this is…..” the man took a step forward.
“I am known as Zenku. Zenku Ryuuken, Hokage-sama.” He said. Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the strange name.
“And why are you here, Zenku-san” she asked. Kakashi stepped forward.
“I found him with Naruto, Tsunade-sama. Apparently he healed Naruto some.” The white-haired jounin explained. Tsunade turned back to Zenku.
“Did you?” Zenku nodded.
“Yes, I did. I watched the two boys fight. Quite something.” Zenku said, glancing around the office. Tsunade frowned.
“I am thankful to you for saving Naruto, Zenku-san, but I am curious as to where you are from?” she inquired. Zenku grimaced under his hood.
“With all due respect, I’d rather keep that to myself.” He said. Tsunade frowned.
“I’m afraid that unless I know where your allegiances lie, I cannot let you stay in this village.” She said sternly. Kakashi moved in front of the door. These situations could get messy. Zenku shook his head.
“I assure you Hokage-sama, my home is no threat to you, nor am I. I am just wandering around, hoping to have shelter here for a few days.” He said evenly. A silence hung in the air as the kage and man stared at each other.
“Very well.” Tsunade said finally. “But I will have ANBU surveillance on you so do not try anything.” She said. Zenku merely nodded in agreement. The blond kage ran her hand through her hair, sighing for the millionth time that day.
“I need to go help Naruto. I want to speak more of this later in my office. Kakashi, help Zenku-san find a hotel and then get a mission report prepared.” She ordered and left the two men in the lobby.
Kakashi turned to the traveler. “Well let’s get you settled in then.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto opened his eyes weakly, then shut them again as light blinded him. He groaned and opened then again, taking stock of his surroundings.
‘White walls, white sheets, uncomfortable bed…..yep I’m in the hospital.’ He groaned again and sat up. He was alone in the room with some minor medical equipment set up. He could hear nurses rushing around outside. Nobody came to check up on him.
‘They’re probably hoping I die from injury.’ He thought bitterly. He suppressed his dark thoughts and tried to recount the events in the valley. His eyes widened.
‘Sasuke!’ Naruto remembered the Uchiha fighting him, and apparently defeating him. ‘I….couldn’t bring him back. I couldn’t keep my promise.’ He thought hopelessly. He jerked out of his thoughts at the sound of someone entering his room.
“Ooba-chan?” he asked weakly, as Tsunade walked into the room, clipboard in hand. She twitched in irritation at the boy’s name for her, but it was quickly replaced with relief. He was alive. Her little brother was alive! She walked over and embraced him in a large hug.
“Don’t ever scare us like that again.” She said in a motherly tone. Naruto was gasping for breath, crushed by Tsunade’s monstrous strength.
“B-baa-chan! Can’t breathe!” he choked out. Tsunade quickly let go, muttering a quick apology. Then she noticed the downtrodden expression on his face. She frowned.
‘That fight must have gotten to him. From the sounds of it, Sasuke was like a brother to him.’ She put a hand on his shoulder.
“Listen…Naruto. It isn’t your fault that Sasuke got away. I shouldn’t have sent Gennin on a mission like that.” She said, hoping to console the boy at least a little bit. Naruto looked up and Tsunade found herself staring into eyes that held far too much pain and loss for a teenage boy to possess. She flinched.
“It is my fault Baa-chan.” He replied sullenly. “You gave me a mission and I failed. I failed to bring Sasuke back.” He repeated the words, as if trying to somehow grasp the deeper meaning behind them. His teammate was gone. He had betrayed the village. He had betrayed Naruto. “May I leave now?”
Tsunade looked down at her chart, trying to hide her sad frown. “Yes. From the looks of things you have made a miraculous recovery. I guess we have the Kyuubi to explain that.” She said, noting how Naruto flinched when she mentioned Kyuubi. “You may gather your items and leave.” She said, turning to leave. “But I want a mission report in my office by Thursday.” She said and left the small room.
Naruto sat alone for a few more minutes before sluggishly gathering his clothes and leaving.
On the way to his apartment, Naruto noticed the villagers glaring at him. That was nothing new, but their eyes held a new sort of emotion.
Accusation.
“There’s the little bastard that made Uchiha-sama leave!”
“I bet he tried to kill him.”
“Demon probably ran the Uchiha away.”
Naruto tried to shut his ears to the whispers, but each remark cut him in a way no knife ever could. He dashed towards his apartment, past the villagers and their hatred.
Once he was safe inside his small abode, Naruto threw his belongings carelessly and crashed on his bed. He stared at the ceiling for hours, as events replayed in his mind.
‘Sasuke…why’
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning met Naruto in the same mood as the day before. The boy stared out his window glumly for a while before rising. He figured that, with a teammate gone there wouldn’t be any missions for a while. So Naruto grabbed his gear, got dressed and headed out to train.
He passed through the village, trying to ignore the barbs, insults and hateful glares of the villagers. He would have been fine, had he not seen someone quite familiar.
“Sakura-chan?” he asked. The pink-ette was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, a blank expression on her face. Naruto frowned.
“Look…Sakura. About Sasuke I-“
SLAP!
Naruto stood there for a moment, stunned by the force of the slap. Sakura was glaring at him now, a hand still outstretched.
“How dare you let Sasuke leave!” she yelled, drawing attention from passing people. Naruto raised his hands in defense.
“Sakura-chan I tried..”
“Don’t call me that!” she screamed at him. “You promised me! You promised you would bring him back!” the girl said, tears streaming down her face. “I hate you Naruto! You never could do anything right you…you..Demon!” She slapped him once more and then ran off, crying pathetically. Naruto just stared at the space that she had occupied, barely aware of the world around him.
He could practically feel his heart shattering as he gingerly touched his stinging cheek. Her hatefull words echoed through his head over and over.
A villager walked ip to Naruto with a big scowl.
“Yeah demon!” he spat. “How dare you make Uchiha-sama leave!” he yelled. Villagers began to gather and Naruto didn’t respond. People were surrounding him. The man from before stared at him with utter hatred.
“You drove away Uchiha-sam! You little bastard!” He yelled, and quickly punched Naruto in the gut. Naruto took the blow full on, gasping for breath. Someone threw a rock at the back of his head, making him topple over, bleeding.
That was all it took. The villagers swarmed on him and proceeded to beat the living hell out of the poor boy.
Naruto just let the pain come, barely staying conscious. He didn’t care. The physical pain was nothing compared to what he was feeling inside.
Bones snapped and blood began to pour. The villagers were so engrossed with their work, that they didn’t notice a new figure approach.
“And just what is going on here?” Zenku asked loudly. Everyone stopped and turned to him.
“We are just taking revenge on the demon brat!” one said. “If you want to join us go ahead.”
Zenku cocked his head. “Really? I see no demon here.” He said. To a normal person his tone was casual and lazy, but to a trained professional, there was murder in his voice.
A man scoffed. “Oh yeah? Demon-lover.” He spat. “This boy is the Kyuubi in disguise. He butchered our families and friends!” the man shouted. Several shouts of hate punctuated the statement.
“I think you should leave. Now.” Zenku warned.
“Go to hell.” The others roared in agreement. Zenku sighed.
“Is that your final answer?” The man spat at him in response. “Very well. May Grenth have mercy on your souls.”
Before anyone could question the odd statement, a villager at the edge of the crowd suddenly dropped dead. The others looked at the body in surprise. Then another dropped. Then another. The villagers looked back up to Zenku standing in a fighting stance, with two knives in his hands.
Both were covered in blood.
“H-how?” someone stuttered.
“Monster!” another shouted. Zenku just grinned and suddenly disappeared in a cloud of shadow. Then he was among them, dancing in between the bodies, killing instantly. Villagers dropped like flies. Many turned and ran in terror of this strange demon.
Zenku shadowstepped back to his original position, a grim smile look on his face. There was only a small group of villagers left, cowering in fear. Naruto seemed to be forgotten at the moment.
“Get the hell outa here.” Zenku said darkly. The remaining villagers turned and fled. Zenku recognized the man who had addressed him among them. Faster than eyes could trace, Zenku drew a throwing knife and and threw it at the man, burying it in his skull.
Zenku stepped over the bodies until he reached the broken form of Naruto. Zenku winced at the wounds he saw on the boy.
“Poor kid.” He muttered. He picked Naruto up carefully. He noted with surprise that someof the wounds were already healing.
‘Kid…you certainly are a strange one.’ The man thought as he carried the boy down the street, completely ignoring the shouts of horror as people discovered the dead bodies of the road.
“Strange ANBU didn’t stop me…” he mused. Then suddenly five ANBU jumped down in front of him.
“Ah.”
“Zenku Ryuuken. You are under arrest for the murder of civilians. Come with us to the Hokage. Resist and you will die.” The lead one in a Cat mask said. Zenku sighed and nodded.
“But the boy comes with me.” He said. The ANBU hesitated before nodding slowly. They grabbed Zenku by the arms and teleported the group to the Hokage’s office.
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