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Disguised Curses	By : Raholea Category: Naruto AU/AR > General Views: 2438 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
I loved writing this chapter.... I hope all my readers like it as well. thanks to my beta, Valencia, and Aini, who helps me when my brain decides to be dumb. This chapter is possible because of them. You know the usual. Kyuubi and emphasis

CH 14

Sharp tingles raced through Neji’s body at her words. How did she know, when no one outside his immediate family and Lady Tsunade knew anything about his little secret? “You must be mistaken. I am nothing like... that.” Well, he could try and deceive her- and himself. He had only been able to shift once by sheer will alone and still couldn’t keep conscious through the change. Obviously, she could do both with ease. He vaguely realized his words seemed cruel, derisive. He hadn’t realized the Hyuga “I’m better than you” tone had also slipped through. Therefore he was completely unprepared for the burst of chakra that slammed into his chest, sending him staggering back several steps. His hand crept to his abused ribs. How had she done that without touching him? He hadn’t even seen her move.

He wasn’t surprised to find Naruto pinning the girl against the wall, his chakra flaring dangerously and growling mere inches from her face. But he wasn’t completely at an advantage- her claws were pressed against his throat and belly. She would hurt him vitally before he could really harm her. Neji blinked, about to try and persuade his friend to let the girl go, when Sasuke appeared on the far side, his hands wrapping around Naruto’s body to grasp the boy’s wrists. Muted words passed between the two boys before Naruto grudgingly let the shifter go. Long minutes passed as Neji watched the falcon challenge the fox container, her gaze never leaving his. Finally Naruto just shrugged and collapsed into Sasuke’s body. “I’ll be right back, Gaara.” Both boys retreated toward their rooms, leaving a rather quiet and tense group.

Kimi broke the silence. “My apologies, Kazekage. I wasn’t expecting this situation.” She bowed slightly. “If it is acceptable, I think I will pass on tonight’s formalities.”

“If you think that is best. I will leave your spot at the table open, though.” Neji smirked. Even if she attended nothing else, she’d probably come to the meal. He admired her audacity, challenging Naruto like that, even as he respected her strength. Maybe... No. He wasn’t so desperate as to beg for help. Not for this, not yet. “I hold no grudge. Maybe later we could have a fair match?” A smirk answered him.

“If the Kazekage doesn’t mind us borrowing a training field or some other place, then a spar sounds great. I haven’t had the opportunity for weeks.” She threw a measuring glance over Neji one more time. “Although, I doubt you’ll be a challenge.”

It got the desired, predicted response. Neji stood tall and glared back. “You should never judge an opponent until you see them fight, Kimi- san.” Like he’d done with Naruto all those years ago. He’d learned the hard way about that mistake. He wore his own masks as well- the Hyuga pride, the hidden anger, the cold shell. He really wasn’t the prick he had been when he was younger. “Later. Supper is ready.” Gaara’s voice cut through his musings. Unsurprisingly, it also brought Naruto around the corner, already back to his old self. Well, as much as he usually was.

“Let’s eat guys, I’m starved!!”

Dinner turned out to be a reserved meal, with Gaara and his siblings entertaining the guest ninjas. Actually, ‘entertaining’ wasn’t quite accurate. Gaara spoke softly with Naruto, seated to his left, while Temari tried to play the role of host. Kankurou was lost in conversation with whoever would listen. Sadly, most of the group was withdrawn and tired.

Sasuke kept an eye on the whole table, but his real interest was split between Kim and Neji. He’d never seen anything quite like Kimi’s transformation. Sure, Orochimaru’s curse marks often transformed their carrier into something… not really human, but Kimi was something altogether different. Sasuke didn’t think she was human, originally. At least most of the snake’s experiments had started as being human- however, they didn’t always finish that way. Neji- well, there were a lot of pieces missing to that puzzle. Sasuke wasn’t sure how to figure that one out.

Finally, as the eating declined and the small talk only increased the noted silence, Naruto had enough. Sasuke had noticed his fidgeting for the last several minutes. “Kimi- san, what are you?” His abrupt question silenced what little conversation still remained. Attention rotated to the pair, sitting on either side of the table, several seats separating them so those in the middle had to glance back and forth.

A wry chuckle escaped her. “You jump straight into it, don’t you? I bet that applies to everything you do.” She made a slight gesture with one hand, a shrug almost, and grinned. “It’s no surprise you haven’t met creatures like me before. We tend to stay to ourselves, keep our secrets from the outside world. The only reason I can show myself freely is that I’m no longer bound to my clan. I am free to wander to wherever I can be accepted.”

“Like a missing- nin?” Rogue ninjas often proved not only to be dangerous, but truly deadly. Kimi scowled and shook her head. “More like my clan knew I could no longer be contained. My aerie lives out most of their lives as their animal, not as a human. I wanted to explore my humanity and was willing to leave without their blessing, if I had to. The leaders had little option from me.” Several confused looks met her comment. She sighed. “We lived like animals, beasts. I wanted to know if I could be just as human as you all are. Well, most of you.” She smirked. “I suppose you would call my kind shape- shifters, though I’m specifically a falcon. It is not an illusion, or a jutsu. My body quite literally shares the DNA of both a human and a bird. I can assume either body at will. Shifters who are strong enough can do a partial change, but it’s energy burning, potentially hazardous, and risky. For me and my clan, and others just like us, a partial change means being able to use our wings while maintaining the human body. It’s considered the second most challenging thing to learn as an avian.”

“What’s the first?”

“Why are you here?”

Both questions came from different directions at the same time. Kimi held up a hand. “My presence is a matter that the Kazekage needs to know and no one else does. Same goes for my intentions and plans.” She tilted her head, looking for the other question’s source. “I’m afraid I can’t reveal too much of my aerie’s secrets. We are, after all, kept away from the other worlds for a reason.”

“I’m afraid they won’t quite understand the sentiment, Kimi. I think the only other person that may understand would be Naruto, for he and I were considered outcast due to our nature.” A fact, but Gaara’s voice had a calm it had never held for this subject. Being jinchuuriki- or demon vessels, in essence- had left both boys kicked out of the social venue for quite some years. If anyone could understand being separate from the rest of the world because of what they were, it would be this pair. But still, looks ranging from confusion to surprise curved around the table. Naruto looked gloomy, remembering the past and sympathizing about how extreme differences tended to cause judgmental rifts. “I’m sorry.” Gaara whispered the words, trying to wipe the sadness from his friend’s face. Naruto shrugged.

“I think I’m going to head back to my room, Gaara. It’s been a long journey.” He rose and waved cheerfully at the table. “Night guys! I’ll see you in the morning.” A quick round of responses and then Kimi called out last. “Rest well, Naruto- san. Maybe we can talk more later?”

“Sure.”

****

Naruto sat on the bed in his allotted room, knees drawn up under his chin, brooding. It was something he only did in private, and seemed to occur more and more often lately. He’d been having issues controlling his mood and reactions, ever since the last attempted integration of Kyuubi. Tonight he was tired, sick from childhood memories, and lonely. But as much as he needed someone, he didn’t want just anyone there. He was safe in his private hell, where no one and nothing could reach. Well, one thing could.

“I can’t take back those memories, kit. I can’t change the past.” Naruto turned in the corridor of his mind, facing the caged demon. He still didn’t understand the fox at times. “I know, Kyuubi. But sometimes it still sucks, you know? People treated me like I was actually you.”

“The one who sealed me should never have done so. It was foolish and risky, and you’ve suffered for it. I can’t truly be myself like this.” A huge furry tail slid through the bars and Naruto grabbed it, almost cuddling with the warm length like little kids did with stuffed toys. “Have you regretted our merging? It makes you even more outcast than you were before.”

“I’m used to it now. I know how to deal with the harsh looks and comments. I can survive on my own if I have to.” Clear blue eyes met the fox’s red glare. “But I have friends now, that are still here regardless of what I am. And you watched over me even when you didn’t like me.” A snort rang out above his head. “Don’t be too quick to say that I really like you, kit. I learned that working with you wasn’t a bad thing.”

“So now I’m an unwelcome tool?” Anger radiated off him and he threw the tail from his body. “Did we ever truly need each other, Kyuubi, or have you just been using me?”

The demon stalked away from the bars of its cage. “We use each other, pathetic little human. You would have died long ago without me. And I would have likely been a tool otherwise, even if I had stayed free for just a few more years. I’m not blind to what all could have happened.”

“Akatsuki...” Naruto knew the fox could have been captured and used by the rogue group. The thought depressed him. Too many emotions running through his mind right now. “One last question, Kyuubi. Why am I so emotional lately, so moody?” He heard the fox pause, then settle just outside of his range of vision.

“Your body has changed, your appearance, your speed, and other such things have all taken at least a minute difference from our most recent merge. Your psyche has not been untouched through this. Your human mind and instincts don’t know what to do with the influence from me.” A sinister chuckle crept from the darkness. “I am a creature of instincts and sensation. I am a being used to great power that was abruptly cut from most of it. This last time left a mixing of our emotions, needs, instincts. If you can survive this and stay physically and mentally intact, then you can use this to your advantage. You can become an unstoppable force.”

“I’m not taking over the world, if that’s what you’re up to. I’m not that overly ambitious.” Remembering the dinner he’d just left, Naruto tried one last question. “What do you think of Kimi?”

A low sharp growl came from the fox. “Let me think about this new person, kit. Someone has need to speak to you outside. I think your Uchiha is pounding on your door.” With that Naruto got kicked out from his spot before the seal in his mind. He didn’t get the chance to correct the demon’s wording before he sighed and called out. “Who’s there?” He so didn’t want to bothered by anyone.

“Sasuke.” He heard the door creak open just a bit. When had he given permission for the bastard to come in? “You shouldn’t mope like this, dobe. That’s my job.” Sarcasm and jokes out of the Uchiha. Did his day just improve or get drastically worse?

“Leave me alone. I need to be alone right now.” The edge of the bed creaked. Damn his smug audacity.

“You may want to be alone, but you really don’t need that. You need to remember you have people that you can count on. You taught me that.” Naruto looked up finally. That soft- dare he say gentle?- voice wasn’t the Sasuke he knew. The last living Uchiha stared back into blue touched flames and sighed. “When you decide to face the world again, Naruto, I’ll be in my room.” He rose, hesitating at the door before closing it behind his back.

Why was it when he finally got the solitude he wanted, he only felt worse?

____

A/N: Yes, slightly depressed Naruto. He's human, he has those moments. Get over it. Reviews are my icing for my storyland cake, they eagerly welcomed. Thanks to my reviewers. Sneakyfox, I hope I can keep your in anticipation. it's always nice to know a reader enjoys my writing and comes back for more. To everybody else... REVIEW!!! *puts on puppy eyes and begs* and if anyone cares, I'm updating my other story this week. *snickers* my poor story characters.....
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