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Surreptitious

Summary:

Shadows danced all around him, twirling this way and that as if to gain his attention in a silent song. He knew what it was though and it was no song. No, they prowled as if on the hunt, hungry to devour anything in its path. Naruto welcomed its dark embrace, finding safety hidden behind a veil of lies, just as much as he hated it for having to result to hiding in it.

With how he was secreted away with a mask of lies displayed on his face, always close to those who should be able to see him for what he is, not for what he isn’t, it was a miracle he managed to hide for so long. Sadly, no one can stay hidden forever, no matter how much they wanted to. That saying proved true when intuition became truth, stringing together a disgusting picture. When secrets come to life and old pasts are dragged out unwillingly, Naruto struggles to stay above the waves that crush him.

Luckily, he managed to stumble across a kindred spirit along the way. Together, they fight to swim above all the power-hungry sharks and even darker creatures that lurk below them.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter Text

The night was eerie as the sounds of the village echoed all around him. He paid no heed to it though as he darted between one alleyway and slipped into another, the lights around them getting dimmer and dimmer the farther he went from the village. Soon, he’d be in the forest, where he can easily hide. Or, that was what he was hoping for anyway. He just had to make it there first. With little bruised feet hitting turned over dirt, his breaths came out in puffs, the monsters lurking behind him only gaining speed as he lagged.

He already knew he could never outrun them, knowing long ago that they were just playing with him now but he still had to try.

Spotting the alleyway he's been looking for as it leads out into the forest, he couldn't help but feel relief as he sped up, trying to get there faster. Sadly, he didn't make it as a burst of pain erupted from his back when something hit it, making him go tumbling to the ground. Grunting, he blinks past the dizzying pain, jaw clenched, and tries to get up, the thing that hit him still on his back- in his back. Oh kami, was that a kunai that they threw?

He managed to get his arms under him and push up into a crouch before a kick to the hip sent him sprawling back down to the ground with a wheeze. Letting out a muffled noise of pain, there was suddenly more pressure on his back before the kunai they had thrown was roughly pulled out of him, ripping a whimper from his lips. Dazed, he stared at the wall beside him, tears gathering and falling, breathing erratic. He was pathetic. Couldn’t even save himself.

Pale and shaking ever so slightly, he grips the dirt underhand as he got his bearings back in order, just about to turn and toss it into the ninja’s eyes and make a dash for it, only to be stopped when the same kunai that was thrown at him went through a hand, making him gasp and let out a small cry. Through tears, he glared at the face he could just barely see with the almost full moon illuminated him, his gray locks gleaming as burning gray eyes glared down at him.

“Caught you, Naruto-kun~”


Gasping, Naruto’s eyes flew open, focusing on the chipping ceiling above him. In a split second, he rolled off the bed, an arm slipping under his pillow and grabbing his dull kunai as he went. Falling into a crouch, back pressed firmly against the side of the bed, he scans his surroundings with sharp orbs, mentally cataloging everything. His breathing was faint but fast, his grip on the kunai he held in front of him defensively in a firm hold.

Beaten down dresser on the far left of the room, rusty nightstand beside him on the right with Gama-chan, a small rickety clock that read three am, and a book and pen on top of it, drawer slightly open from him opening it last night to grab his nightcap. The floor was chipped and dented from all the kunai he’s thrown in there and his bedroom door was slightly ajar from being too lazy to close it before he hopped into bed last night. His closet was swung open, a few black shirts on the floor around it with a pair of his orange pants mixed in, his other clothes hung up messily.

Lastly, he was in his pajamas, his sleeping cap askew, and about to fall off. Deftly, he grabbed it, his breathing calming as he soaked in everything with desperate eyes. It was just as he left it, he was in his bedroom, in his apartment, and he was twelve, not seven. The air smelled of only him and he could sense no other chakra close by. Tightly gripping his kunai, he squeezed his eyes shut, keeping his breathing steady. Panic attacks sucked so he’d rather not have one if he could help it.

Remembering the dream, the memory, he shuddered before pushing it away and out of his mind. That was in the past. Soon, he’d be free, be a ninja where not many can hurt him besides enemies, but for now, he needed to calm down and breathe. It took a while to relax and it wasn’t until he felt a sudden surge of warmth envelop him before he really started to, his grip on the kunai loosening. Once he was ready, his breathing leveled enough, he reopened his eyes, looking around once more before standing up, jaw tensing at the sudden pain in his lower back. The room seemed to waver for a moment before settling, making him frown. His head felt light.

Breathing deeply, if not a bit shakily, he pushes that away, it would go away soon anyway, he knew, he just had to endure it for now. Slipping the kunai back under his pillow, Naruto glanced back at the little clock on his nightstand. He let out a sigh when it read three am once more, not changing just because he wanted it to. Looks like today would be another restless one run-on no sleep. Shaking his head, he absently started fixing his bed, skillfully ignoring the dull pain throbbing from his back as he shifted the sheets and tucked in the corners of his tattered blanket before fluffing his pillow and putting it a certain way on the bed as he always did.

Going over what he was going to do today, already crossing out trying to get some more sleep as he wasn’t going to be able to sleep with how high-strung he was, he soon made a mental list. After finishing fixing his bed, he scanned around the room for the third time before starting on his list. He needed to clean anyway and right now was a perfect time. Especially if the academy fell through.

Going to the closet, he starts by grabbing the dirtied articles of clothing, putting them in a pile before straightening out the clothes on the hooks. Grabbing the pile of dirtied clothes then, he walks out of the room and into the living room. Taking a turn, he kicks open the bathroom door, ignoring its bang against the wall, and deposits his pile in the far corner, joining it with a much bigger pile. He didn’t bother flipping on the light switch, preferring the darkness over the light right then. Getting to work on filling up the water basin, he puts a bit of soap in it before grabbing a rigidity board and putting it in the water. Grabbing an article from the pile he set down earlier, he got to work on cleaning his clothes, jaw clenched.

Every time he got one clean, he would hang it up on the clothesline right outside the bathroom window before going back to repeat the cycle. By the time he was done, he could just about see the sun peeking through the horizon, sweat slipping onto his brow. He mentally cataloged it as between five and six. Doing his laundry took forever and it certainly didn't help with his back.

Feeling disgusting from having cleaned for so long, as well as achy, he stood up, glancing down at the basin as he scratched his arm before turning around and going back to his room. Making a beeline for his closet, he snagged a black turtleneck shirt and his usual orange pants, as well as his orange jacket, before going to his dresser and grabbing a pair of boxers. After that, he went back to the bathroom. Tossing the clothing on the stained counter, he wasn’t sure what it was but it looked like stained blood, Naruto was quick to shrug off his clothes. Crouching down, he swiftly washed them as well before hanging them up, just as he had done to his other clothes.

He then went to the dingy little showerhead in the corner. Taking a breath to ready himself, he soon turned on the water and slipped under the spray, washing off any grime as best he could with his little resources. Washing his hair with what limited shampoo he had left, he was quick to rinse it out and wash his body before getting out, shivering and freezing because of how cold the water was. Sniffling, he grabbed his dingy towel to dry himself after turning the water off, walking forward without looking as he dried his hair and face first.

Pulling the towel down, he looked up, only to freeze at seeing his reflection.

Dull blue eyes stared back at him, shadows ghosting in them. Dark bags hung under those eyes with skin that seemed washed out. His hair, while freshly cleaned, seemed to hang limply against him, reaching his shoulders almost, its golden color paler than it used to be. He looked sick if he was honest with himself.

The glass splintered and shuddered suddenly as Naruto pulled his bloody fist away, a harsh breath escaping him. Squeezing his eyes shut, a shiver running through him, he leaned heavily against the counter, head bowed. Once more, a searing warmth was soon flooding through him, whispering comfort that he’s never heard of. Involuntarily, his muscles relaxed at the sensation, making him send a relieved yet annoyed flicker of chakra back. Shaking his head, he got his breathing under control and glanced out the window, swiftly looking away from the mirror.

He had class in an hour. Shaking his head physically, he roughly dried the rest of him off and grabbed his clothes, tugging them on. His back was turned to the now tattered beyond repair mirror the whole time. He had a few things to do before class. Today was graduation day so he had to plan his greatest prank of all. With his jaw set, he got to work gathering the supplies he kept hidden, a determined gleam in his eyes, no matter how faint it was.

He had to keep up the charade one way or another after all. It didn’t hurt either that he took pleasure in annoying the crap outta the ninja and civilians of Konoha.


Grinning, Naruto jumped up the stairs and claimed his usual seat at the back, right beside Sasuke, who took up the window seat. Seeing his questioning gaze, no doubt suspicious of his early arrival, he leans forward, his chin resting on his entwined hands, one bandaged, and flashes him a wide grin as he taps a finger against his mouth.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and huffed, turning away to look out the window after a quick glance at his wrapped hand, ignoring him though Naruto knew it would be easy to gain the raven’s attention if he so wished. He did not though. Instead, he looked out over the classroom, spotting only a few classmates in the room. He really did come early. Maybe he shouldn’t have, that was out of character for him. For Naruto…

Movement caught his attention as the sounds of people flooded his senses, making him snap his gaze down to the door, watching as a group of students filed in. Naruto couldn’t help but notice the double-takes he kept getting but he only flashes his grin at them, amused. If today wasn’t graduation day, he would think of trying to come early more often. Their reactions were funny.

His thoughts pulled him back to what today was then, making him feel a bit jittery and nervous. This time, he had to pass, no matter what. This was his last chance to become an official ninja, to get out of the claws that are dug into him. Absently, he shifts in his seat, rocking himself from side to side to make himself seem excited. Which he was, by the way, but he was also feeling dread as he had an inkling as to what the tests entail and if he was correct, it was highly possible he would fail.

Setting his jaw, his grin stretched just a bit wider. If all else fails, he always has a failsafe.

A sudden screech made him flinch and hunch in slightly, eyes darting to the door. His ears ringed a bit at how high it was, his smile dropping. He saw the rest of the class turning to the door too, quieting thankfully, watching as two girls yelled at each other, pushing and shoving as they entered, voices loud and squeaky like all children’s were.

Naruto couldn’t help but scoot a bit closer to Sasuke, not touching the boy but certainly not taking up the extra space beside him. He already knew where this was going. Naruto could feel a heavy stare on him but he ignored it in favor of grinning up at Sakura and Ino when they appeared at their row, fighting over who was going to sit next to Sasuke.

“Good morning, Sakura-chan! Ino-chan!” Naruto spoke out in cheer, eyes closing with his wide grin. All he got, in turn, was glares though as Sakura finally pushed Ino hard enough for her to stumble back. She was quick to slip into the unoccupied space. “Ha! Take that, Ino-pig!” She yelled, a grin on her face and murder in her emerald eyes as she stared at Ino. Naruto pouted and sat back, arms crossed.

His eye caught Sasuke’s then. Seeing the blank look in them, he smothers a snort and turns away, ignoring the burning glare that Sasuke sent, no doubt seeing his aborted movements. He did not envy his predicament one bit. Sakura shuffled beside him, drawing his gaze back to her as Ino glared but backed off to go sit beside Shikamaru and Choji, said lazy boy peeking out from under his arms and staring directly at him.

Naruto ignored this too. Instead, he flashes Sakura another grin. “Good morning, Sakura-chan!” He repeats.

Sakura just huffs and crosses her arms, leaning back against the bench. She didn’t try to get closer though, nor did she try to threaten him to move, already knowing it was a losing battle. She had tried before and failed and if she tried now, she would fail. Naruto firmly took his seat by Sasuke’s side and never let others sit beside the other male for some unknown reason. Weren’t they supposed to be rivals?

She glares at the boy still, conveying her annoyance. “Morning, dumbass.” She bites out. Naruto just laughs, leaning back in his own spot on the bench, and stretched his arms out in front of him, pushing against the desk they shared. Sakura always amused him with her biting remarks. He knew she never meant them after all and she could get creative when she was particularly riled up. Which he found himself doing on more than one occasion. She was far too easy to rile up.

The door being slid open caught his attention right when he was going to continue trying to make conversation, making him look down to the front of the class. He paused at spotting gray hair as his sensei entered the classroom. He heard and felt Sakura shift a little closer to him, her bubbly chakra wavering slightly before seeming to harden. She did not touch him though, thankfully.

He wasn't sure what he would have done if she had.

Iruka and Mizuki set up in front of the class, a few stacks of papers in their arms. He watched with sharp eyes as Mizuki went forward with a stack and started giving the front row students a small bit of the stack to pass around the room.

His eyes connected with steel gray ones as he watched, making him tense ever so slightly, his breath freezing, the memory from this morning still very present in the back of his mind. Mizuki just smiled at him though, a wicked gleam quickly hidden in his eyes, before turning away. Naruto found it a bit hard to breathe as he continued to stare at his gray-haired sensei as if frozen, his grip on his hands tight enough to turn his knuckles white. He tried to focus on Iruka when he started talking but it was hard when memories kept resurfacing, drawing his eyes back to Mizuki.

What if he attacked suddenly? Threw a pen at him or something? What were his movements?

His side ached, making him flinch away though he was quick to make it seem like he just shifted, leaning forward and more on his right arm, trying to look bored. Naruto sent Sasuke a discrete glare though as the boy pulled his arm away to rest back on the table. Getting a glare in return, he looked back at Iruka with a scowl, ignoring Mizuki now in favor of focusing on the new burning sensation. He was thankful for Sasuke snapping him out of it, even if the raven-haired boy knew of, or at least had an inkling, to his distaste of being touched. Naruto wasn’t sure how he found out but, then again, Sasuke always was the person he had the most physical contact with purely because they fought so much. He summarized it wouldn’t be all that weird if he noticed something off.

Soon, the room was quiet as everyone was instructed to complete the quiz handed out. Looking down at it, his scowl deepened. This was not made up of academy knowledge base questions. He would know, he’s been keeping his books safe and hidden. None of the questions here even relate to what he has learned over the past four years.

A shift at his side had him glancing at Sakura then, only to see her looking at his quiz, a puzzled expression on her face. Her hand shot up soon after. Naruto held off the urge to sigh.

“Yes, Sakura-chan? What is it?” Iruka asks, looking up at her from his desk, Mizuki standing behind him like a shadow.

“Are all the tests the same?” She questions, her eyes burning holes into Iruka’s. Iruka looked a bit puzzled but nodded. “Of course they are, that way everyone has the same knowledge.” Sakura looked displeased then, a frown marring her soft face.

“Then why is Naruto’s different?”

Iruka frowned, standing up from the desk and walking forward. “Different? Everyone should have gotten the same test, and anyway, why were you looking at his in the first place? No cheating is allowed.” He asked, walking up the stairs to their row. Naruto was frowning as he came over, though he dutifully grabbed it and lifted it for Iruka to grab. “I spotted it when it was given to him and took a second look when he pulled it to him, sensei. It looks nothing like mine.” She said, staring up at Iruka. Iruka scanned the page, his lips turning down into a frown.

Silently, he turned around, sending Mizuki a meaningful stare, and went down and grabbed an extra copy of the test before coming back up and giving it to Naruto. He gave the blond a kind smile, Naruto giving a thankful grin in return. “Sorry, here’s the actual test. The paper must have gotten slipped in while I was filing other paperwork. Now then class, back to work! Heads down and pencils out unless there are any more pages like this one?” He said, holding the paper up for the class to see once he got down to his desk. When no one spoke up, he nodded before sitting back down and grabbing his pen.

Naruto looked back down at his test, finding it much easier to understand than before. He then smiled at Sakura, this one a bit smaller. “Thanks, Sakura-chan.” He whispered, grabbing his pencil, and started scribbling the answers. Sakura just gave him a half-smile and got to work on her own paper.

The day went on like this, taking quizzes for different subjects before they switched to physical tests. Luckily, none of the rest of his tests were scammed so he flew through it with ease, answering all the questions with stupid ones or barely correct ones. He had a reputation to uphold after all. The dead last can’t suddenly be smart. There’s no way that’d go over well. Not like he considered himself smart either.

After the physical tests, the students were led back to class and were free to do anything within the rules as the teachers called students in from another room to give them their final test. Naruto was one of the last ones in, just because his last name started with a ‘U’.

Sighing, bored, he perks up when his name is called. Bouncing up, he bounds down the stairs and exits the room, following the last student who got tested. Who, of which, had a headband now. Entering the room the brown hair kid pointed at, he gave Iruka a smile, completely ignoring Mizuki. “Hey, Iruka-sensei! So, what’d we gonna do?” He asks before Iruka could speak, bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement.

Iruka sighed but gave him a smile. “Calm, Naruto-kun,” Naruto did as he said, stilling his body, hiding a shudder, “we will be going over the three main jutsu we taught you. Show me them, please.” Iruka said. Naruto held back a frown, grinning instead, and nodded. Easily, he formed a few hand signs before a puff of smoke covered him.

“Kawarimi no Jutsu!” Naruto yelled dramatically, substituting himself with the log in the far right corner of the room. He looked at Iruka in approval. Seeing the smile, he continued, switching himself back to his previous place in front of them, spouting out the name of the jutsu just as dramatically. He heard a muffled scoff then, making him glance up, seeing Mizuki sneer before his face went blank. Iruka didn’t seem to notice though so Naruto ignored it in favor of signing some more.

“Henge no Jutsu!”

Another cloud of smoke surrounded him. It disappeared relatively quickly, only to reveal the Third Hokage. He smiled serenely at Iruka. Iruka chuckled. “Very good, Naruto-kun! Now then, the Clone jutsu?” He probed, making Naruto drop the henge and shift back, shoulders tense. He flashed another grin. “Right! Here we go! Bunshin no Jutsu!” He shouted, concentrating on his chakra and squashing it as best he could. Another muffled scoff interrupted his transformation though, making him flinch, though it was covered by a cloud of smoke that soon followed.

The smoke was soon gone though, showing what he made as clear as day. Frozen at seeing the clone he made, a sickly thing it was, hardly able to stand and it was washed out as if there was no color. He felt a spike of pain in his chest and held back the sudden tears that wanted to fall. Quickly, he grinned, closing his eyes and shifting his goggles a bit more securely over them. A nervous laugh escaped as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sorry Sensei... I swear I can do it though! I just need another chance! Here! Let me-”

“That’s enough, Naruto-kun.” Iruka interrupted, a frown marring his lips. Naruto froze and frowned, though he could hear his heart pounding in his chest. He- He-

“I’m sorry but you failed. You may leave now. Please call Uzurai Rani in on your way out.” He said, voice sharp. His eyes told a different story though. Naruto hated pity. Scowling, he huffed and turned around. “Yes, Sensei!” He yelled before darting out. He ignored the concerned call of his name and quickly called for Rani, pointing at the room before loitering off.

Exiting the building, he hunched in on himself a bit at seeing all the people chilling in front of the entrance, parents smiling at their children. He felt another spike of pain in his chest and tears threatened to spill. Huffing, he turned away and darted out of the school gates, ignoring the whispers that followed.

He was finding it hard to breathe as he ran, darting between food carts and people before taking shortcuts through the alleyways. He soon came to a stop at a deserted park that seemed overgrown with nature. Stumbling, he leans against a tree at the edge of the park before walking forward and slipping onto a rickety swing that squeaked at the added weight.

He failed. Hefailedhefailedhefailed! His breath sped up, his hands going up and clenching the ropes of the swing. His tears finally spilled over his eyes and fell, only being stopped by his goggles. He allowed himself to mourn then, head bowed and jaw clenched to hide any sounds he made, no matter how faint. His shoulders shook with each sob, his grip on the ropes turning his knuckles white.

He failed. All because he lost concentration for a split moment. Anger soon surged up, mixing with his grief as he remembered the face Mizuki made when his clone became visible. Pure, sadistic, glee. His breath caught before he choked and muffled another sob. That damn bastard!

A rumbling snagged his attention then before warmth was felt through him. He relaxed unconsciously, his breathing coming out heavy and in cuts.

“Breathe, kit. Do not think.” A dark voice whispered, one he had learned long ago only his ears could hear. He did as it said, focusing on his shaky and unstable breathing, his sobs soon turning into heavy and slow breaths. Staring at nothing as he calmed himself, his head feeling muffled and cloudy, dazed, he loosened his grip on the ropes as his body slowly unwinds, slumping into the swing.

‘Kurama…’

Another deep rumble echoed through him, making him feel impossibly safe, though he knew he wasn’t, not here. “I know, kit, I know. Maybe this is for the best though. Remember the failsafe.” He said. Naruto frowned, sluggishly lifting his goggles up to rest on his hair and wiping away the tears that escaped. His face felt drenched…

That was right… Becoming an official ninja was only one option, he knew that, but in his panic, he completely skipped over it. Letting out a sigh, he gripped the rope once more, though loosely. Kicking his feet, he started to swing slightly. ‘You’re right, as usual…’ Naruto huffed, feeling a bit embarrassed now. He can’t believe he just balled his eyes out for not getting a hitai-ate. He felt so stupid now, childish.

“It is alright, kit, we all have those moments,” Kurama whispered, making a small, pleasant, shiver run down his body. He loved Kurama’s voice, how soft it was as if he was someone precious to him.

“You are.”

Naruto scowled. ‘Quit reading my thoughts, bastard.’ He grumbled weakly, cheeks dusting in red. A huffed chuckle wisped at the edge of his hearing, making him squint his eyes. He was laughing at him! ‘Hey!’ He protested, his scowl deepening, brows furrowing.

“My apologies, kit.” He murmured, voice still showing his amusement. Naruto just huffed and turned away, his eyes catching on the old rusted jungle gym. His thoughts drifted back to the matter at hand though. He wasn’t a ninja, not officially anyway. He failed. He failed but he still had a plan. Clenching his jaw, he scanned his surroundings as he thought over his next move. For now, he needs to get back to his apartment and pack what little he has. He couldn’t help but be thankful he set up that prank as it would be a great distraction for his escape. Now, he only had to reset the time on it. Which… What time did he set it again? Glancing up at the sky he tries to think back to earlier today.

A wisp of something feeling decidedly repulsive entered his senses then, distracting him before a familiar scent drafted in. Naruto had no time to react though before there was a grip around his throat and a kunai digging into his lower back, right where it was last stabbed only a day ago.

“Ah, ah, ah, Naruto-kun. Good little boys don’t try to escape their masters like that.” A sadistic voice said right next to his ear. A shiver ran down his spine as fear gripped him, making him suck in a breath, his heart pounding in sudden adrenaline. Mizuki chuckled before harshly biting his ear, making him let out a surprised noise of pain. He felt something warm and goopy slip down the shell of his ear when he let go.

“Got nothing to say, demon?” He asked, tauntingly. After a beat of silence, he sighed. “Too bad then. I had so much planned to say but if you’re not going to speak, I guess we should cut to the chase.” He lamented. Naruto stayed frozen in his grip, not sure how to break it. No one was around to hear his screams and no one would probably come either. He was too weak to defend himself too. He was screwed.

‘Kurama… Kurama, I'm scared.’

“It’s going to be alright, Kit. Just hang on!”

He could feel tears prick but he held them back. It would do him no good to cry now.

Mizuki shifted behind him, his arm tightening threateningly around his neck, making him snap his focus back to him, the kunai poking a bit harder into his spine. “You know….” Mizuki whispered, licking the blood off the shell of his ear and sending another disgusted shiver down his spine. “I always wanted you as a pet.”

Naruto’s heart stops at the admission before instincts kick in.

Lashing out blindly, he struggled in his arms, choking when his airway was cut off. He felt his goggles dislodge from his head at his struggling and fall to the ground in a quiet plop before a searing pain exploded from his back. His breath left him and the world went hazy as he froze, a sickening squish heard with sadistic chuckles following it.

He couldn’t breathe with Mizuki’s arm around his neck and the pain in his back wasn’t helping. Clawing at the arm wrapped around his neck, he saw black spots enter his vision. Choking on a noise, he felt the kunai slide out of his back, his fast healing already taking effect. “Kit! Kit, stay with me, damn it!” Kurama’s voice felt far away as he slumped back, head falling back against something hard. The last thing he saw was the darkening sky of the sunset as loud booms suddenly echoed all around him.

Chapter 2: Of Curiousness and Pain

Summary:

Kidnapped and in pain, Naruto struggles to survive.

 

Warnings of explicit violence and unwanted touching! Read at your own risk!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Sarutobi Hiruzen held back a sigh as he stared at the gathered ninja before him, all murmuring and conversing with each other. Well, all except for Jun but that was to be expected with how disdainful the Inuzuka was. She could be a right ass when she wanted and oh did she want to all the time. He could already see the look in her golden eyes as she looked out over the others, as if searching for her next prey, a wild grin on her lips that showed more teeth than absolutely necessary, making him weary for yet another fight he would have to break up. Luckily, he didn’t have to as Iruka stepped up, flaring his chakra to gain everyone under a semblance of control with surprising ease.

He kept his face blank as Iruka spoke, tone soft but with a stealing edge to it that brokered no-nonsense. A bit thoughtful on his usually loudest academy instructor, he was amused by some of the pale faces in the crowd of Jounin that paid attention to the mere Chuunin with a sharp focus, no doubt the Red Skirmish, as most have come to call it, still fresh in their minds, despite it having happened over three years ago.

Putting those thoughts away, for now, he scans the small crowd gathered before him, all promising Jounin Instructors that will help the next generation flourish. Drifting from one ninja to the next, he studied them, his thoughts emerging though not showing as Iruka talked. Glancing out the window, he then looked back and paused, noticing a tuff of silver not previously there. He holds back another sigh and instead inhales some tobacco from his pipe.

As always, Kakashi was late. They have already been talking for a few hours now. Iruka was quick to quiet down after a few more minutes and step back, the scrolls in his arms being set gently on a desk to his side.

Hiruzen knew he probably should be paying more attention to this whole procedure but he couldn’t find the strength to do it, his mind far too occupied with other things. One in particular blond, to be precise. It would seem the child he wanted to graduate the most had failed and while that wasn’t all too unexpected, it still brought many worries and problems to his mind.

Where was he now, for example? How was he going to keep him out of his old friend’s hands? What about his living conditions?

He didn’t get to think too much on that sadly as he straightened from his slight slouch when a sharp chakra spike caught his attention, making him snap his gaze to the doors leading to the hall. He noticed the room got eerily quiet as everyone went on edge as he stood, the doors being burst open and a ragged and bleeding Jounin, Ryouki if he recalls correctly, came stumbling in, a slightly crazed look in his eyes.

“Hokage-sama!! There’s an-ack!” The man coughed, leaning heavily against the door frame as he doubled over himself. A brown-haired woman stepped forward, the closest to the bloodied man, and helped stabilize him by slinging an arm over her shoulders, a worried look on her tan face. Stepping around his desk as the ninja around go ablaze, no doubt blinding the one natural sensor in his ANBU guard, Hiruzen didn’t even think as he walked forward, signaling down Phoenix, his healer on hand, with a silent order.

Said ANBU jumps down and moves over to the wounded jounin, their hands glowing green with a quick few hand seals. Raising a hand to quiet the murmuring ninja around, he stands before Ryouki, said man gaining a bit of color back as he breathed heavily.

“Ryouki, report.” He commands, his tone sharp and to the point.

Ryouki, lifting his head to look up at his Hokage, his breath still haggard, nods and straightens up as best he can. “Y-Yes, sir. I was, ugh... On guard duty for the room of sealing when a-an assailant came and attacked, sir. I was downed and out for roughly a minute. The attacker was already gone by then…” He reports with a guilty look on his face.

Hiruzen clenches his jaw before bending down and resting a hand on the man’s uninjured shoulder, looking him in the eyes. “You did nothing wrong. Good work coming here. What about your partner? The ANBU Units located around?” He questions. Ryouki looks lost for a moment before pinching his lips together and shaking his head. “Dead or unaccounted for…”

Straightening, he jerkily nods before looking out over the crowd of ninja. A small beat of silence passed before he cracked open his lips. “Inzaki, Jen, I want you two on recon. Kakashi, gather your team and join them. You have my permission to pursue. Falcon, gather the ANBU teams in the village and spread out. Mockingjay, get the commanders in my office, stat.” He orders, “Kikyo, gather the council. Len, get a team together and get our civilians to safety. Those unmentioned, assist and spread the word! We have an unknown amount of enemies currently in our mists. No one else must be injured if we can help it!”

“YES HOKAGE-SAMA!”

After that, the crowd dispersed, all going off to do as commanded. Soon, it was just Hiruzen, Ryouki, and Phoenix, as well as Kira, the woman that was holding Ryouki up, and his three other ANBU still guarding this room. Looking at the two before him, his lips tighten.

“Phoenix, Kira, take this man to the west wing of the hospital for treatment, I want a guard by his door. Hawk, you go with them and extract anything you can while he’s getting proper treatment.” Hiruzen commands, another of his ANBU silently falling from the rafters. Looking at Kira, he spoke once more as Phoenix started to help gather the man while still healing him. “Kira, stay at the hospital and help in any way you can. Guard, wrap the wounded, fetch food, anything. The same applies to you, Phoenix. We do not know the situation on hand, nor how many enemies have breached our walls. Keep alert.”

He commands, his voice strong and steely. The ninja in front of him straightens and bows to as best of their abilities before they are off, Hawk following closely behind the girls holding Ryouki up as they bounded across the roofs carefully. Sighing heavily, he goes and closes his doors before turning around, face set. This day was turning for the worst, wasn’t it?

A loud boom suddenly echoed around the village, the ground shaking with the force it created, causing Hirazen to steady himself, applying chakra to his feet as the building shook. The remaining two ANBU in his guard were surrounding him in an instant, weapons drawn and ready for battle. Sending out a pulse of chakra, he, too, was tense. Looking out the window, he pauses, his heart suddenly dipping. Pulling his lips back, he turned to the two ANBU.

“GO TRACK NARUTO! MAKE SURE HE IS UNHARMED!”

He yelled, his eyes narrowed and sharp. The ANBU straightens before bowing. “YES SIR!” They responded before they disappeared from his sight. Clenching his jaw, he swiftly turns and exits his office, sealing it off, and makes his way down the hall to the council room. Entering, he stood by his seat, waiting, tracking those around him as best he could. All the while, ninja came and went, receiving and giving orders. It wasn’t until the room was almost full with clan heads and his ANBU generals an hour later did he finally get any news back.

Kakashi entered the room unannounced, causing the people around the round table to turn and look at him. It was silent as he stepped forward, his body language closed and very much tense. Hiruzen felt his heart stutter to a stop when Kakashi set down a pair of bloody and dirtied orange goggles.

Staring his subordinate in the eye, he nods, closing his eyes. It was as he had feared. Opening them, he watches the ninja in the room straighten before he looks back at Kakashi.

“Find him.”


Naruto slowly came to, his head feeling like it was splitting apart and his back riddled with pain as the world seemed to spin around him. A low groan escaped him at the feeling, trying to turn on his side to at least abate the dizziness and nausea, only to furrow his brows when he noticed his limbs couldn't move beyond a few shuffles. Cracking open his eyes, he had to blink multiple times to adjust to the sudden light, squinting at the far too bright forest ground, the colors of greens and browns seeming far too vibrant for some reason.

What happened? Why was he in the forest? Why couldn't he move? He tried to recall what happened before he ended up like this but all he could remember was setting up some firebombing prank at the Hokage Monument before going to school… they had a test that day didn't they?

His head hurt as he tried to recall his fuzzy memories. There had been a test, a test he failed for some reason unknown to him at the moment. He had left in a hurry and went… went somewhere. Did he talk?

Scowling slightly, his facial muscles not wanting to work all that much for some reason. He could feel his panic bubbling up, as well as frustration at not being able to remember much of anything before this. Why couldn’t he remember anything? Why was it so spotty? Questions like this swirled in his sluggish mind, trying to come up with a solution but not finding any, only making him more frustrated and scared even, no matter how he didn’t want to admit it. His body has been the only thing in his life that he could control and own, so to suddenly lose that… that frightened him beyond what he thought possible.

Without warning, the world suddenly flipped, his stomach lurching and his dry mouth salivating. Another small groan was ripped out of him, his eyes shutting on instinct alone as he tried to quell the will to puke his guts out. He could distantly hear muffled voices but he couldn’t make heads nor tails of what was said. All he could think about was not puking and making him feel even worse than he was now. He did register the prickly feeling in his thigh though, not understanding what it was. He soon lost focus of the feeling, cracking open his eyes once more to notice that he could see the blurry ground below him and two black thick things in view.

It took him a few moments to register that he was seeing legs and that he wasn’t lying on the ground as he had been previously. Belatedly, his panic set in at what that meant, but before he could do anything, his head started to feel light and he felt woozy. It wasn’t long before he blacked out again.


Naruto woke to the feeling of water surrounding him and the sounds of dripping. Groaning, he cracks open his eyes, staring up at the cavernous ceiling above. ‘Where…?’

“Kit.” A deep, guttural voice sounded, the sounds of water splashing and thunderous thuds being felt.

Shifting, Naruto felt his heart thump hard as he slowly sat up and looked up to where the voice came from. “Kurama?” His voice echoed in the cave-like place that made up his mindscape. “What happened? Why am I here?” He asked, confused and still reeling from the previous events, still feeling sluggish and woozy, tired, in his own mind. Weakly, he stood up on shaky legs and stumbled his way over to the cage bars holding his lifelong companion.

“You got kidnapped, gaki.”

Naruto stumbled, catching himself on the bars, and looked up at Kurama with wide eyes. “What..?” He shakily says, disbelief striking him. Kurama moved a tail close to him as he laid down, making Naruto step forward, only to be swept away by the tail and moved to lay against the Kyuubi’s side. He relaxes in the warm and furry embrace as he looks up to his friend. Kurama just curls up and looks down at Naruto, an unreadable look in his ruby eyes.

“Mizuki kidnapped you, kit,” Kurama said, and before Naruto could say anything, he started to explain in full detail. “You had just failed to pass the ninja exams again and Mizuki used this chance to catch you off guard. You probably don’t remember but you woke up before. You sustained a pretty bad head injury before blacking out last time, hence why your memories may seem blotchy and fuzzy. Don’t worry though, they’ll come back in time, kit.”

Staring blankly up at Kurama, his sluggish mind slowly going over the words, he could see Kurama sigh before a wet and cold nose nudged him, zapping him away from his thoughts. Letting out a noise he isn’t proud of, he wiggles away from the nose, a scowl on his face. “Hey! I’ve told ya to stop doing that, bastard!” He yells, not quite meaning it but still not exactly wanting to feel the fox's cold nose on him. Kurama just puffs out a chuckle at him, making him huff and glare before his vision gets obstructed by the bastard's tail.

“For now, sleep. This rest should prove more fruitful than the previous ones. In the meantime, I will take care of the drug that is causing you to feel this way.”

Wanting to pretest but knowing the fox was right, he just huffs once more and turns on his side, making a pocket in the fur so it didn’t tickle his face before he shut his eyes. While he was tired, he didn’t want to sleep, not knowing what was going on with his body outside his mind. Kurama was right though, so he tried, pushing away any and all thoughts about what was happening to him. The feeling of safety and warmth helped lull him into a sound sleep.


The next time Naruto woke up, he was on his side and it was dark, only the sounds of bugs calling to each other to be heard. Letting out a small groan, he cracked open his eyes, a feeling of dysphoria eminent. Everything was dim as he hazily looked around, seeing nothing but the dark forest around him. His mind was foggy as he faintly remembered what Kurama said, sleep trying to lull him back into its blissful embrace. He fought it though as he shifted, feeling the ropes still tightly bounding his hands. He was a bit confused about not feeling anything else. No ropes on his ankles, knees, or elbows. Don’t they usually bind those?

Shaking off the thought, just feeling thankful it was only his wrists, he then thought about why he was still feeling hazy and somewhat dizzy, not himself. Kurama had mentioned he had been drugged so maybe that was why? Hopefully, it will be gone soon. Closing his eyes for a moment as a feeling washed over him, he sighed before reopening them. Where were his captures?

A quick scan of his surroundings answered that as a cold feeling came over him. Swallowing, he readies himself by taking in a shaky breath before he shifts onto his back, his head turning to look at what he felt behind him. As he had thought, Mizuki was there, blue eyes meeting black as Mizuki watched him. His chin was propped up on his hand, which rested on his knee with a pouch beside it. He was still as Mizuki looked at him, the man's face blank and lax. He looked… different than what he usually looked like. Naruto couldn’t understand why that was.

Silver hair was messy instead of its usual straight locks, seeming dim in the faint moonlight. Usual pale skin seemed even paler and somewhat sunken in, causing Mizuki to look… dreary. Naruto was weary, confused at the new image of his once teacher and old abuser. He looked like a man left with nothing, someone who had nothing to lose. He couldn’t help but ask himself why? Why did he look like that?

These thoughts swirled around in his hazy mind before he realized he was dwelling on something he shouldn’t. It was difficult but he managed to push them away in favor of what he was after.

“Where are we..?” Naruto asked, his voice gravelly and his throat dry, causing him to cough a few times. Breathing a bit heavier, he looks back at Mizuki, said man still blankly watching him, though a brow was now raised.

“Where do you think?” Mizuki asks right back before he straightens from his position and finally looks away to scan the surroundings. “We will soon be arriving at the border.” He answers, looking back to the boy.

Naruto frowns, not happy with this answer but knowing that was all he was going to get out of him.

“And the others?”

Mizuki furrows his brows slightly before smirking, looking amused. “You remember? How unfortunate.” He chuckles. Naruto glares at the man, opening his mouth to yell at him, though he doesn’t get very far before Mizuki cuts him off. “They are clearing a way for me, obviously.” He murmurs, attacking naruto verbally.

Growling slightly, letting himself get riled up like the man clearly wanted, he shifts to relieve his arms a bit, as well as loosen a few knots. Mizuki hummed, looking pleased with himself, an odd look entering his dark orbs. It made Naruto’s skin crawl.

It was quiet between them for a while after that, Naruto looking away to stare up at the waving leaves above, watching how the light from the moon bounced off them as he silently worked on untying his bounds. Mizuki seemed to feel the same as he was looking away from Naruto when he last glanced, making him relax a smidge. The feeling of dysphoria was lessening as time ticked by, the haziness that seemed to cling to him slowly dissipating. It was a relief to Naruto, just as much as it was a worry. Would Mizuki drug him again?

He didn’t have time to think on it when said man spoke, his voice soft and seeming distant. “You know, Naruto-kun,” he cringed, “there has been something I have been wanting to do for a while now,” Mizuki said, looking back to the boy, their eyes meeting. “And we still have hours to go before it is time to leave…”

A sinking feeling entered his chest when Mizuki shifted, a smirk curling his lip as he leaned over him, placing a hand right beside his head. He glared up at the man. “Whatever it is, I want nothing to do with it.” He growled, baring his teeth. Mizuki just laughed in his face, slipping a leg over his hips and sitting down on his lap.

“Come now, pet, it’ll be fun.” He said, a sadistic edge to his words as he laid a hand on his chest.

Disgust bubbled up as Naruto knew exactly what type of ‘fun’ he was referring to. Feeling a bit panicked, he tries to remain still, almost done with getting the knots untied. He couldn’t do anything when Mizuki slips a hand under his black t-shirt and ground his hips down, causing unwanted sparks of pleasure to run up his spine.

He glared up at Mizuki, the smirk on his face just making him even more disgusted, fear unfurling in his chest. His touch felt invading, causing his eyes to water slightly. “Get off of me,” Naruto growled out, his blue eyes hard. He gets a laugh at that and another grind, causing him his squeeze his eyes shut and clench his jaw. This damn bastard…

“Awe, Naruto-kun, no need to hold back on me. I don’t bite. Hard.” Mizuki coo’ed, rolling his hips once more, making Naruto gasp. Snapping open his eyes, Naruto tries to push the man off of him, only to have his throat grabbed and pushed down. Choking, he struggles to breathe, his fingers pausing at the tightness. Staring up at the sadistic image of the man on top of him, he could feel tears prick as he struggled to breathe. He was kicking his legs out fruitlessly, twisting and trying to get the man off of him to no avail.

Just as his sight was about to go dark, he gasped, taking in as much air as he could now that the hand was finally not choking in.

“You really should know not to piss off your master, pet.”

Staring up at Mizuki through tears, he finally gets the last knot untied. Growling, he was quick to get his arms out from under him and push the man away, chakra surging into his hands and making Mizuki fall off of him because of the force he used. Fearful and panicked, he wasn’t thinking when he rolled onto his feet, grabbed the pouch Mizuki had left unattached to him, and darted into the dense woods.

Low hanging branches and the like swiped at him but he didn’t care as he could hear Mizuki screeching, no doubt taking chase. Shuffling through the pouch, he ignored the small scrolls in it and grabs the few kunai presents. Clipping it onto his belt loop as he ran, he then turned forward, spilling chakra into his legs, and takes a surging jump. Being outside of Konoha, away from the prying eyes of the ninja and civilians, he knew he was safe to use what he knows. That, and like hell, he was going to allow that disgusting man to catch him.

Suddenly, he leans away as a shuriken soured passed, cutting his cheek in the process and making his ears ring. Grunting, he felt where Mizuki was, not far behind him regrettably, before throwing a kunai at him. From what he could hear, it didn’t make its mark, making him tsk. Sending his chakra out, he feels the environment, looking, before finding the perfect place. Turning sharply, he makes a beeline to where he felt a massive surge of chakra, telling him there was a large lake filled with creatures nearby.

If he could get there, Naruto knew he’d have a better chance at escaping, knowing that Mizuki couldn’t use the water against him, unlike earth. Continuing to throw his stollen weapons at the man not too far behind him, only one of them hitting as he as closing in on his destination, he jumped to the right of him, dodging a fuuma shuriken. Quickly lifting the kunai he held, he grunted as Mizuki smirked wildly down at him, trying to overpower him with his Fuuma shuriken.

“You’re in for it this time, pet!” Mizuki nearly growled, anger visible in every action he took. Naruto couldn’t help but think he looked a little crazed with how demented his smile was, causing a chill to go down his spine. Glaring at the man, he moves his chakra to his arms and pushes, swiping out at Mizuki before taking off along the trees when the traitor stumbled.

He didn’t get very far regrettably before he felt pressure on his back. Crying out, he tripped over his own feet and was sent falling to the ground. Curling up, he prepared a bit too late for the fall before he was smashed into the ground and tumbling to a stop. The world was black for a moment before his senses came back to him, a groan leaving his lips. He felt disoriented, his head feeling too tight as the world seemed to spin.

Cracking open his eyes, blinking passed the liquid that seemed to drip down his face, he felt like hurling but he tried his best to push it back, to stand up and run. He wasn’t even able to get onto his hands and knees before he was kicked, sending him onto his side with a cry. Curling in on himself, pain running up and down his body as he did so, aggravating the still very prominent fuuma shuriken lodged in his back, he clenches his jaw.

“I told you, pet. You just don’t listen, do you?” Came a coarse voice from above him.

Naruto didn’t answer, just curled up tighter, trying to calm down his aching body, tears already falling. It was difficult to breathe past all he felt, but he tried. A rough tug on his hair though made him cry out once more as his head was snapped back, his eyes cracking open to look at the cause. Mizuki glared down at him, a crazed smirk still present.

“Aw, is the little demon crying? Poor, pitiful, baby, guess I should do something about that, hm?” Mizuki mocked, his hand tightening around his hair, causing more tears to fall, before his head was tossed back to the ground, crudely hitting the packed dirk and causing him to lose focus for a moment.

Another cry was ripped from him when he was kicked once more, before feeling a foot on his hip. Naruto didn’t have much time to think as to why it was there before he tried to breathe, his eyes snapping open as Mizuki roughly pulled the fuuma shuriken out of his back. It hurt… He hurt so much…

Gagging past vomit that wanted to emerge, he cried hard, a hot boiling feeling surging up.

“Get up, kit.”

He couldn’t, it hurt, it hurt too much!

“You can.”

He can’t. He was too weak!

“Then are you just going to let him win? Let him do what he wants?”

He… He didn’t want that…

“Then get up, kit.”

Breathing heavily, Naruto cracks open his eyes, blinking passed the tears and blood. Mizuki was above him, putting away the fuuma shuriken, his disgusting charcoal eyes riveting his body. Looking around him as he lay curled, he suddenly remembers that he has Mizuki’s stolen pouch. Looking back to the man, he sneaks a hand into it, thanking kami that he was laying on the side the pouch was on and curled up so it was easier to sneak into it.

Moving hurt, breathing hurt, hell even just laying like he was, he hurt. His head was pulsing, his body burning, his back hurting the worse. No doubt the wound was just oozing blood, though he could also feel the sizzling of Kurama doing his best to heal it. Naruto knew that it would be a couple of hours before it was completely healed though. Grunting then as Mizuki stepped harder on his hip, he glared up at him through tears, his hand falling on a shuriken. He gripped it, not caring for how it dug into his hand.

“My, you’re still acting fierce?” Mizuki states, his grin widening, “Well, it is always more fun to break a person's will.” He hums to himself as he leans down. Naruto just glares, though he didn’t dare move. Not yet, just a little bit more…

“You see the bulge in the side of his neck, Kit?”

Naruto looks at where he was pointed, seeing the bulge that every human had, though it was usually more prominent in males. That was one of the neck arteries, wasn’t it?

“Yes, good job kit. That’s your target.”

Snapping his gaze to Mizuki’s eyes, he growls at him, baring his bloody teeth. Mizuki just laughs, pushing harder against his hip before he kneels, grabbing his hair. Naruto grunted, letting his head be pulled back and turned, more tears forming and falling. It hurt…

“He’s close.”

“You demon, I like it when you’re like this. What a wonderful image.” Mizuki says, his eyes riveting over Naruto’s face as he leaned in, tauntingly. Naruto scrunched up his nose, the disgusting smell of his breath washing over him.

Glaring, the pain seeming to dull slightly, feeling the boiling in his chest heating even more. Time seemed to slow as Mizuki got closer, his mouth opening once more to speak.

“Now, Kit.”

Not waiting, Naruto reaches up and grabs the man by the front of his shirt, slightly thankful that his vest was open so he could grab him easier. Pushing Mizuki back, he grunts when the man makes a noise of anger and pulls his head back by his hair. He didn’t let that faze him though as he reaches up and dug the shuriken into the artery in Mizuki’s neck, keeping the man close with his grip on him. Mizuki screamed, the hand on his hair tightening to the point he couldn't handle it as he was pulled away, dragging with him the shuriken and only causing more damage.

Everything seemed numb as Naruto fell back onto his butt, watching as Mizuki stumbled away from him, trying to put pressure on the wound as he coughed up far too much blood. Naruto watched as Mizuki fell, tripping over himself, trying to keep the blood in only to fail as it painted the ground red. He watched until Mizuki fell still, the disgusting gurgling sounds falling silent, and even then, he watched. Naruto didn’t know how to process it. He had just killed a person and yet…

He felt nothing.

That scared Naruto more than anything. Shouldn’t he feel something after killing another human being? He was glad the man was dead now, that he wasn’t a threat, and that terrified him. Naruto wasn’t sure how to take this.

“Kit.”

The gentle nudge from Kurama finally made him snap out of it, to look away. He didn’t even realize tears were still falling until he wiped his face with the back of his hand and felt new tracks fall, blood heavily smeared where he touched. Looking at his bloodied hand and then down at his clothes, those of which were torn, stained with blood and dirt, Naruto looked back at Mizuki, wondering if it was really over. He froze then.

What about the other ninja that were with him?

Panic sored in his chest, propelling him into a shaky stand. He needed to run, he wasn’t safe yet. There were still enemies to watch out for. He could dwell over his feeling later when he wasn’t at risk of dying, or worse. Looking around a bit wildly, his breathing heavy as the pain from his wounds pulsed and burned. He then looks back at the now corpse of a man. Breathing in shakily, wondering if he’d finally lost it as he made up his mind about what he was gonna do, he then walks over on unsteady feet, the wounds he received still very much present but... Less. Naruto guessed he had Kurama to thank for numbing them enough for him to work while he heals them. He did feel a bit woozy now though, on top of feeling nauseous and in pain, at how much blood he’s lost.

Reach Mizuki, he gulps, emotions swirling as he gets a full view of the damage he caused. Shaky, he leans down and unclips the thigh holster from the dead body. Taking a glance in it, he attaches it to himself before looking through the vest pockets, his fingers unsteady. Taking out any scrolls and the like, he puts them in his pouch, the one that he stole before he hesitates as a thought emerges.

Would he be believed if he made it back to Konoha?

Mulling it over it for a moment, he hesitates once more before reaching down and taking Mizuki’s hitai-ate off his head. Gripping it, he stares at it. He wasn’t a ninja of Konoha, and he never would be either… He had failed the tests. Naruto wondered if he should even go back, now that he was out in the open, one of his kidnappers dead. Pursing his lips, he sighs and pockets it before standing straight, his head pounding. Before he makes any rash decisions, he needed to get out of here first. He didn’t know when the other ninja would be coming back and like hell, he was going to take Mizuki’s words at face value. They could appear at any given time.

So with that, he turns, glancing around the forest surrounding him, before adding chakra to his legs and feet. He needed to wrap his wounds and clean them, as well as find shelter and hide his presence. His first stop was to the river he felt not far from here.

Bounding through the trees, he took comfort in feeling Kurama, knowing it was going to be okay so long as he had him. He was uncertain, but he was determined to survive and make it through this rough patch in his life.

He would not give up, never.

Notes:

Hello! Sorry that it took so long to get this chapter out, the virus has just caused so many setbacks and chaos. Now that it's settling down here though, I should be able to get chapters out a lot easier! I will be updating Astray soon too so keep an eye out for it! With that out of the way now, how did you like the chapter? Creepy, right? Very disturbing. For those who read end notes, I want to ask; Did you notice it? Like I said last chapter, everything is put in with reason.

Notes:

Hello!! I hope you have enjoyed this. Also, I am well aware that I have a very new book I just posted and haven't updated in a bit but that is because of personal problems. I will probably tear it down and restructure it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I am and I am always interested in what you people have to say about it so don't be afraid to comment.