Chapter 11: D-emon

“You will go to the river and clean it. I don’t want to see any garbage in it when you’re finished,” Tsunade said. “Ow man,” Naruto sighed and looked to the right. Mitsuki was sighing as well, but didn’t protest. They both left the Hokage office and went to the river. “I hate those D-missions,” Naruto said while they were walking. “I understand I have to do them, but why you?” Mitsuki asked. “I am still a ge-nin,” Naruto mumbled a bit down. “What! You’re kidding, right?”

Naruto looked to his comrade; she was looking stunned at him. “No, I really am a ge-nin,” Naruto said. “How come?” “I was gone for a few years and meanwhile everybody became chu-nin, but I haven’t had time to take the chu-nin exam again since I’m back.” Naruto sighed again and looked at the river. “Let’s do this as fast as we can,” he said and made ten shadow clones to help them. “How old are you anyway, Naruto?” “Fifteen, why?” “Just asking…” “What about you?” “Me? I became seventeen last June.”

Hours passed by. Rakuna and Mitsuki were walking in the water. Rakuna put her head underwater once in a while and got up with a boot or a sock, which somebody had lost. Sometimes she got up with nothing, then the item was too big for her and Mitsuki had to help. “I think we’ve got everything in this spot,” Rakuna said. Mitsuki wasn’t listening. She was looking at Naruto, with a thoughtful face.

‘How is he able to hold those Kage Bunshin so long? Who the hell is he?’

Then the shadow doppelgangers disappeared and Naruto looked back at her. “I’m done here, you?” “Me as well.” Naruto jumped out the river. “You wanna eat ramen with me?” Naruto asked. Mitsuki looked stunned at him. “Why do you ask?” Naruto shrugged his shoulders. “Why don’t you go eat ramen with Hinata? O wait… she…” “Is on a C-mission,” Naruto finished Mitsuki’s sentence. He sounded depressed and jealous at the same time, but more depressed than jealous. “Well, I never ate ramen before…” Mitsuki started. “What!” Naruto interrupted, “Why not?! It’s the best food that there is!”

Mitsuki started to laugh at his reaction and it surprised her. It was a long time since she laughed like that. “Thanks, Naruto,” Mitsuki said smiling. “For what?’ Naruto asked confused. “It’s been a long time since I laughed like that.” Naruto gave her a questioned look. “I don’t really know what I did, but okay. Are you gonna join me?” “Eating ramen? Sure.”

They walked to Ichiraku and both ordered ramen. Rakuna got some soup meat. After that they went back to Tsunade to tell her they had finished their mission. They got a new one. Again a D-mission and Naruto sighed depressed. “Why,” Naruto asked angry. “Just do them, Naruto. And if you start complaining, I sent Hinata on so many missions that you won’t be able to see her often.” Naruto stared at Tsunade. “That’s mean!” he shouted, while pointing at her, “and unfair, o-baa-chan!”

Tsunade slammed on the table, so hard that it almost broke in two. Naruto pulled his arm back and ran to the door. Knowing Tsunade was really pissed off now.

Mitsuki watched Naruto running away, while Tsunade sat down. “You better go too, Mitsuki.” “Uhm, yeah,” Mitsuki said a bit afraid, “come Rakuna.” Both of them left the office as quickly as they could. “That woman is scary,” Mitsuki mumbled. Rakuna nodded agreeing.

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Outside the Hokage building they found Naruto. He was still grumpy. “Damn that Tsunade,” he said, while they walked to place of their mission. “Why did you call her o-baa-chan? She doesn’t look that old to me.” Mitsuki said. “She may be not looking old, but she is. Believe me.” “Then how is she able to look so young?” “Some jutsu or something,” Naruto replied, still angry.

They had to pull weeds in a big garden, what made Naruto even grumpier, if that was possible. He didn’t say a word at all, what was uncommon for his doing.

In the evening Mitsuki said goodbye to Naruto and walked together with Rakuna back to the Hyuga compound. She smelled like river water and mud and decided to take a bath before going to bed. When she entered the house, she didn’t know what to say. I am home? I am back? But before she could say a thing, Hanabi had seen her and said, “Mitsuki, Rakuna, you’re back,” she said with a smile. Mitsuki nodded.

“Uhm… I would like to take a bath; could you tell me where I can find a towel?” Mitsuki asked. “O, sure. They’re in the drawer in the bathroom, first one from above. I was about to take a bath too. Is it okay with you take one together?” “Sure.” “Can I come too?” Rakuna asked. “Sure,” Hanabi laughed.

The three of them went to the bathroom. And when Hanabi had opened the door, Mitsuki mouth was wide open from shock. This bathroom was huge and the bath… it looked more like a little swimming pool. “I know, it’s big,” Hanabi grinned and offered her two towels. Mitsuki took them and laid them on a stool. Hanabi filled the bath and pulled out her clothes. She placed them under the stool, where she had laid her towel on. Mitsuki did the same and stepped as second in the bathtub. Rakuna was the last.

It was a good thing there were so many tabs or else it would have taken ages to fill the bath.

Hanabi closed the taps when the bath was filled. “Hinata and I never bath together,” she said. “How come?” Mitsuki asked and splashed some water in her face. “I think she’s too shy. She never went to a hot spring as well.” “Shy?” “Yeah, but lately she changed a bit after that with Naruto.” “You lost me,” Mitsuki said confused. Hanabi started to wash herself with soap and passed on another piece to Mitsuki.

“She has loved that boy for ages, even if she hasn’t told me, I know it. It was obvious to me, but dad hasn’t noticed it, yet. Anyway, since she has been with him more often, she looks more confident in herself. And now she is his girlfriend,” Hanabi smiled. “Watch out your father doesn’t hear it,” Rakuna said. “O, don’t worry, He isn’t home right now.”

Hanabi dived underwater for a moment. Mitsuki started to wash Rakuna.

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Naruto entered his home. Still depressed he couldn’t see Hinata today. First he took a shower. Fifteen minutes later, he got out of the bathroom, still drying his hair, and walked in his underwear to the kitchen to look what he had in the fridge. He had refused the food the lady of the house had offered, saying he wasn’t hungry. But now he was. He decided for ramen, of course, and boiled some water.

Naruto threw the towel on a chair and got the ramen out of the refrigerator. He made the ramen and sat down on the chair, he had thrown the towel on, to eat.

‘First Hinata-chan gone, then stupid D-missions. If Hinata-chan was here, those wouldn’t be so annoying, but…’

He sighed depressed and looked at the table top.

“Can’t you stop thinking about purple eye for one minute? It’s getting really annoying.”

‘Kyubi, how happy I am to hear your voice again,’ Naruto replied sarcastic.

“O please, don’t start on me. If you do, I will put you through some painful memories and embarrassing moments.”

‘Spare me, I already had a bad day.’

Naruto stood up and looked at his tail when he was standing. He was finally able to control it a bit, what made it less annoying. Naruto pulled on some clothes and went outside, through his window. He sat down on the roof and looked in the direction of the gate.

‘Hinata-chan,’ he thought.

“NARUTO, I am getting crazy of you!”

‘SHUT UP STUPID FOX!’

“I warned you not to start on me, baka.” The Kyubi growled in a low tone. And it was the first time since a long while he had sounded so angry and demonic.

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The next day he had to do more D-missions together with Mitsuki and her wolf Rakuna. Mitsuki hardly said anything. Only gave him a sighing look once in a while, because he was still grumpy and it got worse with the time. Especially when Tsunade told them to do another D-mission. The third one that day. He had left the office without saying a word, what scared Tsunade more then when he’s complaining.

The day after that was no difference. Mitsuki started to suspect him. She had the feeling there was more going on then just missing his girlfriend, what it was she didn’t know. But because he was grumpy and didn’t say a word, they were done with their D-mission fast.

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In the evening Mitsuki and Rakuna went back to the Hyuga complex. Relieved the day was over. So far they had done ten D-mission in total. She ate a dinner together with Hanabi. Hiashi was off again.

“You don’t look so happy?” Hanabi said. Mitsuki looked at her and then sighed. “To many D-missions with grumpy Naruto,” she said annoyed. Hanabi laughed, “Hinata would have wished for them.” Mitsuki smiled a bit, “Yeah.” “I’m home,” they heard from the hallway. “We’re in the kitchen!” Hanabi shouted back.

Hinata walked to the kitchen and saw Hanabi and Mitsuki eating rice balls. Rakuna was eating a piece of meat. “Hey,” Hinata said and looked around, “Where’s father?” “Don’t know, he’s been away a lot lately,” Hanabi said. “Want some too?” Mitsuki asked and offered Hinata a rice ball. Hinata got the rice ball and sat down on an empty chair. “Hinata, you better go see Naruto after dinner,” Mitsuki said.

Hinata looked at Mitsuki. “Is something wrong?” she asked worried. “He’s been grumpy the last few days,” Mitsuki told, “I’ve been on D-missions with him the last three days, and it’s getting worse with the time. I don’t really know what’s going on, but I think it’s not just because he missed you. I think there is more.” Hinata looked shocked and started to think what could be the reason. She stood up and ran to the door. “If father comes home before me, pretend you haven’t seen me yet!”

Hanabi eyes were widened while she saw her sister running off. “She hasn’t even finished her rice ball,” Hanabi muttered.

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‘Kyubi, stop it!’

“No, I haven’t done to do this for a while, I wonder why.” It grinned evilly.

‘W-why are you doing this?’

“I don’t have to give you a reason.”

Naruto bend over on his bed and buried his face in the sheets. “Stop it,” he begged to the demon. But it was no use. Why had it suddenly turned evil again? What was going on?

He had to relive another awful memory of his past.

(Flashback)

Naruto walked over the street to the playground. He sat down on a swing and watched the other children playing together. Playing soccer or sliding down the slide. Hide and seek or tag. Naruto wanted to play with them, but… He looked to the left, there were parents standing, talking with each other or watching their kid playing. No he couldn’t, not with those adults around.

Naruto looked at the ground.

‘Why?’ He wondered, ‘Why am I a monster? Do I really look that different from the others?’

He jumped off the swing and watched the kids again.

‘Do I?’

A ball rolled against his feet and Naruto looked down. Some kids ran after the ball but stopped when they saw Naruto. Naruto picked the ball up and looked at them. Slowly he walked to them, to give them the ball back, but the kids backed away. Naruto stopped walking when a man shouted his name. “Stealing my son’s ball, little monster.”

Naruto stepped a few passes back while he shook his head slowly. “N-no I wanted to give it back,” he said afraid. “You lair!” the man shouted angry and went to him with big passes. “I swear! I was just giving it back!” Tears were welling up again. Naruto dropped the ball and ran away.

Over streets, through alleys, turning around corners until his legs were getting heavy. Then he stopped.

‘Why? Why do they hate me so much? He sobbed. What did I do wrong?’

Naruto turned around, seeing some of his classmates walking with their parents. Smiling.

‘I hate them. I hate them all.’

Naruto saw the faces of the Hokage's, across. He dried his tears angrily. He won’t cry anymore.

‘When I am Hokage they have to respect me, then they will be sorry that they call me a monster and treat me like trash.’

“Do you hear me?! Once I am Hokage, you will all pay for this!” he shouted out loud.

(End flashback)

“Stop it,” Naruto mumbled. He placed his hands on his head. “Stop it, Kyubi!” Cold sweat rolled down. He heard a sound behind him. A door. It was opening. Footsteps.

“Here’s another one.”

Flashes of stones thrown at him came in his mind. “Stop it,” Naruto mumbled again. Children that were laughing at him, calling him monster. He felt a hand on his shoulder and the memory faded as did the Kyubi’s voice.

“Naruto?”

Someone said his name. ‘Who?’ Slowly he opened his eyes, still shivering. It was his bed where he was looking to. Someone sat down on it and he turned his face, letting his arms down.

“Hi-Hinata-chan?” Naruto mumbled.

She was crying. Suddenly she embraced him. It took him a second to be fully aware of her hug. But when he was, he grabbed her tight and laid his forehead against her shoulder. Glad that those awful memories were gone and she was back.

“Naruto-kun, what is wrong?” Hinata asked. She looked down at the boy. “Kyubi suddenly turned evil again,” Naruto whispered, “I don’t understand why.” Hinata saw Naruto’s foxy ears bend down and his tail was curled around her. “What is he doing?” Hinata asked in a whisper. Actually she didn’t want it to know. “Letting me relive my awful memories.” Naruto looked up, “When you touched me, it disappeared.” He had a little smile on his face, but still looked frightened.

“I’m glad you’re back.” Hinata nodded and kissed him carefully on his mouth. Slowly his ears went normal again and Naruto let himself fall behind, pulling Hinata with him. They kissed like they hadn’t seen each other for months and when the finally let go, Naruto was more his normal self again.

Naruto looked at Hinata, who was lying next to him. He stroke some hair out of her face and smiled. “How was your mission?” he asked. “Not much happened. Don’t you think you have to go to Tsunade? She might know what makes Kyubi evil again.” “I don’t know,” Naruto said, while he slowly got up, “She thinks Kyubi is always evil, but he started to change since I got that poison in me.” Naruto looked at his tail, while Hinata sat down next to him, sitting on her legs. She looked worried, “Naruto-kun, Mitsuki told me you have been grumpy the last few days. Was that because of the Kyubi?” Naruto nodded, “He’s hunting me in my sleep as well. Giving me nightmares. I wake up every hour and hardly get some sleep. But it was also because you were gone and had to do D-missions all the time.” He grinned by saying the last sentence.

“I still think you have to talk with Tsunade about it,” Hinata said. Naruto looked at her. “Now?” he asked and Hinata nodded.

“Are you coming with me?” he asked. “Wh-why?” Hinata suddenly stuttered. Naruto looked down, “I think he only tortures me when I am alone. Well, that is what it was like up until now,” he said depressed.

He felt Hinata’s hand taking his and she stepped of the bed. Naruto watched her and she looked back at him when she was standing. Waiting for him to come with her. Gradually he stood up and together they walked to the Hokage building.

It was late and Naruto hoped Tsunade hadn’t gone to bed yet. Hinata knocked on the door and they heard a ‘yes’ from the other side. All of sudden Naruto got a bad feeling about this and wanted to go home again. How was he suppose to tell Tsunade what was going on? He did one step back, but Hinata gently pushed him inside. Tsunade and Shizune were looking surprised, Naruto uncomfortable and Hinata worried.

“Something the matter?” Tsunade then asked. “Uhm…” Naruto started, sighed and turned his head to Hinata as if he wanted to ask ‘do I really have to tell them?’ Hinata nodded once and Naruto looked at the ground. “Kyubi is turning evil again,” he mumbled. “Kyubi has always been evil, Naruto,” Tsunade replied not understanding. Naruto turned his head a bit to Hinata and said, “See, I knew she would say that.” “Naruto, why don’t explain clearly what is going on?” Tsunade said. “Okay,” Naruto sighed and started to explain what happened the last few days.

“Hmm,” Tsunade said when Naruto was done. “Do you know what is going on?” Naruto asked. “I think I have an idea why, pull off your jacket and shirt.” “Wh-what?!” Naruto turned his head slightly to Hinata and saw she was blushing. “Naruto, do you want me to help you? Pull those out.” “O, alright,” Naruto sighed and blushed a bit himself. He took off his jacket and shirt and tried not to look at Hinata. Afraid that if he did so, she would faint. “Now manipulate you chakra.”

Naruto stared at Tsunade. He knew what she wanted to see. If he manipulates his chakra, the seal would appear. “There’s nothing wrong with the seal, I already checked that,” Naruto said. “Just do what I say,” Tsunade said a bit angrily. Naruto sighed and manipulated his chakra.

Tsunade saw the seal appearing. She kneeled down to see it better. When she touched it, he backed away. “Does that hurt?” she asked surprised. “No, your hands are cold,” Naruto said angrily. “Come here,” Tsunade said irritated and grabbed him. Shizune had to hold him, so he wouldn’t flee again. Still Naruto managed to escape from her cold hands. Annoyed Tsunade turned her head to Hinata. “Hinata, could you help?” The girl turned red but nodded.

Naruto saw Tsunade whispering something in Hinata’s ear. Hinata nodded and mumbled a ‘yes’. Naruto wondered what she had to do. She walked to and stopped in front of him. He stared at her with a questioned look. Then he felt her hand on the seal and turned red. “Sorry, Naruto-kun,” Hinata then muttered. She used juken and hid him on his forehead.

As expected Naruto was unconscious when Hinata stepped back. Shizune laid him on the ground. “Shizune, lock the doors and windows,” Tsunade said. “Why?” Hinata asked. Tsunade didn’t answer and examined the seal better. Her predictions were true. It was the poison that was doing this. Some of it had found a way to attack the Kyubi, what made the Fox do things he probably didn’t want to. Although Tsunade still couldn’t believe the Fox had turned to be a nice demon. Maybe it was less evil then before.

“So you found out?” “And you managed to take over again. I already was afraid that would happen,” Tsunade said. “Heh heh, you’re clever for an old hag.”

Hinata saw Naruto sitting up, looking evilly at Tsunade. His eyes had changed to red and the whisker like marks on his cheeks looked different then before. Also his voice was different. This wasn’t Naruto, this was Kyubi. She was sure about it.

“Don’t try to do anything stupid, Kyubi. I know you can’t manipulate any chakra.” “To bad I told you about that the last time we met.” “Tell me where that poison is attacking you.” “The poison attacking me? What makes you think that is what’s going on?” “No joking around,” Tsunade said angrily and had her fist ready to hit him. “No, don’t,” Hinata said, “it may be Kyubi, but it’s still Naruto’s body.”

Kyubi turned his head to her and although Hinata was afraid, she tried not to look away or show the fear. “Fine, have it your way. In the upper left it found a way to go to me. But do you really think you can make a cure? Even with the information you got from wolf-girl, you can’t. The only way is to remove it.” “I know that. But I can make something that will slow the poison down. And to remove it, I have to make something to turn it back to its original form. Therefore I need special herbs and all.”

Tsunade ordered Shizune to watch over Kyubi, while she left the room. Locking it, when she closed the door. Hinata looked at Kyubi, who had taken over Naruto’s body. He was looking annoyed. Tsunade came back after twenty minutes, with a shot in her hand. Kyubi looked at Tsunade while she gave him the shot. Slowly he disappeared.

Naruto was unconscious for five more minutes. Then he opened his eyes and got up. “What…happened?” he asked. “You can’t remember?” Hinata asked. “No… not really.”  Hinata opened her mouth to tell him Kyubi had taken over but saw Tsunade shaking her head. “I hit you unconscious,” she decided to say. “O right,” Naruto turned to Tsunade, “How about…” “Don’t worry, I already dealed with that. Go back home and get some sleep. I want to talk to you tomorrow morning at ten. Mitsuki as well, could you tell her that, Hinata.” Hinata nodded.

Naruto stood up and grabbed his shirt and jacket. He pulled them on and left with Hinata. He grabbed Hinata’s hand and gave her a little pinch. “Thanks you went with me.” “It’s okay,” Hinata smiled.

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Mitsuki and Rakuna entered the Hokage office. Naruto was already there. “Now that you’re both here…” Tsunade said and opened a drawer. “I assign you to another D-mission.” Naruto mumbled annoyed. “No, that’s not what I wanted to say.” Naruto looked up surprised and Mitsuki wondered what they had to do then.

Tsunade gave Naruto and Mitsuki a piece of paper. Naruto looked at it. “WHAT!” Chu-chu-nin exam?! He screamed in his head. “But baa-chan, we need a team of three!” “I give you two an exception. Fill it in is you want to take the chu-nin exam and if you do, be in room 205 at three o clock.” Naruto stared at the paper and then looked at Mitsuki. He hadn’t seen her fighting, but of what he heard of others, she was good. So he had to trust her.

Naruto left the room in a rush, while Mitsuki was still looking at the paper. ‘Chu-nin exam?’ “Mitsuki?” Mitsuki looked up when she heard Tsunade’s voice. “You might need these.” Tsunade gave her a set of three shots. “For what?” Mitsuki asked confused. “The poison in Naruto’s body is still affecting him. When he starts screaming and mumbling things, give him one of them.” “O, Okay.” Mitsuki got the shots from Tsunade and put them by her other stuff in her bag.