Hakuna Matata Ninja (Complete)

Ch 8-On My Own Power!

I am floating in a void of blue. I don't know where I am... I feel calm though, like I am meant to be here... A dreamlike state.

"Shiro... Shirooo..." A voice calls softly. I open my eyes through the haze and see someone I never thought I'd see again until death.

"Yes, Kaa-san?" I ask her. I want to move, but my body is immobile... I am stuck, but not because of fear. I want to hug her, to never let her leave us again... But I can't. I accept that she is gone...

She looks at me with a soft smile. "Shiro. Don't let it control you... I was able to escape just long enough so I could visit you and try to help you. I miss you and your brothers so much..." She kissed my forehead.

"I must go before they realize I am gone... Goodbye little
Shi-kun..." And like that she faded away.

The blue void cracked. Pieces fell like a puzzle to reveal a room. I could now see why I couldn't move. I was chained to the floor. The sereneness turned to a foreboding ominous feeling.

I breathed out slowly, controlling my heartbeat as I knew something would happen today that would define me forever. A familiar laugh echoed throughout the room. It was more dark and sinister, but I recognize it as my own. Then another one... This one full of malevolence. Orochimaru.

The room rotated, making me hanging on the wall. I watched as Orochimaru walked towards me along with some... creature. The creature was oddly humanoid. It had a mouth of fangs. A black tail swishing around lazily behind it, the ending surrounded by black chakra that crackled. It's skin was a dark grey. It was hunched over, arms dangling loosely in front of it as it walked forward, it's eyes blindfolded. On each of it's hands and feet the toes and fingers were replaced with claws. The hair... The hair was black like the tail, and reminded me of Uchiha Madara's hair except even longer.

This creature before me... What was it? Had it been human at one time? My thoughts were interrupted. "Hello again, my little Shiro-kun."

The 'my' did not go unnoticed by me. He was claiming me as if I were property, that just wouldn't do. I belong to no one! I listened as he continued. "Do you want power ... Do you want to be able to protect those you love? To get your brother back? I can give you that power... All you have to do is accept it and come to me... Leave the Hidden Leaf..."

My thoughts were becoming hazy, but a few words were perfectly clear, urging me to accept.

The power...
The power to protect...
To bring my brother back...
Accept it...
Leave...
Leave...
Leave the Hidden Leaf!
Accept the power!

I... I can't do this. I shake my head to clear away the fogginess as best I can, but it doesn't change much.

Orochimaru continues, unhindered by my small bout of rejection. "If you accept... This is the power you will receive." He gestures to the creature. "This is a part of you. You must accept it. Lest you tear yourself apart. Then what would you do, you wouldn't even be able to protect your little brother... You wouldn't be able to get your older brother back... Just accept the power, I will grant you the ultimate power..."

I am about to accept it when a voice reaches me. It reminds me. "Don't do it, Shi-kun! Don't, it is evil, vile, it will destroy you!" Kaa-san... Tears trail down my face as I struggle against the cuffs. I will not accept! I won't.... I never will again!

"No! Get away from me leave me alone! I'll never accept it, never!" As I struggle more, the room starts to collapse. Orochimaru seems to realize this and curses, before he grabs the creature and disappears.

The last thing he says will haunt me for years to come. "I'll always be here. Waiting for you to come to me."

I scream out as I wrench my bloodied wrists out of the cuffs, falling to the ground. The room collapses into a field. It is full of grass, a lone tree in the middle. I can see more than just that. There are spots within the bright field, black flowers, rotting leaves on the tree. I look up to the sky and I will forever remember the picture of seeing Kaa-san in the sky.

I place my arm across my chest in a vow. "I will become strong enough on my own will, I will not use Orochimaru's power. It will be on my own, I swear Kaa-san! I will protect my little brother and I will bring Itachi back to the Hidden Leaf!"