Hakuna Matata Ninja (Complete)

Ch 15-Help ... The Darkness is Consuming Me

I woke up to the moonlight shining on my face in a window. Where am I...? Using the little light I have, I take notice of my surroundings.

I realize soon after I'm in the hospital, but... They've restrained me. I grimace as I try to move, hindered by the elastic straps.

"So... Shiro Uchiha, you are finally awake." I see his shadow from the light. It is the Sandaime Hokage.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. If I may... Why am I restrained?" I question with growing dread... If it is why I think it is... This is not very good at all. The Hokage clasps his hands behind him and I soon understand why he is the Hokage. The strength that protrudes in a spiritual sense is monstrous. He is well deserved of the title.

"Well... Imagine my surprise when I find a strange creature carrying one of my tobuketsu Jounin on it's back, only for it to turn into a small boy, with the curse mark receding from around his body back into the place on his neck where it should have stayed, unactivated." I grit my teeth and clench my fists as I feel tears prickle in my eyes. So that's it. He thinks I'm a monster.

"I suppose... You think I am a monster now. For using such a tainted power. I suppose that is all I will ever be now. A monster, like the villagers consider my friend." My body trembles as I say this with contempt for what I've become. I am a beast now. I am in the darkness.

Suddenly the elastic wraps are gone and I sit up in shock, seeing the Hokage glaring at me. "You are no monster boy. I have the feeling you did not use the power of your own free will. Even then, you used it to save a comrade instead of destroying them. You are making the power you wield untainted in the way you use it. Don't ever think you are a monster."

He... He is different from everyone else. He sees beyond the taint to the true person. This is the Jiji that my friend Naruto always talks about. I feel a small smile overtake my face. "Thank you, Lord Hokage. For all that you've done for me."

"Of course, Shiro-kun. Would you like to go see Anko-chan? Since you were able to get her here the doctors were able to heal her before the wounds became infected. In fact... She was awake last I saw her... And she was quite adamant on seeing you..." As if on cue, shouts erupt from outside the door and it slams open, revealing Anko in a white hospital gown.

"Shiro, damnit... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you kid. I'm sorry!" She grabbed me and crushed my head against her chest in a bone crushing hug.

"Mitarashi, get back in the bed now, your wounds are still healing!" Anko merely hissed at them like a snake would and summoned a snake a little bigger than her, who looked at the doctor like he was going to be it's next snack.

"Mitarashi! This instant! Hokage-sama please help us!" The Hokage merely chuckled at the doctors predicament, eliciting a chuckle from myself as well as I watched Anko behave like a child, sticking her tongue out at the doctor while her snake kept them from coming any closer.

"If she can run all the way from her room to here and summon a snake, I think she is fine haha!" Lord Hokage let out a throaty chuckle and I grinned. I am not a monster in his eyes. And from the way Shishou is holding me like I'll disappear, she does not see the monster either.

"Shiro." My head snaps towards the Hokage at his serious tone.

"It is only a truly tainted power if you choose to follow it into the darkness. But, if you use it for good, to protect your comrades, your home, it is not a power to be unused. Orochimaru may have given it to you with the intention of turning you against the Leaf, but you have rejected it and used the power for good. Just don't let it consume you." And with that he faded away from my vision.

"Kami... Gaki, I don't think it's a power anyone should use. It contains a piece of his twisted soul. But, I won't judge you if you use it... Cause in the end you're still my gaki." I let a carefree smile cross my face, but my eyes speak with a fiery determination like no other.

"I will use it. But I will use it to protect my village, my comrades, friends, and my brothers. I will use it to take down the enemies of Konoha!" I jump up before falling back down in a heap. Ow. My body throbs with pain that I hadn't felt until now.

I hear more shouts outside the room before the door is busted off it's hinges and a blonde blur dashes into the room and around the snake. "Get back here you demon brat! Your taint is not allowed in the hospital!"

This happens quickly in my eyes, two men -presumably civilian doctors- rush into the room, see the giant snake, squeal like little girls, and dash back out of the room.

"Hello, Naruto." I give him a small smile. I'll continue my philosophy... Just not as much right now.

"Hey Shiro! I'm totally working on beating Sasuke-teme dattebayo! Just you wait, I'll be Hokage before you know it, haha!" Oh sweet Naruto, so... Innocent. I wish that I was still innocent and untainted as he. I should have stayed in the academy... but I didn't. And now I'm cursed with another form.

"That's wonderful Naruto. I can't wait for that day, heh, everyone's too stupid to see it, but I know you'll be great. Just work hard and it'll happen, I guarantee it!" I say supportingly, making Naruto smile brightly. It makes me happy to see him so pure... That may change when he becomes genin... I hope it doesn't though.

"Will you introduce us gaki?" I had forgotten about Shishou's presence... How strange, she's still holding me, though tighter to probably keep me from jumping up again.

"Yes. Shishou, this is Naruto Uzumaki, he wants to be Hokage. Naruto, this is my Shishou, Anko Mitarashi, and she wants to eat all the dango in the world. Ow!" She whacked me upside the head! "Why Shishou, why? Don't you love me?"

"You are still the idiot gaki I first met... Even with all that's happened to you." She shakes her head at my antics, drawing a smirk from me.

"Yeah... I think for now, we should stick to C ranks and train harder. I'll try out for the Jounin exams when I feel ready."

"You just became Chunin, and you're already thinking about being Jounin? You are probably the craziest gaki I've ever met!"

"Ah, but I wouldn't be me if I wasn't, haha!" I laughed, realizing that I wasn't so alone in this challenge, I had people to help me out of the darkness. I have Shishou, Naruto, and even the Hokage to keep me in the light.