Home is Where I Deem it (⛔☁)

3; Hope

It was relatively simple, actually. Despite the blatant favoritism and prejudice within the team, I had managed to get strong. Years of running and hiding from both the villagers and anbu, I was a master at stealth. Kurama himself had guided me in various forms of fuinjutsu and weaponry.

Not strong enough to really be considered high ranked, but I figured that I'd pass the Chunin test should I take it.

I have to get stronger.

Hopefully Jashin could offer that.

Night had taken forever to come, but it was the best time to begin my true sins. I chose my victims carefully. I couldn't start my journey on the outskirts and travel inward, no I wanted to start at the center. I wanted to start with those who hurt me most.

They deserved it. They all did.

I crept around, lightly stepping through the shadowy side streets. Good, finally a use for the dark, cold nights of autumn.

As I wandered through the village, I began considering my starting place. Where should I start? What should I do? Who should I sacrifice?

'The old man that stabbed your throat last time. I wanna return the favor' Kurama growled in my mind.

'Alright then. We'll start there' I responded, immediately switching routes to head left. After so long of running around and hiding, I knew where every single one of those disgusting villagers lived. This old man was no different.

He had a second floor apartment, the curtains being a one of a kind yellow. Probably trying to imitate the Fourth Hokage's yellow flash colour. I grimaced at the brightness of it. Even in the dark, it stood out.

My usual jumpsuit seemed black compared to these curtains. Regardless, I silently scaled the building and pushed open the window. Villagers here were too confident, so ignorant. They left their windows open. Second story didn't matter to thieves and ninjas. It was an effortless movement.

I snuck in, quietly closing the window after I had entered. Closing my eyes, Kurama sent me mental images of a silencing seal. I carved one into the wall with the same rusty kunai I'd had plunged through my own throat not more than a few days ago.

I always carried it with me now. Waste not, want not or something. Either way, I didn't want any villagers getting their hands on it again.

The apartment room brightened as my tenant sent 'demonic' chakra to my eyes. I whispered a thanks as I walked around, exploring the apartment. It was gorgeous compared to mine. The paint was pristine, no peeling or carvings. (Excluding my recent addition, of course.)

'After you shove that kunai through this bastard's throat, let's raid his kitchen. Might as well reward ourselves'

'Uhm... would that be okay though? I mean, he's not gonna use it, but that's stealing. I've never stolen before'

'You're committing murder, I think stealing is the last think to feel bad about'

'It's not murder' I quickly returned, fixing his wording. 'It's a religious sacrifice'

Kurama hummed, 'True'

My trek through the house continued, silently walking down the hall and checking the rooms for his target. The second door down held my prize.

Lying peacefully on his bed, soft snores plaguing the air. My nose wrinkled at the carefree state of the villainous man. Carefully climbing up until I was straddling the man, I could only hope that my weight would hold down the man should he struggle.

I slipped my fingers through the man's hair, knowing full well I'd have to wash the filth of this monster off of me. Humans were so vulnerable in their sleep, so without worries or thoughts of danger.

That would be changing soon. Real soon.

Once my hand was far enough for me to grab a fistful, I did, yanking it harshly. Brown eyes snapped open and met mine.

I smiled, lips stretching far enough to hurt. The man looked like a cross between scared and arrogant; he thought I was harmless. How insolent.

"Ne ne, I think you forgot something" I held up the kunai, waving it around in the man's vision. His eyebrows furrowed and his lips pulled back into a sneer.

"I'll kill you, demon brat!"

I only kept my stance, enjoying the pleasure of knowing what would become of this lowly civilian.

"May Lord Jashin take this sacrifice with open arms, devouring your soul in whichever way he pleases" Raising the kunai, I plunged it into the man's throat.

Being a civilian, the man had no reflexes to a ninja's speed. With his hair in my grasp and a kunai lodged deep in his throat, there was nothing the man could do. He thrashed around, but quickly found out that it only made the pain worse.

I laughed, Kurama's chakra making my eyes glow a bright scarlet. "You deserve this, you vile human. Disgusting, I pity my Lord who has to receive your foul soul"

A scorching heat seared through my chest, right above my heart. Kurama grunted. 'I guess you were accepted'

I grinned, watching the old man below me slowly die, body twitching in pain away tears and mouthed please covering his face.

I heard it then. The ancient, echoing voice. It was welcomed with ease, both me and my occupant knowing what it was. 'Makoto, I've decided to take you on. Continue your work and I shall reward you'

"Yes, M'lord"

I left the man, kunai still in his throat, though it had been moved around enough that it no longer covered the hole it had originally created. Blood soaked the bed, covering the pillows and blankets within the closest vicinity to the body.

'Should I call it a night?'

'After raiding his kitchen. You've done good for your first time'

'Thanks Kurama'

To the kitchen I go. This was a pleasurable first sacrifice. I felt warm inside, as if a cold weight had been removed.

It was a wonderful feeling.

Word Count: 1000