Metallic Wings (Kakanaru)

Chapter 5: A library incident...

Naruto couldn't help but agree with the maniacal mocking laugh in the back of his head as he registered Inu's words. 'We're going to the library' he said it like it was nothing unusual for a boy like Naruto to enter a fountain holding records of information from the start of Konoha, no one could possibly react negatively to such a sight- right?

The two males stood in the middle of the library with multiple pair of eyes either questioning their mentality or just plainly glaring, imagining weapons shanking them to commit a most wanted murder. And all Naruto could react with was a hollow laugh, not even trying to mask his unconcern for the plummeting killer intent gathering like a thick fog in the already crowded room. Inu simply turned around observantly. He pointed in the direction of the history section. His softly spoken words echoed around the room, which kept a strict eye on the unwelcomed guests.

"There is the history section Uzumaki-san." Inu had become ape at ignoring the villagers anger as he meandered through the archives having grabbed Naruto's hand firmly. Naruto could only stare at his hand and fingers which were laced perfectly with the larger warmer hands of Inu. The man had unintentionally caused an extraordinary ruckus in Naruto's mind as a choirs of whistles erupted when Naruto looked at their interlinking hands. These wolf whistles made Naruto question himself what is up with you? The question was of course rhetorical. He did not expect any form of answer. But he always received one. A rough snort made Naruto internally roll his eyes then more laughing ensued.

Naruto had tried to explore his interactions with the voice in the back of this head but the replies were always noises or sometimes he was simply dismissed with a snort and silence. He had though he was crazy before and had through deeply about reporting this to the Hokage's personal doctor, who wasn't inclined to be threatened by the village council. The doctor was nice to him and even gave him treats, much to his paranoid personality's surprise. So soon that doctor became Naruto's personal doctor. He wanted to report these noises to the doctor. But he couldn't. It was the only contact he had with some entity without it being hostile. It wasn't mean to Naruto and was the entity which warned Naruto about imminent threats. But it too did not form any type of complete contact with Naruto. It was always by Naruto's side. And that was enough for him.

In the library, rumours spread like wildfire in dense woods, the moment they left the line of sight of others, mainly wanting to know what the hell the 'demon' was doing in the most valued structure containing the wonders and secrets they wouldn't want enemies to get. Trudging through the files of shelves the gruff voice in Naruto's head didn't stop its contagious breakdown, the boy would have laughed along if only he wasn't the root of the laughter. The tall built man touched every book with other hand. His long fingers trailing their way across the myriad of books. Inu was making speedy progress in his brisk walk, Naruto had to jog to keep up with the larger man. Uncountable number of names brushed past Naruto, much to his displeasure. But excitement coursed through his veins as this trip made him feel like he was on a mission. Naruto was a wandering soul bumping into obstacles without care then bouncing back to continue his aimless journey to somewhere. But with Kakashi leading he felt his heart beat wildly to an erratic rhythm.

Kakashi came to an unexpected stop as he skimmed the row of book more intensely. The vice like grip on Naruto's hand became lax so Naruto's hand fell to his side. Missing the warm, Naruto reached for the man's sleeve and gripped the fabric tightly as he too read the titles on the shelf. Inu didn't notice and took some books out and showed them to Naruto only to feel the extra weight on his side.

"Here Uzumaki-san, does this sound interesting?" Naruto stared at the book in Inu's hand, it was an unused red hardback cover had white words printed in bold on the front. It would have look new if the pages didn't seem dull with age with an addicting musty smell which oddly comforted Naruto. 'Merchant of Money' the title proclaimed boldly. The odd statement did certainly perk Naruto's interest as he lovingly grabbed the book, making a silent vow with the book to read it to the end.

'Can I start?' A glimmer of hope in Naruto's dull eyes made Inu smile inside as the man nodded explaining that Naruto should sit by the side. With a slight skip in his step, Naruto edged to the shelf and tucked together to hold the book. With relish he opened the first page with gentle hands. His eyes ravaged the information and soon he speed picked up as he became in tune with the words- his surrounding forgotten. Inu from the corner of his mask saw a twitch of a small smile on his small lips. Returning to the task at hand he strayed away from Naruto. A bad decision. A regrettable decision. A naïve decision.

The surrounds when silent promptly. Clumsily shadows violated the young boy's space covering his mouth with larger hands. Naruto tried to scream out his lungs but his voice died in his throat with a hoarse grating. Kicking and flailing his arms as his eyes tried to swiftly look for Inu only to find the whole aisle empty of life.

"Yah think yah couldha escapt us demon. Nat ina million years." A vile laugh echoed in Naruto's ears as his muffled throaty noises; a growl set of a chain reaction as Naruto's struggling became more violent, his pores started to excrete translucent red jelly which had the consistency of liquid. The liquid was warm but started to erode his clothing soon eating away at his captor's skin. He howled like a kicked puppy and dropped the boy. An ear bursting sizzle crackled the air as the jelly had cemented itself to the man as it burned with a foul odour of burning flesh. It was the man's turn to kick and scream on the ground. The substance was happily munching away on the luscious fibrous muscle. The screaming hadn't stopped as tears poured out as all he had now was a bone for a hand. The jelly had evaporated into a seething red wisp.

Inu had rushed to the sight having booked out the books and having to wriggle his way through the crowd. When he came to the scene he felt his stomach flip having smelt the putrid stench of burning flesh. Small piles of rotting red masses surrounded a large man who was currently unconscious from shock. His eyes wide with fright and mouth tensed open to scream. Naruto stared at the man and back at Inu with cold indifference. The boy had just shrugged at the scene and leaned forward to survey the performance of the jelly. A section of chalky white bone was evidently visible free from the muscle which was once cemented to it.

The layers of muscle fascinated Naruto as he stared heartlessly at pool of blood forming around the body. Snapping out of his shock Inu grabbed Naruto around his waist securely enveloping the boy in unmatchable warmth. Naruto propelled out the hold and grabbed the abandoned book from the floor only to be swept away in frantic sparks of electricity.

"Uzumaki-san, I want you to tell me what exactly happened." It wasn't a plea for a confession. No. It was a command. Inu had so far only used that voice on Naruto to force him to do something for his own good. But this was different. His voice was full of fear and mistrust. Still draped in warmth Naruto reluctantly pulled out to face Inu. What was I thinking? I can't see his face Naruto thought sadly. His face, to Inu astonishment, contorted into a desperate sorrowful look. Inu was stunned. His hands went lax with their grip on Naruto's arms.

'I didn't do it.' Naruto pleaded. Over and over in a hushed inaudible voice.

'Don't be angry, please Inu-san I didn't do anything!' His arms around the book tensed as his eyes looked in frenzy at Inu mask for emotion. Naruto shook uncontrollably and reached out to shake the man out of this daze. Please talk to me! Naruto roared in his head. Inu flinched as pain reflected in Naruto's eyes. Naruto backed away and escaped to another room. 

Welcoming sweet isolation.