Eternal Shadow (Naruto)

Chapter One

The old Sandaime stared in frustration at his particularly large stack of paperwork- if his tape measure was correct (it helped to a certain degree to measure the height of the monstrosity) it was exactly 47 inches high.

While wondering what had caused the position of Hokage to become so dreary and plain, there was a sharp knock on his door. Immediately alert, Sarutobi corrected his posture and cleared his throat, mustering a somewhat authorising tone.

"Come in." Three ANBU appeared, the three bearing the masks of a lion, a tiger and an ox. "Hokage-sama." Lion greeted, bowing his head. The other two followed his lead, lowering their heads in respect.

"What do you wish to report?" Sarutobi huffed, obviously losing his facade, his tone rude and uninterested. "Hokage-sama, it seems the mission you sent some of our fellow ANBU on has been a failure." Lion stated.

"What do you mean?" The Sandaime seemed to gain a bit of urgency in his voice, looking straight at the present shinobi.

"It seems they were killed- by a child."

•~•~•~•~•

"KIRA! KIRA!" The jeering children surrounded me, chanting while skipping in a circle, their smiling faces dead and scarred. Their shadows started closing in on me. I screamed, begging them to stop.

"NO! NO! STOP!" I cried, the shadows squeezing me.

"Why?" The children all chorused together. They seemed to be receiving enjoyment in slowly killing me, a fact that terrified me to the core.

Just as the world started fading, there was a deafening roar and a huge night blue shadow lunged towards me, my body falling victim to its claws.

I woke with a jolt. The first thing I noticed about my surroundings is that there was a strong smell of iron lingering in the air- blood. My heart speed up and I started to panic. I pulled on my arms, wishing for them to rise, but they were constricted by leather bound restraints.

I lifted my neck, and peered down at my feet. It seemed my ankles, thighs and stomach were all bound as well.

My neck started to throb, and I placed it back down on the uncomfortable cold metal table in defeat. I had so many questions swimming around in my head. I wanted them to be answered, but it seemed that I was the only person in the room.

Only then did I start crying, realising that I had no idea where I was. I was lucky, in most situations I would've broken down before I even opened my eyelids.

Just as I was about to let out a sob, I heard a door behind me swing open, and then the sound of metal clashing as it fell closed.

"Kuyami." An aged voice said.

"How do you know my name?" I asked the newcomer, trying to hide the shaking in my voice.

"I have my sources."

There was a silence, in which neither the person or I moved a muscle. Deciding against my shy nature, I strived to start off on the offensive.

"Why am I here?" I stated steadily, staring at the ceiling.

Still, the person stayed silent. I grew frustrated, my impatience getting the better of me.

"Answer me. Now," I growled.

I heard the sound of footsteps coming closer. Great, the person wasn't dead. When he stopped, I could see him clearly.

He had an aged face, with a pipe hanging out of his mouth, with white billowing robes draped over his thin frame, skimming the floor. What especially caught my interest was a red and white hat, with the kanji for fire written on the front.

Looking me in the eye, the man leaned closer to me, until he was breathing in my ear.

"Don't you remember? You killed three shinobi."

I stared at him in shock.

•~•~•

I've had this idea brewing in my head for a while now, and now I've finally gotten down to starting the story.

Anyway, I hope you like it, and if you want more, please let me know!!

- StephUzumaki :D