Crimson Night

Once it was close enough, Naruto's hand grabbed its neck! He could feel his strength fading. He...was dying. Yet, he did not let go. Even as the dog squealed and barked in pain he did not let go. For if he let go, then he would surely die.

He could feel its fur. He could feel the way it moved. He...could feel the rush of endorphins rushing through its body. He could feel the adrenaline. Even as his blood seeped into the ground, he could feel the lifeblood of the animal in his grasp.

Though he had no way of knowing, Naruto's eyes shined with unrelenting murderous intent. He...he would keep on living! He was not going to die! Not like this!

Though he could feel his body slipping, he squeezed and squeezed. They wanted a monster. They would all receive monster. Abandoned by Kami. Abandoned by his own village. He did not need them. He did not need anyone! He didn't need their hope! He didn't need their forgiveness! He DIDN'T NEED THEIR ACCEPTANCE! He didn't need their respect! All he needed…

CRACK!

He watched as he snapped the dog's neck. It fell to the ground, dead. He saw the red wine of its body slither towards him. Yes, all he needed from them...all he needed...all...he...needed…

...was to crush their hope...like they...crushed...HIS!

Naruto opened his tongue and the life fluids from the deceased animal rolled across it. Upon this blood, he swore. He swore no more hope. He swore no more mercy.

He swore no.

MORE CHANCES!

The blood swished and swirled upon his taste buds. Feast he did. No hope here. He would never be accepted, but that was okay.

He gulped more and more until the blood filled his mouth and he swallowed it. His fingers twitched when the blood wrapped around them. He clenched his hands. His vision hazy he did not see the blood float in the air.

Bubbles levitated as if responding to his growing rage. The scars upon his back slowly healed themselves. The iron marks which steamed his skin faded away into nothingness.

Blood solidified around his hands and nails. Red claws stabbed into the ground while he dug up the dirt from beneath him. A red mist swirled violently around him clashing and striking the walls of the alley.

He slashed bags and bags of garbage. The mist decorated stripes of his blonde hair granting them a sinister glow of red.

Very well, Konoha. You would ask for "Uzumaki Naruto to become a monster? Then he would become on...just for you, and anyone else who got in his way!"

The blonde tried to stand, but his near death experience had severely taken its toll upon his body. He dropped to his knees and darkness overcame him. He never saw the remaining blood from the dog he had just killed seep into the very cells of his body...taking residence in its new host.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Morning Arose.

October 11, the day after the night the Kyuubi laid waste to Konohagakure and hero, the Yondaime Hokage, had stopped the beast by sacrificing himself that day, and Naruto's birthday, was yesterday.

People began opening their shops and stores. Each greeting each other with warm expressions and happy tidings. However, in the dark alleyway, Naruto opened his eyes. He picked himself up from the garbage and shook his head. Memories of yesterday filled his mind, and with them so did his hatred for Konoha and her inhabitants.

He stared into the sun kissed streets. He watched families, strangers, and villagers roam their homes. His ire grew more and more upon seeing their happy faces. He could feel his blood boiling in response to his anger.

Yet, he gave pause for one moment. He could hear a drum. He could hear loud, deep drums. Some far, and others near. He also smelled the scent...of blood. He watched one person pass the alley and it was as if the loud drum had beat in front of him before fading away.

This drum...it was just like his own. He could hear the beat of hearts. Each person who passed him by...he could see the rhythmic flow of the organic muscle which powered their blood flow.

He took a step back. He could even see the hearts of the shinobi who dashed overhead. Was he going crazy? He had to be. He watched the hearts dash overhead.

Naruto gasped and fell back to the ground. He turned around and he noticed the life he had taken.

He stared down at the dog. That's right, he was dying and...to live he murdered the animal in front of him. The taste of blood was still upon his lips.

He nearly felt like shivering. Every vessel of blood in his body, he could feel them circulating. He needed to get out of here. He...needed to get home. He...he needed to think. He...winced as he covered his nose.

"I need a shower. The trash was my bed last night," He muttered.

He walked out. Instantly, looks of disgust, hatred, and anger were upon him. Yet, for the first time, he stared back at them just as angrily.

He could see them. He could hear them. The people's hearts beat with anxiety. Their once smooth rhythm had completely been thrown into disarray upon his presence.

Yet, he pushed on and out of their way. Not yet, he did not forget his vow. Not yet. He just had to wait.

He raced home and closed his door. He took off his clothes, not caring if they littered the floor, and stepped into his bath. Hot water drenched over him. He laid his hands on the wall.

"What's...happening to me?" He asked himself.

Every injury, all the pain he remembered enduring, not a single scratch remained upon his skin. It was as if his blood had repaired any and all damage inflicted upon him.

He remembered the strikes from the whip. Gone. He remembered the feel of hot iron. Gone. He remembered the punches, the kicks, and...though he felt very sore, there were no bruises to be noticed. He...was nearly dead when he had been left by the civilians.

Perhaps he was crazy. Perhaps he had received one strike too many, but he turned off his shower, walked into his kitchen, grabbed a knife, and walked back into the bathroom.

He placed his hand on the counter and held the knife over it. He found himself short on breath. He could feel his blood moving like a thousand insects inside his body.

"What am I doing? I gotta be losing my mind!" Naruto thought.

The young boy gave a slight curse, and pricked his left hand's index finger with the sharp utensil. He watched the red sea of life surface from his fingertips. He stared at it as if he expected it to explode in his face. It did not do so.

Instead, he watched it slowly extend itself as if connected via a long string. His eyes widened and he backed away from the counter. He watched in stunned awe.

All the injuries he held before, and all of the pain he felt before, this had never happened to him. The beat of hearts. The smell of blood. The sight of the heart pounding. Naruto could see it all. Where blood traveled, he was able to watch it. That had not been a lie.