The Beast Within (World of Naruto) Prologue1

The strange howling in my ears wouldn't let me rest for some reason. I sense warmth and light playing against my closed eyelids, but beneath their warm dance a chill wells up inside me from the sunless ocean bottoms and the farthest depths of space. I groaned pathetically and tried to snuggled down in to the bed but I hear a peculiar crunch.

I forced open my eyes against my better judgment. The first thing to greet my gaze was immense whiteness of snow causing me to jerk up in a sitting position. Nothing but white greeted my eyes. I realized in horror that I was buried under the snow. I reached out and began clawing urgently at the walls of my colorless, frozen prison. It seem like forever when my arms broke through outside and I dragged my body out of the hole. My eyes slide across the unfamiliar territory of the snow. I quickly felt up and down my body. I was wearing a ripped up nightgown that barely covered my…my…body. Images flashed through my memory of what happened. 'I should be dead…I should be…why am I not cold?' My eyes widen in realization of the fact that I am scantily clad in the middle of the Land of Snow and to me it's quite a comfortable temperature. 'Oh God I am dead…' I turned to look for my body which I was surprised that nothing was behind me, but shreds of my night gown and the hat my mother had place on my head before I left. I stared down into the deep almost bottomless hole that I just crawled out of.

"I'm not dead, but how…?" I mumbled and my bare feet crunched in the snow as I turned around quickly taking in my surroundings. My long hair swirling about me and I suddenly ceased all movement. I reached up slowly and grabbed at my hair and stared at it for a long time. It came about near my waist and I nearly choked to death. Last time I remembered my hair didn't even reach my shoulders it barely made it past my chin. The color even changed it was so dark of an indigo that it was almost black. 'What's happening…'I realized I was also a little taller than I used to be. I fell down to my knees and looked around me desperately. "Just how long have I been out here?"

"Who are you?" A voice whispered from behind me causing me to turn abruptly as I fell backwards into the snow. A boy almost my age but a little older stared over me with his dark almost black eyes. I started to back away from him but stopped when he smiled and his shaggy brown hair feel into his eyes as he pulled his blanket that he had over his winter clothes from around him. He placed it over my shoulders and I clutched the blanket hugged it around me. He was tall almost a full head in a half taller than me. "Aren't you even cold dressed like this out here?"

"I..I…don't...know." I whispered and brought my hands to my mouth. I should be cold and I should be dead. I didn't know what to tell him, as he looked at me in evident amazement. He was shivering like there was no tomorrow and I could only stare at him fearfully.

"You don't know if you are cold or not?" His eyebrows raised sharply into his hairline as a gentle smile came over his face. "You should be dead being dressed like this out here."

"I…" My mouth moved sluggishly and I drew my hands down. It's far to late to even fake being cold.

"Do you live near here?" His question hit me hard again.

"I…don't …know."

"Well, come with me to my home and we will figure all of this out."

"I…I…Okay." I slowly stood up and stumbled slightly forward not thinking of anything better to tell him. He moved to try to steady me but I jerked back sharply and he decided against coming within my comfort zone and walked around about two feet ahead of me as I walked meekly behind him trying to think of a slew of lies I could tell him. He seemed like we walked forever with him near shivering to death while I walked through the snowstorm like I was at a warm beach. 'I've got to be a ghost…this isn't possible. I'm dead …I'm dead…I'm dead…but I didn't leave a body behind…so I'm undead…yeah that's it I'm a zombie or a ...a ...what's else is undead? A vampire…Wait okay I doubt it…I like the ghost option better.'
"We're here." He mumbled causing me to look sharply up as I walked into his back and almost stumbled into the snow. My eyes widen as I saw how large his home really was and glanced at him skeptically.

"Are you a servant?" I mumbled wrapping the blanket tighter around me out of habit. He stared at me blankly before stepping inside the doors and I followed behind him. He gently shut the doors behind him slipping off his shoes and glanced down the hall he looked quietly around before reaching out and grabbing my wrist and was about to drag me somewhere before a voice resounded in the hallway. I tugged uselessly at my wrist before giving up.

"Ren-San, where have you been?" A rushed voice came into hearing and the guy turned around slowly to face a much older guy probably in his late teens and he practically flew down the hallway at him. I felt my hair dripping on to the floor the snow had seemingly melted and I was soaking wet. I glanced down fearfully at my hair and sighed in relief at the black color it gave off since it was wet. The guy stopped in front of us and glanced down at me and then at I assume the guy who brought me here was Ren. "Who's she?"

"She's…actually to tell the truth I don't know who she is. I found her deep in the terrain dressed like this…well you can't see what’s she's dressed like because of the blanket but it's a thin ripped up nightgown and that's all. " He stopped and dropped my wrist and stared at me for a while before replying back to him. His eyes burned into my own as I shifted somewhat uncomfortable under the scrutiny of his gaze. The other guy was staring at me like a hawk would something shiny. I chewed my bottom lip uncomfortably wondering how did I even end up in this position. I was now worried if they were going to think that I was a ghost or something and drag me back into the snow and try to kill me again.

"You mean…she…was like this….out there? Is she human?" His words were in complete shock as he looked back and forth between me and then looked at the doors that lead outside. My heart fell to the floor and my knees trembled as he stared at the doors and me. I just knew he was going to drag me back out there. My knees buckled and I slide down to the ground and before I even touched the ground sobs shook my body. I didn't want to experience any of that ever again…the arctic chill…the death…the scare…the wretchedness…the utter helplessness to save myself.

"Whoa…what's the matter with her?" The guy asked stooping down quickly with me and he began to reach out and I jerked backwards sharply while tears streamed down my face. It was weird making contact with people after being locked up in the room for so long.

"She obviously doesn't like to be touched for some reason. I don't know what's the matter with her." Ren muttered and looked mildly helpless as to what to do with a sobbing girl.

"Don't kill me…" I breathed out which I was so sure that would be the end result. They both looked at each other for a moment before smiles broke across their faces and Ren looked at the guy who shook his head in disbelief.

"Why would we kill you? Its just ….maybe you should take her to get dressed properly." The guy murmured shaking his long black hair out of his eyes.

*************************LATER****************************************

I was sitting in front of a fire in loose gray pants and a dark long sleeved shirt. My hair was now dry and shining a deep dark violet. I let my eyes drift into the fire and I brought my hands up to grab a firm hold of my hair and my hands began to move quickly in hand movements and produced one long thick braid going down my back. I reached over and placed a hand over my head. I couldn't cover my hair because it would be weird. 'Oh I'm screwed either way…' I reached and grabbed the hat on the floor and yanked it on top of my head stuffing my braid in it also. There was a knock on the door and it opened. I was greeted with the older guy who I meet upon entering here and Ren.

"My parents are eager to meet you and so is the rest of my family. They are having a meeting with a branch family, but we can interrupt. We are a high born family so keep your head down at all times until asked otherwise." Ren smiled his brown hair fell into his eyes. My eyes widen as I realized that these boys were no servants and I nodded my head, luckily for me in the firelight my hair still looked black. I followed them down the hall quietly before stopping in front of some large doors. Ren stood on one side of me while the other boy stood on the other. They pushed the doors open and we both walked in. I kept my head down which was customary.

"Renichi and Kenshin, you requested an immediate discussion with us even though you know we are in a meeting with the branch family." I hear murmurs from my view I couldn't see very well but there were quite a few people in the room. "This better be of foremost importance."

"It is, Oto-sama. I was outside and I found this girl." Renichi started off and I heard his father scoff. ' Oh yeah…this is bad…I'm going to die …again.'

"You interrupted this meeting for a girl." I could hear the disdain in his father's voice and I just knew this was going to not end well.

"You don't understand. She was out there in the cold with barely any clothes and she wasn't even cold. She was just sitting there in the snow as if she was in the fire country or something." Renichi spoke over his father and I hear a bunch of surrounding gasps.

"Son, do you know what you are implying?"

"It's true…"

"I will not put up with your lies."

"Father!" A voice catches everybody attention. It wasn't Renichi's voice that I was hearing but a different one. The father and the other voices were silenced instantly. I crunched my eyebrows staring at the floor. Why would a son have more control than the father? "Let the girl speak...Renichi, please leave the room." I felt him hesitate beside me and then bow and leave. I closed my eyes and prayed for the first time in a long time.

"Is this true? Were you out in the terrain barely clad and are still alive to tell the tale?" The voice of the son brushed against my ears and my eyes shot open. I saw nothing but his long ivory robe.

"Yes." I didn't now how to address them at all. I heard murmuring around the room.

"Do you know where you are?"

"No." There was more murmuring.

"Would you believe me if I told you that you're at Murasaki?" His voice mused from close by as he moved further away from me. I nearly choked to death. 'I can't be at Murasaki…It's where the Main Branch family lives…I can't be in front of…'

"Are you one of the heirs to the Mursaki line?" I clenched my hands tightly in front of me and murmurs filled the room again.

"Only I'm allowed to do the questioning."

"When were you born?"

"November 30th?" I whispered and the room stayed silent and I felt the guy walk away from me.

"What year?" he voice took on an edge as if he already knew what I was going to say before I said it.

"Tsuki no Niji." I whispered and there was uproar of voice, but one voice pulled through them all.

"She's lying. She's a liar." The familiar voice called out. It was a woman. "The Freezing Ceremony took place a year ago. That Barbaric tradition was canceled when my child came missing. I will not stand for this."

"A…A…year…" I whisper and my whole body trembled and I couldn't stop shaking. This can't be true …I couldn't have been out there for…a year. That would make me 13…and I…I survived out there for a year. This is crazy. "I've been gone for a year?"

"Are you saying you're one of the lost children?" The father's voice broke through and it was filled with sarcasm. "Do you know what that implies?"

"I've been gone for a year." I whispered as I steadied myself and suddenly there was a bunch of shuffling but I kept my face down.

"Calm…Down.." Voices called…I only assumed that someone was trying to make it to me.

"You're such a good little actress." A voice cried out pained …She must be the one they was holding back. "Who do you think you are?!"

"I …"

"Calm yourself." The father called out obviously Murasaki-sama. "So child if you are the chosen one, then you can touch the pendent of Tenshimi."

"I don't know." I whispered. The Pendent of Tenshimi is supposed to verify the chosen one, but ones who claim the name falsely will turn into a block of ice. I didn't want to touch the thing.

"Then bring the pendent." Murasaki-sama voice finalized. There was a loud mumbling and soon I saw two feet standing in front of me.

"Do you know the consequences if you are lying and touch this pendent?" I assume it was the son's voice.

"Yes." I whispered to the floor.

"Look up and face me." I slowly brought my head up and meet his eyes. He had short, shaggy bright purple hair and deep violet eyes. I brought my hand to my mouth in shock. It was …Ouji-sama, no wonder he pulled more weight than his father. He has the rare colored hair and not only that but the eyes too. He would be 16 this year. He merely smirked as the realization stewed into me. "Do you understand what will happen to you?"

"Yes, Ouji-sama." I whispered and tugged down on my hat. I kept my eyes on him and no one else in the room. I slowly trailed my eyes to down to the pillow that the Pendent of Tenshimi was on. The necklace was heart shaped and the stone was so deep a blue that it was almost purple.

"And do you still want to put it on even though it might mean your death?" His cerulean eyes bored into me as I stared hesitatingly at the pendent. 'I…don't …really…have...a say in this.'

"I don't really have a choice." I brought my eyes up to meet his beautiful indigo ones. His eyes twinkled, as we both knew the question was merely there for looks. I placed two trembling hands over the pillow and place my hands on the clasp of the necklace and closed my eyes instantly.

"You're not quite dead yet…you have to put it on."

"Oh…" I opened my eyes and blew a sigh of relief. I undid the clasp and brought the necklace eye level before looking past the deep blue heart to met Ouji-sama. His gaze remained unenthusiastic. I sighed and closed my eyes and clasped the necklace around my neck. Suddenly bright white consumed my vision and I looked around.

"Where am I?"

"It doesn't matter." A voice thunders around me and I swirl around in a circle trying to catch sight of the voice.

"Who are you?"

"That's not of any importance either."

"Than can you tell me something of importance?" I stood still and kept my eyes closed. I've felt like I've been to hell and back.

"Seems you are irritated…so let's keep this brief. You were granted a gift…it took a few for your body to accept it and it took even longer to try to keep your soul intact to your body without you dying in the process. Let's see, you will receive more details later on…"

"What?" My eyes shot open and I stomped my foot. "If you think I'm going to accept this glossed over whatever you want to call it…when you owe me explanations you are clearly mistaken."

"Wow, a little attitude problem. I shouldn't be surprised you were hell on wheels in your last past life."

"My what?" I ran my hand through my long indigo hair and fell out on the ground with a thud. "So let me get this straight. I have a gift?"

"Yes."

"What type of gift?"

"A power but so much more."

"And what type of power?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Really now? Why am I not surprised?"

"Why am I chosen?"

"You've been the chosen throughout a few millennia."

"I…have past lives? What makes me so important?"

"That is another story for another time."

"Who are you?"

"A old friend."

"Friend? Tell me, friend, just what the hell am I supposed to do?" I grumbled sitting up angrily. "Why am I not dead?"

"Do you want to be dead?"

"NO…that's …"

"Than shut-up…if you don't mind me saying so. Now what you are supposed to do is go to Konoha."

"Konoha? Why?"

"I don't know you tell me?" The voice mused as if it was a secret that only I knew before the light suddenly faded to Ouji-sama's face and he was smirking in front of me.

"So you're not dead?" He smiled and flipped his purple hair out of his eyes and turned to the crowd as I stared blankly ahead. Suddenly the father raged and pointed at me.

"You can't be the one." He spitted and his son, ouji-sama merely stared at the situation. "The chosen one has always came from the Murasaki line."

"Father, she is standing before you wearing the necklace." Ouji-sama silenced his father and the murmurs that had grown incessantly loud. Ouji-sama made his way to his seat and leaned backwards in the chair. I felt everyone's eyes bore into in the room especially Ouji-sama. "So, she is the first one to not be from the Murasaki line. Tell me, why are you wearing that hat?"

"I…I …" I placed my hands on my head and gripped the hat. I couldn't think of a good enough lie to tell him. His amethyst eyes bore into mine and I whimpered and tugged the hat down further over my ears. It wasn't even my hat…it was in the room I was in when they brought me here. This is all too much to absorb in.

"Take off the hat." His voice ripped through my mind. I couldn't disobey him…but I couldn't disobey my mother either. I slowly brought my hands down to my waist shaking my head back and forth. Everyone was silent, He couldn't make me take off the hat seeing I had a new position, but I still wasn't of the Murasaki line. Yet, He still doesn't know that I'm not just a villager's child.

"I…can't." I whispered and brought my eyes to meet his tiredly.

"Take off the hat, now. It's considered rude by any means no matter who you are now." His voice finalized. I brought my hands up hesitantly and tugged down the hat. I felt, as my indigo hair came tumbling down into view there was a loud uproar and protesting voices.

"Just who the hell are you?" Murasaki-sama voice cried out.

"Osage…Osage Oyuki." There was suddenly a loud painful cry…I noticed the voice as the women who yelled at me earlier. Suddenly I was dragged down to the ground my clothing and a woman was sobbing on top of me. I thought at first that she was trying to kill me but her tight embrace told me otherwise. I was blinded by whiteness of her hair. "Mo..Mother?"

"Oyuki…" My mother whispered rocking me back and forth in her arms sobbing uncontrollably. I felt gentle hands tangled in my hair causing me to look upwards and my father's stern face come into view. His pristine short white hair and his pale blue eyes bore into mine and I watched in amazement as his watered up. He fell down to his knees and embraced both my mother and me. 'My father is hugging me and crying…I think the underworld just froze over.'