(37) Darkside

"Every warrior must learn the simple truth, that pain is inevitable and suffering is optional" -Malcolm Merlyn; arrow

Real trust is about accepting even the dark parts we will never know. - Lujane; TDP

⚠️WARNING⚠️

-longer chapter

-minor explicates

minor graphic violence

-death

⟨Normal POV⟩

I was standing in complete darkness, so dark that I could barely see my hands in front of my face. 'Great I'm going to die here, I flatly thought. To say I was worried would be an understatement, part of me is terrified.

-I admit, Kireina Uchiha is scared; Scared, despite my outward persona. Scared to be… Suddenly a piercingly loud sound shocked Kirenia from her thoughts.

A terrifying scream rang through the rooms. It kept coming from all directions. I try and cover my ears to block out the agonizing terror, shutting my eyes and retreated into a ball wanting to get out of this horrible nightmare. 'Stop, stop, please stop' I muttered over and over in my head but that didn't stop the cries, horrific and sorrowful cries.

It took a few seconds to gather myself and run towards the awful sounds. Now you must be saying why are you running towards those sounds? Because they don't sound like pleasant sounds to run to. Well, I will say you sometimes need to confront it, sometimes it's the only way.

The cries got louder the closer I got with every step deeper and darker into the foggy abyss I got. A figure manifests followed by a few more and I recognize them as my friends.

"Hey, guys, what's happening? Where are we? tell me what's going on." I said, perplexed stealing a glance at everyone around me "What was that awful sound? Is someone in danger? What's wrong?"

"What are you doing here?" The Akamichi said in a considerably nasty tone which ticked me off slightly

So I replied with a smug and sassy tone of my own, putting both my hands on my hips "I could say the same thing."

"I don't even know why we were even friends" next spoke Tamaki, catching me off guard a bit "Oh please tell" she added sarcastically. 'And here I thought sarcasm was my thing, even if it wasn't in a mean way.'

I raised a skeptical brow"Y-you don't mean that?" my lips pressed into a tight thin line

"Yes I do," she said coldly, her eyes void of any emotion except for a hint of anger "It's your fault Mika is dead"

My brows fiercely narrowed, the thin line quickly turned into a full-on scowl "HELL NO YOU DID NOT! THAT WAS ITACHI'S DAM FAULT, AND YOU KNOW IT!" I retorted with a mix of confusion and anger, mostly the latter at her accusation and the fact that the two-timing bastard, but at least I can't pin all my rage on him cause I at least call see a bigger picture, unlike someone else I hate. *Cough* Sausuke *Cough*

"But it's your fault she's gone. You could have saved her."

"Oh, and how's that? Oh, please tell" I rhetorically say in a sickly sweet tone, thick sarcasm dripping down from it with every word. "That would be suicide, I would stand no chance against him." I stated point blankly, my expression then became a bit softer "W-why are you acting this way? you're not the Tamaki Nakano I know" I said wary but calmly, shaking my head trying to make reason of all this "Th-the kind and c-caring, T-th-th-the upbeat, posit-"

"She's right" an estranged, and eerily calm voice cut in. It sent a slight shiver down my spine, like in one of those horror movies moments "You could save me, saved us both. We could've run away, to go on our journey like we always dreamed of." their hopeful but unsettling voice added, I swiftly turned in the direction of the originator of that comment, there stands a small 3'6 tall girl with that starkly jet black raven hair and shiny obsidian eyes, a trademark of the Uchiha clan...Mikasa. How I'd remember? I don't, but perhaps Subconsciously I do.

"But not like that." I firmly state with a shake of my head "This can't be real. Mika, you died," I paused confusion but this time my anger was replaced with sadness "died...with the rest of them...on that very night, a-al-almost a decade ago." I muttered, swallowing the hick in my throat

"They say I'm a monster, but at least I'm no traitor," Naruto interjected next

"Naruto," I muttered with a sympathetic frown tugging at my lips. I wanted to at him that he had no right cutting me off, but I know I don't have any control over this fantasy at the moment. I also knew how that term that the villagers use bothers him so much he's set out to prove otherwise. 'This isn't like him, it's like the total opposite, a 180 of his former self.' "I'm sorry, but can you blame my irrational actions? I was just a child!"

He just went on as if he didn't hear what I had to say, "You abandoned the village-"

"Well screw the village! it did nothing good for me anyway!" I sneered, not even trying to hide the thick growl in the back of my throat, cutting the blonde off. Multiple red flags raising at the unusual oddities of the few friends standing here as I decided to start and use my vast intelligence and put the pieces together in the back of my mind; tho my eyes rapidly flickered as I willed myself to hold back the forming tears, not cause of guilt that I left the village but because of the fact I...

"Abandoned your friends?" he voiced the thought as if he was reading my mind just now, his voice had an edge to it compared to his usual cheery demeanor.

'I'm starting to not like where this was going.' I could feel my misty welling up more and more. "You know me, I wouldn't do that purposely." by now my confidence was all but not drained, barely trying to hold it together. I then turned my gaze at the two people that managed to stay quiet this whole exchange "What?! You don't have anything degrading to say?!" I spat, my eyes narrowed in disgust. "Well say it! I know what you think, That I'm 'just a drag' or just 'someone you hang around with because you pity her.' Is that what you think, huh? At least you have someone. I have no one." Answering for the silent charters before me "Spare the sympathies," my scowl deepened "I can push you all away too; Yeah, I can push you away and not feel any remorse over it" I lied, about being fed up with this torturous dream or genjutsu, or whatever it is.

I knew it was a dream after they said some out-of-charter stuff. But, oh no, my self-doubt keeps antagonizing me. It was not the fact that my self-d is egging me or the fact that I'm getting verbally harassed by my inner turmoil but the fact in the end it doesn't matter. I just grew accustomed to the negative voices, numb more like. I know I'll live with them for possibly the rest of my life so why fight them.

Though the voices don't get to me, the fact that in the blink of an eye I'm all alone -I'd prefer the agonizing cries to this, complete loneliness, emptiness. Ok I know I'd said this before but admitting-ly despite my antipathical self, somewhat rude, and cynical appearance, ultimately I'm just a kid that wants to be loved and know that it's worth something. I sometimes don't know if that cheerful persona Was an act to hide behind or the real deal.

And as if my question and curiosities were answered another figure appeared, it stared me down and it hit me all too well, the one person I want to hate all too much. 'Tsk this is getting ridiculous' I rolled my eyes about fed up with this torturous roller -coaster of a dream.

"Sasuke?!"

'What is my subconscious trying to tell me? Is it trying to tell me something I already know: That my brother is a vengeful, vindictive, and tunnel-visioned person. Of course, he doesn't care about me one bit. That's why he left, that's why he forgot about me, and he could care less. I'm so foolish to think otherwise' the thought made my blood boil with seething rage

after a few moments of silence I spoke again "Forget about it, I disowned you the moment you left me, you're dead to me, you hear me." I chastise with a deadpan, scowling at him, and gathered the confidence to slap subconscious Sasuke, even if a figment of my imagination it still felt good in an upside-down and strange way.

"Kiki-"

"No! Don't call me that! I don't care if you are just a figment of my consciousness I hate you!" I spat swiping my hand and making them vaporize into the darkness. I know that he wouldn't apologize, he's too proud of that. I've known it was a dream ever since the beginning but that didn't stop it, not yet.

Running deeper into the nothingness just waiting for another voice to chastise me, call me a traitor how bout another image that plays on my emotions. I mean I already feel a bit guilty for abandoning the ones who care about me still...or even if they did.

I stopped and decided to stand my ground declaring "Go right ahead, you can throw the entire world at me; It's not like I've got anything else to lose!" screaming into the void, endless tears seeming to be cascading down my cheeks. Feelings can be controlled, but tears never lie. The tears couldn't hide what I was truly feeling the ones I cannot hide behind walls.

I suddenly woke up to the blinding light of morning, wiping the cold sweat off my face and attempting to regulate my breath and in turn my pulse as well.

I cursed, my voice a bit raspy from my first waking up. 'I hope no one heard me' I thought to myself not wanting to give to fight off rouges first thing in the morning. I glance around and see that everything, was like before I'd gone to sleep. "That's a good thing" I muttered to myself, referring to the fact I didn't get robbed in the middle of the night.

I hopped out of the tree I was sleeping in and stretched a bit before hunter since I'm a far way from any village to just buy something. I crept into the nearby forest careful not to crunch leaves or snap twigs that lie on the forest floor, it would not be wise to scare away my breakfast. I shot a couple of squirrels and small birds, and 1 obese rabbit which I would say is a good haul I'd say. A little while later after I had my breakfast I decided to sit down, Positioning myself in a meditative form and taking in the serene beauty and tranquility of my surroundings. I concentrated my chakra to the point it started to form a faint aura around me, then shifted it to take another form as it formed a small lotus flower between my fingertips. (A/N: sorry it's a video link I couldn't find any still images of the scene; skip to 1:15 and that's what it looks like)

Just a stress relief technique I self-taught myself, It helps me calm down and focus.

I've gotten, really, good with my chakra control, probably the best out of my sibling with it; Me studying a bit in the medical field and working with medical ninjutsu for some time helped a lot as seeing it needs a certain amount of concentration and chakra control to successfully do it.

The small lotus flower then dissipates into confetti-like dust, making me let out a small chuckle and grin. I then formed my chakra into another form, an owl appeared in my palms, it was about as big as a real-life one. It flew a couple of circles around me before flying and quickly landing on a thick branch of a nearby tree, giving me a look like it wanted me to follow it.

'This is unusual and strange, but that just means I'm getting stronger, it's not like I've. Plus it can't be all bad I'm alone in the middle of a dense forest well-hidden...' my thoughts trailed off. After a hot second before I was flying into the forest "Hey! Wait up!" I exclaimed coming out of my stupor, grabbing a few knives in arms reach, and chasing after my creation as fast as my legs would take me. trying to not lose sight of the nocturnal creature. "wait! I don't follow, where are you taking me? C'mon, no fair slow down." I whined. I don't know what's going on, more like where this bird is taking me. I sighed in exasperation "Why haven't you disappeared yet? They always disappear after a while." I muttered pensively under my breath. My senses perked up when I smelled the moisture in the air was stronger here than anywhere near my campsite.

'He's taking me to a water source. so I guess I wasn't too far off' a triumphant smirk ghosting across my porcelain-like pale skin.

I soon lost track of the bird after like 500 feet. I let out another exasperated sigh "Gah! why must everything be so frustrating!" I growled grabbing clumps of my hair, messing it up, and making my loose ponytail fall into tangled beach waves. I take a deep breath and do the only rational thing there was, to head back and pretend I didn't waste my time on a goose chase.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? A little mouse." I heard a low threatening baritone voice, glancing back I saw a man with a sickening grin, his Presence made me cringe in disgust. I hate people like him, they are the real monsters.

'Easy I can take him, even if I only have my knives. What's one guy I beat people like him before' I thought smirking "Think again can't trap this mouse so easily." I taunted back

I then felt a cold presences creep up behind me, sending a sharp cold feeling up my spine 'Great there's more' I deadpanned

"What was that about beating us," he said with a wicked cold grin. I mentally reprimanded myself for showing weakness in front of some pathetic losers. But something told me he's not your average bandit, far from a pathetic low-class bandit. I could feel it.

"Oh, so unfair!" I exclaimed with a drawled out sigh 'Whatever, let's get this over with'

I knew I could take on one with that level of power, two would be a bit of a challenge but it just gets tougher from there, especially at the same time. I know battles I can not win or have a slimmer chance of winning.

I closed my eyes and take a deep breath, calming myself and getting into the right mindset before opening them and sharply narrowing them, getting out two knives that were hidden on my person, readying myself 'If I want to keep going then I must fight I know that. And know what, I don't ever go down easily; I'm a survivor, I will not give up.' my lips pressed in a thin line "Let's have some fun you princesses, BRING IT ON!" I purred with a less than arrogant ghost smirk as the battle engaged.

??? POV

The night prior

I was camping in the quaint forest just me and the surrounding nature. I know there's was a stream if I kept heading in this northwestern direction I'm currently on.

While I was camping I saw another fire lit a couple of hundred feet away, I decided not to investigate seeing as it's not that important at the moment.

I slept through till daylight showered down and woke me. I ate one of the last bento boxes I had on me then started my journey to reach the river there I decided to follow it upstream and bam, a town. Genius.

I decided to head out by noon that day I wandered until I reached a medium-sized clearing with a tent by a burnt-out fire some makeshift targets set up around the area, they had a few throwing knives stuck in them, I spotted a metallic red bow and quiver full of arrows lying beside a lone tree but not the owner insight.

'Weird.'

I picked up the delicate silvery red metaled weapon, I noticed it was light to the touch. Feeling lightweight in my hand like a feather but sturdy enough that it packed the power behind it. With any weapon, I know it needs to be balanced to the user's desire.

I then examined the knives some had ridged teeth on one side, others were smooth as a butter knife tho not as dull as one. Others resemble daggers more, and some were standard Kuni knives you'd see any old ninja wear on them. I mean this place looks like it was could have been hit by a damn tornado shooting freaking knives everywhere.

I noticed fresh-looking tracks going into the forest, 'hunting? No. They wouldn't leave a beautiful hunter's bow behind.'

I decided that I spent enough time here and started towards the waterway.

"Gah!…..everything…..frustrating!" I heard someone shout

'Man, someone must be having a bad day or what.'

"Oh, so unfair!" Another high-pitched whined echoed throughout the nearby forest area. I didn't think much of it and just thought it might just be a frustrated hunter so I continued to trail on but a loud boom quickly caught my attention I glanced up and saw a big ball of light explode. "That can't be eff'in good" I muttered, shaking my head solemnly.

I was contemplating on if I would investigate it or not but its like my feet have made up my mind for me as I was racing in the direction of the explosion. 'huh, just curiosity wins out' I shrugged it off and ultimately deiced to follow them.

When I got closer to the chaos a knife whizzed by and stuck into the tree next to me followed by a couple more with deadly accuracy. I let out a small, nervous, and barely audible gulp. 'Tha- that's close. That fricking close to making me into damn Swiss' I think my sweatdropped at the sight of it.

I glanced through the trees towards the clearing and saw that it was littered with tons of knives lodged in the surrounding trees, others had burn marks on them, and a pair of unconscious bodies -I hope they're unconscious- nearby off to the side.

further, I saw some figure -young and athletic- swiftly flip on their opponent's shoulders knocking the bigger opponent, somersaulted off, and slid underneath the next tripping them all in one swift motion, tho the trees obscured my view a bit.

What shocked me most was what they did next, it all happened so fast that I couldn't track the blur with my own two eyes. The next thing you know they are red everywhere. If I said I was not surprised that would be a damn lie, I was fricking petrified at it. That bastard-well let's just say he's been defeated for good. I was still a good distance away to prevent it somehow.

Reika's POV

I was fighting to harm but not kill, even tho every fiber of my bones wanted to stick these guys' heads on pikes and have five fewer monsters in the world. Killing them no matter how awful they are would make me as bad as him, and I refuse to stoop to his level and become one myself; I am not and will not become a heartless monster. I'm the only one who can at least keep our name afloat and not sink to the depts of the abyss.

I threw a couple of knives at them but the remaining goons managed to dodge in the nick of time leaving a straight and deadly accurate vertical row of throwing knives. I got up on the first guy and acupressure-d him, sweeping the next guy making him lose balance momentarily. '3 down 2 to go' I mentally noted.

By now I was a bit drained but that didn't faze me all that much 'That was longer than I thought.' I ready myself, quickly gathering my bearings just as the last guy deiced to show his ugly mug.

'Must be mad because I defeated his friends. Heh, they're easier than I thought, I don't know why I was so worried' I sharply exhaled "Please tell me the other two chickened out and ran away tail between his legs." I muttered half heartrendingly wanting to end this fight before it could exacerbate more.

I was swept off my feet -And no not in a fun way- my small frame was pressed against his considerably huge frame, caught in a headlock I desperately reached for a dagger, clasping my fingers tightly around the hilt bringing it up, stabbing my captor's hand forceful enough to make him flinch; Biting and kneed him the other one who tried to restrain me, making him fall and curled up in pain. I quickly fired the knife I had at the last guy, it sped by, grazing his arm, quickly retrieving it from the tree it got lodged in and meet with the thug, my eyes flicked from the knife. 'I had to make my move and deiced quickly.' It felt like a blur, my body moving on its own, in a blink of an eye, and the next moment he fell to the ground with a small thud. 'Good, he's done for, he and his friends...'

I perk up when I felt a warm substance 'Blood?' I mused, but soon realized that it wasn't mine I felt. I knew we all were a bit roughed up but imagined not this much. I glanced around and it was not until I felt it splash in my face did I let out a startling screech, then covered my lips with my hand. The jugular vein was sliced clean leaving a pool of red liquid which means an insta-kill not coming back from a fatal wound like that, dying in minutes, seconds afterward.

Grant it a part of me is happy a monster like him was gone, one less evil. Right. I knew -or at least have a clue on who these types of people are. They kidnap you and sell you into 'eternal servitude' or something much worse from the dialogue they said during our fight, it messed up if you ask me. Man, they should sock in it with the evil monologues, I resisted rolling my eyes at that fact. 'Not so tough now, huh?' My scarlet Sharingan eyes gleamed in satisfaction of his permit defeat despite my integrity and moral standers. I kinda saw it as poetic justice as of sorts, if you can call it that. 'I have a strong feeling that this was my doing. But if it is...'

But the other part of me is terrified, I mean I'd never killed even the most horrid of monsters I've come across. I'd usually just put them under some sort of genjutsu of mine and call it a day. 'This goes against my beliefs and makes me just as bad as him. Right? I mean I killed a guy and frankly a part of me took joy in it, yes. But it doesn't make it right in any sense.' My eyes were flickering around the area perplexed and in a bit of a daze, still a bit stunned. I don't mind the chaos a fight brings, don't mind if you get rough and banged up, but that doesn't mean I'm fully amoral on something like killing, it sure is a horrible action.

I saw his dull vacant eyes drained of malice and hatred until they were completely drained of any emotion his skin paler than the moon...paler than mine

"That's a lot of blood" I muttered under my breath, I brush my hand through my midnight black hair letting out a sharp exhale. I watch it pool around the now-dead assailant. I tried my hardest not to cringe. No matter how much I hate the guy, nobody deserves that fate but be also he doesn't deserve a quick death; he's just lucky to have one.

I finally come back to reality, retrieving my knives I let out a small sigh. 'I think I should take care of the stalker now' I pondered to myself glancing in the direction I felt the new presence. 'Friend or foe tho?' I questioned as I narrowed my eye, creeping closer with a small dagger in reach, just in case.