Disguised Curses

A/N: First, my thanks and credit to Aini. If not for that conversation, this idea wouldn't have showed up and therefore, I think a potentially good story may not have been born. Also, to any readers of this little plot that is trying to learn how to fly, any and all support is welcome. Specific warnings will be added as I see fit as the story progresses. Some characters may be OOC but it will be explained in due time. Without further ado, please enjoy the story.

 

This fic has been fully updated since the block'o'text occurance. Updates will now continue as the muse strikes. Thank you for your patience.

 

Prologue





Fear. He hated to admit it, but that was the only name he could put on the burning rush that flooded his body. That slight glimpse, and the chakra radiating from Naruto’s body- whatever was lurking within the boy was a predator. He could sense it, see the strength of power, and even as he steeled himself to not reveal his fear and to fight, some little instinct screamed a warning. He could read that the boy lacked real control of this other chakra, and tried to use it against him. Neji refused to lose to this boy, this nobody.

And yet, finally, laying in the dirt, feeling like his body wouldn’t be able to do much for quite a while, he had to admit it. He’d lost so thoroughly. He had one moment, one brief, relieved moment, where he’d thought he’d beaten the loudmouth annoying brat. But now, as Naruto left him lying in there and celebrated his victory with his usual brazen attitude, Neji couldn’t explain it. That sense of hunter was gone, but in the very depths of his mind, he had to shove his instincts back further.

He couldn’t run anyway.

~~~~~~~

 

The pale eyed boy bolted upright, the memories and dreams leaving him shaking. Why dreams of that day? Why after several years? Why tonight, with his birthday tomorrow? Hinata and Hanabi had ganged up, plotting, he knew, to do something for his birthday. He was home for only a couple more days, between missions, and the girls would want to celebrate before he left again. Thinking of his birthday and the likely plans of his cousins made him smile slightly. He’d never admit it, but sometimes he really did enjoy the girls’ occasional attempts to make him feel like a welcome member of the family. He needed it.

The residual sensations from the dream had faded, and he was finally trying to get back to sleep when his shoulder itched. He’d scratched it and was just settling his arm back down when a rush of heat spiked through him. It was like from his dream, except there was no fear here. Just heat, and in some strange way, the slight tingle of power. It burned through him again, this time leaving trails of pain bursting along his limbs, in his core. He gasped under another wave, trying to activate the Byakugan, see if someone or something was affecting him. He couldn’t use it. Instead his vision blurred as another blast of heat flared inside, his skin beginning to tingle with the intensity. No, it was itching again, and as he lifted his hand before him he saw the dark arrow down his arm, spreading across his hand. Panicking, unable to manipulate his chakra, and totally at a loss as to what was happening while sensations drove through him, weakening him, he tried the last thing he could think of, the last thing he really wanted to do.

He yelled for help.

Pain poured through once more, worse than anything he’d felt before, worse than that damned arrow piercing his body. It ripped a scream from his throat as his uncle and Hinata rushed in, and he saw the look of surprise on both their faces, before a look of horror and fear appeared on his uncle’s face and his vision finally went dark.

 

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don't kill me.... *runs away*