The Forgotten Past

Disclaimer: You know the routine…. Don’t own.

A/N; Well not much to say, here’s chapter eight. Sorry for the long wait. But I’m back and more chapters are coming soon.

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Chapter Eight
The Village Hidden in the Shadows


Ino and I continued our conversation on the walk to the village. I briefly paused at the familiar ramen shop and remarked to my companion, “You know, I haven’t had a good bowl of ramen in years.”

Ino shot me and incredulous look. “Did I hear you right?”

I smiled at her expression. “Yes, you heard right. One of the things that I had to get used to was the changes in food.” I made a sour face, “They didn’t have ramen during the war. I was stuck eating whatever was available at the time.”

Ino gave me a sympathetic smile and said, “Sounds tough.”

“The war was hard on everyone,” Itachi remarked, catching up with us.

“What started the war?”

“Fear,” I answered bitterly.

Ino asked, “Fear? What of?”

“Fear of those who are different. You know, demons and humans who don’t look quite human in others eyes.”

“Don’t look like human? What do you mean?”

“I mean a person who has one or two things about them that aren’t normal. Like tails, gills, or any other abnormality.”

“Humans started a war just because you guys looked different than everyone else!?” Ino exclaimed in shock.

“That’s the way it’s always been. Look at my life. The villagers treated me like shit because I was a jinchuuriki.” I reminded her.

Ino looked at the ground and replied sadly, “I know and we didn’t treat you any better.”

“Hey cheer up, don’t worry about it. I have no hard feelings for you guys. Besides, you more than made up for it later.” I said trying to comfort my friend.

Ino looked up and flashed me a gentle smile. “So what are your plans now? I mean you guys still going to that village in the morning?”

I was about to answer when I got distracted. I looked east and noticed that the sun was setting. It was night already? Where had the day gone? I shot Itachi a look and saw that he too was watching the setting sun.

Now normally, the setting sun wouldn’t bother us, but with both that haunted village and that thing stalking me, we had more than enough to worry about. The best thing we could do was find a place to spend the night.

I looked towards Ino to notice that she had been watching Itachi and me. She turned towards me with a questioning look. “Do you happen to know of a place where we could stay the night?”

Ino nodded and we headed back to Tenten’s place to gather up the rest of our group.

Upon arriving at Tenten’s place Sasuke was the first one to greet us. He shot his brother a startled look, but didn’t question his appearance. Instead he turned to me and asked, “What do you have planned for the rest of the night?”

I smirked and answered, “Ino’s going to show us a place to stay for the night and I’ll probably be spending most of the night answering questions or telling about this place. Now that you have your memories back you guys can help with that.”
Sasuke groaned in irritation, but otherwise didn’t complain.

I laughed as I headed up the stairs to tell the others the new plans.

A few minutes later Ino led us to the abandoned hospital. Besides for the crumbling doorway and ceiling, the hospital was still in pretty good shape.

As we strolled through the empty halls, my unease with hospitals started to creep in on me. No matter where I was I still hated hospitals with a passion.

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(The next morning)

The conversation around me grew silent as my friends noticed the ever growing tension in my body. Even the ones, who didn’t have their memories back, noticed my odd mood.

The trees around us had steadily been thinning out and now we stood at the edge of the forest, my feet no longer able to continue the trek forward. Oh, how I hated this place. If it hadn’t been for Shikamaru’s and Neji’s insistence, we wouldn’t even be here.

A sudden sharp pain in the side of my neck had me crying out and falling to my knees. Itachi and, surprisingly, Shikamaru were at my side instantly. I looked up into two sets of equally concerned black eyes. I managed to shove aside the pain and make my way to my feet. The next time I opened my eyes, my vision was tinted red. I closed my eyes and shook my head, willing away the blood-lust. That was the last thing I needed at the moment, as few calming breaths helped. A few more cleared my sight completely.

Once I was in control again, I turned to my silent companions. I flashed a somewhat shaky smile, and their expressions eased. I turned back towards our destination. Fifty yards; that was what was between me and my past; the past that no one knew about save two people, Itachi and my master. My master knew because she was there and Itachi knew because he could see the memories in my mind.

After what seemed like an eternity, my feet began to once again move. Kami, I hated this place. I hated this place as much as I hated him. My brooding was interrupted by Ino. She lightly touched my shoulder to get my attention. I looked over at her.

“Are you okay?” she asked quietly. I nodded and together we started off. For some reason having her at my side made me feel better.

The uneasy feeling in my stomach grew with every step I took. Something was in the village, sleeping; but not for long. Once the sun had set it would awaken. I could feel the other vampires’ presence. I always knew when another of my kind was near, the same went for demons. It’s probably because of my dual blood line. The same blood line that gave both me and Itachi the ability to walk in the sun. Full blooded vampires were confined to sleep, but not us.

I pushed the uneasiness aside for now and crossed over the border between the forest and the village. I mentally braced myself for the memories that I knew would come. And come they did. The first one slammed into me but I was prepared for it, I wasn’t facing these ones alone.

I flashed through the hand seals quickly and on the last one I shouted out, “Ninja Art; Living Memory Jutsu!”

My companions stood in silent amazement as time seemed to reverse it. In a few seconds, two thousand years had gone in reverse; where before there had been crumbling buildings, now each building stood in perfect condition.

It was the sound of voices that drew out attention away from our surroundings. I smirked as I saw our younger selves stroll out of the forest. My presence was the only on missing.

The name for my jutsu became apparent as I walked right into the illusion form and became one with the memory.

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(Normal POV)

The memory seemed to play out like a movie for the others, but for Naruto it was a whole different story.
Naruto was actually reliving the memory. He will experience everything all over again.

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(Flashback no jutsu)

I sighed as we left the forest behind. For some reason I wasn’t ready to enter the village just yet. The Village Hidden in the Shadows; for some reason this village made me terribly uneasy.

Kakashi-sensei was the one to enter the village first, and I made sure I was the last one. The others ignored my uneasiness and just continued walking. The only one who remained by my side was Shikamaru. Worried black eyes locked with my blue. Words weren’t needed to express my concern; Shikamaru saw everything in my eyes.

We’ve always had this connection. For as long as I could remember, Shikamaru’s been there. Baa-chan said we balance each other, that are why we’re paired together for so many missions.

I shrugged at his look and started walking again. I may be uneasy, but I wasn’t backing out of this mission. That was a decision I soon regretted.

A gentle rumble from Kyuubi drew me away from the others. I lightly tapped Shikamaru on the shoulder as I passed. The Nara heir backed away from his teammates and followed me into an alley.

Kyuubi edged me further into the darkness. I could now tell what she wanted me to know. She smelt it long before I did; the unmistakable smell of rotting flesh. I dug a small flashlight out of my coat pocket and crouched down on the soiled ground next to the body.

I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I would know it when I found it. Kyuubi rumbled again, urging me to move my flashlight higher up. I knew then that nothing human had killed this person. I studied the body closely. It was female, probably at least three to four years older than me. As my flashlight moved higher up her body, I took note that she had no obvious injuries. That was until I reached her face. Her neck had been torn out. So that’s why they thought it was a wild animal.

Upon closer inspection I noticed the ragged edges around the wound. Shikamaru moved to kneel at my side. I think he wanted a closer look at the wound.

“No animal did this,” I whispered. Shikamaru nodded distracted. I looked over at my silent companion and noticed that his attention was no longer on the body, but on our surroundings. “Is something wrong?”

The Nara shook his head. “I thought I heard something.”

I slowly took a good look at my surroundings. The alley was dark the only light coming from my flashlight. But even in the dim light I could make out my surroundings pretty well. I didn't hear anything suspicious, but it was wise not to take any chances. I looked at Shikamaru and said, “We should go tell the others about the body.”

Shikamaru nodded, “Good idea, let's go.”

We left the alley and the body and headed back to where the others were still standing. Kakashi-sensei was still in deep conversation with the civilian who came to greet us.

(Flashback no jutsu: Kai)

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I let the jutsu fade off, just glad it was one of the milder memories. I turned towards my still silent companions, “that was one of the milder ones. There are a few of them that are pretty gruesome.”

“Milder ones?” Shikamaru questioned, walking over to my side.

I nodded, “Hai, I had one a few nights ago. That one was about my attack, it took me most of the night to get back to sleep.”

That got everyone's attention. “Attack?! What attack?”

I sighed. “More than likely you'll find out real soon.”

“What does that mean?” Ino asked.

“You'll see,” and with that we began our walk into the village.


The trip to the village entrance wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The memories didn't rush to me like I had expected. But then again there were memories that I would have liked to experience, for they at least wouldn't be as bad as what I knew was to come.

Even in ruins, the Village Hidden in the Shadows was still creeping me out. But then again, there was more than just ghost in this village. I could feel the vampires, just waiting until the sun set. Once the sun had completely disappeared from the sky, Itachi and I would have a fight on our hands.

Vampires, especially young ones were very dangerous. At least that is what my master keeps telling me. I have yet to actually face one in battle myself.

A half hour later was the time that I dreaded the most; the sun was starting to set. In a few more hours, it will be dark enough for the fledglings to rise. But that isn't what has my attention now.

What has my attention now is a voice that I haven't heard in almost a thousand years. The sweet voice of my master, she is nearby. And she is determined to see me.

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A/N; I know that I haven't written anything in a while, I have school to deal with. But now that I’m on vacation, expect at least one chapter for all of my stories to to be posted. Until next time, Ja Ne.