Seeing White and Blue [Old]

ϟ—Chapter One — Enter: Ka'rai Uzumaki—ϟ

A warm, comforting hand caressed Ka’rai’s face as he groaned his tired eyes open. “It’s time for the academy, Ka’rai,” a motherly voice sang.

“Five more minutes, mama,” Ka’rai grumbled as he turned over.

Arasei frowned. “No, five minutes is enough time for a life or death battle to take place; every second is invaluable.”

“I guess so,” Ka’rai admitted as he dragged himself upright. “Wait… you’re here; didn’t you have a mission?”

Arasei laughed as she messed with her full head of red, curly hair. “Oh, I’m just a clone… I wanted to be here somehow… for your twelfth birthday!”

“Oh, it is my birthday!!” Ka’rai cheered as the tiredness seemed to burn from him.

Arasei grinned. “Happy birthday, Ka’rai!”

“Thank you, mama!” Ka’rai shouted as he pounced out of the bed and clutched Arasei in his arms.

Arasei’s eyes widened at the sudden tight grip, before returning her son’s affections with a hug of her own. “You’re welcome,” she strained through a tightened breath.

“Oh—I’m sorry!” Ka’rai sputtered as he loosened his grip.

Arasei took a breath of relief, before smirking as she squeezed the breath out of Ka’rai. “Revenge,” she snickered as Ka’rai struggled to find his breath.

“Mama—please—I apologized!” Ka’rai panicked as he struggled against his mother’s vice grip.

Arasei hummed as she pondered. “I don’t think you apologized as sincerely as you should’ve…”

“Dearest Mother, Arasei Uzumaki, I sincerely apologize for hugging you tighter than I should’ve,” Ka’rai strained.

Arasei smirked haughtily. “Apology accepted,” she said before loosening her grip on Ka’rai, who took a deep breath of relief.

“Thank you, mama,” Ka’rai said with a chuckle.

Arasei pulled back from the hug and grinned at Ka’rai. “Is there anything you want for your birthday? I’ll try and get it when I get back from my mission.”

“Oh— uh…” Ka’rai stammered. “I do, I don't think you’d like it, though…” he mumbled as he looked down.

Arasei raised her brow. “Well, you can tell me and we’ll both know for sure!”

“Iwannaknowwhomydadis…” Ka’rai sputtered.

Arasei sighed. “We’ve had this conversation, honey—”

“I know, I know!” Ka’rai exclaimed. “But… Man, I don’t know.”

Arasei let out a deep breath. “Well, he’s dark-skinned!” she beamed with a big, fake smile.

“Anyone with a pair of eyes can tell that much,” Ka’rai said dryly.  “You’re about as pale as the clouds that surround this village.”

Arasei blinked in surprise as she looked at a wry-looking Ka’rai. “Okay…” she said as she cleared her throat. 

“C’mon, at least something! Please!” Ka’rai pleaded.

Arasei shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no… I really don’t want to talk about it. He’s…” she trailed off, before sighing.

“Is he a bad person?” Ka’rai asked.

Arasei shrugged. “By some people’s standards, yes. I don’t think so, personally.”

“Then why aren’t you guys still together?!” Ka’rai asked, boarding a scream.

Arasei sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it, Ka’rai. I’m sorry.”

“Fine…” Ka’rai conceded. 

Arasei pulled him into a hug. “I’ll see if I can get you something else, okay?” she said as she rubbed his back, and pulled away from the hug. “Well, I’m gonna stop holding you up now; have a great day, baby!”

“I’m not a baby, mama!” Ka’rai complained as he leapt out of bed, and ran to the bathroom. As Arasei watched Ka’rai scurry off, her smile faded as… that day began to creep into her head.

It had been nearly twelve years… and she still didn’t know if she have done any different if she had the opportunity. Arasei frowned, then a sudden smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Ka’rai was strong, much stronger as a twelve-year-old than she could ever dream of being.

Sealing it into him might’ve been the right choice regardless of her own personal feelings. If she had it, she’d probably die just like the last one. Was this her own sick way of trying to justify her actions? She didn’t know. Any sort of comfort and solace that she could get was very much welcomed.

But he was her son, and it was inside of him, nothing she could do about it now. She knew he could handle it, she knew… Ka’rai could handle it. Arasei took a deep breath, before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka’rai strutted down the streets of Kumo, his chest puffed out, his hands swinging at the rhythm of his fast-moving legs. The clouded sun sent faded rays in his path as his messy, crimson hair obscured the view from his black eyes of the Kumo Shinobi Academy he approached,

Kumo’s academy sat on a series of rocks over a lake, which had platformed buildings with umbrella-shaped roofs of various colors. Crowds of students and their parents drawled into the academy through the singular entrance. For most people this would be a problem… but not for Ka’rai.

He simply pushed through the crowds and cut the line to get where he needed to go. Was it a less than stellar action, morally? Yes. Did he care? No. He eventually reached the front of the line, checked in, and trekked over a series of red-roped bridges to a blue-roofed building.

He kicked open the door with a wicked smirk on his face, and eyed down the class… eventually focusing on a tall, bald, tanned boy, dressed in all gray who stared back at him deviously.

“Well, well, well… look who it is; our least favorite redhead and his unnecessarily loud entrances,” the boy remarked.

Ka’rai laughed haughtily. “Check the date, Cirru! It’s the most important day in academy history!!”

“August sixteenth…” Cirru pondered in false ignorance. “Doesn’t ring a bell,” he dismissed with a shrug.

Ka’rai twitched as he looked at Cirru, before clearing his throat. “Okay!! Are there any smart people who know the importance of August sixteenth?!!”

“It’s your birthday, right?!” suggested a dark-skinned boy with shaggy blonde hair. 

Ka’rai grinned. “Exactly!! What’s your name?! I don’t wanna forget such an intelligent individual.”

“Y-Yowui,” he sputtered.

Ka’rai nodded. “Thank you, Yowui!”

“You all continue to encourage such abhorrent behavior,” Cirru said with a shake of his head.

An amber-eyed girl with curly hair that dropped over her fair-skinned face spoke up. “Well, Happy Birthday, Ka’rai!”

“Thank you, Sami!” Ka’rai cheered as he pointed at her, his eyes drifting towards the pale girl with white hair and bloodshot eyes that sat next to Sami.

The girl met his gaze and looked at him blandly. “Leave me alone or I’ll make you bleed.”

“Okay…” Ka’rai trailed off.

Cirru chuckled. “Amazing work, Clowui!”

“The same applies to you, Cirru,” Clowui stated.

Cirru laughed off the threat. “C’mon, us clan heirs gotta stick together, you know—” he started before he found a pencil embedded in his arm, drawing blood.

“Leave me alone or I’ll make you bleed more,” Clowui reiterated.

Cirru blinked as he observed the pencil in his arm. “Ow,” he spat as he shook his arm.

Suddenly, the door shot open and a big, burly dark-skinned man with orange hair burst into the room.

“All of you shut up and sit down or that’s a week of detention and the training for the next month will increase in difficulty, tenfold!!” he commanded.

The students bolted to their seats and sat stiffly and at attention. “Yes, Eff-sensei!!” they shouted.

Eff proceeded to give a stern lecture about the betrayal of the Senko Clan during the period of peace between the First and Second Great Ninja wars. The Chinoike Clan aided them in driving them out of the Land of Lightning. 

The Second Raikage, as an award for their aiding of Kumo, instated them as an official clan of Kumogakure.

Ka’rai only paid half attention to the lesson, only tuning in during discussions of battles. The names, political stuff… wasn’t that interesting despite being sixty percent of the lesson.

He’d be fine, Sami would give him the answers… she always gave him the answers. Sami is a good friend… Ka’rai mused.

After pretending to pay attention for a couple of hours, beating Cirru in a kunai throwing assignment, and getting the homework answers from Sami, Ka’rai was finally free from the academy.

He grinned as he sprinted away from the blue-roofed building that was his classroom. He leapt through the crowds and out of the academy; he kept running, and running, and running until— 

“Ow!” Ka’rai grumbled as he stepped back, rubbing his head as he looked up to see who he ran into.

He saw three Genin guys glaring down at him. “Hey…” one of them started. “He’s one of those ‘bigshot’ kids at the academy!”

“Ka’rai, ain’t it?” another one asked.

Ka’rai smirked. “So, you’ve heard of me.”

“Yeah, we have. You think you’re all that; well, you’re wrong! We just became Genin, and I think we should put you in your place,” one of them monologued.

Ka’rai laughed as he clenched his fist. “I’d like to see you try—”

Ka’rai was interrupted by a punch to the face. He stumbled back as blood dripped from his nose, and a wicked grin spread across his face. Ka’rai leapt into the air and kicked at a Genin, who dodged and punched Ka’rai in the stomach.

Another Genin grabbed Ka’rai and slammed him on the ground, while another one stomped on him. Ka’rai clutched the foot that came down on him, gritting his teeth as he pushed up, his arms shaking and trembling as he did so.

Ka'rai's wicked grin turned to a contorted face of pain as his muscles burned and his bones creaked with sharp aches. Ka'rai huffed as he ignored his arm's protests and pushed harder against the Genin's foot.

One of the other Genin kicked Ka’rai’s arms and they buckled as the Genin’s foot came down on his face. Ka’rai groaned as he spun around and leapt out of the vice grip. He didn’t get far before one of the Genin punched the wind out of him with a gut punch.

Ka'rai grit his teeth as he collapsed to the floor, wheezing as he gathered his breath. He forced a glare at the Genin that punched him as he laughed. "Is somebody mad?" the Genin taunted.

"Go die in a hole," Ka'rai spat as he started to breathe again. The Genin twitched before slamming his foot into Ka'rai's face. Blood poured out of his deformed nose as the other Genin grabbed his hair and sent his knee into the back of Ka'rai's head.

Ka'rai growled in pain as he attempted to release himself from the grip, punching the Genin behind him, but the other one grabbed his arm and slammed it into the ground, then stomped on it.

"Bastard!!" Ka'rai screamed as he jumped up and kicked the Genin holding his hair. He groaned as he released Ka'rai, who charged at him and kicked him in the gut. He stumbled back, but one of the other Genin kicked Ka'rai in the back.

He lifted Ka’rai into the air, and the other two Genin leapt into the air and kicked him down into the concrete. “Hah!! Take that you fatherless piece of shit!!” one of them taunted.

“Hah!! He doesn’t have a dad?! His mom must be a hoe!” another Genin cackled.

The last one snickered. “We’re done here.”

Ka’rai growled as he clenched his fists, bruised, bones cracked, and bleeding. He trembled with rage and pain as he got up. If he could do anything right now… it would be to kill those three. Oh, how much it would satisfy him.

Ka’rai bore his teeth as he began to get up. A burning sensation ignited through his body as he inhaled shakily, but exhaled smoothly. His black eyes flickered between black and a heterochromatic yellow and green as he focused on the Genin.

Kill them. Kill them. Kill them. 

Ka’rai’s breath sped up as he forced the power inside to come out—whatever it was— he needed it. They assaulted him. They insulted him. They embarrassed him. They insulted his mother…They needed to pay. 

Ka’rai’s canines elongated into feline fangs as black flames began to dance around his face. His nails extended into claws as they dug into the skin of his clenched fists. Blue flames struggled to ignite on his skin as Ka’rai strained.

More. More. I need more!! 

Death… seems like an extreme punishment for the crime those three committed, said an ethereal, feminine voice.

Ka’rai’s eyes widened. Who the hell said that?!!

I’m the one giving you this power.

Give me more!!

Why should I?

Because I need to kill them!!

Your anger controls you, Ka’rai. That could be a problem in the future of your Shinobi career.

I don’t care!! Just give me power!!

You are a child, even by human standards… Perhaps seeing the consequences of your actions will teach you a… lesson of sorts.

Suddenly, Ka’rai’s eyes glowed with their full heterochromatic glory. The black flames twirled and gyrated over his face with cobalt blue flames erupting from his body as Ka’rai roared.

The three Genin stopped and looked back at the torrent of blue flames behind them. Ka’rai glared at them as he sprinted towards them and pounced on the one that insulted his lack of a father, and clawed his chest open.

The Genin cried as blood spewed from his chest. One of his allies attempted to kick Ka’rai off of him but paid the price with half of his calf and his entire foot. The Genin screamed as he gripped his cauterized, amputated leg.

The last Genin attempted to run away, but Ka’rai chased him down. Fire whirled around his arm as it was set ablaze. Ka’rai screamed as he pounced toward him, reeling his fist back, then threw it forward, hurling a massive blaze of cobalt blue fire burning over the area.

Ka’rai’s eyes widened as he realized what he made contact with. An ANBU with an eagle mask was holding his fist, completely unharmed. “Calm down, Nibi,” the ANBU commanded.

“What the hell?!” Ka’rai shouted as he pulled his fist back, but to no avail.

Another ANBU leapt down and picked up the two injured Genin, before flickering away. The ANBU pulled his hand up and brought it down on Ka’rai’s neck. His eyes lost their heterochromatic light as the flames around his body blew out, before Ka’rai fell into the ANBU’s arms, unconscious.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka’rai groggily sat up as he rubbed his sore neck. He shivered as he rose from the cold, concrete slab he laid on. The smell of microwaved bologna invaded his nostrils as he finally opened his eyes… to see he was in a room, behind iron bars.

“Wait, what?!!” Ka’rai shouted as he ran up to the bars and gripped them.

Ka’rai shook the bars. “Let me out—!!”

“Shut up, child!!” shouted a large, muscular, dark-skinned man with slicked back, blond hair, and a white cloak with golden, lightning-shaped edges surrounded by ANBU.

Ka’rai’s eyes widened as he took a trembling step back. “L-Lord Raikage?!!”

“Indeed,” he spat.

Ka’rai blinked before a massive smile broke out on his face. “Lord Raikage!! It’s a true honor to finally meet you!! I’ve looked up to you—”

“I said shut up!!” the Raikage commanded.

Ka’rai slammed his mouth shut, making direct eye contact with the Raikage. “Do you know why you’re here?”

“Uh… the Genin that attacked me… and I had this weird power show up… and a goddess-type voice in my head… then I… attacked them—”

“You almost killed them!!” the Raikage shouted, before sucking his teeth. “Bah! I knew listening to your mother was a bad idea.”

Ka’rai raised his brow. “What did she say?!”

“We’ll continue this discussion when she arrives,” the Raikage stated.

Ka’rai broke into a smile. “She’s coming?!”

The Raikage ignored Ka’rai, before sighing as he put on his Raikage hat. The Raikage did paperwork as Ka’rai bored around in the cell for hours until frantic footsteps were heard scurrying down the hallway.

“I’m here!” Arasei announced as she walked into the room, panting and in her Shinobi gear. 

The Raikage narrowed his eyes. “I’m sure you’ve heard.”

“Yes,” Arasei responded.

The Raikage cleared his throat. “Talk to your son,” he commanded, before motioning to an ANBU that unlocked the cell.

“Ka’rai!” Arasei shouted as she rushed into the cell, placed her hands on his shoulders, and looked him in the eyes.

Ka’rai forced a smile. “Hey, mama…!”

“Ka’rai… why did you do that?” she asked with an unnerving calmness.

Ka’rai gulped. “Uh, when I was running home, I bumped into them. They told me that my ego was too big, and needed to get taken down a peg… then they attacked me. Then… I got mad.

“There was some goddess-like voice, and she gave me power, the blue firepower…  and then… I attacked them.”

Arasei nodded. “I see… So, It’s talking to you… Did it ever talk to Yugito, Lord Raikage?”

“Yes, it did,” he responded.

Ka’rai raised his brow. “Wuh—who’s Yugito? Who’s this it? It sounds so ominous.”

“Ka’rai… I’m sorry, but I’ve been keeping something from you—not your father—something much more important,” Arasei started.

Ka’rai nodded. “Uh-huh…”

“When you were six months old… Yugito, the previous Jinchuriki of the Nibi was killed in action. I was on the mission to recapture the Nibi. When it was taken down, we needed a new Jinchuriki…” she continued shakily.

Arasei let out a trembled sigh as sweat rolled down her face. “That Jinchuriki… was you, Ka’rai. You have the Nibi.”

“What?!” Ka’rai shouted as he took a step back. 

Arasei looked away from Ka’rai as he clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he stared at the floor, shaking. Arasei pursed her lips as she held back tears. “Ka’rai, I’m—”

“HELL YEAH!!” Ka’rai cheered as he jumped up, pumping his fists as he bore a wicked grin.

Arasei jumped back as she looked at her son, bewildered. “Ka’rai?”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!” he demanded playfully. “I could’ve started training to harness the Nibi’s power earlier!”

An uncertain smile crept on Arasei’s lips. “You’re… not mad at me?”

“No?!” Ka’rai asked with a raised brow. “Why would I be?!”

Arasei chuckled uncomfortably. “Uh, I don’t know… I’m just being irrational, I guess.”

“I’m just like Lord Killer Bee!!” Ka’rai cheered as he squealed like a child. “So, when does training begin?!”

The Raikage chuckled. “Well, you’re a lively one, aren’t you? Your training will start tomorrow; your mother will teach you how to manipulate the seal that holds the Nibi.

“But, there is something else that’s slightly more relevant at the moment; you won’t be attending the academy anymore.”

Ka’rai’s eyes widened. “What?! No!! My friends—!”

“You don’t have a say in the matter. If you can go mad on the Nibi’s power that easily, then you’re a threat to your classmates, and possibly the teachers at the academy, depending on how strong you get under the influence of the chakra.”

Ka’rai pursed his lips. “I see…”

“Hmph. Bee is on a long-term mission outside of the village at the moment, so he won’t be able to train you with the Nibi’s chakra directly for a while. Even if, I think I’d be a waste of time, considering you’re not even a Shinobi yet.”

Ka’rai pouted. “Aw.”

“That’s all I have to say, you’re dismissed. Consider yourself lucky that you’re not gonna be locked up for twenty-five to thirty years for attempted murder,” the Raikage said.

Ka’rai bowed. “Thank you, Lord Raikage,” he said before walking out of the room with Arasei, the biggest smile on his face as he did so.

“This… this was the best birthday ever,” Ka’rai remarked.

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ