The Demon Within

[Zabuza]

Several days after the incident with the Demon, Zabuza and Ruto still found themselves wandering through the endless forest, searching for an exit. The two had not spoken of the strange tattoo or the creature the whole time. In fact, few words had been spoken between the two at all.
After a few hours of riding together in silence, Ruto leaned forward and whispered in Zabuza's ear.
"How are we going to get out of here?"
"I don't know.", replied Zabuza gruffly. He had been in a foul mood since absorbing the Demon.
"We can't just keep going forever. We have to have some sort of plan.", said the persistent Ruto.
"Very well, when you think of one, tell me.", said Zabuza. There was a final note to his words, giving a clear indication that conversation was over. Ruto sighed quietly to herself and sat back, trying to enjoy the ride.

Perhaps half an hour later, Ruto leaned forward again to whisper in Zabuza's ear.
"What's wrong with you?", she asked.
"Nothing."
"Don't you "Nothing." me, I'm not stupid."
"I didn't say you were."
"Well, something is wrong with you, and I am not letting it go until you tell me."
"I did tell you, nothing is wrong with me.", said Zabuza. Once again, there was a final tone to his words.

WHAM!
Ruto's fist impacted the back of Zabuza's head with surprising strength. The ninja reeled in the saddle, trying to hold his seat.
"What the he-"
WHAM!!!
A second, harder blow, completely hammered Zabuza out of his seat. He fell to the ground with a thud, trying his best to remain conscious. He heard Ruto jump out of the saddle and land on the ground next to him. Groggily, he raised his head and looked at her. She was PISSED.
"Momochi Zabuza, you are going to tell me what is wrong with you right now, or I am going to beat you unconscious!" As if to prove her point, her spear seemed to materialize in her hands, it's butt well within striking distance of his head. Zabuza stared at it for a few moments, thinking.
Taking this for silence, Ruto shifted her grip on the spear to one that might be more suited to a baseball bat and wound back for a swing, the target obviously Zabuza's skull.
"Now, hold on a second here-"
WHAAAAMMMM!!! was the last noise Zabuza heard for quite some time.

The ninja awoke an hour later with a sizable lump on his head. Noticing that he moved, Ruto stood up from her spot and grabbed her spear, getting ready for another blow.
"All right mister, out with it.", she said. Evidently, his time spent blacked out hadn't improved her mood any.
"Ruto, put the spear down. I think I'm ready to talk.", said Zabuza. The ninja struggled to sit up and failed as pain shot through his head.
"Oh, poor Zabuza! That looks like it hurts!", said Ruto. Her mood completely reversed in a manner of seconds and she knelt next to him. She helped him up slowly to a sitting position. Then, surprisingly, she kissed his forehead, right below the massive lump. Strangely, the pain from the huge knot began to subside.
"Now, you had something to tell me?", she said sweetly.
"You hit hard.", said Zabuza.
For a moment Ruto's face lost it's kind look, but then she realized it was a pathetic attempt at humor and her smile returned.
"Go on.", she said patiently.

"Ruto, I...have never been good talking about this kind of thing.", said Zabuza.
"Do it anyway.", she said.
"You saw a side of me that I hoped would never come out again. That creature...it was part of me. ", said Zabuza.
Ruto merely stared into the ninja's eyes as he bared his soul, not offering to comment.
"That is the Demon that has been dwelling in my mind ever since I was a child, brought out by magic. It is who I was...for a long time. I tried to change since then, but it is clear I haven't. The Demon is still there, and it has gotten stronger. It almost killed you...I almost killed you..."
Still, the Zora Princess said nothing.
"I don't want that to happen. I can't let that happen. When we escape this place, I want you to go back to your people. You will be safe there from it...me...", said the ninja.
Ruto stared into his eyes for a few moments, then thumped him on the forehead. Though not anything like the blows from before, it still hurt his already abused head. Then, much to his surprise, Ruto put her hands on the side of his head and kissed him.

When she finally came up for air, she smiled.
"You idiot, that's not going to happen. You really don't get it, do you?"
"Apparently not.", said Zabuza. He wasn't willing to argue at the moment with her deadly fists so closed to his cranium.
"First, the creature is sealed. The symbol on your arm is proof of that. Second, since it is just part of your mind anyway, it can never be as strong as you. Third, it was brought out by the magic of this place, so it is probably the key to our escape. After all, didn't it seem to think that it could get out of here when ever it wanted?"
"I...guess that's true."
"All you have to do now is learn how to control it's strength...learn to use it."
"How do I do that then, oh great wise Sage?"
"Simple. Train. Oh, and sarcasm isn't your strong suit. Besides, I actually am a great wise Sage."
"Modest too.", said Zabuza with a quarter of a smile.
"Better, but you still need work. Now, about that training. We should start as soon as your headache is gone...though it is going to get dark in a few hours, so we might want to wait until morning."
"Oh, and what are we going to do until then?", asked Zabuza.
"This.", said Ruto. She kissed him again.
Zabuza didn't complain. In fact, his head was starting to feel better already.

OOC: Though this is really a part of the main story line, I am going to use it as a training post in the name of the greater good. Well, in the name of laziness anyway. I gain 10 hp and I'm going to put all 15 points into Self-Control, due to the training in...um...breath holding?
Quiet you!

[Zabuza]

Zabuza and Ruto sat cross legged in a clearing in the forest. Zabuza was meditating, while Ruto was deep in thought. She had acquired great knowledge from becoming a Sage. While her powers were gone, she still had the knowledge of a Sage. There had to be some way to harness the power of the Demon without it taking control...they simply had to figure it out. If only there was some way to modify the seal...
"That's it!", she said. Zabuza opened one eye and looked at the Zora.
"We have to figure out a way to modify the seal on your arm. Right now, it contains the Demon and it's power. Make too large a hole in the seal and the Demon can pass through....but with no hole the power can't pass through.", said Ruto.
"Yes, I can feel the barrier in my mind. It is quite solid. The problem is, if I concentrate enough mental energy into it to put a hole in it, I might shatter it. Then the Devil is free...and we can't allow that.", said Zabuza. His voice was calm, but it was clear the situation was causing him a great deal of stress.
"Not only that, but I can feel the Demon trying to bash his way out. His energy is eating away at the barrier...weakening it."
"There is only one way I can help you Zabuza. You have to let me inside your head...I have to see it for myself.", said Ruto.
"Fine, but don't be surprised by what you find.", said Zabuza grimly.
Ruto sat down on the grass next to Zabuza and looked into his eyes. She placed her hands on the ninja's temples, concentration. His pupils seemed to expand to her, becoming like large dark pits. They began to fill her whole view, drawing her in.

Ruto found herself standing in the middle of a dense fog. Zabuza stood before her, dressed in a dark suit. His headband sat on his forehead as usual, though the scratch through the symbol was missing. He wore a strange white mask over his face, completely hiding it from view.
"The wall is this way.", said Zabuza. He walked thought the mist, leading the way. Ruto followed, sticking as close as possible. Another person's mind was no place to be lost in.
It took no time at all to reach the wall, though they seemed to cross a great distance. The Demon's prison seemed to be made out of many steel strips, pained white. Red light came through the places where the strips overlapped, giving the whole area an eerie red glow.
"This is the Devil's prison. As you can see, his energy is already trying to escape. When this first appeared, none of the glow could be seen at all. It will take a while, but he will definitely break through...", said Zabuza. He placed his hand on the cool metal and felt the pulse of the Demon's energy.
"Zabuza, I think I can help you. You will have to do most of the work, but I think I can help.", said Ruto.
"What's your plan?", asked Zabuza.
"The problem with the wall is it's construction. It is made of quite a few bands of that white metal...strong stuff...but it isn't designed right. It looks like something your mind threw together at the last second to contain the beast. All it needs is to be redesigned. The only problem is..."
"What?"
"To do that, it has to be torn down, and the Demon released. You're going to have to hold on to him while I fix this.", said Ruto.
"I don't think I am strong enough to hold him for long.", said Zabuza. Ruto couldn't see through his mask, but she could tell he wasn't sure he could do it.
"There is nothing to be gained from waiting.", said Ruto. She smiled at the ninja, and though she couldn't see his face she was certain he was smiling under his mask as well. "Don't worry, you can do it.", said Ruto."

Zabuza's hands formed a seal, focusing his chakra.
"Release!", he shouted. The while metal bands collapsed into a pile, and the area became completely illuminated by the demon's blood red light. The Demon's horrible laugh filled the place, and the mist thickened.
Faster than Ruto's eyes could follow, Zabuza shot forward at the Demon as it stood there. Surprised by the ninja's burst of speed, the Demon threw it's hands up to ward of the blows it was sure were to come. Instead, Zabuza grabbed it's wrists.
"Foolish man, you can't overpower me!", said the Demon. It struggled in the ninja's iron grasp, trying to overpower him.
"It's you that is a fool Demon. Our powers are equal here."
"Still, you will tire. You can't win."
"I don't have to. Do it Ruto!", shouted Zabuza.

The Zora Princess was already hard at work, fitting the pieces of white metal together. She wanted to help Zabuza against the creature, and this was the only way she could when in another person's mind. She heard Zabuza's shout and ignored it. She was completely involved in constructing the new cage.

Zabuza's muscles bulged as the Demon tried to break free of his grasp. Granted, they weren't actual muscles so much as extensions of the powerful ninja's will, but here they served the same purpose. The Demon couldn't harm him, and neither could it escape.
"Let go of me and fight!", screamed the Demon. It's warm, rancid breath washed over Zabuza's face, though he couldn't actually feel it through the mask.
"It is futile for us to fight here, neither could ever win. You are part of me that has taken on it's own form and will, but you still live in my mind. It is time for you to be of some use to me. Your rent is due, and I have come to collect.", said Zabuza.
The Demon grinned, showing it's uneven fangs.
"It seems I am part of you after all, it is what I would try to do. But how exactly do you intend to make me pay up?"
"Easy. I'm not giving you a choice.", said Zabuza.
"Zabuza, it's ready!", shouted Ruto. The Hidden Mist Ninja grinned under his mask and gave in under the Demon's pressure. Fell fell to the ground, landing on his back. Surprised but the sudden lack of resistance, the Demon tumbled forward. As it passed over Zabuza, the ninja helped it on it's way. With a shout of anger, the Demon flew into the cage Ruto had cunningly constructed. Zabuza shot to his feet and grabbed the last piece of metal, forcing it into place. It formed a door on the cage, fitting into place perfectly. He could hear the beast screaming in rage through the several holes cunningly placed in the door. He could feel the Demon's extra energy pouring through them, this time doing no harm to the prison.
"You did it Zabuza...you caged the Demon.", said Ruto. She was smiling proudly at him.
"No, WE did it.", he said.
"Yeah, I guess so. You have now gained the Demon's power for your own...now let's just see if you can figure out how to use it.", said Ruto.

Abruptly, she found herself back in the clearing in the woods, sitting next to Zabuza. She glanced at the tattoo on his arm. It had changed subtly.
Zabuza stood up. He stumbled slightly but managed to catch himself at the last second.
"That took more out of me than I expected.", he said. He sat back down on the ground, holding his head.
"I'm surprised you had enough energy left to stand at all. What we just did took a considerable amount of energy...", said Ruto.
"I think I need to rest.", said Zabuza. He stretched out on the grass, placing his head on his bed roll. In a few seconds, the ninja was fast asleep.

OOC: So yeah, mental struggle to control the Demon. I'm using it as a training match...so I gain 10 hp and 15 Self Control. Learning Dark Hadou and Transformation. Nifty, no? Better get that stat up, or bad stuffs might happen.

[Zabuza]

Zabuza sat in the forest, his legs crossed. In front of him sat a small fire, almost burned down to embers. Across from it sat Ruto, the Zora Princess.
"Zabuza, it's time. Though my Sage powers were taken, I still have a few skills. Ganondorf has grown tired of watching us wander and has sent some of his minions into the forest for us. He had gotten stronger in our absence, and these foes are nothing to laugh at. You must harness the power of the Demon inside of you...and you must do it now!", she said.
"I have tried...and I don't know how.", said Zabuza.
"We will have to return to your mind and speak with the beast. Only it can give you the key now. Are you ready?", she asked.
Zabuza nodded his head.

At once they were in Zabuza's mind. As before, it was a place of swirling mists. Once more, Zabuza appeared as a man dressed completely in black with a white mask over his face. Ruto stared at the mask, wondering what it symbolized. When she did so, a place in the mist began to clear, showing a strange flat screen. It showed Zabuza kneeling in front of a man who wore a similar white mask.
"Today you have been selected to join the ANBU. You will be hunting our villages rogue ninja...and I don't have to tell you, we do a good job."
"Yes sir, I will serve you well.", said Zabuza.
"Here is your mask, Momochi Zabuza. From this moment on, you are one of us.", said the man. He placed a white mask on Zabuza's face that was identical to the one his form now wore.
As abruptly as the memory had appeared, it wavered and was gone.
"Be careful doing that...not all of my memories are the type you would want to see.", said Zabuza.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I just found myself wondering about the mask."
"Keep such thoughts to yourself, please. The Demon is this way.", said Zabuza. He turned and walked through the mist, Ruto hurrying to keep up. It seemed that they traveled a long way in a matter of moments, but in reality space was meaningless in that place...and time only slightly meaningful. Soon they arrived at the Demon's cage of white metal.

"So, you have returned. I knew you would.", said the Demon.
"Silence. You live in my body, you will aid me or you will perish!", shouted Zabuza. When speaking with the Demon, his temper was always short.
"You truly have no idea what forces you are dealing with, do you?", said the Demon.
"No, and I don't much care. Tell me the secret to using your power."
"Now, what would be the fun in just telling you? You wouldn't learn anything. You will listed to what I have to say, or you will get nothing from me.", said the Demon.
Zabuza stood there silently, listening.
"Ah, good, it seems you understand who needs whom here. Now...where should I begin...ah yes, I know, the Bridge."
Zabuza stiffened. There was only one bridge that was important to him, and it hadn't been the best experience in his life.
"Yes, you remember. You died there you know...only the boy saved you. I had almost drowned you out then, but you had to return just in time to get us killed. Anyway, that's not important. I had always been a part of you until that day. We were separated and became two minds in one body. Of course, that is what we have always been.", said the Demon.
"What, surely you had to have known that you were mad? Well, it doesn't matter anymore you see. Do you remember that boy? The one who defeated Haku?", asked the Demon.
Zabuza nodded his head, fearing the Demon's next words.
"Within him was one of the nine legendary beasts...the nine-tailed demon fox. When you forced me aside and imprisoned me, you did a rare thing. You created a new legendary beast...me, the zero tailed Demon."
Zabuza was shocked speechless, and Ruto looked lost.
"Yes, I am the no-tail...the tenth and final beast. I live inside you, my prison. If you were to die, I might be released...or I might die as well. It's really quite a predicament for me. I don't want to help you...but I don't want to cease to be either."
"I'm not asking for you help Demon, only to be able to use your power."
"Ah, but you see, I can't let you use just some of my power. To use my power, you have to let me part of the way free..."
"Do you think me a fool? You would escape if I tried that.", said Zabuza.
"Zabuza, the enemies are near, I can sense it. We are almost out of time.", said Ruto.
"You don't have a choice Zabuza. You can either loosen your hold on me and allow me to come out, or you can do without my power and die."
Zabuza thought about it for a moment, then came to a decision.
"Very well Demon, I will loosen my hold on you. You may come out for a while...but you will go right back in."
"I make no promises."
"I don't plan on giving you a choice in the matter.", said Zabuza.
The Hidden Mist Ninja reached his hand out and placed it on the bars of the cage. Slowly, they began to spread apart, allowing the Demon through.

Ruto found herself back in the clearing. The fire's embers had died out and turned to ash. She could hear footsteps coming through the woods. The Zora woman grabbed her spear and stood to face the challenge.
"I think you should be more worried about me.", said the voice of the Demon. Ruto turned and found herself face to face with the horrifying visage of the blue Demon.
"First, I think I will deal with the intruder though.", said the grinning beast. It's hot breath smelled foul, as though it had been feasting on carrion. Ruto knew that couldn't be true, but that was the only thing she could think of.
The Demon, known as the Devil of the Hidden Mist, the no-tailed Demon, unsheathed it's sword.

OOC: So yeah, this is a training post for me. I finished learning transformation and Dark Hadou...and since this was a training post, I gain 10 hp and 15 self-control, coming to a total of...not nearly enough! Oh teh noes! Also, learning Shamanize now.