Disclaimer: Naruto is NOT mine! I do own any rights to the Characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The only thing that is my own is the uniqueness of this story.

Updated as of 3/31/16

Prologue

With a click of the door knob Doctor Shizune walks into the stark white room. I'm sitting on the floor with my back leaning against the wall while listening to the music as it plays from the hall speakers lightly enough to sooth the truth speaking silence. My short pink hair, a symbol of my condition, frames my pale face. My large, jade-colored eyes narrow at the envelope she has in her hands.

"Hello Sakura-san, how are you feeling today?" She asks with a kind expression her brown eyes I think I see a hint of something. Pity perhaps.

"As good as I'll ever get," I reply with a tight, fake smile. I'm not in the mood for her mind games. My doctor, while caring, studied me enough to know how to manipulate me. Though she rarely does this I can now at least get a hint of when she is about to. Normally this happens when she is going to inform me of another operation I have to undergo...or my eyes widen with understanding. When she informs me of my new estimated time left to live.

Shizune saddens for a moment and I try to control my breathing.

So that's what it is this time. The moment they tell me how long I have left in this world. In the hospital, I remind myself. It has been years since I even stepped foot outside the hospital grounds. Though that time wasn't by any means pleasant, it's still my first taste of the outside world since I was a toddler.

"Don't be so sure Sakura-san," she whispers as I stand.

"Don't try to sugar coat it for me. Just give it to me straight, how long?"

Shizune blinks, then chuckles lightly as my demeanor hardens.

"Oh, no Sakura-san! I came to give you good news, not your death date." She grins.

What, I mouth, having been unable to find my voice. The medic opens the envelope and shows the test results of my latest surgery-the one I had four months ago. Only one word stood out to me, the one word that matters.

Stable

My new kidneys are fully functional; there is always a risk either during or after the surgery that my body will reject the new organs or that I could get an infection during the surgery that is slow to appear. My previous surgery from two years ago was for my weak liver which- like many of my other internal organs- had needed to be replaced. That time when I got my new liver I also got a nasty little infection that took nearly half a year before the tests came back stable. If the tests continued to come back negative I would have had to suffer more pills than the dozens I already take till the possibility of a another new liver came. Which could have been years. The transplant committee is pretty strict as there are a tone of rules and regulations they must follow. Children almost always get the transplants they need first, but for someone like me who has had multiple transplants...the wait gets longer and longer each time I need a new organ. I practically live on immunosuppressants now and eventually the committee will say that I can't have anymore of these surgeries. They may have already started to think this but now...I don't need anymore surgeries.

Tears form in my eyes, Shizune scoots closer to me till my head is resting against her chest as she hugs me close.

"I know I know. I'm so happy for you Sakura. You pulled through again!" There are light sobs in her voice as she cries with me.

"What's all this about?" questions a familiar voice.

I tilt my head to the side so I could look at my best friend.

Leaning against the wheeled bed, Inner has on a pair of dark jeans, her black crop top is sleeveless- showing of her scar less stomach and trackless arms. Her long, light green hair is, as usual, down -framing her face and reaching the small of her back. Her eyes, ringed in light black eyeliner causes the hot pink irises to stand out. Her knee high boots are laced up the front with blazing red laces that match her studded belt. As she walks to the discarded papers set on the floor I hear no footsteps, see no shadow; only her. My best friend.

My worst enemy.

Like my other organs that are weak or had been replaced, my brain is ill as well. I have schizophrenia, according to the doctors, and since I was nine Inner is my main problem but not my only one. I see many others as well. Little or large animals and things that Inner instinctively refers to as either spirit guides or demons. They haunt people, some protect and some harm. Though because Inner is always protecting me from demons she jokes about being my guardian angel.

I see through the lie, I know the truth, she is actually my personal demon.

"So you finally get to break out of here huh?" Inner asks with her shit-eating grin.

I ignore her, afraid Shizune will try to get me to return group therapy. I hate group therapy. Everyone is forced to talk about what they see and hear, but I am the only one who saw them before others explained what it is they see.

It isn't normal.

I learned that when I started asking about everybody the first time I went to group therapy when I was a child. Everyone in the group, except for the doctor and nurse's, flocked to me. Excited that someone was able to truly understand what they each saw. Doctor Orochimaru looked at me in concentration during the session, after he questioned me about how I guessed what others saw. I told him I saw them. A bright light flashed in his eyes as the white snake the hovered around him tried to bite at me.

It didn't though, it just wanted me to know it was interested in my ability. I don't know if it still is though because shortly after I created Inner, Orochimaru and his companion of scales left the hospital.

"If you pass the next few months checkups you will be released shortly before the beginning of the fall quarter of the school year. You could finally go to school! Sakura this is amazing!" Shizune exclaims above my head.

I know what she means; when I was five they said I wouldn't survive to 9. I passed that and the next mile-stone that was 13. Both unlucky numbers, both times I time I expected to die, but I didn't. This time there is no number. Well, no official number anyway.

I will live.

Three months later.

I'm sitting on my full bed in my red room. The white bedspread is completely covered in red and pink floral while the burgundy walls stand out against the ivory border. This room is half the size of my old hospital room but I don't care. It's mine.

A goofy smile is on my face as I look around at my belongings. There is a wide black bookshelf under my small TV, across is a light wooden desk with a small lamp and a comfortable wheeled chair. In my closet is my dresser filled with the small amount of clothes I have. Between the closet and the dresser is a large mirror- and for once it is not a one way mirror- with a simple black frame. Behind me is the window, I know if I look out I would see the rest of the street my parents live on. But not right now, it's too dark outside.

This morning I was released from the hospital. Mom and Dad came to pick me up, and together we stayed for the party the staff held for me. Well, all the free staff that were not busy with patients or emergencies. Even the spirits and demons came to wish me farewell. Shizune's animal guide and Inners mentor, a pink pig named Ton-Ton, prevented any demons from attacking me. What surprised me though is that a few demons even gave me warnings. Saying that others might not be as kind as they have been to me.

I had to bite back a sarcastic laugh for that.

When it was time to leave I said my goodbyes. I would no longer need to stay in the private Kiri Hospital any longer. I would now have my weekly checkups at the Konoha General Hospital. Doctor Shizune, whom has been in charge of me since I was ten, has transferred there last week so she could keep an eye out for me. Today was also her last at this hospital.

The drive to Konoha was a long one, six straight hours. I fought sleep like Inner fights demons. I didn't want to miss anything of the world outside the hospital. I saw towns and cities fly by. Forests, rivers and mountains. It was so beautiful. Inner pointed out the few glimmers of pixies and the fey that protected nature and the wild life. I responded in awe. My mom asked what I saw, she always knew whenever my illness flared up. I told her what Inner said, and she seemed to relaxe. She was always scared of my schizophrenia; it was because the demons used to try to hurt me or others and I would always do the craziest things to lure them away or try to fight them off. Then Inner came when I was 9. She protected me now, even as she hurt me.

When I finally saw the lights of the large city up ahead, I started bouncing in my seat like a child. This was the first time since I was 3 that I had been in my home town. Mom told me I had a right to be excited.

Mom pointed out the sights as Inner swatted the small demons away from the car. I paid attention to mom; there was no reason to help Inner. The small ones were easy for her to handle.

When I saw the home my parents lived it, I almost burst into tears. Due to hospital bills my family was unable to move to Kiri when I was admitted into the private hospital. Instead they were forced to stay in their hometown in the house they inherited from my grandparents. The house is a small two story with sand colored paint and a dark brown trimming. A small front yard that with a rose bush and a small fence. It wasn't in the best condition considering how old the place was, but still it's home.

After mom showed me around and told me where everything was I went to my room to put my stuff away. All of my pills are on my desk near my bed with my filtered water bottle near. While Inner is currently spinning in my wheeled chair yawning.

"Tired?" I ask and she nods as her stomach growls.

I wince; soon she will have to feed.

Mom, walks in a moment later, her short blond hair is held back by a head band as her warm green eyes meets mine. "Dinner is ready, make sure to take your medicine before you come down. It's spaghetti." She grins before leaving after seeing my eyes light up. She knows that is my favorite.

As I reach for the my medication I couldn't help but smile sadly. There is no name for my illness. It's a genetic disorder the doctors say. The first clue is my hair, no one in the whole world had ever been born of pink hair before. It is what had intrigued the doctors, they were constantly asking my parents if they could run test and see if they could learn anything about as to why I have pink hair.

My parents refused, all they cared about is that I was a healthy baby.

Then shortly after my grand parents died when I was 3, I had started get sick. I don't really remember that part of my life. According to Mom I was sent to the hospital when my constant coughing and wheezing resulted in me throwing up blood. Dad thought it was a stomach flu or something. But the doctors had no clue what was wrong with me until they took an xray to see if I swallowed a toy. They found multiple thin scars on my heart and lungs that hadn't been there a year before. As time went on it just got worse. The hospital had many more demons who liked to hurt me. They started attacking more organs, started scaring me from the shadows. When the doctors found out about me seeing the demons and told me I was schizophrenic, I was transferred to a special facility in Kiri. The Kiri Seven Swords Pediatric Hospital.

No one believed it's demons trying to eat me from the inside out. It isn't logical. So they kept an eye on me, a small check up that was supposed to be for the flu turned into a fourteen year stay. And now the pills were forever a part of my life. I would always have to have the medication. It was that or die. I really don't want to die.

I hear my Dad calling for me, shaking me out of my depressing train of mind. Shouting in reply that I will be there in a moment I quickly down my medication. First the pills then the water. I ignore the powdery aftertaste as I swallow. Then I turn to Inner, who to my confusion, is plucking a hair from her head.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Warding: it's something TonTon taught me a while ago. I did it for your old room last year when I finally perfected it but now I'm gonna try this whole house. It will make sure none of those annoying bugs come in and sit hould also make it harder for stronger demons to find you." She explains before biting her thumb and coating the hair in a glittery substance. After a moment the long strand shifted in color, becoming a deep purple. In between her fingertips the hair stands on end, wiggling and swaying as she repeats the process before looking my way. " If anything tries tailing you or something this should derail them, making the house a safe haven for you and everyone inside but it won't stop them from coming in if they get over their confusion. Once that happens they can find this place as easily as any other. " She grimaces for a moment then shakes her head. "Go eat dinner I'll be up here for a while."

I open my mouth, about to ask exactly how a few pieces if her hair would protect me, but I stop myself. While there are many things I have issues with Inner, my safety is what she dedicates herself to. There's nothing she takes more seriously.

I close the door behind me as I exit the room. Giving Inner all the privacy she needs to do her 'warding'.

As I walk down the stairs I hear my parents talking. At first it sounds like murmurs, but after a few more steps I start to decipher a bit of what they are saying.

"...should know soon right?"

I furrow my brow, that's Dad talking but what about?

"Not yet. She's going to be adjusting for a while and Dr. Shizune has warned us that Sakura can't be overly stressed given her condition. Starting high school will be a monumental step for her…"

I heard a sigh before I made it to the final step down before Dad agreed. I strain my ear's hoping to hear something more, what is it Dad wanted me to know? I'm unable to wonder about this because just at that moment Mom walks into the hall. Once she see's me I smile and continue my way to dinner. Whatever it is they are keeping from me it won't be for long. With Inner at my side I can find out anything I wanted.

After I return to my room, I noticed Inner is gone. I relax, knowing I have sometime before she has to feed, I grab my pajamas, a simple soft flowing nightgown, then started to change. But as I pull off my cardigan and dress I catch my reflection in the mirror. My ghastly pale skin, the tracks on my arms, stomach and thighs from the countless injections I have been given in my life. The large scar between my breasts that also extended to curve underneath my rib-cage. The other scars over my kidneys and liver. Seeing my damaged body caused a wave of doubt to wash over me and suddenly I recall the snippet of the earlier conversation I caught. but instead of focusing on the mystery I remember Mom's other concerns.

Should I really start going to school? Am I strong enough to be able to handle it? Mom seemed worried that it would be too much. I can just continued to be home schooled if I wanted, I'm already out of the hospital. I achieved my goal…

I shook my head. No I haven't, not yet, I still haven't lived.

Inner chose that moment to float in through the floor.

"Alright," she yawns causing me to turn to her. She's more translucent now, using so much of her energy in one day has weakened her faster than usual.

"So the house is safe, nothing is going to come in the night for a midnight snack. I even double checked to make sure there wasn't anything living in the basement and attic." As she stretches her clothes melt away to grey mist for a moment before solidifying into a black, sleek and skimpy nighty. "It was more exhausting than I thought it would be," she licks her lips and I see a hint of a fang. "I'm going to eat a little more tonight alright." Inner states before taking a good look at me. "Hey you okay? What's wrong?"

I shake my head before I finish getting dressed. "Nothing, lets go to bed."

"Sakura," she softly stresses causing me to turn. When I see the intensity in her eyes, the hunger, I suppress a shiver of fear. That look in her eyes, the same one countless demons wore whenever they devoured me, strengthens as the white fades to black and the pink of her iris' lightens. Clearly showing me her pupils as they transform from round orbs into slits. She takes in a breath before giving me a slight smile, trying to calm me but failing. Seeing that expression on my own face, even a warped version of it, terrified me to no end. Instinctively, as she advances towards me, I retreat. Poorly attempting to escape as I take in her usual transformation. Light purple markings bleed into her skin, forming various curves and angles that are too perfect to be bruising. Especially the diamond on the center of her forehead and the twin slashes on each of her cheeks. As Inner's marking become more prominent her profile rapidly begins to fade. And as she stalks towards our bed to feed and rest I cannot help wish that this would be the last time-the last feeding- when the backs of my legs brush against my bed. She stops when I do, holding herself unnaturally still and waiting for me to tuck myself in.

I sigh, hoping to calm myself down as I comply and slide in between the blankets.

Inner leaps onto the bed as graceful as a cat, the hunger already altering her agility. She straddles me over the blanket, her weightlessness sends an alarm through me as it shows exactly how close she is to the edge. Her clawed fingers, barely a brush against my skin, gently holds my face still. She never moves her gaze from my mine as she brings her lips to the center of my slightly bigger than normal forehead. There she locates one of the easiest points on my body, my third eye as she calls it, and just before she touches her lips onto my skin she speaks.

"Whatever's bugging you now, remember it and tell me in the morning." Then, before I can reply, she pounces. Inner's fangs tear through the thin barrier I have to suck at my soul.

After so many years of being fed on, one would think I'd have grown used to it, but even if a hundred years have passed I don't think I'll ever get over the sharp pain of that first suck. The instant of terror, vulnerability, and self loathing always possess me in that moment simply because I let it happen. The shock of it causes me to gasp as tears form in my eyes while I force myself to relax. It isn't until a few moments have passed that I'm able to calm down enough to feel the icy coolness of my essence leave my body. I sigh in relief as I begin to feel her weight a top of me, an indication that Inner is solidifying again.

As much as it pains me to admit it, this is still better than in the past when the demons who used to have to physically wound me to eat at my life. Those times the torment would never seem to end even long after they've abandoned me to suffer, the echo of agony would stay for hours before slowly dissolving into nothing. When Inner feeds it always hurts, but only for a moment. She prevents the pain from staying by closing the thin membrane keeping my soul within my body after she finishes. That barrier, the spiritual skin of my soul, is the reason why I used to continue to suffer long after the attacks. It, like skin, needs time to heal and reform. However, since Inner is made from the same energy she is able to help me heal from those intangible wounds.

Yet, even though she keeps me safe from other demons, as grateful as I am that she prevents that agony. I still wish of a day where I will never have to see her again. Where her reason for existing is no longer needed because the demons will have given up on me. They will no longer hunt me, or hurt me, and I will be free to fully enjoy my life without having to constantly worry about being attacked every moment of the day.

But that day will never come. For the demons continue to hunt me, and so long as they do Inner will still continue to exist. She will never leave my side and will continue to feed from me because I made her.

She is my Inner Demon.