Forever Never Ever.
Summary – Biju are immortal, but once sealed, they die with their hosts. That is why any sealed biju will do everything in its power to keep their host alive. Even if it means defying the laws of nature. Even if it means fighting the Shinigami.
Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto.
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Chapter 1 - Through these bars.
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I'm in that place. The sewer, leading to my inner demon. Literally. Damned fox must want something. As I walk down the corridors leading to the Kyuubi's cage, I reminisce on everything that lead to this point. I wonder why I'm here? Why did the fox call me?
I called you here to discuss our life, human. Before you ask anything, shut up. I will explain, just don't interrupt, understood?
I nodded, and the demon continued . . .
If you die, I die. You know this. Therefore, it is in my best interests if you don't die. I will ensure that, as much as I can. Orochimaru wanted immortality, remember? Yet he was killed by that Uchiha. Did you know that any living being can challenge the Shinigami? If they win, then they will never grow old, and can only die if they are killed – no illnesses can touch them. Not even time can kill them. The biju - all nine of us . . . we . . . we challenged the Shinigami, and won. There used to be 16, but those that lose a challenge with that asshole spend an eternity in his stomach. Now you wonder what it has to do with you. I want to challenge the Shinigami on your behalf, and make you immortal. That way – unless you get yourself killed – I will never die.
Immortal? I . . .don't want to live forever. I want to live as long as Sakura-chan, to do everything in my power to make her happy. I don't want to live in a world without her. Especially now she's actually acknowledged me as a friend.
"So you can challenge the Shinigami more than once? You can challenge it on behalf of someone else?"
Yes, the reason I called you here is . . . I will do this regardless to your feelings – I refuse to die. However, I will let you chose when. You stop aging once you become Immortal. So talk to me brat, tell me an age you want to be forever. If you refuse, I will do it now.
I thought for a moment, before coming up with a plan.
"Fox, give me a week to think this over, I'll get back to you."
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Real World
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I opened my eyes, and realised where I was – I knew that ceiling all too well. I'm in the hospital. Sasuke put me here. Again.
"Naruto! Your awake!"
I looked over to the owner of the voice I would recognise even if I was deaf, and saw Sakura-chan smiling at me. Her eyes were red and her cheeks had tearstains. I'm sorry, Sakura-chan . . .I failed again, that's why you were crying, wasn't it? You believed in me, and then . . . I still couldn't bring him back for you.
"Naruto . . . I want you to do something for me."
I looked up at Sakura-chan.
"What?"
"I want you to do something . . . and I'm going to ask you to do it, even though I know that its something no-one has the right to ask. Something that, under any other circumstances, I would be ashamed for even thinking of asking."
I waited for a moment, before she continued. . .
"Naruto . . .I want you to . . . betray your nindo. I . . . I don't want you to die, its not worth it. He's not worth it. Naruto. I want you to go back on your word. I want you to break your promise. The promise of a lifetime. I . . . I guess I . . . still want Sasuke back, but . . .not at the cost of my best friend."
She smiled at me . . . I . . .I don't get it. What does Ino have to do with this?
"Ino?"
Crap . . . I said that out loud . . .
"I never mentioned Ino . . .heh . . . she's not my best friend anymore, Naruto."
I looked at her in confusion, then she . . she hugged me. Once I recovered enough from the shock I hesitantly hugged her back, causing her to hold tighter around my waist.
"She's not my best friend, Naruto . . . you are."
As I heard her whisper, I cried. In both sadness and joy. My heart both lifted and sank at her words. I was happy she cared that much, but . . . no one dates their best friend – if they did, then who would they complain about their partner to?
I saw Baa-chan enter the room.
"Hey, Tsunade-san, I need a word."
Both Sakura-chan and Baa-chan were surprised at me calling the Hokage that, without any reference to her age. I guess that's how they knew I was serious.
"What about?"
"The furball. Its kinda private, so I don't want everyone knowing . . ."
"Sakura."
Sakura-chan looked slightly sad, but rose to leave.
"I . . .don't mind if she knows, but other than her . . .only Kakashi, Iruka, Ero-sannin and yourself can know."
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1 hour later . . .
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". . .so the fox wants to challenge the Shinigami on my behalf, to ensure his own survival, and is giving me only 1 word of say in the matter – when. He wants me to decide, within the week, on an age to stay forever, as no immortal ages. If I don't, then he will challenge the Shinigami immediately. I have a plan, but it might not work – no, I'm not going to discuss it, as then the fox would know what it is. Any questions?"
"How did Jaraia-sama manage to teach you how to freely contact Kyuubi?"
"That's simple, Iruka-sensei, he threw me off a cliff – sort of a 'do or die' kinda test. He told me 'If there's anything you might regret never doing, do it now.' And gave me an hour to make my possible final farewell to Konoha."
That point was when Kakashi had to hold Iruka back from attempting to kill the Sannin. It was also when Ero-sannin first felt a combination punch from Baa-chan and Sakura-chan. Eventually everyone calmed down enough to continue with the conference about Kyuubi. Then Sakura-chan spoke.
"When was that, Naruto? When did Jaraia-baka do that . . .test?"
"Remember that day during the chunin exams? In that 1-month we had to train. There were 2 things I tried to do, as my goodbye . . . I failed miserably.
I wanted to beat Sasuke in a fight, but I couldn't find him – he was off training with Kakashi-sensei.
I also wanted to kiss you, Sakura-chan . . .but I knew that if I did . . I wouldn't need to worry about Ero-sannin's test – you'd kill me first. So I tried to get a hug from you instead . . ."
I was trying Soo hard to keep from blushing (I failed) that I almost missed the blush on Sakura-chan's cheeks . . .I dismissed it – who wouldn't be embarrassed if their 'best' friend said something like that. (yes, the whole 'best friend' thing is still a touchy subject, so don't ask').
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1 week later, Naruto's Mindscape.
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Well, Uzumaki?
"I don't want you to fight on my behalf, but why don't we make a compromise?"
What kind, mortal?
"The kind where you train me to challenge the Shinigami myself."
On the conditions that you challenge him as soon as I feel you are ready, and you try your hardest, then you have a deal
"Wouldn't have it any other way, fox."
Then let the torture begin"Torture?"
Training.
I gulped loudly.