A/N – sorry I've taken so long with this when I told you all ages ago I'd have a new Naruto story up. Uni's been a bit hectic, especially as I changed class so yea. I also want to thank everyone for their support on my story 'Who Knew?' – sorry I didn't get back to you all! I had considered doing a continuation of other story, but I couldn't have been bothered lol. That and there's very little fics with this couple and I like this couple shrugs Slightly AU as Naruto is 17.
Anyways, I'm just babbling here. Enjoy the story!
The Necklace intro
I watched the first's necklace sway as the young ninja pulled off his top to begin his new training. Manipulating his wind chakra is going to take a lot out of him, and myself. Containing the kyubbi's chakra is not easy. I don't know how he has managed for all these years. Yes, he has lost control before. Seeing the fourth tail appear was an eye opener for me. I had no idea the demon fox's power would take such a toll on Naruto's body. Seeing the skin flake from his body was beyond disturbing. And it was all for that damned Uchiha brat. He was truly giving his all to get past Orichimaru. I guess being so close to Sasuke was driving the poor boy insane. What got to me most wasn't the change. Oh no, not that. Disturbing as it was, that's not what got me. It was when he was flung back over to my original body. It wasn't the fox I saw then. All I saw was pain. As he sat there, pinned to the rock, I saw all the pain he'd been put through. When he howled, I felt like my soul had been ripped in pieces and my heart broke for him. I wanted so badly to do as Sakura had done. I wanted to run to him and hold him. I knew I couldn't. I knew what had happened, but I didn't dare stop her. I needed it to happen. I needed a reason to convince Naruto to use his own strength – to show people what he can do.
I watch the necklace fall against his chest and remember pressing my palm there, sealing the kyubbi. I remember feeling his blood stain my hand. I remembered Jirya explaining the kyubbi's chakra being made up of his blood, but I never expected that. I never expected his skin to have been stripped from him. I never even considered the agony the blonde would be in. And I will never forget that day for as long as I live. Even after that, he still refused to give in. He still went after Sasuke. He still made sure that Sai – and on some level, myself – understood this mission would never be abandoned. Even as he lay on the floor, exhausting and bleeding, after feeling the power of a full body chidori, he still swore he'd catch up to Sasuke.
I raise my eyes from the hypnotic crystal and gasp at the cheeky grin being sent my way. I have no idea how long I've sat staring at that necklace. No wonder he noticed. Sometimes I'm very, very glad I scare the crap outta the blonde. So why can't I bring myself to meet his gaze? I compose my features and look up. Oh yea, that's why. I can already feel my steely façade fade and my brain turn to mush. Those beautiful azure eyes burn into my very soul and I feel my heart skip a beat. I pray he doesn't try to speak to me. Coherent speech tends to fail me at moments like this. I watch as his lips begin to move. Crap.
"Ready to go Captain Yamato?"
"Bwuh?"
Smooth, Yamato, very smooth. I hear him laugh and put on my 'must scare Naruto' face. He quickly backs off. Then trips. Over a sleeping Kakashi. Ah, perfect. Although I do feel a little bad as I watch Kakashi trying his best to knock Naruto out with the newest edition of Ichi ichi paradise I can't help but laugh. I don't really know when it started, but I've felt myself being drawn towards the young golden haired ninja. I know it became more profound on that day. I said I had wanted to run to him. It was more like I needed to run to him. I needed to take away that pain. I needed to see bright blue eyes sparkling and hear that throaty laugh. I was actually terrified that he'd be completely different when I sealed the kyubbi's chakra. I hear myself sigh. I have been trying to put off admitting it haven't I? I guess it's about time I admit it, even if it's only to myself.
I, Yamato, am in love the golden haired, blue eyed ninja, Naruto Uzamaki.