The Fox Tail Army (Kitsune Shippo Beirikugun)

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto

In the Valley of the End, two friends battled for their beliefs. Naruto was unwilling to break his bonds with his best friend even though that friend was purposely trying to kill him just to get enough power to defeat his brother. Another reason for Sasuke to defect from Konohagakure was to kill Naruto and to gain the mythical Mangekyou Sharingan (sp) that he has sought after since the massacre.

"Habataku Chidori!" Sasuke flew towards Naruto with all of his strength behind his cursed attack. Its light flickering between violet and white with the lightning arching everywhere electrified the air around him.

"Ōdama Rasengan!" Naruto cried holding the crimson sphere powered by Kyuubi. Sakura, I shall make my promise come true. The attacks collided.

A dark ball ensued from the clash of the thunderous attacks, ripping rocks from the valley and thrashing the water until mostly half of the lake was gone.

A palpable silence was around the area. None of the animals made a sound for they were already gone, scaring them since the Kyuubi charka escaped from Naruto. A great amount of dust covered the now barren area and a figure was seen from the hazy view trudging along, dragging his body while carrying a person on his back.

Sakura stood at the gate waiting for her 'Sasuke-kun'. "Where is that dobe? I have been waiting here for a whole day now. I better hope Sasuke-kun is with him or else."

She waited there for a bit more and then suddenly she saw figures coming along the well-worn path towards Konoha. Her heart was pounding from her worries. Shikamaru and the gang came back along with the Sand Nins and the wounded except for Naruto and Sasuke. Immediately the medics took the injured and left Shikamaru for the time being because the med-nins saw that he was not seriously injured.

"Shikamaru, where are Sasuke-kun and Naruto no baka? Did you succeed?" Sakura asked eagerly.

"Hm, troublesome. Well, Naruto went after Sasuke and that is all I know for now. Mind if I waited here with you?" questioned Shikamaru expecting no answer from the pink-haired kunoichi as she gazed at the setting sun waiting for her lover.

After the news spread throughout the village that the team came back from the retrieval mission and that the 'demon boy' was taking care of their precious Uchiha, they formed a mob at the gates surprising both young shinobis wondering why they were there. Just after the day was about to end and the sun was setting, they saw an orange clad character in front of the orange sun making him indistinguishable from afar because of his matching clothes.

The haggard fellow came up to Sakura, "Sakura-chan, see I got Sasuke-teme back… cough…cough."

When the crowd saw the condition with the Uchiha unconscious with numerous non-life threatening injuries, they became furious at the demon container.

"Brat! Look what you did to the Uchiha!" "We should kill it!" "It doesn't deserve to live!" a chunin shouted raising its hand for the stab.

Naruto was unable to protect himself from his injuries especially the hole in his chest where Kyuubi was working overtime to repair it. Sakura was also angry at Naruto and she became caught up with the crowd. Then, she started throwing rocks and different sharp objects at Naruto. She was lost within herself feeling the euphoria with the mob. In her mind, she saw Naruto as the person brought all this trouble: making Sasuke not like her and hurting Sasuke and for that he should be punished.

Shikamaru was shocked at Sakura's behavior and tried to stop it. But then, realized that he cannot fight against the multitude of people and some other shinobis in the area attacking Naruto. He ran towards the Hokage tower but stopped when he saw the busty Hokage with an entourage of ANBU. He was relieved.

Naruto was shocked. He saw his pink haired teammate attacking him mercilessly.

"Why Sakura? Why?" he cried. At that time, he did not care how his body felt while numerous slashes and stabs were directed towards him. He felt alone. With his blood rapidly gushing, he fell unconscious and the last thing he saw was Tsunade, protecting him from the attackers.

Naruto Mindscape

Naruto saw the familiar sewer with the ankle deep water and pipes twisting against each other. He then came up to the ominous looking cage with the paper 'SEAL' hanging in it.

HAHA! LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED! WAS THIS YOUR DREAM? THE DREAM TO PROTECT ALL THOSE VILLAGERS? Kyuubi roared at Naruto. Expecting a mighty comeback, he was shocked when Naruto just said something with his head downcast.

With eyes burning with defiance and determination, Naruto said, "NO! Not anymore! I will still protect my precious people but not the villagers! I will grow strong and they will beg me to help them but I will say no."

Okay kit, I shall help you with exceptions and then we will make a deal.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Asked being the same old dobe that he is.

I meant what I said kit Kyuubi retorted seriously.

"Then tell me. I wish to be stronger to protect them all even tough I won't give out my

help willingly," insisted Naruto with a resilient tone, not willing to back down.

Now, that is more like it. First, cut off your ties from Konoha an." Kyuubi stopped talking as heard Naruto shout indignantly.

"What?! What do you mean cut my ties? Didn't I tell you that I will protect me precious persons you stupid fur ball", questioned Naruto as the Kyuubi went on explaining.

Cut your ties and make new ones. This village is the past and should be forgotten from now on. If you agree with this then, I will let you borrow my power whenever you feel the need but I must warn you that it will destroy your body if used too much. Kyuubi said as he reminisced his past while talking to the blond haired kid.

After Kyuubi's speech, Naruto mulled over the fact that the village wants him dead and they will never respect him even if he saves Konoha repeatedly from harm. He already suffered enough from his childhood but is he willing to sacrifice his future and face the impossible.

"Okay, I'm going to do it and I'm going to pave my own destiny towards greatness. Believe it!" answered Naruto with his fist raised up to the sky.

Good, good. Now it is time for you to wake up kit. We will see each other again soon and leave the village immediately as soon as you can.

Hospital

"Uuhh… My head hurts", Naruto whined as he stared at the familiar white ceiling of the Konoha Hospital. He immediately remembered his conversation with Kyuubi and now was planning to steal the Forbidden Scroll again. He sneaked out of the hospital and whispered "Meisaigakure no Jutsu" (Hiding Camouflage Technique). This made Naruto invisible to the naked eye except to the Sharingan and the Byakugan. He then continued on to the Hokage Tower. Lazy and sleepy chunin shinobis guarded the scroll and he was able to steal it with no problem at all along with other jutsu scrolls that are not forbidden. Still using the technique, he promptly went into the clan houses especially the Uchihas who have many fire jutsus. Thinking that he needs more techniques, he sneaked to the Sarutobis, Aburames, Akimichis, Naras, Inuzukas, and other major and minor clans in Konoha. Encumbered by the numerous scrolls, he then opened an empty scroll that Jiraiya gave him and proceeded to seal everything in one scroll. Naruto learned to seal when he traveled with Jiraiya to get Tsunade. (He only knows this sealing technique for now and nothing else.) After that, he used a Henge no jutsu (everyone knows that) and continued to go to a clothing store. Naruto was now recognizing the fact that wearing orange might not be a very good idea if he wants to run away and now he is trying to change his wardrobe. He went to the clothing shop and looked around. While meandering around the store, his eyes caught a pair of black pants with pockets. The materials of the pants were made to be sturdy, water resistant and absorb light at the same time. He then took a plain black shirt and a deep red ANBU-like armor. The armor provided sufficient protection and flexibility fit for an upcoming kage level nin. He also took a black trench coat to match his style. After he purchased them and made gama-chan a little bit thinner, he continued to shop for weights. He got the charka weights for now because the gravity weights had to be specially made and usually takes 2 days to make. In his current situation, he did not have the luxury of time.

At midnight, wearing all of his new clothes, Naruto took off his headband and slinked off into the night, leaving all of his few friends for a better and a brighter future.