On The Inside:
Is it worth it?
Naruto's bruised body lay on the soaked ground, the sound of the heavy waterfall reached him in his semi-conscious state. Light shuffling of feet by his head, followed by a pained gasp and the thud. Sasuke, not looking much better than the blonde, fell to his knees in exhaustion, he hurt everywhere, it throbbed and stung like needles.
"I'm sorry, Naruto." He heard those words, but he couldn't move, not even open his eyes.
No, don't leave, I can help I'll do anything. Take me with you Sasuke!
But that was all in his head. No sound, no movement.
Sasuke left, dragging his feet along the path to the Sound. And Naruto lay motionless.
Give it up, boy. A sinister smile accompanied many discouragements as Naruto sat hugging his knees. Not caring for the water drenching through his pants. He hated coming to this place. The humongous cage loomed over his puny form, the Demon Fox's sharp teeth showed as he laughed at his misery.
He's gone. Naruto shook his head at the words going right through to his heart. "He will come back, I'll just wait here…till he comes back."
Yeah, you do that. Naruto ignored the taunts and whistles as the Fox wheezed in amused laughter. Bars rattled wildly as the fox banged his big furry head against it, laughing like a maniac. Wait here till you rot!
….
Time was lost on the inside. Naruto couldn't tell if mere minutes, or hours, had passed. His only company got bored with him. Kyuubi sat with his back to the blonde, the dark outline of a monster breathed in and out in the deep darkness of the prison that was Naruto himself.
Brilliant blue eyes that were once as beautiful as the sky were now a dull shade of grey, pale and tired. Kyuubi breathed loudly and grumbled to no one in particular. The blonde boy hadn't moved an inch or changed position.
….
I can help you. Those growled words did nothing to peak Naruto's interest. Everyone thought they could help, heck even he did, his promise to help bring Sasuke back was long shattered and buried under rubble of sorrow. "Leave me alone."
I said I could help.
Naruto turned his head very slowly to face the Demon.
"How?"
Give me full control for a while. I'll bring the brat back.
Naruto's breath hitched, uncertainty and reluctance weighted him down.
A heartbeat, and two.
Thump
Sakura would be happy
Thump
Naruto would be happy
Thump
They would be a team of three again.
Naruto reached up and traced the seal on the gates. It seemed silly that a meager piece of paper kept all the power and evil behind confined.
He ripped it off.
….
Kakashi found Naruto sitting on a rock, with his pant's legs pulled up and feet dipped in water.
"Naruto, are you ok? Where is Sasuke!" Naruto looked over his shoulder at the copy ninja, a dark grin on his face. The angel-like whiskers that adorned his face were darker than usual. His eyes had a spot of red in the depth on gray.
"I'll get him back when I feel like it." He grinned.