Rebirth of Whirlpool
Chapter 2 Realizing I'm not alone
NarutoxKyuubi
Naruto got up from his makeshift bed and checked his supply of food to make sure he would have enough food to last him the next few days. After making sure it was up safe where animals wouldn't get into it he went about checking out the area and then wandered in a random direction until he came across a stream that was snaking its way through the forest heading to who knows where. Naruto decided to entertain himself by walking along the stream and see where it led. He was certain that he was slowly moving farther away from the village, it was just a feeling but one that he didn't really mind. It was hard enough to sneak around let alone actually leave the village itself which he thought was odd as it all came together in his mind. Nearly everyone hated him there and yet they refused to allow him to leave the village on the many occasions he tried to.
Shrugging it off Naruto continued on for awhile longer until he found the source of the stream which turned out to be a underground hot spring that seemed unused. It was the perfect spot he thought to himself to relax for a little while. Stripping off his shoes pants shirt, Naruto stopped to contemplate where or not to remove his boxers as well 'No one is around to see me anyways' he thought as the last of his clothing came off.
Up in a tree a little bit away Yugao smirked as she watched Naruto jump into the spring. She smiled happily that he was free to enjoy himself for once without people harassing him and decided to let him have his privacy. Casting a simple alert jutsu to know when he was out of the water she sushined away to relax again. Landing on a tree a little bit away she kicked back and enjoyed the warm air that was blowing around her. 'I'll have to come back when he isn't around for a warm soak maybe...' her mind trailed off as sleep claimed her again.
Back in Konoha, Tenzo had just finished his fixing of Narutos apartment door for the 7th time today as more people had shown up trying to harass the kid for something out of his control. It got to the point that He had made a clone of himself to stand watch and trap anyone who approached the complex since only two people lived there, Naruto and the landlord himself. It was with a small sense of pride however he gave Naruto a surprise present, by remodeling his apartment on the inside after getting the landlords permission to combine two of the rooms and after using his special jutsu had fortified the wood making it to the point you would have to be trying to blow up the entire section of the village to break in which was fine because it meant that he would at least be safe in his own home. It was with that thought that Tenzo decided to have a break and left the property under the care of his clone for a short duration. Of which he went inside and slept for a half hour to get some of his energy back.
About an hour of bouncing between the hot spring and grass, Naruto finally had spent enough time in the water that he could see his skin looking pruny and decided to head back to his camp. He made note of this place to visit it as a remote get away. With that a smile spread across his face as he realized he had a place that he knew about that no one else did. His secret location. Naruto then began his journey back following the stream once more to find his way back to camp, which conveniently had him walk under the tree that Yugao was sitting in. As he was passing the wind caught Yugao scent and carried it down to him causing him to stop and look around before glancing up, and not seeing anything as Yugao had moved out of sight before he spotted her. Naruto brushed it off as flowers and continued walking along the water until he came upon his camp, and then with a sigh of frustration pulled at his hair as he saw that the food he had brought with him had fallen, and the animals had clearly gotten a hold of it.
"Some birthday this is turning into..." he thought as he salvaged what was left of the food and carried all the bad scraps away from where he was sleeping and tossed them into the woods. Turning around he got back to the camp and got the rest of his stored away. He realized he would have enough for the night and maybe tomorrow unless he wanted to try and sneak into the village and get more food... the thought died with a shake of the head as he thought about what would happen if he was caught. ?He was going to try and ration out his food.
Fifteen minutes later Naruto had dug into some of the food and ate it ravenously as he forgot to eat breakfast when he woke up. He sighed as the rest of the food looked even better with every second that passed. He tried really hard to distract himself from the temptation to eat but after 30 minutes of maybe just one and just a nibble all the food was gone and he was sitting on the ground sad at the prospect of what he would have to do. Either I have to try and catch a animal to eat and risk a fire or try and sneak into the village and get some food...
Naruto tried he really did to avoid going into the village but after 2 hours of trying to catch any animal and then finally catching a rabbit and then letting it go because he couldn't bring himself to try and kill it, his stomach growled again louder then before as he watched the rabbit hop away quickly. Sighing Naruto decided to distract himself for the next few hours with some ninja training as he hoped to get into the academy in once the new semester started.
Pulling out a few throwing stars, Naruto took aim at a tree and began throwing them. Most missed but he kept at it for a hour, using all that he had and then going to retrieve them. It was with a sigh of satisfaction that he had managed to land 7 stars in a row out of the 13 he had. He had only been practicing for a month now ever since he convinced the Hokage to help him join the academy to train as a ninja. He figured another month or two and he would get all 13 in a row but until then just practicing would be enough. Gathering up his throwing stars and storing them back in the pouch he had brought with him, he made sure it was concealed with everything else. Deciding that it was time for him to head back towards the village Naruto began the short trek taking a more scenic route that would give him a great view of the sky and also make his walk a bit longer to kill a bit more time. The sky had turned a vibrant orange as the suns base touched the ground, sending rays of light all over the place bringing a happy feeling to Naruto as he made it to a small clearing with a hill in the middle that rose up with a single tree in the middle. Naruto stopped for a moment to look at the tree, caught up in the color of the leaves that reminded him of the dream he had last night. All the leaves on this tree were a crimson red and where the light hit them it cast a red glow making the ground below it look like a pool of blood. A strange feeling welled up in Naruto urging him to walk up to touch the tree, and before he knew it he was on the edge of red light surrounding the tree. He stood for a moment debating whether or not to reach out and with a moment of hesitation he drew back away from the tree.
He hadn't realized until just that moment he was shaking all over and when he turned around he thought he could see something skirting along the edge of the clearing. Staring hard at it he thought it looked like a fox but he wasn't sure, it was with that moment he realized a full moon stood high in the sky. Had he really been standing by that tree for more then a hour, it only felt like a few minutes but as he ran through the woods he was having a really hard time seeing and several times barely managed to not crash into trees.
He finally made it to the village breathing hard as he entered, It was really quiet so he assumed that everyone was in bed by now. He ran quickly down the main street towards one of the academy buildings where he kept a spare stash of food in case his house was raided. He got in and out ok, but when he made his way back up the road he could hear several people talking loudly as they came into sight. A group of men one of which where carrying alcohol were in the high spirits of the celebration and Naruto picked up what they where talking about...
"-brat hasn't been seen since yesterday, several people went to his hovel and tried to get him out but they were all taken in by ANBU..." one said as he caught the guy next to him who stumbled down the road.
"Yea I shawww him yester... rope, probably hunnhg himself in the woods" the drunken guy carrying the liquor slurred out as he gazed up at the sky zoning out a bit.
"It wouldn't matter much to me, good riddance to the nine tailed brat, Just a monster that needs to be killed so that he cant hurt anyone else..." Said the only sober one of the group, it was at that moment that he turned and saw Naruto frozen in place at what he had just heard. The surprise caused him to stop making the two guys behind him walk into him and then fall over. They all looked at the guy who stopped then gazed in his directions in time to see Naruto turn and run.
It was a more a garbled cry out then the actual two words yelled but nonetheless "Found him!" was hollered and soon lights went up all around Naruto as people came out of there houses to see what the ruckus was about. A few men who had saw him run by quickly gave chase with more people adding to the quickly growing crowd that followed him as he snaked his way through the village. Yugao watched in disbelief at how the village was acting towards Naruto and wished she had intervened when she heard the group coming, She had made the assumption that Naruto would hide but for some reason he froze in the middle of the street and now he was on the run. She quickly traveled across the roof tops to get in front of the group and cast a Genjutsu on the oncoming rampage of people quickly stopping them in there tracks, but in the process lost track of Naruto.
Naruto kept running, he passed a bunch of villagers who just yelled at him for shoving passed but he didn't care, he just wanted to get away form everyone so that he was safe, just this one time where no one would hurt him. He made it back out of the gates unaware that a lowrank ninja was watching him from the rooftops and began to follow him. He had made it out of the village and stopped for a moment to catch his breath, at that moment he heard a whizzing noise and luckily turned at the same moment as a kunai slid across his cheek cutting him. He turned to see the ninja on a branch above him grabbing more kunai to throw, that was his cue to dive headfirst into the woods again and running as fast as he could. He vaguely recalled the path he took that led him the small clearing and hoped that the ninja couldn't keep up even as he saw more kunai fly over head and thunk into trees around him.
"Come on you little monster, its time for you to pay for the murder on your hands." The ninja yelled as he began to get frustrated that he couldn't hit the kid.
"You may have the Hokage under a spell, but not me. I WILL KILL YOU and become a hero of this village!" He cried out as he chased Naruto.
Breaking through the trees Naruto reached the clearing just as the ninja made a dive for him. He dove and rolled to the side narrowly avoiding the ninja who had landed and was getting up. Naruto quickly saw the tree from earlier and ran past it making a run for the other side of the clearing only to be tackled to the ground as the ninja finally caught him.
"Please dont hurt me I never did anything to anyone please!" Naruto begged as he tried to defend himself.
He tried to fight back but the guy grabbed a hold of the fist aimed at him and punched Naruto in the gut driving all the air from his lungs. Naruto felt another punch and then another and another with a fourth one that hit him in the face dazing him. The guy on top of him smirked as he spit on Naruto and got up stomping his foot into Naruto's shoulder making him scream out in pain as he got kicked in the side and then the head bringing him near blackness. He could barely see the guy as he saw him pull out a kunai and raise it above his head.
"Please no... I... don't …wanna... die" He coughed out as blood splattered the ground making him
choke.
It hurt to much to move as Naruto watched him bring the knife down and his eyes widened as he felt the tip pierce his stomach and sink down into him. A second scream ripped through the night as Naruto thrashed around on the ground as the guy stabbed him again causing him to spit up more blood and his breathing slowed.
"Good riddance freak." The guy said getting up delivering a final kick to Naruto who didnt even feel it as his eyes began to darken. The guy made it only two steps before he heard a growl and turned to see a fox with nine tails standing right next to him. He never had a chance as the fox jumped on him and bit through his neck crushing it and separating his head from the body. Turning it moved quickly to Narutos side and nuzzled its head against his cheek as the red chakra poured around him. The foxes image changed into Kivira as she placed his head into her lap and with desperation in her eyes began to heal him. She could feel his heart starting to beat faster until it was back to its normal rate and the bruises and wounds began to heal and fade quickly. She smiled for a moment before her eyes flashed, burning with anger at the village responsible for what happened. She had watched unable to do anything when he was chased besides lend him some chakra to run faster, until now when Naruto made it back here and she was able to semi manifest herself while he was in danger. She could feel his life racing back to him as he gasped and tried to sit up only to be held in place by her hands on his shoulder.
"Shh Naruto your safe now" she whispered as he looked at her with recognition. She ran her fingers through his hair as he took notice of a round shape on the ground. Before he could even get up to look at what it was it spontaneously caught fire and was burned away, he only caught a glimpse of a face of pure terror before it was gone completely. Only a slight scorch mark marked where the body had been.
"Kivira... did I, did I kill him? Naruto asked as his voice came out shaky at possibly being the monster everyone claimed him to be.
"No Naruto you did not, a animal got him because he was a terrible ninja." She spoke calmly trying to put his mind at ease.
"Are you lying to me? Naruto asked with as much authority a six year old could muster "I can tell when people are lying to me" he stated as he sat up and looked at her.
"Of course not, I saw a animal, A fox specificly kill him" She said matter of fact like as she looked him dead in the eye. It wasn't a lie technically because it was a animal, but it was also her that had been that animal. She didn't want Naruto to think badly of her so she kept that part to herself for the time being as she pulled him back into her lap and held him. It was intriguing that she was feeling such strong protective instincts towards him.
Naruto just kinda sat in her lap for awhile before he drifted off to sleep, Kivira smiled at him sleeping soundly in her lap. She wrapped two of her tails around him to keep him warm and used the rest to lay on like a bed as she drifted off to sleep next him her cuddled against her. Her last thought was a determination to find a way to permanently be out of the seal that bound her in his body without killing him so that she could protect him.
Birds chirped with the rise of the sun as it lit up the sky in a bloody red glow. All of the villagers ho woke up early enough to see it felt shivers run through there body at the sight. Someone had died last night and it would take about half a day for the ninja to be noticed as missing and 3 days later to determine him dead or rouge. As Naruto woke up he was greeted with the sight of red as Kivira's hair was in his face. He spluttered for a moment and tried to get up only to feel her tails tighten slightly around him keeping him near her. He waited a moment before trying again this time successfully disentangling himself from her and stretching from his sleep. He saw his pack that he had grabbed last night was still lying on the ground and still full of food upon closer inspection.
Naruto was famished but he walked over to Kivira and sat down waiting for her to wake up. He didnt wait to long as he gazed up at the sky that was starting to clear of its red tinge giving way for the blue that broke free as a tail swatted him in the back of the head.
"Hey what was that for!?" He asked as he turned to look at the offender.
She just smiled and spoke simply "You woke me up"
Naruto just looked at her dumbfounded for a moment before shrugging and pulling out some bread offered her half. She looked at it for a moment before declining.
"I don't need to eat, as I am still just sort of here Naruto." Kivira said unsure how best to explain how she was able to be here talking to him outside of his mind.
"Eat it, you need your strength after last nights ordeal." She said to which Naruto just nodded and began to eat setting half back into the pack for later and pulling out some dried fruit and meat.
Once he was done he repacked it carefully and then looked at Kivira with a questioning look.
"Did last night really happen, did I almost die?" Naruto asked quietly as he sat down.
"Sadly yes, I cannot believe the extent to which this village treats you. You should be a hero for this place!" Kivira said starting to get worked up again over how she felt towards the hidden leaf and the urge if she could leave this place burn it all to the ground.
"So then the night before wasn't a dream either, you really do exist." Naruto said as a small smile spread across his face.
"Does this mean I have a friend now?" He asked with so much hope in his voice and face it made Kivira heart break a little at how alone he really was.
"Yes I will always be with you, Naruto." she said with a smile as Naruto broke down in tears as he basicly tackled her and hugged her.
"Naruto, you should understand though three things at the present time. One, it would be in your best interest not to tell anyone about me. Two, you can always see me in your mindscape and I will show you how, so I will always be with you. And finally three, You can talk to me any time because I am in your mind, Just try it now and think of something you would want me to know."
Naruto thought for a moment then asked out loud "Do you like ramen?" to which Kivira face planted into the ground before responding in his mind, "Never tried it" The look of horror on Narutos face was amusing to say the least. "Oh one more thing Naruto, just think what you want to say, don't say it out loud or people will start to think your crazy on top of everything else" Kivira explained to him as he nodded over and over again.
Kivira just smiled as she watched him, it would be a interesting few years to watch him grow up. She would help him to become strong and hopefully find a way out on the way but until then she would have a bit more patience.
"Naruto, you should probably return to your camp and get your belongings, return to the village so the Hokage knows you are safe." Kivira told him in a non negotiable voice as she stood up and with a quick movement lifted Naruto up onto his feet and handed him his pack. She knew a few people where watching over him, but he couldn't be watched over forever. Once the academy starts and he learns the basics we can go form there she thought. Naruto hugged Kivira one more time before he started to walk away from her expecting her to follow, but was confused as she stood there staring at the tree with the red leaves.
"Kivira are you coming" He asked as he waited for her to get a move on. She just looked at him and giggled "I'm already with you remember."
Naruto just nodded as he remembered and then began to walk again. He go to the edge of the clearing when he heard Kivira call his name stopping and looking back at her she quickly moved to him. Walking over to him she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek and when he turned red from embarrassment she just smiled at him and said sweetly "I know its a little late Naruto but Happy Birthday."
Authors note
Hey guys sorry it took so long to get the second chapter up, I am still currently looking for a new beta reader and if anyone has/knows one they are willing to share it would greatly speed up my upload time because i only have so much time in the day to write and then edit everything i wrote. Gotta make sure its perfect right? ^-^
On a side note otherwise I'm really enjoying writing and hope you guys enjoy my writing.
