If anyone is curious as to what 'Quarter' meant in the last chapter it represented the Kyuubi's mercy towards Naruto. Seeing as Naruto did not receive any there was No Quarter. Led Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands of all time. I have over 5,000 plays of their foundation rocking melodies on my iTunes. Just a little of what I am into on with the story. This chapter will be a little more into what I rated the story to be, meaning some violence and such. Kyuubi will seem like a rather confusing person with contradicting opinions in this chapter, but I am purposely making him confusing. He has this whole thing planned out so he will slip in a comment here or there that won't make sense. You won't get the whole story about his opinion for another chapter or two so just be patient. I don't own Naruto a Japanese genius does. Thank you to Acaykath for Beta reading my story.
Chapter Two: A Village's Cruel Blood Liqueur
Our older brother bit by a Vampire!
For a year we caught his tears in a cup.
And now we're gonna make him drink it.
Come on Alex don't die or dry up!
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika!
It's for your own good,
it's for the neighborhood!
Neightborhood #2 (Laika), The Arcade Fire, Funeral.
Eyes slowly crept open on the head of the human like fox who was very ignorant of it's personal surroundings. Oh thank god. The creature breathed a sigh of relief. It was all just a bad dream. Though, I liked the last part about being the Hokage and kicking Sasuke's ass.
Naruto got up from his bed and looked around at his apartment. The different location he had woken up in further relieved him. I guess I forgot I fell asleep on my bed, he thought, then breathed a sigh of frustration at the sight before him. Again? Wonder how much this one is going to cost. He took note of the shattered windows and the time of day. It was late out and the sun was setting. What the hell happened? A whole night and day. I guess that fight with Sasuke took a lot out of me. He continued to look around his apartment, surprised to find that the the floor was rather soft. He was also very warm considering the shattered windows and colder weather for such a time of year.
He looked at the graffiti on the walls: 'Its all your fault Sasuke left', 'You should just die', 'Demon filth', 'You're worthless', 'We should have finished what the Fourth started', 'You disgrace the Yondaime's image'. The last two he read struck a chord in him ."He is the one who cursed me. I should rip their heads off," he said as he punched the wall. He noticed three shocking things once he did this: his tone of voice was similar to what it had been in the dream; the wall gave way leaving a gaping whole into his bathroom; and the fist he used to punch the wall was actually a black, human-like paw with white claws. "I thought it was a dream," he said to no one, examining his paw. It had the dexterity and fingers of a human hand, but calloused pads, black/brown fur and very sharp claws.
His line of sight led him to inspect the rest of himself. He looked up on the arm he had extended in front of him. The black/brown fur changed to a red fur just before his elbow. He lifted his paws to his head and felt his ears twitch at sounds around the room and noticed how clear everything sounded; he could hear insects scurrying under the base boards. He lowered his hands and brought them to his lower back. He closed his eyes when he felt them. The nine, bushy, red, white-tipped tails flowing calmly behind him. He dropped to his furred knees. A piece of his now shattered mirror on the floor projecting his image back to him. The clarity of the image in the dark frightened him as the red, slit eyes stared back at him over his short muzzle. He opened his mouth to scream noticing his four two-inch long canines. His scream was more of a roaring howl than an actual scream. Then a voice cut off his plea to god.
"I would refrain from doing that. You could attract unwanted attention and draw dozens of foxes to your apartment."
Naruto glanced over to see a boy who was practically a clone of himself before he leapt at him. His claws grabbed the half demon by the shoulders, digging into the fox's flesh. The smell of its blood reminded Naruto of his dream with the Kyuubi. He was overcome with urges to do things he couldn't even imagine.
"You should have seen the look on your face," the Kyuubi interrupted Naruto's rampage, smirking, "Did you enjoy your dream. I made it nice and happy, seamless from your traumatizing event with me back where my cage was. 'One last joke' I said to myself before we leave."
"You're a heartless bastard, and what do you mean 'WE'? I'm not going ANYwhere with you!" Naruto said angrily. "And if that wasn't a dream then I'm just a powerful as you now. I'm gonna kill you." Naruto's fur bristled in a carnivorous manner, But to Naruto's anger and fury the Kyuubi just laughed.
"Boy, you're new to your power. You have no idea how to use it. I have nearly ten thousand years of experience with mine. You would have to be extremely dense to think you could outclass me." The Kyuubi tried to pull Naruto's claws out of his shoulders. They wouldn't budge so he left them alone. "And, I would suggest you do come with me. You will end up killing all the people around you without me around to sate your bloodlust. And, I am not staying here."
"I'm not some mindless demon that craves blood. I can deal with it just piss off!" Naruto seethed back angrily .
"Oh, but you are. One sniff of blood with your ultra-sensitive nose and you're a mindless killing machine. Right now,you're not because you have a goal: 'Kill Kyuubi'." Kyuubi made a slightly dramatic pose with his luring eyes when stating the last part. "But, whatever, I'll follow you around for one day. We'll see how long you last before you do something to someone." Kyuubi smirked again, a common expression Naruto was finding on the fox's face. "And, when you do,I'm not going to stop you. I'll let you feel the guilt. Let you taste the blood. Then, when you come down from your high, you'll see first hand just what you have become."
Naruto slammed the Kyuubi into the wall behind him and ripped his claws out of the demon's shoulders. The wounds steamed closed and Kyuubi got up from the rubble, brushing his shoulders off casually. Naruto couldn't help but lick the blood off his claws.
"See what I mean? You couldn't help, but to do that," Kyuubi said, gesturing to Naruto current action.
Naruto calmed down after Kyuubi said this. This is so messed up. I need to get out of here.
Kyuubi then took on the casual look again after hearing what Naruto thought and stated, "Seeing as you want to go for a walk to try and clear your head I will give you a small gift before you plan on going anywhere." Kyuubi closed his eyes and changed into the boy Naruto had seenin his dream. He opened his eyes again and stretched out his tails. "You just have to close your eyes and imagine yourself as a human. That damned sewer made even the softest of my voices earth shaking."
Naruto was staring at him with a mixed expression. His killer intent was very potent, Kyuubi noticed, but, along with that, he could feel the boys anguish in the air. "I don't need your help so just shut up and piss off."
"I already said I was going to follow you for one day, so I am not going anywhere." Kyuubi stated calmly.
Naruto just huffed and closed his eyes, thinking of how he looked. I want to look just like I did.
A voice entered his head, breaking his focus. That won't work. Remember what I told you. It's either fox or one of the different types of half demons. You'd be lucky if you had blond tips.
Naruto opened his eyes. He gave Kyuubi a dirty look, but Kyuubi's mouth was not moving. Oh yeah, the mind thing. Can you NOT distract while I'm tying to focus? It was thought with a harsh tone and visually expressed with his glare.
Sure, sure, Kyuubi rumbled in his mind.
Naruto closed his eyes again and thought about his appearance. His fur receded and the rough pads on his feet and hands softened. The tails, ears, fangs, and claws remained. He found that with his lack of fur, the room was quite chilly and, looking down, he noticed that he was nude. He curled a few of his tails in front of himself for some modesty, blushing slightly.
"Why can't I look anymore human?" Naruto demanded.
"Because, we are to be proud of what we are and not hide it." Kyuubi partially lied. Only when he learns he can't stay here will he receive his scarf.
"Well then, how the god damn hell am I supposed to go out in public?" Naruto continued with his demanding tone, ears perking up and stepping forward in an aggressive fashion.
Kyuubi's reply was simple, "Wear a hooded cloak. I'll be a little fox following you around and, don't worry, I'll hide eight of my tails."
"And how is that... supposed... to hide... my FUCKING CLAWS!? IS THIS ALL SOME KIND OF FUCKING JOKE TO YOU?! WHATS THE BIG FUCKING IDEA!? I AM NOT GONNA FOLLOW YOU! YOU'VE RUINED MY LIFE! ISN'T THAT ENOUGH!? SO NOW YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW ME AROUND AND RUB IT IN!?" Naruto screamed, grabbing hold of Kyuubi again after crossing the small distance between them, tears pouring out of his eyes.
So, he finally completely cracked. Time to start mending the shards. Here is part of my quarter. Kyuubi took on a serious look, a look Naruto had yet to see on the demon's face. "Naruto, out of all the people in this village that were affected by what happened twelve years ago, you were hurt a great extent more. You deserve revenge on that lowly Uchiha Madara more than anyone. He is the reason this village hates you. He is the reason you're never going to be Hokage. He is the reason you don't have any parents or family. He is the reason you grew up in a world that rejected your very existence.
"You irritated me for 12 years. You confined me and occasionally insulted me. This is my revenge: Giving you an endless life and giving you the power to kill the man that, before you were even born, ruined your life. It may not seem like it, Naruto, but I feel sympathy for you because of what you have had to go through. I am willing to be the first being to ever truly accept you even now that you ARE a demon.
"You can't stay here Naruto. Not until you learn to control yourself. My cruelty will end soon I promise." Kyuubi finished looking Naruto in the eyes.
The apartment fell under a emotional silence. Naruto slowly let go of Kyuubi before he turned and went to his closet, avoiding shards of glass on the floor. Then he gathered some clothing. He heard thunder in the distance, but knew it would be a while before the storm it formed from would bless Konoha with it's downpour. He did not even look in Kyuubi's direction as he dressed.
He wore a large, black cloak with a hood and sleeves over some black shinobi pants and a black sweater. To hide his clawed feet, he put on combat boots that he had received for his last birthday from the Third Hokage. It was one of the two presents he received for his most recent birthday. He slid on gloves in an attempt to hide his claws, but they poked out of the ends a little. He settled for putting his hands in his cloak's pockets.
Kyuubi just stood where he was, looking at Naruto. He could hear Naruto's thoughts and knew the boy was utterly depressed. It is always darkest before the dawn. Kyuubi thought, keeping it from reaching Naruto's mind.
Naruto headed for the door and, before he stepped out, he said, "I would tell you to fuck off, but your not going to listen."
Kyuubi closed his eyes and turned into a fox. He was larger than the average fox, but believable. The nine tails that swayed behind him swished into one. It was a little fluffier than a usual fox tail, but again, it was believable. He took off after Naruto and was out the door, behind said boy, before it closed.
Naruto could hear his neighbor's child talking to some of his friends. Naruto knew the boy was an orphan of the Kyuubi attack just like him and that he was the boy's vent for revenge. The boy was a little older than himself. He knew this because the boy was in his academy class, but dropped out when he was eight. How the boy tied Naruto to the demon confused Naruto, but he assumed that the foster boy's parents had told him the story in pieces, so as not to break the law. He had never managed to catch the boys name though.
The words the boy spoke were about Naruto and were very impertinent. Little did the boy know that Naruto could here every word that escaped the boy's lips due to his enhanced hearing.
"See, there he is. I told you the demon freak lived there. See, he even has a fox with him," the boy said almost proudly, "I was one of the people who broke into his house while he was in the hospital. I wrote 'demon filth' in spray paint on his wall." The other kids wowed at his foolish bravery.
Naruto went ridged out of anger for a second, then just kept walking down the stairs. He wanted to go on this walk to clear his head. It was proving to do the exact opposite though. He heard the boys talk about following him.
Foolish brats. Unfortunately for everyone except for me, in this situation, Naruto is going to claim his first victim, Kyuubi again thought away from Naruto's mind, This has to be done, then everything will slowly get better.
Naruto was heading to a less populated area of the city. Normally, during the day, said place would be bustling with people, but, do to nightfall cascading over a vast majority of the sky, all the attractions for people to come to were closed. Most of the shops and restaurants lining street were dark from inactivity and few people walked along the sidewalks.
Naruto just walked with his head down, fox in tow and ears making his hood look similar to Kankuro's. His tails were making the lower back of his cloak sway as if it was in a rather strong breeze. Most people didn't recognize him, and the dirty looks he received were mainly for the fox that walked silently by his side.
The group of three kids followed Naruto and avoided conversation so as not to be noticed by him. Naruto could smell them though, and was really eager to just beat the shit out of them to make them go away. He leashed himself well though, just blaming the over aggressiveness on his state of mind and not what Kyuubi had done.
The road Naruto was on wound to the right, up a hill, and around a forest. This allowed any travelers to have a nice view of a park that lay in the forest and the shops lining the other side of the street. There were benches that lined the sidewalk, facing the forest to allow people a view while they relaxed. The air was calm and still. The night seemed quiet and peaceful. Kyuubi thought otherwise as he knew what was going to eventually happen.
Naruto sat down on one of the many benches; Kyuubi sat beside him. He brought his gloved hands up to his face which was hidden in his cloak and began to cry. He quietly sobbed as the kids snuck ever closer to him, using bushes that hid them but allowed them to see Naruto. He could care less if anyone saw him doing this. He was completely and utterly emotionally exhausted. He just wanted to let his problems come pouring out through his emotions.
Night was drawing closer. One of the two kids said that he had to go home or his father would use him as a practice dummy for kunai and shuriken. So, the child left and the other two just sat and waited for Naruto to do something.
"He is such a wimp; look at him cry. Like that foul thing even deserves to cry," the boy sneered about Naruto in the bushes thinking his conversation was between two and not four. A bad idea came across the boy's mind.
With his youth and inexperienced judgement, the boy thought the idea was brilliant and planned to follow it through. "Let's throw some rocks at him, Hikaru," he said, picking up a rock the size of a plum from the ones(One rock cannot be scattered...) that lay scattered under the bushes, covered in dry, light brown dirt. Hikaru was a little hesitant about what his friend was planning to do. It was night now and the boy who had come up with the idea thought that they wouldn't be seen.
Here we go, Kyuubi mused.
The rock was hurled at Naruto. In his state of depression, he didn't notice the rock or most of what the kids had spoken about. The rock hit him in on his left cheek bone. The skin was split and allowed a drip of blood out before it steamed closed. His pupils dilated. The next rock headed for his right shoulder was stopped by one of his tails. He heard the two kids gasp as anger and bloodlust flooded his mind. His eyes were glowing an ominous red in the night. The street lights only lit up the other side of the street, leaving his ghostly figure with red eyes in the shadow to the boys.
Naruto could smell the kids. His anger was fueled by his bloodlust as he dashed towards them. He lunged over the bushes and grabbed the one he knew as his neighbor by the neck, holding him up in the air. He wrapped one of his tails around the boy he knew to be Hikaru so he couldn't escape. His hood fell, revealing more of his attributes. The kids were overcome by fear.
"You think you have any god damn reason to hate the demon as much as me? You think you lost as much as I did cause of that fox? My parents are dead, I have no family, not even step parents. I have been alone since I was four. Even before that I was not wanted where I was. I have been hated for something I had no control over. The murderer of my parent's was sealed in me and I didn't even know until a few months ago. And now, I am the damned thing. It's You that does not deserve to cry. You don't know a god damned thing!"
The boy's eyes widened as Naruto's claws dug into his neck. Red chakra seeped off of him, burning the boy. The boy went to scream, but Naruto's fangs closed around his throat, puncturing his airways. He could feel the boy's breath run against his fangs. He sucked the blood out of the boys neck, drinking it in like an alcoholic would their favorite beverage. His hand was gripping so tightly around the boy's neck that the neck snapped. The boy's eyes took on a soulless looked as he passed away. Naruto jerked his head back as he pushed his hand forward, ripping the boy's throat out from his neck.
He tossed the throat away and continued to drink the blood flowing from the wound. Arteries bled, coating muscles and tendons that were torn out of the boys throat as Naruto fed. Hikaru, still behind him and wrapped in his tail, was shocked into stillness, paralyzed by fear. Naruto finished with the corpse after swallowing some of the bloodied muscles and tendons that held up the boy's head. He threw the body away after tearing out one last muscle.
Naruto's anger took on the lust side of things, having had his blood craving sated. A certain tension needed to be released and Naruto was relying purely on instinct for that. He turned around until he was facing Hikaru and grabbed him, releasing his tail's hold. He threw the boy to the ground, getting on all fours over him. He ripped off the boy's pants, following what his body seemed to know.
Naruto opened his cloak and tossed it to the side. He pulled down his pants, revealing his painfully erect cock. He kneeled down, spread Hikaru's legs, and spat on his hole. He positioned himself at the boy's entrance and rammed himself in. Hikaru tried to scream, but a tail muffled his pleas. Naruto thrust in and out of the boy violently. Blood leaked from the stretched hole and coated Naruto, allowing him to slide in and out more easily.
Despite Hikaru's pain, the unique friction to his young, ignorant prostate caused him to become erect against his will. Naruto noticed this and just slashed at the boy's cock with his claws. The cuts bled immensely. Seeing as the boy's body required blood to fill the desire, Hikaru began to turn white from the blood loss.
After a few minutes, Naruto came to a climax and came inside Hikaru with three hard thrusts. The boy's eye closed as he fainted from blood loss and Naruto's eyes narrowed back to normal. The whole event had taken place with minimal noise.
Naruto took one look at the boy he was hovering over and immediately backed away. Noticing where his manhood was, he panicked with the conclusion that he came to.
"No!" Naruto gasped out, "No. What have I done?" He whispered to himself. He just stared at the boy, frightened and confused. Noticing he didn't have his cloak on, he again panicked and got up to find it, wanting to hide how he looked.
Standing in the small clearing, he looked around for his cloak. He found it, but, after pulling it up, he saw the other boy's body and fell to his knees vomiting. What came out of his stomach frightened him even more. His vomit, from what minor light the distant street lights told, was red, full of stringy pink meats. He took one more look at the corpse, noticing the bite marks; he found what he had just vomited up to be what was once the boy's neck. He backed up, leaning against a tree. He began to cry again, bringing his knees to his chest, flattening his ears, and curling his tails around him for warmth.
It began to rain when Kyuubi walked calmly into the small clearing not half a minute later. He took one sniff of the scene. He even raped one of them. Noticing where Naruto was and his state, he changed into his human form. He walked over to the boy after grabbing the forgotten cloak. He knelt down in-front of the boy, noticing that he was covered in blood, and pulled him into an embrace after placing the cloak back over his shoulders.
"My cruelty has ended. This is why you can't stay here. I will help you learn to control yourself, then, and only then, can you return," Kyuubi whispered soothingly into Naruto's ear as he placed the boy's head against his chest. He stood up, holding Naruto bridal style with the boy's head against his chest, and summoned a red cloak similar to that of Naruto's to hide his features as he headed back to the boy's apartment. He pulled the cloak's hood over his head and began walking as Naruto clung to his chest.
The rain washed away the blood that covered Naruto as he cried into Kyuubi's chest. He could taste the blood on his teeth. It was like some drug that he was immediately addicted to.
The walk wasn't relatively long, but the ever increasing rain did not make it any easier. Kyuubi noticed Naruto had fallen asleep when they came upon Naruto's complex. When they arrived on his floor, Kyuubi noticed someone standing in-front of Naruto's door.
Skikamaru Nara was waiting out front of Naruto's apartment when a figure in red cloak appeared out of the rain, holding another figure in a black cloak. Shikamaru ignored the pair until they stopped in-front of Naruto's door.
The figure in the red cloak had his hood up, hiding most of his face. The small light over Naruto's door lit up his mouth and chin, revealing his fangs, but that was all Shikamaru saw of the beings face. He noticed that the figure had bare feet with claws for toe nails. The hands that held the figure in the black also had claws. What he could see of the black cloaked figure was just a clawed hand that clutched the red cloak.
"I need you to move, human," Kyuubi said, trying to be polite as he went to enter Naruto's apartment.
"Where is Naruto?" Shikamaru was confused about the human comment. It was too troublesome to deal with now, so he focused on the reason he was there.
"Who is it that demands Naruto's whereabouts? If you knew him, you would know that he can't just trust anyone that knows his name," Kyuubi spoke in a calm tone, his tone gave Shikamaru reason to believe that he would not get an answer unless he answered first.
"My name is Shikamaru Nara, of the Nara clan. I am one of the rookie nine that Naruto is a part of. He has been a friend of mine since our days in the academy. And yes, I am aware that Naruto should not trust just anyone," Shikamaru stated.
"Well then, Naruto is in my arms. He is unable to speak right now though so I will be his interpreter," Kyuubi answered. Before Shikamaru could ask why, Kyuubi spoke, "But, before you ask any questions, I think it would be best if we entered his apartment."
"Very well," Shikamrau agreed as he stepped aside after opening the already unlocked door.
Kyuubi took Naruto inside and went over to his bed. Kyuubi placed the boy down on the bed to find that Naruto would not let go of his cloak. This boy seems to have a good grip with everything, he thought, remembering when Naruto first grabbed him after waking up. So, he lifted the boy back up, turned around, and sat down on the bed with Naruto still clutching him.
"Is this good?" Shikamaru asked. With a simple nod from Kyuubi, Shikamaru began with his list of questions. "Why is Naruto unable to speak? And, why should I trust you? Who are you. You don't have a Konoha forehead protector, or any for that matter, so your not a ninja. You have claws and fangs though, so your either from some sort of clan, like the Inuzuka Clan, or you're not human. You don't seem to be worried about me, which either speaks of foolishness or power." Shikamaru used all that he had seen and heard in the formation of his questions.
"My, my. Quite the curious and attentive lad are we?" Kyuubi smirked, "Well first, Naruto is unable to speak because he is sleeping. And, before you ask, he was not knocked out. He is emotionally exhausted and needs rest. He has undergone a serious trauma and needs to accept it. Second, you have no reason to trust me and I am not going to manipulate you to, but know this I am only here because of Naruto and I care for him deeply. Third, who I am is of no importance right now, seeing as you would not understand it even if I told you. Fourth, no, I am not a ninja, and I am not from a clan, and I am not a human. And Fifth, I am not worried about you because I am powerful," Kyuubi said, answering Shikamaru's questions, not following the manipulative way he asked them to reveal anything else.
Kyuubi then asked a question of his own, "I have answered your questions, now for my own. What is it that you came to see Naruto for?"
He seems to be telling the truth and he is not going to budge if I ask him anything remotely personal. So, he wants his privacy and to protect Naruto from what I may think. I guess I can trust him if he is not going to reveal himself to protect Naruto. "Well yesterday I was given news about a very close friend of mine and of Naruto's passing away. Naruto was there when I was told and he said hello to me. In my state at the time, I ignored his greeting. I have come to apologize and to see how he is feeling, seeing as he has no parents to comfort him with the passing of our friend," Shikamaru said, speaking the truth.
No hesitation, no stammering, no increase in heartbeat. He is showing genuine concern for Naruto. I can trust him. He is perfect for the message. "Well Naruto, in all honesty, has not had your friend's passing weighing down his mind to much; however something else has. If you swear to tell only the your Hokage of this and nobody else, then I will tell you the answer to whom I am. In no form may this knowledge escape your mind, except to the Hokage herself who already knows the ramifications of improper actions and to listen before taking any form of action. This change of heart is because I trust you. Do you agree to my terms?" Kyuubi looked incredulously at Shikamaru.
After a moments thought, Shikamaru answered, "Yes."
"Well then. What has Naruto in a state of depression, and influenced by countless other emotions, is the gift I have given to him. He would call this gift a curse right now, but in time he will come to see it in a proper light. Twelve years ago the nine-tailed, when the Kyuubi attacked, he was sealed inside of Naruto. I am that fox," Kyuubi said as his lifted a hand to remove the hood of his cloak. His ears flopped up and the dim light hit his face. Shikamaru went rigged from the sight. "Listen before you do something irrational. I have escaped the seal by mixing mine and Naruto's blood. This process has turned Naruto into a fox demon as well." Kyuubi removed Naruto's hood to reveal that he looked exactly like the boy holding him. Shikamaru noticed how much the boy resembled Naruto's former appearence.
Kyuubi continued, "This was done for a good reason. Twelve years ago, when I attacked, I was being manipulated by a very powerful ninja by the name of Uchiha Madara. I never meant to attack this village, in fact, I am the protector of the land of fire and am pleased by what this village has done for my land. I want to give Naruto the life he deserved and help him to avenge his parents' death. The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was his father and a less famous ANBU captain, under the alias of Fish, named Kushina Uzumaki was his mother. I want to avenge his father and mother's death because his father was a great and noble man and his mother was a kind spirit who gave her life to protect Naruto."
Kyuubi stopped because Naruto was clutching a little to hard, tearing his flesh through the cloak. He checked to see how Naruto was to find that he was still asleep. Must be having a nightmare. His dreams I can only create, but never enter.
The clutching stopped. "However with the power I have given Naruto. There are certain instincts that take over someone who is not used to them. For example, Naruto killed two boys around your age about half an hour ago after a whiff of blood and a rock being thrown at him. His anger and bloodlust caused him to do this. Do not worry; his lust has been sated," Kyuubi said, raising a hand to calm Shikamaru down after hearing the boy's heart rate increase.
"This had to be done for him to realize he cannot stay here until he can control himself. I think to people dead is better than an entire village. I do not have the power to make him to do something against his will, so I had to let him see what needs to be done. Naruto if provoked enough in this village, which is bound to happen if he stays here, will destroy it."
"Where do you plan on taking him?" Shikamaru asked before Kyuubi could continue.
"You are not allowed to know because I do not want his past to come flooding up on him. But know this, this village has held great hostility to Naruto. Now Naruto has the ability to give back that hostility ten fold, whether he wants to or not. When that happens, it will be then end of this village. The vandalism in this room is proof of said hostility, and this has happened more than once. I want to remove that threat from the village and to give Naruto a happy life." Kyuubi looked down at Naruto with concern in his eyes as Naruto clutched him again.
"Naruto is going to wake up soon. He will say his goodbyes, and then we are leaving. Do not tell the Hokage anything until tomorrow morning. I do not want any of your ANBU coming after us out of a hesitant attempt to retrieve Naruto. Let her know that Naruto is safe when you tell her," Kyuubi finished.
"How long will you be gone?" Shikamaru asked trying to urge on the conversation. Silence and tailed beasts did not seem to mingle well together in his mind.
"We may never return. It is all up to him. Where we are going, he will be accepted instead of rejected like he is here. He may not want to return because of how he is treated there. I am not sure of his desires in the future, but one thing is for sure: You will be hearing about us. You may not know it though."
Naruto stirred and opened his eyes to see Kyuubi looking at him with concern. He whispered,"I…I killed them…with my own hands. I really am a demon now aren't I?" The questions was rhetorical. Naruto lowered his gaze from Kyuubi.
Kyuubi went to change the subject. "I have a friend of yours here so you can say goodbye before we leave," Kyuubi said, gesturing to Shikamaru,"Don't worry. He knows everything and is not going to do anything rash." Kyuubi used his thoughts to inform Naruto of what he essentially said to Shikamaru while he was unconscious.
"I…I need a moment," Shikamaru said. His mind was used to dealing with many things at once, but this was just not believable. The Lord of Demons just sat down and had a conversation with him. The being that killed almost half of the most powerful ninja village in the world twelve years ago was talking to him, claiming things that he did not think were possible. His mind indeed needed a moment to get itself together.
Naruto lifted his head to look over at Shikamaru. He was terrified of what Shikamaru would think. "I…I don't know what to say. I failed the mission and Chouji is dead and Sasuke got away and people say it's all my fault and now I'm this and those…those kids…I…I raped one," Naruto said, finishing with a whisper, lowering his gaze again, not wanting to admit that what he had done was fact.
Shikamaru took notice of his mood and, thinking it uncommon for Naruto, he tried to urge him back to the person he knew Naruto to be. "Naruto I will always be your friend, no matter what you are. It is who you are that matters and I think your a good person. What happened with Sasuke and Chouji and everyone else was not your fault, so don't blame yourself. And, I agree with Kyuubi. You should go and learn to control your… ah… instincts. Those kids– What you did was terrible, but I know you will do everything in your power to not let it ever happen again. I believe in you Naruto," Shikamaru finished
"Thanks Shikamaru." A little determination came back to him. "I'm gonna avenge my parent's death and Chouji's and bring that bastard back here. And I am gonna be the grea…test umm?" He stopped with the realization that what he had been working towards all his life was never going to be.
To try and prevent further depression Shikamaru cut in,"Naruto, I am sure you will do great things with your life and I hope you do return to this village. I have to go now, or my mother will be to troublesome to deal with. And, I need some time to comprehend what I have just learnt." Shikamaru crossed the room and stood in-front of Naruto, raising his hand in the form to shake. Naruto took his hand and shook it. "Remember, I will always be your friend, and I believe you will avenge your parent's death as well as Chouji's. Goodbye Naruto. Have a good life." With that, and one last shake of his hand, Shikamaru left the vandalized apartment.
Naruto's expression went right back to what it was when he first woke up.
Kyuubi took the moment to try and put Naruto's mind back on track. "Naruto, you now understand that we have to leave. Gather what you would like to take from here so we can leave while this storm still gives us cover."
Naruto got up, letting go of Kyuubi, and walked over to his closet. He grabbed some clothing and a few pictures of him with the Third Hokage, the Fifth Hokage and Jiraiya, team seven, and the rookie nine. He grabbed some of his instant ramen and put it all in a bag.
"I would suggest you don't bring that Ramen; you won't like it anymore." Kyuubi said, pointing at the Ramen.
Naruto's mood just sagged more. Kyuubi went over to him and took the bag after Naruto took the Ramen out. He held it up and it disappeared in red fire. Naruto looked at him angrily. Kyuubi opened his mind to Naruto, sending him the knowledge that it was just sealed away.
Kyuubi took to cutting the silence. "I have a gift for you because you have realized you cannot stay here. It is called a fox blood scarf. It will allow you to appear more human. And, before you ask why I did not give it to you before, I already stated my reason. Use your new intellect to piece it together," Kyuubi said as he scratched Naruto's arm, drawing a little blood.
Naruto gasped and lifted his hand to cover his nose to stop the scent from overtaking him again. Kyuubi wiped the blood away with his finger before the wound steamed shut and smeared it on Naruto's neck. Naruto, with a muffled voice, said, "Don't do that. That stuff makes me do horrible things. Don't let me smell it."
"Don't worry. Your bloodlust won't come back until you're hungry again, and we will be gone before then," Kyuubi spoke, lowering Naruto's arm from covering his face.
As they spoke, the blood soaked into Naruto's skin and a blood red scarf appeared around Naruto's neck. Immediately, his ears and tails vanished. His hair went blonde with red tips. He still had his claws, fangs and slit pupils, but his eyes were a deep blue again. His ears were tapered, but could easily be hidden by his hair. He looked like he could now pass for human.
"Here. Look at yourself." Kyuubi couldn't help but feel a hint of déjà vu as he said this. He lifted a piece of Naruto's shattered mirror off the ground and held it in front of Naruto's face.
"The only draw back to the fox blood scarf is the pain that comes from wearing it to long: a very bad headache; sore muscles; and, if worn to long, it will vanish until you can maintain it again. It will last about an hour or so before it starts to hurt, and at most two hours before it vanishes. Again, just think and it will be done," Kyuubi said as a scarf appeared around his neck. The only difference between him and Naruto now was that his hair was red with blonde tips. He had the same deep blue eyes with the slit pupils as Naruto.
Naruto asked a question next. "Why can't I wear it for longer?"
"Again, we are not meant to hide what we are. The scarf was made for protection against ignorant people who think we are damned and would try to destroy us. We are beings of slyness and trickery, so we try to not flaunt our power. The scarf is not a luxury; it's an illusion," Kyuubi answered,"That is enough questions. We have to leave."
Kyuubi walked towards the door.
Naruto took one last look around his apartment. I guess I'm not gonna keep my promise of being the greatest Hokage ever. Sorry Fourth. Sorry…father.
With that, Naruto turned around and put his cloak's hood back up. They exited the apartment and headed down the stairs. The best way to leave unnoticed would be as foxes. We will shift above the hill with all the faces in it. And, only speak with your thoughts, we want to be as quiet as we can be.
Sure. And the hill your talking about is the Hokage monument. My father's face is up there.
The rest of the trip to the monument was in silence as Naruto led through the most discreet way. The trip up the mountain was tricky from all the rain that flowed down it. Grip was scarce and they did not want to use chakra to stick so as not to draw any attention with the powerful energy that would easily be recognized. It was with some ninja wire, use of trees, and well placed jumps that they finished the journey to the top.
They stood on top of the monument for a moment, embracing the view. Naruto stared out at the soaked city; lights pierced the darkness from the more residential areas and the rain made everything seem unfocused. It was as if it was all just some dark blurry dream.
Naruto cut through the silence. "Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden? I don't understand you," Naruto asked quietly beside Kyuubi. They did not sense anyone within hearing distance, so they weren't overly concerned with noise.
"I have told you already. You don't deserve anymore disrespect. It may seem bipolar of me, but, just getting out of the cage, I needed to vent a bit. Unfortunately, you were again someone's vent for anger. I am truly sorry for that," Kyuubi replied.
Naruto just sighed.
"You will have a good life; just be patient."
Kyuubi turned, leaving. Naruto took one last look at the village before he turned as well. Kyuubi opened his mind to let Naruto know how to take care of his clothing when changing into their fox form. His clothing disappeared much like his bag did, in a burst of flames as he fell to all fours. His tails lashed out in a slightly violent manner and his ears twitched at the rain as they formed back on his body. His legs changed and he grew a snout. Kyuubi said a series of barks and yips that Naruto managed to understand as, 'follow me'. Everything seemed so natural to him as they began to run.
Kyuubi closed his mind to Naruto. You will never have to drink this village's cruel blood liqueur again Naruto. I promise, And, off into the moist darkness they fled.
