Chapter Two
The connection Kyuubi and Naruto shared was difficult to explain, the way it felt as well as the way it worked. When Kyuubi was inside of Naruto, hidden deep in the small corner he was provided with, it was like they were two separate beings. But at anytime he pleased, Kyuubi could simply stick any one of his appendages through the cage bars and have an intimate peak at exactly what his Host was feeling. This was how he had come to love Naruto, from the small looks into the depths of the boy's thoughts. He supposed some people might see that as an invasion of privacy, but how about we stick them in the belly of a young boy for a number of years and see if they don't become desperate for any sort of entertainment?
The way it worked was pretty vague, even to the main components involved, over the years both Naruto as well as Kyuubi had been shocked or surprised by some hidden ailment or plus to their unique situation. The gist was this: a seal put in place by the Forth Hokage kept Kyuubi inside of Naruto. But, of course, it eventually got a little more complicated than that. The first complication was the mental connection between Kyuubi and Naruto; the fact that they could speak to one another freely. The second surprise was Kyuubi's ability to 'feel' Naruto. The third was Kyuubi's chakra leak into Naruto's own, and neither were complaining about that. And now, apparently, Naruto's illness was about to unleash the Demon Lord… possibly for good.
Kyuubi… Naruto thought in a small voice, the first time anyone had heard from his in hours. Kyuubi, are you up there?
"What is it, Kit? I'm busy." The fox said in a flat voice, a voice much more boyish than usual.
Kyuubi, you didn't. Naruto groaned and tried to force himself into consciousness, only to run into a mental wall and have his mind pushed back. Gimme back control of my body. Naruto whined and Kyuubi could feel the boy pacing around in the small cage.
"Will you shut up, boy, the grown-ups are speaking." Kyuubi snapped from the outside.
"Um…" Sakura made a small noise as she watched Naruto (who she'd been told actually wasn't Naruto…) "what's going on, Kakashi?"
Ignoring the girl's inquiry, the buxom Tsunade sagged into her chair. "Kyuubi, is Naruto conscious?"
Kyuubi nodded, making Naruto's blonde locks bob against his face. "The boy ought to cut his hair," he said aloud as he brushed an unruly lock behind his ear. "It makes you look like a shaggy, mangy dog." He said to the boy inside of him before he turned to meet Tsunade's concerned eyes. "And yes, he's awake."
His answer was met with silence and he didn't push the matter as he pulled Naruto's long, skinny legs underneath him and curled up on the couch, finding himself growing tired of the human's charades. He had explained calmly his history with Naruto; he'd been conversing civilly with the boy since before the boy had the ability to converse, meaning Naruto had always known he was there. Both Tsunade and Kakashi looked more than a little horrified at that. And Kyuubi continued to explain how they'd come to discoverer the rest of their abilities and disabilities when it came to one another. And finally he told how he would most definitely be let out of the boy, only to take care of him and give his 'important people' a piece of his mind.
"Back in the clearing," the dark-haired boy Kyuubi knew to be called Sasuke began, "Back in the clearing you said that when you were… let out," he raised his eyes as if inquiring if this was the proper term for it, "that it would hurt Naruto."
Kyuubi turned to the boy; of all Naruto's friends, the Uchiha both pissed Kyuubi off the most, and managed to remain his favorite at the same time. He cocked a blonde eyebrow in the raven haired boy's direction.
"Yeah, I remember saying that." He said and shed the hideous orange jacket he wore, finding himself suddenly hot.
"Well… is there any way we could make that hurt less? I… I confess that I didn't notice Naruto was sick…" he looked down guiltily, "but he's still… still one of the most important people in my life, and if I can stop his hurting; I will."
Blonde eyebrows scrunched together and Kyuubi watched as his vision blurred. "That's very sweet," he said slowly, his gravelly voice hitting a high pitch, "but there's not really anything we can do." He looked slowly around the room, feeling sweat rolling down his forehead as he tried to locate a trash bin. "Oh my god…" he mumbled and then made a dash to the nearest window, threw it open, and spilled the contents of Kit's stomach out onto the street below.
"Did the Kyuubi say how long Naruto's been sick for?" Tsunade asked gravely as she watched Naruto's body heave violently, nearly propelled out the window by the motion.
Kakashi nodded slowly, his eyes wide. "He said a month."
Tsunade brought a hand to her forehead and sighed, "Could you give us the specifics of Naruto's illness?" Tsunade asked slowly of the fox, who was currently unable to reply.
"He said that Naruto has night-sweats, vomiting… severe vomiting. From the way he's been acting I'd also say; dizzy spells, exhaustion, and he was puking up blood about an hour ago." Sasuke supplied. "But Naruto wouldn't admit to being sick, because it might've worried us…"
"Well, yes, but apparently the Kyuubi is affected by the illness when it's in control, and I'm sure it'll have no problem relaying all of its aches and pains." Kakashi announced.
'It'? Naruto's voice echoed through Kyuubi's head. Why's he called you 'It'?
"Don't worry about it, Kit. To them I'm a monster." Kyuubi said softly as he wiped off Naruto's lips. "Tsunade, the boy's also got a killer pain in his…" he paused. "Left side. It feels like a knife, and he sometimes passes out…" He groaned and then flopped back onto the couch. "I can't take much more of this…" he mumbled as his red eyes drifted shut.
Sasuke watched as his best friend's body shuddered as the two entities traded places, and then his breathing evened out into a shuddered, wheezing gasp. He moved forward and felt the blonde's forehead with the back of his hand, god, he felt so terrible about not noticing. He sighed and then scooped the skinny boy up and headed out the door, with all the other people that had failed Naruto on his heels.
**
Kyuubi, I don't think I wanna wake up… Naruto said slowly as he grasped the bars from the outside of the cage. It hurts out there…
Kit. Kyuubi rumbled as he approached the bars. It's going to get bad enough that it'll hurt in here, too. But I won't make you wake up; I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you here.
Naruto smiled at the large fox and then sank to his knees in front of the cage, lacing his arms through the bars and holding his hands together. It's been awhile since we've talked… face to face. Kyuubi, is that what you've always looked like? Naruto inquired curiously, having a vague memory of a tan skinned man with thick locks of red hair.
No. I don't remember when I became this way… it was a long time ago. He said thoughtfully and watched the blonde from the corner of his eye. I think I'm going to change into my human shell before I'm released. It'll be easier to care for you then.
Thank you, Kyuubi. Naruto thought sweetly, his mind brushing gently against Kyuubi's.
**
"He seems fine." The elderly man in a white jacket insisted. "We've run all of these tests twice already, Lady Hokage. If you want me to run another battery, I suppose we have no choice. But I must advice against—"
"Do it." Tsunade ordered. "There is something wrong with this boy, I tell you."
The man narrowed his eyes at her and then turned and paced away, grumbling under his breath in between his barking orders that sent the hospital staff scurrying.
"Lady Hokage, is he going to be alright?" Sakura inquired gently of the blonde boy who lay straight as a stick, his chest rising and falling and forcing out painful noises. "He doesn't seem so good." She whispered and her fingers skimmed along the edge of his sticky-with-sweat brow.
"Did you gather that before or after he began vomiting blood everywhere?" Sasuke snapped from the open window, where he was sitting and watching Naruto carefully. "Of course he'll be okay," Sasuke said after a quick moment, "Dobe always pulls through." He said firmly.
Tsunade turned to look at the Uchiha and wondered if the boy could stand to lose another person. Especially now that the person he might lose was the only person who had reciprocated Sasuke's affections and still hadn't put up with his Uchiha ways. Tsunade's eyebrows closed together, though Sasuke tried to hide the fact, he truly did love Naruto. Be it like a brother, a close friend, or something more, it wasn't Tsunade's business, but none-the-less…
"You don't know that, Sasuke." Sakura said suddenly, her hands in her hair. "Naruto's not superman, this might just be it for him. I mean… think of all the odds he's beaten… maybe this one is the one that'll—"
"Haruno, it is not below me to strike a woman." Sasuke warned with a flash in his onyx eyes.
**
Can't you hear them bickering? Naruto sighed to Kyuubi, who was stretched out in front of the boy, enjoying the feel of the human's hands in his fur. Who would want to wake up to that? Don't they know I can hear them?
Kit, I'm sure it's just that they're stressed. You know they're all very worried about you.
Naruto narrowed his eyes, Yeah, I know. And whose fault would that be, Kyuubi? You shouldn't have done that. I could've just passed it off as some bad ramen and been fine. I've been getting better these past few days, anyway.
Kyuubi's fur bristled under Naruto's touch and the blonde drew back a fraction of an inch. Boy, you have been getting worse these past couple of days. I don't know what wrong with you, but there is something wrong.
**
"The tests are negative. All of them." The same elderly doctor from before informed Tsunade with a sniff, his thin arms folded over his unimpressive chest. "Again." He added in a I-told-you-so tone.
Tsunade turned and looked at him and briefly toyed with the idea of hitting him, that is, until Sakura beat her to it. The young girl hurled a small metal pan in the doctor's direction with the force of a tornado. Her eyes gleamed as she opened her mouth and let loose a torrent of very un-ladylike words and phrases.
"And another thing!" Sakura boomed. "How dare you mock Lady Hokage, if she says there is something wrong with a patient, who are you to doubt that? Are you forgetting her years and years of experience or maybe her incredibly in-depth and rigorous training?! And besides, have you even seen your patient?! Take one look at this boy and tell me he's not sick!!" She managed this all in a single breath and by the time she had finished her face was red and her eyes were moist. "And then fix him." She breathed and turned back to Naruto, her hand reaching out to grasp his own.
**
Oh, the bitch does care. Kyuubi snapped and gnashed his teeth together. Anyway, Kit, don't you think you should be getting back now? From the sounds of everything, more than one person is about to develop a hernia inspired by you.
Naruto looked up from where he lay on the floor. I feel terrible, Kyuubi. He breathed and then sighed. I'm going to go tell them all goodbye, just in case. Naruto stood up slowly. Oh, and Kyuubi? When you are released… if I do die, will you please take care of Konoha? I always wanted to but if things don't turn out…
Shut up, Kit. Kyuubi said and Naruto gave him a winning smile before walking through an unnoticeable door.
**
When Naruto woke up, there was a quick, loud rejoicing. And then there were questions from the doctors and from his teammates, and from the Hokage and his friends. There were accusations and people shoving flowers in his face, with balloons and every animal in the jungle, stuffed and complete with a bow. He took it in careful strides, though, and managed to hold down his vomit, that is, until TenTen shoved a box of chocolates under his nose and declared they would cure anything.
"Oh." Hinata said as she patted Naruto's back in a motherly fashion and wrinkled her nose.
"You really are sick." Kiba commented in disgust as he checked his shoes and held Akumaru away from the puddle of sick.
Naruto gave his friend a dirty look and curled up into a ball on his side. "I think you guys should leave. I'm not feeling so well." He admitted briefly. "And I don't know if it's been explained to you yet… but once I get sick enough, Kyuubi's going to be released. And that'll probably be within the hour, so you might want to… leave… now."
It went quiet for a moment and Naruto sighed, rolling over on his other side so that he didn't have to watch them staring at him. He heard the whispery voice of Sasuke and Sakura, ushering the group out the door and telling them to go to Kakashi, that he would explain. She told them that they shouldn't spread this around the village; it could mean bad things for Naruto. And then it went quiet again, save for the gently closing of the door, and the caught breathing for Sasuke and Tsunade.
"Hn, Dobe." Sasuke said flatly and Naruto felt the weight of his friend weighing down on the corner of the bed. "What the hell were you thinking?" He finally asked his voice still low.
Naruto shrugged, which was quite the feat in his present position, "I didn't want to worry you guys, I mean, you have enough to worry about; what will finding your brother and all that. And Sakura has her whole family to run after, and Kakashi already had enough responsibilities. So I just figured… I guess I just figured that I'd get better."
Sasuke gave another grunt. "Did you even see a doctor, Dobe? How did you expect to just get better?" He snapped.
Naruto turned his shoulders so he could crane his neck to glare at Sasuke. "Of course I went to the doctors! I saw all of them who'd see me, and even some who wouldn't. I even tricked Grandma Tsunade into giving me an exam. None of them saw anything wrong with me." He grumbled and rolled back over, his face hidden in his hospital-issued pillow. "I'm not dumb, Teme." He mumbled into the pillow, drawing the blankets around his shoulders.
Sasuke snorted. "Not dumb? If you weren't dumb, you would've come to me with your problems."
Naruto said nothing; instead he let out a painful groan and clutched at his stomach, cursing the pain under his breath. His side felt like he was being branded, the searing pain radiated outward and he groaned again. After a few moments, when the pain had usually gone away, it was still there, strong and forceful. Naruto bit down on his lip in effort to remain quiet and Sasuke watched as his best friend suffered in silence. He was a little surprised at how much it bothered him, after all, he supposed the Dobe had been suffered in silence his whole life. Why should now be anymore awful to watch?
**
Hours later, Naruto had finally drifted off into a drug-induced sleep. Tsunade had called for pain-killers after the first half hour of pain, unable to watch Naruto writhe any longer. It was well into the night hours, by now, since Naruto's illness had become known in the late afternoon, and they'd spent a long amount of time berating themselves in her office, and then there was the time in which Naruto slept. All in all, the events of that day had moved rather quickly. Tsunade was glad things had finally settled down.
Naruto lay sleeping; sweating, groaning, and still clutching at his sides, but at least it wasn't the chocked back screaming he'd been unable to contain early. Sasuke was asleep at his side, his dark hair stark against the sterile white of the hospital sheets, the Uchiha's hand gripped the bed sheets tightly and he mumbled in his sleep. Sakura had gone home hours ago, just after she'd pushed the other Hidden Leaf Village Nin. from the room. Kakashi, Tsunade knew, was in the company of Iruka and Jirriya, the three were searching for a way to cure Naruto as well as keep the Kyuubi locked inside of him. Tsunade personally couldn't care less about the latter expedition; she though the demon lord seemed nice enough, and he'd obviously cared for Naruto. That made him a fine character in her book.
Glancing up from her sheet of papers she yelped in surprise when she found Naruto's eyes wide open and the pupils small as needle points. She moved over to his side and pushed Sasuke, who was only now rousing from his slumber, out of her way as she performed a series of hand-seals and focused her chakra at Naruto, whose chest was contracting visibly. She watched in terror as the blonde boy (who'd she had grown to care for) clawed at his bed sheets in silent, unbearable pain.
"What the hell?" The Uchiha gasped out as he stumbled backwards, his eyes locked on Naruto. "Is it… is it the Kyuubi?" He asked breathlessly as Naruto began to tear at his own skin.
Tsunade didn't bother to reply, she simply pressed the Call Button for a team of nurses and tackled Naruto to the sheets, trying to keep him from tearing his own skin to badly before they arrived with proper restraints. Sasuke watched as his best friend screamed loudly and bit at his lips, trying to find an outlet for the pain he was feeling. When the team of nurses had filled in, Tsunade had already received a long, thin scratch just above her eye, and two angry red hand-prints on her forearms. She stepped back and watched as Naruto's eyes pleaded with the heavens to simply make it stop.
