Characters Naruto, Kyuubi, Sakura, Sai

Summary The Kyuubi awakens Naruto one morning, but before he can explain anything, Sakura comes by to deliver some astonishing news about Sasuke, Naruto reacts violently to the news and attacks Sakura! Luckily, Sai is nearby and stops Naruto before he harms her, Naruto, deeply ashamed of himself, flees from Konoha and has a talk with the beast inside of him, the Kyuubi tells him to go and search for Sasuke, then kicks Naruto out.

Disclaimer I don't own the Naruto characters, but the plot is mine. ;


Little one.

Sapphire orbs snapped open. Above them, the wrinkled ceiling stared back with a blank face. The eyes drifted closed once more, the heart in the body was pounding slowly, slowly, and it slowed with each pound of the heart. Air came in; slower and slower until it was deep breaths, a pause, and then the breath would be expelled in a soft whooshing sound.

Wake up little fox.

Sapphire eyes snapped open once more, a young face, older than twelve, but younger than twenty started at the ceiling far above his head. With a frown that was more because he didn't know the voice than from being awoken, the boy blinked slowly. One of his hands reached up and rubbed his left eye for a few moments. He yawned slowly. "Huh? Who are you?" He asked softly, speaking aloud. He blinked several more times, trying to rub the sleep from his azure eyes.

Does't thou not remember me?

The disembodied voice asked softly, a light sound, the voice was almost disappointed. Damnit, why do I care what a voice sounds like? Who is that anyway? The blonde-haired male thought to himself as he looked above his head towards the window, he yawned; it was early in the morning. What had awakened him? Or better yet, why had it awakened him?

I shalt admit it has been a long time since ye and I chatted last, but ye can'na have forgotten me that quickly my little fox.

"Ehhhhh!?" Naruto said, jolting upright in his bed, the blanket was thrown up and folded down by his knees as he looked around. He blinked several times, his body still not fully awake. He looked to the left, the right, above him, and then, in an afterthought, he looked behind him and even under him. "Who are you? Why--How do you know me?" He asked, his mature voice whispered into the silence of his quiet room. The faint light of the moon and stars outside were fading as the sun rose higher and higher.

I am Kyuubi, does't that no' ring a bell?

Naruto's spine stiffened as he listened to the voice. The Kyuubi. The Nine-tailed demon fox…I-I almost forgot about him. What does he want with me? The jinchuriki asked himself silently. Unconsciously, his left hand reached for his stomach and rested upon the seal while his right hand lifted and touched his face on the cheek. Under his calloused fingertips he could feel the lines on his face that were, theoretically, whiskers. He blinked several times and frowned.

It's been awhile since ye have called upon my powers. Why?

"I've tried not to use them too much Fox."

Does't thou fear them? The raw power I give ye to save thy little friends?

"No… it's not that Fox."

Then what is the reason little fox?

"I—I can't remember anything when I tap too much into your power."

Really now? Interesting little one. Tell me, does't thou remember what I promised ye when thou was younger?

"No…"

Then allow me to explain, little fox. The reas---!

"Naruto-kun! Where are you?! We're supposed to be leaving now!"

"EEHHH?! Sa-sakura-chan! I'll be there in a moment-tebayo!"

That distracted the youth, who hadn't noticed that the sun was now fully up. He'd been talking to Kyuubi so long, and yet it had felt so short. He quickly sorted through his clothing and flew out the door and almost knocked over the waiting Sakura. He blinked several times and dove to the side just in time to dodge around her. "Ow." He said simply as he crashed into a wall, his feet somehow in the air and his head at an almost ninety degree angle with the ground.

Sakura was chuckling, looking at him, her emerald eyes met his sapphire ones. She nodded her head, trying to keep the smile that tugged at the sides of her mouth from showing, suffice to say, the chuunin medical-nin failed at that and ended up laughing at Naruto's position as he righted himself and looked at her, grimacing slightly. He chuckled, embarrassed. His cheeks flaming, he looked at Sakura and blinked a few more times. "Mission?" He asked, trying to distracted her from what had happened a few moments ago.

She instantly was back to business, "Er- right." She straightened and looked directly at him, "I assume you've heard the news?" She asked him, knowing he hadn't. After all, the genin had only returned a few days ago from a C-ranked mission with another team. Naruto blanched and looked at her. He frowned and shook his head; trying to save what dignity he had left. He looked at her, "Ah… no… not really. What's the news?" He asked, hoping she wasn't going to be difficult and launch into another speech about 'How a good ninja always knows what's going on around him, even if he is on a mission.' He sighed.

When she didn't launch into the speech that was oh-so-familiar, he knew it had to be something to do with Sasuke. His body instantly tightened like a rope wound tight. He was all business now as he waited for Sakura to start talking. She nodded her head, having caught the look in his eye; it was the same look she got whenever something about Sasuke was mentioned. It surprised her for a moment how he knew it was going to be about Sasuke, but she allowed it to pass, she'd ask him about it later on, when they were well on their mission.

"A man came to the gates of Konohagakure a few days ago with some interesting information on our former teammate." She started, looking at Naruto, "He spoke about a plan to bring 'World-Peace' but that wasn't all he said. The most interesting tidbit has yet to come." She said, indicating with a finger that Naruto should follow her. She started to walk and talk at the same time. Sakura had found out that this simple motion of moving her body helped to calm her down enough to allow her to talk about Sasuke.

Naruto knew something was wrong; he looked at her and paced by her side in a second's notice. He looked at her and blinked several times before tapping her on the shoulder, careful that he could dodge in case she should accidentally try to hit him. He was surprised to see that there were tears in her emerald orbs. "Sakura…?" He asked hesitantly, not wanting to be hit by her fists, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to a stop. He looked at the strong female who had matured in more ways than one under Tsunade's 'tender' care. "What happened to Sasuke?" He asked, his voice serious, Sakura looked at him.

"He…Sasuke that is…" She fumbled, looking for words that suddenly seemed too far away from her tongue to speak. She took a few gulps and lay a her right hand on Naruto's right hand, the one that was touching her left shoulder. She blinked a few times, then the rose-haired female gathered her strength and delivered the most astonishing news of all –

"Sasuke has slain Orochimaru."

What happened next was a complete shock to Sakura, for she had expected rage from Naruto, even sadness, or possible glee. What she wasn't ready for was the pain that entered her shoulder like claws grasping at her skin. She cried out in pain, having felt blood start to rush out of her now-wounded shoulder. She glanced over at Naruto was; her heart stopped, tears filled her eyes. Oh… Naruto… she thought silently, staring at the suddenly still figure.

He hadn't even noticed his nails growing longer, that change was as natural to him as anything else was. Naruto's fingertips dug into the female shinobi's shoulder, his teeth grew more pointed and the 'whiskers' on his face were more pronounced. But that wasn't the worst change, no; Naruto's eyes had gone feral. Like a seriously irritated fox, his pupils had become more cat-like, narrow and silted; there was intense anger in those orbs. Naruto couldn't hear anything either, he didn't notice the cries of pain from Sakura or the smell of blood that had gathered around his hand. His other hand, hanging at his waist was curled into a ball; sharp nails had also drawn blood from the palm of his hand. In fact, his red eyes weren't staring at anything other than the floor.

It wasn't until the salty smell of tears assaulted his nose and a pale hand had grasped his wrist and wrenched his hand off the shoulder of Sakura that he blinked and calmed slightly. He stared into the calm eyes of Sai, who stared back at him, one hand on the brush that he carried. Sai maneuvered between the two and now stood in front of Sakura, who was trying to stop the bleeding that Naruto's claws had inflicted upon her. Naruto's eyes opened wide, his mouth opened and closed wordlessly as he looked at the blood on her shoulder and then to his hand, at the blood dripping off his nails. It scared him; he looked back up at Sai, his face the picture of pure shock. "What--!? Sakura! Sakura-chan! Are you alright?!" Naruto asked, taking a step forward, Sai blocked him, "Stay away from her." He said, his tone was an even monotone, but something about it suggested that Naruto wouldn't like what would happen to him if he took another step foreward.

He instead took a step backwards and looked at Sai in bewilderment, he looked down at the claws on the tips on his hands. With an absent-minded and slightly distant thought Naruto though Huh. I bet Kiba would kill for nails like this huh? No one else could match the shame that filled his entire being. He cringed back when he saw the green glow of the medical jutsu and cringed even more when Sakura called out to him. Finally, Naruto couldn't take it anymore – he fled the scene. He bolted off at as fast a pace as he could maintain ( which was pretty damn fast ) and soon was bolting out of the Konoha gates and into the forest. He didn't stop running and charging over tree branches until he was deep in the forest; the kitsune claws were still there when he stopped.

Naruto looked at them in disbelief. Where had they come from? What were they? Uzumaki tried to make sense of the new changes to his body when he sat down and leaned against the rough bark of the tree. The sunlight drifted over his face as the sun tried to reach its zenith.

Naruto blinked several times and eyed his hands, he raised the hand, which looked more like something Kiba would have than he would, and touched the normally small whiskers on his face. He blinked and explored the gouges in his skin where the whiskers enlarged. He blinked, What's going on…?

Ah. Finally, ye have asked a perfectly reasonable question.

"Fox, you've better have an explanation for this." Naruto growled angrily, his tone a dark warning to the demon spirit that shared his body and fate, "Damn you! What did you do to me-tebayo!" He asked angrily, baling his fists once more. Wincing slightly as the hand he'd already sliced open bled more, he hadn't had time to bandage it yet. Not that that would matter in a few seconds, it would heal over that fast anyway; it always did.

I have done nothing; other than what ye asked for.

The sarcastic voice of the Kyuubi gnawed on the already fraying patience of the blonde genin. Naruto balled his fists tighter and closed his eyes; he looked deep into himself and entered the waterlogged halls of his inner being. Naruto turned a corner and looked at the great gates that held the Kyuubi caged within his body. He frowned as he looked at the wide smile of the great fox spirit. "Alright Fox. I want answers and I want them now! What have you done to me-tebayo?!" He demanded angrily, looking at the insane eyes behind the gate.

What does't thou mane, what have I done? I have done nothing. Ye brought this upon thyself.

The fox's sneering voice came to him a second after the boy's voice had died out. Naruto balled his fists and glowered at the fox, "No! You did this! You did it! I never asked for it!" Naruto yelled at the fox-spirit. The fox made a sound that sounded like a snort and chuckled at him evilly.

Fufufu. Of course ye haven't asked this o' me. I gave it o' me own free will. Does't thou not enjoy thy present?

"Present? This is supposed to be a present Fox!?" Naruto raged at the fox who leered at him nastily. Naruto's rage built. "What do you want from me your monster?!" Naruto asked angrily, looking at the being that Yondaime Hokage had sealed into his body so long ago.

I crave freedom, little fox. Sheath thy tongue, cans't thou blame me for wishing for freedom? I have been jailed in here for longer than I care to remember. Does't thou understand now?

"You had no right! This is my body! Mine! You hurt Sakura-chan!" Naruto said angrily, he glowered at the voice of the Fox, it was drifting around him now, the bubbling mass of underfoot became smaller, a more compact shape. The Kyuubi twined around his legs; rubbing his arched back lie a cat would against Naruto's legs. Naruto crouched down; in a flash the kitsune's claws racked his shoulders and shoved him down onto his back.

Why does't thou reject everything I try and do for ye? Why? Is it because ye want me to take back my gift little fox? …No? Then be silent.

The kitsune growled at him. Naruto gulped a little and looked at the miniature kyuubi that was now sitting on his chest. He growled and managed to speak a little, "But – why Sakura-chan? If you know me than you must know that I care about her!" The Kitsune looked at him reproachfully. He flashed his teeth at the boy and pinned his ears.

'Tis true that ye care for the female, but it is also true that ye does't not love her.

"Wha--? Of course I love her! I've always loved her-tebayo!" Naruto retorted, he looked at the Kitsune who stood up again, hackles bristling angrily. Naruto looked at the fox and frowned, why did he getting so angry with Naruto liking someone? Sapphire eyes blinked as the Kitsune glared back at him.

Ye lie as well as Shukaku steals the personality from those he is trapped in when they are awake. She is not the one ye love the most, and I will'na accept 'er.

"Wha-what are you talking about Fox?" Naruto cried, he looked in a panic at the kitsune who was snarling at him now, "I-I don't like anyone else-t-tebayo!" He said, blushing fiercely from one cheek to the other. He looked at the ground, refusing to meet the insane orbs of the Kyuubi.

Liar. Ye've dreamed of him ever since thy last encounter with him. He has seen me and accepted ye. Did thou not see the fear in the female's eyes when she saw the real ye? How can she accept ye? Ye know o' who I speak. That Uchiha boy; Sasuke.

The name was like a whiplash acrossed his face. His mouth opened and he grabbed for the fox, "No! No I do not like Sasuke-kun! I'm not gay-tebayo!" He yelled at the fox, making a grab for the beast's neck, the Kitsune nimbly dodged to the side and nipped at his hand, drawing blood from the small wound his sharp teeth had inflicted on the other being.

Ye do. I know thy dreams. Ever' night ye dream ye are with him, holding him, kissing him. Ye dream of him in ways that even make me hesitant to say aloud. Ye get angry when ye think of him in the clutches of that Snake. Thy anger rises when ye dream about what they might be doing every night…

"STOP! I-! I do not-tebayo! No! NO! I DO NOT-TEBAYO!!"

Admit it little Fox. Ye are in love wit' Uchiha Sasuke. The Heir of the Uchiha clan, ye even dream o' his brother, Itachi, sometimes. Ye love that Sasuke. Admit it.

"Fine… fine…" Naruto's voice was hoarse now as he looked at the water that came up to his elbows as he lay there, his sapphire orbs oddly blank. "I love him. I love Sasuke. I want to hold him close and keep him all to myself. I want him to be mine-tebayo..." Naruto said softly, his voice a monotone of sound. He felt blank, empty, his deepest secret had been revealed to this fox.

What are ye goin' to do about this lust ye have for another?

"What can I do? Nothing. Sasuke would just try and kill me." Naruto said dejectedly. He looked at the ground below his elbow and sighed softly, "I want him. No." He said, shaking his head slowly back and forth, blonde locks swayed from side to side, "No, I need him." He said with a sudden fierceness in his voice. He looked at the kitsune; something prompted him to ask the fox, "Where can I find him?"

Ah. Finally thy ar' asking questions once more that make sense. He is where thy heart tells ye he is. Follow thy heart and nose. Ye shall find him if ye looks hard enough. Now get out. I weary o' thy presence.

With that Naruto was dismissed, the red Kitsune with insane eyes melted back into the water. Naruto blinked several times, he stood upright and then opened his real eyes.

The sun had sunken farther behind the trees, long shades reached for his body, he could feel the shadows creeping up on him. He looked back the way he'd come. He'd have to square things with Sakura and Sai eventually; but now was not that time. Naruto stood up, his black and orange suit crinkled faintly as he looked towards his home. He closed his eyes and thought long and hard about something. He opened them, normal azure orbs blinked once, then closed and the boy turned his back on his Village and jumped off out of sight.

Sasuke-kun! I'm coming-tebayo!