Disclaimer: I still don't own Naruto

Author Comments: Alright this chapter is a bit shorter than most but I am trying to get a chapter out once a week if I can find a decent stopping point. Also more frequent chapter means the story stays closer to the top of the que =) I hope you like it and of course feel free to review. I will take healthy criticism. I will ignore general hatred.

Review Replies:

Lotu'ika: I understand =) I will try and watch for that but I find I only have the energy to edit through once. Hope you like the story despite any grammatical errors!

Xsd: Thanks! I hope the story lives up to that praise!

MK loves NaruSaku: Sir from your name I think you may be biased. Try to keep reading.

Thanks to all who reviewed and those that follow or favorite! I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 6

Your Sensei has begun to fight. Kurama commented to Sakura still held in place by his power.

Let me do something! Sakura pleaded.

No.

I can't stand no knowing what's going on.

Actually it might be a good idea to see what is about to take place. The resonance is strong right now. Yes it might doable.

What?

Be quiet brat. This is not easy to do.

What are you doing?

You might want to hold on to something.

How do I hold onto something in my own head? She ceased debating the matter however when the Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in front of her and she felt herself being sucked in.

1

"So once upon a time there was a orphan. The orphan who lived in a large prosperous village. The village cared about it's people and it's leader did his best to make sure all his people were happy and well cared for. But this was not the same for the orphan. In a village where everyone was happy he was constantly being hurt, cursed and left oh so terribly lonely." started Kurama.

"Kurama...?" Kakashi started to interrupt.

"Yes, Yes I know everybody has heard this part before but you have to set up the necessary beginning for any good story. I almost forgot! We're not just going over my story are we? I suppose we'll need to do a little back and forth here. Work with me Kakashi."

"In the same village a long time ago there was another boy. This boy grew up in a time of war but even though the times were harsh he knew the love of a mother who care for him deeply and he had a father who was a hero in his village and the boy was filled with pride whenever he thought of his father and he wanted to be just like him. The boy was young and never really believed anything would shatter that life."

"Then his mother died"

Next to Kurama the blood rose. Kakashi watched as it fell away leaving behind his mother. Not as she was when she was full of life. His mother had contracted a rare disease one that no one had been able to halt. It had come quickly and without any warning. Before long she was bedridden ashen and wasting away. Kakashi remembered being by her side every day with his father doing everything his young mind could think of to save her. There was nothing he could do of course. The image before him now was her at the end looking like death and a small part of him cried at seeing this again.

"Mom." he whispered.

"It was not boy's fault his mother died of course," continued Kurama, "but he was a child and he blamed himself and never ever completely let go of that guilt."

At the of the sentence the figure of his mother pulled out two kunai from her robes and rushed Kakashi. For the briefest of moments he almost hesitated against the image but Kakashi was a master ninja for good reason, he had faced countless genjutsu and knew how to deaden his emotions at hard scenes designed to incapacitate their opponents. He backed up calmly and blocked the attacks.

"My Mother was never a ninja." Kakashi commented.

"Hey it's your guilt." Kurama replied. "I'm just wondering if your going to stab your mother. But back to the orphan."

"You mean you?" he asked ducking a slice at his head.

"Don't be that guy Kakashi."

"The orphan had no idea why he was so hated or ostracized from his fellow villagers. He only knew that nothing in the world was worse than feeling alone. Being tortured can make you want to be alone but being alone can make you welcome the torture just so someone will acknowledge you're alive. The orphan began to act out in order to make the villagers acknowledge him. Pranks, jokes, yelling as loud as he could for no apparent reason. He actually managed to avoid the Anbu quite a few times which if he was any other child would have marked him as a potential prodigy at such a young age but still, besides the occasional curse aimed at him most would not acknowledge him. The orphan did not know that it was not his fault. The villagers had a good reason to avoid him. He had a demon inside of him."

Kakashi was actually doing his best to listen to Naruto's tale. He knew that any word may give him a clue to Naruto's condition and a way to help him.

"You don't need to wait for clues Kakashi just follow the story." Kurama commented on the unvoiced thought.

Damn! He's getting better at mind reading. Kakashi thought. It was in that moment of distraction his "mother" aimed a well placed strike at his neck. Battle hardened instincts kicked in and he, just barely, dodged the strike and then backhanded the clone across the face sending her across the room. The jōnin paused in a moment of horror. Kurama just grinned.

"That is no way to treat your mother! I mean she did have it coming but still!" he mocked. "Let's start the next round for you shall we? You have a lot of issues to work out."

"The boy had lost his mother but he still had his father who despite the pain of the loss of the woman he loved tried to give his son all he could in her absence. This was hard though, the ninja was a hero of his village in a time of war and he was forced to spend much of time away from home. His father's friends tried to be there when they could but it was not enough. The boy who had a happy life now started to feel the crushing pain of being alone."

Kakashi remembered those times. He missed his father and had hated being alone but at the same time couldn't stand being around his friends. Most them had been made while his mother was alive and were the children of civilians who couldn't understand his loss.

'The boy began devoting himself to training. The boy was determined to become skilled as quickly as he could so he could join his father on the battlefield. He told himself it was to help protect their village but deep down he knew the truth. He wanted to keep his father from dying."

"His father on the other hand dealt with the death of wife by becoming very protective. Not just of his son but all the dear comrades in his life. It was probably due to this that he made his mistake. His father was sent on an important mission. During the mission his teammates, those oh so dear comrades, were put in danger. The boy's father had to make a choice between his comrades and his mission. With the chains of his wife's love upon him he chose to save them. The mission was lost."

"The father came back to the village a disgrace. People can be less forgiving in a time of war and the impact of the failure was hard felt by the village. Most of the father's friends abandoned him, including the ones he had saved. The dishonor and the disdain of the people he had fought for led the the father into a deep depression. His skills suffered and his seeming failures grew. The boy was no better off. He now spent his times between either great loneliness or scorn from the villagers for being the son of a traitor.

Kakashi knew where this story was going and looked in the blood knowing that it was beginning to swell.

"The father's weakness grew and for awhile the only thing keeping him going was his love for his son. The boy however was angry and tired and most of all was very lonely."

"Don't make me remember this." Kakashi whispered.

"One night when the father had gotten back from a mission, another failure, the boy became angry and yelled at his father. He told his father how he hated him, how he thought he was a traitor to the village and how most of all he wished he would leave him alone so everyone would stop hating him. The father said nothing in response just taking it all in. The boy left the house leaving the father all alone with his thoughts. The father realized his son was right and that there was one way he could atone for his sins to his village and most of all to his son."

"That very night he set his son free."

Kakashi had not moved his gaze from where the blood was starting to swell. It rose into the air, larger than when it had brought forth his mother. Kakashi held his breath but knew who would appear.

Sakumo Hatake stepped out of the blood.

2

Sakura found herself in a pool of blood.

That was about where she thought this day was going. Kurama had told her to hold on (to what she still didn't know) but she somehow was pulled out of her body into this...place. A large room with with no windows and a large shattered gate slitting it in the middle.

Where are we? She asked internally.

Home. Kurama replied. Of a sort at least.

Well this does look like a version of hell.

Don't be flippant girl. Right now I am projecting your mind into the sealscape of Naruto. Or to keep it simple for you we are in his head.

I get the concept of a sealscape...mostly anyway. But why are we here.

Sakura felt the Nine Tails gesture. Sakura looked and saw Naruto and Kakashi engaged in battle. Kakashi battling some sort of zombie looking woman and Naruto actually seemed to be telling a story. Sakura paused as she realized Naruto had taken on yet a third form from the one in the real world and the one in her visions. This one seemed similar to the one outside but somehow more intense. The mark of the Fox was clearly on this version and he seemed smarter than the one outside. If not smarter he seemed calm and collected where as the other Naruto seemed scattered and unsure. Listening to the story this Naruto seemed to also remember what had happened to himself. Sakura realized she may be able to help intervene with this Naruto and help her Sensei.

Don't bother. This connection is weak. Neither of them can see you. You are just a projection.

Then do something. Your some all powerful demon help me talk to them!

That's not why you're hear.

What do you want with me! She screamed in her head.

Listen to the story girl.

3

Sakumo was dressed in his warriors garb and in many ways looked like he had in life...except for the fact the was a gaping L shape in his gut. The ravaged insides were hanging out like a loose shirt and the ninja took a moment to look around. When he saw his wife lying on the ground he walked over to her and tenderly helped her to her feet. They both embraced and for a single instance you did not see the mark of death upon them. Then they both turned toward Kakashi with the look of the vengeful dead in their eyes.

"That was sweet Kakashi," said Kurama, "and pretty messed up. I mean I am trying to kill you but that was pretty cruel."

Kakashi looked at Kurama incredulously. Kurama shrugged and put his hands up in a placating gesture. "Hey I summoned them but it's your guilt driving them. Maybe someone shouldn't have skipped his mandated Yamanaka psyche evaluations. Let's continue the story. I can't wait to see what happens next."

"Where were we? Oh yes time for the orphan. Well actually time for the costar of that story...the demon. The orphan had a demon in him and all the villagers feared him for it. Now the demon was powerful to be sure. A long time ago the demon had been born, along with his eight brothers and sisters to a powerful Sage. The Sage was a wise man and loved the children for to him they were not demons and he showered them with love and tried to teach them to live in harmony with the world."

"But the Sage died and his children were left to the hands of men."

"Men tell tales of the demons attacking man. Of destroying homes and destroying lives but in truth it was men who first hunted the demons wanting their great power for themselves. It was men who attacked and forced the demons to fight back in kind all the while wondering about the promises made by their father. Promises of one who would show them a path to peace with men. Men came of course and used the gifts their own father had given them to finally capture the demons and seal them in vessels that would do their bidding."

"Thus the Jinchuuriki were born."

Kakashi was amazed to actually find his focus split. Hearing the story of the chakra demons from their own perspective was something one didn't hear every day after all. However there was still the issue of his dead parents. His mother was standing and once again had two kunai in her hands. She was not a threat. In life she was not a ninja and whatever skills she had here did not pose a threat. His father on the other hand...

His father had removed his blade. The White Light Chakra Sabre. It was this blade that had helped give his father the name of the White Fang of Konoha. The blade itself had the special ability to channel chakra muck like Asuma's trench knives. But they were a pale reflection of this blade. The blade was a special half of the technique his father had developed to create one of the most devastating assassination techniques known in the ninja world. Kakashi had never mastered the powers of the blade before he lost it in battle and he had developed the Chidori in part to try and master it's secrets. To this day even as he evolved the technique to the Lighting Cutter he still wondered which jutsu was the more powerful. Today might be the day he finds out.

"Once the men discovered the secret they hunted the demons with a renewed vigor and in time all the demons were captured and imprisoned in the men who lusted for their power. The Fox though, he held out, his power was great and avoided the traps of men. At least, until the Sharingan user came. Until Madara Uchiha sought his power. Even the Fox was no match for the power of the hated Dōjutsu. He used the Fox's power against his enemy and his own village. Hashirama Senju was no ordinary enemy however and he actually managed to defeat the Sharingan user but did he free the Fox who was a victim? No. He judged the Fox too dangerous and sealed the Fox away in a woman! From there he was passed to another woman this time a mere child. But the child grew up and fell in love. Eventually she conceived a child of her own."

"It was then the Demon met the Orphan."

Sakumo body flickered and attacked with the chakra blade and Kakashi barely parried in time despite anticipating the attack. He had to infuse his own kunai with chakra to keep them from being destroyed by the superior weapon. His father quickly followed with a consecutive series of attacks. His speed was incredible but Kakashi was no slouch and kept ahead of his father. His spun and aimed a kick at Kakashi's head which he blocked and then tried to counter with strike from a kunai. His father's blade was already in a guard position ready for the attack. Kakashi sensed danger from the right and saw his mother racing in across the blood for an attack. Replacing one of the kunai he quickly performed one handed signs and slammed his palm on the ground.

"Water Style: Water Spike Jutsu!" he shouted and a multitude of spikes erupted from the blood in all directions. His mother was forced to leap back but his father destroyed the spikes nearest him with a single slash of his chakra blade. Kakashi realized that while he may be able to keep up with his father one on one he would not be able to battle him and his mother without his edge. Not to mention whatever Naruto decided to summon next. Kakashi lifted the covering from his Sharingan.

The blood began to swell.

4

"This isn't good." commented Yamato. "Kakashi is starting to burn through his chakra faster than before."

"I thought you were going to help him." Sasuke stated angrily.

"I am ready as I'm going to be. This would be easier if he wasn't in the water prison. But it will have to do."

The ninja completed his handsigns. "Hokage-Style: Sixty Year Old Technique-Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands!" On Yamato's hand the kanji for "sit" appeared and ten spiked wooden pillars surrounded Naruto. Sasuke saw a immediate effect and the cloak surrounding Naruto reduced back to a single tail.

"What did you do?" asked Sasuke.

"Gave him a chance."

5

As far as Kakashi could tell death had been good to his father. Once Sakumo Hatake was thought to be as strong or stronger than the Sannin. His eventual depression left him far weaker near the end of his life. The creature Kakashi fought now seemed to have regained that legendary strength. Like Kakashi Sakumo was a natural lighting user though he had never master any other elements. Perhaps due to the Sharingan Kakashi he leaned toward a wide variety of techniques for combat and had become a expert in four of the elemental releases. His father had only ever known lightning.

However he was a unparallelled master in it.

The elder Hatake made all the normal handsigns but even though he spoke the words no sound came from his lips. It was the same for his mother. Neither spoke as they tried to get revenge on their son for sins he had never actually committed. Sakumo leap in the air and unleashed a small storm of lightning daggers at his son. Kakashi body flickered away from the attack and sent a small fireball back at his parents. His father naturally guarded with another empowered swing of his sword. The blast obscured his vision though and his son came through the flames and smoke and performed a earth jutsu on the ground. His father jumped to avoid any potential ground attack but no attack came. At least not for him.

"Sorry Mom." whispered Kakashi.

Kakashi's mother screamed silently as she was pulled beneath the ground in a earth burial technique. Kakashi knew even with her lack of skill she could pose a threat while he was focused on battling his father. It was better to take her out of the fight so he would not be distracted. From up above he felt a massive chakra. He looked up and his father had his weapon drawn and it was glowing a white angry light. His father's face was contorted in rage and even though Kakashi couldn't hear him he could tell the words coming from his fathers mouth. A pure white lighting chakra blast came at him faster than he could possibly dodge.

6

"Sensei!" Sakura yelled as the blast covered her teacher and the blood around him instantly boiled into steam.

They still can't hear you girl and you can't interfere.

Why am I here then you monster!

Flattery girl. You are here to listen to Naruto's story. You will need to know it.

He's not going to finish the story if Kakashi is dead!

So little faith in her Sensei? Sakura turned back toward the battle unconsciously looking away as she spoke with Kurama and there in the blood turned fog was a glow and the crackle of lighting. As the fog cleared she saw there was a tear in the floor leading right up to her Sensei where the blood was slowing filling up. When the blast reached him however it branched in two and she realized he had actually split the attack in half.

"I never realized he could actually do that." the girl commented.

7

"That was clever Kakashi. Taking your mother out of the fight and then blocking you Dad's attack with your own original move. If he wasn't a chakra created manifestation of your guilt I'm sure he would be proud." said Kurama. Kakashi stood there slightly out of breath the Lighting Cutter still glowing in his hand electricity arcing around him.

"Still I can't stand the idea of a fair fight. On with your story..."

"No more Kurama." said Kakashi as he sped toward the young demon. Kurama didn't even move. Kakashi readied a non-lethal attack on the boy (no easy feat with this jutsu) but it never had the chance to land. As he neared his father flickered in his path and blocked the attack with his tantō. White and blue lighting fought for supremacy and it was Kakashi who found himself forced back. As a blade his weapon fused with chakra might be more powerful than his own attack.

"Good job Sakumo. As I was saying, the boy found himself alone for the longest time. To avoid the hatred of the villagers he began to hide his face, many thought this was shame because he looked so much like his father but this was not the truth. He did see his father's face when he looked into a mirror but it was his own shame that drove him to hide. But it was more than that. He hid from the world devoted only to duty above all else, telling himself he would never allow anyone to fill that void, to become his family."

"He failed in that like all things." From the blood three forms began to rise.

First was Obito Uchiha. Half of his body broken and crumpled. One eye missing and the other amazingly intact and twin to his own. A friend who he had failed twice, once to save his life, the other to save the life of the one he loved.

Second was a older Rin Nohara, a burnt hole in her chest. The love in question who Kakashi had failed to save. The girl who loved him. The girl he had to kill with his own hand.

Third, oh the third was his Sensei. The man who had been like a second father to him. A man who had helped draw him out of that dark place after his father died. Possibly in some ways the one he had failed the most.

Minato Namikaze.

His team was together again.