Naruto groaned softly as he started to push himself up from bed. Blinking the fog from his eyes, he tried to think, tried to remember what had happened. "Oh… right." Naruto mumbled to himself before letting out a soft sigh. He had a weird dream, where his younger self pretty much demanded him to be friends with Hinata again. To let her back in his life. "Could I really do that?" He mumbled before climbing out of his bed and made his way to his bathroom to start getting himself cleaned up for school.

Sure, he knew that he told his younger-dream self that he would at least try to be friends with Hinata again but, well after yesterday, he didn't think that he could right now. Honestly, it would be a rather bit awkward to be around Hinata after his calling her by his old nickname for her.

Shaking his head, the young man reached for his hair brush and started to brush his messy spiky blonde locks. Blinking sleepily at his reflection, he saw that he had slight bags under his eyes, almost as if he hadn't slept at all throughout the… night? "Have I been asleep since I got home yesterday?" He asked himself with a frown.

Groaning, he knew that his parents would want to know what happened yesterday to have worn him out so much. More so with his mother, she would most likely yell so loud that his ear drums might burst. Shuddering at the thought, Naruto turned on the sink, allowing the cool water to fill it up as he rubbed his forehead. What was he to do? It was bound to be a day that he didn't want to deal with right now. Or ever for that matter.

Letting out a soft sign, the young man cupped his hands under the water before splashing it over his face. It felt cool to the touch, helping to wake him up but, it couldn't wash away what he felt. "What do I feel?" He asked himself, not sure what it was that he could feel. Or, what he should be feeling right now. Maybe a torrent of emotions were swirling within him, he was nervous, scared, shame, and anxious. So many emotions yet he just couldn't focus on one of them. Any time he would try, the other would just overwhelm him in the end.

Tightly shutting his eyes, the young man took a few deep breaths hoping to calm himself, tried to think of anything that would help him get through the day. All he could do was groan though, he just couldn't relax! Opening his eyes, he stared at his reflection once more. Could he be friends with Hinata again though? Would she even want to be his friend again after him disappearing for years and giving her the cold shoulder? "Life sure isn't fair." He grumbled before brushing his teeth, only to frown all the more when he saw the small fangs that he retained while he appeared human.

Fangs that could still as easily hurt or kill Hinata if he wasn't careful. Wincing at the thought, the young man just didn't think he could do it. There was no way that he could be with her in any shape or form. He was nothing, nothing but a monster.

"Naruto, you coming down for breakfast or what?!" Shouted his mother.

"Just finishing getting ready mom, be down in a minute." He called back.

"Alright, if not I'll come and drag you out!" Threatened his mother before he could hear her walking away. Sometimes he couldn't tell if she was serious or not with her threats but, best not to try to push his luck. Finishing up in the bathroom, the young man made his way over to his bedroom and grabbed something to wear for today.

He won't lie though, it was rather hard for him to find something to wear anymore. He had to go to the large section just so he had something that fit. Ever since his growth spurt, he pretty much shot up in height past his mother and just a little taller than his father. His muscles filled in though he kept those hidden for the most part. Grabbing an orange t-shirt and black jeans with holes on the knees, he threw those on before grabbing his long jacket and made his way down the stairs. He just wanted to eat and be on his way. Though, he didn't think that today would be any easier. 'Honestly, I'd rather stay home… forever.'

Making his way to the kitchen, Naruto saw that his parents were just getting the table ready. Looks like it was bacon and eggs. His stomach growled at the thought of meat but he wouldn't complain. Grinning, he sat down and happily started to eat once he got his plate.

"So, Naruto." Minato began, causing Naruto to pause in his eating and look up at his father. "Iruka called me." Oh great. "He mentioned how he suggested to you about the swim team." Naruto could only nod as he swallowed what he had in his mouth. "Honestly, I think it'd be good for you. It'll help ease your mind and relax your body for your transformations." Oh boy, he was in on it now. That would be just so fantastic.

"Yeah, I agreed to the terms so long as I can use the Music Room and the Track so I can run." Naruto calmly said before he went back to eating his meal.

"Hm, you did always find music soothing, and running all you want just to have some kind of freedom." Minato thought it over a few times to himself, Naruto could see that when he stared at his father. "I like the idea. Swimming for relaxation in your body and mind, running to let out all that pent up energy while not at home, and music to sooth your mind of trouble and worries. I like it." He said with a grin before he too started to eat.

Well, at least that was something that he could agree on with his father. Maybe now he could just go back and enjoy a nice meal right now. That was the only thing that he wanted before he would go back to school for the day. Though, before he could even get up to leave, Minato calmly said "Go straight to Iruka when you get to school. He'll give you a note to give to the Swim Captain so you don't have to compete." Nodding his head, Naruto started to make his way out the door.

Leaving Minato and Kushina alone to themselves.

"I'm so worried about him." Minato whispered gently.

"You're doing all you can to help him though." Kushina reassured.

Minato let out a soft sigh as he leaned back in his seat. Head tilted backward as he gazed up at the ceiling, Minato tried to calm down the worry in his heart. "Kushina, it is so rare for a late bloomer in a werewolf. Very, very rare. I only knew one other that was like him and, I fear for our son if he ends up like him." Kushina frowned at her husband. She had heard the stories of another werewolf that had difficulty with his control years ago, long before Minato and her ever got married. If she was right, it was when they'd both would have been teens or so.

"I've seen the struggles, the fear, and worry someone would go through to gain control. He tried to do it all himself and yet, he lost himself. My father had him banished because he's killed countless humans and a few of our kin. I don't want that to happen to Naruto." Minato whispered softly, fear dripping from his words.

Kushina hugged her husband as she buried her face against his shoulder. "Minato, Naruto isn't alone though. He has us helping him as much as we can." Kushina whispered gently.

"I know that. But, with work, trying to maintain the clan, and to make sure that Naruto gets to school so he can have some kind of a semi-normal life… it makes it hard to spend time with him." Minato whispered. "The fear is still there though. I just don't want him to lose himself."

"He won't."

"How do you know this though?"

"Because, you said the other one had no one, Naruto has us, and Iruka, hopefully his friends helping him."

"True."

"Now, just relax and let your wife take care of you before you go to work alright?" Kushina said with a soft smile. Causing Minato to grin before nodding his head and allowed his wife to take care of him.

Naruto let out a soft sigh as he walked to the school. To be honest, he wondered if his school life would still be calm and normal. Then again, he highly doubted it since he had slipped up and yelled at Hinata by calling her by her old nickname. Closing his eyes for a moment, the young man took a deep breath hoping that he could just do something to help let out the pent up emotions within his heart.

Was the music room even available? Nah, he'd have to stop by there after he made his way out of the swimming team's room he'll go there and see if he could use it. It would be nice to be able to play something, even if it was only for a little bit.

Opening his eyes once more, the young man walked into the school and started to make his way to the indoor pool. In all honesty, he just wanted this over and done with so he could get out of the awkwardness of being in a possibly surrounded area. Thinking of being surrounded in such a populated area still made him a little nervous, though not as bad as it would be in the cafeteria. Now THAT was a heavily populated area.

Breathing deeply, the young man walked into the pool area and took a quick look around. Trying to find someone that he could talk too, though he wasn't sure who it was that he had to hand it too in the first place. Frowning a little, he was about to leave until he saw someone standing by the pool's edge, speaking to someone who was in the water. 'Hm, is that the captain?' thought Naruto before he started to walk towards the water. "Excuse me?" Naruto said with a frown.

The man turned around and stared at Naruto with emotionless eyes only for the man to blink at him in shock. "Naruto?" came the voice, causing Naruto to stare in shock as well. There was no way that this could be who he thought it was. Yet, the hair cut was still the same, still the same spikey black hair with two locks of hair framing his face and the hair on the back of his head looked like that of a tail of a duck.

"Sasuke? Are you the captain of the team?" Naruto asked with a frown on his face.

"I am, and damn you did get huge." Sasuke said with a smirk on his face.

Narrowing his eyes a little, his face tinting pink before saying "Yeah, but it isn't everything as it seems." Naruto ran a hand through his hair as he calmly asked "So, I'm here to hand this in." Sasuke watched as Naruto held out the form to his old friend. "Iruka thinks that it would be best for me to join the club so I could talk to more people." Naruto told a half-lie. Sure, it was true that Iruka did say to join the swim club, but not for that reason.

Sasuke took the note from Naruto and started to read it over. He rose an eyebrow at the note before looking over at the blonde teen in front of him. "You'll join the team but, you can't be in competitions?" Seeing Naruto nod, Sasuke let out a soft sigh. "Well, I guess it'll do for now. You'll be used as back up. Which, we'll never use anyway so no worries."

Letting out a soft sigh, Naruto looked up as he calmly said "Sorry Sasuke, if I could, I would help out more with this. Though, I do have my reasons for this."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me. If I remember one thing, it was that you always have a reason for doing what you do. Just like how you tried to impress Hinata." Sasuke said with a smirk, causing Naruto to blush and look away. "Speaking of Hinata, I remember her telling me that you pretended to have no idea who she is, yet yesterday you called her 'Hina-chan' if I remember, that was your nickname for her wasn't it?"

"I… I uh…"

"Naruto, won't you tell me what you are doing?" Sasuke asked with a frown.

"I can't, it's complicated. What I can say is that well, while I was away being sick that I had to endure things that no one should ever have to go through, and I am keeping Hinata at bay, in order to protect her." Naruto calmly said, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to think on what he could do, on what he could say to make sure that Sasuke wouldn't answer him. Honestly, he hadn't expected to see Sasuke here, and be a captain. He had always thought that Sasuke would have been in the Kendo Club or something like that. Swimming of all things, well that was something rather surprising.

Sasuke sighed softly as he ran a hand through his hair. His posture changing to what, Naruto would have guessed was some kind of defeat. "Look, Naruto…" Sasuke began, crossing his arms across his chest. "I won't tell you how to live your life, but what I will say is that you shouldn't keep Hinata away from you. Even if what you say is true, you've loved that girl pretty much forever. To keep pushing her away like this, it'll just hurt you both in the end."

"And I'll talk to her when I'm damn well ready damn it! First that weird ass dream!"

"Wait what?"

"And now you telling me pretty much the same thing?! I can't talk to her right now, I don't think I can face her right now and maybe at this rate not ever! When I'm ready, I'm ready!" Naruto had practically growled out. He hated it when people kept telling him to do this, and do that. Sure, some of the time it was to help him control his wolf, but at this rate it was going to end up controlling his entire life and it was starting to piss him off. "I'm gonna go before I lose my mind here. Just… tell me when to come back here tomorrow. I need to clear my head." Before he could hear what Sasuke would say, Naruto took off.

Naruto started to make his way to the music room. He could feel his anger getting the best of him. Though, maybe it was just the emotions that he felt for what was going on in his life were just trying to consume him. Letting out a soft sigh, the young man managed to get to the music room without much of a hassle, and for that he was thankful. Sniffing the air, he couldn't smell anyone nearby, for that he was happy. No one would be around to hear him playing, or, there also wasn't anyone inside.

Gripping his shirt in his hand, right over his heart, Naruto wondered what it was that he could do. Deep down within him, was a wolf, a monster. A beast that only wanted to hunt and kill and he didn't know what he could do to control it. His parents had tried time and again to help him, but with his father working and trying to maintain the clan, it was hard. That much he knew, but he just hoped and prayed that he could handle this, that he could control himself before it was too late to save himself from a terrible fate.

Taking a deep breath, the young man opened the door as he started to make his way through the music room. It had been used maybe an hour ago, the scents were a tad stale, but it would be a while before it would be used again, though it was still more than enough time before it would be used again. Taking a look around, he saw that it held many desks, stands for the music notes and in the far corner, were instruments. Some were of drums, flutes, recorders, and so on.

Soon, his blue orbs fell onto a guitar. Smiling to himself, Naruto walked over to the instruments and picked it up before finding a seat. Holding the guitar carefully, he started to tune it plucking at the strings as he hoped to tune it perfectly. Or at least, close enough to perfection.

Humming a tune to himself, Naruto could feel a song starting to surface to him. He could hear the music play in his head as he started to play along to the song after he had finished tuning the guitar.

Ever since I could remember
Everything inside of me
Just wanted to fit in (oh oh oh oh)
I was never one for pretenders
Everything I tried to be
Just wouldn't settle in (oh oh oh oh)

Inhaling deeply, Naruto played the guitar, the music almost seemed to help calm him down. Yet, he knew that he couldn't always remain calm like this. There was so many things in his life that would throw itself in his path in trying to maintain control over himself. Everything with him was just, well, wrong. He wasn't human, he was never going to be a human, and no one could ever understand him no matter what he would do with his life. It was true, he wanted to fit in with people again, but he just knew, that he could never fit in again.

If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me

What would happen if he had told someone about what he was? About the monster, the beast that resided within him. He didn't know, but he knew, just knew that they would be afraid of him. He couldn't do it, he just couldn't do it knowing that if they knew he would be seen as a terrible danger to those around him. More so to Hinata than anything else.

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger

Taking a deep breath once more, Naruto felt the music almost seem to take control of hi once more. He was nothing more than a monster, all he could ever do was try to escape his fate with no success. He could never escape from the monster that, he knew, was only growing in strength every day so long as he could never control himself. Hinata, if only she knew, she would run away in fear of him and never want to be near him again.

Can I clear my conscience,
If I'm different from the rest
Do I have to run and hide? (oh oh oh oh)
I never said that I want this
This burden came to me
And it's made it's home inside (oh oh oh oh)

Ha, as if there was ever really a question about him being different. He was different, compared to humans and even his own kind! He was a late bloomer with his wolf, he wasn't human and he tried to live among humans but, no matter what he did, he just couldn't resist the pull that he felt when his body wanted to shift. No matter how hard he tried not to shift as he does, it would only happen anyway, no matter how hard he tries he just can't stop himself from transforming.

If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me

It had him curious, would Hinata, or even Sasuke turn their backs on him if they knew what he had become while he was 'away being terribly sick'? Or, would they accept him as he was? It had him curious, had him wondering what it was that he would become if they knew what he really was and hope and prayed that they would accept him no matter what the cost. Ha, as if that would happen. If they did know, then that would mean that they would have to keep it a secret no matter what. There would be no telling what would happen if anyone else whom would find out about 'werewolves' would try to look for a source to a location.

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger

Pain had been his only friend since he first transformed. It was the only thing that, in a sense, kept him sane. The more he trained, the more he knew that he had to stop himself from feeling this pain so he wouldn't have to deal with it anymore but sadly, he could only control himself to a certain point, he could hold off his transformations for a bit, but even then, it still wasn't enough to keep himself in control. Not for long anyway.

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger

He had no candle to guide him.

He had no way to stand up what was inside of him, and no means of escape.

He was nothing more than a monster and he just had to accept that.

Biting his lip, the young man set aside the guitar as he stared down at his instrument of choice. Nothing he did would ever be enough to stop this. It would never be enough, to gain total control. There was just, nothing that he could do to save himself anymore and he knew this. Sighing softly, the young man pushed himself up and started to make his way out of the music room, only to frown when saw who was on the other side of the door.

There, stood Hinata, looking up at him with her beautiful lavender coloured eyes staring at him in wide eyed wonder. "Hinata." Was all Naruto could bring himself to say, though even though he had wanted his voice to sound emotionless, he just couldn't stop the shock that had crept up on him.

Hinata blinked at him for a moment, as she tried to think on what more she could say to him. He could tell that now was his chance to take off before she could really say anything. Shaking his head, Naruto started to walk around her, as best as he could until he felt her grab his hand, much like how she had grabbed him yesterday. "Naruto, please talk to me. You do remember me, how else would you know your nickname for me." Hinata said, her voice filled with worry, concern and… was she pleading with him now?

"Hinata, I… I can't talk to you about it right now okay? Please, just let me go. I'll talk to you about all of this later. When I am ready to talk. Right now, I just need to clear up my thoughts and think of a way to explain everything to you." 'Without telling you that I am nothing but a monster.' he added the last part in his mind. Trying to tell her was one thing, trying to tell her a half-truth and half-lie was another. There was no way of knowing what it was that he would end up telling her when he was ready, whenever that would be anyway.

"So, you will tell me?" Hinata asked with concern.

"Yes." Was his answer.

Taking a deep breath, the young man tried to free his hand from Hinata's grip, though it seemed that she wouldn't let go of him yet. "I want to see your face, I want to know if you are still the same Naruto I knew growing up. If you are still the same Naruto I saw before you became ill." Damn it, if only she knew the real reason for him being 'ill' in the first place. Frowning a bit, Naruto slowly turned to stare at Hinata, wondering if she saw, what she wanted to see.

Her frown though, was the only answer he got from her. He didn't look like he had when they were younger. Before he had turned into this monster, this beast. "You got your answer I'll assume. Now let go of-GAH!" Naruto suddenly ripped his hand away from Hinata's grasp, his arms wrapping around his body as if he was trying to hold himself together. It felt like his body was starting to rip apart from the inside!

'Damn it! I didn't think it would come on like this so quickly!' thought Naruto, his eyes wide from the pain as this feeling started to claw more and more. His wolf wanted out, wanted to be free. He had to get out of here, he had to get to Iruka before he ended up transforming in the hallway! Hinata went to grab him again, wondering what it was that was wrong with him, but his voice stopped her. "Stay away from me!" Hinata gasped out from the sound of his voice. Now that he thought about it, right now his voice sounded like it had a bit of a growl to it now. Damn it, he really did have to go and fast! "Just… just stay away from me, or you'll get hurt!" With that, Naruto started to run off as fast as he could, running faster than he should in his human appearance but at the moment, he couldn't give two shits about it!

If there was one person that could help him to stop his transformation, or to at least prolong it long enough for him to get back home, it was Iruka. The man had something that his parents had given to the tanned man so it would help him to stop his transformations while he was at school. Though, trying to get to Iruka's office may be easier said than done, though he just hoped that Iruka was still in the office, or at least in his office. Groaning a bit, he reached into his pocket, his hand shaking quickly as he tried to control himself. "Must… do this fast!" Naruto bit out as he sent a quick text to Iruka.

"Please, hurry Iruka, I'm running outta time here!"

here we go, chapter 6 people! I am so sorry I haven't worked on this sooner, work got in the way, see the other night my bike tire went flat before I even left work that night and I was kinda by myself, thankfully though the gas station next to my work is always open, so I waited for my cab and got home, then of course after that I get called at work the next morning very little sleep I swear to god, telling me that someone whom I switched with (who ended up switching with someone else due to being ill) well, she couldn't find a babysitter for her kids, so the shift was, wouldn't you know it fallen back onto me as the original holder of the shift and they tried calling the other person, explaining to them that I already took their shift (which starts at 7PM for close) so it would make it rather hard, though an hour or so later, got called again saying they couldn't find anyone else to start at 4 so my shift turned to 12 hours, after that I took my bike in finally, got the tire replaced, turns out a spoke poked a hole in the tube, so with my next pay, I'll have to get maintenance done on the bike so it won't happen again and to get the gears fixed in the long run as well so that will make things easier, so my journey with my bike curse is far from over, because it... is... always... happening... and always, ALWAYS the BACK TIRE! I kid you not! since working, I've had the back tire fixed, replaced, patched maybe 20 times now and I've been working for 3 years at where I am now, what does that say! I'M CURSED I TELLS YA! anyway I'll try to update when I can, later! oh, also I have a new story idea for later, I won't write it yet since I also want to start on the mermaid story after finishing Demon's Bride so, until then, it's still a work in progress and I'll post a journal about it later.