Chp 10

"So she just took off?" Sakura had finally regained consciousness after they'd set up camp by a natural cave. Rain pattered against the dense canopy of trees. "Do you think she's okay?" she poked the fire with a stick.

"Who cares?" Sasuke's words startled her. He'd been silent the whole time since she'd woken up. Kakashi had told her what had happened with Kyu. (except for the outburst of Naruto's feelings)

"Don't worry Naruto will be back tomorrow and we will just get on with our lives." Kakashi stated as he finished securing the enemy ninja.

"So? What about her? She's out there and could give away important information!"

"Don't worry she can't." The statement interested both genin. (remember they don't know Kyu is Naruto... sort of) They ate silently; the absence of a teammate left a depressing atmosphere.

Kyubbi sat amongst a pack of foxes. She felt at home, yet so far away. Standing she started to walk again, growling at any that tried to follow. Rain filtered through the leaves as she made her way through the forest. This feeling made her stomach hurt, the rain seemed to burn on her skin. Kyubbi started to run again. She ran till she reached a lake. It was deserted. She strode to the middle of the body of water and looked up into the weeping sky. The rain pounded down mercilessly.

This whole thing was a bad idea Anger and pain engulfed her. She howled.

It cut through the forest. Birds flew away, animals fled and the foxes howled in unison. The eerie caterwaul sent shivers up team 7's spines.

"What was that?" Sasuke stood and looked at Kakashi's worried eye.

"We need to check it out." Kakashi created a clone. "Sakura watch the prisoners" He and Sasuke took off in the direction of the noise.

Kyubbi surrounded herself I chakra as she howled. Claws grew, her canines lengthened, her whisker scars deepened. She howled as her form was submerged in chakra. The water surrounding her began to boil, the trees started to burn. The pain increased as she howled louder, remembering all the suffering she and Naruto had been through. Everything had been bottled up until now. Her eyes filmed black and the chakra unleashed.

The blast tore up the trees, flinging them high into the air or smashing them into splinters. Kakashi and Sasuke were just far enough away not to be killed. 'If we don't get there soon the seal will break completely'

"Sensei! What's this chakra?" Sasuke yelled over the blast.

"Kyu is losing control" This only confused Sasuke more as they dodged the falling trees. He couldn't work it out. They sprinted towards the source of the explosion, finding a dried out lake bed surrounded by the ashy remnants of surrounding trees. Kyu stood in the centre. Red chakra pulsed around her skin, like a living shield. As they approached she turned, her face was completely blank, void of emotion. Kakashi immediately revealed his sharingan eye, Sasuke doing likewise, Kyu had gone almost too far to save. As Sasuke activated his sharingan his blood ran cold, the chakra was writhing like snakes around her figure. Her black eyes were devoid of anything, crying blood tears that evaporated into the chakra. Every drop of blood darkened the chakra and made it grow in power. Much more and it she could blow the whole fire country off the map.

"She's letting her emotions run wild!" Sasuke almost missed his sensei's words as the creature started its lament howl.

"How do we stop her?" Kakashi didn't seem to hear his question.

"Naruto! NARUTO!" Kakashi was yelling at what used to be Kyu. 'Has he gone crazy?'

"Kakashi! WTF?" Kakashi just ignored him and continued yelling at their teammate.

"Naruto you have to restrain her or you'll blow up the whole forest!" (understatement!) "NARUTO!" Sasuke just gave up trying to figure what was going on and joined in. (probably decided he was having some weird sort of dream/hallucination)

"NARUTO! YOU'D BETTER STOP THIS OR I'M SO GOING TO BEAT YOU UP TOMORROW! DOBE!" Kyu was now pressing her hands to her ears, no longer howling but screaming in pain.

-In Naruto's mind-

-Dobe? What in the... Why's Sasuke yelling at me this time? - He emerged from the dark recess he'd hidden in. -Kyubbi? Kyubbi! - There was no reply. - Kyubbi! What's going on? - He searched his consciousness. Before him sat the nine-tails; she was curled in the foetal position, rocking. - Kyubbi! The last thing we need right now is for you to have a mental break down! - Jumbled murmurings escaped the demons lips, silent tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. - ...Kyubbi... - The blond knelt beside her. She didn't show any recognition. He put his arms round her and pulled her close.

All this pain... all this pain... How do you live with it every day and still come out smiling? It's just too much. He heard her mind whisper out.

- I can't - Finally she looked up at him. - I just try to forget the bad and remember what makes me happy - He hugged her closer. - And I take my anger management more seriously - It was a poor excuse for a joke, but she returned his hug, sobbing loudly into his shoulder.

Damn you! I actually feel sorry for you!

- Feel sorry for me later -

Huh?

- You've gone out of control - He held her at arm's length, blue eyes met red. - I'll take over for a while -

... Okay