A/N: Hey guys, I want to thank you all for reading this story. I will already announce that this fic won't go further after the mission in Wave storywise. When they finish their mission, it will turn more into a fluff. So I already want to have your opinions on which pairing I should do next. It's hard for me to choose, but I think I will do them all. Though, I need to start with something. So here are my ideas:

Naruto and Tsunade

Naruto and Shizune

Naruto and Tsunade and Shizune

Naruto and Hinata

Shikamaru and Temari

Gaara and Matsuri

Kakashi and Kurenai

Naruto and FemHaku

Naruto and Ayame

So, I'm very thrilled to hear your choices. You can even suggest a pairing on your own, and I'll consider it, too. If i think I found the right one I will do it even if the majority didn't vote for it, but I guess that won't happen, though it's possible.

Now for a question I was send to by keller.blair1: No, I won't turn this fic into a NaruInoSaku harem, for a number of reasons:

1. I hate Sakura

2. I haven't really included her with Naruto at all, while Ino had and will have her moments with Naruto

3. I don't know how exactly to write a harem story (which is why I would be even more thrilled to try, but rather with Tsunade and Shizune)

4. I hate Sakura

Anyways, that's it from me, enjoy your new chapter.

'What the hell was that? I can't fight them alone, I will have to get Haku for this.' a man with white bandages around his mouth and neck, black battle clothing and a gigantic sword thought after seeing the fight of the demon brothers and the Konoha-nin, quickly disappearing in the shadows.

A few minutes later, Tazuna's house

„Ino, Sakura, you have to heal him, quickly. Sasuke, Shikamaru, Chouji, you can all lie down and rest in your assigned rooms", Kakashi ordered, while he undid Naruto's coat and wrapped it around his private parts.

Naruto was in great pain, well physically at least. Before he didn't realize it through Kyuubi's marks and his transformation into a Great Ape, the surge of strength simply overpowering his pain. Now he obviously didn't realize it due to his unconsciousness. His body was weakened though, and was hold together by Kyuubi, making an effort to not let his jailor succumb to the poison. This meant he had to show his mark around Naruto's belly button.

While the girls healed him, they noticed it and where again curious about it.

„Sensei, what is this mark Naruto has on his stomach?", Sakura asked.

Kakashi turned around again after talking shortly with Asuma about the missions' details, and stared onto his student's stomach. Recognizing the seal due to his knowledge about Naruto's status as a jinchuuriki, his eyes widened, and he eyed Asuma uncomfortably, trying to find a solution. When he saw how the seal spread marks over his body in a similar way to Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, he knew there would be questions by the unknowing Genin. Asuma watched him with a similar expression, until they turned back to their students' curious faces.

„I'm sorry, but I am not allowed to tell you that."

Now Ino started to talk, too: „What do you mean, you're not allowed to tell us?"

Kakashi sighed and turned a bit to face Ino. „Naruto's current status, expressed by this mark, is a S-rank secret. Telling you this would be punished with death. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the only person who is allowed to tell you that is Naruto himself. And I'm not too sure if he is comfortable with talking about it."

Ino and Sakura looked at each with a slightly shocked expression, and then back at their blond companion, who was now lying peacefully. What is so special about it? Why aren't they allowed to know?

„Ok guys, you did well in getting him together again. Tomorrow morning he should be fine, and maybe even ready to talk to you about all of this. You may rest, too." Kakashi said, while turning around and leaving the room together with Asuma.

The girls' stares lingered a bit more on Naruto and especially on the suspicious seal on his stomach, until Sakura turned around first and started to walk out of the room.

„You coming, pig?"

„Yeah, I'll come forehead. Just give me a minute."

Sakura was curious in what Ino would want to do, but left since she was tired herself.

Meanwhile, she seemed to fight an internal war with herself.

'Should I do that? It's not like he's going to find out, and his mind should be too weak to resist. Screw it, why not. Let's see what you're hiding, knucklehead.'

The flower girl performed a few handseals, and whispered „Mind Transfer Jutsu", feeling her body go limp and digging into Naruto's mind.

When she opened her eyes again, she stood in a pitch black room. She looked around and searched for something, but she stood in utter darkness. She walked a few steps to search for anything that could represent memories, and maybe find out something about the seal on Naruto. Then a voice rang out.

„Who are you? State your business, mortal!" a voice snarled.

Ino screeched slightly and turned around to search for the source of the voice. Strangely, it seemed as if it would come out of all directions.

„Answer me, I'm talking to you!"

Frightened by the animalistic voice, she spoke softly: „I'm Ino Yamanaka, and I...searched for something."

„Ahhh, Yamanaka, the mind-walkers, right? So I guess you were about to read the kit's mind, weren't you?"

Ino just nodded nervously, not bothering to ask how he would know that or what exactly he meant by 'kit'.

„Well, I'm about to disappoint you: The memories hidden in here are not for your eyes to see."

„Who are you? Why are you in Naruto's mind?" Ino asked after she collected her thoughts and searched for the first logical question that came to her mind.

„That, mind-walker, is one of the memories not made for your eye. Only he himself should tell you. And if he doesn't trust you enough to let you know who I am, what I am, then I won't let you know, either. What I am is one of his biggest secrets. But since you were brave enough to wake me from my sleep, I shall give you at least a little insight. Enjoy it, maybe it will teach you a lesson." Kurama sneered sadisitcally, and then did his magic.

Ino wondered what he meant, until she felt it. Her mind was flooded with an infinite amount of thoughts, spoken by a little child's voice.

„Why does everyone stare at me like that?"

„Why can't I just die? Everyone hates me."

„I really am a monster."

„Please Shinigami, take me."

The thoughts flooding Ino's mind broke her heart, over and over again.

„I'm the Dead Last, I will never be a good ninja."

„Will I ever be able to become Hokage, if everyone hates me?"

Though, none of these thoughts hurt Ino as much as the last. After hearing his words, Kyuubi kicked her out of Naruto's head.

„She's right, they are both right. Noone will ever love me."

Ino opened her eyes and found herself in the room in Tazuna's house again. She noticed a strange feeling on her face and realized she was crying. Through her misty eyes, she watched Naruto, who was still in a peaceful slumber.

'What the hell are you always hiding behind that goofy smile, idiot?' Ino thought depressed.

She wiped her tears and got her clothes back into position, when she noticed a picture lying on the ground.

She picked it up, and looked at it closely. Ino wondered what Naruto would want with a picture of the Yondaime Hokage and his wife with a baby. She remembered him always talking about the Fourth, and how he was his hero and rolemodel, but to keep a family picture of him was strange. She even wondered who the baby was, being told the Yondaime died childless. What she read on the other side of the picture broke her heart again, now realizing who the baby with the familiar whisker marks was.

'Mom and Dad, I love you'

She couldn't decide what to do more, look shocked that Naruto was the son of the Yondaime or to cry because of the picture, knowing that his parents are dead. She gently placed the picture inside of his coat, and went over to her bed. Luckily, noone was awake, so noone could see her crying herself to sleep that night.

In the living room, Kakashi and Asuma talked to Tazuna quietly, trying not to bother their sleeping students and Tazuna's sleeping family.

„So, Mr. Bridge builder, explain this fiasco.", Kakashi ordered sternly.

Tazuna sighed and started: „Do you know a man called Gato?"

„The billionaire? Yes, why?"

„He controls the economy and sea ports of Wave, and lets every little Ryo flow into his pocket. Wtihout the ports, Wave has nothing. We hardly can afford anything, as all of the people of Wave. So we needed to build this bridge, to have another connection to the outside world. We barely were able to apply for a C-rank mission, and anything above that would be impossible to pay. We knew Gato's men would attack, but that would make the mission B-rank, if not more. So I had to keep it a secret. I'm begging you, please help us. I can't pay you for more than C-rank, but we need your help."

Kakashi was in deep thought. All he said made sense, and he certainly held a sympathy for the man in front of him. Times were hard, and apparently, they were especially hard in Wave. He eyed Asuma, and they nodded to each other.

„Asuma, write the first part of the mission report. With the involvement of Gato, this mission is now A-rank." Asuma nodded and scribbled his report.

„Does this mean you'll help us?"

„Yes Tazuna, we will. We won't let you face this problem alone. Still, you should've informed us about Gato. You put us in unnecessary danger, even though I understand why you didn't."

„Thank you, thank you! You don't know how much this means to us!"

„I wouldn't even have a choice. Naruto would annoy me the whole way back about how we weren't supposed to back off of our first mission outside of Konoha. I would never hear the end of it." Kakashi joked with an eye smile, thinking of his most enthusiastic student. His gaze became a bit distant after he thought about the person which had resembled him the most, and subconsciously touched his Sharingan eye's spot on his hitai-ate.

„He's much like him, isn't he, Kakashi?" Asuma said softly, while laying a comforting hand to rest on his shoulder.

„Yeah." Kakashi answered, knowing that Asuma knew about his story with his former teammate Obito Uchiha.

Tazuna sensed that this was a topic not meant for his ears, so he decided to comment on Naruto instead.

„Yeah, he seemed like a real goofball. Even though this thing he turned into was terrifying, I have a feeling he will save us.", Tazuna answered the Copy ninja.

Kakashi nodded, having the same hope as well.

The next morning

'God damn it, my head' a waking up jinchuuriki thought, while slowly sitting up and trying to get the dizziness out of his head. When his head felt a little better, he looked into all directions and noticed he was in unfamiliar surroundings. Since he was not handcuffed or gagged, he assumed everything went fine and he was brought to a safe place.

'Kurama, what happened during the fight? The last thing I remember is the full moon.'

„I wasn't aware that you were able to transform into a Great Ape, kit. The Saiyan blood you have from Broly also gave you another transformation, which all Saiyans perform when looking into the full moon. You turned into a Great Ape, and won the fight for your team."

„Wait, this means everyone saw me transforming into a gigantic ape? Great, it'll be impossible to hide anything now.'

„At least in battle they are your comrades, at some point they would've found out. It's best to figure out who you can trust with letting them know at least of me."

„But I don't want to! They'll just run away, like everyone else. They probably never want to talk to me again.'

„I know why you're afraid, kit. But you can't hide anything anymore now, you said it yourself."

Naruto knew that the Kyuubi was right, so he decided to leave the topic for now. He noticed that he was naked, and only his coat was covering his crotch area. He looked around, noticed a pile of black battle clothers, and figured it was for him. After he was dressed, he stepped out of the room, and heard a few voices conversing. He followed them and found his way into a living room, where Tazuna, the sensei's, the Genin and an unknown woman ate breakfast.

When he reached the room, he felt everyone's eyes on him, creating an uncomfortable silence. After a few seconds, the woman saw him and greeted him.

„Hello there, you must be Naruto. I'm Tsunami, it's nice to meet you. Thank you for bringing my father here safely." the woman said while bowing politely.

Naruto bowed back, and answered „Thank you for letting me rest here, and for the new clothes."

„No need to thank me. Those clothes were my husbands', so I had no use for them after all", Tsunami said with a sad smile.

Being able to read such a smile from anywhere in this world, he bowed his head again and replied „I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Tsunami."

„Thank you, and just call me Tsunami, please. Miss Tsunami just makes me feel old." Tsunami joked and chuckled slightly, deciding to prepare breakfast for Naruto and walking into the kitchen.

„Is everything alright, Naruto?" Kakashi asked concerned.

„Yeah, everything is fine. Just felt a little dizzy while standing up."

„Is really everything alright Naruto, are you sure?"

Naruto briefly furrowed his eyebrows in confusion when he heard Ino asking this question. He saw a face of deep sorrow and sympathy, but couldn't understand why. Everyone else was just as confused, not knowing why Ino suddenly cared for Naruto's well-being.

Quickly changing his face with his foxy grin, he answered: „Sure, Ino. Just give me a bit and I'll be on top of the world again."

Ino wasn't convinced by this answer at all, but decided not to dig deeper. She didn't know if and how to approach Naruto, and certainly didn't plan to do it in front of the other students.

Naruto again felt the stares from everyone, and could practically read the millions of silent questions in the room, which just needed to be asked. Before anyone had the chance to do so, they were interrupted by a voice.

„Who are these people, mommy?"

Naruto looked behind him and saw a little boy with a suspicious glare on his face.

„Be nice, Inari. Those are ninja from Konoha, they are helping us with Gato and his squad.", Tsunami answered from the kitchen.

„Why bother fighting them? Daddy wasn't stong enough, too. In the end, you will just end up dying, too." Inari said, looking at Naruto since he was the closest.

„Since not doing anything isn't worth anything. I would rather die trying to help, than having a bad feeling because I didn't try to help at all." Naruto replied. He noticed the look in the boys' eyes, but he needed to know this.

„Well, then be happy, 'cause your wish will become reality soon if you fight Gato!" Inari shouted while storming out of the house, sitting down in a bench in front of the ocean.

„I'm sorry for Inari's behaviour, losing his father hit him really hard. He's always like this when someone wants to oppose Gato." Tsunami told sadly.

„I'll talk to him. I think I know just the right words to say to him." Naruto announced and followed Inari.

The rest continued their breakfast, disappointed having to postpone their questions for later.

„I think I'm going to train a little outside" Ino said while standing up.

„Ok, but don't overdo yourself, you need to be in form in the afternoon, our mission will continue then" Asuma replied to his student, who nodded in understanding.

Naruto found Inari sitting on the bench, and sat next to him, silently. Surprisingly, Inari didn't move or react. He just watched the water.

„It sucks, doesn't it?" Naruto asked, who now watched the water, too. Inari turned to him.

„What do you mean?"

„Losing your parents, or at least one of them. Believe me or not, I know how you feel." Naruto replied, now looking him in the eye.

„And why would you know about my feelings?", Inari snapped angrily.

Naruto smiled sadly and watched the ocean again. He sighed and answered: „You're right, I don't how it feels to lose family. It's kinda hard to imagine losing something when you don't know how it was to have it in the first place."

„What do you mean?" Inari asked confused.

„I never had any family. From day one when I was a baby, I was alone. My parents died on the day when I was born, and I don't have any other family members."

„B-but how? Why?" Inari asked, sadly. Maybe he misjudged Naruto.

Naruto sighed and thought. Someone who suffered like he did was worthy of knowing the truth.

„Do you know anything about the Kyuubi?"

Inari looked up at him in confusion, but replied nevertheless.

„Yeah, mommy told me about the attack and how it was killed, why?"

Naruto took a deep, shuddering breath and started speaking again.

„The Kyuubi was never killed."

Inari's eyes, and another pair of unseen eyes, widened in shock.

„What do you mean, it was never killed?"

„I mean that the Yondaime realized during his fight that he couldn't kill the Kyuubi. So he searched for another way to defeat it. He sealed it inside a newborn baby."

„Why a baby?"

„It is easier for a baby to adapt to the energy, or the chakra, of the Kyuubi. So the Yondaime needed to find a newborn, and gave his life to seal the demon inside of it. Inari, that child was me."

Inari looked shocked once again, and looked at Naruto's torso when he lifted his shirt.

„Do you see this mark? This is the seal that keeps the Kyuubi inside of me. This little piece of art is the cause for all of the pain I have ever felt in my life. The people hate me, because they only see the Nine Tails in me, walking around the village and mocking their existence. I am a jinchuuriki, a human sacrifice. I am destined to never feel love, neither parental nor romantic love, since noone would ever want to be that close to me. I need less than two full hands to count how many would feel bad when I would die right here, right now. You saw the boy with the light brown hair and the one with the black ponytail, right?"

Inari nodded.

„Those are two of three friends I have in my age group. The other three kids in there couln't care less if I came back alive, beaten up, or didn't come back at all. If it would save the boy, the two girls would willingly sacrifice me, without hesitance or a second thought."

The unseen person cried and choked on this words mutely.

„What I want to say is, that I have very few people to fight for, but I do have people to fight for. I would do everything to keep my precious people save, and yes, I would give my life for them, too. When you don't even try to fight, Inari, you have already lost. You have a mother, and a grandfather, who care deeply for you. And I'm sure that at school a few girls have noticed you, too." Naruto said winking, causing Inari to blush a little uncomfortably.

„What I mean is: Don't turn so bitter, you're breaking your families' hearts. Yes, your father might've not been strong enough, but you can be strong enough. Promise me to not give up, to never give up. Ok?" Naruto asked, while holding out his fist.

Inari contemplated a bit, looked the jinchuuriki in the eye with a determined face and punched his fist with his own one.

„Hai, Naruto. That's so sad, I thought the blonde girl was very pretty." Inari to Naruto.

„Yeah, she's beautiful. But to her, I'm the same nuisance I am to everyone else." Naruto said sadly, still making eye contact with Inari.

„Ano, is it ok if I call you Naruto-nii-san?" Inari asked, with a hopeful voice while tiliting his head in a childish way.

Naruto's heart nearly broke at this wonderful question, he would certainly not refuse to be referred to as a brother, even if he isn't actually.

„Yes, I would love this. Now go in and help your mom a little, would ya? I am sure it would make her extremely happy."

Inari nodded and ran into the house, while Naruto turned back and looked into the ocean again thoughtfully. Meanwhile, the eavesdropping person was still crying its eyes out.

A/N: That's it guys, hope you enjoyed the new chapter. Next one will have fights again, don't worry.