DISCLAIMOR: I DO NOT NOR EVER WILL OWN Naruto, IF I DID THEN SASUKE AND Naruto WOULD BE TOGETHER BY NOW IN THE SERIES

Nanami: Thank you so much for the reviews! I love you guys for reviewing! It makes me happy and want to finish a new chapter sooner!

Back to level five?

"H-he wants me to k-ki-kill him," Naruto said with his eyes wide open. The nurse nodded and quickly Ushered Naruto out of bed and walked him to the therapy room.

"Please sit down." Naruto followed her directions and sat down on the couch."Who is your therapist?" She asked Naruto.

"K-k-Kakashi," Naruto told her while he shook. The nurse nodded.

"Stay here please," She ordered him before leaving. Soon Kakashi entered the room in his pajamas and sat down in a chair in front of Naruto.

"What's wrong? What happened to make you shout like that Naruto?" Kakashi asked. Naruto looked up to Kakashi.

"I think I need to go back to level five." Naruto told Kakashi. Kakashi's eyes widened.

"Naruto, what makes you think that?" Kakashi questioned, feeling quite worried about his patient.

"Kakashi… remember what I told you? That Kyuubi wants things sometimes..." Naruto trailed off.

"Naruto, I thought we discussed this and you said you were sure you could handle controlling Kyuubi,"

"I thought I could… but I can't... before he would just try to talk me into it but now… now he can control my arms… he smacked me in the head with my arm when I told him I didn't want to. I swear to you I really don't want to kill him! I don't he's my friend," Naruto said basically running in circles with words.

"Naruto, who is it?"

"He wants me to kill Sasuke… he keeps saying Sasuke is a threat… Kakashi… b-before… I didn't really want Kyuubi out of my head… I thought he was just like my brother… but my brother wouldn't try to kill an innocent person," Naruto explained to him. Kakashi sighed and nodded.

"To be truthful Naruto, I thought we were making some real progress finally," Kakashi commented. Naruto let out a pained smile.

"I am making progress, but I think we just moved me down too soon," Naruto said sadly. Kakashi sighed. He knew Naruto was scared, but Kakashi couldn't take the chance of letting Sasuke get hurt too. It was quite obvious the two of them were good friends, and he wasn't sure how well Sasuke would take Kyuubi wanting to kill him.

"Fine Naruto, but we need to face this, understand? In the morning we will be having another session and we will try to find what has made this change in Kyuubi, understand?" Kakashi ordered. Naruto nodded. "Now go back to your room and sleep, you can move back to the level five building in the morning, now get some rest," Kakashi said before ruffling Naruto's hair and leaving.

Naruto sighed and left for his room. As Naruto walked down the white hallway he felt terrible. Naruto wanted to shout it wasn't him. It wasn't Naruto who wanted Sasuke to die. It was 'Kyuubi' whom until tonight Naruto thought might be a reincarnation of him in a way. Naruto looked at the brown doors as he passed. He passed Sasuke's door… Naruto silently apologized to Sasuke. Naruto could still hear Kyuubi telling him to kill Sasuke. He didn't want anything to happen to his friend. Not when he had helped Naruto so much. Naruto was sure it would be Kiba next, and then whoever else wanted to help Naruto.
Naruto turned down the corridor and realized something. For once there was no one guarding the stairs. This staircase went in the shape of a square as it winded downwards to the bottom floor. Usually there were four guards around it making sure no patient tried to go down to the basement or tried to jump… Naruto looked at the stairs longingly… if he jumped off the railing down the flight of stairs and he landed on his head he would die… he would be able to see his parents, he would be able to see Kyuubi and he wouldn't kill Sasuke…

Naruto shook his head and mentally slapped himself. What the hell was he thinking? Suicide? No that was for quitters and Uzumaki Naruto was no quitter. Naruto faced back to the hallway and continued down to his room. Naruto opened the door and looked over to Kiba, whom was still dead asleep. Naruto felt kind of sad to be leaving Kiba too, but he had to go back. He couldn't risk injuring anyone. As soon as Naruto laid on his bed he fell asleep.

"Hey! Sasuke!" Kiba shouted at the raven.

"What is it Kiba?" Sasuke asked with a bad feeling in his stomach.

"Have you seen Naruto? I haven't seen him anywhere and his stuff isn't in the room anymore," Kiba said in a curious tone. "I thought it might be possible that he told you what was going on." Sasuke shook his head.

"I haven't seen him since yesterday, I thought he might already be in therapy right now," Sasuke replied, which caused Kiba solemnly shake his head.

"Naruto doesn't have therapy this early," Kiba answered. Sasuke sighed.

"Maybe he is spending the night with family?" Sasuke suggested.

"Well I guess that's possible… but usually someone would tell me since I'm his roommate," Kiba said contemplating. "Maybe they just forgot?"

"Maybe," was Sasuke's thought. Sasuke sighed, he wanted to hang out with Naruto, normally he could handle one of his friends being absent, but really what was there to do here? Absolutely nothing in Sasuke's mind. Sasuke and Kiba decided just to head outside and sit in their normal spot under the tree. All that followed was silence. Normally there would be quite a bit of chatting… but Naruto was always the one to start the conversations… The two glanced into the sky, wondering what had happened to their blond friend.

"Think Kakashi would know where he is?" Kiba broke the silence.

"Probably," Sasuke said, both men stood up.

"To Kakashi's office?" Sasuke nodded in reply. The two rushed down the hall to Kakashi's office, although both would never admit it due to pride, but they were very worried over their friend. Sasuke approached the door and almost knocked, until a voice interrupted him.

"Excuse me, but Dr. Hatake is busy with a patient," said a female voice from behind them. Both Kiba and Sasuke turned to see a long brown haired brown eyed woman with glasses. Just by looking at her attire it was obvious she was one of the nurses at the asylum.

"Do you know when he might be done?" Sasuke asked her.

"I'm sorry, I do not. The patient he is with is very troubled. The patient even woke up very early this morning shouting. Poor thing, he looked so scared that he might actually be forced by Ky- oh wow my apologies! Please ignore what I have just told you! I-"

"It's alright, miss, will you please tell him we had a question?" Kiba interrupted, realizing whomever this nurse was she was the type who could apologize over nothing for hours. The nurse nodded and the two men left.

"Well she wasn't weird or anything," Kiba said sarcastically.

"Hn," Sasuke said in agreement. As the pair walked in silence they learned really how much they stunk at starting conversations.

"Naruto, please explain to me what happened when Kyuubi was telling you that he was going to kill Sasuke?" Kakashi asked. Naruto nodded then sighed.

"We were talking… he was upset that we hadn't been talking for a while… and he said he had to kill Sasuke because he was a threat. I refused and h-he…" Naruto trailed off. Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

"What did he do?" Kakashi questioned.

"He slapped me. With my hand… he's never… moved me before really while I was in control…" Naruto said looking down. Kakashi nodded. That was why Naruto was really worried. Normally Naruto was fairly good at not listening to Kyuubi when he told him to do something he didn't want to, and usually Kyuubi would give up on trying after Naruto completely rejected the notion. Naruto had come a long way, he used to do anything Kyuubi would tell him to, after all the voices seem so real and utterly convincing to most schizophrenic patients.

"That isn't… Kyuubi isn't my brother Kyuubi…" Naruto told Kakashi.

"Did you think he was?" Kakashi asked Naruto. Naruto nodded.

"Sort of… I thought he was some sort of form of Kyuubi… that's why I was talking to him… but now… he is not my brother." Naruto announced. "Brother was kind and would never kill the innocent, he wouldn't kill anyone!" Kakashi clapped.

"This is a big step for you Naruto, I'm proud," Kakashi told him with a smile that wasn't very visible through his mask. Naruto nodded but he didn't take his eyes off the ground. Naruto didn't feel like he took a step forwards. Naruto felt like he just got pushed to the floor. He still couldn't see his friends; Naruto was scared Kyuubi would take over and hurt them. No. He couldn't let Kyuubi hurt them. It took Naruto so long to get his friends, and now that he finally had friends he wouldn't give them up.

But I'm your friend too Naruto. Naruto tensed at the familiar voice, Kakashi noticed Naruto's sudden stiffness. I've been your friend the longest too Naruto. Remember how I defended you in front of everyone when the pinky was bullying you? One would think you would be grateful of such kindness.

"You're not real. You are part of my imagination. You are no friend of mine." Naruto said aloud to Kyuubi. Kakashi picked up a piece of paper and took a few notes.

How cruel. You just keep telling your best friend who has been here from the beginning that. I am real and there is absolutely nothing you or that Kakashi can do about it. I am your friend, I promise.

"You're not… not real. Not real." Naruto argued.

Not real? But Naruto, I am completely real. I am your creation. You can't get rid of me. You still need me. You have no one to depend upon without me. Sasuke doesn't even really like you. Neither does Kiba, or anyone. You are all alone. You only have me, no one else. Not even Deidara or Jiraiya.

"Shut it! You are not real, you are fake." Naruto repeated.

That is your argument? That I'm not real? That I am fake? What a laugh you can be Naruto. You do not have another argument. That is all you have to say. You have no other argument, you must realize I am real, and you are truly alone. They hate you.

"They do not and you are not real!" Naruto shouted at Kyuubi.

"Naruto, are you speaking with Kyuubi?" Kakashi asked. He was sure that Naruto was talking to Kyuubi but he needed Naruto to confirm it. This interaction with Kyuubi was much different than the ones before Kakashi had seen. Kyuubi usually had a calming effect on Naruto, but Naruto was just getting more and more upset. "Naruto, do not listen to him,"

What ignorance you have Naruto. You look in other's eyes but you avoid seeing their emotions in them. You're scared to see what they really think of you. Truly laughable. They know you are a monster. They know you killed your parents.

"No! I-I did not and you are not real!" Naruto said again. Kakashi tried again but Naruto was focused on Kyuubi's voice.

I do too, but I accept that. Unlike them I do not hate you. You are my little brother, I love you. I just want you to see the truth Naru. They hate you and all you can do is accept it.

All Kakashi could do was watch. He couldn't stop Naruto from listening, all he could do is watch Naruto hold his head tightly and watch him get worse and worse. Kakashi noticed Naruto relax.

"Naruto? Are you alright?" Kakashi asked patting him on his back. Naruto nodded.

"It stopped. Kyuubi isn't talking. He is resting right now, but he will be back later," Naruto said knowingly. Kyuubi always came back. No one could scare him away. Naruto sighed and put his face in his hands. Why? Why now was Kyuubi no longer caring what he had to say? Why wasn't he listening to Naruto anymore? WHY?

"Naruto don't worry. We will solve this and one day you will no longer hear his voice," Kakashi assured Naruto. Naruto nodded. "Naruto, is there anything, anything at all, that recently changed?" Kakashi asked. Naruto shook his head.

"None that I can think of," Naruto told Kakashi. Kakashi questioned Naruto for a while more than sent Naruto off to relax. He sighed, feeling frustrated at Naruto's sudden setback. He had been making amazing progress, especially comparing it to Naruto's time up in level five.

Normally there would have been something to cause a sudden change. Recently Rikka, Risa, Rima, and Karin had left. Could that be it? Kakashi shook his head, it couldn't be; Naruto was never close to any of them. Or could that be it? Risa had been in the asylum for two year and had been able to leave due to good friends, maybe Naruto thought that it was hopeless for him to leave now because he also had good friends now, but Naruto was still here. Kakashi shook his head once again, Naruto always refused to give up, and there wasn't any change in that attitude until their session early this morning. So what was it? Kakashi continued to rack his brain as he exited the room and headed for his office. As Kakashi walked into his office a familiar brunette stopped him.

"Dr. Hatake-

"Kakashi, I'm not a fan of formalities,"

"Well Dr. Kakashi then, there were two patients who wanted to have a word with you earlier while you were having a therapy session," She informed him. Kakashi nodded.

"If you remember who they were, would you mind bringing them here now to speak with me then?" Kakashi asked the nurse. She quickly nodded then clumsily walked through the places that the patients tend to gather, and found the pair outside under a tree.

"Excuse me, um, I apologize but what are your names?" She asked them.

"I'm Kiba and this is Sasuke, you're the nurse from earlier right?" Kiba asked. The woman nodded.

"Yes, Kiba and Sasuke, Dr. Kakashi asked me to come get you two so you could speak with him about what you wished to earlier," The girl explained. Soon the two boys followed her back to Kakashi's office.

"Thank you Nanami," Kakashi said dismissing her.

"You are welcome Dr. Kakashi, th-"

"Nanami, I am sure you have other work to be doing," Kakashi reminded her. The girl smiled and left the room. Kakashi sighed, "Sweet girl, but can be such a chatter box, anyways, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" He asked.

"What happened to Naruto?" Sasuke asked bluntly. Kakashi sighed once more. They didn't take their time to dance around the subject did they?

"For reasons I am unwilling to tell either of you, he has moved back to level five as of early this morning, he was not forced. It is truthfully neither of your business' so I will not tell you," Kakashi explained to the pair, which angered both of them. Why should Kakashi keep a secret like this from them? They were both friends of Naruto. Maybe they could help or something.

"You may be thinking that you can help him, but you cannot. Not in his current state of mind, and definitely not because although you are his friends you are also patients which means you may have a problem that will not help to say the least with his current problem," Kakashi said before quickly sending them out of his office. He was sure that no matter how well it may sound in some minds, chances were that having someone who was very bipolar interact with a schizophrenic whose other personality wanted to kill the bipolar wouldn't end well. Kakashi sighed. On the bright side, it couldn't get any worse…. Right?

To be continued

Nanami: Wow. I almost ended Naruto being in level five this chapter. Stupid for a climax like part of the story right? I think this may be my first chapter on this story over 3,000 words! Next I will be working on the chapters for Fixing What Is Broken and The Kitsune War.

Naruto: please review