Author's Note: Hello everyone, this is Badbutt94 coming to you with another chapter. Even though I have not been able to update as much as I want, I still receive plenty of people who favorite and follow this story. It brings me great joy to know that I still have people who are waiting and excited to see what will happen next. I would like to thank everyone who still and is starting to read this story's collection. I cannot promise how often I will update, but I am trying my best to have them come sooner than they have been. I am so grateful to have my readers staying with me through this story's journey. In addition to this, I can promise that this story's end is NO WHERE in site, I encourage my readers to please comment and review where you would like to. I know that some readers wait until the end of the story before they will review, but I would love to see and read more feedback from each and every one of you on these chapters. Do not feel pressured to review. But, understand that if you are waiting until the end to review this story overall, you will be waiting a long time for that day to come; which I am unsure that this is a good or bad thing.

On another note, this chapter will also contain the explanation of how the girls came to know about Naruto and Kurama. So, I hope that this does clear up some questions, if not, please feel free to message me and I will be happy to clear any confusion up. However, if you have any other questions about the story, please feel free to message me any of your personal questions and I will be happy to answer them within reason.

Now, without further ado, I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

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Chapter 10: Confessions of a Dead Man

Normal P.O.V.

"And, that should be the last box, Lady Tsunade," Sakura says as she stacks the last box of files against the bookshelf.

"Thank you once again, girls. I really appreciate all your help in keeping my office clean," Tsunade smiles as she moves to sit on the open window sill.

"I just don't understand how your office gets so cluttered every week when all you do is paperwork," Ino says while whipping her sweating forehead.

"You literally just answered your own question. I get overwhelmed with so much paperwork every day. It's a tragedy really,"

"Well, to be fair, Milady, you would not be so overwhelmed if you would just complete the paperwork when you're supposed to instead of drinking with Master Jiraiya all the time," Shizune giggles as she holds a stack of papers in her hands.

"Hey now, being Hokage is a stressful job. What's the harm in sneaking away for a few drinks every so often?" Tsunade lightly chuckles.

"Nothing, when it's every so often, not every day," Shizune rebuts.

"Speaking of Master Jiraiya, has anyone heard anything from in about the Akatsuki or Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asks.

"Nothing yet. He's in the field now though, gathering every bit of information he can though. He said that he would report back to me as soon as he hears anything about their movements," Tsunade sighs. "I just hope that he's alright,"

"I feel the same about Naruto-kun," Hinata sighs.

"Were you able to talk to him at all the other day?" Sakura questions.

Hinata slowly shakes her head, "No. I saw him coming out of the library the other night and he offered to walk me home, but we really didn't say much. I asked him how he was doing and how he was adjusting to being back home,"

"And what did he say?" Ino asks.

"He just said that he feels out of place,"

"Well that makes since. While both Sasuke and he were still in the village, they were together all the time. They were thick as thieves as some would call them. So, it's understandable that he's feeling out of place," Sakura chimes in. "I just hope that he'll be alright until we can get Sasuke-kun back home,"

"Do you think that it'll help if we told him that we know about his "secret"?" Ino questions.

"You girls haven't said anything to anyone since I told you, have you?"

"No Milady. We've kept the secret between us," Sakura answers.

"Good, its best we keep it that way," Tsunade says calmly.

"You don't think even telling Naruto would help him? I mean, it isn't like we're telling the whole village," Ino ask.

"We all know that if Naruto knew that more people know his "secret", then he would only do more to protect us. That boy already has enough going on in his mind. He doesn't need more stress on him," Tsunade replies.

"Why did you tell us Lady Tsunade?" Hinata questions.

"Well, I mean after you girls found that document about the Nine-Tails being sealed inside of Naruto, you wouldn't leave me alone about it. You three, especially Sakura and Ino, hounded me for weeks before I finally gave in. I knew that if I didn't, you girls would have just kept asking me so why the hell not. And, as long as you girls kept your promise not to tell even Naruto, then what was the harm," Tsunade says as she turns to face the window. "There are too many secrets in the world of politics. Although I do understand the reason behind it, I believe that there are just some secrets that should not stay that way,"

"Yeah, especially knowing the reason that our parents told us to isolate Naruto. It was ignorant of them to blame Naruto for the attack on the village. He was literally being born when it happened. To lose your parents and the love and respect of your fellow villagers all before you could even know what happened is just a tragedy," Ino sighs with her arms crossed below her chest.

"Especially knowing that you had to go through life alone while everyone around you isolates and hates you for something that is was not your fault. I can't imagine what it was like for him growing up," Hinata says quietly as she looks down while fidgeting with her fingers.

"Milady, if you don't mind me asking, did you ever figure out the reason for the Nine-tail's attack that night anyway?" Shizune asks.

"No, I haven't. I've been through every document I could find in the records room, but there's still something I am missing. I just wish I knew what it was,"

"Only the Third Hokage would know the answers, right? Do you know if he has a secret vault or hiding place somewhere in the tower?" Sakura questions.

"I don't know. My former sensei, Lord Third, held a lot of things secret for the sake of the village. Who knows if these records are even still around? Either way, maybe its best that we don't know," Tsunade gives another sigh before closing her eyes and taking in the light breeze blowing through her. "It truly is a beautiful day. Even with all of this turmoil going on, it's nice to know that there can still be peace in a time of war,"

"I just hope that Naruto is enjoying this moment of peace too,"

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"Damn, I'm exhausted," Naruto thinks to himself while lying in the grass and tries to control his breathing.

Above him, the puffy white clouds float gently pass him, casting shadows over his exhausted body. Naruto spent all day training to get his mind off Sasuke. For the past few months, all Naruto could think about was Sasuke. The raven haired feline's face, his touch, all the memories they shared when they were living peacefully within the village taunted him, making his loneliness grow over time. To combat his raging emotions, Naruto spends his time training with Jiraiya, Kurama, and anyone else who will indulge him. But, no matter how much he trains, he will never get Sasuke out of his mind.

"Are you finished for the day?"

Naruto lifts his head just enough to see a smirking Neji standing over him.

"Shut up, Neji. I'm never finished. I just need a few minutes and I'll be back to kicking your ass," Naruto pants heavily.

Neji chuckles at his friend before taking a seat next to him. "You've been training quite a lot Naruto. Is everything ok? Do you have a pressing matter on your mind?"

"I don't really want to know if I feel like talking about it," Naruto mumbles.

"Hn. If you say so," Neji sighs. The two of them do not say anything for several minutes before Neji breaks the silence. "It is Uchiha, isn't it?"

"What?!" Naruto quickly sits up I surprise at Neji's comment. "W-w-what makes you say that?"

"Hinata told me about her conversation with Sakura. She told me about your encounter with Sasuke. It must have been quite the experience,"

Naruto turns his head away from Neji with a dejected expression. "It wasn't like how I pictured our reunion would be, I can say that much,"

"What did you think? Sasuke would just come back with you without a fight? You know him better than any of us, did you really think it would be that easy?" Neji asks.

"… Kind of… I mean, I knew that it wouldn't be easy. But, I also wasn't expecting him to be under Orochimaru's influence so heavily," Naruto sighs.

"Do you think it can be broken?"

"I hope so. I mean, he has been under Orochimaru's control for a long time. I think it'll take more than just seeing each other for Orochimaru's influence to be broken. I just wish I knew exactly what to do to save him and return him home,"

"Well, I do not have that answer. But if anyone can do it, it'll be you," Neji grunts as he stands up. "I have to head back. I'll see you around Naruto. Don't let this consume you though. In time, the answer will make itself known. Good luck, Naruto,"

Naruto watches Neji until he disappears from his sight. Realizing that he is now alone, Naruto focuses on Neji's words and his encounter with Sasuke. Even though he knew that Sasuke was under the influence of Orochimaru, Sasuke seemed different. Sasuke had always been able to show people his detached side, but he could never hide it from Naruto.

"Could he have truly changed over the years? Could he have truly grown to be distant to even me? If that's the case, then it'll be harder to get through to Sasuke. He sure knows how to make my job harder. Ha, at least that hasn't changed about him,"

Suddenly, a cold wind blew through Naruto's core. It sent a violent shiver to the tips of his toes. Naruto slowly stood up and turned in the direction of where the cold wind is coming from. It is a warm day in April. And, despite the sun beating down on him, Naruto can feel the familiarity of this random coldness.

"You have some never showing your face in my village… Itachi Uchiha,"

In front of him, a flock of crows swarmed together to form the figure of the oldest Uchiha brother with his famous static facial expression.

"It's been a long time, Naruto Uzumaki. You've grown,"

"Save your patronizing words Itachi and get ready for a fight," Naruto says as he moves into his fighting stance.

"Please, Nine-Tailed vassal, hear me out. I assure you that I am here just to talk, nothing more,"

"Talk? About what? How you were a part of the group that almost killed one of my good friends for his tailed beast? Or about how I'm your next target? Well you can just tell the other Akatsuki members that they can come all they want. I will take all of you on and defeat you one by one if that's what it takes. I won't let you take Kurama from me. If I die, Kurama dies with me!"

"Don't speak for me son," Kurama chimes in.

"You're just as rambunctious as ever. Calm down, Naruto. I actually came here to talk about my little brother,"

"Sasuke?! What did you do to him?!" Naruto growls as he clenches his fists.

"Nothing has happened. At least not yet. There are so many things that are to come and you need to know,"

"What do you mean? What are you trying to tell me?"

"I can only assume that Sasuke has told you why he wants to exact revenge upon me?"

"You killed your clan and left him to suffer. It's reasonable why he would feel the way he does," Naruto glares angrily.

"He does not know the truth, nor does he need to,"

"The truth? What? So you didn't kill your entire clan?"

"That part is true, but the reason behind it is what he is ignorant to. Before you were born, the Uchiha clan was one of the most powerful clans in Konoha. We were revered and feared by both the people and all of the political figures both inside and out of the Leaf Village. But, sadly the power went to my clan's Heads. They discovered years before your birthday that we could us the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tailed fox demon and its vassal. With this discovery my clan devised a plan to use the Nine-Tailed demon and vassal to take over Konoha. The only problem was that with the current Nine-Tailed vassal, your mother, it would not have been an easy task. In order for them to commence their plan, they had to wait until she was in a weakened state before they could draw out the fox demon,"

"You're talking about the day I was born?"

Itachi nods. "My clan planned to use the Sharingan to draw out the fox demon from your mother while she was delivering you. It was a deviant plan and they needed to be stopped after they managed to complete the task,"

"So you mean to tell me that your clan is also responsible for the death of my parents and having The Nine-Tails sealed inside of me?"

"I am afraid so. I am deeply sorry for what you have endured because of the actions of my clan, Naruto Uzumaki,"
Naruto is speechless at the discovery of this new information. Even though he is angry, his body cannot move due to the shock of everything.

"I know that this is a lot for you to take in, but please allow me to finish what I have to tell you. After that incident and after the Third Hokage took the title again, both the Lord Third and the Council tried to tighten their surveillance by containing us in our compound. As time went on and I discovered more of the dangerous plans that my clan and father devised, I became an Anbu as well as a double agent against my clan. When I expressed my dislike for my clan's goals, I disregarded most of my clansman. There are a lot of other details that do not involve you, therefor I will not tell you. However, you need to know this. My clansmen's plans escalated to the point that they were planning to start a Fourth Shinobi World War. They needed to be stopped. The Council's head, Danzō Shimura, came to me with their final decision. They agreed to the complete inhalation of my clan, including Sasuke. I begged to at least allow them to let Sasuke live. Sasuke was but a young child when this took place. I told them that he had nothing to do with it, to spare him. They agreed to it on one condition: I had to be the one to kill them. If I did not, then Sasuke and I would have died that day. It was a hard choice to make, but if it meant that Sasuke would live even if he hated me, then I had to do it,"

"Itachi… why are you telling me all this? Why don't you just tell Sasuke? Maybe if you do that, then maybe you could save Sasuke and maybe the two of you could return home?" Naruto suggests.

"It does not matter if I tell Sasuke or not. He will not believe me and I deserve to be punish for the crimes I have committed. My entire life is dedicated to protecting Sasuke the best way that I can. These events have continued on for too long. And even if my brother were to believe me, do you honestly think that he would return to a village that caused his entire clan to be wiped out along with the misery he faced in his life?"

"No, I guess not," Naruto sighs. "So, what do you want me to do? I'm sure you're not here just because you wanted to have story time with me,"

"I do not have long to live Naruto. I am dying of Hemoptysis. It will take me soon, but not before I have to face Sasuke. He wants to exact his revenge upon me and I need to be punished for my crimes. This is my last effort to protect Sasuke. My hope is that when Sasuke kills me, then he will return to the Hidden Leaf and live in peace. Just be warned, if this were to happen, the two of you must never stop training. There are still three large threats to both you and the Hidden Leaf,"

"What are these threats?" Naruto asks.

"I already told you one of them: Danzō. As far as I know, he still remains on the Council for Konoha. I know that you are close to the current Hokage: Tsunade. It would do your village well to discuss this with her,"

"And the other threats?"

"One is named Obito Uchiha and the other is Madara Uchiha. They are the other two Uchihas left besides Sasuke and me. They plan to take over the country and make everyone in the Hidden Leaf pay for what they did. Soon the Hidden Leaf will reap what they have sewn, but it has to be up to the teamwork of Sasuke and you to stop them. I have no doubt that this will lead to the Fourth Shinobi World War, so be ready Naruto Uzumaki,"

"I'm sorry to hear that you are dying, but as for Sasuke, I don't know how to bring him back. I know you think that by killing you will bring Sasuke back to the village, but it isn't that simple,"

"… Naruto Uzumaki, answer me a question. What lengths would you go to save Sasuke? Would you do anything to have him back with you?"

"I will do anything I need to do to save him from himself. I know this may not be something you want to hear, but I love your brother with all my heart. I will find any way possible to have him back with me, even if it costs me my life," Naruto announces strongly.

This brings a gentle smile to Itachi's face. "It is great to see that there are still people like you here. Thank you Naruto Uzumaki, for everything you have done for my brother and Konoha. I hear that you want to be Hokage one day. I believe you will be an even greater Hokage than your father. I wish you the best of luck with your goals. Please continue to take great care of my little brother. I must go. Sasuke will be meeting me soon. But, before I go, I have something to pass down to you," Itachi uses a small kunai knife to slit his palm. He walks towards Naruto only to stop in front of him. With two of his fingers covered in his blood, Itachi draws a symbol on Naruto's forehead. "I have sealed some of my remaining power within you. I know how stubborn my otōto can be sometimes, so you'll need all the help you can get. Good luck, Naruto Uzumaki,"

Naruto nods to a disappearing Itachi with a bright smile on his face. "If it means anything, I think you're a good brother, Itachi. Thank you for all you've done for Sasuke. I promise that I'll take it from here,"

Naruto waits until Itachi is completely gone before falling onto the ground on his butt. The conversation left Naruto's head spinning with all the information and the new power he received. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his spin to his tailbone. Naruto hunched over and grunted in pain as he felt something happening behind him. With strained vision, Naruto turned around to see that another tail was growing next to his original one. Naruto's eyes widen when he saw two full grown fox tails protruding from the base of his spine,"

"What the hell?! Why do I have two tails?!"

"Oh calm down, kit. This is only natural,"

"Since when is it natural for someone to have two tails?!"

"It's natural when you are my vassal. Every time your power grows a "level", per say, you gain a tail. It's a symbol of power among the Jinchūriki. Think of it as a physical alpha status," Kurama explains.

"So how many tails will I gain?"

"Nine. You can only get as many as your demon has,"

"But, what about those who have less tails, like Gaara, the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, etc.?"

"Well for the Two-Tails and Three-Tails, they'll gain those tails. For instance, Gaara who still has ShuKaku, then his tail would have just increased in size while his strength increased, so it balances out,"

"But, even when I saw Gaara's tail after all of these years, it still looks the same from the day I met him,"

"That's probably because he already gained the strength needed to increase his tail's size. But, there are always new powers and strengths for a Jinchūriki to gain. As a Jinchūriki, you will continue to grow, but your tails while not. It doesn't mean that your power won't grow. Think of it as a physical representation of your powers,"

"Well I guess that makes since. I just hope that no one notices," Naruto thinks as he stands up and starts to walk off the Training Field, glaring when he hears Kurama chuckle.

"Don't worry, kit. They will… they will…"

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To Be Continue…