So, another chapter that I had already written. I'll update later this week with another chapter, at least, as soon as I clean it up a bit. Not a major editing job, like I've already said, but at least making it a little more presentable.

kaoru_ai


Ch. 10

Here Naruto's dream ended, leaving him with that odd feeling of intruding in a conversation, of being unneeded. He shifted a bit on the ground, opened his eye and started to mumble.

"K…Kyuu…"

"I'm here, Naruto."

"Ah! Kyuu, why are you so close? Why are you holding my hand?" He looked around to find himself still in the clearing and with Kakashi next to him as well. "Why is Kakashi-sensei here! Kyuu, let go of my hand. What is going on? Why are both of you so close?"

Kakashi backed off a bit and turned away. What did I expect? He hardly knows me, why should he think of me?

"Your sensei," began Kyuubi, and Kakashi turned around again, worried, "was walking through here on his way to go train, I believe, when he saw us. He wanted to wake you with some sort of trick or prank. I was merely trying to wake you up before he succeeded; you should be grateful, who knows what kind of nasty surprise your sensei would have used."

7 years prior, continuing the Hokage's visit to Naruto

After another moment of awkward tension in which Naruto slipped his shoes on and left, the Hokage looked out the window, saying tiredly, "Then, what is it you want exactly?"

"Well, I don't really know. Other than stay with this boy and help him, I don't know. To me, only Naruto is important. He's the only human who makes a difference to me. Do you understand? He's not perfect, but he is honest; he is sincere in what he wants, in his appreciation for what he has. His preoccupation is nonexistent. I want to stay with him to see the type of person he becomes."

The old Hokage puffed in silence again, then, "Well, I don't think that would be the best idea. Naruto is just a boy and you, well, the tailed beasts have never been known for their trustworthiness and care. We can give him the proper care he needs; we just need the opposition against him to be lessened and then he will be a truer member of Konoha."

"Oho, and this living alone is proper care? Rare visits and limited affection are proper care? And when exactly do you expect the 'opposition' against him to be lessened? In five years? Ten years? In his lifetime? I would be with him every day. And pardon me, Hokage-san, but even beasts care for their young until they can stand on their own, in a way that is nothing like Konoha's pathetic excuse for custody."

After a considerable silence the Hokage answered, "You're right; there is no way to tell how long it will be until Naruto is accepted and recognized. But I cannot leave him in the care of a being that nearly destroyed Konoha! That would be the most improper option of all! You could be lying and not care at all for Naruto, you could be waiting to use him, mislead him to believe you and follow you. How can I possibly let you stay in this village and with this boy!
The way he lives now he is safest! There is no real physical harm that comes to him, he isn't attacked—"

"No, not openly, he's not. There are looks, there are whispers which can hurt more than physical attacks and certainly do more damage. The trust he has will probably be impaired if this goes on much longer. I can show him kindness; I can give him the care he needs, without restrictions, without conditions. But don't ignore his needs because of your misplaced fear and suspicions!"

Sandaime Hokage was surprised to see the Kyuubi looked flushed. The old man was reluctant to believe that the being actually cared for Naruto and would be genuinely sorry at their separation. He tried to come up with several conclusions that might help him decide the course to take, the best outcome to pursue.

He closed his eyes and continued to deliberately puff on his pipe for several long minutes. After what seemed to Kyuubi an interminable amount of time, Sandaime Hokage opened his eyes and looked Kyuubi full in the face, exhaling another wisp of smoke.

Slowly he opened his mouth, "Naruto will not be placed in your care."

Kyuubi narrowed his eyes and was silent for some moments. He shut his eyes carefully and then shouted, "But why? Clearly the best option for Naruto is to stay with me! Why can't you see that? I don't want revenge, I don't want to spirit Naruto away with me for whatever pathetic things you think I'm plotting. I want what's best for him! What do I have to do? Let myself be bound again? I don't think that will be as effective as the first time, and that would still leave Naruto without a suitable guardian, though no doubt it would be better than you casting me out of this little village altogether. What will it take? Do you want to imprison me in your torture chambers? Do you want me to give you demon beast secrets, hmm? What?"

"That's not an entirely bad idea…Ibiki could use a subject like you, probably. But, no, that won't be required. I don't see the purpose in gaining 'demon beasts' secrets.' Forcing you out of this village is what I should do. Then everyone would be safe, wouldn't they? I think…that I will need more time to decide what to do about Naruto's situation. In the meantime, he will leave this apartment and stay with me in the Tower. You will be sealed within until I've reached my decision. If you decide to attempt to break the seal, you forfeit any claim you might have had on Naruto's welfare, is that understood? If you decide to attack the village, we will resort to drastic measures. I've had people researching better seals for some years now and some interesting options have been found. Are we clear? I will take Naruto directly from the ramen stand."

"What about his belongings, his clothes? He doesn't sleep comfortably alone, you know, he should have something with him," Kyuubi protested.

"I will send someone over for whatever clothes are necessary. As for the sleeping arrangements, I'm sure that a solution will present itself; I still have many toys from when my son was a child."

"But—"

"Enough!" Sandaime said, standing. "This is my decision as Hokage. You will hear from me when I reach a decision," and with that the old man walked out.