This chapter will explain why Yu fainted in the previous chapter as a special guest will arrive just briefly in this chapter. Some of you have asked for it so I decided to add in the beach event to the story. I know that it is off from the original story in Persona 4 Golden, but I wanted to add a moment where the Investigation Team will see more of Naruto/Kurama's scars.

On a final note, I do not own Naruto or Persona 4.

"Persona!" normal speech

"Last Will..." demon/Shadow/Persona speak

"What the..." thought/ mind speak

Chapter 20: Victory Meals and Scars on the Sand

*Velvet Room*

Ngh…What happened? Yu thought to himself as he came to, Last thing I remembered was…! Yu jerked up, fully awake, to see that he wasn't in the Shadow World and that he was by himself…or so he thought. "Welcome, honored guest," said an odd looking man with a long nose, "Please relax, you are in no harm…as of for the moment." Yu saw that he was in the Velvet Room as Igor and Margaret were present as the limo continued its journey through the fog. "Igor…Margaret," asked Yu as his mind was buzzing with furious energy, "what happened?"

"Your mind and body had been burned out because of the power you had obtained through your adoptive cousin, The Hanged Man," said Margaret as both she and Igor looked at Yu with stoic faces, "You had simply overexerted yourself and simply passed out." Yu raised an eyebrow at that thought; he passed out because he was mentally and physically fatigued? "I know that you are still new at being a jinchuriki," said Igor with his voice sounding ever so curiously, "but know that you must be careful with this power. This power can easily control you as you can control it."

"What do you mean, Igor?" asked Yu as he could never understand Igor at most times, "I thought I had complete control, even with yours and Margaret's assistance?" Margaret joined in and said, "Yes, even though this is true, your power had somehow gained a new form but because of this, you must know exercise caution to how you use it." Yu was able to piece together what the two of them were talking about and said, "This is because of me being able to change Personas while in the jinchuriki form." Igor smiled and said, "You catch on really well as you and your friends had utilized this power to a new level thanks to The Hanged Man. But I must say this Yu Narukami…" Yu was actually surprised that Igor had said his full name as a chill ran down his spine. "With your power of the Wild Card combined with the power of a jinchuriki, you risk your mind and soul burning out of existence."

"So I can't use my powers as a pseudo-jinchuriki because I'll burn out my soul?" asked Yu with more defiance than fear in his voice. "I never said that you cannot use your power, dear guest," said Igor as a chuckle escaped his throat, "just to exercise caution when changing Personas while using this new power and let your mind recover at a steady pace." Yu relaxed, knowing that he just needs to be careful as a new question entered his mind.

"How do you know about jinchurikis?" asked Yu as a mysterious man with odd looking eyes soon appeared next to Igor. "That is because Igor here had helped me in defeating a powerful foe," said the man as he smiled, "It was thanks to him that I was able to create and use The New World Seal on the Juubi and separate its power into nine different forms." Yu was about to question who the man was before Igor said, "You best be getting back on track as your ordeal has not yet ended and I would actually like to talk to my old friend here. Until we meet again…" The man watched Yu vanish back into reality and said, "That boy reminds me of myself when I was at that age. Ah memories…"

*Dojima Residence; Yu's Room*

Yu slowly awoke to find himself in his room as Kurama entered to see Yu awake. "About time you woke up," said Kurama as Yu sat up and held his spinning head, "Easy there, you just woke up from a year-long coma."

"A YEAR!" said Yu with shock on his face before Kurama fell to the floor laughing. "At first I didn't want to do it…hahahaha," laughed Kurama as he held his sides, "but I couldn't help it hahahaha!" Yu got out of the futon and carefully stretched his body and asked, "How long was I really out?" Kurama slowly stopped laughing and wiped the tears from his eyes. "You were actually out for about two days," said Kurama, "We have a new homeroom teacher, Ms. Kashiwagi, and she will send chills down your spine the moment she starts the lectures. Also, Mitsuo Kubo is behind bars, so we have nothing to worry about now." Yu let out a smile as the whole deal with Mitsuo was over.

"Before I forget," said Kurama as he let out an apologetic sigh, "there's going to be a cook-off between the girls and the guys with Nanako being the judge. We all have to make an omelet and the cook-off wasn't going to start until you woke up." Yu actually knew that the cook-off was really a celebration in catching Mitsuo, but he couldn't help but feel the competitive energy of how Chie and Yosuke would argue on who would win. "I'll let you get your rest and tell the others know you're awake," said Kurama as he started out the door, "Anything you need because I'm going to Junes to get ingredients for the omelet I'm making." Yu listed off the ingredients that he would need for his omelet and decided to get a few more hours of rest after his cousin had left. Glad to see that things are going to be alright, Yu thought as sleep soon took over, ignoring that odd feeling that something was off.

It was a few hours later when Yu woke up from his nap and got out of the futon. After getting dressed, Yu headed downstairs to see the Investigation Team talking among each other before Nanako saw him. "Big Bro," said Nanako as she hugs Yu, "you're okay!" Yu sent a smile towards Nanako and asked, "Hey Nanako, you ready for some omelets." Nanako's cheer started the whole cook-off as different teams began making their own omelet with Teddie and Nanako sitting in the living room, waiting for the omelets to be brought to them.

"Well," said Teddie with a heavy mind, "Sensei and the others kept their word…there's no reason for me to stay here." Nanako saw how Teddie was acting and asked, "Are you leaving?" Teddie sadly smiled and said, "Sensei and the others had done their parts and I can relax, knowing that things will have calmed down." That was when Yosuke spoke up and said, "No way, you are an employee of Junes and you can't quit just because the deal we had is done." Yu stepped in and said, "Of course, you can make a promise with Nanako to play with her as Kurama and I will be busy from time to time." Teddie didn't know what to say as Nanako looked at him with a joyful smile and brightened Teddie's hopes. "Alright Nana-chan," said Teddie as he return a smile of his own, "I promise to come play with you when Kurama and Sensei aren't around…and if Yosuke allows me." Kurama looked back and saw Nanako and Teddie joyfully sing the Junes theme and silently thanked Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie for easing his mind about leaving Nanako by herself.

Everyone sat around the table as five plates of five different omelets were presented. Yosuke saw two of the omelets with a questionable look and said, "Maybe we should try the omelets…to see if we can keep them down." Everyone soon looked at Chie and Yukiko as if having second thoughts about their omelets. "Oh come on," said Chie with annoyance on her face, "This isn't about the curry is it?" The memory of Mystery Food X still hung in Yu and Yosuke's mind like a really bad itch before Rise said, "Then why not try mine first? I'm sure that my omelet will be much better than what those two had made for you." Yosuke was about to jump at the chance of trying the omelet made by Risette herself, but remembered that her boyfriend was sitting right next to him. "I'll have Kurama try it," said Yosuke as Kurama scooped up a small bite of Rise's omelet.

Naruto placed the piece of omelet in his mouth and immediately felt a burning sensation in his mouth as the spices in the omelet were trying to give him second degree burns in his mouth. "Wow *hack**hack* that is spicy *hack**hack*!" said Fox Kurama as he felt the spices in his own mouth, "What did Rise use *hack**hack* and…ugh…why does it taste like iron now?" Naruto also tasted iron as he forced himself to swallow the omelet from Hell that his own girlfriend had made. I should help teach Rise how to cook, thought Naruto as he felt fire and iron swim down his throat. "Before she actually causes you to shit lava," said Fox Kurama as an ill feeling crept up on both human and demon.

Yosuke and Yu soon took a bite and flinched at the amount of spiciness the omelet possessed. "We can't give this to Nanako-chan," said both teens as Kurama got himself a large glass of water. Kurama returned as Yukiko said, "Try mine now." Kurama didn't even dare try Yukiko's cooking as he watched Kanji take a large scoop of Yukiko's omelet. It was too late for Yosuke to warn Kanji as he placed the huge bite in his mouth, but Kanji soon got a confused look on his face and took another bite and then another bite. "Um, Kanji-kun," said Yukiko expectantly, "how does it taste?" Kanji thought for a bit and said, "It's…boneless?" Ignoring Yukiko's anger towards Kanji and the fox inside warning him, Kurama decided to take a bite along with Yu. The two of them were surprised that they weren't choking or vomiting only to find absolutely no flavor. "I think Kanji's right, Yukiko," said Kurama as he could hear the demon fox having a mental breakdown about how an omelet could have so many ingredients and yet taste like nothing, "Your omelet is more like oatmeal." It was only when Nanako took a taste of the omelet and said, "I think it tastes good."

Yukiko's bright smile was quickly dowsed as Chie said, "N-n-now try mine!" Both Kuramas contemplated on going for round two when Teddie took a scoop of Chie's omelet. "Wow!" said Teddie with a big grin on his face, "this is awful! Yosuke, Kurama, you've got to try this!" Not after what you said Cannon Fodder, thought Kurama as Yosuke voice his obvious reason to not eat the omelet. Yu tried it and then said, "Well…it's an improvement from the curry." Nanako tried it, much to both Kuramas chagrins, and said "This…tastes…good too." With tears in his eyes, Fox Kurama looked at Nanako from inside Naruto and said, "Nanako-hime…you are such a saint." Yukiko then decided to take a bite and began laughing. "Yu-kun and Yosuke-kun are right," said Yukiko as she controlled her laughter, "This is awful!"

Offended, Chie then said, "Then try Rise's as mine has to be better than her's." Accepting the challenge, Yukiko took a bit of Rise's and then immediately passed out. "As predicted," said Kurama before Kanji finished the sentence, "one strike." Before anyone could say a thing, Nanako took a bite of Rise's and her face soon became red. "I-i-it's spicy," said Nanako as sweat rolled down her face, "but it's good." Rise jumped for joy at what Nanako said as Kurama heard the demon fox talk about Nanako being a saint again.

Now for the final two omelets, Yu's and Kurama's, as the two creators silently knew that theirs were much much better than the previous three as Nanako to a taste of the remaining two. "They're both really good," said Nanako as her beaming smile shone brightly. Chie and Rise soon took a taste of the omelets and felt the firework of flavor dance in their mouths. "Foxy-kun," said Rise as she stared at her boyfriend, "this is really wonderful. How did you make this?" Kurama chuckled nervously and said, "Well you learn a few things when you're…you're on your own." Everyone cringed slightly at remembering that Kurama was on his own for almost all of his life. It was unanimous that both Yu and Kurama had won the cook-off.

After finishing the omelets, Yosuke had mentioned an upcoming festival as a means to get edible food and bring Nanako along with them. "The school has also decided to let students have a few days off to mourn for Mr. Morooka," said Kurama as the Investigation Team let out a depressed sigh, "We could try to take our mind off of his death with a trip to the beach. Either that or study." Although Nanako couldn't go with them, the other teens quickly agreed with going to the beach as a part two of their celebration of catching Mitsuo.

*Beach*

The day found the Investigation Team at a nearby beach after driving their scooters there while Kanji and Teddie used a bike and a pair of roller-skates as their transportation. Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie were waiting in their swim trunks as the others were still changing when Kurama appeared wearing a pair of swim trunks and a white sleeveless shirt. "Sorry for taking so long," said Kurama as both of his cerulean eyes and whiskered cheeks shone in the summer sun, "had to make sure that no one was getting free shows." Rise quickly tackled Kurama into a hug and said, "You need to relax Foxy-kun. I'm sure no one would dare bother us while my boyfriend was around."

Everyone talked how each other looked in their own swim wear when Kanji appeared…wearing black swimming briefs. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?" said Yosuke as Yukiko blushed and turned her head. "'s just a basic black," said Kanji, clueless about what Yosuke had really meant. "I wasn't talking about the color!" said Yosuke, still flustered, "I'm talking about THAT!" Kurama let out a sigh and said, "It's just a swimsuit…so what if it looks like briefs. He's not breaking any laws." Taking advantage of the confusion which Rise decided to get involved with, Teddie looked at Yukiko, Chie, and Yu and said, "Let's go you guys! We'll be mermaids!" After seeing Teddie run into the water, everyone else quickly joined in on the fun as a few of them played Marco Polo while a few of them hit a beach ball back and forth.

After a couple hours of fun, Yu, Yosuke, and Kurama stood on the sand and watched everyone continue their fun. "Uh oh," said Teddie as he crept around the girls, "seems like there's going to be a wardrobe malfunction." Upon hearing that, Kurama then ran to the waterline and said, "If I catch you causing a 'wardrobe malfiunction' on MY girlfriend, I'll turn you into a bear skin rug!" Kanji saw what Teddie was up to and wrestled him away from the girls and brought him to shore…only to not know something was missing. "AUGH DUDE/KANJI!" said Yu and Yosuke as they shielded their eyes from the sight. "What?" asked the unaware Kanji as Teddie got the worst view out of the guys. "My innocence," cried Teddie as he struggled to get free before passing out. Kanji decided to look down and quickly paled and said, "I was the malfunction! What do I do guys!?" Panicking, Yosuke ran off in a different direction while Yu quickly ran along the shoreline in hopes of finding a way to save everyone from the sight.

On a far off end of the beach, the Konoha ninja 'decided' to go to the beach in order to 'relax.' Tenten, Sakura, and Ino paled at the sight before them when Sasuke appeared and asked, "How's Naruto doing?" Tenten quickly handed Sasuke her binoculars and ran off, saying that she had to go disinfect her eyes for some reason. Taking a look, Sasuke soon paled at what Tenten was talking about while everyone else also watched the scene before them. "Thank Kami that Hanabi is not here," said Hiashi as he saw Hinata blush furiously to a new shade of red, "Forgive me Hinata."

Kurama then decided to remove his shirt as Yosuke and Yu returned with Yosuke holding some seaweed. "I found some seaweed so that…" said Yosuke before he saw Kurama's exposed chest, "…whoa." Yu saw Kurama's chiseled chest and suddenly felt less muscular before he saw the fist-sized scar that was upon Kurama's chest. "Here Kanji," said Kurama as he handed the teen his shirt, "Wrap that around you like a skirt until we find your swimsuit." Kanji quickly obeyed as he was also transfixed on the scar which had an identical twin on Kurama's back in the same spot. The girls arrived to check the commotion as Teddie woke up and they too were transfixed on the scars. Both scars showed much jagged roughness from what could have been a life ending injury.

"What?" asked Naruto as everyone stared at him, "Some guys in Hawaii wear skirts to the beach." Yu decided to break the ice and asked, "Where…where did you get those scars?" Naruto looked around him and saw what everyone was talking about. "Oh these," said Naruto as a melancholic frown appeared on his face, "To everyone, I somehow got impaled on a steel pipe and miraculously survived the whole ordeal. The real story about their origin is known by the Konoha-nin, who by the way are spying on us, and the Dojimas is that Sasuke Uchiha had used an assassination technique, Chidori, on me which created a huge gaping hole in my chest. Kurama had healed most of the damage both during and after the battle, but he couldn't finish when my chakra was sealed off by a Sasuke worshiper, creating these scars. Tsunade wanted to wait until the wounds were healed, but someone jumped the gun on that in hopes of killing me." The Investigation Team stared in horror at the fact that Naruto had been so close to death and yet somehow evades it with such closeness.

The Konoha-nin set down their binoculars as a depressing aura filled the air as everyone, even Tenten, had saw the massive scars. "I almost killed him," said Sasuke as he sat down on the sand, "twice. Why did I have to be an Uchiha? Why did Naruto have to suffer like that?" Kakashi was also kicking himself for being responsible for Naruto's near death and thought, Why did the Civilian Council make me teach Sasuke the Chidori? I'm so sorry Naruto…Minato-sensei. Too depressed to continue, the Konoha ninja packed their things and decided to head back to the Amagi Inn after changing.

The rest of the day had went from one awkward turn to another as Kanji found his swimsuit and then the guys explaining to the girls why Kanji had to where Kurama's shirt like a skirt. Everyone was heading back to their scooters in silence, still thinking about the scars on Kurama. "Hey Kurama," asked Chie as she felt uncomfortable about what she was asking, "Does…does Nanako-chan know…about those scars?" Kurama faced the group and nodded, much to everyone's dread. "Of course she knows about the scars as well as their origin," said Kurama with a slight chuckle, "No one could pry Imouto away from me for almost a month. She was so scared." No one could blame the little girl for knowing that someone had almost murdered their older brother. What bothered them more was that the one responsible as still around…trying to get Naruto to come back to them. "Naruto," said Yu as Kurama looked at everyone as they had fire in their eyes, "we promise that you will never feel such pain again!"

Kurama smile as he heard the silent vows within everyone and knew that he was with great friends who would always be there for him in his darkest times and make him feel safe. Kurama and the group rode off into the sunset towards Inaba as the fire shone in the sky was just as bright as the fires within their hearts. Fox Kurama felt the warmth and quietly said, "Soon, Kit, you will face your ultimate test and you must make a decision that will change your life forever."

What does the Nine-Tailed Fox have planned for Naruto as the former blond become more and more closer to the Investigation Team? I was wondering on what to do for another moment Naruto/Kurama would have with the Investigation Team until one of my followers had brought up the idea for the beach. It would be a perfect moment and I decided to give Naruto those huge scars on him. Don't forget to review as your opinions are always welcomed.

Ja Ne