Well, this definitely puts a kink into our plans. Looking at Naruto, I was confused. "How? How did this happen? When I went to bed, my seal was still intact…and Kurama was my friend." My mind whirled with doubt. I thought he was my friend…but, perhaps he lulled me into a false confidence. Doubt filled me. Frowning, I stood and started getting clothed. "We have to go tell your father." Naruto stood, nodding as well, slipping on some clothes.

Stepping outside, I immediately sensed something was off. The normal hustle and bustle was gone. There was no activity outside. No one was out in the Leaf Village, even though it was at least nine in the morning. Looking over at Naruto, I could tell that he was uneasy as well. I could sense an…odd type of chakra…something I had never sensed before. It was muddled and I could not pinpoint anyone's chakra…not even Naruto's nor mine. Walking farther into the town, the Village looked…abandoned. Ichiraku's was open, but no one was there.

Stepping inside the empty restaurant, I cautiously called out, "Hello?" Silence was my only answer. Looking at Naruto, I frowned. Naruto went around the counter. Stepping back into Ichiraku's living area, there was nothing out of order…except that neither he, nor his daughter, were there. "What the hell is going on?" Naruto growled. I shrugged in confusion. Grabbing Naruto's hand, I headed out.

"We need to find your father." I reiterated. Hurrying to the Hokage Tower, I knew, as soon as we entered that something was deeply wrong. There was no one here. Hurrying to Lord Fourth's office, I stepped in, already knowing what to expect. When no one was in there, yet everything was in order, no sign of a struggle, I started looking around. "Let's see if there are any clues." My voice sounded grim as it echoed through the office. Naruto nodded as we started searching the office. I went to look in the adjoining offices as I felt odd rummaging through Lord Fourth's things. Naruto searched the office proper. After a few minutes, I heard Naruto call to me. Heading in, I stopped at the look on his face. "Naruto, what is it?"

Naruto looked up at me, holding a piece of paper in his hand, his eyes shimmering with confusion. "It's Kurama and Matatabi. They've trapped us in a soul dimension."

()()()

"I still don't understand." I said, for what seemed like the twentieth time as we sat down, staring at the note over some dinner. Nothing else was turned up during the search, and I didn't expect that it would be. Everything was in order…except for the people. There was literally no one else in this village. Retiring back to Naruto's home, I had started cooking some dinner. Upon sitting down to eat, I still couldn't wrap my head around it.

"Kakashi…it's like a soul prison, but different. Basically, they were able to break their seals in us. Of course, mine was easier simply because it was more of a voluntary seal. Anyways, they then sealed us inside of them…at least our souls. I think they are walking around in our bodies…" Naruto explained to me again, for the second time. He was just guessing as well, since the letter was short and to the point.

Kakashi. We've trapped you two in a soul dimension. I do not know how long it will be, but it will not be long. Trust me. Kurama

"I know that." I responded with a heavy sigh, staring at the chicken in my chopsticks. "But I don't understand why they did this. Did they want a night out? Are they planning to keep us prisoner here forever? I just don't understand why Kurama would do this without telling me." I felt my jaw tighten as I was unconsciously gritting my teeth in frustration.

Naruto shrugged. "I don't know the answers to any of those." Naruto looked unhappy as well. It wasn't that it wasn't nice to have some safe alone time with my sunshine love, but to be trapped…that knowledge of being prisoner, and the knowledge that we don't know what's happening to the Village and all the people on the outside…that is what was making us both unhappy. Finishing dinner, we went to the living room. Putting on some music, I stretched out on the couch, pulling Naruto down to me, his head on my chest, music on low. We lay there, the lights low, just listening to music and the sound of each other's breathing, until I fell asleep.

[Jerking awake, I noticed I was on the couch alone. Confusion rampaged my brain until I remembered what all had happened earlier that day. Sighing, I figured Naruto had gotten uncomfortable and had went to the bed to sleep. Flexing my muscles, I sat up, rolling my head on my shoulders to loosen my neck when I heard it.

"Gonna sleep forever?" I jerked my head up to the sound of that familiar voice, as I saw Kurama sitting on the floor across from me, in fox form, his nine tails swishing.

"Damnit, Kurama…what is going on here?! Why did you trap me and Naruto in a prison? What are you doing to the world outside?" Anger flared off me at seeing someone I thought was my friend. I knew he could sense my anger, because I could sense his sadness.

"We are only doing this to save you all the hardships you would have to endure. Each of you have endured so much…Matatabi and I wanted to help you." Kurama's voice rang with sadness in the still room.

I crossed my arms, hanging on to my anger, even though it was ebbing at the sadness seeping off Kurama.

"How?" I demanded, cautious, yet hopeful that perhaps Kurama had not double-crossed me.

"Matatabi and I locked you all here while we are fighting the war against Orochimaru and Pain. Minato, Sasuke, Itachi, Obito…they all know. Of course, they originally thought we killed you, since we showed up in our forms. Now, they are working with us...after a bit of…convincing. We are fighting." Upon closer inspection, I could see the cuts on Kurama's face that weren't healed. I forgot he could be hurt since he was mortal now.

"Are you winning?"

Kurama looked sideways. "Not really…but we aren't losing."

"Let us help. You need us. Let us fight beside you." I said, my eyes set.

"No. You both have been through so much, Matatabi and I just want you both to be safe and happy." Kurama looked at me. Never had I seen his eyes so sad.

"Kurama…how can we be happy if we know that our friends and loved ones are dying, and we can't help? Even without you in me, I have chakra; I have jutsus that can be used in battle. Please…" I stood and went over to him, kneeling by him and petting his head, "let Naruto and I out to help and fight. I know Naruto would want the same thing I want in this case. Besides…" I winked at Kurama as I asked jokingly. "If you did combine with me…wouldn't we be an absolute kickass team in full nine tails mode…whatever that is called?" I asked, rubbing his head gently.

Kurama let out a half smirk at my comment. "I'll see what Matatabi says. That is the best I can do right now."

I smiled and hugged him. "That's better than a no."]

Opening my eyes, I stretched, feeling a heavy weight on my chest. Realizing it was Naruto snoring, I adjusted the pillow under my neck and went back to sleep. I would tell him what I learned tomorrow.

()()()

I opened my eyes instantly aware that something was very wrong. If the burnt smell from the kitchen was any indication, Naruto was cooking. Getting up, I stretched, wincing at the way my neck and back protested at how I slept. Heading gingerly into the kitchen, I saw Naruto covered in flour, fighting with a pot on the stove. "Should I even ask?" I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed his neck.

Frowning, he turned, his blue eyes looking up at me through flour-covered lashes. "Probably not." He mumbled. Naruto had never been a good cook…there were just a few of his dishes I could eat, and even fewer that I enjoyed. Kissing his nose, I smiled at him. "Let me take a shower and then I'll make some breakfast?" Naruto's shoulders slumped, defeated, but he nodded yes. As I went into the bathroom to clean up, the warm water felt great on my body as I relaxed in the shower. Letting the spray hit my neck, I rested my head on the cool tile. I had to explain what happened last night to Naruto. Probably the best time would be while I was cooking breakfast. About then, I felt arms snake around my waist. "I figured I needed to get cleaned up too." I heard purred into my ear, Naruto's naked chest against my back, my body instantly reacting to that purr. Smirking, I turned around, kissing my imp. Breakfast and my news would have to wait…

()()()

As I broke the eggs in the pan, I cleared my throat. "Naruto…I spoke with Kurama last night." I tried to keep my voice calm, my eyes trained on the pan, but I knew there was strain behind my voice. I could almost hear Naruto tense up.

"How?"

"Well, I would sometimes go visit him in his soul prison when I slept. Seems he did the same to me last night. He told me that he and Matatabi had not done this out of ill will. It seems the world we know is at war and the two demons had wanted us to have some peace and happiness, out of harm's way." Yep, that was the most succinct way to put it.

"Out of harm's way? While the rest of our people are fighting? Are they nuts?!" Yep, Naruto was definitely reacting the way I expected. I winced and added the ham and onions for the omelets.

"Naruto, I truly believe their hearts were in the right place, even if they executed it badly. Kurama told me that your father is fine, as is Sasuke, Itachi, Obito and others. He and Matatabi stayed in their demon forms and were fighting alongside the Leaf." I stopped there hoping he wouldn't ask the next question as I plated the omelets.

"How is it going?" Naruto's damp hair was darker than the normal blonde I was used to, and somehow, it set off the agitation in his blue eyes more.

I sighed, sitting down. "About as well as can be expected. From what I could gather, there were casualties on both sides." Picking up my fork, I started to eat, taking a sip of my coffee.

"We have to get back. They cannot fight alone…they need all the help they can get! We still have chakra, we still have jutsus…we can help!" The fight in his eyes was undeniable.

"I agree." I told him. "And I told Kurama as much. He said he would talk to Matatabi and see…that was the best answer I could get."

Nodding thoughtfully, agitation thrumming through his body, Naruto started to eat. After breakfast and dishes were done, we both went to train, so as not to let our skills get rusty. Naruto's ability had consistently improved, and he bested me more than once. However, I had also improved, and it was not a one sided fight. Once we were done we stood in the clearing, panting. "Race you to the apartment? Loser has to clean up after you make dinner?" I asked. Grinning, Naruto nodded and got ready to run.

Suddenly, I heard what sounded like thunder from right above us. Jerking my head up, I saw the sky rip open with orange light, slamming us both back onto our backs. As I was trying to reclaim the air that was stolen from me, I saw Kurama coming out of the rip. "Kakashi…we have come for you. The situation is dire." Nodding I grabbed Naruto's hand and stood. As Kurama grabbed me, he ripped Naruto's hand from my grasp.

"Wait!" I cried, until I saw Matatabi coming for Naruto. As the world became a brilliant orange, I shrieked in pain as I felt the demon enter my body again, just as he was sealed so many years ago. As the darkness ate at my vision, I felt Naruto's hand in mine before unconsciousness claimed me.