Yo.
Shout out to my buddy Zeroexpo13 and his amazing story 'Hatred For Love.'
It's a NarutoxFairyTail crossover with the NarutoxErza pairing. Please give it a read and review, the guy deserves it.
On to the show.
No Matter The Costs, Whatever The Costs
A pair of large red eyes slowly opened, glassy with confusion, having difficulty in comprehending the owner's newfound consciousness. Slowly, the deluded, slited pupils became sharp and focused, before suddenly constricting in alarm.
"Gah!"
After releasing a surprised shout the Kyuubi all but sprang to its feet, its head moving around frantically, taking in the fact that it was now in a massive dark room, with a pair of gates keeping it caged on one side of the room.
The fox froze at the sight of the gates, staring at them in shock, before the events leading to its imprisonment came flooding back.
Its escape.
The masked Uchiha.
The assault on Konoha.
The sealing.
The Yondaime.
Everything.
The Kyuubi felt its temples began to throb from remembering the events, the fox grinding its teeth in irritation; in rage. The Kyuubi had absolutely no sense of time at the moment, utterly oblivious to how many bloody nights have passed since its last moment of awareness.
The Kyuubi growled angrily and stepped forward.
Slowly, the fox brought its arm up and pressed its hand against the barred doors and pushed.
The gates didn't even groan in protest to the pressure emitted from the Kyuubi's strength. Growling, the fox added more force and the gates still showed absolute no signs in budgeting.
The fox stopped before grabbing one of the bars and squeezed.
Not even a dent or a creak was made.
The Kyuubi suddenly rammed its entire body against the cage. The force of the collision shook the entire room and sent the water flying in waves away from the point of impact, the sound of the crash of the Kyuubi's massive frame against the gates was practically deafening and powerful.
The entire room was affected as it continued to tremble from the shock, however, the gates barley made a sound, nothing but a low rumbling of the bars as they still held strong and unmovable. Roaring, the Kyuubi rammed its body a second time, setting off another tremendous, ear-splitting shock wave from the impact, sending more water rushing away in a roar of waves as the room shook greatly.
The gates, however, only rumbled silently.
Snarling, the giant fox smashed its clawed fist against the bars in frustration one last time before finally relenting, its rage having only dwindled down slightly after its tantrum.
The fox cursed its situation, cursing being trapped and subjugated to a human host once more. It cursed the Yondaime, it cursed the village and all the humans within it. The Kyuubi cursed its clone especially, it cursed the clone heavily, and damned the Yondaime to hell.
"SEAL!"
"NOOOO!" The Kyuubi howled in rage and despair as its entire form became intangible before being forcibly suppressed and contained into the human infant, the sensation of being sealed felt like getting hit with a massive whiplash, like being spun around in a powerful suction of a hurricane, or a whirlpool.
It happened so fast, and once fully sealed into the small body the Kyuubi was left heavily disoriented. The strain on its psych was too much, not only from being sealed inside a small body, but also from having its power, its form, separated into two. In half.
The Kyuubi was delirious, its vision blackening with unconsciousness closing in as its eyelids became heavier and heavier. The Kyuubi shook its head in an attempt to stay awake, but it was in vain as its eyelids dropped lower and lower, its eyesight getting darker.
The Kyuubi cursed, then heard voices.
"The other one is coming."
"Oh, no." The second voice sounded panicked.
"There's no need to worry Kushina."
"W-What?"
"The clone won't harm one hair on Naruto, I will make sure of that."
"Minato, what are you doing?"
"I am protecting our son." Minato said firmly.
"Oh. I see," Kushina said, her tone understanding, "Are you sure that's going to. . .?"
"Yes. It has too. At least, until Lord Third. . ."
"Ok."
"Sorry, Kushina, but I need some of your chakra."
"Ok. Here. Now do it."
"Ninja Art-!"
The Kyuubi briefly lapsed into unconsciousness, missing the rest of the conversation between Minato and Kushina, and the former's casting of an apparent technique, because now it heard a different voice. A much deeper one.
"No."
Vision darkening tremendously, the Kyuubi was able to recognize the voice of its clone, then dimly felt a sudden spike of chakra and killing intent.
A small smirk tugged its lips back, the Kyuubi letting a out a weak laugh, 'That's it my clone. Kill the host, and set me free.'
The Kyuubi's eyes closed, hearing its clone roar and howl obscenity.
However, instead of piercing flesh, the last sound the Kyuubi heard was a loud thud.
The Kyuubi snarled, "Curse you Yondaime. And you, my stupid clone, you have failed me."
Speaking of the clone. . .
What the hell was it up to?
The Kyuubi narrowed its eyes and stared intently at the gates, frowning in concentration before its eyes flashed red and suddenly, the fox no longer found itself standing behind the cage, no longer staring at the bars of the gates. Instead, it found itself in a an area surrounded in forest greenery.
In the distance, a small port village could be spotted beyond the trees and branches, the sun's rays casting shadows among the wooden roofs and the dirt streets as night neared.
Through the eyes of its clone Kurama could see people still walking the darkening streets while absently noting by the village's appearance, itself and its clone are still in the land of fire, although, likely quite the distance from Konoha. Somewhere.
But where exactly are they? Why was the clone here? Why?
Kurama quickly became anxious when the clone had done nothing but stare at the humans from its perch in the trees, the Kyuubi's eyes flashing red once again before finding itself staring at a very dark, rocky surface.
Through the eyes of its host Kurama was severely more confused by this new terrain.
This was a cave it seemed, a very dark cave, and from the rather rough and pointy looking ceiling multiple droplets of water fell from the jagged edges above. Judging from the dampness, apparently an underground cave near water perhaps? Kurama could hear the soft rippling sound of water nearby over the child's whimpering.
Kurama snarled. There was no doubt anymore. Its host was still alive and breathing, left in some damned, wet underground cave by its clone. Kurama was beginning to grow angry.
Switching back to the clone's vision Kurama now found that the clone was inside the village, its eyes watching two women. One of them carried a baby in her arms. It took all but a second to realize its clone was stalking them. Why? What purpose does this serve?!
Kurama's anger increased tenfold at the actions of its clone. Then the fox heard the clone's thoughts as it continued to follow the women, and Kurama couldn't believe its ears. It simply couldn't believe what it heard.
The Kyuubi no Yoko just couldn't believe it.
"Awww, he's so cute!"
The woman gave a wide smile to her friend, "He is the cutest, isn't he?"
"I still can't believe you're a mom now Marissa. I know you're already thirty-"
"Cena. . ." The woman spoke warningly. She didn't like to be reminded how old she was getting.
The two women walked down the street of their village, with the mother on her way home when she came across her best friend, Cena, who had yet to see her one month old baby.
Grinning playfully, Cena merely waved her hand, "Sorry. But anyways, how is it being a mother?"
Marissa groaned, her face falling flat. "It's exhausting!"
"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad," Cena said with a cherry smile.
Marissa only shook her head, "You have no idea. This kid is driving me up the wall. Sure, he's asleep now, but at home he's a little monster. I won't go to far with details but I will say this: I am so sore."
Cena blinked, looking between the mother and the child in her arms, before settling on the former with a blush.
"You mean-"
"Every two hours he needs to be fed, again, and again, and again. My poor breast." Marissa moaned pitifully.
"Isn't it supposed to be painful only when their teeth grow in?"
"As I said, little monster. I think he's extra rough even when he doesn't have to be just to make me suffer."
As the two women continue to laugh and talk about motherhood they were unaware that they were being followed by a hooded figure in a gray cloak.
The figure had been stalking them for nearly a half hour, unnoticed by the two females. Under the hood was nothing but darkness, keeping the person's face from being seen by other passersby along the way.
Due to the hooded individual's statue, one would assume a male was under the robe.
Keeping a distance of a least twenty feet away from women the hooded stranger stopped when his two targets came near a crossroads and watched as the two paused at the middle to exchange farewells before going their separate ways.
Marissa hummed as she thought how nice it was to see her friend again. She looked down at her son who slept peacefully in her arms.
"Oh my little Katsu, you are soo cute." The woman gushed. "Today was really a nice stroll through our little village, wasn't it? I just hope Saito is back home from the docks, waiting for us."
"You think daddy will have dinner ready?" she asked with a smile before scoffing to the side. "Doubt it. I mean he does his best but. . ." Trailing off Marissa could only shake her head, not noticing the hooded figure walking less than three feet behind her.
As her home came into view Marissa hummed, "Almost there."
By now, Marissa was the only one on the street, it was close to dinner time so most people were already in their homes. She hoped her husband was too.
Still unaware of the danger on her heel Marissa adjusted her hold on her son who opened his eyes at the movement, the baby catching sight of a clawed hand reaching for his mother.
Just before the claws could graze Marissa's shoulder, the hand froze suddenly before quickly retreating back inside its long sleeve, the baby gurgling innocently as his eyes remained fixed on the cloaked figure until his mother finally stepped inside their home.
The figure in the gray cloak was facing a building, its head titled toward the big sign on above the doors.
CLINIC.
Staring at the sign, the hooded figure turned toward the direction of the mother's home, then back to the sign, before slowly walking into the building.
Looking around, the figure saw only a few people sitting off to the side of the main room, either waiting or filling out forms. Behind the main desk was a nurse who was reading through a bunch of other forms and papers. The only notable thing about her was her tightly braided black hair and her rectangle glasses. Moving toward the front desk the figure ignored the curious glances of the other patients, stopping before the nurse who sat up straighter in her chair and provided her full undivided attention.
She frowned in confusion, "May I help you?"
From the darkness of the hood, red slit eyes glowed ominously and she knew no more.
*SPLASH*
An empty bottle was thrown into the water of a cavern, sinking deep into the dark blue abyss within seconds. A low growl echoed throughout the cave, red eyes glowing in the dark before closing, a low throaty rumble sounding before all was silent.
The cavern was surrounded by small streams of water on the floor, all leading to a much larger body of water, which led to the entrance, and beyond that the deep blue sea. The entirely of the floor was made up of easy, smooth land with a few hard edges of stone here and there.
And on that space of land lied a monster fox with three tails, its head resting on its arms in a slumber, a small breeze from the entrance causing its orange fur to shift slightly as its low breath made small ripples in the surrounding water.
The Kyuubi's clone opened its eyes and sparred a glance at the spot where it threw the empty bottle, 'Better than the alternative I suppose.'
Gaze shifting to the now peacefully sleeping infant the clone gave a low snarl, the baby had finally stopped his blasted crying and whimpering.
The fox rested its eyes again and soon was lulled to sleep by the silence; its mind wondering back to how it got here.
Almost three days had passed since the night of the Kyuubi's attack on Konoha, three days since the Kyuubi's clone had ran off with the new jinchuuriki of the strongest Tailed Beast.
The clone had ran fast, utterly desperate to get far away from the village, not having a clue where it was heading as it practically blazed past many, many trees. Didn't care. It just had to get away. Far away. Fast.
Only once did it stop, for just a single moment. The clone had tried one more time to end the live of the Kyuubi jinchuuriki. It was meant with an utter failure and a complete waste of time. After that the clone zipped through the land like a deity of speed unbound.
The clone had passed by the port village without sparing it one glance, finding itself approaching a cliff at the far edge of the town.
The Kyuubi clone had sprung through the trees and leaped off the cliff without hesitation, falling down close to thiry-five feet before landing on ocean water; had been a second away from taking off toward the vast sea, when it noticed something on the the bottom of the cliff's wall.
The fox had paused, turned around, and found a small opening inside the rock wall. The shape was acute and jagged; best described. The size was smaller than an average human but bigger than most things as well. The clone hadn't wasted any time upon seeing the opening.
After it adjusted its hold on the infant under its arm, the fox's form had shrunk down drastically to the size of an above average dog, then approached the entrance.
The fox's attempt at going into the hole was proven rather difficult the first time, mainly because its size had been still too big, and the infant in its grasp had been getting in the way when the fox tried to go in torso first.
Reducing its size anymore would have been counterproductive because then the fox would have been unable to hold the infant correctly.
So the fox had brought the wailing infant up to its mouth and placed the tiny jinchuuriki in-between its razor sharp teeth, its jaws locking lightly as humanly possible so the infant wouldn't fall out of its mouth, or get severely punctured.
Then the fox forced its way inside the cliff wall head first, with the crying Naruto in its mouth; blanket and all. The image of the three-tailed demon fox with the baby Naruto in its mouth would've made anyone have a new love of almighty Kami-sama scared right into them.
The clone ran its eyes over the cavern and found a patch of land beyond the body of water at the opposite side of the underground cave.
After having analyzed the cavern the fox quickly trotted forward, the water decreased and lowered into small streams, a multitude of them completely fanning out the cavern's only piece of solid ground; the whole segment damp as a result, as well the entirety of the cavern.
Rather carelessly, and quite roughly, the fox had placed the infant on to the ground on the driest spot on the piece of land. The clone didn't have time to ponder on its thoughts before its next course of action was quickly chosen as Naruto kept crying.
The Kyuubi clone had presumed him to be hungry and quickly backtracked its way to the port village.
Which led to the current present; the Kyuubi's clone and the Kyuubi's jinchuuriki resting side by side; a large supply of bottled breast milk set off next to them.
On the contrary, the Kyuubi clone was not resting to regain stamina, no, it needed to think. It was highly unlikely it and the jinchuuriki could stay in the cavern for long. The fox did not know when exactly, but perhaps sooner than it liked, Konoha would be coming for the host and itself.
The clone had to find a place, a location, that had no human civilization whatsoever, in the past or present. Someplace, where no human would have any form of knowledge of; a place not marked in any map. At least, until the Kyuubi says otherwise. Or if Konoha was already on its trail at this very moment.
Too many factors were obscure and too many courses were uncertain, unnecessary even; ones taken or have yet to take. The clone needed Kurama to guided it, until then the clone was at a loss on how to proceed further.
So, the clone waited; asleep. But not for long.
Its rest was abruptly disturbed by a thunderous shout.
"WAKE UP!"
The clone's red eyes snapped open and the fox stood up with a startled hiss, the fox finding itself in a massive dark room.
Looking around the fox saw that the ceiling was an endless void and the room had plenty of space for a being like itself to move around in. In fact, like the ceiling, the room seemed to go on forever, nothing but blackness behind it.
Padding the water the fox growled at the odd color, the water only deep enough to submerge its clawed fingers. However, the change in scenery no longer held any concern when massive gates came into its view.
The fox's eyes widened when a much, much larger fox emerged slowly from the shadows, its own red eyes staring down at the much smaller fox.
The Kyuubi towered over its much smaller clone and stared it down with its immense eyes.
The clone spoke, "Kurama."
The Kyuubi was silent and gave the smaller fox an impassive look.
Finally, the strongest Bijuu spoke, "What do you think you are doing?"
"Are you aware of the situation?" The clone inquired.
"Situation." Kurama repeated, narrowing its eyes, "You mean my current situation of once again being trapped inside another host? Something that you should have prevented in the first place? Yes, I am VERY aware of the situation."
The Kyuubi's voice grew louder, "I am also aware that YOU'RE the cause of this situation, because you have failed to uphold in the obligation as to why you were created in the first place. You have failed to kill the Yondaime, you have failed the purpose of your creation."
The Kyuubi snarled loudly before letting out a low growl, "Yes, the masked Uchiha was unanticipated in the whole endeavor but after we were freed from his damned ocular powers you should of stayed by my side after finding me, and kill the Yondaime at all costs so he wouldn't make an attempt like this again."
"But no, you were busy dancing around with an old monkey!" The Kyuubi roared before practically exploding in fury.
"YOU HAVE FAILED IN SLAUGHTERING ALL THAT THREATENED MY FREEDOM, INCLUDING THE YONDAIME! YOU HAVE FAILED ME! YOU HAVE FAILED THE VERY FOUNDATION OF YOUR EXISTENCE YOU PATHETIC LITTLE-"
"I meant after." The clone said carefully, void of emotion, showing no outward response over the rightful anger of its creator, but very much aware of how truly angry the much larger fox was at its current. . .placement.
The Kyuubi paused before speaking again, its tone eerily calm with malice and danger dancing behind it.
"Oh. Like when you were planning to nap that human for her breast milk? No, not entirely." The Kyuubi replied slowly before continuing curtly, "Explain to me, why did you steal all those items from that. . .establishment? Why did you get those things? Why is the host alive? Why are you keeping the human alive? You tell me why?" Kurama snarled, its tone in the last sentence critical and implying.
Finally, emotion appeared in the clone's eyes: shame and uncertainty, "I wasn't sure what to do after the sealing, you were unconscious, so I was forced to act independent to ensured that the humans didn't have possession of you. But you were still unresponsive, so I've merely taken measures in order to communicate with you when you have regained-"
The clone was cut off by its creator, "The answer is obvious. You didn't need to have confirmation from me, it should have been done on the spot," Kurama said coldly, "Dying would've been a small price to pay, I would've eventually reformed many years later. You didn't need to keep him alive."
Kurama frowned heavily, "You know this, and you were meant to kill all who threaten or oppose my freedom. At that moment, what stopped you from doing just that? What stopped you? Tell me."
The Kyuubi's clone only said one thing, "The Yondaime."
Kurama hissed in confusion and anger at the mention of the late leader of Konoha before lowering its head to better meet the clone's gaze and growled, "You have LOTS of explaining to do, you stupid little imbecile."
"Look into my eyes," Kurama's eyes began to glow a bright crimson red, "Show me everything."
The Kyuubi's clone raised its head slightly and its own eyes glowed brightly as well, "Yes."
Konoha
Two weeks.
Two weeks have passed since Konoha was assaulted by the Nine-Tails. Two weeks since the monster took countless lives, caused utter destruction and mayhem. And it had been two weeks for Konoha to heal and rebuilt, to recover from the damage, and mourn the heavy losses.
Two weeks of utter, continuous chaos that was just getting started. There was so, so much more recovery, and healing, rebuilding, and mourning Konoha had to go through now after that horrible night. So, so much mourning.
Sarutobi was currently sitting behind his desk in his office inside of the Hokage Tower.
Huh. His desk. His office.
There was a time when he thought they would never be called that again, after so many years of barring the position, after finally passing the hat on to someone else, Sarutobi had thought he would never sit behind this desk again, in this office, and calling them his.
And, if by some chance that he did step foot inside this office again, Sarutobi wouldn't be calling it his, he would be calling it Minato's.
For a very long time. Til the end of his days.
Alas, that was not the case anymore. Because Minato was dead. He died to protect the village, like a true Hokage. He'd done his part. He saved everyone. He protected everyone.
Many lives have perished that night, the night of the Kyuubi's rampage, but if it weren't for the Fourth Hokage, Konoha may have very well been wiped off the very face of the Earth.
But, even so, things should have been played out differently.
The old man had seen plenty in his lengthy life, he had seen many things, more than enough. His time as the Hokage was over. Minato's time, however, was only just beginning. It was his time to lead the future of the village just as he had done, along with the predecessors.
That time was stolen away from Minato, his future had been stolen right from under him.
If only they could have traded places somehow, have their roles reversed, where he died instead of Minato. Sarutobi was an old man now, Minato was someone that Konoha needed, someone that could offer much more to the village than he ever could at his frail old age.
It was because of old age that prevented him from helping Minato in his time of need. It was because of old age that Konoha suffered that night, suffered from the loss of their hero. It was because of old age that prevented him from making it in time; sacrificing his old body in Minato's place.
It was unfair. Minato should still be alive. Not him.
Sarutobi turned his tired eyes to the window behind him, his gaze becoming lost in the gray clouds that made the world dark, dull, and cruel.
Sarutobi had failed that night. Twice.
Visions of a roaring three-tail monster fox came to his mind. Sarutobi wasn't able to kill the clone of the Nine-Tails, the demon was too fast and too strong, and he let the fox escape before he could even attempt to seal it. Next, he quickly pursued it once realizing the direction of the clone's path. The sealing area of its original. And Minato.
Sarutobi hadn't ran so fast in his life, not in a very long time at least, because he knew what Minato had done, he just knew, because Minato would do any thing for the village. That was why Sarutobi knew he had to get there before the demon.
But he just wasn't fast enough.
Minato was found dead with his throat slit by claws. And the baby. . .dear Kami, the baby. . .
If what Kushina had told him during her last moments true, then their child is quite possibly still alive. Although, despite that, with the infant in the hands of the demon, its life. . .its fate. . .Kami only knew what the demon planned to do with the baby; since Minato made it so, that the demon couldn't kill it.
The fox could be hiding anywhere with the poor infant. The poor, poor thing.
That is what's eating him the most. He wasn't able to make it in time to stop the demon from taking Naruto. He had failed in protecting that innocent little life. Sarutobi will never be able to forgive himself for that.
It didn't matter to him that Konoha lost a weapon, the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, what mattered to him was they lost a new leaf. He lost a new leaf; one that may never bloom. At least, like the others.
Maybe if he had tried harder. . .if he had just been stronger. . .faster. . .maybe. . .if he had been there. . .if he had been there. . .
Sarutobi closed his eyes in remorse.
If he had been there, maybe he could've done something.
Images of the roaring beast flashed through his mind again, followed quickly by Minato's unmoving body, to the bloody slashes on his throat, and lastly, the empty ceremonial crib. And traces of bloody claw marks.
Sarutobi whispered, "Maybe I could've done something."
"So. . .that's how it is. Huh." Kurama said calmly after the two demon foxes have exchanged their memories of what happened, the many, many gaps now filled with the horrible truth for both demon foxes.
The clone said nothing and simply stared at its creator, now noticing for the first time the drastic change in the Kyuubi's size. Before, the clone barely pass Kurama's wrist, now, the smaller fox's height went up to Kurama's navel.
To think the Yondaime. . .was able to strip, separate, so much of Kurama's power.
The clone spoke, "I am sorry Kurama. I tried everything I could, but it is useless. I don't have enough power. However, I'm sure it won't protect him from natural causes. I'll let him starve to death, if that is your wish. I'll hide until your revival, then we can become one once more. State your order, and I'll leave the host to die in this cavern."
The Kyuubi remained very quiet.
The clone was confused at its creator's lack of response, "Kurama?"
The Kyuubi then did something that surprised and confused its clone. Kurama simply stepped away, stepping into the darkness of its confides without a word, leaving the clone at a loss.
"Kurama," The Kyuubi's clone called, a desperate edge in its voice, "What do you want me to do?"
.
.
"It is tiring, seeing humans subjecting the Tailed Beast, using our powers for their greed, their endless greed; watching them doing anything for power, our power, and putting us on leashes in our every waking moment. It is tiring to watch them cage us and use us, by any means. Whatever the cost." Kurama whispered.
"Minato proved to me, for the last time, that humans will do anything to control us, willing to go to such lengths. No matter the cost."
"Clone, let me rest for now. It is. . .tiring. . .fighting them. . .all the time."
With those final words, the Kyuubi's clone was back in its dark cave, alone with the sleeping infant to reflect on Kurama's words.
The fox lowered its head.
If it had just been stronger things wouldn't have ended up the way they are now. If it had been faster, better, maybe. . .maybe. . .if it had just tried harder, if it had just been stronger. . .
Briefly, the clone's eyes held pity for the small life that lied by its clawed hand. The infant was just another victim of humanity's cruelty and their obsession to obtain power, whatever the cost.
Despite everything, the demon could see that much. Clearly.
'Maybe I could've done something.'
Just then, little Naruto's eyes opened before letting out a whimper.
The Kyuubi clone snarled before rearing its arm and brought its claws down in a heavy strike.
Red.
.
"No matter the costs, huh."
Grunting in annoyance, the demon reached for a bottle of milk stationed next to many others and thought bitterly,
'I could've done something.'
Six years later
"Dad?"
A small boy spoke curiously at the horse sized monster fox, the demon stopping in its trek to glance at the four year old.
"What is this island?" The boy asked, his blond, spiky hair shifting as he titled his head.
The creature growled out, "Never you mind. It is of no importance. Just know, we will remain here for a long time. Years. That is all."
"Okay." The boy said rather meekly, averting his blue eyes to the ground as he followed the fox from a short distant through foliage. He and the creature were walking along the edge of the island, just further past the shore line, the two of them slightly obscured by trees and large plant life as the demon led the boy deeper into the mass of greenery, traveling a sharp North-East on the island's perimeter.
The boy remained quiet for awhile, obediently following the demon fox he called his father as it effortlessly climbed over the small rock formations along with the foliage. The boy had a little bit of difficulty moving around in such a place. He wasn't used to so much traveling either.
After all, for as long as he can remember, he had lived with the fox in a dark cavern. He was taught to read and write in that cave, with the little light provided through the cracks in the rocky ceiling that is.
He was allowed outside on top of the cliff structure hidden amongst the many trees, but other than that, the boy practically had no experience with the outside world, as he was never allowed to go beyond the forest point surrounding a large part of the cliff side.
The fox had provided him knowledge through its own experience, along with the help of books.
Although, it helped little, given that the demon only provided general and basic information, because of that it took some doing for the young boy to stay focussed in following his father, rather than stop and stare in awe at all the tropical sights the island provided.
The monster fox had said that this island would be there home. A place they would be staying at for a long time. He didn't question the fox because it felt. . .nice, being out of that cave, and the thought of never returning made him happy.
He had felt trapped living there. Caged.
The fact that they'll be out in the open all the time made the boy smile.
However, the boy did have one growing theory as to why the demon fox had decided to move them from the cave after so long.
And the boy suspected it had a lot to do with that thing he learned to do a week ago.
With his chakra.
The fox stopped and stated calmly, "This is far enough."
"Huh?" The boy blinked, broken out of his musings, and finding himself in the center of four small rocky hills with lots of greenery growing on them. The hills were stationed in four corners like a square, two in front and two behind; a good hundred yards separating each structure in their placements.
The boy looked around and saw small streams and small bodies water that surrounded the structures in the center, from which he and the fox stood.
The nature and the scenery of this part of the island were rather nice to look at, however, the fox snarled at the boy, "Listen. You will remain here."
The boy exclaimed, "Why?"
The fox only responded by roughly pushing the boy toward the nearest hill with its clawed hand, the boy exclaiming in surprise as he found himself pushed close to the stone hill, right into its corner where a small wedge stuck out, and beyond the corner lied the wild blue yonder.
"Hey!" The boy shouted, nearly losing his balance and falling into a small puddle when the fox pulled away its hand. He was silenced when the fox began speaking, "You will not move and you will stay near the shore line here. This island is a little abstract. I will need to get a better sense of the geography of this island. It shouldn't take long, you will stay here."
"Okay." He answered, not fully understanding, but the fox could see he understood enough. Always just enough. Now to see if there are any humans living on this island, and eliminate them.
The fox turned to walk deeper into the terrain but briefly glanced at the boy one last time, "Naruto,"
"Hmm?" Naruto titled his head slightly but began shifting his feet nervously when the fox sneered its fangs,
"For the last time, do not call me dad."
". . .okay."
The Kyuubi's clone turned forward before stomping off into the forestry, disappearing from sight.
Naruto quickly got comfortable, sitting down on the nice dry ground with his arms wrapped around his knees, probing his head up. He signed in content, all but loving the feel of the warm sun on his face and body as he enjoyed his chance to relax after having endured much traveling.
He was not bothered by the cold, dismissive reaction he received just now when he addressed the demon fox as 'dad.'
Was not the first time it happened. Naruto did not know why. He did not understand the scorn he received wherever he called the fox that word.
It confused the young boy, after all, the monster fox had cared for him for as long as he could remember. It fed him, taught him things, and made sure he was safe and hidden from bad humans.
The Kyuubi clone had done everything for him that defined the very meaning of the word. Because of that, Naruto would called the demon dad on lapse.
Each time was meant with a snarl and a show of teeth.
Naruto didn't mind.
But Naruto just didn't understand.
He knew that the fox was not his real dad, he knew the fox didn't bring him into this world. Even so, the Kyuubi's clone was the only parent he knew or have ever known.
So, the boy would call him dad, until he was given a reason not to.
Naruto sat quietly and patiently waited for the Kyuubi clone to come back, and he knew it would be back.
It always was.
Note: Naruto is SIX years old.
I'm a little nervous on how I wrote this chapter, so I hope I've met ALL of your expectations for the potential this story idea has.
I hope I've described the settings well enough, and the interaction between Kurama and its clone. Plus the psychological tones and emotions of every character.
Hope everyone was satisfied.
One last thing, I plan to give the Kyuubi clone a name. Calling it 'it' or clone throughout this whole chapter has been annoying.
I have there names in mind, but I'm open for suggestions if you guys wanna share.
More to come soon, and more explanations next chapter, and then some.
Tell me your thoughts, please review :-)