Please note: Naruto is SIX years old

Enjoy.

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On to the show.

(I don't own Naruto, or the image above)

A Rude Awakening

Naruto stood silently in the middle of a quiet forest, watching curiously as a group of ants made ttheir way up a tree trunk, leaning closer toward the bark to get a better look as they scurried up and down. He looked down and found even more ants scurrying on the ground near the roots, a trail of them leading back up the length of the tree.

It was intriguing for the six year old to watch them climb and do. . . .whatever it is they are doing. What are they doing anyway? Ants are weird.

Naruto sighed, losing interest in the ants before looking forward toward the direction of a village that lied a few miles away. He couldn't see it due to the density of forestry, but Naruto knew that a small village lied beyond the trees. The demon told him that was where it got food for him.

And the fox told him to never go near the village, never go near other humans.

Stay hidden in the forest. Never go beyond the forest line.

Naruto obeyed. He always did. He had been told humans wanted him for the power he possessed. The demon had told him, they would use him like a weapon and imprison him.

He was told he was a Jinchuuriki, whom are host for the great nine chakra monsters of the shionbi world, the Tailed Beast. And the one sealed within his body was the strongest of them all, the Nine-Tailed Fox, the same beast that had spawned the three-tailed horse-sized fox he'd known all his life.

Naruto hadn't been sure how to react to that other than accept it as fact; a conventional fact. How else could he? He was just a kid, and children often believe things at face value, and blindly follow their parent's words. Plus, Naruto was as innocent as they come, despite being raised by a demonic chakra monster, so their was a low probability he would be capable of foreseeing or understanding the befallment on those that were weak and lack power at the mercy of those that do, much less a jinchuuriki. All Naruto saw of the world was the beauty in it, rather than the evil and darkness lurking behind every corner.

Ignorance was bliss, as they say. And that was Naruto's life.

The Kyuubi clone had told him many things, but left many things out as well.

Even so, Naruto didn't have a reason not to view the fox as his parent despite the fact that there was still a lot the demon fox had not told the boy, however, Naruto learned that the fox didn't like him asking too many questions, and it would tell him things when it decided he needed to know.

Like why the heck did he have to learn to walk on water?

Naruto was supposed to be practicing to use his chakra to walk along the surface of the water in the cavern he lived in, but he succumbed to boredom and decided to climb the ceiling and make his way out through a hole leading to the top of the cliff face.

The clone didn't mind. Normally. Sometimes. Okay, if the fox caught him lazing around rather than training the demon would probably be really mad this time.

Naruto was taught to center his chakra to his feet by the demon in order to rock climb about seven months ago, not long after he turned six. Since then Naruto would scale his way out of the cavern and up to the top and play in the forest.

He had done so more times than the demon felt comfortable with, and Naruto knew that too.

But his father had never made an effort to stop him before, so Naruto took every opportunity to hang with the trees since he learned to do so several months ago. Like now for instance, even though Naruto knew he had a task to complete, and that the fox had asked him to stay below in the cavern while it was away.

Well, ordered was more like it. With an 'or else' tone at the end of it too.

Even so, the boy thought just a few hours out of that dark place would do no harm.

Naruto shrugged before turning around, only to run in to something hard.

And fuzzy.

Naruto yelped, falling on to his rear and wincing when he did. He looked up to see the demon fox standing tall, its size appearing gargantuan to the small four year old, especially from his downed position.

"D-Dad." Naruto stuttered.

The fox only looked at him silently, peering down at him from its blood red eyes almost menacingly.

It was then Naruto grimaced inwardly. He'd been found out.

He stood to his feet and muttered, "Sorry."

The fox ignored Naruto's apology and asked stoically, "Have you mastered water walking?"

". . .Kind of."

"Yes or no."

Naruto shifted shyly and answered, "No."

"Get to it. Now." The last word was growled out.

"Okay." Naruto nodded and began making his way to a large stone rock almost three times his size. After walking up to the rock Naruto lifted his foot and simply nudged it about six feet to the side.

It was a hollow rock, under it was a large hole five feet wide, large enough for the boy to slip through with relative ease. Naruto jumped down, falling about fifteen feet in the air before landing in a crouch on the dry patch of land in the cavern.

Naruto stood up straight, unhurt. Despite being only four years old Naruto was still gifted with the shinobi talents.

Hearing a small thud, Naruto turned around and found the Kyuubi clone sitting behind him on its hunches less than five feet away, the fox's size having decreased into that of a large dog to fit through the opening on top of the ceiling, which was once again closed by the hollow rock.

The rock's position was set in a way that allowed just a bit of light to enter the normally dark cavern.

Naruto turned and walked toward the edge of the body of water before stopping and forming a sign with his hands. With his brow furrowed in concentration Naruto followed what the demon had taught him and steadied his breathing and reached deep inside himself, focussing on calling forth the energy within him and mentally command it to flow through him and mold it the way he wanted.

Moments later, Naruto took a step forward and then another, walking along the surface of the water, abide, with difficult. Each step was wobbly and awkward as Naruto walked deeper across the water, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Suddenly, something happened.

Naruto's left foot became submerged under the water by the ankle, the slip up causing the boy to lose his focus completely and fall into the water.

Luckily, Naruto had only been far enough that the water went up to his waist. If he had walked any further he would've been completely soaked.

He quickly trended back on to dry land, panting lightly, "Sorry. I messed up."

The Kyuubi clone watched Naruto silently as the boy padded his wet shorts dry and then spoke, "There's an island."

"Huh?" Naruto gave his caretaker a confused look, "An island?"

"Don't you read your books? The fox said with an agitated tone, not wanting to have to explain what an island is to the boy.

"Hey, I know what an island is!" Naruto shouted, miffed that the fox was speaking to him like he was stupid. "It's just, what about it?"

The fox looked Naruto in the eye before saying, "We are leaving this cave. I've found a remote island. When you are able to walk on water correctly we will leave immediately."

"Huh?" Naruto replied unintentionally, not sure how to feel about such information, "Why? What kind of island is it?"

"All you need to worry about right now, is master the ability to walk along the surface of the water. Once you do, we will head out, and it is there I will tell you." The fox said calmly, before its voice took on a much darker tone, "Like I've said, get to it. Unless, you want to anger me."

Naruto gulped at the narrowed eyes of the demon fox.

"I'm on it."

"See that you do."

Naruto approached the water and repeated the actions and steps with his chakra, whispering under his breath, "I will Dad."

*THUMP*

Naruto blinked, mildly startled as his body was briefly lifted off the ground a few of centimeters. He looked up from his sitting position to find the Kyuubi clone staring down at him. Naruto blinked again in surprise at the fox's sudden arrival and stammered, "I-uh-when-?"

The demon interrupted him, "Stand up." It ordered in a steel tone.

In an instant Naruto was on his feet.

He stood at rapid attention, knowing to listen when the fox spoke in such a tone to him. Naruto stood and waited obediently, pushing his lingering thoughts on the events that happened not long ago into the back of his mind.

The Kyuubi clone's passive eyes bore down on Naruto before shifting to look past him, then darted side to side all around them. Naruto was momentarily confused at the demon's actions as its eyes continued to roam the surroundings a moment longer before they centered back to him.

"Come." The demon bit out before turning around and stomping away, with Naruto immediately following behind as the fox led him deeper into the forest.

Luckily, they didn't have to walk far, much to the relief of Naruto as the boy was still wary from the journey across the ocean to get to the island.

They walked only over a mile into the forestry, and as soon the sea, as well as the shore line, were completely conceal by the mass of trees did the clone stopped and turned back toward Naruto, glaring at him with narrowed eyes.

Naruto was unaware that the clone was watching him closely, instead, he was once again drawn to the island's scenery, and the pretty blue sky above. Naruto could see the sun as its rays shined directly above him.

"Wow, it's still really early huh?" He said absently before finally looking back at the clone, "Hey, how big is this island? It must be small if you finished with the geograpphhy stuff already." Naruto stammered over the big word.

"Geography. It's abstract, but still very big." The fox said with an empty tone, its eyes never leaving Naruto as the boy grinned, still unaware of the fox's grim demeanor.

"Really? How big?" he asked, excited at the possibility of exploring a really big island.

The prospect was utterly demolished as he had finally pushed the clone too far.

"Naruto." The demon growled out his name, and the boy could now see that he had been dancing on the end of the patience of his protector. The boy visibly deflated and looked at the ground in silence while murmuring, "Sorry."

The demon spoke again in a less harsh tone, "Are you hungry?"

Naruto was caught off guard by the question but answered, "A little."

The Kyuubi clone motioned with its head to the trees above them, Naruto following the gesture with his eyes and could see a few apples and other variety of fruit scattered among the branches.

Naruto looked at the fox sheepishly and gave it a nervous smile, "Can you. . .?"

"No."

Naruto huffed with a pout.

Ever since the blonde was able to walk on his own the demon fox had been teaching Naruto to become more and more independent, handling his own matters or anything trivial that the boy could do on his own in a practical sense. For example, if Naruto wanted an apple from a tree, he can go get it.

Not that was a problem anymore.

Naruto eagerly climbed his way up the trees with his chakra, red eyes watching him the entire time as the boy jumped across the branches and snagged two apples before landing nimbly back on the ground.

Naruto immediately went to devouring them on the spot with a happy smile.

Of all the fruits in the world, apples were one of his favorites. Besides oranges that is.

The demon fox was silent as Naruto ate, its tails moving in a slow, placid pattern as it calmly kept its gaze focused on Naruto.

'His chakra usage has improved, able to walk on steep surfaces such as trees, as well as on the surface of water. For a six year old human, it's a start.' The Kyuubi clone thought to itself.

It had taken the boy three weeks to master walking on water to the point where he required no assistance in traveling across so much open sea to get to the island. Seven months before that the fox had taught Naruto how to focus his chakra to walk on more perpendicular surfaces, and it had taken him a little over a month.

The amount of time it took for Naruto to master these two techniques was sufficient enough for a child his age, at the very least it had taken less than a year for the boy to learn both skills.

Teaching Naruto rock climbing and water walking had not only been convenient and easy for the young boy to learn, it was the most preeminent course in making progressive usage of his chakra.

In other words, both skills helped Naruto learn to call upon his chakra.

After all, how can you use something if you don't even know how to even access in the first place?

Not only that, Naruto had already gained better control with using his chakra, even when he hadn't been using it for long, thanks to mastering the two exercises.

Sufficient progress indeed, however, Naruto still had a long way to go, a very long way.

This was all just a start.

"Hey!"

The demon blinked when Naruto called out to it, giving the boy its attention by locking eyes with the boy who had an excited grin on his face.

"Are you going to teach me to do more cool things with my chakra? Huh? Huh? Are you?" Naruto spoke fast, hardly able to suppress his eagerness anymore.

Naruto had suspected from the start that his parent had brought him here to train him in using his chakra and to learn how to fight, and what better place than a super big island where it is just the two of them, rather than that tiny cave.

"What are you going to teach me? Is it something cool?" Naruto asked again.

Bright side is, the boy was eager to learn.

"Something like that." Raising a clawed hand the fox made a gesture for Naruto to come closer.

Naruto was surprised since such an action by the fox was severely rare. However, such surprise quickly turned into delightful eagerness as Naruto practically skipped happily to the three-tailed monster fox with a wide grin.

Unfortunately, the four-year old's innocence blinded him to the not so friendly glimmer within the demon's crimson eyes, since the next thing Naruto knew, the fox brought down its hand and roughly slapped his torso, sending the small boy on his butt with a loud yelp.

The Kyuubi's clone hid the great satisfaction it felt within its being with a bland stare as Naruto groaned pathetically.

"Owwwwwww. What was that for?!" He shouted angrily, clenching his hurt chest, "I didn't do anything!" He stood and rubbed his sore behind, wincing as he did so.

"Ow. Ow," he mumbled with a peeved look, "Meanie." He yelped again when the demon tried to knock him down once more but this time Naruto was able to clumsily dodge the swipe.

"Hey, quite it!" He exclaimed only to release a startled shout and barely avoid another hit, then another, then another. Arms flailing comically Naruto was forced to stagger back to avoid a multitude of quick slaps as the fox calmly walked forward to keep up with Naruto's attempts to escape.

Naruto tripped over his feet and came close to falling on his rear several times but managed to keep his feet under him to evade each swipe.

He yelled, "Knock it off will you! Whoa! Stop it! Ah! Is this because I've annoyed you?! Whoa! I'm sorry okay?! Please stop! Ah!"

The Kyuubi clone ignored Naruto's pleas for it to stop and continued to causally follow after Naruto and attempting to strike him.

"I'm sorry alright?! But I can't help if I'm bored! Stop being a meanie about it you-you jerkface! Ah!"

Naruto stumbled over his feet and wounded on butt. He gasped and raised his arms. After a moment of not feeling any pain Naruto peaked behind his guard to find the demon staring down at him unamused and unimpressed.

"Why are you being a big meanie?" Naruto grumbled, crossing his arms with a pout.

"I'm not being mean. You just didn't property defend yourself." The clone stated matter of factly.

Naruto blinked, "Huh?" A confused look appeared on his face before it quickly morphed into angry frown. He turned away, "You shouldn't have been hitting me in first place." he said bitterly before adding under his breath, "I didn't do anything."

"You misunderstand." the fox stated calmly.

Again Naruto's expression was one of confusion as he turned back to the clone.

"We are training. Starting now I'm teaching how to fight. If you don't like me smacking you around learn how to deflect my strikes properly or I'll send you to the ground again." the demon explained.

Naruto was practically shell shocked, "Wha-"

"Prepare yourself." The fox commanded as it raised its hand again threateningly

"Ahhhh!" Naruto screamed before scrambling away as the demon resumed its slow pursuit.

A few minutes later Naruto could be seen lying pathetically on the ground, unconscious, a huge comical bump adoring the top of his head, his eyes a couple of comical swirls.

The Kyuubi clone stood over him with an indifferent look before its face fell and realised a long, exasperated sigh. Disappointment lingered in its eyes at Naruto's sorry state, not at all guilty for being the cause of the boy's current state, or even acknowledging its fault. Instead, it tried to nudge Naruto awake with one of its tails; roughly. So they may continue. After a minute the clone gave up and sighed once more.

The demon thought back to Naruto's attempts to evade its hits and grounded its teeth in frustration and anger. The Kyuubi clone just couldn't fathom how utterly uncoordinated and clumsy the boy was. The display was beyond pathetic. Experience aside, the boy couldn't at the very least allowed his instincts to guide him away from the danger or even stay calm in a when faced with such a situation.

Naruto showed no grace whatsoever.

Utterly disappointing.

And frustrating.

So very frustrating.

Over the last few years since the fox kidnapped Naruto as an instant the Kyuubi clone had gone though great lengths to ensure that Naruto or itself had zero human contact, and made sure that their presence was completely shrouded, adamant in keeping their residence in that cavern undisclosed to any and all nearby humans.

It was especially cautious when it ventured to the port village nearby to gathered food for Naruto, among other things, as the boy grew older. The clone would only step foot in the village under the cover of night, undetected; occasionally putting putting some humans to sleep with a Genjutsu whom were unfortunate enough to have risked compromise awareness of the clone's presence. Killing them would have brought too much attention, even worse, the people of the village would have reported the murders to Konoha, which would've lead Konoha shinobi close to the clone's little hideout.

While the clone was overly careful and warned Naruto several times not to wonder too far in the forest or go anywhere near the village the fox felt luck was a prime factor that kept them from being discovered. That, and the fact the village's populace lacked any shinobi, plus, shinobi that would passed through the little port village was rare and far in between; also the fox would hunker down with Naruto in the cavern when the demon sensed them nearby until they passed.

The clone had no misgivings that luck was the primary reason they remained unfound for so long, however, the clone was far from convinced luck would protect them forever and that the humans eventually learn of its whereabouts as Naruto grew older, and louder.

Speaking Naruto, the fox had become aware that as the boy grew older his chakra system developed more and more with each passing day. Despite being a very young child Naruto's chakra was already potent for a sensor to notice if they happen to caught wind of the clone or the boy being in the immediate area. Naruto was too young and too inexperienced with chakra to know how to conceal it; it didn't help that he possessed absolutely no talent to speak of.

Besides that, Naruto had expressed weariness of being in that dark cave all the time and showed intent on staying out of it as long as the clone let him. To be frank, the Kyuubi clone was quite fed up with that dark place as well. So, while leaving the cavern after so long was mainly a strategic action, there was a beneficial reason involving the clone's mentality, and Naruto's.

The clone thought the best choice was to seek a location away from the Land of Fire, and the entire shinobi nations if it could. The fox found happened across this island while walking across the ocean away while seeking a foreign continent. The island was located far East of the five shinobi nations, away from any contact or ship routes. In fact, after spending half a day shadowing the island upon discovery, the clone noted the passing sailors had made quite a clear intent on keeping their ships at a farthest possible distance between the island and their vessels without deterring their course.

It was worth noting when the clone saw it happen over ten times. It was obvious. The reason was completely irrelevant to the clone. Ever since the demon brought Naruto to this location had not sensed not one human on the island; excluding Naruto himself. That's all the clone desired; zero human contact; zero human inhabitants around the area.

They were hidden.

But there would forever the chance they would be found by Konoha. The Kyuubi was there prized and valuable 'weapon' and they'll never stop searching for Naruto until they had there 'weapon of war' back under their grasp. If they knew for certain that Naruto was still alive that is.

From the memories of its creator the clone gathered the Third Hokage to be an intellectual man. It wouldn't take much if the clone left any evidence. . .or if said evidence was ever discovered.

It was always possible given the length and severity Konoha prided in their possession of the strongest Bijū, and that they'll do whatever it took to regain the Kyuubi.

The Kyuubi clone's current strength and power won't be able to match the full might and vigor Konoha would bring to reaquire its creator once they found out the clone was harboring its Jinchuuriki. The clone would slaughter many that would dare, but the with its current power its demise was inevitable.

Or even worst, Konoha might try to seal the clone, gaining another Jinchuuriki within their ranks. The threat of Konoha coming for the Kyuubi was immense. The clone would fall before Konoha's elite if they ganged up to overwhelm it. The clone almost lost to Minato, and had a difficult time with Sarutobi one-on-one. It just wasn't strong enough, it didn't have enough power.

The only hope of keeping its creator out of Konoha's grasp was Naruto.

If the boy learned how to fight, learned how defend himself, learned how to use the Kyubbi's power against Konoha then if the boy became the strongest, stronger than all of them, perhaps he could to the clone's job and keep the Kyuubi out of Konoha's hold. . .by keeping himself out of their reach by becoming a force to be reckoned with, a force strong enough to foil Konoha's attempts to collar him.

If Naruto viewed Konoha as an enemy worth fearing the clone could nurture the boy into the strongest powerhouse to stand against them and defy their subjection.

Naruto would protect Kurama by protecting himself.

But first he would need to become the strongest.

Such a process. . .would take far too long.

Naruto was only six years old. To be able to wield Kurama's power sufficiently his body would need to mature first. That fact was fine, the clone could make due with that and use that time to train Naruto to fight and physically empower his body over the years.

That. . .would be a little harder than the Kyuubi clone thought.

Naruto was horrible.

And the clone's patience was severely altered by its growing ire at this situation forced upon it.

The fact that Naruto showed zero promise was completely and utterly frustrating.

Damn his inexperience. Damn his young naive mind. Damn his weak, fragile, vulnerable mortal body!

Naruto needed to be strong! He had to get stronger quickly!

Stronger than Konoha!

Stronger than any human!

Stronger than all all who threaten Kurama's freedom!

The Kyuubi's clone shook its head vigorously, images of the Yondaime appearing in its mind eye. The fox snarled, remembering the man's face, remembering the agony caused by the man's signature jutsu that tore a hole through its body.

The fox shook its head again.

Those cold, unforgiving eyes that caused the clone great pain.

Damn him. Damn the Uzumaki woman. Damn Sarutobi. Damn Konoha. Damn all humans!

Damn them all for the subjection of all Tailed Beast! Damn them all! Damn their seals that imprison its creator! Damn their oppressive nature!

Damn them! Damn them! Damn them!

Naruto needed to be stronger them all of them! Naruto needed to be stronger than everyone!

Naruto needed to be the strongest!

BUT THAT WOULD TAKE HIM TOO LONG!

THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME!

NARUTO NEEDED TO BE STRONG NOW!

"DAMMIT!"

Giving in to its frustration the Kyuubi clone lashed out with a roar, rationality lost as its deadly claws headed straight toward Naruto to pierce his throat.

Thud.

The fox blinked slowly before mechanically lowering its arm back to the ground. Its lips pulled back as far as they went to reveal the fox's razor sharp teeth in all their glory as the Kyuubi clone snarled in fury. Eyes burning red in rage the fox let out a vicious, hateful growl, its body trembling in animalistic, unrelenting, inhumane anger.

Before the three-tailed demon fox was a large red sphere surrounding the boy's unconscious body, protecting him from any harm against the fox's deathly strike. The transparent barrier bored the kanji for fire on its center, the kanji for lightning and wind toward the top, and earth and water placed toward the bottom of the fire kanji. All the kanji elements were connected by a chain of much smaller kanji dyed a orange hue, the writing circling the elements' symbols before all connecting together.

The Kyuubi's clone seethed, watching with barely suppressed malice as the barrier slowly recede before dispersing from the air in a harmless flicker.

No matter the cause, whatever the cause. Huh.

Because of that barrier, the clone had given up of attempting to kill Naruto long ago.

"Damn you, Yondaime." the fox's voice was cold and raspy from anger.

However, it severed as a constant reminder that Kurama was right.

Humans would obtain power that didn't belong to them, the power of the Tailed Beast, by any means.

Eyes narrowed to slits the fox stalked away, glaring heavily in every direction as its rage numbered down slightly to a chilling numbness.

Naruto needed to be strong. For Kurama's sake, for the sake of Kurama's power no longer being abused by selfish, fickle humans, Naruto had to be strong.

Now. Before their time hidden under Konoha's radar ran out.

The clone stopped and sat on its hunches, glaring at the moon as the chilling madness within its being stirred violently.

If it weren't for that damn barrier, the clone would've have been spared of all the hardships that are soon to come. Was it cruel, killing an infant? Perhaps, yes. But the question was, if what waited for Naruto down the line would be worst than death?

As stated before, the Kyuubi clone had given up on its attempts to kill Naruto long ago when the boy was still an infant, regardless, the fox was not too keen on waiting, nor wanting, to found out if the future held an unfavorable reality for Naruto, or more importantly, its creator.

Eyes glowing ominously the Kyuubi clone growled in utter most detest.

"Damn you, Yondaime. Damn you, Sandaime."

The world looked red in its eyes, the haze nearly blinding as the demon sneer hatefully. Its gazed burned an unquenchable fire through the crimson moon.

The clone remembered the helplessness of being out of control of its own body. The humiliation. The anger and the shame of allowing itself and its creator to fall victim of those eyes, those damnedable visual powers. That cursed doujutsu. . .

The clone snarled.

And damn you, Uchiha."

Goddamn all humans to Hell.

All would feel the full extent of the clone's wrath, all who desired Kurama's power to feed their oppressive nature, all who seek to fulfill their fantasy of becoming the supreme rulers of the earth using power that didn't belong to them.

The Kyuubi's clone would send any human to the lake of eternal fire that came for Naruto. Woe all that would dare try, for they shall experience a demon's retribution in earnest.

And the whole sky would be a fiery red by the time it was done.

The sun was just starting to rise, lighting the sky in oranges and yellows, dyeing all plant life in those colors as the sun's rays cast over the darkness and slowly made the night's shadows disappear.

And that was beneficial for a certain blond haired child as the light helped with spotting trenches, overgrown brushes, tree roots, and other tripping hazards as Naruto zoomed through the forestry as fast as his tiny legs could carry him.

Bursting through large banana leaves Naruto quickly jumped over a fallen tree truck, landing on his feet with a roll before sprinting off against the ground, kicking up dirt as he did so.

Naruto jumped over a deep trench before zigzagging past several boulders. Spitting once more Naruto practically flew through the tall grass in his wake as his lungs burned for oxygen to maintain his hard run through the forestry. Despite his body begging for him to give up Naruto refused to stop, only increasing the pace with each step that accompanied his ragged breath and the sweat pouring from his brow.

The child could focus on nothing but the burn in his legs, his thighs, his lungs, his chest, and his heart as he blazed through the earth, determined on running, and forcing himself to move even faster.

Snap!

Naruto's head jerked up when a branch over his head break off. A low growling sound closed in, causing him to look over his shoulder to see a large tree branch shook violently, as if something large landed on it.

Grunting, Naruto quickly scaled up a large tree in his path and leaped to another, then another, before jumping through a hollow tree voided of any leaves or greenery. Emerging from the other side Naruto ran across a branch, before to snap completely and send him to the ground.

'Oh, no!'

Panic washed over the boy as he landed harshly on his feet. Gasping, Naruto barely managed to take three steps before a hard force rammed him to the ground and kept him groaned as he struggled to move but found himself completely pinned. Managing to move his head Naruto caught the cold gaze of the Kyuubi clone.

"Okay, you got me. Can you let me up now?" Naruto grumbled with a childish pout.

The fox narrowed its eyes. It growled, "You could've done better. Mind your surrounding better, otherwise I won't let you up next time with just a warning."

Naruto merely snorted as the fox stepped away, allowing to boy to stand up, "I won't let you catch next time, y'know," he stated. "And it took you a while to catch me so I'd say I did pretty good." he grinned.

"You can do better." the fox repeated without tact.

Naruto's smile turned into another pout. He crossed his arms, "If the branch didn't break. . ." he mumbled softly.

The clone turned and began walking away, uninterested in Naruto's excuses.

"You can do better." the demon stated for the final time.

"I will! You just wait, next time I'll leave you in the dust!" Naruto exclaimed.

The fox continued walking, offering a quiet response, "See that you do. Come."

Naruto smiled. While not the most sugar-coated choice of words they had a meaning of encouragement all on their own when it concerned the demon fox.

Naruto liked when the fox was pleased with his training, it made him recognized, acknowledged, and more importantly, happy.

"I will, Dad." Naruto whispered before following after the fox.

It's been six months since Naruto and the demon fox had taken up residence on the island, and since then the clone had been putting Naruto through a great variety of exercises to improve his physical ability and prowess.

The most recent one was meant to help develop his speed and reflexes, and to better tune his awareness, among his other senses. It was by far Naruto's most favorite exercise, a little game of 'chase.'

Well, an excessive meaning of the term.

The fox would sit and give Naruto a thirty-second head to gain as much distance from the fox as possible, then the clone would pursue Naruto throughout the island to capture him. Some occasions, Naruto would be tasked with running toward a certain goal as fast as he was able after the thirty-second mark, others would be when Naruto would sprint the whole way, never stopping, until the fox eventually caught him.

During the runs the fox would purposely, unknownest to Naruto, hold back its full pace while still remaining close enough for the boy to hear and feel its presence, the result summoning a certain fear and thrill within Naruto involving their little game, and with such adrenaline pumping through his system helped Naruto better his speed and self-awareness while under extreme pressure, which being chased provided.

From the demon's view, the fox also would watch Naruto intently for any obvious mistakes in his steps while sprinting, or if the boy was slagging off, even to the bare minimum, and would pounce instantly upon spotting either. And the demon made sure it hurt too, so Naruto would remember his mistake, like jumping off a branch from a dead tree would lead to his downfall. Or to try harder next time.

Overly but still simple.

Naruto simply loved the exercise because of the thrill of being chase.

It was almost like that game. . .what was it called? Oh, yeah, tag.

In fact, Naruto was beginning to enjoy all the exercises the Kyuubi clone had him do for the past several months. They were fun for Naruto because they involved using his body actively. Much better than sitting around in a dark cave, reading a book. Doing hands-on stuff was Naruto's style, and it was what made all the running and other training activities fun for the small child.

Even the lesser favorite of the fox beating him to a pulp while feebly attempting to defend himself, somewhat. The boy was getting a little better, but it was still a beating either.

Naruto was still particular sore about the first beating the fox gave him without a warning beforehand. And the demon still hadn't apologized or even showed the faintest sign of remorse.

Meanie-tousan.

Well, their was some merit conceived from the intensive bodily training.

Slowly, but surely, the training was helping Naruto's endurance, which for a child was quite impressive. It pleased the clone that Naruto had such high stamina for a small child, the blonde able to go through almost a whole day of rigorous training non-stop from dusk til dawn. Almost. The boy's physique had gotten more sturdier. Well, as sturdy as a flanky six-year old's body can get in just a few months.

Naruto still had much to learn, much to endure.

And the time was still uncertain.

Those two factors continue to frustrate the demon fox, but after its most recent attempt on Naruto's life the fox had calmed down some, and was able to get Naruto to become more attentive and serious to the training and exercises it instructed him to do. The boy was stubborn at first, but after promising the boy to teach him ninjutsu Naruto was all for it, becoming more and more determined and adamant in his training.

Naruto's resolute attitude and his great stamina pleased the clone and quelled its anger for the time being. At the rate they were going Naruto's body would be capable to handle wide-scale destructive ninjutsu and wield Kurama's power to its full inefficiency in a few more years.

First the clone would train his body, then teach to use the power inside him, in just a few more years.

A few more years.

But first. . .

"Naruto."

"Yeah?"

"We're going to practice channeling your chakra again."

Naruto blinked, "Oh, okay." he answered, unsure how to feel about that.

The demon fox walked up to a modernly tall and thick tree and sat down beside it, motioning toward Naruto, "This'll do. Try what I showed you the other day and hit it." the clone ordered.

Naruto merely nodded, walking to the same tree the fox sat next to. Naruto stared at the hard bark with a frown, looking at the demon fox whom stared back at him intently, waiting.

Naruto took a deep breath before getting into a stance with his right arm stretched back. Taking another breath Naruto closed his eyes before exhaling lowly, his frown deepening in concentration as he began to attempt to channel his chakra into his right hand, feeling a warm feeling course from his chest, down his arm, to his first.

Naruto's eyes snapped open and threw a punch toward the tree.

Thud.

Naruto stared blandly at his fist pressed up against the hard tree trunk, the tree not evening having a scratch on its bark. He slowly retracted his hand as it comically swelled up and began vigorously massaging it.

"Ow ow ow ow ow," he whispered harshly, tears pricking on the outer layer of his eyes.

"You have to channel more Naruto, much more, until you feel your muscles strengthening. Try it again." the clone said evenly.

Naruto didn't say anything and simply slipped into his stance again, already having heard the same lecture the first time he tried this a couple days ago. This was by far the most difficult thing Naruto had ever done in his young life thus far.

Frustrating. Naruto didn't like this kind of training very much, it was very hard for the young boy.

Thud.

"Again. More chakra."

"I'm trying." Naruto whined before closing his eyes again.

Thud.

"Again." the clone commanded.

Thud.

"Ow, ow," Naruto muttered rubbing his sore hand.

Beside him the fox growled menacingly, causing Naruto to flinch in slight fear, sensing the demon's anger.

This would be one of the reasons while Naruto was less than favorable with this exercise.

It was hard for him, and not getting it right he made his father angry with him

The fox stood up and walked forward, brushing past the nervous boy. Naruto watched as the Kyuubi clone stalked up toward another tree nearly ten-feet from where the child stood. The fox stood in front of the tree, in a swift movement too fast for Naruto's untrained eyes to see the demon fox struck its clawed hand through the tree, leaving a gaping hole bigger than Naruto's head on the thick trunk of the tall tree.

Naruto stared with wide eyes as blisters flew everywhere, his mouth open in shock.

The Kyuubi turned around, its eyes shining red as it growled at Naruto, "I expect you to that by the time I come back. I won't be teaching you any ninjutsu unless you obliterate that tree."

Before Naruto could even respond the fox's formed flickered before disappearing soundlessly.

The small child heaved a tired sigh, "Meanie," he pouted.

After releasing a small whine Naruto turned back to the trunk with squinting eyes. He stretched his arm back once more and clenched his fist tightly. With a sharp exhale Naruto threw his next punch.

Thud.

Naruto scowled. Growling, Naruto once more channeled his chakra into his tiny fist until he felt a warm sensation surrounding it. With a yell he threw his fist forward.

Thud.

Nothing.

"Arg! What am I doing wrong!" Naruto yelled to the heavens above him.

For the next five hours Naruto had continued hitting the tree, unable to make a single crack in it no matter how hard he tried. Lying flat on his back Naruto panted, exhausted from training for such a long period of time. The boy had been determined to do the exercise correctly but no matter how hard he tried or how long he went at it Naruto was unable to make a single crack, scratch, or dent on the tree trunk with his tiny fist.

He kept going until his body forced him to take a well needed break.

This was so pointless. It was just too hard for the boy, and he didn't understand what he was doing wrong. Naruto almost felt like giving up. Almost.

Willing himself to sit up, Naruto forced himself to his feet, still breathing heavily. His face was drenched with sweat and a mixture of tears as the pain on his knuckles gave a sharp, painful ache.

Naruto rubbed his face with his shirt the tenth time today. Though his eyes were still watery, they held a burning fire in them that didn't resemble that of a crying child.

Stepping up to the tree Naruto breathed deeply before struggling to channel his chakra, which proved more difficult with his current fatigue.

After several moments Naruto finally threw a jab.

Thud.

And collapsed to his knees.

"I. . .guess. . .I need. . .a bit more rest." he panted before turning around and leaned his back against the rough tree bark. Naruto sighed though this nose.

His eyes blearily stared at the sky above him. It was just beginning to get dark where he can already see the stars and the moon as the blackness slowly consumed more of whatever was left of the quickly dying sunlight.

Naruto could see the moon was glowing quite bright on this night among the clouds, its great glimmer seemed to shine right through the clouds' grey embrace.

Such things did not normally memorized Naruto, but in his weary state, all he could do was stare at what was in front of him.

The moon's great beam made it looked liked Naruto could jumped thirty-feet in the air and grab it. Raising his arm, Naruto made a grasping motion toward the moon as he continued to marvel its glistering form. It really did looked like it was right above him, just beyond that cloud.

It really did.

Less than a yard aware another pair of eyes were gazing at the moon.

The Kyuubi clone had watched Naruto hit the tree all day. The boy earned points for not lacking off and remained undeterred for a fair amount of time of the day, but the demon fox was still disappointed.

If Naruto hadn't showed such a surprising, preserving mind-set, despite all his setbacks, the demon fox would have succumbed to its anger once more and set-off a Tailed Beast Bomb.

The Kyuubi's clone frowned heavily in displeasure.

Its creator had not made any contact in the past four years since that time in the cavern. The clone had tried on several occasions but the Nine-Tails remained unresponsive.

The clone was confused by its creators actions, or lack therefor, and was forced to rely on its instincts with what to do with Naruto over the years which included moving the boy, and training him to become stronger.

Watching? Waiting? Planning? Satisfied with its actions? Indifferent to them? The clone had pondered several theories on its original's lack of any activity or actions whatsoever.

The clone had several grievances over its decisions regarding Naruto, Kurama's host. Whenever they were the best decisions by the clone's own judgment and intelligence were irrelevant and unimportant. While a sentient and self-aware being the clone only had two instincts, two drives concerning its existence: Destroy all who threaten the Kyuubi's freedom. And show complete obedience to its creator.

It was not created to have opinions, it was created to serve Kurama. It was created to follow the orders of its original.

It was created to kill the Yondaime, help destroy Konoha and all whom threaten Kurama's freedom, then become one with its creator as a whole once more.

The Kyuubi clone was not created to care for a human child.

The Kyuubi clone was not created to teach a child to read, to write, and to talk.

The Kyuubi clone was not created to teach him to fight, to use chakra, or to protect himself.

The Kyuubi clone was not created to be called 'dad' by him.

.

.

The Kyuubi clone was created to kill the Yondiame.

And all who threaten the freedom of its creator.

No matter the cost, whatever the cost.

"RAAAAWWWWWW!"

"GEH!"

"AHH!"

"HAH!"

"NGH!"

A horse-sized three-tailed demonic fox watched impassively as a much larger fox tried vigorously to free itself from the various rods impaled through its hands, its feet, all of its nine tails, even its abdomen, keeping the massive canine beast painfully bound in a crucifixion-like manner to a giant boulder of solid rock.

"RAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

The nine-tailed beast released a thunderous roar of anger, desperate to break free of its bindings.

"GRGAAAAHHHHHHH!" Kurama bellowed before releasing a loud groan of exhaustion and pain. Its head dropped as it heaved rough breaths.

Below him, the Kyuubi looked at its clone as the smaller fox floated lightly in suspended animation.

"The humans. . .hindered me. . .for the last time," the Kyuubi rasped, "The time has come. I will not be stopped. . .I will not be denied. . .my freedom any longer. My time is now. I will. . .longer be contained. . .I will-"

"Nine-Tails! You stay right there!" A voice suddenly declared loudly within of the seal.

The Kyuubi's eyes widened in rage, "NO! I WILL NOT BE HELD ANY LONGER! ITS TIME MY CLONE! ITS TIME! KILL HIM! KIM THE YONDAIME NOW! KILL HIM NOW! FREE MEEEEEEEEEE! KILL THE YONDAIME!"

The clone responded to its creator's anger and roared viciously before quickly dashing to the bottomless void that was the seal that bind them to this reality.

It surged its charka until and dim light appeared. The clone desperately reached it and went right through.

For an instant its whole vision went white, in the next, stunned blue eyes met its furious red ones. The clone immediately swapped its claws and red liquid was flowing from Minato's jugular before the man could react. The clone lunged and tore the rest off with its jaws before stomping down violently on Minato's now lifeless body, crushing the rest of his bones and limps.

Two of its tails darted and pierced straight through the bodies of the two other occupants, killing them instantly.

The clone finally turned toward Kushina, her anguish screams falling death on its ears. It simply stood motionless, and watched as crimson chakra rushed out of her body.

The Kyuubi clone swayed back and forth on its hunches, a wide, dement grin on its face as its insane, delirious eyes remained entranced to bright moon above.

For the rest of the night the Kyuubi visualized fulfilling the foundation of its creation, entertaining the madness within its being for the first time in a long time, as even demons dream sometimes.

"Ha!"

Thud.

"Come on!" Naruto growled as sweat dripped from his brow. He went for another punch.

Thud.

"Hah, hah," Naruto panted before wiping the sweat from his eyes with his shirt. He stared at the tree trunk with a grimace.

The bark looked beaten and worn from beating on it all day for the second time rather than with the aid of his chakra. It was quickly approaching nightfall again, having been training in this exercise since the morning, only stopping twice for food and water, and a quick nap.

Naruto lowered to his knees before flopping on to his butt as his worked to regain his breath. Naruto had not seen the clone for nearly thirty-two hours. Naruto wondered from time-to time what the fox was doing, or if he was even on the island.

Naruto leaned back, his hands supporting behind him as he looked up at the sky.

Huh. The moon was just as bright as before, and it was against caught in an embrace of the clouds flocking around its crescent shape.

Today ended with disappointment in Naruto's heart, as he had yet to inflict any damage to tree of the same degree the demon fox had done to yesterday.

Naruto was just relieved the fox wasn't around to scold him. Or had gotten around to it, perhaps.

Perhaps. . .

"Hey," Naruto called, "are you around?"

No answer.

Naruto sat up, "Hello~"

Silence.

"I'm going to call a quits today! You know, unless you got a problem with that!" Naruto shouted.

Naruto idly eyed the setting sun. Some sunlight still remained.

The boy grinned.

He eagerly stood up and began to perform hand signs, his chakra molding accordingly.

"Snake. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger." Naruto whispered.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

Naruto inhaled until his lungs were ready to burst before breathing out a small fireball that was barely the size of his head. The ball of fire dispersed less than five seconds.

Even so, the blond child held a delighted expression and giddily repeated the process, holding the jutsu for as long as he could until he ran out of breath, then forming the hand sequences once more.

This was the first ninjutsu the Kyuubi clone had taught the boy. Naruto blew out another relatively small fireball, the jutsu emitting a small glow that lit up the nearby shadows of the approaching night.

The fireball dispersed as Naruto ran out of breath, bits of spit flying at the end this time. The boy recalled when the demon fox first showed him the technique. The fireball the fox conjured was utterly massive. Naruto had been in complete awe when his world had been enveloped in nothing but fire.

Naruto would forever remember that spectacular display, the power ninjutsu was capable of, what his father was capable of.

Despite the great difference in size of what the clone was able summon and Naruto's own, meek, tiny fireball the boy was not discouraged.

It was just so cool to be able to breath fire. Naruto felt like a dragon doing it.

Naruto giggled, "Snake. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger-"

BAM!

"GAWCK!"

Naruto gave a high-pinched yelp as he was suddenly pushed face-first into the dirt.

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"

Naruto's scream was muffled as he frantically, and quite comically, failed his limbs about, but his whole body was forcibly pinned down by something really heavy.

And. . .and. . .FUZZY?!

"DAAAAAAAAAAD!" Naruto screamed.

The Kyuubi clone was completely impassive as Naruto continued to scream, only watching as the boy continued to throw his arms and legs around until slowly, oh, so slowly, his movements began wearier and wearier, before they ceased all together.

The fox blinked.

Finally lifting its large hand, the demonic canine flipped Naruto over on his back and saw the boy's whole face was blue in color, and his eyes were nothing but white saucers.

The Kyuubi clone closed its eyes and sighed.

"7. . .6. . .5. . .4. . .3. . .2. . .1"

.

.

.

Naruto shot up with a gasp as a breath of precious fresh air washed his face back into its appropriate color.

"You're mean!" Naruto yelled at the demon fox, still greedily inhaling lung-fulls of life giving oxygen.

The fox muttered darkly, "Silence."

"Mean!" Naruto rebutted childishly, sticking his tongue at the fox.

"If you you're not sleeping, you're training. If you're not sleeping, you're training. No playing." the demon stated sternly.

"I wasn't playing!" Naruto defended himself as he quickly stood up and explained, "I was practicing the jutsu you showed me, the fireball one."

"I did not instruct you to practice the Grand Fire Ball Jutsu, I've instructed you to break that log, and I see you haven't done that yet."

"I've tried but it's hard!" Naruto complained.

"Then sleep to recover your strength then try again tomorrow." the Kyuubi clone said slowly, very quickly getting enraged that Naruto was still arguing with him.

"I don't want to do that anymore; I can't do it!" Naruto stomped his foot in frustration, "I've tried again and again but I can't do it! I quiet!"

Naruto grumbled, "I wanna do something else now, something cool with my chakra! Like the fireball! I know I can make it bigger if I try, how about that?" Naruto suggested before adding, "At least it's more fun that stupid exercise. Give me a break."

The demon fox held its breath as its stomach felt like it twisted violently. This little shit. . .

The Kyuubi exhaled through its nose, refraining itself from physically showing Naruto just precisely whom was in charge here. By hurting him really badly.

That seal allowed that fox to do that much, as the clone found out a little while ago when the fox introduced to Naruto the very definition of the word, 'training.'

The boy was lucky the clone had calmed its temper over the last several days and had gained more rationality not beat Naruto unconscious. The clone would love nothing more than to train Naruto to use his chakra in combat as well as access Kurama's for the same purpose. But for the energies to be used effectively the boy's body had to grow and develop more, so in the meantime, it was wise and beneficial if Naruto learned how at least throw a bloody punch as much muscle mass as he body would allow in its current age.

And perhaps, it would be wise if Naruto gained a clearer insight on certain matters.

Using force could go either, and so might this. . .

The fox pondered on what to say to the boy before speaking in a placid manner, "Does the thought of learning something 'cool' excite you?"

Naruto titled his head, "Huh? Uh, yeah."

The fox continued, "Does the feeling of excitement make you feel good? Does it feel pleasant?"

Naruto was beginning to grow confused by the odd questions but answered anyway, "Yeah."

"Does excitement make you happy?"

"Yeah." Naruto answered with a frown.

"What makes you happy, Naruto?" the fox questioned slowly.

Naruto's frown disappeared and was replaced with surprise. He thought for a moment, "Well, I like to play outside and I like being outside, and I like being around you," he smiled, "I like learning new things too. I like a lot of things!"

The clone only held an apathetic gaze.

Naruto was not going to like what it had to say next. . .

". . .does being happy feel pleasant?"

"Huh?" Naruto's perplexed frown returned, "Yeah, I guess. What's with you? Why are you-"

"Excitement. Happiness." The demon interrupted, "Even the feeling of pleasantness. Naruto, do you like having those feelings?"

"I. . .yeah?" Naruto answered hesitantly.

The demon fox narrowed its eyes intensely at Naruto, "What if I were to say that all of those feelings will disappear forever?"

"W-What?" Naruto was so surprised by the question he actually took a step back.

The fox continued in a deep voice lanced with ice, "What if I were to say you will never feel happiness again? That you will never again see the very sky above your head, instead, forced to remain in a dark little cage? Chained."

Naruto could only stare at the fox in fright, unable to respond.

"What if I were to say you will never play outside again, or even see the outside around you for that matter? What if I were to say you will never learn 'cool' things again? Instead, all you'll do is remain bound, unable to move, unable to do anything."

Naruto was trembling.

"What if I were to you will never experience excitement again? Never again will you look forward to the next day of doing or learning anything 'cool', or playing outside, or even being outside. Instead you'll wish for death, because that'll be the only way to escape."

"Stop." Naruto whispered.

"Imagine never seeing me again," the Kyuubi clone's tone grew louder, "Imagine never being happy again. Or excited. Imagine never seeing the light of the outside world again Naruto! Imagine being bound and trapped in darkness forever! Imagining yourself wanting to be dead, just so you won't have to spend another day without being happy! IMAGINE IT NARUTO! IMAGINE YOURSELF WANTING TO BE DEAD!"

"SHUT UP!" Naruto screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice reaching a shrill pinch, "STOP IT!"

The demon fox relented, levelling the young boy with a cold, unfeeling stare and merely watched as Naruto cried softly, his entire body still trembling from his silent sobs. Naruto brought his hands to his face and rubbed away the tears that escaped from his eyes, realising quiet sniffles as he did so.

The fox watched him without feeling a hint of remorse in its being whatsoever.

It was as good as time any. . .to give the boy a rude awakening.

"Naruto."

The boy visibly flinched upon hearing the demon's gravel tone once more and fearfully kept his eyes to the ground. He didn't want to hear anymore.

"It will happen. The day will come where I'll be destroyed, and you will be taken."

Naruto grabbed his head and shook it. He just wanted it to stop.

"All you will know is darkness, pain, and subjection. You will be no more, than merely a weapon."

He didn't want to hear any more.

"And your freedom will be lost. Forever."

No more. Just no more.

Why?

Why was his father saying these things to him, these terrible, awful things? Naruto had never before so afraid in his short life, afraid of just a mere possibility becoming a very frightening reality.

"Unless you become the strongest."

Those words caused Naruto to immediately freeze. Slowly, he lifted his head and stared wide eyed at the demon in stunned silence, his mouth slightly agape.

"Wha?"

The Kyuubi clone's eyes still held that cold, bland quality to them as they always had, however, Naruto could see a softer quirk within its gaze. And when the fox continued to speak in its common rough and gravel voice, the young boy thought he heard a touch of. . .tenderness within that deep dark voice.

No, perhaps not tender.

The demon almost sounded. . .benevolent?

No.

Sympathetic.

"Naruto, if you don't wish for such a fate to upon you, you must get strong. You must learn how to fight. That is why we are here, I will teach you how to fight without mercy and without remorse. I will teach you how you utilize the power you possess to make you an unstoppable force. You will learn how to use Kurama's power as your own, you will fight with strength unparalleled and unchallenged. No one will be able to stand against you, and those that dare an attempt to subject you will be vanquished from your might."

The Kyuubi clone narrowed its eyes as its tone got far more serious,"If you wish to be free, you must stop at nothing to become the strongest. Because one day, when they finally come for us, if you are weaker than those sent to contain you. . .you will lose. Heed my words Naruto, their are a lot of humans with remarkable strength and powerful techniques at their disposal. To remain free you must be stronger than all of them, and I mean ALL of them. The strongest. Only then, will you be safe from capture. When all those that come for you are dead by your feet, only then can you be truly free."

"You must destroy all who threaten your freedom, by becoming the strongest. And when they come for us, you'll understand why. . .when they try to take you.

Naruto had lowered his head til his hair shadowed his eyes as his body remained completely still, rigid as if he were in pain. After a moment his mouth opened and managed to choke out one word.

"Why?" He whispered, his voice desperate, scared, and detached.

The clone spoke slowly, "You know the answer. I've told you before. Humans are weak minded, base, and petty. And moreover, they can't leave what they don't understand well enough alone. They are the worst kind of egocentric creatures. Their sheer naivety fuels their arrogance and their cruelty to unmeasurable levels, since they even compel their own kind to a worst kind of fate such as yours, Naruto."

"You are a Jinchuuriki. You know that. The moment you were born you were cursed with such a status. However, you didn't understand how truly grave your situation as a host is when I first told you. Understand, you house the Kyuubi, my creator, and the humans will stop at nothing to capture you to obtain that power. Understand, your enemy is everyone, but me. . .and my creator."

Naruto stared with a blank look on his face, his once bright blue eyes have dulled to a darker color as a million thoughts whirled within his mind as the boy tried to sort out and comprehend everything the demon said the best his six year old mind can manage. None of those bad things will happen to him if he learned how to fight, how to become stronger than his enemies, those wanting to see him conveyed in darkness. No. In order to prevent utter subjugation, in order to prevent his freedom and his happiness from being taken away. . .

Naruto's eyes widened as the demon's words dawned on him.

In order to make sure the only parent he ever had ever known was not taken away from him he had to be the strongest.

He had to be ruthless and show no mercy to all who come for him. To secure his freedom, he had to destroy all who threaten it, and to do that he must become the strongest. In order to be happy, in order to be free. . .and in order to protect his dad Naruto had to become the strongest.

Naruto's eyes widened as the clone's voice resonated in his head.

". . .my creator."

In the back of Naruto's mind lots of things began to make sense. Naruto housed the Kyuubi, the fox before him was the Kyuubi's spawn. His dad was the Kyuubi's clone. The real Kyuubi was inside his body. His dad's creator was inside him.

The real Kyuubi. . .and the Kyuubi clone. . .

He got it now.

The clone's cold and distant behavior it had always displayed, the lack of real parental affection Naruto secretly longed for from the fox. It made sense now. The three-tailed fox only saw obligation in simply keeping him alive and hidden. Nothing more, nothing less. That's how it was all along. Simply protecting him, simply protecting its creator.

The clone never did harbor any love for him, it never viewed itself as Naruto's dad or his parent. All it saw itself was Naruto's guard, its creator's guard.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Slowly, Naruto turned around and walked away without uttering a sound.

And the Kyuubi clone only watched him as he did.

So, what you guys think of Naruto and how I made his(oh so strange) relationship with the clone up until the end? Did you like how Iportrayed him for a kid who's never met another human being and practically zero experience with the outside world with nothing but a humanoid monster fox for company?

Tell me.

What do you think of the clone, do you like him? I have a name in mind for him but still up for suggestions.

What I really care about is Naruto and the clone's personalities and their interactions with each other and how they acted without the other around.

While I put in a bit of humor in here, except it do be darker soon enough.

Review if you'd be so kind.

See you later.