Naruto took a deep breath.
After Tobirama... She needed some peace of mind.
Do you think visiting -
Naruto's eyes shot open, having been disturbed by someone.
She was no longer in the clearing. Instead, she was staring at the face of some old guy who had horns and eyes like Nagato.
"Who are you?"
The man said nothing for a minute.
"Otsutsuki Asura," he said after a moment. "That is one of your old names. In a previous life." He blinked, and Naruto realized he was old. Impossibly so. "And yet, you are not dying, nor are you dead. Curious, you coming to me."
"It wasn't my intention," Naruto replied meekly. "You're the Rikudo Sennin."
"Otsutsuki Hagoromo." The old man inspected her closely. "You are conflicted, young one."
"I..." She paused. How could she say this? "I don't know what I'm going to do. With Kurama - he puts me on the straight path. But I'm living all these lives out and I feel like I'm them. The seal was meant to do that, of course, but I'm gaining so many powers that I feel like I'm going to explode from them."
She waited for the Sage to tell her she was an idiot.
She voiced her true fear, as he kept staring at her.
"I feel like I'm going to hurt the people around me because of these powers."
A kind, wise, smile appeared on his face.
"I have seen your heart," he boomed. "As dishonest as you might become because of your chosen path, at heart you are honest and good. You have the potential to surpass me, young one." With a single twitch, Kurama sat next to her. Kurama bowed his mighty head.
"Hello, Father."
The Sage smiled at the fox.
"May Inari bless you, Uzumaki Naruto," the Sage said, returning his attention to her. "As a gift, I grant you the ability to not be swayed by outside influences like seals, and the eyes of Indra."
Kurama turned his head to Naruto as she frowned.
"Uchiha eyes, brat."
"Oh," she said, feeling a rosy tint come into her face.
"The condition is that the seals without your express consent that are placed on you will hold no sway on you." The Sage seemed to move closer. "And your features might alter a bit."
"It would be an honor to look a bit like you!" she said, eyes wide.
Kurama chuckled. "I didn't get my looks from him," he said with a grin (well, he showed his teeth, but Naruto could see he was amused).
"Because you're made of chakra, and the most powerful of the Bijuu. A kitsune suited you," the Sage told his pseudo-son.
"I am honored," the Bijuu replied.
The Sage returned his gaze to Naruto.
"You must grow into your features."
The Sage placed his hand on her head.
"When you have more control over the seal, you may visit my life. As it is not yet over even now, it would take a long time, child, to sift through it all." Amusement laced his words. "Now go, as the Child of Prophecy, and spread peace, love, and Uzumaki psychosis to the rest of the world and your family for the last one."
"I'm not sure the world could handle a bunch of Uzumakis spreading their psychosis," Naruto said, rather dryly. "And how do I gain control over it when -
Warmth rippled over her body.
"You may use the seal five more times this year," he rumbled. "Pick an ending point. Not a starting one, child. And when I see you again, I shall tell you more."
Naruto blinked, finding herself back in the clearing. Night had long since fallen, and Haku stood there, watching her.
"Are you all right, Naruto-san?"
Naruto nodded, stretching.
"Did Auntie Kiana send you?"
Haku nodded.
"Okay."
~:~
"You saw the Sage. The Sage of Six Paths," Nagato repeated dumbly in the room the Uzumakis shared. Hey, they were Uzumakis. Psycho peeps.
Plus, Inari and Tsunami didn't care.
"Yeah," Naruto said quietly.
"Hmm," Karin said, frowning. "What did he tell you?"
"He gave me three gifts, advice, and a request," Naruto said, thinking on it. "And I'm pretty sure he spoke to Kyuubi about something, but I'm not sure what and I am certainly not going to pry."
"Good," Kiana said. "Tomorrow we shall take Zabuza to Fish Island, and I will look upon the remains of the home that was once mine. I shall try to see if I can find some extra scrolls on the seal." She nodded towards Naruto's back.
"Uh, guys?" Nagato sat up. "There's a new group calling themselves the Neo-Akatsuki, and I think that someone from the old Akatsuki I formed is doing what I had planned on doing. This mission needs to finish up as soon as possible."
"Hai, hai!" came a chorus of 'angelic' voices.
