The Fox And The Tiger
The 9 Tails
Naruto walked his usual route home, however now Omoi was at his side on the right. The two didn't really talk, rather Omoi just followed. Whatever Naruto wanted, it had to be something important. He wondered what it could be since Naruto was so silent. That was technically normal but this was different, his face showed no emotion. He seemed sort of like a robot.
After the long walk, Omoi looked up the steps and towards the peak where Naruto lived. It seemed interesting that he had the entire leak to himself. Normally there would be a few homes but not with this one. The massive stone door that was the entrance really caught his eye. It looked really good for keeping others out, but he also had an eerie feeling that it was more for keeping something in, if need be.
This was also the most secluded peak of the village as it stood alone in the district. The hour walk only making Omoi really start wondering what was up with this all. Then again, he could be totally overthinking it and probably wasn't so deep.
"Alright. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, is there anything I can get you?" Naruto said as he led Omoi into the house.
"I'm ok." The sound of the door shutting was like he was sealed in a chamber to never see the outside world again.
"So let's just get straight to it? Hmmm where to begin. I am technically unstable."
"What do you mean?"
"Well...remember how I've said that I never received training?" Omoi nodded "I lied...sort of. To start, I'm Naruto Uzumaki, formerly of Konohagakure. I was brought here when I was three. I was told that I contained a rare, and special power. Something I didn't really understand."
"Ok. So what? You have a kekkei genkai?"
"I could...but that's not the point right now. Point is, a little time after that, i was 5 going on 6, and i was undergoing training to be able to use my power...I failed."
Omoi's eyes widened. He was undergoing a training for some secret power and failed? Then how messed up is he from it? "What happened, Naruto?"
"I'm considered unstable because this training would allow me full control over whatever power is within me. They took me to a sacred and spiritual place. There's a waterfall there that pours into a pond, in the center of the pond is a small 'island' that when you silence your mind and concentrate, you will be faced with an enemy."
"What kind of enemy? Naruto, is everything ok?"
Naruto sighed as he shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know if I'm ok. But this enemy is something your own mind creates. It's something you must overcome in order to take take next step. For me, the embodiment of my hatred, anger, sadness and pain all in one was what I had to overcome. To be able to let go...to forgive...to love...to find happiness...and I couldn't do it. I failed. I was consumed by it and a wrath like no other resulted. I went crazy and berserk."
Omoi looked away. "So you failed your training and was consumed by what you were supposed to overcome. Then what happened to the original you? Are you still the same?"
Naruto having a feeling on what Omoi was thinking took a deep breath. "I am still me...in a way. You see, they managed to suppress the state I was in and close off that part of me. In doing so they had to partially seal off certain emotions, my anger, pain and sadness."
"There's a catch though right? You can't just seal those things without repercussions."
Naruto nodded. "Yeah...this isn't going to be permanent. The seals aren't absolute. Practically it's like trying to block the flow of water, it will work for a while but eventually the pressure will build up and-"
"Boom...it blows up and rushes out faster than it would have without the block. You're practically like bottling up your emotions but on steroids. Wait...sometimes your personality shifts...that's a result of the seals being weakened isn't it?"
Naruto smiled. "You really are smart. I have been getting better but the worry is that I will never be able to have full control. Since this is entirely internal, there is no training for overcoming the problem, it's on me...It's why I've never worked with my chakra. That was the next step but I never got to it. Everyday I meditate to try to find some answer but can't."
"Well. If your struggle is based on your anger, hatred, sadness and pain...Naruto?"
"Yes?"
"Where did you develop such strong negative feelings to where you can't complete your training?"
Naruto looked away and sat on the floor against the wall, across from the couch that Omoi sat on. With a long sigh he looked back. "I don't want to talk about it...just know that it's why I came here."
"Well. Based on what I know about you, you've always been alone with no attachments. Maybe if you formed a few bonds with others, you could have enough positive feelings to outweigh the negative."
Naruto nodded. "Makes sense. Also, there's a voice in my head."
"Come again?"
"I think he's the source of this special power that I hold."
"Hmm...what does it sound like?"
"Deep, menacing. Almost demonic...although it don't seem too bad. Sarcastic but not bad."
"Huh. Interesting. You really are an enigma, you know that?"
Naruto chuckled. "Perhaps...but I need to unlock my chakra Omoi. The ones that were with me on my training decided not to teach me after that incident. The Raikage has plans but...it's taking too long. I'm falling behind."
"Dude...you're a Kenjutsu master at 9. You're not behind."
Naruto smiled. "Thanks...still though."
"WAIT! The Raikage?"
"Yeah. He and his brother were present during my training. Overlooking my progress. Raikage-sama has big plans for me he says but due to the setback is working to find a workaround."
"Maybe you should wait for him then..."
"NO! Please...Omoi. Help me unlock my chakra. I know I can do it if you help me. You're my best friend."
"Naruto...I'm not sure if it's wise...you were told to wait..."
"I can't wait! Everyday I realise how far behind I am. Someone like me needs to work a thousand times harder than everyone else."
Omoi groaned. "Fine."
"Also. Just incase, make sure you stay by the door. In the slightest chance that something seems to be going wrong, you get out immediately. Don't try to stay, and make sure to shut that door behind you."
"What the hell could happen? What's a door going to do?"
Naruto smirked. "You were right on your thoughts about it being made to keep something in...me. The moment I seem to lose control that door will act as the last seal to keep me in. The entire house is made to keep me in, should I lose control. That's partly why there's no neighbors up here, it will serve as a prison until I'm suppressed."
"What the hell? You're not some animal that needs to be caged up!"
Naruto placed his right hand on Omoi's left shoulder and smiled as he spoke. "With what can happen to me, if there is even a small chance that I could lose it, they need to prepare like it's an absolute certainty."
Omoi frowned. "Better safe than sorry...so you escaped whatever trauma and he'll you went through previously, just to be imprisoned?"
Shaking his head Naruto said "I'm not in prison. Just a failsafe. Look, if the worse happens, all I remember is that everything becomes red and it will surround me. If it happens, go to Trey's, that weapons shop I pointed out on the way here. Ask for Kira, tell her FS9T was activated. She'll know what to do."
"Naruto, you sure you want to do this? It sounds risky."
Naruto nodded slowly. "It has to be done." Omoi nodded and sighed.
"Just go slow. I'll do what I can from my end to make sure nothing happens but you just have to go slow."
"I'll try. Thank you...for your help. Even though you disappear a lot."
"Alright, to unlock it, it'll be like when you meditate, but rather than trying to keep your mind empty and being still, you're searching for a warm pool like sensation within yourself. Once you find it, pull on it and intensify the feeling, you'll know you're doing it right because the feeling will spread throughout your body. Once complete, chakra will be expelled a small amount from your body."
Naruto nodded and began to meditate and feel for the supposed warm pool. Omoi moved to be by the door as he was told. For about 15 minutes, Naruto remained meditating, waiting for what he was looking for. Since it was the first time trying to cause his chakra to manifest, he really didn't know what he was doing exactly until finally feeling a spark.
It wasn't like a pool as he was told but there were these sparks. It was like trying make a fire with flint. The sparks were increasing, the more he concentrated on it. Eventually the feeling erupted into flames and the fire-like feeling spread through his entire body.
Omoi watched in fascination as he could feel the chakra and heat emanating from Naruto. It felt so dense and strong. He never felt chakra like this, not even with his own. Granted, he wasn't a sensor but he could tell, this was unique. It was like fire burning, providing warmth and security, yet the potential for devastation.
Suddenly, the chakra grew in rapid rates. It just kept growing. When Naruto opened his eyes, a shockwave from his chakra was expelled and threw Omoi into the door. He couldn't believe the sheer power if Naruto's chakra. It held this much strength? He just finally awakened his dormant chakra. Looking at Naruto in awe, he noticed that Naruto's eyes began to roll back and he suddenly passed out.
"Naruto!" Omoi ran over to Naruto to see what was wrong. When he reached him, there was no visible indication of anything being wrong. That was an abnormally large amount of chakra, maybe that was the cause?
Raikage Tower
"It's about time." Ay said chuckling as the seals picked up on Naruto's chakra being awakened.
"Raikage-sama, was it wise to let him be on his own all this time after the incident?"
"You worry to much, Mabui! He needs to do this on his own and find his own path. Bee said so himself, there's nothing we can do to help him, it's his internal conflict."
"What if he rampages again? This time though he won't be in the containment of the sacred waterfall."
"It'll be fine. He's progressing very well. We will bring him in soon. For now, he has to learn on his own."
Mabui reluctantly nodded. She couldn't deny, Naruto's progress. A master of Kenjutsu and already working on another weapon type. His ingenuity as always, continues to impress. The sky was the limit for him. She just wondered if the risk of letting him be on his own and not trained was worth it.
"Raikage-sama? What about his apparent fondness of Yugito?"
"What of it?"
"You are not worried about his interest in her?"
"Mabui, the kid is not interested in her specifically. It's obvious he can sense the Nibi within her. He just doesn't know that it's the Nibi that he feels as familiar. Due to that, it would seem that he is interested in her when in reality, Naruto merely wants to find the answer to what makes the similar feeling."
"Are you sure? Who takes a beating and tries to comfort the attacker..."
"Someone trying to look unfazed by anything that they come across. We know he enjoys aggravating everyone. Him seeming perfectly fine after she beat him definitely got in her head. Besides, she told me that he said that he'd been wrong about her a year ago. At this point, I wouldn't doubt it if he's just trying to have his own sense of fun."
"Sir. With all due respect...he's an unstable Jinchuriki...there's actions that we are supposed to take."
"Not this time. I want to see how this plays out. Besides, even with the Kyubi, he can't beat Bee or me...yet..."
"You put too much faith in the improbable."
"Doesn't mean impossible."
Naruto's House
Naruto slowly began to open his eyes and Omoi for the first time noticed the dull, cold blue for the first time. It looked like he felt totally empty and had nothing to live for. Seeing this, his heart sank and found it hard to not feel the urge to begin to cry.
"Naruto?"
Instantly the dull brightened and the bright warm blue eyes of his friend returned. With it, a smile. "I'm ok, Omoi. I didn't realise how overwhelming a feeling that would be."
Omoi nodded. "Now, there's nothing else I can really teach you...you can channel your chakra and expel it by more or less the same process, the more you do it, the simpler it will be. I haven't learned much else yet."
Naruto smiled a pure, genuine smile and his eyes seemed moistened and shined from the light. "Thank you, Omoi. You're a good friend...one I don't deserve, but I'm happy to have you."
"Ofcourse, Naruto. Just let's make sure to beat those two next time." Omoi said laughing. The two sat against the wall drinking tea and laughing for the next hour. "You know something? I ain't never seen or heard of anyone who released that much chakra when first unlocking it."
Naruto shrugged "I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with me being an Uzumaki? I remember the Raikage saying that I'll have a lot of chakra because if that."
"Maybe. Well, I should get going, I'll see you tomorrow."
Naruto nodded and walked him out. When he was alone, he sighed as he locked up and turned to got to a far door. When the door was opened it was dark and had steps going down. He took the long walk down and entered a massive room of stone and etchings all over the walls, floor, and ceiling.
"Sit down, and focus." Naruto complied to everything he was being told. "Concentrate on my voice, follow it within your mind. Focus on where it's coming from. Relax and breathe, just focus on my voice."
Eventually Naruto finally got to where he figured he was meant to be. He was in a massive sewer-like system and there were tunnels going in different directions. He focused on the voice and where it was coming from, soon after following for a while, he reached a large opening. As he entered, there was a massive gate that was locked.
"A gate? Why? What is this place? This can't be my mind...can it? If so, it must not be good that it's a sewer huh."
"Really brat. That's your first thoughts here? Not what's behind the gate?"
"Eehhh...gates there and locked. No need to worry about that. I assume that you are locked away behind the gates? Or is it the other way around? Gate keeping me in and you out..."
"Not now. Listen closely, you may have been overtaken before but that was to be expected. You are not yet ready for my power. That incident doesn't mean you can't use my abilities...or power even. It just means you have a chance of losing control."
"So, that training was just to ensure that I wouldn't lose control when using your power?"
"In a way. It just becomes highly unlikely. You are still able to lose it based on your emotions and what is happening to you. Regardless, I'll be giving you the basics of my abilities. We'll wait to begin using my power once you've mastered your own."
"Cool. So what do you look like? I'd like to put a face to the voice that's helped me out."
From the darkness beyond the gate, a pair of glowing crimson eyes with black slits opened up. The eyes came closer with the sounds of loud, thunderous steps. When the being reached the gate, a massive orange fox with nine tails stood tall and proud. Sharp, massive fangs and claws, and an appearance that demands respect and fear.
"I am the Kyubi no Yoko. King of the Bijuu."
"And foxes, no doubt."
"Funny that you say that...but it's not the time. For now, you need to know the basic abilities granted to you."
"Cool. You know? You're not that bad. I always imagined something worse...then again, you haven't exactly been as evil as you sound."
"I'm really not. Humans mistake my kind based on how they treated us. We wanted nothing to do with your damn species. It was you who sought us out and attacked...Regardless I'm not getting into that."
"Well, I'd like to learn more about you and your kind sometime."
The Kyubi nodded and took a breath. This kid really was something else. Maybe that was why he never hated him like the others. Perhaps this human was shaping out to be a pretty decent one. He remembered the times when he and the other bijuu were together. Then there were times when they got to meet up at times, there were stories that some of the humans weren't so bad, perhaps he never got to meet any that were good...well...until now.
"First off, all your senses are increased. At the moment, you've only activated them once by accident. After practice it will be second nature and will always be there. Next, you are far more agile and faster than normal. This increases over time as you get stronger. You also have as you know, increased healing and recovery."
"So that was because of you." The Kyubi nods "Well I haven't noticed those others though."
"You don't utilize it at all. You just need to focus. You'll start by meditating, dial in on your senses and eventually you'll get it. Just know, it is simultaneously a gift and a curse to have amplified senses..."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see... Now, this is all my passive traits that I pass to you."
"So no work involved...atleast in regards to chakra and such."
Kyubi nodded. "Now, my chakra...don't even mess with that for now...When it's time, I'll bring you in for that."
"What do you mean bring me in?"
"You going to ask 1000 questions?"
"Sorry...just curious. What am I supposed to do?"
"Fair enough. Look, one thing you should know about everything you'll be learning, get creative. The limits that will generally hold humans back...don't pertain to you. Not since you have me."
Naruto understood. "Why are you helping me?"
"Feeling charitable. Besides, I've got two friends here. Well...a special one at one point."
"Ok big fox. So why was I brought to the room?"
"Because this room has special properties that allowed us to communicate this way. Eventually, this room won't be needed anymore to do so, but this has to be done for now. Also, when you go back, do as I said, it will help."
"How? Is this room like that waterfall place?"
"Yes. It enhances your spiritual connection. It also seems that your Raikage planned on you eventually training with my power since it's been reinforced to handle the strain that it would go through."
"Do you agree with his decision to have not been helping me anymore after the last time?"
"Naruto, there is nothing the man can do to help you with your internal conflict. As I said, it isn't even totally necessary, it helps, yes, but with my power that wouldn't be all that you would need. My level of strength and by extension, my chakra is nothing compared to the others. They don't measure up. Think of it this way. There's nine of us, each with a specific number of tails which designates our power. The one tail is the base. As you go up think of it as the number of tails multiplied by the one tail. So the two tails is twice as strong as the one tail for instance."
"Ok...but then wouldn't the eight tails still be close?"
"I am where things get tricky...I'm not just nine times stronger than the one tail...My power is all the bijuu combined then multiplied by nine. That is why my power and chakra are nothing like their's."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "B-b-b-but that...that doesn't even make sense. T-that's ridiculous. Do you have their traits as well?"
"Haha no. Even so, I am far more powerful than they are. I don't have lava, blue flames, control over sand, boiling traits, wings, or any of that other stuff, yet I remain the king. They can have those abilities and still, it is meaningless in the face of me. I am of the simplest of the bijuu but yet, the most powerful. Just know, I do have a special ability that none of them can offer their Jinchuriki, but that's not for now...well technically two but I've yet to decide if you'll get the other."
"S-sure...I mean...like...at this point, I don't think anything else can surprise me anymore. There is literally nothing stronger than you. So I wouldn't doubt a thing you say in regards to your capabilities."
The Kyubi smirked and sent Naruto back to the real world. This made him look around and he began to meditate to focus on his senses as he was told. He wanted to get this mastered to potentially have an edge.
"By the way kit, forgot to tell you. You also technically have night vision."
"That explains a lot."
As he focused, he noticed the etchings would glow red. Naruto took it as a sign that he was getting it and continued working. By the end of the night, the etchings constantly were glowing red and never deactivated. This meant he finally got his senses augmented fully by the Kyubi's influence. Now every sense was dialed up, his hearing, smell, taste, feel, and even sight increased drastically.
"Yo...what does tea taste like now?"
The next day Naruto was getting ready for the academy when he noticed his eyes were different. They now had a black vertical slit for his pupils. His whisker marks also became a little more pronounced but wasn't drastic.
"Uh...Kyubi...is this normal?"
"You've literally augmented yourself. This is a side effect. Those whisker marks on your face as you know have been there since birth, that's because as an infant my chakra had changed you while you were in the womb, and augmented you from there to a slight degree. Now you pretty much finished it."
"So...I'm different now?"
"Pretty much. While you were only slightly changed. Now you've fully been morphed. Be glad I'm not like one of the other bijuu and turned you into some sort of bug or turtle or something."
"AM I GOING TO BECOME A FOX?"
The Kyubi laughed "No! Haha, you just have more of my traits. You already had the slight changes, they just became fully there. Like your pupils always were slightly slitted just never completely. The whisker marks now actually are far more obvious and also...far more sensitive so..."
"You mean my cheeks will be a weak spot?"
"Well...in a weird way. Not necessarily to being punched...just...not now...you won't be experiencing what I mean until later...much later."
"What are you talking about?"
"God damnit kit! You'll learn that shit later! I am not going to be the one to explain this crap."
"Jeez...sorry for not being all knowing immortal entity."
"Just keep in mind what I told you. Having these fully augmented senses, they're a gift and a curse. But hey, welcome to the life of us kitsune."
Naruto smiled slightly. He was now a part of something. Well...he was a part of an animal but hey, there were worse things out there. Atleast he wasn't growing fur or growing a tail...Quickly he felt for one which made the Kyubi laugh like crazy at his host and Naruto frowned at seeming stupid for ever thinking he could actually have a tail.
"Hey Kyubi. Got a name? I have a name and everything and everyone has one, so what's yours?"
"Bout damn time you ask. I was beginning to wonder if you ever would."
"Dude. we like talk every few months."
"Well you haven't been interesting lately and you still could have asked. I knew your name."
"YOU ARE SEALED WITHIN ME!"
"All the more reason you could have asked."
"Seriously...I'm not doing this all day. I've got to get to class."
"You're literally going to sleep in there. Then probably get your ass beat again."
"Listen here you douche. If I look bad, you look bad. Even though they don't know it, we're a team here and I represent you out there."
"Hmmm. Fair point. You'll definitely need to step the hell up then."
"You bastard."
"Kurama."
"What?"
"Kurama. My name's Kurama."
"Kurama eh? Very well." Naruto looked to the clock and sighed. "So about that speed?"
Gym Class
Naruto and Omoi stood together as they watched fights go down. It looked like this class was going to be a lot sparring for a while. No more easy games of Capture The Flag. A shame really, Naruto was really enjoying getting to find new creative ways to embarrass the other team.
Now he was the one being embarrassed. It was a tough pill to swallow. One moment he was on top of the world with his amusement. Now he only being beat up everytime. Still, he showed promise and adapted quickly. However that didn't ever get him a win. If there was more freedom, this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but he was forced to be caged in.
"Naruto. You're going to be up again."
"I know, Omoi, think you could help me out later with fighting?"
"Sure. But why not ask Kira? She's a ninja already."
"That's exactly why I can't. Since that incident where I was practically told to never use my chakra and stuff, she also wasn't allowed to help. So if I asked her to help me with this, she'd easily learn of my awakened chakra and probably report back to him..."
Omoi nodded "Makes sense. Alright. But I mean, even I'm not that special. Maybe you should ask Samui."
Naruto looked at him blankly. "No. That won't do."
He didn't look down on her, she was strong no doubt. A direct rival to Yugito, the two were geniuses. But the two were like bestfriends...so if she was teaching him, Yugito would know exactly how to beat him. It also gave her something else to brag about. Then again, she already was the clearly stronger between them so, maybe it didn't matter.
Still, he didn't want to rely on her or Samui by extension. The two weren't bad but it wasn't amusing to be trained by them. The only reason he gravitated towards them was solely for his amusement. Him being around Samui annoyed Yugito and just seeing him annoyed her in general. Only in victory over him was she ok being around him.
On top of that, he wanted to one up them, so going to them wouldn't do that. It still took a lot to even ask Omoi. He had to let go of a lot of pride in order to ask for help again. Asking for help was a rare thing for him. Generally being one to be alone and work that way. It worked for many things, but to be a better fighter, he'd need another person.
There were just things you couldn't do alone. This happened to be one of them.
"I never asked. What's with the change?"
Naruto glanced over to Omoi curiously. "What do you mean?"
"You know. The eyes and whiskers on your cheeks. Your hair is even a little messier but I mean...that's always been like that."
Naruto nodded, so it was noticed by Omoi. Well that was to be expected. They sat next to eachother and had all the same classes. "Yeah, met the entity within me. Interesting fellow."
"What happened? What is it?"
"Well, we talked. And it's a huge nine tailed fox."
Omoi's jaw dropped. "The legendary Bijuu?" He whispered.
Naruto nodded with a smirk at his reaction. "Indeed."
"Whenever you get it under control we will never lose again! Naruto master that hoe!"
"Did that human just call me a hoe?"
"Sorta? Not really?" Kurama growled unhappy.
"I'll try."
Naruto sighed in relief when the bell rang. He wouldn't need to fight today. With his new heightened senses, he was trying to become accustomed to it still. He found them to be...overwhelming, to say the least.
Omoi had called out to him as usual in the morning but it came really loud to Naruto. It hurt his ears at first. Not being used to these things yet caught him off guard. Also...he never realized just how bad the trash smelled. It was rough, trying to adjust.
Still, the benefits were nice. He had to admit, sometimes his hearing was amusing when he could hear the gossip that people whispered. Now there were some...experiments...he'd have to do.
"Uzumaki."
Naruto rolled his eyes before turning around and seeing the one and only, Yugito. "Yes?"
"Just wanted to say thanks." Naruto raised an eyebrow. "For talking sense into me. While being a complete total bastard. Still, I'll never understand how you're fine and don't feel pain."
"I do." With that he turned around and began walking away.
"Hey don't turn your back on me! Who said you could leave?"
Naruto just waved without turning and continued walking. "I don't need your permission to get to class. You're going to be late if you keep standing there. The prodigy can't have that now can she?"
He smirked when she growled in frustration. Although he couldn't hold a candle to her in terms of fighting yet, he could always win the psychological fight...mainly because there wasn't much left for him to lose there.
"Kurama."
"What?"
"You know anything I can do with chakra?"
"We don't utilize it the same."
"So?"
"Use your imagination."
"You're joking, right?
"Nope. If you can imagine it, you can do it...if you have the chakra capacity."
"Ok. Interesting."
Naruto continued walking into his weapons training and went straight to the dojo and began training with his Bo. He was on nearing at the halfway point of mastery and would soon start use a real Bo, rather than the light training one.
At the end of the day, he and Omoi went to a clearing outside and sparred for hours until the sun was setting. The two had finally noticed and took a break to drink some water before heading home.
"So the new look suits you. You don't have to try to hide it."
Naruto sighed. "I don't know. I don't need to give this village a reason to call me a demon as well."
"Dude, if they had half a brain, they'd realise that it was pretty cool to have that power. Think about it man. Yeah you may have been sacrificed for it and definitely aren't a normal human anymore but the blend of bijuu and human is cool."
"Seems that way..."
"Cheer up. You always smile. That's what Naruto Uzumaki is."
"It's fake, Omoi. Nothing about me is real. You don't even know the real me."
"Maybe. But anything that knocks you down, you come back up with a smile. You don't let anything get to you. It might seem fake to you, but it takes strength to be able to hide how you feel so well." Naruto remained silent, and Omoi sighed. "Listen. I never will force you to open up, just know that if you're ever up for it, I'll be there."
Naruto nodded. "You're a good friend. Even though you really know nothing about me and I have never been fully truthful to you."
"You're telling me the truth now." Omoi smiled as he put a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I also get to have an ultra powerful friend when he learns to control his power."
Naruto chuckled "Yeah...guess you've got a couple points."
"Yup. Besides, you are always fun to be around. Everyone else is starting to see that as well. Like Rin, Karui, hell even Samui but well... she's close to Yugito so..."
"Yeah. But it's not like I haven't given her reasons to hate me."
"Why do you try so hard to have everyone hate you?"
Naruto sighed and looked to the sky with a long distant gaze. It seemed like he was looking into an entirely different world. The gaze lasted for a couple minutes before he looked back to a level position and sighed.
"I'm used to being hated. Back then I had no reason why that was. Atleast now I know since I'm giving them reasons."
"Wouldn't you like to not be hated though?"
"I'm scared."
"Why?"
"All I've ever known is what it's like to be hated Omoi. To have a bond was never possible for me. I had absolutely no one. If someone was even a little nice, they got ridiculed and attacked as well. I'm scared of what having a bond will mean. I don't want to lose one so if I never have one, there's nothing I can lose."
"But then you'll forever be lonely Naruto. I'm not saying to befriend the world, but friends are what make life worth living."
"You should listen to this kid, kit."
"You too?"
"How does the saying go? Oh right! Its better to love and lost, than to not have loved at all." Omoi said shocking Naruto who went wide eyed.
"B-but it doesn't make sense. If you lose what you love...the pain that would follow..."
"Will never be worse than the feeling of pure emptiness and loneliness. Just give some thought. Even though you try hard to always be alone for the most part and act fine, you aren't. You're really close to that Kira person and her dad. You're friends with me. You are happier when with us, even if you don't know it or admit it."
Omoi stood up smiling. "You're too smart for your own good...Why's that?"
"I don't know. Just born that way I guess...or maybe it's these lollipops. They give me a good mood and energy from the sugar so perhaps that leads to my intellect. Or maybe it's not that simple and I have a really complicated story that hasn't been told yet..."
"Ehhh...go back to that lollipop theory." Omoi nodded. Naruto stood up and the two smiled as they shook hands. "Just so you know, I wasn't faking that time."
"I know, Naruto. I know."
5 months later
In the middle of a forest, people were frantically running and breathing heavily. They'd been running a while now. The group was being stalked like prey being chased by its predator.
"Shit...no where to go." One with red hair said as they came up to a cliff.
"What now?" Another said with short white hair.
"You guys trust me?" A blonde said. The white haired person nodded immediately while the red head hesitated but nodded nonetheless. "Then jump."
The two went wide eyed and watched as the blonde only smiked. They turned back to see the ones they were running from enter the clearing. With a quick look at one another they all jump off the cliff, shocking the pursuers. They ran to the edge to see them falling.
"NARUTO! WHAT NOW?"
"Karui...aim for the bushes." Naruto said absolutely serious.
"WHAT? ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY? YOU PSYCHOPATH!"
Naruto laughed at her. "Trust me."
"Always." Omoi said as he moved his lollipop to the right side of his mouth.
They all went for the bushes and went straight through. The pursuers watched in shock and horror at watching them commit suicide. A long blonde haired girl frowned. Did they really just do something so stupid?
"What now, Yugito?"
"I don't know, Samui. The match will be called soon since they were morons. I always told you that bastard was retarded."
Samui sighed, there was nothing she could say. They all watched them jump off the cliff to their deaths. They were trying to regain the flag that was stolen by them but apparently they decided to die with the flag...a stupid flag.
All the way at the bottom of the cliff, under the bushes and withing a cave, the three are seen drying off.
"How'd you know there was a pond with an underwater cave system within it?" Karui asked.
Naruto smirked. "You know that cliff we jumped from?" She nodded "I live in that mountain peak. On my first day here I saw the pond. I hadn't dared make the jump yet but I started to a little while back. I covered it to hide it incase I ever needed to flee my home."
"Wow...you really are a psycho..."
Naruto smiled. "Barely realizing that?"
She shook her head and couldn't help but smile. Naruto always had a few tricks up his sleeves. Omoi had said it best to her. Naruto is always creative and dangerous, but the real danger comes when you have him cornered. Just when you think you have the upper hand, he flips it entirely on your face and makes you question everything. He truly was cunning like the fox within him. Although she didn't know about the fox.
"Where to now, Naruto?"
"Right this way, Omoi. We'll emerge near the academy."
"How do you know?" Karui asked.
"I mapped out these pathways in my head. I know where each tunnel will take us."
"Well isn't that handy." Naruto nodded with a smile.
"Yugito's going to be pissed when she finds out, Naruto..."
"It'll be fun. Oh...and keep this place a secret."
The two nodded and followed Naruto through the tunnels for 20 minutes until there was light poking through more bushes ahead of them. Karui smiled in relief that Naruto really did know where he was going.
"Hey, Naruto? I just thought of something...for you to know that the jump was survivable...you needed to make the jump...knowing you could die..."
"Get to the point you want to make, Karui." Naruto said calmly but quietly.
"Are you ok, Naruto? Like really? I mean. I know I am not close to you like Omoi but...I hope you can see me as a friend. Just...if you have depression or something, you know you have us right?"
Naruto stayed silent as he led them out. Omoi glanced over to him but said nothing. He knew Naruto was always secretly hurting but never showed it. He still hadn't opened up more since that day after school and he hadn't forced him. When Naruto was ready, he would talk. Never a moment before.
"We'll be exiting in just a moment. Get ready for the bright light."
"Are you going to ignore what I've said?"
"Karui, not now. We are about to be exiting and could face an opponent shortly." Omoi said, much to Naruto's pleasure.
Naruto looked over to Omoi and nodded in thanks for switching her focus. Omoi just smiled back and continued walking with Naruto.
When they exited the cave, they saw the academy below them. Naruto began sliding down the mountain and the other two followed. He obviously had more practice, so he remained on his feet while the other two ended up falling on their butts and slid down that way.
Once they arrived at the village level, they walked to the gym and showed the flag to Namrata. She smiled and congratulated them. She disappeared and when she returned, said the other students would be coming soon.
Omoi and Karui sat down to get a breather and recuperate due to all the running and hiking. Naruto looked like he was barely breaking a sweat. Almost like he only just got warmed up. The two talked about the jump and how they couldn't believe that they actually did it.
Eventually the rest of the class came strolling in, all wondering how blue team won since Naruto and his group had the flag when they made the suicide jump. They soon saw the three and were extremely confused.
"HOW? I WATCHED YOU GUYS JUMP TO YOUR DEATHS!"
"Relax, Yugito."
"NO! I CAN TAKE YOUR ANNOYING ACTIONS, I CAN IGNORE YOUR INATE ABILITY TO ALWAYS BE AHEAD, YOUR RIDICULOUS ENERGY, YOUR RETARDED RECOVERY! BUT I JUST WATCHED AS YOU JUMPED TO DEATH! YOU DON'T CHEAT THAT SHIT!"
"I too would like to know." Samui said, a hell of a lot calmer.
"Yeah me too."
"Me too"
"Yeah."
"Tell us."
Naruto sighed as everyone wanted to know. "It's really not that special..." Everyone leaned in to hear. "We got lucky..." Everyone gasped and their jaws dropped. That was not the answer they expected.
Yugito pushed Naruto out of the way as she stormed past. He always hid everything and lied to everyone. There was nothing truthful in regards to him.
Samui watched her go then looked back to Naruto with a smile. "Good to see you guys aren't dead."
Naruto nodded and walked away. Everyone caught up while he went to the locker room. He began to change and looked in the mirror within the locker. His smile and bright blue eyes went away. In their place a frown and dull, hopeless eyes in place. Tears began to form until a voice surprised him.
"Crying, Bastard?"
Naruto reverted back to his "normal" self and turned to see Yugito. "What are you doing here? You know you'll get into trouble if you're seen."
"What the hell is up with you? You make absolutely no sense."
"No longer mad?"
"Keep dodging the questions I ask, and see just what happens to you." She then looked closer and noticed his slitted eyes. "What the hell? What's up with your eyes...come to think of it, why do you look so different?" Naruto remained silent, much to her annoyance.
She ran at him and punched just next to his face, hitting the locker beside him. He stood without a flinch. "Are you done?"
She scowled and walked away while muttering one last "I hate you."
"You should becareful, Kitten. I can sense a build up within him...You may want to stray from those confrontations. I know he acts calm and unfazed but we both know everything is an act. His anger is rising..."
"So what? He's a weak boy."
"You just don't get it! Keep being arrogant all you want! Ignore my warnings all you want! You'll regret this later! I'm done trying to help your arrogant, self-absorbed ass. See what happens then."
Yugito growled and continued to walk away. No longer listening to Matatabi. The Bijuu cared deeply about Yugito but she wasn't learning a thing. The best thing she could do for her, was let her learn the hard way.
Naruto looked back to the mirror and again, his facade dropped. "It's getting harder and harder to keep this up."
"Then don't. With the seals in place, you're only making it worse by pretending. Living a fake life will never solve your problems."
"How can I, Kurama? It will all be the same as before."
"Only this time it will have reason."
Naruto said nothing and put up his facade again. There was no way, he'd let them know his pain. All they'll ever get, is what he allows. To hell with bonds if the result was loss. Staying unknown was protection. Nothing else was.
Nobody would understand. atleast that's what he believed. Since Yugito still continued to never understand after all this time, no one would. But it wasn't like he ever gave her a true chance. Being as hidden as always, no one had a chance. Only Omoi knew about him, but even then, that was only a little bit, and he didn't know what Naruto didn't want him to.
Whele he walked around the academy during a lunch, a few days later. He got pushed against a rigid brick wall. He got a gash on his right brow and the back of his right hand. He looked over to his left, where the push came from and got aggravated. It was the five boys that rocked brown.
"What do the brownies want today?"
People began to gather since the five had him against the wall and were in a semicircle around him. There was nowhere to get away unless through them. No place to climb through to escape this time. The crowd was growing rapidly and it was making it harder to escape by the second.
"We've been waiting a long time to get revenge." the leader said.
Naruto looked around and sighed. "Hmm. Does anyone know their names? I know I don't."
This got laughs from the crowd as he just dissed them nonchalantly. The five got angry and started to get closer to him slowly. Making his room smaller and smaller. He was quickly glancing around, trying to find a way out. But after getting passed the five, the crowd blocked all his avenues of escape.
Naruto closed his eyes knowing that there was no way to escape without fighting. The other annoying thing was that compared to the other kids, he was a weaker fighter still. He improved greatly but still was technically weaker. Reopening them, they were closer and continued to dramatically walk closer.
Finally the leader charged at full speed and threw the hardest punch he could muster and it caused Naruto to hit the wall with his back. His eyes slightly closed at the impact and was punched again but in the face from the right and the left side of his face hit the rigid wall cutting his cheek along the whisker marks. He winced slightly and got kicked in the stomach by another.
He coughed from losing his wind and dropped to a knee by a kick to the kidney. They all began to jump him and kick him all over. Naruto began bleeding all over and coughed a lot. With one last kick to his head by the leader they all took a step back to admire their work. Naruto was looking at the ground...shaking.
They laughed, thinking it was from the pain they caused, from the fear they caused. They thought they were awesome and felt happy about finally getting to destroy the outsider.
Omoi, Yugito, Samui, Karui, and Rin all managed to get to the front of the crowd at the end of their onslaught to see the beaten up Naruto. Yugito was slightly amused but she was getting a really dark feeling for some reason. She didn't entirely understand but it was rising rapidly. It was coming from Naruto. Omoi looked in worry for his friend but the others and he included, couldn't feel what Yugito was.
Naruto clenched his fists as his arms flexed and shook from how tightly he held his fists. He tried as hard as he could to hold in all he felt but was failing by the second.
"What? You want to cry?" The leader said.
Naruto began growling. It was dark and deeper than his voice was. Almost echoing in a sense. His growls began to increase as he red sparks seemed to be coming from him. He stood up and a red aura started to grow around him. His whisker marks darkened to black, his hair becoming more messy giving him a feral look. Fangs began to become visible as they grew and his nails grew and sharpened to fangs. The red aura looked like flames surrounding him as it sparked to life.
They all stood in fear, now they could all feel this overwhelming power and it caused nothing but fear. Everyone was frozen in place from the aura he released. His transformation all giving them the thoughts of him being a demon. The aura began to seem solid as a bubbly aura. His eyes remained closed as he was growling more. The aura grew out ears like the Kyubi and suddenly tails bubbled into existence and swayed around him. Nine to be exact...
Omoi recognized what was going on from his talks with Naruto. This was the result of his constant bottling up of emotion and the partial sealing to his emotions. It finally failed...
He looked to the others and everyone stood in fear and couldn't move. Yugito looked stuck in a trance and couldn't believe what she was seeing. He tried to nudge her and she snapped out of it.
"Omoi...what the hell is going on?"
"Yugito...we have to-"
A large roar knocked everyone to the ground. Wind began to pick up and the ground beneath Naruto began to crack from the pressure he was releasing. The tails were swaying and flailing around rapidly and when it made contact with the wall behind him, the ground below, it cracked and began breaking. Proving that they were tangible. The aura wasn't an illusion. It was there, as solid as his own body was. Another roar came from him that made some piss themselves and their hair to flap, clothes to be blown around and they all had one thought. "We're going to die."
Suddenly 40 people immediately showed up. 20 were the senseis of the academy. The other 20 consisted of 18 shinobi that were masked. The other two being the Raikage himself, and his brother Bee.
"NARUTO! YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!" The Raikage shouted as the power seemed to continue increasing. "NARUTO!"
"He can't hear you, big bro." Bee said at his right. He had his seven swords sheathed still but he was preparing to get ready to fight.
Ay nodded and frowned slightly. This was sadly always a potential result from the failed training and the seals. It was inevitable even. He just hoped it would be later
A female masked shinobi stepped forward and tried to calm Naruto. She touched the shoulder of his aura and it burned her. So she tried to speak, "Naruto? Can you hear me? You need to-"
He swung his arm knocking her away. She was sent flying and got caught by the Raikage who was in his lightning armor now. "I'm sorry, but we'll have to use force." The masked shinobi nodded. She understood her duty...even if she thought of him as a little brother.
Bee jumped up and did a flip and when he landed, all seven swords were being wielded within his joints and mouth. The power seemed to finally start to level off meaning it was now no longer growing but it also meant that Naruto was ready to go and at full power.
He finally opened his eyes slowly which scared the kids to their core. Crimson red eyes with dark black slits were revealed. He no longer had the bright blue that they were used to. This no longer was the Naruto they knew. This was some demon. And his only thought seemed to kill them all.
Yugito couldn't comprehend what was going on...he was like her...like Bee. Did they know? Apparently so, based on how they tried talking to him. Why didn't anyone tell her? Didn't she have a right to know since they were both Jinchuriki? Was that what Naruto meant when he thought they were the same? Did he know? Then again...Matatabi told her a long time ago...she just didn't listen. She never listened whenever it was about him.
"Matatabi? What do I do?"
"Now you want to listen?"
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I just..."
"It's ok, Kitten. But there's nothing you can do. He's far more powerful than you at the moment and he isn't in control. Leave this to them."
"I'm sorry for always ignoring you...I should have listened...maybe things wouldn't have gotten this way."
"Stop feeling guilty. This was bound to happen."
Yugito looked at Omoi and he was worried for Naruto. She could see that clearly and understood. Here was his closest friend releasing an overwhelming power and looking at everyone like prey he wanted to slaughter. Hell, she was utterly afraid at the moment as well.
Everybody was still frozen in fear and couldn't move. The only ones who seemed to be able to move was the shinobi, but even they seemed to have a little fear.
Suddenly the senseis began shunshinning around, trying to get the students to safety. The speakers around the academy were calling for an evacuation. When she got grabbed by Namrata, she tried to protest to see what would happen but her sensei wouldn't have it and she was taken away.
It would be three hours until they were released from the bunker at the academy. When they did, half the campus was destroyed. The grounds of the courtyard were scorched. Everyone's jaws dropped and couldn't believe the damage. On top of that, what happened to Naruto? The last thing they saw was him and the Raikage and Bee charge eachother.
3 Hours Earlier
Hey guys. Been a while. I have been really busy lately and work has been hectic.
Yeah I can get your annoyances with the characters of Yugito and Naruto, I am still learning how to portray characters. I've never really done this type of thing and am trying to improve. Not many people voice a criticism so its not like I know exactly what the problems are aside from what I myself am trying to improve on. Your problem with the Raikage thing, I hadn't gotten to that yet and just started getting there. There's still more to go in regards to that bit but him not being powerful yet is because I feel like I went too fast in that regard on my other story. I thought taking it a little slower this go around would be better. He'll no doubt become powerful, I just wanted it to come a little bit more over time, now that his chakra is awakened, he'll learn more in that. I've expressed that he's a really fast learner and that will come to play as well later. Not just in Kenjutsu. I do hope you continue reading but understand if you choose not to.
Well, see y'all in the next one.