Why do you insist on coming here? You are a pest and irritating. Leave me in peace.

"But I have left you alone so long, and you are only half of yourself. I am worried that you are lonely. You have chosen complete isolation here, not even another animal in sight for you to converse with." I noted with a spread of my hand to the vacant trees which bore not a single bird or insect. "Do you truly not wish for any company at all?"

Haven't I already said so? You humans, always interfering! Grumbling as he continued to walk, I had to leap with chakra infused feet in order to keep up with him, using the tree branches as platforms to keep roughly at eye level with the Nine Tails. Although he had told me that he preferred his own company, he had not made any effort to send me away as of yet, so I continued to follow. I was fully focused upon him, however when I caught sight of a butterfly as it fluttered pretty wings past me, my eyes widened in surprise to see it. Thus far there had been no other life forms within the Nine Tails' dream, so I had not expected to see anything at all. Watching as the butterfly I completely missed the next branch as I came to land, my foot slipping off the roughened bark so with a gasp, I fell.

I was not overly alarmed and I was only falling due to my own mistake, I can correct this. Aiming for a lower branch in order to use as a foothold and straighten myself out, I reached out my hand in order to grasp it, but before I could do so a massive tail swept underneath me and caught me. Surprised, I blinked at the Fox Demon who did not look back at me, merely lifted his tail on which I was now perched and lowered me to the ground. Baffled, I stood still for a moment or two to go over what had just happened before hurrying to catch up. "You helped me."

I did no such thing. You merely got in the way of my tail.

"I think you are making excuses."

Think what you will, pesky human. Giggling softly, I sprang after the Nine Tails who drew himself out of the forest and into an open glade full of colourful flowers and a swarm of butterflies, each of them intricately patterns and gentle to view.

"Ah…so you do not like to be completely alone. Or, perhaps I have persuaded you that it is better to have a little company to stave off the feeling of loneliness." I suggested with a chuckle as the Nine Tails grumbled as he walked forwards then laid down upon the grass and flowers in order to rest. Sleeping seemed to be one of his priorities in this dream, I often found him doing nothing else than napping under the sun. "Do not worry, you shall not be lonely for long. One day I shall be able to reunite you with your other half, and then you will be able to exist with Naruto, he'll take good care of you."

I have no interest being bonded with some brat of the Fourth Hokage. That idiot almost killed himself trying to separate my other half and me. The Nine Tails answered, opening his jaws to inhale deeply and relax further. I know you keep me here for a reason and that you intend to use me in the future, but I won't help you willingly. You'll just use your Sharingan to control me like that last Uchiha. I cannot stand the sight of such eyes.

"Well, you have my word I shall use no such means to force you to help us, but I think by then you will have changed your mind." I mused almost to myself as I dared to go closer to the giant Fox Demon then climbed up onto one of its legs, resting myself against its furred body. "You can trust me you know."

Trust the person who imprisoned me within a cave and chained me like a mutt?

"Is that what bothers you?" Clapping my hands together, I focused my chakra within my original body outside of the dream which was connected to Kurama, then released him from the chains which bound him. The Nine Tails opened both eyes and stared at me with surprise as I then looked up and smiled. "There, all gone now. Although there are still seals laid upon the cave itself, if you happen to wake up at all you can at least move around freely."

You are…a strange human.

"Is it possible that you simply do not know us humans at all and our behaviour surprises you?" I asked him as I leaned back against his fur, perfectly comfortable and I noted that Kurama was yet to order me off him. "Something you should know about us humans, Nine Tails-sama, is that none of us are exactly alike. We all differ to some varying degree, and whereas you do have some humans who are despicable and greedy, you will always find humans who are the opposite. This is what makes us humans so unique. Our differences."

Hmph. Humans are all pests to me. Chuckling softly, I reached out my hand to rest it against the Nine Tails, stroking his fur gently. What are you doing now?

"Nine Tails-sama, will you please tell me your name now?" For a long time the Fox Demon did not answer, merely turned his head the other way so that he could ignore me from now on if he so wished. Sighing softly I waited a few minutes longer before finally jumping down from his leg, landing upon the grass whilst surrounded by butterflies. They seemed to dance around us both, several of them landing upon my hair and arms in order to rest their wings before then taking flight once more.

Gradually I began to notice more and more life beginning to bloom in this dream world of the Nine Tails. In the distance I could see a doe and her young fawn, a badger waddling into its den, birds twittering as they soared overhead and flit from branch to branch. It was a lovely place to be, a beautiful haven for the once persecuted Nine Tailed Fox Demon. I was glad that he was here, and I was gladder still that I was beginning to know him a little better, even if it was only slightly. It was better than not knowing him at all, and it was true I will need his support later.

Turning away I began to pull my chakra away from the Nine Tails, knowing that it was time for me to leave as although I had spent days in his company, I knew when I had overstayed my welcome. Only a few minutes had passed within my Kamui, so I was not worried for the time lost, but I did need to return for there were still an endless list of duties which needed to be done before I could then return to the real world and to Sasuke. Speaking a farewell before I went, I sensed the Nine Tails shift slightly, eye opening a crack before the deep, rumbling voice sounded just before I had pulled away entirely.

Kurama.

My smile glowed.