1st Pov

Inner world - Sealed realm

Right in front of me stood one of the strongest beings to roam this world, the incarnation of rage and destruction, the Nine Tailed Fox. And yet, rather than cower in fear or step back, a feral grin made its way onto my face. This power, this being in front of me, was one of the central pillars of this world and my ticket to the top

However, I noticed some unique differences between this Kurama and the one I knew. This nine tails fur was much darker, close to black, its hair stood on end like it was feral and the red aura had a much more blood red hue to it

I realized this was the Yin Kurama, the one who inherited not only half but the explicit yin part of the original Kurama chakra

Kurama: "Well kozo, are you gonna say something or gawk at me all night. Why don't you come closure so I can get a better look at you."

I calmed my nerves and did as he said, approaching close to the bars until-

*CLANG*

The beasts claws struck forward but were halted by the cells bars, stopping just short, only and inch from my head. Yet, rather than step back or cower away I simply stood there and watched it calmly

Kurama: "HO~? Not bad kozo. Not even a flinch, looks like you've got some guts."

Kurama pulled its claws back and seemingly readjusted its position so that it lazily rested its head on its arms and looked at me sideways

Kurama: "So what did you want that you kept incessantly trying to see me. What, want me to pay rent with my chakra?"

It grinned smuggly at me.

Interesting...from my memory Kurama was generally clever, hostile, and even arrogant. Yet this kuruma seemed to let off a playful vibe. No, it might be that he looks down on me so much he sees my antics as amusing

Menma: "Sorry about that, just saying that I'm in awe would be an understatement. I mean here I am, face to face with THE nine tailed fox."

Kurama simply scoffed before continuing to look lazily in my direction

Menma: "But rent you say huh. No, I don't want your chakra as rent, after all if I kept allowing you to release bursts of chakra whenever I'm on empty. That'll just help slowly pry open your seal, am I right?" I asked playfully

Kuramas body tensed slightly and his eyes regarded me much more warily. He knew now I wasn't just some average 3-year-old. Even if I was taught the intricacies of the sealing jutsu, there was no way I should know the specific steps Kurama needed to take in order to slowly weaken his seal. Arrogant he may be but stupid no, one does not exist for as long as Kurama has without learning a thing or two

Kurama: "So what? Why else could you be here, not like I'm one for idle chitchat with a kozo like you."

Menma: "Well I wouldn't call it idle chitchat, I find that conversation can help people connect together after all. Yet for all you know I'm here to accost you for what happened to my father."

*CLANG*

Far stronger than last time the nine tails slammed its claws into the bars again, looking far more aggressive than before

Kurama: "ACCCOST ME!? You're a thousand years to young to even think about TRYING TO CONFRONT ME KOZO!"

Menma: "Apologies, I didn't want to anger you so much. However I am here to confront you in a sense, after all, i know your not the one who wanted to attack the leaf village that night. Right?"

Kurama immediately paused. It knew there should only be a handful of people aware of who manipulated its actions that night. That the moment it was released from Kushina seal it was put under the genjutsu of the so called 'madara' wannabe. Kurama's eyes narrowed in both intrigue and suspicion

Kurama: "Well now, I'm surprised a kozo like you knows about that. Yet I'm also surprised you aren't more hateful, after all humans like you tend to act irrational like that. Controlled or not, I am the reason that man is dead and buried!"

Kurama sneered derisively at me and I couldn't help my anger from rising up. Despite never actually meeting him, I knew my father from my past life's memories and the actions on the day I was born, that he was a good man with a good heart, and loved all of us enough to sacrifice his life. Just as I was about to let my hate speak for me I quickly held my tongue.

He wanted me angry, he wanted me emotional, and he wanted me to act irrationally. In here my outbursts have a real effect on the seal more so than if I was outside, I can't let him get to me.

Menma: "You won't get to me that easily Nine Tails." I stated while returning my features back to my calm facade

Kurama seemed to take offense to this but also backed down. It seemed to realize I was here for business and wouldn't let myself be fazed

Kurama: *huff* "Fine kozo, what do you REALLY want then?"

Menma: "I'm here to make a deal with you, Kyuubi."

He seemed to raise a brow at that

Kurama: "You haven't proven to be a snot nosed brat yet, but you should be aware there's only one thing I could possibly want kozo? A deal implies that both parties get what they want."

I had to tred carefully from here on out. One false move and I'll have to kiss any chance of obtaining the strength I need good bye

Menma: "Because if you work with me. You can prevent your death."

Smooth...

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A few more seconds...

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*CLANG CLANG CLANG*

Menma: I don't think he's happy...

Kurama: "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT KOZO!? YOU THINK YOU CAN THREATEN ME!? *CLANG*"

Menma: "Okay, that wasn't the best way to say it. What I meant was that this world is in danger. There are some powerful people after you and the other tailed beasts power. If we work together we can prevent this worlds downfall and guarantee your own survival." I said calmly

Kurama calmed down after that but kept his heated gaze on my form

Kurama: "And how would you know that kozo? You haven't even scratched half a decade, and yet you seem to be aware of events you have no business to. For all I know your just making this up in order to use my power for your own ends!"

He interrogated me for things that are honestly reasonable to question

Menma: Its do or die

Menma: "It's because I have seen the future."

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The silence returned and this time I was annoyed by it

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Kurama: "PHT! Ku- kuhah! Phttt kuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah *GASP*"

Wait for it

Kurama: "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Menma: Well I can't blame him but even someone with the patience of a saint like me can still get annoyed

Kurama: "Hahaha- ah-hah augh, damn kozo I haven't laughed like that in centuries."

In a split second Kurama's face shot down right where my own was

Kurama: "Now listen here kozo, the ability to see something like the future requires the user to be tapped into the nature and fate of the world itself. Not only does that mean the person needs to have achieved the pinnacle of strength, but have a perfect balance between yang and yin, and be able to use nature chakra as naturally as breathing. The only person I know who's ever achieved that level was old man Six Sage, but even he couldn't grasp how to channel fate itself. So tell me kozo, how could you possibly achieve something he couldnt?!"

Kuramas previous levity had all but vanished and what was left now was pure seriousness

Menma: "I can prove it."

Kurama: "Ho~?"

Menma: "In this realm we are both essentially spirits right? If so then something like sharing memories shouldn't be impossible."

Kurama: "And your saying you'll let me? Such a process isn't impossible but can be rather invasive."

Menma: "I know, but I think I can trust you enough not to be too pry too much into my private life. Isn't that right, Kurama?" For the first time I called him by his name

Kurama:?!

With that final incentive Kurama lost all reservations, he put one of his fingers out and I allowed the tip of his claw to reach my forehead

*Bathump*

In an instant a plethora of memories rapidly shot through my head, most of them my own, but some I could see were Kurama memories as well

Once the slideshow finished Kurama removed his finger and gave me a scrutinizing gaze. I didn't let him see the scene between me and the CB, and I kept whatever memories of my past life not Naruto related locked away. I didn't want him to have a mid life crisis about his existence being part of a show after all, but I allowed him to see my current life and future events without restraint

Kurama: ". . . I see, those events didn't have the you or me of right now in them, so I can only assume that was a possible future, not our own. Nevertheless the danger remains, if what you saw was true then even if you keep my existence secret I am liable to be targeted by the akatsuki, obito, and even madara." again

Kurama put a hand on his chin and said thoughtfully. Seems this fox was as intelligent as he was powerful as well

Giving me one more glace kuruma seemed to contemplate something before nodding his head and looking right at me

Kurama: "You want us to achieve the same cooperation your future brothers self and my yang half did in the later part of their life correct. Where is the guarantee you won't just be using me?"

Menma: "I'm willing to completely release your seal." I said with all the conviction I could muster

Kurama:?!

Menma: "Don't give me that look, how can we work together affectively if I have to worry about channeling your chakra through the lock all the time? In order to train I need to be able to use your power without restraining my own. Like I said before we'll only be able to achieve any kind of real change if we work together. Not only that, there will be times I probably won't be able to win on my own, so I'll need to depend on you."

Kurama gave me a more appraising look and seemed to drift further into his thoughts.

Kurama Pov

I needed more time to think on this, it wasn't a easy decision to make

I hate humans with a passion, ever since those damn gold and silver brothers first came to capture him, he had been relentlessly pursued for the power he had. The worst of it was whenever those disgusting Uchiha got involved. Being sealed was one thing, but being put under someone's control and influence without any free will of his own was torture, especially for someone of his status and strength

And yet here was this human, this kit (A/n baby fox) brazenly come in here, demanded for a chance to confront him, and then talk about cooperation and seeing the future. If he didn't see it for himself he'd have just laughed it all off and kicked the boy out of there

But it was real, he had just seen a possible future. One where his other half had found peace with his host and achieved strength that should have been impossible. All through mutual understanding...

Kurama: Can I achieve the same thing with this kozo. Hard to say, I've only watched him for a little time while my other half had watched his kozo for years.

Could he do it, could he really trust a human

Closing his eyes Kurama made his resolve

Kurama: "Alright kit, to say I trust you is a overstatement, but what you showed me and the dangers out there are real enough. Cuz if you die, I die, so I'm willing to give this a shot."

Menma: "kit? Whatever, I'm glad well be able to work together from now on, Kurama!"

Kurama: "Hold on kit, let's set some thing first."

Menma: "hm? Like what?"

Kurama: "First off, that other half of mine if also named Kurama, so we gotta set how your going to distinguish us!"

Menma: "huh? Why, its not like ill be talking to that half very much, plus your still the same person right?"

Kurama: "Idiot! How would you feel if you and that blonde kozo were called the same thing just cuz you were born from the same person?! Besides I'm the Yin half, and yin is better than yang!"

Menma: "That last bit is a odd thing to get hung over."

Kurama: Cheeky kit

Menma: "Hmm, well...in that case...oh! How about Kurokitsu?"

I gave my best impression of what the humans call a deadpan

Kuro: "Really kit? Black Fox."

Menma: "You realize your name is nine lama right?" He said raising a incredulous eyebrow at me

Kuro: ". . . . . . Tsk! Damn old man couldn't have been more original. Alright kit get the hell out of here already! And don't forget to undo the seal before you sleep, id like to finally stretch my limbs just a little."

Menma: "Alright Kuro! Let's talk again tomorrow!"

Kuro: Damn kozo already made it a nickname.

Just when I thought the kozo'd finally leave he turns and throws his fist out toward me

Kuruma:?

Menma: "C'mon you saw my memories, it'd only be right for us to start off this relationship somewhere right." He said while giving me a stupidly large grin

Kuro: "Hmph! Cheeky kozo alright."

Menma/Kuro: Don't let me down, partner!

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1st Pov

Reality

I slowly opened my eyes and saw that it was still night outside

Menma: Guess time moves slower in my subconscious

My excitement began to bubble up before it was swiftly squashed under my overwhelming fatigue

Menma:*whisper* "Damn didn't think doing all that would zap all my energy, no, it might also be all my nerves finally calming down too. I'm glad I was finally able to take the first step. Now I can get serious *yawn* tomorrow anyways."

Just as I was about to roll on my side I remember Kuro's words

Menma: That's right, got to do this first

Taking a second to check my memories on how it worked. I lowered my hand to my lower abdomen and pressed my fingers down. Channeling my chakra like how my memories of the show portrayed I then twisted my palm, fully releasing the seal

Kuro: "Finally kit, I can stretch a little. That damn cage isn't very big ya know, the space in here is wider now too."

Menma: "Well I'm glad to know your happy kuro. Good night partner."

Kuro: "hmph, night kit."

Authors note: 'So much talking, where's all the action in this actions anime?' I know I know. But there's a lot of build up for things to pick up more. Next chapter will have a bit more groundwork and things will finally begin to pick up a lot more action wise the chapter after that, I promise

For those who think kuro and menma are friends now, their not. Idle banter and basic trust are what they've achieved, kuro just respects menmas guts and attitude but he still hates humans, and menma himself likes kuro but still sees him something useful first. Their connection will get stronger from here on out.

As for kuramas name change, tell me if ya like it or hate it. I may just make it a nickname rather than his actual name from now on depending on feedback

The first obstacle is crossed and now the steps toward success can begin from here,

until next time, Bye Bye