Psychic King: *Crying in hands*
Tenmar: *walks by* Psychic King-sama! Are you alright?
Psychic King: *shakes head, still crying*
Naruto: *walking by with Sasuke* what's wrong with the old hag?
Tenmar: *looking worried* I don't know. She was like this when I came in!
Psychic King: *looking up* I hate MEN!
Sasuke, Naruto and Tenmar: *backing away*
Psychic King: *looks ashamed* No, not you guys! It's just... *bursts into tears, starts speaking quickly* ItsjustmyroommatehadhisfriendoverandhewaspickingonmeandItoldhimtostopandheca lledme... He called me... *hides face*
Sakura: *walking by* What's wrong with her?
Naruto: *gulping* She hates men and some guy called her a name.
Tenmar: *looking admirably at Naruto* you managed to figure out what she said? I thought she was speaking some alien language from her home planet.
Sakura: Oh dear. *walks slowly over to Psychic King* Ano... Are you alright Psychic King-sama? *pats her awkwardly on the back*
Iruka and Kakashi: *suddenly appearing*
Naruto: *looks at their confused faces* Some guy called her a name.
Kakashi: What did he call her?
Psychic King: *screaming* NO! I can't say it out loud! *suddenly standing, righteous fire of hell in the background* I'm gonna beat the crap out of that guy! How dare he call me-
Everyone else: *leaning in*
Psychic King: *once again sobbing* I can't say it...
Everyone else: *sweatdrop*
Psychic King: *to the audience, still crying* Hi everyone... I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to update... School just started and I've been a little stressed out, I got dropped from two of my classes this semester because the school didn't receive my transferred credits yet (it's been almost a year, so I don't know WHY) and the teachers can't let me back into my classes even if the school gets them, which drops me below full time student level, and my job is for the university and is dependent on my taking a certain amount of credits. I'm TRYING to get into one more small class, but it isn't looking good... *Sigh* to top it all off my roommate's male bastard friend has been hanging around lately and he seems to love to give me strife, so... *brightening* Anyway, as you MAY have guessed I did NOT buy the rights to Naruto suddenly between updates, so standard disclaimers apply, and I hope you all enjoy the chapter! It was a hard one for me to write, just like chapter 7 for some reason, so... I hope you all like it! *walking away* It always cheers me up to do the disclaimer...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Embrace of Solitude
Chapter 8
"Heh. Glad you remember me." Naruto's voice- no his father's voice- reached Tenmar as he stopped next to the man. He looked exactly, to the day, how his father looked the day mother died...
"You're not as tall as I remember you, old man." Uzu was the first to find his voice, as he smiled up at the man before him. "I mean, you were a giant last time I saw you."
"Yeah? Well back then you were only about yea tall." The man held his hands below his waist. "It's good to see that you've grown, I remember worrying that you'd get stuck at that height."
Uzu laughed, "Yeah? Speak for yourself. How long are you gonna be stuck in that body anyway?"
With a pop and puff of smoke Naruto's adult body disappeared, replaced by his twelve year old appearance. He scratched his head, a humored look on his face. "Heh. Didn't think you'd figure it out so quick." He shrugged. "Just thought you'd like to see me as I was, but I guess I'll be like this for at LEAST another few years. Good to know there's a BIG growth spurt coming my way, though. See Sasuke beat that!"
Naruto's adorable childish manner and appearance were both being used to their fullest, Tenmar realized, as the boy placed his hands on his hips and laughed, Uzu joining him for effect. He shook his head as he looked from one to another, realizing that it was Uzu who had truly copied the habits and personality of their father most. 'And I tried so hard... I guess I forgot how mother was always calling him 'That foolish man!' And his pranks on his brothers... I remember that now. But the underneath...'
A fist came down hard on Uzu's head, as Ganten and Mina appeared. "What's so funny, moron?"
"Ite! Ganten, that was harsh! I was having fun with Daddy!" Uzu rubbed the top of his head, looking to Naruto for support. "Did you see that, Daddy?"
Ganten gave his older brother a disgusted snort. "Aren't you too old to be crying to your father? Anyway, 'Daddy' is a twelve year old little boy." He turned his attention to said little boy. "How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Are you experiencing any dizziness or confusion?"
Uzu waved his younger brother away from Naruto. "You gotta forgive him, despite the way he acts (cold hearted bastard), he's been our 'mother' and Tenmar here is 'dad.'" He grinned and stuck out his tong as both his brothers shot him disturbed looks.
"I'm great!" Naruto replied to the boy's earlier questions. "Feel like I've slept all day!"
There was a long moment of silence, in which Ganten proceeded to pull off Naruto's shirt and prod at various places n his exposed upper torso. Naruto sat quietly and allowed the boy to do his work. Looking up he noticed that Tenmar and Uzu were smiling at him. He grind in response and glanced at Mina. She was looking away, a slight blush on her face, and her eyes looked so... tormented... "Eto... Mina?" She glanced at him apprehensively and looked quickly away. "Sorry. When you guys appeared I wasn't thinking too well and... I didn't mean to freak you out."
"It's fine." Ganten spoke, looking up from Naruto's navel, where he was doing something, but Naruto wasn't sure what exactly. "She's just not good with strangers.
"Oi!" Tenmar spoke, looking from Ganten to Mina and jumping to his feet, "This isn't some random stranger!"
"Uh... Oniisan, I know what you mean, but please don't shout at Mina, you'll make her cry." Uzu crouched next to his huddled, trembling sister and patted her head. "There, there. Tenmar didn't mean anything by it! But he does have a point, Daddy isn't a stranger, he used to change your diaper and play hiding games with you and he'd rock you when you cried and feed you when you were hungry. Now how can someone like that be a stranger?"
Naruto shook his head, his eyes held kindness. "Nah, she doesn't even remember that stuff. To be honest, I don't remember everything, either." He backed away as Ganten's face shot up and peered suspiciously into Naruto's eyes.
"You're having problems remembering things? Like what?"
"Um..." Naruto tried to back away, but Ganten followed him mercilessly around the cave, cold eyes boring into his face. "It's just... I mean, forgetting is normal, right? If I remembered everything than my brain would fill up, right?"
"Take off your pants, Naruto-sama." Ganten ordered, having managed to get Naruto to back himself into a corner.
"What? Why?" Naruto looked desperately around, wondering if he should do his Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to escape.
"Daddy, don't worry, I'll help you!" Uzu jumped rambunctiously over his brother and landed next to Naruto, grabbing his hand he pulled Naruto into a fierce body lock.
"Uzu! You traitor!" Naruto screamed and struggled, but eventually Uzu won out and Ganten managed to get his pants off.
"Ah... See that wasn't so bad!" Uzu commented as Naruto pulled them back up moments latter.
"Physically you're fine." Ganten said, rubbing his hands with a damp cloth. "It's OK Mina, you can uncover your eyes now. I think that emotionally you are drained, though."
"That's fine, I should head back to Sasuke's anyway. I bet that bastard is getting worried." He smirked a bit, imagining Sasuke with a worried face. He watched as Tenmar and Ganten exchanged a glance. "He's OK, right? You didn't... Hurt him, did you?"
"No, no, nothing like that!" Tenmar answered quickly. "We just thought- THINK that everyone would be better off if you stayed here..." Seeing a look of defiance cross the blonde's face he added quickly, "for the night."
"Hum... It IS getting pretty late, and I bet that Iruka-sensei's noticed that I'm missing now, too... Alright! It's decided! I'll stay the night here and we can go back first thing in the morning!" Hands on hips he laughed, Uzu again joined him for effect.
"They look like twin idiots..." Ganten said, hiding a small smile with his hand. He looked at is oldest brother, "Tenmar?"
Tenmar's mind was off a million miles away, "Iruka-sensei..." A strange smile started to form on his lips, and he began rounding his siblings and child-father to bed. "OK! Time to sleep! We've got an early day tomorrow!"
"But it's early!" Naruto whined, "And I just got up!"
"Mina and I want to stay and talk to Daddy! Don't we Mina?" Uzu nudged his sister, who gave a small squeaking noise, but nodded.
"That's it! Tenmar! As your father I insist that you allow us to stay up late!" Naruto stomped his foot, but Tenmar was already narrowing into him.
"Naruto-sama, you wouldn't set a bad example for your children, would you?" The fires of hell seemed to burn in the background.
"Hey! Don't look at me, I'm only twelve!"
"And yet you just tried to claim that as our father, you felt we should stay awake?"
"Hey! Don't yell at Daddy!" Uzu jumped in.
"LOOK AT THIS! You arguing with me made Mina cry! You two get to bed this instant!"
Ganten shook his head once more as Tenmar finally won out and dragged Uzu, Naruto and Mina off to the corner they slept in, pulling out furs and blankets. "Idiots..."
"Ganten, you too! It's time for sleep!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kakashi did not return to Sasuke's house until much latter that evening, leaving Iruka alone to wait and watch over Sasuke. Iruka paced around Sasuke's kitchen nervously. The boy had long ago fallen into a more peaceful slumber, so Iruka felt the need to leave him alone. This also gave the teacher time to organize his thoughts. "Damn it! When he gets back I'm gonna-"
"Gonna what?" Kakashi walked lazily into the kitchen.
Iruka jumped to his feet, knocking over a chair. "You'd better know something, have SOME bit of information, or so help me, I'll-"
Kakashi put his hand over the brunette's mouth. "Shush, love. Don't say anything you'll regret after we've gone and found the little rascal."
"So you found him?" Iruka barley waited for Kakashi's nod to throw his arms around the man. "Thank God! Kakashi, is he alright? Where is he?"
Kakashi patted his lover's head. "He's in the forest, to the north. Do you remember that blonde man that came to ask you questions, Tenmar? He was the one that took him. I'm supposed to get together a group, we'll get him back for sure, so wait a little longer with-"
"Absolutely not. When do we head out?"
Kakashi sighed, "Iruka, love-"
"Don't 'Iruka, love' me! I'm going. I know Naruto best, plus, as the one that gave Tenmar the information about Naruto, it is my duty to see this through."
"Fine. Get ready, we head out immediately." Kakashi ordered, running his hand through his silver hair in an annoyed manner.
"That seemed too easy..."
"Did you want me to argue with you?"
"No Sir!" Iruka did a mock salute and grabbed his things. He was suddenly very glad that he brought them with him to Sasuke's 'just in case.' He looked at Kakashi evenly. "Is anyone else going with us?"
Kakashi sighed, to be honest after hearing the story the Hokage seemed to loose all sense of worry over the situation. He told Kakashi to take Sasuke and Sakura, saying that it might be a chance for them to see a completely new side of Naruto. With Sasuke still sleeping off the affects of being drugged, however, Kakashi had persuaded the Hokage to allow him to go alone. "Just us." Iruka nodded and they walked out the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took longer than usual for Naruto to finally fall asleep. His 'nap' plus the excitement of meeting 'his' children and combining with the demon were all working against him, as he turned and looked over at Uzu's smiling sleeping face. 'I'm gonna have to tell them... That I'm not what they think I am... That I'm just a kid...'
He remembered clearly his time spent in the long hallway with the pictures. That last picture... He had walked almost strait into it, his inner mind, with that last picture. He knew now, he was Uzumaki Naruto; half fox half... something else. He didn't have parents in either life, not that he remembered, but he had an older 'brother' that raised him, and he in turn helped to raise their two younger brothers. In his earliest memory of that life he looked about the age he was now and he was asking his older brother what their mother was like. Tagen had simply smiled sadly at him, he never answered the question, but the knowledge that it made his brother sad to think about it was enough. Naruto never asked the question again.
But despite being the fox, he was still himself. His life as the fox was like another world, another eternity. It was not something he could completely associate with. To love a woman that much, that way? To really love his children? The even think of them as his? These were things that Naruto was neither comfortable nor ready to think about.
Part of him also knew that they wanted him to stay with them. Part of him WANTED to stay with them. It would be a chance to have a real family, blood relatives and all. The situation would be a little different, but... He had once heard Iruka-sensei say that everyone's family was a little strange. The problem was whenever he thought about it the thought that he'd be leaving Sasuke came up. Not just Sasuke, but Sakura- chan, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and everyone else back at the village, but Sasuke most of all. He wasn't an idiot, he knew what that could mean, especially now. It was complicated and stupid and he didn't want to deal with it. Not with any of it, so for now, he was Uzumaki Naruto, twelve year old Ninja of the Konoha village and the number one loud mouth rookie. It was selfish, perhaps, but it was also the most reasonable way to deal with the sudden way things happened for now.
Another problem Naruto was sure would arise was his power level. His body just couldn't handle him walking around with all that Chakara all the time. Most of his power continued to sit in reserves in his navel, like it had when he was sealed. It wouldn't be TOO hard to tap into it, not like before, but it was still bound to be disappointing to them, a thought that held a strange terror for him. Since when did he care about disappointing people? But they were different, they were... Something special, even Mina, who was still so terrified of him that she was unable to say more than one word in his presence. Maybe he should approach her in adult form next time? She would be able to see through the illusion, just as Uzu had, but it might still comfort her a little more.
He thought all these things, realizing that he wasn't even thinking like himself anymore, but he pushed those types of thoughts aside. That was a whole different matter not to think about, and sleep would be a good idea. For some reason Tenmar had announced that they would be heading back to the village very early the next morning. He shrugged as sleep started closing in, maybe Tenmar didn't want him to stay after all...
In another part of the cave, Tenmar also laid awake, thinking, "Tomorrow... I can see Iruka-sensei again tomorrow..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Darkness..." Naruto mumbled miserably, looking around himself. "WHY do all my dreams start with complete darkness recently?" He started walking around, usually around this time something would start speaking to him, or flashing by him. Thinking perhaps he needed to say a trigger word he said the first thing that came to mind, "Sasuke." He waited a moment, then another, nothing happened.
"Sakura, Illia, Tenmar, Uzu, Ganten, Mina..." Still nothing. Sighing he flipped himself down on his back, fingers idly tracing the spot where his seal had been. Some how this made him think of Shikamaru, and the one time he had sat with him, watching the clouds move lazily overhead. "I have to go back to Konoha... There's too many people I still want to protect..."
"Konoha? That little Ninja village I attacked for you?" A voice like pure hatred dripped sweetly near Naruto's ear. "Oh, how delightful it is... Those idiot children broke your seal just right, so I, too, could gaze into your perfect memories. Of course, I spent a little more time, running around inside your core... Oh, the things I could tell you that you don't even understand yourself yet... Like your choices in future mates... Tsk, tsk, dear older brother, don't you think that Illia would be so sad to know that after only twelve years you already managed to find some lovely replacements? Of course, that would only be a secondary disappointment to the fact that you managed to forget her the VERY DAY she died. Don't you feel any remorse? Well?"
Throughout this monologue Naruto had been trying to say something, DO something, but it was as if he was frozen. The dream that had started unlocking his memories came back to him. This was very similar, too similar, how had he gotten out of the last dream? Maybe he could force himself to wake up... A sharp pain shot through his entire body.
"Are you listening, BROTHER?" the pain subsided, "Of course, even if you're not ready to admit it, we ARE brothers, so I could really never hurt you, not you... I know, in your own twisted way you really DO love me still, don't you big brother? Did you know, after that mean, nasty Hokage sealed you away our little family split up? Did you know that? Tagen said he couldn't trust me anymore, you always were his favorite, so he took his little wife and his children and Aki and they left me behind, all alone. Does it make you sad to hear that?"
The voice changed, the bitter sound falling away and an almost lonely tone taking its place. "It was so sad, brother, so lonely... and all I could think of was you, brother, and how I lost your trust. It was bad of me to hate you for taking away that woman, I should never have let a woman come between us. I realized that, so, you do understand, I HAD to kill her, don't you understand? So we could be a family again... Those damn offspring of hers as well, they would only remind me of her... But you went and stopped me before I could get to the children, and then you got sealed and I thought you were dead. Imagine my joy when those disgusting brats I'd been staking actually managed to find you, and now even take you from the protection of that disgusting little village you were forced to stay in..."
"Of course," the voice droned on, "I DO have to punish you, for taking away the one thing I ever really wanted for myself... She was nice to look at, wasn't she? And fun to play with... Oh, yes, I spent a LONG time in THOSE memories, brother. It's only fair, as you DEPRIVED me." The voice turned once again bitter. "And I can't forgive you, not yet, not completely. I just need to take care of a few things, you know an eye for an eye... You took from me what I wanted most, so I'll take from you those you want most, although, it's such a tall order, an entire Ninja village, you really can never be easy, can you? Of course, when everything is over, I will still need to take care of the brats. I absolutely could NOT leave them running wild, I only left them alive for so long because they were so useful. Always searching for you. No, they simply must go, it would drive me crazy to have to look at their disgusting faces... But don't worry brother, soon I will take care of everything and we can be a family again, just you, me, Aki and Tagen. Like the good old days..."
With that said the dark presence lifted from Naruto's mind, and he found his voice. "KENTAAR!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Psychic King: *looking at audience* Well, was it worth the wait? *sniff* It might have been terrible, because I'm so upset right now...
Sakura: *patting Psychic King on the back* There, there, maybe you should take a nice long break from writing for a while, until you calm down...
Iruka: *handing Psychic King some tea* Sakura, she's upset, don't be selfish.
Sakura: *mumbling* sorry... Anyway, Psychic King-sama, you have to get it out, tell us what he said about you to make you so upset. It will make you feel better, I promise!
Psychic King: *looking around to see no one by Sakura and Iruka are near by* Ok he called me *leans in close and whispers to Iuka and Sakura*
Sakura: *Blazing fires of Hell behind her* THAT BASTARD! NARUTO! SASUKE! GET OVER HERE NOW! We got a mission!
Iruka: *face a mixture of anger and confusion* But if you were that first thing, then HOW could you POSSIBLY be that second one?
Psychic King: *bursts into fresh tears* I don't KNOW!
Sasuke: *appearing with Naruto* what it is?
Sakura: *Still fuming* we have a bastard to teach a lesson to!
Naruto: *backing away* who?
Sakura: That arrogant jerk that insulted Psychic King-sama!
Naruto: *confused* I thought you didn't like her all that much, so why are you-
Sakura: *flames rising higher* There are something you just don't call ANY woman. Let's go. *stalks off dragging Naruto and Sasuke*
Psychic King: *looking at readers* Ano... Hi! Well... I'll update you on my revenge and luck with classes next chapter... But for now... Please help to brighten my day and review! I could use the cheering up! My reviews for Chapter Seven were really helpful through this frustrating situation, too... I promise to get chapter 9 up as soon as possible, but I should warn you that now that the semesters up I have work AND school, so updates will not be every night (like I did for a few chapters...)... But as often as possible! (Hopefully something more like 1-2 chapters per week! I hope that's often enough... Of course, if I don't get into another class then I can't work and my updates may come a WHOLE LOT more often, to escape the useless feeling... Anyway, please review!
Tenmar: *walks by* Psychic King-sama! Are you alright?
Psychic King: *shakes head, still crying*
Naruto: *walking by with Sasuke* what's wrong with the old hag?
Tenmar: *looking worried* I don't know. She was like this when I came in!
Psychic King: *looking up* I hate MEN!
Sasuke, Naruto and Tenmar: *backing away*
Psychic King: *looks ashamed* No, not you guys! It's just... *bursts into tears, starts speaking quickly* ItsjustmyroommatehadhisfriendoverandhewaspickingonmeandItoldhimtostopandheca lledme... He called me... *hides face*
Sakura: *walking by* What's wrong with her?
Naruto: *gulping* She hates men and some guy called her a name.
Tenmar: *looking admirably at Naruto* you managed to figure out what she said? I thought she was speaking some alien language from her home planet.
Sakura: Oh dear. *walks slowly over to Psychic King* Ano... Are you alright Psychic King-sama? *pats her awkwardly on the back*
Iruka and Kakashi: *suddenly appearing*
Naruto: *looks at their confused faces* Some guy called her a name.
Kakashi: What did he call her?
Psychic King: *screaming* NO! I can't say it out loud! *suddenly standing, righteous fire of hell in the background* I'm gonna beat the crap out of that guy! How dare he call me-
Everyone else: *leaning in*
Psychic King: *once again sobbing* I can't say it...
Everyone else: *sweatdrop*
Psychic King: *to the audience, still crying* Hi everyone... I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to update... School just started and I've been a little stressed out, I got dropped from two of my classes this semester because the school didn't receive my transferred credits yet (it's been almost a year, so I don't know WHY) and the teachers can't let me back into my classes even if the school gets them, which drops me below full time student level, and my job is for the university and is dependent on my taking a certain amount of credits. I'm TRYING to get into one more small class, but it isn't looking good... *Sigh* to top it all off my roommate's male bastard friend has been hanging around lately and he seems to love to give me strife, so... *brightening* Anyway, as you MAY have guessed I did NOT buy the rights to Naruto suddenly between updates, so standard disclaimers apply, and I hope you all enjoy the chapter! It was a hard one for me to write, just like chapter 7 for some reason, so... I hope you all like it! *walking away* It always cheers me up to do the disclaimer...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Embrace of Solitude
Chapter 8
"Heh. Glad you remember me." Naruto's voice- no his father's voice- reached Tenmar as he stopped next to the man. He looked exactly, to the day, how his father looked the day mother died...
"You're not as tall as I remember you, old man." Uzu was the first to find his voice, as he smiled up at the man before him. "I mean, you were a giant last time I saw you."
"Yeah? Well back then you were only about yea tall." The man held his hands below his waist. "It's good to see that you've grown, I remember worrying that you'd get stuck at that height."
Uzu laughed, "Yeah? Speak for yourself. How long are you gonna be stuck in that body anyway?"
With a pop and puff of smoke Naruto's adult body disappeared, replaced by his twelve year old appearance. He scratched his head, a humored look on his face. "Heh. Didn't think you'd figure it out so quick." He shrugged. "Just thought you'd like to see me as I was, but I guess I'll be like this for at LEAST another few years. Good to know there's a BIG growth spurt coming my way, though. See Sasuke beat that!"
Naruto's adorable childish manner and appearance were both being used to their fullest, Tenmar realized, as the boy placed his hands on his hips and laughed, Uzu joining him for effect. He shook his head as he looked from one to another, realizing that it was Uzu who had truly copied the habits and personality of their father most. 'And I tried so hard... I guess I forgot how mother was always calling him 'That foolish man!' And his pranks on his brothers... I remember that now. But the underneath...'
A fist came down hard on Uzu's head, as Ganten and Mina appeared. "What's so funny, moron?"
"Ite! Ganten, that was harsh! I was having fun with Daddy!" Uzu rubbed the top of his head, looking to Naruto for support. "Did you see that, Daddy?"
Ganten gave his older brother a disgusted snort. "Aren't you too old to be crying to your father? Anyway, 'Daddy' is a twelve year old little boy." He turned his attention to said little boy. "How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Are you experiencing any dizziness or confusion?"
Uzu waved his younger brother away from Naruto. "You gotta forgive him, despite the way he acts (cold hearted bastard), he's been our 'mother' and Tenmar here is 'dad.'" He grinned and stuck out his tong as both his brothers shot him disturbed looks.
"I'm great!" Naruto replied to the boy's earlier questions. "Feel like I've slept all day!"
There was a long moment of silence, in which Ganten proceeded to pull off Naruto's shirt and prod at various places n his exposed upper torso. Naruto sat quietly and allowed the boy to do his work. Looking up he noticed that Tenmar and Uzu were smiling at him. He grind in response and glanced at Mina. She was looking away, a slight blush on her face, and her eyes looked so... tormented... "Eto... Mina?" She glanced at him apprehensively and looked quickly away. "Sorry. When you guys appeared I wasn't thinking too well and... I didn't mean to freak you out."
"It's fine." Ganten spoke, looking up from Naruto's navel, where he was doing something, but Naruto wasn't sure what exactly. "She's just not good with strangers.
"Oi!" Tenmar spoke, looking from Ganten to Mina and jumping to his feet, "This isn't some random stranger!"
"Uh... Oniisan, I know what you mean, but please don't shout at Mina, you'll make her cry." Uzu crouched next to his huddled, trembling sister and patted her head. "There, there. Tenmar didn't mean anything by it! But he does have a point, Daddy isn't a stranger, he used to change your diaper and play hiding games with you and he'd rock you when you cried and feed you when you were hungry. Now how can someone like that be a stranger?"
Naruto shook his head, his eyes held kindness. "Nah, she doesn't even remember that stuff. To be honest, I don't remember everything, either." He backed away as Ganten's face shot up and peered suspiciously into Naruto's eyes.
"You're having problems remembering things? Like what?"
"Um..." Naruto tried to back away, but Ganten followed him mercilessly around the cave, cold eyes boring into his face. "It's just... I mean, forgetting is normal, right? If I remembered everything than my brain would fill up, right?"
"Take off your pants, Naruto-sama." Ganten ordered, having managed to get Naruto to back himself into a corner.
"What? Why?" Naruto looked desperately around, wondering if he should do his Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to escape.
"Daddy, don't worry, I'll help you!" Uzu jumped rambunctiously over his brother and landed next to Naruto, grabbing his hand he pulled Naruto into a fierce body lock.
"Uzu! You traitor!" Naruto screamed and struggled, but eventually Uzu won out and Ganten managed to get his pants off.
"Ah... See that wasn't so bad!" Uzu commented as Naruto pulled them back up moments latter.
"Physically you're fine." Ganten said, rubbing his hands with a damp cloth. "It's OK Mina, you can uncover your eyes now. I think that emotionally you are drained, though."
"That's fine, I should head back to Sasuke's anyway. I bet that bastard is getting worried." He smirked a bit, imagining Sasuke with a worried face. He watched as Tenmar and Ganten exchanged a glance. "He's OK, right? You didn't... Hurt him, did you?"
"No, no, nothing like that!" Tenmar answered quickly. "We just thought- THINK that everyone would be better off if you stayed here..." Seeing a look of defiance cross the blonde's face he added quickly, "for the night."
"Hum... It IS getting pretty late, and I bet that Iruka-sensei's noticed that I'm missing now, too... Alright! It's decided! I'll stay the night here and we can go back first thing in the morning!" Hands on hips he laughed, Uzu again joined him for effect.
"They look like twin idiots..." Ganten said, hiding a small smile with his hand. He looked at is oldest brother, "Tenmar?"
Tenmar's mind was off a million miles away, "Iruka-sensei..." A strange smile started to form on his lips, and he began rounding his siblings and child-father to bed. "OK! Time to sleep! We've got an early day tomorrow!"
"But it's early!" Naruto whined, "And I just got up!"
"Mina and I want to stay and talk to Daddy! Don't we Mina?" Uzu nudged his sister, who gave a small squeaking noise, but nodded.
"That's it! Tenmar! As your father I insist that you allow us to stay up late!" Naruto stomped his foot, but Tenmar was already narrowing into him.
"Naruto-sama, you wouldn't set a bad example for your children, would you?" The fires of hell seemed to burn in the background.
"Hey! Don't look at me, I'm only twelve!"
"And yet you just tried to claim that as our father, you felt we should stay awake?"
"Hey! Don't yell at Daddy!" Uzu jumped in.
"LOOK AT THIS! You arguing with me made Mina cry! You two get to bed this instant!"
Ganten shook his head once more as Tenmar finally won out and dragged Uzu, Naruto and Mina off to the corner they slept in, pulling out furs and blankets. "Idiots..."
"Ganten, you too! It's time for sleep!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kakashi did not return to Sasuke's house until much latter that evening, leaving Iruka alone to wait and watch over Sasuke. Iruka paced around Sasuke's kitchen nervously. The boy had long ago fallen into a more peaceful slumber, so Iruka felt the need to leave him alone. This also gave the teacher time to organize his thoughts. "Damn it! When he gets back I'm gonna-"
"Gonna what?" Kakashi walked lazily into the kitchen.
Iruka jumped to his feet, knocking over a chair. "You'd better know something, have SOME bit of information, or so help me, I'll-"
Kakashi put his hand over the brunette's mouth. "Shush, love. Don't say anything you'll regret after we've gone and found the little rascal."
"So you found him?" Iruka barley waited for Kakashi's nod to throw his arms around the man. "Thank God! Kakashi, is he alright? Where is he?"
Kakashi patted his lover's head. "He's in the forest, to the north. Do you remember that blonde man that came to ask you questions, Tenmar? He was the one that took him. I'm supposed to get together a group, we'll get him back for sure, so wait a little longer with-"
"Absolutely not. When do we head out?"
Kakashi sighed, "Iruka, love-"
"Don't 'Iruka, love' me! I'm going. I know Naruto best, plus, as the one that gave Tenmar the information about Naruto, it is my duty to see this through."
"Fine. Get ready, we head out immediately." Kakashi ordered, running his hand through his silver hair in an annoyed manner.
"That seemed too easy..."
"Did you want me to argue with you?"
"No Sir!" Iruka did a mock salute and grabbed his things. He was suddenly very glad that he brought them with him to Sasuke's 'just in case.' He looked at Kakashi evenly. "Is anyone else going with us?"
Kakashi sighed, to be honest after hearing the story the Hokage seemed to loose all sense of worry over the situation. He told Kakashi to take Sasuke and Sakura, saying that it might be a chance for them to see a completely new side of Naruto. With Sasuke still sleeping off the affects of being drugged, however, Kakashi had persuaded the Hokage to allow him to go alone. "Just us." Iruka nodded and they walked out the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took longer than usual for Naruto to finally fall asleep. His 'nap' plus the excitement of meeting 'his' children and combining with the demon were all working against him, as he turned and looked over at Uzu's smiling sleeping face. 'I'm gonna have to tell them... That I'm not what they think I am... That I'm just a kid...'
He remembered clearly his time spent in the long hallway with the pictures. That last picture... He had walked almost strait into it, his inner mind, with that last picture. He knew now, he was Uzumaki Naruto; half fox half... something else. He didn't have parents in either life, not that he remembered, but he had an older 'brother' that raised him, and he in turn helped to raise their two younger brothers. In his earliest memory of that life he looked about the age he was now and he was asking his older brother what their mother was like. Tagen had simply smiled sadly at him, he never answered the question, but the knowledge that it made his brother sad to think about it was enough. Naruto never asked the question again.
But despite being the fox, he was still himself. His life as the fox was like another world, another eternity. It was not something he could completely associate with. To love a woman that much, that way? To really love his children? The even think of them as his? These were things that Naruto was neither comfortable nor ready to think about.
Part of him also knew that they wanted him to stay with them. Part of him WANTED to stay with them. It would be a chance to have a real family, blood relatives and all. The situation would be a little different, but... He had once heard Iruka-sensei say that everyone's family was a little strange. The problem was whenever he thought about it the thought that he'd be leaving Sasuke came up. Not just Sasuke, but Sakura- chan, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and everyone else back at the village, but Sasuke most of all. He wasn't an idiot, he knew what that could mean, especially now. It was complicated and stupid and he didn't want to deal with it. Not with any of it, so for now, he was Uzumaki Naruto, twelve year old Ninja of the Konoha village and the number one loud mouth rookie. It was selfish, perhaps, but it was also the most reasonable way to deal with the sudden way things happened for now.
Another problem Naruto was sure would arise was his power level. His body just couldn't handle him walking around with all that Chakara all the time. Most of his power continued to sit in reserves in his navel, like it had when he was sealed. It wouldn't be TOO hard to tap into it, not like before, but it was still bound to be disappointing to them, a thought that held a strange terror for him. Since when did he care about disappointing people? But they were different, they were... Something special, even Mina, who was still so terrified of him that she was unable to say more than one word in his presence. Maybe he should approach her in adult form next time? She would be able to see through the illusion, just as Uzu had, but it might still comfort her a little more.
He thought all these things, realizing that he wasn't even thinking like himself anymore, but he pushed those types of thoughts aside. That was a whole different matter not to think about, and sleep would be a good idea. For some reason Tenmar had announced that they would be heading back to the village very early the next morning. He shrugged as sleep started closing in, maybe Tenmar didn't want him to stay after all...
In another part of the cave, Tenmar also laid awake, thinking, "Tomorrow... I can see Iruka-sensei again tomorrow..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Darkness..." Naruto mumbled miserably, looking around himself. "WHY do all my dreams start with complete darkness recently?" He started walking around, usually around this time something would start speaking to him, or flashing by him. Thinking perhaps he needed to say a trigger word he said the first thing that came to mind, "Sasuke." He waited a moment, then another, nothing happened.
"Sakura, Illia, Tenmar, Uzu, Ganten, Mina..." Still nothing. Sighing he flipped himself down on his back, fingers idly tracing the spot where his seal had been. Some how this made him think of Shikamaru, and the one time he had sat with him, watching the clouds move lazily overhead. "I have to go back to Konoha... There's too many people I still want to protect..."
"Konoha? That little Ninja village I attacked for you?" A voice like pure hatred dripped sweetly near Naruto's ear. "Oh, how delightful it is... Those idiot children broke your seal just right, so I, too, could gaze into your perfect memories. Of course, I spent a little more time, running around inside your core... Oh, the things I could tell you that you don't even understand yourself yet... Like your choices in future mates... Tsk, tsk, dear older brother, don't you think that Illia would be so sad to know that after only twelve years you already managed to find some lovely replacements? Of course, that would only be a secondary disappointment to the fact that you managed to forget her the VERY DAY she died. Don't you feel any remorse? Well?"
Throughout this monologue Naruto had been trying to say something, DO something, but it was as if he was frozen. The dream that had started unlocking his memories came back to him. This was very similar, too similar, how had he gotten out of the last dream? Maybe he could force himself to wake up... A sharp pain shot through his entire body.
"Are you listening, BROTHER?" the pain subsided, "Of course, even if you're not ready to admit it, we ARE brothers, so I could really never hurt you, not you... I know, in your own twisted way you really DO love me still, don't you big brother? Did you know, after that mean, nasty Hokage sealed you away our little family split up? Did you know that? Tagen said he couldn't trust me anymore, you always were his favorite, so he took his little wife and his children and Aki and they left me behind, all alone. Does it make you sad to hear that?"
The voice changed, the bitter sound falling away and an almost lonely tone taking its place. "It was so sad, brother, so lonely... and all I could think of was you, brother, and how I lost your trust. It was bad of me to hate you for taking away that woman, I should never have let a woman come between us. I realized that, so, you do understand, I HAD to kill her, don't you understand? So we could be a family again... Those damn offspring of hers as well, they would only remind me of her... But you went and stopped me before I could get to the children, and then you got sealed and I thought you were dead. Imagine my joy when those disgusting brats I'd been staking actually managed to find you, and now even take you from the protection of that disgusting little village you were forced to stay in..."
"Of course," the voice droned on, "I DO have to punish you, for taking away the one thing I ever really wanted for myself... She was nice to look at, wasn't she? And fun to play with... Oh, yes, I spent a LONG time in THOSE memories, brother. It's only fair, as you DEPRIVED me." The voice turned once again bitter. "And I can't forgive you, not yet, not completely. I just need to take care of a few things, you know an eye for an eye... You took from me what I wanted most, so I'll take from you those you want most, although, it's such a tall order, an entire Ninja village, you really can never be easy, can you? Of course, when everything is over, I will still need to take care of the brats. I absolutely could NOT leave them running wild, I only left them alive for so long because they were so useful. Always searching for you. No, they simply must go, it would drive me crazy to have to look at their disgusting faces... But don't worry brother, soon I will take care of everything and we can be a family again, just you, me, Aki and Tagen. Like the good old days..."
With that said the dark presence lifted from Naruto's mind, and he found his voice. "KENTAAR!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Psychic King: *looking at audience* Well, was it worth the wait? *sniff* It might have been terrible, because I'm so upset right now...
Sakura: *patting Psychic King on the back* There, there, maybe you should take a nice long break from writing for a while, until you calm down...
Iruka: *handing Psychic King some tea* Sakura, she's upset, don't be selfish.
Sakura: *mumbling* sorry... Anyway, Psychic King-sama, you have to get it out, tell us what he said about you to make you so upset. It will make you feel better, I promise!
Psychic King: *looking around to see no one by Sakura and Iruka are near by* Ok he called me *leans in close and whispers to Iuka and Sakura*
Sakura: *Blazing fires of Hell behind her* THAT BASTARD! NARUTO! SASUKE! GET OVER HERE NOW! We got a mission!
Iruka: *face a mixture of anger and confusion* But if you were that first thing, then HOW could you POSSIBLY be that second one?
Psychic King: *bursts into fresh tears* I don't KNOW!
Sasuke: *appearing with Naruto* what it is?
Sakura: *Still fuming* we have a bastard to teach a lesson to!
Naruto: *backing away* who?
Sakura: That arrogant jerk that insulted Psychic King-sama!
Naruto: *confused* I thought you didn't like her all that much, so why are you-
Sakura: *flames rising higher* There are something you just don't call ANY woman. Let's go. *stalks off dragging Naruto and Sasuke*
Psychic King: *looking at readers* Ano... Hi! Well... I'll update you on my revenge and luck with classes next chapter... But for now... Please help to brighten my day and review! I could use the cheering up! My reviews for Chapter Seven were really helpful through this frustrating situation, too... I promise to get chapter 9 up as soon as possible, but I should warn you that now that the semesters up I have work AND school, so updates will not be every night (like I did for a few chapters...)... But as often as possible! (Hopefully something more like 1-2 chapters per week! I hope that's often enough... Of course, if I don't get into another class then I can't work and my updates may come a WHOLE LOT more often, to escape the useless feeling... Anyway, please review!