As the end of the corridor in the last cell to the right was the breathing form she believed was Naruto. As she grew closer she disengaged her Byakugan. She hit the cells lock with a chakra enforced Jyuuken strike and caused the door to break.
" Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned the figure in the cell
It started to move and finally opened it eyes, but what Hinata saw wasn't the sky blue eyes of Naruto, but blood red slits looking up at her with grogginess. The figure seeing someone in is cell fully awoke and got into a defensive stance and started to growl.
" Hebi we will tell you now we will not go with you!" The figure said
" Naruto-kun?"Hinata questioned the figure in the shadows
She stepped into the light so he could see them, A girl we know her, but we don't remember. Oh what did that Hebi do to us?
Remember. a whisper said in the figure's head" Who are you?" The figure questioned
" Naruto-kun it's me Hinata. Don't you remember?" Hinata asked concerned
The figure Hinata believed to be Naruto stepped out of the shadows and Hinata gasped at what she saw. There was not Naruto, but a Golden Kyuubi it's head stopped at her chest. The fox looked up at here eyeing her with suspicion, It might be the Hebi in a Henge.
" We do not remember you." The fox said confused and shook it head
He's confused. Oh Naruto-kun what did he do to you? Hinata thought sadly
" Kit it's the girl from the Chuunin Exams the one you made the promise to after her cousin nearly killed her. Remember Kit." The voice said louder in the boy's head
While the fox had his eyes shut Hinata moved closer to him. The fox though heard the movement and looked up to see her a few feet from him. He resumed his defensive stance and growled at her. Suddenly Hinata stuck out her hand.
" Shuuu, it's ok Naruto-kun where here to take you home." Hinata said calmly hoping it would reassure him
" Home?" the fox questioned tilting its head to the side confused
" Hai, back to Konoha to your friends and family." Hinata said kindly smiling
The fox sniffed the air and caught a smell that was familiar to him. He slowly came up to the girl and started to sniff her hand. He then looked up at her with sky blue eyes now knowing who she was.
" Hi.na..ta?" the fox asked finally recognizing here
Tears came out of Hinata's eyes as he finally recognized her. She bent down and engulfed him into a hug. He then recognized what he was and started to struggle to get free.
" Iie." Naruto now said trying to pull out of here hug
" Huh?" Hinata questioned letting go of the struggling fox
" Need to change." Naruto said still struggling with his words
In an instant a cloud of smoke engulfed him and he was now in his human form. This though was not the normal form he had when he was using Kyuubi's power. This was even more feral looking. His hair was slightly longer than before the tips of his hair stopping at his shoulders with his hitaiate was keeping his bangs from covering his eyes. His eyes stayed sky blue, but they were slits instead of round. One of his canines was hanging out of his mouth, but Hinata knew if he opened his mouth they'd all be long like the one she saw. His whisker marks were deeper and thicker than they normally were almost to the point they were red in color and his pants were ripped and started at his knees. Now with his shoes gone his feet were sporting sharp claw like nails and if he stood he would stand only on the balls of his feet and not the entire foot. His shirt had been ripped at the sleeves and his arms now had crimson fur that continued to his hands that looked like Kyuubi's paws when Naruto was surrounded by his chakra. Hinata seeing this took his hands into hers not afraid of his looks. She knew it was Naruto. Naruto looked down as she grabbed his hands and saw them. He then became wide eyed at how they looked instantly he jerked them out of Hinata's grasp and withdrew in the back of the cell.
" Naruto-kun come on we need to get you out of here." Hinata said worried at his reaction
But she heard no movement, she carefully and cautiously moved to the back of the cell where Naruto figure now was. It was so dark in the back of the cell she had to activate her Byakugan to see him. She then spotted him huddled in the corner shaking his arms crossed in front of him and his head buried. His claws were digging into his arms and causing blood to seep out.
" Naruto-kun please stop." Hinata said upset that he was hurting himself
Naruto just shook his head, " Won't leave."
" Demo Naruto-kun we need to go." Hinata said softly trying to coax him to leave
" Bakemono… Won't leave." Naruto said moving his face a little to look at his hand/ paws again
Oh Naruto-kun you're not a bakemono. Hinata thought
" Naruto-kun I'm sure Hokage-sama will be able to help, but we need to head out of here." Hinata said
Naruto just shook his head; He's not going to go out with everyone seeing what Orochimaru has done to him. Hinata thought
It was then Hinata spotted a skeleton in the corner with a long ragged hooded cloak on it. She moved over to the skeleton.
" Sir, forgive me, but I need to use your cloak. My friend is in need of it." Hinata said bowing before removing the cloak from the skeleton.
She then moved over to Naruto, " Naruto-kun here."
She handed the cloak to Naruto. He took it and snorted, " Death."
" I know, but I'll have to do for right now." Hinata said sadly
He stood up and placed it on him. The cloak was very large and long and covered all of him up.
" Can we go now?" Hinata asked and Naruto nodded
The two then headed out of the cell to meet the others and head out of the evil place.
As the two went down the corridor back to where Hinata knows the others were she could feel Naruto tense up.
" It's alright it's just our friends. We all came looking for you." Hinata explained to him calmly
This caused Naruto to relax, " Demo, Inu."
" Hai, remember Kiba-kun is and Inuzuka and they used Inu to help them his is Akamaru. They are friends not enemies the only enemy you need to worry about is Orochimaru." Hinata said
Naruto growled at the name, " Hebi."
" Hai, Hebi, but Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi-sensei, and Sasuke-kun went to deal with him." Hinata explained
" Aniki went?" Naruto questioned
" You remember Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asked surprised
Naruto nodded; Well at least he's not completely lost to us and he seems to be remembering things, but slowly. Hinata thought
They finally got back to the others, " Hinata you found him." Shino said
Hinata nodded at his question
" Konchyuu and Shika too?" Naruto asked confused
" Hai, Naruto-kun. Lets go everyone." Hinata then said and the two started to walk out of the room
The others look at Naruto questioning why he was wearing the hooded cloak, but didn't say anything and followed the two out of the room. At the entrance Kiba and Akamaru saw them coming and moved out of the way.
" Good it see you alive loudmouth." Kiba said hitting Naruto on his shoulder
Naruto though took this as an act of aggression growled and in a split second had pinned Kiba into the wall with his arm. In an instant Hinata was by Naruto.
" Iie, Naruto-kun he wasn't trying to hurt you. It's ok." Hinata said pulling on his arm
Naruto dropped the scared boy and turned to look at Hinata with sadness in his eyes. He hung his head knowing he hurt one of his friends, but couldn't help it. Hinata engulfed him in a hug to reassure him.
" Kiba-kun I'm sorry he did that, but…" Hinata said and looked at Naruto
He just looked at her seeing what she'd do. She sighed and turned still holding Naruto's arm and led him to the entrance.
The others looked at Kiba who was holding his neck from where Naruto had pinned him
" What was that all about?" Ino asked confused
" I don't know, but something's not right and only those two know." Shikamaru said knowing something wasn't right
He called Shino a Konchyuu, me a Shika and he was highly aggressive to Kiba's friendly hit. He's acting almost as if he is a Kitsune. Shikamaru though and his eyes widened in realization
" What if that's what Orochimaru did?" Shikamaru questioned himself, but Choji overhead him
" Shikamaru?" Choji questioned his friends' unusual statement
" I don't know Choji, but we might have been too late to save him." Shikamaru said worried
" But Shikamaru, he right there with Hinata. How could we have been to late?" Choji said pointing to the retreating forms
" It's just… never mind." Shikamaru said shaking his head
I'll have to tell Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama when they come back that's the only way I'll know if my theory is correct, unless I can get Hinata or Naruto to tell me. Shikamaru thought
The others started to follow the two back towards the entrance.
As they reached outside Team Gai was there waiting. Lee was already in a speech about the fire of youth finally finding Naruto. While in the mist of his speech Hinata had moved Naruto over to a trees shade for him to rest. She could tell he was still tired from whatever Orochimaru had done to him. As they were sitting there Hinata reached into her pouch and pulled out an Onigiri and handed it to Naruto. Naruto took I and smiled.
" I remember these. You make them and I thought it was strange for me to be eating myself, but they are really good." Naruto said as he bit into it
" Um." Hinata said in conformation of his statement
It was then Shikamaru stepped over to the two and looked at Hinata and then Naruto.
" I don't know if you'll answer my question, but did he let Kyuubi loose?" Shikamaru questioned
Naruto didn't look up at Shikamaru, " Shikamaru I don't know what he did to me, but it's something like what you ask."
He then looked up at the teen and Shikamaru saw the changes that had occurred to Naruto's features
He frowned at his friends appearance, " Tsu mendokuse, are you in control or is Kyuubi?"
Naruto looked down, " I'm in control Shikamaru, but…I am confused over many thing right now. It takes me a few minutes after seeing someone to recognize them. That's why I attacked Kiba."
Shikamaru looked upon Naruto sadly.
" Shikamaru-kun he's tired for whatever Orochimaru did to him. Could we wait for Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi-sensei to come back to explain further?" Hinata asked
" And Aniki." Naruto said his eyes drooping as he tried to keep them open
" Hai Naruto-kun, and Sasuke-kun. We'll wait for all of them." Hinata said
With that Naruto rested his head on Hinata's shoulder and instantly fell asleep.
" He remembers Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked surprised
" He remembers is Aniki I don't know but he might also remember Iruka-sensei since he's like a Otousan to him, but I'll only know once we get back to Konoha." Hinata said blushing a little from Naruto's contact
With that Shikamaru left the two.
About two hours later the group was getting ready to head back to Konoha with Naruto, when they heard sounds coming from the entrance. Everyone went to hide except for Naruto who had Hinata tugging one his covered arm.
" Naruto-kun we must hide what if it's Orochimaru?" Hinata asked worried
" Ookami, Gama, and Aniki." Naruto said to her
Hinata looked at him shocked, " You can smell then?"
Naruto nodded and he moved closer to the entrance. Hinata let go of his arm. It was then the three emerged from the entrance with Sasuke having in a bag hanging from his side. Naruto smelled the air and recognized the smell coming from the bag.
" Hebi." Naruto growled
Sasuke smirked at Naruto answer, " Hai, Naruto I couldn't let him live after he kidnapped my Otouto. Now could I?"
Sasuke stuck out his hand to shake Naruto's, but Naruto just looked down at it. Hinata looked at what Sasuke wanted Naruto to do, but knew he wouldn't.
" Well dope you going to shake or not?" Sasuke questioned getting annoyed
Naruto shook he head and started to back away. Everyone was surprised at his actions, but Hinata looked at him sadly.
" Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi-sensei could we talk to you privately? Shikamaru-kun you too since you know." Hinata said
The two eyed the group and nodded. The five moved off away from the other so they wouldn't hear.
Knowing they were away from the group Hinata finally stopped.
" Alright what's going on and what's with the cloak, Gaki?" Jiraiya asked annoyed
" And why wouldn't you shake Sasuke's hand?" Kakashi questioned further
Hinata looked over at Naruto, " You need to show them.", but Naruto just stood there, "Naruto-kun, I know and I'm alright with it they've know about it and have never rejected you, so why would they because of what he did to you? Shikamaru saw you and is ok with it too, so please show them. I alone can't help you."
" I know you're right Hinata, but I can't even call myself human anymore." Naruto said sounding happy
He's covering his pain up. All four thought at the sound of his voice
Jiraiya was then remembered what the boy had said a second ago, What did that Teme do to him?
" Naruto she right they need to know and so do you other friends back there. You're eventually going to have to show Tsunade-sama too so she can help you, so just show them." Shikamaru said
Naruto just looked at his friends.
" Kit."" Kyuubi." Naruto said calmly
The others were shocked that the Kyuubi was able to talk to the teen freely now and they grew concerned over this.
" Kit do as they say I don't know how to fully help you. Only with your Hokage and your sensei's help can we figure out how to change you back. It'll be all right kit." Kyuubi reassured him
Why are you helping me? Naruto though to him confused
" I'll explain later, just do what I ask for now." Kyuubi said
Naruto nodded as he looked a the others, " Kyuubi coaxed me into showing you."
Hinata nodded at his words, I don't know why he's helping us, but if I ever meet Kyuubi I'll have to thank him.
Naruto took his paws covered by the cloaks fabric and took the hood off his head. The two adults gasped at how the boy looked.
" Kit you must show then everything." Kyuubi growled in annoyance
" Come on Kyuubi haven't I showed them enough?" Naruto wined
" Naruto what's he telling you?" Kakashi asked concerned
" He wants me to remove the cloak, but I don't want to." Naruto starting to pout
Naruto looked down at his paws that were covered by the cloak. Hinata took his hand in hers and this caused him to look at her.
" They can't help you if you don't show them." Hinata told him
He looked at her staring deeply into here silver eyes and sighed.
" Demo, they'll be afraid." Naruto said worried taking his gaze off of her and looking at the ground
" Gaki I've seen you go into four-tails mode where you don't recognize anyone, so nothing could shock me." Jiraiya said
Naruto winced at remembering how his sensei looked when he finally came to, but then smiled at his words, " Four-tails mode it normal compared to this Ero-sennin."
Hinata smiled seeing he remember who the two were. Naruto then took the cloak and completely removed it handing it to Hinata. The two adults were shocked at the boy especially his hands or paws as they were now.
" Oh Gaki." Jiraiya said sadly looking upon the boy
" Told you, you spoke too soon. Now do you understand why I wouldn't shake Sasuke's hand?" Naruto said taking a paw through his hair
Naruto then look a seat on a nearby rock.
" Do you know what he did?" Kakashi asked
" I don't know much only what Kyuubi told me." Naruto said
" What has Kyuubi told you and why is he helping?" Kakashi asked surprised
The other guys were surprised at Naruto's news too.
" Truly he still hasn't told me why he's trying to help me and all he's told me is that the Hebi messed with the seal. I'm going to get the story out of him some time here soon." Naruto said annoyed he was as clueless as the others were
" Yeah, yeah I'll tell you as soon as you let the others see kit." Kyuubi said
Naruto growled at his words, " Since when am I your kit?"
Kyuubi snorted at his words, " Oh and I wouldn't tell then about me being out right now kit."
Like I'm that much of a baka. Naruto told him, but Kyuubi said nothing to his words, I hate you. You know that right.
Naruto could hear Kyuubi snicker in his mind.
The others just looked at Naruto's actions because they didn't know what Kyuubi was saying to him, but knew it wasn't good when a vein protruded out of Naruto's head.
" Baka fur ball." Naruto mumbled, " Anyways, he said the Hebi tried to put us under his control. Messed with the seal, but I didn't know what it did to us till today. I've mostly been sleeping. Kabuto would come and bring me food, and I'd act like I was asleep. If the Hebi came and saw this he'd leave waiting for me to wake up. He though whatever he did to me took a lot out of me. Baka." he then looked up at his senseis, " Do you think there's a way to change me back? I can't go back to Konoha like this. They've thought I was the Kyuubi before with this…"
Naruto stopped and looked at his paws. Hinata sat beside of him and took his paws.
" The ones that have known won't see you any differently." Hinata assured him
" Kyuubi?" Naruto questioned looking up into the sky
" Nani Kit?" Kyuubi asked
" What do I do now?" Naruto asked unsure what to do now
The three watched as Naruto conversed with Kyuubi
"Do what you feel is right Kit. I will not force you to make that decision, but I'll tell you they've known of me because of Akatsuki. Why with what the Hebi did is it any different? That and I won't tell you about what happened to us until you do." Kyuubi said
" Oh and how is that not forcing me to tell them?" Naruto asked annoyed at the fox's words
" Humph." Kyuubi said
" Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned
" He said I should chose if I tell them or not, but then he said that he won't tell me what's fully happened until I tell them. Teme Kitsune!" Naruto said and sighed and looked at his paws again.
Near them was a lake he got up and went over to look himself over completely. He just stared at the lake sadly and shook his head. He took his paws and splashed his face to remove some of the dirt that was on his face. They all stood in silence for a couple of minutes waiting for Naruto to make his decision. After about five minutes he turned to look at the others with the determined spark in his eyes.
" You've decided." Jiraiya said with a smile
Naruto nodded, " Hinata I like you to hold on to my cloak for now. I'll need it when we get close to any villages, especially Konoha."
Hinata nodded, " Well are we going to go and tell them or are we going to stand here all day?" Shikamaru asked annoyed there were still there
With that the group started to head back to the others.
As the five headed back Akamaru was the first to hear them.
" They're coming back." Kiba told the others
They all turned to where the five had left. Jiraiya and Kakashi were the first to exit from the woods followed by Shikamaru and Hinata, but Naruto didn't emerge.
" Naruto-kun it'll be alright." Hinata said as she noticed he hadn't followed her
" Maybe we should explain first?" Kakashi said looking at the confused group
" Explain what Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked
" About what Orochimaru did to Naruto." Jiraiya said
" What did he do to Otouto?" Sasuke growled angrily
" Sasuke-kun please." Hinata said because of his interruption
" Hump." Sasuke responded
" Anyways, from what Naruto told us Orochimaru messed with the seal that hold Kyuubi." Kakashi said
" NANI?" everyone shouted
This caused Naruto to flinch because now his ears were very sensitive to sound.
" Anyway whatever he did caused some slight changes." Jiraiya said
" What do you mean by slight changes?" Tenten said
" Gaki come out." Jiraiya said
Naruto shifted where he was standing; Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
" Mendoukuse." Shikamaru said and went to pull Naruto out from him hiding spot.
" Hey Shikamaru, what are you doing!" Naruto asked loudly while being pulled
Everyone gasped at his appearance. He started to rub the back of his head smiling at the group
" Hi guys." Naruto said happily waving his paw at them
" Iie." Sakura said on the verge of tears holding her hands to her mouth
No one could believe what the vile Sannin had done to the boy. Naruto dropped his paw and looked at the others. He shifted because of the silence that was happening.
" Um guys?" Naruto questioned smiling though Hinata could tell he was getting uncomfortable
" N-Naruto?" Sasuke questioned shocked
Naruto nodded his head smiling.
" CHIKYSYOU, CHIKYSYOU!" Sasuke said loudly and caused Naruto to flinch at his raised voice
" TEME! Keep it down." Naruto said holding his paws over his ears
" Nani?" Sasuke said annoyed
Naruto looked at him also annoyed, " I said Keep. It. Down. Teme. Your too loud for my ears."
Sasuke was shocked at this news and grew angry at what Orochimaru had done to him.
Naruto surprised at feeling Sasuke's anger thought he had done something wrong, " What did I do?"
" Nothing, dope." Sasuke said annoyed
" Demo.." Naruto said confused
" You didn't do anything wrong Otouto." Sasuke said angrily as he tried to assure him everything was ok
" Oh good." Naruto said smiling again
One second he stood smiling and the next he was falling to the ground with the smiling still one his face.
" OTOUTO!" Sasuke shouted and he rushed forward and grabbed him before he could hit the ground
Jiraiya came over and checked him out.
" He's just tired from everything he'll be alright with some rest." Jiraiya explained to the others
" Can we change him back?" Neji asked looking at Naruto
" I don't know hopefully Tsunade will know something. Also Kyuubi seem to know more then Naruto, so he might be able to help too. He is the reason he showed us and you." Jiraiya said
Inside Naruto's' mind he was walking to the room that house the now the free Kyuubi and he wanted answers. As he reached the door they opened to reveal himself, but Naruto knew that it as Kyuubi." Wondered when you get here." Kyuubi said smiling
" Yeah well you have a lot of explaining to do and it starts right now! Like what did he do to me?"
" Us." Kyuubi corrected him
" Us?" Naruto asked confused
"Hai, us. He messed with the seal kit and it's fused our personalities sort of." Kyuubi said sounding annoyed
" So that's why you're being so nice now and trying to help me. It's because you have emotions now?" Naruto asked surprised
" Please kit, I had these emotions before I was sealed in you. It's just the ones you use most of the time I rarely ever showed." Kyuubi said
" So then why are you helping me and why are you calling me kit now?" Naruto asked
" With the jutsu the Hebi did it sort of also caused me to see what you've gone through all these years. I can say I'm impressed kit that you never let me out and just destroy that village for what they put you through." Kyuubi said
Naruto frowned at his words, " Well if you saw then you know I'd would never do that."
" True, true. So now what to do about what the Hebi did…" Kyuubi saidHe went on to explain further to Naruto what all had happened and what the jutsu had caused.
Back outside Naruto's friends were worried about him.
" Kyuubi is helping him?" Ino questioned
" Hai, though we're still unsure why he's being helpful, but for right now we're not complaining." Jiraiya said
" What do you mean?" Shino asked
" Shino-kun he was very reluctant to tell or even show anyone. It took Kyuubi's coaxing to even take the cloak off I had put on him. When we were inside it took me a good number of minutes to get him to even let me touch him after he shifted forms." Hinata said
" Shifted forms?" Tenten asked
In that instant a cloud of smoke engulfed the boy's humanoid form and the Golden Kyuubi. It was then the form woke up red eyes staring at them.
" Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked
" He's still asleep." The fox said
The adult knew what this mean and got in front of the teens. Hinata though walked in front of them.
" Are you Kyuubi then?" she questioned calmly
The fox nodded as several gasps were heard the fox smirked at their fear, " Though I love to see you all afraid of me I mean you no harm I just want to help the Kit. I know a bit more than he does, but still my knowledge is little of the jutsu the Hebi used on us."
" Why are you helping us?" Kakashi asked
" I have already told him what had happened, but the jutsu is seems has melded together our personalities and it's mellowed me out and made him more on the edge so the speak. That and I have grown to like the Kit, just don't tell him I told you that." Kyuubi said annoyed at that information
" So, you want to help? Do you know the Jutsu's name?" Jiraiya asked still on edge with the Kyuubi being in control
" I know what he was trying to do, but what he was trying to do and what he did was two different thing." Kyuubi said showing a smirk
" So what was he trying to do?" Lee asked
" He was trying to do a jutsu called Zinrui no Kesu." Kyuubi said
" I've never heard of that." Sasuke said wondering if the Kyuubi was being truthful to them
" I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't. The Jutsu is ancient from when Konoha was first starting. It basically takes all the humanity out of the creature it's used on and make then a obedient servant to the performer of the jutsu." Kyuubi said
" But you said he didn't do it right? So what did he do?' Sakura said
" That I don't know I saw the last few hand seals and knew what he was doing, but the last two were wrong. So, either he did them wrong on purpose, which I seriously doubt, or wherever he got the translation from was wrong. From what I can tell it basically kept the kits mind the way it was, well sort of." Kyuubi said
" Sort of? What do you mean by sort of?" Kiba asked
" I'm sure you saw what happened earlier when you hit Naruto on the back. Even though it was an act of friends he took it as an aggression of an Inu to a Kitsune. That's why he attacked you." Kyuubi said
" So what are you saying? That his mind has progressed to some sort of primal form?" Neji asked
" Again sort of, my mind and his have merged along with the looks of his body. I need to talk to the Hokage for sure because once I tell her the last couple of hand seals she might be able to help him. For now please be patient with him. As you can see he is very emotional right now, I believe this is a side effect of the incorrect hand seals. I know you all can tell he's trying to cover it up, so none of you worry about him. He's very good at that you know. I didn't want to tell him about the transformation the jutsu caused and I think I have him even more angry at me than usual, though it wouldn't be the first time." Kyuubi said smiling
With that Naruto's body was engulfed in smoke again and his humanoid form was asleep in front of them. The group was left in silence with Kyuubi's departure.
" So what now?" Ino asked unsure what to do
" We'll head home and hope Tsunade-sensei can help him with Kyuubi's knowledge." Sakura said
" Right." Kakashi said nodding to them
" Can't we let him sleep for a little bit more though?" Hinata asked looking over at Naruto
" It'll take us a couple of days to get back home. For now I'll carry him till he wakes up." Kakashi said
" Kakashi I think this might be getting to be a habit for you." Jiraiya said smiling
Kakashi chuckled at his words as the ones that knew what the Sannin was talking about smiled. Kakashi went over and picked Naruto up and put him on his back.
Jyuuken – Gentle Fist
Henge – Transformation
Bakemono – Monster
Inu – Dog
Konchyuu – Bug
Shika – Deer
Kitsune – Fox
Um – Yeah
Ookami – Wolf
Gama – Toad
Demo – But
Zinrui no Kesu – Destruction of Humanity