The group had been traveling for a number of hours now and Naruto had still yet to wake up. Finally Kakashi heard the teen moan and whistle to signal for Jiraiya and the others to stop. The group dropped from the trees as Naruto rubbed his head.
" Man that was a really bad dream." Naruto said, but then noticed his hands felt different he then opened his eyes and saw his paws, " Awe man, It wasn't a dream."
" I'm afraid not Naruto." Kakashi said as he placed the boy down
" I wish it was though." Naruto said sliding off Kakashi's back to stand up
" So do we Gaki, but at least you're alive and still yourself." Jiraiya said
Naruto smiled at him, " Right Ero-sennin."
" Naruto-kun." Hinata said worried
" Are you alright now Naruto?" Sakura asked
Naruto looked at her, " Sure why wouldn't I be?"
The group looked at him worried. Now seeing what Kyuubi had meant earlier.
" Baka because of what happened." Kiba said annoyed he was hiding what he really felt from his friends
" Oh it's ok." Naruto said looking around, " So we're about two day out still Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, " Uh, yeah. How did you know?"
Naruto looked around, " Well we just entered Konoha forest, so that how."
" Dope how did you know that? You've been asleep most of the trip?" Sasuke asked
" Um, the woods seem familiar. Huh what?" Naruto said his eyes glazing over for a moment
" Naruto what?" Choji asked
" Oh Kyuubi said I recognize where we are because of him. Can we stay here I need to go somewhere nearby." Naruto said
Jiraiya and Kakashi looked at each other suspicious of his words, but nodded, " Alright Gaki, but don't go too far." Jiraiya said
" Right." Naruto said and started to walk away, but stopped when someone spoke
" Um Naruto-kun…" Hinata stopped though afraid he wouldn't want her company
" You can come if you wish." Naruto said smiling at her and resumed walking
Hinata nodded and the others nodded at her too with that the Hinata headed out to catch up to Naruto into the thick woods.
" Um Naruto-kun where are we going?" Hinata asked confused as she had been following the boy for a long while now
" Actually…I don't know I'm just following Kyuubi's directions really." Naruto said sounding equally confused
" Oh." Hinata said not questioning him further
Soon Naruto stopped at the edge of a rather large cave, " Naruto-kun?"
In that instant Naruto shifted forms and was in his Golden Kyuubi form with red eyes.
" Kyuubi-sama?" Hinata asked confused
" Come child I will show you why I attacked." Kyuubi stated a hint of sadness in his voice
With that he placed Hinata on his back and the two went inside.
" Is Naruto-kun still awake?" Hinata questioned still fearing Kyuubi a little bit
" Hai, he will hear what I tell you in just a little bit." Kyuubi said hearing the hint of fear in her voice
Hinata nodded at his words. In the middle of the cave Hinata noticed a number of ninja weapons littering the area and a number of skeletons too. She gasped, as she was the hitaiate they were Konoha's.
" Do you understand yet?" Kyuubi asked at her reaction
" Gomen Kyuubi-sama, but I don't." Hinata told him
" Then lets go further shall we? Those were the ones I caught fleeing from what they had done." Kyuubi said hate seeping from his voice
They finally reached the end of the vast cave and there a hole was made to let sun in there the sun shown on four skeletons, but they were not human.
" Were they?" Hinata asked figuring out who they were
Kyuubi nodded, " This is why I attacked. I don't know why those ninjas attacked my mate and kits, but they were harmless. My mate was only a three tails and the kits were only one tails. No harm to anyone, but they mercilessly killed them." Kyuubi said anger radiating off of him
Hinata leaned down and hugged the fox around his neck, " I'm so sorry Kyuubi."
She said as tears came from her eyes and dropped on the back of his neck. Kyuubi smiled a genuine smile at her kindness.
Kit I like her she very caring for others. Kyuubi thought to Naruto
I thought you hated everything? Naruto questioned
Merging remember? I might have been full of hate for most of the time, but I know what love is and this was what caused me to lose it. Kyuubi said to him sadly
Naruto didn't respond to his words.
Hinata noticed some lavenders growing in the lighted area. She got off of Kyuubi and picked them and placed them by the fox skeletons and bowed. Kyuubi watched this shocked a human would show such kindness to the dead, especially dead animals. She then came back and got back on Kyuubi and the two left as the existed Kyuubi gave control back to Naruto.
" Say Hinata." Naruto said breaking the silence
" Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned
" Would you like to stay up there for a little bit?" Naruto asked tilting his head so his sky blue eyes could eye her and smile
" Hai that would be nice Naruto-kun." Hinata said smiling down at him
Naruto nodded, " Alright lets head back to the others we only have a hour of daylight left."
As Naruto was bounded off back to their campsite even though they were still far away from camp he could already smell the food being prepared.
" Smells good." Naruto said hungrily
" Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned at the way he spoke
" Someone's fixing fish and ramen, Hinata." Naruto said happily licking his muzzle
" I say the boys got the fish and the ramen is probably from the bunch Sasuke bought for you knowing you'd want some once we found you." Hinata said smiling
" Aniki." Naruto said smiling at Sasuke's act
When there were a couple feet from camp Naruto let Hinata off and changed back into his humanoid form. Again Naruto looked at his paws, but Hinata grabbed one of his paws and pulled him towards camp.
" HINATA!" Kiba said happy to see her back safe as she entered
" So where did you go Gaki?" Jiraiya asked wondering why they were gone for most of the day
" To Kyuubi's old den." Naruto said casually
" His den? It's near here?" Kakashi said surprised at his words
Naruto nodded, " Naruto what wrong?" Sakura asked seeing the look in is eye
" We know why he attacked." Naruto said sitting down on a nearby log by the campfire
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him surprised.
" Well?" Ino broke the silence since no one else would
" We killed his mate and kits." Hinata said sadly answering the question
" Nani?" Tenten asked confused
" Some Konoha-nins remains are in the cave. Kyuubi said he killed them while they were trying to escape. They killed his mate and her three kits that's why he attacked. He was angry over the death of his family that we had caused." Naruto said looking blankly into the fire
" I don't understand there shouldn't have been any Konoha-nins out this far during that time. I mean we're right on the edge of Ricefield Country. So…." But it was then Kakashi stopped when he realized what he had just said
" They weren't Konoha ninjas." Shikamaru said figuring out too what Kakashi just had
" Nani?" the others said still confused
" Think of what Kakashi-sensei just said. There should be any ninjas this far out because of Oto, so then…" Shikamaru said stopping to let them figure it out
" It was the Hebi doing." Naruto said growing angry letting red chakra whip off of him violently
Kyuubi too was angered by the deception the man had done to him. He had caused the deaths of thousand of innocent ninjas and caused his containers life to be extremely hard.
The caused everyone the shiver at the amount of killing intent coming off of him.
" Naruto." Sasuke said worried at what his friend was doing
Naruto hearing his name looked at him surprised and the chakra receded, " Huh? Nani?"
" Naruto did you know what you were doing just now?" Sakura questioned the confused boy
Naruto smiled at her, " Iie, what did I do?"
They all shook their heads at him being clueless as to what he had done.
" Right we'll lets eat shall we." Kakashi said trying to change the mood
With that the group surrounded the fire that had been made to start eating. There were a number of fish on sticks being cooked and a bowl of instant ramen for Naruto. They all started to eat as Naruto went to grab the ramen cup and smiled.
We'll at least I'll have something good today. Naruto thought happily as he broke the hashi in half but as he started to eat he noticed he couldn't hold the hashi in his new paws. He struggled for a number of minutes, but still couldn't do it. He sighed sadly and quietly got up.
" Um…I am going to go for a walk." Naruto said not wanting to arise suspicious of why he was really leaving
The others, who had been eating heard him and looked at his retreating form.
" He didn't even touch his Ramen." Choji said confused why he didn't eat
" He couldn't." Kakashi told him sadness seen in his viable eye
" Huh?" Ino questioned not understanding
" His paws they wouldn't allow him to hold the hashi, so he can't eat it." Kakashi explained
Hearing this the group got upset at the predicament their friend was in. Hinata stayed quiet the whole time looking down at her food.
" What are we going to do?" Sakura asked worried
" Yeah, he can barley feed himself and if any of the villagers see him…." Neji said equally concerned
At this Hinata finally broke her silence as she broke down into tears crying about what had happened to Naruto. The girls all moved over to her to try and comfort her.
" Shu, Hinata it'll be alright. Of everyone here you need to be the strongest for him. You're the one that found him and the one he seem more comfortable with. I'm sure Tsunade-sensei will figure out a way to help him we just have to get him back to Konoha." Sakura said trying to reassure her
" But after that what?" Neji asked worried, " I mean he can't stay in his apartment or have a Henge on all the time."
" Wait why can't he use a Henge?" Choji questioned this info
The others looked shocked, why hadn't they just have him use Henge until they saw Tsunade.
" I don't know. I'll ask Gaki about the Henge when he returns and about a place to stay. I know of one, so that isn't the problem." Jiraiya told them
" Then what is?" Shino asked
" The problem is he can't stay by himself. Like Kyuubi told us with his emotions all screwed up he need someone there to keep him in check." Jiraiya responded.
" So what do you suggest?" Lee asked
" Right now I only have a theory, but I have to talk to Tsunade when we get back to see if it'll be ok or not." Jiraiya told them
They all nodded in agreement a little bit later Naruto still hadn't returned and the group, though worried, started the take turn on watch duty. It was Team Kakashi's turn when Sasuke heard a noise and threw a kunai in the direction. In an instant a chakra paw came out of the darkness and caught it in the air before it hit its target flinging it back at the owner. Sasuke seeing this caught the kunai and pocketed it back in his pouch knowing whom it was now.
" Geeze Teme. What's got you so on edge tonight?" Naruto whispered annoyed, at being Sasuke's practice dummy, coming into the clearing
" Naruto! Where have you been?" Kakashi asked concerned about where the boy had been for so long
" Went for a walk." Naruto responded smiling walking over the nearly nonexistent campfire
" Really Naruto where did you go?" Kakashi asked again not believing what he said
Naruto sighed, " I went back to the hideout to see if Kyuubi and I could find anything about the jutsu he used on me."
" But that is a day away how did you get there and back so fast?" Sakura asked confused now
" Oh I used a jutsu Ero-sennin taught me, it's really cool. Helps with getting away or coming of on targets fast." Naruto explained smiling at them
" Naruto what's the name of this Jutsu." Kakashi asked intrigued
" Um… Ero-sennin said it was called Shushin no Jutsu." Naruto responded and yawned, " I'm really tired, is it ok if I go to sleep?"
" Sure Naruto go to sleep we'll wake you before we leave." Kakashi said trying to hide his surprised at what he was just told
Naruto nodded and went to a nearby tree and jumped into one of the lower branched. He then placed his back against the trunk and fell asleep instantly.
" Kakashi-sensei do you know the jutsu Naruto's talking about?" Sasuke asked
" Not only do I know it I also know its creator. He was my former sensei." Kakashi said chuckling slightly
" So?" Sakura asked hearing his amusement at the jutsu
" That Jutsu was created by Arashi Kazama, otherwise known as the Yondaime." Kakashi said looking up at Naruto
The others looked at Kakashi in amazement and then at Naruto. They both smiled at the boy in the tree.
You certainly are Konoha's most unpredictable ninja Naruto. Kakashi thought smiling
In the morning the group was getting ready to head out and Naruto still hadn't woken up from the night before. Hinata looked up in the tree at him happy he had come back. Sasuke was suddenly by her side looking up at him too.
" How long has he been up there?" Hinata questioned him
" He came back about a hour into our watch. He changed about an hour after that." Sasuke said
The two were looking up seeing Naruto in his Golden Kyuubi for sleeping soundly on the tree branch he had jumped to his tails dangling below the tree limb swaying in the breeze. Jiraiya and Kakashi came up to the two and looked up.
" So are you going to wake him?" Kakashi asked the Sannin
" Hold on, Kuchiyose no Jutsu." Jiraiya said
In an instant Gamakichi was back in front of Jiraiya again.
" Yo Ero-sennin did you find the kid?" Gamakichi asked webfoot raised
" Yep." Jiraiya said and pointed to the fox in the tree
Gamakichi looked up at the tree in shock, " Baka humans trying jutsu they have no business in meddling with." Gamakichi mumbled, " So why'd you summon me then?"
" I need you to wake him up." Jiraiya said smiling
" Oh? And why don't you?" Gamakichi asked smiling widely, " Don't want a repeat of last time, huh?"
Jiraiya frowned that Naruto had told the toad about the last time he woke him up, " I just think he'd like to see you and you can go back and tell Gamabunta what's happened to him."
" Oh I already know what the Hebi tried to do just by looking at him. How got his hands on the jutsu is what I'd like to know." Gamakichi said annoyed and jumped up into the tree
The two adults were surprised that the little toad knew what Orochimaru tried to do to Naruto.
" Maybe you should ask Gamabunta about it, if Gamakichi knows." Kakashi said
" Um" Jiraiya responded
Gamakichi hopped up the tree to the branch Naruto was sleeping on.
" GAKI! Oi Gaki wake up." Gamakichi said hitting Naruto on the muzzle
Naruto moaned and opened one eye and saw the chibi toad in front of him, " Gama."
" Gaki wake up it's me." Gamakichi said worried at the look that was currently in Naruto's eyes
Naruto started licking his mouth, " Um Jiraiya maybe it wasn't such a good idea to send him up." Ino said
" Hungry." Naruto said tiredly
" Well I'm not on the menu baka." Gamakichi said annoyed at his words
Being called a idiot woke Naruto up further, " Omae I'm not a baka!"
Naruto yawned and fully woke up he smiled at whom he was in front of him, " Hey Gamakichi what's up?"
" Well you should be and thankfully I'm still here too." Gamakichi said
Naruto yawned again and sat up, " What are you talking about? Is it time to go already?"
" Well a few seconds ago I believe I was on your menu for breakfast, also Ero-sennin summoned me to wake you. I don't think want a repeat of the last time." Gamakichi said chuckling
Naruto looked at the chibi toad surprised at his words, " Gomen about that I'm still working to get use to this form."
" No problems once you fully woke you were fine." Gamakichi said trying to reassure him everything was all right
Back down on the ground the others heard what the two were talking about.
" Jiraiya what are they talking about?" Sasuke asked the Sannin
" I don't want to talk about it." Jiraiya said his eyes narrowing and frowning
The group continued to listen to the two's conversation.
" It was his fault I was having a very good dream that day and he had to ruin it with dousing me with mizu. Serves him right." Naruto said, " Hop on I'll take us down."
Gamakichi did what the boy said and in an instant they were on the ground with the others. The chibi toad then jumped off Naruto head as he started to transform back to normal. As soon as he was done he looked Naruto over shook his head and jumped back on Naruto head. He then looked down at Naruto.
" You know the Hebi really shouldn't have messed with jutsu's he knows nothing about." Gamakichi said
Naruto looked at him surprised, " You know what he did! Do you know how to reverse it?" Naruto asked hopefully
Gamakichi just shook his head, " Gomen Gaki, all I can tell is what he tried to do, but with the seal it might have caused a different result to happen."
Naruto got annoyed that the toad couldn't help him and crossed his arms in annoyance, "So you going to stay or go back now?"
" I think I'll stay for a little bit." Gamakichi said thinking it'd be good to keep the boy company for a while
Naruto nodded.
" Naruto." Kakashi said to get his attention, " We're going to be stopping at a village next, why don't you use Henge when we get close?"
" I can't." Naruto said heading over to grab a fish on a stick to eat
" Nani?" Kakashi questioned him
The others hearing Kakashi turned to pay attention to what was going on.
" I've tried numerous times since I left the hideout to engage it and I just can't." Naruto said biting into the fish
" What does Kyuubi have to say about it?" Jiraiya asked concerned at this new information
" He thinks it might be another one of the side effect of the messed up jutsu." Naruto said
" Well if that's the case." Kakashi said and handed Naruto the cloak
" I know, I know. I just wish I had something better than this thing that smells like rotting flesh." Naruto said his face twisting in disgust at the smell as he placed the cloak on
" Naruto!" Sakura said loudly
" Nani? It's the truth Hinata took it off of a skeleton that was in the cell the Hebi had me in." Naruto said looking at the girl
He grabbed Gamakichi and had Hinata hold him till he got the hood up and placed him back on his head again.
The group then headed out through the trees with Naruto staying in the middle of the group.
" It's not like him to be this quiet." Kiba said and Shino nodded in agreement
" Just let him be." Hinata said
In the mean time Naruto wasn't really being quite he was actually conversing with Gamakichi, but his voice was so soft that the chibi toad was the only one that could hear him.
" So what do you think Gamakichi?" Naruto asked looking up at his companion
" About what?" Gamakichi asked
Naruto lifted his paws to explain what he meant and Gamakichi just shrugged his shoulder, " You're still you aren't you?"
" Yeah." Naruto said sounding sad
" So then what's the problem? I know you're emotions are on the fritz, your chakra is on the blink for certain things, and you look a little different." Gamakichi said
Naruto raised and eyebrow and snorted at his words, " Ok, Ok a lot different and sometime it takes time for you to recognize people you've know you're whole life, but you're still you. The jutsu didn't work and that's all that matter." Gamakichi said hoping his words would help
" Now I just got to figure a way to change back." Naruto said annoyed at his situation
" Have you asked him?" Gamakichi looking down at the boy's face
" You mean Kyuubi? Yeah he knows a little, but he also needs to talk to Obaa-chan to see if his hunch is correct or not." Naruto said
" I think checking the Hokage would be good. Is he giving you any problems?" Gamakichi asked
" Iie, he actually been rather helpful. He says it from the merging where he's gotten some of my emotions and memories…" Naruto said but paused
" You think differently?" Gamakichi asked at his pause
Naruto shrugged, " I don't know it just seems he more worried about me than he should be even if the jutsu caused us to share emotions."
Gamakichi just smiled at the boy who looked up to see his face.
" Nani?" Naruto said feeling the toad amusement
" It's seems this has made you think things through thoroughly, not just jump into it like you normally do." Gamakichi said
Naruto looked at him annoyed, " It might be Kyuubi causing that than me."
" Or maybe it's the you you've been hiding from the others." Gamakichi said
Naruto growled and frowned even more at his statement knowing what he meant.
" Ok, Ok I'll end it." Gamakichi said feeling the boy's annoyance
Soon the group reached the village and entered the hotel they'd stay at. The sensei's told the groups to go to their rooms and placed their stuff down. They were then all to meet in the adult's room. Once they all got into the room a couple of them talked about where they'd eat and started to leave to head out and find food, but were stopped by Jiraiya and Kakashi.
" Wait where do you think you're going?" Jiraiya asked seeing a couple of the teens start heading out the door
" To find dinner why?" Ino said looking back at the Sannin
Jiraiya and Kakashi looked at Naruto who was sitting on the bed with his cloak off talking to Gamakichi still his arms waving around a bit.
" Oh." Ino said sadly knowing he couldn't go out in public
Naruto patted the chibi frog on the head and suddenly Gamakichi disappeared and Naruto looked at the other oblivious to what had just happened.
" Huh? Why's everybody so upset?" Naruto asked smiling confused at why some looked sad
" Naruto-kun we're going to go get dinner. Is there anything you want?" Hinata asked trying to change the rooms' mood
" Um…" Naruto said then looked at his paws trying to figure out what he could eat, "Onigiri would be good."
" Alright." Hinata responded smiling and left with the others
Jiraiya and Kakashi still hadn't left though and looked at the boy, " Going to stay with me till one of them comes back?" Naruto asked
The two nodded and Naruto sighed, " Alright." Naruto said and turned to look outside to see his friends leaving the hotel to go eat
Kyuubi is this how I'm going to have to live from now on? Having others go get me stuff and confined to a room. Naruto thought sadly
" Iie Kit, we'll find a way and when we do you'll be stronger than ever." Kyuubi said smirking at his words
Naruto smiled at his response see how the fox was trying to cheer him up. He just continued to look out the window at the people walking below them. About five minutes later to his surprise he saw Hinata returning with a large basket in her hands. He saw her enter the front door and disappear.
Without moving from his spot he spoke " Kakashi-sensei, open the door."
Kakashi did what he asked and in that instant Hinata was standing there with a shocked look on her face that they knew she was coming.
" He saw you though the window. He hasn't left that spot since you all left. Hinata are you going to stay here?" Kakashi asked her, Hinata nodded at his words, " Alright then Jiraiya and I are going to head out to grab something to eat then."
" Have fun you two." Jiraiya said smiling and winking at Naruto and exiting the room
" Baka Ero-sennin." Naruto said annoyed
He then turned to Hinata, who was blushing like a ripe tomato, " Eh Hinata-chan are you alright?" raising his paw to feel her forehead
" Iie, I'm alright Naruto-kun." Hinata said as she reached into the basket and grabbed some Onigiri and sat them on the bed, "I didn't know what kind you like, so I bought a number of different ones."
" Arigatou Hinata-chan." Naruto said smiling at her kindness
Hinata finally realizing Naruto was using –chan at the end of her name caused her to blush even more. Naruto grabbed one of the Onigiri and started to eat it. Hinata then pulled out some cups and a thermos. She poured green tea into the cups and sat one near Naruto and one near herself. The two sat in silence and ate for a number of minutes when finally Naruto spoke.
" Hinata-chan…" Naruto said stopping to get her attention
This caused Hinata to look up at the boy, who was looking down at the tea swirling in the cup.
" Arigatou." Naruto said glancing quickly at her
" For what?" Hinata asked confused
Naruto paused closed his eyes and shook his head, " Never mind."
" Kit why don't you tell her?" Kyuubi asked annoyed he didn't tell her what he was actually feeling It doesn't matter Kyuubi. Naruto answered the foxKyuubi snorted at his answer. The demon knew what she meant to him. The two finally finished eating as Naruto lay down in the bed to sleep. Hinata got up and went to a nearby chair and sat there watching Naruto's sleeping form. A couple of minutes later Kakashi and Jiraiya came in with some food. Hinata put a finger to her lips and the two men nodded in understanding. They sat the food down and exited followed by Hinata.
" How long has he been asleep?" Kakashi questioned once they go outside
" About thirty minutes now. When will we head out?" Hinata asked the two
" First thing tomorrow. Head to you room the other girls are already asleep. We'll see you in the morning." Jiraiya said to her
Hinata nodded and headed to her room suddenly the door in front of hers opened and Sasuke stuck his head out.
" Hinata how is he?" Sasuke asked worried
" He's sleeping now. I brought him some Onigiri and stayed with him in the room. At least he can eat something." Hinata said a hint of sadness in her voice
" Well the dope needs to eat something else than ramen everyday." Sasuke said smirking hoping his words cheered her up
Hinata giggled at his statement, " Oyasuminasai Sasuke-kun." Hinata said
" Um." Sasuke said and shut his door
Hinata opened hers to see all the girls were indeed already asleep in their respected beds. Hinata went to hers that was right by the window that has a full moon brightly shinning in on the sleeping group. She got into her bed and glimpsed at the moon for a few minutes and then fell asleep.
Gomen – Sorry
Oto – Sound
Hashi – Chopsticks
Shushin no Jutsu – Body Flicker Technique
Yondaime – 4th Hokage
Mizu – Water
Onigiri – Riceball
Arigatou – Thank You
Oyasuminasai – Goodnight