THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


2 Years Ago

"Alright ya fool, this ain't no walk in the park."

"This can't kill him right?"

"Ahk! Yamato-sensei, why would you say that?!" Naruto stepped away from B and hid behind Gaara. "You'll protect me right?"

"I'm doing the same as you."

"And besides," Fuu said, stepping between them, "He wouldn't purposely kill us. And if we do, at least we'll be together!"

"And that sounds like a good idea?"

"Utakata, why are you here? Aren't you and your tails besties, ya know?" Naruto pointed at him from behind Gaara.

Utakata sighed, sitting in his position from the ground.

"Is it wise if we do them all at the same time?" Yamato asked, staring worriedly at Naruto.

"No. Well, do them one at a time!"

"I'll go first, but I don't want anyone to get hurt-"

"We're fine Naruto." Gaara patted his hand and gently pushed him back to his seat beside him. "We're here waiting for you."

"If I think Gaara's life," Kanakruo took a protective step in Gaara's direction, "is in danger I will remove him from this situation."

"He'll come back. I swear it." Naruto stated before looking around the room full of jinchurikis and their guardians. "They'll all be fine. It's a promise."

Various nods were seen before B began the process.

"Naruto," Naruto cocked his head toward Jiraiya before quickly making his way toward him. "I haven't told you, but you know I'm proud of you right?" Jiraiya sighed, before dragging his hand through Naruto's hair and pulling him closer. "You'd make great Hokage. Teaming up with the jinchurikis was a smart move and a great way to ensure years of peace throughout the nations. After this, we're going to Mount Myoboku, you're ready."

Naruto stared at him with wide eyes before squaring his shoulders and standing tall. "I won't let you down!"

"You couldn't even if you tried!" Jiraiya laughed as he pushed him back toward the circle of jinchurikis sitting down.

Naruto grinned as he sat beside Gaara and closed his eyes. He was ready.

It was dark and cold. Reminding him of the first time he entered his mind space to actually talk to Kurama and not just use him for his chakra.

B had told them before he'd start that they had to learn their tail's name.

"Yo Kurama, you ready for this?"

"There's a chance you'll die."

"You can't be locked in a cell. I- I was alone, and I know that pain. At the time I can't set you free but I can make you not a prisoner. So trust me when I say we'll get through this."

Kurama's laughter filled the air as his chakra latched out at Naruto lifting him towards the seal. Naruto grabbed the seal and pulled.

"I definitely can't say I was expecting this."

Kurama's chakra dropped him causing him to groan as a hand reached down to him. Accepting the hand he allowed himself to be pulled up.

"Thanks-" His eyes widened as he took a shaky step back. Standing in front of him was no other than the Fourth Hokage, his dad. "D-dad?"

"Naruto, I thought I'd find you in a dark place. Yet here you are, smiling." Minato's hand reached up to rub the back of his neck sheepishly.

After a moment of silence, Minato stepped forward, "I guess I shouldn't expect you to forgive me, Kami knows I don't deserve it. I put you through a lot huh. Everything you had to endure on your own."

Reaching a hand toward his son, Naruto quickly wrapped his hands around his dad's torso, pulling himself into his embrace.

"I'M DOING GREAT, DATTEBAYO!" Naruto exclaimed into his ear. Minato laughed as he wrapped his arms around his son.

"You sound so much like your mother."

"I- what?" He's heard a lot about how he was like his father through Kakashi-sensei and Pervy Sage, but not a lot about his mother. He knew her name, Uzumaki Kushina, knew the color of her hair, knew she liked to prank but that was all he knew. So to know he sounds like his mother was a dream come true.

Minato chuckled as he inhaled the scent of his son, "I want to know all about you. And why you're removing the seal?"

Naruto grinned as he stepped back, "I'm great ya know! I'm on Team 7, the same as you and Kakashi-sensei is my sensei now! I trained with Pervy Sage for three years and I have a family now… It- it wasn't all that great growing up but I'm happy ya know. I made friends I consider family. I still have a lot to learn but I'm open, dattebayo!"

"And I met the other jinchuriki's and we all partnered up called Team Jin and- and we met Killer Bee from Kumo and now he's teaching us how to merge with our tails- with Kurama!" Naruto turned and pointed to the fox who was watching them with a tilt to his head. "And he's great ya know! Misunderstood, but I understand, he was alone like me but not anymore! Kurama's my friend- my brother."

Minato stared at him, with a glowing smile on his face, "I'm proud of you Naruto."

His grin widened before slowly falling from his face, "Then tell me why!" Tears threaten to fall, "You had no choice- I get it but why? They said you told the Third to forbid me from knowing who you were! I was a kid! I didn't know any better, all I knew was that I did something bad and everyone hated me for it! No one was around. I used to beg for you and mom to show but you never came! Ho- how are you even here? Why now?" His fist quivered at his side and he bent his head down to not show his tears.

Minato's heart ached to see his son like this, but he knew Naruto put on a brave face. He stepped forward and lifted Naruto's chin toward him.

"You have the burden of the world on your shoulders." He muttered before taking a breath, "I had to seal the Kyuubi-"

"Kurama."

"Kurama- I had to seal Kurama to save the village. I couldn't pick a random child when I had one. I knew you were the prophecy child. Before you were born, I knew you'd change the world. That you'd be a kind spirit and want peace for everyone. I- I couldn't make it happen but I know you can."

"That's a lot of pressure," Naruto stated while laughing and wiping his tears.

"You shouldn't have been forced to handle it. I'm sorry."

"Don't. I mean, I'm the Fourth Hokage's child, I can handle it, dattebayo!"

Minato stepped forward, gently resting his hand on Naruto's cheek. "You've surpassed everything I thought you could do. I am honored to be your father." Naruto's eyes widened at the serious look on Minato's face. "I'd selfishly like to see the next part," Minato stated as he looked at the seal.

Naruto grinned at him as Kurama's chakra once again wrapped around him and pulled him toward the seal. Looking back at his father and then towards Kurama, Naruto pulled the seal down. The cage opened as Naruto was dropped toward the ground.

"I'm getting tired of that Kurama!" Naruto muttered before accepting his father's hand.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


PRESENT TIME

It started off like any other day, the sun was shining and children were running about. Meanwhile, for the ninjas, it was a bit more hectic. Shizune and a select medical team were trying to figure out what the black rods meant and what they were used for. Jounin and ANBU were out upping security, making sure one Uchiha Itachi was secure and no one was trying to break him out.

A lot was happening during these past few months, and Konoha was on edge. With Sakura then Jiraya's death, Konoha had to present itself strongly.

This is how Ino found herself at Konoha Memorial laying down gladiolus at Sakuras tomb.

Sighing, Ino laid down a blanket and set up a picnic.

"You dumb bitch. Do you understand everything you've caused? I'm your best friend and you didn't tell me about you and Uchiha fucking Itachi! Like bitch Itachi is fine as hell but I thought we were going for Sasuke? And oh my Kami have you noticed how close your teammates are acting? Like I wouldn't be surprised." Laughing Ino gulped out of the bottle before pouring some out for Sakura.

"I'm literally mad at you because Forehead, Naruto lost two people really close to him and it's unfair. And anything we say would be wrong and for the life of me, I can't get Naruto to come out of the bubble he's buried himself in.

"And I'm trying, Forehead I swear to all things holy that I'm trying but he's so fucking difficult. And all he does is hang out with Sasuke and Sasuke doesn't leave the fucking house, meaning Naruto is inside 24/7 never mind the fact that team 7 just got back." Taking a breath she took another drink and poured some to the ground.

"I don't know how you like this shit," clearing her throat, "it's disgusting. I'd say you have a shitty taste but Itachi is sexy as fuck and you might have to watch out before I steal your man." Laughing at her joke she leaned her back against the tomb before closing her eyes.

"Everyone's saying he's your murderer." Lowering her voice, she hesitated before she focused her chakra to make sure no one could hear her. "Nothing seems right. I- and I don't want to be a bitch- but I don't think he did it. I spoke to my dad and Ibiki and they don't either but Sakura we have nothing. He's not speaking and I can't do anything and I feel so powerless and I hate it.

"I want to do something, anything but… the council voted Sakura. And while Tsunade-Sama said they pushed it back, it was unanimous that Itachi gets executed." Taking a deep breath she looked to the sky. "You loved him. Kami, you've been so happy this past year and I was happy for you. But I think I encouraged it and now you're dead. And of course, I know it's not my fault but I feel like I should have done something."

"Done anything other than sitting on the sidelines and allowed you to be killed." Breathing heavily, Ino focused her breathing until she was calm. Five, breath in, four, breathe out three-

The ground shook causing her to look up and see smoke.

"Is the village on fire?" Staring at the sky, the ground shook again and she jumped up, "Dear holy fuck Sakura, what the hell!"

The village was under attack but she couldn't focus on that as she watched Kakashi-sensei fight an Akatsuki member.

She heard rumors of the great Uchiha Madara. She thought the rumors were false until she looked Shika in the eyes and realized he wasn't joking.

The man Kakashi was having a hard time keeping up with, with glazing red-eye, had to be no other than the eldest Uchiha.

Ino ducked back behind the trees and focused on her options. She could aid Kakashi- which would probably resort to her getting in his way. She could find backup. She could trust Kakashi to handle this and go aid the village. The thing was she had options.

Yet even though she had options there was only one thing she could do. Readying herself she looked back towards the fight and winced as chains wrapped around Kakashi-sensei's throat, throwing him into a tree aflame.

Sitting on the ground while making the proper signs, "Mind Transfer Jutsu!" She called.

It was dark and muddy, and she felt cold. A child was crying in the background and Ino couldn't breathe. There were other people there but she couldn't see them, they stayed in the shadows of Madara's mind. But it wasn't Madara's mind, where was she?

"Yamanaka." Hands wrapped around her throat and she realized she was back in her body. She let out a terrified scream and her knees buckled as she was lifted off the ground.

"O-Obito." She gasped between breaths, her hands wrapping around his own. Her vision darkened as his nails dug into her neck. Her baby blue eyes collided with his garnet color eye and her world went black.

Her head was pounding as she slowly came too. She gasped as she slowly pushed herself up and touched her head, feeling blood, she began to heal herself before looking around.

It took her several moments to realize Kakashi lay beside her unmoving. Blinking heavily, Ino pushed herself closer to him and felt for his pulse. Feeling nothing she dragged her hand down his chest.

"Kakashi-sensei!" She slurred, blinking again as she sat up straight. Oh no- oh no. She failed. Kakashi was dying and she couldn't do anything right. Please, she begged, pumping her chakra ruthlessly into his. Desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

"Kakashi-sensei, stay with me!" Her chakra glowed green as she gave it her all, never minding the fact that she was depleting her chakra at a faster pace, then she felt it.

"S'kura?" Her eyes met his before his pulse faded completely.

"Nononono!" She sobbed, there was nothing.

"INO!" Her chakra pumped uselessly in Kakashi's system, desperately searching for a pulse. Her tears mixed with the blood on Kakashi's face.

"Ino!" Shikamaru stopped beside her and analyzed the situation.

"We need to get him to the hospital now!"

"Ino he's-"

"I'll be damned if Naruto loses someone else because of me!" She stifled, wiping her eyes off her shoulder.

"O-onēsan!" Ino snapped her head up and finally understood the grave situation they were in.

"Wh- where's-"

Shikamaru softly shook his head. "I need you to get her to safety. I have to find Naruto." Ino frowned as she stared at Kakashi. If she stopped he would- no, she couldn't but-

"Ino let me take over." Her eyes widened as Shikamaru placed a hand over Kakashi's chest and sent his chakra into him.

"You don't know-

"I know the basics, I got it. Take Mirai-imouto."

She stifled as she pulled a crying Mirai in her arms, "It's going to be fine, we're going to get to safety and it'll be ok." She whispered sweet nothings in the girl's ear and watched as Shikamaru slowly pulled his chakra away from Kakashi.

"He's gone. We need to go. Stay with her." His voice was short as he stood and ran back from where he came.

She said nothing as she turned and ran toward the Hokages mountain. Kakashi's body lay lifelessly next to the memorial stone. Maybe team seven was destined to be cursed.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


Two years ago

"I'm getting tired of that Kurama!" Naruto muttered before accepting his father's hand.

Kurama laughed as the gate opened and their surroundings turned white.

"What the hell?" Naruto mumbled as he looked around the clearing and gasped as he saw his mother, "Mom?" He felt his dad's hand on his back as he encouraged him to go forward.

"No fair," Kushina pouted as she put her hands on her hips, "I had a whole speech prepared dattebane!"

Naruto's eyes widened as he quickly ran into his mother's arm, "Mom!" Naruto grinned as he pulled back, "This is so crazy dattebayo! I-I woke up this morning expecting to merge with Kurama but- but I met both my parents! I- I don't even know what to say!" Naruto laughed, pulling his hand back to wipe his tears off his face, "I'm so excited dattebayo!"

Kushina softly laughed as she looked toward her husband and back to her son, "We made such a beautiful boy." Minato grinned, feeling pride well up in his chest as he wrapped his arm around the two people most important to him.

Minato stepped back, placing his hand on Naruto's shoulder as he pulled him to face him, "I have to go."

"Wait what? You- you just got here! I have so much I want to ask like-like how did you and mom meet? Why name me Naruto? Wha- what's your favorite animal? How did you become-"

Minato chuckled, effectively cutting Naruto off as he sought one last hug from his son. He inhaled Naruto's scent deeply, "You're mother will answer your questions. Thank you, son." Minato's chakra faded as he watched Kushina pull their son into a hug. Smiling, Minato was glad he had a chance to meet his son, in another life they would have been the perfect family.

"Goodbye…. Dad." Taking a deep breath, he watched his dad fade into chakra and dissolve into the air.

"Before I answer your question, we have a fox to control."

"Ehh, about that mom, Kurama's a friend and he's agreed to everything, so the next part should be pretty easy. I've faced my demons and Kurama wasn't one of them, I was."

Kushina's eyes widened before a contagious laugh took over, causing Naruto to join in with her.

"I'm not sure why we're laughing but you sound so beautiful ya'know!" Naruto heard Kurama laugh as the furball laid down and rested on his palm, watching them. Naruto unsurely grinned at him.

"How about we change the scenery?" Kushina brought her hand up and snapped her fingers, the white clearing changed to an empty field. Naruto's eyes widened as he looked around the green field.

"Whoa, how did you do that?" Naruto giggly asked as he looked to Kurama, "Do you see this!?"

"Of course brat." Kurama huffed, smirking at Naruto he began walking away.

"Hey-"

"Naruto-chan?"

"Ahh mom!"

Kushina smiled as she pulled her son into another hug. "There's so much I want to hear from you!"

"If you don't mind, I'd really just want to listen." A light blush took over his face as he wrapped his hands together.

Kushina laughed as she clasped her hands together and sat on the ground, "Ok let's start from the beginning, dattebane."


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


Present Time

While he didn't necessarily care for the village, he found himself making fast pace searching for Naruto. In the process, he stumbled across a chunin who stood staring at a dead child and ordered her to safety.

"I-I have to pr-protect the village! I ca-can't leave!" Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the girl who stood shaking in her shoes.

"This is above your ranking. The best thing for you to do is let the jounin and ANBU take care of this."

The girl stepped forward, her dark violet eyes clashing with his as she took a deep breath, "I could have protected him! I'm a chunin, and I can't even save a child! M-my sensei just died protecting us- protecting the village! I'll be damned if I run away!"

"Moegi! We need to go!" Two boys came running up next to her, one pushing her back so she wasn't in Sasuke's face.

"W-we can't leave him!" She shouted, yanking her arm back and pointing to the deceased child.

"He's dead Moe." Udon stated softly, wrapping his hand around hers.

"It's not fair. They did this," Guestering around the destroyed village, "They don't get to come into our home and kill our children." Her eyes darken as her chakra flared.

Sasuke glared at her, yanking her arm and turning to her teammates, "Your thinking will get your teammates killed. You're not prepared for this. Your sensei's death will be in vain if you don't make it out alive." He pushed her into her team.

"You should know better than everyone else! We're ninjas, we die for our village!"

"Moegi, listen to me. My grandpa died protecting this village, our sensei died. They died protecting it for us because we're in the way! Let's go!"

"Why are you so eager to run away Konohamaru? You wanted to be a ninja and now you're afraid to fight?"

"Moegi wai-" She took off running towards the sounds of fighting, causing Udon to look at Konohamaru and them both nodding and following after her.

Sasuke didn't blame her, she reminded him of team seven when they were younger, and it was only luck they hadn't been killed. But his priority at the moment was Naruto. With that being said he moved to follow them as a figure wearing an Akatsuki cloak appeared before him.

"Uchiha Sasuke, you're a hard man to find."

Sighing, the kids would have to be on their own for a while. "What do you want?"

She offered him a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "You're allegiance."

"My allegiance?" Sasuke huffed, "You're teamed with Itachi, I will never join you."

"Madara Uchiha is a member. You'd want to know the truth about your clan."

Sasuke stilled hearing Madara's name. This could be his only chance to find out the truth about the man behind his clan's massacre, seeing as Itachi wouldn't talk. But could he trust it? Could he leave Naruto behind again?

"I want Madara dead. Why would you want me on your team?"

"We have a common goal. Join us and I'll call off the attack."

"I don't care about Konoha."

"No, but you care about the jinchuriki. We're here to retrieve him, come with us and we'll leave him alive."

Naruto. Of course, Akatsuki was here for him. Sasuke stared at the women and thought of his choices. It was too easy to pursue a fight with her, the only thing was if he did Naruto would still be in jeopardy. Would she actually stop should he join her? How would Naruto feel if he did?

He caught the bag she threw at him and pulled out a clock.

"Hn, fine I'll-"

Sasuke jumped back as a bomb dropped near them and come face to face with Sai.

"Naruto trusted you. He's in hell right now and for what? For you to try to join the organization that is actively killing those close to him. Typical of an Uchiha."

"Tsk, you don't know what you're talking about."

"For whatever reason, Dickeless believes in you Traitor. So you'll have to get past me to put that clock on."

Sasuke grunted as he looked back and noticed Konan was gone. He sighed as he faced Sai. "I'm doing this to protect him."

"He never needed your protection." Sai jumped back pulling out ink and paper as twin lions appeared and charged at Sasuke.

"Fuck."

Sasuke grunted as he kicked Sai onto the ground and straddled him before pinning his hands above his head.

"I could get all of this to end!" Sasuke gestured to the village on fire, glaring at Sai.

"It seems you don't believe in Naruto if you're trying to do all of this yourself."

Sasuke moved his right hand to Sai's throat. Applying pressure he added, "I trust him, yet he shouldn't have to solve all of Konoha's problems alone."

"Yet you should?" Sai lay on the ground looking at Sasuke with understanding. "We didn't have the best childhood. Naruto is trying to make sure the next generation does."

"What do you know about it?!" Sasuke hissed, leaning his forehead to rest on Sai. "My entire family was massacred by Itachi. Now everyone's going around saying it might have been the Hokages doing? Who am I supposed to trust? The Uchiha clan is going to die with me and then no one will care. It can all be over."

"He doesn't want you to die. He is losing everybody, he needs you. If you want to help, join him in fighting, don't become his enemy. I fear Naruto will choose you over the village. Don't make him choose." Sai tugged his arm free and pulled him into a hug.


He grit his teeth as he looked over the village trying to see where he was needed. He saw Team Gai fighting in the distance and decided to keep pushing past knowing he could trust them to handle it. He quickly jumped down and grabbed the old lady who was about to get killed and allowed the sword to Alice through his back instead. Ignoring the pain he set her down and ordered her to get to safety. Turning around he came face to face with the assailant.

"Akatsuki." He hissed, staring at the man with orange hair.

"Uzumaki Naruto, nice of you to make this easy for me." Naruto glared at the man before rushing in to attack only to get blown away. "Stand down, I'm only here for you. Come willingly and your village won't suffer."

"You really think I'm walking away without a fight?!" Naruto roared before a scream filled the air and Naruto stopped to look around him. The village was hurt, the people were hurt and he could make it all stop. He took a deep breath before nodding, "Fine," he sighed in defeat as he raised his arms. The man smirked and threw rods at him.

"How smart of you to sacrifice yourself for a village that doesn't care about your well-being."

Naruto grunted as he fell to the floor. His chakra drained from his body as he was lifted.

"We've retrieved the nine tails." He said into his ring. The man left with Naruto slung around his shoulder.

Naruto wasn't giving up, but he knew he couldn't fight this man without destroying this village. So he allowed himself to be escorted outside of the village and in return, the screams slowly stopped.


A/N: Thank you all for bearing with me! This chapter was supposed to be a little longer but I'm pushing it with chapter 12. I finished two of my finals and I have two more on Monday! This will be my last first semester ever, and I'm so nervous. So, this means I can write to my heart's content! I'll try to get the other chapters out as soon as possible!

One thing I started doing a while back was making chapter 14, and I can say chapter 14 is ready to post, I just have to finish a few others lol! Anyway, chapter 14 makes me smile because it's sad... fair warning :)

TeenageCrisis- Thank you for your review and your answers are coming, I swear, stay tuned for chapter 12!

Jesskemmy- Dear I'm always happy to hear from you! And we'll be seeing more of Shisui next chapter! Though unfortunately, we won't be seeing Sakura for a moment.

TDI_Ryo_Eclares- I know it's been some months... But I hope you're still with me! Thank you so much for your review I look forward to hearing from you!

- Thank you! This storyline wasn't even supposed to come this far, I swear this story wrote itself!

Margiesh8- Your comment makes me so happy! Thank you boo!

Dyer1- 4 months later... All I can say is sorry lol and I hope this makes up for it :)

Abrewer05- Thank you so much! I'm so excited you live it so far!

Hiina- I'm so happy she's alive too, I couldn't just kill Sakura, that's my main girl! And I also can not stand a hair on Danzo's head. And we'll for sure see more of Shisui and what happens soon! In every universe, Itachi deserves the world, and I'll try to give it to him! I'm so excited for you to read chapter 14, a lot of things are doing down soon!