As the sky grew darker and more tranquil, the lights at the Konoha hospital dimmed. The tumultuous building that had been there throughout the day had abruptly altered its tune, and the silence caused many patients to retire for the night. Minutes stretched into hours, and the halls remained as silent as usual.
A lone boy, lying in the safety of his hospital bed, got up and gazed out a single window into the darkness of his village. In wrath, he groaned and clutched the sheets beneath the cover fiercely. A single tear streamed down his cheek, landing on his soft cotton robe, which instantly absorbed his mess. He searched the horizon above Konoha's tall trees and gates for something, or someone; it wasn't there, but he kept looking as if it would materialize if he wished hard enough. He knew what he was doing was silly or perhaps arrogant, but he wanted to believe the world would bend to his will if he just wished hard enough.
After a few minutes, he yanked his head downward, facing the darkness of his black-colored blanket, grabbing the edges of his short, blond hair in despair. His eyes welled up with tears, and he poured them down the lacing of the blanket. "Where the hell are you now, Sasuke!" He muttered to himself.
He thrashed himself in that hospital bed, stabbing himself in the back of his mind over and over. He realizes that the meaning of becoming a true shinobi cannot be defined with simple, unplanned words like "I'm gonna become the Hokage!". His own ideal that he thought could not be defeated as long as those words echoed throughout his mind was all false; a meaningless goal with no backing. He was not the main character of some manga; the power he wished for would not come if he simply was the better person. That was never the way the shinobi world.
The blond suddenly grunted in pain, and as he gasped for oxygen, he gripped his lower body, clutching it as if he were dying. He felt it again, that terrifying crimson force that managed to manipulate his rage of emotions, his pearly blue eyes turning flaming red once more. That "beast" inside of him was sending a message, fueling his enraged thoughts with a power stronger than he could imagine.
"Naruto..." In his mindscape, the beast snarled in its cage. It sat on its end, enraged, staring down at his captor. "What exactly are you looking for?" The Kyuubi whispered darkly as he moved closer to the gate's edge, flashing Naruto a wicked look.
The blond stood on the other side of the bars, glaring at the gigantic creature whose claws towered above him in a manner that no other animal could; if he ever made the mistake of getting too close, it would surely be his death.
"I don't need your damn chakra anymore..." Naruto whispered, gazing down at his feet.
"Huh! "What the hell was that, brat!" As if to intimidate the boy, the fox's claws flew outside the seal's borders.
The blond tightened his small hands into fists and stood face to face with the tailed beast. "You heard what I said!" I'm not using your stupid chakra any longer!" He screamed, summoning all of his remaining courage.
The big beast burst out laughing, hissing at the boy's attempt to prove his worth. "Do you think you'll be able to keep up with that Uchiha brat without my help?" He gave the blond an ear-splitting snarl. "You would have perished a long time ago if it hadn't been for me!" That vain bravado you displayed just now was all talk!"
Naruto knew he was correct; whenever his goal was tested, this demonic beast within him would provide him with the strength he needed to succeed; against Neji, Haku, Gaara, and even Sasuke, the demonic beast's power was used. "No... It's more important than your strength to show Sasuke that even someone who chooses to preserve their ties can be strong!" I'll show him that he's wrong... with my own power!"
The Kyuubi narrowed his eyes at the brat, "I'll make a deal with you." he muttered at the human.
"W-what is it?" Naruto shook a little from the sudden surprise.
"If you succeed at bringing the Uchiha back to Konoha, I'll allow you complete control over my chakra entirely."
Hearing the Kyuubi's words, the immature version of Naruto crept out of him and a broad grin came on his face. "I accep-"
"You fool!" You still haven't heard my side of the agreement!" The beast roared at the boy, knocking his easy demeanor to the ground. "...If you fail or don't bring him back within five years, this seal will break and I will devour your consciousness whole!" The fox laughed at Naruto.
"That's it? Alright I accept!"
"Do you even know what that means brat!" The fox's tails grew violent in the background, instantly reacting to Naruto's response. "Once I'm let free, I'll kill-"
"How can I become Hokage if I can't even save a friend?" The boy inquired. Naruto thought he saw the beast smile for a split second there, in the dark abyss of those shadows.
"Hold out your hand." The beast stuck a single claw out to Naruto.
As instructed Naruto held his palm out to the tailed beast, hesitant at first to trust him; he was trying to kill him just moments before, but this agreement benefits them both. With a smile he reached out to the bijuu to accept.
The claw sped past him, piercing his gut like a piercing spear faster than he could see. "What about the deal?" he desperately gripped the claw, dazedly clutching at it, staring up at the Kyuubi, coughing out blood like a crazy; The innocent child pondered once more, unable to speak due to the blood vomiting. The Fox's eerie tranquillity was the last thing Naruto noticed, his eyes looking at him up and down in the same way they had before.
"I'll be watching you, Naruto!"
The present.
Naruto sprang from the fallen trees and branches, his Rasengan missing his intended target. It was difficult to see through the clouds of wood and dirt dust, but that didn't bother the teen. He could sense them, and their chakras were pointing to the left, motionless. They wouldn't try to abandon the battle or run away, he finally caught him.
"Sai, use the advantage of the sky to ensure they don't flee." Sakura and I will draw his attention to ourselves, and Yamato will protect us." The teen motioned his teammates to the left.
His orange cloak floated in the strong winds of the night, almost flaunting that word on the back that meant so much to him. "Sage" His orange frog-shaped eyes narrowed at the battlefield he'd planned for so long. Sasuke wouldn't escape this time, Naruto's words would definitely get through to him; whether the Uchiha liked it or not. (the orange cloak is not KCM, it's just regular clothing. )
