Chapter 12:(brief thoughts of self-harm)
Naruto's head felt like it was going to split in two. He didn't know what he had expected to hear from Kakashi but this was definitely way more than he bargained for. There was just so much to digest, his father was the Fourth Hokage… his mother the previous jinchuuriki of the nine-tails? It all seemed so far-fetched but he couldn't come up with a reason for Kakashi to lie to him. Naruto closed his eyes and slipped into his subconscious, "Kurama? Are you there?...Please Kurama, I need to talk to you. I'm sorry you had to save me again… Please". Wandering the long halls in his mind, he made his way to the giant cage housing the kitsune. Kurama had his back to him, curled up and silent. "I'm sure you were listening to Kakashi back there, I just… I need to hear it from you. You have been my only friend for so long, I don't know what to believe, Kurama." A loud exaggerated sigh escaped the beast, "I'm not your friend Naruto, you don't have any friends. I'm just trapped here with you. I don't have any other option than to deal with you." Naruto was used to this sort of talk from the kitsune, the words barely hurt anymore. He knew the beast cared for him, whether he would admit it or not. "I just want to know if what Kakashi said was true. I don't think he would have a reason to lie to me, but I want to hear it from you." A few more seconds ticked by before Kurama rolled over and spoke, "What Kakashi told you is indeed true. I used to reside inside your mother, Kushina, she was a strong willed woman that refused my dark will with ease. She did become pregnant and I was inevitably pulled from the constraints of her body's prison. I was freed for a short period of time before I was trapped under a genjutsu of a Sharingan user. They used their Sharingans' control over me to tear apart Konoha. Your father and mother were the ones to stop me. Your father used two different seals to trap me back away and keep me from harming any more people. He sacrificed his life by using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to seal away my Yin chakra within himself. Before dying Minto used another seal, the Eight Trigrams Seal, to imprison my Yang chakra within you. I can't confirm any of Kakashi's personal tales but can't see a reason for him to lie." Naruto nodded thoughtfully, he had a few more questions but knew the Kyuubi was more than over this conversation already. "Thank you Kurama, I appreciate you talking to me. Sorry again… about… you know." "Hmmph." was the reply back as the kitsune rolled back over to face away from him.
Naruto opened his eyes and rolled over, mulling over the new information from the nine-tails, his gaze made its way to the entrance of the cave. Kakashi was still sitting in front of the fire, his side profile visible from Naruto's position. Naruto could see the flames' reflecting off the metal plate of his pulled down head protector, his face mask still firmly in place. He was fairly certain Kakashi never showed the lower half of his face to anyone, always covering it with that damn dark blue cloth; and yet today he had pulled it down most of the way to show Naruto his scar. Naruto quickly sat up and made his way out of the cave. He had a couple questions that weren't going to answer themselves.
He made his way to sit back down in front of the fire, across from Kakashi. Kakashi eyed his approach carefully, trying to gauge his mindset. "Are you hungry, Naruto?" "No, I'm not hungry, I'm just ready to ask my questions now." Kakashi sat up straighter and gave the young man his full attention. "Okay, firstly, why was I never told who my parents were. Why was I led to believe I was just some orphan as a result of the Kyuubi attack?" Kakashi nodded and responded, "From what I understood at the time, the Third Hokage didn't want anyone to know whose child you were to protect you and the village. Minato had made a lot of enemies during war times and if information got out that he had a son that had survived after his death, it was assumed that enemy Shinobi would come to kill you. Most of the adults in the village knew you were the vessel for the nine-tails but very few knew you were the son of the Four Hokage."
Minutes passed, the cracking of fire the only noise between them. Naruto slowly met Kakashi's eye yet again and asked, "Are you going to force me to go back to Konoha?" Kakashi regarded Naruto with a stunned expression on his face, it took him a few seconds to reply. "I had to ask permission from the Sandaime to leave the village to find you. He wants me to report back to him the progress I make in retrieving you. I have sent him one scroll so far on my progress, although I left out a lot of details. I am sure his intention is for me to bring you back to Konoha, you are after all the son of the Fourth Hokage and the nine tails jinchuuriki…" Seeing the young man's eyes start to cloud over with fear, tears making their way to the corners of his eyes, Kakashi continued, "...All that being said, I will not force you to do anything. I only ask that you allow me to stay with you to keep you safe, wherever you decide you want to go." Naruto's face snapped back up meeting Kakashi's eye, tears spilling freely down his cheeks. It was not the answer he was expecting, Naruto's body started to visibly shake, overcome with more head splitting thoughts. Head pounding, he closed his eyes trying to push back the thoughts crowding his mind. The nagging itch to harm himself to find release was building in him. Unbidden, his hand made its way up to his wrist and pushed harshly into the bandage wrapping it, digging his thumb directly into the spot he knew the wound was located. He hissed in a breath, there was some pain but it wasn't enough. He was pulled out of his own head when he felt two strong hands wrap around both his wrists, pulling them apart. "Stop, please stop Naruto… just talk to me." Kakashi was squatting directly in front of him, far too close, touching him. His body went stiff, fear pouring through his veins, turning them to ice. Reading Naruto's discomfort, Kakashi immediately released him and moved away. "I'm sorry… you stopped talking to me and I looked over and you were… I reacted before thinking. I'm sorry I invaded your space." Kakashi hung his head, he scared him again.
Unsure what to do, Kakashi started preparing dinner for his ninken, whistling to gather them all back to camp. He gave them all quiet affection, scratching behind their ears and under their chins. Pukkan was the biggest suck of them all, rolling onto his back for a tummy rub. Kakashi only smiled and gave the loyal pup what we wanted. The dogs ate happily before Kakashi sent all but one back out to surround their camp, an idea forming in his mind. Kakashi walked back to the fire where Naruto remained silently sat, "Naruto, I would like you to meet Bisuke." Kakashi had picked Bisuke out of all the ninken because he was one of the smaller of the dogs, had an endearing personality and the softest fur. Naruto regarded the dog and Kakashi, his head slightly tilting to the side in confusion. "Would it be okay if Bisuke got closer to you, Naruto?" Naruto's eyes went wide with understanding, nodding. The ninken made its way over to Naruto's side, giving the young man a quick sniff and placing a few soft licks on his hand. Naruto didn't flinch away, instead he lifted his hands to pet the dog, giving him a quick scratch behind the ear. Bisuke sat and wagged his tail, tongue lolling out his mouth happily. Naruto looked back at Kakashi who was now smiling widely, his exposed eye in the shape of a crescent moon. "I was hoping that would be the case. It has only been people or more accurately, men who have hurt you most of your life. Dogs, on the other hand, are such loving and loyal creatures. Bisuke is going to stay by your side and offer you comfort, consider him your shadow. He will keep you warm in your sleep and shower you with affection. How does that sound?" Naruto laughed, as the dog licked at his fingers. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed. Nodding, he replied, "That sounds really nice."
"Alright, with that settled, I am going to make us some dinner. If it would be okay with you, later on I would like to change your bandage again. I know it will be difficult for you but I think with Bisuke there it may be a bit easier." Naruto looked still slightly scared but nodded his approval. Kakashi made them a feast of ramen with fresh veggies and trout, Naruto slurping it back happily. Kakashi ate a small portion before offering the rest to the blonde, wanting him to eat his fill and regain his strength.