"Where am I?"

Naruto muttered as he felt his eyes flutter open. He was met with a pitch black room, darkness as far as the eye can see. The sound of running water echoed into the never ending abyss as he felt how damp his back felt as he laid on his back, submerged several inches in water. Using his arms he picked himself up until he was in a sitting position, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness around him. Looking around proved quite difficult with the absence of light, not understanding exactly what was going on. Oddly enough Naruto felt a strong sense of comfort as he sat on the floor. The water was warm as it guided over his body, soothing any negative thoughts he may have. It was almost a familiar feeling, like he had been here before. While he still didn't know where exactly he was, he found that he didn't really mind. Naruto decided to get to his feet, letting the water splash. He wobbled slightly as he stood up, his body felt heavier than usual. He let his eyes wander as he started walking forward, letting the cold air push his body forward. The further he walked in he started to hear a faint dripping of water droplets, falling in tune with his own footsteps. There were no walls, no ceilings the more he walked in. The familiar feeling returned to Naruto has a large gust of wind suddenly picked up making Naruto bring his hands up to cover his face from the pressure. His shirt started to flutter from the unexpected gust letting the wind caress his exposed flesh. The gust continued on as Naruto forced his body to react, forcing a step towards the oncoming assault. Naruto squinted his eyes taking another step, one after another until he felt his knees begin to buckle. Naruto panted as he fell to his knees trying his best to not get blown backwards. Then without warning the gust suddenly vanished, leaving no trace of its existence. Naruto blinked in surprise as he felt the assault on his body stop. Lowering his arms so he could see and ahead of his, noticing several small lanterns dangling by rope, swaying back and forth trying their best to dimly light the dark abyss.

Focusing his vision he was able to faintly make out what seemed to be a large gate, metal bars going up as far as the eye could see. The bars were several inches apart, just wide enough to let a human body walk through easily.

Then it happened.

A loud roar echoed in the chasm making Naruto cover his face again under pressure, wincing in surprise as the roar reached his eyes. It was loud enough to start pushing the water at his feet back, making the blonde slide with it. Peeking through his fingers Naruto felt his eyes widen in shock, a sudden feeling of fear pumped through his veins as his eyes made contact with what was kept hidden behind the gate. The beast towered over Naruto, looking down at the blonde with its lone pupil. It's large yellow eye gleamed as it's roar died down, the beast's jaw closed, taking up the majority of its face. The horns on his forehead matching the ones on his jaw. The turtle-like body moved forward allowing the light from the lanterns to shine off the grey shell. But Naruto wasn't looking at the shell or the eye, it was the three large swinging tails behind the beast. Each tail acted on its own, smashing the ground sending a large shockwave through the room. Naruto yelled in fear as he fell to the ground, not believing what he was seeing. He tried to speak, form anything close to words but each syllable ended up dying in his throat.

"It's good to finally meet you, Naruto."

Naruto gulped at the beast in front of him spoke his name. The voice wasn't as deep as he was expecting. It sounded more femimin as his human-like arms crossed over one another before resting it's large head on them. After some time Naruto finally managed to squeak out.

"Y-y-you're the S-s-sanbi!"

The Sanbi huffed, letting out a small cloud of smoke before nodding. One of the tails encircled his shell resting over it's right eye. It said nothing as Naruto found the courage to stand again, staying a good distance away from the demon.

"W-what are you doing here? And where even am I?" he asked. Trying his best to not stutter as the Sanbi let out a small chuckle, freaking Naruto out even more.

"This is your mindscape, as for what I am doing here. I'm afraid I cannot answer that question." The Sanbi said, making Naruto raise an eyebrow in confusion. Taking a hesitant step backwards "I-inside my mind? Does that mean you are…"

The Sanbi watched as the blonde's eyes went wide in shock. Raising his hands up to grip his locks of hair. His body began to shake and he found it harder and harder to control his breathing. "T-t-then a-are y-you s-sealed in me." he whispered, the shock was becoming too much for the boy, he was close to fainting at any moment. He had recalled overhearing several conversations at home about Narumi and Natsu being able to communicate to the beast sealed inside them. They often referred to talking to the Kyuubi in their mindscape, where they could meet and talk to the demon.

The Sanbi looked at Naruto, raising its remaining two tails and sinking them into the water next to him. The water underneath him gained a nice bluish hue. Pushing his tails further, the water around Naruto started to glow, shining up into the blonded face. The water slowly started to make its way around Naruto. Naruto turned his attention to the glowing liquid as it wrapped around the blonde in a thin layer. Almost feeling like a blanket as he felt the anxiety and shock slowly fade from his system. His throat no longer felt empty and he found it much easier to breathe. Looking back up to the expressionless demon in front of him, the Sanbi didn't move, only removing his tails from the water. Naruto's eyes watched the tails return to their swinging position as the fear completely faded from his system. The water around him then fell apart, soaking through Naruto's clothes, but he didn't seem to notice. "What did you do?" he asked, noticing his voice didn't waver like it had done before.

"I merely used a jutsu to calm you down. I call it Soothing Water."

The beast said. Naruto just blinked in response. He did feel calm, calmer than he had ever felt in his life. He noticed that the room had become far more lit then before, chalking it up to the Sanbi's reveal. Naruto stayed seated on the ground as he peered back over to the Bijuu in front of him, he sensed no hostility what so ever, hell he didn't sense anything at all.

"How," he started, taking in a deep breath, "did you get sealed inside of me?" he asked, noticing for the first time an emotion to pass through the beast's lone eye. Silence filled the area as the Sanbi sat in thought.

"Like I said earlier I do not know. The last thing I remember was being in my last host's body. When I woke up I was inside you, I don't remember anything in between." The Sanbi said, making Naruto frown. He was sure the Sanbi wasn't attacking the village with the Kyuubi all those years ago. He would have heard about it from the academy or his parents, especially if they were the ones to seal it into him.

"I would say it's been about four years since I've been sealed inside you."

"Four years!?"

Naruto yelled in shock. Jumping to his feet as he stared at the bijuu with wide eyes. The demon only nodded as Naruto threw his hands up in the air. "How did I never notice you for four years! That's a fucking long time to not relize a demon is sealed inside you!" he said irritated. The Sanbi chuckled, gathering Naruto's attention. "You seem to be taking my presence in you rather well. Better than most people would."

Naruto hesitantly nodded scratching the back of his head, "Well that water soothing thing you did earlier helped a ton." he said. He smiled sheepishly, an awkward laugh escaping his mouth. The Sanbi twirled the tails until they wrapped around his body before speaking in a low voice,

"Well i'm glad to hear that. Then I guess it's time to tell you about this seal."

Naruto tilted his head at the demon, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. The Sanbi merely shook his head at it's current jailor.

"Not in a bad way. You see, whoever sealed me inside of you was no amature, they used several very advanced and complex sealing arrays. It completely conceals my presence inside of you, it's even able to mask my chakra completely." Naruto raised an eyebrow at the demon's explanation. Shocked to hear that such a powerful sealing jutsu existed. He knew seals were powerful, but a seal that could mask even the insane chakra of a Bijuu? Almost unheard of. Sure sealing the demon away was an option, but a Hyuuga or a good sensor could still see, and sense the chakra.

"But it also hindered contact from the two of us for quite some time. If i had to guess the seal would allow you to come and see me after you had made your first kill."

Naruto flinched as the memories of his fight with Sokka plagued his mind. His eyes fell downcast as he clenched his fists. Looking away from the demon. He had somewhat forgotten that he had taken another's life. It was easy to forget when you find out you have a full on demon in your gut. Naruto felt the calming sensation return on his legs and he looked back up at the demon, a tinge of gratefulness flashing in his eyes. The Bijuu only nodded in response.

"Then I guess that explains why I didn't know you were here."

"Yes, while we have had zero contact, that didn't mean we were totally alone. My presence in you has certainly had an effect."

"Huh? In what way?"

The Sanbi chuckled, "You were born with a natural chakra affinity for water ninjutsu. But because of my presence and chakra your water affinity is heightened, allowing the use of a rare ninjutsu, blood ninjutsu."

Naruto's eyes went wide, remembering that jutsu he had used against to finish Sokka. He looked down at his hand, the one that was sliced open as he grabbed Sokka's sword. The very same hand that morphed his own blood into a three pronged spiral weapon that forcefully removed the heart of his enemy. He balled his fist tightly, his knuckles turning pale. "I see, I guess that does explain the jutsu. I have never done anything like that before. I didn't even know I could. But why blood?" he asked

"It's what my chakra had affected first, it must have been an altercation from the sealing, or just luck."

Naruto nodded, taking it in stride. He would have to believe it for now since there was no other explanation, he didn't even know it was possible to control blood. Not wanting to dwell too much on all that he has learned, the surprises just kept on coming for Naruto and he wasn't sure he would ever get over this. And if he did, it would take a long long time. He turned back to the Bijuu, eyeing the large cage that was holding the beast at bay.

"So...how do you feel about this?"

The Sanbi shot a sharp glance at Naruto. Masking his look of confusion in his lone eye as the Sanbi watched the blonde scratch his head, avoiding eye contact. The demon stayed silent for a few minutes, watching Naruto shift uncomfortably in place.

"What do you mean?"

"W-well I mean i'm sure you didn't want to be sealed inside of me. Hell, we don't even know how you got inside me. So I don't know, it must suck to be back in a human body, behind a cage and all." he muttered, hoping not to offend the Bijuu in any way. The Sanbi blinked again, before breaking out into a toothy grin. The loud booming laughter was impossible to stop, the Sanbi's laugh echoed in the spacious room making Naruto's shirt flutter.

"You are certainly an interesting host! Out of all the humans I've been chained to, you are the only one to ask such a question." The Sanbi said

Naruto blushed awkwardly as he took the compliment, not sure what else he could do at the moment. The Sanbi breathed out again as the laughter died down. Uncrossing his arms until he was seated upright. Sanbi curled his humanoid hand into a fist before offering it to Naruto. The fist came closer to the blonde, stopping just a few feet from him. Naruto looked between the fists and the Sanbi's eye, curiosity reflecting within his own. The Sanbi grinned again, or the closest thing a turtle-humanoid crab demon hybrid considered grinning. "Then how about we make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

"Since we are chained together, I will offer my assistance to you. In simple terms I will train you on how to use my power."

Naruto felt his eyes widen as he looked at the Sanbi in shock, the Bijuu was just...offering his chakra? Naruto still wasn't sure how he was feeling about the whole situation. He wanted to get strong all on his own and prove to his parents that he could be a dependable shinobi. The idea of borrowed power felt wrong to him, almost like cheating, "But I do have my dead sensei's sharingan in my eye, how is this any different? And Narumi and Natsu BOTH have a Bijuu sealed inside them." Naruto thought to himself as he looked over the darkening form of the Sanbi. And for whatever reason, weather it be fate or just some random coincidence that was chalked up to just dumb luck; a Bijuu was also residing within him. Offering his power in the form of a deal. Speaking of-

"And what would I have to do?"

The Sanbi chuckled as he pushed his closed fist an inch closer. Letting his lone eye soften somewhat.

"I want to live in peace, lead a comfortable life. My last host was...not your typical shinobi. It was a living hell to be chained to him. But you, you have a kind heart, even if it is shrouded with curtains of darkness from your past. You have never wavered in your resolve, and have only pushed forward. I've scanned through your memories since I've been chained in here, and I believe, no. I am certain that within you I can finally obtain the peace I have been looking for."

Naruto stood rooted to place. He stared forward utterly dumbstruck as the demon's words as they loudly echoed in his head. A world where they could live in peace, where a demon could finally be free. Away from the wrongings all those who have instilled rage and hatred into our everyday lives. Being used as a bargaining chip, for political power, and to become a weapon. He tightly clenched his fists at his sides. Watching his reflection waver in the calming crystal clear water beneath his feet. He sucked in a breath as he looked into the reflection of his sharingan. The slow currents in the water made it hard to focus as the three tomoe had started to spin rapidly, taking on a whole new shape entirely.

"That...that is a lot of pressure to put onto me Sanbi-sama."

"Isobu, you may call me Isobu."

Mount Myoboku, where legends have gone to try and learn and master the secret techniques of Senjutsu. A very complex technique that requires an intense amount of focus to be able to pool in energy and chakra from the very world around you. We call this special type of chakra Nature Energy, it not only makes you significantly faster and stronger. It also boosts your ninjutsu and taijutsu to the highest caliber while increasing your chakra reserves. While many have trained and trained to master Senjutsu, there have only been two recorded users in the Elemental Nations to have ever learned the technique. One was the Shodai Hokage, Hashirama Senju, a master in his own right. The second being Jiraiya of the Sannin, and even he couldn't even fully master the art.

"Okay okay it's been long enough. Natsu get out of the waterfall."

A deep voice said, leaning on a large stone statue as he picked his ear with one of his fingers before flicking it away. Adjusting his eyes to the large waterfall hanging just above his head. Around him were several large trees with flowers blooming all around, in the center was a small pond where the waterfall was dumping its excess. The man sighed as he saw the young boy he was looking after not move an inch as the water came crashing down onto him again. Pushing him off his platform and into the pond below. "Natsu take a break before I make you." he said, his voice taking a serious edge. Natsu emerged from the pond gasping for air. His spiky red hair falling into his eyes as he rapidly shook his head.

"But Jiraiya-sensei I'm almost there I can feel it! Just a few more minutes!" Natsu yelled. Jiraiya shook his head. "No can do your father left me here to watch over you, and I wanna make sure I don't hand you off looking like this guy." he said back patting the statue he was leaning on. Natsu grumbled to himself as he quickly made his way out of the water. After getting out of the pond he threw himself onto the soft grass, balling his fists in anger. "Why can't I do this!" he said angrily. Staring into the passing clouds, he sneered, digging his nails into the ground. Jiraiya gave a hearty laugh as he took a seated position next to the soaking wet redhead. Natsu turned and glared at the man.

"Come on kid don't be too hard on yourself, it's only been three days since you started training. It took me several years to learn Senjutsu, and I'm still not even a master at it." he said, trying to ease the boys growing frustration. Natsu only grimaced, looking away from Jiraiya and back to the waterfall.

"Where did tou-san go? I haven't seen him since he dropped me off."

"Minato went back to the village for a few days, said he had something important he had to take care of."

Natsu frowned, finding himself balling his fists in irritation once more. He fought back a sneer, having to bite the inside of his cheek to restrain himself.

"What could be more important then my Senjutsu training right now?"

"On the bright side I heard your brother Naruto is progressing rather well, from what I've heard from their sensei anyway." He said with a chuckle.

Natsu scowled as hell sat upright, shaking his head as he stared at his reflection in the water. The ripples morphed over his face letting his tongue glide across his sharpened enlarged canines, standing up with his back to Jiraiya.

"Whatever, it's not like that baka can catch up to us anyway. So what's the point."

Jiriaya frowned as Natsu spoke, crossing his arms over his chest "Now Natsu just cause Naruto is a slow learner doesn't mean he won't be strong, it'll just take him a little longer than the rest of us."

"A little longer?" Natsu said, turning his head slightly to meet his sensei's deep black eyes. His voice took a sharper edge as his own purple orbs narrowed. "If I recall you actually had to have training to get strong, and aren't you the one told tou-san and kaa-san to focus on me and Narumi since we were jinchuuriki?" He finished, letting his eyes linger a moment longer on Jiraiya. The sannin grimly nodded his head at the boy's words. He did tell the two new parents that focusing on mastering the Kyuubi's chakra was far more important than anything else, no matter the cost. He didn't know how far Minato and Kushina would take his words, but he didn't see the need to interject. They weren't his kids after all, and he already deduced that Narumi and Natsu were the fabled child of prophecy that the take sage has spoken of.

"Yes well you two were more important being jinchuuriki, but that doesn't mean Naruto won't be strong. Me might never be as strong as you or Narumi-"

"Exactly, and since he won't, then I don't care." Natsu cut in darkly, venom oozing off his lips as he spoke.

Jiraiya sighed in annoyance as he watched Natsu walk back off into the waterfall. He just couldn't understand how Minato was able to handle that kid, he wore his heart on his sleeve, when he was upset or passionate about something it would shine on that boy's face for the world to see, and he had no problem vocalizing his thoughts no matter the time or place. But it only served to remind the people around him about who his mother was, since Kushina was actually a lot worse at balancing her emotions. The boy was definitely unique, and Jiraiya couldn't help but acknowledge the boy's strength, being so young and already a chunin was a big feat, the only thing keeping him from preceding even further was the Kyuubi. Unlike his sister Narumi, who managed to get on friendly terms with the beast inside of her rather quickly, Natsu was having a much more difficult time. It seems the Kyuubi in Natsu was much angrier at being ripped apart, making it a much harsher experience for Natsu. Jiraiya put his thoughts on pause as he got to his feet, stretching his back as he made his way back to Natsu, he still had to look after his training after all.

"Anko-sensei why do I have to carry Naruto?!"

"What, you telling me you don't like having blondie here wrapped around you?"

"T-that isn't what I meant!"

Shizuka said with an annoyed huff as she adjusted the still sleeping blonde on her back. His head resting on her neck as she fought back a blush from the close proximity, she wasn't used to being this close to a member of the opposite sex, her village would have banned this behavior until she found a suitable husband so it was a strange change of pace for her. She tried her best to see the amused grin on her sensei's face as they walked quietly into the woods back to Konoha. After making their way back to Tizuna town after a successful raid on the Blue Flames base, Kisu was quick to offer more than enough pay for the mission. Almost doubling the amount for both Team 11's and Narumi's own mission. She offered to let them stay overnight free of charge but Anko was quick to decline her generous offer, saying that they needed to get back to Konoha. So after a quick rest the whole squad left the now peaceful village and were making steady progress back to Konoha. Each step made everyone more and more worried as Naruto was still unconscious and yet to wake up. Which was strange since he didn't have any injuries and was only suffering from a regular case of chakra exhaustion. Anko tried to suppress her worry for Naruto with her regula teasing and words of encouragement to her team. It seemed to work for the most part but Anko kept a singular curious eye on Narumi, she had been strangely quiet since they left Tizuna.

"Sorry Tits-chan, Snake-sensei told me it would be funny if you carried Blondie-kun."

Shizuka turned over to glare at her sensei, if looks could kill Anko would be a pile of ash as the jounin looked away from Shizuka, whistling innocently to herself, trying (and failing) to hide the look of enjoyment on her face. Shizuka growled as she felt her fists tighten, "Dammit Sensei!"

"Could you stop yelling please? It's starting to hurt my ears."

Shizuka turned her head slightly to look at Naruto, a look of irritation on her face, "Yeah well there just so- NARUTO!" her annoyance soon turned to relief as she saw the blonde's eyes flutter open. Looking at her with a tired expression, the rest of the team vocalized their joy in his awakening as they stopped their trek back to the village. Anko reached over to ruffle his messy blonde spikes "Dam kid about time you woke up, we were starting to get worried that you died on us." she said with a grin, internally she was jumping for joy that he woke up not wanting to admit how worried she was about him. Naruto just chuckled at Anko as Sai gave him a nod, but Naruto could see the brief flash of joy through his onyx eyes. Shizuka bent down allowing Naruto to slide back onto his feet, he thanked the black haired girl before cracking his back with a sigh.

"Happy to see your awake Naruto, you've been out for almost eight hours."

Naruto's eyes widened as his mouth fell open in shock, "E-eight hours?" he mumbled as he shook his head in disbelief. Looking at Anko for confirmation. The jounin just nodded her head as Naruto frowned, it definitely felt like he was only out for about an hour.

"I would like to know how you managed to kill Sokka Shin." Narumi finally spoke, she asked with a raised eyebrow as she stalked closer to Naruto, her expression not matching her innocent question. Her blue eyes bored into Naruto's own, trying her best to gather any information about her enigmatic brother. Naruto could only stare at her with annoyance, just like her to get on his case without a second thought. He bit the inside of his cheek, he could feel the anger start to boil down within him as she got closer to him. Slowly the tension in the air got really thick, a sudden silence washed over them as they situated in their respective positions. Narumi could feel the annoyed looks from the rest of team 11, and if she minded she didn't say anything about it as she kept her focus on Naruto. Naruto bit his cheek harder, letting the metallic flavor course through his mouth as his eyes narrowed.

"Relax Naruto. There is no reason to get into an argument about this." Isobu said calmly, his voice soothing Naruto's anger as the blonde breathed a silent sigh. Naruto let the words linger in his mind for a while before he thanked the beast inside of him. Isobu gave him an internal nod in response. Naruto knew that Isobu was right, if he made a big deal about this then it would know doubt raise suspicion about him, especially with his family. And when Narumi has her mind set on figuring something out she would not stop until she won. She would most likely get angry at him until she forced it out of him. So Naruto gave a sigh,

"I'll tell you all when we report to Hokage-sama, I'm sure he would like to know too." he said, turning away from his sister and back to his team. Narumi narrowed her eyes at her brother's back, feeling her knuckles turning white as they balled into tight fists. She was about to protest when Anko sent her a chilling glare, Narumi opted to stay silent, pursing her lips together as the team silently made their way back to Konoha. Narumi couldn't tear her eyes off her brother as he and Shizuka mumbled stuff to each other with Sai occasionally offering his two cents. She heard a deep chuckle echo deep inside of her, the demonic voice speaking loudly,

"It seems your little brother is hiding something from you Narumi."

The Kyuubi said, grinning mischievously as his words seemed to have affected Narumi rather harshly, biting her tongue in irritation. She internally nodded in agreement with the fox, "It appears so, And I intend to figure out what it is." she responded to the fox. The fox's laugher died down, giving off a playful smirk as his nine tails swung happily behind him.

"Or do you think he's keeping it from you, because you're his sister?"

"Shut your fucking mouth."

She bite back angrily, her eyes glowing red as the foxes chakra started to flow within her. Anger coursed through her as the fox mocked her, belittling her once again. Each step she took slowly broke apart the ground under her, lowering her head allowing the shadow of the night to obscure her vision even more.

"I swear I will find out what you're keeping from me, Naruto-nii."