Chapter 6:

Naruto leans into the wall as the door opens.

He knew who was there. And he didn't wanna see him.

"Naruto, it's been a while since we talked, hasn't it?"

"..not long enough…" Naruto mumbled under his breath. His body was so tired, and it ached to move but he wasn't going to let Tobi know that.

"Haven't tried anything in the past few days, giving up are we?"

"Nahh, just trying to come up with something good," Naruto said, closing his eyes and slumping further into the back wall.

He didn't have a plan.

Was still working on that.

"Its going to be difficult, isn't it?"

"Isn't what?"

"These next few years, or however long it takes. I prefer sooner but you can't always get what you want."

Naruto eyes widened and he looked up.

"If you want 'em so bad, why wait?"

"Tch. Are you actually asking why we haven't killed you yet?"

"Well, yeah. Must be a lot of work keeping me here so why bother. Why are you waiting?!"

"Do you want to die?"

"Not until I become the Hokage."

Tobi laughed, but it seemed less out of amusement and more of pain.

"We're waiting because you're last."

"...huh?"

"You're the NINE tails jinjuriki. Certainly, you must realize there are others. We're going to kill YOU last."

"Wait-no! NO!! DON'T YOU DARE-!"

Naruto yanked forward, the chains slashing violently at his wrists. He kept pushing and pushing but his feet were being rubbed at the ground.

"Why, do you have some freak friends?"

"GAARA'S NOT A FREAK! YOU ARE!!'

"Ahhh, you do. Shouldn't be surprised though. I heard the Sand attacked the Hidden Leaf quite a time ago. That's why you had to get a new Hokage, right?"

Naruto kept pushing the chain, breaking his flesh and bleeding.

"How many time do I have to tell you not to do that?!"

He walked over to Naruto, but to both of their surprise, the chains cracked and his body was sent flying over.

Naruto hit the floor and scrambled to his feet, bolting out the door.

He didn't look back, just kept running. He was still bleeding but what did it matter?!! He was free!!

Naruto turned the hall and came upon two halls, one right one left. Naruto ran down the right.

Then there was another one.

And another.

And another.

Naruto bit the realization that he was lost. He had no idea where he was going. He looked down at his wrists. They were still bloody but the wounds had closed, leaving only bruises and scars. He looked behind him, the blood left a trail.

This can't.

This can't be...how it.

How it ends…

"I don't think it'll do you any favors to keep bleeding."

Naruto jerks around staring at the stone cold face of Itachi.

Naruto glared at Itachi and backed away.

"S-stay away!"

"I haven't moved."

Naruto felt the bitter hot boil of anger rise. It stung and pricked at him. Je bit his lip, letting the anger and blood drip out of his body.

Itachi hadn't moved, and Naruto was getting restless.

What was he doing?? Why was he just standing there?

They stared at each other for a minute.

"May I?" Itachi asked, making Naruto flinch.

"W-what?"

"May i look at your wrists, they're bleeding."

Naruto was confused… he was asking him?? Why??

"May I?"

"F-fine…" Naruto mumbled, not looking at Itachi. This was… this was Itachi Uchiha… The man who'd held his own younger brother by the neck…

Why was he being so…nice?

Itachi walked over and took Naruto's arm and looked at his wrists. The cuts had closed, but the bruises and fresh blood were still present.

He ran his fingers on the bruises and Naruto flinched.

"Want me to bandage them?"

"I want you to let me go."