I AM SO SORRY! Moving took a lot more out of me than I thought it would. I'm finally settled into a routine now and I can get more chapters up. I hope you all enjoy this one.

Chapter 3: Set Me Free

Minato only had mere moments to brace himself before Naruto barrelled into him, burying his face into his father's abdomen. He could feel wetness seeping through his clothing as he carded his fingers lovingly through his son's hair.

"I'm here, little one. I'm here. Now, let's get those seals off of you"

Naruto nodded, releasing his hold on his father, scared that he would disappear instantly. He went to reach for a kunai when a he felt a sharp pain on his neck, causing his whole body to freeze.

Minato caught the faint glow of a seal, causing a menacing growl to escape his chest.

Taking a calming breath, he gently reached into Naruto's pocket and grabbed the kunai, brushing his knuckles against his son's clenched fist.

The touch surprised Naruto enough to almost cause his body to drop from the sense of peace and safety that his father emitted.

Minato's grip only tightened as he felt the boy go slack, slowly guiding him down to the base of the tree behind him.

Kurama was loathed to interrupt this moment of emotional reunion, but time was of the essence.

"Kit, we must hurry. Tell him that he must shave off the body of the seals before separating them from the matrix, starting with the first one. I will handle the rest."

Naruto, heard the sense of finality in Kurama's voice, mentally questioning it.

"Worry not, kit. All will be fine." Kurama soothed, calming and distracting the young ninja.

After relating the method to his father, Naruto braced himself for the inevitable pain that would be involved. He swore that he would have his revenge on Jiraya, for both his and Sarutobi-teme's betrayal.

"Sochi," Minato called, gaining his attention, before bringing his lips to the junction between his neck and shoulder.

"This is going to hurt. Bite down when you need to. Don't worry about hurting me. For once, let me take some of your pain, little one."

If time was not against them, Naruto would have broken down a second time. Instead, he lightly brushed the spot with his lips as tears slipped from his eyes to the tanned shoulder.

Minato gave a heartsick smile, pressing a kiss to his hair.

"I love you too, my son."

Steeling himself for his task, Minato set the edge of the kunai against Naruto's neck, allowing the blade to sink to the dermis, before beginning to slowly drag it down towards the bottom of the main seal.

His left eye twitched as he felt slightly sharpened canines puncture his own skin. Teeth grazed the skin of his collar bone before a warm liquid began soaking his neck and hand. Still, he focused on the task at hand, approaching the halfway point of the first seal.

As the pain increased, Naruto did his absolute best to not gnaw on his father's neck, even though he was allowed to do so.

Soon, he could tell that the main seal had been destroyed, as he could feel the corrosive effects of Kurama's power burning the separated flesh and creating a black canvas as a replacement.

Before Minato could marvel at the clean expanse of skin, free of offensive marks, the remaining seals flared to life, reminding him of the stranglehold that time had placed upon them.

Try as he might, Naruto could not help clenching his already powerful jaws on the sinew that rested between his canines. The destruction of the first seal and the activation of the kill switched on the remaining two felt like someone was pushing acid through his veins. Not even the coppery taste of life that coated his tongue could distract him anymore.

"It's okay." He heard murmured in his hair, the firm and soothing touch of his father's hand in his hair as his jaws re-clenched, almost to the point of severance. The kunai began again.

As the second mark began to pull away, the results of the removal of the memory seal washed over Naruto. Things he had learned at the Academy, from taijutsu forms and genjutsu, to handsigns for ninjutsu, to tactics and strategy basics. He remembered those he could trust, like Teuchi, Ayame, Tsunade, Iruka, and to an extent Kakashi. He remembered life in Konoha and his implanted dream. He never wanted to be Hokage. ANBU Captain was more his style.

As he sorted through the memories, the second mark, the regression seal, burned off. Unbridled agony shot across his small frame as his limbs lengthened, stretching muscle and skin. He could not help the high-pitched cry that escaped his being.

"Only one more, kit. Hang on." Kurama's voice called, sounding remarkably pained and weak. Naruto knew not to question it now, but he would remember to check on the fox after all was said and done.

Minato had a deep-seated worry as he began removing the loyalty seal. Would he harbour hatred for his birthplace? Would he become a missing nin?

The thought, although concerning was warranted. He would not fault his son if he wanted to raze the village to the ground. He was tempted to lead the charge himself. No, Minato was not delusional, believing that the village was the epitome of purity. His own master and trusted advisor were proof of that. If he had his way, those sorry fools would learn first-hand exactly why Iwa feared him, painfully.

As the kunai slid underneath skin at a snail's pace, the seconds began winding down.

10…

9…

8…

7…

6…

5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

A final, all-consuming burn signified the destruction of the loyalty seal.

As the pain subsided, Naruto pried his mouth off his father's neck, openly staring at the damage he had caused.

"W-was that me?"

Minato simply ruffled his hair, kissing his forehead.

"You've been through so much more Naru. I'll be alright."

As he spoke, a familiar steam erupted from the wound as the skin stitched itself back together. Minato grinned.

"Looks like we have more in common now, huh."

"Naruto to smiled genuinely as he embraced his father, hearing Kurama's voice in his head.

"Just as it should be."

Naruto's breath hitched.

"What's wrong, Naru?"

"Something's wrong with Kurama. He sounds… weak."

"Go to him. I'll watch over you"

Naruto nodded, closing his eyes before appearing in a familiar sewer.

He could not believe his eyes.

"K-Kurama?!"

Uh oh! What's wrong with Kurama? Find out next in the next chapter, which I promise will not take 7 months to come out. As always, please leave a review. Also, in the move I left my manuscript for Unexpected with all my other stuff before I moved. I am in the process of getting it, but it could take a while, so please be patient. Thank you all again for taking the time to read this little brain child. I hope you enjoyed it. Tell me, what do you think is wrong with Kurama? What's going to happen next?

Until next time.