Man. we haven't updated in months. Jess and I are both very sorry for not having updated we have just been having some very rough months, but I finally got around to getting these chapters up. I can't promise we'll be updating regularly but we will try. We've been getting into the Yugioh ZeXal craz here lately, but we still adore Naruto of course. So none of these stories are going anywhere even if they may be a bit slow. We've been watching other anime too, but we ended up watching ZeXal twice and just giving up on 5D's and GX. Well, we have watched the first season of 5D's, but the rest of it is a bit weird, and of course it isn't dubbed so that doesn't help. I mean it is to some extent, but not fully. GX is better on the dubbing front, but the story was a bit weird, and we didn't feel like watching it, but we have saved our place. We've also saved our spaces for HunterXHunter (2011) since it's getting updated and Pokemon Sun and Moon and of course Naruto. Meanwhile, we've finished both FullMetal Alchemist series, liked Brotherhood better, but even so. It was nice to see both of them anyway. Now watching Sailor Moon because we can :D. Anyway, now that I have ranted about that we hope you enjoy our chapters. Actually, because I'm going to save this AN for the three stories I'm going to update (I'm still holding back on Fissures of Thirteen because for some reason I want to update certain stories at the same time so I'm waiting until Coiled has the same amount of chapters. I can't really explain why, but hey. We have also been working on our original stories, but also finished a chapter of Hostage. We are not planning on giving it up (though we really wish we were on the sequel already because we are adding in so many characters and many interesting plots). As for our plans regarding the story as a whole, we plan on seeing if we can finish it up then take it off and putting it on our combined channel (Mystic Shade Dragon) we will be posting quite a few stories on there since we love writing together.

Chapter 4

Obito

I stare at Itachi. Why did he have to come? Why did he have to find out the truth about me?

"Is that really you?"

"Do you have to ask, little cousin?"

"How are you alive? Why did you…?"

"You're not the first person to ask me those questions, and I'm not sure I want to answer them right now."

"So why are you here? Even if you don't tell me what are you planning?"

"I wasn't planning on staying here. It just happened. Sasuke is here."

"Don't tell him the truth, Obito."

"You think he'd believe me? I'm not about to ruin your plan, but his hatred is strong. I hope you won't ruin him. We're trash, but he doesn't have to be."

"I believe in him. If he only takes it out on me then we don't have to worry."

"You say that, but if he pushes so hard to get you then he may become trash to become the hero you want him to be."

"It's already too late for those kinds of regrets, isn't it?"

"It's never too late for regrets, Itachi," I say. I walk over to the light switch turning it on so he can see the still healing scar over my heart. "It's never too late for regrets, in fact, it's always time for regrets. We all have them, and we can't escape them."

"Obito… your…"

"This?" I ask touching my right arm. "Yeah, it's pretty stupid. Don't draw attention to it too much. I'm self-conscious."

"They said you were crushed by a bolder."

"I was. Don't ask, I don't remember too much about it."

"And now…?"

"I don't know, Itachi, I really don't know anymore."

"I'm not sure either, but I know I'm going to protect my home no matter what. Even if they think I'm not."

"Then one day we may have to fight."

"I wish you wouldn't say that. I don't think I could actually beat you in a fight."

"Don't be stupid, you're one of the best Uchiha ever, and you have both your eyes. You know who I am, I'm not sure I stand much of a chance against you."

"You have to be something to claim the name of Madara."

"That name alone strikes fear into people. I suppose they don't want to challenge someone with that name out of fear of a legend."

"Maybe so, but there are some who may feel like they should try, so you have to at least be something special, and I've always thought you were strong."

"What's your plan, now that you know my secret?"

"Should it change?"

"That's up to you I suppose? You can choose to take whatever actions you choose to. I can't say what may come of them, but I won't try and stop you if you want to back out. Then again… I know you won't."

"The Akatsuki…" he says. "What is the plan?"

"You'll only get to find that out later," I tell him. And when he does he'll only know Nagato's plan. My plan is very different, but if Nagato can get the Bijuu I'll let him play god for a bit.

"I see, well I guess I didn't expect anything less," he says.

"Just because we had things in the past doesn't mean those things are still around. Things change, people change. We grow up. It's just a matter of when."

"If you truly didn't care you wouldn't be here right now."

"You don't know that," I reply. "I could have other reasons."

"Would someone so important be a good spy?"

"With my connection to Kakashi, I would actually make the best spy in the situation because I am one of the few people he would let his guard down around and one of the few people he would trust with his life."

"I can take that, but would you betray Kakashi like that?"

A few weeks ago I would have said yes without even thinking about it, but something feels different. Something… no, someone is sneaking slowly into me, like an echo of a long forgotten past.

"Anyway, what's the plan now? I suppose you won't tell me anything more, and I suppose I won't be allowed to tell your secret to anyone."

"Do I have to force you?" I ask. I may have to promise something else. Not that I need to keep it after his death of course.

"You've already promised to leave Konoha and Sasuke alone."

"I'm aware of that, so what now?"

"The same thing as Sauske really, don't hurt those kids."

He never asked anything for himself. It was selfless, but that won't really help him in the long run. I had no intention of killing those kids. They're interesting after all.

"Fine, I won't hurt them."

"No, I want you to protect them, and Sasuke."

"Are you stupid?"

"Hardly." My Sharingan meets his pair of black eyes. We stare each other down. I can see the determination in his eyes. Killing his own clan had cost him something, but even so, he still held hope. The hope that one day the curse will be lifted.

"What are you planning?" I say narrowing my eye at him.

"Obito," he pouts the picture of his younger self when he used to try to get away with things with me. "Why would you think I was up to something?"

"Because you're Itachi Uchiha, First son of Fugaku and Mikoto, and great-grandson of Izuna, so in other words my third cousin, and you're a crow. Is that enough reason why?"

Itachi actually smiles a little bit at that. Itachi, Shisui and I actually found out about who our ancestors were together. It was an interesting discovery. Kagami being Shisui's grandfather.

"Exactly, I'm your cousin."

"And what do those bonds really mean to clan killing trash? Still, I'll take you up on it, this will be entertaining for certain. Just be ready, this may end up in a fight."

"Then you better not tell me what you can do or I'll be ready."

"I had no intentions of revealing my secrets now," I smirk.

"Then we shall see."

"No matter what happens we'll have to play this game for a while longer so don't forget your part."

"Oh, I have no intention of forgetting."

"I'm trusting you, Itachi."

"Same."

"If anyone asks, tell them I'm busy and don't wish to be bothered."

"Alright, I'll see you, Obito."

"Get going before I change my mind."

He leaves without another word, and I look at the spot he left. That was… interesting. Damn it, Itachi!

Naruto

"Hey, Pervy Sage-"

"Don't call me that."

"But you are!"

"Anyway, what is it, brat?"

"I don't get what all this training is supposed to do really? I mean you haven't even told me what that weird feeling was. You just said I had to do some special training that only I can do then made me do all this breathing stuff without telling me anything."

"It's called meditation."

"Yeah, whatever it is," I say crossing my arms. It's the day after Sasuke had his outburst at the older Obito. I don't know, I think he sounds cool, but apparently, I'm not allowed to see him for some stupid reason. That's another thing that I don't understand. Maybe I should sneak in there…

"Meditation is very important to control your chakra and your energy in general," Pervy Sage tells me. He's made me do meditation for a few weeks now. Apparently, I have to learn to regulate my chakra better? I don't really get why I have to do special training for.

"How will this help me anyway? I mean all you do is sit and breathe."

"That's not exactly true," Pervy Sage says.

"What do you mean? Like hell, it's not."

"If that's all it is then you're not doing it right," he says.

"But I get restless and then I cramp and then…."

He sighs. "Listen, kid, I know this is hard, but it's important for you especially."

"But why is it so important?! You grownups are always telling me something is important or I should do something, but you never tell me why I need to do something! And none of the others need this special training! I mean I get I got that weird tummy ache and I knew Obito was lying about who he was, but I don't even get that, and…"

"And don't you want to know how you could tell that?"

"Yeah, but you could just tell me, couldn't you? I mean…"

He closes his eyes. "Would it make you feel better if the others did this with you?"

"Why would they need to do it?"

"It's a good thing for everyone to be able to do even if it doesn't benefit some in the same way. I learned how to do it to become a sage."

"Really?"

"Yes, it was vital to be able to moderate my energy and being in tune with other energies. I won't go into details because it's confusing, and you don't need to know about the steps to becoming a sage yet, but one day you may learn."

"Well if the others will do it with me... I know Sasuke's still sulking, but still."

I've tried to talk to him, but he just tells me to shut up and go away. Momma said he'll take awhile.

"Are you giving your father a hard time?" Momma asks and I look up at him. I know they're not my parents, but they've been taking care of me for a while. Apparently Pervy Sage is my Godfather… whatever that is, but I just call him Daddy… or Pervy Sage, that name's fun too.

"Meditating is boring!"

"It's not supposed to be entertaining. Though I think having the group will help him a lot."
"Alright, we can try it that way," he says getting up to get the other three.

"Is Obito okay? I mean… the older one… this is complicated."

"It is tricky sometimes, but he's alright. I can't say he's well though, but he's as well as can be expected."

"Will I get to meet him? I mean he seems cool, and Obito really likes him so…"

"You need to be patient, Naruto."

"Yeah, yeah, like with everything. You don't want me to know who my real mom and dad are, or why everyone hates me, or why I have to do this extra work when my homework is bad enough, and why all this stuff. It's always later."

I lie backward looking up at the ceiling.

"The way of the shinobi is to keep secrets, sometimes those secrets are kept for the benefit of the person they are being kept from."

"But I'm not a shinobi yet."

"No, but you are a shinobi in training. Things won't always go your way. You need to learn to accept this. Of course, you need to make choices for yourself, but you must also know when to accept that things are not going to go your way. Acting like a spoilt brat won't help."

"I know." I've heard this a million times, but it doesn't change the fact it's so annoying. I mean I get everyone has secrets and all that, but I just want to know why I'm so hated by so many. I mean I'm grateful that I have some friends, but…

"One day all will be clear."

I just hope "one day" is before I'm ancient.

Daddy comes back with Sakumo, Rin, and Obito.

"Uncle Jiraiya said we should join you," Rin says with a smile.

"We wanted to get Sasuke to come, but he's still sulking," Obito adds.

"That's alright. Just sit down, we're going to do some meditation."

We all sit down. It's a bit easier knowing I'm not the only one who's struggling to do this stupid thing. I mean who wants to sit still and just breathe? How is this supposed to help anything?

See, I'm not even supposed to be thinking, but I am. All I can do is think about the strange person that was there, and the strange feeling I had when he was around.

I'm not sure how, but I knew he was lying. I've always been able to really feel when people hate me. I'm not sure why, but it's really bad. I don't tell anyone about how bad it really is. I don't want to complain after all, and they can't do anything about it, but I can feel it so strongly, but this was strange.

And I know Daddy, Momma, and Uncle Kakashi know something about it, and that's why they won't let me see the other Obito. He has something to do with it, and they know that.

So if he has something to do with it, then maybe he has the answers about what it is. Maybe he'll tell me if they won't.

Maybe that's why they won't let me see him, because he would actually tell me something they don't want to. They don't know he won't tell me so they say I can't see him because that way I won't know until "later".

"Part of me knows there may never be a "later". I know that I may never get told anything.

I also know that some people say that I'm only adopted because the Hokage said so. Though I don't think so because I vaguely remember them wanting me. Though why I can't explain. I'm not smart like Sasuke or Sakura. I'm not super strong either. I'm just kind of stupid.

"Alright, I think that's good enough for today. I don't think you're really in the right frame of mind for this. I suppose I can't blame you. A lot has happened in a short period of time."

"Indeed, but we're going to keep practicing."

"Alright!" I cheer jumping up. "No more meditation!"

"You'll have to do more tomorrow," Momma smirks slightly.

I groan and the other three laugh.

"You three too."

I stick my tongue out at them.

"I can see why you're bored by it," Obito says as the four of us walk outside. The four of us lie in the grass staring up at the sky.

"It's not so bad," Rin says.

"Yeah, cause you're a girl."

She smacks her younger brother. "That has nothing to do with it. I find it relaxing."

"It is pretty nice," Sakumo says. "Perhaps you two just have to burn off more energy."

"I couldn't focus," I admit. My mind was just everywhere and nowhere at the same time."

"Is it bad?" Obito asks looking over at me.

Maybe saying no one knew wasn't completely true. I told these three everything. We all did. They knew how much the hatred hurt me inside.

"Well yeah, but it's not that."

"Then what's wrong?" Rin asks gently.

"I don't like how everyone keeps saying "later". I don't want to have things hidden from me. If something is about me I should be allowed to know, right? And then I can't even see this older Obito, but no one will give me a good reason why not. Just that I can't for some reason."

"We're not supposed to either since he's still healing," Sakumo says. "Though I suppose they are being stricter with you about it."

"I wouldn't even care as much if I could just have a good reason for why I can't." I know the three of them are younger than me by three years, but I often forget that. Maybe it's just because they're the only kids I can actually hold a conversation with. "I mean it's just like why I can't play with most kids. It's just because, there's no good reason."

"You know Father, Uncle and Aunt don't do anything without a good reason," Sakumo says. "Even if they don't tell you."

"But Naruto should be allowed to know," Obito argues.

"Maybe…"

"Listen," he says quietly. "He told me that he always leaves the window a bit open so that he can get fresh air since it bothers him otherwise."

I grin at my best friend. "You three want to come?"

"Of course," Obito grins.

The other two look at each other for a bit.

"Someone ha to keep you two out of trouble."

"Alright, then tonight we'll sneak in," Obito declares and I grin.

We talk for the rest of the afternoon.

Once night falls the four of us gather outside and sneak to the side of the house. We climb in through the window.

"Perhaps I shouldn't leave it open, or you four should just be glad you're not stealthy or I might have to kill you."

"Don't be mean."

"I wasn't. I was just saying that you should be careful where you sneak around to, it could be dangerous, and if I'd thought you were a threat I would have dealt with you."

I look at the older Obito.

His Sharingan feels like it's seeing through me.

I feel something like that strange tummy ache again.

"Naruto, are you alright?" Rin asks looking at me.

"I'm not sure…" I admit.

"Is it that weird feeling again?"

"I think so."

He stands up walking over to me. "If you can't control yourself you shouldn't have come here."

I look at him. My vision seems somehow clearer.

"Oh hell," He mutters. "You three might want to get back."

"What? Why?"

"We're staying with Naruto."

I feel the three of them put their hands on me for support.

"Suit yourselves." He sighs.

He reaches up poking me in the forehead.

And I feel myself falling.

Kurama

I snarl within my cage. I hate this stupid place with this annoying brat, but at least he's bearable, but not those eyes!

That cursed eye! I know that chakra very well.

My chakra pools spreading slightly out of the cage. I can't manage too much, but even so with how weak and out of control this brat is it doesn't really matter much.

Humans.

They're all the same in the end. Just wanting to control me, and make me do what they want. I'm so tired of it. I will eat them all.

But first… if I can just destroy those eyes.

I knew that wasn't Madara, the chakra was different, similar, but different. He may have sounded like Madara, even looked like him, but he wasn't like him.

Not that it matters, he will die anyway. I'm just sorry I couldn't have finished off the stupid Fourth Hokage who thought he could seal me inside a baby!

This has to be the worst. Especially for the first while.

All he did was scream, cry, eat, sleep and poop. It was boring as hell. Even feeling the feelings around me wasn't entertaining.

Dare I say I was bored?

Dare I even say that I wish I had the others I could talk to while this was going on?

They're all too far away for me to link with them, and besides, I don't have a bond with my stupid human.

In fact, he doesn't even know I exist. He knows nothing about me. He has no idea why everyone hates him so much.

He doesn't even realize this person he's trying to be friends with is the reason he's so hated.

Perhaps I'll have to use that. If I can push him to hate that person I can push my will through, and take over. That would be fun. Then if he takes off the seal I'll be free.

Humans are so predictable after all. I know what he'll want.

He'll want my power like all the others. He'll want to keep me as if I'm some pet. Well, he'll learn that I can't be tamed.

Best thing is that he doesn't have the Sharingan or wood-style. Sure he has the huge amounts of chakra and stamina of his clan, but that won't do him much good when he doesn't even know how to properly use it.

I'll make good use of it though.

And after I crush this stupid Uchiha who thought he could control me I'll raze this village to the ground so no one here thinks they can contain me ever again.

I close my eyes. It's simple really. Just offer him the power to do whatever he wants, and he'll fall for it. Plus he's a child. He can get revenge on all those who hate him for no reason.

I stretch. I'll be free of this stupid cage. I'll be free of this stupid sewer.

What the hell is with this kid's mind anyway? I suppose it's better than what I had with Kushina, but that's not really saying much. It's still a cage, and I will get out of it even if this boy has to die for it.

Why should I care about a human after all? They don't care about me so I don't care about them? If they want me to just be a weapon for them, then I'll give them something to be afraid of.

I whip a tail spraying water around me.

The only thing standing in my way is one small, weak little child.

And human children are so fragile.

I growl a bit sensing more than the human child's chakra. Those other three brats who stick to him all the time are here too. I wonder… I suppose if they had a way to…

I almost roar at the last chakra signature. The water crashes against the walls as the four kids appear in the room, and in front of them the man who caused me to get sealed into this child.

"Hello Kyuubi, it's been a long time."

Preview

Naruto

I stop talking as he presses his fingers against my forehead again. "Hey!"

"Have you ever considered that some secrets are kept from you in order to protect you?"