I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"
'thinking'

Chapter 7:

Darkness. That was the first thing she became aware of. The next thing was the fact that she couldn't move. No matter how much she tried, her body stayed still. Then words began to fall on her ears. She couldn't understand them. It was as if someone was speaking a foreign language. But then everything disappeared as she lost herself in a world of oblivion.

She would return to this start several times over the next few years. To her, time seemed to go by slowly. A year in the outside world was just a few minutes to her. Those few minutes made her wonder what was going on. She would panic every time her eyes opened to this darkness. But soon, she was use to it. Part of her believed that she was just having a nightmare, one she couldn't wake up from. And the foreign words never became clear.

Something awoke her to the darkness sooner than usual. Her mind was able to place the noise. It was the sound of a baby giggling. Baby? Her baby? She wanted to see him or her. She wanted to feel it, hold it in her arms. Someone must have heard her as she felt something crawl up her body. She tried to reach out, but her body still wouldn't move. Then a soft slap on her cheek happened. A smile slipped on her face until she felt the weight being removed. That was the last straw.

Red eyes blinked open. The room was too bright. She closed her eyes as someone apologized then opened them again. Red found blue and the owner of the blue eyes gasped. "Kurama-san." The kid must have realized something as he reached out and hit the call button. Suddenly, two nurses and a doctor where in the room. The kid and the baby got out of their way, disappearing into the hallway. Kurama reached out her hand towards them, wanting to call out to them. But the doctor and nurses blocked her view.

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Naruto instantly went to the nurses' station to have one help him make a few phone calls. He called Sai first. Sai had been ecstatic. He told Naruto that he'd get ahold of Sasuke. Naruto agreed knowing that it would be better for him to tell Sasuke that Kurama was awake. Naruto then made a call to the Uchiha Manor. Tsunade answered the phone.

"Hey Obaa-chan," Naruto said. The two had grown close very quickly. Tsunade was like a grandmother to Naruto.

"What is it Naruto?" Tsunade asked. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah," Naruto said. "Can you come pick up Kohaku? We're at Konoha Hospital."

"The Hospital?" Tsunade was concerned. "What are you doing there?"

"I... um... well..." Naruto took a deep breath. "I wanted to meet Kurama-san."

"I see," Tsunade said. Naruto could hear the sound of a jacket being grabbed. "I'll be there in twenty minutes. I'll meet you at her room."

"Alright," Naruto said nodding. "See you then." He hung up, thanking the nurse. Glancing at Kurama's room, Naruto took a seat near the nurse, waiting. About five minutes later, Sasuke came running down the hall. He was followed by two people that Naruto could guess were Kurama's parents. Security guards were behind them, telling them not to run, but they ignored them. The three didn't seem to see Naruto as they went right into the room.

"Kurama/Honey!" The three yelled.

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Kurama smiled at her parents and Sasuke. She had a cup of water in her hands. A nurse had told her to drink it slowly. "Hey guys." Her voice was very hoarse from lack of use. She took another sip of the cold water, it helping to sooth her throat.

Kaguya collapsed against Tenji who could barely hold her up. The two were glad to see their daughter awake. Tears ran down both of their faces. Sasuke had to sit down so he didn't fall over. The doctor smiled as he explained to them that Kurama would have to remain in the hospital a little bit longer to make sure everything was ok. They didn't want her to slip back into a coma. He and the two nurses excused themselves, leaving the family alone.

Kurama looked at her parents. "So where is Itachi?"

Sadness filled the room and Kurama frowned. It was Sasuke that spoke. "Itachi didn't make it."

"Oh god!" Kurama exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!"

"It isn't your fault," Sasuke said.

"That's right," Kaguya said. "We should put the sadness behind us and celebrate the fact that you've finally awakened after five years!"

"Five years?" Kurama asked. Tenji and Sasuke glared at Kaguya as her hand covered her mouth. "That means..." Kuama moved a hand to her stomach. "The baby. Where is my baby?" The silence said it all. Tears ran down her face. "No, no, no! Please! Tell me my baby is ok!"

"Honey," Tenji began.

"No!" Kurama yelled. "He can't be dead! I heard him!" Kaguya, Tenji, and Sasuke looked at each other confused.

"Sasuke-sama?" a voice called. Everyone turned to see Naruto peeking into the room.

"Naruto?" Sasuke asked, walking towards the blond. "What are you doing here?"

"Sai brought me here," Naruto said. "I just wanted to meet her."

"You!" Kurama pointed at Naruto. "You have him don't you! You have my baby!"

Naruto looked taken aback. He still hade Kohaku in his arms, but only Sasuke could see him. "It looks like you have some explaining to do." Naruto turned to see Tsunade behind him. "Well, get inside the room already. And keep it down. We don't want to disturb the other patients." She managed to move Naruto forward at the same time as closing the door behind her. "Now then, I believe Master Sasuke has something to say."

All eye turned to Sasuke. He sighed, already regretting the conversation that needed to be had. "The baby Naruto is carrying is mine. Mizori gave birth to Kohaku nearly seven months ago."

"So he's really dead then?" Kurama asked. "My baby?"

Sasuke nodded. "The doctors tried to save him, but they couldn't." Kurama didn't say anything and no one could blame her. She had just found out that not only was her husband dead, but so was her son.

Only Tsunade had seen Naruto move. He had handed Kohaku to her before going right up to Kurama and hugging her. "It's ok to cry." Kurama's eyes widened before the tears began to fall. Her arms went around Naruto as she cried out in pain. No one dared to say a word as they were frozen at the sight of someone half of them just met, the other half only knowing him for a short time, comfort a stranger. They watched as a boy nearly fifteen-years-old seemed to shoulder the pain everyone felt.

Kurama held onto the stranger who felt so warm. It was his warmth that made her realize that everything was going to be ok. She would still need time to grieve for her loss, but she still had family. She pulled back a bit and smiled sadly at the blond. "Thank you."

Naruto nodded, but didn't let her go. "I'm here." He looked straight at her. "I'm here whenever you need me." Kurama couldn't help but pull Naruto back into a hug.

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A week later, Naruto stood next to Sasuke outside of the hospital. He held the raven's hand as they waited for Kurama. The red-head came out with her parents closely behind her. She laughed at something Tenji said and he pushed her out. She was sitting down on wheelchair. Kurama wouldn't be able to walk anytime soon. She had to go through rehab. The doctors also told them that she may not be normal ever again. Tenji and Kaguya had seen some minor differences, but nothing to cause any problems. Her memories of what happened were still there, causing her to have nightmares, but over time, they would lessen. They had also been warned that Kurama might try to hide how she is feeling. The doctor told them that she may want to see a psychologist to help her work out her feelings. Tenji, trying to make a joke, had said that they could just lock her in a room with Naruto since he seemed to get her to spill her guts.

The effect Naruto had over Kurama actually scared Tenji. Kurama usually didn't take so well with strangers. But here was this boy that appeared out of no where that could do things Tenji could do. It also pissed him off that Naruto was able to comfort Kurama when he couldn't. Kaguya on the other hand thanked kami-sama for Naruto. His presence lit a fire under Kurama that brightened her days.

Kurama knew that the way she felt around Naruto was strange. It was like he was there for only her. But she also knew this wasn't true. She had seen the look in Sasuke's eyes as the two of them grew close. Kurama had heard about what happened with Mizori and agreed that Sasuke had done the right thing. Mizori had betrayed Sasuke, and for that, Kurama believed she deserved a punch in the face. But since Mizori was dead, Kurama would have to be satisfied to know that she no longer had her claws in the raven. This however brought up how Naruto came into Sasuke's life. To take care of a child at such a young age that wasn't even his, it amazed her. And Kurama could tell that Naruto loved Kohaku and Kohaku loved him back. Sasuke may be an Uchiha, but Kurama was able to read him. Sasuke may deny it, but him and Itachi are very similar. And since Kurama could read Itachi well, it was easy to tell what Sasuke was thinking. The man was facing a common battle that several people have, the battle of right versus wrong. Kurama didn't care what side Sasuke picked. All she wanted was Sasuke to be happy.

Kurama looked out of the window of the care she was now in. It was going back to her parents' house. Sasuke, Naruto, and Kohaku were in the car behind her. They were going to celebrate Kurama's return home. Her eyes found the sky and she smiled. 'Itachi,' she thought. 'I've decided, I'm going to help him, just as you would have. He deserves to be as happy as we were.'

Sorry. I can't stop crying. I know this chapter is full of emotion, but it's ok. As Naruto said, "it's ok to cry."

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Some of you probably think that Kurama's emotions are unrealistic. Yes, she seemed to get over the death of Itachi and her son pretty quickly, but that isn't true. She just decided to live, for their sake and her own. She also has a new goal which will help her go on. I hope you understand this.

Now, I'm going to give this to you readers to vote. Who do you want Sasuke to end up with?

Options:

Naruto,

Kurama,

OC (male or female),

Sakura (please, don't)

Naruto Character That Hasn't Been Introduced Yet

Just leave your answer in a review. Note that this won't be happening anytime soon. We still have a long way to go before this story hits its conclusion.

Oh! And I now have a facebook that I created for my fanfiction fans. I'll be linking it on my profile. I'll be posting random secrets and spoilers to my stories on there. I'll accept all friend requests.