My Debt Will be Paid
Sorry it's late, I thought I'd get more reviews, but I got so little reviews last chapter. You guys. I'd better start seeing some recognition for this story. I think it's good. I don't know when the next update will be, but I hope to see some reviews.
Naruto breathed heavily as he stood below Chi.
The first few months had been tough for him. He had to adjust with remaining underground for the year. This was due to the sheer fact that it would actually take some time for him to heal.
As far as they knew, his condition was worse. Naruto felt tremored most days. His body was weaker than ever and it wouldn't heal correctly.
Some scars on his torso remained on his torso and Chi was running low on her green healing liquid. He'd have to deal with his body then.
The problem was, he already felt he looked like a monster enough.
If being fragile was not enough, Naruto often spazzed around and shuddered involuntarily.
His first of five seizures happened just two months prior. And the blond found it hard to understand.
"Would you like some tea, Chi?" Naruto questioned to the woman laying on her own bed. They had just finished the most rigorous meditation session and he figured she was tired.
Without her answer, the nine year old walked five feet to the kitchen and pulled out a bag of grown leaves.
Tea leaves Chi had found in the ancient lands of Kumogakure. They were rich and dark, and were naturally sweet.
He couldn't perform any jutsu, so the blond waited patiently as their river water heated upon the stove.
"Ancient times, ancient times." Chi called from her place. "Leaves will soothe the mind."
"Mhm." Naruto mumbled. It took some time, but he could now understand her kind of speech.
While waiting, he placed the leaves within their wooden cups. His thoughts ran vigorous.
He thought about anything and everything. He believed he was here before. When he poured the water within the small cups, the blond became fearful.
"Are you alright, Naruto?" Son Gokū asked from within.
He felt paralyzed, couldn't move his head. Couldn't shake it so he thought 'I'm fine.'
He handed a cup to Chi and sipped his own tea, grimacing at the lack of taste. Where was the sweetness? Had it always been bitter?
Without thought, the blond looked toward the ceiling. The walls; the dirt; the ceiling was caving in on them. He kneeled to move away and looked to Chi, who was calmly drinking her tea in a savagery way.
"Chi-baasan. The walls are coming…." He trailed off and froze.
Chi looked into his eyes and he stared into, yet beyond, her own.
Assuming he only forgot what he was saying, Chi asked "everything is forgetfulness?"
Naruto said nothing, but before he knew it, the blond clasped onto the ground with a tremor.
Yellow pus spurted from his mouth and he began to violently vomit upon the ground. The vomit was a green fluid, and even without his senses up to par, he could almost taste the petrifying smell and indecent aroma.
When that was done, and Chi ran to get something, the blond lay on his side, shaking harshly, and letting drool leave his open mouth.
He couldn't close it, couldn't even move. His muscles were numbed and his fingers were tingly. His vision was soon blurring and a heaving pain in his chest stayed close.
He couldn't find words to speak, the only sound to leave his mouth were grunts of pain.
"Kit, this is hurting us. Are you okay?"
Naruto said nothing still. He had no idea what this was and why it hurt his tailed beasts.
Just as his body convulsed even faster, Chi placed her hands upon his head. Instantly, he stopped shaking, a pleasant feeling was restored, and he could see again.
With her bare hand, Chi began to wipe drool and vomit from his face, her eyes showing concern. The dark woman shook her head.
"Boy shakes like wind chimes. Wind chimes! Wind chimes! Wind chimes with strong wind!"
He couldn't necessarily tell her it was a simple seizure, for he was still recovering.
'Are you three alright?' He asked within himself.
Hearing the calming breathing of his tailed beasts, he smiled softly.
"We're alright. Just shaken up a bit." Shukaku spoke.
'Good.' Naruto's main concern was figuring out why the tailed beast were affected and why he'd had the seizure in the first place.
It was a first of many.
Chi had made him use his staff all the time just until he healed and was able to walk correctly. She had also distributed more of her green healing liquid for Naruto to drink when things happened.
While the seizures were becoming less frequent- maybe one each month- Naruto still wanted to know why the tailed beasts got hurt when the seizure happened and why it happened.
He pieced things together. He was weaker since his attack led by Hikari's monster. He was having seizures. The beasts were getting hurt.
Naruto had not wanted to curse himself, but just incase, he needed to keep his promise. He felt weaker and weaker, no matter how much power he held.
"Boy, I better heal sooner and get back to action. I refuse to die before my promises are upheld."
That was his fear. Not dying itself, just dying and not assuring himself that the tailed beast would be safe.
Chi walked over to her bed as Naruto began to calm himself. "Has new method worked yet?" She questioned.
Instead of teaching Naruto the art of Fuinjutsu, she helped him quickly by giving him the power to create his own sealings. While he did so before with his beasts, he never knew he could do so much here.
She was referring to the new seal he had been busy working on since his first seizure. Nodding, he hit his staff on the ground. "I'm going to speak with the beasts now to see if they agree."
"Godlike Divinity: Unsealing."
To keep Chi's underground home stable, the blond made sure to keep the tailed beasts small. He smiled weakly as Kurama, Son Gokū, and Shukaku snuggled against him.
He wrapped his arms around them too. "I know. I know you're all happy I'm safe. Thanks to Chi."
At this, his beast bowed at Chi, knowing she was more powerful than anything on earth.
"What did you bring us here for?" Shukaku asked.
Naruto sighed. "I've made a new seal that involves you and the other tailed beasts."
"Is something wrong?" Kurama then asked.
"Not with you three. But, due to my seizures and their impact on you three, I've decided to take precautions."
He waited for questions, but the beasts said nothing. He figured they knew what was coming.
"Forbid, but just in case it happens, I've made a seal which embodies you to remain free. You could not be sealed by anyone for the rest of your days. The seal is strong."
"But…" Kurama trailed off. "How could you say that? Are you so ready to die that you've made this?"
"You've seen my weakened state. I am only doing what's best." Naruto stated, rubbing the fox's head.
"But, you're making seals in such a state." Shukaku growled, but Naruto could feel the pain in his voice. "How could you risk your life for the tailed beasts?"
The beasts began muttering amongst themselves, not sure why Naruto would risk his own safety for theirs.
He smirked with his eyes closed. "What can I say? You're worth the fight."
Time seemingly froze for the beasts. They didn't understand. They were creatures. They spent so many of their years fighting against humans in fear of being sealed. They killed and attacked violently.
But here before them was a human risking his own life to maintain theirs. Was it Hogarama again in this child body?
Naruto went on. "You're my friends. As long as my soul moves on, I will help you. The tailed beasts are a part of this world. Believe it or not, but when I say that I'm saving the world, I'm saving you too."
"We will discuss preparations for the sealing later. For now, let's rest."
When the beasts were within again, Naruto sighed at their silence. "Rest easy, guys. It'll get better."
Their nerves eased and Naruto felt his brain relax. How strenuous that was, telling the beasts they would be safe if he suddenly died.
And why had he made this? Because, there were moments Naruto felt he would suddenly die. It was a chain pulling at him, making his life ever so slowly.
"Friends back home, Naruto?"
He turned his head toward Chi, who lay with her eyes closed. He assumed she was asking about his life before their meeting. Trying to see if there were others like the beasts who Naruto deeply cared for.
"My brother is a friend for me. A wonderful bright child even if he is quiet. Other than this, there are some I protect, and there are others."
"Friends are enemies?" She smiled as if she knew.
"No one understands me." He thought of Shikamaru, Hinata, Kiba, Chouji, and Shino. "Others tolerate me. And I'm not exactly liked by my village."
"Monster there too?"
"To most. My brother is in that village and he is a deeper friend of mine." An image of Sasuke popped into his head and the blond blushed.
"A friend of mine who is not family is close." He smiled softly. "He's a lot different than most people think. He comes from a prestigious clan like myself so that says so much. Sometimes he's vulnerable, but he likes to be protected. He feels like some may appreciate him."
"Is love in your life?"
Naruto blushed deeper. "I don't like anyone back home. After the murder of my clan, I lost love. It only runs for my brother….and you. A monster cannot be loved."
Chi smiled seeing through everything. It was his friend. "Love, like rain, does not choose grass on which it falls. Slow can go, Naruto. It can only work in due time."
How many times had she said that.?Tell him to be patient in her own way and for what? He couldn't. He wanted to fix the world only for it to be broken again. He wanted to absolutely be right about the world going to shit.
Chi knows everything now. When she learned about the murder of his clan and Pein's behavior priorly, Chi stated that 'Pain hurts too.' Now, there is nothing about Naruto that Chi does not know, nothing that is not safe to tell.
Except, there is one secret thing that emerges even now, curious as an infant fern, a fiddlehead of question marks, asking with its unformed voice for answers still hidden from him:
Her name was Chi Adebowale. As a young woman, as Naruto had seen in photos, she was neither skinny nor too large. Her bosom was wide as well as her lower hips.
Her lips were full, her nose was broad, and as a young woman, she was fucking beautiful. Within the book written by Pein, Naruto had become besotted with the past.
Her mind was striking. And she learned and created fast. Through his recent months of getting taught by her, Naruto realized that he would have fell in love with Chi had he been born in her time. He would have asked the God to marry him. Create powerful beings with him.
Naruto was in love with her younger form and her older mind, if it made sense. It could only make sense, not reality or even morality.
Chi was the only being besides Sasuke Uchiha that Naruto would ever be infatuated with.
Such a sin his desires were. And they would never be fulfilled.
Because Chi was now like a wise mother to him, and Sasuke would never feel the same. He knew.
By the seventh month with Chi, Naruto was getting better. Growing stronger and wiser. He knew most things other humans would kill for.
Chi knew everything. She taught him how to control himself and she taught him how to unleash his demons. Some far more dangerous than the tailed beasts: himself.
While he was still getting better, he was still….getting better. He'd have to move slowly. As Chi said 'if you yank pebble to fast, whole hill will slide.'
As of now, she expected him to walk around outside above the home. He could go no further than hundreds of miles. If he did, Chi would know. Her power spread the lands.
And he was doing just that, walking slowly with his staff and thinking.
They were not important thoughts. Just thoughts of home. Did Jiraiya ever tell Konoha that he was missing? He'd been gone for seven months plus the five he'd been held hostage now, Jiraiya should have realized.
Old Man Hiruzen's men should have been searching for him. But, they weren't.
And what of Sasuke and Gaara? Did they know? Was Gaara being taken care of? Did Sasuke care?
He'd only find out when he returned.
Hopefully, he'd learn more about the world and be done within another two years. He wasn't so eager to return to a village that hated him.
It had been so long since he'd gotten love from another. And Chi provided him with love. She was a true mother. That instinct no matter how many years went by, it would always be within her.
She kissed his forehead when he felt bad and sleepy and sick, she told him stories of her adventures with beasts, monsters, and humans, she fed him and made sure he was healthy.
He hadn't gotten that. Not since Pein killed the family.
And what of Pein? Was Pein going around killing other families? Was he only hiding? Naruto didn't understand. Pein would never hide from his truth or cower from those who searched for him.
'Pain hurts too.' Chi had said. Would pein hurt? Why? He'd thought he saw a vision of his brother when the unnamed person freed and slightly healed him. He wouldn't know and finding out wasn't of his concern.
Without realizing it, Naruto had already returned to the underground home. Looking around and sensing no-one, he pulled a small latch and went below.
Chi was standing by the stove, looking through a book. It wasn't a book with information because Chi had all of the information. It was a photo book with all her best memories.
Memories of her children. Memories of herself. Memories when the world was peaceful. Naruto was there too. She had taken pictures of him. Odd pictures and many pictures.
One was when Naruto had just learned a new technique from Kurama, Shukaku, and Son Gokū. It was a ball of blue energy. One they had called the rasengan. In order to learn the tailed beast ball, Naruto was first required to learn that.
Another photo was after Naruto's second seizure. He'd fallen asleep in Chi's arms and the woman did not hesitate to capture the moment.
They were many more and Naruto believed that Chi was attempting to relive her memories with children that came from her.
"Back too soon." She told him as he sat on his bed. "Have dinner ready by return."
"I was thinking." Naruto vaguely spoke and that was all he needed to say. Chi knew his fears.
She frowned deeply and placed some tomatoes in a pot. "Do not frighten yourself, little boy. Thinking for you is paved road: comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it."
Naruto smiled, his fear subdued for now. "Thank you ch-ch-ch"
The sound was repeated like a mantra and Naruto spazzed onto his bed. He didn't vomit, so he knew, even with the constant shuddering, this was a more subtle seizure.
Chi came over and poured some green liquid within his mouth, smacking his jaw as she waited for it to go down. She smiled when he calmed himself.
"Come at odd time, no?"
Naruto didn't speak. Instead, he broke free of Chi's warm hold and spat a bit too harshly. "I'm fine."
He didn't mean to say it that way. "I'm sorry." he mumbled. "I want to be better. I'm sick of needing help. I never needed help." Except when he was younger.
Chi only smiled. It was her way of letting things go. She never really got angry. "Walk fast, walk alone. Walk far, walk with others."
Naruto understood; everyone needed a little help sometimes. He nodded. "Thank you, Chi-baasan."
"Go take more walk and be careful."
Naruto nodded and grabbed his staff. He walked slower than usual than and not because he was hurt, in pain, or tired. It was because he was afraid.
Fear wasn't a thing he knew. It only rised within him on few occasions of his life.
It was there when the men hurt him in Konoha. Strangely enough.
It was present after his clan was murdered. He was afraid of what was next for he and Gaara.
It was there when his grandfather's followers kidnapped him. He was afraid for his tailed beasts and his promises.
And hear again. In fear for himself. He didn't ask for this. He didn't ask to be a savior. Nor the holder of beasts. He didn't want to live through the pain and after so many years, he realized he wanted to live for him too.
Chi had asked him once, 'I ask you the most important people of your life, how long will it take for you to name oneself?'
This was how long.
With a heaved cry, the blond walked closer to a nearby pond, crouching to look down. His reflection was different from birth.
He watched his reflection. How he'd changed. His blue eyes were gone. Just one remained, the other replaced by the eye of his little one tail. His hair would never lie down. They were horns now, stoned over the years.
There was a scar on his neck, partially hidden by the black shirt underneath his cloak. He touched the water.
"Here is my thanks to the things that did not kill me." he whispered. "You've simply made me stranger."
He hit the water harshly. How could he dare to look at himself? He was a monster. And he'd have to deal with that.
Before he could even look back, a large hand swiped at him. The blond jumped back just in time. He couldn't believe what he came in contact with.
It was large. With four long horns on its head, a muscular upper-body structure, with a hunched back, arms with spiked protrusions on the elbows, and hands with opposable thumbs like that of a human. Instead of hind-legs, its lower half consists of its eight tails, which resembled the cephalopod arms of an octopus.
It was an Ushi-oni. Gyūki, the Eight tails.
"Hey?" Naruto screamed as the tailed beasts swiped at him again. "What are you doing?"
Gyūki growled. "You humans think I'll be in you again? You think you will have me? Well you can't!"
He hit the ground where Naruto was and it upheld. Naruto stared as the ground came up. He was so happy that he'd gone away from Chi's home.
"I'm not here to fight you!" Naruto told the beast.
Although, it would not listen. It continuously swiped at Naruto.
"You have no choice but to fight him."
'I can't. My job is to protect him, Kurama.'
"Do you want to die?!"
Naruto sighed. 'I'll reason with him.'
Naruto floated within the air as the eight tails stared angrily toward him. "Hey, you! My name's Naruto Namikaze and I'm going to save your life."
It didn't work, the Eight tails swiped again and Naruto frowned. "You want my power. Have it, but you must die!"
Naruto flew back as the Ushi-oni hit his face. It really hurt and he wasn't ready to fight fully yet. With a frown he performed odd hand seals.
"Godlike Divinity: Unsealing Technique"
Gyūki stared in shock at the three beasts that were so easily taken from Naruto. And then, his eyes narrowed. "So he sealed you three too? Let's murder him then."
The eight tails began his sprint toward the already fallen Naruto, but Kurama's tail met him first. "No, you imbecile! He's the prophecy child. He's here to help us."
Gyūki growled more and they all froze as the ground was torn to shreds. From beneath came Chi, anger in her eyes and staff in her hands. She looked healthier when power radiated from her.
"Stop this fight at once!" She screamed. With the single wave of her staff, all the beasts and Naruto flew back more than one hundred feet.
She then pulled them in toward her and grabbed Naruto. Gyūki stared wide-eyed and then bowed.
"Master-Chi. God of the world." So he knew her, Naruto thought. He coughed haphazardly.
With a frown, Chi held Naruto up with a single hand. ""Boy is who he says he is. He is healthy. Tainted, but willing. Goal to save all your kind."
The six powerful beings stared at one another. Chi let Naruto down and the blond weakly, yet bravely, walked over to Gyūki.
"It's true." He spoke quietly as the beasts leaned down to his height.
"Based on what others say, I should have never cared about the tailed beasts. But, I did care. I cared a lot and I still fucking care. So as long as I live, It'll be my goal to protect.
People say things about me too. I'm a monster, a demon, something not worth saving, but I forgive. You and I are not so different."
Cautiously, he placed his tan hand upon Gyūki's nose. "We were given these difficult lives because we were strong enough to live them. I'm not saying we have to be friends. But, throw me to the wolves and I'll return leading the pack.
Because no matter what I do, whether I seal you or take you to the spirit world, I'll save your life and conquer your hate.
So pummel me all you want, I don't care." Gyūki sneered softly at the boy's determination. Naruto raised a fist and closed his eyes. "Just know that it's hard to beat someone who never gives up."
He didn't miss the tears in the beast's eyes as it turned away harshly. "I don't want a human's help."
"I don't care what you want. I care about what you need. But, if you want to spend the rest of your days running from humans, leave this place. You won't disturb Chi-baasan anymore."
"He's right, Gyūki." Son Gokū reasoned.
They stared for moments, Naruto not breaking contact with with the Ushi-oni. Finally, the beast looked away.
"What do you want from me?"
"I want to help. Spend a day within me and see if you can feel at peace with yourself. If not, you're free to leave. And I can place you somewhere safer."
"Fine, human. Do you best."
Naruto then smiled. He first had to perform the safety seal on Gyūki. "Is it alright if I perform a first seal on you?"
"Why?" The beast growled. He couldn't for the life of him trust a human.
"Due to recent attacks, I've been suffering from pain. I'm a bit more infamous now so I created a seal in which my tailed beasts cannot feel my pain and if I ever died, the seal reassures me that the beasts will automatically go to a safe place and can never be sealed again."
Gyūki's eyes widened slightly. "Okay."
Naruto lifted his staff. "Sealing Art: non-binding performance."
Gyūki looked as if he would faint and Naruto sheepishly smiled. "I'm sorry. It gives you most of my memories too. And I have yours. It will help up sympathize with one another more."
"You four ready?" He questioned.
With their respective nods, the blond lifted his staff again. "Godlike Divinity: Non-restraint seal."
Their large bodies moved within Naruto and he breathed at the new surge of power coursing in his veins.
Chi smiled. "Horns upon head now solid and grey."
Yes, A deep voice within whispered. Feed me.
After a full year, it was now time for Naruto to journey forward. Gyūki never chose to leave from Naruto, stating that the seal was comfortable and he enjoyed the company of his siblings, who he'd not seen in many years.
When hearing of Naruto's quest to save the other beasts, the eight tails decided he could help with the knowledge
He and Chi now stood in the forest of Kumogakure, where she was fixing up his clothing.
He knew Chi was able to live on her own; for no man could teach the ancestors. It was only the fact that she was stuck in the past, the guilt of letting her daughter be used as a weapon and then treated like one.
Chi was trapped by her memories of the sealed and the gone. Like threads of old spiderwebs, the past waited for the dark woman to submit.
He also noticed that the present disappeared in Chi's mind. During conversation, at night when she wakes and viciously searches for Kaguya's picture, during breakfast, anytime.
Usually, when Naruto gets up himself and lays her back down, she will tap his face and say 'thank you, thank you.'
He would often watch as she lied down in exhaustion. Half awake, half asleep -almost, it seemed to him, half alive.
And oddly enough, he knew Chi would be fine.
There was nothing in the world that could hurt her because she made the world.
The woman kissed his head and smiled. "Fully restored, you are. Careful on journey and come to visit. Remember that slow can go, Naruto. Wish to move mountains, first move stone."
The blond nodded and repeated in his head. Wish to move mountain, first move stone. Tread carefully and go steady.
The blond nodded. "Thank you for everything Chi-baasan. You've taught me more about the world and the ancient times than I can imagine. It means a lot that you took the time. I will never forget you, God of this world, first of many, primitus."
Chi smiled. "Everyone someday dies."
Not you, Chi. Naruto spoke quietly in his mind.
She let him walk away and the blond smiled a little. So close to home the ten year old would be soon. Just two more years or so. He'd be with Gaara. His little soldier.
Thinking of his promise to return to Gaara, something popped into Naruto's mind. He turned to find Chi still watching.
She'd probably watch until he was out of eyesight, which for her was thousands of miles.
"Hey!" She raised a wrinkled brow and Naruto lifted a thumb. "In order to pay my debt to you, I swear Kaguya Adebowale will be with you in a few years, Chi. I'm bringing her to you. It's a promise of a lifetime. Believe it!"
The woman smiled and simply nodded. She'd hold him to that.
And that's that. Guys, Naruto will return home at age 11 or 12. I'll have to see. This chapter was the shit. I freaking love Chi. If I had someone like her in my life, it'd be so awesome. To make things clear, Naruto actually is in love with Chi. But it's not a lustful attraction. He fell in love with her personality.
Naruto is in love with Sasuke as well. He loves Sasuke for his looks and personality. He feels horrible about both his desires because he thinks that Chi is like a grandmother to him and Sasuke would never love him, monster or not. It's sad, but next chapter will reveal a new power of Naruto's and soon he will be home.