Summary - Sasuke has returned after a five year absence. Completely void of all emotions, he claims he only wants to become the strongest. Naruto and Sakura, along with the rest of the infamous 'Rookie Nine' need to draw out the old Sasuke and reassert their friendship before he turns into the one person he really hates. Main pairing is SasuNaru, along with many minor pairings for fluffy goodness.

Rated For - Swearing, violence, and future citrusy situations.

Disclaimer - Believe me, if I owned Naruto, I wouldn't be writing this.

Chapter Four - Addolorato

-------Naruto-------

"Ouch!" I straightened up, staring at the back of my hand.

A long, ragged scar stared back at me. I chuckled, the dry noise reverberating around the walls.

"I swear, by the pain on my left hand...I will never need to be rescued again!"

I traced the scar lightly. Many other scars sporadically adorned my body, but few were as significant as this one. And none were ever redone like it, either.

For every failed mission, failed day, failed attempt at life, I would go over it with the tip of the very same kunai knife I had used to open it before. No one knew about it, of course, and it was on rare occasion that I would actually stop to stare at the damn thing. But right now, it was throbbing, and I knew exactly why.

Kyubi...

I sighed, waiting for the throbbing to die down. It was a dull pain, barely noticeable, but it was interrupting my relaxation time. I took a startled look at the clock.

Ten thirty?

It was only when I moved to get out that I really noticed how cold the water was. A sharper pain spurred me into action, and I hurriedly got dressed.

Alright, alright. I'm coming!

I sat down on my unmade futon, settling back so that I was comfortable. Closing my eyes, I forced myself to focus on my breathing, regulating my heartbeat and falling into the darkest recesses of my mind.

I landed with a soft splash as I walked through the familiar pipes in the back of my consciousness. Huge iron bars came into view, and behind them were the piercing red eyes of the nine-tailed fox demon sealed within my body.

God, you're impatient.

A snarl met my ears, and I instinctively clamped my hands over them.

Okay, okay! Geez, don't get your panties in a bunch.

Are you an idiot, brat? I'm a fox demon, not a hysterical female teacher.

I bit back whatever sarcastic reply I had reserved for such people. Kyubi, as I had so dubbed him, was not one to tolerate my cheek for long. And trust me, when you have an angry fox demon screaming at you when you're trying to sleep, it's a good idea to learn from your mistakes. Especially when you've spent most of your life used to a dormant fox you had absolutely no knowledge of to begin with.

So, what do you want, all of a sudden?

Don't demand answers from me!

I winced. Ever since I had stumbled upon Kyubi, I had tried coming back to talk to him. It took a very long time to have a conversation that did not involve my mental incapacitation, but eventually he admitted, albeit grudgingly, a speck of respect for me did in fact exist, and lately talking to him had become a much better way to spend my nights than sitting home alone feeling sorry for myself.

He snorted, his tails swishing agitatedly. Where are we?

Home, you idiot.

Brat, watch your tongue. Why are we not doing chakra training?

Kakashi sent us home early.

He is too easy on you. You are a weakling, all talk and no talent whatsoever.

Hey, I've managed to get you to lend me your chakra on a number of occasions!

Because you would die otherwise. Do you think I want to die also? Without me, what would you do? Tell me now.

I kept quiet, and a low rumbling indicated Kyubi's amusement. I glared at him, and was rewarded with a large paw attempting to slash me through the bars.

Hey!

I could have killed you by breathing on you, were I roaming the earth free.

Your breath's not that bad.

Brat, do not make me angry. He paused. Your subconscious thoughts...

What about them? I don't know anything about them.

I do. They float around me. I hear them.

I flushed suddenly. And...and what have I been thinking about? Is that what you wanted to talk about?

Yes. You should learn to keep a tighter hold on what flows through your mind. Some of your thoughts have proved to be...very interesting. But it is unwanted information.

What are you talking about, Kyubi?

He tilted his head. If you do not know now, you are not meant to.

I sighed. I knew better than to argue this time. FineBut I don't feel like going anywhere right now...

Am I supposed to entertain you? I am a demon, brat, not your babysitter!

...Can I ask you something?

...Will you go after you have your answer? It is bad enough that I must suffer in your mind, but it is worse when you pester me with your annoying chatter.

You love it.

He snarled, louder than before, and I rushed onwards.

I...I've never asked you this before...But only because I thought you would kill me if I brought it up.

We have established that while I may wish to kill you, I cannot.

I know that now. And I'm sure you like me a little.

Simply because I respect you does not mean I have to like you at all.

Alright then. But...Kyubi...?

Hn.

Why...did you kill all those people? Why did you cause so much destruction when you were...free?

It was fun.

A brief flash of his memories lanced through my mind and I screamed involuntarily. Resisting the urge to vomit, I almost threw myself out of my mind, but forced myself to stay.

That...that's not fun! That's brutal, mindless murdering.

Naruto.

I blinked. He rarely used my name.

I am not you. You are not me. It is not in your nature to kill. Just as it is not in my nature to save. It is my instinct to cause chaos, to feed on people's fear. And people, I suppose.

He grinned, his razor-sharp teeth blindingly white. I shuddered, sensing an awakened bloodlust in him. It dissipated, and he observed me quietly.

Never let anyone compare you to me when it comes to our natures. We could not be any more different.

...How did you...?

...Are you an idiot, brat?

No. And I really wish you would stop calling me that. I'm twenty, you know. Not two.

I left before he could respond, falling back into my body. I winced, my muscles sore from sitting still for so long. An amused chuckle filled my ears, and then faded into a silence which weighed heavily upon me. Rolling onto my side, I fell asleep instantly. The last thing I saw was the bright orange numbers on the clock change to 2:00 A.M, Kyubi's eyes staring hauntingly out from the light.

Oh dear. I think I'm going to run out of musical terms for chapter titles...I suppose I'll work something out.

Anyway. Read and review, if you find the time...It's not that hard.