Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

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Thank you all for the reviews! Here's the next chapter, as promised.

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Konoha's Demon Fox

Chapter 2: Unexpected Friend

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As Naruto made his way toward the village walls, he felt his way through his chakra reserves. Just like the Kyuubi had promised him, he could feel a large amount had already been added. Not including his own, the fox provided just under the amount he got when he was fighting Haku. It felt weird having this much without being angry or almost dead.

As he looked at the gate, it was safe to say he didn't feel weird anymore. The anger was back. Sitting by the gate, sat Sasuke and Sakura, obviously waiting for him to show up. The two stood as they too notice of him, too.

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed in a cheerful voice as he was right beside them, overdoing her acting. Sasuke just stared at him, probably expecting him to make an ass of himself like he usually did. Sorry to disappoint. Sakura's smile died down when Naruto made no such comment.

Naruto glanced at her, "Hey."

Sasuke stepped forward, "Going to Tazuna?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke, "Well, I did promise him that I'd visit. Naruto keeps his promises."

Sasuke nodded, "I'll keep training. I look forward to fighting you."

Naruto smiled, "Wouldn't want it any other way."

"Be careful, dobe."

The fox boy gave his wicked grin, "What, and miss the exams, Sasuke-bastard?"

Sakura stepped forward, careful of how close she got to him, "Seriously, be careful, Naruto."

Naruto gritted his teeth slightly, "I'll be fine, Sakura."

Biting his thumb again, Naruto made the seals, then slammed his hand on the ground, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

Once again, Naruto was standing on top of the boss summon, "Yo, Gama-Bunta, towards Wave Country. Full speed!"

When Naruto and his summon disappeared over the distance, Sasuke looked over to Sakura, "What's wrong with you?"

Sakura, who had tears running down her face, turned and started back into the village, "He didn't say 'chan' like he used to."

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It was a few minutes before sunset when Naruto reached Tazuna's house. Quickly getting rid of his summon, Naruto took a deep breath. Walking towards he door, he noticed that all of the damage to the house had been completely fixed. Also, looking around, he noticed that things were better. It was amazing how much one bridge would do for a village. Gathering his wits, and suppressing the feeling of his increasing chakra, Naruto knocked on the door.

There was some shuffling on the other side, and it took a moment before the door slowly opened, revealing Tsunami.

Naruto smiled, "Hello, I see you're looking as great as ever!"

Tsunami had to look at him for a moment, but her smile grew wide, "Naruto! Come on inside. Dad, Inari, we have company!"

A few moments after Naruto had stepped inside Tazuna came into view, smiling like a fool, "Naruto, well, I'll be damned. What brings you here?"

Naruto shook his hand, and blinked a few times when he saw Inari attached to his waist, "Uh…well, got a mission from the hokage here, but I only took it so I could come visit, but mostly, it's to train for the chuunin exams that are coming up in a few weeks."

Tazuna showed Naruto to the living room, as Inari went up to bed, and Tsunami went to finish the rest of the dishes. Once both had sat down, Tazuna opened the conversation, "So, where's the rest of your team?"

Naruto snorted, "Well, the past few weeks, the team had been having problems, but this morning, we got in a big fight, and I quit the team. Shortly after, I went to see the hokage, and asked if I could come here to finish my training here, and he was able to let me if I did a mission here in the meantime."

Tazuna looked puzzled, "This morning? You couldn't have gotten here that fast."

"Oh," said Naruto, "I met this guy a few days ago, and he taught me how to summon this giant frog. I rode on top of his head to get here."

Tazuna blinked, but knew better than to think anything was impossible when it considered Naruto, "So, you quit the team, huh? You three looked good together last tie I saw you guys. What happened?"

"Well, Kakashi and I seem to be on pretty good terms, had lunch with him earlier. Sasuke and I are rivals, but it borders on friendship. Mainly, Sakura said some things to me that cut pretty deep and I blew up and quit."

Tazuna sighed, "That's bad, but things tend to happen when you are involved. They always work out. It's been a long day for you. Please, you would be welcome to stay here for the rest of your visit."

Naruto nodded, following Tazuna back up to the room where he had stayed last time. Once he got his stuff in, he remember something, "Oh, Tazuna. There's something you should know. Over then next few weeks, I'm going to be changing a lot in preparation to the exams. So, if I wake up with weird eyes, or taller, or something along those lines, don't mind it."

Tazuna nodded, "I'll make sure that Tsunami and Inari know it, too. Goodnight, Naruto."

"Goodnight."

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When Naruto woke up, he immediately went to the mirror. As far as he could see, nothing was different, with the exception of his skin being tanner than usual. However, when he felt his chakra reserves, he notices a great increase. Almost four times what he usually got from Kyuubi. He knew that this was just beginning, but he could not imagine having much more.

Looking through his clothes, he found a package. Knowing that it must be what Kakashi had added, he unwrapped it, and gasped when he saw what it was. Laid across his bed was the long jacket that his father used to wear all the time. Knowing that this one had been worn before, he figured that it was not just another copy. This was his father's! As he went to unfold it, he noticed that there was an undershirt, and a pair of pants that had the same design as the jacket. Lastly, there was a pair of shoes that went with the outfit.

After carefully refolding the clothes, Naruto went back to his pack and looked through the items inside. Everything inside was familiar, except for a large envelope next to the one that described his mission. Opening it, he found that inside was a very large amount of money, with a note that Kakashi wrote, telling him that this was just a small amount of his inheritance that could be used to make more clothes like his father's, or anything else he wanted.

Naruto threw on his regular clothes, then put the money in his pocket. Grabbing his father's clothes, he made his way towards the kitchen. Seeing only Tazuna, Naruto decided to ask him where a tailor was located. Getting the directions, Naruto began walking through the village. One odd thing he noticed was that he was being stared at, and not in the usual cold glances this times. If he didn't know better, he would have thought he was Sasuke.

Once he was almost at the tailors, Naruto found out why. Some twenty feet from the bridge, he saw a large sculpture of him and his old team, Looking at the plaque, he read out loud, "This piece is dedicated to Uzumaki Naruto and his team of leaf ninja, who fought with their lives on the line for the future of this village. He showed us courage, and showed us heroes do exist. It is in his honor that we came up with the name: The Great Naruto Bridge."

When Naruto finished reading, he blushed and quickly made his way to the tailor's shop. When he stepped inside, a young woman greeted him, "What can I do for you?"

Naruto smiled and placed the package on the counter, "I'd like three pairs of clothes exactly like this in each size, starting with the size I am now, then going up."

The young woman nodded, as she looked at the design of Naruto's clothes that were in the package, "That shouldn't be too hard. After I measure you, you'd be welcome to come back by this afternoon and pick up your order."

Naruto nodded and proceeded to get his measurements taken. Once done, Naruto left the store, looking around for places that might carry what he needed. Saving back enough money to pay for his clothes, Naruto figured that he had about a quarter of it to spend.

"What are we doing here, Kisame?"

The shark man looked over at his partner, Itatchi, with a deep hatred. What the Uchiha missing-nin didn't know, was that their organization, the Akatsuki, had found out that Itatchi was planning to let their target go. They did not know why, but they had figured that it was because the target lived in Konoha, Itatchi's old home.

"Doesn't matter. Now shut up, and keep following."

Itatchi frowned. He did NOT like being talked to this way. Facing the human shark, Itatchi switched on his sharingan. He had to smirk when Kisame made the mistake of looking Itatchi in there eyes. Once fixed, Itatchi had him. Once in the genjutsu, Itatchi pulled out his kunai, and quickly jammed it into Kisame's throat. Walking away, Itatchi smiled.

"Well, had to speed things up a bit. Now, what to do? I think I'll stay here for a couple days, then head on to Konoha. My target will be safe for that long."

Like an afterthought, he added to himself, "Plus, I heard they named a bridge after him in this town…"

Naruto stood at the cliff hat he had been to only weeks before, frozen by the memories held here. The incense rose from the graves as they burned, burning Naruto's sensitive nose. Though it stung, the fox boy didn't even notice it as he stared at the crosses.

Dropping to his knees, Naruto felt a tear roll down his cheek. It was true that Haku and Zabuza had tried to kill him, but in the last few minutes of their lives, the two mist ninjas were his friends. True friends who respected him. And he would be lying if he said that he didn't respect them.

Focusing on Haku's grave, Naruto sighed depressingly, "Haku, can you see me now? I desperately hope you can. I need your help, for I am lost. Those precious people who make me so strong and brave don't need me, nor want me. I acted as a fool, and abandoned them after a pathetic argument. How can I be brave and strong when things are not right between us? In your honor, I will continue to try to protect them. I promise I'll come tell you how things work out."

After saying a small prayer for him, Naruto found himself in front of Zabuza's grave, silent for he did not know what to say at first. Somehow, the words just came to him. A greeting at fist, then things came to him as he went along, "Hey. It's me, Naruto. You know, it's funny how things work out. All my life the only thing I have ever wanted was a true friend. I found that in you, but then you died minutes after. You jerk! That's not how friendship works! I know it's not your fault, but can it be just this time, Zabuza?

Tears came down Naruto's face, and he wiped them off, laughing softly as if it would trick his tears into thinking he was happy, "Remember right before you died, and it started to snow? Haku's tears, we called it. Haku cared so much that his sadness fell from the sky when you left this world. What of me? Will anyone care when I go, enough to even get a gentle breeze?"

Everything was silent for a moment before Naruto spoke again, "Guess we'll find out one day, won't we? I'm guessing you know why I'm here, though. I came to pick up what you gave me. I think I'm ready for it."

Flashback

As Kakashi laid Zabuza down next to Haku, the demon of the mist smile a little, "Thank you, Kakashi. Can you do me one last favor?"

The man with silver hair nodded, "Sure, what is it?"

"Call that boy over here so I may speak with him."

Kakashi didn't need to. Naruto was close enough to hear, and made his way to the dying ninja, "Yes, Zabuza?"

"Boy, when I was old enough, my father gave me that sword that I have. I was supposed to give it to my son, but I never had one. I want you to have it."

Naruto shook his head, "No, I couldn't possibly. It would dishonor you."

Zabuza lightly glared, "Enough. If you want to justify it, call it a trade for that kunai you gave to me."

The fox boy could only nod as he looked at the ground, "I'll leave it with you until I'm ready for it. Zabuza, I'll miss you."

"Same here, kid."

End Flashback

Saying farewell to Zabuza, Naruto stood. Not feeling himself stepping to the sword, Naruto could only feel his heart beating faster as his hand grasped the handle. Pulling a small amount of chakra into his arm, Naruto easily pulled the sword out of the ground.

Turning the large blade this way and that, Naruto looked at the sword's condition. He then noticed that it was flawless. Even where there should be dents and scratches, the fox boy noticed that it was unblemished, even after all this time. Once done, Naruto hefted it over his shoulder. With one final glace back to the graves, Naruto slowly turned and made his way back to the village.

"Wow! Totally cool!" Naruto exclaimed as he finished putting on a pair of his new clothes.

The girl, who was around fifteen, looked around nervously, "Please, Naruto-Sama! Be quieter, there are other people here in the store."

Naruto nodded, then pulled out his money to pay the girl. Taking over half, he laid it on the counter, "There's enough there. Whatever's left, you can keep. You did a great job."

The girl deeply blushed, "Thank you."

Naruto grabbed the large bag of clothes and left the tailor shop. Wondering where to go now, Naruto found the answer within his growling stomach, "Yeah, buddy, I hear that. How about we find ourselves a nice ramen stand!"

Finding one big enough to handle his stomach, Naruto sighed happily as he sat down, "Hey, get me ten bowls of ramen."

The old man sighed, "What is it with you people? First, he asks me for eight bowls, now you ask for ten. Anyway, coming right up."

Naruto looked confused as he turned towards the guy who asked for eight bowls. As he looked at the guy, his jaw dropped, "S-Sasuke? No, that's not right. Who are you?"

Itatchi looked at him in curiosity, "Uzumaki Naruto? What are you doing in Wave Country?"

Naruto ignored the ramen being sat down beside him, "Training for the chuunin exams. How do you know me?"

Itatchi smirked, "I've met you before. I was with my brother, Sasuke, at the time. I'm Uchiha Itatchi."

Naruto's eyes were as wide as saucers, "Itatchi? The guy Sasuke is wanting to kill? I don't believe it."

"How do you know my brother so well?"

Over the next hour, Naruto told Itatchi everything about himself since the day he graduated from the academy. Itatchi listened intently the whole time, taking breaks as him and Naruto ate another bowl ramen. Finally, after six bowls of ramen apiece, Naruto's tale was over after everything was told, even the sword that Itatchi was admiring, to Naruto's deal with Kyuubi.

Naruto looked over to Itatchi, "So, tell me why you left the village."

As Naruto pulled another bowl of pork ramen to him, Itatchi nodded, "You're the first person to hear the real story. It all started when…"

Flashback

Itatchi laughed at the dye in Shisui's hair, "Dummy, what happened to you?"

Shisui glared at his friend, "Don't act dumb, Itatchi. You're the only one who is mean enough to pull a prank on me."

Itatchi smirked, "But the purple goes good with your eyes."

"Shut up."

As the two walked to the clan's temple, they caught their fathers in a private conversation in the hidden meeting room that was under the mats. Hoping to catch something big that they could use as a prank, they stopped and listened intently.

Shisui's father spoke first, "But why did it have to be Sasuke?"

Shisui looked over to Itatchi, who could only shrug in confusion. Itatchi's father spoke next, "It had to be him. By the time I found him, Sasuke had just been born, or else I would have had it done to Itatchi."

"Does the kid know?"

Itatchi's father was silent, "You know the clan's rule. No one in our clan, except for our generation, can know. Not Itatchi. Not Shisui. Especially not Sasuke. He will grow up and, with our guidance, kill Uzumaki Naruto and the nine tails that's locked inside him. Hopefully, he can use it's energy without ever finding out he got the chakra from what we put in him."

Shisui's father spoke after a moment, "But Kyuubi is the king of the demons. Can it be defeated?"

"We put Hachimata in an Uchiha, who will gain sharingan. You heard the legends. Hachimata and Kyuubi were almost matched in strength. When Sasuke gains the sharingan, it will put him stronger than Uzumaki and Kyuubi. After the fox is dead, I will personally kill my son, ridding the earth of the two strongest threats."

Later, next to the river, Shisui looked over at Itatchi. Instead of being cheerful, Itatchi had a massive killer intent rolling off of him, "What are you going to do, Itatchi?"

"Who's Hachimata?"

Shisui was a major history expert, reading everything he could find. He sighed, "Hachimata. The eight-tailed demon, second only to Kyuubi, ruler of all in the demon world. Matched in every aspect, except Kyuubi's cunning intellect. In the form of a giant snake with eight heads."

Itatchi blew up, "THEY PUT A GIANT SNAKE IN MY LITTLE BROTHER!"

Shisui nodded, "It seems so. What will happen, Itatchi?"

Itatchi thought for a moment, "They sealed a demon in my little brother, want him to kill Uzumaki Naruto, and then plan to kill him. Of course, I'll slaughter all of our clan who knew about it."

"Are you completely serious about that?"

Itatchi nodded, "I can't kill them all, but I'll damn sure try."

Shisui nodded, "I know a way to kill them all, and leave you safe at the end. Who's your closest friend?"

"You are, duh."

Gathering his courage, Shisui nodded, "Kill me."

Itatchi frowned, "Idiot, be serious."

"I am. The Mangekyou Sharingan, ultimate level of the sharingan. Only one Uchiha has ever achieved it, our ancestor. The catch to it is that you have to kill your closest friend."

Itatchi gasped, "No. No way in hell. I won't kill you."

Shisui looked at his feet, "My father has shamed me with his involvement. If you won't kill me right now, I'll kill myself next chance I get. At least this way, you'll get what you need. I'll even write a suicide note so it will give you time to prepare. I only ask that you make sure your brother remains safe."

"Does it have to be this way, my friend?"

Shisui nodded, "There's no choice."

It took a week after Shisui's death for all the preparations to be made. In that time, whenever Itatchi saw an Uchiha, he sneered and started fights often. Even Sasuke caught some of his wrath, even though Itatchi didn't mean it. It had to be done if he was to make sure that they thought it was because he wanted more power. He said it after every fight or argument. It was a lie. All of this was for the wrong they made towards his brother, though Sasuke could never know that. The boy could never learn about Hachimata.

Finally, the night arrived when Itatchi started. Switching on his new Mangekyou Sharingan, the blood started to flow. In the streets, Uchiha bodies lay everywhere. There was a time during all of this that Itatchi had been spotted by Sasuke, and Itatchi had to act fast.

Within minutes, Itatchi was standing over his dead mother, and kneeling father, "You bastard! How dare you seal Hachimata in my little brother!"

The man looked up at his son, "It had to be done to kill Kyuubi. It will happen no matter what. By killing your mother and me, all it will accomplish is that Sasuke will be trained by another Uchiha to kill Uzumaki."

Itatchi smirked, "I'm afraid you're wrong. I've already killed them all. You're the last. Shisui gave me his life to let me gain the Mangekyou Sharingan. He offered, and I had no choice but to accept. With his final words, he asked that no Uchiha be left standing, except me and Sasuke."

"I see. However, Sasuke is smart. He'll find out eventually."

Their conversation was interrupted when Sasuke was banging on the door, yelling about what he saw. Itatchi's eyes widened, "Sasuke, don't come in!"

As the door slid open, Itatchi quickly killed his father, but Sasuke saw the blow. Frozen in shock, Sasuke glared, "Why?"

End Flashback

Laying his chopsticks beside his bowl, Itatchi sighed, "When Sasuke caught up to me, and asked why, I had to do something. Not wanting to tell him about Hachimata, I told him about being strong, and the secrets of the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"I fled the village immediately, and later was confronted by the Akatsuki. Seeing it as the best way to survive, I joined up. A few weeks ago, we were given a mission to capture the Kyuubi and return. I planned to save you and join back up with my brother when we got to Konoha, but things came too early. This morning, I quit the Akatsuki, and killed my partner, and here I am."

Naruto slowly nodded, "I'll go with you to Konoha in three weeks, if you can wait. What will happen once you're back?"

Itatchi shrugged, "Probably jail."

Naruto smirked, "I'm good with the Hokage now. I bet I can get you fully reinstated. However, you must do something for me in the meantime."

"What?"

Naruto grinned, "Teach me how to wield this sword."

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End Chapter. Continue with the reviews, and I'll continue with the updates.