Sorry this chapter took so long. With the beginning of school I have been hard pressed with time.
If you go to youtube and watch the video for the song Neighborhood #2 (Laika) you'll understand how it applies to Naruto. I thought it was a good fit because of the cruelty I have made Naruto endure in the past two chapters; as well as, the cruelty he has faced in his life. The Arcade Fire is a Canadian band from Montreal, Quebec. They are one of my favorite bands as well. Their music is very unique and inspired by their passions. I have yet to find another band that sounds even similar to them. Another bit about my obsession with music on with the story. This chapter will deal with Naruto trying to cope with kept memories. Where Kyuubi is taking him is a while away and while they are on there way there they come across a few elements that throw Naruto into greater depression. Who will save Naruto from his misery? I don't own Naruto a Japanese genius does. Thank you to Acaykath for Beta reading my story.
Chapter Three: Embraces and Memories
When the time is right and the night is bright
We will see the things we've come to find
I've been searching for just a little more
But the days girl just slip away
And the red sunset that we just met
I can see forever
Come and see the mind's eye
We can find it if we try
Come and see the mind's eye
Transfixed upon the why
Come and see the mind's eye
We can find it if we try
Mind's Eye, Wolfmother, Wolfmother.
It was wet, uncomfortable, and muggy as Naruto woke from his sleep. It was fairly dark out, mostly due to the rain clouds and it being dusk again.
Yesterday's events came rushing back to him as he looked around. It would be a terrible understatement to say Naruto was in a bad mood. Kyuubi said they were nocturnal and would only sleep, if ever, during the day. Naruto was upset and had no ambition to go any further when the sun rose. So there they were, in a very large tree, soaking wet in the rain, at the brink of nightfall.
He noticed he was still in fox form and stretched out his legs and tails. Yawning as he did such, the weak light glittered off his fangs. Looking around, he couldn't find his unwanted companion.
Where are you?Naruto thought, knowing that Kyuubi would hear him. When he took a breath of frustration from the lack of answer, a scent invaded his nose.
You need to learn how to use your senses better. See if you can sniff out where I am,Kyuubi's voiced hummed into his mind as he took to the instructions said fox told him.
The scent lead him to look down to see nothing, but forest floor. He jumped off the branch heading for the ground to follow the scent. Landing gracefully, he noticed that the scent simply stopped if he moved any further than a foot from where he stood. It felt like there was a small pulse in the air around him, but he just ignored it.
Being in a relatively bad mood and having no desire to do anything, Naruto just gave up. Releasing a set of barks and yips he was surprised he knew, Naruto said, "I give up. I don't know where you are. Can we just go? I'm sick of waiting here all wet."
Your nose cannot be fooled Naruto. I am surprised you didn't notice my little illusion,Kyuubi appeared right in front of Naruto with a slightly disappointed expression on his face. The small pulse in the air disappeared with Kyuubi's appearance.
It was mainly due to Naruto's bad mood that Kyuubi had an unhappy look; he had never known Naruto to be an unhappy person for long. The Naruto he knew and helped form would seize any opportunity he could and mold it to his advantage.
Naruto just huffed at Kyuubi and walked past him. I guess I was right. He is going to take his time,Kyuubi thought away from Naruto.
"So what now? You took me away from my home. Are we just gonna wander around?" Naruto asked, rudely sitting on his haunches, tails lashing out angrily facing away from Kyuubi.
He'll abuse his time,"We are going to hide for a few years," Kyuubi said after his mental musing.
"Why are we hiding?" Naruto asked in the same tone, "It is not as though anything can harm 'The Almighty Nine-Tailed Fox'," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He did not spare a glance at Kyuubi, he just kept staring out into the small, drenched, and dark meadow that was below the tree they had slept in. He did not feel that Kyuubi deserved his gaze.
"Just because I am powerful does not mean that I am arrogant and ostentatious with my power. And we are hiding so that the hype of your disappearance disappears as well," Kyuubi answered. His lack of irritation towards Naruto's disrespect irritated Naruto. "But first, we need to get a few things from the village near here," Kyuubi finished.
"What could you possibly need?" Naruto asked harshly.
"You'll see," Kyuubi answered, smirking.
"Can you stop being so damn vague about everything and just answer my question?" Naruto demanded, truly angered by Kyuubi's casual feel towards everything.
"It's in my nature to be unclear about things Naruto. Don't you know anything about foxes? You're going to start behaving the same way," Kyuubi said with a slight smirk on his face.
"Ughh. Your soooo…Grrrrr…never mind. Where is this village you're talking about?" Naruto huffed again with an unnerving growl. The grass below him charred from the heat he was emitting out of frustration and anger.
"Well, we can't go strolling in the way we are, so change and follow me," Kyuubi said as he burst into flames, only for them to die down a moment later revealing him in his most human form.
"We will put the scarves on when we get closer so we may wear them without issues for as long as possible. Cannot predict the unpredictable," Kyuubi spoke, turning around and heading in the opposite direction.
Naruto just grumbled to himself. Getting back on all fours he turned to follow Kyuubi. In a quick burst of flames, Naruto was back in his half demon form, emerging from the meadow to see Kyuubi petting a fox. Naruto leaned against the tree in an annoyed fashion and said, "Will you leave him alone. It's gonna be dark before we even get there."
Run along friend. The truth then the trick, Kyuubi thought mutually. After the fox bowed to Kyuubi and Naruto, he left. Kyuubi looked at Naruto who was about to ask him what he was thinking about. "It's just a saying among foxes," Kyuubi answered waving off suspicion. "Let's go."
Kyuubi started to walk in the direction of a part of the rain clouds that seemed to be lit up.
"I hate the rain," Naruto complained as he set off following Kyuubi.
Five minutes, one kilometer, and a rain-like downpour of Naruto's complaining later, the scarves were on. Kyuubi adorned the same black clothing under his cloak that Naruto remembered from his dream. Minus the Kyuubi title on the back again to ward off suspicion.
People could be seen running with umbrellas through the village's gates and hiding under objects for protection from the rain. The walls were certainly not as impressive in size as Konoha's great walls, but the reminder hit Naruto regardless.
Naruto's looming depression was interrupted by Kyuubi. Now this village may not be as large as Konoha, but they have some very capable shinobi. It is vital that we are not found out. If we are an unpleasant task will present itself. So, mask your chakra so I don't have to anymore, Kyuubi thought, then sent Naruto the knowledge of how to do so.
Naruto was curious about what Kyuubi had meant by the last bit, but just brushed it off. He waved in his chakra like he was trying to tame a sea, vast and raging, but this sea belonged to him and it followed his command.
They emerged from the dark, damp foliage cloaked in red and black. The guards at the front gate asked what they were planning to do in the city. It was the usual protocol for a shinobi village. Kyuubi took it as an opportunity to quickly whip up a lie.
"State your business!" the gate guard demanded.
"My brother and I are just here to spend a night out of the rain," Kyuubi answered, removing his hood and gesturing in his mind for Naruto to do the same. The resemblance between the two certainly was convincing.
"Names and country of birth," the guard demanded. He seemed irritated by his job, making it all the more easy to gain access.
"My name is Inari Kitsu and this is my brother Riyuu Kitsu; we are both from Fire Country," Kyuubi lied. Naruto felt a mild twinge from the word 'brother', but brushed it off. He was more shocked at how well the lie flowed from Kyuubi. It encouraged him to contradict his already dwindling trust in the fox.
The guard's partner had been checking them over for any non-civilian-like chakra signature. He did not find anything odd about the two so he nodded his approval to the more social, albeit more angry of the two.
"One last question. Why are you wearing ninja attire? Civilians are not granted access to Ninja equipment in any village," the guard asked speculatively.
Naruto thought Kyuubi's melody of lies was about ready to sound out of tune. "Before we set out on our journey, we were given these by our cousin. Her name is Hinai Kitsu and she is a genin ninja of the Leaf Village. She wanted us to be able to protect ourselves from the elements and her gifts have done a great job." The delivery flowed like the water in the eaves troughs.
The guards were convinced. "Very well. Might we suggest you take to staying at the Marble Water Inn? Seeing as how this is a time of year where we have many tourists who come to escape from the colder weather in Lightning country. It is a very costly place, but due to its expense, you will not have to deal with many tourists," the guard suggested.
"No worries about the money. Thank you for the recommendation," Kyuubi said as they were given a pass, and a map to lead them to the hotel.
The walk was uneventful and silent. Naruto was constantly reminded of Konoha as he looked around. It was clear that this village had been inspired by Konoha's architecture and cultural style. The overall layout of the city was similar and it was a constant weight on Naruto's already withering support for composure.
Before Naruto knew it and to his relief, they arrived in front of the hotel. It was in a wealthier part of the city. If the way people were dressed was not a clear indication, then the variety of expensive foreign vehicles that lined the side of the street certainly was. The fact that there were automobiles at all spoke highly of the place, for such a luxury was rare and had few roads to travel on.
The hotel itself was very tall. Craning his neck to look up, Naruto noticed that the ever darkening sky was now black and the top of the building was obscured by the rain and low hanging clouds.
Entering the hotel gave someone a feeling of confidence and importance, as if they were superior to others just because they were in such a place. This arrogance was what distracted Naruto from his depression, if only a little. The beautiful stones and calm Zen feel to the main lobby were soothing. The smell of the building as it was inhaled by their excessively sensitive noses alone was rich and soothing. Kyuubi had to agree. The materials were of the finest grade and everything was arranged in an open way. Soothing music played around the calm lobby populated by the few evening dwellers that were staying at the hotel. Water trickled, in a harmonious melody with the music, from a wall of stone that was a gentle waterfall.
Kyuubi led him to the front desk. I'll spoil him. While he is distracted with this place and what's going to happen when I leave, I shall go do what we came here to accomplish. He should not be hungry for another few days.Kyuubi thought.
"Hello and welcome to the Marble Water Inn. How may I help you this evening?" a kind and attractive young woman asked from behind the elegant-looking front desk.
"I would like one of your finest suites please. Money is no object here. My brother and I have come a long way and would very much like to indulge." Kyuubi held true to his little lie, as he made the arrangements for their room.
Naruto was never one to desire the finer things out there. This hotel was something he would have never even dreamed of entering. He was always asked to leave the nicer places in Konoha. With the memories of his home he was thrown back in to sadness. He felt guilty for being in such a place; he felt he did not deserve to be there. Konoha's fox bane having the opportunity to indulge in an extremely luxurious hotel — It didn't seem right to him.
Kyuubi again took Naruto from his thoughts. Let's go."Come on Riyuu. I got us a very big suite."
They were led to a hallway of elevators, two on each side of the hall. The wall opposite to where they entered was all glass, giving a pleasant view of a rock garden court yard. It was gently lit by well-placed and hidden lights that emphasized various statues.
In a way, it reminded Naruto of the Hokage monument being lit up at night, and then who his father was. How could he do that to me? I was his son and he cursed me to a life of grief. I don't even know how I even feel about him. I want to hate him for what he did to me, but he's my father and was my hero,Naruto thought as he entered the elevator, which had a glass wall similar to the hall they were previously in.
They were given a card by the receptionist after she swiped it over a stainless steel box that scanned the card. Before she left she told them how to use the card. "This card will automatically take you to your floor. You may also use it to access other facilities in the hotel. Have a good evening and enjoy your stay at the Marble Water Inn."
A magnificent view of the city, blurred by the rain and muffled by the darkness, grew as they ascended to their designated floor.
Your father wanted you to be seen as a hero Naruto. He never meant for the village to treat you so vilely,Kyuubi interrupted Naruto's dark pondering.
The rest of the ride up was uneventful. Naruto did not want to talk to Kyuubi. The only thing that would achieve in his mind would be more confusion and anger. He was too mentally drained to engage in such emotions.
They were alerted that they had arrived on their floor by an automated voice. "You have arrived on the twenty-second floor. Your room is suite 2200: The Cascading Gaze Suite. Enjoy your stay at the Marble Water Inn."
"You got us a suite. How are you able you afford that? You have no human money," Naruto asked, surprised he was speaking a little more elegantly than usual. The elevator doors opened.
"I told you, not a minute ago, I got us a suite. And see, I told you that you would begin to behave like me. Do not worry; your personality is you own and always will be," Kyuubi stated the reassurance, as he heard Naruto's reaction echo through his head, the statement about his lack of money ignored.
"Whatever. Let's just go in. Why you spent money on a room when we aren't even going to sleep is beyond me," Naruto said, walking out of the elevator. "Where is the room?" Naruto questioned. The hallway had no doors. It just curved around a wall that had a calmly lit painting hung on it.
"The floor is the room, Naruto. I got the best suite they had. Were you not paying attention when I was making the arrangements?" Kyuubi teased, knowing full well that Naruto had been distracted, "and, in regards to the money… Well, my age should answer that for you. It's only natural that wealth would accumulate over time."
He walked past Naruto and around the left side of the wall casually.
Naruto was a little shocked. Why would he spend so much money?he thought as he followed Kyuubi. What he saw when he arrived around the wall was beyond anything he could have imagined as luxury.
There was a main sitting room with windows viewing the dark, wet city. The seating area was lowered in the floor to allow a good view through the windows from anywhere in the room. Modern furniture with crisp lines and fine art decorated the room. Calm music was echoing seamlessly off the walls. Balancing colors, soothing stones and calm lighting finished the room.
"I think you deserve this, Naruto," Kyuubi said, observing the room.
He then turned to Naruto with an indifferent look. "And I… Well I would not settle for anything less, unless the mood strikes me. Getting back to nature is a way of cleansing the soul, which needs to be done as a fox, but the reason for today was to avoid suspicion and that is our main goal. Another reason for the treatment is this is going to be a troublesome night for you. Now that the cat is out of the bag, so are its possessions… or should I say fox and tricks," Kyuubi pondered with a clawed finger tapping his chin.
"Well, aren't you the pampered one? And, what do you mean by possessions or tricks or whatever?" Naruto asked, anger gently lacing his voice.
Kyuubi went and sat down on one of the comfortable looking couches after removing his scarf. He took on a more serious look to avoid upsetting Naruto. "There were a few things that happened to you when you were a child that would not be conducive to keeping a child sane while growing up, so… I took the memories from you." Kyuubi could feel the temper rising in Naruto. "You will understand why, Naruto. Do not get angry."
"I don'ULL!" Naruto, carefully put one of his clawed fingers in his mouth to feel his tongue with a mildly shocked look on his face. With eyebrows high and eyes wide he pulled it out. There was a bit of blood mixed with saliva where he touched. The wound on his tongue steamed shut a moment later. The blood still tasted profoundly good, but to Naruto's relief, he remained in his right mind. "How you talk so well with these damned fangs is beyond me. And, as I was saying, I do not understand even a quarter of what you do. Why should I not get angry when you have taken things from me without my permission? Hmph? How you did is probably another question you will evade answering." It was spoken with the predictable glare.
Kyuubi stifled a laugh. Wow…that was…cute."Naruto, as I said, you will understand why I took them and how I took them is oddly simple. I asked you to give them to me and you did. You were albeit ignorant of the transaction. In return I would heal a wound or something to keep the balance. Not that I would not have healed them anyway, it is just that being sealed in you did not give me much to repay you with, and part of keeping you naïve was to make you think things were fair."
"How could you ask me for memories without me having any recollection of it?" Again, he was mildly shocked at his elegant phrasing.
"Naruto, whenever you had a quandary, like back with Sasuke, you would appear before my cage. Why you did, I still do not understand, but it happened and happened far too often. Your figure would mumble your problems and I would hear them. I could ask you to do anything and you would be to deep in thought to object to anything I said as long as you were compensated." Kyuubi gestured for Naruto to sit.
Naruto refused, even though he wanted to. The idea that Kyuubi could make him do something without his judgement and opinion in the matter was the main element that prevented him from sitting. He was not one to desire manipulation and did not want Kyuubi to think he could use him.
"For example if you failed a test and you were upset, your doppelgänger would appear. I would hear how important this test was to you and I would ask you to give me the memory so you weren't upset anymore." Kyuubi continued to urge Naruto to sit.
Again, Naruto refused so Kyuubi just continued, "It was as simple as that. Though in the cases where I took a memory, it was much more serious. There were about eight times I did this." Kyuubi's face took on a slightly mournful expression. "One though… One was much more devastating than the rest and will overshadow the others. It was the first one so, in all likelihood, it will be the first you remember. So, there will really only be one great shock." Kyuubi was rather hesitant about this which unnerved Naruto.
"When is this going to start?" Naruto asked, feeling a little nervous.
"Most likely after I leave. I have to go acquire a few things and find out when we can travel to our destination with the least possible threat of exposure. I'm not going anywhere for another few hours, so you don't have to worry until then." He just had the casual, calm expression that Naruto was finding to be the usual from Kyuubi when he, himself, was going through something upsetting. Though, to see Kyuubi back to normal mildly relieved Naruto.
"Why do you keep informing me of things last minute and what does your relation to where I am have anything to do with my memories returning?" Naruto asked, still standing with his arms crossed and a mixture of expressions on his face.
"You had absolutely no desire to talk to me last night, therefore I remained quiet. I have been with you since the day you were born, Naruto. Bound. Caged. Irrevocably linked. It would only be natural for there to be some side-effects from separation. I am going to take a bath and relax while I wait. You're free to join me, or you could go swimming; there is an infinity pool on the balcony overlooking the city and the rain is clearing up." Getting off the couch and heading into the room that appeared to be a bedroom, Kyuubi told Naruto to remove his scarf.
Did he just ask me to join him in a bath? Naruto thought, confused as he removed his scarf.
"I just thought you would like to get cleaned up. If I were you, I would swim nude. It will not feel right if you do not. Again, instincts," the fox deity suggested, rolling his eyes slightly, "Enjoy the room," Kyuubi said, blithely walking into the bedroom that the bathroom was surely connected to.
Naruto took to the latter suggestion and went for a swim. He ignored what Kyuubi had told him about swimming nude at first, but found it to be very uncomfortable so he swam nude.
It was soothing on his tails and he enjoyed the gentle ribbons of water that flowed over them as he swam. He found swimming underwater to be much more desirable though. Even though he had to flatten his ears to prevent water from entering them, he could hear music playing from hidden speakers in the water. His red slit eyes were not harmed by the gently salted water, so he could observe the peaceful, empty place.
The rain had subsided and he could see the city clearer now. Looking over the edge of the pool, his tails swishing gently behind him and his ears perked up listening to the many different sounds of the city, Naruto floated in thought.
I am leaving now. Let me know if you need anything by flashing the lights. You can see this hotel from anywhere in the city and it would take chakra to use our mind link from a distance, Kyuubi informed Naruto.
How long are you going to be?Naruto asked rather calmly.
He is warming up to me already,Kyuubi thought to himself, I'll be back before the sun comes up, okay?And don't worry, I am not going to be where people can see me when I have to remove my scarf.Making sure to explain any future concerns Naruto might have, Kyuubi entered the elevator.
Good bye.
After another hour of sitting in the pool Naruto was starting to get very nervous. The realization that there were some holes in his memory scared him and, furthermore, it was enough to make the composed and casual Kyuubi nervous. He did not succeed however and only added to his depression.
Memories flooded his mind as he tried to remember what he had missed, but all he got were verbal insults and awkward situations.
A woman walked up to him with her son huddled shyly behind her. His mood lightened a little bit thinking that he could make a new friend. He held out his hand to shake hands politely like old-man Hokage told him to do when greeting someone. He closed his eyes and put a smile on his face as the mother approached.
The next thing he knew, he was on the ground and covered in wet sand with a hurting cheek. "You…you killed my h-husband you little monster," the woman whispered, sobbing,"You are the ugly bane of this village. You foul little swine. Just roll over and die. No one cares a—
"Whewww." Naruto let out a sobbed huff as he remembered the day when he first realized that no one cared about him. A tear slid from his right eye, the ever clearing city lights visible through its warped reflection.
My own father caused that.
Wanting to distract himself from depressing thoughts he swam his way back over to the pool stairs, embracing the water's flow over his body. After entering the room, not even thinking of being modest with some clothing, he went to take a shower.
The glass door and marble stone soothed Naruto enough to finally relax in the shower without thinking of his past. Sitting on the stone ledge, he unconsciously stroked his tails. He found the fur to be soft and free of any knots or tangles. He was not quite sure what to make of himself embracing his fox side, but he just let the hot water beat down on him, washing away the contemplations.
He was stroking the last of his nine, beautiful, silken tails when his mind went blank.
It was his fourth birthday and he was in his current apartment from what the smell told him. He could not see because there was a blind fold over his eyes. Someone was singing happy birthday to him in a voice he found familiar.
"Happy Birthday dear Narutooo. Happy birthday to you. Now, take of your blind fold and look at what I got you for your birthday. I think you're gonna like it," The familiar voice said.
He lifted his arms up and removed the blind fold.
Naruto's eyes dilated beyond comprehension; his body stilled in the shower.
Deep, rose-red, naturallyspiky hair; deep blue eyes with a genuine, warm feel emanating from them; narrow familiar face. Naruto knew the boy and knew him to be ten years his senior.
His still figure, sitting in the shower, sobbingly whispered, "Ichirou… Brother."
Naruto's attention was drawn to the present on the table in front of them. He tore into the brown paper bag and removed its contents. His brother smiled at him when he realized what it was.
"See, I told you you would like it." It was some ramen cup underwear and a beginner's guide to chakra control. Ichirou was everything Naruto aspired to be. He was one of village's most talented ninjas, respected, popular and shockingly young as well.
Just then, the door bell rang and Ichirou left to answer it saying he would be right back. Naruto's younger self took this opportunity to look around the room for a place to hide the book, in case someone broke in again and stole things. Ichirou came back with someone Naruto instantly recognized.
"Itachi!" His still figure almost growled, still in the shower.
"Good evening, Naruto.Happy fourth birthday," Itachi said formally with a gentle smile. He took his hands out of the black cloak that he was wearing, holding a small present of his own. "I got this for you, with the help of your brother of course."
Naruto beamed at the gift and, after it was handed to him, he tore it open. It was a strange kunai with three tines. "That was used by the Fourth Hokage, Naruto, I hope you like it," Itachi said politely.
Someone knocked on the door instead of using the door bell. Ichirou turned to Itachi and they both nodded at the same time. Naruto was still gawking at the kunai. "Naruto, would you like to go look at the city from the top of the Hokage Monument?" Itachi asked, successfully dragging Naruto's attention away from the kunai as Ichirou went to answer the door.
"Really!? Can we go now?" Naruto asked, his eyes shining with excitement. From how loud the banging was getting on the door, it was apparent that Ichirou had yet to answer the door.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Itachi said, gesturing for Naruto to hop on his back.
"Wait! What about big brother?" Naruto asked after he got on Itachi's back.
"Ichirou will catch up with us. Do not worry," Itachi said as he opened the window above where Naruto and Ichirou slept.
Leaping out of the window, Itachi and Naruto were suddenly blasted to the ground. Itachi managed to redirect most of the blast back at the attacker and still held Naruto as he, a little roughly, landed on the ground.
In the shower, Naruto had a painfully confused expression written across his face. Why was he defending me?Tears of blood fell from his tapered eyes, returning them to their stunning blue.
Itachi remained composed as the attacker emerged from the smoke and headed directly for Naruto who was still on his back. Before the attacker even made a quarter of the journey to them, he had a katana protruding from his chest. Behind the now identified tiger ANBU was Ichirou holding the sword with one hand, anger evident in his eyes.
The ANBU took staggered breaths as he angrily whispered to Ichirou, "You and that disgusting thing are the cancer of this village. I hope you die tonight 'cause I'm not the only one com–" Ichirou whipped the katana downwards, cutting the man partially in half. Gurgled noises were heard as the corpse fell to the ground. The legs spread apart when it landed, and the freshly made incision made them spread even farther. The sight was beyond gruesome.
Naruto went into a state of shock from the gore. A single drop of blood had drifted through the air onto Naruto's face. Itachi quickly covered his eyes and hid the sight. Naruto felt a little prick on the back of his neck and fell asleep.
His eyes groggily opened to a blindingly white room. Once everything was in focus, he could not help but to jump at the ANBU standing in the corner. With mild knowledge of what ANBU were capable of and what happened last night with his brother and Itachi, Naruto's adrenaline kicked in. A hazy red aura surrounded him and he dashed out the hospital door before the ANBU could even react.
He had no idea where he was when he found his way out of the hospital. Some natural instinct was guiding him to the Hokage tower. People were glaring at him as he ran. He did not understand why they were angry with him. His brother was not around, so the people had no reason to be angry with him. His brother told him people were envious of his skill and did not like him having the ability to out match them.
The front of the Hokage tower came into sight and he dashed for the entrance, the red aura pushing him faster and faster to get to the old man for help.
Dashing past the angry secretary and up the stairs, Naruto made it to the old-man's office. He opened the door to a room full of ANBU and his brother in front of the desk talking to old-man Hokage.
Naruto's heart stopped. "Ichirou Uzumaki, you are herby sentenced to death for treason." Ichirou did not argue, did not complain.He stood there shocked. When he turned to leave with the ANBU restraining him, he looked into the doorway and his heart dropped. Naruto's eyes were so angry and confused that they radiated power and destruction. Red was all that was seen by Ichirou.
A blood curdling roar came from the boy along with a pulse of chakra beyond comprehension. The windows shattered and the occupants of the room were thrust back by the immense power. The Hokage looked at Naruto as ANBU were thrown past him.
Debris was flying everywhere and walls were imploding.
He was going to kill the man for warranting his brother's death. The only noise was the powerful, buffeting winds being tossed around the room. Then, Naruto's mind went blank and instinct took over.
The last thing Naruto saw was Ichirou's face in a sad expression, his body wracked with wounds behind the Hokage who was breathing heavily with a hand over his navel. "That was just instinct?" Sarutobi said, shocked. Then Naruto's mind went blank again.
"I… I killed him." Naruto whispered as his hair turned a golden blond color, tails doing the same. The water seemed to wash away the red as though it were blood covering Naruto's tails and hair. The ribbons of red flowed towards the drain in a winding manner, reminding Naruto of a flowing river.
He could not take it: Sasuke's betrayal, Chouji's death, learning his heritage, becoming a demon, leaving his home, and knowing that he killed the last of his family. He passed out, beyond mentally exhausted.
Kyuubi walked into the bathroom and gazed at Naruto's wet form in the shower for a moment, his body naturally curling into a ball with his tails wrapping around him. He is not going to be too happy about embracing his history,Kyuubi thought as he saw the tears flow from Naruto's closed eyes.
Entering the shower and turning off the water, Kyuubi picked up Naruto's sleeping body. The boy's tails grabbed onto Kyuubi and held him close. He entered the bedroom after drying Naruto off, who was practically hugging him and laid the boy down on the bed.
Again with the grip,Kyuubi sighed. Kyuubi contemplated what he should do. Since the boy would not let go, he lay down next to the boy who was crying in his sleep and hugged him back.
He embraced me and his history.
Memories came rushing back to him and he remembered everything that Kyuubi spoke of. His heart tightened.
The first was with his brother and what had happened with him. He quickly moved on to the next memory, hoping to keep the pain away.
The second was his brother's existence being wiped clean from his mind. He had been asking where Ichirou had gone and began falling into depression.
The third was the following birthday when Itachi gave him a gift and his mind began remembering what had happened the previous year. So, Itachi was cleansed out of his memory.
The fourth was the next birthday. He had gone to join the festival of Kyuubi's fall and was attacked by drunk ninja. Itachi had come and protected him, even though he had no idea who Itachi was. He fell into a state of shock from the gore that was displayed before him.
The fifth was when he had started at the academy and, in his instinctual form, killed a teacher who was trying to rape him.
The sixth was when he was eight and he had gone to see Itachi to ask him about what happened on his birthday. He caught Itachi killing his best friend, Shisui Uchiha, and happened to get caught in Itachi's Tsukuyomi after he had obtained his Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi, being new to the power, had no control of what he was doing in his mind. Every thought that appeared in his mind would do something to Naruto. It was beyond any torture imaginable and, after it happened, Naruto's mind was cleared of the event and Itachi once again.
The seventh was on his ninth-birthday. He was avoiding everyone by staying in his apartment as he had learned to do over the years. He fell asleep when nightfall came, but was abruptly woken when something came crashing through his window. It was the corpse of a fox, and written in cuts on the side of it were the words 'Die with your filth, Kyuubi'.
Last, and certainly not least, was when he had turned ten. That night, a strange man cloaked in black showed up on his doorstep and asked to come in. He tried to convince Naruto that his life in Konoha was horrible, which was not a far stretch from the truth. He asked Naruto to leave the village with him and told Naruto the truth about the Kyuubi. Naruto went into his instinctual mode and attacked the man who soon vanished.
Naruto sat in his mind, letting it all out. The sewer was becoming cleaner and less flooded the more he cried. He was beginning to understand his life now; why it was him and what had been done, who his friends were and who his enemies were.
His life was finally clear and in his vision and he was able to understand what his role was. He was going to end Orichimaru and return Sasuke. He was going to find out what happened to his brother after he had killed him and he was going to eradicate Madara Uchiha to avenge his family, friends, and himself. That was his resolve.
It was a cloudy morning and the sky was a light grey. The suite they were in was even more beautiful in the colorless light. Naruto woke from his sleep feeling warm and safe. He had never felt so content and relaxed in his life. It was a feeling of pure serenity and calm. He didn't want it to end. His stomach disagreed though, so he grudgingly began to fully wake.
He opened his eyes to see a sleeping Kyuubi holding him in a caring embrace. He was confused about this, then noticed he was hugging Kyuubi back. Their tails were woven with each other intimately which caused Naruto to blush.
Noticing he was nude, he jumped out of the bed, trying not to disturb Kyuubi. He remembered where he had thrown his clothing and quickly went to change. It seemed right to him, for some reason, to be so close to Kyuubi. They seemed to resonate well, like first and last strings on a guitar. He got changed and decided to get some breakfast since his stomach was constantly complaining.
Once he was fully dressed, he checked on Kyuubi who was still asleep and headed for the elevator. He almost forgot to put his scarf on and bring their card key. Stepping into the elevator caused him to look more closely at the village they were in for a moment. The clouds cast a calming light over the village and made him feel content.
He looked at the floor directory and saw that the breakfast restaurant was on the fourth floor, the number reminding him of his father. He swiped the card and the automated voice asked which floor he would like. "Four please."
"Floor number four: The Water Cafe," the voice said as the doors closed.
During the descent, Naruto felt rather nervous like he was forgetting something. He brushed it off as his stomach growled and he arrived on his designated floor. He stepped out and walked up to a receptionist desk, seeing nothing else. The floor seemed as beautiful as the rest of the hotel, incorporating darker stones and dulled colors. "How may I help you this morning?" the young man asked from behind the high desk.
"Uhh…" not used to such formalities, Naruto bluntly stated, "I'm kinda new to this whole restaurant thing. I've always usually eaten at home. I'm really hungry and just want to eat."
"Well, is it just you this morning or is someone joining you? And, what room are you staying in?" The man asked, politely smiling at Naruto.
"No, my uhh… brother is still sleeping in our room. So it's just me, and I think it was 22…2200."
The man blinked. "You must be very wealthy to be staying in that room. It's almost never used because of its expense. If you'll follow me, I'll seat you."
"Uhh, well my brother has a fair amount of money, so we get by." Naruto bashfully said as he was directed to a table next to a window. He sat down facing outside and was handed a menu. He thanked the man and started to look at his breakfast options.
In the history of humanity, it has always been terrifying just how rapidly chaos can break loose. So, when Naruto was innocently observing his menu and a family walked by, it was this simple combination of elements that lead to utter chaos.
Naruto was eyeing the steak when his scarf was yanked from around his neck. The five year old child, who'd innocently thought that it was a toy, was startled when it burst into flames. The child's screaming was what attracted most of the attention to Naruto. A waiter who was carrying a tray of used dishes was also startled by the burst of flames and dropped the dirty china. A stray knife flew after bouncing from the impact and cut the waiter's wrist.
All eyes were on Naruto's new traits and Naruto's oceanic eyes were on the slit white fabric that was quickly turning red. In the blink of an eye, the waiter's hand was torn off as Naruto tore through his flesh.
The man yelled and tried to yank his hand away, but was soon tied down by Naruto's tails. He passed out as the parents of the innocent toddler grabbed the little boy and ran. Other occupants of the restaurant began rushing out, screaming as Naruto feasted.
Before Naruto could drink anymore of the delectable elixir, he was grabbed by strong arms. They had to be inhuman to have the strength to be able to pull him away from his food. A slit wrist was shoved in his face and he eyed the blood with excitement. The blood flowing from this being was ten times as amazing as his former meal's, so he eagerly drank. After he was satisfied, he let go of the wrist and came to.
He turned to see a confused, and mildly angry looking, Kyuubi. Then, he realized what he had just done. "I guess I was wrong for once. You were hungry," Kyuubi almost smirked, "Do you remember that task I told you about, the one we would have to commit too if we were discovered?"
Naruto nodded remembering him mention it, but having no idea what the task would be. The room quickly filled with shinobi. "Well, we now have to destroy this village." Kyuubi stated.
