--
The song used in this chapter is called 'Never Too Late' by Three Days Grace.
This might as well be a pre-warning. Naruto and Team 7 (without any Jounin) go on a mission to track down a scroll belonging to Kirigakure. Jounin from Otogakure had taken the scroll, and Kirigakure was now aided with Konoha; Konoha was asked to go on the mission. Naruto ends up having an overload, and the Kyuubi can't control the amount of chakra and pressure it releases. Naruto almost, almost kills himself.
Keyword: Almost.
--
◦◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦˚¤ Fourteen ¤˚◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦◦
He sat on his bed, staring, once again, at his ceiling. The morning's events rang over his head, giving him a headache. Yet he was curious, as to why someone like him would kiss someone, let alone a boy. Sasuke's definitely lost it. He'd never kiss someone, even me. I'll ask him next time we see each other. No, but if he asks me for an answer to why the Kyuubi came, I can't answer him. I can't give them answers yet. I don't have any.
He lied down on his bed, closing his eyes. Almost instantly, a shout ensued through his door. He sat up, taking a sharp breath. I need to get this place sound proofed. Who the hell would interrupt me? He stood up, and walked to his door, about to open it. The door knob is lying on the ground. He kicked the door, causing it to swing back and nearly hit him. He found himself facing Sasuke and Iruka. Why are they here, right now? I need some rest after all that just happened.
Iruka smiled at him, almost softly. "We've been told to go on a mission", he said, still smiling, "Well, you two are going on it. I'm being asked to go on a mission alone". Naruto stared, dumbfounded. A mission… without our sensei? H-how are we going to win? It'll be a repeat of the exams! "It's not too difficult. Some sound Nin have taken a scroll from Kirigakure, we just need you to take it back", Iruka spoke, "Only five shinobi were seen". "Only five? That's more then all of us already", Naruto growled, his voice suddenly low, "I can barely take on two people, Sakura-chan hasn't healed, and Sasuke's in the same situation with his curse mark"! "It doesn't matter, at all, Naruto. You need to learn to control it, and we'll all be okay", Iruka spoke, emphasizing it. He must mean you, Kyuubi. Hah, as if I need to learn to control you. I have you wrapped around my finger, kid. I could make you kill all of those ninja in a snap. I'm doing this alone, unless its too much, understand?
Iruka stared, concerned, at Naruto. If he really can talk to the Nine Tailed Fox, he's probably communicating with it right now. It doesn't matter, though. The Naruto I trained can handle anything, and a fox is nothing too hard for him. I know he won't succumb to it.
This world will never be what I expected
And if I don't belong who would have guessed it?
I will not leave alone everything that I own.
To make you feel like it's not too late, its never too late.
--
Naruto watched as Sasuke sat on his couch (or what it used to be). Naruto was supposed to pack a pair of clothes and anything else necessary for this mission (Iruka pointed out that ramen doesn't count as necessary). His dresser was in the front room, because his bedroom was too small to fit anything except his bed. He quickly searched through the drawers, looking for something he could wear now, and later on. His orange jumpsuit was dirty, and he still had this feeling orange didn't suit a ninja. Eventually, he found some clothes he hadn't bought. With a sigh, he turned around to look at Sasuke. "I'm going to change", he said, before turning to walk into his bathroom.
Instantly, a pair of arms wrapped around him, holding him still. A blush crept up his small figure, as he seemed to find time stilling. "I have clothes for you, Naruto. Put those for later… these would help us more", Sasuke's deep voice spoke. Naruto blushed lightly, and croaked out a small yes. Instantly, Sasuke let go of him, and Naruto turned around. The raven haired male was holding out a blue and black outfit, and he seemed sincere. He's being honest, kid. I smell it in him. Why would he want me to wear anything he chose? Don't ask me. I'm just the evil fox. You're not much help aside of battles and trickery. Do the words evil and fox point anything to you? Leave me alone. Not for long.
Even if I say it'll be alright
Still I hear you say you want to end your life.
Now and again we try to just stay alive.
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'cuz its not too late, its never too late
Sasuke stood patiently outside the bathroom, a smirk on his delicate face. He agreed to wear it without hassle, that's good. Now to see if he looks as kawaii in it as I had imagined. I can just imagine the yummy expression on his face. Instantly, the bathroom door opened. Naruto walked out, his blue eyes fixed on Sasuke. Just as Sasuke had expected, blue and black suited Naruto just as much as it did himself. The blue obi top revealed his surprisingly fine chest, something most men would be jealous as hell over. The black obi pants suited the blue, and also gave Sasuke a slight boost of his own imagination.
He does look beautiful in colors like mine. If only I'd added the Uchiha symbol to it.
--
The two began walking down a lean path, headed towards their designated location. They were to first stop at Kirigakure. There, they could resupply and easily catch some rest. Sasuke had reminded Naruto that Inari and his parents lived there, and might even let them stay there for the night. Naruto seemed to stare at a tree, before responding to him with an affirmative. Why is he always thinking so slowly? He let out a soft sigh, and began walking once more. Once more, he found Naruto doing something out of character. The blonde boy hadn't said a single word.
I don't like it when he's so separated from me. If I could anger him, he might shout at me and act like himself.
"Sasuke… I see enemies!"
He turned sharply, to find four enemies surrounding him. Four Oto ANBU.
--
Naruto's breathing rate increased. I'm going to need your help, Kyuubi. They do look dangerous. Four ANBU can be rather tough for two genin. He instantly felt a hand clasp his shoulder and he turned sharply. Sasuke was looking at the ANBU, though Naruto could clearly see the look of courage in the brunette's eyes. That must have been how I looked before. I don't even look like that anymore… I can't. I need to be feared… as the thing I really am. It's never too late to turn back, you can always ignore me. No… I can't do that. I chose a new path. As long as they fear me they won't hurt me. I'm proud of you. You're being more like me by the moment. I-I… am… I-I'm turning into you…
Sasuke instantly leapt forward, seeing as how Naruto seemed to be thinking. Stupid dobe, do something. He raised his right hand, using a Great Fireball Jutsu. The ANBU it was aimed at dodged almost instantly, as the other three struck Sasuke in the stomach. They were too quick. Th-the sound waves they create are… are tearing my ears apart! He jumped back, landing on his knees, and clutching his head painfully. This must be how Shikamaru felt when those sound waves hit him. It's pitiful… very pitiful.
Instantly, a large burst of chakra surrounded him and everything. It took most of his chakra to stop it from hurting him. More of that mysterious chakra Naruto had used before… then, Naruto's like that again. He found Naruto jumping before him, his stance, once more, like an animal. The red chakra was surrounding him like a ghostly silhouette. Fear rushed through Sasuke, but he couldn't move.
The one we'll ever see beside reflected
And if there's something wrong who would have guessed it?
And I have left alone everything that I own.
To make you feel like it's not too late, it's never too late.
--
When Naruto let the thoughts of evil, and darkness take over his being, an instant pain hit him. He couldn't question it himself, because the sense of power he normally felt took over him. He felt the Kyuubi's chakra push his own aside, as if that chakra was just a second source. Naruto instantly released a large amount at once, even though he knew that it might endanger Sasuke. "I-I… am… I-I'm turning into you…" He couldn't control the surge of energy, as he jumped infront of Sasuke.
Temporarily, he and the Kyuubi were like one. His thoughts were merged with Kyuubi and his actions as well. It was all up to his conscious mind and the Kyuubi, what would happen.
Even if I say it'll be alright
Still I hear you say you want to end your life.
Now and again we try to just stay alive.
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'cuz its not too late, its never too late
Sasuke stood up, despite the surging pain, worried for Naruto. No… go back to Naruto! Something bad might happen… I don't trust anything near you! He instantly noticed Naruto was digging his claws into his own hands, blood pouring from the wound. He isn't normally like this… he's always braver. And then Naruto let out a howl.
It pained, so much. It was like his mind was being torn apart. He fell to his knees, clutching his head with his sharp claws. Instantly, every part of his body hurt, like he was being crushed into a small, tiny piece. Too much of my chakra is being let out! Stop thinking kid, stop trying to do anything! He couldn't stop anything, as he kept howling and clutching himself in pain. Sasuke shot up, even as the pain went on, and ran towards Naruto. Instantly, he was thrown back by a large, red barrier of sorts. Naruto seemed to keep growing more and more unstable, as the red started to become more visible.
The four ANBU seemed to be long forgotten. They themselves were afraid. "Konohagakure Ninja, we leave this to you", one of them shouted, before they all escaped. Sasuke stared, in fear and grief, as Naruto's very being was turning into something else. I'm not letting him go… not like Aniki-san left me. Naruto's going to stay… till the end! He instantly called out his bloodline limit, and his eyes changed to the color of red. With a deep breath, he lunged himself towards Naruto.
The world we knew won't come back.
The time we've lost can't get back
The life we knew won't be
'cuz I care.
--
Sasuke got through, he didn't know how, but he did. As quickly as he could, he landed on his knees, and wrapped his arms tightly around Naruto. As soon as he did, sharp pain hit him in every part of his body. He ignored it all, keeping Naruto in his arms and whispering words of serenity. Naruto only seemed to grow worse, as Sasuke felt flames appearing from the small boy. As if instinct, he gripped the boys face, and pulled it to his own.
Their lips met, and he kissed hard, hard as if his life depended on it. He wrapped his own arms around Naruto's small figure, and felt something prick his shoulders. Sharp claws were digging into his shoulder, and as much as it pained, he knew it would hurt more if he lost Naruto. With all the strength he could muster, he kissed harder, till he himself felt weak. So much pain, and he couldn't take it all.
And he felt it kiss back. Albeit softly, but it was there. He smiled, and kissed back, as slowly, all the pain seemed to recede. And he pulled away, tears staining his cheeks, as he looked into the dangerously crimson eyes of Naruto. "Th-thank y-you", Naruto mumbled, before falling into Sasuke, completely unconscious. Sasuke looked down at the boy, and shook his head. He didn't move, and kept his arms wrapped around him. Never… never ever leave me alone.
This world will never be what I expected
And if I don't belong?
--
Sasuke watched as Naruto was checked on by a few doctors. His eyes studied the small boy, remembering those last few words Naruto had spoken to him. "Th-thank y-you." It made him happy, something he seemed to like near Naruto. Now new questions were in his head, those questions he didn't have answers to ever since the Chuunin Exams. He made a stronger Kage Bushin, he summoned a fox, he almost exploded of anger, and he had claws and fangs, and that mysterious red chakra. Why is Naruto suddenly like this? He wanted answers, even if it means pestering the third hokage.
I-I promise you, Naruto… I'll accept you, no matter how strange you are. I love you… only you…
--
Sarutobi stared in amazement as Sasuke Uchiha walked into his office. The boy had just come back from a mission, and Naruto Uzumaki was in dreadful condition. Sasuke stood before his desk, his palms flat on the wooden table. "Why", the boy asked? There were many possibilities to that question, but only one suited the person asking it. "So, you'd like to know the truth? How much have you seen", Sarutobi asked? Sasuke stared at him, before opening his mouth.
"The claws, the fangs, the advanced kage bushin, the red eyes, the Kyuubi appearing during our battle, and that red chakra."
Even if I say it'll be alright.
Still I hear you say you want to end your life
Now and again we try to just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around, 'cuz its not too late, its never too late
Sarutobi knew he didn't have the rights to tell anyone, nor did he have the rights to not. But Sasuke had basically figured it all out; he just needed to be told the last part of it. Naruto should tell him himself. The voice nagged, and he gave into it. "I'm sorry Uchiha-san. Naruto needs to tell you himself", he said. Sasuke let out a growl, but nodded nonetheless.