I do not own Naruto. Enjoy the story :) Please review for cookies ( : : ) :D Sorry if there are any errors of Naruto references, I'm referring to the wiki but I may mess up sometimes. It's come to my attention that Kurama literally meens nine-tails, so I've changed him to Kurama, I hope this is right :) Thanks for telling me! And thank you for your reviews :)
~%~%~%~%~%~%~%~
When Naruto next came into consciousness, he was confused to find himself in utter darkness. Normally he awoke only shortly after Kurama did, and would have access to a view of what Kurama was doing. He had never woken in darkness.
He tried to push through the darkness, but it seemed he was unable to move. He also could not feel his chakra.
Kurama?
Oh, kit. You're awake. Kurama mentioned offhandedly, as though he was trying to avoid speaking to Naruto.
This was when the boy began to worry. He had thought Kurama and Naruto were growing close. Worried he searched for Kurama's thoughts, normally he would be able to hear Kurama's more verbal thoughts. Kurama, what's going on?
The mighty fox sighed. Kit, I hadn't been able to fully take control before, as you know you've been able to... interfere. But now I've finally been able to transfer most of my chakra. I'm not sure how you're awake right now. But-
You're going to put me to sleep again? Aren't you? Naruto was only slightly surprised, he'd assumed that Kurama and his relationship may not last, but now that he was finally at that point. He was heart broken.
Naruto didn't know why he was so attached to Kurama now. Maybe it was because he had no one else that cared about him, no matter how little the demon did care about him. It was more than he could hope for. Yes.
Perhaps Naruto should have tried to stop Kurama from 'making him go away', but he had no idea how. And maybe he didn't want to be 'awake' anymore. Goodbye Kurama. It was... nice knowing you.
Kurama was silent for a few moments. Goodnight Naruto. He then summoned his chakra and overloaded Naruto's being, which was sickeningly easy.
~%~%~%~%~%~%~%~
Kurama worked hard before ten, learning another wind release ninjutsu. Pressure damage, a tornado-like mass is compressed until it has a very high density and is then released. The wind pressure is raised to its highest limit, and once the technique hits the target, the resulting blast sweeps everyone off their feet.
He probably overdid his training, as his entire body ached and protested each movement, even with the demons advanced healing.
Maybe he was working hard, because with Naruto gone he was truly free to begin his revenge on Konoho. So he needed all the skills he could get if he wanted to kill Jounin.
Or perhaps he was missing the annoying brat, and wanted to keep his mind off the situation.
The sympathy he had for the boy seemed to only be increasing in size. But sympathy was not enough to ruin his plan was it?
But then again, Naruto wasn't really interfering with Kurama's revenge. He never tried to make Kurama feel guilty about his plan to kill the Konoho village.
Kurama snarled and punched through the tree in front of him.
His labored breathing resounded in the field as a clone poofed into existence.
"Kurama." The clone bowed to him, knowing he was only created for such reason.
The nine-tails simply stared at the boy in front of him.
The clone represented Kurama, not Naruto. The differences between the two weren't overly noticeable.
Naruto's eyes were a clear blue always filled with happiness and a subtle amount of determination. Surely because of his dream to be Hokage.
Kurama's eyes, as he could see in the clone, were cold. You could barely make out the fox like slits that would be obvious if Kurama lost control of his demonic chakra.
No. Naruto wasn't meant to be here. This was Kurama's body now. Kurama's body. Kurama's...
Anger flared through Kurama's body and suddenly his claws were piercing through the clones stomach.
Claws?
Kurama's nostrils flared as he glanced at his hands. The tips of his fingers had elongated, with sharp claws made of his demonic chakra evident.
He grimaced and took a few calming breaths to reign in his chakra that had leaked out.
That's it. Kurama thought. I have to bring Naruto back.
It was passed ten when he sat in his apartment, closing his eyes and focusing his chakra. It took him a while to stop the flow of chakra he was streaming into Naruto's conscience. But once he had he waited eagerly for Naruto to speak.
When he finally felt Naruto stir he got up from his position and grabbed his things. He was already late.
Kurama?
Hi Kit... Look, I'm-
You should try disguising your chakra as mine. Then you can use your chakra as well as my own.
Kurama was stunned. Did the boy not want his apology? Besides the fact he hated he was going to apologies in the first place. Alright... good idea Kit.
Look Kurama. If I try to thank you, you'll just act arrogant. So I'm just going to move on. But know that I am thankful... and I'm glad I get to talk with you again.
Kurama had no reply for the boy, and so he made his way to meet with team seven.
~%~%~%~%~%~%~%~
Sasuke walked up to the kid and swung back and forth on his feet. "Hey. About yesterday... You did a good job as well."
Kurama smiled faintly. Perhaps it could be another friend, Naruto thought.
Kurama quietly agreed, the boy deserved friends. "Thank you Sasuke. We should train together some time. Learn each others techniques and form a few battle strategies."
Sasuke considered this. On one hand, it will benefit their missions, on the other, if Sasuke ever had to verse Naruto... "Sure. do you have a place in mind?"
Naruto rejoiced inside Kurama's mind. "There's this abandoned building that should serve us well."
Sasuke nods and the two spend the time waiting for Kakashi in companionable silence.
Sakura was simply confused, Sasuke detested everyone. Perhaps this was a good sign. She went to join her teamates when Kakashi arrived, spouting an excuse about helping an ant climb a leaf. Sakura of course, yelled at him before he could calm her down.
"Today we are working on chakra control," Kakashi explained to his students as he led them to some tree's. "You need to focus your chakra in your feet. Too much will leave you destroying the tree, too little will result in you falling off."
He quickly demonstrated for them before sitting down and pulling out his book.
Kurama stood back and watched as Sasuke and Sakura practiced. They both did very well, managing to reach just under half way up the tree.
Kurama watched them attempt it three more times before trying himself.
Kakashi watched intrigued to see the kids attempt. He watched as he concentrated, the blue chakra swirling at his feet. He then leaped up and climbed up the tree. All the way to the top.
Sasuke and Sakura both fell off their tree's in surprise and Kakashi simply stared, wide eyed. Kurama sighed, turning to see what all the fuss was about.
"Well done Naruto." Kakashi finally congratulated his student. Such a fast learner, unless he had already practiced chakra control?
"Thank you sensei." Naruto stood sideways on the tree a few more second before pushing off and somersaulting before landing on the ground.
Sasuke stared with what should have been jealousy, but instead he was proud of his... friend.
Sakura was simply greatly curious as how the idiot could have become so skilled all of a sudden.
Kakashi got up, realizing Naruto had nothing to do now. "Well Naruto. I suppose I should teach you something else."
Kurama was lead over to a stump of log in the middle of a field. Kakashi stretched and paced around the stump. "Stand on this and create enough shadow clones to fill the field."
The nine-tails frowned, but did as he said. It took almost all of his remaining chakra to create the two-hundred or so clones. Kurama did not feel exhausted though, he still had his own chakra.
Kakashi nodded. The kid was strong, he didn't tap into the nines chakra, but he still shouldn't of had to use so much of his own chakra. "Make them again."
Kurama nearly growled at his sensei. We can't make anymore! He should know that.
Perhaps we need to concentrate more so we don't use as much chakra.
The demon sighed and complied, managing to make just over a hundred shadow clones with his remaining chakra.
Kakashi was pleased, the student had improved. But he had another purpose. He knew the boy alone could not have perfected chakra control so easily, and Naruto had never be the one to train. It was an unlikely thought but, perhaps Naruto had been harnessing the nine-tails chakra.
So he decided to annoy the boy and see if he would use more chakra, therefor tapping into the beasts demonic chakra. Kakashi knew that Naruto was out of his own chakra."Again Naruto."
At this Kurama ran out of patience. "Sensei, I am out of chakra!"
"In that case. Return to your fellow team mates and shout encouragement to them. We won't have another training opportunity for a while as we begin missions tomorrow." Kakashi smirked at how he'd been able to annoy the idiot so easily.
Still just a kid. Kakashi thought.
~%~%~%~%~%~%~%~
Sasuke panted, searching around him. The shadow clones popped up, two charged at him and three threw kunai. One was behind a pillar, impossible to reach from where he stood. Sasuke wiped the sweat from his brow and smirked. Throwing three of his kunai at the three ranged attackers he leaped forward to punch the closest clone in the face. It poofed and vanished just as the other one popped up. Sasuke jumped into the air and threw two kunai, one to bend the direction of the kunai. Like my brother...
Once all the clones were gone Naruto attacked with his genjutsu. Sasuke took too long to release it and Naruto had his kunai by his throat.
Sasuke scowled at first, hating being beaten, but then his face lit up. "That was awesome Naruto. When did you get so good at genjutsu?"
"I've been practicing. So, you know you have to teach me that kunai redirection trick now right?"
The raven haired boy smirked, collecting his kunai. "Only if you teach me that genjutsu."
Naruto let out a hard laugh. Kurama wasn't exactly enjoying the boys company, but Naruto was. "Deal. Come here."
Naruto ran through the signs and gave him some tips for the technique. Naruto then got Sasuke to practice it on Naruto until Sasuke could render anyone helpless for a few moments.
In exchange Sasuke helped Naruto with his kunai aim, he learned quickly and Sasuke was pleased to help.
The Uchiha boy seemed to be enjoying this as much as Naruto was. He had never really bothered with friends, but now he wish he had sooner.
He was exhausted by the time dinner came around. But Naruto seemed as energetic as ever. "Naruto I'm going to head home. Thanks for all your help. It was... fun."
"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow." Sasuke waved goodbye to his new friend, before heading back to his apartment.
Kurama practiced more on the kunai aiming that Sasuke had helped him with, he also did his routine speed and strength training. It was becoming too easy for him, he needed those weights. Why don't you go get the money now. We've trained enough for the day.
Naruto was right. Kurama stretched his muscles as he headed towards town. He'd already formulated his plan. It didn't require him to do any work other than form the shadow clones. He did so, and sent the clones on their way with enough chakra for them to use for his plan.
The three pairs of clones went to rob a clothing store, food store and bathhouse. Each of which stored their money in secret compartments out back. One clone in the pair stood guard as the other broke in and took the money they needed, but not enough that it would be noticed missing immediately.
The clones returned with their cash, only one clone was missing. Kurama figured out that the clone must have had to lead away some ninja that were a bit too close. The clones knew not to show themselves and so Naruto was not worried.
He released the clones and they all died in poofs of smoke, their bags of money clattered to the ground. Naruto stayed distant in Kurama's mind, not liking that they had stolen. Kurama counted the money and saw that he had more than enough. Kurama then proceeded to clean and head to bed for sleep.
Hey Naruto?
Yes?
Kurama took a deep breath to calm himself. I'm sorry... I know you did not want me to rob. But I need to become stronger. And it could have been worse, I could have killed someone.
Naruto didn't respond and they both drifted off to sleep.
~%~%~%~%~%~%~%~