A/N: Please enjoy this chapter. I promise to update faster.
"How did you—?"
"I don't know. As you said I'm supposed to be dead."
Itachi frowned - almost - as he eyed his grinning ancestor. In front of him, Naruto stood there clutching his head, as he mumbled incoherent words. Something was wrong. Itachi glanced to the side where the Kyuubi had run off to. An explosion sounded from within the earth wall. Itachi almost wanted to scream in frustration as he stared blankly, back at Madara, while his heart raced. He had to find a way to save Naruto and the village. 'But what?' He needed to do something and fast. He would not let Naruto get taken. But before he could think any further, Madara disappeared along with Naruto.
X
Something was whispering in Naruto's head. It wouldn't stop ringing. He felt like he had collided with a wall. He focused his eyes and blinked again, his mouth forming a frown.
"Am I still in hell?" He asked himself, as tall black bars loomed over him. The green sewer tunnel had turned red, making the water tinted orange. Before him, the giant cage was empty as no red eyes glared at him. He looked around, trying to find his kidnapper. When he failed to spot him, Naruto's eyes caught sight of the seal glowing on the cage. He slowly reached an arm out, having the urge to touch it. As he did so, a wave of warmth rushed at him and a feeling of familiarity enveloped him.
Kakashi blinked, and blinked again. This was impossible. The Kyuubi was right in front of him. He threw himself sideways, narrowly escaping the demon's tails. He rolled to his feet and jumped backwards into a crouch. Shikaku, being not so lucky, grimaced as he flew against the dirt wall; coughing from the impact, his mind rapidly assessed the situation as he surveyed the earth wall trapping them within a 30 mile radius.
"What the hell—" Kakashi retorted as he landed near Shikaku, "—is going on here?"
Ahead the nine tails fumed, enraged that Madara had taken control of his captor. He hoped to his Kami that the brat do something with the Fourth's chakra.
The Kyuubi growled to himself as he glared at the shinobi before him, 'Another Sharingan user. Just great.'
He really did not want to fight when he was this small. It was hard controlling his body, especially when he had been caged for years.
Naruto rubbed his eyes. Where was he? First hell, now was this heaven? Everything was so white; it was blinding. He didn't know what to do. Footsteps sounded behind him and he whirled around cautiously. In front of him was a man, with golden blonde hair. Naruto held up his hands in defense.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled sadly at him, his sapphire eyes twinkling with guilt. Naruto eyed him curiously, head cocked to one side, like a puppy.
"Are you Kami?"
The man laughed then, his chuckle echoing around them, at such an innocent question.
"Oh no. No. I'm not."
"Then this isn't heaven?"
"No. I'm sorry it's not."
"Oh," Naruto frowned, "I guess I'm in hell forever then."
"Why would you think that?"
"The green sewers… And that fox… He's scary. Everyone's mean and scary. But it's okay. I'm still alive! Hehe."
"I'm so sorry, Naruto."
"It's okay. Really. I'm used to it. Wait. I'm Naruto! Why do you know my name? Are you a kidnapper too!"
"I put you through so much. And you're still smiling, just like your mother. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Naruto."
Naruto found himself enveloped by a pair of strong, warm arms. He stood there in shock, his heart pounding. Why was this so familiar? Why was it so comforting? Why was his loneliness gone? Why? He took a shuddering breath, his voice caught in his throat.
"I-I-I… always wanted… to be… hugged by someone."
Naruto realized he was crying, as he sobbed into the man's shoulder.
Kakashi groaned as Shikaku slammed into him for the nth time. The Kyuubi was relentlessly slamming his tails at them, like he was toying with them.
"You Konoha nin don't put up much of a fight. I'm not even trying."
"Shut up, Fuzzy." Kakashi bit out. Behind him, his teammates were uncoiling rolls of chakra wire. Shikaku got up, his fingers poised and ready.
"NOW!"
Kyuubi dodged to the right and cursed as a web of shadows ensnared his tails. A gleam of metal shot into his vision as Kyuubi twisted his body out of the way. Without the use of his tails, it was proven to be a challenge. The kunais hit the trees with a solid thunk.
"Done." Kakashi sighed in relief.
Kyuubi was pinned down by chakra wires and his tails were stuck. He wiggled his tails, but the shadows kept them from freely moving. Madara's control over him was forcing him to struggle against the trap. The wire dug into his flesh and Kyuubi suddenly wished that he was back in the brat's body.
"How long can you keep it up Shikaku?" Kakashi asked.
"For a bit longer."
Naruto's eyes widened briefly, "You're… you're the Yondaime. The Yellow Flash! I've always wanted to meet you. I told Ojii-chan that I'd surpass you one day."
"I'm glad, Naruto. You've grown so much."
"You're a hero. You saved the village from that big, bad—"
Naruto stopped and looked at the Yellow Flash accusingly, "I saw that fox in the sewers. And that kidnapper said some weird things too. Did you really beat that fox?"
"To tell you the truth, I didn't really beat him. I couldn't. So I sealed him into a baby boy. It was the only way. I had hoped he would have been treated as a hero. But I guess I failed badly. Kushina always told me I couldn't do anything right…"
"A baby?"
"…you."
Naruto stared at him. Suddenly, all the horrible treatment from the villagers made sense. They hated him because of the fox. Naruto's pent up hatred exploded.
Itachi scanned the area and swore. He had lost track of his ancestor, who - by the way - was an old man and therefore should not be able to run away from someone younger than him. A burst of chakra caught his eye and he ran towards it. His eyes narrowed as he recognized Naruto's chakra.
X
Madara was seething. Naruto had lost consciousness and he couldn't sense anything from the boy. At this rate his plan was delayed. He needed Naruto awake to control the fox. Due to his fury, he failed to notice red chakra seeping from the limp form in his arms. It was only when Itachi burst into the clearing that Madara realized with a start that he was getting old. Old age did a number on even the most talented of ninjas.
Minato saw that punch coming, but he didn't have the energy to move. He deserved it after causing his son so much pain. The punch was weak, but it hurt more than it should have. Minato felt his heart break at the look in his son's eyes. Naruto was crying and screaming. His hands were clenched into fists that were pounding at Minato's midsection. He gently grasped his son's fists in his hands.
"Naruto..."
"Do you know what it feels like to be alone and not know why? DO YOU? All these years, they hated me! They called me names and beat me up! I never knew why. I'm not a monster. It's not fair. I know that the fox killed a lot of people, but to take it out on me! I didn't do anything. I didn't. They told me no one loved me and that - and that - my parents didn't want me. I can see why now. My parents abandoned me!"
"That's not true!"
"I'm not done yet, mister! LET ME TALK! If I was a monster, I would have killed them! But I didn't! I'm going to make them acknowledge me if that's the last thing I do... I don't need parents. I can live... I can live by myself. Who needs parents? I don't! I'm living perfectly fine. I'm fine. I'm going to be the best HOKAGE EVER! Then laugh in their faces."
Minato sighed. 'You are really your mother's son.'
"Naruto, listen to me. I didn't know that was how they'd treat you. You were supposed to be treated as a hero. Please stop crying. I know you were lonely and in pain. I saw it all and it breaks my heart. I wished things could have turned out differently. But Naruto. THEY'RE WRONG! You were everything to your parents. They gave you all their love. Don't believe what anyone else says. You were their happiness, if only for a short while… They never abandoned you!"
"How would you know?"
Minato swallowed back his guilt, "Because I'm your father."
A/N:
Review and tell me what your thoughts.
If you notice, I'm avoiding fight scenes...