Darn it I needed to edit this chapter since a little added scene! Sorry for if this annoys anyone. The scene is placed before Sasuke and Sakura find Naruto missing from the hospital. There is only a brief mention of it after that.
Hi, TheNineTailedKitsune here! I just wanted to thank everyone for their reviews! And now I shall answer some questions and give feedback.
To my biggest reviewers first starting at,
AmayaNight: Thank you for bringing to my attenchen proper Japanese grammar. I could have sworn I'd heard characters use Otousan for there own father in anime. I read somewhere that Hiro Nakamura from the NBC series 'Heros' used Otousan for his own father. I tried looking through the internet search as well but I got a bunch of different results. TToTT (Sorry I couldn't just go in with blind faith on your words. please don't take it personally.) For now I think I'll just have Naruto call Kyuubi Father, and Dad. Though Chichi is very cute, I might just use it somewhere. Hhhmmm... Any way, thank you for your advice-and for reading the fanfic! :D
PuppetMaster55: I hope you enjoy 'Thirst' and thanks for the referance, but I was wondering do you know any NaruVamp fix with out Shoune-ai or Yaoi? (Again not trying to insult anyone.) Also-yes I think there will be a few more cutesy scenes that will come up. Next chapter probably-you can look forward to it! :3
The Habit You Can't Shake & Echo Uchiha: I don't have a problem with long reviews, (though I might have commented on it once, I don't think they are a bad thing.) I thank you for your support and kind words-I'm glad you like the character development-it means I'm doing something right! Yosh! As for couples, I'm not entirely sure yet. If there are any it will be a future NaruHina and maybe SasuSaku. I would introduce Hinata sooner, but I don't really need her in the story at this point. (she may or may not make a quick aperance before the TimeSkip though.) But for those NaruHina fans, later I promise. (I think-look I'm being indixisive again!)
For the anonymous review & Gen. Malaise: mettle as metal-spelling errors and such-I have a bad habbit of it, plus this is only a hobby. I will actually have my Bro' read over the fanfic in the future, to help me with grammar and stuff. As for Naruto going insane, sorry. He's not going to be a crazy person or anything. Just be a bit more demonic (But in a cute way-uh-sorta.^^;)
To t.y.u.i.t.y.u.i. foshizzlexD & Grocamol: Thank you-your support means a lot! I give you cyber chocolatechip cookies (the good kind.)
Oh yeah and something I forgot to answer in the last review. Yes Grocamol I do have a fondness for Werewolves, so so I'm not surprised something of that oragin crept it's way into this story.
That's the end of my ranting chattering blahblahbla...
On with the story.
Jya ne (thanks again AmayaNight-san for telling me how to spell. I knew I was doing it wrong.-;)
P.S. (Please do not hate Sakura-chan for this chapter, she is only worried about Naruto. I tried to stay as close to her PreShippuden mindset as possible. Please tell me what you think! Inerself: Shannaroo!)
Chapter 6 - Two Minds
After a long explanation of Kyuubi's sealing in Naruto, and many more questions, Team 7 and the Hokage were finely silent. Well until Sakura asked, "So… so it was you who attacked the Nara's deer." By the look on Naruto's face she instantly wished she hadn't said anything.
He just bowed his head with a nod. "Yeah, I can kind of remember it now… I remember I told Fath-Kyuubi I was hungry, but it was more then that…" he looked off distantly. "I wanted to hunt, and doing it was invigorating." He shook himself as they gave him some weird looks.
"Uh-not that I liked it now!" it was a bit of a lie, but they wouldn't be able to understand. Maybe if he put it up to a ninja who had successfully caught his mission target? Father had been really proud of him too…
He shook his head-he had to stop thinking like that.
"You sure seemed to like Sasuke, and Hokage-sama though didn't you?" Kakashi sounded like he was joking, but as always a ninja is looking underneath the underneath. He wanted Tsunade to explain the situation at hand a little more.
"As for that, maybe Naruto can explain." Tsunade waved a hand. Some how she had magically gotten a hold of some sake, and was half way through her second round. Naruto instantly blushed and muttered something. Tsunade, not quit drunk yet but getting there snickered.
"Go ahead kid, tell them what you said."
"It's not funny Baa-chan!"
She just snorted into her drink and Naruto had to continue.
"It's hazy, but I remember when I woke up I didn't know where I was. I was looking around for something." He was turning beet red now. "The first thing I saw was Tsunade-Baa-chan and I woke her up…"
"Go on Naruto..," the older woman had no shame, though she would probably regret this after her hang over.
"I called her…" he mumbled something.
"What was that?" Sakura perked up trying to hear. Some how this seemed to be getting good, even Sasuke was listening intently.
"I called her mama…"
There was a simultaneous sweet-drop between the entire room, and then giggling broke out.
"It's not funny Sakura-chan-Kakashi-sensei!"
"Ooohh-I wish I could have been there!" Sakura was holding her side. "What on earth would posses you to call her that?" she was looking at the Hokage now. Judging by the dilated look in the older woman's eyes, she was nowhere near a motherly figure. It surprised her when the Hokage could still speak clearly.
"I have a theory on that."
Naruto groaned, this was probably going to be painful. For him at least.
"It seems that after your changes," she eyed the boy up and down for lack of a better word. "Your mind reverted to one close to a small animals, perhaps an infant. Therefore when the first thing he saw was me, he felt that aromatic bond most other animals do."
"A baby, how's that? He could still talk." Sakura understanding half was still confused.
Tsunade just shrugged, "Perhaps because Naruto has already been exposed to langue, and human interaction for twelve years."
Naruto was thinking about it and found she might be right. He didn't want to be thought of as a little baby, but when he had woke up it was as if he'd been born again. Everything was different, new-more enhanced. Even now he could smell the strong sent of disinfectant, medicines, and his own teammates. Cocking an ear, he could hear the sounds of people outside the room clearly if he wanted to.
The others were still conversing on their prior question.
"T-there's something else too…" he said breaking from his thoughts and getting all their attention. His ears droop a bit. 'It's weird having ears that move around.'
"When I forget, like after the hunt and now… at first it felt like only a small part of me was going through all that." He tried to explain, even though he wasn't sure he understood it himself. "When ever I dream… well I'm always a kid, like back when I was little." he wasn't looking at them now. The last thing he wanted was to bring up his past.
"A side affect of the Genjutsu." Tsunade nodded.
"Y-yeah, I felt so small then… all I could remember was the villagers hate, Kyuubi-san was the only one to protect me. He took care of me." His tail and hair bristle at what he was saying, then he went back to the point. "It was like that mind was with me when I hunted those deer, and just now. It was like I was a kid again…" he rubbed the back of his head. "'Course I think Kyuubi's instincts helped a lot when that big male deer attacked. I didn't feel like a child at all then…" he shivered remembering the hot blood... "Hee, I'm not even sure Kyuubi-san was aware of it at the time. We seem to have some kind of bond linking us now…" for some reason he kind of like the sound of that. A strong bond with someone else. Maybe even stronger then his rivalry with Sasuke.
Tsunade had a finger to her chin. "So what you're trying to say is that you seem to have two different mindsets. Your normal one, and then this younger one that's connected to Kyuubi."
He tried to nod but he wasn't sure anymore. "…But… we're the same… those 'mindsets' there both me and… I don't think they're going to stay apart from each other anymore."
"You can't let that happen!" Sakura burst out suddenly furious and making them all jump. "It a trick being played on you by Kyuubi-he's only trying to use you!" She didn't know how deep her words cut him. He himself didn't completely understand the sudden pain, which came to his chest. She was probably right…
Naruto put a hand on Sakura's shoulder and pulled out his signature smile. Over the years he'd been able to use it, even in the greatest times of sadness. It was one of the few lies he was capable of pulling off at all.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan. I'll be fine-anyway nothing is going to stop me from being Hokage. Not even Kyuubi!" He noticed there were a bit of tears in her eyes, and was glad when she was able to wipe them away. He hated seeing Sakura cry. For a moment he leaned forward and rubbed his cheek against hers, a rumbling admitting from his throat. A second later he felt the shock at what he had done and pulled away from her. Both of their faces were red.
"S-sorry Sakura-chan!" again his ears tilted down-what was he doing? Sakura was still blushing. She'd wanted to reprimand him for getting so close, and along with that letting Kyuubi's fox instincts control him. She raised her hand.
Naruto shut his eyes fully intending to take the hit this time. He was so embarrassed by what he had done-she deserved to hit him! It was a surprise when the weight on his head just bounced up and down lightly.
It seemed with those new fluffy fox ears and that tail, Naruto had gain a adorableness even Sakura couldn't fight off. "Naruto I don't like seeing your ears droop like that; they're much cuter standing up."
This made him perk up a bit. 'Did Sakura-chan just call me cute?'
A moment ago he was hurt and embarrassed, now with those words from his long time crush he was swooning. Of course Naruto has a different way of doing that then most people. He hugged her tight tail wagging happily. "Thanks Sakura-chan!"
She blushed again and pushed him off, Naruto stayed ecstatic as ever.
"So what now-I'm hungry can we go out for some ramen?"
"You can't go anywhere looking like that Dobe." Sasuke spoke up. He was getting board with the whole thing. They need to get the baka back to normal.
"Is there anything you can do, Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi looked to the Hokage. She was biting a thumb in thought.
"We're going to have to run some tests. Obviously something has changed with the seal. I may need to get in contact with Jiraiya. In the meantime, Naruto you are not to leave the hospital-don't let anyone see you either."
"Aww-come on Obaa-chaaannn!"
"No-"
"You act like I can't hide anything. Look I can still use Henge!" he gathered chakra and there was a poof. Naruto, complete with out fox ears and a tail stood in their mist. He raised a hand in a thumbs up. "I could even still go on missions!"
"Unacceptable Naruto!" this time Tsunade thundered, sending even those in the hall reeling. She lowered her voice, "We don't understand how this change has affected your chakra system. Before you go anywhere, I need to do some serious exams on your body."
The Henge broke and he pouted folding his arms. "This sucks!"
The Hokage just rolled her eyes. "I'll see to it that Shizune brings you some food to eat. I trust everyone understands the knowledge of this situation is to be kept secret." The other ninja nodded. "Good, as of now Team 7, Shizune, and myself, are the only ones to know of Naruto's condition. Jiraiya too if I can find him."
'Hee if Ero-sennin is coming then maybe I will get to train!' Naruto thought slyly. 'He's always trying to tap into the fox's power. I'm practically half fox now, it should be easy!' Tsunade noticed his sneaky smile.
"Don't get any ideas kid, this is serious. I'm not letting you and that old pervert try something stupid. It was bad enough when I found out about him throwing you into a canyon to summon Gamabunta." There was a small pulse in her forehead at the thrashing she still owed Jeryia for that. What kind of idiot throws a twelve year old off a cliff?
Naruto still sulking agreed, while mentally crossing his fingers.
"As of now you are all dismissed-not you Naruto-STAY! I'll be back in a little bit with some equipment." The Hokage exited the room. Naruto stuck his tongue out after her.
"Nuuhhh-can't tell me what to do!"
"Yes I can!" came a booming reply past the door. It was amazing since the Hokage was already half way across the hall. Naruto fell backward on to his tail with a cry, while the rest in the room sweet-dropped.
Three days later…
"Naruto-kun! Get back here before Tsunade kills me!" Shizune was racing after the hyper active blond that was pealing down the hallway. He just shot a grin back at her.
"Just cover me Shizune-nee! I'll be back in no time!"
Shizune's cries of frustrating could be heard all the way down the long hall, as the patient she was supposed to be bring food to fled. She didn't even stand a chance at the new found speed he'd gained-and now she had to hide this from Tsunade. Her one thought was this, 'I'm going to die. She's gonna kill me.'
It was Sakura who saw Naruto first as he wandered the street, and it took her a moment to regester-'This is BAD!' A seconded later she was at his side and yanking his now humanly transformed ear. "What are you doing out of the hospital?" she barked.
"A-ah-Sakura-chaaannn that hurts!"
"Answer the question baka!"
"I can't breath in there-have you smelled some of the stuff they use to clean the place?" he wrinkled his noise as she let him go. "Plus it's so nice out today and…" he sniffed at the air and there was the unmistakable sound of a stomach rumbling. He gave a foxy grin.
"I'm hungry-let's get some ramen!"
"Not a chance! We need to get you back before-"
"Please Sakura-chan-I'm dying here! I think Tsunade is trying to poison me with that hospital food-and she keep feeding me fruits and vegetables!" he stuck a tongue out sickly. "Even that pet pig of hers is starting to look edible!" Oh, if Sakura had known how true that stament was, she'd probably beat him to a bloody pulp. As it was this did make her a bit nervous. She flicked him on the side of the head irritably with a finger.
"Fine-ramen-then you get your butt back to the hospital!" it was an order not a request, and Naruto figured he should take it while it was still good.
"Come on then Sakura-chan!" he grabbed her hand pulling her forward. Naruto was leading her through the crowed streets and there were crys of protest as they bumped into people. They were at the ramen stand in no time and Naruto ordered for both of them.
"Hey, I thought that you were supposed to be in the hospital." Itchiraku said as he placed a steaming bowl in front of his best customer.
Naruto just answered with a grin, "Nothing keeps me from my ramen Ji-san!" the older man just laughed and continued about his work. Naruto slurped up his noodles while Sakura delicately nibbled at her own. The kitsune boy was just about to tuck into his second helping when a voice caught his ear. It seemed his heighten senses were still working even through the transformation.
"…I don't care what they say about that clan…"
"I know what you mean but the Uchiha were truly great…"
"Truly great-one of them slaughtered his entire-"
"There's rumors that it was an Uchiha behind the Kyuubi attack all those years ago…"
"If that's the case, then what were they thinking putting the fox brat on his team. Maybe the Hokage wants the village to go to hell-"
"I think, that you should keep your mouth shut." There was a blood curdling silence as Naruto held a kunai to the gossiping shinobi's neck. He'd moved faster the eye could see, and for those who didn't blink they might have seen a gold blur. He looked absolutely cold at the three who were talking. All ninja either Chuunin or Jonin level and he really didn't care.
"Little-"
"I suggest you shut up or I'll slit your throat right here."
"Usuratonkachi!" that snapped him out of it and he blinked. Sasuke had entered the scene and was looking coldly at all of them. Naruto, seeing his hand still pressing the kunai to the man's neck began to shake a bit, and he back away. 'What am I doing?'
There was a muttered insult just barely loud enough for Sasuke to hear, and Naruto to get quite clearly.
"Look-he's already controlling the beast as it is…"
Naruto's eyes flashed and he spun, this time ignoring his kunai and ready to sink his claws into the man. No one insulted someone of his family-especially not his brother Sasuke!
"I told you to shut up, or do I have to warn you again?" he snarled violently sending off a killing intent in the middle of the street.
There was a grip on his shoulder and he looked up. Sasuke was glaring ahead of him at the higher level ninja. "Drop it Naruto."
Naruto just growled further and Sasuke's grip tightened. But before he could force Naruto to move away the boy was speaking to the other ninja again.
"Hey listen up you jerks-Sasuke is my best friend and brother-you ever talk badly about or touch one of my family, and I'll kill you." He was just about ready to drop the Henge now, and show these guys who they were dealing with. His mind was hot with the influence of a demon and fox pup wanting to protect his pack brother. There was something gripping his hand and he's head shot to the left. It was Sakura and she was looking down at her feet.
"Come on Naruto…"
The intense arua around him stopped in defeat. He glanced over at the ramen stand and the people staring at them. He expected it from the villagers. But even old man Itchiraku was looking at him with a bit of fear, though it was also filled with concern.
"Hey, I don't know what you men are saying over there-but insulting my customers or there friends isn't something I need around my stand." The ramen chief finely addressed the three older shinobi. They sneered but didn't say anything and turned to leave. Naruto trembled and both Sakura and Sasuke had to keep a grip on him to hold him back.
"Naruto, calm down. You're letting the fox take control." Sakura whispered. A moment later his body loosened and he nodded his head.
"I-I think I need to go back to the hospital, Sakura-chan."
She agreed and both Genin began to lead Naruto away. "Thank for sticking up for me old man… Sorry for making a scene in front of your stand." Naruto was about to fish money out of his pocket, when the old cook just shook his head.
"Don't worry about it, it's on the house. Get better soon alright. What ever medication they have you on at that hospital is putting you on edge."
Naruto forced a small laugh and let his friends lead him away.
"Oh Sasuke, I didn't know you were here to." Sakura was just coming to the hospital, and saw the boy leaning against the wall his arms folded. He just gave a, 'hmph.' If it was anyone else Sakura would have rolled her eyes at them, but since it was Sasuke she merly blushed even darker. "I'm bringing some lunch to Naruto, want to come?" Ever since there last incident a Itchiraku's she'd been trying to bring her teammate something more edible to eat. Tsunade hadn't been happy when she found out, and Sakura didn't want a repeat of either experience again.
"What ever." This must have meant 'yes,' in Sasuke langue because he followed after her. Sakura meanwhile was berating herself for not making a second lunch-wouldn't that be great? Sasuke eating her homemade meal-it would be like they were married! If it was possible her blush became even deeper, and the only thing that kept her from giggling out loud was her inner-self yelling, 'Cha-Take that Ino-pig!'
"You going in or what?" Sasuke broke her out of her thoughts. She'd been standing outside Naruto's hospital door for a little to long.
"Uhh-yeah!" she said with quick cheer and began to turn the knob. "Hey Naruto, we're coming in!" There was no reply which worried her a bit. Usually there was always a cry of, "Sakura-chan!" or "tell Sasuke-teme to stay out!" The silence gave her a shiver-could he have gone back to that 'Fox' mind he'd been talking about. Seeing Naruto cower in a corner from her was something she feared each visit. Luckily so far Naruto had been himself, if not a little odd. When ever she thought he was acting like a fox she would smack him over the head. Not to hard, those fox ears were pretty cute…
Sakura cracked the door open and peeked in, then with a look of shock she threw the door open.
"What is it?" after seeing Sakura throw the door open Sasuke knew something was wrong. It wasn't long before he found out what. "That idiot!" he growled seeing the open window, the curtains flittering in the breeze.
"We have to find him-what if someone sees him-or worse! What if he's under Kyuubi's influence again?" Sakura tried to keep her voice as low as she could. Not long ago Naruto had been moved from the main part of the hospital to somewhere more private. Still she didn't want to take the chance of someone hearing her.
"Come on, the dobe's not smart enough to get far." Sasuke grunted, jumping up onto the window frame and then outside. Sakura quickly followed after.
'Naruto you idiot, if something happens to you I'll kill you!' The Kunoichi thought, clenching a fist as they passed over the buildings of Konoha.
Earlier that day.
Err it had been almost two weeks!
Naruto's tail twitched as he glared out the window. It was a bright day outside and looked perfect for training. He was really annoyed with Tsunade for keeping cooped up like this-it was driving him crazy.
'Don't like being locked up, eey kit?'
'Yeah, I hate it.'
Normally Naruto would have countered with something like 'Shut up stupid fox!' He never really meant it though, and he was pretty sure Kyuubi knew it too. Naruto had tried to stop talking to the demon altogether, but that had proved next to futile. Though Kyuubi gave him his space, after a while he could tell the connection between them had strengthened.
It was hard to admit this though, because he knew how worried Sakura was about him. The others were as well, and would always remind Naruto to be carful not to let Kyuubi take control of him. But it was Sakura that made it hardest for him-he hated the look of fear in her eyes. Not of the demon itself, but of loosing Naruto. It had surprised him how much she cared, he'd never had a friendship like that before.
Along with being so infatuated with her he would do anything he had to too keep her happy. If the demon ever spoke in her presence, he would either do his best to keep quite or snap back at him. But Sakura hadn't come yet today and he was bored and lonely. Tsunade hadn't been around to do anymore test since yesterday and Kakashi-sensei didn't even stop by-god forbid Sasuke see him! The guy was already making remarks about his appearance.
He humphed, what was wrong with his tail and ears anyway? They were soft and he kept them clean. In fact, after a while even his blond hair had become as shiny and soft as his fox fur. He flicked his tail slightly and then in a move faster then any genin, he opend the window to the outside.
'Creatures like us aren't meant to be imprisoned…'
'Creatures like us…' Naruto shook his head. 'No-I'm nothing like you! I'm human, not a demon or a fox!'
There was a great sigh in the back of his mind, before the beast spoke again. 'You are as much my son as your human father kit. You should know you are not the only host who's had to carry me. Your mother bore the burden as well.'
"M-my mother?" Naruto stuttered then thought. 'You knew her? You knew my mom?'
'She was my prison for more then twenty years…'
'W-what was she like?'
Naruto wondered if the fox was angry as he heard a deep rumbling. Instead he just spoke matter-of-factly. 'She was very much like you, though you took on the features of that accursed father of yours.' This time he really did show anger, and Naruto felt it heat in his gut.
'Stop that!'
'Sorry kit, sometime's I forget how connected we are.'
'Well don't-and we're not!'
'Tsk, weren't you listening to what I was saying boy? I was sealed inside of you mothers navel for many years. Since your creation to your birth I have always been with you. You and I share something stronger then blood or chakra.'
Naruto gritted his teeth, Kyuubi wasn't lying to him he could tell that much. 'Kyuubi-san, what was my mother's name?'
The great fox was silent for a moment before he spoke again. 'Uzumaki Kushina.'
'So I have my mom's last name? Why?'
This time Kyuubi didn't answer, and no matter how man time's Naruto asked he wouldn't respond.
"Phuh-be that way! Probably lying anyway." The boy grumbled just as an exceptionally sweet breeze passed the window. He sniffed at the air then took in a deep breath with a sigh. It smelled so good out there… he had to get out of this place.
Naruto jumped on the window sill and then to a nearby roof. He'd be back, but there was no way he could take that little hospital room any more. He needed to stretch his legs. To have his freedom. He was so preoccupied with the vigor the outside gave him, he didn't even notice Kyuubi's soft words.
'Soon kit… soon.'