Welcome to the epilogue of this story. A big thank you to all the people who have taken the time to post reviews and offer advice and criticism. It's been good to get the feedback. So much so that I've decided to go over this story and edit it to remove some errors and make it a better (maybe even easier) read. This story was very much a test for me, and I've enjoyed writing in a way that not only provides a entertaining story, but also challenges the reader's perception (chapter 1 being the prime example). I also want to edit it because I started this story in October 2009, and now that's it's the end of 2010 naturally my style of writing has changed (slightly).

Also of note is that I'm going to be going over some of my other stories and changing, deleting, and even butchering them. I want to do this now as an exercise to critique what I have done previously. This will lead to some stories being reposted after a edit. Hopefully with this I will progress further as a writer, and gain more knowledge in self-editing my work. And then once this is done, I can start a new story (and hopefully start writing a story of my own creation, which I was meant to do throughout the year and still haven't).

"Speaking current tense"

Thinking current tense

This is fanfic. I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 5: Epilogue

Looking out in front of him, Naruto was instantly at peace, yet distrusting of the situation. The calm breeze that relaxed his senses, the feeling of the sand beneath his feet, and the tranquil sounds of the ocean all flooded his body, bringing about a yawn that only added to the relaxing effect the surrounding area had on him.

Chiding himself for allowing the environment to affect him like it was, again, Naruto struggled to concentrate his senses. Something was seriously wrong. He couldn't pinpoint what it was though. Moving down the beach towards the water, Naruto carefully strode the distance before reaching the water's edge. Looking down he was mesmerized by the gentle back and forth motion of the water as it encroached upon the sand.

Smiling, Naruto sat down on the sand, his feet stretched out in front of him, and continued to watch the water as it now lapped gently against the soles of his feet. Sighing, he turned his head left and right, and was both pleased and disappointed to find he was the only one on this beach.

It's a pity there's no-one else around. Maybe I should bring Hina-chan next time? Frowning in thought, a shocked expression covered his face as he realised something. Why would I be here if she wasn't? Standing abruptly, Naruto turned on the spot, spreading his senses as far as he could. There's no-one else here. No-one. And every time I try to focus I get distracted. It's almost like… I'm trapped in a genjustu!

Bringing his hands together quickly, Naruto was about to dispel the genjutsu on him when something tickled at the edges of his senses stopping his actions. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Naruto made to dispel the technique on him again, only to be stopped once more, this time by a growl.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you boy." Turning around at the deep voice, Naruto saw no-one behind him.

"Who's there?" Naruto was on edge now. A suffocating quiet fell on the beach, and he was vaguely aware of the increased beating of his own heart, the sound rising in volume as he started to panic.

"Calm yourself, boy, I mean you no harm. I only want to talk."

The voice once again came from behind him, and spinning around Naruto found himself alone once again. "Where are you?" Naruto whispered as he stilled all movement to make it easier to hear.

"I've been here the whole time, boy. You've just been ignorant like usual." Turning around one more time, Naruto found himself looking at nothing again. That's when he felt the presence in front of him, and looking down, Naruto was shocked to find a fox, roughly the size of a medium-sized dog, sitting in front of him. There was nothing that unusual about the fox, except that its fur was red in colour, there were nine tails instead of one, and there was what Naruto could only describe as a sneer on its face.

"Kyuubi?"

"The one and only boy." Replied the fox, its eyes locking with Naruto's. "Took you long enough to notice me, though I suppose I can't blame you. After all, the drugs they subjected you to were designed to break our connection and disable the both of us."

"They?"

"Akatsuki, you fool. Well, what is left of them."

Realisation dawned on Naruto's face. "I remember now. They had me drugged heavily, and I couldn't contact you while I was captive." Looking around again, Naruto thought of something that the Kyuubi said. "Is the reason why you stopped me from trying to release a genjutsu because…"

"We're in the seal, yes."

"Wow, I thought it could only be a sewer." Naruto gestured around him. "Why is it like this now?"

"I have a theory, but it's just that, a theory. Sit down boy, so that I don't have to strain my neck to talk to you."

Sitting down in the sand, Naruto asked the next question that was burning in his mind. "Kyuubi, why are you so small."

Smirking at Naruto's question, the nine-tailed fox answered. "The reason I'm this small is because this is only a projection. I'm trapped further down in the seal." Taking his eyes off of Naruto, the Kyuubi looked around the area they were in. "It seems that not only time, but the drugs you were subjected to, have altered the seal slightly, and things are changing as more of my power becomes yours."

Looking back at Naruto, the Kyuubi could see some understanding of the situation cross his vessel's eyes. "My theory is that because of this the projected landscape of the seal has changed. There is still a sewer, but it is hidden below this area. And the only way I can talk to you in here is if I use a projection of myself. The seal restricts my power, so I only appear small."

Naruto was amazed. Sure it was only a theory, but if it were true then what else could change. "That still doesn't answer a lot. Sure, I understand that the seal might change as more of your power becomes mine. After all, that's the way the seal was designed. However, that still leaves out how the drugs I was given could alter the seal, if they indeed altered it at all. And of course, that then begs the question: What other outside influences could potentially affect the seal?"

Staring at the fox for the several seconds, Naruto let out another sigh. "And then of course, the big questions. If the drugs I was given affected the seal this much, then what else has it affected? And for how long will I continue to be affected by its influence?"

"Those are indeed the pertinent questions. That's why I've been struggling for several hours to find a way to communicate with you. Though I'm glad to see I don't have to spell out the seriousness of the situation to you like I would have had to in the past." Smirking at the look on Naruto's face because of the jab at his intelligence, the Kyuubi started to fade from view.

"While I will do my own research in here, I suggest you do same out there. There are after all more resources at your disposal. Who knows? Maybe I'll get my chance at freedom sooner than I thought."

Looking at the place where the demon fox had been, Naruto went over the conversation he just had with the Kyuubi. Things have definitely changed. Though the changes to the seal have made me stronger, the Kyuubi now has more freedom than before, though it's only a projection. And of course I don't know what else could change as a result of the drugs and the seal being tampered with. This does not look good.

Closing his eyes, Naruto started to go over the problems again when he felt something shift against his body. Moving his head to get a better view, he struggled for several seconds to open his eyes, and when he did he found himself staring up at a white ceiling.

I know this ceiling. Moving his head left and right, Naruto found himself to be lying in a bed in Konoha's hospital. "Never thought I'd be happy to see the insides of this hospital again." As he spoke he could feel how dry his throat was, and looking at the bedside table he could see some water in a jug and two glasses. One was already used though.

That's strange. Naruto then felt something shift against his body again, and looking down at his body he could see what it was. He had woken up many times to the exact same scene.

Under a veil of midnight blue hair, Hinata, his angel, was laying next to him in his hospital bed, the sheets covering them both, with her head on his chest while the rest of her body was snuggled up against the left side of his body.

Moving slowly so as not to disturb her, Naruto brought his right arm up and moved some stray strands of hair to get a better look at his fiancé. Seeing the contentment in her face as she slept, Naruto smiled. She must have been worried sick about me.

Feeling Hinata shift again in her sleep, the warm sensation of flesh on flesh peaked Naruto's interest, and grabbing the edge of the sheet covering them, he lifted it just enough to look down at their bodies. What he saw brought a smirk to his lips.

Hinata was wearing nothing bar a bra and some panties. Naruto grinned as he looked down at Hinata's perfect porcelain white skin as she continued to hug him in her sleep. If it wasn't for the fact they were in a hospital, he would have taken her right then. Kami knows he needed something to reaffirm that he was loved. And looking at his sleeping princess, he could tell Hinata needed it too.

That's when he heard the door to his room open and close, and turning towards the new occupant in the room his eyes locked onto the eyes of the woman he came to see as a de-facto grandmother.

"It's good to see you awake Naruto." Smiling for the first time since she saw Hinata bring Naruto back to the village, Tsunade then noticed that Naruto wasn't alone in his bed, and that a pile of clothes were neatly placed on the chair beside the bed.

Sighing, Tsunade moved over to the front of the bed, picking up the medical chart attached to it. "It seems that no matter what I say though, your fiancé here just won't listen to reason." Scribbling a quick note on the chart she then put it back in its place.

"Hey Baa-san. It's good to see you too." Smiling, Naruto looked down at Hinata. "I take it this isn't the first time she's done this."

"No. And no matter how many times I say it, and catch her, she just won't listen to me."

"I see." Naruto gaze followed Tsunade as she picked up the pile of Hinata's clothes on the chair, moved them to the bedside table and then sat down. "How long have I been out?"

"Just over twenty-eight hours. It seems that after the stress of the escape, your body needed some time to rest."

Naruto's face became pensive as he listened to Tsunade. "How much longer will I have to stay in the hospital?"

"I want to keep you in here for the next week. Not only do you need the rest, but Hinata said you were subjected to some kind of drug while held captive. Is this true?"

"Yeah, Baa-san, they had me on some drugs to keep me in check. It messed up my memory and connection with the fox. Actually before you came in, I was …"

Watching Naruto trail off in his thoughts, Tsunade became suspicious of where he was heading while he talked. "Before I came into the room, what were you doing Naruto?"

Naruto turned back to look at Tsunade and could tell he wouldn't be able to distract her after his slip. He had to come clean if he was going to figure this out. "I was talking to the Kyuubi. I was in the seal, but it was strange. The scenery had changed, and the Kyuubi could only talk to me via a projection of itself. It said that time, and the drugs, had possibly changed the way the seal was working, and might be speeding up the transfer of the Kyuubi's powers to myself."

Naruto looked back down at Hinata, while Tsunade tried her best to not to become overly worried about the situation. "The Kyuubi was also a bit weird too Baa-san. It was like it was trying to help me, but it was still a bit hostile. It said that I should do some research out here on the matter, while it tried to figure out what was happening while inside the seal. Then the Kyuubi left while making a threat about escaping. It was… well, weird."

Watching him, Tsunade could see that Naruto was a bit lost. After all, it wasn't like this particular situation occurred every day, so she could see why he was worried. She had to try and calm him a bit. "Well, don't worry about it too much for now brat." Reaching over, Tsunade squeezed his right shoulder while talking. "I want you to rest up. While you get better, I'll run some more tests on the blood sample we took from you. Hopefully there's enough of the drug that Akatsuki gave you left in your system so we can figure out what it might have done to you and the seal." Standing up, Tsunade walked to the door and opened it.

"After you're out of this place, we'll start a more in depth probe into what might be happening. I might even get Yamanaka Inoichi, Ino's dad, to take a look in your head for any clues." Smiling, Tsunade was about to close the door when she stopped and looked back at Naruto.

"You should also know that Sasuke is still alive. However, he's currently in an induced coma after surgery on his wounds." With that said Tsunade closed the door.

Shocked by the last bit of news, Naruto was interrupted from his thoughts when he felt Hinata shift against him again. This time though, he felt her grab his left arm and move it down until it was caressing her right hip.

Looking down at Hinata's face Naruto could see that her left eye was partially open, the pupil-less iris staring right into his eyes. "You heard what Tsunade said, Naruto. Don't worry about it too much for now. Let's just go back to sleep."

Seeing her eye close Naruto smirked. "You were awake the whole time, weren't you?" Getting an affirmative moan in response, Naruto tightened his grip on Hinata, and both of them soon fell asleep in the hospital room.

Crouched down in front of the Memorial stone, Joker absent-mindedly traced a name carved into the stone with his left-hand index finger. The name he was tracing held no significant importance to him, but it helped him feel connected to something as he thought about the loss of his teammates, Owl and Frog.

The mission had been a success, but no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't shake the feeling he had failed.

"You know they don't put the names of Anbu on there, right?"

"I know." Standing up, Joker turned around to see Rose in her full Anbu gear. "I just needed some time to reflect, and I thought this might be a good place."

"I see." Looking past Joker, Rose studied the Memorial stone while Joker walked over to her. "Are you sure it's wise to be going on a mission so soon after what happened?" Tilting her face back towards Joker, as he now stood two feet from her, Rose tried to read his emotions through the eye holes in his mask.

Sighing, Joker also studied the eyes of his partner. "I'm fine. I just didn't expect to be a captain this quickly."

"Well, technically you aren't a captain until you choose two new members for the team."

Joker smirked behind his mask. "And I didn't expect you to be a bitch about losing two team members this quickly."

"You know that's not what I meant!"

Joker quickly put his hands up in front of him in a placating manner as Rose readied to attack. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding."

Relaxing, Joker and Rose studied each other for several seconds. Rose was the first to speak as Joker started to walk past her.

"I'm glad to see you're okay though. I heard you got chewed out pretty badly by the Hokage for what you did."

Joker stopped as he remembered what happened when he was debriefed after the mission. "Yeah, I was a bit worried. It turns out Kakashi-sempai recognised right away what I was attempting to do. Add to that the fact I stayed behind to fight a lost battle, and the Hokage was not impressed with my choices. She was actually considering passing on the captaincy role to you, even though Owl said I was captain."

"I see."

"However, after I explained my reasons she accepted the actions I took. Her and Kakashi-sempai then spent the next twenty minutes going over other options I could of taken in the situation until they were satisfied I learnt my lesson."

"Oh? And what lesson did you learn?"

"That I'm an idiot who needs to be spoon-fed mission protocol."

Rose laughed loudly at the jibe, Joker joining in as the mood in the clearing lightened. Smiling behind her mask, Rose tried to look stern as she corrected Joker.

"You know that's not what they meant."

"Oh, I know. I just thought it was funny."

"Well, now that the Hokage has sorted you out, it's my turn."

Joker didn't like the way this was going after hearing Rose's voice. "Your turn for what?"

"To pound some sense into you ofcourse." Walking away from Joker, Rose turned around after several steps with an evil glare in her eyes. "After this mission, you and I are going to have a nice little training session." And with that said Rose shunshined out of the clearing.

Joker groaned as he stared at the spot where his teammate just shunshined away. Great. Just my luck. You'd think she'd be glad I was alive. Instead she wants to beat me up. Placing his hands together, Joker followed Rose by teleporting out of the clearing.

Uchiha Madara sat behind the desk, his arms resting on the hard wood, fingers interlaced beneath his chin, as he went over the chain of events again in his mind.

Everything had gone accordingly up to the capture of Namikaze Naruto. From there little unplanned instances occurred. First, he lost Sasuke. Then the drugs given to Naruto didn't work correctly. Then a rescue party attacked his base. And then they escaped with Naruto.

The last one Madara knew was his fault though. If only I didn't mess around with them.

The immortal Uchiha had planned for a rescue attempt. He knew what to do in the situation. However, he had played with his food, and when it came time to eat, he let it go. The result? The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was back in Konoha.

Now I'll have to push back my plans a bit further. Casting his gaze at the map on the wall opposite him, Madara started to formulate his new course of action. Things had gone wrong, but not so wrong that they couldn't be fixed.

The young Namikaze was back in Konoha. It's not like I can't walk in there and take whatever I want whenever I want. His primary base was destroyed. I have several more that should serve well. He had lost some important pawns. There's plenty more once given the opportunity.

Madara smirked. He had been delayed for the time being, but his plan would succeed in the end. And it would succeed because of one thing.

Sasuke was back in Konoha.

Oooooh... cliffhanger, maybe? :) Sorry, but for the time being there is no answer. This is how I wanted to end the story. I won't explain too much, but I will say that the Kyuubi isn't exactly cooperating with Naruto. It (I'm not giving it a gender) still wants to escape, but it also realises that something has changed with the seal, and before it can attempt an escape it needs to know what has happened. Hence why it also tells Naruto to look into it. If Naruto learns something new, the Kyuubi does as well, however, there's nothing to say the Kyuubi will be as forthcoming with information. I also hope that I haven't portrayed Madara too badly. What I mean is that after reading through the story again, I think he comes off a being a bit too schizo, but I believe that after living for as long as he has, he would be a bit crazy, but also have a crazy intelligence that would allow for him to modify his plans for any situation, even if it means pushing back his plans a bit to still succeed. So I hope that explains why he goes from cold and calculating, to random.

Also, with the edit I'm going to do, I'm going to better define this story and it's parameters in relation to standard canon. Lately there have been some major changes to the Naruto manga, and I feel that better defining a timeline for this story might make it easier to read (ofcourse, this is fanfic so I can just say it is the way it is cause I want it to be, but I'm not going to do that, yet :D)

Keep an eye out for the update. Reviews, comments, error correction welcome. Thanks for reading.