When Naruto woke up he was surprised to be in a pool of water. He sat up and looked around. He recognized his location quickly. He was inside his mind with the nine-tails again. Something was off. He could feel another presence. He had no clue as to what or who it might be so he paid it no heed. Instead he looked to the giant gate before him. He knew what was being restrained by it, but its sheer size still surprised him.

"It seems you've found your way back to me once again. Let me guess, you got pummeled again, and you only need me for my power? Well, just be careful you don't take too much or I'll have to RIP YOUR BODY AWAY FROM YOU!"

"I don't need your help! Why am I here again? Is my father here as well?"

"HOW SHOULD I KNOW! Why don't you ask our guest. I'm not sure how or why you brought him here, but I want him out. He's unnerving as all hell."

Naruto was surprised. Who could have possibly invaded his psyche. How was such a thing even possible. Naruto turned to look at the trespasser just as he spoke.

"My, My. This is surprising. I'd never thought I would get to meet the nine-tails in person, or would you prefer Kurama. That is your name after all."

"How could you possibly know my name?"

Naruto looked at Kurama incredulously.

"You have a name?!"

"OF COURSE I DO! You would have known had you simply asked."

"Well this is only the second time I've met you, ya know."

Orochimaru let out an audible laugh.

"It seems you two are not yet harmonized. It doesn't even seem like it's a possibility. I'm afraid I was cautious for no reason. Oh well, Naruto, if I may ask, how are you capable of using the Yuki Clan's kekkei genkai."

"Um I'm not really sure. WAIT! Who are you and how do you know about that?"

"Now, Now. I asked you a question first. You answer mine and I'll answer yours."

Naruto truly did not know who Orochimaru was. He hadn't paid enough attention in class to know enough about the Sanin, much less what they looked like. He was also unconscious when he revealed his identity in the forest of death. He was completely oblivious as to who the stranger before him might be.

"I guess that's fair. Well, I guess I stole it from another shinobi. His name was Haku. He was from that clan you mentioned."

"Fascinating. How did you accomplish such a feat?"

"I'm not sure myself, but old man Hokage and Kakashi sensei said that I must have taken it with my chakra chains. Wait no, they said they weren't like chakra, but closer to life energy or something. It didn't really make a lot of sense to me. Hey wait a second, you didn't answer my question."

Orochimaru had hoped the kid would not realise that until much later. He wanted to probe him for more information. What the kid was telling him was unfathomable. The potential this child had was unimaginable. If he could steal one kekkei genkai why not more or all of them. This child held the key to Orochimaru's dream. He had to know more. To continue his examination he had to appease the young boy.

"How clumsy of me. I apologise. I seem to have gotten ahead of myself. To answer your question. My name is Orochimaru, and was once a friend of your father. He…"

"LIAR! Don't listen to him brat. You've already told him too much. I know who he is. He's a criminal wanted by the Leaf Village. He's done some unspeakable things even by my standards. We need to get him out of your mind and body now!"

Naruto looked at Orochimaru with disgust. He had been toyed with, and as a result he had just revealed an important secret. He had to stop Orochimaru before it was too late. Orochimaru simply looked at Kurama disappointedly. He had hoped Kurama had been sealed long enough to not know about him. It only dawned on him that Kushina definitely knew who he was after Kurama's outburst.

"I'm not at all sure what I can do here in your psyche, but trust me, you won't be able to get rid of me very easily."

"QUICK brat do something. How did he even get in here."

"How Should I know. I don't even know who he is."

Orochimaru simply looked at them with contempt. The secrets of his curse mark were known to a very select few. His jutsu had no weaknesses that he knew about.

"Hmm, I'll let you two argue amongst yourselves. I'm going to explore if you don't mind."

"Not if I can help it!"

Naruto leapt at him with his kunai ready.

"STOP! Stop and think you stupid kid. Fighting in here could seriously hurt you or your seal. Not that I would mind you busting up the seal, but with him here I don't know what the consequences could be."

Naruto simply looked down. He was right. He had know idea what was going on. He didn't even really know what the place they were in really was.

"So Kurama was it?"

Kurama simply looked at Naruto annoyed. He hadn't even bothered to ask for his name himself and now he was using it as if they were old friends. Kurama ignored him and started to focus. In this psyche everything and everyone is basically a form of chakra. Kurama was of course the biggest source of chakra, and then Naruto was the host source, but what exactly was Orochimaru.

He didn't feel like regular chakra. What caught Kurama's attention was that it seemed like Orochimaru's presence and strength seemed to be increasing.

'He must have sealed himself inside the kid, but what's strange is that his presence isn't restrained like I am, and not only that, he seems to be getting stronger. The strength he's building, if it's here then Naruto should be able to use and manipulate it like mine. He's making the kid stronger. Why? Well regardless I think I know why his chakra feels different. It's not regular chakra. It's a lot like sage chakra. It's using nature energy to sustain and increase itself. If I were in control I think I could break the seal and kick him out, but the brat wouldn't let that happen.'

"Hey brat, I have a plan."

"Oh really, what'd ya have in mind?"

"Let me take control. I think I can break the seal he's placed on you, and if not I'll simply overpower his presence. There's no way his jutsu is designed to be able to control a tailed-beast."

"HEY! You're just trying to trick me into letting you go crazy again."

"SHUT UP! I don't want him here as much you do. Having him here is worse than having me here. I'll only give you power until the seal breaks. If you can't handle what I give you then you're as pathetic as I thought."

"Doesn't really seem like I have a choice then."

'Dad did say he believed I could do it.'

"You promise you won't go crazy."

"I'M NOT PROMISING ANYTHING. I just want him gone. If you can't handle what I give you it's your own fault."

"Okay, just do it."

Naruto walked up to the cage Kurama was behind. The cage was the safety barrier. It was the seal designed to restrain Kurama and also let him share his chakra with Naruto. Kurama Began to send Naruto energy of his free will. At first Naruto could feel his real body beginning to heal. The power Kurama possessed was intense and overwhelming. Naruto began to realise that there was no way he could handle it all yet. How much he could handle he was about find out. As Kurama's chakra increased Naruto began to feel a sharp pain on his neck. Naruto realised that was where Orochimaru had bit him, and that's where he must have placed the seal. The pain must have meant that Kurama's plan was working, but the pain was excruciating. Slowly Orochimaru's presence was beginning to disappear. Naruto felt Orochimaru's surprise. He hadn't thought is possible, but he had simply underestimated Kurama's shear strength.

"It seems my time here has come to an end. I bid you both farewell, but I have to wonder how much of your strength is going to be needed to eliminate me. It might be too much for poor little Naruto to handle."

As Orochimaru's presence began to disappear Naruto realised he was nearing his limits. He was starting to lose consciousness. He was losing control. Naruto knew what would happen if he did. He could hurt anyone and everyone around him. When he had fought Haku the only thing that stopped him from tearing him apart was Naruto's father's appearance. There was no way to know if he would appear again.

'No. No. I can't lose it now, I'm so close to getting him out. Just a little longer.'

Just as Naruto was about to fall unconscious he began to hear someone call his name..

'Who is that. Dad, Dad is that you? Wait no, it's not him. The voice sounds different. It's a girl's voice, but who, who could it be?'

"NARUTO! Please Naruto-kun, wake up."

Naruto opened his eyes up to see the forest again. He was out of his psyche and into the real world again. He wasn't in serious pain anymore but he was uncomfortable. Somebody was on top of him.

"Hinata-chan?"

Hinata looked up to see Naruto's big cerulean eyes. He was awake. Normally their current situation and position would have probably knocked her unconscious, but now she was only glad Naruto was awake.

"Hey Hinata-chan why are you crying? Did someone hurt you?"

"Naruto-kun. Oh Naruto thank kami you're okay. I thought you were going to... "

"What, me? Nah, It'd take a lot more than that to take me out. I'm going to be Hokage one day, ya know."

'She was crying for me? Why? Why does she care about me so much?'

"You were just in so much pain. I was afraid we were going to lose you."

"Well thanks you Hinata-chan. You're always so nice to me, but can you please get off of me. It's kinda hard to breathe."

It was only then that Hinata realized where she was. Her face turned a bright crimson, and she jumped back seemingly twenty feet before she turned away from Naruto out of embarrassment.

"You two are priceless. Hurry up and get ready. We're running out of time. The exam will be over after tomorrow."

"Oh shut up Sasuke. What happened while I was out."

Sasuke noticed the blush Naruto had, and had to restrain himself from teasing him as well. He then told him about all that had happened while he was unconscious. The only thing he left out was the curse mark he also received. Sasuke had already convinced Hinata to not tell Naruto either. He didn't want to cause any alarm before the exam was over.

The team began to regroup. They were running out of time and needed to find the other scroll. After the recent endeavors they had been through, they were filled with new vigor and determination. As they headed to the tower they came upon new enemies, but compared to what they had already faced they were nothing more than child's play. After a few encounters they finally found the scroll they needed and were ready to go on to the next exam.

Once they arrived at the tower they were met by the rest of the passing candidates. Naruto looked around and saw that the rest of the rookies had made it. Lee's team, the Sand siblings. the Sound trio, and Kabuto's team had all made it. Once all the candidates were gathered they were addressed by Lord Third Hokage. With all the Jonin instructors and proctors behind he described the purpose of the Chunin exams. The third proctor appeared as Sarutobi was explaining the details of the third exam. Genma and Sarutobi Explained that before the third exam was to be held, there needed to be a preliminary exam because more genin had passed the first two exams than expected. The preliminaries were to be composed of one on one full intensity fights to ideally cut the number of candidates in half. Genma made sure to ask if any one participant wanted to back out, since any one of the bouts could end fatally.

Naruto wondered if anyone could just quit after making it this far. He was shocked when Kabuto decided to take his leave. There was something wrong with his conviction. He didn't back out because he was afraid or worried. He felt there was a malicious reason for his actions but he couldn't quite figure out what or why.

Before the matches started Naruto quietly observed the interactions between the other genin. Sakura and Ino were still only interested in Sasuke and their personal rivalry. He also noticed that Lee was was attempting to impress Sakura. Neji was very reserved but Naruto could still tell that he very interested in Sasuke and Hinata. Kiba was obnoxious as ever but there was something wrong with Akamaru. He was afraid of something but Naruto couldn't quite tell what. Lastly, Naruto saw Zaku's broken arms.

'Sasuke Really did a number on that guy.'

The names of the combatants were drawn at random on a digital screen.

Sasuke was up in the first round against Yoroi (Team Kabuto). He was initially surprised by his opponents ability to siphon chakra but he quickly regained the advantage with the dancing leaf shadow he copied from Lee. He won by chaining his own original taijutsu, he dubbed The Lion's Barrage, after the Dancing Leaf Shadow.

In the second match Shino was pit against the injured Zaku. While Zaku surprised everyone by still being able to use his arms, Shino defeated him by revealing his ability to control insects with chakra.

Kankuro battled Misumi (Team Kabuto) In the third match. Kankuro quickly defeated him with the Puppet Master Jutsu. While the match was over quickly the Puppet Master Jutsu caught Naruto's interest.

A battle of emotions roared when Sakura and Ino were pit against each other in the fourth fight. They seemed evenly matched up until they decided to use their secret jutsus. Everyone was surprised when Sakura caught both Ino and herself in a powerful genjutsu as Ino attempted her Mind transfer Jutsu. It resulted in a double knock out.

Tenten's wide array of ninja tools were completely countered by Temari's Wind Style Jutsu waves in the fifth brawl. Once Temari exhausted all of Tenten's tools she caught her in a wind vortex and overwhelmed her with ease.

In the sixth match Shikamaru outsmarted Kin from the Sound trio. His clever manipulation of his Shadow Possession Jutsu forced Kin to knock herself out.

Tensions were high as Naruto and those who hadn't been called were anxious to get there fights over with. Naruto looked at who remained. Hinata, Kiba, Gaara, Lee, Dosu, Choji, and Neji still remained.

"Me next, me next! I can't wait to go. Hinata-chan are you excited for your match too."

"Kind of.."

"Hey what kinda talk is that. Hinata-chan you're amazing. I bet you'll beat whoever you're up against."

Naruto shot her his trademark smile, but he didn't get the response he was hoping for. He felt Hinata's heart sink. She was afraid.

"For the seventh match it will be Hinata Hyuga against Neji Hyuga."

Genma's words struck fear into Hinata's very soul, Naruto could feel it.

"Hey Hinata-chan. Don't worry. I'm sure you can beat him, ya know. When you beat him our team will be guaranteed a clean sweep."

While he felt her spirits lift, they weren't where he had hoped. Hinata reached into her pouch and pulled out a small container.

"Hear Naruto-kun. Take this please."

"Um, yeah sure. What is it."

"It's a healing ointment. Use it if you get hurt."

"Oh thanks Hinata-chan. That's real nice of you, but why are you giving this to me…"

Before Naruto could finish Hinata leapt down to the battlefield.

Neji looked at Hinata with contempt. There was so much built up hatred in the match that not very many people knew about. Kakashi and Guy tried their best to give some insight into the internal feuds of the Hyuga Clan, but it seemed there was slightly more to it.

"Lady Hinata, withdraw from the match. If you fight me then I will not be responsible for the outcome of this match. You were never meant to be a shinobi. You're too kind and gentle. You don't have the conviction needed to be a shinobi."

"NO! No. I'm here to see if I could change. I want to prove myself."

"Why bother. People can't change no matter how hard they try. We are all given a fate at birth and it is foolish to try and defy it. You were and are forever destined to be a failure."

Hinata was being deeply cut by Neji's words. She started to regress to some of her older habits when she was afraid or nervous.

"I can see your entire past in your eyes and actions. Your failure to live up to your father's expectations. Your self deprecating demeanor. When you lift your hands to your lips you're trying to build a wall between us. You're trying to block me out, but no amount of mental blocks can keep out the . You were never meant for this. You are and will always be a.."

"HEY! SHUT UP! What gave you the right to tell her what she can or cannot be! Hinata you can't just stand there and let him talk to you like that. You're driving me crazy. Don't listen to him Hinata! You've worked so hard to get here. Remember why you're here. Now's your chance to prove yourself to that person."

The doubt in Hinata's heart was erased. Neji noticed the quick change in Hinata's demeanor and emotions. It didn't take him long to realise why.

"That kid. Lady Hinata, what is he to you?"

While Hinata was more determined than before Neji's question made her nervous in a different way than before.

"Oh, by the way you reacted I know exactly what he is to you, but I wonder does someone as stupid as him know."

Everyone who knew Hinata knew about how she felt for Naruto. Everyone except for Naruto himself of course, but Neji had made a mistake.

"Neji niisan, you can say whatever you want about me, but never, ever insult Naruto-kun. Defend yourself my brother."

"Well if you're sure this is what you want, then I won't hold back."

'She seems more determined than before. I can see the ferocity in her eyes. She isn't just determined, she's angry over my comment about the blond fool."

They both slid into their Gentle Fist stance and activated their Byakugan, and when Genma gave the word they began their attacks. Naruto had seen the Gentle Fist when Hinata demonstrated it to the team, but to observe a fight between two Gentle Fist users was a sight to behold. With his Sharingan active he could see the amount of chakra they both discharged in each blow. While watching them Naruto observed their form carefully. He realised that just as Kakashi had said during training, Naruto could copy the Gentle Fist form, but without the Byakugan he couldn't pinpoint what they were aiming at.

Their fight looked more like a dance. Every move was so crisp and flowed into the next. They seemed to fighting on equal ground. Both were adept in the the Gentle Fist Art. To everyone around the fight seemed to be going evenly, but without the Byakugan no one could see what was actually happening. Neji was slowly gaining the upper hand. He was truly the Hyuga prodigy the older shinobi had heard about. Just as it looked like Hinata landed a blow she reeled back in pain. She began to cough up blood. Neji had decisively taken the upper hand as he landed a devastating blow to Hinata's chest.

"I told you that you could not defeat me."

"I won't know if I don't try."

She began charging and was knocked down. Her Chakra network had been disrupted, and she really had no chance of beating Neji anymore. Even though she that she had basically already lost she continued to charge. She was knocked down over and over. She didn't want to give up, not in front of Naruto.

"Look, Hinata it's over. Forfeit this match."

"I… I never go… back on my word. That too is my ninja way."

All around Naruto everyone was starting to see just how strong and determined Hinata was proving herself to be. Lee looked at Naruto.

"She's a lot like you Naruto."

"Maybe that's why she's always looking at you."

Sakura added to Lee's comment.

'She's always looking at me. Why? Why me?'

Naruto was broken out of his thoughts as Hinata collapsed after a powerful blow from Neji.

"Hinata! Get up! Show him your not done yet."

To everyone's surprise Hinata began to get to her feet. Everyone knew that the match was more or less over and when Hinata's eyes were deactivated from her Byakugan.

"Neji niisan you speak to me like my father, but unlike him and I, I can see you are the one who is truly in pain. My past may not have been as good as I would have liked. I can still see that you are the one who is the most bitter about our clans separation of branches."

"WHY YOU!"

For the first time in the whole match Neji took the offensive. He charged her with full intent to kill. The match was over, and he was still charging. All the Jonin present began to move in order to stop Neji, but they were all shocked when they saw who reached Hinata first. Neji's palm shattered a plane of ice and struck Naruto directly in the back. Everyone felt the temperature of the air in the arena drop sharply. Neji looked shocked when he saw that he had struck Naruto. Naruto really didn't know how to stop Neji's attack so he simply rushed to Hinata's side and wrapped his arms around her to take the blow in her Hinata looked up she saw Naruto smiling at her.

"Naruto-kun? Do you… do you… acknowledge me? Do you think I've changed."

"Do I? Yes Hinata-chan. Just rest"

Once she heard Naruto's response she gave in to the pain and lost consciousness.

'It was me. This whole time I was the one she was trying to prove herself to.'

Blood began to drip from Naruto's mouth. He had just taken a full strength Gentle Fist strike to the back. He laid Hinata down and turned to Neji.

"I vow to win."

Before anyone could react Naruto punched an unprepared Neji out cold. Genma jumped to stop Naruto from continuing his assault.

"If you don't stop right now I'll be forced to disqualify you."

"... Get some medics out here for them."

"It looks like you need some attention yourself."

Naruto ignored Genma and walked back up to the spectators' balcony. Everyone on the balcony looked at Naruto incredulously. Naruto was not the type of person to do anything remotely close to what everyone had just witnessed him do. Kakashi tried to scold him but Naruto was only focused on the container of healing ointment in his hands.

"And for the eighth match Naruto Uzumaki against Kiba Inuzuka."

Author Note: Felt like I needed to justify the interaction between Kurama and the Curse Mark. The curse mark is based on Jugo's curse mark which is powered by nature energy. If Kurama could prevent the elder toad sages from fusing with Naruto, I just assumed that a similar thing could apply in this situation.