Author's Notes: Sorry for the late update, but it's finally here. Hmm... I see a lot of people are requesting that Naruto obtains a bloodline or at least something to have an edge in the story. Now I'm not saying those are bad ideas, I take everything into consideration, I just don't want something like a new powerful ability to completely ruin the plot of the story. I've seen a lot of super powerful, godlike, Naruto fics, and some of them are just too much for me. I won't give too much away, but I will fulfill one of your requests. Special thanks to 'ferduran' for large support and assistance. On to the story...

"Who you calling a brat old man!?" Naruto retorted.

"...I mean just look at them," Tazuna said as he eyed the kids.

"You should not fear Tazuna. These children are very capable. They were taught by quite qualified jonin," Minato said calmly.

"...It doesn't change the fact that they're just brats," Tazuna said after a pause.

"Do not underestimate them. Alright everyone, go pack supplies for the trip. You'll have two hours before you meet up with Tazuna by the gates," Minato said.

"See you around or whatever," Tazuna said boredly then left the office.

"I'd like to speak with you, Naruto," Minato said when he noticed everyone leaving.

Naruto stopped, but he didn't turn to him.

"What's up with everyone wanting to speak with the dobe in private," Sasuke whispered to Naruko, but she ignored him as they left the office.

"...Well, could you turn around, Naruto?" Minato asked.

Naruto turned to the Hokage and looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"How goes your training with your mother?" Minato asked carefully.

"...It's well Hokage-sama. Kushina-sensei has taught me the basics," Naruto said emotionlessly, but he did make a point to emphasise their names. He didn't want his father getting too comfortable around him. The man had no right to feel content after abandoning him.

Minato had to refrain himself from flinching at Naruto's cold tone. Kushina had told him that Naruto had never called her Kaa-san, and Minato knew how that affected her. She can put on a strong front, but Minato knew it was tearing her apart.

"That's good to hear. I heard that she's even teaching you some jutsu to add to your arsenal," Minato was trying his best to get a glimpse of what Naruto felt towards him, but Naruto's expression gave nothing away.

"Only wind based techniques. Is there a reason I'm here Hokage-sama? I still have to pack for the mission," Naruto said evenly.

"Actually yes, I want to offer you something. It is your birthright and as your father-" Minato finally got a reaction as soon as he said the last part, anger, "-It is my duty to teach you the rasengan. It's my very own special tech-"

"I refuse."

"...What?" Minato was stupefied, he thought Naruto would at least be interested in the prospect of learning something from him. He was Hokage.

"Tch, how dare you? After everything that's happened to me, you still have the audacity to act oblivious to it all?!" Naruto struggled not to shout.

"No, son I-"

"Don't call me that! You are not my father! Kushina-sensei is not my mother! How can you even call yourselves such? How can you still think of yourselves as my parents when you left me in hell?" Naruto asked incredulously. It was truly weird for him, and it only made him angrier. He was still conflicted on his feelings towards Kushina, but he certainly did not like Minato at all.

Minato looked down. The truth really hurt, but that's what he gets for leaving Naruto with people who betrayed him.

"I-I'm sorr-"

"No, I don't want your apology. Sometimes sorry just doesn't cut it." Naruto said coldly.

Minato still didn't want to lose Naruto as a son. He loved him and it was really hard for him to deal with this whole mess, especially with the truth of what happened to Naruto for twelve years being repeatedly shoved in his face. He realized that he never actually made a conscious effort to be there for Naruto, and that hurt more than anything. The guilt he was feeling was indescribable. No matter what he did, he would always be looked at as a horrible father, not by the villagers, but anyone else.

This wasn't about some sort of disgusting pride that came with being a parent. He loved Naruto, plain and simple, in this was as bad for him as it was for his son.

"I've wasted enough time here. Good day Hokage-sama," Naruto said as he made to leave.

"I'm so sorry sochi. I know it isn't enough and I know that we don't deserve your forgiveness, but please give us a chance to fix our mistakes. We failed you as parents, we know that. We are terrible parents, not a day goes by were I don't agree. We're just so regretful of what happened sochi and we'll do anything to make it up to you. We love you," Minato pleaded his case. It didn't mean much, but he needed to let Naruto know that they were really sorry.

"Love? Well you sure have a way of showing me how much you love me when you left me with a bunch of strangers and took Naruko with you." Naruto said critically.

Minato had to admit, they way Naruto had said that made it seem ten times worse. He could tell that Naruto thought they chose favourites that night. No, that was far from it.

"We didn't take Naruko because we loved her more than you. We took her because we were running out of time. We love you both equally. It was hard decision for me and your mother," Minato said. It was most difficult for Kushina of all. She refused to leave Naruto and it took Jiraiya, Tsunade and himself to convince her that it was the only way. She did concede in the end but she always had her doubts. That's why she was taking it so hard. She felt like she failed Naruto in the worst way possible, which was unfortunately true.

Minato could tell that Kushina was an emotional wreck. The mother was always trying to figure out ways she could make up to her son, whether it was with training or quality time. Minato had to admit, he had never seen Kushina like this before. He had never seen her fall into such deep desperation... She was desperate for anything with Naruto.

"What the hell?! Hard decision?! Why the hell did you have to choose anyone?!" Naruto screamed angrily.

Oh that's right, he didn't know about the Kyuubi attack, Minato realized.

"...I-I guess I'll have to tell you. It's the least I can do for you," Minato said as he brushed his hair with his hand.

Naruto looked at the Hokage wearily.

"Like I have the time to hear your excuses. I have to go on a mission!" Naruto slammed the door shut.

"...Well, I could have handled that better," Minato muttered.

Naruto was waiting by the gate. He was packed and ready to go the only to waite for now would be for the rest to show up. His parents just couldn't give him a break. It was not something he liked. It's as if all they could do annoy him to no end. At least his mother-Kushina-sensei respected his space and did not force herself on him unless it was necessary. He could admit that he could see- on a number of occasions- the inner turmoil that Kushina was going through, and that really scared him.

"...Great, you're here," Tazuna muttered as he made his way to the gate. He did not like this, even if it was supposed to happen. Taking kids with them was very dangerous.

"Tch!" Naruto folded his arms and stared ahead of him. He had way to many problems than to deal with a drunk.

Not long after that the other genin joined the duo at the gate. It was a normal affair with Sasuke trying and failing, on many occasion, to sway Naruko to the Uchiha image. They were all waiting impatiently for their jonin senseis.

After some time their wait was over.

"Good morning everyone," Kushina greeted with a forced smile. She was still a bit distraught after dealing with Jiraiya. His very name just filled her with so much rage. She was furious at his neglecting of her child. His suffering was far from finished, however she had her children to think about.

Minato had refused to involve her in this mission at first, but she would hear none of it. This would be the first mission her children would be away from Konoha. She had to put up a strong front, no need to worry everyone around her.

"Where's Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked confusedly.

"Yeah. I would have thought that we were going with him alone," Naruto said.

He didn't mean to say it like that, Kushina reassured herself. He may not like her as a parent, but he was still giving her some chance to be around him. It wasn't much, but she was willing to take anything she could.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted from atop a tree.

"How long have you been there?" Sasuke asked.

"Since Naruto came here," Kakashi said with an eye smile.

Naruto frowned at that. He did not detect any trace of Kakashi. Which meant that he still needed a lot of work if he was ever going to become Hokage.

Team seven took the response in stride. They all began their journey to Wave country. It was uneventful for the most part, but the rookies where making do with what they had.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun," Sakura started.

Sasuke just looked at her expectantly.

"Will you like me more if I became stronger?" Sakura asked tentatively.

"I'd like you more if you just leave me alone," Sasuke dismissed without a second thought.

Sakura's shoulders sagged.

"You know, you shouldn't have to go to such lengths to impress someone you like," Naruko said indifferently.

"What do you know!" Sakura fumed.

"For starters you're a kunoichi, and the one main objective is to become great at what you do. Love will follow soon enough, but to have little regard for you profession when it could lead to your death and to focus on trivial matters is not how a kunoichi betters herself," Kushina cut. She was getting a little irritated with their constant squabbles.

"You know Naruko-chan, I have a lot to offer. I'm quite the package," Sasuke boasted.

"Kami, what is wrong with you?"

"Are they always like that?" Tazuna raised an eyebrow at the other two adults.

"It's pretty much expected at this point," Kakashi supported.

"You sure know how to pick em," Tazuna said sarcastically.

"We do, don't we?" Kakashi said.

The journey continued on and the group had to battle the demon brothers on their way to Wave country. It was relatively easy for the two jonin sensei's to completely over power the brothers. They interrogated them and in the end found out the real reason for Tazuna's need for them. The mission had suddenly become more dangerous. Kushina wanted to end it right there, but she was overruled by her genin, and she relented in the end. What's a mother do to?

They were being a lot more careful since the discovery of the real reason behind the mission, but even that could not help against the unexpected.

"Once we arrive at Wave I want full details one what exactly is happening around there. No secrets, you here me?" Kushina said seriously.

"Yeah, yeah." Tazuna could admit it now, Kushina was a very intimidating woman when she wanted to be.

Naruto was staring ahead of him when he caught the sight of something near some bushes. He quickly threw a kunai, making the entire group alert and ready for battle.

After some tense seconds a white rabbit jumped out of the bushes and hopped like an animal possessed, away from the group.

"It was just a rabbit. You really are a loser," Sasuke scoffed at Naruto.

Naruko scowled and was about to defend her brother, but she was cut off with one command.

"EVERYONE GET DOWN!" Kushina screamed and no sooner did she say that a huge sword sliced through the air, narrowly missing the group's heads.

"Damnit." A man with bandages covering the lower half of his face emerged from the bushes.

Kakashi and Kushina regarded the man wearily, but it was Kakashi a concluded the man's identity.

"Zabuza Momochi," Kakashi said seriously.

"Kakashi Hatake, Konoha's copy ninja. I don't know you though," Zabuza said as he eyed the red-headed woman.

"Then it's best that it's kept that way," Kushina said. She at least had a few advantages to this situation. Kakashi knew Zabuza- she hoped enough- and the enemy didn't know her.

Zabuza shrugged and then inclined his head to his sword," Excuse me while a take my blade from that tree."

"I don't think so!" Kushina said curtly.

"How else am I supposed to kill that old man," Zabuza said as he pointed at Tazuna.

"You won't be killing anyone on our watch, Zabuza," Kakashi said.

"You're mistaken Hatake. I came here to kill the bridge builder. If I have to go through you all then that's exactly what I'm going to do," Zabuza said seriously.

"Kids, get out of here!" Kushina commanded.

"No way! This is my first mission and you want us to run away? Hell no!" Naruto shouted angrily.

"This is no time for that! I'm ordering you to leave now!" Kushina said with finality.

"I have to admit. That kid can make a great distraction," Zabuza said nonchalantly as he pried his sword from the tree it was lodged in.

"Damnit," Kushina cursed under her breath for being so careless to get distracted.

"Well, since you won't get out of my way then I got no choice lady." Zabuza summoned two water clones. "I have to kill you all."

Two of Zabuza's clones went for Kakashi and Kushina respectively while the real Zabuza went after Tazuna himself.

"Nothing personal old man. That's just how life is, I guess," Zabuza said as he readied his finishing blow. He was stopped however, by rock hitting the back of his head. He looked to who through the rock and saw an irate blonde boy looking at him furiously.

"You're not harming him on my watch!" Naruto shouted.

"Nii-san, we have to get out of here," Naruko said nervously.

"Hell no! I didn't become a shinobi to just run away from battle! I can beat him by myself!" Naruto said as he charged at the missing nin.

"Stupid dobe's gonna get himself killed!" Sasuke said and he surprised his teammates by rushing after Naruto.

Naruko soon followed suite and all three were heading for Zabuza.

Sakura was too scared to do any of that. All she could do was look around and try to figure out a way to help if possible.

"I'm warning you kids. Stay out of my way and you'll live to tell the tale," Zabuza said while narrowing his eyes at the genin.

Naruto went for a punch, but Zabuza just swatted his hand away and knead the blonde in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain. Naruko tried using her speed to get a surprise attack on the missing nin, however Zabuza intercepted and threw the girl to some near by trees, which she hit rather harshly. Sasuke tried to create a fire jutsu, but Zabuza was faster and created a water jutsu that swept the Uchiha prodigy away.

Zabuza returned his gaze to the blonde knucklehead. He felt for the kid, but he had a job to do and these kids didn't heed the warning of a criminal. He took a a small container and poured a little of its contents on his sword and then put the container away again.

"I warned you to stay out of my way. Now you had to force my hand. Maybe killing you will make a point to your comrades," Zabuza said as he raised his sword into the air.

Naruto lay on his side, clutching his stomach. Zabuza really hurt him, and now Naruto knew how powerful a shinobi Zabuza might be. He couldn't move. The pain was too much for his body and all he could do was wheeze as Zabuza stood over him.

"It's unfortunate that you have to die so young, but so is the life of a shinobi. The poison will make it more enjoyable for me, so you won't suffer too long. What can I say, I'm a nice guy," Zabuza brought the sword down to finish the blonde.

"NII-SAN!" Naruko cried out when she finally regained consciousness, but she was too far to move and save her brother from the impending attack.

Naruto closed his eyes and prepared for death's embrace. It seemed like his life was unfair to the very end. Abandoned by his parents. Attacked by so many villagers. Finding out that he had parents when he spent most of his life thinking that they died or left him to rot and be forgotten. Well the last one was partly true. Now, he was about to meet his end in the worst way possible. He wasn't going to die as a hero, but as a nobody who had a shit of a life. Memories of his harsh childhood flashed in his head and he couldn't stop his heart clenching at the images. His life was truly miserable till his death.

He heard a squelch, indicating that Zabuza's blade had most probably sliced something... But he didn't feel any pain. He felt some droplets of something fall on his face and slowly opened his eyes. As soon as he had a good look at what happened his eyes shot wide open.

Kushina was over him, the blade on her shoulder was unbearably painful and she flinched when she felt the harsh metal sink into her flesh.

Zabuza was quite shocked to see the red-headed woman recklessly risk her life without pause. She left his clone and immediately put her body on the line for the blonde child.

Kakashi used that opportunity to destroy the water clones and attack Zabuza quickly. The missing nin quickly dislodged his blade from Kushina's shoulder and focused on the copy nin.

Kushina breathing was slightly haggard. She could feel the poison slowly making its way through her system and her body was starting to feel numb. The pain on her shoulder intensified and she put a hand on the wound to try and stop the blood flow. She could do little else, her limbs were refusing to follow her commands. Even so, she did her best to put up a strong front.

"Hey," she softly whispered to Naruto.

Naruto was looking at her in shock. It hadn't quite registered to him what exactly happened. All he did was stare, stone faced.

"Are you okay, Naruto?" Kushina asked in concern.

That snapped him out of his stupor. He looked at Kushina and analyzed her shoulder carefully. There was a nasty cut and he mentally winced. It must have been really painful.

Kakashi was still dealing Zabuza. After a while he finally had the upper hand with the assistance of Naruko and Sasuke. But before they could finish Zabuza they were all interrupted by a hunter nin who claimed to be after Zabuza Momichi. They let the nin take him and immediately turned their attention back to the kneeling woman and her son.

Kushina sighed in relief when she saw Zabuza taken by the hunter nin. She doubted that she could have been of any assistance. Her body was starting to feel like lead.

"Kaa-san?" Naruko called softly as she made her way to her mother.

"I'll...be...fine." Kushina dropped next to her son with a dull thud.

"KAA-SAN!" That was the last thing Kushina heard before her world turned black.

They were able to make it to Tazuna's home in record time. Kakashi took Kushina all the way. When they arrived Kushina was treated and put to bed. Tsunami made sure to look after the woman in her time of need, but the was little she could do for Kushina.

"How is she?" Kakashi asked as he made his way into the room Kushina was using.

"She isn't good. She has a high fever and her breathing is short and laboured. I'm not a medical ninja so I'm not sure how to deal with the poison. With the limited resources we have here in Wave, I doubt we could get a cure in time. I'll need to contact someone to possibly treat her, but with Wave on edge I can't be sure if we can find anyone that will be willing to help," Tsunami said as she eyed Kushina's prone form.

Just great. Kakashi knew that things were bad, but he needed to find away to help Kushina before it was too late. He looked at Kushina. Her face looked very much troubled, even in her state of unconsciousness.

"I will go see a contact to help her tomorrow," Tsunami said after a pause.

"I'll come with you for protection," Kakashi offered.

"That would be lovely Kakashi-san," Tsunami said with a smile.

Kakashi went out of the room and saw Naruko.

"Is she okay?" Naruko asked worriedly.

"Don't worry. We'll do everything we can," Kakashi told the girl.

The worried frown did not leave the young Namikaze's face, but she nodded her head.

"Where is everyone else," Kakashi asked curiously.

"They're outside," Naruko said.

"Doing what?" Kakashi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Tree walking," Naruko shrugged and then her shoulders sagged. "I really hope she'll get better."

"Don't lose that hope," Kakashi said with an eye smile and passed the girl.

Naruko lingered a while longer by her mother's room and then decided to follow Kakashi.

Kakashi walked to the backyard of the house and saw a glimpse of the child named Inari, hiding in some bushes as Sakura and Sasuke continued their training.

He ignored the kid and focused on his students. Ever since Kushina forced him to train his genin Kakashi was glad that he took her words to heart. They may have had their differences, but his students were slowly starting to take their training seriously. But there was still one genin missing.

"Where's Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

Sakura briefly stopped her exercise and looked at her sensei.

"He went into the forest. Don't know exactly where," Sakura shrugged her shoulders and then continued her tree walking exercise.

Kakashi sighed when he heard that. Naruto had been completely quiet after Zabuza's attack and he would briefly look at his unconscious mother before looking away in - what Kakashi had to guess - complete bewilderment.

"Kakashi-san!" Tsunami called from the door to the backyard.

Kakashi looked back at the woman and saw her worried frown. This was not good.

Meanwhile Naruto was going aimlessly around the woods in deep thought. Kushina...saved his life. The thought was still shocking. It felt strange.

It felt...warm to know that someone would put their life on the line for his own. He never expected anything like this given his childhood, no one would ever protect the demon brat, so for Kushina to do it made it very difficult for him to find fault in her actions. His mind was a tirade of emotions, happiness, comfort, disgust, loathing. Why did she have to do that? Why did she have to make it so hard for him to keep loathing her presence? Why was it always so difficult for him in particular.

He let out an angry sigh. He was worried about her. He couldn't fight off the feeling. The thought of her dying, because she saved him, was a very uncomfortable prospect. To top it off he was ordered to flee, and he disobeyed out of anger and frustration of being pushed around by his mother and the possibility that he would never partake in a dangerous mission. He endangered all his comrades and he felt bad that Kushina had to be the casualty fo his mistakes.

A part of him found some sort of sick glee in seeing the all so powerful Namikaze put down a peg. Let her feel pain. Let her suffer in anyway that she could for leaving him behind. Another part of him however, was worried sick about his mother. Chastising him for carelessly acting out.

He didn't want Kushina to die. Even after all the suffering he went through he didn't believe death to be some sort of justice or revenge. She may have abandoned him, but he would never wish her death. His train of thought stopped when he spotted someone picking up flowers and plants.

"Oh, hello." The person was a girl with long black hair, wearing a casual kimono which had no sleeves.

"Uhh... hi," Naruto said distractedly and then looked at the girl's basket.

"What are doing?" Naruto asked.

The girl looked at the ground and then at Naruto again.

"Well, I'm picking plants," the girl said.

"Why?" Naruto needed something to distract himself and he was a bit curious.

The girl bit her lip.

"To make medicine for a friend," the girl said after a while.

"Oh," Naruto said awkwardly. Well the distraction was over and his mind strayed back to his mother.

"Is something wrong?" The girl asked as she continued to pick various plants off the ground.

"No,it's okay. It's my problem," Naruto said with a frown.

"...Sometimes it helps to talk to someone. I can keep a secret," the girl reassured.

It would seem weird to trust a complete stranger with one's problems. They girl seemed nice though, so Naruto gave it a shot.

"Well...My sensei's sick," Naruto said after a pause. He missed the girl momentarily stiffening after he said those words.

The girl looked hesitant for a moment and then asked,"Is it anything serious?"

"Yeah, she was poisoned," Naruto said softly.

There was a long pause after that, and Naruto had half a mind to just say his goodbyes and leave, but the girl cut in.

"I make a lot of medicine. Maybe I can help," The girl suggested.

"You can?" Naruto asked in surprise.

"I might be able to, if you can tell me the symptoms," the girl replied.

"Well she was breathing a lot and her face was red...Uhhm... I don't know anything else," Naruto said frustratedly.

"How did she get the poison?" The girl asked.

"She was cut on the shoulder," Naruto said. He expected more questions but was surprised when the girl pulled out a small bottle from a pouch.

"This should work for most poison that has entered the body through exposed flesh or open wounds. I'm quite sure this is the right one to deal with your problem. Your sensei must drink everything. It will forcibly release the poison from your sensei's system. Be warned, she will have a heavy fever with a lot of sweating. That will be indication that the serum is working. Afterwards she should be as good as new," the girl said as handed him the small bottle.

"Are you sure this will work?" Naruto asked warily. He knew that he didn't give enough detail about the poison to know exactly what they were dealing with. Besides, this could make things worse.

"I'm positive it will work... By the way, my name is Haku," Haku said with a smile.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto said.

"It was nice to meet you, Naruto-san," Haku said as she started walking away.

"Wait!" Naruto said but the girl was already gone.

He lingered there for a while longer and analyzed things. He had no choice. There was just little anyone could to and this was the only option he had. He was a person for taking gambles, but he was still a bit wary of this one. He resolved to follow his gut and made a dash to Tazuna's home.

He burst through the door and raced to Kushina's room. He stopped when he heard voices inside.

"We need to leave now. Her condition is getting worse," he heard Tsunami say.

"How long will it take us to get help and come back?" Kakashi asked.

"...I'm not sure, but we don't have much of a choice," Tsunami said.

Naruto took that as his cue and barged into the room with a bottle.

"I can help!" Naruto said hurriedly.

"Naruto? What are doing?" Kakashi sighed.

"I got the cure!" Naruto said.

"What are you talking about?" Kakashi asked with a frown.

Naruto didn't answer and made his way to his mother. He lifted the bottle, but before he could do anything else Kakashi grabbed his wrist.

"What is this?" Kakashi asked suspiciously as he eyed the bottle.

"Let me go! This will help her!" Naruto protested.

"Where did you get it?" Kakashi continued to ignore the blondes protests.

"Kakashi... let him go," Kushina rasped out tiredly.

Everyone looked at her wide-eyed. This was the first she was awake ever since the attack and it still looked like she was struggling to remain conscious.

Kakashi was too shocked to move, so Naruto wrenched his arm out of the copy nin's grip. He went up to his mother.

"It will get rid of the poison," Naruto said quietly.

Kushina nodded slowly,"What... do I have to do?"

"Kushina-sama, you can't-"

"I...trust him" Kushina cut through in pain. It was getting harder to even speak.

Naruto was surprised to hear that, but then decided to focus on the task at hand. He helped Kushina to sit up- she flinched a number of times from the pain- and offered her the bottle carefully. Kushina started drinking the serum. After she was finished Naruto helped her lay down.

"You're gonna get a bad fever soon, but after that you should be fine," Naruto said.

Kushina nodded and then closed her eyes.

"Naruto," Kakashi started.

"I got it from a person who knows poisons," Naruto said.

"You can't just trust anyone you meet!" Kakashi admonished.

"What else could I do? By the time you and Tsunami got back from that person you're trying to find then it could already be too late!" Naruto said irritably.

"There's no point in arguing. What's done is done. I will stay by Kushina's side to see if there is any progress. You two need to leave her in peace," Tsunami said.

Kakashi and Naruto left the room, but Kakashi was far from finished.

"I'm very disappointed in you, Naruto," Kakashi said.

"Up yours! I should be saying the same thing to you! I know how close you are to my 'parents'! Disappointed? Well get used to it you freaking hypocrite!" Naruto fumed and then left a gob-smacked Kakashi in the corridor.

Kakashi was shocked to the core. How did Naruto find out?

It was late into the night and Naruto was sleeping on the living room sofa. He kept on shifting around. His face held discomfort.

All he could see was black. It felt like he was falling. Just as suddenly he felt his body hit water. His eyes shot open and he stood on his feet.

He looked around. This was not Tazuna's home.

It was a sewer. He was familiar with places like this because he had to use some sewers to hide from village attacks. He looked down and saw water that was knee-high. He looked up and could see a lot of pipes on the walls and ceiling...that's when he heard it.

It was faint at first but he could suddenly pick up little tremors that resembled breathing. He wondered what on earth could have caused that. He looked ahead and could see a path which was leading to somewhere. With little choice, and curiosity at its peak, he ventured deeper into the sewer.

He approached an entrance and felt the trembling on the ground increase dramatically. This was very weird. He was very much aware of his surroundings for this to be a mere dream.

Once he walked into the space he saw, what he had to admit, the largest cage like structure that he ever laid his eyes on. On the other side of the cage was complete darkness. Then his saw a mouth form from within the darkness in something akin to a...yawn?

A rumbling earth tremor filled the room and Naruto was suddenly gazing into two blazing blood slitted eyes that bored into his very being.

"So.." The voice was so deep and heavy that it shook the room. Blood red eyes analyzed the blonde for a brief moment and then the beast continued, "My jailer decided to grace me with his presence and pay me a visit."