Author's Notes: Hello! Your girl is back! Yay! Yay! Yay! I'm really happy right now. Well I'm glad to find myself once again on this site, continuing with my most popular fic. It's actually great to have this acknowledgment. I was actually surprised to find over a 100 000 views to this fic in particular, I never knew that was possible for me. Well, you've waited. I won't go into extremes with this update, but I'll consider the reviews I got to the story so far. Enjoy...

Naruto was walking at his leisure to Kushina's room. A lot of troubling thoughts dominated his consciousness.

This rage that was bubbling inside was definitely not helping him at all with his endeavours; the more he analyzed things, the more he realized that he was slowly becoming something he tried his best not to, a hate driven monster.

He was a kid, bound to make mistakes and stupid decision, but this was deeper than that. Emotions were very strong to control at times, especially anger.

His brash attitude almost cost his team their lives, but he hadn't been interested in their well-being at the time, in fact, he was more interested in having one up his neglectful mother. Looking back at the moment, Naruto couldn't help but grimace. Disobedience was never tolerated in the shinobi ranks; he was actually unsure of what his future really held at that point.

This was ridiculous. Not long ago he wanted to be Hokage and look after Konoha as a leader should, now all he could do was spend his days in aimless wonder, sulking on how unfair his life was and how his family made it worse.

He should be upset, he had every single right to be, but he realized that the degree he reached was uncalled for...

So what? What did they know? All they've been doing is forcing themselves on him, completely disregarding how he would feel about it... He sighed to himself. Yep, the rage was turning him sour. Ayame was going to be pissed.

He shouldn't have made that promise to her in the first place, maybe then things would be easier to handle; he could get angry if he wanted; lash out if he wanted; dish the much needed justice that he needed to get off his chest - letting everyone know just to what level they screwed him over... Slowly... his mind travelled back to the conversation he had with the nine tailed fox.

It wasn't much of a conversation since they were mostly at each other's throats; he really felt like paying her back for the bitch slap she gave him. He subconsciously raised a hand to the initially burning cheek... Of course he felt no pain, but the apperception was still there.

Shaking his head so as not to be distracted, he analyzed the conversation he had with Kyuubi. Some points she made were not fair - but he conceded to the fact that he might have pissed her off a little too well by denying her views of the past, his past. Still, she didn't have the right to force her shortcomings upon him, it wasn't his fault that she was sealed, it was Minato... no, Madara - if he heard right. His life would have been much better if that man wasn't involved in the Kyuubi attack, if Kyuubi's views were true.

She was right about one thing though, he was being a coward. The anger had dwindle his beliefs, changed him from a boy who wanted to create a world of peace by showing how even in the hardest of situation, a good natured attitude could prevail, to a boy on the path of some dark endeavor that presumebly involved making his parents suffer.

When had he lost his way? When everything he thought he knew turned out to be a lie, or when he allowed anger to flourish in his very being? Both seemed very accountable.

He was just outside the room Kushina occupied. Taking deep breaths, he calmed his mind. No more, he needed to talk with the woman, less he lost his mind the next time they had disagreements.

But what should he say? Should he just walk in there and berate her for following such a ludicrous theory Minato sure as hell thought up, telling her she was nothing but fangirl who abandoned her family for nothing? No, his mind was much clearer now - since the fox had allowed him to vent, and subsequently slapped some sense into him - spewing rage was the last thing he needed. He just wanted answers.

He was still understandably upset, he really needed to get a few things off his chest.

However before he could open the door, it was done for him.

"Oh, hey Naruto, is there something you need?" Kakashi said, stopping himself mere inches before he bumped the kid.

Naruto stared in surprise at Kakashi's presence. "What are you doing in Kushina-sensei's room?" Naruto settled for.

"I was just having a chat with her about a few things. Is that why you're here, to talk to her?" Kakashi queried.

Naruto nodded his head, "Yeah."

"Alright, I'll leave you to it. Oh and try not to shout," Kakashi said gently. In the back of his mind, Kakashi still wanted to know how Naruto found out about his relationship with his former sensei, but put the thought away. No need to start another dispute.

Naruto stood still as the foreboding room became significantly larger, or maybe that was just him...

He steeled himself once again, and tentatively walked in the room, immediately spotting his mother.

She was busy reading a scroll, her demeanour serious, her face firm and unwavering. Naruto wondered what would prompt such an expression.

He took in her form. The bandage that covered her shoulder served as a reminder of his reckless actions; It filled him with confused anger. Why did she have to save him and make things even more complicated?

Upon noticing someone's arrival, Kushina took a glance at the intruder, but when she realized who exactly was at the door, her features soften and attention immediately focused on her son. Fixing him with a warm smile, she tried to ease his nerves, "Hello, Naruto" she started as she noticed his poise. "Is there something wrong?"

Naruto paused to stop a snide protest that was on the tip of his tongue; it wouldn't help him and he had enough of feeling like a jerk. Even so, he was still serious when he looked Kushina in the eye. "We need to talk."

Kushina measured him for a second, valiantly hiding her surprise at the turn of events. She half expected him to rebuff her greeting, but this was the very first time that her son at actually initiated a personal conversation. "Sure, I'm always here if you need me."

You mean you're here now, he wanted to exprobate, but chose to remain indifferent.

Kushina saw the torn look for what it was, she understood; just talking to her must have been very difficult, so she gestured to the end of the bed, silently requesting he sat down next to her.

Naruto paused a moment then did as asked. The only way this whole issue could be solved was if he just got it over with. The sooner the better.

Kushina watched him approach her in silence; his movements were stiff and conjectural. She remained silent throughout however, allowing him to habituate to her presence on his own accord.

Once Naruto was seated, it was Kushina who began. "So, what's on your mind?"

Naruto remained silent a moment longer, fastidiously choosing his words. He had an inkling of what to say, just not how to say it, his innuendo largely absent. He was not going to let anger talk anymore however. This time, he would let his heart speak for itself.

"Take your time," Kushina encouraged softly, finally realizing what the conversation was really about. He came to vent...

And by Kami she would let him.

"I... don't know where to start," Naruto announced slowly, looking more astray as time ticked away.

Picking up his withdrawl, Kushina felt it necessary to coax, "How about from the beginning?"

Naruto looked at her, confused by her suggestion, but his eyes soon widened a fraction once he understood. "I'm not sure I should."

"It's okay, Naruto," She hurriedly heartened, "You need this. Just say anything and everything you want. If you want to curse me then do so; if you want to tell me what a horrible mother I am, I won't stop you. Just... don't hold back."

Naruto did nothing but process her words. After some thought he nodded his head, took a deep breath and started.

"I-I... I grew up most of my life hated, beaten, cursed... the list just goes on actually. My life was a nightmare every day and night. I think it started when I was able to walk; that's what I can remember anyway," Naruto said, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

Kushina remain impassive, already knowing that showing him visible sympathy would be the incorrect notion. He didn't like pity and she understood that his life hardened him, taught him on the different schemas to take care of himself and survive. Sympathy was the last thing he needed, he would automatically perceive that as pity.

"I lived in the orphanage one time, before all the physical pain started, but it wasn't as if the stay was anything enjoyable. I was treated like crap, fed little to nothing, and talked down on with curses and promise of a lonely life. No one would ever adopt me, until that one day." His voice seemed to strain at the end and Kushina's breath caught in her throat.

Naruto's adoption was never documented.

When she noticed that he seemed to be struggling to speak, she pried further, albeit subtly. "You were adopted?"

Naruto eyes flashed with something Kushina could not discern, but only for a second. "Yes."

Awkward silence reigned, but Naruto was at least compliant to continue. "She was a sweet woman, treated me really nicely when she came and visited the orphanage. After a few months of knowing her, she took me in."

Kushina let him continue, knowing with dread that something of odious proportions was about to be revealed to her.

Naruto looked at his mother with calculating eyes. "You sure you want to hear the rest?" There was an underlining of something there, but it was of little concern to the mother.

"Yes," Kushina immediately answered, knowingly aware of the heart-wrenching pain she would soon experience, "Everything you're willing to let out."

Naruto nodded in approval. "Fine... The woman took me in and treated me like a mother should, I guess. She bought me presents, hugged me a lot, let me go to the park; people would stay away from me when we went out and I didn't think too much of it since my mother was all I ever needed."

Kushina carefully hid her jealousy of the other woman. Now was not the time, not now. Naruto first, jealousy later.

"She always told me that she loved me. I was so happy; nothing else mattered to me."

Kushina chose that moment to list all possible candidates that could have looked after her child other than this mysterious woman, knowing full well the plight he was subjected to: Kakashi, Minato's former student; Kurenai, her former student; Jiraiya, the bastard Sannin; Tsunade, the traiterous bitch. How could they all just leave him be, when they knew of everything? Well, Tsunade was an exception, but still. Was that it, did she and Minato really mean that little to them? She mentally shook the thought and focused on her child.

"Everything was perferct; I was just an average kid with a single mother... But then..."

"Then?" Kushina prompted, feeling her heart sinking ever so slowly.

"Then my unfair life caught up to me. I was just sleeping, having this nightmare of someone attacking me. So, I quickly jumped out of my bed the moment I woke up, you know, to ward of the nightmare...when I realized that a narrowly missed a knife aimed at my head. My own mother tried to kill me... All I did was stand there as she told me everything. She poisoned my food; she told the villagers how she would finally kill the demon. She hated my guts; her love was a lie."

Kushina knew then and there that her son had experienced capacious amounts of betrayal. She silently raged, struggling to hold herself from screaming obsenitries. She had to force herself to remain calm, find out all she could of this woman, and the first chance she got, she would hunt down that dispicable bitch.

"I was too shocked to move. When she lunged, I took a stab to the chest before my senses came back to me. I ran as fast as I could to get away. I tried getting help but no one would aid me. The wound healed quickly, anything but comforting. The orphanage wouldn't accept me and I ended up on the streets. After that...you know the rest."

Her eyes burned but she stubbornly refused to cry. No, keep calm, this is not the time to weep like baby... She would do that later.

"You see? That's my life in a nutshell. And you know what pisses me off so much?! Is the fact that I grew up thinking you and my father were looking for me, only to find out that it was all bullshit!" Naruto screamed, irate.

Kushina was too stunned to speak.

"Then out of nowhere you come back and expect me to welcome you; you actually had the gall to force yourself on me when I didn't want anything to do with you, like you were doing me a favour!" Naruto spat.

Kushina's shoulders sagged, "I'm sorry."

"It just pisses me so much that you think I'm this little kid who needs his mommy and daddy to show him the way, even after everything I've been through without you!"

Kushina nodded, no point in denying his claim when it was obviously true.

"Why can't you just leave me alone? Haven't I been through enough?"

Upon realizing that the question wasn't rhetorical, Kushina hesitantly answered, "You're my blood, Naruto. Knowing everything you've been through, I'm sorry, but I just can't look the other way. I know my methods to be around you were..."

"Selfish?" Naruto chimed in.

Kushina winced at that but conceded, "Somewhat. But above all, I love you, and that's something I can't change, no matter how much you want me to."

"Have you even tried?"

"No," Kushina said, defeated but resolute. "You may hate me for the rest of our lives but my love for you will never change."

"... I'm more annoyed than hateful," Naruto revealed, uncertain of what else to talk about.

Kushina nodded her head, as if some how expecting those very words. "With everyone breathing down your neck, I could only guess to you troubles." Fixing him with a look filled with no hidden mirth she continued, "I'm sorry for everything."

"Well... I'm not sure you know what everything is," Naruto said slowly.

This time her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?" She sounded bewildered and fearful at the same time. "What else has happened?"

Naruto was feeling quite tired. All these different emotions were surely taking a toll and fatigue was the end result...

But he didn't hold back. "I want you to tell me what happened that night" Seeing that she was languidly processing his words, he bluntly clarified, "when you left me."

Kushina took in his words, her brain slow at first then swiftly changing to overdrive. The past had never abandoned her but she had filed it to the back of her mind. Bringing that fateful night to the forefront would definitely avow bitter memories. Did it really matter if it was for one of her children?

"Sure," she said, "I'll tell you anything I can remember."

"Thanks," Naruto said, courteous gratitude left his mouth before he could stop himself but he mentally waved it off to the heat of the moment.

So Kushina explained everything, from her giving birth to him and his sister, to the fight with a mask figure claiming to be Madara. Naruto listened carefully to the latter, connecting the dots between his mother's point of view to the nine tailed fox; the gap of contrast was fine, very fine. Everything made sense, and he knew then that if he stepped a foot in the mindscape to apologise, Kyuubi, or Kurama, wouldn't hold back in attacking him before he even opened his mouth.

"That's basically everything I remember..." Kushina said awkwardly. Through her entire explaination, Naruto remain silent; she didn't even see a hint of anger from him, more like...recognition? Well, whatever it was, at least she was talking to him on a mutual level. "Is there anything else you want to know?" She felt keeping the conversation going, if only to finally bond with him in anyway.

"She was right," Naruto murmured distractedly. He snapped out of it when Kushina asked who. "The Kyuubi. I went into the mindscape and saw the fox."

Kushina blinked at him for a few seconds. Eyes bugging in surprise, she sputtered, "You saw Kurama?!"

Naruto fixed her with an incredulous stare. "Kurama?" He questioned.

Kushina regained her composure, picking her words carefully. "The fox. Its name is Kurama."

Well, that was news to him, "So then why is it called Kyuubi?"

"It's a title we gave it."

"Oh..."

"What...What happened?" Kushina dependably queried.

Naruto shrugged. "I raged and raged. He/She, or whatever, kicked my ass and then showed me what happened when you guys left me."

Kushina frowned. "That's all?"

This time Naruto's gaze was emotionless, "Did you know that the shikki fuujin Minato performed to seperate Bijuu and its chakra was a farce?"

Alarm bells started to ring in her head. Just when things were starting to look remotely positive, she knew she wasn't going to like what she heard. "What do you mean a farce?"

"A Bijuu's chakra is basically the soul itself; so when Minato thought he seperated the fox from its chakra, all he really did was split the soul in half, giving one half to me and the other to Naruko. That's what the fox told me. And if that's really the case then you really did leave me to a life of hell for literally nothing."

At first Kushina remained silent, her face unmoving. Everything he said was starting to make sense. She had a greater understanding of seals than Minato; she should have known he couldn't create something so complex, no matter how smart he was. She really was a fool. She trusted Minato so blindly when she could have easily seen the action for what it was.

Naruto had every single right to truly hate her.

This time the poor mother couldn't stop the tears. They sluiced freely down her face. Her form started to tremble as choking sounds emitted from her mouth. She burried her head in her hands, a feeble attempt to hold back the heart-wrenching sobs that shook her core. Her heart bled; it really hurt so much; it was as if it was bieng ripped out of her at someone else's leisure. She did nothing but cry hard.

Naruto grimaced when he saw his mother sob in front of him. They weren't on good terms, sure, but that didn't mean he enjoyed watching her like that. Another part of him, deeper in his subconscious, relished to see the proud Namikaze woman weeping for all it was worth. Yeah, he really needed help.

"Hey... Stop crying," he said agnostically to the broken woman.

Kushina didn't hear him. The world was deaf to her. Her life with her son was over. She couldn't stop herself from crying harder.

"Oh, sochi, I'm sorry!" Kushina sobbed.

Naruto didn't have it in him to stop her.

"Please forgive me!" she begged as her snivels continued. "Please forgive me, sochi!"

Naruto frowned. "I'm not mad if that's what you think. Yeah, I was at first but I've had time to think about it and being angry for that won't change anything. I hope you realize that we can't be what you want us to be."

Kushina latched her hands desperately to his. "Please! Let me be around you, even if you never call me Kaa-san! Even if you never see me as family! I just love you too much! Please understand I can't lose you!"

"As long as you don't force yourself on me then I can accept that," Naruto said, carefully prying his hands out of the woman's death grip. "I'll see you at breakfast." He soon left after the announcement.

Kushina felt truly old. She felt like she had lost a part of herself. The tears still refused to stop, but she gave up in covering them.

If only... If only she had trusted her gut instincts and taken her child with her. If only she had not listen to everyone involved on that night to Minato's claim...

If only she had been a mother.

Now, it seemed that it was too late. Her son was creating a distance she could never hope to bridge, all because of one careless mistake.

The mother was feeling a lot of things: hurt, anger, betrayal. Why would Minato make such a ludicrous claim and then come up with an even more ludicrous proposal? Better yet, why would she accept it? Leave their child behind? What kind of parent would do that? A real parent would heve taken their child with them, dispite the now superficial risks. Her trust in Minato had been significantly dwindled.

Oh, yes, she was upset with him, furious even, but at that moment she was too stunned to even move. So she sat there, with the occasional choke of a sob, contemplating - a series of ruminations dominating her consciousness.

Author's Notes: So this chapter focused more on emotions. I think it's time for some real battles, don't you agree? Next chapter coming soon and since you've all supported the story for so long, I'll make the battles worth your while. Till next, bye!