Chapter Four:

(Naruto's Point of View)

Kyuubi and I finally arrived in Jackal's territory. I liked it so far, but it's really confusing. I'm not used to seeing so many people running around looking so…free. I don't recall much about where I came from, but I know Amaris was a terrible place. I just remember black smog, lots of screaming, the metallic smell of blood and a battle field. All I've ever known is struggle. I don't really understand why everyone is fighting. I just know that a lot of bad people are out there and so far I've only met two people that are any good. Granny and Kyuubi.

Kyuubi was scary at first. I remember how he used to be when he first saved me from Oda's kingdom. He seemed confused and angry all the time. Kyuubi was filled with rage. He would always ask himself out loud why he saved me in the first place. But even though he was scary, I trusted him. Slowly, he started to trust me too. We became family. Our only family.

I laughed to myself, thinking about one of my favorite days with Kyuubi. It was two years ago. Kyuubi and I were camped out in the middle of the woods, still deep in Oda's territory. It was hot and the air felt gross as rain began to pour on us. The only thing keeping us kinda dry was a little tarp Kyuubi tied between two trees. We had to sit really close. I remember being really uncomfortable. The forest floor was covered in dead plants and rocks. Kyuubi, considering the look on his face, didn't look too happy either. His eyes were redder back then, almost glowing with fury. I didn't understand why, but he was always mad. "Kyuubu," I mumbled, "When will the rain stop?"

"It's Kyuubi," he growled. "Say it with me, 'Kyuubiii.' And rain stops when it wants to." Whenever he spoke, he seemed to make an effort to show off his fangs. Always ready to bite. Before this he wouldn't even talk to me without yelling. I could tell, even at such a young age, that he was trying to be less scary.

I grinned and said loud and clear, "Kyuuuuubuuu." His glowering red eyes narrowed and he ground his teeth.

"You're getting brave," the words slithered out of his mouth like a venomous snake, but I knew Kyuubi wouldn't hurt me. He never would.

Suddenly thunder crackled in the distance. I jumped out of instinct. Thunder sounded too much like gun fire to me back then. My head hit the bottom of the tarp, making it collapse in on us. Kyuubi and I struggled as the tarp twisted around us, being tossed back and forth by the storm's heavy winds. In seconds, we were both soaked and wrapped up in the tarp. I heard Kyuubi roar and next thing I knew his claws made quick work of our only protection against the rain.

I stared at the ripped up pieces of the tarp as they started to sink into the mud.

"That wasn't very smart," I grumbled and looked up. "Pft." Suddenly I burst out into laughter at the sight of Kyuubi. He was standing in front of me with practically all of his red hair in his face covered in grass, mud and sticks. And I couldn't help but notice the terrified little frog perched on top of his head.

"What are you laughing at, Brat?!" Kyuubi yelled as he shoved his hair away from his eyes so he could see.

I must have looked equally silly.

Because Kyuubi's mouth started to twitch upward. I could see him fighting it, his eyes drilling shut against the laughter. He looked angry and confused, like he didn't understand what was about to happen. I smiled and plopped on the ground, splashing more mud and water over me.

"Y-you look ridiculous," Kyuubi said quietly, a chuckle escaping with the words. "Absolutely ridiculous." And with that, he couldn't contain it. He laughed. It was a heavy and rusted laugh, but I never heard someone so uplifting. Kyuubi was laughing with me. Even the rain couldn't bring me down that day after hearing his laugh.

Yeah, we were fighting our way out of hell. It was struggle after struggle, but somehow I wasn't afraid. Kyuubi was there. He was always there.

We would never be apart. Even as I wondered around the halls of Jackal's castle alone, I wasn't worried. Kyuubi was nearby, talking to a bunch of generals. I hate how Kyuubi has to fight. I think he likes it secretly, but it's also because demons can't get any other work besides things like this.

"If I'm going to give you a future, we need to find a place where I can work and support us both. It's time we found a place to call home." I remember when Kyuubi said those words to me one year ago when one of Jackal's scouts found us. It was a nice thought, but knowing he'd have to fight against Oda…well, it was like living the nightmare all over again.

As memories of a blood-stained and broken Kyuubi filled my mind, I strolled listlessly. "Being bored and thinking bad stuff is no fun at all," I grumbled.

Just as I said that, I looked up to see something I've never seen before up close. It was sitting in a window sill picking petals off a little yellow flower. A kid my age. With pink hair. Ah, I think it's a-a girl.

I've never met a girl my age, but I think this one is really…um…pretty.