Again, with the pounding. Couldn't they knock just once?

His head pounded in his ears as he sat up from the couch, waking from an empty sleep. He couldn't sleep in the bed of his elaborate cell: he couldn't relax. The thought of relaxing made him agitated. But, he was incredibly tired. His back ached worse than his head.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Naruto stood, "I'm up, I'm up." He shouted.

Ibiki's voice came muffled through the door, "We're coming in, don't move."

Naruto grumbled, rubbing his eyes. He wasn't sure what time it was, but given his exhaustion, he'd gotten no more than a few hours of sleep. He watched tiredly as Ibiki came into the room, backed up by several ANBU plus Anko. A familiar one lead five others. He wore a Dog mask and carried a commanding gait. At first, Naruto thought it was Kakashi, but the man's movements were different. Much too rough. Almost with an arrogant swagger. Not the right height either. Naruto frowned, watching as the ANBU spread out, covering the corners of the large living room. Whoever it was, he didn't want to mess with him...yet.

"Kurama-san." Ibiki said, tugging on the cap that hid the ugly trenches on his skull, his scarred face twisting into a smile, a blond man strolling into the room finally, the door shutting with a click.

"What's going on here." Naruto said, scanning the room, eyes shifting to Yamanaka Inochi.

The man wasn't beautiful like his daughter - hard swampy eyes and platinum blond hair framing gaunted cheeks and an ever-subtle sinking wrinkle of his lips. He looked at Naruto with a tinge of skittishness, but he quickly flattened his features when they met eyes. The blond prisoner sighed, "What's this all about?"

He stared into Anko's blank grey stare. He hair was greasy and matted, eyes bloodshot. Deep shadows hung underneath. Had she still not slept yet?

"Yamanaka Inochi-san will be conducting a verification of your memories."

Naruto growled, holding back a snarl at the impasse interrogator, "I told you. And the Yondaime." He pointed at Inochi, "It is not safe to enter my mind."

Ibiki nodded, "Inochi-san is an expert in his clan's telepathic techniques. The Yondaime conceded that we should try to verify your story, even if it comes at some risk."

"What the fuck?" Naruto howled, fatigue gnawed away at his natural barriers, fury flooding his mind, narrowing his vision just to the brutally scarred man square between his eyes, "I trusted you guys!"

Ibiki stared emptily, "An odd thing for a nukenin to do. What gave you the impression that we would not eventually attempt something like this? We cannot trust you so blindly, no matter how much the Hokage wishes to take you at your word."

Naruto shook inside. His body trembled. His head pointed again at Inochi, the muscles in his cheeks pulling sharply, showing hard lines of stress on his face, "I'm telling you, there is a demon in my head."

Anko reached for him with a cupped hand, but he snarled, the entrenched whisker scars on his face deepening, almost glowing with molten fury, his irises taking on a purple hue. Anko's usually dead gaze widened in shock as his eyes ate at her soul. He looked like a wounded, desperate beast, lips snapping up to expose incensed incisors. The girl flinched and took a step back, feeling something thick choke away her breath.

"I can see." Ibiki said drly, watching the hunched-over blond, his agitated body electrified with rage.

Naruto snapped one finger up at the jounin. He hated him. He hated that smug, snide smirk. He hated that stupid cloth cap on his ugly head. He hated the authoritarian coat that cascaded imperiously from his shoulders. He pointed at him, his lone finger curling back, forming a fist.

"No, I don't think you do." Naruto said darkly, his voice laden with chakra, almost like his vocal chords had been cleaved in half and he were speaking the same words twice, in different pitches, "You have no idea what you're asking Inochi-san to do. He will surely die."

"How do you know that?" Ibiki said, voice rising to the challenge, seemingly undaunted by the unbidden display of emotion, "Have you ever had your mind invaded by one of Konoha's finest before?"

These people weren't his precious people, the couch-anchored young man realized. They looked like it. But they didn't know him. And that made his stomach burn like a swirling, tumultuous sea of boiling tar. He felt like he might vomit, but the raw fire in his throat kept it down.

"You're stupid." He let out, the trembling ceasing all at once, his inflamed features lingering faintly, exhaustion overtaking his anger, "All this will do is leave a man dead. And then you will never trust me."

Panic ate at his thoughts. He fought the agonizing desire to dart his eyes around the room, to size up his captors, to calculate an escape. The more he let himself think about it, wasn't he stupid? Why was he throwing away his life, again? Why was he helping these people?! Konoha had never appreciated him, even in its dying throes. No, they probably resented him even then. He couldn't save them when they felt he should have been able. This was exactly the kind of thing they did, again and again. They were no better than any other shinobi village, at heart.

Why did he care? These people didn't know them. He was in the past. He had stopped the fox, probably, from killing anyone this time, just by a meager intervention. He didn't owe them anything more; the debt was paid. He had undone tragedy. This wasn't his village. It hadn't been for years. The village he wanted to lead was lost to his dreams. This was some near-perfect fake. These people were monsters, weren't they? Hateful monsters. They probably would never have an inkling of what the will of fire truly meant. Not like he knew.

Naruto knew there was no convincing the prideful sadist to change his mind. He looked up at Inochi once more, meeting those eyes, feeling almost sorry for the man. He returned a dim smile.

The blond's shoulders slumped, he coughed, his voice no longer augmented, the lurching tug that made the ANBU all imperceptibly tense faded, leaving a very hollow-seeming expression on Naruto, "It's not like I can say no. But what changed your mind? I don't get it. I haven't done anything wrong. Why suspect me all of a sudden? You let me walk around the village yesterday. Isn't it obvious I'm not a spy, an assassin, or something stupid like that? Don't you think I'd be skilled enough to-"

Ibiki shook his head, "A ninja can think underneath the underneath. That much is true. But the world is made of many layers. And you are thick." Ibiki grinned, "A thick puzzle. One I can't just break open with my bare hands. I like that kind of a challenge. But not when there's no time. The Yondaime understands the risks, so please cooperate with us, Kurama-san. It will be over soon."

"I'm your informant, dammit! For practically nothing! Can't you trust me on this? If I'm wrong, you can chop my head off, I swear it!" Not that he would actually let them.

Ibiki said nothing.

Naruto swallowed, "Fine. Fine!" He shot a daring look at Inochi, wrath replaced determination, "Just... give me a minute to meditate first. I will try to talk to the demon in letting Yamanaka-san leave my head in one piece. I don't need you upset, if this is how you treat your allies."

Ibiki hesitated, a look a suspicion forming, but ultimately, he nodded, "Very well. You have five minutes."

Naruto didn't bother to nod. He closed his eyes, shuddering as he sucked in a sharp breath, drawing his mind into the depths of his silent heart.


When he lifted his gaze, he was standing knee-deep in icy waters. Crimson and purple miasma twirled together in the air, squeezing his vision. The stirred fumes made him wheeze as he walked through it, forcing him to lean forward and crawl through the water, where the floating gasses were thinnest.

"I don't have fucking time for this." He growled, his hands clawing through the twilight water. The cold made his arms beat to the drum of his heart and he had no idea if he was going in the right-

He threw himself back, narrowly avoiding a shower of needles that caused tiny ripples in the dark still depths. He whipped himself around, staring Hoshikage Kisame in the face. Black pin-hole eyes ever deep as the water of his mind, above rows of razor teeth melded with the darkness; Kisame's lips contorting into a sneer. Naruto whipped his body around, delivering a smashing kick to his foul face, his foot contacting with nothing. Kisame seemed to vanish, though the primordial miasma remained until he climbed to his feet and charged head-long through it, coughing and choking in desperation.

Finally, he came to the calm bank by the seal. He almost collapsed onto his stomach there, out of breath. The monstrous, gilded fox stepped from the darkness and into the glowing light.

"It is good you have returned." He rumbled, "There is something I wish to discuss-"

"Not right now." Naruto shook his head, blond hair flying "We have an emergency! A Yamanaka is going to be coming in here - any moment now. I bet Ibiki won't even live up to his word. We probably have less than a minute to think of something-"

"Calm down." The Kyuubi murmured.

Naruto shook his head fervently, the fox telling him to calm down? What had this world come to! "No! I won't. I can't! We don't have time and I won't screw this up again! I won't get caught and have this all ruined!" He commanded, his face live like a blaze, "Screw Ibiki! I want to wipe that stupid smirk off his face! Damn him for everything!"

The fox scowled, "You should have drawn me to your senses. I have no idea what is going on outside your thick head. Why are you so upset? It is unlike you."

"Unlike me, what abou-" The fox was acting strange, but he didn't care at the moment, "What do you know about the Yamanaka clan? Anything? How their techniques work? Can we stop it without letting them catch on?"

The Kyuubi glared menacingly at Naruto's tone, baring its teeth, but eventually let up, his long face snapping down, "I've cared little for the petty tricks of humans. But from what I recall from your memories. They are telepaths? I know not what their nature is. I have only studied few natures of chakra - namely my own and just another. It may be void. Ying. Yang. Perhaps air. Or something more quintessential."

"Yes, they're telepaths, but," he shook his head, dragging his sharp fingers through his hair, not sure what their chakra nature had to do with anything, "You're good at genjutsu right?" he said horsely, fatigue disparaging his volatile thoughts. Why was he acting like this? The Kyuubi was right. He needed to calm down.

"I am. And you, by proxy, could be as well. However, because of the seal, I cannot manipulate my chakra, even in your mind." He chuckled, the boy's winding ire now wild confusion at the fox's apparent calm, "I could create an illusion, but it would only fool your eyes. The intruder would see right through it. I cannot push my chakra into another entity while in this state. You could attempt to use my chakra to perform an illusion, but you lack the finesse, the control, and the understanding. It is not something I could teach you in your mortal lifetime. Perhaps not even if you were a genius of genjutsu, which you are not."

Naruto glared, "Then - okay. Can you disguise yourself? Like, henge?"

The fox shook his head, "I cannot use my chakra to perform any techniques. The seal prevents that. Otherwise, I would have killed you long ago. Actually, that is related to what I wanted to talk about-"

Naruto shook his head, forcing himself to breathe, "Later. Are you telling me there's nothing you can do to help me at all?" he turned away from the cage, looking at the void of his mind, the creeping miasma floating in the distance. He didn't understand that, but that was a worry for another time.

The fox's eyes narrowed. "You should respect my words. They are nearly timeless. Wisdom any other mortal would likely surrender their soul to possess."

"Stop being arrogant." Naruto spun around, his eyes shimmering with restrained tears. He thrust himself forward, hands clasping on the bars, "I thought I had them! I was so sure - that this would all work out. For how things have gone, I've done pretty well right? Working on the seat of my pants and everything. I thought... yesterday... Haven't I changed? I'm trying. I'm not slacking off here. Everything is on the line and I'm still screwing up! Am I really the dobe Sasuke-teme-"

Yesterday had left him feeling like a magnanimous god. Playing with Kakashi again. Seeing the familiar sights. Talking to long-dead people. Exploring a new world that was also nostalgic and familiar. He hated that he was not apart of that world. He also hated that it was not his world. Would he never have a place to call home?

"We have plenty of time." The fox said slowly, watching strange expressions play upon his warden's face, "So calm down. I have slowed it. Barely a breath has passed outside your mind's eye. So shut your filthy mouth... mongrel," the insult flew with no weight, his voice growing as he took charge, "-and listen. I know what we must do. There is something I can do for you. But you must aid me first. The seal prevents the manipulation of my chakra through me, but it does not prevent the purification of my chakra. The returning of its true nature." He paused, "Do you recall the training you undertook?"

Naruto did. After losing the weakened village to Akatsuki's invasion, Naruto travelled to Sand, beseeching Gaara for his aid. There, Baki had taught him to harness the nature of his chakra. Although he had not understood it well, Baki had claimed there were many theories on the nature of chakra. One prevailing theory was that each person's chakra was shaped by their nature; that this nature was singular and distinct, related to the soul. It flew in the face of those who had more than one elemental nature, but it did better explain other aspects of their training - why meditation and introspection was so important.

"You are wind. My nature, my true nature, my kenshou, is more ancient than even dust. If you were to purify my chakra, to return it to its natural state, I would briefly return to my true appearance." The fox bared its bladed teeth in a vain smile, "The description he reports to your Hokage would be the likes no mortal has ever seen. I would not be mistaken for myself. And your miserable little charade would continue on."

"I... see, so I can disguise you by purifying your chakra." Naruto mumbled, his voice paling, his voice dying.

The Kyuubi was right. He was acting out. Like a fussy child again. He'd almost lost it. The blond's hands clenched. He grabbed the collar of his new orange shirt tight, gritting his teeth as agonizing shame gripped him. He shook his head, tearing himself away, steeling himself; killing his heart. He wouldn't let that happen again. He was serious now. Really serious, this time. He needed to stay in charge if he wanted to outplay jounin.

"Yes." The fox yipped.

At last, he let out a deep breath, "But what about my memories? The Yamanaka clan has some way of viewing them, even if they see a different you..."

The demon raised its head and posed sagely, sitting on its hind legs, tails flowing in the abyssal shadows of his cage, "I do not know how to safeguard the human mind from intrusion. But my mind has natural defenses. Natural defenses that are already seeping into your mind."

"Wait. What?"

The fox sighed, "It's all connected! This is why you must listen to me. This is what I wanted to tell you when your mangy hide ran up here like a frightened kit. The seal that your father, if he truly was that, devised... it is clearly no ordinary seal. It has many mechanisms to it that I do not fully understand. However, lately, I have felt a growing connection. One that grew ten fold when we crossed over, into this place you describe to be the past."

Aghast, Naruto's hands clenched tighter around the bars, "What?"

"It is difficult to explain. Especially to one as dense as you. I will put it simply, for your pitiful sake, even if it leaves out certain details." The fox lifted his head and turned it aside, pointing his damp nose to Naruto's left. There, a bowl of ramen appeared, "Do you know what that is?"

"It's a bowl of ramen."

"Right. You are the bowl. The container. The ramen..." the fox grimaced at his own allegory, "...is my soul." He sighed, "Consider the bowl! It is your soul, as well. It is, after all, what makes you capable of holding me. My soul is powerful. Like... very hot, spicy ramen. If you were to contain it in anything else, the container would burn away." He chuckled throatily, "If I were to be placed in another human vessel, other than you, their soul would only be able to contain mine for a short while." Naruto watched as the bowl began to erode away, the ramen hissing like a hungry flame, "Eventually, their soul would not remain and I would have their body. This is obviously why you were selected as an infant."

Naruto nodded, it was tiredly consistent with his basic understanding of the jinchuuriki sealing methods; why humans were used and why matured vessels lasted very little time.

"It seems your father knew of this. His seal protects you from my corrosive soul. My chakra is produced from my soul, but it is allowed to pass through the seal like a trickling stream. However, recently, I felt the seal eroding."

When Naruto paled, the fox looked him darkly in the eye, leaning down to place his massive head at the bars he clenched, "There is no cause for alarm. Although I rejoiced at the idea of consuming your infantile soul, that is not what has happened." He drew Naruto's gaze back towards the ramen, pulling away. The bowl of soup remained. Although there was a persistent hissing sound, the crumbling bowl remained in-tact.

"Your soul is resisting mine. That should not be possible." He huffed, "My soul is like water to a cave, wind to a mountain, fire to a forest. Bare, nothing can hold it back! It was only then, that I realized that the seal had been exposing your soul to mine, in tiny amounts, for many years. It has been broadening at an accelerating rate, as though... it is aware that you are now strong enough to hold me at bay. I cannot explain this, only suggest that your soul has been tempered and made...unnatural."

Naruto shook his head, brain scatted by the fox's incessant chatter, "You mean, you're trying to say the seal is unravelling?"

The fox said stared blankly, "I do not know the answer to that. I wonder if I will be contained when our souls meet, or if I will be free to step from your gut. But in the mean-time, from what I have observed, this, withering of the seal, has opened up a small gateway into my soul."

The fox leaned in again, approaching Naruto at the front of his cage, his musty, steamy breath blowing against him as his massive nostrils breathed. The fox's eyes lifted up, and Naruto followed them. And before his eyes, a swirling vortex like a whirlpool, opened up in the waters of his mind.

The teen gasped, still, eyes transfixed, watching the coiling, churning swirl. He nearly murmured 'uzumaki' under his breath.

"Beyond that door is my soul." The Kyuubi said stoicly, "I never imagined a human would live to see it. Much less... do what I am about to suggest."

Naruto turned sharply, "No..."

"Yes. You will go through that door. You will open it. It will establish a firm connection between us."

"That's... not something I would do likely, Kyuubi-san." Naruto said slowly, "Not without thinking about it, at least. I have no idea what that even means. Why tell me this anyway? Can't you force this gateway open and break the seal?"

"You and I both do not know the meaning of these circumstances." He licked his lips, "I do not know if I could force the seal open with this development, or even if such an action would be beneficial to me. But if we were connected, I believe I could afford your mind with my protection. Already, you have begun to notice phantasms in your mind? That is likely my soul's influence upon you. It is likely you are not yet recognized as a welcome guest here." He chuckled, "If you were to open the gateway between us, those illusions would be strengthened. I doubt any Uchiha, no matter how brazen, would wish to enter your mind then."

Naruto breathed, "So... this is your solution."

"It is a hasty one. But is that not what you shouted about in a time that is now lost?" he laughed, "If you are so desperate, follow through. Do as I say."

"This could be a trick. What do you get out of any of this?"

"You know it is not any trick. I can read you, I have known you long enough to know that you... foolishly trust me." He shook his head, "You earned my respect when you passed my challenge, but you mistakenly thought that made us... allies or friends. You know that my goal has always been the same: freedom."

"Trust comes easy to me, I guess." He mumbled.

"You are right. There is something I gain. Unfortunately, it is not freedom. But I am not myopic enough to be solely worried about that. While we have time, I should explain what I need you to do, as it should satisfy your confusion. Should you enter that gateway, I do not know what it is like for a mortal to experience my inner world, I seldom visit it. In my current state, I cannot at all, the seal prevents it."

He sighed, "What I gain from all this, is something I have not had in much time. I need you to recover my kenshou. My true nature."

"Your kanshou?"

"No. My kenshou." The Kyuubi sighed, "It is convenient that a connection was created between us. It could allow you to return much of my lost power."

Naruto grimaced, sicked at the thought of making the fox any more powerful.

"How are your kenshou and purifying your chakra related? Why does any of this matter?" he looked over his shoulder at the swirling vortex once more, "That place looks stupidly dangerous. Do you think I'm dumb enough just to hop in under the suggestion that it will fix this mess that's just developed?"

"To answer your last question, yes." The fox laughed as Naruto glowered.

He then turned and faced the bowl of ramen again, drawing Naruto's attention.

In an instant, the sizzling died, the ramen evaporating, until there was just a cracked white bowl. in place, "What is a bowl, mortal?"

"Ah, a container?"

"Yes, but what is a container?"

"It holds things."

"Yes, but what makes it a container?"

"I, uhh... I guess it's hollow?"

"Yes. What is not defines a container. A container without form is simply inert material. Similarly, the soul is divided into two aspects: what is and what is not. You humans refer to this as yin and yang. Some mistakenly identify these concepts as analogous to chakra. But they are simply related; not the same. When you enter my mind, I will try to focus myself, to guide where you must go, but you are what you are and the longer you linger, the more damage to your composition will result."

"Err, what?"

The fox sighed, staring at the bowl of ramen, "If you enter me, I will contain you. A container cannot contain its own container."

Naruto just stared at him dizzily.

"Simply put, my soul will exhaust yours, until our roles are reversed. Normally, I would not mind such an outcome, but I suspect the seal would have some kind of failsafe - possibly kill us, or unravel in a dangerous way, possibly corrupting us both. I would rather not have my essence entangled with yours."

They shared a grim, drunken look.

"I don't exactly like the sound of that either, but you said earlier, purifying your chakra is the key. Are you saying I need to enter the gateway and find the source of your chakra, or something? Is that your kenshou?"

"Satori." The fox said simply.

"Sutori?"

"Satori." He grinned, "Few humans ever achieve it. It is a state when one's kenshou emerges; one's true nature. You have achieved a limited satori - through the use of your kage bunshin, you meditated and practised, eventually realizing understanding. Part of your true nature was revealed to you. The flow and guidance of wind comes natural to you now. But it takes much more than the small amount of effort you exerted, to reach true satori, to unlock the true nature of your chakra."

Naruto went misty-eyed, "I have never heard anything about this, or anything about you're talking about, at all."

"Of course not! I am older than the Sage of the Six Paths - though it is he who formed me in the physical world. That particular sage did attain his satori, and it is why he became as powerful as he did. However, he was an anomaly." The fox chewed the air, vanishing the illusioned bowl of ramen, "But even so, you're not very bright. Why would you know anything about it?" he shook his head, laughing as Naruto's shoulders slumped, "Every being that is ancient, attains satori. It is time, eternal time, that allows one to realize understanding. I experienced it before I was given physical form by the sage." He sighed, "Brute-force training can unlock satori, but it's the least efficient way to reveal one's true nature. Even using your clones, I doubt you would ever achieve it in your meager lifetime."

"Well, if you already achieved Zatori, why do you need my help? Or is this related to your senility again?"

The fox grumbled, "Satori. It is easily possible to lose your way and forget yourself. I have been distanced from the outside realm, trapped in this cell. It has not helped! I cannot recall the moment when I achieved Satori either, which is critical. But... if my memories did return, I would likely know how to access my kenshou, yes."

"I see."

"No, you don't." He chuckled, "But you needn't. That gateway behind you will place you in the heart of my soul, its center. Seek out the memories of my satori. I believe it is likely doing that will establish a connection between us."

"Got it." Naruto gave him a thumbs up, "I just gotta find this sattori thing in your soul and we can stop Inochi-san and I can wipe that stupid smirk off Ibiki's face." He laughed, "You thought of a solution to this pretty quick!"

"You sure have a way of making the most complex things seem ordinarily stupid and simple." The fox shook his head, "Finding the source of my satori is no trivial task and you will not have much time. My soul regards you as an intruder. It will attempt to consume you. Every moment you spend in there will break you down."

"You speak like I've already decided to go in there."

"Well, haven't you?" his gaze left no room for argument, Naruto's offering no resistance either.

"...I guess so. Though, I have way too many questions. You hardly explained anything at all." He whined.

The fox growled, "Go. Hurry. You have time, thanks to me, but not that much of it. When you have awakened my memories, I should be able to swiftly retrieve you to this side, but you're on your own until then. Maybe I'll be more forthcoming with answers, then."

Naruto approached the swirling stream, feeling a tug at his feet as he approached its spinning circumference. He looked over his shoulder at the Kyuubi and glared determinedly, "This is one of those stupid things I'm going to regret doing." He said, mostly to himself, "I should have read more about the Yamanaka clan..." he grumbled.

He took a single step forward, feeling a strong pull, and suddenly was yanked under, spinning faster and faster until he disappeared completely.


Blasted chunks of earth cracked apart and flew apart in the air. Naruto let out a grunt as his feet slammed into the ancient remnants of a dusty lake bed His world was swimming, heavy noxious air making his thoughts sluggish. But he managed to force a breath. His entire body ached, like he'd just inhaled toxic dust. He winced, feeling a lance of jolting pain spread through his chest.

His skin prickled, a dim burning sensation sitting upon the up-ended hairs of his skin. He looked up, steeled focus lost again in awe.

A sky of scarlet; matching the Kyuubi's twinkling pelt. It churned with a languid rhythm, clouds of mercury sailing in peaceful orbit. In the distance, there was a tree that stretched high into the clouds, its bark a gossamer blue. It stood like a beacon, all around him clouds of fine dust hanging in the air. The ground beneath his feet was almost a desert, little to hold the arid clumps of soil together.

Why had he agreed to this? It was a good opportunity to learn about the Kyuubi, but very dangerous. As much as he wanted to believe in the fox, this all could be a trap to trick him into undoing the seal. Already, he wanted to stop and think on what was just revealed.

But the longer he stood, the greater a new ache blossomed in his chest; the more his skin began to prickle with a throbbing, seeping heat. He was a man of action; not thought. Even when he wanted to be otherwise. The tree was the only close landmark, so he jumped into a run. In the greater distance he could see spires of equal height reaching the clouds, but they did not look like trees. More like spiny, stone pillars. They were also too far away. His heart pounded as he sprinted, knowing he did not have much time. The great blue tree, almost pale enough to be a bone of bark, was far away enough that he wasn't sure he could make it. So, he pushed harder, arms swinging wide as he threw his feet forward, pushing off the ground with skidding lunges, using his hands to stabilize his feral flight.


"Ne, maybe, maybe we shouldn't do this Ibiki-kun." Anko said with glazed eyes, "He kind of freaked out just now, did you feel that too? It made me... sick."

The man was tough, but not enough to hide the tightness in his frustrated gaze with the young disciple of Orochimaru, "I personally requested this, Anko-san. If you can't stomach it, you should sit it out."

He stared into emptiness, "That foul chakra only makes me more eager to send Yamanaka-san inside, we simply cannot gamble on someone like this. He's far too suspicious to trust."

They all stared at the blond, his eyes shut in eerie serenity, compared to how he looked before. His entire form was slumped, completely defenseless, hands clasped in his lap, legs crossed. It made her aware of how he had been holding himself before. He was definitely well-trained, even if he didn't seem it at first. This was the first time he had actually seemed vulnerable to her, even when they had encountered his prone form in the intensive care ward.

"Yeah. Trust. It's not so easy. But it sounds to me like you don't trust Hokage-sama's judgment. Or, that you've got something to prove."

Morino Ibiki did not respond.


Approaching the tree seemed like a good idea. He was getting closer, but as he did, its enormous size was impressed upon him. It was like a behemoth; the tallest thing he had ever seen. No building, no structure, no mountain, no tree; not even the sky of his world outside seemed as large as the trunk of the great tree.

And as he approached it, he realized he was entering a dim white mist. It ringed the entire tree, billowy globs of cold and wet cloud obscuring his vision. Vision obfuscated, he had no idea how much closer he was to the trunk of the tree, but he pressed forward, the mist parting as he threw his hands forward, wind chakra dispersing it a short distance from him, letting his sight pierce a little further ahead, the ground beneath his feet turning to blades of silken grass.

He heard frightening sounds close in on him - shuffling gaits and mangled howls. Naruto threw his heart into his steps, stopping abruptly as the weighted fog ended abruptly, leaving him in the midst of a chromatic meadow. Tall violet blooms drooped lazily, golden heads shining on pink stems.

Naruto's gaze lifted up, finding a stranger perched on a smooth tree stump, a small wooden flute in his lap.

Hair the same shade of the great tree, a pale icy blue, moved like a breeze. It danced with a perpetual gust, frayed ends reaching the middle of a slender back, bangs draping over his crimson eyes.

He sat with a pious, rigid posture. Sleek, muscular legs crossed, voluptuous, sharp bony arms folded over his chest, soles of his fanged feet slightly wrinkled like a newborn. His neck was like the trunk of the tree he was propped against, strong, thick, coursing with hot scarlet life, flushing the otherwise pallid flesh of his cheeks.

A white sleeveless gi draped over his chest, right-over-left, a white sash tying it tight around the tight narrow of his waist.

Emerging from the top of his head were two white ears. They were large, pulled back, the tips sharp, insides a mellow pink. Exactly like a fox.

"Long time no see." He said, his eyes half-opened, letting out a slight laugh, "Sorry. That was a poor greeting. This is our first time meeting, isn't it? Who might you be?"

"Naruto." He breathed, swallowing a gasp of breath, "Uzumaki Naruto. You're - you must be Kurama's Zatori, right?"

The stranger's thin white brows lifted into his long bangs, ears shifting like a fox, "Zatori? No. But I am Kurama, yes. Have we met? Or does my reputation precede me?"

Naruto shook his head, wiping his brow, "I'm sorry, I don't get what's going on really - I don't have time to explain anyway. I have to wake you up or something."

"I'm already awake, aren't I?"

"Yes, I know, that's what's confusing. Are you Kurama's kenshou?"

"Kenshou?" he frowned, unfurling his arms, lips stretching thin, "I'm not sure I understand at all what you mean." He studied Naruto curiously, "You seem familiar, strangely. But you do not look well, Uzumaki-san. What is the matter?" he placed his hands on his knees and pushed, standing slowly. He moved slowly closer, Naruto's eyes drawn to his strangely soft hands. He shook his head though, trying not to let his dizzied mind drift.

"I don't think I have time to make things clear for you." He swallowed. If this was Kurama's true nature, then he would know himself. If the Kyuubi just needed to remember this thing, he would just have to shake something loose in his head, "I'm sorry, but I'm here to do something I think is important. So just answer my questions as best you can. What do you fight for, Kurama-san?" Naruto looked up, his gaze hard, wincing as he looked down at his hand, a constant throbbing in his wrist revealing a scary purple bruise there, nerves inside him now tingling as he glared at it.

"I... fight for the future." Kurama said vaguely, "Why? What does that have to do with anything?"

"I don't know." Naruto frowned, unsure what to make of a statement like that, the Kyuubi had a very vague goal, he was surprised he hadn't said 'world domination', "As I said, I don't have time, so please just go with me here, what's your favorite color?"

Kurama's brows furrowed, but he answered simply, "Red."

"Right. Food?"

"I prefer cabbage, I think."

"What about your parents?" Naruto was curious about that one, "Family?"

Kurama tapped his chin, "That depends, I think. On one hand, I do not remember them. On the other, it may be unwise to tell you, not knowing your true intentions. They've been threatened before. What is so urgent that you must-"

Naruto shook his head, pointing with a shudder, "What's with this tree? Can you tell me anything about it?"

"This tree?" Kurama turned, looking behind him calmly, "It was called... the tree of depravity." He pondered, "I do not think that name suits it now. Perhaps I should ask it to pick its own name, now that it is old enough."

Naruto swallowed, unsure if he wanted to know more about a tree like that, "I know this is weird, but you just have to trust me Kurama, this is important." He ground out, frustration and fear frothing in his throat, "I guess I'm being dumb, right? I have no idea if this is right. The stupid fox wouldn't give me enough information. I feel like I'm dreaming and you probably do too."

He walked forward, his body stiff as hell. Kurama tensed as he approached, standing warily. He adopted a loose stance, hands up, feet apart. But Naruto wasn't afraid of him and perhaps that was a mistake.

"Uzumaki-san, perhaps I should be the one asking you questions. What are you doing here for? This is my territory you're in. How did you get this close without me sensing you?"

Naruto shook his head, "Are you an idiot, Kurama-san?" Naruto asked tiredly, clutching his stomach.

The beautiful demon did not react, "I should hope not." He said gruffly.

"Yeah, see. I'm an idiot. That's always been my problem. I always rush head long into things. But I think I realize now, we're in a dream, right? Time seems wrong. Like everything's moving way too fast and my lips are just moving on their own."

"This is not a dream." The Kyuubi said without a pause.

Naruto nodded, "I was sent here to find you, I think. I think you're the Kyuubi's true nature. Do you know what that means? Because I don't. But if you're what I'm looking for, then you must know something about the fox that he doesn't."

Kurama shook his head, browns furrowing, his voice sharpened, "You speak in riddles. Start making sense."

"Can you tell me, what you truly are? What's... I mean, if you're his kenshou, you must know something! I mean, if I were to meet my kenshou, if that isn't something the fox just made up just now, I'd... ask him what to do."

Naruto swallowed after an awkward pause, "Because, deep down, I think I know what I need to do, to fix everything. Right? Because if I don't know, then nobody else will."

Kurama sighed and shook his head, his long white hair swaying elegantly.

"Isn't there something you believe in, Kurama?" Naruto threw himself forward, surprising the demon with his speed, both of Naruto's hands were laid upon the smooth flesh of his shoulders. Like he'd become the terminal for a battery, Naruto's entire body lit up in agony. He let out a horrific scream that stunned the man.

Yet, he kept speaking, staring into those bloody eyes determinedly, "You're special. I think I realize that now. You might have a big ego, but it's deserved, right? You're old. You know stuff. Stuff I wish I understood. I mean, I don't know what I want. On one hand, I can't- I can't be like Haku- I can't keep killing others for the sake of my friends; because isn't that what everybody does already? Doesn't that make me nothing better than Orochimaru? Sure, that bastard doesn't have any friends, but if everyone fights to protect, they still end up killing others who fight to protect." He shook his head, vehemently, "But at the same time, I can't not fight. I can't expect peace to come without fighting. I know I have to try and make things right. I don't understand how I'm in the past, but I need to kill Madara. I need to stop the Yondaime from throwing his life away. I need to protect the Uchiha clan from itself. I need to stop Kumo from almost starting another war with us. And... if that hurts other people to do it. I will. Because that's my way. I'll... bear everyone's burdens." He narrowed his eyes, "That's what I believe in, I think. That's something only I know. Maybe my kenshou would give me a better answer, but that's all I have to work with right now."

Kurama's face relaxed, he pushed Naruto off him, who feel over, the blond grasping the air in pain. He coughed wetly, managing to say, "If you're so old and smart, you stupid fox, there must be something only you know you know."

Kurama turned sharply, staring down Naruto wide in the eyes.

Then softly, he laughed.


"Okay, that's long enough."

"Huh? But it's only been three minutes." Anko said, "I think."

Ibiki shook his head, "Long enough. It was probably a mistake to let him prepare himself. He is probably thinking of a way to escape now-"

"Oh come on!" Anko huffed, "Escape? He could have done that yesterday. You must have read the report."

"I did. But that doesn't mean anything. His goals are compromised, now that we will see the truth."

"Tch. Not that you're usually wrong, but I don't like this! I was pretty sure he was telling the truth to me yesterday. Can't you put a little stock in what I have to think?"

"You haven't changed much, have you? It's unexpected." Ibiki glared at her, "Or have you just forgotten about your trustworthy master?"

The girl bit her cheek, before spitting on the ground violently, "Fuck you. I don't need to see this." She left through the door, slamming it.

The jounin nodded, turning to Inochi, "Are you ready?"

"Yes." The blond man turned to Naruto and approached him, kneeling on the floor, one of the ANBU approached, ready to catch Inochi as he fell, the blond's eyes shutting as his hands wove through several seals at blazing speed.


It was like ice suddenly covered him, a burning agony replaced with soothing cold. He let out an exhausted heave as she crumpled into the shallow waters before the Kyuubi.

"I-I think I did it-" he managed, clenching his hands into fists. He was all wet and slippery, covered in blood and sewage. It took him a few attempts to stumble to his feet.

And he looked up, gazing upon the man he had just seen. He was on the other side of the bars, his expression wide, lips pursed into a thin smile. He was not much taller than him.

"You did." The man said softly, looking down at him, "Amazing. Truly. To experience satori once again. A shame this time, it was in the dank recesses of your pathetic mortal mind, and not the thirsty wilds of the Tourin Makai."

Naruto rubbed his pounding head, not focused enough to retort to the Kyuubi's usual dissatisfaction for imperfection, "You're welcome," he muttered.

The white-haired fox-man traced his hands down his body, smiling wide, "You have helped more than I realized. You made it out in time too, I was beginning to become uneasy, the seal was behaving poorly in your disappearance."

"Poorly?"

"I am more keen on its functions now, perhaps we will discuss them at a later date. I have noticed some interesting details that are well hidden, particularly some odd remnants of chakra sealed away in here that are not my own..."

"Remember anything usefu-"

Both stopped dead as Naruto's world swam. The waters gently sloshing against the Kyuubi's cage pushed a harsher tide through, grimy water blasting the back of his shaky knees, rolling down the Kyuubi's cage and into the darkness.

Naruto turned as senior Yamanaka head strode from nothingness, his entire body coming together like sparkling dust organizing itself. The man shook himself, waving at Naruto as he stood in the ankle-high waters which churned uneasily in his presence.

"Inochi-san." Naruto said exhausted, "You're early. Or did I run out of time?"

"Ibiki is not a patient man." The jounin chuckled, looking past the blond, gobsmacked by the fox-eared man behind Naruto.

Eyes wide in wonder, he slowly began to approach him. Apparently fearless.

"I thought so." Naruto said dryly, "I haven't finished talked to my prisoner here. He's not exactly the most agreeable person, you know."

Kurama just laughed, his voice so much lighter and friendlier, compared to the throat-gravel he was used to hearing, "You are a less agreeable person than me, I think, Naruto-san."

"Come off it." Naruto waved his hand at him, almost smiling.

Inochi smiled, standing before the bars, his eyes sweeping up and down the loosely dressed, pale man, noting the fox ears curiously, as well as the slender tail that escaped the backside of his tight gi.

"So much for the terrible demon who was going to kill me, Kurama-san?" he turned to Naruto as he said this, the real Kurama's brows rising in mirth.

Naruto put up his hands in placation, "I'm serious about this." Naruto took a grim tone, "This place is not safe. You don't understand at all how this seal works. It's really dangerous in here-"

Inochi nodded, "A shinobi's mind is dangerous, even to someone like me, but I know how to be careful. I found no resistance upon entering your mind; it is not protected by anything." He turned to face the blackness that spread over the sloshing waters, his eyes rising up to the incredibly high brick ceiling of his mind, "You have an interesting mindscape. I'm not sure at all what this reflects, of your personality."

The real Kurama spoke, his voice calm, words like a song, "I do not like this man. May I eat him, Naruto-kun?"

The blond laughed, "T-that wouldn't be a good thing." He looked at Inochi, his eyes narrowed, nervousness creeping into his voice, "I don't like this one bit. Can you find out what you need to and get this over with?"

The man nodded, explaining, "I am not going to violate your privacy. All I need to do is verify what you experienced in Grass. If the Hokage desires more information, we can have a second session, but for now, my mission is very simple and very narrow."

"Fine." Naruto swallowed, wondering what to do, when these 'defenses' the Kyuubi had been extolling about would kick in, "What do you need to do?"

"To access the memory I desire, I need you to think about the man you encountered - the Sannin, Orochimaru. This will bring that memory closer to the surface of this... mindscape. I will be able to access it there, I can draw it to us."

Naruto hesitated, wondering if feeding him a false memory from his past would suffice. He nodded and decided to comply. He shut his eyes, recalling his last battle with Orochimaru.

Inochi saw Naruto concentrating, so he began to mold chakra, forming a few handseals, he whispered a hidden clan technique and-

The waters before the three trembled. Shaking violently, a man rose out of the sewage. Long spindles of black hair descended from his face, a lewd smile playing wide upon his interred face. Orochimaru stood before the three, in his full glory.

"Naruto-kun." He hissed, stunning Inochi, who said in panic, calm features stretched into worry, "Wait, I didn't finish my technique. Something's not-"

Naruto's eyes snapped open just in time, the Sannin flying across the water, one arm stretched out, his famed blade materializing in his hand. Naruto just barely rolled out of the way, his sword clanging against the Kyuubi's cage, his left arm nicked in its long swipe. The cut on Naruto's arm prickled and burned just like the atmosphere inside the Kyuubi's soul, making Naruto's breath catch in his throat as he jumped back to avoid a follow-up strike.

The blond teen shouted as the fox laughed merrily in his cage, "Is this what you were talking about?!"

"That is no illusion this time," the Kyuubi said simply, "That is real. As real as it gets." Kurama breathed excitedly, "He can kill you Naruto. Do be careful? It would be so boring if you were to die on me this early."

Inochi, took a step back, his face hardened in concentration, "I can definitely feel foreign chakra in him."

Orochimaru turned at the voice, grinning wickedly, "Oh, who is this? You look familiar. Deliciously familiar."

He jumped forward, playfully slashing his sword at Inochi, who barely had the speed to avoid it.

Naruto shouted at the Sannin, "Hey! Snake-freak! I'm the one you've been after, right? Forget about him!"

Orochimaru turned, cackling, he turned his attention back to Naruto, who deflected his blows using his odd taijutsu, evading strikes with careful bends, sways and steps into the snake's guard, as well as swatting at Orochimaru's hand, sending the weapon just off-course.

Inochi gave Naruto a serious look as he watched the exchange, "Naruto. Can't you banish this figment of your imagination?"

"Can't you?" Naruto's eyes went wide as the Sannin switched targets again, flying into the air and coming down with a frenzied falling slash.

Inochi dodged the attack, hearing Naruto scream as he lunged across the water, moving with speed so impressive, the shallow water broke at his feet.

The Sannin landed another strike on Naruto as he turned sharply, the blond calling out a shrill cry as the blade bit into his shoulder.

Inochi struck at the Sannin, his back turned to Naruto, his fists flying out, connecting with the Snake's kidneys. Any normal person would have been horribly stunned, but the Sannin simply turned and swung with a wicked smile, the Kusanagi slicing into the blond's stomach.


Everyone turned to stone as the still blond teen grimaced sharply. All eyes had flickered in worry when a small shallow cut had mysterious formed on his cheek, a little blood running from it.

But this time, blood began to pour from Naruto's shoulder, pooling in his orange top. Ibiki's eyes widened in shock and he turned to one of the ANBU, who immediately moved forward to peel off the prisoner's clothes, another ANBU walking forward, green chakra forming on his fingers.

And then, Inochi promptly fell back, gasping, letting out a horrible groan of pain, blood leaking onto the floor.

The room erupted into a frenzy of panic, Ibiki shouting hurried orders.


The chilling, dark hours of the early morning passed by with agonizing slowness.

Inochi was taken to the hospital where he would rest. He had suffered a grievous wound, but he had retained consciousness. He'd lost a lot of blood, but the ANBU on stand by had been able to save his life with relative ease. Naruto had been unconscious for about an hour, until he woke as well.

The only thing that kept Naruto out of an isolation unit was Inochi's words of defense. He had stood up for the boy who had fought against the illusion of the Sannin, ultimately betraying that he did not understand at all what had occurred. He knew of no techniques that could replicate what had transpired. He was still in shock, his clan's jutsu and theories on the mind offering no explanation at all.

Ultimately, Naruto had his clothes cleaned, his wounds already self-treated, much to the confusion of the ANBU. The horrible gash in his shoulder "disappeared", as did the cut on his cheek. Ibiki was humiliated at the failure, realizing Naruto's words of cautiou had been correct. Inochi's testimony corroborated them to some extent.

What the blond had seen was useful, it wasn't a total botch. He had one of the T&I specialists sketch what Inochi had seen - the fox-eared demon. And from the way Inochi described Orochimaru, some interesting details could be observed.

Both blonds came before Sarutobi in the Yondaime's office. The man did not wish to be there, given his tired, wrinkle-ringed eyes. But he greeted them with an easy enough smile.

"I apologize." He said quietly, "Ibiki over stepped his bounds. The Yondaime has been out, preparing. He was unusually lax in his permission with him. It won't happen again... for a while." He grinned wryly, "I'm glad that you are not hurt, Inochi-dono."

The man smiled easily enough, curiously studying the wild-haired teen by his side, "With all due respect Sandaime-dono, I have no intentions of entering someone like that again, not until I can do some research."

Naruto offered an explanation, "The demon sealed inside me is stubbornly protective. I'm sorry about what happened, but I can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do. And I did try to warn you guys."

The Sandaime nodded, "It's all right, Naruto-kun." He bowed his head to the Yamanaka head, "You may go. Take it easy today, I will make sure you are given several days of leave with pay." He smirked, "I hear you have a new daughter to care for."

The man sighed and waved weakly, walking out of the ornate office, a young Gai striding into the office merrily.

"Now, Naruto-kun." Sandaime teased, "I believe you are familiar with Maito Gai-san here? He's to be taking you to the Hyuuga compound. Apparently, Hyuuga Hiashi has requested your presence. I don't understand it, but I see no harm in it." He smiled in a way that made Naruto's whirling head relax, finally, "Try to understand the... accident this morning. I will try to make sure you are treated a little better from now on, Kurama-san. I think the Yondaime will appreciate you baring with the circumstances around your stay here." He said finally, "I don't think you will be treated like a threat for much longer."


"Yosh. It is good to see you so soon Kurama-kun, I wished to talk to you about your burning passion yesterday afternoon!"

Naruto found an easy smile spreading onto his lips, it was hard to brood with Gai by his side. The man was like a fiery candle, the tip a dancing lotus bloom. He kept a brisk pace as they walked down the many flights of stairs, towards the exit of the Hokage tower, passing by many chuunin personnel.

"Yeah? About what Gai-san? Also, I think I said you could call me Naruto." He turned toward the man's hard face, lips quirking at the sight of those lawn-like eyebrows.

The man nodded, "As I was observing your match, Hokage-sama asked my opinion of your abilities. Unlike my eternal rival, I like to consider myself more contemplative." He nodded to Naruto's dubious gaze, "Kakashi is hip and worldly, but he does not know what lurks inside the meadows of his own heart!" he said proudly, "At first, my impression of your skills... were lacking." He said flatly, much to Naruto's chagrin.

"Oh, do not look so down! As I said, it was simply my first impression of you. As I meditated last night, your energy flowed inside the wondrous glass of my heart. Do you believe that I saw myself there? In each of your blows? In each of your strikes? Your opponent was strong, no doubt, but Kakashi was not able to maim you. That is no easy feat!" he nodded.

The blond swallowed, "Not that I doubt you, but Kakashi was holding back. And no offense Gai, but I'm not a taijutsu freak like you, we're nothing alike."

He winced a moment after replaying his own words.

The man blinked, "Oh! You are astute! Indeed, I am Konoha's Green Beast! Though I am not arrogant enough to call myself the master of taijutsu, I am one of many youthful freaks here!" he laughed, his left eye sliding to stare at Naruto as they walked underneath the rising sun. It was past dawn, the sun reaching its morning peak. The streets encircling the tower were already lined with people performing various chores. Naruto's eyes drifted to the couples walking dogs, young shinobi bustling with loads of groceries hefted onto their small shoulders. His smile grew a little, nostalgia dimming Gai's eccentric monologue.

"Indeed. Kakashi had no intent to kill; it is the shame all ninja must bare, that in strengthening our skills, we must hold back our hearts and hide our intents." He said smoothly, staring pointedly at Naruto, "But you were no different. I saw each of your strikes. There was little force. No intent. You did not wish to follow through. And it is a great tragedy, to act, and not to see it through!" He laughed, "But, that is not why Kakashi could not press you back. He may be hip and laid back, but Kakashi has great pride as a ninja. I can attest to this in our great battle of the Kannabi Bridge!" Gai smacked his chest with his palm, "It is a tale I wish I could recount to you, young Nuruto-kun. It is there, I saw what my rival did not!"

"I think I would... love to hear a story like that," Naruto murmured, making his feet walk faster, arms swinging as they barreled down several blocks, Gai striding like a bowl-legged samurai.

"Indeed. But, Kakashi could not retaliate, Naruto-kun, because you did not let him. You seemed very imbalanced to me at first, but, as I quickly realized, you were swaying. Never once was your balance ever in both feet, but each of your legs did not hold your body's weight for very long. At times, I even suspect your entire body was raised only slightly from the ground."

Naruto looked up in awe, "Oh, you caught that huh? That's a trick I use sometime when I screw up. My wind chakra lets me levitate off the ground for very, very brief moments."

Gai nodded, "You screw up very often! That is what left me puzzled, last night. With all my heart, I knew I could see into the spirit of your taijutsu. Your body... moves like a Konoha shinobi."

Huh?

The blond stopped dead in his tracks, Gai stopping suddenly as well. He turned dramatically.

"Your taijutsu is Konoha-fu!" he said with a wide grin, "I did not recognize it at first. Those kicks, those punches, those empty handed strikes, the very tension in your arms. The heat of your body. The empty eyes, your unthinking hands, your mushin. The wordliness, your complete awareness to Kakashi and his beautiful hound, your zanshin. Your confident stance, your subtle burning passion, your fudoshin. They are distinctly unlike the other nations' styles." Gai put his hands on his hips and laughed, passerby turning their heads to glare at the strange man in the middle of the red stone road.

"I'm not a Konoha shinobi, Gai." Naruto said evenly, "I'm from Grass."

Gai nodded, "Indeed. I admit I am not well versed in their styles, but I recognize your style completely. What threw me off, however... was your movements. They are precise, perfected, but wrong. Just slightly. I do not know if you were taught a modified version of our fighting style, practiced improperly, or perhaps it is all a coincidence... but if you were to adjust yourself, with proper training..." he gave Naruto a thumbs up, "Jounin material. Definitely. That is what I told Hokage-sama. There is no doubt in my mind. With the intent of battle in you, your heart would burn as bright as mine!"

Naruto laughed nervously, "Jounin? I ah... that's nice, but I don't think..."

Gai shook his head, "We will train. I am happy to correct your mistakes. I know. Believe me, Naruto-kun. I have seen your kenshou. Although you are young, you are not inexperienced. You embody the true spirit of Konoha Style, hard work!"

Naruto rubbed his head shrinking, a blush coloring his cheeks, "Well... I don't know what to say... I mean, I'd love to train with you Gai, but I think your expectations are a little high." He swallowed, "But my kenshou?" he repeated, the Kyuubi's earlier words lingering in his mind, "You've seen it? Isn't that impossible?"

Gai motioned for Naruto to continue walking with him. They turned a corner, Naruto realizing they were leaving the marketplace and headed into the residential areas, passing through small farm areas, tiny marshes converted into rice paddies, the water glimmering with the sun's glare.

"No." Gai's dark eyes became hard, his voice lessening as they left the crowded streets, the air turning peaceful and still, "I saw your true nature, if briefly." He nodded, "Anyone can, when they have seen their own nature. And now I know for sure, watching you, your nature is hard work! There is nothing you can accomplish without it."

Naruto looked down between his feet. Unsure of what to say.

"I am curious to know of your previous teachers." He said carefully, "Does Grass have such fine shinobi, ones such as you are often produced? Why were you cast away, so bright in your youth?"

Naruto looked away, trying to hide his grimace, "I told you yesterday... mostly myself. I did have some teachers in the academy. Maybe... they were former Konoha shinobi. But I don't remember their names. It was a long time ago."

Gai seemed to accept this, "Very well." He closed his eyes, not opening them for a while. Oddly, the man kept a perfect pace, his feet perfectly sliding across the paved road, never erring in the slightest, like he knew the world blind, "I have also been authorized." He started after a breath, "To inform you that tomorrow, you will be placed somewhere special, while we await the arrival of a great foe I am told you helped alert us to." He ran a hand through his greasy bowl-cut, "You will meet me in the great circle square at dawn tomorrow."

Naruto nodded grimly, "Meet you?"

"Yes. After your meeting with Hizashi Hyuuga-sama and Hiashi Hyuuga-sama, I will show you the quarters you have been provided by the Hokage. You will be allowed to rest there until tomorrow."

Naruto nodded solemnly, "Is there anything I should bring?"

"No. The clothes you are wearing now..." he looked up the young teen's cargo pants and orange weave top, "They should be fine. I will elaborate on your role tomorrow."

Naruto edged quietly, "Do you have any idea why the Yondaime believed my story so easily? I was wondering about it. I mean, I was expecting him to lock me up. Yet, he's pretty trusting of a nobody like me."

"Indeed." Gai said with a sigh, "He is admirably youthful, but he is wise now, I see." Gai beamed, "He saw the spring of youth in your heart. That is why he believes you. Perhaps too, there is another reason, though I'm afraid I don't know what it would be." He laughed.

Naruto tapped his chin, recalling back to one of Iruka's lectures in the academy. He'd never learned about kenshou, but it could hardly have been a coincidence that it came up so suddenly. Probably another lesson Mizuki had poisoned for him. Or maybe, he'd just been slacking off. He was curious, but not enough to press further. Strangely, Gai had lifted his spirits.

No, it wasn't strange.

Fingers tracing idle circles on his navel, he was recalling his earlier one-sided conversation with Kurama.


The Hyuuga Estate was immaculate, a white stone walk tracing the perimeter, tall fence along the inner edge. Sakura trees stood in along the fringe, perfectly trimmed grass and zen-shaped shrubs illuminating a narrow walk inside the grounds, up to a pair of ancient glass doors. Naruto stood before the gate, eyes peering out, studying the two-floor mansion, red clay shingles arching over white oak walls.

The messenger from yesterday stood at the gate. He bowed slightly to Naruto and Gai, "Welcome." He looked at Gai, "Thank you for escorting your charge promptly."

Gai smirked, "T'was nothing!"

He looked at Naruto, "You may go inside, Hiashi-sama is waiting for you."

"Er, can't Gai come? What about Kakashi?"

The man nodded, "Gai is not needed. Hatake-san will be spoken to at a later date. His... meeting is actually unrelated to yours."

Naruto sighed, channeling Shikamaru for a moment, "Troublesome. Alright then." He waved to Gai, who nodded, planting his spine against the gate, humming a tune while he watched the clouds roll overhead. The guard opened the gate and Naruto passed inside, where he was escorted into the mansion, propelled through narrow tatami walkways, thin paper walls eerily masking the sounds of everyone inside the abode. All he could hear was the sound of trickling water.

He was taken to a small room and placed upon a tea pillow far too small for him. He sat in an undignified way, his knees pressing into the low wooden table central to the room. The floor was silver and gold, flaxen, with rolled beige walls. The picture of a crane sat opposite him, a lithograph of the Uzumaki spiral behind him.

He didn't feel at ease in the tranquil house, many lofty memories bequeathed in the silence. He remembered meeting Hinata here several times, watching Neji spar with his uncle. The man had offered to train him after Jiraiya had died, but Naruto did not take him up on it. He could not learn to fight like the Hyuuga and although it was a gesture of intense respect, one which Naruto still to this day never understood, it was simply an impossibility. He had never lived in a place like this, surrounded by so many distanced, 'proper' people. He could not study under a man like Hiashi either; although Naruto did know meditate at times, to center himself, he could not endure it for long periods. Nor could he study, not in the conventional sense at least.

The door slid open after a dull, lingering moment.

Naruto met eyes with Hiashi, a simple brown coat draped over his sloping shoulders, an ordinary white gi underneath, his muscular chest exposed, the garment loose. He was relaxed, but there was a power in his small eyes. From behind, his twin brother approached. Comparatively, Hizashi's skin was darker, touched by the sun. Hiashi was more like the moon, with his hair longer, pulled into a tail with an ornate silver ring.

The two celestial brothers, their calm power radiating, strode into the room and took there seats on each side of Naruto. Hizashi produced a bound scroll and placed it on the low wooden table he sat under. Both brothers sat on their folded feet.

"Kurama-san." Hizashi bowed his head first, forehead protector over his forehead, hiding his caged bird seal, "I am Hyuuga Hizashi, if you recall. To your right is my brother, the leader of our family, Hiashi-dono."

Naruto turned and looked at both men, offering a nervous quiver of his lips, "Kurama." Was all he said.

He swallowed, after missing a beat, "It's nice to meet you., Hiashi...sama."

"Likewise." The man said, his eyes barely open, "I am a busy man."

Hizashi explained for Naruto, "I told my brother about your claim to be a user of Fuuinjutsu."

The blond swallowed, "It's true. I've studied it for a while."

"It is a rare gift, if you are capable." Hiashi said with the voice of a calm breeze, "Only two in our family currently have the skills to perform seals at an adequate level."

Hizashi nodded, "One, is Master Hifune,"

"-he is past his prime, but very capable. Still, in his twilight years, we cannot come to depend on him much longer." Hiashi completed for his brother.

"The other," Hizashi offered, "-is my wife's sister, Sui. She is very young, but shows much promise."

Hiashi nodded, "She also cannot be depended upon. She is of the branch family and still quite young." He said with disdain.

Naruto blanched, "I'm not sure I follow..."

"First." Hiashi said, "A test. One which we will provide the results of to Hokage-dono. But more importantly, it is necessary that I know your grasp of the art, before I propose anything."

Naruto just grunted, "Alright. I'll take your test. What do I need to do?"

A withered scroll was unraveled by Hizashi, placing it before Naruto's eyes. They bulged immediately at the sight. There were a dozen small seals traced upon it.

Hizashi's long arm reached out, pointing to one in the left corner, "Can you describe the function of this seal, Kurama-san?"

Naruto leaned into the table with the focus of a cat stalking its prey, his blue eyes drawn in awe. The seal was very small, delicately written by a master. He had never seen it before, which immediately made it challenging. There were potentially an infinite number of ways to create seals, with infinite styles. Though, with the rigid way sealing was taught, with the few practitioners of it remaining, the skill was more esoteric and hereditary than it had any right to be.

The Hyuuga family had their own style of sealing. Deciphering their methods and understanding the function of their particular seals would take Naruto a while, especially since his methods of sealing were more rambunctious and irregular. He was careless with chakra, after all. Most of his knowledge on sealing had initially been theoretical, but because the potential dangers of making mistakes with seals were largely related to lethal chakra exhaustion, he had been able to experiment wildly with those theories and build up his own.

Naruto closed his eyes, taking another moment to glance over the seal. He sat back and then began to rise, their eyes following, "I'm sorry, both of you." Naruto said simply, on his feet, "The best I can tell you, is that seal would alter chakra that enters it, producing water. That is the only thing I know for sure." He started to take a step back and leave, his heart pounding shamefully in the pit of his stomach, when Hizashi's hand shot out and grabbed his long orange sleeve.

"Please, Kurama-san, sit." He was wearing a broad smile, "That is a perfectly satisfactory answer for such a simple glance. You are correct. the seal does perform that function, though it does more than that."

Naruto reluctantly took a seat, putting up his hands defensively, "I use seals. A lot. But... I have my own style. I've never used or encountered any seals like those, or really seen other seals outside of my... teacher's. Fundamentally, all seals are the same, but the way you do things can give things new meaning. It's like- using a word- and it having a double meaning or something." He explained, looking again at the corner seal, "Your seal converts chakra into water, but then, from there," he traced his finger along where the script created a beautiful double spiral, leaf-like objects growing off it, "I can't really see too well how those leaves are shaped, if they use vertical brush swipes or single strokes, it could completely change the direction and shape of chakra from there. The leaf structure's shape looks open and not closed, so I suppose it would create some kind of circular pressure..."

Hiashi simply nodded to this.

Hizashi explained, "The seal you are describing is very old. It is called the Seal of Everlasting Water. We use it in our green house. There are several of these lining the ceiling that help maintain a proper air humidity for some of the exotic plants we raise."

"Oh." Naruto nodded, "Vertical strokes then. It's very hard to see, since the leaves are so tiny, whoever made this used an extremely small brush then. Also really careful, I wouldn't have the patience to write so uh intri-intri... tiny."

Hizashi smiled, Hiashi adding, "I think that is a satisfactory answer. I think that is conclusive enough. If what you say is true, you are perhaps of more help to us than you might believe yourself to be. Do not feel nervous." He said with practiced ease, "Kurama-san, we require someone who can decipher the seals we use, but we do not expect you to become proficient in using or replicating them."

Naruto relaxed slightly, nodding. He felt bad talking about seals - it was something he took pride in, but he'd never been able to talk about the art with anyone who could understand, before. Hizashi rolled up the scroll, "We will have more opportunities to test you, but I believe we can inform the Yondaime that this one is knowledgeable in seals. Few students would be able to accurately analyze a seal so quickly." He shared a grin with his brother, who nodded.

"What do you need me for then?"

"We have two tasks for you." Hizashi said, "Both tasks are of vital importance. With little time to spare. It is a great tragedy Fuuinjutsu users are so rare, as it has left us desperate enough to seek help from outside the clan and village." He bowed his head to his brother.

"My wife is ill. I believe her seal is responsible."

"Seal?" It couldn't be?

Hiashi nodded, looking up at his brother, who explained, "Perhaps a little history is in order. The Hyuuga are an ancient family who formed under the banner of Konoha. In the beginning, we were more war-like and brutal. But even into these modern times, old habits die hard. In order to maintain peace and unity within the clan, those not of the main branch are sealed. To protect the clan's secrets, there is a mechanism in the seal which will kill anyone who is under threat of having their Byakugan removed or studied." He cleared his throat, "The Byakugan are our clan's bloodline; our eyes."

"Ah." His stomach turned at the mention of the caged bird seal. He had pushed the memories of it from his mind, but he could forget it no longer.

"My wife is also pregnant." Hiashi said darkly, "Soon, she will give birth. I would like your assurance that it is not the seal that is causing her...prolonged weakness."

"I'm confused. If she's your wife, why does she have the seal?"

"The seal is placed on all branch members by their third birthday. There is no way to remove it. Or, if there is, it has been lost to the ages."

Naruto nodded slowly, wondering how Hiashi had come to marry one of the lower house, how that had even worked out for him politically.

"I would happily look at your wife's seal, Hiashi." Naruto grinned, eager to meet an infant Hinata.

The man was clearly pleased by this, "Then we will discuss the second task after you have completed the first. Although I would like for you to see Hako today, I have other issues to deal with," he huffed, "-tomorrow you will-"

Naruto shooks his head, "Sorry, but, I don't think I can see her tomorrow. I will be doing something for the Hokage all day, I think? I don't really know. But I could see her the day after tomorrow..."

He nodded, "Saturday, then. That should be fine. Arrive at the gate by noon."

Naruto nodded, surprised by the simple turn of events. The two brother stood, explaining some tea would be served for him. When he was finished, a servant would escort him out.

They left him again in a silent room, hearing only the distant sounds of a babbling stream.


"Hey."

Naruto turned suddenly, a young Anko perched high in a skinny Sakura tree just by the gate. It was of the winter-blooming variety, pink and white buds dotting along its tender branches, the noon light making her violet hair shimmer. Naruto raised his chin, eyes lifting, meeting her empty gaze, a slouch of her lips making him grimace, recalling his earlier outburst. A familiar trench coat sat upon her narrow shoulders, spats hiked up high on her waist.

"Sorry about this morning." He mumbled, more shame entering his voice than he meant to - the result of her sneaking up on him. He was abashed for being so absorbed in the Hyuuga. He couldn't afford to act like this much longer. He needed to be sharp.

"Don't worry about it." She smiled, her eyes wrinkling, "You were cranky." She said tiredly.

"Where's Gai?"

"That weirdo left. I gave him a new assignment from Hokage-sama." She yawned deep, letting Naruto look up into the pink insides of her mouth, "I'm supposed to take you to your apartment, then get some z's."

"Oh." Was all he could think to say.

She hopped down onto the walk just outside the ground perimeter, standing slow, "C'mon whiskerbutt." She mumbled, throwing her arm out in a gesture to follow.

He did, "Whiskerbutt?"

"Yeah. You have fat cheeks, kid." She reached out with a quick turn, intending to clap his cheeks with her speedy hands, but he surprised her by ducking down straight into her breasts. Completely on accident, of course.

Much unlike any other female Naruto had ever met, the girl just let out a giggle, "Oh, Kurama-kun, I had no idea you were so kinky."

The woman's musk smelled thick of sweat, blood, urine, salt, chocolate, chicken dumplings, instant rice and sakura blossoms. His sensitive nose did not lie.

"Gah! Get away from me dattebayo!" He put his hands on her shoulders, pushing away, stumbling back, his face flushed crimson.

She smiled like a crocodile, unperturbed "Yeah, probably a much better idea to hold off on that. Not that I wouldn't mind, but the Hyuuga are pretty big stiffs. They'd probably get us in trouble if we started playing kissy-kissy out by their property."

He stared at the teen, chin hanging, brows almost raised into his scalp. A definitive, "Are you serious?" look.

She started walking again, the tails of her trench coat swinging left to right with the teasing, feminine rhythm of her hips.

They approached a building that was all too familiar to him. In the throes of Konoha, not too far from the red light district. Overturned trashcans filled an alley they strolled down, wild cats sending bouncing mewls against the shining hot chrome. They stopped before a chipped stairwell, three giant stone blocks leading up to a battered white door.

"Comfy-lookin' ain't it?" Anko said, eyes lifting up to peer at the red brick building that towered above.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Naruto mumbled, "This doesn't look so secure."

"It ain't. Which is a good thing. Well, it's secure enough to keep an eye on you, don't worry about that." She huffed, walking forward. Up the stairs, she snatched the handle on the door and stepped inside, the door slamming shut. She didn't even bother to hold it open for him. He grumbled her name under his breath.

He knew this building, far too well. Of all the places he wanted to return to, this place was not it. Just walking inside made him recall the time he was late to the academy one morning, three kids standing in the doorway waiting patiently for him, armed with buckets of paint he'd stolen from their parent's shop. It took a lot of mental fortitude to take a second step and climb inside the tall, probably ancient, building, banishing the horrible memory.

The lobby was scarcely that, an abandoned front desk - metal blinders pulled down, welded shut. Grime filled the pores of the mismatched blue and pink tile. A ceiling-fan spun in slow-motion, like it was trapped in another dimension. Anko turned and spun on her heel as they stepped into the desolate hall, "So yeah, the bright side is, your rent's free. For the first month anyway. I imagine, if they decide to not kill you for whatever happened to Inochi-san... you'll be doing missions for us. That seems to be what you want, right? That's the impression the Sandaime got anyway." She tapped her nose, "I live right across from you, so don't try anything funny, kid."

"I'm the same age as you. And... Inochi is fine. Don't worry about him."

"That's good, but, how would you know we're the same age?"

"I'm fifteen." He said sternly.

"Yeah, well, a young lady like me doesn't need to tell you her age." She smirked proudly, making Naruto shrug, "Besides, you look like a kid."

The blond grimaced and reached for the sleeves of his bright orange shirt, pulling them all the way up, exposing his well-defined shoulders and triceps, the muscle groups lean and tense like a beast of prey's. He glared at her as he did this, lips pulled into the harshest, 'are you kidding' look he could manage.

Anko didn't seem fazed. She just smirked, pulling her arms out of her trench coat and folding it neatly. She wore a very loose tank top, the shoulder straps threatening to slide off her shoulders, hem cinched tight above her navel. She just cocked a grin as the teen's eyes shook for a moment, fighting an urge to let his eyes roam. She didn't tease him though, instead grabbing one of the loose straps, she pulled it in, focusing on the incredible muscle of her right arm. Her left arm was strangely softer, the muscles there less refined, but it was hardly as soft-looking as Sakura's had ever been. She clenched her right arm, more strength rippling as tight bronze-coated fibers swelled. He noted the obsidian snake tattoo that slithered up the inside of her right forearm.

"We should definitely arm wrestle." She made a half-hearted staccato laugh.

"Maybe another time." Naruto swept his fingers through his hair, feeling almost as tired as Anko looked, "Can you show me to my apartment? You should probably get some sleep, you look exhausted."

"Pf, don't worry about me." She waved her left hand dismissively, "Alright antsy, let's go." She turned and he followed obediently, following her around the corner, the girl draping her folded coat over her left shoulder. He noticed the visible tension in the orbs of her rear, the exaggerated swing of her hips. He just sighed, blacking out her attempts at distracting him as he followed up the stairs.

No time for hormones, he reminded himself. Not with Anko, that was especially true. She had a mean-streak even he had heard about before. He didn't want to know why she'd earned that reputation. He kept his eyes phased into another dimension, looking through her body, though, he didn't really need to. He could walk up the familiar stairs blindfolded. Better not to though, it would be awfully weird, even he realized that. A very bad kind of weird.

The stairs creaked and bent, winding in a rigid rectangular manner. The spiraling walls were coated in a thin striped wallpaper that was already peeling before he had ever been born. When they reached the eighth floor, they stopped abruptly, Anko stopping at the first door to the left. She turned bowed dramatically, flashing him the depths of her soft cleavage, "Your humble abode, Kurama-sama."

"Enough with the snark." Naruto sighed, sighting a key shining in her right hand. He lunged forward and swiped it with harsh step, plunging it into the keyhole in one graceful motion. The door loosened and drifted open like a cloud.

Anko stood straight with a grunt, "No tip for the servant?"

"You live here. It's not like you went out of your way."

"How rude." She feigned offense, "You're a brat."

"And you're a pervert."

"You're stiff. Like the Hyuuga. No wonder they wanted to see you first."

"I'm not stiff dattebayo!" Naruto laughed.

"Whatever. But you looked that way, almost for a moment," She turned around, chiming with a perverted giggle. But her enthusiasm died quickly. She walked robotically straight across the hall, turning the door knob of a parallel apartment, "There's some food and provisions somewhere already in your room, if some jerk hasn't already gotten to em'. I'm gonna go crash for a few days, so don't bug me even if you are a double-crosser." The door to her room slammed shut.

Glad to be rid of her, Naruto entered his apartment, sighing as he stared at the very familiar living (dead) room. He backed up, the door shutting behind him.

There was a cloth-covered couch against a dreary grey wall. An imbalanced coffee table in front of it. The floor was made of swirling, blackened wood. A few lamps were shoved into corners, a few shelves drilled into the opposite wall. He stumbled into the kitchen, vanilla tile stained from years of use, faint discolored splotches marring a floral pattern. There was a microwave and a tiny refrigerator a fold-able card table and three fold-able steel chairs. He rummaged through the pantry, finding a few condensed soup cans, tea bags, powered milk and a bag of trail mix. He shook his head, finding only two canisters of purified water and a broken light bulb inside. He paced to the bedroom, finding a mattress on the dilapidated framework of a bed, the rest of the room barren, a lone window looking over the scenic view of a dark red brick wall.

Naruto pinched his nose, a faint odor, probably mold, plaguing him. Thankfully, he found a mop and a broom inside the kitchen closet.

He almost created a kage bunshin, his fingers crossing together, but hesitated. He wasn't sure if he was being watched. It didn't feel like it, but he didn't want to run the chance just yet. So, he spent the next few hours cleaning up, scrubbing the floors and sweeping caked dust off the tile and the counter tops. His little cleaning session turned up some additional supplies hidden in his apartment - namely some worn-out brushes, an assortment of mouse traps, some half-empty ink pens, and some yellowed paper. When he was finished, his stomach clenched in hunger, so he prepared some bland soup and crunched on some nuts, groaning in isolated silence once more, his dangerous idle thoughts pleasingly dispersing in fatigue. He tried hard not to think too much, too.

Finally. He could rest a little easy. That couldn't comfort him though; tomorrow was it. The day... well, Madara or Tobi had struck. He'd never figured out who had done it really. They liked to be the pretend to be the same person, even if they were somehow different. He would have to put some effort into dispelling that mystery, as well as the history of his clan. Although he wasn't that far in the past, maybe he could glean some information from the Yondaime. Maybe he knew where his father was? Or where remnants of his clan might lie? But then again, he wasn't an Uzumaki, not to him. He had no reason to disclose such information.

He soured at that, picking at his food. He'd made some hasty decisions that would be a pain to work through now. Lies never fixed anything, really. But he'd had no choice. Now he had to play the game. How would tomorrow go? The Yondaime had scarcely said anything to him, yet the man was riding on his information. Likely, he was recalling shinobi from all over Konoha. Doing what? He wasn't sure. Maybe he knew where the Kyuubi dwelled - well, he had to. It must have lived somewhere in fire country. Maybe it had its den somewhere in the city? Asleep? Or maybe it wandered aimlessly. Or maybe it was in someone, a jinchuuriki that young Madara would first visit.

He couldn't make heads or tails of Kurama, most of the time. And now, he'd understood even less. All that nonsense about kenshou and satori. He'd never seen such a collected side of the fox before, even when he had earned his respect over two years... well, some years ago, however he was going to start counting that "other time" - the "time before he went back in time". The fox had always been enigmatic, always delighted in his games, even in spilling his emotions. For years, he would haunt his dreams, the phantom he didn't know he contained inside himself. How much simpler things could have been, if the fox had just taken a deep breath and tried to speak. He would have understood, vaguely. It wasn't like he hated the beast for what it had done; it wasn't its fault. Not for taking away his chances at a normal life. Or for destroying the lives of Konoha.

But that ethereal, white-haired man. That was the Kyuubi's "inner self"? He looked nothing like him. Soft, feminine features, with a long mane of white hair. A calm, dispassionate voice. His haunting eyes were sagely and old.

And what did it mean, for them to be "connected"? He would need to dwell on that connection as soon as he could, especially if it effected how he could gather the fox's chakra. But he had no time for that, tomorrow was the big day. There wasn't enough time to plan anything extravagant He would need to prepare for the worst - Madara showing up. And, Madara not showing up at all. That was another terrible possibility. He would need contingency plans, whatever those would be. He figured he could escape Konoha in a pinch, but with nothing but the clothes on his back? It would a horrible blow. He'd be set back years before he could start hunting down the Akatsuki properly. If he even stood a chance at that.

Naruto took the yellowed sheets of paper he'd collected and began his work at the wobbly kitchen table. With pain-staking slowness, he crafted disposable seal-scrolls.

The first was one of his first creations. The most obvious one. A delayed kage bunshin scroll. It would certainly be a last-resort, as it would result in a lot of explanation if he had to use it on Madara or Tobi. But with a little chakra poured into the seal, no blood required, he could hurl it a fair distance away and create a small army - perhaps one hundred clones - without the enemy having any idea what he was doing. The only limitation was that it was not optimized. Only he could viably use it without killing himself. Also, if he were careful about the amount of chakra invested, he could cause a greater delay. He had considered using one as a timed-distraction for stalling Akatsuki, months ago, but had never gotten a chance to use it.

The second was more conventional - a five elements seal. He'd mentioned its basis to Hizashi barely two days ago. It was composed of the five physical elements and was one of the most abstract, complicated seals he knew how to craft without much thought. His hand swiped the brush across the paper fluidly, fingers remembering exactly how it had to be done. He had learned it not too long after Jiraiya had died, as Orochimaru had performed it on him and sealed away his chakra, a moment of weakness that still gave him nightmares. Although the seal was far less destructive to normal opponents, it would still disrupt their normal chakra control. He imagined Tobi would be held back by it, if he could properly use it in close range against him. It would also be a peaceful way of dealing with the Yondaime, if it came to... that.

Exhausted, Naruto rolled up the scrolls after letting them dry. He cleaned up and flopped onto the mattress shutting his eyes as he curled up on himself, finding some peace in the silence of the night.