A/N: Hey~ remember me? Been for ever I know, but to be honest I've worked myself into the ground and had little time for this story, unfortunately. So, I decided to bite the bullet and bust this chapter out. Pretty decent size so I hope it can hold you over until I find more time. It's 2:30 in the morning right now so sorry if some typos manage to slip through. I will admit though, this chapter was a BLAST to write simply because of Kurama. I forgot how much I truly enjoyed writing the banter between him and Naruto. Anyways, enough is enough, time to get on with the story. I'm explaining a little bit more about Menma so hopefully that will clear up any confusions that were left over from the previous chapter. I know I don't really deserve but please let me know what you think!
Last Time: A reaction occurred when Naruto donned Retribution, causing a massive influx of chakra followed by an explosion. At the same time, Kurama battled it out with Menma—who was hell-bent on acquiring the outside chakra source provided by Retribution. Right when Menma was about to obtain the power, Kurama activated the seal on Naruto's stomach effectively resealing everything within Naruto. Afterwards, Jihibiki rushed Naruto home where Karin healed him. Unfortunately, Hinata happened upon some rumors about Naruto and another girl and went to ask him about it. Arriving at his apartment, she found Naruto and Karin in a very provocative position and only assumed the worse. After finally calming her down enough to explain, Hinata promptly passed out. Jihibiki then left to inform the other Night Angels that Naruto was fine and Renge left to speak with Hinata about a hidden agenda.
Chapter 30: What She Meant to Me
As Naruto made his way down his short hallway he couldn't stop his eyes from roaming over the midnight haired beauty in his arms. They followed every curve and contour of her body, memorizing the way she seemed to fit perfectly into his arms. He felt his chest tighten, and an aching sensation begin to thrum where his heart was.
When? When did he fall for her? When did he, Uzumaki Naruto, fall for the soft, kind-hearted, loving Hyuuga Hinata?
He had asked himself the question over and over again since his battle with Nagato, but he could never find the answer. But something changed the moment he saw the look on her face when she had barged through the door. As if the answer had always been there, right in front of his face.
Because it had been.
He realized now that she had always been there. Always in the background, supporting and pushing him forward, never allowing herself to take the spotlight away from him. And at some point those feelings had started to develop into something more. He wasn't sure when, but it irritated and saddened him that it took her nearly dying to realize what she truly meant.
Entering the bedroom, Naruto laid Hinata down. After making sure she was in a comfortable position, he knelt beside her and allowed himself a moment to stare. He watched her blush slowly recede from her cheeks while she calmed down in her blissful state of unconsciousness. Her hair fell like silk across the pillow and her pink lips slightly parted in an enticing invite. Reaching out, Naruto brushed a few loose strands behind her ear and allowed a blush to dust his own cheeks at the intimate contact. He had always wanted this kind of thing. He wanted it more than anything in the world, and now that it was right in front of him he was too scared to take it.
"Oh the irony." He thought cynically. Reason told him that it was because he was protecting her. But he found himself caring less and less for reason each day.
Sighing, he looked away from the woman on his bed, refusing to allow his eyes to linger any longer. As much as he wanted to stay like this, he had bigger problems to attend to. Problems that now included whatever was going on inside him. Taking a seat on the floor Naruto settled into the Lotus position, closed his eyes, and slowed his breathing until he felt the eventual tug into his mindscape.
When he finally opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was that everything was green and full of life again. The second thing was that there was a big tree now towering over everything else. A really, really, big tree. And beneath aforementioned tree was Kurama, surprisingly back to his monstrous sized glory, bound to the ground by what looked like roots and even more surprisingly talking and laughing. But what struck Naruto as odd was what the giant fox demon was talking to: a wooden bowl with a lid. Thinking that his companion had finally snapped, Naruto decided to confirm this theory first hand and approached the fox. As he did, Naruto heard the conversation Kurama was having with what Naruto originally thought was himself.
"If you're so irritated, then why don't you make like a tree and leave."
"Shut up…"
"Seriously, just act like a log and split."
"Please stop."
"It's not your fault really." Kurama said sympathetically. "You didn't realize you were barking up the wrong tree."
"Oh for the love of Kami! Please will you just shut up you oversized, furry, simpleton!"The voice shouted crazily.
"Uh oh, someone sounds upset. Maybe you should just put a lid on it and stew on your recent actions."
"…"
"Do you get it?" Kurama asked suppressing a snicker. "Because you're in a bowl-ish looking container!"
"I'm going to drown you…" The voice said in what sounded like utter conviction. "I'm going to drown you like a sack of dumb puppies. And if I wasn't stuck in this god damned seal I'd do just that!"
"Hah! Jokes on you, I hate dogs." Kurama laughed. "But you are sealed so there's no use in crying over spilt…" Kurama seemed to be at a loss for words, "…goo?"
"…"
"…"
"I think you were trying too hard with that last one, Kurama." Naruto said as he walked around the side of the fox and into his view.
"Eh? Oh Naruto, it's good to see you finally decided to show up."
"Thank god!
Naruto seemed to pause in confusion and look around him for the phantom voice before returning his attention back to his furry companion. "I don't suppose you know what's going on here?"
"Nope!" Kurama chirped without missing a beat.
"Liar!" The phantom voice echoed back causing Naruto's eyebrow to twitch as he leveled Kurama with an expecting gaze.
"Now Kurama, you know keeping vital information from me could be very…detrimental to our fragile relationship." As the blonde spoke he tried to ignore the snort the giant fox gave him at his word choice.
"Would you believe me if I told you I was just playing around with the seal and it attacked me?"
"No." Both Naruto and the voice countered at the same time.
"Okay, seriously! What is that?" Naruto snapped as he searched for the voice that continued to input its opinion.
"Yeah…about that…" Kurama drawled as he looked at the wooden bowl on the ground.
Naruto quirked an eyebrow and looked at Kurama while loosely pointing at the bowl. Kurama simply nodded, answering his unasked question. Naruto then looked at the bowl before looking back at the fox and asking his next question.
"The fuck?"
"It's a long story."
"I've got time."
"But do you have popcorn?"
Naruto opened his mouth to respond before catching himself and shook his head.
"Did you have a child or something?" He asked, looking at Kurama.
"No, why?"
"Because the sarcasm in this mindscape is too damn high!"
"Oh, I'm sorry Pot have we met? My name is Kettle."
"I think we're getting off topic here."
"Yeah? Well I think that you're…" Naruto paused for a moment as he realized the voice was right. Wheeling around to Kurama he pointed at the bowl. "Explain."
Taking a deep breath, Kurama began in a dramatic voice, "Long, long ago. In a mindscape far, far away—"
"—Nope!" Naruto cut in as he turned and closed his eyes.
"What are you doing?" Kurama asked a moment later.
"You'll see, so shut up and let me concentrate."
Five minutes later, Naruto sat next to Kurama in a recliner in front of a massive TV with a bowl of popcorn in his lap. Attached to Kurama's head was a crazy looking metal contraption with multiple wires sticking out of it and running to the TV. Naruto had somehow come up with the ingenious idea of watching Kurama's memories. Something the fox was not pleased about in the least bit if the glower on his face was any indication.
"Can we at least fast-forward through the talking part?"
"No. I want to know everything that happened." Naruto stated.
"This is an invasion of personal privacy. I'll never forgive you." Kurama growled out in warning.
"You're inside of me." Naruto said, glaring at the fox. "And whatever happened to me just now was because of you. I don't give a damn about your privacy when my well being is on the line."
"Arrogant little prick."
"Asshole fox."
"Shh! This is my favorite part!"
Naruto ignored the voice and turned his attention to the screen. When he did, he froze at what he saw.
"…Is that…" He whispered.
"Kushina…" The Kurama on screen whispered.
Naruto gripped his bowl so hard it shattered causing popcorn to fly everywhere. "Ka…Kaa-san…"
For the next few minutes Naruto sat in a surreal trance as the interaction between Kurama and his mother played out before him. He couldn't believe it. He never thought in a million years that Kurama, the Kyuubi no Kitsune, maker of tsunamis and crusher of mountains, would ever be so emotionally attached to a human. Yet right before his eyes, he watched as Kurama struggled to maintain his composure in front of the red headed woman. A woman that Naruto had to admit was incredibly beautiful. But if the emotional attachment Naruto saw on the screen wasn't proof enough, when he glanced sidelong at the very demon next to him he saw Kurama fighting to hold back tears. Finally after a few more moments Naruto picked up the remote and hit pause, just as his mother started to turn into the black viscous being. They were both quiet for a full minute before Naruto finally broke the silence.
"Did you really love her?"
Kurama narrowed his eye at the blonde before looking away. "It's none of your god damned business!"
"It is every bit of my fucking business!" Naruto shouted in a mixture of anger and sorrow. "Kurama, please, I'm begging you! You never have to do anything for me ever again if you just tell me about my mother!"
Kurama was silent for a moment and his eyes grew distant, but just as he was about to speak he was cut off.
"Are you two drama queens about done yet? We're getting to the best part!"
"I will eat you!" Kurama snarled as his lips curled back around his fangs.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as well as he glared at the small wooden bowl. "Let's go somewhere else."
With a snap of his fingers, Naruto and Kurama found themselves in a completely different area of the woods. Well, technically he had transported them to the base of the monstrous willow tree, but it was still a change in scenery. Although he was still bound tightly by the roots, Kurama found himself temporarily at peace as he gazed out at the Koi fish pond which glittered in the sun. After a few moments of comfortable silence he noticed that Naruto was patiently looking at him—waiting for a response.
Taking a breath and closing his eyes, the fox asked, "What do you want to know?"
"Everything." Naruto said seriously. "What my mom was like. Who she was as a person, as a ninja, as a wife. Who she was to you. Who or what that thing was back there. Why it's even here and why is it affecting me now of all times.
"Okay, let's start off easy then." Kurama said with a sigh. "What's causing all of these problems for us internally would be a being that goes by the name of Menma. He lives inside of you and has been with you for as long as I have."
"Menma." Naruto said slowly, trying the name on his tongue. "How did he get inside of me? Did something happen when my dad sealed you inside of me?"
"No, it's much simpler than that." Kurama said shaking his head. "Menma is part of you. Naruto, he's a manifestation of your dark side."
Naruto found himself frozen to his spot.
"Dark side," he questioned. "How can that even be possible?"
"Oh don't play the saint, Naruto." Kurama said seriously. "Admit that there were times where you thought about retaliating. About killing all of those fools who cursed you and ostracized you. That's where Menma comes from. He's been with you since the beginning—locked away in your subconscious. But now he's finally gained enough power to separate himself from you and manifest in his own form."
"How?"
"By feeding off your chakra of course. But after fighting him it's become apparent that a large portion of my own chakra is what fuels him as well. It's why he's managed to powerful so quickly. And it's likely most of the chakra that came from me was stolen during our battle with Pain."
"Was he the cause of the reaction I had when I put Retribution on?" Naruto asked. He needed to know if it would happen again.
"Yes and no." Kurama said. Upon receiving an irritated look he explained further. "Yes he was the reason for the reaction but no he did not cause it. I did. I forced my own chakra against the masks own sentient chakra. The battle that ensued was basically a force of wills, with your own body being the battlefield."
"Kami, Kurama." Naruto said with a sigh. "Couldn't you have done something else? That seriously hurt like a bitch!"
"I really didn't have a choice. It was either force the mask back, or allow Menma to take control of it. And Kami only knows what would happen if he was allowed to get his hands on such a powerful foreign chakra."
"God damnit!" Naruto said with an irritated sigh. "Why does this shit have to be happening now? I've got my hands completely full! I don't need any more shit on my plate! Why is he even trying to get his hands on chakra?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Kurama question as if it were just that. "He's trying to build up his strength so he can take over your body."
"What?!" Naruto shouted. "Oh hell no!"
"Relax, he's sealed away for the time being so you should be able to use the mask and deal with the upcoming situation. We can deal with him later."
"Speaking of which, what's up with the shackles?" Naruto asked.
"A small price to pay to keep that puddle of oil locked away."
"Any way I can make that more comfortable without releasing the bastard again?"
"It's your mindscape and these bindings are simply a representation of the seal, so I don't see why you couldn't."
"Gimme a sec." Naruto said while closing his eyes. A moment later the roots disappeared and then reformed around his neck in the form of a loose, ornate looking, wooden collar. "There, all done."
"Not bad." Kurama said stretching out his stiff limbs as he inspected his reflection in the pond. "And you say I have a gaudy taste."
"I thought it looked rather dashing on you." The blonde defended. He received a snort to which he huffed, "Whatever, but about what you said earlier. We are going to deal with Menma?"
"What he did to Kushina's image was unforgivable." Kurama muttered dangerously.
"Which brings us to our next topic." Naruto said folding his arms. "My mother."
Kurama was silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts before finally sighing.
"The first thing you need to understand, Naruto, is the kind of relationship your mother and I had. While I loved Kushina, it was purely on a personal level, nothing intimate."
"No shit." Naruto replied dryly causing Kurama to do a double take. Seeing the look he rolled his eyes. "What? You expect me to assume you were somehow having an affair with my mother inside her own mind?"
"You'd be surprised at the conclusions people will jump to." Kurama deadpanned.
"You're a giant fucking fox! Of course the only kind of relationship you two could have is on a personal level!"
"Once again, you'd be surprised—but I'm getting off topic. What you need to understand is that your mother was only the second person to ever treat me like something other than a monster."
"And the first?" Naruto asked.
"Another time, kit, stay focused." Kurama said, dodging the conversation. "It's because of that reason your mother and I developed such a strong friendship. In fact, she's the only person I've ever considered a friend…"
"And how did your friendship start?" Naruto asked, suddenly excited to hear a story about his mother.
"The same way your entire clan makes new friends." Kurama muttered with a weary sigh. "She just showed up one day and started talking."
"That's how everyone makes friends." Naruto pointed out with a sweat drop. "And besides, I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
"She spent five hours talking about her day at school!" Kurama shouted incredulously. "Seriously, practically talked me through her entire day!"
"Hmm, I can see how that would be slightly annoying." Naruto said with a sagely nod.
"Well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Anyways, because of your mother's…unique…way of growing on me, our relationship soon turned into something stronger until we reached a point where I allowed and willingly gave her my chakra."
Kurama received an "hmph" at his last statement and found Naruto looking away with his arms crossed. "Is something wrong princess?" He asked with a grin. "There's no reason to be jealous, I share my chakra with you too."
"Yeah, but something tells me when you shared with my mom you weren't trying to take her over and consume her soul." Naruto shot back with a glare.
"Name one time!" Kurama shouted indignantly.
Naruto stared incredulously at Kurama with his mouth agape. "Surely you're joking."
"I never joke." Kurama shot back haughtily. "And don't call me Shirley."
Naruto blinked as what Kurama said registered. "You're an asshole, you know that?"
"One of my prouder achievements if I do say so myself. But as you can see you can't name a single time where I've attempted to take you over."
"How about the last time you gave me power!" Naruto snapped. "Remember? I blew a fucking crater into the earth half the size of the village, destroyed a small planet, and drew out all nine tails of your power! If not for my dad I WOULDN'T BE HERE!" Naruto finished in an explosive fury.
All was silent for a few seconds before Kurama closed his eyes and sighed.
"Do you know what happens when you assume, Naruto?" Kurama didn't even give the blonde a chance to respond as he continued. "You make an Ass out of U and Me. I never tried to take your body over that day, or any other day for that matter."
"Oh and I suppose next you'll say that you were trying to protect me." Naruto said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.
"Yes."
"Exactly! Because you're a self—whaaa?" Naruto drawled out intelligently as his head cocked to the side.
Kurama sighed at his host's antics. "You forget that your mind was in an extremely fragile state when I took over. I didn't force my way out Naruto, you let me out. After you saw what happened to Hinata…" Trailing off he shook his head. "That man would have taken us if I hadn't pushed so much chakra into your system and fought back. You were completely unresponsive. Besides, pushing that much chakra through your system was a two part plan."
"But why did you push so much chakra through me?" Naruto demanded. "All I need was a little bit to escape!"
"Are you so sure about that?" Kurama snorted. "The moment that blade pierced Hinata's chest, was the moment you realized you loved her."
A deafening, suffocating silence fell over both of them the second the words left Kurama's lips. After a long pause Naruto finally spoke.
"Was nine tails really necessary?" It was quiet the way he asked. His arguments had all but died away and he was tired of the bickering. He just wanted answers.
"That was the second part of my plan." Kurama said before lowering his voice. "Albeit, it was a slightly more personal goal."
Naruto perked up at hearing this and gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
"I was trying to draw someone out." Kurama admitted reluctantly. "I knew there were other chakra signatures sealed within you; I was just trying to get them to come out. I'll admit though, seeing that blonde haired bastard was not on my agenda."
"You intentionally tried to get someone to show themselves and ended up accidentally revealing my dad?" Naruto asked in surprise to which the fox nodded. "Then who were you trying to draw out?"
"…Your mother…"
Naruto sat on the ground in front of the giant fox, stunned for the god-only-knew-what-number that day.
"M-Mom is sealed in me too?"
"Yeah…" Kurama muttered, lowering his eyes. "She is…"
"…So…how do we get her to come out?" Naruto asked genuinely curious.
"You're willing to try?" Kurama asked in surprise. "You're willing to work with me to accomplish that?"
"Well yeah." Naruto said with a shrug as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You obviously really care for her and I want to meet my mom. I have things I'd like to ask her."
Kurama sat there processing what his container had just told him and slowly began to re-evaluate him. After some time though he then scowled. "Knowing that godforsaken father of yours, her presence is probably inside the seal itself."
"Meaning?"
Kurama growled in frustration. "Your mom will only show herself when you release the seal and try to take control of me."
"I see." Naruto said with closed eyes and an understanding nod. Then realization dawned on him and his eyes shot open. "Wait! I can take control of you?!"
Naruto suddenly found himself imagining Kurama eating all of the ramen from Ichiraku before frolicking through a meadow of wild flowers. Unfortunately for Kurama, he was privy to his container's thoughts and watched in horror as his imaginary self did just that on a floating big screen right in front of him. Thankfully, the situation was remedied when Kurama smacked the blonde across the head with one of his tails.
"Stop doing that! I have just witnessed something so terrible it can never be unseen!" Kurama shouted in irritation. "And that isn't how it works you dumbass!"
Naruto scowled at the insult but his interest trumped his tongue. "Then how does it work?"
"You take control of my chakra and separate it from my body." Kurama said exasperatedly before his mouth shut quickly and his eyes bulged at the revelation he just gave the blonde in front of him.
"Oh." Was all Naruto said as silence fell between the two again as they stared at each other.
"…"
"…"
"You have no idea how that's even possible, do you?"
"Not in the slightest!" Naruto said with a cheesy grin while rubbing the back of his head. Silence fell again. "But why would I try to take your chakra? I don't want to control you. I'd rather do things with my own strength."
Kurama snorted at that. "I see you've forgotten what your father has told you. That masked man that calls himself Madara…he is no ordinary man. Your strength alone will not be enough to defeat him."
"But I've become a lot stronger!"
"It won't be enough."
"How do you know? I could be and will be strong enough to defeat that masked asshole on my own!"
"You stubborn, idiotic, Uzumaki!" Kurama roared in frustration. "I have seen Madara in battle many times! That man is a god amongst humans! You alone will not be enough to defeat him! You're father, the Yondaime, couldn't even defeat him!"
"So what are you suggesting then, huh?" Naruto shouted irritably. "Are you saying you're just going to roll over and give me your chakra? That you're willing to work with me?"
"Hell no!"
"That's what I thought." Naruto muttered rolling his eyes. "Wouldn't trust you anyways."
"Even after I saved you from being captured and saved Hinata?" Kurama said challengingly. "Yeah, your argument is looking real strong."
"Don't forget that you're the reason both my parents are dead!" Naruto shouted as he stood up.
Kurama narrowed his eyes as he chest rumbled with pure rage. "Both of your parents are dead," he ground out, "because your father is a worthless idiot."
"How is this dad's fault?!" Naruto asked incredulously. Which he then followed up with, "And how is he an idiot?!"
"Don't get me wrong, your father was a genius even by my standards. But dear god did he have bouts of stupidity that were ones for the record book! There were times where even Kushina was face-palming because of the mental lapses he had!"
"Your point?"
"For as brilliant as Minato could be sometimes, he sure did over look one massive detail on the night of the attack."
"And that would be?"
Leaning in, Kurama came face to face with Naruto before growling out, "I was under Madara's control when I killed your parents."
Naruto's eyes shot open in surprise at the new piece of information and he actually took a step back in shock. He wanted to argue that Kurama had done it because he could, but the pain present in his eyes told him otherwise.
"Do you honestly think I would kill Kushina?" Kurama whispered. "She was the only one to understand me. She was my friend and I loved her." Turning away he stared off into the distance. "You're father had it wrong, the night they died it wasn't because of my intentions but because of that masked man's. I would have never hurt your mother…Your father on the other hand I would have gladly impaled again."
Naruto ignored the sarcastic comment and was he realized how off topic they were. "So, how are we supposed to get my mom to show herself?"
Kurama opened his mouth but paused. "Honestly I don't know. Since she's locked inside that seal you'll most likely need the key to it."
"Key?! The hell am I supposed to find the key?"
"I don't know brat! Try asking around! I vaguely remember Minato talking about giving it to Jiraiya for safe keeping, so maybe the toads have it?"
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask them." Naruto said rubbing his chin. "If not I guess I could get baa-chan or jiji to crack the seal."
"Considering they're the only ones left that could possibly do it." Kurama mused. "I suppose it does pay to have a backup plan." Naruto suddenly fell silent which didn't go unnoticed by the fox. "What's wrong?"
The blonde seemed to hesitate for a moment before saying, "Well, it's just something I don't understand. Why are we the only ones left? If we're so good with seals, and seals are only limited to the imagination, then Uzushio should have never fallen, right?"
Kurama fell silent for a time as the memories began to resurface. Finally, just when Naruto thought he wouldn't answer he spoke. "It doesn't matter what you're seals can do, kit. When you're facing three major villages and a dozen smaller ones, they eventually fail."
"What do you mean?"
"Uzushiogakure fell through the combined efforts of Kumo, Suna, and Iwa, as well as over ten different lesser villages. Uzushio was by itself." The air became thick with silence for a moment. "As mighty as Uzushio and the Uzumaki clan were, they were not capable of fending off the sheer size of their enemies. That is why there are no Uzumaki left, Naruto." Looking the blonde in the eye Kurama said, "But they didn't go down without a fight. They halved the power of all the major villages and completely wiped out some of the lesser ones."
Naruto couldn't deny the feeling of pride that welled up in his chest at hearing how ferocious his clan was in battle. But something was nagging him in the back of his mind that he just couldn't accept.
"But the Senju and Uchiha were allies. Even more than that—family! Why didn't they come to Uzushio's aid?"
"You can thank Tobirama for that." Kurama growled.
"Tobirama?" Naruto asked in disbelief. "As in the Nidaime Hokage, Tobirama?"
"The very one." Kurama answered with a nod. "You see, when Uzushio was attacked they knew they would only be able to fend off the invasion for only so long. So they called for Konoha to aide them. Hashirama was in the process of gathering his armies when Tobirama stopped him."
"How?"
"The white haired prick started babbling on about how Uzushio's problems didn't concern them and that as Hokage, Hashirama should be thinking about what was best for his people and the village's well being. Tobirama said his brother was acting too rash and was jeopardizing everything for an alliance that wasn't even very beneficial to the village."
"And Hashirama listened to him?!" Naruto asked incredulously. "Hashirama, the man that envisioned peace, loyalty, and unity, the very embodiment of justice, abandoned Uzushio?!"
"Tobirama had a way with words." Kurama said with disgust. "That silver tongued bastard knew how to weave them in such a way that swayed people to his point of view. That and he knew how to guilt trip. And if there was one person he could do it to better than anyone else it was to his older brother."
"So…what happened?"
"Hashirama's wife, Uzumaki Mito, was furious when she found out he had called off the reinforcements. There was no finer woman in the world of shinobi at the time than Mito. She was a woman of grace, class, and dignity. But in the end, she was an Uzumaki."
"Meaning?" Naruto asked on the edge of his proverbial seat.
"She kicked the shit outta Hashirama when he told her. Then she went out, found Tobirama, and kicked the shit outta him." Kurama said with a laugh while Naruto face planted. Not giving him time for a responsed he continued, "Afterwards she disowned the Senju clan and refused to even be in the same room as Hashirama, let alone speak to him."
"That sounds…terrible." Naruto said after a moment. "The person you love betraying you like that. Disowning you and refusing to even be around you, like you were some kind of plague."
"But you must understand Naruto," Kurama said solemnly, "that Hashirama betrayed her first."
"So what happened?" Naruto asked after a moment of silence.
"Multiple things." Kurama said with a sigh as he shifted into a comfortable position. "The rift between the Uchiha and the rest of the village began. Unlike the Senju, the Uchiha were more than willing to go to the aide of their family and were utterly disgusted with the Senju's cowardice. Hashirama, overcome with guilt, abandoned the village in the middle of the night and left to go aide Uzushio alone. The next day after finding a not left to her, both Mito and Tobirama left to try and find him."
"Did they make it in time?"
Kurama grew somber. "You already know the answer to that question, kit." Naruto said nothing and looked at the ground quietly. "When Hashirama arrived," Kurama continued, "Uzushiogakure was in ruins. Bodies of ninja and civilian alike littered the streets, and the shores of the river running through Uzushio were stained in blood…None survived…"
Naruto clenched his fists together in anger but a realization hit him that poked a hole in the fox's story. "What about Renge and Jihibiki? Or even Karin? They're still alive! That means some must have survived right?"
Kurama gave a shrug. "Beats the hell out of me. From what I saw when I was there nobody was left alive on the entire island."
"You were there?" Naruto asked, perking up.
"Baka! I was sealed inside Mito remember? When she arrived she used my ability to sense others and found that no one was left alive on the island. I may have hated the woman but I grudgingly respected her after watching her opening up a can of whoop-ass on the Senju brothers."
Finding it suddenly quiet, Kurama shifted his gaze and saw Naruto a little ways off crouched down with a rain cloud hanging over his head.
"How come all the other jinchuriki had your respect and got to use your powers except for me?" Naruto pouted as he slowly drew a circle on the ground with his finger.
"Because of the pathetic image you're creating right now." Kurama said dryly with a sweat drop. Naruto blew him a raspberry causing the fox to roll his eyes. "Yeah, that helps."
Walking back over, the blonde plopped back down in front of his prisoner. "You said you sensed everyone on the island was dead. Even Hashirama?" Kurama nodded. "That's weird. In class we were told that the First died in the war."
Kurama snorted at that. "The First is what caused the war." Seeing Naruto's wide-eyed look he elaborated. "While the razing of Uzushiogakure could be seen as an act of aggression, no one was about to make a move against three major villages and an assortment of minor ones. However, Hashirama changed all that when he arrived to find Uzushio in ruins and so many innocent people slaughtered."
"What happened?" Naruto asked, narrowing his eyes.
"From what Mito and I could assess after arriving, Hashirama went completely off the reservation. The main army had already moved on, but they had left a small contingent of roughly 500 behind to loot the village for jutsus, scrolls, and seals." Kurama paused for a moment as he relived what he'd seen before continuing. "The sight burned into his mind and caused his blood to boil; his mind was consumed with rage and a need for vengeance. They didn't stand a chance. He came upon them like when a hurricane strikes the coast, showing them the same mercy they'd shown. He left none alive…It was a massacre…"
"So…he fell in battle?" Naruto asked, but to his shock Kurama shook his head.
"No, after coming too Hashirama realized what he'd done and was overcome with grief and guilt. When we arrived we found him kneeling on a small hill overlooking the carnage, his tantō buried in his gut, and tears staining his cheeks."
"Seppuku…" Naruto whispered to himself.
"Mito was a wreck." Kurama said. "He had enough time to whisper 'Please forgive me' to her before he died."
"So what happened then?"
"You're not gonna like what you hear so I won't tell you." Kurama said with a smirk. Just as Naruto opened his mouth to protest he continued, "Ask the old timers, more specifically Renge."
"I've tried asking them about Uzushio before but they always clam up about it." Naruto huffed.
"Then get her drunk and then ask. It works every time." Kurama said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Naruto froze. "Ya know, I never really thought of that."
"I'm not surprised."
"Tch, whatever. Any ideas as to how I should bring it up to her?"
"Yeah." Kurama said with a nod. "Ask her why the bridge burned."
Naruto was silent for moment before he nodded finally. "Okay, I will." Then after a pause he added, "And thanks Kurama. You didn't have to tell me all that extra stuff but you did. It means a lot."
Kurama huffed and looked away. "Whatever kit. I did because I felt like it." However, the twitches at the corner of his mouth threatened to turn into a smile.
Naruto just grinned at the giant fox that he had the most unusual relationship with. Then it slowly faded as one last thought emerged.
"Kurama…" He started, catching the fox's attention with his serious tone. "About Hinata. I know you're against us being together, and from what you told me about my mom I can only believe that it's because you don't want the same thing to happen again. But I do want to be with her, I want it more than anything. She precious to me on a completely different level and I'm going to protect her with my own two arms."
Moving forward, Naruto came to stand directly in front of Kurama. He gazed up and met the fox's fierce glare. "I know you care for her because she's different from the rest of the world. She's a pure soul. Something that never graced our presence growing up. A rarity in today's society and you want to protect her. But she isn't my mom and history isn't going to repeat itself, I won't let it. I'm being given the chance of a lifetime and you—a second chance." Turning away he finished, saying, "So you can either help me protect this precious person, or you can sit by and cry about what will never happen…because I won't let it!"
Kurama caught the glint in his keeper's eyes as he finished speech. It was a look of pure determination, a level of conviction that few carried nowadays. And as much as he hated to admit it, somewhere deep in his chest, beyond the darkness, guilt, and sorrow, an ember glowed that he had long since thought to be extinguished. Hope.
"You've got a long ways to go before I believe any of the crap that spews from your mouth brat!" Kurama rumbled with a smirk. "Prove it with your actions."
The two stared at each other for a moment longer before Naruto saw it. The slightest look before it disappeared in a flash. It was a mixture of acceptance and acknowledge meant—it was something he had been working for all his life. It was an understanding of one another.
Allowing a smirk to grace his face as well Naruto shook his head. "Yeah, well try not to fall asleep then. I know that's about all you're good for." He then glanced over his shoulder to the north. "I think I better get going—lot's to do and all." He paused for a moment before adding with a smile, "Between you and me—you've changed, Kurama. And it's not a bad change either. Just thought you should know."
With a snap of his fingers, Naruto disappeared from his mindscape leaving Kurama alone.
"Maybe…but the same goes for you kit."
Sakura's heart was pounding in her chest as she walked down the hallway. She had been summoned a few minutes ago to attend the briefing for the strike on Konoha and she knew it was do or die now. The information she gathered from this meeting would save thousands of lives and possibly end the war before it even began. The mission now hinged on her remaining calm, cool, and careless of her village's well-being during the briefing. So, naturally, her nerves were shot. Yet on the surface she kept her mask in check—stony and stoic. It would make a Hyuuga proud.
"Ahhh, Pinky! You made it! I didn't think you'd come!" White Zetsu's voice rang out as she entered the briefing room, and Sakura looked over at the man after hearing her nickname he'd dubbed her.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, pale boy." Sakura replied coolly. "You on the other hand might want to reconsider and catch some sun instead."
"Oh?" Zetsu replied with a grin. "Tough talk coming from a girl that looks like she has bubble gum for hair."
"Tough talk for someone that can't go poop." Sakura countered. It was the first thing she learned about him after he'd introduced himself. For some reason he saw it as his pride and shame, but the effects were almost instantaneous."
"You're so cruel Sakura…" Zetsu pouted as he turned away with tears in his eyes and a cloud overhead.
"Well it is your fault that you told her your condition the moment you met her." Sasuke's annoyed voice replied as he walked into the room.
"Oh look Zetsu, your brother is here." Sakura replied with sly smirk.
"Brother!" Zetsu cried for joy as he jumped at Sasuke and wrapped him up in a hug. "It's so good to see you, pale boy #2!"
"Get off of me before I kill you." Sasuke replied icily.
"If you did that then who would gather all of our intel?" Madara's voice asked as he entered the room. "Besides, Zetsu has always wanted a brother. He gets so bored with his clones."
"It's true! Sasuke-nii is Zetsu's favorite brother!"
"Aren't you older than me?" Sasuke deadpanned.
"Don't sweat the details, otouto." Zetsu waved dismissively.
"Just get off of me already!"
"Zetsu, if you'd please. We have a briefing to do." Madara commanded as they took their seats at a table.
"Right!" Zetsu sang as he jumped on top of the table and stood before a map of the elemental nations. "The pieces are set and everything is in place. We have full control of the elders on the Hyuuga council so Hiashi can't even take a poop without us knowing." Sasuke sighed and Sakura face-palmed but he ignored them and continued. "While the Shinobi Alliance's plans for where they will be amassing their troops for the war are unclear, I've come across a rather interesting tidbit I think you'll find rather interesting."
"And that would be?" Madara asked.
"Konoha has requested a platoon of shinobi from each nation as well as a platoon of samurai to reinforce the village for the upcoming festival. They will be arriving the day of the festival."
"Why would they request something like that?" Sasuke asked. "It's like they're expecting something to happen or trying to prepare for it at least."
"Is it possible they suspect we'll try something during the festival?" Sakura asked worriedly.
"It's possible they've seen their potential weakness with this festival." Madara replied. "Konoha continues to throw variables into the plans I have. Nevertheless, it will not stop us—even with Naruto working behind the scenes." Both Sasuke and Sakura looked at him when the blonde's name left his lips.
"Naruto is up to something?" Sasuke asked. "What are his plans?"
"I don't know." Madara replied coolly, surprising the two. "The boy can be a surprisingly good ninja when he wants to be."
"So should we go in under the assumption that they'll be expecting us?" Sakura asked.
Madara stared at her a moment, his single crimson eye reflecting behind his mask and making her want to do nothing more than squirm under his gaze. But she remained calm, and after the moment passed he nodded.
"It would be wise." He said as he pulled a different map out, a map of Konoha. "The other villages sending platoons as reinforcements could be considered a blessing."
"How so?" Sasuke asked.
Madara pointed to a walled off section inside the village. "Our little surprise party has a history with one of the platoons arriving for the festival. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to achieve some kind of conflict between the two."
"Of course, Kumo and the Hyuuga have a history of bad blood." Sakura said understanding where he was going. "It probably wouldn't take much to set something off between them. You'd be picking the Shinobi Alliance apart before they've even managed to come together."
"That's the idea." Madara said with a gleam in his eye. "We'll strike during the festival, regardless of whether or not they're expecting us. The Hyuuga are nothing more than pawns after all. The streets will be crowded and nothing but mass chaos will ensue once the attack begins. Maximum loss of life will be achieved and we'll finally get to see that rotted village burn to the ground."
"But I haven't even told you the best part!" Zetsu sang and getting a surprised look from the three. "The Hachibi will be there as well!"
The room fell quiet in shock before suddenly a loud bang rang out as Madara slammed his fist down on the table splintering it.
"Those arrogant…pretentious…haughty!" He slammed his hand down on the table again completely splitting it in half. The walls of the room began to quake and a crack as chakra exploded off of the masked man. "To just flaunt to the public the very items that will throw the world into war! I'll show them what happens when you take the words of Uchiha Madara so lightly!"
While Sakura was a little more than shaken up from the pure amount of power and killing intent, Sasuke seemed to look on in only a mild interest.
"I take it you'll take a more active role in destroying the village now?" Sasuke ventured.
The intensity in the room continued for a few more seconds before receding. "Oh I most certainly plan to help raze that god forsaken place to the ground."
"So we're switching targets to the two jinchuriki?"
"No." Madara said after a moment's thought. "We stick to the plan. All I need is the scroll; once I have that then I can resurrect the Jubi and annihilate the village. During the attack while everyone is confused I'll slip in and obtain the scroll. After that, it'll be a walk in the park."
"And what about us and the Zetsu clones?" Sakura asked.
"You two are more than welcome to join the fray once the pawns begin their coup. The Zetsu clones shall remain in reserve until I say so."
"So it's us against an entire village." Sasuke said folding his arms.
"Not feeling up to the challenge?" Madara asked condescendingly.
"Please," Sasuke scoffed, "I look forward to crushing those fools."
"I just have one order for you when the attack begins, Sasuke." Madara said causing his junior to narrow his eyes. "Leave no survivors."
During the entire conversation Sakura had felt her mouth becoming drier and drier as the weight of what they were about to do sunk in. But a sudden wave of nausea gripped her body when Madara explained what he planned to do to the people of the village. Innocent people. And it was made even worse when he told Sasuke he expected him to do the same. It sickened her so much that she need to get fresh air, and she would be damned if she sat around and waited to hear Sasuke's response. She was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to bear it. So, before the Uchiha even had time to open his mouth she grabbed him by the wrist and yanked him towards the door.
"What are you doing Sakura?" He asked in annoyance and confusion.
"We're going to train." Sakura growled out. "You're living in a delusion if you think you can take on an entire village and two jinchuriki."
Before Sasuke had any chance to retort they were out the door and heading towards the surface. Madara and Zetsu followed their movements amusingly until they had disappeared.
"Man, they sure are a lively couple." Zetsu grinned.
"Don't be fooled by her act." Madara's deep voice commanded causing the plant man to look at him in confusion. "She has an ulterior motive, which is why I've saved this last order for only you."
"Oh?" Zetsu sang. "So Sasuke isn't worth knowing the secret plans?"
Madara scoffed. "If the Hyuuga are my pawns, then Sasuke is my knight." Turning towards his minion he continued. "The Hyuuga will most likely fail. I will hold no naïve beliefs that they will succeed and the same goes for Sasuke. If there's one thing the Hidden Leaf Village has proven, it's that it is frustratingly difficult to kill off. No, Sasuke will fall. The main question is how many lives will he take with him and how weak will the village be afterwards?"
"So what are your orders?"
"Wait until the coup has failed and ended—when everyone has celebrated their victory and gone home to bed. When the village has fallen silent for the night, take the entire clone force and attack."
"Anxious to take out the competition?"
"More like, anxious to see my revenge slaked." Madara replied icily as he turned to leave. "You have your orders, rely it to the rest. I expect the Village Hidden in the Leaves to be drowning in its' own blood by the time the sun rises the day after."
Zetsu nodded in understanding but then suddenly asked a question that came to mind. "If the Hyuuga are your pawns, and Sasuke your knight, then what's your king? Your trump card? Your coup de grace?"
Shadows consumed him as he walked away, his crimson eye glinting with such an intense hatred that it glowed in the dark—his low resounding voice echoing off the walls in response to the question as he receded into the depths of the mountain.
"Despair."