Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Infinite Stratos. The credit for that goes to Izuru Yumizuru and Masashi Kishimoto respectively.
Normal Speech
Thoughts
Demon Thoughts
Demon speech
~Flashback~
~"Hello everyone. I'm back."~
Silence. Shock. Fear. Awe. These are the emotions that run through all the shinobi present. Naruto Uzumaki, recently deceased, just blew up in a flash of light only to come back looking better than ever. What the hell is wrong with that picture?
Tsunade runs over to him and begins a medical check on eventually finds her voice first. "I-impossible, he was just dead. No one just suddenly wakes up from the dead." Gai and Kakashi walk over to Tsunade to inspect the body themselves. Kakashi then decides to give his own input. "Screw all that dead shit! Don't you all see? Naruto isn't dead He's ALIVE!" Kakashi crows to everyone there and the all cheer for Naruto's rebirth.
"SHUT UP!" Naruto suddenly yells, making everyone silent. "I want to sleep." As he lays back down, everyone sweat-drops after hearing his reasoning, but are overall happy he is here with them still. But Tsunade wasn't having that, she punches Naruto in the face, sending him flying across the room into the wall with a resounding smash.
"YOU IDIOT. YOU WERE JUST DEAD A FEW SECONDS AGO AND ALL YOU CAN THINK OF RIGHT NOW IS SLEEP?" Tsunade blows a fuse at Naruto who is in a heap after landing on the floor. Naruto suddenly pops up with a crossed bandage on his head and replies with a valiant leap to the window. "HELL NO! IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'M OFF TO ICHIRAKU'S! He flies to the window but is intercepted by a kick to his stomach, smashing him back into the wall he was just lodged in.
Everyone sweat-drops at their behavior. Tsunade then picks Naruto up and begins to strangle him. "Didn't you just hear me, you brain dead idiot? You" punch "Were" kick "Pronounced" slap "Legally" crack "Dead!" break. "GHAA stop it OK, I get it." Naruto screams during each hit. She drops him and glares.
"Now, this is whats's going to happen. One: Shizune is going to get you some clothes since you were just about to leap into Konoha stark naked." Naruto rubs his head abashedly as Shizune smiles and retrieves the clothing "Two: you are going to tell us what happened during the retrieval mission. Lastly, you are going to tell us why you look like that now."
Naruto nods his head as he takes the clothing from Shizune and begins to speak as he changes. "Ok Baa-chan, but I have some conditions of my own." He says as everyone looks at him in wonder. Seeing as no one was speaking, he continues. "One: someone goes to get me some ramen." Cue massive sweat-drop from everyone. "Two, if we are to go to the hokage's office for the meeting, make the Civilian Council leave, including the advisors. There are people there that do not need to hear what is to be told. Lastly," he begins with an unreadable look on his face, "when the meetings are over, I am officially resigning from the Ninja Corps of Konoha." That last sentence is what gets to everyone and has them looking at him in shock and confusion.
Kakashi began the speech to try to reason to keep him here. "Naruto, what are you saying? You are going to quit being a ninja? What brought that upon you to even think that?'' Kakashi began, but is cut off when Naruto puts his head into his shirt and cuts him off. "All will be explained at the meeting, Kakashi-sensei. Everything that is to be said there will be why I want to quit. After hearing what I have to say, you can then try to reason with me to stay." Tsunade up to this point is still digesting what she just heard and after Naruto finishes speaking to Kakashi she speaks up.
"Naruto, what the hell happened to you to want to quit?" she asks in a soft voice as she looks at him, saddened that he doesn't want to be a ninja anymore. Naruto looks at her, reflecting her mood. "I'm sorry, Granny, I'll tell you everything at the meeting. Everything will be explained there, so don't ask me until the meeting starts."
As everyone left to prepare for the meeting, Tsunade walked up to Naruto. "Naruto, what the hell is going on? You deciding not to be a ninja is like Kakashi giving up Icha-Icha for life. It's just not going to happen." Naruto just snorts and looks out the door of the hospital room. "Granny, I DIED and came back. Being a ninja is the furthest thing from my mind right now and frankly, I don't care." Tsunade just shakes her head and walks towards the door. When she reaches the door she turns with her mouth open, as if to speak, but shuts it and sighs and leaves the hospital via window and heads to Ichiraku's for some lunch.
When Naruto hits the ground people stare and gasp at him, and begins to gossip. He walked past a group of people and overheard some of the words said. "Oh, god. Its the Yondaime Hokage! No, it's not. Look at his cheeks, it's the demon brat. If it is the demon brat, why does he look like Yondaime-sama, then?" Naruto shakes his head and began to roof-jump towards the stand. This village is filled with idiots. I agree with you, Naruto. Comes a deep, but calm voice. Naruto stops in front of the stand and wonders. Kurama? Is that you? He hears a deep snort and an annoyed reply; No I am the being known as the boogeyman-of course it's me, you idiot. What are you doing? Kurama asks after belittling Naruto.
"Nothing, on my way to get some ramen." Naruto feels Kurama shake his head as he continued to the ramen stand. Naruto, when the meeting is called, you have to act professional, which means no acting stupid and getting mad over an insult. No bullshit, the quicker it is over, the faster we can get the hell outta here. Naruto nods his head in agreement as he reached Ichiraku Ramen.
Naruto enters the shop and sits down. "Hey Old-man Teuchi, three bowls of beef and miso ramen, please!" Naruto calls out to the owner of the ramen stand. "Ah, Naruto! I was wondering when you would-I'm sorry. I thought you were someone I know." Teuchi says as he comes from the back with the a towel, cleaning a bowl. Naruto looks at Teuchi with a confused look drawn on his face. Teuchi doesn't recognize me? What the hell is going on? Naruto thinks to his self and gets a reply from Kurama.
Kit, he doesn't recognize you because you are not the same anymore. Remember I said your body is going to change to be able to accept and make it's own youki? You have the body of a sixteen year old with longer hair and more defined muscle, basically. Oh! You are not a shrimp anymore, either. Naruto bristles after hearing Kurama call him a shrimp. You bastard fox what did you do to me? Naruto turns and looks at Teuchi and responds to him.
"Teuchi, it is me, Naruto." Teuchi opens his eyes and peers into Naruto's blue ones and studies him. After a few terse seconds of examining Naruto Teuchi smiles. "Well, damn, Naruto! You are growing up pretty quickly! Now, care to tell me what happened to you over a few bowls of ramen?" Naruto smiles at Teuchi and shakes his head yes. When Teuchi went back to make some ramen for him, Naruto began to talk to Kurama.
Hey, Kurama, what's going on? What did you do to me? Naruto began. Before he could continue though, Kurama cuts him off. Look you idiot. Do I have to spell it out for you? You were dying, I turned you into a hanyou, you blew up and reformed in a way that made you capable of handling youki better. Now you are griping about it. Naruto listens to Kurama and Instantly realizes that he might not be human anymore. "Kurama, you said a hanyou. What the hell is a hanyou?" Kurama puts on a pair of bifocals and began to lecture Naruto on what he is.
Naruto, a hanyou is basically a mix between being what you were to what you are being mixed with. In your case from being fully human, you are half human, half demon fox. This is a rare occurrence, stemming from the fact that not all demons like humans. Also the ones that do befriend a demon and becomes a hanyou grow to be legends. That being said be prepared. Naruto, dreading what might be said asks Kurama. Be prepared for what, exactly? Kurama laughs at Naruto and begins to lecture him again, but with a scholars cap on as well.
At this moment, you are not making any youki of your own, you are subconsciously drawing it from me in my weakened state. The more you draw from me the more fox-like you become, which means your irises will become slitted, as well as you growing new appendages. When you're body begins to make it's own youki,you MIGHT grow foxy ears, but you WILL grow a tail. Kurama takes off the cap and glasses as Naruto began to shout out about how it isn't fair that he is going to grow foxy bits when Kurama stops the connection between him and Naruto. That kid is an idiot. Kurama lays down to take a nap.
Teuchi suddenly pops up with the ramen Naruto ordered. "Now, lets hear it." he says and leans on the counter a bit. Naruto nods and begins to tell him what happened to him, leaving out the torture and the fact that he will grow foxy ears and a tail. At the end of the story, Teuchi shakes his head and speaks.
"Damn, you actually died and came back to life, huh? Guess you couldn't stay away from my ramen, eh Naruto?" He says and nudges Naruto. Naruto laughs and replies. "Oh yeah, you ramen has cursed and blessed me! I cannot die as long as I partake in your ramen." Naruto says with a flourish of fake emotion. Teuchi just laughs and waves it off. "In that case, I'll see you later, Naruto!"
Naruto waves goodbye as he leaves the ramen stand. Now what do I do now? Naruto just wanders through the Leaf Village as he thinks, his body subconsciously leading him somewhere. He stops at a bench and sits down. Hey Kurama, you said you know somewhere to go after this all blows over, right? Naruto asks Kurama as the fox began to wake up at his words.
Yeah, I know a few places, why? You interested in picking one out later?Kurama says as he stretched and sat down. Naruto nods his head. Yeah, I would like to hear of a few of them before we are called to the meeting to t-" Is all Naruto got out as an ANBU officer appeared out of no where. "Naruto Uzumaki, you are required to attend a council meeting immediately." Naruto looks at the ANBU officer and nods his head as he grabs him and shunshins to the council meeting.
Council room after Tsunade Leaves the hospital,
Tsunade POV
Tsunade sighs as she sits down in the chair that is designated for the Hokage. Since this is a shinobi matter, the civilian side is missing.
Starting from the right, you have Nara Shikaku, head of the Nara clan. Next is Hyūga Hiashi, head of the Hyūga clan. After Hiashi is Tsume Inuzuka, matriarch of the Inuzuka clan. Then there is Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi, heads of the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans them is Shibi Aburame, head of the Aburame clan. The other clan heads were not there.
The Jounin sensei of the rookie nine and Team Gai were there as well at the order of Tsunade. Kakashi, Kurenai, Gai, Asuma, and strangely Anko. No one knew why she was there and when asked she replied " Me and the gaki are outcasts, we stick together." When asked what she meant by that she only shook her head in a knowing manner.
As the clan heads wondered what was going on, Tsunade cleared her throat and began to speak. "Honorable Council, we are gathered here to discuss the future of one of our most promising shinobi." At her words the clan heads sans Shikaku perked up and began to pay attention.
Inoichi spoke up after a few seconds. "If I may ask, who might we be speaking of?" He asks as the others nodded their heads in agreement. Tsunade nods at Inoichi. "We are going to be talking about Naruto. He has, for some reason, decided to quit the Ninja Corps." At her words all the clan heads sat there in shock. Hiashi quickly voices his opinion. "Hokage-sama, you just said Naruto Uzumaki, THE Naruto Uzumaki, quit being a shinobi?" Hiashi questions with eyes wide.
Tsunade nods her head and begins to speak, but is cut off by the ANBU officer appearing with the person in question. "Hokage-sama, I have brought Naruto Uzumaki here as requested. Will thats be all?" The ANBU officer asks as Tsunade nods her head no. "That will be all, Neko-san. You can have the rest of the day off. Dismissed." Neko nods her head and shunshins away.
Naruto looks at the ninja council with respect and bows. Kurama speaks up. Remember, no bullshit. In and out, ok? "I heard you the first time, I got this." Naruto says as he addresses Tsunade. "Hokage-sama." Naruto says as he turns to look at her. "Who is that person in front of us? That cannot be Naruto!" Is what echoes through most of the council as the gawked at him. Never hearing Naruto call her Hokage-sama before threw her off, but she quickly reigned in her surprise. Tsunade clears her throat and began the meeting.
"Now Naruto, as you requested the civilian side of the council and the advisors are not here. Now, would you please tell us what has happened to you as well as well as why you look like that?" Tsunade asks. Naruto nods and began his retelling of what happened after the Retrieval Mission.
As he spoke on, the ninja council are staring at him in shock, wondering if half of what he has said is true or false. They look at him in horror when he describes the torture he went through and has Tsunade in tears.
After Naruto finishes speaking, no one dares to open their mouth after hearing how he came from being fully human to being half fox demon. After a silent five minutes, Naruto speaks up. "Well, was that all, or are there any questions?" Soon after he said that, everyone opened their mouth and began asking him multiple questions.
As Naruto tried (and failed) to answer their questions, Tsunade grew angry and snapped.
"SHUT UP! I CAN'T EVEN HEAR MYSELF THINK OVER THE QUESTIONS BEING SHOT AT THE POOR BOY!"
As they quieted down, Naruto slowly rose from behind a desk that he jumped behind as he saw Tsunade begin to scream. "Is it over? No more yelling?" He asks as he stared at Tsunade with wide eyes.
Tsunade glares at Naruto, telling him to shut up. "Ahem, now that that is over, we can ask questions ONE AT A TIME." Tsunade says, stressing the end of her sentence.
Shikaku looks at Naruto with an impassive glance. "Naruto-san, you said that you awoke in your mindscape, how did you get there? I thought that that was only a Yamanaka technique, right Inoichi?"
Inoichi nods. "What you have done, Naruto is a self inflicted Mind Walk of sorts. That is achieved by meditating for years at the most, but you pulled with little to no problems." Inoichi says as he wonders how he could have achieved that.
Naruto just shrugs as he thinks about Shikaku's question, already knowing how to answer. "I have always been able to do that, thanks to Kurama always bringing me there, I figured out how to do it on my own."
As Naruto explained, Inoichi looked at Naruto in shock. Naruto figured out how to use a Yamanaka technique by himself. "I wonder what else he can do." Inoichi thinks as Naruto stops talking as Hiashi speaks. "Naruto, what made you decide to leave the Ninja Corps? I thought you wanted to become the Hokage?'' Naruto nods at Hiashi's words.
"That is true, but after all that has happened to me in the past week, I figured that maybe it was time to move on to someplace else. I was originally going to just leave the ninja Corps, but after a few hours of thinking, I realized that I may have not thought it through enough. So I came to a decision."
"What was your decision, if we may know?'' questioned Tsume. Naruto, readying himself for the shit storm about to hit, answers with a steely determination. "I am leaving Konohagakure. Staying here has opened too many memories that should have never been expunged from the depths of my mind and now that they have resurfaced, I fear for my sanity, and as such, have came to the conclusion that to protect myself better from the nightmares, I must leave my home."
No one dared to open their mouth. After hearing his reasons for leaving, the ones who could have helped him when he was younger put their heads down in shame. Tsunade just stares at Naruto with tears in her eyes as she came to a decision.
"Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, as the Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato, it needs to come to a vote whether you get your freedom or to keep you here in the village. Now, to hear the votes, Starting with you, Hiashi."
Hiashi nods and stands to address the council and Naruto. "Naruto, I have never really met you formally as the Hyūga rarely encounter you, minus the pranks you used to terrorize us with as well as hearing of some of your exploits in the ninja world, but after hearing what you have gone through after all these years, never would have thought you of all people would want to leave the Leaf. So I, Hiashi Hyūga, cast my vote for our young hero here to be able to live his life how he wants. I vote for his freedom."
Hiashi sits down as Tsume stands up to begin her speech. "While not having a large speech with all the grandeur as Hiashi", she starts as everyone snickers at Hiashi, who grins and shakes his head. "I do, however, recognize all of your actions from the Chunin exams onwards and vote for your freedom, as no one should be caged like animals.
And one by one, the Ninja council voted for Naruto's release, increasing his happiness as they would not keep him here as a living weapon and instead opted for his freedom.
As the final vote was cast, with a unanimous decision, Naruto was able to earn his freedom. And then Tsunade began her final speech as Naruto's leader.
"With a unanimous vote, I, Tsunade Senju, Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato, hereby order Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze's retirement from the Ninja Corps of Konoha. You shall be held with the highest honors that we have for the things you have done for this village. All I ask of you is one thing."
Naruto looks at Tsunade and nods. "Yes, Hokage-sama? If it is within my abilities, I shall do it." "Make sure you keep in touch with us in the village, Naruto." She says as she smiles at him. Naruto smiles back and goes to hug her as the Civilian side of the council bursts into the room.
"Tsunade," began one of the advisors for the Council; "why was there a meeting that we were not invited to?" Tsunade just growls at them. "This meeting was a strictly ninja affair. If there are any ... problems with that," she says as she begins to release killer intent at the Civilian council for barging inside without notice; "please remember to tell me at the next meeting we hold. Dismissed!"
As the council began to file put of the room, Tsunade couldn't help but ask with worry written on her face. "Naruto, now that you are no longer a ninja here, where will you go? There are too many places that you could end up dead when you put too much faith in the Kyūbi and I kind of do not trust him still."
Naruto smiled at the thought of her still worrying over him, even after he made it clear he was leaving. "To tell the truth, we still haven't worked that out yet, so I'll be in the Village for about a week longer." As he explained, Tsunade realized just how she could help without Naruto without him ever being around in the Village.
"Ok then, when you and Kurama, is it?" At his nod affirmative, she continued. "When you and Kurama figure it out, please let me know so I can at least have some sort of way to keep in contact with you." "Its up to you, Kurama, should we tell her where we would be, or lie to her in the end?" It doesn't matter, because all of the places that we shall discuss about going to will be in other realms, so the only way to keep in touch with the ones still here you would have to use your Summonings for that.
Naruto relayed what Kurama said to Tsunade and she reaffirmed her choice in what she has planned. "Ok Naruto, I won't keep you here, go and prepare for your trip." Naruto nods at Tsunade and begins to leave, but stops at the door and turns to give her a hug. "Thank you, Granny Tsunade, for giving me a chance to experience the other places that are out there." They smile at each other and walk to the door and go their separate ways.
When Naruto goes out of the Hokage's Tower, Kurama speaks up. Now that you have taken care of that, lets go for a walk so we can discuss a few of the places that we can go. Naruto nods and began to walk towards the park. "Now, I want to know a few of the places, Kurama, and I have a request, if you would call it that." Naruto says as he sat down at a park bench. What? Kurama asks, genuinely curious. "Wherever we decide to go, let's make sure it is not like this place, filled with ninja and subterfuge all the time." Kurama nods and began to recall some of the places he has visited.
You already know. Now, one of the places I have been was filled with pirates that were all heading to a place called "The Grand Line" in order to become the King of Pirates. I met a few of the people there, and they had some strange powers, to give an example, one looked like a giraffe named Kaku and the other one could stretch his body as if he was made of a super stretchy rubber band named Luffy. Want to head here, or hear about another place?
Naruto thinks about it, but then realizes something. "Well up until you said that they were all heading to the same place to become The Pirate King I was going to put that one on the "visit someday" list but for now let me hear one that is normal, like the civilian life here normal, minus the ninja of course.
How about this one then: A girl living in a rural Japan, is able to go to into the past, coming through the Feudal Era and befriended a half dog demon?
"Hey, I like how that one sounds, let's put that one on the back-burner for now, ok?
Alright, here is another one. There is another place where the Shinigami built a school in order to keep the balance between good and bad souls in order. The problem with this one is that there was an insane ass person there named Asura, who had fed his weapon regular souls instead of the evil ones and became something called a Kishin whom by then had become one of the very things that the school was created to stop in the first place: the complete and total annihilation of all Kishin-like souls in ord-
Naruto paled when he heard the description of this realm and snapped at Kurama, making the fox demon fly and hit the other side of the wall in his prison."HELL NO! YOU'RE AN IDIOT IF YOU THINK I AM ABOUT TO GO SOMEWHERE THAT THE SHINIGAMI WALKS AROUND WITH NORMAL PEOPLE! AND THEN HE BUILT A SCHOOL TO KEEP THESE MONSTER-THINGS FROM BEING BORN! YOU NEED TO SLAP YOURSELF! DID YOU FORGET I ALMOST DIED, MEANING THAT THE SHINIGAMI IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE COMING FOR ME SOMETIME!
Kurama groans as he picks himself off of the floor. Damn, to tell the truth, I kinda did forget that you almost died. When Naruto hears this he grits his teeth, grumbling about lame ass foxes and different ways to torture him. But think about it, Kurama begins and Naruto listens, you are still alive, right? That means that it was not your time to die and besides, even if the shinigami was to come for you in that realm, he would not have stolen your soul. The Shinigami there acts like a somewhat not perverted Sandaime Hokage.
"I still am not going there, how about somewhere that has no super powers, no ninjas, pirates, and other forms of overpowered humans?
Kurama thinks and then remembers a place. OH, I know the perfect place then! O.K, imagine a place where no one has enough chakra to do nothing but function, but there is all these different machines and other things that make life a hell of a lot easier. Giant machines that fly, others that have four wheels and does not need a horse to pull them, and then there are the GIRLS! They make people like Ino and that princess you met look like children, and they ARE kids, though! Around your age, the girls there go through a phase tha- "GOD DAMN IT, KURAMA! SHUT UP! I GET IT ALREADY!" Naruto bellows in his mind, making Kurama grin and scratch another line on the wall.
Kurama: 3 Naruto: 0
Naruto groans at the mental image of Kurama and gets up and begins to walk towards his apartment. "So far, that sounds like the best place there is out there, so let's go with that one. Naruto says as Kurama perked up, shocked and annoyed by the quick pick. Really? You picked one a little too quick. I had a few more of them I wanted to describe to you before then.
"Yeah, like you said, the quicker we are, the faster we get the hell outta here." He says out loud as he sees his apartment in the distance. He continues on his path, him and Kurama talking about the best meat to put in ramen. As he reaches his apartment, he sees someone standing in front of the entrance, as if they were waiting for someone.
"Hey Kurama, do you think you know who that is standing in front of the apartment building? Naruto asks as he slows down to a lazier pace. Kurama just grunts and doesn't say anything afterwards, wondering just like Naruto who that character was. As he finally reached the building, he sees a gourd of sand strapped to the back of the person there. "Hey, I know that gourd of sand from anywhere, it's Gaara! I wonder why he is here, though..."
Gaara, seeing Naruto approach unfolds his arms and stares at him. Naruto stops a few feet from Gaara and stands there, wondering what Gaara wanted from him. A few minutes passed and neither of them make a sound. After a while, Naruto feels awkward and greets Gaara.
"Hey, Gaara, what's up?" Naruto asks in his cheerful manner. Gaara stands there and doesn't reply. Another moment of awkward silence occurs, and just as Naruto got ready to speak again, Gaara opens his mouth. "Nothing." He says in his stoic-emotionless voice. Naruto sweat-drops at the blunt and emotionless answer, but then remembered what he had to say. "I'm sorry, buddy, but I have to get ready to leave."
Gaara, being surprised at him going on a mission so quickly after him just getting outta the hospital, asks him. "Going on a mission?" He says with his eyebrow raised, showing some emotion which was met by a flash of light and stars in his eyes. When the stars leave, he sees Naruto with a camera in his hands and it still in his face after taking the picture.
'Yes, I got a picture of you showing some form of emotion that is not bloodlust or anger!" Gaara hears Naruto say as he puts the camera up. He then replies to Gaara's question. "Nah, I quit being a ninja. I'm leaving Konoha and going somewhere else that is somewhat more... peaceful, if you know what I'm saying." I've gotten sick of the shi-" Naruto says but Gaara's not paying attention anymore. "Naruto quit being a ninja! That's... Impossible!" Gaara cuts his thoughts off after that, hearing Naruto call him. "Yeah?" He asks, not really hearing what was said. Naruto smiles and repeats what he said. "I said do you want to hang out for a while?" Gaara shakes his head no.
"No, thank you. I have somewhere to be. I just came here to thank you." Naruto looks at Gaara, confused. "Thank me? For what?" Naruto says as he thinks back to the times he encountered Gaara without him trying to kill others, but can't. Gaara continues as Naruto looks at him. "You spared my life at first, but then you gave me something better." Gaara begins as a small trace of a smile etched it's way on his face.
"You gave me a reason to live, the ideals of not destroying life, but caring for it, nurturing it and most of all, protecting it. If we had not met, I would still be a mindless killer taking life instead of protecting it. I will forever be in your debt." As Gaara finished his little speech, his smile had grown from a small crack to a grateful and warm smile.
That was immediately caught on camera by Naruto, ruining their little friendship moment.
"I have no clue as to what you were just saying, minus the part where you finally got going on the right path and that you owe me one, but I got a nice picture out of it. See?" Naruto says as he hands Gaara the camera and he looks at the picture taken. Gaara stares at it for a few seconds and then gives his thought on the picture. "First, I want a copy of this picture. And second, no one must know about what has happened here and if someone does and I know it wasn't me who said anything, I will find you, and I will kill you."
Normally, that threat would not disturb Naruto, but the empty look on Gaara's face as he said it and the sand that is crawling all over his skin had him terrified him. "O-ok, Gaara, I wont say anything. Now can you get the sand off of me? It's starting to chafe." The sand disappears and Gaara looks at Naruto one last time. "It has been a pleasure knowing and fighting you, Naruto Uzumaki." Gaara says as he creates a platform of sand and prepares to leave.
Naruto smiles and nods towards Gaara as he floats through the air towards his siblings for the journey back home. "I forgot what I was about to do, Kurama do you remember?" Naruto asks the once malevolent spirit that lives in his mind as he walks up the stairs to his apartment. No clue, I can read your mind, but choose not to spare myself of having to wonder what the hell is wrong with your mind. Naruto chokes on his tongue as he tries to come up with a snappy comeback, but fails and relies on used ones.
"W-well then fuck you too you bast- wait... You can read my mind? Naruto asks, surprised. Kurama snorts. Well, duh, how do you think we are talking now? Naruto stops in front of his door, mulling over Kurama's words. "Huh, that's actually pretty cool. Let's get ready for the trip." Naruto says as he walks into his apartment and closed the door. Kurama snorts; You have to do everything yourself, remember? Giant being of mass destruction?
"Shut the hell up, Kurama."
'Koji here, I have no excuse for having this out so late.
I am in dire need of a beta reader as well as a partner in crime for this fic.
If interested, PM me.
Akimenokoji