Author's Note:

Hey everyone! Badbutt94 here with another chapter! And a reminder about my reviewer challenge! Remember, I will be picking a winner for next month's bonus chapter! I look forward to emailing the next winner!

Also, I'm excited to see what all of you think about the story so far, especially with us being in the Pain Arc! Keep those reviews coming! I'm also interested to see your predictions with the story veering from the cannon version. I love it! Anyway, here's the next chapter, enjoy!

…

…

…

Chapter 45: Falls of Truth: Naruto vs. Naruto!

Naruto's P.O.V.

"You got too much evil within your soul. That's something only you can fix. Besides, I'm on vacation and I ain't doing shit,"

"You got too much evil within your soul…"

"ain't doing shit…"

"too much evil within your soul…"

"ain't doing shit…"

"too much evil…"

"evil…"

"God, would you shut up already," I groan inwardly.

I raise my hand to cover my face in frustration. I don't know how much time has passed. It feels like an eternity since I entered the falls. Motoi said all I had to do was sit here and defeat the evilness inside of me.

"But how can I do that when I can't even find it! Ugh, this is so annoying! I swear, if Motoi lied to me, I'm going to kick his ass. Come Naruto, focus!"

I clear my head and listen as the rushing water fills my ears. I let it calm my racing heart as I ease my breathing. After a few moments, I finally feel something. Something evil.

"I don't like the feel of that," I say while standing up.

Across the falls, a figure emerges. I squint my eyes slightly to get a better look. As the falls part, just barely enough to revile the figure, my eyes widen to see blond hair dripping wet and attached to tan skin.

"It can't be,"

The figure across from me is wearing my jumpsuit and headband. Blond hair dripping wet from the water and plastered to a familiar tanned face. Four tails drag behind the figure, also wet from the water. Eyes slowly open to revile pitch black scleras and red iris. We lock eyes and it starts to laugh.

"Well, well, well, look who's here. Gotta say. It's nice seeing a familiar face here,"

"Who are you?"

"I'm the evil inside of yourself. That part you like to keep out of the light,"

"I don't have a dark side,"

"Then why am I here?" I don't say anything, "You like to go around and "pretend" that you're this big, bad alpha who always does the right thing. But, in reality, you're just as pissed as everyone else. And who could blame you? No parents, no friends, you failed to keep your beta mate at your side, hatred for your father for making you the Nine-Tails' vessel, anger for the way you're treated by the villagers, the nightmares? You have a lot of reasons to want to destroy everything in your path. I think you should do it. Be the monster that they created,"

"You talk too much. Let's just get this over with. I have other things I have to do today," I say while getting into a fighting stance.

"Where's the fun in that? Come on, this is the first time we meet, and you don't even want to play?"

"I have other shadow clones I'd rather play with. At least they're not cynical like you,"

"You're comparing me to those poorly summoned shadow clones of yours? How insulting. I'm not a shadow clone. I'm the real you,"

"You're lying!"

"Is that so? Then how can I be here? If you didn't summon me, then why am I standing right in front of you,"

I let his words sink in. My brain hurts as I try to make sense of everything.

"He has to be a shadow clone, right?"

"You're doubting yourself. Good. You're starting to catch on. When I said I was the evil inside of yourself, I meant it. I am the physical representation of the evil you harbor within yourself. You have so much hatred that you buried it. You didn't want anyone to think of you as the Nine-Tails' monster. You wanted so desperately to be recognized as yourself. When are you going to realize that you are a monster? The worst of them all,"

"Shut up!"

"Make me!"

The dark clone rushes at me. I ready myself. He reels his fist back, but I grab his wrist before throwing mine. He catches mine and we stand our ground in a struggle. I let up just enough to catch him off guard. I grab him around his waist and push forward. He grabs onto my shoulder with one hand before elbowing me in my spine. I gasp at the hit, letting him go slightly. He lifts his knee and hits me in my forehead. While stunned, he roundhouse kicks me in my jaw and I fall backwards. I catch myself before rushing towards him again. He goes to block me, but I go low and hit him in his ribs. I land some hard punches in his right ribs before gripping his head and bringing my knee up at the same time. As he stumbles back, I leap towards him.

For a while, we go toe to toe in an endless fight. Everything I do, he copies. I summon my shadow clones, so does he. They clash into an all-out brawl while he and I continue to duke it out. Most of out clones disappear in the chaos. I call one of mine to my side. I watch as both our clones create identical Rasengans. We rush towards each other, our Rasengans matching in strength as we're sent flying backwards. I roll over to my side, panting.

"Damn! He knows all my moves. How can I defeat him?"

From behind me, his evil chuckle echoes inside my head.

"So, you've come this far, gained more power and four tails, but you have learned nothing? How pathetic. When are you going to realize that I'm stronger than you? All our lives, you have pushed me down and hide me from the world. You knew that if you were to lash out, then the villagers would only see you as the monster you are. So why fight it? Go on, destroy them. Make them feel the pain and destruction you had to face. They don't care about you, so why protect them?"

"That's not true," I pant.

"I'm wrong? No, you know I'm right. Deep down inside you know that those villagers don't give two shits about you. In fact, they would prefer that you just die. Then they would be rid of you and the Nine-Tails. And, with you gone, they'll have no one to stop them from executing Sasuke. Face it, you'll only lose in the end. You are merely a puppet in this war. The only reason they're keeping you alive is to use you as their ultimate weapon in the upcoming war. They can't win without you. And, once you serve your purpose, they'll kill you,"

"Shut up! You don't know shit!"

"Ah, but I do. Just like how I know that Sasuke doesn't love you,"

"Shut up!"

"Deep down inside you know it too. You know that Sasuke doesn't love you. After all, why would he leave and join Orochimaru? Simple, because Orochimaru is the Alpha that Sasuke needed. Orochimaru was the only one that Sasuke could run to for the power he needed for his revenge. He knew that you would only hold him back. That's why he ran from you. And you call yourself an alpha? What alpha can't keep his beta bitch in line? A pathetic one, that's who,"

Again, his evil laughter fills my ears. Still kneeing against the water, tears drip from my eyes. Everything the other Naruto is saying is a part of my insecurities. These are the thoughts that plagued my mind throughout the day and into the night. When I'm alone with my thoughts, I can hear my insecurities echoing throughout my mind. My head is pounding. I'm trying to ignore him, but I can't. How can I when he's right about everything. I can't keep running from the truth. I can't keep thinking that everything is going to be ok. How can I when I knew the truth all along. He's right. I'm a pathetic excuse for an alpha.

"I know you're not about to listen to this annoying bullshit, dobe. Come on, you know better,"

I look up to see Sasuke standing at the opposite end of the Falls.

"Tsk. What the hell are you doing here?"

"Saving Naruto from his own insecurities,"

"You can't save him from the truth. He and I both know everything I've said is true,"

"About the villagers? Maybe, who knows with the crooked politics of the Hidden Leaf. But you're wrong about everything else," he turns to look at me with disappointment in his eyes, "What the hell is wrong with you, dobe? Get up and kick his ass,"

"I can't. He's~"
"Annoying, I know. But, what does that have to do with anything? You've beaten worse than him before,"

"I'm literally right here,"

"No one cares," Sasuke says as he crosses his arms over his chest, "Come on, dobe. You can't seriously believe anything that he's saying,"

"What if he's right Sasuke? You remember how those villagers treated me. You remember all the pain I had to endure because of them. You all my nightmares. How can I forget all of that? How can I not think about any of that?"

"I remember a strong, annoying twelve-year-old who ran around the village starting trouble for attention. I remember you yelling "Believe it!" every time someone doubted you becoming Hokage. I also remember how persistent you were in trying to mate me and bring me home when I ran away. The Naruto I remember, and allowed to claim me, is strong and passionate. You never give up and you don't let anything keep you down. I'm the one who's always brooding and being pessimistic. And that's how it's supposed to be. You're my alpha, you're supposed be funny, energetic, passionate, and reassuring that everything is going to work out. I can't believe you have me inside of your mind to save you from yourself. It's embarrassing," he smiles lightly while walking over to me.

He squats down to my eye level and pokes my forehead with his two fingers, "Now, get up and show yourself who's top alpha,"

I let his words sink into my mind. Suddenly, I feel my anxieties start to disappear and myself ease. I return the smile as I grip his outstretched hand. He helps me stand while not letting go of my hand.

"I love you," I say.

"I know," he chuckles.

"Bastard," I reply while hitting his shoulder lightly. We both turn towards my evil self to see him kneeling onto the ground.

"What's happening to me? What did you do?!"

"I finally came to my scenes. You're right, about a lot of things. Most of the villagers may not give a damn about me and probably want me dead. But the friendships and relationships I have formed are with people I know truly care. And those are the people I fight for. They're the ones who believe in me and care about me. And, if I die, at least I know there will be people who will mourn me. But, I have too much to accomplish and too bright of a future to let you consume me,"

"You're going to believe that beta bitch over your own truths?!"

"I believe in my mate and myself over what I think is the truth,"

"But, the villagers. All the pain they made us feel. The torment our parents put us through by forcing the Nine-Tails inside of us. Don't you see?! I'm the only one who will understand you!"

I shake my head, "I know. But there's someone I must learn to understand and trust: myself. You're not evil, just misguided. And there's nothing wrong with that,"

The evil part of me allows tears to stain his face. I leave Sasuke's side to stand in front of the other me. I kneel and pull him into a hug. I feel his body shake as he tried to struggle against me. I hold on tight until he no longer struggles. After a few moments, his body only shakes from crying.

"Am I burden to you?"

"No. Because of you, I became strong. I'm so sorry that I pushed you down and never got a chance to deal with you. You're a large part of me, and without you, I wouldn't be so strong. So, thank you, and I'm sorry. Please forgive me,"

I feel his body slow start to calm down before we pull apart. His eyes are no longer black and red. In their place, gentle, bright, blue eyes stare back at me with forgiveness. Slowly, his body starts to fade away, and with a last nod and a smile, he was gone.

Sasuke walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder. I place one on top of his before standing up.

"You alright?" he asks.

"Yeah. I'll be alright. At least that part is over,"

"That's was some beautiful shit right there, man,"

We turn around to see Killer B behind us with tears in his eyes.

"B? What are you doing here?"

"Well, after talking to your boi, Kakashi, I got to thinkin'. You and I aren't so different, and I when I was going through this, I wish I had someone to help me through it. But, now I see you don't need me too much when you have yourself and your mate. That's beautiful as fuck, yo,"

Sasuke and I chuckle a little while he finishes crying it out, "Alright, alright. I'm done. Now, it's time I take you to the next part of the ritual. Beyond the Falls is a temple where you'll face the Nine-Tails. There you'll have to conquer him or die. But, if you die here, in your subconscious, then you'll die in real life, ya got that?"

I look at Sasuke. With a nod to me, I turn to Killer B with a bright smile, "Lead the way,"

…

…

…

To Be Continued…