He was a big guy, with long messy hair that put Naruto's wild locks to shame. He smiled wide and even looked proud.
"Jiyraiya" Naruto said evenly
"I thought you were blonde!" He said coming over to ruffle the red locks and Naruto glared up at him as he sat back to free his head
"Too distinctive" he grumbled suddenly feeling like a petulant child.
"That's true" he laughed "I'm glad to finally meet you officially"
"I guess you would be" Naruto said softly thinking back to all the pictures. Shikamaru stood up putting his hands in his pockets
"I'll leave you two to it" and he left. Naruto felt bad for brushing him off. Jiyraiya sat opposite him on the grass crossing his legs.
"The Hokage really cares about you" Naruto started "asking on your behalf that I stay put for you"
"Well, you never seemed ready to meet me before" he shrugged and Naruto squinted at him.
"What do you mean?" He asked "I've never kept tabs on you to meet you if I wanted"
"No. But I kept tabs on you" he said looking very serious "Gamabunta is very impressed with you"
Chief? Did Chief tell him where he was? Then he glared at the old man
"You sent Gamikichi to get me" he said his tone lowering as he became annoyed. Of course he did. It was too close... and why would a toad randomly choose to bring a kid to their home. Even if they trained his Dad "you knew I was there"
He nodded and sighed leaning back on his hands
"You ran. Clearly being in the village was not how we hoped. And you were wary, I knew if I tried to talk to you it wouldn't help. I knew you definitely weren't going to come home, and I don't blame you. So I did what I could"
"You told Chief about Rasengan" Naruto realised
"And some other stuff. I watched you train a few times too" he smiled affectionately "it was nice to see you so unburdened there"
"Why? Why not tell them where I was?" Naruto asked "You know what I am"
"You're my godson" he said voice stern with a face of stone "you were safe and that's what mattered"
Naruto felt heat in his chest as his heart began to pick up. He lied... he had faked to know where Naruto was or possibly was for over six years. He wasn't going to try and keep Naruto here, trapped in the village to suffer, caged. And he thought to Kurama's cage. Sure he doesn't feel like a prisoner anymore but he isn't free either. Naruto wasn't either but he had a lot more than Kurama.
"My Dad. He gave you the key for the seal didn't he?" Naruto asked not even going to dwell on the emotions rising up in him.
Jiyraiya tensed and quickly relaxed
"The Hokage told me" he lied with a shrug, even if it technically wasn't a lie.
"I see" he sat up straight folding his arms "he did. I believe he wanted you to have it. When you master the Kyuubi's chakra. And I have fully intended to help you with that"
"Because I'm supposed to be this weapon for the leaf" Naruto scoffed
"You were supposed to be a hero as much as your parents, they sacrificed you too in a sense and I don't doubt Minato believed you'd master this, and be the hero the leaf would need" his brows came down casting his eyes in shadows "but they destroyed that hope and any chance they had for you to be that for them"
"So you plan to give me the key? When I have a monster inside me?" He asked internally apologising to Kurama.
"Yes. One day" he nodded
"Well that sounds smart" he said sarcastically.
-
They spoke for hours and Jiyraiya had put his giant scroll on the floor and explained more about the Akatsuki before falling asleep in the yard. He had much more Intel than the sand and it made Naruto uneasy. They were collecting the tailed beasts for power, but nobody knew the endgame yet. They knew Kurama was in the leaf therefore they would come to the leaf for him because thats the only Intel they had. That he was here. So not only would they trap Kurama again... they'd come for him here. He looked to the house behind him feeling sick, what if something happened to them? The sand took a major hit when Deidara and Sasori came. And if Kurama was the strongest of them all they would send someone stronger... or more than one team. Frowning at the thought he stood up and moved to the other end of the yard not missing Shikaku and Kakashi stand from their seats in the house. He bit his thumb hard and summoned Gamakichi. He was much bigger, not Chief big but Naruto didn't think it would take much longer now.
"Hey Naruto, what's up?" He asked voice reasonably quiet given the night.
"Can I see our contract?" He asked
"Sure. Uh... why?" Gamakichi asked pulling it out
"I just want to check something out" he said and lay it out. It was essentially a summoning seal, but for living creatures. And they can also summon Naruto by doing a reverse summons. Naruto inspected the seal and pulled out his book again. Drawing and erasing bits here and there. It's usually random but he had a specific in mind. And given it isn't something he had done before he thought it was best to keep it as specific as he could. After fifteen minutes he smiled up to Gamakichi
"Thanks"
"When you coming home? Ma and Pa keep asking"
"Soon. I think I need to try sage mode again" he nodded fist bumping his flipper and then he vanished along with the contract. I need to see Shikamaru, he thought getting up and heading to the house.
"Is it okay to leave him there?" Naruto asked Kakashi
"Yeah, it's fine. What do you need?" He asked and Naruto pointed to the stairs and Shikaku smirked.
"You know where it is" he nodded gesturing for Naruto to go on ahead. He stopped at the door, Shikamaru could be asleep for a start. But, this bedroom changed his life that first night Shikamaru reached into his solitude and pulled him out. If he was honest with himself he didn't think he would have survived alone all these years if Shikamaru hadn't saved him from that isolation first. He would have been a nervous wreck around everyone not knowing people could be kind, like Shikamaru and his family. And he certainly would have died without his shadows in the beginning.
"I can practically hear your brain working!" Shikamaru called and Naruto couldn't keep the smile from growing across his face. He opened the door and poked his head in
"Sorry" He smiled causing Shikamaru to roll his eyes and sit up on the bed
"What's up?" He asked rubbing the back of his neck and Naruto walked in closing the door. Feeling guilty for what he was about to say.
"I uh... need some details, about you"
He was met with narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw to show his clear anger at the nerve. "It's for a seal. Sort of" he added stepping across the room and showing the page with his half done seal "Did you hear us talking?" He asked and Shikamaru nodded "good"
Shikamaru's anger vanished replaced by surprised
"They'll come here, for me. And I won't be here"
"You're still going to leave?" Shikamaru asked
"Yes, I have no intention of being held prisoner and victim to this village again" Naruto said and he swore that he saw disappointment in his eyes "I worry that they'll come here and cause dangerous trouble, destruction level trouble" he specified moving on, he didn't want to think about what the look meant.
"What has that got to do with a seal?" He asked frowning.
"Well... if it gets bad and they don't leave I want to make sure you, your parents, and Kakashi are safe. I'll be working toward another jutsu and it's stupidly strong. Enough for me to push them back"
"But you'll reveal yourself" Shikamaru said
"That's why I'm learning this. So I won't need to rely on Kurama, they won't know"
"Why? Why go so far for me and my family?"
He asked
"Because you saved me. Gave me a chance to know what life could be. You're important. And I'll make sure you are safe" he said firmly as his determination fired up.
"Then just stay!" He said his calm demeanour slipping "if you're her-"
"I can't stay" he interrupted "I almost killed your mother! I went to do the same to a man who fell into me earlier. I am more vulnerable and dangerous here" he said "and either way I still need to go to train. It may take a while for me to get it" he took a deep breath "which is why I want to do this. Its like a summoning but for me. We will need to test it but if I make it specific to us, I think it would work"
Shikamaru groaned and let his head fall forwards.
"What do you need to know?"
Naruto grinned and sat on the floor crossing his legs. He knew his birthday, his home. So he asked all he could. Favourite colour- Blue, Favourite thing to do- Cloud gazing. He has no siblings, he preferred bright days, he would choose sleep over food. He has fire and earth chakra nature's, he likes mackerel but hates boiled eggs. And lots of other bits that made up Shikamaru. It was almost sunrise when Naruto felt satisfied with it. Lifting up his pants to his knees he marked the seal onto his shin and let it dry. He couldn't risk leaving it on a scroll. Shikamaru frowned as he cut his palm making a small pool of blood to place his fingertips in. Naruto nodded in encouragement as Shikamaru put five fingertips on the spots he was told.
Naruto jolted and clenched his jaw to stop the cry as pain shot up his leg. His eyes watered as it became hot and then vanished.
"Are you okay?" Shikamaru asked hands on his shoulders. Breathing through his nose Naruto nodded.
"Guess that's why they are done on scrolls" he gasped out forcing a smile.
"So it worked?"
"We won't know until we try it" he said and wished he had marked somewhere in the village "I can leave and you can try it" Naruto decided and got up to mark Shikamaru's door so he could come back quickly.
"They are not going to let you leave" Shikamaru said
"And I keep telling you" Naruto grinned "they can't stop me. If I don't come back from your summon in three minutes I'll come back myself. Give it ten seconds and then try" he said and he activated the teleportation landing smoothly on the marked branch. His shin was still tingling and he hoped this worked. The theory made sense to him but some things just weren't supposed to be. The best he could do is maybe an alert and teleport himself to a marked location when it is activated. He frowned looking at the seal as it felt hot suddenly and then he felt like a clone deactivating before he blinked and was stood in front of a wide eyed Shikamaru. A shit eating grin spreading across his face.
Now he could leave without any worries. Just one more thing he wanted to do before he even thought about leaving. Putting the strongest barriers he knew around the Compound itself. But for that he would need to be alone and it didn't seem like that was a possibility anytime soon.
"I can't believe that worked" Shikamaru said "You'll have to explained that to me"
Naruto nodded and smiled
-
He woke up feeling as if he was sleeping in an oven. Frowning as he felt the weight on his ribs the move to turn over froze. Slowly opening his eyes he saw perfect lips. Fuck, he thought as his mind caught up. He'd gone to sleep on Shikamaru's bed and at some point they had curled up together. The uneasy feeling was back, and he felt like a deer frozen waiting for a fight or flight response to kick in. The urge to run his finger over the Nara's face panicked him. He was quickly realising his feelings for Shikamaru ran much deeper than he had originally thought and it worried him. If he let himself get any closer he knew he would never be able to go through with his plans. But laying here now he knew it was already too late. If he asked, really asked Naruto to stay could he deny it? He knew he had to train so either way he was going to leave... but could he kill himself? This was why he didn't keep in touch. If he died nobody would be the wiser as long as Kurama didn't attack. And even then it would be too late to do anything. Repressing a sigh his frown deepened. It was nice, he admitted. Being held like this, and he felt safe which was a rare feeling for him, especially safety like this. He had seen looks from Shikamaru but that didn't necessarily mean it was for the reasons he thought. Kurama laughed sarcastically and Naruto frowned
Hope it's not, Kurama
"What if I hope it is?" He challenged and Naruto shook his head. What was happening? He would be lying if he said he didn't notice the lack of enthusiasm from Kurama the last few months, but since getting here it was as if he didn't want it at all.
What is going on with you?
"Nothing"
Don't give me that you stubborn moron.
"I just think you could afford to let yourself feel something besides loneliness" he shrugged and Naruto felt a little offended. He hadn't felt like that in a long time. And he and Gaara were close. He closed his eyes and entered the seal. Kurama lay there relaxed and unburdened as ever
"What is that supposed to mean?" He demanded folding his arms across his chest.
"You have kept everyone at a distance since we left. You care for everyone but refuse to let them care for you" he told Naruto calmly
"Because how is that fair to them when I release you?" He asked frustrated "I don't want more people missing me than I already have. I'd feel bad for causing the few good people I know grief. Look what I had done to Mikoto!" He half yelled and felt his eyes start to sting.
"Then the solution is simple" Kurama said leveling him with a hard stare
"Yeah? What's that?" He asked
"Stop trying to die"
Naruto's mind went blank. That made no sense, Kurama had wanted only one thing and it was to be free.
"I only plan to die when you break free" he said
"Exactly"
"You want me to stop trying to free you" Naruto said in disbelief as it finally clicked. And Kurama lifted his head up from his paws
"You aren't the worst host to have" he shrugged and Naruto felt like his heart grew two sizes as he grinned at Kurama.
"You like me" he said softly to be met with a glare and he laughed "what about you?" He asked frowning slightly and his body grew as he sighed heavily.
"I'm immortal as long as you don't die. I haven't felt like a prisoner in a long time" he said putting his head back on his paws "I could wait around for you to get old" he shrugged
"But I still..." he trailed off. With knowledge that Kurama was okay to stay did he still want to die? He wanted to go to his parents but if Kurama didn't want to what could he do? He wouldn't kill himself because that would kill Kurama, even if he undid the seal, if Kurama cared for him as he suspected, he wouldn't go. The idea of having to live scared him. Not survive, but live. It was completely different. It would mean facing people, facing the things he wanted but buried.
"I can wait around a while" Kurama said and closed his eyes. Ending the conversation. He was never one to be emotional, or show it so Naruto knew not to push.
He opened his eyes and was back with Shikamaru. Still asleep, still holding him. What did he do now? His end goal of ten years just came to a screeching halt. How did he even let people in? Tell them the truth about why he ran away? Sure it was to escape but a big part of it was to free Kurama so he could die and be free of his suffering. He hadn't suffered the same for a long time he knew this, but he kept himself as detached as he could, Gaara being the closest to an exception.
He sighed his head leaning forwards hitting the Nara's chest and he froze as the arm tightened around him a deep breath being taken. He was awake and Naruto could only stare at the chest feeling like he should be hiding under the bed again.
"What is it?" Shikamaru asked his voice husky and dry from sleep. Naruto tensed holding his breath and willed his body to still the way he would to hide himself as he observed an enemy. This didn't have the desired affect to make Shikamaru go back to sleep. His hand came to the back of his head "Naruto?" He asked and Naruto had to stop the shiver trying to go through him. He leaned back taking his wrist and lifting it off of himself so he could roll out of the bed and get some space.
"Nothing" he said walking back into his dresser, for the first time since being a kid he was scared to say what he thought, what he wanted and what he thought was happening. Shikamaru sat up and rubbed his eyes and shook his head.
"Better go get some breakfast" he said and Naruto nodded taking his kunai pack off and emptying his other pack of shrurikens. If Yoshina got excited again he didn't want to react negatively. Not that he didn't have other weapons to access but they were the easiest and he hoped if he reacted defensively that's where he'd go first.
-
Jiyraiya had announced he wanted to take Naruto for the day and Naruto didn't argue. It was why he agreed to stay after all.
"Will you let me go off alone, I have something I need to do" he said and Jiyraiya looked at him and thought it over and he nodded
"Sure. You stick to your word I don't doubt you won't come find me" he smiled and Naruto couldn't help the smile as he shook his head. He liked him and not just because he was willing to let Naruto wonder unsupervised.
"Where do you want me to meet you?" He asked and Jiyriaya smiled softly and looked to the Hokage monument. Naruto hadn't looked at it since coming. And he wasn't ready to now either
"How about up there" Jiyraiya said pointing to it
"I'll be a hour" Naruto nodded and took off. He didn't actually know where the forest ended for the Nara but he would do his best. The Head House was done quickly before he headed to the walls doing the North, East, South and West sides and then looked at the forest. How was he supposed to know without a Nara? He bit his lip and decided all of it that connected had to be Nara. So again he set seals to each corner. Not being attacked as he landed in the gap between the forest he took that as a sign it was the end of their territory. It took him only 45 minutes to get it done and he landed on a roof in the compound and finally looked to the monument.
What do I do Dad? He thought silently as the weight of everything hit him. He knew he was being selfish, they sacrificed themselves for him, for this beautiful place that they called home. And he was willing to let Kurama go despite knowing he'd likely come here first and on top of that... he was waiting for it so he could die to be with them, as if they hadn't fought to their last breath for him. His chest felt tight as breathing became hard. His existence burdened the village, and the few he loved he'd done nothing but cause them pain and trouble. Why should he stick around? Tears came to his eyes and Kurama didn't say anything. Trying to calm himself he took breaths... forcing himself to take deep even breaths. He had never felt so torn before and he didn't know what to do with himself. Where did he he belonged now? Suna, Myoboku, Leaf? Only one caused him pain, one had someone he considered family, and the other was where he felt safest. All three had people he cared for. He leant forward putting his head on the concrete. Deal with this later, he told himself, Jiyraiya is waiting. So he pulled himself up and made his way to the Hokage monument.
Jiyraiya was waiting legs crossed, scroll next to him looking to be meditating.
"So whats next?" He asked not opening his eyes as Naruto sat opposite him.
"I'm supposed to know?" He asked sarcastically "your the one following a teen around the world"
"Not the world. Just Myoboku, Gamabunta keeps me updated on the rest" he admitted. He should be angry, but he only felt cared for and couldn't bring himself to blame the man for taking the approach he did. Sighing he looked up the the clear skies and frowned he was supposed to be in Suna by now. Sandstorms and scorching heat not clear skies and trauma.
"I understand its hard to be here, and you've had a lot of new information given to you. I want to help you Naruto" he said causing the red head to look at him "just tell me how. Meet us halfway"
"Yesterday I would have said I just want to be left to leave in peace. There is no halfway"
"And today?"
"I don't know" he shrugged because he was scared and confused. "I just know I won't be abused again" he said firmly and Jiyraiya narrowed his eyes
"I agree" he said darkly and Naruto gave a half smile trying not to laugh. It was evident this man cared.
"Why weren't you here?" Naruto finally asked
"My role is to look out for the village on the outside. I would check in every few years. After your parents died I rushed back and you were Three months old. Hiruzen and me spoke about what would happen with you. And I was satisfied and trusted my sensei to follow through" Naruto looked at him sharply he forgot the Sanin were the Old Mans students. Was there anything more that could make Naruto more pissed at the guy "when I returned you were almost three. I stayed for four months so I wouldn't miss your birthday, I knew I'd be gone for a long time. I sent gifts and from what I have gathered you only got one" he looked sad and Naruto sat up straight. Which of his belongings came from Jiyraiya? How had he not known? "The frog wallet" he smiled and Naruto grinned wide. He'd loved that thing. He didn't always have money but he took it everywhere remembering the clasp was his mouth entertained him to no end. Reaching into his pack Jiyraiya held it out to Naruto
"It was found in your...home" his nose scrunched up. Naruto gently took it and smiled at it like it was the best thing he had ever seen
"I didn't know" he said opening and closing the clasp. "I took it everywhere though"
"I found out you'd ran away about month later and was here within two weeks but you were obviously long gone"
"So what happened?" He asked and wondered about Tsunade becoming Hokage
"Hiruzen was stepping down. They had actually called me and Tsuna to take his place" he clenched his jaw before taking a breath "I refused, to come find you. She agreed for me. Kakashi and Itachi told me the truth and Tsuna had to knock me out before I lost it and attacked Hiruzen" he sighed shaking his head. Naruto got the impression he didn't do serious often.
He almost attacked a Hokage for him? And he felt guilty again. These trained Ninja, legends all ignored their jobs for him. For Kakashi and Itachi to tell him was certainly against orders.
"I failed you and your parents. But that won't happen again" Jiyraiya said as if it was a promise. Not knowing what to say to it Naruto just nodded. Because he believed him.
-
Two days had passed and Naruto was still in the Leaf. He'd learnt a lot about his parents from Kakashi and Jiyraiya. From their belonging in the house and in Kakashi's storage. Naruto had spent a day cleaning and airing out the house, because it broke his heart to see it in such a state. He had avoided Shikamaru, to avoid his feelings. It had been emotional and with Kurama and Shikamaru he was at his limit. He was feeling more than a little lost and just needed some direction. He needed to talk to someone, but he didn't have anyone to talk to who wouldn't immediately tell him to stay. He looked to Kakashi, Jiyraiya and Tsunade as he stood in her office, the discussion of his 'future' was starting. He leant against the wall and glared at her desk. He didn't want to glare at her, she didn't want this he knew that.
"The decision is, you are to stay in the village under Twenty Four hour watch. Any means necessary. The Kazekage has already given permission" Tsunade said calmly and with authority but the look on her face was the opposite. Brows furrowed, nose scrunched up, mouth tight as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Naruto almost smiled at her, he settled for a smirk
"Not gonna happen" he said hand on his hip and he almost laughed at how the room felt like it groaned with the way the three older Ninja seemed to slouch over in frustration.
"Look, you clearly aren't a threat to the village, can't you just work with us?"
"Aren't I?" He asked dismissively which had the others tense.
"Naruto!" Kakashi scorned and he only shook his head
"It's stupid to assume I'm not a threat, I was abused daily, ran away, and you have no record of what I can do or have been doing"
He sat on the floor and was unsure where to go from here. He didn't like not having a plan, he had to face things, he put his elbow on his knee and then his chin in his hand and pouted at the desk.
Before he could go on the door burst open and in walked an old man with a cane and bandages covering his face. Naruto straightened up and didn't like the feeling he was getting from him. In fact, he didn't like the chakra coming off him either. It was... repulsive and not flowing as it should, he couldn't place why. He frowned at the man
"You dare enter without knocking?" Tsunade roared standing up.
"I think it is time we deal with the Jinchurichi. Get Shikaku and Inoichi to make their move now" he said and Shikaku walked in followed by -Naruto assumed- Inoichi.
Shadows caught Naruto and he only sighed. He wouldn't fight Shikaku, he knew this much.
"I said I would handle this!" She said slamming her hand on the desk.
"He is too dangerous to allow to walk freely. The people here treated him as a monster. You can't expect him to not want to get payback"
"Locking him away isn't the answer" Kakashi said stepping between Naruto and Inoichi.
"My job is to protect the village at any cost" the old man said slamming his cane on the floor and two ANBU appeared beside him. This was going to get out of hand, Naruto thought looking at the tension between the older Ninja. He looked to Shikaku, he was watching everyone eyes cataloguing what he saw. Jiyraiya stepped forward face of stone and looked back to Naruto. Shikaku was only holding his shadow in place so he could move. Shaking his head Naruto stood up.
"I'm not an animal. And you are delusional if you think I am going to allow you to lock me up like one"
The old man looked at him with cold eyes, eyes that didn't hide the desire he had for Naruto's power. He understood now. He was one of the people who wanted to control Kurama, and if he could control the vessel he could control Kurama.
This man is dangerous Kurama growled and Naruto agreed.
"You have no choice in the matter" he said "Inoichi"
"My orders don't come from you" the blonde man said looking over to Tsunade
"Your priority is to the village Tsunade" the man said. Naruto watched her from the corner of his eye and saw her anger, the tension in her jaw. Much like Gaara when he had to make a decision he wasn't happy with. His duty had to come before his wants and Naruto learnt to accept that. Naruto also realised he had a problem of wanting to help those who clearly wanted to help him. He believed she wanted to go about this differently, whether for him or Jiyraiya he didn't know. But he knew he didn't want people to question her position.
"Go ahead Grandma" he drawled out "do your duty"
She looked to him quickly and he could see her trying to read what he was planning. He looked to Kakashi and Jiyraiya
"Time for me to go. I'll see you one day I'm sure"
"Naruto" Tsunade warned He grinned at her mischievously and her eyes widened "Inoichi!" She called and he immediately set his hands in an oval stepped to the side and faced Naruto.
"Mind transfer Jutsu!" He said and then he slumped against the wall slowly falling to the floor.
"Sorry" He said gently and looked to Shikaku "Thanks for your hospitality" he nodded and connected to the shadows and pulled away using his own. The look on Shikaku's face was a picture then he saluted and teleported to Shikamaru's room. He wasn't there but he was close. Naruto didnt have time to work through his feeling and say goodbye in person. So he pulled out his pen and wrote a short letter to Shikamaru. He sighed as his throat closed up at the thought of leaving without saying goodbye properly, he had been avoiding the Raven since waking up with him and now he wished he hadn't. His Dad would have figured out he could possess the shadows, and he would no doubt figure out how. He didn't want Shikamaru to be punished so he told him to tell then whatever they asked. Leaving a smaller note asking him to only exclude the summoning seal. Before his emotions got the better of him he teleported to his marker ten miles out and headed to Suna, once close enough he teleported to his marker at the border. Now he'd be days ahead and had time to speak with Gaara before the Leaf made their way there. Suna no doubt being the first place they will go to
So I completely made up the summoning and hope it works well and doesn't ruin anything. I thought of it a long time ago on another story and thought I'd try it out here
Thank You for all the support I am really liking this one and i'm glad you do too!