Reaching the Island was a relief and Gai was made up. It was a pretty cool Island filled with some cool giant animals that Naruto was interested in, the giant squid not included, the entry onto the island had him wishing he had his Mother's Octopus to help. That was not a nice entrance and Yamato's ship was destroyed. There was a man waiting for them, and escorted them to the big house that was creepily shaped like Gyuki, where they would be staying. Naruto was only more interested in getting started but Bee was nowhere to be seen. Did they get here first? Naruto wondered

"I'm gonna go wonder" Naruto announced and all three of his 'team' took a step forward and he held up his hand

"I want to be here, remember?" He pointed out "no need to follow me everywhere I go. Plus nobody knows where we are so... relax" he frowned and took off. Not that they were a problem or even unpleasant to be around he just wanted some alone time. He had never spent so much time around people that weren't Gaara or toads. Leaping up to a tree where he could get heat from the sun he sat on a branch and lay against the trunk. It was nice, not as hot as Suna but warmer than the leaf. Nothing was the same anymore and he wasn't sure he could really even complete the bonding with Kurama, or do what Jiyraiya had dreamed but he was going to try. He had to, if Madara was on a mission to end the world and take the one being who had been with him his entire life he had to. He had to be strong enough to keep him. And keep the people he loved safe. To keep Suna safe. He may not be one hundred percent sure he wanted to protect the leaf but he knew he didn't want innocent people to suffer no matter the village they came from. And if they were to all die because he let the madman win he'd never rest in the afterlife.

-

Entering the mindscape he looked to Kurama who smiled down at him with his toothy grin.

"You'll manage it fine, brat" Kurama said confidently and Naruto frowned at him

"What makes you so sure?" He scoffed "I'm not free of hate, and while I know you won't take over it's not going to be effective enough" he shrugged "and I'm not really ready to face it, I've ran from it for so long"

"True. My hatred for people is still too strong to trust I won't lose myself with that opening" Kurama admitted and Naruto felt a swell of affection for his life-long tenant. He never lied, and he appreciated his efforts to put Naruto first and put his own wants on the back-burner for possibly decades.

"But you still will help me protect them?"

"Against Madara?" He scoffed "absolutely" he growled

So his hatred for Madara was more than of just people. Then again Naruto understood Kurama did not take kindly to being controlled.

"We will get him" Naruto promised "he made you feared and called a monster. Resulting in over a century of you being locked up. I'll let you have your moment" Naruto promised and Kurama grinned wider his eyes somehow seeming more bloodthirsty than usual.

"Nothing will stop us. Even only with half my chakra I am the most powerful being out there. You just need to focus on the good, push out that hatred in your heart"

Naruto nodded and then opened his eyes at the shaking of his perch the sounds of heavy banging reaching his ears

The hell is that? He thought standing up and looking in the direction of trees falling. Leaping over trees to assess what was happening he saw the familiar tentacles of Gyuki coming from Bee as he was pushing back a giant panda. There was a circle of giant rope around them and Naruto crouched on the branch watching. They were... wrestling. Did all Jinchurichi have a way with animals? Gaara never did but that would possibly be the murderous tendencies he had, and Naruto had animal approach or pass him with no worries, and he didn't bother them much unsure how far there tolerance for him would go. The way the numerous animals sat around and encircled Bee and the panda would give Naruto the impression it was the same for him. He wished he had thought to reach out to the others, learn all this. It was also a sad thought that perhaps this threat would have been dealt with before such loss if they had all been together. Kurama scoffed not agreeing.

Just because you didn't get along with them doesn't mean I wouldn't have Naruto thought and smirked at the huff. Naruto frowned at the familiar sword on Bee's back. Wasn't that... Samehada? That was Itachi's partners blade wasn't it? Had Bee been attacked on the way and fought Kisame? He didn't ask Itachi what had happened to his partner after he came home. Naruto really wished he thought ahead more, sure he read the files Itachi supplied but he didnt question what had happened with who. Bee looked up and Naruto straightened his back. He looked the same, as that day he met him. He wondered if he felt the familiarity? Kurama was well concealed at the time. His voice wasn't the same as the persona he gave, years of practice helped him change it that way but if one was good enough they could pick up on it. It had happened once or twice over the years. Though he was more than willing to admit to his deception if confronted, Bee deserved to know at least, and it was easily believable it was his own doing as the hidden Jinchurichi.

"Yo fool!" Bee called and Naruto smirked at the tick, perhaps it was Bee's equivalent to Naruto's 'ya know' he jumped down landing at the edge of the ring.

"I got a name ya know?" Naruto huffed stuffing his hands in his pockets and nodded to the sword "run into Kisame did you?"

Bee looked over his shoulder quickly and back to Naruto not changing his features at all.

"She took a liking to me" he said and Naruto smiled slightly. Makes sense, tailed beast chakra must be the best for her

"Kisame?"

"Dead"

Naruto nodded and wondered if that would bother Itachi. It was a little awkward and Naruto wondered if something happened to make Bee lose his outgoing nature. He was much more approachable when he last saw him. Then again... he thought Naruto was a traveller and people he knew after that. This wasn't the same, Naruto was a stranger, another Jinchurichi he knew nothing about and was expected to help him learn control.

"So, you're going to help me get through controlling Kurama's chakra?" He asked and was surprised to see Bee's brows raise up in surprise.

"You know his name?" He asked and Naruto nodded no point in lying to someone who was supposed to help.

"I've known since I was five"

"You talk?" He asked and Naruto nodded "civil?" He nodded again and the Bee frowned

"So why do you need my help?" He asked

"Some guidance would be best, don't you think? You and Gyuki have done this, we haven't. And time is short"

"It took years for us to get where we are" Bee said and Naruto nodded but he hoped the relationship he and Kurama had was foundation enough to grasp this quickly.

"I'm not worried about that. My main worry... is the hate thing" he admitted and Bee frowned

"Why?" His voice was deeper and Naruto stood straight in surprise at Gyuki's appearance

"Were you guys told anything about me?" Naruto asked stepping back to lean on a tree

"You had the same treatment as most Jinchurichi, ran away when you were a child" Gyuki answered and Naruto sighed

"Hard to not hold some resentment for that, wouldn't you say?"

"But you saved them, surely there's a part of you that forgave them" he said stepping out of the ring

"It wasn't for them" Naruto shrugged getting a little tired of repeating that. "I mean sure I'm glad innocent people were safe but doesn't mean I forgive them"

Gyuki nodded but if Hinata was telling the truth... Tsunade had taken it upon herself to get the justice for him, as much as she could at least maybe there was hope for him and Shikamaru. He was still concerned about how they'd work if Naruto was never in the village.

"Think we should help you then" Gyuki said and then suddenly Bee was yelling at him. They switched way too quickly, Naruto thought leaning back a bit.

-

Three days later Naruto finally managed to get through that hatred, he almost lost himself to it a few times, unable to argue with it. But people did things when they're afraid and he had to hold onto that. His suffering wasn't above the people he cared about, and it certainly wasn't above keeping Kurama as free as he could grant. And he held onto that, and the way people had been outside the village, how Suna treated Gaara after the chunin exams, how the Cloud loved Bee. He didn't want to hate anyone, he wasn't sure he had forgiven but he didn't need to hate people. The moment that hateful side of him vanished he felt lighter, as if his breathing was more filling, as if his anxiety of the village was less severe. After that Bee wasted no time taking him behind the waterfall and into the special room that he had used to train with Gyuki so not to risk him getting loose. The room was trippy and Naruto didn't like it. But if it kept him hidden while he trained with Kurama all the better.

"So, just... release the seal?" Naruto asked grinning like a moron bouncing on his feet

Bee nodded while Yamato looked concerned

"Are you sure he won't just..." Yamato trailed off and flew his hand up and over his head

"Yeah, I trust him. He has no reason to lie" Naruto shrugged

"Once there you need to take his chakra, bond with it"

"Well he can just give it" Naruto frowned he didn't like that wording "he wants to do this too ya know" he sat crossed legged and entered the mindscape. Grinning up at Kurama who only rolled his eyes

"Sure, pretend you haven't been waiting for this my entire life" Naruto scoffed rolling up his right sleeve using his left hand to lift up his shirt. Bringing the key up he looked at Kurama apologetically as he brought the cage back. He didn't seem phased by its return. Naruto stood up approaching the gates as the water lifted him up to the seal over the actual lock. As his fingers clasped the corner a hand tightly gripped his wrist pulling his arm away. The water fell and Naruto followed. Glaring at the offending hand he landed on the floor and kicked out at the man who jumped back letting him go, he didnt have time to question how someone was here. He glared and looked up only for his heart to drop. What? What was happening? He looked to Kurama

"I don't..." he looked back "Dad?"

"Hello, Naruto" he smiled at him and Naruto couldn't remember how to breath

"I don't understand" he gasped out and the man stepped closer

"I worked my Chakra into the seal to prevent this" he explained but frowned slightly "You seem... okay though"

Naruto smiled tearing up and nodded, he didn't see that in the seal. How didn't I miss that?

"Yeah..." he choked out "I... its my choice"

He looked back to Kurama who had remained silent and put his head on his paws.

"I knew it would come to pass one day but I was sure you'd struggle the first time"

"I don't understand" Naruto frowned "how are you here?"

The man smiled down at him and his hand came to Naruto's head and ruffled his hair

"You didn't think I wouldn't put some protection in it for you did you?" He smiled and Naruto blinked up to him.

"You already died gruesomely for me... I didn't expect more" Naruto whispered and his Father looked at him confused "K-Kurama told me... about trying to kill me after you started the reaper seal" he explained and the older man looked to the fox, surprise clear on his face

"Don't be so surprised, Minato" Kurama sneered "your brat... needed answers" he grumbled and turned away to give them some privacy. Naruto fell on his ass, water splashing him and still couldn't quiet believe his eyes... did Kurama know about this? He... he planned to die so he could see him. He was there all along?

"You're... Real?" He asked and his Father smiled softly at him coming round sit opposite him not caring about the water at all.

"Yes, I'm real" he chuckled and Naruto threw his arms around his torso as his tears couldn't be held back anymore. He felt the strong arms encircle him and it only made him cry harder "I'm so proud of you" his voice came and Naruto frowned, did he know what he had done with his life? That he abandoned the village he died to protect? How could he be proud of that? His eyes flew open and he suddenly felt stupid. He... it wasn't just for him he died, it was to save the village too, he didn't have to bring Naruto to that clearing that night, he could have just sealed all of Kurama in him and let the reaper take them both... but he let the power of Kurama go to him.

"Why? Why put Kurama in me?" He asked weakly

"I imagine it has been a hard life for you, son. But I believed you were the best host for him, you're my son, your mothers son. And we were leaving you alone. But you're here, grown up and I see that strength in you"

"What strength?" He sniffled sitting up

"The unyielding will you possess. Its in your eyes... like it was in your Mother's... In my Sensei's, in my students, in me" he smiled and Naruto instantly felt guilty because he didn't have that, he was weak, and a coward. His whole life he had ran away and waited for the ultimate give up. "And now you're taking the next step with the fox. And with a relationship I hoped you'd make but was worried for. I knew it was right to trust you with him. Jiyraiya was right" His bottom lips shook as he couldn't hold back the mixture of happiness and heartbreak of the words. He wasn't the hope they had, he wasn't the child of prophecy. But he didn't want to make his Father regret that trust or his sacrifice. The older man frowned at seeing Naruto's obvious disagreement and sighed. "I can see bits and pieces... and I still believe you are the right choice. I'm forever in the foxes debt for changing your mind, for that man who you love" Naruto looked at his crossed legs in shame

"You're not disappointed? I... I gave up, so many times. I offered to let Kurama destroy the very things you died for"

He felt warm hand cup his face and looked into his father's eyes, the same as his eyes, but with more strength and confidence, and possibly equal pain to his own.

"But you rose above it all. You still saved that family, you still helped people, became a loyal and trustworthy man, protected the village, twice. And you found reasons to live. Lesser men would have let that darkness, that hate they had taken in from others consume them long ago. Especially from such a young age"

He didn't fully believe that statement, he still had a ways to go before he was above it all.

"Thanks Dad" he chuckled nervously

"And I'm glad Kakashi is one of your precious people" he smiled softly and Naruto grinned agreeing wholeheartedly.

"He thinks he failed"

His Dad squinted and then smiled shaking his head

"I couldn't have chosen anyone better to take my place" he said confidently

"Even Jiyraiya?" Naruto asked surprised and they both scrunched their noses and laughed at the idea of Jiyraiya being responsible for actually raising a child full time. The man was loving and no doubt he would have always been protected but he was a drunk pervert. Naruto couldn't imagine his upbringing with that man, his experiences with bars may have been a whole different trauma. Not to mention the inappropriate material he would have been forever exposed to.

"I am almost out of time" his Dad said Naruto's eyes widened as he shook his head

"It's okay, you're in good hands, and don't dwell on the past, you have a future waiting for you. And a man that seems to be very much in love with you" Naruto blushed at that "I like him, Nara's have always been my favourite clan second to the Uzumaki of course" he winked and Naruto couldn't help but laugh. "I believe in you Naruto" he said seriously and Naruto saw him begin to fade

"No! Dad!?"

"Don't worry Naruto, I'm always with you. And I'm always proud of you" he assured and Naruto fell forward his hands catching him as his father faded away leaving him alone with Kurama. He only stayed there trying to reel in his emotions, did that really just happen? Had his Dad just been with him and praised him? They didn't even talk about anything he was too shocked, to sorry for himself. He didn't ask one good question about him as a person. Or his mum, how they met. Nothing. He hated how he let his emotions take over and lost that chance. Shaking his head he sighed, he had to pull himself together. Time was tight and he had to pull himself together, he can regret this when the world was safe.

"Ready Kurama?" He asked wiping his cheeks and standing up. He didn't reply he just turned and looked at him with a little huff he rolled his eyes. Naruto smirked at his clear uncomfort of the emotion that he was just witness to. "Oh okay sorry we got love on you" Naruto teased and was only answered with a roll of the eyes. He got up and went back to the seal over the lock. Taking a deep breath he pulled it away. Kurama stood his eyes wide and his shoulders moving as he was breathing slow heavy breaths. As if he still was surprised by Naruto's actions, that he was truly going to do it.

Activating the key he put his hand on the lock and grinned as it opened and he landed back at the floor. It was silent then he was blasted with wind as the gates burst open causing him to grin at his friend feeling the seal dissipate and the entire power it held back hit him throwing him back. Fusing chakra to his feet he held himself in place while faintly hearing Yamato yell his name.

"Thank you" Kurama said and Naruto nodded feeling fluttering in his chest. He did it. He freed him. The Chakra was still everywhere and Naruto was surprised just how strong he was, amazed at just how strong that seal was. Dad wasn't messing about. Kurama bared his teeth and jumped at Naruto who jumped back as his heart dropped. What? Before he could get his barings the air from his lungs were knocked out of him as Kurama hit him sending him flying.

What?! Naruto thought trying to pull air back into his lungs. What's going on?