Kurama didn't let up and Naruto couldn't get him to talk. He had to dodge and weave after learning those tails were not just for show. He was confused by Kurama's actions but he didn't believe this was him. Why pretend? Why make him accept his feelings and open up to Shikamaru and Kakashi? When all he had to do was just wait.

It made little sense but Naruto couldn't dwell on it when he felt Kurama's chakra pull at his own. His heart pounded as the fear of dying after all the promises he made overtook him. He couldn't give up now, he couldn't hurt them more.

"Enough!" He screamed weaving signs and making multiple clones who took hold of the connection of his own and Kurama's Chakra and began pulling it back to Naruto. He was making progress when Kurama brought his front paw up and pinned Naruto to the floor causing him to be completely submerged in the water. He couldn't move and wondered if he could drown here? It wasn't as if he was in real water. Right? His lungs began to burn as the edge of his vision began blacking over. He heard Kurama grunt his paw releasing him at the same time. He sprung up on his knees gasping in air as he broke the surface. Panic came over him as he registered Kurama was in pain. His vision was wobbly but he tried to focus. Chains? Blinking as he heaved in deep breaths.

"K-Kurama!" He called standing on shakey legs. The chains seemed to pierce him, and it looked painful. What was hap- wait. Naruto shook his head as Kurama smirked at him. His breath came in short shallow breaths as he continued to shake his head. He wasn't prepared for this. The entire mindscape vanished replaced by warm light. He felt her behind him and his body began to shake. He couldn't do it, he couldn't face her. No way, if his Dad saw his life surely she could too. He couldn't imagine the pain he was about to see her have her. No Mother would want to see their child work to kill themselves. No Mother would want to see the suffering he had gone through before Shikaku interfered with those me.

"Are you going to look at me?" Her voice rang and his body felt hollow as it travelled through him. It was a kind voice, cheerful and he could feel her love. "Come on, I want to see my boy, ya know" she giggled and he whirled round at the familiar tick. Kurama said she said it but he never really... tears fell as she smiled at him her hands going behind her back "there's my beautiful boy" she sighed and he stepped forward and pulled her into his chest.

"You're so beautiful" he choked out which he knew from the pictures, of course but they failed her. Her hair, it was a little duller than the dye he used the same as Nagato. He really didn't get the colour right.

"You know me?" She gasped and he nodded softly so not to hit her head with his chin. His heart felt like it physically hurt and the grief of losing her, his Dad hit him with full force. He wasn't sure how much more he could take emotionally after the waterfall of truth, his Dad... was Jiyraiya going to turn up next?

"I can't believe you're here" he choked out letting her go. Her hand came up to his cheek and she had that loving, motherly smile graced to him. HIS Mother's

"Your Dad didn't say anything?" She asked shaking her head "that Minato" she didn't sound particularly angry about it "He put my Chakra in the seal to help you with the fox. He put more of mine in so I could have more time with you. He knew the fox would be uncooperative and my sealing is enough to hold him back"

Naruto felt another wave of emotion hit him and he had to sit down. Damn Kurama, couldn't have just warned me he thought. He was relieved, thankful and frustrated all at once. At least he hadn't lost Kurama. His Mother followed and put her arm through his

"I'm so sorry Naruto" she apologised and he looked down to her wide eyed

"What for?" He asked

"It was my burden to bear and I failed, I never wanted you to have him"

"It is not your fault a man came at your most vulnerable moment and took Kurama from you. This isn't your fault. Besides Kurama isn't so bad. Grumpy and emotionally stunted but he means well. At least for those he deems worthy"

She looked at him blankly just blinking up at him.

"Kurama?" She asked he chuckled that's right. He'd never told anyone else his name

"That's his name" Naruto explained

Her face fell as tears came to her eyes and Naruto some how knew she was seeing parts of his life. He didn't know why it was happening but he assumed it was the connection the seal had to Kurama and they saw what he had, which was basically everything. He took her hand and squeezed it tight "Don't look at it" he whispered "can I ask you something?" He asked and she nodded "Kurama told me lots but... he said he didn't know how you and Dad met, or fell in love. Can you tell me?" He asked

"That's... what you want to know?" She asked weakly and he nodded smiling widely. So she told him. How they were at the academy together, how they both shared the dream of becoming Hokage, but because she was to be the host for Kurama they warned her it was unlikely. Then she told him about the time the Hidden Cloud tried to kidnap her which horrified him. All because of her chakra they thought kidnapping a twelve year old girl was worth it just to control Kurama's chakra? Then the smile that came to her face as her eyes softened and she leant against Naruto, she was practically swooning

"And then there he was, taking down the adult team of four, holding my hair I had left and literally sweeping me off my feet to take me to the hospital, your Father" Naruto didn't even realise his mouth has turned up in a cocky grin. "He was the first one to compliment my hair, and he understood I didn't need a protector but a friend, a partner. I fell in love right there, in his arms. He destroyed all my plans, all my dreams for my life" she chuckled and Naruto felt his heart dip. That sounded familiar and Shikamaru's face came to his mind

"Why do they do that?" Naruto asked causing his mother to laugh and hold his arm tighter. His mind went blank as he burned the sound to his memory. He wished he had the chance to know them, see them together.

"That's love for you. It'll change your entire perspective. Your entire world and if its right for you, its always for the better" she nudged him. She told him more about her, their clan, and how Mikoto Uchiha was actually his Father's team mate but they became best friends instead. He didn't miss the way her eyes dulled at the mention of the woman. How she was unfortunately not allowed to have a genin team like the rest because her training was to prepare for Kurama. Which of course had to be private and secret. Her temper which apparently was legendary. Of Kakashi and his team, how she practically mothered them given Kakashi and Obito didn't have that.

"I actually always imagined you to have Obito's energy" she chuckled softly "Enough about me" she sighed "I can sense your worry, and I want you to know I'm not disappointed. In your choices, in the path you have chosen. I'm proud" she told him "Youwere a child who went through so much yet held so much compassion. You saw a monster in a cage and your first instinct was to set him free. You my sweet boy... are amazing"

"I gave up. I was so tired and I just wanted to be with you and Dad" he breathed his voice barely above a whisper

"We're always with you" she said softly and then pain shot through his head as he registered she had hit him upside the head "so don't you dare even think about joining us too soon. You're to live a full and happy life, ya know! Do you hear me Naruto Uzumaki?" She demanded and he rubbed his head throwing it back and laughing hard. He had to clutch his stomach and nodded.

"I hear you Mum" he answered after calming down and her arms wrapped around him

"Good. I see you're life is getting better and brighter and I want that for you. You're about to have the best part" she said softly rubbing his back "you deserve that" she said her tone a little sharper as he saw the hint of anger on her face. Given the temper she told him about he figured it was probably a good thing she couldn't give out her own brand of punishment to the village. Her face fell as tears came to her eyes and his body felt heavy. Its too soon.

"Not yet" he whined holding her tighter

"I can't stay any longer if I'm to hold Kurama" she sighed

"Then let him go! You don't need to do that. He isn't... he won't hurt me"

She frowned and Naruto couldn't blame her

"He was trying to kill you!" She said and he shook his head

"No" he didn't believe that "no he was trying to get you to show yourself" he was sure of it. She pressed her lips together and stilled. He waited and wished he knew if nagging worked or not. He didn't know her well enough. After a moment she looked surprised and then smiled.

"Well... I'll be damned" she grinned and looked at him with such pride "you are something aren't you"

"I didn't do anything" he shrugged she got on her knees and made herself eye level with him

"That's the amazing thing about you. Being you is enough" she smiled and kissed his head "I don't have much time but I want to ask who that Nara boy is. I can't seem to get his name"

Naruto smiled

"Shikamaru. Shikaku's son"

Her eyes brightened as her grin widened

"Brilliant" she laughed and he was surprised "I love him for you" she squealed "Yoshino must be thrilled" she giggled and Naruto was honestly surprised by the response. She was so excited about the idea and it made him happy that his parents seemed to approve.

"I'm not sure they know yet" Naruto shrugged now nervous. He hadn't thought about anyone's reactions to the possible relationship, they may accept him but letting him date their son was a whole different issue.

"Oh just you wait. She's never going to let you go" Kushina laughed her hands took his and squeezed them tight "I love you Naruto, in my dresser, the bottom drawer. There's a letter for you, and some heirlooms in a scroll. Make sure you get them" she sighed and he frowned why would she write a letter to him? That made no sense. She kissed his head and he saw her fading

"I love you to Mum" he whispered "thank you for everything"

"Go give him hell" she said as Kurama came into view and she grinned down at the fox "both of you"

Kurama snorted but seemed to mirror her violent grin. They nodded to each other before she looked back to Naruto.

"Don't ever give up!" She encouraged and he nodded

"Never again" he promised and then she was gone. He took deep breaths pushing the heel of his hands into his eyes before glaring up at Kurama "You're an Asshole" he snapped and Kurama lay down to put his head on his paws

"I know"

"Why did you never tell me?"

"I forgot about it until I saw Minato. I was more concerned with killing you when they spoke about it on my claw" he shrugged and some how that made sense to Naruto. He accepted that and was just greatful Kurama pushed for his Mother. If he didn't resist would I have ever seen her?

"Thank you" he choked out

"You've earned it" he shrugged and then sat up. "Are you ready?"

"You know I am" Naruto smirked, emotions can be dealt with later. Who knows when Madara would start this war. With who, he wasn't sure. It seemed as if it was only him and Zetsu left, especially if Bee had killed Kisame. Two men against the five nations seemed off, he heard Madara was strong but even then it seemed futile to go against so many. Naruto lifted up his fist and Kurama smirked and put his up to connect with Naruto's. Naruto gasped at the contact. The moment it happened he felt a wave of heat, his arm illuminated golden orange. Looking down at himself he saw he was glowing! His clothes changed as a long cloak was over the black top and golden orange pants. He felt the power of Kurama and suddenly understood how people feared him so much. This is half?! He felt like he was buzzing and wondered if his body could even take the energy.

"Damn Kurama" he laughed nervously and the fox sat up straight chest out, proud. As he should be this was something else!

"I can give you my chakra whenever and it'll be an easy exchange because we're willing"

"Exchange?" Naruto asked confused

"Well, I will be lending you my Chakra which is stronger and more in quantity, even for you. If I get too low I'll need to take from you. Luckily you have an exceptional amount too, so I think we'll be fine"

That made sense and Naruto nodded

"So... now we practice" he nodded focusing.

"The more we do the longer we can hold this form. Right now you could probably only hold it for five minutes" Kurama nodded and Naruto groaned. Why is it always five minutes?

He opened his eyes to see Yamato behind Bee who had three tentacles out in front of them.

"Hey guys" Naruto called "you okay?"

"Naruto?" Yamato asked poking his head out

"Yeah, sorry had something to do" he smiled awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head

"Told ya fool! He's got it" Bee said turning to Yamato "ya fool!"

Yamato nodded giving Bee a concerned side eye.

"So, you did it?" He asked Naruto ignoring the cloud Ninja

"Yeah. Easy. Now it's the hard part"

Yamato frowned and looked confused

"Got to master it, make it last longer, do some of Kurama's moves. This place is sturdy right?" He asked Bee.

"It contained me a few times" Gyuki's spoke through Bee and Naruto suddenly realised that Kurama would likely be able to do that too

"It'll be fun" Kurama drawled out sarcastically

It'll freak people out is what it'll do. Your voice does sound pretty demonic Kurama

He bellowed put a laugh and Naruto wondered if he just made a mistake. He'd have to warn Shikamaru, Kakashi and Itachi.

-

It took a while but Naruto finally managed to make a beast bomb, and they had played around with the Sage mode and Kurama's mode to find it was much more powerful. Even Kurama was impressed by the way they worked together. They'd been in the room for five days before Naruto just couldn't take it anymore.

"I think we have done all we can, I want to head back to get ready with the others" he said standing up. Dropping Kurama's mode which could now be held for over two hours at a push, and his Sage Mode for now fifteen minutes at a push, it seemed as though no matter how much he trained with it to build up his endurance he could not take in any more nature energy to go for longer, at least at this point. He figured he could come back to it another time. He didn't like this room, it not only contained all the power from destroying the island, it even blocked any of his sensory abilities from feeling out there, even with Sage mode. It's a perfect prison really.

"Sounds good, but we can't" Yamato whispered to Naruto who frowned and looked at him with clear questions "The Raikage doesn't want Bee on the front lines. Or you. We're supposed to keep you both here"

Naruto scoffed starting to stand Yamato put his hand on his shoulder holding him in place "we know you have no obligation to follow that order, but we do" he looked to Bee "It's the Raikage's little brother"

Naruto sighed and looked at Bee. He didn't have a brother, at least not yet but if Sasuke meant what he said one day he would. But he had people he loved and he wouldn't hide here while they risk their lives to keep him safe. Sure it was to protect the world but it was also for them. Bee wasn't a talker for real things from what Naruto had observed on their week together. But he was sure Bee would want to be on the frontlines too. The argument that Bee is the Raikage's little brother works for Bee too, he has just as much a right to fight for his brother too.

"Hey Bee?" Naruto called and the older Jinchurichi turned to face him

"What do you want to be doing in this war?"

"Fool, I'll be with you" he shrugged

"Gyuki?" Naruto asked

"I have no intention of letting Madara use my siblings this way" he answered and Naruto looked at Yamato raising his brow and shrugging

"There you have it" he stood up

"Naruto?" Yamato's voice was almost pleading

"Bee where is the exit button again?" He asked the place looked the same all round he didn't understand how Bee knew which side had the door. Bee came over to press the door and Naruto frowned and looked at Bee. There was a flash of foreign chakra. He walked over to put his hand on Samehada.

"What is it?" Yamato asked

"Got a feeling" Naruto answered focusing on it again but nothing came. "Maybe it was just some Chakra she ate" Naruto figured and shook his head his frown not quite leaving him. Bee reached over and brought the sword to his front and stroked over the bandages comforting the creature. After he was sure she was okay he pushed the button and Naruto immediately tensed. Konan? He ran out the door following the barely noticeable chakra, he didn't acknowledge Gai and Aoba sat on the floor against the wall across the way, he spun round on his heel to look at the wall beside the door. It was stuck there, as if by itself but it was definetely one of Konans. The chakra was familiar. He took it off the wall to flip it over and immediately his heart dropped. That's it. Nobody was left with the teachings of Jiyraiya.

Madara came and I failed.

Nagato and Yahiko were likely discovered I hope the seals work. It's up to you now.

I believe in you Naruto Uzumaki.

He wasn't close to her by any means, but she meant something to Jiyraiya and now Naruto was angry. What was Madara's problem? The paper turned red in his hands and it caused him to frown. Was that a protection to hide the message? Either way he felt like he should keep it, swallowing down the lump he put it in his pack. This was not the way it was supposed to go, and while he had confidence in his seals the idea Madara could get to the corpse unnerved him.

"Madara made his first move" he announced and turned to face Gai and Aoba who were standing up from where they were sat.

"What do you mean?" Yamato asked

"The woman who took Pain and fake Pain's bodies is dead"

"The rennigan?" Gai asked to which Naruto shook his head

"I'm confident he isn't getting them. But we can never check he likely took them with him after failing to take them, and I don't know where she'd have taken them to check" Naruto scratched his head and sighed walking ahead as soon as he left the waterfall his body seized up and he fell to his knees. The war. The absolute chaos of the war hit him. It had started. And nobody had told him. Naruto felt an overwhelming amount of the same chakra. Not particularly powerful but it was multiplied everywhere he sensed the shinobi. Even Gaara was on the battlefield. Clenching his jaw he pushed himself up on shakey legs, Gai came to help him stand only to be leveled with a murderous glare.

"What is it?" He asked

"Did you know? The war is happening?" He asked and Gai looked up to the sky quickly as his jaw tensed.

"No. I did not" he said calmly. Naruto nodded and his anger eased up immediately "Kakashi?"

"He's there" Naruto nodded "Already in a fight. I'd be less worried if you were with him" he said and Gai nodded. Green Beast of the leaf, Kakashi's best friend. The only one Kakashi would pass on the fight with Itachi to. Yeah, how could Naruto not trust him with his Old Man.

"I'm here for you" Gai replied but even Naruto could see that was not what he wanted.

"Hey, he's not Hokage. You won't be disobeying orders if you go. I'm good, and I trust you more than those with him now"

"They wouldn't betray him" Gai said with such confidence that Naruto was almost impressed. He'd never have such trust in people because they wore the same headband as him. He didn't trust the Sand ANBU because they shared the same tattoo.

"Gai" Naruto sighed his legs feeling a little sturdier as he deactivated Sage mode. It was too much. The green clad man looked down to him "I got Bee and Gyuki. Get out of here" he practically ordered "besides pretty sure I could take you now too" he smirked, Gai hesitated for a moment nodded to Naruto and took off as Bee, Yamato and Aoba made it to Naruto.

"What's happening?" Yamato asked watching Gai dissapear

"The war has started" Naruto answered and looked to Bee "ready?"

"Let's go, Fool!" Bee held out his fist and Naruto tapped his fist to Bee's and was surprised to feel a bit of Gyuki's Chakra enter him.

"This way we can talk better if we become separated" Gyuki's voice came in his head and Naruto's brows rose up in surprise for a moment and Kurama groaned. Naruto couldn't help the smirk because he was now officially convinced that Kurama was a softy and just had trouble expressing it. He was probably secretly happy to hear his brother. He was given a growl

"Okay then" he chuckled and they took off after Gai ignoring the protests of the two ANBU behind them.