Some new people show up. Naruto kicks Sasuke's ass. Kurama finally heads for Konaha. Sasuke faces some bitter realizations.
Notes:First thing's first, sorry this is a few hours late. My internet decided to be an asshole.
Guys...we're on chapter eight. Can you believe that? I have literally been posting a chapter a day. That means this is day EIGHT people. I'm honestly so fucking proud of myself. T-T I feel so accomplished. It really eases all the tension from the novel I have been working on for actual publication. I've been stuck on that fucking thing for MONTHS, and it's only 6 pages in. Yet I can puke out 8-15 page chapters for this fanfic EVERY SINGLE DAY. x-x I think I've been putting WAY too much pressure on myself for my original work. Trying to make it perfect and follow a set plan. While with Naruto, I'm literally letting the story write itself. I usually have no idea what's going to happen until I'm writing it. LOL
Anyways! This chapter has some big reveals. There's also a nice fat chunk of mindspace talking, so...I hope it's not too disorienting or hard to read. You'll know what I mean when you see it. o.o
Erm, lots of drama. A LITTLE bit of action. More plot development I think. Probably gonna start speeding things up a bit? Kinda worried you guys might be getting bored with the pace? I'm a slow burn writer, I love slow burns. Give me tension in all forms! x-x If you guys like the pace, let me know. If you a little speeding up sounds nice, again lemme know.
Mkay! Enough of my ridiculous ramb-... OH! I forgot I was gonna talk about some serious shit. Uhm... So I thought I would explain the rookie 9 sexuality that's happening. At first, because I'm a grown ass adult, I thought it was too soon and kinda extremely wrong for any of them to be even REMOTELY sexual. But I sat back and thought about my middle school years. And I realized something, from 11 to about 15 was just...insanity. TRIGGER WARNING: sexual assault, sexual harassment, etc.
I can remember this one time, I and a huge group of classmates were hanging out at this one guys' place, we're all in middle school, I think it was the summer between 7th and 8th. So we're all 12/13 years old. And I was sitting next to this really cute guy who I was praying to any deity that would listen that he at least bi-curious. But that's beside the point. My best friend, who was female, was sitting next to one of the relatively popular guys, but he was like...one of those bad boys without being a total bad boy. I digress, so we're all sitting there, more people further in the house and this creep of a psycho WHIPS HIS FUCKING HARD DICK OUT and wraps HER hand around it without even ASKING. OUT OF NOWHERE. Like NO ONE saw it coming. And literally, NO ONE reacted. I sat there in stunned silence. No one was drunk or high btw, there wasn't even any alcohol or drugs on anyone's person or in the house. I don't really remember what happened after that? I remember staring at her like, "Fucking..take your hand off his dick! Wtf are you doing!? WHY ARE WE JUST SITTING HERE!?" But again, don't remember what happened.
Now for a more person trauma... My next door neighbor, also male, was obsessed with me. He was nice...ish. But he was constantly begging me to date him or marry him. This started when I was still 11 and had just moved into the neighborhood. While I was still 11 he showed me his dick, multiple times, begging me to touch it or lick it. He continued to do this throughout our middle school days. He even cornered me multiple times, forcing my hand in his pants, or forcefully kissing me. I remember not knowing what to do, cause he was so nice and protective of me when he wasn't being a rapey perv. Speaking of a rapey perv... He and I continued going to school together in high school. I had my first boyfriend my freshmen year. My first boyfriend raped me that year and hit me several times. We were both 13, turned 14 together. My neighbor found out about how my boyfriend treated me and...pulled a pellet gun on him. I got him to put it away, but the next day at school, when he had heard my boyfriend had hit me again, he beat the ever living fuck out of him. They both got suspended. So...Even though my neighbor was kind of sexually confused creep, he also defended me and never really did anything beyond forced kisses and groping.
ANYWAY! My whole point is if you don't remember your middle school years, or somehow your group of friends weren't hormonal... These are a few of stories of what I lived with. So..yeah. A little blow job really isn't that big of a deal. It is because it was Madara, a grown-ass adult, taking advantage of an 11, soon to be, 12-year-old boy while using another 12-year-old boy's body to do it.
Mkay... enough story time.
ON WITH THE SHOW! (No trigger warnings for the actual chapter btw. I don't think anyway.)
Chapter TextKabuto was flat-out running through the halls of Orochimaru's main hideout in Otogakure. Breaths coming quick and his feet hit the stone, the sound echoing off the walls. Sliding around a corner he bolted down the new hallway, sliding to a stop in front of Orochimaru's room. He took a moment, leaning against the wall by the door to catch his breath.
He heard the flutter of what sounded like insect wings and looked around wildly. Spotting the beetle on the ground he eyed it. "You poor unfortunate soul... you had to come in here..." He sighed, promptly squishing it with his sandal and scraping it against the stone so Orochimaru wouldn't notice it. Sure, it was hilarious when Orochimaru saw a bug and ran away flailing like some kid who got stung by a bee or wasp. But the punishment for laughing wasn't really worth seeing it. Okay, okay, sometimes it was immensely worth it.
All signs of a bug were gone, so Kabuto approached the door, knocking quietly. He waited to hear permission to enter and slipped inside. Closing the door behind him he moved over to where Orochimaru was sitting at a desk and waited to be acknowledged before speaking.
Orochimaru was reading over a scroll, his brow knit in concentration before he scowled, shoving it away. "Naruto would understand this better than I. He had a way with overly complicated seals." He sighed, rubbing his temples with the first two fingers of both hands. "Is he finally out of the hospital?
Kabuto nodded, sitting in the chair in front of the desk. "He was released a few days ago. Kakashi has gone on a brief mission. Sasuke somehow convinced him to stay at the compound with him until Kakashi gets back." His right eye twitched. "Can I kill him yet?"
Orochimaru laughed breathily. "No Kabuto, you know how attached Naruto is. No matter the level of betrayal that pathetic excuse of a human will sink to." He wrinkled his nose in distaste. "I truly, for the life of me, cannot understand what I saw in that sniveling little parasite." He leaned back in his chair. "I had been desperate for the Sharingan though." He glanced to a painting hanging on his wall of the Snake Sage. "I had been such a fool."
Frowning, Kabuto looked down at the scroll Orochimaru had pushed away from himself. Listening to Orochimaru scold himself for getting involved with the young Uchiha in the first place. "We need to make contact soon, so Naruto knows we ended up back in time as well." He swore under his breath. "Maybe Obito can get into Sasuke's place and grab Naruto, bring him here?"
With a curious tilt of his head, Orochimaru grinned. "That is a brilliant idea, Kabuto. Would you please go ask Obito to come talk with us? I'll meet you both in the training room." He stood smoothly from the desk, walking around it. "We have to find out everything that happened. We only know what Obito knows, and he had not been privy to much unless locked up with Naruto."
Kabuto stood up, following Orochimaru out of the bedroom. "I bet he is in the training room right now. You know how he's been since we got back..." His words trailed off as they walked.
"Ah..you might be right." Orochimaru sighed softly. "If he trains anymore he is going to hurt himself. He already suffered chakra exhaustion once."
They made their way to the training room, hearing a vibrating boom from within. They cast sidelong glances at each other, Kabuto rolled his eyes and Orochimaru sighed. Pushing the doors open Kabuto had to leap out of the way of a fireball jutsu, Orochimaru deflected it with a flick of his wrist.
"Obito-kun, we have something we need to discuss with you." Orochimaru stepped into the training room. Headed towards the kneeling figure in the center.
Obito lifted his head, two onyx eyes staring at Kabuto dusting himself off and then at Orochimaru. "Of course Orochimaru-sama." He stood up, muscles twitching under his skin from the overexertion.
A slight smile quirked at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth. "Naruto is out of the hospital."
Obito's eyes widened a little, his voice quiet. "How is he doing...?" He looked at the floor, shame coursing through him heavily.
Kabuto frowned from the sidelines, letting the two speak while he took inventory of the damage to the training room.
"He is still on heavy medications. But, Kakashi has been helping him. According to Kabuto, Naruto is staying with him for the time being." He paused, which caused Obito's head to snap up in question. He sighed minutely, "Kakashi has gone on a three-day mission, leaving Naruto alone. He was persuaded to stay at the Uchiha compound by Sasuke."
Obito sneered, about to spit the vile taste in his mouth be refrained from such a crude action. "He shouldn't be there. It doesn't matter what age that psycho is, he'll hurt Naruto. He always does."
"Agreed." Orochimaru nodded. "That is why Kabuto suggested a rather convenient and brilliant idea." He regarded Obito with a knowing gaze. "I know you have been training a lot, perfecting your Kamui more than ever. Would you be willing, and able, to use your Kamui to get into the compound, find Naruto, and bring him here via the same method?"
That gave Obito pause. He stared at Orochimaru in disbelief. "What...what makes you think he would even let me near him? Let alone...touch him...or take him anywhere." He grimaced, looking down. "Naruto will never trust me."
Orochimaru placed his hand on Obito's shoulder. "Naruto knows you were forced just as much as he was. You told me he watched Madara put the enslavement seal on you. Madara forced the boy to design the loathsome thing, to begin with." He shook his head. "You are connected in a way that others could not understand. You have suffered a trauma together. That kind of thing forms a certain kind of bond that cannot be broken."
Obito took a shaky breath, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I..." He choked on his words, hand fisting at his sides. He lowered his head and nodded. "I can do it."
There was a moment of hesitation before Orochimaru drew Obito close, hugging him. "It will be okay, Obito-kun. He will never hurt you again."
Trembling arms encircled the slightly shorter males shoulders, his eyes closing as he curled around the other, tucking his face into silky soft black locks. Orochimaru was a very physical person, but after everything had happened in the original timeline, the war, and Naruto, he had softened. He understood the need for contact and comfort of another human once more.
He rubbed Obito's back comfortingly, letting the tortured man take as much comfort as he needed. Slowly Obito lifted his head, backing away with a slight sniffle, clearing his throat.
Orochimaru did not acknowledge or point out that Obito had shed some tears or had been emotional. He hated showing his emotions as well, so he would not make it worse. He offered a slight smile. "Take a shower, get some food in your stomach, maybe rest a bit. And let me know when you leave to get him. We want to be prepared for it and be ready for his arrival."
"Uhn, of course..." Obito nodded, glancing at Kabuto still looking at the pillars and walls though he had already cataloged the damage. He smiled to himself some, Kabuto could be rather considerate when he wanted to be. He shook off the emotions and left the training room to do as Orochimaru suggested.
"I hope this works..." Kabuto said as he rejoined Orochimaru in the middle of the room. "Otherwise we are so fucked. Again. "
Orochimaru snorted a laugh, covering his mouth slightly. Kabuto grinned in mild victory, it was rare to get the Sannin to laugh in an uncontrolled manner.
"What the fuck Sasuke!?" Naruto shoved the black-haired boy so hard to flew off the bed and landed by his bedroom door. Naruto was in full panic mode, violent purple chakra slowly coating his skin. "Why hell were you holding me!?" He snarled. "Why are we in the same bed!? WHAT IS GOING ON!?" He stood on the bed, the corrosive chakra licking at the air around him, a quiet sizzle of power in the air.
Sasuke had jerked awake the moment his body left the bed and he landed on the floor. He had quickly scrambled up to a standing position, staring wide-eyed at Naruto. "Na-naruto..." He watched Naruto's nails grow into claws on both his hands and feet, those sparkling blue eyes bled into dark purple and the pupils slitting, his canines lengthening and poking out from under his top lip.
With a ferocious snarl, Naruto lept from the bed, stalking toward Sasuke. "Why. Were. You. Holding. Me?" He bit each word out, his voice a deep growl.
Sasuke backed up against the door. "I... you.. you passed out! I carried you to bed.."
"Tell him he wouldn't let you go and begged you to stay."
"I tried to leave you on the bed, but you wouldn't let me go.." He flinched when Naruto growled at him threateningly. "You begged me to stay...to..to hold you.."
"Excellent."
Naruto's eyes narrowed dangerously as he moved within a foot of Sasuke, the power radiating from him was suffocating and thick. It made Sasuke feel like he was stuck in acidic molasses. Naruto stood there, teeth bared, claws raised slightly at his sides. He took one more step, closing the gap between them, forcing Sasuke to his knees with just the pressure of his chakra.
Sasuke slowly slid to the floor, bracing himself as best he could so he wouldn't buckle, yet still ending up on his knees. His head even forced to lower in total submission. Madara roared in the back of Sasuke's head, unable to push through for some reason.
"Don't EVER do it again, Sasuke. Do you hear me?" Naruto growled low. "If I wake up in nothing but a pair of.." Dark purple eyes lowered to the pair of black sleep shorts that were most definitely not his. The killing intent tripled in the room. " YOU FUCKING UNDRESSED ME !?" His poisonous eyes darted around the room before landing on the pile of his clothing by the bed. He snarled, " HOW DARE YOU! " Naruto whirled around, grabbing Sasuke up from shoulder and throwing him across the room into his wall, cracking it.
Sasuke slammed into the wall with a gasp, the wind knocking from him as he dropped to the floor, trying to heave just one breath into his lungs. His nails curling against the wood floor. He pressed his forehead to it, trying to remain still. "This is all your fucking fault you psychotic asshole! I'm never listening to you again!"
Madara snarled at Sasuke before a wall suddenly forced Madara back, cutting him off from the front of Sasuke mind. He bellowed, slamming his fists against the wall. " SASUKE! "
The young Uchiha stayed on the ground, finally able to suck in short breaths. His eyes opened when he realized it was silent in his room and the murderous chakra and pressure was gone. "Oh no..." He breathed out, seeing Naruto's clothing gone. "How am I going to fix this..."
Naruto was storming down Sasuke's street in the compound, his rage still had him looking like Kurama's human form. Slitted purple eyes, clawed hands, and feet, sharp fangs. He had his boots in one hand, trying not to pierce or ruin them with his claws. He had pulled his clothing on as he left the house, leaving Sasuke's shorts on the porch. He should have taken his medicine the moment he got outside the house, but he hadn't yet and he fucking didn't want to.
Turning onto the main street to leave the damned compound he growled again, another wave of anger and fear rolling through him. The air warped around him and he jumped back, crouching down in a defensive position. His eyes widened in shock when Obito swirled into existence in front of him.
"O-...Obito?" He breathed out, the fury fading instantly upon seeing his occasional cellmate and only friend for the pad several months before the time travel.
Obito turned to look Naruto, relief, and happiness flashing on his face. "Naruto..." He breathed the others name.
Naruto was hesitant, eyeing the older male. "...my Obito..?" He questioned warily.
A smile broke on the half-scared face. "It's me."
Air rushed out of Naruto's lungs and he darted forward, tackling Obito with a hug. "IT'S YOU! YOU'RE HERE!" He sobbed, burying his face in Obito's chest, his body shaking.
Obito caught the now much smaller blond, slamming to the ground on his ass. He laughed softly, clinging back to Naruto in equal desperation, burying his face in tousled blond hair.
Several minutes past with them just clinging to each other, both sobbing and whispering to each other over finally seeing one another again. They were like brothers, Obito being the big brother, and Naruto had been sure he wouldn't have survived Madara had it not been for Obito. Even with Obito there sometimes, Naruto had still tried to kill himself multiple times. The same applied to Obito. Even though he had Naruto and they got to be around each other when Madara wanted them to be, he had attempted to take his own life many times. Slowly they pulled away from each other, wiping each others faces of their tears, laughing weakly as they did it.
"I've been living with Orochimaru and Kabuto. They came back too..." He murmured, still embracing Naruto. "They had been at the mountain base to rescue us... And got caught in the jutsu you and Kurama used." He smiled weakly. Obito had known about Naruto and Kurama's plan and had accepted the fact that he would likely have been left behind. He had decided he would throw himself from one of the cliffs when it happened.
Naruto stared in disbelief. "All..three...of you came back?" He blanched, sitting back on his ass on the ground. "If you three...who weren't even in the same room as me came back.." Horror washed over him and he went stock still.
Obito frowned, touching Naruto's shoulder to get his attention. "What is it?"
A fear filled cry yanked itself from Naruto and he started hyperventilating. "Ma-ma-madara was with me... He.. he was..." He swallowed around the disgusting word caught in his throat. "Inside me...when the jutsu...activated..."
Obito's eyes widened, his arms going limp at his sides. "...you don't think he..."
Naruto slowly nodded. "It's likely he did... we were...touching..."
"Can we hope the jutsu killed him?" Obito whispered hopefully.
"Why would it kill him and not you three?" Naruto frowned. "Madara is likely back in this time...with us...somewhere."
Obito's jaw twitched when the muscles clenched. "He wasn't at any of our hideouts."
Naruto winced. "What about...Zetsu?"
"He's with Nagato and the rest of Akatsuki. They think I'm doing a side-project with Orochimaru that will help the Akatsuki's plans."
"Zetsu's still alive then.." He frowned, closing his eyes. "I mean.. I knew he would be..." He let out a rushed sigh. "I'm just glad I don't have to find you, and either kill you or convert you...again." He smiled weakly.
Obito laughed softly. "Me too, Naruto, me too." He hesitated. "I can't take Zetsu out myself... I've spoken to Nagato privately and let him in on some things. Kabuto sneaks into Pein's Tower to give Nagato treatments. He's looking healthier every time I see him." He smiled gently.
Naruto twitched. "Wait...what about Yagura and Isobu? Are you still...?"
"A-ah...ye-yeah." Obito scratched the back of his neck. "But I'm not...using him as I had originally. I'm making Kiri a more normal shinobi village slowly, and also easing up on my control over Yagura."
"Oh, that's good.." He breathed out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad Nagato isn't as bad as he was the first time around... I had always wanted him to survive. He's an Uzumaki after all. We're a dying breed. Much like...the Uchiha."
Obito nodded. "How come you're here in the compound? Kabuto said you were living with Kakashi since leaving the hospital."
Naruto's gaze snapped up. "HAH!? Kabuto's been spying on me!?" He paused. "Oh wait... so that's whose chakra signature I kept picking up on around me." He smirked. "Sneaky little creep."
Obito laughed, mirthfully shaking his head. "How is Kurama by the way? Kabuto said your chakra was purple now, and you've been heavily drugged."
"Kura-.." His spine straightened. "Kurama!" He pushed at their mindscape and came up empty. He sat there in shocked silence, whispering. "I can't...reach him... I barely even feel him..." He frowned, knitting his brow. "I've felt our chakra touching now and then, or...well... more like we were poking at each other. I barely remember it though." He closed his eyes. "Those drugs are intense Obi-kun."
With a snort, Obito ruffled Naruto's hair. "We'll figure it out later. Orochimaru asked me to bring you back to his hideout to talk. Afterward, I'' bring you back. Or take you wherever you want to go."
"O-oh...okay. Warp me senpai!" He clung to Obito, batting his eyelashes at the other.
Obito snorted, shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around Naruto. "Little weirdo." He grinned affectionately at the blond, using Kamui to teleport them to Orochimaru's hideout.
They landed on their rumps in Orochimaru's garden. The Snake Sannin had blown a hole through the ceiling of one area, turning it into a cave flooded with sun and making it into a zen garden. Complete with koi pond! Koi sold separately. The variety of bonsai, flowering plum, and bamboo trees so tall they grew above the lip of the mouth of the cave. There was a small river that came from an underground source that led to the waterfall, and into the koi pond. Next to the pond were a variety of large and medium-sized stones for meditation. Azalea's wrapped around a pagoda style gazebo far off to the side, and a small tea house was at the very back hidden amongst small jutsu made grassy hills.
Orochimaru looked up from his meditative position on a large stone by a waterfall that fed into the pond. He lifted a brow, watching the two laughing boys that landed on their asses. He smirked amusedly.
Naruto and Obito untangled themselves and Naruto jumped up, looking around with an admiring whistle. "Who knew Orochi-kun had style and could even grow anything?"
"I take offense to that, gaki." Orochimaru grinned, getting up from the stone and moving over to the other two.
Naruto gasped, twirling around to see Orochimaru. "AH! OROCHI-KUN!" And promptly glomped the Sannin, throwing the older man to the ground.
Orochimaru landed on his back with a grunt, laughing at the overly affectionate greeting. "Hey, blondie." He smiled up at the overjoyed face staring down at him.
Naruto beamed, straddling Orochimaru's hips. "My family is here!" He cried out happily, hugging the Sannin tightly. "Fuck I missed you guys.." He whimpered, tightening his hug.
Obito shook his head. "He cried on me too." He snickered when Naruto stuck his tongue at him.
Naruto gave an indignant sniff. "He cried too." He clung to Orochimaru like a Koala as the Sannin stood up.
Orochimaru laughed, looking at Naruto and dropping his arms from the boy to see if he'd still cling there. Sure enough, the boy was still firmly attached to him. He shook his head. "I am sure he did." He looked at Obito smugly.
Obito gasped in offense. "I DO NOT CRY! I had...dirt...in...my eyes..."
"Suuuuuuure ya did!" Naruto teased, resting his chin on Orochimaru's shoulder, not planning on letting go anytime soon.
"I DID! I don't have goggles anymore and Kamui kicked up dirt when I landed. Then you tackled me, which made more dirt kick up..." Obito insisted petulantly.
Naruto rolled his eyes, laughing. "Do you plan to koala on me for the foreseeable future, Naruto?" Orochimaru lifted a graceful brow at the blond.
"MHM!" He tightened his arms and legs for emphasis.
Orochimaru shook his head with a sigh, wrapping an arm around Naruto's waist. "At least you are lighter at this age." He teased.
"OI! OROCHI-KUN!" He whined, pouting at Orochimaru. "So mean."
"It is what I do." Orochimaru shrugged nonchalantly.
"Pfft..." Naruto rolled his eyes before looking over at Obito. "Hey Obi-kun, Orochi-kun... do you think... I could stay here until Kakashi gets back from his mission?" He chewed on his lip, eyeing Obito. "Could you use Kamui to take me to and from school too?"
"Whaa?! I'm not a transport service!" Obito actually stomped a foot, pointing at Naruto. "You lazy twerp!"
Orochimaru watched this interaction, snickering quietly. "I honestly believe you two lost a little of your sanity in our timeline."
They both stared at Orochimaru like he was captain obvious. He snorted. "At least you're both aware of it."
Kabuto walked into the small clearing from the back of the garden, where the tea house was. "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black, Orochimaru-sama?"
Orochimaru gave Kabuto a bored look. "You have no room saying that to me, Kabuto."
"No idea what you're referring to." Kabuto waved a hand dismissively. "Hello, Naruto-kun." He smiled at the blond currently hanging on Orochimaru's hip like a baby koala. "I wish I had a cam-.." He blinked when a camera warped into his hand. He grinned, lifting it up and taking a quick snapshot.
"Ah! Kabuto!" Orochimaru hissed. Naruto tossed his head back with a laugh.
Obito smirked. "Mmm justice is so delicious."
"It is not my fault I found you two cuddling on the hill like two little teddy bears." Orochimaru huffed.
"But did you have to take a picture of it?" Kabuto grunted.
"For posterity's sake, of course, I did." The Sannin arched a brow as though this should be obvious.
"Please tell me you still have it..." Naruto grinned eagerly.
"Naturally." Orochimaru sniffed, lifting his chin slightly.
"Yes!" He whispered it in happy victory.
Both Obito and Kabuto groaned, facepalming.
"You guys never answered my question!" Naruto huffed.
Everyone looked at him, Orochimaru answering. "Of course you can stay here, Naruto. And Obito would be happy to take you to school and pick you up. Wouldn't you Obito-kun?" Golden slitted eyes pinned Obito where he stood.
"Of course!" Obito grunted, looking away from the protective and murderous stare of Orochimaru. That guy was way too protective of Naruto. Though Obito couldn't really complain, he was just as bad.
"WOOHOO!" Naruto cheered, squeezing Orochimaru tightly and pecked his cheek lightly. "Thanks, everyone!"
The other three laughed at the blond's joy, his happiness contagious.
Kurama looked in the direction of Konoha. Why did Naruto just flash from Konoha to...Otogakure? His brow furrowed, that was worrisome. He hoisted his pack more onto his shoulder, giving in it and using the buckles to fasten it around his waist and up over his chest.
It was packed with all his scrolls from Uzushio, an extra pair of clothes, some food, and some water. He had a kunai pouch on his upper right thigh, and another pouched on his left hip towards the back, over his ass. Akihiko's old shinobi clothes fit him perfectly. Apparently, Akihiko had been attending a ninja Academy in Suna before the twins left the hidden village once Akihiko's condition worsened. Which explained why his punches actually hurt even if he didn't hit very hard.
Kurama had on the standard navy blue pants, though he wrapped them from just below the knee to his ankles and then a couple times over the arches of his still bare feet. His arms and hands were wrapped like Rock Lee's, from elbow to knuckles, though he also wrapped the bottoms of his fingers where they connected to his hands. His long-sleeved navy blue shirt was tucked into the wrappings. There were no identifying marks or patches on his clothing or pack, making him continue his appearance of no affiliation.
His hair the same as it had been when he left Uzushio. But instead of strips of rotted fabric tying the ends of his braids, the twins had provided him with strips of leather and ties. They also gave him a few kanzashi they had bought in secret, to help with his braids if he ever wanted to style his hair that way. And he did, he had taken half of the braids, piling them on his head, right at the crown, securing them with two small, soft midnight blue peonies, two chained tails dropped from the flowers, the chains decorated with droplets made of silver and when they met from movement they gave soft tinkling sounds.
Kurama was still several miles outside of Konoha but he was taking it easy and walking as his medic had directed. Even though he wanted to say fuck it and run like a madman. He had to continue being patient if he wanted to be useful and to get stronger. His body needed time that he wasn't giving it.
So, he walked, and he took breaks and would camp when he needed to. He didn't use chakra to push him further, he did his best to listen to his now very human body. Kurama had been so used to being sealed in someone else's body that he forgot what it was like to be free. Sure, Naruto had freed all the bijuu, but Kurama had chosen to stay within Naruto's unlocked seal. Part of him wondered if a lot of the reason he'd chosen to stay was that it had become a comfort zone for him. And he had become afraid of being alone, potentially at the mercy of some human who sought to control him. Naruto was a safe space, a sanctuary.
Even after Madara basically corrupting and destroying their self-made havens within each other, they still...trusted each other above everyone else.
Looking up at the sky he sighed, the sun was setting. Fucking dammit... He would have to make camp for the evening. It wasn't a total loss, he knew he would likely have to. At least he was stopping for a decent amount of time. He could try to contact his kit again. Especially since he was now in Orochimaru's hidden village, and that was worrisome. The Snake Sannin was about as twisted and crazy as Madara, just in a very different way. Well, he was at this point in time.
Back in their original timeline, Orochimaru had changed rather drastically. He was still the same Sannin he always was, stoic, even his honest smiles were kind of creepy. He was basically the same ol' Orochimaru with everyone except a select few. Number one on that list was Naruto, naturally. Two was Kurama, strangely enough. Three was Kabuto, which somewhat shocked Kurama. Though he supposed if someone absorbed his cells due to their obsession with him and desperation to not be alone and to have an identity, he'd probably be flattered. So he supposed he understood why Orochimaru kept the strange boy around. Four on that list became Obito before he had gotten captured by Madara, again. Though, according to Orochimaru, Kabuto and Obito would switch ranks every now and then depending on his mood.
Orochimaru didn't take on a lover or anything. But, the way he stuck around Naruto was...telling, if anything. He catered to the blond in a way that no one noticed except Kurama, and maybe Kabuto because he grew up with the man. Kurama supposed that Sasuke might have seen it, he had lived with the Snake Sannin for roughly 3-ish years. Sasuke had been possessive of Naruto, in a very user and taker sort of way, he didn't really give anything back.
Kurama finished setting up his small little camp, staring at his fire that he'd made all by himself. He was kind of proud of it. Yay for human Kurama! He leaned back against the base of a tree, sitting lotus style. Time to see if he could contact his kit. He could eat afterward.
Letting out a slow, heavy sigh he closed his eyes, resting his hands on his knees. Kurama took slow, measured breaths, relaxing his body and easing the tension from himself. Everything suddenly went dark and silent within minutes.
"Kit?" No response. He growled in frustration. "Kit!" It was like his voice hit the abyssal darkness and was swallowed by it. Working his jaw he put some stank on the next one by shooting an arrow of chakra straight for Naruto's chakra signature. "KIT!"
Naruto had been just about to fall asleep, curled up against Orochimaru's side when all of a sudden a wave of warm chakra enveloped him and he heard Kurama's voice finally.
"KURAMA!? Is that you!?"
"Holy fucking sage, Naruto!"
"What... why can't I see you?"
"I don't know, I don't fucking care right now. Fuck...I am so relieved to hear your voice..."
"M-me too Kurama... I... I thought you left me..or..di-..died.."
"Hagoromo himself couldn't keep me from you, kit. I've been trying to reach you for a week."
"...just a week?"
"What do you mean JUST a week? Fuck yes I mean a week! How long should I have been reaching out!?"
"I've...I've been here for over a month now..."
"What...?"
"You...you haven't been here as long as me, Kurama?"
"No..I landed in a river in Uzushio about a week ago."
"Uzu-...Uzushio..? WAIT! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN LANDED!? Aren't you...still...in..inside of ME!?"
"Ahhh...erm...well..no.. You see... I...have my own body..."
"You...WHAT!?"
"Haaah... yeah. I'm... I'm human now."
Kurama was greeted with a guffaw of pure hysterical humor.
"Stop laughing, kit... Seriously! It's not that funny! I'm pretty fucking HOT okay!? STOP LAUGHING!"
"Oh Sage.. I'm gonna pee!"
"... I hate you, you know that?"
All Kurama got was that sound a person makes when they're laughing so hard they start doing the seal clapping and that weird strained sound, kind of like a dying whale or barking seal, with labored gasps.
"Fucking...really Naruto?"
It took a good solid five minutes before Naruto was able to compose himself.
"Are you finished laughing at me?"
"For now." Naruto snickered. "I can't wait to see what you look like."
"I'm hot as fuck, okay?"
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Do you know even know what's considered hot to humans?"
"Fuck you, Naruto."
"Uhhh that'd feel like incest. So...nah?"
"Hate you. SO much."
"I love you too, Kura-chan."
"I told you never to call me that, gaki!"
"Maa, maa! Don't be so mean Kura-chan!"
"HEY! Don't start mimicking Kakashi! Slap the shit out of you."
"Ohhh did I touch a nerve? By the way, he's awesome. I'm living with him."
"You...WHAT? If you're living with Kakashi, why the fuck do I sense you in Otogakure?"
"OH! I'm spending the night with Orochi-kun. He came back as well. So did Kabuto and Obito. Orochi-kun and Kabuto were coming to save us and they got caught in the jutsu. Speaking of which...if they got caught in it...you know that means HE came back too... Obito hasn't seen him though, neither have the Akatsuki."
"..."
"Kurama?"
"The fuck was the point of coming back if the demented..." He growled low.
"I know...I know...but...maybe we can hunt him down and like...string his intestines like Christmas tree lights or something.."
"Holy fucking Sage Naruto.. that was DARK for you."
"Heh... I haven't been doing well Kurama... They've got me on heavy duty meds cause of it. Like.. seriously HEAVY duty."
"So that's why you're chakra has been nearly non-existent.. Are you on the medication now?"
"Uhhh no... I forgot to take it today actually..."
"Hm... is that because you are with the rest of the family?"
"I think so... But, I gotta go back to school tomorrow, so I'll probably take it. Cause that shit is stressing me out and Sasuke's...being weird."
Kurama snarled. "What did that worthless maggot do to you? I'll fucking gut him!"
"Nothing! He...he's been helping me, actually."
"...bullshit."
"He has! I just...seriously overreacted this morning. I hope I didn't hospitalize him."
Kurama's smirk could be heard in his voice. "That's my kit."
"I didn't mean to hurt him! Or...make him submit to me like some...disobedient kit.."
A roar of laughter echoed in the darkness.
"...Kurama this is serious..."
"Seriously fucking hilarious!"
Naruto sighed heavily. "When are you coming to Konoha?"
"Tch...you ruin all my fun. I'm a little under halfway there. I'm camping out, made a fire all by myself too!" He obvious preening coming through his voice.
Naruto giggled. "Good job! Well...if you're not in Konoha by tomorrow night and Kakashi isn't back... I'm gonna stay at Orochi-kun's again."
"Sounds like a plan, kit."
"...I miss you."
"I miss you too. Now get some rest. We'll see each other soon. If I don't make it to the village by nightfall, I'll come talk to you again."
"Promise?"
"Always."
Naruto smiled. "Good night Kurama."
"Good night kit."
The link broke and Kurama slowly opened his eyes with a sigh. Smoothing clawed fingers through the loose portion of his hair. His greatest fear exited in this time. He felt his throat tighten and a tightening twist of pain in his chest. Closing his eyes he begged himself to not cry. He didn't cry. He was the fucking Kyuubi no Youko! He DID NOT fucking cry!
Clenching his jaw, he took calming breaths through his nose. Once he had himself under control again he crawled over to his bedroll in front of the fire, sitting crossed legged while he rummaged in his pack for food.
Naruto nuzzled Orochimaru's shoulder, curling into the Sannin's side more as he edged into a comfortable, deep sleep. Orochimaru was probably the only other person aside from Kurama, maybe Kakashi, that Naruto would willingly sleep next to and feel utterly safe.
Sasuke sneezed, wiggling his nose a little. "Hn." He sighed, looking around his now very empty house. Naruto had brought light into it again. And he had to go and trust Madara and he FUCKED everything. The psychotic perverted weirdo! He had known better than to cuddle with Naruto all night. He had known better! After all the episodes Naruto had had just from people being too close to him, he knew better.
Frowning he kicked a dull kunai out of his way as he shuffled into his kitchen, staring at the spot on the counter where Naruto had sat. Naruto hadn't been in class today. And he hadn't notified Iruka-sensei that he wouldn't be in. Kiba and Shikamaru didn't know anything either.
Heaving a sigh he went into his backyard, plopping down on the porch, one foot dangling off while the other knee was pulled to his chest, arms resting around the limb lazily. He stared out at the garden, the moonlight washing it was a pale, silver light. He had been honest with Naruto last night, he didn't want to be alone anymore. But fucking MADARA ! He scowled, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh.
Even now he could feel Madara pushing against the mental block he'd thrown up the moment Naruto had lost his shit. He was grateful the bastard had used too much of his strength overpowering him since that first day Madara revealed himself. Sasuke still had no idea how Madara had become sealed or attached to him. Made him wonder if he was going insane. Maybe it was all in his head? He etiolated, maybe he had a split personality?
Another sigh left him and he closed his eyes, pressing his forehead to his knee, his hands overlapping around the back of his head. He felt so alone. He had no one to go to with this. No one to lean on. A tiny whimper slipped past his lips before he could catch it, he scowled.
Sasuke was going to make it up to Naruto if what was the last thing he did. He wasn't going to let that psycho destroy what little of a connection he had left with Naruto.
-
A/N: Welp! Lemme know what you all think and feel and such. Don't forget to smack the kudos if ya haven't already. Drop a comment! I love watching your little brains work. Blame the psychology major in me. Anywho! I'm fracking exhausted. It's 03:13AM, so nighty nighty peeps