Naruto: Kōkai

by Ken Miyamoto

After the failure of the Sasuke Retrieval Mission the Council of the Hidden Leaf decides to punish Naruto with banishment from the village forcing the hand of Tsunade. Now alone and no longer a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Naruto decides to take his newfound life into his own hands. Follow Naruto Uzumaki as he tries to find his place in the ninja world.

34. Chapter 34

Yo, It's Ken.

I apologize for the delay. This was supposed to be a part of the double upload, but I got so caught up in my muse for this chapter that it took a little longer than I expected since this is a chapter I've been looking forward to writing (I have a lot of those I know haha) Anyway let's get to reviews!

Dragonkeeper10: Hey there! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Welcome to the crew indeed, Tsubasa. I'm looking forward to exploring his character more as the series progresses but I'm glad you are a fan of his bloodline I had several inspirations and even a character specific reason for the flames being a part of his character but I won't divulge too much but I'm excited. The Hidden Leaf crew are fast approaching toward Naruto as he makes his way through the land and Fu being on his tail as well is only the start of the craziness regarding that certain rapping ninja, stay tuned. I'm glad you enjoy the chaos because I enjoy writing it haha, I miss Kuro a bit too. Thank you again for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Samuel Santillan: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, while I can't say much you have a good point about that. The Leaf crew are coming for him to bring him back but will he want to go back? Will they take no as his answer? Stay tuned because I'll be answering all those questions. Thank you again for reading, I hope to see you in the next one.

Autobot-Wolfsketch: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Tsubasa joins the crew, as for whether or not it's a permanent thing you'll have to continue reading to find out, no spoilers here haha. Now as for Naruto and his run in with the leaf, that will be quite the interaction that I'm looking forward to writing, will there be conflict or peace? Continue to look forward to what's happening next and I'll eb happy to deliver. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Krieger Techpriest: Krieger! Also, LOL Scorpion. You know in my entire drafting process for Tsubasa's character I never thought about that and now that you've pointed it out it's hilarious. I also wanted to say I appreciate the quick lyrics you made for your previous review it was nice. Also thank you for pointing that out I'll make that update, I did mean Raikage not Kazekage thanks for pointing that out! The leaf draws nearer to our blonde will there be reunion or confrontation? Stay tuned to find out on Naruto: Kokai! Thank you again for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Alexander4443: Thanks bro! I'll see you in the next one!

Atlin24: Things are picking up indeed! Also yeah kinda... I feel called out lol I'm kidding but yes those are the key ingredients to this arc and I plan on going full throttle with this one so I hope you can continue to enjoy the story. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

lukedaduke21: Hey there! Also you are correct, well Tsubasa's character has multiple inspirations, but Gabimaru was a big one when it came to his design as a character nice one spotting that. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one.

Javiur: Hey there Javiur! That's a good question and has to do with this arc as a whole so I'll be getting to that but keep it in mind as we continue forward. Yeah, they are beginning to approach closer and closer as the arc continues, I'm excited for seeing how that works out. The girl in the end though, you'll have to read to find out haha. Thank you again for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

NeffieD33: I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far. Naruto is an important story to me, so I wanted to explore it and treat it with respect while looking into new concepts for it was well as well as explore concepts that didn't get as much attention so I'm glad you are enjoying it so far! I'm honored that this is one of your favorites and I hope to keep it that way as we get into this arc. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Jagsboy: Jags! Hey there. Tsubasa was a character admitedly I was a little nervous about because he's an OC that'll have a bigger role but I think it'll be interesting too having him along as the story progresses. Also of course, I've been planning this for a long time but now is the time to do it and I'm excited to finally have that meeting between Jinchuriki especially Fu. Thank you again for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Kabundio: Hey there! I'm glad you enjoyed the new chapter! Tsubasa is an interesting character and I can't wait to develop him as the story progresses as well as Naruto and Tayuya's relationship I have a lot of fun writing these two together and I will not hesitate to do it more haha. The encounter will be it good or will it be bad that is the question, but the leaf peeps are here, and they are on the way so look forward to that. I'm big fan of Fu too and I'm looking forward to writing her believe that. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Zipzapdoowoop: Hey there! Also it seems like a certain Jinchuriki is on her way and I'm looking forward to it. As for the interaction with the leaf, I'm looking forward to their reunion as well and while I can't say much as you know the deal it's something to look forward too regardless. Also yes to an earlier point you made the villain you brought up was introduced in that chapter and I plan on going all out with his character so look forward to it as he's making his way as well. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Phew, that was a lot. If I didn't get to your review, it's alright because I still appreciate it very much and I did read them all, but I can only fit so many on the page lol. As always if you have any questions, thoughts, or criticisms feel free to leave a review, I read all of them and will do my best to respond to them in the chapters.

This chapter does a lot of character related exploration, and I ended up having a lot more fun than I thought I was going to have or maybe should have had as you'll be reading in a moment, but the arc is in full swing and I'm looking forward to the further we get into the arc because it only goes up from here as we join Naruto and the crew in their adventures in the Land of Lightning.

We'll be back to our regularly scheduled uploads as I am working on another story that I'll be uploading very soon, I can't say much at the moment nor am I going to insert promotion for it here I just wanted to let you guys know in case there is a slight delay in publishing but don't my love of Naruto: Kokai is strong and I'm just getting started.

Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy

-Ken

Next Time! Chapter 35: Enter The Hatchet Man

{...}

Chapter 34: A Friend Like Me

"I'm running away!"

A bubbly voice yelled out in the middle of a somewhat empty forest to the response of nothing around her.

The girl held a smile on her face while closing her eyes, her hands still in the air, "This isn't wise… are you really sure about this?" A deeper voice spoke from nowhere while the girl waved her hand nonchalantly.

"Eh, no one's coming to look anyway. I can't exactly do what I want back at that village, so I'm running off to adventure."

The mint green haired girl spoke while she walked forward through the trees, "You understand that because of me you're a high value target to the world, every step you take without protection is one followed by death." The voice spoke again while the girl chuckled.

"Silly, that's why I have you."

The girl said, causing the deeper voice to go silent in response, her bright orangish eyes gleamed in the light as she held a hand over her mouth.

"Daw, you gettin' all flustered?"

"No…"

The deeper voice spoke while the girl shrugged, "You worry way too much, if this is a foolish move then I guess I'm the most foolish person in the world." The girl said while she continued walking forward.

"You know, Chomei… The world is a pretty big place."

The girl pondered out loud, "I'm well aware, it is exciting and all, but I can't help but have some aversion toward your thinking." Chomei spoke while the mint green girl clenched her fist.

"That's why it's perfect for me to accomplish my goal! So many people, so many places. I'm sure that out there I can make it come true, it feels more real to me than ever!"

The girl yelled out excitedly while Chomei sighed, "The risk may not match the reward." The voice spoke while the girl shook her head.

"No, it's a priceless treasure more precious than any gem or riches. If I find them then maybe… maybe I can be happy."

The girl spoke in a slightly somber tone while Chomei said nothing in response, the smile quickly returned to her face as she looked up at the night sky the stars twinkling in her eyes

"So, let's be off! Toward the unknown so I can find that precious treasure! Starting with that Demon guy!"

The kunoichi giggled while dashing ahead, "I hope you understand that ninja is called that because he's highly dangerous to these humans. That could also mean he's potentially a threat to your life as well." Chomei said while the girl kept smiling.

"I don't think he's all bad, I got the feeling he's more than what people see. The only way to find out is to try!"

The girl yelled while the trees flew past her as she picked up speed dashing past them, "This ninja they call a 'Demon'? You really think he's someone that won't try to kill you?" Chomei spoke while the girl took a deep breath.

"It's just a feeling, after all…"

The girl trailed off before she launched off of the ground high into the air, her smile stayed on her face as chakra bubbled on her back before sprouting into wings.

Her features were illuminated by the bright moonlight as she gently smiled toward nothing in particular.

"I'm a demon too."

{...}

Tsubasa jumped awake with a jolt as he took a few deep breaths looking around himself in an almost panic with his blade in his hand.

He had fallen asleep.

The boy had rarely slept as it left him vulnerable on the road, the fact that he had fallen asleep meant he let his guard down. The gray-haired teen looked toward Tayuya who had twigs in her hair and the look of death on her face and Naruto who sat behind her with his hands in her hair.

"Mornin!"

"Put that thing down, you look like shit."

Naruto and Tayuya greeted the boy in their own ways while his breathing began to slow down as he remembered something.

He wasn't alone anymore.

"...What are you doing?"

Tsubasa asked while Tayuya gave him a weak glare, "You got a death wish, Edgelord? Mind your business." The girl said while the blonde pointed at her.

"Tayuya's not a morning person and somehow she got out of her sleeping bag and gave me hell."

The blonde said, picking another twig out of her hair while Tayuya scoffed, "You talked a big game about these sleeping bags, and they work like shit. The dirt is more comfortable than these things." The girl said while Naruto rolled his eyes.

"Yeah yeah."

The boy said picking more stuff out of her hair while Tsubasa just watched them, he already noticed how close they seemed from what little he saw about them, but this seemed way closer than he had thought.

It almost made him feel awkward being there in their space.

"Oi, get my chair."

"Got it."

Naruto helped the girl into her wheelchair while she began wheeling herself away in a random direction.

"You need some help?"

Naruto asked while the girl turned and glared at him, "No, you aren't invited, you pervert." Tayuya growled while the blonde huffed.

"You can ask me if you really need it, I didn't hear you complaining the last time I-"

Naruto stopped mid-sentence to effortlessly dodge a branch being thrown at him, "Shut up! Don't say another fucking word. That was a one-time thing! Erase it from your mind or I'll knock your memories loose again!" Tayuya yelled with a reddened face while Naruto sighed.

"Don't know why she's being all shy all of the sudden, it's nothing crazy to me at this point."

Naruto said while Tsubasa watched the relaxed smile grow on his face, "Naruto… I've been meaning to ask. You two seem uh… close." Tsubasa asked while the blonde looked toward him.

"Yeah, we're pretty close. At least I think so."

Naruto said while Tsubasa thought back to Tayuya's warning to him yesterday regarding the blonde he was looking toward.

"I mean you seem very close… is she your-"

Tsubasa asked while Naruto cut him off, nodding his head with a big smile on his face.

"Yeah, she's my friend too. I gotta help her with some things because of her legs and stuff. She's got a foul mouth and seems unpleasant but once she gets used to you, she isn't bad. It'll get there, I promise."

Naruto said while Tsubasa felt a little relief from his words, though he still couldn't shake the feeling that their closeness was interesting.

"You can help me."

Tsubasa said while Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Huh?" The blonde asked while the teen started pulling his shirt off.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"She's changing her clothes right… I felt a little bad after she just left you like that so you can help me change mine."

"...You know she's kind of incapable of doing it herself without difficulty… which is the reason why I do it… right?"

"You two are friends… is that not what friends do when they're close?"

"I mean that's different- Oi stop taking off your clothes!"

Naruto yelled while Tayuya returned back to their little camp now in her travel clothes instead of her sleeping ones.

"Alright, let's-"

Tayuya paused as her jaw slowly dropped at the scene in front of her, Tsubasa was shirtless and had Naruto's shirt in his hands while the blonde was trying to get it back.

"I can explain."

"We're being close."

The two boys spoke while Tayuya slapped a hand over her face, "You mind not reenacting your shitty porn novel with Edgelord out of sheer fucking boredom? You that butthurt you couldn't see my body, so you start stripping someone else you perv?" The girl spoke with a growl while Naruto stood up.

"Wait a minute! That's not what's going on!"

The blonde raised his voice while Tayuya's eyes widened before she covered her eyes again, "Put a shirt on! Stop flaunting around, you dick!" The pinkette yelled while the pair got into an argument.

Tayuya covered her face while Naruto hovered around her trying to explain the situation she showed up during. Tsubasa allowed a small smile to grow on his face while he watched the lively pair interacting with each other.

This 'friends' thing is pretty nice.

A short while later the now trio walked alongside each other as they entered into another nearby village for supplies.

"Surprisingly, the Land of Lighting is pretty rocky. These villages barely have any forests or grass surrounding them at all."

Naruto inquired while looking at his surroundings while Tayuya huffed, "Not everywhere can be large grassy fields, there are a lot of mountains around these parts." The girl said while Tsubasa spoke up.

"I'm pretty sure a large majority of the land the closer we get to the Hidden Cloud is ancient volcanic rock."

Tsubasa added while Tayuya pointed at him, "What Edgelord said." The girl said while Naruto marveled at their surroundings.

"That being said, both of you listen up."

Tayuya said, getting the attention of both boys, "If you couldn't already tell, we're kinda wanted in this land and after the displays of yesterday I'm sure that's only become more prominent." The pinkette explained while Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"No idea why, it's not like we're evil people."

Naruto said while Tayuya gave him a narrowed look, "This one literally burns people alive, I am a known associate to a certain ninja, and you are literally carrying around a demon." The girl spoke while Tsubasa looked away from her gaze.

"My point is, we need to keep a low profile and try our best not to bring any more attention to ourselves than we already have. That means no fights, no crazy antics, and watching each other's backs while we're in villages. Got it?"

Tayuya explained while Naruto nodded his head along with Tsubasa nodded as well before the blonde quickly smiled.

"Awesome… So, Tayuya. You can handle doing some shopping on your own right?"

Naruto said while Tayuya's eyes twitched, "What did I just say? We need to have each other's backs! Being separated is risky and I can't trust you two alone together." The girl's brown eyes landed on Tsubasa while the blonde patted her back.

"It's alright, you're worrying too much. If there's trouble, I'll find you in an instant but for just a little bit could we split up?"

Naruto asked while Tayuya raised an eyebrow, "You're being oddly insistent? Sounds like antics to me." The pinkette said while the blonde smiled at her innocently.

"Please? It'll just be for a little bit and the best part is no antics."

Naruto said while Tayuya narrowed her eyes at him before flicking them toward Tsubasa then back at his, the blonde continued to look into her eyes until she growled.

"Damn it. Fine. Only for a little bit, we'll meet outside of the village in 30 minutes. No more no less and we dash at the first sign of trouble, got it?"

Tayuya said while Naruto gave her a salute, "Got it! See you soon!" The blonde exclaimed, giving her a push while she glared at him.

"Don't push me like that, you idiot!"

The girl yelled while Naruto waved before wrapping his arm around Tsubasa's neck leading him toward a shop.

"I swear, she worries way too much. Good news is we've got time."

Naruto said while Tsubasa gave him a look, "Well, she has a point. We aren't exactly tourists. As far as the land is concerned, we're criminals, some more than others." The gray-haired teen spoke while the blonde nudged him.

"Hey, she wasn't being serious. I get why she's wary too, but we'll make it work because that's what we do."

Naruto said while Tsubasa stared at him for a moment before he could feel a small feeling of relief wash over him.

Tsubasa looked up toward the store they were walking toward, causing him to raise an eyebrow, "Naruto… is this where we should be picking up supplies?" The teen asked while Naruto smiled as he swung the door open.

"Yup!"

Naruto exclaimed while the air of the store hit Tsubasa's face, his eyes landed on multiple instruments.

"I wonder if they're in the back."

The blonde said while Tsubasa looked around, "If what is in the back? I understand having hobbies and all but is this really necessary?" The teen asked while Naruto lifted a shimasen.

"Technically this village isn't on the route to Uzushiogakure and is more of a detour than anything. That's why I took the map from Tayuya."

Naruto said with a smirk on his face while Tsubasa gave him a confused look, "Why would you-" the gray-haired teen cut himself off as the blonde quickly walked forward taking an instrument in his hands.

It was a white colored flute.

"She doesn't talk about it much, but Tayuya actually played an instrument, when we first met a while back, she had it on her."

Naruto said holding the small instrument gently in his hands while Tsubasa looked at it as well and the way the blonde handled it.

"I've been wanting to get her another one for a while but being on the road and moving around made it hard to find the time. She'd never ask because she'll think she's just whining but I'm going to get her one anyway."

Tsubasa looked toward Naruto who smiled toward the flute, this person was someone who held his friends in high regard.

Naruto… how could someone so strong still be so kind?

'Is there any way I could be like you?'

Tsubasa thought to himself as he was about to open his mouth, "Aw, that's so sweet!" A voice exclaimed, causing Naruto and Tsubasa's eyes to widen. Tsubasa was quick to react dashing in front of Naruto with his blade drawn narrowing his toward the figure.

"Stay back."

Tsubasa said to the figure wearing a big hat on their head who quickly threw their hands in the air, "Um heh… Hi?" The voice spoke while Naruto gave the gray-haired teen a look.

"Tsubasa, relax. This person doesn't seem dangerous."

Naruto said while Tsubasa kept his stance, "You're a high value target Naruto, we can't just trust everyone who randomly speaks to us." The teen spoke while the figure perked.

"Did you just say high value target?"

The figure spoke while Tsubasa glared, "I wasn't speaking to you." The teen responded while Naruto looked toward the figure.

Their chakra looked strange, granted he wasn't a pro at sensing chakra yet but compared to everything he saw so far it wasn't anything like he'd seen before.

Yet it looked familiar.

"Look, I'm not sure who you are but wha-"

Naruto's words died in his mouth as the figure took off the hat patting a hand on her mint green hair before looking into his blue eyes. Blue met an orangish color as the pair froze staring toward each other.

The brief sound of a buzzing noise in the ear of Naruto and the sound of a burning flame in the ear of the girl. "Naruto?" Tsubasa asked while the blonde stepped forward toward the girl as the girl nervously did the same while looking each other in the eye.

"You… you're…"

Naruto trailed off while the look on the girl's face became even more nervous as the taller blonde stood over her. She could hear the sound of her heart thumping in her chest, the boy's chakra seemed to wash over her.

She didn't know how to react, but she felt uneasy looking toward his expression.

"Brat, get back that's-"

"You're just like me."

Naruto spoke with a surprised yet pleased smile on his face while the girl stared toward the blonde in surprise before her lip quivered.

"I KNEW IT!"

The girl suddenly yelled, tackling the blonde into a big hug, Tsubasa raised an eyebrow while the girl hugged Naruto tightly. "Wait! Fu, this presence is-" Chomei was cut off by the sound of the pair chuckling as they began walking circles around each other.

"So, yours is talking to you too?"

"Yeah! Is this real?"

"You tell me! I had a suspicion, but I was right!"

"So, you're really just like me?"

Naruto asked while the girl nodded her head excitedly while the blonde gave her a big smile before he laughed.

"That's awesome!"

Naruto cheered while the girl tapped her thumb by her eyes, "Chomei said that you were going to be scary-" the girl said while Tsubasa held a finger up.

"I uh... hate to be that guy, but what's going on?"

Tsubasa asked with confusion all over his features while the girl and Naruto looked toward him before the girl smacked herself on the forehead.

"Duh, I forgot about introductions!"

The girl said while she quickly took a step back giving a quick bow, "Sup! My name's Fu! No last name. I'm 14 years old! And I ran away from home to achieve my dreams!" The girl now known as Fu introduced herself.

"I'm 14 too! I'm Naruto and this is-"

Naruto tried to introduce Tsubasa, but he was cut off by the mint green haired girl, "I know who you are! You're Naruto, the Blue-Eyed Demon and he's Tsubasa the uh… Fire Burny Murder guy." Fu spoke while Tsubasa slightly deflated at his new title, as accurate as it was.

"You aren't some kind of bounty hunter, are you? You seem nice but-"

Naruto said while Fu's eyes widened before she shook her head violently, "No no! I don't want to hurt you! I just know because I've been following you… wait, that sounds bad." The girl said energetically while Tsubasa gave her a look.

"You were following us? Why?"

Tsubasa said while Fu pointed at him staring toward Naruto, "He's got a scary looking face." Fu said while Naruto grinned.

"Yeah, but he's not all bad. Ain't that right, Fire Burny Murder Guy?"

Naruto joked while Tsubasa gave him a brief look before Fu snickered, "As for why I was following you… it's because I think you can help me achieve my dream." The girl said while the boys looked toward her.

"My dream is… I want to make friends! About 100 of them!"

Fu yelled out confidently while Tsubasa paled, "100 friends?" The teen said while Naruto scratched the back of his head.

"That's a pretty good dream, but how can I help you achieve your dream?"

The blonde asked while Fu smiled, "Well, you're famous! In some cases, for almost the wrong reasons but I heard you go on adventures across the world through different lands and stuff. So, if I were to come along then maybe I could make more friends and see the world." The girl spoke while the teens gave her a look.

"Sweet, you're in."

Naruto said while Fu and Tsubasa gave him a surprised look, "Huh?" They both asked at the same time while the girl smirked and pointed toward the boy.

"Jinx."

"Naruto, are you sure? I understand that you both have some kind of connection, but we just met her. She could have an ulterior motive."

Tsubasa said while Naruto looked toward the girl whose expression dropped slightly, "Yeah… he's kinda right… You can't just trust people nowadays." Fu said while Naruto leaned closer to her face staring directly in her eyes.

"Do you have an ulterior motive?"

Naruto asked bluntly while Fu quickly shook her head, "No, I-" the girl was cut off by a hand patting the top of her head.

"Good, I believe you."

Naruto said while Fu looked at the boy with surprise, "That easily?" Tsubasa asked while the blonde closed his eyes and smiled.

"I got an eye for these things, she's a little all over the place but she's got a good heart. I just feel it, the same I did for you."

Naruto said while Tsubasa bit back any kind of argument he had; Fu looked toward the blonde with a touched look on her face.

"So, our whole little crew here has some kind of dream, so you got a dream and a good heart. Those are the only requirements. Since we're helping you achieve your goals, I guess it's 3 down and 97 to go?"

Naruto said while Fu's lip quivered slightly, "...You really mean it?" The girl asked while the blonde nodded his head.

"Uuuuu, I'm gwlad I fowund ou!"

Fu pressed her face into Naruto's chest while she hugged the teen again, the blonde smiled and rubbed her back while he sighed. "Naruto, I hate to ruin the moment, but I have the feeling Tayuya isn't going to be the most pleased with this sudden development." Tsubasa said while Naruto smiled at his friend while he rubbed the girl's back.

"Eh, it'll be fine."

Naruto said while Fu hugged the boy tightly, Tsubasa sighed while a small smile settled on his face looking at their new addition.

{...}

"You had… ONE fucking job."

Tayuya growled as she spoke looking toward a grinning blonde and the new addition to the team standing behind him peeking her head out.

"Um… Sup?"

"Don't 'Sup' me! What the hell does that even mean?!"

Tayuya yelled while Tsubasa sweatdropped while Naruto chuckled, "I don't know either, but it sounds cool." The blonde gave a reassuring smile toward Fu.

"Not the point, Shithead. We can't just pick up every random stray in our path, that's literally the opposite of keeping a low profile."

Tayuya spoke while Naruto pointed a thumb at her, "She's not a random stray, she's a Jinchuriki just like me." The boy dropped casually while the pinkette and the gray-haired boy stared toward him in shock.

"She's a WHAT?"

Tayuya asked while Fu smiled, "Yup. I'm Fu and I'm the Jinchuriki for the 7 Tails, Chomei! Normally it's a lot nicer but it's being shy." The girl said while the pinkette rubbed a hand over her face.

"Out of anyone in the entirety of the fucking world for you to randomly befriend, you pick one of the most dangerous people out of the entire bunch!?"

Tayuya yelled, causing Fu to flinch while Naruto shook his head, "Tayuya, it's like you were saying earlier. That I could meet another Jinchuriki and we don't kill each other. Look, we're both not killing each other." The blonde said while he pinched Fu's cheeks causing the girl to smile in response.

"I'm telling you, she's not that bad."

"Not that bad? The Akatsuki are already stalking us from the shadows looking for you. I'm sure they'll be leaping out of the bushes for a chance at a two for one special!"

"I've fought an Akatsuki member before, I can do it again."

"Oh, you mean that time you almost died?"

Tayuya argued back to Naruto while Fu looked toward Tsubasa, "Do they do this a lot?" The girl asked while Tsubasa nodded.

"Pretty much."

"That's so cute… they must be really close friends."

Fu gushed a little while Tsubasa gave the girl a look, "Um Fu, I have a question." The boy asked while the girl smiled at him.

"Yeah?"

"What's a Jinchuriki?"

Tsubasa asked with genuine confusion on his face while Tayuya looked toward him from her spot, "Do you live under a rock or something? They're containers for powerful beings called Tailed Beasts. Meaning people are hunting for control of them." The girl said, speaking toward Naruto who sighed.

"Is that why they call you demons?"

Tsubasa asked while Fu looked away a bit while she nodded her head, "I mean, they're right… We are monsters." The girl spoke with a somber expression on her face Tsubasa hadn't seen before.

"But what does that matter? Right?"

Fu spoke quickly, wiping the look off of her face as quickly as it showed itself, causing Tsubasa to give her an unreadable look.

"Tayuya, listen I get where you're coming from, but I wouldn't do this if I couldn't."

Naruto said while Tayuya narrowed her eyes at him, "You're an idiot, no one asked you to carry the world on your shoulders for the sake of others all the time. Besides, does she even know what we're doing here? What our goal is? That were getting some guy's revenge?" The girl said while Fu stepped toward her.

"I can get revenge."

Fu offered while Tayuya gave her a pointed look, "No, you can't. Listen, as happy go lucky Naruto is that doesn't take away from the fact that our lives are dangerous ones. You can't just up and claim you can go and get revenge just like that. Could you kill someone? Could you live on the run? Could you bet your existence on something that isn't guaranteed?"

Tayuya grilled Fu while the girl took a step back "I… I ca-" the mint green haired girl said while brown eyes narrowed at her.

"Anyone who can just lay their life down for nothing at the drop of hat without asking questions isn't someone I can trust."

Tayuya said, causing Fu to close her mouth in response, "Tayuya, that's enough." Naruto spoke firmly causing the reddish haired girl to huff.

"Hey, don't worry about that. She's just concerned that's all, she's got her own history. Though it wouldn't kill her to try to be nicer to new people."

Naruto spoke to Fu while Tayuya sighed, "Am I the only one who understands the dangers of our situation? If being honest is not being nice then I'm the meanest bitch in the world." The girl said while Naruto sighed.

"Look. Let's just settle for a bit and we'll all talk properly alright? This is my fault for just rushing into things."

Naruto said while Fu gave the boy a look, "Naruto, it's not your fault it's mi-" Fu tried to speak but she was cut off by the blonde's smile. "Stop it. It is my fault. I accept that and I have to fix it. You don't have to worry; I'm going to make sure no one gets tossed to the side." The blonde said while Fu stared at the boy for a moment before she looked toward Tayuya who turned her head and huffed.

Turns out making friends was a lot harder than she thought it was going to be.

The group then found a location by the river to set up their camp arrangements, Fu helped set up camp while she looked toward Naruto and Tayuya who were talking again.

"When I first met them, I tried to kill them."

Tsubasa spoke, spooking Fu slightly while he stood beside her, "Naruto protected her and fought me. Then later on she told me she doesn't trust me either, she still doesn't. I can't really blame her though." The gray-haired teen said while Fu looked toward the boy.

"...I know she's not a bad person, she's right. I'm dangerous to be around, I always have been for as long as I can remember. Yet, Naruto still stands up to her for me. I don't want to make them fight by just being around, I want to make friends not make friends fight."

Fu spoke while Tsubasa gave her a look before he sighed, "I… don't really know much about friends. All I had was my family and they're all gone now. I want to try to give some advice, but I don't have the experience… What I can say is sometimes friends will fight regardless. Those two argue because they care about each other and Naruto fights because he cares about us… I want to do the same." The boy explained while Fu's eyes widened at his words.

"That's what friends do… they fight for each other. I can fight too."

Fu said while Tsubasa gave her a nod, "Good, we're probably going to have to." The gray-haired teen spoke while the girl nodded her head.

"So, how did you end up joining them? What happened?"

Fu asked while Tsubasa sighed, "There's this dangerous man, I want to get revenge on him for destroying my home…. Right when I was about to be killed Naruto showed up and we fought together. After that he convinced Tayuya to give me a chance." Tsubasa said while Fu nodded her head.

"Tell me more about your revenge."

Fu asked while Tsubasa blinked at her before he pulled out an earring that had a fang dangling from it.

"The Bandit King and his group showed up and attacked me home. So, I'm going kill him and that group. Each of them has an accessory that looks like this, they're the closest people to him, eventually they'll lead me right to him."

Tsubasa explained while Fu nodded her head, "So Naruto and Tayuya are helping you get your revenge?" The girl asked while the teen nodded.

"Yes, I tried to tell them they didn't have to, but Naruto still pushed to help."

Tsubasa said while Fu nodded her head slapping her hands against her thighs, "Cause that's why friends do, they help each other! Thanks, Tsubasa." Fu said standing to her feet while the teen gave her a look.

"Fu?"

Tsubasa asked while the girl gave him a smile, "I'm going out for a little bit. I'll be back in no time, if they ask about me tell them not to worry alright?" Fu said with her smile on her face brightening as she walked into the woods.

Tsubasa felt like he should say something, but he didn't know what she was doing. Yet he still felt as if he should have stopped her.

Meanwhile by the water Tayuya stared into the water while Naruto stood next to her trying to look at her face.

"Tayuya."

"No."

"Yuya."

"Shut up."

"Why aren't you looking at me? I'm trying to talk to you."

Naruto asked while Tayuya dodged his gaze again, "I'm not letting myself get manipulated by that stupid look in your eyes again, I'm firm in my stance. The more people that are around the more dangerous things become and to top things off she's a Jinchuriki." The girl said while Naruto sighed.

"Tayuya, I'm a Jinchuriki too. I'm already well aware the Akatsuki are after us and I'm prepared to face those consequences."

Naruto said while Tayuya scoffed, "Yeah? And then what? You get yourself killed trying to protect people you just met? You barely know her Jinchuriki or not. I'm not trading your life. I ain't good like you, you know this." The girl said while the blonde sighed.

"It's not about being good… Deny it all you want but you're fighting back so much because you care. I care too."

Naruto said while Tayuya stared at the water, "Shithead… you can't just die for strangers." The girl said while the blonde looked up toward the sky.

"She's not just some stranger, Tayuya. Neither are you or Tsubasa… as a matter of fact I think Fu and I have a lot more in common than I thought."

Naruto said while Tayuya slowly turned her head toward the blonde who continued looking toward the sky.

"She said she ran away from home and that she's trying to make friends."

Naruto said while Tayuya's brow furrowed, "You didn't run away from your home, those bastards tossed you out into the world and tried to kill you." The pinkette said while the blonde huffed.

"That's not the point, the point is if she ran away from home to make friends. Then what does that say about what she's been through? The things people don't ask about? The stuff we just make ourselves ignore after a while because it's painful to remember."

Naruto said while Tayuya finally looked up toward the teen who was looking down toward the water.

"She puts on a brave face, but Fu probably thinks she's some kind of monster. They probably reminded her of it every day, but she sticks a smile on her face anyway because crying about it doesn't fix anything."

Naruto explained while Tayuya's expression became a more somber one looking toward the boy who reminisced.

"I had the chance to face myself during my journey and I came to the conclusion that I'm alive and am just as human as others may think I'm a demon. I know who I want to be, and I want to be able to help Fu do the same. To help her feel like she's more than just something to be afraid of, that she gets to be human too."

Naruto said while he finally turned his face to look into Tayuya's eyes, "Damn it, Shithead." the girl said while the blonde nodded his head.

"I won't ask you to just not worry and just follow everything I say but I am asking you to believe in me. Anything that comes our way, I'll face it no matter what. I'll win and make sure all of you can accomplish your dreams. In the meantime, you guys can help accomplish mine too. That's how we work."

Naruto said while Tayuya punched the blonde's leg, "You're going to ruin me," the girl spoke while Naruto shrugged.

"I guess we'll have to deal with you like that too huh?"

The blonde joked with a smile on his face as Tayuya rolled her eyes, "If we die because of your naivete, I'm killing you again in hell." The reddish haired girl said while the blonde smiled.

"I know."

Naruto responded while Tayuya huffed, "I guess you're going to make me apologize too." the girl complained while the blonde gave her a pat on the back.

"It's not going to kill you, she's nice so you have nothing to worry about. Just get it out of the way and we'll get on our way."

The blonde spoke as he turned the pouting Tayuya around in her chair, wheeling her toward the rest of their camp, "Oi, Edgelord. What's wrong?" the reddish haired girl said, spotting Tsubasa looking toward where Fu had gone.

"Tsubasa… Where's Fu?"

Naruto asked while Tsubasa gave the blonde a look, "She said she was going out for a bit… For some reason she asked me to tell you not to worry about her. I can't help but think we should." the gray-haired teen said while Naruto and Tayuya gave the boy a look.

"She left? Did she say where she was going?"

Naruto asked with concern leaking into his voice while Tsubasa shook his head, "No she just-" the gray-haired teen paused while Tayuya raised an eyebrow, "She just what?" the girl asked while the gray-haired teen pulled the fang accessory from his pocket.

"She left after she asked me about my revenge… When I showed her this."

Tsubasa spoke while Naruto's eyes widened as he looked toward the forest where Fu had disappeared to, he tried sensing after her chakra but couldn't find it anywhere, "She didn't!" Tayuya raised her voice while the blonde's eyes narrowed.

"Tsubasa."

Naruto spoke firmly while the gray-haired teen adopted a serious look on his face while he quickly gripped a hand on his blade, the blonde meanwhile wrapped his orange scarf around his neck while staring into the trees ahead of them.

"Let's go get our friend."

{...}

"Fu, please listen to me."

Chomei's voice spoke in a slightly concerned tone while Fu jumped from another tree branch using her wings to glide splitting through the air at high speed, a smile grew on her face as she traveled quickly through the trees around her.

"Nope, you aren't stopping me. I can't believe it was staring me right in the face the whole time. Obviously, I gotta prove myself to them! It's genius!"

Fu yelled out while she landed on another tree branch before jumping off of it gliding toward another tree, "This is really dangerous. Leaving alone to go fight someone you know nothing about is far too risky." Chomei spoke while Fu shook her head.

"Risky? You and I together are really strong! We'll glide in, beat the bad guy, and boom! I'll be accepted into the group and make friends! It's perfect!"

Fu exclaimed while she spun in the air while gliding, "Fu… The Jinchuriki for Kurama already said you were friends. Is risking yourself really what you think your friends would want?" Chomei said while Fu shook her head.

"Friends fight for each other, Chomei. Of course I have to face danger for them, Tayuya… She was right. As long as I'm a danger to them then I have to compensate for that. This should prove that I'm strong enough to be with them. That I'm good enough."

Fu said while Chomei paused at her words, "Fu… That's not-" Chomei was cut off by the girl jumping high into the air above the trees. The smile grew on her face while she felt the air touching her face.

"Chomei, I'm borrowing your vision, ok?"

Fu said while she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, her pupils had split into multiple segmented sections forming compound lens- like eyes enhancing her vision greatly as she scanned around the area.

"Bad guys love sketchy places, so if I find a sketchy place. I should find my bad guy."

Fu said while she looked around her surroundings, "Fu… listen this is-" Chomei was cut off again as a wide smile grew on Fu's face as she spotted a compound further ahead of their position.

"Gotcha!"

Fu yelled while she spun dashing toward the compound at high speed, "Fu, please." Chomei's words were ignored by the girl who flew eagerly toward her destination as quickly as possible.

"Just you wait, I'm going to show you that I can get revenge too. That I can fight for my friends. That I won't just be a danger to keep around!"

Fu exclaimed while she blasted through the air, Chomei's warnings continued to fall on deaf ears.

Several white vested shinobi patrolled around the walls of the compound they were stationed at; the ninja kept their sights toward the woods surrounding them. One of the ninja raised an eyebrow while the other looked toward him, "Are you picking something up?" the kunoichi asked while the male ninja closed his eyes.

"Something is approaching, it's approaching fast."

The ninja said while the kunoichi turned toward one of the ninja below, "You! Go warn Goken of an approaching threat!" the woman yelled while the ninja below nodded his head before dashing toward the small castle.

"Are you sure it's a threat?"

"Something friendly would have no reason to be traveling that fast toward our destination. This chakra doesn't even feel human."

The sensor ninja said while the Kunoichi looked around, "Is it close enough to detect where it's approaching from?" the woman asked while she brandished her blade as the sensor ninja kept his eyes shut focusing.

"It's traveling on ground level and should be here soon. It's approaching directly toward our position."

The sensor ninja said while the kunoichi raised an eyebrow, "You mean it's coming in for a head-on assault toward the wall?" the woman asked while the ninja nodded.

"Stay on your guard! It's here!"

The sensor ninja yelled while the Kunoichi braced herself for impact, only for that impact to never arrive. "What's going on? Where is it?" the woman asked quickly while the sensor ninja opened his eyes looking toward where he was dissecting the approaching object spotting nothing.

"That's… it's right here. It should be directly in front of us!"

The sensor ninja yelled while the kunoichi gritted her teeth looking around, "Damn it, is it invisible or something?!" the woman yelled while the sensor kept scanning the area.

It should be staring at them directly in front of them from what he was detecting, the amount of chakra was so large it felt like it was smothering him from where he was standing. The sensor ninja's eyes slowly widened as he looked away from the ground.

What if he was wrong?

What if the chakra he was detecting was so large that…

It wasn't even touching the ground?

"It's above u-"

"So, are you the bad guys?"

Fu asked cutting off the sensor ninja while both ninja's quickly looked toward where the mint haired girl had landed between them, the overwhelming amount of chakra coming off of her caused the man to stare at her with shock.

A monster wearing the face of a girl.

"Damn it!"

The kunoichi reacted as quickly as she could, pulling out a kunai with an explosive tag on it cloaking the blade with lightning, she threw the kunai at point blank range toward Fu who looked toward it before she blew out sparkling scales from her mouth.

A massive explosion blasted apart the wall they were standing on while a large group of ninja dashed out of the small castle and from around the other parts of the wall toward the destroyed remains of the wall, they all pulled out their weapons while a silhouette approached from the flames.

The girl with mint green hair stood in front of the large group of ninja while tapping her chin before she pointed toward them.

"So… Which one of you is the bad guy with the fang jewelry?"

Fu asked innocently while the large group of ninja stared toward her for a moment before one of the ninja stepped forward, "Protect Goken!" the ninja in the front yelled while the other ninja roared in response causing Fu to sigh.

"So, I guess I gotta look huh? Alrighty!"

Fu exclaimed while the ninja in the front started forming hand signs, "Lightning Style: Sh-" the jutsu was cut off by a pair of legs wrapping around the ninja's neck, Fu flipped the man onto his back sending him crashing into the ground below him.

"Not you."

Fu spoke while another lightning jutsu blasted past her while she sucked into a deep breath before spraying orange scales toward the left side of the group covering them in a large orange scale power cloud, the girl quickly ducked under a blade that slashed at the back of her neck.

Fu kicked her leg underneath the jaw of her attacker before she cartwheel kicked the ninja into the ground, she quickly turned pulling out a kunai to deflect the blade of another ninja. The girl deflected a few more strikes from the ninja before disarming him, she nimbly dodged yet another attack from behind as she chopped her attacker in the neck with her hand.

Fu kicked off of the ground allowing her wings to sprout as she threw an axe kick into the ninja in the air into her attacker on the ground slamming them into each other, the green haired girl landed with a smile on her face as a shower of blades slashing toward her descended on her.

Fu nimbly moved through the attacks barely breaking a sweat from them, she leaned backward into a handstand catching her kunai that had flown into the air with her foot that she used to deflect a few more strikes from the ninja attacking her.

Fu smiled as she balanced herself on one hand before swinging her leg around sweeping the ninja off of his feet before she blasted off of the ground slamming a knee into his chest as she grabbed him, her wings sprouting from her back again as carried him through the air.

Fu then used his body to attack the other ninja slamming him into the then as she glided above, the girl then spun launching the ninja into one of the walls splintering the wood as he crashed into it. The girl then landed looking toward her handiwork.

"Not him either."

Fu spoke with a disappointed tone in her voice, a kunai sped toward her back while one of her wings deflected the bladed weapon. The girl blinked before she turned around toward a shower of kunai being thrown at her, her wings quickly moved around her deflecting every single kunai that flew toward her.

A kunai that had an explosive tag on it was knocked into the air while her eyes settled on the glowing tag, "Huh." she said while the tag exploded on her violently.

The ninja looked toward the explosion as they primed more weapons to throw toward the girl, Fu quickly flew through the smoke cloud from the explosion toward the group of ninja. More weapons were thrown while Fu opened her mouth launching out a web toward the weapons sticking them to the ground.

Fu landed her feet sliding as she did before she round kicked one of the ninja into the air, she stuck web onto him before pulling him roughly back toward the ground. She then lifted the web with the ninja attached using him as a weapon to attack the other ninja.

One of the ninja avoiding the swing of the webbed man pulling out a blade and rushing toward Fu, the girl's eye quickly flicked toward him as she exhaled a silver scale powder into his face. The ninja covered his eyes while Fu dodged another attack, the girl then spun slamming a palm strike into the gut of her attacker.

Wings sprouted from her back as she jumped into the air, sticking a web onto the two ninja beside her, she lifted them into the air, spinning them around her extremely quickly before she launched them into the rest of the ninja below.

The orange powder from the other side of the group finally settled as several ninja had collapsed from the powder, the few that were standing looked toward Fu as she slowly made her way to them, multiple lay on the ground beaten behind her.

"So it's gotta be one of you then right?"

Fu asked while the ninja looked at the girl in shock as her wings sprouted from her back as she quickly approached them.

"Sir!"

A ninja spoke, opening the door to a room where a man in monk's clothing was lying on the ground lazily looking toward the ninja that had entered, his circlet with a fang hanging from it swayed slightly.

"Yes?"

Goken asked while he yawned, "There's an intruder! They're attacking the compound!" the ninja yelled frantically while the peach haired man blinked boredly at the ninja.

"So? That's what the defenses are for. If you all allowed an intruder to get this close to me then that clearly speaks toward your inadequacy. The lord will be very displeased with your service."

The monk said while the ninja flinched, "If this continues they'll reach you sir! We need to evacuate you before they get here!" the ninja yelled while Goken groaned.

"You mean to tell me you fools can't stop one single intruder forcing me to have to move around and waste my precious energy. I suddenly have the urge to kill you myself."

Goken said while he yawned again, "Sir, this girl… she's dangerous! We have to get you out of here as soon as-" The ninja was cut off by the monk perking up suddenly.

"Girl? Did you say it was a girl? Lead with that then you bastard."

Goken suddenly stood to his feet, energized while he walked toward the ninja, "Sir… I." the ninja said while the monk rubbed his chin and adjusted his hair.

"Did you get a good look at her face? Is she cute? I've grown bored at staring at the faces of you bland men and women. I certainly hope she has a nice smile."

Goken said while the ninja looked at the monk with surprise, "Are you planning to see her sir?" the ninja asked in shock at the monk blinked at him.

"Of course you fool. I'm not the type to allow an opportunity to slip through my fingers, especially a delicious one like this."

The monk said while he licked his lips, "Come, fool. I need to see her myself." Goken said while he walked out of his room followed by the ninja carefully.

Meanwhile outside Fu looked around the multiple downed ninja around her, she was checking them all for some kind of accessory that matched Tsubasa's description.

"Nope, not here either. I guess he's in the castle."

Fu said while she turned toward the castle, "Fu, that's enough. Let's just go back. I have a bad feeling." Chomei spoke in her head while the green haired girl sighed.

"Chomei, where's your usual spirit? These guys were nothing, I bet the guy we're looking for isn't that big a deal either."

Fu said while she looked up toward the front of the castle, "Fu, dont be-" Chomei was cut off by the sound of clapping while Fu made eye contact with a monk.

"Wow… just wow. She's far better than I thought she'd be. Green hair like spearmint leaves, tanned soft skin like a delightful dessert, petite and dainty."

Goken said while Fu looked at the man for a moment, she spotted the circlet that had the fang hanging from it on his forehead.

"Ah it's you!"

Fu yelled out while Goken blinked, "Ah, it appears you know me girl. Tell me, if you wanted to see me so badly then you should have just come in through the front door. A jewel such as yourself should be treated as such, rather than risking getting scratched in a mess. The peach haired man said while the girl looked around.

"I guess your people aren't really big fans of visitors, plus they're kinda bad guys. Also what's up with the jewel talk?"

Fu asked while Goken nudged the ninja next to him with his arm, "You hear that? She's got a sense of humor. It's adorable when they think they're funny isn't it?" the monk said while the ninja looked toward the man with shock.

"Hey, so I know this guy named Tsubasa. He says he's looking for people like you, bad people that hurt his family. Ring any bells?"

Fu asked while Goken rolled his eyes, "That dreary brat hunting for my lord? Why waste your time with him? Why speak of another man in my presence anyway? I promise that I can show you a world far beyond what that fool or any other man could never. Come take my hand, girl." the monk said while the girl narrowed her eyes.

"No thanks, any creep that hurts people isn't anyone that I want to be friends with. Besides, you're the bad guy. I'll be taking that jewelry off your head and bringing it back to my friends."

Fu said while Goken sighed, "Must we fight? It's so messy and a waste of energy. We could do so much more together, girl. I wouldn't want to scratch that precious smile. Come now, take my hand. The monk insisted while Fu planted her feet on the ground.

"Nah, I think I'll settle for taking your jewelry!"

Fu yelled while wings sprouted from her back, "Sir!" the ninja yelled while Goken rubbed the bridge of his nose while the girl dashed toward him.

"Hidden Art: Scale Shot!"

Fu yelled while her wings covered with silver scales, Goken reached into his pocket while the girl spun, closing the distance between the two of them. She swiped her wing toward him while the monk pulled out a small golden bell.

"Take this!"

Fu yelled while she swung toward him but upon hearing the ringing of the bell she felt herself become sluggish, the monk moved out of the way of her swipe. "I didn't want it like this but I suppose I'll have to take your heart directly then. Won't I?" the man said while Fu felt herself moving as if she was in slow motion.

Suddenly Goken smacked his hand on her forehead, "Fu!" Chomei yelled while the girl's vision went black. Fu's body felt like it was sinking into a sludge while the last thing she saw before sinking into it completely was the monk licking his lips.

Fu's physical body stared back blankly toward Goken who smiled before he tapped on her forehead with his finger, "Let me in." he spoke while Fu's eyes rolled to the back of her head.

Suddenly Fu coughed while she was on the ground, she looked around quickly but noticed her surroundings were nothing like where she had last been standing.

"Where am I?"

Fu asked while she heard the sound of chuckling, "My my, such a big place filled with warmth. Yet it's so dark." Goken said while the girl gritted her teeth swinging her fist at him but it went through his face.

"Ah, ah. There's no need to do that, girl. You couldn't even if you wanted to. After all, you were the one who let me in."

Goken said while he grabbed Fu's wrist holding her, "You're wondering where we are, well it's complicated but I'll give it to you in the simplest terms. Doesn't it look familiar?" the monk said while Fu looked around toward their surroundings.

Her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar massive tree, "Takigakure?" the girl said while Goken chuckled as he tilted her chin toward his face.

"Not quite… You see dear girl. This is your heart."

Goken said while Fu's eyes widened, "You mentioned something about friends, you must have been so lonely. So desperate for someone to care about you, that someone could be me. But first you have to show me your scars on your heart, so I can fix them all." the monk said while Fu thrashed in his grip.

"No, stop it! Don't!"

Fu yelled while the faint voice of Chomei calling out to her was in the background unable to be understood, "I'll see all of it, everything you're hiding. With every one of your pains, I'll heal them all for you. I'll be there for you. You won't ever need anyone else." Goken said while the girl struggled in his grip.

"Look."

Goken said while Fu turned her head toward the visage, she spotted a familiar house. The door suddenly opened, and a small green haired girl was thrown out of it, the girl bounced on the ground before she rolled on it.

"That's enough!"

"Why is that damned thing still in our home!?"

A man with black hair said while a woman with green hair slapped his chest before yelling at him, the small girl touched her bruised face before she looked back up toward the arguing couple.

"You know what we've done! What we had to do!"

"That doesn't mean we keep the damned beast!"

The couple continued to argue while the small girl got off of the ground, slowly she smiled while she walked back to the house, "That hurt a little but I'm ok. Look." The small girl said, giving him her biggest smile while the man glared at her before kicking her back to the ground.

"I said that's enough!"

"The damned thing still thinks it's human."

Fu tried to look away from the visage, but Goken pushed her face back toward it, "It must have been so painful, girl." the monk said while tried to push against his hand to no avail.

Chakra bubbled around the girl's back before sprouting into wings, the couple looked at the girl with horror while she looked at the wings before she looked back up toward the couple.

"You said if I smiled then… it'll be ok. Why isn't it ok? What's wrong with me?"

The small girl asked as she forced another smile on her face while looking toward the scared couple, "Look, it's going to attack us now!" the man yelled while the woman glared at him.

"What's wrong with me?"

The small girl asked again while she took a step toward them while the woman put her hand out to stop her, "Don't come any closer, ok?" the woman said while the small girl could see the look of fear on her face just like she did the man.

"You too?"

The small girl asked before she was smacked across the face with a pole, the scratch on the small girl's cheek bled while the woman pushed the man who pointed the pole at her.

"Take that smile off of your face, you damn demon!"

The man yelled while the small girl's forced smile died on her face while she continued to watch the couple fight in front of her.

Monster.

Is she a monster?

It hurt.

She was hurting.

Badly.

And the smile wasn't helping.

More of the green chakra bubbled around her while the small girl sobbed, the chakra crawled up her body covering her until it reached her eyes. "Fu!" The small girl heard the voice of the woman call out before everything turned to black, Fu watched while her expression twisted into a somber expression.

When the eyes of the small girl opened up, there was a young man with long black hair standing above her. She turned her head away from him as he picked her up and held her close.

"Stop it! Let me go! You'll die!"

The small girl yelled while the black-haired teen held her closely, "Fu, it's ok. You won't hurt me. I know you won't, it's ok." the teen said while the small girl eventually stopped trying to push him away instead sobbing while he rubbed her back.

"That's it, let it out… It's ok, Fu. You're ok now."

The teen spoke while the girl continued to cry in his arms, eventually she stopped holding onto the boy while she kept her face in his shoulder.

"I really am a demon. I hate it!"

The small girl yelled while the teen shook his head, "Stop that, don't say things like that. It's not true, ok?" the teen said while the girl gripped her hands on his clothes.

"Demons, can't smile like you do. I know it hurts but you have to be strong. I'll be here for you, ok?"

The black-haired teen said while the girl sobbed a little while he rubbed her back, "Let's make a deal, alright?" the teen said while the small girl looked at him.

"Whenever you feel like a demon or a monster… smile. Wear that smile on your face and push away those thoughts. That's what makes you human, that's your reminder. Promise me."

The black-haired teen said while the girl stared at him for a moment before she nodded her head mustering a smile on her face while he smiled back the best he could.

"Good, let's go."

The black-haired teen said while he started to carry her away from the house while she calmed down looking the boy in his face before she realized something.

She couldn't hear the arguing anymore.

The small girl tried to peek over the teen's shoulder at the house, but her face was pushed into his shoulder again, "Don't look Fu, just smile for me ok?" the teen asked while the girl looked toward the teen boy before shaking her head and smiling at him.

He smiled back at her while the pair walked away from the house.

The house behind them that had been torn to shreds, destroyed wood painted with blood was all that was left behind.

Fu looked at the scene with horror while Goken sucked his teeth, "Those people were awful to you, they hurt you. You gave them what they deserved… you probably didn't want to remember that. Now that you've faced it, I'll make it go away." Goken said while he waved his hand causing the visage to disappear.

Fu dropped to her knees on the ground while she stared at it, "No… please." the girl said while Goken sighed, rubbing her back.

"One more and it'll all be over, Fu."

The monk said while Fu looked toward the peach haired man weakly while Chomei's voice called out again faintly "...fu… stop…" Chomei's voice carried very faintly while Goken wrapped his hand on Fu's arm making another visage appear.

"Shibuki, Shibuki!"

A taller version of the small girl called out while the black-haired man before bounding and landing on his lap, "Hello Fu, what's the big news today?" the man said while the girl grinned at him.

"You know how you were talking about friends, right?"

Fu asked Shibuki who smiled at her, "I remember, I also remember your big dream too." Shibuki spoke while the green haired girl nodded her head.

"Well… I think I found some!"

Fu yelled out excitedly while Shibuki's smile dropped slightly, "You did?" Shibuki asked while the girl nodded her head rapidly.

"Yeah! I did! They were nice to me; they asked me all sorts of stuff and made me feel happy. They even want to see my wings!"

Fu exclaimed while Shibuki gave her a look, "Fu, do you know what else I told you about friends?" Shibuki asked while the girl gave him a look.

"I mean I do but… you don't look happy. I thought you'd be happy?"

Fu said while Shibuki sighed, "I am happy, Fu. I'm just curious about who these friends are." The man said while the girl kicked at the ground.

"Some of the villager kids, but they don't look at me like the villagers do! They smile too and stuff!"

The younger Fu exclaimed while Shibuki flinched at the response while he took her hands in his, "That's great, Fu. But did you ask why they wanted to see your wings?" Shibuki asked while Fu gave him another look, taking her hands away from his.

"You don't sound happy."

Fu said while Shibuki shook his head, "Fu, I am. I just want to know what kind of people these new friends are." the man asked while the girl shook her head.

"You don't trust them… You don't trust me."

Fu said while Shibuki sighed, "Fu, stop that. You know I do. The village, they don't treat you fairly, so I just want to make sure that these friends aren't the same." the man said while the girl shook her head.

"Why can't you just be happy for me? You just want to hide me away from the rest of the world. Why? Because I'm a monster?"

Fu raised her voice slightly while Shibuki stood to his feet, "Fu. You aren't listening. I don't want to hide you away because you're a monster that's wrong. Those people may still think that you are. They could hurt you." Shibuki said while Fu shook her head point at him.

"Wasn't it you that said if I care about people then I have to trust them not to hurt me? They're my friends and they like me and my wings and Chomei! You just don't want me to go away and leave you alone."

Fu said while Shibuki took a step toward her, "Fu, please just listen." Shibuki said while the girl kept her hands away from his.

"I'll show you; I'll show you my friends are good people!"

Fu yelled while she ran out of the door while Shibuki reached for her, "Fu!" The man called out for her while the girl ran down the stairs away from him toward the village.

Fu watched as her younger self ran toward where she was supposed to meet her friends while Goken watched her as well, "You look so excited, how precious. I wonder why this was painful for you? Why you didn't want to remember this." Goken said while Fu kept watching.

"Fu! You can't…"

Chomei's voice yelled out a little louder while Fu's eyes were stuck on the visage while her younger self made it to her new friends, she spoke to them excitedly while the monk's smile grew.

"Hey Fu… Show us your wings now!"

One of the kids cheered while the group of kids cheered for the girl while the younger Fu looked at them all with a smile, "Ok! Watch me closely." Fu cheered while she did a little spin as chakra bubbled on her back.

She jumped into the air while the wings sprouted from her back, Fu had a big smile on her face while she looked down at the other kids.

"Look look, it's cool right?"

Fu asked the other kids while they just stared at her with shock, "She really has wings." "Isn't that a little gross?" "So, the monster thing was real?" The kids spoke amongst themselves while the green haired girl gave them a look.

"Guys?"

Fu asked while one of the kids looked at her, "How many people have you eaten?" the kid asked while Fu chuckled nervously.

"Silly, I don't eat people. I eat normal food, just like you. I don't hurt anyone."

Fu said while the kids laughed at her, "I don't believe you, you're one of those Tailed Beast cages, right?" another one of the kids asked while the girl shook her head.

"Chomei isn't like that!"

Fu raised her voice while the kids started laughing again, "Look, she even named it!" one of the kids yelled while they continued to laugh at her. The younger Fu clenched a hand at her chest while the laughter from the kids echoed around her.

"Fu, Listen to me! Please…"

Chomei's voice went in and out while current Fu watched as her younger self looked back up toward the kids around her. The smaller girl no longer saw the faces of the children, instead their faces were obscured by shadows and their eyes were replaced by a menacing white as they laughed at her.

"Please."

The younger Fu said while a rock hit her head, the rock fell back to the ground while one of the kids sneered at her, "Demon!" the kid yelled while the other kids joined him in calling her a demon. Fu coughed while blood ran down her head as chakra began to bubble.

Fu watched as the chakra began to cover her younger self while Goken held her face in place to watch the scene take place in front of her.

"Don't remember."

Chomei's voice came out clearly as the kids looked at Fu fearfully as the chakra covered over her, the orange and red cloudy chakra that cloaked her closed its jaws over her face while her eyes became an empty white color. The kids looked at her in horror while Fu watched what she did.

There were flashes of death.

Fu couldn't take her eyes off of the scene she pushed to the back of her mind as it played out in all of its horror.

Eventually younger Fu came to, she looked around herself noticing the kids were gone. The girl felt something wet and warm on her face, when she touched it and looked at it her eyes widened.

There was blood on her fingers.

There was also blood on her clothes.

The young girl began to breathe faster and faster as she covered her mouth with her hands, slowly wings sprouted from her back and wrapped around her in a warm embrace causing her to take her hands off of her mouth wrapping them around the wings.

She wanted to cry.

But she couldn't, she wasn't allowed to.

"Whenever you feel like a demon, I want you to smile. Ok?"

Shibuki's words from when he was younger echoed in her head while Fu held on to the wings tighter as she forced a smile onto her face.

Because that was what was supposed to remind her, she was human.

Even if she didn't believe it.

Eventually Shibuki heard the front door open, "Fu… How were your-" The words died in the man's mouth while Fu smiled toward the man while there was still blood on her clothes.

"I'm back."

Fu said while Shibuki looked at the girl before he sobbed lightly, hugging her tightly while she rubbed his back, "It's ok. I'm fine. I promise… you were right, but it's ok. I can make more friends. Super easily." Fu said through her forced smile that had blood on it while Shibuki held her tightly.

"Right?"

The younger fu asked no one in particular as the visage faded, "What a tragic story one filled with betrayal and shattered hope. Topped with the forced will to move forward." Goken said while Fu had an empty expression on her face.

"You're afraid. Scared of people. You claim you want to make friends but truly deep down inside. You're afraid of letting people in, because you'll hurt them. Poor girl."

Goken said while he crouched in front of Fu, "I'm not afraid of you, I don't think you're a monster. To me you're a treasure, something precious. The world wants to hurt, to kill you. They think you're a demon. I would never." the monk said while Fu looked into his eyes.

"I'll bear all your loneliness. Girl. Just give in to me. All of you. You'll never have hurt anyone ever again and you'll never be alone with me."

Goken said, reaching his hand out toward hers while Fu looked blankly at the man, her hand loosely at her side while he reached toward it.

"That's right girl, just let me handle everything from now on. I'll take good care of you."

Goken whispered into her ear while he was about to grab her hand, however his hand stopped reaching toward hers. The monk pushed trying to grab her hand but was stopped the more he tried to reach his hand out to grab hers.

Then he felt a sharp pain.

Goken's eyes widened as he looked at Fu's face, her expression was slowly covered over by shadows while her eyes stared back toward his no longer the orange color but an empty white.

Goken back in the real world looked at his shoulder noticing a deep orangeish red colored appendage stabbing into it, he slowly looked back toward Fu whose skin began to peel away revealing more of the chakra underneath.

The monk frantically tried pulling out the appendage while he looked toward where the ninja was at his side, "Hurry and help me you-" Goken stopped speaking when he noticed the ninja was run through by another one of the appendages that killed him.

The monk looked at the man in fear before he slowly turned his face toward Fu who was being covered over with the chakra as a third wing formed, the girl coughed while the coughing slowly turned into growls. The chakra continued to cloak her body as she began to lean toward his face.

The rest of the chakra climbed over her head forming jaws that slowly closed in around her face, any feature left of Fu was gone and all that was left was the orangish red chakra mass in the shape of a beast that stared into his eyes with empty white ones.

Goken had lied too.

In the face of the girl who he had taken a dive into her heart, he no longer saw a jewel, he no longer saw a girl, he no longer saw even a human.

All he had seen now… was a monster.

A roar echoed throughout the surroundings as Fu screeched into the air.

{...}

"That's Fu's chakra! Up ahead!"

Naruto yelled to Tsubasa who dashed alongside the blonde toward the remains of what used to be a wall surrounding a compound.

"There was another one here, so close to us… I should have been more alert."

Tsubasa scolded himself while Naruto shot him a look, "Enough of that, there was no way you could have known. Fu must have used her abilities to track this place down." Naruto said while Tsubasa looked toward the structure. His fist clenched to his side while he dashed ahead toward the castle with Naruto keeping up in pace until they reached the wall.

"Alright lets-"

Naruto words stopped as the boy's blue eyes scanned across the grounds of the compound, it was in ruins.

"Fu…"

Naruto said while Tsubasa looked toward the multiple fallen ninja, "It looks like she made quick work of these guys, she did all of this while holding back enough to not kill these guys." The gray-haired teen spoke while the blonde cupped his hands around his mouth.

"Fu! We're here to get you! Come on out!"

Naruto yelled while Tsubasa looked up as well, "Fu!" The teen called while they walked further into the compound.

"I can't sense her chakra as well now, even though we should be closer."

Naruto said while Tsubasa turned to him, "You don't think that means… The bastard that was here. I'll-" the teen growled while the blonde shook his head.

"No, that's the thing… it's not like her chakra is faint it feels more like the closer we get the more it mixes with something else."

Naruto said while the gray-haired teen raised an eyebrow in response, "Then we need to find her before whatever that is finished." The teen said as Naruto nodded his head.

"Then, I'll grab Fu and you'll-"

"...Help."

Naruto's words died in his mouth while the sensation of something heavy covered him, Tsubasa's eyes widened as he felt the same.

This chakra was dark and heavy, filled with aggression.

Similar to the Nine Tails but for somehow it was darker than even that. Naruto and Tsubasa turned their heads toward where the voice came from, spotting the monk in the clutches of orangish red cloudy chakra.

"That's…"

Naruto trailed off while Tsubasa unsheathed his blade, "What the hell is that?" the gray-haired boy asked while the mass of chakra slowly turned its head toward the two boys.

Empty white eyes similar to a void stared at them while it's sharp appendages pulled out of Goken leaving the monk in a bloody mess. The beast roared a piercing scream into the air while Naruto and Tsubasa covered their eyes from the resulting gust.

"This chakra is insane!"

Naruto yelled while even Tsubasa could feel it as they were pushed back from the roar that came from it alone.

It's maw exhaled steam while it's focus changed to the two boys, Tsubasa quickly ignited his feet while Naruto stared the creature in its eyes.

"I don't know what that thing is, but we gotta take care of it and get to Fu!"

Tsubasa yelled while Naruto's face dropped a little as he put his hand up stopping the teen from dashing ahead, "What is it Naruto?" Tsubasa asked while the blonde stared at the growling creature. It was faint, but the chakra that he was sensing was that of a Tailed Beast…

It was also the person they were looking for.

"Tsubasa… that thing. Is Fu."

Naruto said while Tsubasa gave the blonde a look of disbelief before he looked back at the creature whose claws dug into the ground.

"What did that bastard do to her?!"

Tsubasa yelled while Naruto shook his head, "No, this is Fu's doing or at least her Tailed Beast. I've seen the cloak before when the Nine Tails protected me. This must be the same, but I've never seen it look like that." Naruto said while Tsubasa looked conflicted.

"If that's Fu then…"

"Tsubasa. I'll take Fu. You take care of the Monk."

Naruto said while he adjusted his scarf, "Naruto." The teen said while the blonde grinned at him.

"Don't worry, if there's anyone best for the job then it's me. I'm kinda an expert in all things demon."

The blonde responded while Tsubasa gave him a look before he nodded, "Then on you." The teen said crouching while Naruto built wind up around his legs.

"Go!"

Naruto yelled while the boys dashed, Tsubasa dashed toward Goken while the blonde blasted toward Fu. "We're here to pick you up, Fu!" Naruto yelled as he quickly blasted forward toward the chakra cloaked girl but the moment, he made contact she was gone.

Naruto's eyes widened as he turned his head, Fu had moved in an instant. Tsubasa was about to grab Goken, but a clawed appendage was already descending on top of him.

'Fast!'

Tsubasa tried to react, but the slash was quicker tearing into his clothes. Naruto blasted toward them drop kicking Fu before the slash could go any deeper. Fu slid as Naruto crashed into the ground rolling to his feet, the girl unfazed by the blow glared her empty white eyes toward him.

"It's like hitting a brick wall!"

Naruto yelled while in another instant Fu was already in front of him attacking again, the blonde barely reacted quickly creating a wind barrier between them. The barrier held for a moment before the best tore through it launching Naruto through several trees.

The blonde flipped while the trees around him started collapsing as Fu dashed toward him, Naruto formed a hand sign blasting himself into the air as a clawed hand swiped toward him.

The blonde avoided the swipe blasting into the air, he looked over at where the swipe landed watching as a large section of trees exploded.

"That power's insane!"

Naruto yelled while he was suddenly grabbed from below by a clawed hand, the beast pulled herself up headbutting the blonde under his chin hard enough for the clouds above them to split into open sky.

Naruto's eyes rolled in the back of his head from the impact while a knee from the girl sent him flipping backward.

The clawed hand stretched back out grabbing him again holding his face in her hand as it pulled him back to her, her wing beat quickened as she blasted through the air holding on to Naruto's face. Fu roared while she blasted them both through the air before driving Naruto through the castle exploding through it while Tsubasa watched from the ground.

"Naruto!"

Tsubasa yelled while Goken coughed, "I… didn't know… I didn't know…" the weak monk said while the gray-haired teen glared at him.

"You did that to her?"

Tsubasa growled while his blade ignited, Goken's eyes widened while the teen approached him. A kunai flew past the teen's face as he slowly turned around and glared toward a small group of ninja.

"Sit tight… This shouldn't take long."

Tsubasa growled as he dashed toward the group of ninja with his blade brandished. Naruto meanwhile bounced on the ground while Fu flew out of the ruins of the castle, the blonde rolled while clones suddenly appeared.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Kick!"

The clones yelled while they launched wind toward the beast who avoided the attacks cutting through them with ease. One clone glowed brightly before exploding into a gust of wind, Fu cut through the wind burst while a spiraling sphere made contact with her face.

"Rasengan!"

Naruto yelled while the sphere expanded, blowing the beast backward while several clones holding Rasengans blasted toward her.

Fu roared into the air loudly, the gust that came from her pushed back against the clones, the clones were all flung away while Naruto dashed through the raining Rasengans around him.

The beast shot out a destructive gust of wind from its mouth, Naruto flipped over the blast that tore through multiple trees while chakra built up around Naruto's palms.

"Rasengan!"

Naruto slammed the jutsu against Fu who slid backward while the blonde lifted his other palm, "Wind Style: Flash Rasengan!" a small ring formed around his other Rasengan as he slammed that one against her as well.

The attacks exploded on contact while Naruto flipped backward, a clawed hand launched out of the smoke slashing into his side while multiple sharp appendages flew into the air.

They stabbed into the ground toward Naruto who avoided them the best he could before a large wing slammed into his side, the blonde flew through the air while he formed his famous hand sign.

"Shadow Clone Justu!"

The blonde yelled while multiple clones formed into a line that caught Naruto out of the air, "Boss!" One of the clones yelled while throwing Naruto out of the way of a blast of air that instantly destroyed his clones.

Naruto landed while Fu growled from the smoke while glaring her empty white eyes from where she stood.

"It's like nothing phases her!"

Naruto yelled while the beast charged up another blast of air, "Brat, you don't have enough power to do anything against the 7 Tails like this." The Nine Tailed Fox spoke while Naruto flipped out of the way of the blast.

"Tell me something I don't know!"

Naruto yelled while he moved through a volley of wind blasts, "That thing right now is neither that girl or even the 7 Tails." Kurama spoke while the blonde landed.

"What does that even mean? That's gotta be Fu! I can still feel her chakra."

Naruto said while the beast roared loudly into the air, "Listen brat, the more a Jinchuriki draws on the chakra of a Tailed Beast the more of the chakra of that beast takes over. When enough chakra is drawn then those chakras of the Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beast blend creating that thing you see in front of you. An amalgam." The fox said while Naruto looked toward the roaring beast.

"So, Fu's chakra is combining with the 7 Tails?"

Naruto asked while it growled as another wing started to form, "The 7 Tails is slowly metabolizing her chakra, eventually it'll consume her completely. Incarnating the 7 Tails into the world." The fox said while Naruto's eyes widened.

"How do I stop it?!"

"You can't. Kill her before another tail forms, at least to let her die somewhat human."

"I'm not killing her!"

"There's no other way, Brat!"

"I'm not doing that!"

"This is the fate of all Jinchuriki, they'll all be put down once they reach completion."

"SHUT UP!"

"Don't tell me you've gotten soft now, Brat. You've taken lives before out of your so-called mercy. The moment you met her this was bound to happen, I tried to warn you, and this was the consequence."

"..."

"Now end her before she ends us."

Naruto watched as the beast roared violently as another tail began forming, he clenched a fist at his side while her white eyes met his. "...Protect her. I must." Chomei's voice spoke while Naruto's eyes widened, that meant something. That he could do something. He had to reach her.

He wouldn't let her die!

"Listen up, you stupid fox! She can't be saved? I'm calling crap! Sit back and watch me prove you wrong!"

"Brat, don't be a fool!"

"That's kind of my thing!"

Naruto yelled while he pulled his fist back while his eyes flashed purple while he threw a punch the wind slammed against Fu's face pausing the tail that was growing. Fu looked at Naruto again growling deeply while the blonde's eyes flashed between blue and purple as the red bled into them.

"That's right, Fu… Chomei… I'm coming for you and I'm just getting started!"

Naruto yelled while his eyes turned red and his pupils sharpened, red chakra bubbled over him while his teeth sharpened. Slowly red chakra cloaked around Naruto as a single tail formed, the blonde crouched while wind violently swirled around him.

"Brat… you should have more than enough strength for one tail, but this might not be enough still."

"Guess I just gotta try then, right? But I ain't giving up."

Naruto said while his cloak settled around him the blonde planted his feet into the ground while the beast roared at him.

Naruto launched himself at Fu leaving a crater where he stood, the beast barely had time to react as the blonde descended upon her with a clawed hand. The ground exploded around them while multiple explosions formed as Naruto aggressively attacked the beast, Fu flew backward while she roared again.

Sharp appendages launched toward the cloaked blonde, Naruto threw out a clawed hand that expanded into a large claw that the appendages stabbed into.

The claw closed around the appendages pulling the beast toward Naruto who closed his cloaked fist slamming it against Fu's face hard enough to make the surrounding trees sway violently. Tsubasa covered his face from the amount of force that swept over the area from the attacks from the battling Jinchuriki.

"This power… is this the power of Tailed Beasts?"

Tsubasa said astounded while Goken looked from the ground in shock as well as the trees finally stopped shaking.

Fu roared into the air again while Naruto spun kicking the beast over the head before kicking it backward, he then launched his cloak's claws expanding them, so they wrapped around her.

The blonde then lifted her slamming her into the ground cracking it open underneath her as she forced her way out of the chakra claws. Large chakra wings flew toward Naruto who ran on all fours avoiding their chops into the ground before he flipped over a swipe.

The blonde then threw out a claw that grabbed Fu as he pulled her toward him, Naruto was about to swipe but the beast opened its mouth blasting Naruto in the face point blank with an air blast.

Naruto pushed his face against the air blast roaring as it reflected back directly into Fu's face creating a massive explosion.

Fu flew into the air while growling launching more air blasts toward Naruto who ran through them, the blonde was suddenly caught by a clawed hand that pushed him into the ground.

The beast screeched as she pulled herself toward Naruto landing on top of him, Fu roared as she began pummeling the cloaked blonde into the ground while flying, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

"Not enough… it's not enough."

Naruto said while he continued taking punches from Fu while he dug his hands into the ground kicking her upward. Naruto gritted his teeth while more chakra bubbled around him quickly forming into a second tail to his cloak.

"Another one?"

"Just you watch!"

Naruto yelled at Kurama as Fu screeched, the two tailed cloak blasted up toward her slamming an uppercut into her jaw.

Naruto bicycle kicked the beast in the chest before kicking her further into the air, Fu had little time to recover while Naruto pulled himself back toward her slamming another punch into her jaw. The blonde showered a series of blows on the beast before he kicked her.

The three tailed cloak bounced roughly on the ground as a large chakra claw slammed a fist against Fu launching her into the side of a large cliff shattering it on contact.

…

"Hey… what's your name?"

A small green haired girl sat in front of a large beast that was chained against a large stone surrounded by a field of flowers.

"...You shouldn't be speaking to me, child."

Chomei's voice echoed while the girl tilted her head curiously.

"Why not?"

The girl asked while the chained beast looked at her with its large orange compound eyes.

"I'm what you humans call a monster… I kill things, things like you."

Chomei said while the little girl gave him a big smile.

"That's ok! I'm a monster too so you don't have to worry about that."

The small girl said while the beast gave her a curious look staring toward the odd girl in front of it.

"You… you aren't afraid of me?"

Chomei asked while the girl shook her head in response.

"Nope! You're really big and some people might call you scary, but I think you're a big, cute bug!"

The little girl said while the beast looked toward the small human with astonishment, out of the few people it was trapped into.

It never met anyone like her.

"Hey… Let's be friends."

"...I don't know how. I don't even know what a friend is."

"That's fine, I don't either… but we can figure that out together. That's what friends do right?"

The little girl spoke while the beast stayed quiet for a few moments.

"Your name, girl… What is it?"

Chomei asked while the girl tapped on her legs and grinned.

"I'm Fu and what's yours?"

The girl asked while the trapped beast looked down toward her pondering for a moment on a name it hadn't mentioned in years.

"...Chomei."

The beast said while Fu smiled at the large bug sticking a small hand out toward it.

"Thanks for being my friend, Chomei."

Fu said while the large insect looked at her hand while it slowly extended a leg toward the girl, she grabbed it, holding it firmly yet gently while smiling at it.

It felt warm in the palm of that tiny hand.

…

The beast exploded from the destroyed cliff; her screech shook the trees around her as she blasted toward her opponent. Naruto's tails swayed as the blonde dashed toward the girl with a wound-up fist ready to swing as hard as he could.

The ground exploded around them while the beast swiped and clawed at Naruto, the blonde deflected the swipes attacking back harder. Fu blasted several large air blasts at Naruto's feet causing the boy to trip and roll, the tails of his cloak wrapped around the beast.

The beast stabbed its appendages into the ground trying to keep itself in place, but it was dragged all the way to Naruto who slammed a headbutt against her.

Fu roared while Naruto slammed a punch against that drove her into the ground while the blonde pushed as hard as he could, empty white eyes met red ones while they roared at each other.

…

A younger Fu hit the ground with a roll while a man stood at the door glaring toward her, a grin haired woman slapped his chest and argued with him in response.

"Fu… are you ok?"

"Yeah, Chomei. It's OK, I'm fine."

"They're hurting you."

"They're just scared, Chomei. It makes sense… but it's OK I just have to keep smiling and they'll see it."

Chomei stared at the girl who did her best to smile in front of it while a strange feeling ran through the beast.

An unfamiliar feeling.

An uncomfortable feeling.

"They'll see it… Right?"

Fu spoke while tears formed in her eyes despite her smile, Chomei pushed against it's chains slightly.

Fu isn't a monster. Fu's a bright light. Fu's a friend.

They're hurting her.

They're hurting it's friend and she's still trying to smile to make it stop.

But it doesn't.

A swipe across Fu's cheek caused blood to run down her face while it could feel her pain.

The pain she tried to smile through.

Even if she didn't want to. Chomei pushed against its chains enough to put its appendages around Fu in as gentle of a manner as possible. She kept trying to smile even as it failed.

They hurt its friend.

It didn't want that.

It didn't want to hurt them, it also didn't want Fu to be hurt either.

So for her.

It would hurt them.

Chakra bubbled over the younger Fu covering her while the couple looked on in shock as Chomei's eyes shone through hers. The small girl roared as the sharp appendages attacked the couple violently, the man's arm was cut off while the woman's leg was slashed.

They wouldn't stop hurting her.

So Chomei wouldn't stop either.

Their screams were drowned out by Chomei cutting them down along with the entire house not stopping until there was nothing but blood and splinters. The chakra bubbled around the small girl while Chomei's eyes glared at the ruins, they wouldn't hurt her again.

It would let them.

"Dad?"

A voice of a boy spoke out while Chomei turned Fu's head, staring toward the boy ready to attack him as well.

Chomei stopped when it realized the boy looked at the house devastated before he looked at Fu with tears in his eyes. It felt horrible, Chomei never liked killing or violence.

They hurt Fu.

Anything that hurts its friend and makes her make that face, no matter how horrible it feels killing.

It would do it for her.

To keep its friend safe.

Chomei released the girl while the boy hung on her tightly holding her with a warm embrace meanwhile Fu woke up in the boy's arms.

It had to, no matter what.

It had to protect her.

…

The beast screeched while she knocked Naruto into the air, she grabbed the blonde flying high into the breaking through the sound barrier while the cloaked blonde struggled in her grip. They punched through the clouds as Fu roared again, turning them both around blasting toward the ground.

The sound barrier broke again and again as they far surpassed the speed of sound as they crashed into the ground shattering the ground around them. Fu roared while a fist smacked across her face while the blonde swung still fighting tooth and nail against the beast.

"Fu! I'm not giving up!"

Naruto yelled while another hard punch slammed against the beast's face, fists made from the blonde's cloak as well as his own fists slammed into Fu repeatedly as she roared.

Fu struggled underneath the onslaught unleashed by the blonde who fought as hard as he could, the beast's claws dug into the ground as she slowly began pushing against Naruto's attack while growling lowly in a rising pitch.

…

Chomei came to a grim realization, the worst kind for it to come to.

All of Fu's pain, everything she has to go through, the reason why they called her a monster.

That was all it's fault.

It was the reason they hated her, that they caused her pain, that she forced herself to smile even when it hurt. Its friend has been suffering because of it. The kids around Fu jeered and teased the girl while she smiled trying to explain her situation to them.

She even defended it, calling it nice and caring for it. They were right, it was a monster compared to them.

Yet its friend still stood for it.

They would hurt her, and it was its fault.

"Fu, I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."

Chomei apologized while the girl sat in the grass in front of it, still smiling at it.

"Don't Chomei, you didn't do anything wrong. They're scared and they're right to be… I thought…"

Fu trailed off taking a breath before she tried to calm herself down.

"I thought they were my friends…"

Fu said while Chomei's eyes flared as it tugged harder against its chains trying to reach the girl who was on the verge of tears.

Then a rock hit her head, thrown by one of the kids.

Chomei growled as it pushed forward through its chains reaching toward Fu with its arms to hold her. It never knew kindness like hers, it never knew a bright light like hers, and it never knew a friend like her.

The jaws of Chomei's cloak closed over Fu's face; the white eyes stared toward the children before it growled attacking them.

Chomei understood something now.

No matter how many humans it killed, ripped, and tore through. That would never protect Fu from the isolation, these deaths wouldn't fix her pain.

The friend that Chomei held so dearly, it's only friend.

And it couldn't save her from herself.

It made it sad.

Watching Fu put on the mask of a smile she didn't even want just to push through to the next day, carrying that burden.

All it could do was watch.

Chomei's wings unfurled from its back while they reached toward the girl in the grass in front of it to hold her. The younger Fu grabbed onto the wings holding them closely, she forced another smile to her face even as she felt like she was falling apart.

"It's ok, Chomei. The world's a big place… maybe I can find some more friends. Don't feel guilty, ok? I'm alright."

Fu spoke while Chomei kept its wings around her as closely as it could.

"I'm alright…"

The girl spoke while she stared off toward nothing with her smile on her face, a mask held firmly as Chomei could see it. It couldn't save her from her loneliness, from the world. All it was able to do was hurt those who hurt its friend.

It hated that it was the only thing it could do.

Fu pressed her cheek against the wings with a smile on her face while she rubbed them with her hand. Chomei would protect her, if something hurt her it would hurt whatever it was. It would keep her close.

Until something better than it… Someone better than it came to save her.

Chomei will protect her to the end.

Because she was its friend.

…

Naruto was blasted through the castle while Fu blasted a volley of air blasts toward the cloaked boy, the air blasts demolished the castle as they blasted out faster and faster. Naruto dashed through the explosions dashing toward the beast who aggressively swiped at the blonde who clashed directly with the blonde making the forest sway.

Fu biting down into Naruto's cloak blasting the air blasts directly into him while the blonde pulled away slamming a kick over her head smashing it into the ground.

They flew through the air while Fu dug her claws into Naruto cloak, the blonde slammed his fists into her back launching them both back toward the ground, when they landed the beast slid while a large clawed red hand grabbed her throwing her back toward the castle. Fu roared as she went for another air blast but a kick to the bottom of her jaw closed it before it exploded in her mouth while the blonde grabbed onto her.

"Fu! I won't give up on you! I won't!"

Naruto yelled while he punched the beast that slammed a fist into his gut before wailing on him while roaring.

The visage of Fu's teary eyed forced smile appeared as the beast punched Naruto harder and harder.

"Please… I beg you."

Chomei's voice spoke while Naruto caught the clawed fist of the beast before slamming a knee into the beast's jaw.

"I hear you! I can hear you!"

Naruto yelled while putting Fu into a headlock while the beast thrashed in his arms violently as another roar screeched.

"Please save my friend! Please save Fu!"

Chomei's voice called out while Naruto kept the beast pinned as her mouth opened slowly, red and blue orbs began to build up around her mouth.

"Brat, end her now! That attack is-"

"I'm not going to do it! I can save her damn it!"

Naruto yelled while the orb became a dark purple color and grew larger over its mouth while the beast pinned the blonde to the ground while more chakra built up in the orb.

"Naruto!"

Tsubasa yelled while he pushed back from the sheer amount of pressure coming from the area the cloaked pair was. Naruto fought against the pin while his eyes widened at the face of the cloak; a part of it pulled back as it looked him in the eye.

It was Fu's face as a tear ran down it.

"FU!"

Naruto yelled out as the girl unleashed the Tailed Beast Bomb creating a massive explosion that engulfed them both.

Large groups of trees were torn from the ground as the massive crater grew from the large blast that had been unleashed. Naruto laid further away from the beast; his cloak was damaged while he stared into the air dazed and injured.

Fu meanwhile stared into the sky as the cloak covered that part of her face back up, she roared loudly into the sky.

"Naruto!"

Tsubasa yelled while Goken looked toward the gray-haired boy gritting his teeth before he rang his bell, the teen froze on the spot as the monk touched him.

Tsubasa and the injured monk appeared in a black space while Goken wheezed on the ground, "I can tell you carry a lot of hardships, boy. I'll erase them from your heart… all you need to do is save me. Get me out of here." the peach haired man said while Tsubasa kept his back to him.

"I can see your heart… that's where we are right now. I can see what you've been through, I can make it better. So please."

Goken begged while Tsubasa still kept his back toward the man while he looked around himself, he spotted multiple memories while he looked at the ground again.

"My heart?"

Tsubasa said while Goken nodded, "Yes, your heart. Your pain. How you carry it with you. These memories, they no longer need to bog you dow-" the monk's words stopped as he looked around noticing the memories we gone leaving them in a completely black area.

"Then that makes this easy."

Tsubasa said while he finally faced Goken, the memory that appeared behind him was that of a younger Tsubasa staring out of his burning home while the group stood in front of him. Goken's eyes widened as he saw himself crushing another monk under his feet that had been reaching toward the boy.

His sandals covered in the man's blood.

"You can fix it all… by burning away with it."

Tsubasa said while the memory was covered in flames burning it while the monk dragged himself away from the gray-haired teen, fire suddenly ignited all around them trapping the monk and Tsubasa in the black space that was illuminated by fire.

"Right now, this is all I have in me… And for the first time in my life. I want more… And you. Right now, you are keeping me away from that more… from my friends."

Tsubasa said while Goken kept dragging himself away from the boy, "Those were just orders! Our lord, he wanted to make an example of your shrine! I just followed what he said! I felt remorse and regret for what I've done! It's made me closer to the gods! I've changed!" The monk yelled while Tsubasa's orange eyes looked at him coldly.

"I don't care."

Tsubasa said while Goken's face filled with fear before he lifted a small statue of a woman from his necklace, "Homura! She wouldn't condone your vengeance; she would detest it! Find it within yourself to be more than your hate. Forgive me… Homura wills it! Forgive me!" the monk yelled while Tsubasa looked at the charm for a moment.

"No."

The gray-haired teen spoke while he grabbed onto the charm melting it in his hands while Goken panicked crawling closer to more flames, "You wanna know, why?" Tsubasa asked while the monk looked up at the boy in fear.

"'Cause I'm the Fire Burny Murder man."

Tsubasa said while he stomped his foot into Goken's chest, the monk screamed while flames ignited under the teen's foot cloaking the man underneath in bright red and orange fire.

Back in reality, Tsubasa snatched the circlet from the monk while his foot stomped through the ashes of his chest as the rest of his body continued to burn.

"And I've got to get to my friends."

Tsubasa said tucking the accessory away while dashing toward the large crater further away from himself with his blade brandished.

Fu roared in the air while the fourth wing bubbled slowly growing into place while she screeched, Naruto's broken arm cracked and snapped back into place while the rest of his wounds began to close. The beast screeched again ready to finish the fourth tail but a blast of flames showered over her.

"Naruto!"

Tsubasa yelled while he looked at the mangled boy's body recovering, "I need to buy you time then. Make sure you get up." The gray-haired teen said while in an instant a clawed hand slashed at him.

Tsubasa blasted backward from the attack while Fu flew toward him, the teen narrowed his eyes at her before igniting his fingertips with flames. "Fu! Come back to us!" the teen yelled while he flipped over another slash from the girl.

He landed throwing the flames from his fingertips at her as they grew, he directed the flames around her while she ignored them blasting air toward the boy. Tsubasa barely avoided the air blasts while he slammed the flames against Fu.

The beast looked through the flames unfazed by them while Tsubasa gritted his teeth, "She's got way too much power for that to even affect her properly. I'm basically a sitting duck!" the teen said while the air cracked around him as Fu stood over him.

The teen leaned backward avoiding a swipe that cut through multiple trees behind him, Fu's empty white eyes looked down at him while sharp appendages launched toward him. The teen dodged while he pulled his fingers toward him.

Flames flew past Fu hitting his legs covering them with flames, Tsubasa then moved faster carefully dodging the appendages while the beast dashed toward him. "This is my fault, Fu!" the teen yelled while she appeared in front of him slamming a fist down toward him.

The ground around them crumbled while Tsubasa jumped in the air, Fu blasted toward him, snatching him out of the air while flying upward holding onto him. The teen then pulled his fingers toward himself again while the beast changed directions driving them toward the ground.

"I should have gone after you! To stop you!"

Tsubasa said while flames hit his chest creating a blinding light, Fu flinched from the light releasing her grip on the teen who flipped landing on the ground. The beast quickly regained its composure flying toward Tsubasa as the boy braced himself.

"I'm sorry…"

Tsubasa trailed off as he brought his hand down, Fu flew toward him slashing at him while he quickly moved, avoiding the attack and grabbing onto her body. Tsubasa could feel the chakra burning him while flames from above landed on his head.

"For being a bad friend."

Tsubasa said while he held onto Fu as tightly as he could yelling as the flames grew more intense before the fire exploded outward violently around them.

The teen backflipped away from the massive fire in front of him while he panted, "Did that-" Tsubasa stopped while the flames waved in the air while Fu's silhouette stood in them. A clawed hand swiped through the flames before the teen took a punch to his gut.

Tsubasa coughed while he hit the ground heavily, Fu landed in front of him while she lifted her mouth. Red and blue orbs began to form while the teen groaned. The orb turned purple while Tsubasa looked toward the beast, "Fu…" the teen spoke while she aimed the bomb at him.

She was about to launch it but a kick to the bottom of her jaw sent the blast flying upward, the massive chakra attack exploded above them while Naruto glared toward the beast with red eyes.

"Thanks Tsubasa, I'll take it from here. Just rest."

The blonde spoke while Tsubasa nodded before he fell backward, Fu looked down toward Naruto while he roared.

"That's right… You wanna be mad at someone. I'm right here, but I ain't giving up!"

Naruto yelled while Fu roared, "Brat, that fourth tail has almost formed. If it weren't for the fact that you had a two tailed cloak that would have killed us. You don't still plan on mindlessly fighting this thing, do you?" The nine tailed fox yelled while the blonde shook his head.

"Nah I got a plan."

Naruto said while chakra bubbled around him, the beast watched as the cloak formed around Naruto as the blonde went to all fours. The first tail appeared quickly while the second tail formed right after that one more chakra bubbled even after that.

"Surpassing my limits!"

Naruto yelled while Fu roared at the blonde, "A third tail? Brat you're dangerously close to losing yourself. Your body can't handle this amount of chakra for long." The fox spoke while the blonde looked up toward Fu.

"Then I won't waste a second!"

Naruto said dashing toward Fu who roared, launching her wings at the blonde who quickly maneuvered through them before hitting her with a back kick that sent her flying through the clouds, the blonde groaning in pain while he huffed.

"So much power, it kinda hurts. So that's what you were talking about."

Naruto spoke while the clouds split as Fu cut through the air toward the boy, she swiped destroying the spot with her attack while the blonde spun. He landed slamming punches against her frame before he kneed the beast kicking her into another cliff.

"Hey, do you think we can make one of those Bijuu Bomb things?"

"Of course, it'll be a simple task. Start to gather chakra. We'll need to split it into a ratio of 80:20 exactly."

"That sounds very not simple!"

"Tsk, for a fool it wouldn't be."

Kurama huffed while Naruto dashed out of the way of multiple air blasts while he gritted his teeth, he backflipped away from another attack using his tails to reach for Fu grabbing her out of the air before slamming her into the ground.

"I have no doubts that she's going to throw more of those attacks at me, I need to find a way to counter them. I can't figure out how to use jutsu in this form. I remember I managed to do it last time fighting against Sasuke back then but that was basically auto pilot."

Naruto said while he quickly dashed out of the way of another attack from Fu, "That's because you aren't utilizing my chakra correctly brat. It isn't just something to power up your punches, it's a part of you and me." The Nine Tailed Fox said while the blonde raised an eyebrow before he was tackled into the air by the girl.

They flew higher into the sky while the blonde struggled in her grip, she had around him, the blonde looked toward the snarling girl as he gritted his teeth. He quickly extended his tails toward the ground, stabbing into it preventing Fu from flying higher.

The blonde tugged them both toward the ground causing them to crash into it, Fu roared while she aimed an air blast at the blonde who pulled back his fist while chakra bubbled around it. Fu unleashed the blast while the blonde threw his punch.

"Wind Style: Surging Vermillion!"

The blonde yelled as red wind chakra formed a spiral cutting through the air blast and exploding on contact with Fu.

"I think… I think I get it."

Naruto said while he watched the chakra bubbling around his fist, the cloak was chakra itself. He couldn't form hand signs, but he didn't need to. The cloak could finish whatever jutsu he needed as long as he channeled it properly for the technique he wanted to use.

He was so busy using the cloak like it was an enhancer that he didn't even realize that it wasn't just an enhancer, it was like a sword.

He had to treat it like it was a part of his body because it was.

Fu launched out of the dust launching silver scales at the blonde who crouched, the air pressure changed around him as he blasted forward so fast his body seemed to flicker before immediately reappearing behind the surprised beast.

"Wind Style: Vermillion Step!"

Naruto yelled while he kicked Fu into the ground, the beast bounced while launching her wings at the blonde who maneuvered through them flickering as he moved quickly closing the distance between himself and Fu while he reached his palm back.

"Vermillion Rasengan!"

Naruto yelled while the chakra bubbled in his palm before the red covered blue sphere formed, the blonde then slammed it against the beast sending her flying while the teen recoiled from the attack.

"Damn, it takes a lot out of me!"

Naruto yelled while Fu screeched, "I underestimated your adaptiveness; however, you're running out of time and fast." Kurama said while the blonde stared toward the roaring Fu while he clenched his fist staring back toward her.

"Then I'm wrapping this up."

Naruto spoke while sharp appendages rained down from the girl while Naruto dodged the attacks, a wing swiped above him that he leaned back to avoid while Fu came down and attacked the boy who flipped slamming a kick into her side.

"Fu, I'm going to reach you no matter what! So, both of you hang on… I'm on my way!"

Naruto yelled while he punched Fu in the face, he punched the beast a few more times before the beast caught his fist. The blonde took a breath as a fist slammed into his chest; he pulled one of his palms back while two of his tails started to bubble.

"Vermillion Rasengan Barrage!"

Naruto yelled while his tails formed Rasengans as well as his palm as he slammed all three against Fu who roared as they exploded, the blonde flew backward as he panted even more from the recoil while the smoke began to clear as red and blue orbs began to gather.

"At your current level of drainage, you can't take another one of those. Kill her now."

"Shut up… Here comes the big one. All I got."

Naruto said while he reached his palm backward as his chakra bubbled violently as wind chakra bubble into the spiraling sphere, meanwhile Fu's tailed beast bomb compressed into a dark purple orb as more red and blue orbs fell into it.

"Brat…"

"I can't make a beast bomb sure… but I got something else I can use to counter it."

"Just end her, she's already gone."

"Nah…"

Naruto said while the chakra from her face peeled back revealing a small part of Fu's face as the beast bomb compressed again ready to fire.

"I can still see her."

Naruto said while Fu roared again while the chakra in the blonde's palm twisted and spiraled, Tsubasa sat up watching as the beast was ready to launch her attack. "Naruto… reach her." the teen said while the blonde dashed.

Fu's roar mixed with her actual voice's scream while she launched the beast bomb, "Wind Style: Surging Vermillion Rasengan!" The blonde yelled as he slammed the jutsu against the attack, his foot slide while the girl blasted air against it.

"It's ok now, Fu. It's ok… You don't have to worry anymore."

Naruto said while he gritted his teeth pushing against the beast ball while his cloak began to fade, pain shot through his body as he continued to push the attack toward Fu who began to frantically blast air against it as the blonde continued to push.

Naruto and the beast bomb got closer to Fu as the beast's eyes widened, her wings began to flap as she was about to fly away but Naruto's fading tails wrapped around her pinning her to the ground as she screeched, meanwhile the blonde pushed closer.

His fangs on the left side of his mouth shrank while his left eye faded into a purple color before turning blue again, but he kept punching forward, Fu struggled violently against the tails while she roared into the air blasting more air at the beast ball.

Naruto yelled as he pushed the cloak fading from his left side completely while his right side stayed cloaked as he pushed, Fu screamed while the blonde pushed hard enough to make it to her as the jutsu landed. The girl screeched while the blonde gave her a determined smile with one red eye and one blue one.

"Because I'm here."

Naruto said gently while the part of Fu's face he could see gave him a surprised look as he pushed again engulfing them both in a bright light.

Chomei, now unchained in a large field of flowers and grass, looked ahead while footsteps approached the hill it was on.

"You… You really came."

Chomei spoke while Naruto grinned, "Where is she?" the blonde spoke while the beast looked off to the side. "She's hurting… she doesn't want to have to go through any more betrayal or heartbreak. She doesn't want to-" Chomei was cut off by Naruto standing in front of it.

"You're a really nice guy, Chomei… I get it."

Naruto said while the tailed beast gave the boy a look, "Can you promise me that she won't feel any more pain?" Chomei said while the blonde looked toward the grass before looking the tailed beast in the eyes.

"I can't."

Naruto said while Chomei looked at the boy as he looked back at it. "But I can promise you, I'm not going anywhere." The blonde spoke while Chomei sighed deeply.

"It seems you too are odd, boy."

"Yeah, I get that one a lot."

Naruto spoke while Chomei nodded, it slowly lifted its wings away from a very grassy part of the hill that hard red and white flowers growing in it. There Fu was curled up in a ball looking at one of the flowers just barely touching it.

"Go away Naruto."

Fu said while the blonde walked toward her, "I like what you've done with this place, Kurama's seal is all dingy and dark. Not to mention water is everywhere." Naruto chuckled while the girl looked toward him.

"I said leave."

Fu said while Naruto sighed, shaking his head, "You know I can't do that. Better yet I won't." the blonde said while the mint green haired girl sat up to glare at him.

"You saw what I did! What I'm capable of! I'm just some thing! A monstrous beast that kills things! I scare people, I hurt them!"

Fu raised her voice while Naruto shook his head, "Fu… That's not-" the blonde said while the girl pointed at him with watery eyes.

"I hurt you… you should… you should hate me."

Fu said while she looked back down toward the flowers around her, "You didn't hurt me." the blonde said while the girl looked up toward him as he pointed a thumb to himself.

"Look, there's not a scratch on me!"

Naruto proudly exclaimed while the girl huffed, "That's because this place isn't in the real world… it's a seal. You could look like anything you want." the girl said while the blonde smirked.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Still, I don't hate you. Not even a little bit."

Naruto said while Fu huffed, "You're just saying that... I saw everything… Everything I did. You don't have to act strong. You don't have to act like you can take it just to make me feel better." Fu spoke while the blonde chuckled.

"I'm not acting… and neither are you."

Naruto said while the girl's eyes widened, "Fu, I love your smile and your energy. I don't ever want you to throw those things away. At the same time your words should be pointed at you too, you don't have to act strong or act like you can take it. It's ok if you can't." the blonde said while the girl frowned.

"But it's not! I'm not human like these other people! All I have is that smile, once I lose it then they become scared of me. I don't want to scare people! I just have to no matter what. When I don't… it hurts."

Fu said while Naruto placed a hand on her head, "It's ok if it hurts… That means you're human. The things that make you different are what make you special, Fu. I'm not scared of you. Tsubasa isn't scared of you. Even Tayuya isn't scared of you. We all get it. We all know how painful it can be bearing stuff. But we don't do it alone." the blonde said while Fu turned her head.

"I do."

"Not anymore."

Naruto said while Fu looked back toward him, "I'm dangerous, every step you'll take with me will be dangerous." the girl said while the blonde shrugged.

"It's a part of life… I'm pretty strong myself so let them come."

Naruto said while Fu looked down, "I'm… I'm not perfect. I was told that anytime I felt like a demon to smile and that'll make the people around me feel better. But sometimes I don't smile, and I can't… That makes me scary, doesn't it?" the girl asked while the blonde quickly plucked a flower from the ground.

"New rule… From now on, when you're sad be sad, when you're angry be angry. You can only smile when you feel like it from now on. You break the rules there'll be dire consequences."

Naruto said with a smile while Fu looked at the boy with surprise, "What if I scare you guys? What if I hurt you? What if-" the girl was cut off by the blonde boy putting the red flower into her hair while smiling at her.

"Nobody's perfect. Definitely not any of us… but we don't have to be and neither do you. So, feel whatever you want, Fu. None of that is going to make us leave you. That's what we do… that's what friends do."

Naruto said while Fu looked at the boy while her eyes began to water as she looked toward the patch of grass, they were both sitting in.

"I'm allowed to be angry?"

"Yup."

"I'm allowed to not smile?"

"Yup."

"...Am I allowed to cry?"

"Right here."

Naruto opened his arms while fat tears began to roll down Fu's face while she pressed it into the blonde's chest as he held her gently.

"I'm going to make a place where you can be who you are and cry wherever you want… so until then you can do it right here… I won't ever hate you for that."

The blonde said while the girl cried in his arms as Chomei looked over toward them, "Boy… I thank you. I thank you so much." Chomei spoke while the blonde smiled toward the tailed beast.

"That's what friends are for, aren't they?"

Naruto said while Chomei said nothing, leaving the blonde with his crying friend in his arms.

Meanwhile Tsubasa walked over to the large crater where Naruto and Fu had clashed at, he walked as quickly as he could making it to the crater finding it. Tsubasa spotted Naruto holding onto a sleeping Fu that had tears running down her face in a patch of grass.

Tsubasa didn't say anything, but he lifted his hand giving Naruto a questioning thumbs up while the beaten blonde looked up toward the gray-haired teen.

Naruto smiled, giving the teen a thumbs up back.

{...}

"Just be normal about it."

"I don't know…"

"It'll be fine… I think."

"Way to help out, Tsubasa."

Naruto chided the gray-haired boy who rubbed the back of his head while Fu walked between the two taller boys with a box in her hands while they approached a campsite. There Tayuya was waiting for them near the front of the tree lined entrance.

"About damn time."

Tayuya spoke while Fu flinched while Naruto gave her a nudge, the girl gave the blonde an unsure look while Naruto gave her a small push toward the wheelchair bound girl. "Hi Tayuya… I uh, I just wanted to say-" Fu tried to speak but Tayuya rolled toward her, pinching her nose.

"Who the hell do you think you are just running off like that?! If you had something you wanted to talk about you should have just said it. Instead you ran off and made everyone here worry about you!"

Tayuya scolded while Fu looked at the girl, "You were worried?" the girl asked gently while Tayuya's eyes shot open before she huffed to the side.

"I ain't included in that everyone, it's those two chuckle fucks. I for one was cool as a cucumber. Worried? Hah, that was those pansies."

The girl said while Fu looked toward her before her lip quivered as she hugged the girl, "Oi, the fuck are you doing?" the girl said while Fu blubbered.

"I'm sorry for making you worry. I'm back! I thought you hated me because you were right about everything you said!"

Fu continued blubbering while Tayuya huffed, letting her nose go, "I don't randomly hate things… That isn't the kind of freedom I wanted. Things get tough but it's about why we go through them that makes it worth it. As far as I'm concerned, it looks like you've been through a lot too. So you earned your spot here, dumbass." the girl said while Fu hugged her again.

"Oi!"

The girl yelled while Naruto and Tsubasa smiled at the pair while Fu suddenly shot her head upward, "Oh right. Here!" the girl exclaimed, pushing the box toward Tayuya.

"The hell?"

"It's for you."

Fu said while Tayuya looked at the box suspiciously before she looked back up at the trio in front of her, "You didn't need to go get a bribe, I already made my peace with your madness." the girl said while she began to open the box.

"It's not a bribe, silly."

Fu said while Tayuya rolled her eyes before she opened the box, she paused looking at the contents before she slowly looked back up toward the trio. She then slowly pulled the object out of the box holding it in her hands gingerly.

It was a white colored flute.

"It's just a gift."

Fu said while Tayuya speechlessly looked up toward them, "I…" Tayuya said while Fu pointed at the blonde boy who was grinning.

"It was his idea; he even took us back to the last village so we could buy it for you."

"Huh? No way! It was totally because you wanted to bring her a gift like we talked about, Fu. Right Tsubasa?"

"Nope, it was Naruto's idea from the start."

"You freakin' traitors."

Naruto complained while Fu and Tsubasa smiled at the boy while Tayuya stared toward the boy who sighed, "Fine, yeah… but these two still helped and stuff. I just… remembered you used to have one and thought you'd want a new one." the blonde spoke while Tayuya looked down at the flute again.

She thought back to her shattered one by the tree she was pinned underneath for all those hours not being able to even reach a single fragment of her treasured object.

"Fuck."

Tayuya said while she rubbed her face while Fu grinned, "You should play us a song." the girl said excitedly while Tsubasa nodded his head.

"I think that should suffice as a proper form of payment."

Tsubasa said while Tayuya looked up at the group, "What? No way. I haven't played in so long. It'll sound like shit." the girl said while Naruto grinned at her.

"Come on, just one!"

The blonde spoke while the rest of the trio looked toward her as she winced before sighing, "Fine, since you won't shut up about it. Just one." Tayuya said while Naruto and Fu cheered.

Tayuya then took the familiar object and placed it to her mouth as she closed her eyes, it was as if she was holding one yesterday. The girl then began to play while the rest of the group listened to her playing the song together in astonishment.

It was a beautiful song.

Tayuya played the instrument gracefully while gently moving her fingers across the flute playing her tune with closed eyes. The song continued to echo through the forest they were settled in while the pinkette played the last few notes ending the song.

"That was beautiful!"

Fu yelled while clapping her hands while Tsubasa nodded his head, "Tayuya, that was awesome!" Naruto yelled while the girl in question inspected her instrument before huffing.

"That sounded like shit, I'm too damn rusty."

Tayuya said while the trio in front of her just stared at the girl quietly, "What?" the girl asked while Fu turned her head toward Naruto.

"...She's kind of a pain in the ass, isn't she?"

"Yup."

"Oi, fuck you!"

Tayuya yelled at the pair of Jinchuriki who laughed at the pinkette who growled at them while Tsubasa watched the chaos unfold in front of him with a gentle look on his face.

Chomei watched as Fu laughed along with the rest of the group as it settled on the top of the hill within its seal, it almost didn't feel real, this moment. After everything Fu had been through, everything it had protected her from.

She was finally smiling for real.

Chomei turned away from the sight only for the sound of grass crunching underneath feet to make it turn around, its compound lens focused on a small girl with green hair standing in front of it as it looked down at her.

"You shouldn't be here."

"Why not?"

The small girl asked while Chomei looked up at the sight of Fu talking with everyone else around her, "You have friends now." the tailed beast spoke while the girl tapped her chin.

"You're right."

The girl said while Chomei nodded its head before he turned away from the small girl, but a hand grabbed on to one of its wings, Chomei turned spotting current Fu hugging onto the wing she held on to.

"Thank you… for being my friend too. Chomei."

Fu spoke while Chomei looked at the girl hugging it's wing speechlessly while the rest of its wings reached toward the girl embracing her as well.

It still felt warm in the palm of that tiny hand.

{...}

The sound of a movie reel rolling its film echoed through the large dark room while a large movie screen displayed multiple images. The sound of popcorn crunching came from a single seat as light brown eyes focused on the movie screen.

The image of a man holding a woman as he kissed her while they walked toward the sunset caught his attention as he grabbed more popcorn from a bowl.

"Is that really how it works?"

The figure in the seat said while a bird flew into the theater, the bird set its sights on the figure sitting in the theater landing on the arm rest. The figure looked toward the bird before pulling a small scroll off of the raven's leg.

He opened the scroll revealing a picture of Naruto's face on it, he inspected the image before he tapped on the ryo amount closing it back up. His light brown eyes landed back on the screen while he grabbed some more popcorn.

"Welp, looks like it's back to work."

The figure said standing to his feet while it was revealed that the seat he was sitting in was one of the only undamaged seats in the theater and next to him was the body of a dead man with a hatchet in his neck as he pulled it out.

He had his other hatchet in his hand before he sheathed them both as the credits began to roll, he was about to walk away but stopped looking back toward his seat as he sat back down eating more popcorn.

"There might be an after-credit scene."