Chapter 5

My eyes open up slowly, my mind much clearer than usual when I wake up. I sit up and look around, and I then notice that I'm not in my room anymore. The place around me looked like one massive dojo, training equipment scattered everywhere. I get up and look around in awe. The ceiling seemed to stretch on forever, going so high up that it disappeared into the darkness.

That's also when I notice another, yet oddly familiar presence. I look around, trying to find the source, when I notice something different. Behind me is a set of sliding, paper-thin doors. Traditional sets for places like this. Finding no other option, I go out through the doors.

Outside the doors aren't much different, but the walls seem to be much darker out here. The color seemed to be covered in shadows. Along with the sudden color change, the walls also had what looked eerily similar to my Kirin running along the sides.

I continue along the corridor, finding nothing else of interest. After a few moments I reach an intersection. I look at the three different options, trying to figure out which way to go. That's when I notice that the corridor to my right is glowing red. Well, that's comforting. Time to check it out.

After a few more minutes, or what felt like minutes of walking, I found a large cage. I look at the massive bars in interest, wondering why it is here. Then I notice the oddly shaped lock on the cage. It looked like a massive spiral, holes running along it. My mind racks itself, trying to figure out why this seemed familiar.

Suddenly, a loud and ominous chuckle sounds throughout the area. "Confused, Uchiha?"

I tense myself, taking only a passing notice of something feeling different. I look at the cage, certain that is where the voice came from. And shortly after looking, my thoughts are proven true.

Out from the darkness is a large, nine-tailed fox. His fur is a bright orange color, and his face has black markings running down from his ears to his eyes. His eyes are a burning red color, filled to the brim with emotions. But not hate, at least, not towards me.

The giant fox chuckles loudly, his gaze seeming to assess me. I stand up straight again, simply responding with "Kyuubi-sama."

Kyuubi's grin widens as he says "Don't give me that Uchiha. You know my name, as I gave you the privilege to use it. Now use it as Naruto did before."

I nod, saying "As you wish, Kurama-sama." Kurama raises a non-existent eyebrow at me using -sama, but ignores it.

Kurama then stretches himself and lays down. He stares at me and says "So, why are you here?"

My head tilts in confusion. That's when I notice something. A tinge of red, unseen before, within my vision. The smell of the dojo walls, the scented wood, was intense, almost burning. I grimace as my eyes water. Kurama smirks at my reaction. "Seems you finally noticed."

I look up at the massive fox with a glare. "What does that mean?" My nose scrunches as the smell seems to get stronger.

The fox gives me a mischievous grin. "Your sense of smell. Your vision. They are changed, no?" I pause, then nod. "As I thought. You are taking up my attributes, my physical sense."

My glare gave the demon enough incentive to continue. "The seal Naruto created was to help you stay alive more than actually seal me. As such, my chakra has much more flow to it than Naruto's, even after the seal was unlocked. Because of this freedom, my chakra is affecting your body. The whisker marks, red eyes, those are byproducts. The real changes are your heightened sense of smell, sharper eyesight, and the ability to sense negative emotions.

I frown in thought, looking at my hands. I open and close them, sniffing a bit, trying to get used to the new intensity of my nose. Finally, I look up again. "Why are you telling me this?

Kurama raises another nonexistent eyebrow at me and says "Whatever do you mean, Uchiha?"

My glare intensifies at the orange fox. "You know exactly what I mean Kurama-sama."

Kurama continues to look at me in confusion. He then lets out a loud sigh and says "I do not hate you Uchiha. Yes, I may dislike you, but you also changed your ways. Not only that but you tried helping Naruto in saving the world."

Kurama suddenly looks a lot less fierce as a longing look appears on his face. "I felt your true emotions when Naruto died. Anger, grief, sorrow. But what I felt the strongest was righteous anger. Anger at how Kaguya treats others. Anger at her killing innocents. You truly changed Uchiha."

My arms slowly uncross as I listen to what Kurama says. I look at him in disbelief. Did I really feel that way when Kaguya appeared and killed Naruto? No, that can't be right. I'm a killer, a lost avenger. I can't be like that. I can't be like Naruto.

I shake my head at the nine-tailed fox. "No, no way is that right. I can't be like that, not after everything I did."

Kurama once again looks at me in silent confusion, and then he rests his head on his paws again. "Believe what you wish, Uchiha. But know that I can feel negative emotions stronger than any other. Now leave and let me nap."

Finding that nothing else will be said, I turn around and leave the room. Using the same technique I use to exit the Tsukuyomi, I am able to leave my mind.

I am still laying on my bed. Why? I know that I don't have to be at the training grounds until 10 because of Kakashi's habits, but I still wanted to get there early. So why am I still laying here?

I know why, but I just can't accept it. What Kurama said shook me more than it should've. Why is it so difficult to see myself as changed? Why can't I see myself with Naruto's morals?

I sigh, bringing a hand down my face. I then bring a hand up to the top of my hand, feeling the two slight bumps signifying where my, ugh, fox ears are hidden. I dread the day those things can't be hidden anymore.

Deciding that I've mused long enough, I get up and quickly change into my normal attire. I grab my shinobi supplies, along with a few extras for training, and leave my room. I look around and to my surprise I find no signs of a mess or anyone leaving. Funny, I thought Naruto would make a mess of everything.

Shrugging it off I go and grab a tomato from my cabinets. Deciding to check on what everyone else is doing, I go to their rooms.

Checking Kakashi's first, I find a large lump on the bed, silver hair sticking out from the covers. I smirk and get a sudden impulse to pull a prank on Kakashi. Huh, maybe pranking had more to do with the Kyu-, Kurama than I thought.

Snickering to myself, I go out and grab some supplies. After a few minutes of set up a perfect prank is made. Oh, Kakashi will never get up late again. Especially after Hokage-sama said not to.

Leaving Kakashi's room, I then make my way to Sakura's. I open the door and find Sakura slumbering peacefully on the bed, soft snores filling the room.

I make my way to Sakura silently. I reach the bedside and shake her slightly. "Sakura, time to get up."

Sakura's eyes scrunch up, a soft protest heard from her throat. I can't help but smile at the sweet sound. Maybe I'll have a chance with this Sakura. Mine was gone too soon.

Sakura's eyes then slowly open. She looks at me groggily and croaks out "Tenshi?" I smile more at her obvious delusion and her calling me an angel. I shake my head and respond with "No, but you do need to get up Sakura. It's time to get to the test, remember?"

Sakura tilts her head to the side in slight confusion, then nods. She sits up and stretches, yawning widely. Turning my head away so Sakura can have her privacy, I say, "Get ready to go, Sakura. I'll get Naruto." I then leave the room.

After walking a few more moments I locate the room Naruto took for himself. I open the door and, what do you know, his stuff is thrown everywhere. Before I get started on Naruto and mine's relationship, I need to teach him some decency. Every shinobi should have some form of finesse.

Naruto himself is sprawled all over the bed. Loud snores echo through the room, just below the annoyance range. Shaking my head at Naruto's obnoxious behavior, even when sleeping, I go over to the bed.

Not wasting any time I use a small fire jutsu and send it to Naruto's bottom. Naruto immediately jumps into the air, screaming loudly. He runs around the room, his sleep-fogged mind trying to pinpoint what is hurting him. I simply begin laughing at Naruto's reaction.

After a few more comedic moments of running around in a frenzy, Naruto finally calms down. He rubs his burnt behind, grumbling softly. I only give passing notice to Naruto approaching, so when I am suddenly dogpiled by 5 Narutos, I am completely off guard.

I let out a yelp of surprise as I suddenly felt a large weight on my chest. I grunt and look up at the smirking Naruto. "That's what you get teme."

I look at Naruto with a blank face at first, then I notice something. I smirk as well and say "Well, don't be too confident dobe. You are still in your boxers, burnt ones at that."

Naruto suddenly pales rapidly and looks down, bright blue eyes wide. Sure enough, Naruto is only wearing his boxers. Blushing red like a tomato, Naruto runs behind his bed and screams "TEME! GET OUT!"

The clones dispel all at once and I get up. I flash a frankly fox-like grin at Naruto and say "Get ready for the test dobe. You'll need all the preparation you can get." Ignoring Naruto's protests, I walk out of the room.

After five minutes both Naruto and Sakura are ready for the test. Although, Naruto doesn't have much.

I eye him up and down and say "Where's the rest of your stuff Naruto?" Naruto scratches the back of his head sheepishly, his grin plastered on his face. "Hehe… I think I left them at my old apartment."

I don't accept that answer one bit. Naruto is using a mask again, and I won't allow it. Looking him dead in the eye I say "Naruto, we both know that is a lie." Seeing Naruto's sudden fear, I soften and say "You don't need to hide it from me, Naruto. I know the truth. We'll get you some more equipment after the test." Thankfully, Naruto nods.

Sakura looks between us, confused at what we are talking about, but then shrugs it off. As we get ready to go to the training grounds, Sakura goes over to me shyly. I take a glance at her as I continue eating my tomato.

After a couple more bites my patience begins getting tested. I finish the bit currently in my mouth and glance at Sakura again. "What is it Sakura?"

Sakura jumps a little at my sudden announcing of her presence, but she takes it in stride. "W-Well, I was wondering if you could help me train after the test."

I am about to take another bite when I freeze. I look over at Sakura again, her eyes full of hope. I lower the tomato and say "What brought this on?"

She blushes even brighter but still says "W-Well, I just thought that what you showed us, t-the elements, was really impressive. I want to get better."

I blink a few times, then an O shape forms with my mouth. Mentally I am hoping for joy at this opportunity. And I can hear Kurama laughing in my head. Damn fox.

Outwardly though, I simply nod and say "Yeah, I can help. I showed you those for a reason."

Sakura beams and nearly seems ready to barrel me over. But then the light fades away as she seems to remember something. She looks at me with a nervous look and says "I wanted to ask why you are being so nice all of the sudden. You are usually so distant and cold, but now you seem so… welcoming."

I look at her for a few seconds, then close my eyes. I grimace slightly, but I know I can't avoid this question. Luckily I've had a little while to think about this question. I open my eyes again and say "Let's talk about it on our way to the training ground. No point in wasting anymore time."

Sakura nods and gets up, myself following her suite. Naruto notices us getting up and quickly scarfs down the rest of his ramen, getting up and joining us afterwards.

It's been a whole minute since we left the house. I'd gauge that it is around 6:30-ish right now. It also has been a whole minute and I still haven't said anything. I close my eyes, run through the false story again, and then open my mouth.

"You guys wanted to know why I am not distant anymore." Both of my companions jump at the sudden appearance of my voice, but nod otherwise. I sigh and start the story.

"To put it shortly, I realized what I was missing. I was thinking about my goals in life and realized that, frankly, they were stupid. What would I do after I completed them? Nothing, that's what. What I had in plan probably would've cut my ties with the village." Both of them gasp, Naruto more angrily and Sakura worriedly.

I show them a small smile though and say "But that isn't gonna happen. I realized what the path I chose would lead to, and believe me when I say it wouldn't be good. So I chose a new path." I look at them and flash a rare grin. The grin is made mischievous and very Naruto-like with the whiskers and slitted pupils. "My new path is to protect those in my family. And you guys, you are my family."

Naruto and Sakura look dumbfounded for a couple of moments, before both of their faces light up like a Christmas tree. I can't help but laugh as they both jump on me and hug me tightly. Even the pain of Sakura's strength doesn't ruin the moment.

What does is a loud bang coming from the Uchiha complex. We all look up and see a plume of rainbow-colored smoke rising into the sky. We all gaze at it in awe before a scream echoes from the same direction. Knowing exactly just what happened, I grin and tell Naruto and Sakura to follow me. They nod and we all race off to the training grounds.

-Author Notes-

Made a few revisions, as well as removing the part about Sasuke getting fox ears and a tail. Frankly, I have no idea why I added that and it isn't important, so I removed it. Expect more revisions in the future, along with new chapters soon!