Our Will Of Fire – A NaruHina Fanfic – Chapter 2 – Growing Fonder

He wasn’t sure what had come over him, why he’d suddenly felt the need to kiss the young Kunoichi lying beside him, all he knew was he was in heaven.  Naruto did his best not to moan and to control the hot feeling he felt in his loins, as Hinata’s tender wet lips brushed his.  It felt great and it took all his will power to keep himself from revealing that he was no longer asleep.

Why does this feel so good?  But more then that it feels…right, as long as I know its Hinata, it feels right.

He kissed her again with everything he had, while still making the movements that would make him appear to be asleep.  He wanted nothing more then to open his eyes and look into her beautiful eyes, but if that happened now it would be very awkward for the both of them.

First off he would have to explain why he hadn’t bothered to stop her, it was fairly obvious but he wasn’t ready to reveal it to Hinata just yet.  Secondly he’d probably have to explain what they had been doing in his dream…something he REALLY didn’t want to tell seeing as how it resembled a much more graphic and intimate version of what they were currently doing.  And thirdly it would make Hinata very uncomfortable when she had to explain why had let him begin kissing her in the first place.

Especially now, he really wanted to know why she had kissed him, but he also didn’t want to scare her or make her feel uncomfortable so he would refrain from ‘waking up’ until a more appropriate time.  Besides…he didn’t really want to stop.

And so he continued kissing her, doing his best to draw her back in whenever she was about to break off, it lasted for a good five to ten minutes before she finally stopped.  

She’s probably stopping because she thinks I might wake up…oh I wish she hadn’t stopped.

Ku ku ku…I told you kit, you didn’t believe me then but how about now?  I’d say it’s pretty obvious that you like her and it’s only a matter of time before she figures it out if she hasn’t already.   The deep rumble of fox bothered Naruto more at this time then it would have usually.

Could you piss off for a while, in the middle of thinking about something.

Hmm…thinking of something to do with the Hyugaa I gather?

Yeah so what?  Naruto asked defiantly.  The fox was no longer so much evil, but he hadn’t lost any of his taste for mischief and so Naruto knew he always had to be careful, he was a fellow prankster himself so he knew all to well what the fox might do.

You know I caught that entire bit too…

God Dammit! Is there anything I think or say that you don’t hear?

No kit, not unless you deliberately use your mind to hide it from me, something that you’ve been doing sub consciously with thoughts of the Hyugaa which has been bothering me to no end.

Well good some of those thoughts are private and absolutely none of your business.

None of my business hmm?  You know I know all too well about those little dreams of yours kit…the ones with you purple eyes here.

Naruto was shocked and embarrassed all at once, He knew?  The dreams of which the fox spoke were private because they all seemed to be very sexual in nature, all of them ending with him and Hinata doing some very intimate things.  Gah, th-those are none of your business.

Kit I’m in this body of yours too and I notice all the little things that happen to it…including those little urges you get…

Naruto was feeling less and less comfortable with the fox’s reminder of his dreams…they brought to mind the presence of the beauty lying beside him.  God Dammit control yourself, damn you Ero-sannin, I wouldn’t think like this if you hadn’t exposed me to those damn novels and crap.

Drawn back to reality by the heat of the body beside him Naruto ceased all thoughts of anything but sleep and drifted into slumber where more of his sexual dreams awaited.


“Ahh…Naruto-kun…” the rest of Hinata’s words were lost in the wind as she was wrenched away from her pleasant dream to a place she had never seen before.  She now stood dead-center of a pool of water fed by a large waterfall; the view was majestic to say the least with the beautiful clearing surrounded by woods as far as the eye could see and a thin mist from the cascading water resting in the air.

“W-w-what’s going o-on?” she whispered looking down to see that she wasn’t using any chakra to keep herself above the clear liquid pool. She yelled in surprise “Eeek!” and immediately focused her chakra into the bottoms of her feet, only to realize it wasn’t there…she had no chakra.  ‘What, why don’t I have chakra?’ her unvoiced question went unanswered as a feeling of vulnerability crept over her.

Hinata felt quite scared at the moment, ‘is this some type of genjutsu?’  Her worry increased even more at this prospect, her primary fighting style involved the use of chakra and being physically weaker then Neji she was nearly defenceless without it.

Afraid to stay out in the open she took a sudden step forward, only to be confronted by the image of a small blond boy clad in ripped clothing being pelted with rocks by shadowed figures, while he tried to escape the cold snow and crisp wind.  ‘What on earth are they doing!?  The boy’s just a child trying to keep warm he didn’t do anything to deserve that kind of treatment.’

Making an attempt to escape the hard projectiles the boy crawled along the ground on all fours towards her, face down, keeping low as to try and escape the attacks of his shadowed assailants.

‘I’ve got to help him.’ Her mind made up Hinata began running towards the poor child with every intention of helping the poor boy…even if it meant incapacitating his attackers.  She’d been badly abused as a child, not just by her father but by her entire clan, why they hated her so much she could not know but, she was not about to let this boy suffer the same fate she had so many times as a child.

However as the boy looked up the shadows disappeared and Hinata found herself frozen mere feet from the small boy.  ‘It’s not possible…why…why am I dreaming about this!?  Why!?  The boy seemed to look at her for a moment before glaring back in the direction of his attackers, his whisker marked face and piercing blue eyes doing all the talking.  “Naruto…” The boy once again turned towards her and held her gaze, this time with no hate or malice but rather with a frightened look.

“You’re not going to throw rocks at me too are you?  You don’t hate me too right?”

Hinata began to cry as she tried to hug the small boy, only to have him disappear in her arms.  ‘Why am I having dreams like this?  I don’t want to see this, I’m the one who went through that not him and I never want to see him ever go through that, so stop showing me Dammit!’  Hinata vented her anger at nothing in particular, she couldn’t blame anyone but herself, after all they were her dreams.

Hinata closed her eyes at a loss as to what was going on, this was clearly a dream, the only problem was that this one seemed VERY, very real.  She was still considering her predicament when yet more images flashed into existence.  Around her hidden in the mist, now stood seven figures, she couldn’t distinctly make out any of the massive things but they were not human, of that she was certain.

Taking an involuntary step back from the frightening monstrosities around her, she was nearly feinted when she noticed the outline of one of the shadows had eight tails.  Frantically searching for confirmation she realized to her dismay that she did indeed face…them.

The nine legendary demons, ancient creatures of chakra possessing more power then any village, any three villages combined.  They were the most powerful creatures in existence, with one paw or claw they could level mountains, scar the earth and create valleys, they were nearly indestructible and nigh unstoppable; and now seven of them stood before her.

Thoughts whirled through her mind but she quickly dismissed them, it wouldn’t matter where she hid or ran, she had no chance of escaping that which surrounded her.  ‘Still…why are there only seven? There should be nine; I couldn’t make out the Kyubii or the Shichubi.’

She couldn’t pursue that train of thought further however as the seven surrounding demons suddenly encroached upon her, even as they broke the mist there forms were still surrounded by shadow, not that it made them any less intimidating.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’ she was terrified as well as worried.  Although it was a dream, she was fairly certain that being caught by any of the demons would still prove harmful.

Don’t worry little one I’ll always be there to protect you.

The voice caused the other demons to halt in their tracks, before – to Hinata’s unbelieving eyes – retreating.  Who could possibly be protecting her that could scare off creatures as powerful as the Bijuu?  ‘Who are you?’ Hinata asked after the black forms that would now haunt her nightmares faded entirely.

You already know you simply haven’t connected everything together yet.  I’m a part of you little one, just as much as you are a part of me.

Hinata thought and thought hard while the puzzle pieces gradually slid into place.  The picture wasn’t complete but Hinata could already guess the truth, a truth that scared and angered her.  ‘Y-you’re one of them aren’t y-you?  You’re t-the seven-tails.’  Saying it out loud reassured Hinata that her decision was indeed correct.

Yes I am the seven-tails, you did well to catch on so quickly.

Despite receiving a compliment Hinata was now far more angry then afraid, so this was the reason her clan had abused her and hated her since she was born, they knew about what was inside her.  “It’s your entire fault…you are the reason my clan hates me and my father abuses me.  If not for you I would have grown up just like a normal person.” Hinata’s voice was dripping with venom by the time she finished, all of it directed at her so-called ‘protector’

The demons voice actually took on a sympathetic tone when it, or rather she, as the voice was clearly female, replied.  For all that happened because of me I’m deeply sorry, what they did to you was inexcusable.  I would have helped you myself but until recently I have been completely cut off from you aside from being able to witness your life.

The demon truly sounded sorry, even seemed to regret what had happened, something Hinata was not at all expecting.

Well little one I suppose I should introduce myself, I am Shichubi the seven-tailed cat.  

Hinata had already made that connection and seemed to just stare blankly, while her mind worked furiously behind her dazed expression.  After a few moments of silence she spoke, her voice nearly cracking filled with sadness and despair. “They all hate me, are afraid of me, all because they think I’m a…I’m a monster… ‘What the hell do I mean, think, I am a monster.’  The revelation made her eyes water and she could already feel the torrent of water welling up behind her closed eyelids.  ‘A…monster.’

NO!  The sudden outburst from the demon startled her, and more then a little scared her.  Please don’t think of yourself as a monster just because I’m sealed within you.  Please…all of my hosts have always been treated badly and I feel terrible because of it, I didn’t choose to be sealed here…I really never wanted you to be treated like this.  The demon’s voice was plagued with sadness and regret but Hinata still couldn’t shake the feeling.

“I-I’m a monster.”  Stating it out loud proved to be too much for her and salty tears began to cascade down her cheeks.

Oh little one I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry.

The words alone did little to ease her pain and the tears continued to flow.  She slumped to her knees and sobbed, reliving everyday of her abuse and the reason behind it.  She was consumed with emotion and so, was caught completely by surprise when something soft and fluffy brushed her tears away.  She looked up unable to comprehend how someone had so easily snuck up on her and nearly feinted as she came face to face with her ‘protector’.

Shichubi was nothing like Hinata had expected, she did not appear as the other Youma had; frightening and repulsive, not even as a cat.  No, instead she had a form much akin to that of the effigy Hinata had seen in the Hyugaa complex.  She resembled Hinata closely in every physical aspect excluding their eyes, hair and a few radical differences.  She had a sleek voluptuous body with large breasts and long shapely legs much akin to Hinata,  her skin was soft and pale, paler even then Hinata’s.  

However there the human similarities ended and the ‘special’ differences began.  Her long hair was a very light white blue and seemed to glow as the light rebounded off it.  In fact, Hinata thought, ‘it looks like it is made of water or ice’.  To add her strange appearance her skin was covered in what could only be…fur, in some places.  Her upper legs, thighs, upper arms, chest and neck were all covered in a white fur which shifted to blue around the edges.  And last but not least was the most inhuman difference between them, protruding from Shichubi’s tailbone were seven long fox like tails, each a bright white with light blue tips.  It was one of these tails that was gently rubbing Hinata’s back.

Seeing the look of awe and confusion on the face of her host Shichubi knelt down beside her charge and hugged her close startling the young woman.  I can see you’re confused by my appearance, you should know that not all of us demons are evil, in fact the majority of us aren’t, this is essentially what our true forms look like, we only take on our bestial form when under sever stress or in combat against strong or numerous opponents.  Please little one, don’t be scared of me, I care for you and the last thing I would want to do would be to hurt you.

Hinata was astounded by Shichubi’s beauty and even more so by her actions, this was not how she would have expected one of the great Bijuu to act.  Her words were comforting and Hinata actually began to feel better.  This didn’t last long however when another realizations struck her, one which angered her quite a bit.

“You…you were the one controlling this whole thing, if you have really been inside of me for so long you know how I feel about Naruto, so why the hell would you make me watch him go through that?!”  Hinata was angry, what she had witnessed not only broke her heart but also made her relive past memories, one she had tried to forget.

Please Hinata believe me when I say that I had absolutely nothing to do with showing you that, I did not in anyway bring that image into being.  That was actually…not your dream.

“Not my dream? If it wasn’t my dream then where did it come from?”  Hinata could already guess but she prayed that she would be proven false.  

Hinata what you saw was someone else’s dream, the dream of the one currently lying beside you while you sleep.  I know this is going to bother you but…that was not a dream…dream.  He was reliving a memory…that actually happened.

“B-b-but why? I know he’s an orphan but he’s done nothing wrong, he’s never said anything about being abused as a child before, not even once.”

I mean no offence but what do you truly know about Naruto’s past?  I know this might bother you a little bit but I’ve kept tabs on every word that’s come from his mouth and I know precious little about his past.  You don’t have a memory that spans eons, and have other things to be doing so you likely know even less then I.  I will tell you this; he is not anywhere near as dumb as everyone makes him out to be… well at least in every affair but affection.

Even Hinata’s dream form blushed at this remark causing the Shichubi to giggle, a strangely pleasant sound that lifted some of the weight from Hinata’s shoulders.  

Now it’s time I must leave you love, your boy out there is getting pretty worried that you’re not waking up.  I’ll just say this, don’t tell him about us, not yet anyway, and if ever you feel like you’re a monster and I can’t shake the feeling out of you, talk to him.  Trust me when I say he knows how you feel, he has a secret far darker even then yours, I know you want to know but don’t question him, he’ll tell you sooner or later, likely sooner.    Goodbye little one.



Hinata slowly opened her eyes, still trying to digest everything that had happened, not just over the last few days, but primarily the time she’d spent with the Shichubi, and so she was pleasantly surprised and startled to wake up to see Naruto’s warm blue eyes mere inches form her own.  

“Hinata-chan you’re okay right?  You were scaring me for a second there, you seemed to be sleeping but I couldn’t wake you and you were shivering for some reason.”  Naruto knew something was wrong when Hinata didn’t respond, not with her usual blush or a light squeak, nothing.

“Hey c’mon I know something’s wrong Hinata, I can tell when something’s bothering you and I know something is now, you can tell me, I won’t tell anyone else and that’s a promise, and you know I’ll keep my promise.”  

He was very surprised when Hinata wrapped her arms around him and began sobbing into his shoulder.  “Naruto-kun…do ever feel like you’re a monster…that everyone wishes you’d just leave and never return.  Li-like you’re a bad memory that people want to forget?”

Naruto did his best to keep the tears from his eyes, succeeding only barely.  He felt all the terrible memories of his life return to haunt him, all the days of abuse, of being the ‘demon brat’.  The life like dream he’d had last night made things even more difficult as that was one of his old memories.  “Hinata… people do want you around, I want you around, and no matter what people might say about you, I care for you and trust me when you say your not alone.”  

Hinata hugged him closer feeling better as his heart warming words rushed over her.  “T-thank you Naruto, you always know how to make me feel better.”  She had no idea that Naruto’s words had come straight from his heart.  They were what he had always wanted to hear when he was a child, and he was glad his words had made her feel better.

“But Hina-chan…why would you ask a question like that?”  His use her little nickname caught her off guard and she had to smother the urge to tell him everything.

“Nothing Naruto, I’m-I’m fine.”  Hinata found that even to herself she sounded unconvincing and so she was not surprised when Naruto once again subtly pressed the issue.

“Hinata, if it’s something you aren’t comfortable sharing with me that’s fine just say so, but if not please tell me, I won’t judge you and I’m just here to help you.”

Oh god I want to tell you, but… you aren’t ready for that yet and I don’t want to lose you, not now.  She let out deep sigh before answering the blond.  “Naruto I want to tell you, but as much as I want to, I’m not ready to reveal that to anyone right now, not even you…no yet anyways.”

The emphasis on his name was not lost on Naruto and despite himself he felt a telltale heat in his cheeks indicating he was blushing.  Oh no I’m blushing and she’s gonna see.  He was about to turn and look away but Hinata placed her hands on either side of his face, her lovely pale lavender eyes looking at him affectionately but uncertainly.  Before he could open his mouth to respond she leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips.  It wasn’t anything like what they’d done last night, just one quick kiss, one quick kiss that meant a lot.

Hinata pulled back quickly from the still stunned Naruto her face as red as ever.  “I h-hadn’t thanked y-you for s-saving me yet.”  She muttered forcing herself to look at him.  She was very surprised and very happy to notice the dark crimson streaks across Naruto’s features playfully clashing with his whisker like birthmarks.  Maybe…just maybe I have a chance.

“Th-thanks Hina-chan…” she shivered at how her affectionate nickname sounded in his husky voice.  He wanted to say more but he figured it would just make things awkward, their feelings could be dealt with once this whole affair was over and Hinata was safe from her malevolent backstabbing clan.  “Hinata it’s still very early outside and we need our rest, you especially because you don’t look too well.”  Hinata took on a confused expression.  What’s he talking about?  “You’re looking paler then usual and despite sleeping so long while under the sedative, sleep deprived.”

She must have been up all night this last week knowing what her family was going to do to her.  Damn Hiashi that bastard, this isn’t how a father should act.  Doing his best to hide his anger at this last thought he gently bade Hinata good night who fell asleep immediately, and slowly began drifting off to slumber beside her, he was more then happy to oblige when she began snuggling into him while she slept.


The pink haired Kunoichi paced frantically in the kitchen of her small apartment, worry and anxiousness written clearly upon her features.  She hadn’t slept at all and doubted she was going to until they returned.  Why aren’t they back yet?  They should have been back by now.  As much as she hated it her mind immediately began rattling off all the possible reasons why they hadn’t shown up, almost none of which were good.

The most likely reason she knew was the sudden downpour that had started up soon after she’d left the two of them.  Normally even such large torrents of water would be ignored, but Neji had mentioned something about a sedative being used on the one to receive the mark.  If that was the case then it was likely that Hinata had begun feeling the effects of the sedative after she left.  

Hmm if that’s the case then I’m glad that Naruto had the sense not to continue through the storm, if he had they would likely have both ended up with Hypothermia.  Well Hinata at least... I don’t know why but Naruto seems immune to sickness, all his wounds heal almost immediately and he seems able to recover from just about any injury in just one night.  Tsunade says she’s never seen anything like it but... I can tell she’s hiding something.

Her thoughts were immediately forgotten as they were interrupted by a tentative knock on the door.  At this time it could only be them!  Rushing to the door she nearly tripped upon her gear which she’d dropped unceremoniously in a wet heap once in the door.  Stumbling back to her feet she flung the door open only to be greeted by the gaze of a Hyugaa, not Hinata, but Neji.

“So I’m guessing they haven’t returned yet considering they have yet to be seen by any of the Hyugaa patrolling the city and they haven’t been here either.”  Sakura nodded her head slightly and indicated he come in.  Neji swore under his breath when she explained her theory, which he quickly adopted.  “Dammit I never thought of that” he said with a grimace.

“Don’t blame yourself, if anyone is to blame for her condition it’s me, I saw the puncture mark of the needle but I thought that the drug only takes effect after the person receives the seal.  I was careless.”  She felt terrible about what had happened as it was for the majority her part.

“Actually the true person to blame is me.” Neji replied pain evident in his voice.  “Normally you’re right, the drug will not take effect until the seal is placed, however the seal is meant to be used when the Hyugaa is young and their chakra paths are still developing.  A side effect of doing it at this age is that it is extremely painful.  Knowing this I arranged for her to receive five times the normal dosage to help dull the pain, and now look, it turns out, that is the reason she’s not safely back.”

“Don’t blame yourself Neji, you were just doing what was right, consider what might have happened if we hadn’t managed to rescue her, if you hadn’t given her that much of the sedative she would have had it much worse then if you hadn’t.”  She didn’t like seeing Neji beat himself up over his decision, after all she would have done the same in his position.

A moment passed between the two before either spoke, each trying to determine their next move.  “We had better hope they return soon, the longer it takes for them to get back the more difficult our situation.  The Hyugaa elder council has sent Hiashi who has informed Tsunade-samma of Hinata’s kidnapping which will make approaching her more difficult then ever, not to mention that anbu teams will be after them soon.”  Neji sounded worried, but not hopeless.  After all she had Naruto with her; so far he’d been the one to plan the entire thing, everything even the chakra smoke had been his idea.  Neji wasn’t sure why, but he knew, that just like the old Naruto, he could count on him to keep his promise.


“Tsunade-samma I require your assistance.”  Hiashi’s angry, emotionless voice broke Tsunade’s concentration on her paperwork, providing her and excuse being away from the dreaded stacks of paper; after all what could Hiashi possibly need her for that was worse then paperwork.  

“Hiashi this had better be important to interrupt me as I have much paperwork to finish.” she asked her voice intoned with annoyance rather then the relief she felt.

“Hinata has been kidnapped.” His reply was bluntly stated, free from the usual flowery he generally employed when he spoke.

“Was kidnapped or ran away?  You’re clan posses the Byakugan and you’re telling me that someone managed to not only infiltrate your compound but steal your daughter AND get away?”  She sounded angry, but she was far, far past angry, she knew quite well of how badly Hiashi and his clan abused Hinata and she had to wonder if it had finally been too much for the girl to handle.

“Tsunade-samma I assure you that this was indeed a kidnapper, we have several eye witnesses who saw the intruder take her, her kidnapper was highly skilled as he dealt with not only a contingent of guards, but two elite Hyugaa shinobi all in a matter of seconds.  Not to mention that not even one of them was killed or even severely wounded, simply incapacitated.  Whoever did this also knew quite well about the Byakugan, somehow they managed to infuse the smoke in several smoke bombs with chakra making it as useful against our eyes as those of a regular person.”

Tsunade’s face blanched as a thought coursed through her mind, Akatsuki.  Could they possibly have thought to kidnap Hinata and use her to bargain for Naruto?  Hiashi did not miss the immediate change in demeanour from the blond in front of him.  “Hokage-samma?” he did not like the look on her face at the moment.

“No it couldn’t be them…Akatsuki wouldn’t have left the guards alive…right?”  The mention of the legendary Akatsuki caused Hiashi to visibly tremble,  they know about it!  But how could they possibly know after all these years!?

Mistaking Hiashi’s trembling as a sign of worry for his daughter Tsunade tried to reassure the man. “Don’t worry we’ll get your daughter back, and I highly doubt it was Akatsuki anyways, they operate in pairs and your witnesses saw only one man correct?  Not to mention that they would not have left any of the guards alive.”  

Little did she know Hiashi was not at all concerned for his daughter’s safety so much as what was inside her.  He couldn’t care less if she died so long as no one found out about the demon sealed within her.  If anyone found out about the demon things would not go well for him or the Hyugaa clan.

He was startled from his thoughts when suddenly an Anbu appeared seemingly from nowhere in a poof of chakra.  “Yes Hokage-samma?” he asked going to one knee before the Hokage.  “Hinata of the Hyugaa clan has been kidnapped; I’m sending you after her.  You will bring your team with you and capture the kidnapper and bring him to me, be advised, whoever he is he is very skilled; do not engage in one on one combat.  You’re dismissed.”

With another poof of chakra the masked Anbu disappeared leaving Tsunade alone with Hiashi once again.  An awkward silence passed between to two before Tsunade felt the need to speak.  “There is not much else I can do, the majority of the anbu are working on other tasks at the moment and cannot leave their posts.”

“It’s not that Tsunade-samma, when you apprehend the kidnapper, I expect to be the first to know.”  He said his voice cold and emotionless.

“You needn’t worry Hiashi; you’ll be the first to know…other then myself.”

With that Tsunade watched as Hiashi turned on his heel and walked from her office.  Does he actually care about Hinata?  Or is there some ulterior motive...


“Hiashi-samma you requested for me?” inquired a Hyugaa captain as he bowed before his clan head.

“Yes, I want you to take your squad and search for my daughter, if you find her before the Anbu then bring her to me, if she fights you and this proves impossible…kill her.”

The captain raised his head, eyes wide with shock for a moment before training kicked d in; he’d just been asked to kill the heads daughter if necessary.  “We cannot risk someone finding out about…it.  If sacrifices need be made then so be it” Hiashi answered to the shinobi’s unspoken question.

“Hai Hiashi-samma.”


Naruto opened his eyes groggily taking in the scene of the cave as it splayed across his blurry vision.  He glanced down at the form beside him and was pleased to see Hinata still deep in slumber.   He let his gaze linger on her face, admiring her fine features while he didn’t have to worry about courtesy.   

Suddenly a terribly sharp pain coursed through his abdomen causing him to double over in pain.  He clamped down hard on his finger to muffle his outcry as his did not wish to wake Hinata.  It felt like someone had taking a searing brand to his stomach.  What the hell?  He thought as the markings of his seal began to glow a bright crimson.

He quickly turned his body away form Hinata and slowly began trying to make his way to the cave entrance, each step proving more difficult then the rest.  Fox…what’s happening? …Something’s wrong.  

Unfortunately little one it has begun.
Naruto was about to question the fox when the last of his strength left him and he collapsed just inside the small cave.  Young Hinata Hyugaa deactivated her Byakugan and ceased watching the events unfold behind closed lids.  After a few moments she ran over to the unconscious boy fear and worry plainly visible in her actions.   Oh Naruto-kun, what’s happening to you?  Please...please be ok.  


Naruto didn’t even bother opening his eyes to take in the familiar place, he didn’t have to; its smell and feel were more then enough.  Opening his eyes and slowly getting to his feet he found himself in what appeared to be a maze of sewer tunnels lit only by a sickly yellow glow.  

Cautiously he began manoeuvring through the tunnels to his destination for the most part ignoring the eyes that glared at him from the shadows.  He’d been here before numerous times but never was he able to shake the feeling of fear away, the place was far more frightening then any horror film had ever been, the very air itself reeked of malice making it hard to breath.

It wasn’t long before came to a small doorway that opened up into a large chamber, it was from within that all the hate and malice seemed to originate.  Slowly he approached the entrance but found himself hesitating, normally he would have entered without another thought, after all it wasn’t even the fox’s choice to give off the baleful aura, it was a self defence mechanism that came into play whenever he was in his bestial form, which as it turned out he was unable to revert from.  But even knowing this he was hesitating all the same, something wasn’t the same; something just didn’t fell right…  

Abruptly there was sudden blinding red flash from within the chamber, though it lasted only a few seconds it proved more then enough to blind Naruto for a few seconds.  What on earth is going on here!?

Knowing that until he figured out what was going on and talked to the fox that he likely wouldn’t wake up, he decided to enter.  Slowly he crossed the threshold into the enormous chamber fully expecting to see the fox sealed in his cage, what he actually saw shocked and frightened him.

There was no cage, no seal, and no barrier to keep the fox sealed at all.  B-but, t-that’s impossible you should be stuck in here cause of the seal.  Wait, where the hell is the seal!?  Standing outside of the cage the red chakra of the fox swirled around before forming the distinct image of a monstrous fox.

I’m afraid it has begun kit; I never thought it would be so soon, in fact I didn’t expect it to happen at all.

Expect what to happen?  Fox tell me what the fuck is going on!! Images of the fox escaping and destroying Konoha, not to mention his friends and Hinata filled his mind.

Calm down kit I’m still sealed with in so to speak so I’m not about to escape and go on a rampage.

Naruto settled down almost immediately, so long as nobody else was in danger things weren’t nearly as bad as he’d thought.  But how are you still sealed in me?  I mean your no longer in your cage or whatever and I don’t see the seal anymore…in fact I don’t even feel it anymore.

You are correct for once kit, the seal no longer exists, the seal created by Yondaime is no more.

Even though he’d expected as much the information hit him like a slap in the face; the seal was the only thing keeping the fox from escaping, but it was also the only thing that separated their chakra, even if the Kyuubi couldn’t escape his life was about to become a lot more complicated.

Okay fox I think it’s time you told me what’s going on here, you seem to know something and I want to know what the hell is going on.  He was shouting by the time he finished, frustration and fear taking hold, even as they spoke in his mind Naruto could feel the fox’s chakra melding with his own and he was afraid of what might happen if it continued.

Before I explain anything about what’s happening let me say this, you really need not worry too much about what’s going on.  This process will not change you in any harmful matter so stop worrying about what’s happening with our chakra, besides it won’t have an effect on you for at least a week, as even if expel more five times your maximum chakra per hour it will still take me at least that long fuse even half of my max.

As comforting as the information was that he had nothing to worry about for at least a week’s time Naruto was still in the dark and he desperately needed to know what was happening to him, if only so he could protect Hinata from himself.  Fox you still haven’t told me what’s happening to me and if you think I’m leaving without an answer then you’re dead wrong.  His tone was calm and cold something the fox had not expected from his charge, it seemed that his host was more concerned with the Hyugaa then he was with himself.

Ya so what if I am?  I’ve always been more concerned with others, after all since your inside me I’m practically invincible, sure I can be hurt but so far I have no evidence to suggest that I CAN die.

Naruto…I didn’t say anything…

What? What the hell do you mean you didn’t say anything, I heard it clearly so give me that shit!  The calm façade was gone, replaced with the rash angry hothead that Kyuubi was used to.

So what if I’m rash?  I get the job done at least! Now tell me what’s happening to me!

Naruto I haven’t said anything… your reading my thoughts just like I can read yours.

This came as a surprise and when Naruto concentrated he found that he could indeed make out Kyuubi’s thoughts

B-but how can I do that? I mean I know you can but that’s because you’re inside me, why can I suddenly read your thoughts even though I’ve never shown any sign of being able to before?

Well I suppose you have to know, after all it will change your life drastically in the future.  Naruto grimaced at this but refrained from letting loose an outburst, he wanted to know what was going on sooner rather then alter.

As you know a Jinchuuriki has the ability to use the chakra of the demon sealed within them.  You also know that there is a strong link between Bijuu and human.  This symbiotic relationship of host and demon stays separate throughout the life of the Jinchuuriki until the host dies, the Bijuu leaves, and or the Bijuu is transferred into another host.  

Kyuubi took a moment to let all this sink in and was pleased to see that Naruto had been paying strict attention and had it seemed, absorbed every word.

However there are certain possible…anomalies.   As you saw, or rather were told by Yamato after I wiped the girl’s memory, when you lost control in the fourth tail stage in your battle against Orochimaru your body changed.   The reason for this is that the body tries to find equal ground, the equilibrium at which both Bijuu and host are in sync.   Most Jinchuuriki need not worry about this; someone like Garra for example, would never need to worry about this as he is the host of Shukaku who only posses one tail.  Their equilibrium is so that you see no difference in him, he is at equilibrium constantly.  You on the other hand have more to worry about.

I don’t have anywhere near as much chakra as you do and so to reach equilibrium I’m gonna have to change dramatically.  Naruto said sombrely believing he’d figured it out.

Yes…and no.   Being the strongest of the nine Bijuu I have far more chakra then any of the other demons, if your body changed to reach equilibrium you would simply be consumed by my chakra, essentially you would become ME.  That is not what is happening to you now Naruto.

Then what IS happening?  You may have said that it’s not harmful to me or anyone else but you did say that it would change my life and I want to know why and when and how.  

Even without my power, few people have as much chakra as you do, the Uchiha, your sensei, Tsunade, and purple eyes are the only ones who rival you in that department if we exclude everyone from Akatsuki.  Because of this, a new option apparently became available.  Instead of changing your body so as to sync us we are in a way melding.   Instead of having to make our chakra levels equal to reach equilibrium they are fusing together to form ONE chakra.   This means that for the most part your body will remain the same.

Hey what do you mean by ‘for the most part’!?  Are you saying that I’m gonna look like I do when I use your chakra all the time now!?

Well since you are essentially fusing with me it’s obvious that some changes were bound to occur, I cannot say for certain what they will be as this has never actually occurred before.

Wait, where does that leave you exactly, I mean if we fuse or whatever you wanna call it and It’s still my body where are you gonna be.

I’ve thought about this and I’m not entirely sure what will happen to me, from the way things are progressing I’m guessing that things will end up a lot like before, I will still be here, the little voice in your head but I’ll be more involved, I’ll end up being the little voice of reason I imagine.

Why is this happening now? I mean I’ve never been in sync with you so why is this happening now of all times.  What makes this so special.

Well as you may have known from the legends about our kind, or rather my legend especially, there were certain times when I terrorized the land of fire to speak.  You see the reason for this is natures little way of using us to help keep everyone in line and keep the human population under control.  You see roughly every eighteen years we Bijuu lose control of our senses and essentially go mad.  For precisely two days after the ‘fury’ begins we destroy everything and anything we come into contact with.  Kyuubi could tell from the look on Naruto’s face that he did not like where this information seemed to be taking him.

Don’t worry this does not occur in a Jinchuuriki because during these three special days the two become synced in order to avoid the fury.  That is why we must do things the special way, even if we became in sync by changing your body, since you would simply become another me you would still be susceptible to the fury and thus would be a danger to yourself not to mention everyone around you.   I’ve started the process so as to prevent us or rather you from losing control and destroying your village.  The fury occurs in one week, the same day I was sealed within you, October 12th…

My birthday…

Well I guess there’s not anything I can do about this so…I guess I’ll just have to see what happens.  Naruto’s reply sounded hollow and weak and the demon could understand why.  

All of Naruto’s life he’d been forced to put up with being called the ‘demon fox’, ‘fox brat’ and numerous other derogatory titles, he’d been terribly abused as a child and if not for Kyuubi likely would have died from many of the incidents.  It had taken years for him to make any friends and even longer for the village to trust him, even now a good half the village still gave him the same cold looks.  If he wandered around looking more like the fox then ever then it would prove impossible to hide the truth from his friends.  Truthfully the fox believed that his friends would simply take it in stride but Naruto was afraid that they would see him as the village did, as a monster.

You know I highly doubt that any of your friends will really care if they happen to find out, I know that at least a certain Hyugaa wouldn’t.  The mention of Hinata raised Naruto’s spirits just a little, lifting him from his depressive mood.

Well your going to have to sleep through the next few hours as the fusion begins, don’t worry the Hyugaa is alive and kicking and looking over you as we speak.

Ok…


His fever’s gone and his breathing’s stabilized, not to mention he’s no longer grimacing like a dead pig.  Hinata sat with her crush’s head in her lap seeming to absently stare at his face while she unconsciously ran her fingers through his hair.  Nobody who walked into the room would know that she was even then conversing with another.

How can you tell that his fever’s gone just by looking at him?  Hinata had become much closer to her ‘protector’ since they’d met only a few hours ago.  During her sleep and even when she was lying awake they’d talked and discussed this and that.  

Just one thing I’ve noticed over the years, whenever he has a fever his ears turn red a the tips, they faded from red a few moments ago indicating that he no longer has a fever, or rather that if he does it’s now very, very mild.

So what do you think that flash was from earlier, I mean in that one second I caught a glimpse of more chakra then I’ve seen in my entire life.  What could it possibly have been?

I have my guesses love but we’ll just have to wait to see if I’m right.  I’m not going to say anything because if I prove to be right I would rather he told you himself, both of you would feel better about it that way.

Deciding on a change of subject Hinata asked Shichubi a question that had been nagging her for some time.  

Shichubi did you umm…you know have like a name, like an actual name, name?

The question had never been asked of her before and so Shichubi was at a loss for words as she digested what she’d been asked.

You know you are the first person I’ve ever met who has ever asked me my name, thank you Hinata I’m grateful for your consideration.

Consideration?  I can’t believe that none of your previous hosts have ever asked, I mean they must have been very rude people.

Shichubi mentally shrugged.  

Well as for my name it’s~

Abruptly the strange seal on Naruto’s chest flared again a bright crimson bathing the entire area in its strange luminous glow. Hinata gasped at the unexpected light show she was witnessing whereas Shichubi’s reaction was seemingly far more dramatic and outspoken.

T-that’s impossible!  There’s no way, I-it couldn’t possibly be happening and there’s no chance that I-it’s…him.

Hinata was confused by the awe, fright, and surprise found in the demons voice, whatever was happening, she knew something and whatever it was it must have been big.

What do you mean ‘him’, what’s going on here!? Is Naruto going to be alright?

Yes love your mate here is going to be fine, more then fine, what’s happening to him has never happened before to anyone but he’ll be unharmed.  

But what’s actually happening to him?  Please don’t keep me in the dark, I can tell you know what’s going on.

Love it’s not my secret to tell, I had expected him to have a certain secret but I never expected this, it’s no wonder he came up with that dumb grin, he’s had to fake his smiles most of his life and now I know why.  Before you ask, no I will not tell anymore then this, he will tell you when he’s ready.

But~

Sorry love but I must leave you now for a while, for not only your safety but that of your friends and family, your entire village.  I’m sorry for this as it will change you in ways you will have a hard time dealing with but I assure you that this is for the best.  After all I doubt you’d be able to live with yourself if you ended up killing the young man in your lap.

Kill Naruto, I would never do that!!  

You would not be in control of your actions.

Then what’s going on?  Tell me please… all you’ve said is that I might kill the man I love and yet your not telling me why.

A guilt and sympathy ran through the demons mind at those words, her host truly cared for the blond boy, more so then her family or anyone for that matter.  

I’ll tell you this but no more, this will change you, physically and mentally, as much as I hate to do this to you as it will make your life more difficult then it already is, it is the only way to keep you from being taken by the fury.  The fury is time when we Bijuu our lose minds so to speak and go on a mindless rampage, what I’m going to do to you will prevent this from happening.

Whatever you do stay with Naruto, you two will need each other to get through this.

With that Hinata felt the presence of Shichubi fade from her mind and center itself in the back of her mind, to her chagrin she also noticed through her Byakugan that her chakra was melding with that of the demon inside her.  She focused outwards and immediately ceased the use of using her Byakugan, at the moment Naruto might as well have been a miniature sun, so much chakra could be found.

She was about to move to get something to eat when she suddenly felt drowsiness overtake her.  Why am I so sleepy?  Before she could even try to extricate her legs from under Naruto’s muscled body she collapsed onto his chest.  Well…at least…if…if…I’m…going to…sleep…it might…as well be…with…  The rest of her thought went unfinished as she fell into a deep sleep.


Sakura opened her eyes with a start as she heard a loud knock at the door.  It’s them it has got to be them.  She moved to get up and answer but was surprised to find the wait of Neji lying against her.  She blushed remembering that they’d both decided to wait at her place for the return of their friends; apparently they had both fallen asleep while waiting for the pair to return.

Gently she shifted Neji off her shoulder and moved to the door once again expecting the arrival of her friends…once again she was disappointed.  There standing in the doorway was not Naruto and Hinata, but rather Tenten and Lee.  “What are you guys doing here?”  Sakura asked hoping that neither would see Neji asleep within as they wouldn’t let her know the end of it.

She was surprised when Tenten pushed her way inside and Lee soon followed after his girlfriend.  “Did you really think we couldn’t figure out who did it?  I mean even though they’re trying to keep it quiet we know what happened.  So where are they, I mean I know about why you guys did it because Hinata told me but I don’t see them anywhere around here?”

Sakura’s face looked crestfallen as she was wondering about the whereabouts of her team-mate and friend even as Tenten spoke.  “They should have been back by now but… there were some complications.”

“Who else knows and is out there with her, Kiba? Shino?”  Tenten asked wondering who else Hinata had told.  “And how did you guys deal with guards so easily? You guys ghosted an entire contingent of chunnins and two jounins without severely injuring any of them.  Some people have saying that the only people who could have done it was Akatsuki.”

Tenten had been surprised when she’d heard the tale and learned it was the truth, but she was even more surprised when Sakura’s expression took on a surprised look at Tenten’s information.

“He did all that…by himself… how much stronger have you gotten?” she whispered under her breath.

“Who’s ‘he’?”  Tenten asked with a strange look on her face, Sakura didn’t answer as she was still digesting the thought of how much stronger her team-mate had become.

“No…there’s no way…him?  B-but I didn’t even think he was back, and h-how could he be that much stronger.”  Tenten was stuttering as she could hardly believe what she was hearing.  She was sure her assumption was correct, and Sakura confirmed it when she merely shrugged her shoulders.  

However her expression went from disbelief to mischievous as she considered the possibilities of her friend being alone with Naruto for extended periods of time.  She kept her thoughts to herself however as she noticed Neji awake with an expression of worry much akin to Sakura’s.

“Neji shouldn’t you have gone back to the complex last night?  I mean your father might suspect something.”  She asked trying to turn the subject away from Hinata.  

“No, I’m the leader of all the search parties and so it would be no big deal if I didn’t return, not to mention that it’s well known that I’m one of the few in the clan that truly cares for her and so it would be expected for me to do my best to find her ‘kidnapper’.”   Neji’s logic was palpable and so it ended the conversation.

An awkward silence followed in which the four residents simply stared at the floor hoping that someway somehow the door would burst open with Naruto carrying a healthy Hinata along with him.

Sakura broke the silence however with a suggestion that although it made sense, none of them particularly liked.  “Guys we need to talk to Tsunade now.  If this keeps up and they don’t come back then they’ll have anbu hunter teams to deal with and as good as Naruto has become I doubt even he can take on squads of Anbu by himself.”

“I hate to burst your bubble Sakura but you’d be wrong.”  The sudden unexpected voice from the back of the room sent all four of the chunin into defensive positions.  To the shock of everyone in the room, there in all his glory stood Jiraiya drinking a glace of what Sakura realized to be some of her hidden stash of sake.

“B-but how?” she whispered in disbelief that even a Sanin could so easily sneak into her home, locate her stash and prepare himself a drink without alerting any of them to his presence.  “Truly girl you don’t take me seriously, I’m not one of the sannin for nothing, I mean on a good day I doubt I could have managed but you guys were so caught up worrying that you didn’t even notice me sneak in.”

The four just stared still shocked at the sudden entrance of Tsunade’s old team-mate.  “I would suggest you go see Tsunade immediately as she has already sent anbu after Naruto and Hinata, I don’t fear for those two so much as the squad sent to capture them, and it would not do well for Naruto to end up killing or severely injuring a fellow shinobi.”

The older more experienced ninja’s advice proved to be the final decision as the four chunin got up and made for the door, ready and willing to tell their Hokage about the little planned kidnapping.


Tsunade sat behind her desk staring hard at the five ninja who stood before, four chunin, and at the head stood none other then her perverted team-mate Jiraiya.  She knew they’d been up to no good just from one glance at the huddled group, all but Neji avoiding eye contact looking at their feet.  She knew this was due to what some had deemed to call ‘anger issues’, she’d been under a lot of stress since assuming the position as Hokage of Konoha and her frustration chose anger as it’s release.  She knew that when she blew…she REALLY blew.

“Well I can tell just from your demeanour that something’s up and from your hesitant states I would say that I’m probably not going to like it.  But you should know that more then I hate receiving bad news…I hate even more being made to wait.”  Even as she finished she turned her baleful glare over the group causing even Jiraiya to cower under her gaze.

“Tsunade they have something they need to tell you and before this even begins I have to say that I approve of their decision.  Please don’t be hard on them, they were just trying to do the right thing.”  With that being said the toad sage stepped aside and let Sakura step forward to deliver the news.

“Well Tsunade it’s…well it’s about Hinata’s kidnapping.  The ones who orchestrated the whole thing…well it was us, or more specifically me Neji and Naruto.”

Tsunade looked at her apprentice hard trying to discern some possible motif for what she had done, kidnapping was a criminal offence, even more so when it involved the kidnapping of a noble of the Hyugaa clan, however even as this came to mind another thought passed through her brain. They were the ones who’d so easily dealt with the guards?  They’ve come farther then I thought.

“So you three were the ones that dealt with the guards then, well I must say you guys have improved far more then I thought to manage it so well.  I take it you were the one who planned this whole thing out Neji?” she asked directing her question at the Hyugaa prodigy.  She was quite surprised when Neji began looking at the ground with an embarrassed look on his face.

“Actually Tsunade-samma you’re wrong on both accounts.”  The reply came from the pink haired Kunoichi at the front of the pack.  “First off Naruto was the one who planned the whole thing, secondly neither I nor Neji were even near the compound when the guards were incapacitated, that was also Naruto’s doing.”

Tsunade thought she’d heard wrong, Naruto was the one to plan everything!? He could hardly plan out what to eat for lunch before he left and now he’s planning out full scale kidnapping’s involving the clan in possession of the Byakugan.  Then Sakura’s second point hit home.  Naruto…he dealt with the guards…b-but that would put him on a whole new level…he’s probably as strong as me now…maybe even Jiraiya...

Tsunade was brought from her musing’s by a very nervous and anxious Sakura.  “Sensei…umm don’t you want to know why we did it before you go and punish us?” she asked timidly, she was afraid of what her sensei might do to them if they didn’t get the chance to explain.

Tsunade turned her baleful glare on the four, focusing in particular on Neji and her student, they had caused her a lot of trouble and form the looks of things might cause her a great deal more.  “Explain” she stated coldly causing the four to shudder.

“Well I don’t want to spend a whole lot of time on this subject so I’ll just say it; Hiashi was going to put the curse mark on Hinata.”  The fact that it had been Neji who had spoken and not Sakura, and his lack of proper etiquette spoke wonders for his concern for his cousin.

“Nani?” Tsunade could hardly believe she’d heard that from Neji’s mouth.  Why on earth would they do that to someone like Hinata, she was one of the most kind hearted people in Konoha, not to mention that she did practically everything in her power to please her father, and then this?

“Neji I think you should explain to me why Hiashi was going to do this.”

“Well to put it simply, he was trying to disown her, he always neglected her and so her training in her early years was never enough for her to reach any level of great skill, for this reason he considered her weak.  To make matters worse Hinata-samma is not exactly cut out for the job of a shinobi, she cares too much to kill anyone unless one of her friends is in terrible danger.  It was these things that caused my uncle to declare Hanabi as the heir rather then Hinata.”

Neji took a breath and during the pause everyone wore sympathetic faces, Hinata had suffered during her childhood and had still been suffering until recently.

“After Naruto left Hinata-samma put everything she had into training, she quickly rose in levels of skill until very recently she actually surpassed me.  I’d thought that this would impress my uncle and cause Hinata to be treated better within the family…I was wrong.  For some reason the other clan members took this as a bad sign, they gave her cold glares even more then usual and avoided her as much as possible, it wasn’t long after that when the Hyugaa elder council in conjunction with Hiashi, declared that she was to be given the curse mark.  I don’t know why but…I think they are afraid of her.”

Tsunade took a few moments to take all this information in, she’d never heard Neji utter this many words at once and so she’d paid close attention when he’d spoken.  Neji was typically the silent type, but when he did speak it was usually best to pay attention as he rarely spoke about things of no concern.   

“So in order to stop Hinata from receiving the curse mark you guys kidnapped her.  Well I suppose that you were only trying to do the right thing and I commend you on actually pulling it off.  Now however comes the hard part, as soon as Hinata is seen then the Hyugaa will assume we have the kidnapper, so not only will I have to come up with some story telling them how I learned what they planned to do to Hinata, but also one explaining how her kidnapper either abandoned her or escaped.”

“Actually sensei we have another problem.  Neither Naruto nor Hinata have yet to show up.  We know that if they were caught by Hyugaa patrols that we’d know about it so we can only assume that they are still out in the forest somewhere.”  Sakura then went on to describe how Hinata had been given a sedative and how that and the rain were likely the reason Hinata and Naruto weren’t back yet.

Tsunade fought hard to contain her groan; this new generation of shinobi had proven themselves to be a royal pain in the ass.  “Alright I want you guys to go and find Hinata and Naruto, I’ll call off the anbu so don’t worry about them, but don’t get caught by any of the Hyugaa search parties, and whatever you do don’t bring Hinata back here until I instruct you to do so.  I have to have a talk with Hiashi before that happens.

“Hai!” boomed the unanimous reply, before they all exited in poofs of chakra.

“I trust you’ll keep and eye on them and keep them out of trouble?”

“They’re my students too you know.”  Was the reply as outside her window Kakashi closed his Itcha Itcha novel and summoned his dogs.  Tonight was going to be a long night.