He Walked Away

He Walked Away...

{Inside Naruto's Head}

He listened to the others discussing his history...cringing, "Why did that old bat have to tell them that stuff! If I survive I'm gonna give her a peace of my mind."

"Our mind, our mind kit," The fox chided.

"Shut up fox I refuse to allow you to consume me. I have had enough of being PUSHED around!" He screamed in his head.

"I will have this body. I won't be held prisoner in a weak mind any more," The fox took on a more serous tone. Naruto wisely shut his mouth and waited. The fox seemed to be unable or unwilling to attack while they are locked behind the bars in Naruto's Fort Knox like psyche. Naruto thought that it was perhaps because the monster would be trapped in a soulless body with no means of true release.

"That is pretty close to my idea of hell kit," The demon answered what Naruto thought was a hidden thought, "Don't be a fool boy. I have been in here long enough to read you. You can not hide your thoughts from me. So don't think you will be able to come up with a surprise attack. It won't work."

"I wasn't...Like I could trick you, you're like a thousand years old or something," Naruto sat cross legged leaning against the cold steel bars in his mind.

"Age does not equal wisdom," the demon suddenly spoke in a softer tone, "You know there is a way to possibly make both of us happy..."

"What are you talking about Kyuubi?" Naruto knew the demon had no intentions of compromising with him so he was quite suspect of the soft tone and the sudden way it's glare lifted into a lighter less threatening look.

"Perhaps you are right, but I think you should hear me out," The thing tilted it's head at Naruto. It was almost cute.

"..." naruto sat impassive but he was listening none the less. "If we were to merge you would have full access to my power and we would essentially become one. I promise you would not regret it and I would not attack your precious village. I am your only chance to achieve your dream. Your body is to far gone to recuperate to that point now," The monster smiled at him, "The fact is that if you even to manage to succeed in retaining me (a remote chance at best) the stress of this fight will undoubtedly kill you, and I won't guarantee the use of my chakra in healing you."

"If you are so sure you are gonna win then why?" Naruto paused and looked into the ancient eyes for any sign of deception, "Why not just take me over, I am sure you would be able to get away in time. I am betting on dying tonight. I don't plan to see my friends or my home ever again."

"You-you're not planning on winning at all you are planning on killing yourself, you little bastard! How dare you even think of destroying us!" The fox was shocked it took him this long to see the boy's true intention and to have it spelled out for him by such a simple creature. The fox had lived a long time sure, but he was not ready to move to the after life. Living in a little boy was better then death. The lord of the underworld surely was rubbing his hands in anticipation of the fox's demise.

The Kyuubi was worried the fool was going to win the worst possible way. He planned to finish what his father was unable to. Kyuubi jumped a little when he heard the clang of a lock hitting the ground. The another and another until all nine of the enormous brass locks fell to the ground each heavier then the last the ninth being almost the size of the boy. The chains fell from the fox that even Naruto was unaware of. The fox was frozen.

"It is time," Naruto opened the cage and he walked out.

{Sasuke's POV}

"Oh Kami! The power," It exploded nearly knocking me over. I was still a few miles off but the energy frightened me, "They've begun."

"Hold on Naruto, Please...don't...die," I begged who ever would listen. If he dies I will die tonight. I refuse to continue living if that life is extinguished. He is my light and I need him like a plant needs the sun to live. He is my source of life. I tripled my speed knowing I would be useless to help, I only wanted to see him.

{Kakashi's POV}

I watched as my little student was set to rest on the rocky bed of the valley floor. It hurt to see him there so frail. He was so tiny small for his age smaller then most of the civilian children his age. His muscles have wasted away over time. It will take years of therapy to return him to a fit state for normal life, much less shinobi level fitness. He has lost so much time. But knowing him perhaps he will manage. Naruto was, and is, the number one surprising ninja in Konoha.

Why had all this time such a wonderful person escaped his notice. He had, has, the most potential to be great of any of his generation. Kakashi was envious of that fighting spirit, now he mourned it. Hopefully that spark he had seen in the boy's eyes back at the hospital. He was determined to beat the fox.

"Please Kami-sama, let him live. Let him succeed," My voice was solemn it would have surprised anyone who knew me, It seemed to surprise my companions. They all stared at me for a few seconds. If Kami would only give this boy the chance to live I will do everything to ensure him the life he deserves. Perhaps this is what having a child felt like; in the parent's worst nightmares perhaps.

{Normal POV}

The boy just lay there as Tsunade and Jaraiya released the restraints and the chakra blockers. They were back among the rocks watching the boy. They kept calm faces. Kakashi was never a religious man, not an atheist, but an agnostic. He prayed to any god that would listen. His worry for his student was shocking for such a normally cool and collected person, a jonin for Kami's sake was having a panic attack. It was true that none of those ninjas were anywhere near calm. He was most affected thought because he was the closest of the four to Naruto. Nothing happened for what seemed like an eternity, but then the boy twitched.

His eyes remained closed, but he enveloped in red chakra. The energy blew out in all directions knocking the the four nins back if Shizune had not been holding the little pig it would have crashed into the cavern wall, "I have you Ton Ton. Tsunade I told you we should have left him with someone!" She scolded her teacher hugging the terrified animal to her chest. Tsunade ignored her and watched as the boy lifted off the ground the chakra took the form of a giant fox sporting nine great tails. Each of the tails was whipping wildly. They watched in horror as the boy at the center of the maelstrom changed. The boy opened his eyes, they were not blue but red slitted eyes that held none of the caring none of the sadness, only fury and raw hate. Those eyes did not look upon the humans watching.

Then the energy was gone and the boy fell on all fours on the floor of the valley. It was not Naruto, nor was it the Kyuubi. The boy's eyes were red his hair was slightly longer and seemed to have fox red highlights. His scars were more pronounced. They watched as the angry child circled like a dog chasing it's tail. And yes there was a hint of the chakra tails. Then Naruto tore into himself. He bit his wrist ripping out tendons.

"No! Naruto Stop!" Kakashi felt himself being held back as the boy ripped his arm apart only to have it rebuilding itself before their very eyes. Naruto tore at his chest with claws; he tore at his face and as quickly as he rent his flesh the Kyuubi healed it. It was a gruesome yet awesome sight. The boy bit his own tongue in half yet it grew back, His muscle actually regrew. The four watching could not comprehend this feat it was an impossibility, but never had they before witnesses the full strength of the Kitsune in action.

It was clear that Naruto was attempting to disable himself. He was taking a kamikaze approach to his battle. It was sickening, but perhaps there was still hope if he could wear the monster down enough to lock it away then he could still be saved. Things looked dire.

...Nobody noticed the frantic energy approaching at top speed. It was not until Sasuke was on the battle field that his presence was detected by anyone save the Kitsune and it's vessel...