Chapter Text
“Naruto?” Sakura mumbled, glancing at her friend who was stretching. It had been a week since the failed capture of Sasuke Uchiha, they had finally gotten their sensei back from the hospital and were currently scouting the area. Kakashi, Yamato and Sai were a few meters in front.
“Mhm? Yes Sakura-chan?” Naruto turned to face the girl, ignoring the weird feeling in his stomach. ‘ Kyuubi, please don't try anything. ’ He thought to himself as Sakura responded.
“You feeling ok? You seem to be sweating a lot.” She moved slightly closer to the blonde, teaching as he lifted his hand to his face and whipped some off, looking slightly surprised.
“Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, you know. It's just a bit hot today.” Sakura nodded, even though it seemed like an average temperature to her, maybe it was different for him. Though she would keep an eye on him just in case. Naruto beamed at her before catching up with Kakashi and the others, joining in with their conversation.
‘’So Kakashi-sensei, any missions after this or what? It’s so boring, y’know.” Kakashi raised an eyebrow, while Sai and Yamato just kept moving on
“No Naruto, this is the only mission scheduled for the day. If you would like you could ask the Hokage for a solo mission after we finish.” Kakashi finished with an eye smile, which quickly faded to an amused look as Naruto threw his head back and groaned.
“But she always sends me on the worst missions! It's always, ‘go help so and so paint their fence’ or something like ‘go help clear weeds at a farm’. Why can't I just have a mission with something interesting in it? I want to go out of their village every one and a while!” Naruto pouted as he put his hands behind his head, huffing in annoyance. Sakura let out a light chuckle as she caught up with the rest of the group.
“Naruto, we have to do smaller jobs too along with the bigger jobs. And, if i'm correct, are you still a genin?” Naruto's face instantly dropped, turning to face a smirking Sakura with a pout. “We can't have our precious genin getting hurt on a mission too dangerous for them, how could we?” Kakashi lightly chuckled, while Sai observed the two.
“Sakura-chan! I'm only a genin because I haven't had time to take the exams! I'm way more powerful than a genin and you know it!” Naruto yelled, pointing a finger at Sakura as he spoke.
“Don't yell Naruto-Baka!” She punched him on the top of the head, resulting in him jumping around and clutching his head.
“Your mean…” He mumbled with a pout, slightly glaring at Sakura. As she raised her fist again he yelped and jumped behind Sai. “Kami, she is one terrifying woman.” Sakuras, eyebrow twitched and she turned away from Naruto, who sighed in relief.
“What do you mean, dickless?”
“FOR KAMI’S SAKE SAI!” he yelled, kicking him in the back and sending him flying. Yamato instantly appeared by Naruto's side while Kakashi pulled out his book, not even paying attention. Sakura was slightly chuckling as Naruto got scolded by Yamato.
“What's so funny, Ugly?”
…
Everyone froze, watching as Sakura lifted her fist and how Sai just smiled his fake smile. Kakashi even looked up from his book to see Sakura mimcing Sai’s fake smile.
“You piece of shit!” She yelled as she jumped towards him, with her fist outstretched. Naruto quickly jumped towards her, grabbing her wrist and trying to keep her from killing their newly acquired teammate.
“Sai! Apologise so she doesnt kill you!” Sai looked at Naruto as he struggled to hold Sakura, a fake smile present on his face.
“Why would i do that? I only called her a nickname?” Naruto mentally facepalmed, slightly loosening his grip on Sakura as she calmed down.
“Well Sai, sometimes people aren't going to like the nicknames you give people. Calling someone, especially a woman, ugly is like a deathwish.” Naruto tried to explain, letting go of Sakura as she glared at the pale man. Sai tilted his head.
“Thank you Naruto, i'll make sure to remember that.” Naruto smiled, letting out a small sigh of relief as he turned to Yamato.
“Uh… Yamato-sensei… Where exactly are we?” He mumbled, looking around slightly. This is an area that he had not been to before.
“I'd say the border, meaning we only have to head back to the village and the mission will be over.” Kakashi nodded his head in agreement, turning to lead his team back before freezing.
“We aren't alone…” He mumbled, pulling up his headband to reveal the sharingan, Naruto, Sakura and Sai instantly got into defensive positions while Yamato jumped over to them to close the distance.
“Didn't think you would notice me, you seemed distracted among yourselves.” Sakura, Kakshi and Naruto instantly looked up to the voice, making contact with a spinning Sharingan.
“Sasuke!” Sakura yelled, though Naruto didn't. The pain residing in his stomach was growing, resulting in him being distracted by that. Sasuke seemed to notice something different and glanced at the blonde, before looking over the rest of the group.
“Sasuke Uchiha, why are you here?” Yamato questioned, glaring as Sasuke's eyes landed on him.
“Gathering information.” Naruto was still distracted by his stomach, trying to get information from Kyuubi to see if he knew anything.
‘ Kyuubi, you there? ’
‘ What brat? ’ Naruto let out a light chuckle, ignoring the concerned look he got from Sakura.
‘ Do you know what's going on with my stomach? You better not be trying anything. ’ The Kyuubi scoffed, obviously pleased with the accusation.
‘ If this was me then you would know, i'm just about as clueless about this as you. ’ He paused for a moment, noticing how Naruto looked puzzled and slightly worried. ‘ Don't worry, i'll stay awake for a bit until we get back to Konoha and figure this out… ’ Kyuubi mumbled, ignoring the fact that Naruto beamed at him.
“Thanks Kyuubi…” Naruto mumbled out loud, turning his attention back to the situation in front of him. He had no idea what was going on, since he had been distracted by the conservation in his head.
“Naruto?” He turned to Kakashi, noticing the concerned look on his face.
“Ah, sorry Kakashi, I zoned out.” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. Sakura seemed to be looking at him up and down, trying to see if anything was wrong. Sai was still focused on the enemy, along with Yamato.
“What's with the dobe? He’s acting weird.” a tick mark appeared on Naruto's head as he glared at Sasuke, who smirked in response.
“Just because I don't yell ‘SASUKE’ as soon as I see you does not mean something is wrong!” He yelled, once again pointing a finger at Sasuke. The Uchiha slightly chuckled, jumping down from the tree.
“You being quiet is a surprise-” Naruto was glaring at Sasuke before he went wide-eyed as the pain in his stomach became extreme. He yelped and fell to his knees, hugging his stomach tightly. Sakura gasped and jumped towards him, along with Kakashi and Yamato moving in front of him to put some space between the blonde and the Uchiha. Who in return raised an eyebrow.
“Naruto?! What's wrong.” Sakura was holding Naruto, watching as he gripped his stomach. She noticed how the seal was showing as the blondes t-shirt slightly lifted up.
“Shit…” He hissed, scrunching his eyes closed. “Kyuubi, what the fuck is going on.” He grumbled through clenched teeth, ignoring the surprise on his teammates faces.
‘ Brat, I said I don't know. Something is wrong though, it feels as if something is tugging on the seal. Just stay calm ’ Naruto rolled his eyes.
“Geez, thanks. That helps so much.” In any other situation this would have been funny to watch someone talk with themselves, but in this one everyone was serious. Kakashi turned to Naruto, worry evident on his face.
“Naruto, can you communicate with Kyuubi?” Naruto looked up at Kakashi, slightly panting from the pain in his stomach. He tried to force a smile but failed and groaned.
“Heh… yeah… have been able to talk… to the bastard… since… i was a… kid…” He said inbetween breathes, ignoring the grumble of ‘ I am not a bastard, stupid child. ’ in his head. Kakashi nodded, moving closer to Naruto as Sai retook his position in front. The blonde let out a long breath before lifting up his shirt, showing the seal on his stomach.
“Anything different… On your end… Kyuubi?” He huffed out, glancing down at the seal. Sakura stifled a gasp, she hadn't seen it fully before, only small parts of it.
‘ Nothing that i have noticed. ’
“Great…” he mumbled, looking back up to see Saskue in the same position, he hadn't moved an inch. “What are you waiting for?”
“So what Orochimaru said was true, you're the Jinchirikin of the nine-tails.” He mused, looking at the seal on Naruto's stomach.
“Seriously?” He paused as pain shot through him once again before continuing, “it… .took you that long to… figure… out…”
‘ Kit look out! ’ Naruto's eyes widened as the ground lit up with a seal, before once again yelping and falling onto his side. The pain going through his whole body, being the worst at his stomach. Yamato and Sai took their attention off of Sasuke, looking at the ground and trying to jump away. Kakashi and Sakura were instantly by Naruto's side.
‘ Damn it! ’ he could hear the Kyuubi thrashing around inside his head, obviously trying to do something. Though Naruto couldn't focus, the pain was too much to bear. He could hear Kakashi and Sakura shouting his name just slightly, before the seal glowed and he could feel himself being sucked into something.
“Shit!” Kakashi cursed, trying to jump away in time. It didn't work and he was sucked in. darkness covered his vision.
What was happening?