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Iruka leans against the rail of the ship as it moves through the dense bank of fog towards their destination. After the Summit and returning home, they had fallen into quick preparations to move out once word came of where Naruto and he would be going.

Word had finally arrived from A to say his brother B had been found and had given the location of a secret island that could hide them away from Akatsuki and the war while it raged. Iruka hadn’t been for keeping everything hidden from Naruto, had argued against it. He has never liked keeping secrets from his other half, remembers years of biting his tongue bloody to hide the truth from him because of orders placed on his shoulder.

But he also knows Naruto intimately, how his mind works and knows that his brother would rush off without a second look back if he knew what was happening. Iruka will protect his other half from himself…at least for now. Because no matter how much he can rationalize hiding away to keep from being taken by Akatsuki, he can only sit aside for so long. So, he’ll wait and see before deciding anything.

They’d left shortly after with the promise of one of Kumo’s ships waiting for them in Murasaki to take them north by the quickest and safest route to said island. They’ve only been traveling for a few days now, the ship one of Kumo’s fastest at navigating the turbulent oceans along its coast.

He’s expecting rough waters, storms, maybe rough terrain to get around or through. He’s not expecting to see large, suckered tentacles to quickly rise up over the ship from the fog just as the island comes into view, fog still clinging around them to add an odd effect on the sight.

“Is that the octopus, Iruka-nii?” Naruto asks excitedly as the deck heaves precariously as one tentacle starts to grasp at the ship.

“No, Naruto, that’s a squid,” Iruka admits, mind blanking on the sheer size of the creature before him. He’s seen some large creatures in his life, houses part of one in his body, but never has he seen one so large living naturally in the wild.

Naruto mutters under his breath, trying to count tentacles to make sure of the number as they writhe and start to wrap the ship before the water next to them explodes and surges as something even larger comes out of the water to wrap tentacles around the squid.

It shouts, Iruka blinks in shock at hearing it talk, before it shoves the squid away from the ship, the marine creature letting the ship go and slipping under the water and out of sight. “Iruka-nii, that one has eight, that’s an octopus, right? I found the octopus that’s supposed to help me,” Naruto says excitedly, staring up at the creature.

Their guide and captain sighs in relief at the sight of this creature, a grin splitting his face. “Killer Bee-sama,” he calls out with a wave and Iruka looks back with understanding sparking at just what he’s looking at, watching as a person seems to emerge from the flesh of this creature, sitting way up high over them.

“You’re late, you tools and fools!” B calls out.

~*~

Iruka settles the last of his and Naruto’s things in the cabin they and the others have been given. It had been a unique experience to walk the island and watching B interact with the wildlife while Motoi explained just who B is and his accomplishments.

He’d never considered mastering the Kyuubi. He remembers years ago talking with Jiraiya about mastering the Kyuubi one day, mentioning that only two had ever done so: Killer Bee and Yagura. He’d watched the man closely and wonders if it is actually mastering as Jiraiya seemed to imply and not something else, something adjacent to simply mastering a raging beast.

“Iruka-nii, are you done yet?” Naruto asks, poking his head in the door.

“I am,” Iruka nods, stepping towards the door.

“I wanna find that glasses guy,” Naruto says with a gleam in his eyes.

“Oh, why?” Iruka asks, stepping outside with him.

“That other guy said he had complete control of his tailed beast. I want to learn how he did it. Didn’t the old frog say we would meet an octopus, so obviously he meant glasses guy and he’s supposed to help us in some way,” Naruto concludes.

“His name is Killer Bee, or just B, Naruto,” Iruka reminds him. Naruto huffs in annoyance and Iruka smiles a bit at his impatience. “We can ask for his help. No demanding anything. He’s not obligated to help us just because he’s also a Jinchuuriki,” Iruka reminds him softly and Naruto nods before grabbing his arm and starts to tow him towards where they had seen B disappear into a building shaped like his bijuu.

Iruka waves off Shisui and Itachi as they take a step to follow and Shisui snorts, but nods. Tenzo also stops following them while Sakura and Sasuke just roll their eyes at Naruto’s antics. The few others that had come with them aren’t in view and Iruka looks ahead to see the building come into view.

Naruto bangs heavily on the door. A few moments pass before it opens to show the towering form of Killer Bee. Iruka never realized just how tall the other Jinchuuriki actually is until he’s standing in front of them.

A brow arches at the sight of them. “It’s you two,” B mutters. “Want an autograph or something?” he asks.

“Train us,” Naruto demands.

“Naruto,” Iruka sighs out. He just went over this.

“Please,” Naruto tacks on. “We’re the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, but we can’t control it at all. Teach us how you control your Bijuu.”

Iruka sees the way B stares at Naruto, sunglasses shifting up to stare at him as well and for the first time in a long while, he feels like the man is not only really looking at him, but is actually seeing him. He can stop the faint shiver that passes down his spine, though he keeps from reacting at the stare.

“I didn’t come here to do no training. This is my first vacation in forever at my brother’s insistence. Why should I help you two?” he asks.

“Because you’re a Jinchuuriki too!” Naruto snaps back, growing frustrated. “We need your help, man!”

B snorts, “You’ve got the right attitude, but are you a bad enough dude?” he asks.

Naruto perks up and Iruka braces for whatever the boy decides to do next. He’s not disappointed when Naruto awkwardly tries to copy B’s way of rapping. Silence falls over them as B seems to contemplate Naruto’s attempt.

“That’s a pretty solid beat, kid,” B admits begrudgingly and the holds up his fist. “Yo.”

Naruto looks at him in confusion. “You gotta learn the proper greeting first. We bump fists together and then bust a rhyme,” B explains.

“Oh,” Naruto says and grins, bumping his fist with B’s.  “Uh…your sunglasses are cool…you ain’t no fool.”

B grins at that and then turns to Iruka who blinks in surprise that the man seems to be including him in this. He’d mainly come here to keep Naruto out of trouble. B holds out his fist.

Iruka smiles a little and bumps fists with him. “It’s nice to meet you B, but…um…rapping’s not really for me,” he finishes with a faint shrug.

“Iruka-nii,” Naruto says with a laugh.

“Not bad either way,” B adds and sends a look over the two of them. He sighs, “Fine. Come with me,” he orders and shuts his door to start walking away.

Naruto follows quick on his heels, but Iruka pauses, sending a glance towards Tenzo who is closest to them and he nods, following at a distance while Iruka catches up with the two. If they’re going to be dealing with Kyuubi training, better safe than sorry.

~*~

Iruka’s not expecting to go for a short hike through the heavy forest around their cabins, nor the towering waterfall at the end of their journey. “What’s with the waterfall?” Naruto asks into the quiet that is only broken by the waterfall.

“It’s where I trained, yo,” B explains. “These are the Falls of Truth.”

“This is where you learned to control the Hachibi?” Iruka asks curiously.

“Nah, we’re nowhere near that party yet,” B huffs out.

“What, then why are we here then?” Naruto demands in annoyance.

“Just hold your damn horses,” B growls out. “See that island,” he points towards the pool at the base of the cliff and the island there. “Sit there and close your eyes,” B instructs.

Naruto does as told, easily falling still and quiet after all the training with sage mode. Time passes quietly before Iruka glances over at B. He eyes all the blades sheathed on the man’s body, including the large one there wrapped in clothe. B glances at him, noticing his glance.

“You know the blade, wanna fight in this glade, yo?” B asks, nodding towards Iruka’s own blade.

“Maybe later, B. I’m a little distracted,” he reminds him.

B just nods and turns back and a few minutes later, Naruto lets out a gasp of breath, jerking forward to pant heavily where he’s sitting. “Naruto,” Iruka calls out worriedly.

The teen stands up and jumps from the island to rush away. Iruka goes to follow him and B grips his arm, holding him back. “It’s his test, only he can bring out his best,” B informs him.

Iruka glances back towards the way they went and sees the brief flicker of Itachi sending him the hand sign that he’s got Naruto covered and then the brunette disappears into the trees after Naruto. Iruka looks back at the falls. “What happened?” he demands.

B doesn’t say anything, just gestures towards the falls. Squaring his shoulders, Iruka follows Naruto’s original path and settles on the island, though he’s tense for anything. Taking a slow breath, he wills his breathing to steady and slow, his heart to calm and untenses his muscles, letting the world fall away around him as he shuts his eyes.

~*~

Iruka doesn’t know how much time passes before nothing happens. Frowning, he opens his eyes to see the falls right in front of him like they were before. He looks around and frowns harder when there is no sign of B or Tenzo. In fact, the trees seem to have closed in closer to the pool, creating a thick wall of foliage to block his line of sight and box him in.

The sound of the waterfall changes and Iruka tenses, shifting into a ready crouch as he turns back to look at them and sees someone coming through, shadowed and rippled as they walk through the pounding water.

He’s expecting anything: Naruto playing a prank, B, Tobi. He’s not sure what to make of the one standing in front of him. Dark skin, dark hair pulled up in a familiar tail and the achingly familiar slash of a scar across their nose, Iruka looks back at himself. They’re eyes are pitch black voids though.

“You broke your promise,” the other calls out and Iruka stills.

“Who…what are you?” Iruka asks softly, strung tight as a wire.

”I’m you…the real you. The parts you hide away, you smother and try to snuff out. All those emotions you ignore in the name of duty. I’m your darkness,” it explains with a sharp smirk.

Iruka reaches for a kunai and sends it flying, his copy following suit and the two blades clang in the air before dropping into the water. Iruka frowns and really looks over his copy. They’re exact to every detail, including equipment…probably skills and techniques, too. It’ll more than likely match him move for move and neither will win.

The other rushes Iruka and he grapples with it, keeping them at bay. “All you do is lie and hide. You break every promise you ever made. Even now, you’re hiding from the truth,” it hisses and Iruka grits his teeth.

“You hate them…don’t you? You try to ignore it, but it’s right there in your heart. You hate Kushina and the Yondaime for what they did to you,” they whisper and Iruka pulls away jerkily, stumbling slightly at their words.

“I don’t,” he growls back.

“Don’t lie,” it shoots back. “It’s all right there in your heart. They trapped you in this life. I know you’ve always wondered what your life would be like had the Yondaime never forced you into this burden,” it says back.

“I wasn’t forced, I agreed to it,” Iruka insists.

“You were a child with no idea what you were agreeing to. And then they lumped you with that brat. Gave you another burden to watch over and break yourself over again and again. Oh how you hate Naruto so much in here,” it hisses.

Iruka gasps, eyes snapping open and just breathes, trembling as sweat beads on his skin. “Iruka!” Tenzo calls out and Iruka glances up at him to see everything how it was. He glances back towards the waterfall to see his double is gone.

Tenzo kneels down beside him. “I’m okay,” Iruka whispers, fisting his hands to hide how they tremble. He stands slowly. “I need a moment is all,” Iruka says with a strained smile and walks off the small island towards the trees, though not in the direction Naruto went.

He finds a tree with a wide branch and settles on it, breathing slowly, trying to calm his racing heart. How you hate Naruto… He loves his other half. Neither of them had anyone really, but each other. He can’t hate him…can he?

Iruka grimaces as the thoughts swirl in his head. That night plays over and over in his head: the screams and fire, the looming presence of the Kyuubi, the desperation and fear heavy in Iruka’s chest. He remembers them…

“You’re going to experience hard times and pain, and there will be times when you’ll feel like the world is against you. Just, remember who you are and that you will always be there for each other. Find a goal, a dream and stick to it, no matter what.”

He knows he would never have chosen this path had things turned out differently. Then again, who would choose this life…to be a living sacrifice? He’s gone through so much pain, so many trials and tests, lost parts of himself in the name of duty to the village and to his Hokage. Of course he’s wondered what his life would have been like had things been different? Who wouldn’t wonder? But that doesn’t mean that he…that he hates Kushina and Minato…does it?

There’s the scuff of a sandal on bark and Iruka looks up to see Shisui settling on the limb ahead of him, not crowding him or really looking at him, just staring out across the forest below them. They sit in silence for a few minutes before Iruka finally speaks up.

“Shisui,” he murmurs and dark eyes glance back at him. Iruka can just see the long scar cutting down his face from his confrontation with Orochimaru so many years ago now. “Do…do you regret how our lives have gone?” Iruka finally asks.

Shisui doesn’t answer right away, letting out a slow breath as he tips his head back to look up at the canopy above them. “Regret…not really,” he admits with a grimace. “Then again, I’ve got a lot to be thankful for the way our lives have gone,” he continues.

“What do you mean?” Iruka asks.

“For one, I’ve got my family, my clan. If things had gone differently, there’s no guarantee that I would have them or that I would even be alive right now,” he reminds Iruka and Iruka still, recalling that confrontation with Danzō. He’d saved Shisui from that outnumbered fight and they’d revealed the rot in the village. How much more harm would Danzō have created if they hadn’t done that?

“Did you ever wonder what your life might have been like had you not gone this way?” he asks curiously.

“When I was younger, yeah,” Shisui admits. “I even considered going the way of the blacksmith, you know,” he admits with a grin and Iruka snorts. “Yeah, bit of a stretch even for me. End the end though, being a shinobi called to me in a way I couldn’t describe. And yeah, we’ve gone through hell and back, but we’ve watched each other’s back,” Shisui reminds him.

Iruka huffs in amusement. “Yeah, I guess we have,” he murmurs. Would he have had these amazing people in his life had things gone differently?

“Iruka, please look out for Naruto for us. Make sure he eats right and grows up big and strong. The same goes for you too. Don’t let anyone tell you how to live your life. You are a Konoha shinobi and the Will of Fire burns brightly inside you. Remember to care for each other,” Kushina whispers, touching first Naruto’s head and then Iruka’s. “Make friends you can trust, study hard and don’t beat yourself up if there are things you can’t do. Avoid the three shinobi vices: don’t borrow money if you can help it and save what you earn; no drinking until you’re at least twenty, and as for love, well, love can change the world and it is always worth the pain, but not all love is meant to last. And when you do find ‘the one’, hold them tight and remind them every day you love them because tomorrow is never guaranteed.”

Iruka pushes himself up, wiping at his eyes a little as he recalls that particular memory, words spoken even while they both were dying to protect them. “Thanks,” Iruka murmurs huskily.

“Any time,” Shisui says back with a soft smile, pulling him in for a brief hug before they both turn to start heading back the way they came.

They return to the falls in time to see Naruto returning as well, a determined expression on his face as Itachi trails behind him. Iruka sends a thankful smile to his best friend and Itachi sends a small smile back. Iruka follows Naruto onto the island, both of them settling side by side and settle into a meditative state.

This time, Iruka’s expecting the change and looks up to watch silently as his darkness emerges from the falls. “You like to hurt yourself, huh?” it asks, coming closer. “Nothing changes my earlier words. You are riddled with hate.”

“You’re right,” Iruka admits softly as he starts to stand and they stare at him in surprise. “I do hate them. I hate the choice they were forced to make, the situation that others before them put them into. I hate that caring for Naruto forced me to grow up so much faster than I already had while trying to get passed my own grief.”

“I hate that I made promises that I broke so easily, that I lied so much,” Iruka continues and they take a step back. “Because it’s not them I hate the most…it’s me,” Iruka whispers.

“No!” it yells out. “They did this. They deserve to be hated.”

“No they don’t. Naruto was a baby, Kushina and Minato did give me a choice. There were options that night. I made the choice. I hate how weak I was. That was unable to stand up for myself when I needed it most. That I allowed others to use me and Naruto.”

Iruka takes a step closer and closer, closing the gap between them. “They hurt us…so much,” it whispers as Iruka comes within reaching distance.

“They did, but we put a lot of good into the world. We changed things for the better because we were there and even if they hurt us, we didn’t hurt them,” Iruka reminds it, hand cupping their cheek. “It’s so easy to forgive others, but it’s so hard to forgive yourself sometimes. And I need to forgive myself,” Iruka whispers, pulling them into a hug.

“I need to forgive myself because I’m only human and I can’t do everything. That sometimes things are beyond my control and that I will need help,” Iruka whispers as their arms tighten around him.

Iruka opens his eyes and wipes at the tears streaming down his cheeks. Gods he misses Kakashi right now. He hears movement beside him and looks to see Naruto opening his eyes, a content smile on his face. Bright blue eyes glance his way and Naruto grins so bright and full of happiness.

Iruka pulls him into a hug and Naruto hugs back tightly, laughing into his shoulder. “I’m so glad you came into my life, Naruto,” Iruka whispers.

“Thank you for always looking out for me, ‘Ruka-nii,” Naruto whispers back and Iruka can’t stop the wet laugh from coming out.

Pulling apart, they stand shakily and look to see the others have gathered while they were away. Shisui and Itachi are off to the side with Tenzo while Sakura and Sasuke stand right at the edge of the pool waiting for them. Gai and his teams stand further back, the jounin sending him a bright grin and a thumbs up their way, Lee copying while the other two just roll their eyes. B and Motoi stand off to the side, B giving them a knowing smirk. There is one glaring absence, but Iruka knows that if Kakashi could have come with them, he would have.

“You did it then?” Tenzo calls out.

“It’s too early to celebrate, motherfucka,” B snaps out, stepping forward across the water towards them. “Now ya gotta learn to control the Kyuubi! Starting today…I’m your teacher, getting up in your head…follow my lead or you’ll wind up dead!”

“Yeah,” Naruto cheers out.

“Then come on you two,” B shouts and springs passed them into the waterfall, disappearing from sight. Sharing a glance, they follow.

Iruka closes his eyes as they step through and then blinks quickly to clear the water, staring up in shock at the enormous cavern behind the waterfall and what he assumes is some sort of shrine or temple. “This is…,” he doesn’t know what else to say.

“This is where you’re going to fight the Kyuubi,” B says, voice echoing slightly.

“What do you mean fight the Kyuubi?” Naruto asks as they head deeper. Iruka hears footsteps and sees Tenzo following and nods in relief.

“Wait…fight the Kyuubi? You can’t be serious,” Tenzo calls out.

“You can’t control a beast if you don’t get a little crazy, fool!” B says without looking back. “This is an old sacred place where our Jinchuuriki go through a purification ceremony.”

They come before a large face, the mouth wide open. “This bad boy will let you talk to the fox. Just stroll on into the entry box,” B adds.

“How exactly does this place work?” Iruka asks.

“Only the chosen can enter through…’natch. Into the mouth, up to the head, only the pure-hearted can go in. No darkness in your heart…that was the catch,” B informs them.

“What?” Tenzo asks.

“No darkness in your heart…that’s why you had us train at the falls,” Iruka speaks up.

B nods, arms crosses over his chest. “Even a little bit of evil and the door snaps shut tight! While you head’s still inside and BAM…goodnight,” he explains. “Those headless statues are previous Jinchuuriki, aight?” They glance towards the statues.

“I’ll go…,” Iruka starts to say and Naruto steps up.

“I’ll go first, Iruka-nii,” Naruto says, sending him a determined look.

“This is too risky,” Tenzo speaks up. “Why not use a clone Naruto,” he suggests.

“Like the ancestors are gonna be tricked by such a trick,” B snaps angrily.

“I’ve got this,” Naruto says with more confidence and steps towards the mouth. Iruka watches as the blond sticks his head into the wall fixture before a few seconds later, he lets out a cry of pain Tenzo jumps forward to pull Naruto out of the mouth and the teen’s head is gone, Tenzo looking pale before he pops his head out.

“Got you,” he jokes with a bright grin. “There was just a switch inside,” he explains.

B explodes into laughter, half bent over. “I did that exact same joke. Those statues are just broken,” he adds through chuckles.

Naruto looks over at Iruka who has his arms crossed, brow arched. “Iruka-nii,” Naruto mutters.

Iruka curls a finger to call him closer and Naruto shuffles closer. Iruka snorts and drags him into a hug. “That was a good one,” he admits, ruffling blond locks. “Though you need to work on your timing. A delay would have been much better,” Iruka informs him and Naruto nods, grinning brightly at him.

Iruka glances up to see Tenzo staring at him. “You obviously have forgotten all the stories of my younger years as a prankster,” Iruka reminds him with a grin and Tenzo sighs, but waves his hand for them to continue.

There’s a rumble of stone shifting and they all glance to the side to see a door opening, white light streaming out into the shadows around them. They follow B into the large chamber. It’s white everywhere and Iruka has a hard time seeing the walls with how wide the room is. It’s a bit disorienting to be honest.

“How does this place work?” Naruto asks.

“You’ll sit like you did at the falls and focus and you’ll face your tailed beast,” B explains.

“We learned how to talk with the Kyuubi a while ago,” Naruto says back.

“Any Jinchuuriki can do that. This place is different, okay?” B shifts to look at the two of them. “What kind of seal they got holding your beast in?” he asks them.

“A four element seal,” Iruka answers.

B nods. “That’s some high quality stuff. Stronger than my iron-armor seal. You got the key?” he asks.

“We do,” Iruka nods.

“Then we really are going to take off the seal…what do we do if they can’t control the Kyuubi and it’s completely revived?” Tenzo demands.

“Then we lock it in here,” B states bluntly. “That’s what this place is built for. The fox stays in jail till we get another Jinchuuriki. Don’t tell me you’re gonna bail just ‘cuz things are getting sticky?” B demands.

“No way,” Naruto snaps. “I’m gonna show him who’s boss,” he grumbles angrily.

“Naruto,” Iruka says softly and he looks back at Iruka. “I’m going first.”

“Iruka-nii,” Naruto whines softly.

“No, that’s final,” Iruka says firmly and Naruto sighs, but nods, stepping back so Iruka and stand in front of B.

“Word. I’mma go close the door and teach you what to do next,” B says and Iruka nods.

~*~

Iruka opens his eyes to a familiar darkness and looks up at the towering barred gate. He can barely make out the shadowed form of the Kyuubi behind the bars, one burning red eye trained right on him. “Kyuubi-san,” Iruka whispers, voice echoing in the silence.

The sound of something shifting, fur rubbing against fur, and the red eye narrows at him. “You changed, little fool,” the Kyuubi grumbles out.

“I did,” Iruka admits.

“What do you want, little fool?” it demands.

Iruka focuses on the world around him and suddenly light starts to creep into the shadows. Lines of white following the lines of seals carved into the stone around them. “To bring light to the shadows,” Iruka says as the white grows brighter and brighter until he’s forced to close his eyes against it momentarily.

A growl echoes around him and Iruka opens his eyes to see the bars gone, the tunnels and walls vanished. All that is left is the white void around them and the seal floating in the air between them. Iruka steps closer, unzipping his flak vest as he does.

“What are you planning?” it demands, hulking form fully revealed in this white space. The fur, while that familiar red orange shade he remembers from that night, is darker, even in the light now. Shadow seems to cling to its fur.

Iruka reaches for the seal and rips it down, feeling a hairline crack form in the seal. Iruka reaches for that heat that is the key and watches it form, flickering orange fire appearing at his fingertips. “It’s time we talked face to face, no bars, no seal between us. You’ve seen the real me. Now I wanna see the real you,” Iruka says sharply and reaches for the seal on his stomach, twisting and watches the seal in the air unlock as hairline fractures and spider webbing cracks split the air between them before it explodes into a shower of small fragments.

“You really are a fool,” the Kyuubi snarls, a paw coming up and Iruka jumps away before it can strike him.

“If I’m a fool, what does that make you?” Iruka asks, ducking under the sweep of a tail.

“The one who will destroy you,” it howls out, mouth opening as chakra begins to form into a ball. Pulling on his chakra, Iruka brings up his strongest barrier and hunkers down as the chakra strikes. It shatters the barrier and throws him back, but barely singes him.

“We made a deal,” Iruka reminds it, pulling his blade to slice at a tail.

“You were the fool to make a deal with the likes of me,” it snarls.

“He’s coming for us,” Iruka shouts back, jumping over another tail sweep before barely getting out of the way of a clawed paw. “You can feel it. He’s taken all the others except for your two halves and the Hachibi. You’re afraid,” Iruka reminds him.

“I will rend his flesh from his bones,” it snarls.

“Let me help you,” Iruka yells back and the Kyuubi pauses for just a moment. Iruka lands from his tumble and looks up at burning red eyes. “You can’t do this alone. Not so long as he has that eye and if he gets his hands on the Rinnegan, we’ll be even more outmatched,” Iruka reasons.

One large limb slams down on the ground to his right, then the left as a gigantic head bears down on him, heated air blowing passed him as a snarling maw comes close. “And you think you can stop him, little fool?”

Iruka pushes himself up straight and stares at the Kyuubi. “Not by myself, not alone. You’ve seen what I’ve been working on. Seals were your downfall after all,” Iruka reminds him and the Kyuubi’s eyes narrow.

“And why should I accept your help, little fool?” it growls out.

“Because if we don’t stop him, he’s going to pull you out like the others and shove you back into a form I don’t think you want to be in again,” Iruka says softly.

There’s a flicker of…something in the Kyuubi’s expression, there and gone too fast to figure out, but it’s more than he’s ever gotten from the Kyuubi. Iruka decides to go for broke. “Kyuubi-san, will you lend me you aid in stopping this threat?” Iruka asks, bowing to the Kyuubi, exposing his back to the creature. If it attacks, he doubts he’ll be able to move quickly enough to avoid the hit.

He feels super-heated air billowing around him as the Kyuubi breathes across him. Finally, a faint growl echoes around them. “You really are a fool,” it mutters, but the tension and chakra in the air dissipates slightly.

“Takes one to know one,” Iruka shoots back and the Kyuubi gives a pissy look at him. “Thank you, Kyuubi-san,” he adds.

“Don’t thank me yet, little fool. I’m still on the fence about just killing you,” it reminds him.

“I have a name you know,” Iruka says with a huff. Then he pauses before glancing up at the towering creature. “Do you have a name?” he asks.

It narrows red eyes at him. “That is none of your concern,” it growls out.

Iruka nods and doesn’t press further. “Kyuubi-san, will you lend me your chakra for the fight ahead?” he asks instead.

“I thought you planned to hide away while the others fought your battle?” it asks with a sneer.

“When have you ever known me to let others fight my own battles?” Iruka asks with a smirk and red eyes narrow further before it huffs.

“We made a deal, little fool. I will be the one to kill him,” it reminds him and Iruka nods as he feels something tugging at him and watches as part of himself reaches towards the Kyuubi as its tail reaches for him. They connect and it’s like a live wire to the heart as he slowly pulls at the Kyuubi’s chakra. It’s not easy, it doesn’t make it easy, but he knows it could be a lot harder so he doesn’t complain. Pulling and pulling, he gathers the chakra into himself and feels…warm.

When he finally looks down at himself, he finds his body glowing with white hot flames of chakra shrouding him as seal lines crisscross his form. He looks back up at the Kyuubi. “Thank you, Kyuubi-san,” Iruka whispers, reaching down to twist the seal closed and pauses, seeing the resigned look on the creature’s face. “I’m sorry,” he adds and twists the seal closed.

He can feel the world around them wanting to return to how it was and he pushes it back, pulling instead from a memory of one of his missions. The world shifts and morphs. The air grows cooler and crisper, rock formation emerging from the white void as color starts to creep across the air.

The first sound of bird song sings out as the mountain forest comes to life around them. The Kyuubi actually looks around in shock at the change. “I thought you might like some sunshine for once,” Iruka admits as the barrier between them finally solidifies, the seal reappearing on a large stone outcropping. “No one deserves to be shut away in the darkness.”

The Kyuubi doesn’t say anything, but it settles onto a stretch of stone as the morning sun slowly crests over the mountains to bath everything in light. Iruka opens his eyes back to that white room and looks down at his form to see the chakra is still cloaking him. He pulls his fist back from B. B gives a nod of approval, having been witness to the whole thing.

Iruka lets the burning chakra go and stands slowly. Even with the chakra coursing through him, he still feels tired, mentally, physically and emotionally. “Your turn, Naruto,” Iruka says softly and Naruto nods with a determined look at him before he settles in front of B for his turn.

~*~

Iruka stands next to Tenzo while Naruto goes through his trial with his half. Yet even while he frets about his other half, he can’t help noticing the one bit of wrongness in the room. It takes a second for him to pinpoint where it’s coming from. Whether it’s from his brush with the Kyuubi and gaining its chakra, or because this room blocks out all other chakra sources, he’s not sure, but he is sure that something else is in this room with him.

While the other two focus on Naruto as he wages battle in his mind, Iruka steps back. He quietly makes a clone and sends it out to warn the others of what he’s felt while he silently draws out seals and places them along the only exit from this room. Then he sits back and waits.

As he watches Naruto struggle, he feels that familiar burn in his gut from Naruto’s half of the Kyuubi, but he also feels something else. The faintest spark of a chakra he hasn’t felt in years and it makes his breath catch in his throat.

Putting his back to Naruto and B briefly, he catches Tenzo’s eyes as the man concentrates on Naruto. Quickly, his hands move in ANBU signs: compromised, not alone, expect resistance. Tenzo frowns, but nods, not reacting any more than that as Iruka turns back to the other two.

What must feel like an eternity to him, but is probably only a few minutes, Naruto comes to with a tired, but triumphant grin. “Iruka-nii, I did it,” Naruto says with a grin, still glowing with the Kyuubi’s chakra. Iruka watches the wooden fixtures Tenzo had created react to Naruto’s chakra in a way they didn’t with his.

Iruka pulls him into a hug with a proud smile. “I knew you could do it,” Iruka tells him.

“I saw mom,” Naruto whispers to him and Iruka nods. “She told me to tell you she’s proud of what you’ve done,” he adds and Iruka chuckles wetly.

He feels Naruto stiffen in his arms as he finally registers what Iruka noticed earlier. The teen pulls back to look towards B “Thought you could hide, huh?” he calls out.

B looks confused, but Tenzo reaches for a kunai as Iruka braces for a confrontation. “Where?” Tenzo asks, looking around.

“Best come out now before we force you out,” Iruka calls out and the blade on B’s back jumps from its holder, a person half emerging from the strange creature.

They sneer at them. “How did you even sense me? Samehada and I are identical when in this form,” they ask.

“It’s not chakra we sensed,” Iruka explains, pulling his blade free. Silently, he pulls on the Kyuubi’s chakra and feels heat suffuse him as he starts to glow. When he channels it into his chakra blade, it glows white as well. “Interesting,” he murmurs before glancing at the person infused in the blade. “Judging by the blade and the fact that two of the Kiri Swordsman joined Akatsuki, I would wager you’re Hoshigaki Kisame since I’ve met Biwa Jūzō,” Iruka adds.

“Pretty smart of you,” Kisame growls out.

“B, where did you get that blade and how long have you been carrying it around?” Tenzo asks.

“We sliced this guy’s head off in the forest. You telling me our tag attack actually missed?” B demands.

“I switched with a clone,” Kisame says with a shrug, shifting away from them towards where the switch for the door is. He presses the switch and rushes for the door. They all dart forward after him, Iruka and Naruto faster than either of the other two, but Iruka’s not worried.

Kisame darts for the open doorway and slams into the barrier trap Iruka had lain earlier while everyone was distracted. As he hits it, it latches onto his chakra and envelopes the shinobi and sword into a perfect sphere.

“What?” Naruto shouts in surprise as the others suddenly appear in the doorway, weapons drawn as they take in the contained threat.

“All handled,” Iruka informs them, letting the Kyuubi’s chakra go as he steps closer to the sphere. “You won’t be getting out of that anytime soon, Kisame. Best get comfortable,” Iruka says with a smile.

“When?” Kisame snarls, thrashing against the confined space of his prison.

“After I finished,” Iruka states simply. “I decided to prepare before drawing attention to you.”

“Well, let’s get him out of here and send word of the spy,” Itachi says and the group leaves the chamber rolling the barrier prison ahead of them.

“Won’t he be able to break out of there?” Shisui asks quietly as they emerge from the waterfall and start to aim for their camp.

Iruka shakes his head. “It’s a self-sustained prison. It uses the captured person’s chakra to sustain it and the more chakra they use to try and get out, the quicker it drains them. It’s designed to drain a person into extreme chakra exhaustion before the barrier will drop, but by then they’re too weak to move and easy pickings,” Iruka explains.

“Remind me not to get on your bad said,” Shisui jokes.

Iruka snorts. “That one’s actually Tobirama-sama’s,” Iruka admits.

“Jeez,” he mutters.

Kisame starts thrashing more in the barrier. Water suddenly fills it before quickly dissipating as the barrier eats up the chakra sustaining it. The sphere starts to thrash with him, the lines of the seal glowing brighter as it eats up more and more chakra.

A whine fills the air as the barrier strains against the sudden upsurge of chakra, but it holds as Kisame’s struggles grow weaker and weaker before he stops altogether. With a final jerk, the man grows still. The barrier ripples, glows one last time and then pops, dumping the sword and the shinobi onto the ground.

“Like I said, it drains you quickly the more you struggle,” Iruka motions.

Samehada croons weakly, wiggling towards B who crouches down to pet thee sword. Before anyone can react, Kisame’s hand shoots out to grab the sword’s hilt and the air suddenly fills with killing intent as the Akatsuki member spits out water to surround him. Kisame reaches into a pouch to pull a scroll out and then his hands fly through signs before shark summons appear in the water with him. Feeding the scroll to one of them, he grins before his hands fly through more signs and the water explodes out in a wave of dozens of sharks.

~*~

“How bad is it?” Iruka asks the few gathered. Naruto is off with his team and Gai’s team eating while the rest of them gather to discuss the disaster of Kisame’s shark getting away with all the information he managed to gather.

“Bad,” Itachi murmurs. “Considering how long B had that sword and how much planning was done in his presence, we have to assume our entire plans are compromised, as well as our location. Though thankfully the island’s ability to move will hinder them locating us again.”

“Do we tell them?” Tenzo asks, glancing towards where the eating area is, the sound of the teen’s voices floating back towards them. “We can’t keep this from them forever.”

“I received word from Tsunade-sama before the whole Kisame thing saying to keep Naruto distracted at all costs. The moment he realizes what’s going on, he’ll run straight towards the battle field,” Shisui says with a huff.

“I’ve already sent out word amongst the animals to shelter in the shell in case of an attack,” B speaks up, slouching into a chair as he finally returns from his errand. They shift to look at the Jinchuuriki and nod in thanks.

“B, are there any techniques you could show Naruto and I now that we have access to the Kyuubi’s chakra?” Iruka asks.

“Yeah, a few, fool,” B nods with a grin.

“We’ll start tomorrow morning. That okay with you?” Iruka asks and B nods. Iruka sends a look to the others and they nod, getting what he’s getting at. Keeping B and Naruto distracted with training will keep them from realizing what’s happening.

~*~

Iruka watches silently as Naruto concentrates on moving the large stones in front of him with the Kyuubi’s chakra. The others are outside except for Tenzo, keeping up the ruse of training. A knot of tension has taken up residence in his gut. All they can do is wait for the war to start, but this waiting is grating on his nerves.

The room around them shudders and Iruka looks around trying to figure out what is going on as Naruto yells in frustration as his stack tips over. “What was that?” Iruka asks Tenzo.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. Keep them here Iruka,” Tenzo orders and Iruka sucks in a frustrated breath, but nods.

“Iruka-nii, what was that?” Naruto yells out.

“Just a minor earthquake,” Iruka calls out. “Tenzo’s going to go check something out, but he said we can keep training.”

“Alright,” Naruto nods with a grin and turns back to his practice. Iruka keeps half his focus on the two of them, the rest on the doorway should anyone try to come through. He’s sense blind in this room and he hates not being aware of what is happening.

The room suddenly flips and the three of them are falling as the ceiling fast approaches. Tentacles suddenly grab them as B slows their fall and sets them down. “Thanks, B,” Iruka says.

“That was a pretty big earthquake. Maybe we should go out and see if the animals are okay,” Naruto says.

“They’re fine, fool. They’re in a safe place,” B reminds him. “Best just keep practicing. At this rate, I’ll be an old man before you get the hang of it,” B jokes.

“I’ve almost got it,” Naruto shouts and quickly turns back to setting up the blocks of stone again.

Time passes and the room suddenly flips again, B catching them like before. “What the hell, man,” Naruto grouses. “Iruka-nii, aren’t you going to practice?” Naruto asks.

“Ah, yes, I should, shouldn’t I?” Iruka says with a smile and draws on the chakra, feeling it flood his body.

Concentrating, he reaches out as the chakra extends from him in a large claw to grasp the stone blocks and slowly sets them down on top of each other one at a time. He grins when he’s finished. “Easy,” he jokes, despite knowing it had been a lot hard than it looked.

“Aw, how are you so good at this?” Naruto grumbles.

“I’ve had more practice with fine tuning things. You’ll get the hang. Practice makes perfect,” Iruka consoles him and Naruto frowns mulishly.

“Naruto, let’s take a break,” B shouts and Naruto nods. “We’re going to try something else. The final stage of your training,” B says and Naruto perks up in excitement. “It’s the strongest move a Jinchuuriki can learn.”

“Really, what’s the first step?” Naruto asks excitedly and even Iruka is intrigued.

“You need to turn into the beast itself while in tailed beast mode. That’s the first step down the road,” B says and suddenly shifts into the Hachibi. “Now it’s your turn, time to explode!”

“I…I’m nervous,” Naruto admits with a frown. “It won’t get out of hand?” he asks.

“You got this motherfucka. Pull out the pure chakra and you won’t go wild, yo,” B says and Naruto nods.

Pulling up the Kyuubi’s chakra, Naruto concentrates before with a poof of smoke, he reappears as a small fox. With another puff of smoke, he’s back to normal. “Ugh,” Naruto groans out.

“I guess since you’re not on friendly terms with the Kyuubi, the transformation just won’t work,” B mutters.

“I’m beat,” Naruto huffs out, flopping back onto the ground. “I used a ton of the Kyuubi’s chakra and it’s still no good.”

The Hachibi shifts and bends down to look at the two of them. “This is the Hachibi talking,” it murmurs and Iruka focuses on the chakra construct, surprised that it’s talking to them. “What I need to speak with you about is important so pay attention.”

Iruka nods and Naruto sits up to focus on the creature. “First, you put yourself in danger by using the Kyuubi’s chakra.

“What? There are risks to using this?” Naruto asks.

The Hachibi nods. “Huge risks. While in this mode, the Kyuubi is consuming your chakra as trade for taking they’re chakra. If they absorb all of your chakra, it’s game over. You may have taken control of its chakra, but you didn’t completely tame the fox. The price they extract is steep,” it explains.

“But, B uses your chakra a lot,” Iruka murmurs with a frown.

“We used to be like that, trading chakra for chakra. Also, don’t use shadow clones while in this mode. Your chakra is consumed faster for every clone you make,” it adds.

Naruto laughs, “But I’ve got plenty of chakra,” Naruto says.

“Don’t take the Kyuubi’s power lightly. They will devour every drop of your chakra if you let them. It takes time to recover your chakra and if you’re constantly using the Kyuubi’s chakra in battle, you will die!” Naruto frowns, looking down at his hands.

“How do things work normally?” Iruka asks.

“Normally, you would negotiate with the bijuu inside you on how much chakra you’d both give, but the Kyuubi’s not one to sit down and talk things out on the best days,” the Hachibi says and Iruka nods in understanding. “There’s also a limit to the chakra you can pull away from them.”

Jeez, this is kind of crazy and dangerous,” Naruto mutters, looking up towards Iruka. “And if we can’t do it, we can’t do the Jinchuuriki ultimate move, huh?” he ask, looking back at the Hachibi.

“Right now, you’re better off focusing on your own techniques than the Bijuudama,” the Hachibi says.

“Bijuudama? What’s that?” Naruto asks.

“Hmm, you gather chakra to a single point, shape it into a sphere and compress in your mouth before releasing the force,” Hachibi explains.

“Why not just do it in this form?” Naruto asks, lighting up again.

“It can’t be done in that form,” Hachibi huffs out. “I’ve said what I came to say. Here’s B back.” The bijuu shrinks before B is back standing in front of them.

“Well, that’s that. Best bet it to focus on your own techniques,” B says.

“But I can’t do the Rasengan without a clone,” Naruto explains with a huff, rubbing a hand through his hair.

“You don’t need them, fool, when your chakra’s is your tool,” B raps out.

Naruto frowns before brightening up and focuses before two extra limbs shakily emerge from his form. “Like this!” Naruto says with a grin. He focuses chakra in front of him but quickly loses control of it and it burst apart.

Iruka frowns, recalling the Hachibi’s words and remembering Naruto’s many uses of that technique around him. B seems surprised as well.

“Hey, Naruto, that technique, who the hell taught you that crazy move?” he asks.

“Ero-Sennin…er, Jiraiya-sensei,” Naruto starts to say.

“It was originally designed by the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato…Naruto’s father,” Iruka finishes.

“That moves the same process as the bijuudama,” B explains excitedly. “He must have created it after observing a bijuudama,” B explains.

“Well, my mom was the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki before us,” Naruto admits with a faint smile. “Maybe she gave him the idea.”

“Normally you wouldn’t be able to compress the chakra in this form, but with the rotation, it does the same thing,” B theorizes.

“It doesn’t feel the same as my normal Rasengan though,” Naruto mutters.

“That’s cause you got the recipe wrong. A bijuudama is formed by mixing positive and negative chakra together. When you compress it, keep the ratio at 8:2 of negative to positive and it should work,” B explains.

“Yeah…I think I can do that,” Naruto nods with a grin.

“Then get to it fool,” B shouts and Naruto jumps up with a determined nod.

Iruka can’t help, but huff at his other half drive. He turns to glance back at the door and finds it still closed. What the hell was going on out there?

~*~

Iruka feels a shudder through his whole body as something tugs in his gut and he glances towards where it pulls. That felt like when Naruto pulled on the Kyuubi…but different somehow. What the hell was that?

Naruto’s latest attempt bursts and Iruka looks back to see him looking around confused. He must have felt that too. Which means it wasn’t Naruto. “Iruka-nii,” Naruto says, looking at Iruka knows they can’t lie much longer. He’s starting to notice things outside the room, just like he is.

Not like he planned to stay here forever, but they don’t know that. He’s sure his team is already aware of his plans and has set up countermeasures to delay or stop them from leaving the temple. Iruka flexes his shoulder with a huff and looks at his other half before speaking with B.

“I think we could use a break B. You up for getting a breath of air with us?” he asks.

“I’m down for that beat,” B says with a nod and a smirk.

Iruka reaches back and pulls out three familiar seals. “How about a bit of hide and seek as we go?” he says with a smirk and Naruto grins, jumping up to take the seal paper from Iruka. Iruka quickly explains to B how it works and the man nods, sticking it to his arm.

Once they all have a seal, Iruka hits the button on the wall to open the door and then rushes out. He senses the multiple bodies spread through the temple. They must have brought in more people and sent a few back as he only recognizes a handle full of them as Konoha shinobi.

Iruka spies the traps before they reach the entrance, can see Shisui and Itachi stationed by the exit. Even if they can’t see him, they can hear something and two sets of Sharingan stare in their direction. “Please go back into the training room please,” Itachi calls out.

Calling on his chakra, Iruka reaches for the waterfall behind them and it explodes inward, knocking them away and disrupting most of the traps. With a spring and a twist midair to avoid the crisscrossing ninja wire, he lands on the other side of the opening.

He feels the world finally open up around him and grimaces at what he can feel. The war’s already started. Iruka peels off his seal and comes into view, Naruto and B copying. Itachi and Shisui spring through the waterfall to stop before them.

“Iruka-nii, what is going on?” Naruto demands, pupils wide as he feels just as much as Iruka is.

“War,” Iruka murmurs. “Madara or Tobi, whatever he goes by, has made his move. He’s coming for the three of us. This was a means to protect us, but it was never meant to be a permanent solution, was it?” he asks the two Uchiha in front of them.

Shisui huffs in amusement. “You two are so alike. You hide it behind duty for the village, but you’re just as stubborn and pig headed as Naruto, Iruka. Of course we knew you planned to break out, no matter how you pretended to go along with everything. It’s why we’re here and instead of the others.”

“Where’s Tenzo?” Iruka asks, looking around.

“He was taken,” Itachi admits and Iruka stills, heart beating heavily in his chest.

“I will find him,” Shisui assures him. “He’s got my mark, Iruka. There’s no where they can take him that I can’t find,” Shisui reminds him and Iruka nods.

“You better,” Iruka murmurs. “Don’t be late,” he adds.

“Like we’d leave you to fight this asshole alone. He’s made a laughing stock of the Uchiha name. He made it personal,” Shisui huffs in annoyance.

“Keep each other safe until we can get there,” Itachi murmurs.

“Alright,” Iruka nods and the three turn and sprint towards the southern edge of the island.

“They’re increasing the density of the barrier that way,” Iruka calls out.

“I’ve got it, motherfucka,” B shouts before suddenly the Hachibi emerges. Iruka feels the chakra form and shape before he consumes it, compressing it and releasing it in one shot. It streaks through the air to strike at the barrier.

“One more should do it. Naruto, you and me will widen the cracks,” Iruka says and Naruto nods as they both glow with chakra and streak forward. Drawing his blade, Iruka slashes across the breaks, widening them as Naruto smashes into them with an enlarged fist. B’s bijuudama smashes through the final part and they rush through.

“Where to?” B calls out.

“Follow me,” Iruka calls out and they go streaking though the tree towards the heart of the war.

“How come you didn’t tell me?” Naruto demands as they move.

Iruka sighs softly. “If you knew, you would have acted differently and you needed to train and learn. When I heard we would be hiding with B, I felt it would be a good chance for you to learn more before we rushed out. It doesn’t make up for lying to you, but I felt it was the right path to take,” Iruka admits.

“You got the Kyuubi’s chakra fool, don’t be ungrateful. He cares about you a lot,” B shouts.

“I know,” Naruto says with a nod. “I understand, Iruka-nii. I know you didn’t want to do it. That’s what matters most.”

They both look ahead as something large appears in their senses. “What is that, motherfucka?” B asks in surprise.

“I don’t know,” Iruka murmurs.

“It feels weird…but familiar too somehow,” Naruto mutters.

“Yeah,” Iruka murmurs as they keep moving forward. He doesn’t have to say anything as they all speed up.

~*~

Kakashi finishes going over his gear before heading towards Tsunade’s tent where she and the Raikage have been strategizing. He nods to the guards on duty before he slips in and looks around at the controlled chaos.

“So they’re headed this way,” Kakashi drawls from the front of the tent and watches the sour look pass over Tsunade’s face as A just growls and clenches his fist in annoyance at his brother disobeying orders.

“So it would seem,” Tsunade grumbles. “Last we heard they were headed this way. We’re going to intercept them shortly.”

“Is that wise?” Kakashi asks.

“We can’t lose them to that asshole,” Tsunade growls.

“True, but we could certainly use an edge right about now. We’ve taken some heavy losses and with this spy threat, we’re sitting ducks right now. We need them too,” Kakashi reminds them.

There’s a commotion outside before they can answer and they all tense, Kakashi turning while drawing a kunai from his pouch. A Konoha chuunin stumbles in with wide eyes. “H-Hokage-sama…s-someone is here to see you. It…it’s Orochimaru,” he whispers.

“Oh please, no need to act like you’ve seen a ghost,” a hissing voice drawls as a shadowed and cloaked figure steps further into the tent.

“Orochimaru,” Tsunade growls, hands fisting as she takes a menacing step closer, A right beside her as Kakashi takes a ready stance to strike.

“So nice to see you too, Tsunade,” Orochimaru sneers, but doesn’t step closer, hands held out slightly to show they’re empty, not that that means much to someone like Orochimaru.

“Why are you here?” Tsunade snaps out.

“To offer my aid of course in this little war you’ve dropped onto all of our heads,” Orochimaru drawls.

“You gave that asshole your Edo Tensei, why should I believe you?” Tsunade demands.

“Believe it or not, I did not in fact give him that technique. It was stolen from me. It would seem my dear assistant finally made his move. He at least made a move I didn’t completely predict,” Orochimaru huffs out.

“Is there a way to cancel it out?” Tsunade huffs.

“Unfortunately no,” Orochimaru murmurs. “It would seem my brilliance has come to stab my in the back. And I’m sure Kabuto has added his own twists to it. The only way to stop them is to seal the souls away, get them to release themselves, or force the one who summoned them to cancel the jutsu,” he admits.

“Then what good are you to us?” Kakashi asks.

“I come bearing a gift for you,” he says and slowly extracts a scroll from his sleeve.

Tsunade stares at him for a long drawn out moment before she finally nods though they all tense as he unrolls it. Biting his thumb, Orochimaru drags his blood along the scroll and tosses it to the ground before smoke explodes out. As it slowly clears, six figures appear in room.

“It’s not an army, but it’s certainly something just as good, wouldn’t you agree sensei?” Orochimaru murmurs. Kakashi can only stare in shock as he takes in the figures before him.