Chapter 11

"When the nice guy loses his patience, the devil shivers."

No one's pov:

Team 7 is walking back to village from the land of Waves. After defeating Zabuza and his minion, the mission has became relatively easy for an A-rank mission.

After Naruto collapsed, he slept for two days. When he woke up, Obito took them to the forest to teach them tree climbing. When they mastered the excercise, they went to guard Tazuna.

On the same day, Gato appeared with an ocean of thugs which they defeated rather easily. Obito ended up 'accidentally' killing Gato as he tried to escape.

They stayed until the bridge was built. Tazuna, who somehow ended up being a big fan of Naruto, courtesy killing the missing nin, named the bridge, The great Naruto bridge.

Naruto didn't understand why would someone be naming a bridge after him. He didn't get a satisfactory answer, so obviously his mind presented him with most suspicious possibilities.

Wanting to eliminate the threat, Naruto almost tried to kill Tazuna. He would have killed if not for Kurama reprimanding and assuring him that everything is fine.

On their way back to Konoha, Team 7, except Naruto, decided it's time to get started with their self appointed mission to talk to Naruto.

On the other hand, Naruto, who's still paranoid after naming the bridge, noticed how his sensei, Sasuke and Sakura walking beside him instead of going ahead.

Noticing the strange behaviour of his teammates, Naruto decided to keep his guard up. Kurama noticed this but didn't say anything. He is curious to know what changed their minds after ignoring Naruto for his whole year.

"Dobe."

Naruto almost flinched when we heard Sasuke calling for him.

"What is it Sasuke?"

Sasuke frowned. Naruto didn't call him teme. Even when they were back in the land of Waves, Naruto avoided him, Sakura and Obito like a plague.

He stopped talking, not replying unless talked to. Even that he gave short responses, not encouraging to hold a conversation. They just thought it was because he was still tired from overusing his chakra.

But this... this is really bad. Naruto still won't talk unless it's necessary. He avoid his teammates like they are going to hurt him. It's like... Naruto's personality took a 180° turn.

"Do you want to get ramen with us from Ichiraku when we get back?" Sasuke asked, hoping he would agree. This would also give him a chance to talk to him.  Naruto never turns down the offer of free rame-

"I'll pass." Naruto said.

"What?! I thought you like ramen." Sakura exclaimed.

"I don't feel like eating anything." Replied Naruto. 'Why are they being so nice to me all of a sudden? Is it because they saw me lost control back then? Do they think of me as a demon like the rest? Yeah... that must be it. They are trying to lure me my favourite food and kindness. They are planning to kill me by adding poison in the ramen.'

'I must get close to him before his mental condition gets worse.' The three people noticing Naruto thought alike.

'I must not get close to them or they'll try to kill me.' Were Naruto's only thoughts.

No one knows what is happening to Naruto. Except two. Kurama and Itachi, who is stealthily following the group.

'It looks like all those emotions he suppressed is resurfacing through the seal. As a result, his paranoia amplifies it's strength, which is caused by the torture he went through. That means he will be on edge and high alert whenever he's with people, fearing for the worst.' Itachi and Kurama thought.

'This could be troublesome. Kit won't be able to interact with people like he did before. I highly doubt if he can act as the loudmouth, knucklehead ninja anymore. Damn, I hate those pathetic excuses of villagers.' Kurama growled angrily.

Kurama's pov:

(Kurama sometimes call Naruto by his name and sometimes 'Kit'. I don't think I've mentioned before, sorry. I hope I didn't confuse you. Definition of kit  : a young or undersized fur-bearing animal (such as a beaver, fox, or raccoon)

We are nearing the gates of the Konoha. I don't know what will happen to Naruto if they find out about the seal. The third might know how to repress the seal. Evil Sealing Method might work, but it still relies on kit's willpower to not give in to the darkness.

As we entered, Obito brat said he have to submit report and shunshined away. The other two brats just stood there looking at each other dumbly.

Kit was about to turn away and walk towards the apartment when the Uchiha brat decided to grab his hands. Not harshly but gently.

However kit flinched badly and jumped back.

"No! Don't touch me!" He shouted as he backed away from the two brats.

"Naruto... what's wrong?" The pink brat tried to get close to kit but he gripped his hair tight and squeezed his eyes shut. Tears started flowing down.

"Stay away from me! Don't come close!" He yelled as he cried harder.

"Hey hey... Why are you crying?" Those two came closer but kit sprinted towards our apartment.

"Naruto" I called.

He didn't respond but kept running. At this rate he's gonna hurt himself with that grip on his hair.

"Naruto." I called more firmly.

"K-kurama" He hiccupped.

"Kit, release the grip from your hair. You'll hurt yourself. Look we already reached the apartment. Now be the good boy you are and get inside, lock the door and go lie on the bed. You exhausted. I will pull you into the mindscape." I said.

He did as I told him. I made him check twice whether he locked his windows and doors, I don't want those bastards to disturb his rest. As soon he hit the bed, I pulled him into the mindscape.

He looked awful. Ever since he woke up, he hasn't eaten anything much and skipped breakfast. He couldn't get sleep because of his worse memories appearing as dreams.

"Come here kit" I called him to come near me. As he reached me I immediately wrapped my two tails around him and brought him close to my side chest.

Soon he began sobbing.

"Kurama...I.. I'm scared..of everything...and it hurts everyone... I'm tired... wanna sleep... but they... hurt me in sleep too... please make it stop...I don't want this..."

I continued to pat his head with the tip of my tail.

After three hours, kit cried himself to sleep.

I'm so going to kill those bastards who caused so much pain to my kit.

To be continued...