Time skip three years...

"Sakura-chan!"

"What do you want, Naruto?" Sakura stopped and scowled.

"She's scowling at you..."

'Shut up, Kurama.' I mentally sighed. Nobody had figured out my relationship with Kurama yet. It was a good thing. The last thing I needed was anybody feeling threatened and paranoid at the fact that I had befriended the "demon" inside of me.

"You want to - "

"I'm busy, Naruto. I have to train with Tsunade sama." Sakura frowned at my dejected expression, not even bothering with an apology before stalking off.

'Another attempt at kindness...'

"And another rejection." Kurama sighed. "Why do you even try anymore? You know she doesn't like you and it's clear that you don't have to keep pretending to like her."

'My facade is strong. Plus, she's been extra grumpy recently, with Sasuke in the hospital and all...'

Kurama chuckled. "It's entertaining, though. She may be annoying, but what's life without a little drama? Kushina had plenty of it."

'Just because my mother was dramatic doesn't mean I have to be dramatic.' I pouted, earning another laugh from the stupid fox. 'Should I bother her again, for good measure?'

"I don't know. She's in a bad mood."

'The worst I'll get is a few broken ribs and my skull caving in. What could go wrong?'

Kurama rolled his eyes, a gesture I could basically feel without even having to see him. He does it a lot after all.

"Go train or something."

'Go to sleep, lazy fox.'

"Hm." Kurama grumbled, "Don't come whining to me when Sakura tries to kill you."

'It's not like she cares enough to hold back anyways. I mean, she never even visited me whenever I was in the hospital. But she spends hours there with "Sasuke-kun."'

While I was ranting to Kurama, I didn't notice how close I was getting to Sakura. When she turned around and saw me not far behind her, angry wasn't strong enough to describe her. In fact, even livid seemed like a light term.

"WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME, BAKA!" she screamed. I flinched, not realizing I'd done anything wrong. In fact, I wasn't even thinking about bothering Sakura anymore.

I pointed over her shoulder. "I was going to Ichi -"

"THAT'S NO EXCUSE TO KEEP BOTHERING ME!"

"I wasn't -"

"SHUT UP! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW STRESSED I AM! AND YOU JUST COME UP HERE WITH YOUR ANNOYING SMILES AND IRRITATING ATTITUDE! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES, YOU - YOU DEMON!"

That did it. She said it. She really said it. Even Kurama was speechless.

Even I didn't expect Sakura to sink so low.

I felt my face darken, the glare I sometimes used to deflect those thrown at me settled into my eyes. These emotions, I didn't show them much. But not even I could keep up a fake smile in this situation. 

This - This wasn't just friendly bickering or the occasional bonk on the head.

This was pure betrayal.

Sakura wavered, as if she didn't expect my reaction. What did she think I would do, send her another one of those beaming smiles she literally claimed she hated?

I let the bitterness seep into my tone for once. "Even you, Sakura..."

Even this clueless kunoichi could sense something was off, because she lowered her fist. "Naruto-"

"Never mind. Sorry to bother you." I turned and walked away. I could feel Kurama shaking with rage, and I was barely able to stop the killing intent from leaking out. Even then, I still had an aura surrounding me, combined with both mine and Kurama's fury.

After everything I did. After all those times I saved her life. After all those times I acted like a weak fool and protected her and stayed loyal.

After all of that, she still calls me a demon.

"Humans." Kurama growled from within my mindscape. 

'Kurama...'

"Hm?"

'...you'll always be with me, right?"

Kurama flared up at this. "What are you talking about? Of course, kit!" he calmed down and softened a bit. "I would never betray you. You were the first human to see me as something other than a monster or a tool. Though this seal is still very restricting..."

'I know. Sorry I can't do anything about it. Not yet anyways. I don't like that you're still treated like a prisoner.'

"Hm. We'll figure something out."

I smiled. 'Thanks, Kurama. For being there for me.'

Kurama spluttered, slightly flustered. "What-hm. Don't mention it."

I chuckled out loud, the pain from Sakura's words subsiding a little. 'Whatever you say, ya stupid fox.'

"What are you laughing at?"

I flinched slightly, surprised at Kakashi's sudden appearance. I grinned at him. "Nothing. Just remembering something."

Kakashi was smart. I had to give him that. He could see right through me sometimes. Not all the time, or else I wouldn't have been able to keep up such a facade, but enough to know when something else was on my mind.

Thankfully, he didn't question it. Instead, he snapped his book shut and said, "I just came to tell you that Sasuke's awake. If you want to see him."

At this, I hesitated. Kakashi's one visible eye narrowed. Shit. He noticed.

But what do I do? If Sasuke's up, then Sakura would definitely be there. Besides, what do I care if Sasuke's awake? He wouldn't give a shit if I were there or not.

"Is something wrong?"

"Aha, no." I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. "I just remembered I was going to do something. I'll come by later?"

Kakashi stared at me for another moment before turning away. "Sure. See you, Naruto."

When he disappeared, I sighed. 

"You almost slipped up for a second there."

'Yeah.'

I turned and walked away. With some of Kurama's chakra, I scanned the area around me.  I caught whiff of a well-concealed source of chakra somewhere above me, and figured it was Kakashi watching. I almost didn't notice him, and I wouldn't have, if it weren't for Kurama.

"He's suspicious of you. Eventually, he's going to find out about you."

'I hope not.'

Keeping on a mask of indifference, I strolled down the street, this time fully alert, paying full attention to what they said.

"It's him."

"Come here, child. Don't go near him."

"No way I'd let that thing in my shop."

Normally, I'd avoid walking out in the open like this for this very reason. But, I wanted to hear them. To hear what they really thought of me.

"Demon."

That one word had me falter in my next step. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the person who said it stiffen, as if they didn't expect me to hear it.

I kept walking as if nothing happened, my sharp ears catching on to his next words.

"That was close. I thought the monster heard me."

"He's nothing but an idiot. I don't even know why they let him walk freely."

I felt my chest tighten. This was nothing I wasn't used to. But after what Sakura said to me, I couldn't shake it off as easily as I did before.

I wandered into an empty training ground and lay down on the grass. This field was almost always empty, so I could stay for as long as I wanted. Breathing in the scent of the grass, I settled into my mindscape with Kurama.

Looks like I'm not visiting Sasuke after all.

AN

Hello.

In this story, the timelines might be slightly different from canon to fit the plot. Just letting ya know.

See ya.