'How does this work, Kurama?'

"Shut up for a second, I'm trying to contact them?"

'Which one?'

Kurama grumbled, "Hachibi."

'Eight Tails and his Jinchuriki are also friends, right?'

"Yes, now be quiet, dumbass."

'Aha...'

After a moment, I realized we weren't in my mindscape anymore. The cage Kurama was in was gone, and I didn't notice the big eight-tailed ox-octopus in front of me until he spoke.

"What do you want, Kyuubi? It's not like you to request a meeting."

"Hachibi." Kurama growled, "My Jinchuriki and I..."

'We need your help.' I finished, knowing how much Kurama hated asking for help.

Hachibi tilted his head, amusement in his voice, "This is your human, Kurama? He's cute."

Kurama grumbled again. "Well, his village imprisoned us. Now he's in a jail cell. And it was his idea to ask you for help, not mine."

Hachibi chuckled slightly, "You befriended each other? That's unusual of you, Kyuubi. He must really be something special."

'I'm just too charming to resist.' I snickered, earning a smack in the head from one of Kurama's tails.

"Well, I don't know why you asked me." Hachibi continued, "There isn't much I can do. Killer Bee can't just leave the village to free another village's Jinchuriki, after all."

'Killer Bee...' I mused, 'That's the name of your Jinchuriki, right?'

Hachibi nodded, "It was smart contacting us, considering how you can talk to us without anyone knowing. But it was a long shot. We are extremely far away from each other."

'Konoha is no place for a Bijuu.' I said softly, 'Or a Jinchuriki.'

Hachibi leaned forward slightly.

'Please, try asking Killer Bee. Or one of the other Tailed Beasts. One of your siblings is suffering. Not just one, but several.' I hated the desperation in my voice, but we were running out of options. If the other Bijuu could do nothing, who else could?

'Please...Gyuki.'

I noticed Hachibi's eyes widen slightly. Kurama sighed, though he didn't object to the pleading. Both of us wanted out of the Leaf Village, and if begging the other Bijuu is what it took, then even Kurama was willing to let go of his pride for once.

At last, Gyuki nodded. "There aren't many options, but I'll see what I can do. It's true. The way Tailed Beasts are treated in these villages is maddening." Gyuki tilted his head toward Kurama, "I'll keep updated. We should try contacting as many of our fellow Bijuu as possible in the meantime."

After a moment of hesitation, Kurama finally bit out, "Thank you."

Gyuki raised a brow. "This boy humbled you, Kurama."

"Shut up."

Hachibi just laughed. "I like this one. You have yourself an interesting little human."

I grinned and Kurama just rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. I laughed. Kurama was kinda cute when he was flustered.

'Thanks again, Gyuki.' I said, and we left the mindscape. 

When I opened my eyes, I saw the bland walls of my jail cell. Except this time, I was grinning madly. 

'Kurama, I think we might have a chance.'

Tsunade POV~

"If we had known the boy could control the Kyuubi, we could have made him more effective." Danzo said.

"Well, the fact that he can control the Fox could make him even more valuable than we thought." Koharu huffed, "To think he kept such a secret from us -"

"You don't understand, do you?" I growled, "This is exactly why he kept it secret. Now you all just want to use him as a weapon."

"With the Kyuubi's chakra, he is powerful. With him on our side, we'll be unstoppable. Do you oppose that?" Danzo shot back.

"He is human. And the whole reason he kept his cooperation with the Kyuubi secret is because he knew that vultures like you would try to control him as Konoha's tool. And get him on our side?" I scoffed, "I'm amazed he still doesn't hate me, but I know he sure as hell hates you. What's the point of making him a weapon if he despises us. Hell, haven't we already had this discussion! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY IT!"

In my anger, I punched my fist through the wall, effectively crumbling it.

Danzo narrowed an eye. "So bring him to our side."

I glared at him. "What?"

"He trusts you. That much he's shown. If you speak to him, surely you can convince him to fight for us."

I seethed and sat down again, putting a hand on my face. "Do I even deserve to do that...?"

"It's for the good of the village. You'd rather have him an ally than an enemy, correct? You said it yourself. He doesn't hate you. If you can get him to fight for us, that's all we need."

I lowered my hand and leveled a smoldering glare at him. "What I want is for Naruto to stop suffering. Yes, I'd rather he stay on our side, but if he does it should be of his own free will. Not because of the desires of a bunch of hags like you." I stood and stalked out the door, just barely containing the urge to punch down another wall.

"I will not force one of my shinobi to do something like what you ask, Danzo. I'm not like you. That's one thing I'm proud of."

Sasuke POV~

Tch. I understood that the ANBU had to keep an eye on me, but the least they could do was respect my fucking privacy.

They were always hovering over my shoulder, standing right outside the door when I was in the bathroom, sitting directly outside my window while I was sleeping...I didn't complain for a while, but enough was fucking enough.

Why'd they have to stand so goddamn close?

At last, I got fed up with it. I turned, stepping out of the busy street, and whirled around to face them. As usual, they gave no reaction.

"Could you stop breathing on my shoulder?" I growled.

"We have orders to keep watch over you, Sasuke Uchiha." one of them said. "We are simply doing our job. You should understand, considering the stunt you pulled -"

"I know, all right?" I snapped, "All I'm asking is that you stand back a little or something! Is that too much for you to do?"

When they didn't respond, I just growled and stepped past them onto the street again. They followed, as usual, but to my relief they heeded my request and followed a few feet further behind. Still too close for comfort, but whatever.

My mind wandered to Naruto talking to me from inside the cell. He was still his own self, but it was then that I truly realized how severely everyone underestimated him. Guilt clutched my heart with iron hands. I was one of those people, once. Back when I refused to see him as anything but a weak, annoying idiot.

I recalled the words I told him.

I'll get you out of there, Naruto.

I wondered if I could actually do it.

Argh! Of course I have to do it! 

I owe the little fool. I need to get him out of that goddamned cell. 

Because...

He's my best friend.

Guilt continued to claw at me. I was barely able to keep my master poker face on over these past few days. Ever since I learned that Naruto brought me back to the village, left the village himself, was also brought back to the village, was thrown into a jail cell, and apparently is a hell lot smarter and better at hiding his feelings than I thought, I couldn't keep my thoughts swirling around how much I didn't know about him.

Not to mention he also befriended the Kyuubi. I don't know how anyone else would take that information, but I was fucking impressed.

Damn. I would never in a dozen lifetimes admit it, but Naruto is hella amazing. Sure I was a little jealous and worse at hiding that jealousy than I hoped, but this blond idiot saved my goddamn life and went through hell and back all while still hiding his true power. And to not show any sign of hatred to the village either?

I envied that kind of strength.  And I would do anything to save Naruto now, after all he's done for me. If he wanted me to continue serving Konoha, fine. But I sure as hell am making sure he never has to suffer at the hands of this village again.

"Oi, Sasuke!"

I turned around to see dog-boy, bug-boy, and the lazy-ass coming toward me. With them was Sakura. 

Even my own friends see me as a demon. 

I narrowed my eyes. If Naruto said that, that means one of the genin must have referred to him as a demon at some point. I grit my teeth at the thought. I knew for a fact that Naruto was no demon just because he had the Kyuubi inside of him.

If I had a guess, I'd say the culprit was Sakura or Ino, maybe some of the others too.

It definitely wasn't Shikamaru. I watched as he walked up to me.

Definitely not Shikamaru. And not Shino or Hinata either.

I just sighed and walked away, completely ignoring the small group headed toward me. They ran to catch up with me anyways.

"How ya doing, Sasuke?" Kiba asked, his dog yapping excessively. 

"Hn."

Sakura sidled closer and asked, "Are you okay, Sasuke-kun?"

For some reason, her annoying flirty behavior sent my anger soaring over the roof. I sent a chilling glare in their direction.

"Have any of you gone to visit Naruto?"

They all froze. Sakura frowned, and Shikamaru just watched with his sharp, calculative gaze.

"I didn't think so." I growled, "You don't even consider him a friend, do you?"

"That's not true!" Sakura burst out. Tch. Even I could see she didn't believe herself.

"Sakura." I snarled, "He said something about his own friends calling him a demon last time I saw him. Was it you?"

She looked taken aback. I could see immediately that I was right.

"Tch." I turned around and walked away, wishing to be left alone for once. Alone, so that I could organize my own muddled thoughts and feelings and figure out a way to rescue the little shit in jail. I have a lot to make up for.

But of course, they wouldn't just leave after I snapped at them. Guess they're too used to it.

"Please, Sasuke-kun. Everyone's worried. You've been avoiding all of us!"

"That's because I'm ashamed to be around you!" I couldn't help but shout, "I'm ashamed to call you friends, because you idiots caused so much pain to my best friend. Naruto saved my life, but none of you could care less! Hell, I'm amazed he doesn't hate you!"

They just stared with wide eyes as I stormed away.

Naruto POV~

'Any luck with the other Bijuu?'

"Just a few. Shukaku hates me still, so I haven't even tried to talk to that foolish Tanuki. I managed to get in touch with Chomei, Kokuo, Matatabi, Son Goku, and Saiken. None of them seem to be in the position to help though."

'Seems like the closest chance we have is with Gyuki and Killer Bee. And, if we get Shukaku and Gaara to cooperate, it'll be even better for us.'

"At least you convinced Shukaku to stop torturing the boy. I don't think he particularly likes Gaara. After all, he absolutely hates humans. But I know you and Gaara are a couple of the only humans he tolerates."

'Yeah, but I don't think Shukaku would be very on board with the idea of helping you. You're right. He hates you.'

"Mm. But that boy, Gaara, has come to accept you as a friend. We can still contact Gaara through Shukaku, since he is also a Jinchuriki. Gaara is sure to try at least."

'You're right. Let's try it.'

Kurama's chakra perked. "Not yet. Someone's coming." 

I got up from my cot and walked over to the front of the cell. No matter what, I wasn't willing to give anything away. Not through my behavior or words.

I furrowed my brow as Tsunade approached. She looked agitated.

"Hi, Baa-chan."

"Naruto. We need to talk." she crossed her arms and sighed, "Danzo and the elders want you to fight for Konoha -"

"Oh?" I interrupted, raising an eyebrow, "Now they want my power? I'm assuming they want you to convince me."

She scowled, though it wasn't directed to me. "Well, in a way, yes. But, Naruto, you're not just some weapon to Konoha - "

"A weapon." I hissed, "That's exactly what I am to them. Only a few people see me as human, Baa-chan. I'm sorry, but no matter what you do, I refuse to be that scumbag Danzo's tool."

She bit her lip, as if she wanted to say something but didn't want to say something at the same time. "Naruto. I'm the Hokage, remember? I can make sure that never happens."

"But?" I asked, noting the expression on her face that any normal person would miss. "There's more, right?"

"Naruto." she said again, more firm, "I want you to operate strictly under my command. That way you'll have full protection from the elders and Danzo, while still serving the village. More specifically, you'll be serving me."

I thought about this. "So you want me to be like...your bodyguard?"

She nodded.

"And guard you at all times, kind of like a not-so-secret private ANBU guard?"

She nodded again. "It'll take some persuasion to get you out of the cell, but once you're free, you can be kind of like my bodyguard. I'll protect you from those vultures, and in turn, you'll stay in the village and protect me personally. You've already proven yourself to be powerful, after all."

I just stared, not realizing that my mouth had dropped open. I quickly wiped my face clean of expression and thought over Tsunade's words again.

I could be free...

Without being hunted...

Without being a rogue...

Without being nothing but...

A weapon.

I raked a hand through my hair.

'Kurama? What do you think?'

"I don't know, gaki. It sounds like..." he hummed deep in his throat, "something worth considering."