Kakashi POV~

"How is he so fast?" Kiba growled. Akamaru barked in agreement. Both him and my summon, Pakkun, were panting. "His scent is getting further and further away every minute."

"It might be the Kyuubi's chakra." I said, "Sometimes when he's feeling strong emotion, some of the Nine Tails chakra leaks through. That could be giving him an extra power boost."

"Woah." Kiba muttered.

"He seems so desperate to get away." Sakura murmured, "Since when was he like that?"

"For all we know, he's always thought of leaving the village. He wasn't accepted there, so I wouldn't doubt it." I furrowed my brow, "There might be so much we never even bothered to understand about Naruto."

"I-I hope he's okay." came Hinata's soft voice. Despite her shy, quiet nature, I could already see that she was a loyal and devoted person. She was working just as hard as, maybe even harder, than some of us to find Naruto. Her admiration for him was a shining light at this moment. 

Despite our efforts, though, I could tell the gap between us and Naruto was widening. Even Shino's bugs we having a hard time keeping up with him now.

"His stamina is far better than ours." Pakkun said, "If he keeps going like this, we're going to lose him. My sense of smell has a limit, ya know."

I grimaced under my mask. If even Pakkun was worried about losing the scent, then we didn't have much time. There had to be a way to slow him down or stop him somehow...

"Shino." I said, "Send as many bugs as you can ahead and have them attack Naruto."

"What?" All the genin spluttered at once.

"That makes sense." Kurenai said, "Shino, your beetles eat chakra. And Naruto is practically dripping in chakra. If you have your insects stall him, there's a chance that we could catch up before he disappears."

"He might just h-hate us more if we attack him." Hinata said sadly.

"It might also be the only way to get him back." I countered, "Remember, he did the same with Sasuke, and in the end it worked out."

"We have to let him know we haven't given up on him." Shino said, his voice as monotone as ever but now firm and determined. "I'll send the insects now. They're all over the forest, so they'll reach him quickly."

Shino held out his hands, and the buzzing of insects filled the air. The next few minutes were tense as we jumped through the trees and waited for something to happen.

Suddenly, Akamaru barked, and Pakkun said, "His scent is getting stronger. Turns out the distraction worked. As long as the bugs keep him there, we should be able to get to him."

"Yes." Shino said, "My bugs have found him. I'll have them stall him for as long as possible."

"That's perfect." I growled. 

It took much longer than I thought to get closer to Naruto. Night had fallen, and it was getting darker as the light of day disappeared. I don't know how long Shino's bugs could keep Naruto in one place, but I hoped he could hold on just a little longer.

Finally, I could sense his chakra in the distance. Even without the Kyuubi, I could recognize Naruto's huge chakra reserves immediately. But now, his chakra was rolling with something bigger, a mass of huge, intimidating chakra that sent shivers down everyone's spine. The Kyuubi's chakra didn't seem as...I don't know, murderous, as it did on the night of its attack on the village. But, it was still a large, powerful force that just dared you to mess with it.

At last, I could tell we were getting close. The rest of the group was tense, maybe even afraid of what they might find.

"Shino, call off your bugs." I said, not knowing why I said it. I could feel a heavy tension that I just didn't like.

Shino did as he was told, and just as they insects swarmed back toward him, we entered a small clearing.

Standing in the center, shrouded in a cloak of flaming red chakra, was Naruto.

Naruto POV~

"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCKING HELL -"

Now the bugs were attacking me?

That was unexpected.

They must have figured this was the best way to stall for time. The insects were everywhere, pelting my skin, blinding me, and worst of all, they seemed to nibble at whatever chakra they could get ahold of. At the speed I was moving, it wouldn't be enough to suck away too much, but  these annoying little things were seriously going to slow me down.

Just goes to show how much Konoha wants me back. The way they were chasing after me insistently, even going to the lengths of attacking me, it was ironic how I was doing the exact thing to Sasuke not too long ago.

They really wanted me back, huh?

As the insects swarmed me, my mind flashed back to the graffiti on my walls, the word demon etched into the words spoken by the villagers. Little five-year-old me, crouched in the darkness, fear sweeping over my tiny body as a mob of people overwhelmed me, towering over me with eyes gleaming of hatred...

I stiffened, clenching my jaw as a wave of anger and hurt and fear overcame me. For just a moment, in that short little second, I let my emotions free. Kurama's chakra, in its massive glory, is hard to control in that instance. For just a moment, the storm erupted, chakra pouring from every inch of my body. The force of it was so strong that the insects were blown away. 

"Kit. Don't lose control. My chakra can be dangerous if you handle it without thinking properly."

I gasped for air, my lungs heaving in and out as I panted. For a few minutes, Kurama forced me to lessen the amount of his chakra that I used. I calmed, in turn calming him. I could tell Kurama was also on the verge of raging. After all, he had a much bigger temper than me. Although both of us knew to calm down when necessary, and sometimes when one of us gets a little too mad, the other became the voice of reason.

I suddenly felt guilty for making Kurama be the one to calm me. I could sense how much he wanted to just destroy everything in his anger. The only reason he didn't is because he knew it would harm me more than help.

Despite everyone seeing Kurama as a giant, murderous, powerful force that knows nothing but destruction, Kurama was actually wise and caring when you took the time to listen to him.

'Ok, Kurama...you calm down too.'

I could still sense his fury. After all, Kurama got mad easily. Since he was in my body, my emotions went through to him just as much as his emotions affected me.

With Kurama's chakra still blazing through my body, I leapt off again. As expected, the bugs soon attacked again. Their numbers were so large that they really did force me to stop just to avoid choking to death. I hated how long it took to fend them off, and how I could barely move even a third of my original speed with them around. Kurama was anxious too, so much that I couldn't stop his chakra from flowing out and casting a slight red cloak around me, like a protective fire.

I kept track of the small group coming toward me best I could. To my distress, they were steadily getting closer, much faster than they did before. I let out another surge of Kurama's chakra, and all the bugs flew off my body. I landed in a small clearing, panic starting to set in as I realized how near the Leaf shinobi were. With another burst of chakra, I thrust the bugs away and prepared to take off again.

But this time, instead of coming right back, the insects just left. My worry intensified. I knew why they'd gone.

It was because my pursuers had finally arrived.

For a moment, nothing happened. Me and the group of people I was hoping never to see again were all breathing heavily, just standing there. I realized that I was still surrounded by a little bit of red Bijuu chakra, so I calmed it slightly and, thankfully, Kurama obliged and withdrew his chakra.

"Naruto..." Kakashi started. Hinata looked ready to tear up, and Sakura just...looked away.

"Bitch." Kurama growled.

I decided not to give away any emotions. So I started with a (slightly accusing), "What do you want?"

They seemed taken aback by this response. What did they expect?

"Naruto, please -"

"What? Come back? Are you willing to beat me up to do it?"

Again, I was met with shock. I internally groaned.

'Honestly, what did they think would happen?'

"I could've asked you the same thing when you went to get Sasuke back."

'...you did.'

"Naruto, why did you leave?" Kakashi asked, "What's with the sudden change of heart?"

"Don't act so cold. It's not like you. They might suspect something completely irrational."

'You're right. They're used to seeing the knucklehead act.' I narrowed my eyes, 'They need to know that it's my choice, not something stupid like "oh he was controlled by the nine-tails".'

Kurama snickered slightly, though he growled warily. "Careful. They're going to make a move soon. I can feel it."

I locked eyes with Kakashi, then closed them. "You read the letter?"

"Yes." came the soft reply of my sensei.

"Naruto, you have no idea how much you mean to us." Kurenai started, "More people miss you than you think. You don't have to do this -"

"I know." I said, opening my eyes, "I know people miss me. In fact, two or three of those people are in this group. There are a handful of others back in the village. I regret leaving them, but only them. Unless..." I allowed my voice to intensify for a moment, "Unless, you're talking about the other reason I'm missed. After all, the council can't have their Jinchuriki just running off, can they?"

I can't believe they keep getting stunned like this. For the first time since they came, surprisingly, Kiba spoke up. "Naruto! Stop being an idiot and come back. Why are you running away? I thought you never gave up!"

"We-I missed you, Naruto. You inspired me and encouraged me when no one else did..." Hinata said in a quiet tone.

"You were always very motivating." Shino said. "Believe it or not, there are people who truly want you to return."

I listened silently. I allowed my voice to soften. "I'm sorry to leave, Hinata, but just because I'm gone doesn't mean you should stop striving to be the best. I'm leaving for reasons I can't explain to you, but that doesn't mean I've given up. Therefore," I pointed at Kiba, "I don't think you read the letter. And if I'm guessing correctly," I pointed at Sakura and Kakashi, "it was one of you two who first found the letter, am I right?"

After hesitating a bit, Sakura spoke up, "It was me who found the letter. Naruto...I just wanted to apologize. I didn't realize I was being so cruel..."

I could still hear the doubt in her voice, even now. I hissed, "Sakura, I attempted friendship with you only to be pushed away. Not only that, but to have my own teammate call me a demon was a little harsh. Nothing I wasn't used to, but harsh. Unlike Hinata or Shino and some of the others, you only regard me with pity. Hell, even now, you're still unsure!"

My voice rose a little at the end, but I didn't care. I've wanted to say this for so long. Even now, that look in her eyes made me so fucking mad...

I could sense Kurama's killing intent. Compared to my own, his seemed fucking deadly.

I could see how everyone shivered. Tch.

I shoved my hands into my pockets simply to keep them in place. My fists were balled and I could only just barely keep from snapping. Groaning, I leaned against a tree and looked up at the sky.

"Is it too much to ask wanting to live like a real person?"

Kakashi POV~

Is it too much to ask...

wanting to live like a real person?

Everyone pondered on this, no one able to find a response. 

We were all so eager to find Naruto that we never even considered what we'd do once we found him. We never knew that his words would have such an impact on us.

I glanced up at him again. He was now leaning heavily against a tree, arms crossed and eyes closed. Despite his relaxed posture, his shoulders were tense, his jaw tight and hands clenched in fists. There was a dangerous vibe radiating around him, more killing intent than I ever thought he could let out. I figured the Kyuubi's KI was mixed in as well, since the cold feeling in my bones was the same as it was on the night of the Kyuubi attack. 

The Nine-Tails was...mad?

I didn't know what to think about that.

Naruto opened his eyes. His words were, once again, unexpected.

"So, what are you going to do?"

I didn't know what to say. Against my will, I felt my legs start to give out and I reached out to lean heavily on a tree. I hated seeming so weak, but the terror was just now reaching me as I realized what would happen.

"Please..." I started, "Naruto...I can't lose..." I clenched my teeth.

No no don't cry not now...

"I can't lose...another teammate."

Naruto POV~

It broke my heart seeing my sensei so torn. But, I knew I couldn't go back. For Kurama's sake, and my own. Kakashi was one of my few special people, but I couldn't go back just because of him and a couple others.

I lowered my gaze, "I'm sorry, Kakashi. You're not losing another teammate, though. You were one of the only people who showed kindness to me. Thank you for that. But this is for my own personal reasons. For once, I don't want to be bound by the council as nothing but a weapon. I don't want to cause unnecessary strife. It'll be best if I just...disappear."

"No." came a firm reply. I raised an eyebrow. It was Sakura.

"Please, Naruto." she continued, "I'll make it up to you. Just...please don't leave."

"Who was it who said they never wanted to see my 'annoying attitude' and 'irritating smiles'." I asked, "Sakura, have you ever tried to imagine that the way you treated me...was the same way each one of the villagers treated me."

I shut my eyes tightly. "Have you ever had to spend your nights running for your life when a mob of people are chasing you? Have you ever had to spend the night of your birthday hiding in the Forest of Death simply to avoid getting beaten to death? Do any of you even know what that's like for a four-year-old kid who just got kicked out of the orphanage for being a 'demon brat?'"

I opened my eyes, now glaring at them. "If you're going to take me back, I won't go down without a fight."

AN

Hi. Me again.

Pls vote and comment I'd appreciate it a lot :)

Dattebayo...