No POV

Sasuke had just seen everything Sakura had, but instead of having the same reaction she did, he grew a pink tint to his face, and ran out of the room trying to compose himself before he saw the boy again, having only noticed bellow the belt and nothing lower. He had decided to go for a walk to cool down his mind from the dirty thoughts he was thinking.

The walk took him around the whole village. But as he came near the front gate, he saw the blonde boy, no longer covered in blood, with the pinkette flustered, trying to get him to stop what he was doing. He also noticed that Kakashi was standing there with an annoyed face while a man they'd never seen before stood next to him, drunk. As he walked closer, he heard, "Naruto! You're not fully healed! We can't go on the mission until your fully healed! Remember, you don't even have toes!"

With that, Sasuke stopped in his tracks, thinking back to what he saw in the orb and now noticed the lack of toes in the picture. Then he heard Naruto say, "So, Jiji used the orb, huh. Guess the guys won't be coming over when we get back," under his breath. He then heard him say louder, "C'mon Sakura-chan. All we need is for the teme to get here, then we can go. And I can walk around just fine without them, so let's go as soon as he gets here."

He then saw Naruto slightly glance at his position, making him compose himself in his normal posture and walk to the area fairly slowly. He then said, "Gotta grab my bag really quick. Naruto, did you already grab your weights?"

Naruto nodded softly as he thought, if we go on the mission, I'll be able to get Zabuza and the demon brothers. Right Kurama? Yeah Kit. You will. But you shouldn't be pushing yourself so much. I have to Kurama. I can't hold everyone else back because I'm such a pathetic loser. Your not a loser, kit. Now stop zoning out of reality or the Hatake may try to take matters into his own hands. I'd be ok with that, thought Naruto as he faded back into reality, only to notice Sasuke coming back with the afore mentioned bag. "Alright Naruto. If you say your ready for a mission, then let's go," said the Hatake, looking pissed that the boy was there and well.

Because of his strong senses, Kakashi could still smell the blood on the boy. Though, Naruto knew how to mask the scent of blood from hound like shinobi, he decided not to use it for the moment, knowing they all already knew of his earlier encounter. If he had masked it, he would have had to explain how he knew how to do something like that, and Kakashi would suspect him even more. Kakashi then said, "Guy's, this is Tazuna. He's the man we're escorting to the land of waves."

After a few more minutes, they left for their mission, as Sarutobi watched, hoping his ward would be okay on such a mission after all he'd gone through.

As they walked, Sasuke and Sakura walked close to Naruto, but far enough away so that it didn't look like they were trying to protect him, while Naruto walked a few feet behind Tazuna. But instead of watching the man's back, literally, he was looking at the sky. Watching the clouds go by.

Soon though, he sensed a chakra not of one of the group's. This chakra he sensed, seemed to be coming from the puddle off to the side.

The Hatake didn't seem to notice it yet though, so Naruto used a jutsu and sealed the 'puddle' so that the Two inside of it couldn't come out, but also so he could keep the kill for himself without drawing attention to his abilities.

He then made a clone and left it in the same area as the puddle, so the clone could take care of the ones inside of the puddle. Which he assumed  to be the Demon Brothers. There goes another one off the list. Heh, I'm a day ahead of schedule. Do you think I'll be able to go kill Orochimaru tonight? Well, I guess not actually. Since we're out on a mission. I probably won't be able to find time alone.

As they grew closer to the Land of Waves, Naruto's senses kicked in and told him that a sword was coming at them. Thankfully, their sensei noticed this as well and yelled "duck!"

Naruto had just barely ducked, keeping up his act and adding a bit of fake injury to it, to make his teammates not suspect something more was up.

Naruto POV

As the sword stopped its swing, it had cut down 2 Trees. The man holding the sword, who i recognized immediately as Zabuza, continued walking towards us, putting his sword back onto his back to keep it out of the way. Kakashi looked shocked to see this man. The others were in shock at being nearly sliced in half only a moment ago. Tazuna was even still seated on the ground, staring up in shock.

Seeing this, i knew i had to continue acting the knucklehead and put on a mask of shock. Though, it seems Zabuza noticed the second of which i didn't have this mask up, because his mouth tipped up in a smirk, and he looked away from me, back to the Hatake. I could also sense a chakra coming from farther away. It was much more faint and controlled than the one in front of us.

I then noticed that the others were coming out of shock and gathering in a formation around Tazuna, it seems, as per Kakashi's orders. So i followed them, and watched as a battle between the two elder men began.

The fight was highly one sided. Zabuza was clearly winning. But i knew, if Kakashi died during this mission, the few people that only secretly hated me, would voice it to me as much as the rest of the village. I couldn't handle that, so i left my side of the formation, summoned a few Shadow clones, and sent them to attack Zabuza at once. I sent more in more to allow Kakashi to fix himself up and prepare to continue battling.

Because i was focusing on not allowing kakashi or the rest of my team to be attacked by the distant figure, i didn't notice the water clone that Zabuza made to take care of me.

At least, i didn't notice until it cast a jutsu that would encase me in water and drown me. Once i was in the water, i stared at the people on the other side in shear panic. I don't want to die by drowning! Anything but that! I thought this as i clutched at my throat and tried punching an exit in the ball. Kakashi was again fighting Zabuza and didn't seem to care that i was dying. Sasuke was being held back by Sakura who looked at me with fear in her eyes. The light started to fade. I knew it was now or never. So i released my throat and cast a jutsu. One of the many that Kurama had taught me. One to release the water prison jutsu.

So when i was out, and able to breath again, all people in the area stared at me. Kakashi with hate, Sasuke with relief, Sakura with Shock, and Zabuza with fear. And with my adept hearing, i could hear the faint whisper of the person in the distance falling from a tree. dammit, i let down the main mask. Kurama, what am i supposed to do? Try telling them the truth? Do you really think that'll work? It's worth a try. But first, make Zabuza go away without killing him. Alright Kura. Thanks. Anytime, Kit. With that, i was back in reality, watching the fight continue. Kakashi had taken his chance to start overpowering Zabuza. Sasuke was still staring at me, but Sakura was on guard. I decided to walk over to them, and subtly, i created a water clone and positioned it under water to pull Zabuza under when the chance arose to do it unsuspiciously.

Soon, the water dragons were out, and my chance arose. So my clone put himself directly where he would be able to push Zabuza as far as possible, which ended up being into a tree. Then my clone disappeared into the water.

And just as Kakashi was about to take care of the swordsman, the chakra i had sensed earlier was there and threw three needles into the side of Zabuza's neck, seemingly killing him.

But i could see, those were the places you could stab and would temporarily kill the person. I knew, Zabuza wasn't dead. So i planned to go on an outting tonight to take care of the man permanently.

The person behind the mask, took Zabuza's body, and was gone. And we were once again, on our way. Only, this time, i got occasional scowls from Kakashi, and Sakura and Sasuke weren't even trying to hide their closeness behind me.

Finally breaking the silence, Kakashi said, "Now Tazuna, tell us what this mission is really for. Because it clearly isn't actually a C rank."

Then, Tazuna began to explain. I didn't care much for the information. It would soon be useless. Or so i thought.

But in actuality, Tazuna basically just told me that almost every mercenary in the ninja world would be there. This, i was pleased with. I could wipe them all out singlehandedly. I would probably use two hands though, since i am still learning how to control my feet with no toes. i hid my excitement with my normal mask and awaited our arrival to the island.

Time skip, brought to you by it being really late

Finally, we arrived at the island. It was bleak and had this atmosphere that reminded me of home. I walked with the rest of our group until we arrived at a home. It was Tazuna's.

We all made our way in and were greeted with Tazuna's daughter and grandson, waiting for the man of the house to come home. She was cooking. The boy had been playing, but the moment he saw us, he hid behind his mother's skirt. "Grandpa, who are these people?"

"They are here to get rid of Gato and his men." Tazuna states to his shy grandson, happily.

"No one can beat Gato! He's too powerful! They should just give up and go home!" He said as he ran to his room.

I could tell the kid had felt like he lost everything. I should make sure he knows he didn't. i thought as i followed the rest of team 7 Into a room.

As soon as we were inside, the questions began, "Naruto, where'd you learn that jutsu from earlier?" Asked Sakura. "Please teach me how to do what you did back there." Asked Sasuke. "Che, how do you know such a powerful jutsu Naruto."

I was bombarded, so i sat down, signaling for the others to follow and ask in order. Of course Kakashi felt he should go first. "Naruto, tell me, did the 9 Tails spirit take you over?"

The others looked confused as to what he meant, he seemingly remembered their presence and covered his mouth very fast. I decided to give an honest answer. "No Kakashi-sensei. The spirit of the 9 tailed fox is sealed away in his cage, just as the yondaime originally did. But i have been talking to, and learning from him for years. i easily communicate with him and he teaches me new jutsu without anything in return."

I successfully gave them information without saying anything too important. Good.

"What do you mean, the 9 Tails? That evil creature was destroyed by the yondaime after the attack!" Yelled Sakura.

"No. He didn't destroy it. He couldn't. The 9 Tails is made of pure chakra. You can't destroy chakra. So he sealed it within me instead. See?" I finished while lifting my shirt enough to show my stomach, then i made my seal able to be seen. Only that one. Sakura shook in fear. While Sasuke stared in, awe?

"Naruto, please teach me as much as you can that you have learned from the 9 Tails. Please?" Asked Sasuke, seemingly excited by the prospect.

"I don't know. We can talk about that when we get back to Konoha, okay?" I questioned as i thought the last question had come.

But Kakashi wasn't finished. "Naruto, are you able to allow the 9 Tails to speak through you?" He was serious.

"I can do one better. Though, he highly dislikes you, sensei, because of all your glares. I can give him a small form outside of my body." As i said this, a fox appeared at my side.

"9 Tailed beast, please tell me why i shouldn't have anbu escort him to a prison cell for treason in the next 10 Seconds." Kakashi said, shocking 2 Of his students.

"Because Naruto, unlike my last few jinchuriki, is a really good kid that has already been through too much to fathom. He doesn't deserve prison and it isn't his fault that i was sealed within him. It is his father's fault for doing so. Truthfully, Naruto is the best jinchuriki i have ever had and i refuse to let him be harmed by anyone i can stop from harming him. He won't let me stop the villagers, but he already let this much of me out to speak to you, so i can easily-"

"No Kurama. You won't. You promised me you wouldn't." I interrupted.

"Fine fine. I won't. But as you can see, he has sufficient control, and with all the jutsu he knows, he is a high asset to the village. And he can protect me from outside forces that wish to take me from Konoha." Kurama finished, looking at the stunned faces of the ninja in the room.

Kakashi collected himself and asked a final question, "That is a sufficient explanation. Just tell me one more thing, what level do you believe Naruto should be in Ninja ranks?"

"He should be an anbu. Hokage never have any fun so an anbu would suffice. Though he is at kage level. He can use all elements at the maximum level. He just never uses it on the villagers because of the law forbidding it. Plus, since he is an heir to two clans, he should have the title of clan head as well." Kurama stated proudly at my abilities.

"Alright, that's all i wanted to know. Naruto, you can send him back no-"

"No wait! I have a question for you Mr. 9 tails." Sakura interjected.

"Call me Kurama if you will." He stated, still proud, and slightly sneering that the pinkette.

"Can you tell us everything Naruto has been through, Kurama?" Sakura asked, slightly hesitating on the name.

No POV

"That, i can't tell you while he is listening. Naruto, you should go have that talk with the boy we discussed earlier." Kurama said, knowing even mentioning what happened to Naruto before to Naruto, would cause a mental breakdown.

"Alright. I'll be back soon everyone." He stated as he left the room.

"Okay, now that he's gone, i can tell you. But be warned, you will never see Naruto the same again." Kurama said as he prepared to begin.

The others nodded, signalling for him to continue. "Alright. So, from the youngest age, he has been beated, starved, and abused in so many other ways. Called so many names. Before he can even remember, it was happening to him. At the orphanage, they always refused to give him food until he would have died from starvation. They beat him. They never stopped beating him. And he was only an infant! And they continued doing so. They never stopped. They kept on doing it. Then, they finally kicked him out of the orphanage when he has 4 Years old. After that, everyone in town raised the prices on everything for him so he couldn't afford food or clothes. He ended up being given free food from Ichiraku Ramen and found a used orange jumpsuit and a black outfit, but that was it. And then he got that apartment. He only got it after the hokage found out about his exit from the orphanage. He had been living on the streets of Konoha for a year by that time. And when he got his new place, it came furnished to the best of the hokage's abilities. But the moment the villagers found out that Naruto had a hoke, they ransacked it and broke everything. Including his body. soon their beatings got more frequent and some of the men of the village started coming around late at night, when Naruto would be sleeping off his wounds."

Kurama paused and sighed. "That's when it started getting worse. At only 6 Years old, they started to do something so traumatizing, its disgusting what these people decide to do to torture the boy. Some of the ninja would start getting drunk, every night, come into his room, and rape him. They raped him as much as they could every night. They have come to his home almost every night for the past 6 Years and raped him and beat him and called him the worst names he had ever been called. He never spoke a word of it. He never enjoyed it. He hasn't even fully gotten used to it, it still causes him pain. But now, it's more emotional pain than physical. He believes what these men call him are what he truly is. He believes that he is worth less than even a- A fuck-toy as he was once called. He believes himself to be the lowest low in existence. He harms himself as well. And then, when that old man Donzo came in his home the other night, he suffered the most traumatic experience he has in years. The loss of his toes. But, he puts up a jutsu every night, to make sure no one can see or hear what happens in his home so that others won't join in if they heard his screams. So because of that, no one but the people in that room have heard him scream. Have heard him in such pure agony. Which is why the Hokage couldn't use his orb to see what happened to him. And that's it. that's what he has gone through."

Kurama finally finished and looked at the reactions of the people surrounding him. Sakura was balling, Sasuke was in pure shock but had tears dripping from his eyes, and Kakashi held regret and sadness. "One more thing. Mr. Hatake, the boy you've despised so much is actually the son of your sensei and his wife. Naruto is the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki." He paused to take in Kakashi's face again, now seeing self hate in his eyes. Then he continued, "Now, if you'll excuse me, i believe i should go back to Naruto and comfort him about what he's telling Inari so the kid doesn't feel like he's lost everything anymore."

The others stood up as Kurama left and walked over to the place they heard Naruto' voice coming from. Prepared to try to help if need be.

Rewind to after Naruto left the room to talk to Inari

"Hey kid." Naruto said as he neared the boy.

"Don't call me a kid! My name's Inari!" He yelled as he hid his face, probably crying.

"Fine, Inari. Can we talk?" Naruto finally sat down next to Inari.

"W-What do you want?" Inari asked, sniffling. Trying to seem like he hadn't been crying.

"I want to tell you a true story about a boy who has had it worse than you. A boy who didn't have a family to begin with and lived on his own all of his life, torture by the villagers." Naruto said, trying to depersonalize what he was saying. To keep himself from crying.

"What does that have to do with me? And how do i know this is a true story and not something you just made up?" He sniffled again but looked at Naruto, curious about the story he was being told.

"Because," Naruto hesitated then continued, "I am that boy. And i can show you my scars.." Naruto then lifted his shirt, showing his abdomin, then he pulled off his shoes, and bandages and showed his lack of toes. "Inari, i know you have lost someone, but you haven't lost as much as me."

Hearing this, Inari started crying again, but also started hugging Naruto.

"I am so sorry for being so selfish and yelling at you. You didn't deserve it. Thank you for helping me onii-san."

At being called onii-san, Naruto was completely shocked, but continued to hug back. He then noticed Kurama's presence reenter his mind scape and looked around, only to see a group of people, staring at him.

His team watched with joy at the site, and sadness at what they had just heard. So Naruto decided that was a good time and said, "Inari, i have to get back to my team. We can talk more later, alright?"

Inari pulled away and Nodded as Naruto reached down, placed his bandages back on and put back on his shoes as he got up and walked over to his team. He didn't notice, but every step he took, Inari flinched, thinking of what kind of pain that would feel like.

Naruto finally fully approached his team and said, "I assume Kurama accomplished his goal of making you pity me. Did he threaten you to feel bad for me?" Naruto asked this, completely serious with and unmoving facial expression of nothing.

"No Naruto. He didn't threaten us and this isn't pity. This is sympathy. We had no idea-" Sakura started but was cut off by a certain ravenette.

"Naruto, i'm so sorry all of that happened to you. I am here for you alright?" Sasuke said as he suddenly hugged Naruto.

Naruto was shocked by this. He was confused about what the word sympathy was. And he was also confused about these people continually holding him tonight. He didn't mind Inari doing it that much, even though he was already confused and just did it back. But here, he was even more confused that it would come from Sasuke.

Sasuke noticed he wasn't getting hugged back and stepped back to look at Naruto. Who's face was filled with confusion.

Kakashi had watched the whole interaction and a lightbulb clicked in his head. "Naruto, do you know what Sasuke just did? Do you understand what it means? Or what the word sympathy means?"

Lightbulbs seemed to flicker on in Sakura and Sasuke's heads as they saddened even more than before.

"No, i don't. What was it? Inari did it a moment ago too. I don't understand what it is though. I think i remember seeing people do that with each other at a distance, but i don't know what it means." Naruto said with an inquisitive look.

"Naruto, it means he cares about you. Its called a hug. People do that with friends and family and partners most..." Kakashi said but started to trail off as Naruto looked even more confused than before.

Friends? Partners? What's he talking about Kurama? He's talking about connections. A friendship is something that developes between people that care for one another and a partner is someone you are attracted to primally and romantically. I don't fully understand it. But does that mean my team cares for me? Yes it does Kit. That's crazy. How can anyone care for a monster like me? Naruto finished his thought and came back to reality to speak. "Kurama explained. D-do you really care for me?"

"I don't know about the other two, but i have for a long time." Said Sasuke as he started to tear up at Naruto having to ask such an obvious question.

"I believed you mask, but the real you, i do care about, Naruto." Said Sakura. Earning a glare from Sasuke.

"I admit, i did see you as the monster you were perseived to be before. But that was a mistake. I apologize for all of it." Kakashi said as solomly as he could manage. Still early a glare from Sasuke for even once thinking of Naruto as anything by a human child.

Finally, Naruto got another hug from Sasuke as Kakashi said, "Naruto, let's go train until dinner. Along with the rest of the team. Alright?"

"Alright." Came the unenthusiastic reply of the newly revealed Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze.

Hey guys. This chapter. Whoo! That was a long one. i hope you liked it. I hope to update again soon, but if i don't, this should hold you off for awhile. Anyways, vote, comment, and share. See yah next time.

Caoi