Avarent: So this is pretty much the end, but fear not after this is another chapter. took me a while to get to the point, but here we are.

Feet pumping asphalt and a simultaneous pop from behind would make any ninja worth their salt think, they were under attack. Kakashi lazily cast his eye over his shoulder, orange book still open to his page. These were familiar chakra signatures, though odd to be approaching him at once. He would not have shown any outward surprise if Iruka didn't look so out of breath and pained; if Ebisu wasn't without his glasses, face sporting a darking bruise. If they didn't speak at once. If the only word he could catch was Naruto...

"One at a time. Quickly." His tone and the snap of his book made the two men flinch. They were suddenly aware of each other's presence and cast confused looks at one another...but it clicked in place; 'Konohamaru'. Iruka nodded to the glasses-less man, knowing he'd probably explain better than his student had. He was there if his marred face said anything.

"Naruto-Kun is your student, and what I just witnessed is most unsettling. I have never seen such a kami fearing look on that boy." Kakashi's eye zeroed in on the mark on Ebisu's face once more. The man brought a hand to the mark for emphasis and then pulled out his cracked glasses, looking at them forlornly.

"What did you do?" The one eyed jonin's voice was laced with ice and pulled Ebisu's eyes back to him. Kakashi held a clench fist and restrained himself from lashing out, from jumping to far to conclusions. Ebisu was holding his gaze not with guilt but worry. It helped ease the man a bit but his insides were twisting at the thought of the blond in any trouble again. Ebisu momentarily looked to Iruka.

"Konohamaru had been cutting class again and I tracked boy down. Fully intent on dragging him back if need be and Naruto happened upon us but...the first thing he did was strike out. It seemed as though he didn't know who it was..." The other jonin and chunin shared a knowing look, eyes wide.

"Konohamaru came back to class upset...that Naruto ran off. That something was wrong...Kakashi he really hasn't gotten any better..." Iruka spoke in frustration and unease. Ebisu was confused and looking imploringly for a clear answer.

"Naruto...was nearly...he suffered far worse abuse than anyone ever knew...sexually-" Kakashi's morose explination was severed by the crack of glass. Ebisu's grip on his already broken eye wear shattered in his hand. Everytime this news had to be given, people tended to break things. Ebisu's was by far the most openly stunned and expressive face so far. It was surprisingly the most drastic to change from utter shock to dark outrage. Neither shinobi there had ever actually felt killing intent from the man before...until then.

"That's...he...how-who could..." The un-bespectacled man was twitching, seemingly flashing between horror and rage. All Ebisu could think of was Naruto terror filled eyes looking up at him. Not just because of the smarting right hook he slammed into the man's face.

"The two we knew of...those responsible have been dealt with. I just need to know where Naruto is." Kakashi grew serious again and Ebisu again was conflicted in horror at the fact that there were more than one attack; then again to dark rage. He settled with seething rage.

"Konohamaru said that Sasuke went after him." Iruka spoke up catching their attention. Kakashi seemed to contemplate it a moment.

"Ebisu-San I want to thank you...

Iruka-San if you would join me. I think Sasuke may be able to reach him but...it's time we try as well. I've not really been around him since...I feared..." Kakashi grew quiet at the end. Iruka shared his unfinished statement. They both felt that the boy needed help still but knew that Naruto's bond to them had been corrupted. How do you fix that? Obviously the space he was given to heal in his own had not helped. The jonin and chunin left Ebisu in search of their student; their broken brother.

Naruto's chakra trail was strong but erratic. Sasuke was uncertain how to feel about the path and distance the blond had taken. He still wasn't a this best. They all have been watching over the boy, as much as they could actually be around him. Sasuke hated the dred in his chest building. He hated that he had grown a bond to the blond, because those types of bonds can lead to heartache again. Naruto already felt out of reach, lost. Sasuke hated those fake smiles, seeing through them like glass. What he hated more was what he came to see now.

The trail finally ended, there he was; seated or rather perched on a spike of rock. Sasuke approached slowly from the side and there was no glass to look through. This is what was beneath the crumbling facade. He hated this much more. That empty dullness; Naruto shouldn't look like that.

"Sasuke..." Naruto shouldn't sound like that; pained and dead. The Uchiha fought to hold a neutral face because his chest was constricting painfully. Naruto's dull gaze was still cast out over the village below but he still addressed his dark haired teammate. If not for how distant he seemed; so much like those times he'd blank out in the hospital before..he'd just seem bored. The boy was twirling a kunai by its ring, slow and rhythmically, like a stimming tick.

"You know...this is where they killed him." Naruto didn't see the flash of emotion on Sasuke's face. Since Naruto had been brought back, they were all aware that Kyo was no longer amongst the living. The details of where and how were a frustrating detail left out. The Uchiha cast a quick glance to the area and it was unsatisfyingly normal; though obviously time and clean up had made the place seem so.

"I would always come up here to get away, I guess it makes sense. Before I thought it was for the view..." Sasuke shifted uncomfortably. Naruto was still lazily twirling that stupid kunai and he wouldn't look away from the village. He was so subdued; it was ery and wrong.

"That why you here now?" Sasuke spoke smoothly and he would never admit how nervous the blond was making him. He made to go to the boy when his voice ghosted over, stilling Sasuke.

"...Do you think I'm going to jump?" The blonds spoke lowly as he finally stopped his kunai spinning; letting it hang limply. He let one leg slide out to dangle over the edge of the cliff. Sasuke pressed forward a step but was still cautious. Naruto was so at ease or more like indifferent. He slowly looked over to Sasuke then though, as the boy took a few more steps near.

"It wouldn't matter." The first bit of emotion the boy showed was pained frustration. He growled out his words dropping his head and twirling his kunai into a tight grip. In a flash he flicked over an exposed wrist vertically and Sasuke sprung forward knocking the thing away.

"Naruto! What the hell?!" The blond didn't flinch nor move when Sasuke clamped his hand down on the bloody wound. Kurama bellowed as well in Naruto's head. The Uchiha suddenly drew his hand away at the heat that bit him from the wound. The wound sealed close with a hiss.

"I told you it wouldn't matter. I tried before... that's what he locked away. Cause I tried to get away. Said he wanted to protect me..." Sasuke was fighting anger and shock. Naruto just sat there stiffly.

"I did think about jumping though...haven't tried that."

'KIT' - "Naruto." Both Kurama and Sasuke growled in unison, the latter taking the boys arm as if to stall him from doing anything so stupid. Naruto did flinch this time, thankfully away from the edge. Sasuke used the space to block his path. They shared a narrowed eyed glare at one another. The Uchiha tried to take some solace of that normality but the boy before him still seemed so damn broken; it was infuriating.

"You idiot! You always go on about never giving up!"

"I'm not! Damnit you don't even understand..." The fire that surged into those blue eyes died again and Naruto drew his gaze away. He felt shameful for being rash, for doing that in front of Sasuke, but he'd been mad.

"I said I was thinking about it but I wouldn't ... I'm messing up enough as it is. I don't want to hurt anyone else but none of you understand. You saw...even if I did try again...Kurama would heal me."

"Kurama...the kyubbi?" Slow realization hit Sasuke. He remembered that well enough. It was pretty protective...if not insanely territorial...and terrifying.

"Since the seal is gone...I...we remembered...relived it." Naruto shuddered still hunched in on himself. Sasuke clenched his fists, at the thought; at the unknown. He doesn't have any idea what Naruto went through but for some reason he was remembering his own demons. That night...Itatchi and his own genjutsu travel down memory lane.

"Everything is tainted...I...I can't be around the people precious to me because...I always think about him...I was always alone and I trusted him..." Naruto brought his knees up to his chest gripping them tightly, smearing red against the Orange. Sasuke grew darker and slowly sat down, still in front of the blond, eyes trained on his own knees.

"You're wrong...I do understand..." Naruto whipped his head up eyes wide and questioning. Sasuke heard the boys neck creak and looked up too, then looked away a tad embarrassed.

"Not...not in that way..." Naruto untensed a tad relieved, and Sasuke smiled sardonicly at his care. He slowly moved along side Naruto so that they were both looking out over the village. His voice was both sorrowful and seething.

"Itatchi...he's...he was my brother. He killed them all...made me see it again and again...and I had trusted him. So I understand that..." Naruto bit his lip letting Sasuke talk, he knew some of the details of the massacre and he felt horrible that this was so close to what he was feeling. Then Sasuke looking pointedly at the village took one of his arm bands and slipped it up. It was his dominant arm.

Naruto's eyes zeroed in on the motion. He was still hugging his knees and held them tighter when he saw. Though the skin was pale, there was a vertical line lighter still; long and deeply scarred, parting the wrist. Naruto looked up at Sasuke and he just kept staring straight out but his face was morphed into a soft sad expression. The blond boy turned away from his friend to share the view and they sat a while in silence.

"I knew we were always similar...that you were alone too. I guess we understood each other more than that...but you know if I ...if we're friends, if I can trust that kind of bond again...then you can keep yours too." Naruto's eyes widened but he gave the Uchiha his moment, didn't turn to see his face, because it might break the spell. May make the words false for some reason. Sasuke rolled the arm band back down with a sigh.

They both turned when chakra signatures closed in on their location. Iruka and Kakashi ghosted in from the tree line. Iruka look disheveled and Kakashi tense. The boys held their position looking over their shoulders, Naruto sort of shrank in his spot. It hurt the two men to see that but they walked forward regardless. Upon their approach, Naruto quickly stood to face them. He held his head down and peered up at them nervously through his bangs. Naruto clutched onto the arm he'd sliced open; though mostly closed now there was a bright red stain on his pant leg and part of his shirt. Iruka wanted to run over at the sight and Kakashi froze a moment. He held Iruka back with one hand motioning to let him go. Sasuke was reluctant to leave but joined the academy teacher's side, in low of letting his sensei help.

"I'm sorry for what I did...I didn't know it was...Ebisu." The blond spoke so softly and leaned away as the jonin tentatively approached. Kakashi bent to Naruto's level, stopping as close as he felt safe. He didn't want to scare Naruto off.

"Ebisu-san wasn't mad, it was a misunderstanding. You were protecting Konohamuru...from what you thought was an attack?" Naruto suppressed a flinch when Kakashi spoke. He really wasn't scared of him, but he felt ashamed of his actions. He felt frustrated that he was hurting the people he cared about, most he was too weary to get close to again.

"That's it though...I messed up...I'm messed up...That's all I can see from everyone. Everything is dirtied. Everyone I was close to, I'm hurting you guys...all my trust was stolen." His voice quivered with disgusted and ended strained. He griped that wounded wrist harder. Kakashi was openly staring at it now; at the blood trapped between those small fingers and skin. He moved forward to taking one knee a little closer to the boy, to the point where he could be even less tall and imposing.

"Naruto...I wish we all could have been there for you more...from the begining. It's up to us to earn your trust again. You've had to face the worst of the world and it stands to good reason for you to be cautious. There are so many people who really care for you though, as a friend and family." Tears prickled to corners of Naruto's eyes. He turned his face away a bit still feeling uncertain, and embarrassed. Kakashi slowly lifted his hand before him still away from the boy but in beckoning.

"I...Naruto, I want you to trust me again, to help...could you let me see you arm?" Naruto looked up suprised and bit his lip looking down at his arm then to Kakashi's reach. It took a moment but he conceded, gently displaying his wrist into Kakashi's grasp; though he could fight the tremor, part in fear of human contact and guilt of his actions.

"I...it's...I was just upset...Karuma'd never let me...he'd heal it...even before we met he did...I just was being stupid..." Nartuo rushed and stumbled over his words not sure what to say, what Kakashi would think. The one eyed man didn't move and merely observed the wound; still pink but no longer bleeding.

"You...you tried this before..." It was hardly a question and more a statement. Iruka was growing restless where he stood itching to spring forward. Sasuke stood by solemnly fist tight as he listened as well.

"I didn't remember before the seal...but yeah. I was younger then, it was different...everything had just happened...but I wan't planning...I wasn't giving up now." Kakashi noded maintainly a relaxed and at ease air, so as too not crumble. He focused on the would and let his hand glow green. He was no medical ninja but did know one technic that could handle helping heal this wound. Naruto was a bit suprised but didn't pull away.

"Naruto...I know you may feel that we can't understand...many may not, but there are so many people who care about you. I don't think you understand how much it would hurt...to lose you...When I was younger than you, my father took his life...I don't ever want to lose those close to me again." Kakashi spoke low and held gaze on the wound as it completely heeled. He held the boy's arm gently but feared letting go and looking up. Naruto was staring at the man wide eyed. Even Iruka and Sasuke looked at a loss behing the man.

"Kaka-sensei..." Naruto returned the hold on his hand wit a light squeeze and the nic name made the jonin look up. The blond looked uncertian but stepped toward his sensei slowly. He rested his head onto the mans shoulder heavily. Not quite a hug, but it was more contact that he'd allowed in so long. A part of him wanted to be close again to his friends. He missed hugs and being comfortable. his other hand came up to grip the shoulder his head rested on.

"I don't want to lose everything...I won't...I'm just tired and scared...of myself. You all aren't...it's not..." Naruto's voice was choking with emotion. Kakashi slowly pulled the boy into a hug, and could feel the tremmors run though the kid, but his breathing calmed. He had missed this, the connection to people he had worked so hard for.

Iruka could hold back no longer and though fearful of crowding the boy, once he saw him accept Kakashi's embrace, he wanted to do the same. He hesitated in his approach and came beside the crowched duo. Naruto looked up to the chunin teary eyed, but it wasn't fearful. Iruka practically snached the boy up from the jonin's grasp. There was no complaint from his surragte little brother. Sasuke observed as a silent guard; not judging. When the group made to leave he took place at the blond's side.

Naruto felt relieved comforted by their protective presence. he felt a new type of resolve to reclaim the bonds he'd fought tooth and nail for. He felt strength from Sasuke, from his acceptance. Turning to the stoic boy he gave a small smile, a real one, and it was like the sun had finally broke through the unending grey that had loomed over the fox boy. Blue eyes no longer so dead but filled with renewed determination. he had one thing to left to do.

It was dark by the time Naruto was alone at home. It took a while to unhook himself from his sensei; especially Iruka. Now that they were allowed to be close once more he found it hard to deny he too had missed the contact. Tsunade was glad to hear him open up for thats exactly where they brought him. He agreed to speak to her at least at the great pressing of his distressed teachers. More importantly he was able to get the Hokage to send out and urgent message too.

Now he need wait no long for the white haired jonin showed up faster than he'd thought. Not a lot of words were needed but Naruto did suprise the man by coming close on his own. The boy felt he might as well get this hugging thing out of the way, he'd not seen everyone so happy around him since everything had started. It was nice for him as well. Jiraiya nearly broke himself but returned the hug as well.

"I'm ready to get rid of it...can we go somewhere..." The words were spoke into his chest but the Sanin caught it. He confirmed with the boy and the shunshined on the spot. he had chosen a large training ground and was unsure what the boy wanted to do exactly. jiraiya was hesitant to handle the pendant that stood for everything he hated at the moment. Giving it to the boy he had underestimated, how much he hated the thing too. Though the blods anger was mixed with sorrow.

Sorrow at almost losing his ability to be close to those he really cared for. Sorrow for having had someone so close betray him. Sorrow for his lost innocence. His rage grew though because it would not be lost. He was determined to take it back. Naruto too the necklace and stepped back from the sage. The man grew nervouse as the boy's hand shook and that familair wrathful chakra grew. Not only did it grow in his senses but became visble; bright red aroung that shaking fist. Naruto finally looked up at the man but it was with an ery calm.

"I'm not going to let a stupid peice of metal destroy me. I will know better now, I will be stronger than this. Nothing is going to hold me back anymore...he's dead and I'll kill this part too." With a deep sigh he shut his eyes, but the energy increase around his hand and when his eyes opened again they gleamed burning red in the darkness. Jiraiya steadied himself in his place, when the fox's eyes landed on him.

"Never shall kit fall to such a thing again nor any other in my sight. Breathe no easier for your self or those other humans 'shinobi'. ...Kit is under my protection, and I am not as forgiving." Jiraiya stood stiff but held back a smile of amusment. This kid had captured the 'heart' of an all powerful demon. Though the being of hatred was in no way reformed, that was an improvement. After his nod to the fox, the chakra died off. Naruto's eyes melted back into blue as he walked forward again. Opening his hand the silver dust slipped through his fingers and caught on the wind. Naruto felt lighter, but the heat and weight of the pendant lay phantom in his palm. It existed and it was gone, but the memory remained. he vowed to use it to make himself strong.