Sheer fire. That's what consumed the blonde's muscles, making them scream at him in protest, but he ignored it. All he knew was the beaten log before him. He hadn't realized that the sun had already started it's descent towards the horizon, nor did he acknowledge the stinging needles of rain that beat his bloody and bruised body. His instructor and teammate had long before departed, heading for the safety of their homes. But he still lingered at the training grounds, taking all of his pain, sorrow, hared, and guilt out on what had once been a training dummy.
His hands had long before begun bleeding, splinters of wood trapped in the abused flesh. He'd long ago lost what little sanity he'd had left, and now he'd become consumed by the blinding fury inside of him. But that fury couldn't even compare to the sense of betrayal he felt. Ever since his graduation he'd always chased after Sasuke with a vigor, but now that his rival was gone he felt that he could no longer push himself. To him, Sasuke had been like a meter, always a bit stronger than he was. And he'd strive to surpass that meter so he could prove himself. But without that comparisson, was his existance truly meaningful?
In all of his turmoil, Naruto still hadn't noticed he was being watched. It was no outsider, on the contrary it was something deep within him. Or rather, someone.
Behind the tremendous iron gates, Kyuubi watched his host. He'd always tried to remain indifferent to the boy's troubles, but ever since the blonde had first confronted him, he found it was getting harder and harder. But recently the fox had noticed something the boy hadn't. It was getting harder and harder for him to discern where he ended, and where Naruto began. Perhaps it had started during their final battle with Sasuke. During that period, it was almost as if the blonde's mind had fused with his own.
It was in that brief moment of thought, that something went wrong. Something inside of the boy's body snapped. Flaming red chakra began to errupt from Naruto's every pore, whipping around him in a massive whirlpool. The seal on his navel burned as if the sun itself was touching it, far worse than anything he'd ever felt before. He could feel himself being literally ripped in two, and he would've been screaming had his throat produced a sound. And as quickly as it started, it was over, leaving his entire body numb. His vision went black and the last thing he could remember before passing out was falling into a warm embrace.
Kyuubi simply couldn't believe it. He was free. After years trapped within the boy, he was able to roam the earth once again. But upon seeing his former host weak and falling, he instinctively caught him, drawing him tenderly into his arms. He knew he couldn't leave now, looking at the face of the boy he so carefully held. The demon's face softened, and he lifted the blonde into his arms, leaping towards the visible tower in the distance in a blur of orange clothing. Naruto would need the help of Godaime, if he was to fully recover without Kyuubi's affect on his ability to heal...