Third person pov

When his dad asks him if he'd be alright with talking with Ayumu Yamanaka everyday after school instead of just once a week, Naruto only has to consider it for a brief moment before he's saying yes. The more he meets with him, the faster he can get his mind into shape. And the faster he gets his mind into shape, the sooner Kurama can have a home that doesn't smell like literal ass. 

Kurama had been nicer. Well, 'nicer' was misleading. He'd been a little less mean and hardly ever snapped at him anymore, adopting a tired, irritated tone of voice in place of his previous rage. Now he just sort of groaned and grumbled dramatically anytime Naruto so much as breathed too loud. It didn't sound like improvement when he said it like that, but trust Naruto when he says it is.

On top of his new and kinda-improved attitude, he'd continued to teach Naruto. Did Naruto have to goad Kurama into it by inciting his rage via subtle inferences that he maybe had no clue what he was talking about? Yeah... yeah, definitely. But it was so worth it! Naruto was learning lots of (admittedly random) stuff and he was learning it fast, and Kurama had seemed more awake and lively the past few times he visited. No more pee! The water was even beginning to clear up a little more!

Kurama still insulted him a lot, but the massive creature was smart and he liked to show it. Though he probably didn't realize, he totally preened anytime Naruto complimented him. Thus, Naruto made sure to heap on the praises. And tell Kurama he loved him frequently, even when Kurama's entire rat snout scrunched up in disgust when he did. Naruto would just have to keep saying it until Kurama believed him! He helped Naruto realize what love felt like, Naruto was determined to do the same for him. 

"My dad says that your dad's leaving for Suna at the end of the week." Sasuke noted. They were standing outside for practice sparring. Naruto had just decimated a brutish girl two times his size by throwing dirt in her eyes and biting her in the shoulder. Oddly enough, Iruka-sensei had suggested maybe he needed to take a break for the next few rounds following his landslide win. "They're putting the rebuilding of the clan grounds on hold, but they're moving the police headquarters back into the center of the village before he leaves. Are you going with him?"

"He hasn't said anything yet. I don't think he wants to go. Probably because that creepy old man that sometimes lurks around the outside of our house is coming." Naruto's nose scrunched up. Sometimes he looked out the window and the guy was just there. Naruto has had to sic Bull on the guy like, four times! "I think he's conflicted. That, and if I go with him, my therapist might have to come to. Or else I'll miss all my sessions I'm supposed to have, which is apparently bad. I have some 'concerns' that need to be 'regularly addressed', which I think is just nice-people code for me being halfway around the crazy bend."

Naruto didn't see the big deal. It had been three days since his first appointment, and things were going... well enough, he guessed. No real changes in his brain, but that was hardly his therapist's fault. Naruto had to focus and really, really try to believe he was better than he'd been convinced he was. It was just so hard! No matter how many times he went over their 'good things about Naruto' list, the sewer remained dark and smelly.

Why couldn't Naruto see himself as good? Probably because he wasn't good-- but then again, no, that wasn't right. He was good. His dad and Kashi and the dogs all insisted as such. Naruto just couldn't hammer it into himself. He wondered if he ever would. The way he thought of himself was so deeply ingrained it may as well have been embedded in his bones. Naruto didn't see how undoing that was possible.

"How do you get a therapist, anyway?" Sasuke frowned, arms crossed across his chest. He was trying to look cool like his older brother, but it wasn't working because his older brother wasn't cool either. Sucks to suck. Kurama's right: the Uchiha clan is full of pompous pricks. 

"I don't know. Don't be a boring loser, maybe?" Naruto shrugged, ignoring the glare he got in response. In his arms, Pakkun craned his head backwards to look up at him in mild concern. Naruto felt himself bristle a bit defensively. "Don't look at me like that. I have flavor. Even Kurama says so!"

"You mean the actual rat in your head that supposedly wants to eat you? Pardon me if I don't clap my paws together and give you a winning smile for that one, kid." Pakkun huffed out. Naruto opened his mouth to argue but closed it again because... alright, yeah. The doggies were the ones he'd told most about his rat companion. Pakkun being a talking animal made Naruto think maybe the ninken could give him better insight on how to get closer to Kurama. 

Ayumu was a really nice guy, Naruto had come to find. He never raised his voice or overreacted to anything Naruto said. Sometimes he'd stop to think, but he never appeared to judge. Naruto had scrutinized him greatly over the past few days and felt safe in his conclusion that was Not So Bad. Naruto felt like they could really, really get somewhere! Ayumu was the type of dude who knew what he was talking about: believe it!

They talked more about the sewer, but had started to slowly broach the things Naruto didn't like to think too hard about. Some of the things the villagers had done to him and how they'd made him feel. Why he believed what they said specifically, beyond the surface level explanation of 'well, they told me it my whole life, so it just sunk in'. Ayumu wanted the deeper roots and digging those up kinda sucked, even if Naruto understood that it needed to be done.

There was just so much, you know? For as short a time as he'd been alive, a lot sure had happened. Apparently meeting his dad and getting plopped into a different environment had sent him into some sort of emotional shock, hence the reason he was visiting his sewer. It would stop once his self worth improved. Naruto was a bit torn on that-- he didn't want to stop seeing Kurama, but he couldn't leave Kurama in a murky cage forever either. It was too sad, too lonely. 

"Whatever." Sasuke sighed heavily, eyeing him in a disgruntled manner. "Just tell me whether or not you're going to Suna as soon as you can, alright? I need to know in advance if I need to find a new buffer to ward Sakura and Ino off of me. Though, I don't think anyone has an ugly enough face to be as effective as you are." 

Naruto didn't even have to tackle him. Pakkun was valiantly leaping forward and sinking his teeth into his arm before he got the chance.

~~~~

"Your father mentioned you have an imaginary friend. Someone who appears in these dreams with you." Ayumu smiled at Naruto reassuringly even when the little boy's expression twisted. So much for keeping Kurama under wraps. "Do you feel comfortable telling me about him?"

Naruto frowned a bit, watching him carefully. Their session had started just as normally as always. He should've expected to be blindsided. Ayumu was always digging up fresh dirt on him. Naruto's not calling his dad a snitch or anything, since Naruto never told him not to tell, but he feels like sometimes it's implied! He'll have to be more specific going forward. He knows his dad just wants to help.

He gets it-- really, Naruto does. The more Ayumu knows the more he has to work with, and thus the more he can help. It's pretty simple all things considered. Naruto... ugh, he doesn't know. It's not like Kurama's a secret or anything. Mentioning it to family is just different than mentioning it to a therapist is. A therapist is impartial, someone who sits outside the box looking in. Maybe that's what Naruto needs?

Ayumu has proved himself trustworthy. Naruto has only ever met a handful of kind adults, and Naruto's bullshit sensor has gotten pretty finetuned over the years. Ayumu wants to help him, and he doesn't share anything Naruto says outside of these meetings unless he absolutely has to or has Naruto's express permission. He'd disclosed that he talked about Naruto's sewer with his dad, but had promised he hadn't said anything else. Apparently the sewer was important pertaining to his 'long term health'. 

Naruto doesn't think he'd talk about Kurama if Naruto asked him not to. Naruto needs help. He can't ask Kurama for advice on himself, so that means he has to ask someone else, because there's no way his emotionally stunted, six year old brain is going to figure it out all on its lonesome. And it's Ayumu's job to be good at giving advice, even if he'll never be as good as Naruto's mind rat.

"...I can tell you a little bit, but not a lot. You can't tell anyone else though, not even my dad. It would be a severe breach of his privacy" Naruto said smartly. Ayumu nodded in full understanding, but Naruto really wasn't done yet. "And he's not imaginary. If he knew you'd said that, he'd pee and stink the entire sewer up again. So keep your opinions on it to yourself."

"Of course. I never meant any offense. If your mindscape is real and that's where this friend of yours resides, of course he must be real." Ayumu says very placatingly. Naruto can tell he doesn't actually believe that, but he's being nice about it so Naruto guesses it's fine. So long as he doesn't insinuate Kurama's not real anymore. Kurama might overhear. "I won't share anything you tell me without your father without asking your permission first, so long as it isn't dangerous to your life or anyone else's. What do you feel comfortable sharing?"

Ugh. Yeah, Naruto really hopes Kurama doesn't overhear any of this. He's started to do that lately-- will half-heartedly reference things or conversations that happened during Naruto's day. Mostly to insult him, but it's enough for Naruto to gather that he's starting to peek through Naruto's eyes. Maybe he's been doing it all along and has only begun mentioning it now because they're chatting a bit more. Who knows.

Naruto is kind of glad. It can't be fun to be stuck alone in the dark all the time, with nothing but your thoughts and your naps. Naruto doesn't mind sharing his life with Kurama. That way he can see and hear things other than the same-old same-old. As much time as they spend together, Kurama must still get lonely. 

"Well. He's a really big rat named Kurama, and he lives in a cage in my brain. He acts really grumpy and mean, but he always lets me tell him about my day anyway." Naruto says as he colors in Kashi's hair on his page. "He's the one who told me how to know what love feels like. He gives really good advice, and he's very smart. Humans called him a monster too and hurt him, so he hates them. He says they locked him in there, so now I'm trying to get him to like himself too. That way we can like ourselves together. I don't think the sewer will look good until we're both okay, you know?"

"He sounds like a very good friend, Naruto. Is that why you want your mind to look like a flower field? So he can have a nice place to live?" Ayumu asked, pen already moving on his clipboard. Naruto felt his cheeks flush slightly and nodded, glancing down at his drawing of his family. It was hard to fit all the dogs on one page, but he was doing his best.

Ayumu made a few notes, pursing his lips. When the Hokage had first mentioned Naruto having an imaginary friend present in his mindscape, he'd been a bit skeptical. It wasn't anything he'd ever heard of, but they knew remarkably little about children who entered their mindscapes at a young age from trauma. It just so seldom happened that he had very little reference to go off of. It wasn't entirely impossible.

From what Naruto was describing, and from what Minato had said, Kurama seemed like... some sort of subconscious part of Naruto's mind calling for a friend. In a time where he was overwhelmed with the sudden love of his father and change in home life, it's possible his mind created someone for him to relate to. Rats lived in sewers, and the size could be a reflection of the magnitude of Naruto's hurt. It was hard to say.

Kurama had the same issues as Naruto did, however. He'd been ridiculed and hated, shoved away from the world and shunned into resentment. Could he have manifested as a way of Naruto's mind trying to encourage him to change his opinions of himself? Motivation to repair his mind before it was too late? Naruto had come in here determined to help his friend. He wanted to fix his mind not for himself, but so that this 'Kurama' could have a better place to live.

On one hand, it was incredibly sad. On the other, it was highly interesting. Unlike anything Ayumu had ever heard of, but he wasn't sure what else it could possibly be. The whole thing sounded like a massive metaphor: a coping mechanism put together by a troubled child's hurting mind. A friend who listened to him talk about his day, taught him things, gave him advice on his emotions and kept him company whilst he slept. The bare minimum. However little it was, it was probably all Naruto had ever wished for growing up alone.

"I know he's a good guy. He just doesn't see it." Naruto grumbled a bit, evidently spurred on by the sudden silence. Ayumu berated himself for getting lost in thought. Naruto peered up at him, eyes endlessly blue and full of questions he never seemed willing to ask. "Do you know how I can make him believe me?"

"Have you tried a direct approach? Simply telling him and giving him all the reasons why?" Ayumu suggested gently. Naruto snorted slightly like he'd just made a particularly silly joke, finishing his drawing by scribbling a sun up in the corner. It was more orange than yellow-- Naruto's favorite color.

"He's not big on emotions. He gets all grossed out and refuses to accept our friendship. I'm definitely growing on him, but I think he'd pee more if I tried to tell him." Naruto paused suddenly, wincing. "I really do love Kurama though, you know? He's great! I just wish I could convince him. He never takes me seriously because I'm just a puny human. He did call me a rat a few times though, and since he's a rat I think that means he's starting to see me as a friend."

Ayumu smiled. Naruto was incredibly mature for his age, and kind. After meeting him and having gotten to know him over this past week, Ayumu's not sure how anyone ever hated him to begin with. He's just a child like any other. Minato had assured him that the seal was airtight and from what Ayumu could tell, the man was completely right. Everything hurtled at Naruto by the village was cruel and severely unjust.

"Hmmm. That sounds like quite the problem indeed." Ayumu hummed. Naruto nodded widely in agreement. "There are many ways to tell someone you love them without explicitly saying the words. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Can you think of anything that would show Kurama you're serious aside from trying to tell him directly? You know him a lot better than I do."

"I don't know." Naruto sighed, but it was more thoughtful than upset. He rolled his orange crayon back and forth on the table a few times, frowning a bit. "He's just... he's done so much for me, you know? When my dad first came and got me, I really didn't know what was going on. I was so nervous and unsure and I... I-I guess I kinda thought he'd get rid of me. But then Kurama came and he was never gentle with me like my dad and Kashi were. He was actually pretty mean. But he treated me like he'd treat any human, and he helped me. A lot. He explains things slow so I can keep up and he answers all my questions. I'm not sure what I.... I want to help him too. I-I just don't know if I can."

"Well, why don't we brainstorm some ideas together?" Ayumu suggested when he saw the tears building in Naruto's eyes. For all they'd talked, Naruto had never once looked like he was going to cry. This was important to him. It might be the breakthrough they needed to start repairing his mindscape. Ayumu slipped out of his chair so he could be on the boy's level, setting down his clipboard and smiling. "Let's start with what doesn't work and then we can try to figure out what does from there. How's that sound?"

Naruto's answering smile was weak, but it was there.

~~~~~

Minato hadn't originally planned on asking Naruto to come with him to Suna. It just seemed too risky. Anything could happen, and no matter how much he'd miss his son whilst he was gone, it simply hadn't seemed worth it. Taking a jinchuuriki out of their village was dangerous, one so young even more so. As much as he loathed the mere thought of being separated from Naruto for more than a school day's worth of hours, Kakashi had already agreed to watch him like a hawk for however long Minato was gone.

The whole thing had made Minato's head spin. He felt like he was being torn in two. The intense urge to sob his heart out had nearly won out whilst he paced outside the Yamanaka counseling office waiting for Naruto to finish his session, stress weighing heavy on his shoulders. Minato could hardly bear the thought of not being with Naruto. It made him ill to consider the week-- possibly weeks-- that they might be apart.

Ultimately, it was Ayumu Yamanaka who'd nudged him the other direction. Minato hadn't seen much of a difference in Naruto since his son began talking to the man, but that wasn't saying much. Not only had it not been very long, there was never much change in Naruto in general. Which wasn't bad per se-- it just made it hard to know what the boy was thinking. He hid everything, all the good and the bad, behind big grins and sparkling eyes that were near impossible to see past they were so blinding.

Minato being swayed really all boiled down to Naruto's opinion of Ayumu. He was eager to go to therapy and thought Ayumu was smart and gave good advice. Naruto liked and trusted him, inclining Minato to do the same. His judgement as a professional that Naruto was willingly confiding in was valuable. Minato just hadn't expected this, you know? 

"He's been stuck in this village his whole life. Even knowing he's your son, people are still cruel and shun him. They still glare in the streets, and whisper. He's safe from physical attacks and upfront verbal ones, but the way you look at someone can say a lot. Naruto is very observant and extremely smart. He knows what those stares mean." Ayumu had explained to him when Minato asked him what he thought he should do. "It may do him some good to get out and go to a place where no one knows him. If he's treated as a normal child by people who don't have any preconceived notions about him, it could greatly help his self image."

"Then you think I should bring him? That far?" Minato had asked anxiously, a little stunned. Ayumu had smiled a half smile. "Will you come with us?"

"I certainly can. I understand that it's dangerous for him to leave, but he will have the protection of some of Konoha's most capable ANBU, it's kage, a sannin, and anyone else who comes along. The visit is not publicized enough to worry about major, coordinated interference." Ayumu had said before hesitating, glancing at where Naruto and Kakashi were crouched looking at flowers nearby.

Ayumu continued, voice lowered once he was sure Naruto wasn't listening: "I also say this because... I know you're unsure of how long you'll be gone, but anything more than a week could be... detrimental to Naruto. He just got you. I'm sure you've noticed how much he soaks up your attention. You are one of the only two people who give him affection and see him as the little boy he is. To have you gone that long could cause a lot of self-doubt and fear."

They'd gone on to talk about the threat the village posed to Naruto without Minato's protection looming over him. Kakashi was here, but he was one person. Minato could have more watch him, but there was no telling if they'd hold prejudice against his son. It had been six years and the ANBU force had changed. Troops Minato knew had died, retired, moved into the regular shinobi force, changed as people. In the end, there was nobody Minato trusted more than he trusted himself. 

If Naruto came to Suna, it was a chance to see the world outside of the village that had harmed him so deeply. To escape those stares, and those whispers. The world wasn't a safe place, but they were in a time or relative peace and low risk. Minato would be there, and Kakashi, even Jiraiya. Ayumu would also be coming along, and so would a platoon of talented ANBU Black Ops. It... It could be good for him. He could meet amazing people, interact with children his own age who didn't look at him with fear and disdain. 

On the other hand, they were going to deal with a tailed beast issue. How would Naruto react around another jailer? From what Minato remembered about Kushina's very, very few run ins with other jinchuuriki, she'd been... fine. Suna was an ally. Minato had faith they would be protected within its walls. Naruto didn't have to interact with the child that likely held the one tails now. If the situation was really as distressing as Minato had been led to believe, it would probably be best he kept his distance anyway.

"Do you want to come to Suna with Kakashi and I? They've asked for my help on something, and it's something only I can do." Minato pitched the idea, watching Naruto carefully for any signs of discomfort. "I don't know how long we'd be gone. If you want to stay here, Kakashi and the dogs can hang back with you too. It's your choice."

"Are you kidding? Of course I want to go. It'll make Sasuke-teme so mad. And we can build a life-size sand castle." Naruto said with zero hesitation, looking up from the weapons Kakashi was organizing on the coffee table to beam at him. Minato felt himself melt a little. "Plus, I'd miss you a lot if you were gone a long time. I don't like crying or being lonely. It sucks."

Minato's heart gave a pang. As much as Naruto didn't tell them about how he was feeling, he never cut corners when he did decide to share what was going on in his brilliant little head. He wasn't ever embarrassed or particularly shy about any of it. Just very matter-of-fact. Minato still wasn't sure how to feel about it. Was it healthy? Good? He just wanted to smother Naruto in hugs and plant dozens of kisses on his chubby little face.

"I'd keep you company." Kakashi reassured with a hum and a closed-eye smile. Naruto squinted at him in a way that forced Minato to swallow a laugh. Pakkun didn't even try to mask his bark of amusement from where he was settled in Naruto's arms like a hideously deformed baby. They really weren't Kakashi's ninken anymore, were they?

"You're as emotionally stunted as I am and hardly count as adult supervision. We'd probably both end up crying." Naruto pointed out which... Minato hadn't thought about. Kakashi had been functioning when he got back from the dead, why had Minato assumed he'd also be fine taking care of Naruto and himself without Minato for that long? He'd never even thought to ask. "Besides, I bet it'll be totally epic and fun. Maybe we'll get to fight bad guys." 

"Not if you want me to have a heart attack we won't." Minato joked, leaning down to scoop Naruto up by his armpits to hide how much the idea actually terrified him. His son laughed brightly, adjusting his grip on the pug in his arms as he was settled onto his dad's hip. Minato's heart keened painfully when he was struck by the realization that Naruto wouldn't be this small forever. "Then it's settled! We're all going on a road trip!"

~~~

Kurama has not moved once in the past several hours. He has scarcely dared to breathe. His mind has been turning a lot lately, but it is nothing compared to the way it is flopping about presently. 

As an all-powerful tailed beast, he hardly knows what the concept of panicking is. Yet right now, he is almost certain that's exactly what he's doing. It's utterly pathetic for him to be caught off guard as old as he is, yet here he is. Struck so unexpectedly that he can't seem to right himself. He is lucky there is no one here to witness him in this sorry state.

This was not supposed to happen. How could Kurama allow this? The child was not old enough to be visiting him, a mere infant, practically a fetus he is still so small. Kurama's not even supposed to be awake right now. That disgusting human kage had made sure of that when he sealed him in here! Namikaze had used the Reaper Death Seal, yet still walks amongst living men. Is that why? Kurama doesn't know. He doesn't suppose it matters. It's too late now, anyhow. The damage has been done.

That stupid blonde pest, so puny and weak and young, keeps showing up. And... ugh. Talking. It's all the retched thing does. He rolls his eyes and grins when Kurama attempts to convince him of his identity. Prattles on about the inconsequential details of his boring day, keeps forcing Kurama into conversation lest he whine in that grating, unbearably high voice of his. 

Kurama insults him, seethes malevolent chakra into the sewers of this pathetic child's mind in an attempt to ward him off... and it doesn't work. It has never worked. The words bounce off of him because he's evidently 'heard worse'. The imp continues to insist that they're really not all that different, and the more Kurama hears as the boy blabbers on and on, the more he's horrified to realize that he's not as far off the mark as Kurama desperately wishes he was.

Konoha rebukes this child. The boy seldom ever mentions it and never for long when he does, but Kurama catches glimpses. Even with his infuriating father around, they continue to whisper loud enough to reach his vessel's ears. Naruto skips along, happiness mingling with undertones of other emotions: fear, sorrow, loneliness, self-doubt. Kurama should revel in it. Should taunt the boy. So why doesn't he? It's a line he always crossed with his other vessels, yet not this one.

It would be better if the kid had a thirst for revenge. Kurama could use that-- take him over entirely with sweet promises of those who hurt him, bloody on the ground. Yet the boy continues to adore his home. He is far from naive anymore, but still continues to shine like a compact, horrific ball of personified sunshine. Kurama is still bewildered by it. Children are supposed to cry when you insult them. Get scared when you bear your teeth. 

This one, instead, asks millions of questions and hangs on Kurama's every word. He thanks him for his heated, sniping answers like they're a gift. He wrestled his name out of him-- when was the last time Kurama allowed anyone to address him by his name? Why had he even bothered to give it?! He had no idea how any one menace could be this overwhelmingly irritating. Naruto Uzumaki is perplexing and Kurama does not understand him.

He continues to ask Kurama about himself, insisting they are 'friends' at every turn. He superfluously declares his love for him like the moronic, complete imbecile that he is. He praises Kurama, bouncing with admiration and glee anytime he manages to wheedle the barest of details about... anything out of Kurama. About chakra, or about Kurama as a living being, about life in general, about emotion, about the sewer, about his past, about his opinion on whatever the hell pointless topic the brat was hung up on.

It wasn't right. It wasn't right at all. His jailers did not love him. He was a virus to them, a heartless beast, a monster. He is not valued. He is not treated as an equal, as an intelligent entity. He is not alive, never alive, never deserving enough to be worth anything! This has never happened to Kurama before and for all the experience he has, he does not know what to do.

Kurama is not weak. He is not weak, he's never been weak, and he will never be weak. Yet when that stupid brat looks at him with those ridiculous eyes too big for his face and asks him how he's doing and if he got enough sleep, something in Kurama gives. Because this child doesn't want anything from him. Doesn't believe that he's the fearsome nine tails for reasons Kurama will never understand. He isn't afraid of him, isn't disgusted by him. He just thinks he's good, and smart, and--

And Kurama, damn him, does not hate it. A mere six year old. Kurama is being swayed by a baby.

Now it's all coming to head. He wishes he never heard any of it. It would be much simpler if Kurama hadn't. Because for all that brainless little ape blathered on about friendship and loving him, it is different when he is saying it out in the real world, to another human being, open and honest. With those pitiable eyes full of tears and his emotions all fragile and squishy around the edges. Genuine. Real.

 I really do love Kurama though, you know? 

He's telling the truth. The realization makes Kurama feel sick, and suddenly he feels awful. Like he has somehow deceived and tricked this... thing. Which is stupid because Kurama should love to deceive and trick the child. But this is so viscerally wrong that Kurama's entire body ripples with unease. The child is attached to him. There is a child that has gotten attached to him, and in a remarkably short period of time.

He thinks they're friends. He loves him, actually feels warmth and blinding fondness for the Kyuubi. Naruto goes into that useless therapists office trying to fix his mind for Kurama's sake instead of his own, because he thinks he deserves much better than a cage. Because if Naruto gets a home, why doesn't Kurama have a home? 'It's not fair' the brat says. Fair. To Kurama. 

What's worse is that Kurama wants to say with certainty that things would change if the stupid kid would just realize he wasn't lying about being the Kyuubi. That those obnoxiously bright grins would turn to sneers. But after talking to the kid and listening to him, he simply doesn't know. Hell, the kid takes things as they come so well he might just shrug it off and continue bouncing around like the cretin he is.

Kurama doesn't want to relate to the human stain. Kurama is a fearsome demon. Naruto is a pathetic, mortal child. Yet--

But he treated me like he'd treat any human, and he helped me.

Kurama cannot breathe.

"K...K-Kurama?" That damning voice squeaks out, and Kurama almost thinks he's imagined it until his head swivels around. His entire body is tense, his hackles raised as the boy wrings his hands nervously. The boy's looking at him with a creased brow, eyes full of misplaced worry. Kurama can't stand it. Emotions conflict in his chest violently, clashing hard enough to send tremors through him. Why is this happening to him? "Are you... Are you okay?"

"I am fine." Kurama snaps out. As usual, the boy doesn't flinch. In fact, he only looks more concerned. Kurama's eyes track him as he hesitantly steps closer to the cage. Not within swiping distance, but close enough that Kurama might be able to get his chakra to him before he could back up. "Leave me alone, runt."

"But you're crying." Naruto says in a small voice, not at all mocking. Kurama feels himself still, disbelief shooting through him. He does not dare blink, snout still pressed against a gap in the bars. His entire muzzle is too wide to entirely fit between them, but his nostrils flare and send breath ruffling the boy's hair and pajamas. It only agitates him further when the boy shows no fear. 

Kurama knows he's intimidating. He's any human's worst nightmare. Gargantuan, barbaric, destructive. Capable of wiping out entire villages in a matter of hours. He is pure chakra, a being too viscous to tame. When he is angry, it is easy to forget he was originally made to create peace and balance amongst the nations. Worse, when he looks at the boy, it is nearly impossible to feel truly mad anymore. The boy's persistence should not have worked on Kurama the way it so clearly has. He does not know what to do about it.

"I am not." Kurama says decisively, and he is horrified when his voice warbles. Even more so when the brat approaches further, steps tentative and eyes round like a baby deer's. They're blue, a direct clash with Kurama's red. This is not supposed to happen. This is not right at all. "I am NOT." 

"Okay." Naruto agrees readily, and he's right there. So close Kurama could probably open his mouth and suck him in if he inhaled hard enough. Could swipe out a paw and scoop him up. Dig his claws into him and take over. The destruction of the leaf village is within reach. Kurama watches the shrimp down the length of his snout, not crying at all because he does not do that. He watches the boy peer up at him with a frown before determination seems to take over and he throws his embarrassingly twig-like arms over Kurama's dry nose.

He's hugging him. The brat is right in front of him, hugging his nose. He's like a flea clinging on, so small his arms don't even span the length of it. It's pathetic. Kurama should eat him for daring to have the nerve to approach him. It would be terribly easy to do so, and then he'd be able to break free just as he's supposed to be. Kurama is fearsome and this insolent fool is somehow dense enough to think they are friends. 

He's brainless. Kurama takes a moment to comprehend the reality of the situation. What had Kurama done to earn this level of trust? Because that's all this can be. The boy holds him in high regard, believes for some inane reason that Kurama will not hurt him. Kurama doesn't know how he got on such a pedestal. In his several centuries of life, few have held the absurd notion that he will not murder them the first chance he gets.

Kurama stares for a moment and does not breathe. The child smells of human things he almost can't place-- ramen noodles, dogs, rosemary herbs. He's warm and presses his cheek against Kurama's nose, looking like he's been waiting for this moment his whole entire life. He looks happy through his worry, rubbing the side of his face against Kurama's nose like he's trying to comfort him. Kurama doesn't know why it hurts, but he's self-aware enough to feel something in him cracking. 

Kurama closes his eyes and does not open his mouth, or swipe out with his claws, or flood the child with his chakra. And he does not know why. He feels the tears now that he's finally shut his eyes, and his heart shrieks. The part of him that feels is raw, unsure of how to feel anything but angry. Kurama doesn't cry. Only he clearly does if it's happening right now. Nothing is how it's meant to be. 

"I love you, Kurama." Naruto promises fiercely. Kurama does not think anyone has ever hugged him before. "I know you don't like me, but you're my best friend. I-I'm sorry you're stuck in a cage. I'm sorry it smells bad, a-and is dark, and I promise I'm gonna fix it. I promise. I-I'll put all your favorite things so you don't have to be sad anymore. I'm sorry they trapped you, a-and called you names, and that people were cruel to you too. I'm sorry you're hurt. I'm sorry." 

Kurama has never been apologized to before. Not like this. It should be meaningless; it's coming from someone too young to have any clue what they're talking about. Yet Kurama still feels a part of him begin to warm back up-- a part he tucked away as deep as he could put it. Kurama hates it but he can't stop it. He can only watch in horror as it thrums back to life. It feels like it's washing through him. Kurama had forgotten the sensation entirely. 

Kurama breathes in, deep and long, and exhales slow. No one has to know he did not eat the boy. He will get close again. Kurama will have plenty of chances. The boy's body is so weak and meager that it would probably break if Kurama tried to take it over now, which would defeat the purpose of possessing him. He is immortal. He has all the time in the world to plot.

Naruto hugs him for a long, long time. Until Kurama has settled and breathes evenly. Kurama doesn't open his eyes until the boy has slipped off his nose and backed up again, back into the murky water. Not until he hears the boy make a surprised sort of sound, a joyful gasp seemed to escape him almost against his will. Kurama refuses to be embarrassed as he imperiously cracks his eyes open and gazes at what could possibly cause such a reaction.

He blinks and raises his head a little. His head feels like mush and he is tired, though he will never admit it. Naruto is crouched down in front of... yes, that's a flower. There is a flower growing out of the water. 

Naruto turns and beams at him. Kurama ignores him, laying his head down on his paws and pretending his heart isn't racing. Naruto does not mention him crying. Kurama likely would've lost it if he had. He simply launches into a retelling of his day, excitedly asking if Kurama knows anything about Suna and not minding when he doesn't deign to answer. He talks about the academy, about his dad, about a cool bug he saw, about this new jutsu he learned, enthuses about their new flower. It must be a daisy, Naruto crows out excitedly. The boy is too far to reach now.

Kurama listens. He does not stop staring at the flower even once.

~

Next two chapters are out on Patreon early access! Sneak peek of chapter 20 here: 

Naruto doesn't tell Mr. Yamanaka about Kurama crying. He doesn't tell anyone about Kurama crying, because he knows that would be a step too far. If he were to cry in a vulnerable situation, he knows he wouldn't appreciate it being spread around to strangers. Especially if he were someone like Kurama, who put on a rough exterior to try and seem aloof to things like emotion and sentiment.

Because he was keeping the crying under wraps, it also meant he had to keep the progress of their hug to himself too. If people knew Kurama had allowed Naruto to hug him without trying to eat him-- or whatever large, grumpy rats in cages did-- they'd want to know why Naruto had hugged him in the first place.