The Power to Heal and Destroy by Phoenixsun

Chapter 19: A Matter of Control

"Remember what I said, Naruto-kun...Become stronger." Itachi added before the two Akatsuki members disappeared.

Naruto gritted his teeth and tightened his fist at his failure before returning to his task of reaching his comrade. "Sasuke...Are you alright...?" He asked as he shook his friend's body, but got no respond.

"Sasuke! Naruto!" Kakashi's shouts were growing louder and hurried footsteps could be heard.

Turning on his back, the blond Jinchuuriki glared at the sky. "Damn it..." He cursed. "I am not strong enough...I'm not strong at all...!" Naruto managed to shout before his strength finally gave up and his world turned into darkness.

The absoluteness of the darkness was comforting, Naruto bitterly realized. Right now, it was the perfect place for the beaten Jinchuuriki to hide his shame. He felt that he could simply give up and drift through the oblivion of darkness forever, without having to face the harsh reality that the light fell upon.

"You have to give in to that thirst for power..."

Naruto gritted his teeth as the voice broke through the darkness.

"...If you truly want to become stronger."

Itachi's words resonated, disturbing, what would be, the blonde's peaceful respite.

"Heheheh... That Uchiha truly did a number on you." Kyuubi's voice suddenly cut in, causing his host the frown. The boy was in no mood to deal with the fox at the moment. "Now this is more like it... This feeling of helplessness and defeat suits you better, Kit. Hahahah!"

The young Leaf nin try to push the Bijuu's words away. The genin just wanted to be left alone so he could pretend he wasn't as weak as he felt at the moment.

Ignoring the boy's distress, the fox continued. "But you know... That Uchiha spoke the true." Kyuubi's mocking tone was replaced by a serious one. "During the last couple of months, your growth as a shinobi has been nothing short of exceptional." The fox said in one of his rare complements. "But you are still nothing compared to the monsters that are out there. Hell, you are not even worthy to escape the sun in your father's shadow."

The Jinchuuriki continued to grit his teeth to the point pain spread from his jaw. "Then what the hell am I suppose to do?!" The boy roared. "Follow Itachi's advice and selfishly seek more power at the expenses of everyone else?!

"It is not a bad idea..." The Bijuu pointed out. "That man's strength is almost as terrifying as the founder of the Uchiha clan, and I for one would not mind my vessel commanding such power." Kyuubi admitted. "But..." The fox began again. "I can assure you that there are other paths that you can follow in your search for power."

Naruto's eyes snapped open in the darkness. "What do you mean...?" The genin asked.

A couple of moment of silence followed before the Bijuu answered. "If Kami truly does exist, he must have been bored the day that you were born." Kyuubi started explaining. "You are the convergence point for so many forces that should have never met. I am a particularly curious, and somewhat wary, of the potential for growth that you posses."

The blonde's eyes frowned at the explanation, unsure if the fox's comment was a praise or an insult, though he was leaning towards the latter. "But that doesn't tell me anything." He stated. "How else can I become stronger?"

Kyuubi's booming laughter answered. "Hahahah... If I were to tell you, then how would that be funny for me?" The Bijuu teased. "You just wait, soon your true role will be revealed."