His Secret (A Naruto Rewrite)

Chapter 5: Confronting Real Demons

Naruto awoke in a frenzy, tears streamed down his face as he kicked off imaginary hands that tried to drag him down, down back into that cold bucket of water, or back into those ropes that always itched so badly, it hurt even worse than the burns he'd receive soon after. He kicked and screamed, pushing those imaginary hands, but they still pinned him down. They pinned him- eight- no, four- no, two? Two hands held him down... down... gently?

"Naruto, it's okay, your okay," a voice spoke, not exactly calm or quiet, but not shouting either. His thrashing slowed and two voices returned.

Kit, you're alright, it was just a nightmare.

"Hey, hey, are you here?" A soft voice spoke, belonging to the silver haired ninja he strangely trusted with his life. Naruto, overwhelmed and terrified, didn't respond with more than a sob as he wriggled back out of Kakashi's grip, which the adult immediately let him go, allowing him some space. It wasn't that he didn't like Kakashi. No, the man had shown him more kindness in a day than most people in the village had in his lifetime. If anything, he was almost like Jiji to the boy, but having all those hands on him... all those people touch him... hurt him... he sobbed again, rocking back and forth as he wrapped himself into a little ball. He wanted Kurama, but the fox wasn't near him.

I had to go away, Kit, but I'm right here still, he soothed, making Naruto feel a bit better knowing he'd never be alone with his fuzzy friend built in to his psyche. He sniffled, wiping his eyes and slowly unfolding himself, Kakashi never leaving his side even though it took him several minutes.
"Naruto, are you alright?" He finally asked, seeing as the blonde had calmed down and stared at his legs in deep thought. His head snapped up to Kakashi's, red rimmed eyes and a wobbly lip making Kakashi's heart melt in a 'I'm going to kill whoever laid a single hair on this kid to make him feel like this,' way.

"I don't... I don't wanna talk about it." He said warily. Kakashi nodded, experience taught him exactly what the boy was feeling. It was why it pained him so much to hold him down at first, but he knew that if he hadn't the kid would've gotten hurt. He offered his arms back to the blond, but Naruto declined the hug. Whereas Kakashi knew Naruto was clingy as a kid, always hugging on the third back then, he tried to accommodate his wants despite not exactly wanting them (not being the most thrilled about contact in comparison). Naruto, however much he wanted to run into the protective arms of his temporary guardian, couldn't scratch the feeling of hands all over him, ghostly grabbers that pulled and tugged and made him feel heavy and weak. Kakashi nodded.

"Do you feel like getting ready for today?" He asked, waiting as the boy gathered his thoughts. That's right, Kakashi-san said I was going somewhere today... he recalled the distant memory, remembering the promise more than the place. He nodded, following silently as Kakashi slid to the front door, picking up a package sent by the Hokage that contained some clothes for Naruto. And by some clothes, they were weirdly "one size fits all" type that seemed to stretch with age. Kakashi didn't think too hard on it, probably something to do with the jutsu or a "just in case" type thing.

Taking the clothes and being guided to the bathroom, Naruto quickly fumbled into his new clothes, tired of the ones he'd been wearing since he got out of the prison. He waddled out of the small room, donning a reddish maroon shirt and orange shorts (that were really more like pants, fitted on the small toddler). Kakashi scooped him up with a smile and the two left without another mention of their morning wake up call.

Sure, it was a little odd having the silent Sensei of team 7 holding a blob of blonde as he jumped roof to roof towards the direction of the orphanage, but luckily not too many people noticed him and those that did didn't have the time to really see what he was holding. Overall, he called it a win. Especially with how calm Naruto seemed to be. The little one clung to his shirt, marveling at the speed silently with wide eyes as he watched the scenery pass. It wasn't until the orphanage was in view that he twisted to see their destination, tensing in his arms upon landing.