Leaving For the Better - Naruto Neglect Fic

Chapter 3 - The Jinchuuriki

I do NOT own Naruto. It is owned by Masashi Kimimoto. I only own Heiwa Uzumaki and Shinrei Uchiha, who are OCs of mine. Thank you!

~Timeskips, POV changes, etc.~

"Talking."

Thoughts.

'Tailed beasts talking to their Jinchuuriki, or other Jinchuuriki, in the mindscape.'

'Jinchuuriki talking to their tailed beasts, or other Jinchuuriki, in the mindscape.'

"Tailed beasts talking outside of the mindscape, or talking through their Jinchuuriki."

"Other Jinchuuriki talking in the mindscape."

(Quick A/N made while I was writing)

"Jinchuuriki talking with their tailed beast's voice mixed with theirs."

Tailed beasts'/demon's thoughts

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~Heiwa's POV~

I opened my eyes once more to reveal my kekkei genkai. The Sharingan had transformed my normally onyx eyes into red ones with three tomoes.  I looked to Shukaku, the one tailed beast. Naruto was just attacked by sand, and I had stopped it, resulting in me getting wounded. They were fairly minor but still resulted in bloodshed.

"Shukaku..." I uttered, unsheathing one of my katanas that were strapped to my back. "Are you awake? Or are you still being controlled by Gaara?"

I had met the young, red-headed Jinchuuriki when I was on a mission here. He was... lonely. Just like Naruto, Menma, and I.

~Flashback~

"Run! It's the monster! Don't let him get you!" cried one of the kids.

I turned my head towards where the noise came from. A redhead, who seemed to be around Naruto's age, was holding a ball. He seemed to have attempted to give it back to the group of children, but they seemed too scared. Sand rushed towards them. I arrived just in time, activating my kekkei genkai and cutting the sand off of its course with my sword.

"Hey." I told him. "Be careful with the sand, alright?"

He looked at me, made a shocked sound, then looked towards the ground.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, though it was loud enough so that I could hear.

I smiled, then walked towards him, putting my sword away and releasing my Sharingan. "It's alright," I said softly, crouching in front of him. "It was an accident and misunderstanding."

He gave a small smile, then nodded. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Mine?" I replied, pointing to myself. He nodded. "Well, I'm Heiwa Uzumaki-Uchiha, though you're one of the only ones who know about my second last name."

"I'm Gaara," he replied. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I responded. We shook hands, then I left, after telling him goodbye and ruffling his hair like I do to Naruto.

~Flashback end~

"Oh, Gaara," I whispered, closing my eyes. "It's only been about a month... What happened?"