Back to the Beginning (Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 7

Inoichi and The Hokage found themselves standing in the middle of a beautiful field. The grass was greener than anything they had ever seen, there were flowers of every color all around them. They could see trees lining the edge of the meadow farther away from them and the sky was as blue as could be. There was a slight breeze in the air that carried the scent of the flowers. All they could feel was peace as they looked around.

"Wow..." They both muttered under their breaths at the same time.

"This is nothing like what I saw before." Inoichi was surprised at the complete change of scenery in Naruto's mind. This was peaceful, whereas before all he felt was distress.

"It is indeed very beautiful here." The Hokage had a smile on his face as he took in the view all around him.

"You could say this is my safe haven. I come here quite frequently." Naruto's voice startled them as they turned to face him. Naruto had his eyes closed as he relished in the feeling of peace. He had a smile on his face, which conveyed his love for this place. "Though you might not be saying the same thing when our other group member arrives." Naruto smirked a little as their expressions turned from one of awe to that of confusion. He was stoked to see their reaction when Kurama showed up.

"Naruto..." The voice was deep and husky. Inoichi turned toward the source of the voice, and what they saw left their jaws on the floor and their eyes open in fear. "You seem to have brought some guests with you." Kurama smiled as he said this. He knew Naruto would know he was messing around with them, but he loved seeing the look on their faces.

"Th-that's the..." Inoichi was lost for words.

"The Nine-tailed fox?!" The Hokage was staring at the fox spirit that stood towering over all of them. "But how?! Kushina is the Jinchuriki of the nine-tails. You couldn't possibly..." He was cut off from his thoughts when Naruto held up a hand to quiet him.

"First off, his name is Kurama, and second, you will find out everything soon." Naruto was amused at their frightened faces but decided to go easy on them for now. "Kura, could you perhaps...make yourself more of an approachable size for our guests here?" Naruto couldn't hide the amusement in his voice.

"Sure, kid." Kurama chuckled as he shrunk his size down to where his head was at the same height as Naruto, his nine tails swishing behind him.

"He won't hurt you, I promise." Naruto reassured the two that were almost cowering behind him.

"Easy for you to say! Do you have any idea what that monster is capable of?!" Inoichi was freaking out now.

"Don't." Naruto's voice turned cold and authoritative as he spoke, startling Inoichi almost more than the fox. "Don't ever call him a monster. He is my friend, and he is kinder than most people."

Inoichi and the Hokage just stared at the boy. How could he say that? They looked at how he was standing right next to the fox, scratching behind his ears and the nine tails swishing happily. They didn't fully trust the fox, but they decided that they would trust Naruto.

Naruto turned to face the two. "In doing what we are doing, I need Kurama to come along. He will be able to explain things better than I will at times." What he didn't say though was that he also needed Kurama as an emotional support for the things that he had locked away and was now about to open up once again. Naruto closed his eyes, ready to move them to where they can access his memories. Alright...here we go.

Before they could process what was happening, Inoichi and the Hokage found themselves in a run down and dirty apartment room with a door that had locks and seals all around it. "This is the room I was in the first time." Inoichi recognized the room he was in, and the mental stress he so clearly saw.