7 Chapter 7: Meeting of the Minds III
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After finally sealing everything away and packing the scrolls away into his backpack, Naruto took up the lotus position we now find him in.
He didn't really know why, but it felt as though something was calling out to him.
He was always one to trust his instincts, and right now his instincts were telling him he needed to do this.
He was aware something had changed within him. Ever since the events of the bridge, he noticed that he could sense the people around him.
It happened on the bridge as well, when he was hit by a multitude of different negative emotions. He didn't understand it then, but over the last few days, he instinctively could tell when the people around him were feeling any negative kind of emotions.
He wondered if this was a bloodline or something, but he never told anyone about it. He was still uncomfortable around Kakashi and he felt a bit alone right now.
So he decided he would keep his strange new ability to himself.
He sat there meditating for what felt like hours. He didn't know how much time had passed but he knew he needed to keep it up. The feeling was getting stronger.
He needed to know what was going on with him. He had a feeling he could get his answers this way.
The silence around him was interrupted by what sounded like water dripping. His eyes snapped open as he found himself no longer in the cottage that he knew he was sitting in a few seconds ago.
He now found himself in a dimly lit hallway with what looked like numerous pipes running along the wall, deeper into the hallway. There was water on the floor, and as he got to his feet he noticed that the water reached just above his ankles.
All in all, it was quite an eerie place to be in, not to mention depressing. He could feel something primal further down the hall, the same thing that seemed to be calling out to him.
He once again trusted his instincts as he walked into the darkness, following the direction of the pipes on the wall.
After walking for what felt like ages, he finally saw a little light at the end of the tunnel. As he reached the end, the hallway opened up to a wide expanse.
A huge area with the same design as the hallway could be seen. But what caught his eye the most was the enormous cage from right in front of him. The bars looked sturdy and the height was something he was having trouble comprehending as he couldn't see an end to it.
In the middle of the gate was a piece of paper with what looked like the kanji for 'seal' written on it. Try as he might, he could not see anything other than darkness within the cage.
All in all it was quite the oppressive and intimidating place. The power that was pulsing in the air also made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
As he contemplated the meaning of his surroundings, his eye caught a slight movement inside the structure. Before he could question it, two blood red eyes snapped opened and started directly into his.
He started slightly from shock at the action. His heart started beating a mile a minute as more of whatever was behind the cage came into view.
The creature stood tall, he could make a rough estimate that it stood close to 50 feet tall. It had luscious crimson fur that honestly made him want to run his hands through it.
Its hands were sharp menacing claws that looked as though it could tear him to shreds without effort. But the most defining feature, and the one that struck him deeply, were the nine tails that were swishing behind the creature ominously.
He knew who this was. He knew what this was. He never thought that day would come where he would actually meet the creature. Even though he knew he should be afraid.
He couldn't help himself but admire how beautiful and how majestic the creature looked.
He didn't see it as he was too lost in his thoughts, but the creatures eyes widened slightly before an almost imperceptible blush came upon its cheeks.
It quickly regained its bearings though and decided to get on with why it called the boy in here.
[Hmph….So my jailer has finally decided to grace me with his presence. I'm honoured.]
Said the creature with a snarky tone of voice that was dripping heavily with sarcasm. The voice was deep and reverberated throughout the room. It jolted Naruto out of his contemplations as he fixed his gaze upon the creature that was the bane of Konoha.
"Kyuubi…" He whispered.
He was unsure of what to do or say in this situation. It's not every day you come face to face with a 50 fucking foot tall demon fox that could squash you like a bug if it wanted too.
He really wanted to freak the fuck out right now. To scream in fear and shout obscenities. That's what the old him would have done. But in his mind, Haku-chan would be disappointed if he did something like that.
He was a new man now though, she made him see the world is more than just black and white. He vowed never to judge a book by its cover.
He would keep try to his cool, on the outside at least, and try to figure out what's going on before he starts tripping balls.
[Oh you recognised me. How flattering. You are smarter than I thought you would be. Note, I meant that sarcastically, as I have nine huge tails floating behind me…I'm sure a brain dead monkey would know who I am!]
Mocked the now identified Kyuubi, much to the annoyance of Naruto. He wanted to keep his cool but this motherfucker was making it really hard.
[Do you want a cookie for your amazing deduction, ?] It ridiculed even further.
Naruto felt his patience snap. He was never one to take things lying down.
"Fuck you! You overgrown rabbit!" Shot Naruto. That seemed to have set it off fiercely as it started banging its head against the cage while it tails thrashed against the ground.
[SAY THAT AGAIN YOU PUNY INSECT! IF THIS GATE WASN'T IN THE WAY I WOULD TEAR YOU TO FUCKING PIECES YOU INSOLENT FLESHBAG!] Roared the Kyuubi.
Naruto was a little shaken, but be didn't show it. He's had a lifetime of putting up fake emotions to say he's gotten pretty good at it. He knew though, that he needed to move this conversation forward.
"Look I'm sorry ok. I shouldn't have said that. You were being kind of annoying and mocking me and it just upset me. I'm sorry."
Apologised Naruto. He was never one to take such an action but these last few day have really taken their toll on him. The Kyuubi stopped what it was doing and simply raised an eyebrow at him.
It eventually shrugged, at least that what it looked like, before settling down by resting it's head on its front paws that were crossed.
[I accept your apology. I too am sorry for the unsightly little display. My ears are a bit of a sore point for me.] Said the Kyuubi.
Now that it was speaking normally instead of mocking him or roaring, Naruto noticed it had a strange lilt to its voice that, for the life of him he couldn't place even though he knew he should.
He decided to put it in the back of his mind for now and focus instead on the calamity before him.
"I understand. I get that way too when people make fun of my height." Naruto said with an understanding look causing the Kyuubi to nod sympathetically.
"You know, you're a lot more agreeable than I thought you would be. I expected you to be calling for my blood and screaming about hatred and destruction and all that jazz."
He pointed out carefully. He knew he had to be careful here but what he said was true. This meeting was not at all going the way he thought it would when he eventually came face to face with the Kyuubi.
He honestly expected more fire and brimstone but he decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and go with the flow.
[Hmph…you humans always thinking you know everything. Don't hold me to the same standards as your pathetic race.
I'm not so weak to give in to hatred and rampage like some mindless beast. That's what you humans do. I'm far more elegant and refined than that.]
Stated the Kyuubi a bit pompously causing Naruto to chuckle a little, internally of course. He didn't want to set off the creature again by laughing at it.
"Umm not sound like an ass, but you kind of rampaged in Konoha 13 years ago. That's kind of the reason people hate me so much."
Pointed out Naruto. While it peeved him to know that the Kyuubi was sealed in him and that it was the primary reason for the abuse he received, he got over it.
Blaming the Kyuubi for the situation they were both in would make him no different than those ignorant villagers. Something he vowed never to emulate.
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