Naruto was in a somber mood today. It was actually not something rare in his life. He'd go to the academy, tell all the kids that he'd become the hokage someday, then fail miserably at everything and become nothing but everyone's laughing stock. He'd put on a big show and pretend it's no big deal, pretend he didn't hear their snickering behind his back, pretend he wasn't interested in their soccer games as he watched them play from atop a swing nearby. He would announce his dream all over again the next day, because at least they'd give him a moment of attention. But that feeling of loneliness felt like a boulder tied to his chest, as if he was slowly sinking to the bottom of the world because of it.
Kurama felt something he had not felt in a while. He wasn't sure what it was, but something about the boy reminded him of himself. Was it the loneliness that they shared? Was it the way they were both stripped of their dignity ? Or was it how they just wanted someone who would understand their pain and sorrow? Either way, Kurama was not too pleased to be feeling this, but he knew what he had to do.
After making sure he still had enough of the money the 3rd hokage gave him to get by for the rest of the month, Naruto went to bed. Tired, alone and with no plans for tomorrow except repeating everything in his mundane daily routine. He felt his eyelids get heavy and drifted into sleep. But this time he didn't wake up to the morning sun. Instead he found himself standing in a sewer-like place, a long dark hallway with water dripping from pipes everywhere. Naruto was bewildered, but strangely he wasn't scared. Something out of the ordinary made him a little excited.
"COME HERE, BRAT." A large growling voice echoed through the void. Naruto jumped and turned around, only to see a gigantic fox-like creature towering over him in the middle of a cavern. Frightened, Naruto asked, "Who are you, and what do you want?" Kurama answered in his deep demonic voice, "I am the 9-tailed fox. I've come to make a deal, brat." Naruto was confused. "What kind of deal?" "The kind that will benefit us both." "And what is that?" Kurama replied, "I know you've got no one in your life. No parents, no siblings, no friends. You have to fend for yourself because no one takes care of you. You have no one to talk to in the academy or even at home." Naruto's legs felt shaky. He had been trying so hard to act tough, but now he couldn't keep pretending that he was alright anymore.
Kurama continued, "I'll help you with that, and you'll help me in return. I'll be your friend, but you'll have to use my chakra whenever I tell you to." Naruto's face lit up. "Really? You'll be my friend, ?" Kurama didn't know how to feel about the new name, but decided to let it slide. "Yes. But there's one problem." "What is it, ?" Kurama huffed, "Konoha. They would never allow you to use my chakra unless a war breaks out between the nations. You should leave the village." Naruto seemed reluctant. Naruto: "But Konoha is my home…" Kurama bellowed,"AND WHAT GOOD HAS IT DONE YOU BRAT"They hate you because I'm sealed inside you."
Naruto's eyes widened. Suddenly it all dawned on him. "Is that the kid?" "Yes, it's him." "That monster… We never know when it will come out again." "Don't approach him. It's the best we can do." All those whispers between strangers who pulled their kids behind them while eyeing Naruto warily. They make perfect sense now. "So that's why. That's why they ha..hate me…" Dumbfounded, tears began to well up in Naruto's eyes. "Of course. So let's leave this place and forge a new life for yourself," said Kurama. Naruto looked up at Kurama again. "But what about old man hokage? He is good to me. I can't just betray him like that." Kurama narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "All that geezer has ever done is put some money on your table. It's not a betrayal to leave a place where nobody welcomes you, is it?" "Well, no… But-" "NO BUTS! People have only treated you with fear and distaste! And they dare ask you to serve them! You're not a person to this village, you're merely a weapon. The only reason you aren't beaten to death is because the hokage wants you alive. As a deterrent to possible invaders."
Naruto couldn't believe what he had just been told. "No way! I'm not just some weapon!" Kurama scoffed, "Accept the cruel truth. They only see me in you, and I'm nothing but a wild beast to them." "...Wait a minute," Naruto frowned. He remembered hearing about a disaster that nearly destroyed Konoha years ago. Someone at the mask shop mentioned a demon fox. "That was because you attacked the village, right?! So this is all your fault!", he exclaimed. Kurama snarled, "DO NOT BLAME ME, BRAT! THAT BLASTED MADARA UCHIHA HAD ME UNDER HIS CONTROL! I want to get out of this cursed land and so should you!" Naruto froze at the raging big fox. "So, you didn't do it willingly?" He decided he had better not question the fox's innocence. Kurama was losing patience. "Yes brat, so stop whining and listen to me."
Naruto pondered his choices. Stay here where he is avoided like the plague or go somewhere else were he could have a better life the choice was obvious. Naruto:"all right deal Mr Fox"