Truth [2]

***

Gasp…

Naruto gasped for air and opened his eyes, only to find himself in his subconscious space. The underground sewer, metallic walls, the water beneath his feet…

The familiar red gate housing 9 tails in front of him.

He could hear the breathing of the fox, and as if he was silently watching.

"Nii-san… your place…".

Naruto is jolted by the voice coming all of a sudden. He looks to his right, realising Tsuyu is inside as well, standing right next to him. 

What's with this… gloomy place? This sewer… what's going on inside your head all this time…?

Tsuyu looks towards the direction of 9 tails, the familiar red gate. But contrary to her expectation that the 9 tails would 'greet' them, he's silent.

This is unlike the 9 tails I know of. Is he a little different compared to the one inside of me?

Tsuyu half-expected 9 tails to make a big deal out of nothing as usual. She takes a step forward to take a look at Naruto's 9 tails, wondering what it's doing at the moment.

"Don't go there…!", Naruto quickly held onto Tsuyu's arm, not letting her take another step.

"He's dangerous. You wouldn't like him".

"... You should stop saying such things about him. Be a little considerate, nii-san". Tsuyu said it to Naruto since they need to cooperate in the future.

"Huh…?".

"Is 9 tails always this silent?". Tsuyu tried to look between the gaps of the gates. But it's only dark. As if 9 tails is deliberately not showing himself.

"No. He always mocks me each time I am here…". Naruto also doesn't know why 9 tails is hiding in there.

"Nevermind… come on, Naruto, let me show you… 9 tails inside of me".

Tsuyu takes Naruto's hand, leading him in the opposite direction.

The words coming from Tsuyu's mouth about having 9 tails inside of her too is still too bizarre and unable to enter Naruto's head fully.

The sewer structures and scenery suddenly change at some point.

Naruto finds himself in an open ground area. There's structures that Naruto cannot identify what of. Scents of sulfur and smoke filled his nose. Tsuyu led Naruto to a long ditch.

"Tsu-chan…this is…?".

"My mindscape". Tsuyu shrugged - she's not sure what this space is exactly either. If it's a part of her 'brain' imagination - that can't be right since the seal is in her stomach and connected to the chakra pathway.

"Come down". Tsuyu jumped down the ditch, with Naruto following obediently from behind.

As his step reached the ground, he found himself in an enclosure, like a cave of sorts…

A striking giant red gate stood meters in front of him. From among the gaps, two bloody eyes opened, staring straight into both of the visitors.

"No… Why is he here…". Naruto felt immense shock seeing 9 tails here. The reality slowly starts to set in. He looked at 9 tails, then at Tsuyu, then at 9 tails again.

"Hnhnhn… you brought your brother with you… hahaha he looks so… surprised".

"You! How could you be inside of her!". Naruto suddenly pointed his finger to the fox shouting at him.

"Hahahaha!". Kyubi felt this was hilarious. He felt how ridiculously stupid Naruto is. The answer is right in front of his face and he's still asking. How ridiculous that this brat comes from the same womb as the little devil.

"You are a fool. Your whole life you had been lied t- GAHHH!!!". Spikes of earth suddenly formed from above and dropped down like guillotine, pinning all his limbs. The pillars of earth surrounding his neck tighten to choke him, causing 9 tails to groan in pain and even a flash of shock, with disbelief in its red eyes.

Tsuyu's eyes are filled with murderous intent and rage, the whole mindscape space buzzing with spiritual energy coming from herself. 

"You…-". Tsuyu didn't expect 9 tails to run his mouth so brazenly. 

This brat…! I didn't expect she could suppress me to this extent…! Kyubi lost words, not sure how to say anything. How would Kyubi know all this time Tsuyu had been treating him kindly by never doing such a thing out of respect and mutual cooperation. 

But this time Kyubi had crossed her bottom line.

"... Lied to… its… a lie… everything…". Naruto's eyes are fixed at the bounded 9 tails, but his eyes have already lost their focus. He keeps muttering words that Tsuyu can't quite hear.

Seeing Naruto acting so out of himself, she tried to calm Naruto down, already planning the words she could say.

"... Nii-san. Listen to me…".

Naruto turned his eyes to look at Tsuyu. There's almost a blank expression on Naruto's face. His hands were shaking. His breathing was heavy. He's on the verge of collapse.

"I keep it a secret from you because… it would be a burden for you if you know. And it is a village secret, too. Whether I tell you or not, it doesn't change anything".

…

"Nii-san, I understand that what we experience is different in our childhood. And, I understand if you feel it's unfair. It is unfair for you, it's true. Life can be sh*tty and cruel".

…

"But everything has passed… It's been years since the villagers know. And, it wasn't as bad now".

Drip.

"Nii-san…", Tsuyu felt her heart stop for a moment seeing the tears flowing down Naruto's cheek.

Drip. Drip.

"Look, you have me. You have your friends. Iruka-sensei accepts you too, and is always worried for you. Jiraiya-sama is eager to teach you. They don't care about the 9 tails. They accept you…". Tsuyu felt a little panicked seeing her words seemingly not going through Naruto. She tried to emphasise that it's alright now. That the 9 tails existence doesn't matter much and therefore Naruto shouldn't delve too much on the fact she had 9 tails too.

What should I say? Damn it! Brother, hold yourself together! Everything is already fine. You already have people around you that care for you and accept you. You are fine all this time until now. Why are you like this!?

"Ah… why… why…", Naruto's hoarse breathless voice stabs at Tsuyu's heart.

Nii-san… Tsuyu placed her hand on her chest, feeling a sliver of pain seeing Naruto like this. 

"Tsu-chan… w-why…". Naruto clenched his chest with both hands. His body bends over in excruciating pain. He can't mutter a full sentence. His throat felt so tight, he can't breath…it's so suffocating.

How could you…

***

Tsuyu opened his eyes, seeing she's already out of the mindscape. Noticing Naruto's shaking figure, she stood and tried to hold him in her arms.

It's the only thing she knows at this moment. That from the very depth of her soul, she wanted to give it to him.

"...". 

Tsuyu silently firmed her arms around Naruto's cold body. Seeing him shaking and crying so silently, and his short breathings, Tsuyu felt… a pang of pain in her chest. She can only try to comfort Naruto like this. She doesn't know what else to do…

"Nii-san… I know it hurts…". Tsuyu said words of comfort. Even if she doesn't know the depth of Naruto's pain, she knows that Naruto is suffering right now.

Tsuyu bit her lips, feeling immense guilt seeing Naruto like this. She didn't think it would hurt Naruto this badly… 

All of a sudden, Tsuyu felt Naruto take a jerking step back and pushed her away. She is left stunned; and before she could react, she sees Naruto turn himself away and head towards the door - pulling the door open and ran out of their home all of a sudden.

"Nii-san! Wait! Where are you going!".

Rumble! Pitter. Patter.

The sound of rain and thunder echoed in the surrounding area.

"Damn it…!", Tsuyu quickly gathers herself and runs off outside to chase Naruto.

***

Don't play with him… -

Tsu-chan, come on, stop reading your books! Let's go outside!

Fine, nii-san. What are we playing? -

Yatta! I win Tsu-chan!

Hn. You are just a little lucky -

… Uh. Is it not fun for you? You look so bored… We can play something else!

No no. It's alright. Let's keep playing -

Nii-san, don't care about what they think. You know yourself. They are in the wrong.

Ara-ara, Tsu-chan, here's an extra dumpling for you~

Ah, boy, … We are closed already… 

Stop making trouble! Get out! -

Find some other hobbies. You can try to read these comics, it's interesting.

Thief! You brat only know how to cause trouble! -

He refused to give the mask to me Tsu-chan… I did want to pay…

I am sorry for my brother's actions. I will teach him properly and pay for compensation -

Tell me if you want to buy anything. I will get them for you.

I have… 9 tails inside of me? Is that why everyone hates me?

But I don't ask this! I never choose this! I didn't do anything wrong! Why do they hate me?!

Tsu-chan has a lot of friends… unlike me…

I… I hurt a lot of people… I… I never wanted this… I am sorry… nnh…

I wish… people could treat me like they treat Tsu-chan…

Whatever! Hehe, I will show them how amazing I am and they will notice me!

Everyone always smiles at her… but they don't care to smile at me…

***

Right! No matter what, I will prove to everyone! Once I become Hokage, they will accept me!

***

Crack. 

Something deep inside of Naruto cracked at the moment.

Memories of his entire life flood his mind as he runs and runs. His bare feet splattering the water beneath his feet as he keeps running across the dark streets.

"Ah… nnh…nh…", Naruto's feet get colder and colder. He felt his legs going numb. Tears uncontrollably falling down.

Tap… tap.

Naruto's steps stopped… his knees gave out on him.

Splash…

He plopped down on his knees, feeling himself losing everything he had known. Everything. It's just pain. Cold. Suffocation.

"Ah..AHH..AHH!!!", Naruto lowered his posture, as if a heavy weight was being pressed on him - trying to crush him to death. His entire body soaked in water. His forehead dropped down to level with the ground as he scream in pain.

"Ahhh…! Ahhhh! Ahhhh…!". Naruto's tears and cries of pain 

Nii-san… Tsuyu watches the scene, the wail of a hurting, suffering child… 

Tsuyu takes a step forward, little by little. 

Splash.

Tsuyu dropped her knees in front of Naruto… wanting to reach out to him.

"Nii-san…", Tsuyu tried to hold him, but Naruto in anger splashed the puddle of water towards her. She didn't dodge, only flinching slightly seeing Naruto's expression towards her.

That expression that carries unimaginable pain, and even hate for her…

"WHAT'S IT ALL FOR?! WHAT'S IT ALL FOR?! I AM HATED BY EVERYONE! EVERYONE! AND YOU… YOU LIED TO ME… HOW COULD YOU DO THIS… How…how could YOU!?".

"Nii-san- I…", Tsuyu's lips parted slightly. She wanted to say something to Naruto, but it's… it's so difficult. She doesn't know what to say. She felt her throat tighten, and a suffocating feeling making her unable to mutter a word. 

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR ME. YOU DON'T KNOW! YOU HAD IT SO EASY. YOU… YOU DONT KNOW HOW IT FELT LIKE TO BE ALL ALONE! YOU DONT KNOW!!!!!".

A flash of dark red chakra suddenly exploded out of Naruto's body, the shockwave blasting Tsuyu a meter away causing her to roll in on the soaked ground.

"I thought I HAD A MONSTER IN ME! AND THAT'S ALL THE REASON EVERYONE HATES ME BUT YOU- YOU- YOU NEVER HAD TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING I DID!!!". More of the demonic chakra flares out of Naruto's body.

"I HATE YOU!". Naruto is filled with so much pain and hatred. He hates her. He hates everyone. He hates the village. Everything. The 9 tails chakra is consuming his mind and influencing his emotions to an extreme.

"Sh*t!". Tsuyu stands up, quickly making hand seals and raising one of her hands. She rushes up to Naruto that's about to go crazy, without any mercy pushes Naruto onto the ground and quickly pulls his shirt up.

Fuinjutsu: Five Pronged Seal!

Purple flames ignited on each of her fingers - slamming it onto Naruto's stomach causing a grunt of pain from Naruto. 

Sizzles… 

The 8 triagram seal on his abdomen became distorted; the connection of 9 tails to Naruto is cut off in time...

Seeing the red chakra recede and his demonic eyes turned to normal, Tsuyu breathes a sigh of relief.

But even so…

"... It's so… unfair…". Naruto's low, defeated voice felt even more stinging to Tsuyu.

Naruto can only lay on the wet ground with tears flowing to his side; with rain still falling onto his face, his eyes emptily looking at the dark sky… wondering why this happens to him.

Tsuyu felt at a loss.

"It's so unfair… why is it just me…".

The rain and thunder accompanied the siblings.

Tsuyu moves to the side to sit next to Naruto, silently holding his hand; trying her best to give Naruto some warmth. Naruto didn't refuse her hand, but it's because Naruto had… lost it all.

He can't scream anymore. Only silent tears flowing from his eyes.

She didn't say a word, only firming her hand trying to hold Naruto together.

You feel so cold, nii-san…

"I hate you…".

Your are shaking…, you are still crying so much… it must have hurt so much… I didn't know…

"I am sorry". 

Tsuyu can only mutter sorry. She had so much to say to comfort Naruto, all the reasoning, things that cannot be changed no matter what, things that aren't her fault nor Naruto's, but, all she could say is a mere apology right now... that in her realization, all this is due to her shortcoming and shortsightedness.

"Sorry…?".

"...".

"You know from the very beginning…".

"You watched everyone avoiding me… treating me like… a monster… I thought you were the only person who could accept me…".

"I do accept you… nii-san…".

"... but… you had it too… you lied about everything… how does it feel… to just watch and … and everyone never hates you… while they hate me… why are we so different… why I deserve all this…".

"Nii-san, please, listen to me…". Tsuyu wanted to explain. And probably Naruto would know what words would come out of Tsuyu's mouth already.

"Tsuyu. Stop… stop saying anything…".

Naruto pulled his hand away from Tsuyu. He weakly sits up from the ground, but his eyes remain empty.

Hearing Naruto called her by her full name made her felt a sense of lost. That Naruto... no longer trust her.

Even if by reasons she had no fault in what had happened, and Naruto shouldn't blame her for the mistreatment or unfairness, and even if Naruto would hate her and would never forgive her, she... somehow, resigned to it. As if it's something she cannot control.

Tsuyu held her own chest, where her heart is. Even counting her previous lives… Naruto is the first to make her feel like this. That Naruto is her brother, that she cares most without her realizing until today as how much Naruto truly meant for her. There's no tears from her. Nor does it feel like she's going to break. But it's there, this sting, this discomfort that won't away.

Naruto turned his eyes to look at Tsuyu's expression. Trying to find any semblance that she's hurting for hurting himself. To find emotions that show Tsuyu feels pain from his pain.

But despite Naruto feeling so much pain and suffering, Tsuyu never shed a single tear, nor does her expression ever change. 

In Naruto's heart, what he wanted, what he needed most right now was to see that he's cared for. That Tsuyu could feel his pain, and care for his heart.

But all he could see was Tsuyu sitting there, looking at him with that same expression as if his pain meant nothing for her, as if he's outside of everything that he went through.

Crack… 

Something inside Naruto broke completely. As if, he had lost everything he ever had.

Trust, love, care, admiration… everything that Tsuyu was for Naruto, breaks apart, crumbling to pieces. That he felt betrayed by his own family… that Tsu-chan is the one who hurt him most. That he doesn't feel cared for. That it's all one sided from the very beginning. 

Naruto silently turned his eyes away, looking back at the dark sky.

Tsuyu could feel that… she had lost Naruto…

Tsuyu turned to look at the ground, lost in thoughts. It's as if everything just went out of control. She expect one thing but another thing happened. She tried to speak of reasons but it had no meaning. And she can't stop it… and she doesn't know what to do anymore.

ANBU members already appeared a long time ago. Even Sasuke, since who knows when was standing ten meters away in the distance under the rain. Tsuyu noticed those people shortly after 9 tails chakra leaked. But she doesn't care…

Kakashi, among the ANBU members watching, felt a sting in his chest hearing the pain in Naruto's wailing and words. From his words he can guess what happened. Kakashi felt bad for Naruto, and his late sensei and Kushina.

If only you two are still alive… they need you two… Kakashi silently mutters in his heart.

***

…

Sasuke turned to look at Naruto's back as he's sleeping next to him. He had questions to ask, but he didn't dare. Seeing Naruto in so much pain then, somehow, it hurts him inside.

He wanted to ask if he's okay. But it's clear he's not. Naruto had never looked so… so lifeless.

Sasuke felt anger and annoyance rising in his heart towards Tsuyu. Just what had she done to hurt Naruto so badly? Doesn't she care at all? His fist clenched tight, looking at Naruto's back in sorry and pity.

***