Kyuubi Phantom Ch: 19

We finally defeated the demon lord, but at what cost? I lost Hinata and I don't know how her family would take it… Though, I know that they deserve to know that I tried to save her, that I tried to bring her back alive. It is the least I could do for them… right?

Taking a deep breath, Naruto walked back with Kurama to where Sasuke and Sakura were… and with what was left of Hinata. Looking at the floor, Naruto wondered if he would have to wait a long time like Kurama to see Hinata again… no, to him there would only be her… only Hinata would be in his life. But, could he really leave his friends and family to join his beloved Hinata in the afterlife?

No… he couldn't do that to them…

Looking up at his ancestor, he wondered what he would be thinking… least he had a chance to be with Hana again… least, he was sure that's what he was thinking anyway. Looking down at the ground once more, the young man thought that maybe, he could say his final good-bye to Hinata… for, she deserved that much. But would he be strong enough to say that as Naruto Uzumaki and Kyuubi Phantom… err, Sage…?

Looking up, the young man saw that Sasuke and Sakura were just sitting there; Hinata's body lied on one of their cloaks with her body being covered by the other cloak. Though it didn't cling to her body thanks to the needles that were still in her body. Walking towards them, Naruto stared at Sasuke and Sakura as he whispered "thanks… thanks for getting Hinata out of there."

"We're glad to help Naruto, and Hinata was our friend… we're glad to help in anyway." Sakura said with a soft smile, only for it to turn into a worried frown for the young hybrid.

Naruto sat down next to Hinata's body and just stared at her, tears started to build up within his red and green eyes. Tightening his hands into fists, Naruto closed his eyes, head hung low as the tears started to stream down his face. 'I'm so sorry Hinata… I had promised to keep you safe, I promised to bring you back home… and I failed you. I'm so sorry Hinata; I never wanted this to happen. I love you so much but… dear god I'm just so sorry.' Naruto thought to himself as he picked up Hinata and held her in his arms. Careful of the needles that were still in her skin… soft sobs escaped him as tears streamed down his face, shoulders shaking as he cried out his heart.

Sasuke walked over to Naruto, least he was until Sakura grabbed his shoulder and shook her head. "Don't Sasuke, Naruto needs to be alone right now…" whispered the pink haired teen. Sasuke just sighed softly and sat back down with his girlfriend, he wanted to do something to help his friend but nothing came up…

Though, it seemed that Kurama had other plans. Walking over to Naruto, he stared at Hinata's body for a moment. As if he was trying to figure something out about her… the more he looked at Hinata's body, the more he noticed something that seemed a little off about the needles. Eyes widening, Kurama grabbed Hinata from Naruto and moved away from the crying teen. "What are you doing?" screamed out Naruto with rage.

"Trying to save her."

"How the fuck are you going to do that?!" shouted Naruto.

"Don't you dare use that tone of voice with me young man." Growled out Kurama, his eyes glowing red, tails whipping around in rage, the wind around him was strong, whipping his hair around giving him a more dangerous look to him.

"Yes sir." Naruto said with fear in his voice.

Kurama set Hinata down and stared at the needles some more for a brief moment before saying "he was stupid right down to the end." After saying those words, Kurama started to remove the needles, though slowly, and carefully.

"What are you doing?" asked Sakura in shock.

"Kurairyou was a master of pressure points on demons. He remembered the pressure points that could easily kill a demon if all of them have been hit. That's where these needles are."

"What does that have to do with you removing the needles on Hinata?" asked Naruto.

"The pressure points that can kill a demon, are the pressure points that would just put a human in a state that would resemble death, when really, they are alive and would only remain in this state until the needles were removed." Kurama calmly explained while removing the needles.

Naruto couldn't believe what he was hearing… Hinata wasn't really dead! Oh thank the gods; he would be able to see Hinata again! Though, because of his excitement, he wouldn't be able to return to normal… least, not right away. Looking back toward Kurama, the young teen wondered how long it would take; he didn't want to wait anymore. Though, he knew that the red haired man would have to be careful or something could happen to Hinata.

With half of the needles gone, Naruto could faintly hear Hinata starting to breathe again… his heart soared from the very sound. A sure sound that she was alive again, least, a sound that did tell him that Kurama spoke the truth.

Reaching out to hold her hand, Naruto wanted to see if her skin had started to warm up… He was just about to reach for her hand… just a few more inches, that was all he would need then he would be holding her hand in no time! Just as he was about to grab the blue haired woman's hand he pulled his hand back. He couldn't hold her hand… once he told Hinata the truth… told her who he was and what was going on… and when she was home that he would leave her alone… it was the only thing that he could do for her.

Standing up on his two feet, the young man walked away from Hinata's body and sat on the other side of the room, his knee drawn up to his chest with his arm hanging over the knee and his other arm across his lap… 'I don't deserve to be near Hinata. Not after what I've put her through…' thought Naruto trying to hold back his tears at the thought of never being near Hinata again.

Suddenly, the young of coughing and gaging could be heard from across the room. Looking from the corner of his eye, Naruto saw that Hinata was sitting up, breathing heavily and looking around with wide eyes. Maybe she was thinking that someone was going to attack her… he couldn't blame her for that…

"What happened? How am I not… not dead?" said Hinata in shock.

Kurama chuckled as he started to explain everything that had happened. How 'Kyuubi Sage' had saved her and that the demon lord was never going to bug her ever again. Naruto was thankful that Kurama didn't tell Hinata his name… least he could tell her himself for the time being. Taking a deep breath, Naruto closed his eyes as he tried to calm his nerves.

The sound of foot falls could be heard, his ears twitching with the sound as they got closer and closer to him. Frowning, Naruto looked up when he saw Hinata standing in front of him. She just frowned at him, as if trying to figure something out. Naruto pushed himself up to his feet and dusted himself off and looked at Hinata, noticing that he had gotten taller in that month of training…

"Please… tell me… are you really…" She couldn't seem to say it. Naruto stared at Hinata with soft eyes; he had to find a way to prove that he really was Naruto and not someone pretending to be him. He knew of one thing that could do that would prove to her that he was really Naruto.

Taking a deep breath he started to sing the only song that they've ever sang together.

What would you say if I told you
I've always wanted to hold you?
I don't know what we're afraid of
Nothing would change if we made love.

As he sang, he stared at Hinata with honest eyes… though instead of his eyes being red and green like they normally were, he had them turn back into blue, as if to prove that it was really him, and not someone pretending to be him. Though, he wasn't sure if she really believed that to be honest.

So I'll be your friend
And I'll be your lover
Cause, I know in our hearts we agree
We can be both to each other

Hinata just stared at Naruto with wide eyes; maybe she still didn't believe what he was trying to say. Or, least what he was trying to prove. Naruto took a deep breath and got his hair to shrink back down, and the white and red strands started to disappear, being replaced with bright blonde locks.

Oh yeah, we can be both to each other

Staring at her with sad eyes, Naruto tried to get her to see without him having to transform back. But, it seemed that it was the only thing that he could do… Taking a deep breath, Naruto slowly started to transform back into his human form. Staring at her, he gently placed his hand upon her cheek and stared at her sadly, as if to tell her that he was sorry.

I know the chances we're taking
Somebody's heart could be breaking
But still we can't stop what's inside us
Our love for each other will guide us

Blinking, Naruto stared at Hinata in shock as she started to sing to the song as well. Did that mean that… she knew it was him? Or was she just doing it for fun? It was hard to say, though he knew that Hinata would have to know something at the very least…

And I'll be your friend
And I'll be your lover
Cause I know in our hearts we agree
We can be both to each other

Naruto gave a small sad smile as he sang along with Hinata on that part… it seemed so good to sing with her at least one last time but… he knew that he would be happy, so long as Hinata was happy. Taking a deep breath, he rubbed the pad of his thumb on her cheek and just stared at her with a soft smile.

I've been through you
And you've been through me

Naruto sang softly, in a sense it was true. He had seen what Hinata saw while she was kidnapped, and that she had seen the kinds of battles that he had to be through. Taking a deep breath he stared at Hinata and smiled gently.

Sometimes a friend is the hardest to see

Naruto had to admit that, some people wouldn't know where to find the one they love even if it was right in front of them. That was how he felt sometimes… he really was an idiot.

But we always know when it's laid on the line

Soon, a ring of white flames started to form around Naruto's waist as it slowly to move upward and downward. Hinata was a little surprised at what she was seeing but she didn't back away. She wasn't afraid of what she was seeing…


Nobody else is as easy to find

The rings still moved upward as he sang, Naruto's vest soon started to turn into his orange sweat shirt with the short sleeves. This, of course made Hinata stare at him with even wider eyes than before. He knew that she was starting to put the pieces together at last… for that he was happy.

And I'll be your friend

The sleeves that were attached to his arms soon started to disappear, as did his claws. Hinata just standing there as she sang her part of the song… least the transformation back to his real self was almost complete.


I'll be your friend forever

Soon, Naruto's black pants had started to turn into his blue jeans. Hinata of course didn't look down; she just kept on staring at his face, as if trying to figure him out. Not that he could blame her for that. Naruto gave her a soft smile…


And I'll be your lover

Hinata had tears streaming down her eyes, and rolling over her cheeks as she stared at Naruto. The rings went over his face, making the whisker marks on his face shrink to just three simple lines on his cheeks. Something only Naruto Uzumaki would have. Something that Hinata would know right away on his face. Naruto closed his eyes as she sang.


I'll be your lover baby!
'Cause I know in our hearts we agree

Naruto couldn't bear to stare as he sang his bit. It just seemed to break his heart the more he stared at her. Taking a deep breath, Naruto placed his hands on her shoulders, as if saying that this would be the last time they ever speak to each other. It was for the best, for her own safety. Though, the thought of it almost broke his own heart, almost caused him to shed tears.


We can be both to each other
Oh, yes, we can be both to each other.

Once the song was over, Naruto had completed his transformation back to his human self. He couldn't bear to stare at Hinata anymore… so he kept his eyes closed from her. But he had to tell her one thing, she deserved that much in the least. "Hinata… I don't blame you if you hate me for all that happened to you. But… damn it how can I say this?"

"Start from the beginning…" whispered Hinata gently.

Taking a deep breath, the young man whispered "I was in an accident and I awakened to these powers. I tried to use them to help people, to keep you safe. I was scared that you wouldn't like me anymore when you found out that I was a freak. A monster." He gritted his teeth for a moment as he tried to get this all out without getting angry at himself. Taking a deep breath, Naruto whispered "I tried to save you and when I thought that you were dead, I lost control for a moment and… almost destroyed myself in the process. I'm so sorry Hinata… but, maybe for your own safety I shouldn't see you anymore."

"Why?" asked Hinata with a hint of sadness in her voice.

Opening his eyes, Naruto gave her a stare with soft sad eyes. His blue eyes were filled with sadness that he wasn't sure that he would ever be able to see her anymore. "Hinata, I'm doing this for your own protection… I love you deeply, I've always loved you and now… I just can't see you anymore because I love you."

"Naruto… I love you… I've always loved you. I thought I was crazy because… I thought that Kyuubi Phantom was you and… I started to love him too." She began, which had surprised Naruto for a moment. Tilting his head to the side, the young woman whispered "I love both versions of you Naruto… I don't care if your human, demon, ghost, or whatever. I love you for you." Hinata then gave Naruto a loving smile, something that made his heart want to burst from his chest. Gulping, he just smiled a bit before wrapping his arms around her in a hug.

This was amazing, that was for sure, and he never knew that he could be this happy in his entire life. Pulling back from the hug, the blonde young man stared at her and was about to kiss her until one little problem. "Guys, we should leave! This place is falling apart!" shouted Sasuke before he started to run off. Naruto lifted Hinata into his arms and started to make a break for it, as did Sakura, and Kurama.

In a way, this was a good thing, now the demon lord would never have anyone try to go in and break the seal. Now, they just had a few things to fix up in the human world… least, he would hope that he would be able to fix it.