Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Crow: Takai Kitsune ❯ Burn In My Light ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The Crow: Takai Kitsune By The Wolf Demon

Disclaimer: The Crow is owned by James O'Barr and Dimension Films. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto, Viz Media, and Cartoon Network.

Author's note: Welcome to the conclusion of our dramasterpiece. I would like to thank you all for making this tale the most read story out of all my works. Against all odds, Naruto fought Dosu, Zaku, and Kin to get to Orochimaru but this journey has its conflicts: Sasuke is Orochimaru's student and the Nine-Tailed Fox is consuming our hero physically, mentally and emotionally. There are still many bumps ahead in this highway to Hell and there's no avoidin' it. Will Sakura help Naruto overcome his inner-demons and destroy Orochimaru or will the Nine-Tailed Fox finally take over Naruto's body and destroy everything? Now my fellow wolves and Crow-ites, let the conclusion begin!

Chapter 5:
Burn In My Light

(Sakura's house)

Jiraiya watched through the window of Sakura's home. It had been an hour since Naruto, Sakura, and company left for Otogakure. Rain started to tap the window depressingly as the pervert samurai started to worry about his new pupil, his girlfriend, and their friends. He remembered all the good times he shared with his old comrades, Tsunade and Orochimaru. It was then he heard a knock on the door. He went to the door to see a familiar blonde woman standing on the stoop.

"Tsunade?" Jiraiya asked. "Is that you?"

"Jiraiya, I never thought I see you here," Tsunade said as she and Jiraiya hugged each other then she came into the house.

"You still look good after all these years," Jiraiya said. "Father Time hasn't aged you one bit."

"Thank you and thank my Transformation Technique for that," Tsunade said with a smile. "I came here to see Sakura. I heard she has a new man in her life now."

"I'm afraid you just missed them," Jiraiya said. "They're heading for the Hidden Sound Village to find Orochimaru."

"I did hear he killed someone three years ago," Tsunade said.

"Yes, he killed this young boy named Naruto," Jiraiya said. "He came back from the grave to seek revenge on Orochimaru but I'm afraid for his safety and the safety of Sakura and the others."

"Why's that?" Tsunade asked.

"The seal on Naruto's body is breaking," Jiraiya stated. "Soon, the fox demon will take over the boy's body and resume its destruction on this planet."

"That's horrible," Tsunade said.

"Yes. I just hope to God no one doesn't die because of the Nine-Tailed Fox," Jiraiya said.

(Konoha Harbor)

Meanwhile, Gamabunta got Naruto, Sakura, and company to the Konoha port. They got off the giant toad's back when three familiar faces stood near a harbor shop. Gamabunta disappeared as Gaara said, "Naruto, I thought you a were dead man."

"Gaara," Naruto said coldy. "What are you Three Stooges doin' here?"

"We came here to help," Temari said.

"After that god damn invasion from the Sand and Sound Villages?" Neji asked angrily. "I don't think so."

"We've been screwed over by that Orochimaru bastard, all right," Kankuro said.

"Do yourselves a favor and get the fuck out of here!" Shino shouted.

"Still pissed off about me poisoning you, Shino?" Kankuro asked.

"Yeah and my bugs are dying to suck the blood out of your fat, bloated ass," Shino said.

"Don't think I've forgotten about us, Temari," TenTen said.

"If you wanna another go, then let's do it, sweetheart," Temari said.

"You two are just rushing toward your deaths now," Gaara said. "I can crush the two of you with my Sand Coffin."

"Bring it on," Shino said.

"Save it for Orochimaru," Shikamaru grumbled. "Man, what a drag."

"Sticking up for your girlfriend?" Shino asked.

"Where did you get that idea?" Shikamaru asked, not even bothering to sound offended. That was mainly because he couldn't be bothered to bother to do anything.

"Whatever," Shino said. "This ain't over, Kabuki boy."

"Count on it, blind man," Kankuro retorted.

"Stop it, all of you!" Kakashi yelled. "Gaara, mind telling everyone the reason why you and your siblings are joining us."

"At least one of you had a brain to ask," Gaara said. "The Kazekage felt pretty bad about what happened with Konoha nearly a year ago and they decided to sign some stupid peace treaty between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind. The Hokage and the Kazekage vowed to punish Orochimaru for what he did."

"That's funny," Naruto remarked. "I'm gonna punish him for killin' me."

"Is that a fact?" Gaara asked.

"Look, can we get the fuck outta here already!?" Ino complained.

"Yeah, yeah," Kakashi said. "Everyone get on the boat."

The Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand village shinobi boarded the boat for the Hidden Sound Village. Finally, after all these years, Naruto can finally get his revenge on Orochimaru but Sakura was worried about him. She feared the Nine-Tailed Fox would absorbed her lover's soul and possibly his killer ripping the fox demon out of him. Sakura was fully aware Naruto went through all the shit for this moment. Being the next Hokage just simply didn't matter to Naruto anymore, all it mattered was revenge on Orochimaru and protecting his beloved Sakura from the demon within him. Everyone was in terrible danger because of the fox demon. Hinata was also worried for Naruto's safety as well. Despite the fact Naruto's heart belonged to Sakura, she still had feelings toward him. Until recently, she never heard about the Nine-Tailed Fox residing within Naruto's mind. Hinata was scared for him especially for the eventual final showdown between Naruto and Orochimaru.

On board the ferry, Kakashi and the young shinobi were contemplating what was ahead once they arrive at the Land of Sound. In a room reserved for our two love birds, Sakura sat on the bed while Naruto was taking a nap. Just a day ago, she confessed her love to Naruto and now she feared she would never see him again. She went up to the ship to have a chat with her old teacher, Kakashi. When Naruto woke up, Sakura was not sitting beside him, so he decided to find her. It was then he bumped into Gaara.

"Gaara, what do you want?" Naruto asked.

"I thought you and I should have a little talk," Gaara said. "Let me ask you this, how'd you felt when you killed Dosu, Zaku, and Kin?"

"What do ya mean?" Naruto asked.

"You fool. You know mankind has been murdering each other since the time of Cain and Abel," Gaara stated. "When you killed the two bastards and that one bitch, did it feel good?"

The burning look in Gaara's turquoise eyes forced an utterly, painfully honest answer out of Naruto's mouth. "Yes," he admitted ruefully. "I enjoyed it. I enjoyed killing them. Happy?"

"Close," Gaara answered. "Humans kill each other to affirm their own existence. They may cloak it in noble terms like self-defense or defending innocent lives or defending their village but in the end, they kill just because they like it. Why do you think humans behave most savagely in war? It's not about any high ideals; it's about affirming your own existence by ending someone else's."

"So what? I wasn't around when the whole invasion started," Naruto said defiantly. "But I'm betting you killed many innocents during that time."

"Sometimes many innocents die in the crossfire," Gaara said firmly. "And you're not the only one who has a demon in his body. I use the powers of the Shukaku to kill anyone who dares to get in my way. I wouldn't even hesitate to kill my own siblings if I wanted to. Face it, Naruto, your beloved Sakura will die because of the Nine-Tailed Fox and that'll be something you'll have to live with for the rest of your pathetic little life."

"No!" Naruto screamed. "I will protect Sakura from that monster!"

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" Gaara asked. "Someone very close to you will die and there be will no way for you to stop it."

"You're wrong, Gaara," Naruto said. "I will protect Sakura, I will protect Hinata, and every one of my friends! You'll see!"

With that said, Naruto stormed off as Gaara shook his head in disbelief. 'That retard. He just doesn't get it.'

Meanwhile, Sakura walked her way through the crowd of shinobi to see Kakashi reading a book on the portside of the ferry boat. Her mind and heart were taking over by worry for her Naruto.

"Um, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked.

"What's the matter?" Kakashi asked as he put his book down. "You seem worried."

"Yeah, I am. I'm worried about Naruto," Sakura said. "What'll happen when Naruto kills Orochimaru?"

"I forgot to mention about one thing in the crow legend," Kakashi said. "Once the resurrected corpse destroys his or her killer, he or she must return to the afterlife."

"What?" Sakura asked with concern.

"Sakura, I know you love Naruto very much but he can't stay here forever," Kakashi said sadly. "He isn't meant for this realm."

"It's not fair!" Sakura cried as tears came out of her eyes.

"I know but death is a part of the life cycle," Kakashi said. "We can't stop it."

Hinata heard the conversation between Sakura and Kakashi. After what she heard about Naruto, Hinata ran off with tears in her eyes as well. She ran into her team mates and her cousin with some sad news.

"Hinata, what's the matter?" Neji asked.

"It's Naruto," Hinata replied through her tears. "He's...he's gonna leave here once he kills Orochimaru."

Neji embraced his cousin to comfort her. Lee came by as he asked, "What is wrong with Hinata?"

"She's a little upset right now," Shino said.

"A little? Try a lot, Shino," Neji said a bit angrily. "Don't you realize she cares a lot about Naruto?"

"I'm aware of that," Shino said.

"Here is the one thing you don't know," Lee said. "I had a crush on Sakura."

"You're shitting me," Kiba said.

"No, I am not," Lee said. "Neji, remember Sakura was in danger because of the three Sound ninja students?"

"Yeah," Neji said.

"I came by to save her because I cared about her," Lee said. "I will be willing to put my own life at risk for anyone."

"Like you did for TenTen?" Kiba asked.

"I watch out for my team mates no matter what the circumstances are," Lee said. "Even if Sakura's heart does belong to Naruto, I will protect her."

"Pretty bold statement, bushy brows," Naruto said. "Have you seen Sakura around?"

"She's over there," Shino said. "Sakura is talking to Kakashi right now."

"Thanks, whoever you are," Naruto said then ran off.

"That fucking douche," Shino said angrily. "Can't he say my name for just once?"

"Dude, you keep your face hidden all the time," Kiba said.

"So? That's how I always dressed," Shino said.

Sakura stood near the guard rail of the boat as the cold and rainy wind whipped through her hair. Naruto came up from behind and hugged her.

"What's wrong, love?" Naruto asked.

"I just got a lot on my mind," Sakura replied. "With you facing Orochimaru and all."

"Don't worry about me, sweetheart," Naruto reassured. "That asshole will get what's coming to him."

"Let's not forget about Sasuke," Sakura said. "Naruto, will you promise me you won't kill him?"

"Why should I?" Naruto asked. "He turned his back on the Hidden Leaf Village. He turned his back on you and me. Sasuke deserves to be punished for joining Orochimaru."

"Just promise me, Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed. "I know he's still a good person inside."

"Ok, Sakura. I will, for you," Naruto said.

"Thank you, Naruto," Sakura said as she hugged him. "I hope killing his master would bring him to his senses."

"So do I, Sakura," Naruto said. "So do I."

'Oh, Naruto,' Sakura said mentally. 'I hope this wouldn't be the last time I get to touch you. I love you very much, just like you love me very much.'

The fox-possessed crow watched over the two love birds as it said, 'Foolish girl. Your beloved Naruto will cease to be. I will have his body and no one will stop me from conquering this world.'

Nearly throughout Naruto's journey to vengeance, the fox demon had merely manipulated him. Waiting for the right opportunity to finally break free from the demon seal and start its rampage once more. A short time later, the boat pulls up into the Otogakure port.

The shinobi got off the boat and headed for the Sound Village. Naruto waited a long time for this very moment, revenge on his own killer and maybe, just maybe bring Sasuke back. When they got to the village, they see it was really a series of lairs and standing in front of the village were sound ninja armed with various weapons. Sasuke stood on a tree as he said, "I'm glad you arrived, Naruto but I didn't know you were gonna bring your little friends here."

"Stop this, Sasuke," Naruto pleaded. "Come back to us. You got people here who care about you."

"The answer is no," Sasuke said. "That pile of shit you call a village had done nothing but hold me back. I'm never going back there, never! Not for you, not for Sakura!"

"Sasuke, why are you acting like this?" Sakura asked.

"Why do you care?" Sasuke asked. "Even if you begged me, I'm not going back there."

"Then I'm gonna have to beat some sense into you," Naruto said. "If you won't listen to reason, then we should battle."

"Fine by me," Sasuke said. "Orochimaru awaits you, Naruto. If you wanna bring your lover along, then she's welcome to watch the show. Let them pass!"

The barrier of sound ninja opened up to allow Sakura and Naruto to enter the village then closed up to the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand ninja.

"I'm afraid you guys can't join us," Sasuke said. "But if you wanna watch the final battle, get through the sound ninja first. Kill them all!"

Sasuke jumped into the village as the army of ninja let out a few growls and laughs. The Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand ninjas were ready to fight.

"We've faced tougher bastards than these guys," Gaara said.

"Ready when you are," Ino said.

"Everyone, attack!" Kakashi said as he pulled up his head band and revealed his Sharingan left eye.

While Kakashi and co. took on the Sound Village ninja, Naruto and Sakura searched for Orochimaru. They searched every lair thoughout the area but found nothing. The fox-possessed bird cawed at them to follow it. Sakura and Naruto followed the crow to a huge house, they saw Orochimaru sipping on some saki with Sasuke standing by his side.

"Naruto, long time no see," Orochimaru said.

"You," Naruto growled.

"I heard you were hellbent on my destruction," Orochimaru said. "I'll give you the chance to finally destroy me, Naruto. But first, you must take down Sasuke."

"What!?" Sakura exclaimed. "Naruto, you don't have to go through with it."

"He doesn't have a choice, my dear," Orochimaru said. "I understand his desire to kill me but I wanna test his powers first by facing his old squad mate."

"What do you say, Naruto?" Sasuke asked. "Just one battle between you and me. Take me down and my master is all yours."

Naruto smiled. "You just signed your own death warrent, 'pal'."

"Naruto, you promised!" Sakura declared.

"I'm not too sure if I can keep it," Naruto said sadly. "If it's the only for him to come to his senses, then so be it."

"Get ready, Naruto," Sasuke said as he got into a fighting stance.

"I was born ready," Naruto said.

It was a stand off. Two former comrades and best friends ready to tear each others' throats out. Sasuke made the first move by doing his Great Fireball Technique. The fireball zoomed after Naruto like a missle but he dodged it with ease. Sasuke did his Phoenix Immortal Fire Technique. Naruto dodged the stream of fireballs and slugged Sasuke in the face. He grabbed his ex-team mate by the collar of his shirt and smashed him in the face various times. Sasuke struck back by headbutting Naruto in the nose. Although Naruto's nose was broken, it didn't harm him. Naruto fixed his nose as he said, "Nice shot, bastard but you can do much better than that."

"I intend do," Sasuke said as he toss some string to bind Naruto. "Dragon Fire Technique!"

The stream of fire glided down the string and set the Fox/Crow avatar ablaze. Naruto let out an inhuman scream as a look of concern in Sakura's eyes.

"No! Naruto!" Sakura screamed.

Naruto felt a sense of rage burning deep within him. He could feel the fox demon smashing its mental cage and its power coursing through him, even at a cellular level. His finger nails turned into claws and fangs formed. His cheery blue eyes turned into blood red eyes with cat-like pupils. This sudden transformation sent shockwaves of fear through Sakura's body.

"Oh, my God! No!" Sakura screamed.

'Yes! Yes!' The fox demon/crow screamed. 'Ha ha ha ha!'

"I'm gonna destroy you!!!" Naruto screamed in a demonic tone as a hellish orange aura surrounded him.

"What the fuck!?" Sasuke screamed.

Naruto broke free from the ninjutsu and went on the attack. He smashed Sasuke hard in his sternum then uppercuts him in the face. Meanwhile, Kakashi and the others were busy taking down the sound ninja. Shino killed the ninja with the bugs in his body while Kankuro manipulated his puppet Karasu as the cousins Hyuga were combining their own techinques. Kiba and his dog, Akamaru, did their Beast Human Clone attacks while Gaara crushed a few ninjas with his Sand Coffin. Temari, Shikamaru, and Ino took down a few ninjas at the entrance. Kakashi, Choji, and TenTen combined their attacks to incapacitate the last ninjas.

"That's the last of them," Shino said.

"Let's go find Naruto!" Kakashi shouted. "He may need our help!"

They entered the Sound Village and searched for Naruto and Sakura. They ran through the village and soon enough, they stumbled upon Orochimaru's lair and saw Naruto and Sasuke fighting. They noticed a hellish orange aura surrounding him.

"Sakura, what's going on?" Kakashi asked.

"Naruto's transforming," Sakura said with concern.

"This can't be good," Shikamaru said. "Naruto will tear him apart with his bare hands."

"Don't count Sasuke out yet," Kakashi said. "Don't forget he has that curse mark."

Naruto continued his relentless attack on Sasuke. He gave his ex-comrade a claw swipe across the nose and mouth. Naruto grabbed Sasuke by the hair and kneed him to his injured nose and mouth.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Naruto shouted with a hint of the fox demon in his voice.

"You bitch! Let's see if you can handle the powers of my Curse Seal!" Sasuke yelled as he used the powers of the Seal on his neck.

Naruto let out a demon growl as Sasuke began to tranform. His skin turned a pale grey, his hair grew longer, and hand-like wings sprouted from him.

"Let's see if the Nine-Tailed Fox can handle this!" Sasuke shouted with a demonic tone as his eyes turned Sharingan red.

"Your Sharingan won't help you," Naruto snarled. "I'll tear your eyeballs out and shove 'em up your ass."

"Funny, I could say the same about your eyeballs," Sasuke answered.

"Get ready to die, bastard!" Naruto shouted.

"You first," Sasuke answered, performing a familiar yet different set of hand seals.

"What the fuck are you doing!?" Naruto asked.

"I've improved the technique Kakashi was so generous to teach me," Sasuke replied, a current of lightning surrounding his body. "Allow me to introduce you to Chidori Current."

Sasuke grabbed Naruto as his Chidori channeled itself into Naruto. The Fox/Crow avatar let out a primal scream as his ex-team mate increased the high voltage.

"Naruto, no!" Sakura screamed.

"Sorry, Sakura but I'm afraid your boyfriend can't hear you since he's screaming in pain," Sasuke said. "After I'm done with him, I'm gonna rip the fox demon out of his sorry carcass."

Naruto was limp at that point. Sasuke dropped Naruto's body to the ground and was gonna preform a jutsu that would remove the monster from Naruto's body. Knowing Naruto was in danger, the crow flew and tried to peck and scratch at Sasuke but he smacked the bird away.

"It was nice knowing you...my friend," Sasuke said.

As Sasuke was about to preform the jutsu, he felt a pain in his shoulder. He noticed a kunai sticking out of his shoulder. Sasuke pulled it out and turned his head to see who threw the kunai at him, it was Sakura.

"That was really low, Sakura," Sasuke said. "Attacking your own team mate like that. You are such a bitch!"

"Stop this, Sasuke," Sakura pleaded. "This isn't like you at all."

"The Sasuke you once knew is dead," Sasuke said. "You and Naruto have done nothing but hold me back. Now I'm gonna take you out since you interfered, you fucking whore!"

With the bloodied kunai in hand, Sasuke went after Sakura but Naruto quickly regained consciousness and stopped him by grabbing his hair.

"Leave...her...the...fuck...alone!!!!!" Naruto screamed, punching Sasuke in the face.

"Ok, asshole! Enough fucking kid games!!!" Sasuke screamed as he did the hand gestures for the One Thousand Birds attack.

"Right," Naruto growled as he did the hand gestures for his Spiral Sphere attack.

They used their chakras to increase the powers of their respective attacks. Naruto and Sasuke charged at each other with the intent to destroy each other. Their attacks collided and exploded but they did little damage. The impact blew the dueling shinobi away, Naruto landed on his claws and feet while Sasuke flew high in the sky.

"Dammit," Naruto growled. "Was that the best you can do?"

"You haven't truly seen my best yet," Sasuke said.

"Oh, yeah? Wait till I show you this," Naruto said as he did the hand seals to summon Gamabunta.

Sasuke saw a giant toad dressed in a robe standing behind Naruto as he said, "A giant toad? You think a giant toad is gonna defeat me? You really are a retard."

"This 'retard' has an ace up his sleeve with this toad," Naruto said as he jumped on Gamabunta's head.

"What do you want?" Gamabunta asked.

"Let's take this chump down," Naruto said as he pulled out some exploding tags from his pants pocket.

"Ok," the Giant Toad said.

The Toad King spat out an oozy black substance from his mouth while Naruto threw the tags into the black saliva. The mixture of oil and the exploding tags created the fire that was shooting at Sasuke. Sasuke did his best to avoid the flaming bullets while Gambunta continued to fire at gatling gun-like speed. One of the fire bullets struck one of Sasuke's wings then he was bombarded by them. He tail-spinned into one of the columns of Orochimaru's lair and lay there, bruised and beaten.

After Gamabunta disappeared into a puff of smoke, Naruto wanted to know why his former team mate joined his killer.

"Why!? Why the fuck did you join him!?" Naruto screamed with a hint of primal rage of the fox demon while holding the Sharingan user.

"You wanna know why Sasuke joined me?" Orochimaru asked. "He wanted revenge on his brother, Itachi."

"Why?" Naruto asked.

"Long ago, Itachi slaughtered the whole Uchiha clan including his own mother and father," Orochimaru said. "Sasuke was consumed with hatred and anger, so I took him under my wing and taught him everything I know. Once I'm done with him, I'll take over his body and his Sharingan will be mine."

"You can't be serious!" Naruto exclaimed.

"I am," Sasuke answered. "It doesn't matter. Combining my power with Orochimaru's, even if Orochimaru takes over my body, will ensure that Itachi dies."

"You bastard!" Naruto screamed as he attacked Orochimaru.

Orochimaru blocked Naruto's attack by grabbing the Fox/Crow avatar's wrist and squeezing. "It's his wish. He wants Itachi dead more than anything else. Let him go."

"Never!" Naruto screamed as he claw swiped his murderer's arm.

Orochimaru hissed in rage and attacked Naruto with serpentine speed and ferocity. Naruto retaliated with equal speed and fierceness as the crimson chakra surrounded him.

"Die, Nine-Tailed Fox!" Orochimaru shouted as he summoned giant snakes.

"You think your pathetic snakes can stop me?" Naruto asked. "Sasuke's coming with me, dead or alive! Either way, you won't have him!"

"Sasuke came to me by his own free will!" Orochimaru yelled as Naruto killed the giant serpants with ease.

In a beserk fury, Naruto attacked Orochimaru once again but this time, he wouldn't escape. He broke Orochimaru's shoulder by plunging his clawed hand into it. Next, he broke his killer's ribs then slashed him across the chest. Sakura noticed her beloved Naruto was undergoing a transformation. His ears were getting pointy and elfish while dark orange fur grew out of his body. The Nine-Tailed Fox was taking control of him now.

"What the fuck is going on!?" Shino asked. "Is Naruto going mental!?"

"I'm afraid it's worse than that, Shino," Kakashi said. "The Nine-Tailed Fox has taken over Naruto's body."

"God damn," Neji said as he noticed his cousin was getting scared.

"Naruto!" Hinata shouted.

With the exception of Gaara and his siblings, everyone was worried for Naruto but Sakura was worried most of all. As Naruto was about to deliver a killing blow, Sasuke saved his master by blowing fire at his now insane former team mate and managed to escape with the injured snake master in tow. Riddled with rage, Naruto roared as he turned his gaze at the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand village ninja.

"Fuck, he is eyeing us," Lee said.

"What the fuck are we gonna do?" Kiba asked.

"Either we run or we fight," Shikamaru said. "Dyin' isn't what I'm in the mood for. Man, what a drag..."

Naruto let out a blood curdling scream as everyone except Sakura scattered and surrounded him. The fox demon/Naruto looked around with all the ninja ready to fight him.

"Raaaahhhh!!!!!" The Nine-Tailed Fox/Naruto screamed.

"I'm sorry, Naruto but this is for your own good," Kakashi said as he pulled out his kunai.

"Raaaahhhh!!!!" Nine-Tail Fox/Naruto screamed. "Gonna...tear you apart!!!"

'I can't stand here and watch Naruto kill everyone,' Sakura said mentally. She said out loud, "I must do something!"

Sakura ran into the circle through between Gaara and Kankuro and quickly hugged the monster standing in front of her. Naruto roared as Sakura started to cry.

"Naruto, I know you're still in there," Sakura said through her tears. "Please, come back to me."

"Sakura, get away from him!" Lee shouted. "Naruto is gone!"

Before Lee would run to Sakura's rescue, Hinata stopped him.

"Hinata, what are you doing?" Lee asked.

"Let Sakura save him," Hinata said.

"What!?" Lee declared.

"Hinata's right, Lee," Kakashi said. "If anyone can save Naruto, it's Sakura."

"But she will get killed!" Lee shouted.

"Not really, look," Kakashi said.

Sakura released Naruto as he let out a growl. Sakura wiped away a few tears and did something straight out of instinct, she kissed him.

"Oh, my God!" Ino exclaimed.

"How's that gonna save him?" Shino asked.

As everyone looked on in the real world, Sakura walked through the depth of Naruto's mind. Sakura noticed the fox demon's prison was opened and saw Naruto's limped body floating in the air as the same hellish orange aura surrounded him.

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted.

'What are you doing here?' The fox demon asked.

"I came here to save Naruto's soul!" Sakura yelled.

'Ha ha ha ha! I think not,' The fox demon said. 'His soul is mine!'

"You're an idiot if you think that," Sakura answered. "A fucking moron, in fact! Naruto's mine, so you get your grubby claws off him! NOW!"

'You foolish girl! Naruto has been mine since his dead father bonded his soul to me!' The fox demon screamed. 'If you think you can save him from me, you're dead wrong! You're nothing to him or me!!'

"That's not what Naruto thinks!" Sakura retorted. "He's been in love with me since the day we met and I've known I love him since the day he came back! You wanna split us apart, you mangy fuck!? Try that shit on someone else!" With that, Sakura attacked the Nine-Tailed Fox.

'How can this be!?' The fox demon screamed as he reeled from the attack. 'How can a mere girl over power me, the Nine-Tailed Fox!?'

"Because I'm not a mere girl!" Sakura shouted. "I'm Sakura Haruno and you, Nine-Tailed Fox, are officially my bitch!"

'You fucking little whore! I've decimated many villages and killed many brave men!' The Nine Tailed Fox screamed. 'But I refuse to lose to the likes of you!!!'

"Oh, really?" Sakura asked as she pulled out kunai with exploding tags attached and threw them. "Sakura Blizzard!"

The fox demon gasped as the kunai landed near his feet. The tags exploded and blinded him. Sakura manipulated her chakra and smashed the ground. The shockwave sent the Nine-Tailed Fox straight back into his prison as the mental gates closed themselves.

'No!!' The fox demon screamed as the seal appeared on the gates.

The unconscious Naruto dropped to the ground. Sakura ran toward him and hugged his limped body real tight. Soon enough, Naruto woke up to see Sakura crying.

"Sakura..." Naruto said. "Why are you crying?"

"Because...I'm happy to see you back with me," Sakura said.

"Thank you..." Naruto said softly.

"You're welcome, Naruto," Sakura said as she and Naruto kissed each other.

Back in the real world, Naruto had reverted back to normal. As Sakura pulled away, Naruto noticed everyone surrounded him with looks of suprise and shock.

"Sakura, what's goin' on?" Naruto asked.

"Everyone's just glad to see you back," Sakura said.

"What happened to me? Where's Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"I'm afraid he and Orochimaru escaped," Sakura said sadly.

"No," Naruto said. "This can't be!"

"I'm afraid it's true," Kakashi said as he walked toward the two love birds. "While you were in your primal state, Orochimaru and Sasuke got away."

"No! Where is he!? I'll kill him!" Naruto screamed.

"Naruto, he's gone!" Kakashi exclaimed.

"This isn't fair, I was so close to killing him but that bastard fox interfered," Naruto said as he fell to his knees. "Why did this happen to me!? Why!? I'm a monster, a god damn monster!"

All the feelings of being left out as a child finally came out of him. Sakura knelt down and hugged Naruto, comforting him. Hinata looked on and couldn't help by cry herself. Neji draped his arms around his cousin to comfort her as well.

'You were never a monster, Naruto,' Sakura said mentally. 'You never were a monster.'

(Konoha, Hidden Leaf Village cemetary)

Two weeks have passed since that day at the Hidden Sound Village. Naruto had been depressed since he failed to kill Orochimaru and save Sasuke. Although his chance to return to the afterlife had been denied, the bright side to all that was he would spend some time with Sakura a bit longer. The two love birds were at the grave site of Naruto's late father, Arashi Uzumaki. Sakura laid some flowers on the grave and placed her head on Naruto's shoulder.

"How are you feeling right now, Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"A little better," Naruto said. "I always wanted to ask my dad why he put the fox demon in me when I was a baby."

"It was said you saved the whole village from that monster," Sakura said.

"That always ran through my mind," Naruto said. "If I saved a whole village then why did everyone look down on me? I just don't know why."

It was then Jiraiya and Tsunade appeared.

"Hey, you two," Jiraiya greeted.

"Hey, Jiraiya, hey, Tsunade," Sakura said.

"Naruto, I heard about what happened back at Otogakure," Tsunade said.

"It was a bummer," Naruto said. "I was so close to killing that bastard and rescuing Sasuke."

"We can't always win, Naruto," Jiraiya said. "As long as Orochimaru walks the earth, you'll have to remain here, possibly forever."

"Yeah," Naruto said. "But I'm not gonna give up. One way or the other, Orochimaru will pay for the pain and suffering he put me and Sakura through."

Sakura smiled upon hearing Naruto's words. She knew as long as she's with Naruto, their love will conquer all, even the unstoppable fox demon within Naruto. Sakura and Naruto said their good-byes to their teachers and left the cemetary.

"There goes the two love birds," Jiraiya said.

"Yeah. Hey, Jiraiya, did I always looked good to you?" Tsunade flirted with a wink.

Jiraiya blushed. "Of course. But you always had a flat chest when we were kids."

"You pig bastard!" Tsunade shouted as she punched Jiraiya in the face. "I can't believe you said that! Here I thought you changed, Jiraiya but I see you're still an immature little brat! Hmph!"

Later on that night at Sakura's house, a crow was watching at the light within the window of Sakura's bedroom. The bird let out a caw. When the lights went out, the bird flew off into the sea of stars of the Konoha night sky.

The End...for now.

End note: The Crow: Takai Kitsune is now over. I would to thank everyone for sticking with me on this great journey. I bet you all are wondering why I chose to spare Orochimaru's life rather than ending it. In my previous Crow stories, the main character always kills the villian but I thought letting Orochimaru live would be nice change from all that. Don't worry, he'll bite the bullet in the upcoming sequel, The Crow: Silver Claws and Black Wings. That story will feature one of the most popular characters in comics but I won't tell ya who he is, check my profile to find out. Once again, thank you all for reading the story and have a happy holiday, my fellow wolves and Crow-ites.

May the wolf spirit guide thee...