AN: I'M NOT DEAD!

First off I am SO SORRY for making you guys wait. School is HELL now. Bu to abandon this because I swore to myself I would finish something. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy, and thank you for reading!

Edit: beta'd as of 1/21/20

It was a long while before Naruto and Gaara opened their eyes again.

When they did, the sand siblings saw something in their brother they hadn't seen in a very long time: Light. He wasn't smiling necessarily, but his eyes were. Like a gentle smile when watching the desert rains, or seeing children playing without all the worries of adulthood.

If Temari had to describe how her little brother looked, she could only say soft. She didn't know what that Naruto boy did, but she knew she would be forever grateful.

"Better?" the boy in question asked. Gaara managed a small nod in response, which was more than he ever gave most of the time.

"Great," the blonde jinchuuriki smiled. "Now we just gotta get you outta here."

"What, you're going to break us out?" Kankuro suddenly exclaimed across the cell from her. The pink haired girl just laughed.

"No. But I wish we could."

"Unfortunately there are laws," Naruto added.

"Which we should respect," their sensei reprimanded them. Temari took note of his use of 'respect' instead of 'follow'. Turning to her, the jonin continued by saying, "Unfortunately we do have to follow the chain of command, seeing as you were a part of an attempted coup."

"We didn't even want to be," Kankuro groused, truly acting like the fourteen year old he was.

"It wasn't our idea either," Temari insisted. "Our village has been losing money. We haven't been getting enough missions due to them being outsourced by the daimyos."

The jonin said nothing in response, but did raise an intrigued eyebrow.

"Y'know…" the jinchuuriki- Naruto- started. "We can probably make the kages come to an agreement." Six pairs of eyes found themselves boring into the preteen. Was he crazy? The Kages were the most suborn men in the land. How could just a few genin and a sensei possibly convince them of anything? "I mean, we have his kids hostage," he quickly added as their gazes started boring holes in him. "And even if he doesn't act like he cares for them, he still has to like, I don't know, be a dad?"

"If we all were to die, Suna wouldn't have a fifth Kazekage," Kankuro suddenly piped up. The Konoha shinobi turned to look at him in confusion. "The role of Kazekage is passed down through family. No one outside of our line has ever even been considered. If Rasa were to lose all three of his children, Suna would be left defenseless. And that would be a show of carelessness or weakness or whatever. He couldn't afford to do it. He'd have to come."

The four Konoha shinobi appeared both startled and excited by the new information. They all shared a look and smiled.

"I promise we'll get you outta here soon." Naruto grinned. "Leave it to us!"

The walk back through the prison halls was just as eerie as before, but this time everyone seemed to have a lighter step. Even Sasuke, ever so dower, seemed to be in a better mood, though it was slightly dampened by the Anbu in front and behind them.

"Sensei," Sakura asked, breaking the silence that had accumulated since leaving the prison cell. "What happens now with the exams? Are they gonna be canceled?"

Above them, Kakashi-sensei sighed heavily. "Most likely," he replied. "What with half the contestants being involved in an attempted coup d'etat, it would only make sense."

"But what about all the others?" Naruto asked. "The guys from Taki, and Konoha, and Ame, and Kusa. They didn't do anything. Do they just wait another six months to take the exam again?"

Kakashi-sensei just shrugged nonchalantly. "Probably. If they got this far in the exams they can do it again."

Naruto found himself frowning at the reply. If that were true, then Shikamaru wouldn't be promoted for another six months… But, he realized, they wouldn't need him to lead a rescue mission anytime soon. So maybe it was okay that he won't be promoted just quite yet.

"So what about us?"

"What about you?" the jonin echoed.

"Well," Naruto started. "We went up against a sannin, shouldn't we be like, promoted for that on the spot?" On top of everything else we've done, that is, he added mentally.

Instead of answering with reassurance, their sensei just sighed wearily. "Promotions aren't that simple, Naruto. In war time there can be many field promotions and the like. But right now we're not at war. And to add to that you three technically forfeit the second exam when you summoned Kotetsu, purposeful or not."

"Well that blows," Sakura grumbled. "I was really hoping to make chūnin." Their sensei only shrugged in response. The rest of the walk through the halls was in comfortable silence.

Finally, the four shinobi were escorted out of Konoha's prison and into the bright summer sunlight. It was early afternoon, the sounds of the village not far off, seemingly bustling with activity. Turning around, Kakashi-sensei gave a quick salute to the Anbu, waving them off. With a quick salute back, they disappeared with a shunshin, presumably back into the prison or to report to the Hokage.

Finally Team Seven were allowed a moment to breathe.

Next to Naeuto; Sasuke let out a big sigh. "That's one thing off our to-do list," the Uchiha commented. "Finally."

"Well, I think we deserve a treat after all that!" Sakura exclaimed brightly, the announcement accompanied by a big stretch. "We did just save the village after all. Again."

Naruto opened his mouth to agree but was cut off before he could.

"Before any of us do anything," Kakashi-sensei interrupted. "Naruto and I have to go see the Hokage."

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Huh? Why?"

"You still have that seal on you from Orochimaru, remember," his sensei said. "We need to get it off you as soon as possible. Otherwise your chakra control will be all over the place."

Right, Naruto recalled. Orochimaru had hit him with something mid-battle that had made Kurama's chakra disappear. He vaguely remembered something similar happening the first time around, but that fight had been more of a blur. Probably due to the fox's influence, he figured. Also the fact that it had happened over five years ago for him.

"But wait," he realized. "Don't we need a sealmaster for that?" He wasn't sure, but taking off a seal from Orochimaru surely wasn't some small feat. Not even Kakashi-sensei could manage it with Sasuke's cursed seal originally.

"That's part of what we're going to talk about." Then, "You two run along now. We'll meet up at my place in the morning."

The two younger shinobi nodded their affirmation before heading off back to the village. Naruto and Kakashi-sensei watched for a bit before the jōnin ushered him along.

Walking through the streets to the tower though was strange. Naruto had thought he'd gotten used to it again, but after his conversation with Gaara, he was acutely aware of all the looks being thrown at him. Sure they weren't as bad as when he hadn't been a ninja, but they were still… isolating.

He even noticed Kakashi-sensei getting a polite smile or a wave right before getting frowned at himself.

A selfish part of him wished Pain would show up so he could prove himself to everyone again.

"Don't pay attention to them." A voice snapped Naruto out of his thoughts. Above him, Kakashi-sensei was giving icy stares to anyone looking their way. "As long as you know who you are, their beliefs don't matter."

Naruto blinked, surprised by the wisdom of his sensei's words.

"I-" Naruto blanked. "Thank you, sensei."

The jōnin flashed him one of the those squinty smiles of his. "Don't mention it."

Naruto felt himself smile warmly in response.

Entering the Hokage's office felt like stepping into a bubble. The busy sounds of the tower vanished and in its place was a feeling of underlying dread. There was nothing to be scared of here, Naruto knew, but the feeling in his gut wouldn't go away. Maybe it was something in the Hokage's eyes… they were harder than usual.

The Old Man smiled and broke the silence. "Naruto, it's good to see you back on your feet. I'm glad you are doing better."

"Thank you Lord Hokage," Naruto replied, giving a small bow. The Old Man's face twitched somewhat in response. Odd.

"Lord Hokage," Kakashi-sensei cut in. "What are we going to do about Orochimaru's seal? Do you have any sealmaster in mind who could help?"

The Old Man's smile faded at Kakashi-sensei's reminder. "The only seal master we have who could fix this is currently out of the village," he sighed in defeat. "It will take a few days for him to get back if we sent out a summons today. So until then, for everyone's safety Naruto, I forbid you from trying to use your chakra."

Naruto wanted to scoff. It wasn't his chakra the hokage was worried about, but Kurama's. And besides, he had nothing to worry about anyway. He'd used chakra before the seal came off the first time and it'd been fine. Maybe the old man's age was really getting to him. Old people were always paranoid, right?

"Yes, Lord Hokage," he responded instead.

"Good, now," the Old Man continued. "On to what I wanted to talk to you about." Naruto straightened up. "Kakashi told me that during the fight with Orochimaru you somehow accessed an 'orange chakra cloak'. Do you remember this?"

Ah. So that was it. Right, because at this time using any of kyuubi's chakra was a hazard; purposeful or not. Slowly, Naruto nodded his head, carefully controlling his expression so it wouldn't give anything away.

"Are you aware of what that was?" The Hokage continued.

Hesitantly, he nodded again. "It was K- the fox, right? That was his chakra?"

"Yes," was the succinct reply. "The seal placed on you by the Fourth Hokage allows some of the Nine Tails' power to leak into your chakra system. He believed that by doing this, it would be easier for you to master its power."

Naruto already knew this of course, but wisely kept his mouth shut.

"However," The Old Man continued. "There is a risk to it. When it times of high duress it appears the valve opens a little more, allowing you more access to that power. The issue with that though is that the more chakra from the fox is in your system, the more sway it has over you."

Yeah, Naruto definitely knew that…

Shaking the thought aside, Naruto spoke. "So… what you're saying is to not get angry?" He asked.

"I'm telling you that you should be careful and mindful of your emotions. It can become dangerous to yourself and everyone around you if you lost control while in that state."

No shit.

Deciding to play dumb, Naruto asked "What'll happen if I lose control?"

The hard look that had resided in the Hokages eye during the meeting darkened drastically. Suddenly, Naruto was reminded why this man had held the title of Hokage for so long.

"I will not sugarcoat it for you, Naruto," he said in stony voice. "It is entirely possible the fox could escape. And if that happens, you would die."

Despite knowing this, ice washed through Naruto's veins at the statement. An image of his mom's sad smile suddenly filled his head. If it weren't for her broken seal… she would still be here. Being a jinchuuriki really was a sacrifice, just as the name implied. If you failed… you died. Simple as that.

And he had. Once.

But this seal was his dad's, it wouldn't break unless he wanted it to. For now anyway. And if what happened last time happened again, well, he had Kurama and his father to help him through. Probably. He really wasn't sure if his father's chakra was still in the seal or not. Most likely, considering it was still the old seal. At least, he hoped for that to be the case.

Shaking himself from memories of the future, Naruto stuck himself back in the present. "What would happen if it starts to break though?" he asked. He knew, but he still had to play the part.

"There are countermeasures in place," was the Hokage's cryptic answer.

Gee, Naruto grimaced. Thanks.

"Also," the Old Man continued. "If you do start to experience that 'chakra cloak' again, if you are able, find a jonin and they should be able to help." A pointed look was sent Kakashi-sensei's way.

"Understood sir," the genin nodded.

"Is there anything else, Lord Hokage?" Kakashi-sensei asked.

The Old Man just shook his head. "No. That is all. You are dismissed."

"Wait," Naruto cut in. "One last thing."

The Old Man rose an eyebrow, but didn't stop him from continuing.

"The sand siblings; They say the only reason they were assigned this mission was because of something to due with the daimyos and missions or something. Maybe instead of a coup you could like, I dunno know, talk to the Daimyos? Instead of killing?"

First, he didn't seem all too impressed, but then a look of mirth entered the Hokage's eyes. "Well, I suppose so," he offered. "It's always best to talk instead of fight. Perhaps we can reach an understanding."

Relief flowed through Naruto at the proclamation, making his shoulders sink a good half foot.

"I'll explain the situation in better detail, if you require, Lord Hokage," Kakashi-sensei offered. The Old Man nodded.

"Now, if that is all, you are dismissed. Apparently, I have a Kage and some Daimyos to message."

Naruto offered a bow before turning around to leave, alone, as Kakashi-sensei would stay behind and hash the political stuff out. Before opening the door though, he turned around, an idea forming in his head.

"Has it ever happened before?" He asked suddenly. "A bijuu escaping?"

He knew the answer, of course. It had happened before. His mom. But he wanted to look the Old Man in the eye and see what he had to say. To see if he trusted Naruto enough to tell him the truth. He was a ninja of Konoha, and the jinchuuriki of the kyuubi. He had a right to be trusted. But he wanted to see if the Old Man thought that too.

The answer he got sent a stone falling into the pit of his stomach.

"No," was the man's reply. "Not in Konoha."

AN: As of now this story is officially on hiatus. Instead of posting one chapter months apart I'm going to focus on finishing the whole thing and then posting every week so it's more consistent. We're about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way through, so HOPEFULLY it shouldn't take too long but... college. Anyways, thank you again for reading and feel free to scream in the comments section as I know we're all known to do. Until next time!