It's been a month, why won't he wake up. Minato was walking through the village thinking to himself as he walked towards the hospital. Tsunade said it would take a while, but I didn't think it would be this long. Naruto is supposed to heal fast. Knowing that there was nothing he could do to help made the whole situation worse.

Minato was standing outside of the hospital when he suddenly got a terrible feeling, like something bad was happening. Naruto! Minato entered the hospital quickly as he made his way towards Naruto's room. When he got there he noticed that the ANBU guards that were normally there had changed, and his bad feeling only got worse.

"Excuse me? Is everything alright?" Minato addressed the guards that were standing outside.

"Minato Namikaze. We can't let you enter the room at the moment." The guard on the left spoke up.

Minato was getting suspicious as he continued to talk. "Why not? It's never been an issue before." He turned on his chakra sensing as he spoke. As soon as he did, he was able to sense a sinister chakra in the room with Naruto, he recognized it right away as Danzo's. What is Danzo doing in Naruto's hospital room?

"We can't provide you with any information. It is confidential. We are sorry, but you must leave now." This time it was the guard on the right that spoke.

Good, they haven't caught onto me yet. I've got to keep it that way. "I understand. I'll come back later then." Minato turned to walk back the way he came, making it look like he was leaving. When he rounded the corner, he concealed his chakra and made his way towards the outside of the hospital. He walked along a ridge outside that was not too far below Naruto's window. Finally when he got close enough, he could hear what Danzo was saying inside.

"You have become quite the problem for me." Danzo's voice was dripping with malice. "If you were easier to manage I would have you work for me, but as you are now, you are only going to be a hindrance."

Minato could hear clicking in Naruto's room. He decided to carefully look around the corner so that he could see into the room, and what he saw made his blood boil. Danzo was messing with Naruto's IV line and Minato could see that he was about to put something in it.

"Now what do you think you are doing to Naruto?" Minato transported into the room, making Danzo turn sharply.

"Ah, Minato, what are you doing here?" Danzo was trying to act as if nothing happened.

"I come almost everyday to see Naruto. I look after him." Minato narrowed his eyes as he said the last part.

Danzo took a step back so as to not get on Minato's bad side. He knew what he could do if he were angry. "I assure you, I have no ill intent towards the boy. But how did you get in here."

"I placed a Flying Raijin jutsu mark on Naruto's bed frame, so if there was trouble, I could get here quickly." Minato stepped closer to Naruto, forcing Danzo back towards the door. Even though he said he doesn't have any ill will, he doesn't trust Danzo at all, especially when he heard what Naruto said to Danzo before their last mission. "I have to ask that you leave now. And take your guards with you."

Danzo decided that it was best to leave in order to avoid any further suspicion. As he got to the door he turned back towards Minato, an emotionless expression on his face. "I do wish Naruto makes it through okay."

Minato watched as Danzo left, a chill running down his spine at what he said as he left. I don't trust Danzo, and Naruto seems to know something, but I need him to wake up to ask him. When Minato was sure that Danzo was gone, he finally relaxed and made sure that Naruto's IV was properly hooked up and then sat down on the chair next to Naruto's bed.

"Naruto, I've had this for a while now but I haven't been able to open it." Minato spoke as he pulled out the small scroll he had taken when he first came with Kushina. "It was my intention to see what was inside, but as soon as I was about to, I just didn't have the heart to do it." Though I guess if it kept Danzo from getting his hands on it, I'm glad I took it and was able to keep it safe. Minato set the scroll back on the small table that was next to Naruto's bed before sinking back into the chair.

Minato had been reading while sitting with Naruto. He had been there for a while when he suddenly noticed movement from the corner of his eye. He sat up quickly and turned towards Naruto and noticed his fingers twitch slightly.

"Naruto!" Minato could barely contain the excitement he was feeling at seeing Naruto showing signs of waking up. He continued to watch as Naruto's eyes slowly opened. "Naruto! You're awake!"

Naruto looked at Minato with hazy eyes. "D-Dad?" He was confused as he looked around. He wasn't sure where he was or how he got there.

Minato was smiling at Naruto. "I'm glad to finally see you awake." He watched as Naruto looked around the room. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm f-fine ya know." Naruto gave his dad a brief smile before he started coughing.

Minato rushed and reached forward. "Naruto!"

"I-It's okay. I j-just need some more rest y-ya know." Naruto finally relaxed as the coughing stopped.

Minato watched as Naruto let his eyes close once again. Naruto... Minato's expression turned sad as he watched Naruto sleeping. Please get better soon. Minato didn't stay much longer after that, realizing that it was time he went home.

Danzo watched as Minato walked away from the hospital. "Minato is becoming too inquisitive. He will mess up our plans."

"It does seem that the Yellow Flash has become rather attached to the boy doesn't it." An unknown voice spoke up from behind Danzo.

"Yes, indeed he has. It is quite troublesome." Danzo watched until Minato disappeared before turning his gaze back towards the window of Naruto's hospital room. "We will need to keep an eye on that boy if we want to maneuver him the way we want."

"I think it will be easier than we think." The mysterious voice spoke up once again. "We have already begun the first step."

"Yes. We may have been stopped today by that intolerable Minato, but that only slows the process, it doesn't stop us." Danzo spared one last glance towards Naruto's room before turning and walking away, noting once again the owner of the voice had disappeared without a trace.

Aw man, my head hurts... Naruto glanced around him as he slowly woke up. It was dark outside and he was alone in his room. "Kurama?" His voice was uncertain as he spoke.

"So the runt finally wakes up." Even though he tried to sound annoyed, you could hear the relief in Kurama's voice as he spoke.

"Hey! It's not my fault ya know! Maybe you should have done more to heal me Kurama!" Naruto entered his mindscape as he yelled at Kurama.

"Your body needed the rest kit. You were healed quite some time ago, but subconsciously you needed to sleep in order to fully restore your strength."

"Aw, it sounds like you were worried about me Kura! I missed you too ya know!"

"WHY WOULD I MISS AN ANNOYING BRAT LIKE YOU?!"

Naruto chuckled at Kurama's outburst. "You still can't be upfront about your feelings can you." Naruto paused as he pondered on his next words. "Kurama, thank you."

"What are you going on about now?"

"You have always been there for me. You always save me. You're a friend, and I just wanted to thank you for that." Naruto looked at Kurama as he spoke with a grateful smile on his face.

Kurama smiled at Naruto, the boy he once hated, and now who he considers family. "Naruto, you are family to us tailed-beasts, you're the only friend we have. I am glad that you are okay." Kurama dipped his head down towards Naruto, his nose bumping against his face.

"I won't betray that friendship, I promise."

"I know you won't, Naruto. That's why we entrusted you to be the Jinchuriki for us nine."

Naruto nodded as he looked at Kurama with determination. "Well then I guess we had better get going. I think it's time to find Madara." Naruto left the mindscape with a new determination to find Madara in order to stop any more conflict.

Naruto was gathering the few things he had from the small table when he noticed his scroll sitting there. I forgot I brought this with me. Naruto smiled as he picked up the scroll and put it into his pocket, placing a seal on it so it wouldn't fall out. I'll look at it sometime soon.

Naruto leapt out the window when he was sure he had gotten everything. He wasn't about to risk being seen by a nurse and being forced to stay in the hospital. Naruto started heading back in the direction of his apartment. I've got to start making a map of areas where he could be. But the landscape is so much different. Gah! This is going to take forever...

As Naruto was walking home he decided to take the long way through the village. I've been laying down for so long, I need to stretch my legs. He was walking through one of the more shady parts of the village when he suddenly heard a kid yelling. He was getting closer when he could finally make out what was being said.

"You don't have a mom or a dad!"

"Yeah! I bet they left you because you were too stupid."

There were two older boys who seemed to be picking on a younger boy, who seemed to be no older than five years old.

"Please... I'm sorry." The young child was quickly apologizing to the older kids. "I didn't mean to bump into you. I was in a rush and didn't see you guys."

"Yeah whatever. I'll show you what happens when a loser like you challenges us." One of the older boys was about to hit the young boy when his wrist was caught in midair. "What?"

"It's rude to go around bullying others, ya know." Naruto stood facing the older boy. "It's late. I suggest you two get yourselves home." Naruto released the boy's hand and the two older boys ran home as fast as they could. As they ran off, Naruto turned to face the young child. "Hi! I'm Naruto! What's your name?" He gave a huge smile as he reached his hand out.

"You're? Your name's Naruto?" The boy looked at Naruto in amazement. Stars glistening in his eyes.

"Yeah! You know it!" Naruto's grin got even wider.

"You're the one who they say is just as fast as the Yellow Flash! And you took down like one hundred enemies with just your taijutsu! Oh, and they say you were super important at helping to end the war!"

Naruto stared in amusement at all the child was saying. "Well I don't remember taking down that many with just taijutsu. I think it was eleven, twelve at most."

"Woah! You are so cool! Does that mean everything else is true?!"

"Haha! What's your name kid?" Naruto continued smiling at the young boy.

"Oh! Right! I'm Haru!"

"Well, Haru, where do you live?"

"At the orphanage on the edge of the village." Haru's voice dropped to a sad and withdrawn tone as he spoke about where he lived.

"Okay then, how about I walk you home, and I will tell you all about those silly rumors." Naruto once again held his hand out to Haru as he looked down and noticed the boy wasn't wearing any shoes.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Haru reached his hand out to Naruto's but was surprised when Naruto suddenly picked him up and set him on his shoulders. Wow! So cool!

Haru had a huge grin on his face as he sat on Naruto's shoulders while they made their way back to the orphanage. He was listening intensely to the stories that Naruto was telling him, captivated by the awesome adventures. "Wow! You are so cool!"

"I just do what I can to protect the village ya know! Anyways, I think we are here." Naruto set Haru down as they reached the front doors to the orphanage.

"Ah..." Haru's eyes dropped to the ground. "Will I ever see you again?"

"What are you talking about?! Of course you will! We're friends aren't we."

"F-Friends?" Haru's eyes widened in shock. "You're my friend?"

"Of course I am ya know! And I promise I will come and see you as much as I can!" Naruto held his fist out to Haru.

Haru bumped his fist with Naruto's before turning towards the doors. "Goodnight! Thanks for walking me home and telling me stories!"

Naruto watched as Haru entered the orphanage with a huge smile on his face. When he was sure the boy was safe he started making his way back towards the direction of his apartment with a strong will to protect the people of the Leaf village.