Falling In Reverse

Chapter 1: Displacement

Madara's lips twitched into a sneer where he watched the battle impassive, Rinnegan eyes snapping to the side to find Tobirama and deal with him.

The Juubi roared, sending its bijuudama forward.

"Naruto!"

The young Jinchuuriki winced as a shout, thick with despair and fear, reached his ears, overpowering the ringing. A sudden displacement of air, a flash of yellow hair and a white coat, and his father was in front of him, his bright cerulean irises surrounded by a black sclera brimming with concern.

Thin, gentle tendrils of red chakra uncurled from within Naruto's stomach and spread along his chakra paths as a sign of Kurama's unconditional support for the last time and also a goodbye for his first true friend.

Naruto couldn't help it. A peaceful, genuine grin, absolutely unfitting in this imminent death situation, brightened his features. He knew that he was extremely selfish by being happy when everyone spent their last slivers of chakra protecting him instead of fleeing; however, he allowed himself this last pleasure of selfish emotions.

Minato's eyes softened as he instantly understood the implication of his son's smile. There was no way to win this anymore, and they all knew it. Naruto accepted the death, but that didn't mean that he had given up. To wholeheartedly embrace the upcoming demise was the bravest thing a shinobi – no, a mortal man – could ever do.

Just before the black bomb of concentrated Juubi's chakra collided with them, the Yondaime hugged the younger man tightly, wishing not for the first time that he could feel the warmth of another person again and give it back in return. Having this reanimated body was a blessing and a curse at the same time.

The moment the world around collapsed, the last words Naruto had heard were just above a whisper, but for him, they had echoed throughout his whole being.

"I'm proud of you, my son."

xxx

...He was falling, Naruto realized with a start, and he was doing that for quite a while now.

Just how long could it be until he reached the ground? It couldn't have been so darn far away.

Naruto tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids were so unbelievable heavy that they'd refused to budge. He tried to move his arms, or legs, or anything. Nothing worked.

He couldn't get in touch with Kurama either. The lingering sensation of the old fox's presence at the edge of his psyche he was so used to, felt... cold. That sent ripples of panic throughout his mind. Not that Naruto could do anything with his body completely immobile.

And he was still falling.

Now that the blonde thought about it, he couldn't hear anything. He should have been able to hear at least the wind rushing past his ears, but he was surrounded by a deadly silence. It made Naruto uneasy.

And then in an instant, the stillness around him shattered. He cried out as suddenly an extreme pain coursed through his every cell. His ears and nose were assaulted by various senses, completely overwhelming his frazzled mind.

Naruto finally could feel the wind on his skin just before he crashed into the ground and his world exploded into devastating agony.

As soon as he emerged from the safe haven of unconsciousness into some semblance of awareness, the young Jinchuuriki felt a familiar tug to switch, and he let himself be pulled down into the seal.

"Brat."

Naruto eyes shot open, sky blue gaze immediately zeroing on the huge form of the nine-tailed fox lying right in front of him with his head resting on his front paws. The Kyuubi observed him, his crimson eyes half-lidded and a small grin playing on his lips.