The Forgotten Child of Destiny

19. preliminaries

Author Notes: I claim no rightsy or claim to own the Naruto series or its characters as they are owned by Masashi Kishimoto. The only characters I do claim to own are the OCs that I will be using. I also don't claim the other kitsunes or demon foxes that I will be using as they are owned by the various anime series that they are featured in. Please be sure to leave me your comments and reviews telling me what you think.

Key guide: "regular speech", 'thinking to one's self', *telepathic/mental speech*, (author notes), bold-demons/summons speaking, italics-attacks/jutsus/special abilities

Nineteen: preliminaries

When Naruto awoke, he wasn't at all surprised to find himself in the infirmary. He turned his head slightly to see the fourth hokage sitting by his bedside.

'Come to think of it, the curse mark Orochimaru placed on us no longer hurts.' Naruto thought to himself.

"Lord hokage?" he questioned out loud.

"Thank heavens you are alright. It seems that was one powerful curse that was placed on you." replied Minato.

"No thanks to that damn snake." snarled Naruto.

"Yes, Menma and your team told me what happened. Orochimaru must have slipped through as a contestant to get at the young Uchiha. Menma told me that the nine tails tried to neutralize it."

"He's not as bad as people think if you give him a chance. You do realize that he was forced to attack that night."

"I thought about the event over and over again. I realize that what happened was never the nine tails or your fault. I don't know why I believe people's rumors about you as I can never forgive me Naruto?" Minato asked as he hung his head. Naruto sighed to himself softly. He could genuinely sorry his father was for what happened in the past.

'He must have sealed the makr and has been sitting by my bedside waiting for me to wake up.' Naruto thought.

*He's been blaming himself for what happened. He should have realized that Orochimaru would slip in during the chunin exams to go after the Uchiha. He found out through Jiraiya's spy network that he is the leader of the newly created sound village He has increased guard and hopes to advert the war and whatever plans Orochimaru has.* Kurama stated mentally.

Naruto sat up right looking at his father who had his head down in shame.

"What happened in the past is in the past. But thank you for sealing off that curse mark."

"No problem Naruto. If you should thank anyone it should be the nine tails. By neutralizing that mark, it managed to stop the effects from sinking its claws into you."

"His name is Kurama. Of course, it's only natural that he helps me out." snarled Naruto.

*Calm yourself Kit.* Kurama stated calmly. The fourth looked at his son in shock.

'Of course, he would know the nine tails true name. He learned about the fox at such a young age as the demon has always been there for Naruto. I have no right to judge the beast for what happened in the past especially since it wasn't his fault.' Minato thought to himself.

"I'm sorry Lord Hokage. I didn't mean to snap at you." Naruto stated.

"It's alright Naruto. It's only reasonable that you would know the nine tails name. The preliminaries are to begin soon as you been unconscious for the last three days." Naruto climbed out of the bed that he was in as he followed the hokage to were the preliminaries were to take place.