runaway

- What do I do?- He ask to himself desperately trying to find a way out of this situation. If only a creative idea appeared in his head. A void, or rather a kaleidoscope of images, which at the moment meant nothing, but only hindered the escape. Pleading for a miracle, blue eyes turned to heaven. The boy clung to the hope that someone would help him, but that night even the stars abandoned him.

- Help! Someone ... anyone ...

The wall of the dead-end alley seemed to tower over him like a giant, and the street lights turned to malevolent shadows, lurking until their victim lowered his guard. Salty drops of tears rolled down his pale cheeks. Nobody's coming. Shaking hands clenched into fists. Nobody's gonna help him. A cacophony of sounds flooded his mind, and he squeezed his eyes shut, silently pleading never to have to open them again.

He was alone with the demons.

Suddenly there was a spark. A red flame shining brightly. Not enough to light his way, but the bloody glow was enough to make the frightening images disappear and the sounds faded away. It hovered in front of him, almost at hand.

He was fed up with the chill and cold. He wanted to feel warm. He reached up with his hand, and the spark seemed to consciously approach him. His fingertips brushed the bloody gem. The flames erupted, hugging the child's tired body, and it eagerly embraced him.

However, someone heard him.

---

The heat of the spark terrified him and soothed him at the same time. For the first time in his life, he felt safe. An unknown entity promised protection through soft touches of red fire. His body gave up and relaxed. He was defenseless. As always, anyway. But now even the will to fight had left him. At last, he felt he had someone to protect him, on whom he could rely.
Walls, shadows, lights and even his demons. It all disappeared in an instant. Along with the spark.

He appeared in a previously unknown place. Although the dark dungeon seemed to be nothing compared to the back alley, it was terrifying. The polluted water covering the ground splattered under his feet. He looked up, and in front of him a huge straight corridor leading straight into the darkness. He had no other choice, so feeling a surge of courage, he started forward. The farther he walked, the more the water seemed restless. The air grew cooler and his clothes soaked with moisture. The rusty pipes made a creaking squeal over and over again, making him flinch and speed up, hoping there would be something at the end of the tunnel that would compensate him for all his fear. Finally, he noticed that the passage widened.

Sinister eyes flashed in the darkness.

- Who are you? He asked in a low, echoed voice.

- I am the Kyuubi, the most powerful of the nine demons- growled the fox, flashing its fangs.

- Thanks for the rescue -he said, slightly out of breath from the earlier run, then looked up to see the stunned creature. His red eyes showed incomprehension, perhaps even confusion.

- I didn't do it for you, brat. - the demon snorted coming closer to the bars.

- Oh, okay. Thank you anyway, he replied, but deep down he felt a disappointment. He wanted someone to save him for himself. So that someone would finally take care of his fate. - I'm Naruto Uzumaki.

- I know.

- Huh? How? I never-

- I've been watching you since you were born. I know more about you than you do - a huge orange snout emerged from the darkness. In return for your help, you can set me free.

- Free? - The boy swallowed and took a step back. Kyuubi scared him. After all, he was a demon. A real demon, not just another figment of his imagination that scares him into nightmares. However, he seemed to be better than the villagers. It's quite a nice feeling to talk to someone who doesn't throw stones at you.

- Look around, brat. Can't you see the bars or the seal binding me here? - Kitsune stood above him, majestically raising his head and showing his tails. - YOU are my prison.

-I? What are you talking about? I am nobody. Nobody just-

-Just what? –Kyuubi bared his fangs seeing that the child finally understood.

- A demon...- The blonde swallowed his tears, recalling the title given to him by the inhabitants of Konohagakure. - I am a demon...

-Right. More specifically, I am the demon, but at this point you are-

- Why are you here?! The boy raised his voice. Why is this fox in his body? It's because of him that everyone hates him. It's all his fault. He clenched his fists and looked straight at the demon's face. - Get out of my body!

- Oi! Kiddo.- Kistune growled and looked down at him, and the water level rose. Gusty waves began to hit his body, making Naruto struggle to keep his balance. - Do you think I'm sitting here of my own accord? If I could long ago, I would have gotten out of here and destroyed that stupid village of yours. I've been sealed here. Inside you.

Naruto looked in disbelief at the fox. He really wanted to disbelieve him.