He sighed again as his gaze drifted over to the seal on the envelope the message had come from, the seal of the Hokage. He would change the wording every time, sometimes offering things in return but the gist was always the same; bring Naruto back to Konoha. In the same manner his answer never changed from a firm and resounding 'no'. As long as Naruto was under the roof of the Fire Temple Chukaku would see he never had to return to his old home.
The young blonde had told him about his life there after some coaxing and the elderly monk was appalled. He had worked out from the boy's treatment and the village's vehement requests for him to be returned just what he was as well as from his appearance just who he was, although it was speculation until he could find evidence. Even so he found the village's blatant hatred of a child horrific, especially considering the burden that was already on the poor boy's shoulders.
What made it all the better was that he had the power, the authority, and the influence to keep Naruto here, whether the Hokage or anybody else had anything to say about it or not. The Fire Temple was firmly under his control as head monk and in turn he reported directly to the Fire Daimyo, nobody else. He had known the man since he was just a baby in his mother's arms and had always made sure to be in his favour. What's more the man knew better than to upset the person who controlled his protection detail, the Twelve Guardian Shinobi.
Of course it was always Naruto's decision, if the boy ever actually wanted to return to his old home Chukaku would not stop him. He would of course be sad to see the boy leave; the temple had been a much brighter place since the boy was introduced. However he had never seen any indication Naruto wanted to leave, in fact the boy seemed incredibly happy here, like he had found a smile long since thought forgotten.
Chukaku was suddenly broken from his musings as he heard a loud commotion somewhere outside. He moved to the window, a troubled frown creasing his already wrinkled brow as he spotted what looked like a fire on the other side of the temple. However it was when he saw the first flicker of red and felt a malevolent aura wash over the area that he immediately rushed from the room.
Naruto's short-lived sleep was troubled, filled with orange fur and blood red eyes before he awoke with a start. Cold sweat covered his body making his robes stick to his skin uncomfortably as he panted. He took a deep breath before raising himself onto his elbows. Glancing over at the clock on his wall he noted it had only been about half an hour since Sora had brought him to his room. More than that though there was a presence in the air, weighing down on him like an invisible weight.
Getting to his feet he was shocked to see flames out his window; his eyes widened even as his feet carried him out of his room and towards the fire. He got there to see it was one of the smaller temple buildings, the walls and roof were up in flames. The orange and yellow tendrils of fire were licking at the sky as smoke billowed out from the building in choking sheets. There was a gathering of monks, some attempting to douse the flames with buckets and water Ninjutsu while others seemed to crowd around something else.
He took a few hesitant steps toward the second group until he felt a familiar hand grip his shoulder.
"No Naruto, you have to stay away, it's dangerous." He looked up to see Chukaku, his normally serene features marred by worry and concern. Suddenly a monk was tossed out of the group like a ragdoll, landing not far from them. It distracted Chukaku long enough for Naruto to break out of his grip and rush forward. He didn't want to be treated like a child, this was his home now and he would protect it with his life if he had to.
Ignoring Chukaku's desperate cries Naruto barged his way past two monks only to freeze in surprise at what he saw. Sora stood at the centre of a ring of monks, except it wasn't the Sora Naruto had known for the past year. He was hunched over, a crazed expression in his eyes as an evil grin lifted the corners of his mouth. The arm that he usually kept covered was a mottled red, spiky protrusions jutting out at random and the fingers had become more like claws. Worst of all his entire body was enshrouded by a cloak of intense red chakra, bubbling like it was alive; three tails slowly swayed back and forth behind him.
"SORA!" Naruto's cries only served to draw the boy's attention to him, his now red and slitted eyes locking firmly on the blonde. However there was no recognition there, only an insane bloodthirsty glee, like a predator spotting its next meal. Naruto took a step back as he saw the pure malice behind the boy's eyes, it wasn't Sora, it just couldn't be.
"Naruto stop!" The blonde just barely heard Chiriku's voice along with a few others, no doubt monks concerned with his safety. He ignored them anyway, rushing forward towards the creature his friend had become. He didn't make it within three metres of him before a malicious red tail swatted him away from the side, moving faster than he could even follow. He landed a few metres away, his clothing ripped and torn in a few places and he knew there were a few spots that would bruise the following morning.
Even so he picked himself up on shaking legs, a desperate look in his eye as he looked at his friend. Sora had turned away from him, obviously having lost interest in the prey that put up barely any fight. Naruto's features set into a determined mask as he watched another monk get batted away by those tails. He set his feet into a solid stance, already drawing up the chakra from inside of him and directing it to both his eyes and his hands. Discreetly he placed his other hand behind him pointing in the opposite direction as he finally released the pent up chakra.
"Banshou Ten'in!" Naruto immediately felt the pull on his body like gravity had been temporarily been inverted but the hand he had behind him kept him glued in place. Sora on the other hand was in no such luck as he suddenly found himself flying through the air towards Naruto, unable to react in time to do anything about it. The blonde had already pulled his hand into a fist, ready to knock some sense into his friend however at the last moment it unfurled.
The possessed Sora blinked in confusion as he suddenly found himself wrapped up in an iron-like grip. Naruto's hands were firmly wrapped around his friend's back, his chin over one shoulder. The tails behind him waved uncertainly for a moment, as lost as the one guiding them.