having Kyuubi turn into naruto's friend just because he got beat up.. that seems more like slavery, I know it's shonen formula (Neji, Gaara, and the list should go on), but even then, they did got over some issues in their life as a result.
I'd hate to see a flashback of Kyuubi's abused childhood.
Gaara, plot hole as he may be, did have some sort of snycro with his demon, even if it was since they were both crazy, it was a partnership.
but KillerBee is a better example. the 8-tails shouldn't be significantly weaker then the 9tails, and Bee did go through the same process. Bee and the 8tails seem to be sort of friends, there's no 'ownership' vibe between them. I can't see how that evolves through Killerbee slamming on the demon and hitting him.
I can't see any 'reasonable' (yeah, I know) or 'right' way for this thing to end as simple violence. it's counter-intuitive to the message of the story. Naruto has to start his messiah path by dealing with the kyuubi. he can either talk things out, hugg and promise the demon things will be fine or do something else. wailing on the damage isn't the correct approch here.
Idea: Naruto takes all the kyuubi hatred and says that he'll carry that burden of hate, so the kyuubi is free to his own will.
but that won't happen.