Uzumaki Naruto had been angry after failing another exam at the academy. He was 9 now. And he was walking along some training fields when he heard what sounded like a scream. He went after it. If he was the only one around to hear it then he was obligated to help them. So he went to help. When he came to the training field it was to see several ninja laughing. They were surrounding something. Naruto got closer using his stealth to get there un-noticed.

They were surrounding a metal cage. He couldn't see what was in the cage but whatever it was they were hurting it. He saw them stab whatever it was. They even burned it a few times with a torch. He frowned and really hoped he wasn't one of them. He henged into Captain Hound and came out of hiding.

"What do you think you're doing?" said Naruto

They turned around and one said, "It's just a stupid animal ANBU-san."

"I don't care. Leave now before I lock you all up in a cell." Said Naruto

"For what? We haven't done anything wrong." Said another one

"I say you are doing something wrong. You want to go to jail or you want to go home? Because I can make it so you go to Morino before you go to the jail cell. You like torturing poor animals then maybe I should let him do it to you." Said Naruto

"Alright we'll go. Man you'd think you were a fox lover or something." Said another one

"He is remember. He's the one who always protects the demon brat." Said another one

They all left and Naruto made sure they were really gone before dropping his henge and smiled as he said, "Morons and you're supposed to be Jonin. You couldn't even see through a henge."

Naruto went over to the cage and saw the poor creature inside it. It was about the size of Akamaru. He found the lock and picked it being very good at it and the fox inside was silent and didn't move anymore. Naruto frowned and took his jacket off and laid it on the ground. He then took the little fox out of the cage and laid it in his jacket and pet its head. He felt horrid for it and said, "I'm sorry little one. I didn't get here fast enough."

Naruto sat there with the little fox on the training field. He was merely petting its muzzle as it was the only unharmed part of them. He was there for a while. Iruka had been looking for him and couldn't find him. So he'd enlisted the help of his long time friend Kakashi. Because his hounds could track anyone. Naruto felt them coming and put his henge back on and stood waiting. And when Kakashi came within range he threw weapons at him. Kakashi actually barely dodged them and came out on the field and saw himself in ANBU garb and smiled under his mask and said, "Naruto it's alright you can drop the henge. And before you say it I know it's a henge because Hound retired three years ago."

Naruto dropped the henge but kept his grip on his weapons and had them ready to throw and Kakashi put his hands up and said, "I'm not going to hurt you honest. Your safe promise."

Naruto bared his fangs and the dog near him said, "Kakashi I don't think it's him he's worried about. He's acting like an Inuzuka whose companion is hurt."

Kakashi realized Pakkun was right and said, "Nar I'm not going to hurt your friend either."

Naruto said, "Promise?"

"Promise." Said Kakashi

Naruto put his weapons away and Kakashi said, "Can I ask where you got live weapons from? You're not supposed to have those till you graduate."

Naruto said, "I found them. I usually go to all the training fields and pick up discarded weapons. Their usually broken and can't be used. But some of them are fine and are just forgotten. I keep those one and give the others to the smith shop in place of money."

Kakashi said, "That's very smart. Can I ask why you henged into Hound?"

"Because he's the only ANBU I know well enough I can imitate him perfectly." Said Naruto

Kakashi felt pride in that and went over and Naruto eyed him and said, "You knew it was a henge because you know Hound right?"

"Yep we're friends." Said Kakashi smiling

Naruto growled and said, "Liar."

Kakashi was shocked at that and sighed before he said, "Alright I knew it was a henge because I am Hound Naruto."

"Really then what did Hound get me for my sixth birthday?" said Naruto

"Your goggles on your head." Said Kakashi

Naruto said, "Alright I believe you then." He looked at his jacket, "Five Jonin had it in a cage and was torturing it. I used my henge on them and they couldn't tell the difference. I even threatened to send them to jail and Morino-san if they didn't leave."

Kakashi was surprised he'd tricked five Jonin but was impressed and said, "Impressive not many can boast such things. And if it weren't for the fact I am him I wouldn't have realized it was a henge either kiddo."

Naruto crouched near the animal and said, "Why were they being so mean to it? It's just a baby."

Kakashi heard the fact his voice broke and came over to him and saw the poor fox and crouched down to his level and said, "Some people are like that. After the nine-tails attacked the village some Nins went on a mass slaughter. They got rid of all the fox's in the area because of their hatred of the Kyuubi. They blamed the animal fox's for a demon's actions. It seems there are still some who do think like that."

Naruto sniffled and said, "I heard it screaming and tried to help."

Kakashi put his hand on his shoulder and said, "And I'm sure it appreciated that fact Naruto."

Naruto rubbed his face and said, "Lot of good it did me. Poor thing died before I could get them to leave it alone."

Kakashi felt bad and said, "Come on we'll take it to see Tsume. Maybe she can help."

Naruto picked the fox up coat and all and Kakashi took him to the compound's clinic. When they came in Akamaru ran over and started barking at him and Naruto smiled and said, "Hey Akamaru."

Kakashi came in and Naruto said, "Hey Kiba."

Kiba saw him and said, "Why are you here loser?"

Kakashi frowned and said, "Such behavior is unbecoming of a clan heir Kiba-san. But we need to talk to your mother if she is here?"

Kiba howled for her and Tsume came out and said, "What Pup?"

"Visitors mother." Said Kiba

Tsume came over and said, "Kakashi what brings you here?"

"I have a question for you. Naruto found a group of Jonin torturing an animal. He managed to get them to leave but we were wondering if you could help it. It's a Kittling about your son's companion's size." Said Kakashi

Tsume frowned and said, "I can see but it might be better to put it down."

She had them come with her and Kakashi took his jacket and laid it on the metal table and she uncovered it and Kiba said, "Oh man that is gross."

He covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve and Tsume grimaced and said, "Yeah burnt fur and flesh. Never get used to that smell pup."

Tsume did her diagnostic Jutsu and Naruto merely watched her and pet Akamaru who had leaned up on his leg to allow him to do it much to Kuromaru's shock. When she stopped it she said, "Your lucky Gaki I can help her. Though she's not going to be able to be released back into the wild. Her sylph won't take her back after I'm done and unfortunately Gaki if you want me to help her I'm going to have to bind her to you like our dogs are us."

Kakashi didn't think that was a good idea and Naruto smiled and said, "It's ok with me that just means I'll have a friend for the rest of my life."

Kiba laughed and shoved him as he said, "Man don't steal my lines."

Naruto stuck his tongue out at him and Tsume smiled and said, "Alright Gaki then let's get started."

After Tsume had him share chakra with her and blood she healed her. When she was done it was very late in the night. Naruto had crashed on the food bags along with Kiba long ago. Akamaru was lying between them both. And Kakashi smiled at the sight of them.

"He can stay the night here. No reason to send him home. Plus his instincts will go nuts if he can't sense his new partner. This way he can still feel her and she can feel him and he'll be safe tonight. Unfortunately what I did may have adverse effects on him." Said Tsume looking at the boys.

"What kind of effects?" said Kakashi

"His senses may be more heightened. He may understand fox's now like we do dogs. He may also end up with a more fox like personality. I don't really know it depends on what clans he belongs too." Said Tsume

"What do you mean by clans?" said Kakashi

"Well he's Kushina's son yes?' said Tsume

"Yeah." Said Kakashi, "And sensei."

Tsume was surprised at that one but said, "Alright well Kushina was an Uzumaki. But her grandfather was Izuna Uchiha. So he has Uchiha blood and he's the first male to be born on his side too. So he could very well end up with the Sharingan. Plus given the fact that Uzumaki and Senju are descended from the sage's son Asura and the Uchiha from Indara Naruto holds more of the Sage's blood than anyone else if the rumor about Minato were true."

"What rumors?' said Kakashi

"That he was the son of Seiichi Senju. Seiichi was the son of Tobirama-sama himself." Said Tsume, "If that is true then Naruto has Uzumaki, Uchiha and Senju blood in his veins which means that 90% of his genetic makeup belongs to the sage himself. And the other ten percent was said to be 5% Nara and 5% Inari."

Kakashi looked at him and said, "So that would mean he could end up with traits from the Inari clan, or the sage?"

"Yeah and if the rumors about the sage were true he's going to have a hard time. The sage was said to have three eyes and horns." Said Tsume, "And the Inari clan were known to have fur, fox ears, a tail, and fox feet."

"Lovely well if he was half Inari then it explained sensei's almost pointed face." Said Kakashi

"Yeah his mother was rumored to be a daughter of Shiki Nara and an unknown Inari member. Shiki Nara as you know is Shikaku's own grandfather. Making Minato, Shikaku's cousin." Said Tsume

"Yeah it does. Alright I'll come check on him tomorrow and take the boys to school so that way I have a reason for coming that won't make them suspicions." Said Kakashi

"Alright. I have to work early tomorrow and can't take Kiba so you'll be doing me a favor. Do know he has a tendency to run around like a chicken with its head cut off." Said Tsume smiling

"Dually noted." Said Kakashi

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