*Cervantes bows apologetically* I know, I know. I should be working on either White Crystal or Sun Slayer. Thing is, my computer caught a nasty virus, and all the work I had in progress for those stories was deleted. So, until I remember how I wanted to do the next parts of those stories, I've decided NOT to do another crossover (le gasp!). Instead, this is an AU Naruto fic, with my own unique spin on the Naruto plot bunny "Naruto is raised by a loving family". And keep in mind: I do mean unique.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does. I do own the OCs that will appear throughout the fic (you'll know them, trust me).

Prologue

"A Different Kind of Truth"

Two forms were entwined on a lavish bed. Not an unfamiliar sight, I suppose. Most people do end up in such a position at least once in their lives. After all, not to sound cliché, but love IS what makes the world go 'round. And such a position is found most often after a round of lovemaking.

Indeed, these two were resting briefly after vigorously affirming their love for one another. Pheromones were thick in the room, making it hard for higher thought processes to function...for most people, at any rate. But these two were not 'most people'. Not by a long shot.

Red fur covered the majority of their bodies. The female's fur was a lighter red than the male's, and she was smaller in stature. A pointed muzzle on both of them indicated their relationship to common foxes. Long fox ears (slightly longer on the male) adorned their head, and glimmering amber eyes were set in their faces. Last but not least, multiple tails adorned their posteriors. The female bore eight tales, the male nine. These two were the Kyuubi no Kitsune and his wife.

"Mmm...was it good for you, Ryohei-sama?" the female asked with a love-drunk slur.

"Always, Kimiko-chan," the Kyuubi, Ryohei, replied. Then he mock-glared at her. "And how many times must I tell you to drop the 'sama'? When it's you and me, I don't want to hear that. You are my wife, not my servant."

Kimiko giggled. "You'll have to tell me at least once more, Ryohei-sama," she purred, snuggling closer to her husband's muscle-bound body. He grinned, but before the two could pick up where they had left off, a knock sounded at their chamber door. Ryohei sighed.

"Yes?" he called out. Kimiko pouted, earning her a kiss from Ryohei.

"My apologies, Ryohei-sama, but your escort is ready," the voice from the other side of the door replied. Ryohei sighed, and despite Kimiko's silent protests, began disentangling himself from her.

"Thank you, Hayato, tell them I'll be out in a few minutes," Ryohei ordered, as he stood and stretched out.

"Hai, Ryohei-sama," Hayato's voice answered, and the two rulers of the kitsune heard him pad away.

"Must you go, darling?" Kimiko asked, pulling the covers around her as she watched Ryohei dress.

"Unfortunately, yes. This meeting with the Hokage is important. From what I hear, he's interested in opening trade relations with our realm, which we could use, you must admit," he replied, slipping on his hakama.

"I know, darling, but still, I hate the fact that our fun was interrupted," she purred out. Ryohei chuckled.

"You're shameless, dear. There will be time for fun and games when I return." Ryohei slipped on his formal gi, and prepared to pull his gloves on, when he felt Kimiko wrap her arms around him from behind. He sighed. "I really do have to go, dear."

"I know...but..." Ryohei frowned. It wasn't often his wife hesitated, and it was almost never a good sign. Finally, she continued. "My dreams have been clouded as of late."

Ryohei winced. That kind of statement was Kimiko's version of saying 'something is going to happen'. Kimiko was a dream-seer, one who could foretell the future in her dreams. Normally, when she didn't remember her dreams, it meant things were fine. But when she remembered clouded dreams, it was an omen of change. She wouldn't receive a clear dream until some time after the first clouded dream.

"Well, you don't know whether it's a good or bad sign, do you dear? I mean, until you get the actual vision..."

Kimiko frowned. "I don't know, true, but..." Ryohei turned around and sealed her lips with a kiss.

"Don't worry. Your visions haven't been dire for a long while. We'll talk about it when I come back, OK?"

Kimiko smiled. "Very well, when you come back, my darling."

Ryohei finished dressing, and headed out the door, making sure Kimiko was resting on the bed before closing the door. His escorts, a pair of five-tailed kitsune named Ryoko and Ayeka, smiled.

"Ryohei-sama, no offense, but how does Kimiko-sama keep herself satisfied whenever you leave?" Ayeka asked, golden fur standing in stark contrast to the dark red uniform of the Royal Guard.

Ryohei chuckled. "Kimiko-chan may seem to have a libido greater than most, but I'm the only one that gets her into that mood. She's told me so herself."

"She's a lucky woman, Ryohei-sama, and YOU are a lucky man," Ryoko said, her fire-orange fur making her difficult to look at.

"Believe me, I know that full well."

Kimiko had fallen asleep in the hours since Ryohei's departure. Part of her hadn't wanted to, but even kitsune need sleep. True, they did not require as much as humans (whose frailty is well-documented), but nonetheless, sleep was necessary. She had eventually given in to her body's demands, hoping that tonight's dreams would be clear.

They weren't.

Ryohei, standing in the road, Ryoko and Ayeka unconscious on either side, with a man in a black cloak and orange mask facing him...

A swirling red eye, with a strange black pattern, encompassing all that could be seen...

Ryohei, in his feral Bijuu form, tearing into ranks of Konoha ninja...

Ryohei, facing down a giant toad, with a blond-haired human on top, making hand-signs...

Kimiko bolted upright in bed, the sudden change in blood pressure disorienting her momentarily. For a moment, she wondered what had awoken her. Then, with all the subtlety of a sack of bricks, she remembered her dream.

"Oh, Kami, no!" She darted out of the bed, throwing open her armoire. Dressing in her rarely-used battle outfit (a leather outfit that wouldn't be out of place at an S&M parlor), she gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror, making sure she was dressed properly before dashing out of the room, nearly bowling Hayato over.

"K-Kimiko-sama, what is-?" He didn't finish, as Kimiko bolted past him, and he changed direction to keep up. "Kimiko-sama, why are you dressed in your battle gear?"

"There's going to be trouble at Konoha. I have to be there."

"Surely Ryohei-sama can handle himself-" He was cut off again.

"Not this time, not according to my dream. I'm sorry, Hayato, but you need to stay here, you would only get in the way."

The six-tailed blue-furred kitsune winced. He was no slouch in combat, so for Kimiko to tell him such a thing, meant that the situation was serious.

"Very well, Kimiko-sama. But what is the danger, might I ask?"

"You may not. Just pray that I can return myself and my husband here, safely."

Before Hayato could ask, Kimiko vanished in a cloud of red mist. He sighed.

"May Kami have mercy on anyone in her way, because she won't."

Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime Hokage of Konoha, cursed at the situation. He was standing on top of Gamabunta, staring at the feral form of his one-time friend. Even as they watched, the Kyuubi tore through more ranks of Konoha shinobi.

"Minato, I don't know what happened, but we have to stop him!" Gamabunta yelled.

"I know, but the only thing I can think of that can restrain him is THAT seal! And with how quickly he's advancing, we might not have time!" Minato winced as more shinobi became one with the afterlife.

"Well, get started now, or it'll never get done at all!" Bunta ducked as a blade of wind from one of the Kyuubi's tails ripped over him. It had sliced through a few shinobi that were trying an aerial attack, with no success.

Minato nodded, and was about to begin the seals that would summon the Shinigami, but was distracted by a powerful female voice that rent the air.

"Taigogami Fuujin!" the voice roared, and five pillars of light appeared, surrounding the Kyuubi. Minato looked to the source of the voice, as the pillars closed in tight, halting the Kyuubi's advance. Looking closely, Minato could see that each pillar was made up of a combination of all five major elements of the Elemental Nations. But the source of the voice interested him more; a woman covered with red fur, floating on the air, using wind currents to keep herself afloat. He recognized her immediately, and not just because of the eight fox-tails waving behind her.

"Kimiko! What is going on? Why has Ryohei done this?" Seeing Kimiko wince, he wondered if that had been a smart idea, distracting her.

"I can't hold him forever, Minato! Whatever you were going to do, do it!" Indeed, the Kyuubi seemed close to breaking out of the pillars. Minato nodded, and began the sequence.

"Fuuinjutsu: Shiki Fuujin!" Hearing that, Kimiko's eyes briefly widened, and then she closed them in sad acceptance. She knew of that seal; she was, after all, the one who had taught it to the sealing experts of Uzugakure. And now, it was being used on her husband.

The Kyuubi roared as the Shinigami appeared, reaching through Minato, and into the giant fox. Kimiko then saw another hand of the Shinigami reaching through a young infant in a circle of candles on Gamabunta's head. Eyes wide, she watched in morbid fascination, as she saw her husband's chakra ripped in two. Half of it was sealed into Minato, the other half into the infant. The Kyuubi's body collapsed, and began to dissolve. Minato fell over as well, and Kimiko dashed over, looking over the seals on him and the infant.

"...Damn...Kushina...didn't mention...how much...that would hurt..." Minato choked out.

"Hush. That was a very brave, albeit foolish thing to do, Minato. Your village will be proud." Kimiko couldn't keep the tears out of her eyes. Minato had been a good friend to her and Ryohei. And now he'd been forced to essentially kill his friend.

"...Kimiko...my son...let me...see him..." Kimiko nodded, and brought the blanket-wrapped infant over. Looking him over, Kimiko saw that he had inherited his father's blond hair and blue eyes. She held the boy out to Minato, helping the man into a sitting position. The Shinigami was moving forward, but Kimiko glared at it. The message was clear: "Not yet". It paused, and then nodded.

"Naruto...I wanted you to be seen as a hero in my village...but I know that's too much to ask. People will undoubtedly fear you, and that fear will turn into anger. I won't let you be the target of such anger." Minato looked at Kimiko. "Kimiko...I ask that you raise Naruto in your realm."

Kimiko's eyes widened at that. "Minato, why? He will never truly be accepted among my people."

"But with you raising him, he'll be safe. I can't guarantee that if he remains in the village. Also, I know that you and Ryohei wanted a child, but couldn't, due to your injuries during the war."

Kimiko winced. She and Ryohei had fought in disguise as Konoha nins against Iwa during the Third Shinobi War. During one battle, she had been struck in the lower torso by a stone spear. Being a kitsune, the blow wasn't mortal, but it had an effect that not even her healing factor could repair. It had almost completely destroyed the lining of her uterus. When she and Ryohei had found out, they had been heartbroken, as they had wanted a child. It had been Minato that had cheered them up afterward.

And now, Minato was offering his child to her. It was tempting, even more so since the child contained a part of her husband, but she still balked. "What about Kushina?"

Minato winced, though not from the pain of the seal. "She...perished in childbirth, from what I was told." Kimiko winced as well. "Please, Kimiko..."

"...Very well. On my honor as the current ruler of the Kitsune, I vow to raise Naruto as my own child." Minato smiled at her.

"Thank you, Kimiko." Kimiko stood, holding Naruto with her. She stepped away, as the Shinigami claimed Minato's soul. She shunshined to the ground just as Gamabunta disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Waiting for the cloud to disperse, she blinked in surprise as she saw an old face coming towards her.

"Kimiko!" It was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage, sometimes called 'The Professor', and other times called 'The God of Shinobi'. He was approaching in his battle armor, along with a contingent of ANBU. "What are you doing here?"

"I helped Minato seal the Kyuubi – my husband, that is – into his son." That simple statement caused the ANBU to look around nervously.

Sarutobi winced. "I see...well, may I have Naruto, then? I'll need to put him in a hospital for the time-being..."

"Actually, he's coming with me, Hiruzen." Sarutobi blinked, as did the ANBU behind their masks. "Minato asked me to in his final moments. I agreed."

"But...Naruto's human! Among your people, he will have no place!" Sarutobi sputtered out.

"I know that, and I intend to bring him back. But this village needs time to calm down. If they learn that my husband is sealed in Naruto, they will shun and abuse him. I will not tolerate that. I will bring him back when he is six to enroll him in the Academy."

"...Well, I guess that will work...but Kimiko, will he be ready?" Sarutobi asked, looking uncertain.

"Don't worry, I'll make certain of it. But while I'm gone, see if you can get some power back from those goats on the council. See you around, Hiruzen."

With that, Kimiko vanished in a cloud of red mist. Sarutobi sighed.

"Well, we'd better return to Konoha to help with the reconstruction..."

Hayato blinked as Kimiko appeared in the gateway. "Kimiko-sama! Thank goodness you're alright...what is that?" He noticed the bundle that she was carrying as she made her way to her chamber.

"My husband's Jinchuuriki," she replied briskly. Hayato nearly stumbled on the rug.

"I...see. My sincerest condolences, Kimiko-sama. What will you do with the child?"

"I will raise him as my own, as I was asked to by the child's father before his death." Kimiko's voice was unwavering as she opened her chamber door. Hayato followed her inside.

"Kimiko-sama, this is...highly unorthodox, to say the least. I understand you are incapable of bearing children yourself, but to adopt a human is-" Kimiko silenced him with a glare.

"Hayato, I don't care what others will think of me. This child contains all that is left of my husband. He would have been feared and hated, shunned and abused, had I left him with Konoha. I will not allow him to suffer that. I will raise him, as asked by Minato."

Hayato sighed. It was rare that Kimiko was so impassioned about something apart from Ryohei. "Very well, Kimiko-sama. Shall I inform the elders of the new addition to your home?"

"If you please, Hayato. I don't want to deal with them right now." Hayato nodded and left, closing the door behind him as he did so.

Kimiko shifted part of the wall into a crib for her to tuck him into. As she did so, he opened one blue eye. At first she was hesitant, thinking her natural form would frighten him. Instead, he smiled, and closed his eye again. She relaxed, and kissed him on the forehead.

"Welcome to the family...Naruto Namikaze."

A/N: Well, not bad for a non-crossover. And yes, Naruto's family name will be Namikaze. He has the wife of the Kyuubi as a mother, so when he returns to Konoha, he'll be in good hands.

Kimiko: An interesting take. There are stories where the Kyuubi raises Naruto, or where some other clan does so. But this is the first time I've seen someone involve the kitsune realm so heavily in their story.

Cervantes: Eh, Brown Phantom did somewhat the same thing in his story "Naruto's Kit", which is a very good read, BTW. I recommend it and his other Naruto work "Students of the Snake".

Kimiko: I'll check it out. By the way folks, reviews and constructive criticism only, please! I will douse flames with a tsunami jutsu, and melt trolls in an acid bath.

Cervantes: Brutal. But thank you. Please R&R, minna!