Naruto: Winter Fox
Note: Thanks to everyone for your votes on the harem members, I've decided to up the harem size to my standard of 12 but I'm not going to reveal everyone who's in it for now.
Given the Large Number of People who simply sent in votes, this episode of Review Response will be slightly abridged to only include those that included any other comments:
1VanillaIce1: Thanks for the comments, praise, and ideas. For the outfit I just had this idea for it and thought it would look cool, and that's one way it could go. I'm glad you think my idea is original compared to the other two, and I'll definitely take in your suggestions. This is one of the few stories I'm actually taking a pro-Kakashi view, usually I'm pretty neutral and even a little anti-Kakashi, but this time I wanted to give him a chance.
21v2: Thanks for the support and the votes. As for your suggestion on pairing Iruka and Anko, I've always preferred pairing him with Ayame the ramen girl, they're just so cute together.
3Benjamin236: Thanks. I'm trying to keep their development stable, but not unbelievable. A month training together plus the fox's improvement have helped Naruto improve, but neither this or any of my other stories will be Super Naruto, it takes all the fun away if he's too powerful. I know some people don't like my excuse for Kakashi's behavior but I think it works for this story.
4RandomAmazingness: Thanks for the support and here's the update.
5bleacher: Sorry but TenTen's a personal favorite of mine so she'll be in most if not all my harems, right alongside Hinata and Temari.
6Mwhahahaha18: Thanks for the support, and I'm trying to make Naruto's maturing quick but still believable. I really can't describe how annoyed I am at how some authors make him go through a sudden 180 without any initiative.
7raw666: I know, I've never like Sakura or Sasuke, both are just so…so….I can't even describe how annoying they are. The Uchiha is basically selfish, arrogant, ass incarnate, and Sakura is a useless fangirl. I know Sakura actually redeems herself in Shippuuden, and if I ever do a story in that timeline she'll be treated fairly, but before that she's nothing but a whiny little drama queen.
8Hinata of the Red Spring: Sure here's an update for you.
9kkzila: Thanks and I will.
10roshane: I know, and I'll try my best to keep the council believable and put my own spin on it
11aznblackhowling: Thanks, and I hope I can keep you interested.
12Naginator: Thanks man; and I'm sorry but Hinata's a personal favorite. I gotta' include her, and who says bloodlines can't interbreed? Where in the magna, anime or any other source does it say that bloodlines can't interbreed?
13VynosNeptune: Thanks, I try my best to avoid endless clichés. As for character bashing, I bash characters I don't like or I think are appropriate for the story, but I never bash needlessly or senselessly, I try to keep on a contained level.
14sam110: Thanks man, but what can I say…ME LOVE NARUHAREM!
15ahgndouity: Thanks man, I'm just trying to put my own unique spin on a great idea.
"Normal Speech"
'Normal Thought'
"Mental Communication"
"Demon/Large Summons Speech"
'Demon/Large Summons Thought'
Jutsu
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other media that appear or seem to appear in this story.
Chapter 3: Winter Comes to Konoha
(The Next Day)
Team 7, and guest, had woken up early the next morning to head out and reach Konoha before noon. Both breaking down camp and the trip itself were made in a near complete and tense silence. Last night's incident had put a very, very large strain on the group's already fragile relationship, and Kakashi was pretty sure that the slightest spark would set either side off and half his team would be dead while the other half would be forced to become missing nin. That was not an option the one-eyed jounin liked, so he pushed his group to their limits in prepping the camp and moving out, hoping that the increased pace and strain would keep them busy enough that any fights or arguments wouldn't even have a chance to start, and perhaps even get the young genin to forget their animosity for a time.
It had worked, mostly. The group hadn't erupted into any fighting, but the animosity was still there. The little group was now deeply cemented into two camps. First was Camp Sasuke, made up of said Uchiha and his loyal fangirl. The two didn't actually cooperate or even act as a camp, it was mostly just Sakura following Sasuke around and constantly agreeing with him, while the Uchiha mostly glared at Naruto and Haku. Then there was Camp Naruto, containing Naruto and Haku. The two of them mostly ignored the other two and spoke quietly to each other. Naruto and Haku seemed to be dealing with the increased pace much better than the other two, in fact both seemed hardly affected by it. This didn't surprise Kakashi too much; Naruto had always had incredible stamina and Haku was a highly skilled shinobi raised and trained by one of the Seven Swordsmen. Sasuke was also keeping up nicely, though it was taking him a lot more effort to do so, and Sakura…well let's just say fangirls were not known for their endurance...or their skills…or their devotion to training…or anything else aside from their love of dieting.
Thanks to their increased pace, the small team had reached Konoha ahead of schedule, arriving at the main gates just as the newly risen sun began to reach its zenith. As the group of four stopped just short of the gates, one could see the effects the high-endurance run had had on them. Kakashi and Naruto both barely looked affected, Haku's only sign of exertion was a slight tint of pink on her cheeks and some slight laboring in her breath, Sasuke appeared winded and was taking deep breathes in order to regain his lost wind, and Sakura was on her knees, gasping for air. After letting his group recover their breath for a moment, Kakashi approached the gate with his team and Haku following close behind, and Sakura's labored breathing still audible in the background.
Sitting on a pair of chairs in the small check-in station was a pair of Chuunin. The one on the left wore his hitai-ate like a bandana, covering most of the top of his head, and allowing a good deal of well-combed, dull brown hair to fall down toframe his face and cover his right eye. The other wore his hitai-ate as a headband, but most of it, except the metal head-guard, was covered by a spiky mess of black hair. He also had a large bandage covering a good portion of his nose and wrapping around his head. Naruto grinned at the two, they were Izumo and Kotetsu. The pair had always been on the short list of ninja that had treated him decently and the blonde had always enjoyed leading the two on chases throughout the village after his pranks. It had actually become a bit of a game between the three; with the pair constantly betting the blonde meals at Ichiraku's that they could beat their previous records at capturing him. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at the memory; the two had paid for a good portion of his meals and given the blonde a couple of much needed friends during his rather unhappy childhood. The blonde saw those two as a bizarre cross between friendly big brothers and the dopy cousins that always made you laugh.
"Team 7 reporting back from a successful C-rank escort and protection mission." stated Kakashi giving the two a quick salute, with his nose still buried in his book.
"Glad to have you back." stated Kotetsu with a small grin before looking around with a rather confused expression. "Hey, where's Naruto? Hope nothing happened to the little pain in the ass?" asked the chuunin good-naturedly.
"Yeah this place would be way too dull without him around, and we'd never get to beat Iruka at catching the little bastard." stated a slightly worried Izumo.
"Glad to know you two care so much, but I'm standing right here." drawled out our blonde hero. Both of the chuunin's attention was instantly fixed on the blonde. He'd grown by at least half a foot, his hair had darkened a few shades and had grown a bit longer and become more controlled, his eyes had lightened from a deep cerulean to an icy shade of blue, his whisker marks were deeper, and he'd put on a bit more muscle; but the kid was still recognizable as their young friend. What had really thrown the two off was the lack of any orange on the blonde's body. A Naruto without orange was an almost unthinkable thing to anyone who'd ever seen or known the kid.
"Naruto?" they questioned simultaneously.
"The one, the only, and the original." answered the blonde flashing the two a foxy smirk/grin. That settled the matter for the two chuunin. No one could pull off that grin but Naruto; hell they were pretty sure the blonde had a copyright on it.
"Damn kid. What the hell happened to you?" asked Izumo
"Loooong story." stated the blonde, "Meet me at Ichiraku's tonight and I'll explain everything. You'd better grab Iruka-sensei to; I think he'll want to hear this as well."
"Sure thing gaki." answered Kotetsu, "We'll even treat you tonight, our way of saying congrats on your first C-rank." grinned out the older man.
"Much appreciated." agreed the blonde before he set out with the rest of his group to give the Hokage their report.
"Why do I have the feeling we're going to need a large jug of sake after this one." asked Kotetsu.
"Because it involves Naruto." answered Izumo before letting out a bizarre cross between a sigh and a chuckle.
(A short time later, Hokage's Office)
Hiruzen Sarutobi was currently facing the greatest evil that any man, shinobi, or kage could ever dare to face. This evil was nearly unkillable, an endless swarm of pain and misery that as soon as one part falls, two more spring back to take its place. Yes, the Third was now facing down that unspeakable evil known only as…paperwork. As the Third began to contemplate killing the beast, at least temporarily, by using a few of his favorite fire jutsu to incinerate the entire tower the voice of his secretary came buzzing through the small intercom resting on his desk.
"Sir, Team Kakashi has arrived to give their report on the Wave Mission." stated the voice through the minor static.
Happy for any excuse to not have to deal with the embodiment of evil resting on his desk without having to destroy the tower, the old kage pressed the small button on the intercom and stated, "Thank you, send them in."
With that the large double doors of his office opened and in stepped the team. The first to enter was Kakashi Hatake, the team's jounin sensei, followed closely by Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. Following them was a young lady that Hiruzen didn't recognize, and the old man briefly wondered who she was. Those thoughts were quickly wiped away as a fourth figure entered the room. It took a moment for the elderly kage to recognize the blonde as his own surrogate grandson.
"Naruto?" breathed out the old man as he stared at the boy's changed form.
The blonde responded with a large smile and a wave. "Hey Hokage-jiji, glad you were able to recognize me. I swear first Izumo and Kotetsu don't recognize me when we're standing at the gate, and then I get these weird stares from nearly every girl we come across while we walk here." finished the blonde in a slight grumble.
Kakashi couldn't help but let out a perverted giggle at the mention of those 'weird stares' the blonde was mentioning. While spending a month with Haku had helped up the blonde's maturity a good bit, the boy was still pretty much ignorant of the effects his newly altered state had on the female populous. Sure, Naruto knew that his altered physical form was attractive, but he didn't realize just how attractive. Kakashi had no doubts that the blonde would be getting the beginnings of a fan club soon enough. When he'd mentioned that to the younger man, the blonde had scoffed, saying that, "As soon as they realize I'm me, they'll lose all interest. In case you've forgotten most of the civilians hate me on principle."
While Kakashi couldn't deny the truth of his student's statement, he also thought that the blonde was underestimating the power of hormones. While the older women who knew about the fox being sealed inside the boy would more than likely do as he predicted, most of the women who'd been staring at the blonde were close enough to his own age that they wouldn't know about it. In fact if any of those girls' families tried to force their daughters to lose interest in the blonde, they may just boost his popularity. After all there are few things that attract girls like a bad-boy image and the fact that their parents disapprove.
The voice of the aged Third Hokage cut through the silver-haired jounin's perverted musings. "Kakashi," stated the old kage, "I believe you have some explaining to do."
Nodding his head Kakashi launched into his report. The jounin described their encounter with the Demon Brothers followed by Tazuna's story. Then their first encounter with Zabuza, the false Hunter Nin's appearance, and their week of intense training followed by what he'd seen during the battle on the bridge. Kakashi made sure to leave out any mention of Kyuubi's chakra directly, to avoid breaking the Third's law, merely stating it as 'an odd and virulent chakra emission during the battle' which should clue in the elder kage to what had happened. As Kakashi finished his report both he and Sarutobi looked to Naruto expectantly.
The blonde closed his eyes and answered, "I'd like to explain exactly what happened privately, if you don't mind Hokage-sama." stated the blonde respectfully, after casting a look at his two teammates while emphasizing the word 'privately.' That was a clear sign to both the elderly Sandaime and Kakashi, the boy only spoke with any sort of decorum or respect when the matter involved was serious.
"You can't do that dobe. We have every right to hear what happened." growled out Sasuke.
"Yeah, you can't make us leave while you talk to the Hokage alone." shrieked out Sakura.
"Actually, Naruto has every right to request discussing the matter privately." stated Sarutobi before returning his attention to the blonde, "I approve of your request to discuss matters privately, is there anyone else besides myself you'd like to hear this."
"Kakashi-sensei should hear this as well, and Haku-chan already knows it so she can stay to if she wants." answered the blonde.
"Very well." agreed the aged kage before he turned his attention to Haku. "Now miss…"
"Momochi sir, Haku Momochi; I've decided to take up my adoptive father's name to honor his memory." answered the young kunoichi.
"Alright Ms. Momochi, from what I understand you wish to join our village?" asked the old kage
"Yes sir." answered Haku calmly.
"Well, since you were never an official ninja of any other shinobi village, that shouldn't be a problem. You'll have to go through a month long probation period before you can actually begin taking missions." stated the Hokage. After getting a nod from Haku, the elderly kage turned his attention to Kakashi, "Kakashi, given what you've seen of the girl's abilities so far what rank would you place her at?"
"Chuunin rank easily, Hokage-sama." answered Kakashi after a moment's thought.
"Very good." agreed Sarutobi. "Now is there any field you'd wish to specialize in young lady? While you can't take any missions during your probationary period, you're still allowed to receive training, nothing secret or high level though."
"If its possible Hokage-sama, I'd like to go through the training to become a combat medic." answered the girl
"That's good to hear, we can always use more healers." stated the elderly kage while he nodded his head, "I'll schedule you to begin training in the hospital in a week. That'll give you some time to settle into life here in Konoha. Now as for living accommodations we have…"
"That won't be necessary Hokage-jiji. Haku will be staying will me." interrupted Naruto.
The elderly Sarutobi raised an eyebrow at this before shrugging, "Very well, saves me a bit of paperwork. Now I believe that's it, you can all receive payment for this mission at main desk at the base of the tower. Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, you're both dismissed. Congratulations on your first completed C-class turned A-class mission, you should all be quite proud." stated the Hokage.
"I refuse." stated Sasuke arrogantly.
"Excuse me?" asked the elderly Hokage as he looked at the Uchiha heir.
"I refuse to leave until that dobe tells me everything that happened as well. There has to be a secret to how he gained that power, and if there is I deserve to know about it." stated the Uchiha.
Now there's one thing that anyone with half a brain cell should know: Kage-level shinobi are not to be messed with. While Hiruzen Sarutobi had gotten older and his skills had begun to dull, he was still a kage for a reason. And right now, the last of the Uchiha was getting a very good lesson of why that is. As a mass of killing intent that made Zabuza's seem like a child's attempt, was focused directly into him. All coming off the formerly smiling old man he'd just tried to order around.
"Now listen here young Uchiha, the council may put up with your arrogant behavior due to your status and heritage, but I certainly won't." breathed out the elderly Hokage while he stared at the young Uchiha, his voice never rising above its normal tone, and yet it seemed to shake the room. "You need to remember that I'm the Hokage of this village, and that I'm the one who gives the orders. Now leave my office now before I'm forced to do something you'll most certainly regret."
The young Uchiha audibly gulped before turning around and high-tailing it out of the room, followed closely by his ever-loyal fangirl. As the two ran out the door, Naruto burst out in laughter while Haku attempted to stifle a giggle, even Kakashi couldn't hide a slight smirk. Watching the Uchiha being put in his place was so much fun.
"Nice one Ojiji." grinned out the blonde between laughs.
"Thank you my boy, I'm glad to see I haven't lost my touch." stated the elderly kage with a warm grin, before his demeanor became more serious. "Now I believe you have some serious explaining to do as well."
"I'll step outside and make sure we don't have any eavesdroppers." stated Haku before she left.
Naruto stopped laughing and nodded. "Well I guess it all started after I exhausted myself training all night before the battle. Like Kakashi said, he left me at Tazuna's to rest. When I woke up I rushed out to meet everyone at the bridge. While I was running I noticed a boar that had been cut up pretty badly by a sword. When I went to investigate I found an entire trail of cut up animals heading toward Tazuna's house. Not liking the looks of it I followed the path of carnage and found a pair of samurai-wannabes trying to kidnap Tsunami and Inari. When one of the idiots tried to kill Inari, I used a Replacement to get Inari out of harm's way before taking out the thugs with a surprise attack from a couple of Shadow Clones. After they were taken care of I headed back to the bridge and found Sasuke fighting Haku inside her ice-dome and Kakashi fighting Zabuza. I snuck into the dome to help out Sasuke, but things didn't turn out well. We attempted to out-maneuver her and Sasuke was able to unlock his Sharingan. Unfortunately I was knocked down and Sasuke intercepted a barrage of senbon for me. I got mad when I thought the teme had died for me, and I think I tapped into Kyuubi's chakra. After that I broke through Haku's jutsu and was able to beat her somehow. When I destroyed her mask I realized where I'd met her before and stopped before I killed her. After that she begged me to kill her and I refused, instead I tried to knock her out with a well placed blow to the side of the head, but before I did she realized Zabuza was in danger. After she realized that, she stopped my attack and used Shunshin to get to his location and intercepted Kakashi's attack, and I ran after her. Then I saw her with Kakashi's arm sticking out of her chest and she was dying. When I realized that I…I wanted to do anything I could to save her because she went through the same stuff I went through. That's when Kyuubi told me how to save her."
"You spoke to the Kyuubi?" exclaimed the Hokage. "Naruto what were you thinking?"
"Like I said Ojiji, I was desperate! Haku's the first person I've ever met who understood what it was like to be hated for something she couldn't control. I didn't want to lose her. I couldn't lose her!" exclaimed the blonde.
The old Hokage settled down into his chair, stroking his small beard. It was true, despite all his efforts Naruto had grown up alone, isolated and hated for something he couldn't control. It only made sense that he'd latch onto someone who'd gone through similar experiences. The old kage looked toward Kakashi and found the younger man had an unreadable expression on his face. Taking a long puff from his pipe the old Hokage spoke up in a comforting tone. "I understand Naruto. Now continue with your story."
Naruto took a deep breath and continued. "Well the fox told me that in order to save Haku I'd have to bond with her and take her as my mate." stated the blonde getting raised eyebrows from the two older shinobi in the room and a blush from the kunoichi. "I cut my hand with a kunai and placed it over the wound in her chest. Then I used both mine and Kyuubi's chakra to mix with hers, which linked us as mates. After that I passed out and the fox and I talked."
"You two talked?" stated a shocked Kakashi, "Naruto I can understand listening to the fox in a moment of desperation to save Haku, but that creature is responsible for nearly destroying our village."
"But that wasn't his fault!" exclaimed Naruto. Getting a look of confusion from both Kakashi and the Hokage the blonde continued. "The fox told me that he was attacked by some pale guy who reeked of snakes. That Hebi-teme put some weird genjutsu on him that sent him into a rage and forced him to attack the village."
Both Kakashi and Sarutobi exchanged a look. A pale man who smelled of snakes described only one person, and that man would certainly have both the means and the motive to use such a measure to attack the Leaf. Deciding to clarify to make sure the elder kage asked the younger blonde, "Naruto, did this man, the one Kyuubi described, have black hair and yellow eyes."
The blonde got a distant look in his eyes for a moment, and both men realized he was talking to the Kyuubi. When the blonde's eyes returned to normal the boy nodded, "Yeah he did. How did you know?" asked the blonde.
Letting out a heavy sigh the Hokage explained, "Naruto the man you just described is an old enemy of Konoha. Orochimaru, the Snake Sannin and one of the deadliest ninja Konoha has ever produced. If he is involved then it gives great credence to the fox's story, but I must ask you, why do you trust the fox? You, more than anyone else, have a reason to hate it."
Naruto let out a deep sigh, "Because, ever since I've met him, Kyuubi's done nothing but try and help me. He helped me save Haku-chan, and even gave me a bloodline."
"A BLOODLINE?" shouted out both the kage and Kakashi.
"Yeah that's the reason my body changed. Guess I should have mentioned that sooner." stated the grinning blonde while he rubbed the back of his head.
Sarutobi let out a deep sigh before returning his attention to Naruto. "Given what you've told us so far, I think we can trust that the fox is telling the truth, but I want you to be careful when communicating with the creature. We still don't know its full motives yet. I assume it can hear me?
"Yeah, Kyuubi can hear, see, smell, and feel everything I do." the blonde explained before cocking his head to the side. "Oh, and Kyuubi prefers be called he or by his title instead of being referred to as 'it.'
The old kage nodded his head, "Very well. Then I'll simply tell you this Kyuubi, I don't trust you, but we have a common enemy in Orochimaru and a common goal in keeping Naruto safe, so I hope we can work together."
Naruto tilted his head again before responding, "Kyuubi says he understands, and while he's not particularly fond of humans in general, he realizes his fate and mine are tied together for as long as I live, and that means as long as I'm loyal he's loyal, so he'll work with us."
"That's fine. Now about this bloodline of yours, what does it do?" asked the elderly kage.
Naruto took a breath and began to explain, "My bloodline has three key parts: body, chakra, and eyes." stated the blonde and getting widened eyes from both the Hokage and his sensei. Most bloodlines only affect one of those areas and the blonde's bloodline affected all three. "The body part alters my body, making it a lot stronger and more durable, increasing my strength, speed, and endurance. It also reinforces my chakra network making it a lot stronger and harder to affect. It also boosts my healing rate, senses, and pain tolerance. I'm also pretty much immune to the effects of extreme cold. Hypothermia, frostbite, and all that stuff doesn't affect me and I can't really feel cold anymore either. I could walk around naked in a blizzard and I wouldn't even notice or even risk catching a cold. There's also a few other unique tricks, like my claws." getting a look from both again, the blonde held up one of his hands and channeled some chakra into it. In an instant the fingers buckled and the nails grew and lengthened into a set of razor-sharp claws. After releasing the chakra his fingers returned to normal and the blonde continued, "Besides being useful in a fight and for cutting stuff, they're also helpful if I need to climb without using chakra. Same trick works on my toes to.
The chakra part is actually a copy of Haku's bloodline, I can mix Water and Air to create Ice based chakra. Finally when I activate my eyes, I can track movements in the same way as the Sharingan, allowing me to predict my opponent's movements. My eyes are also capable of seeing through any visible impediment, like smoke, gas, leaves, dust, or weather like heavy rain or snow. If it blocks my vision, my eyes can now see through it. It also makes me a lot harder to trick using genjutsu. I'm not immune to them, but I can see through them a lot easier."
As the blonde came to a halt, both of the elder shinobi stared for a moment. Finally the Hokage spoke up, "It seems that your bloodline makes you a perfect being for living or fighting in extremely cold environments." he stated calmly.
Naruto shrugged and stated, "The fox said that my bloodline made me as close to an ice demon as a human could get. Oh there's three other parts that Kyuubi said weren't connect to the three main parts."
Getting a nod to continue the blonde started again, "Well first off I give off a primal aura that tends to make most females a little weak in the knees." Getting perverted grins and giggles from both older men in the room. Sighing and sweat-dropping, the blonde asked, "Kami, are all adults perverts?"
The blonde actually face-faulted when he got a simultaneous, "Yes" from both older men before muttering a string of curses under his breath as he rose back to his feet.
"The second part allows me to communicate with foxes and other canines." continued the blonde getting more nods from both. That wasn't surprising given Kyuubi's nature.
"Lastly I can control and suppress demonic chakra to the point that I can control lesser demons, and even suppress the Biju to a certain extent." finished the blonde getting slightly raised eyebrows from both. "Kyuubi thinks that it's because of his place as the king of demons and leader of the Biju." answered the blonde.
After a moment's thought the old Hokage returned his attention to Naruto. "Thank you for all the information Naruto. Given the level of what you've told us, I'm going to have to make an announcement at the council meeting tomorrow. If everything goes well you should be given the right to start your own clan. Would you like that?"
"That sounds cool Ojiji." stated the grinning blonde.
"Excellent. For now take Haku home, and I want both of you back here at noon tomorrow. That'll give us some time to prep for the council meeting."
After giving the old kage a nod and then a quick salute, the blonde turned and left. As Naruto and Haku left the building the old Hokage turned his attention to Kakashi. The silver-haired jounin suddenly asked, "That last ability, it sounded like a stronger version of the First's. Do you think the two are related?"
"Knowing who his father is, it's entirely possible. Kyuubi's status and abilities are probably boosting it to a much stronger level. Guess that's one of the boons to having the King of Demons sealed inside you."
END CHAPTER 3
So does everyone like the bloodline, I took the original and added my own unique spin to it.