A/N Here's number four! This one's a lot longer than the previous ones. Let me know if you think it's a good length or if I should make them even longer.
Rose Tiger: Yep yep! Working hard on Chapter 5 as soon as I post this.
Illuminated: That's part of the fun of it. There will be quite a few instances like that in the chapters ahead.
Ryuujin96: lol, I didn't know I was participating in a challenge. The teams are decided in chapter 5. No hints though!
Kat: I'm so happy you liked it! I hope you like this one.
Pervyysage: 'Cause you wouldn't be pervysage if you didn't XD. I think you might like some of Kurama's jokes in this chapter. Just to be clear though, I'm not writing a lemon.
Hinata awakened slowly as she basked in the feeling of the warm body next to her. She remembered last night without any prompting and soon opened her eyes to find that Naruto had rolled over during the night and was facing her, their foreheads practically touching. Hinata had to restrain herself from having a giggle fit at how cute he looked in his sleep. She was thinking about trying to extricate herself and looking to see if there was anything available to cook breakfast with, but as if reacting to the thought, Naruto's body shivered and he hugged her tighter before his eyes slowly slid open, revealing his sapphire gems that seemed less afraid than they had the night before. His mouth twitched in an attempt of a smile before the blue bled to red and Kurama smirked.
"Getting ideas Hyuuga? Naughty Naughty." Hinata flushed, and sat upright.
"Way to ruin the moment you old sack of fur. And for the record I wasn't thinking anything improper at all. Do you have anything to eat in this den of yours or do I need to drag you to my place to get something decent?"
"Decent as in edible?" Kurama asked, trying to think to see what Naruto had. Hinata groaned and slapped her hand to her face
"Forget it. Get dressed, I'm taking you to my place. As long as you don't be a smartass in front of my dad.
"Don't get your undies in a twist," Kurama quipped, beginning to pull on his day clothes Hinata gave him a flat look.
"Don't tell me the great and powerful Kyuubi no Kitsune is just an old pervert."
"No, I'm simply not a stupid as your blissfully naïve crush, and I'm using the fact that you want to get into the pants of the body that I'm currently using to have fun at your expense." He paused, and burst out laughing.
"Naruto says you can borrow any of his pants that you want, though you may need a belt," He choked out before subsiding into gales of laughter again. Hinata just groaned, both at the fox, and at Naruto's misinterpretation of what said fox had meant.
"Whatever, get dressed and put a serious face on. My dad isn't anyone to trifle with. Kurama just lapsed into chuckles as he finished getting dressed. Hinata took the lead as they left his apartment and soon enough they reached the Hyuuga complex. The door guards started as Hinata and Kurama wandered over.
"Hinata-sama, your father was worried when you didn't return home last night," One said. Hinata sighed slightly.
"Please send word ahead that I was required to spend the night at a friend's house, and that I will be bringing a guest to breakfast," She said. One of the guards nodded and flickered away to report to the clan head. Hinata merely led Kurama into the gate where he glanced around in seeming disinterest while the pair walked through the complex. Soon enough they had arrived at Hinata's home. Hinata led him to her father's room and turned to Kurama.
"Wait here, I'll greet my father, then introduce you. After he dismisses me, we'll head to the dining hall," She said quietly. Kurama nodded and she turned and knocked on the door.
"Father, I have returned. I invited a guest over to breakfast this morning, and he is with me," She called respectfully.
"You and your guest may enter Hinata-chan," A male voice responded. Hinata slid open the door and beckoned for Kurama to follow as she entered and bowed toward her father. Kurama hesitantly did the same.
"Father, this is my friend, Naruto Uzumaki. I was detained at his residence last night in order to assist in recovering from an incident the other day. While there I discovered that his food supplies were not adequate and offered to allow him to eat with us, and it is my intention to extend this offer to whenever necessary to ensure he obtains proper nutrition," she explained. The Hyuuga head gave him a brief look over before returning his gaze to his daughter.
"He is lucky to have such a devoted friend as you. You may go to the dining hall, though in the future, I wish to know if possible if and when you have plans to stay the night at a friend's house," He said thoughtfully. Hinata bowed.
"Thank you Father, I will do my best to let you know." She turned to Kurama and beckoned him to follow her to the dining hall where they met her little sister and an older teen boy.
"Naruto, this is my sister Hanabi, and my cousin Neji. Sister, cousin, Naruto will be dining with us this morning, and likely many more times in the future," Hinata introduced. Kurama inclined his head at the two others. Neji merely glanced up briefly before returning to his meal while Hanabi smiled slightly and waved at him. Hinata loaded Naruto's plate with a round helping containing all the nutrients he would need.
"There, this should do it. You eat something similar to this in similar portions for all your meals, your body will buck up and you'll feel better for it," She said, handing it to him. Kurama nodded and began to eat while Hinata began her own meal. Hinata gave him a brief slightly puzzled look at his quietness but didn't comment soon enough they were fed and on their way to the academy. Almost as soon as they had passed through the gates back into the main of Konoha, Kyuubi let out a large exhalation of air.
"Well, now that's over with," He said cheerfully. Hinata gave him a strange look.
"What was with being so quiet the whole time? I said not to be a smart ass, but I never said you couldn't talk at all." Kurama chuckled.
"Well you see Hinata-chan, if I had indeed opened my mouth on that premises, nothing but pure sass and sarcasm would have emerged from within. Rather than have you get in trouble on my behalf, I spent the time trying to copy the blank stare your father has perfected. Though maybe tell your cousin his needs a bit of work. His annoyance was fairly obvious." Kurama explained with a cheerful smirk. Hinata sighed but seemed amused.
"I think you may need pupil-less lavender eyes to pull off that look's final form, but you weren't bad for an outsider." Kurama chuckled.
"Does your father gamble? I should challenge him to a poker match; see who has the best pokerface. Actually never mind, that wouldn't be a fair measure as part of my power makes me and Naruto stupid lucky in any sort of gambling situation." Hinata raised her eyebrows.
"Really? How come you two aren't rich by now then?"
"The Hokage was very careful to have Naruto steer clear of any sort of gambling growing up, and the kid never knew I existed until two nights ago. That monkey knew that unpleasant things were likely to happen if Naruto went to gamble against people looking to cheat him out of whatever money he had, and ends up winning nine times in a row. It wouldn't be safe until we find a place far away where Naruto has never been heard of," Kurama explained. Hinata nodded thoughtfully.
"That does indeed make sense. Well as a ninja, you'll have missions out-of-town that should afford you opportunities once you have accomplished your objective and have time to spare before you must return," She commented cheerfully. Kurama chuckled.
"Great. First we have to graduate however." By that time they had arrived at school, and they took the same two seats they had yesterday. Iruka glanced up and gave Kurama a strange look.
"Alright, this has been driving me crazy since yesterday. Did you intentionally choose that seat for its tactical advantage, or is it mere coincidence that you like that one?" Kurama seemed amused.
"I chose it intentionally. It's a nice spot. You think Duck-ass will sit next to me again since he's seen how epic I am at fending off rabid fangirls?"
"Most likely. Why do you call him duck-ass though?" Hinata asked curiously.
"Cause of the shape the back of his head makes. His hair is the rear-end of a freaking duck. It's ridiculous, and yet apparently every girl except you wants to bear his children. I don't get it at all," Kurama complained.
"It's because he plays hard-to-get and because his traumatic past triggers their undeveloped maternal instincts," Hinata explained. Kurama raised his eyebrows.
"Right. Note to self: to easily capture a member of the new generation of kunoichi, -I use the term rather loosely- Treat them like scum and spread rumors that I'm just a poor undeserving orphan. This is so stupid I'm just gonna stop here," He said with utter blandness.
"Watch out Naruto, your sarcasm is making a puddle on the floor," Hinata commented with a giggle.
"I just wish they were here listening to this. Iruka-sensei can I go grab Sakura Haruno and pin her to the ceiling again? Please?" Kurama returned. Iruka shook his head.
"No Naruto, stay here. Only resort to self-defense if she tries to hit you." Hinata just laughed.
"Wow, who would have thought you'd have been reduced to begging?" She teased. Kurama gave her an affronted look.
"I did not beg, I implored intensely. And I'm over it now. When is this stupid test going to start?"
"When the rest of the class arrives. Be patient," Iruka and Hinata said at the same time. Kurama checked his watch.
"I bet I could get them all here within five minutes." Hinata rolled her eyes.
"I'm not taking that bet. I know you'd win. Let's not run the risk of dragging our fellow students out of showers or other embarrassing situations, alright? Let's play a game instead."
"A game? Like what?" Kurama asked curiously.
"Tag ninja style," Hinata replied simply, poking him in the shoulder, and then vanishing. Kurama blinked while Iruka chuckled.
"Looks like she got the head start on you. Kurama shrugged and grinned.
"Well, I've got advantage of numbers. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" And with that ten Narutos dashed out to search for their friend, while one stayed behind to guard the seats.
It took Kurama a half-hour to find and tag Hinata, at which point he scattered a new group of clones to try and confuse where he was, but unfortunately for him she was paying too close attention so it became a matter of how long could he continue to dodge. After another half-hour she got him, and they returned to a mostly full classroom. As predicted, Uchiha Sasuke was sitting in the aisle seat of that row. Kurama hopped into his seat with a grin.
"Hey Uchiha, you got any preferences for team members?"
"No. To me you're all the same: dead weight," He replied disinterestedly. Kurama chuckled.
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say Duck-Ass," The Uchiha glared at him.
"Don't call me that."
"I'll call you what I want whenever I want. If you don't like it, change your hair so it no longer resembles the posterior of a waterfowl," Kurama replied with a broad grin. Hinata rolled her eyes at him.
"Did someone give you catnip when I wasn't looking? Your energy levels seem excessive." Kurama snorted.
"Catnip? Really Hinata? Look, even if I did smoke something I wouldn't get any effect from it. My body heals too damn fast," He replied. Hinata giggled.
"Well settle down. You're acting hyper." Kurama lapsed into thoughtful silence until students began getting called for the test. Hinata's turn came and she entered the room confidently, and soon was back again with a new forehead protector. She sat back next to Naruto to wait for his turn. Kurama glanced at her.
"Well this should be interesting to say the least." Hinata blinked.
"Something wrong? Your energy from earlier just vanished like it was doused in ice water."
"Nah, don't worry about it. I'll handle it," Kurama replied as his name was called. He walked into the room and immediately glared at the pale-haired proctor.
"Him. Get him out of here," He said sharply. The proctor adopted a look of polite puzzlement.
"Naruto, he's one of the proctors of the test…" Iruka began, but the blonde cut him off.
"He reeks of anger and evil intentions. He is someone I distrust. I will not complete the test with him in the room," Kurama said firmly, eyes seeming to glow briefly as they glared at Mizuki. Man raised his hands in a peace-making gesure.
"Now now Naruto-kun, I was hoping to be here to watch your big moment. Have I done anything to offend you?" He replied politely. The blonde merely looked at Iruka who sighed.
"Mizuki, if you wouldn't mind going to make sure the rest of the class isn't destroying my classroom please…" A look of anger briefly crossed Mizuki's features but he nodded politely and went off to check on the classroom. Naruto locked the door behind him and stared at Iruka.
"One of my powers is to sense negative emotional energy. That man hates Naruto because of me and will attempt something to do with us that is likely to not end pleasantly," He said quietly. Iruka blinked but nodded.
"Alright. I'll let the Hokage know and we'll put a watch on him. Kurama nodded and took a deep breath.
"Now…for this test…" He closed his eyes and his entire body went rigid and tense instantly. He slowly opened his eyes to reveal their natural blue irises. He looked fearfully at Iruka-sensei, whose heart broke a little to see such a look on what used to be such a bright and positive face. But he understood what was going on here: Naruto wanted to do this one thing for himself: He shakily put his fingers in a cross sign and whispered: "Kage Bunshin no Justsu!" There were three poofs of smoke as clones of Naruto appeared standing next to their creator. They all glanced at each other, and something akin to victory passes between their eyes before the blue went away once again and Kurama took charge.
"So, theres that. Need I bother with the other two or can we just accept that if we can perform a powerful kinjutsu, we can probably do a Kawimari and a henge?" The Fox replied blandly. Iruka smiled sadly.
"No need. Tell Naruto I was glad to see him and I hope he feels better soon. Take a forehead protector from the table and you may go." Kurama nodded and grabbed one with a black band before going out to join Hinata, and they both left through the window, travelling silently to the training ground where Kurama created some clones to do some training before he threw himself back on the grass and stared at the sky. Hinata sat next to him.
"So what's on your mind?"
"Naruto came out during the test to perform the Kage Bunshin personally. I spent much of last night convincing him to do it himself. It's going to be some time before he recovers emotionally," Kurama commented lowly. Hinata sighed and nodded.
"We'll do it slowly, with baby steps. At some point, he'll remember that life is fun, and not all of it is something to fear," Kurama yawned.
"So how do you think the teams will work out?" He asked. Hinata thought about it.
"Well, I'm pretty sure they'll put Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji together, their fathers were on the same team and were legendary. Left is three trackers, Me, Kiba, and Shino, and you and Uchiha-san are both powerhouses, which leaves Sakura. I think she has potential to be a med-nin and Genjutsu specialist. So they may want the three trackers to make one elite tracking team, which leaves you with Sakura-san and Sasuke-kun," She laid out. Kurama made a face.
"Me on the same team as a fangirling Sakura and Emo ? That would suck. I want to be on your team." Hinata laughed.
"I love you too foxy. But unless you can out-nose Kiba, I don't think you'd fit on a tracking team. You'd be better of hitting things and hitting them hard."
"Unless I can out-nose dogboy? That sounds like a challenge to me," Kurama replied with a smirk.
"Kurama, Naruto doesn't have the same sensitive nose you do. If you challenge Kiba to a tracking contest based on scent, you'll cause people to start asking questions," Hinata reminded him. Kurama grumbled a bit.
"Alright fine. I'll figure out some other rationale for being on your team." He said. Hinata giggled and checked the time.
"It's after lunchtime. You want to go get some Ramen? Naruto loves this one stand," She said happily. Kurama snorted.
"I know Naruto likes Ichirakus. I've been with the kid his whole life y'know. Sure, sounds like fun. Maybe he might talk with Teuchi and Ayame…eventually."
The pair headed off to the ramen stand, soon arriving and sitting on the bar stools. Teuchi looked up and grinned widely.
"Naruto! I'm glad to see you. I heard you got caught up in some trouble the other night. How are you doing?" Kurama glanced at Hinata before looking back at the older man. His eyes flickered to blue for a second before returning to red.
"I'm…alright I suppose. Things are a bit of a mess right now but Hinata-chan is helping me get back on my feet," He said quietly. The man nodded.
"I see. Well I bet a free bowl of ramen for you and your friend will help," He said cheerfully. Kurama bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you Ojii-san." Hinata did likewise and the two placed their orders. Hinata glanced sideways at Kurama.
"No luck?"
"Still working on it. The problem is the people on the other side of the cloth. It's too public," Kurama muttered back. Hinata seemed a little disappointed.
"I see. Well it'll happen in time." The two soon finished their lunch and walked out into the street. Hinata glanced at Kurama.
"So what do you want to do now?" Kurama looked at the sky.
"Should we go tell the Monkey that we passed the exam?"
"Sure, but why do you call him a monkey?"
"Cause he smells like one and he can summon 'em," The fox replied with a yawn. Hinata raised an eyebrow.
"Do you often name people based on their smells?"
"Yeah, well it's not often a human takes the time to introduce himself to me before either attacking or running," Kurama pointed out. Hinata nodded thoughtfully.
"Good point." The two made their way to the Hokage Tower, opting to enter from the window rather than the door.
"Yo, old man," Kurama greeted as he slid the window open and hopped inside. Hinata followed him inside and bowed.
"Greetings Hokage-sama."
"Hello Kurama and Hinata. How did the test go? Kurama growled.
"I never said you could use my name. That's for Hinata only." The Hokage sighed slightly but nodded.
"Very well then, Kyuubi. How did the test go?"
"We aced it of course. I suppose I should thank you for the Kage Bunshin, though if I were you I'd watch out for Mizuki. The guy's a traitor just biding his time," Kurama replied boredly. The Hokage raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know this?"
"Cause I can feel evil intentions and dark feelings from people around me. He's so full of it it's coming out his ears."
"I see. I'll be on the lookout then. Anything else?"
"Yeah, I want to know what team we're getting put on."
"I don't know yet. Iruka and I have a meeting later tonight where we'll sort it out. You'll find out tomorrow during your last class at the Academy."
"Urgh. Fine…" He paused before adopting an annoyed look.
"Looks like some dip just busted up my clones for no reason at all. Well I'll just make more and send them somewhere else."
"What are you having your clones doing?" The Hokage asked.
"Working on Chakra control. I like working on Taijustu with Hinata though; it's effective to teach my muscles the best way to avoid hits because any hit could be trouble. Though once we're in a team I'll spar with the others as well to diversify my techniques."
"I see. Well it sounds like you're doing well," The Hokage replied thoughtfully before hesitating.
"Have you heard anything from Naruto?"
"He drifts in and out of contact with our senses. He's still pretty terrified but it's slowly calming down. He's been dreaming of defensive uses for the Kage Bunshin, so I think he likes it."
The Hokage nodded. "If there's anything else I can do or teach you, let me know." The fox yawned.
"We'll see what's needed after we get into a team. Well, I think I'm gonna head home for now. Hinata are you coming?"
"Yes, but if I'm to stay the night again we'll have to stop by the Hyuuga compound and leave a message for my father. We should also buy you some decent food."
"Ain't got money for anything that ain't cheap, and people don't let me in their stores," The fox reminded her.
"The Hyuuga clan is plenty rich enough to pay for a few groceries. Go on home and I'll buy some stuff for you and meet you there," Hinata replied. The fox shrugged.
"Suit yourself then. See you in a bit." The two went their separate ways and Kurama began walking home. He soon noticed he was being followed by a small group of people. He raised an eyebrow before turning into an alleyway for discretion.
The group followed him and spread to block the mouth of the alley. The fox merely gave them a bored look.
"What do you people want?"
"We've come to end you once and for all, demon!" One spat. Kurama smirked.
"Oh really now? You do see this forehead protector, right? It's against the law to assault a ninja. But if you really want a piece of me, that'll be the least of your worries. I'm not holding back anymore. Your abuse has gone too far at last. So unless you want to see just how much of a demon I really am, I suggest you get lost."
"Demon Brat!" One of them screeched, raising an arm to throw a brick. He didn't get the chance as a small stone smacked him in the middle of the forehead from somewhere above and behind Naruto. In an instant, the other three were paralyzed as two had thick pythons slithered up their bodies and immobilized them, and the other was held in place by a kunai at the neck and a soft, sickeningly sweet voice at his ear.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Threating this Genin of Konoha are we? It would be a shame if I had to take you all into T&I tonight. Wouldn't that be fun?" The woman whispered. The men gulped.
"N-no, of course not…please forgive us!" One squeaked. The woman chuckled and licked the man she was holding on the ear before she and her snakes released them.
"Get lost dipsticks. Tell everyone that fox season is over." The three men quickly grabbed their knocked-out buddy and ran away. Kurama was standing back watching this looking bored with his hands in his pockets.
"You ruined my fun, Anko."
"Save it foxy. Killing anyone who pisses you off is what a monster does. A predator only kills when he has to. Those men didn't need to die; they just needed to be scared away. Always intimidate first, you'll get through life with less blood on your claws that way," Anko replied with a shrug. Kurama glanced at the mouth of the ally.
"Intimidation isn't exactly what N…I wanted either though...I wanted love and respect.
"You've never had a chance to get that before, but now you're a ninja so you will have your chance. Just be patient, and don't rise to the bait. Rising to bait leads to being trapped. In the future, you let me deal with these guys. I work for Torture and Interrogation, and I have a legal excuse to arrest anyone who attacks a Konoha Ninja. You won't earn the fear yourself, but people will be scared away from harming you," Anko suggested. Kurama gave her a solid stare.
"Past experience tells me others can't be relied on to get there in time."
"Your past experience has no information on me," She said bluntly. Kurama considered her before shrugging.
"You have one chance. If you fail even once, then I'll consider you unreliable."
"Works for me kiddo." And with that, she vanished. The Kyuubi mulled over this occurrence before heading back to his house, where he met Hinata at the front door.
"What took you so long?" The girl asked walking inside after him and setting the groceries on the kitchen table.
"Ran into a bit of trouble, it sorted itself out," Kurama replied with a shrug, sitting on the shabby couch. Hinata immediately looked concerned.
"What sort of trouble?"
"Some civilians wanted a piece of me. Some chick from T&I scared them off before I could tear them to pieces. She offered to help keep them away from me in the future. It might actually work since they seem more scared of her than they are of me."
"Is Naruto alright?"
"He panicked for a moment but I told him I had it under control and he trusted me since he saw what I did to the last group that tried to hurt us, so it wasn't too bad of a setback," Kurama replied with a yawn.
"What kind of food did you get?"
I got some packets of ramen that had vegetables in them, some canned fruit, some dried beef and peanut butter and bread, and also some milk. A few treats for dessert but those are only if you eat the rest of your meal. I thought it was a decent selection of nutritional things that you might be able to afford on your own, and most of it is preservable so you won't have to worry about it spoiling."
"Sounds good to me. Shall we eat then and go to bed? I've been having Kage Bunshins train for most of the day and it does drain chakra."
"Alright, that works for me," Hinata replied. "You should shower first though, you haven't done that since yesterday morning at least." Fox nodded, seeming too preoccupied at the moment to make a dirty joke. After they had eaten, Kurama took a short shower while Hinata inspected the house. She figured it looked worse on the outside than it did on the inside, most likely because of the Hokage. When Kurama came out, Hinata looked at him and asked, very quietly, "Naruto-kun?"
The boy tensed, but slowly looked over to meet her lavender eyes with his own sapphire ones.
"Do you want me to stay here tonight again?" Hinata asked in a whisper. Naruto nodded slightly and opened his mouth.
"T-they won't attack me if you're here," He said quietly. Soon after that Kurama resumed control of the body.
"Fair point that. We didn't have problems all of yesterday or today until they caught us on our own," He commented thoughtfully. Hinata nodded.
"I see. That makes sense. I wonder if my father grows to like you he might be willing to put some pressure on people to leave you alone," She replied. The fox shrugged.
"That'll take a while. But let's save it for tomorrow, I'm beat."
The two laid down in Naruto's bed and the boy quickly dropped off to sleep. Hinata laid awake for a while longer, thinking of what might happen tomorrow. She hoped she would be put on Naruto's team, but she also wondered what he might do if it didn't work out that way. She hoped he would learn to trust whomever he got put with, and that his sensei could separate him from Kurama. As she drifted into slumber, her thoughts became dreams of Naruto laughing, grinning, and shouting with glee over something. It didn't matter what, it just mattered that he was not afraid.