Why do I have to hide?
Chapter 6
Brought to you by: Anonymous Joe
Edited by: Anonymous Joe
Disclaimer: I do NOT…I repeat I do NOT own anything related to Naruto….this honor belongs to those who own its copyright…which sadly isn't not me.
"speech"
'thought'
"Kyuubi speech"
'Kyuubi thought'
"book"
(I don't know Japanese so…techniques are in English and I use honorifics whenever I feel like it…so don't ask me why, I put them in when they feel right, Sorry if you don't like this)
I asked Boris before I put this up, there is a scene that could be considered suggestive but he said T was still okay, you have been warned.
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Streets of the Kitsune Prefecture –
Naruto's ears were back and he was focusing his senses to find the cries for help. He ran swiftly down the unknown streets, his eyes darting down the dark alleyways, on his left an right, searching for the kitsune in need. As he rounded the corner, his eyes broadened at the scene in front of him
There stood three kitsune, all processing two tails, circling a one tailed woman. Since they were all in their half demon forms it was hard to tell their coat colors, but inferring from the ears and tails, the two tails were silver, charcoal and grey. The cowering girl was of a lavender color.
His arrival had apparently had gone unnoticed by the other four demons since they continued their conversation.
"Hiroko, you know that being a two tails, I can give you and that brat you call brother, shelter, food and money. If you just spend the night with me in my den…or would you rather my two friends here take you? Trust me, they aren't as…polite as I am being." He said with an evil smirk. His lackeys began to laugh evilly and leer at her. She huddled into a ball in the corner of the alleyway as the three of them began to come closer to her. She let out a soft whimper and whispered softly, "Somebody please help me…"
"No use! No one is going to come…" joyfully said Zenko, the silver haired leader.
"Really? Awesome! I get her first Michio!" added the charcoal one.
"No fair! You got the last one!" pouted the grey one.
"Enough! Masayuki contain yourself, she is mine until she refused got that!" he spat to the grey kitsune.
"I don't think so. She doesn't belong to anyone!" seethed Naruto.
Upon hearing the stranger's voice the group turned around. The girl looked up from her sniveling and her eyes got wide. She quickly shook her head, "He isn't real…no Noblemen would care about us…"she mumbled. Naruto heard it but ignored it for now.
Zenko's eyes widened at seeing the man standing behind him. There stood Naruto majestically with his three tails waving furiously and the sun setting behind him. He looked at the crest on his chest and sneered. "When did you three tails learn to care? Go back to your fancy home while we find us some pleasure in this rat hole" he replied to Naruto.
"I am sorry, but that cannot be arranged. Gaining pleasure through pain of our kinsmen is not the Kitsune way. We are a noble clan…" he was quickly cut off.
"You can go to HELL with your FREAKING NOBLE CLAN SHIT!" Zenko screamed back.
"I see…well then…it looks like I am going to have to be frank" stated Naruto in a clam and eerie way. "Step away from the girl and leave. If you do so I will neither have to press charges….nor your kick sorry asses!" he finished raising his voice.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOOL! OH, YOU GONE AND DONE IT NOW! YOUR ASS IS GRASS!" yelled Michio. While the grey just growled with cruel intent.
"Well boys it seems our "lord" has just insulted us…looks like we're going to have to teach him a lesson or two about the working class." He said in malicious and sarcastic tone. Upon finishing this, his two lackeys lunged for Naruto.
Catching Naruto off guard was their first and only break. The charcoal came from behind and pushed him forward with a punch, while the grey came from below and delivered an upper-cut to Naruto's chin. This effectively threw Naruto across the alley and into a wall. Dust shot out from the impact and obscured everyone's view of the golden three tails and all that could be heard from it was heavy breathing.
"You might be a three tail, but combined we have six! More than enough to defeat the like of you!" sneered the leader. "Now back to business." He said as he turned back toward the woman.
As he approached, her whimpering began to grow and his smile grew. That was until the most animalistic tone Naruto ever produced permeated the air of the alleyway. "NEVER underestimate me! NEVER turn your back to me! NEVER harm my clan, kinsmen or family in front of me!"
Just as all three turned to see the dust fade away, they saw Naruto's figure emerge. His sleeves and pant legs were on fire and his eyes were slit with anger. The killing intent coming from him was enormous as he began his attack. The leader watched in awe as his two henchmen fell in the blink of an eye. Fire had wrapped around them and seemed to freeze. They had helpless looks in their eyes as they tried to fight it. Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck stood up. As the voice spoke, his could feel the hot breath on his neck, "No one can disrespect the vixens of the kitsune and get away with it. Got it?"
Zenko broke out into a cold sweat as he felt a cold blade being pressed upon his neck. He mumbled a "Yessir…" in fear. Naruto smiled, "Good…but you still need punishment." Suddenly Zenko heard the man call out, "ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH (PAIN): REVISED!" He felt a flame start at the base of his tail and go…well south. His eyes widened when he realized what had just happened. Suddenly he heard a rumbling from his behind and a flame shot out. Propelling him into the wall like a bottle rocket. He smashed into the wall with a sickening crack and fell to the ground, where he laid in pain, both from physical pain but more from his ego finally cracking from the embarrassment he had just received.
Naruto stood there shaking his hand in disgust. "I am SO glad pop told how to do that without inserting my fingers…that move was sooooo queer before." he said to himself.
He quietly turned to face the girl he had just saved and was surprised to see that she hadn't moved. She was still in a ball whimpering. Naruto's face softened as he began to slowly walk over to her. Once he arrived in front of her, he crouched down and held out his hand. "Young lady, you can stop crying."
She raised her head and the tears were still present. She looked into his face, as he broke out his patented smirk. "Why? Why did you help me? No one from the upper class ever helps us."
"Aren't you just glad I answered your plea? What does it matter how many tails I have?" he asked confused and kindly.
She nodded her head and then her eyes snapped wide open. "GOMEN! I forgot" she said hurriedly as she quickly bowed. "Thank you…uh…my lord!"
He chuckled for a moment, "No need for such things! I don't wish for them outside the council." He smiled and extended his hand further towards the woman.
She looked at him quizzically. "The problem is gone, it is time for us to stand once again" he said as he thought 'I love quoting my father.'
She nodded slowly and still shaky from her recent ordeal she took his hand. They slowly stood and Naruto beamed at her. She looked around in wonder at her would be assailants' conditions. "Ano…I am sorry but I forgot your name. What was it again?" she asked with a great deal of embarrassment. Before Naruto could go into his normal rant, the sounds of many kitsune running towards them filled their ears.
Suddenly Ishikawa appeared with many royal guardsmen behind him. "Ishikawa-sama!" she screamed as she felt to her knees in a bow. He just merely nodded to her as his attention was turned to Naruto.
"Naruto-sama! DON'T ever do something that foolish again! You could have been killed!" yelled the great purple demon.
"I told you before; I will protect every kitsune with my life. I shall not shun the responsibility given to me by father." Naruto stated slightly amused.
"But if you get killed not only will we lose the heir, but Kyuubi-sama as well." He retorted.
Just as the argument was about to become heated, the girl piped up. "Ano…Is he really the heir from today's meeting?" she asked stunned.
Ishikawa turned his attention back to the girl at their feet and said calmly, "Yes, he is."
Her eyes grew wider than before and turned to her savior, "I, Hiroko of the Vulpine, give Naruto-sama my total fealty. All I ask is that you please take care of my younger brother, Ichigo, until he is of age, if it isn't too much trouble." She finished ceremonially and bowed even lower towards Naruto showing her entire yielding of herself.
Naruto paled, he had no clue what to do. Cold sweat began to bead on his neck as he tried to recall what his father told him about such things. He was drawing blank. Quickly he darted his eyes over to Ishikawa with a pleading look, as if to say "What the hell should I do?"
Ishikawa raised an eyebrow and gave him a curt nod. Naruto looked back towards the young woman in front of him, "I fought for your freedom…I did not want this." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "I am sorry but I can't accept… It goes against everything I am."
"Sir you have no choice, I am afraid…" trailed off Ishikawa.
"What do you mean I don't have a choice? Of course I have a choice! I want her to have freedom! If she and her brother need food or shelter I am more than willing to give it to them" he replied shakily with a tinge of indignation.
"That's not the problem…" sighed the purple demon. "Part of the kitsune pride is to refuse charity. I am presuming that the vixen and her brother would refuse the help even if you offered." The woman nodded her head in agreement. "See, although I agree this would be much easier if she would…" He sighed.
"Well that doesn't mean I have to take her freedom! If she is too stubborn then let her find a way…If one shuns the kindness of their brothers, let them be cold." He replied voice full of sorrow as he remembered Sasuke.
"I agree Naruto-sama, but that isn't the problem. She has just sworn fealty to you with out your asking. It is in our code," he coughed signaling his quotation of the rule, ""If any kitsune is in distress, I say on to you, show me loyalty without being asked. Give me yourself fully and I shall choose to reward you with the blessings of Vulpine clan, said Kyuubi to his people" as you can see, do to that, you, as heir to the clan head have no right to turn down her offer. You are bond to the word of the late hier to accept it. It is still your choice to fulfill her wish" finished Ishikawa with faint evil grin.
Naruto scowled, "It looks as if I am going to have to have a long, long, long talk with father when I get back."
Ishikawa and several of the guards began to chuckle at this. The vixen on the ground let out a little sound and gave him pleading and hopeful eyes. He sighed, "You leave me little choice. I accept."
She beamed for a moment then said in a subservient voice, "Yes master, use me as you wish."
Naruto turned green at the implication. He said though gasps of embarrassment, "That…will not…be necessary."
Some of the guardsmen began to laugh at his antics and Ishikawa smirked. "Do you wish to reward her Naruto-sama?" said the elder in a formal way. A nod was the only reply. Ishikawa then turned towards two of the guardsmen, "Quickly, go fetch her brother. Breathe not a word of this, got it?" he told them curtly. They gave him a salute and ran off to find Ichigo.
"Sir, what shall we do with them?" asked another of the guardsmen as he pointed to the three fallen kitsune.
Ishikawa was about to speak when Naruto piped in, "Those two, the charcoal and grey, demote them to one tail status because they were only followers. For the leader something far more drastic is required. Demote him to a one tail and imprison him in is human state for three kitsune years" He said astutely.
All present gasped, looks of disbelief of such a harsh punishment went through the ranks of guardsmen while some just gave Naruto a questioning gaze.
"Don't you think that is a little harsh Naruto-sama?" the eight tails asked. The guardsmen murmured in agreement.
"No. It seems the council and the higher ranked kitsune have turned a blind eye to the working class and I will not allow it. He will be an example to show what happens when people begin disgrace the vulpine name. We are a family; we should help each other not harm one another. That man tried to do something I shutter to think about and thus must be punished severely." He said in his smart tone, which he has been using a lot as of late.
"I see. But sir how do you purpose we enact our laws, for we hardly have the resources!" asked Ishikawa.
Naruto let out a bitter laugh, "Your city is encrusted with precious metals, gems and stone and yet you cry poor? Where the rich have all and the poor are penniless, I am sure we can cut back a bit to help our police force." Naruto finished.
Ishikawa coughed, "Sir, we can't ask any on the council for money or higher taxes, it could cause a coup. Also, we don't have a commoner's police force…"
Naruto paled even more, "O…..kay! Well then…uh…um…." Those present began to laugh when they realized he had run out of ideas.
"Master, I have suggestion…" came the quiet voice.
"You don't have to call me that…" he was cut off.
"She does sir, she has given her right to be thought of as an equal. If she were to call you anything else in public, it could cause her to be executed." Ishikawa stated matter-of-factly.
Naruto felt his blood boil, "You kill people because of that! And then don't even have a police force! Then you call my punishment cruel?"
"It is the way of the kitsune…"he murmured.
Naruto looked at the ground dejectedly, "I see…" He then turned toward the girl at his feet and sighed, "Well then please tell me."
She smiled at him kindly, "If you were to create a volunteer police group, I am sure the streets of our prefecture would become much safer."
Naruto nodded and looked at Ishikawa. "Well…I would have to run it by the council…but I don't foresee much opposition" stated the elder deep in thought.
"Good" affirmed Naruto and he smiled.
From around the corner they could hear the voice of a young boy shouting and the sounds of a scuffle. "I TOLD YOU! I DIDN'T DO NUTHIN'! I SWEAR! LET ME GO!" came his ravaged screams.
Hiroko's face seemed to tear but she didn't move from her station. Naruto hung his head in shame for what he had done to the family and wished Hiroko hadn't put him in this situation. 'Why did she do this…' he thought
Soon they rounded the corner and the boys face was that of fear and panic. The two guards that held him fought against his struggles. His red tail moved rapidly and his red colored ears were flat.
'Just like father' Naruto chuckled to himself at the color of the fur.
Upon seeing Ishikawa the kit fell silent. After a moment he said in disbelief, "Ishikawa-sama?"
"Yes, along with Naruto-sama" he replied kindly.
The boy, who looked to be about 8-9 years of age, slowly turned to see Naruto for the first time. Naruto gave the boy a shy smile and his gaze dropped to the girl in front of him. The boy's eyes widened at the sight of his sister.
"Sister what is going on? These men came and drug me here and…and…and…" he said extremely confused.
"I have found us a home, Ichigo. A real home with walls and food" Hiroko said kindly to her brother.
"What…what do you mean sister?' he asked with disbelief.
"My master has agreed to take care of you." she gave him a sad smile.
"M-master?" he stuttered out.
"Yes, he is indeed kind and brave. For he owed me nothing but still helped me twice."
"Sister you can't mean you…" She nodded her head sadly in answer to his remark. He gulped and turned toward Ishikawa. He wore a stern face and shook his head at the boy and looked toward Naruto. Boy's eyes widened and looked at Naruto. Naruto stood there and nodded his head slowly. "But Hiroko! He is only a three tails and from what I have heard, centuries younger than us!"
"He is my master." She said cheerfully.
"He is the heir…" murmured Ishikawa. "You will live in the imperial palace." He finished trying to soothe the boy.
The boy was obviously overcome with mixed emotions and finally a look of anger came upon his face, "You can't buy me! How could you do this to my sister!"
Naruto looked as if he was shot by the boys words. 'I am I as bad as those I had just stopped?' He pondered.
"Ichigo, please! Think about this! We won't be cold anymore nor hungry. Master is a kind man, I can tell. Don't be angry with him…I asked him for this! It was my choice!" Hiroko pleaded.
The boy was shocked, "You asked him? You ASKED him?"
She opened her mouth but Naruto cut her off, "Yes, she asked me. I didn't ask to do this to your sister…but I am bound by law to accept her plea. If it was my choice I would have given you a home and food without her fealty" he admitted. She gave him an odd look but remained silent. The child was about to speak again when Naruto cut him off, "I am tired of this. Let's go back to my place and we can talk about it there, alright?" he said kindly. The kit gave him a confused look but then nodded his head.
Naruto turned to Ishikawa, "Alright show me the way Ishikawa-san" the man nodded and they began their walk to the palace.
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The palace-
As they approached the magnificent castle Naruto caught his breath as he looked at the size of the place. He obviously had several acres of land and a many roomed home. It was at least eight stories tall with gothic architecture and like most buildings here, it was made of black onyx and red ruby. There were many spires and a large oak door with the family crest emblazoned upon it. He let in a deep breath at its beauty and smiled. "Master is this your first time seeing your home?" Hiroko asked a little amused. He nodded his head quickly in giddy delight.
The boy gave him a little odd glance, 'This guy…he is so...weird. He acts like a strong, wise and powerful man…but then he acts like a child.' He quickly darted his eyes away when he noticed Naruto was looking at him and smiling, Ichigo was still a sore about Naruto taking his sister's honor even if it was his sister's choice.
Upon reaching the door, loud trumpets blared announcing the arrival of Naruto and the doors swung outward revealing a mahogany entry hall with a dual staircase and art from all ages lining the walls. The servants were standing in line waiting to greet their new lord.
Naruto gave them a short standing bow without thinking and many of them gasped…including Ishikawa and Ichigo. Naruto began to giggle like he was twelve again, "Sorry, old human custom…" he said as he scratched the back of his head. Many of the servants put hand to their mouths to stifle a laugh.
The one near the front took a step forward. "Good evening Naruto-sama. We are the vassals and servants of the Kyuubi…thus your inheritance. I hope we will serve you well."
Naruto smiled, "If what father has told me is true…" all the servants hung to his words. They wanted to know what their old master told the boy, they wanted to be remembered by him as good servants. "…Then I have the finest servants and friends a lord could ask for!" he exclaimed.
Many of the servants' eyes began to water at hearing the praise of the Kyuubi through his "son."
"You have no idea how much that meant to us Naruto-sama" the servant replied.
Ishikawa then said from the back, "Naruto-sama has added another among your ranks. She has pledged fealty to Naruto-sama in exchange for his help earlier today, and the protection of her brother."
"Ah I see! Well then miss…?"
"Hiroko and this is my brother; Ichigo" she said sweetly.
"Well you have made fine choice in your allegiances, if the young lord is anything like his father; it will be a pleasure serving him. Come this way…" he began to lead her away when Naruto stopped him.
"Uh…I am sorry but could she start her duties tomorrow? I have many, many things I need to discuss with her and Ichigo." asked the golden three tails.
"As you wish..."
"I have left you a status report in the master bedroom, if you have any questions call for me" stated Ishikawa. Naruto nodded and the purple demon disappeared in thick purple smoke though he swore he heard, "Troublesome…" murmur from within the smoke before it had cleared.
"If you would follow me to the dining hall." stated a servant as he walked to the right. Naruto and the other two kitsune followed.
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Dining hall-
Naruto and his companions stood in amazement at the looks of the hall. Gold was dripping from every possible place. Red velvet lined the seats. Solid cherry floors and a fireplace were just the beginnings of it. If I were to explain every detail of the room it would take me over century. They all took their seats in a stupor; Naruto was obviously sitting at the head of the table. On his right was Hiroko and to his left was Ichigo.
As they sat, a nervous silence fell across the table. Each would look at each other but were too nervous to speak so they would look away. This lasted about ten minutes or so until the blonde half-demon could no longer take today's occurrences. He began to laugh with great mirth, thoroughly enjoying himself until tears came from his eyes from how much he was laughing. Both Ichigo and Hiroko stared at him as though he was mad.
When he caught their glances he decided to let them in on his little joke. "Do you know in the human realm, I live in a run down studio apartment that is infested with roaches? And today I am handed a palace and it is treated as normal!" he said cheerfully while smiling a true smile.
They gave him confused faces, "Master why do you choose to live like that in the human realm?" she asked cutely while being extremely confused.
"Choose?" he said sarcastically while still in good sprits. "Hiroko-chan, I do not choose to stay there. It is the only place I am allowed to live. I am damn lucky too, I had to live on the streets until the hokage was nice enough to FINALLY realize I wasn't an "IT" and gave me a home."
"You mean you were like us?" asked Ichigo amazed.
"Why do think I care so much about the working class? I am one, in the human realm." He said seriously while still cheerfully.
"They told us you are ambassador to the human realm!" replied the boy.
"Well now I kinda am, ever since Kyuubi-sama adopted me. But I am still a Ninja of the leaf. I still have my studio apartment; I still train, work, eat and sleep as a normal person. Besides I still have my friends…even though they don't know I am a kitsune" He mumbled the last part
"They don't know about your greatness?" asked the boy again.
"No, they hold great prejudice toward the Vulpine, which is what I am trying to fix. So I am afraid my friends won't treat me the same once they find out." He answered a little sadness in his voice.
"Master I am sure everything will work out!" said the lavender vixen.
He nodded his head, "I'm sure…" he replied as if in a far off land. With that the food arrived. It was a lovely spread, from roast duck to pork, luckily for Naruto, there wasn't any human…
Although the food was good, it was a strained affair, each of the one tails would give glances to the three tailed waiting for their talk, but he continued to eat and eat and eat. When he had finished he looked at both of his kitsune companions and smiled, "Did you eat good?" he asked.
They both cringed at his bad grammar but didn't say anything. "Yes master, thank you!" she replied merrily. The boy nodded his head.
"Alright then, I guess there is no more putting it off. First off, Hiroko-chan please when we are in private don't call me master, or -sama. Just call me Naruto, please?"
"But master I could get…" she started.
"I am your Lord correct?" she nodded her head, "That means that I choose your punishment right?" she nodded her head again, "then don't worry about it, if you get in trouble for not calling me master in private, I give you my word, I won't kill you for it." He smiled at the end of the conversation.
"Your…your word?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, my binding word" he repeated.
"Thank you…Naruto-kun!" she replied happily. Naruto slapped his hand to his face, "At least that's better than master." He mumbled. The boy began to laugh at the antics of the heir and his sister.
"All right, now on to you." said the three tails seriously.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. Ichigo you are under my care now until you old enough to live on your own…which won't be for awhile." He quickly added upon seeing the worried look on Hiroko. "Anyway, I'll have them give you a room and some clothes. Starting tomorrow you will begin school at …" he was cut off by the child.
"SCHOOL? I NEVER HAD TO GO TO SCHOOL BEFORE!" whined the boy.
"Brother you weren't privileged enough before. He is offering you a great chance take it!" intervened Hiroko.
"I bet you never went school if what you told us is true!" he accused Naruto.
Naruto chuckled, "Of course I went to school, I had to fight to get in too. It was a special school for ninjas to be trained and I hated it."
"WHAT THE HELL! YOU HATE SCHOOL AND YOU FORCE IT ON ME! YOU SON OF A B…."
Hiroko's eyes grew wide as she reached over the table unsuccessfully cover her brother's mouth. "Quiet!" he yelled and the boy squirmed in his seat.
"Master please, he doesn't know any better, please…" she began to beg.
"I told you, you don't have to call me that" he replied calmly. "Child, I personally take no offense to that word. I even have a friend and teammate who is affiliated with the Canis clan. BUT, my father has told me of what an insult that means here and I respect his wishes towards it usage. So while in this home you will never use that word towards me or anyone else understood?"
His sister glared and at him so he reluctantly nodded his head. Naruto smiled, "Good, I kind of think it is dumb rule…but that doesn't change the fact that it exists." The other kitsune began to laugh at his behavior.
"Naruto-kun why don't you act this carefree and silly out there?" asked the lavender colored vixen.
"Father says I can't just yet…and I agree. A leader needs respect and dignity to lead, without these traits he is just a fool. So you are some of the privileged ones to see me when I relax."
"Naruto-kun you are an interesting man" she said.
"Uh…thanks I think. Anyway as I was saying, just because I hated school doesn't mean I didn't need it, or I didn't learn anything. So if I am to take care of you, I think that includes…." He paused for a moment and cringed, "…education."
Naruto began to laugh, along with Ichigo and Hiroko. His eyes then flickered to the ornate clock on the wall. "I have a busy day tomorrow… I think" he reflected upon looking at the clock. "So I am gonna go ta bed now. I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Goodnight Naruto-kun! And thank you…for everything." she called merrily.
"Goodnight…" the word hung on his tongue debating whether or not to say it, "…Father" said softly Ichigo.
Hiroko gasped for she hadn't heard her brother ever use that word. On his way to the stairs Naruto stopped and stood stock still from hearing the word. A tear forming in his eye and a sad smile, he felt his stomach turn cold and begin to twist. He slowly turned around with that sad smile and a look worthy of pity.
He saw Hiroko giving her brother a look and shook her head. "I know what it is like to try to find a father when you have none. I know the loneliness and sadness looking for the love you desperately search for. But I have never known this love until recently and even now it isn't what you seek. I yearn to call you son, and show you this warmth…but I can not. All I can be to you is a friend and hopefully a brother." His voice filled anguish and sorrow. The boy gave him an odd look with the spark of understanding behind it and Naruto understood it's meaning, "Well then, goodnight Hiroko-chan. Goodnight… Brother." He slowly tuned and walk up the stairs in the direction he hoped was the master bedroom.
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Master Bedroom –
After asking many a servant to show him the way he finally arrived at the doors to his bedroom. He somberly opened the doors and his senses were suddenly bombarded. The extravagance of the room was almost too much for him. The room was two stories with a balcony that overlooked the shrine and his city, and there was a fireplace burning away merrily in the corner. To the right was a staircase that lead to a study that over looked the room and in the middle of the room was a four post bed, large enough for at least 4 people to comfortably fit. By the fire were two winged chairs and a table between them. Upon the table there seemed to be an emergency summoning scroll for all the council.
'I pray that I never have to use that…' he thought darkly. He decided to investigate the upstairs study to see what was there. The stairs creaked in protest under the stress of weight being applied to them after so many years. As he reached the last stair his thoughts came rushing to him, 'Father how many freaking books do you need?' This he thought him after seeing the rows upon rows of bookshelves. He slowly walked up and down the isles; many of the books were on Jutsu's, clan secrets and other demon clans with in the Devine Realm. Some where on the history of the kitsune and others were the novels from many civilizations. He wrinkled his nose in disgust when his finger came into contact with the spine of a particular book. The title read, "Icha Icha Paradise! Volume 1 First edition" his eyes widened when he saw that his father had every single first edition copy of the Sennin's book up until 15 years ago. "He wasn't lying…" he said aloud in disgust at the discovery. He shivered a little bit and continued down the rows making mental notes of which books he should read before he left for the human realm once again.
After walking up and down the isles of books he walked over to a desk which had a rather formal looking packet on it. Curious, he moved closer to the old style desk and sat in front of it. Pulling over the packet he read the cover, "To heir apparent: Naruto Uzumaki of the Vulpine."
He let out a little chuckle, just now remembering what Ishikawa had told him. He slowly opened it and began to read…
page 1
"Welcome to the position of heir and member of the Vulpine clan! I bet you are a bit nervous about the responsibilities you have just gained. This book is the council's way of welcoming you and your introduction to our world. Please read the next few pages to gleam the knowledge needed to serve your people. Once again I congratulate you on becoming the next clan head." Naruto smiled at the words of recognition and turned the page to read on.
Page 2 "Since you are a half-demon let us explain your new confusing body you have received…"He stopped reading. "Yeah like I didn't get it the first time! Father was being such a jerk about it…"he muttered. He skipped the pages in this chapter and went to the next chapter.
Page 32
"I have asked all of the council members to fill out a little survey as a welcome and a way for you to get to know us better! Below are the enclosed responses." 'This should be entertaining' he thought eagerly. He quickly flipped to the first survey which was obviously hand written. The person who had wrote this had fancy and ornate hand writing and it made Naruto curious of whom the owner was.
Name: Yamamoto: Protector of the sunset
Coat color: Orange
Sex: Female
Age: Not polite to ask a lady
Years on council: 32,001 human years
Comments: I am honored to be able to write to the son of the Kyuubi. I like to think of myself as a kind and caring person…but I am told that I can be selfish. Your father was a great man and deserved respect and if he believes you are his son than you at least deserve the same respect. Along with long walks and baths, I love to eat exotic food and perform karaoke. I dislike egotistical fools whom only care about themselves…I hope you're not…
'O…kay. This don't think they told her this wasn't a personal add…' he thought humorously to himself. He flipped the page and read on. The writing on this page was tall, spidery and seemed rather flamboyant.
Name: Kogoro: Protector of the moonlight
Coat color: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 12.5 eons
Years on council: 42,005 years
Comments: Hello kit! It is pleasure to be able talk to our next heir. I am so sure you have heard of me from Kyuubi-sama.
Naruto paused here to think… "Nope, sorry pal, he never said a word about you!" he said aloud.
My accomplesments are well known throughout the human and kitsune realm. I have… 'blah…blah…blah… he is such a bragger' He thought, not finishing the page and turned to a hand writing that was flawless by any standard of a cursive text book. He continued his reading.
Name: Maehara: guardian of marriage and love
Coat color: Pink
Sex: Female
Age: 18 eons
Years on council: 72,921 human years
Comments: Greetings, Naruto-sama. I would like to welcome you to your new home and domain. I think I speak for everyone here when I say, It is an honor to meet you. I have known your father since I was a kit and for him to choose you, a human, you must be of a high nature and value. I look forward to hearing your views at our next meeting.
Sincerely,
Maehara: Guardian of Marriage and love
Naruto's eyes filled with understanding and he smiled as he finally understood the prudish woman. She just loved formality, that was all, and now he knew how to speak to her. He turned to the page eager to see what he could learn on the next one. The hand writing was scrawled sloppily and fast and if his eyes didn't deceive him, it seemed as if coffee and orange juice were spilled on the paper.
Name: Edogawa: Guardian of the shore.
Coat color: Orange and blue cuz I am cool like that.
Sex: Yes please
Age: 10.4 eons
Years on council: 9090 human years. Do you want that in nano-seconds?
Comments: Wass up? Uh…I hate when Ishikawa makes me do stupid stuff like this. Um…I like sake, vixens, surfing and parties. Uh… I got an idea! If you really want to get to know me why don't we get together at a bar or somthin'? Yeah, that's an awesome idea! Give me a call sometime and we can get to know each other better k?
\m/ rock on!!!
The blonde reading this couldn't help but laugh at the infantile response he got on this from Edogawa. 'He seems interesting. Maybe I will take him up on the offer…as long as it doesn't lead to me praying to the porcelain god and some regrettable decisions. Hell, I have been to worse places with Jiraiya.' He smiled to himself as he flipped the page and it was written in spindly and tall hand writing.
Name: Ishikawa: guardian of magic and head of the council
Coat color: Purple (8 tailed)
Sex: Male
Age: 1200 years younger than your father
Years on council: 15 more than your father
Comments: I am finally glad to meet you in person, you father told me many things about you. We will talk more when I see you later.
"Alright…that was informative" he said sarcastically. He turned the page to see the next page was nearly blank and seemed to be written with harsh strokes.
Name: Takahashi: Guardian of the Forest
Coat color: FORREST green
Sex: MALE
Age: 19.5 eons
Years on council: 88,002 human years
Comments: I have nothing to say, Naruto-sama.
'Someone is touchy…geez!' he shook his head with the thought. He turned the page and read the next page with strait and neat hand writing.
Name: Inoue: Guardian of the sand
Coat color: Sand/tan
Sex: Male
Age: 13.2 eons
Years on council: 20252 human years.
Comments: I am honored to speak with you…I would like to say I enjoy my work and I wish to serve my lord to my full potential. I don't like waste.
'Sounds like Shino…always efficient' he though sardonically. He turned the page and saw the person wrote in blue pen which was in contrast to the others whom all wrote in black. It was squiggly writing and it was hard for Naruto to decipher.
Name: Kato
Coat color: White
Sex: Male
Age: 13.1 eons
Years on council: 19235
Comments: It will be a pleasure to see you in council meetings…
Naruto flipped the page looking on the back to see if there was anymore. There wasn't any and thus he thought, 'He doesn't talk much does he?"
He flipped a few more pages and read. It was pretty much just technical babble about their defenses, clan population, clan needs, clan relationships with other clans and other boring stuff. There were some meaningless laws on the block tomorrow and as he watched, he gasped in surprise. A cerulean flame added to list: Voluntary Royal Police Force.
He smiled…tomorrow would be a good day he could tell. Just before he shut the book he saw on the last page, Approximately how long will your stay be? kitsune years.
His face scrunched up in a sour expression…he hadn't thought of that. He sat and deliberated for a long while staring at the blank and finally wrote .25 in the blank. It sprung to life in flame and then the book sealed itself.
He let out a loud yawn as he stretched and stood up slowly. He meandered down the steps sleepily and contently and made his way over to the oversized bed. He saw that while he was absorbed in the reading a servant had laid out his sleeping clothes. These were more dignified than his old ones. No longer did he have a silly looking cap but instead he had a pair of crimson pants and robe laced with gold. While the under shirt was black with the symbol of the clan in the middle in gold. He beamed when he realized the gold was the same color as his coat.
He quickly got changed minus the robe and lifted the covers to sleep. The fire in the corner dimmed as if it knew Naruto was going to sleep, as he got under the many blankets. He lay there staring at the ceiling for a long time pondering his fate. 'Why?' he thought.
'Why did this happen to me? What is going to happen to me? They say I am going to have to stop a war! I am not ready for that…' he began to panic. His fathers training kicking in and he took a deep breath and thought, 'Well I'll figure that out another day. I wonder what the others are doing. Wait they don't even know I am gone… I have probably been gone only about 2 minutes damn I hate this time thing…' his thoughts began to ramble. Soon a smile reached his face as I certain white eyed Hyuga girl filled his thoughts.
After what seemed an hour he became frustrated with his lack of sleep. 'Damn I have just been staring at the ceiling for the last two hours. I just wanna sleep…the bed is just too big for me…the blanket is too soft...' he was like the princess and the pea every imperfection began to hinder him from sleep so he just lay there staring outward awaiting the sunrise.
Suddenly his ear popped up and began the swivel as he heard footsteps outside his room. 'An assassin or a servant?' ran through his mind. He lay perfectly still to give himself the element of surprise. He heard the door slide open and close with a soft click. 'They are being too noisy for an assassin or a servant…'
He opened his eye. A figure stepped into the moonlight and his mind began to send him danger signals but not due to the danger of death…
There standing in a flowing nightgown was Hiroko. She had a cute blush and pretty little smile on her face. She slowly brushed away a hair that was in front of her eyes and her tail was waving slowly behind her. "Master, I came to keep you…company…" she blushed at her own forwardness.
Naruto stayed still in the bed stunned by the recent turn of events. The gears in his mind began to turn slowly and he knew he needed to get her out of his room. "Th-tha-that is al-alright, I am fine…" was all he could stutter out.
She giggled, "No need to be shy…" as she began to come closer.
"No please! I don't want any "company" as you put it…" he said a little firmer.
"Why not? There isn't any thing wrong with it…" she asked confused as she continued her advance on his bed. As she began to seat herself on the bed, Naruto jumped up and got out on the other side.
"That is quite alright…I don't want any company. Now please could you just leave and never speak of this again." He said strongly
Her eyes began to water and the vixen asked in a cracking voice, "A-are you refusing me?"
"If I must put it that harshly…Yes, I am refusing you, now please leave" his tone serious and cold.
"Why? Why master? Is it because I am ugly?" she asked through sobs. His heart broke and he said kindly, "No, it not because you're ugly, I have my own reasons." She brightened up a bit. "Then…" her face changed to understanding, "I get it! Your homosexual. That's okay too, but know this master; I stand by you all the way."
Naruto turned a deeper shade of red from his embarrassment when he said loudly and seriously, "I am NOT homosexual!"
Her face showed pity, "It is alright, I'll keep your secret Naruto-kun. Even if you are in the closet! I'll make sure everyone doesn't realize until you're ready to tell them. Don't worry I'll still support you!" she smiled merrily.
"I AM NOT GAY!!!!" screamed Naruto in anger.
She looked at him strangely, "Really?"
"YES!" he yelled back.
"Oh…" she fell back into confusion and began mumbling to herself, "Hey do you already have a mate?"
"No" he answered softly.
"Don't worry then, any kitsune vixen won't care because it doesn't count in this situation." she said caringly
"She would" he replied sternly.
"You have only been here a day! Who caught your eye?" she asked curiously as she wanted to know who beat her to the young lord's heart so fast.
"No one here" he said
Her eyebrows scrunched up "Well then there is nothing left unless…" her eyes shot open and her face seemed a little disgusted, "…you like mortal women."
His only reply was, "I was born and raised a mortal…what do you expect?"
She shook her head, "Is she pretty?" she asked finally.
His eyes glazed over and he said dreamily, "Yes very. She has long dark purple hair and lavender tinted eyes. Her face is soft and she always looks at me with a smile. She is really shy too." He chuckled to himself recalling her image. Little did he know but a true large smile had broken across his face. He didn't notice but the other kitsune did.
"I can tell you truly care for her…what is she like?" she asked a little saddened.
He continued without even looking at Hiroko. "She is kind and always tries her best even if she knows she will lose. She has always done little things for me that no one else would do, like offered me medicine and let me copy her answers on an important test. She also has this cute little nervous habit of poking her fingers together" he smiled and then his face fell as he mumbled "And she always faints when I try to talk to her…" and he turned his face toward the ground.
Hiroko broke out of her sadness and began to laugh at how pathetic the human girl was. Naruto just glared at her and she quickly stopped. "I see you are devoted to her… a little word of advice, kitsune sometimes take mortal wives but it usually tarnishes their names because we all know they only act that way since they know their "wife" will die quickly" was her reply.
"I don't really care…I love her" he said with some anguish in his voice.
"I see that…" she said with pity as she lifted herself off the bed and made her way to the door but before she opened it she turned around and said, "Just remember, she is mortal and you are not. The path you want is only pain." She said solemnly.
When she had her foot out the door she turned back and called "If you ever change your mind master, I'll be waiting!" with that she finally left and Naruto was just left staring at the door deep in thought.
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Next Kitsune morning –
Naruto lay awake on his bed as he watched the sun rise. He hadn't slept a wink that night; instead he laid there thinking of the lavander eyed girl who had won his heart. Knowing he had lost his battle for sleep he slowly got up and walked over to wear a pair of fresh clothes that were hanging in the closet. He quickly got changed into his normal attire and left his room. After a few helpful servants pointed him to the bathroom, he quickly got cleaned up and left for the breakfast table.
When he got to the dining hall, it was completely empty as he sat down in his chair. He let out a frustrated sigh as he began to message his temples due to the lack of sleep. Before long three tails heard the footsteps of a young kitsune, pitter-patter down the steps. He looked up in time to see the kit making his way to the table. He threw him a grin and the young one smiled back.
"Good morning big brother!" said the boy happily.
"Good morning little brother" he replied kindly but with lack of enthusiasm. The kit gave the man an odd glance.
"What happened to you? You look like you got the shit kicked out of you!" he asked as he began to giggle.
Naruto grinned wider at the Ichigo's remark, "Nah, I am just not used to a bed like that…mine at home has springs popping out of it for kami's sake!" he laughed to himself.
"Yeah…but unlike you I enjoyed my new bed" the young kit said proudly.
Naruto nodded, "I am glad you did."
Shortly the smell of breakfast cut through the air making the two male kitsune salivate. "That smells AWESOME!" cheered the one tail.
"mmmmm….yeah" agreed the blonde.
"I hope you both enjoy it!" came the happy cry of Hiroko as she walked intot he grand room. She placed down an array of breakfast foods in front of them and smiled. "Brother, they taught me how to cook today!" she beamed to her sibling.
"That's great!" shouted the kit.
"How are you today master?" he gave her a glance, "I mean Naruto-kun."
"Just a little tired but I should be fine." He said through a mouthful of bacon.
"I could have fixed that last night, if you would have let me." She said with a wink.
"Sister what do you mean by that? And why did Naruto-sama turn all pale? And why isn't he chewing any more?" asked the curious kitsune.
"That is an adult matter, brother" she replied in an upbeat and witty voice.
"Oh…" he said not understanding but then said, "He still hasn't moved!"
Hiroko began to laugh, "He is just a little shy that's all…he'll get over it in a minute…Anyway I have to get back to the staff now." She said with a giggle.
"What! You're not going to eat with us?" asked the kit.
"No, the staff has a contin...continen…whatever. We have a breakfast of fruit and coffee" she replied cheerfully.
This snapped Naruto back, "You know I don't appreciate it when you do that!" he said in a growl.
"A little slow in response eh?" she replied slyly.
Ichigo interrupted, "Brother why won't you let the staff have a normal breakfast?"
"Because I have moral…wait what?" he asked after realizing he didn't hear the question.
"Why can't sister or any of the other staff members have a normal breakfast?" demanded the boy in outrage.
"I don't let them?"
"Mas…Naruto-kun don't worry about it! Were fine with the coffee and fruit!" she said dismissively.
"That is something I cannot stand for! Good thing I am sitting." He added as a joke but everyone just stared at him. 'Damn I am becoming as lame as Kyuubi…'he thought dejectedly. "That was lame I know…Anyway back to the point, tell the staff that they can make themselves proper meals for themselves and are allowed a break to enjoy them… I guess that would be a half-hour each meal."
"Naruto-sama! You don't have to do this!" she said in disbelief.
"I know but I want you all to be happy too." He smiled at her.
"Thank you master! I'll go tell the staff now." She quickly stated before running off.
After they finished their meal together, Ichigo looked up at Naruto and asked, "Brother, If your not too busy…could we go play a game?"
Naruto looked at the boy with a raised eyebrow. He glanced at the clock and weighed his time. "I don't see the harm as long as you don't miss school and I don't miss the private council meeting." He said gently.
"Awesome!" beamed the boy "Lets go play fire tail!"
"What's "fire tail?"" asked Naruto in a puzzled voice.
The boy wore a face of shock, "It's only the greatest game EVER! Come on I'll teach you how to play!" With that the boy grabbed Naruto and dragged him off to play a game that involved fire, an odd square ball and their tails.
After about a half an hour the two were laughing and having a great time when they realized it was time to stop. "Thank you brother!" called the boy as he ran off to go to school. Naruto smiled and waved back to the fleeting figure.
Once the boy was gone he felt a warm presents behind him. He turned to see Hiroko standing there with a sad smile on her face, "I…I don't know how to thank you. This is first time in a long time I can remember him smiling so much. Hell I can't remember a time when I smiled this much." She finished looking at the ground. Naruto caught her eye and smiled, "Don't mention it."
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This is how things went for the next three months that Naruto was in the kitsune realm. He would wake up, get dressed have breakfast with the siblings, Ichigo would ask to play and Naruto would always indulge. Sometimes Hiroko would watch sometimes not, either way it would always end in laughter. Then the kit would go to school and Naruto off to the meetings.
He fought everyday for the voluntary police and many other things to help his prefecture during his stay, along with some trivial matters such as the laws about proper etiquette. He would come home and have his dinner, help with Ichigo's homework, do his work and go peacefully to bed alone, dreaming of his return to Konoha and the chuunin exams.
The morning of his departure was heartfelt but he knew he had to leave; he needed to have a talk with his father and then get some rest for the exams. He promised to visit the next chance he got. When the kit asked him "how soon?" he smiled and said "Before you look like you're 10."
"That will be years!" whined the boy.
"To me is only the matter of hours, don't worry though I am sure that your sister and the servants will take care of you!" he said with a great amount of hope in his voice.
"Brother when will we play again?"
Naruto smiled and left the question unanswered, and he gave the kit a hug.
With that he closed his eyes and focused on the cage and his true body. He felt the warmth this place had always permeated leave him as he traveled and he began to shiver from the brisk air. The pastries he had smelled since his arrival were now gone, nothing was left but silence and the pungent smell of nothing.
When he felt his feet touch the ground, there weren't any trumpets of old but the smell and sound of his father and his true home. He felt a warmth fill him not like the kind the Devine realm gave him but instead the feeling of love. A feeling of placidness overtook him as he readied himself to greet his father warmly.
That all changed when he opened his eyes, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO DAD?!?!" he screamed
"You like it?" he asked humorously.
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Hey,
Okay boys and girls I have gotten so many reviews asking for me to explain myself I think I shall answer a question here.
The reason Naruto is treated the way he is, is due to hate, and hate usually doesn't make sense at all. Yes the villagers hate comes from Kyuubi and his attack on the village and is bred due to they see him as different and don't know how to act around him, so they choose to hate that they don't understand. The kitsune are shocked by how he has been treated because the last they heard was the fourth saying the child was going to be hero, and expected him to be treated as such. Those such as Ishikawa who had heard rumors of his treatment never thought it was that bad.
I was going to answer more questions but I don't want compromise plot twists or my storyline so you'll just have to read to find out what happens.
Anyways that took up way too much space and I want to apologize for that. This chapter was extremely long and tedious, so don't expect another one this long…I might but don't expect it. Don't worry this still is a Naruto/Hinata and there will be plenty of fluff as seen this chapter, it had some adult themes and it is an example as to how far I am willing to go so don't ask for anymore. I don't write lemons or limes sorry. The next chapter is the chuunin exams! No more putting it off. I was going to do it this chapter…but that would have been way too long. So anyway 'til next time enjoy my evil cliffhanger and please read and review, and be kind.
Joe
Ich werde Sie später sehen!