This chapter has been corrected by the beta reader B3GIN
Chapter 8: Happy birthday.
October 10, the date of the Kyuubi's assault and the Yondaime's sacrifice and Naruto's birthday. It was a national holiday. Naruto herself had never liked it. While most people would celebrate it, she used to stay in her apartment; or rather, over the last three years she had stayed in her apartment. The holiday reminded her of the day her brother had come several years ago—the day after the holiday. She stopped thinking about him, because that would have ruined her day. She cried every time she thought about him.
This year at eight, she awoke to the ringing of the doorbell. She got out of bed hoping it was not one of the people who hated her. It was Kakashi; he entered her flat wearing an eye-smile.
Naruto greeted him without being surprised. Last year they had been spent the day together. Amazingly, he hadn't had a book of questionable content with him. He had brought a strawberry cake for her. She ate it in two hours and immediately gained two kilos. While she was eating, he told her who the Yondaime had been without revealing that he had been her father. He confirmed he had been his sensei. He informed her about his tastes, his worldview, and his physical resemblance to her.
However, he had spoken more freely about her mother. Her name was Kushina Uzumaki, a red-haired living bomb, ready to explode at any moment, always busy pranking her neighborhood within the village. He said he missed them both. He hadn't told her about the former junchuuriki's state because that was unnecessarily complex, and Naruto would have asked additional questions about her. He told Naruto she reminded him of her mother, and he offered the girl her mother's headband. It became one of Naruto's most precious treasures. After that, she always kept it near her amulet in the drawer next to her bed. She held them when she felt angry or sad. They conferred to her an inner calm.
If the mention of her mother was a thing of the past, Kurama was a brother still alive for her. Unfortunately, he had not returned to Konoha since leaving her. She still did not know why he had killed Otoru. If she could have understood why, she would have forgiven him, but he remained invisible like a ghost who haunted her in her dreams. But that day, she did not want to bewail about her past.
This time Kakashi gave her a chocolate cake. He laughed when she said that she would gain another two kilos. He teased her while scrunching her hair and attested he was free to spend the day making her run until she had lost all the weight, because then she could accept the cake. She pouted but she still ate her cake. It was already ten o'clock this morning. They talked about her days at the academy. She said that since Sasuke had arrived, it had become fun. They pranked teachers sometimes. Every day they ate at the place she had shown him. Kakashi smiled when he listened to her, and he testified that it was good she had finally found a confidant, someone who she could believe in.
She told him that she'd beaten Sasuke in a spare yesterday because he had strangely lost his concentration. He had been a pitiful partner that day. He refused to tell her his distraction's origin, and Naruto was a little upset. Sasuke had left her and she had not seen him since. She thought it was strange. Kakashi didn't have any comments and gave her another eye-smiled; he had a feeling as to why Sasuke acted like this, but he did not want to spoil the surprise for Naruto.
Then, they went out at eleven. Kakashi decided it was a good idea to visit some places in Konoha he wanted to show her: Team Seven's training ground, some restaurants he had visited with his team, etc... They went to Ichiraku ramen for lunch. Naruto had not gone there once since registering at the Academy. She prepared her own meals now, but the place still reminded her of good memories, of a time when it was the only place she could be tranquil at, in peace at. Since it was her birthday, the owner Teuchi offered them free dishes. His daughter Ayame questioned Naruto about who was the great mysterious masked silver-haired man who accompanied her, but she assured her that he was just a friend.
After they ate, they laid on the lawn outside of Konoha near the forest. There they observed the cloudless blue sky.
It had been a week and Sasuke still had not reconciled with his father over his decision, but Mikoto, who had never been against his decision in the first place, started to talk to him again. He asked his mother what he could offer to a girl as a present. She smiled mysteriously and said that the most precious gift he could give to her was his own presence at her birthday. It did not help him find what he sought. They wandered around the village until they reached a hill near the river. There he saw Naruto. Then he ran towards her and noticed that she was not alone. Naruto felt his presence, turned to look at him, and pounced on him, uttering a little cry. She literally threw herself onto him, and because of her momentum they did somersaults across the slope and fell into the river. The adults laughed at them. Sasuke got up from the water, both angry and surprised.
"Are you crazy, jumping on me like that?" He exclaimed, but she smiled back brightly.
"You're yourself now!" She yelled, surprising him at the same time.
"What?" He replied confused. "Yesterday you weren't focused on the present. Now you are." He sighed. Kakashi clapped his hands to call them out of the water. It was cold, and it would be sad if they caught a cold at this time of the year. Mikoto approached Naruto and Kakashi followed her. Mikoto gave them both a towel.
"Who is he/she?" They asked together.
"He/She is my mentor/mother." They said simultaneously. They brawled, a little frustrated that he/she spoke at the same time. Once they had finished, Mikoto and Kakashi exchanged an amused look. In fact, they had already become acquainted when they did not need to be presented.
"So, you're Naruto..." Mikoto murmured. 'She looks like Minato so much, and even Kushina is reflected in her behavior, ' she thought. Naruto bowed in front of her.
"You're Naruto's mentor!" Sasuke's eyes widened. "The one who taught her everything!" Mikoto stared at Kakashi. He nodded at but corrected Sasuke by saying, "No, I didn't teach her a thing. She acquired her strength alone." Sasuke's mouth made an 'O', and he was even more impressed than before but not for the reason Kakashi thought. "You can even read minds!" Upset, Kakashi put a hand on his single revealed eye. He had just assumed the thread of conversation. Naruto laughed and augmented Sasuke's misunderstanding.
"Yes, it's because he has the sharigan!" She said gleefully. Now Sasuke generously worshipped Kakashi; he knelt before him. The Shinobi idol in question gaped at the boy, terrified. Mikoto put a hand over her mouth to hide her amusement.
"Master, please, teach me your secrets." Sasuke figuratively licked Kakashi's boots. He mentally cursed Naruto before using Shunshin to dash off and to avoid listening to the crazy excitement of an admirer; he had enough fan-girls like that without adding children to the list. Naruto tapped Sasuke's back.
"Well done, he won't come back now that you've scared him. I was kidding, he didn't know how to read minds." Sasuke was furious now, he'd embarrassed himself.
"And I suppose you also lied about the sharigan. I don't even know why I believed that. It's impossible for him to possess the sharigan, he'd have to be an Uchiha." Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Have you by chance heard of the Copy Cat nin?" Sasuke retorted immediately. "Of course! He is the..." He stopped himself and froze momentarily. He clenched his fists and winced. "Naruto! You did not tell me!" He rushed to Naruto, who quickly fled while chuckling. They moved away from Mikoto, who decided to leave them alone so they could have great memories together.
Sasuke and Naruto passed the afternoon by running through the festival. Passersbys glared at them, puzzled. The children messed with a few stands. The ANBU who were supposed to supervise Naruto had difficulty staying out of the mess that the young couple caused. Sasuke threw small stones and sticks at Naruto who dodged, laughing. They broke into the Hokage's tower and literally destroyed the Hokage's office. Sarutobi, meanwhile, was at her house with Kakashi; they were waiting for her so they could throw a surprise party.
After that, Sasuke lost his resolve to avenge himself and began to think that it was a rather exciting race. He no longer ran behind her but alongside her. They plunged into a spring where they challenged each other to a freestyle race. Later when they were dry enough, they strolled to a place where they heard lively music. They entered the room and then stole food to restore themselves from their escapades. They were pursued by security guards because they had once again made a mess. They took a few pots and ink drawings of animals painted on some clans' compound, including the Uchiha one. That night, everyone hated the 'demon brat' and the 'Uchiha's heir'. Fugaku swore solemnly that he would end his son's involvement with the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki. He received an incredible amount of bills for their actions. He cried in frustration, but Mikoto laughed again when she heard the latest news. She thought that Naruto was definitely Kushina's dead ringer.
At seven twenty, Naruto and Sasuke returned to her apartment. They discovered the Hokage and Kakashi awaiting them. Even Jiraiya was there with Mei. Naruto looked somewhat confused, but the Hokage presented his disciple and his pupil's girlfriend. Naruto had never met Jiraiya while she was conscious. Mei had ordered Jiraiya to at least see her on her birthday; she threatened to leave him if he did not obey. Naruto thought it was strange that a man so old was in a relationship with as beautiful and young a woman as Mei. Jiraiya sobbed at the comment, but Mei burst into laughter and a good relationship between Mei and Naruto was insured. Then, they cursed their reciprocal partners what turned pale Kakashi and the Hokage. Hiruzen whispered in Kakashi's ear that he should give her some tips to discern what was polite and what was not. Sasuke stood away and pouted a bit because he no longer had Naruto's attention.
They gathered in the living room and took a few appetizers. Jiraiya was writing pornographic novels in his corner. Naruto shrieked in surprise when she noticed that he was the author of the famous orange book. Sasuke approached him, interested, and blushed when he saw the content, as he knew what it was about even if he had not yet reached puberty, just like Naruto. Kakashi pleaded with the Great Toad Hermit to autograph his own books, and Jiraiya gladly obliged.
Mei had a drunkard's contest with the Hokage, who began to peer at Mei's little bra once he was drunk. Jiraiya discerned the threat and tried to lie over her body, but he was violently pushed against a wall, cracking it a bit. Mei had never liked to be interrupted during one of her challenges. Naruto and Sasuke used the adults' distraction to get out of the house because they were too young to appreciate that kind of leisure.
Opening the door, they found a small package on the floor. They heard the bushes rustle, and they saw a little red fox who fled promptly. Kakashi, who had recovered his senses from his own orange signed book, remarked that Naruto and Sasuke were no longer there. He rushed towards the exit and found the small gift too. He thought it was wonderfully packaged.
"What is it?" Kakashi questioned, but the children only shook their heads and pointed a finger to inform him where the fox had gone.
"We saw an animal the size of a weasel." Sasuke reported. It was the first animal which had crossed his mind because it was the one who incarned his brother. Kakashi nodded and quickly ran in the direction they had shown. Naruto was overthrown by his reaction. Sasuke and Naruto took a moment to decide whether they should open the package or not.
After ten minutes of Kakashi chasing the little red fox, he deduced what kind of animal it was. He thought. 'A fox? Why would a fox deliver a present? I have a bad feeling...' He finally managed to catch it.
"Let me go! Let me go!" The little fox squeaked, panicked.
"Who sent you?" Kakashi requested dryly while raising a fist above the fox's face; the animal cried pitifully before replying:
"He would not want me to say his name, he would kill me if I said his name! Let me go! " Kakashi took pity on the fox and liberated him, knowing who was behind this mysterious gift. "Kurama..." He thought seriously. Then he returned to the apartment.
During his absence, Naruto and Sasuke had argued about whether they should open the gift. Sasuke was worried about it and he did not want to unlock it. Naruto, who did not often receive gifts, insisted upon opening it to discover what secrets were contained in the package. The only note that was written was, "For my Heart!" She finally unwrapped it. There was a small red ring. Olive branches were drawn and the scent emitted by it seemed to arise from the tree itself.
"It's beautiful!" Naruto testified and inserted the thing around her finger. It suited her perfectly. Sasuke rolled his eyes, panicked.
"Are you crazy?" Sasuke shouted. His shout attracted the adults. They wondered what the purpose of the hullabaloo was. Naruto proudly showed her new ring to her friends. Hiruzen winced, fearing the worst. Mei approached her and recognized the smell's origin. She glanced at Naruto, worried. Sasuke told them what had happened. Hiruzen began to open his mouth to scold Naruto, but a scared Kakashi emerged from nowhere and took Naruto's hand. He lifted his headband to release his Sharigan. After his study, he asked the girl.
"Please, Naruto. Try to remove that ring from your finger." He seemed really ominous now.
"Why?"
"Don't argue, Naruto. Do what I tell you..." Kakashi's tone rang into Naruto's ear; he only used in for important moments. She tried to take it off but failed to do so. Kakashi gave a look to the Sandame which meant, 'We need to talk about it, now.' Hiruzen nodded and decided it was the time to distribute gifts. Mei and Jiraiya also understood the glare's meaning. Hiruzen gave Naruto a small scroll. Jiraiya and Mei give her clothes and confectioneries. Kakashi and Sasuke had nothing since Kakashi had already offered his cake and Sasuke hadn't found anything. The night ended on a disappointing note for Naruto. Kakashi accompanied Sasuke back to his home, and he promised to be present for the meeting in his office.
Naruto had had the best day of her life. She was so happy because all her friends had come for her birthday. She was only accustomed to the scorn of her people. Then she lied on her bed, all her possessions around her, and fell asleep. In her dreams she was among foxes.
When Mei and Jiraiya arrived at the Hokage's office, they whistled. Hiruzen had a grievous grin. 'Those little...' They decided to leave, leaving a word for Kakashi to meet them in the refectory. Once they were seated at a table, they began to talk.
"So what? What do you think about this?" Jiraiya questioned.
"I don't think it was so bad! Our clothes seemed to delight her!" Mei exclaimed and Jiraiya shook his head, world-weary.
"I meant the ring, Mei, not our present."
"Oh..." Mei was a bit miffed.
"We should wait for Kakashi, he'll probably have learned more about this matter," The Sandaime proposed. They waited impatiently for their missing member. Kakashi arrived using Shunshin five minutes later.
"Sorry for being late," he said absentmindedly.
"Tell us about the ring, Kakashi, since you checked it out with your sharigan and pursued the animal that brought it." Kakashi waved his hand over the table where they were sitting before and dropped the red fur on it. Everyone present scowled.
"You should know what this means," he testified.
"Kurama..." They answered simultaneously.
"Yes, the ring did not seem to jeopardize Naruto or manipulate her in any way. Aside from the smell and the fact that it can't be detached from her finger, I didn't discover a thing."
"Normally I wouldn't be scared if someone offered a gift for a relative's birth, but because the individual is Kurama, I'm worried he's attempting an action against Konoha," Jiraiya commented dubiously.
"I think you're exaggerating the threat. He probably just wanted to send Naruto a gift. That's not prohibited by any laws, is it?" Mei defended her opinion because of her new relationship with Naruto. She knew the girl didn't have enough gifts and couldn't afford to give up even one. Hiruzen scratched his beard thoughtfully. Then he opened his mouth.
"Are you aware of Kurama's current residence? I want to visit him once." The other three shook their heads. Hiruzen shrugged.
"I guess since he left his home near the Kiri's ruins, nobody knows where he lives. Jiraiya and Mei, I give you a new mission, rank A: I want you to investigate this matter." Mei was put-off. They had just returned from a long mission and she thought she could take a vacation with her partner. "Look for any trace where he could have been located, you're dismissed." Hiruzen concluded immediately to keep Mei from complaining. Jiraiya put a hand on her shoulder and whispered into her ear that they could still have fun during their mission; she nodded sadly in acknowledgement. They then left the room to teleport home to prepare for their departure.
Kakashi remained with the Hokage and stared at him, imploring him to give him a similar mission.
"No, Kakashi. You have to stay in Konoha. We will need you if Kurama comes here since you've already fought him. You retained knowledge about his abilities. I will not give you a mission, but I advise you to keep an eye on Naruto. You are also dismissed... " Kakashi nodded. He also teleported to his home.
Hiruzen, who was alone in the refectory, walked slowly toward his room at the top of the central tower.
Sasuke had been reprimanded by his father once he crossed the Uchiha's compounds. He yelled that he was forbidden to leave their home unless he was going to the academy. 'This will prevent him from frequenting the demon that corrupts my child!' Fugaku had thought. Sasuke went to his room without eating, but he was still satisfied and had no remorse because it had been an exciting day.
When Itachi had completed his mission, he intended to return home immediately; however, in the locker room where Itachi kept his equipment, another ANBU relayed to him a message that he claimed was from the village elders. He was horrified when he heard the news...
Somewhere, much later in a desert, a man was asleep in a cave and was sweating large drops under the pressure which gave him intense hallucinations.
"You murdered us!" People screamed among a crowd.
"Please! Do not tell her..." begged a child on the verge of death.
Kurama had frequent nightmares during his sleep. It was one of the reasons he preferred to fall unconscious rather than fall asleep. The worst of them was not of this type. The worst was when he met Naruto—when his eyes were devouring her hair like the wheat... Exhaling her fragrance ... Touching her skin ... Tasting her lips ... And worst of all, when he was corrupting her. He missed her physically and psychologically. He crossed his arms and shivered in his stupor when he had this lascivious dream. He felt an imaginary hand put on his shoulder, comforting him.
"No, Kurama, my friend ... You did what was necessary... " It was a reminiscence of Naruto's spirit.
"My Light..." Kurama whispered. "Thank you for saving me again..." Even lying on the ground, his hand grasped the wind. The wind of change.
He opened his eyes. They were red, they asked for blood. "I will save a soul, it is my duty and burden to bear. "
Then he went to Konoha, his Ninjato unsheathed along with his demonic powers, and the chakra tendrils curling around the weapon he called a body.
A/N: Many explanations for this fiction:
First: Why Naruto is a girl? This will be explained in the eleventh chapter though the true reason will appear at the very end of this fiction. (2 sequel are planed)
Second: Kurama's odd behavior: It will be explained in the first sequel of this story.
Third: Total length planed for the first volume: 500K up to 600K words.
Fourth: This won't follow the cannon story. (only a bit though)
Answer for the guest: I'm sorry this A/N did kill ur interest, but I rather prefer warn my readers at first. The whole "why is it a FemNaruto story", this question is most of the time not even resolved by the authors, or at least, there is not a true reason behind it. In my story, the fact Naruto is a girl is a necessity for the characters' development and the further plot later. I could keep him as a boy (even with a gay relationship) but I did not.
As for Kurama odd behavior, this stuff is certainly very important, but less than his own actions in this dimension. This story is sequenced in three volume this way:
First one: The actions of Kurama
Second one: The reason behind his acts (200K words up to 400K words)
Third one: The consequences of his acts (300K words up to 400K words)
The whole story will take place in a period of thirty years.
The length of the story is huge I admit, but I have to do it once again to explain everything that will happen in this story, since the first volume takes place in a period of twelve years. (How can you attempt to describe it if it's not with a lot of length?) I don't understand your reaction when you say it kills your interest. Many times, you don't know if an author will discontinue or not his/her story. I warn you I do write the whole plan of this fic and so, I'll probably never abandon it.
