"How does Konoha not know where you are?" Gaara asked, trying to ignore his sister, who was currently bouncing off of the walls.
"Kami, does that cub ever shut up!"Shukaku growled, making the excited blond slow to a stop.
"How could I? He's a-"
"I'm not a spy, Temari. Yes, I'm setting up a spy network, but that doesn't actually make me a spy. Being in charge doesn't mean I have to follow the same profession."
"Oh, really? So what are you?"
"Right now? I'm a normal seven year old sitting in Academy classes bored out of my mind."
"You mean they don't know you're here?" Gaara surmised. I smiled at the six year old, impressed at his understanding of the situation.
"No, they don't. If you would be quiet, I'd be able to explain everything. Well, not everything, but enough for you to understand," I said, rubbing my temples. Temari shut her mouth and nodded for me to continue before reaching for Koyuki, now curled around my shoulder. I let her take the ice fox before sitting on the edge of Gaara's bed. "As I said, the Konoha ninja don't know I'm here. I left behind a more evolved clone behind to sit through Academy classes while I travel, train, and set up my network. Any questions so far?"
"What kind of clone did you leave? I'm try to learn how to do a Bunshin but I can't get it right."
"I actually left a Niku Bunshin. I'm not sure where I learned it, it's just been in my head for a while," I half-lied. I had learned the Niku Bunshin from one of Kabuto's medical scrolls that Sai and I had found while ransacking one of Orochi-teme's bases.
"A flesh clone? Is that even possible?"
"It's possible but it eats up a lot of chakra so I don't use it. I usually use Kage Bunshin because I learn everything they've discovered and I don't get hurt if I send them into dangerous territory. Kage Bunshin was the first technique I mastered. Anyway, I'm getting off topic; I left a clone. I told him exactly what to do, how to act, et cetera. I told two people that I was leaving- two people I shall not reveal or explain my reasons for telling them."
"Why do you need a spy network?"
"I have plans in the future. For some of them, I need a good spy network. I know for a fact that they're going to be people after me because of who I am. If I have a network, I can avoid them until I'm strong enough to confront them. If not, I'm sure it'll be useful when I show up as the Kitsune-Sennin."
"You can go into Sage mode? Already?"
"Shukaku, you should know what I'm capable of. Or do you not remember what Kyuubi told all of the demon lords when we went through?" I asked the demon. I heard Gaara start to ask me a question when there was a knock at the door.
"Gaara? Are you in there?" A man's voice asked. Gaara's eyes immediately brightened and he grinned.
"Hey, Yashamaru-ojisan!" Gaara called back.
"Gaara, can come out here for a bit? I need to talk to you!" Yashamaru asked through the closed door. My mind started working on overdrive. When Gaara was six, an attempt was made on his life. It was a regular occurrence by now, his father would regularly send ninjas after him to assassinate the Shukaku. But this attempt was different, this time the Yondaime Kazekage, Gaara's father, ordered his brother-in-law to kill the young jinchuuriki. The brother-in-law had raised Gaara to believe that he cared about him, only to stab him in the back.
I knew I couldn't see this man and allow him to survive. Gaara needed to chase down all of his demons, no pun intended. When Gaara and Temari were both turned to the door, I made my escape, leading Koyuki and Zoran out of the window and onto the roof, able to hear but not be seen.
"Hey Naruto- Naruto?" I heard Gaara ask behind me, his young voice confused and just a little concerned.
"Where'd he run off to now?" Temari grumbled. "Aw, he took Koyuki-chan with him!" On the roof, Koyuki looked at me smugly.
"See, she likes me too," she whispered to me, a grin on her face. I rolled my eyes and held a finger to my lips, asking her to remain quiet. I heard a door open below us and someone enter Gaara's bedroom.
"Hello, Gaara. Temari," the man said, trying to keep the surprise out of his voice. "What are you doing here? I thought your father wanted to talk to you. Something about giving you an early birthday present? I think he said something about your mother's fan…" His voice drifted off as Temari squeaked and ran to hug him.
"Thanks for telling me! I'll see you later, Gaara!"
"Bye Temari, say hello to Father for me," Gaara said with as little venom as he could manage. Temari rushed out of the door and out of the house, appearing below me in the street, running towards the Kazekage's Tower as the sun began to set.
Making a spur of the moment decision, I ran to catch up with Temari. When she reached the door to the Tower, she was met by me, leaning against the wall.
"There you are, Naruto-kun. Did you need to talk to Father or something?" Temari asked as her eyes searched for Koyuki. Not seeing her, her face settled into a disappointed pout.
"Not exactly, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
"It depends on the favor," Temari responded suspiciously.
"I heard that you want to use a battle fan. Do you have wind natured chakra?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Well, I was kind of hoping you'd take in a kit that I found a few weeks ago. She has wind chakra as well, so I thought she might be a good partner for you. She also seems to have some talent with medical ninjutsu from what I've seen; when I found her, she had a broken leg that was healing a lot more quickly than usual. I can show her to you if you'd like," I said, hoping Temari would adopt the fox. She seemed to think about it for a moment before nodding quickly.
"Let me see her," she smiled expectantly.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu," I murmured, going through the seals and biting my thumb before slamming my palm on the dirt. A small cloud of smoke appeared, parting to show a tiny kit that was maybe four weeks old cradled in my hands. She had thick yellow fur with a white muzzle and throat. Her hazel eyes were open and blinking in the setting sun's light. "I'm pretty sure she's a Corsac fox. They're supposed to have a really good sense of smell keen hearing. They aren't the fastest runners, but can out climb anything. Other than that, she was orphaned and I found her when she was about a week and a half old, her eyes still shut. If you don't want her I can-" I was forced to shut up, Temari's hand slammed down on my mouth.
"She's so small."
"If I'm right about her breed, she should grow until she's about three feet, nose to tail, and about a foot and a half tall. I could be wrong, but I don't think so," I said, smiling at the orphaned vixen. She grinned back at me, making Temari chuckle. I gently laid the kit in her hands and she jumped slightly. "If she spends time around you, she should learn English within a few months. She can already eat meat, give her a few live mice and insects and she'll be fine. Anything else, you can learn from her. I'm sure she understands everything we're saying now," I said, the kit confirming my conclusion by nodding slowly.
"What's her name?"
"She doesn't have a name yet, actually. If I raise a fox, I don't name them unless I'm sure they won't be released. If you hadn't taken her, I'd probably release this girl in a month or so. Why don't you name her?"
"Sunaarashi," she whispered. "Sandstorm."
I smiled. It was a good name, matching her tawny pelt. "Take good care of her. I won't summon her again, as long as you watch over her," I told Temari.
"Why does that sound like a goodbye?"
"Because it is. How about this: make it to the Chuunin exams in Konoha with Gaara and Kankuro and I'll see you there."
"But the Chuunin exams were-"
"Don't worry about it. They should be hosted again in Konoha in five years, according to Sandaime Hokage. And if someone by the name of Orochimaru comes to Suna, play along at all costs. He won't hesitate to kill you if you don't obey him. I'll see you later, Temari," I gave her a quick hug before Shunshining away. Looking back, I saw Temari glance at the kit in her hands and smile before turning into the Kazekage tower to receive her mother's battle fan, her inheritance.
"Good luck, Naruto-kun. I'll see you soon," her voice drifted over the distance, picked up by my enhanced senses. I frowned, remembering the last time she had said that to me, in the ruins of Konoha. I shook the sense of foreboding and walked back to Yashamaru and Gaara's home, enjoying the night until a scream was heard, ricocheting off of Suna's buildings. It rebounded in my ears, impacting my senses from every angle.
What? Where did that come from?
You know, somewhere up there, Shinigami-sama and Kami-sama are laughing their asses off. Think kit, what happens this year? You thought about right before you went to go flirt with the other annoying blond?
I was not flirting, I love Hinata-chan. And what are you talking a- Oh no! Not now, not today! I thought, the color draining out of my face. Kyuubi nodded once.
The timeline fits just right. Like it or not, Shika is having some fun with Gaara's uncle and Gaara's not trying to stop him, Kyuubi confirmed. I ran across Suna in a blur, canceling my weights in order to get to the house as fast as possible. An explosion shook the village and I sprinted to the source.
There, on the roof, Gaara stood overlooking the village with a mad look in his eyes. Not anger-mad, pure insanity-mad. Shukaku mad. I watched, too slow, as Gaara lifted his hand and the sand obediently drifted to his forehead before etching the kanji for love permanently in his skin. When I reached the roof, I stopped, sending out a short burst of demonic chakra, meant to temporarily remove Shukaku from control. Gaara's balance failed him and the six year old went tumbling to the ground, right off the roof. I darted out and caught him right before he hit the floor. I took one look at the Village Hidden in the Sand then took off for the desert, unconscious Gaara in tow.
Camped once again on the Suna/Konoha border, I set up a tent and laid Gaara to sleep, my original seal already in place. In the past when Gaara had tried to sleep, the Ichibi had taken control, eating away at Gaara's humanity and soul, making him fear sleep. Now with their consciousnesses more separate, Gaara could sleep without fear, getting rest for the first time in his life.
I sat down in front of my fire, contemplating how to move forward. I didn't think I could allow Gaara to return to Suna, even with the seal in place. If only I hadn't came to Suna on this day, I screamed at myself, making Kyuubi wince at the anger I had directed at myself.
I know you feel bad kit, but this isn't your fault. Personally, I blame the cub's teme of a father. I know humans are low, but harming your own kits? That's just cruel, Kyuubi shook his head, the gentle parent in him coming out. Watching him in my mindscape, I got a brilliant idea.
Hey, Kyuu. How would you like to be summoned? If the moment of shock wasn't answer enough, the slightly sadistic chuckle following it was.
I like the way your brain works, kit. You know, when it works, he smirked, ready to get out for the first time in seven years.
Just let me write the dear Kazekage a little letter first.
Take all the time you need. I can wait a few minutes to see his face.
Just remember, don't kill anyone. I can't have Suna declare war on Konoha for having a demon fox rampaging through their village.
… Not even a little rampage?
No Kyuubi, I said, rolling my eyes at the billions-of-years-old demon acting so childishly. I got out a unmarked scroll and pen and began to write.
Dear Yondaime Kazekage,
I'm sending you this letter to report that your youngest son, Sabaku no Gaara, is anything but deceased. I am personally ashamed of and offended by your behavior, both as a Kage and also as a father, and if I hear that you have taken so much as a step out of line, I shall return to Suna and take something much more valuable to you, such as your life.
I'm fully aware of Gaara's position, as well as his potential power, as the Shukaku's jinchuuriki. You are a fool for deciding his fate so young. With the proper training and control, I have no doubt in my mind that Gaara will be on level with the Kage, if not above them, by his sixteenth birthday. On that day, I have even fewer doubts that he shall come and claim the position of Kazekage from you. That is of course, under the assumption that no other decides to remove you from office, peaceably or not.
As for Gaara's training, I myself have resigned myself to be his mentor. I shall teach him everything that your village would no doubt deem unnecessary or impossible for him to grasp. I shall ensure he grows in strength before allowing him to return to Suna which I shall grant as soon as I believe him able to protect himself from the fools that are so publicly praised in Suna. That said, do not presume that you are able to bully my student when he eventually does return to Suna; if he leaves you alive, then it shall be against my wishes. I know that I wouldn't have that much self-control. Let it be known to you that, if Gaara does choose to be merciful and leave you in one piece, that that is a show of his strength, not his weakness.
If you have any questions, or wish to see your son, too bad. You gave up your rights as a father, both to Gaara and your other two children, the moment you first sent an assassin after your youngest. I shall keep you informed on his most recent progress but don't be fooled. It is not out of compassion for you that I shall information. It is rather my own selfish whims, wanting you to spend every night thinking of the young boy that you cursed then tossed aside. As you fall asleep, think of the insomnia he suffered, knowing that if he succumbed to sleep, the demon you ordered into him would come alive and take control, eating away at his soul and humanity.
The next time you see a shadow or a flash of metal, I can assure you that I might be with it. Even as I write this, I'm very inclined to drop all pretenses and abandon all social niceties. You may be the Fourth Wind Shadow, but I can assure you there is more power out there, always out of your reach. There will always be another Yellow Flash, Sharingan Kakashi, Demon of the Bloody Mist, or Hanzo of the Salamander. A name is a beautiful thing, always ready to instill fear and hostility. Speak my name to the corners of our shinobi world. Spread word to every shinobi nation that your son and I shall return, much stronger and less merciful than you'd like to believe.
With Wishes of Misfortune,
Kiiroi Kitsune
the only Kitsune-Sennin
I read the letter over- once, twice- searching for any misspellings or wrongly worded threats. Content with the letter's message, I rolled the scroll up, placing two black ribbons on the end of the scroll; in the Suna message system, emergency letters were always marked with a double black ribbon showing that the information was highly classified. Most doubled black messages were only read by the current Kazekage and possibly the elders before they were burned.
My hands flew through the summoning seals, ready to mold the chakra needed to summon the demon fox boss, Kyuubi no Kitsune. "Kuchiyose no jutsu: Kyuubi!" I shouted, biting my thumb and slamming my hand to the grass. A large cloud of smoke erupted from the ground, dissipating to reveal me standing atop the nine tailed fox's head. Kyuubi, at his fullest height, roared to the sky, shaking the trees and sending all the birds and animals darting further into the trees, searching for a place to hide. I jumped off his head and he began to shrink until he was only seven feet tall. One of his tails whipped towards me, making me duck in favor of being decapitated.
"Whoa, watch it Kyuu. I actually like being in once piece," I laughed, placing the scroll next to his tail. The tail wrapped around the scroll, similar to a tentacle, before rejoining the other eight tails, thrashing the air behind him.
"Sorry kit. I'm not used to being out," Kyuu apologized, his head leaning down.
"It's okay. I probably should let you out more often. It's just that you let so much chakra pulse away from you when you first appear, even if you can tone it down later. That first wave would send every Konoha nin to the Forest of Death the first time I summoned." I smirked, patting Kyuubi's leg. "Do you know what to do?"
"Of course I do, I'm the all powerful Kyuubi."
"Yes, the all powerful Kyuubi no Yoko that managed to get sealed into an infant by a twenty- four year old."
"I'd remind you that said twenty-four year old is currently fighting my yang chakra for all eternity in a god's stomach, but I don't want to insult your family. You'll just dismiss me or something."
"Good Kyuubi. So the plan is basically get it and get out, no one the wiser except the Kazekage. I know you can do a wicked transportation jutsu; use that to get into the office. As much as I hate the guy, don't trash the office too much, the less evidence the better. If we convince his staff he's hallucinating, that'd be great too. If you're seen, just growl or something. They should back down. Give that letter to the Kazekage and no one else and-"
"Okay, okay! I get it! Is it okay if I stop by and say hello to little Sandstorm? I haven't seen her or Temari since the last timeline."
"You can't let Temari see you, you would just freak her out. No seven foot Kyuubi is visiting that kit. She's barely old enough to eat meat as it is."
"Eating meat has nothing to do with meeting your lord."
"Keep in mind Sandstorm doesn't actually know that she's a kitsune yet, Kyuubi. That transformation should stay locked for another year and a half or so. I'll come back to Suna when she's old enough to turn into a human but not before that. When she's ready, I'll take her to the demon realm and introduce her to your court. Would that make you happy?"
"Only if I'm summoned to the court."
"Deal. Now get going. Gaara should wake up soon." I playfully smacked Kyuubi's leg and he let out a warning growling before sniffing the air and disappearing in a cloud of smoke, leaving behind a kit, older than Sandstorm but younger than Koyuki, and a note.
I forgot to tell you. This is one of my daughter, Yuriko's, kits. She has, for whatever reason, decided to entrust you with her youngest vixen. Kit, meet Pyrai. Congrats, you're godfather. Have fun until I'm back,
Kyuu
Staring at the gold and red kit, only one word was going through my mind; what?
The kit was, quite frankly, adorable. She had a single tail, being as young as she was. Her fur was a golden blond that shone as it caught the moonlight. Her tail transitioned from the blond of her coat to a fiery orange that flickered as if it were alive. She had dark cocoa eyes that had a faint ember around the edges, eyes that were dangerous but ensnaring. I watched the kit, smiling gently, until I heard something I had definitely not expected.
"Are you going to keep staring at me or do you have something to eat? I'm starving," the kit said in a light tone, her eyes growing ravenous as her nose twitched, smelling the wild hen I had caught as it cooked over a fire.
"It's almost ready. Just out of curiosity, how old are you?"
"I'm about two hundred of your years, why?"
"Because you look a lot younger."
"Demon fox. We tend to do that," the kit said, rolling her eyes and squirming out of my hands. Once on the ground, she closed her eyes in concentration and I watched, mesmerized, as she transformed into a young girl right before my eyes. As a human she had short silver hair with a single blond streak in her bangs. Her eyes retained the red shimmer but now seemed more mischievous. She was pale skinned and had long limbs. She rolled her neck before taking a step closer to me and extended a hand to me. "I'm Pyrai. Nice to meet you."
"Namikaze Naruto. Likewise," I said, shaking her hand as Gaara flew out of the tent in a panic.