It didn't feel like too much time later that Kurama stopped his growling, when it had almost been a full day.

"It's time for you to wake, little one." The beast rumbled.

She'd been sleeping against the warm, soft fur of his breast, breathing along with him. He nosed her, even letting a little of his tongue out to try and lick her awake. He really didn't want to wake her up harshly. She was just so small, this pup, and he felt terrible for her. Losing her sire, not wanted by the rest of the pack . . . It could not have been a pleasant experience.

Perhaps now she would leave the seal open permanently. There was no other way for him to protect her like this. If he could have, he would have brought her here every time she slept, had it been possible. However, having her surrender her care to him was much more profound and he found that he preferred it this way. She may have been the wolf Hatake's pup, but right now, she was also his kit.

"Wake, pup." He purred, gently shifting to rock her awake.

Slowly, her awareness returned. "Kurama? Where am I?"

"You released the seal, which allows Kurama into your body."

She looked over at Naruto from the comforting safety of the beast's chest. "Is that why you're here?"

"Yeah." He smiled and knelt beside her. "But we both need you to wake up now, okay? Right now, you're technically braindead."

She blinked owlishly. "What?"

"Your body is functioning on sleep autopilot, but your mind is here. There is no brain activity on the scanners. We need you to get up now and return to your body."

"Oh. Okay." She languidly sat up, unhurriedly pushing herself to a stand. "How do I do that?"

"I will lead you back, pup." Kurama assured, standing. He lowered his muzzle to her level and she gently tapped her fist against his dark nose.

"Okay."

{|}

Shikamaru was the first one by her side when her eyes opened.

"Shikamaru-sensei?"

Unable to express himself verbally, the Nara crushed the Hatake in a desperate hug. "Don't ever do that again."

"Oh. Okay." She hugged him back, yawning into his shoulder. "Well, my chakra's recovered."

Lee loosed a breathless laugh, kissing her forehead. "Sometimes, you are too much like Kakashi for your own good."

"Where's Naruto?"

"Sleeping." Shikamaru smiled. "He hasn't left your side."

Her brow furrowed and she looked behind herself. Naruto lay partially underneath her, his body muted with sleep.

"What happened to him?"

"He was awake the whole time you were asleep. A couple of minutes ago, he said you'd wake up and he just kinda crashed. Don't blame the guy. It's been four days."

"Really?" She bolted upright, adjusting her sleep-mussed mask. "They announced the winner and I wasn't there for it?"

"Naruto has not been there to do it, so there have been no announced results."

"I see." She rubbed her eyes, feeling the chakra jump out and caress her skin. She smiled at the small comfort. "Okay. I need to get up and get clean. Then I'm going to see the rest of my team. Do you know if Naruto inducted me into ANBU?"

"He did it the second day." Shikamaru shifted out of the way, allowing her to see Tenzou leaning against the doorframe. There was a bittersweet smile on his face. "As much as I don't want you there, I'm happy you're with us. It sucked not being able to help you."

One moment, the young Hatake looked like she'd seen a ghost and the next, she was over there, arms wrapped firmly around his waist. "I'm so happy you're here! It's been so long since I've seen you! Even before Dad died, you didn't come around alot. So I'm on your squad?"

He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Yup, kiddo. You're rolling with us now."

"Sweet! No offence, Shikamaru-sensei." She looked sheepishly back over at him. The Nara chuckled.

"No offense taken. I'll take her home, Tenzou. Can she take today to say goodbye to our team?"

"She doesn't officially start until a week after she makes Chunin, so take all the time you want." Tenzou kissed the crown of her head. "I have to go back to the team anyway and sort out a new routine now that you'll be there."

"Alright." She grinned, crushing his waist for a moment before darting out the door.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Shikamaru cried after her in dismay.

"To tell the team and get ready!

"You can't leave yet! Sakura will have my head if you're not here to get looked at!"

He got no response. With a sigh, he collapsed back into the chair he'd claimed during her four-day nap.

"Was that Nakasha I just saw racing down the hall?"

When Sakura entered the room, it was empty. Even the unconscious Naruto was gone. She raised an eyebrow at the tell-tale marks of wood sliding against wood on the windowsill.