Chapter 33
The red haze was lessening on her mind. She frowned and nuzzled back into it. She didn't want to leave it. Nothing mattered in the red haze. She liked the red haze. It was warm and soft and pain free.
You're killing him. A voice growled.
Minashi frowned at the voice. Killing who?
A fuzzy face. Bright shining blue eyes, hair as gold as the sun. The face cleared. Whiskers marked his cheeks that had a smiled lifting them.
Him.
But he's alive.
The face changed. It was covered in dirt, ash, and blood dripped from his mouth. Blue eyes were glazed in pain.
Pain lanced through her chest. NO! Why are you showing me that?
Your inability to accept reality is killing his chances of living.
What? What reality?
The one you know is dead. Everyone you knew is dead or erased.
Minashi shook her head and buried it further into the red. She didn't want to talk about that. It made the pain flare.
Stop it.
Face It!
I don't want to. It hurts.
It will hurt. You will feel like you yourself are dying. But you need to face that pain. Accept it.
No.
Accept it so you can heal.
No… the same bloodied face appeared. Those beautiful blue eyes dulled of life.
NO! Pain ripped through her chest. It was empty.
He's gone. Let him go.
Give him back!
I can't. I would, but I made him a promise.
Promise?
To protect you in his place.
Why? Why protect me? I can't save anyone I care about. They all think to protect me instead of themselves.
He loves you.
He left me.
He loves you and trusts you.
He left me alone.
You are not alone.
More images flashed in her head. A boy with a hidden smile, but innocent coal eyes and gravity defying silver hair. Another silver haired man. Taller, older, Kind eyes and soft smiles with the patience of a saint. A redhead. Her smile mischievous, her eyes loving. A blonde. Not the one that died, but one that she never knew, but then knew. Then re-met again but younger. His pouting face when she teased him. His eyes lit up when she called out for him. An older man. Brown hair going white. His kind smile and warm hugs. Three warriors. A Toad, A Slug, and A snake. So different from what she once knew them as. She liked them better now. They were happier. They were all happy.
Her eyes burned with tears.
Smaller images flashed. Smaller people. People she once knew when she was small, and they were big. Black hair, red eyes, kind smile. Purple hair, brown eyes, mischievous smile. And so many more. Smiling Uchihas. Smirking Hyuuga even as he was bright orange.
Pale blonde and blue walking beside her in no rush. Never pushing past her limits. Yet he was always there to help her when it was so dark around her.
The red haze lifted from her mind slowly. The pain was still there. The tears fell in abundance.
The faces were replaced with the ones she once knew. So many killed. So many struggling to live. Finding happiness in the smallest gestures. So much blood shed in the sake of survival.
You can't get the people you once knew back. You've already change enough to prevent that.
I know.
Their souls will be born, but their destinies are theirs to rewrite. Because HE Believed in YOU.
The blonde smiling face flashed and stayed. Eyes bright with happiness and a twinkle of mischievousness. Smile wide and pushing at the whiskers marking his cheeks.
Pain thrummed through her body. A sob choked her.
I miss him. She clenched her hands into the red she was still pressed against.
I miss him too. He was Tou-san's successor. You two were a sight to see. Him, smiling kindly and determination burning bright. You right at his side, Katana in hand ready to hurt anyone who dared hurt him. Yet saw what he saw in us Bijuu.
He's not going to be my Naruto. She whimpered.
No. While you will be back at his side in the future, it will be in a better position to protect him like you wanted.
It hurts Kurama.
I know. I knew nothing but hatred and anger. Then you two bore your way into me. I hurt too Minashi. You and Naruto were Mine. My hosts. My first real friends. I lost him too Minashi. But I'm used to the anger that came with being hurt.
But not the pain that lingered in your heart? She whimpered.
When you two were together, I was whole. I did lose half of my self when it was stolen from Naruto. That pain was nothing compared to when I heard his heart stop. When his Chakra disappeared.
Something was missing.
Yes. Naruto was like the sun. No matter how much you tried to block it out, it still shone through. But his sun is gone. His soul will be brought into this world when it's time. But it will be fresh. New. He'll have a new chance to have a family. Because you made it possible.
We made it possible. She corrected and slowly pushed herself up. The red around her slowly dropped away. Red worn, puffy blue eyes finally opened up and looked to see Kurama curled around her. His tails slowly lowered back to surround her and cushion his own chin as he watched her carefully. She saw it though. His fur was damp beneath his eyes.
He's gone Minashi. He won't be the Naruto we knew, when we do get him back. He won't be your brother. He won't be the brat that changed my mind about humans and hatred. But we must move on.
The tip of a tail lifted and swiped at her cheek, oh so gently, wiping away the tears that still fell. She pulled it closer and buried her face in his red fur.
Move on and heal.
Yes. He sighed. Another tail coming up to support her back. He swept her up from her feet and brought her closer to his face. He let her torso lay against his snout. Her tiny fists buried into his fur.
Kurama wrapped them both in the comfort of his tails. Minashi's tears started again and her body trembled against him. The sobs choked her throat.
Rain began to pour outside of Kurama's cave. He spared it a glance even as he let more of his own tears fall. He switched between keeping an eye on Minashi shaking form- A tail pinning her to his snout- and the rain outside the cave.
'Finally.' Kurama thought to himself. 'She's finally mourning' he sighed and let his own pain out. The downpour rain turned into a complete white out.
He didn't speak a single lie to Minashi. He missed his second host. The brat would never be the same as he was the first time.
Time meant nothing to Kurama as he and Minashi mourned. His own tears slowing before Minashi's. She had more people to mourn.
His red eyes looked out to check on the mindscape. It was drenched, but he let out sigh when he saw the changes already happening.
She was separating the forest. Her past was being moves to one side. Her new present sprouted on the other side. The people who impacted her life the most, moved to rest between the two across from his cave. A meadow was no longer the only thing between the small grove and Forest. The rainwater swirled to the center to make a lake. There in the center was a stone slab no bigger than the island her and Naruto sat on at the Waterfall of reflections. Carved into the Slab were symbols he'd not seen in thousands of years. Hagoromo Otsutsuki's Clan symbol etched itself into the slab. Nine tomas spread out around the edge. Between each toma a different symbol was etched. The symbols of each Elemental nation appeared first. Then the Clans of Konoha. Only the Uzumaki and Namikaze Clans rested in the center of the rippled like circles of the Otsutsuki symbol.
The rain calmed to a light shower until it ended with a single drop into the lake. It echoed in the mindscape. The ripples expanding and growing to encompass the entire lake.
"I love you." A soft voice whispered.
Kurama's gaze slid down to the blonde laying against his snout. He closed his eyes as he felt her hands brushing through his fur.
"I don't deserve a best friend like you." She whispered. "I take you for granted."
You're human. It's expected. Kurama paused and let out a reluctant sigh. I love you too Minashi. Do not forget that. I will not say it again.
He felt her breath huff out with a small laugh.
"Silly old fox." Minashi whispered as she continued to pet his fur. He hummed pleased at the feeling.
They stayed within each other's silent company. Taking in the fact that they both understood that they had lost the person most precious to them. They were never alone. They would never be alone.
You've worried the humans. Kurama grumbled who knows how much later. Time passed Minashi without count.
"Could you see outside?"
No. I was trying to focus on you. You wouldn't respond. I was actually relieved when the mind walker arrived. Hopefully he got you to your apartment. I had to put you in my cloak to calm you down externally and internally.
"That's what that was." She yawned into his head. She's switched to laying on top of his head between his long ears.
Hai. But if Inojiro was there, then the old Monkey was informed.
"I think I had been with Jiraiya." She muttered. Minashi went quiet and Kurama sighed. With a twitch, he hit her with an ear.
She grunted.
No more sleeping. You need to get out of my cave and back to your body. I'm sure there is damage control to do.
Minashi groaned and tightened her grip on him.
"No. You're so warm and fluffy. I want to take a nap."
Kurama reached up and yanked to dislodge her. He stopped when his fur started to pull with her. He growled and began shaking his head. Minashi just snickered as she held on tight.
Oi brat! You need to get back! Your child clone popped if you forgot.
Minashi flew off with the next thrash of his head. She landed and lifted her arms when she didn't stumble.
"Perfect landing." She cheered to herself.
Minashi. Kurama growled in warning. She waved a hand over her shoulder at him.
"Hai, Hai, I know. Get out."
Kurama just grumbled and readjusted in his cave. He watched Minashi stop at the edge of the cave to view her new mindscape.
It looks better. He commented. The trees aren't burnt. They are only marked with a black ring if perished. Your new memories have been separated. Their trees still small, leaves only a few.
"I know." She said softly but he heard the smile in it. "I feel better." She looked over his shoulder with loving eyes and a relaxed smile. "Thank you Kurama."
Kurama just closed his eyes and turned away. Minashi headed to the lake.
I believe in you too. I wouldn't have leant my knowledge and chakra otherwise. He said without looking at her.
Minashi smiled as she walked on the water and to the slab. She turned and sat down on it.
"I know. That I've never doubted Kurama." She smiled. He looked back to see the smile before her form settled and her eyes shut.
Cheeky brat. He grumbled and settled in for a nap.
"-should be awake already. The cloak disappeared yesterday. Kurama-sama said by Thursday night." Inojiro voice filled her ears as she kept her body relaxed, breathing even, heart rate unchanged. "Please Hokage-sama, let me go in. I'm worried. We don't know what affect this had on her mind."
"Inojiro, I'm worried too. I trust Minashi though. I also surprisingly trust Kurama. He loves that girl. He will release her when he knows she is ready."
She felt a warm hand brush some of her hair away. A scent filled her nose.
"Hiruzen is right." Sakumo's voice was so very close to her. What?! It took all her training not to react to his presence as she realized it was his scent. "I only met the fox once, and I could hear it in his voice. He'll do what's best for her. If the cloak is gone, then she's on the mend. All we can do is wait."
"Minato and Kushina are getting antsy." Jiraiya's voice came from further away. "They keep asking for updates on Minashi. I told them that only another fox summoner could pick her up early. Kushina got a funny look on her face the first time I said that. I think Minato forgot to mention where she went. But since then, I think she's still trying to fight her fear of summoning them."
"We all know how unpredictable summons can be." An unexpected voice hissed. "Especially if you piss them off." Orochimaru grumbled. "I am concerned though. Inojiro-san, did you get any hints from Kurama-san or her mindscape that could be holding her there?"
"There was so much about her mindscape. It's hard to describe all the symbolism possibilities."
"If her and Naruto really are the ground, and you last saw it bleeding, then isn't that like an old wound opening up?" Tsunade' voice followed Inojiro's frustrated one.
"That's plausible." He countered. Minashi though got distracted when the hand that had left her head, returned to her body. Sakumo gripped her hand, but she felt two of his fingers on her pulse point.
"Or we could ask her." Sakumo said. The room was silent before Minashi heard feet shuffling closer. A finger tapped against her wrist. "Your scent changed Minashi."
Shit. She cursed in her head. Sakumo chuckled when he felt her pulse jump.
"Open your eyes. You have some explaining to do."
Two cerulean blues opened and glared at Sakumo. He just raised an unimpressed brow at her.
"How the hell did you figure it out too?" She whispered as her throat was too dry to do much else.
Tsunade handed her a glass and straw. She took slow sips but didn't take her eyes off of Sakumo's coal ones.
"After Jiraiya went to get Tsunade, Hiruzen, and Inojiro, I happened upon the scene you were starting to make. Got roped into getting you back to your apartment after showing I could calm you down enough to move you."
Minashi blinked at him confused. "How?"
"White chakra manipulation."
She looked clueless.
"Hatake Clan has special chakra?" he offered.
"Hai, but how can you manipulate your chakra to 'calm me down'? Kashi never did that or needed to."
"Because I apparently didn't have time to teach him. And I rarely use it in front of him. It takes delicate chakra control. So, because of that, I could calm you. Shortly after I removed my chakra, you were covered in Kurama's golden cloak. It all sort of came out then." He shrugged.
Minashi deadpanned him before groaning and rolling away.
"Screw it, I'm going back to sleep." She mumbled.
"Oh no you don't brat!" Tsunade hissed and yanked the covers away. "You have damage control to do!"
"An explanation to Minato and Kushina to give." Jiraiya chuckled. Minashi curled further into a fetal position.
"Leave me alone. I'm still recovering."
"Yes, and I'm Hokage." Orochimaru snorted.
Minashi popped up in bed and stared at Orochimaru. He glared at her.
"What?"
She smirked at him. "You told a joke. So, who did it?"
"Did what?" he hissed.
"Pulled the stick out of your ass?"
Orochimaru choked even as his face flushed in embarrassment and anger. He suddenly launched for her, but Jiraiya reached out and wrapped an arm around his stomach to stop him.
"Yeah, She's fine." Jiraiya deadpanned. "and to think I worried about you." He grumbled still holding Orochimaru back as he hissed low at her.
Minashi sobered and looked at Jiraiya. "I'm sorry for worrying you. It just finally caught up with me."
"What happened?" Inojiro asked sitting on the bed at her knees. "Your mind wasn't in good condition the last couple times I saw it."
Minashi smiled at him. "Thank you for checking on me. I'm better now. Kurama had some time to just grieve. You were right. I have been pushing it back. Not accepting that they were actually gone. That I'd get to see my precious people again. I made myself believe that I was going to be the only thing different. I didn't want to accept that even they would be different. I'm setting the foundation for a different future for them. They will not be the same people I called family. My brother will no longer be the same person that he was to me. I will no longer be the same person to him." She looked up to the Sannin to see that Jiraiya had let Orochimaru go finally. Tsunade had moved closer to them clutching her necklace.
"You three are already so different than the people I knew. The Ba-chan that saw me as a surrogate daughter. The Ero-sannin that saw me as a granddaughter instead of just goddaughter." She eyed Orochimaru with a happy smile. "And you, I'm most pleased with. You can be happy and still do your research. Power, Madness, and revenge don't cloud your mind. You are so brilliant. You can bring so many good chances to Konoha if you put your mind to it."
Orochimaru huffed and looked away. His ears tinting pink. Tsunade smiled back at her. Jiraiya's eyes going wide.
"Goddaughter?" He choked.
"Yep." Minashi smirked.
"Maybe not a surrogate daughter." Tsunade chuckled. "But we are still family. Uzumaki's have to stick together. So how about a bratty Imouto."
"You'll have to fight Kushina for it." Minashi snickered.
"I can take that brat." She smirked back.
"And me?" Hiruzen pouted.
Minashi's eyes softened on him. "You have and always will be my Jiji. It's even more now. Naruto and I agreed that when we were ready to have children one of the boys would be named after you."
Hiruzen flushed in happiness.
Minashi turned and found Sakumo gazing at her, face calm, eyes sharp. Observing her.
"Sakumo." She spoke softly.
"You and I will sit down and talk. We will work this out. I have met Mina, now I think it's about time that I get to meet and learn about Minashi and her Kitsune counterpart. I'm not going to push things if they are too painful. But we will be working together soon, for a long time. I need to be able to trust you completely as Hiruzen does."
"I understand."
"Good. Because I got a glimpse of the man my son turned out to be. I saw how you saved him. I do not want him to go through half the loss that he did in your future. So, we need to work together to prevent as much as we can. I know we can't stop everything, but I trust you to keep him happy if he does have to experience it again."
Minashi's eyes softened as she reached out and took Sakumo's hand into hers.
"I'm doing my best. I can only promise to try."
"You will also make sure that you two do not try anything until you are at least eighteen."
Minashi flushed beat red. "I-i-I wasn't planning on it Dattebayo!" she exclaimed.
Snickering echoed in the room even as Sakumo smirked at her. It turned to a pleased smile as he stood. "Good. Speaking of which, I need to go check on Kakashi. He should be getting out of academy soon." He bowed his head to the others. "Good day." He left with an almost victorious smirk on his lips.
Minashi's jaw dropped in shock, her cheeks still a bit flushed.
"He got you." Hiruzen gave her a sly smile.
"He did!" she gasped and looked at him. "What sort of training have you been giving him Jiji?!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." He claimed before disappearing in a shunshin. He was Not telling her that he informed Sakumo of the Sadistic trait needed by Hokages, to have some fun between the paperwork piles.
"Sneaky old monkey." Minashi grumbled as she slid out of bed. Tsunade came closer to make sure she was alright.
"How are you really feeling?"
"I am feeling better. More refreshed than I have in a long while." She smiled. She turned to a relieved looking Inojiro. "What day is it?"
"Friday." He smiled at her tiredly. She winced.
"Alright. I'll start doing damage control. What have I missed?"
The Sannin and Inojiro filled her in and Minashi wanted to already bash her head in. She instead hugged Jiraiya for making up a plausible excuse for her Mina clone.
Minashi quickly went through her summoning jutsu and a pale red three tail fox appeared. She was the size of a ninken.
"Kitsune-sama."
Minashi smiled at her. "Hello Ari. Has Kushina attempted to summon any foxes?"
"No, Kitsune-sama."
"Alright. Please let me know when she does. In the meantime, I have a story I'm going to need you to pass onto Asako-sama."
She then explained to Ari about the reverse summoning of her Mina persona and the fact that the Fox's would act like they held the key to Kurama's seal. Ari nodded and then once Minashi had provided her the Blood Clone, the two disappeared to the Fox home.
Minashi had a feeling that one or both Minato and Kushina would want to go.
"You good brat?" Jiraiya asked being the only one left. Inojiro had returned once she promised to attend her appointment tomorrow in person. He'd left excited when she promised because she wanted to walk her new mindscape with him.
Tsunade had left for the hospital and Orochimaru headed for some rest.
"Yeah. I'm good." She smiled.
Jiraiya nodded and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. She absently waved her had to dismiss it.
Minashi quickly hopped in the shower to wash off the grim from sleeping days away. Clean, she slipped on shinobi leggings and flats. She didn't bother with her weapons pouch. If she needed, she had some of her storage seals full of weapons. Instead she pulled on a white tank top and covered herself loosely with a red and black haori. Foxes dances along the borders, ranging in size and tail count.
She didn't even bother with her hair. She let the long lengths flow down her torso. Finished, she disappeared in her own shunshin to the streets below. Calmly and at an easy pace she made her way through the village.
She wasn't surprised when her stomach took her to food. Normally she'd head for ramen, but she had a higher chance of running into Minato or Kushina there. Especially with their Imouto missing.
So instead she entered a small Barbeque restaurant to get some meat.
"You had my friend in a worried spiral." Shikaro said as he suddenly sat across from her in her booth. The meat hug between her and the grill. She quickly shoved it down to help delay the interrogation.
Shikaro just rolled his eyes at her. "No need for any of that. I just wanted to check in on you."
Minashi swallowed then followed it with a drink of sake she'd ordered.
"It was hard, but I'm better." She finally answered.
Shikaro raised a brow at her. "Inojiro said he might have to see his own therapist after hearing you screaming like that." He whispered.
Minashi sighed and set down her chopsticks. The rest of her uncooked meat sat temptingly on the side.
"I promise I'm better. I had something I'd been pushing back doing properly I've done it. I'm still in pain, but I'm learning to deal with it."
Shikaro nodded and grabbed his own chopsticks. She narrowed her eyes as he grabbed a strip of her meat.
"Good. I just got into the loop, no need for the fun to end before it began."
Minashi rolled her eyes but resumed cooking. "This isn't a game Nara-san."
"I'm aware. You seem to make things more interesting if what the gossip reports are saying."
Minashi rolled her eyes but continued to eat. Shikaro let her eat in peace for a while. Actually ordering his own dinner as well and an extra for her as an apology.
"So, I heard Sakumo is in the know." He spoke low to keep their conversation from wandering.
Minashi rolled her eyes before biting her thumb. The blood welled and she etched a privacy seal onto the table.
"Yes. He was part of the party that found me and got me somewhere secure so Kurama could help me. Apparently, it just all came out then."
"He's the Yondaime in training. It's good that he knows."
"Yes, but I wanted him to get to know me beforehand. I wanted to build that trust first. Now I will have to do it with him already knowing my past."
"That is bad?"
"It's not a fresh start. I don't want him treating me like a child just because I'm stuck in a body of one."
"Sakumo isn't like that."
"I don't know that though."
Shikaro hummed but acquiesced. "So, when will you be wanting those Jounin for battle scenarios?"
Minashi chuckled. "Not until next week at least. I need to finish dealing with a few things first before throwing myself back into my hectic schedule of living two lives."
Shikaro nodded. "Just send me a message when you're ready. I have a few eager volunteers on standby."
Minashi raised a brow. "Really? Who?"
Shikaro smiled at her. "That will ruin the surprise." He laid down ryo to cover his meal and what extra he got for her. "Until next time." He bowed and left.
Minashi fished out her own money and payed the rest of the bill. She made sure to wipe away the privacy before leaving her booth.
She wasn't two steps out the door when a flash of yellow appeared in her peripheral. Minashi glanced down and saw that there was a dropped Kunai sticking out of the ground.
"Damn Naras." She grumbled feeling slightly betrayed and looked up to find Minato standing there with arms crossed. "Hello Minato." She nodded.
"Sensei said you had a bad episode." He tried to say carefully but sounded more blunt than compassionate. His wince showed that he noticed it, too late though. "Sorry, that came out wrong."
Minashi chuckled and nodded for them to walk. Minato fell into step with her.
"I did have a bad episode. I've been pushing back my grieving. I got lost in my own mind for a while before I finally had a friend help me back. He helped me get through my grief as we both are feeling the same loss. I wouldn't be half the Shinobi I am today without him at my side."
"Have I met him before?" Minato asked curiously. "He seems important."
"He's very shy around others." She smirked ignoring the warning growls in her head. "We share a type of connection, so he felt when I began slipping and came to help. I do owe Hiruzen, Inojiro, Hatake-san, and the Sannin. They witnessed it." She sighed and shook her head. "I've seen someone break when they can't hold back their grief. Those types of cries echo in your ears for days. I'm sure the same will happen for them. I feel horrible that they had to experience mine."
"They were there to make sure you weren't alone. That is the best when dealing with grief." Minato stated.
Minashi smiled and nodded at him. "Ah, it is."
They walked in silence for a while, but Minashi saw Minato getting twitchy beside her.
"Did sensei explain the situation with my Imouto?"
Minashi stopped and looked at him. "Hai. He did. I wanted to apologize to you Minato. This is my fault. My summons can be a bit bullheaded. They weren't supposed to reach out to her until she was older."
Minato's shoulders relaxed. "She's okay then?"
Minashi snorted and kept walking. "She's five. She is a kit in their eyes. They'll pamper her between training sessions. I apologize for any foxiness she comes back with ahead of time."
Minato chuckled hoarsely. "She's okay. That's all that matters."
Minashi glanced over and saw him wiping at his eyes.
"Sorry." He mumbled. "It's not helping me look like a tough shinobi by crying huh?"
"I think it shows that you have compassion. That you aren't an emotionless killing machine."
Minato shot her a grateful look. His eyes then looked around and frowned. "Where are we going?"
Minashi shrugged. "I am heading in the general direction where I feel Uzumaki-hime's chakra. I figured you both would want to pick Mina-chan up."
Minato's head snapped to her so fast, she swore she heard something crack.
"What?"
Minashi shrugged as she put her arms into the sleeves of her haori.
"You're serious, we can both go?"
Minashi pursed her lips. "Well, I know you can for sure. They will only threaten to eat you, being a toad summoner and all." She waved it off absently. "Kushina is the only questionable one being a Fox Summoner as well that's in breach of contract."
Minato rubbed his neck. "She hasn't used them since she came to Konoha." He admitted.
"All I can do is offer to take her." Minashi sighed.
"Thank you." Minato smiled as they arrived at Kushina's apartment.
Minato led Kitsune into the apartment and told her to make herself at home. Minashi opted to instead look around. It was messier than she remembered, but that might have been their panic and worry. Her guilt panged through her chest. Slowly she let out breath and reminded herself it was for the best. They were the two people not allowed to know.
"Kitsune-san." Kushina called and Minashi turned to find Kushina in a pale-yellow sweater dress. Black legging led to shinobi heels. "Minato says you can take us to Mina-chan?"
Kitsune nodded. "Hai. I can't promise they will be happy to see you Kushina."
She gave a tight smile in response. "I'll take their anger as long as I can bring my Imouto home. She's too little to be alone at a summons' home for so long. They never know how to feed Humans properly."
Kitsune smiled at Kushina kindly. "I promise she has been treated well."
Minashi went through her summoning Jutsu. Ari appeared again.
"Kitsune-sama. Ready?"
"Hai. All three of us please."
Ari looked at Kushina who was staring at Ari confused.
"You must be Kushina-chan."
"Hai." She mumbled.
"Asako-sama is looking forward to seeing you again."
Kushina paled but their group was gone in a puff of smoke.
Minashi felt her body relax as the familiar warm air caressed her skin. She purred as she began walking without even opening her eyes. Instead the pure Nature energy flooded her filter and her Sage Mode activated between one step, and the next. That brief pause between each enough. Each continued step, fueling it.
Her steps went soundless, her body moved with grace and wasted no movement. Mount Azamuki would always be a second home to her. Even Kurama was purring in happiness.
Minashi easily weaved under massive roots, maneuvered around and through trees of all sizes. She felt the hidden eyes of the foxes in the burrows. The closer they got to the center of the forest, the larger the trees got. Finally, they reached the massive tree in the center. Beneath it's hollowed out ground and root supports, three foxes laid with tails curled around their legs.
Masumi, a pure white fox with red eyes, sat on the left. Her tail count reached seven.
Tamotsu, a pure black fox with gold eyes, sat on the right. His tail count reached seven as well.
They both were massive in form, but they were still smaller than the eight tailed Asako. Her coat was a beautiful silver. The only blemish being the red markings on her head and down to her collar and chest. They marked her elegant form as the Great Fox Sage. She could not see visions like Gamamaru. Her talents lay in seeing the truth of a person's soul.
Minashi slid back her left foot as she bowed past her waist.
"Kitsune-Chan." Her musical voice filled Minashi's head and her companions'. "I've missed you kit."
"I have missed you Asako."
A please hum came from her as her eyes left Minashi and moved to the two people behind her.
"You bring a guest and a lost missing kit of mine." She sniffed the air and huffed. "Why do I have a toad summoner in my home my kit?"
Minashi gave her a sheepish smile even as she rubbed at her neck. "Well, you see, this is Minato Namikaze. He's Mina-chan's Nii-san."
"My darling kit has a Toad summoner for an elder brother? That will not do. Send him back. He is stinking up my burrow." She swished tails at them, and the gust blew at their small group.
"I can leave." Minato whispered to her. "I do not want to bring bad relations between the Toads and Foxes. I miss Mina, but I can meet you all back at Kushina's place."
"Please let him stay." Kushina asked stepping forward and repeating Minashi's prior bow. She didn't rise back up. She awaited judgement.
"Why should I? Especially with you requesting?"
"You breached your contract." Tamotsu snarled as his tails puffed up.
"Mother cared for you and you repaid her by ignoring us." Masumi snapped her jaws at them.
"Tamotsu, My mate. Calm. Masumi dear, watch your temper."
"But!" Masumi cried out.
"Kushi-chan will get what is due after I hear her explanation. We will see if it's worthy of keeping us as her summons or breaking the contract. Well, Kushi-chan?"
"I do not have a good excuse."
"Then tell me the truth."
"I was scared that summoning your kits would connect me to the Kyuubi. I'm terrified of him."
"Even though your Imouto possess him now?"
"I am still scared of what he is capable of."
"Do you fear him?"
Kushina paused before lifting up and looking into Asako's Violet eyes. "Hai."
Asako stared at Kushina for a few minutes before a small smile lifted her muzzle.
"You fear him, but you trust your Imouto. You trust your clan to have properly sealed him away. You trust that her innocence has broken through to the Fox you once knew and revealed someone that your Imouto calls a friend. You trust in much that you cannot prove."
"I love Minashi. She is some of the last of my family. I will do anything to keep her happy and safe. Even accepting punishment for my breech of contract so that I can help her train in the future with your kits."
"You do not assume you will be allowed to train?"
"I hurt you. Betrayed your trust. I know I must earn it back." She said thickly and bowed again. "I'm sorry Asako-sama. I'm sorry for being a coward and letting my fears rule my decisions. I won't let it happen again Dattebane."
Musical chuckled filled their heads as Asako laughed softly. She then rose up enough and leaned forward. Kushina looked up in time to get a stomach full of nose.
"You are still adorable kit. That verbal tick of yours is showing."
Kushina blushed embarrassed. "Only when I'm excited or embarrassed Dattebane. I promise I've been working on it though."
Asako chuckled again and nuzzled Kushina's cheek. "It is good to have you back Kushina."
"I can stay a summoner?" She whispered. Asako pulled back and laid back down.
"Correct. There are conditions. You will resume your training. I'm sure you are out of practice."
Kushina bit her lip and looked away. "Maybe just a little."
"You will also summon a fox a day. Tails between one and four. You will get reacquainted with all my kits. We have many new ones that you've never met before. You will also test your training against Kitsune-chan."
Minashi jolted and frowned at Asako. "What?" Tamotsu snickered at her reaction.
"You are also out of practice Kit." He teased.
"Oh! Can I help?" Masumi purred as she grinned sharply at Minashi. "I loved our games of hide and seek."
Minashi bared her own teeth at the large white fox. "If my memory serves me correctly Sumi-chan, I won our last game of Hide and Seek."
Masumi snickered. "Only because you cheated."
"Wasn't that the point?" Minashi smirked arrogantly back.
Masumi huffed and turned her nose up ignored Minashi.
"Kits. Stop playing in Asako's burrow. You two know better."
"Hai~" the chorused.
"Your Imouto was sent for as soon as my Kit arrived with you two." Asako looked beyond them. "You may meet her outside my burrow."
Kushina and Minato almost ran out. Only giving respectful bows to the Great Fox Sage first.
"You are handling Nature energy well Kit." Asako said softly as she lowered back to observe Minashi's Sage mode.
"Jiraiya helped me make a filter. It keeps the Natural energy from overwhelming me."
"Yet you are pulling in more than the seal filtered. This is your own doing. No seal. Once again you make me proud." She nuzzled Minashi's cheek, and Minashi petted it back.
"I have missed you Asako."
"You have been missed. The newborns are asking for their auntie."
"I'll come to visit again soon."
"Thank you. How is the old man?"
I am not old you brat! Kurama growled back.
Asako's muzzle just lifted into a smirk.
"Says the old Fox calling me a brat when I'm the eldest fox in Azamuki."
Kurama grumbled in her head and chose to ignore the sly silver fox.
Asako chuckled and straightened back to her spot.
"Take care Kit. Your companions are ready to return home."
Minashi gave another bow before heading for her Clone and companions. She watched when Minato and Kushina got a first look of her face since they arrived.
Minato's jaw dropped. Kushina just pointed and gapped at her.
"YOU'RE A SAGE?" She exclaimed.
Minashi smirked. "Hai~"
"No wonder you're such a good sensor." Minato whispered.
"Pretty!" Her clone cheered. "Nee-san! I want make-up like hers! It's pretty!"
Kushina chuckled awkwardly. "Maybe one day. You'll have to sign the Fox summoning contract and then go through difficult training."
"I can do it!" she then turned and pointed to Minashi. "I'll do it and surpass you!"
Minashi's jaw dropped at the audacity and stupidity of her clone. Surpass herself? Was that even possible? Minashi narrowed her eyes in challenge.
"You little brat. This isn't some game."
"I know." The clone said frowning. "I want to be strong enough to protect my new family. You look strong and cool and pretty. I want to be stronger, cooler, and prettier."
Minashi raised a brow at her clone, but it didn't even flinch.
"Prove it. When you think you're strong enough, I'll accept a challenge to spar."
The clone smirked. "Deal!" she exclaimed.
"Good. Can we leave?" Minato asked looking around. "They are staring at me and licking their teeth."
"Well Foxes do eat toads." Minashi smirked.
"Hey! He's my toad to eat!" Kushina said before pausing, looking confused then blushing scarlet. Minato was long since succumbed to his blush.
Minashi and her clone just snickered at the duo.
"Hai, hai~" Minashi smirked and gripped their shoulders. "Grab hold squirt."
Her clone grabbed a hold of Minato and Kushina and in a swirl and twist, they were gone.
