Naruto: Firefox

Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Inuyasha

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I NEED A BETA FOR THIS! This one shot was written some time ago but I never posted it as it didn't seem quite right to me. I wasn't using Japanese honorifics at the time among other things so I may have to go back through it. (It was based on the Japanese Inuyasha anime dub). I did go ahead and number the footnotes and correct some grammar though. Anyway, since I'm dusting off my archives and adopting out some dead stories I thought I'd post this and see if it's worth continuing. Here is Chapter 1, enjoy!

Summary:

This story features Uzumaki Naruto in the Inuyasha Universe. It starts roughly three years before the Shikon no Tama is shattered and continues from there. My main sources are Narutopedia and the Inuyasha Wiki. This story assumes the reader has prior knowledge of both series.

…

Chapter 1

Elemental Continent, Fire Country, Konoha -Prior to the Chunin Exams Final Round

Uzumaki Naruto was tossed off a cliff by Jiraiya in order to force him to draw on Kyuubi's chakra in order to summon the Toad Boss, Gambunta. Unfortunately for the blonde knucklehead he messed up his hand signs and ended up reverse summoning himself. The Toad sanin heard a scream but Naruto was never seen in the elemental Nations again…

…

Japan, Iga Province -Sengoku jidai period

The genin ninja crashed into the ground in a forest he'd never seen before. The plants and animals there were similar to but not the same as Fire Country. Being nearly injured unto death; the young blonde was found broken by a hermit that went by the name Sureiyā and was taken in by the odd old man. Naruto's shattered body was slowly nursed back to health and Sureiyā worked the young blonde to the bone in return. The two didn't get along particularly well but Naruto felt indebted to the old man and stayed with him to help in Sureiyā's strange tree house complex he lived in. It was several small houses and platforms that were high up in the treetops connected by vines and ropes. No one else lived there. Forest animals, demons and other predators typically stayed away but the intricate suspension network was in need of constant repair.

After about a year of Naruto doing the craziest of backbreaking chores, Sureiyā called Naruto into the front room of the main tree house. The old man said, "Naruto, it has been four seasons since you fell from the sky. You are free of debt to me unless you want me to train you in earnest to be a proper ninja. I've spent the last year building your young body back up from nothing but wreckage into a strong young man with the chores I gave you. What do you want to do?"

The blonde was a bit stunned. "You are a ninja, Master Sureiyā? I knew you moved silently but…"

Sureiyā replied, "I'm and old, old ninja of the Kage-Maru Clan, a sect of the Iga Clan …and I know you were trained to be a ninja of some undisciplined clan yourself though you never spoke of it to me. You have strange powers boy. I reckon these old bones can train one last apprentice before I pass into the pure land. What do you say boy? Through your chores you have learned the ways of the land and how to fend for yourself. Do you want to learn the way of the Kage-Maru Ninja? If you don't then you may go with my blessings. If you do then I will put you through eight seasons of the hardest training this side of hell."

Naruto pondered for a moment and thought; 'I lost all chances to be Hokage. That doesn't mean I couldn't still be the strongest ninja though.' Having made his mind up, the blonde said, "I will train under you Master Sureiyā. I want to be the strongest ninja that has ever lived."

Sureiyā nodded sagely to himself. "I thought you would say that. I will forge you into something great or die trying. Let us begin!"

…

A year and a half later the sixteen year old Uzumaki Naruto was a very changed young man. He had been sent on some seriously dangerous quests by Master Sureiyā and had become wiser in his own way. The blonde kept his hair under a cowl and wore a facemask much like his old sensei Kakashi. His uniform was dark blue with black bandages and resembled something and ANBU would wear sans the flak jacket and animal mask. He still preferred orange but realized that his old colors were impractical for stealth operations. He'd grown a quite a bit and was basically all lean muscle now. All in all; Naruto was a powerful fighter though he wasn't on his Master Sureiyā's level yet.

The blonde had been on an arduous assassination mission for the past two months in the nearby Owari Province to the northeast and was coming home to the tree house when he sensed things were off. Naruto found his old Master had passed away in his sleep and the young man was heartbroken. It was there that Naruto found a letter from Sureiyā that was addressed to him. He opened it with tears in his eyes and read the contents within:

Stupid boy-

Do not cry at my passing. And for the sake of the kami, burn my remains and spread the ashes; the smell must be atrocious! (Naruto could only nod in agreement). I was a ninja and nothing of my existence may be found. We live as we die in the shadows. Everything in our home is yours save one item. It is the white yōkai bone sword I carried and beat you on your thick skull with while I taught you meditation. No doubt you have fond memories of it (The blond looked over at the weapon and cringed) but the truth is it belongs to the Chieftain of the Yōkai Taijiya Village (Demon Slayer's Village). His name is Shako and you should return it to him. He lent it to me when I was your age so Shako may well be dead. I want you to take it to the Demon Slayers with my gratitude. You will find a map with this parchment to show you the way.

As there are no members of the Kage-Maru left I pass the title of Master Ninja on to you though your training is not complete. I have enjoyed the last few years of my life thanks to your strange antics Naruto. I will be watching over you from the pure land. Try not to do anything stupid.

-Master Sureiyā

Naruto shook his head and thought aloud, "The old man just couldn't let it go without that last parting shot…"

…The next day the blonde built a pyre and watched it silently as the wind carried the ashes away. When the fire finally went out it was dawn and Naruto swept the remaining ash away so no sign was left that a body had ever been there. After inspecting his bow and arrows, shuriken, kunai, senbon and katana; the blonde headed northeast once again; this time to the Musasahi Province. He donned civilian clothing and a hat over his ninja attire and over the next few days travelled alone until he reached the Village of the Demon Slayers…

…

Japan, Musashi Province, Yōkai Taijiya Village

The Demon Slayer Village was as much a wooden fortress as a village. Naruto was camped out by a nearby stream observing the place from a distance as he quietly fished for some lunch. Making sure he had mentally mapped the village and all its entrances and exits (just in case) the blonde noted a cave there that seemed to be for storage. Aside of that it was organized like a sturdy military base from his observations. 'It wouldn't stop a ninja but would deter a small army.' thought the blonde. That's when Naruto heard a tiny rustle in the grass near his pile of fish he'd caught. Reaching out with his left hand like lightning and caught a straw yellow two tailed cat sneaking up on his meal. This was the nekomata Kirara.

Kirara meowed pitifully at being caught and Naruto gave her a fanged smile. "If you wanted some fish to eat all you had to do was ask little one." said the blonde as he set her down. After giving her a small pile of fish to feast upon; Naruto continued fishing and the two ate their fill in companionable silence.

That's when a boy of about eleven years of age spotted them and was terrified. 'What am I going to do?! Kirara could be kidnapped by that fisherman! Sango would be heartbroken! I have to rescue her!' This was Kohaku of the Demon Slayer Village. Sneaking up stealthily, the brown haired, brown eyed boy prepared to… to do something.

Naruto asked, "Are you planning to attack or retreat? If you don't mind my saying; you should decide before you creep up on a total stranger unarmed."

Kohaku reached over his shoulder and realized his kusarigama was gone! "Wha-wha-what?!" shrieked the boy.

The ninja laughed and held out Kohaku's precious weapon. "Hahaha! Looking for this?"

The boy face planted in embarrassment and Kirara face pawed. Naruto laughed again. "You are a funny kid." He turned to Kirara and asked, "Is this your friend little one?" She meowed and the ninja said, "Well; if he's your friend I'll give him back his weapon." Gently handing Kohaku back his kusarigama; the ninja said, "I'm Naruto; what's your name?"

The boy was still blushing and mortified but answered, "I'm Kohaku of the Demon Slayer Village and she's Kirara. Where are you from?"

"I have a place far south of here." said the ninja. "I'm here to see the Village Chief. I have business with him."

Kohaku grinned knowingly. "You'll have to get in line then. Everyone and their brothers are having Demon problems then days."

"Is that so?" asked Naruto. "I wonder how I could arrange a meeting with him."

"I can take you to the Village." said the boy. "I know the Chief is really busy right now though. What kind of yōkai do you need exterminated?"

Naruto rubbed his chin. "I don't need any demons killed. I have a package that needs to be returned to Chief Shako."

"Chief Shako?" asked Kohaku. 'That was my Grandpa's name!' "If it's the Shako I'm thinking it is then he's been dead a really long time."

The blonde sighed. "I'm really not surprised because my late Master got it from Chief Shako over fifty years ago. He wanted it returned to the Demon Slayers."

Kohaku wondered what the item could be and said, "Follow me and Kirara back to the village. What is the package anyway?"

"I can't tell you Kohaku." said the blonde. "It's confidential."

"Hmmm… I'll see what I can do." said Kohaku. 'I'll talk to Father if he is back from his mission.' "Let's go Kirara." She meowed and went back to her fish.

The boy sweat dropped and Naruto snickered. "It seems she's quite fond of her lunch." He pointed to a small campfire and said, "I'm about to eat some more myself. Are you hungry?" Hearing Kohaku's stomach growl, Naruto stuck a few extra fish on the fire to cook and said "Give it a few minutes…"

…

An hour later, the very full trio of Naruto, Kohaku and Kirara came waddling into the Demon Slayer Village and were greeted by the young Demon Slayer's beautiful older sister, Sango. "There you are Kohaku!" she said smiling. "I was beginning to get worried. Where have you been all morning?"

Kohaku was a bit abashed and Naruto was love struck. 'What a woman!' he thought with stars in his eyes. He was sure that he was blushing and was glad he was wearing a mask cover it. Smiling; he said, "Hello my lady."

Sango smiled back in a friendly way and said, "Hello; are you a friend of Kohaku's?"

The blonde recovered from his swooning and said, "I'm Naruto; a traveler from the south. I met Kohaku and Kirara on the way here. I'm pleased to meet you."

"I am Sango, Kohaku's older sister." she replied. "What brings you to our humble village?"

Naruto was a bit tongue tied but Kohaku inadvertently saved him from making a total fool of himself. "Naruto has come to deliver an item to the Chief."

Sango immediately got suspicious and asked, "What kind of an item?"

"It belongs to Chief Shako." said Naruto. "Unfortunately Kohaku explained that he has passed so I've come to deliver it to the Village Chief so he can decide who it belongs to." 'Kami, she's beautiful!'

Sango asked, "Can you tell me what it is?" as she frowned slightly at him.

Naruto steeled his will and said, "I'm sorry Lady Sango but I can only tell the Village Chieftain."

She looked at Kirara who purred happily. Sango scratched Kirara's chin and said, "I'll take you to the Chief."

Naruto followed Sango admiringly over to the Chief's home and she spoke to the two guards out front. "Is Chief Ezume*① in?"

"He is eating." said one of the guards. "It may be a while."

Sango nodded and said, "I'll go talk to him. This traveler has a package for the Chief." Then she mouthed, 'Watch him.' She turned back to Naruto and said. "Please wait here."

Naruto sat down at the base of the steps in the seiza position to wait. The two guards were glaring at him and interrupting his daydreaming about Lady Sango's shapely ass. The blonde silently waited for a long time with the guards staring at him all the while. Before long it was evident to the ninja that this was some sort of test of his intentions or something…

"So what do you have for the Chief kid?" asked the younger of the two guards nastily.

"That is between the Chief and I; good sir." replied Naruto passively.

The guard growled, "I don't like your attitude kid."

Naruto grinned under his mask and thought, 'Mind games, eh? Alright, let's play!' "It seems you lack in discipline my friend."

The guard asked in a threatening tone, "Who do you think you are?"

"I am but a humble traveler." said the blonde. "A proper guard mans his post quietly where I come from."

"And where are you from asshole?" snarled the guard as he fingered the hilt of his wakizashi.

The ninja said, "I am appalled at your lack of decorum good sir. Would you be so vulgar in the presence of Lady Sango?"

The angry guard pulled his wakizashi and roared, "I'm going to make you a head shorter dickhead! See this?!"

The man was shocked witless when his blade seemingly vanished and reappeared in Naruto's hands. The blonde said, "Why thank you. Your village forges some quality blades. It is a testament to their skill to see such a fine edge and balance." He pointed the wakizashi at the man's groin and hissed; "Now why don't you fetch your Chieftain before I trim off the twig and berries and turn you into the village eunuch? Even Buddha has limits to his patience."

Sango's feminine laughter exploded from within the building as well as a groan from her Father Ezume. He motioned towards the door and said; "Show our guest in Sango."

She giggled and said, "Yes Father; I'll get him…"

…

Naruto was soon inside speaking with the goateed Ezume. He placed the yōkai bone sword in front of the Chieftain "…And this sword was lent to my Master by Chief Shako long before I was born. Master Sureiyā asked for it to be returned to your village with his gratitude."

Ezume picked up the bone katana in its sheath and slid the blade out a few centimeters before it started to heat up rapidly. The Chief slid the blade back in before he got burned. "So this is the legendary Firefox. Do you know anything about this blade Naruto?"

The blonde got a flat look on his face and said. "It hurts."

Sango raised an eyebrow. "It hurts?"

Naruto nodded and said, "Master Sureiyā used the flat end of it the discipline me when I was meditating. He was merciless with that thing."

"It didn't burn you?" asked Ezume.

"Why would it burn me Chief Ezume?" asked Naruto in puzzlement.

Sango was puzzled as well. "I've never heard of this sword before; why would it burn him Father?"

Ezume carefully set the sword down and said, "In my Grandfather's time, before my Father Shako was even born; the village forged a sword that was supposed to cut though any evil demon but not harm good demons. It was made from layer after layer of compressed kitsune bones that were found long ago. Everyone was thrilled with the masterpiece and then it ignited with blue hot fox fire and burned down a portion of the village. No one was hurt but it was a huge setback. The kitsune's spirit somehow survived within the sword and as a prank; the mischievous sword wouldn't let anyone use it."

"Ouch." said Naruto. "That's terrible."

"So how did it end up with Naruto's Master?" asked the beautiful demon slayer.

"Before I was born my Father Shako somehow made the connection that a young ninja named Sureiyā could utilize the blade." said Ezume. "I don't know how or why but Father ended up giving the sword to Sureiyā and it was never heard of again… until today that is. The last thing I expected was to have this sword come wandering home generations later."

"What do you plan to do with it Father?" asked Sango.

"I'll talk to Elder Chitose and the others. I think she's the only one left alive that remembers that fire." said Ezume. He turned to Naruto and asked, "Are you staying a few days? I have a feeling that your services will be needed."

The blonde replied; "I was planning on moving on but I guess I can wait a couple of days."

"Good." said Ezume. "I will cover your lodging expenses at the inn..."

…

That evening the Village Elders sat down with Ezume in his house to discuss the fate of the Firefox.

"Firefox?! It should have been named Firestarter!" shrieked Elder Chitose. "It torched half of the Village before we could put it out. The only positive about it was not a single soul was injured. That sword has a devious mind of its own. We should send it away whence it came and with as much haste a possible! Let the traveler keep it I say."

"Perhaps we should store it in Midoriko's Cave. It is dangerous in the wrong hands." said another Elder.

"What good will that do?!" asked Chitose. "There are no good hands for it as far as we can tell."

"I'm of the opinion the blade simply needs to be purified." said Ezume.

"Bah!" said Chitose. "It repelled every Priest or Priestess we could find! Throw it into the sea or something."

…Chief Ezume was starting to get a migraine…

…

In the meantime Naruto was sitting with Sango, Kohaku and Kirara outside the inn under the bright moonlight. "…And Master Sureiyā never told me anything about the sword except it was made of yōkai bone instead of metal." explained the blonde. "He left me a letter on his deathbed to bring it back here. If I had known it was going to throw your whole village into an uproar I would have thought twice about bringing it in so openly. I really didn't mean to cause so much trouble."

Sango said warmly, "How could you have known Naruto? Besides, the Village Elders are wise. They will solve this problem in a way that is best for all concerned."

That's when they heard what sounded like a bar fight coming from within Ezume's house. Elder Chitose's voice screeched out, "You dumb son of a biittcchh!"

Sango and Kohaku's eyes got wider and wider as their esteemed elders not only beat the crap out of one another; they uttered expletives that would make a sailor blush loud enough for the whole village to hear.

Kohaku asked, "What do ~! #$ and %^&* mean sister?"

Sango blushed bright red and said, "Please do not use those words again Kohaku!"

The boy turned to Naruto with pleading eyes and the blonde said; "I'll explain it to you when you are older."

"Okay." said the boy. "What about ?/+ that elder Chitose yelled at the top of her lungs?"

Kirara face pawed and Sango said in a scary voice "Those were things that should never be said."

Naruto smiled and said, "You'll need a priest to purify that mouth now Kohaku."

Kohaku just cringed at that idea…

…

The next day Sango and Kohaku were watching in total dismay as their home was being repaired from the massive Battle of the Elders that woke up the whole village the night before. They ended up eating breakfast with Naruto at the inn. "Well, I have to admit this is the first village I've been to has had a bunch of geriatrics get into a rumble." said the blonde with a grin. "What I'd have given to be a fly on the wall to watch that spectacle…"

"I've never heard of such a thing either…" said Sango in embarrassment. "I'm terribly sorry you had to witness this."

Naruto chuckled as he took another bite of food. "No worries. Chaos and confusion are kind of entertaining in their own way." He noticed Sango staring at him and raised an eyebrow. "Is something on my face Sango?"

"Actually, I was wondering about those cute birthmarks of yours. They make you look like a kitsune." she said.

Kohaku said, "Hey, kitsune are known to marry humans once in a while. Do you think you're part kitsune a few generations back?"

"Actually; I was orphaned at birth so I have no idea." said Naruto glumly. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Sango looked sadly at him; "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject."

"It's okay." said Naruto. "There are lots of orphans out there with all the wars going on."

That's when they heard someone outside yelling, "STOP THIEF!"

Sango said to Kohaku, "That was Momo over by the armory! Tell Father that I'm going after the thief!"

Naruto saw the siblings shed their outer robes revealing their demon slayer uniforms and head in opposite directions. Naruto also tossed his outer gear revealing his ninja attire and trailed after Sango with hearts in his eyes.

He caught up with Sango a minute later and asked, "What got stolen Sango?"

She did a double take at Naruto's ninja gear and asked, "Is that you Naruto?" 'He looks good…'

"In the flesh my Lady." replied the blonde. "How can I help?"

"Two big men stole two katana from Momo's shop." She had had a gleam in her eye. "You think you can keep up with me?"

Naruto winked. "Let's find out!" The two sixteen year olds sped off towards the village gate. 'Smart thieves would have waited till it was darker.' he thought.

The gate was closing just as the two arrived and Sango was irritated. "Open the gate!" she commanded. "We are in pursuit of the thieves!"

"Yes my Lady!" said one of the gatekeepers.

Naruto said, "I'm going to get a head start." With that he vanished in a body-flicker and reappeared outside. Spotting his prey; the blonde ninja took off in a blur. A moment later the village gate opened and the beautiful demon slayer roared off in pursuit.

The two thieves heard the word "Hiraikotsu!" from Sango as her giant bone boomerang cut across their path and scared the life out of them.

"S-shit that was close!" said one of the thieves in terror as the Hiriakotsu returned to its owner. Then he said, "Run!"

The second thief nodded was taken out by a flying kick from Naruto that rendered him unconscious in an instant. The ninja landed in front of the first thief and the small time crook started running back up the hill in fear… directly to Sango. She punched him out with a right hook. Naruto thought to himself with a shiver, 'Such a gentle princess…'

Having gathered up the knocked out thieves and their ill-gotten gains; the duo trudged back up to the village…

…

Ezume was waiting at the Village gate when they arrived. "I see you rounded them up in short order." said the Chieftain. "You two seem to make a pretty good team."

Sango grinned and nodded. "It is nice not having to slow down or hold back."

The Village Chief asked the blonde; "What do you think of working with Sango?"

"I think we complement each other well." said Naruto with a smile under his mask.

Sango's Father nodded sagely. "I watched you two in action there and I agree. You two fit together well. More importantly, Sango needs a partner she can depend on. She's the strongest demon slayer in the village and normally works solo because no one else can keep up with her. She needs backup just in case. What do you think Naruto? From what you've said in our discussions you are a nomad. The Demon Slayer Village would welcome another strong warrior."

The blonde wasn't sure what to do. The idea of working with a beautiful woman like Sango had endless appeal but at the same time he knew little of fighting demons save lesser ones that were pests. Naruto replied, "Chief Ezume; I like the idea of having a home to come home to and I like Sango but I'm used to hunting humans rather than demons. I don't know which of the two is more evil."

Ezume smiled. "A wise answer. Let us go back into the village and discuss things further."

…

Later; Sango, Kohaku and Ezume were soon having lunch together. She asked, "Not that I disagree Father but why would you invite a total stranger to live in or village? It seems unlike you."

"Actually you could call it a hunch." replied Ezume. "That young man has enormous power just below the surface just like you Sango. I have a long term mission I need carried out and I believe that your combined strengths could pull it off. I want the Firefox to be purified so it can be used by the Demon Slayers as it was meant to be… or at least one of us."

"And by one of us you mean Naruto." stated Sango.

Ezume chuckled, "I knew you would be quick to catch on my daughter. He may be able to use it already but I'd still rather it be purified by a priest or priestess so it can be handed down."

Kohaku looked excited. "Maybe Naruto can show me some ninja moves!"

Sango laughed. "I doubt it Kohaku. Ninja are a very secretive lot from what I understand."

"Awwww…" moped the younger sibling.

After lunch; Ezume was talking to Naruto about the mission he had planned for the Firefox. "So basically you want Sango and I to go around the Musashi and Shinano Regions and find someone to purify the blade. Depending on how things go the maximum time you want spent is a year. That's a long time for a mission."

"So what do you think of the idea?" asked the Village Chief. "Would you be willing to take on such a task?"

Naruto pondered for a few moments and said, "I want to test the Firefox to see what it does. I always thought of it as an unusual bone katana but I never imagined it was a weapon that had a will of its own. Is there a rocky area were we could draw the blade where there would be nothing to burn?"

"I can think of a place nearby that would serve our purpose." said Ezume. "Let's go."

The two men went to a rocky outcropping and Ezume handed Naruto the sheathed Firefox. "Be very cautious and draw the blade out a little at a time." said Ezume. "If you feel it start to heat up then sheathe it quickly."

Naruto gradually drew the blade and nothing happened save the Firefox gleaming in the sunlight.

Ezume nodded to himself and said, "I suspected as much. It seems the blade accepts you as its master. This is ideal assuming you take this mission."

The blonde tested the blade's weight and balance before he said, "What a superb blade. I wonder what else it can do. I have this feeling it holds many secrets." Then he split a hair on the Firefox and added, "I have to wonder what adventures Master Sureiyā went on with this katana. I'm sure it would have many tales to tell if it could talk."

"Of that I have no doubt Naruto." said Ezume. "Will you take up the mission with Sango?"

Naruto grinned and said a simple, "Yes."

So began the tale of the Firefox…

…

POSTSCRIPT:

*①: Ezume means Pure Water. He was never actually named in the show.

As I said; it probably needs work but this should give a general idea. If no one is interested in a continuation I'll move it over into the One Shots. See you next time. Blue out. 7/26/21