Hey guys and welcome to my sneak peak of my newest fanfic, Lord of Foxes. This is my first shot at a Naruto fanfic and I am really excited for it although it may be rough to begin with I hope that you, my wonderful readers, will be patient and enjoy the ride.
Some things to start off with: this is AU so it is going to go off cannon in some instances while attempting to weave parts of cannon into the story line. There won't be too much character bashing but definitely different characters will be pushed to the back of the story and let others shine as it were. I also haven't decided on a pairing and right now I am leaning towards the cliche of Hinata who I really like as a character. I was thinking Anko but I wanted to go in a different direction with that character.
Sorry I'm rambling. Anyways this is a preview and no new chapters will be posted until my first fanfic, Battles of the Past, is finished. If you haven't read it go ahead and give it a try and tell me what you think. As it always is please feel free to review with whatever you have in mind. Likes, dislikes, advice, criticisms or just your thoughts in general.
Now, sit back, relax and enjoy Lord of Foxes!
Chapter 1
The summer sun began to set, as Konoha was being painted orange as another beautiful day ended in the ninja village. The sound of people communing with one another in shops, restaurants and the streets filled the evening air. It was a day that for all intents and purposes was perfect. The heat of the day began to settle into pleasant warmth with a slight breeze that tickled the skin of those that called the village their home.
To say the village was in its prime wasn't far to off from reality. With the Sandaime Hokage still in power they continued to enjoy the continued stabilization that came with his chair. They were three years removed from the devastation of the Uchiha Massacre and were once again a top the Elemental Nations. A new alliance with Suna aided in that cause while maintaining its borders with Iwa and Kumo. Kiri had long since been an after thought, still in the midst of civil unrest.
To many, life couldn't get much better. But as it usually is that is not always the case for everyone.
Outside the gate, in the various training grounds that dotted the vast and thick forest of Hi no Kuni a rhythmical thumping could be heard with the occasional grunt and groan. It wasn't uncommon for the various noises to be heard, after all they were in a ninja village, it was a good sign for the sounds of training to be heard. But these sounds were not of youthful vigor or determined resolve.
In an old run down training ground that had all but been forgotten stood a young boy of ten years old. His spiky blond hair running wild, a perfect match for his deep blue eyes that shined when shown with his ever-present smile. Three whisker marks adorned each cheek. He wore blue shorts and a once white t-shirt, permanently stained a dingy yellow from years of use, with a red swirl on the chest. He wore old, rotten sandals he had found in the dumpster, they were a bit big but he wouldn't complain. Uzumaki Naruto just did what he always did: make the best with what he had and pushed onwards with a smile on his face.
Yet there was no smile today, not a trace of joy in his blue eyes or youthful energy in his posture. With every thrown kunai and shuriken his shoulders slumped just a little more. With every deflected weapon that didn't embed itself in the target that was pinned to a tree trunk his annoyance and frustration grew. Hours he had spent practicing throwing his weapons, but if one of the academy instructors were to come and watch they would say he hadn't improved one bit.
His hands shaking, Naruto reached for another Kunai on the ground. He knelt down and grasped the handle before rising on wobbly legs. A sudden spasm wrecked his hand that grasped the knife. His knees hit the ground as the knife fell out of his hand. He lurched forward and barely caught himself with his hands extended in front of him.
A feeling of nausea hit him. His head moved towards the ground as he began to dry heave, the none existent contents of his stomach attempting an escape. His eyes watered as the pain racked his body. Had he had anything in his stomach he would have no doubt been coating the forest floor in vomit. As it was he hadn't eaten since yesterday and he wouldn't be able to buy instant ramen for another two days when his measly monthly stipend came in. If he was lucky he may be able to scrounge a meal from Ichiraku's Ramen from the kind people who managed the shop.
The racking of his body from dry heaving began to be replaced by the gasps of air as he began to sob, the emotional and physical strain he was feeling finally breaking the mask he painstakingly erected. The summer was always the worst for the poor boy. His loneliness that he felt only enhanced by the missed attention of his academy teachers. He would never admit it but he loved going to the academy because it made him feel like he had friends, people that actually cared about him. His favorite moments spent with the few classmates that didn't openly despise him, but during the summer those few connections, as weak as they were, didn't exist.
He clasped his hand into fists as his nails dug into the ground. He sobs began to die down before turning into a low growl. He brought his fists up above his head before screaming and hitting them on the ground. Why was he always treated like he didn't exist? Why did he always here people calling him names like 'demon brat' or 'monster' behind his back when they thought he couldn't hear them? Why did all of the parents of the kids his age refuse him the chance to play with their children? Why wouldn't any shopkeeper ever treat him fairly? Why was he all alone? Why?
He wasn't an idiot. He knew that his teachers weren't giving him the adequate lessons he should be getting. He knew he got the worst materials they had to offer, whether it be textbooks, kunai, ninja wire, you name it. He knew he was the dead last because his teachers continually under marked him during their grading. He wasn't stupid; he just never got the chance. And that's all he ever wanted.
A chance to feel like he belonged, like people cared about him outside of the Old Man and the people at Ichiraku's. He wanted to be seen and not just ignored, to be heard rather than scoffed at and be called a nuisance or trash. He wanted to find a place in this world yet whenever he tried he was meant with same response: cold indifference.
His body finally gave out on him as he finally collapsed onto the ground. His vision quickly caught the faint movement of a small orange creature before finally going black and passing out.
•••••
Naruto groaned as a ray of sunlight danced across his face, waking him from his deep slumber. He sat himself up to find that again he was not sore. It was always a trait that confused him; no matter how hard he trained he never once woke up the next morning sore. He shrugged it off and looked around his room before sighing and moving toward the bathroom.
The ANBU, whoever the operative was, had taken him back to his apartment and set him on his bed after he had collapsed with all his kunai and shuriken gathered on his kitchen table. It wasn't the first time it had happened and the last time he had seen it was a man wearing a dog mask with peculiar silver hair. Naruto's shoulders again dropped as he looked around his small apartment.
The small apartment wasn't much but it was home. The entry way led straight to a small kitchen and living area, empty ramen cups strewed across the floor. A small kitchen table with two rickety old chairs was in the middle of room with an old, beat up couch that was under the window that gave a view of the Hokage Monument and parts of the village. There was a single hallway with a door on either side, one to his bedroom and the other to the bathroom.
What it lacked in size and new appliances, Naruto had tried to make up for in a sense of coziness. On the walls were posters from a few past Princess Gale movies along with a poster of his idol, the Yondaime Hokage, which he had found. On the window ceil were a few potted plants that he took great care of for a boy his age. It wasn't much but for Naruto it was home. If he could ask for anything else it would be someone to greet him when he came home, a fantasy he often played out his head.
He was woken from his thought as a small yawn came from his couch. He leaned his head out from the hallway with a curious look on his face. His eyes widened as he saw a small orange fox lying on the couch. Curled into a ball. The little fox perked up as Naruto took a step forward. Naruto froze as he stared into the yellow, slitted eyes of the tiny creature. The fox had a beautiful orange coat with black paws and ears. Its predominantly orange tail was tipped with a black spot. Its underbelly was pure white that ran up to its chin and lower part of its head.
The two stared at each other for what felt like hours before the corners of the fox's mouth turned slightly upwards in what looked like a grin as its tail began to dance playfully behind it. It gave a happy yip before jumping off the couch and scurrying to Naruto. It sat on its hide legs and peered up at the boy, all the while its tail swayed to and fro behind its body.
Naruto slowly bent down, trying not to spook the little guy, although if one were to behold the spectacle they would say Naruto was the one that looked spooked. He stuck his hand out only for the fox to move its head backwards a bit, a motion Naruto mirrored. The fox cocked its head to the side before hesitantly moving forward putting its head into the palm of the whiskered boy's hand. Naruto began to scratch the top of the curious creature and was responded with what sounded like a purr of content.
Naruto's hesitant look was quickly replaced with a beaming smile. He moved his hand to underneath the fox's chin, continuing to scratch. The fox's only response was to extend its chin and its unusual grin to grow. It closed its eyes in pure ecstasy from the treatment it was getting. After a bit Naruto stopped and stood up, much to the little creature's annoyance.
Naruto smiled down at the disgruntled orange animal. "Sorry little guy but I have to take a shower." Naruto honestly thought he was in a dream and still on the forest floor. A cold shower to shock him out of his dreams or if it really was his dreams then he might enjoy a hot one instead.
Much to his surprise the water was biting cold. He quickly took his shower before jumping out and drying off. He opened the door and looked down to see the same fox sitting at his feet, its tail moving lazily behind it. Naruto just shook his head. How did a fox get in his apartment?
He moved to the bedroom where he changed into the same shirt and shorts from yesterday. He didn't have many clothes, enough for three days worth, so he usually reused clothes for a few weeks before going and washing them in a river somewhere.
The room was beginning to heat up with the ever-rising temperature outside. To alleviate the issue he went to the window. He unlatched the window before lifting it up. He turned around when he heard a yip only to see the orange fox dash in front of him and jump out the window. Naruto gasped while trying to grab the fox but he was too late. He looked out the window for his eyes to widen. At the base of the building sat the orange fox who was peering up at him with a playful grin. It gave a yip and motioned with its head as if to say 'follow me'.
Naruto paused for a minute before shaking his head and jumping off his couch. He stumbled across the room where he quickly put his sandals on. He grabbed the keys to his apartment and tore out of the building. He came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs panting heavily. He looked around before his eyes found the fox once again. The fox gave another yip before turning on its heals and running away.
"Hey wait for me," Naruto yelled before pursuing the orange animal.
To Naruto's credit, he managed to stay within view of the orange animal as he ducked and dodged through various streets and alleyways. Naruto ducked and dodged various food carts, vendors and civilians as he chased the fox across the town to the annoyance of those around. Finally the fox seemed to be pleased with the street it was running across as they maintained their direction until they were outside the gates of Konoha.
The little fox didn't slow down and neither did Naruto as they began going deeper and deeper into the forests of Konoha. Naruto turned a corner and suddenly lost sight of his fury friend. Panting and gasping for breath, he hunched over and put his hand on his knees. He groaned as he thought about the potential friend he had lost before hearing the very recognizable yip of the fox.
He looked up to see the fox poke his head out from behind a tree. With another yip and motion of its head it vanished. Naruto muttered under his breath about foxes being stupid before grudgingly following the animal. He had gone this far, might as well finish what he started.
He turned the corner of the tree and suddenly found himself in a small clearing. The sunlight bathed the beautiful clearing. Naruto looked around and noticed the various wild flowers that dotted the landscape, each in a different color that seemed to give the clearing a vibrancy of life he hadn't seen before. Naruto saw a familiar splash of orange. His eyes moved to his small fox friend before suddenly widening and moving upwards.
In the very middle of the small clearing was a giant oak tree, its trunk, thick and sturdy, showing its long life while its limps seemed to weave in and out of each other creating a maze of wood dotted with beautiful, green leafs that seemed to shine as if coated with fresh morning due in the sunlight. The presence of the tree was of warm age. Like a father staring down at his children, the tree promised protection, warmth and wisdom.
Naruto finally let out the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. His eyes moved from the large tree back down to his orange clad companion who wore a mischievous grin. Again the young fox tilted its head before walking to the base of the tree and vanishing. Naruto followed. As he approached, he noticed the roots of the trees came up from the ground and tangling producing a small hole underneath. He heard the young fox's excited yip come from beneath.
He lowered himself onto the ground and slid himself backwards into the hole. He was surprised when at first it couldn't feel a bottom. About half-way up his chest his toes finally seemed to find hard ground just as the blades of grass he had been grasping on to broke.
He landed on his but with a thud. He coughed and waved the dust away that arose from his encounter from gravity and picked himself up. He brushed his clothes off before suddenly freezing in place.
He was standing perfectly straight? But how could that be? Finally he took a look around his environment and gasped at what he saw. He was standing in a large room, larger than what seemed to be the size of the tree. The walls were barely seen as shelves upon shelves of scrolls, manuscripts and books filled them to the point that whoever had taken care of the place had to resort to placing scrolls in the corners of the room of the ground.
The middle of the room was a circle of five chairs, each more extravagant, yet simple at the same time, than Naruto had ever seen before. In the middle of the chairs stood a small coffee table with a small statue of a fox in a crouch. Above was crystal chandelier that shone brightly and illuminated the room in a warm, bright light. A few desks lined the various shelves, each with their own chair and lamp. The floor of the room was clad in an intricate deep red carpet with various patterns that effortlessly flowed from one to the next as if they had been painted by a single brush stroke.
Naruto had barely noticed this. What had truly caught his attention was the wall furthest from the entrance. Adorning the wall were weapons upon weapons, some of which Naruto had never seen. Katana, tanto, shuriken, kunai,quarter-staffs, pikes and many more lined the wall. Each made of the finest quality steel, fabric and materials that shown brightly with detailed engravings where steel was shown.
But the best was in the middle of the wall. In the middle rested a platform with a stone table resting against the wall. On this table lay a orange scroll tied with a black cloth in the middle. The scroll was bigger than any Naruto had seen before. Above the scroll was the katana that truly caught Naruto's eye. The handle was pitch black, the cloth wrapped expertly starting at the silver tip of the handle and running to the hilt. The hilt was replace with a silver depiction of a fox's head on either side, their mouths open. From their mouths came he blade, its metal shining brighter then any weapon on the wall. Black engravings danced from the foxes' mouths as if they were spitting flames that died away a quarter of the way above the blade.
Naruto felt his legs slowing caring him to the platform on their own, his orange companion sitting happily besides the stone table of the platform. He couldn't describe it, the pull the scroll and the weapon had on him. It was like a faint voice calling to him, not a chilling voice, but a warm, soft voice like that of a mother.
Finally he came to the table. He slowly moved his hands to grab the scroll, but stopped, as he was about to grab it. Hadn't he read something at the academy about enemy ninjas booby-trapping precious information or weapons? This was clearly important, Naruto was no idiot.
He began to look over the scroll and table, careful not to disturb anything. He saw no signs of wires or explosive tags, he could find no evidence of holes in the walls or floors that could be used to release senbon or poisonous gas either.
He heard a yip and looked down. His compatriot looked back up, a look of frustration and impatience adorning his features. His brows furrowed and head tilted as he looked up to Naruto. He gave a soft growl and yip as if to say 'well, what are you waiting for?'
Naruto reached back to the scroll and again paused before another yip shook him from the hesitation. He looked down and gave the fox a look of annoyance. "Alright, alright I'm going. Don't rush me you stupid fox," he said with a huff.
He reached without hesitation and took hold of the scroll. He lifted it and was surprised that it took no physical strain at all to lift the large scroll. He took a better look at the scroll and could read the kanji for 'kitsune' spelled out the long way across the scroll.
"What is this?"
"This is the summoning contract of the Kitsune."