So this is relatively shorter compared to previous chapters. I did write more, but I wasn't at all happy with it so I shortened it down to what I was happy with (in other news, I might start a oneshot series of things that I completely wrote out but decided didn't fit with the story)
We're getting comfortable enough with Shikaku that Kurama is starting to let the Nara see his more non-human side. Plus, it's going to drive Shikaku nuts and that's just entertaining.
Reviews fuel my writer's soul, so please leave one (it has been seen on the street begging recently)
Both Shikaku and Kurama were harshly panting as they stared at the other before Kurama relaxed and sat on the ground. Shikaku took it to mean they were done and also sat on the ground, relatively near the red head. They rested on the grass for a bit and neither Inoichi nor Chouza made a move towards them though.
Luckily, they both had withdrawn before it got too graphic or even deadly. But damn if it wasn't one of the hardest spars both had had in a long time. This wasn't also considering that even as a spar, both had injuries of some kind, none too deep or serious, but they were there.
Shikaku waved his two teammates away as the two opponents were catching their breath. The other part of the Ino-Shika-Cho exchanged glances but decided to trust that Shikaku would be fine; they didn't need to step in at any point.
But they now could vividly understand why the foreigner was considered a great warrior, it wasn't every day that you could randomly go up against the Jounin Commander and manage to stay on even ground. Before they left though, Inoichi set 2 things of water on the patio as the fighters had gotten up and were sedately making their way over to the house.
Both Kurama and Shikaku sat on the edge of the patio each just drinking their water and the adrenaline seemed to finally be leaving their bodies. "If I didn't know better, I would say that you are a foreign jounin." Shikaku commented almost off hand.
Kurama specifically didn't tense up and just side-eyed the clan head. "But you do know better." Kurama counterpointed.
"I do." Shikaku agreed with a nod.
They both sat in silence before finally Shikaku got up to bring out the medicine jars that Kurama had gifted him. Kurama muttered a thank you as he started to treat the lighter wounds, as Shikaku did the same with the other type of medication.
"So, do I get to know what made you so mad?" Shikaku finally asked as they switched jars.
"Well, it depends, are you going to tell your Hokage?" Kurama answered almost immediately.
Shikaku paused briefly as he considered this. "Are you a threat against Konoha?"
"No, but my family will always come first." Kurama answered truthfully.
Shikaku nodded his head; he had figured as much. "Then I don't think my Hokage needs to know."
Shikaku was a loyal shinobi and more importantly a very high-ranking person in Konoha. But even he had to admit that Hiruzen was slipping lately, and they weren't even going to mention Danzo and all the suspicious things he was doing.
Kurama Minato hadn't really done anything to warrant telling his Hokage that the man existed. The only thing that was noteworthy was his battle prowess and how he was adopting orphan children. (Well, that and how the deer treated him, but that was outside of what the general populace, even the Hokage, knew, and only the other half of his team even had a general idea.)
To Shikaku's surprise, and yet at the same time he wasn't surprised, the alpha pair came over to stand in front of Kurama. The Nara was once again struck by how different the alpha pair treated Kurama compared to anyone else, even the Nara clan head.
Kurama smiled before making the strangest noise back. Shikaku couldn't even describe that noise if he tried and he had never heard anything like it. The alpha pair seemed to consider the red head before leaving to go back into the forest.
"I had left my children in what I thought was capable hands, only to find out that we vastly differ on how we treated my children." Kurama finally admitted with a small frown.
Most of his negative energy had bled out at this point so he wasn't livid, but he wasn't happy either.
"Is it safe for me yet to ask what are you?" Shikaku asked after a couple of minutes of silence.
Kurama turned his face slightly to gauge Shikaku. The red head tilted his head slightly as he considered the man in front of him.
"I'm part human." Kurama finally disclosed, figuring that Shikaku had already figured that much out.
"And the other part?" Shikaku pressed lightly but in a way that Kurama could turn down the knowledge.
Kurama just gave the man a sly smirk while Shikaku mumbled "troublesome" and scratched the back of his head.
With the number of games the two played, Shikaku should have seen Kurama making this into a game coming. Didn't stop Shikaku from asking though.
"Does it involve animals in any way?" Shikaku finally asked.
Kurama again considered the man before replying, "In a way."
Shikaku grunted at the reply; he had figured as much but at least he got it verified.
"So, do you consider Naruto to be your child yet?" Shikaku switched gears.
Kurama let a warm smile overtake his face and that was answer enough.
"And if all goes according to plan, I just adopted another child while looking for my children." Kurama admitted finally.
Shikaku had to snort at the thought, this man was just adopting all the misfits and rejects and giving them homes. "So, what's with the necklace you gave Naruto?" Shikaku finally asked.
"Now that would be telling." Kurama rebutted.
"Does it involve those seals you gifted me?" Shikaku was in a talking mood, he felt like since he gave Kurama a fight, he was allowed some answers.
Kurama did nothing more than shrug; sure, Shikaku was allowed some answers but Kurama wasn't going to make it at all easy for the man.
Shikaku considered asking the man if he was an Uzumaki, but decided that Kurama wouldn't give him a clear answer.
"So where did you even go?" Shikaku asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence.
"Suna." Kurama answered easily.
Shikaku gave the man a look; he might not know what Kurama was but he knew that plants were basically Kurama's bloodline. "There are still plants that grow in the desert." Kurama couldn't help but amusedly point out.
Shikaku held up his hands in defense, it had just been a thought. "So where did you learn to make these jars?" Shikaku asked again after a few minutes of silence and holding up one of the jars.
"I happen to like plants-" Shikaku snorted, "-and learned how to make these so decided that as a shinobi you could appreciate them."
"Well, I keep getting bugged for where I got these jars, you should consider selling them." Shikaku pointed out.
"We'll see, I'm good on money right now and those plants take special care to grow." Kurama admitted.
The two men just sat in silence, looking out into the forest. Then they heard a noise and both turned to the door behind them. Kurama was amused to note that Shikaku's son (he knew he had a son) looked almost identical to the man. Shikaku lazily waved his hand at his son before introducing, "Kurama, this is my son Shikamaru, Shikamaru this is Kurama Minato."
"You're Naruto's neighbor and the person that has been visiting the deer." Shikamaru almost immediately pointed out.
Kurama couldn't stop the amused smile from spreading on his face and glanced at Shikaku to see the man look slightly exasperated but also a little proud. "I am." Kurama easily agreed, curious to how a baby Nara would fare against him.
"Why don't you two play a shogi match, I have some paperwork to fill out before dinner tonight." Shikaku commented while pointing at the shogi board.
Kurama gave Shikaku a look telling him that he totally saw through the maneuvering, and Shikamaru was a little too young to mask the spark of interest in his eyes.
"Sure, but only one game, I have to go home after." Kurama agreed while he heaved himself up gracefully to go sit at the shogi board.
Shikamaru gave a lazy nod but his eyes were sparking in interest and Kurama secretly thought it was adorable.
Shikamaru couldn't help but stare at the board. These days, it was only really his dad that beat him in shogi anymore, but this random stranger just defeated him. This was a big burn against his pride if he was being honest. "Ah, what does this make, you won what, 9 times now?" Shikaku commented as he leaned against the door frame.
"Well, if you are combining yourself and your son, then yes 9, but if you separate, I'm still at 8 with you." Kurama noted as he started to stand up and stretch.
Shikamaru was honestly a little startled at the comment, he didn't think his dad lost to anyone. If his dad lost to this man 8 times, then maybe it wasn't a big hit to his pride that he also lost to this man. Though that wasn't explaining how many more games his dad has won, but the fact that this stranger had won even once against his dad was astonishing.
"Do you just enjoy making others question reality?" Shikaku drawled out the question as he sent Kurama an amused look.
Kurama had a fake innocent look on his face which made Shikaku snort. "Alright, get going, I don't need people banging on my door when they find out you've been in the village this whole time." Shikaku stated while shooing Kurama away.
Kurama let out a bark of laughter (that was tinged with that very strange sound from earlier) before leaving. He waved at the 2 Nara before he disappeared through the gates.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at the retreating back. Actually, if he thought about it, Shikamaru glanced at his dad and also noticed he looked like he had been fighting. Shikamaru's eyebrow rose as he came to the conclusion that his dad and Kurama had fought.
Shikamaru knew it was unfair for non-shinobi to fight against high-ranking shinobi, but the fact that both of them were showing signs of a fight was intriguing. He didn't think that anyone below a jounin could go against his dad; so, this made Kurama's fighting ability interesting.
Shikamaru grunted out a "troublesome," before he got up to go inside, now with more questions than answers.
Kurama set a leisurely pace, also stopping to grab some food along the way. He figured he owed Naruto and Iruka a home cooked meal.
Though, with all his time in the desert, Kurama had gotten better at picking out chakra and thus noticed quite easily the odd chakra signatures that were following him. They didn't feel like those high-end shinobi that were following him as a threat in the beginning, but they didn't feel like just children.
Kurama narrowed his eyes as he considered the chakra, it was weirdly muted almost. Like it was being suppressed by something but at the same time the person themselves were trying to suppress the rest of it.
It had an edge of a seal but it wasn't the main function of whatever that seal was. Kurama would have to look into whatever that seal was though; he'd never really felt anything like it before.
He'd give it more thought later, he literally just got back. And this was the first time he wasn't really simmering in rage for everything that had occurred while he was gone. So hopefully there was nothing to add here.
Though Kurama was considering making a different subset of the beacons for non-host people. He knew that Iruka was an orphan and he was planning on adopting the man somehow into his life. But he didn't really warrant the time and complexity of the seals he gave to Gaara and Naruto.
Maybe a weapon? Not jewelry, but maybe a weapon of some kind with a seal on it to be a beacon? And then have that beacon tied to paper like how he initially had it? He would have to tie it in a way though that the paper would catch his attention though. Color changing?
These were all thoughts he could consider before he left again. He was staying in Konoha at least for a little while before heading out. From what Shukaku had told him though, it was the main villages that held the bijuu currently.
Though, if he concentrated really hard, and he also felt it in the desert, he could feel Chomei's energy. It was slightly off, but unlike what he felt in Gaara and Naruto, it didn't feel like there was any real seal holding her back so that was curious.
It was definitely north of both Suna and Konoha, but it had felt east in Suna, and now felt slightly west in Konoha. Plus, the feeling was much stronger in Konoha meaning that this village was closer.
Kurama briefly wondered if Shikaku had any idea where the bijuu were held, but decided against it. The Nara might seem alright with him being partially human, but there was no telling on his feeling when the bijuu were involved. Best to just go to different villages as a tourist and feel it out.
Though maybe he could offer the information of where he was going to Shikaku and see if the man had anything to say about each village. Ah, that was for another time though, he was going after Chomei before going to one of the larger villages.
The humans were extremely lucky that it seemed only his eldest's soul was split. Because if it had been all of his children? There would be non-stop bloodshed until his children were free and whole again.
Kurama checked his senses and noted than neither Naruto nor Iruka had been to Naruto's apartment yet which meant Kurama had a bit of time to cook before they got home. Or well, until Naruto got home and then he would quickly invite Iruka.
Kurama hitched his bag up a little higher as he got closer to the complex. He had set his bag near the edge of the forest before meeting with Shikaku for anger release, because he knew the deer would guard it. Ever since Suna, he hardly took off the bag but for that spar, he needed to be able to fully let loose.
Kurama didn't take long to set down his things in his bedroom, unpack a few essentials, and then get started on dinner.
He kept the window open and his senses alert though so that he could catch Iruka before the man went to where ever he lived.
He felt the slightly ping from the two of them when the food had just finished. He smiled lightly and put the food on the table before going out the front door.
He leaned against the railing and looked down to see Naruto chattering relentlessly to Iruka as they got closer to the complex.
Iruka was the first to note him though and with a smile he pointed up for Naruto to look. Naruto had immediately looked in confusion but gasped in delight when he saw the red head. Kurama physically saw Naruto hesitate and narrowed his eyes slightly but Iruka just urged him forward.
Kurama quickly called down, "I made dinner for all 3 of us."
Naruto quickly looked at Iruka hopefully before the man gave a nod. Naruto let out a shout of joy before sprinting up the stairs with Iruka following at a more sedate pace.
Naruto quickly came around the corner and seemed to hesitate again. Kurama's eyes narrowed even slightly more but he quickly held out his arms and Naruto almost knocked him over in his excitement to hug the red head.
Kurama couldn't help but chuckle at Naruto's enthusiasm and looked up to see Iruka finally come up the stairs. Running a hand through Naruto's hair, he gestured for Iruka to follow as he led the blonde inside.
Naruto was smiling so brightly during dinner that Kurama thought that it hurt. It was honestly a shame that he couldn't have brought Gaara along, Gaara could have done well with meeting both Naruto and Iruka.
Naruto babbled excitedly during dinner just talking about everything that had happened while Kurama was gone and the man smiled indulgently. Iruka would chime in every once in a while, to add something but seemed content to just let Naruto chatter.
Towards the end though, Kurama had to ask, "Were you at least good for Iruka-san?"
Naruto nodded his head so vigorously that Kurama thought he would get whiplash. The hybrid glanced at Iruka to double check and the man gave a warm smile with a small nod.
"So how was your trip? Where'd you go? Did you bring anything back? Did you fight someone?" Naruto finally started bombarding Kurama with questions.
Kurama laughed slightly and Naruto flushed a little in embarrassment. "I went to Suna, I actually met someone that was a lot like you and became his friend. And yes, I did bring some things back but you're going to have to wait until later." Kurama answered after a few seconds of mirth.
"Someone like me?" Naruto couldn't help but asked confused.
But Iruka sent Kurama a considering look as if starting to realize something. "Well, the villagers weren't very nice to him." Kurama explained simply.
Iruka's eyes narrowed slightly in thought as he seemed to be piecing together something. Naruto made a surprised noise and widened his eyes a little. The blonde hadn't thought that there was anyone else like him.
"What was his name?" Iruka couldn't help but ask, but now had a slightly calculating look in his eye.
"His name was Gaara." Kurama answered easily.
If Iruka figured out the true connection between Naruto and Gaara, he would clear up the confusion. But Iruka had seemed to accept Kurama's presence by now and didn't look hostile, only intrigued. Kurama knew he liked Iruka for a good reason (he still hadn't told Iruka that he's his favorite person in Konoha, though Shikaku is a good second place).
"This means that while I'm still here, I'll be making you lunch again Naruto and possibly dinner." Kurama revealed.
Naruto only let out a whoop of joy and then flushed when Iruka snorted.
"You only missed me for my cooking I see." Kurama teased the young boy as he vehemently denied such a thing.
Iruka couldn't help but lean back and smile as he watched the two interact with each other.
To the population that had been paying attention (Shikamaru and Sasuke), it was immediately evident when Naruto came in the following morning that something great had happened to the boy. He was basically vibrating with energy but wasn't bouncing all over the place like usual (which Sasuke appreciated or he would have strangled the dobe).
Now knowing the man behind Naruto's change, Shikamaru could better focus on the little details that tied the two together. The frustrating part though was it just caused more questions for Shikamaru and the young Nara knew that Naruto would have none of the answers. He also knew that his dad would never tell him anything, so Shikamaru would have to find things out himself which was so troublesome and wasn't honestly worth it.
It would stay in the back of Shikamaru's mind and he would still gather data, but he wasn't as focused on it. It would have crept into his cloud watching and nap time, and right now this didn't warrant that type of focus.
Shikamaru did note though that Iruka-sensei also seemed slightly happier though, so that brought the idea that the red head and sensei were friends. With how much Iruka cared about Naruto, it would make sense he would deeply care about who moves in next to the boy. And the neighbor proving to genuinely care for Naruto would probably put him on the fast track of being sensei's friend.
The young Nara couldn't help but wonder what new mysteries would be brought by the return of Naruto's neighbor.