Author's Note.

Revised as of 03/06/2022

Uploaded

09/29/2021

LEGEND BELOW

"In the beginning..." = Normal speech.

''I kinda wanted to know.'' = Normal thoughts.

"You dare to defy me!?" = Bujuu/beast Naruto talking.

''That's what I thought.'' = Bujuu/beast Naruto's thoughts.

Chapter 11

Making friends with a monster...

There was a thick fog out when the sight of the bridge finally hit his eyes. After… disposing of a vile monster earlier, Naruto wasted little time in meandering about.

He had a feeling that something was going to go down, and he didn't want to be anywhere but beside his Princess when it happened. The filthy man he had restrained within his tail promised that he didn't know of an attack planned on the bridge builder happening tonight, but it didn't add up to the fox.

It was too convenient that two of Gato's thugs would appear when they knew that Inari was alone. And some otherworldly part of his soul told him that he needed to reunite with Hinata as soon as possible.

But when he approached the bridge, the tell tale sight of a chakra charged fog set him off. He didn't know how, or why, but he knew right away that Zabuza had to have returned somehow.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails began digging into his hands. It seems that he didn't teach the missing nin enough of a lesson beforehand. He'd settle that issue right now.

The nine tailed spirit guardian quickened his pace, the sounds of blades clashing echoing across the misty bridge.

It seems that he arrived at the perfect time, as he saw the mist ninja and the mysterious masked woman that accompanied him only moments away from rushing his pink haired teammate, swords drawn and ready to kill.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Why didn't people learn that those who mess around with his own meet an untimely end?

Sakura was down on one knee, panting and cut up. Laying behind her was Tazuna, who had yet to take even a single strike. The petit girl brandished the legendary Kubikiribōchō menacingly, and it was obvious that she'd been using it as a shield of sorts.

The fog suddenly thickened in front of her, and she drew in a gasp, awaiting her opponent. There was a shift in the air, and she was immediately aware of a powerful warmth surrounding her entire being. A very familiar, comforting warmth.

Zabuza rushed in low, ready to take the pinky's head off. He realized a little too late that the battle just changed. The man slid to a stop, only a few feet away from the presence he felt hidden within his own mist.

A powerful wind was kicked up, and the fog was blown away. The cause for all this, was made apparent as soon as everything cleared away.

Standing defiantly in front of the girl was Naruto, dawning his Kitsune Guardian form. Eight of his wondrous tails spun about in the air, kicking up a powerful wind that immediately dispersed the mist ninja's jutsu. The ninth and final tail seemed preoccupied restraining a man.

There was an irate sneer on the kitsune's dashing features, his sharp golden slitted eyes narrowed dangerously. The red painted whisker marks were pulled taut against the light color of his skin from his irate expression.

"Who the hell are you?" The mist nin growled, not daring to move until he fully understood who he was up against. Luckily for him, the answer to that question would be answered soon enough.

A short distance behind the fearsome kitsune was the Hyuuga princess, and beside her, laying wounded on the cold hard floor was her blonde teammate. But the moment she lay her eyes on the nine billowing tails, her heart kept with joy.

"Kurama-Kun! You're back!" She cried out, her eyes betraying her as tears of joy started to fall.

Zabuza stepped back with a start, eyes wide as he assessed the mysterious looking being standing before him.

Kurama? Wasn't that the name of her fox from before? That couldn't be true! This had to be some kind of joke! Whatever he was, he was about to die.

"Don't play games with me! Give me the damn man and no one has to get hurt!" He snarled, rushing the kitsune. Naruto didn't even flinch, arms crossed as if Zabuza posed no actual threat to him.

"Not going to happen." The fox stated lowly. "I was playing with you last time. I will not do so again, in fact…"

"You're a pathetic fool if you think I'll believe that!" The mist ninja grinned, only inches away from slicing into the cocky bastar-

"-Kuh!!" Like a bat out of hell, one tail flew forward at breakneck speeds, literally bitch slapping him fifty feet away. The mist ninja bounced off the hard concrete, rolling to a stop a second later. He didn't immediately get back up.

"Zabuza-Sama!" The masked ninja cried out, instantly ready to avenge her downed master. Before she could even get as close as he did, a single tail came flying after her, sending her soaring across the bridge. She too landed harshly, her shoulder crunching when she hit.

Naruto for his part, didn't even move an inch during that encounter, instead handling everything with his hyper lethal tails. Like dragon serpent's with minds of their own, his tails swayed about in the air, waiting to strike out again if needed.

Sakura slowly stood to her feet, her fighting spirit revitalized at the presence of their strongest. Naruto glanced down at her, his features softening to concern.

"Sakura-Chan, take Tazuna and regroup with the others. I don't want you getting mixed up in this, I suppose." He stated. Sakura looked as if she wanted to stay and fight, but she would listen to him because she trusted him. The pinky gave him a quick hug from behind, a rather difficult task, before joining Ino and Hinata.

Kurenai appeared from beside him, cradling a limp right arm. She'd used her body to defend Tazuna and her team a few too many times now, and was suffering for it. But she wasn't going to give up anytime soon, that was for sure.

"Thank you for coming..." The dark haired beauty stated. Kurama frowned, glancing at his sensei with concern hidden beneath his irate sneer. Just seeing their bad conditions set him on edge, and he was struggling to not lose himself to the hatred he felt towards the mist ninja.

"Kurenai-Sensei. What's happening here?" He asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. He wasn't going to take his eyes off the enemy, not a chance in hell.

"Zabuza has returned. He still seeks Tazuna's life. With his mist jutsu he had the advantage over us. But now that you are here, I don't believe he has a chance." She explained. The kitsune's eyes narrowed.

With a flick of his tail he dropped the thug he had wrapped up, motioning his to him with another tail. "I caught this… thing, trying to kidnap Inari. Can you hold onto him until Zabuza's gone?" He asked.

Kurenai eyed the terrified thug for a brief moment, before nodding. "I understand." She stated, before stopping, gazing at him in concern. "Be careful."

He flicked tails, nodding lightly. "Do not worry yourself."

She didn't stick around much after that, taking the man and falling back. She didn't want to burden him in the fight, and staying as far away from them as possible was the best choice for the time being.

A coughing from across the bridge brought the kitsune's full attention back to the downed ninja, the man having risen back to his feet. "You think that is going to keep me down?" He growled, crouching low to the ground. "You are messing with a demon boy, I hope you know that." The ninja warned.

Suddenly the ninja charged again, this time wary of getting too close. Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Do you take me for a fool?" The fox snarled. Then again, without even moving an inch, one of his tails came rushing forward. "Maybe you misunderstood what I said earlier..? About me holding back..."

Zabuza grinned. The fox teen was clearly underestimated him. He was so cocky in his plan that he didn't even attempt to move closer. The fox's tails were long, but with their length he would have to be within five feet for them to reach him.

However…

What Zabuza didn't account for was the fact that the kitsune's tails didn't exist at a set length. The mist ninja learned that the hard way when he was still over fifteen feet away, and the tail continued after him, doubling and then tripling in length. He barely had time to dodge the vicious tail slash that almost tore his throat out.

"Shit!" He quickly backed off. His plan had some holes in it, it seemed. And the fox had yet to uncross his arms, staring at him with that contemptible look across his face. He hadn't taken into account the nine tailed fox's ability to rapidly change his limbs.

Not only that, but Naruto was only using one tail to attack with, while the others stretched out wide, creating a white gold furry wall behind him. Another free tail hovered idly by, waiting to assist if necessary.

It didn't matter if he could get a weapon past the unmoving fox, because those tails of his would stop any weapon that dared to approach his team or the old man behind him.

"You will not get past me. Give up." Naruto growled.

The man laughed, crouching low, free hand already shaping another jutsu. "You're just a pup with power, but power nonetheless. But now I'll show you a real ninja." Following his statement another fog appeared, this one thicker then the last.

Frowning to himself, the fox's tails kicked up a wind like he had previously. But this time, when the mist dropped, the ninja was no where in sight.

"Tazuna, get down!" Naruto spun around at the sound of Hinata shouting. Zabuza had managed to get past him, and was only moments from cutting down the bridge builder, and more importantly, his everything in life.

"Get away from her!" Like the Kyuubi of legend, a golden tail came flying down on the mist ninja, smearing the man into a paste and making a ten foot crater in the bridge. When the dust from his attack settled all that remained of the Jonin was a puddle of water.

"What the…" The kitsune's golden eyes widened, spinning back around to find-

"Die!" Zaubza had closed the gap, aiming a lethal strike at his midsection. Unfortunately, the ninja once again underestimated just how fast the fox's tails could move. Like a lightning bolt from the heavens, the crack of his tail slamming into the ground sent brick and mortar flying. This Zabuza too, was reduced to water.

"Kurama-Kun! Those are water clones! Zabuza is hiding at the end of the bridge!" Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glance of his princess's special doujutsu, the veins throbbing and pulsating in and around her eyes.

He grinned. Just another thing he loved about her, her freaky yet strong eye powers. True to her statement, off at the far end of the bridge was where the fog still remained.

However…

"Don't hide from me Zabuza!" Naruto yelled, sneering. Suddenly his tails pointed upwards, the white tips beginning to glow hot. Then one after the other, red hot balls of fire appeared above each one, resting just above the tips.

If the mist ninja insisted on hiding within his zone, then he'd just blow it all away.

Not waiting a second longer, Naruto flung the first fireball. The orb went soaring like a cannon ball, flying almost too fast for most to keep track with. There was a blinding light, the ball of fire rapidly expanding until it covered the entire half the bridge.

The mist ninja lived up to his legacy as a Jonin, and deftly escaped the blast. Unfortunately for him, Naruto was nowhere near finished.

"That was a close call pup. But you're finished if you think that is enough to defeat me." The man stated confidently.

The Kyuubi raised an eyebrow in challenge, and flung two more flaming orbs. The mist nin's cocky expression faded rather quickly after that. The first ball missed entirely, landing along the shoreline. The resulting blast turned everything within a hundred feet into glass. The second one nearly took off the man's head, and definitely singed some hairs.

"Shit... Holy hell!!" He realized that taunting the demi fox might not be the smartest idea. ''Okay... What's the chance he wasn't boasting about holding back...'' His mind ranted as he stared wide eyed at the smoldering beachfront, able to feel the heat from where he stood.

The reflection of newly formed glass along the oceanfront almost blinded him. The power needed to pull something like that off so nonchalantly would have to be immense... ''Ah... ohhh...''

Now it finally clicked...

Maybe it was time to throw in the towel. Cut his loss and run away with his tail in between his legs...

He could hear Haku reprimanding him in his mind already for trying to pick a fight he couldn't win.

"Don't aim at the bridge! You'll send us all down into the ocean!" Kurenai shouted, pointing at the damage just one of his attacks caused. The bridge held up against the first fireball, but a couple more might be enough to destroy the whole thing.

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Wasn't trying to, in fact." He muttered. He could feel his sensei's dry glare on the back of his neck. She didn't believe him, not one bit. He sighed in exasperation.

This fight had quickly reached a stalemate, and one that the fox had full control of. Naruto had been playing defensively the entire time, deciding to protect his own instead of taking any chance to run him down. He knew that if the fox decided to throw caution to the wind and blow everything sky high, that there was no way he would survive.

That's when he realized that he wasn't going to win this fight. He was already worn out from fighting the black haired woman's team from earlier, and the fox didn't look like he was even breaking a sweat.

This fight was over…

And yet, when he turned to leave, Haku was nowhere to be seen…

''No... No no no!''

Floating in the air above the fox was a thin mirror, made entirely out of ice. The masked ninja from before, who had apparently vanished while Naruto was distracted dealing with Zabuza, slowly slid out from it.

"Kurama-Kun! Above you!" The fox heard Hinata shout from somewhere behind him. The fox's head snapped up, eyeing the faceless mask of the ninja. But she was much too close, and his tails already launched after her.

"Haku! No!" The man shouted.

"Enough of you!" He snarled, flexing his power. The sword came down towards his neck with a powerful swipe, but with a roar the kitsune's power fluctuated, sending a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet, forming a small crater in the bridge beneath his feet. Three of his free tails immediately restrained the masked girl.

"Haku!" Zabuza shouted, rushing the fox. But the man slid to a stop a moment later, the remaining fireballs the kitsune had aimed at the masked girl. She sucked in a breath, struggling to break free of the beast's powerful grasp and the heat radiating near her. But she couldn't move an inch.

"You move and she dies. This was finished when I said it was finished." Naruto stated clearly, voice echoing across the bridge. Then, somewhat to his surprise, he stopped. "You should count yourself lucky that I'm being generous… I've killed for less, in fact..." He whispered the last part lowly.

"Zabuza-S…ama! Don't… stop for… me!" The girl choked out, struggling to breathe. "J-Just finish the missio-"

Then, to whoever could see it, the demon of the mist's cool and dangerous expression fell apart. "What are you saying?! Don't play around Haku!" He shouted.

"B-But.. Zabuza-Sam-"

"No! This is over. I'm not risking your life for money." He spit out, before tossing his sword to the kitsune. The blade slid to a stop next to his feet. Naruto eyed the weapon for a moment, before turning back to her. "This mission is done, we are leaving. I give up!"

Zabuza had no reason to trust him, and even less to suggest that he would let them go after making attempts on his and his friend's lives. But even then, when it came down to the life of his female parter, he drew the line. He surrendered if it meant that this, Haku, lived.

The mist ninja didn't need to explain it to him for him to know that she meant something very dear to him. He could see it in his eyes, in his words, and how he reacted the moment he got his claws around her throat.

Naruto took a breath, and then relaxed his grip on her. She dropped, and struggled to stand back up. The attack from earlier was finally catching up to her.

Haku gasped as a large fluffy tail suddenly wrapped around her midsection, lifting her to her feet. She struggled for a moment, only to stop when she realized the gentle touch it carried. A few moments later she found herself standing beside her master once again.

Naruto glanced at the sword laying at his feet, before flicking it with a sharp red painted toenail. The mist ninja easily caught the weapon, hooking it on his back.

With the fighting seemingly over, Naruto dropped the wall he made, tails returning to their normal billowing position behind him. Hinata ran to his side the moment he deemed it safe, embracing the kitsune in a soul squeezing hug.

"I missed you!" The Hyuuga Heiress sighed, shoving herself into his chest. The fox's irritated expression fell apart the moment his attention was focused on his most precious person.

"Princess! Are you hurt? What happened?" And that big bad fox personality vanished, replaced with a caring and worried kitten. With a squeak Hinata was lifted into the air by his hands under her arms, the fox closely inspecting each and every inch of her.

She started giggling, wiggling in place. "R-Really Kurama-Kun, I'm fine." She reassured again. The Hyuuga princess suddenly found herself in a breasts to chest hug that almost left her breathless, his face shoved in the crook of her neck.

"Good… I'm glad…" He sighed tiredly, eyes closed. Hinata's face lit up, but she didn't say anything, and melted into his touch. She missed this, she missed it so much.

He pulled back suddenly, his face concerned. "What happened to Ino?" Hinata glanced at the blonde haired girl, who Sakura was carefully lifting to her feet.

"She took a hit meant for Tazuna. It was bad, but we managed to stop the bleeding." She explained quietly. Naruto frowned, but didn't comment.

The kitsune pulled the Hyuuga into his side again, hugging her close as if to protect her. Hinata couldn't help but notice that his grip became a bit more firm. She learned why a moment later.

The mist ninja, that had yet to leave cleared his throat "Kurama, was it?" He grunted, hands on his hips. The kitsune eyed him from where he stood, noting the man's lack of hostility.

"Correct." The Kitsune stated, although lacking his previous irritation.

"What is your plan here? To defend the old man?" The swordsman questioned.

The fox's eyes narrowed. "That was the plan, yes." He snarked.

Zabuza scoffed. "It doesn't matter if you finish that bridge. Gato will still come for you. He'll destroy it too."

Kurenai stepped forward from beside the fox. "Why are you telling us this?"

Zabuza contemplated for a moment, before shrugging. "You've already won this fight, why continue to stand in your way?" He stated. "You have power, Kurama, and you know how to use it. I respect that."

"Tsk… Thanks…" The nine tailed fox muttered, a light tint of red staining his cheeks. "If you listened to me earlier you wouldn't have been on the receiving end of it. Count yourself lucky you still breath." He muttered, the statement ringing out.

Stupid people complimenting him, making him blush. He was still a sucker for praise…

"Gato is a spiteful little pest. He'll wait until you all leave then slaughter the old man." The mist ninja stated clearly, pointing at the bridge builder. Tazuna flinched away.

"So what do you suggest?" The Leaf Jonin questioned. The man grinned.

"Hah! If it were up to me, I'd cut the slimy bastard down. But that's up to you. Do whatever the hell you want." He stated, hand on his hip in a defiant way. With his piece said, he suddenly stepped forward, approaching the kitsune.

Hinata went to step back, wary of his sudden approach. But Naruto's comforting hug steadied her. If he wasn't worried, then neither should she be.

"You're something else, you know that?" The mist ninja stated. Naruto stared at him.

"So I've been told." He responded with a light grin. Zabuza laughed, before offering his hand to shake. The fox stared at it for a moment, before taking his hand.

"I noticed you aren't wearing a headband... What is your allegiance?" The question seemed out of nowhere, but Zabuza made it for a reason. Naruto frowned.

"To her, and no one else. Where she goes, I follow." Was his clear and concise response. The man laughed in good nature.

Zabuza leaned in close, just quiet enough for Naruto to hear only. "I see. Keep them close to you, and don't ever let them go. You hear me? There are those worth abandoning your village for, so never forsake them." The mist ninja's eyes stared deeply into his own, waiting for a response.

Naruto stared him down, his eyes narrowed, a look that many would call terrible filling his eyes. "And there are those worth destroying the world for." He muttered cryptically. He glanced at the masked ninja behind the water nin, the girl flinching at his gaze. "Sorry if I got a little… rough with you." He apologized, despite himself.

But in spite of that, him being a little rough with people was usually enough to kill, so she wasn't feeling too hot right now. Needless to say, she didn't plan on upsetting him ever again.

With that the two mist nin departed, leaving them behind. Naruto wasn't sure if he'd ever see them again, but at this point, he wasn't object to. A man like Zabuza would be a powerful friend, and he hoped that maybe one day it would be like that.

Kurenai watched them go, the tension releasing from her shoulders. "We should return to Tazuna's house for now. We can plan a raid on Gato tomorrow." She stated, taking the unconscious Ino into her arms. Sakura quickly followed after her, giving a glance at the Kitsune that stayed behind.

Now it was only him and Hinata that remained on the bridge, Tazuna having followed after the Jonin.

The Hyuuga princess glanced up nervously at the Kitsune, easily noticing his tense mood. She brushed her hands against his chest, pulling his attention back down to her.

"Naruto-Kun… What's wrong..?" She asked quietly, concern etched into her face. His shoulders finally slumped, and when he looked down to face her, she saw the fear in his gaze.

"I'm sorry… I just…" He started, pausing for a moment. "I've done a bit of thinking, especially when I was gone. And I realized something…" He muttered. Hinata felt her cheeks heat up lightly as he grasped her shoulders, pulling her in close.

"Y-Yeah? Thinking..?" She breathed, her eyes fluttering as his face got dangerously close to her own.

"Mmhmm…" He hummed, his eyes staring into her own.

"W-What about..?" She asked, her voice a pitch higher then moments before.

"I realized that I won't always be around to protect you…" He said, eyes never leaving her own.

"But that's why we've been training… right?" She muttered.

"But what happens when you come across an opponent far stronger then you? What then?" He questioned seriously. And as the moment extended and she had nothing to offer as an answer, it only confirmed his mindset.

"Exactly. That's why I'm so worried about you… I know there will be more times like these past few days, that's why I'm so scared, I suppose…" He muttered. His eyes widened when she pulled him into a hug, tears staining his chest. "I'm not calling you weak, I suppose... You're the strongest girl I know, in many ways... I.. I just..."

"… I know you're scared… Because I'm scared…" She whispered, her voice muffled. "But.. This is the world we live in… you can't always be there to save me, I know that.."

Her words echoed like an explosion in his mind...

A vision flashing like a nightmare...

"Please…. Hold my hand….." Her voice was barely a whisper, the essence of life fleeting in her tone. "I-I-… I don't… I-It's so cold…"

She could barely open her eyes, the light all but faded from her once beautiful lavender orbs. Her hair had years ago lost its vibrant color that he fell in love with, leaving it a dull faded white.

She was too young….

He was too young…

She didn't deserve this…

She wasn't supposed to die… She wasn't supposed to have been taken from him!

The tears burned as they trailed down his whiskered cheeks, hands shaking as they grasped desperately to the cold hands of his beloved…

"Please… Don't leave me…" He was unaware of the broken voice that slipped past his lips, his heartbroken plea falling on deaf ears. He'd pleaded the same thing for hours, but it mattered little in the end.

If only he was stronger, then maybe….

Then maybe…

His wife wouldn't have to die…

Then...

Then maybe his...

His two beloved...

Children...

"N-Naruto-Kun...?" Hinata whispered quietly. She thought he was fine, but...

But then...

Why were tears pouring down his cheeks, a haunted look in his eyes. He shook his head, banishing the strange visions that filled his head.

Without blinking, he pulled her in close, hugging her tightly. It hurt to hear her say that, but it was something he needed to hear. He knew it was true as well. He wouldn't always be around, so he had to plan around that…

"Hey… don't make that gloomy face…" She chided lightly, pulling away from him with a little pout. "This is what we signed up for… I'll have to suffer through trials every once in a while. I accepted that when I decided to lead the Hyuuga Clan."

The Kitsune still didn't seem satisfied. Hinata sighed, gently grasping his face. "Darling… Please… It's okay now. You saved me, stopped Zabuza, and no one died." She soothed, running her thumbs over his whisker marks in gentle circles. "You should be happy…"

"I am happy…" He muttered defeatedly, his tails sagging behind him.

His shoulders slumped in defeat, looking abashed. "I know you're right… But it just hurts, thinking that there could be something more I could do for you… I'm sorry, I was being childish..." His explanation was met with a finger to his lips, shutting him up. Hinata beamed up at him.

"Naruto-Kun… You're too much for me sometimes… You know that?" She smiled, a beautiful look on her dirtied face.

He smiled lightly, regaining some of his previous joy. "Mmhmm... so you've told me many times before." He shook his head. He needed to take her advice and destress.

She smiled up at him, glad that it was resolved. Once this stupid mission was over and done with she was taking him to the spa for a day off…

Chapter

11

End