The Fox And The Tiger

Foxes...

"There you are! I've been searching for you."

"Huh? Oh hello office lady." Naruto stopped his movements as he qas beginning to climb a building. He jumped off a wall and land beside her.

"What were you trying to do?"

"I wanted to see what was up there. Looked interesting. Besides, being high up is safer."

"Poor kid. Always looking for some place to hide away, even when you're having fun...well...atleast you're having fun." She smiled at him and leaned down slightly to be able to place her hand against his back to guide him. "Let's get you to your new home."

"Home?"

"Yes, Naruto. Where'd you think you'd be?"

Naruto didn't respond, he just looked back to the dumpster and wall. Then he looked up along the building to the roof he was originally going towards. She watched his gaze and realised the real reason be was climbing up there.

"Seriously? How often have you had to do this?" She frowned slightly and turned him away from the building. "Naruto you don't need to live that way anymore. Let's go to your new place."

Naruto jumped around her excited to have a place to live. No more cold nights in the rain which would definitely be colder here. No more sleeping behind dumpsters and woken by a villager kicking his face in. His own bed...a bed!

She laughed at the kid jumping around. Didn't he have a place back in Konoha? "Let's get going before next week."

"Right! Let's go!"

Naruto had the widest smile on his face, standing outside the door. The house was within a mountain peak, the door was made of stone and had a stone entrance. It was chiseled with designs to make it stand out since one could think it was just a rock within the side of the peak.

"Well Naruto, on the other side of this door is your new home."

"Yup."

"Also, it would be best that you don-"

"Lady, you seem nice. Same with that Raikage fellow. I told you guys what I have because I had no choice. Besides, you guys are changing my life, least I could do was summarize."

"Why don't you think you had a choice?"

Naruto looked her dead in the eye. "I might not be that old, I might even act dumb, but I am no moron. You guys would have found some way to force me to talk. I heard that Raikage while I was outside. You seem nice, don't lie to me, please. Atleast, don't pretend that you aren't..."

She nodded to him. "Very well. Here's your set of keys. You are in the Southeastern district, Outer Ring. Peak 8. So if you're ever lost, look on any map within the village and you can find your way back."

"It is practically impossible for me to get lost...well lady, may I get your name? You know mine, it's only fair."

"I'm Mabui."

"Good to meet you. Well, I'm going to go running around in there and see what it's like to have a house."

She chuckled slightly before turning away and letting Naruto do his thing. "He'll turn out great."

Naruto opened the stone door, which was pretty heavy for him but he got it. When he stepped it in, there was a hall that led to a large open room. It was massive, quite an amazing living room, there was no furniture but that didn't matter to him. To the left was the kitchen which he ran directly into to see it loaded with food and drinks. It was stocked up to the brim.

"OH HELL YEAH!" he grabbed himself a bottle of peach tea and popped it open. He leaned against the fridge and took a swig. "Aaah...that's the stuff. Man! I never got to have fresh drinks like this. Still...it still doesn't feel right..."

Naruto closed his eyes before a thought came to mind. He needed to find a room. Taking another sip he pushed off the fridge and walked back into the living room.

He turned around and noticed a massive dinning room. It was oval shaped and he would be able to fit a large table that could seat 22 comfortably easily. Even with a loaded table of food. "Damn...that's crazy...now back to finding the room."

There were four rooms and then he found the biggest one, it had a bathroom which was massive and a walk in closet. There were also three bathrooms in the house but this room also had a damn Jacuzzi! Yeah he definitely chose this room.

"So this is what a master is."

While the living room, dinning room and whatnot had no furniture, the bedrooms were different. They all had a bed so that was atleast one problem that wouldn't need to be dealt with yet.

Raikage's Office

"So, how'd it go?"

"He smarter than we give him credit."

"Mabui, he's three years old! What could he possibly know?"

"A three year old who's been forced to survive on his own...he's had to adapt and although he may not have any smarts as one would generalize but he looks around differently."

"And? If he doesn't understand general things, then what is the worry?" Ay turned around from the window and looked to the assistant.

"I'm not saying he is a genius, but..."

"Out with it!"

"Sorry. It's complicated."

"THEN UNCOMPLICATE!"

"Hai. Well Bee-sama said Naruto was running around like crazy. As if he had no direction or actual plan. Well...I don't think that's true. He was looking for a perch it seemed like."

"Ok? And?"

"Raikage-sama! Are you serious? He was seriously finding a hiding spot. He hasn't been someone with a home and has lived in the streets. I'm just saying he is different."

"Still, where's the worry. Ok he might know cruelty of the world. So what?"

"And you say he heard only what he wanted."

"Haha I know Mabui. That's why I'm so excited about this kid. Whatever he went through, it's changed him mentally. I can't wait till he enters the academy..."

"Sir? Are we sure he is safe? He's unlike anyone else. It could be risky. I have a feeling there's more to him."

"What do you know about foxes, Mabui?"

"Umm...that their rather domestic?"

"Hmph. Well what if I told you they're all about deception. You see? Foxes are extremely intelligent creatures. They are very cunning, masters of deception. See, a wolf, and coyote may be larger, and hunt larger prey...but they work in packs. Foxes tend to stick to their own, some would say the smart works alone and eats alone. He's had being alone in spades."

"Ok but we're talking about Naruto. Not foxes."

"tsk tsk tsk. Hold on, it'll make sense soon. You see? As I said, there's plenty of animals larger than the fox, yet it comes out on top? Why?"

"It's fast. Smaller, so harder to get?"

"It also outwits all other predators to it. No one can get it because it tricks them into every trap it has, and deception is it's deadliest weapon. The fox itself is deadly, but it's mind is its deadliest tool. I have no doubt that he is hiding even more...that kid...that kid is not normal, that is a fact. Look.how well he's presented himself as not a threat. He's played the role of innocent three year old so well. Even enough to fool Bee. If not for Gyuki and the fact that Naruto's a Jinchuriki, he would have been fooled."

"You don't think he's at all like he showed?"

"I think part of it is. He's definitely excited to be in the new environment. He's bought into the new beginning but he isn't arrogant enough to throw away anything he has learned in his short life. You said it yourself, in the generalized system, he may not be extremely smart, I wouldn't expect that. When it comes to the world, his perception of it...oh that's far beyond his years."

"So where do foxes come into play?"

Ay began to chuckle at the question. "Ah, I'm getting there. Tell me, what do you know he's been doing since he got here. Since he left Konohagakure."

"Well...to quote 'Running around like a headless chicken' and cheering." Mabui sat in the chair in front of the desk as Ay was already seated comfortably.

"Yes. Now I know that he said it was literally impossible for him to get lost?" She nodded slowly. "What was he doing when you found him?"

"Ummm? Climbing a wall with the help of a dumpster. Trying to get to the roof...why?"

"And what did he tell you?"

"That he wanted to see what was up there, it was interesting...and that being higher up was safer."

"EXACTLY!"

"What?"

"Ask any three year old where safe is. What do they say?"

"Parents? Home?"

"And to him, he says a high point. Overlooking everything around him. Where no one can get to him without him seeing them come first." She gave a nod. "And he's been running around like crazy right. He literally told you it was all an act...He told you straight up, that he acts dumb...ACTS!"

"Yeah...wow...I made all the deductions on his past but I ignored his blatant statements."

"Funny how he does that, isn't it?"

"There's no way...he can't be that clever!"

"When you started thinking about his past, about his living situation, did he even word it to you?"

"N-no...H-he-he didn't. All he did was look along the path he was headed...I-I just easily jumped to the clues and made the inferences."

Ay clapped his hands to applaud Naruto. "And he manipulated your thinking from the beginning. You saw an excited playful kid. He eluded to his past by saying the safety thing and a mere gaze. He made you focus on anything subliminal. Got you to let anything he says directly to blow over."

"Ho-ly shit...That kid...he's-"

"Clever. hahaha Yes. Yes he is. I told you. Foxes are very cunning, the most there is. Deception is practically their livelihood. It's what keeps them safe, and keeps them on top. It's why they're deadly."

"Again! With the foxes! What is it?"

"Damn...he's really got a hold on you. What tailed beast does he hold?"

"The 9 tailed f...oh..."

"Yuuup. He's definitely getting some traits from it. That's why I'm so excited. He's this young, and he is already like this...imagine him when he's older."

"Raikage-sama? How are you not under his tricks?"

"Haha! He almost had me. Not gonna deny that! He's a devious little bastard! But...he made an error. We met eyes."

"And? He looked me in the eyes."

"Yes...and he was truthful at the time...he didn't decieve you, you were already under his spell, there was no point in more deception. He started the moment he walked in that door. The eyes are windows to the soul, I saw him for what he was instantly...that's why I tried to talk to him about all I was. He understands more than you and even I realise."

"Then...I don't understand..."

"He met my eyes the moment he walked in. He didn't have a chance to enact his tricks. While he never met your eyes until he knew, you were under his illusion."

"You know? Not very uplifting. Making me feel stupid for being deceived by a three year old."

Ay chuckled which made Mabui frown and look away. "If it makes you feel better, he deceived the head Jonin, and the number two. Nearly got Bee and only didn't because he himself is a Jinchuriki. I'd bet the whole village he seen is under his spell."

"I can't believe this kid...he...he manipulated me!"

"Can you blame the kid? Life he's lived as a Jinchuriki. He can't trust anyone."

"B-but he lied and deceived and manipulated me!"

"He's three. He doesn't know who to trust. All he's had is himself. Besides, he didn't make you do anything. He's just wants everyone seeing him a certain way."

She nodded. It made sense, Naruto being forced to survive on his own, against a whole village. Being promised a new home and all doesn't change the fact that he had to learn to live. He truly did adapt to his circumstances and he came out on the other end a practical master of deception.

Seriously had her fooled. Made her believe he was just a damaged, helpless kid. Was he even a kid anymore? Did he ever feel like a kid? How deep did this run?

"Raikage-sama? How do you know what he said and stuff?"

"Hahahaha! I'm the Raikage! Ofcourse I know!"

Naruto

He laid on his bed and looked to the ceiling. It was nice to have a bed for one. There was no memory he had of him with a bed. So this was new. His peach tea was running empty and there was maybe a sip left as he swirled it around in the bottle.

"You know? You can come out."

"You knew I was there?"

"For a little while. What can a kid do for you?"

The woman came into view. She wore a navy blue tight suit with a white vest and plates of armor on her shins, thighs, and forearms. She had a white mask with cloads and lightning bolts over it with a navy blue hood.

"How'd you know?" she said.

"Now that would be telling."

"I get the feeling you're not as helpless as most would be."

"And if I'm not?"

"I'm not here to kill you, I was curious about what has the Raikage so excited. Figured I'd come see for myself. All I've seen is a foolish goof."

"Yup. Are we done here?"

She stepped closer to the bed as he was laying there. "What is up with you? What does he see in you?"

"I don't know..." His eyes flashed slightly but didn't remain enough for her to catch. She figured it was a thing with lighting or something so she let it go.

"You seem to be more than you let on."

"You said it yourself. I'm a foolish goof. What more do you need? You've watched me a little while now, besides...I'm three." Naruto even held up three fingers to accentuate the point. "How dangerous can I be?"

"I-I guess you have a point..." she sighed as she sat on the bed facing away from him. "I don't know what I was thinking."

Naruto sat up and slid to the foot of the bed on her right side. "I am not really sure..."

"Yeah..."

Naruto quickly swiped a kunai from her pouch which was on her right thigh. He pushed her against the bed and held the kunai at her throat.

"You were no where near as worried as you should have been...oh well...I can't trust you. I wonder if you can understand that."

"I can. Just, wait..."

"For what?"

"Wait because you aren't doing what you think."

Naruto blinked and looked around. She was no longer beneath him and he wasn't about to kill her. He sighed as he slumped his shoulders and sat back on the bed.

"So. What happens now?"

"I said I wasn't here to kill you. All I wanted to do was see for myself why Raikage-sama was excited...gotta say, you're quite skilled in deception. You're not even using any of the shinobi arts and yet, I was almost under your spell."

"I think you have some things confused. I'm just drinking my tea...which is empty by the way. So I need to get some more."

She tossed him another bottle. Which he caught in one hand. "You're an interesting kid Uzumaki. You have a lot to learn but...you certainly make sense as to why he's excited."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a foolish kid who doesn't know what he's doing."

"You can say it all you want. But your tricks won't work on me again. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about this, just a word of advice? Becareful when dealing with shinobi, it isn't like the civilians."

Although he couldn't see it she smiled and winked at him before disappearing in a swirl of lightning.

He smiled at where she stood. "Cool. Well, I have some tea and sleep to get to."

Yo what up? So I wanted to use this chapter to get into the inner workings of Naruto's mind as you could tell. I am going to use his Jinchuriki status of the Kyubi to have a little more impact on him. As you can tell, I'm having a different spin on it than with "Naruto Of The Uchiha". Hopefully you guys like what I do with it.

Yo bro, I ain't about to have him just venting his feeling like that haha. There was a reason you know? He mos def ain't a guy who will gush his feelings out.

Man, people really be wanting harems haha. I don't know man...Y'all obviously know Yugito the main plan. But I'm gonna take my time on that, learned from my other story lol. It'll be a little road before they get there, but there are bound to be some turns so...who knows? Haha

Ey man, don't worry, won't be abandoning this nor my other project.

I hope y'all enjoyed. See you in the next one. If you haven't checked out my other project "Naruto Of The Uchiha", go check it out. I'm much farther along in it than this one as you could guess. If you like this so far, you might like that one. Learned a lot out of it and using those lessons here. I'm still learning, so if you have anything that I could improve, don't hesitate to let me know.