The Fox And The Tiger

Reinventing

A few weeks became more like a few months. Naruto was an absolute sponge in the learning of his skills. Bee was truly impressed with the rate of progress. Not only in the shinobi arts but as a person. He wasn't an outgoing person and still very reclusive, but he slowly was becoming accustomed to trying to be more social.

He was trying to take to heart, the advice Bee would give and act accordingly. Just being used to being alone for so long was a habit that really was hard to avoid. The main thing helping him be used to have company was the fact that he and Bee had not left this sealed room at all. They were together the entire time and he was forced to be out of his comfort zone.

Could someone even call it a comfort zone? It was just what he was accustomed to and at times, his suffering was entirely self inflicted. Not purposely, but it was his fault that he was as depressed as he was.

It took Bee literally showing and telling Naruto that he's had more than enough opportunities to make his life so much better than it was. He was just choosing to remain secluded and alienated himself from everyone else. Kira, and Omoi always reached for him, he just always turned away. This time with Bee was just as much training as it was Naruto learning about life and reflecting on his choices.

Although he found Bee weird, he truly appreciated the fellow Jinchuriki. He wondered if he was like what having an older brother was like. The man was entertaining and lighthearted, unlike Naruto though, he didn't have to pretend to be happy. That was what Naruto wanted to have and when he looked back, he was happy during these months with Bee. He even realized that Omoi really had been right about his being happier with them.

This all made him wonder how much of his current state was on him. He didn't have to be lonely, and by extension sad, yet it was the choice he made and the path he walked. Naruto made the vow to try to change and actually return the bond with his friends.

"Ok, Naruto, it's bout time for you to go today. We check up weekly, what you say?"

"Very well, Bee-sama. Thank you, for everything. You've helped me learn a lot."

"You're a quick study. Something bout you that I envy. But you won't surpass me! The mighty killer Bee."

"We'll see, till next time." The door opened up and he was greeted by Kira. He smiled to her and surprisingly to her, he initiated a hug rather than stand awkwardly. "I'm sorry..."

"It's ok, Naruto."

"I haven't been the greatest friend to you guys..."

"You just never learned how to, Naruto. You might be clever, but you still have a lot to learn in regards to people."

"I'll try my best to be better. I promise."

She smiled and ruffled his hair. "How about we get some Takoyaki?"

He smiled and nodded as she shunshined them. When they arrived to the front of "Ray's" lightning swirled around them and it looked cool to Naruto. She never got tired of seeing his awe of her lightning shunshin.

He didn't go to the Academy for another couple days, rather spending time with Kira and Trey. Kira had missions though, and wasn't there the whole time. The thing about allowing himself to care for her and stuff meant that he was always now worried when she left. Naruto feared the day that she go on a mission and not return.

"Naruto, you should head back to the Academy soon."

"I know, Trey. I just don't know how to face them."

"Then don't. Ignore them. The ones who care abou you, for you, will come to you."

"You're probably right. Are they back at the Academy now? Or are is it in an alternate location?"

"They're back. Remember that being reclusive isn't bad, but that doesn't mean you need to close everyone out. I might be retired, but I too served with a Jinchuriki, did you know Kira was a candidate to become one?"

"Really?"

Trey nodded. "Yep. I also got to work with Bee-sama, just keep your head up. Like always."

"You knew?"

"Come on, Naruto. I was a ninja before owning the shop. I'll see you later bud." Trey pat Naruto's head and watched him leave.

Next Day

Naruto wore a navy blue hoodie and white shorts with blue sandals as he walked into the academy grounds. Students were giving him wary looks and would try to get as much distance between themselves and him. It wasn't looks of hatred which was technically an upgrade compared to Konoha, but they feared his presence.

No one wanted to be near the demon. They wouldn't risk being the ones to set him off again. They looked at him like a ticking bomb. He paid no attention to anyone and kept walking on.

The bell would ring and Naruto wouldn't respond to it. Instead he got himself up to the roof and sat while thinking. The past few months, had been a lot of fighting and constant chakra training. They would go until we would pass out, then go again in a cycle like that for days at a time.

When the sessions of that training ended and they were in the recovery phases, they went through his "therapy" of sorts. At first, the talks was one sided, led by Bee. Overtime and from learning a lot about Bee, Naruto had gotten comfortable enough to atleast slightly participate.

Bee noticed early on that as uninterested Naruto would pretend to be, he always paid attention and absorbed any and every detail he'd say. He wasn't showing it ever, but he always listened and you always had his attention, even though you would never guess it.

His original thought was that, Naruto's state was due to him being stuck with the past. That wasn't it at all. It stemmed from what the future held. Naruto perceived the world far differently than anyone he ever met, and was advanced beyond his years in regards to his perception. This though led to constant overthinking and overcomplicating things than it had to be.

You could say that his issues stemmed from the past but that would only be a partial truth. Kurama had said it best, every gift Naruto had, was in itself a curse as well. Bee wondered what side it would lean on, when it was all said and done.

He was looking off in the distance as the wind was blowing in his hair. It sent a slight chill though his face but it was nothing that he couldn't withstand.

"Bonds...they've brought Bee-sama happiness. It brings Omoi and everyone else happiness. Is the answer truly that simple? It can't be. There needs to be more that I am not understanding."

"Kit, you baffle me. You have been given your first answer to the question, and yet you still doubt it. Guess I can't blame you, though."

"Kurama, can something so complex really be so easy though?"

"Honestly, the construct and idea of 'happiness' is something that doesn't hold one single answer. Happiness, Love, Hate, all these emotions are different from person to person. Being to being. In some ways, these emotions are no different from eachother. They can be seen as one in the same. Everything in the world has a duality. So as different as each thing, as each feeling is, they are really all the same...but...that's atleast how I see it, Naruto. It could be different for you. You may share a lot of my traits, but we aren't identical. Alike, not copies."

Naruto looked to the sky. The thought and sense of duality. There was something that he remembered reading about that was the representation of such thoughts.

"Yin and Yang...I still have more I need to learn."

"You won't be able to learn all the universe's secrets, nor answer ever question you ever ask. By far, you are more curious than any human I've met. As far as the happiness topic goes, I'm not saying you have to be a happy-go-lucky rambunctious brat. Your portrayal old very well be the same, I'm saying, you'll feel it within yourself. It doesn't matter what you show, its entirely internal. No external force controls one's happiness. So don't expect external factors to bring it to you."

"Aren't bonds external factors though?"

"Not true ones. You'll get it when you feel it. It isn't something that can just be explained."

The bell rang signifying that the first class of the day had ended. Naruto sighed as he placed his hands on his knees and stood up from being seated. The wind blew a little more making his hair and clothes dance with it. Then he hopped down and went to the gym.

Inside he sat uptop the closed bleachers and waited for the others to enter. A lot of time had passed since he was last here, so it would be an interesting reunion to say the least. By now the rest of the class was hearing the rumors of his return so sure enough, Omoi, Karui, Samui, and Yugito were the first ones out to see for themselves.

Omoi had sort of not believed it since Naruto hadn't been in the previous class, but he had some hope. He just really wanted to see his friend again. Even though Naruto was reserved a lot, he always made things fun.

Naruto's eyes were shut and his hands were in the pocket of his hoodie. He had a feeling somebody was looking at him and he slowly opened his eyes. Infront of him was Yugito.

They locked eyes and she analyzed him. As usual she could never get him. All she knew was that they really were the same. He just didn't know yet as to why it was like she now did. Difference being, she'd never lost control, she always had a good relationship with Matatabi so what was up with him?

"Yo." He finally said lazily as if he didn't really care. In all honesty he just wanted her to stop analyzing him.

"You're back." He just nodded. "Omoi will be happy. He's missed you quite a bit." Naruto smiled slightly at hearing that. Something she caught and realized that he valued Omoi as well. "I don't care though."

"Ok." He said and closed his eyes again, leaning back against the wall behind him.

He slightly smirked because he had noticed scowl she had before having closed his eyes. She was hoping for more of a reaction but, this was Naruto. Expecting such a thing wasn't wise because he almost never gave what you'd expect.

Omoi came exited the locker room and he noticed Yugito talking to someone on the bleachers. Originally he didn't pay much attention but did a double take once he noticed who she was by. Quickly he went over to the two and greeted them both.

"Hello, Omoi. How've you been?"

"I'm good, Naruto. What about you? Are you...ok?"

Yugito looked over to Naruto, curious as to what he'd say. He was gone for three months afterall. Surely there would be a story to it. Some sort of explanation.

"Yep. So what's happening today."

Ofcourse he deflected the question. What was she thinking? He'd never say what happened. There never would be a story coming from his mouth. Either way, today was a day he never enjoyed, sparring.

"We are sparring today." She said smirking. Again he just nodded. Normally he would have a remark but not this time. This brought a frown to her face. What happened to him?

The class gathered but hadn't noticed Naruto since he had relocated to an unseen place. Once Namrata came out, everyone gathered and faced her, so this made it easy for him to come in at the back and be unseen. It wasn't that he was trying to hide, he just didn't feel like talking.

"Ok everyone. Today we'll be sparring in a series of matches. This time however, we will make things more difficult. You've had a lot of time training, now you'll be practicing a situation where you take on multiple enemies at once. In the field, you won't alway only have one opponent, you could even face upwards of 10...more depending on the situation. So today it'll be a 1v2 scenario. You'll have a larger space to work with. The ring will have a 20 foot radius rather than 5. Understood?"

Everyone nodded and she looked through the crowd. She knew Naruto was back today and even noticed that he was on the roof last period, rather than being in class. She wondered if he showed to this one. Sure enough, she found his bright, golden blonde hair and locked eyes with his bright blue. Namrata smiled and thought to make this entertaining.

"Good. Now, Randy and Andy to the ring. The one to face the two will be..." she paused for dramatic effect. Letting them all wonder who was unlucky enough to face two opponents first. Naruto sighed and rolled his eyes at Namrata, he already knew what was about to happen, the moment they locked eyes and she smiled, gave it away. She smirked at his response and began again "...Naruto Uzumaki."

Pin drop silence filled the gym. No one had seen or heard of Naruto in three months...so why was she calling his name? She hadn't at all the whole time he was gone. The two brownie members went to the ring anyways and awaited their opponent.

Slowly the crowd began to part ways and it was due to Naruto walking by. He didn't say anything, not even acknowledging their gazes. He stepped into the ring and stood at the edge. Arms crossed and eyes shut. He looked bored more than anything.

"They have to face the demon?"

"What's the demon doing here?"

"Is it even safe to be around such a thing?"

Murmurs were heard throughout the crowd. Omoi, Samui, Karui, and surprisingly enough, even Yugito frowned at what was being said. It wasn't too long prior to the incident that they were all either happy and enjoyed to have him on their side or loathed the other side for having him. Now it was a unanimous disdain for him.

"Ha! As if we'd be scared! We have all been beating on the demon all semester! This was before we even knew!" Randy said.

"Yeah! What's the difference now? He couldn't beat us before! He can't beat us now!" Andy chimed in.

The crowd began to laugh. The two had a slight point. They were all able to beat Naruto throughout the semester. He was beginning to put up good fights, but hadn't eclipsed a win just yet. Smiles graced the faces of every student while the three still had frowns. However for the first time during the whole taunts and cheers for beating the demon, Naruto slowly opened his eyes.

"If I were you...I wouldn't test your theory." Naruto plainly said. No emotion, nothing, within his tone.

This took everyone back for a second. Before the two just smirked not really believing anything could be done.

"Begin!" Namrata called out.

Another shock was sent as Naruto broke from his usual tendency when fighting. He usually was defensive and was more of an opportunist fighter. Always looking to counter rather than lead an offensive. This time however he moved faster than even Yugito and closed the distance between them. The brownies weren't expecting him to do this and had been in a sprint, they couldn't stop on the dime and switch up their plans due to the great show of speed Naruto just pulled off.

Randy was ahead of Andy so he was first to experience what Naruto had to offer. With a quick plant of his left foot, he jumped up into the air with great force. When he brought his right leg up to kick, his foot was already at the same level as Randy's head. He spun in mid air and sent a vicious kick to Randy's jaw, knocking him out in an instant.

Naruto landed and immediately took to the air again but spun to the right and kicked with his left foot to Andy's jaw and he too got knocked out.

A resounding silence filled the gym. The weakest fighter just effortlessly took out two with ease. The two weren't the top of the class but they were no slouches and bad both been able garner victory over Naruto previously.

What went down over the three months to give him this type of fighting style, and knockout power? This was nothing like the Naruto of previous.

"Looked a lot like how Bee fights...very acrobatic and powerful. Was he training all this time?" Yugito thought as she watched Naruto deliver the two kicks. He definitely carried himself differently. If anything he was even more closed off and less inclined to draw things out.

Again more mystery surrounded the reclusive blonde. Now it was a question of "what was he capable of?" since now he seemed to have trained and with the realization of him being a Jinchuriki as well. The kid just kept forcing her to ask more and more questions with very little answers.

Omoi had a smile and got to see Naruto be as he always thought his friend could be. Naruto was an ocean of untapped potential. He was a prodigy without the tools to be what he truly was. He picked things up at a ridiculous rate and if he'd had the backing of a shinobi family, he'd have definitely been the top student of the generation. That however, wasn't how it was and because of that, the potential of Naruto remained dormant.

Karui and Samui looked shocked, like everyone else. Although they were friends to Naruto, and viewed him positively, they still always looked down on him in terms of combat prowess.

Three months really changed him it seemed and the awakening of his demonic power only made it seem even more drastic. They were happy though, the group that Naruto dubbed "The Brownies" were an arrogant bunch that felt that they were the best.

Naruto closed his eyes and bowed in sign of respect to the match and his opponents then looked to Namrata who had a smile.

"Good job, Uzumaki. You may head out of the ring and relax."

Naruto nodded and as he left the ring, he could hear the murmurs of the other students. They all had some sort of negative remark about him and his victory. Still he paid no attention and went to the back where Omoi came to him and smiled.

"Good work, bro. If only you'd faced Yugito or Samui, then we could have had our pay back!"

Naruto chuckled softly. They would probably still best me, Omoi. I would win far less than they would. There's still work to do."

"Hey, you're supposed to be smiling, you just won." Yugito said with a smirk. Repeating the line Naruto had told her. All she got was a lazy glance but she knew she got the win that time. Which brought a smile to her face, since he had no rebuttal for once.

"Good win, Naruto. You were great." Samui said as she stepped from behind Yugito. She had a very slight blush and didn't make eye contact.

Naruto raised an eyebrow ever so slightly before his attention was taken by Karui who playfully punched his left shoulder. "Where was that all this time?"

"Thank you guys for the praise, but there's more work to be done if I am to reach where I'm meant to be."

"What are you talking about, Naruto?" Omoi said.

Naruto realised the position he put himself in and just smiled a large grin. One that rubbed Yugito the wrong way because it was definitely the fakest expression he's ever made before.

"Oh nothing really! Just going to be at the top soon!"

Everyone but Yugito chuckled at that and only shook their heads as they turned to the matches. Yugito was still looking at Naruto analytically before he moved closer to her and leaned to her ear. They were only inches apart and for some reason, she felt fear, like she was trapped and was only a mere insect.

"You should really stop this habit of yours...You'll be better off."

She shook slightly and managed to force out her voice. "What are you hiding? The hell is wrong with you?"

She noticed Naruto's left cheek rise into a smirk. "Stop poking your nose where it doesn't belong. Back off." Naruto took a slight step back.

"Hey you guys coming?" Samui called out from behind Yugito.

Naruto met Yugito's eyes and smiled. Only it wasn't one of faking per se. He was making it very clear to her, that she should stay away...but why?

"Yes. We'll be right there." He said sing-songy. His smile went away and he softened his gaze. "I'm sorry to seem rude. It's just been a while. Good seeing you, Yugito."

"His mood literally just shifted multiple times...what is up with him. Matatabi?"

"I recommend you refrain from analyzing him. He doesn't appreciate that too much. Kitten, I don't know what it is, but he's got a goal it seems and he is driven...What Kitsune wants, Kitsune gets...the boy takes a lot of traits from him, so it would be wise not to get in his way."

"Why though? What is wrong with wanting to know about him? What is he constantly trying to hide? How is he as similar to his Bijuu when I'm not?"

"Your approach is what is wrong. You've never shared genuine conversations with one another. To him you're an invader. Kitsune treats invaders as a threat and if you're a threat, you are destroyed. He's extremely protective of what's his. The boy's similarities seem to constantly strengthen so maybe that's why he's now threatening you."

"He didn't though...did he? He just said back off."

"I know you felt that...he was showing you a willingness to kill you, Kitten. That was his aggression, hatred, and intentions to kill being sent directly to you. Would he...I don't know...for his reclusiveness and seclusion, it's how Kitsune is. Always to himself and in areas that an oncoming threat is able to be seen and taken out swiftly...even more when I...nevermind. Just know it's something they are alike in."

"What are you talking about? You and that Bijuu friends?"

Matatabi chuckled slightly. "Something like that. The similarities though...I am not sure why they are the same in some aspects. Like his eyes, or those adorable whisker marks on his cheeks."

Yugito coughed slightly. "ADORABLE? You're joking right?"

"Oh shut up. Stop acting like that. Now go back to your friends, standing there is going to look weird."

"Could you tell me more eventually?"

"Kitten, I don't know the kid. I know who's within him. I know you don't like people that are mysterious and hold many secrets...but this boy has shown you no reason to hate him. He annoys you because it's entertaining and that's due to Kitsune. He was an ass but it isn't out of spite Kitten. It's in a weird way, how he shows that you're valued. Because he spends more effort on you. If he didn't value you, he wouldn't waste his efforts to annoy you. It also is his way to not be forgotten, always present in your mind in some way, some memory that will always be there. As much as he avoids everyone, and is reclusive, he doesn't want to be forgotten. To be forgotten is to not have mattered...to have had no impact on one's life. This way, you'd always remember him."

"Does everything about him have to be so depressing?"

"If you look at it that way, it is. It really isn't though. The root of something can be one way, but the rest of the plant doesn't have to be. Kitten, if you really want your questions answered, you'll have to get his trust and talk to him. If you keep going the way you do, you'll only be led the wrong way as he will misdirect you at every turn. I made that mistake for hundreds of years. He's not bad, just misunderstood..."

"Misunderstood..." Yugito looked back to Naruto who was among her friends and shook her head at the fact that she held nothing but hatred and annoyance towards him. Based on what Matatabi said, it was most likely his intention as he was who she hated most, and in being so, always had a place in her mind. Looking back at his many exploits makes her laugh now, while at the time, it always pissed her off.

Then being misunderstood...that fit so well. Especially with that incident three months ago. One event made him unanimously feared and hated. Nobody really brought up the fact that he got jumped before it happened. On top of that, he was trying to hold back and ended up not being able to...

"Wait...he tried to hold back..."

Was he always holding back? How much did he hold back? Was he always capable to pull of what he'd just done and only now let it show because of the incident? So many questions, so little answers. Maybe Matatabi was right. She'd have to try to understand his actions more and then eventually try to befriend him to get the answers she wanted. Though, it was not very pleasing to need to be friends with somebody before you could even learn anything about them. She couldn't confidently say she truly knew anything about him aside from Jinchuriki status due to the incident.

Naruto really was a box of mysteries to her. How did Omoi come to be so close to him?

"Kit, are you sure you want to threaten her like that?"

"Kurama, I don't like having someone constantly snooping around. I'm back to being watched constantly and the way the others are about to act are going to get annoying."

"Relax kid. I'm on your side remember? I'm just saying, you may only push her away."

"It would maybe be for the best...honestly, it might even be better to push Omoi away as well."

"A mistake doesn't mean you need to do this. Yeah, you lost it once, but it's like you meant for it to happen. When they realise it, everything will be fine."

"Kurama...you should know better than anyone, that it isn't that simple. You got attacked and you merely defended yourself...for that, you and your kind are marked as mindless, vicious, beasts of chaos."

Kurama fell silent since Naruto had a point. "Well, as your friend, I recommend you hold onto your friends that have not turned their back on you like the others have...these types of friends...types of humans, are rare to come by."

Naruto looked over to Omoi and then to the others. Yugito finally walked over and joined them and he shook his head amusedly. The damn fox just had to be right.

Yo what up? Hope y'all doing well. Funny stuff been happening at work. We tryna have a basketball tournament go down where everyone puts 100 dollars to a pot and the winning team will win it all. We work in crews of 4, and we have like 5 crews interested so who knows, I could be walking away with some easy money hahaha. Or...a hundred bucks poorer...

Hey man, I get why you don't like Naruto. But like...homeboy ain't like that forever. He isn't all depressed over what happened in Konoha. It's the spark that lit the flame to his current situation but it isn't what he's down about. Dude had no friends, Hokage didn't even talk to Naruto at all. He has no idea how to have friends and what that's supposed to be like, he's having to learn all that now. Story won't be a having him utterly depressed the whole time. I'm not a fan of writing a happy-go-lucky, careless Naruto, I wanted to take to the character in a way that would be different and in some senses, more realistic for how he is. Trauma doesn't just go away, and the effects of said trauma could last an entire life. I've slowly had him becoming more lighthearted and friendlier and just happier in general through his friendship to Omoi. Omoi is the one that's showing him what a true friend is, and helping break Naruto out of his shell. I focus his explanations through his past because for the characters like Omoi to get where he is now, the past is what needs to be known for them to get how he got where he is. But what happened while he was in Konoha, he's over it. You're definitely right, he's in a better situation than originally, I have not hidden that. But I have tried to show that despite that, his habits have not died. Being in a new place, his first thoughts were mapping the area and finding a high place to hide. He's stayed alone and has remained lonely due to his own choices. He is the creator of his current sadness. In the original story its external factors that saddened him, this it's all internal. You are your own worst enemy, I wanted to use that philosophy and put it into a mind of a child that had been treated like shit in a village for an unknown reason. If you choose to leave, that's fine. I hope this helps you understand my intentions of the route I took with Naruto's character. The development of characters and their relationships was and is something I am working on, my last and still ongoing story, I am not satisfied with the characters as everything about it feels rushed to me as I look back. I had so many ideas and envisioned so much for that story and I feel like despite the constant praises of it, I am unsatisfied with how it is. I always feel it has not lived to my expectations and isn't what I originally envisioned. My approach to this story is a far slower pace than last and I'm trying harder to show the evolution of all the characters that will serve as main pieces and the evolution of their relationships. So that down the road, there is meaning to actions and impact to what happens. Like if I decided right now, to kill Hinto in my other story, who is supposed to be bestfriends with Naruto, I bet no one would really care. I don't think I did too well showing their connection and their relationship. The characters that have died and ones I plan to still have die, might only be felt because of the already existing original material on the characters...I don't like that...Naruto's character is smarter yes, but that doesn't correlate to happiness nor friendship. You can be in the best of situations, but if your choices aren't good, you will only ruin it for yourself. That is what Naruto is doing. He's ruining his own potential happiness over not knowing the differences, to him, that's normal. Loneliness, is loneliness no matter where you are. Ay can't solve his problems for him.

Yo, no harem bro. Maybe one day in the future, there'll be a story like that. Not this one, sorry.

Hope y'all enjoyed, three months went by, that is a lot of time. More will be explained about the time he spent with Bee later. Naruto will now begin to start showing off his potential as he is getting better and stronger. See y'all in the next one.