Chapter 7: To Chase a Fox
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Eleven of the twelve young ninjas of Leaf have gathered to get the truth of Naruto. They do not get their wish having to chase a blonde, blue-eyed fox that only thinks what others will only see of him, a demon, a monster and Tsunade's headache will only get worse.
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It was the next day. Sakura and the others were getting up and readying themselves for their mission of talking with the Hokage. Shikamaru got out of his bed on time and got himself ready. All eleven of them were going to meet at a park that was close to the Hokage Tower.
At the Hokage home, Tsunade got up earlier then she would of, but with the situation with Naruto, she got up and headed for the room he and Jiraiya was in. She entered and found Jiraiya sound asleep. She walked passed him and went to the bed. She saw a lump in the bed and pulled back the covers. She found no Naruto. She looked around the room trying to find him. She heard a creaking noise and watched as the balcony doors opened up. She left the room, but not before stepping on Jiraiya's stomach.
He shot up and glared at her and she glared back at him. He was the first to look away.
"It seems your student left last night and ran away. I will be calling Kakashi to look for him. You get ready to go with him. Who knows how far he got. I am going to my office."
She walked out letting Jiraiya ready himself. She walked back towards her room when Shizune came running to her.
"Tsunade-sama, one of the village elders wants to talk to you."
"Tell them I do not have time to do so. Naruto ran off last night and that stupid man let him go."
"I told her you were busy with something, but she refuses to leave. She demands your presents."
"Tell her to meet me at my office later today and that is the only free time I have."
"She said she will not take any excuse and that she…"
"What is the matter? Why did you stop speaking?"
"S-she is behind you right now."
Tsunade turned around and saw the women in question.
"Elder Gin, please…"
She was cut short by the women raising a hand.
"I am here because of a cretin blonde hair, blue eyed fox. I was outside for I could not sleep. I heard as one of my roof tiles break, by someone using my roof as a path. I believe many know that my roof is off limits. I got up to see if I could not catch the ignoramus who forgot about that, but to my surprise, a blonde fox, the size of a large dog fell in my yard. I do not know what to make of it until I saw its eyes. I only know two people who have that type of color of blue. Care to explain."
"I will, but can we discuss this in my office. Shizune can you have Kakashi, Asuma, Gai and Kurenai gathered."
"Yes Tsunade-sama"
"If you will follow me Elder Gin." Tsunade said
Tsunade and the elder left for the Hokage Tower, with Shizune grabbing a guard station at the Hokage home to get the four jounin.
-FOXED-
At the park outside the Hokage Tower, the group of eleven had met up.
"She usually gets to her office by nine, but it looked like she was early today, so she should have some time to visit with us. Now Kiba and Lee, we ask that you two remain quiet. Let us do all of the talking. We do not want to let our plan to miss up. Now let's go." Shikamaru said
The group of eleven left and entered in to the tower. They made their way up the stairs and to the floor of the Hokage's office. As they walked towards the doors, they saw their instructors quickly enter. They did not know what to make of it. They walked up to the doors and the two guards looked at them. Neji was the one who spoke.
"We would like to know if the Hokage is in and if she can see us."
"Yes, the Hokage is in, but I do not know when she will be able to see you. If you want to see her, please wait in the waiting area." one guard asked
"Thank you."
They walked from the doors and to an area with many chairs. They sat down, wondering why their instructors were called before the Hokage.
Inside the Hokage's office, the four jounin were waiting to be address by the Hokage. Kakashi was shocked to see her face of worry. Shizune had the same face.
"You four are to go in search for Naruto. He ran away last night. Kurenai, Gai, and Asuma, I want you to get with your teams and get them prepared to leave. I believe they are outside. Take them and Kakashi's to Ibiki's office. He has supplies for you. Head to the North gate and wait for Kakashi. Do not tell them that Naruto ran away. Let Kakashi explain everything. When you find him, bring him back."
The three nodded and left.
"Kakashi, I do not know how to explain this. Yesterday, a side effect appeared with the merger between Naruto and the kyuubi. He turned into a fox, the size of a large dog. His fur is yellow and the nine-line spiral is still there. He escaped last night. Jiraiya went ahead to search for him. He said he will be leaving trail markers along the way."
"I see. He should be easy to find."
"Kakashi, he is very frightened and who knows what he will do to stay away. It is your decision to tell your students and the others of what happen. He may come back with them, knowing he has friends that do not care for what happen to him. Please bring him back, but be careful"
"I will." he said and disappeared from the room
Outside the three jounin walked up to group of eleven. Asuma was in front and was the one to speak.
"Come with us, we have an emergency assignment."
The three jounin walked away without giving an explanation. Kiba spoke up
"What is the assignment?"
"It will have to wait. Now come, we are picking up supplies and we need to get to the North gate." Asuma said
They followed the three and got their supplies. They left and ran along the rooftops to the North gate.
"What is the assignment Asuma-sensei?" Ino asked
"It will have to wait. Kakashi-san knows the details."
They arrived at the gates and found Kakashi waiting for them. Gai tossed him a small bag, which he placed over his shoulders.
"Okay, we will be heading North-west. Let's move out, we need to make speed our option. I will explain our mission when we are a ways in the forest." Kakashi said
He took to the trees without waiting for the young ninjas to ask questions. The rest followed him. They traveled for three hours without rest. Kakashi stopped and the others did. He looked at them not able to come up with a way to tell them. He looked at the jounin and thought to tell them first.
"Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, I need to talk to you privately. The rest of you stay put and rest."
"Kakashi-sensei, but what is our assignment?" Sakura asked
"I will tell you in a minute."
He jumped to a higher limb and the three jounin followed him. Once he was sure they were from hearing distance, he looked to the three.
"Why has Naruto run away Kakashi?" Kurenai asked
"You see, the kyuubi made the dissension to merge with Naruto. It told us why it attacked. A control jutsu was placed on it. It was ordered to attack Konoha. The jutsu was dispelled, once sealed into Naruto. For the last ten days, Naruto has been in the hospital in a type of comma, while the kyuubi fused its gifts and power with him. It did not know of what might happen to him, but yesterday I guess is that he transformed into a fox."
"HE'S WHAT!" Gai yelled
Where the group of eleven waited, they all jumped at Gai's yell. They looked at each other wondering what was going on. Asuma dropped his cigarette from surprise.
"Gai please, I know, but we need to find him. Jiraiya is out looking for him. Tsunade does not know how far he has gotten, but I do not know if I should tell the others. It is the reason he ran away. He does not know the kyuubi did this."
"They should be told of what has happen to him. If they understand and willing to accept what has happen and be there for him, he would be easier to bring back." Kurenai said
"Yes, Tsunade said that, and it was my decision. I think I will. They all ready had many questions about him."
He looked up to the sky and saw dark clouds gathering.
"I hope they take it alright."
He got up and moved back to the group with the three jounin behind him. He got in the center and looked at them to see their attention on him. He sat down on a tree limb, brought his hands to his head, and rubbed his temples trying to relieve the headache that was beginning.
"What is wrong sensei?" Sakura asked
"Well, all of you are going to freak when I tell you about your mission. We are to find Naruto and bring him back."
Everyone yelled a response to him wanting more of why he ran away. Kakashi held up his hands to quiet them down.
"He ran away because he was afraid of what people would think of him."
"What are you talking about? People just think he is annoying, loud, and a prankster. That could not cause him to runaway." Ino said
"No, but that is not it. You all know what happened thirteen yeas ago, that the kyuubi that attacked Konoha and was defeated by the Fourth, but he did not defeat it, but sealed it away into a newborn child. The only child that happened to born on that day was Naruto."
"That is why the villagers hate him. They see him as the demon." Sakura said
Everyone stared at Kakashi while he let the information sink in.
"That would answer many of your questions you had. Ten days ago, the kyuubi started to merge with Naruto, willing. It told us that attacking Konoha was not its fault. It decided to merge with Naruto, I believe to make amends, and it did not know if any side effects would come. Yesterday one did, he changed into a fox himself."
Everyone looked at him wide-eyed. Everyone moved to ask questions, but he stopped them.
"No time to ask questions. We need to find him. Jiraiya-sama is already out looking for him. We may have trouble bringing Naruto back. Try and not harm him much, and he is frighten and who knows what he can do. Let's get going. Once we capture him, then I can answer more of your questions."
"If we are looking for Naruto as a fox, what does he look like?" TenTen asked
"He will be easy to spot. Yellow, with blue eyes, and on his right side a nine-line spiral that is orange. He is the size of a large dog."
Everyone nodded and was about to leave when a rustle was heard above them. They turned their attention to the limbs above them, readying for an attack when a large orange frog wearing a suit, jumped out and landed on Kakashi's head.
"You know, you are not very good ninjas if I can find you."
"Ah Gamakichi, it is good to see you again."
"Yah, yah. Ero-sennin sent me. He found Naruto's trail and is following him. He is waiting for you to catch up. Just head off to your right, he left markers for you to follow."
"Who is ero-sennin?" Lee asked
"It is better you do not know him. Father hates him. He likes Naruto over that pervert. Tell that pervert that father wants word on Naruto. I am going." the frog summon said
With a puff of smoke, the frog summon was gone. Everyone had confused faces.
"That was Gamakichi, son of the Frog Boss. Ero-sennin is the name Naruto gave to the frog sennin. Let's go."
Everyone took off, flowing Kakashi. Everyone was quite, still letting the information about Naruto sink in.
-FOXED-
Naruto had just kept running after he left the village of Konoha. He ran, believing that the people will only see him as a demon. He ignored the pain from his foot, not caring as each step brought the tile shard deeper in his foot. He ran until midday and he collapsed from exhaustion. He tired to fight his fatigue, but lost. He fell asleep where he fell.
-FOXED-
Jiraiya followed Naruto's trail easily. It was not hard to miss the bloody fox footprints. It was midmorning when he found him and he summoned a frog to go back to find Kakashi. He got mad when the frog called him ero-sennin. Once the frog was gone, he swore to himself that he was going to kill Naruto when he was better. He stayed in the treetops and waited for Kakashi and the others to appear. It was noon when he saw Naruto get up and walked/limp to the small pond. He sat down and just stared at his reflection. Kakashi appeared next to the frog sennin, actually scaring him.
"Damn it Kakashi, why did you do that?' Jiraiya hissed to the man
"Do what?"
"Never mind. Is it just you or are there more?"
"There are more. I had them circle around boxing in Naruto. It is Asuma, Gai, and Kurenai along with their teams, and mine. They know about the kyuubi and Naruto and to be careful. So, how are we going to do this? Should you or I go?"
"I should go. Have the others keep him boxed in. If he becomes too much to handle, I will just knock him out. His front leg is injured so he should not be able to run well."
Both turned their eyes to watch Naruto. They watched as he lay down and placed his injured paw in the water. He laid down his head and closed his eyes. The wind picked up swirling around him. His head shot up picking up the smell of frogs, dogs and cigarettes. He shot up, wincing when he placed weight on his paw. He ignored it and looked around.
"That is not good. I forgot about his senses. I am going to see if I cannot talk to him. Be ready, he may bolt." Jiraiya said
He jumped down to the forest floor and waited until Naruto was facing towards him. He steeped out holding his hands up with his palms facing Naruto.
"Calm down Naruto. Come on let's go back. Tsunade is worried about you. I will explain what happen to you when we get back." he said with a smile
Naruto crouched down when he heard the frog sennin. He started to walk backwards. He stopped when one of his back paws hit the water. He looked around him to figure where to run. As Jiraiya came closer, he fainted to the sennin's right hoping he would fall for it. Jiraiya lunged at him to grab a hold of him. As he fell, he watched Naruto look at him with a pained look in his eyes and took off in the opposite direction of his fall. He fell hard and watched as Naruto ran away from him. He got up and prepared a sleep jutsu just in case he came running back, when he found his way was blocked.
Naruto ran as fast as he could from the sennin. He dove into some bushes and came out to meet up with Kiba and Shino. Kiba lunged forward and grabbed Naruto around the neck. Both fell to the ground with Kiba on top, using his weight to pin Naruto down. Naruto trashed, trying to break the hold from Kiba. Shino moved and grabbed his back legs and pinned them to the ground. Lee came and did the same thing to his front.
"Naruto calm down. We are here to help. Please, let's go back to the village." Lee said
Naruto kept on struggling as the three tried to get him to calm down. He quit his trashing and stilled under their grip. Lee and Shino released their hold and moved away. Kiba relaxed his grip. Asuma came to them and saw that Naruto had his eyes closed. As Kiba's gripped loosened, Naruto tensed up and Kiba felt it. He was about to tighten his grip, but Naruto was able to turn his body, flipping Kiba with him. As his arms flew apart, Naruto got up and ran away, but Kiba got over landing on his back and grabbed Naruto by the tail.
Naruto let out a yelp in pain and everyone winced at it. Naruto landed on his side and Asuma rushed in to pin him. Naruto jumped up and turned around, making Asuma missed and Naruto stepped on Kiba's stomach, making him let go of his tail. He returned back where Jiraiya was and found him running though hand seals. He called out the attack and aimed it for Naruto. Naruto saw feathers flying towards him and he picked up seep and dogged under the jutsu.
Jiraiya saw him running towards him and had no time to react. Naruto ran through his legs, knowing he surprised the sennin. Jiraiya came out of his surprise and grabbed his tail. Naruto let out another yelp. He got angry, turned around, and bit the sennin in the rump. He jerked down, ripping Jiraiya's pants. The man let go of Naruto's tail, placed his hands on his rump, and glared daggers at Naruto. He saw that he had a piece of cloth in his mouth. Naruto moved backwards from the sennin and spat out the cloth.
"Brat you are going to pay for that."
He went through another series of hand seals and aimed his hands at Naruto. The ground started to give way under Naruto and he jumped in time as the solid ground turned into mud. Jiraiya cussed. Naruto took off towards the lake knowing others might block him in. He jumped in and started to swim to the other side. Kakashi came out of nowhere and ran towards him. Naruto saw him run on the water, and wondered if he was still was able to use his chakra.
He tired and found himself with footing on top of the water. Kakashi saw this and quicken his pace, running though a set of hand seals. Naruto took off not wanting to know what was to happen. He was not fast enough as Kakashi ran up to him, grabbing his tail for the third time, and sent a jolt of electric through his body. As Naruto lost conscious, Kakashi grabbed him by the scruff and picked him up. He walked back to where Jiraiya was and sat Naruto down on the ground. He looked at the sennin with a smile.
"I did not know they made boxers with frogs on them."
"Very funny, that hurt." he said rubbing his rear end
The others came from their hiding spots and looked at Naruto. Kakashi picked up Naruto's injured paw and looked at it. He face contorted as he looked at. He reached in his utility pouch, pulled out a small water canteen, and poured the water over the wound to wash away the blood and debris. He then poured alcohol on it and wrapped it up. He sat down next to Naruto.
"That took a lot out of me."
"Is N-Naruto going to be all right?" Hinata asked
"Well, mostly yes. Tsunade-sama believes he should be able to change back into his original form. Are you okay Kiba?" Kakashi asked
"Yah, all he did was step on my stomach and my ears are still ringing from his yelp."
"We should get back late tonight and he should stay asleep until then. So we should have plenty of time to rest while we eat." Kakashi said
Everyone nodded and went through their packs they were given. They found meal packs and fist aid supplies, along with commutations devices and some survival kits. They ate in quiet, not once voicing their questions. As they ate, Naruto woke up. He found himself on the grass, wet and hungry. He looked around and found Kakashi sitting next to him. He kept his breathing slowed to show he was still out and his eyelids half closed. He looked at what he could see in his range of vision. He saw he was facing the lake he tried to escape on. He also saw Jiraiya coming towards where he was. Jiraiya stopped next to Naruto, looking down at him.
"Kakashi, I see that they are taking it well."
"Yes, but it could just be the shock of it. Learning that Naruto was the container of the creature that attacked thirteen years ago, I just do not know how the others will take it. They just see him as the kyuubi who attacked."
"They are just narrowed minded. It will all change once we can tell him."
"Yah, but I do not know how he will take it."
"It will be hard for him."
Jiraiya kneeled down and placed a hand on Naruto. Naruto tried to keep still as Jiraiya placed a hand on top of his head. Naruto flinched when Jiraiya touched him. He wanted his ploy to work. Jiraiya and Kakashi reached out to grab him as he got up to run. The others saw this and watched as the two men struggle to keep Naruto from bolting.
"Calm down Naruto. Let me explain what has happen to you." Jiraiya said
Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai came running to help. Naruto broke free from Kakashi grip around his neck. He arched around and bit Jiraiya in the arm to release him around the waist. The man let him go, clutching his arm. Naruto got up and ran away from the two. He headed for the water again, but was stopped by Gai. Naruto turned around and found Asuma, Kurenai, and Kakashi surrounded around him. He tucked his tail between his back legs. Kakashi smiled slightly at this.
"Are you okay Jiraiya?" Kakashi asked
Jiraiya stood up as the rest of the young ninjas came closer. Sakura pulled out bandages and wrapped the sennin's arm.
"Yah, his bite was not that damaging, it was enough to get me to release him. Naruto you need to calm down. Let me explain what happen."
Naruto would not listen. He flared his chakra making the four Jounin fall down to the ground. He jumped over Kurenai and went straight for the forest. Kakashi got up, wanting to empty his stomach.
"Go after him now. Get him knocked out any way you can." Kakashi yelled
The group ran off after Naruto. Shikamaru in front looked back to the others.
"Fan out and get the radios out. Kiba, do you have his trail?"
"Yes I do, he is running straight."
"Good. When he stops to rest, we will circle him again. I will use my shadow bind and Sasuke you knock him out. After that, tie him up."
Everyone nodded at this. They fanned out and followed Naruto. Jiraiya was fuming with anger. Kakashi tried to calm him down.
"Jiraiya please calm down. Let me clean your wound."
Jiraiya sat down while Kakashi cleaned his wound from Naruto.
"I knew I should have tied him up. Kakashi, I am going to the hideout. If you get him, bring him there."
"Okay Jiraiya-sama. Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, come, lets go after them. They many need our help."
The group nodded as Kakashi bit his thumb and ran through a series of hand seals. He slammed down his hand and called out to summon Pakkun.
"Pakkun, it is Naruto again. We just need you to show us the trail he has made."
"Right Kakashi."
The little dog-nin took off with the four jounin behind him. Jiraiya gather the stuff that was left behind, before teleporting away to the hideout. He appeared in front of a cliff face and sat down thinking of how to explain everything to Naruto. He rubbed at his temples, as his headache came.