Author's Notes: Sorry about the stupid format, but FFdotNet's Document System has once again proved itself to be evil. Couldn't make the format like I wanted to, and you get this. Anyway let's start my speech; after months filled with blood, sweat and tears, my research has finally developed into a plot. I'll concentrate on this story first, and try not to stray. Then, running out of ideas, I mixed in some elements from my previous incomplete works in an attempt to make the story livelier. Research about Kyuubi comes from both the actual tale of the Bijuu and from Japanese Folklore, so its more of a hybrid history. Grab a cup of hot green tea, sit back, and relax. Enjoy the ride.

Permanent Disclaimer: This piece of literature is merely for recreational purposes, and the author does not claim any monetary profit or ownership over the original works in any form or way. Any resemblances to real persons or groups, whether deceased or living, are purely coincidences and unintentional, unless specified otherwise by the author himself. Research from various sites has been made prior to the creation of this fan fiction. Should there be any doubts concerning the facts or sources, whether relating to credibility, origin or otherwise, please contact the author via information accessible from his profile immediately.

Genre: Action/Adventure/Tragedy

Rating:T; Suitable for teens 13 years and older, minor violence/suggestive themes.

Summary: Shinobi are slowly fading away from existence, and the last few are killing each other. Sent back in time by the shadow of a man, it becomes apparent that the extinction of ninjado is unavoidable.

Kitsune sometimes are not truly good or evil. Quite literally, as spirits, they embody the concept of amoral, those who do not accept, or understand, the idea of Good or Evil, instead paving the way of balance between the two.

-excerpt from a source of wikipedia

Mirai no Kage
-By Kuzosama

Chapter I
Shadows of the Future
Naruto crouched behind a tree, both his energy and Kyuubi's almost thoroughly spent.

Before him, Sasuke was still deep in pursuit of his locations, desperately seeking a way to finally put and end to the blonde's life.

Suppressing the urge to growl, Naruto checked his weapons pouch for any kunai or shuriken that he might have missed. None. He no longer had any weapons with him. Smoke bombs, talismans – all he was left with were his claws, fangs and what little chakra that he might have preserved.

He couldn't die here. He had to restore the glory of Konoha.

If he, the last Hokage, were to die, there would be nobody left to protect what was left of Konoha – a small group of shinobi – or keep their spirits up long enough to survive. The Otokage would slaughter them all, no doubt.

Even – even Sakura, who now lay fainted a few jumps' length from him.

Damn, he had to do this now, while Sasuke was still not alerted to his presence. Sasuke was only a jump away from him. He could do this before he was noticed. Baring his fangs and extending his claws, he leapt in a charging attack towards the Otokage, his speed further pumped by his last remaining chakra.

The white haired Uchiha instantly turned to face him, eyes wide in shock and hands unready to protect himself from the deathblow that Naruto was about to land on him.

He turned his head to the sudden surge of chakra, and his now sharingan-less eyes widened, his hand limp by his side and unable to defend himself from the fox boy's incoming attack. The claws were aimed to impale his heart, and the fangs were ready to bite his neck should that fail. There was no time even for him to mold chakra.

He squeezed his eyes shut, flinching – something he had learned not to do in battle – he felt an impact strike his body and the whole of his life then flashed before his eyes.

There was Kabuto, swearing his loyalty to Sasuke as he took Orochimaru's life and claiming the title of Otokage.

Sakura, moments before she buffed herself with chakra, permanently assuming the form of an animal.

The now beastly Sakura killing his aide - killing Kabuto.

Naruto's massive bulk growing with his ninth tail, his whole body covered in blood.

More flashes.

The distant past.

Fleeing with the first Sound Five.

His first Chuunin Exam in Konoha.

Running away, wounded, from Orochimaru along with Sakura in the Forest of Death.

Zabuza, Haku.

Tazuna, Tsunami and Inari.

Naruto and Sakura's forms during the Genin bell test.

Naruto was attacking Kakashi with his clones in the air, and Sakura was fainted on the ground from a Genjutsu, while he himself was still stuck in a Shinjuu Zanshuu no Jutsu.

The situation was uncannily similar to that of now... Naruto in a jumping attack, Sakura motionless in the shelter of trees and leaves wounded from the fight and himself in a vulnerable position.

Then Kakashi turned to face him, his single visible eye filled with guilt, regret and sorrow, and his vision was flooded with white.

She was on a bed.

It had been too long since she last woke up in a bed.

Fifteen, maybe twenty years? More than twenty five years? She couldn't remember.

Even though she felt weaker than she had before, her body showed no signs of pain from the battle with Sasuke, where she had passed out under the trees.

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her right hand.

Wait a minute, hand?

She opened her eyes. The world was in real color.

It did not have the usual sepia tint to it as seen from her half-beast eyes.

She was human again – she didn't know how, but she was, and weaker again – and she also was in a room.

A room, by kami's name, and it was lavishly furnished to please a princess.

She couldn't imagine a place in the world so intact after the war had struck the entire shinobi continent.

She touched her face. It was smooth skin and her scars were gone, by some medical jutsu probably.

There was a mirror in the room and she wanted to see what she looked like, if she was human again.

Standing up, she was immediately disoriented by how immense the world was – or how short she seemed to be now that she was human again.

She kept repeating the words in her head, human again. What a miracle.

Finally catching a glimpse of herself, her jaw dropped in shock at the sight before her eyes.

In the mirror, surprise written across her face, was a young pink-haired adolescent girl wearing red.

Tsuzuku...