Chapter Three*2012 revised edition*
Life as a Fox
NSW
Sasuke entered through the tent flap, the Anbu stood on either sides of him, Danzo stood by a light weight traveling desk his hands folded behind his back, Danzo nodded to the Anbu guards who took the signal and left them, so it was just Danzo and Sasuke in the tent.
Danzo studied him for a bit then said "Uchiha Sasuke what can I do for you?" Sasuke said nothing "I want to go back to Konoha" the Hokage looked at him and smirked "I know that, but why?" Sasuke smirked "I wish to see all my friends again and right the wrongs I did" Danzo smirked "do you really think I am stupid, I know you know the truth, now, out with it what is you real reason?" He said moving towards his desk.
"You want to finish your revenge right?" Sasuke frowned "yes" he said answering the Hokage. Danzo smirked again "good, just as I thought, but tell me what kind of destruction did you have in mind?" Danzo said sitting down, tenting his fingertips. Sasuke was taken aback by the bluntness. Danzo continued "you may be smart boy, but you're not smart enough" Danzo reached for a brush and marked something randomly before getting back to him.
Sasuke was unnerved at how relaxed this man was, so freel talking about destruction and rebeling as if he had been planning one for years. Danzo turned to him, "you know what is your problem?" Danzo said Sasuke remained silent "you don't think things through enough, what was your plan? Get in Konoha then take the entire Ninja force on single handedly? You and I both know your strong,... but not that strong".
Sasuke frowned once more, then ran his hand through his hair, "why are you telling me this"? Danzo smirked "because lady Tsunade has awoken and reclaimed her right as Hokage, so when I reach Konoha I will step down" Sasuke quirked an eye brow "why?" Danzo grinned "like I said before, you need to think things through more." Danzo took a sip of tea, "think of it, if I step down and stay under the rader, not cause any trouble move my pawns silently..." He paused before turning glowing eyes to Sasuke, "I can strike quickly, then gain the Hokageship." Danzo said grinning greedily " permanently this time" Sasuke shivered this man, he was truly power hungry.
Sasuke however feigned ignorence and spoke pointing out a flaw in his plan."But to do that Tsunade would have to be put out of the picture…"Danzo rose "that is why you are here child, why do you think you haven't been killed yet?" Sasuke was silent "what is your plan..." Danzo grinned " how exactly do you want to destroy Konoha?" Sasuke was silent.
Danzo continued "instead of the physical part of it, why not the spiritual part? The essence, the part that has stayed alive for so long, the part that compelled you brother to do what he had to do" Sasuke stared darkly at Danzo for a second "we must destroy the will of fire, make the Ninja obey us and fight for us, not some dumb will the third gave to them, and we make the people of the village completely dependent on us, in other words we rule Konoha." Sasuke looked at Danzo "we"? he asked Danzo smirked "help me Sasuke and I can wipe your slate clean and I can give you everything, money, women,…power, and someday when I am to old, you could take up the Hokageship and run the village however you please" Sasuke eyes glinted at the thought.
Sasuke swallowed in anticipation "so what do I have to do?" Danzo grinned "now is opportune moment, Naruto is dead thanks to the Akatsuki" Danzo winked as if he knew something, 'could he possibly know that I...' Sasuke thought for a second. "The will of fire is already waning in some of the ninja ranks" Danzo continued "Naruto was their hope, now hes gone so they will turn to Tsunade, and when she is gone…, they will have no one and thus turn to us."
Sasuke got the hint "so we are going to dispose of her"? Danzo nodded "that in fact will be your job" Sasuke was puzzled "that way if you fail, I can sever my bonds to you, and save my hide, you know how it is, we look for our selves first, I did not plan this for an entire lifetime to have some brat with a shaky sword arm destroy it." Sasuke smirked "I killed my sensei, and my older brother,the old windbag will be easy" Danzo shook his head, "no we have to do it quietly poison maybe...or even suffocating her in her sleep, something that will look like an accident or natural, something that cannot lead to you or me, so I want you to lay low the first month, we'll bide our time, get everyone used to your presense then we will start with the operation."
Sasuke nodded "very well" Danzo grinned "I am glad you are on our side Uchiha Sasuke, konoha will be glad to have one of such a high pedigree back." Danzo then walked to the tent flap and looked around, then he gave a whistle and the Anbu came in and took Sasuke, "he is back to being a reinstated Ninja, but you will still be under survalliance Sasuke, only at a more relaxed distance".
Naruto sneaked away, after he heard Danzo head for the Tent flap, he quickly hid himself in the bushes hiding himself and his chakra signature, then he hurridly ran back to Kakashi's camp. 'So Sasuke is in leauge with Danzo now,...I am going to have to keep a tab on both of them' He thought to himself.
'Also I better make sure Tsunade does not have any mishaps' Naruto thought as he headed through the trees. Hinata stood worriedly looking around "Fluffy! There you are"! she exclaimed. Naruto died a bit on the inside 'Fluffy! Why did you have to give me such an embarresing name!' Naruto sighed and trotted over to her thinking like a dog would, so he stuck his tounge out and panted while wagging his tail.
Hinata smiled, her smile looked better on her then the look of loss and sadness she once wore. Already Naruto could see that the fire in her was burning brighter. Brighter then it was back when he was alive. 'Good, you need to be strong and have faith for what is to come' he looked around the camp at all the rookie nine at all his old friends.
'All of you do, there is a storm brewing' but Naruto hardend his gaze 'but this time I will not leave you, I will protect all of you, I need to be a better Naruto then I was, father if you're up there help guide me, I need to plan, I need to plan everything perfect, and right now I need to figure out how to use jutsu's with this body'.
They travled all day, Naruto stuck next to Hinata the whole time, he ignored the glances from the other clan members and so did Hinata she proudly walked her head held high, a look of challenge in her eyes. Neji sometimes came back and walked by them, he talked to her a few times and told her what the others where saying about her new pet "they say your father will make you get rid of it" Hinata rolled her eyes "the 'it' is Fluffy and I am keeping him, regardless of what father says."
Neji shook his head "Hinata you of all people know what your father is like" Hinata nodded "I know, but he has to grant me this one thing at least, he owes me a lot" Neji shook his head once more "no he's a kind of person who feels they don't owe anyone anything, Hinata you better watch yourself, he might not take to kindly to this, even if you are his daughter".
Neji then headed back to the front of the Second branch of the Hyuuga, Hinata looked down at him "were going to stick together right fluffy?" Naruto barked and wagged his tail, Hinata smiled to Naruto it may be a little degrading to act this way but he did have to keep up the guise that he was a normal (or somewhat normal) dog (for all imtensive purposes).
Plus anything to make her happy and smile, Naruto sighed on the inside why is it that he would make a fool of himself or pain himself all to make others happy? Naruto flicked his ear in annoyance, it didn't matter right now he had to worry about bigger things, because a cheer rose up from the ninja as Konoha came into view.
Everyone had filed through the main gate the supply wagons and injured had already been taken to the hospital, surprisingly Tsunade was standing with Shizune holding ton-ton and the two village elders were standing next to them, Danzo made his way to her, then bowed respectfully, she nodded to him and took her Hokage hat from him that he held out in his arms, then he spoke something in her ear she looked taken aback, but just nodded and Danzo and his guard left.
Sakura walked up to her next, she looked at the ground and bit on her lower lip unable to bring herself to look in her old mentors eyes, finally she got the courage "L-lady, Tsunade… Naruto,…he…stopped the war, and saved all our lives, he was a true hero" that was all she said. Tsunade was silent for a moment then she looked away her eyes cast downward, "I understand" then she reached out and pulled Sakura in a tight hug.
The Sensei and student split and looked at each other you could see small ovals of moisture at the edges of Tsunade's eyes, she scanned the faces all gathered, "we will serve a memorial for all of those fallen in seven days time, all of their names will be engraved on the Hero's stone, the service will be held in the chunin stadium."
Tsunade looked around at them "I am proud of all of you, you all have fought so valiantly and bravely, some of you have never had the experience of war." She said looking down sadly then back up "and some of you have delt with that grim experience already." She drifted off as she remembered her younger days of war and blood-shed.
She looked back up to all the faces looking to her, looking to her for guidance and hope, she looked to Sakura next to her. Sakura squeezed her arm in comfort, Tsunade smiled softly as her tears that had hovered in her eyes began to roll softly down her face. "Everyone of you should be proud of yourselves, and what have you accomplished." She spoke louder. "This right now tells me that the will of fire which my grandfather the Third Hokage endowed in you is strong, and will hopefully be burning brightly in all of your hearts for generations to come."
All the Ninja applauded her. Tsunade stood silently as the applause washed over her, she felt both empowered and weak at the same time, empowered because the hope and strength her ninja gave her, but then weal because there was one ninja that was not here, the one she held dearly to her heart more then some of the others. She continued to cry but wiped them away and shook hands with her warriors giving them strength and wishing them luck. The ninja then started to break away and go wherever they needed to go, the rookie nine got together at the edge and travled down the newly finished back alley way, headed towards Ichiruka Ramen, When just then Hirashi Hyuuga graced their presense.
He came around the corner a few followers of the main branch behind him, "Hinata"! he yelled in a commanding voice "what is this I hear of you adopting some mongrel half wild mutt?" Naruto moved closer to her side bracing himself not sure of what was going to happen next. Hinata, surprising everyone there did something that wasn't her, instead of looking down or away like she always did she called upon an inner fire that had laid dormant within her all her life, only now just mustering within her to challenge the absolute authority her father weilds.
She stuck her head up high, her body streitned giving her a calm strong look, her eyes showed defiance and challenge, a light never before seen in her eyes. Before she was afraid and timid, but now, those days where over with Fluffy at her side. She would show them how strong she really was. Kiba saw this change in her, and his heart for a moment skipped a beat, there was smething new about her, she glowed differently then before, he had never seen her in this way before, and he liked it.
"You hear falsely father, I have adopted a great and magnificent beast, my new companion and friend." She said looking to Fluffy. "He is not half wild mutt, who ever said that is mistaken and half witted to think this creature next to me is a wild animal" Hirashi's jaw dropped slightly, taken aback that she had spoken without taking her eyes from his and without a stutter. Then a look of certain authority took over "Hyuuga Hinata, I am your father! I command you to get rid of that beast now"!
Hinata looked down her nose at her father, "I am not a little girl any more father I can make my own decisions, you can't control me any more, and I choose to keep him,you being my father does not change my mind". Hirashi once again found himself dumb founded within the same minute, he kept standing there pointing towards the large mongrel beast, he slowly lowered his arm and fisted his hand until his knuckles turned white.
Hirashi was outraged at this, "you will pay for your disobedience GIRL!" he spat as he swiftly approached her, Hinata gasped and started to back away bringing an arm up to black the coming blow, but was to late. The sickening sound of skin slapping skin broke through the air, and Hinata was on the ground clutching a redned cheek that undoubtedly would bruise.
Before Hirashi could hit her once more. A whitish blur came in between her Hirashi and his disobedient daughter. The creature barked and snapped at him, it's fur bristling, Hirashi smirked and struck. The creature whimpered and fell to the ground in a heap. Hirashi laughed at it's pathetic form. Hirashi looked down at his miserable excuse for a daughter. She stood behind the form of her failed protector, her hand clutching her jaw she looked up to Hirashi. "You must choose my daughter." He said glaring down at her, "this pathetic beast and a life disowned from the hyuuga, or kill this beast right here and now, and claim you right to be my heir." Hinata sat confused then a certain malice, a cold hate filled her eyes, an emotion that shocked even him, something he had never seen before.
Hinata calmly stood up "I would rather die with this beast and no name then to be your caged heir" She slowly got up, the mutt moaned and turned his head towards her, Hinata spoke once more "mother was right to tell me to get away as soon as I can, how come I couldn't see until now? Why did it take a war and the loss...of someone dear to me to see this?" Hinata said softly.
Hinata looked back up at her father, the one she had always tried to impress, the one she had trusted and adored, her only living parent, because her mother..."you want to know why mother killed herself after Hinabi was born father?" everyone gasped. Few knew about how the Lady of the Hyuuga clan had died, most thought it was from something that happened during childbirth, but she had suffered for three years before succumbing to it.
Even those in the main branch did not know the secret of how the mistress had died. Hirashi has had it covered all these years. But brave Hinata spoke, the truth unveiled by the words that slipped from her tongue. Hirashi was shocked once more, that she would speak of such things, plus he had always wondered how his wife whom he admittedly treated more like a exotic bird, had escaped from her cage. Hinata then moved closer to her father " because she would have rather been dead the spend another second with you"
She hissed the last part with venom, "she hated you father, and it only took me until now to realize that I hate you as well." She adjusted her shoulder and spoke "I severe my bonds with you" she turned away from him, "make Hinabi your little singing bird, cause this one is not singing for you anymore".
Hinata spat the last part out emphasizing it, Hirashi twinged slightly, then his face started to turn an angry purple as he contained the fury within him, instead of hitting her once more he jutted a finger at her "you miserable wench!, I give you everything you ever wanted and this is how you pay me? Fine then! Live on the streets! Be without a name! if you really detest me that much just leave! We'll see how far you survive without the Hyuuga name!"
Before Hinata could say anything more a growling filled the air, a deep low ferocious growling that sent chills down everyones spine as the animal at Hinata's feet staggard up and stood. Then it looked up at Hirashi and bared its fangs as much as it could, its fur stood strait as an arrow, Hirashi gasped the animals eyes where in complete fiery fury as though it was looking into his very soul, on top of that he was scared at the fact that it stood when he knew it shouldn't have.
Hirashi backed away, the animal stepped towards him staggeringly. It continued to growl at him, looking ready to pounce, the pure fear the beast caused from its looks and growls, and the fact that it had stood after such a blow. It followed Hirashi with its eyes and the beast made one motion to Hirashi no one saw, it tilted its head to the side and winked.
Hirashi thought he had lost his mind for a moment, because this couldn't have happned, but the beast jumped and barked menacingly enough to make him Hirashi Hyuuga jump and scuttle over to his followers. He turned and said "you are not allowed on Hyuuga grounds until you get rid of that beast and are ready to apologize!" then scampered away like a dog with his tail in between his legs.
Hinata smirked, then twirled and jumped around "I'm free! Finally! Free! I never have to sit through a stupid clan meeting! Or attend those boring old parties my father throws!" she then stopped and looked at Fluffy and jumped to sit on her knees in the street beside him, "I can't believe what you did Fluffy! You were amazing! His aim must have been off for you to be able to stand still you stood and fought for me! You're the best guard dog I know!" she hugged him and kissed his forehead, then laughed and giggled as Fluffy barked and wagged his tail and nudged his nose to her cheek in affection, "its okay boy, the scars that really matter are now healed" Fluffy barked once more.
Hinata turned to the rest who were stunned. They had did nothing throughout the entire ordeal, not because they didn't want to, but for fear of getting their clan's in trouble if they did. "Come on guys lets go to Ichiruka Ramen!" she said happily and excitedly then ran off giggling with Fluffy bounding at her heels barking for joy as well.
They all looked at each other "is it me…" Kiba started and Sakura finished "or is it she is becoming like Naruto?" all of them looked at each other, "maybe that Fluffy has something to do with it?" Kiba said Sakura snorted "come on its just an animal, it has nothing to do with Naruto!" she said and started walking after Hinata "last one their pays!" she yelled then booked off at a dead run that got everyone into high gear.
Hinata was already slurping her way into a bowl with Fluffy at her side lapping up Ramen as well, "Hinata!" Kiba yelled "dogs are not supposed to have Ramen! Its bad for them!" Hinata looked down "oh, but he earned it plus one bowl won't hurt" Kiba shook his head "if you really want to keep him, you are going to have to learn how to take care of such a high matinance animal, you have to feed him and comb him, give him baths have vet check ups, brush his teeth, de-worm him, all this stuff, and what are you going to do when you go on missions?" Hinata looked down sadly "I thought I was going to take him with, he can do a lot of stuff..." She trailed away then turned to him, begging with her eyes "you have seen for yourself Kiba!" she exclaimed, "hes a very intelligent animal, and strong and very protective of me" Kiba shook his head.
He sat down "do you know how much time and effort it takes to train a dog like Akamaru and our clans dogs? It takes a lifetime you start from a pup and bond with him, becoming like littermates, you can't just adopt any old dog and take him in, it has taken generations of breeding to finally get dogs that can use some chakra from their owners like me and Akamaru, you have to be able to give him chakra to fight and you have to be compatiable".
Hinata looked away and sighed, all of them said nothing, then Ayame the granddaughter of the owner said wiping her forehead "hey where is Naruto?, he usually has ten bowls by now" all of them said nothing for a few moments then Sakura said "Naruto is eating Ramen with the third Hokage and all the others who have left this world" Ayame's jaw dropped she wiped away tears then went into the back for a few moments, her and her grandfather walked to the counter he yelled out to the other helpers to take a break, when all had left he turned to them his face no longer smiling.
He sat heavily against the counter "so,…Naruto's recklessness has truly caught up with him?" Sakura shook her head "no he was a hero, he took his recklessness and turned it into a trump card to save us all" Shikamaru nodded "yeah, without his sacrifice we would not be here, we would probably be all dead or still at war" the man smirked "like father like son" he said under his breath that got everyones attention even Fluffy beneath the stool, flicked his ears forward.
Kiba looked confused "wait you knew Naruto's father?" the man nodded "yes, even you do, everyone does, although you might not have known his mother, Uzumaki Kushina." The man smiled at the mention, seeming to go back in memories.
"Came here as a wee little girl, her hair was like fire, and so was her attitude, she let no one mess around with her." He said chuckling, 'taking on people twice her size, or people who out numbered her, she had no fear." He grinned "but she had a soft side she didn't like seeing those who could not defend themselves get picked on." He turned to them "I bet you can guess which parent Naruto took after" Sakura and the others looked at each other "how come we never heard of any of this?"
The mans face darkned "there was a decree by the third, no one supposed to know of Naruto's lineage, if they knew the boy would have had kidnapping attempts every night, and on-top of the Uzumaki lineage he had another very important bloodline."
Everyone squished together more "what was Naruto's lineage"? the man scratched his neck "well since hes in the here-after I can say, Naruto has two great bloodlines in his tree, the infamous Uzumaki clan, masters of fuinjutsu from the Whirlpool." He said pointing to a map nearby. "All of them most of them were wiped out though, in the second war." He added.
Kushina was one of the few survivors, you see, Uzumaki had long life spans, they could easily live into the hundreds, and still be able to walk talk and do everything, and they had a huge chakra supply, equaled only be spirits and demons." He paused "then their's his father..." The man paused then turned to a drawer beside him, he took out a box wrapped in fabric, he blew dust form it and unwrapped it.
Slowly he pulled out what looked to be a picture frame, the people who stood in it smiling, were a man and a women, one looked exactly as the man had described wild red hair, and smiling a very familiar smile, she rested a hand on a pregnant belly. The man standing next to her was also equally familiar, he had blonde hair in neat spikes, nice angled features, with a jutting handsome chin, his skin was smooth and tan, and he had very fine bright blue eyes that sparkled.
The man was familiar because he was Nimakaze Minato, the fourth Hokage, A.K.A the Yellow Flash. There was a gasp through out the group "he was the fourth Hokages son!"? the man nodded "yep, Namikaze I guess is some how related far up the family tree, to the Senju clan which is the first Hokage, and ironically his younger brother the second Hokage had a wife who was also the holder of the Ninetails."
"She was Uzumaki as well, when she was old they brought Kushina to seal the Ninetails in, you see for controlling and sealing the great tailed beasts,the younger the better." The man waved his hand and placed the picture back in the drawer, "then after that is history, Kushina was Minato's protector in academy, the boy was shy ya know" they giggled and shook heads not being able to see the fourth Hokage being like that.
"Well they ended up staying together after that as friends.." the man spoke continuing the story. "Then one day she got kidnapped and he tracked them down and saved her, the declared their love for each other, she taught him all her secrets of fuinjutsu, he became Hokage, they got married, then a second later she was pregnant, boy that man was so happy when he heard he was going to be a father, even had his sensei name the kid, who knew he would be eating ramen when he thought of it", the man chuckled.
All of them stared dumb foundly "I never knew any of this about Naruto, then what happned on the day of… the attack"? Shikamaru said the man sighed "Kushina went into labor, its hard for holders I guess something about the seal makes being pregnant even tougher, on top of being pregnant for another month then usual," Sakura shook her head in dismay "you mean her term was ten months instead of nine"? he nodded "yeah, any way they went to a secluded place in case anything went wrong, and I am guessing it did, even I don't know what happned, the third kept the secret to his grave, all I know is the Kyuubi got out, and Minato gave his life up to seal the Kyuubi in Naruto." The man stopped shaking his head, "then had the third kept Narutos lineage and everything a secret to protect him, until he was ready for the truth" the man finished with a heavy sigh, Fluffy rested his head on his paws and sighed as well.
Kiba rose placing money on the table "well I guess now we know, who knew Naruto had such a bad-ass history and linage? I mean would he have been diffrent if the Kyuubi had not escaped? Would we all have been friends still? Or would he be a snooty prick because of who his father is?" the man shook his head "no Kushina would have saw to that, anyway you shouldn't think of what could have been, you should think on what has been and what will be". He said as he collected their bowls and their money.
They all left and headed out to their homes, Sakura had asked if Hinata wanted to stay over but Hinata told her she would find a hotel for the night, she needed to be alone for a bit. She sighed and walked next to Fluffy in silence, "lets go to the park" she said and headed in the direction. Naruto looked up to see storm clouds rolling in, 'this is not good' he thought to himself. Hinata pulled her jacket closer around her, the wind had picked up 'maybe I should go get a hotel room now?' she thought then realized something terrible. 'oh no I don't have my money with me! its in my baggage which is in my rolled up in my tent bag, which is in the Hyuuga compound now' she thought dryly.
Instead Hinata sat down on a cold stone park bench, it was freezing, she shivered. Fluffy whined and scooted closer to her, she was glad for the warmth his fur gave and buried her numb fingers in his fur, relishing in the burning feeling from her nerves being awoken once more. It got darker and colder, and soon it started to rain, she got up and hurried to the tunnel of a stone bridge, she huddled next to the wall curling herself in a ball, her head throbbed and she felt chilled to the bone, Fluffy curled himself as tight as he could next to her trying to warm her but she still felt cold and wet, soon she felt dizzy and weak, she crumpled all the way to the ground and closed her eyes and went into a fevered sleep.
Naruto saw Hinata close her eyes, as her body convulsed into shivers, her skin was a sickly pale blue. Naruto swore and tried to shake her awake, but to no avail, so he quickly eased himself down and shifted Hinatas's limp form unto his back balancing it. He staggard under the weight at first, but he knew he had to get her to warmth and safty going through the mental map in his head he knew Kiba's clan was the closest.
Naruto took off and went as fast as he dared to, rain pelted his fur drenching him, but his second layer of fur kept him warm and surprisingly dry in a way, finally he could see the clan gates ahead. He didn't see a sentry or guard and he couldn't really knock, so he did the only thing he thought of doing he howled for help. He through his head back and tried to convey that something was wrong and he needed immediant help to come to him, it must have worked cause suddenly he heard the sound of three dogs barking, and soon voices, the door opened and a female with brown hair and eyes with the red painted cheeks stepped outside.
She gasped and rushed to Hinata, Naruto eased her down, the female caught her, the three dogs he heard earlier growled at him but the women barked and said "enough! he is our guest no dog is to touch him!" they whined and laid their ears back in submission and backed away. She looked at him "dog, follow" he nodded and followed her as she rushed inside. Four other figures streaked across the yard. It was Kiba and Akamaru followed by a women with wild hair and a dog wearing an eye patch.
"Hana! What is…it" Kiba said then gaped "w-what hapned"! Hana shrugged "the dog howled for help, I heard him and came" Kiba quirked an eyebrow, "how did you know it was him? and some other dog in out pens who dropped a bone?" she shrugged once more "he sounded different, desperate, urgent, he had…a sort of plea in his voice, totally different from any of our dogs" Kiba nodded "fine but we have to bring her in, she's got a fever no doubt" he turned "is that okay mother"? Tsume nodded "but what of her mutt?" then to Naruto's surprise her dog stepped up and said "I'll take him, to a place where none of the others will mess with him, the young ones, want always pick fights with, strangers dogs" Tsume nodded once more "very well Kuromaru".
The large dog stepped up to him, he studied him with one eye, he made small noises but Naruto understood them "you, follow, me" Naruto looked at him and nodded, Kuromaru led him out of the rain to a small place that looked like a storage shed. He opened the door easily, Naruto watched how he did so, so that he would be able to open doors later, then stepped inside. There was a small bed on the floor, Kuromaru motioned to him "you,rest,here" he said once more using the strange animal tounge.
Naruto turned to him "what of Hinata? When will I see her again?" Kuromaru seemed to jump in surprise "what…the! How can-"? Kuromaru stared at him "you are speaking at my level of expertise!, most dogs I know, can say simple words, 'me,I,we,pack,food,attack,dodge,bed,and cat'" he said naming examples. Naruto shrugged "I am not a dog, I,…my father was a wolf, and my mother was a fox" Kuromaru looked him up and down then said "keep that fox part to yourself, if others heard,, they will try and kill you, we detest foxes, even if you half-breed" Naruto flicked an ear "my name is Fluffy" Kuromaru barked in amusment "what name, no, what is name you mother gave, not the human one given." Naruto shrugged "I don't remember" Kuromaru shook his head.
Then looked at im in disdain "you are the strangest canine I ever did see, half wolf, half fox, no true name, and to top it off has intelligence compared to mine, incredible even my own pups didn't get that." Kuromaru paused, "I mean look at Akamaru, he only cares of food, I don't want to mention the others, its to disgraceful" he shook his head Naruto quirked an ear "you still didn't answer my question" Kuromaru shot his head up.
"Right, sorry,lost I get sometimes,human Hinata will be given a bath and food, then a rest, in morning maybe, you can see her" Naruto nodded "thank-you Kuromaru" the dog sniffed at him "you sure you are canine?" Naruto shrugged and went to the pillow "one more thing Kuromaru" Kuromaru looked at him "yes"? "how is it you speak so the humans can understand you?" Kuromaru swelled his chest in pride "it took a lot of work, but find I did, a way to speak to me human" Naruto looked at him "is it teachable?" Kuromaru looked shocked once more.
He stepped closer to him "why? To what end would be of use to speak to human for you?" Naruto stood "because I want to help Hinata! I am all she has now! I need to be able to speak to her, because..." He trailed off then remembered Sasuke, lightning struck outside, the sky shaking as if a god had pounded his fists upon it. Kuromaru jumped at the sound, Naruto spoke to the startled Kuromaru.
"A bigger storm is coming, and this storm is like nothing Konoha has ever seen" Kuromaru just stared at him "tell you I will, show you I can, but you alone can learn, on own way, smart to me you seem, I believe you can figure out" Kuromaru walked to the door then turned back to him "stay here you will and with humans to train you, then storm you will survive through" then Kuromaru walked out and left Naruto alone to hear the sound of rain falling heavily against the roof.
So, if you are one of my readers form chapters 40+ and are re-reading these newly re-done chapters, you will find a lot of things I changed and added to this, Kuromaru now speaks more like the ones you meet in the later chapters. It just seemed logical, I also changed the whole part where Hirashi confronts Hinata. Whereas I don't have Naruto attack him like before.
All in all I think this is more believable and more literal, I also changed the Ichiruka ramen scene, hope you enjoyed. If you are a new reader just kind of ignore everything I have said.
NSW