Life as a Fox

Chapter Eight *2012 Edition*

NSW

The next few days were a haze for Naruto. He could never leave the room, nothing was ever good on T.V, the only good thing to happen to him was when someone came into visit him. Shikamaru came in quite a few times a played shogi with him, it relieved his boredom and so far Naruto was winning with a score of 5-3 games.

But other then those few fleeting games, the only thing he had left was severe hospital boredom. finally when Naruto couldn't handle it no longer he got off of his bed and went to the window. Opening it slowly he stepped out. He kept an eye on the door, even though he knew the hospital rounds weren't for another three hours. Once he would out he stood satisfied breathing in the fresh air. He then limped off to town, trying to find something interesting to do.

He went to the park, there many kids that came up and played with him until they had to leave. Some people where nice and gave him bites of food from there lunches and picnics, Naruto was happy to be out and enjoying the out-doors. He enjoyed his time there but decided to leave. He walked down the street wondering what to do next.

Then a group of girls caught his eye. All of them were dressed in the nurse outfit's. 'Going to work?' he thought to himself. He hobbled over to them "excuse me ladies, but do you need an escort to the hospital?" The women looked around then seen him "whoa! You must be an Inuzaka dog! I heard someone say that some of them can talk!" One of the nurses exclaimed.

Naruto grinned "that I can, now, a bunch of marvelous ladies like you shouldn't be walking about without someone to protect you, trust me." He said walking closer to them. "I am a finely tuned beautiful noble beast, but you can call me Fluffy, and yes you have my permission to bow before me". He said grinning mischievously. A few of the girls were blushing.

The women laughed, now usually Naruto never acted this way, but out of sheer boredom, sometimes a person will do the craziest things. Naruto walked in the middle of the group while they chatted swooned about him proclaiming how amazing and cool he was. Naruto took in all the comments in stride, and said yes to everything and kept telling them how beautiful they were. Soon they were in a hospital room. Him lounging on the bed while all of them fawned over him and fed him tidbits.

One girl was Mika, she had brown eyes and soft blue hair that was medium in length. "So tell us more Fluffy? Tell us about how you defeated the great bear!" all the girls eagerly nodded Naruto smirked. What could he say? He was a natural story teller, he learned how to do such things from Jeriyah. "So there I was... out in the middle of a blistering snow storm, making my way through drifts as tall as me,. . . when all of a sudden a great bear came roaring out of the snow." He said jumping neat one of the others, scaring her.

He continued "it rose, 14ft tall, and swung at me roaring its heart out!" they gasped "is that why you are in here?" asked one. Naruto scoffed "tch, . . . no, I didn't even get a scratch with that over grown fur ball, no I am in here cause I. . . took on an entire platoon of S-rank traitorous villains, . . . I fought them off to the last stand, I was close to death, but I looked it straight in the eye and said, you can't have me yet! I have a team to save! and I broke deaths grasp and here I am talking to you pretty ladies." He said smiling then a voice said "pretty ladies who need to start their shift".

The girls gasped and looked up, it was Tsunade and Sakura. Behind them was Hinata, all of them had a bemused look on there face. Naruto gulped 'I will not live to hear the end of this' then he smiled and spoke. "Sorry ladies but alas, you must help the blind, heal the sick, while I Fluffy must be put back in prison of a room, but I will not forget you my beautiful flowers." Then he hopped down and nodded to them. All of them 'awwwed' and hugged him, or kissed his cheek or head as they scampered out past Sakura and Tsunade.

Naruto stepped out, Sakura and Tsunade looked at him, he looked at the ground. Tsunade rolled her eyes "you're another Jeriyah, you know that?" Naruto looked up grinning, "I can be whoever you want me to be" Tsunade swatted at him playfully, he dashed aside. She then started to speak her eyes soft, "Naruto I know, you have a lot of energy and can't wait to get out a enjoy life, but you have to face it, healing takes longer for you now".

Naruto sighed "your right, but I did come back to the hospital, and made a few friends myself" he said grinning "you do know that they will never look at you as a boyfriend or anything" Sakura said Naruto glowered "yes, yes Sakura I know, I was just having some fun" then he muttered "which apparently is impossible in this hell hole." Tsunade looked at him questionably "what was that?" Naruto shied away "nothing" he said, then went off back to his 'prison'.

A few days later Naruto got his bandages taken off his chest. The wound was healed over quite nicely, a few more days of putting a salve on it and it would be back to normal. Although he would always carry the scars beneath his fur. Life got better for him though, the five nurses he met always came into his room and gave him treats and tidbits. Hanging onto his every word and every story (though sometimes false) with complete adoration.

One day Shikamaru, Neji and Kiba came into see him, they where quite shocked to see him surrounded by girls feeding him and giving his claws a manicure. Shikamaru cleared his throat, "Fluffy, we would come to see how are you doing?" Naruto grinned at them "I am surrounded by my fair maidens and getting hand fed and having my claws taken care of, how are you?"

Shikamaru paused "we have further information on your enemy, regarding his return" Naruto straightened up, then said "alas my darlings you will have to leave me for today, this requires a certain seriousness" then one of the nurses, Mika spoke. "Can you tell us the story of this arch enemy of yours some time?" Naruto was looking off into the distance then he said solemnly. "No, its to sad, a tale of betrayal,. . . loss, and death, not something you would want to hear Mika."

The four other girls and Mika left. Shikamaru closed the door, after Shikamaru told him what was going to be happening Naruto sprang from his bed. His eyes smoldering in anger. "What! A trial?" He exclaimed "They are actually going to ignore all my evidence and have a trial by jury?" Naruto growled and paced the floor on three legs, his tail swishing angrily.

Neji sighed "its true, and its because Tsunade couldn't tell the truth of who really got all the evidence, she can't say you as Fluffy did it, or you as Naruto did it, cause technically you're dead" Naruto sighed, "we're going to need a miracle." He sighed "great! now I need to study up on my Konoha law, guys I have a favor for you to do" Shikamaru stood up "what is it"? Naruto grinned "I need you to come with me, I know place that has a lot of books about Konoha law." Naruto jumped up and opened a window.

Shikamaru looked at him "where are we going"? Naruto grinned "to the fourth Hokage's house, I have broke in there several times, his study has the most awesome things in it." Shikamaru eyes widened "a-are you sure?" Naruto rolled his eyes "come on technically its my house anyway, just not officially, and trust me, I have broken in a hundred times, would I lie?" he said to the three of them. Each looked at each other remembering the stories Naruto had told the girls. Naruto saw their look's "well...to you guys, would I lie?" Shikamaru sighed "fine, but if we get caught we're blaming it on you" Naruto smirked "you have my word", then they traveled off.

Sakura stepped into Naruto's room. She looked up then proceeded to gape as it looked as though a tornado of papers and scrolls, has swept through the room. Papers where everywhere, Shikamaru, Neji and Kiba where reading some papers while Naruto was on his bed studying intently a scroll un-rolled before him.

Naruto then said "ahah! Law K-2345 article three says, that if any known person is believed to be planning, or housing a person that is believed to be planning a rebellion against the Hokage or any governmental figurehead, that said person/persons will be taken and with-held for three days." He took a deep breath. Then continued "then will be given a trial to which the persons can defend themselves."

But then Naruto opened another book "however in this article- added when my father was Hokage- clearly states, that if there is enough concrete evidence and one valid witness, the trial is supposed to be skipped and proper punishments are to be distributed to the persons guilty of the charge."

Naruto growled and sighed "the council members are skipping their own law's they are supposed to be enforcing" Shikamaru rubbed his temples, "you're right but still" He said holding a finger. "A valid witness, I don't think that means a dog" Naruto looked thoughtfully at him "or does it...?" Naruto said then rushed to another pile. He dug through it some more, he then pulled out a small pamphlet "here the definition for witness is any person, or electrical devise, or proven blood trait ability."

Naruto smirked "once again they are not reading the lines in-between the lines as Jeriyah said" Shikamaru looked at him "what does that mean"? Naruto smirked "looking and seeing the truth in-between the lines? It means they are interpreting the definitions their way, so we are going to interpret the definitions are way as well."

Neji nodded "excellent work Naruto" Naruto puffed his chest out slightly, "thanks" then Shikamaru started "but remember guys we have a lot on the line, Tsunade could get impeached for what she has done." Naruto shook his head "why?" Shikamaru calmly said "because she had us do an unauthorized sweep of the council property, the Anbu root training lutuses and warehouses all belong to the Council."

Naruto nodded "because it was the Council who made the Anbu, not the Hokage..." Naruto sighed "right I forgot about that, however, the Hokage can limit the numbers, and have up to at least half of the people she or he wants within the corps, but the Council controls everything else."

Naruto growled "thus letting them slowly brain wash them to hate the Hokage" Shikamaru nodded "exactly" Naruto then said "if only I could be Hokage, I would change so much of this greed and corruption, what would dad say"? He said out loud but to no one in particular.

But to each of them in the room at that moment, they saw...beyond that proud exterior Naruto had put up. The strong willfulness to never give up and how he could laugh and joke even in this new form. But they all saw past that in that moment, he was hurting inside, he was lost and sad, he seemed as though he couldn't take much more. To them, he suddenly looked vulnerable, as if he was about to blow away with the slightest breeze.

Naruto had always assured them he was watching for them and would keep them safe. But they realized that it was their time to watch for him. Keep him safe. Naruto was trying so hard to be a leader and to keep them strong, that he ended up betraying his own feelings. Bewilderment and fear, he had so much to live up to, and he had gotten it all taken away.

A cold pit grew in Saukras stomach, Sasuke had caused all of this. It was his fault Naruto was now reduced to this. She vowed that if Sasuke ever got any where near Naruto, she would take him out herself. It didn't matter what Naruto thought, Naruto needed to be protected even if he didn't want it.

The same was for Shikamaru Kiba and Neji. They too saw Naruto's pain and agony. His loss of a dream that had carried him so far. Now it could possibly never be. 'The inside turmoil he must be feeling has to be extreme' Shikamaru thought to himself. Shikamaru could only imagine, He clenched his fists at sudden anger that over took him. How dare Sasuke do this!

Shikamaru wanted to go and find Sasuke right now, and knock his lights out. But Shikamaru caught himself, he remembered the way Naruto had stayed calm and composed throughout the entire ordeal. How he kept his head straight and never let his emotions get in the way. 'dammit Naruto you really would be a great Hokage, sure I am smart, but I don't have the will you do, or the ability to inspire people, you really are one of a kind I just wish it hadn't been your dying for me to figure it out'.

Naruto sighed not knowing of the resolutions his friends had made or the fact he had let them see his inner feelings. He then started to tidy up a bit, Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji and Sakura said good-bye and left.

Sakura called the boys together in the hall "okay we need a rookie nine meeting, no sensei's, we have to talk about this pronto" Shikamaru and them nodded. Soon everyone was gathered, they chose training ground seven for the meeting. Sakura stood on one of the logs that jutted from the ground, the very same on in fact Naruto was tied to all those years ago. Shikamaru was below her and leaning against the side, everyone waited in silence.

Sakura then spoke "okay we called this meeting to talk, right now I don't think it's the best time to tell our sensei's, I mean Gai and Kakashi are on a mission thankfully, and Kurenei has Asagi to look after." Shikamaru smirked at the mention of his god-child. "We need to figure out a plan now". The circle was silent "Naruto has paid a price no one on this earth has ever had, he has had to witness experiences..no one like him should have witnessed, and are we just going to stand back and let him carry this burden by himself like he plans to?" Ten-ten yelled out "no!" Sakura smirked.

Shikamaru then began "Naruto thinks he has to be the one to protect us, its just the way he is, he always cares for everyone else, even if that means pain onto him, well I think its time we ease some of that pain." Shikamaru spoke looking into each ones eyes, "we are the Rookie nine, we have survived countless attacks on our village, and a fourth great war, sure I must admit if it wasn't for Naruto a lot of us wouldn't be standing here, but, we have gotten smarter and stronger, its time to show him that he can trust us with his life just like we trust him with ours." All of them stood in awe, Shikamaru was good at speeches. All of them cheered "yeah!" agreeing with Shikamaru.

Sakura came in again "no matter what happens in the future, we stick by Naruto and follow his lead, if he comes through a bump in the road we help him over it, we protect him now, not the other way around, cause to me, and I am sure to a lot of you he's already a Hokage in your mind". Shikamaru nodded and so did everyone else. Sakura jumped down "everyone hands together." All of them put their hands together clasping them, Kiba had held onto Hinata's strongly and looked into her eyes. It was then she knew, that this man who stood beside her, was a person she could see spending the rest of her life with. Sakura snapped Hinata from her thoughts, "We are the rookie nine and we stick with each other no matter what." All of them nodded and looked to each other "for Naruto" Hinata said quietly, "for Naruto" the others answered.

The past few days was very tedious and slightly boring for Shikamaru, Neji , Hinata and Sakura. But to Naruto, he was completely enthralled, he threw himself into the papers and scrolls. Indulging in the words like a fly indulges himself in maple syrup. Sometimes he rushef across the room and grabbed a scroll or paper, or file ignoring the mini earthquake of scrolls and flying papers he would cause.

Sometimes he would forget the others where in the room. Sometimes he would grab what they where reading and start studying it muttering it to himself. All the while his tail was never be at a rest. He wrote down notes while reading, switching from one paper to the next, the others would stop around sunset but Naruto would go until midnight or until Sakura made him sleep.

Naruto's leg was getting stronger and he could put weight on it, but he still had a limp and any sudden sharp jerk made his ribs ache, but Naruto continued his routine until he almost read and memorized every text within that room. Tsunade stopped by often, they sometimes spoke in law terms to each other discussing the best course of action.

She would sometimes bring news of Sasuke "next week Thursday" she finally said one day "what"? Naruto asked "the trial its next week Thursday, we should start compiling our resources and decide the course of action in the court room" Naruto nodded "your lawyer?" he asked "Yamato" she said. Naruto nodded "good, and for them. . .?" Tsunade smirked slightly "Danzo is going to represent him and Sasuke" Naruto smirked both of them knew representing yourself is basically saying 'I am guilty and an idiot'.

But no matter the circumstance they had to be prepared, Tsunade's job was on the line, and possibly the free will of Konoha as well. Soon Yamato joined their study sessions. Endlessly and tirelessly they worked and worked, but soon one day Naruto finally said "we're ready," and it was a good thing, because the next day was the trial.

Okay this chapter and the next are slightly boring, the next one is about the trial, and please exuse me if i make a judicial error's I am just going off by what i know from judge judy, CSI and the internets.

Also I hope you enjoyed the re-done version, there was some parts while I was reading I was like...'what the f*** was I doing?...was I on crack?'

Any ways

Ta ta for now

NSW