Author Note: Hello, everyone, welcome back! This is the second chapter of Kitsune Sanctuary. I hope you all enjoy the work and effort I put into these chapters. I'd also like to personally thank everyone who has reviewed my story so far.
I look forward to hearing more from you all.
This chapter was initially released on April 4th, 2018, I believe. Since then, my writing skills and format have evolved considerably since. This is the second chapter that I have entirely rewritten from the ground up. I have changed certain aspects and even added some new scenes. Yes, that also includes a special omake at the bottom. Though, I apologize in advance how stupidly silly it is. I just couldn't help myself. Anyways, I would recommend everyone rereads my newly reworked chapters to keep a feel with the story. Thank you!
Please enjoy the chapter, everyone!
Disclosure: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. I do own my original characters, though!
Kitsune Sanctuary
Chapter Two
Konohagakure no Sato (?)
An eerie orange-tinted sky greeted Naruto as he opened his sapphire eyes. His head rolled over to his side, spotting an empty, familiar alleyway. He recognized the area from the few times the crazed villagers would chase him around. Tall oaken fences lined the alley, leaving the area bland. He climbed to his feet and gave a depressed sigh. I guess it was just a dream, after all… he thought tiredly. Slowly, he started wandering the village like he usually did to pass the time.
A slow hour passed as Naruto wandered around. Something felt off about his home village. For starters, everything is shaded in the same eerie orange that illuminated the sky. Secondly, he has yet to see or hear anyone or anything. No shinobi are jumping from the rooftops above, or villagers chatting amongst each other. It's quiet and abandoned.
When he reached one of the more busier shopping districts of Konoha, he expected it to be filled with cold, uncaring villagers going about their business. Yet to his surprise, it's deserted much like every other area he explored up to this point. He took his time stepping into each individual store, but they are all cold and empty. There is no merchandise lining the shelves. It's as if everyone decided to get up and move at the same time.
Where is everyone? Naruto thought, scratching the back of his head. He continued to explore, and to his surprise, he finally found someone. A young girl that appeared a couple of years older than himself with bright red hair. She turned a corner just as he opened his mouth to call out to her. Nothing escaped his mouth, as if something blocked his vocal cords. He shook his head before charing after her. When he turned the same corner, he came across another abandoned street.
Eventually, the blond gave up finding anyone. Naruto decided to head back to his home, the park where he slept to think. It's there that he managed to find people. The same red-haired girl he only spotted briefly and an unusually familiar spikey blond-haired boy. They are both sitting on the swingset, talking amongst each other, but he couldn't hear them.
Stepping closer, he got a better view of them. He has seen plenty of kids from his perch in the tree, but he couldn't recall ever seeing them before. The girl has porcelain skin and a round face, much like his own. Her bright red hair reached just passed her shoulders, naturally framing her face. She has beautiful, vibrant violet eyes that whirled with a mixture of emotions. She wore a cute short-sleeved kimono style yellow blouse with a black embroidered border. It's held together with a sharp black obi. She also wore a dark short skirt with black stockings and simple brown sandals. Naruto for the first time, felt himself blushing. Wow, she's pretty, he thought before examining the other kid.
The older blond-haired boy sort of threw Naruto for a loop. It felt like staring into a mirror, but things were just different enough. His face is more angular than his own, not to mention missing his unique whisker birthmarks. His hair isn't quite as spikey as his own, but his bangs reached his jaw. However, his eyes are the same shade of his own but seemed more lively if not older. He wore a white hoody with green trimmings, dark-colored leggings with simple sandals. I wonder who they are, he thought idly.
Naruto finally brought up the courage to approach them and started walking toward them with a confident but friendly demeanor. He attempted to say hello, but voice refused to work. Just as he got close enough to reach out, they both turned their heads and met his eyes. Their eyes narrowed in confusion before lighting up. Naruto couldn't place it, but their eyes aren't filled with the usual hatred or disgust. They both smiled and dismounted the swings to greet him. However, fate has other plans.
The ground underneath Naruto crumbled away, shattering like glass. He felt his body become weightless as he slipped backward. He fell slowly, unnaturally slow into the abyss that welcomed him with open arms. The darkness seemed to crawl at him, pulling him into a cold embrace. The eerie orange-tinted sky mocked him as the darkness swallowed him whole. His last moments, he spotted the girl and boy watching him with a shocked and worried expression. Just as he slipped into unconsciousness, he heard both call out, "Naruto!"
Masumi Clan Compound: Naruto's Room
Naruto shot up quickly, panting heavily from his vivid dream. He could still feel the dirt of his feet, the stale air against his face, and the uncomfortable feeling the entire area gave him. He could remember those two older kids looking at him with worry. The same question crossed his mind from earlier. I wonder who they are.
He fell backward onto the soft pillow he slept on and groaned in confusion and irritation. He rubbed his eyes tiredly before pinching the bridge of his nose. Naruto blinked away the sleepiness and stared up at the bland ceiling. He kicked his feet over the edge of the bed, allowing his feet to dangle in the air. His eyes examined the room since last night he wasn't in the right mindset to do so.
The room is dull and mostly empty. The design of the room followed the same pattern as the rest of the compound. The full-size bed is crafted with a walnut-colored wood. Four soft white fluffy pillows rested at the head, his head's impression still imprinted. Much to Naruto's expectation, the sheets for the bed are a deep red color.
Naruto climbed out of his bed, standing up on the smooth, cold wooden flooring. He curiously made his way to the decently sized dresser to see what is held within. Sliding one of the drawers open, surprisingly, there are a few sets of clean clothes neatly folded. A small white card stood on top of it with elegant writing printed onto it. He quickly read it, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
For Naruto
-Kenichi Masumi, Head of the Masumi Clan
He put the note down on top of the dresser. He bit the inside of his cheek as he glossed over each set of clothes. Each pair has one thing in common. All the shirts are red. He pulled out one pair and shut the drawer and laid it out on the bed. It's a simple red short-sleeved shirt and beige shorts.
Naruto looked over at another door attached to his room. Walking over, he opened it to reveal a small restroom. The floor is a sleek marble that contrasted the blood-red walls. There's a simple white toilet, a matching countertop with a sink that is a tad too high for him to reach with a large mirror. Separated by a thin wall and curtains is a bathtub.
Deciding to clean himself up, she shed his dirty clothes and turned on the water. Much to his surprise and pleasure, the water is warm and comforting. He stepped into the running water and began scrubbing at the grime that covered his body. A small bottle of clear scentless soap grabbed his attention. He never got any soap before, just cold water. He hesitantly took it and used it to clean himself like never before. His body felt lighter like he dropped some weight.
Shutting off the water, he stepped out of the tub and over to the counter. Spying his first problem, he glanced around, hoping to find a particular piece of furniture. Thankfully, he spotted it, a walnut-colored stepping stool. Pulling it from under the sink, he stepped up and wiped the fog from the mirror.
He gazed at his appearance with curiosity, and his blue eyes stared back. His spikey golden-blond hair is cleaner than he could ever remember. His three whisker adorned cheeks are still there. Nothing has changed. I'm still me, he thought, tilting his head to the side.
He looked over at the contents that sat on the countertop. A single wooden toothbrush, a small container of toothpaste, and the same note he found on his clothing. Shrugging his shoulders, he brushed his teeth until they sparkled in the mirror. Two minutes later, he spat out the toothpaste and gave a dejected sigh when his teeth refused to sparkle. Though his mouth is pleasantly minty and refreshing. Stepping off the stool, he quickly dried himself with a fluffy white towel. After relieving himself, he stepped back into the cold air of his bedroom.
Back in his room, he slipped on his new clothes. Naruto didn't know how he felt about the red shirt. It didn't seem to be the right color for him. However, it is comfortable. He could honestly say that he's in heaven. He felt so refreshed, clean, and peaceful. His grin brightened, and his morning energy spiked.
Stepping out of his bedroom, he began making his way toward the dining room. He couldn't remember ever being shown Akane's bedroom, so finding her could be a challenge. He hoped that she would be eating breakfast, or at least stumble upon her. He wondered if Akane would want to play hide-and-seek or not. He imagined himself standing victoriously as he won the game easily. Everyone bowed down before him, praising him for being a master of stealth. His eyes sparkled in a dreamy state as he lost himself in his fantasy.
"Hey, kid," a male voice called out, waving a hand in front of Naruto's face. "I don't mean to interrupt whatever it is going through your head, but you're drooling," he commented with an amused smile.
Naruto blinked before his face dusted a bright red with embarrassment. Wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth, he looked up at the familiar man. The man is as tall as Kenichi with jet-black hair and silver highlights. His dark silver slitted eyes held confidence. He wore a black kimono that matched his hair. A unique pattern showing nine swirling tails is embroidered into the cloth. His five black and silver tails followed behind him lazily.
"Oh, um, sorry," Naruto chuckled awkwardly while rubbings the back of his head sheepishly.
"No problem, kid. I just didn't want your face planting into a wall."
"Thanks," he replied with a grin before shooting his hand outward. "I'm Naruto, nice to meetcha," he said, introducing himself.
"I'm fully aware of who you are, kid. My name is Riku Masumi," the man known as Riku said.
It suddenly clicked in Naruto's head on where he knew this man from. "You're the one who made dinner last night!" he exclaimed, pointing his finger outward. "It was perfect," he stated, his mouth-watering remembering his meal.
"That I am. Glad you enjoyed it so much. It's hard not to though, all my food is incredible after all," Riku stated confidently, puffing out his chest while mentally patting himself on the back. "Oh yeah, before I forget, your breakfast is in the dining room. Akane and a few other kids are waiting on you. So, you better get a move on," he said thoughtfully.
"Gotcha!" Naruto exclaimed, rushing off toward the dining room.
Riku watched the kids run away and felt his lips tug upward. From what he had been told of the kid's life, it's comforting to know he can still smile. He could see lingering emotions in the kid's eyes, however. He figured the kid is scared that they would just toss him aside. Shaking his head, he walked over to his room and opened it. "Foxy, your favorite most incredible husband, is back!" he said in a sing-song voice.
He received a thumb on the back of his head from his wife. "When did you become so narcissistic?" the woman asked with a raised eyebrow while closing their bedroom door. He's lucky I love him so much, the wife thought.
Masumi Clan Compound: Dining Room
Akane is sitting anxiously in her chair, slowly eating her breakfast while waiting for Naruto to arrive. If he doesn't wake up soon, I'll have to go get him," she thought, twirling her chopsticks in her hand. Her eyes drifted from her food to the door, and she let out a sigh.
"What wrong, Akane-chan? You keep sighing and watching the door," Aki said, her eyes suddenly glimmering. "Oh, are you waiting for our new blond fishcake?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. In return, Aki received a light bop on the head. "Ow…" she mumbled, rubbing her head.
The door to the dining room slid open, revealing Naruto in his new attire. Akane and Aki both gave him an approving look at the red. Naruto made eye contact with Akane and smiled foxily at her. "Morning Akane-chan, Aki, and…" Naruto started to say before trailing off, not recognizing the boy sitting beside Aki.
The boy in question looked up from his meal and blinked slowly. "How bothersome, it's Danno," he said halfheartedly. He looked slightly taller than Akane and Aki, but with him slouched over, he couldn't clearly tell. Unlike the girls, Danno has short jet-black hair with crimson streaks running through it. His greenish-silver slitted eyes have a lazy aura. Much like the girls, he wore a red long-sleeved shirt with black baggy leggings. His one jet-black tail rested comfortably in his lap.
"That's cool," Naruto replied cheerfully.
"Good morning, Naru-Kun!" Akane greeted.
"Good morning, fishcake!" Aki stated cheekily at the same time, causing Naruto's eye to twitch slightly.
Naruto grumbled as he worked his way over to the table, sitting down beside Akane like last night. The meal laid out before Naruto is a simple traditional Japanese breakfast. Grilled fish with miso soup, steamed vegetables, and a small green salad with a side of juice. The smell is angelic.
Looking at his food tactically, he started forming a game plan. He would eat the grilled fish and miso soup at the same time, maximizing the flavor. Afterward, he'd proceed to devour his steamed vegetables, ending on his salad. The plan is worthy of Naruto's genius. It did not take long for his plan to come into effect, as he consumed everything with a passion. The witnesses stared in mute horror as everything vanished before the blond blackhole. To them, it's as if watching a solider step into a battlefield and decimating the opposing forces. Truly the grilled fish never stood a chance.
Naruto leaned back, releasing a small burp before rubbing his stomach happily. Another five-star meal, he thought dreamily. He felt eyes watching him, so he turned his head to meet his admirers. Akane, Aki, and Danno stared at him in disbelief. "W-what?" he stuttered, unsure of what he did.
"You just ate faster than we expected," Akane said warily.
"It smelt so good, I couldn't help myself!" Naruto defended.
"The food tastes a lot better when you can taste it, fishcake," Aki said matter-of-factly.
"Anyways, Naru-Kun, want to spend the day with us?" Akane asked, hopefully. Though she has a feeling, he would even if she didn't ask.
"Sure!" Naruto chirped immediately, not even having to think about it.
"Oh, goodie," Akane said, clapping her hands together once. "We're planning on walking the sanctuary, then meeting up with a few of our other friends," she said with a smile. "I know they'll love to meet you," she added as an afterthought.
Naruto talked with the three of them while they finished their own breakfast. He discovered that Aki and Danno are kenjutsu partners, though he still didn't fully understand what that meant. He also learned that they both enjoy sparring with Akane since she's labeled as a kenjutsu prodigy. They asked him if Naruto has any interest in learning the art himself. Of course, he answered yes since they all enjoyed it. His answer seemed to excite his emerald-eyed friend.
After breakfast, the group made their way out of the dining area. At the front door, they all slid on their sandals. Though Akane had to run and grab a spare pair for Naruto. Danno pushed the front door open and stepped out, followed by the other three kids. They walked toward the entrance to the compound, Aki beside Danno and Naruto beside Akane. However, they got stopped by Kenichi.
"Good morning, kids," Kenichi greeted.
"Morning tou-san," Akane said warmly, wrapping him in a hug.
"Morning, Kenichi!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Morning, sir," Aki and Danno said together in different tones.
"Where are you four off to?" Kenichi asked, studying them. They looked like they are leaving the compound, which meant that Naruto is going with them. It would be his first time exploring the sanctuary. The citizens would stare since it's not every day you see a new face. The boy's blond hair stood out.
"We're going to show Naruto around than go meet up with the others at the park," Akane answered.
The man hummed. "Alright, you four have fun. Please be careful and keep an eye on Naruto. We don't want him getting lost, do we?" he said, looking closely at Akane. When they nodded, he walked away toward his office.
"Okay, let's get going!" Akane said, grabbing Naruto's hand and tugging him along.
Kitsune Sanctuary
Naruto sat on the ground, panting tiredly. Akane, Aki, and Danno stood around him, each smirking in their own way. Once they exited the compound, Naruto came to face one of the greatest enemies of the Masumi clan. An enemy who defeats all at least once. It's the dreaded stairs that led to the town.
The stairs aren't a straight shot down, it weaved through the forest and terrain. It's a twenty-minute walk if you're not running it, but if you've experienced the stairs once, then running them gets more manageable. When they explained this to Naruto, that they would walk the path to make sure Naruto didn't exhaust himself. He said he would be fine and run with them.
After debating it with a very stubborn Naruto, they finally relented and started running the path. At the halfway point, Naruto started to regret his choice. They forgot to inform him that it didn't just go down, it went up as well! Though, while he tried to keep up with his new friends, he did attempt to take in the sights. The forest around him is beautiful and felt magical. He did have to wonder, Why did they build their home on top of a mountain? Do they not like guests or something?
Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs, where they promptly chucked at Naruto when he collapsed. Naruto shot them all a playful glare and started pouting. He is of the personal opinion that they should have explained that it isn't just downhill. He would have seriously considered walking it. Deep down, though, he knew he wouldn't have relented either way.
"I have to admit fishcake, most can't run the entire trail their first time. Call me impressed, you got lots of stamina!" Aki complimented, a teasing grin on her face. An idea struck her. It would be fun, yet devious to introduce him to the Miwa clan. They would love to have a new toy to play with. She suddenly started cackling evilly, making Akane and Danno take a significant step away from her.
Danno nodded in agreement but looked slightly worried about his new friend. Aki's cackles always meant a prank would be happening soon. He lowered his head and prayed gently for Naruto's safety.
Akane eyed Aki suspiciously for the same reason Danno is currently praying. Shrugging, she turned back toward Naruto, who stood up and muttered something about maelstroms. Coughing into her hand to grab everyone's attention, she asked Naruto, "So, any place you want to see?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulder. "I kind of want to see the park," he said honestly. He always felt at home in a park.
"We'll be going there later, so I guess we can just show you around," Akane said with a short nod.
Naruto smiled. The group took off along the cobblestone path into the town. He only got a sneak peek of the sanctuary when he first arrived via the tree portal. His first visit to the village is incredible.
The place is so different compared to what Naruto is used to seeing in Konoha. Unlike Konoha, the village pathways are all stone instead of dirt. This made the town look cleaner and more refined. One thing he noted is that nature seemed to have a firm grasp on everything. Vibrant green vines with small pink flowers latched onto the buildings. Trees, grass, and flowers filled every spot that didn't house a structure.
The buildings all seemed to follow a uniform color design: white walls with red lining. The shops have large glass windows displaying their merchandise. There are what appeared to be townhomes plopped down occasionally. Cutting through the sanctuary is a crystal-clear river. As Naruto crossed over a stone bridge, he noticed all the beautiful, variously colored koi fish swimming in the water.
The people wandering around are another note of interest. Naruto noticed that while some stared at him, they are all friendlier compared to the villagers back in Konoha. He noted that they all, for the most part, wore kimonos. It felt like he walked amongst royalty, which made him slightly wary and uncomfortable. Another thing he noticed is that almost everyone has one or two tails. Even adults. He assumed that as you got older, you got more tails.
"Akane-chan, why does everyone have a different number of tails?" Naruto asked suddenly, voicing his own thoughts.
Akane glanced over at her blond friend with a raised eyebrow. I didn't think he'd notice, she thought before thinking over her answer. "It's a bit complicated, and I've only started learning this myself. You see, there are nine primary clans in the sanctuary that are blessed by Kurama-Jiji. They are his sons and daughters. If you are born from one of those clans, you are gifted with more of his traits. Everyone else that isn't is just normal foxes that stumbled there way here. Natural energy turned them into what you see now," she lectured concisely.
Naruto pondered the new information. "So, clans get more power because of Kurama while the others are just normal foxes?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Heavily simplified, but yes," Akane said, nodding her head.
"Don't underestimate them, though! The kitsune around here still got their own traits! Some train up their bodies to reach their second tail, some even manage their third!" Aki stated fiercely, passionately.
"I don't think he was underestimating them, Aki…" Danno said, trailing off.
Their conversation carried on for a while as they walked the town. Naruto would make a comment or ask a question here and there. Akane and Aki showed Naruto some of their favorite stores. Naruto got his first experience with clothing stores, and Danno gave him a look of understanding. The girls did gush over a few elegant red kimonos.
As the sun reached its halfway point, Naruto and Aki's stomach roared out a mighty rumble. Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly while Aki simply grinned. Akane and Danno both laughed at them before their stomachs growled as well.
"I guess we should get some lunch. What should we do?" Akane thought out loud.
"Barbeque!" Aki exclaimed, jumping up and down.
"Sushi?" Danno suggested.
All three looked over to Naruto for his input but saw his eyes glazed over. They gave him a questioning look before following his line of sight over to a small food bar. Their eyes landed on the only ramen bar in the sanctuary. It isn't the most popular dish, but people enjoyed a little variety in their life.
"What is that?" Naruto asked dreamily. The smell is intoxicating. It's as every cell in his body craved whatever it smelled.
"That would be Saku's Ramen Bar," Akane said, giggling at Naruto's dreamy face.
"I want ramen!" Naruto said, his eyes glowing with determination. No one would dare deny him this. The other would have to accept their defeat and go with his suggestion.
Akane looked at the other, who just shrugged. It looked like they would be having ramen for lunch today. Though Aki looked amused for some reason. They approached the bar and took a seat. Naruto on Akane's left, and Aki on her right. Danno sat beside Aki and the wall. They have eaten here before, and they didn't think it was anything special. Still, it was good food.
A woman walked over to the counter and pulled out a small white pad and pencil to take their orders. She has long, caramel-brown hair that framed her heart-shaped face. She has pure bright brown slitted eyes. She wore a forest-green long-sleeved shirt with a white apron overtop it.
"Hello, what can I get you four today?" the woman asked with a pencil at the ready.
"I'll take beef ramen, extra beef, please," Aki answered.
"Shrimp ramen for me," Danno followed after.
"Chicken for me, extra veggies, Saku-san," Akane replied.
The woman wrote down their orders and looked over at the final customer. His eyes danced across the menu multiple times before he nodded to himself. He placed down the list and looked at her with utmost seriousness. She quirked a smile.
Naruto was at a loss. He didn't know what to order. He considered ordering the chicken ramen, but something told him that it isn't the right one for him. Perhaps he should go for the beef ramen, but once more, his gut told him no. He didn't desire shrimp at the moment, so he quickly waved that one-off. At that moment, one flavored called out to him like a siren's song. He put down the menu and looked up at the lady. "I'll take a bowl of miso ramen, extra pork," he stated with the sternest voice his four-year-old body could muster.
She scribbled down his order. "Alright, food will be out shortly," she said, heading toward her cooking station.
Soon enough, a steaming bowl of salty goodness sat in front of them. The group of four broke apart their chop-sticks and said their thanks for digging into their meal. Unknowingly to Akane, Aki, and Danno, they had just released a monster.
The aura around Naruto turned to absolute happiness, his eyes transformed to shining stars. The area around him seemed brighter, and rays of light from the heavens cast their gaze down upon him. The three kits stared at Naruto with a raised eyebrow before recognizing his face from breakfast. A brief flash of horror dawned on their face. The ramen never stood a chance. The most terrifying thing is only how much more intense it was.
It was over in a minute. The bowl that once contained Naruto's ramen now empty, devoid of its salty goodness. It looked as if there had never been food in it. They sighed in relief. At least it's over, the thought, but to their horror, they heard Naruto say, "Another bowl, please!"
Nine bowls later, the three stared at the blond-haired boy with fear and growing fascination. Naruto scarfed down each bowl, slurping the noodles down as fast as the last. One thought coursed through their minds, Where does it all go? They could see him about to ask for an eleventh bowl, but Akane stepped in quickly. She literally could not afford to let this continue.
"N-Naruto, I think you've had enough," Akane stuttered fearfully, scared for her money.
Naruto wanted to object but reluctantly gave in with a small nod of acceptance. He rubbed his stomach contently, releasing a pleased moan. I could still eat more, he thought. He decided right then and there that no meal would ever compare to this. This is an authentic five-star meal.
Akane, Aki, and Danno paid a happy ramen chef who eagerly told them to come again. She especially wanted Naruto to come back, who she eyed like a slab of prime meat. Akane clutched her money purse sadly and sighed in defeat. Aki and Danno looked at her with pity while Naruto only looked confused.
Soon enough, they continued their tour of the village, showing Naruto a few other shops. They refused to show him any more restaurants out of fear for Naruto's questionable appetite. This went on for the next two hours before they finally started heading over to the park.
Kitsune Sanctuary: Sen Park
The park isn't precisely what Naruto pictured in his head. He expected a swing-set, monkey bars, things to climb on. This is a little over the top, even for him. Sure, there are rope swings tied onto tree branches. However, there is a giant obstacle course that weaved through the massive trees, going through the leafy canopy far above. The creek in the center sparkled with the rays of light piercing the leaves. Much like the river, it is also filled with colorful koi fish.
Children are running through the park playing with one another. Some running the obstacle course with their friends, laughing and having fun. Kids in both fox and humanoid forms are curled up sleeping under the rays of light and shade. Others are merely swimming in the creek, splashing each other. A small smile crept onto Naruto's face. This place looks like fun, he thought excitedly.
"Akane!" a loud voice called from Naruto's side.
Naruto's head swiveled to the side to see a girl who looked a few years older than himself speeding toward them. The girl's light auburn hair is held up in a loose ponytail. He couldn't help but stare at the girl's tight burnt-orange shirt. The color just felt right, as if the color called out too him. The short black elastic shorts matched well with the orange, Naruto noted. In the back of his mind, he decided he would steal this girl's color scheme. He met the girl's eyes, they are a deep ocean-blue color that gleamed with unparalleled energy and untold excitement. Her two energetic auburn tails swished behind her.
"And it begins," Akane muttered to herself, only barely heard by the blond boy. She suddenly smiled, her eyes shining brightly. "Hello, Natsuko," she waved at her energetic friend.
"What took you so long to get here? Isamu has been driving me insane. I mean, he usually does, but it's been even more insane," Natsuko rambled loudly while trying to express her displeasure.
"I was showing my new friend, Naruto, around town today," Akane replied, gesturing toward Naruto, who watched the interaction curiously.
The girl looked over at the blond, then back at Akane, then again at Naruto. She got into a thinking pose, her finger tapping her chin while humming and muttering things to herself. A glimmer of light shined in her eyes before she dramatically pointed at Naruto. "Who are you?" she asked, causing the group to stumble. An impressive feat since they are standing still.
"She just told you! I'm Naruto!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Oh," Natsuko replied simply. She got back into a thinking pose and stared at him critically. "Yup, you'll do," she hummed lightly.
"What'll do?" Naruto inquired, eyeing the new girl warily.
She waved his question off without a care in the world. "Hello, my name is Natsuko Miwa, but you already knew that. Well, except you didn't know the Miwa part. You do now, though!" she rambled quickly, almost making Naruto dizzy.
Naruto blinked slowly at the exuberant girl before looking over to his friend for help. Akane just sighed and shrugged her shoulders, but the evil chucking coming from Aki sent shivers down his spine. Shuddering, he looked back at the girl who is now standing very close to him. He took a step back, but she just made an eager step forward. This continued another three steps before a hand stopped her.
"Suko, stop it," an older boy said, appearing out of nowhere beside them. He has short spikey dark-orange hair that sort of resembled Naruto's style. His violet slitted eyes are sharp, matching his angular face. He wore an open black jacket that exposed his developing chest. He also wore light grey shorts and the same white shoes as Natsuko. His two dark-orange tails moved sharply behind him.
"You're always ruining my fun, Isamu," Natsuko pouted.
"Of course, it only makes sense for your better to keep you in line, Suko," Isamu said, laughing at the girls suddenly darkening eyes.
"You? My better?" Natsuko scoffed. "I seem to recall me winning our last three contests," she replied in a superior tone, her hand resting on her hip.
Isamu just shrugged off her comment. "A fluke happens every now and then," he said simply, nodding his head sagely.
Natsuko grinned. "Indeed, it does. That would explain your wins," she countered, nodding her head even more sagely.
"What'd you say?" he shouted.
"You heard me, or are your ears failing?" she retorted just as loudly.
While they continued to bicker, Naruto looked back over to his traveling group. Akane seemed to be getting annoyed while Danno looked tired. Aki, on the other hand, looks pleased with the current situation, as if a plan is coming together. Naruto finally relented after another minute of their arguing and asked, "Why are they fighting?"
"Their clans are rivals with each other. Both have far too much energy for their own good. Don't worry, though, it's all in good spirit," she answered. A few more minutes of constant shouting, and a spontaneous game of rock-paper-scissors later, she finally had enough. She bopped both on the head, planting their face roughly into the dirt. "That's enough, Natusko, Isamu!" she shouted.
"Sorry," they both mumbled in unison.
Isamu quickly jumped to his feet and decided to introduce himself to the new kid. "Hey kid, names Isamu Takeo," he walked over and slid his arm around his shoulder. "You can thank me anytime for saving you from her," he chortled.
"Uh, okay?" Naruto replied, unsure what to do. The conversation went to a halt with Isamu staring at him expectantly, confusing Naruto. Suddenly, it clicked in the blond's head that he wanted to be thanked. "Um, thank you?" he replied, tilting his head slightly.
Isamu nodded his head with gratification. "So, how old are you? You're a bit short," he inquired curiously.
Naruto felt his eyebrow twitch at the short comment. "Four, I turn five this year," he answered, a tad uncomfortable with the older boy's arm around his shoulder.
"Ah, cool, squirt," Isamu commented. "I'm seven, and that sore loser – "You haven't won four times in a row now!" Natsuko retaliated. – over there is seven as well," the orange-haired kid stated, gesturing toward his friend.
"I'm the oldest, though!" Natsuko chirped.
"It isn't a contest, Suko!" he retorted.
"Well, duh! A contest implies you have a chance at winning. I'm decimating you in it," she replied smugly.
He would have replied if he didn't suddenly fear for his life. It seemed they both forgot that they already have the ire of Akane. A dark shadow loomed over her face, which made Natsuko and Isamu cling to each other. "What did I say about fighting constantly?" she asked menacingly.
"Not to," they both whimpered.
"Are you going to stop?" She asked, leaning over them like an angry god.
"Yes!" They both cried.
"Goodie," Akane chirped, steepling her fingers together. Her entire demeanor shifting to a passive angel. The shift could cause whiplash.
The energetic scene caught the attention of a few surround kits, which gathered into a group beside Danno and Aki. Some of them chuckled at the familiar banter, others amused by the infamous Masumi rage in action. A few watched lazily or stayed silent with a small smile.
"Hey, guys," Danno said to the gathered group. He noticed his friends starting to gather around them but waited for his two eccentric friends to stop. Their limitless energy made him want to sleep.
"What took you all so long to get here?" one of the boys asked.
"Showing the new guy around," Danno replied with a shrug.
"Oh, Naruto! Let me introduce you to some of my friends!" Akane exclaimed excitedly, pulling him over with her, away from Natsuko and Isamu. They both sighed in relief. "Everyone, this is Naruto. He's staying with Aki, Danno, and I," she said, pulling said blond close to her side.
"Um, hi," Naruto said awkwardly, not used to meeting so many new people.
"Hello Naruto, it's nice to meet you. I'm Keigo Hiro," a boy that is slightly taller than Akane said kindly. He has short dirty-brown hair that reminded him of fresh soil and soft golden slitted eyes. He wore a loose forest-green kimono with a dark green sash tied around his waist. Unlike his two new acquaintances, Keigo is barefoot. His two tails rested gently against the grass.
"I'm Hana Yuzuki," a girl around Naruto's age bowed. She has beautiful snow-white hair that covered her left eye, only showing her right crimson slitted eye. She wore an elegant silver kimono with a black obi and is also barefoot. Her one fluffy snow-white tail is wrapped comfortably around her.
"Gin Nao," a boy standing beside Hana yawned, waving lazily. He has short grey hair with a thin streak of black running through it. His brown slitted eyes are half-closed, looking tired. He wore a black long-sleeve shirt, baggy grey pants, and brown sandals. His two grey tails rested on the grass lazily. "And that's," he pointed at a girl, "Shizuka Mana. She doesn't talk often," he said with a shrug.
Shizuka bowed her head politely. She has long wavy red hair that framed her round face that gave him a sense of déjà vu. Cold, calculating violet eyes peered through her bangs. She wore a plain black kimono shirt with a somewhat loose grey sash tied around her waist. She also wore skin-tight jet-black pants that matched her simple black sandals. Her single red tail waved quietly behind her.
"It's nice to meet you all," Naruto replied with a friendly smile. Though, he eyed Shizuka a tad longer than the rest. He couldn't place it, but she looked strangely familiar to him. It's right on the tip of his tongue, but shook it off when it couldn't come.
Aki eagerly stepped forward, chucking with a mischievous glint in her eye that the group easily recognized. They silently prayed for whoever the victim would be. "Oh, Natsuko, Isamu," she said in a sing-song tone. "I believe our blond fishcake here may be better than both of you. He managed to run down the Masumi stairs on his first try," she stated with awe, conveniently not mentioning how exhausted he was afterward. "He's got more stamina than you, Natsuko," she said, mockingly patting her shoulder.
The collective group of kits winced. Natsuko and Isamu's eyes widened before narrowing at Naruto. "Oh, so this squirt thinks he's better than both of us?" Isamu said, cracking his knuckles.
"I believe he does," she replied, cracking her neck.
"We challenge you to a race!" they both demanded in unison.
"I, uh, what?" Naruto spat out a jumbled sentence.
"We'll do ten laps around the park. No pushing or shoving, got it? Whoever comes in last, loses," Isamu laid out the ground rules. Naruto didn't really know what is happening but decided to go along with it. The three lined up together, two confident and the other wary but excited to play. "On the count of three! One… Two… Three!" Isamu shouted, the three rushing off.
"Aki," Akane growled.
"Yes?" Aki asked, the perfect picture of innocence as she unsubtly hid behind Danno.
"Why did you do that?" Akane asked slowly.
"Do what?" Aki replied, cutely tilting her head.
"You know what! Why did you do that to Naruto?" Akane ground out.
"Oh, that," Aki commented before grinning. "I thought it would be funny. I was right, it was!" she chirped, giggling madly at her prank. Her smirk quickly fell when Danno pushed her toward the looming monster. "Traitor!" she cried out as her face got buried in the dirt. "Ow…" she groaned out, rubbing her head.
The group watched the trio run, and soon five laps went by. The group noticed that are started to fall slightly further behind Natusko and Isamu. Though they couldn't help but be impressed. Not many can keep up with the rivaling duo. They knew he wouldn't win, however. The previous lap, he already looked a bit tired.
Five more laps later, Natsuko crossed the finish line only a second before Isamu. She looked expectantly smug about her win. A minute and a half later, Naruto passed the finish line and promptly collapsed onto his knees. He's sweating and breathing heavily from one of the most intense races he's ever participated in. Which, to be fair, is none. He fell backward onto the grass and rested. The cold forest floor and light breeze soothed his heated body.
"Well, I've got to say squirt, you're not bad," Isamu complimented.
"Yeah, not bad, Naruto-Kun," Natsuko agreed. Both standing beside the exhausted blond, letting him catch his breath. They both enjoyed themselves and having someone else join them for once.
The group of kitsune went and sat around Naruto and spent time together. Natsuko and Isamu spoke of their family competitions coming up before they began bickering with one another. They both eventually ran off toward the obstacle course shouting at each other. Hana, Aki, and Akane talked about clothing, training, and some future family events while Naruto's head rested on Akane's lap. Danno and Keigo wandered off into the forest together, talking about kenjutsu and nature. Gin and Shizuka remained silent, observing.
A few hours passed, and the sky turned a pretty orange as the sun began to hide behind the horizon. The park slowly emptied as people went home for dinner, which soon included Naruto's new group of friends. As their last friend left, Akane, Aki, Danno, and Naruto gathered and left the park together.
Soon they arrived at the accursed stairs that Naruto didn't desire to climb. He grimaced when Aki and Danno bolted up the stairs, vanishing along the path. Naruto decided to walk the path alongside Akane. He had run enough for today and decided to just relax.
They walked in relative silence. The forest around the two children continued to darken, both listening to the leaves rustle in the chill breeze. They both enjoyed the relaxing walk and the company.
"Did you have fun, Naru-Kun?" Akane asked quietly.
"Yeah. I really like your friends Akane-chan," Naruto replied warmly.
"They're great, but take some getting used to," Akane giggled.
"I liked playing with Suko-chan, and Isamu, but I wish Aki hadn't said that to them," Naruto said, sighing.
"She's a known prankster," Akane grumbled.
"I'll prank her back then! That's a promise!" Naruto shouted, eyes filled with playful determination.
"Oh no, look out Aki, a maelstrom is coming for you," she said mirthfully.
Naruto shot her a playful glare before breaking into laughter with her. The laughter slowly died down back into a peaceful silence as they continued their walk. Akane and Naruto both have a gentle smile gracing their face.
Masumi Clan Compound: Nighttime
Akane and Naruto both entered the compound, sliding out of their sandals and heading toward the dining room. Since it's so late in the evening, Naruto assumed they would already be eating dinner. Walking through the empty halls, they started to hear voices and laughter getting louder. Akane slid the door open and walked in. Naruto quickly followed after her, and they both sat in their seats from yesterday.
Everyone talked amongst each other, but a few took notice of Naruto's presence. A few stared at him before returning to their previous conversations. He saw Riku congratulating himself for creating another perfect meal, which got him a smack on the back of the head from a woman sitting beside him. He noticed that Kenichi and Akane are staring at one another but decided to look at tonight's meal.
The dinner sat in front of him look good; white rice, steamed vegetables, grilled chicken with a soy sauce marinade, and a cup of green tea. Building up an appetite from his exercise today, he happily dug into his meal. However, he noticed something rather disappointing. Something he didn't even consider a possibility. The food isn't as good as ramen, not even close. He would admit that the food is good, just like his last meal here, but it didn't call out to him as ramen did. He ate his dinner with noticeably less enthusiasm than the previous night. Although his lack of excitement did not go unnoticed by the chef.
"Naruto, why aren't you eating my food with the same passion I saw yesterday? Do you not like the food?" he called out, gathering the attention of everyone at the table. Though no one dared to inflate Riku's already massive ego, his food is considered to be some of the best.
"What?" He squeaked, "No, no, it's great!" Naruto said frantically, not wanting to insult Riku's food.
"I just can't help but notice you're not digging in like yesterday. My food is far to good for you to only start eating slowly!" Riku declared loudly, causing everyone to stare blankly at the man.
"I believe I know what's going on," Aki suddenly said, getting a few raised eyebrows.
"Well?" Riku asked, motioning for her to continue.
"It's not ramen," Aki stated with a sagely nod.
"Ramen?" Riku intoned.
"Ramen," Aki parroted.
"I see…" Riku said distantly, and a plan began to form in his head. "Then, I shall endeavor to make the best ramen in the world for tomorrow's dinner! That will surely reignite Naruto's passion in my food!" Riku exclaimed dramatically.
"Yes!" Naruto cheered in glee, while Akane Aki and Danno paled equally. They all shuddered, remembering Naruto's terrifying line. "Another bowl, please!" They weren't sure they could face that monster again.
Naruto, on the other hand, has a dreamy look adorned on his face. If Riku's food is already this good, then his ramen will be even better, he thought dreamily. Somehow, in a short time, ramen had wormed its way into his heart and become his favorite food. He could still hear the ramen calling to him from lunch. Perhaps one day, he would be known as the ramen whisperer.
With renewed vigor, Naruto started consuming Riku's food. Everyone except Akane, Aki, and Danno, who are still having flashbacks, laughed at the boy's antics and continued to talk while eating. Soon enough, dinner finished with everyone satisfied. Riku happily basked in the praise.
"So, Akane, how did the tour go?" Kenichi asked his daughter.
"It went well, tou-san," Akane replied with a smile.
"That's wonderful, and Naruto, what did you think of the sanctuary?" Kenichi asked, his eyes darting over to the blond. The other members of the Masumi clan glanced over as well. They each hoped he liked his new home.
"It's awesome! There is this great ramen stand, and the park is so cool," Naruto chirped, getting a round of laughter from everyone except Riku, who mumbled about his food being better.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," Kenichi said with a warm chuckle. His eyes turned back toward his daughter. "Did anything interesting happen?" he questioned curiously.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing much. Naruto met a few of our friends at the park," she replied.
He nodded his head, and the conversation died out. Soon, people stood up and began excusing themselves from the table. The group of four kids left the dining room shortly after most left. They planned on playing a game in the living room.
The Masumi Clan Compound: Game Room
To anyone just walking into the living room, they would simply see four kids playing games together. Though if anyone took the time to study the children more closely, they would realize something peculiar. Three of the child are huddled together while staring at the other with narrowed eyes and a violently twitching eyebrow. Somehow, the blond boy managed to irritate all of them.
"He's clearly cheating! He has to be!" Aki exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air.
"I don't believe he is… I've been observing him the entire time," Danno commented, his arms crossed against his chest.
"I think he has some of the most incredible luck I've ever seen," Akane mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear.
Naruto watched them discuss his winning streak with a deadpan look. Why does everyone think I'm cheating? Naruto wondered, not pleased with his friend's train of thought. Even he had to admit his luck is incredible at times. Idly, he wondered if anyone out there has the opposite of him. Luck so bad that they always lose, and when they won, it was a sign of misfortune.
"Incredible luck…" Danno said softly, humming to himself. Suddenly his eyes widened as if an idea struck him. "I've got a theory. Naruto, let's play a game of checkers," Danno stated, getting questioning looks for all three.
Danno walked over to a closet filled with games and pulled out a board and a bag of black and red disks. He walked back over to the group and sat down before setting up the board in front of Naruto and himself. It's a simple board, a red and black checkered pattern with matching checkers. Akane and Aki both wondered why he chose checkers, but eventually, it dawned on Akane.
Danno explained the rules of checkers making sure Naruto understood completely. It's a simple game by the look but is quite strategic, requiring planning and focus. He hoped that his theory would hold up. Otherwise, he didn't know how to handle the blond in games. His approach is that Naruto has incredible luck when it comes to chance.
Naruto played to the best of his abilities, but still somewhat unfamiliar with the rules, eventually lost. Danno smirked in victory, however. His theory bore fruit; give Naruto something based on skill, and he will have the same odds as anyone else. This notion relieved everyone around Naruto, causing him to deadpan once more. What's so bad about me winning? He wondered in a bland tone.
"So, we never leave Naruto to anything of chance, and we're good?" Aki questioned rhetorically.
"Seems like it," Akane replied, thinking over all her previous games of war with the blond. The game had left her dumbfounded on how he managed to snag every card of importance, leaving her with pathetic ones. If they simply have to deny Naruto any game of chance to win, they would do it. After all, he can't win at everything, it just wouldn't be fair.
Danno yawned into his hand and glanced over at the clock on the wall. "Well, I'm heading to bed, see you all tomorrow," he said, standing up and waving at everyone. He quickly made his way out of the room, avoiding the cleanup.
"Same, I'm pretty tired too. I still haven't showered either. Nighty night, you two," Aki commented, running after Danno.
Naruto and Akane looked at one another before deciding to follow suit and go to bed themselves. They didn't fail to notice that they got left with the mess, but quickly cleaned up all the games. They both walked through the quiet, dark halls, and made their way to their bedrooms. They stopped at Naruto's room first, and he said goodnight to her before she wandered off into the dark alone.
Naruto shut his bedroom door closed behind him. The moonlight illuminated his room enough that he could see just barely. On his bed, he spotted a clean pair of red striped pajamas laid out for him. They looked really comfortable. Shrugging, he stripped out of his clothing and childishly threw them haphazardly on the floor. He quickly changed into his new pajamas and admired how soft they are.
He climbed into his bed and got under the covers resting his head on the white fluffy pillows while smiling into the darkness. Today had been one of the best days of his life. He managed to make a load of new friends and play with them. It helped that he also manage to discover the best food in existence. Ramen would always hold a place in his heart. He found himself content and happy. Slowly but surely, his eyes became heavy, and he drifted off into a peaceful slumber with a smile still on his face.
End of Chapter
Omake: Rock-Paper-Scissors Extreme! (non-canon)
Kitsune Sanctuary: Sen Park
Natsuko smirked smugly at her rival. She knew that her plan is foolproof. No one would ever expect her trap. "Hurry up and pick your hand," she said with a dismissive tone.
"Why you!" Isamu growled, but deep down, he felt nervous. What did his rival have planned to allow her to feel so smug? Did she have a trap devised? Perhaps she is just bluffing, just as worried as he is. Or did she just want him to think that so he would make a mistake? He took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm ready!"
"Good, prepare to lose," Natsuko said in a confident tone.
Isamu faltered but shook his head. It wouldn't do to start second-guessing himself here. "No, I believe it is you who will suffer a defeat today. Your rein of victories ends today!" he said dramatically.
"Fine, then play your pathetic hand," Natsuko stated.
"My hand holds no pathetic… hands," Isamu stumbled over that sentence. He quickly counted down to three with his rival, and he played scissors. He felt confident in his hand, but Natsuko started cackling. "What's so funny?" he asked nervously.
"You fool, you walked right into my trap!" she shouted.
"No! Impossible!" He retorted in shock.
"Very possible, my dear Isamu, very possible," she said, her smile just as smug as always. Her hand suddenly formed a rock. "You see, I always had a rock planned to defeat you. Not only does my rock crush you, when rock is played against scissors, it also activates its special effect!" she called out deviously. Her other hand shifted into a rock as well, spelling his absolute defeat. "My second rock attacks your life points directly!" she declared.
"Impossible," he cried out, falling to his knees in defeat.
"Poor Isamu, you never stood a chance," she said smugly.
Naruto looked over at Akane, Aki, and Danno. "Is this how Rock-Paper-Scissors is supposed to be played?" he asked, uncertain about the rules of this game. He could have sworn it was more straightforward than this.
Akane glanced over at him with a deadpan expression. "I'm not even sure what game they're playing," she responded, shaking her head. Aki and Danno both agreed, one watching with noticeable amusement and the other watching tiredly.
Author Note: Thank you for reading chapter 2 of my story. I hope you all enjoyed it, including the new special omake I added in for fun. It brightens my day to know I'm making you all happy.
Now, from this point on, the story will start picking up speed. I have quite a few years to get through and to reach the main storyline. I'm not going to rush it, however. I don't want to suddenly skip eight years with Naruto being powerful with absolutely no background information. It just won't be going day by day anymore, or at least, I don't believe it will.
Also, to that one person. No, I will not. Make of that what you will.
Anyways, thank you all again for reading the second chapter of Kitsune Sanctuary. I appreciate all my readers and reviewers. I hope you continue to leave reviews, letting me know your opinions and thoughts. It makes me smile when I see them. All you have a wonderful time. I'll see you all next chapter!