Edited: 4/9/18
This chapter is a bit word heavy (lots of Japanese words) with translations (as always) at the bottom!
Disclaimer:I do not own Naru, Masashi Kishimoto does.
Thinking
Jutsu
Demons/Summons Talking
"Normal Talking/Writing"
"Demons/Summons talking in her head"
Brat! Brat! Naruto heard Kurama's voice pound in her head. She sluggishly opened her eyes and saw that she was still in the forest. However, both tigers were nowhere to be seen. Naru tried to move only to feel sharp pain along her side. She glanced down only to see four angry red scars running down her side.
What happened? She asked herself. She winced as she slowly got up, using the nearby trees to support her. Where's the little tiger? Naru mentally asked as she looked around. However, all she saw around her was a gigantic puddle of blood. Naru staggered forward, as she tried to get out of the forest.
Hurry up, brat. The ninja in the village are going to come pouring in here any second. Naru nodded and continued forward. That was when she heard a tiny growl. Turning around, she spotted the little white tiger crawl out from the bushed. Naru stopped moving as the tiger bounded towards her and let out a purr-like sound. Naru bent down and stuck out her hand.
"Nice to meet you." The tiger dipped its head when it sharply glared at the trees. The kitten let out a growl when several ninja jumped out of the trees. Naru couldn't help but gulp, wary of the large crowd. However, she spotted Itachi jump out of the trees and relaxed slightly. Naru noted that the ninja were tense, like they expected her to attack. Finding their wariness to be idiotic, Naru scooped up the kitten and sluggishly walked in the direction the tiger told her to go. The ninja disappeared back to the trees, but were still in the vicinity. Itachi teleported nearby and walked towards Naru.
"Uzumaki-chan? Are you alright?" However, as he walked closer, he realized that the crimson color splattered all over her was not her blood. He thought back to the big puddle of blood before narrowing his eyes. Naru silently watched Itachi pause. He seemed to be deep in thought so Naru allowed him to think about whatever it was he was pondering upon. The tiger in her arms let out a tiny sound that was a mixture between a meow and a roar, and Naru smiled at the little thing in her arms. It was strangely heavy, but manageable.
"Are you a boy or a girl?" Naru asked the tiger. It merely let out a growl. "Um... Boy?" Naru asked confused. The tiger's eyes narrowed. "Girl." The kitten huffed before nodding curtly. "I see..." Naru trailed off, not knowing what to say. "Do you have a name?" The kitten blinked silently before tilting its head. "Uh... can I give you one then?" Ms. Pompous nodded her head and stared at Naru. "Uh... what about Yuki?" The kitten stubbornly shook its head. "Um... Haku?" Again, the kitten shook its head.
"Shiro?" (White)
"Neko?" (Cat)
"Koneko?" (Little Cat / Kitten)
"Uh... Chibi?" (Midget) Naru winced when the tiger gave her a scratch as a warning.
"Tsume?" (Claw / Nail)
"Kumo?" (Cloud)
"Mori?" (Forest)
"Ki?" (Tree)
The tiger was looking fed up with Naru's lack of creativity when Naru suddenly asked, "What about Yuuki?" The kitten seem to be happy with the name and let out a happy growl. "Ok! Nice to meet you Yuuki!" Naru exclaimed with a smile.
Naru and Yuuki had their little moment before being interrupted, "Uzumaki-chan, can you explain to me what happened here?" Itachi scanned her blood ridden clothes with suspicion, but made sure his expression was welcoming enough.
"Well... I saw Yuuki fighting a really big tiger and I saw it about to attack Yuuki. I..." Naru furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to remember. "I think I jumped? I don't really remember." Naru let out a pout and held Yuuki a bit tighter. Said kitten was getting comfortable in Naru's arms and was on the verge of falling asleep.
"I see..." Itachi had a feeling that her lack of memory and the puddle of blood had to do with a certain nine tailed fox, but kept silent. "How about we go take your friend to the vet to get them checked?" He suggested as he changed the topic. Naru nodded as Itachi placed a hand on her shoulder. In a swirl of leaves, they disappeared.
Itachi and Naru appeared in the Inuzuka compound, the dogs in the kennel barking and growling when they smelt the blood and tiger. Drawn by the sound, they were greeted by Inuzuka Hana, who upon seeing the kitten in Naru's arms, smiled. "How can I help the two of you?" She inquired, noting the lack of injuries on the tiger.
"Just a check-up for Yuuki please!" Naru grinned as she asked. Hana made subtle eye contact with Itachi, who nodded. Naru passed Yuuki to Hana as Hana moved to an operating table. Hana sped through the procedures like no ones business before turning to Naru.
"Naru-chan? Did you know that Yuuki was blind?" Hana asked kindly, but bluntly, and noted Naru's shocked expression.
Hana raised a brow in question when Naru stammered, "B-but Yuuki was the one to find me! And she knew where I was exactly!" Hana explained that she most likely tracked Naru through smelling and hearing. Naru wasn't exactly sure that was the case, remembering the lack of hesitation in Yuuki's motions when finding her. "Um... well, is that all?" Naru stuttered.
Hana answered, "She's just a bit malnourished and dehydrated, but other than that she's in good shape. Where did you find her?" Hana asked curiously.
"The forest with the really big trees and huge tigers!" Naru answered with a proud smile. Hana had an inkling as to where that was and looked to Itachi for a confirmation, which she received. The Inuzuka couldn't help, but feel shocked. The Forest of Death was infamous so she was surprised Naru was alive considering her age. Hana shook her head mentally, before returning Yuuki gently.
"Take good care of her, Naru-chan." Naru nodded quickly before turning to Itachi.
"Can I go home now? I want to feed Yuuki!"
Itachi nodded before softly scolding her, "What do you say first?" Naru blinked rapidly, confused, when she figured it out.
"Thank you um..." She stared at the Inuzuka who hadn't introduced herself.
"Ah, Inuzuka Hana. It was my pleasure to help." Naru nodded before impatiently turning to the Uchiha. Itachi fondly rolled his eyes, noting her similarities to his brother at home. Placing a hand on her shoulder yet again, he nodded to Hana before teleporting away to Naru's home.
Naru opened her fridge, now noting that she had nothing that her new feline companion could eat. Itachi had already left so she had few options. I guess I can go fish, but it's getting dark...What should I do? Naru tried asking Kurama only to receive no answer. Kyuubi? Silence. Naru tried a few more times before giving up and scooping up Yuuki. "Let's go ask Hokage-ojisan."
Naru walked to her surrogate grandfather's office and knocked gently. She heard a faint "come in" and strode in only to see five to six stacks of paper. "Um, Hokage-Ojisan?" She heard some shuffling from behind the stacks and saw her weary grandfather.
"Naru-chan, good afternoon." He looked out the window before correcting himself. "Good evening. What brings you today?" He asked gently. He silently noted the presence of the tiger cub, but waited for Naru to speak.
"Well I took Yuuki," Naru motioned to the kitten in her arms, "to the vet and Hana-san said that she was malnourished and dehydrated, meaning that she's thirstly and needs nutrients!" Naru looked at him proudly for remembering what Hana told her. " I know where to get her water, but I don't know how to get her food. I mean, I CAN fish, but she's going to need a lot of food so..." Naru looked at Yuuki sadly whose stomach rumbled at just the right time. Hiruzen, knowing of her situation and tight financial situation brought up a solution.
"I could just have someone deliver meat to you every week, but I know you don't like it when I spend too much money and manpower on you." Naru nodded firmly. She did not want to take advantage of her grandfather's kindness. "So how about you try going hunting with Yuuki? I can ask Itachi-kun to teach you, if you'd like." Naru looked ecstatic and nodded happily.
"Yes please!" Hiruzen chuckled, before speaking once again.
"It's already late today, so why don't I have someone deliver some meat for today and you can learn how to hunt tomorrow?" Naru nodded, thankful for her grandfather's immense kindness to her.
"Thank you, Hokage-Ojisan." The Uzumaki gave a shy smile before leaving with Yuuki. Finding the meat package already there, Naru prepared some instant ramen while Yuuki indulged in her meal. I wonder why Kurama isn't responding?
For those who don't know Japanese, I'll put out the definition down here but please know that it may not be 100% accurate so if you spot any mistakes, down here or in the story, please comment to my story. Also some additional information for those that are curious.
Yuki = Snow
Haku = White
Shiro = White (White can be read Shiro or Haku)
Neko = Cat
Koneko = Kitten
Chibi = Midget
Tsume = Claw/Nail
Kumo = Cloud
Mori = Forest
Ki = Tree
Yuuki = Bravery/Courage (Almost like a pun with Yuki)
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure tigers can't purr or meow. Pretty sure that was the case with all big cats and that's why cheetahs are so weird. Cause they can squeak, purr, and meow, but can't roar or growl. Not too sure though tbh.
-san is just a polite standard suffix when addressing people.