Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Normal Text

'Person thinking'

"Person talking"

"Jinchuriki talking inside his head with Bijuu"

'Bijuu thinking'

"Bijuu talking"

"Bijuu talking inside jinchurki's head"

Chapter 4 - The family you find along the way

Groggily, Naruto woke up, but his eyes were still closed. He remembered the last time he was in a hospital and didn't want to deal with the annoying bright lights just yet. Feeling his body out, he realized he still felt like he was hit by a boulder with full force, but he also felt his wounds healing rapidly, much faster than before.

'I guess it really was not a dream. I almost died.'

"Indeed. This was a close call."

"Wait what? Kurama is that you? Inside my head?!"

"No need to shout, human... And yes, it's me. Now that we are truly connected, I can communicate with you in your head."

"Wow, cool! Also, is it just me or am I healing faster than I used to?"

"You are healing a bit faster, also thanks to our connection. Now that we are in harmony, your chakras aren't competing with each other for dominance anymore."

"…Cha-to-ra?"

"…Chakra… We will continue this conversation later. Someone is eager to meet you. Might want to open your eyes. When you wish to speak to me, either call me in your mind or, if you wish to see me, find a quiet place and meditate."

"Umm, Ok. Also, thanks, Kurama, you're the best!"

Chuckling at the boy's exuberance, Kurama retreated into the mindscape. Naruto decided that it was about time he opened his eyes. Yeap, as he expected, the hospital lights are as annoying as ever. 'Why do they have to make them so bright all the time? Sheesh.'

"Naruto? Naruto! I am so glad you're awake!"

"Natsumi-chan? What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I came back from work and I found you almost dead in your apartment! I thought you were gonna die! I was worried sick!"

Somehow, seeing Natsumi worrying and doting all over him made Naruto feel really warm inside. 'Is this what it's like to have a mother? Or maybe a sister?' He couldn't help but smile his trademark foxy grin towards the girl.

"I'm fine now, see? Healing already." After he said that, his smile changed into something more earnest, filled with warmth and gratitude. "Thanks, Natsumi-neechan, for being here for me. It means more than you know." As he said that, he gripped Natsumi's hand a little tighter, to let her know that he really meant it.

Hearing Naruto's words, Natsumi's emerald eyes watered a little and she could not prevent a few tears of joy from running down her cheeks. "Never scare me like that again, you hear me?" Of course, there was no malice in her tone. They both knew they were just happy to have each other.

Suddenly, the door opened, and in came the Hokage.

"Jiji…" said Naruto with a tone of melancholy.

"Naruto, my boy, thank Kami you are alright. I was worried sick."

"Hokage-sama stopped by daily to check on you. As you know though, he has many duties and could not stay here the entire time." Natsumi supplied for the Hokage, knowing that it was important for Naruto to know that he had support.

"How many days was I out?"

"Two days." Both Natsumi and the Hokage answered at the same time, which made both of them feel a little flustered. Seeing them like this, made Naruto giggle a little.

"Hmm… Ok…Natsumi-neechan, can I speak with Jiji alone for a bit?"

This brought a weariness upon both the Hokage and the girl. Immediately, they knew that something happened that was beyond just bullying and beatings. Trying to maintain her composure after not having slept for so many days and trying to hide her worry, she bade farewell to Naruto and told him that she would be just outside waiting for them to finish. After she left, the Hokage sat next to Naruto's bed trying to provide the boy as much comfort as he could.

"Jiji, the night of the Kyuubi attack, the Yondaime didn't kill him did he?"

When Naruto said "him" instead of "it" Sarutobi knew instantly that the boy likely got in contact with his tenant. That said, he decided to probe things to see where this was going.

"How did you come to this conclusion, Naruto?"

"I…I met him. I met Kurama."

"Kurama?"

"Yes, that is his name. You didn't know, did you?" As he said this, Hiruzen could see that Naruto felt a sadness that was also overshadowed by a sense of… kinship with the beast. It was as if he understood its, or rather, his pain.

"I did not."

"Why didn't you tell me, Jiji?"

"I… I was hoping to spare you this burden until you grew older. I tried – and failed – to keep the villagers from knowing you held the Kyuubi sealed inside you. About two years ago someone must have spread the word about your situation to the villagers. By the time the news reached me, I was too late to stop it without having to execute a quarter of the village. So, I decided to make a new law, one that would prevent the parents from telling the children about your tenant. That way, I had hoped that at least the children would not be tainted by the grief and hatred of their elders. But I see that I failed once more, because the parents simply told their children to stay away from you, even if they didn't tell them why. I am sorry you have to deal with this burden, but at the same time, I know that there is no one better suited to bear it. You have shown me time and again that you are strong. While I know that I am not worthy, I still ask that you forgive me for not telling you about it sooner. You deserved to know. However, I have a feeling that by not telling you, you were able to find a much better way to handle the situation, one not marred by the judgments and beliefs of this old man."

At hearing this confession, Naruto stopped and looked at his hands for a while. On the one hand, he was angry with his Jiji for keeping something this big from him. On the other, he knew he meant well, even if he did screw things up big time.

"Kurama, how is it that I can sense his emotions? Like, I can feel that he really feels bad about all this."

"It's also thanks to our connection. I will explain in more detail when we get a chance to talk in peace."

"Ok."

"What will you do about him?"

"I will forgive him of course. Buuut, I want him to feel bad about it for a few more minutes, just because." Replied Naruto feeling a bit mischievous.

Kurama chuckled at this. Kitsune are notorious pranksters. Seeing his partner share this trait pleased him greatly.

Finally, Naruto raised his head and looked at the Hokage straight in the eyes. "Alright old man. I forgive you. But you better buy me a cool birthday gift." After saying this, he smiled is foxy grin towards Sarutobi, who felt greatly relieved that his surrogate grandson had forgiven him. He could feel his shoulders relieving themselves of a tension he did not know was even there.

"Jiji, who are my parents? I am sure you know."

"I do, but in his will, your father asked me to only make your true lineage public when you were capable of protecting yourself. Your father had many enemies and he was worried that, if word got out about who you really were, other villages would try to send assassins to get rid of you."

"So, yet another reason to become the greatest I can be."

"I guess so."

"Tell me though: did they love me?"

Yet again, Sarutobi felt another knife to the heart, feeling for the boy. He steeled himself however, because it was important to ensure that Naruto knew that he was loved. "Naruto, I don't think there were any other parents in this village that wanted their child more than them two and I am certain that, wherever they are, they are watching over you."

Sensing Hokage-jiji's earnestness, Naruto knew that he wasn't making it up. He was telling the truth. This made Naruto feel really warm inside and tears started flowing from his eyes. He was loved! He mattered to someone! Sarutobi seeing him put his hand on the boy's shoulder for support. Hugging was off-limits because Naruto was still injured. After a while he calmed down, and Sarutobi decided this was a good time to break the tension that now filled the entire room.

"So, Kurama, huh?" the question seemed to have the intended effect, because at his words, Naruto looked at him with a big grin on his face.

"Yeap! That's his name! And we're friends now! He actually helped stop the bleeding so I wouldn't die until Natsumi-neechan found me and brought me to the hospital."

"Did he now?"

"Yeah! And now, because we're friends, I heal even faster than before! See?" As he said that Naruto raised his hand where his bruises were visibly shrinking. "In a few hours I will be good as new!"

Hiruzen was taken aback by these developments, but he wasn't the Hokage for nothing. Poker players had nothing on him when it came to guarding his emotions. To Naruto however, he was an open book, though the boy didn't feel comfortable revealing that just yet. He was still trying to figure it out himself.

The old Hokage pondered for a bit and then came to a decision. "Naruto, how would you like to become a shinobi, like your hero, the Yondaime?"

"You think I could be a shinobi as great as him, jiji?"

"I think, no, I know that you are one of the few capable of surpassing him. But don't let this get to your head. If you want to be as great as him, you will have to work really hard to get there. Talent means nothing if you are not willing to put in the work to sharpen your skills."

"That would be awesome! When can I join?!"

"I think next spring would be best."

"Cool! I will be able to read and write really well by then! I will be ready!"

Hiruzen smiled, glad at the excitement the boy was showing towards the idea of becoming a shinobi. He knew Naruto's life was going to be difficult and he needed every ounce of strength he could get to face the challenges waiting for him in the future.

"Naruto, I have one request to make of you…"

Sensing the solemn tone and the feeling of regret that came about with this sentence, Naruto looked attentively at the Hokage.

"What is it, jiji?"

"I know this is a lot to ask, but please don't hold grudges against the villagers. They are blinded by their hate and rage. Many lost family and friends in the attack and were scarred for life by the incident. It is clear to me now that Kurama was himself a victim and I do hope that he will be willing to share with us what he knows so we can get a clearer picture of the events of that night. Alas, I know I am asking a lot of you, but I know that, in time, they will be able to see both you and Kurama as the heroes that you truly are."

After thinking deeply for a few minutes, Naruto answered "Jiji, I won't hold it against them but I also won't let them push me around either. If I can help it, I won't allow them to do to me what they did a few days ago."

"That is all I ask. On that note, I made some investigations of my own regarding the incident. We rounded up all ten culprits as well as the ANBU who was supposed to protect you that night."

"Protect me?"

"Yes, because of your situation, I had ANBU taking shifts watching over you, to ensure that no harm came to you while I was not around. It seems however, that the one stationed the night of the festival hid his grudge against you really well and, instead of stopping the villagers, he just let them do as they pleased. Needless to say, this man is not going to be serving Konoha any longer. The ones that attacked you are in prison as well."

"Thanks for letting me know, Jiji. And thanks for looking after me."

"It's the least I could do, my boy. Sadly, I have to go back to my duties. I will leave you with Natsumi-chan though. It seems she has taken quite a liking to you."

"Yes, Natsumi-neechan is the best!"

Having said their goodbyes, the Hokage left the hospital's premises, leaving Natsumi to care for Naruto until he was out of the hospital. The day after these visits, Naruto was cleared to go home.

To his surprise, the door and window were already fixed and the bloodstains cleaned up by the time he got back home.

"I guess it pays to be friends with the landlady, eh, Naruto-kun?" said Natsumi jokingly.

Naruto however, was stunned. The past few days have been one life-changing experience after another. Now he knew, without a doubt, that Natsumi was one of his most precious people. Dazed as he was, all he could manage was a dumb sounding "uhuh" as he nodded looking towards the inside of the flat.

Natsumi chuckled seeing her adopted brother reacting this way and pushed him slightly to lead him inside the apartment. Once they entered, Natsumi brought some vegetables and some meat from her home next-door and proceeded to cook some food for the both of them. As she did that, Naruto decided it was time to have a quick chat with Kurama.

"Hey, Kurama. You up?"

Groggily, as if annoyed that he was awoken from a pleasant nap, Kurama responded "Yes, human. What do you want?"

"Do you want to talk to Hokage-jiji about what happened that night, when you were sealed inside of me?"

"I… I don't really feel comfortable talking about it…"

"If you don't feel like it you don't have to. I know what it's like to feel heavy in the chest."

Chuckling sadly, Kurama answered "I know you do. Give me some time. I will talk to both of you about it, eventually. I just… need some time to gather my thoughts."

"Ok. Take as much time as you need, Kurama."

Naruto felt Kurama nodding solemnly before returning to his nap. He still felt strange whenever he acknowledged that he had another being inside of him. Weirder still was how he was able to feel his gestures, aside from the voice in his head. At the same time though, he was happy that now he had a friend for life. One that would always be with him, no matter what. Yeap, things were definitely looking up.

"Dinner is ready!"

Naruto made his way to the table where Natsumi already set plates and silverware for the both of them.

"Whooaaa, this looks amazing, Natsumi-neechan!"

"Glad you like it. Come now, dig in!"

Excitedly, the two enjoyed dinner and talked about small nothings until Natsumi told Naruto that she had to leave for work. Now having the ability to sense emotions, Naruto immediately felt Natsumi's shame when she mentioned the word "work". This puzzled him greatly.

Without realizing it, Naruto blurted his thoughts out in the open "Natsumi-neechan, why do you feel ashamed of your work?"

Natsumi, was on her way to the door when she heard Naruto's question. Thankfully for her, she had her back towards him, so he could not see just how shocked she was to hear him ask such a question. Gathering herself, she turned slightly towards him and, sensing that there was no point in lying, she answered "It's something I would rather not talk about, for now. Maybe when you are older. But that is why I wanted to take this job as landlady. I think it's a way for me to do something more with my life."

"So, you want to become great too, neechan?" asked Naruto excitedly.

"Y-yes, well, not necessarily great, but… I just want a better life."

"Then I will help you do that, neechan! Believe it!"

At this point, Natsumi couldn't help herself anymore. She turned around and wrapped Naruto in a bone-crushing hug, which Naruto happily reciprocated.

"Thank you, my little blond maelstrom. I will be home soon, ok?"

"Ok."

She let him out of her embrace and glanced at him longingly one more time before making her way to work. Needless to say, it took her a while to get her bearings, but if nothing else, she was a true professional and she would do her duties to the letter.

After seeing her leave, Naruto felt sleep creep up on him. He could now also feel the ANBU standing right outside the house watching and could feel his emotions were pleasant – protectiveness and duty. Yeap, this one was ok. Knowing he was safe, he washed the dishes that he and Natsumi left behind after dinner, changed into his pajamas and decided to go for a well-earned rest.