I do not own Naruto, however Adam, Midori and Chiatsu are mine...ALL MINE, MWHAHAHAHAHA-cough-

Chapter 1: The Wolf and the Fox

The forest outside of Konohagure was silent as the moonlight shined down through branches, casting shadows upon the forest floor. From his perch high above the Hidden Leaf Village's gate, Shikamaru sat, contemplating. No more were the days in which he stared at the clouds, now he was an active ANBU member and the number one genius in the village. However, his mind was not at all on tactics, nor on Go, or clouds for that matter. It wasn't even on his family, something he spent much time in nurturing. He couldn't have been happier marrying Temari, who was more than affectionate for her fiancee. His daughter was his pride and joy, his bragging rights in the Hidden Leaf Village. "Yes," he'd say, "That's my daughter, Midori Nara!"

His mind was at a waterfall, and it's eye was staring at the bones of one of the greatest ninja to ever grace Konohagure's presance. Sure, he was a moron, a distraction and an all around crazed lunatic, but he was the life and spirit of the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto Uzamaki breathed life into lifeless shinobi, pushing them to go as hard as they could, to match the perserverance of the Kitsune host. Without him, the village was never the same. Team 7 was hit the hardest, losing a part of their group, they fell apart as a team, but grew closer together as a family. Kakashi was just named godfather for Sasuke and Sakura's daughter, Chiatsu, who was more than delighted with the honor. Sasuke told the copy nin however, that if Naruto was still alive, he would have been the first choice.

However, something snapped Shikamaru out of his mental flashbacks. It was an extremely slight movement, so slight, it aroused suspision in the tactician. Fingering his kunai, Shikamaru rang out. "Who goes there?"

Shikamaru was awnsered with a low, throaty growl, and then, "Adam. Where exactly am I?"

Shikamaru jumped down off of his perch to the ground below and walked foward. He stopped however when he caught sight of a cloaked figured with the most massive wolf Shikamaru had ever laid eyes on. "Who are you?"

"I already told you my name. This is Fenris, in case you're wondering. And yes, he does bite. Hard." The figured turned around just as another figure jumped down from the treetops. This figure was in a cloak as well, but was taller and more well built than his companion. His face was completely covered by a mask. More specifically, a kitsune mask. For some reason, this chilled Shikamaru to the core.

"My apologies for my companion." The kitsune spoke. He gave a sharp whistle and from out of the bush came the last thing Shikamaru ever had expected to see. Nine tails waving, a white fox with red eyes stepped into the clearing, waiting patiently by his human like avatar. Shikamaru backed up, ready to flee for help. Noticing the movement, the kitsune mask raised a hand. "Do not worry. He won't harm you as long as you don't harm me. I'd like to have an audience with Tsunade-baachan."

Shikamaru's brain stopped. Wait...didn't he use to call her that? Shikamaru cleared his throat and head simultaneously. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait till morning...She doesn't have an audience with just anyone."

"Oh?" the kitsune masked man placed a hand on the real kitsune's head. "Well, judging by the company I keep, I don't think I qualify as 'just anyone'."

"Hmph. Just because you have some little demon fox with you doesn't mean much. In fact, such a thing can get you killed in these parts." Shikamaru retorted.

The kitsune bristled, growling. The wolf began to growl as well, as it's thinner companion kept a hand on it's head, as if restraning it. "Shikamaru...how sad...you still dont get it do you?" For a moment, Shikamaru froze, as if contemplating something and then shot back, gasping.

"N-no! You can't be real! You aren't alive! Y-y-you died!" screamed the tactician.

"Then tell me Shikamaru, can a dead person do this?" With one fluid motion, Naruto Uzamaki stepped foward, cuffing Shikamaru around the head, knocking him unconsious. Then with minimal effort, Naruto lifted Shikamaru over his shoulder and motioned for wolf, fox and human to follow his lead over the village walls...

Hokage's Office, Hidden Leaf Village.

Tsunade was exausted. Between mountains of paperwork, hundreds of ambassadors and a fight between the two best shinobi in the village, Midori and Chiatsu, the poor Hokage just wanted sleep. With a long, drawn-out yawn, the suprisingly-good-looking-for-her-age Hokage turned out the light, walked to the door...and froze.

"Sharp as ever, baachan." A disturbingly familiar voice whispered from the open window. Shadowed by the pale moonlight, the figured dropped into the room. "Would you mind putting on some lights? It's dark as hell in here. You're gonna mess up your eyes baachan."

Tsunade went from cautious calm to a raging fury. HOW DARE HE! ONLY NARUTO CAN CALL ME THAT! HE'S MOCKING HIM! The Hokage rushed the figure right as the light was turned on again...and froze, her face locked into a look of pure disbelief. "N-naruto...no...this is a dream...I'm asleep on my desk...on m-my p-p-papers!" Tsunade broke off, sobbing. Naruto said not a word, he just strode up to Tsunade and wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't cry baachan..." Naruto whispered, holding her close.

"H-how?"

"Kyuubi. He ressurected me. If Sasuke would have waited a couple of days, he would have seen me." Naruto explained. Tsunade broke out into a fresh batch of sobs, crying on Naruto's shoulder.

"Do you know how painful it was to hear you died Naruto? I swear, it took ever ounce of willpower I have not to order Uchiha's execution..." Tsunade looked up at Naruto's slightly scarred face and smiled. "But you're back, and that's all that matters..."

Naruto smiled. "I hope you dont mind, but I have a few things I need to tell you first. One, Shikamaru is outside, unconsious. I had to do it to get into the village. He's being guarded by Kyuubi and Fenris."

"Wait...Kyuubi!?" exclaimed Tsunade.

Naruto put up a hand. "A chakra based body completely controlled by myself. Besides, a lot has happened between him and I and we're now good friends."

"And...Fenris?"

"A wolf demon borne by my companion, Adam. Second, I need a place to stay not only for myself, but for Adam as well."

"I'll see what I can do...My god, Sasuke and Sakura will be overjoyed-"

"NO!" roared Naruto. "T-they can't know...not yet."

"WHAT? They're your teammates! Your friends! How could you not let them know?"

"Tsunade-baachan, I have my reasons...please..."

Despite the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, Tsunade nodded, slowly...