Chapter XII: Naturo meets Mako
Naruto never took his time with anything. Getting to the training field to meet Takuma was no exception. He was carefully hiding in the bushes, watching Sakura get acquainted with her own Pokémon. He could barely contain his excitement as he wondered what kind of Pokémon he would be getting. The fairy was too cute; he wanted something powerful. Something that would earn him the respect he deserved in order to become Hokage.
Takuma barely sat down and took out his notebook when he spotted Naruto rushing towards him. So this was the problem child. He was able to dig deeper into the boy's history and find the perfect Pokémon for him. Takuma was surprised to find this village called oversized, powerful Pokémon demons and what astonished him more was that they managed to create a human Pokéball using chakra and seals to contain the powerful creature. So with much research and effort in choosing, Takuma had the perfect Pokémon for the ecstatic youngster.
"Takuma-sensei!" Naruto shouted from across the field, waving to the other boy. When he finally got close, he was grinning. Takuma noticed the whisker marks on the boy's cheeks and his unusual passion towards the color orange. Wasting no time, Takuma released Nobu who promptly made his way onto his shoulder.
"How long were you watching us, Naruto-kun?" Takuma returned the smile. He had a feeling he would get along with this boy, despite odd appearances.
"Only a while. I saw that pink fairy think that you gave Sakura-chan…"
"It's a Clefairy, Naruto. And Pokémon aren't things. They are living creatures just like you and me." Takuma sighed and glanced at Nobu, who had left his shoulder to rub up against the other boy's leg.
"Heh…you can't be all bad if Nobu likes you. Anyways, meet your new partner, Mako."
Takuma revealed another Pokéball and pressed the button in the middle. It opened up, releasing a white light that reached the ground and formed into a shape that was all too familiar to Naruto.
It was a fox!
"Vul…" The red-orange fox seemed as thrilled with her new trainer as Naruto was with her. But Naruto wasn't going to give up his chance to have a Pokémon of his own!
"It…she's great!" Naruto kneeled down and held out his hand to the small Pokémon. "Hey, you're looking at Konoha's next Hokage! You and me, we can get stronger together!"
"Vul." Mako promptly yawned before turning away. This only infuriated the blonde.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Are you even listening, Mako?" The fox Pokémon's response was an Ember to the face, leaving Takuma wondering whether he made the right choice.
Mako followed Naruto only because Takuma wouldn't let her go back with him. And frankly, she wasn't too keen on the idea of wandering around the area by herself and risk being attacked, or worse. A small incident on the way home, however, caused Mako to really look at the blonde boy in a different manner.
"Demon! Murderer! They should kill you now before it's too late!" A rock stung Naruto's cheek, but he didn't respond. He was use to it; people mistreated him even now after he graduated from the Ninja Academy. Mako wondered why Naruto didn't just fight back.
"It would be no good, they won't stop. They never do. The only thing I can do is take it and maybe one day they'll accept me. It'll stop when I become Hokage, though, that's for sure." Naruto grinned at the thought and as he plopped onto his bed. Mako scowled, not really seeing the logic, but figured Naruto would be as stubborn as most humans.
"Mako-chan, where do you want to sleep?" Naruto glanced at the Vulpix whom had been making herself comfortable on the floor.
"Vul?" She looked up at the bed and lept up next to Naruto.
"Sure." He grinned as the small fox curled up next to him and they both drifted to sleep.
A/N: Now starts the fun parts, training and perhaps other characters getting Pokémon. Also, any pairing suggestions are welcome! Remember Takuma needs a wife!