Ignisha: Next chapter!

Naruto: I dunno what to say right now…

Evangeline: Neither do I…

Ignisha: Then don't say anything!

Of the Past: Vampires and Foxes

Chapter Six: Readjusting

Naruto woke up to find himself in front of the cage that held the very thing that cost him his childhood. Frowning, Naruto walked up to the cage. "Oi, did you call, Kyuubi!" He called out as the cage seemed to echo at the dripping water.

Footsteps on water were suddenly heard as the giant fox showed itself to Naruto. "Indeed I have, Naruto…"

"So what'd you want, tebayo?" Naruto asked as Kyuubi lowered his head to Naruto's height. "I just want to talk about our current predicament."

"You mean like being in a new world and this stupid language barrier?"

"Yes."

"Well, like you saw through me, we're stuck for about 10 years or so. And the girl, Ebanjerin, is being treated like I was back in our world." Naruto said, his voice dropping itself into anger. Kyuubi nodded. "Yes, I have watched as well. But what intrigued me was what they called her."

This confused Naruto. "What? What did they call her?" Not hearing any response frustrated the blonde Ninja. "Oi, what did they call her! Kyuubi!"

"Be quiet! You think I want you to hear what they said! Think back at how you were treated back at Konoha when you were younger!" Kyuubi yelled back, making Naruto flinch a bit. "They treated that girl, Ebanjerin was it, the exact same way Konoha treated you! Think about how you were treated and compare it to that girl's life!"

Naruto blinked at this, before it dawned to him at what the villagers called the Lolita now. "B-but, she's not a-…"

"No, she isn't." Kyuubi interrupted. "I do not sense any evil inside the girl, but I do sense another presence inside of her. Similar to you, but she is not a Jinchuuriki, nor is she human."

"Then, what is she?"

"My only guess, is that this is similar to what that Uchiha teammate of yours experienced at well." Kyuubi responded. "Another thing is that based on the girl's expression to the villagers you rescued her from, I'd say that she has experienced this loneliness for no less than a month. Give or take at least six months."

"…" Naruto was silent.

"My only question is… what are you going to do about it?"

Naruto smiled. "Are you really that gullible, Kyuubi?" Naruto teased as the Kyuubi grinned. "I'm gonna protect Ebanjerin, no matter the cost! That's my promise of a life time! And I never go back on my promises, cause that's my Nindo, my Ninja Way!" The blonde declared as the Kyuubi laughed. "HAHAHAHAHA, and I know you will! Well, I'll try and help out along the way!" The Kyuubi offered as Naruto grinned.

Another thing then crossed Naruto's mind. "Oh yeah, Kyuubi!"

"Hm?"

"Ever since we crossed the Jutsu you had me do, I felt a little strange. My head kept pounding, my eyes were keener than before, and my nose is sharper than normal. Is there any explanation?" Naruto asked as Kyuubi thought about it.

"No. Not really, I haven't felt anything odd on the Seal since we crossed over. But if there's anything worth mentioning, I'll let you know, alright?" Kyuubi reassured the blonde as Naruto nodded back. "Got it! See you later, Kyuubi!"

As his container disappeared, Kyuubi sighed, staring at himself as he let go of the Genjutsu he was holding up. As the Genjutsu faded, so did Kyuubi's muscles. Tightening his fist, Kyuubi thought to himself, "To think that by crossing over cost me my Chakra… Only to have it be taken by Naruto… Guess there was no need for any waiting." Looking up, Kyuubi lied back on his belly. "The Kit better be careful, or something bad might happen if he lets his anger get the better of him…" The Kyuubi thought last before falling asleep.

(Next morning)

Naruto woke up to find himself hugging Evangeline as the girl continued to sleep. Naruto stared at her face with a surprised look before a panicked face took over. Before he let out a sound, Naruto covered his mouth with his hand as to not wake up Evangeline. Screaming silently in his head, Naruto gently laid Evangeline on the pillow as he crept out of the sleeping bag. Blushing crimson, Naruto quickly ran outside to gather himself.

He heard Kyuubi cackling to himself at Naruto's predicament as the blonde mentally glared at him. Sighing down his blush, Naruto unrolled one of the scrolls Kakashi gave him and did a quick scan at it. Continuing to walk without looking at the road in front of him, Naruto yelped as he bumped into a cloaked person.

"Itatata, kora, watch where you're going!" Naruto yelled, looking up to see a cloaked person staring confusingly at him.

"Whoops, forgot about the Language Barrier, tebayo…" Naruto thought to himself as the person continued to stare at him. Feeling uncomfortable, Naruto gulped, before getting up. "Umm… S-sorry about bumping into you…" Naruto awkwardly said, bowing to show his gratitude before turning around. The blonde didn't even take his second step before a large shining explosion blinded him.

"UAAAH!" Naruto shouted in fright as the light swallowed him.

As the light died down, Naruto opened his eyes. Rubbing them to get rid of the brightness, Naruto looked around to find no one behind him. "Wh-what the hell just happened…?" Naruto wondered. Shrugging, Naruto walked back to the cave, having had gathered enough ingredients to make breakfast.

Evangeline woke to the smell of rabbits being cooked as she opened her eyes. Sitting up, she noticed that her blonde companion wasn't with her. Looking around, she found Naruto sitting next to the camp fire, several sticks with meat on it. Licking her lips at the smell, Evangeline stood up to greet the warmth of the fire.

"Ah, Okiruka? (You awake)" Naruto asked as Evangeline confusingly nodded to the question. Naruto grinned before patting the ground next to him. "Hora, mada asagohan wo arundattebayo. (Here, there's still breakfast around)"

Evangeline mumbled thanks before sitting next to Naruto. The blonde glanced at his companion before noticing the girl's dirty and cut feet. Frowning a bit, Naruto fumbled with his sandals before taking them off. "Hora. (Here)" He gestured to the sandals, giving them to Evangeline. Evangeline confusingly gazed at the sandals before looking at Naruto. "Wha-…"

"Iikara haiteikureyo! (Just put it on!)" Naruto encouraged, grabbing a roll of badange wraps before wrapping Evangeline's feet. "H-hey! Wait a minute- HOLD ON!" Evangeline squeaked, blushing crimson as Naruto finished cleaning and wrapping her feet and placing her feet into his sandals. "Yosh! Douda (How is it)?" Naruto asked, smiling brightly as Evangeline blushed at her feet. "It… it feels good…" She said, looking away as the sun-kissed blonde grinned, grabbing a rabbit. "Hora, yoku tabeyo! (Eat well)" He said, before digging into his own rabbit.

Evangeline gazed at her own rabbit before taking a bite. Taking in the flavor in her mouth, Evangeline suddenly ravished onto the rabbit. Naruto stopped eating halfway to watch the 10 yr-old girl completely eat the rabbit until all the meat was gone. "Su-sugoi… (Wow)" He muttered, seeing Evangeline lick her chops again, gazing at the rabbits. Grabbing another rabbit, he held it towards Evangeline as the girl hungrily grabbed it and again ravished it.

"Yappari, onaka ga suitana~… (As I thought, she's hungry)…" Naruto thought sheepishly as he continued to watch the girl eat.

Breakfast was over, and currently, it was Evangeline - 8 and Naruto - 4. Who would've thought that someone would beat Naruto in an eating contest?

Stretching, Naruto looked around the cave. Seeing that it was snowing now, he shivered. "Kusso, yuki ga furi shitteru, naraba kooto wo mottekuru na~… (Damn, if I knew it was going to snow, I would've brought my coat)…" The blonde muttered before falling back towards the fire. "Mah, shouganaina~… (Well, it can't be help)…" Naruto said, grabbing another scroll and reading it.

Evangeline shuffled through the sleeping bag Naruto lent her, watching Naruto sneeze to the side. She giggled as Naruto rubbed his nose, cursing the freezing temperature from the snow. "Hey, do you need a tissue?" She asked as Naruto blinked. Evangeline dug into her dress to take out a handkerchief that she held to remind of her mother. "Here, blow your nose before you catch a cold." She offered. Naruto brightened. "Arigatou, Ebanjerin!"

"It's 'Evangeline'…" Evangeline muttered as Naruto happily took the handkerchief and blew his nose. Grabbing a water bottle, Naruto cleaned the handkerchief as Evangeline watched with wonder as to how such a transparent container was able to hold water. After cleaning the handkerchief, Naruto thanked his companion before cursing at the limited water he had now. Gazing outside, he grinned.

Evangeline watched with interest as Naruto ran outside with what looked like a metallic bowl before coming back with a bowl-full of snow. She watched with even more interest as Naruto placed the bowl on top of the camp fire, watching as Naruto tried to place the bowl over the fire. "Wow… A bowl being able to withstand fire?" Evangeline asked with wonder. "How did you do that?"

Naruto blinked. "Eeto… mahou (magic)?" He stupidly answered with a confusing question. Evangeline only ignored him as she gazed wondrously at the pot. Naruto sighed. "Nandattebayo…?"

(Meanwhile…)

A black crow flew before reaching a tree filled with shivering mammals and birds. The crow crewed a bit before gazing out with its black eye and lone Sharingan eye. Its orders were very clear:

Find Uzumaki Naruto. Protect him if possible. If found, stay with Uzumaki Naruto. When the time is right, absorb itself into Uzumaki Naruto and stay dormant until the time is once again right.

The crow crowed as it gazed up into the gray sky, hoping that its Master will survive long enough to Naruto to return back to the Elemental Countries.

It shivered.

Until then, it will wait until the winter is over.

Ignisha: And done! Wait up for the 7th Chapter! Read and REVIEW!