Confusion

The first thing I noticed waking up, was a sensation on my head. It was soft, soothing, like loving affection. 'But it feels sooooo good.' How had I not known this sensation before? Then it hit her - an orphan - and she groaned. 'Why am I going to be teased with such a wonderful sensation that I'll probably never feel again?' All of a sudden, everything was still. The sensation stopped, and that noise that was around her stopped too. 'Wasn't that someone talking though?'

And then it all came back to her, she was instantly on guard, shivering in fear, up off of whatever nice place she was laying on. She looked around, breathing fast and hard, ready to run. But what she didn't expect were three wide eyed faces looking at her, just standing there, blinking. Then she recognized him. The Hokage, her safe haven. And she ran at him and jumped, an attempt to tackle him to the ground, an attempt that failed, yet feeling safe. Still slightly shivering, crying a little, a few soft whimpers, but safe.

'Wait, where am I? Who were those people?' She felt, more than heard her Jiji chuckling in her hug, his arms wrapped around her. And then she heard it. His calming words.

"It's okay, Naruna. You're safe now. Everything has been taken care of." And I instantly relaxed. For someone I barely know, I knew I trusted him a little bit too much, but I knew right then that I could and should trust him. It was instinctive, like several things before had been. She could still see, hear, feel those villagers in her memory. Their drunken smell. But it was ignorable, she was safe.

Then she felt it. Felt them. Felt her body... 'What?' She could feel something different about her body. It was the same, yet it wasn't. Unable to describe the sensation, she went for the more obvious. The two little sensations on top of her head, and the one that was swaying against her legs, back and forth. Soft, fluffy, yet distinctly her on both the swaying and the feeling of the fluffiness itself. She couldn't help but think the same thing again- '...What?'.

She released her new favorite person. Despite not having much in this new world, she found at least one person now. The last world didn't hold much meaning either, but at least she had a few friends. In this one, she had finally gained a person though. But releasing him, she backed away a bit, wide eyed. She could tell something was off. Something was wrong with her body. She felt her ears twitch. Reaching up, she felt them with nimble fingers. 'They've moved…higher? Soft...? long… the shape is wrong?' She couldn't help but mutter, "huh?"

She looked back at the wizened old man in front of her, a sad smile on his face, just watching as she took it in, 'I can tell he is waiting for me to figure out whatever this is.' Then feeling the fluffiness again, she got a small annoyed pout on her face, and reached behind her only to grab air.

Trying again, she caught it, and pulled it in front of her, only to blink at it. "What...? What is this..." And blinked again, and again. In her hands was a golden tipped, long bushy red tail. And then she pinched it. "YEOW!" She blinked a few tears away at the sensation. Unlike flesh and blood, it was more sensitive, yet distinctly different, and it felt connected to the rest of her body, directly above her butt hole, as if it started right at the end of her spine.

She could tell it acted as if it was flesh and blood, and for some reason, she could feel that if it was cut, there would be blood. But it was different, it was more like that feeling from before... The oddest part to her was that the rest of her body felt somewhat similar to her new tail as well. "Chakra...?" she muttered. Though it was quiet, it was obviously heard, since the old man blinked and widened his eyes as she looked up.

"W-Why…? Why do I have a tail? And... I think ears?" Then it broke through. 'THE FOX! BUT HOW?! WHY?! Calm down! Calm down...' Her recently increasing breathing speed started slowing down as she forced herself calm.

Then she looked around as her Jiji spoke. "I believe I have something I need to tell you Naruna-chan. Please have a seat while I explain a bit. I'm sorry you have to find out in such circumstances, but it would be best to get through this as soon and calmly as possible."

While I was listening I looked around. Familiar faces all around. The Inu mask, Hatake Kakashi. The white bandage robed woman, Yuhi Kurenai. She felt more than saw the people though, which was a bit confusing. She turned around and saw a woman with long violet hair that she barely recognized, but she did - Uzuki Yuugao. 'Wonder what she's doing here.' A bit apprehensive, she didn't know much about the woman, but guess she would be trustworthy if the other three were involved.

She turned back to Jiji and nodded. Then turned around, and started walking towards the couch, only now noticing her new attire, and something reeeeeally long down her back, tickling her feet. Looking down, she noticed the hair piled around her. 'Red... Orange highlights? Golden ends? Guess it grew out? But, the colors… Isn't my mother's red hair supposed to be the recessive trait in me? The orangish highlights have to be from Kurama.'

She blinked and shook it off, and just walked to the couch, turning and sitting down, extended hair following along. For some reason odd reason, instinctively and relaxedly, she sat really close to Yuugao, not even noticing it. Though everyone else did, since there were smiles all around. To which she just blinked and wondered about.

Only when she felt a hand rubbing her head, and her ears did she realize what the sensation from earlier was. She leaned into it and started purring again... Only to finally notice what she was doing. 'Oh. My. Kami! I'm a pet?!' Her ears dropped low in shame and embarrassment as she yanked her head away and scooted slightly away.

For some reason she didn't go far, not that she realized or understood it. But she heard a couple giggles from the two other women in the room at the view, and turned tomato red, and covered her face with her hands, just as her tail reached around to help. To which she just instinctively hugged and dug her face into. The giggles only increased and a small 'kawaii' sound came from next to me. That only served to flatten my newly found fox ears closer to my head.

"Aww, no need to feel embarrassed Naruna-chan, it actually suits you perfectly. And amazingly, I think your new features might actually help with some of the villagers."

Another giggle at this, but I couldn't help it. This damn childish body had emotions, feelings, and reactions of its' own. So I couldn't help it when a small "really? 'tte-ba-ne" escaped my mouth.

"Yes, I find it perfect in fact. I know for a fact several friends who would absolutely adore you the way you look now, Naru-chan." I really couldn't help it this time, steam practically came out of my ears at the embarrassment at both her statement, and my own realization of my freshly acquired verbal tick.

I was absolutely grateful at Jiji's intervention - "Alright you two, stop teasing her. We have much to discuss, though you have my thanks at lightening the situation." I turned to him with the thanks visible in my features. To which he just chuckled again for the umpteenth time in the last minute. Though, I somehow found myself leaning against Yuugao again with her petting my head. How and when that happened, I have no idea, but it's enjoyable, and probably the closest human contact I've had in years, so as long as nothing was said, I wasn't really willing to move anymore. The purring was still slightly embarrassing though, but I'm ignoring it the best I can.

Still smiling gently at us, he continued - "Anyways, there are a few reasons for this. But first, I would like to know why you were outside my tower instead of the orphanage."

I looked at him a bit startled and slight fear. But I replied none-the-less "The matron, she, um, she really looked like she wanted to... hurt me. So I ran. I knew she would hurt me bad if she caught me. I didn't want to corner myself inside the place. But the only safe place I knew would be with you. So, I just, I'm sorry."

He gave a sad sigh, and continued on with what was probably the hardest bit he would have to talk about. "It's fine to run to me if you're in trouble Naruna-chan. I expect it really. Now, I need to tell you from the beginning. Do you know about the Kyuubi no Kitsune?"

My reply was textbook. I had to make sure it was something that was believable, that I could have learned from overhearing a conversation, or reading in one of those new academy books that was being spread around lately. "It is the beast that the Fourth Hokage killed in battle four years ago. Or that's what I overheard someone say anyways." I mumbled the last part and looked down slightly, to make it a bit more believable. Though I had actually overheard it explained that way once, just not in this world.

The reply was entirely what I expected. I had up to this point, semi-refused to believe that I was actually born AS Naruto. But I still knew it was me. I just really hoped it wasn't, and that hope would change it. But I knew it was not to be. So his reply was just what was needed to put tears into my eyes.

"The fox was not killed. It is impossible to kill a living mass of chakra. The best we are able to do is seal it. The problem with that is it is usually placed inside a living container. In this case, the vessel was a human baby. The Fourth, however, knew that sealing the entirety of the fox inside an infant would kill the child. So he used a jutsu to strip away most of its chakra. Its' Yin half, and most of its' Yang too. It would eventually recover the rest of its' Yang chakra back, but it was enough to weak the fox enough to place inside the child. So he did what he could, sacrificing himself, along with placing a burden on the young child he hoped would be seen as a hero, and sealed the fox demon inside you."

He had actually started leaking a few tears of his own, while the others in the room just looked really sad, and though I couldn't see Inu's face, I knew he was sad too. He wasn't even looking in our direction. And me. I was outright crying now. I didn't have to fake it. I was inside the Narutoverse, the main character, I was Naruto himself. But somehow things were slightly different. I was female. I had somehow acclimated more to the fox than I thought possible. Though I still don't know how, I knew I had. And the changes were something that still confused me.

"My changes?" I asked carefully, trying to keep my voice level.

"My best guess, actually, my only guess, is that you somehow absorbed the Kyuubi's entire being. His existence itself. It just disappeared. The seal is practically gone. Only two pieces remain, and they seem to only contain a slight amount of chakra. They don't cage anything. And for some reason, it seems your body has acclimated to the foxes existence. As such, you, yourself seem to be somehow made entirely out of chakra. A being of chakra, yet formed in such a way that you're still a human. Your body works the same as a human, for the most part, down to the last organ. Yet, you are an existence of chakra. It's confusing, I know. I will explain it again as you're older, and possibly when I understand it more myself."

I just nodded. No need to tell him I understood more than probably even he does. Though maybe not the minor details. But this is the perfect chance to ask about my parents. Conflicted, and emotional as I was, I knew how important this could be, and he had just brought them up. But now I know of a way to bring them up. 'As bad as it sounds, and as trustworthy these people around him are - I hope Yuugao is - it should be safe. And his privacy seals around the room? They look to be activated? I can see the seals? And the thin, light, see-through barrier they create? odd...'

"Um, Jiji? Did my parents love me-ttebane?" - 'naaah! that's definitely genetic! grrrr.'

Hiruzen got a mystified slightly guarded expression, I guess he wants to be careful here? But he just smiled, and gave me a fond expression. Especially at the end... I wanted to whine about that so much.

"Yes, they loved you with all their heart. I watched them as they told you all their hopes and dreams for you. I couldn't hear them, but I could tell they really would have loved to raise you. It saddens me that they're gone, but just remember, they wanted you, and they loved you right to their final moment."

That left me absolutely sobbing. These two, I never knew them. But that memory. That first memory of my new life. Those blobs hovering over me. I knew who they were. I know what they said. I know why they were saying it.

I know why they were so sad now. But these few years of practically no human contact other than a few simple words, I wanted attention, I wanted to be loved. And these two loved me. They actually gave their life for me. It should have been for the real Naruna. But I'm the real Naruna now. So they really did give me this life. They did more though, they gave me theirs.

I knew I would probably cry myself to sleep. I needed to let out a lot. Much from over the years, so much to let out. But, I still had to say one last thing, something to let the Hokage know I knew, or at least knew about my father. Though, and it might be best this way, I still had to wonder if the other two already knew, but no longer cared.

So I said it. I said it while both laughing and sobbing. Probably an odd sight, but it would make it more believable too. And the seal was definitely faulty, something is different here. I don't know what, but it is. Absorbing the fox, and taking on the properties of its' very being? Whatever it was, small or large, he made a mistake with the seal. So I bleary eyed, sobbed, and laughed - I couldn't help but laugh at this made-up story after all - up my experience.

"Hehe *hic* He-he was sc*hic screaming in my head ha *hic* about my father sealing him *hic* and killing him hehaha." At that, the old Hokage looked like he was ageing a few years, eyes wide with both startled fear and regret. "I guess *hic* he really did kill the fox. *hic* Said the seal was *hi-hic* wrong - was screaming in pain he*hic* about doing things to my father." And with that, I just let myself relax into Yuugao's comfort. 'When had she started hugging me like this? It's nice...' I just let myself go. And almost instantly I fell asleep from the strange amount of stress my body had accumulated throughout the day and night.

Yuugao just kept a firm grip on the young child. Obvious signs of protectiveness kicking in. Instincts, she knew. But she just gave in to them anyways. She sighed, cuddling the child.

Finally the third spoke again, "You are all dismissed. As requested, this will be a long term mission, and a permanent one for Yuugao. Payment will be varied upon circumstances, but I expect all of you to at least check in with her weekly. Including you Kakashi. I believe this will be best for you overall." With that, Kakashi and Kurenai left, no doubt hoping to catch up on some sleep.

He chucked a small coin sack at Yuugao. The young teen, who had just stood up with the small girl in her arms, caught the small sack with a sudden jerk. This elicited a small whine from the reformed child in her arms in discomfort. "There is some extra ryo to start with. It should cover the necessities, including a new wardrobe." Then he just smiled, that same amused glint in his eye, and Yuugao almost let out a groan at his tease though she did still blush, "please take care of your daughter, I expect a full report on her well-being in a week. And keep her out of sight until then."

Hiruzen just smiled as he watched her leave through the door. Carefully covering her in the clean blanket so as to keep her hidden from the public as she passed on the now empty streets. He sighed, letting his age catch up to him completely.

So many things to take care of tonight. So many changes. So much trouble. And he wasn't even sure about what actually happened to Naruna. She said the fox was screaming in pain, and yelling at her, and cursing her father... 'Damn fox told the brat who her father was. That must be why she was laughing, she found out about her father, it was said he killed the fox, and yet, he did actually kill half of it now, after giving the shinigami the other half, but only four years later. I'm getting too old for this...'

And even with those thought, he laughed. He laughed at what his success and predecessor had done. Even if accidentally. And then he shed silent tears. Tears for Naruna, her trouble to come, and what her life may throw at her now. And then he sobbed. He sobbed thinking about the paperwork that is to come. Paperwork that is all thanks to Naruna, who he has started thinking of as a granddaughter as of this night, and literally held no blame for any of it. And then the council, oh what a fuss the council will make about moving her out of the orphanage into a shinobi's home.

'Luckily shinobi are under my control, and since it's a mission, not an official adoption, they can do nothing!' Oh, how great that simple action felt. Finally, she had a home, and he could sleep peacefully. And so he slept, his ANBU guards watching silently nearby, letting themselves back inside after the others left. He easily slipped into a comfortable sleep, knowing the teenage girl would take care of her.