Inheritance

Today I was to meet jiji again. There was an appointment made to report in whatever changes and information they had about my wellbeing. It was understandable, though slightly discomforting, that they would insure that I was stable. If they perhaps thought that the fox itself had taken over, I might not have had such cozy treatment. Why they didn't think Kurama had taken over, I have no clue. But the Hokage probably knows something about that. Though it's not like I could question him about it.

So, I reluctantly removed myself from the warm bed at Kaa-chan's prodding. Put on one of my newly shortened kimono tops, some shinobi sandals - so much better than running around barefoot as I had before - fixed my hair with a bow at my neck, and made myself presentable.

Honestly, I never truly cared about my appearance so much in my past life. But here, I am pretty. A childish pretty right now, but I like it. And through bathing is a bit annoying with all my hair and fur, it does get rid of any stink. But really, this life is so much better - I'm not constantly fighting disease - I'm not constantly at the hospital - There is a reason to enjoy my appearance here. My body, though still looks young for my age, no longer looks malnourished. I'm still thin, much thinner than most would be at this age, but it somehow fits my shape.

I think I will always find myself odd in this body, but I can live with that. It might be a bit of a terrible situation, yet I can live with that - I can live. Really, this body is probably immortal - not that I will test it - and I will probably live for a long, long time. It's really odd to think about, but I think I'm okay with it. I just have to make sure I can survive the coming war. Though I will probably change little bits here and there to help everyone have a slightly happier life. Including myself.

Apparently, I needed to stay hidden still. Yuugao wrapped me in a blanket and picked me up. Something I still wasn't used to, but my body held no resistance towards my new mother. My body itself trusted her, so I just let myself enjoy the ride in her embrace as she hopped along the rooftops. Letting her emotions comfort me. It seems that whenever she is around me, she is really warm. I have yet to figure out why, but I believe that letting her take care of me, a child, is helping her somehow.

We arrived at the Hokage tower shortly. The receptionist was curious at the bundle in, me, but just let us past, knowing we had an appointment. And so we ended up in front of the Hokage. I waited for him to send his ANBU away - at his signal they left. And the automatic silencing barrier went back up again when the door closed. I could see the chakra, the invincible seals in the room that I shouldn't see, the slightly tinted colour of the chakra barrier itself.

I guess my sight of looking around from the blanket was slightly amusing to him, but I could tell he was curious as to why I was looking around. I figured I would throw him a bone, and maybe enable a conversation about possible lessons.

I turned back to him, "jiji, what are those weird squiggly things on the walls? And why do the walls go slightly purple when the door closes?" And there, that got both eyebrows to shoot up. Actually, even Yuugao stiffened a little, probably with widened eyes.

The old man probably figured it out instantly. He did reply afterall. "They are privacy seals, Naru-chan. They ensure that anything spoken inside this room stays that way. Nobody will know what we are talking about so long as they are active."

Lets keep pushing, see if I could get some material out of this. "Seals? They can do stuff like that? You mentioned something on my belly too. They can do lots of things, huh." He chuckled at that, but my next words actually left him speechless. "Can I learn how to do seals?" And then there was shocked silence.

He finally started laughing. And it left me a little peeved. I don't actually know why, but it did. And I started growling. He noticed though.

Still slightly chuckling, he tried placating me. "Easy, easy, naru-chan. It was just a surprise, thats all."

Only after I stopped growling did I realise what I did, and I blushed. But, I knew what I wanted, and I don't want to give him a chance to deny me. So I kept the angry pout. "I can learn how, right? I mean, daddy could use them, so I wana know how too!"

It looked like he knew I had figured it out, he wasn't surprised at all. That was the plan though, to let him know I knew. And hopefully let me learn. This childlike body was exceptionally suited for learning after all. I only realized I had been set down and uncovered as he started speaking again. 'Spaced out in thought?'

"Yes, both of your parents were masters in the art. We can start you on it, if you wish. However, it is a very dangerous art. You must have supervision all times. To start off with, we will have you learn calligraphy. You must be able to use precise strokes if you wish to use it safely. However, for your own safety, you should keep your parent's' identity a secret."

I blinked at him. He mentioned my mother. I guess since I figured out about my father, he would naturally tell me about my mother. But I can't just come out and say I knew my mother. My father was obvious in such a situation. But not my mother.

So, I asked, "you knew my mother?"

"Of course I knew her, such a fiery girl. She looks so much like you. Much like your father, she was also a master of Fuuinjutsu, of sealing. So this would probably be a useful endeavor for you to undertake." He smiled fondly at both myself and the memories of my mother. I could just tell. My tail wagging in slight excitement probably gave away I was enjoying our little talk.

Yuugao had walked over and turned in her written report about me. I pretty much knew what she had put in the report, though I was still curious. She walked behind me and started petting my head as we continued talking.

"As you know that we are trying to ensure all the changes to your body are without repercussions. Are there any other changes that you can think of that we should know about?"

'Ah, I should probably tell him about sensing emotions. I can't explain knowing about natural energy, but I think I can play that off a little differently?' My eyes narrowed at him slightly, but I relaxed again instantly. Thinking he has another agenda doesn't matter, I know I can trust this man. Not his advisers or the council, but definitely him.

"Um, I think I can sense the emotions of those around me." That was received with an owlish blink. Understanding coming into his eyes. I didn't give him a chance to continue that train of thought, "and I think I can sense nature around me." That though, THAT left him floored. And indeed, I could sense nature in the air right now. All that energy around us, all that natural energy, the energy in the nearby objects, and just in the air in general.

After a few moments of stunned silence, his eyes turned deathly serious, "Naruna, do not try to take that energy into yourself. I wont pretend to understand it, but I do know that you shouldn't tamper with it lightly." I blinked, then gave a small nod of understanding. And he sighed.

I just watched on. Thinking back upon the last few minutes and of anything else that could possibly affect me. And it clicked. "Hey, jiji. What happened to my parents' belongings?"

Hiruzen just gave a resigned sigh. He knew he couldn't keep them from her, but he had hoped to tell her of her origins when she reached Jounin rank. Now that she knows, he couldn't possibly hold onto them without either an exceptional reason, or Naruna hating him. At least she had supervision.

"I collected them into a storage scroll. A while after the attack, I categorized them too. So you should find it easy to navigate through their belongings. Much of which was what is left over from your Uzumaki heritage. Your mother had received much of what was recovered from your clan."

My eyes widened at that, I know Naruto never received any inheritance, but that he actually had one is a surprise. A real inheritance, not just clothes and weapons. His parents - NO - My parents left me their legacy. Uzumaki Naruna has the legacy of the Uzumaki clan. And this old man was able to preserve what was left of my family.

I must have shown it somehow, because I received a hug from behind. And the old man in front of me was smiling warmly. The warm embrace. Then I felt the wetness on my cheeks. I was crying. I was crying and laughing. I was their legacy. And I could continue it. Eventually I stopped laughing, though I stayed in the embrace.

"Arigatou, jiji" it was a soft thank you. But it was heard. And had all of my pent up emotions in it. It was felt more than heard. I needed to think of a way to help this man. He has already done much for me. Much more than for Naruto, which I would eternally be grateful for. So I looked back at him, wondering how I could help. Then I saw it. That huge stack of papers. That was how. And possibly a way for me to learn it too, for that matter. But this was how I could help him.

"Jiji? What's with that stack of papers?" The innocent question caught him off guard, and he gave a slightly pained whimper as he thought of the tall stack . I giggled a bit at this, gold-tipped tail wagging at the thought of helping him a bit.

He finally just sighed a response, "it's just paperwork. The bane of the life of a Hokage, but it is something I don't regret doing. Being Hokage, I am able to protect all those around me. Konoha, everyone here is my family. So if doing paperwork lets me protect those I cherish, then I gladly do it. Though, I really wish I could just burn it all." He spoke fondly up until the last muttered part. But I heard it with my ears. And I giggled again.

"Isn't there a way you can do more than one piece at a time? You're the Hokage! You must have some way to split yourself or something!" I just continued giggling at his dumbfounded face. Then it hit him, he was just so completely floored. I just full on laughed at that face. I couldn't help it. Then he started laughing too, though I could tell he was crying on the inside. Utterly wailing in self hate for not thinking it up sooner. Finally, we stopped laughing together. He just gave me a truly grateful, yet evil smile.

"Thank you, I think there is a way Naru-chan. In fact, since you gave me the idea, I'll show you the solution." He gave a dark chuckle, and proceeded to cross his hands in a familiar sign. Then they were there. Three more old men. They proceeded to gather the paperwork and split them up.

"WOW! JIJI! You're amazing!" I couldn't help the childish response, though I knew what he was going to do. I really wanted the technique too, though, and was excited about the thought. "Can you teach me?!"

He chuckled lightly at my antics. "Maybe when you're a bit older Naru-chan. You probably have the chakra for it now, though. But you have still yet to completely grasp the basics of chakra."

I gave him an annoyed pout, which was reflected in my ears.

"Now, the real reason I wanted to speak to you today, I wanted to let you know I had a 'chat' with the council. Both civilian and shinobi. I let them know about your newly acquired 'traits'." I couldn't help but be nervous at these words, my tail and ears stiffening in response. He just gave a reassuring smile and continued.

"While there was a bit of unpleasantness on the civilian side, it was handled. I let them know that any attempts at harm upon your being will be investigated thoroughly, and instigators will be sent to T&I, with probable execution upon a planned attack for all involved parties. I am unable to make a public announcement of the actual death of the Fox, for your own safety, however, with a personal bodyguard around you at all times, you should be safe until you are capable of self-defense. You will be provided access to private training ground 37. It shall be a personal training ground for the two of you from now on."

I couldn't help but be grateful of the accommodations he has provided. And completely forget about what I wanted to learn in the process. Couldn't deny the old man was good. I ran over and hugged him, giving satisfying 'arigatou's all the while. I knew he was trying to help me as much as he could. And this just proved it.

"Well, I think I need to get back to my duties. Thank you for dropping by you two." I ran back over to Yuugao, who gave him a small nod to his dismissal.

We walked out of the tower hand in hand, with a small smile on my face. That was until we were outside. My visible fox-like features somehow shifted the emotions of everyone visible. It made me shiver, something Yuugao picked up. But this wasn't something we could safely hide without repercussions. I knew that.

It didn't stop my growing fear though, the instant emotional change of so many people to the negative spectrum just hit me hard. I knew this wouldn't go over well. Though I could still sense some of them in confusion at my features, and a few that didn't care, the majority turned to immediate hatred the instant they saw my features, and only enhanced by rage when they saw my face.

They were civilians though. Few ninja really cared luckily, they knew not to do anything stupid, and they've all used seals before. So thankfully they know a bit about the difference. The features more so confused them with slight fear or anger added in, but they didn't react hardly at all otherwise. But the civilians.

The spectrum shift was instantaneous. And the pressure. I was instantly glad that Yuugao was next to me. Her sword visible on her back. Her guard up. Her protective nature kicking in the moment this took place. I was comforted with a squeeze of my hand. And we headed home.

Home. A place of my own now. A place I was safe in. In the ninja district. Where civilians wouldn't dare do anything stupid. And a place full of security seals for each home, to protect them from such possibilities. It seemed that Kakashi had come by earlier in the week. I had noticed his presence, yet hadn't acknowledged it. It seems that he had added a triple layer of protection over her house though. Something I had noticed the day after he came by.

I hadn't known what they were for, nor thought about it until now. But after coming home and seeing all the extra seals around the house, I could immediately feel the relief. Somehow I knew they were there to protect me now. As much as the motherly embrace I felt the instant we were inside. He "shh, its okay" calming me. I blocked out much of the outside emotional turbulence that we left behind, and just calmed myself in the embrace.

Eventually we parted, and I got to work on the scroll jiji had taken out of his desk, the one that was said to hold my inheritance, the one containing what remained of my parents. Something I really looked forward too.

I pressed a little chakra into it, and out came several scrolls. Reading their labels I was slightly surprised. 'Taijutsu' - 'Kenjutsu' - 'Ninjutsu' - 'Fuuinjutsu' - 'Weapons' - 'Clothes' - 'Ryo' - and a couple that were unmarked. I actually didn't find it odd that there were no genjutsu. I dont think my parents used it. The two I instantly took interest to were the sealing scroll and the clothes. The fuuinjutsu was obvious, but the clothes. 'I really am a girl now' was my next thought with a flush, along with the flattening of my ears.

I just couldn't help it though. I had basically worn rags up until now. Loose fitting shirt and shorts - not even comfortable. And now... now I had decently fitting clothes made out of a softer material. Something both durable and nice. And in front of me was the possibility of a complete wardrobe. Especially considering they were my mothers - the thought was really nice actually, despite my reservations. I was already wearing a kimono afterall.

I looked up at a sweet looking Yuugao, watching me as I continued. I decided I could check the ninja scrolls later, and proceeded to the one with clothes. A bit cliche, but I think it fit the situation. And when I put chakra in to unseal the scroll, it did nothing... "huh?"

Yuugao took a quick look, and giggled a little at my confusion, though understandable. "It has a blood seal, you need to swipe blood on it."

That... that left me nervous. I hadn't actually been injured. Nor did I know if my blood was still of Uzumaki origins. I just went with it though, pushin my nervousness aside, I bit my thumb with a canine, and swiped the bloody thumb across the seal. It actually unlocked, leaving me with obvious relief. Looking back at my thumb, it didn't even feel injured. I licked it, and found that there was no injury. I had completely healed within that moment. Now that was something I knew I was going to enjoy - my near instantaneous healing.

I proceeded to unroll the scroll and push my chakra into the seal. And out came several piles of clothes. Mostly female, but some male. Though the male clothing was adult - I could only assume he didn't care enough to keep old clothes. My mother's clothing looked like it was sorted by age. The youngest was slightly bigger on me, so I didn't think I could wear it yet. Fishnet tee, with a sleeveless short kimono. It might fit in a couple years, but my body had yet to advance that far. I would have to settle for my current wardrobe, but that would be enough. I wasn't going to be able to ruin a whole wardrobe with training at my age.

So, after spending a bit of time, we got the clothes situated. It didn't really take long, for which I was grateful. It meant I could move onto Fuuinjutsu! Moving back into the main room of the house, I unlocked it with my blood again. This time there wasn't just one seal to unlock however. It seemed the old man had prepared this as more than just an inheritance.

There was an explanation at the start - "This scroll is designed to provide the basics at the start. Moving up and advancing through the expert sections. Once you have advanced enough, there will be a seal for the Uzumaki scrolls. There are levels in Uzumaki sealing. What may be considered an expert to others would be considered a Level-3 for an Uzumaki, which continues up to 10. Uzumaki Kushina brought the books for each level, along with combat styles, from her home, in hopes of mastering the skills of her clan. These are to be passed down to you."

I knew the old man considered Naruto as if he was his own grandchild. But this, to have ensured I could continue what my clan started, to ensure the survival of the Uzumaki, and to ensure that I am capable of actually understanding what my clan left to me. To set this up for me. I felt gratitude in the depths of my heart for this kind man. I knew he wasn't doing this for Konoha. This was for my parents. This was for me. And the tears showed my feelings, once again.

Yuugao just watched on, letting Naruna continue, and to figure everything out herself. Naruna just unlocked the first seal and started reading the thick book that released itself. She stood up and went to fix the two of them a meal for lunch.

I was only about a quarter of the way through the book when I stopped later that evening. 'This book. This is amazing. It's only the start, but it's like programming all over again, yet entirely different.' I couldn't help but compare them, even though they were so different, the similarities were there. 'I could read this over and over again, and still not expand the possibilities. And yet this is only the first book of so many.' I went to sleep that night with my mind running in all I had learned.

The next day I decided to go through the rest of the labeled scrolls.

Taijutsu styles - Whirlpool - Vortex - Wave - Tide - Breeze - All of which seemed to come from Uzumaki scrolls. Apparently the Whirlpool Style is the basis for many of the other scrolls, advancing upon it. 'Probably the academy style of Uzu if I had to guess. Probably given to mother after the fall. These must be what could be recovered'

The Kenjutsu scroll seemed to have several styles as well, and apparently Uzu was known for this as well as their sealing skills. Swirling Tides, Raging Waves, along with other such styles. Most seemed to be extensions of the taijutsu styles. Genius really, creating styles that flow into another weaponised style.

It was only going through the Ninjutsu scroll that my heart caught. "Adamantine Chains" I read aloud. My mother's chakra chains. They were a special chakra, one that is passed down in the main line of Uzumaki. Others uzumaki may be able to replicate it, to a much weaker effect, but the main blood of the Uzumaki apparently all had them.

Naruto had them, and he didn't even know it. Kushina was of the main Uzumaki bloodline. Which meant, so was I. But I knew I wasn't advanced enough in chakra control, or usage to form them. I couldn't even hardly stick a rock to my hand yet, even if I had done it a few times. And that's easier for me than sticking a leaf! Took a couple fried leaves to figure that out... But I severely doubted I could use this yet. But there they are, I can use them!

I couldn't help but be happy, but I moved on to the next scroll, and the next. Most of them were simple elemental jutsu - Wind or Water. But the last one of the pile. That had the same effect as my mother's technique. "Kage-Bunshin!" and I squealed... I had never squealed before, but there it was. And instantly all my giddiness vanished in shame. My ears flattened, and my tail wrapped around my torso. Oh the embarrassment...

I finally looked back to the. There it was, the one jutsu that would allow me to train my skills to perfection, in a speed that only I could use. I had the chakra, I had the healing, and I had the need. I had never used hand signs before, and I wasn't sure if I could get this down, but I needed this.

I had asked Yugao earlier that morning to get some ink and scroll to practice Kanji and calligraphy on. And her return to the house several hours later with groceries along with my needs, happened her upon a very odd scene. One she couldn't help but blush and find absolutely adorable. If a little worrisome.

She walked in on me, naked, inspecting myself. But I wasn't just looking in a mirror. I was looking at another me. I was checking my tailbone, and where it connected. And in order to do that, I had to undress. So there I was, petting my tail, and checking my own butt out. Her cough brought me out of my awe of myself. And immediately my tail stiffened and my ears went full alert. I turned to her smiling visage, and my face went a darker shade than my hair.

"I-it's not what it l-looks like! Dattebane!" And there that tick was again! The humiliation just piles up... And with that my ears flattened and I hid myself under the nearby covers of my bed while my clone popped.

The only thing that happened for a few seconds was hidden embarrassed silence. Then I heard giggling. Shaking with embarrassment, I felt her come over, and sit on the bed.

"It's okay to be curious about your own looks. Especially after the changes you went through." I peeked out of the covers to see her smiling at me. God, I love her. I still couldn't help but inwardly groan at my childish self. It's the body, it has to be this body. The genetics has to be the cause. I even have my mother's verbal tick!

I just got out and hugged her. With that, I decided to get dressed for the second time that day, and continue reading through the scrolls. I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to be able to defend myself from both the village and the enemies.

I decided I would work on taijutsu and fuuinjutsu first. I would do the physical work myself, while a clone would read and advance my studies. And I could run through kata's of the taijutsu scrolls inside the house too. I don't particularly need to do any strenuous work with an undersized four year old body. I'm not even sure my new mother would let me for that matter... but I really didn't need to ask, I didn't plan to yet anyways.

But with these two things, I could practice inside the house. No need to travel outside for now. It would let the villagers spread my changes around in rumor, and let them cool off, rather than just see me and try to attack thinking they would stop the release of the fox.

And so, for the next few weeks, I would train as such. One clone on seal study, one watching me run kata's along with Yuugao, and then myself actually doing the taijutsu kata. And later, she would run me through chakra exercises to allow me to control it better. She just couldn't figure out how I could pull off the Kage-Bunshin with the little I knew - and she went on about it forever. I think the library access had helped there, though I wasn't absolutely sure myself.

Every week, we would travel to the hokage tower, though I was hidden in Yuugao's arms to prevent possible attacks for now, both going there and back. After tiring myself out, I just spent the rest of my time talking to her, enjoying her presence. Though, she was gone most evenings and come back tired - I assume she's sparring and training herself.

It wasn't until several weeks, and Hokage visits later that I found the first thing I could change.

"Jiji!" I ran up and attempted to tackle him in a hug. He just chuckled like usual at my antics, and pet my head, causing a little purr from me - something about myself I had started getting familiar with. Not to mention enjoying it myself... I don't tell them that though.

"Good morning Naru-chan. I see you're doing well."

My happy reply was expected, but enjoyed none-the-less. "Of course! Kaa-chan is making sure of that!"

The first time I had called her that in front of jiji, he had raised an eyebrow at her blushing face, but had let it go. The amused look he gave her was enough.

"I apologize for this, but we're going to have to make this appointment short. I have a meeting with the shinobi council later about a peace treaty. We're to receive the ambassadors later in the week." I saw his smile at the thought of that. 'A peace treaty, huh?' Something about that just didn't sit right in my stomach. So I asked.

"With who?" I tried to look innocent, and I don't think he picked up on my thoughts. Hopefully this isn't what I was starting to think it was.

"Kumo, they should be arriving shortly, and I need to make accommodations for them"

That. THAT! My emotions got the better of me at that, and my pensive look must have worried the old man in front of me. "Naru-chan?"

I sighed, maybe I could twist this in my favor? He actually brought it to my attention after all. Maybe I could save a life here. "Jiji, are you sure they want peace? Why now? they've obviously had a long time to try for it. And I may not know much, but I don't think anything has changed recently, right? Are you sure it's really the treaty they are here for?"

He just smiled at me. A reassuring smile. "It will be fine."

I could tell there was a slightly raised flag there, but it wasn't enough. "You sure jiji? Weren't we enemies in the last war? The library had stuff, and people talked. Weren't they trying to get bloodlines or something?" There he got suspicious. There he thought about it, perhaps remembering my own mother's kidnapping. And since I was the one talking about it, maybe that helped spur it on. Maybe I could prevent Hinata's kidnapping. Prevent Hizashi death. Prevent a fate-determined Neji - though that last part I doubted would change too much.

"It should be fine to give them an extra protection detail. A few to watch their actions, and ensure their absolute safety." I gave a small pout, but knew what the real meaning of those words meant. He would have them tailed at all times. Just as a precaution. It would only be for two or three days. He could allow for it.

"Whatever you say jiji" Keeping my childish pout. Again he just smiled at my antics.

"Alright you two, unless there is something more, I need to get going." With that, we were dismissed. Of course, I don't think that I wasn't suspicious myself, but I doubt either of them could come up with a reason to confront me for this. After All, I was just a child - one who had ninja watching me. I know Kakashi was outside my new home every time Yuugao left me there alone. And I wasn't foolish enough to arouse suspicions this early, let alone try an obvious escape for some odd reason.

And with that I resumed my daily training, hoping the extra 'protection' jiji set up would help save a life.

It wasn't until a week later that I had heard about a breakdown in negotiation, an attempted kidnapping, and an kumo-nin in T&I. I was satisfied with that, the nin wasn't dead, nobody had to be sacrificed for this. The information did however come to me specifically - by my new nin-mother. Warning me to be careful, these things really do happen, and that I was a good girl for thinking about it, and bringing it up. And I was happy. For the first time in this life, I had made a change, I had what I wanted, and I was truly happy, dumb villagers withheld from thought.