Birthday and School

-5 years since Kyuubi-

I had learned several things over the recent months. Some took longer than others to figure out, others very quickly, and while I should have realized it sooner, I was too preoccupied and cooped up inside the house to realize it.

First of all, my senses were highly enhanced. My ears could pick up sounds several times further than before, including sounds a block or so away from the house. Sometimes when I'm even inside. My sight was mutually enhanced. I could see distinct features on people and objects several times further than before. Then there was my sense of smell. Oh god, my sense of smell... It wasn't just a few, rather it was hundreds of times better.

I could easily pick up a distinct scent. My taste was enhanced a bit as well, with my nose, but that one I rather enjoy. Then there is my sense of touch. That has me giggling and laughing almost every morning I don't wake up on time with my protector.

Though I rather like the feeling of sleeping in a woman's arms every night, and the childish wake-up, it's not that same as it would have been in my past life. My body here is small, fragile, yet immortal, and female. Before, I may not have had much strength, but I would have been able to enjoy the nights a bit differently.

Though, I have long since put most of those thoughts behind me, I still can't help but wonder if I had lived a healthy life before, if I would have been able to enjoy myself from the other point of view. But there is no use worrying about all that now. I can't change it, and really, I don't think I want to. This life is far better, despite my physical change and alterations. Still... waking up to a tickle attack can be painful - not that I want it any other way.

My chakra, I have found is very special. Without Kurama's will, his red chakra was purified, and fused with mine. I have no idea for the reason of his tint staying in his purified chakra when fusing with mine, but I rather like my violet chakra colour.

I had known the Kyuubi's chakra had a massive amount of life force, but I had never really known it could be controlled. I had a flower given to me by Kurenai during one of her watches. And the thing had actually started growing in front of us. It grew and sprouted another flower. And that was just by being around me for a little bit. I was in absolute awe.

So I attempted to see what else I could do with it. And it turns out, the plants I have around me act according to my will. They can grow, move, and change shape. I can't actually kill them without forcefully pushing in too much chakra into their system - far more than they could use - but I didn't really plan to do that. It was interesting, having an ability similar to Hashirama's, but I didn't know what I could do with it yet, or whether I could really use Mokuton or not either. So far as I could tell, I just had the love of plants.

Along with actual knowledge on the use of chakra, and truly being able to use it at will, letting it flow, rather than trying to force it as I apparently had before, my chakra control has increased substantially. At least better than Naruto I believe. I had been attempting the Rasengan exercises in private to advance my control - I had somehow been able to get Yuugao to get the balloons without letting her know what it was for - and attempted to complete it.

The first two steps, they were easy enough. Though I say that, it was quite difficult at first. But I had managed them easier than Naruto at least. The last step though, I still haven't finished it yet. I had realized it needs a shell of chakra to contain the maelstrom of forces situated inside, but to actually manage it is another story entirely.

'No wonder my father was considered a genius.' I had actually started to leave a couple clones to practice this while I was doing physical training with my sensei and mother. Rather than completing it, I was letting them try and do the first step in both hands in private - I didn't need them destroying the house more than I had already so far. I disliked fixing what I broke...

Then there is taijutsu. I had actually mastered the basic form of Uzu, under Yuugao's guidance. I was moved onto the another style, one that would fit my body better, one of speed and flexibility. A style for evasion. I wasn't sure if having an immortal body should mean that I am meant to be a front-line fighter or not, but I decided it would be prudent to start with what would be useful whatever I decided. And if anyone ever found out what I became, I would rather not be sealed like my predecessor had, if I could avoid it... Evasion was a good start. I would still have to wait for kenjutsu though.

As for fuuinjutsu, I had advanced quite well. Rather than just speed through the books, I had taken my time and read through each multiple times before moving on. As such, I was certain my skills would be genuine with understanding as I advanced. And even though I hadn't reached the Uzumaki section yet, I would probably bet I could match at least Kakashi in skill. I was certain of my expertise.

My memory capabilities might have helped me there though, not that it's a complaint, but they certainly have an advantage. It also helps to have a bunshin reread the one before after you had finished the next one. There was just so much you miss without the understanding, and going back to the beginnings was a brilliant idea on my clones part.

Then there was ninjutsu. I had really wanted to learn the Henge before I left the house. I was certain that if I could at least remove my fox-like features then I could at least feel relatively at ease when I left. I knew that Yuugao would keep me safe, but there was always that chance. That first day I had shown my new appendages, I could feel the intent to attack in several of the villagers that had seen me. I wanted very much to avoid that. So I had to at least get the henge down. And so a few months ago, she taught it to me.

The result was something slightly unexpected. I apparently had a natural affinity with the jutsu. I didn't have to think about keeping the henge, and it would stay up without stress on me, at least until I cancelled it. My natural chakra rolling off of me in waves was the cause. It would seep into my transformation naturally maintaining it. But I had noticed something else when I did this. A little tingle in my consciousness. So I followed it, and seamlessly performed a transformation. What I turned into had surprised us both.

I had become a small fox. A palm sized fox, with a long bushy tail, longer than my body. My body had grown fur, red fur with strips of differing shades of orange highlights, and golden-tipped tail and ears. The affinity for the transformation was obvious at this point. I had a natural transformation, and it just coincided with the same ability, just in a slightly different way. I didn't feel this transformation absorbing any chakra - it was natural. At the time, I was highly amused with the new body, so I had taken to figuring out how to maneuver.

I had full control of my tail, though natural tendencies tended to decide what it did. And I was small and light enough I could just sit on my kaa-chan's shoulders or head. That was the thing that snapped her attention back to me - I had jumped onto her shoulder after gaining the functions to attempt it - natural instincts are amazing. And she just couldn't help but giggle at me licking her cheek - apparently my antics were adorable in her opinion.

And my violet slitted eyes showed her that I agreed, however reluctantly that was, luckily a blush couldn't be seen on a furry face. I had continued to practice using that form for its many practical uses, among other reasons. Of course this was reported to involved parties.

But now, it was my fifth birthday! For the first time in this life, I felt as if I could actually celebrate this day. I had people around me who loved me. So when old man Hokage arrived, I threw myself at him. Obvious childish hug aside, I was happy. The one thing that I was curious about in this world, yet never had a chance to try - Ichiraku's - my answer to his unspoken question of what I wanted to eat. "I want ramen tonight!" That get a couple blinks from the two. But the man just laughed and agreed.

I had my jiji with me, so I decided to forego a henge. I didn't need to be someone else with him. So with that, we left. Me in a new white and red floral print yukata my nin-mom had given me today. We actually went to a different place than Ichiraku's at first. My growling, though, obvious displeasure at the servers dark emotions rolling off at me, had them decide to go where I wanted.

And there he was. Old man Ichiraku, and his daughter helping him from the side. He turned as we sat down and greeted.

"Welcome! Oh, Hokage-sama! What brings you here today?"

"We were celebrating a birthday this morning. And this little one decided she wanted ramen." At that, both turned and looked at my hiding figure. Immediately I heard a squeal and a tackle, flying to the ground in a little bundle - is how I was greeted. Though, behind the squeals of 'So cute!' and 'Adorable!' I could hear the two men talking.

"I had heard her daughter was attacked a year ago. Almost releasing the beast too. Such a thing happening... But at least her daughter is okay now. She is doing well, right? And did she find out? Are those changes the result of the incident?"

Hiruzen chuckled, someone who knew who she was, and hadn't spread the information. Someone who saw her for her true self. Even if he didn't know her. "Indeed, she is fine. The sight before you is indeed a result, though it may have had a better ending than it looks."

"I see..." and he smiled, "hey Ayame-chan, are you going to squeeze our customer to death, or are you going to help me feed her?"

This elicited a small eep and a blush from the child on top of me. She rushed back to the counter, recounted our orders, and we ate. And then I ate. And then I ate more. 'What is this stuff!? It's heaven! Heaven in a bowl!' I couldn't help it. It was delicious. No wonder Naruto came here so often. It wasn't just the nice owner and his daughter, or the only decent priced food he could afford, no, this was also the best food EVER!

I finally finished my seventh bowl. Obviously more than my child sized body should have been able to eat. And took a look around at the openly gawking forms before me. And blinked. "Um..." and blushed. "Thank you for the meal! It was delicious!" and bowed my head in thanks. Eliciting chuckles, laughs, and giggles around me in turn.

I felt a small object jab in my side next to jiji. I turned to a small box in his hands. A present. A real present! I looked up to see him smile and nod. I took the box gently opening it. A Violet ribbon. But it felt like jiji. Why does this feel like jiji..?

"It feels like you?"

"it is made of chakra thread. Compressed chakra into a thin strand. I don't know the process, but they take a person's chakra, and condense it enough to take a physical permanent shape. How they change the color though, I haven't a clue either."

A ribbon made out of his chakra? I untied the ribbon holding my straight hair at the base of my neck, and replaced it with my new, slightly stretchy ribbon. One that matches my violet slitted eyes. I looked back at him with glistening visible. And hugged him.

This day would forever be remembered by the string tied in my hair.

"I am going to enroll you in the nin academy this coming spring, Naru-chan. Would you like that?" huh? Thats a bit young... now that I think about it, Naruto did fail twice before he actually passed. So I guess he had enrolled a year earlier than the rest.

"Un!" and a small nod of my head towards him let him know I agreed.

"I suppose we should be headed back now." And with that, we headed back home, him holding my hand. Those glares I usually get, especially on today, subdued in sight of the Kage before them and my smiling face. Most of them, their emotions in swirls of confusion and rage. But I didn't care. Not even the mutters of 'demon has to be manipulating him' bothered me. I was happy. I went to sleep that night curled in comforting arms, as always, with a true smile on my face, something that's become common this last year.

The next day, I wanted to finally use the training ground. I had on my mother's old training clothes. It's funny, she had several sizes of the same thing. Most girls I knew in the last world never kept the same outfit as they aged. But here, it seems common. So I had on an undershirt, her short sleeved kimono top, Uzumaki spiral in view, and her thigh-highs, with my nin-sandals - my tail peeking out from under the kimono top.

I had decided to forgo my visible features for now. No reason to let most of the villagers know of my changes just yet. I went into my newfound fox-form, and hopped up on Yuugao's shoulder. I curled up there, with my tail twisting around her neck for stability. And we headed out.

Shortly after arriving in the grassy field, I had noticed much of the wildlife acted like it followed me. It wasn't really visible, I could just feel it. Grass was growing slightly, plants were perking up a bit, the plans just seemed more and more alive the longer I watched. Apparently this caught the attention of the one under me as well, since she stopped and was looking around. I could see chakra, but only the denser chakra that spoke of living beings, or when in the use of jutsu, not the ambient chakra floating around us. So this is the first time I really saw an actual affect of my chakra.

'There is so much. It must be rolling off me like a waterfall to cause this kind of change in the environment.' I just hopped off and landed in the grass. It more or less felt like it caught me, cushioning my fall, and I blinked. It was as if nature was mine. And right under me I felt the plants growing much more rapidly. The grass was thickening, growing. It wasn't fast, but it was there. I changed forms to my human appearance, and just watched in awe as the grass under me grew taller, as if trying to reach me.

"I may like the thought of nature liking me, but I dont want to be caught by grass growing to try and eat me." A giggle from my kaa-chan behind me was her response, but the grass around me seemed to pause... The grass paused at my words... 'Nature really is mine...hehe' and I couldn't help it myself, I started giggling as well.

With the bout out of the way, I started to experiment again with my newfound abilities. Trying to control little bits of nature here and there. Seeing if I could change their colours - turn a sunflower blue. Checking if I could will a tree to make a new branch for me to climb on. Checking the results if I applied my chakra - that turned into a sapling growing to a full blown giant in an instant. I couldn't help but muse to myself - 'I wasn't sure if this was really elemental manipulation, but it is DEFINITELY nature manipulation'. But I could actually change the plant-life around me, I knew my flower at home was much bigger than it should have been, but I could actually control the life around me.

It was at this realization I came to another understanding. I wasn't just the daughter of my human parents. I'm also the child of Kurama now. A child of life, given birth to by a being a destruction. Or at least from his Yang body. And I really didn't know how to take that. I just laid in the grass, letting it could around me for a while, in its' tender embrace while thinking upon this new life - of what I am.

It was only when I saw the face of my new Kaa-chan over me that I realized that I had stopped. But she wasn't really looking at me, rather around me, and then at my body. I looked down to see the results of what I had unknowingly done. Something I think I was going to like. I could experiment with this.

This could be perfect for me.' And so I set out on my new pet project. Creating clones to work on my exercises while I myself worked on this. Maybe I could work on Water and Earth manipulation too? This has to be the best excuse there could possibly be to get Wood manipulation scrolls from jiji! I couldn't help but let out an audible giggle at that.

Something, I only realized later was that while I let off waves of ambient life chakra, my clones did not. Nature did move with them when they wanted it, but it wasn't instinctively called to them. Only to my real body. This would be slightly troublesome against people who can sense or see the chakra, but there wasn't much I could do about it.

- Over a Year Later -

There was a comforting feeling flowing through the classroom. It was barely perceptible, but it was there. And he couldn't help but wonder what this calming sensations was - rather, who was causing it.

Iruka had been given the position of sensei for this year. The reason for his newly instated position - Uzumaki Naruna. The rest of the teachers had wanted to avoid her at all possible. So he, an assistant sensei, was promoted to cover this class. Something he was both happy and regretful for. He didn't really know how he would treat the so called 'demon' of the village, the parish. But he didn't really want to be teaching her either. But he decided to push his feeling aside for now, and wait to find out how he would feel about it. Supposedly she was to be enrolled last year, yet was suddenly withdrawn. Nobody knew the cause, other than it being at the Hokage's request.

While several of the students had arrived - most actually - there were only a few missing. Mostly civilian children and orphans. He could see all of the 'Clan Heirs' in the class already. They were the ones he was told to focus on, though he didn't really plan on doing that, they were all students, and if there was someone who needed help, he would help.

So when the door opened, he was prepared to be facing a demon. But what he saw actually caught him off guard. While exotic, and a bit small for her age, she didn't look anything like a demon - though the eyes were slightly uncomfortable. Rather, she gave off a calming aura, something soothing. Her hip length hair, flaring out at the end, red and orange, with the ends glowing gold, tied at the base of her neck with a violet bow shaped ribbon. Her violet slitted eyes glowing bright in obvious glee of being here. Six whisker marks, adorning her cheeks in fox-like fashion, and slightly pale skin, in contrast to her outfit.

A long sleeved Violet kimono, similar in colour to her eyes, with the skirted end flaring out and ending around her upper thighs, decorated in red and orange colouring, similar to her hair, shaped in petaled flowers and leave around the hems, and a swirl of white vines flowing into the form of the Uzumaki Emblem on the front lower side. Around her waist was a red obi, tied to a bow behind her back, decorated with Violet shapes of vines flowing around with it. Her legs covered with mid-thigh length red socks, with violet vines going up the outer sides of her socks, ending with a ribbon of some sort at the top - obviously to help keep the socks up on her legs, but he couldn't figure out how for the life of him. Her feet were covered with knee length violet shinobi sandals. Her entire outfit had not a single seam, and looked as if it had been made out of nature itself.

He couldn't even figure out what the materials of the outfit were. And she seemingly smelled of the flowers printed on her outfit. The one thing he didn't see, nor know about, were the fox appendages she was currently hiding in a henge.

Eventually she tilted her head in curiousity at the new teacher. "Sensei?"

He was out of his thoughts, "Uzumaki Naruna?" she nodded, "take a seat wherever you like, class will begin shortly." And he gave a smile as she went up to take a seat beside a young lavender-eyed girl.

"Hello, I'm Naruna, what's your name."

The short haired girl, who I'm pretty sure is Hinata, who had been observing me started to blush before she stuttered out her reply. "H-Hyuga Hinata, pleased to meet y-you."

I just smiled. Maybe I can work on her self confidence. At least it doesn't seem to be nearly as bad as I remember. Maybe saving her uncle really did some good afterall. The last of the students arrived while we were talking apparently. As such, class started.

It took a really long time. I mean a really, very stupidly, long time for class to let out for lunch. It was so boring! There was nothing there I needed to know, or that I hadn't known already. I can see why Naruto always skipped... As such, I just sighed and followed Hinata out into the yard, deciding to eat with her. Sitting down next to her, much to her startled surprise, I opened my bento, and started eating silently, though with a small smile on both of us.

I could hear footsteps approaching, along with a smell of dog... 'oh no'

"Hey! Never seen you around before! And you look so weird, though you smell kinda nice, like foxes and flowers!" stated-yelled the doglike child.

I may be a child myself, with the child-like tendencies included, but I didn't want a relationship now. Especially with Kiba. He might not know it yet, but he's practically already got a crush on me! 'I hate feeling emotions sometimes... I really wish I hadn't felt his. Still, he won't go away if I just ignore him, and that would make him more annoying.' I replied with little more than a resigned sigh, "yeah..." Though, I couldn't hide the slight blush or the drooping of my hidden ears. I liked my smell, and couldn't help it!

He sat down beside us and started looking me over again. "So, what's with the fiery nature girl look?"

I should have expected his brazen nature I guess. "It's my essence, a visual representation of it."

His owlish blink reflected his answer, "huh?"

"It's me, it's who I am on the inside, so I made it show on the outside. ttebane..." Darn my mother's tick to pieces!

The hyuuga girl looked up at me at my last word, but it was the dog boy that had the nerve.

"Ttebane? heh, hahaha!" And with that he just started laughing on the ground, holding his sides.

I don't know what got into me, but I just got really angry at that. Something I hadn't felt in this life before. Anger, and annoyance at both him and myself. But there it was. My hair started raising behind me, forming into what some might call tails, others might say flames from the colors. And the death glare I was shooting him from my eyes.

"Shut up-ttebane!" I didn't care that I said it this time, I was just going to get rid of that laugh of his anyways. So I did. I hit him. And he finally understood what he caused.

He laughed at someone, and they got angry over it. He may not have understood why, but he knew he needed to get out of there before he made it worse. So he ran, with a hand holding the lump on his head. He ran with a flaming girl chasing him through the yard. And they were at it until the bell rang, lunches half eaten and forgotten. The only thing people would notice about the the girl was that she seemed a bit annoyed, but satisfied. The boy though, he had several lumps on his head, and a bruise on his face, with a defeated look situated on it.

The second part of my first day left me sleeping half way through. I just couldn't take it anymore, there was nothing for me of interest. And it just put me to sleep. Definitely not the smartest thing - my henge only lasts while conscious. So when I conked out, my ears and two tails became visible. I don't think anyone else noticed, beside Hinata, until Iruka threw a chakra infused chalk at my head, instantly jolting me awake.

"OUW! What happened?" I blur-blinked and looked around to see all the students along with Iruka staring at me with either open mouths or wide eyes. Then I realized what was visible, and inwardly groaned. 'Already on display the first day...' I just let my head hit the table, an audible groan that time.

"I guess, I should explain?" Iruka just dumbly nodded at that. "WELL! A couple years ago, I was attacked by some dumb drunks. They were calling me things, and hurt me. And I guess you could say it release a part of a Kekkei Genkai of mine? That's really all I know about it. And the result is visible in front of you." I noticed Iruka's swirling emotions, but they seemed to come under control - probably had heard about the attack and near release rumor. "I hide it to make sure the idiots don't attack me again. People don't really like foxes here."

Not quite why, but my sad voice should finish this off with that. Not that I'm faking it, really. And I closed the discussion by putting my henge back up. Iruka's emotions were reflecting his sadness, most probably for me, but there was more to it - probably his parents too.

I just laid my head down and let him continue the less. I could hear the mutterings of the other students wondering what was with me, but I ignored it. I knew their parents would tell them to stay away from me from now on. Or at least the civilians would. Also, I heard another name for me being spread around. Started by Kiba after my recent exposure. 'Flaming Kitsune' - I kinda liked it. My mother was the 'Red Hot Habanero'. Mine fits me perfectly too.

At the end of the day, I was welcomed by the sight of Yuugao waiting for me. This was something Naruto never had. Something I was eternally grateful for. I ran and threw my arms around her, hugging her, and walking with her explaining my day and failing.

My school life would continue like this for a few years. With me being ignored by most children, silently walking over to shikamaru and chouji to watch the clouds without a word - though I would usually fall asleep at that, sleeping in class - not good for grades though I was great at practicals - attempting to maintain a decent confidence level in Hinata, and leaving clones at home to continue my clan studies. Not to mention mysteriously growing tails overnight.

I just had to make sure to take care of a few things in the background.

And prank some people, hehe.