Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Naruto or Rosario. This is just for fun.

All other disclaimers made about Japanese still apply

Naruto and Jiraiya made their way toward the town. He had asked Jiraiya to keep quiet about when they returned home. They both came in on the train under disguises. Naruto had told Mizore that they would be getting home in a few days. Naruto's and Mizore's parents however, knew about when they would be arriving but not exactly so they wouldn't spoil things. Naruto wanted to surprise his girlfriend. Jiraiya, merely viewed this as a form of research and played along. He had gotten so much material from his pupil and planned to get more. Unlocking the door, Naruto slipped into his house. His parents were likely in the hotel. He and Jiraiya had taken a very early train, thereby allowing his plan to have the chance of working. Jiraiya went and informed Minato and Kushina that they had arrived while Naruto washed up and changed.

Kushina ran into the house and was shocked at the changes her son had undergone. While she had missed him dearly, she knew that the training trip was necessary. He now stood a little over six feet tall, she saw him dressed in his new clothes and noted that he shared his father's physique. She would have to make sure that Mizore saw him without a shirt on, just for the teasing opportunities. She came up and gave her son a hug. "Welcome back Naruto, I missed you."

Naruto picked his mother up in the hug and spun her around. "It's good to be back mom. I have a surprise planned for Mizore. Do you know where she is?"

Kushina shook her head, "No, but I can find out, give me just a minute." She picked up the phone, dialed, and after a moment she spoke. "Tsurara, is Mizore at home or at the resort today? The resort, excellent! The surprise we talked about arrived today. I need you to get up there and have Mizore greeting guests today. Don't let her get suspicious though, your reason needs to be believable. How long will that take? Perfect, that gives us enough time to get everything put together. Make sure to keep in mind that once the shuttle gets there that Mizore will need a replacement. Thanks, I'll be bringing my camera. I'll see if any of the guests would be willing to take pictures. If so, make sure there is a laptop available. See you soon." Hanging up the phone she turned to her son, "So what do you have planned? All I know is you wanted to surprise her."

"Well, I wanted to borrow the hotel chef for a few minutes." Naruto chuckled nervously.

"Done! What else?"

"I was thinking about a picnic, just the two of us and we could have the Shirayuki's over for dinner, unless they wanted us to go over there."

"A picnic, this early? Well, I will discuss that with Tsurara while you two are out and about. Anything else?"

"The picnic is because she always runs late, still does according to her letters and never eats before she heads to the resort. And other than today, I do have something special that I wanted to do for her tomorrow. But that will be early. It involves a few things that I learned while I was away. Don't worry; it's not perverted in any way."

Kushina considered this, "Okay, but the rest of the day tomorrow your father and I will want to spend with you."

"That is fine with me mom."

Kushina smirked, "That is, if Mizore will let us. She has missed you so much. Her mother is very proud of her oldest daughter. She said that she is now having to put forth more than a little a bit of effort to beat her daughter during training spars, another one of her sisters has started as well."

Naruto laughed again. "Should we get going? The shuttle will be leaving soon. I still need to talk to the chef."

The pair walked back to the hotel and made their way into the hotel lobby. There were already people sitting on the couches and chairs waiting for the shuttle to depart. While Naruto went and spoke to the chef, Kushina was plotting herself.

"Everyone listen up!" She spoke loudly, "I need your attention." Since she was listed as the driver of the shuttle today, everyone complied. "There is going to be an extra guest with us today. My son has just returned home today from traveling abroad for a while. His girlfriend works at the ski resort. We wanted to surprise her and hopefully it will work. Now, there is only one of me and a large group here today, so we are going to have a contest when we get there. Everyone with a digital camera raise your hand."

Well over three quarters of the group responded, and Kushina rubbed her hand together in glee. "Excellent. Now, this is the contest. Whoever gets the best picture of her reaction will end up getting three free lift tickets. Second place is three meals of free room service. And everyone who takes pictures, we will remove five to fifteen dollars off a night from your room rental if you get some good ones." The assembled patrons all murmured their excitement. Kushina continued, "My husband and I will decide and let you know what your efforts have won you. I will have a computer waiting at the lodge to download them onto before you get up the slopes. Now, my son will be coming out of the kitchen momentarily. I want him to get off the bus near the end, so everyone who has a camera, get off before him, but don't make it look obvious. People with cameras will be getting on last so you can get off first. If any of you spoil the surprise I will triple your room rate! Those who don't have cameras, I ask that you wait on the bus until the surprise and her reaction have happened."

The group complied, those without cameras standing by the door, and those with hanging back. There were a few people who ran back up to their room to get a camera left there. The rewards were definitely worth it. Naruto came back about fifteen minutes later, with a few covered dishes that had been put in a carrying pack and a couple hotel blankets. Kushina took these from her son. "You can't be carrying all of this when she sees you."

Even with heavy anticipation on the part of Naruto and his mother and also the prospect of freebies from the hotel for the patrons, the ride up to the lodge was oddly quiet.

Mizore had just arrived at the main lodge when her mother pulled up on a snowmobile. "A few of the girls just called out sick today, and we have a large group coming from the Namikaze's today, can you act as a greeter and traffic director for me until we get them settled?"

Mizore groaned. "Mom, I was just supposed to prepare the slopes today then go and find the best spots for when Naruto comes home. I want to see if I can follow him home without me noticing."

"Mizore, please, I need this. I already sent your sister to go work that run. She is strong enough to do so. You can have the day off tomorrow if you do this for me. That way you can make up for lost time."

Mizore agreed, but inwardly was irritated. She hated greeting people. By nature all Yuki-Onna were shy and preferred to be observing instead of noticed. Being readily visible and outgoing went heavily against that. Mizore begrudgingly went and got changed. Greeters had to appear normal for a human. So she put on some jeans and a long sleeved shirt with a greeter badge pinned on it. Mizore decided to watch the road, as the shuttle turned into the parking lot, she saw a red head at the wheel. Kushina usually had news if a letter had come from Naruto. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all. She might even know what train he would be coming in on at the end of the week.

Walking towards the shuttle, Kushina was directing people over to her for an introduction to the lodge. When over half of the people had gotten off the bus, Kushina came over to Mizore.

"You on greeter duty then? I'm sorry that you got stuck with it."

"It's okay. Did Naruto send a letter?"

"No, he hasn't I'm sorry. Something did come from him today, but I haven't had a chance to look into it and see what he sent for you."

"That is okay, I will stop by later today then to see if he sent me anything."

Grabbing her attention, a voice was heard that was familiar, but different; and a surge of energy she hadn't felt in a long time, registered on her senses. "What if I just sent myself?"

Mizore slowly turned murmuring to herself, "Don't be a dream…" When she had turned around, she saw Naruto coming off the small bus and stand there with a grin on his face

"Hello Mizore." his voice, though deeper, was still recognizable.

Any further conversation was cut off as she ran and jumped towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, he was now taller than her by a few inches, but she made the jump/. She then kissed him in front of everyone. Neither of the rather occupied couple noticed the sounds and flashes of pictures being taken.

Tsurara walked up alongside her friend. "Kushina."

"Yes?"

"I want copies of those pictures."

"I know. I promised the person who took the best one three lift tickets."

"I was going to offer five. If there is a tie, I'll give both groups three tickets for the duration of their stay." Tsurara paused, then continued in low voice, "The opportunity for the teasing material or is just too good to pass up!"

Kushina replied in a conspiratory tone, "I know, and the best part is that we didn't have to do anything to get it either!"

Two other girls came up and ushered everyone into the main lodge allowing the couple some time alone. The gear would be brought up to them shortly. It was several minutes before Mizore would climb down off of Naruto, she still pressed herself into him. It looked like she was trying to merge with his coat. Tears of happiness leaked from her eyes.

Tsurara spoke to her daughter, "You can have today and tomorrow off to spend with Naruto."

"Thank you Mother."

"Have fun."

"What? Eeep!"

While the two were talking Kushina had given Naruto the blankets and the pack with the food in it. He slipped it on, threw the blankets over a shoulder, picked Mizore up bridal style and ran off to the woods. This caused the girl in his arms to blush. Usually it was the Yuki-Onna who did the carrying off. It felt rather nice to be the one who was taken for once.

Upon entering the woods, he poured on the speed, taking them to a clearing that they played in frequently when they were younger. It was down the mountain from the resort, so it was unlikely that they would be bothered or even seen. Naruto laid the blankets down on the snow at the base of a tree. "Now, unless you have changed your habits, which I doubt, you never eat breakfast before helping at the resort. So I made sure that I brought you something. I haven't eaten either."

Mizore smiled and her blush returned. Even though he hadn't been around for all this time, he still knew her better than anyone else. "Thank you Naruto."

Inside the pack were a few different foods, some of which Mizore chilled before eating them. Mizore sat leaning against Naruto as she ate. She reveled in the comfort that had been lacking from just being near him. She resolved then and there to never let another touch her.

"I missed you Mizore." Naruto spoke startling her out of her thoughts.

"I missed you too. Um, Naruto, could you hug me again like you did before you left?'

"With all of my tails? Or just the ones you saw when I left?"

"You grew more?" the shock in her voice was evident.

"Until the age of around thirty to forty all yoko can gain more tails. Depending upon their strength of course. One of the reasons why I am taller is because of the ones that I grew."

"Can I see them all?"

"Only for you Mizore. I normally only bring out a few." Naruto stood then shifted into his kitsune form. All of his tails flowed behind him. After counting them, (there are now seven of each type) Mizore's eyes glittered and Naruto swore he saw hearts appear around her face. Mizore leapt into his embrace. His tails automatically wrapped around her.

Letting out a little sigh, she felt that all was finally right in the world.

Naruto sat back against the base of the tree, Mizore leaned back against his chest, the tails still covering her like a furry blanket. Every once in a while she would gently stroke one near her hand. They lost track of time of how long they stayed like this, just watching the clouds and talking to each other. Once the sun had made its way overhead, they decided that it was time to go back.

While Naruto was packing up and shaking the snow from the blankets, Mizore decided to try something her mother had talked about during what she called lollipop training. Since Naruto had his back to her, she posed, leaning forward slightly and a lock or two of hair fell forward over her face. When he slipped the pack back onto his shoulders she asked, just as he turned around, "Naruto?" She held the sucker was being held in one hand, just in front of her lips, she then took a brief lick of it then asked pouting slightly, "Would you carry me back? Please?"

Naruto turned beet red and stammered out, "Uh, yeah Mizore, sure."

This, according to her mother, was a positive reaction. She decided to try another move that her mother had suggested. Leaning in close, she whispered as huskily as she could, "Thank you."

She noticed that he had shivered, just so slightly before picking her up again. Inwardly she squealed, 'Success!' Mizore thought that she might have another talk with her mother tonight to get a few more tips. Just because he had made that promise to her didn't mean their relationship would be boring. As they made their way through the woods Mizore just leaned into his shoulder.

"By the way Mizore, your hair looks really nice."

"You like it? I was going to cut it before you arrived."

"I think that you look great with long hair."

It was decided. Mizore would not be cutting her hair.

Once back at the lodge the pair was lightly teased by their respective mothers. Mizore however, asked a few questions to her mother in a whisper so low even with yoko hearing couldn't be made out. She was quickly dragged away by her mother for a little further instruction.

It was decided that dinner would be held at the Shirayuki residence. While preparing for dinner, Kushina 'accidentally' spilled something on Naruto. Tsurara quickly had Mizore go get a spare shirt from her father's dresser. When she came back she stopped, stared, blushed, looked down. However her eyes kept going back to Naruto from time to time. Naruto's shirt had been removed by his mother.

Kushina took the shirt from Mizore's limp grasp. Naruto noticed her reaction and quickly slipped into the offered shirt.

"Tsurara?"

"Yes Naruto?"

"Can we talk for a few minutes?"

Wiping her hands on a towel, she responded, "Sure."

Once in the other room, Naruto kept his voice low, correctly guessing that Mizore would be attempting to listen in.

The conversation was too low for her to hear and Mizore cursed the fact that she couldn't get to her room and grab the directional microphone that she had purchased. She further cursed the situation when Kushina pulled her back into the kitchen.

"Naruto, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I wanted to surprise Mizore with some abilities that I developed while training. Can you make sure she has a nice robe by her bed in the morning?"

Tsurara simply agreed, but guessed that it would not be her own bed that Mizore would be sleeping in most of the night.

After a nice meal, Naruto took a scroll from his pocket and started unsealing gifts for both of the families. For his parents, he made a present of the entire sealed works of the yoko libraries. In it were techniques that they had not been able to copy from their family libraries. Minato and Kushina both wondered at how he had done it, to which, Jiraiya merely said "It was a surprise to me too when he did it. I agreed that it would make a nice coming home present."

For Mizore, he had gotten a collection of suckers from all over. To her mother, a smaller collection of the same. However, hidden under them was the next book from the Toad Sage, it hadn't been published yet. There was a note on it that read: Don't ask how I got it, you don't want to know, count this as a gift for your husband as well.

Tsurara blushed. Apparently her daughter had told him about parts of their conversations.

For Mizore's siblings, a collection of trinkets and souvenirs from various places, and Naruto, taking her brother aside, gave him a book entitled, "Sensing your stalker."

At the boy's questioning look, Naruto replied, "You'll need it, trust me." A sudden feeling of dread came over a small group of younger Yuki-Onna. They looked around wondering why it felt like their ways of observation would soon no longer be effective. One or two who had supplemented Mizore's allowance were glad that she had given them tips.

The families parted ways, but not before Tsurara gave Kushina a sack filled with leftovers. Both mothers had a sneaking suspicion that tonight would be a repeat of the night that Naruto left. Granted, both of the fathers knew nothing about the happenings that night all those years ago. In the bottom of the bag was a robe for what Naruto had planned. The family all went to bed. After a few hours, Tsurara went to verify her suspicions. Sure enough, there was an ice clone in her daughter's bed. And just outside of her window fresh snow had been laid down to cover tracks.

Tsurara was proud of her daughter. She was showing the dedication of a true Yuki-Onna; to watch her chosen even while he slept. She went back into her bedroom to ensure that her husband didn't discover what was going on.

Kushina eased the door open to her son's room. Sure enough, Mizore was cuddled next to Naruto. She sighed, leaving the white robe on the chair next to his desk. She crept out of the room only to return moments later with a camera. She snapped some quick pictures of the pair, then left again to ensure that Minato wouldn't go into Naruto's room.

She missed however, the signs of white hair at the bottom of a windowsill. As she left Jiraiya's head popped up looking into the room. "The kid and his girl are research gold!"

Naruto woke up slightly later than he had during his training, but still earlier than he had in the past. He quickly discovered that his nose was buried in a nest of purple hair. 'I should be surprised, but I'm not.' was his thought. Quickly freeing his hands he made a few seals then touched his palm to the sleeping girl's forehead. 'There, that should keep her asleep for a while.' After extricating himself from the situation, he quickly changed then put her arms through the sleeves of her robe. He picked her up in a bridal carry. Shrouding himself under an illusion of just himself, he left the house and made his way across the town and towards the mountain. He stopped in the clearing where they had eaten breakfast the previous day. Naruto slipped behind Mizore, laying in the snow and holding her in a position almost identical to what they had shared earlier. He then removed the jutsu that was keeping her asleep.

Mizore slowly came into wakefulness. Naruto's warmth behind her was comforting. Good he hadn't woken up yet. She could hear the birds; it must still be early because she didn't hear the normal sounds of people passing by his house. Her eyes fluttered open, then closed quickly. The sunlight coming through the branches was too bright, waking her up fully. 'Wait… branches?' She tried to stand but was held in place by a pair of strong arms.

"So my little snow maiden is finally awake." Naruto felt her relax as she recognized his voice. "And no, this isn't a dream. Imagine my surprise when I woke up to find my girlfriend in my bed." The feel of him speaking while holding her tight against him was sending pleasant shivers through her.

"So where have you taken me?" Mizore asked nervously. So many of her dreams had featured something like this.

"We ate breakfast here yesterday. I'm surprised you don't remember it."

"It looks different having my head just above the ground."

Naruto chuckled, then let her up. Both knelt in the snow facing each other. Naruto took her hand in his and said, "I came out here to show you something. Before I tell you, I need you to promise that you not tell anyone, not even your mother."

Mizore look confused. Instead of letting her ask the question that was on her mind, Naruto replied, "I was able to do something that no other yoko has been able to do. My parents will be finding out from Jiraiya, but they will know the importance of it, and they won't say a word, but until I am older and stronger, no one is to know of this. I am only telling you because I only tried to do this for you. You are the reason why I gave this a shot."

Mizore already knew that he wasn't like other yoko, her mother knew he could use other yoko abilities, but something completely new, well asking her to keep it from her mother, if it would keep Naruto safe, she would do it. She whispered, "You have my word."

"Good, because I am sure you would be disappointed if you hadn't said yes." With this he stood shed his jacket, then walked out to the middle of their clearing. "I have to let some tails out to do this, I haven't mastered it yet to the point of being able to do it without them like many normal yoko techniques. It is rather hard. But I have managed to get it down to just one tail of each type."

Now Mizore was very curious. She watched as a yellow and white tail appeared then seemed to flow together, forming a light blue color where they touched. Naruto's face was a mask of concentration. Then he clapped his hands together, and the snow around him rose into the air and started swirling. It wasn't until it was swirling hard that Mizore noted that there was more snow in the air than had been on the ground. She watched, shocked, as the floor of their clearing was carpeted with a thin coating of ice, then small mounds of ice grew then burst apart showing ice replicas of a flower she knew all too well. Naruto's tails separated again then faded away. He slouched then stood again. "That was the first time I have ever done so many. That was harder than I thought it would be. Almost three years ago, I promised that I would take you to the field of Snow Whites when we are seventeen. That is still a few years away. I just wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten that promise."

Mizore was shocked that Naruto had done something that previously was just the domain of the Yuki-Onna. She was speechless, but her hand rose to the closest flower, and gently stroked it. Naruto had jumped next to her to avoid breaking any of them. He picked it, then blue flared around his hand and the flower glowed then seemed to be lit gently from within. He then handed it to her.

"As long as you don't get this too warm, it won't melt. Once it starts to dim, let me know and I will recharge it. Now you can keep it to remind yourself of our promise."

"How?"

"A combination of Youkai energies and shinobi practices. It is amazing what the two can do together. Some of the stealth techniques mom has taught you are from them. It is the same as your throwing knives."

Mizore, still in shock was unable to muster a response.

"Mizore, if I can get to where I don't need my tails out, can you teach me some of the things you know about making and manipulating ice?"

Her response was simply nodding dumbly.

"Excellent. I can do a few other combinations, but that is the one I can do the most with. I am working now to combine three natures. If it works, it will be extremely powerful."

The events of the past few minutes had finally percolated through Mizore's brain. Her abilities, which meant so much to her, Naruto had worked to be able to at least imitate them. Just for her! He already meant so much to her and to work to be able to be equal to her. It filled her with a feeling that she couldn't immediately identify. Once she identified it, she felt a surge in her self-esteem. Naruto thought she was worth enough to put untold amounts of work into attempting to imitate her abilities. Most husbands of a Yuki-Onna had some degree of fear of their wives' powers, now Naruto never would. He could hold his own against her. For the first time she had heard of a Yuki-Onna's husband wouldn't fear her or her children on some level. Her brother would likely be the only other exception to this rule. And Naruto had chosen her, out of everyone else, he had chosen her. A feeling of warmth made its way through her body. Mizore involuntarily transformed and hugged Naruto, her enhanced strength meaning nothing and her ice talons didn't pierce his skin. She could be herself around him. Then the strangest thing happened as she transformed back. Instead of fading from ice back to her hair, it seemed for the briefest instant that instead of ice, her purple hair was a curtain of purple snow to her mid back; gently swaying in a wind then her hair re-appeared.

While she didn't notice this, Naruto did. He would have to ask Tsurara when they got back to her house. "Come on, let's go. Your mom knew I was surprising you with something today. She is making both of us breakfast."

Hand in hand, they made their way back to the Shirayuki household. Mizore was still clutching the ice Snow White to her chest.

"Now are you sure you have everything Naruto?"

"Yes mom. We have been over this four separate times. I have all of my uniforms packed, I have my supplies sealed in scrolls and the pair of hook swords that you gave me have been put in seals on my gloves. Yes I have back-up suppression seals in case one fails, yes I have my seal making supplies, no I promise not to alter my uniform, even if it is atrocious. And finally, yes I have the time when the bus will be by to pick both Mizore and I up."

It is now the night before the bus came to take Naruto to Youkai Academy. The past few weeks had been rather interesting. Kushina, after analyzing Naruto's new fighting style, started training him in hook swords. She had hoped he would lend himself to the katana, as she had, but in hand to hand, Naruto needed something else, something that could be versatile and relatively unpredictable. He was exceptionally adept at linking them and surprising her. The fact that only parts of the weapons were sharpened made him all the more dangerous. He lived up to the Maelstrom meaning of his name. While he was still just a novice, Kushina had to take the sparring seriously. It didn't help that Naruto had found a way to channel his Youkai energy and chakra through them for some devastating attacks. Minato inscribed some seals on the back metal backings of fingerless black gloves. Naruto had taken to wearing them whenever he was awake. Kushina was worried, she knew that there was likely to be at least one other Yoko at the Academy. If Naruto was sensed, there might be bloodshed since he had no protection from any of the clans. While his training had been further increased, the Shadow Clones were still working overtime for final preparations. Even though he didn't show it, Minato was worried as well, should things get bad, he had given Naruto a seal that would transport him to the training area for him and anyone he was touching at the time. Both of them knew that the yoko sent their kits to Youkai Academy to either have them killed for being weak, become stronger, or show other Youkai not to mess with them as a species. They had prepared Naruto in every method that they knew. They hoped and prayed it would be enough.

Just up the mountain, a similar conversation was taking place.

"Yes Mother. I have a box full of lollipops. Yes, before you ask, I have everything else too." Mizore's tone was rather exasperated.

"What about your Naruto Diary?"

"Of course I have it. I wouldn't forget that." Mizore stopped; she just realized what she had said.

Tsurara merely smirked. "Good. By the way, I got you a going away present." As she said this, she pulled a wrapped box from behind her back.

Mizore gasped and slowly opened the present. Inside the box was the pair of night vision goggles that she had been saving up for. Beneath those were several pairs of striped stockings.

"I know that you have been wanting those for a while. Those stockings will help to cover up your legs, and they hold cold in rather well. I know that you don't like those skirts. I always thought that the uniforms were designed by Youkai with tastes like Jiraiya. I lengthened them for you as well. At least enough that the perverts around you won't see your underwear at every opportunity. Since you are a Yuki-Onna, you can wear whatever you need to keep you cold." She paused, "Although, that does mean Naruto can't stare at your legs, or your underwear. But since you are going to be wearing that sweatshirt, he needs to be able to stare at something."

Mizore blushed, wrung her hands, then sputtered.

Her mother continued heedless of her daughter's embarrassment. "You're right. That would have other Youkai looking at you inappropriately. I didn't think about that. Well, good night Mizore. If you plan to sleep over at Naruto's again, please be back before breakfast. Your father plans to wake you up tomorrow. So I would ask that you spend the night here. He doesn't know about your visits over there. If I might offer some advice; pay attention in your cooking classes. You and I both know you need it. You can make traditional Yuki-Onna dishes, but Naruto having traveled will have a more varied taste than just our dishes. Besides you need to get the noodle recipe he likes so much for ramen from his mother."

Mizore made a mental note that she hadn't even notice what Naruto ate since coming back. She would have to take careful notes at school.

"I will stay here tonight. After all, I will get in trouble if I get caught in Naruto's dorm. We can get in rather big trouble"

Tsurara nodded, ignoring the fact that she knew Kushina had spent most of her senior year sharing a dorm room with Minato. If a boy was in a girl's dorm, it was a problem, less of one if the girl was in the boy's room; in fact it was often overlooked if that was the case. Because she would turn seventeen while in school, Mizore would need to share a room with Naruto, if he held true to his promise. Wishing her daughter a good night, Tsurara left the room. She was worried for her daughter. What Naruto had witnessed with her daughter's transformation was odd. She had spent the past few weeks looking in history and had found only cryptic references to the snow-haired Snow Maidens. It seemed like they were mentioned once or twice, but there was never another whisper of one. There wasn't a real change in her daughter's abilities either. It was a rather large puzzle. There was more mention of Snow Boys than there were of a Yuki-Onna with snow-like hair. If the Snow Priestess knew something she wasn't telling. She had sent a request for information to their leader, but no response had ever been given. Tsurara also wondered why she had never witnessed this before with her daughter, unless it was somehow connected to Naruto. Those were thoughts for another time. Luckily, her daughter had a friend going with her. She shuddered to think who would take advantage of her had Naruto not been in her life. Youkai Academy was a dangerous place, even for Youkai. Naruto would protect her daughter and she would protect him.

She pushed her fears aside and went to bed.

Mizore was saying goodbye to her family, Naruto had already done so. Tsurara gave Naruto a hug and whispered in his ear, "Protect her. Watch your own back. Youkai can be dangerous. I know you are strong, stronger than even both of your parents but please, be careful. Make sure she stays safe."

Naruto whispered back, "Don't worry, I will."

A bus pulled alongside the two families and a man with glowing eyes smoking a cigar was revealed when the door opened. "Youkai Academy. So you are Naruto and Mizore?"

They nodded in response.

"Well then, let's get going."

After the bus had pulled away, Mizore sat leaning against Naruto and promptly fell asleep. She hadn't slept well last night. The drive took them back down the mountain, then through a tunnel. When they emerged, they were in a city. It looked like nothing that Naruto had heard Youkai to look like.

"We have one last student to pick up." The bus driver elaborated.

He pulled up next to a nice little house. A nondescript young man with dark hair climbed onto the bus. Naruto waved him over, he sat in the seat just in front of him. Naruto smelled something that took him a moment to identify. The boy in front of him smelled human.

"You looking forward to Youkai?"

He responded, "It was the only place that accepted me. My name is Tsukune Aono."

Nartuo raised an eyebrow at this. He extended his hand, "Naruto Namikaze. Both my parents went there. The lovely lady drooling on my shoulder is my girlfriend Mizore. Her mother went there as well. Did your parents go there as well?"

"No. So tell me, what do you know about the school?"

"Before I do let me ask you a question. Are you a human?"

Tsukune looked confused. "Of course what kind of question is that?"

Naruto rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I thought so. Any idea why this is called Youkai Academy?"

"No, I just thought it was because someone had a sense of humor."

Naruto muttered to himself, then shook his head. "Tsukune, I'm going to be one hundred percent serious with you. Youkai academy," he paused then let his ears pop out, "Is a school for Youkai. Many humans would call us creatures of myth, monsters or demons. I am warning you because I don't have anything against humans, but some people there do." Seeing the look on his face, Naruto continued, "They are real, go ahead and see for yourself." At this he tilted his head toward the boy.

Tsukune's attitude had gone from indifference to ridicule then to disbelief. "You have to be joking."

"Tsukune, swimming in Egypt's main river is bad for you. Well anyway, I'm not. Like I said, I have nothing against humans. Heck, during my travels I learned a lot from them. If nowhere else accepted you, if you stay for the first term, then transfer out, then you will have a better chance at getting in to another school. At school it is against the rules to show your Youkai form anyway. The point of the school is to teach Youkai how to be inconspicuous in the human world. There is a possibility, however, that you are part Youkai yourself. If not, since everyone has to stay in human form, then if you are careful, no one will notice. Unless you get too close that is. You smell like a human."

"But nowhere else accepted me. I don't have anywhere else to go. But…" Tsukune trailed off as they entered a tunnel, he was too distracted by the change in surroundings.

"Never mind. It's too late now."

"What do you mean?"

"We just arrived."

We are finally getting to canon Rosario. Thought this was a good place to end it.