AN UPDATE HAS BEEN MADE TO THIS CHAPTER. It starts at the end where Naruto says, "Nope – I got my Tou-san!"

Oh my gosh - it's a miracle! The author has finely found the time, (*hack cough* not been lazy *cough*) to update the fanfic. Hope you guys can forgive me for the long wait, and I'll keep this pre-story talk short.

First of all - WOW~

So far 'Naruto no Kitsune' has recieved

105 - Reviews

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For me this is just mind boggling, and it's a total honor that you all like this story so much. It's amazing for me to go to my e-mail box and find at least five messages pertaining to the story per-day. Yosh - it makes my day brighter! I hope that I can continue to live up to your expectations. I do not know when the next update will be, or when I'll have time to edit the other chapters so bear with me. *weep*

Right, I said I was going to keep this short. All in all I just want to send a big 'Thank You' to everyone. Finishing this story would probably drag even longer if it wasn't for your support. For all those who reviewed previously - your too cool and I'll pm you as soon as I can. (I like to give feed back to my readers.)

Thanks for being so great!

-TheNineTailedKitsune

Chapter 15 – Human Realm

The Years Pass

"But I don't want toooooo…" Naruto whined as his Father grabbed him by the tails. He was in his human form and was being forced down the path from Demon to Human realm. "I don't wanna – you can't make me-"

"Kit if you don't stop this instant I will carry you by the scruff again!" Kyuubi finely had enough and his nine tails waved threateningly.

"But why do we have to go to the mortal world anyway? I wanna' stay and play with Kenu." Naruto pouted. He didn't in particularly want to be carried like a new born kittling – especially in human form! Oh how he missed his soft coat of fur… how could humans live like this? He knew he was complaining far more the unusual, but the idea of walking among the mortal beings frightened him. For some reason he was sure that they would try and hurt him.

He had a lot of dreams like that; dreams where he didn't have his precious tails, and had very little strength. The humans would always be cruel to him. If they didn't hurt him they were ignoring his existence completely. Either way it was lonely and he couldn't think which was worse.

Naruto shut his eyes tight at the memories he forgotten he had, and promptly ran into a wall.

"Gahhh!"

"What are you doing kit?"

Naruto rubbed his nose, and kicked the wall making stone tremble. Freezing he blushed, it wouldn't do to have the whole rock face collapse on them because he was angry.

"Stupid wall…" he growled then turned to his father. "Why are we going to the human world anyway?"

"A bit a fresh air kit…"

"I think I like our lands air better. What's so great about going out here anyway?" Naruto grumbled looking at his feet. In the next instant he was enveloped in soft fur and being carried in his Father's tails. He squirmed a bit but then stopped struggling. No matter how much he wanted to act like a big tough demon, he always felt safe and relaxed when his Tou-san held him like this. He cuddled a bit into the warmth.

'Such a strange child.' Kyuubi gave a small smile shaking his head, and pulling the little boy up in his arms. It had been a total of five years since he and his kit had escaped the Hidden Leaf. Kyuubi hadn't ventured into the human realm since then, and Naruto didn't seem too pleased with the idea of going. The Demon Kind was sure he knew why.

His kit, (no matter that his memories were almost nothing but lucid dreams,) still sensed a deep danger from mankind. Kyuubi had growled at himself thinking back on the rare occasion Naruto had a nightmare, and would curl up sobbing next to him. It was always the same, scary, cruel people always trying to hurt him. He was going to show his kit that he had nothing to fear in such pathetic excuses for existence, but first he had to get the boy out of the demon realm.

"You know for some one who says they will gather all the Bijuu, you don't seem very willing. How are you going to find them, if you can't even step outside of your den?"

Naruto growled folding his arms, "I'm brave enough!"

"Then stop complaining and take a breath."

Kyuubi himself breathed deeply, feeling the fresh cool air in his lungs. Yes, this world, so unlike the one he had been trapped in, had always been tempting to wander through. Life was different here, and although thanks to a certain young kit the demon realm had changed, it was still a world of chaos and disorder. In fact Kyuubi didn't know how short, or long, time might have passed in the mortal world since they had left. Time mattered little to a demon since they were immortal, and they hardily payed attention to age. Blood from the past or future, it all tasted the same when it came down to the kill. For all he knew it could be a hundred years since they left, and Konohagakure had fallen… what a pleasant thought, though he would have liked to be the one to do it himself.

Naruto picking up on the clear breeze poked his nose in the air. 'It smells… so different. Light and – and free almost. Like I've had my tails over my nose my whole life, and now I've finely been able to breathe.

He cocked his head at the thought as they entered the light outside the tunnel. "Where are we?" he asked looking around curiously.

"In one of the Northern forest I would presume."

Naruto inched forward finding a small green bug crawling on a rock. He poked it and it flew away. "Aww…"

"Well rest here for the day." Kyuubi nodded around them.

"But I'm not tired!"

Kyuubi ignored him and changed into his fox form before curling around his tails. Taking care of Naruto was a full time job, and could leave even him exhausted. Right now he just wanted to rest – then he could deal with the kit later.

"Tou-saaannnn!"

Kyuubi was already faking sleep when Naruto called his name. The boy huffed. Fine, let him be that way – he would just find his own spot to curl up and nap in.

Kyuubi cracked an eye open to see what his child was doing and was surprised to see him hugging his tails around himself under an opposite tree. Naruto always slept next to him. He tried not to snort when realizing why the boy was doing this. He was annoyed with his Father and this was his form of payback. Kyuubi's lip just twisted into a smile as his eyes closed. He missed his kit's warm form safely next to him.

After a long moment of glancing back at his father numerous times, trying to see his reaction to the rejection, Naruto put his head down to sleep. This was easier said then done though, and he found himself uncomfortable even in his fox form. It was just no use, he wasn't tired. Finely he gave up and glanced at his father again. He could hear the rhythmic sounds of sleep.

Sitting on his haunches he tried to think of what to do, when a sound caught his ear.

"S-somebody help – please!"

He cocked his head and began toward the noise. Who ever it was sounded distressed. He turned a corner to see a little girl, maybe two years younger then him, backing away from someone.

"Now, now, little lady, we just want to know where the rest of your caravan is." The man above her sneered.

"L-leave me alone!" she cringed curling back into a tree as he advanced.

Naruto growled. He didn't know what had made him do this – they were humans and this wasn't his fight – but the look in the girls eyes… she was terrified. Making up his mind the little fox lunged.

Naruto bit into the man's left calf, earning him a wail. There was a sharp pain in his gut when he was kicked away. He yipped then whimpered some before raising his tails. At this point, the man had gotten a good look at his attacker and his jaw dropped.

'A fox – a fox with two tails?' He took a step back. He'd heard of such creatures but had never seen one before. He gulped at the thought of fighting a demon. Truth be told the man was a coward – why else had he taken the time interrogate a little girl. He pulled out a kunai to defend himself.

Naruto hesitated, glancing back at the girl. He didn't know why she wouldn't just run – why she still sat there like prey about to be killed. "Run!" he barked at her sending the man in front of him reeling. He was looking around for the voice.

"Got yourself a little friend out there?" the man laughed nervously as he looked around. He hadn't noticed it had been the fox who was talking.

Naruto saw his chance and prepared his attack. Pulling his tails to his mouth and opening his jaws wide, he began to call on his chakra. A moment later, a small beast ball was zooming through the air just missing it's target as he flinched away.

There was fear in the man's eyes and he gulped. No way was he going to fight a demon fox-even if it was nothing but a baby one!

He fled into the trees and was gone, leaving Naruto and the little girl alone.

Naruto sniffed his satisfaction at scaring the monster away.

"T-thank you."

Ears perking he turned to the little female. She'd picked herself up from the ground and was bowing politely to him.

Naruto shrugged, "Don't think I did it for you – I don't like you humans."

The girl cocked her head, taking a few steps toward him while he stepped back. "I'm not going to hurt you." She held out her hand and he gave a small hiss. She just smiled. "Here – I've got some jerky – do you want a piece?"

Naruto sniffed; she indeed had a bit of dried meat in her outstreached hand.

He lifted his head, sitting back primly with eyes closed. "Like I'd ever accept food from a human." His stomach gave a loud growl and he flinched. When he heard a crouching noise he peeked at the girl. She was chewing a bit of meat and still held a piece out toward him. With out thinking much about it, he padded forward and sniffed. It smelled strange but he could tell it was venison.

Quickly, he swiped it from her hand and ran back gulping it down. His licked his chomps cutely as he tried to identify the other flavors. The girl laughed at his antics as he did this. Not being able to help himself he grinned back.

"Got anymore?"

She shook her head. "No, that's all I have left."

He pouted, "Well I'm out'a here…"

"W-wait!" she ran up to him and he jumped back with a yip. "Sorry – didn't mean to scare you–"

"I ain't scared!"

"- but maybe you could help me?" she had that pleading look in her eyes, and now Naruto got the full bar of his own innocent pout. No wonder his father couldn't say no to him…

"I don't help humans."

"B-but I'm lost – and I can't find my mommy!" she started to tear up and he flinched.

"He-hey, what are you doing – don't do that – don't cry –" In a moment he was at her side. Before he knew it she'd enveloped him in a death grip hug. Who knows why, but this made him so surprised that he dropped out of his fox form. "L-let go!" the little blond seven year old struggled. For a moment he'd forgot he was stronger then her, then prided her away easily. She looked completely surprised.

"You're a little boy!"

He growled ears back. "I'm a strong demon!"

This made her giggle again and he blushed deeply.

"It's true!"

"Well – well if you're so strong – then tell me where the rest of my camp is!" she teased.

"Alright, I will!" Naruto puffed out his chest defiantly, unknowingly falling for her trick. Circling around her, quickly sniffing the air, he stood back and looked around. "That way!" he pointed a clawed finger. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her along the path she'd taken before coming to a halt.

Naruto felt confused. He could have sworn he heard, and smelled a crowd of people, but where were they?

'An illusion… genjutsu?' he stiffened, not know where the word came from but understanding it all the same. He growled, hair standing on end as the little girl parted ways with him. She seemed to disappear like a fog.

He looked around franticly. Were there other humans? Were they watching him?

"Are you coming?" the little girl appeared, just outside the mist where she had vanished before. He shook his head feeling sweat drip down his brow.

"Aw – I have more jerky!"

His ears shot up. Food? Food sounded nice but…

"We got fresh fish and deer too…"

"Umm – um, bring it here!" he pointed at his feet but refusing to move.

She rolled eyes then turned and disapered.

###

"Come on Granny – he's this way!"

"I'm hurrying child, be patient with these old bones."

Naruto stared at them from his place in the trees. So she brought someone with her?

"Something that smells – old." He wrinkled his nose.

"Hey little fox boy, you can come out now." The girl called. When there was no reaction, she opened the basket at her side and waved a hand. "Look at what I brought."

Naruto's eyes grew big. She had more meat and this time it wasn't all dried up. He licked his lips as she coxed him down. A moment later he'd snatched it from her hand, and was tearing it with his teeth. He licked his lips tasting the spices. There was no blood but the meat had warm juicy flavor. He moaned happily – he'd never tasted anything like it before.

"See, I told you Obaa-san." The girl pointed, while the old woman gaped a bit.

"A fox spirit?"

Naruto spun around realizing they were still there. With a growl he guarded his food, and the little girl scowled.

"Demon or not, you should have manners! I'm the one who gave that to you."

He grunted disdainfully then eyed her basket. Cheekily he grinned and with inhuman speed raced forward. He just had a claw around the wood handle, when something caught him around the middle.

"Ahh – what – ?" he struggled under the grip.

"Uff – strong little tike aren't you." The old woman grunted under her strained arms.

"Let me go you old hag – "

With an angry frown she struck him on top of the head. Naruto actually whimpered. "Enough of that; be more polite to your elders."

He grumbled incoherently. How was this old bat so strong anyway? He should have been able to fend her off easily…

"Huh, being out of service hasn't broken this old kunoichi yet."

"Wow granny – I knew you could catch him!"

Naruto wanted to thrash out but something was holding him back. The old lady had already let him go, but something binding him.

"Tsk, you're not going to break my chakra cords so easily – they were specifically designed to hold back demonic energy. Now simmer down a bit pup." She reached for him again. Naruto tired to bite her, and received a flick on the nose with a yip. "None of that! I wanted to thank the being that saved my little Metsure; not be eaten by it."

"Yuck - I'd never eat something as wrinkly as you!"

He ducked another strike and laugh at her. So what if she was a K-kuni-ichi – what ever – he was still faster. Naruto stuck his tongue out.

The older woman rolled her eyes. "Childish, why don't you sit down." She motioned with her arm as she was helped the ground herself by Metsure.

Naruto grumbled and Metsure muttered to him. "Better do as she says. No body likes it when Obaa-chan is angry."

He did, and was surprised he could bend his legs. The chakra cord she'd bound him in seemed to ease up a bit.

"Now, what's your name little one?"

"Naruto…" he mumbled then looked up with a sharp glint in his eye. "Naruto no Kitsune – Prince of the Fox Demons!"

The old woman looked taken aback a moment, then chuckled. "Hee, is that so? That's a big title for one so small."

"Eeeerrr – if I wanted too, I could squish an old prune like you in a minute!"

She just rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm sure you could. But then you are still very young, and I am a veteran ninja. Don't judge to quickly on appearance alone."

Naruto pouted. Yeah, he had to admit she was strong. He couldn't seem to get his chakra to break these binds either.

"Alright – alright – just let me go already!" he grumbled.

"If I do will you sit still and have a small meal with us?"

"Yeah – sure what ever lady!"

The jutsu dropped and Naruto thought about running away. That was before Metsure pulled something delicious looking from the basket. Naruto tried to snatch the sandwich in her hands but she pulled it back just in time.

"Say please."

"Pleeeaaaassseeee!"

Metsure nodded her approval and handed the food to him. He ate it merrily. Maybe humans weren't all that bad… there food was really good anyway. They ate in silence for a little bit; Metsure always making sure to share some food with the kitsune, so he wouldn't try to get away. "So, where do you come from Naru-chan?"

"fph-demmoph-remof!" Naruto spoke through a mouth full of food.

"What?"

He gulped. "The Demon Realm!"

"Oh…"

Licking his figures, he saw she wasn't satisfied with the answer and decided to humor her. "It's big and beautiful – I've lived there my whole life – way better then here! But we don't have food like this…" he looked longingly at the now empty basket.

"We? So you're not alone?"

"Nope – I got my Tou-san!"

"Ooohhh…"

Naruto grinned. "We go hunting, and fight other demons sometimes when training! Well, only if they are doing something bad. Tou-san's the king of all demons and has to keep 'em in line! I help a lot too." he rubbed his nose with a finger. "Tou-san and me – we're super powerful."

"So your fathers a fox spirit… who is your mother Naruto?"

Naruto stopped in mid preen, after delicately licking his hand and going rub his ear. "…Uuuhhh, well… I don't know… What's a mother?" he asked confusedly cocking his head. Some how the term sounded familiar, like it was important to him… Oh yeah, that was what Kenu called the vixen that used to take care of him.

Gosh Naruto hadn't seen her for a long time, not since Kenu could live on his own. It always miffed him that the other fox seemed to get bigger faster then him. In fact the pure fox was already quite the aging adult. If it weren't for the lengthy amount of time in the demon world, he'd be middle aged by now. It made Naurto wondered if he himself was going to be stuck as a pup forever. But all this information didn't explain what the word meant to him.

"What do you mean, 'what's a mom?' Everyone has an Okaa-san!" Metsure cried before her grandmother shushed her.

Naruto pouted folding his arms. "I aint got one – all I need is Tou-san!"

"But ya' gotta have a mommy and daddy – doesn't he Baa-chan?" Metsure was determined to be right. The old woman was looking thoughtful.

"Well with spirits, who's to say… but for you, I'm almost positive you must have a must have a mother…"

"Huh? Why?" Naruto questioned. All this talk was making him curious – and why was every it every time she said 'mother', he got a half warm and almost melancholy feeling in his chest?

"I used to protect and speak with many spirits back in my day as a ninja. Our land was one very close to where the immortal and mortal realm touches. I learned how to sense different kinds of presences, human, demon and hanyou. Yours how ever…" The old woman had a wrinkled finger to her chin. She was almost talking to herself now. "Is neither distinctly demon nor human… or is it that it is both? I can sense demon chakra from you but also a hint of humanity. I don't think you are a hanyo, but your mother, it's quit possible she was human…"

Naruto face twisted painfully, hearing this was making his heart hurt but he didn't know why. Finely he settled for anger. "I'm not a human – I'm not like you!" he hissed crouching and backing away. "I'm a demon – and I'm gonna be the best! I'm going to gather all the great Kings like Tou-san, and bring them back to the Demon Realm! Then we won't have to deal with you cruel humans anymore!"

"And who is your father Naruto?" the old grandmother asked patiently, hoping her tone would keep him from running off.

"He's –"

SNAP!

Naruto stopped his ears tilting toward the sound. Someone had stepped on a fallen branch nearby. Skittishly he wondered if this had all just been an elaborate trap. Maybe Metsure and the old lady were trying to capture him.

With a growl he crouched, tails down and ears back.

"Well, if it isn't the little brat you went after Kento." A voice said snidely. "For once you may have actually done something right…"

"Phee, let's just ransack this camp and go – I don't want to be the one telling Lord Orochimaru why we were late." A female voice spoke and a group of six appeared.

"G-granny-" Metsure gripped her grandmother's skirts in tight fists. The people in front of them wore mettle forehead protectors, and were carrying weapons…

"Oto nin."