A/N: Sorry for the wait everyone, but I've been have a hard time finding time to write these days. The real world sucks sometimes, but that's life. So here we have Chapter 9. There will be a new OC introduced in this chapter that is a personal favorite of mine and I hope that you all will like him/her (I don't want to give anything away) too. As always please review and I just want to thank all of you who have been reading this so far. It means a lot to me that so many people like my story. So with that said, let's get started.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Text examples:

"Hello." Biju or jinchuriki using biju's powers speaking

'Hi.' Person thinking

'Hi there.' Person speaking through mental link

'Howdy.' Biju speaking through mental link

Chapter 9: A Wedding and Some Surprises

Naruko and Hinata awoke midafternoon in each other's arms. The two girls had stayed up late trying on different outfits to wear to Kurama and Aika's wedding. It was fortunate that the wedding was not scheduled to occur until the evening so the two friends still had time to get ready. They had a quick lunch since they had already missed breakfast and then went about getting ready for the wedding. The friends took turns using the bath and helped each other with their hair. Once that was finished they got out their attire and changed. Hinata was in a sky blue silk kimono that had a sunflower pattern, her hair was in it's usually style, short with strands framing her face. Naruko had decided on a black kimono that had red petals along the hems of the sleeves and the bottom of the garment. Somehow Hinata had managed to get the girl's unruly hair straight making it shoulder length. The two girls looked quite good together and Naruko could not help but lean forward and place a chaste kiss on her Princess's lips. Hinata reddened a little as she smiled and the red head beamed at her.

"Ready to go Princess?" The Hyuga heir nodded and Naruko pulled two scrolls out from her sleeves. She laid them out on top of each other in the shape of an X. The red head stood in the center of the two scrolls and held out her hand to her Princess. Hinata took the hand and was pulled into her fox girl's arms. She could fell the red head's breath against her ear.

"Here we go." Some unseen force activated the scrolls and they began to glow blue. The blue light slowly got brighter until Hinata had to close her eyes. The blue hair girl heard a pop and she felt something shift. She could not tell what it was, but it seemed to be a significant change. The Hyuga heir felt Naruko's arms slacken a bit and the red head pull away a little. "You can open your eyes now Hinata." The blue haired teen did so and was marveled by what she saw. There was an expansive city laid out in front of her that seemed to go on for a mile. Every building had pitched roves with red shingles and seemed to get larger the closer they were to the center of the city. What amazed the girl even more was that the whole place seemed to be underground. The ceiling appeared to be nothing but dirt held in place by what could only be giant roots. The light in the place came from hallowed out trees. Hinata was looking straight up through one and could see a blue sky above. Naruko smiled at the look of wonder her Princess had on her face. The red head thought she must of have had the same look of wonder when she had first seen the underground city. She giggled and took Hinata's hand to get the girl's attention. Hinata turned when she felt the slight squeeze of her hand and faced her friend. "Welcome to the Fox clan Hinata." The two looked at each other affectionately until they heard a noise from behind them and turned. Isamu was sitting on his hind legs a few paces away from the girls with a pair of blond girls with fox ears and three tails each flanking either side of him. They both had short straight hair with emerald green eyes and were wearing forest green kimonos. The girl on the left had a bracelet on her right hand and vice versa for the girl on the right. Isamu bowed his head to the girls and the blonds followed his lead.

"Welcome Ladies Naruko and Hinata, to the Fox clan." The two friends returned the bow and raised their heads to smile at the old fox. Naruko took Hinata's hand and walked forward. When she reached the fox she drew Isamu into a hug.

"It's good to see you again Isamu." The black and orange fox seemed to smile as he brought his front paw up and placed it on the girl's back to return the hug.

"It is good to see you as well Lady Naruko." Naruko separated from the fox and Hinata stepped up to hug him as well. When they separated Isamu motioned for the blond girls to step forward. "Lady Hinata this is my niece Chitose." The blonds nodded their heads at the same time in greeting. The blue haired girl had a questioning look on her face.

"Don't you mean nieces?" The older fox shook his head.

"No. Chiaki and Chiharu are identical twins." Hinata was very confused. Just because they were twins did not mean that they were the same person. And why did it seem like they had three names? Naruko smiled a little as she realized that the Hyuga teen still did not understand.

"Hinata. For a demon, being identical twins means that they share the same mind and soul. They're connected. Basically it's like one person living in two bodies." The blue haired teen went wide eyes and looked at the girls.

"Is that true?" The blonds both nodded with small smiles on their faces. The one to Isamu's left spoke up first.

"Yes it is." "I don't consider myself to be two people." "Rather I'm one person with two halves." "Even when separated each half is connected." "What one experiences." "So does the other." Hinata was surprised by how they spoke. There was no pause between sentences and they both sounded exactly the same. It was quite astounding.

"But then why do you have three names?" Again the blonds smiled softly, but this time the girl on the right spoke first.

"Chitose is the name used to refer to both halves." "Chiaki is the name of this half." The blond with the bracelet on her right wrist was the one who spoke. "And Chiharu is the name of this half." The girl with the bracelet on her left wrist was the one to say the last part. The Hyuga heir was still trying to understand how having the same soul was even possible. It would take her some time to get used to, but the twins seemed nice and if they wanted to be treated as the same person Hinata would respect their wishes. She smiled brightly at them.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Chitose." The blonds beamed as they walked up to Hinata and hugged the girl from both sides. Hinata was surprised for a moment but then recovered and hugged the two halves back. Naruko was pleased that her Princess had accepted Chitose. The red head had met the twins a while back and she already saw them as her sister. She could not help but join the three in the big embrace. The girls eventually separated and with a nod from Isamu followed the fox down an alley way.

-City Center-

As the group made their way towards the center and largest portion of the city they saw many fox demons along the way. The majority was in fox form and very rarely they saw one or two in human form. This changed though as they got closer to the largest building in the city. Hinata saw less and less fox demons and those that she did see where in Human form. It puzzled the Hyuga girl so she reached out and took Naruko's hand to get her attention. Naruko faced her Princess and smiled.

"What's up Hinata?" The blue haired girl returned the smile before she asked her question.

"Why are all the fox demons here look human?" Isamu overheard the question and decided to answer the curious girl.

"That is because we are in the Noble District Lady Hinata." Hinata looked from the old fox to Naruko hoping to get a better explanation. It seemed Isamu had a habit of not fully explaining things. The red head laughed a little as she realized this.

"Nobility in the Fox clan is determined by how many tails you have. The more tails you have the more powerful you are, so you don't have to be born into nobility to become a noble. It requires three tails to be considered a noble and that is also the power level needed to take human form. So appearing in human form is kind of like a status symbol. Most fox demons never grow more than two tails so there aren't as many nobles as you would think." Hinata was used to her own clan's politics so the idea of flaunting power was nothing new to her. It actually made things easier for the girl to know how to interact with any fox demon she might encounter. As she was taking in all the information something occurred to her.

"So does that mean both you and Chitose are both nobles?" Naruko chuckled a little and scratched the back of her head.

"Nope. The Fox clan does not recognize half-demons as proper fox demons so they can never be nobles." Again Hinata was reminded of her own clan politics. The Hyuga clan did not even consider the possibility that members born in a branch family could join the main family. She did not like how her clan treated the branch members of the clan and she always hoped that she could do something about it someday. But this was not the time or place for such thoughts and the Hyuga heir refocused on the matter at hand and turned towards the twins.

"What about you Chitose?" The half that was closest to her smiled sadly and let out a sign.

"I'm not a noble either. My mother died shortly after she gave birth to me, which is considered to be very bad lucky amongst the Fox clan and my father disowned me blaming me for my mother's death. Being disowned in the Fox clan means that you can never hold Nobility no matter how many tails you have. If it wasn't for Isamu I don't know where I would be right now." Chiaki had been the one to speak the entire time and Chiharu had taken ahold of her other half and held her tightly. Hinata reached over and wrapper her arms around the girls. Chitose appreciated the comfort and smiled at the blue haired teen. After a moment they began walking again.

-The Palace-

The Palace was a gigantic building that had a low curved roof that gave it the name Red Turtle Palace. There was a central tower that reached all the way to the ceiling. The tower was entirely white and was called the White Road tower. It was an amazing sight to see up close and the interior was even more impressive than the exterior. The doors were all made of fine heavy wood that were so polished you could see your refection in them. The floors where black marble with white specks throughout and the walls were stained fine wood. The halls were wide enough that the group could stand next to each other shoulder to shoulder and still feel comfortable. The hallways seemed like a maze but Isamu clearly knew where he was going as he led the girls through the palace. It was not long before they reached a large door that had fox demons carved on it. Isamu raised his paw to knock before he pushed the door open and walked inside. Naruko took off like a shot and leapt into the air aiming for the person standing in the middle of the room. The man turned as the red head collided with him and they both ended up on the floor. Naruko was kneeling on his chest smiling down at him.

"Gotcha." The man just started to laugh.

"Yes you did kit." Kurama shifted so he was sitting on the ground with Naruko is his lap. He hugged the girl and Naruko hugged him back.

"Hey Dad, I missed you." Kurama smiled brightly as he tightened his grip on his kit and kissed the top of her head.

"I missed you too kit." The two held each other close as the enjoyed a moment in silence. They had not seen each other for a few months so they were both very happy. They were so focused on the moment that they did not hear someone approach them.

"What? Don't I get a hug?" Naruko heard the voice and jumped out of her Dad's arms. The man stood up off the ground as he saw Naruko land in outstretched arms.

"How's my little girl doing?" Aika had Naruko in her arms as she released a sigh of contentment. The red head buried her face in her Momma's shoulder.

"I'm doing good Momma." Naruko was smiling ear to ear while she was in her Momma's arms. The woman looked down at her kit and smiled evilly as she began to tickle the girl. Naruko promptly started to laugh and squirm in her Momma's grip.

"Momma! Stop! You're embarrassing me in front of Hinata!" The woman just chuckled as she continued her assault and looked over at the Hyuga girl. Hinata was smiling brightly at the scene before her, glad to see Naruko reunited with her parents.

"She doesn't seem to mind, do you Hinata?" The girl made her was over to the fox family.

"Not at all." Hinata smiled brightly at the three and Kurama kneeled down and took the girl into a hug that Hinata happily returned. Aika released Naruko and then hugged Hinata. The rest of the group filed into the room and said their hellos. The group broke out in light conversation until Isamu realized how late it was getting.

"Lord Kurama. Lady Aika. It is getting rather late and you two still need to change. Chitose and I will take our leave now and meet you in the garden." The fox bowed slightly as did the twins before the three of them left the room. Naruko was a bit puzzled.

"So now what?" Kurama and Aika laughed a little and motioned for the girls to follow them. They went into the next room and the girls' mouths dropped open at the sight of a gorgeous kimono hanging by a mirror. Aika took each girl in hand and lead them over to the mirror.

"You two are going to help me get ready, while Kurama goes and changes." The two girls nodded their heads and began to help Aika with her hair and makeup. Kurama took this as his cue to leave and went into a smaller room where his own kimono was waiting for him. It took some time but Aika was finally ready and on her way to the garden. Kurama had finished first and said that he would meet them there. The garden was beautiful. It had red and white flowers everywhere and there was a lovely white wooden arch at the front of a long red carpet. There were quite a few chairs in the front and a large space in the back that was filled up by fox demons in their animal form. All the chairs were filled so Naruko wondered where she and Hinata were going to sit. Kurama seemed to be aware of her confusion and spoke up before she did.

"You two will be up there with us." As he said this Kurama pulled out a little box and handed it to the red head as Aika gave a box to Hinata. The girls were the ring bearers! Soon the music began to play and Kurama walked down the aisle with Naruko right behind him. They reached the arch and turned to watch Aika and Hinata walk up the aisle. Everyone stood and started to clap. They reached the arch and an old white fox demon in human form with four tails cleared his throat to start the ceremony. There were a few readings from sacred passages and prays were asked to be sent to Kami to bless the marriage. It was a very lovely ceremony that brought many people to tears, but the most touching moment was when the vows were exchanged. Kurama smiled brightly at his soon to be wife.

"Aika. Over fifty years ago I gave you a ring and asked you to marry me. You said yes and that day became one of the happiest days of my life. Shortly after that I agreed to be imprisoned by the First Hokage knowing what it might do to us. It made me so happy when you told me you would wait for me to return. I did not plan to be gone as long as I was and every day I hoped that you still loved me. Thirteen years ago when we spoke for the first time after forty years I expected you to hate me, but instead you proved me wrong by still loving me, even when I told you that I might not ever be able to be with you because I wanted to protect someone." Kurama paused and looked down at Naruko and saw the girl in tears. He reached out and took her hand before he continued. "You amazed me when you offered to help raise her. We became a family without even trying. It was beautiful. You are more than I could ever hope to deserve and I thank Kami every day that somehow I managed to get you to fall in love with me." Kurama paused again and turned to Naruko to take the ring. He looked at it for a moment before he placed it on Aika's ring finger. He smiled as he looked at the red stone that was already there. "Aika with this ring I promise to love you, to cherish you, and to live with you for the rest of my days and forever after." Aika was crying happily as she looked at the ring on her finger. She looked up and locked eyes with her beloved.

"Kurama. I have known you my entire life and when I first met you I thought you were a prick." Aika paused as several laughs were heard from the audience. "I cannot believe how wrong I was back then. You are incredible. You are intelligent, loving, and compassionate. You take on the responsibilities of those you care about even when they don't ask you to. You took in the child of a friend without a second thought and raised her as your own. You showed me that you could be a father and that I could be a mother. We are not even married and we already have a beautiful child who has turned out more spectacular than I could have ever hoped." It was Aika's turn to look at Naruko and the two exchanged teary eyed smiles. "I love our daughter just as much as I love you and I am so glad that you brought her into our lives. These last fifty years have been trying, but they have been worth it. It made our love grow for each other. It made us realize how much we needed each other, how much we cared about each other, and how lost we are without each other. You are the love of my life Kurama and I could not be happier." Aika stopped and turned to Hinata to take the ring. The Hyuga girl was in tears, but smiling brightly, silently hoping that she would be able to say such loving words on the day of her wedding. Aika took the ring and placed it on Kurama's ring finger. "Kurama with this ring I promise to love you, to cherish you, and to live with you for the rest of my days and forever after." The white haired fox demon smiled brightly at the couple.

"It is with great pleasure that before all gathered her today that I now name you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Kurama and Aika met in the middle and kissed each other passionately. It was everything that they had ever hopped for and more. It felt like it lasted an eternity, but it was really only a few seconds before they separated. They turned and linked hands as they began to walk back down the aisle. Naruko and Hinata were holding hands as the followed closely behind them. There was a small reception after the ceremony and Kurama and Aika spent most of their time thanking their guests for coming. As the night boiled down guests began to leave and the newlyweds found Naruko and Hinata asleep snuggled up together on a coach against the back wall. They each picked up one of girls and carried them out of the reception room and towards the palace.

-Red Turtle Palace-

Kurama did not want to wake the girls, but there was one last thing that needed to be done that night and he knew that both of them would want to be awake for it. He bent down and slowly shook the girls awake. Hinata was the first to open her eyes.

"Lord Kurama? What time is it?" The blue haired teen woke up a bit more when she felt arms tighten around her and she realized that Naruko was holding onto her. She smiled at her fox girl before she leaned down and placed a kiss on Naruko's cheek. The red head smiled at the contact and woke up.

"Morning Princess." The fox teen was still half asleep so she did not realize that it was still the same night. Naruko leaned forward and placed a light peck on Hinata's lips. The blue haired teen blushed brightly. Kurama and Aika were quite amused with the display and both looked at each other wondering when the girls would finally start dating. Naruko finally woke up all the way and realized that her Dad and Momma were in the room. The red head's face quickly matched her hair. Kurama had to laugh.

"I'm sorry to wake you both, but there is one more thing that needs to be done tonight and we can't put it off till morning." Naruko looked between her surrogate parents questioningly. Kurama and Aika both walked over to the girls and kneeled down in front of them. "Naruko, for a long time now Aika and I have thought of you as our own kit and we love you more than you could ever know." Aika smiled brightly at the girl and took her hand.

"To be honest we should have done this a long time ago, but we wanted to wait until after we were married and well now we're married so it's time that we had kids." Naruko went wide eyed.

"Do you mean? Are you? Are you adopting me?" The two lovers nodded and Naruko jumped into their arms and hugged them both tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I love you. I love you. I love you." The adults held the girl tightly in their arms, this was long overdue. Hinata cried tears of joy as she watched the family hug each other tightly. She was happy for her fox girl, but at the same time she was a little sad. Hinata still missed her mother and knew that the woman would be just as happy at hearing the news as Hinata was. As if sensing her Princess's sadness Naruko quickly turned around and capture her girl in a tight hug as she brought her lips to the girl's ear. "You're still my family too Princess. Don't ever forget that." Hinata smiled and held Naruko tightly as they both cried a little. Kurama and Aika gave the girls some space as they went and got the paperwork to finalize the adoption. Most of it was taken care of already, but there were still some pages Naruko had to sign. Kurama tapped his kit on the shoulder and the girl turned to see her Dad offer her a pen and some pieces of paper. She did not need to be told what they were as she signed her name quickly in all the blank spots. When she finished she handed them back to her Dad and he looked at them with a critical eye. When he was finished her smiled brightly at his daughter.

"Welcome to the family kit." Naruko beamed at her parents and soon found herself in a group hug with her Dad, Momma, and Princess. The four held each other for a few minutes before finally letting go. Aika took notice of the time and made an executive decision.

"It's already very late so I think you two should just spend the night. I'll send Isamu to Konoha to let Hiashi know so he doesn't worry." The two teens looked at each other and smiled. Neither one had ever slept in a palace before. Aika took the girls to a room a few doors down from her and Kurama's bedroom. The room was large and had an oversized bed. Neither of the teens cared much at that point and just went right for the bed and fell asleep in each other's arms with Naruko's tails wrapped around them for warmth. Aika shook her head good naturedly with a smile on her face. She walked up to the bed and kissed each girl on the head as she tucked them in for the night. The fox woman left the room and went back to her own bedroom to sleep. Well maybe not sleep. It was her wedding night after all.

A/N: And that's a rap. I hope you all liked this chapter. I would also like to hear what your thoughts are about Chitose. Do you like her, dislike her, other? Any feedback at all would be nice. As for the next chapter the team assignments are given and senseis appear. Look forward to it.