Kumo's Kitsune

New Friends, Forgotten Problems

"Kumo Kitsune" – human talking

Kumo Kitsune – human thinking or flashback talking

"Kumo Kitsune" – demon/summons talking

Kumo Kitsune – demon/summons speaking or flashback talking

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I never will T.T

Naruto gaped up in awe at the massive structure that stood in the center of the village, buildings and poles flanking it. The tower stood so tall that it dwarfed anything that Naruto had ever seen before. "Come along little one, we still aren't there yet." E said, gently pushing Naruto forward with his large hands. The blond quickly fell in step with the Raikage, his former ANBU caretaker a few paces behind them.

"So, Raikage-sama, where will Naruto and I be staying?" she asked, fiddling with the scroll that held all of Naruto's earthly possessions along with her own wardrobe and other essential items.

"There is no need to worry about that Yugao-san," he replied, still keeping an eye on the hyperactive ball of energy infront of him. "My younger brother has taken care of it. As a matter of fact, there he is."

Standing at the village gates was a tanned and muscular man garbed in the standard white flak vest of the jonin of Kumo along with baggy black pants. He had his white Kumo forehead protector tied around his forehead, right at the base of his blond, nearly white, cornrows. He was holding a little blonde girl on his shoulders who was waving frantically at the group as they were walking closer. "Yo bro! Why have you been so slow?" the man rhymed cornily, the two adults sweatdropping at his childish antics. "You've been making me waiting for so long with Yugito."

A small fist to the head stopped the man from continuing his rapping rant. "Be quiet Kiwabi! E-tousan just got back fwom his twip to Konoha so let him have some peace!" the little girl on his shoulders yelled at him, repeatedly pounding on 'Kiwabi's'. Her fist left his head a pulsating red bump instead of the deep tan color it usually held.

It's times like this I wonder who is the real adult in this weird family of mine... E sighed looking less than amused at his brother's and adoptive daughter's antics. "Yugito, please stop harassing Kirabi like that. Kirabi, enough of your terrible rhyming, it only ends up with you getting hit by little Yugito."

"Aw come on bro, don't be messin' wit' my flow." Kirabi shot back, the rhymes back with a vengeance. The shades wearing man was totally unaware of the twin tick marks both E's and Yugito's faces. Apparently it was true what they say, like father, like daughter. A few seconds and 3 mini welts on his head later, Kirabi finally gave in, much to the pleasure of Yugito. "So bro, are these the two people from Konoha that are going to live here?" he asked, jabbing a thumb at Naruto and Yugito.

"Yes, this is them. I take it that you have their apartment set up?" Raikage asked, ushering the two former Konoha civilians infront of him. "If you would take care of them it would be greatly appreciated, I do have to get back to my job after all." Before Kirabi could say anything however, the muscular Kage shushin'd away in a bright light and loud crackle, a scorch mark left in his wake.

"Of course he would do that, dump all the work on me." Kirabi grumbled to himself. Lifting the small blonde off of his shoulders he smiled to the two. "Right this way, I'll take you to where you'll stay." his smile was wiped off again by another bonk on his head, thanks to an impressive jump and punch combo from Yugito. The man nursed the bump with a angry look at his niece before he started walking into the village at a moderate pace, Yugao and the two children following close behind.

"So, Kirabi-san, just where is our apartment?" Yugao asked, slightly looking back as to keep an eye on the two children behind her. Naruto was talking animatedly as always, Yugito giggling with him from time to time. We're barely here for ten minutes and he already has a friend. This will be much better for him. she was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Kirabi had stopped until it was almost too late. Luckily, her ninja reflexes were enough to save her from colliding into his back. Looking up, her purple eyes widened at the sheer size of the building in front of her. Standing a good 5 stories tall, the building was a deep brown color that seemed to be the commonplace in Kumo. Furnished terraces sat under most every window, deck chairs and potted plants sitting out in the sun.

"Welcome to the Nii Neko Estates, named after our very own Nibi no Nekomata jinchuriki, Yugito Nii." Kirabi boasted, a large, bright smile on his face. Yugito had a much more embarrassed look, her cheeks a bright red and head bowed low as if to avoid Naruto's gaze.

"Kiwabi, stop it! You're embawassing me!" said girl whined, her inability to properly say her r's showing greatly. Yugao couldn't help but smile at the girl, Naruto on the other hand was stunned at the revelation.

She's a jinchuroki...jinchoriki...jincho-...

Jinchuriki, Naru-kun.

Yea a jinchuriki, just like me. Wait, who said that?

It's me Naru-kun. Who else could or would talk to you in your head?

Right, sorry Benehime-oneechan. So there are other people like me?

Of course Naru-kun, but now's not the time for me to explain it. I'll tell you later ok? Yugito-chan is calling you.

Focusing back on the real world, said girl was calling out his name and poking his chest. "Nawuto? Hello? Anybody home?"

"Oh sorry Yugi-chan. Just thinking." he replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, stop thinking. Kiwabi and the lady you were with went inside the big house." she said, pointing at the doors that were still swinging shut. Quickly running inside, the two blondes were met with a large and very impressive looking foyer. Luscious and soft carpet covered the ground, intricate patterns adorning the fabric. Small stone nekos of either one or two tails stood guard at the entrance, their eyes looking directly at the children as if to say that they were free to enter. Frantically looking around, Naruto finally caught a fleeting sight of familiar purple hair as it disappeared around a corner.

"Come on Yugi-chan! We gotta catch up to them!" Grabbing the girl's hand, he drug her down the hall, nimbly avoiding the other people walking the halls. When they turned the corner, all that greeted them was a large set of metallic doors, a small numbered gauge like device above them. The needle slowly rose from far left side of the device, starting at one and dinging at every new number. "What? Where did they go?" he wondered aloud, looking around again, totally oblivious of the doors infront of the pair.

"They went in there, the elevatow." Yugito said, pointing to the door as the needle stopped on the last number, five. "We have to wait fow it to come back down." Sighing she flopped on the ground, her blue feline like eyes starring at the dial, silently pleading for it to hurry up. Naruto, not used to being still or quiet for very long, looked around, taking in the surroundings. It was much like the lobby, the carpet was the same, the wallpaper was the same, deep brown thunderbolts rolling down a white canvas, the occasional neko pouncing in between bolts. A loud ding broke him out of his observations as the doors opened again, revealing a somewhat panicked Yugao.

"There you are Naruto. I was worried when you weren't on the elevator." she sighed in a relieved tone, holding the doors open to let the two young jinchuriki in. Pressing the top button on the control panel, the purple haired kunoichi couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's startled face as the large box lurched to life, slowly rising from the ground. "Is this your first time on an elevator Naru-kun?" the boy nodded shakily from his spot clinging on to her leg.

"Wow, what a scawedy-cat." Yugito laughed out, so hard that tears were coming to her eyes. Naruto, not one to take insults lightly, stuck out his tongue at the laughing girl, only resulting in her laughing more at him. Her laughing soon stopped after the trio exited the elevator, Naruto still glaring hard at the girl. They walked in silence to the end of the hallway, stopping at a door that had 5-9 on the door.

"This is where we're staying Naru-kun." Yugao announced, opening the door. The boy's eyes flew open at the sight in front of him. Not only was the apartment itself about twice the size as his old one back in Konoha, this new one was much nicer as well. It had three rooms aside from the main room which was a conglomerate of many rooms: the entryway, a stocked kitchen with a small dinner table, and a small den, complete with a TV and two far wall had a large glass sliding door, beyond it was one of the terraces that were under most windows, only this one was a bit wider and longer along the building. Exiting out of one of the rooms, Kirabi made his way over to the trio.

"This is it, a freshly prepared penthouse suite for the newest members of the Kumogakure family." A warm smile appeared on his face as he picked up Yugito and set her on his shoulders once again. He headed for the door, turning one last time at the two. "Hope you enjoy your stay here. If you need anything, I actually live downstairs in 2-8 with little Yugi here so don't hesitate to drop on by."

"Will do Kirabi-san." Yugao smiled back, closing the door behind the Kumo nin. Turning back to Naruto, her smile grew wider as she saw Naruto already on the balcony, looking over the railing. Joining the boy, she leaned on the railing, her eye's panning the sunset. "It's beautiful here." she sighed, her smile turning sad at the fact that she left all her friends back in Konoha for this new life here in Kumo. But all that didn't matter, it was for Naruto and his well-being so it was a good trade-off. Looking over at her young charge, she wondered what exactly he had given up to come here. Obviously, he's not going to be treated like a demon, so that's a good thing. The only people I'm pretty sure he ever trusted there were Hokage-sama, Kakashi-senpai, and myself. A loud yawn momentarily brought her out of her thoughts. Turning again to the young blond, she couldn't contain the giggle that pressed against her lips at the sight. Leaning on the bar, his arms dangling over the side slightly was Naruto, lightly snoring in a peaceful sleep. Picking him up gently, she carried him to one of the rooms, the door adorned with a spiral not much different than the one on his shirt; on closer inspection however, the spiral was made up of nine red kitsune tails. Forgetting the door she made a beeline for the small bed and laid him down in it, pulling the red covers over his small body. "Goodnight Naru-chan. Sleep well." she said, pecking him on the forehead before leaving, not noticing the boy snuggling up to a small kitsune plush toy on the bed. Wait a minute, he did say that he would spend time with someone else and their family, but who was it?

~Konoha~

Shouts of joy rang up from the crowded streets as people paraded around the streets, partying like animals. The reason was that a certain member of the civilian council had said that the 'demon' boy was dead, causing the villagers to break out in celebration. The council member had said that the declaration was straight from the Hokage's mouth.

~Earlier that day~

The combined council of prominent villagers and clan heads stared with wide-eyed shock at the elderly Hokage infront of them. "That's right. Naruto Uzumaki was pronounced dead at 9:52 last night." he repeated, his eyes panning over the village's elite ninja clans. Most of the clan heads had looks of absolute shock; they were some of the few that actually knew of the Kyuubi being the Guardian of Konoha and pitied the boy for his burden. Of these clan heads, most had even helped little Naruto escape his pursuers from time to time. Two of the more prominent heads however, had different faces.

The ever stoic face of Hiashi Hyuuga held his ever present look of disinterest and uncaring. In truth, he did know of the boy's burden but he didn't care whether he lived or died. The only way he would even give the boy a second look is if he became attached or involved with either of his daughters, Hinata and Hanabi, so the news of his death meant nothing to him.

The other head had a look that held neither shock or lack of interest was Fugaku Uchiha. The patriarchal Uchiha had, however, an almost happy look, his lips pulled into a twisted kind of smile. To him that boy was nothing but the demon itself. He hated Naruto even more for the fact that he had befriended his youngest daughter, Sayuki, and in turn Meitachi, his elder daughter and heir, and even his wife, although Mikoto never had felt the same way that he did on the young boy, always calling him a hero or some other name he was undeserving of in his eyes. Now that he was dead and gone, he could set his family straight.

"But what of the Kyuubi?" a certain cripple spoke up, his singular eye glaring at the aged kage. "Surely it's essence was retained. We still have it's power correct?"

"No we do not Danzo. The way that the Yondaime sealed the Kyuubi away, the moment Naruto dies, the Kyuubi would." Sarutobi partially lied. Although part of that statement was true, Minato wasn't called the premier expert in Fuinjutsu for nothing. He was the one who perfected the Shiki Fuuin in the first place so it was only common knowledge that he would have thought of ways to counteract the binding of chakras that the seal induced. Of course, the only copies of the instructions were all the way in Kumo, with Naruto, but the old war hawk didn't need to know that. "That is all, this meeting is over." With that, Sarutobi briskly stood up and left the room, silence following him.

The silence continued as one by one the members of the council left, only Danzo still in the room. For once the cripple's face was not in it's cool and collected visage. Anger and frustration almost visibly rolled off his body, his frame shaking at the magnitude of his rage. Crap, crap, crap, crap! he mentally screamed to himself. With a snap of his fingers, a blank masked figure appeared by his side.

"Yes Danzo-samaaack!" before he could even get the words out of his mouth, Danzo's hand formed a vice like grip around the man's neck, slowly choking the life out of him.

"Who does that old fart think he's fooling? There's no way that little brat could have died so easily from those little wounds. He's been through worse and that infernal demon has healed him every time back to perfect health. Something is very wrong here." he thought aloud. He was unaware of the sudden lack of struggling and choking from his subordinate. Looking at the man, his eye hardened at the dead man's limp form, utter contempt on his face. Without any other thought, he dug his fingers completely though his neck, severing his head from the rest of his body which fell like a rock on the floor, blood pouring from the unhinged head still on his fist. "That Kyuubi brat, he's alive somewhere. Now just where is he?"

~Current Time~

Although it seemed everyone else in the streets were partying and drinking in celebration of the riddance of the 'demon spawn', two people however were certainly not. Both were utterly appalled at the village's behavior along with their own clan's. Spurred on by the clan head to hate the boy that the head family would shelter on occasion, even have over for dinner, seemed extremely bigoted towards the boy. The elder of the two had to maintain a calmer persona than the younger for the sake of her youngest daughter who was walking with them. She needed to see that her mother was level headed and could control her anger, a trait she wish her elder daughter could duplicate.

Said daughter, however, wore her anger on her sleeve. She was usually stoic in public to everyone other than some of her family, a few colleagues and a certain blond boy to whom she would actually smile and be herself with. But she wouldn't have been promoted an ANBU captain at the age she was if she couldn't control her emotions, but as was normal for humans, even she could let her anger get the best of her. Now being a perfect time. How dare they act like this is a victory or something. Naru-chan was the best thing to happen to this village since Kushina-sensei came here. All these bigots are ruining what Yondaime-sama wanted for him but they're also hurting little Sayuki. I wish I could just attack all these people along with the others. That'd make everything...

"Oneechan!" the raven teen jumped slightly, her ANBU training lapsing in her rage. Turning to her family, her face softened when her eyes met the similar coals of her little sister's. "Are you ok oneechan? You've been quiet for a really long time." her cute voice asked, trying to figure out the ways of her fourteen year old sister.

"I'm fine Sayuki-chan, just thinking." Meitachi reassuringly smiled down at her, holding her hand tighter. They continued walking down the joyous streets, trying their best to tune out shouts of happiness at Naruto's alleged death, and to there their destination; a small family owned ramen stand that was once the favorite of a certain blond family friend. It surprised the older raven that the restaurant was even open; Naruto had always been their best customer so she expected them to be mourning his loss.

"Hi Ayame-chan, Teuchi-san!" the small Uchiha cried happily, a large smile on her face. The two aforementioned cooks smiled back at the girl, a pang of grief however appearing soon after that only Mikoto and Meitachi saw. No doubt it was caused by the absence of her usual eating partner. "Isn't Naruto-kun here yet?"

"Um, well, Naruto is," the man began, his eyes avoiding the gaze of the small girl. They met with both her older sister's and mother's eyes, both holding a saddened look at the reason to why the boy wasn't here. However the gazes also held traces of something akin to a plea to keep quiet, as if asking him to stay quiet as to keep the childlike purity that Sayuki still had. "He was sent on a vacation by Hokage-sama himself." he lied, a smile returning to his face.`

Although the lie worked on the girl, her countenance still fell, "But he promised he'd meet me, oneechan, and kaasan here for dinner." she said, a downcast tone taking over her voice.

Noticing this change in expression, Ayame quickly began to cook the child's usual order, "Now, now, no long faces. Naruto-kun wouldn't like to see you like this if he was here, so why don't we see a smile, hm? He's always said that he likes it when you smile, even calling you cute." Instantly, Sayuki's face broke out in a furious blush adorning her face at the thought of her crush calling her cute. She quickly tried to hide it by ducking her head into the bowl of shrimp ramen placed infront of her, eating the noodle soup hastily, ignoring the giggles from her family and the female cook. The other two Uchihas soon joined in eating their own orders, passing the time with the Ichirakus, with idle chatter, wisely avoiding the subject of Naruto as to not upset the small girl again. Meitachi was the first to finish and stood up from her stool, lifting up the flap to exit.

"Where are you going oneechan?" Turning to her younger sister, Meitachi gave a soft and reassuring smile.

"I have to go get ready for a mission, but don't worry, I'll be home soon." came her reply, exiting under the flap, giving a knowing look to her mother before fully disappearing behind the white flaps and into the busy streets. Sayuki quickly turned her focus away from the still moving fabric and back to her bowl, picking out one of the few remaining prawns in the soup.

~Later~

After finishing their meal and paying for it, Mikoto left the stand, Sayuki sleeping soundly in her arms. Knowing what was being attended to at the compound, she decided to take a much needed detour to answer a few questions she had, and only a certain monkey could answer them, the place to find him being the Hokage Tower. Leaving her sleeping daughter in the care of the assistant at the front dest, she angrily stomped up the stairs to his office, an aura akin to annoyance, rage, and pure, unbridled fury surrounding her. She definitely wanted those answers now.

~With Sarutobi~

A fit of shudders ran through the aged 'Fire Shadow', a feeling of almost pure fear that only one person he knew of could produce in him. No it can't be her. Kushina's been dead for a little over five years. He thought, the memory of the red haired woman's anger and the actions upon those whom it was directed towards. But, no this feeling and aura was of someone totally different than Kushina, but it also was a reminder of the woman, and it scared the living crap out of him. Whoever it is, I hope they aren't like Kushina. Kami-sama knows that I can't take one of her beatings again. His fears were realized, however, when the doors to his office were nearly blown off it's hinges. The perpetrator, a woman with raven black hair and charcoal eyes standing there, her face glaring hard at him.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi! Where the hell is Naruto?! I know he isn't dead so where is he?" she yelled out, her eyes changing their color to an intimidating red, three comma marks surrounding the pupil.

No, I think Kushina would be better right now. the kage sighed, slowly meeting the Sharingan eyes of Mikoto Uchiha. "I was wondering when someone would question what I said. But to think it would be you of all people, I thought all the Uchiha hated Naruto because of the Kyuubi killing most of the clan ninja at the time."

"Well not everyone was so bigoted." she responded, folding her arms under her chest. "Myself and my two daughters are the only members that actually see him as the little boy that he is, Sayuki actually having a crush on him. So where is Naruto? It's obvious he's not dead, I know he's always been in great protection with those other two Anbu along with Meitachi, and I know you would step in if got too bad."

Hiruzen sighed loudly again, knowing that he had no way out of giving her the explanation. "Alright I'll tell you, but this conversation never leaves this room, understand?" Getting a nod from the woman, he pressed a finger on the small seal on his desk, a purple wall of chakra sprang up from the ground, quickly disappearing as fast as it arrived. "It started after Minato had just sealed the Kyuubi inside him, even when he was still in one of the cribs in the hospital. A few of the ninja that had survived the attack decided to attack him while he was sleeping. Luckily, one of the nurses saw it and alerted me before they could kill him. However, these actions didn't stop. Whether it was by poisoning, assassination, or even drowning; ninja and villagers alike tried to kill him repeatedly. Fortunately, an old friend of mine who runs the orphanage took him in and protected him personally the entire, almost never leaving his side through the harsh environment. That still didn't seem to be enough however, as soon as he turned five, the council had him kicked out and put in his own apartment in the slums of the city. The beatings and attacks came much more violent and frequently, so much that I had to put him under constant ANBU surveillance and only the ones that I could trust, Yugao Uzuki and Kakashi Hatake. Both had been students of Naruto's parents and they both saw him as a hero, treating him with respect and the love of older siblings, spending time with him without their masks on. They also had help by other ANBU and Jonin, including Meitachi."

"That still doesn't explain why he's not here in Konoha. Certainly Kakashi and Yugao were able to keep little Naruto safe all this time right?"

"They were perfectly, up until yesterday that is. Naruto was cornered by villagers and a few genin, which was normal for a night attack on him. However, an ANBU was there as well, making it that much harder for them to protect him. He was an Uchiha as well, using his Sharingan to cast a genjutsu to deter both Kakashi and Yugao to lose Naruto while he was being chased by them, allowing the villagers to beat him within an inch of his life. Kakashi and Yugao were both able to get there in time before the other ANBU was able to kill Naruto." he explained, allowing the woman to absorb the information. Tears rolled down her eyes, her form visibly shaken. To think that even an ANBU, the village's elite ninja, would attack an innocent child out of cold blood and for something he couldn't control.

"So...so where is he now?" she asked, holding back the sobs that threatened to break her down.

"In Raikage was here when Kakashi and Yugao brought Naruto here. He almost instantly figured out that he was a jinchuriki, just from seeing his wounds. I asked him to take him to Kumo so he would have a better life there. You see, the people of Kumo are aware of their two Guardians, the Nibi and Hachibi, and they see the jinchuriki as gifts from Kami herself. They treat them with high respect, even though the Nibi jinchuriki is only a child herself. After I thought about it, I resolved that a life in Kumo is better than hell here in Konoha." Hiruzen finished, leaning back in his chair. "Naruto is in Kumo with Yugao right now. They both are no longer Konoha citizens and ninja, their loyalties are now with Kumogakure."

"Thank you Hokage-sama. I feel much better now that I know that he is still alive." she said, relief filling her voice. After a small bow, she left his office and returned to her daughter, who was just waking up from her slumber. Picking her up, mother and daughter made their way back to the compound, where the unthinkable was happening.

~Uchiha Compound~

Fugaku looked in horror at his eldest daughter. He had just seen her decimate the entire clan in the streets of the compound, save for him, without so much as getting a single scratch on her. Blood drenched her armor and mask, giving her Sharingan an even more fearsome look, even for another wielder of the doujutsu. "W-why? Why the hell are you killing you're own clan?!" he yelled out, unable to hide the fear in his voice. His only reply was her crimson stained blade lifting his head off his shoulders. Flicking her father's blood off her sword, she gave one look behind her before sheathing the sword and jumping off into the night.

"ONEECHAN!" Sayuki screamed out, tears pouring out her eyes. She ran to where Meitachi was last, continuously screaming out for the raven the entire time. Mikoto did her best to put on a facade of grief and sorrow as well, kneeling down next to her husband's decapitated body, tears hitting the ground. She knew of what was going to happen from what Meitachi had told her the night previous and was not at all surprised. She had heard Fugaku on more than one occasion talking with the elders of the clan about his plan to stage a coup and seize control of Konoha, as the founder would have wanted. While she was sad that some of the women and young children had to die as well, it couldn't be helped, and she knew stayed that way when multiple ANBU along with Hokage arrived. The masked ninja quickly dispersed to look around the compound for any survivors, but after learning of who had just come through here, they doubted that they'd find anyone. They worked in silence, save for one donkey masked man.

"First something great then this. Who would have ever thought that the Uchiha would be obliterated on the same day we learn of the demon brat's death." he said. Now normally this would be fine if he just said it under his breath, and he wasn't by Sayuki when he said it.

"D-demon brat...*sniff* who is that?" she sobbingly asked, tears still sliding down her face.

"Hm? It was just that kid Naruto Uzumaki." he answered, unaware of the three spikes of KI directed at him. Before he could get another word out, he was shushin'd away with Inu who took him straight to Ibiki. But it wasn't before his words got to Sayuki.

"N-naruto...he's..." she sobbed out, fresh tears flowing like a fountain. All in one day, her life had become horrible, losing most of her family to her sister who she looked up to greatly, and the loss of her best friend and crush. "NARUTO!"