Uzumaki Naruto was really starting to wonder where it all went wrong.
It had started out as a normal day. He had woken up, eaten breakfast (instant shrimp ramen and toast) and had even made it to the academy on time! Iruka-sensei had taught, he pulled a prank, got yelled yet, failed at the bunshin no jutsu, went to old man Ichiraku's, ate more ramen and then went home and went to bed.
Then everything had to go fucking pear-shaped. His dreams had been feverish, pulsing and disorienting. He had been tossing and turning and stayed in the place before wakening and dreaming, but still lost in his dreams. When his alarms blared, he found himself unable to awaken. Even in his half dreams, he panicked. Why couldn't he wake up?
Eventually the alarm ceased its noise and Naruto was still helpless in his dreams of swirling colors and heat.
Why couldn't he wake up?
When Iruka realized Naruto was not in class that morning, he immediately became suspicious. What kind of prank was the little cretin up to this time? After deliberating to himself for several moments, he decided that during lunch he would go and find the missing prankster.
Sarutobi was a busy man; busy and old. He was very tired and longed for the days of retirement and rest. In his (admittedly) less then prime state, he had become lax in regards to his own control. The council did what they pleased and very nearly held more power them him. Donzo was another problem as well, but in his old age he had not the physical or mental strength to combat them.
But Sarutobi was a shinobi, and shinobi were known for their cleverness and sneakiness.
A shinobi does not do something that he can get others to do for them.
Which was exactly what the Third Hokage had planned…
Lying on his desk in front of him lay the documents left in his care by the Elders of the Uzumaki clan. The scroll was worn with age and use, frayed and dirtied at the edges. The once majestic frog clasp was riddled with snags and loose strings. It had seen better days.
The Third sighed and caressed the scroll again in hope. Soon, hopefully soon Naruto would come into his inheritance and with it, the power to fix all that Sarutobi had allowed to become broken.
Iruka left directly as lunch began, giving a quick explanation to one of his fellow teachers, incase someone came looking for him or incase he ran a little late. Giving a brief way, Iruka quickly took to the trees and roof tops of Konohagakure.
Now, while Iruka may have been a mere chunin, he was no push over. One did not practically raise the Kyuubi jinchuuriki without learning some higher level techniques and handy tricks. The particular one he was about to use he had learned from the Professor himself. He was a hunter-nin technique, which allowed the one who performed the technique to send out a chakra 'probe' that would immediately center in on the chakra they were looking for. The only drawback to the technique was that the one had to have insane chakra control, and be highly familiar with the chakra they were looking for. Thankfully, Iruka had practiced enough to become very proficient in the jutsu in regards to Naruto.
Iruka was expecting to find Naruto pulling some prank or maybe wolfing down some ramen. He was therefore, suitably surprised to find him at home. Did the brat sleep in?
Managing a quick Shunshin, Iruka appeared just outside of Naruto's apartment door.
It was hot still, so hot.
Who was he? He couldn't remember.
Vague memories…smiling, laughing, so much pain and hate…who…what?
There was a noise somewhere, where was he? A sound, maybe a voice? He couldn't remember.
There was cold now, he leaned into it, keening in need. Vague noises again. He was being lifted, or was he? He couldn't remember, couldn't distinguish what was real and what wasn't.
A breeze or maybe just a phantom, more noise, more talking.
It was so hot, why couldn't he just die?
Oh, a light.
How pretty.
Iruka was quickly beginning to panic. Naruto had a very high fever (his nightclothes and bed were completely soaked with sweat) and he completely unresponsive. The hospital had no idea what was wrong. Test after test and nothing was showing up.
He needed to get the Hokage.
When Iruka had rushed into his office clearly panicked, Sarutobi had feared the worst. He feared something horrible had happened-a child had died, Naruto had left/been taken away, or even that his grandson was in some kind of danger.
He had not expected to hear that Naruto was in the hospital with a fever so high that he should be dead, and was nonresponsive.
He knew what was happening, and he couldn't help but feel some relief.
It would be only weeks later that he would regret that relief, that joy of Naruto coming into his inheritance.
The boy broke all laws of the mortal realm and had come into his own far too early. His own personality, which had not fully matured at his young age, would find issues with his new found abilities. While it would make him easier to train, it would make it harder to put in effect.
It was such a pretty light, all white and pure. He wanted to touch it.
"Iruka", the Third immediately brought the panicking chunin's attention to himself. "Do not worry; what is happening now is natural for an Uzumaki."
"…and what happens if the doctors can't fix him and-what?" Iruka finally processed what the Hokage had said through his frantic ranting.
Oh, it was warm. Not hot, but a comforting warm…like hugs. Was this what love felt like?
"The Uzumaki clan originates from Uzu no Kuni (Whirlpool country). The Uzu hidden villages were very recluse and very isolated. I have only one scroll that contains information about them, and even that is very limited and vague…"
Yes, this was what love had to feel like. He felt warm and safe and happy. Why couldn't he feel like this forever?
"…You see, the Uzumaki clan to Uzu was what the Uchiha was to Konoha. They were respected, loved, feared and seen as almost royalty. But like the Uchiha's tendency towards blindness, the Uzumakis also had a fault..."
He pulled the light closer to himself. Then he was falling, falling down, down, and down…
"…the Uzumakis were mostly male."
He could see now. Standing with the light cradled into his arms he was he was in a field surrounded by trees.
"Reproduction quickly became an issue. It was in the early days, before the hidden villages became what we know them as that they stumbled onto the solution."
Something was coming out of the trees. Oh…how beautiful.
"They came across an old peddler who begged for food and shelter. They happily obliged, and indeed the old man was treated much like a favored grandfather. The clan heads took him in and welcomed him to stay for as long as he liked. The months he stayed there, he was treated kindly by all and he quickly grew to love his new found family."
Such a graceful thing, and so beautiful…but why was it smiling at me? Surely I don't deserve it.
But that face, he recognized that face. Something deep inside of him knew who it was.
"The village would be attacked by rogue samurai, a practical army of trained soldiers against a small shinobi village. It would be a slaughter, but the Uzumaki were proud. They told the old man they all had grown to love to run, to hide, and to stay safe. It was therefore, very surprising for both the shinobi and the samurai when the visage of the old man melted away to reveal…"
"Inari-sama" he kneeled into a bow, holding the light up in offering to the god.
"Ah, Uzumaki-san…It has been such a long time since an Uzumaki has ventured into my realm. Stand child; let me see the face of one of my favored children."
"What?" Iruka's whispered question was harsh and disbelieving.
Sarutobi couldn't help but chuckle, lilting up his pipe.
"Inari-sama is a kitsune, a creature of mischief and deception, but of loyalty as we so often forget. For the love and kindness he was shown, the Uzuamki clan became blessed. He called them his 'favored children' and gave them many gifts and powers. He gave the males the ability to bare children, the females the ability to impregnate, and to all he gave the powers of a kistune. Naruto is coming into his powers as an Uzumaki, and with that the powers of a kistune."
"Come child, it is time for your awakening. The world has grown lax and corrupt in the absence of the celestial beings. You shall be my solider, my knight of redemption. It will be hard work my child, but the rewards are great. For the tasks I give you, do you accept?" Inari's figure was tall and proud, neither male nor female but androgynous in its beauty. Silver hair fell down to the god's heels, golden eyes peered out from beneath perfect bangs. The god's face was perfection, and his skin was milky and radiant. A truly divine creature, with fifteen silver tails swaying behind him.
"Yes, my lord"
"When you awaken you will be different, but you will remember your life. You hold my first son within you. The Kyuubi lies within your stomach, keep within by the seal on your navel. I will have words with him, and he will help you in your quest. Uzuamki Naruto, I can see already that you will not fail me. What do you desire for your reward, my child? You deserve something for making it this far." Inari asked as he reached out and caressed Naruto's cheek with his long, claw like nails. He held the orb of light within one of his tails; waiting for the answer he knew would come.
Naruto didn't even hesitate, it was what he had always wanted and had relentlessly waited and worked for.
"Love"
The great god gave a pleased chuckle, "Then you shall have it, my own. When you awaken you will remember, and you will learn the powers I have granted the Uzumaki. As for love, I will give you the tools and opportunity to make it more possible, but it is not something I can force. Even gods have limits."
"Oh, thank you Inari-sama!" and before another word could be uttered, the ball of light was thrust into Naruto's chest Inari's elegant hand.
Uzuamki Naruto woke up to a white ceiling and worried eyes.
So chapter One is done.
fixed kistune to kitsune and added space in title. please point out any other errors!! thanks to those who did!