Chapter 12:

Naruto dragged himself out of bed the next morning and into the large washroom for a bath. He was still covered in dirt, grass and scratches from last night's hunting trip and the brawl that soon followed. Naruto soaped himself with a soft cloth and watched the water around his feet turn to mud. He was even filthier than he thought. A leaf fell from his hair and landed in the puddle. As he rinsed himself off, the cuts on his shoulders, arms and back began to sting.

"Ow, ow, ow! Damn it, Ryosuke...!" Naruto pressed his hand over the cut on his upper leg, wincing. "I know I crossed a line last night, but really."

Last night was a bit of an awakening for Naruto, however. Not just about how Ryosuke felt about becoming a two-tails but also how strong he was. Naruto would have never known if he hadn't fought him himself. He never knew Ryosuke was that strong. If he could get Naruto on his back like that and keep him there. He was fit to be the leader. He was certainly strong enough.

"He made me look like a weakling."

Maybe if he was a ninja at the time, Naruto could have handled him, but as a fox, Ryosuke clearly had the upper hand. Naruto wasn't used to fighting like that. His body was different. His reach and muscles changed. There were ways Naruto couldn't bend as a fox. So many things he couldn't do.

As much as it made Naruto realize he wasn't a match for Ryosuke as a fox, it made him thankful. Not because he was weak, but because it showed how strong Ryosuke was. If even Naruto wasn't a match for him, then it proved Ryosuke's strength and how much he deserved to be leader. Even if it made Naruto feel weak, he knew this was a good thing. After all, if Ryosuke couldn't take down Naruto in an unfamiliar form, how could he expect to protect his fellow kitsune? Ryosuke had to win the fight. This was a good thing.

Naruto finished rinsing off and climbed into the tub of hot water which only irritated his scratches even more. "Ouch...!" He sank into the water slowly. Once he got past the stinging sensation, the water felt good on his sore muscles.

Naruto shut his eyes letting all his stress seep out of his body and into the water.

When he opened them again, he saw Neji staring at him from the other side of the tub. "Ahh!" Naruto almost jumped out of the water. "How long have you been here?"

"A while. You didn't notice me?"

"No!"

"Even when you were getting in the water? I've been here the whole time."

Naruto shot him a look. "You could have said something..." Naruto raised his arms up to rest on the edge of the tub. "Ah...!" His muscles were throbbing.

"What happened to you?" asked Neji. He didn't sound concerned as much as curious.

"Uh... I fell from a tree," he lied. "Last night when I was keeping watch."

"You fell from a tree?"

"Yeah. That's what I said."

Neji studied his face as if searching for signs of a lie. Naruto tried to keep his face as straight as possible. Then Neji simply said, "Ok."

"Ok?"

"Ok."

Now Naruto was watching him. He gave up on that a little too easily. Naruto couldn't accept that Neji accepted that answer without saying anything further on the matter. "Alright." Naruto would just leave it at that.

After a peaceful bath, Naruto went back to bed and slept for a good part of the day. This time he was allowed, claiming that he was on watch last night. Whatever got him some rest. When he woke up in the afternoon, Naruto was feeling a lot better. Most of his cuts had healed and the soreness throughout his body was almost completely gone. He barely had any pain.

"A little rest and I'm good to go." Naruto was definitely feeling a lot better. He climbed out of bed and, just for the fun of it, ran once around his room on all fours. He stood up and went out the door. "I wonder what everyone is doing right now."

There was so sign of Sai or Sakura anywhere. Naruto began his search. He passed by several maids and servants and even a few guards but no ninja. He checked in different rooms until at last he found Sakura.

Talking with the prince.

"Now what?" Naruto went into the room. "What's up, Sakura?" he said loudly enough for them to jump.

"Oh, Naruto." She looked from the prince back to him. "We were just..."

"I was just inviting Sakura to join me for a private dinner tonight."

"She's busy."

Sakura frowned. "Don't answer for me!"

"Then you tell him you're busy."

"Don't tell me what to do!"

Akio smirked. "He should really have more manners when speaking to a woman."

"Sakura's not a woman!"

She punched him.

"Ow!"

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. "My lord, one of the ninja wishes to speak with you," said a servant.

"Show him in."

Neji was escorted into the room. "Prince Akio, I want to ask you something."

"Yes?"

Naruto and Sakura whispered their argument while Neji and the prince had their own conversation. After exchanging words, Naruto turned away in a huff. "You didn't have to hit me so hard. I didn't think I was being that rude!"

"Well, you were. Learn to keep your mouth shut once in a while!"

"I see," said Neji. "Alright. I'll keep an eye out. We want to make sure they aren't more assassins."

"I did a thorough check on these people. I'm sure they're fine."

Naruto looked up. "What's going on?"

"You were in bed at the time we discussed this. You never listen anyway so I figured we would tell you later," said Neji. "It has little to do with the mission."

"Tell me what?"

Prince Akio answered. "It would seem we have a fox problem in town. I've gotten complaints from people telling me how they're raiding the farm and digging through trash. It's becoming a huge problem. So, I've hired some hunters to go into the mountain and get rid of them."

Naruto's heart almost stopped. He was so shocked at first, he couldn't speak. The images of those foxes he had become friends with floated into his mind and forced him to react.

"You're... you're gonna have them killed?"

Akio nodded.

"You can't!" Naruto screamed so loud, it made Sakura and Neji flinch. "No, you can't do that!"

"Naruto!" Sakura turned around. "What's gotten into you?"

Akio raised an eyebrow. "You speak as if I had sentenced your closest friends to death."

"Practically!"

"What are you saying? You're good friends with these foxes?"

"I-" Naruto broke off there. He was friends with them, but if confessed that he would have a whole lot of explaining to do. He had to find something else to say and quick before he said something he would regret. "I thought you were an animal lover! How could you get some hunters to kill foxes?"

Akio sighed heavily. "I hate to do this. I really do. It's not something I want. But the people in town have been complaining. I have little choice. I've already called them. The hunters will be here today. They're going into the mountain tonight."

Before Naruto could protest, another servant entered the room. "My lord, there's work to be done. There are some papers you need to sign."

"Be right there." Akio threw up his hands in a shrug. "It's out of my hands, Naruto. I'm sorry."

Naruto's ears stopped working properly. He couldn't hear the prince walk away or Sakura ask what had gotten him so worked up. All he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat. He kept his eyes on the ground. Images of foxes swirled around his feet, leaping and dancing as they made their way up and down the mountain in search of food and play. He saw them smile at him and call his name with joy. He saw their fox fire, heard their voices, felt their fur.

He saw the pelt of Seki's brother. His stomach was in knots. Soon, they would all be...

"No!"

Sakura jumped back. "What?"

Naruto pushed past her on his way out the door. "I can't let him do that! I can't let him send hunters out there to kill them."

"But they're becoming a problem," said Neji. "He has to put his people ahead of anything else. If these foxes are an issue, then he really has no choice."

"The hell he doesn't!"

"Naruto, the people are concerned the foxes will attack them. They might have rabies or carry other diseases," said Sakura. "He's worried about their well-being. Plus, if the foxes are causing destruction in town, then..."

"They're not doing anything wrong! They're looking for food! Did anyone mention that?"

Neji frowned. "How do you know that's what they're doing?"

"Why else would they be in town where people are? Normally foxes stay away from people, don't they?"

"Naruto, the mountain is a big place with lots of plants and animals. I'm sure they have food up there."

"Not enough, Sakura. That's why they're here in town." If only there was a way to stop this. Naruto had to try. "Maybe the prince doesn't know this. Maybe if I tell him what's going on, I can get him to call off this hunt."

Or better yet, get the offerings to start up again. That would solve everything. After all, it was the royal family that started the offerings in the first place. Akio's parents started that deal years ago to keep the peace. Akio could do the same thing. He could present offerings to the kitsune and there would be no more raids. Maybe Naruto could even find out why the offerings stopped in the first place.

"I have to talk to the prince. Maybe I can reason with him."

Naruto demanded the servants to take him to the prince, saying it was an emergency. They took Naruto to where the prince was working in a large office. There were guards by the door and along the walls, making sure he was safe. Akio sat behind a desk piled high with papers and books. He was sorting and filing and signing calmly, as if the hunt didn't affect him in the slightest.

"This ninja wishes to speak with you. Says it's urgent."

"Of course." Akio pointed to the chair across from him. "Sit down, Naruto. What's on your mind?"

Naruto sat down. "You know. The hunt."

Akio continued to file papers. "Ah, yes. It's awful, isn't it? But my duty is to my people. I have to do what they want. I must do what's best for them."

"But the foxes mean no harm."

Akio didn't look up. "They are wild animals, Naruto. Unpredictable. Key word: wild. They could attack people at any time. Especially if they're in the town. A few people saw them from their windows. That's too close. They're digging through trash."

"They're looking for food," Naruto said firmly. "They're just hungry."

"Then they should be content with that's in the mountain. The wilds are vast, Naruto. They should have plenty to eat up there."

"But they don't. They eat faster than the plants can grow back. They're hunting animals to the point of extinction. Any surviving animals have fled the area. There just isn't enough."

"They've managed so far. Why should now be any different?"

"Because before they had these offerings that people would leave out for them. It was a big help."

Akio looked up from his papers. "How do you know about that?"

Naruto swallowed. "The staff told me."

"I see."

"But when the offerings stopped, this happened. You should put out food for them again. That will end this."

Akio went back to his papers. "No. I will not cater to wild animals. And I will not put out my people for these things which may or may not keep true to the deal. Why should I let my people starve so that the foxes can eat?"

"The town's a big place and they would only have to put out scrapes. It all adds up and it helps more than you think. It would ease their burden. Besides, the amount of food isn't the problem. It's just scrapes. It won't affect the people at all. No one has to starve. And what the foxes are getting from the trash is what people throw away. Things they could be leaving out as an offering."

Akio ignored him.

"I thought you were an animal lover, Akio."

He lifted his gaze. "I am. Which is why it breaks my heart to have to do this."

"You don't seem that heartbroken to me."

"I have to do what's best for my people. They're afraid these foxes are going to attack them. Who knows what they could be carrying?"

"They're fine!" Naruto spat. "They won't attack humans. They're just looking for food! That's all. Why can't you just leave out a couple pieces of food and be done with it? That's all you have to do! All these big feasts you have here and you can't spare a couple of scraps?"

"I told you, Naruto. I will not cater to them. It will only encourage bad behavior. That's why you don't feed a dog at the table. And I still have to do what my people want. If they feel threatened, I have to do something about it."

"You didn't do much when it was your own life on the line."

"That's different. I care more about my people than I do myself."

"Then what about the foxes? They live on this land, too. Yet you don't seem to give a damn about them."

"That's because I'm not one of them," the prince said calmly. "I am not a fox."

"So, you only care about your own kind? Is that it?" Naruto put his hands on the table and leaned over to get a little closer to the prince. "Look, what you do effects everyone. It isn't just about people or foxes. Everyone's involved here. They only come into town to look for food. Food which you guys should be putting out. That's what your parents did. Why stop now? Continue their work! If you put out the food, then they won't have a reason to come into town anymore. You can end this."

"And I am." Akio set down the papers in his hand. "I called some hunters to come and take care of the problem. No more foxes, no more issue. We won't have to worry about them coming into town anymore and attacking people."

"But no one's been attacked yet!"

"I am not willing to take that chance. I will not wait around for it to happen. I will protect my people, Naruto. And that means ending it before it begins."

"You can end it without anyone having to die!" Naruto pleaded. "Please! You don't have to do this. You don't have to kill them just because you're afraid of what they might do. You can't do that. They haven't done anything wrong!"

"And I'm supposed to wait around until they do? No, Naruto. I'm ending it now."

"You can't do that! Just put out the offerings and it will all end."

"If I have them killed, it will end, too. And this way we never have to worry about them again."

"You can't kill them!" Naruto yelled across the table.

"It's too late. It's going to happen."

"No! You can't!" Not his friends. Not the ones looking out for him. Not the foxes he had grown close to. Not them.

"They've become a problem. I'm putting a stop to it."

"I said no!" In a fury, Naruto grabbed the side of the table and flipped it, sending papers airborne. Now there was nothing between him and the prince and Akio could no longer hide behind his papers.

The guards were upon him at once. Before Naruto could do anything, the guards had their weapons drawn and pointed right at him, protecting their prince. Naruto didn't resist and he didn't fight back. He was too beside himself with rage.

Slowly, Akio stood up. Naruto remained where he was. Mostly because the guards wouldn't let him rise. "Listen to me, Naruto. What's done is done. I've already called them and they'll be here any minute. I have to protect my people. If the foxes are smart and wish to live, then they will flee the land and move on just like all the other animals you spoke of. They may not have to die. If they run fast enough."

Naruto's body was still shaking. Even if the prince was giving them a way out, it wasn't much of one. They just wanted the foxes gone. No compromises. Just gone. One way or another. Naruto took one deep breath after another trying to keep his temper in check but he still wanted to take a swing at him. He wanted to punch the prince so much.

What was best for his people. He had to do what they wanted him to do.

They didn't really know about the kitsune or what their story was. They didn't have to live like that. But Naruto did. He lived as one of them. Was trained by them. He knew about their hardships and their bonds. Maybe if the prince lived as one of them, he would understand. Not just him but everyone in town. Maybe then they would understand.

Naruto stood up and the tips of the weapons pressed into his shoulders and neck. Ignoring it, Naruto gave Akio one final look and turned away. He shoved the guards aside and stormed out the door, slamming it shut.

Naruto stomped down the hall, keeping his eyes on the ground, focused.

They had to die? Because they were hungry? It wasn't fair. If they tried to reason with humans, it was always a disaster. The last few times they tried, they were attacked on the spot. Only a human could reason with other humans. They tried. Naruto tried. He failed, too.

Did someone only look after their own kind? Was that how the world worked? To hell with everyone else? The humans didn't care what happened to the kitsune. They only cared about themselves. To them, they were just animals. They were just a problem. They weren't them.

Naruto had the great opportunity to live life as both human and kitsune and see things from both sides. The kitsune weren't completely without fault themselves, but they didn't deserve death.

"Something has to be done. I can't let it end like this."

"What's that?"

Naruto stopped and looked up. Sai was standing in front of him holding a towel over his arm. "Hey, Sai. Uh... what are you doing?"

"I'm on my way to take a bath. What are you doing?"

Naruto lowered his head. Of all the people to run into, why did it have to be Sai? Naruto was facing quite a conflict and needed to talk this out with someone to help sort out what needed to be done. Sai was... well, Sai. He was trained differently. There was only the mission. He had to remove himself from the situation and have no emotion or attachment. How would he be able to understand what Naruto was going through? Then again, maybe he could be helpful in some way. It was worth a try.

"Hey, Sai..." Naruto began slowly. "Just asking here but... You see, uh... You know about the prince calling for hunters to come and kill these foxes, right?"

"Yes. I was there when he informed us so we wouldn't think they were enemies."

"Well, the thing is... the foxes haven't attacked anyone but he's going to have them killed anyway."

"He was getting complaints from people in town about the foxes bothering people. Digging through trash, the farm and everything. They've become a nuisance."

"Yeah... But the thing is, the foxes are only going into town to find food. There isn't enough in the mountain for them. They used to get food from the people here but that stopped recently so now they have to go into town to find food. Especially since they've eaten almost everything in the mountain."

"How do you mean?" Sai asked.

"Well, they ate all the plants and they need time to grow back. They're hunting down smaller animals and the population has gone down. Other animals have moved on due to the shortage of food. If the foxes get offerings again, they won't have to hunt as much and the plants will grow and the smaller animals will have something to eat and things will get better."

Sai paused. "I'm not sure it works that way. How would providing foxes food cause plants to grow and provide other animals with food?"

"Because then they'll have time to grow and stuff."

"Yes... but then the smaller animals would have to wait for the food, too. It doesn't really make a lot of sense to me. There's still the same amount and if that's the case then-"

"Look, when it was explained to me it made sense. Ok?"

Sai paused again. "Unless, of course, it's because the foxes were eating more food than the mountain provided because there was a shortage of another food supply. In which case that would make sense. Sort of like having some uninvited guests show up at a party and eat the food that was intended for the guests you were expecting. No more than that."

"Yeah, yeah. That's it. That's how it is. They had to go to other resources because of another shortage so now they're eating other animals' food." Maybe Sai did get this after all. "So, you see the problem? This whole thing can be avoided if people left out scarps for the foxes."

Sai nodded. "I see. But the prince won't do it?"

"Right. And I don't want the foxes to die because people have to be stubborn. It's such a simple thing to do. Most of the food ends up is the trash anyway so this is putting it to good use."

"But the prince won't do it. So really, there's nothing you can do about it, Naruto."

That wasn't what he wanted to hear. Naruto sighed. "Well, the prince did say that if the foxes were smart, they would run away before they get hunted down and killed."

"That works, too." Sai grinned.

Without tipping him off too much, Naruto told Sai something else that was really important. "But the thing is, this is their home. And they do have friends here. If they run away, not only would they be abandoning their home, but they would be leaving their friends behind." All the foxes that were cursed by Reevo were still here waiting to be rescued. Including Reki, Seki's younger brother and the only sibling he had left alive. "Their choices are die or run. But if they run, they'll be abandoning their loved ones. Sai, what would you do?"

Sai didn't have to think long on the question. "Well, I was trained to abandon my comrades if they were weighing me down. If it was a choice of life or death, leave them behind. Especially if they prevent you from completing your mission."

Naruto sighed. He should have known better than to ask him.

"However, comrades have your back. If they have strong bonds, then they will not be willing to do that. But if that's the case, then they will all die together. Which seems a bit foolish, doesn't it?" Sai studied Naruto for a moment then added, "Although... a few people have mentioned that living without friends is no life at all and isn't worth living. I believe you've said something like that before, Naruto."

Naruto lifted his head.

Sai smiled at him in his usual way. "I suppose if it is something worth protecting, then by all means."

Naruto looked at the floor again. He nodded. "Yeah. Got it. Thanks." Naruto continued down the hall, his mission clear.

"The way you talk, Naruto," Sai called to his back, "It's almost as if you are close to these foxes in the mountain. As if you were comrades."

That wasn't too far from the truth.

Naruto grinned.

As he got further down the hall, he heard Ryosuke's voice echoing in his mind. "Can I protect them?"

Voices caught Naruto's ear and he looked out the window. The hunters had arrived.

"Can I protect them?" Ryosuke's tearful expression floated into Naruto's mind. "Can I protect them?"

As the hunters started to unload their weapons and traps, Naruto saw the faces of all the kitsune that had become his friends. Ryosuke, Sonar, Lunabell, Aurora, Sammi, Egao, Superu, Ishi, and Seki. He saw the inside of the hunters' cart, their trophies from successful hunting trips lining the wooden walls. One pelt after another.

"Can I?" Naruto asked himself.

Can he?

It's Naruto, after all ^^'

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