Chapter 5
AN: Wow- a lot of people are following and favoriting already! I hope to not disappoint. Now, for the story, a couple things. I was having trouble with the whole 'ninja animal thing' because I needed Naruto to have a partner for later, but found creating another character kind of difficult with what abilities they would be using and such. I decided on looking to my disasterous first story (a mixture of poor planning and outlines being misplaced several times ruined it till I just got fed up and wrapped it up) for the cat there: Angel. Now, the cat won't be quite as powerful or crazy or as instrumental as the last story, but some of the abilities she showed in GK will be used here.
Three days later, Training field seven…
Naruto walked slowly to the training grounds that would be his hell hole for the next three months. As ordered by the Hokage he was wearing his off duty clothes and the new 'official story' was that he held an aid position with the Hokage's office. His new companion slept on top of his head, and he smiled up at the sight.
Angel was a black hell cat, a species of felines that specialized in changing their size and using fire jutsu to an extent. They could also use a type of demonic genjutsu, but as he bought her at the kitten stage, it would be awhile before any of these abilities became usable. Until then Naruto had to teach his new companion to speak and fight- or, Pakkun did at least, when Naruto bribed him with pork ears today. When Angel was trained she would add to team Ro, and Tenzo was busily creating some attack formations that included the black cat. Now, though, she was just a ball of sleeping fuzz.
"Aww, chibi-kohai and Angel- have you gotten her to speak yet?" Hikaru dropped down from a tree to walk along side his teammate, also in normal shinobi wear. The fifteen year old had forgiven Naruto for selling him out when Naruto promised the Hyuga the chance to spar with the Uchiha, some sort of rivalry between the two clans. Apparently Hikaru had fought against many different Uchiha before they were massacred and wanted another bout, even if Sasuke was hardly worthy. After all, Hikaru graduated at eight, became a chunin at ten through field promotion, and then a special jonin at thirteen where he joined ANBU (AN: There is NO way Konoha only has like five early graduates: I would say there'd have to be more, but like any village they use a couple as poster children and the rest just get on with their lives).
"She can say "Naruto" half the time and "no" without fail. Nothing else yet" Naruto grumbled. The cat was sweet but could drive him insane with the random "no!" while they worked or he read. Hikaru grinned.
"Hah! She sounds like a two year old." Then his face turned sullen. "Captain gave me another medical jutsu to learn and I'm supposed to instruct the Haruno over medical ninjutsu." It was a known fact amongst ANBU that while Hikaru was surprisingly adept at the medic arts, his flamboyant personality and wish to be in battle made him shirk off his studies. Unfortunately for him he lived next to the captain who did weekly tests. Having the threat of Tenzo with his ghoul face standing over you made Hikaru begrudgingly improve.
"Which one?" Naruto asked sympathetically, Angel yawning on his head.
"The one that closes cut arteries- after I've learned this one I'll be ready for the intermediate series."
"That's great Hikaru! Before you know it you'll be the next Tsunade"
"Hmph. I'd rather just keep spamming jutsu and gentle fists" He pouted, being melodramatic: he was only learning for the field and in case Konoha was attacked. "So…when are you starting training with "it"?" Hikaru asked after some silence. Intelligence from spies showed Suna intended to send their unstable jinchuuriki to the exams without informing Konoha: sending any jinchuuriki to an exam was considered impolite and by not informing them they were it could be considered an act of war. To prepare Naruto was beginning his jinchuuriki training, and Jiraiya would be called back within a few weeks to continue his sealing and some jutsu that his father left him.
"Tomorrow. The plan is Wednesday and Friday Capatain will take me to the place my mother trained at with it. The Hokage and shinobi council issued orders for me to be able to use a two tailed version one cloak by the exam. They also agreed for Hokage-sama to help with my water manipulation and teach me a few water based jutsu to deal with the Ichibi." Naruto was miffed at the first part: Tenzo had argued the council saying Naruto wasn't ready yet and that Jiraiya and he could take care of the Jinchuuriki. They refused, however, stating that even if it wasn't needed yet, as Konoha's jinchuuriki he had a responsibility to master as much of the beast's chakra as he could. The last part though, Naruto didn't mind: learning from the Hokage every Sunday was an honor.
"At least you have the Hokage training you to make up for our babysitting job. Though, Captain did say we'd be taking some combat missions in our spare time." Naruto smiled at that. Combat missions were typically mid B to low A rank- obviously it was to give them experience, but it would be a welcome break over the months.
"Oh, Sasuke-kun! You're so cool" Sakura's screech could be heard up ahead. Naruto and Hikaru winced in sympathy for Kakashi, as they say him sigh in resignation. The third team mate, Sai, was drilling sword drills far away from the others. The ANBU ignored him, well aware that he was just a plant and already above chunin level.
"Hey, Sempai! How's the chibi-genin?" Hikaru greeted with a wave. Kakashi turned with a happy look, but gave a scowl to Angel: Kakashi hated the cat that cost him an S-rank pay while Angel adored the man for some odd reason.
"Meow!" She said as she jumped off Naruto and towards the white haired jonin. With a bit too much enthusiasm Kakashi batted her away with his book.
"Hello there, Hikaru, Naruto. Hikaru, you'll be working with Sakura mostly if I'm correct. Naruto, you'll be in charge of Sasuke mostly, though if you could have twenty clones follow my clone I'll show you the start of water manipulation." Naruto did so and the real Kakashi looked back at the group. "Alright, I have to take on a mission for the next several days. On Tuesdays and Thursdays Naruto will be joining you in training for the chunin exams, mainly as a sparing partner and to drill the basics. On Wednesdays Hikaru will be your stand in sensei for missions- make me proud, these next few months I will have to take my own missions without you three- see you Friday. Oh, and Naruto: water my plants while I'm gone." Kakashi eye smiled and left in a puff, Hikaru's mouth gaping.
"T-that bastard! Slugging his kids off to me- I'll show him the next time we have poker night!"
"Crap, I forgot to ask him to summon Pakkun!" Naruto palmed his face. Now he'd have to make Angel just work with a clone on vocabulary, something he still had trouble doing. Bending down to the dazed cat he smiled. "Go with a clone and it will teach you some. Hopefully when Kakashi-sempai returns Pakkun can help." Angel nodded slowly and left with a Naruto. She could understand him perfectly, but words were difficult.
"Hn. Dobe, Hyuga, fight me." Sasuke demanded Hikaru and Naruto, though without as much venom as before. Having to clean the guard tower bathrooms humbled him a bit it seemed.
Sakura frowned a bit at her crush. She heard what he tried to do and when she talked to her mother about it, the older Haruno scolded her again for being so infatuated with the Uchiha. Sakura still felt a bit of butterflies for the boy, but his disrespect for their 'sensei' and whatever Naruto was supposed to be shocked her: she didn't like the blonde, but assaulting him in the street and calling a stronger opponent 'Dobe' was just wrong.
"Makes you wonder why you liked him, huh?" Hikaru's not so joking voice spoke from behind her. Sakura blushed and turned.
"I-I don't know what you mean; I love Sasuke-kun!" She said instantly, old phrases said on instinct. Hikaru rolled his eyes.
"Please: you're twelve, almost thirteen. Give it a couple of years before you 'love' anyone. And besides: the Uchiha is arrogant and cruel. I've read the mission reports- he almost caused a treaty to break on the diplomatic mission when he insulted the ambassador. And on your last bandit raid, the boy broke their arms for no reason before killing them: would you really want to be around that?" Sakura bit her lip at that. It was true, Sasuke had become more and more angry and un hinged since Naruto beat them that day so badly. "Just think about it. Until then, let's get you started on becoming a field medic." With a smile Hikaru led the girl away from the Uchiha. He sent a mental apology to his teammate who looked ready to pummel the brat.
"No." Naruto said hours later after making Sasuke learn water walking. His plan was to force the basics like his teammates did, improving mainly the genin's control, taijutsu, and traps. Naruto knew the second stage was in the Forest of Death, and as such intended to make his 'student' able to survive there. However, if he had to keep telling Sasuke no to fights then the Uchiha wouldn't make it to the exam.
"ARG! All I've done today is water walking- I need to get stronger to beat him. Spar with me!" Sasuke was exhausted but wanted more: his Sharingan would make it easy to copy Naruto's jutsu and moves. However, Naruto just sighed.
"Sasuke, you've learned a lot today: by Thursday I have no doubt you'll have mastered water walking. Your obsession with killing your brother, I get it, I really do." Sasuke moved to protest but Naruto cut him off. "I found out my parents were killed the day I was born, that a man caused their deaths. One day, I will find him and take his life." He had found out that a suspected Sharingan user pulled the Kyubi out and Naruto would make him pay. "However, obsessing about it now won't do anything. Look at it this way. Itachi killed the Uchiha, and they all had friends, lovers, and teammates outside the Uchiha walls. Wait until you're able to beat Kakashi. When that day comes, call on me and I and others would gladly help you track the traitor down."
"Tsch, I have to do this alone"
"Why? Because it was your family? Don't be stupid: with teammates you can take on any opponent. And, I'm sure you'd be allowed the killing blow." Naruto watched Sasuke's face carefully. He seemed to go through a range of emotions before settling down.
"Fine. I'll try it your way, but I'm still behind. How did you get so strong?" Sasuke wasn't so much angry at this point but desperate: Naruto was clearly a chunin level he could see, while Sasuke looked weak now.
"Sigh, lots of shadow clones, which you can't make. Yet" He added. "I'll compromise: If you work hard on what I want you to, I'll teach you some of my special traps." Sasuke looked dubious.
"I prefer ninjutsu." Naruto smirked at this.
"So do I, but one of my traps took down a B rank shinobi" He said, leaving out the part that it on incapacitated the guy and Hikaru finished him. No need to tell the whole truth. Sasuke looked a bit more intrigued. "Yes, traps can take down anyone, if done right. Plus, I'll show you the shunshin Thursday" He dangled the carrot, and Sasuke fell for it.
"Deal. But if I don't think your idea of this 'team work' is helping, I'll kill him by myself." Sasuke didn't say it out loud but he realized playing along until Naruto fell by his hand was better than arguing. He'd learn this 'Shadow clone' one day and easily beat the former dobe before moving onto his brother. Naruto just nodded at Sasuke's sort of agreement. No way he'd let that happen but decided to let the guy sound superior.
"Here's a book over the basics of trapping. Angel, time to go!" Naruto called and without another word boy and cat walked away, leaving a thoughtful Uchiha looking through the book titled 'genin level traps, book one of three'. Not knowing Naruto was already through the whole series that went through jonin, Sasuke pored over it, secretly imagining Itachi dying from a kunai or wire.
Private Training grounds…
Naruto used shunshin to reach the water fall where twenty clones cut the water. Pleased it wouldn't be long before he could do it himself he turned to his partner while unsealing his training weights.
"Hello. Naruto" Angel said slowly, working the human words in her mouth. Naruto grinned.
"Hey, Angel. Since we're partners we have to work together in fights. For now we'll do conditioning and an obstacle course together!" With a grin the two set off into the late afternoon, Naruto wincing as the new training vest put an extra five pounds on him. He was instructed to not use chakra while in weights to get him better conditioned faster. Made sense, but that didn't mean Naruto had to like feeling weighed down.
At eight pm Naruto dragged himself inside his apartment, Angel hanging over his shoulder.
"Stupid cat making me carry her." He muttered. Turning his door knob he slumps inside the door way, only to become on guard instantly with his chukoto in hand. He felt a presence in his apartment, and they were masking it well. Inching along the wall he pumped chakra into a seal, releasing his chakra smoke tags. Or, he would have if the commander hadn't thrown him to the ground.
"Almost acceptable. But next time be on your guard before you enter." Dragon said dryly as he pushed his sandal on Naruto's head.
"Yes, Dragon-sama. What are you here for?" Naruto asked through the carpet. "I doubt it's just to stalk me, though you do it a lot."
"Correct, I am here on business. Make me tea" He ordered. Naruto grumbled but complied, and soon two cups were on the table. Dragon drunk slowly, his mask under a genjutsu to allow him to move it slightly to drink. "I understand you are to begin on learning your Jinchuuriki powers tomorrow?" It wasn't a question, even if it sounded like one. "In that case I came to warn you to be careful. Normally we would wait until you reached fourteen but with the threat of conflict Konoha has no choice. Even so, I won't have you become reliant on your Bijuu. As such, while you are in mask, you may not use any demonic chakra unless in a life or death situation, and even then I would rather you come up with something else." Naruto understood what he was saying and gave his agreement. "Furthermore, I will be training you and the cat on genjutsu. Before I made commander, my genjutsu was renowned." Dragon sounded almost mournful but quickly hid it. "Here is a scroll over genjutsu and another over hell cats and their abilities." He placed both on the table.
"Wait! I thought Angel's species used to ally with the Uchiha- how did you get one of their scrolls on them?" Dragon chuckled.
"I have my ways. I expect you to have both read and the kitten to access her chakra by next week." And without a sound Dragon was gone. After a moment Naruto cleaned up before laying in bed, opening his first scroll.
"Genjutsu theory for dummies chapter one…" He muttered.
Next day…
Naruto was ready: Guy would be in for a nasty surprise when he broke in. Before he fell asleep the young ANBU had set up his nastiest traps in preparation. Hearing the front door open Naruto hides a mischievous grin.
"YOSH! GOOD MORNING NARUTO! My most youthful neighbor, let us start our YOUTHFUL morning exercises!" And to Naruto's horror the green man had somehow gotten out of all his preventative measures! With a resigned groan the ANBU changes in seconds and straps his weights on, dragging a hissing Angel along.
Outside his window Dragon smirked; Naruto's traps were beginning to be a challenge, but it wouldn't save him from morning sessions with Guy. Not when Dragon needed every ANBU the best they could be.
"This isn't working" Naruto whined. He had been attempting to meditate for hours to no avail- he couldn't access the fox's chakra.
"Just- keep trying." Tenzo sighed in frustration as well. He hadn't thought getting Naruto a meeting with his tenant would be so difficult. This was the sixth lesson and they had tried sparing, using all of his chakra, and now meditation: nothing worked. Tenzo didn't whether to be proud or angry that the boy had such a lock on his emotions that taunts and slurs did nothing to draw the Kyubi chakra out.
"Yo! Chibi-kohai, what's up?" Hikaru greeted as he jumped down to the valley they were practicing in. "We have dinner tonight to go over Kakashi's team's progress- remember?"
"Go away Hikaru-sempai, I have to access the fox's chakra!" Naruto bit out between deep breaths, eyes closed in concentration. Hikaru knew his friend had yet to draw on any power and that it was driving the boy mad. A light bulb went off and he signaled Tenzo to get ready.
"Oh really? But you're so tiny- what's a chibi like you doing trying to use a power you can't understand?" A tick mark grew on Naruto's forehead. Only Hikaru and Anko could make him lose his cool. One final button mixed with his own anger at his failure would do it. With a grin Hikaru swiped Naruto's headband off his fore head. It was one of his most precious posessions as it belonged to his favorite teacher. "I'll just keep this till you grow a few feet!" He taunted.
Naruto let out a fierce growl and red chakra started leaking red chakra, his claws growing longer.
"Now, Captain!" Wood sprouts from the ground and absorbs the chakra, sending Naruto to oblivion.
"I can't believe that worked- I said and did things ten times worse." Tenzo said in awe. Hikaru smirked in reply.
"Ahh, but he views you as a superior and knows you don't mean it: I mock and tease him enough that I know which of his buttons to push and when. Now what?"
"Now, we wait. He's exhausted of chakra and he drew on its power so Naruto should be able to meet with the fox and ask for power."
Inside Naruto's mindscape…
Naruto found himself in a sewer, a huge cage in front of him.
"Great, this is what my mind's like? That sucks" Naruto mumbled. He read in a book over meditation that the mindscape reflected the mental state built from childhood. Needless to say Naruto's didn't look too cheery.
My jailor is here to bug me. What do you want mortal? A growl came out from the bars. A pair of red eyes and mouth of teeth push against the bars. Remembering why he was there Naruto sat up and bowed.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, your current jailor. I'm here to strike a deal for both our benefit. What is your name?"
Kurama barely kept his eyes from bugging. He hadn't had a human bow to him in centuries, much less speak in a civil manner or ask his name. Kurama had looked through the memories of his container's life and was impressed with the human's resolve. It made the old fox almost…hopeful. He would give the human a chance, not that the boy had to know. And if he just happened to be the one father was talking about? Well, then Kurama would be smug to his siblings that he was the one to guide him.
Insolent brat. Don't presume I need anything from you. But, I will listen to your proposition…. And it's Kurama… He added as an afterthought.
Later…
Naruto sat up slowly, his teammates looking at him with worry, Dragon nearby as well.
"We met" He said with a straight face.
"AND?!" Hikaru shakes his shoulders. Naruto gives a hidden smirk, his face mask making him unreadable.
"Kurama said I can use his chakra as long as I ask before hand. In exchange he gets a mental connection and something about watching me for signs of being 'another stupid nigen' before he makes a final decision whatever that means." Naruto shrugged. Looks of relief spread across Tenzo and Hikaru. Even Dragon appeared relaxed.
"Kurama?" Tenzo asked.
"Oh- the Kyubi. He isn't mindless, everyone has a name" Naruto said simply, wondering why everyone was making such a big deal out of it. In the seal Kurama snickered as he looked through Naruto's eyes at the expressions.
Angel popped out of the commander's cloak.
"Naruto! I learned how to use fire" the cat cheered with the increasing vocabulary, and demonstrated with six golf ball sized flames flying at him. After dodging he clapped his hands.
"Good job, Angel!" The cat had taken to Dragon almost as well as Kakashi, and unlike the cyclops the commander would teach the feline not bat it away.
"Tiger- your squad has guard duty of the Hokage tower tomorrow. Mouse, how has the genjutsu I gave you to learn working?" Dragon asked. Naruto chuckled nervously. After reading the basic scroll Dragon had shown him a C rank genjutsu, "Forced Hypnosis" a basic technique letting the user put the victim in a trance and offer subtle ideas or have them follow orders for a short time. It was useful for making prisoners or clients more compliant, though until mastered the illusion could be broken by any genin. Once fully learned, most chunin would succumb, meaning it was extremely useful.
"Eheh. It doesn't last on the clones for more than a few seconds. My control isn't the best- though now that Kurama and I are working together, it should improve." Hikaru hummed.
"I'll teach you water fall walking. It's advanced enough that your control will end up improving to the point of making the genjutsu work." He offered.
"Do that, Wolf. Mouse, have this mastered by next week or I'll tell Guy to give you extra weight." Dragon said cheerfully before leaving. Naruto paled then looked at his Sempai.
"Save me! Don't let Guy get to me- I'm already wearing fifteen pounds on my legs and twenty on my torso!"
"Psh, that's week, chibi-kohai" Hikaru mocked.
That is pathetic. Grow some muscle! Kurama mocked along, already liking the Hyuga. Naruto sputtered a bit.
"Fine! Be that way- I'll just tell Guy you'd like to join us." His eyes turned devious and it was Hikaru's time to pale.
"I think Hiashi-sama needs me at the clan compound for a few days. Ja ne!" And he leaves as well. Tenzo looks down.
"From now on we'll work on you using the fox's- Kurama's" he backtracks at Naruto's glare. Angel joins in for effect. "chakra without you losing control. By the exams the elders want you to use two tails worth but personally I don't think you can do two tails. I think you can control four." With a proud smile Tenzo helps his subordinate up. "How about some sushi, my treat?"
"Sushi!" Was the duel cheer of Naruto and Angel.
Sarutobi's office, next day…
As reward for is accomplishment Naruto was given the most sought after spot in the office: the left rafter above the desk. In this coveted position one had the breeze from the windows and none of the tobacco smell. Furthermore it had a nice ledge big enough to sit on. Yes, it was bliss. Sure it also was the spot of the messenger, but rarely did that happen and Angel had a spot nearby under the desk. It was decided that the cat was to run intervillage missions with them as she proved to be adept at fighting and stealth.
Until a certain Toad Sage came in through the window.
"Hello sensei. Mind telling me why you recalled me three months early?" Jiraiya was a diligent shinobi that loved his village, but he enjoyed his time on the road damnit!
"Ahh, Jiraiya. I am glad you came quickly- you're aware of the intelligence reports over this "Otogakure?"" Sarutobi blew on his pipe. Naruto listened in- office duty was monotonous but let you in on all the juicy parts of the village running: not that the ANBU would ever discuss what was said. Only on highly secretive mission reports would the ANBU be sent out. Each agent was trusted fully by the Hokage, meaning none of them would dream of selling out secrets or spreading rumors.
"Of course- I still can't get a confirmation on who leads it."
"Suna has been spotted holding talks with them- not good, as they are bringing their Jinchuuriki to the exams without telling us. Only our increased vigilance due to the past several months allowed us to confirm it." Naruto sucked on his teeth at that- it was bad news if Suna went against them.
"So you want me here as a detterant?" Jiraiya asked. If so, perhaps he could help Naruto and his genin squad- he heard he'd graduated this term but couldn't ask for more updates with his schedule.
"Yes, and to train Naruto in fuinjutsu and jutsu." Jiraiya perked up at that.
"And the Kyubi chakra I presume?"
"Tenzo is in charge of that but I am sure he wouldn't mind some help. Isn't that right, Tiger?" Tenzo appears in a kneel in front of the desk.
"Not at all Hokage-sama. I'm sure Naruto would appreciate the chance to know his godfather." Naruto had been 'told' about Jiraiya by the Hokage during their 'chat'. Jiraiya tensed.
"Don't worry Jiraiya, Naruto knows everything. And he forgave me- though you, I would watch for pranks." Sarutobi said, somewhat amused now that it wasn't him in the dog house. He greatly enjoyed his weekly lessons with his surrogate grandson.
"Oh? The gaki has his mother's personality then? Maybe I should pass on the way of the"
"I wouldn't finish that if I were you" Sarutobi warned. Yugao had turned her corner into a frigid wasteland. She wouldn't have anyone, even a sanin, corrupt her kohai.
"I take it the ANBU are fond of him? Eh, I'm glad he was taken care of. Can't wait to meet him and his genin team. Anyway, here's a coded message I managed to snag from a runner on their way to Suna- they have an exact copy."
"Excellent- I'll have cryptology take a look at it. Mouse." He said absently. Naruto appeared at the Hokage's side and took the scroll with a bow. "Please give this to Shiro."
"Right away, Hokage-sama" Naruto said evenly. He refused to look at his godfather. However, the pervert looked at him.
"Hold on a second. Mouse, was it? How old are you?" Jiraiya saw the blonde hair and short stature. No, it couldn't be. Naruto looked towards his captain, who shook his head no. Without a word Naruto left through the ceiling's passageway towards cryptology. Jiraiya fixed a hard stare on Sarutobi. "Sensei- who was that?"
"Now Jiraiya, you know most ANBU never reveal their identities." Sarutobi chided. He was having fun toying with his student: this will teach him to delay the release of Icha Icha.
"Cut the crap- was that Naruto? Because it sure looked like him with the hair and height."
"...Yes, that's him" The Hokage said after a pregnant pause. The office was filled with killing intent.
"You put my godson, who I was told was behind his peers, in ANBU? ARE YOU INSANE?"
"Sigh. Sit down and shut up. It's time you hear about the real Naruto." And over the next thirty minutes Jiraiya heard everything. The troubled and lonely early life, his sabotaged schooling, and his life in ANBU. Naruto appears with a scroll from crytology concerning another case in his hand.
"Naruto, take off your mask. It's time to meet your godfather" the Hokage ordered. With a sigh Naruto slid his mask off and onto his belt.
"It is nice to meet you, Jiraiya-sama." He said tonelessly. Jiraiya gave a weak smile, still reeling about what he heard.
"Nice to meet you, kid. You look like a mini Kakashi with that mask! All you need now is a Sharingan and you'd be golden!" The chuckle he let out was fake, and no one laughed.
"Naruto- please escort Jiraiya to your team's training grounds. You can have a private conversation there." Sarutobi said kindly. With a bow Naruto put his second face on, becoming Mouse.
"Please follow me Jiraiya-sama." And the pair made their way out the office, Angel following soon, leaving a rather worried team Ro.
"I bet that bastard Dragon planned this!" Hikaru blurted out suddenly.
"That I did" Dragon said from nowhere. "Wolf, we'll have a private session on your next day off." His voice was cheerful but still the Hyuga paled. "Now let's do some spying". He held up the famous orb, giddiness evident.
End! How was that- through discussions with readers, a friend, and my cats (I do have three of them) I decided on Naruto's familiar being a cat, as you know. I made it to where Angel will grow overtime and her personality will become more defined. Next chapter should be longer and will hold Naruto's 'chat' with the world's worst godfather and more training- as well as more with Oto/Suna.
For those confused with either Sasuke's seemingly change in character, or Kurama's difference, a few things.
Sasuke will not be all chummy- I even have another 'stupid angsty Sasuke' moment planned. But, I won't have him always be evil. Mainly because, even though it fits, I wanted to have him redeemable, and when looking at my outline, decided that having an evil Sasuke would do more harm than good. Though, I do have the story diverge at a point where it will be able to go either way.
As with Kurama: even small changes will affect those around you. I always found it odd that in cannon Naruto, who knew the pain of being treated as nothing or evil, would treat Kurama the same way the first time he met him. Sure, Kurama threatened to eat him, but now that Naruto isn't a complete idiot and knows some respect, I feel Kurama would be willing to extend an olive branch. Plus, it's my fanfic and I hate having an evil Kurama. Therefore, their relationship will grow, if only slightly from 'mutual hatred' that was before the meeting to 'let's work sort of together to live'. However, as with Naruto in cannon though, the chakra will be filled with hate, as Kurama doesn't have a complete one eighty.
Happy national Cat day!
Ps. Time to pick summons:
Toads (don't recommend, they are freaking useless imo except when suddenly they're not)
Cats
Dogs (gotta keep Kakashi happy lol)
Wolves
Other (some interesting suggestions so far).
If you have an opinion or preference and haven't already let me know, just send a pm to my account!