Legacy Of Naruto Uzumaki

Summary: Naruto follows a strange scent and meets Hana Inuzuka, who is in her heat. To become her mate, Naruto must fight her. If he wins, they become mates, but if he loses, they both walk away. If Naruto refuses to fight, Hana can never find a mate until she defeats him. This tradition will test them both in unexpected ways.

Arthur Note: I'm excited to present to you a new and improved version of my story from my old account. I've put in great effort to make this version even better than before, and I hope you'll enjoy it more. Thank you for your continued support, and I can't wait to hear your feedback on this new rendition. I will also be describing the shinobi uniform better in a chapter where the exams would start.

Chapter One: In The Heat Of The Moment

As the night sky shimmered with countless stars, the moon cast a silvery glow on the swaying trees that surrounded the forest clearing. The air was thick with the scent of flowers that mingled with the earthy aroma of fallen leaves. A soft, warm breeze rustled the trees, creating a gentle symphony that accompanied the events unfolding below.

Naruto Uzumaki was walking away from his teams' training, if you could call it that. All Kakashi Hatake did was teach Sasuke Uchiha new jutsu or give Sakura Haruno a scroll to read. But Naruto, all his sensei did was tell him to work on his chakra control. Halfway through the forest, a strange smell filled his nose. He always had a decent sense of smell, which he later found out was due to housing the Kyuubi.

He had managed to memorize every scent in the village. Not only that, but he was most familiar with Sake and Ramen since they were the two things he had the most contact with. This scent, however, smelled like a mixture of pine trees, dogs, and a faint hint of flowers. But there was some other pheromone that seemed to draw him towards the source.

Naruto followed the smell to a clearing, lit by the silvery moonlight filtering through the leaves of the towering trees. A couple of meters away and caught the sight of a girl who was around eighteen training with a trio of ninja hounds. She had long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and was wearing a Chunin vest over her gray long-sleeved shirt. Naruto caught a glimpse at her face and saw the red Inuzuka tattoos on her cheeks, like one of the few people he considered a friend, Kiba Inuzaka. He watched for what seemed like hours until the girl stopped and spoke.

"C'mon out, whoever you are," her sickly sweet voice spoke.

Naruto jumped before walking into the clearing.

The girl, yet to be identified, stared at Naruto while raising a single eye and asked him, "Why are you spying on me?"

"Hey, I wasn't spying on you," Naruto defended himself; this, of course, was true – he wasn't spying but just observing. "I was walking home from training and I smelled pine trees, dogs, and something like flowers, so I came to see what it was."

"I smell like pine trees?" she asked, her eyes wide in curiosity and a hint of amusement.

"It's more like a mix of pine trees, dog, and some kind of fragrant flower, actually," Naruto said, squinting his eyes in concentration.

The girl couldn't help but notice how endearing he looked, his face scrunched up in thought.

"There's something else coming from you, but I can't really describe it. All I can tell is it's primal, and it seems to dominate the pine tree, dog, and flower scents." Naruto pondered on what the other scent could be, his brows furrowing as he tried to identify it. The girl in front of him cleared her throat to speak up.

"Great!" the girl groaned, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "A Genin tracked me down while I'm in heat."

"Huh?" Naruto asked, genuinely confused.

"You were in my brother's class, right?" She asked, her tone a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. "So you should have a clue on what clan I'm from."

"Wait a second, lady!" Naruto yelled, realization dawning on him. "You're Kiba's sister?" She nodded at his question, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Whoa! You're way cuter than Kiba said you were. He told me you looked like the back side of a St. Bernard or something."

'Note to self: Kill Kiba. End note.' the girl thought, her expression darkening momentarily. "I'm Hana Inuzuka, and that scent you followed was a pheromone every female Inuzuka and Ōkami gives off when we go into our monthly heat."

"Huh?" Naruto asked, still utterly baffled.

"Didn't they teach you about the human body in the Academy?" Hana asked, her eyebrow raised in disbelief.

"I got thrown out of the class for asking a question," Naruto said, defensively.

Hana growled at the thought of the academy teachers throwing a student out of a class for asking a question that might have made him better at something. Then she realized who this young boy in front of her was. As she continued to growl, Naruto flinched back before she finally stopped.

"You're Naruto Uzumaki, aren't you?" she asked, her tone softening. When he nodded, she continued, "Kiba said you weren't that bright, and I can see why now. Well, enough talk; time to get down to business."

"Huh?" Naruto asked again, his confusion never-ending.

"Inuzaka tradition says that if any male finds us while in heat, we have to battle. If we win, then nothing really changes for us. But if we lose, then YOU become my mate." She added the extra emphasis on the "YOU" to help him understand the gravity of the situation.

"MATE!" Naruto shouted, panic settling in.

"Basically, my husband, partner, lover, friend – any title fitting for a romantic relationship, really," Hana explained, her tone patient.

"But I don't even know you, and I love Sakura," Naruto protested. He was scared to think about losing his love for Sakura, but at the same time, the thought of getting to know Hana did cross his mind. 'She seems like a nice girl. Maybe I should hear her out.'

"You mean that loudmouthed fan girl with the big forehead my brother told me about?" Hana asked, her voice dripping with disapproval.

Naruto nodded, and Hana groaned, causing him to give her a confused look.

"Some advice, Naruto," Hana said, her expression softening. "Give up on her. You can do way better. She's a fan girl, and they're basically leeches to the strong Shinobi of the village."

Naruto ignored her, his thoughts racing, as he got into the rough, academy-style fighting stance he knew.

"So we have to fight, right?" Naruto asked, determination in his eyes. "Any rules I should know about?"

While smirking at him, Hana replied, "Excellent, asking a clan member about a clan tradition. There's hope for you yet." She then listed the rules: "One no killing. Two no outside interference, which means the triplets –" she pointed to her three ninja hounds who had been sitting and staring at them during the entire exchange, "– won't be fighting with me, and Three no surrendering. The fight goes 'til one of us bleeds. If you choose not to fight, then I am not allowed to have a mate until we have a match."

"So if I make you bleed a little, I win, right?" Naruto asked, seeking clarification.

All Hana did in response was a nod, her eyes never leaving his.

"Alright, then," Naruto said, his resolve hardening. "I always give my all in a fight, so I won't hold back on you. But I also won't actually try to win." Inside his head, though, his thoughts were a bit different. 'Maybe… perhaps I should try.'

"Of course, Kit. You better try! I don't want my host to be bested by a mutt," the Kyuubi growled from inside his cage.

"But I would rather not give up on Sakura. I love her!" Naruto argued back with the nine-tailed monster.

"Kit, listen to me and listen well: give up on her. The mutt in front of you is right. Fan girls are nothing but leeches to any decent Shinobi. Trust me, your father thought the same way about them." Kyuubi growled from inside his cage as his tails swung back and forth.

Naruto took a moment to process this when he suddenly jumped in surprise. "YOU KNOW MY DAD!?" He yelled in his head, but the only response he got was, "Not today, Kit. Not today."

When Naruto finally finished conversing with the Kyuubi, he heard Hana.

"I understand, Naruto," Hana said, her voice calm but determined. Then, she yelled, "Four Legs Technique!"

Hana dropped to her hands and feet, her nails growing longer and harder, and her canines lengthening into more fang-like shapes. Her movements became more animalistic, and her eyes narrowed with focus as she prepared for the impending battle.

Naruto, on the other hand, took a deep breath and steadied himself. He knew that this battle would test his skills and resolve, but he was determined to honor Hana's traditions and give it his all. Even if part of him still held onto the hope of a future with Sakura, he couldn't help but wonder what destiny had in store for him with Hana.

As the two Shinobi faced each other, the surrounding air seemed to crackle with anticipation. The moon glinted off their determined expressions, and the quiet rustling of leaves in the breeze provided a fitting soundtrack to their standoff.

With a final nod to each other, Naruto and Hana sprang into action, their battle beginning in earnest. As they clashed, it was clear that each was pushing the other to their limits, their mutual respect and determination driving them forward.

Naruto smug his fist at her, which she does. Hana kept dodging all of Naruto attacks like it were nothing. She started to attack him.

Hana swiped at Naruto with her claws, tearing his jacket. Naruto jumped back and threw several shuriken at her, which she deflected easily. They engaged in a flurry of Taijutsu, attacking and blocking each other's kicks and punches. Hana's speed and technique were superior, but Naruto made up for it with his stamina and unpredictability.

After a lengthy exchange, they broke apart, both breathing hard. Hana was impressed that Naruto managed to keep up with her for so long. Taking a swipe at him again, Naruto jumped high into the air.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!" He shouted, making twenty solid clones of himself.

'He knows an S-rank jutsu at his age?' Hana asked herself, avoiding the clones' attacks and jumping up after him.

"Passing Fang!" Hana shouted, spinning rapidly and destroying ten clones. The remaining clones followed, keeping her occupied.

Naruto watched from above, studying her technique. When only two clones were left, he dispelled them and shouted, "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!" again, summoning thirty clones this time. Twenty clones attacked Hana head-on.

"Passing Fang!" Hana shouted again, demolishing the clones. As she emerged from her spin, the last ten clones were upon her. She destroyed nine of them, but the last one slipped past her guard and delivered a kick to her jaw, dazing her momentarily.

"I apologize in advance, Hana," Naruto said, diving at her. "Passing Fang!, Chakra Chains."

Hana gasped as Naruto used her own jutsu against her, but with chains made from chakra covered him. In her surprise, she was too slow to dodge completely. Naruto's head collided with her mouth, splitting her lip. They crashed to the ground, Naruto pinning Hana down, his forehead pressed against her bleeding lip.

"I win," Naruto said. Hana looked up at him in wonder. No one had ever defeated her in single combat before. This boy, this genius, had earned the right to be her mate.

"You used the Passing Fang," Hana said as she sat up. Naruto sat across from her.

"My clones caught how you did it. I gained the info when they dispersed." Naruto said.

"You discovered the 'shared memories' function of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu," Hana said. 'Maybe he isn't a deadlast,' she thought. "You beat me. You're my mate now," she said with a smile.

"Sorry, Hana," Naruto said, rubbing his head. "I got carried away. Wait, you were serious about the mate thing?"

"Of course. Why would I joke about that?" Hana asked. Naruto looked crestfallen.

"Because every adult treats me like that!" he yelled. "They act nice, then hurt and scare me! Why would you be different?"

Hana walked up and hugged him as he started to leave. "I'm sorry, Hana," he whispered.

"It's not like that," she said gently. "Everything I said is true. We're bonded now." She stroked his hair to soothe him. "I'll never hurt you. Get used to it, OK?"

After a few minutes, Naruto looked into her eyes. "Yes," he said. "Hana."

Hana smiled. Her ninken were getting restless, seeing her state. She looked around, thinking over the situation. Naruto was a Jinchuriki, and had faced cruelty and distrust all his life. She would have to be patient, showering him with affection and proving her sincerity through her actions.

Naruto was wary but willing to hope Hana was different. Her gentle comfort and earnestness were new to him. He had always longed for unconditional love and acceptance. If she truly meant her words, she would be the first to see beyond the fox and value him for himself.

"Come on, let's get you patched up," Hana said, extending her hand to help Naruto up from the ground. Although his wounds were minor, she took the opportunity to fuss over him, and Naruto didn't object. Her care and tenderness provided a much-needed comfort to his soul, and for the first time in a long while, a feeling of hope bloomed in his heart. He dared to believe that things might be different this time and that he would not have to face his battles alone.

As Hana treated their wounds with her medical ninjutsu, she began to speak. "We should head to the Inuzuka Clan compound now, Naruto," she said, leading him away from the clearing, holding his hand. "My mother has to conduct the Mating ceremony as she's the clan head, and I want to see Kiba's reaction when he finds out that I'm mated to one of his classmates."

Naruto grinned at Hana's words. "You're evil, you know that?" he teased.

Hana smirked back at him. "Kiba used to say that when we were younger, but I never believed him," she replied, continuing to lead Naruto towards their destination.

As the duo began their approach to the compound, Naruto was left utterly astonished. He had never seen something as formidable as this clan house, and he couldn't help but gape in awe. The exterior was composed of rocks stacked upon one another, giving off a rugged, unkempt appearance. In contrast, the interior seemed peaceful, with well-maintained lawns, lush, green trees, and an overall serene atmosphere.

As Naruto took it all in, he couldn't help but draw a parallel between the Inuzuka clan estate and its inhabitants. 'Is this how the Inuzuka's truly are? Rough on the outside, but loving and caring within?' he mused, his gaze lingering on the estate.

Hana couldn't help but smile at the expression on his face, thinking to herself, 'He's quite adorable when deep in thought.' She kept her thoughts to herself, however, and continued to lead him onward.

Eventually, Hana guided Naruto to the largest house within the compound. She opened the door and gestured for him to enter. Although initially hesitant, her reassuring pat on the back prompted him to step inside.

Once they had removed their shoes, Hana escorted Naruto to what appeared to be a kitchen.

The walls were painted a cheerful yellow, and there were several cabinets and drawers lining them, providing ample storage for pots, pans, and utensils. The countertops were made of a smooth, light-colored stone, and there was a sink with a gleaming silver faucet in the center.

In one corner of the kitchen, there was a big table with six chairs, above the table hung a pendant light with a soft glow, casting a warm, inviting atmosphere over the room.

On the opposite wall, there was a stove with four burners and an oven, as a big refrigerator. A wooden cutting board and a set of knives were neatly arranged on the counter next to the stove.

Overall, the kitchen was clean and tidy, with a cozy feel to it that made Naruto feel at ease. He couldn't help but feel a little envious of Hana's well-equipped space, especially compared to his own cramped apartment. Hana's voice snapped him back to the present.

"Mom, I have news for you," Hana announced, grinning as she captured the attention of both her mother and Naruto.

Upon hearing this, Naruto focused on the woman before him, noting her resemblance to Kiba and the clan tattoos adorning her face. It was clear to him that this must be Hana's mother.

"What's up, pup?" the Inuzuka matriarch inquired, raising an eyebrow at Naruto. She had certainly seen him around before; after all, he was the infamous prankster of Konoha, responsible for defacing the Hokage monument in broad daylight, particularly the Fourth Hokage's face.

"I have a mate!" Hana declared excitedly, recounting the events that had transpired just a few minutes prior. As she spoke, her mother fixed Naruto with an intense stare, causing him to feel increasingly uneasy.

'I hope she's okay with this,' he thought. 'I mean, I'm just a nobody who happened to "mate" with her daughter.' As he mulled over his concerns, he heard a response. 'Kit, stop worrying. If you don't, you won't enjoy what's going on,' the voice of the Kyuubi resonated within him. Naruto found it puzzling – why would this demon want to help him?

As Hana continued to share her story, she conveyed her excitement about their combined techniques. "And that's when he used the Passing Fang after his clones saw me use it! Which he combined it with his move, which he calls the Chakra Chains, causing Naruto's anxiety to spike.

"Hmm," Tsume said, placing a hand on her chin in thought. "Tell me, Uzumaki," she began, her voice laced with curiosity, "aside from the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and Chakra Chains, what other jutsu have you learned?"

"Well, I invented the Sexy Technique and Harem Technique, which the old man made E and A rank kinjutsu after I taught Konohamaru the Sexy Technique. I also know some elemental jutsus, but I don't really have any other jutsu," Naruto admitted, visibly nervous about being in Tsume's presence.

"And your skills?" Tsume inquired further.

"My good friend Shikamaru said I have the best memory because I saw him use a strategy

to beat his Sensei in a game called Shogi, which I used and improve against him. Once he had me read a book, and I could give word to word on each page. He said that I am a secret genius. Iruka-sensei also said I was good at stealth since I could sneak around, paint the Hokage monument, and lead an entire platoon of Chunin and Jonin on a wild goose chase for three hours. He mentioned that I showed promise in espionage due to my talent in the Transformation technique," Naruto replied, slowly warming up to the conversation but still unsure of its direction.

"It seems you're also a visual learner," Tsume observed, seemingly speaking more to herself than anyone else. "If you could learn a clan secret technique just from eleven of your clones watching, there's probably no limit to what you could learn through observation."

"We'd better get this over with so you two can get some rest. I'll inform the Hokage tomorrow and have Naruto added to the clan's list," Tsume stated.

Hana nodded in agreement, while Naruto, ever the curious one, wondered about the implications of her words. 'Why would they need to inform the Hokage? And what does it mean to be added to the clan's list?'

Seeing the confusion on Naruto's face, Tsume elaborated, "When two ninja from different clans mate, it's necessary to inform the Hokage so that the appropriate changes can be made to the village records. You'll be added to the Inuzuka clan list, which means you'll be officially recognized as a member of our clan. This also grants you access to our clan's secret techniques and training grounds, as well as other privileges."

Naruto's eyes widened with excitement and gratitude, as he couldn't believe his good fortune. "Thank you, Tsume-sama!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply to convey his appreciation. Tsume simply waved off his dramatic display, her expression softening.

"Just call me 'Mom,' Naruto. Your family now, after all," she said with a warm smile. Hana beamed with pride and happiness, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder in a show of support.

"Well we better get this over with so you two can get to bed, I'll tell the Hokage tomorrow and have Naruto added to the clan's list," Tsume said, now Hana Nodded at this while Naruto being the person that he is, just kind of wonder what she was talking about "'why would ""we" be going to bed' he thought.

Tsume just continued what she was saying, ignoring his confused look "now Naruto the mating ritual requires you to bite Hana's neck where her neck and shoulder meet and channel your chakra into your teeth and transfer it into her network, and then she'll do the same by doing this her chakra level will grow to match yours."

Before he started to do anything, he did have one question, "Why am I being added to your clan's list?" Naruto asked Tsume but it was Hana that spoke up to answer him, "Because I thought I already explained it to you back in the training grounds, after I lose you become my mate, being my mate makes you part of our pack, ok?" she tells him with a soft smile.

Naruto nods hesitantly, still not fully understanding the situation. Hana then grabs his hand gently and leads him as they follow her mom, out of the kitchen to the clan chambers, where the ritual is usually done. Tsume opens the door to reveal a large room with various weapon racks, scrolls, and a large Inuzuka clan symbol in the middle of the floor.

Hana nods at Naruto signaling him to start. He looks at Tsume, who, for the first time since him and Hana showed up, is smiling reassuringly at him, then to Hana who has a look of anticipation and affection in her eyes. Naruto takes a deep breath to steady his nerves and decides to go through with the ritual.

Naruto starts by closing his eyes and making the ram seal, he tries to gather his chakra and focus it to his teeth. But the task proved difficult, given his anxious state of mind. After a few failed attempts, he was finally able to gather sufficient chakra to his teeth. He slowly leans over, opens his eyes and bites Hana gently on the base of her neck, transferring his chakra into her system.

Hana hisses softly as his chakra flows into her, the burning sensation causing her to clench her fists. For a Genin, Naruto has a lot of chakra and she could feel her chakra network expand rapidly to match his. When he removes his mouth from her neck, Hana quickly does the same. She bites his neck and transfers her chakra into his system.

As soon as Hana removes her teeth from him, Naruto sways unsteadily on his feet before falling to the ground. His body begins to shake violently as foreign chakra courses through his system.

He clutches his neck where Hana had bitten him, the pain almost unbearable. The only thing Naruto hears while this is happening was 'don't worry, kit, you'll thank me later for this.' It was the Kyuubi speaking in his mind.

Hana started to panic at Naruto's reaction. "Mom what's happening to him?" she asks worriedly.

"No idea pup." Tsume said with a frown, "This has never happened before in the history of our clan."

Deep down, Tsume knew what was wrong, that it had to do with the nine-tailed fox that was sealed inside him.

After a few tense minutes, Naruto's body stops shaking and starts glowing brightly. When the light fades, Naruto stands up, now a foot taller and more well-built. He now stands at 181.2 cm tall, a good eleven centimeters over Hana and nineteen centimeters taller than the Inuzuka matriarch.

As soon as Hana saw that he stopped shaking she rushed over to him, gently cupped his face in her hands and asked anxiously "Naruto are you alright?"

Naruto looks into her concerned eyes and gives her a small reassuring smile."I'm fine, Hana, just feeling a little strange at the moment." His voice was deeper now, more mature. Hana blushes at how attractive he sounds now. Earlier she thought he was cute, but now she thought he was, very good-looking.

Still a little worried, Hana quickly uses a diagnostic jutsu she uses on dogs and other animals. She gasps at what she learns. "Mom," Hana said, turning to Tsume with a look of disbelief, "Naruto actually aged by several years!"

"Explain Hana!" Tsume said in a serious tone, her previous good mood evaporating instantly.

"I'll explain the situation to you, Mrs. Inzukua." Naruto said in his now deeper voice.

Tsume turns to Naruto, eyebrows raised in surprise at his sudden growth and composure. "First of all pup, in this family call me Mom or Tsume, none of that Mrs or Miss nonsense," she says, her tone softening.

Naruto nods. "Alright...Mom," Naruto replies, trying out the unfamiliar term. "While I was in pain, the Kyuubi spoke to me in my mind."

Hana gasps, not understanding what he meant or why the Kyuubi would be speaking to him. Tsume growls, dreading what the fox might have done.

"Don't worry, he told me that the mating ceremony was not only mixing my chakra with Hana's but also aging my body to match her maturity. In turn, he was trying to make me a suitable life partner for Hana in every way," Naruto explains.

"So you're now physically eighteen, while mentally you're still only twelve? Will your mind age at a normal rate from now on?" Tsume asks, wondering why the Kyuubi wanted to help its container in such a manner.

"Yes, that's correct. The Kyuubi said my mind will continue to mature at a normal pace, he also said that we can now communicate with each other through our minds." Naruto confirms.

Hana'ss shock was evident in her voice. "Wait, so we can talk to each other through our minds now?"

Naruto's smile was infectious. "Yes," he replied, nodding. "The Kyuubi told me that we'll need practice, and he also said he improved other things that will be a surprise for me."

Hana's expression softened as she looked at Naruto. "Well, that's actually kind of cool," she said with a grin. "We should try it out tomorrow!"

Tsume looked at Hana before looking back at Naruto. "Alright then. Now, who's your Jonin sensei?"

Naruto's response was filled with bitterness. "Kakashi Hatake," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

Tsume raised an eyebrow at Naruto's tone. "Do you have training with him tomorrow?"

Naruto's anger was palpable, but he managed to keep his voice calm. "Yeah, but it'll probably be another waste of time. For the past few weeks since we came back from our first C-rank mission, all he's been having me do is chakra control exercises. He didn't even bother teaching us tree walking until we were in Wave country and facing enemies."

Tsume snarled in anger. "What! That irresponsible mutt didn't teach you basic skills until you were in danger?!"

Naruto cringes at her tone, but continues. "He's been openly teaching Sasuke advanced fire techniques and gave Sakura scrolls to study, but leaves me with only chakra control practice. He claims he'll start training me seriously once my control improves, but I'm confident my control now matches or even surpasses Sasuke's."

Tsume shakes her head in disbelief. "That settles it. Tomorrow, I'm going to your team meeting to give that foolish sensei of yours a piece of my mind!"

"You don't need to do that, Mom. Kakashi sensei may be lacking as a teacher, but he's still a formidable Shinobi," Naruto says, trying to placate the irate Inuzuka matriarch.

Tsume scoffs. "And you think I'm not? Kuromaru and I could easily take on the likes of Kakashi. It's decided. Tomorrow I will accompany you to your team meeting. I will tell that irresponsible teacher of yours to shape up, or I'll make him regret it before reporting his actions to the Hokage!"

Tsume's anger fades as she recalls her duties as host. "Now, has anyone eaten dinner yet?" she asks.

"I was going to make dinner after training the ninken but then Naruto and I ended up doing the mating ritual," Hana replies. "I can still make something for us before bed." She gives Naruto a sly smile, hinting at her intentions to share a bed with her new mate that night.

Naruto's eyes widened at the implication. "'We'? I assumed I would be going back to my apartment after this," he says in confusion.

Hana shakes her head, threading her arm through Naruto's. "I intend to share my bed with my mate tonight, whether you like it or not. Tomorrow, before your team meeting, we'll go shopping for new clothes for you, move your things here and get the Inuzuka clan markings tattooed on your cheeks."

"Why do I need to get the markings?" Naruto asks, feeling overwhelmed by how much his life has changed in one day.

Hana looked at Naruto with a mischievous smile. "You're my mate now, so you'll be taking the Inuzuka name," she said, teasing him. "That makes you Naruto Uzumaki Inuzuka." She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, waiting for his reaction.

Naruto's heart raced as he felt the weight of Hana's body on his lap. He couldn't believe that he had just become a member of the Inuzuka clan and that he was now mated to Hana. He had always admired her from afar, but he never thought that he would have a chance with her.

Kiba rolled his eyes at their affectionate display. "Actually, sis, that's not accurate," he interjected. "Since Naruto's surname is Uzumaki, he is a member of the Uzumaki clan. He doesn't have to get the tattoo on his face, but he would have to get the dog paws somewhere."

Hana chuckled. "I know that, Kiba. I was just messing with him," she said, sticking her tongue out at her brother. "You always have to ruin my fun."

Naruto smiled at their playful banter, feeling more accepted by the Inuzuka clan than he ever had before.

"Are you hungry, pup?" Tsunade asked her son.

"I ate with my team after we finished our missions today, so Akamaru and I were heading to bed," Kiba replied as Akamaru barked and followed his partner to their room.

"What about you, pup?" Tsume asked Naruto. "Have you eaten yet?"

"I was on my way to Ichiraku's before all this happened, so nope," Naruto answered.

"Hmm, I always liked that place," Tsume said. "They used to give Kuromaru bones from their kitchen when I was a rookie Genin."

"Why do you eat there, Naruto?" Hana asked, picking up on the fondness in his voice and wondering why he didn't make food at home or go to another restaurant.

"It was the only place that didn't either throw me out on my ass or overcharge me," Naruto said.

Hana could sense the sadness in his voice and reached out to touch his hand. "I'm sorry, Naruto. You shouldn't have had to go through that," she said, her eyes filled with compassion.

Naruto felt a warmth spread through his chest at Hana's words. He had never had anyone show him kindness like this before, and he knew that he was starting to fall for her.

"Well, you two eat something and get to bed," Tsume said as she and Kuromaru got up and started out of the kitchen. "Seems like we've got a big day tomorrow."

After the Inuzuka matriarch left, Hana had Naruto let go of her and stood up, going to the fridge and peering inside.

"We've got chicken, beef, and sausages," Hana listed off. "Which do you want?"

"I'll take beef," Naruto said, pulling off his now too-small orange coat.

Hana pulled out a package of beef and placed it in the microwave before going to the pantry and grabbing some carrots and peas. She opened two cans and poured each can into a bowl, replacing the now-warm meat with the vegetables and then microwaving them too.

After the carrots and peas were done, she placed them on two separate plates and put the slabs of meat next to them, setting the plates as well as a pair of chopsticks in front of her mate.

Naruto couldn't help but feel grateful for Hana's kindness. He had never had anyone cook for him before, and he savored every bite of the delicious meal that she had prepared.

The newly mated couple exchanged conversation over their first dinner as a couple. Hana told him how she was a medical ninja but worked mostly as a vet for the entire clan and others with pets around the village, while Naruto told her about the Wave mission and his fight with Zabuza and Haku.

As they talked, Naruto couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that he had never felt before. He had always been an outcast, but with Hana, he felt like he had finally found a place where he belonged.

After dinner, Naruto washed the plates by hand. When Hana protested, he merely said, "You cooked, so I'll clean up." Hana shrugged at this, knowing there was no point in arguing, and watched as he scrubbed the plates and chopsticks before drying them and placing them back where he saw her get them from.

As he cleaned, Hana watched him with a sense of awe. She had never met anyone like Naruto before, someone who was so selfless and kind despite all the hardships he had faced in life.

When he had finished, Hana led him up to her, now their room. He had never seen a room this large; it was about the same size as his apartment but held a bed, a dresser, and in the corner, it looked like 3 balls of fur. This was when Naruto realized that they were Hana's dogs.

Hana retrieved her nightwear and started removing her flak jacket and shorts, slipping into a pair of boy shorts and a sleeveless shirt while Naruto stared. The blonde Genin was transfixed by his mate's body. Hana had C-cup breasts and a toned stomach that most women would kill for.

Her curves made her almost seem like an hourglass. Naruto watched her toned legs as she shimmied into the shorts just before she went over to the bed and climbed in. She looked at her mate and smiling, knowing why he was just standing there.

"You going to join me or stand there?" Hana asked, smirking at the blonde in front of her.

Naruto felt his face turn red as he quickly removed his shirt and climbed into bed next to Hana. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth and the softness of her skin against his own. Hana snuggled next to him, laying her head on his chest and sighed before the two fell asleep.

Naruto's mind was filled with a sense of contentment that he had never felt before. He had always been alone, but with Hana by his side, he felt like he had a family. He couldn't believe that he had finally found someone who accepted him for who he was and loved him unconditionally.

As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but wonder if this was all too good to be true. He had been hurt so many times in the past that he was afraid to let himself hope for a better future. But as he felt Hana's steady breathing against his chest, he knew that he was willing to take the risk. He was willing to open his heart and let himself love and be loved in return.

Naruto woke up the next morning, feeling a pleasant warmth on his chest. Still half asleep, he instinctively reached out to pull the source of warmth closer, only to hear Hana yelp in surprise. His eyes flew open, and he saw his mate looking at him with an amused smirk. She knew it was an accident but decided to tease him a little.

"As much as Inuzukas like it rough, Naruto-kun," Hana purred sultrily, smiling mischievously. She emphasized 'Kun' and 'that' to get a reaction from him.

Naruto blushed furiously as memories of their passionate night together came rushing back. A goofy grin spread across his face; he finally had a loving family and mate to call his own. His heart swelled with joy and affection for the woman in his arms. Nothing could make him happier than this feeling of love, intimacy, and belonging.

"What time is it?" Naruto asked huskily, pulling Hana into his embrace again. He didn't feel like leaving the warm futon just yet. All he wanted was to stay in this perfect moment forever, surrounded by Hana's intoxicating scent.

"About six," Hana replied, snuggling into his arms. She stretched languidly, arching her back in a way that accentuated her curves, eliciting an appreciative look from Naruto. She gave him a lingering kiss, conveying her affection, before untangling herself from his arms. She walked over to her closet, picking out her outfit for the day. "We'll get your stuff from your place after our missions today. But first, after breakfast, we need to replace those rags you shredded last night."

Naruto whined in protest, rolling over and burying his face in the pillow that still carried Hana's scent. "But it's too early. Sleep now, shop later." He didn't want this bliss with his mate to end so soon.

Hana smirked indulgently at the husky triplets in the corner, who were staring at her intently, waiting for orders. "Wake Daddy up, boys," she commanded playfully.

At her words, the trio of ninken bounded over to the bed, jostling Naruto awake with enthusiastic licks and nudges from their cold noses. He yelped in surprise and tumbled out of bed, glaring at the dogs, who looked back at him unapologetically. The one on the left, Judo, jumped off the bed into Naruto's lap and snuggled against him affectionately, barking to express his joy at welcoming a new pack member.

Despite being annoyed at the rude awakening, Naruto couldn't help but smile at Judo's exuberance. "Flattered as I am, bud, I'm also tired and cranky," he grumbled good-naturedly, ruffling Judo's fur.

Hana looked at them interacting, puzzled and concerned. "You understood him?" she asked incredulously.

"Just him," Naruto replied. "The other two I can only understand bits and pieces. Kyuubi told me it'll take practice, but I'll eventually be able to understand all animals. He said it's one of the gifts he gave me."

"Well, Judo has always been the most intelligent and communicative of the triplets. That explains why you understand him first," Hana said, smiling softly. "I can help you practice, Naruto-kun." She gave him a cheeky wink.

"Naruto-kun?" he asked, amusement coloring his tone as he got up from the floor.

"We're mates now. I want to call you endearments too," Hana said, walking over to give him a lingering kiss.

"If you say so, Hana-chan," Naruto replied, heart swelling with affection for this playful woman. "Do you have anything I can wear until we get to the store?"

"Just this pink kimono," Hana said, holding up a frilly pink kimono adorned with purple flowers to provoke him.

Naruto blanched at the overly feminine outfit. "I'll just borrow some clothes from Kiba. Thanks for the offer...Hana," he said wryly, wanting to get back at her prank. He made a mental note to plan suitable revenge for her teasing.

Naruto left to find Kiba's room, taking a while as everything still felt unfamiliar. When he finally found the right door, he knocked but got no answer. Assuming Kiba left early, Naruto cautiously went in. The room was extremely messy. Naruto found shorts and a t-shirt, leaving a note for Kiba.

Returning to Hana's room, she wasn't there. Hearing her yell from downstairs, "Naruto, get down here! It's breakfast time, and you don't want the triplets eating everything!"

Rushing down, relieved he knew where the kitchen was, he found Hana and Tsume eating. The smell of eggs and toast made his stomach growl. He sat by Hana, yawning and rubbing sleep from his eyes. Tsume gave him a plate and spoon, putting eggs and toast on it.

"Eat up, pups," Tsume said gruffly. "Lots to do and little time."

The atmosphere was thick with tension as they ate in silence. Hana couldn't help but steal glances at Naruto every so often, her heart pounding in her chest and her cheeks flushed a rosy pink. She'd quickly avert her eyes whenever she thought he might catch her looking. Naruto, on the other hand, seemed to be completely absorbed in an intense internal debate, unaware of Hana's furtive attention.

Inside the labyrinth of Naruto's mind, he was indeed engaged in a heated conversation, but not with himself. "So, fox, you never answered my question yesterday! Why are you helping me? I need an answer now!" Naruto demanded of his enigmatic tenant. The response he received caught him utterly off guard.

"Kit, three things. FIRST OF ALL, IF YOU EVER SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT AGAIN, I WILL KILL YOU, TAKE OVER YOUR BODY, AND LIVE YOUR LIFE AS IF IT WERE MY OWN! GOT IT?!" Kyuubi snarled with ferocious intensity.

"Second, I had to muster the courage to say this, but I, the great Kyuubi, want to apologize to you. Your life hasn't been easy because of me, and I felt I owed you for that. I know you weren't the one who imprisoned me here, and you don't even know why I was put here, but know this: if you're willing, we can forge a truce and work together. Got it? Now, finally, I will tell you who your parents are, but not until you're stronger and as wise as a fox because what you learn from this will either shatter you to the point of uselessness or make you stronger. I'll also let you use my Chakra. Got it?" Kyuubi finally finished his impassioned declaration.

Naruto sat down, his mind racing as he tried to process everything. When he finally spoke up, his response surprised even himself. "Deal, you damn fox. I'll accept your apology, and I guess, to show some kind of act of kindness on my end, I'll change your living conditions." Naruto finished and started to think long and hard, a task that required a great deal of focus for him. Eventually, they found themselves in a sunlit field of verdant grass, populated by playful foxes.

Naruto spoke again, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I hope you like it. It's the best I could do, you know? So, I do have one question: how am I going to get stronger and, as you say, 'as wise as a fox'? My sensei doesn't want to teach me anything; he only teaches the Teme and Banshee."

Kyuubi, now sporting a sly, foxy smile, replied after a moment. "Have your mate teach you, kit. Who knows, you might enjoy her lessons. Besides, she seems intelligent and, well, attractive." Kyuubi was cut off by Naruto at this point. "Alright, I get what you're saying," he conceded with a blush.

"Also, kit, start showing some effort with your mate. Got it? Good. Now, one last thing." Kurama said before Naruto interrupted him, "What's that, fox?"

"The name's Kurama. Now get going." Kurama said firmly before kicking Naruto out of his mindscape, leaving him to face the reality before him, his heart pounding with newfound determination and a touch of nervous excitement.

When Naruto returns to the real world, he finds Hana cleaning up and Tsume leaving.

He decided to take 'Kurama's' advice, and he walked over to Hana, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her into a warm embrace. She didn't know what was going on, but she melted into it, looking up at him with confusion in her eyes.

"Naruto, we can continue this later. For now, we have to go clothes shopping, and then we need to meet with your sensei." Hana said as she gently rubbed his whisker marks, causing him to purr contently.

He smiled and let go of her, performing a seal to summon two shadow clones, who nudged Hana aside and finished cleaning. Hana understood, grabbed Naruto's hand, and led him out of the compound, their fingers intertwined.

Ten minutes later, Hana and Naruto strolled through the village towards the clothing store. Naruto tensed up upon entering for some reason, but they encountered no issues from the other customers. Naruto ended up purchasing six new outfits:

Two mission outfits in black and white with crimson and blue accents respectively. He added accessories in matching colors.

Two casual outfits: A red shirt and black pants for colder days, and blue shorts and a white tee for warmer days. He also got blue/crimson watches and bracelets with metal fox heads to accessorize.

A formal white kimono for clan events.

A black kimono for funerals.

"My mate has a killer body now," Hana remarked, appraising him. Naruto also got them matching silver fox wedding rings.

Naruto's new wardrobe and wedding ring marked the start of a new chapter in his life with Hana by his side. Together, they left the shop hand in hand, ready to face whatever may come as mates.

After purchasing the clothing, Hana guided Naruto back to the Inuzuka compound and showed him where to store his new belongings in her room. "When we return, we'll put everything away, but for now, we have one more stop," she informed him.

Together, they visited another clan house, where Naruto met Hana's third cousin and the clan's tattoo artist, Kazame Inuzuka. Kazame was a few inches shorter than Naruto, with shaggy brown hair that reached past his shoulders. Like all Inuzukas, he had the signature red fang tattoos on his cheeks. Kazame greeted Naruto with a friendly hug and sly grin. "So, Hana finally got leashed, eh?"

The tattoo parlor was dimly lit, with tattoo designs covering the walls. Naruto felt a prickle of nervousness as he sat in the worn leather chair. But with Hana holding his hand, her warmth calmed him.

"The clan tattoos are a given, but do you want anything else?" Kazame inquired, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Your first visit is free, but next time I'll have to charge you, so think hard about this. Consider it my mating gift to my favorite third cousin and her new mate."

Naruto thought about it and remembered the beautiful flower tattoo Hana had on her arm, which brought a smile to his face. "Can you do a maelstrom of fishcakes on my upper arm?" he asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Kazame burst into laughter at the request. "Using your name's double meaning as a joke, eh?" he teased. "Yeah, I can do that for you after I do your paw." Smirking, he added, "Give Hana something to lick." Both Naruto and Hana blushed at his playful remark.

"Hell, since you made me laugh, I'll give you one more tattoo or piercing for free. It's up to you what you want to get." Kazan said as he got ready to do Naruto's paw tattoo.

"I'll get my ears pierced." Naruto said as he watched Kazama giving him his paw tattoo.

After two hours of sitting in a chair while Kazame worked his magic, Hana held on to Naruto's hand as they walked out of the tattoo parlor. Naruto now sported the Inuzuka paw on his left wrist, a maelstrom of fishcakes on his upper-right arm, and both of his ears pierced.

As they strolled hand-in-hand, Hana couldn't help but admire the new tattoos on her mate's toned arms as they headed home. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow on the village.

The couple arrived at the house to see Tsume and Kuromaru geared for battle. Spotting the couple, Tsume tossed Naruto two kunai pouches, one black one and one blue one. She then tossed him two shuriken pouches to match the two kunai pouches.

"I noticed you didn't have any weapons, so I went to get a scroll that contained some weapons and other things that belong to two of my friends, who would want you to have them. Furthermore, as my mating gift to you, I want to pass down this Dog fang necklace," Tsume said, handing him a necklace with a fierce yet tender expression. She then asked, "So, what did Kazame give ya, pup?"

To answer her question, Naruto lifted his shirt and showed her the tattoo of a maelstrom of fishcakes. She couldn't help but laugh and think the same thing that Kazame had thought.

"Thank you, Mom," Naruto said, bowing to the Inuzuka matriarch, "this is more than anyone has ever given me before."

"Ah, cut the mush, pup. In a few days, Hana's dad will be returning from a mission, so you'll be meeting him soon," Tsume informed him. Kuromaru trotted over and nudged him with his nose, pushing him toward the door.

"Team meeting now, then we go to the library. When you get back from the library, Tsume will start you on the Passing Fang training, and then Fang Passing Fang, as well as training that nose of yours and the Four Legs Technique," Kuromaru said authoritatively as he walked to the door.

"I have to learn all that?" Naruto whined.

"Yep, pup," Kuromaru said, "you smell too much like a kitsune to get a dog partner, but since you know the Multiple Shadow Clones, you can use that until we can find you a fox partner or partners."

"Good point, Kuromaru," Tsume said, wondering if her cousin still had the three foxes.

At this point, Hana jumped into the conversation. "Also, mom is going to be working on your mind too, Naruto. I can't have my mate being called a dead last anymore!" she said with a firm, yet loving tone.

"Ok, Hana-chan," Naruto said as he turned to Tsume and Kuromaru. "So we need to get going to my 'team' then?" he asked, while simultaneously telling them. They nodded in agreement, and the three set off, leaving the compound behind.