Very long chapter (21 pages to be exact). Naruto goes to class, weird shit happens. Sasuke keeps ignoring Madara. Obito, Orochimaru, and Kabuto pick up Naruto from the Academy in henges.
Notes:Hey everyone! So.. I had trouble ending this chapter. Cause of that, it's 21 pages long. XD Oops? Uhm, should be a good read, I think. Lots of interesting and fun stuff happens. Slight plot push forward, or moderate push forward I guess. I felt like playing with Tenzo, so I did.
Got nothing else to say. Hope you enjoy chapter nine!
ON WITH THE SHOW!
Chapter Text"Where were you yesterday? Everyone was worried, even Iruka-sensei." Kiba grumped at Naruto. "I missed you." He pouted with big puppy eyes.
Naruto smiled, unable to help himself he reached up and scratched behind Kiba's ear. "Aww my little wolf missed me?"
Kiba's eyes fluttered slightly, he leaned into the touch, Akamaru having to jump from his head to the floor to avoid falling off. He scolded Kiba with a bark. Kiba had no idea he would like someone touching his hair...or scratching behind his ear like a dog.
"Well, that's new." Shikamaru yawned. "I guess Kiba really is a dog."
"WOLF!" Kiba growled. "I mean..!" He held up his hands, smacking Naruto's away and looking mortified. "I'M NOT A DOG!"
Naruto snickered, glancing at Shikamaru who chuckled. "Aw, it's okay Fido! Your master is here now." He winked at Naruto earning himself a blush from the blond and an adorable giggle at calling Kiba fido. Shikamaru - 3, Kiba - 0.
"Shikamaru..." The Inuzuka growled low, baring his fangs at the genius. "If anything, I'm Naruto's master!"
Naruto blinked owlishly, pointing at himself.
Kiba's mouth dropped open as he stared at his two friends. Did he just say that out loud?
Shikamaru burst in a roar of laughter, unable to contain his victory over thoroughly embarrassing and horrifying Kiba. Shikamaru - 4, Kiba - 0.
"Damn Nara." He growled, narrowing his eyes Shika before sliding his arm around Naruto's shoulders, pulling him close. "Let's go sit Naruto." He walked with the blond, looking over his shoulder at Shikamaru smugly. Shikamaru - 4, Kiba - 1.
The Nara narrowed his eyes, tucking his hands into his pockets and following the other two to their shared desk towards the back of the room.
Sasuke looked up, looking at Naruto, as he started to walk by, hopeful. "Naruto..." He started to stand. "I..."
Naruto paused, glancing up at Kiba, smiling. "I'll meet you over there." Kiba looked at Naruto, then Sasuke. His glared at the Uchiha, he still smelled wrong, Shiba was right.
His hand slid down Naruto's back, pausing at his lower back and sliding towards his side as Kiba slipped away with a nod. Shikamaru lifted a brow, looking down at Sasuke as he followed Kiba to the back, his gaze a warning to Sasuke. It went without saying that those two, Shikamaru, and Kiba, would maim anyone in that classroom who laid a finger on Naruto or made him cry or fuck it, made him even remotely sad.
"I'm sorry about yesterday morning, Sasuke... I didn't mean to...hurt you." He looked down, shifting from one foot to the other nervously. "I just... uhm... wa-waking up like that...it..it triggered something... And..I... I overreacted. I'm sorry." He bowed in apology.
Sasuke remained in his half standing position, his hands braced against the desk. He stared at the blond in shock. He hadn't expected the smaller boy to apologize to him! He should be apologizing to Naruto.
"N-no." Sasuke looked down. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stayed. I should have left you...in..in your clothes and in my bed... I could've gone to my brother's room or something." He swallowed, standing fully, he reached out to touch Naruto's head and stopped himself mere inches from blond hair. "I'm so sorry I caused yet another episode..." He pulled his hand back. "L-look at me, please? His voice was quiet, soft-spoken the entire time, trying to keep their conversation private.
Naruto jerked slightly. "Wha.." He hesitantly obeyed the request and lifted his gaze, coming up from his bow. Sasuke had never actually apologized to Naruto, for anything. He stared awe-struck at Sasuke. "I..." His chest swelled with warmth.
"Shit..." Shikamaru muttered, elbowing Kiba and nodding his head in Naruto's direction.
Kiba looked up from babying Akamaru by giving him belly rubs. He looked over at Naruto and Sasuke, a low growl emanating from his chest. "Why is he looking at Sasuke like that?" His upper lip curled, baring his teeth aggressively.
Shikamaru frowned. "I don't know... But I don't like it." His jaw clenched tight enough for a joint to pop softly. "Sasuke causes Naruto's emotions to spike and drop like Sakura's moods."
Kiba snorted. "Oh..speak of the pink-haired demon and she shall arrive... She'll fix this." He smirked, sitting back with Akamaru in his lap, petting the now asleep puppy.
Sakura and Ino's loud voices could be heard arguing as they neared the door, then pushed their way in.
"MOVE INO-PIG!" Sakura bellowed, shoving the platinum blonde.
"FUCK OFF BILLBOARD BROW!" Ino shoved Sakura back. They made it to Sasuke's desk at the same time, still shoving at each other. Sakura shoved Ino too hard and she slammed into Naruto, knocking the skinny boy down.
Sasuke instantly moved to help Naruto but stopped just short of reaching him. Kiba and Shikamaru and jumped up, already moving towards Naruto, but they retracted a couples steps, holding their breaths. Ino was scooting away from Naruto with wide pale blue eyes.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura, stepped over Naruto without a single ounce of concern, her hands behind her back and she leaned forward into his personal space. "Can I sit with you?"
The entire class was fully aware of Naruto, still hunched on the floor, hands pressed to the floor, clawed nails digging into the wood floor, the wood creaking and splintering under his nails.
Chouji knit his brow in worry, murmuring. "Naruto-kun...?" He left his bag of chips at his desk with Shino. "Naruto-kun..." He said softly again.
Sakura was still ignoring the situation, still too enthralled with Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun?" She tilted her head, moving into his line of sight.
Naruto's shoulders rolled forward, ragged breaths leaving him. He hadn't taken his medication this morning either, thinking he could handle it and he'd be fine. He didn't want to be a zombie anymore. He had his whole family, except for Kakashi who was still out on his mission.
It suddenly clicked in Shikamaru's head and moved over to Naruto, crouching down and speaking quietly. "Did you bring your medicine?" He didn't say the others name, having noticed it tends to trigger Naruto more. Something about his name being softly spoken really fucked with the blond.
Chouji stayed close in case Shikamaru needed him, always ready to help his best friend. And he liked Naruto, he was nice and considerate of Chouji. Naruto nodded his right arm bending, using his elbow to the gesture to his right hip where his kunai pouch held his medicine.
"Alright, I'm going to pull it out." He kept his voice calm and quiet. "I'm going to have to touch you. Is that okay?" Kiba was like a guard dog around the small group, growling and glaring at anyone who tried to get near the four of them.
Another nod came from Naruto and his clenched his purple eyes closed, hanging his head more.
Sakura grunted, pushing into Sasuke's personal so much that she looked like she was about to kiss him. "Sasuke-kun quit ignoring me!" Ino grimaced, why was Sakura being so...ignorant of what was going on? Did she hate Naruto that much? Or was she that obsessed with Sasuke?
Sasuke was forced to acknowledge Sakura at this point, black eyes narrowing. "Fuck off Sakura." He moved past her, shoving his shoulder against hers.
Shikamaru's hands moved to Naruto's hip, trying to keep his touch to the pouch only, but their arms brushed and Naruto flinched. "Sorry.." He murmured, retrieving the little black bag. Pulling out a fresh needle he looked at the two bottles of medicine. "It's the clear one, right?" Naruto gave a tiny nod. Letting out a breath, Shikamaru read the dosage instructions and filled the syringe. "Okay...ready?" Another nod from the blond. Shikamaru brought the needle to Naruto's shoulder, giving him the shot as fast as he could, trying to limit their skin to skin contact as much as possible.
Shikamaru sat back on his heels, putting everything away but holding onto the used needle to dispose of it. He sat the black bag between Naruto's hands on the floor, not wanting to make things worse. Him, Kiba, and Chouji stayed close, keeping a close circle around him, protecting him until the medicine kicked in.
Naruto's arms wobbled, his ass dropping to his heels and his forehead to the floor. He visibly relaxed, the medicine spreading throughout his system. He gave an audible sigh of relief. "Thank you, guys..." He whispered weakly.
"No need to thank us," Kiba said. "You're our friend, and our friendship means something to us." The other two nodded with small 'uhn's' coming from them in agreement with Kiba.
Iruka came in then. "What in the hell is going on here!?" Everyone jerked away from the four in front of Iruka's desk.
"Naruto had an episode Iruka-sensei. He forgot to take his shot this morning before coming to class." Shikamaru said firmly, standing up to look his sensei in the eye, daring him to challenge what he said.
Kiba stood protectively in front of Naruto, staring their sensei down. Chouji stayed close, "He accidentally got knocked over and...it...triggered him. So...we helped him. Shikamaru gave him his medicine."
Iruka looked at everyone, his expression softening. "Good job boys. You did great." He looked down at Naruto. "I'm so happy you rushed to help him, and so efficiently." He kneeled down about a foot from Naruto. "Are you okay, Naruto?"
"Mm...mhm." Blown pupils turning dazzling blue into thin circles. He looked up at Iruka, a lazy drugged smile on his face. "Much better." His eyes lidded themselves and he giggled softly. "So much better." Kiba looked at Shikamaru, concern in his eyes. Naruto was starting to sound...dependant.
Iruke stiffened when he looked at Naruto. "That's...good Naruto. Shikamaru and Kiba are going to help back to your seat now." He smiled encouragingly, he stood, looking around at the rest of the class. He quirked a brow. "Take your seats." Everyone complied.
Chouji turned, moving to sit between Hinata and Shino again. This forced Ino and Sasuke to have to sit with Sakura. Poor Sasuke stuck between the two fangirls. Though, thankfully, Ino was giving him space and keeping to herself, shaken from seeing Naruto have a rather mild episode compared previous ones. But she didn't know how bad they could get. Sakura, on the other hand, had bounced back from being blatantly told to fuck off and was now staring lovestruck at Sasuke.
Shikamaru and Kiba helped pick Naruto up from the floor, checking his hands to make sure the claws were gone. They helped him back to their desk, sitting him in the middle. Kiba put Akamaru in Naruto's lap since he still wasn't allowed to have Shiba at school or without Kakashi around.
Naruto sat there, sagged in his seat and staring at the chalkboard blankly. He hadn't had the medicine in roughly 24 hours, so it hit a little harder than usual, the half-life quite short due to how fast Naruto's body filtered and processed it.
By the time lunch rolled around Naruto was passed out on the desk. His arms folded, his head resting in the circle they made, and Akamaru flopped over the side of his head, also asleep.
Kiba smiled, watching the two and whispering to Shikamaru. "I wish we had a camera..."
"Oh hell..." Shikamaru breathed, smiling too. "He's so precious." He lifted his hand, his first two fingers slowly brushing over some locks of blond hair, his breath caught. "It's so soft."
"Shouldn't we wake him for lunch?" He grunted, wanting to feel Naruto's hair too. He pinched a lock between his fingers, rubbing it between the pads of his digits. "Wow it is really soft."
"Stop touching him. You have no right to touch him." Sasuke growled behind them, making the two conscious boys jump in their seats. They had been in their own little world with Naruto between them.
Kiba glared at Sasuke. "He's given us the right. Unlike you." He sneered at the Uchiha. "What'd you do to him that made you have to apologize anyway?" He lifted a brow accusingly.
"Yes, do tell us Sasuke. What made him feel he owed you an apology?" Shikamaru's brow arched as well.
The Uchiha went rigid. "...fuck you guys.." He growled out and stormed off.
Shikamaru and Kiba fist-bumped, grinning at each other. Team Shikiba - 1, Sasuke - 0. Iruka shunshinned right in front of them, making them yelp. "Sorry boys." Iruka chuckled.
"Let's see if this'll wake our little knucklehead." He sat down a bag of takeout, pulling out Naruto's favorite miso with pork ramen from Ichiraku's. He opened it setting it near the boy's face. He grabbed out BBQ for Kiba, handing it to him. For Shikamaru, he pulled out a box with grilled Mackerel and a side of kelp salad. The two boys stared in awe up at Iruka like he was the Sage himself. Iruka smiled, "I pay attention to my students." They practically had stars in their eyes. Iruke turned, going over to where Sasuke was at his desk, waving a takeout box in front of him. "You can have it, if you come eat with us.." He squeezed the boy's shoulder.
Sasuke looked up, staring at it. "What...what is it?" Iruka grinned, going back over to where the other three were, sitting down with them, putting Sasuke's next to him on the desk.
With a sigh Sasuke pushed himself up, dragging his feet over to them, plopping down. He opened it and his eyes glittered. "Iruka-sensei..." Within the box was a signature tomato salad as well as onigiri wrapped in seaweed, omusubi with okaka, and some shogayaki. Iruka got it from the same place that he got Shikamaru's food.
"Ramen..." Naruto blinked his eyes open, instantly focusing on the bowl of ramen sitting in front of him. "RAMEN!" He sat up fast and bounced in his chair. He froze in mid-bounce with his arms half-flailed, Akamaru still laying over his head. "A-ah..." He blushed brightly, looking at everyone sitting around him laughing or chuckling.
"Th-thank you for the food!" He bowed deeply, his forehead connecting with the desk with a loud thunk. He moaned, slowly melting to the floor, somehow Akamaru still draped over his head. Everyone laughed again.
Kiba grinned, reaching down to help scoop Naruto back into his eat. "You're so cute.." He murmured, Naruto heard it though and blushed even brighter.
"You're welcome, Naruto." Iruka smiled. "Hurry up and eat everyone." He opened his own box of food.
Everyone snapped their chopsticks. "Itadakimasu!" They all said in unison, then began eating.
Class Umino emptied out of the school at the end of the day. The girls walking together chatting about diets and tricks to losing weight fast. The boys were all together, talking about going to one of the training grounds to mess around, train, and have fun. Even Shikamaru was willing to go. Mainly because Kiba and Naruto were considering going. The three of them were becoming inseparable.
Naruto laughed, walking a little ahead of everyone. His arms were behind his head as he grinned, looking over at where parents pick up their kids. His grin fell away and he looked down.
"Ready to go Naruto?" Naruto's head snapped up, gasping softly. There were three guys standing together.
One looked to be about 14 years old and looked like Kabuto if he had orange colored eyes, no glasses, and denim-blue hair that was styled like an adult Sasuke. It was creepy, but he was kind of hot. Then there was a long-haired beauty of a guy that had to be Orochimaru, who looked about 18. He looked more feminine, his once long black hair was now amethyst, his once golden slitted eyes a shocking grassy green with slitted pupils. Then there was the guy who just had to be Obito, who looked around 16. He had magenta hair and Naruto's brilliant blue eyes, no scars, and his hair was slicked back, ending at the middle of his shoulder blades. They looked like freakishly hot brothers.
Naruto just stood there, staring at the trio like they were aliens that had just stepped out of their spaceship. "A-ah-ah.." He blinked. They made a damn good looking trio, even in seal henges that adjusted their looks to make them just different enough to be recognized by even prodigy or genius level shinobi. They all smiled at him and he twitched. Creepy.
Shikamaru and Kiba stepped up next to him, Sasuke right behind him, looking over his right shoulder. All three boys appearing very possessive and protective of the blond.
"Who are they?" Shikamaru asked, eyeing them cautiously.
"Yeah, I've never seen them before," Kiba muttered, sneering.
"Hn." Sasuke agreed with the other two boys.
Kabuto ran up to Naruto, scooping up around the waist and twirling him around before setting him down. "Naru-tan!" He kissed Naruto's forehead as a boyfriend would.
Naruto went beet red and shoved Kabuto away, spluttering and waving his arms around in embarrassment and sheer confusion. "I'M NOT A BABY!"
With a snicker he grinned, pulling Naruto close by his hips. "You're my little baby."
Naruto stared with a dropped jaw, a sweatdrop, and eyes like giant white circles - completely dazed and confused.
Obito and Orochimaru were chuckling, thoroughly enjoying Kabuto embarrassing their favorite little blond. They had planned this too, hoping to make Sasuke leave Naruto alone if he suspected Naruto had a boyfriend. Even if the said boyfriend was roughly 14 while Naruto was still 11, in body.
Kiba and Shikamaru stomped right up to the 'couple'. "Who are you?" They grunted in unison. Sasuke was behind them, glaring daggers at Kabuto for daring to lay his hands on HIS Naruto.
"Hm?" Kabuto frowned, pulling Naruto possessively to him. "I'm Naruto's future husband. Who the hell are you guys?" Naruto's head flopped to the side, his spirit leaving his mouth.
"WHAT?!" Kiba yelled. Shikamaru sneered. Sasuke's hands balled into fists.
"Is that true, Naruto? Do you plan on marrying this weirdo?" Shikamaru spoke calmly in contrast to the killing intent slowly seeping out of him and reaching out to choke Kabuto.
"This is a joke, right, Naruto?" Kiba urged a sliver of desperation in his voice. Shikamaru and Kiba couldn't lose Naruto to some blue-haired, orange-eyed freak!
Sasuke's killing intent was coated in Madara's as it oozed out like a disease. He shoved past the other two, grabbed Naruto's arm and yanked him from Kabuto. He glared, putting Naruto behind him and between the other two boys.
Naruto came back to reality when he was suddenly yanked from Kabuto. He blinked, looking around Sasuke, then to either side. "Ah...ah... ah... uhhh..wh-...he-...I..." He stared blankly.
Kabuto growled at Sasuke when Naruto was stolen. "My name is Kouta Yazaki."
Orochimaru and Obito stepped up next to Kabuto. "Hello, boys. I am Osuka Yazaki, the eldest brother. This is Orito Yazaki, the second eldest." They both bowed in greeting. "We apologize if Kouta is causing an issue."
Kiba gawked at the three of them. Why were they all so attractive? Naruto would fit right into their family, Kiba was positive Naruto was going to grow into a handsome beauty, kind of like Orochimaru. Pretty, but still masculine.
"O-osuka-san...uhhh" Naruto stared at Orochimaru. "Ori-...Orito-san..." He couldn't take his eyes off the magenta hair.
Obito grinned. "Hey, Uto-tan." Orochimaru glanced at Obito, hiding his obvious amusement. They were tormenting the boy kid who was actually a 31-year-old adult male.
"A-ah.." He stuttered into a blank expression again.
Kouta huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Can you guys shove off? I wanna take my koibito to dinner." He 'hmphed'.
Naruto twitched, then his breath sucked in sharply and he turned towards the gates of Konoha. I'd know that chakra signature anywhere... KURAMA! Kabuto, Orochimaru, and Obito turned with him, feeling the overwhelming foxiness of Kurama.
Faster than anyone could see Naruto bolted forward, running full speed towards the gates. He had to see him! HE HAD TO SEE HIM! Sasuke, Kiba, and Shikamaru all panicked and took off after him. Orochimaru and Obito looked at each other, then at Kabuto. They followed the other four.
Kurama was standing at the gate with Kotetsu and Izumo, all three were smiling as they talked. "Oh yeah... I've been traveling around for a while now and I've always wanted to see Konoha!" He laughed, scratching the back of his neck.
Both men blushed slightly, staring at the stunning unaffiliated shinobi in front of them. Kotetsu held out a clipboard. "Please...sign in." Izumo nodded fervently.
"Oh right!" Kurama gave a soft laugh, taking the clipboard and signing his name as Uzumaki Kurama. He handed it back. "Is that all?" He smiled, tilting his head to appear as soft and non-threatening as possible.
Kotetsu nodded, holding the clipboard to his chest, they hadn't looked at his name yet. "For now. I hope you enjoy your stay at Konoha."
Naruto skidded to a stop ten yards away from Kurama, his eyes wide and glimmering, his chest swelling with eagerness and happiness. He panting to catch his breath. Kurama's crimson connected with cerulean and they just stared at each other, both completely still.
Orochimaru was the first to catch up, staying back to not get pulled into this too deeply. Obito and Kabuto arrived together, staying with Orochimaru, they couldn't risk getting found out. Shikamaru was fourth, stopping right next to Naruto, looking between him and the redheaded hottie. Kiba just a step behind was on Naruto's other side, also looking between the two.
Sasuke approached the three, staring at them before his gaze swiveled to Kurama and time just simply stopped. Madara's breath caught. "Kurama..." He forced Sasuke to take another step forward, putting in line with his classmates. The fox had his own body!? This explained why he couldn't sense Kurama in Naruto, just chakra, but it was weird. His mouth went dry, lips parting to get more air into his lungs. HIS fox was right there... right fucking there . Sasuke slammed Madara back. "The fuck is wrong with you?! Who is Kurama!? Ya know what.. I don't fucking care. Shut up." He threw up more mental blocks.
"You...feel like me..." Kurama murmured, stepping towards Naruto. "Why do you feel like me?" This was actually a perfect way for them to meet.
Naruto took a couple seconds to pick up on Kurama's game and stepped forward as well. "I don't know.. Why do you feel so familiar..?"
Everyone watched in awe as the two slowly walked up to each other, standing a few feet from one another.
Lifting his hand Naruto leaked his violent purple chakra out. Kurama did the same, his own chakra a slightly more vibrant purple versus Naruto's almost abyssal purple. Their chakras instantly zoomed for each other, connecting in a massive wash bright purple light, their power slamming over Konoha like a tidal wave. It's like their chakra was hugging, tightly, like it was recognizing itself, or it's other half. Honestly, this had just been a guess on both their parts. That and they really wanted to hug or connect somehow.
ANBU landed around them in a defensive circle. "Step away from each other." It was Tenzo leading the team. "And follow me, the Hokage wants to see you both." He looked up towards the Hokage's window where Hiruzen was staring down at them.
Naruto and Kurama didn't drop their hands or step away, they just looked up at the old man. Slowly, their hands lowered, their chakras sucking back into them like a taut rubber band had been severed. They turned to Tenzo and nodded, waiting for him to lead the way, realizing they had to be careful now.
As they followed Tenzo, the others started forward to follow too. Another ANBU stopped them. "Not you three. You can wait for Naruto outside the tower."
Orochimaru and Obito exchanged curious looks. They knew Kurama had his own body now because Naruto told them. But holy hell that fox made a godlike stunning human. He was a lot like Naruto in the way that you saw how attractive they were, but it wasn't their outward appearance that made them so remarkable. It was the air they radiated, their warm, full personalities. How fierce, brave, determined, and stubborn they were.
"Should we wait around or go?" Kabuto looked up at the other two, hating this damned henge, even if he was a super attractive 14-year-old.
"We're waiting. I have missed both of them too much." Mutter Orochimaru with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Hey, you got to cuddle with Naruto last night. He chose you." Obito grumbled, glaring at Orochimaru.
"He'll always choose me between the three of us," Orochimaru smirked at Obito.
Obito narrowed his eyes. "Snake bastard." He growled, stomping off to lean against a wall.
Kabuto watched them, then rolled his eyes. "You two are ridiculous." He sighed, staying by Orochimaru's side.
"Not my fault I'm the favorite." Murmured Orochimaru with a rather smug expression. Kabuto elbowed him, getting a pained grunt from the older male before he was put into a headlock and had firm knuckles rubbed into the top of his head. "Might as well act the part, eh otouto-chan?" He gave his snakelike smirk, not stopping until Kabuto started whining.
Shikamaru, Kiba, and Sasuke stood vigilant just outside the Hokage Tower, staring at the door and window to make sure their little blond didn't get past them. They had way too many questions. And Madara wanted to see Kurama's lovely face again. He looked exactly how Madara pictured him as a human, down to the smallest detail. He thought it would be adorable if he could get Kurama henge himself with fox ears and tails. Adorable and so fucking sexy. He knew he had to be careful though. He was going to have to bide his time and wait, especially if he wanted both Naruto and Kurama. Which he did, they were his.
Kurama and Naruto followed Tenzo up the stairs, occasionally glancing at each other, letting their arms brush against each other. It had been only a week for Kurama, but over a month for Naruto. They were both equally desperate for contact with one another. Tenzo led them into Hiruzen's office, stepping off to the side, the rest of the ANBU detail disappearing into the shadows.
Hiruzen turned, looking at the two with mirror-like chakras. He smiled gently at Naruto. "It is nice to see you out of the hospital and doing well."
Naruto grinned back, putting his arms behind his head. "Thanks, Jiji!"
"Now then...let's talk about what just happened outside." Hiruzen sat down, looking at Kurama and Naruto. "What is your name shinobi?"
Kurama bowed in his head in respect to the Hokage, though he disliked the man greatly. "Kurama Uzumaki, Hokage-sama."
Naruto, in all his great acting skills, gasped and turned to Kurama. "I'm Uzumaki!"
Kurama, going with it, startled and looked at Naruto. "I...am not the last one?"
Hiruzen cleared his throat, pulling their attention back to him. "Do you have proof of your lineage Kurama-san?"
Ah fuck. Kurama hadn't thought- oh wait, yes he did. "Do you mind?" He motioned to the bag strapped to his back. Hiruzen shook his head, motioning for him to retrieve whatever it was. Kurama nodded in thanks, unbuckling the pack and resting it on the floor. Staying crouched over it he dug through stuff, muttering to himself and setting scrolls aside before cheering in victory and grabbing out the scroll he'd been looking for. He handed it to Hiruzen. "My family tree." He paused. "Ah! Wait!" He moved forward, biting his thumb, spreading his blood over the scroll. He gave a sheepish look. "It's sealed so that only those with that bloodline can open it."
Stepping back next to Naruto he grinned, tucking his hands in his pockets and slouching much like Kakashi would. Hiruzen chuckled lightly, opening the scroll and looking over the family tree. He was quiet for a long moment before looking up. "You are related to Mito Uzumaki..." It became incredibly quiet in the room.
"Uhn... I..never met her though. I'm only 25." He shrugged, scratching the back of his head. "I was orphaned soon after being born. My parents had been hunted down and slaughtered." He looked down, clenching his jaw to pained and angered. He stepped forward, pointing to a name. "I know of an older cousin of mine, Nagato Uzumaki. I've heard he was killed, but...I want to find out for sure." He swallowed and shifted uneasily. "Once I got strong enough I decided to travel, trying to find other Uzumaki." He glanced at Naruto. "Is he...really an Uzumaki?"
Hiruzen sighed, a deep graveness darkening his wrinkled face as he listened to Kurama's story. "I am sorry for all the loss you have suffered, Kurama-san." He looked at Naruto. "He is. His father was not, and he happened to get his father's blond hair and blue eyes." He smiled gently at the memory of Minato. "I have a sensitive question for you Kurama."
Kurama was about to turn to Naruto and talk to him when Hiruzen said he had a question. He stiffened, turning back some. "I already know what you're going to ask...and yes, I am."
"I see." Hiruzen straightened in his chair. His mouth opening to speak just as Koharu, Homura, and Danzo briskly walked into the office. Naruto and Kurama bristled, Hiruzen gave a sort of defeated look, lowering his head to hide the expression with his hat. He should have known they would have felt Naruto and Kurama's chakra connecting.
Danzo stepped forward. "Hiruzen, what is going on?" One calculating eye landing on Kurama and Naruto with interest.
Kurama shifted in front of Naruto protectively. Naruto shifted uncomfortably under the gaze. They had been afraid of this. Danzo had always wanted to utilize Naruto. And now with Kurama having his own body? Who knew what would happen.
"This fine young man is Kurama Uzumaki, a direct descendant of Mito Uzumaki." Hiruzen gestured to Kurama, then to the scroll. "He has provided adequate proof." He rolled the scroll back up, pressing the edge of paper down so the seal activated again.
Danzo lifted his brow. Homura grunted. "Is he...?"
Hiruzen sighed, closing his eyes. "Indeed."
"Which one?" Koharu cut in, eyeing the two males with barely disguised revulsion.
"I have not asked." Hiruzen looked at the council in slight irritation.
Kurama looked around at everyone, then glanced at Naruto. "What should we do kit? They will find out eventually."
"Might as well get it over with then." Naruto sighed a bit.
Clearing his throat, Kurama stepped forward to pull everyone's attention to him. "The Kyuubi no Youko." Another hush fell over the room.
"That is not possible," Danzo said matter of factly.
"Ah..actually it is. I have the yin half." Really, that was a lie. Naruto had the yin half this time. Kurama was very much his yang half. But there was no way to explain how that switch would have happened without some major event calling attention to it.
Naruto did his best to look as clueless as possible. "Is what you're talking about why our chakra can...touch and...mix together? It felt like...our chakras knew each other."
Hiruzen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why is it purple? Both of their chakras were seen as purple and black." Danzo cut in again.
Naruto and Kurama stiffened, looking at each other. And like a knight in shining armor, Kakashi slowly entered the room. "Uh...is this a bad time?"
Naruto's head snapped in Kakashi's direction. "KAKASHI-SAN!" Within one second flat, Naruto had slammed into Kakashi so hard the silver-haired male slammed into the wall.
Kakashi chuckled, wrapping an arm around the small boy. "Hello, Naru-kun. Did you miss me?" He asked teasingly.
"YES!" Naruto nodded like a bobblehead. "You're back early!"
Kurama turned to fully look at Kakashi, his hand swiping his long braids over his shoulder so they fell down his back, his kanzashi tinkling softly. Kakashi's dark grey eye lifted, meeting feral red. Naruto heard his future sensei's breath catch and he smiled to himself.
"I missed you as well, Naru-kun." Kakashi stood up straight, setting Naruto down, guiding him back to where he had been. Kakashi breathed subtly through his mask, his senses wrapped in a warm summer breeze rustling through a forest; earthy, warm, with layers of mossy notes. Laced within that breezy woody scent were vague hints of fiery amber and warm sugared vanilla. "Kakashi Hatake." He bowed his head in greeting, keeping eye contact with the redhead.
Red eyes studied the tall man before him, having to look up. A sly grin spread Kurama's lips. "Kurama Uzumaki." He breathed in the subtle scent of Kakashi, having missed the aroma of the other over the years. Kakashi always smelled of leather, steel, with the sultry undertone of sharp resinous opium and electric dark musk.
Naruto snickered to himself quietly, rubbing his mouth to hide the smirk. This would definitely be interesting. Everyone was staring at the two shinobi, some with lifted brows, others with knowing smirks, like Hiruzen, Tenzo, and Naruto.
Danzo broke the spell. "Kurama Uzumaki, we have not finished our discussion. When was the Yin half sealed within you?" He growled dangerously.
Kurama's wicked red eyes locked onto Danzo, narrowing. "How is that any of your business, exactly?"
Kakashi straightened like a rod was slammed down his spine. He looked down at Naruto, then at Kurama. He was standing between two Jinchuuriki of the same bijuu?
Hiruzen cleared his throat, bringing his pipe to his lips, taking a puff. "Noting your clothes, are you unaffiliated?"
"Well, I'd say I was an Uzushio ninja, but...considering my home village was wiped out. Yes, I am unaffiliated." Kurama responded as respectfully as he could manage, though there was a slight sarcastic bite to his words.
"How would you feel about becoming a shinobi of Konoha?" Hiruzen offered a warm, welcoming smile. Danzo's gaze darkened in pleasure, he wanted the new Uzumaki to stay in the village, and this was the perfect way to have that done.
"Hah!?" Kurama blinked, staring at Hiruzen. "You'd...just let me have citizenship and shinobi status with Konoha that easily?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "No my boy, there are things that would need to happen prior to your official acceptance."
"Such as?" He cocked a brow, putting his hands on his hips. Kakashi's eye went straight to those slender hips, his throat turning into a barren desert. What was wrong with him!?
"We will need to test your skills, discuss your specialties and abilities. Find placement for you, and fill out a harrowing amount of paperwork." Hiruzen chuckled.
Kurama snorted a laugh. "I already know what placement I would prefer. Anbu, either as black ops or hunter-nin." He tucked his hands back into his pockets. Danzo's eye glittered at the prospects.
Homura spoke up immediately. "We cannot have a Jinchuuriki in Anbu. Absolutely not."
Kurama's sharp eyes settled on Homura, his lip curling as a faint growl vibrated in him. "You cannot tell me where I can and cannot be. I have not agreed to join your village yet." His eyes dragged over Homaru like razors in their hostility and killing intent. "And who are you to tell me what I can and can't do, old man?" Homura and Koharu looked utterly appalled at the audacity of Kurama.
Kakashi coughed conspicuously, covering up a laugh as best as he could. Tenzo, pressed his lips together, thankful for the Anbu mask hiding his diversion. He liked this redhead.
Hiruzen would have agreed with Tenzo, he liked the young man as well. He had a fiery spirit. "Are you sure you would want black ops or hunter-nin?" He asked casually.
Kurama lifted up his clawed hands. "I have kunai and shuriken as last resorts. I don't need weapons, I am a weapon." He grinned toothily, showing off his moderately sharp canines. He would have put any Inuzuka to shame.
Danzo could not have heard anything more thrilling than a wild, powerful Jinchuuriki calling itself a weapon. Splendid.
Hiruzen's eyes widened a bit at the sharp claws Kurama sported, he looked down at the young man's bare feet, seeing clawed toes. He looked back up to red eyes. "When do you think you would be ready for a physical test of your abilities?"
"Mm.." He chewed on his bottom lip in thought, scratching a whiskered cheek, his whiskers deeper, wider, and darker than Naruto's. "A month?" He offered up. "I ran into some issues over the past week and need some training to get my body back in working order."
"Granted. Your test to become a Konoha shinobi will be in one month." He smiled, holding out the family tree scroll. "I feel I should make you aware you will have an Anbu guard until the completion of your tests." He looked at Kakashi. "You wouldn't happen to have an extra room for Kurama-san as well?"
Kurama grinned, taking the scroll. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Hokage-sama." He blinked, looking at Kakashi.
"Ah... My house is only a two bedroom. And there is not much room." One could almost hear the pout in Kakashi's voice.
"I have room." Everyone turned their attention to the only visible Anbu in the room. Kakashi lifted his visible eyebrow at Tenzo. What the hell? Tenzo shifted under everyone's gaze. He cleared his throat. "A-ah.. I mean...would it not be beneficial to have Uzumaki-san stay with the Anbu that would be assigned to him?" He knew it would be him assigned to tail Kurama. And he was curious about the wildling shinobi.
A slow, knowing smile graced Hiruzen's expression. "Would you be alright with that, Kurama-san?"
"Hn, I guess so." He shrugged, watching Tenzo with a curious look. "His logic is sound."
"Then Kurama Uzumaki will stay with you, Tiger." Hiruzen approved the offer.
Tenzo did a mental fist pump of victory and bowed. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen sat back. "Everyone is dismissed." His office was way too crowded.
Kakashi, Naruto, Kurama, and Tenzo left the office, the doors slamming shut behind them. Of course, the council and Danzo had words for the Hokage.
Kurama walked next to Naruto, Tenzo and Kakashi brought up the rear. Upon exiting the tower there was a group of six waiting for them. Naruto blinked and started laughing at all of them waiting. Kurama looked over the group with raised brows.
"Hey guys! This is Kurama Uzumaki!" He puffed his chest out a bit. "He's part of my clan!" His three classmates all stared at him dumbfounded.
"Congratulations, Naru-tan." Kabuto said, sliding up next to the blond. "Let's-...oh Kakashi-san is back. Does that mean you won't be spending the night again?" He pouted.
Sasuke snapped out of his daze, growling. "You spent the night at Kouta's place?" His eyes narrowed.
"U-uh..yeah..." Naruto stuttered out, surprised by Sasuke's reaction to that.
Tenzo turned to Kurama. "Would you like to head to my place now? I am sure you're tired from your travels."
Kurama smiled up at Tenzo. "Sure thing, Tiger." He winked, grinning as he sauntered past the Anbu.
Tenzo froze, his blush hidden behind his mask. "He-hey! Wait up!" He hurried after Kurama.
Kakashi watched longingly after Kurama before diverting his gaze to Naruto. "Home?"
"Uhn! Can I see Shiba? I miss him..." Naruto smiled, starting to walk away with Kakashi.
Shikamaru and Kiba ran up to Naruto. "We'll walk you guys home." Kiba offered, grinning at Naruto. Naruto beamed back at the two boys.
"See ya later Kouta-kun, Orito-kun, and Osuka-kun!" He waved happily at them, disappearing down the street with Kakashi, Kiba, and Shikamaru.
Obito stood there. "The fuck just happened?"
"We were ditched," Orochimaru said flatly.
Kabuto scoffed. "My love ditched me for a man old enough to be his father!"
Sasuke crashed back the Earth. "What? Kakashi-san isn't that old. He's like...26 or 27.. Naruto's turning either 11 or 12. I think he was born after me. And I just turned 12 last month."
Kabuto snorted. "You can have kids at 15."
Oh, the look of horror on Sasuke's face was priceless. Obito warped his camera into his hands and snapped a shot fast. Naruto would love that picture!
Sasuke jerked back from the flash. "Did you just take my picture!?"
Obito held up empty hands. "Maybe. Who knows." He whistled, walking away. Kabuto trailed after him.
Orochimaru stayed behind, watching Sasuke. He stepped up to the dark-haired boy. "Here's some advice, kid. Naruto is a free spirit, like a wild fox. You try to tame him or trap him or confine him, and you'll lose him before you ever had him." He looked back at Kabuto. "He could have chased after Naruto, prevented him from going home and creating a scene. He chose not to, knowing Naruto missed Kakashi-san greatly and has had a very exhausting day." He looked down at Sasuke, his hands going into the sleeves of his yukata styled top. "The Inuzuka kid and Nara kid also understand Naruto's nature. And instead of complaining, or being left behind, they chose to walk Naruto and his current guardian home, just so they could have a little more time with him." He waited for it all to sink in before saying, "Be aware of those around you, observe their behaviors and personalities and act accordingly. Stay the way you are, and you will be alone until you die." Orochimaru's jaw clenched slightly, he turned and walked away.
He was speaking from experience, and from watching the saga that was Naruto and Sasuke in his original timeline. Orochimaru had made the mistake of cutting himself off from human interaction and contact. Instead, he used his skills of observation to take advantage, manipulate, and use those around him. Perhaps he could help Naruto's battle of saving Sasuke just this once.
The Uchiha stood there bewildered, staring after the purple-haired man. What he said made sense, even if he felt the darkness in him hiss at the strange man and his clearly logical words. He felt Madara clawing in the back of his head and popped his neck in a contorted stretch, closing his eyes.
"Follow Kurama. I want to see him again."
"No. I'm going home."
Madara glowered, he was going to have to figure out how to get his control back. Why was he so weak? He should have recovered by now. He waited nearly a whole month before pushing forward, having stayed in the back, nudging Sasuke in the direction he wanted the boy to go. But now he barely had any influence unless he did it so sneakily that Sasuke couldn't pick up on it. But that method was bothersome and tedious.
Tenzo let Kurama into his apartment, following him inside. He locked his door and slid off his sandals.
"So, Uzumaki-san, what would you like for dinner?" Tenzo moved through his home, removing his tiger mask and hanging it on a hook in the hallway by several other hooks where his Anbu gear went.
Kurama looked around the cozy apartment, smiling at how everything was accented with wood. "Hm?" He looked at Tenzo, blinking when he looked straight into onyx eyes. "A-ah.." The other's gaze was so penetrating, he couldn't stop the soft red blush that dusted over his cheeks. "Ju-just call me Kurama, please." He scratched a cheek. "Uhm.. I'm sort of a meat eater, but I do like veggies.. Uhh...just..surprise me I guess? I'm not really picky." He shrugged.
Tenzo pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth to keep from gasping at the sight of Kurama's blush. He'd never seen a man look so delicate, wild, and fiercely strong all at once. He was a sight to behold and Tenzo wondered what he was like in a fight, or in bed. He turned away, quickly walking into his kitchen, rummaging around.
"Please call me Tenzo, then." His voice came from the kitchen, pulling Kurama to the edge of the threshold from the living room to the kitchen.
"Uhn.. Tenzo." He purred the others name, feeling it on his tongue. He liked it. He tilted his head. "Aren't you going to get more comfortable? The flak jacket can't be too comfortable."
Tenzo shivered at the sound of his name on Kurama's lips. He swallowed thickly, feeling a warmth stir in his lower abdomen. "E-eh..? Oh.. ri-right." He stood up, moving back over to the hallway, pressing past Kurama's back as he went. He removed his sword and rested it in its stand on the wall, then the grey flak jacket, hanging it up, along with his arm guards and gloves, he took the ninja pouches from the back of his hips, resting them on the thin hallway table, and finally the happuri-style forehead protector. He tugged down the neck of his shirt and sighed.
"Better?" Kurama grinned, his gaze slowly moving over the clothed covered muscles Tenzo was hiding. Hiding poorly at that. His clothing was so tight all that was left to the imagination was skin tone and how defined his muscles were. Kurama wanted to lick his biceps and his stomach. He briefly wondered when he got so lustful. Maybe it was because of the young male body? He was in a very healthy 25-year-old body. It stood to reason that it would react like any regular red-blooded man.
Tenzo blinked, a soft pale-pink on his cheeks as he felt Kurama's eyes roaming over him. "Much. Thank you. You can...put your bag down, and get comfortable as well." He returned to the kitchen to figure out what to cook for them.
Looking down at himself, Kurama paused. "Hn..." He took the pack off, setting it the sofa, then removed his own ninja pouches, tucking them into the pack. He tugged the kanzashi out of his hair, his braid cascading down his back. Kurama tucked the pretty hairpiece into the pack as well.
Moving back into the kitchen he hoisted himself up onto a counter, crossing his legs smoothly, watching Tenzo. "So what are you going to feed me tonight, Tenzo?" His voice was playful.
Tenzo turned when he heard the other's voice and stood straight when he saw the redhead sitting on his counter, staring right at him. "Ah! When..." He looked back to where he had last seen Kurama. Fuck that guy is quiet...
"Hm? Oh, I move silently." He shrugged, grinning. "I'd be perfect Anbu, yeah?"
Tenzo nodded dumbly. "I didn't even notice you moved." He stepped closer to Kurama, resting some plastic vegetable bags next to Kurama's hip. He got a whiff of that intoxicating warm, woodsy scent Kakashi had smelled earlier. He inhaled deeply, his eyes lidding in appreciation of the aroma.
"Are you...smelling me?" Kurama asked in amusement. He was smelling Tenzo as well, but he was far less obvious about it. He noted the Anbu smelled of pine; like a soothing, light mix of balsam, cypress, pine needle, fir needle, and faintly of sandalwood, then there was the fresh woody scent like Kurama had clawed the trunk of a tree, releasing it into the air.
Tenzo leaned away from Kurama. "Heh sorry... I've just never smelled anything like your scent before. It's...hard to describe. Like a hot summer day in a forest with mossy trees...but, there's a sweetness I can't pinpoint." His brow knit, trying to figure it out. "Ah! Vanilla."
Kurama blushed, never having had someone describe how he smelled to them. "Is that...good? Do I smell good?" He sniffed at himself, not picking up anything.
"Mm..very." He leaned in again without realizing it, taking in a lungful of the other's addictive scent. He blushed when he suddenly saw how close he was, backing away and returning to the fridge.
"You smell nice too, Tenzo. Like a mix of different kinds of pine and sandalwood." Purred Kurama. "I love the smell of pine and sandalwood."
Tenzo's back muscles twitched, flexing as he moved around. He didn't really respond to that, not trusting himself to be able to speak coherently. No one's ever said that to him before. He set about making a pork stir-fry with a side of white miso with tofu and scallions, he pulled out some day old pork buns and re-steamed them as well.
It would never be acknowledged or said out loud, but Tenzo was aiming to impress the redhead with his culinary skills. "Could you get the sake out?" He glanced at his new house guest.
"Mhm!" He hopped off the counter, looking in the fridge and blinking. "Ah..which one?" Kurama glanced back at Tenzo who was at the stove.
"Oh, uhm the Juyondai I think will work perfectly with this."
Kurama looked over the bottles before grabbing the one Tenzo mentioned. He sidled up to the other's side, pressing himself ever-so-slightly against Tenzo. "Now what, Tenzo-kun?" He purred.
Tenzo's eyes widened to saucers. "Ah..ah..c-cups... far right cupboard." He sucked in a steadying breath. Kurama was warm like a crackling fire.
Slipping away from the brunette, Kurama opened the cupboard, pulling out two votive style glasses. He opened the sake, filled the glasses, then moved over to Tenzo, holding out one of the glasses. "Here." When Tenzo took it he held up his own glass. "Kampai." He did a cheers motion.
Tenzo accepted the glass, having expected Kurama to grab something smaller like a shot glass or proper sake cups. He watched Kurama toast and then down the liquid in one go. His mouth dropped open, he might be falling in love. He tossed back the sake in one smooth draw, "Dinner will be ready soon."
The night continued to into the late hours of midnight and beyond. Tenzo was definitely going to be waking up with a hangover. Kurama wasn't sure if he would be. Though they had both achieved a rather blissful level of drunk, having finished the initial bottle of sake and then two more.
Next morning was going to be very interesting.
A/N: Told you I wanted to play with Tenzo. :P I dunno how it happened. But it did. And I think it's fucking adorable. Tenzo and Kurama's dynamic will be very cute and fun. I don't know if anything will happen between them. I think I'll still keep the endgame of Kakashi/Kurama, I really like them together. I'll have to figure out someone for Tenzo though.
Anywaaaaays! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget the kudos if you haven't yet, and leave a comment! This tired boy is going to bed. my insomnia is kicking my ass and I got a wicked migraine forming.