Revelations Of The Mind

“Sakura-Chan…”

“Tsunade-sama, I can’t find any information on cell generation for the brain you wanted, you wouldn’t ha...pp...en…?”

Sakura starred blankly ahead, surprised to see someone besides her sensei in the room, so surprised in fact she had to catch herself before lack of manners set in.

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t realize you had a guest. Konbanha, My name is Haruno Sakura; I’m one of the Kunochi’s of the Hidden Leaf Village and apprentice of Hokage-sama.” Sakura bowed to her x teammate. If she had even considered that she had once known this man as a small, albeit, annoying little boy who had constantly fought for her attention she showed no signs.

“I’m quite aware of that fact, Sakura-Chan, are you feeling well?” replied Naruto evenly with open concern apparently not noticing the vein on her head popping out or the hands curling into fists.

“Sir, I do not know you and I would appreciate it if you did not use my name in such a familiar manner.” Sakura responded, her angry flaring like it hadn’t done in years. Whatever made this man THINK that he could talk to her in such a way, not to mention question her health. It was infuriating, she just wanted to hit the man through the roof, and would have, but lucky Tsunade intervened noticing the obvious change in her apprentice’s mannerisms.

“Sakura, you really shouldn’t be getting all riled up over a simple affectionate title, after all you have known this man since you were small children.” said Tsunade, bringing the pink haired Jounin back from the brink through confusion. “Don’t you recognize him?”

Tsunade moved from her seat as she spoke ending up behind Naruto’s chair. She moved her hand’s forward and moved his blonde locks to the side exposing his leaf emblem as well as bringing his blue eyes behind the shadow of his long hair.

It hit Sakura like a ton of bricks. She did know this man, knew him as a little boy constantly vying for superiority with her would be crush, Sasuke, the boy who had defeated Garaa back when he was still insane so that she wouldn’t die…the boy who went after Sasuke after he had betrayed Konoha…fulfilling a promise to her…and almost died because of it. He’d finally come back to Konoha…and he’d grown so much, it was no wonder she didn’t recognize him.

“Naruto…”Sakura exclaimed tears starting to be seen in her eyes

“It’s good to se you again Sakura-Chan, I was afraid that you had forgotten me.”

“When did you get back?” asked Sakura trying to maintain her control with small talk

“Only today, we would have been back sooner but Tsunade-Sama wanted Ero-Sennin and I to pickup some things…plus we had to stop at this new hot spring inn in wave country so the pervert could conduct his “research” Naruto sighed “It was such a bother, I had to treat his wounds for about a week.”

Sakura chuckled lightly moving to one of the empty chairs next to Tsunade’s fireplace.

“So how have you been Sakura-Chan?” said Naruto smiling glad she hadn’t run out on him

“Oh I’ve been fine since you’ve left.” Sakura responded a little sharper then intended, but it had the desired effect, a nervous face gracing Naruto’s happy features “You know the least you could have done is say goodbye.”

“I know but the time didn’t allow It.” sighed Naruto

“Naruto…” Sakura said silently getting up making it over to her friend.

*Slap*

A red hand print embedded itself on Naruto’s face, a look of shock covering the rest of it. Naruto, who’s face had been turned sideways, turned back to see a very upset Sakura. Tears streaming down her face as she looked down at her one time team mate, there wasn’t hate in her eyes but one of deep disappointment…something more harmful than her hatred could ever been, inwardly Naruto cringed.

“Sakura-Chan…”

“You don’t ever get to do that to me again you understand, NEXT time you come and tell me that your leaving and give me at least the benefit of a good bye.” yelled Sakura “Did you even think about what it would have done to me if I lost you too?”

Naruto sat in silence as the girl in front of him fell into sobs tears breaching whatever control was left in her mind until she was just a mess. Without thinking Naruto’s body reacted to the situation before his brain even managed to take it all in, but the reaction would have been the same anyway.

Sakura felt him move but couldn’t tell what he was doing through her clouded eyes until she felt it. His arms had wrapped around her, supporting her and cradling her giving her the option of releasing everything she had pent up for years into him.

“Five years…”she sobbed “You’ve made me wait for five years; I thought you were going to die, and all I had was Tsunade’s estimated destination to go on. Don’t ever do that again”

Sakura pounded Naruto with her fist taking out the rage and anguish of the last 5 years on his chest. He took it all, not moving and inch, only stroking her hair and whispering apologies to her as she berated him for every action he had taken in their entire life. Eventually she ran out of steam the exhaustion of her day and the revelation and shock of one of her friends coming back after such a long time taking its toll.

“Naruto…”sighed Sakura tiredly

“Yes Sakura-Chan” answered Naruto staring down at the top of her pink head

“I’m glad your back.” said Sakura sighing as she drifted off to sleep in the arms of her long lost friend

Naruto smiled down at her, holding her by her waist and continued to stroke her hair well after she had fallen asleep.

“Well that was definitely an interesting reunion.” said Tsunade laughing slightly beside herself “Your going to have to take her home ya know.”

“I think I can manage obaasan.” said Naruto who was annoyed at the interruption “Do you have the keys to her apartment and her address?”

Tsunade cringed slightly as she went to her desk for her apprentice’s spare key and address. Naruto only used Obaasan as a warning these days. Apparently she had spoken a little too soon. Laughing inwardly she realized he must have been very happy with the situation if he had been that annoyed.

“Here you go Naruto-tei, and try not to wake her up on your way home.” Chuckled Tsunade

Naruto Scoffed “Thanks for the advice Tsunade-sama.”

Naruto picked Sakura up gently, making sure that her head was resting safely against his chest and that she was as comfortable as he could make her.
“I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow Hokage-sama, thank you for the conversation.” Naruto said getting ready to jump out of the window.

“Idiot, take the key.” Tsunade threw the key at him, which he caught with his teeth and placed in one of his pockets.

“I’m glad your back Naruto, don’t be a stranger ok.” Tsunade said giving Naruto a kiss on the forehead as a welcome home present.

Naruto responded with a smile and nod and jumped through the window. Sailing through the air landing on the rooftop below. Naruto began to run, slowly, but run no the less. Slowly making his way to Sakura’s apartment. He was surprised that she had moved away from her parents but considering that she was 17 as well it made sense. Still, he had always liked Sakura’s parents and they were some of the few to treat him well, he didn’t think he would ever move away from something that good.

Naruto looked down sighing into this mind looking at the sleeping form of his pink haired girl. It’d been so long since he’d looked at her. He could feel the warmth returning to his face in the way it always did whenever he was near her. She was gorgeous. She’d only grown more beautiful as the years had passed. Her hair had grown shoulder length, with the exception of the the two long strands in front of her face. She had grown more womanly. Her hips had filled out and, thanks to Tsunade’s training; she had grown a much larger bust.

She still dressed in her old outfit but with a few changes, including her Jounin vest. She now wore a Medic-Nin patch designating her as such. She also wore a mess shirt underneath her clothes obviously meant to conceal a number of different instruments to…damage…her enemies, as his eyes surveyed her he also noticed a pair of black gloves. They looked to be leather and had the mark of Tsunade-sama on them.

‘Probably has something to do with her training, wonder what for though.” Thought Naruto

‘Well, the old hag is strong as hell, so it might have something to do with that…like protecting her hands you idiot.’ Said Kyuubi starting a conversation without invitation…as usual

‘Thank you, damn fox, it’s pretty obvious they’re for her hands…not like they’d fit her head.’

‘Kit, your and idiot you do realize that.’

‘Humph’

Kyuubi laughed hard at Naruto’s non-response,

‘ Alright alright you pipsqueak I’ll shut up about how stupid you are for not realizing that old hag probably taught Sakura other things then Med-Nin techniques…oh wait I’m sorry I didn’t mean to go on like that’ chuckled the Fox

Naruto sighed at the ill placed joke realizing full well that he wasn’t going to hear the end of this…ever, but it occurred to him that while Kyuubi usually screwed with him, this seemed a bit friendlier then normal.

‘Hey Fox?’

‘Yeah, What is it Kit?’

‘Why the hell are you acting so reasonable for? I mean no attempts to take over no constant nagging or clawing at your cage…what’s up? You sick or something?’

‘What!? Did you already forget our conversation earlier?”

‘Oh you mean about the fact that you’re a weakling?’ smiled Naruto

‘…I’m not and at least I have a fucking memory you little brat!!’ snarled Kyuubi

‘Heh, alright alright so seriously what’s going on with you?’

Kyuubi exhaled out his frustration at the his human vessel, sometimes he wished he could really slap the shit out of him…then again his claws made that a near impossibility.

‘Like I told you before, my body is gone; even if I could escape from my prison within you I couldn’t go anywhere. As far as me taking you over, there really isn’t any point to that; my chakra has been slowly melding with yours for a long time now.’

‘Ok, wait see what you can do to explain that a little better.’

Kyuubi sighed again this kid could really get under his skin, though he really hadn’t done anything wrong…and at least he was asking good questions and avoid the subject of ramen for a change.

‘I’ll tell you more when you get mate to bed. You’re pretty damn close to her house after all.’

‘Hey, wait a sec, Sakura isn’t Mate she’s Sakura….and just what does Mate mean anyway?’

Kyuubi scoffed at his stupidity this human was certainly slow.

‘Look just shut up and get her to bed, I’ll tell you everything once “Sakura” is comfortable and I don’t have to worry about her interrupting’ Kyuubi added with a noticeable edge to his voice.
‘Since when do you care about her being comfort…’ Naruto sneered only to be interrupted by the fox

‘JUST DO IT DAMN YOU, FUCK, HOW HARD IS IT JUST TAKE CARE OF HER FIRST!?!?! I THOUGHT YOU LOVED THIS CHICK?’ screamed Kyuubi more then a little annoyed with his host, however, Naruto had sprang into action at the outburst. Apparently having challenged his feeling for Sakura had done the trick…he’d have to remember that.

Naruto ran, or rather scrambled through the roof tops of Konoha, driven on by the unconscious challenge of the damn fox inside of him. No one was aloud to question his devotion to the pink haired girl in his arms…least of all that demon. He loved her…more then anything, after all everything he’d ever done was for her. So, why was he trying to prove it to that fox. Naruto mentally bashed himself, he was letting what the fox said get to him and their was no reason too, after all what did something like Kyuubi know about love or compassion, even trust.

Naruto’s train of thought was cut short however by a realization that he was extremely close to Sakura’s apartment. He wasn’t entirely sure why he knew but he could just feel it, and as his gut usually made the decisions for him he followed it. Naruto slowed down to a slow jog looking around him to see why he felt that Sakura’s apartment had to be around here. Tsunade had given him rather precise directions and they called for him to go two more blocks…but he could at this moment and time swear that the female hokage was very wrong. It was then that he figured it all out…neither of them were wrong, well at least not in the normal sense. Naruto thought he was near Sakura’s apartment because he in fact was…however he did indeed have two blocks to go.

It was his sense of smell that miss lead him. He had always had a sensitive nose, but this was something new. He had smelt Sakura-Chan’s scent from two blocks away with the girl in question was in his arms…how could he tell the difference? After all it wasn’t as if the two were illusions, he’d have known right away after all he didn’t spend 5 years training without improving greatly. He’d have to ask the fox about this later, probably had something to do with the chakra thing he’d been talking about. Either way it was more important to get Sakura into bed and comfortable before he contemplated further.

‘Shit, didn’t the fox say that earlier?’

‘Damn straight I did.’

‘Shut up you cocky little…’

“Mmm….” Moaned Sakura apparently awakened slightly by the lack of movement.

Naruto looked down into the drowsy eye’s of the pink haired girl in his arms and softly smiled at her, and to his surprised she smiled back albeit lazily. She looked at him for a moment and let out a long yawn, smacking her lips slightly and turned into Naruto’s chest and nuzzled herself closer until she felt comfortable. Naruto despite himself could only stare at the girl in wonder, and of course smile to himself.

‘Ya know kits as much as I would like to stay here and stare at her with you…we really do need to get her to bed.’

‘Yeah I suppose your right on that one fox.’

‘Ha!! Of course I am.’

Naruto smirked, what could he say it was funny after all, a demon fox with a cock attitude.

Naruto made his way over the final few feet to Sakura’s apartment jumping down to street level. He then attempted to remove the key from his pocket only to find that he could do that without making Sakura wake up. So, as any reasonable man would do, he shifted some weight around.

As gently as he could, Naruto, moved Sakura higher up on his chest so that her head was actually lying on his left shoulder about a centimeter below his collar bone, and moved his left arm down to her thighs placing it right at a rather important junction.

Gulping noticeably Naruto hoped Sakura wouldn’t wake up while he had her in this sort of position, the repercussions could be disastrous if it turned out the way he feared. But, for once his luck held out in her case. She slept on through it all. Retrieving the key from his pocket he went to open the door…only to find it unlocked. Naruto sighed.
“I guess I couldn’t have all the luck after all.” Naruto griped he knew no one was in the house, he would have smelled them or sensed their presence but it seemed that Sakura had just forgotten to lock the door; she must have been in a hurry this morning.

Sakura murmured in his arms snuggling closer to her holder letting out a quiet sigh.

‘God she’s gorgeous.’

‘God she’s gorgeous.’

Naruto realized he hadn’t thought that twice and inwardly glared at the fox.

*cough* ‘For one of your kind of course’ said Kyuubi who then sighed in defeat ‘Alright fine, but still just be glad we agree on her at least.’

Naruto smiled at his victory and made his way into Sakura’s apartment.

Naruto lazily glanced around as he made way to Sakura’s bed room. The apartment was sparse for the most part, what you would expect from someone who spent most of their time training and reading. The bedroom, however, was a completely different matter. A large four post bed, king size, took up most of the room and was obviously doubled as a chair in Sakura’s mind. The room was painted in the image of a sunrise. Dark Blue and Black giving way to pale orange, red and pink which only grew stronger as the day moved on. It was beautiful and well done, and in the bottom corner was a signature of the artist, Sakura.

‘A woman of many talents huh.’

‘Apparently, it’s good isn’t it.’

‘Well, actually yeah.’

‘Hmmm, well time to get the artist to bed then eh.’

‘Bout time she deserves a rest.’

Naruto pulled down the sheets on Sakura’s bed and laid her down onto the exposed undercover. He then began to remove her shoes and socks and too off her chuunin vest leaving her in her usual day clothes which should be more then comfortable to sleep in. Naruto organized the pillows on her bed and turned up her sheets to finish tucking her in. He stood their for a time just looking at her sleeping there, a slight smile on her face, it made him warm to know she was happy.

“Don’t leave Naruto, Stay with me.” Said Sakura softly apparently in the middle of her dreams.

Naruto was taken aback by the comment only for a moment then reached under the sheets and grabbed her hand. Putting his cheek against hers he whispered into her ear.

“I won’t ever leave you again, unless you ask me Sakura-Chan.”

“Never?” responded Sakura hopefully

“Never.” Said Naruto who now smiled down at the girl who smiled back at him, her dream but a memory now.

“Goodnight, Sakura-Chan” said Naruto kissing her forehead and quietly as he could he left the room.

Naruto closed the door and went into Sakura-Chan’s living room, removed his sandals and vest and sat down on the couch. Now it was time to figure out what the hell the damn fox was talking about earlier.

‘Hey, Fox, we need to finish our conversation, what’s this about our chakra melding?’

‘Alright, kit listen up cause this is going to take a while to explain.’

‘After my soul or rather essence was trapped in you by the fourth Hokage my body was sent to a different realm, safe keeping if you were. If I were to break free I would get it back it’s that simple. Problem being that I couldn’t break free and I still can’t. There was a time limit however, and now my body is gone. So this means a number of things.’

‘The first of which is we’re both stuck with each other so we’d better get used to that fact. However, you’ve started to grow on me some so I think I deal with it, especially since there is no need for me to try and escape anymore since I can’t.’

‘High praise.’ Though Naruto sarcastically

‘Hey, just be quiet with your comeback for a while would you, it’s rare for me to pass along any complement so just shut up and enjoy even the slightest praises.’

‘Uh huh sure.’ Responded Naruto laughing

‘grrr…alright anyway, Secondly this means that my chakra has started to meld with yours, well started isn’t the right term, it has been melding with yours for quite a while now though that was my attempt to take you over but you proved much more resilient than I thought but that’s besides the point. Essentially this means that you have almost unlimited chakra at your disposal, but you still have two chakra systems. You won’t be affected by that white eyed boys attack or any other similar attempts to cut off your chakra because you have two systems to work with however, they will be connected so your and my chakra will mingle and eventually become one. This means all of my powers will become yours.’

‘Like what exactly?’

‘Hold on a sec and I’ll show you oh and just relax I have to talk to you face to face for this part’ said Kyuubi

Naruto started to feel dizzy and then fell to what could be called sleep though he was neither here nor there. Instead he found himself face to face with the fox demon’s cage but instead of a huge behemoth he found a human size fox, and though he was intimidating Naruto found that the usual intent to kill feelings that radiated from Kyuubi were gone.

‘How ya doing there kit? Like the real me?’

‘Well, I’m rather surprised that this is the “real” you’

‘Well I guess it’s not the real me, it’s just how I look around my kind…and my family.’

‘Am I a part of your family now then?’

‘Whether you like it or not yes, which is why I brought you here, there are a few things you have to have because you are human. First off you have to sign this.’ Kyuubi said pulling a large scroll out from his back and putting it on the ground unrolling the scroll reveling an empty surface. ‘This is a contract of summoning, as you can see it’s blank but that’s because no human has ever been deemed worthy enough to sign it, we actually did consider the fourth hokage but I *nervous laugh* I kind of went and screwed that up.’

‘No kidding fox.’ Sneered Naruto

‘Anyway, I’m sure your aware of the supreme summoning beast after all you yourself are allied with one of them, the frogs. And there are the Eagles, Insects, and Slugs. Well, we the Foxes are the fifth in the group, though none of the other’s will admit it. You see, unlike them we don’t fight with our neighbors, we’ve never had to. Though our lands have been invaded many times. But Foxes by their nature are cunning and we just trick them and eventually they leave badly beaten. I’m the only fox of my tribe to go out and actually engage in battle with one of the other high summoning clans, someone you’ve summoned yourself Gamabunta. But we know how that turned out, me being sealed and all.’

‘Yeah I know, and you probably would have beaten him had the hokage not interfered.’ Naruto smirked

‘Without a doubt kit.’ Chuckled the fox ‘After all it was only his summoned form, he’s life wasn’t on the line, but even then he probably wouldn’t have won. But what you really need to understand is this kit; I’m not the strongest of my kind. It’s true that I’m one of the great demons but humans only know of nine of these anyway. Most of my kind stays away from humans.’

‘Picky lot aren’t you.’
‘Must you comment on everything?’ responded Kyuubi

‘Only when you’re taking as long as you are fox’

Kyuubi sighed ‘Fine, anyway sign your name here, and no you don’t have a choice after all eventually my family will come looking for me and it’s better if they don’t for your villages sake.’

‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?’ gasped Naruto

‘I told you already I’m not the most powerful of my kind, I like a close 2nd or possibly third I haven’t seen my brother in a while.’ Said Kyuubi

‘Brother?’ asked Naruto

‘Yes, my brother, Gingitsune. He’s a nice enough fellow and he actually likes humans, though he does eat them on occasion, and we got along really well so I doubt if you have anything to fear from him even if you don’t sign this. But as far as my father, Shirogitsune, is concerned he’ll kill you even with me in it because he’ll see you as a prison for his son. Which is the truth but still I’d die too and I don’t want that. That’s why I’m having you sign this.’

‘To save your own skin.’ Replied Naruto

‘Look kit, you have to understand that when I talk about myself now I’m talking about you as well, we’re one and the same got it. Nothing you can say or do to change that now. Once you sign this you and your village will be under the protection of my clan, and as we have never actively engaged in war we are pretty damn good allies, lots of us around and all that.’

‘When you say protection I assume you mean summoning you by sacrificing some of my blood and chakra right?’ asked a bewildered Naruto

‘Well, in general circumstances that would be the case, however, your rather special in that you have me…so my father will have to explain that to you, and your actually going to meet him the moment you sign this so get to signing, I actually want to see my family rather badly.’ Replied Kyuubi

‘Alright fox, I’ll cave, I wouldn’t mind meeting your family either should be educational.’ Said Naruto biting his finger, and began to sign his name ‘UZUMAKI NARUTO!!’

‘Good good, now off we go kit.’

No sooner had Kyuubi said this then the world seemed to twist around Naruto and form again in to a lush green forest, the forest ground covered with leaves and the forest itself teeming with life. Naruto found himself on his back and sat up to get a clear vision of his surroundings. To his right he found Kyuubi who was the same size as before but seemed a little more transparent then usual.

‘Hey Kyuubi are you alright? You’re looking rather glassy.’

‘It’s because I’m not really here kit, I’m in a prison in your head, but I can facilitate you coming here and anything that I could do with my body you can do with yours…consider it a perk. Once you meet my father and we explain it to him he will tell you all you need to know about our powers.’

‘Ok, well as long as you’re alright.’ Naruto said absentmindedly

Kyuubi starred at his young prison in shock, he’d actually shown concern for him. Now this was a first, a human showing something other then disdain. Unfortunately, Naruto caught the star and was agitated because of it.

‘What!?’ shouted Naruto

‘Nothing nothing.’ Responded Kyuubi who had the distinct look of having his hand stuck in the cookie jar.

Suddenly both Naruto and Kyuubi’s ears perked up and their noses twitch, Kyuubi’s image moving in complete unison they turned around to find the intruder they sensed. A young fox, barely up to Naruto’s ankles but about 2 feet long.

‘Kotesu, what is he doing here, he’s still a young fox he shouldn’t be leaving the company of my mother.’
‘He’s one of your brothers?’ asked Naruto

‘Well, technically, no but every fox is related through tradition and we treat each other as such.’ Responded Kyuubi ‘Umm you may want to talk to him, he looks rather frightened and my father favors him.’

‘Hmm, I see your point.’ Said Naruto starring down at the young fox that was leaning back in a defensive position.

“Hello, little one, you are Kotesu correct?” Naruto said trying to put on a friendly face when he was about to smile however Kyuubi jumped in screaming.

‘NO KIT DON’T SMILE, I know you think that it’s a friendly think but to those of us who use our fangs on a regular basis it’s a threat alright, my father or older siblings will understand but this little one will not.’ Yelled Kyuubi

Naruto stopped himself from smiling and only left his face in as happy a manner as he could muster. He watched the young fox whose ears started to remove them selves from their implanted position on the back of his head. Tentatively the fox relax as Naruto did not take any hostile action and decided to press his luck, after all it wasn’t every day you see a human here.

“You, how did you know my name?” asked Kotesu

“A friend of mine told me of you.’ Said Naruto

‘Oh yeah good one way to confuse the kid, at the very least you could use my name.’ said Kyuubi scornfully

‘Oh shut up I’m trying my best. It’s new to me too ya know.’ Retorted Naruto

‘Alright, I get ya, I just like this kid alright he is my favorite little brother, heh, he’s fun to play with.’ Laughed Kyuubi ‘Alright if you really want to get this done move slowly, and I mean slowly onto your knees and hands and stretch your arms out. He’ll sniff you and that should solve this whole thing.’

“Who is this friend Human?” asked Kotesu

“His name is Kyuubi.”Replied Naruto evenly

The fox angered visibly at the mention of Kyuubi though it did not seem to be aimed at the fox himself.

“LIAR, Kyuubi would not befriend a human, ever, they are unworthy of him and his grace.” Snarled the little fox tensing visibly obviously having a surge of emotion

‘Kid likes you a lot.’ said Naruto

‘Yeah.’ Said Kyuubi fondly ‘Like I said he’s my favorite little brother.’

Kotesu continued his rant about the superiority of Kyuubi and so on and so forth with his nose held high and his eyes closed, looking like an intellectual lecturing a peasant, however he was completely unaware of Naruto’s movement until it was to late and already done.

“You are all but food to the mighty Kyuubi no mere human could ever be…worthy…umm” stammered Kotesu finally noticing Naruto on his knees with his arms outstretched looking at him “What exactly are you doing human?”

“Kyuubi, told me to do this, I’m supposed to let you smell me, though I’m not quite sure what that means but he said it would make everything clear my favorite little brother.” Said Naruto

The young fox looked in disbelief as this human in front of him called him his big brother’s nickname for him.

“Little brother…” repeated Kotesu, walking slowly forward “It can’t be…”

The fox dipped its head down and sniffed at Naruto at his hand. His ears and tail both flipped up and his head shot a look at Naruto’s eyes, but only for a second as the fox moved it’s nose down for further investigation.

‘So, I guess he believes us, I’m producing more from your scent glands and he should find traces of me in you. This should be interesting to watch.’ Said Kyuubi
The young fox was now directly in front of Naruto’s face on his stomach, rubbing his nose across the whisker imprints on Naruto’s face. Then with one swift movement the fox jumped away out of Naruto’s arm length.

“Kyuubi…is it really you?” asked the fox, who if Naruto didn’t know better was starting to cry

“In a manner of speaking little brother.” said Naruto following Kyuubi’s recommendations of words as he sat back onto his knees. It was hardly necessary, however, Naruto found himself very fond of the fox and whether he was being influence by Kyuubi or it was just him he didn’t really care, and he would protect his brother and treat him as family…if he would let him.

But that question was soon answer for Naruto as the fox hit a dead sprint and jumped onto Naruto’s chest and proceeded to give licks all over the place, most importantly Naruto’s face. Naruto began to laugh and soon they were rolling around together, Naruto took special care not to hurt the fox but at the same time was being just rough enough with him to consider a little entertaining. This went on for a good thirty minutes until both were rather out of breath and resting.

“We thought you were gone forever, Kyuubi, how did you escape?” asked the fox curled by Naruto’s side being scratched behind the ear by the aforementioned.

“Well the fact of the matter is Little brother is that we haven’t escaped.” Said Naruto

This caught the fox’s attention snapping his head up quickly he looked straight up into Naruto’s eyes and looked for a long time. He saw the reflective lenses beginning to form in the boy and the blue of his eyes were now becoming slightly striped with red. It was a sure sign that Kyuubi had certainly not escaped. However, this human who he had joined with had seemed to take the edge off of him and also seemed to be in Kyuubi’s rage which had caused problems in the past, this could be of great benefit to the clan.

“Hmm, I see, what is your name kid?” asked the fox

“Uzumaki Naruto, though you can call me Kyuubi if you want after all he and I are one.” Responded Naruto “And just where do you get off calling me kid little brother.”

The young fox laughed.

“Well, Naruto of the Uzumaki clan, I called you a kid because to me that’s what you are, I am after all 300 years old. Kyuubi is far older then me and though I am his younger brother to me your are nothing more then a cub.” Responded Kotesu smirking “But don’t worry, I shall never call you that again, since by default you are Kyuubi, I just wanted to brag”

Kyuubi laughed on the inside of Naruto’s head driving the nail deeper into Naruto’s pride.

‘Oh shut up fox.’ Cringed Naruto

‘Come on Kit you have to admit he got you good, I mean you fell into it like you didn’t see the giant canyon he’d set up for you.’ Chuckled Kyuubi

Naruto sighed “Alright, you win little brother.”

Kotesu smiled in triumph and climbed up onto Naruto’s shoulder.

“I’m going to miss Kyuubi’s body but you’re a decent substitute and I like you Naruto, you smell like him.” Said the fox nuzzling into the crook of Naruto’s neck and collar bone as a little brother might. It made Naruto laugh a little as his whiskers tickled his neck and he responded by patting the fox’s head, to which Kotesu responded with a yip.

“Kotesu” said Naruto standing up steadying the lounging fox with his hands so that he wouldn’t fall off.

“Yes, brother” responded Kotesu

“I need to see Shirogitsune-daifu as soon as possible.” Said Naruto seriously

He felt the little fox tense up and became somewhat concerned.

“Are you alright Kotesu?” asked Naruto “Have I asked you that too soon?”

Kyuubi answered for him ‘No it’s not that Naruto, He knows that if he takes you too him that you might die. Though he doesn’t know you’ve signed the scroll…and he can’t until father tells him. Essentially he fears for your life Naruto.’

Naruto smiled and looked over at the face of the fox next to him. He seemed to be trying to show him concern. Naruto picked him up and placed him back on the ground.

“I promise you that I will not die my favorite little brother, Shirogitsune-daifu will not kill me.” Said Naruto with all the confidence he could muster “Now please take me to him, it would be much easier this way then having to explain it to every one of our brethren that I come across.

‘I must say you have grown smarter over these past five years.’ Interrupted Kyuubi

‘Yes and you’ve only grown into more of an old man.’ Chuckled Naruto

Kotesu just looked up at him and nodded, turning sharply his sprinted off in the direction of the head of the clan. Naruto noticed that Kotesu had his tail between his legs.

‘Hey, Kyuubi, what’s Kotesu’s favorite food?’ asked Naruto

‘Well, he’s partial to grub worms but he really like chicken. Why?’ Kyuubi asked

‘He’s doing us a big favor here, and he looks like he’s scared out of his mind for us, I want to treat him after this is all over.’ Responded Naruto

Kyuubi was pleasantly stunned by this “ Naruto, I want you to know before we do this that even if I could get my body back I would never try to escape after everything that’s happened. It would kill you, and I could never see myself killing one of my brothers.”

Naruto just smiled in return and continued after Kotesu knowing the response had been noted.