Chapter 32: The Fox

A warm, sandy wind swept through the desert in The Land of Wind. The sun was sitting high in the sky and baking down on the golden dunes. It was, like any other day, very hot at the Temple of Wind. While the monks were used to the climate, they still felt uncomfortable in the dry heat.

Seiji, a recent recruit was currently undergoing vigorous training, despite the heat. He had begged his teacher to go easy on him, but as usual the senior monk had brushed him off and reminded him that a ninja, especially a ninja monk, never whined or did 'easy' training.

Charging head-on, Seiji lifted his arm to punch his teacher, but his move was easily dodged. He gasped when he lost his footing and collapsed on the ground.

"Get up," his teacher ordered.

With a heavy sigh, Seiji forced his aching legs to stand. He turned around, ready to charge again, but he stopped when he realised his teacher was no longer paying attention. Instead, it seemed like the older man was staring off into the distance, his brows furrowed in concentration. Seiji blinked, surprised. He had never seen his teacher off-guard or dazed. It just didn't happen!

"Master Shukaku?" Seiji called out to him, but his teacher did not respond. The man was standing still, far too still for his liking. Was something wrong? Seiji debated calling for help, but just before he decided to do so, Shukaku snapped out of his daze and his facial expression turned sour. Seiji sighed in relief. Angry Shukaku he was used to and could handle.

"What is the matter?" Seiji asked.

"Nothing," Shukaku barked. "Training is done for the day. Go shower."

And just like that the senior monk stormed off. Seiji felt relief for having been dismissed, but now he was worried. Something was wrong and Shukaku was obviously not in the mood to share.

"Are you stalking me?" Yoko asked as she set down a small bottle of warm sake and a cup on the table before the red-head that seemed to have grown attached to her.

Kurama looked up, his vermilion eyes twinkling with amusement. "No."

"Really?" Yoko asked as she placed her hands on her hips. It was just past twilight and the bar was slowly beginning to fill up with customers. It was going to be another long night of endless running around.

"Yes, really," Kurama hummed as he poured himself a drink. "I just like the sake here, honest."

Yoko gave him a sceptical look, because honestly she did not think it was the sake that kept him coming back. It wasn't the food either, because not once in the three weeks that have passed since her attack had he ordered even a morsel.

"Would you like something to eat?" Yoko asked.

"Not today," was his reply. Yoko rolled her eyes. It was the same answer he had given her the day before, and the day before that...

"Do you even eat?" Yoko asked, her gaze shifting to his pointed ears. She had her theories behind his strange appearance, but none were concrete. She highly doubted elves actually existed.

Kurama grinned widely as he took a sip of the sake. "Delicious. And no, I don't actually eat."

"You're not human, are you?" Yoko asked. Kurama glanced at her, the grin on his face widening. A shiver ran down Yoko's spine at the intensity of the gaze he gave her. That obviously proved it – he wasn't human.

"Scared?" he questioned just before taking another sip of his drink.

"No," Yoko said defiantly. "If you were going to eat me, you would have done so already."

Kurama threw his head back in laughter. Yoko chuckled. Talking to him was easy, even now that he had proved her theory of his 'humanity'. She knew she was supposed to be frightened, but she couldn't bring herself to see him as a bad person. Dangerous? Yes. Evil and potentially planning to murder her? No.

"Yoko, order for table seven!" Toshi's voice boomed from the kitchen. Yoko sighed.

"I better get back to work," Yoko muttered. "Enjoy your sake."

Kurama's gaze followed Yoko as she walked to the kitchen. At first he had not understood his fascination with her, but the more he got to know her, the more he realised just why exactly he felt comfortable with a human for the first time in a very long time. When he had saved her three weeks prior he had merely sensed her negative emotions and followed it. The scene he found disgusted him, but after he chased the silly drunk men away he had not planned to see her again. Humans were fragile and he did not wish to grow attached.

And then he discovered she was an Uzumaki. He had berated himself for not noticing earlier. Her chakra should have made her identity obvious, but he had looked past it. But the more he spent time around her, the more he realised how much her chakra resembled the warm chakra that Naruto also had. And then there's the fact that his inhuman appearance did not scare her off. Everyone in the bar was glaring at him, or cowering away in fear. Yoko, on the other hand, talked to him often and showed no sign of fear or disgust.

And she was kind of cute too. Not that he would ever admit that out loud.

From the corner of his eye, Kurama noticed someone sit down opposite him. He frowned, wondering who would dare approach him, but when he turned to greet the newcomer he froze. A pair of cold yellow eyes stared at him.

"Well," Kurama snorted as he lifted his cup to his lips. "This is new. The monk actually came to visit me."

"Shut up," the newcomer hissed, his voice low. "I'm not here by choice. And truthfully, I'd rather die choking on my own vomit than talk to you, you stinking fox."

Kurama rolled his eyes. "What are you doing in my territory?"

"Delivering a message, because your stupid Jinchuuriki can't do it himself."

"Watch your tongue, Shukaku. If I recall, you're quite attached to your former Jinchuuriki as well."

"Because it's convenient," Shukaku retorted. "That is all. I have no sentimental attachment to the boy."

"Uh huh," Kurama hummed. He lifted his sake bottle. "Drink?"

"Fuck yes."

Kurama just rolled his eyes again and motioned for Yoko to bring him another cup. She seemed surprised by the newcomer, but one look at his black sclera, black tattoos and pointy ears gave her all the answers she needed. He was like Kurama – not human, and clearly not as friendly either, judging by the permanent scowl on his face.

She knew from the tension between the two that she shouldn't bother them, at least not for awhile. So she refilled their sake bottle as well, then disappeared into the kitchen to deliver another table's order.

"So," Kurama restarted the conversation, "a message, eh? Since when are you a messenger?"

"I'm not," Shukaku huffed. "But your little blonde is looking for you. And you have your mental walls up again, which means Gaara couldn't contact you. Nor could I for that matter."

"Why didn't you send a messenger bird?"

"You would have given the thing one look, notice it is from me and eat it to piss me off."

Kurama laughed. "True, I probably would have. Why didn't you send your usual errand girl, then?"

"Matatabi refuses to do me any more 'favours' as she put it," Shukaku explained. "Cats. They never do what you want them to."

"I could have told you that. I'm surprised she allowed you to toss her around for so long. How is she, by the way?"

"Still working for Kumogakure."

"I'll never understand why she chose to pledge her loyalty to the very people that imprisoned her. Her Jinchuuriki is dead. She has no ties to that place."

The two bijuu sat in silence, sipping their drinks, thinking about their comrade who had integrated herself among human society so differently compared to them. They served no one, nor did they allow anyone to 'control' them. Matatabi, however, had pledged her loyalty to the Raikage and had received a forehead protector...as if she was a ninja from their village.

It was ridiculous.

"Can I leave and safely say the message has been delivered?" Shukaku broke the silence. "Because I am tired of looking at your ugly face."

"I didn't want to see your ugly mug either, raccoon. But yes, message delivered. I'm assuming Naruto wants me in Konoha?"

"Yes. Something about an invasion or something. I don't know, Gaara was being cryptic."

"You know," Kurama began, "I've always thought it was weird how our former Jinchuuriki are best friends, but we hate each others' guts."

Shukaku drained his drink and slammed the cup on the table, causing it to crack. Several humans turned to look at them, disapproval clear on their faces.

"I don't think it's weird, at all," Shukaku muttered. He stood up and tossed some coins on the table to pay for his drink. "Later, fox. Have fun with your human pet." Shukaku nodded in the direction of the bar, where Yoko was filling sake bottles.

Kurama's eyes narrowed. "She's not my pet. Don't ever call her that again, Shukaku. Or I'll rip that silly little tail of yours right off."

Shukaku smirked. "Aw, did the big bad fox fall in love with a human?"

It came out of nowhere. A whip of red chakra grabbed Shukaku's ankle and threw him against a wall, causing everyone in the bar to halt. Several people screamed and scurried away from the fight, while Toshi stomped over to the two bijuu to stop them from destroying his property. Yoko, however, stopped him, knowing he would only get hurt if he got closer.

"Don't," she warned, "they are not normal."

"I've had to kick out ninja before," Toshi hissed.

"I don't think they are normal ninja, Toshi," Yoko whispered, her gaze shifting to the red chakra that still clutched onto Shukaku's ankle. The raccoon had already recovered from the attack and a feral grin was plastered on his face.

"Kurama, Kurama, Kurama," Shukaku tutted. His eyes landed on Yoko, who was still standing with Toshi. "It's faint, but I can sense a strong life force flowing through that girl's system. Another Uzumaki? I'd say you've developed a fetish."

Yoko felt a shiver run down her spine at Shukaku's words. She glanced at Kurama. He was still sitting, sake cup in hand, but his glare was menacing and the red chakra was definitely coming from him. She had known he might have been a ninja, or something along those lines because he knew about the Uzumaki clan. But...just how well did he know her clan?

"What I do with my life is none of your business, you fat dog," Kurama hissed. "Get out. Before I really do rip that pathetic tail of yours off."

Shukaku just cackled wildly, but did as Kurama ordered. With a bow and a dirty look shot towards Yoko, he exited the bar. Kurama drowned his last drink, stood and handed several notes to Toshi. It was far more than what he was supposed to pay, but Shukaku's impact with the wall had left a nasty crack and broken two tables. The extra money was to pay for repairs. Kurama might not care much about humans, but he was a decent being and knew when to show respect.

"I won't come here again," Kurama stated as Toshi shakily took the money. Kurama glanced at Yoko and smiled sadly. "Sorry."

In a flash of red, he was gone. Yoko stared at the spot where he stood, flabbergasted. She was very confused...because the fight had obviously been about her. And she wasn't sure what to think of it. Why did Kurama defend her? They barely knew each other and he wasn't even human! Was it because she was an Uzumaki? And if it was, why would her heritage matter?

Three weeks ago she had told herself not to get involved with him. And then he wandered back into the bar and straight into her life. They had shared several stories, none of significance, but personal nonetheless. He had made her laugh, made her feel safe. And she wanted to get to know him better. Especially since he seemed to know so much about her clan.

With new found determination, Yoko pulled off her apron and tossed it over a chair. She quickly grabbed her things from the store room and made a dash for the door, only to be intercepted by Toshi and Risa.

"Where are you going?" they asked in unison.

"After him," Yoko stated.

"Uh, no you're not," Risa said. "Yoko, he's dangerous. Did you see what he did?"

Yoko sighed. She really did not have time for this. "Look, he and his friend knows about me. They know about my clan. They were fighting about me! I want to know what is going on!"

"Your clan?" Toshi asked, confused. Yoko shook her head. She had not told them her true name or of her past and she didn't have time to do so now.

"How do you know they were fighting about you?" Risa asked.

"Because they were talking about the Uzumaki clan! And I'm the only Uzumaki in this bar!" Yoko exclaimed, annoyed. Toshi and Risa blinked, surprised by her sudden outburst. Yoko took this opportunity to push past them. They called out to her, but she ignored them and kept running. She was going to get to the bottom of this!

She could see him walking in the distance and she urged her legs to run faster to catch up. He was heading in the direction of the gate, which meant he was leaving. But why? Would he seriously leave Mabashi to stay away from her?

Determined, Yoko inhaled deeply in preparation to yell. "Wait!"

He did not stop, but she did notice she was catching up with him, which meant he had slowed down. She smiled gratefully. He had heard her and he was not going to run away and leave her without answers. When she was finally next to him, she could walk, but she was out of breath from the running.

"Humans, you always breathe funny after doing rigorous activities," Kurama muttered.

"Sorry for being human," Yoko retorted, but she was smiling. She knew he did not mean it in an offensive manner. He often spoke of a blonde, obviously human and from the tone of his voice, he seemed fond of the person. She wondered who exactly the person was...

"Are you leaving?" Yoko asked.

"Yes."

"I'm coming with you."

Kurama chuckled. "Are you now? I'm going to Konoha...are you sure you want to go there?"

Yoko understood his question. She had never told him why she changed her name, why she ran from her own village and clan, but she knew he had some theories. And she knew he understood her reluctance to return to her old life. Konoha was home to several Uzumaki clan members, always had been because of the relation to the Senju clan. If she were to go to Konoha with him, she would be exposed to her old life.

Yet, she didn't seem to care. She just wanted to the truth about why the man next to her knew so much and a part of her wanted to stay with him. He was different from other men she knew and that excited her. The fact that he wasn't human did not bother her at all.

Kurama chuckled again. "Looks like you've made up your mind."

"How do you know that?" Yoko asked, genuinely curious.

"I can sense your emotions, Yoko."

A blush formed on her cheeks at that revelation. Did that mean he could also sense when she felt surges of affection towards him? Did he know she found him attractive?

She got her answer when he smirked. And it just made her blush worse.

With thirty-seven-year-old Ino...

Ino stepped into the darkness, the water surrounding her feet splashing as she moved. A menacing aura surrounded her, followed by a loud growl that did sound welcoming at all. Ino ignored it and refused to show any fear or discomfort. This was not her first time using Mind Transfer on Naruto (albeit the first time on this version of him), but the inner chamber where the fox was sealed always send shivers down her spine. It wasn't a nice place to be, not for anyone, the Kyuubi included.

"You know," she said, "if you cooperated and just did as Naruto asked, this could have been avoided."

A pair of vermilion eyes narrowed dangerously. "Silence, woman. I don't take orders or requests from humans."

Ino cocked her head to the side. "Really, Kurama?"

The kyuubi roared as he jumped up and pressed his large head against the railing that sealed him and kept him separate from the woman before him.

"How do you know my name?" he hissed.

Ino smiled. "I thought you could hear and see everything that Naruto experiences?"

The beast stared at her coldly, then started laughing uncontrollably.

"You might have convinced the humans that you come from another dimension, but I'm not that stupid," Kurama snorted.

"On the contrary, it would appear you are even more stupid than the humans," Ino concluded. Kurama continued to glare at her. She sighed and stepped closer, pressing herself against the railings, surprising the beast and making him back away. Why had she come closer? Did she not fear him? Did she not see him and want to run away with disgust? He stared wide-eyed as she reached out to him, as if she wanted to touch him.

"What are your intentions?" Kurama asked.

"It has been a long time, old friend," Ino whispered. "Far too long. And seeing you like this...it pains me."

"What do you mean 'old friend'?" Kurama roared. Ino did not answer him, instead she looked him in the eyes and smiled. Genuinely smiled. No fear, no disgust, no disrespect. Just happiness, fondness...unconditional love. And it baffled him. Frightened him even. Only one person had ever looked at him like that...and he was dead.

"I am from a different dimension, Kurama," Ino replied. "Where I come from, the bijuu have been freed on the condition that they harm no humans or the alliance."

"Impossible," was the curt snort.

Ino rolled her eyes. "Right now, perhaps, yes. But things are different in my dimension. It's the future and Naruto proposed your release. He fought for all nine of you...and won. I can still remember the day you were extracted from him."

"He survived?" Kurama asked, his curiosity now peaked. It made sense, Kushina had survived his extraction, so in theory, Naruto should be able to as well.

"Yes. He was hospitalised for awhile, but he recovered quickly," Ino replied. "But you stayed. You did not leave the village immediately. You became part of the family, the brother Naruto never had. And strangely, we became friends too."

"You're insane."

Ino chuckled. "Perhaps, but I am speaking the truth. You know why I am here, please Kurama. Help me. I must go back...I do not belong here. My child doesn't belong here. And I fear the longer I delay...my unborn child could die."

"And why should I care?" Kurama asked. He moved closer again, lowering his body so he could be on the same level as the woman. "I won't gain anything from it. Besides, whoever said I believe you?"

"Minato," Ino whispered, shocking the bijuu. He jumped back again, his teeth bared.

"How dare you mention that name in front of me!" he roared, his chakra spiking. This woman was treading dangerous waters and he was starting to get annoyed.

"Not the Fourth, idiot," Ino muttered as she stepped back, releasing herself from the tight grip she had on the railings. "Your godson."

Kurama did not say a word in return, the shock obviously rendering him speechless. Ino smiled.

"Yes, I named you my second child's godfather. And no, it wasn't Naruto's idea, it was mine," Ino explained. "If you won't do this for Naruto...or me, do it for the boy who loves you unconditionally. You may have never met him, but he knows you. He adores you He accepts you. And that's what you yearn for deep down, isn't it? Acceptance?"

Silence. Ino knew she had struck a nerve. All the bijuu felt the same; betrayed, abused and used. They were all manipulated and thrown about like weapons by humans. Nobody ever bothered to get to know them, to talk to them, to learn about them and come to understand that they were more than 'chakra monsters'. They were living beings too, they also had feelings and dreams. They also had rights to freedom, but humans took that away from them; controlled them, threw them into prisons.

"...why should I do it for a boy I will never meet?" Kurama finally broke the silence.

"Who ever said you'll never meet? Perhaps, one day, there will be a Minato in this dimension too. But only if you help me set things right."

Kurama stared at Ino for several minutes, his vermilion eyes cutting right through her. She stared back, completely unfazed by his intense gaze.

Finally he sighed. "You want me to contact the raccoon's former Jinchuuriki, right?"

"Yes."

"What exactly do I say?"

Ino smirked. "Just one word will do, I just need his attention. I'll take it from there."

Kurama looked bewildered, but he did not argue. Ino stepped closer again and motioned for him to lean closer. He wasn't sure why she was going to whisper the word to him, it wasn't like anyone could hear them, but he decided to amuse her anyway. Humans were so silly sometimes. He leaned closer, expecting her to say some large, intricate word that was meant to be a code or something.

"Psychic."

It wasn't what he expected.

The large gates of Konoha creaked open, a small group of people, including the Hokage, standing behind it. Naruto and two toads, one sitting on the other moved forward and turned to face the people who had come to see them off.

Sakura glanced at Ino, surprised that the blonde had decided to come and see Naruto off. In fact, she was really starting to wonder what the blonde was up to, she was always with Naruto and she carried herself differently, she was much more confident and exuded this aura of control. It was bizarre. But what confused Sakura the most was the longing smile she had on her face. She was staring at Naruto, her gaze shifting to Lord Fukasaku every now and then. It didn't make sense, she looked at them like she's known them all her life. Naruto, of course, she had known all her life, but Lord Fukasaku? They had only just met.

"Then, let us go," Lord Fukasaku said from where he was perched on another toad. He turned to Naruto. "Naruto-boy, say your goodbyes."

"I'm off!" Naruto said excitedly, his blue eyes sparkling. He was looking forward to becoming stronger. "Shikamaru, I'm counting on you with the code."

"Don't worry about us," Shikamaru replied.

Tsunade nodded. "I will contact you the moment the results of the autopsy and interrogations are in."

"I will leave the messenger toad behind," Lord Fukasaku stated. "If there's anything, give it to him."

"Yes sir," was Tsunade's professional response.

Sakura stepped in. "Naruto, good luck."

Naruto nodded, a grin forming on his face. His gaze shifted to Ino, and frowned when he realised she was staring at him. He waved his hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her stupor. She laughed and threw her arms around him, shocking everyone present. Of course, Tsunade and Shikamaru knew about their 'relationship', but neither of them had been aware they were intimate...in any way. Sakura stared, flabbergasted, her shock increasing when Naruto returned Ino's embrace.

"You got what you need?" Naruto asked when he pulled away, however his hands remained on her waist.

"Don't worry," Ino grinned, "Ku-the kyuubi told me I have Gaara's attention."

"Awesome," Naruto grinned. "Why were you staring at me and the old toad?"

Ino smiled. "It's a nostalgic sight, that is all. We used to fight side by side, you and me...and Lord Fukasaku on your shoulder."

Naruto frowned, obviously not understanding why the old toad would be on his shoulder. He opened his mouth to ask, but Ino shook her head and placed her finger on his lips.

"Don't ask. You'll learn why while training," Ino stated. Naruto's eyes lit up.

"So the other me did this training too?" Naruto asked.

Ino nodded.

"Do I master it?" Naruto asked in a whisper. Ino rolled her eyes.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Okay, that was a stupid question," Naruto laughed. "What will you be doing while I'm away?"

"As soon as I have convinced Tsunade to allow me to leave, I'm off to Suna," Ino replied. "It's time Gaara and I put our plan into action."

Naruto nodded. "Alright, good luck." He turned to Lord Fukasaku. "Let's go!"

The blonde turned and walked out the gate, only to stop several steps ahead. He turned around, cheeky smile on his face. "By the way, where's Mount Myoboku?"

Sakura, despite still being distracted by watching Naruto and Ino whispering to each other, slapped her forehead. "Can we really trust this guy?"

"It takes a month to get there on foot," Lord Fukasaku explained, "it's also called the Maze Mountain. If you don't know the secret route you won't be able to get there."

Naruto's shoulders sagged. "It's hard just to get there?"

Lord Fukasaku pulled out a scroll. "Naruto-boy, you already have a contract with us toads. There's no need to worry."

Lord Fukasaku unrolled the scroll, it suddenly popping into a much bigger one with familiar names written on it in blood. Naruto immediately recognised it and gaped as he pointed at it.

Lord Fukasaku smirked and turned his head to face Tsunade. "Well then, I'll be borrowing this boy." With that he tapped the scroll, causing smoke to rise rise from it.

Tsunade bowed her head. "Please take care of him."

Naruto stared, not quite sure what was going on. Just as he was about to ask, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Eh?" Sakura did a double take. "He disappeared?"

Tsunade crossed her arms and nodded. "It's a reverse summoning."

"Good luck on your side too," Lord Fukasaku bid his farewell, did the hand seals for a reverse summoning and vanished the same way Naruto did.

Tsunade immediately turned to return to her office. "Alright, let's work hard to find all the information Jiraiya left for us."

"Roger," was Shikamaru's response as he too left, hands in pockets. Only Sakura and Ino remained. Sakura immediately turned to Ino, her gaze determined. The two of them had pushed aside their differences in the past, having realised their childhood feud was silly, so Sakura easily considered Ino to be a friend. But Ino was acting strange, had been for awhile and Sakura wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"Ino, can we talk?" Sakura asked. Ino's blue eyes shifted to her friend, surprised at the request. She hadn't spoken much with Sakura in this dimension - it felt odd. Haruno Sakura in her dimension was dead, had been for nearly two decades. Ino knew it wasn't an excuse, she spoke easily with Chouji, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to face Sakura. She had tried at the beginning, but it didn't feel right.

Ino could sense Sakura was tense, so she decided to break the ice a bit. With a devious smile she draped her arm on Sakura's shoulders.

"Need some love advice?" Ino asked with a laugh.

Sakura blushed. "What? Don't be ridiculous!"

Ino chuckled. At least Sakura wasn't so stiff any more. "Relax, Sakura. Nothing wrong with admiring the hot guys."

"What hot guys?" Sakura immediately retorted, no longer allowing her friend to taunt her.

"Hmm," Ino pretended to ponder, "I don't know. Kakashi?"

Sakura became flustered again. "That's disgusting Ino, he's my teacher."

"He was," Ino corrected, "you are his equal in those regards now. Besides, don't deny checking him out. I know all about your crush."

"You're playing with fire, Pig," Sakura hissed. "Besides, that was a silly childish crush that ended years ago."

"Yeah, yeah," Ino brushed her off. The two girls stared at each other, then burst out laughing.

"Tea?" Sakura suggested.

"Tea," Ino agreed.