Chapter 31: The Little Fox Follows

As Naruto stood up and reluctantly began to walk away from the clearing, he turned to give one last glance at the little Nine-Tails cub. It was still bouncing around energetically, chasing its own tail in circles, but something was different this time. The cub stopped, its little ears flicking as it turned its gaze toward Naruto.

Without a second thought, the little cub dashed after him, its tiny paws stirring up the grass beneath it. Naruto paused and looked over his shoulder in surprise.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Naruto asked, raising an eyebrow, his grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. The little cub, now determined, trotted right up to him and nudged his foot with its head, its tiny tail wagging furiously.

"I guess you're not done with me yet, huh?" Naruto chuckled, kneeling down to meet the cub's eager eyes. "You sure are persistent, little guy."

The cub yipped happily and sat on its haunches, eyes bright and filled with curiosity, as if trying to say, I want to go with you!

Naruto couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. I get it. You wanna come with me, huh?"

Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind with a hint of amusement. It seems you've made a new friend, Naruto. It's just like how you were when you were younger. Always seeking something... or someone.

Naruto smiled at the thought. "Yeah, I guess I was a little like that too, wasn't I?"

The little fox, undeterred by Naruto's initial hesitation, started following him more eagerly, darting between his legs and hopping up to nudge his hand again. It wasn't long before it was trotting beside him, a tiny, determined figure by Naruto's side.

"Well, looks like you're coming with me, huh?" Naruto said, reaching down to give the cub a gentle pat on the head. It didn't seem to mind, its eyes shining with joy.

The little cub followed at a quick pace, looking up at Naruto every now and then, as though waiting for some sort of direction. It was so small and light that it almost seemed like it was skipping beside him. Every few moments, it would leap ahead of Naruto, then stop and look back, ensuring he was still there. When Naruto didn't immediately follow, the little cub would trot back, nudge his foot, and resume its quest to stay by his side.

Naruto couldn't stop himself from laughing as the cub repeatedly circled him. "You're a determined one, aren't you? Guess I've got a little shadow now."

Sasuke, walking a few paces ahead, glanced back at Naruto and the little fox. He raised an eyebrow, not completely surprised but still a bit amused. "You're really letting it follow you?"

"It's not like I have a choice," Naruto grinned, scratching the cub behind its ears. "It won't leave me alone, anyway!"

Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind again. It's like you, isn't it? Always chasing after things, even when you're not sure why.

Naruto chuckled, his eyes softening. "Yeah, maybe I'm not so different from this little guy after all."

The cub let out a little yip as if agreeing, and Naruto found himself getting attached to the tiny creature. It had that same innocent curiosity that Naruto once had when he was younger. It made him think back to his own childhood, when he first met Kurama, and how he'd sought companionship, just like the little cub was doing now.

As they made their way back toward the rest of the group, the little fox continued to follow, now trotting alongside Naruto as if it were already part of his family. It wasn't just following him; it was choosing to stay close to him, trusting him without hesitation. The bond between them, though silent, was already taking root.

Naruto gave a soft laugh as the cub attempted to climb his leg, trying to reach his shoulder. "Alright, alright. If you're this persistent, I guess you can stay with me for now. You remind me of a younger me. A little more... fox-like, though."

The cub yipped happily, jumping up and down in circles. Its tiny form was filled with joy as it gazed up at Naruto, who smiled down at it with a sense of warmth, almost like a protective big brother to the little fox.

"Guess I'm not the only one who's been running around, huh?" Naruto mused to himself, chuckling as he ruffled the cub's fur.

Kurama's voice was softer this time, a gentle fondness behind his words. Maybe this cub is a reminder for you, Naruto. A reminder that you're never alone, and that even when the journey gets tough, there's always someone—or something—following you, supporting you in ways you might not even realize.

Naruto smiled, feeling that familiar warmth in his heart that he knew so well. As they continued their walk, the cub beside him, Naruto knew that this strange little creature, like Kurama before it, would be part of his journey. Not just a companion, but a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, bonds were formed.

And this little fox? It was already making its mark on his life.