XXXX
"What do you mean that perv is alive?!" Kurama stood up on all fours and hissed at Naruto. Watching as she fell backwards and quickly moved to help her sit back up. "Sorry, kit. Is it true? Is that perv still alive?"
Naruto plucked the grass from her hair as she looked to Kurama with seriousness in her sapphire orbs. Biting her thumb and went through the summoning seals and summoned the summoning contract. Unrolling the scroll before them and pointed to her name. "Each summoner's name is written with their blood and while in sage-mode my name glows as my life-force is running through my name." she dragged finger over to her father's name. "When I went into sage-mode, Tou-chan's name wasn't glowing." Pointing to Jiraiya's name. "Ero-Sennin's name is glowing just a brightly as mine. Meaning that he is alive and healthy somewhere in our timeline. Also meaning that he is frozen in our time till we return. As for where he is, I don't know, but the Oji-san told me that as Ero-Sennin was on the verge of death while drowning, Ma & Pa used the rest of their chakra to reverse summon Ero-Sennin. All three were heavily damaged and Pa couldn't tell anybody about it unless they were to make an attack on Mt Myōboku just to kill Ero-Sennin. Only the three elder toads know that he is still alive really."
Kurama looked to the hardness in Naruto's eyes and touched her shoulder with his tail as he said. "What do you plan on doing with him, kit?"
Naruto's frowned deepened. "Well I can't kill him considering the war going on, but I will bring him a world of pain for doing something so stupid."
Kurama sighed. Wrapping Naruto up in his fur and muttered. "Stop being so stubborn and be the kid you are. Let it out, kit. Let me spoil you." Smiling when she turned into his fur and cried loudly. It at times like this that his Jinchuriki forgot that she was still a kid forced to grow up in an adult world. "It won't work out now, but everything will be fine one day. I promise you this, Kit. Everything will be fine as long as we keep striving forward."
Naruto clung tighter onto Kurama and whispered. "Thank you..."
October 7th
Naruto woke up the next morning with a groan as her head was splitting from all the crying she had previously done. Yet she felt something hard and warm cuddling next to her and opened her eyes to see a head of red hair and realised it was Kurama in his human form. She couldn't help but smile softly as the snoozing Bijū that was cuddling close to her middle. Running a finger over his fox ears and giggled when it twitched before leaning down and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek before sneaking out of the bed and headed for the bathroom to clean up.
Rinsing her-self quickly before she relaxed in the bath. Not surprised when Kurama walked on in and didn't both hiding her nakedness from the age old beast. He had seen millions of naked mortals and she had seen him naked one too many to count.
Kurama walked over to the bath and knelt before Naruto. Holding a hand out to her and smiled when she took his hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. "What do you want to do today, kit? Train, see baby-Ero, tease the old-monkey, wonder around the village or train."
Naruto raised a slender eye brow. "I have a feeling you want to train for some reason." Earning a chuckle out of her Bijū and nodded. "Why don't we exercise while playing with baby-Jiraiya? It will do you good to get along with him now and then later on when we beat him to the grave where he belongs."
Kurama snorted and pecked her forehead. "Sounds like a plan. Get ready while I attempt to make breakfast." Leaving the bathroom when Naruto halted him with one of her chakra chains. Looking over his shoulder and arched a brow. "Yes?"
Naruto played with the bubbles as she said. "If I see that you went out hunting and brought back game, I will tell the Nibi all about the dirty thoughts about her running through your mind."
Kurama growled at her. "Please. Like I haven't seen those dreams about a certain white-haired Hokage..." he smirked when Naruto squawked and threw a rubber duck at him. He caught the toy and tossed it back. "Don't worry, brat. I'm sure I know how to use a kitchen...I think." He muttered quietly as he left the bathroom.
Naruto sighed as she heard that and slid further into the bath with a small smile. Kurama would always be there for her and she knew that. She wouldn't tell him that she was thankful that he saw sealed within her. He was a big softie under that attitude of his. Climbing out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her frame as she entered the bedroom to grab the clothes that Mito had supplied her with. She was thankful to her Aunt. It was a nice feeling having a blood relative looking out for her and only hoped that Mito, Tsunade and her mother all looked out for the orphans once she left back to her timeline. That's right. Naruto would have to talk to Tsunade about being family once she returned. It had been a while since she last saw her Baa-chan. Since she left for Turtle Island.
Naruto left the room wearing a deep orange blouse with a flowing white skirt that just touched her knees. It was odd for Naruto to wear a skirt, but for some reason she felt comfortable in this type of skirt. Unlike those short ones that barely covered some people's butts like Ino and Sakura. Naruto didn't like those skirts. Heading towards the dining room and was greeted with smell of eggs, bacon, toast and fresh orange juice. "Looks like you do know how to use a kitchen." Naruto smirked as she took a sip of the juice and found the pleasant and fresh taste refreshing.
Kurama scoffed as he placed their plates down. "Don't underestimate me, brat. I've been watching through your eyes for years and picked up a thing or two. Just be glad I know how to use a toilet."
"That's...gross..." Naruto deadpanned and both ate their meal in a content smile before heading out towards the orphanage. Though not before Naruto grabbed her camera and linked her arm with Kurama. Mostly to keep him from running off and killing an Uchiha or something similar. "Be nice...no, not nice. Be tolerable and don't scare Jiraiya. No matter how tempting it is." Naruto warned her partner.
Kurama scowled. "Tch. Whatever. That's stinkin' old toad ain't worth my time. He should be thankful that I, the great Kyūbi, am spending time in his presence."
Naruto snorted. "Don't bullshit me. You like this Jiraiya and my Jiraiya. You like perverts because you guys and connect on an annoying and gross level." Laughing when he glared at her. Reaching the orphanage and were both surprised when they found the young one year old Jiraiya climbing over the fence with Naruto rushing over to him and held her hand out when he tumbled and fell into her arms. She sighed in relief as she held the toddler out at arm's length and scolded the baby. "Jiraiya, that is dangerous. Don't ever do that again unless you want me to keep you away from all the pretty girls." The baby whimpered at the threat and cooed his apology to Naruto. Naruto sighed as she couldn't be mad at the baby Jiraiya for long and cuddled him closely.
Kurama snickered and took a photo of the two. "How cute. You make my old heart skip a beat." He voiced dryly and got punched on the shoulder by Naruto as Jiraiya glared at him and cuddled closer to Naruto. Kurama glared right on back and growled at the child. "You listen here, runt. Naruto ain't yours, got that? She's my Kit and my Jinchuriki."
Jiraiya held onto Naruto tightly as he gurgled back at Kurama with a heated glare. "Mama!" nuzzling his head in her neck and shouted. "Mama!"
Naruto froze before Naruto bursted out laughing and ruffled Jiraiya's hair. "This is so ironic. My godfather calling me, Mama." There was a warm and soft look on her face and she rubbed noses with Jiraiya. "But it's cute and I like it."
Kurama was jealous that this brat was stealing his kit's attention away from him. Though the smug look he got from the one year old made him mouth bitterly. "It. Is. On." Jiraiya only snubbed him.
Naruto sensed Kurama's annoyance and ruffled his hair too with a smile. "Don't be a baby, Kurama. You will always be my Bijū." Handing over Jiraiya as she took the camera and snapped a few pics of them together. Naruto found it hilarious how competitive they were for her attention and led the two towards the local park.
Kurama took the camera from her as she placed Jiraiya in the swing and pushed him. Kurama couldn't help but smile as he watched his kit having so much fun with the one year old and took photos of the two playing. Sometimes Naruto would drag him into the photos with the three of them or had a passer-by do it for them. Naruto even managed to snag a few of Kurama and Jiraiya together when they actually looked happy together while checking out the girls. Naruto whacked them both over the head for that.
Kurama was playing in the sandbox with Jiraiya when his nose picked up a familiar scent and looked over to a tree where the Shodai and the Nidaime were hiding in. He smirked and winked in their direction as he held a finger to his lip that he'd keep silent with Naruto walking over to them from having brought some ice-cream for them.
Naruto handed Kurama a mint ice-cream cone as she snapped her and Jiraiya's double popsicles in two and shared it like old times. Smiling when Jiraiya got excited and sat in her lap as he sucked on his cold treat. Naruto ruffled his hair and leaned over to whisper in Kurama's ear. "Oi. Mind telling me why the Hokage brothers are spying on us."
Kurama wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she replied back into her ear. "Well the water-boy did confess to you yesterday and I'm sure they are just curious as to what your answer is." Pulling back with a smirk and saw Naruto's cheeks dust a lovely shade of pink. "You should give him an answer, kit. Never lead a man on too long and if you plan on dropping him, does it firmly...though I doubt he'd just let you go. I did accept him as your partner after all."
Naruto rolled her eyes and whacked Kurama's chest. "Stop being a nag. I already know what I'm going to do." Grabbing a napkin and cleaned Jiraiya's mouth and let him go and play some more. "Watch over him. I'll be right back." Closing her eyes and searched out the Senju brother's signature in the tree and flashed over to them within a blink of an eye. Landing behind them and placed her hands on their shoulders and startled them as they looked slowly over their shoulder to them. "So...mind explaining to me why you have been watching us ever since we left the cottage."
Hashirama sprung up suddenly and almost fell out of the tree if Naruto hadn't grabbed hold on him and steadied him before her. Tobirama stood up slowly as he exchanged looks with his older brother. He didn't know what to do right now. His mind was a blank.
Naruto sighed. Rubbing her throbbing temples. "Forget I asked." Grabbing them by the hands and reappeared before Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was startled till he saw the familiar blonde and clapped his hands happily. "Mama!" running over to her and giggled when she scooped him up into her arms and kissed his chubby cheeks. "Mama! Look!" pointing over to the sandpit where Kurama was being decorated by flowers by the little girls.
Naruto choked on air before she started laughing. Handing Jiraiya over to Tobirama and grabbed the camera to take photos. Ignoring the deadly glare from her partner as she skipped back over to Jiraiya. She found him and Tobirama giving each other the death stare and look at Hashirama as she pointed at them.
"Tobi-kun is just jealous that you're paying attention to this white-haired male than to him who also has white hair." Hashirama teased his brother and made Naruto giggle.
Naruto opened her arms for Jiraiya to come on over and said. "I don't see why you would be jealous." Looking up at Tobirama and stood on her tiptoes to place a sweet kiss on his cheek and looked away with a flushed face as Jiraiya saw giving suspicious looks between the two.
Tobirama froze before he looked down at Naruto and saw her cute reaction. Letting his mind wonder as he let instincts take over and wrapped a strong arm around her waist and placed a kiss on her forehead. Making her turn a deeper shade of red and whispered into her ear. "Thank you, Naruto."
-Snap-
Tobirama and Naruto looked over to the sound and found Mito holding Naruto's camera. "You three look perfect together." Mito smiled deviously as she gestured to Naruto, Jiraiya and Tobirama. "Like a real family."
Naruto turned bright red and as she squawked as Jiraiya glared at Tobirama while the Nidaime froze again.
"Oh hell no!" Kurama protested and picked Naruto up and went running. Jiraiya was actually thankful for the red-head for interfering for once. Kurama for once, realised that he didn't want Naruto to date anybody. She was his little kit. Too young to leave the den.
Hashirama chuckled and patted Tobirama's shoulder. "Looks like you're going to work harder to get to Naruto's heart."
"So...it was a no." Tobirama looked dejected as he sighed and ran his fingers through unruly mane.
Mito giggled as she looked to her empty hand. Kurama was surely fast. "I believe it was a confused maybe, little brother. Naruto is not the type to immediately respond to a confession. It will take actions to show her how much you care for her before she agrees." Poking Tobirama's armoured chest. "You will have to show her and Kurama how serious you are about Naruto. You are serious, aren't you?"
Tobirama's eye hardened as he answered his sister-in-law. "Our meeting may have been short, Mito-Anee-Sama, but during these past days I have come to care for a woman like no other. I do not see a civilian, shinobi or friend in Naruto. I see a passionate and strong woman that has been through a lot, yet still strives for a better tomorrow. I see a woman that will never be knocked down, no matter how harsh the blows are. It would be an honour as a man to make Naruto the happiest woman on this land. If she finds happiness elsewhere, then I step back and allow her to be happy. Otherwise, I will never give up on winning her heart. I would follow her to the ends of the nations, tread through a wall of enemy shinobi and climb the highest of peaks just to be near her." Tobirama took a steady breath. "I love her more than my words can express."
Mito and Hashirama gave each other a look before looking back at their little brother and nodded. Hashirama saying. "Then don't give up in what you believe in little brother. I will say that winning Naruto's heart will be a journey, but once it is yours, trust me when I say this, the rewards will be more than your heart can enjoy. I speak from experience." Winking over to his wife that blushed and looked away from him. "Yes, I must say, Naruto will be confused at first, but give her time and do not push her. Be there for her and wait patiently. Naruto will soon see what is in front of her." He said knowingly. Even Mito had a knowing smile.
"Listen to what she has to say before you jump to conclusions, little brother." Mito supplied and gazed around to the swarming fangirls of Tobirama. "Though I must say, speed it up a bit if you want to be rid of these vermin. Naruto is more than capable of taking care of them."
Tobirama felt encouraged by his family, yet there was nagging feeling in his gut that something big was going to happen soon. Something involving Naruto. He couldn't help but worry for her.
XXXX
Naruto sat on the couch of the cottage with a confused expression on her face as she touched her lips and looked to Kurama who was pacing back and forth in his original form. Jiraiya was taking a nap on her lap. "Kurama...why did I kiss Tobirama? I just moved."
Kurama looked at Naruto carefully and sighed as he sat on his hind legs. "Call instinct if you want or a primal urge. Since I have been sealed into you since birth, you have gained a few animalistic traits. Like your heightened senses, trickery, quick reflexes and others. As a fox, we have urges to protect what is rightfully ours and stake our claim on them. Even going so far as to battle with another unwanted animal. We are territorial and quite vicious towards those that interfere."
"So...instinct." Naruto summed up as Kurama huffed and looked away from her. She looked down to Jiraiya and asked Kurama. "Would it be shellfish of me to claim Jiraiya as my own? Even when we both know that there is a chance we won't see the day he turns 5 and goes off to the Academy. He's still a toddler, so he won't remember us, yet I want to fill him us with as much love as I can give him before we leave."
Kurama gazed at the sleeping Jiraiya and licked the baby's face. Gaining a small giggle before Jiraiya dazed back off. "As you know, raising a baby will be hard...but the decision is up to you, Naruto. I see that this will be hard on you when you have to leave this kit. Since he is still developing his mind, there will be no need to wipe his memory of you and me. The question is: will you be able to let go of him when the time come?"
Naruto looked at Kurama with a confident smile. "I will have you with me, remember? As long as you're by my side, I will fine." Gazing down to Jiraiya and claimed. "I will accept the challenge of having Jiraiya as my own and letting him go when the time come. I am Naruto Uzumaki after all." Smirking over at Kurama whom just rolled his eyes at her behaviour.
Kurama watched his Jinchuriki carefully. He prayed to whatever fangirl that Naruto would cross clinging off Tobirama. Vixens were extremely territorial of their partners and Naruto was as scary as her mother when she wanted to be. Kurama sighed in his mind. His creator was really pissing him off right now. First finding out the solution for the war and dealing with Naruto's confusion love-life. Yet Kurama knew, sooner or later that Naruto would have to spend some time with Madara Uchiha. Naruto would have to lock him away when the time comes. He still wanted to kill the man even though they both knew he was actually innocent. Times were going to be tough for Naruto. Kurama would forever be a pillar for his Jinchuriki. He just hoped Naruto would pass through the fog quickly and see the water-boy before her.