Chapter Five:

Warm. So. Incredibly. Warm. And comfortable. He would never, ever get up again. Not from this magically, blissful wonder that was called a bed.

"Naruto," a voice said. He frowned. No, go away. He didn't want to get up. He was way too comfortable here.

"Naruto, you have to get up," another irritating voice called, louder this time. Maybe he could just go demon fox and they would leave him alone? But that would involve getting out of bed. No. he'd just ignore them for a while longer.

"All right, you asked for it."

BAM!

"WHAT THE HELL!" Naruto leapt from the floor in outrage, blue eyes gleaming in sleepy anger. Loud laughter echoed from the door to his room, revealing the cackling forms of one Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.

"You should... haha... see your... he... face," Ron choked into the air, hunched over his knees and clutching his sides as he laughed uncontrollably. Harry was just as lost beside him, gasping for air and choking in amusement. Naruto's eye twitched. It twitched again.

"BAKAS!" he roared, leaping forward like an animal. The two teenage wizards yelped in terror and sprinted out of the room while a boxer-clad demon fox roared after them. They sprinted down the stairs, Naruto hot on their heels, yelling for all the world to hear.

"GET BACK HERE YOU EVIL, SLEEP-STEALING IDIOTS! IMMA GONNA KILL YOU!"

Harry and Ron just howled louder, bolting through the main hall (and waking up Mrs Black) towards the relative safety of the kitchen where the rest of the household were waiting and listening. Fred and George were laughing at the terrified expressions on both the young wizards faces. Mrs Weasley was looking stern. Hermione and Ginny looked slight irritated at the noise, whilst Sirius and Remus just looked at each other. Before bursting into laughter.

"Haha, just like old times," Sirius grinned as a raging Naruto entered the room, "I know he looks just like Minato, but he sure got his temper from Kushina!"

"Indeed," Remus nodded, "Do you remember that one time..." he trailed off, a queasy expression on his face. Sirius gulped.

"Yep," he replied simply, "I was sure we were going to find Minato buried in the forest after that morning. Lucky he knew here weakness."

"Weakness," a trembling Ron squeaked as Naruto stalked ever closer. "Weakness! Tell me the weakness!"

Sirius scoffed. "It was Kushina's weakness, not her son's. There is no way the world would be unlucky enough to have another ramen addict living on its surface. It's just not possible."

The magic word had been spoken. Instantly all anger fell from Naruto's face as he slowly turned towards he godfather, blue eyes wide and pleading while a goofy, expecting grin crossed his whiskered cheeks. Sirius' eyes widened.

"No way," he whispered.

"Ramen?" Naruto all but drooled.

In moments, the life-saving food was found and produced, and Naruto was happily slurping away at the centre of the table, ignoring the stunned looks that watched him as he ate. Demon fox he may be now, but there was no way the god of foods that was ramen was ever giving up its number one spot on his favourite's list!

"Typical," Sirius muttered as order returned to the room. He then turned towards the still spooked teens. "A note. If he is anything like Kushina, waking him up in the morning is a BIG no-no. Don't do it. Ever. Unless you want to die. The only way you will ever survive is if you have a bowl of ramen at the ready to distract the beast."

"We won't forget," Harry and Ron vowed seriously.

"Cowards," Ginny muttered.

"Well Naruto, it seems you're fitting in already," Remus said happily as he sat down opposite the eating blonde, "How are you liking the world outside of your homeland?"

"Can't say really," Naruto said between mouthfuls of ramen, "Only been here one night. Haven't seen anything."

"Well that changes today, Naruto-dear," Mrs Weasley smiled as she took his now empty plate. "I hope you don't mind, but I did send the boys up to fetch you for a reason. Professor Dumbledore mentioned you hadn't visited Diagon Alley yet for your school supplies. I was thinking of taking you down there today so that you can be all ready and organised for the train."

"That would be awesome, thanks Weasley-san," Naruto beamed. Mrs Weasley scoffed.

"No need, dear, no need," she said happily, "How about you go upstairs and get yourself, um, presentable, and then we can head off?"

Naruto frowned. Presentable? Surely he had gotten dressed before he... Oh. Wait. He looked down, coming face to face with his own bare chest and ramen printed boxers. Crap.

"Um. Yeah. Dressed, Right, haha. Bye!" And he vanished in a swirl of floating leaves. Remus shook his head.

"Yep. Just like Kushina," he murmured quietly. Sirius nodded in agreement.

In the corner of the room, Ron pouted. "I want to be able to do that!"

Diagon Alley. In a word...

"AWESOME!" Naruto crowed as the wall behind the leaky cauldron parted and the magnificence that was Diagon Alley came into view. Witches, wizards and children galore crowded the narrow streets, weaving in and out of colourful shopfronts the likes of which Naruto had never seen. His ears twitched excitedly, and it took everything in his being not to drop his illusion and let his nine tails fly out haphazardly around him.

Hold it together. Hold it together. Hold it together. You are an immortal demon fox... NOT a kid in a candy store. Although that candy store does look pretty damn- NO. Focus. Hold it together.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Naruto-dear," Mrs Weasley said pleasantly as she patted his shoulder gently. Mr Demon-Fox could only nod mutely and follow her into the colourful world of magical stores. "So, to get started we are going to head down to Gringots Wizarding Bank. Dumbledore did mention your parents leaving you a vault, so we are going to have a talk with the goblins there to see if there is a way in without your key."

"Goblins?" Naruto gaped. Mrs Weasley laughed.

"Of course, dear, of course. They are the very best protectors of gold in the entire world. Now hurry along, we have a lot to do today."

Goblins, as it turned out, were short, thick-skinned, humanoid creatures with dark beady eyes and senses way too good for their own good. Naruto had barely walked in the front door before he was flanked on either side by three of the little things, all glaring daggers in his and the bewildered Mrs Weasley's direction.

"Halt," said the lead goblin, a green-skinned male with slicked back black hair and almost black eyes. He narrowed his harsh gaze in Naruto's direction as he blocked their path into the bank. All around them, curious witches and wizards watched. "In the name of the Goblins of Gringots, I ask what it is you seek within our establishment?"

Mrs Weasley frowned.

"What else," she said in puzzlement, "Myself and Naruto-dear are here to collect money from a vault within the bank."

The goblin sneered.

"A vault?" he hissed, "I very much doubt one of your... kind... holds treasure within our halls. I must request you leave at once."

Mrs Weasley looked furious. And Naruto. He was freaking out.

Shit! They know. How in the hell do they know? I'm not showing a tail or anything am I?

"I beg your pardon," Mrs Weasley huffed, her normally warm brown eyes sparking dangerously as the goblins pressed forward. "Your kind? I have no idea what it is you're implying, but we have as much right to visit our vaults as any other. Naruto would like to visit the vault left to him by his parents, and if you do not let us in, I will be enquiring within the ministry! My husband works there, you know."

"And who would these parents be, may I ask?" the lead goblin scoffed. Naruto scowled.

"Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki," Naruto replied coldly. His eyes glowed a shocking violet in that instant, as a little of his youkai slipped out of its hold. "And I would suggest you take me too it sooner than later, or I will be most unhappy."

The goblins shared a look. They hadn't missed his little slip up.

"Fine," the lead goblin said stonily, "When we confirm your ownership, we will escort you to your vault. From there, I suggest you obtain your funds by owl. We would rather you not return within the near future." Naruto all but growled.

"Don't push me, little goblin," Naruto whispered dangerously. He was leaning in close while Mrs Weasley was arguing with a goblin on the opposite end of the entrance. The goblin paled. "I have been walking this earth for far longer than you can possibly imagine. You do NOT want to see me in a bad mood, and you are quickly leading me there. Now, I want to see the vaults my parents left behind. I want to be escorted down there civilly. And I WANT to leave again without another words spoken about my... kind. And the next time I decide to visit your establishment we better not have a repeat or I guarantee you the goblins of the world will very quickly go extinct."

The goblin gulped. "R-Right, Mr Namikaze. This way. We will escort you to your vaults immediately." Mrs Weasley looked up in surprise at the sudden attitude adjustment, but Naruto only smiled pleasantly and gestured her to follow on. There wasn't another word offered in protest. Sometimes being a demon fox was really too good to pass up. Scaring snooty goblins was one of those times.

A quick trip to the vault later (turns out his parent had left as large a fortune down in Gringotts as they had in Konoha) Mrs Weasley was pulling him back out into the alley, all the while muttering about the 'rude goblins' and there 'despicable manners'. Naruto wasn't going to argue with that.

"So Naruto dear," Mrs Weasley finally said, her ranting finished for the current time, "Professor Dumbledore has left you a list of things to collect while you are in the alley, and I would love to come and help you pick them out. But I have some errands to run of my own so do you think it would be aright if we meet back in the Leaky Cauldron around lunch time?"

"That's fine, Mrs Weasley," Naruto smiled. "You have more than helped me today, I will be fine from here on in."

"Very good dear," Mrs Weasley smiled, patting his cheek motherly before she waved goodbye and turned off to disappear in the bustling crowd. Naruto took the time to pull out his list of supplies, glad to note it was written in Japanese when he read the little message left by the eccentric old headmaster.

Well then young Naruto-kun, seriously, did no one understand he was essentially ten millennia's old!

You will need a few things in order to fit in with your classmates in the fifth year of Hogwarts. As you know, I have already provided you with the set books for all subjects' years one to five, but if you wish to purchase more I suggest both Flourish and Blots in Diagon Alley, and Delwin's Knowledge Emporium in Knockturn Alley (a warning that this is the more darker and dangerous section of the magical district, and that telling anyone I have sent you there will be furiously denied – I have to maintain my reputation as a good headmaster after all). Your mother and father studied all manner of subjects, and I have no doubt you will follow in the same manner. Other than that, you will need to purchase the school uniform, potions equipment and supplies, parchment and quills for writing upon (although if you can, I would suggest purchasing a way of filing them for the future), a trunk to stow your belongings, a wand and of course a companion. Most students are told to bring and Owl, Cat or Toad, but I am going to guess you won't listen to this and choose your own regardless of species. So I will not argue and only ask you be able to control them from attacking other students. I trust an immortal demon fox will have no troubles. Other than that, the rest is up to you. No doubt Minato and Kushina's vault is as overstocked as always – they have the remarkable ability to invest in all the right companies to gain an overwhelming return. Have fun!

Naruto snorted in amusement. At least the old man had his character worked out. There was no way in hell Naruto was going to listen to the rules unless he felt like it, and really, who was going to stop him if he did? Not that he would be too disruptive. Haha. Yeah, right...

Wondering the alley for an hour quickly garnered Naruto a look into the life of the wizards and witches of the world. Once he got past all the magic and strangeness though, he found it was really a lot like living in Konoha and walking down the market district. Not a lot different except the wares. In that time, he managed to buy himself a very impressive trunk (Naruto was instantly enamoured with it the moment he saw the intricate kitsune engravings along the outsides) with more than one inner expanded compartment that would give him entire rooms of space to put his things. Another trait he had picked up as a kitsune. Naruto liked having stuff. Nice stuff. And he HATED when people touched them without his permission. So he made sure to also include a very nasty locking mechanism that would give an intruder a brutal shock should they try to get into it. Plus he would layer it in seals. Plus he would illusion it. But anyway, he was sure no one was going to be able to touch after he was finished.

The robe shop was a nightmare, mainly because Naruto instantly hated the Hogwarts uniform with their restrictive clothing and dressy robes. He refused, point blank, to wear anything like that himself. So instead, he left Madam Malkin's and made his way into the darker alley (he really liked the old man for telling him about it) to find a different clothing shop that produced custom designs. His uniform, instead, consisted of Japanese hakama, black in colour, with the edges lined in golden thread. He adorned his wooden geta on his feet instead of shoes, and commissioned several sets of haori to wear over the top. It was currently white, with a howling nine tailed fox stitched in gold upon the back. He like it a whole lot more than the traditional robes, and smirked at the reaction he was going to get when he turned up in it. Dumbledore really didn't understand just who he had introduced to the wizarding world. He packed it in the clothing section of his trunk, also purchasing several sets of Japanese haori, hakama, kimono and other shinobi styled wear. He put them all away into his trunk, ordering them obsessively. He then made his way towards the bookshop in the area and had a fun half an hour purchasing just about every single book he put his hands on, whether they were light, dark, black or in between. He was a demon fox, and while he wasn't evil, he sure as hell wasn't good either. And to him, knowledge of any kind was knowledge he wanted to have.

Flourish and Blots followed, including another massive book spree that left his second inner compartment full with mountains of books to be organised. Hating the disorder, he quickly decided that he want his own little library and study space in the expanded room, and set about purchasing everything he would need to deck it out. The walls were stack with wooden bookcase and then filled rather quickly, and the rest of the room was decorated by a large hanging tapestry of a magical creature valley, including within it a rather large kitsune with nine tails looking distinctly like the old Kurama. The middle of the room he bought several study tables and a lot of cushy arms chairs. There was no use having a study room if it wasn't nice to study in.

Parchment, potions ingredient and supplies, quills and ink, a broom he absolutely HAD to have the minute he understood it could fly (Harry would later pout that someone at school other than him owned a professional grade Firebolt) were purchased, organised and stowed away. Over all, he ended up by lunch time with a personal library/study, a potion storage room, a walking wardrobe, a miscellaneous storage sections, and another empty room he didn't know yet what to do with. Five compartments. All decked out to his liking. He was a very happy demon fox as he galloped on his way towards the wand shop. He'd go looking in the magical pet shops later. He was sure to be picky about that.

The doorbell tinkled softly as he entered Ollivanders. The moment he arrived in the dusty little wand shop, Naruto skidded to a stop, his senses flaring. Power. He could taste it in the air, flickering against his own in hundreds of different shades, each trying to lock on and bond with his core. Lost in the feeling of so much energy, Naruto almost missed the approach of a living chakra centre from his back. Almost. Just as the person stepped within range Naruto's hand shot out, latching on to the reaching hand and clamping down in an iron grip. Blue eyes flashed violet. Ollivander merely grinned.

"Hello to you too, Mr Namikaze, or should I be calling you Kyuubi-sama?" the old silver eyed man finished slyly. Naruto released his hold and stepped back, reigning in his flaring aura and returning his eyes to their normal blue.

"I'm Naruto," Naruto said, smiling a little, "And you would be Mr Ollivander, I suppose?"

Ollivander waved him off. "Garrick, Mr Namikaze. It would feel a little strange being called anything else by one so much older than I." Naruto grinned wider. Finally – someone who knew!

"Garrick then," Naruto agreed, "But call me Naruto. Now, I'm here for my wand, obviously. Should we get cracking on choosing or do you want to chat a little first?"

Garrick laughed. "Oh no, Naruto-san. I say we should get to work. I have the feeling you are going to be a very difficult customer. No doubt you already sensed the wands attempting to bond to you once you entered the shop?" Naruto nodded. "Did you feel a winner at all?"

"Not even close."

"I thought so," Garrick agreed, "Honestly, you don't even need a wand to perform magic being what you are. Although one can be matched with you to improve their power. I think though we are going to have to build you a custom wand. Your core is much too strong for any of the generic wands I have lying around, and I think we are going to need a double or even triple magical centre to keep the wand from burning out. Follow me then."

The wand maker and the demon fox moved through the aisles of wan boxes and into a little back room out of sight of the shop front. Naruto instantly sensed the increase in magic as they entered, the magic attempting to join his own so much more raw and animalistic. It was much more intoxicating – the stuffy wizarding wands were so orderly and plain he instantly turned his nose up at the thought of using one.

"Ah yes, I thought you'd need to visit the back room," Garrick smiled, "I can already feel the raw woods and focuses seeking you out." He shuffled around the room, pulling out a large, long box and sitting it down on the table in the middle of the room. "Come over here, Naruto-san. This contains samples of all the wood I hold in the store. You should be able to sense the one, or ones, that match your core best. Point them out and let me know what you think."

Naruto stared at the lines of little wood blocks. Normal in appearance, only he and Garrick, he believed, could sense the raw power welling within those little blocks. His tails twitched under the illusion in excitement as Naruto stretched out his awareness and focused it in on the blocks of wood lying on the table. Two different blocks instantly lit up in his mind – a very dark almost black wood with a smooth grain, and a totally opposite almost white wood, with noticeable grains. Garrick's eyes lit up wildly as Naruto picked them up and handed them over.

"These ones," the fox answered firmly. Garrick chuckled.

"I should've known," he smiled. "An intense combination – together they will form a very strong and powerful wand. This black one the wood of a dying willow tree bathed in Fiendfire, very dark, very resistant. The white wood you share with the wood of your mother's wand, magically grown willow. Much more flexible and just as lights as your other wood is dark. Together you will find both branches of magic your friend."

Naruto smiled. He liked the sounds of that. Not only did his mom share the same wood grain for her wand, but he was equally as suited to dark magic as he was light. He knew the attitudes in England were rather negative towards darker magical branches, but Naruto himself didn't care in the slightest. He was way too old and knew the way of the world way too much to get caught up in silly mortal idealism. Dark magic was just as useful as light magic, and they were equally good or destructive. It just depended on who held the wand and used the spell as to whether it would help or harm.

"Cool," Naruto eventually grinned as Garrick set about putting back the woods and grabbing out another large series of boxes. "What's next then?"

"The core," Garrick affirmed. "We have many cores in the back room of the store, for more difficult matches that the standard phoenix feather, dragon heartstring and unicorn tail hair can't cover. I believe part of your own wand lies in a small sample of your own hair or blood. However I am sure at least one extra magical donation will be needed also."

Naruto barely heard the last bit. He was already reaching towards the magical essence that would soon make up his wand core. Pointing immediately towards a feather, pristine white tipped in silver and blues, and also a group of hairs, a mix of black and greys, Naruto looked up at the wand maker.

"Those ones," he whispered. Garrick looked like he wanted to squeal in excitement.

"Why, I never!" he gushed, "I've been waiting decades for a wizard or witch to enter my shop so I could work with either one of those cores! And now I have both of them in one wand. The feather of the winter phoenix, incredibly rare, supposed to be an omen of death and yet just as light as the fire phoenix. Added with the hair of thestral? I look forward to seeing the end result to this wand." He looked up to Naruto. "The final part is a piece of yourself, I'm sure. A hair donation or a vial of blood. The decision is yours."

Naruto left five minutes later with the instructions to return within the hour. On his way towards the darker alleyway – which he knew was more likely to hold a companion of his tastes – he reflected back over the pieces of his new wand and what it could mean of his own personality.

"Ha, seems even in this world I'm tied to the Shinigami, huh?" he snickered. Yeah, it was getting a bit ridiculous how many times he seemed to run into death, or at least a symbol of him. Not that Naruto cared much. Wasn't like he could die anymore so death omens scared him very little. Pushing through the crowds and heading towards the Magical Emporium he spotted earlier on his wanderings, Naruto smiled. Dumbledore was going to get a kick out of everything Naruto had to share when they next ran into each other.