Naruto would go to the park every day, even if it was just to get out of the orphanage and be away from Kino-san. He'd never really liked it there either because it was usually only good for making him feel bad while everyone else looked so happy, with their friends and family.

It made his stomach tighten and twist and his throat become sore as he had steadily learnt that no one wanted him to join in, no one wanted him around. He had tried, even with some kids that were a bit older than he was and all it gave him were bruises.

When he left the orphanage that morning, however, his step was lighter even without breakfast and he raced to the park. Everyone he passed gave him a lot of space and sent him disapproving glancing, whispering words Naruto never wanted to hear.

But that didn't seem to matter as much as he skidded through the iron gate - quickly glancing around at all the kids who were playing - and breathing out, realising that he wasn't there. No Tsuna in sight. Shrugging, Naruto figured that the brunet was likely to show up and he didn't have anything to do anyway, so he seated himself on the swings and started to rock.

Naruto had only met Tsuna the other day but he was already looking forward to seeing his friend - his friend - again, even if Kino-san had made a funny face when he had asked about the Sawada's over dinner. Apparently they were pretty important and a part of the old man's council or something like that. Kino-san wouldn't really say much else but she didn't like talking to him at all, so that was okay.

She did ask why he was questioning her over such "inane" things (whatever that meant), and it had better have nothing to do with some pranks he may or may not have started. When Naruto had explained, Kino-san's expression had twisted into something he was used to seeing, something hateful and mean.

'I've heard the Sawada heir is useless and not meant for his position.' She had sneered. 'But even someone like that must realise what you are.'

Naruto had instantly tried to block out what she had said.

'It must be some sort of trick, probably trying to put a demon like you in your place.' Kino-san had told him. 'Don't think so arrogantly that anyone would actually like you.'

But it had been hard, even if he had heard it all before.

It was just approaching an hour, with Naruto pushing the swing as high as it would go when he sited a mass of amazingly messy brown hair being led into the park, flaming cat draped on slumped shoulders.

A woman was pushing and pulling Tsuna along and Naruto instantly took a dislike to her and her strict face. Her hair was light, lazily pulled up into a bun with a short fringe and glasses to hide disinterested eyes.

Naruto jumped off of the swing, thoughtless of the height he had reached and only stumbled a little when his feet slapped across the ground. His shoes slipped uselessly across the sand, soles having been rubbed off long ago, but he remained upright after regaining his balance.

He was just beginning to walk over, smile tilting his mouth and things to say already on the tip of his tongue when sunset eyes glanced at him and widened but not in a good way. There was panic in their depths as they saw Naruto and something stilled in his chest, his foot steps freezing.

Something hot was burning in Naruto as Tsuna gave a minute shake of his head, before his eyes glanced back to the severe looking woman who seemed to be searching the playground. When her gaze startled onto Naruto, he instantly looked away. He was unsure why but he soon saw her face turn dark with things which were all too familiar, though he couldn't put a name to them.

'Come, Tsunayoshi-sama.' The lady addressed forcefully, grabbing Tsuna's arm and starting to direct his friend away. 'The company here does not appear to be in good tastes. I hear that you had work you did not finish from yesterday, perhaps you may do that instead.'

Naruto watched helplessly as Tsuna was taken away, amongst the laughter and screams of joy. unbeknownst to him, a trembling fist twisted itself into his grubby top. All he could see was Tsuna's back and how he didn't look at Naruto again, just followed the lady away.

Heart in his throat, Naruto found himself leaving too, knees knocking and legs feeling weak. He didn't get too far as he walked and walked until he was on the outskirts of the forest, something like horrible shock settling over his unsettled stomach.

Because what did that mean? Was Tsuna no longer a friend? Could they no longer be friends?

Naruto collapsed underneath a tree, feeling like the strength he had tried to build up for the Academy was gone and he was empty but for the shakiness in his limbs and the wetness running down his face. Doing the best thing he could, he hid the tears in his arms, knowing that if anyone were to see him, they would only laugh.

'Even someone like that must realise what you are -'

'It must be a trick -'

'Don't think so arrogantly that anyone would actually like you.'

'Demon.'

'Demon.'

Naruto wasn't sure how long he was there until he heard a rustling but it was enough time for a headache to start and his nose to become clogged from crying. Tensing, he peered up to the thick brushes opposite him and watched as the leaves started to part for a bright orange mane of burning fur.

The fire cat, Naruto thinks with wide eyes. Tsuna's cat.

Large, weird eyes stared at him for a moment and Naruto tried not to gulp as the creature seemed to be looking through him. The moment was broken when the cat huffed and stepped fully out of the shrubs, looking somewhat annoyed as some of the branches caught on his fur.

'I suppose you would be Naruto?' The cat asks, coming to stand in front of him.

'W-whose asking, dattebayo?' Naruto demands, mouth pulling back and unnerved. How can a cat talk?

A minute passes before the cat's lips curl. 'Yes, well, I suppose that was a needless question.' The cat states, plonking itself down into a sit. 'I can already tell that you are the human my master holds affection for, young though the both of you are.'

'…h-huh?' Naruto stutters, mouth dry as the cat continues to smirk.

'Natsu.' The cat states. 'The name my master gave me is Natsu and you - you would be Naruto, correct?'

Glancing behind the cat, Naruto half expects someone to jump out of the foliage and yell "gotcha!" but there was no jumping, and no yelling and Naruto reluctantly nods.

'Yeah…and…you - you know….Tsuna, dattebayo?' Naruto asks hesitantly, back pushed right up against tree bark.

Something about the cat's face softens. 'That would be correct.' It agrees. 'Not too long, mind you, but long enough for a debt to form. Tsuna informed me that he told you how he came to attain his blood limit, yes?'

Frowning deeply, Naruto shrugs. 'Tsuna said somethin' about a accident, dattebayo.'

'Ah…I see. Well, I'm afraid that I would be the accident Tsuna was referring.' The cat states.

'You're the accident?' Naruto points, confused and wondering where this was going.

A paw slaps Naruto's hand out of the air. 'Its rude to point.' The cat chides as Naruto glares. 'Regardless, yes. Tsuna had just signed my clan's contract in blood and was practising summoning.' The cat explained. 'After a few cubs, he managed to summon me…unfortunately, I did not take being pulled out of my nap too well and started to run a rampage through my master's compound.'

Clan? Summoning? Naruto hadn't really ever heard of that before but nods anyway, needing to move on so he could ask about just now.

'I made a nuisance of myself. Tsuna had been trying to stop me but he had ended up gaining a bit of unwanted attention.' The cat's ears fell limb against it's head. 'I disturbed my master's father and he came out to…deal with me.'

Naruto didn't need to ask about that end comment, unknowing as he was to the rest of it. He had been…"dealt with before". Licking his lips and starting to relax, 'yeah? What happened, dattebayo?' Naruto asks.

'Tsuna shielded me, with great cost to himself, I might add.' The cat responds. 'Thankful and unfortunately, the trauma activated his blood limit and probably saved both my fool life and his own, from master's father's temper.'

Tsuna had almost…died? The thought echoed strangely in his ears, tightening his chest into a ball of anxiety.

'Why - why unfothorately?'

'Unfortunately.' The cat corrects airily. 'It was unfortunate as Tsuna was then forced into a position he did not - and still does not - want. Since then I have stayed with my master, even if he is expected to summon other's stronger from my clan, I have promised myself to him so that I shall help Tsuna in every endeavour.' The words were too long and complicated but Naruto got that the cat really cared about Tsuna. 'And so, here I am, baring an apology.'

The word "apology" resonated so heavily with him it stung. Naruto's tongue lost feeling. 'What for?'

The cat's nose twitched and sharp eyes stared at Naruto. 'As you may come to understand, Tsuna deals with some difficulty with his family. I stay with him every day, helping him and offering advice but I still see what his…parents do to him.' There's a pause and the cat seems like he's struggling for words for a moment. 'Tsuna was in an unnaturally good mood yesterday - something which I am sure you are responsible - so when his mother questioned him what had him so cheery, and he explained about his new friend…'

Naruto felt that hollow feeling begin to eat at him again. 'They didn't like it, dattebayo, they didn't like me.'

The cat's tail flicked, it flaming tip catching Naruto's gaze. 'No.' It agreed but it didn't sound…like it was happy about it. 'Master's father flew into a rage and he - he…' The cat's paws started to flex and dig into the earth below. 'hit Tsuna, demanding that he not speak to you again. Orders have been sent to Tsuna's handlers that the two of you be kept away from one another. For this, my master wishes to apologise.'

Naruto wanted to disappear, to curl up and just disappear but he couldn't do that in front of Tsuna's cat. So, instead, he nods. 'Yeah, I understand.' Naruto smiles, large and fake. But no, no he doesn't. Was he really a demon? Why was he a demon? 'I got it. You can go home and tell Tsuna its okay.' Go home.

The cat frowns. 'I am sure Tsuna will be grateful, however he also wishes to ask something of you.'

'Oh, sure, okay.'

'Tsuna would like to know, if at all possible, that the two of you might try meeting…in secret, if you will.' Naruto's heart all but stops and the smile slips from his face as his eyes get wide. 'He understands that this could cause difficulty for you.' The cat hurries onto say. 'But, would you please consider it? I know that this would be a huge imposition on you and your minder's but for my master - who tried so hard to defend - if you would -'

Defend…me?…Naruto's thoughts repeat in a stutter.

'He - Tsuna still wants to…be friends with me?' Naruto interrupts in a rush only to bit his own tongue to shut up. Don't be rude to the cat.

The cat tilts it's head. 'I would dare anyone to say otherwise.' The cat says is grim amusement. 'I have only seen my master argue with his parents one other time, from when he was adamantly saying that you were a good person.'

Good person. Naruto thinks, his heart warming. Tsuna doesn't think I'm a demon.

'What was the other time, dattebayo?'

'Hm? Oh…that would be when I told my master's father I would be staying. The man did not like my…suggestion and would have forced me away from my duty of fixing my clan's honour.' The cat's face seemed…impossibly kind and an equally impossible smile graces it's face. 'But Tsuna, just woken up, bandaged to all seven hells, and eyes glowing with fire for the first time, told his father that I could stay if I so pleased. So I did.'

That…that made Naruto important, didn't it? He hadn't been before, so he wasn't sure what it was meant to be like.

'Ne, ne.' Naruto says, inching forward with something he would later identify as hope soothing the earlier hurt. 'Neko-san, does that mean - does that mean that today -'

The cat's ears twitched irritable and his eyes flash. 'I -' Naruto froze, something in it's voice warning him, that he had said something wrong. 'I am not a cat. You are speaking to a proud member of the Ninraion! I am, friend of my master, a lion.'

Friend of my master. Naruto's grin stretched to a possible degree. 'Gotcha. A proud, speaking Ninneko, dattebayo!' The cat growled in irritation but Naruto barely noticed as he swooped down and picked the cat up underneath it's armpits and pushed their foreheads together, sitting the summons down in his lap. 'But today…Tsuna didn't want to walk away, right?'

The cat sighed, annoyance bleeding away. 'Of course not.' The cat denied. 'Tsuna sent me to you as soon as my master's handler was distracted. He was very upset that he had hurt you however he is more than willing to make it up to you if you let him.'

'What, you still talking about that?' Like there was any doubt Naruto wanted to see Tsuna? 'Yeah, I'll be - er…where do you - where does Tsuna want to do this, dattebayo?'

The cat became lax in Naruto's grasp, relaxing even as it's face seemed less than impressed with being manhandled. 'There is a week until the Academy Entrance Results, you should see us there.' Yeah, Naruto had been counting down the days to that; the sooner he started making money, the better. 'If you could, get there early and wait in the path of the results board, Tsuna should have something for you then.'

Huh…'But won't that handle-lady be with Tsuna again?' Naruto asks in confusion.

Resigned amusement flickered across the cat's face. 'Handler. As heir, Tsuna…requires bodyguards and caretakers, such as a "handler". But, yes. Oregano - the woman you had the misfortunate to see today - will be there. Do not worry, my master will sort something out. Just…my master's friend will be there, yes?'

Taking a deep breath and pushing out all the bad thoughts that were telling him what could go wrong, Naruto nodded. 'Yes.'

Con/textual Vomit: So, first set back. I hope no one thought this was going to be too easy. Anyway I had a bit of fun with Natsu. I knew that he was going to be a summons partner for Tsuna but I hadn't thought of how I would portray him until I started to write for him. I'm actually pretty fond of the little lion cub here, though some might disagree. Also, yes, Natsu is going to be mistaken for a cat a few times.

(First Uploaded: 02/ 05/ 2016)

OZ