I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR INUYASHA OR ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH IT OR MAKE MONEY FROM FROM THEM! THEY ARE NOT MINE1 CREDIT GOES WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!

Inheritance

It all started at Naruto's eighteenth birthday party.

All his friends, rookie nine and their sensei's were there, all-of course-except for Sasuke, who after killing Orochimaru at the height of the body exchange, now traveled around the land of fire, a group of the snake sanin's ex-experiments with him, hunting his brother and the criminal organization he belonged to.

The party took place the night before his actual birthday, due to a few of his friends setting out the next day on various missions, this was the only time the entire group could get together.

Kiba and Shino-who weren't going on missions-were drunk pretty quickly, Kiba his usual loud self taken to an extreme while Shino just slumped in his chair bonelessly, his relaxed posture and a slight flush to his cheeks the only sign of his inebriated state.

Sakura and Ino-long over their crush on the Uchiha and now engaged to fellow rookie nine members, Sakura to Lee and Ino to Sai. Neji was currently dating Tenten. Even Gaara and his siblings were there, Temari frowning as she eyed Shino.

The two had had an affair last year but something had happened and since then they seemed to be making an effort to ignore-or pretend to ignore-each other. The standing theory was Shino's drunkenness was DUE to Temari's presence.

Tsunade and Jiraya seemed to be-shockingly-sober-and having an serious discussion near the door, an discussion that looked like it could soon dissolve into an argument.

Neji and Hinata were in the corner talking. Over the last few years the two cousins had been getting closer and even started calling each other sister and brother again like when they were children.

Ayame and her father were laughing with Kurenai and Ebisu near the window.

Iruka and Kakashi were curled up together in a dark corner, frenching each other, Iruka a little more... open because of the alcohol he'd imbued thanks to Kakashi.

The teacher was going to kill the copy-nin tomorrow.

It wasn't that he was completely straight, it was just that Kakashi had been pursuing him almost constantly in between his own missions and Iruka each time chased him off.

Shikamaru and Shizune were flirting in a corner, Choji and Tenten were with Sai and Kankurou, Choji's mouth full of barbecue Lee and Gai sprouting their usual 'spirit of fire' speech while Asuma, Anko, Kurenai were glowing at the two green beasts in the corner between drunken or near-drunken stories.

Gaara had just got himself a drink and was rejoining Sakura, Ino, Naruto and Temari.

Raido, Gemma and Ibiki arrived around half past eleven, unable to stay long but enough to drop off his presents and say a few hello's and words before having to leave again.

Raido gave him an specially developed nerve toxin he had developed along with his help, a toxin that the fox vessel was immune to, but coated on his weapons would affect an enemy. Apparently the efforts differed depending on the weilders element when funneling their chakra through it to activate it.

Without the chakra element it merely paralyzed the enemy for an certain amount of time, depending on the dose.

Fire element made it a kind of hyllisionangenic, making the enemy think their worse nightmare was suddenly real and attacking them.

Earth thinned the blood and prevented clotting, so the enemy bled to death.

Lightening\electricity caused the blood and body irritation, leading to a burning sensation throughout the body until it became too strong to stand.

Water\Ice was an weird one. For some reason it caused them to have flashes of extreme cold or extreme heat, like standing in a shower when someone else was playing with the faucets elsewhere in the house, only you couldn't get out and temperature only increased from bad to worse to excruciating.

Wind affected like an truth serum, the enemy couldn't help themselves from revealing everything asked, in fact half the time depending on the person, they didn't even realize they were doing it.

In fact Ibiki was already using it with his wind-affiliated T&I specialists on prisoners.

Gemna brought him new specially designed Senbon needles. Unlike others these weren't coated in any chemical poison or toxin, they were like normal solid needles except a specially designed tiny tunnel inside held an miniscule amount of said toxin, or any other, like mini needles. These senbon would look normal but when thrown the force of the throw would activate an tiny spring inside so when it hit something the force of the impact would cause the spring to move forward, injecting the liquid inside out the exit, effectively injecting the enemy\victim\whatever with the liquid, yet the senbon were as strong and lightweight as any normal one.

Again another co-Naruto design.

Ibiki brought a set of clothes and mask soon recognized as the uniform of an T&I ANBU member. The mask was of an cat.

"A cat" Naruto wined, giving a childish pout "why couldn't I have a fox?"

Without a change of expression Ibiki explained "a fox would be too obvious. With your distinguishing hair color and voice, it wouldn't be too much of a guess who you'd be. I think a cat described you, smart, cunning when necessary-agile and flexible. Besides, fox is taken."

"Naruto? You're an ANBU?" Sakura caught sight of the clothes and moved forward to join them, followed by a large group of the others. "How the HELL does Naruto become an ANBU!" Kiba almost yelled, leaning against Shino who was slouched against the wall next to the door, face still burning.

"Actually" Naruto grinned and scratched at the back of his head nervously "it's an T&I ANBU."

"Whatever" Kiba motioned the technicality away and went on "How did YOU become an ANBU."

The smile widened even further "I'm not one just yet. I have to decide if I'm gonna join. Hey!" he yelped the last word as Sakura slapped him over the back of the head "what do you mean 'if' knucklehead!"

Kiba scoffed "how did YOU get offered a job as an ANBU? Even if it's with T&I? I mean we all know YOU Naruto."

"Well you know how ero-sanin and Kakashi-sensei wouldn't teach me anymore about a year ago?" Naruto grinned sheepishly at them.

They nodded and Neji spoke out "You were driving all our sensai's and everyone else crazy, bugging everyone for extra training. Even Gai sensai's training wasn't enough and that's saying something."

Naruto nodded sheepishly again.

Ibiki spoke out this time "somehow he ended up in the T&I department, annoying ME and Anko for some sort of training. We were working on an particular difficult prisoner, out tempers were... somewhat short because of it and somehow he manipulated us into a deal. If he could break our difficult prisoner, both of us would train him-our choice of what as long as we trained him."

The scarred interrogator snorted "took him less then five minutes to break the guy, the bastard."

Everyone looked at the fox container who's smile turned a mix of evil cunning and embarrassment "they were all trained against pain and such but noone thought of using humiliation or even...well... pleasure against them."

"What do you mean?" they asked and the embarrassment increased so much he couldn't answer, so Ibiki did for him, face totally calm and expressionless "he forced him to eat kitty litter, USED kitty litter."

There was a stunned pause of at least ten seconds while everyone digested this before Kiba broke it up as he began to crack up, first bending over at the waist with his laughter before no longer able to stand, soon rolling around on the floor in gut-wrenching laughter, snorting between laughs in an effort to get enough oxygen.

The dog boy's laughter attracted the rest of the party's attention and they wandered over, murmurs of shock and surprise at the uniform before a few laughs and giggles or horrified looks as Kiba blurted out why, followed by Ibiki with "well it worked, and so has any other idea he's come up with. He only needs about five minutes with them before he has somehow figured out how to get to them."

There came a snort of derision "of course he does. You are all idiots!" All eyes turned to Jiraya at this "what are taking about you old fool?"

"I'm talking about the fact that The kid isn't all he shows you. He's actually a genius." To which Naruto gave him an quick glare but the toad sanin went on with "in fact it's OUR theory he's actually smarter than the damned Uchiha."

Stunned silence, half the group looking at the sanin, the other at Naruto to hear a drunken hick-up from among them and an male answer of "yep, he is definitely."

Eyes turned around the owner of the voice to find Iruka drunkenly leaning against Kakashi "I've actually tested him."

"'Ruka?" Kakashi looked at the teacher in hurt "you actually kept this from ME, from US?"

"Oh stop it" the drunken teacher swatted at the team leader, missing by a mile "besides, it was between Naru and me."

"Tell us" Tsunade said firmly to him but Iruka unsteadily poked his tongue at her "teacher\student privileges." Tsunade snorted at him "As your Hokage that doesn't apply. Tell us."

"No. Not without Naruto's permission. Until then I'm not budging" he slurred, followed by another drunken hick-up, leaning even heavier on the copy-nin as his balance failed in face of his inebriation.

Naruto sighed at all the looks "might as well tell 'em 'Ruka. Cat's out of the bag now." Followed by the teachers giggle of "cat out of the bag!" following that with hysterical drunken laughter worse than Kiba before.

Naruto sighed again and opened his mouth to speak when the teacher suddenly drew himself up straight and steady and looked at them all in that way only teachers can get away with. "You have all been pranked by Naruto, individually."

"What's that got to do with..."

The teacher snorted drunkly "He can meet someone and only figure out in a few seconds how to best get to them, I knew that the first day I met him and now Ibiki knows, do you know how smart you have to be for that. When I first met him I knew from the start. To everyone else he was a child lashing out on the hurt of his childhood and while that could have been part of it, I saw something else, I saw a brilliant mind being repressed, a mind that with a bit of nurturing could be an great ninja with an gift for quick Annalist. I think part of his behavior WAS anger at his neglect, part an fiercely intelligent mind lashing out at its repression and mostly an highly analytical mind evaluating those around him so he knew who and what each person was and is capable of. Why do you think he kept pushing the Uchiha?"

"You mean that because he was so emotionally distant Naruto was trying to push him to emotions so he could work out how his mind really worked?" Sakura asked curiously and Iruka nodded "part of it. The other was he was trying to make him FEEL. You saw what happened, cutting himself off too much cut him off from US and therefore the village."

"You mean..." tears started in Sakura's eyes "If I had of let him continue to stir and antagonize Sasuke, if I had of let them fight he would still be here? Oh god, it's my fault isn't it!"

"NOW look at what you did!" Naruto glared at his father figure and took Sakura in his arms, gently assuring her of her innocence.

"Aaaannnnyway" Iruka sighed.

"If Naruto's so smart, why the knucklehead act?" Kiba snorted, disbelieving.

"Duh" Kankurou snorted "he's a demon vessel, how would your village act if he showed how smart he is? How would they take him being other than an idiot?"

"Exactly" Iruka hick-upped "If the village knew how REALLY smart he was, the village would scream for blood, claiming the Kyuubi was surfacing, gaining control. So he plays the part of the idiot, too dumb to be the fox, just an fool full of pranks who would sooner trip over his feet then win a fight."

"Naruto?" they looked at him again. Pursing his lips and drawing himself up tall and strong the fox container nodded seriously from his hold on Sakura.

"Naruto?" Sakura reached up from her slightly lower height at the blonde almost-eighteen year old, gently touching his cheek in care, wonderment and shock. He looked down at her and nodded again.

Jiraya snorted again "it's funny how all you guys say the kid is special-he has this power to change people for the good and yet when he does you're shocked like you didn't expect it, or even notice it happening."

Hinata suddenly spoke out "I...I saw him doing it. But I th...th...thought everyone else did too. I...I also knew Naruto-san was really smart, b...but not HOW smart. I mmm...mean he beat Neji-niisan and won and niisan is a genius..."

"That is right!" Lee joined in with in excitement and realization "and I know by working with him so close that my fellow teammate is quiet the strategist and annalist!"

Neji didn't know whether to be flattered or upset by this.

"Naruto" came the soft voice from his arms and when he looked down Sakura was looking at him, her eyes soft and gentle "from now on don't hide from us. You can keep doing it for the villagers, but with us, show you're true self, we're your friends. More than that, you're family."

There was multiple nods and murmurs of agreement around them.

"I don't know if I can do that" he sighed as he gently passed his pink haired teammate over to her boyfriend, whom she clutched to emotionally "why not?"

Iruka spoke out "the mask has been in place too long, since he was a child. He doesn't know how to show his true self to anyone else but me."

Jiraya nodded "I had him for training all that time and as it is he's only just began showing it to me. Some of us after being around him actually SEE the mask for what it is and are able to...force him to stop it, but it takes persistence and constant pointing out, or else he slips back into it without realizing."

"I saw it" Gaara nodded "when he stopped me that first time."

"Of course!" Temari snapped her fingers in excitement "when he fought Gaara he did it with no help from the fox. Not only did he show he was entirely capable of not using the fox for something so dangerous, but how intelligent he was while still looking like an fool. By only using his own chakra to beat him he showed Gaara he wasn't as powerful, as infallible as he, as WE thought."

Some of the group nodded and Naruto looked nervously at Gaara, worried he was upset about his defeat still, but Gaara just gave him an slight-not even there-smile.

Releaved he smiled back, not one of his goofy idiot smiles but a small genuine one.

"Well" Tsunade looked at the clock "officially you are NOW eighteen, baka. Happy birthday Naruto."

A resounding echoing cry rang up making Naruto blush, not used to the obvious genuine affection and feeling in the cry.

"Gifts!" someone immediately cried.

Ibiki, Gemna and Raido left with well-wishing and this provided the distraction everyone needed to grab their gifts.

When Naruto turned back from the door they were crowded around him, big grins on some, wrapped gifts in hands.

Hinata gave him a set of kunai engraved with the leave symbol and the Uzamaki swirl. Neji gave him a set of specially made shuiken, also with the leaf symbol and Uzamaki swirl, only the very center had a fox curled around.

Gaara gave him a specially made ninja pouch of and leather-like substance, made from an animal found only in Suna, as tough as armor but supple as leather. His brother and sister gave him clothes of the same material, kind of armor for future use, an kind of long trench coat done in black and edged in red flames with a pair of matching long pants from Temari with an orange mesh undershirt, ninja combat boots-like the ones the ANBU wear-convenient really, and even a sheath for a sword to go on his back.

Which was convenient considering that the next gift from Tenten was an extraordinary sword that fix right into the sheath, funny that, if Naruto didn't know any better he would think they had collaborated over it.

The blade was black, the hilt wrapped in red leather with a piece of orange cloth tied to the base of the grip just before the cross guard. Along the fuller (central shallow on a straight double-edged blade, also referred to as 'the blood gutter') was an intricate engraving of an nine-tailed fox.

"The blade is a rare metal that conducts you element, strengthening the blade and letting you use your chakra through it."

Touched Naruto smiled and hugged them each, even though Kankurou and Gaara both tried to shove him away they let him go, it was his birthday after all.

Gai's gift make him sweat-drop, a coupon to the 'curry of life' stand for a year, Lee gave him a set of leg weights. Shikamaru gave him a new expensive looking survival pack, containing an bedroll, utensils, sent-free cleaners, a towel, toiletries and so forth.

To Naruto's surprise the bedroll and sleeping bag had hidden pockets sown in, convenient enough to stow weapons and easy to get to, incase of attack while he was still asleep.

Sakura and Ino gave him something that both embarrassed and touched him, and whole new wardrobe of clothes, clothes that would suit him better than the orange and black tracksuit. Jiraya gave him a scroll of seals and new genjitsu's to learn.

Iruka and Kakashi gave him a set of scrolls, Iruka for better chakra control given to him by his mother before she died and Kakashi more Genjitsu's he had learned through the sharingan and written down-with Iruka's help-on wind, Naruto's element, and Kyuubi's fire element.

Sai gave him an ink portrait of the entire group.

Ayame and her father gave him a specially designed and sized ramen bowl, engraved with leaping foxes and an whirlpool-the meaning of Naruto's name. The bowl was three times the size of an normal one, perfect for someone who ate so much.

Esibu, Asuma, Shino and Choji gave him various small items, coupons to BBQ, coupons to an ninja outfit store, more clothes, both civilian and ninja. Anko's gift made him choke and scream at her in shock and anger "You BITCH!" to which she gave him an innocent look "what? You're legally able to reproduce now. Believe me you'll need that soon."

"I don't have a chance you bitch! No one wants to be with the demon vessel!" Anko sniffed in disbelief "shows how much you know, blonde."

Before a full-out argument could begin between the fox container and snake-sanin's ex disciple, Shino shakily caught his attention with an collection of rare materials, gathered by his bugs, that he could use to make various things from weapons to armor.

Kurenai smiled and said "mine goes with Kiba's."

Shizune smiled "mine goes with Tsunade's."

So next came Kiba, carrying an wicker basket, the kind you used for pets, and indeed the thing moved in his arms and they could hear an slight snorting sound, like the contents was trying to smell through the woven material.

Kiba knelt across from Naruto on the floor, one hand on the latch and other on the lid while he spoke to the boy "flare your chakra, not Kyuubi's, just yours."

With a thoughtful frown the fox container did, the fierceness causing those around him to back off a bit.

Immediately there was a series of highly excited yips from the basket and an answering flare, similar if not identical to the blondes.

The group either watched-via the Byakugan-or felt in awe as both chakra's reached out for each other, at first circling each others, then cautiously touching.

Suddenly the one from the basket flared stronger, pushing at Naruto's, trying to force it back. The fox containers eyes narrowed, he growled "oh no you don't" and the strength increased two-fold, forcibly shoving it back.

All with his own power, not a single trace of the foxes.

There was an whine of submission from inside the basket and the chakra backed down. As reward when Naruto's reached out again it was softer, gentler, making every man in the room sigh and relax greatly while every woman went dreamy eyed, imagining being in that control of such strength and love, being dominated for the rest of their lives by such simple devotion.

The fox containers chakra coaxed the other forward, entwining with it, the two so similar it was as if the two were one separated into two forms, only now reunited.

"I KNEW IT!" Kiba yelled, pumping his fist in the air like Naruto used to do "I KNEW YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT! I KNEW YOU WERE ONE OF THEM!" he snorted "and ma didn't believe me."

"One of WHAT?" they questioned the dog boy.

"Wait a minute" the crouched boy\man flipped the catch open and before the lid was even fully open there was an blonde\red flash and a thud as Naruto was on his back.

The others tensed to defend the birthday boy until they realized he was laughing and wiggling as something licked his face like its life depended on it, like he was an oasis in the dessert.

"It doesn't feel like an Nin-kin" Kakashi frowned "or a summon. Where did you find it?"

"I didn't, IT found us."

"What do you mean?"

"Well a couple of months ago when Naruto, Sai and I were returning from a mission together we sensed it following us. At first we were on guard, it could have been an enemy following us, but I knew it was an animal. Even then it could have been an enemies summons, but Naruto told us it wasn't a threat, so we believed him, figuring it was just following us for food.

Sometimes when we stopped Naruto or I would hunt and cook something and it would come closer so when we finished Naruto would throw the leftover meat in a bush near where it was and it was always gone when we rose to leave.

It never came near the village gates, so we figured it was wild or semi-tame and it only moved from its spot outside the village if either myself or Naruto was there, so it must have trusted us and wouldn't come closer if we were with someone else.

For some reason if Naruto was in the group it would follow us most of the way, stop and wait a certain distance for us to return, as if it knew to come with us all the way would jeopardize our mission, but no matter how long it took it was there, in the same spot when we returned."

"You mean there was some unknown creature sitting outside the village, following two of my ninja around and you didn't tell me!" Tsunade was furious.

"Arh yeah" Kiba sheepishly scratched the back of his head "but you know Naruto and animals. I believed him when he said it was no harm."

"How did it end up here and now?"

"Well two months ago ma found out and was pissed off I never told her. I explained why and even though she understood. But she told me to catch it so she could find out what it was and why it was there." He glared at the animal "damned thing is smart as hell, took me AND SHINO two months to catch it!"

Shino's contribution to the conversation was an drunken burp and slumping to the floor.

"I got it to ma and she examined EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING! Finally she told us, it's an nin-kin, only not the normal kind."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you the story ma told me. Just after the founding of the Inuzuka clan there was others. An entire village full of clans that are linked to various animals. Not Summons, an mutual connection of both friendship and unity. They only fought on the good side, protecting innocents and helping the oppressed for little money.

The greatest of these warriors was the Kitsune, superior warriors, highly skilled ninjas united with their partners."

"What happened to the village?" Sakura asked curiously.

"They were betrayed from within. An clan rival of the Kitsune betrayed the entire village. They believed as long as someone had the money, and lots of it, they shouldn't care who or what they were and what they wanted them to do.

The village was attacked, first from within by one of their own clans, then by an village of ninjas from an outside.

The result? Most of the clans died, including-it was thought-the Kitsune. Some of the Inuzuka escaped and eventually ended up here. Ma thinks this kit is a descendant of one of the Kitsune partners. She thinks maybe one or more of the unpartnered kits wondered away before or after the battle and was safe, but ended up wild. I told ma it's obvious who it belongs to and with but she didn't believe me."

"What makes you think its not the fox calling the kit" Tsunade asked to which Kiba grinned "THAT'S why I told him to flare only his chakra, not the foxes. That means she's Naruto's, not the foxes."

"You know what this means, don't you" Neji said "if your mother was right about the village then..."

Sakura sucked in breath and breathed out in awe "Naruto is a descendant somewhere in his line of one of those guys, he's the last of an nearly extinct clan."

"Hey" Anko said almost innocently "doesn't that make him therefore entitled to the CRA?"

The group of students looked at their teachers\leaders\team leaders "CRA?"

The group of adults collectively glared at the snake-nin who continued to look innocent. Shizune sighed and looked at them "Clan Restoration Act. It means if someone in the village is the last heir of their line and clan and it is in danger of ceasing to exist, the last heir is therefore entitled to take multiple wives\husbands in an effort to restore the clan."

"Multiple wives" Sakura whispered in awe "you mean he can choose someone from the village and marry them as well as anyone else he wants?"

"With their and their families consent, yes."

"Cool!" Kankurou cried, looking across at the now standing Naruto, the fox kit at attention at his feet "you are so lucky!"

Naruto snorted like he didn't believe ANYONE would want to marry him and Neji started nudging Hinata, his eyes telling her to speak up now while she had the chance. Hinata shook her head but Neji gave her an stern look and pushed her hard enough that she ended up falling into the fox container.

"Woah, careful there Hina" Naruto caught her, using his 'pet name' for her as he did "you could hurt yourself like that." Hinata blushed and slowly looked up into those beautiful blue eyes.

Her first instinct was to blush, stutter and turn away like normal, her mind screaming "he's touching me! Naruto-kun is touching ME! He's so kind and so gentle and...I love him, I really love him." But when she looked up into those eyes she KNEW, no matter how much effort it took, she had to tell him, right now.

Naruto believed no woman would want to be with 'the fox container', that despite his intelligence his past made his self confidence around her level, at least in terms of his looks, but because of his mask, not many were in this knowledge-the claims of him becoming Hokage and his proclamations of his strength and skill were more bluff and bluster then confidence.

Hinata suddenly knew if she didn't do this here and now Naruto would forever be convinced no one would love or want him. "If Kiba is right and Naruto IS the last of the Kitsune then the line will end with him" she told herself "even if he doesn't want me there is a chance if he knows how I feel he'll let someone else in, the line won't end with him." Even though the thought of him with someone else hurt her so much, she knew Naruto NEEDED to be with someone, the now-eighteen year old had so much love to give but no one his own to really give it too.

"But wait a minute" another thought hit her in the back of her mind, a little voice squeaking "if he is entitled to the CRA that Anko mentioned then not only could we be together but he could have others as well." Strangely the thought of sharing the one she loved with others wasn't as scary as he choosing others and not her.

She realized why though "he has so much love to give, more than any one person can take. He needs more than me to love." So steeling herself she looked him dead straight in those sky eyes and said with only a momentary stutter"I L...Love you Naruto. I would be your wife."

To her surprise he spoke as he gently pulled her to her feet in front of him "I know you are Hina."

Shocked she stared at him "You KNOW?"

"I've always know, Hinata, it was obvious. I only persuaded Sakura because it was expected. The reject ALWAYS has a crush on the smartest or prettiest girl in class. But I knew your feelings from the first time you blushed and fainted on me." Hinata blushed deeply at this and looked down only to snap her eyes back up at his next words "but it won't work."

Horrified, terrified and concerned she stuttered "w...why?" afraid for a minute he not only didn't love her but didn't even like her.

"It wouldn't work. Even if Kiba is right there is neither a way to prove this clan existed or I am one. Even if I was the last, the council and other villagers would just claim the nine tails is either controlling her or was the one calling and attracting her. You are your fathers chosen heir, Hina, he wouldn't let you marry an no-name without a clan name." He looked down at the fox kit who was looking back up at him, ready for anything he wanted.

The kit was big for its age, about eight weeks, but they could see why Kiba said he KNEW it was Naruto's.

Golden blonde fur covered the fox from head to tail, the only difference was the top and end of the tail, ears, and muzzle which was a deep blood\red. Sky blue eyes looked up at the other blonde, looking from Naruto to Hinata, the ears twitching from one to the other.

All in all, it looked like Naruto would if he was a fox, the red reminding them of bits of the demon fox showing. Its fur between its ears even stood up at all angles, just like Naruto's.

Naruto, with a look in his eyes that was so heartbreaking, knelt in front of the fox, affectionately stroking its muzzle and head between the ears "I'm sorry girl, But I can't keep you."

"What? WHY!" Kiba yelled angrily.

"Because the lease says no pets. The landlord has always been nice to me, he didn't treat me like everyone else, I can't defy the rules now."

"IT'S NOT A PET!" Kiba yelled "IT'S A PART OF YOU, JUST LIKE ME AND AKAMARU! AND WHEN YOU TRAIN HER SHE'LL BE A WEAPON!"

"I know that" Naruto said calmly "But others won't see it that way. Unless there's some way to prove I AM one of these Kitsune, she'll be just a pet and the lease don't allow them." Kiba was just about to open his mouth to speak again when Tsunade cleared her throat with a cough "well perhaps I can help with that."

All eyes turned to her and she looked uncomfortable "I was going to wait until you were alone later to give you this, but since it looks like it is not only the way to stop you giving up something you need but you'll need it, I've got two things for you, from the third Hokage for you on the day of your eighteenth birthday."

"From the third?" Naruto frowned, standing from his crouch in time to catch a set of keys thrown to him by Jiraya. He frowned at them then looked at the two sanin's. "Keys? For what?"

Jiraya grinned "your clan home, Kid, you have plenty of room for all your new wives and your little friend."

"Wives? Friend? Clan home? What are you talking about old man?" Before the Toad Sage could open his mouth the blondes eyes narrowed "you KNOW who my clan is?" he suddenly looked furious "you've known who they were all along didn't you!" Some of the group had to quickly grab the boy as he launched himself at the sanin, yelling curses.

"Now now, Kid, we didn't know for sure, not until we read the third's leather for us with yours" he waved an manilla folder at him "and the third and us had good reasons for hiding it. For a start your father had a lot of enemies, in and out of the village, so the third thought it would be safer to keep it a secret from everyone. Only he and the council knew for sure. So he gave you your mothers surname, since she and your father were never married-for her own safety."

"Some of us have our suspicions since you are the spitting image of your father" Kunerai said softly to which Anko added "that is IF YOU ARE who we think he is."

"Oh come on!" Asuma cried "it's so obvious that it's a wonder not EVERYONE knows! I mean look at him! He's an miniature version of him at that age! And he even acts the same!"

Anko grinned "if he IS, he's the last of TWO bloodlines, STILL entitled to the CRA." She grinned at Naruto and Hinata "any clan leader in the village will jump at the chance to have their daughter marry into that and have kids with that blood. And if the dogboy is right, that's THREE bloodlines! He'd have to beat them away with a whip" the grin got decidedly kinky.

Naruto's mouth opened and closed a few times before he frowned "give me that!" snatching the folder from the toad sage and moving towards the couch. Hinata reached out and took his hand, stopping him with "can I read it too?"

Naruto smiled "sure" and pulled her with him, only to be joined by Shikamaru as well who he nodded his permission to.

Sitting in the center of the long couch he released Hinata's hand to place the folder on his lap, Shikamaru on the opposite side while the fox kit curled up after planting itself on both his feet, snorting once then snoozing off.

Naruto looked down at the animal and grinned, wiggling his toes under the animal who snorted again and looked up at him with what they swore was reproach, a kind of "I'm trying to sleep here".

Naruto laughed "alright, I'll leave you alone" and laughed again when she lowered her head back onto her paws and snoozed off again.

Hinata found herself with one hand on his knee and the other across his chest, head resting on his shoulder and no idea how she ended up that way. However she didn't care-in fact was delighted-how it happened and had no intention of moving.

What surprised her was he wasn't asking her to move or pointing it out. Then the thought that he thought she was drunk made her start. "I don't care" she thought "this may be my only chance to be close to Naruto-kun, I'm taking it." So she snuggled closer, gripping him tighter.

Naruto smiled down at her "comfy hina-sama?"

Without a stutter or a missed beat she answered "yes and I'm not moving. You can't make me" almost sleepily.

The fox container laughed "oh is that a challenge?" Hinata smiled back, happy he was playing with her.

Before she could speak someone cleared their throat and the two noticed everyone else had crowded around the couch, some in prime position to read either over his shoulder or to the side. Grinning sheepishly he rubbed the back of his head in a familiar gesture "right" before looking into his lap and slowly opening it to the first page. On the top was an letter, written in Kanji in the neat small brush strokes of the third.

To Naruto Uzumaki,

If you are now reading this letter I have died, either in battle, assassination or of age. While I wouldn't mind dying of old age I hope I went down in battle like a true ninja.

Naruto looked up and found Asuma, tears in his eyes at his fathers warrior soul, his strength of spirit. Pretending he didn't see he turned back to the letter.

I hope whoever took over after me has lead the village in the noble soul of the first hokage, if it's you Jiraya (I snort here in disbelief) you still owe me 2000.

The next thing Naruto knew, Asuma was demanding his fathers money from the toad sage, who was playing innocent. He laughed softly, thinking "good luck getting ANY money from that Pervert."

Anyway if you have received this you have just turned eighteen, the legal and sexual mature age to reproduce,

Naruto blushed at this, why was everyone suddenly interested in his sexual actions? Just because he turned eighteen didn't mean he was suddenly ready to hump anything around with a pulse! Even if he DID find both women AND MEN attractive. In fact he was attracted to both sexes.

and therefore the age to carry on your line. Yes you do have a line, Naruto, I'm sorry I never told you but it was for your own safety. You see your father was an extremely skilled and powerful ninja, hated by some out of the village, and because of his position in the village when he died, A LOT of people, if they knew who you came from would try to hurt or even kill you.

Naruto snorted in direstion, as if he hadn't had that from their own village all his life growing up.

So you were given your mothers surname, for protection from his enemies, even though, as the last of HER line as well, you mother had enemies too.

This perked up Naruto's interest, his MOTHER was the last of her line, like his father? Was Tsunade right?

Your mothers name was Kushina Uzumaki, the princess of the Uzumaki clan from an village in Whirlpool country. Her village had been destroyed in an battle between villages when she was a child, but a group of loyal ninja's managed to get her out before she was hurt and brought her to us with some records of clan abilities and bloodlines, we were allies to their clan, before returning to the clan to aid any others. Only to die along with the rest of them, leaving only your mother as a survivor.

"I KNEW she was his mother!" Anko crowed in triumph "just like I knew she was not from or born in our village, no matter how everyone insisted she was!"

"Well yeah, Anko" Kurenai sweat-dropped "he DOES have her name after all." Naruto rolled his eyes and turned back to the letter, turning to the next page.

We told the village she was a child of an family who had left and died on a mission and raised her as an leaf ninja. It wasn't until she met your father that we allowed another to know her history.

All records we have on your mothers family and bloodlines are with your fathers in their clan home, now also yours as well as everything they had or owned. With it I hope you will be able to awaken any bloodlines or abilities you have inherited from either of them and become the great ninja I always knew you could be.

"Hey..." Kiba said thoughtfully "if your mothers clan were murdered and they don't have all the records of her people and their history and bloodline, you COULD come from the Kitsune line and no one would know anymore!"

"True" Tsunade said thoughtfully "maybe it's time that the hidden leaf investigate the murder of an allie clan."

"I knew Kushina, Tsunade, just say the word and we're gone" Kunerai said softly.

Filling this info away for further use, to later learn more about his mother and the sort of person she was and what she was like he turned back to the papers.

Your mother was a wonderful person, a true warrior and a great ninja, Naruto, you would have been proud to know her and she would have been proud to call you a son. But she died the night of the Kyuubi's attack.

Even though she was eight and a half months pregnant to you she refused to hide with the other civilians, she was injured and went into early labor, dying of blood loss.

Your father was heart broken by this, he lived only for your mother, I think that's part of the reason he choose to do what he did.

"Do what?" Hinata spoke his and the rest of rookie nine's thoughts for them. "Here we go" Anko breathed, leaning closer-everyone else copying with bated breathes.

Your father was the one who trapped the demon fox inside you, Naruto, and yes, that makes him who you think. I know you are more intelligent than anyone else gives you credit for. Your just like your father at THAT age, and look at his like as the forth and you'll see how strong he was, not just in strength , but intelligence. He was a great Hokage, just as I know you'll be one day.

"The FORTH!" Kiba cried "how can NARUTO be the son of the forth?...I mean he...I mean how could he be...?"

"Shut up Kiba" Shino said softly, not a single sign of drunkenness, motioning with his head meaningfully at the fox container. Kiba looked at the fox container's face, whispered "oh, right, sorry" and all attention turned back to the blonde.

The blonde had put the folder back down on his knees, his expression shattered with betrayal and horror akin to when Sasuke had left, an expression none of them had ever wanted to see again. Even the fox had sensed it, immediately stood and started to rub up against his calves growling gently, trying to comfort her owner and companion.

"Wait a minute, my lady" Shizune turned to Tsunade "something just occurred to me. Could Minato had known about the Kitsune line in Kushina and that's the reason he choose him?"

"What do you mean?" the sanin looked at her assistant.

"I mean what if some of those files they brought with her to the village was on the kitsune line. What if Minato knew because of Naruto inheriting it, and since he was young enough to adapt to it, only HE was capable of not only holding the demon fox but would accept it, because of the Kitsune."

Naruto perked up in his seat. In his anger and betrayal at his father this thought had never occurred to him. It made sense, and now that he was thinking clearer he also saw how his father had sacrificed his own life as well. Naruto had an horrifying thought, what would have happened if he had used someone else for it, Shikamaru, or Shino, or, god forbid, Hinata?

Someone who wouldn't have been capable of holding and controlling the fox?

He shuddered at the thought as he ignored the foxes growl at the idea Naruto controlled it. His father had been right in his decision, no matter how it had hurt him growing up.

The proof would be when he went through their possessions. If his mothers records were in the clan home...

He turned back to the folder, a new sense of purpose and confidence, the fox settling back down on his feet after licking his hand comfortingly.

His name was Minato Namikaze, also known as 'The Konoha'sYellow Flash' or The Forth Hokage. He never wanted you to have to go through what you did in your childhood, he never meant for you to be abused or mistreated-no father does. No, he had wanted you to be treated as an hero, an hero who while he lives protects and saves everyone's life by constantly holding the fox at bay.

Do not blame your father, Naruto it wasn't his fault, it was that damned councils.

Naruto frowned at this, what did the 'old man' mean by this?

From the minute after the sealing they was demanding your death, baying for blood, something they wouldn't have had the nerve to do had your father lived. Only the Hokage's last wish stopped them, that and MY return as Hokage. I tried my best all your youth to protect you, but unfortunately those conniving bastards went behind my back when they couldn't get their way and spread the story of you being the demon among the village and parents especially.

"So that's how it started" both Tsunade and Anko looked pissed "I always knew those bastards were sneaky, but that's too much."

"There has to be some way to punish the bastards" Anko said with a growl "I mean making an innocent kid suffer like that growing up..."

"I think the third's got you covered" Kunerai laughed, "look at this."

However as of today that is no longer a problem. The moment you took this folder your prints activated an complex Jutsu I'd been working on for years. I sent files of proof and documents to the Fire Lord and he has given permission to-on his authoritative, disband and arrest the council members mentioned further on as traitors to not only the leaf village, the Hokage himself but the Fire Lord. He then give you permission to either make an NEW council of your own choosing or just keep the ones you wish. Any action from either the council or their representatives as well as villagers will be punishable by your own ideas or by the Fire Lords authority himself if you wish.

"YES!" Tsunade snatched up the page, reading over the list of names "FINALLY! THOSE SMUG BASTARDS WILL FINALLY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE!"

Naruto noisily cleared his throat to which the sanin paused, blushed and handed the page back with an apology. But before she did eyes suddenly turned to Sai in concern, aware he used to be Danzo's spy among them. The artist smiled "When I became friends with Naruto and you all, I realized that master Danzo's vision of this place was the wrong sort. I will not warn or tell him what is going on."

They believed him and turned back to the letter again.

All the paperwork you will need is here or in the safe at Hokage tower. Copies of Narutos birth certificate with his parents are in the registry and the clan home, proof for when you reveal the truth. All forms you need are here and the keys to the property are with this folder.

Naruto glanced at the ring of keys in his hand before looking back at the letter.

The property is protected by jitsu's and failsafes to prevent such as Danzo getting inside to steal your fathers jitsus and mother's secrets, only someone of his or your mothers bloodline can get inside. In other words-you. To unlock it, just use blood on the front gate like you would a summons.

If the council got Tsunade as the new Hokage after me I need you to pass the rest of this letter to her.

So this is goodbye and I would wish you all the luck in the world, but always seemed to already have it so I'll just say, I hope you one day do become Hokage and become the strong ninja and powerful warrior your parents and I always knew you would.

Hiruzen Sarutobi

Naruto handed the the letter to the fifth who, alone with Jiraya, Shikamaru and Asuma went to sit at the kitchen table, disgussing their next move and the information on the pages. Meanwhile Naruto looked down at the fox, a big genuine smile on his face as he leaned down to stroke the fox between the ears. "How's that girl, huh? I can keep you. Not just that you'll have an entire clan house and yards to run around in." The fox yipped softly and pushed up against his hand, like a cat does when it tells you to keep rubbing.

Hinata, secretly turning excited happy circles in joy in her head at the thought of Naruto being under the CRA, watched for a few seconds before timidly asking "What are you going to call her? Have you got a name?"

The blonde watched the fox nudge his hand for a few seconds, never loosing the smile, his head slightly cocked as he studied her before he nodded and said softly, gently "Kushina." Hinata smiled and nodded her understanding. A sudden flurry of activity in another corner as Anko and Kunerai started talking secretly together.

At this the fox licked his hand, as if accepting and approving her name and Shizune came forward "I haven't given you your gift yet, Naruto." She cleared her thoat loudly to catch the attention of all rookie nine and the others not occupied in the kitchen "as of tomorrow afternoon, every team and their sensai not on an mission that can't be cancelled or posponed, will be assigned to help Naruto pack and move into his new home. Not just that but since the place hasn't been touched in eighteen years, any cleaning and repair work needed. And once I receive a report of the extent of work that may or may not be needed, the rest of the week."

"Yosh!" Lee cheered excitedly "not only do we get to see the honorable clan home of the forth Hokage, the clan home of our youthful friend, but help him move in it too!"

Everyone sweat-dropped at this, Sakura murmuring for him to shut up.

Kunerai moved forward from where she and Anko had been crowded and held out a box to him "last present, but it should help. At least with her."

Naruto frown and took the large box, Hinata leaning forward to look, putting it on the floor next to the fox "here girl, it's for you too."

Delicately the fox rose to its feet to cautiously sniff at the box before looking at him almost in a question 'what is it?' Slowly opening the lid Naruto revealed...first an beautifully intriticate black leather collar, designs stitched into the leather, red thread flames on the outside and gold foxes inside. A tag hung from it, one side held the Uzumaki swirl in the leaf symbol, the other...her name.

"How did you..." Naruto looked up at her.

Behind her Anko grinned, flashing her kunai which glowed slightly. Naruto just rolled his eyes and went back to the box.

Next out was a pet bed, a LARGE one, filled with blankets and pillows for her. Kunerai explained almost apologenically "she's a fox so I couldn't get you pet food. Foxs eat mice and other rodents and snakes and other such, so you'll have to let her hunt for her own food." Naruto nodded in understanding.

Under that was some strange items that resembled weapons.

Looking questionately at her Naruto frowned in confusion. "Their weapons for her for you to train her with during battle. I know she has her claws and agility and even her bite, but right now she's only young and may not be able to bite or claw well enough. These make help if you can't find any records of jutsus you can do together."

Naruto understood and dug in to find anything more.

One more item was in the box, right at the bottom.

An orange and black jacket-like he used to wear, the Konoha's leaf symbol on back, the Uzamaki swirl both shoulders, but heavier, obviously armored. When he looked curiously at her she smiled "for HER, so she's warm and protected somewhat during battle."

Although he thought it was a little weird Naruto remembered Kakashi's nin-hounds and their jackets and nodded.

Tsunade and her group came to Naruto's side "we're going home, Naruto. We'll see you in the morning. As soon as I call a council meeting tomorrow morning I'll not only inform them they're no longer in charge but call an village-wide meeting so I can announce your hereditary to everyone." She frowned angrily "now I have the Fire Lord's blessing, I'm ripping this entire village an new one."

Naruto nodded to the group "thanks for comming. Good luck tomorrow with the council."

Tsunade leaned over and gently kissed him lovingly on the forehead "happy birthday, Naruto" she leaned over and touched their foreheads together "I care very deeply for you and am proud of you and who you have become. Your father, mother and the third would have been proud too."

Naruto smiled tearily back and thanked her, letting her reluctantly pull back and seeing the group to the door.

When he turned back, Neji had Shino proped against his shoulder behind him, Lee with Kiba "We must leave as well. These two need to be in bed if we are going to help tomorrow afternoon."

Naruto nodded and since most the group was gone, it didn't take long for the rest to leave.

Hinata was the last to leave, hesitating at the door as she asked softly "will you be alright for the rest of tonight alone?"

Naruto nodded and gave her a special smile "thank you, Hina." He leaned over to gently touch his lips to hers, stunning her with the gentle caring gesture. Before she could recover he had gently closed the door and she was staring at the wood.

Inside Naruto turned back, sighing to start packing up and rubbish and cleaning the food and empty bottle mess.

To his surprise Kushina helped him, picking up empty bottles in her jaw and carrying it to him, empty box lids in her jaw and so on. The two of them got it cleaned faster than Naruto alone and soon he grabbed the bed and blankets and carried it to his room.

Placing them on the floor across from his bed he set everything out as he fluffed the pillows and spread the blankets. Suddenly tired he wondered into the bathroom to change and brush his teeth before wondering back into the bedroom to find the fox still standing there, waiting for him.

Too tired to protest or try and coax her onto the bed he sighed and climbed under the sheet and blankets, curled up in an exhausted pile and soon drifting into an deep sleep. When a sudden warmth joined him on the bed he did nothing but sigh contently, snuggle into the heat and drift deeper. So deep nothing could disturb him until morning.