sup dudes

Thanks for your reviews and positive feedback, it's the reason I keep writing. Also I want to apologise for any future instances were I can't properly describe items, people's looks, weapons or anything else that's going to be in my story. I'm not that great at descriptions and I don't have good drawing skills to put up a picture of any of this stuff on deviantart, so if ever a situation were to pop up were you didn't understand my description just imagine it however you want to.

Anyway on with the show.

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO, NEVER HAVE NEVER WILL, PLEASE SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE!


Ch 10 meeting the family

naruto was confused.

It had been a while since Kurohime's… declaration. He most definitely did not expect his friend to claim that they were now technically engaged due to a tradition the head family of the ninneko clan followed, and according to kurohime's words it most definitely WAS an authentic tradition. Naruto didn't doubt it after kurohime went into 'serious mode' and explained it like she was reading it out of a lawbook, he still remembered how she worded it.

'if the leader of the ninneko or the heir/heiress of the ninneko should ever have their lives saved by a person of interest, then they are obligated to repay the said person by one of two ways. First, they are to serve their benefactor until such a time as the debt is repaid, either by saving their benefactors life in return or serving until their benefactor considers their service satisfactory to release them from their obligation. Or the secondary option, should both parties be of marrying age and opposite sex then the party that was rescued may offer their hand in marriage to their benefactor, the marriage pact shall be considered sacred and is unbreakable by anyone outside of the two that are to be entered into the marriage pact.'

naruto was left gaping after she recited what could only be a quote directly from a Facebook, because he highly doubted his bubbly friend could have made that up off the top of her head. She had also been very clingy since she announced their 'engagement', she also was saying a lot of embarrassing things that had naruto lighting up like a red sun. She was currently saying one of these embarrassing things now while holding tightly to his right arm.

"Your going to be really happy when we're married naru-kun! I'll cook for you all the time and we'll cuddle, and a little while after we're married we'll have kittens!"

Naruto blanched at that. "W-WHAT! K-KITTENS!?"

Kurohime just nodded happily, not realizing how many years she was making naruto age due to the embarrassing things she was speaking of. "Yup, we'll have lots and lots of kittens, at least a dozen."

Naruto tried to calm himself down, something that was difficult since Kurohime was talking about wedding specifics and what to name the babies.

"Hime-chan we can't get married!" Kurohime stopped her rambling at that, and turned to naruto with teary eyes.

"W-why not *sniff* naru-kun, don't you *sniff* love me?" Now naruto was a sucker when it came to crying girls, so he was a bit flustered trying to get Kurohime to stop.

"W-w-wait hime-chan! It's not that, I like you plenty. I-it's just…" he needed to think up an excuse… GOT IT! "I haven't even met your family yet, I mean, it would be kinda rude not to even meet them before we do anything."

That broke Kurohime out of her sniffles, she then looked at naruto with a finger to her chin in an adorable thinking pose. "Your right naru-kun, you gotta meet papa and auntie shiro. I didn't even think about that, your so smart naru-kun!" And lime that bubbly Kurohime was back and she was hugging naruto like her life depended on it, naruto sighed at least she wasn't talking about babies anymore.

"Come on naru-kun, we gotta hurry up so you can meet everyone." She then began dragging naruto at a surprising speed, because of her small body, down the road. Naruto only hoped that her family could talk her out of the 'engagement' because naruto was not ready to be married, naruto had one last thought though.

'I just hope this doesn't cause any problems between me and hime-Chan's family.'

if that wasn't foreshadowing, then I don't know what is.


Naruto and Kurohime had been traveling for another couple of hours since naruto's thoughts on his 'engagement' with his friend.

Luckily for naruto, since their chat about the 'engagement' Kurohime had been less inclined to talk about children and wedding plans for the two of them. But she was still standing close to naruto, and she hadn't let naruto's left hand out of the vice grip she had on it since she first started to hold his hand.

Currently they were going towards an abandoned city that was apparently home to a friend of Kurohime's aunt and her granddaughter who was a good friend of Kurohime's, they had to go there to pick up something before they made it to the ninneko stronghold.

When they exited the forest and were able to see the abandoned city, naruto was rather impressed with the sight. It really was an abandoned city, their were buildings fallen to disrepair everywhere. Some looked as if the hadn't been in use for months others for years some even looked like they hadn't been touched in over a decade, the place had a sort of haunted peace to it. The inner artist in naruto felt the desire to paint such a scene, but he had no time for such things, he had to keep moving less konoha caught up to him and send him back to the village and take his freedom.

"Come on naru-kun, it's not far from here." His thoughts were broken by his friend as she pulled him towards the city, naruto smiled, happy to have her with him to scare away his worries and allow him to enjoy himself and live in the now.

"Ok hime-chan, I'm coming." They entered the city, naruto had to say the place looked even more mysterious up close than far away. He would wonder how such a place came to be, but he was a kid and had more pressing matters to worry about, hey even he could leave well enough alone without thinking about it.

"Oh yeah, I forgot." Naruto looked at his friend, curious as to what it could be that she had forgotten. He found out what it was when his friend let go of her true henge and allowed her cat features to be seen, her cat ears poked out of the top of her head and her cat tail came out of the bottom of her oversized hoodie.

"Why are you dropping your true henge hime-chan?"

"Because no one ever comes out here, and the people were gonna go see know who I am. Grannys known me since I was a baby, and tamaki has been my friend for years. Plus I don't like hiding my ears and tail, I like having them out." Naruto softly laughed at her last bit of reasoning.

"Look, there's grandma's shop, come on naru-kun!" She then started dragging him towards a small shop that was underneath a large trashed building, the shop looked to be in good shape, at least compared to the surroundings. Kurohime then let him go and walked up to the building and opened the door.

"Hellooooo, anyone home." Naruto shook his head at his friends hyper personality and followed her into the building. The inside looked like a shop for restocking on supplies, though what it was doing in the middle of nowhere still escaped naruto. He was broken out of his thoughts when another voice sounded out in the shop.

"Just I moment!" A girl around their age came out of the back of the shop, she had short brown hair and brown eyes, she also wore an orange sleeveless shirt with shorts.

"Welcome, how may I… k-Kurohime-chan!?" The girl gained a surprised look when she saw Kurohime.

"Tamaki-chan!" Kurohime then ran up and hugged the girl, said girl hugged her back after she got out of the state of shock she was in.

"I missed you tamaki-chan."

tamaki looked at her like she was crazy. "Missed me, MISSED ME! We've all been worried sick about you! Where have you been and why did you leave, you've had everyone running around like headless chickens because of your stunt!" After the girls verbal tirade Kurohime just took up a sheepish look, before raising one of her arms and rubbing the back of her head while giving a sheepish smile.

"Hehehe sorry, I forgot." Both naruto and tamaki facefaulted, who the hell uses that as an excuse!

"*sigh* only you Kurohime-chan, only you. But at least your back now, and safe."

Kurohime smiled. "Yep, I'm home safe and sound, all thanks to naru-kun." Kurohime looked at naruto, who was still standing by the door. Tamaki finally noticed naruto after her friend pointed him out.

"Oh hello, sorry I didn't notice you before, I'm tamaki." After the girl politely introduced herself naruto did the same.

"Hello, I'm naruto, pleasure to meet you."

"So you've been taking care of Kurohime while she was away?" At naruto's nod she continued. "Thank you, I personally know how much trouble she can get into, you must've had your hands full when you were watching after her." Naruto nodded his head while laughing at the accurate assessment.

"Hehehe yeah, hime-chan is a bit of a handful." Now both naruto and tamaki were laughing, while Kurohime was blushing from embarrassment.

"Tamaki-chan naru-kun! That's mean!"

Naruto smiled and continued. "But I wouldn't give up looking after her for anything in the world, after all she's my precious friend." Naruto finished with one of his small, sincere smiles filled with warmth. The smile had tamaki lightly blushing while Kurohime, well she was staring at him with a look of pure adoration and her eyes had taken the shape of hearts.

Meanwhile she was thinking. 'My naru-kuns so sweet and cool!'

"Tamaki, who's there?" An old withered, yet kind, voice interrupted their talk.

Tamaki replied to the voice. "Granny, come see who it is, you won't believe it."

Someone else came out of the back of the shop. This time it was an old woman, she had a large mane of grey hair with a cat ear hair band placed on top of her head. She had a number of wrinkles and the skin on her nose was darker in color than the rest of her face, she was rather short being only around a head or so taller than the three children.

"Really? Well then, who is-" much like tamaki she stopped talking after she caught sight of Kurohime. "Kuro-chan is that you?" Kurohime smiled and lunged at the woman with her arms wide.

"Grrraaannny!" She caught the woman in a tight hug, one the elder woman soon returned.

"Kuro-chan, where have you been, you've worried all of us with your sudden disappearance." The old woman spoke in a stern yet still caring tone.

"Sorry granny, I didn't mean to worry anyone." Kurohime mumbled out.

"*sigh* it's alright I suppose, as long as you are alright and don't do anything so foolish again."

Kurohime smiled up at her. "Don't worry granny, I won't."

"Good. But don't go thinking your off the hook just because I'm not angry at you, your aunt and father have worried a good few years of their life away because of your disappearance. So be prepared for a scolding." Kurohime looked scared at the prospect of punishment. The elderly lady soon noticed naruto.

"Hello, who might you be?"

Naruto quickly introduced himself. "I'm naruto, I'm hime-Chan's friend."

"Oh, then I suppose I have you to thank for bringing back little kuro-chan, on behalf of everyone I thank you for bringing her back safe and sound." She gave naruto a small bow, she was truly grateful to him for bringing her pseudo-granddaughter back.

Naruto looked a little flustered at being thanked in such a way. "Ah I-it's alright, I was happy to help hime-chan. She's my best friend after all, what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't help her."

The woman gave naruto a smile, happy at his answer. She then realized something. "Ah where are my manners? Let me introduce myself, I'm the owner of this establishment and a friend to kuro-Chan's family. You may call me granny cat, everyone does."

Naruto smiled at her kind nature. "Its nice to meet you granny cat."

"Ah such a well behaved young man, kuro-chan is lucky to have met such a good friend on her little journey."

"I'm lucky to have met her to, she's been a good friend to me as well." The friendly talk between the two was interrupted by an outburst by Kurohime.

"Hey! Naru-kun isn't my friend!" Now instead of happiness the people in the small shop were feeling shock. Granny cat and tamaki because in all the time they've known Kurohime she was always a kind girl, for her to yell out in such a way that someone wasn't her friend was a little hard to imagine. And naruto was shocked because he felt hurt at her outburst, why wouldn't she think of him as a friend?

Kurohime then walked up to naruto, and kissed him on the cheek she then hugged his left arm tightly and turned to the rooms other occupants with a smile. "Naru-kun is my fiance."

Now naruto was blushing crimson, and it looked like steam was coming off the top of his head. Meanwhile granny cat and tamaki were even more shocked than before, who wouldn't be at her proclamation? Tamaki was the first to break out of her stupor.

"W-w-what! Kurohime-chan, what are you saying?"

"What do you mean tamaki-chan? I mean exactly what I said, me an naru-kun are gonna get married." She finished by increasing the strength of the vice-grip she had on naruto's arm and laying her head on his shoulder in an affectionate manner, something that managed to increase the intensity of naruto's blush. Unnoticed by the others granny cats look of shock turned into a inquisitive look, she looked at the two young children in front of her to try to figure out what had happened to bring things into the state they are at now.

"Kurohime you know what I mean! WHY is he your fiance and what the heck happened? Also aren't you a little young to get a fiance?" Tamaki was trying to get a proper explanation out of her friend.

"Why not? Also I'm not too young to have a fiance, maybe you should hurry up and get your your own." She finished with a teasing tone.

Tamaki blushed at Kurohime's last words. "What's that supposed to mean!?"

The girls were soon arguing back and forth and poor naruto was stuck in the middle of it, he still had a large blush on his face from Kurohime's words. Luckily he was soon saved.

"Enough you two!" All three children turned to granny cat, she had a stern look on her face that soon turned into a smile. "Now, tamaki kuro-chan why don't you two go outside and catch up while I talk with naruto-kun."

Both girls just nodded and then left the small shop to talk, they knew when their granny was asking them to do something and when she was telling them. Now it was just naruto and granny cat left in the shop, naruto wondered what it was that the elderly woman wanted to talk to him about alone, the intense stare she was giving him really didn't reassure him that it was something simple. Soon naruto started to fidget under the woman's gaze, she may give off the aura of a kind old woman but her stare was very intense, though after granny cat noticed his discomfort she softened her look and put on a small gentle smile.

"Don't worry young man, your not in any sort of trouble. It's just, I would like an explanation in what happened between Kurohime and you during her little adventure. So why don't you start at the beginning when you met Kurohime, and end when you get to were you enter my shop, and do leave nothing out."

Naruto so no reason, or way, to refuse her request. "*sigh* okay it started like this, one day after I visited the library…" and so naruto told granny cat everything. From his first meeting with Kurohime when he rescued her from three juveniles, to taking her home with him and nursing her back to health. He also told her how he and Kurohime became friends after he rescued her, and how happy he was that he finally had a friend. He told her that they were practically inseparable, he then told her how he left his home village and began travelling on his own. He said how he found out what Kurohime really was and his reaction to it, something they both laughed a little at. Finally he retold how he and Kurohime saved the small village of nojo from a pack of bandits and a ninja dropout, because calling him a missing-nin would give him to much credit for his pour skills. At the story of how they saved the village granny cat looked a little worried, but at the end she had a smile filled with pride at what her pseudo-granddaughter and her friend had done. Then naruto embarrassingly told her how Kurohime stated the fact that he was now her fiance, and he finished off his explanation soon after that with them entering the abandoned city and coming to the shop.

Granny cat chuckled at the end. "Oh my, that's quite the adventure. But a have to say, only kuro-chan could end up getting into that much trouble in so little time. Though luckily she had you to save her when she got over her head, once again thank you." Naruto blushed lightly at the praise.

"Though it is quite humorous, you and Kurohime ending up engaged in such a way."

Naruto looked at her, confused. "What do you mean, what's so funny about it?"

Granny cat smiled happily. "Sorry but it is not my place to tell, if you want an answer to that question you'll have to ask Kurohime or her family." Naruto nodded with a little pout, he could understand but he didn't like being in the dark.

Granny cats face suddenly turned serious and stern. "My thanks aside though, their is something I must ask you."

Naruto was a bit caught of gaurd by her sudden change of mood, he gave a shaky nod for her to go ahead and ask her question. "Sure, ask anything."

Granny cat narrowed her eyes in an intense stare. "What are your feelings towards Kurohime?"

Naruto was a little caught off gaurd at the question. "W-what?"

"I'm asking you for your feelings towards her. You must understand, I care for Kuro-chan deeply. I have know her all her life, I was even there when she came into this world. I viewed her mother as a daughter, and I have watched as she grew up alongside my own granddaughter. As far as I, or anyone else for that matter, is concerned I am her grandmother in all but blood. Which is why I must know, what are your intentions for my granddaughter."

Now naruto's eyes steeled, now that he understood what she was asking he felt a little insulted. "I am hime-Chan's friend, as she is mine. I will protect her with all that I am, and I will do anything to make her happy. My whole life all I've ever wanted was someone to accept me, someone I could be there for and make a difference in their life. Hime-chan is my friend and my most important person, as such I will do everything in my power to protect her and make her happy. I will never forgive anything or anyone that tries to hurt her or make her unhappy, because when I see her happy face, it means the world to me." Granny cat was taken back at the conviction in the young boys words, she could tell, without a doubt, that everything the boy had said was true and from the heart.

She gave the boy a small genuine smile. "I see, thank for answering truthfully. I am sorry though if I insulted you, but you must understand I will do whatever it takes to protect my family."

Naruto's gaze softened at her words, it wasn't like he was truly angry at her It's just, to insinuate he would ever allow hime-chan to be hurt on his watch rubbed him the wrong way. "Its okay, I understand. I to would do anything to protect my precious people."

"Really now?" Now granny cat gained a contemplative look, one that had naruto confused as to what she was thinking about now. Little did he know was that granny cat was thinking of everything naruto said and did since she met him, and finally she came to a conclusion.

"I approve!" Naruto now was really confused.

"Huh? Approve what?" The old lady just gave him a smile, a smile that for some reason made naruto feel very nervous.

"Simple, I approve of you being my little kuro-Chan's betrothed." Naruto just stared at her blankly, until.

"WHAT!" Naruto definitely did not expect this, he expected Kurohime's family and friends to disapprove the engagement, for whatever reasons they so choose, not approve it!

"What do you mean you approve! Aren't you just a little bit hesitant to have me engaged to hime-chan, I mean I just met you!" Naruto's flustered reply made the elder woman chuckle.

"Oh, and considerate as well. My kuro-chan you've really found yourself a keeper." Naruto was beginning to get frustrated at the direction this conversation was going. Granny cat saw this and tried to placate him.

"calm down, I don't mean to tease. It's just, the two of you look so adorable together." Judging by the increase of red in his cheeks, and the look of frustration on his face she most certainly did not placate him.

Naruto spoke with a bit of a growl. "This is serious, this could really cause a few problems."

"*sigh* I know, and I apologise. But you don't fully understand, the circumstances aren't exactly what they seem." Naruto calmed down at that, he just wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble and after the tumultuous life he has lived who wouldnt?

"Okay… so what is it I don't understand, what's their to understand?"

Granny cat smiled. "What you don't understand is that you are a divine opportunity for my little kuro-chan's dreams to come true."

Now naruto was surprised. "And why exactly is that?"

"Your her chance for adventure, or to be more precise the adventures she's always dreamed of since she was a little girl."

Naruto shook his head, every answer he got just brought up more questions. "Once again why? And isn't she still a little girl.?"

Granny cat gave an amused chuckle. "True she is, if one were to look at it in a physical perspective." At naruto's questioning look she continued. "Physically she's a regular seven year old girl, if you overlook the cat features. But she has been training almost her whole life to fight and to get out into the world, so despite her childish and bubbly attitude she is mentally much older than she appears, just like you."

Naruto nodded, he couldn't dispute the truth in her words. Kurohime May have acted childish and innocent, but underneath that was a skilled fighter. When he saw her fight it was skilled clean and precise, a literal lethal dance with her movements and she showed not an ounce of hesitation that the actual 'little girl' she acted like would have shown in such a situation. At heart his friend was a kunoichi, and not just any kunoichi a tough as nails fighting kunoichi. If she was back at konoha he had little doubt she would be the number one kunoichi of the class and the best at taijutsu among them as well, her hand to hand fighting skills were definitely better than his and he had no shame in admitting that.

But still there was one answer that granny cat had yet to give. "Why am I her chance of adventure, what makes me so special that you think I can help hime-chan go out and live her dreams?" Naruto would be more than happy to help his dear friend, but he had to know why he was the only one that could do so.

Granny cat gave a tired sigh. "Because you and Kuro-chan are just like they used to be." Naruto was a little angered that he yet again got an answer that brought more questions, but moreover he was curious.

"Like who used to be?"

Granny cat shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I have already said too much. But I can promise you that in time, you will get your answers."

Naruto sighed at the lack of information. But he still had one question. "So me and hime-chan remind you of two other people right?" At granny cats nod he continued. "So is that the only reason I can help hime-chan, or is their another?"

Granny cat looked at him surprised. "Why yes their is, but don't you already know what it is?"

Naruto shook his head. "No, I have no idea."

Granny cat still held her surprised look. "Really? I thought it was painfully obvious."

Now naruto really wanted to know, he prided himself on his smarts and observation skills so if this really was obvious it would be a bit of a sucker punch to his pride. "Well apparently it's not obvious enough. What is it?

Granny cat leaned in. "Well it is sorta obvious that…" now naruto was leaning in eager to hear what crucial detail he missed.

"That you should get a say in your fiancee's life, now isn't it?

Naruto faceplanted at her words, and granny cat began to laugh.

"Sorry I just hahaha, I just couldn't help it."

Naruto shallots looked up from the ground. "W-we aren't really, hime-chan and I aren't really engaged are we?"

Granny cat stopped laughing, but kept a large smile on her face. "I'm afraid so lad, kuro-chan wasn't lying about that being a rule of the ninneko. It may be a very old rule and not really used much, but it is still one of the long standing traditions they have held on to. So I'm sorry to say that in the eyes of the ninneko, you and kuro-chan are indeed engaged."

Naruto had anime tears going down his face. "Come on, I can't be married. I only recently got my freedom, I mean I like hime-chan but we're only seven, that's way to young to get married."

Granny cat nodded. "Lucky for you, the ninneko also agree on this."

Naruto looked at her inquisitevely. "Say what?"

Granny cat began explaining. "A rule the ninneko have that pertains to marriage. The rule stated that you are not able to be properly married until you both reach appropriate age, for civilians this age is eighteen, for ninjas the age is sixteen. So for at least nine more years you and kuro-chan can only be engaged, no one can make you marry any sooner just like no one can oppose your engagement. So if you want a way out you have to get kuro-chan to change her mind about the engagement."

Naruto smiled, a way out! Naruto didn't have anything against Kurohime or the thought of getting married, it's just, he never really thought about getting married other than the thought that he would like to in the future. And while he truly cared for kurohime, he was not ready for marriage and even if he was he would need a little more time to get to know her. So altogether he was happy that he was simply engaged at the moment, he didn't know what he would do if he had to get married so soon. But he was a little unnerved about something.

"Why are you telling me this? You were supportive of hime-Chan's decision to get engaged to me, so why tell me a way out."

Granny cat smiled. "Once again naruto-kun I find myself impressed with how observative you are despite your age, and yes I am supportive if kuro-Chan's decision. But while I may have given you the information to get out, I know one thing you don't."

Naruto arched a brow. "And what is that?"

Granny cat gave a smirk. "My little kuro-chan is as stubborn as a rock."

That simple phrase had naruto pale, she was right. Kurohime was stubborn, and deep down naruto knew it would be a living hell to get her to change her mind. Partly because she was stubborn and partly because he would try to not hurt her feelings, damn his kind nature.

"Ugh, why is my life always so crazy?"

"I apologise."

Naruto looked up at granny cat to see her happy smile turned into a frown. "Why?"

Granny cat sighed. "Because I am using you."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I'm being selfish and using you, I want kuro-chan to be happy and right now I see you as the key to that happiness. Her father is very protective of her, despite her skill in fighting I fear he may never relinquish the hold he has on her. Don't misunderstand though, her father by no means wishes to make her unhappy, it's just… . Kurohime is his most precious daughter, if he lost her I have no idea what he would do."

Naruto was listening very intently, so much so he was able to catch granny cats little slip up. She was going to say something else when stating the reason Kurohime was so precious to her father, but she stopped herself for some reason, naruto had to wonder what she was going to say.

"But he has to learn. Kurohime is a free spirit, she has to get out there and experience the world for herself. This hasn't been the first time Kurohime has wandered away from home, and while she doesn't want to worry us she just can't help it. It's in her nature to want, to need, to go out into the world. She has to go out there and experience the adventures she so craves, and if she doesn't go soon she may never be able to. A free spirits will can either die or grow stronger from being caged, unfortunately for my little kuro-chan it's the former. She used to run away on these little 'adventures' of her's so frequently, but nowadays her spirit of adventure is growing quieter and quieter. I fear soon she will lose her drive completely, and that… I just cannot bare to see."

Naruto looked shocked, he didn't expect all of this to happen. He couldn't have imagined their was such complication in his friends life, especially since her carefree attitude denied that there was anything wrong.

"So please I ask you, help my granddaughter go live out her dreams."

Naruto could only say what his heart told him to say. "Its ok, you don't have to ask me to do anything. If it's for hime-chan I'll do anything. Also hime-chan promised me that we were gonna be ronin together and travel the world as wandering ninjas, can't let a friend of mine not keep her promises now can I?" Naruto finished with a sincere smile.

Granny cat smiled as well. "And you wondered why I was so quick to approve you and kuro-Chan's engagement." Okay now naruto was blushing and sputtering out words in an effort to retort that claim, something that had granny cat laughing.

"Hahahah, come, let's go see where kuro-chan and tamaki got off to." Naruto quickly nodded, eager to get of the topic of his apparent engagement.


meanwhile on the streets of the abandoned city

"okay Kurohime spill it." Tamaki and Kurohime had just exited the shop, and tamaki was ready to interrogate her childhood friend for details.

"Spill what tamaki-chan?" Kurohime gave an innocent and clueless look towards her friend, like she was actually clueless as to what tamaki was asking, but tamaki knew better.

"Oh you know exactly what I want you to spill, what happened while you were gone. And what's the deal with bringing this guy home and then saying your engaged to him, I know you and I know you wouldn't just pull a pretty face of the street and put a ring on his finger. You've always been a bit of a romantic, always saying how you were gonna find some super strong, nice and handsome prince charming to marry. And while I admit naruto does seem kind, and he's not too shabby in the looks department. But that isn't any reason for you to just say your marrying him out of the blue, so your gonna tell me everything and I mean everything!" Tamaki left no room for arguments.

Kurohime pouted. "Mou, tamaki-chan is so mean." Kurohime then smiled. "Fine then I guess I can fill you in on my, romantic adventures with naru-kun!" She finished by striking a pose with both her hands clutched under her chin and hearts where her eyes were supposed to be, tamaki was developing a twitch in her eye because Kurohime was stuck in that pose as well as her own little world.

"Just hurry up and tell me already!" She broke Kurohime's little daydreaming of her and her naru-kun doing 'romantic things' (heads out of the gutter, she's seven).

"Fine fine, so mean." At the sight of a vein popping on tamaki's head she decided that play time was over and that she should hurry up and give her friend the information she wanted.

"Well you see, after I left on my quest for adventure."

Tamaki interrupted her. "You mean when you ran away without an ounce of consideration for anyone else."

"Whatever, the point is after I left I travelled for a little while before I ended up at konoha."

Tamaki's eyes widened a bit at that. "You mean the ninja village."

Kurohime nodded. "Yep, after I got there I explored for a little while, but then a ran into some evil villains."

Tamaki gave her friend a deadpan look. "Please don't exaggerate."

Kurohime pouted again. "Fine, they were three mean kids, you happy?!" At her friends nod Kurohime could only mumble about how lame it was gonna be now. She then continued.

"Anyway I got attacked by these three kids, and since I was in my cat form I couldn't beat em up." Tamaki nodded at that, even she, who was not a ninneko, knew that the ninneko were very paranoid about telling the outside world about themselves. There were plenty of people out there that would try to use the ninneko in some way should their existence become common knowledge, and the ninneko weren't really eager to be forced into the servitude of anyone. Sure their were place as that knew of them like her grandmother and konoha, since hiding an entire stronghold filled with ninja cats wasn't easy, but the those that did know of them kept quiet out of respect for the ninneko's wishes.

Kurohime continued her story. "So I decided to run, but they chased me and since they were also ninjas in training I couldn't lose them. Then one of them threw a jagged rock at me and it hit me in the leg, with my leg busted up I knew I couldn't keep running from them so I hid in this crevice I saw in an alleyway. But it was a dead end and I was stuck, the boys were trying to get me and I was so scared I didn't know what to do." Tamaki was concerned for her friend due to the depressed tone she had taken when telling this part of the story, but when her friend smiled she knew it was gonna have a happy turn of events.

Kurohime smiled and began talking in a happy tone. "Then I heard him as he told the bullies to leave me alone, when I got a chance to peak out of my hiding spot I saw him for the first time. He was standing there with his hair blowing in the breeze and his face full of determination, he stood defiant against the three bullies and wouldn't back down when it came to protecting me. Then he began fighting them, the bullies were bigger than him, older than him and outnumbered him but he still fought them to protect me. He knocked the first one out in six seconds flat, the next two he took out in ten. The be next thing I saw was the bullies running away with their tails between their legs, and there was naru-kun standing triumphant." Tamaki smiled at that, happy that her friend had found a good friend.

"Then he turned towards me, and I got scared again. I was still afraid from being chased by the mean boys, so when naruto turned to me I was still threatened. He tried to help me, but I ended up biting him."

Tamaki gave her friend and incredulous loom. "You bit him?"

Kurohime looked sheepish. "Hey I was scared, I didn't mean to."

"*sigh* only you kuro-chan."

"Hmph meanie, anyway after I bit him a tried running away, but my foot still hurt so I ended up tripping. I was so scared I shut my eyes and was just waiting for him to attack me, but he didn't. The next thing I knew he was picking me up and giving me this wonderful smile filled with warmth and kindness, and I wasn't afraid anymore. He took me to his house patched me up and then, he's just taken care of me ever since."

Tamaki smiled at her friends happy story. "I have to give you full points for the first meeting, that did seem pretty wonderful." Tamaki then got a thoughtful look. "But when did our tell him you weren't exactly a cat?"

Kurohime rubbed the back of her head. "Um around two or three days ago."

Tamaki was shocked. "You mean to tell me you want to get engaged to this guy and the most time you've spent with him was as a house cat, what the heck are you thinking kuro-chan?!"

"Hey! Naru-kun did not think of me as a house cat!" Tamaki was a bit taken back by her friends outburst, but she stuck by her belief.

"Oh really? So then what did he think of you as?"

"He treated me, he treated me like his friend. When he first found me he talked to me, and somehow he was able to understand me. He didn't treat me like a cat, he would talk to me spend time with me but every time he did I wasn't his pet I was his friend. I would sometimes forget that I was disguised as a cat, because that's how naru-kun made me feel. He treated me like I meant the world to him, like I was his special person, and that made me happy. Naru-kun didn't have any friends and people weren't really nice to him, so when I was the one that made him smile one of his beautiful smiles, the ones that just made me feel so warm inside, it just made me feel wonderful that I could make someone as kind as him happy." Kurohime spoke with such conviction that tamaki was in awe, she couldn't remember the last time her childhood friend was this serious about something, if ever.

"So that's why." Kurohime looked at tamaki, her eyes filled with determination and resolve. "That's why from now on I'll do whatever it takes to make naru-kun happy, because he's special to me too."

Tamaki was dumbstruck at her friends words, now she could truly see why Kurohime was so adamant about being with naruto. Tamaki then gave her friend a smile, just a small sincere smile. "Well I guess I gotta give you my blessing to Marry him as your best friend then, dont I?"

Kurohime smiled at her friends roundabout acceptance of her romantic pursuit with the blond ninja boy, so much so she quickly gave her friend a firm hug. "Really tamaki-chan?"

Tamaki nodded. "Yeah, I'll support you and naruto."

Kurohime became much more enthusiastic in her hugging. "Yaaay, thank you tamaki-chan that makes me feel a lot better."

Tamaki just laughed at her friends happiness. "You can thank me by inviting me to the wedding when you do get married."

Kurohime gave her a smile that unsettled her. "Why do you need an invitation? Me and naru-kun are gonna get married right after I introduce him to papa."

Tamaki gave her friend a deadpan stare, before she lifted her fist up and slugged her on the head. Kurohime looked at her with teared up eyes. "Ow! Tamaki-chan you meanie, what was that for?"

"That was to knock that idea out of your head and knock some common sense in, you aren't getting married till you've at least sixteen years old."

"But tamaki-chan-" she was silenced by an intimidating glare from tamaki.

"Not until your at least sixteen, got it." Kurohime was afraid of that stare and the way she spoke.

"O-ok t-tamaki-chan, I can wait." Tamaki stopped her glaring.

"*sigh* and people wonder why I act like a mother hen, if I didn't I wouldn't be able to look after you kuro-chan." She was answered by a hug and a beaming smile from said friend.

"Aww but you love me, don't ya tamaki-chan."

Tamaki smiled at her friends words. "Yeah I do, But your still telling me about the rest of your 'adventures' you had with naruto while I was away."

"Okay, that's fair." And so Kurohime told tamaki all about her time with naruto, and tamaki listened with rapt attention. Kurohime then told her childhood friend about all the events that happened while she was away, everything up till her and naruto's entrance into the abandoned city.

"Wow, you two are really good at getting in trouble, it's like you were made for each other."

"Tamaki-chan stop being so mean, but I do agree we are made for each other." Tamaki just shook her head at her friends antics. Just then they were broken from their conversation by a loud call.

"HIME-CHAN! TAMAKI!" Both girls looked in the direction the yell came from, they saw naruto and granny cat slowly walking towards them. Kurohime decided to respond with a yell of her own.

"NARU-KUN! GRANNY!" Both girls then ran towards the two and once they reached them they stopped, well tamaki stopped, Kurohime however kept running and rammed into naruto with a flying hug that knocked him off his feet.

"NARU-KUN!" They both crashed onto the ground a few feet away, with Kurohime being on the top thus hurting naruto even more. Meanwhile Kurohime just snuggled into his chest and had her tail wagging in the air in happiness, the sight made tamaki and granny cat laugh but naruto could only groan as he tried to get air back in his lungs because, despite her size kurohime was very strong.

"H-hime-chan can you please get off."

"Why naru-kun, don't you like it when I hug you?" Granny cat then put a hand on her shoulder, deciding to end this humorous scene for the young boys sake.

"I don't think he means it that way kuro-chan, I think he wants you to get off of him so he can breath."

Kurohime looked at naruto, and sure enough he looked like he was lacking on oxygen. "Ahh sorry naru-kun!" Kurohime quickly got off him so he could breath, after he got enough air in his lungs he gave her a shaky smile.

"D-don't worry hime-chan, I'm fine."

Granny cat then began to speak. "Good, now then, there is a reason you came to me before going to the ninneko stronghold, besides alleviating a poor old woman of her worry for her secon grandaughter, right?"

Kurohime's eyes widened slightly. "Oh I almost forgot."

Naruto, who had just gotten back on two feet, wondered what it was his friend had forgotten. "What did you forget hime-chan?"

"We need to get something from granny so you can go to the ninneko stronghold."

Naruto gained a confused look. "Why would I need something to go to the ninneko stronghold, and what is it that I need to get?"

Before Kurohime could answer granny cat stepped in. "I'll answer that." She then turned to naruto with a look that naruto associated with someone about to give a lecture.

"You see young man, the ninneko stronghold is a bit different than your average village, besides the obvious of course. You'll find that when you get there it will feel like your stepping out of the human world, because that is exactly what you'll be doing, the ninneko stronghold is a world run by cats. Normally outsiders are not allowed in, but since you'll be going with kuro-chan they should let you inside without a fuss. But once inside you will find out that things are quite different, for starters you would find out that you wouldn't be able to understand a majority of the ninneko, this is also the reason why you have stopped here before going there."

Naruto interrupted her. "What do you mean I won't understand them? I can understand hime-chan just fine."

Granny cat smiled at the question. "While that is true, I'm afraid kuro-chan is an exception. You see only a few ninneko learn to speak like humans, a majority of them speak like regular cats. That is why we need to go and get a certain item from my shop."

"An item?"

"Yes, one that will allow you to understand the ninneko. Follow me and I'll show you." Granny cat then began to walk back to her shop, the three children diligently followed.


Currently the three children were waiting outside granny cats shop while said person looked for the item she would need to give naruto so he would be able to understand ninneko. They were just relaxing, Kurohime was hanging off of naruto's arm while she and tamaki caught up, naruto was content to just be silent and listen to them.

Soon though two voices that didn't belong to any of the children broke them out of their conversation.

"LADY KUROHIME!"

All three children looked towards the source of the two shouting voices, only to see two regular sized cats running at them with great speed. Though after naruto was able to get better look at them he noticed they weren't exactly regular cats, they were both wearing clothes and both had the kanji for shinobi on their foreheads.

To further his belief that they were not regular cats they began talking once they reached the three children. "LADY KUROHIME, where have you been?" "We were looking for you my lady."

Kurohime smiled in recognition of the two cats. "Denka, hina it's good to see you two."

Naruto chose to question tamaki about the two newcomers. "Um tamaki, who are those two, do you know them?"

Tamaki nodded. "Yes this is denka and hina, they help my grandma out at her shop. They're ninnekos"

"Really" naruto was really surprised at seeing two other ninnekos, Kurohime was the only other one he knew of and she stated that she was a bit of an abnormality amongst them.

"Yep they sure are. Also, what do you mean 'it's good to see you' kuro-chan? You do remember that granny and I haven't been the only ones you've worried with your little disappearing stunt, denka and hina have been running themselves ragged trying to find you so you better apologise."

Kurohime looked bashful at her friends scolding, she rubbed the back of her neck as she sheepishly apologised. "Yeah hehehe, sorry about that."

The cat naruto assumed to be hina spoke. "Its alright my lady."

Denka spoke next. "Yeah, besides we're used to this lady Kurohime."

Tamaki sighed at that. "*sigh* yeah no kidding, she's done this so many times already you would think that we would be immune to the worry that follows whenever she leaves."

Kurohime took offence to that. "Hey I'm not that bad."

Tamaki, denka and hina gave her an 'are you serious' look, before tamaki decided to voice her opinion on the matter. "Oh really, remember that time you went missing and we found you four days later when you beat up a gang of junkyard dogs?"

Naruto stiffled a laugh at that, he could easily picture her doing that. Kurohime tried defending herself. "Well I, you see-"

She was interrupted by denka. "Yes and there was also that time you caused a small forest fire because you ran into a nest of spiders, it was hell trying to stop the fire while trying to calm lady Kurohime down at the same time."

Naruto was losing in his battle to contain his laughter, Kurohime tried to defend herself. "T-t-that wasn't my fault!"

Hina spoke up next. "Then there was that one time we ended up finding you in a zoo and you were held captive by that gorilla."

Naruto was turning blue trying to hold his laughter back, and Kurohime was frantically trying to explain. "How was I supposed to know that gorilla was so clingy, I was going through the zoo as a shortcut to get home!"

Tamaki piped up one more time. "And then there's the time we found you strapped to a table with all kinds of weapons pointed at you, and this crazy guy wearing a monacle thought you were his arch nemesis. AND YOU PLAYED ALONG WITH IT! What was it you said 'do you expect me to talk', to which crazy monacle said 'no, I expect you to die', right?"

"I thought that guy was just joking, it wasn't my fault he was crazy!" Naruto lost it he began laughing his head off, something the young girl and two cats joined him in.

Kurohime looked saddened that they were laughing at her. "You too naru-kun? Your all so mean!"

Naruto stopped laughing, though he did chuckle lightly. "I-I'm sorry hime-chan, I just couldn't help myself." At her still sad face he continued. "Don't be like that, I like hearing more about you. After all your my precious friend, and I like everything about you."

Kurohime's look went from sad to her having a blush on her face and looking at naruto with adoration, something that naruto was a bit oblivious about. "R-really naru-kun?"

Naruto smiled. "Of course."

Tamaki shook her head at the boys romantic cluelesness. 'lover boy doesn't know what he's getting himself into.'

true to tamaki's worries Kurohime's eyes became hearts and her look of adoration increased, faster than anyone could see Kurohime jumped to forward and engulfed naruto in a hug. "Oh my sweet naru-kun!"

"H-hime-chan, your squeezing to tight." Naruto was sporting a small blush himself, meanwhile Kurohime was nuzzling into naruto with her tail wagging and increasing her grip, the boy was lucky his own physical strength was nothing to scoff at other wise he would end up looking like a used tube of toothpaste.

Denka and hina looked confused, so they looked to tamaki to question her since the other two were… indisposed. "Um, are we missing something?"

Tamaki was trying to hold in her laughter at the comical sight. "Long story short Blondie is kuro-Chan's new boyfriend."

Denka and hina looked a bit taken back at that. "R-really, he is?" "Does he even know how much trouble he is gonna get in with you-know-who?"

Tamaki was about to answer them before naruto, who just so happened to be turning blue because the vice-grip Kurohime had on him, interrupted. "You know *wheeze* I hate to interrupt your conversation, but if you wouldn't mind could you HELP ME!"

That broke the girl and two cats out of their stupor, they then tried to pry Kurohime of naruto. Sadly said girl was trapped in her own lovey-dovey world, and all she could think of was her dear sweet naru-kun.

This was the sight granny cat came out of her shop to see, two cats and a girl trying to pry another girl off of a boy that was struggling for air, she then cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Uh-hem" miraculously this managed to gain everyone's attention, even Kurohime's much to naruto's relief.

After inhaling the sweet sweet air that he was kept from naruto thanked the woman for her impeccable timing. "Thanks, I thought I was gonna die."

Granny cat just sighed and shook her head. "Due to past experience with kuro-chan I won't ask how this situation came to be, let's just move on to the item I need to give you."

Granny cat then noticed denka and hina. "Ah denka hina, you've come at the right time, I need your help with something."

"Really, what?" Denka said.

"I need you to escort naruto-kun and kuro-chan to the ninneko stronghold."

"Oh, very well we'll make sure lady Kurohime doesn't get into any trouble."

Kurohime decided to pipe up. "Hey we don't need any escorts, I can take naru-kun there myself. And what do you mean make sure I don't get into trouble, I don't get into any trouble."

Tamaki gave her childhood friend an exasperated look. "Kuro-chan, do you remember the little conversation we had before you tried to choke naruto?" Kurohime's only answer was looking away with a pout and a small embarrassed blush on her face, stating that she did in fact remember said conversation.

Naruto laughed a little at the two friends conversation, before he had something put in front of his face. "What's this?"

The item looked like a necklace, the pendant was in the shape of a cats head with two large eyes with swirling pupils and the cats head had a large Cheshire grin on its face. The pendant was held by a chrome chain that would go around the wearers neck.

Granny cat smiled. "This naruto-kun is a special necklace that will allow you to understand the ninneko once you reach the stronghold."

Naruto and everyone else was looking at the necklace, though Kurohime looked at it a bit disappointed. "But granny what about those cute cat ears." Kurohime then had a blush on her face from imagining her naru-kun wearing a pair of cute cat ears.

"Now kuro-chan it just wouldn't do for naruto to wear those, after all they were made for sneaking into the stronghold, besides it wouldn't do for your fiance to hide himself using those now would it?"

Naruto blushed a bit at the mention of the word 'fiance', but he did wonder what the cat ears were. "Um what are the cat ears?"

Granny cat answered. "The cat ears is a cat ear accessory that you wear on top of your head, it has seals in it that allow you to understand the ninneko much like the necklace, however it also has seals that cast a genjutsu that makes you look like a cat to fool low level ninnekos."

Naruto nodded at the explanation. "Oh I see, so if I wear this necklace I'll be able to talk to ninnekos and understand them?"

Granny cat gave him the necklace, which he put on promptly. "Precisely naruto-kun."

"Thanks for the necklace granny cat."

"Its nothing dear. Now I think it's time you two hurried up and got to the ninneko fortress, no sense making your aunt and father worry anymore than they already have."

At her words Kurohime rushed forward and gave the elderly woman a hug. "Thank you granny, for everything."

"Like I said its nothing dear, just do me a favor and try not so worry you pour aunt and father anymore."

"Ok, I'll try." With that she released her hug and rushed over to her childhood friend to give her one as well. "Bye tamaki-chan, I'll see you later."

"Yeah, take care of yourself kuro-chan, and try not to be so troublesome for naruto will you."

Kurohime gave her a pout. "Do you have to be so mean tamaki-chan?"

"Yes I do, now hurry up or this little goodbye is gonna last forever."

Kurohime just smiled at that and went over to naruto. Granny cat then spoke up. "Now naruto, just follow denka and hina and they'll lead you to the ninneko stronghold."

Naruto nodded at her instructions. "Sure, and thanks again for everything granny cat tamaki."

The two thanked people just smiled. Denka and hina began leaving.

"Come along now, we better hurry before sunset."

Naruto and Kurohime began following them, and once they were far enough away Kurohime turned around and waved her hands while shouting goodbye. "GOODBYE!"

Granny cat and tamaki waved to the two children and two cats that were leaving, both watching as they disappeared from their sight.

"Hey grandma I got something to ask."

Granny cat looked at her granddaughter. "Really, and what is that?"

"That necklace you gave naruto, you told me I long time ago that it was special. Why exactly is it special."

Granny cat smiled at her granddaughters question. "Leave it to you to remember something like that tamaki. Truth be told I was expecting kuro-chan to recognize it."

Tamaki looked at her grandmother confused. "Really, why would kuro-chan recognize it?"

Granny cat looked in the direction that naruto and Kurohime left in, her eyes gained a look as if she was remembering something from long ago.

"Because, that necklace was an exact duplicate of the necklace I made for her mother when she came here so very long ago."

"R-really, why did you give him that if it's so important?"

Granny cat smiled. "I guess I wanted to give a message to nekomata, one I think will help naruto-kun and kuro-chan."

Tamaki's eyes widened at that. "Oh yeah, you think we should have warned him about that?"

Granny cat chuckled. "Don't worry about him, if kuro-chan chose him then he should be able to take care of himself."

Granny cat and tamaki then both went back to the shop, both wondering what would happen to the two children that just left.


It had been several hours since they had left the abandoned city, and naruto Kurohime were getting a little anxious. Naruto because he would be meeting his best friend/fiance's family, Kurohime was nervous because she technically ran away, something she never would truly do, and her family was probably both worried sick and furious with her.

"Well there it is." Both children were broken from their thoughts by denka speaking up.

Naruto looked in the direction denka was looking, and he could honestly say he was amazed. When they said ninneko stronghold they meant it, the thing looked like a giant cat themed castle. The building also happened to be in the middle of a lake, so with the sunset in the background the entire place seemed sorta otherworldly.

Kurohime smiled at the obvious look of awe naruto gave her home. "Welcome naru-kun, to the home of the ninneko."

His friends statement broke naruto out of his stupor. "Its really amazing hime-chan." Kurohime's smile widened and she gained a small blush from naruto's words.

"Well this is as far as we go." Denka said.

Naruto looked down at the small ninneko. "Really, your not gonna take us to the front gate or anything?"

Denka shook his head. "Nah, we trust you to be able to get lady Kurohime to her father, also we should hurry up and get back ourselves."

"Oh ok, thanks for taking us all this way denka, hina." Naruto said.

"Yeah thanks a lot guys." Kurohime spoke in her usual peppy manner.

"Eh don't mention it." He then looked at naruto with a serious look. "Good luck kid." He then turned around and began leaving. Naruto was a little unsettled with how he said good luck.

Hina looked at naruto with the same look. "Good luck naruto, we're rooting for you." She to then left. Now naruto was really worried, they spoke as if he was gonna be fighting for his life.

Kurohime then grabbed his arm and began dragging him towards the bridge that connected the ninneko stronghold to the land. "Hurry up naru-kun, I want you to meet everyone."

"Um, hime-chan what did they mean by 'good luck'?" Kurohime ignored him and just continued to drag him towards the bridge, naruto sighed but decided to just go along with it.

Soon the two had crossed the bridge to the entrance of the stronghold, naruto noticed the two large cats in armor guarding it. And apparently they noticed them, if the fact that they raised their spears told him anything.

"Halt humans, just what do you think your doing here." Naruto was a bit cautious of the guards due to the fact that they looked ready to pounce, so he moved himself in front of Kurohime as a way to protect her should they do so. However kurohime put and hand on his shoulder in an effort to calm him.

"Relax naru-kun." She then approached the two guards.

"I said stop!"

"No you said halt, and don't act like you don't recognize me." The guards took a closer look at her because of her words, and based on the widening of their eyes after seeing Kurohime's cat features they most definitely recognized her.

"L-lady Kurohime, is it really you?"

Kurohime smiled. "hi guys I'm back!"

That was all the confirmation they needed, the gaurd that had been talking turned to his fellow gaurd and began barking orders. "You quickly go get lady shiro, immediately!" The other ninneko didn't need to be told twice and quickly ran off, after that the guard turned back towards them.

"Lady Kurohime please come this way." The cat then ushered her inside.

Kurohime stopped him. "Wait, I have to bring my friend."

"Friend?" The ninneko most likely forgot about naruto's presence.

"Yep." She then ran to naruto any grabbed him. "Where naru-kun goes I go." Naruto was blushing slightly at his friends words and physical contact.

The ninneko however looked a little confused. "O-of course, please come this way." The ninneko then began leading the two children into the ninneko stronghold.

Once they entered naruto's eyes widened yet again, the inside of this place was amazing as well. It was like a little village in here, their was a number of roads stairs and pathways with various shops and homes. (don't get angry if my description doesn't match the anime, they didn't really show that much of the inside of the stronghold.)

Not only that but there were cats, lots of em and all much larger than your average cat. They also wore clothes and had distinct looks to distinguish them, it was like a bunch of cat versions of humans. He also noticed that they were beginning to gather and gossip, and by the way they were pointing and looking at them then he could easily guess the subject of their gossip was them. Or to be more precise they were talking about Kurohime from what he was hearing.

"Is that lady Kurohime?"

"They've finally found her."

"Who's that human with her, is he an escort?"

Naruto noticed that when they looked at Kurohime, they looked at her like a beloved celebrity.

Naruto was a little jumpy though being watched and gossipped about, he never really had good experiences with that particular combination of things in konoha. He could easily remember a bunch of old biddies and stuck up adults with nothing better to do talking about him without even caring that he was there or that he could hear them, saying things about him being a troublemaker and delinquent, how he should be more like his sister and stop disgracing his family with his actions. Fools, if only they knew the truth, well what should he care he was free now and he was going to live his life how he wanted to rather than the way people who didn't even consider him told him to. But still how he hated it, people putting him down just so they could look down on him, never doubting for a moment that he could do such things they simply made him out to be a bad seed so they could treat him as such. They never even tried to get to know him.

As if sensing his sad thoughts Kurohime grasped his hand in hers, naruto looked at her and she gave him a reassuring smile and he gave her a grateful one in return.

The next thing naruto saw was the ninneko crowd parting allowing two ninneko to pass, one of them was the ninneko gaurd from before and the other naruto could easily tell wasn't your average ninneko.

The cat was a large pure white cat, so white that the cats fur seemed to be glowing. The cat was majestic looking and walked with an air of nobility and grace, even its twin fluffy tails that swayed behind as it walked on its two hind legs moved with grace. Naruto was then able to look past his awe at the cats beauty to realize, two tails was not normal and this confirmed his suspicion that this was no ordinary ninneko, so naruto continued in his observation of the peculiar ninneko. He also noticed that when the other ninneko looked at her their eyes held absolute admiration and love, the looks were similar to the ones they gave Kurohime. He then looked at her face, her face was a visage of gentleness and her ember eyes held a look of love and kindness. He looked in the direction the cats eyes were pointing, only to notice kurohime with a look of happiness and excitement.

Soon the white ninneko stopped in front of them, and right after it stopped Kurohime lunged forward in a hug.

"AUNTIE SHIRO!"

Naruto stared at that, this was the aunt a girl that Kurohime spoke of? He watched as aunt shiro caught kurohime and let out a melodious laugh before returning the hug.

She then spoke in a gentle and beautiful voice. "My little Kurohime, thank goodness your safe. Nii-sama and I were so worried about you, we didn't know what we would do if we had lost you."

Kurohime looked at her a little ashamed to have worried her caring aunt. "I'm sorry aunt shiro, I didn't mean to worry you or papa."

Shiro smiled at her niece. "I see, in that case." Faster than the eye could follow shiro struck her paw on top of kurohime's head and a bump soon grew where she hit. "I can forgive you this time my little chibi-hime."

Kurohime quickly jumped back from her aunt while rubbing the top of her head with anime tears coming from her eyes. "ITAI! WHAT WAS THAT FOR AUNTIE SHIRO!?"

Shiro just softly laughed into her paw. "What was what for chibi-hime?"

"You bopped me on the head!"

"Really? I don't remember doing that."

Naruto was watching the two with a sweat drop on the back of his head, he could now understand where Kurohime got her quirks. It was then that shiro noticed him, naruto suddenly clammed up at the thought of meeting a member of his friends family, mostly because of his lack of experience in such things.

"Oh, and who is this?"

And just like that Kurohime's anger at getting bopped on the head was gone and she was hugging naruto's arm. "This is naru-kun, he's been taking care of me and he was the one that brought me back."

"Really? In that case I owe you my eternal gratitude for protecting my niece and bringing her home safely." She then gave naruto a small bow.

Naruto was lightly blushing due to embarrassment because of the noble ladys thanks, and how he was now the center of attention. "T-theirs no need for that, hime-Chan's my precious friend so I would do anything for her."

Kurohime lightly blushed at naruto's words, while shiro smiled at the fact that her niece made such a good friend. "Nevertheless I am in your debt, thank you. Now then we should hurry up to see nii-sama, he will want to see you soon chibi-hime."

Kurohime beemed at the thought of seeing her father. "Yeah let's hurry up and see papa, that way I can introduce him to naru-kun." Naruto simply nodded to say he had no trouble with their wishes.

"Good, follow me." Shiro then began walking towards the central building that most likely was the central hub for ninneko affairs, and most likely the place that held nekomata. The two children followed her diligently.

Naruto was just happy that Kurohime hadn't talked about their so called engagement yet, because that would most definitely cause some major problems.

'I just hope things keep going smoothly.'


In a large dark chamber lit only by a few torches that were ablaze with blue fire, resided a single occupant hidden behind a large screen.

Soon a ninneko ran into the room. "Lord nekomata!" He stopped in front of the large screen and kneeled.

The figure behind the screen looked towards the kneeling ninneko. "Yes, what is it?"

The ninneko raised its head and quickly answered. "Lord nekomata, it's-it's-"

Nekomata lost his patience a tad. "Its what?! Out with it!"

The ninneko was broken out of his stuttering. "Its your daughter sir, lady Kurohime!"

Unseen by the ninneko nekomata's eyes widened and they shined with a combination of hope and fear, hope for news about his lost daughter and fear that it might be bad news. "Kurohime, w-what about her, what has happened?!" Normally he would never stutter or show an ounce of weakness in front of his subordinates, but his worry as a father overrode that at the moment.

"She's been found sir, and she is safe." Nekomata relaxed at the news of his child's safety, though he was now fighting with himself to not break out of the room and go to her.

Understanding his lords wishes the ninneko quickly placated him. "Lady shiro is currently escorting her here this very moment sir." Nekomata calmed himself. But the ninneko's next words made him a little less calm. "She is also escorting a young human boy that lady Kurohime has claimed to be her friend."

Now nekomata was most definitely what you would consider a overprotective father, hell he even admits it, so if anyone gets anywhere close to his daughter he wants to know who they are, what their intentions are and where they live so he could gut them should he wish to do so. Also lets just say nekomata has never been one be rational when it came to his daughters safety, or accepting of who spent time with his daughter.

"A friend you say?" Nekomata asked with a hostile glint in his eye.

"U-uh y-yes sir."

"You may leave now." The ninneko quickly left at his lords orders.

"A friend, well I'll be the judge of that." So nekomata waited for his daughter, ready to see his child safe again after months of worry and fully ready to do whatever it took to see she stayed safe.


Naruto continued to look around the ninneko stronghold, taking in the sights in an effort to hide his nervousness. After all he was going to meet up with Kurohime's father, and most likely he and kurohimes engagement would soon come to light, theirs no telling the amount of problems that will cause.

'well, won't be long now.' naruto's thoughts were rather accurate seeing as they just entered a large cat head version of the hokage tower, and since Kurohime's father was the cat in charge he was most likely inside this particular building. They travelled through the interior and past a number of rooms that held various uses, they also ascended a number of stairs that led closer and closer to the top. The closer to the top they got the greater the nervousness naruto felt, the blonde's nerves went unnoticed by the two females he was traveling with as they talked with one another.

Soon they arrived in what looked to be a waiting room, it had a couch a table and a desk that looked like it was supposed to have a secretary behind it but was currently vacant, lastly their was a large wooden door on the other side of the room. Naruto just knew that door led to Kurohime's father, he could only mentally prepare himself for whatever drama was to unfold.

Just then shiro stopped and turned to naruto. "Naruto-kun." She began. Naruto was happy that he told her his name was naruto rather than naru, that would be kinda embarrassing if she continued to make that mistake.

"Uh yes?"

"Would you please wait here, I'm sure nii-sama would want to talk to Kurohime with just family present at the moment."

Kurohime objected. "Ahh why? I'm sure papa would like to meet naru-kun and I wanna introduce them." Kurohime spoke in a whining tone.

Shiro turned to her niece with a patient smile on her face. "I'm sure he would, but remember he's been worried sick about you and seeing you would do a world of good for him. You'll get to introduce naruto-kun to nii-sama later."

Kurohime still looked unsure so naruto gave her a little push. "Its okay hime-chan I don't mind waiting, you should go talk to your father."

Kurohime relented. "Okay."

A girl turned her smile to naruto. "Thank you naruto-kun, well come get you when we're done. Come kurohime."

Then the two ninneko females went through the door on the other side of the room, which naruto noticed led to another set of stairs.

Once they left naruto couldn't help but to think to himself. 'and now, the calm before the storm.'


Kurohime and her aunt ascended the stairs that would lead to the tallest chamber in the neko themed building, and the room Kurohime's father currently resided in. Soon they entered the room that was dimly lit by the azure flames burning in the chamber, after they entered Kurohime quickly began looking around the chamber in hopes of catching sight of her father.

Suddenly a large shadow fell over her and she quickly turned around, but before she could do anything the shadow grabbed her.

"Kyah!"

The shadow then proceeded to give her a hug.

"Hahahahah, papa put me down!"

The shadowed figure was then revealed to be nekomata himself, he had shrunken down till he was currently only a little bigger than his sister who was watching her brother and niece interact from the sidelines with a smile on her face.

Nekomata himself had a small smile on his own face, he was happy that his daughter was safe and he was glad to have her in his arms again after her absence. "My foolish little princess."

Kurohime smiled and returned her father's hug. "I missed you too papa."

They stayed like that for a little while, just father and daughter happy to be reunited. Then slowly, hesitantly even, nekomata let kurohime go, nekomata then just stared at his child with happiness and relief, before he finally spoke. "Thank heavens your ok." Kurohime noticed how tired her father's voice was and she also noticed the relief reflected in his eyes, then Kurohime felt ashamed that she had caused her father so much worry.

"I-I'm sorry I worried you, I didn't mean to its just, I-." Kurohime couldn't find the right words to say to her father.

"Its alright, just as long as your here and safe." Nekomata truly was happy to have his Only child safe.

Shiro decided to speak. "Chibi-hime why don't you tell us what happened while you were away."

Nekomata nodded at his sister's suggestion. "Yes I to would like to know just where you have been these past months."

Kurohime smiled at the chance to regale her family with tales of her adventures with her naru-kun. "Okay, so it all started like this-"

And so for the second time that day Kurohime retold her 'adventures' of the world outside of the ninneko stronghold, both adults just listening to her story and having their own thoughts.

Kurohime had just finished telling them of how she broke the news to naruto that she was a ninneko. Nekomata and shiro were currently thinking two different things at the moment, shiro felt truly grateful that her beloved niece had made friends with such a kind and understanding boy. While nekomata's thoughts were a bit different, he was still wary of the boy. Don't get him wrong though, he was grateful to the boy for protecting Kurohime, that reminded him to make a note that if he ever ran into any inuzukas he'd skin them alive, and he was also grateful to him for taking care of her and bringing her back. But he had a right to be wary of humans around his family, especially with his tendency to be an overprotective father to his daughter.

Before they could think any further on their thoughts Kurohime continued her story, now she was talking about how she and naruto saved a village from a group of bandits and their genin level ninja leader, they had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that their was someone that stupid out there.

Then I beat up the two guys and naruto was beating up the leader, but then he used a substitution and got behind me and took me hostage." Now both adults looked at her in worry, how could they not when they are told that she was taken hostage.

"But then naru-kun got angry and this weird red stuff covered his arm, next thing I knew naru-kun was holding me and the guy was on the ground knocked out." Shiro smiled at what happened but nekomata was a little ticked about some kid holding his little girl, he was also curious as to what the 'red stuff' was.

"Then the whole village thanked us and we stayed at old man toto's house for the night. The next morning the whole village saw us off, they called us heroes." Kurohime then blushed at what happened next, shiro saw the blush and urged her to continue.

"Then what chibi-hime?"

"W-well, then I um sorta… told naru-kun we were engaged."

It was silent for two seconds before-

"WHAT!?" The twin cries actually managed to make the chamber shake.

Kurohime just looked down bashfully with a large blush on her face, after she broke out of her stupor shiro walked up to her niece. "W-what did you say kurohime?"

Kurohime looked at her aunt, her face practically glowing. "I-I told naruto about that law, y-you know the one that has to do with what the ninneko's leader or heiress has to do if they're saved. A-and I told him I wanted to marry him, b-because I like him." The normally charismatic and outgoing Kurohime was now blushing, stuttering and poking her fingers together.

Now shiro wasn't really angry at her, how could she it was her nieces first crush, how was she supposed to know how to deal with it? But she was worried, she knew about the law Kurohime spoke of, and it was a hard to get around law. If Kurohime already invoked it, their really wasn't much they could do. Naruto seemed to be a real nice boy and he had taken excellent care of Kurohime so far, but that was not a good enough reason for them to get married.

She looked at her niece and noticed her facial expression, she was worried, worried they were angry with her. Shiro put on a smile to try to reassure her. "Now don't worry chibi-hime, we're not mad are we nii-sama… nii-sama?"

Shiro turned around to look at her brother, expecting to see a number of different facial expressions. A scowl, a frown, a face going through the steps of shock or even an infuriated look that would scare the living daylights out of any sane man, instead she saw a smile.

That did not bode well.

"Kurohime, why don't you and your aunt go fetch your… friend. I would like to meet him myself, just the two of us."

Kurohime looked at her father with hope, she of course didn't hear the threatening undertone in her father's voice. "Really papa?"

Nekomata continued smiling. "Yes, really."

Kurohime looked excited at the prospect that her father was okay with her relationship with naruto. "Yes! Come on auntie shiro let's go get him!"

Kurohime then ran towards the stairs to go get her friend/fiance, shiro however stayed behind to have a talk with her brother. "Nii-sama, what are you planning?"

"Planning? I'm not planning anything."

Shiro had a bit more steel enter her voice. "Don't lie me, I know that look. You better not be planning on hurting that boy, he's done nothing but help your daughter."

Nekomata allowed a bit of anger to enter his voice. "I have a right to evaluate anyone who I deem a possible threat to my family."

"Naruto-kun is not a thr-"

"he could be!"

Shiro was a bit taken back by her brothers outburst, but she calmed herself. "Brother I know you have a right to be protective of us, but please don't let that fear cloud your judgement."

Nekomata looked down in sadness. "I cannot loose you or kurohime, I've already lost… the two of you are all have left, and Kurohime is all I have left of her."

Shiro looked at her brother sadly, wishes to take away his fears. "Brother, nothing is going to happen to us. She wouldn't want you to live like this, s-"

Nekomata cut her off. "Enough, go get the boy shiro. No matter what you say I still wish to speak with him."

Shiro sighed, but nevertheless she left to do as her brother told her. "Very well."

She left the room, but not before sending her brother one last worried look. 'please brother don't do anything rash'


Naruto had been waiting a while, and his nerves had most definitely not improved. He could only hope that kurohime did not say anything to have her family after his head.

Not to long later kurohime came running out of the room with large smile on her face. "Naru-kun!" She then proceeded to tackle him to the ground with a hug.

Naruto groaned from underneath her. "Ugh, hime-chan we need to work on how you greet me, cuz if you do this everytime I'm gonna need a new ribcage."

Kurohime just giggled at naruto, she then gave him a megawatt smile. "Guess what naru-kun."

Naruto looked at her, curious as to what happened. "What?"

"My papa wants to see you, he says he wants to talk to you!" Kurohime spoke with excitement.

Naruto blinked owlishly at her words. "Really?"

Kurohime nodded her head. "Yep really, just ask auntie shiro." She then noticed her aunt wasn't in the room. "Hey where's auntie shiro?"

Just then shiro walked into the room, only to see her niece straddling the boy she has a crush on. She new of course they weren't doing anything 'naughty' but still, this was a wonderful chance to tease them.

"Oh my." She said getting their attention. "I'm I interrupting something?"

After both children realized what position they were in they quickly separated, with glowing blushes on their faces.

Shiro giggled a bit at them. "So I suppose chibi-hime told you, my brother wishes to speak with you." Naruto nodded his head in affirmative.

"You may go in." Shiro moved out of the way of the door to allow him through. Naruto then proceeded to go into the room, just before the doors shut behind him he looked behind him to see his friend Kurohime giving him a smile and thumbs up, something he couldn't help but smile at as well. Then the doors closed and naruto walked up the stairs towards nekomata's chamber.


Once naruto entered the chamber he had one word to describe it, spooky. What with the scary blue fires that scarcely lit up the dungeon like room that looked like it was modeled after the lairs of bad guys in his former sisters manga.

"Come closer." Naruto practically jumped when a stern and gravelly voice suddenly spoke up, naruto turned towards the voice only to see a screen with a large shadow on the other side.

"Well what are you waiting for? Come closer." Naruto did as the voice commanded, because the voice most likely belonged to nekomata and he would not like to anger his friends father.

"So you are the boy my daughter told me about, you are naruto."

Naruto nodded his head yes. "Y-yes, I'm naruto."

"Now that your here, there are some questions I want to ask you."

"S-sure, what do you want to know." Naruto had to hand it to Kurohime's father, he was pouring on the intimidation pretty thick.

"First, what are your… feelings and intentions towards my daughter?" Nekomata asked.

Naruto mentally thanked granny cat for already asking him this question. "Hime-chan is my precious friend, all I want to do is protect her and make her happy."

Nekomata stared at the boy intently trying to find any trace of deceit, then he asked his next question. "What is this I hear about you being engaged to my daughter?" Nekomata couldn't keep the the growl out of his tone, his overprotective father senses screaming at him that the boy in front of him was trying to take his daughter from him.

Naruto blushed at the question. "W-well y-you see, after I saved hime-chan she just sorta told me we were engaged and I haven't really been able to tell her otherwise."

"I see." Nekomata was really trying to stop himself from attacking the boy in front of him, his mind was just screaming at him that this boy was here to take his daughter from him.

"Final question." Naruto didn't like nekomata's tone.

"Are you here to take my daughter away from me?"

Naruto was about to answer no, but then he remembered granny cats words. He wanted to get Kurohime out of here so she could experience the outside world, he didn't want her to have to run away from home just so she could have new experiences.

And most of all, he wanted to continue to travel with his friend. He has had the most fun in his entire life the last two days, and he could honestly say that Kurohime was his most precious person. Now there was no way in hell he was going to give that up for anybody, he wasn't going to go back to being alone.

Nekomata was getting impatient. "Well, what is your answer!?"

'the hell with it'

"yes."

That was all nekomata needed to go over the deep end.

"Not when I'm done with you your not!" Nekomata quickly did a number of handsigns, once he was finished a number of seals that naruto could identify as silencing seals glowed and activated. Next the entrance to the stairs was blocked of, and naruto just knew that this little 'conversation' was going to get physical.

'me and my rotten luck'

nekomata then did another set of handseals, after he finished he cast a genjutsu that changed the chamber to make it look like the inside of a traditional Japanese house.

"Well at least your playing me at my own game, I know a genjutsu when I see one."

"*lick*lick*lick*" naruto heard the sounds and quickly turned around to the source to see a woman in a kimono drinking from a saucer(I don't know what those sake cups are called.), this sight was creepy especially with the red tint everything took on.

"There is no way in hell I'm going over there you know, I wasn't born yesterday." Naruto didn't have what people would call the horror movie victim instinct. The genjutsu suddenly had the woman in the kimono disappear, acting on instinct naruto ducked just in time to avoid a claw swipe to the head. Naruto quickly turned 180 degrees and drove his fist into the cheek of a pure black cat that just tried to claw his head off.

Naruto smiled in triumph. "Ninjas always go for the back, even ninja cats."

The cat went flying away into the darkness of the genjutsu, naruto then heard meowing only this time it was much louder. Then one of the sliding screens opened to show a giant cat eye, that most certainly didn't bode well.

"Well I think I've overstayed my welcome, if you don't mind I think I'll let myself out." Naruto then formed the ram handsign and gathered his chakra in preparation to release the genjutsu, unfortunately the giant cat noticed and attempted to stop him. But it was to late.

"GENJUTSU KAI!" And with those words the genjutsu faded away and naruto back in nekomata's chamber, only he was away from nekomata.

So he began talking while turning to face his opponent. "Nice try but your gonna have to do better than that, I'm a prodigy of gen…justu… ah shit." Once naruto turned around he was able to get a good look at nekomata, he was freaking huge! He made a tiger look like a housecat in comparison, naruto was starting to not like his chances.

Nekomata chuckled at naruto's fearful expression. "Well then I think I'll take your advice… and try harder."

With that naruto narrowed his eyes and got into a fighting stance, nekomata was certainly not expecting this, but soon he had a feral smirk on his face. "Well then, let's see what you got little boy."

Naruto then tensed his legs in preparation to lunge forward, he then promptly… turned around and ran in the other direction. "ARE YOU CRAZY! I TOLD YOU I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY!" Naruto yelled back, call him what you will, but he wasn't stupid enough to fight a giant cat head on.

Nekomata then realised that his prey was getting away, and took chase. "Get back here you little."

Naruto then ran behind a pillar, and six narutos ran out from behind it. This caused nekomata to stop and focus on his hearing in an attempt to find the real one, suddenly his eyes widened. they're all real, then that means… shadow clones. This is not an ordinary brat.' nekomata then began chasing the clones, and destroying them one at a time.

However a seventh naruto peeked out from the pillar he ran behind and began observing as nekomata began destroying his clones.

'Okay, observation time. First off, he's huge and therefore he's most likely strong.' naruto then saw nekomata destroy a pillar along with one of his clones. 'yep, definitely strong. And it also looks like he's plenty fast despite his size. Finally due to his size I bet his pretty durable, so all in all I'm pretty screwed.' naruto then received the memories of his last clone. "Oh crap." No sooner did those words leave his mouth did he have to jump away as nekomata destroyed the pillar he was hiding behind, unknown to the two a piece of the debris ended up hitting one of the silencing seals causing it and the others to turn off due to damage.

Unfortunately for naruto he was stuck in the air, so he was unable to move when nekomata sent another swipe at him that sent him flying to the other end of the chamber. He ended up crashing into the ground painfully, but luckily nothing was broken though he most definitely WAS in a great deal of pain.

Naruto was able to look up to see nekomata slowly advancing on him. He knew there was nothing he could do, he couldn't out run him, more clones wouldn't do any good, their was his genjutsu but he didn't know if he had it in him to concentrate to make a good enough one to save his ass, all around he looked pretty screwed. 'is this it, is this how I die? Taken out by a giant cat with no one to remember me, no one to mourn my death. Was this all I was meant to be?

his thoughts caused emotions to stir within him, the main emotion that he felt… was anger. Anger at the world for always pushing him down, always making things so hard. He never asked for an easy life, but he didn't ask for the world to be so cruel. 'fuck that, I don't need the world to do me any favors, it can hit me with everything it has and I'll still get back up.' True to his thoughts naruto began to stand up, he was also so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't notice as the pain faded away and his arm was once again cloaked in red energy covering said appendage like a gauntlet.

Nekomata however did notice. ' Is that?'

'I'm not going to sit down and die I'm going to stand and fight, I WILL FIGHT!' naruto was now standing and giving nekomata a withering glare, then he noticed were nekomata was looking. Naruto then noticed his left arm was once again covered in red energy just as before, he even noticed the tingling sensation at the back of his neck that he associated with the energy asking if it could further engulf him. Naruto brought his clenched left arm up to his face.

'so you want me to use you huh?' naruto felt another tingle that he interpreted as a 'yes', he then held his arm out in front of him and shaped his hand as if he was going to claw something. 'fine then, go ahead! Just give me your power so I can fight!'

then all hell broke loose.

Following naruto's command the youki on naruto's hand exploded into what looked like blood red crimson flames that completely covered naruto's body, you couldn't see naruto under them making him look like a human made of crimson flame, the only thing you could see was his amethyst eyes that burned with an otherworldly glow.

Then the inflamed figure raised its left arm and performed a sweeping motion with its arm, dispelling the flames. When the flames dispersed nekomata was able to see naruto again, and nekomata had to say naruto looked pretty intimidating for a seven year old.

Naruto was now cloaked in a billowing blood red hooded coat, reminiscent of his former father's coat. It was the same blood red as the youki that covered his arm before with spots of black moving around on it, the entire thing looked like it was moving itself. Naruto's left arm was still covered entirely by the youki making it look like a blood red claw, while his other arm was covered in a long sleeve that went to his wrist. The coat went all the way down to his ankles and the edges of the coat, hood and endes of the sleeves were tattered and ripped looking and the tattered edges seemed to move and change, like the garment was alive. The hood completely covered naruto's head so that the only thing you could see was his practically glowing amethyst eyes.

Naruto felt amazing, he had never felt so energized, so strong, so POWERFUL. He then looked at nekomata, who was still staring at naruto in surprise and interest, when naruto saw his opponent he grinned ferally. "Well nekomata." He began getting the giant cats attention. "What's say we start round two?"

Naruto then charged his feet with chakra and pounced, the next thing he knew he was passing right by nekomata's head. Remembering the fight he had two days ago with the bandits and how the youki shifted and changed, naruto pulled his left arm back and willows the youki to enlarge. And It did, his fist grew as large as nekomata's own, his grin growing larger naruto threw his enlarged fist forward aiming to sucker punch nekomata.

However the giant managed to see the fist out of the corner of his widened eyes, and quickly moved back dodging the giant fist. Without nekomata's face to stop it the arm extended and plowed through a pillar with a mighty crash, nekomata watched with shock as the pillar crumbled before he grinned at the prospect of a real fight.

Nekomata then jumped into the air, his foot primed to crush naruto right after he landed. Naruto saw this so when he landed he raised his hands to seemingly catch the foot, then a number of hands grew out of his youki coat to help him catch the foot and brace him from the force. The foot made contact with the number of hands, naruto buckled slightly and grit his teeth but held firm. Naruto then braced himself and jumped out from underneath the giant foot, however while he was in the air nekomata threw his paw forward in an attempt to impale the boy.

"Got you!" Nekomata was beginning to get excited because of the fight.

Naruto then remembered another thing he did two days ago against the bandits. Naruto extended his right hand towards a pillar as if to grab it, then a pitch black chain with a knife tip extended from his sleeve and stabbed into the pillar it then pulled naruto towards the pillar allowing him to dodge nekomata's claw. When naruto reached the pillar naruto stuck to it with chakra and then the chain disappeared into his sleeve, naruto then sent nekomata a cheeky smile.

"You missed." Naruto then did a few handsigns.

'hope this trick works just as well as the others.' he then cast a genjutsu on nekomata, all the while hoping the last of his abilities he showed two days ago would work.

Suddenly a number of vines sprouted from the ground and grabbed a now wide eyed nekomata, holding him in place.

'what is this? This is a genjutsu right, then why does feel like I'm trapped in real vines?' Nekomata then channeled chakra to his claws and cut his way out, the vines disappeared shortly after they were cut, he then lunged at the pillar naruto was on.

Naruto channeled chakra to his feet and leapt over nekomata as he destroyed the pillar he was on with a mighty crash.

'this is getting intense.' naruto landed and then started making hand seals.


Meanwhile in the waiting room the two ninneko females were waiting, one with worry the other with happiness.

Give you one guess who is who.

"Why are you so worried auntie shiro?" Kurohime asked innocently.

"Its just… I'm worried about what your father will do."

Kurohime looked at her curiously. "What do you mean, papa just wants to talk to naru-kun."

Shiro sighed. "I doubt that dear."

Kurohime frowned. "Your making it sound like papa wants to hurt naru-kun."

Shiro absintmindedly replied. "He just might."

Kurohime now looked worried. "W-what do mea-"

CRASH!

both girls were startled by the loud crash. "W-what was that, it sounded like it came from upstairs." Kurohime analyzed.

Shiro was wide eyed, she having a pretty good idea as to what caused the crash. "Nii-sama, you baka."

Unfortunately Kurohime heard her and bolted for the door to the stairs, shiro called to her. "Wait Kurohime!"


Naruto finished his handseals and called out his jutsu. "suiton: teppodama!"

naruto then shot a large sphere of water from his mouth at nekomata, it hit and the large ninneko hissed due to the sting he felt. Nekomata then turned around to face down the boy he had been fighting, they both stared at each other unflinching.

They got into position to charge at each other, both lowering their center of gravity and tensing their muscles. Both ready to fight the other with everything they had, ready to fight for their lives.

Both were ready to fight in an epic battle to the death were only one could leave.

Well at least until a figure fell on nekomata's head with a spinning drop kick while shouting out. "BAKA TOU-SAN!"

Naruto was gaping at the scene with a sweat drop on the back of his head at the scene.

Well, their goes that idea of a fight to the death.


end chapter.

Dudes that took forever.

I'm sorry though that this took so long to post, let's just say an unfortunate… event happened. And because of said event I wasn't able to write and afterwords I didn't feel like writing so when I did it was with few and far between each writing session.

Also I think I'm gonna try starting another fic just to keep things interesting, no I will most definitely not be abandoning this fic. I'm just gonna show another one of my ideas, it's a fairy tail naruto crossover I've had bubbling in my head for a while, look for it when it comes out.

Anyway till next time dude's.