Shiroi Kyuubi

~ 忍者運命 ~

Summary: After returning from his three years of training with Jiraiya, Naruto finds himself on a mission to save some girl who seems important to Tsunade. Only later does Naruto find out how important that girl is…To him Naruto/OC

Rated M: Violence, perhaps foul language and romantic scenes

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OC and Storyline. The rest belongs to their natural creators.

Author's Note: this is actually the first time I write or at least try to write about Naruto, so please be gentle. My English might not be flawless, but I tried my best. You will notice some Japanese words in the story, but they aren't important. If you might have questions, ask me anytime. I appreciate other people's opinions very much. Anyhow…enjoy!

Opening Theme: Echoes - Universe

Ending Theme: Sora - UVERworld

Chapter One: An Important Mission

After only coming back from his training, Naruto already found himself heading towards Tsunade-obasaan. He couldn't come up with anything he could have probably have done wrong since he had only just arrived.

"Don't worry, Naruto! Maybe she just wants to catch up with us."

Naruto looked towards Jiraiya. "Ero-sennin, I don't think she would call us for that."

"Hm, probably not. To bad…"

All these years had changed him. Sure, he was still the hyperactive idiot but Naruto realised that he had to grow up as well. The training had been hard, but he had learned things he thought he would never learn. Jiraiya, even though he was a perverted novel writer, had made him stronger and sometime, more serious too. Naruto had realised that he had to be more serious if he wanted to find Sasuke.

Naruto started thinking about him. His former team-mate and best friend had hurt him so much for running over to Orochimaru that Naruto hadn't had the courage to even to think about him for some time. Maybe this time, he could bring Sasuke back and keep his promise to Sakura.

They finally reached Tsunade's office and knocked softly on the door. Hearing the hard enter, Jiraiya and Naruto moved into the office. First, Shizune hugged Naruto out of the blue and looked him from top to bottom.

"It's so good to see you, Naruto-kun! You have grown quite a bit."

"It's good to see you to, Shizune-neechan."

Naruto looked over to Tsunade and noticed the warm smile on her face. Being happy about it, he threw in his own bright smile as usual.

"Welcome back, Naruto." She said friendly.

"Arigatou, Tsunade-obasaan!"

Then the moment of kindness and friendship was ruined…

Tsunade slammed her fist down on the desk and raised her voice in the direction of Naruto. Being terrible strong and short-tempered, Tsunade almost broke the wooden desk much do Shizune's displease.

"Who are you to call me old, gaki?"

The only thing he could do was show his infamous smirk, making Tsunade sigh. It has always been that way, so that would probably never change. And the reason she could cope with it was because Naruto reminded her so much of her little brother.

"Ke, you didn't change after all."

"It would be less fun if I did."

Tsunade sighed once more and seated herself back in her chair. Shinzune had a small smile on her face, finding this rather nostalgic. Suddenly, Tsunade turned really serious and fixated her eyes on Naruto and Jiraiya. Her commanding vibe filled the entire room.

"Your training paid off?"

"I did my best, Tsunade-obasaan!"

A sigh.

"Good, you can prove it then to me later. I will have you fight an opponent together with Sakura. But now, I must discuss something important with you, Naruto."

Naruto swallowed the lump that had suddenly came in his throat when she had become serious. This was the commanding Tsunade, the fifth Hokage of Konoha. He had many reasons to fear that stare that she had cast to him right now. He glanced up to Jiraiya and noticed his face as well. He looked fierce, almost cautious.

"Alright. What's so important then?"

"I know that you have only just arrived. But I can only ask this of you, Naruto. I have a mission for you."

"Nani!"

"Tsunade-sama!"

Both Shizune and Jiraiya were utterly speechless and demanding what had gotten in to her. The little pig, Tonton, had jumped on the desk and looked at her master in disbelieve. Naruto was surprised.

"A mission so soon for him? Have you lost your mind? He just got back, Tsunade."

"I have to agree with Jiraiya-sama. Naruto-kun just got back from training. How could you possibly know that he is op for it, Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade sighed and looked at both of them. "In that way he can prove that he has become stronger and smarter to me."

Their rattling continued that they even didn't notice the door open and three people walking inside. Naruto turned around and was greeted with two familiar faces and one less familiar.

"Na…Naruto? Is that you?"

"Sakura-chan!"

Tsunade's pink haired apprentice walked closer to him and viewed him from top to bottom. Sakura noticed that he had gained more muscles and looked more mature. He looked handsome too, compared to his idiotic old -self. He was even taller that her.

"You're taller than me."

Naruto thought about it and measured a little with his hand. "Looks like it. It's good to see you again, Sakura-chan. It's been a long time."

Sakura smiled. "It has."

"You haven't changed a bit!"

"Nani!"

She let out a battle cry followed by a powerful punch. Naruto landed with his face on the ground, tasting the wooden floorboards. The two other only seem to smirk at the scene while the elder people stopped bickering and noticed the newcomers. Jiraiya raised his eyebrows at Naruto, who's leg was twitching from the impact.

"Mendōkusei…You really haven't changed, Naruto."

Naruto shook his head and got up. "Shikamaru!"

After everybody had talked to each other again, Tsunade requested the attention again and resumed conversation with Naruto. Even the other perched their ears to hear it.

"What kind of mission, Tsunade-obasaan?"

She seemed to think about the way of telling him, letting the unbearable silence sink in the room.

"B-rank. Perhaps A-rank, should it become to dangerous along the way."

Naruto's eyes widened. "A-rank?"

"Hai."

Shikamaru and Temari stood with their mouths open, while Sakura only looked in disbelieve at her teacher. 'How can she give him a mission like that? He's not even a chuunin yet!' She thought.

"Demo, Hokage-sama. With all due respect, but Naruto isn't even chuunin yet." Temari said, reading Sakura's mind.

"I know that. That's why I'm not sending him alone. Naruto, if you accept, take anyone you want along with you. I would recommend it."

Naruto thought about it. Temari was right, he wasn't even chuunin yet. Because he failed the tests…But then again, he did train with Ero-sennin for three years and had become stronger. Maybe, Tsunade wanted to see how strong so she could change his current ninja rank.

"Shishou, isn't this all going to fast?" Sakura asked.

"It is, but it is out of importance that I ask this."

"Mendōkusei…" Shikamaru put his hands in his pockets.

"What is the mission about?"

Everyone who opposed the idea looked over to Naruto and saw they he was serious about it. Sakura became worried. He might have trained a lot but that doesn't mean he could handle a mission so fast, even if he took someone with him. Jiraiya had his doubts that Naruto could handle such pressure at such a short notice. And knowing Tsunade, everything she said was important.

"Naruto, you're not serious about taking it?" Sakura asked again and turned to him.

"I am. I have trained three years to prove that I can be strong enough to handle such things. Three years so that I can be strong enough to bring Sasuke back! If this mission makes me stronger, then I accept it."

"Demo, Naruto…"

He turned to Tsunade. "What is the mission all about?"

"A rescue mission. Take this and read it."

Naruto walked forwards and took the green folder in his hands. Everyone looked at Naruto the entire time, waiting for him to do something stupid or to yell out in frustration about the mission. But he didn't make a sound, from besides opening the folder and looking at his mission.

"Her name is Kitsune Yuetsu. She disappeared four years ago. Some people thought she ran away, so many discarded looking for her. Two days ago, she was spotted in Kusagakure under the guarding of two suspicious men. We think they might be allied with Orochimaru."

Naruto looked at a picture from that girl. He had to admit, she was nice to look at. Even though this picture might be four years old. She had a soft face with cobalt eyes that seem to illuminate. Her white hair framed her face and cascaded down her shoulders. But it was the friendly smile that caught Naruto's eye.

"Your mission is to find her and bring her back to Konoha. Eliminate if necessary."

Naruto looked up. "Why her? I mean, there are many people who get kidnapped and we don't go after them. So, why her?"

A sigh.

"Naruto, when someone gets a mission, they take it with the information they get and don't ask more questions about it! But, since it is your first time you ask, I might consider it."

Tsunade stood up from her desk and looked at him. In this light, he looked just like his father. To bad he didn't have the same, less question-asking and more respectful kind of character. 'Oh, Fourth. What a son you have…' She thought.

"For the fact that they could be allied with Orochimaru, is one reason. The other reason is not of importance now."

"Demo sensei, if you say they could be allied with Orochimaru, how can we know that that girl didn't join him?"

Temari replied coldly. "I don't think that does matter at that moment. If you find out she joined him, you can deal with it easier because you all ready have her in custody."

"Demo…"

"Sakura, that's final! All that you need to know is in that file, the rest is up to you…Naruto. Do you accept?"

He sighed. Jiraiya looked over at his apprentice and saw the seriousness in his eyes. Anticipating his answer, Jiraiya shook his head in wonder. Sometimes, he asked himself was his student, Namikaze Minato, was thinking when he said he wanted to start a family with Kushina Uzumaki. But he had to admit, they could be proud of their son. Being his godfather made him also very proud.

"When do I leave?" Naruto answered with his infamous smirk.

Naruto looked up from his balcony towards the cloudless sky and was thinking about his former conversation with Tsunade-obasaan. He had accepted the mission, much to Sakura's displease and only needed to form his team now.

'My team…It sounds so weird.' Naruto grinned. Suddenly, there was a whoosh next to him.

"Yo, Naruto!"

"Kakashi-sensei! It's been a while."

Kakashi jumped down the railing and leaned against it casually. He eyed his former student from top to bottom and backwards and smiled. Naruto had changed so much, he hardly recognized him. Kakashi just returned from the Hokage Tower, hearing about Naruto's mission.

"I heard about the mission. You sure you're up for it?"

Naruto sighed. "People have been asking me the same thing all day. But to answer it, yeah, I think I can do it."

"Souka. Now, you only need a team. I suggest to pick wisely."

'Like I haven't thought about that for hours already. Really Kakashi-sensei…' He had considered many options and many facts. One: this was an B-rank mission which acquired strength and speed. Two: if he had to form the team, Naruto had to look for people best suited for this kind of mission. 'And who says that they are willing to help me or maybe they are to busy with other missions?'

"Oy, Naruto! I asked you something." Kakashi waved a hand in front of him.

"Gomen…"

"You're really thinking this through and through, ne Naruto?"

"Yeah. This is my first A-rank mission which I need to lead. I was never put in charge of anything, because I was such a baka sometimes. To be honest, I'm a little worried Kakashi-sensei. With forming the team and bringing that girl back safely, because now I have to look out for other people besides myself. Do you know that feeling Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi nodded, remembering his first time as team leader. He had been excited when he got the mission, but dead worried when they were on the road. He couldn't help but let his eyes dart all over the place encase he had overseen something.

"I know that feeling, Naruto. I was young too you know. It was the worst day of my life, but eventually one of the best experiences."

Naruto turned to him curiously. "What happened? Please!"

He laughed warmly.

"Together with Gai and Iruka, I was given the mission to retrieve a scroll that was stolen from us a few days before hand. It was actually our first mission together and I was directly appointed as leader, much to Gai's displease. We set out, but I couldn't help but worry about the two constantly. Eventually after all the useless worrying, we retrieved the scroll with minor injuries."

"Wow. Even you are a scardy-cat!"

"I never said I was scared, Naruto…" He sighed loudly, making Naruto grin again.

If he thought about it, Naruto could actually picture them in that way. Kakashi up front, flanked by a controlled Iruka and mopping Gai. It made him laugh inertly. Seem like Maito Gai himself had leader issues.

"Ano san, is that why Gai-sensei is always reviling with you? Because you got to lead the team and not him?"

"He self-proclaimed him as my revile. I just try to ignore it."

"Souka…"

Then it went silent again between the two. A soft breeze founds it way through Naruto's hair and continued down the street. He looked down and saw that all to familiar village look back.

"Can I have your opinion on something, Kakashi-sensei?" He whispered.

"Oh?"

"I have to form a team before tomorrow and I have to think about the necessary thing needed right?"

"That's right. Do you have something in mind then?" Kakashi straightened up, eager to hear his plan.

"I was thinking that it would help if Sakura-chan came along. I mean, she trained under Tsunade-obasaan for a long time, so she must have learned how to heal people encase something should happen. Sakura has also improved in her strength."

"That is an important think to have a medic with you, a strong one too. Good choice, Naruto!"

"Hontoni? Arigatou Kakashi-sensei!" He beamed.

"But I do hope that's not your only choice, is it?"

"Eto, I was thinking that Neji and Fuzzy Eyebrows should come to. Neji, with his Byakugan can see thing better than we can. So…That's a sort of advantage. Fuzzy Eyebrows is a master in taijutsu, so he can stand his own ground easily. And he's pretty fast!"

Kakashi nodded in agreement. His choice so far made sense. The Hyuuga Bloodline Limit was a great advantage and Rock Lee's power and speed could buy them time or help them out of nasty situations. And not to forget Sakura. As being Tsunade's apprentice, she had master the art of healing and powerful attacks.

"And I thought that maybe you would join too."

"Oh? And why is that Naruto? I'm just a mere Jounin, your former teacher none the less." He joked.

"You have done missions like this many times before. It would really help me if someone would…you know, guide me a little bit. Besides, if I would ask Ero-sennin, he would only say to do it all by myself ."

It touched Kakashi. He remembered Naruto as the boy that took immediate action without thinking twice, causing a lot of trouble for the rest of his team. But as he listened to Naruto now, he didn't see that boy from before in him. Naruto had matured and had widened his vision.

"Something are meant to be done by oneself. Sate…Naruto, you can count me in!"

Naruto looked surprised. "Hontoni? You're really cool, Kakashi-sensei!"

After a little more talking, Kakashi left Naruto to his thoughts. He still had loads of paperwork to finish before tomorrow. Naruto sighed to himself and looked again at the folder in his hands. According to it, Kitsune Yuetsu lost her parents at young age while living in Konoha. She had no other relatives and she was taking care of under the courtesy of the Third Hokage. Just like he was…

Looking over once more to the picture, he could imagine how she had felt. But then again, she had known her parents while he hadn't. Naruto closed the file, laid it back on his desk and put on his jacket. He still needed to tell Tsunade about his team forming.

Naruto closed the door behind him and walked towards the Hokage Tower. Soon, he would have his own team…

So…what do you think? Let me know in your reviews p

~BlackAngel-Cindy~