My Friend Kurama!

Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own any of the Naruto characters they all belong to Masashi Kishimoto but I can still borrow them and bring them back in good condition...maybe.

"Come on Mom, Dad!"

A little eccentric blonde boy yelled as he was running toward an enormous building on the side of the road. It was just another glorious day in the Konoha city, the sun's rays hitting far below to the busy people going to work or enjoying a peaceful afternoon. A certain family was making their way across the parking lot which at the moment was empty with only the cars of the employers who worked there. The excited blonde boy was ahead of his parents having a hard time containing his excitement as he was running with a skip in his step passing a giant sign and a mural on of the side of the building titled 'Inuzuka Animal Shelter and Hospital'.

"Naruto calm down the building isn't going anywhere!"

A young redheaded woman responded as she casually walked behind the boy whose name was mentioned to be Naruto, fumed at her son's lack of manners which she has tried to beat into him numerous times. Naruto in response turned around and was now walking backwards a look of agitation on his face. A blonde man much like the boy only with longer hair and sharper features, following behind his wife, chuckled at the little boy's response knowing full well the amount of joy he was currently feeling.

"Ma, ma Kushina give him a break he's worked hard being given this privilege"

The reply only fueled the flames as Kushina fumed even more knowing her husband was right but was too stubborn to admit like always. A beat later a sigh escaped her lips as she reluctantly gave up as there was no point in being angry….for now.

"I know, I know but he could at least walk with us it's so peaceful today he's just so impatient Minato"

She complained but there was no real ill will intended behind her words just light affection at her little bundle of orange sunshine.

The young child which was currently the topic in question, being the little impatient 9 year old he was, took it upon himself to accelerate his parents pace he rushed toward them took a hold of both of their hands, and started to drag them to the building his sights set on the 'Welcome' door that was the entrance of the entire building. The glint in his blue orbs indicating how rapidly his imagination was flourishing to all the kinds of animals he would be able to choose from. Today was Naruto's special day, after all the hard work he put into getting good grades, good behavior, and the constant begging he was finally getting what he has longed for the longest of times; a pet. He has wanted one ever sense Kiba his friend at school brought in his puppy to show off to the class, it was a white little thing that was so small it could literally sit on his head. The whole class has loved it and even played with it at recess and so Naruto has wanted one as well but it wasn't easy, at first he couldn't obtain one as his parents didn't think he was responsible enough to take care of an animal let alone himself without them constantly watching over him which only fueled Naruto's determination to get one. Finally the hard work paid off and here he was, when he leaves this building he'll have his very own animal companion.

Not soon after a ring could be heard from an opening door informing the workers that customers have arrived; Naruto with his parent's hands still in his was looking around in wonder. He thought the building from the outside was big but inside it was like a whole different building all together. Posters of all kinds of animals were on the walls, lounging chairs were placed on either side so customers can relax, the full draft of proper air conditioning could be felt, everything looked polished and well cleaned showing the amount of effort put into making it very welcoming to not only the people but the animals as well. But the thing that popped out at him was the front desk, he could barely reach the counter but from a distance he didn't miss the gigantic door on the other side that held all kinds of creatures behind it. Naruto was getting more and more excited the more he had to wait. As they made their way to the counter Minato took the honor of bringing down the bell that signaled they were ready for service considering no one was there at the moment. With a big grin and a little jump of excitement Naruto slammed his little palm on the bell, its little ding sound echoing very loudly within the empty waiting room. 3 minutes passed and no one arrived, a bit irritated Naruto rung again with more force. Another 3 minutes passed and no one has yet to arrive to attend to them, Naruto was getting a bit more irritated with a growl he slammed again, the more he waiting the more frustrated he got grabbing the bell from his father's out stretched hand began to ring it repeatedly. Minato seeing his son's frustration chose that moment to crouch down to his height and clasp his sons hands over the bell afraid it might break at how hard he was hitting it.

"I'm sure there attending to something important right now Naruto, think about it this is an animal hospital as well"

Kushina took that moment to step in seeing as she was about to yell at Naruto when Minato stopped him.

"That's right an animal's life could be in danger for all we know and they need all the help they can get"

Seeing the reasoning behind what his parents said let out a frustrated sigh and responded with an "Okay". Right as the words left his lips the door mentioned before was slammed opened by a very enraged woman her expression boarding to almost feral. It didn't help that her sharp eyes, canine teeth and wild chocolate colored hair gave off that effect; the two downward red triangles on both sides of her cheeks only enhanced it. The Namikaze's jumped the second they heard the door collide with the back wall with so much force.

"Who the hell's ringing that bell so much?!" Minato with a gulp rose from where he was crouched beside his son. At this her ferocity resided but the angry scowl still remained.

"Minato, what brings you here and was that you?" Minato responded with a look of confusion he was certain he has informed them that his family would be arriving to adopt an animal, but with the irritated scowl that was being sent his way choose to instead look down at his son who was trembling in fear at the aggressive looking woman. The woman took that opportunity to step forward and at the angel she was at got a glimpse of the blonde little boy holding the bell. With an irritated growl she leaned across the desk, snatched it out of Naruto's hand and placed it firmly on the counter.

"Apologizes Minato but were not seeing any brats today were dealing with something far more important." The amount of self control that was taken to say those words was evident and Kushina, after witnessing the woman snatch the bell from her son's small hands has been soothing him from the pure freight given to him, asked.

"What's wrong Tsume? Everything seemed fine yesterday?" silence descended upon them. The only sound coming from the ticks of the clock on the other side of the waiting room, the feral looking woman let out a sign knowing the matter wasn't just going to diminish have to be good friends with Kushina and understanding her stubbornness and persistence. She contemplated the matter for a few seconds running a scenario in her mind, she was becoming desperate after a moment came to a conclusion she peered her eyes towards Naruto who has been watching his parents back and forth. He felt her eyes directed towards him and look down terrified finding his shoes suddenly very interesting as her cold stare made a chill run down his spine. A few more beats passed making the silence all the more uncomfortable, Tsume having enough tugged at her hair in frustration she directed a look at Minato her eyes flickering in Naruto's direction momentarily and then back towards Minato silent communication passing between the two. Minato and Kushina, who was watching silently, caught on in what was being implied, Tsume needed to talk to them alone. With perfect timing Kiba, Tsume's son and Naruto's good friend entered from the side door of the waiting room, his face brightening at the sight of a familiar face in the form of Naruto.

"Kiba take Minato's brat with you and go somewhere else" Tsume ordered her son who was already forming a scowl at the tone of her voice. Naruto finally gathering enough courage to form words spoke up

"H-Hey w-wait a minute I-I thought I w-was going to be g-getting a pet today!"

"Brat that isn't important right now, go follow Kiba and get out of my sight" Tsume snapped. Kushina spoke up not enjoying her son being reprimanded by anyone but herself

"Naruto it will be okay once this is over we will get you your pet deal?"

Naruto hesitated but from his mothers soft tone it probably was something important like that crazy woman said. Naruto nodded and his mother gave him a pat of reassurance. He started heading to the door Kiba appeared from. He was still confused about the situation but was also a bit curious what was so important that he couldn't stay around. Naruto took one last glance behind him, his mom and dad had serious expressions on their faces and Tsume's stance changed like a crucial situation was at hand, her shoulders tensed and a frown marred her face. Naruto didn't get to see or hear the conversation that was about to take place for the door closed in front of him blocking him from the other side.

OoOoO

When the door that Naruto went through finally closed the temperature in the room dropped. Tension filled the air which only made Minato and Kushina anxious what was making Tsume so tense to actually want to talk to them, knowing her after so many years the woman was rather independent and liked to take matters into her own hands. Tsume glanced at the two people in front of her, the situation has been making her stressful but hopefully they could help settle the matter which didn't leave a good taste in her mouth she preferred working on her own a bit ironic considering she worked in an Animal shelter and hospital. "Come follow me" Tsume motioned for the door she barged in from and started walking away expecting them to follow. Minato and Kushina gave each other surprised looks before going around the counter and trying to catch up to the brunettes fast strides. They started passing by a few doors in the narrow hallway. What astonished them was how silent the place was nothing seemed out of the ordinary well except for the tension it was like an atmosphere that just lingered. Finally they arrived at Tsume's office door; once inside they noticed the thrown paper work scattered everywhere, everything looked like a tornado has struck her office. Said brunette went straight to a monitor checking for something and picked up her office phone. "Hana cancel all appointments, let the employees that are not involved go home, Come up with something so they'd leave make sure no one comes in to disturb me" she ended the call with a thud on the phone holder. She let out an exhausted sign and slumped down on her office chair. Minato and Kushina were silent the entire time but with the activity or lack of happening outside, and their son having to be sent away their curiosity and anxiousness were at its peak.

"Alright Tsume was going on?" Minato demanded. Tsume let out another sigh before she composed herself.

"Alright I know you know that this place isn't just an Animal Shelter and Hospital so try to keep up with what I'm trying to explain, interrupt me and I'll have my dogs rip away what makes you a man got it!" she sneered.

Minato went rigid knowing full well Tsume's threats aren't just threats. Kushina stayed silent trying not to provoke the brunette knowing she might blow a fuse any minute. Her Husband already informed her about the inner workings of the Inuzuka Building so it didn't surprise her so much. She placed a hand on her husband's shoulder and allowed Tsume to continue. Tsume almost sneered at the light affection her redheaded friend gave to her husband, weak. Before proceeding to the task at hand she produced a file from somewhere of the hundreds of scattered paperwork on her huge office desk and handed it in Minato's direction. Minato gently took it from her hand and started to flip through it, Kushina looking right over his shoulder. What they saw dismayed them, Minato looking up at Tsume in disbelief.

"What is this?"

"They call it the Kyuubi" Tsume responded, ignoring Minato's question. "Apparently there was a lab not too far from here that was working on the mutations of animals. The Kyuubi is one of their creations it was an illegal operation and it wasn't the only one to be mutated. It had eight others but there in different places at the moment, Where? I don't know that part was classified. It was a 5 year search case for this mysterious facility; they finally caught the tyrants 6 months ago. But they were left with a problem, what to do with the creature some were recently made when they caught them, apparently there harmless the only difference is their mutated appearance but they do worry that might change as they grow but that's why they separated them; spread them out to different facilities. Mine of course was on the list to distribute one to and its how I ended up with that one. I'm not even supposed to be telling you guys this but I'm desperate and seeing as how brat here is going to be an executive of our cities office soon and Kushina a renowned biologist thought I could loop you into this as well" She concluded with a sadistic smirk.

Minato and Kushina looked back down at the file so this is what's been causing problems in the city council; the Kyuubi. With an ounce of courage Minato asked "Okay so what is it that you want me to do?" Tsume stared at them for a few moments before exhaustion hit and she sat back in her chair and placed a hand over her forehead. "I honestly don't know like I said I'm desperate, we've tried testing it ourselves on what that thing's capable of doing but it's just a puppy and it has a mean bite it's already left 4 of my employees injured. We've had to sedate it almost 7 times were already doing lab work on what we've gotten, even had it confided to an isolated glass cage. But I guess what THEY said it's true it's like a normal fox with a Mutated appearance and mutated organs; it's been confided to multiple areas before sent here of course that all can change as it grows but like I said it's a pup"

"Is it in the…" Minato trailed off not really knowing how to describe the inner workings of the animal shelter and hospital. It was something similar to a lab funded by the town's council and the government he didn't really at first agree with such a thing neither has Tsume but as much as they would have like to denied it they could see the reasoning behind it. It was for cases like this, it was essential the Animal shelter and Hospital was just an outer appearance it's how Tsume was able to get the place still running.

"But Tsume from the looks of it if it's just harmless I don't see what the big deal is, why go through all this?" Kushina asked motioning to what is left of the office room.

"Yes it's currently held up in isolation, and well apparently one of the agents that found the creatures was an old soft geezer, he wanted the creatures to live a normal life and hence my current predicament I can't keep it here and no one in their right mind wants…..that" Tsume sighed again which she noticed she started to do a lot. "I see" Kushina sympathized whoever he was, must have been half crazy to want something like this to live normally, and from the looks of it she wasn't the only one to think so. Their thoughts were interrupted by a knock from the door. "I thought I told Hana not to let anyone interrupt me" Tsume practically growled "What!"

OoOoO

Naruto looked up at the clock on the side of the wall with a look of concern. It has been 30 minutes and his parents still haven't returned, the thought of having a pet had to be put on hold as his main concern was his parents the look that they had when he left was the same look his Dad made when he was in business meetings or when his mother was very concentrated on the paper work, new experiments or bills that had to be taken care off; pure seriousness. Did something occur? Where they all right? Were the thoughts that kept plaguing Naruto's mind.

"You have been glancing at the clock a lot, you okay?" Kiba's voice interrupted Naruto's thoughts. They were at the moment in one of the many rooms at the Animal Hospital and Shelter. This particular room was meant for baby dogs to play around in and get some exercise for their small size made it difficult to take them outside as there were many dangers for them. Toys were scattered everywhere there were beanie lounging chairs for the staff to sit on and watch over the pups, Small tables and rugs were on the floor. More pictures framed the walls; the walls were painted with solid colors as to not hurt the little ones eyes. Since the room was on the second floor there was an enormous glass window on front side of the room for light to come in. At the moment the room was rather empty the only people there were Akamaru, Kiba's little puppy, Kiba and Naruto. From the way Kiba's body was angled he was trying to give Naruto some attention as at the moment his eyes were on Akamaru was who was trying to get the bone that was being played around his face.

"They aren't back yet" Naruto replied solemnly. Kiba regretted asking after Naruto seemed to have deflated, replacing his normal sunshiny self with the aftermath.

"Um…sorry" Kiba went back to playing with Akamaru but couldn't shake off the worry his friend was feeling at the moment. A few more minutes passed before Naruto had the need to go to the bathroom.

"Hey Kiba I need to use the bathroom, where is it?" Naruto questioned cringing starting to feel the hold on his bladder lessening. His friends always teased him on what a small bladder he had thought he will never agree with them.

Kiba snickers causing Naruto to scowl.

"Yeah it's on the first floor, 2 doors down from the stairs, I could go with you if you want?"

Kiba asked while getting up. Naruto was about to responded when suddenly they heard whimpering from Akamaru. Kiba realizing that Akamaru also needed to go to the bathroom, he gently and in a bit of a hurry carried him. "I'll lead you where it is but this little guy has to go too" Naruto giggled a bit before they both started to hurry down to the bathroom passing by many doors and across two hallways.

"Alright there" Kiba said pointing down the hall to a door showing the men's and woman's bathroom. "Sorry Naruto but Akamaru also has to go too and if he goes in here, mom's going to kill me" he continued making his way to the opposite direction to the door that leads outside.

"Sure I'll be here when you get back" Naruto responded to his friends back as he made his way to the bathroom. As Naruto made his way to the Men's room he failed to notice that he was being watched by an elderly man that was exiting a certain door to the basement of the building. The Door was made of steel and heavy looking with a warning sign at the front ,opened ajar for a certain someone to see. Naruto took his time in the bathroom his thoughts elsewhere as he worried what could have been so important that he had to leave his parents also a bit curious as well. After he relieved himself and made sure to wash his hands as his mother always drilled it in his head Naruto's thoughts were interrupted when he stuffed his hands in his pocket stepping out of the bathroom door. He has forgotten about the candy bar he has bought before coming here. A small smile formed on his face as he stood in front of the door and started to unwrap the gooey candy bar. Before he could even take a bite a small sound to his left caught his attention, a big door was opened up a little allowing the sound to pass through Naruto took a few steps toward it. His curiosity getting the best of him, as he drew nearer he could start to make out the strange sound that was coming from the door. They were small whimpers from a small animal the sound was almost that of loneliness and even hints of betrayal it pulled at Naruto's heart strings drawing him even closer to the door till he was right in front of it the sound very clear to him. Naruto hesitated he's almost forgotten the big Warning sign displayed at the front of the door flashing a red light for all to see, but as the whimpers continued with more sadness Naruto ignored the sign and tugged at the door. The door wasn't just tall it was heavy as well and it seemed more so to the small size of the blonde boy.

Finally getting the door to open a bit more for not only some light to leak through as from the little window at the center of it showed it had no lights inside but for him to actually fit through. Naruto gasped, inside was a stair case leading downward and it was dark like the kinds in scary movies. Naruto almost backtracked but the whimpers were still resonating and Naruto never liked it when his friends or anyone was lonely or sad. With little courage he could muster he started descending down the stairs till we was meet with another door slightly opened this time it was enough for him to fit through with ease. Naruto missed the key pads that were on the doors and how they looked to be hacked into. Naruto's eyes widened so much he was scared they might fall off. Inside was a lab of sorts with all kinds of machines, tables with experiments and complicated paper work the place looked like something right out of the Sci-Fi movies he always saw with his two best friends Uchiha Sasuke and Sabaku no Gaara.

He almost forgot about the whimpers till he heard them ceased as he got closer to look around. He made his way further into the room till he came to a stop time seemed to still for him as in the middle of the white florescent lit room was a fox. No it wasn't just the fact that it was a fox what through him off so much it was the fact that the fox was blood red with streaks of black surrounding its eyes and face, and from the small shadows behind him that swayed to and fro he could make out nine tails. From the foxes size it was still a puppy hence why its whimpers sounded so sad and from it cold red eyes that were directed to him a shiver ran down his spine he didn't want to imagine what kind of pain the poor thing probably went through as they radiated hatred and loss. Naruto eyes were opened wide with awe at the fact that he was staring at a fox with nine tails. His expression sobered a bit mouth open slight at how the pup seemed to be looking at him so intently it probably thought he was some other person here to probably do him harm. His eyes looked so cold and filled with hatred despite the fact that he was only a 9 year old and wasn't going to be able to do much of anything.

When Naruto drew a step to get near the creature its big ears perked and bent to the side of his head a growl coming from its mouth the way dogs do when it's ready to attack or in the face of danger. Naruto jumped a bit at the fox's growl as it came very loudly warning him that it wasn't a good idea to approach it so suddenly. He could catch a glimpse of its sharp teeth displayed with the sneer it was sending him. Fear wormed its way through and Naruto wasn't sure he wanted to approach the pup anymore. By now he could really see the big cage that surrounded the fox and a collar that was attached to a chain at the far side of wall the cage seemed connected too. The collar looked very tight around its neck and from the angle he was in he could see how skinny the small fox was he could see the indication of its ribs. Naruto being the innocent, kind, 9 year old he was felt pity for the small thing as it continued to sneer at him. As his fist clenched to build enough courage to approach the fox, a crinkling sound drew his attention briefly as well as the foxes and it's growling cease and its ears were perked up at the foreign sound. Naruto giggled a bit at the rather cute expression it had on his face its ears perked up even more at that. An idea occurred when Naruto turned his head to the candy bar, he remembered something Iruka-sensei said he's elementary teacher when they saw a wild rabbit at recess and how you had to get low to the ground to not scare them off.

Maybe the same worked for all creatures, Naruto with a determined smile got on all fours and laid on his stomach the cold floor giving him chills. When Naruto looked to see the fox was watching him, he couldn't help but giggle even more at how confused it looked one of its ears slanted to the side and its head titled. Naruto slowly started to crawls towards him with the hand holding his candy bar extended. The fox at first started to pull back to a sneer making Naruto pause in the process but when it looked at the candy bar it started to become curious making Naruto continue what he was doing before. Now he was in front of the bars of the cage his extended hand touching the cold steel. Naruto was about to sit up but seeing as the Fox was about to sneer again with its stance on guard he decided against it noticing as he was getting closer so was the fox its nose sniffing inches away from the candy bar with chains rattling a bit. He remember how Iruka-sensei mentioned back then that you should quietly reassure the creature that you mean no harm by talking to it. Hesitating Naruto started with his voice low

"H-hi I'm Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze" The fox made brief eye contact as it paused to hear him but continued to sniff the candy bar afterwards. Naruto believed he was making progress so he continued.

"I'm not here to hurt you" Naruto tried his best for the sincerity to radiate off his voice.

"This is one of my favorite candy bars I could always buy more so you can have it i-if you want?" The fox sniffed more at the candy bar its ears perked toward the blonde boy as if it understood what he was saying. Naruto attempted more soothing words as he got closer reassuring the creature repeating the phrase "its okay." After he got close enough to the fox that he could extend his hand beyond the bars the fox sniffed thoroughly through the candy bar it licked the top, in the process licked Naruto's hand causing him to giggle and pull back his hand, the fox was surprised at first at the sound and his treat being withdrawn but it seemed to liked the taste of the candy bar as it moved its nose to the end of the cage till he was right in front of Naruto the only thing separating them was the bars. Naruto smiled as he felt he was making progress, he extended the hand with the candy bar so the fox can see he was still holding it unwrapping more of it with his free hand. The fox sniffed and licked it again, after some more licking took a bite. It seemed to really enjoy the taste as it started to devour the candy bar, Naruto had to help unwrap more of it the fox pleased at the help.

Naruto took the chance at how close its face was and pet the fox. When he saw no reaction at the contact he did it again, the fox at first paused its eating to sniff at Naruto's hand before he continued to eat. Naruto chuckled time passed with the little pup eating at the candy bar and Naruto petting its head giving it a soothing sensation. It was peaceful both just enjoying what they were doing, with no disturbance the soft fur of the fox under Naruto's palm. He took his time to really think about how this poor animal has probably went through hell and from how gingerly it was devouring his almost finished candy bar how hungry it must have been. His god father and Jiji always taught him that there's good in everyone and to not judge people by their looks, at first he may have thought the fox was cool but he felt a tang of fear at how much hatred it carried around it like a cloud, but he was reminded of the whimpers and how sad they were and how it tugged at his heart looking now at how pleased it look to have something to eat it made him really glad the cloud of hatred fading to something more…warm. He didn't realize that the fox has finished the candy bar when he snapped out of his thoughts to see the empty wrapper.

But he hasn't stopped petting it actually it looked like it was enjoying the contact. It looked like it was smiling with its lips tilted upward and its eyes were closed, its head resting over a paw. In that moment, that little moment of peace and the happy expression it had on his face Naruto made up his mind he may not be able to understand what the little creature went through or erase the pain in its heart but he was going to fill it with love and care. He was going to love it the way Kiba loved Akamaru heck probably even more he just hoped his parents would let him keep it. No he was going to do whatever it takes for them to let him keep him.

"Hmm its' been a while sense I've seen him that happy" Naruto jumped at the sound of a man's voice from inside the room he could have sworn he was alone and he didn't see anyone here the only sounds were the machines on the other side. Sensing the boy's startlement the fox raised it head Naruto's hand still placed firmly on it, not bothered by it at all, its ears perked up almost as if it recognized the voice.

"Hmm no worries I'm not going to hurt you" Naruto looked up to see a elderly man or he assumed it was an elderly man as he had a long steel stick with him, the top of it hooped with weird designs and pearls, he could slightly make out the wrinkles from under the hat as it was placed low on his face covering the view from his eyes. The man was right in front of him. He was wearing a thick coat almost like a robe with slacks that were very long and covered his sneakers that peaked through at his feet. After Naruto gave the man a once over, wondering how he didn't hear him come in and how he was able see him through that hat. The old man hummed,

"I see you've made a friend." Naruto glanced back down at the fox and how it didn't seem bothered by the old man in front of them he noticed that he still had his hand on top of its head. The little fox didn't seem bothered at all by it too. He didn't bother removing it as he liked the feel of its fur. The old man let out a sigh "It's a shame what's they've done to him, he use to be so full of life with his other friends now there all separated, striped away from each other." Naruto could pick up the elders tone as if he was regretful, as if it were his fault but he didn't say anything just continued listening as he went back to petting the fox how it seemed content at the affection he was receiving he was a puppy after all. The old man chuckled at the satisfied expression that appeared on the foxes face.

"People call him the Kyuubi but he has a name shame they don't use it." Naruto's expression sobered it was rather sad going through life with just a title no one bother to learn or even know your name. Was that what's going on with it? Was that why it was so sad? He didn't think so but it could be part of it.

"W-what's his name?" he asked hesitantly he still didn't trust the man, he didn't even hear him come in which was the strange part was he that distracted? The man chuckled as if reading him.

"Kurama, his name is Kurama"

"Kurama" Naruto repeated liking the sound it had. The fox's ear twitch as it heard its name being said, one eye open to look at him. Naruto smiled this resolved more on why he wanted to keep the fox. As if sensing his thoughts that man made his way across the room Naruto couldn't really see what he was doing as he was still on the ground and he wasn't exactly tall but when the man returned he was holding a key. The older man crouched down to Naruto's height

"Naruto I'm leaving Kurama in your care, take good care of him not as your pet but as your friend, a companion, someone you'll give your life for"

Naruto couldn't see the man's face only the bottom half but from his tone he was very serious it didn't occur to him on how the man knew his name. Naruto glanced back down at Kurama who was staring at him its eyes almost look pleading as if in need of someone to take care and look after him. Naruto felt determined he was going to do exactly that he'll be the one to take care of him and love him as not a pet but a friend. The older man didn't give him a chance to voice this as he was already opening the cage almost as if he sensed the passion in his eyes to do so. The cage was open and the man stepped inside Kurama looked around in joy at being released from behind him he could feel the chain holding him being detached and the other end being released from his collar. The man picked Kurama up from the ground making him look even smaller then he already was the man reassuring him that he meant no harm. Naruto at this point was standing as well he was about to question what the man was doing when his unvoiced question was answered Kurama was placed right in his extended arms. Naruto almost thought he would be heavier and was surprised at how light he was the fox squirming around in curiosity trying to get more comfortable. After firmly getting a hold on him Naruto was guided out passing by the strange lab and out the two heavy doors to an empty hallway. He looked back to see the older man closing the door his stick glowing a bit at the flue cent light being shown on it.

"You should go everyone should be worried on where you went go down the hall around the corner to the door on the left that says 'Tsume's Office' I believe that's where everyone should be."

Realization dawned on Naruto's face he must have been in there for a very long time. "Thanks Old man" Naruto replied already making his way down the hall then stopped in the middle of the hall way Kurama still in his arms looking around. Naruto looked behind him about to ask how he knew where they were and seemed to realize the man also knew his name but when he turned back the man was gone. All that was there was the Door with the warning sign not a single clue that anyone has been in there. Naruto figured the man had to leave so he shrugged it off and started in the direction to Tsume's Office just like he was told. "No worries Kurama if I have to beg for my parents to keep you I will, I'll do whatever it takes" Kurama glanced at Naruto almost as if understanding what he was saying, He probably did then went back to looking in all directions, His small framed being perfectly held by the small blonde boy.

OoOoO

"What do you mean, you've lost him?" a thud sounded after as Tsume's fist hit the big office table, an infuriated expression on her face.

"S-sorry mom but I can't f-find him anywhere he said h-he was going to the b-bathroom when I went to take A-Akamaru outside to go to the bathroom, w-when I went b-back he was g-gone"

Tsume's face turned angrier and angrier the more Kiba who was near tears at how mad his mother was getting, explained how Naruto seemed to have disappeared. A growl turned their attention to Kushina who was grabbing at her hair in anger and panic as to where her son ran off too. "When I find him I'm going to kill him!" Minato was about to consoling her that they were going to find him when a knock was heard. Everyone turned to the door, Tsume was the one to break the silence. "What!" The door opened a crack and everyone could see the big ball of blonde hair as Naruto stuck his head in a nervous grin plastered on his face. "Naruto where were you?!" Kushina bellowed letting go of her hair a tag of relief in her tone at her found child. Minato also relieved at not having to control an angry Kushina. Naruto let out a nervous chuckle "U-um I found the pet I wanted" He announced as the door fully opened and everyone in the room looked wide eyed at what the blonde boy held in his arms. A ball of red with nine tails stared back at all on them.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for everyone who's read this. I was going for a very realistic, modern aspect on how Naruto obtained Kurama. Keep in mind my writing is VERY rusty I haven't written anything in a very long time so give a critique if you can.

THANK YOU FOR READING~ God bless you!