First Link

13.3K 167 9
                                    

The Kyuubi no Kitsune; the Nine-Tailed Fox, was said to be the most powerful of the Bijuu. A living natural disaster. For ages, back before time immemorial when the current names of the countries were barely a thought, it had been heralded as a sign of oncoming destruction. It was known as a mass of hatred and evil, its sheer presence cowing mortals as it cut swathes across the continent.

However that same fox, for all its power, currently found itself impotent within one Uzumaki Naruto, a young blonde-haired child from the Shinobi village of Konohagakure. Seven years ago, it was released from its previous container under unknown circumstances, only to almost immediately be sealed into a new-born. Not however, until it had cut a swathe of destruction across the village that would remain in their collective memory for generations.

Right now, the all-powerful Bijuu lay in the dank, dark confines of the eight-trigrams seal that was his prison. Great metal bars spanned his vision, leading into the more brightly lit room beyond, where he was sure that one day his container would stand before him as the others had. If he was anything like the last two, it would also be the last time they met. He would be told to remain silent and docile like some domesticated pet. That, or his new container would demand his power and keep him in the worst kind of servitude… just like that man.

Of course, the Kyuubi didn't particularly care about the idle whims of short-lived mortals, they would pass on while he remained, as it always had been and always would be. However, for such a long lived creature, to be imprisoned for even a fraction of that time was not only insulting, but infuriating. Not only that, but to add insult to injury, it was human to do it; the weak, feeble creatures his progenitor held in such high regard.

A low growl briefly escaped the beast's lips, echoing off into the empty space of the seal behind him which, as far as he could tell, was infinite. For once though, in his seven years of newly instated imprisonment, the echoing noise was not met by utter and all-consuming silence, but an answer.

"Still as grumpy as ever baka fox?"

Immediately, one great, bloodshot eye snapped open in the direction of the all too familiar voice. Sure enough, with her vivid red hair trailing down her back, stood his former container, tantalisingly out of reach behind the bars of the seal.

"Kushina." It was more of a growl than an actual attempt at speech, but it got the massive beast's point across.

"Huh, you look a lot smaller than I remember you, I get Mina-kun did a good job with the sealing."

That very same slitted eye narrowed dangerously as the Kyuubi snorted once, sending Kushina's hair fluttering from the hot exhalation. "You look a lot less dead than I remember you; I had hoped you would stay that way once you were impaled on my claw." As if to punctuate its words it lifted up one massive hand, clicking its gleaming white claws together just behind the bars.

Kushina remained unperturbed, an easy-going grin splitting her face as she leant almost casually against the bars. "Can't keep an Uzumaki down with a little thing like death; I'm going to protect my Sochi for as long as I can –'ttebane!"

At that exclamation the Kyuubi seemed to unfurl, sudden, furry bulk appearing out of the shadows that had previously concealed it. He rose up to his current full height, which was irritatingly below his prime, and stared down at Kushina, bringing his full presence to bear. Unfortunately it was greatly diluted by the blasted seal so Kushina was still able to grin right back at him, unintimidated by the walking catastrophe.

"And by protect..?" The beast turned its head so it could bring a single great eye around to peer at the woman. Despite his diminished size the Kyuubi's eye alone was still taller than her, and Kushina was able to see herself relected in his sclera as the massive slitted pupil narrowed.

Kusari no NarutoWhere stories live. Discover now