A flower by the flame (Self Insert)

12

The thing about the Kurama's forest was that it didn't change with the seasons. It never lost leaves or dried up in a drought. The same could be said to the rest of Fire Country but the weather still changes. His forest was a shield to all of nature's wrath. Only the temperature of the air would change. The trees are forever healthy and green.

Outside has gotten colder with fall with a slight coloring of the leaves. Wind is harsher and the water isn't safe to swim in anymore. Madara and Hashirama will still step stones but won't throw each other into the river anymore unless they want to explain a mysterious cold to their families.

Kurama himself had gotten more acquainted to Daichi, Kawarama, and Yatoka while I was gone. He doesn't say but I know he is grateful to see more humans that don't just think he is a mass of dangerous chakra. It isn't even volatile at this point in time. The reason it was in the future was because of his own hate towards power seeking humans. He lacks that hatred now. I smile as I cuddle the fur of one of his massive tails.

He swings his head over, exposing the two youngest boys hanging from both of his ears. "Will you get your brats off me?" I simply scoff and pat his nose. "Why would I do that? They looove you."

"Hmph. I am uninterested in human boys."

"You have a sexuality?"

He sighed. "I walked into that one."

"Indeed my dear."

I nuzzle his fur again and hummed my content. "Don't you need to go and meet your friends? They said to meet at a cliff much farther from the river. You'll be late." My eyes snap open. It was that day already? Not good. I don't even have a plan to stop the brothers from turning them in. No. I'm already too late. I won't kid myself. It was exactly what I feared while I was away. Today Izuna and Tobirama will bring their brother to their fathers. I wasn't there so Batsuma doesn't know that I am friends with Madara as well.

Guess I'll have to do it sooner than later. Getting up, I walk out of the clearing. Kura-kun better not eat my babies. Kialera joined me and I hopped onto her back. Hm. Her fur is much softer like a fuzzy pillow but there was more to snuggle on Kurama.

Around twenty minutes was when I got to the tall cliff. It was faceless and nearly straight. "Hey Ma-kun!" I wave as I walk up to him. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Yo, Rei."

Hashirama appeared through the brush, running towards us. I zoned out since I know this part and it isn't important. What need to do has to happen today or else everything can go to hell just like cannon. All it takes is a slip. I hop off my tiger and she goes back into the forest. Rude. How dare she abandon me so soon.

"Shut it." Madara turns away from Hashirama with his hand up. "Today, I'm challenging you to cliff climbing!" Sunshine immediately crumbles as always. I might well troll this little part and....

"Meet you there! Last one up is a crazy Biju!" I push chakra into my feet before I take off up the cliff side. I could hear them shouting after me. The sprint was harder than I thought but I refused to lose... wait. I need to let them win. I'll be too tired to drag them over later on. I grip the wall and cough. "Ugh, I can't go on!"

Sunshine darted past followed quickly by Madara. The dust got in my mouth, making me cough for real. "Hah, sucks for you Biju!"

.......

I sit with my legs dangling over the edge while they catch their breath. I smile at the forest, knowing it will become in the future. Maybe sooner than before if I play my cards right. I was never god at gambling though. Flopping onto my back, I grin at the sky. "I win." I hear Sunshine say through ragged breaths.