The Nine-Tailed Human [Tail 2 - Naruto Fan-Fiction]

The Nine-Tailed Human: Chapter 4

"Kitsune?" The man asked again. How do you know my name? Kitsune stood up straight, looking the man up and down curiously. "Oh come on, there aren't many white haired girls with tails." He laughed, taking a step towards her, stopping when she took a step back in response.

"Looks like she does not recognize you," His companion commented, watching the cautious stares that Kitsune split between them. "How do you know her?" She took in the companion's appearance in bits, his bowl-cut hair and elastic green outfit sticking out the most.

"We went on a mission together two years ago," Kitsune's hands lowered, two years ago...? "She was the only one that wasn't retrieved from the mission... we all thought she died." He looked from his companion to Kitsune, looking for some sort of friendliness from her.

I don't know who you are; she took another step back, her hands resuming their defensive position. I don't know how you know my name; the man watched her take another step back but did nothing suspicious... What the hell do I know?

"Does the name Neji ring a bell?" The companion asked, getting a glare from Neji. "I am merely offering her more information; you are already acquainted, are you not?"

"Yeah," Neji sighed, watching Kitsune's guard lower again, but this time it stayed down. Neji? The name did ring a bell; it was one of the people Sasuke listed off when she asked him about her life before Orochimaru. "Do you remember?" Kitsune shook her head.

"Does a cat have your tongue?" The companion asked, chuckling lightly to himself.

"Look at her throat, Lee." Neji sighed, pointing to the crooked scar running across Kitsune's neck.

"Oh, I'm very sorry," Lee bowed, keeping his head bowed much longer than normally acceptable. Kitsune waved her hands in front of her in an attempt to get him to straighten up but he kept his body bent over and lifted his head. "I must make it up to you!" He shouted, dropping to the ground and beginning one-handed pushups. "One thousand before I ask for your forgiveness!"

N-no, it's really all right, all she could do now was wait for him to finish his pushups while Neji wrapped his hand around his face, muttering profanities under his breath.

"Anyway," Neji cleared his throat and stepped past Lee, his pace slowing with each successful pushup. "Why don't you come back to the Leaf, we can try to fix your throat." You... you can do that? Kitsune's eyes widened, being able to speak again would make life so much easier.

But... I don't know who these people are... it could be a trap... she thought sourly, why would they tease me with being able to speak again if they were just going to attack me... She crossed her arms, the inner debate she was having was making her head hurt.

"... One thousand!" Lee shouted, jumping to his feet and holding his hand out towards Kitsune. "Forgive me!" This man's behavior baffled her, the physical trials he put himself through just for an offhanded remark she didn't even care about... so strange.

"Well?" Neji prompted, keeping his expression cool but Kitsune could see a hint of anxiety flashing through his eyes. Why would he be anxious about me going with him... she sighed, running her hand through her snow-white hair slowly and tried to decide.

Well, if it's a trap, the worst they can do is kill me, she sighed placing her hands on her hips and looking back to Neji. I'll go, she nodded, seeing a slight smile creep across Neji's face.

"Fantastic, now I have more time to make this up to you!" Lee's face was covered in sweat and he was clearly aching from the pushups he just did, but he smiled like he just won the lottery. Such strange people... Kitsune chuckled, following them as they turned, heading towards the pathway up to the other side of the canyon.