The Fox's Son

Chapter 1 - The Kyuubi Festival

It was October 10. The 8th anniversary of the Kyuubi's demise at the hands of the Honorable Yondaime. Today, everyone would be out and about, enjoying the attractions and stands the Kyuubi festival had to offer and were celebrating its defeat. While it, too, was a day of mourning for many, everyone put on smiles - some bitter and others fake - and enjoyed the celebration and fireworks that were launched at the end of the event.

Strolling down the streets of Konoha at this time was a small eight year old blonde boy with a orange shorts and a black shirt with a swirl symbol on the back. He was smiling as he carelessly wondered the streets, grinning at the eye-catching attractions and ignoring the dirty looks that were sent his way.

Although many didn't know, the boy knew why. It didn't take a rocket scientist to add up the fact that the villagers called him a demon, his birthday was on the same day of the Kyuubi attack, and that he had this weird seal on his stomach. Somehow, the Kyuubi was sealed in him, he concluded when he first began looking at seals. He didn't know why, but seals always interested him and when no one was looking, he was always reading sealing books. He would say that he was probably on a level 4 in his studies. He was very eager to get to the next level.

The blonde boy pulled himself out of his musings and turned to his right. He could only smile at the sight. By his side, walked a young girl who was the same age as he. Her hair was a beautiful midnight color that was cut in a short, leveled hime-cut style just above her forehead with chin-length strands framing her face. She was wearing a cream-colored hooded-jacket with a fire symbol on her upper right and left sleeves and fur around the cuffs and hem, with navy blue pants.

The girl's name was Hinata Hyuga. She was the former heiress of one of Konoha's most prominent clans, the Hyuga clan. Naruto had met her when they were five at the park. At first he took her shyness as not wanting to be around him, but after she yelled for him not to leave, blushing at her outburst, he started hanging around her. The more he got to know the young Hyuga, the more he grew to like her, feelings that had grown into something more, unknown to him.

He watched as she happily walked down the streets with him, laughing as she stood side-by-side with him. She was beautiful. Naruto had always thought she was pretty they first met, but she became prettier in his eyes as he continued to get to know her. Under her shy personality, was a beautiful person and he knew that she was someone that he could always count on.

On her forehead, she bore a piece of purple silk to hide her Cage Bird Seal she had gotten last year. He still felt guilty about it. Although Hinata had told him that it was because she was seen as befitting of the title of clan heiress, Naruto knew that wasn't the whole truth. He knew that her clan didn't like him and didn't want Hinata hanging around him. He knew that by hanging around her, he was staining her reputation.

When he tried to end their friendship, Hinata refused. Naruto was shocked at how angry the girl became at him. She told him that she didn't care what other people thought about him and that he would always be her best friend. After her declaration, Naruto grew to admire even more. He would often find his thoughts drifting to the young girl for what reason, he didn't know. Her presence always seemed to lift his spirits. It was good to know that there was someone who cared.

Seeing his quietness, Hinata turned to her friend and saw him staring at her intently. Hinata blushed and looked away. She noticed that he was doing that more often than usual and wondered what he was thinking.

"A-Ano...." Hinata started as she began poking her fingers, "w-which attraction are we seeing first?" she asked.

Since she started hanging with Naruto, the two had become close, his outgoing personality rubbing off on her a little and breaking her shy exterior and timid personality. She had become more comfortable around the blonde and her stuttering lessened. Sometimes, Hinata would even stay the night at his apartment when her father wasn't aware - not that he really cared anyway. Tonight happened to be one of those nights, she was able to sneak out and stay with him.

Realizing he was staring and causing her to feel uncomfortable, Naruto gave her a small apology before scratching the back of his head with a light blush of his own.

"I don't know, Hina-chan." He replied with a grin. "There are so many. How about we go get ramen first?" Naruto asked while Hinata just smiled at his grin.

"Sure Naruto-kun" Hinata said.

They both walked down the streets, admiring the fireworks that illuminated the night of Konoha. As they walked, Naruto glanced to his left and saw an ANBU concealed in the shadows, silently observing him. Naruto was kind of nervous. He knew that the Hokage would assign him ANBU guards at times, however, this one made him feel a tad bit uneasy.

'Must be in case...' Naruto thought to himself as he and Hinata made their way towards the ramen stand. He knew how the villagers could get during this time year and was even hesitant about bringing Hinata out tonight, let alone, spend the night with him. As they quickly arrived at the ramen stand, Naruto had a gut feeling that something was going to happen tonight. Whether it was good or bad, he did not know.

When they arrived at the ramen stand, they sat down at the stool at the counter. Hearing someone come in, Teuchi, the stand's proprietor and cook, came from out the kitchen to greet his customers. A smile crossed his face, seeing who was sitting at the counter. Two of his best customers.

"How are my two favorite clients?" Teuchi greeted the smiling kids.

"I'm ready for ramen, Old Man!" Naruto yelled with a grin, pumping his fist into the air.

Hinata giggled at her best friend's antics. With a laugh, Teuchi went to grab their usual and placed them down in front of them. A few minutes later, another person came into the stand. Said person squealed as she ran up to the two eight year olds. Teuchi clutched his ears at the sound of his fourteen year old daughter coming into the stand with a squeal.

The teen smiled wide when she found her most adorable little brother eating. "Naru-chan! Hina-chan!" she exclaimed as she quickly hugged both kids to death.

"A-Ayame-neechan...." Naruto rasped out. "Air...." he said as he struggled to say as she smothered him. Seeing this, Ayame quickly released them and backed away, coughing in embarrassment.

"That's some grip, neechan." Naruto said with watery eyes. Everyone just laughed.

Once Naruto and Hinata were done, Naruto took out his wallet, Gama-chan. "How much old man?" he asked, but Teuchi waved him off.

"It's on the house, Naruto." Teuchi said. "After all, it is your birthday, Naruto."

"T-Thank you, old man." Naruto said with teary eyes. Teuchi and Ayame were one of the few people that showed the blonde any kindness and liked for that matter. Hinata put a comforting hand on his shoulder, seeing his state. He nodded his head in silent thanks.

"How about this?" Ayame said getting everyone's attention. "Hina-chan has to kiss Naru-chan before they leave." she said with a smirk.

Both kids blushed up a storm. Teuchi laughed out loudly at his daughter's antics while Ayame looked at Hinata expectantly.

"Ayame-nee!" Naruto yelled before he felt a very soft pair of lips on his cheeks.

Ayame squealed in delight as Hinata quickly pecked Naruto on the cheek before lowering her head and poking her fingers together. One could have sworn there was steam coming out of her ears. Naruto looked dazed as he unconsciously brought his hand to his kissed cheek. He seemed to get redder and redder by the second.

"Get going lover boy!" Teuchi said as he laughed, breaking Naruto from his state of shock. "You'll miss the festival if you stay here all night!"

"All right!" Naruto exclaimed, grabbing Hinata's hand. "See you tomorrow, Old Man!" he said as he and Hinata departed the stand. Teuchi waved to them as they left.

"That kid is something else." Teuchi said with a chuckle as he returned to kitchen after the kids left. Ayame nodded her head in agreement.