Why hello there again!

So, thing is, I promised to post a new chapter so here it is folks!

Thx, bye~~

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I was lying on a branch, one of my legs hanging off of it, swinging. I stayed the night and half the day in the woods, avoiding confrontation with Kakashi. I really, really didn't want to explain to him how I managed to defeat Zabuza, when even he couldn't. I mean, I think I did pretty well getting Naruto and Sasuke off my trail, but Kakashi isn't going to fall for it.

Should I blame the anti-lolicon arts again?

I sighed. The chance of him accepting that as a reason twice isn't very likely. And I'm in no mood to rack my brain to come up with something better. So, resorting to my best method of confrontation; avoidance.

So anyways, I have now concluded that living in the woods wouldn't be hard for me. I don't get dirty or hungry, and it's not as if any dangers even dare to near me. So if I get kicked out of the Leaf Village, at least I know I can survive in the woods...

What a depressing thought though. I sighed again.

I seem to be sighing all the time nowadays...

Naruto and Sasuke had left me about after midnight, needing to go to the house for food and sleep. They told me to come with them, or more like, for them it was the most obvious thing that as their teammate I should come too. But I told them I was avoiding Kakashi, and after nearly an hour of convincing and attacking them with my secret weapons (a few upturned eyes there, a few pouts there..) they agreed to let me stay here and not tell Kakashi about it.

They'll just tell the rest that I'm fine, just so they won't get worried and come looking for me.

Later into the night though, Naruto came back. He barely even greeted me before resuming training, trying hard to fully master the tree climbing technique. Something was different about him, his mood was off.

I'm sure that damn kid, Inari, must've said something.

I could tell he was running low on chakra, and dad wasn't helping and I couldn't communicate with him yet, but Naruto still kept at it. He kept at it till morning. I watched him the whole time.

By the time the sky was bright, he was lying passed out on the ground. I thought of going there to help him, but stopped when I heard someone approaching. They're footsteps were faint, quiet. Trained.

My eyes narrowed.

Ninja.

I stayed in the treetops, looking down, waiting for the person to come to us. But then, a beautiful lady in a pretty, soft pink kimono entered the clearing and a rush of understanding flooded through me.

Haku.

I knew this scene. I remembered it. Haku was going to help Naruto. I smiled gently to myself and quitely jumped out of the tree, speeding away from them. Letting them have their moment.

I spent the rest of the day watching Tazuna's house. I was quietly sitting in another treetop, cloaked by shadows. In the anime no one attacked the bridge builders house, but I know I changed the storyline a little, and I have to be prepared for some butterfly effect. That's why I'm guarding them, just in case.

Today, both Sasuke and Naruto were outside until late evening, climbing trees. I watched with a smile on my face as they kept trying to reach all the way to the top. With me, they had managed to get the base down. But now, they were trying to perfect it.

Naruto seemed to have it a little harder to grasp the technique, but he made up for it with enthusiasm. I suppose it's because he has so much chakra, that precise chakra control becomes a struggle for him. But that guy never gives up.

I smiled just thinking about it. His attitude is just so sweet...

When they finally both reached the top of the highest trees there, they turned to each other with a grin. That made me grin too. Naruto and Sasuke...

They really are like brothers.

They walked together, supporting each other as they returned to the house, all in scratches and dirt. I kept smiling and quietly humming to myself as I sat on my tree branch, swinging my leg back and forth. But then a loud voice broke me out from my happy state. I sharpened my hearing, listening to what was happening inside the house.

"... all this stupid training is just a waste of time! Gato's got a whole army, they'll beat you down and they'll destroy you! These cool things you all say, they don't mean anything! No matter what you do, the strong always win and the weak always lose!"

My eyes widened slightly.

It's that kid...

"Speak for yourself!"

I gave a start.

Naruto.

"It won't be like that for me, you got that?!"

"Why don't you be quiet! Just looking at you makes me sick! You don't know anything about this country, you're just butting in! Always laughing and playing around... you don't know what it's like to suffer and be treated like dirt!"

I felt like a bullet just tore through my nonexistent heart. Sadness filled my entire being and I hanged my head.

No, Inari... Naruto knows exactly what that's like...

"... listen to yourself! Whining and complaining, like some sorry little victim! You can whimper all day for all I care, you're nothing but a coward!"

I turned my head away, not wanting to listen anymore. I knew Naruto's story. And it was one of the saddest ones I've ever heard... he's a good person. A truly, utterly good person. If it was me, I would seek vengeance against all who'd wronged me... but he just wants their respect. And he still wants to protect them, after all that they've done to him.

I steeled my heart. I was going to protect my teammates... Nothing, nothing is going to hurt them. And the best part is... I asked this. From God. I asked him for the power to protect those dear to me. That is like literally one of the reasons I was reborn as a feckin' tailed beast for lordy's sakes...

My eyes glowed up, a beacon of light in the darkness of the night.

"...Naruto can be a little harsh, sometimes, but he doesn't hate you."

My head snapped up, the glow disappearing from my eyes and as I turned back to the house. The little brat was sitting on the porch-like-thing, Kakashi beside him.

"Your grandfather told us what happened, to your father. You probably don't know this, but Naruto also grew up without a father. In fact, he never knew either of his parents, and he didn't have a single friend in our village."

My eyes filled with sadness, listening to Kakashi talking.

You don't even know the worst of it.

Naruto's life was much, much worse.

"...but still, I've never seen him cry, sulk or give up. He's always...eager to jump in. He wants to be respected, that's his dream... and he'll put his life on the line for that."

A sad, but proud smile spread on my lips. He's right. Naruto is one amazing person... he deserves the world.

"My guess is, he just got tired of crying, and decided to do something about it. Even though he's young and still learning, he knows what it means to be strong, like your father did. I think he knows better than any of us, what you're going through."

...I'm just not sure if the world deserves him just yet.

"What Naruto told you earlier, as cruel as it sounded, he's probably told himself that a thousand times."

My sad smile widened a bit as I reached up a hand, gently swiping my slender fingers. A breeze, carrying black flower petals gently blew over the water, right in front of where Kakashi and Inari were sitting. The petals would gently spiral around, as if playing in the breeze, touching the water only fleetingly as the light of the moon gently caressed them. Kakashi and Inari were completely transfixed by the beautiful sight, never even averting their eyes. I just smiled and looked up at the moon.

No matter how often I look at it, it grants me such a calm feeling. A feeling of belonging. Is it because I am the Juubi? The power of the infinite Tsukuyomi should theoretically be in me... is that why? I don't know. All I know is, I feel happy when I gaze at the moon. I feel safe, surrounded by the darkness that makes my very being.

The night, is my time.

...

The next day, was awfully quiet. I mean, I know no birds even dare raise their voices in my presence, but it was somehow a different type of quiet.

Like the calm before the storm.

I didn't feel worried, heck, what would it even take to worry me? But the feeling was uncomfortable. I had already changed (well, can it really be called changing in my case?) to my ninja wear. Okay, not-so-ninja-wear with the purpose of ninja wear. Anyhow, I was all done and lazing around. I was currently very busy inspecting my toes.

I never knew such beautiful toes existed...

And, I have once more been convinced of my overpowering beauty. Which led me to another issue...

I frowned.

Why hasn't anyone ever fainted just at the sight of me?

My brows furrowed further.

This is unacceptable... it just can't go on like this!

My thoughts drifted to a stop when I suddenly noticed the slight sounds of small blades hitting wood. My eyes narrowed. It was already way past noon, and I hadn't seen any of my teammates yet... (pfft it's not like I wasn't paying attention, what are you saying?? pffft NO)

I mean,I had assumed that was because they needed the sleep with all the training they did yesterday, especially Naruto...but.

I sharpened my ears and tried to make out the sounds more clearly. They were coming from very far away, and even my beastly hearing couldn't make out much more. My eyes flashed a sinister light as I slowly stood up on the branch, turning my body to face the direction of the sounds. Looking into the distance, my shadows danced at my feet, anticipating blood.

One corner of my lips tugged into a cold smirk.

Seems like it's begun.