Naruto grinned as the training picked up and they started an open brawl between them. The first to tap out was Hinata, followed by Hanabi and finally Neji backed down. ANBU Kitsune would not say it out loud but he was impressed by the tenacity of the two Chunins. The only reason Hinata was not a Jounin was because she wanted to be one along with Hanabi. She wanted to avoid her sister getting branded if she ever became Jounin ahead of her. She would not put it past her Clan Elders to not try and manipulate her sister. Lee showed up with Tenten right after Naruto and Neji stopped their spar and Lee jumped to challenge Naruto to a race. Naruto who had boundless stamina agreed and the two started running while Tenten asked Hinata and Hanabi to a spar. The two girls agreed and got up to spar with her in a one on one type of match, first with Hinata then Hanabi.
ANBU Kitsune, "You really are comfortable around shinobi."
Tanna smiled, "What can I say? I raised them since they stepped foot into the Academy."
ANBU Kitsune, "Sempai really trusts you."
Tanna, "Thank you, I guess. Although I do not know how that happened and I am unsure I want to find out."
ANBU Kitsune, "Hmm... Maybe it is best you do not know."
Tanna, "Some secrets are best left unknown."
ANBU Kitsune, "Are they?"
Tanna, "Well, unless they put your life and someone else's lives in danger, I do not see why it is anyone's business. And if shinobi are incapable of figuring out a secret, that's a skill issue."
ANBU Kitsune, "What about you?"
Tanna, "What about me?"
ANBU Kitsune, "Are you not curious?"
Tanna, "I am but I love it more when secrets are exactly that secrets. It helps my mind grow and create fascinating stories."
ANBU Kitsune, "You are quiet the curious one, I look forward to observing you more."
Tanna, "Um? Thank you, I think."
ANBU Kitsune, "You do not have any questions for me?"
Tanna, "Not really, and bluntly speaking I doubt you can answer my questions without getting into trouble with the Godaime. Also, if something is very important, I have no doubt, you would have told me already."
ANBU Kitsune, "Hmm... No wonder she likes you."
Tanna, "Oh! They are done training."
ANBU Kitsune mused, "So, they are."
Tenten plopped down beside Tanna, "Phew! I do not know how Naruto and Lee has so much energy."
Hinata, "Me neither! I know Naruto is an Uzumaki but Lee... He is not secretly an Uzumaki, is he?"
Hanabi, "Who know?"
Neji, "He is not, we did a test to know if he still had any other family around."
Tenten nodded, "We found a seven member civilian family in the Northern side of Fire country but aside from that no one else."
Neji, "One grandparent each from both parents side, the parents and three kids. Lee is related to the Lady who is a seamestress by profession."
Tanna, "Ah! Speaking of extended family, I wonder how Karin - chan is doing. Last time we met was Akari - san's birthday."
Lee was panting, "That was awesome, Naruto - kun."
Naruto was also out of breath, "Heh! You are pretty good as well, Lee. Not even Sasuke - kun can keep up with me for so long."
Tanna, "You boys look like you had fun."
Naruto grinned sitting down next to her, "We did, nee - chan. Next, training with Kyuubi."
ANBU Kitsune, "That is where I come in."
Tenten's breath stuttered, "I... Yeah, you do that."
Hinata muttered, "I forgot he was there."
Hanabi, "Me too, nee - chan."
Neji, "ANBU - san, we appreciate the help."
Lee who had jumped, "So youthful."
Naruto, "I know, thank you."
Tanna simply smiled as she handed out bentos from the scroll Naruto opened, "Eat up first!"
The shinobi and kunoichi said their thanks as they enjoyed the different types of bentos that had been hand made for them. Tanna apparently wanted to use the chance of them training together to feed them and had prepared bentos with four different sushi, fried rice, plain rice with curre, veggie salad, fruit salad, egg salad, boiled egg, crispy fried chicken, crispy fried pork and beef curry. ANBU Kitsune would not admit it but he could see the appeal of having someone make bentos he could eat without the fear of poisoning. Then again, Tanna was not some nobody, she was the Jinchuriki's sister and honestly she did not make sense. ANBU Kitsune has been on missions to other villages and knew exactly how Jinchurikis and anyone related to them were treated. The fact Tanna was not treated that way baffled him, yes she was practically harmless but this was the Jinchuriki they were talking about.
Naruto sighed, "Alright, time for the next leg of training."
Tenten, "We are here for you Naruto - kun."
Lee, "You can count on us to have your back."
Neji, "Believe in yourself too. The seals you made are strong."
Hinata, "You can count on us to keep Tanna - Sensei safe as well."
Hanabi, "Yeah Sempai, we will keep her safe."
Tanna, "You kids, well, you are not kids anymore but full grown adults now. Thank you."
Naruto beamed at his friends as well, thanking them and then entering a meditative trance where he would focus on accessing the Kyuubi's chakra. ANBU Kitsune could only watch incredulously as everyone just went along with it. Are they not afraid the beast would attack them and kill them? Was he dealing with suicidal fools? Should he contact the Yamanakas and throw this group at them? Why did the Godaime assign him to this? ANBU Kitsune was starting to regret taking this mission as he felt the dark chakra gather and grow inside the Jinchuriki and prepared himself. One look at the group and he noticed Tanna - san actually looked excited about this though the rest seemed nervous. ANBU Kitsune could sense other shinobi head their way after sensing the dangerous chakra no doubt. ANBU Kitsune only hoped Naruto - san does not attack them while using the Kyuubi's chakra because that would be another huge disaster. He was about to use his jutsu to stop the Jinchuriki when he noticed Tanna - san had gotten closer to the Jinchuriki. When did she get there? Is she mad?
Hinata, "Sensei, wait."
Tanna, "I am fine. Stay behind me."
Sasuke landed next to the group, "What is going on?"
Neji, "The Kyuubi demanded to meet Tanna - Sensei."
Sasuke's eyebrows went up, "He did? Why?"
Lee, "Yosh! Sensei's flames of youth has intrigued even the great nine tailed fox."
Sakura landed on the other side, "I am surprised Naruto - kun agreed to this. He is usually so over protective of Tanna - san."
Tenten muttered, "You and I both."
Tanna meanwhile was standing in front of the four tailed transformation, "Hello there, you wanted to meet me."
The four tailed transformation rumbled, "Curious being, are you not? Most would be terrified of me, not approaching me, the Kyuubi no Kitsune."
ANBU Kitsune froze, 'What in all that is sane and living?'
Sasuke, "Oh!
Sakura, "That is not a voice you hear everyday."
Hanabi gulped, "Should we let Tanna - Sensei get closer?"
Hinata, "I don't think we can get closer without getting burned."
Tanna, "Most people did not sleep next to the vessel that held you. Most people did not take care of your vessel when it was leaking your chakra. And most peopple did not trust you to bring their younger sibling back alive, I however did."
Kyuubi gave a terrifying grin, "Did you now? And what if I kill him?"
Tanna, "If you wanted to kill him, I believe you would have done so a long time ago. There is nothing stopping you from using other means to bypass the seal."
Kyuubi's chakra flared making everyone tense, "Ho? Is that so?"
Tanna sighed, "You spent more than five decades inside multiple seal users. Are you seriously going to tell me, you do not know? I know for a fact, the seal does not stop you from observing and learning about the outside world."
Kyuubi tilted his head shadowed by the chakra, "Indeed! It was fascinating to watch how terrified humans were of my vessel."
Tanna, "So, you had all the time in the world to understand seals and figure it out. Unlike others, I know you are smart and not a foolish beast. You have been observing us for a long time, haven't you?"
Kyuubi gave a loud malicious laugh, "Amusing! You certainly have a very fascinating brain, little one. You, who should have died but stayed alive."
Tanna, "Yes, I should have died but it does not matter. I got my reasons to stay alive."
Kyuubi, "You think I am smart."
Tanna whispered, "Well, considering who your father was."
Kyuubi stared at her, "I see. Ah! Time is up! We will talk again, dead girl."
Tanna, 'Dead girl? Hmm... I do not like the implications... But then again I already accepted the fact I am probably dead in my world.'
Naruto appeared as the oppressive chakra disappeared and hugged her, "I heard everything, nee - chan."
Tanna, "Of course, you did. If the Kyuubi can listen in, then so can you."
Sasuke, "Naru - koi, are you alright?"
Naruto, "Suke - tan, I am fine but I have questions. The most important one being, why did the Kyuubi call you a dead girl, nee - chan?"
Tanna blinked, "Multiple reasons most likely."
Sakura huffed, "You are too calm about this, Tanna - Sensei."
Tanna, "I trust Kyuubi."
Sasuke shook his head, "Only you would trust a giant nine tailed chakra beast."
Tanna looked up at the blond boy now a man, "And I trust Naruto. I know, you would have given Kyuubi hell, if he tried something."
Naruto released a shuddering breath as he burried his face in her neck, "You are something else, nee - chan. I really do not know what to do with you sometimes."
Tanna hugged him back, "I am fine, Ruru. See? Nothing happened. I understand this is a completely new territory but it is not exactly a bad thing."
Naruto grumbled, "Sakura - chan is right, you are too non chalant about this, nee - chan."
Tanna, "Someone has to be considering the fact everyone was tense and freaked out."
Naruto pulled away, "That sounds like something you would do. The Kyuubi is laughing right now by the way. I have never heard him laugh before... No, nee - chan, absolutely not."
Tanna closed her mouth, "You did not even hear what I had to say."
Naruto scowled at her, "I know you will ask something ridiculous. I know that look in your eyes really well."
Tanna blinked, "What look?"
Naruto deadpanned, "The look that tells me that you find the Kyuubi really cute and want to cuddle him. You had a similar look when you saw Shino's bugs the first time, Kiba's puppy, Anko aneki's summons, my summons and now the Kyuubi."
ANBU Kitsune was trying not to be judgemental but he was being judgemental, "Tanna - san, you do realize that the Kyuubi killed many people before and he can kill you too?"
Tanna looked at him like he was stupid, "Yes, and?"
ANBU Kitsune felt irritated he was not the stupid one, "Why are you like this?"
Tanna, "Because the Kyuubi is not special when it comes to killing me."
Naruto, "Oh no!"
Tanna, "You could kill me too if any of the Elders who hate me ordered you.
Sasuke, "Tanna nee - sama, please. We would not allow that."
Tanna continued, "So could an enemy shinobi like Orochimaru who hates me just because I live in Konoha. He already threatened me."
Tenten scowled now, "He would have to go through us."
Tanna, "So could Akatsuki, just to get to Naruto."
Lee twitched, "YOSH! I will get stronger so it does not happen Tanna - Sensei."
Tanna, "And so could a very dedicated duck."
Hinata frowned, "Sensei, this is not funny."
Tanna looked thoughtfull, "Hell, forget about any of you, my own organs could decided they do not want to keep me alive any more and shut down any minute."
Sakura screeched, "Absolutely not funny, Tanna - Sensei!!!!!"
Tanna, "You all get my point though, right?"
Hinata, "Sensei please, I already lost mom, I do not want to lose you too."
Hanabi nodded, "She is correct, Sensei. You cannot leave us."
Tanna, "Ara! Ara! Why the tears? I am not going to die too soon. Shizune - chan would bbring me back to life just to scold me to death. Knowing Sakura - chan she would join the scolding too, not to forget Naruto and Anko would probably never let me out either."
Sakura, "Damn right, I will scold you."
Naruto still had not let go of her, "I want to lock you away right now. Dammit nee - chan, I knew you were fascinated with the chakra beast but I did not think you would throw away any survival instincts to approach him."
Sasuke nodded, "Mom will want to check on you after this and I can sense the Godaime coming this way too."
Sakura turned and greeted the older blond, "Shishou!"
Tsunade nodded then turned to the siblings, "You!!! What were you thinking?"
Tanna blinked while being held, "Me? I was thinking that the Kyuubi wanted to meet me so I decided to greet him. It would not be a good idea to insult him by ignoring him."
Tsunade sighed, "You drive me crazy. Also you keep calling Kyuubi a he?"
Tanna nodded, "Yes, the Kyuubi had a very handsome voice so, I figured that was his gender."
Tsunade, "I see! I will remember to add that to the information file. You are to give me a full report about what happened. Sakura, make sure they are both okay. Give me a report later and meet me at the hospital later. ANBU Kitsune and ANBU Rooster, you are to stick with the two siblings and make sure they are safe."
Naruto blinked, "We are getting ANBU detail? Is it about the Akatsuki?"
Tsunade nodded, "Your nee - chan made a good point. The Akatsuki can easily get to her to get to you. A dirty but effective trick."
Tanna scratched her neck, "I apologies, I did not mean to worry you too much. Today was supposed to be a meet and greet with the Kyuubi."
Tsunade looked exasperated as she pointed her thumb to her left, "You gave literally everyone a heart attack. Better show them you are alright."
Tanna turned to where she was pointing and saw other shinobi and kunoichi who had gathered at the entrance area. They had probably come rushing despite the seals suppressing most of the Kyuubi's chakra. Anko rushed to check both of them while Iruka stood behind her eyes filled with genuine worry. Tanna could just smile and reassure them she was fine when Naruto finally released her for Anko to fuss over. Tanna let her as it was one of the ways Anko calmed down after something stressful happened. Sasuke on the other hand had pulled Naruto to where Sakura and Kuroda were and was now fussing over the blond. The blond kept looking at his sister with pursed lips and his friends wondered what exactly the Kyuubi said. It was hard to listen in on the conversation especially with the oppressive chakra roaring in their senses and it looked like Naruto did not want to share it yet.
Sasuke, "Talk to her."
Naruto looked at his fiance, "Sasuke - kun, it is not that I can't... It is more like I am a little terrified to get the answers to my questions."
Sakura looked like she wanted to say something but paused, "There is nothing wrong with you physically, Naruto. You are in the clear."
Kuroda nodded in Tanna's direction, "You know, she will not lie to you, right? She never has as far as I can remember."
Naruto sighed feeling a little tired, "I know, she is very blunt when it comes to things that she can tell me or not. If she can't say anything, she tells me to treat it as a murder mystery and to solve it very carefully. She believes, I will find the answer and maybe even more than she even knows which turns out to be the case most of the time."
Sakura murmured softly, "Mysteries are meant to be solved, as long as you do not get attached to them."
Kuroda nodded, "Indeed! Although, the things that Tanna - Sensei knows and does not speak about is a mystery that is not exactly one either."
Sasuke, "Either way, we are, I am here for you. Heaven knows my own clan has multiple mysteries that even I do not know about."
Naruto, "Speaking of clans, I think Tanna nee - chan knows about the Uzumaki clans too, since she is part of the noble lines. Not those high ranking ones but not exactly low ranking either."
Sakura, "Oh? Lady Shijimi answered your queries then."
Naruto had a dark expression, "Yeah Tanna - nee, according to Aunty Shijimi, was side lined because of her condition as a kid. Most people at best ignored her and at worst treated her worse than a slave. I have seen how slaves are treated and I cannot imagine nee - chan going through something worst."
Sasuke frowned looking in the direction of the brunette, "That will not happen in Konoha. I will not allow it to happen to her or to anyone else. As the next Head of the Police, I will make sure to enforce it."
Sakura forwned as well, "Anyone who insults our Sensei or friends get to answer to my fists."
Kuroda, "I agree."
Tanna called, "Naru - tan, we are heading home, okay. Make sure you come home to rest after your lesson with the Godaime is over."
Naruto, "Alright nee - chan, I will. Do not worry about me."
Sakura, "I better head back to the hospital as well. See you later."
Kurida sighed, "I have an escort mission tomorrow that I need to prepare for. I will see you guys around as well. Sakura - chan, let's have dinner together tonight since I am leaving early tomorrow morning."
Sakura blushed, "Yeah sure, why not. See you tonight."
Sasuke, "I will go with you to the Hokage tower, Naru - koi."
Naruto, "I appreciate that, Suke - tan."
Hinata, "We should return to the clan too. I do not want to give the Elders a reason to try and bitch about us."
Hanabi and Neji sighed, they enjoyed spending time together away from their oppressive clan filled with arrogant Elders. Tenten and Lee told the siblngs they were welcome to dpend the night with them if they needed a break from the clan. Hinata blushed when Lee offered and Neji sent his teammate a look though he did not say anything. Tenten nudged him teasingly at his protectiveness but the older Hyuuga just shook his head as they left. Maybe he should talk about the effect Lee was having on Hinata and figure out if Lee has any interest in pursuing any type of relationship with Hinata. He knew the habits that Lee had, despite his dress style, or lack of thereof, Lee was a true gentleman. Sasuke distracted Naruto from his thoughts by telling him about how Kuroki and Shinju were doing balancing both Uzumaki and Uchiha training really well. Naruto visibly perked up at the mention of his baby cousins and very happily gushed about the gifts he had prepared for their birthday.
Sasuke smirked, "Mom will deny it, but I think the twins are her favourite nephews."
Naruto giggled, "Nee - chan loves them too. She gushed about them a lot in her letters."
Sasuke, "They are adorable."