Little Kurama

Kurama had spent countless years locked away in a painful cage with only the phantom sensations from his host serving as a connection to the world.

So, the feeling of cool wind sliding along his fur and the ground crunching beneath his claws was something Kurama wanted to savor. He would be enjoying it far more if some piss ant Uchiha wasn’t giving orders as if he was the Sage himself.

This Uchiha may have known the same tricks as Madara but he was no match in skill. As if Kurama wasn’t waiting for him to try and control him again. It was an insult to think he would fall for the same trick twice. Kurama shook off the genjutsu, severely disappointed that Madara wasn’t around for him to bite his head off.

No, instead it was some Uchiha runt in a twisted mask, demanding he kill Kushina, ordering him to destroy Konoha.

It was really too bad, thought Kurama, as he sat on his haunches and scratched at his ear with a hind leg, he would really have loved to do those things.

Too bad he was so spiteful.

The Uchiha’s furious demands were music to his ears as Kurama continued to do absolutely nothing. He completely ignored the humans rushing about around him, shouting and scurrying like little bugs.

It was almost amusing to watch their panic turn into panicked confusion as he tilted his head back to look at the stars.

Another wave of panic swept through them when he stood to stretch, making sure to disobey the man’s calls to “kill them all” by killing exactly none of them. It was a bit of a chore to make sure he didn’t step on them as he walked toward the wide river but entirely worth it to feel the man’s frustration.

The water was cool and refreshing on his dry tongue and Kurama made sure to take his time quenching his thirst. How long had it been since he drank something.

He stopped briefly to breath and shake the excess water from his snout and bask in the Uchiha’s stunned confusion before diving back down for more water.

The only reason he was allowing the connection to the man was to revel in his disappointment.

Thirst now satisfied, Kurama turned to the human, crouched and waiting for his attack.

“Bring me the commander of your armies.”

It was time to negotiate.

~

The man that approached him with a perfectly neutral face and a tight control on his chakra smelled a little like deer. Kurama didn’t comment on it, as he always thought humans very strange.

The man, at least he thought it was a man, bowed to him and introduced himself as Nara. Kurama was impressed by his manners if nothing else.

“I have some demands.”

~

The man returned with Kurama’s requested items, still perfectly controlled as ever, but Kurama wouldn’t put it past a human to try to short change him.

“Did you acquire the dipping sauce?”

“Yes, everything’s just as you requested it. One large bowl of Miso Ramen with extra charsu and eggs, twelve pork dumplings with spicy dipping sauce, and one bottle of warm Sake.”

“Excellent.”

There were a few screams of surprise as Kurama ignited his chakra and shifted it with practice ease to change his form.

When he was done he was just slightly smaller than the bowl of ramen causing him to flick his tails in glee as he trotted quickly to the now huge amount of food before him. He wanted the meal to fill him after all.

He stood on his hind legs, with his front claws bracing the rim of the bowl as he dove into his meal with enthusiasm.

He could always feel Kushina’s enjoyment from partaking in this particular food, catching the barest hint of flavors and scent. Now he was able to experience the rich flavors for himself as his tongue darted out to lap at the broth.

He worked his way steadily through the meal until he was in danger of tipping the bowl on himself from trying to reach the bottom.

Help came unexpectedly from the commander who placed his finger on the side opposite him, providing a much needed counter weight.

“Excellent use of your appendages, human. Your assistance is invaluable.”

Kurama was now able to balance himself with all four claws on the rim, allowing him to reach the last few noodles and leftover broth in the very bottom.

With his ramen bowl now licked clean he pulled his last dumpling inside it and took his time eviscerating it.

The human had been completely silent throughout his meal, only opening his mouth as if to speak twice before closing it without uttering a word. He seemed to find his voice as the last morsel of Kurama’s food.

“The Hokage would like to have a word with you.”

Kurama didn’t want to speak with that fool Namikaze, but the Nara human had stayed true to his word and delivered him his food as well as assisted him without having to be told. Kurama would honor him this request.

The human tensed as Kurama ran up his arm and settled on his shoulder, but he calmed with a few pats of Kurama’s claws.

~

Kurama is pleased to note that humans had, at the very least, gotten smarter during his imprisonment.

After he had been taken to the Hokage, he and Kushina yelled at each other for a while before the blond fool stepped in to broker peace between them.

Kurama would normally never agree to work with humans, but the fool was willing to concede to his demands of delicious foods whenever he wanted them as long as he promised not to destroy Konoha or harm its citizens. Kurama was a beast of his word and was content to follow the terms of their agreement as long as no one tried to seal him inside of a person again.

Kurama was ready to take up residence in the Inari shrine and limit his exposure to humans to the times when he would receive their offerings.

His mind quickly changed when he met Naruto.

The pathetic little creature had hardly any hair to warm him and was so weak he couldn’t even lift his own head. Kurama despaired that such an unfortunate thing was left to the care of the blond fool and his previous jailor. Surly, he thought, he would not survive without someone strong to mentor him.

These thoughts cumulated into Kurama placing a clawed hand on the infants’ chest and announcing “Mine.”

Kushina was adamant that he go straight to hell, but Kurama would not be swayed.

He declared that the small thing was now under his protection and refused to listen to Kushina’s rants or acknowledge Namikaze’s amused smile.

Kurama abandoned his plans of the shrine and took up residents in the rafters of Naruto’s home, prepared to watch over him until such a time that he could teach him how to be a proper beast.