Chapter Text
Naruto blinks at the compound in front of her, a grin slowly making its way onto her face.
She had stumbled upon the compound a few weeks ago deep into the forest much like the Nara’s was, but this one was… bigger. The biggest one in Konoha, if what Hokage-jiji said was true.
She didn’t even know she belonged to a clan! And apparently it’s one of the most powerful clans in the world!
It had taken a lot of bribing, yelling, fighting, and tears that made Hokage-jiji look like he was going to have a heart attack to convince him to let her live in the compound.
The compound was surprisingly well taken care of with the fact no one has lived in it in over a decade. The walls stood tall and proud, not a single leaf out of place, almost as if waiting for its rightful owner to come home.
“Hey, Kurama, now that we have a bigger place will you teach me stuff?” Naruto’s voice echoed through the empty compound, the excitement bubbling up inside her like a fresh pot of ramen. The Nine-Tails remained silent for a moment, then a deep, gruff chuckle resonated in her mind.
“Teach you? I’ve been trying to teach you for years, brat. Maybe now you’ll finally start listening.” Kurama’s words were teasing, but the warmth behind them was unmistakable.
“Maa, Rama’s a big meanie!” Naruto exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she skipped through the compound’s courtyard, the sound of her sandals slapping against the stone path echoing through the quiet space.
Kurama’s chuckle grew louder in her mind. “I’m not mean, just... particular about who I share my wisdom with. Now, if you’re serious about this, you’ll have to put in some actual effort.”
“YES! Kurama-Chan!” Naruto raised her hand and saluted no one in particular, her eyes sparkling as she pushed open the door to the main house. The wooden floors creaked under her weight, and dust danced in the beams of sunlight that pierced through the sliding doors. The place was a maze of memories and secrets, just waiting to be uncovered.
“But… I want to learn about my clan first.” Naruto looked around the walkway. The compound seem to be filled with all types of furniture she would ever need. “From what you’ve told me you’ve been with Uzumaki family for three gener-giner-generations and I want to know about them, about us!”
Kurama sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes in a way that only she could feel in her mind. He stayed silent for a couple seconds before clicking his tongue. “… well, if you insist, the first thing you should know is that you are the clan’s Hime.” He paused, waiting for a reaction.
Naruto blinked once, twice, three times, then frowned, picking at her bottom lip. “A… Hime…? What’s a Hime?”
“Ah, so the old man didn’t tell you everything,” Kurama huffed. “Hime means a princess or a lady of higher birth. In your clan, it’s a title given to the female heir, the one who’s supposed to lead and carry on the Uzumaki lineage. It’s a big deal, brat.”
Naruto’s eyes widened as she took in the information. A leader? Her? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying, but she knew that Kurama wouldn’t lie to her. He was always brutally honest, even if it was wrapped in layers of sarcasm.
“So… I’m a princess?” Naruto scuffed her feet slightly as she continue to explore the compound. The title of 'Hime' felt foreign and heavy, but she couldn’t ignore the thrill that shot through her.
“Yes, though not all clans have a Hime or Hiko, yours does,” Kurama informed her. “And as your clan’s Hime, you will be expected to embody the Uzumaki’s strength and spirit. It’s a responsibility that comes with great power and even greater expectations.”
Naruto hummed, finding herself in the sitting room and taking a seat on one of the various chairs. “But… I’m the only Uzumaki… or, at least that I know of. If I’m the only one then what am I even supposed to embody?”
“Last my ass.” Kurama actually kind of sounded offended at the idea. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a Uzumaki ever managed to bring themselves back from the dead with just sheer will power. They’re that stubborn and tenacious. Plus, you’re not the only one. There are others out there, scattered across the lands. You’re just the last one in this village. And as for what you’re supposed to embody? The spirit of your ancestors, the will to never give up, to keep moving forward, to protect your people, even when it seems like there’s no one left to protect. That’s what it means to be an Uzumaki Hime. And now that you know, it’s your turn to live up to that legacy, even if it’s just you and me for now.”
Naruto bit on her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth as she looked around the space. There are various photos, paintings, and tapestries adorning the walls, but the one thing that stood out the most was… everyone has red hair. No, not just red, but blood red, a type of red that looks so vivid and alive it was almost unnatural.
“… Kurama. Why does everyone in the photos and stuff have red hair?” she asked, pointing to a particularly vivid tapestry depicting an Uzumaki ancestor with hair so red it looked like it was painted with fresh blood.
“It’s a trait passed down through generations, a mark of your clan’s lineage.”
Naruto frowned at Kurama’s answer, her hand going up to fiddle with a lock of her hair. Her hair wasn’t red, far from it, it was a golden blonde. “But what about me, Kurama-Chan? My hair isn’t red.”
Kurama tutted, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Ah, that’s my doing. The red coloring is from the Uzumaki chakra genetics. Since in your old apartment you didn’t have concealment seals anywhere, I cut off a good amount of chakra flow that would flow through you at all times, which means your hair remained blonde. But if we were to activate the seals around here, your hair would likely turn red in no time.”
“RUDE!” Naruto gasped, trying to sound scandalized but failing as she couldn’t hold back the giggle that bubbled up. “… tell me more about them. Hokage-jiji wouldn’t tell me anything about my clan, said it was an SSS-class secret or something like that!”
Kurama’s chuckles grew deeper, his amusement clear. “SSS-class, huh? Well, I guess that is understandable. The Uzumaki are dangerous…” he paused for a second, sighed, “Back in my time before I was sealed away into anyone there was a saying, a saying I think should still be valid, but nevertheless people seem to have forgotten it. It went ‘Never lose sight of a Uzumaki while in battle. If you do… do yourself a favor, and kill yourself, because once they set their sights on you. And you can’t see them. It’s gameover. You think You Know danger?… you’ve never met anyone like them’.”
Naruto’s eyes widened with a mix of pride and a touch of fear. The idea of her ancestors being so feared and powerful was both thrilling and terrifying. She looked around the compound, taking in the grandeur of the place.
“So… they are dangerous?” Naruto echoed, her voice a mix of awe and curiosity.
“Beyond dangerous, they were legendary, feared and revered in equal measure,” Kurama’s voice grew solemn. “They had unparalleled chakra control and sensory abilities, could heal almost any wound, and had an unbreakable pack mentality. When an Uzumaki sets their sights on a goal, there is no obstacle too great to overcome. And your line, as the Hime, is the epitome of that spirit. Your ancestors were untouchable, their sealings near impossible to break. It’s why I was sealed within your mother, and why I’m now bound to you. The Uzumaki are the ultimate jinchūriki, capable of handling even the most volatile of tailed beasts. That’s your inheritance, brat.”
Naruto nodded, crossing her legs where she sat. “Okay… uhh, so… what else? Besides the fact my clan is dangerous and I’m a... a... HIME?” She stumbled over the unfamiliar word.
Kurama hummed thoughtfully for a moment before continuing, "The Uzumaki are also known for… not quite being human-like you could say." He paused, seemingly searching for the right words. “Some say Uzumaki are closer to Kitsune spirits than humans. They have a heightened sense of smell, a unique way of bonding, and their bodies are capable of things that would make a normal ninja faint."
Naruto's curiosity grew as she listened intently to every word Kurama spoke. She looked down at her fingers, fiddling with her nails. They were long and sharp, and slightly curved, sturdy to the touch. She looked up, catching her reflection on a small wall mirror. Her features were sharp and angled, and her eyes, a crystal blue, were cat-like— or fox-like—, slitted pupils that were a darker shade of blue. Opening her mouth, Naruto ran her tongue over her sharpened teeth. From her canines back her teeth weren’t quite razor sharp but they also weren’t quite normal either.
Kurama hummed, and Naruto was guessing he was watching what she was doing through her eyes. “Your clan’s traits are quite fascinating, aren’t they? Your teeth, your nails, your eyes. And your sense of smell, it’s a powerful tool, one that you’ll learn to harness to track down your enemies and find your friends in the heat of battle. It’s one of the reasons the Uzumaki were so feared. They could sniff out a rat in a sea of shinobi.”
Naruto took a deep breath, nodding. “Is… is there anything else that I should know, like… like traditions and stuff?”
“Hair is sacred, never to be cut, Naruto.” Kurama’s voice echoed through her mind. It's a symbol of your strength and vitality, a connection to your ancestors. Hair may be… cut for other reasons, but it’s not something to be taken lightly.”
“So, no cutting hair.” Naruto murmured to herself, absently twirling a lock of her golden hair around her finger.
“Yes, no cutting hair. And women are also sacred, damn near revered in the Uzumaki Clan. You’re a Uzumaki, a Hime at that, which means you’re a living goddess to them.” Kurama’s words brought a blush to Naruto’s cheeks. “It is very rare for a man of the Uzumaki to lead the clan; it’s almost always a female. But with the clan scattered as it is, that might not hold true anymore. Regardless, you’ll have to be ready to step up if the time comes. The world may not know it yet, but you’re the key to the Uzumaki’s survival.”
Naruto was still blushing at being called a living goddess, but she nodded firmly. "I'll do my best, Kurama-san. For the clan, for my parents, and for everyone who's ever believed in me."
“Good,” Kurama said, his tone firm. “Now, let’s get—” He abruptly trailed off as if he remembered something very important, his tone switching from firm to something that could only be explained as exasperated, utterly confused, and slightly concerned. “Also, marriage.” He sighed, a long, suffering thing. “Fray-Forged Affinities. Uzumaki do not have normal marriages at a chapel or wherever else humans do it. It’s a fight to the almost-death. If your partner can’t handle you at your most animalistic, then they can’t handle you in bed. And it’s not just about the fight either, it’s about the bond formed in the chaos. You’re not just committing to a partner, but to the future of the clan. It’s serious business, and you can’t just back out of it because you had a disagreement over what to have for dinner.”
“BED!” Naruto squawked, face turning scarlet as she realized what Kurama had just said. "Kurama-san!" She yelled, face burning up, "Why would you say such a thing! I will not be having a sex talk with you!"
The fox chuckled darkly. “Naruto, I’ve seen more than you could ever imagine. Besides, it’s part of your heritage, it’s important to know these things. Plus, I’m trapped in here, I don’t exactly get to experience these things anymore. So, let me live vicariously through your future exploits.”
If Naruto was red before now her face was nuclear. “Kurama-san! That is absolutely inappropriate! We will not be discussing such matters!” She exclaimed, turning away from the mirror to hide her burning face.
The nine-tailed beast chuckled in her mind, a deep, throaty sound that seemed to rumble in her very soul. “I’m just saying, it’s part of your heritage, little Hime. Plus, it’s not like I’m asking for details. I just want to make sure you’re prepared for what’s to come. And believe me, you’ll want to be prepared. The instincts of your clan are strong, and they’re going to hit you like a ton of bricks when the time comes.”
Naruto shrieked, her face burning so hot It was a miracle her hair didn't catch fire. She uncrossed her legs and stomped her foot, feeling more embarrassed than she had ever felt in her life. "Kurama-san, that's not what I meant, and you know it!" She tried to scold him, but her voice was shaking with a mix of embarrassment and the beginnings of anger. "I don't need you telling me about... about that!"
The fox's laughter grew, the chuckles turning into full-blown guffaws that filled the confines of her mind. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice still filled with mirth. "But don't say I didn't warn you. Those instincts are strong, and when the time comes, you'll know it. Just remember, you're the Hime now, and you have responsibilities. Besides, it's not all fighting and... other things. You're also the heart of the pack, the one who brings everyone together. And trust me, that's a powerful role in its own right."
Naruto took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing her face to cool down. "Okay," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, "so, no cutting hair, and... Fray-Forged Affinities are intense. What else should I know?"
“… nothing that I can think of at the moment. It’s been nearly three decades since I have been in Uzushiogakure nor had any vessel that could teach me about new or old Uzumaki practices. Mito lived in Uzushiogakure before she moved here with her husband, and after she passed away I was given to Kushina. Kushina didn’t speak to me much nor did she speak about her clan much either. But if I remember if there’s something else, I’ll tell you, Naruto.” Kurama’s voice grew softer as he spoke of the past.
Naruto nodded, her cheeks still aflame. “Alright. Thank you, Kurama-chan. I guess I’ll just have to figure out the rest as I go along, then.”
“Naruto,” Kurama suddenly sounded serious again, and she could feel him moving around in the seal space of his domain. “I’m going to do something, okay? You remember how I told you I was the reason why your hair wasn’t red. That I’ve been cutting off a good amount of chakra flow that would flow through you at all times because you didn’t have any concealment seals in your old apartment? Well, I’m about to remove that blockage, let your true Uzumaki power flow through you. Once I removed this blockage, your clan that is scattered around will know their Hime is somewhere on a instinctual level. They will start to feel your presence, and if they’re close enough, they might just find you. Are you ready for that?”
Naruto took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of her heritage and the reality of her new role as the Hime settled heavily upon her shoulders. But she had come too far and learned too much to turn back now. She nodded firmly. “Do it, Kurama-san. I’m ready to face whatever comes my way, as long as it means I can protect and help my clan!”
The room grew hotter as Kurama chuckled in approval. A sudden surge of energy flowed through her, and she felt her chakra swell. The blockage was gone, and the first thing Naruto thought was it’s hot, really hot, as if she was standing next to a bonfire, and heavy, heavy as if she was holding a boulder. She looked into the mirror again, and sure enough, her once-bright blonde hair was now bleeding into a vibrant, crimson, blood red. The change was so stark it was as if she was looking at a different person. Her eyes widened in shock and excitement, reaching a hand to feel the strands. It was softer than she could ever remember it being, almost as if it were alive.
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Somewhere, and everywhere, in all the nations, scattered around the world over six hundred Uzumaki’s shivered, their bodies jolting as they suddenly gasped for air like they had been under water for too long. Some looked around in confusion while others felt a sudden warmth, a sudden belonging, a sudden urge to go to a place they never knew existed. They felt it, they knew it, their Hime was alive, and she was strong.