Well, Kurama's sad story in Naruto Shippuden is complex. He was feared by the villagers in the Hidden Leaf because of his power. When he was sealed into Naruto, he was angry and tried to take over Naruto's body multiple times. His past was filled with being hunted and then trapped. It wasn't until he started to understand Naruto's will and dreams that he began to change. Naruto's unwavering determination and kindness towards him slowly melted his cold heart.
In some fanfictions, Naruto and Kurama start to understand each other during their battles. As Naruto constantly shows his determination and never - gives - up attitude, Kurama begins to respect him. For example, when Naruto is facing a powerful enemy and still tries his best even on the verge of exhaustion, Kurama sees his tenacity and starts to have a change of heart. This is a common way for them to start building a friendship in fanfiction.
In some fanfictions, Naruto becomes friends with Kurama through deep conversations. Naruto, being persistent, tries to understand Kurama's pain and anger. He shares his own experiences of being alone and ostracized. This mutual sharing of feelings gradually breaks down the barriers between them, leading to friendship.
One key moment could be when Naruto first enters the mind - space and instead of fighting Kurama, he tries to understand him. They start to communicate and realize they have common goals, like protecting the village. Another moment might be when Kurama shares some of his past with Naruto, which makes Naruto sympathize with him.
One way is through shared experiences. For example, they could go on a journey together outside the village. During this journey, they face challenges like bad weather, lack of food, and dangerous animals. As they overcome these challenges together, their bond grows stronger. Also, Naruto could introduce Kurama to his friends, and Kurama could learn to interact with humans in a more friendly way. This would show that their relationship is not just about being sealed together but about true friendship.
One main aspect is his forced imprisonment. He was sealed into Naruto, losing his freedom. Another is the hatred he faced from humans. Because of his power, people were scared of him. Also, his initial relationship with Naruto was full of conflict as he tried to break free from the seal by overpowering Naruto.
The early friendship between Naruto and Kurama would completely transform the story. Since Naruto would have Kurama's support right from the start, he would be more confident. He could start training in more complex areas of ninjutsu. In the long run, it might even change the way the Akatsuki targets him. Instead of seeing him as a host to be captured, they might view him as a real threat much sooner. This could lead to different alliances and strategies within the shinobi world.
One common theme is understanding. Naruto has to understand Kurama's past and his pain, and Kurama has to understand Naruto's dreams and determination. Another theme is mutual respect. They learn to respect each other's power and existence. For example, in many fanfictions, Naruto respects Kurama's strength and Kurama respects Naruto's willpower.
Sakura might be a bit surprised at first. She would probably tease Naruto a little about it, but then she'd also be curious to see what's in those fanfics. She might even start reading some herself to see how the fans portray her relationship with Naruto.
Naruto's friendship with Kurama gives him more confidence. With Kurama's support, he feels like he can face any challenge. He no longer has to rely solely on his own strength but has the power of Kurama as well, which changes his approach to difficult situations.