Bonds Strengthened

The Next Day

After the morning session of training, both dragon and dragonslayer returned to the Acnologia's den. Naruto and his draconic father watched as Kurama lay down on the bed of leaves with a questionable look.

"What?" the cat asked.

"Why are you still here?"

"Leave my presence, Exceed" the Dragon of the Apocalypse snarled. Kurama frowned.

"Nah, I like it here. The kitsune part of me sees the gaki as a notable ally. And besides, dragonslayers are notorious for having Exceed partners. Naruto watched the cat, "It's like a tradition" 'Besides, I need to see if the others made through safely when your dragon eventually leaves you, Naruto' the cat added as an afterthought.

"My son needs no partnership. He can handle things on his own" Acnologia said, but was actually taken off guard when Naruto grabbed Kurama by the tail and began to walk out of the den.

"Where are you taking me? Put me down you baka. You humans are so inconsiderate, especially you prideful dragonslayers. How dare you try to kick me out, the great Kurama!" The crimson furred cat hissed. Naruto looked down at the cat with an emotionless look.

"What the hell are you talking about? We're going to go to Clover Town for a while. I need to show you off to Ayame nee-chan" Naruto said. Kurama and Acnologia looked at each other before looking at the blonde.

"Huh?" the cat said intelligently.

"You're my ally, right? Dragon's only choose the strongest as their allies and you, Kurama, are strong enough to be one of mine" Naruto turned to the black dragon, "And YOU cannot change my mind, Tou-san" Acnologia snarled.

"As if you can keep that mangy ball of fur in MY den. Leave my presence you weakling human" Acnologia roared. Naruto waved him off as he tucked Kurama under his arm as if he were a pillow.

"Yeah, Yeah, put a sock in it you overgrown garden snake" Acnologia growled before looking at a teeny, tiny pebble and grinned as he watched Naruto leave the den. He positioned his claw and narrowed his eyes, tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth as he prepared to take aim.

'Target acquired' the dragon thought. 'Fire!' and with that, he sent the pebble flying through the air. The small rock nailed Naruto on the back of his head sending him sprawling on the ground in a comical fashion from the force with which the rock collided with his cranium. Naruto rolled on the ground, clutching his head and Kurama in pain. Profanities flew forth from his mouth and Acnologia chuckled.

'Hehe. I don't regret taking you in at all, Naruto'

.....

October 10th-Year X776

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NARUTO!" Naruto gave a small smile as the cake was laid before him. Kurama rested atop his head staring hungrily at the piece of pastry.

Naruto was finally turning thirteen years old. The boy had gotten his new birthday outfit from Seiko, which consisted of the same style of long sleeved, black t-shirt, but the pattern was similar to that of blue wisps of fire along the entirety of the t-shirt making it look like Acnologia's body somewhat. He got a pair of dark blue, loose fitting pants and since his shoe size had grown with the rest of his body, he had to get a new pair of black boots to complete the look.

The gold flame pendant he had gotten from Seiko was still worn around his neck. For the past three years since he had gotten it, he had never taken it off. Naruto had gotten a growth spurt now that he had hit thirteen. He now stood at the average height of a thirteen year old teenager which was 5 feet, 4 inches. This made him slightly taller than Sakura and Ino, the same height as Chouji and about one inch shorter than Shikamaru.

"Thanks." Naruto spoke.

"So Naruto, blow out the candles and make a wish." Ino smiled at her fellow blonde.

"Wishes are simply a form of entertainment at birthday parties. Wishes never actually come true" Naruto deadpanned. Everyone sweat dropped at the boy's monotone.

'He's so serious about it.' They thought.

"Geez Naruto, it's your birthday. Don't be so dull, now blow out the candles and make a wish." Sakura said. Naruto stared at the candles before turning to survey the crowd that turned up for his birthday. Sakura, Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji had shown up. Ayame and Teuchi were busy at the ramen shop, but they had already given him his birthday gift of twenty extra large bowls of miso pork ramen with extra noodles which he had devoured with gusto.

There also stood Seiko, Yoshino and Shikaku, along with Chouza, Chouji's father, who were all holding cameras as they awaited Naruto's blowing of the candles. Inoichi, Ino's father, looked like he was watching the boy to see if he was going to try anything with his daughter as the blonde girl had her arms wrapped around the boy in a one armed hug. Naruto sighed before turning to Sakura.

"Do I have to?" Acnologia really did a number on the boy's vision of what was fun and what wasn't. Especially since Naruto's version of 'fun' was to destroy a wide area of land until it was nothing but a desolate wasteland in comparison to the lush forest it had once been. All thanks to our favourite Dragon of the Apocalypse. Shikamaru and Chouji sighed.

"Troublesome." The black haired boy murmured.

"Boy, just shut up and blow out the damn candles!" Kurama said. The crowd had already known of the crimson cat's ability to talk and fly, but they didn't learn of his ability to make fire and turn into a multi-tailed kitsune. That was his and Naruto's little secret...Acnologia knew as well, but he didn't really care for the Exceed's abilities.

Also, they had never known of Naruto's abilities as an unofficial mage because he never had any reason to use his magic outside of his training with Acnologia and Kurama. The fox wearing cat and his partner turned to see the pinkette walk up to them.

"Hmm?" The two stared at her with a puzzled look as Sakura suddenly got a wide smile on her face. She cracked her knuckles. Naruto watched her with an impassive look on his face, but on the inside he was frightened of the pink haired girl before him, having only seen this smile whenever she was annoyed.

And that usually ended with him being punched into the ground by her amazingly strong punches. Naruto let himself get hit the first few times since they were younger and she was weak as hell, but now that she was thirteen with raging hormones, whenever she was angry, she developed this unforeseen ability to gain inhuman strength and her rage allowed her to hurt him with the punches.

It didn't hurt as much as Kurama's headbutt's, but they hurt enough to cause him to get huge bumps on his head. Naruto mentally gulped as she spoke in a sickeningly sweet tone.

.....

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