The tailed beasts had a different origin story? One where they were living beings first before they were ever immortal balls of chakra.

Kurama had a life, a family, an entire clan relying on him before he sacrificed his life to become the Nine-Tailed Fox.

The kit yipped before walking away, its little paws barely making a sound as it picked a very familiar spot by the tree to lay in. Naruto felt as if lightning rushed through his spine, a strange feeling of melancholy and recognition flowing through him despite it being his first time in Silver Pines.

However, no matter how long it has been, the ancient Grand Sage of the Foxes will always remember.

Doodles I started in June?? Of Kurama wearing Shiori's clothes because he can and it brings him comfort...! The blue and black bird sweater is real! I cannot find the source of the far left outfit, I did somehow find it months ago but the only layer I have, I will put under a cut!

AU-gust: 8 Alternate Timeline + 19 Animal Trainer + 29 Surevival.

This piece was inspired by the third story in the It's all Madara's fault... series written by RedBlackOwl (Shaylayn). One of my absolute favorites, btw! The Tobirama & Kurama friendship in it is cute. XD

ANYWAY!

For this piece(like I said, inspired by above fic): when Madara attacked Konoha using Kurama, Mito chained him while Hashirama fought Madara. But instead of Mito sealing him into herself, Tobirama designs a brand new seal. Tobirama probably thinks using human sacrifices for Bijuu sealing is a dumb solution or something. I don't know, I just really love the concept of pocket-sized Kurama and his roommate Tobirama, lol.

Tobi and Kurama become besties. When Hashirama suggests capturing all the Bijuu to hand them out to other villages like party favors, Tobirama calls him an idiot, Kurama hisses in agreement, and they decide to shrink all the Bijuu and hide them safely in nature. If they’re small, no more mass destruction! Size is the main problem with Bijuu, I think. And with their chakra so dimmed, people wouldn't notice them—they'd just think it's a slightly special animal.

Fast forward to the Kinkaku brothers incident—Kurama saves the day! Tobirama survives, the Second Shinobi War ends up way less severe, and Uzushio gets saved from destruction. …Though Zetsu is still lurking in the shadows.