True Understanding

by Sunsetfireice82

Called by the Kami, Kagome must leave everything behind to answer the summons. What changes will happen when the unwilling messenger of the Kami's descends on Konoha? Multiple pairings, MxM, Threesomes, moresomes

1. Chapter 1

A/N - Yes this is the same story- sort of. It has been rewritten and improved and expanded! My muse demanded I redo the drivel from before so now, you get a better story. I hope. I have broken down some of the chapters and added some new content. Please as always share with me your thoughts! I love to hear from all of you.

I do not own any of the characters...

Enjoy!

Chapter 1 : Kagome

The silence magnifies simple sounds a thousand-fold, the tick of the clock, the sound of the faucet dripping into the otherwise empty sink and the sound of the nearly empty house settling with eerie creaks and groans. Everything is as it had always been... until...that single instant when everything changed. Everything has its place; the house is immaculately clean and tidy. The creeping darkness of twilight is slowly painting the room with eerie red light, bathing her eyes with memory. In her ears are the echoes of the voices dearest to her but it is only now in her mind that they speak, for the dead are silent.

She stares with hollow glassy eyes at the memorial where four pictures are surrounded with burnt incense giving the air the acrid smell of charcoal and flowers that stings her gaze like acid. The silence screams within the agony of her every steady heartbeat.

Wrong...This is wrong...

She and her companions won the fierce final battle. They defeated their enemy after so much time and heartbreak, but this, the cost of her victory was too much. Her voice is raw and brittle as she speaks to the air, to the ghosts she imagines hover close by, although she, with her power can neither feel nor see them and knows that they do not linger. "It should have been me." The words are only a bitter reminder of her loss. She closes tired eyes wishing that she might never have to open them again, and yet she does because she is afraid not to see the last vestiges of her departed family. Her pale fingers brush across the cold floor reaching for things beyond her grasp, reaching towards the smiles frozen forever in ink and paper. Guilt stabs acutely through her tender heart.

It had been her task to deal with the curse and scourge of the world beyond the well, the Shikon no Tama. Until she had been delivered home through the well she had believed her task to be completed and was more than ready to celebrate with her family the completion of her kami given task. It had only taken a single moment to see that the reality was far from the truth.

She had failed...that truth cut sharp and deep. She had wished the jewel away, but her thoughts within her inner heart had spoken words that condemned her wish to ruin. Her family, her home was gone, torn asunder by the actions of a desperate thief. Even if she lived a thousand years the sight that she found as she opened the door, would be etched into her heart forever.

No amount of screaming their names, or begging for the power to save them, could reverse the power of death. It was the jewels twisted response to her selfish wish, "I wish you would disappear forever" (so I can finally find happiness and normalcy) If only she would have known that her heart had to be selfless and still as she made the wish...The dead were such a heavy burden of regret. It is only now when it is far too late that she knows the truth. There is no such thing as a selfless wish. By its very nature, a wish was a selfish thing.

How long has she laid here upon the floor, looking at nothing and yet reliving every moment within this new void, her own hell; an hour? A day perhaps, a week? She closes her hands into tight fists, her nails biting in to the flesh of her palms, the pain a reminder her that she lived. Raising a hand to her breast she clenches the fabric of her shirt tightly, the steady thunder of her heartbeat is loud in her ears. Every beat is agony she cannot fathom how to survive as she silently begs the organ to stop, for death to steal her breath, even as she knows death is forever out of her reach. Life is her punishment, her karma for all her sacrifice. Immortality lays like a shroud, heavy and dark on her mind.

Slowly she rises to her feet, silent as a breath as she focuses her eyes on the images before her once again. Her mother's smile is warm even as it is frozen forever in that instant of time. Souta who visage is captured in picture between child and man looks out at her with a mischievous gleam in his sable eyes. Gramps looking serious and yet kindly from the picture of him next to her mother's. Another painful jerk in her chest draws a breathy sob, but there are no more tears that will fall, she cried them out since the moment she discovered them, lying in deep crimson pools.

A secondary pulse in her chest almost an echo of her heartbeat brings with it more regret and unwanted understanding. This pain is inevitable, if not now, she would have had to watch as those she loved aged and faded until death came on silent swift wings for them one by one. That is the reward of surviving. This is her prize and retribution for the chaos she rained unintentionally down upon that world beyond the well, through her ignorance. This was the karma she had earned; her curse. She would live a life time for each and every soul that had been lost to death through her fumbling and childish innocence. This was her sentence, her penance, her immortality.

She looks down at her hand watching as the crescent shaped cuts close and fade away until her skin is unmarred. Her body once littered with scars and marks of her adventure no longer carry a blemish, save one. A reminder that she is still the same girl at least in flesh as the one who chanced upon that world, the star shaped bite on her left hip a memento of her failures. Ignorance of her task is only an empty excuse now. Back then it held all the importance of granting her mercy for her mistakes, she was a naïve child, a child could not be held responsible. But the instant she saw the devastation of her error, childhood and innocence was over. Blood of countless lost lives was on her small hands. No amount of washing would ever remove it.

A million times she has asked herself what might have happened if she had been aware of what she carried, wondered if the loneliness she feels would have be less somehow; but one cannot change what has passed. She can only move on, walk forward and regret. She has an obligation to every soul, to live not just survive. She owes it to all of the children who would not get the chance now in that time stolen from them, to someday fall in love, get married and have a family. For their sake and for her loved ones, she squares her shoulders with a heavy heart and accepts their loss. She cannot stay.

Picking up a framed photograph of herself that matches those already there she places it in the last open space on the memorial.

It is time to say goodbye to the living, and fade into memory alone. An immortal has no place in a mortal world. When the hired caretakers arrived in a few days they will find the memorial of the whole family. It will be an unexplained mystery and baffle the whole city as to where they all disappeared without a trace. She, a miko with amazing power, has purified their remains to fine ashes and left no trace of the death they suffered, no testament save the pictures, that they were ever here in anything but ink.

She draws a deep breath before pressing her palms together. Bowing her head, her blue kissed ebony hair tumbles forward to hide her face from the world as she prays for their souls to find joy. Failure, loss, guilt, fear, anger- love... she buries these along with that person in the picture who looks at her with bright foolish blue eyes. How could she have known then that this photograph would be the one to sit upon the family shrine as an epitaph of her life that was now over? Her face smiles back at her, the expression there almost mocking in her pain. Kagome Higurashi was a foolish child. This picture from three years ago proves it. The reflection on the glass shows her face is paler, slimmer and ageless. Her usually bright blue eyes are dimmed and full of pain.

A cold chill races up her spine as a strange and familiar sensation leaves her dizzy. Confusion wars with resignation in her dimmed blue eyes. What could the kami want with her now? She was no longer the pure child they called once to their bidding. To emotionally worn she hangs her head unable to even voice her resistance. She knows it is futile. There is no reason to fight this call. "Why me!?" her heart cries out silently but she pushes the question aside.

Long ago she learned that the kami never answer such pointless questions. Knowing hadn't stopped her from sobbing her question to the kami at the bottom of the useless dry well that would no longer grant her passage to the past just days ago. That had been her first reaction to finding her family slaughtered, she had tried to go back. Inuyasha and the rest of her friends were lost to her and to time. She had feared that. It had terrified her to think that one day she would be left alone and without those of her second family. Closing her eyes, she pushes away the despair filling her heart.

Walking to the doorway she holds on to the wooden frame as she bends to gather her bags. The straps of her largest bag are frayed and well-worn from years of use and abuse as she tried to connect the two halves of her life to one; the yellow once bright and cheerful now faded and dingy. Inside the bag, she carried through the well are still packed the numerous school books and camping supplies she used daily in what now feels like another life time. That yellow bag holds a million memories and all the instant ramen in the house.

She has already packed what little she can take without causing more questions in her second bag that is almost new, the blue is dark and deep without the fading of time. It is almost irony that she is being called again with a new bag to hold the future memories she is sure will follow. No matter her life span she is the same, with her too large a heart and forgiving nature. No matter where she is sent meeting people will be inevitable. Is that what she is now? A wandering soul with no place to put roots because the kami will rip her away?

She lightly tugs on the long t-shirt she is wearing having found it in her mother's closet. It is a man's t-shirt and far too big for her small frame. It is her only memento of her late father she can take with her. The faded blue is the same color as the eyes that look upon it, his eyes which she inherited. Her father was an amazing man. He would have said that being chosen was an honor. That she should lift her head and her heart and embrace the adventure. Now thinking back to the last time, he sat on the edge of her bed and wove a fantastical tale, she realizes something, her father with his soft black hair tied back and his blue eyes remind her of Miroku. His wisdom and his playful nature still make her smile if not a little sadly right now.

Sorrow tries to smother her resolve and she forces it back. She cannot think of them now or her grief will paralyze her again. She contemplates her former decision to leave as she looks around prepared to face the nightmares of a restless night once more. In the morning, she planned to walk away and leave this life behind...

She will never return here to this place that she knows as surely as she draws breath for eternity. As she stands bags in hand now, prepared to answer the summons, the room spins. The tugging sensation from before returns with a vengeance as everything begins to blur. Her stomach lurches and her heart picks up in double time as the room fades away. Darkness begins to edge her vision but before everything goes black she thinks she sees a sky riddled with millions of stars and in her ears the softest whisper, "be happy Kagome..."

"Oh, this is..." she thinks just as her consciousness fades and the kami lead her on. When she wakes, she won't remember what realization she found in that moment, but her heart, for now is at peace.

Leaning against one of the large windows behind the desk, a woman stands looking at the city, but sees nothing. The sprawling city before her looks resplendent in bright colors, but seems garish and inappropriate with the mood inside the narrow office at the top of the Hokage tower. Her soft brown eyes are bright with pain and loss. For once her mantle seems far too heavy to bear, she is the fifth in the line of Hokage, leader of the ninja who protect and serve the Feudal lord in the Land of Fire. It is her appointed position to care for the village she is responsible for.

Her head hangs a little lower today and shoulders sag just a little more. Her normally well maintained blond hair is limp and sticks out a little in odd angles as she had grabbed it in an effort to stave off tears. The few tears that manage to escape trail down her cheek to land in her generous bosom. The fifth Hokage leans her cheek upon her hand, her thoughts a million miles away.

The toad sage Fukasaku respectfully holds his silence, his eyes closed in his own moment of grief. His webbed hands are folded into his black cloak which hangs on his small figure oddly and yet gracefully. His head is bowed in respect for the student he loved. His bushy white eyebrows are still smudged with the dirt and grime from the grueling fight. His cloak is torn and darker patches are visible, but no one wants to contemplate the source of the spots. His wounds are healing slowly but he is ignoring them to deliver his awful news.

Tsunade is struggling to get her thoughts together at the weight of what has been told to her only a scant hour ago. She has been silent since only staring out the window as though waiting to see him return and knowing he will not. Part of her is in shock and another more violent side of her is livid, it has to be a lie. Jiraiya is a sannin, a legend. There is no possible way he had died in battle! She doesn't want to believe it. The well-built man had survived every possible situation that a man could get into and had lived to entertain the world with his tales. There was no way a single mission had ended the life of her-No! Not hers she has rejected him time and time again. She has no right to accept him now that he is gone. It is wrong an unfair to his memory to be so fickle, but he has been her dearest friend even if she has never seen him as more than that before now.

She smiles in bitter irony there is no mirth in the look. Now that he is gone she admits to herself the truth she has been afraid of. She loved the man. It is a bitter pill in her throat and she draws deep breaths to steady her emotions. Jiriaya was a ninja she reminds herself and she his village leader. The life of a ninja has always carried with it the uncertainty of tomorrow. Death stalks them like a predator, claiming the unwary and the well-seasoned alike without warning. She has lost loved ones before. This is not a new feeling but all the same it is sharper and more devastating than the others.

A movement of brilliant orange out of the corner of her eye makes her stomach drop like lead; she isn't ready for the blond boy in the orange and black jacket heading her way to know yet. She hasn't wrapped her own head around the situation. How can she possibly tell Jiriaya's student and friend that he is never returning? It will kill the boy, she is sure of it.

Naruto has looked at Jiriaya as a father figure since his own had died years ago before he had ever met him. Now once more the boy, the teenager who has suffered so much, will be...alone. Naruto is on his way to meet with her at her summons but she isn't ready. Looking up she closes her eyes for a moment, although she does not commonly pray she sends out a silent request to any Gods willing to listen. "Somehow, please help Naruto through his grief and loss, this news may just break him," she pleads silently before sitting heavily in her chair.

The door opens and a familiar blond enters in without waiting to be bid entry as always. For once she doesn't complain about his sudden entry without a knock. She doesn't have the will or the strength to be angry. Naruto is clueless as to the reason he has been called and the bright smile on his face confirms it. She draws several deep breaths to make certain she is not going to burst into sudden tears. This is by far the hardest situation she has faced in a while. Naruto is important to her and she dreads what she must now do.

Naruto doesn't notice her struggle with her emotions as he grins with eager anticipation. "Hey Tsunade baa chan why is the boss toad here? Is Ero-sannin back?" The smile that has been brightly on his face begins to fall as he realizes that there are more unfamiliar toads in the office. He has never met these Toads in the years of knowing his master.

They are all so solemn and the serious nature of the other occupants in the room, he now realizes stand in the office too, makes his heart leap into his throat. His sapphire colored eyes flash to the heavy sorrow filled eye of his sensei Kakashi who hangs his head lower to hide his eye with the fringe of his spiked silver hair. None of them will meet his gaze. Although Kakashi rests a supportive hand on Naruto's shoulder for just a moment, before he steps back.

Trepidation fills his heart and his stomach clenches painfully. He doesn't want to ask. "What?" he finally demands, hoping someone will break the horrible silence that followed his questions. Swallowing around the lump of dread in his throat his mind is spinning out a thousand reasons why the toads are so solemn and why no one will speak. "Please no... if someone out there anywhere cares even a little...please let it not be..." he begs silently his throat convulsing at the sudden urge to scream.

"Jiraiya will not be returning. He...fell while in battle with the Akatsuki member called Pain." Tsunade states as calmly as she can manage her voice coming out harsher than she intends. Watching the boy, she feels Naruto's pain echoing her own as his bright blue eyes widen. His jaw goes slack as he looks for the world like everything he is, is crumbling before her eyes. Naruto is breaking. She recognizes his effort to breathe as she sees his chest move with jerky half breaths. She begs him not to cry with her eyes, knowing if he does she will lose her composure.

"Huh?" his mind and heart are unable to comprehend what has just been said. It has to be a lie. His eyes narrow as he falls back on anger as a defense from the pain. He can't stop the unreasonable urge to lash out at her. "That isn't a funny joke Tsunade baa chan." He accuses her, his eyes catching now the same grief in her posture. The pain is killing him as he screams in denial within his mind. His world has just lost its stability and he is falling into some vast emptiness as he struggles to find something, some ray of light that might save him. Naruto knows it isn't a joke none of them are so cruel. No, the joke is on him by the fates. He can't think past the pain and shock. He can't feel anything anymore. His heart has gone numb, hollow.

A sound roughened with age reaches out unintentionally breaking him further. "It is not a joke. Jiraiya chan was my disciple and I was with him when he fell." The wizened voice of the toad sage filled his ears and he shakes his head to deny the words

"... No... just stop...don't say anymore!" he wants to shout; to cover his ears- block out the frantic sorrow filled sound of someone breathing harshly. His sensitive ears picking up the catch in the breath that rasps with unvoiced sobs. His eyes burn but Naruto can't comprehend why. He can't take it any longer as he lashes out verbally again, saying something he can't even recall after it has left his mouth, before he is throwing open the door and running. His feet are pounding out a rhythm of despair on the empty hallways as he leaves the Hokage's tower.

He can't accept it. He won't accept it. He knows if he does...If he does then... it is all over. He has been fighting the fear and loneliness his whole life. He has lived alone for years. He understands what it means to lose but he can't accept this. The pain will swallow him up completely and he will be an empty husk. His master had become his only real reprieve from the loneliness. In his mind, he fights the reality that looms like dark clouds on his horizon.

His feet carry him to the familiar rundown building and up the stairs to his apartment where he has lived alone for as long as he can remember. He stands in the hallway, the door slamming behind him with ominous finality. He stumbles forward, there are no lights on to welcome him and this is not home. It is a shelter, an empty room deprived of anything warm and homey except the smell of spices and broth from the ramen cup he had left sitting on the cluttered table at the summons from the Hokage. The noodles have long since gone cold, but he has no appetite anyway. He ignores it and the unwashed dishes in his kitchen sink, his thoughts are miles from here.

Staggering to his room after subconsciously removing his shoes at the door after a life time of habit, he flops down on his bed. He can't breathe for the ache in his chest. This has to be a nightmare, a horrible joke at his expense. His arms have no strength but he pushes himself up despite the fact. Rolling over he sits up punching his fist into his palm with a sharp smack. He laughs out loud but the sound is false. "When I see that creep again he is going to get it! I'll punch his face in." His voice trembles at the end and he shakes his head.

His eyes burn again but no tears will fall. "What the hell does "fallen in battle" mean anyway? Maybe his old age has caught up to him and he... tripped. So, he is in a hospital... right? He is somewhere recovering." His words are a lie but he can't seem to stop them as he verbally tries to reject the awful truth. He can't keep from continuing to lie and to try to laugh. "That has to be it, he isn't... he isn't..." He can't finish the sentence. He can't make his mouth form the word. His fist shakes as he punches his mattress angry and feeling helpless. He hates the feeling. Leaning back against his headboard he watches the day pass without seeing anything. He feels empty and hollow nothing feels real. He knows he has to get back up and eat something, but the idea of food makes him sick. It is all he can do to tell himself to breathe.

When night finally falls, Naruto can no longer take the silence of his room. He walks out of his apartment and down the street to the convenience store. The lights are bright and the cashier too friendly as he wanders aimlessly around the space looking but not seeing anything. Bright orange in the freezer catches his eye and he pulls it out without really seeing what it is. Moving on habit he purchases the orange popsicle, reminiscing on all of the times his master had done the same, every time splitting it with him so they could both enjoy the cold treat. He can't remember a time when anyone has ever done the same, nowhere in his memory can he find anyone as dear to him as Jiriaya. He can't recall a single soul ever showing him the love and consideration of his master. He knows in his heart, there are others in the village- that have cared about him before, but they do not matter right now. Jiriaya isn't here now and he is alone, nothing matters more than that fact, nothing hurts more.

Naruto makes his way to the Sandime's park on the mountain side and sits on a bench. The park is empty and the only light comes from the path lights, the lamps having not been lit for the night yet, it is too early. His dull eyes look out at nothing as he thinks about his beloved mentor and father figure. A tear burns a hot path down his cheek as one falls, followed by his inner dam breaking. He can't hold them back any longer. It is as though his emotions have welled up and are spilling out of him without end. He can't stop them even if he'd wanted to. Sobbing softly, he lowers his head to his knees, tightly gripping his legs as he tries to anchor himself in some form of reality. What is there good in his life now? He has lost Sasuke, his best friend to the enemy, and now he has also lost his master and the only "father" he has ever known.

How much more can he take before he would break? Looking up at the vast empty sky his eyes darken. His pain is turning to anger and just like the tears still pouring from his eyes, his words pour from his lips. "How much more will you punish me before you are satisfied?!" his voice demands angrily as the silent stars keep their frigid distance, he doesn't yell and somehow the lack of shouting makes his voice more terrible his words more cutting. "Wasn't it enough that I was born without love or warmth? Wasn't it enough that I endured the hate and scorn for a crime I never knew about and never committed? Wasn't becoming a Jinchuuriki enough? Why did you take the one person who loved me and wanted me around, even after seeing the monster?"

Naruto looks out at the peaceful village and narrows his eyes, did any of them know, or even suspect that he was in such pain? Did any of them care his world was breaking in to pieces around him? Was there anyone in the wretched world now who loved him? He curls in on himself the pain seeming to burrow into his soul. He can't move and he wonders for a moment how horrible it would be to end his existence. He can't hear anything but his heart beat in his ears and he knows it would not take much to stop the endless throb. For one terrible moment, he considers it. He takes a deep breath, his hand moving in the silence to the one kunai he keeps on his person even in civilian clothes. Even as his hand closes around it, he senses more than notices the sudden presence of his sensei beside him and he leans against the strong force of Kakashi's chakra as it presses against his own. Kakashi is the only one who has ever tried to push back, and that fact alone is enough to draw him out of his miserable thoughts to look at the kind yet sad expression on the nin beside him. It is then he notices the gentle hand on his stopping the tremble of his hand holding the kunai.

"Naruto, don't."

Kakashi speaks simply and the blond breaks all over again this time with the shame that his teacher knew he had considered giving up. The kunai clatters to the wooden bench and to the stone walkway lost someplace in the darkness there, and is forgotten. Kakashi's hand rests once more on his shoulder but this time it is shaking with faint tremors and Naruto realizes for the first time since hearing the news that he is not the only one grieving. His eyes search the figure of his teacher and he sees now the slight slump of his proud shoulders and the exhaustion around his visible eye. He also notices the little bit of redness that only comes from tears. "Kakashi-?" Naruto begins but he trails off not really wanting an answer to whether or not Hatake Kakashi had cried.

"This day is over Naruto, go home- get some rest and let it go. Mourn as you need, but don't give up. Jiriaya Sama would tell you the same- I think." Kakashi pauses for a moment and takes a deep breath "I... will not leave you alone tonight."

Naruto stares at the face of his teacher, his sharp senses telling him more than Kakashi would ever reveal, only noticeable because of who he is. That trembling breath tells so much, this moment feels surreal and there is a tension in the figure beside him Naruto doesn't understand. His sensei is shaking faintly again and there is nervousness in the action now, as though he is waiting for a reply. "Okay," the blond says standing up and scrubbing his cheeks of the remaining tears. Naruto doesn't see the relief in the copy nin's face, but he hears it in his barely audible intake of breath.

Kakashi stands next to him and together they walk back to the darkened village. Nothing else is said and nothing is needed as they both understand the silence and value its cloaking ability to hide for just another moment from the weight of words. At the entrance to Naruto's building Kakashi murmurs, "I'll be right back, go inside and wait for me," before he leaves to gather his belonging to stay for a time with Naruto. He asked for a night but Kakashi knows he is going to stay until he knows that Naruto will be alright again.

The blond looks confused as his sensei departs with a soft puff of smoke and a few leaves. Suddenly the night is heavy again. How is it that having Kakashi near made the darkness bearable? Naruto looks the direction of Kakashi's apartment, suddenly missing the presence of his sensei. But is that the only reason? Naruto remembers the roughened fingers and the leather of Kakashi's glove on his hand.

Kakashi leans heavily against the wall in his silent dark apartment. He feels anxious leaving Naruto even for a moment. Closing his eyes, he takes a deeper breath trying to calm his frantic heartbeat. Clenching his hand into a fist, the sound is sharp and sudden as it connects with the wall. "Shit!" he draws his arm back and punches the wall again with rapid strikes. "Damn...damn!" He looks down at his bruised fingers feeling utterly helpless. He can see it. Naruto's hand moving in the dark as his face is stained with tears. The glint of the blade off the kunai. Oh god! Raking his fingers through rough spikes of silver hair he grips handfuls "Oh god! Naruto!" his voice in the empty darkness is rough. Would he have done it? Would that living entity of sunlight and mischief have put out his light forever? Was there a way to save him? Kakashi swallows heavily. He is keeping Naruto waiting and being alone is the last thing that Naruto needs. Packing swiftly, he takes everything that will fit in a scroll leaving only his furniture that will not fit in the blond's apartment. "No." he says answering his own question, "Naruto will be saved. I will save him."

Kagome blinked groggily, slowly aware of being surrounded with a cool surface she finds both comforting and unnerving. Confusion wars with frustration as she looks around, seeing not stars- but even the not quite darkness it is still clear that she is in... the bottom of a bath tub? "You have to be kidding, me. This has to be the strangest thing I've ever experienced." she mutters quietly standing slowly, but not aware enough of her surroundings to avoid tripping over her bags. Her hands fly wide as an effort to break her fall and her back hits the shelf behind her.

For a second she stands in the dark feeling the cold liquid slide down her skin and face before she gasps "Oh gross!" Ramen, it had to be ramen. Wrinkling her nose her lips turned down in a grimace. "This feels disgusting!" Reaching up her fingers land on the cold slippery noodles. "Ick! Oh no!" Thinking quickly, she moves the offending bags out of the tub and pauses for an instant to mentally apologize for using the tub in her unknown location without permission. Whomever the ramen belonged to, (she was going to find out and chew them out for leaving it in the bath to begin with), owed her that at least, now she felt disgusting and she was covered in noodles!

It never occurred to her that there might be someone home or close by. She just wanted to be clean. With a frown, she jerked the t-shirt over her head and dropped it in the tub at her feet thinking to wash it as she showered. She followed it with her panties, displeased that they too had become casualties of the ramen bath she had received. "Aw eww. I hope the kami are enjoying this, because I am not." she stated with a huff.

Searching around in the semi-darkness was a pain but her hand closed around a familiar handle and without a thought she opened the water flow to maximum and screamed. "Iya! That's cold!"

...

Naruto opened the door to his tiny apartment and froze as he heard the water turn on. Maybe Kakashi decided he wanted a shower and left it dark to hide his face? Naruto shook his head at the wayward thought before the water was followed by a scream. "That was not Kakashi. But who is in my apartment?" He doesn't think as his training kicks in and he has a kunai in hand (one was hidden by the door) before he has taken a step towards the sounds. "A girl? Is she in my apartment and the water is on...?"

Someone is in his apartment and he is determined to discover why. "Who breaks into a place for a shower?" he mumbles, questioning quietly. "Yep that is definitely weird." he is almost convinced that this unknown person is not likely an enemy, but he can't be certain. Entering the hallway, he frowns, noticing that the lights are still off and that whoever is there, is in the dark. "What the?"

To confuse her, whoever she is, he flips on the light to the bathroom and a grateful voice from behind the thin shower curtain calls out, "thank you, that is much better, I'm sorry I-"

It is clearly a female voice. It never occurs to him she might be naked. He frowns deeper as he steps closer and jerks the curtain back before she can finish her apology, to see a wet, naked and noodle covered woman in his shower. Blinking he looks at her. Hair the color of fresh ink spills across her lightly tan iridescent skin. A scar like a star-burst on her hip is almost out of place on her flawless flesh. At the angle, she is standing he can tell she is ample of breast and slender. Her arms are tone and lightly tan and her legs firm. She is healthy and exercises often. She could be a fighter, possibly dangerous, but she is tiny.

She is shivering and leaning over to adjust the knobs when he notices her back go ridged and she stands quickly the hot water causing steam to rise. Her hair is covering most of her slim figure but the water is making her hair stick to her skin. His mind catalogs all of this in an instant.

Naruto can't move, can't even find a voice to ask who she is, he is stunned at not her appearance, but that she is literally showering. It's not a ruse. This girl is practically harmless. He isn't staring because she is naked, he is staring because he can't seem to look away.

Her blue eyes are just as bright and warm as his own and she looks just as startled. She reaches out with her aura teasing his and finds it. There she felt yoki...It is an unconscious action from years of habit, sensing and finding yokai comes to her like breathing but usually they don't notice. It's too subtle. A shock, like an electric current, flashes through her and she jerks away from him in surprise. It didn't hurt per se just felt strange like a static electric zap. Tiny but enough to startle.

Kyuubi is screaming so loudly inside his head he can't hear anything else. He can't quite make out the warning the bijuu is trying to convey either, as he stares back at her. A shock, like an electric current, flashes through him and he jerks away from her in surprise. It didn't hurt per se just felt strange like touching a doorknob after scuffing his feet on the rug. Alarm bells are screaming in his head now and he stares at her as confusion wars with the urge to attack her. She has done nothing wrong and he stands frozen as he feels invisible fingers on his skin. The touch makes him push at them with his chakra. "What did you-"

"Me?" she asked honestly uncertain. Her eyes wide as well with equal shock and confusion. She looks closer at his face searching for answers. The niggling feeling in her head now has meaning. She is notes the three whisker like marks on each cheek. His eyes are impossibly blue to be human.

"Oh!" She smiles as relief floods her and her eyes brighten, she isn't alone in this world after all. There are others like her lost friends! "I can't believe I didn't notice," she says with a happy sigh. He edges away from her and she knows he can feel her ki. "You are. You are a-, Look out!" lunging her tiny slim wet figure forces him to the floor. In the same breath, a kekkai slams up around them.

"No! I won't let you!" she screams confusing the blond as he hears the unmistakable sound of kunai striking the tile of his shower right where she had been standing. His eyes wide he immediately searches for the source of the weapon. But his senses have already shown him who stands at the bathroom door.

Kakashi had arrived. Naruto looks back the direction of the door to see Kakashi crouched and his Sharingan exposed, he has never seen an angrier confused look on anyone before. Naruto groans. "oh man..." He can feel her breaths on his neck quick and warm, but its Kakashi's appearance that makes his heart pound. Wild eyes and a cloak of fury surrounding him, Kakashi looks like a vengeful angel. There is a naked girl in his arms pinning him to the floor and he is gawking at Kakashi. He must be broken.

It's become harder and harder to ignore the way he acts around the copy nin. Since returning from his training trip of four years and seeing him again, he can't help but admire him. However, he is certain, that blushing like a fool and staring while his heart pounds against his ribs and he stammers like a fool is more than admiration. The girl shifts against him slightly and he feels nothing. No blushing or stammering- no reaction aside from surprise that he is on the ground. Realizing that he isn't affected by her he is able to think again.

"Move fool, are you just going to let her kill us!?" Now that he is "calming down" he can hear Kyuubi clearly. The warning in his head isn't matching what his ears are hearing or what his eyes are seeing. In fact, the kyuubi's warning sounds ridiculous.

"I won't let you hurt him!" She is arguing with Kakashi over his safety, Naruto realizes with a start.

"Wait, you think I would hurt him?!" they demand at each other in the same instant. Neither will back down with just that. The situation is just too confusing. Too volatile

"Get off of Naruto, now." Kakashi orders in a tone Naruto has never heard before. He can feel Kakashi's chakra rising and his skin prickles with the familiar feeling of the chidori. But Kakashi wouldn't kill her, would he? Somehow the expression on his beautifully livid face says he would.

Naruto feels the woman bristle and suddenly she is no longer on top of him but standing naked with a finger jabbed in righteous anger at a livid copy nin. Her wet hair is dripping on the floor and her eyes are blazing with fury. "Fishcake! What a horrible thing to call someone! He has a name! I'm not going to-" a choking laugh makes her blink. Her anger evaporating like mist. "Eh?"

He can't help it as laughter bubbles up out of his chest and startles the other three. The whole situation is utterly ridiculous, hilarious. Harmless, this girl is harmless. Kyuubi was wrong this girl wouldn't kill him if she was going to protect him using herself as a shield. "Oh, my god!" he hasn't laughed like this before. This isn't his loud laugh he used when causing mischief this is real. Tears pearl at the corners of his eyes, so he scrubs at them before they can roll down his humor pinked cheeks.

"Kid, what the hell is so damn funny?!" Kyuubi demands gruffly and is echoed in almost the same manner by Kakashi though he can't hear it. Naruto can however and his laughter peals out as he lays there on the floor where he was pushed by the tiny slip of a woman covered in nothing but noodles. Above him the woman and Kakashi look at each other in confusion. It hasn't occurred to her that she is naked as the day she was born yet. But Naruto knows it's going to be hilarious when she notices.

Kakashi had returned to ask Naruto a question only to hear the same scream as Naruto. He too had kicked into automatic protect and defend mode from years of training. Kakashi would have killed her and asked questions later unlike Naruto who was softer in that respect. Whatever force field she had thrown out was invisible to even the Sharingan.

Panic filled him as he realized he was unable to get to Naruto and would have to watch helplessly as everything unfolded. He had not in a million years expected the woman to shield Naruto with her body despite being smaller. She had also somehow dodged the kunai with the ease of a trained warrior as she tackled the Jinchuuriki. Her argument and defense of Naruto was also a shock. It was usually difficult to surprise the copy nin, but she had in more ways than one.

Both blink at each other before the silver haired nin chuckles his weapons vanishing in an instant as he reaches up to cover his left eye with his hitai ate. Hands now empty and held open in a gesture of peace he waits watching her intently. Shoulders shaking with silent laughter he looks at the whole scene. A tiny slip of a woman who must have had an unfortunate meeting with a bowl of ramen as her long silky hair is noodle ridden, gloriously naked and wet pointing at him with innocent fury because of Naruto's name. But her confused expression is humorous. Good gods this was some sort of revenge from the Professor and Jiriaya Sensei, he just knew it.

"Have you gone insane? Move away from that woman now! Don't let her touch you she is dangerous!" A voice he has been ignoring speaks up within him much louder than before. Kyuubi will not be ignored this time. His tone is menacing and violent. He feels the anger and urge to kill her from the Kyuubi grow but he doesn't understand it.

Naruto's thoughts turn inward as he rises to his feet, he wants to know the reason the bijuu is so determined to be heard. It doesn't speak often and never so vehemently. "Why?" he asks not really expecting an answer. He cannot understand the conviction that the monster speaks with. He likes her for some reason. "She protected me with her own body, she isn't going to attack me."

He is disconcerted when the monster inside him speaks again. "Why? Because she is an enemy to youkai, her very touch is death didn't you feel that shock? She could kill us both without breaking a sweat or batting an eyelash." The kyuubi snarls back startling Naruto. "She probably knocked you over to attack you!"

"She isn't dangerous. Why would she protect me just to kill me?" Naruto argued back silently. He was jerked back to reality by a touch on his arm; her tiny hand moved from his shoulder. Her hand trembling as she hesitates in touching him as though afraid. He looks at her hand waiting for the attack and the fear. He should have known... Maybe the Kyuubi-

Naruto waits for the proverbial ax to fall and for revulsion to fill her eyes. His thoughts are jumbled and his heart is racing. Her eyes tell him that she knows. She isn't afraid and she isn't disgusted. A brilliant smile blooms across her lips and her hand continues forward and up quivering lightly. Gently she touches his cheek that looked a little bruised from her tackle, her nudity forgotten. His eyes wider as he feels the calloused warmth of her hand against his skin. There is no fear in her touch. He hasn't felt the loving touch of anyone like this before. He studies her eyes watching her hesitance vanish to genuine joy.

It all confuses him, but he can't help wanting to nuzzle her hand. His eyes notice how her breathing has quickened just slightly and he can feel the puffs of it on his skin. But the ache of his bruise is fading and He can't help but feel -soothed.

"Is this how it feels to be cared for by a mother?" She is too young of course, to be his mother however the sensation makes him wonder despite that.

Something about the blond youth before her reminds her strongly of Shippo and she can't help but to want to ease the pain she can feel in his aura. "I'm sorry I bruised your face."

"S'ok." Naruto sighs quietly.

Kakashi's visible eye narrows as he watches the interaction between the blond and the girl. He missed something and he does not like that feeling in the slightest. What just happened? Why was Naruto letting her touch his face with such gentleness and why did he care?! Why was he so irritated by this whole thing? Turning his back on the scene doesn't really help.

Her voice is a soft whisper meant for Naruto's ears alone. "You are a youkai." She breathes and he looks at her in shock- eyes flying open, his heart seeming to stop in his chest only to pick up in double time. The respect she offers in her words and in her eyes, sends a warm feeling through his body and he slowly smiles. The crystal blue depths sparkle with life and joy. "I am so glad you are. Humans terrify me." He can't believe her confession.

Naruto nearly falls over as he reacts to her words, "what?" his face must show his surprise and confusion but she doesn't laugh. It is not a joke and he is amazed to see that as he searched her eyes for the revulsion and the disdain he finds glowing up at him only genuine happiness and acceptance. He moves her hand feeling too exposed by her touch that he had not been expecting to be so warm. His mind flashes to the disdainful eyes he remembers from his childhood and the hurtful comments and he is overwhelmed by her.

"How did you know?" he asks softly not wanting to place his hopes too high as he waits to hear her betrayal. He is hoping she will not lie. His trust did not come as easily as it once had and he trusts her even in the few short moments since he met her, he feels he can forgive her anything as long as she doesn't lie. "I didn't use any of his chakra."

Kagome tipped her head to the side. "Chakra?" She shrugged with a shake of her head at the memories, "Well my friends all tried to kill me at one time or another before we became friends and well... they all were like you. You know youkai." The Jinchuuriki stared at the young woman in disbelief. "I can sense you. Or rather your youki."

"You can sense me? But I-" Naruto flounders trying to wrap his head around both her confession about humans and this. She had other friends like him? Did that mean she was friends with the others like Gaara and Utataka?

"Wait...wait...who are you?" Kakashi broke in looking at her with a frown of confusion. He didn't like the way their eyes were locked on each other as they spoke so softly that even he could not hear it. The angle they stood prevented the copy nin from reading their lips and he wanted to pull his hair out in frustration and had no idea why.

Moment broken Kagome blinked in surprise. "Eh? Oh, right. I'm Kagome." A blush tints her cheeks with rosy hues as she looks at the two males in the room as though becoming aware that she and Naruto were not alone. Awkwardly she turns to the younger looking male youkai, while the water continued to run steaming up the air. "Um who are you two?"

A smirk curls the blond's lips as he chuckles softly, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto the future Hokage, and yes that really is my name. And yes, I was named for the cake and not the storm." he added before she could ask. He laughed quietly as he watched the emotions flit over her face.

"Eh! I am so sorry! Naruto, is a great name." She gaped at the last, "They named you for a food? Ugh and I thought names where I'm from are bad..." she pulled a face and Naruto laughed again. "who names a kid Apple?" she begins to mutter about this and that as she paces back and forth. It seems to be a habit.

"Err, Kagome, could you remove this barrier and allow me to enter now?" the copy nin asked patiently folding his arms and watching her.

She stopped mid-step, "barrier- Oh! Sorry I guess I did that without thinking."

There is a shimmer of pale pink exposing the barriers location and then is fades like steam. The invisible barrier he could not break through dissipated beneath his fingers like it had never been there aside from a slight tingle in his fingertips.

Kakashi rubbed his fingers together testing to see if there was any residue left and finding none. He put a pleasant expression on his face, but didn't feel very much like being friendly to her after the scene with Naruto. "I am Hatake Kakashi, and you Kagome-have a lot of explaining to do. Naruto let's let her finish bathing and we can talk after."

The silver haired nin chuckled softly as the light blush darkened and spread head to foot. He was prepared for her to scream, he was prepared for her to flail about in a female fashion, he was not however prepared to see her awkwardly look at Naruto for permission. What the hell was that all about?! Kagome looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her. He had never seen such a vibrant red face. It rivaled Kushina's hair. But she was clearly deferring to Naruto.

It was funny in a way and he might have laughed if he wasn't so mad. She had to be mortified, hell Naruto was, he had jumped away from her as soon as her lack of clothing had been brought to his attention stammering apologies as he fled. Which was something that pleased Kakashi immensely though he didn't know why, he had not liked seeing his Naruto so close to a woman. He froze, grateful more so than any other time that he wore a mask. His...Naruto...? He struggled to keep his face flat of the shock he felt at the realization. Turning his back to the door and walking several steps out of sight he raised his hand to cover his masked mouth. "Me... I am jealous, over Naruto?" he wondered allowing himself to think the words

He had been jealous. Before when he had seen her pinning Naruto to the floor and then realized her state of undress, he had been livid. When he had said "get off Naruto" he had been so angry he could feel the itching to use the chidori like it had been a tangible thing.

He looked down at his hand feeling the tingle still in his fingertips. They were average hands, but as a ninja they were also a killer's hands. How long had it been since he had thought of anything except his mission? How long had he been a lone wolf and even going so far for solitude to request his apartment as far from the city as he could safely be and still remain in the walls? Years now. Long years...Of course Naruto had done everything short of moving his ass in to make certain that Kakashi was rarely alone in said apartment, so maybe the solitude thing was off a bit. But before Naruto had followed him home that night, he had been alone. Far too alone with his thoughts and his pent-up emotions. Emotions and thoughts, he should not be having about his student...

God I am pathetic letting myself get so involved with the kid. Now I even offered to live with him-err- stay. Stay with him for a long- short time. Normally the idea of being around someone for that long while not on a mission made him twitchy and physically sick to his stomach, but this was Naruto, and he always seemed the exception to every rule in Kakashi's book. Seeing a woman (especially a young naked woman) anywhere near Naruto made him see red apparently. Because whether he wanted to admit to it to himself or not, he had been jealous. There was only one word for how he felt at that moment, one word which summed up everything... "Shit."

Outside of the bathroom Naruto flopped on the rug on his bedroom floor. Tugging the wet shirt over his head he tossed it on the floor and leaned back on his hands, his face slack as he considered his thoughts. Namely girls and Kakashi...As a kid he had liked Sakura chan, but he had been a kid. The most he'd wanted to do with her had been hold hands and maybe kiss. But he hadn't gotten all wound up over her. Growing up around Ero Sannin meant that he had been exposed to women and sex at a young age and normal curiosity about the latter had not extended to the former. It just didn't appeal to him, it didn't excite him.

I wasn't really embarrassed, but I hope it looked like I was. God what is wrong with me?! No, Kagome naked had not done more than make him pause and add to the surreal idea of a woman breaking in his apartment to shower. He chuckled softly. Surely no Ninja or Kunoichi would ever do something so utterly ludicrous. So that ruled out her being affiliated with a Hidden Village, but where had she come from? He shifted his legs a little further apart willing away the discomfort of his not so little problem from seeing Kakashi so wild and angry. God that had been so hot.

"Ugh I did not just think that about my teacher! Of course, I didn't and thinking about him didn't turn me on either...fuck. What am I going to do? I can't ask Kakashi about it, cause I can just imagine that conversation. Hey Kakashi Sensei, I must be crazy right, cause I don't like girls that way and you turn me on. Yeah right. That would likely get me punched. Ne, baka-kitsune what should I do?" Naruto turned his thoughts inward but there was no reply except a scathing huff and a rolled eye.

"Fine don't talk to me!" He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling I bet Ero Sannin could have explained everything but I guess he- Glancing over at the sound of a nearly silent footstep, he saw Kakashi set the bags down that had been in the bathroom. His thoughts scattered as he looked at the graceful lines of Kakashi's figure as he moved. I am so fucked...Wait that smell- Naruto breathed deep before crawling to the blue bag and sniffing lightly. Kakashi didn't seem to notice his presence as he kept fidgeting with something in his pockets "Kakashi sensei, something in this bag smells really good."

Kakashi jumped taken unaware for the first time ever. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts he hadn't even kept his guard up. God damn, this whole thing was dangerous. If Naruto could sneak up on him he was in deep shit. He covered the action of his startle by turning on his heel and crouching near the bags to investigate. His expression bored and not reflecting the pounding of his heart in his chest, he also ignored the little bit of heat in his cheeks. The Copy Nin did not blush...It's not a blush god damn it! It's not. Focus Hatake Kakashi. What in the seven circles of hell is wrong with you!? He breathed in and caught several scents: incense, wood smoke, pine sap, cloth, perfumes, soap and above it the scent of powdered broth and vegetables; instant ramen. However, something about the blend of spices was different. "I think there is ramen inside this bag." Kakashi stated mentally slapping himself for the obvious. It had already been established that Naruto's nose was on par with his own. And god knows Naruto usually had something to do with the noodle based soup he loved. Whether fresh from Ichiraku, or packaged Naruto adored ramen.

Naruto reached out his hand and rested it on the bag after shifting up to his knees. The previously silent kitsune within him spoke up at the action, "Search her bags, then maybe you will believe me that the woman is a liar and risk to us both. If you think she is so harmless prove it." But-

"These are Kagome's bags, right? Um is it really ok for us to search them? I feel kind of weird about it. I mean Kagome doesn't seem to be a Ninja..." It's wrong, right Kakashi? Tell me it's wrong. I don't want to see Kagome as anything but my friend.

Something about the look in Naruto's eyes made him pause. Kakashi frowned, searching bags was usually only done if there was a suspicion that something dangerous was inside, and Kagome didn't act like someone to hide something dangerous, in fact her weapons had been on the floor and exposed to the steam, hardly something a warrior would do. Especially with a bow and arrows. Still- "Who told you that you should?"

Hand rubbing the back of his head Naruto looked away, "Ky-uh somebody mentioned it at some point I think." Naruto hedged, his hand dropping to rest on his stomach.

Kakashi rolled his eyes, Naruto was many things but a good liar was not one of them. His thoughts were clear as day in most cases. "Naruto who told you that you should search the bags?" His tone was patient as he folded his arms. But inside he wanted to shake the blond. What happened just a moment ago, with Kagome? Did she do something to make you suspicious of her? Kakashi's eyes fell to the way Naruto was gripping his shirt over the seal on his belly, "Something happened with the Kyuubi right, you can tell me. Something happened and you are worried about it, am I right?"

"huh? Something? I-"

Naruto was frantic as he raced down the halls and splashed through the water which covered the floor of his inner world "I don't know what to say! Kyuubi what do I say!" The blond wrung his hands nervously as he paced. He had been very careful to act normal and now-

"Kid-"

"He's gonna know everything and then what will happen with Kagome and with you and me, they will lock me up and I'll never find Sasuke... God!"

"Kid-!"

"Kakashi will hate me and he won't be there anymore and I will lose him... He will think I am sick and disgusting!"

"Naruto shut up! Just tell him everything. He isn't going to betray you. Or you could let me out to explain to him..."

"What?! No way in hell! I'll tell him." Naruto snapped folding his arms defensively. He turned to walk away- "I just don't know how-"

"You want him" Kyuubi stated before turning his back on the kid as he grinned at nothing in the dark, he could nearly feel the burn of Naruto's blush. "He wants you...too." Listening to the loud splash and the disbelieving splutters as Naruto tripped and fell on his face was satisfying after the whole debacle with the woman. He had no idea the blond was so fun to tease.

"How-how do you know that? I mean maybe there is a mistake or something. God how can you say something like that now!?" Naruto demanded of his bijuu.

"I have eyes and a nose, don't you?" Kyuubi snorted. "Now get out brat!" he growled losing patience with the stammering kid and using the only thing he was able to use freely of his chakra shoved the shell-shocked blond abruptly out of his inner world.

Left to his own thoughts he scowled into the darkness. Still that woman was dangerous and knew too much for comfort. No one on this world knew what the Bijuu were and now this woman was here and could sense them. Very dangerous indeed. Not only that but Naruto liked her! The kid liked that menace. Sage above, Naruto was going to get them both killed and then what!? That seal was a problem and breaking it was now even more important. The Akatsuki were annoying and worrisome- but this girl was a bigger threat. He would have to warn the others. Gods be damned- what was he supposed to say?

The other eight bijuu were family to be sure but there were no actual bonds between any of them that would make his sudden worry for their existence plausible. And it wasn't that he actually cared about them however, dying was one thing obliteration quite another. What he needed to do was to just take her out. He stood up and growled angrily at the seal. She could sense him, right? He growled again. Youkai friends, his ass. He'd prove it to the brat. He would make her show her true colors and then-Ah yes then he would happily end her.

In the outside world, his face pale and rapidly turning pink- Naruto faced his- friend? Crush? Uh whatever he was with a nervous swallow. Kakashi was looking at him strangely and with a no-nonsense quirk to his eyebrows. God, he looks sexy like that. Oh no, why did I just have to think that? Oh, shit my face, I think- fuck, I'm blushing! Naruto tried to gather his scattered thoughts and his wits then he began to talk very quickly...

Kakashi frowned when Naruto froze like a deer in the flash-light. Something was wrong with the blond and he worried for a moment that he might have been too forceful. Naruto was acting strangely. Suddenly the blue eyes staring at him in shock went impossibly wider and his face, that adorable beautiful face- turned red as Naruto blushed. It was a good look for the blond in Kakashi's opinion something about it made him warm inside and it was easy- too easy to imagine things that a teacher should most definitely not be imagining with his student- his male student.

Now to be fair Kakashi had had his share of both male and female lovers or rather encounters. Sometimes the mission required him to go to extreme measures to get information. And he was a healthy virile man with certain needs at times and sharing a bedroll had been better than sleeping alone. Taking a male lover for a night was just as easy as taking a female one.

Still this was Naruto and he should be better disciplined. Naruto took a breath and Kakashi waited to begin deciphering the flood of words that would come forth. He spilled out everything from his anxieties and his fears, but also his feelings for the unreachable man in front of him.

"I like you Kakashi and I don't want to lose you"

Most of it gibberish but- eyes widening in shock, his thoughts slammed to a sudden stop. Oh, my god. Naruto had not called him Sensei, but by his name and without honorifics that kept that fragile distance between them. Oh, my God! Naruto had said he liked him. Oh, my God!

Kakashi's rationality came to a screeching halt as his desire spiked. Suddenly that part of his brain that had been trying to remind him of his role as Naruto's Sensei said "fuck it" and shut off completely. Naruto was kneeling on the floor looking up at him with horror, anxiety and desire in equal measure but as he realized what he'd said it was morphing in to fear and worry. He looked like he wanted to run. Not happening, Naruto. I will chase you down if you do... Perhaps if he had- Kakashi would not be moving suddenly towards him faster than he had ever moved in his life. I want him. His tenuous control snapped like a frayed cord. It no longer mattered who they were or the reasons for not doing this. Kakashi pulled Naruto to his feet in an instant motion. Naruto froze in his hands looking for the world like he was terrified, but resigned. He looked so fragile and so lost but that expression would not be there long.

I want him. He backed up the smaller man till his back hit the wall. Naruto didn't fight back letting him pin him in. Closer. Feeling Naruto pressed against him as his own body pressed him in to the firm surface. His nose filled with the smell of a summer day, of soft breezes and warm sunlight. Naruto looked up at him now uncertain. He should say something to bring back that smile, but he can't think clearly. I want him. He'll know that soon enough. He bent his head tugging the mask out of his way in a breath, before his lips were on Naruto's with all the fury of a breaking storm. Naruto made a sound of surprise but Kakashi moved his lips over the unresponsive lips until Naruto responded. He couldn't stop himself if he'd wanted to.

Oh, my god Kakashi is kissing me! His lips are so warm...Clumsily Naruto matched his every move all the while pulling him closer till there was not even air able to pass between them. Is this real Kakashi? I have to be hallucinating, right? So, fucking good...

Kakashi treaded his fingers into the golden strands of sun kissed hair that had grown a little longer and tipped his head to an easier angle. He wanted to devour him, consume him- and had no idea where this sudden desire had come from. No, that was a lie. He had felt something stirring upon seeing his Naruto again. His- yes. Mine. My Naruto. He didn't really know what would happen after this but right now he didn't care. Naruto was warm against him and he tasted like tears and orange popsicle. Gods this was so wrong and right at the same time. He felt the hesitant touch of Naruto's tongue against his lips before it became bolder and smirked. Hesitation was not usually in Naruto's repertoire he usually dove in head first and damned the consequence. That little imp was going to-

"Hey could one of you bring back my yellow bag?" Kagome called from the bathroom heedless of the moment she had interrupted.

It was an unpleasant jolt like a bucket of cold water. They froze in tandem pulling away from each other. A string of spit connected their lips but neither noticed. Kakashi and Naruto in shock over what had just happened jumped jerking backwards. Oh, my God! Naruto hit his head on the wall and still dazed his feet tangled in the straps of the requested bag. Naruto stumbled tilting sideways.

"Naru-!" Out of instinct Kakashi grabbed him and fell with him but he shifted to take the brunt of the impact shielding Naruto with his body. Kakashi lay for a moment with the blond on top of him. He was stunned at his actions but more by the fact he wanted to kiss the lovable fool again. When had that happened? When had he ever wanted something or someone like this? His mask was off and he didn't feel the usual panic and vulnerability, quite simply his walls wouldn't come back up to shield him. He also wasn't so sure he really wanted them to. His head still reeled with the reality that he had kissed the blond. He knew he needed to put distance between them for propriety sake, but he couldn't move, not even to shield his emotions from those piercing blue eyes. Oh, god if Naruto didn't stop looking down at him like that-

Naruto blinked down at him with wide eyes. Mouth dry he couldn't find words. I can still taste Kakashi on my lips. No mask...wow Kakashi was unmasked. His gaze drank in the visage before him with hungry detail. Angled features, perfect, beautiful in their contrast to the shock in his eyes. The scar and the crimson eye merely adding to the visual sight before him. Kakashi's wary almost worried expression made Naruto chuckle. This is impossible... Copy Nin Kakashi didn't just kiss me and catch me when I tripped right? Oh god...it did happen. It wasn't a full laugh or even a mirthful one it was more a sound of disbelief. But his laugh faded the instant his eyes met and held the copy nin's gaze. There was nothing hidden in that look full of want and hunger. Oh, my God, Kyuubi was right...

I shouldn't, but I want to...Kakashi's stomach did an odd sort of flip as he reached up tangling fingers again in wheaten strands and drew him down as he leaned up to meet him half way. Something in his head was screaming at him in protest, but he couldn't fight those eyes. He didn't want to stop...Not for anyone, not his Sensei or Sasuke- oh god... "I think I might love him then Kakashi Sensei..."

Why was he thinking about that now? Sasuke was gone and had no intention of coming back ever. So why was it now that he recalled that confession? That awkward confession from that awkward raven haired black eyed brat- that happened when they returned from the chunnin exams and just before the two of them encountered Itachi. Just before Naruto and Sasuke fought and Sasuke almost killed him.

That sight would never leave him no matter the years or distance, that night was seared into his mind. The roar of the falls and the stillness of the night, the thick sickening scent of blood, Naruto's blood. Thinking of that night always made his blood run cold. Seeing Naruto laying still in the rain and fearing that his next breath would be the last- Back then he had been a kid and Kakashi had not been more than a friend, a confidant and teacher, but since he got back he couldn't see him as a kid, no matter how hard he tried to remind himself of the age difference. It just didn't matter now that Naruto was almost eighteen in less than a few months. So, what if as a kid Sasuke had confessed his feelings about Naruto. Sasuke kept hurting Naruto - No! I won't give him to anyone! Naruto is mine...He's mine now...

"Naru-" Warm lips met his with none of the hesitance from before and Kakashi realized the danger he had placed himself in too late. Naruto had always, always been a quick learner and this was apparently no exception. Kakashi was drowning in sensation as Naruto snaked his tongue between his lips and groaned softly into his mouth. More, please god...don't-

"Um it's kind of cold standing here wet...err uh...could one of you please bring me my pack, since you took it in the first place. Not being naked and wet would be nice." Kagome called out again this time with a small delicate sneeze.

With a sigh of regret Naruto pulled back. "Kakashi...I-" Then with reverent hesitant fingers he traces the features before him with slow careful movements before pulling the mask back up and into place. He has no idea that with every motion of his hands he is stripping Kakashi bare. He has no idea of the walls he is casually sweeping away like dust in the wind. Letting his fingers linger just an instant longer, Naruto shifts his weight to get up.

... Fuck! Kakashi also reluctantly let's go of Naruto's hair letting the strands of gold slowly slide through his fingers. Neither wants to let go almost afraid that this moment will never be there again. Something about the expression in Naruto's eyes sparked a defiance he didn't realize he had. "The hell you are getting away from me now..." Kakashi thinks vehemently as he tackles the blond backwards and to the floor pinning him immobile as he gives Naruto a single look, a promise that he is nowhere near done with what happened between them. Its sweet delicious torture for them both. He feels the blond shiver as he allows him to simply feel how their bodies have reacted to each other and he is up and off of Naruto before another breath passes.

With deft fingers Kakashi untangles the straps of the yellow bag from the blond's legs, swiftly deposits the bag without a single glance inside the door of the bathroom. "I apologize for the wait. I'll go find us something non-ramen for dinner." He murmurs by way of an apology, and closes it before Kagome can even squeak.

Returning to the room where he left the blond Kakashi eyes Naruto with a cheeky smirk hidden by his mask at his handy work, Naruto laid out on the floor, disheveled and thoroughly kissed, flushed and lightly panting with his eyes closed. By the gods, it is a tempting sight. That should be illegal... Kakashi has to force himself to turn away before he leaves to go find them all something to eat.

Naruto can't even think about standing, his head still muddled. He lay on his floor blinking up at the ceiling with wide disbelieving eyes. Had he- had Kakashi- his body was on fire with need as he tried to find some semblance of order to his jumbled thoughts. His cognitive processes had just short circuited all at once and he was not going to recover any time soon on his own. Kissed. They had kissed. He had kissed the man who he had dreamed about since he was old enough to receive the talk from Ero-Sannin or rather since leaving for his training trip. He could still feel him and taste Kakashi like a phantom presence. Vaguely he was aware of his window sliding open and the feeling of Kakashi's energy moving further away from the apartment. "Kakashi left." He mumbled quietly. He sat up with a sharp jerk,

"Kakashi left!" the happy giddy feeling left like a punch to the gut. Why? Where was he going? Was he coming back? Had he fucked everything up by kissing him back? Or maybe it was because he had seen Kakashi's face without his mask! "Oh shit! What do I do?" Gripping his hair, he hid his face with his arms.

A scent tickled his nose and he realized with a start he was not alone in the room. The floral scent was soft and pleasant and was coupled with an effervescent zing of ozone. Like lightning in a rainstorm. It was fresh and appealing to the senses. But it was also foreign to him. Alien in his usual habitat smelling of his soap and ramen. His eye opened to peek out at the other in the room. She was toweling her long inky hair while watching him freak out with an amused expression. He had forgotten she was here.

"My advice is to take a deep breath. Hatake san said he was going to get some food that wasn't ramen." She said as she stepped into the room with a towel around her shoulders. She moved gracefully and sat down beside her bag.

"Eh? Oh, so he'll be back. That's good." Naruto said laying back down on the floor and looking up at the ceiling. "You know it's weird, hearing you call him that. Everyone just calls him Kakashi." Relief was sweet as it filled him with a sense of his earlier elation and giddiness. Kakashi was going to come back and then- and then they could-

"I don't know anyone here well enough to call them by name." Kagome held her hair up to her nose and smelled it. "Hey Uzumaki san," she began to get his attention, "did I get all the broth out, my nose isn't as sharp as a kitsune's." She settled beside him leaning her back against his bed. She was comfortable here with them. She'd thought about things in her shower. It had been strange to arrive in a bathtub but all things considered it wasn't the bottom of a well and so far, she hadn't had to run for her life. Besides, it hadn't taken a genius to notice that Naruto was lonely. Not loneliness from not having someone- but the loneliness of loss, something that was all too fresh for her not to see it.

Kakashi obviously cared for him and she suspected that very shortly that silver haired man would make a move on the blond if they weren't together already. The longing she had noticed on his face when looking at Naruto was almost painful in its complexity. Although not intimately acquainted with male and male relationship concepts, she held no contempt for it either. Love was love and it was beautiful.

Uzumaki san? Eh? "Naruto is fine." Blinking Naruto sniffed and nodded slowly before he looked up, recalling the important questions he had wanted to ask her before "Where are you from Kagome? And why are you afraid of humans, someone do something to you. I'll beat them up for you! Also, did you mean it the fear of humans thing and liking youkai?" he asked focusing on her eyes. She looked pleased as she pulled a brush through her damp hair.

Kagome smiled at the flood of questions, so like Shippo, that it hurt. "I'll try to answer each question one at a time Naruto kun. I don't know where I am so I don't know how to exactly answer your first question. As for the rest, I did mean it. And as much as I appreciate the offer no one needs a beating. The reason I fear humans and not youkai is because of what I am." she didn't hesitate as she dug into her bag and pulled out a hair tie. Nimble fingers went to work on a complex braid as she spoke. "Naruto kun, I have come to learn that youkai are not the monsters they are made out to be. I know you felt my power and it probably alarmed you, but I want to promise you, in blood if I must, that I mean you no harm. That is the reason I don't fear youkai. My power is in direct opposite to yours. I can defend myself from youkai, but I am powerless against humans. I don't even know how to throw a proper punch. I planned on taking self-defense classes but I don't know if I still can."

Naruto sat up and leaned his chin on his fist "Ok, so nothing happened and you could kill me, but you won't, and you can't fight. Sounds like you are a good person Kagome chan, so what are you?"

"Complicated." Kagome sighed tying off her braid and digging through the bag again. She pulled out a bottle and tipped what looked like lotion into her hand. "Where I am from, they call people like me Miko. I'm just a bit different. I like youkai." The sound of her voice is not shaky in the least nor does it sound frightened. She casually rubs the lotion into her hands and arms before looking up. Kagome gives him a hopeful smile, but it isn't returned. In fact, his expression makes her worry. "Naruto kun...?"

Naruto swallows the lump now forming in his throat at the implication; he looks at her now with concern. Kyuubi feels smug for some reason. Maybe she doesn't realize what she has said- He feels like the breath in his lungs is fire as he willfully counters her confidence. He wants to ignore the often-errant rational side of his brain and take her words at face value but this is too important, she is a danger to him by her own words, and if she is to be believed a holy woman. But he still thinks she is a good person. In his head Kyuubi snorts. "A Miko? So, you know what that means exactly?" He asks just to be sure she knows. No one likes the bijuu, it is an unspoken rule in the villages that the bijuu are monsters. Naruto and Gaara have so far been able to overcome that stigma but a youkai lover will be shunned and if the word got out she could be assassinated. In his head the bijuu is silent at his awkward question. The nine tails might know the answer, but Naruto does not and he needs to hear it from her mouth...No one who knows about the youkai and is an outsider will be treated fairly. Miko were forbidden to make friends or fall in love. They were protected in sacred temples and only sought to transfer bijuu to the next Jinchuuriki- in other words to kill the former human sacrifice. But maybe she didn't know that.

Kagome meets his eyes unafraid and unflinching "I do. It means Naruto kun that I want to be your friend." she says softly before locking her eyes with the hypnotic sapphire gaze staring at her now with disbelief, "and yes, I know it is unconventional. I know it's hard to believe me when I say this but, I don't hate youkai." Kagome says as she faces Naruto. Her face is calm and a smile plays about her lips.

She doesn't understand. But how can she be a Miko and not know? "But you are a Miko. So, being my friend is forbidden by death, isn't it? Aren't Miko supposed to hate my kind and stay locked up in their temples until the sacrifice?"

Kagome frowned. Sacrifice?! What kind of place had she come to? "Is it? I didn't know, because it's not where I came from. For kami sake, Naruto kun. Where am I?" Kagome gasped. She sat silent for a moment while she tapped her lips thinking. "I have an idea. Pretend I never said I was a Miko. I'm just Kagome and you are just Naruto kun. Why does it have to be complicated?" Naruto's eyes widen and his breath quickens in response. His mind is trying to process her words and their meaning, but she sees the instant he does and a slow shy smile tilts his lips up at the corners. He looks younger with that look on his face, more vulnerable. She has the feeling that no one has told him verbally that they want to be his friend. "Hatake san has certainly been gone a while."

"Yeah, but its normal. He probably got lost on the road of life again. You are in Konohagakure. I guess tomorrow I have to take you to talk to Baachan since she runs everything. But someday I am going to be Hokage." Light staccato of rain taps against his window as the storm finally breaks. Naruto turned his head to look out at the black night sky that now looks red with the glow of some of the lights of the village. Naruto is in shock, not just from Kagome's words, but from all that has happened today, Kakashi, Kagome and there is a lump in his throat still as he thinks about Jiriaya. Guilt twinges in his chest too as he thinks about Sasuke.

He is so confused and emotionally fried it is all he can do to offer her a wan smile and to not burst out in tears. He wants Kakashi but did that mean he no longer cared about Sasuke? Did that mean he had to choose between them? Sasuke was- and Kakashi is- a frown tugs at his lips. Maybe that's all that he needs to know, Sasuke was. Sasuke was the past he loved him for a long time, but maybe he hasn't for a while now. Sasuke had never kissed him intentionally, never indicated there was anything but hatred for him. But Kakashi is now. God, he needs a drink, but tea will have to do since he can't very well drink sake without an adult with him. At eighteen he won't need to be supervised, a perk of being a ninja. Climbing to his feet he walks over to the light switch to light the hallway once more.

"Konohagakure? Hokage?" Kagome followed as he headed out of the room. looking around as the light revealed a single room in the apartment Naruto lives in. She is not surprised at the "lived in" quality. It is not a mess but it is a little cluttered with various things on the counter and table. There are dishes in the sink, but for the majority it looks like a normal kitchen. It is sparsely furnished and almost barren of anything thing that makes it more than a place to get out of the rain. The lack of comfort in the room makes her heart ache for the teen looking around with her. Everything about the room tells her that a single person resides here: a table with a single chair sits in the middle of the kitchen where there is a small stove top and a tiny counter with a cupboard. Bare walls painfully devoid of pictures tells her more than Naruto probably would want a stranger to know about his lack of family. Naruto was an orphan or abandoned. So Hatake san hasn't made his move then. Naruto must be so lonely. Beneath the cupboard, counter there is an open drawer full of unopened ramen in various flavors and wrappers. In the corner is a standard sized fridge and freezer which she bet is nearly empty.

"Jeez you don't know what a Hokage is?" Naruto sighed and gave her a tired smile. "Konohagakure is in the Land of Fire in the Elemental Nations. Hokage is the title given to the strongest ninja in Konoha village and they become the leader. The Hokage makes the rules and assigns missions. It's a very important job Kagome chan." Naruto patiently explained. Though he was a little worried that she didn't seem to know anything at all about the world even. "So now you know where you are, where did you come from and why my apartment?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"You can tell me anything Kagome chan. I'm not the smartest guy but I swear I'll do everything to help you! I never give up. Dattebayo. That is my Nindo! 'Sides I don't think you've got much of a choice but to trust me so-"

For living alone, it is fairly tidy all things considered and he probably doesn't spend a lot of time at home as a ninja. The pack laying in the corner is probably from either preparing to go on a mission or just returning from one. Her gaze landed on the several empty containers of ramen on his table and she shook her head wryly. Of course, "ninja food", that was what he always called it she just never thought it was true. An odd sort of soft laugh sob worked its way out of her throat.

He heard it and saw the direction of her gaze hanging his head in shame misinterpreting the sound as an upset sound. Naruto chewed his lip and rubs the back of his head. "Uh, sorry about the mess." He begins. "I just got back and haven't cleaned yet. I try to keep up but sometimes-," he shrugged and sighed before leaning against his table. "It gets out of hand dattebayo."

"I thought so," Kagome thinks silently. "What mess?" she says softly. "All I see is a room that has been lived in and all the evidence of a lonely soul."

Lonely, yeah. Was it so obvious? Naruto looks around with a frown, what he has is not going to be enough for three of them. He has already decided Kagome is staying with him and not just because of the miko thing. Something about her tells him that she needs a friend but he doesn't know why. He will have to get more chairs and some better, well some actual furniture...his eyes land on her again. He hasn't really looked at her having been so wrapped up in his own grief. Now in the light he sees that she isn't merely pretty she is beautiful. Her eyes are bright and warm and her hair that he'd thought before was only black, is blue black, like the color of the midnight sky. Her skin is lightly tanned and flawless holding a faint iridescent shimmer as the light shifted on her as she moved. She was slim and feminine. Her figure generously curved in all the right places was further accentuated by her clothes.

After a pause, she droops like a wilted flower, her shoulders slumping. Her ageless features reflecting the weight of her worry with a little wrinkle between her brows. "You're right, sorry. Trust has to given, to be earned, but don't say I didn't warn you. Naruto kun, I'm not even from your world. I come from a place called Tokyo, Japan."

Blink...blink...gasp... "Eh? What? Did you say another world Kagome chan dattebayo?!" his arms flailed as he reacted to her statement with shock.

She leaned back to look up at the ceiling as she spoke. "Yes, and before you promise to get me home, let me just tell you. I have nothing to go back to. I guess this is my home for now. I hate to ask it but since I don't have any money from here, could you maybe help me get a room at an inn or lend me a tent?"

"You are being ridiculous dattebayo! You can stay here Kagome chan. I know its small and dirty but I definitely don't want you out in the rain somewhere."

"But Hatake san-"

"It's no problem Kagome chan." It hasn't yet sunk in that he is going to be living with her, eating with her and sleeping under the same roof and Kakashi- his mind drifts for an instant and he feels warm all over. Kakashi...he recalls the feeling of being pressed in to the floor with Kakashi's unyielding frame on him and shivers as his body aches. His eyes widen, here he is faced with probably the most beautiful woman he could imagine and he wants...he looks at her the curves and her lips and feels...nothing. There is no fire and no ache just like before. Then he thinks of Sasuke, his pale skin and dark eyes...a shudder of heat flashes through him before turning cold and changing to guilt and despair. Then he thinks of Kakashi and his blood heats to settle somewhere warm in his chest. Putting a kettle on the burner he pulls out a cup. He only has one. "Uh, did you want some tea?"

"Sure, don't worry I have a cup in here." her voice is a little muffled as she is digging through her bag. With a small cry of success, she pulls out a mug covered in little white puppies and another covered with foxes and leaves. She had a whole set in her bag but there was no reason to dredge up more heartache then she already had seeing Inuyasha's mug and Shippo's.

The kitchen is not really a place to converse so after serving the tea, he leads her down the hall to his room and sits on the thick green rug in the center of the room. Kagome sets her bags in a corner out of the way and looks around this new room noticing that this room except for a few random weapons and papers scattered here and there is very clean. His bedding is folded neatly at the end of his bed and there are only a few clothes scattered about. A pair of dark blue pajamas tossed half on and half off of the bed and a pair of bright orange pants are crumpled on the floor. Laying on the edge of one of the dressers is a black and orange jacket. Otherwise the room is in order at least from her angle. On the table, there is a light blue kettle and an uneaten cup of ramen long gone cold. "Me and Kakashi can stay out in the kitchen on futons. You can have the room and bed okay?"

"Absolutely not. I'm not making you sleep on the floor. This is your bed and I have a sleeping bag so I'll be fine."

Naruto crossed the room and slid the window closed. A glance out at the storm reminds him of the storm inside himself earlier and he looks at her with a thoughtful sigh. Where was Kakashi? Raising the cup to his lips he took a drink before speaking. The words just sort of spill out, "Kagome, you know...I-I thought that I wasn't strong enough to continue on after I was told this morning that my master was dead. He was the only one who never feared me even after I almost killed him in a training accident." He picked up the clothes from the floor on the other side of his bed as he spoke to distract himself from his words. "Kakashi, was there to stop me before I did anything crazy. He means-um he is- "he sighed unsure what he could possibly say. He was attracted to him, he wanted to- do things that would make that heat blaze hotter? He knew he was blushing but he ignored the flush of his cheeks. "No one has ever defended me like you did because of what I am, but I'm afraid that you would be treated badly for doing so if you did it in public. Most of the adults in the village don't like me much. I'm sorry." He didn't know why he apologized for the truth but he waited to see her reaction regardless. His thoughts briefly turned to Kakashi again and he mentally sighed, nope there was nothing he could tell her that she might not think weird.

Kagome blinked at that, Naruto was not liked? She wasn't really surprised. Naruto honestly looked worried so Kagome smiled as she sat next to him, "for what? I'm not." She stated as she straightened her shoulders. "There is nothing that would make me regret what I did no matter what you are, partial youkai or full."

Naruto sat down on the floor with a heavy slump to his shoulders, it seems it is time to explain himself. "You seem to think I am youkai, but I am a Jinchuuriki, a human host for the Kyuubi. He was imprisoned within me by the Yondaime Hokage with a seal when I was a baby. Before he was sealed inside me the Kyuubi rampaged through the village and killed countless shinobi in its path. The Yondaime sealed him away to save everyone. At least that is how the story was told to me. Because of that the people here always looked at me with hatred and treated me like I was trash. I admit that as a kid I was brat and a pain in the butt, but I wanted them to see me as just Naruto, not Kyuubi. So, you see Kagome chan, I'm not the greatest person for you to befriend." He waits for her to speak and is surprised at the sadness in her tone when she does.

Kagome folds the towel under her before she sits down so not to dampen the carpet. Then she pulls her knees to her chest. Lowering her chin to her arms she speaks her tone almost bleak. "You know, back when I was with my friends, the other youkai I told you about, I was so stupid, I couldn't see that my actions and naivety were a fatal hindrance to all of them. I should have realized then that I was a catalyst for the tragedy that followed us like a plague. Entire villages, clans that had lived for a century or more were wiped out in a single night and all by one being and a foolish little girl who was ignorant of her destiny. But I can't be that girl any more, I have to live and grow stronger for the sake of those that died indirectly at my hands. I may not have delivered the killing blow but their blood is on my hands. I'm telling you this because you deserve to know and to show you that no one is perfect. The way you spoke sounded like you were afraid I would reject you. My past is as bloody as Kyuubi's, so will you reject me? Do you think I am a monster?"

His eyebrows draw down as he can't even consider such a thing. Her eyes are filled with an unfathomable sadness and he can't stand seeing her so sad. How can he ever turn away from her? Even if her past is awful, there is no way he could ever abandon her. She didn't abandon him and he won't let her suffer... "What? Yada dattebayo!" Naruto shook his head firmly. "Never Kagome chan!" he cries out as he crawls to her and ducks down to catch her eyes. "Do you really think something like that would make me reject you? Your past is past and you are my friend now, so never."

"What about Kyuubi," Kagome asks lightly tapping her lip, "surely he wanted people to not see him as a monster. Have you ever asked him why he attacked the village? There are two sides to every story and maybe, the story is biased. Here in this world, from what is seems to me, though I don't honestly know yet, it seems that everyone looks down on youkai, but as you said even children will act up to get attention. They don't want to be forgotten or abused just like you don't. Also, you should know, Naruto that as much as you speak like you are separate beings, you and the Kyuubi; your auras have blended and you can no longer be without him nor him without you. He is you and you are him. Both of you are Naruto."

Naruto starts as he looks up at her with wide eyes. "What do you mean, isn't he just imprisoned within me. Aren't I just his human prison?" His eyes hold a slight look of panic as though he is honestly afraid of the truth. He falls back on his butt before he rolls away onto his side. His hands grip two handfuls of hair as he allows his fear to show "Ah, mou! I don't understand, how can we both be Naruto?! I am Naruto! I am a Jinchuuriki that's all, right?" His sapphire colored eyes are pleading for reassurance that she tell him he's right, but he also sees that she can't because it isn't true. Hasn't he been asking himself the same thing?

Her heart ached for him, but it was unfair to ignore the truth as it was. Also, knowing would help him in the long run. If he wasn't born a youkai then he would not know anything really about some tendencies or urges in that case he should learn as soon as possible. "Is that what they told you Naruto?" she asked softly. Her head tilts to the side as she smiles tenderly at him, with understanding.

Naruto raises his hand to look at the slightly sharper nails of his right hand with an unreadable expression. He noticed that his nails were stronger and sharper than before, since the last few weeks of training with Jiriaya, but he had tried to chalk it up to using the Kyuubi's power more. He's also noticed other things: like his ability to see has improved and his sense of smell is on par or better than Akamaru's. Every so often he has strange urges that he has a hard time denying, like the urge to have plants in every room. Or that urge to sleep in the forest and leave the village behind. He had to sleep on his balcony to curb that one. Honestly, he had begun to wonder if it wasn't more, but he had not asked anyone to confirm or deny it. "Yeah, that's what they have always said." He hugs himself trying to keep his fear and doubts at bay. He already knew something, he knew but-

Kagome sighs knowing that it is to be expected, he would be very angry to know the truth. "Naruto, it is possible that they didn't know how to sense it. They might not know the truth either, so don't assume they lied and think of it more as that they didn't know better." She sighs as he jumps to his feet and begins pacing angrily. She would be angry too if she had been lied to, whether intentionally or not, her entire life. He stops standing in the center of the room and clenches his fist hard enough to draw blood. His teeth are gritted his fangs showing in the white expanse of teeth.

Kagome got up and reached out her small hands enclosing his softly as the soothing warmth of her healing power flowed over his hand and the sting of where his claws punctured faded. "You know, I have special powers when it comes to sensing things like this. I can feel the blend of your power and although power can be dominantly one side or the other you are two halves to a whole. There is a constant struggle between you because you and he aren't united. Can you talk to Kyuubi?"

"Yeah I can... but I don't. Not often unless I need his power. I guess I am just as guilty as everyone else, buying into the idea that he was a monster and a burden I was condemned to bear by the whim of the Yondaime." He scuffed his bare feet before sitting back down with a sigh. "But you know despite everything I never really hated that he was there. I never felt completely alone because I had him. Whether he liked it or not, he sort of took care of me almost like a parent or guardian except with a lot of sharp teeth." Naruto leaned back, his arms behind his head. "I never hated him because I was always feeling like he was a victim too." He is seeing something different suddenly. Now he is curious if it might be his fault that he and Kyuubi are on such terms. What might happen if he did talk to the kitsune?

Kagome smiles sadly, "There is at least hope then. You don't hate him and that is a start. Friendship is always possible if both parties can find common ground. You should start with talking to him. I sure he has many things to say, and they may not all be pleasant to hear, he has a right to be angry too. But try to listen anyway I think you might learn that he is not so different from you." She paused thinking for a moment before she shifted to crouch beside Naruto, "can I talk with him too?" The young woman asks as she sits on the floor next to him and reaches out her hand pausing for permission. Naruto startled nearly jumping away from her hand, sat up. His eyes clearly show his confusion and his discomfort.

"Huh?" He leans away from her uncertainly. In his mind Kyuubi chuckles with amusement. "Talk to him, how? He is inside of me." Something about this whole thing has him on edge and he isn't sure what she has planned to talk with Kyuubi. As far as he knows no one but himself can talk with the nine tails. Naruto's hand covers the seal over his naval protectively. Kagome looks at him expectantly and with patience, waiting for him to calm down. There is something in her eyes that he is having a hard time saying no to. Damn. Her hands are clasped in front of her ...does she have to be so cute?

"So, I can still talk to him, I just have to transfer my conscious to you. It shouldn't be too difficult; besides I should meet the Kyuubi properly." Kagome bats her long lashes pleadingly, unaware of just how difficult she is making things for Naruto. She has no idea that her proximity was doing funny things to his insides. Things that made him want to jump up and search for Kakashi. "Will you let me?" Her eyes sparkled with hope and anticipation. Please... don't say no...

She watched Naruto's eyes seem to focus away from the room and from her before him and she watched with interest. It seemed that he and Kyuubi were discussing it and she watched with rapt interest taking the time he wasn't focused on her to observe him. He really is beautiful, with golden spikes of soft hair and gorgeous rich blue eyes that shamed the purest sapphire. His skin is sun kissed and lightly bronzed with days spent outdoors. She knows from earlier touching it that his skin is soft. His whiskers seem to represent his tie to the Kyuubi but Kagome can't help but to wonder what kind of a youkai that is. She has been trying to sense it but for some reason it keeps eluding her efforts, almost playfully in the last half hour. Before there had been a distinct edge of fury.

Unaware of the thoughts of the girl sitting next to him Naruto enters his inner room in the labyrinth of his mind to converse with the Kyuubi. The room is the same as always with the same carved walls and what looks like places where the walls have crumbled revealing a multitude of pipe works. Energy thrums through the pipes and Naruto can only assume that they are representative of his chakra network. The floor of the labyrinth is covered in several inches of water. In the particular room, he has entered there is a massive gate like a prison door. It is simple and colossal metal bars section off the room from the space beyond where a giant red eye watches his approach. The usual animosity isn't at the forefront for once as that crimson gaze lands on him. "Kagome chan, wants-," Naruto begins to speak but the darker voice of the kitsune cuts him off. The blond teenager watches with caution, as the great head lifts and turns his direction. He is used to the appearance of the Kyuubi but it doesn't mean he isn't in awe every time he sees him.

The huge maw curls up into what seems to be a smirk. The Kyuubi is amused. "I know what she wants, I heard her. Let her, this should be entertaining." Kyuubi chuckles confusing Naruto further.

The Jinchuuriki who has never really bothered to know much about the Kyuubi shrugs. "If you say so. But so that we are clear, you won't hurt her right?" he asks hesitantly.

The blond swallows heavily as the humor is instantly gone and Kyuubi is glaring at him with fury. "I would never harm a hair on her head. How dare you imply it would be otherwise..." Kyuubi growled at him. Naruto responds quickly holding his hands up in a passive gesture. The kid doesn't need to know that if Kagome doesn't pass his test that he has no intention of her ever returning to the outside.