This is my first Naruto fic, so be nice about it. All right, basically what happened is I had this crazy dream after watching a Naruto marathon. I dreamed that Sasuke (go figure) found this little fox and took it home with him. At first he hated it, but after a while, he got over the dislike and started to really like the little thing. And through that little fox, he realized that there was another fox out there for him: Naruto.

So there you have it. After that dream, I am all for SasuNaru. ;D Enjoy the slashiness of it all!! XDDD

Crash!

Uchiha Sasuke stopped in his tracks, his head snapping to look over his right shoulder as he sought the source of the sound. The noise had come from a nearby alleyway, just a little behind him. A trash can lid rattled out of the narrow passage, rolling out into the street, where it rocked from side to side before falling with a clatter. The boy turned back and crouched down at the mouth of the alley. He frowned slightly. "Just a fox," he muttered, pushing himself back up to a standing position.

Standing fearfully beside a landslide of garbage was a tiny fox kit with scruffy fur. Its body was dead—Sasuke could count each rib and vertebra—but its eyes glittered fiercely with life. The scrawny animal hesitantly stepped closer, mouth opening in a pleading squeak. Sasuke shook his head.

"What do you want from me?" he asked it. Gesturing to the trash, he added, "You've managed to get at what passes for food for your kind. There's a forest outside this village; go there, and I'm sure you'll find a nice vixen to play with."

The fox kit whimpered, stepping even closer. Each step was a great strain to its weakened body. Sasuke almost pitied the poor thing. It looked up at him, almost begging on its knees for his help and affection. He turned his head away. "Do you know where I come from, little fox? I'm from the Uchiha clan...you can't expect your pitiful act to affect me."

The kit pawed him gently on the leg and whined again. Its skinny body trembled, and Sasuke swore he could see little black fleas hopping through its rumpled pelt. "No. Go away." The youth stood up and turned away from the fox. "I told you what you can do, little fox, and that's all you'll get from me. Good luck. You'll need it, in your condition."

Whimper.

Ignore it.

Yip.

What on earth would I do with it, anyway? Keep it as a pet? Carry it around on my head like that Inuzuka fool, Kiba?

Sasuke stopped as the lid in the road rattled from side to side. He looked down at it just in time to see the fox kit poke its scruffy head out from underneath it. The look in its black eyes plainly said, Aren't I just so cute? Can you honestly resist this little baby face? He scoffed, unimpressed. "I don't think you've got enough strength to win me over."

The furry face's expression changed to read, I can certainly try. Sasuke shook his head and looked away. He continued down the street, eyes shifting upward to a fox-free view. What did that little scrap of fur and bone think it was doing, trying to win him over like that? He had made it perfectly clear that he had a no-fox rule to his life.

Pit-pat. Pit-pat.

Uchiha Sasuke turned and shouted, "I thought I told you not to follow me!" as loudly as he could. He expected to hear some sort of terrified yelp or the scrabble of fleeing paws, but the only sound was that of his words bouncing off the walls of buildings. The fox kit remained unmoved, gazing up at him adoringly. He sighed and crouched down. "What do you want from me?" he asked again, staring hard at the small animal. "If I...pet you, will you go away? If I feed you?"

The tiny fox yipped happily and started to chase its mangy tail. Sasuke heaved another sigh. "What, are you trying to make me laugh? If I smile will you go away?" He leaned his face closer, wary not to bring it too close to the little muzzle. Memories of that day at school flashed back to him. He had unintentionally kissed that loudmouth Naruto...But why was he reminded of that? It must be the Kyuubi, he reasoned. Naruto has that fox sealed inside him.

He leaned too close, and the fox licked his nose.

Sasuke stumbled back with a cry. "Don't do that!" he snapped, hot blood surging to his face with anger. That had been too close to Naruto's unfortunate 'kiss.' The fox kit tripped back onto its tail with a startled bark. "Go back to your alley, you little fleabag! I don't work with animals." He pushed himself up and started to walk away again. The fox whined plaintively. Sasuke turned. "You're really persistent, aren't you, little fox? You don't know when to give up. You can't take 'no' for an answer."

The fox cocked its head to the side and licked its nose. One ear perked up, the other drooped down. Sasuke almost laughed as he bent down closer. The scrawny thing looked so comical with pudgy paws supporting bony limbs, fur that was frizzy on its body and sleek on its face, and a dancing light in its vivid, dark eyes. "I'll admit, you are a little cute, but why would I want you following me around everywhere?"

The kit barked and spanked the ground playfully with its front paws. The boy smiled slightly. "I've already told you, you'll never win me over completely." The miniature mange-ball's face said it begged to differ. In a bold and daring move the tiny fox hurled itself at Sasuke's face and started a licking frenzy. The boy sputtered and struggled to catch his playful attacker. "Stop it! No! J—just, no—No! Stop that right now!" His fingers wrapped around its belly, and he literally pried the creature from his face.

Anger bubbled up from his stomach, making his breathing ragged and harsh. The fox did not cower before him. Rather, it tipped its head to the side, perked up one ear, and dropped the other. Sasuke groaned as his rage slipped through his fingers like sand or water. "Why do you do this to me?" he moaned. "Can't you see?—I don't want you! I don't want you now, I won't want you tomorrow, I'll never want you trailing after me like a lost puppy!" He plunked the fluffy fox kit down on the street and started to leave.

Why does it want to be with me? he wondered as he plodded along the road. Why, after everything I shouted at it, does that crazy fox think I want to be with it? It doesn't make any sense to me, not in the least. I mean, what kina of ninja works with foxes? They work with dogs and insects, but foxes?

Sasuke shook his head, trying to shake the memory of the creature's warm, wet tongue tickling his nose. He wiped his nose firmly with the back of his hand and grunted with disgust. The fox's saliva smelled like disease and garbage. It made him feel almost sick. He wondered what the kit's life would be like now. It would probably depend on trash for its daily food...not something he would like to do, that was for sure. It looked so scrawny and malnourished, it probably wouldn't last a few more months. An unwanted feeling stopped him: pity.

Annoying, gross, and skeletal as it was, that fox was still young. It needed care from someone, and it might as well be him. Sasuke knew that it wasn't only in fables that foxes were cunning. Their sense of smell was as good as a dog's. They had sharp claws and fangs, too. Maybe, just maybe, using a fox in his battles wasn't such a crazy idea after all. His mind warmed up to the possibilities. He could try to train the fox to smell chakra like Kiba's dog. That might prove a useful advantage. And if he told people the fox was part of him, he could use it in fights, like Shino and his bugs. He thought of himself facing up to some opponent or another—he couldn't see their face—and saw the fox standing at his side. And quite frankly, it seemed like a good thing. He imagined himself sitting in a hot bath, soaking away the trials of the day, and saw the little fox's head bobbing up and down as it swam.

The youth turned around, looking for the tiny thing. The street was empty. "Little fox?" he called softly. "Little fox? Come out!" No answer. Not even the softest of sniffs broke the silence. Sasuke started walking back to the alley. "Little fox?"

He heard a quiet rustling noise and started into the alleyway. The tiny fox was sorting miserably through the garbage again, its lively eyes dull. Sasuke crouched down before the pile. The fox looked up, then went right back to its business. "Little fox, I changed my mind," Sasuke said gently. "I want you to come with me. We can train together...isn't that what you wanted?"

The skinny kit glared at him as if to say, Well, maybe I don't want you anymore. Did you ever think of that?

"But I want you. Look, I know it's big change of heart, but I'm willing to try a partnership with you. What do you say?" He held out his hand for the fox to sniff. The fox studied it almost scornfully, then tapped his palm with its tiny paw. The deal was settled.

Sasuke stood up, and the fox rubbed up against his leg like a kitten. Its black eyes flashed affection and loyalty. The youth nodded. "All right. It's settled, then. You and I are partners now, little fox. I think you deserve a name. How about Hikitsuko?" The fox looked at him skeptically. "Hikitsuko comes from hi, kitsune, and ko, meaning fire-fox-child," Sasuke explained. "Because I'm sure that underneath all that mange and grime, you've got a pelt like the summer sun."

Hikitsuko stared up at him, its black eyes dancing. Sasuke picked it up briefly to determine its gender. Male. He nodded and set the fox back down. "Very well, Hikitsuko. I suppose you should just follow me. I'll take you to your new home."

Hikitsuko whimpered and kneaded Sasuke's leg like a kitten. "No, I'm not going to carry you. You've got four legs, you can walk on your own. Just think about food and a nice hot bath. That should keep you going." The fox kit gave a disgruntled squeak, but it marched up beside him without further protest.

Sasuke led the way back to his home, his mind wandering aimlessly over his new "pet." Hikitsuko needed a bath, that was for sure, and someplace to sleep. He could fold up a towel for the little furball to sleep on. What did foxes eat, anyway? Probably anything they can get their paws on, he thought with a tickle of amusement. Even if the fox didn't turn out to be as useful as Kiba's dog or Shino's bugs, it would be fun to have around.

As he opened the door and stepped inside, Sasuke was troubled by a brief thought. He recalled Hikitsuko licking his nose, and linked it immediately to Naruto's accidental kiss. Without asking permission first, his mind connected the warm breath and gentle touch of both. He shook the thought away. "All right, little fox," he said aloud, "let's get you cleaned up."

;-:-;-:-;

Hikitsuko, as it turned out, was afraid of water. The skinny fox yelped in terror and cowered behind Sasuke at the sight of the bathtub. The young boy sighed and scooped the quivering kit up. "Look, it's not going to hurt you," he told him. He dipped a hand into the water and pulled it back out again. "See? Nothing happened to my hand. Don't be afraid of the water. I'll hold you up if you don't know how to swim."

The tiny fox whined. Sasuke sighed. "God, you're such a coward," he grumbled. "What do I have to do to convince you to get into the water? Should I throw in something for you to dive after? Should I throw in food? Should I get in with you?" He didn't expect a reaction for the last option, but to his surprise and dismay, Hikitsuko brightened up immediately. "You can't be serious."

The black eyes narrowed as if to say, Oh, but I am. Sasuke sighed. "All right...I will." Retreating behind a screen, he stripped down to his shorts and climbed into the bath. "There. I'm in. Now it's your turn."

Hikitsuko backed up and looked like he was about ready to run, but Sasuke was faster. He grabbed the fox and plunked him into the water. The tiny cub floundered and squealed frantically. The boy sighed as he placed his knee under the flailing limbs. "I'm not going to let you drown," he growled. "Hold still!"

He balanced the frightened fox on his kneecap for a few minutes. Hikitsuko's struggles gradually slowed as he realized that, in fact, the water was not trying to kill him, and he was quite safe. Finally, he was still, staring at the water intently. He pushed his muzzle under and blew a few bubbles. Sasuke laughed softly. "What do you think you're doing?"

He reached out and grabbed a bar of soap. Hikitsuko sniffed the white soap curiously. Sasuke lathered up his hands and started to scrub. Dust, dirt, and he couldn't say what fell away from the fox's body and stained the water. Hikitsuko, who had discovered how to tread water, but was still perched on Sasuke's knee, mewed with pleasure. The youth shook his head wonderingly. "See, it wasn't all that bad. In fact, I bet you like it, don't you?" Hikitsuko squealed happily.

This little fox is going to drive me mad, Sasuke thought, frowning. The more time I spend with him, though, the more I can't resist him. It's like he knows something I don't know, and he's bent on keeping that secret from me. He's almost like...Like...Like Naruto...

Hikitsuko dived from his knee without warning, plunging underwater like an otter. Sasuke waited for him to surface, somewhat amused. In a spray of bubbles, the now-snowy muzzle poked up from the water, something dark clenched in it. Sasuke lifted the fox up. "What did you find for me?" he asked.

The chain of the bath-plug. Sasuke almost laughed. "I guess you're telling me you're finished bathing," he teased. "All right, I'll take that as an answer." He picked up the tiny fox and stood. Grabbing a towel from the counter, he wrapped Hikitsuko up in its folds and left the bathroom. The fox kit grumbled angrily at the manhandling, but was otherwise compliant.

Uchiha Sasuke sat down on the floor of his room and released Hikitsuko. He gathered up two handfuls of towel and started to rub vigorously. The fox squeaked and yipped in protest, struggling under the brisk rubbing. Sasuke ignored it. The friction would help stimulate circulation and do good for him. When he had finished, Hikitsuko looked like an orange, stringy-furred puffball, but the fur standing on end was clean and brightly-colored. Hikitsuko's undermuzzle and belly shone pure white. His paws were dark, and dark socks extended up his legs.

Actually, he was kind of cute when he was clean.

He smells so much better now, too. Sasuke's stomach rumbled mutedly with hunger, as did Hikitsuko's. The two looked at each other as if sharing secret messages with their eyes. Sasuke stood up, gathering the cub up in one hand. "If you're going to partner up with me," he said sternly, "you've got to put on some weight." 'Weight' doesn't cover it. You'd have to double your size just to be healthy!

He stopped in the kitchen and set Hikitsuko down gently on the floor. Foxes were opportunistic feeders. They would eat whatever they could catch between their teeth. However, he really didn't think it would be good if his new friend ate just anything. He pulled a bit of this and that out and set a bit of it down in small bowls on the floor. Hikitsuko approached each dish and sniffed it over carefully before taking a nibble. Sasuke sighed and grabbed a bowl of ramen for himself.

"You know, I think this could actually work," he mumbled around the hot noodles in his mouth. "It'll take some time to get you used to fighting, but once you do, I think you've got potential, Hikitsuko." The fox looked up at the sound of his name. "I'm not doing anything tomorrow. How about you and I start working on pulling together then?"

Hikitsuko, his mouth ringed white with milk, barked happily. Sasuke nodded. "All right. Tomorrow it is, then."

;-:-;-:-;

"Oh, no you don't. You sleep there."

The boy grasped the fox around his bony middle and plunked him down on the folded towel on the floor. Just as he was leaning back, Hikitsuko jumped up and back onto his bed. Sasuke growled in frustration as he dropped the fox kit back onto the makeshift bed. "Hikitsuko, I know this might be hard for you to understand, but you don't sleep with me, okay? You're not that special, okay? Despite what you may think, you aren't welcome in my bed. Sleep in your own."

Hikitsuko whined, and Sasuke rolled over. "No," he said plainly. "I'm not listening to you. There is nothing wrong with your bed, fox. It won't kill you to sleep on the floor, so sleeping on a towel shouldn't harm you." The fox whimpered pitifully, but Sasuke ignored it and turned off the light.

Hikitsuko waited, calculating the right moment, waiting for his one chance to make his move. He pricked up his ears to hear that critical point when Sasuke's breathing slowed in sleep. He scanned the terrain between the towel and the bed to make sure his leap was perfect. When the time was right and the conditions perfect, he sprang.

Sasuke grunted and shifted slightly, but did not wake up. Hikitsuko made himself comfortable on the soft mattress and cuddled up beneath the boy's chin. He sighed a foxy sigh and closed his eyes. The two slept on until morning. Then and only then would Uchiha Sasuke realize the consequences of underestimating his pint-sized companion.