STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY

Sorry for the long delay. I just recently found out what was wrong with my unable to upload stories. It's MY PC... huhuhu... I have to use my mom's if I want to post stories... sigh oh well, but at least it's better than nothing right?

Thank you for the wonderful reviews!


Chapter 2

It could never be said that Uchiha Sasuke was craven, especially in battle. He was confident of his skills and knew how to exploit his enemies' weaknesses, thanks to his Sharingan. But Sasuke knew when enough was enough. He could never even dream to defeat the free spirit in front him. The Kyuubi who held so much knowledge and had infinite chakra. That and there was nothing in his training that stated how to fight a fifty foot fox.

The fight was unfair.

It didn't mean, however, that he wouldn't try. Shrugging his various aches away, Sasuke unsheathed his nameless sword and positioned it to a stop thrust it, running toward the Kyuubi.

"Hold, Uchiha Sasuke." came the command.

The boy found himself skidding sideways, raising dust devils. He did not know why, but his body hummed with energy not his own. He realized that his very own self had obeyed the order of the she-demon. Sasuke found himself pushed further into a quandary. The fox could easily command his doom and his body would follow. His grip on the katana tightened; knuckles turning a pallid hue.

Kyuubi peered at him not unkindly. "I believe this form is daunting. And you are nearly dead on your feet. It would be best to level the field."

No sooner had the word left the she-demon's mouth when the pale young man felt tingles running all over his body, as was before. For the first time since in what felt like eons to the ebony haired Shinobi, he was refreshed and renewed. His chakra reserves were full to overfilling.

"And as for me." the demon fox suddenly bayed. Energy crackled around her; mist and wind briefly obscuring her form. "This is acceptable is not?"

The she-demon stepped forward in her human form, clad in a simple pair of hose and long slitted tunic, altered for fighting. She still had her strawberry-blond colored ears and her delicate tails, as was six parallel whisker markings on her cheeks. Stretched to full height, she barely reached his chin. The she-demon looked helpless and fragile, with her tilted blue eyes, her small pert nose, full pink lips and that stubborn chin. Ragged sunshine hair framed her heart shaped face, falling in layers that brush against her nape. "Shall we begin?" her voice had lost its purring rumble. She widened her stance, placed her arms in front of her in a controlled semi-circle; her left arm open, palm to her eye level and her right guarding her middlle.

Sasuke smirked. He was intrigued by this elfin manifestation. Brushing his toes to form a small arch on the floor, he flew forward with a silent cry.

The slice that was to connect with a shoulder, met thin air, Kyuubi had stepped sideways and executed a sweep kick. Growling, the Uchiha flipped backwards, releasing kunai with explosive notes. He watched as his opponent dodged every single one.

"Katon: Gokakyou no Jutsu." He flittered through the necessary seals with practiced ease, watching as the Kyuubi raised a brow at the oncoming fire balls.

She threw a careless hand in the air and murmured. "Irrigo Are (1)." A stream of crystal clear water shot through from the ground, disintegrating the Katon. Kyuubi watched as the Uchiha activated his Sharingan. She understood that he wanted to know how she pulled the water wall without the rigmarole. The she-demon shook her head. She could Sense the desires that flooded the human's thought. He was not very careful in guarding them. There was on old addage for this such as this, Be careful what you wish for...

"Ventus.(2)" Criss cross blades of wind shot at the Uchiha, spinning as wildly as the tomoe in his garnet eyes. He flipped several times in rapid succession, not seeing the powerful little whirlwhind that rushed him from another angle, catching him off guard and tossing him upwards. Kyuubi smiled when her guest poofed into nothingness and she could feel the steel of his blade rushing at her from the side. She bent forward, whipping her foot into his head. This was one of her favorite moves, the Dragon Tail. She attacked the Uchiha with renewed vigor, going through different forms and patterns. The human retaliated with a different style of his own. The Sasuke she had been trading blows with disappeared after a critical hit, transformed into an exploding talisman. She tipped her head back and laughed as an erruption rocked the cave.

Several explosions, jutsus and shurikens later, Sasuke sunk to the ground, his already ruined clothing all but disintegrated. The Kyuubi had scored light wounds across his back, on his left arm, his thighs and a small scratch on his cheek. She was toying with him or handling him with utmost care so she wouldn't kill him. Either way, it rankled the Uchiha that he, one of the best warriors of the Leaf could barely graze her with any of his attacks. Kyuubi had performed only two of her weird jutsu while he had outspent his own arsenal. He was partially deaf and his Sharingan-assisted eyes were blurry with overuse. And the she-demon swaggered toward him.

Lifting his head with a roar, the human forced his legs and arms to move into the deathly sword dance. He shuffled to meet her, his katana glinting morbidly with the dying rays of the sun. This fool move would guarrantee the incapacitation of its victim as well as that of sword wielder, but Sasuke was fast running out of options. Sinking the sword into soft flesh, he performed the last Katon he was capable of, before he slumped wordlessly against his foe.

When Sasuke came to, the first thing he noticed was the unbearable heat. It didn't burn like fire nor scald like steam, but he felt like a thoroughly spitted duck (3). He groaned as he put a hand to his eyes, trying to massage away the vertigo. He squinted.

"Hi." a chipper voice greeted him. Sasuke turned toward the sound only to have his cheek poke itself upon an index finger. "You have been slumbering for so long, I began to fear you would not wake up."

The demon turned semi-human was observing him with wide curious eyes, her lower lip sticking out. "You have been recuperating for the last four days, if you must know. And you have stolen my bed."

"Nobody asked you to give it up." was the raspy reply. The human warrior tightened his abdominal muscles, pulling himself up to a seating position. It was then that he noticed that he wore not a stitch. He stared dumbly at his naked flesh, then at the bored she-demon humming random notes. He twitched at the indignity of it all. Here he was, laying on a raised earthen platform, inside a grassy bower, NAKED for FOUR days (96 hours, 5760 minutes and counting)!! The proof of his manhood flagging into the wind, displayed like... like... there were no words... and this FEMALE creature had been granted callous audience to members of HIS royal family.

Sasuke didn't know whether to die of shame or to purify the demon's eyes with a Katon Jutsu. No woman or girl, with the exception of his departed mother, had ever seen him unclothed.

The Kyuubi was treated to a most fascinating chameleon-like exhibition on the part of the human. The whole of skin turned to different shades of choleric red and magenta, then ashen gray to a ridiculous spotty purple."I had need to take your clothes off. The healing effects of my heat-spelled bower would have not been as effective otherwise. Is there something the matter? "

He sputtered, floundering into the nest and covering his essentials. He ignored the rattling voice in the back of his head that stated that his futile attempts at modesty came a bit too late.

"Why? Does this cause you discomfort?" She asked while roughly jabbing him in his crotch, making him wince. "Is it over sensitive to the heat? Does it ail you in anyway?"

Seeing as the concern on the she-demon's face was genuine, the Shinobi ignored her questions. "Can I have my clothes back? Right now?" he spat through gritted teeth.

A small, tan face pressed itself closer to his own. "Are you sure you are well? That appendage looks like it is not at all healthy;limp"

"DOBE!" he finally snarled, preventing her from finishing her sentence and further injuring his masculine pride. "Just get my clothes!"

"If it is your wish." was her stiff retort. "... no manners at all." She returned with new clothes: A simple white long-sleeved mao, coupled with an embroidered sash and black loose pants. "Your previous apparel is .. ah... inappropriate. I fashioned new clothes after its design. I hope it is to your liking."

The ninja peered down, refusing eye contact as he reached for his new clothes. "Thanks."

"If you wish to retain your dignity, there is a vanity and a dressing room over there." a snicker. "Though I believe it is not of any consequence as of now."

Taking her word, Sasuke plowed to the room and hastily put on his new wear. He really wanted to snarl at her for her teasing, but found himself uncomfortable in the face of it. Putting aside his embarrasment, he found his clothes comfortable and light; perfect for fighting, yet thick enough to regulate room temperature.

"These clothes are wonderful. Where did you get ?" Sasuke halted as he spied the Kyuubi prostrate before him, nine tails erect. "What the hell are you doing?"

Slitted red eyes were reproachful. "You have just destroyed the sancitity of the moment." She paused for a moment. "Ahem... you have defeated me in combat, Uchiha Sasuke . As was agreed, the boon of four wishes is yours to make. You may state them now or at a later date."

The Uchiha gathered his wits about him and thought it out. He knew he didn't win; couldn't win... And he didn't understand why a demon of her caliber would lose on purpose. Was this some sort of plot? or were there more evil consequences, he did not know of?

"I beg your pardon?!" she exclaimed thoroughly shocked. "I will tell you now, that I am bound by Words not as humans are. I cannot say a thing and not mean it. You won because you won. I have no secret agenda." Sasuke could see the Kyuubi forcefully calming herself. She bowed low and muttered bitterly. "The only outcome of making your wishes is that I would send you back to your tribe if you have made all four. Nothing more and nothing less."

She lifted her elfin face; her unflinching eyes never leaving his own.

Sasuke bit his lip, a little guilty but at the same time still cautious. "Just tell me why you let me win, then we'll leave it at that."

"Because you are a strong warrior who managed to injure me with cunning and power. None of the other humans could achieve that. And because... because..." she turned her head away, as if embarassed. "Because it is really wonderful having someone to talk with even for a short while..."

Knowing that it was an honest answer made Sasuke's cheeks flush red. He, too, looked away from her. He realized she was lonely. And his recent bout with the "alone-ness" made him more sympathetic to her plight. He observed her from the corner of his eye, his quick mind darting at possibilities.

She would be of better use if he brought her home. She could assess the problem herself, rather than him telling her a symptom and not getting rid of the source.

That and she was honest and strong... beautiful... and she didn't cling...

Making up his mind, the Uchiha came to a decision. "Can we redo the deal?"

"Yes..." the Kyuubi said slowly. "But always remember that there will be a price to pay. A fair price." She cocked her head to the side, puzzling over what the human wanted this time.

"In exchange for three of my wishes, I want to take you with me."

The Kyuubi blinked as if not hearing him, too stunned.

"Would you be my girlfriend?"

Sasuke would later slap himself for this. He didn't mean to ask her this at all. He just wanted the Kyuubi to not be lonely. It was repayment for her kindness and the clothes... Truthfully! But it seemed his mouth ran on its own. He couldn't rescind his words either. The cursed Uchiha pride wouldn't let him.

And that pride crumbled before her naive blue eyes.

"What's a girlfriend?" The Kyuubi finally asked.


Translations:

1 Irrigo Are Water

2 Ventus Wind

3 Sometimes Sasuke's hair reminds me of a duck's butt... actually it does most of the time.

Just a few friendly reminders: I'm still working on the plot of the story so it will take a while. Please don't pressure me into updating fast, because I want this story to be as perfect as possible. That and I have a new job and a newborn niece to care for. I have my hands full. I'll do my very best to update quickly.

Also, you guys will begin to see the "real Naruto" shining through real soon.

Please don't forget to review.