A Chance
Disclaimer: Same as Before… I don't own Naruto only Sumire, Sora, Sayori, Taka and Tsuki… sadly enough… MOVING ALONG! XD
Chapter One: The Years Before… (Ten Years Before)
Orochimaru was dead, Itachi was gone, and the village was safe. That was all that really mattered to the village of Konoha. The biggest threats to them were away, hopefully one would never return and cause a problem. Peace was in the air, well as much as there could be considering that the village's loudest ninja was back home from his mission.
The loud and whiskered cheeked blonde had made it to Jounin class and happily served Tsunade who was still the current Hokage. He was also pleased that his fellow teammate Sasuke had made it as well. Sasuke was lucky since the Elders were not pleased with his actions to obtain more power, since it threw the village into chaos.
His other teammate Sakura has finished her training underneath Tsunade and was a full time medicnin. The cherry haired girl had also given up on Sasuke only after threes years of trying and was now happy with Lee. They were both planning on marriage and starting a family. Of coruse Sakura had forced some changes onto the wild leaf ninja.
There were other merry things going on with his other friends. Ino and Shikamaru had hooked up, after much controversy on Ino's part. Hinata shocked everybody who knew of her large crush on Naruto, when she fell for the rambunctious Kiba, much to his pleasure. Neji didn't fail to react harshly to her decision, but changed his mind not to long afterwards as someone came along that was for him. Despite the chaos they both caused, the village was forced to clean out a ton of sand before they admitted anything. The others found there own others or decided to remain alone for a longer period of time.
Like Sasuke and Naruto. Everyone understood why Naruto was unable to find someone for him and him alone. Someone who didn't care about the demon he housed to protect the village. They didn't understand Sasuke though. After all he was the Uchiha heir and needed to restore his clan.
It was on this return of Naruto's that things were set in motion for them both. All of it revolved around the Kyuubi as well. There was also the own abilites that Naruto himself inhierited from his father and mother from being a member of the Uzumakis.
It seemed as though every person in the village groaned as news reached them about the return of Naruto. The rambunctious ninja had finished a mission that required him to hunt down a missing nin. With him returned Sasuke and the other members of his new team. They just weren't as loud as he was about everything. The minute they step foot through the gates, the energetic blonde shouted a hello at the top of his lungs.
They were all eighteen now, no longer the small children like before. Naruto showed signs of becoming a little more easy on the eyes. He shot up and grew in height and his muscles were toned and his baby fat gone. His tan was darker and made his blonde hair and blue eyes stand out even better. There were other changes as well. Ones related to Kyuubi. His whisker like scars were deeper and longer and he now had a more noticeable set of fangs. He had also discarded the bright orange and blue outfit for one that was mainly black, but still had orange on it. More subtle though.
Sasuke was still taller than the blonde, he was also still slender and pale. He wore his hair the same way with the rooster tail in the back. He had stopped wearing the high collared shirts and settled with a bluethirt that still had the red and white fan on the back. Everything else was the same.
They made their report to Tsunade, after trying to shut the blonde up as he yelled insults at her, resulting in an all out brawl between the two and making the whole meeting last longer than necessary.
She rustled some papers on her desk after having dismissed them from her office. All except Naruto. He sat in the chair, looking uneasy as she glared at him. She sighed and rubbed her temples to relax and calm herself as she gave him the news he was waiting for.
"Do you know why I asked you to stay behind?" She asked him, grinning as his head shot up.
"Not really… since there isn't much I have done since I just got back."
"Well… I have news for you Naruto. And not good news either. After much debate with the elders, they declined again on making you my successor." She watched with anger and sympathy as she saw tears rise in his eyes.
Naruto bravely held back his tears and demanding questions of why. Knowing full well why they didn't want this to happen. He bit his tongue and fought back the tears he promised to never have fall. "I-I-I figured as much Tsunade-baba. After all I house the dreaded Kyuubi…" He forced out a luagh, choking slightly on his constricted throat.
Tsunade sighed and reached out to him. After walking out from behind her desk of course. A hand rose and ran through his unruly blonde hair and held him close to her. "I'll keep fighting them for you ok? I promise I won't stop until they allow it. There was something else I need to ask you."
Naruto shook in her arms, feeling a few tears break loose and slide down his cheek. He returned the embrace, finally forcing his emotions back into control. After all, the Great Uzumaki Naruto never cired. He leaned back and looked up at her.
"What is it?"
Tsunade smiled warmly at him, wiping away the faint tear tracks. "Will you tell me if anything werid starts to happen to you? Something you think might be the result of Kyuubi. Since your birthday and official day to turn 18 is coming up?"
He blinked in confusion. "Yeah… I'll let you know."
"Good. Now I want you to take a brake this next few days before you go on your next mission in transporting a visiting noble back home. Ok? And remember… Daily Reports!"
Naruto nodded, everything else forgotten as his cheerful grin returned and he bounded out of the Hokage's office and out of the tower. He had paused on his way out to pay a visit to the happy Sakura as she was busy helping out some young ninjas with their wounds from a certain stray cat.
Needless to say, he felt a bit free at the moment, despite the news he received from Tsunade. He kicked at a pebble in the street as he headed towards Ichiraku's to drown his emotions in a bowl of ramen.Well, more like drown himself into a bowl of ramen.
"Stupid elders…" He mumbled as he kicked the pebble into the air and froze when he heard a thud followed by a growl from up ahead. He looked up from the ground to see he had accidentally hit Sasuke on the head. Eyes widened slightly, but returned to normal, despite the look sent in his direction.
"Dobe…" He growled as he headed towards the blonde, a look of death on his face. Sasuke was still slightly annoyed by a group of girls that flocked all over him a few minutes before. He seemed to have noted they were younger ninja, but a whole lot braver than the girls his own age.
Naruto gulped as he readied himself for a punch. Then realized he was called a name, even though he was always called that. He growled back and shouted. "NOT MY FAULT YOU CAME OUT OF NO WHERE TEME!"
Sasuke smirked. "Really now? I thought you just needed to relearn how to look in front of you." Sasuke inwardly smiled at the blonde, enjoying the ability to push all the wrong buttons. He found it odd that it somewhat calmed him to tease him, but shrugged it off like a lot of other things he just ignored.
"I DON"T NEED THIS FROM YOU RIGHT NOW OK!" The Kyuubi vessel shouted and shoved past him as he felt other odd emotions get riled up inside him. Mainly his anger and hurt from before. With it came memories of the villagers taunts when he was little, the realization he'd always be alone. Except for the dear friends he held with him now.
Sauske watched as the blonde stormed off, wondering to himself what had bit him in the ass to react like that. He pondered the look on Naruto's face and blinked as confusion flitted across his mind. "Were those tears in his eyes?"
They were in fact. As he stormed off he wiped at his leaking eyes with his sleeve, walking past Ichiraku's and heading towards the academy to complain to Iruka, half way there though he recalled that his favorite teacher might be busy with Kakashi. He sighed and turned instead towards his apartment. Not seeing the look of shock on Ayame's face as he passed the stand twice without stopping for a bowl.
A few villagers looked at him with disgust as he walked past, some acted as though he weren't really there since he wasn't around any friends. He made it safely without getting hit or yelled at, pleased that the villagers weren't going to bother with him today.
He opened the door to his home and looked at the mess he left behind. Groaning he unpacked his stuff and set about picking up his pigsty of a home. When he was done he cooked himself a dinner of eggs and toast, oddly he wasn't in the mood for ramen that night. He ate his food while watching his new TV set he had bought once he was able to afford one. And also buy one that worked properly, he swore that was the hardest buy he'd ever had to make so far.
It wasn't till he was finished that he wished for someone to be near him, that Kyuubi had decided to pester him. This had started a few years ago, after the fight he had with Sasuke. Back then it was only every now and again, but now the demon would talk to him for hours, sometimes causing the poor blonde to be unable to sleep.Taunting him, whispering lies into his mind, enjoying the pain it brought to him.
"Well now kit… do you still wish to remain in this village? After all they seem determined to not let you fulfill your dreams."
"Shut up… I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now."
"I'm afraid you have no choice little one. For as you can see I live inside you. Therefore I can talk whenever I feel like it."
"Hmph…" Naruto pouted, causing the kitsune to laugh, swishing about his nine tails.
"Amusing… always never cease to amaze I see…" Naruto sighed and tried to bat him away from his mind and focus on relaxing and going to sleep. He needed rest after the mission. He had to use a good deal of chakra in order to locate the ninjas. The battle was quick for the missing nin didn't stand a chance against his team. But the little bastard sure knew how to hide and run.
"I've come to warn you about what should happen on your birthday. And also taunt you with it." Kyuubi laughed.
"Well… out with it so I can rest." He snarled, getting impatient.
"Well… on the night
of your birthday you will feel compelled to take a mate for your own.
In whatever manner deemed
necessary."
"WHAT!" Naruto yelled, making the fox flinch at the noise. "I don't think so! I'll lock myself up and make sure no one comes near me. Since the only way that would happen is if it was rape! I DON"T DO RAPE!" He panted softly as he looked around his apartment, realizing he was talking out loud. "Besides, why in the world will that happen?" He whispered softly.
Kyuubi grinned, bearing all his sharp teeth to him. "As you may know we've slowly merged over the years. I'll slowly vanish and leave you forever, like this, but become a part of you. Its how the seal works. With also this act of merging you will take on some of my traits. For instance your whiskers are deeper now and more like mine. Your pupils are actually turning slitted, just not noticeably. You've also taken on the urge to mate at your coming of age."
Most of what was being said went unheard as Naruto sat in his seat, foaming at the mouth. He snapped out of it and looked scared shitless. "You're fucking kidding me! I can't become you! I can't do something like that! I never want to do something like that!"
"Tsk tsk tsk. But you will, believe it or not. Since another part that is you will take into effect as well. One you inheirited from your family. I won't reveal the exact details as of yet however." Kyuubi snickered.
"Great… just when one thing goes bad a whole other set of things go bad." He mumbled and rubbed his forehead after moving the hitai-ate. "Just what I need now with my small chance at a break from these missions."
"If you ask me, it's not all that bad. In fact it'll be great fun for me to watch and observe."
"HENTAI!" Shouted Naruto and blocked the fox out. He looked to the clock and realized that conversation had taken a long period of time and it was nearing midnight. "Now for some sleep…" He muttered with a yawn in between it. Growling animatedly as he readied for bed and what the next day was going to bring to him.
He crawled into his bed and curled up under the covers, slipping into a deep sleep and therefore blocking out the Kyuubi fully.
xXx
Sauske, after the brief confrontation with Naruto, still stood in the same spot. He had picked up the pebble that hit his head earlier and then where the blonde had stormed off. His eyes narrowed as he stalked off towards his own home. Flipping the pebble around into the air, thinking to himself.
"What the hell was it that ticked him off so much. He actually bit my head off…" He fought back an uncharacteristic snicker. It was quiet amuseing to see that act of true emotion from the blonde. He was aware, somewhat, of what he might be going through. He didn't fail to notice the village's treatment towards him. Since he had to chase the blonde through the village once on Kakashi's orders.
"It looks like I'll have to dig up the reason. Or else our next mission will be tougher than usual." He sighed as he opened the door to his home and walked straight towards his room. He stripped down to his boxers, going through the nightly routine, one that wasn't disrupted by the little chance he had to wind down while on a mission.
"That's going to be hard considering who he is." He yawned behind a pillow as he layed out on his bed and sleep started to claim him. "I'll start my plan tomorrow and have some fun with him…" He didn't realize what he fully said as his breathing evened out and his eyes closed to enjoy his slumber after a few days hard work.
(Next Day)
Two Days Before Naruto's Birthday
Naruto awoke the next day, feeling refreshed and pleased. He had planned to visit Iruka and Kakashi and check up on Kiba and Hinata. He showered with cold water since the heater was broken again and quickly got dressed. He brushed his teeth and grabbed some toast as he ran out the door.
He laughed as he already found Konohamaru and the gang ready for him. "Why if it isn't you three! What have you been up to?"
"We've been waiting for you boss! We have great news for you!" Replied Moegi and Udon as Konohamaru nodded.
"Well… what could this good news be?" He asked, slightly unsure of what they had planned for him.
"We start our classes with Iruka-sensei tomorrow!" They all shouted in unison. Naruto grinned and patted each one on the head, pleased with this news.
"That's great you guys! Do your best ok? Iruka-sensei can be a tough one to crack!" They all grinned together and followed him as he walked towards Iruka's.
"Of coruse we will! After all I need it in order to become the next Hokage!" Yelled Konohamaru as he struck an arrogant pose and ran off. Moegi and Udon followed suit after hugging the blonde and leaving him at the door. Holding back laughter as the unbalanced Konohamaru tripped on ihs scarf once more.
He shouted a goodbye to them as well, his heart heavy at what Konohamaru had shouted. At least the little rascal would get his wish... hopefully. Naruto sighed and knocked on Iruka's door, slapping a grin on his face as he heard two groans and thuds as Kakashi and Iruka fell out of the bed they were sharing.
He laughed as a disheveled Iruka appeared at the door and heard Kakashi's snorts of laughter behind him. "Heya Iruka-sensei! Came to tell you about the mission."
Iruka glared at him as best he could with the large blush across his face. "Welcome back Naruto. How was your mission?" He asked, refusing to open the door and let his student inside. Naruto pouted, but understood his teacher's unwillingness to let him inside.
"Good, it was like any other. Just thought to ease your worry by popping in. Seeing how you are busy with Kakashi-sensei I'll leave you…" He snickered again, making his teacher blush even deeper.
"Aww… c'mon Naruto… you're embaressing me!" He laughed and rubbed the back of his head, freezing up as the lazy, one eyed Kakashi appeared beside him.
"Yo Naruto!" Cheered the lazy jounin. "Nice to see you are well after all the chakra I heard you had used up.
"Well… the damn bitch was freaking hard to locate." He snarled and grinned. "I'll tell you more later at Ichiraku's during lunch. That's if you two aren't busy!" Naruto left with a puff of smoke leaving behind two flustered ninja. Iruka slightly annoyed since he couldn't tell Naruto that he was going to be busy, not with Kakashi, but with preparing for his future class.
"I'd say something happened when he returned…" Muttered Iruka as he closed the door, finding it hard to focus as agile hands played across his chest and a mouth suckled on his neck. Kakashi enjoying his lover's tense body while Iruka had to try and stay focused enough to hear what Kakashi had to say.
"I heard about it from Tsunade. Apparently the Elders haven't budged yet." He received a sigh from Iruka as he turned and nuzzled into Kakashi's naked chest. He shook as he felt tears fall freely for his beloved student. Helplessly beating fists on Kakshi's chest and cursing with each smack against flesh. Kakashi stood, calmly taking the small abuse, not letting go of the smaller man against him.
"I just wish he could find someone to help him with Kyuubi and also accept him. Besides the only true adults in his life." Kakashi patted his back and shushed him.
"I have a feeling things will be ok once Tsunade beats it into their heads that Naruto has proven himself worthy countless times."
Iruka sighed. "I hope you're right for once. For kami's sake I hope you're right."
Kakashi just nodded and lead him to the bathroom and shoved him inside the running shower, despite the fact he was still wearing some clothing. A screech greeted his ears and deafened him slightly. When a hand reached out of the hot steam he let out his own yell of shock as he was pulled under the water as well. Both had enjoyed that morning shower and the things it brought.
xXx
Kiba was outside his home with Akamaru at his side. He had a large grin on his face as he counted out a litter of puppies before him. Hinata was inside happily making a breakfast and preparing the dog's food as well. Both were happier than they had ever been and both enjoying their days together.
"Kiba… what should I give them all today? Beef or chicken?" She called out through a window as she looked at the large cupboard full of various dog foods. Her voice still hinting at her slight shyness, but it grew stronger everyday as she grew more sure of herself with Kiba's help.
"What do you say Akamaru?" Kiba asked his best friend. Akamaru looked at him, tilting his head to the side and yipping twice. He smirked and laughed. "Today they all want chicken."
"All of them!" She wailed in despair as she readied every dog a bowl of wet dog food. Using her chakra she was able to carry out each bowl along with their own food. "Well, breakfast is served!" She cheered with bowls balanced out along her arms and soulders and their own food resting on her head.
Kiba grinned and rushed to help her, grabbing most of the dog food and placing it on the ground. Slowly revealing his wife underneath the layers of bowls. "Thanks! I was getting extremely hungry." He kissed her on the cheek and took his food and sat in a chair on their front lawn. Pulling one out for her as well.
"I figured as much, which is why I cooked some steak as well." She blushed as she ate a piece of her omeltte after sitting next to him. He didn't say anything as he cut his steak, placing a chunk on her plate with a warm smile. Hinata looked at him and sighed, showing this was a new battle they had going between each other.
"Steak! Eat! Good for you!" He cheered in his mock caveman voice and quickly ate it all before Akamaru could steal what was left for himself. Hinata laughing freely as she then preceeded to place a healthy helping of fruit salad on his. She was about to speak, but paused. Kiba did as well and they both listened.
Kiba blinked as he heard a poofing sound and found himself face to face with Naruto. "OI! Watch it you crazy…" He shouted, stopping the roll of curses as he caught the look on Hinata's face. He groaned, sending a glare before finishing the fruit salad off.
He was silenced further as Naruto flicked his nose and leapt backwards and landed next to Hinata. "I came to visit you guys. I heard things are going really well in paradise." He elbowed Hinata softly in the side with a large foxy grin. Enthralled to watch her face go up in the flames of her blush. Kiba seemed to sputter after he recovered from the nose flicking.
"Whatever do you mean…?" She asked with barely any stumble as her blush grew. Playing around what he meant when he elbowed her in the side.
"I'm talking about the baby! I may have been gone long, but not that long you guys!" Naruto cheered, catching on fast and looked proud of them both. Kiba's face seemed to glow with his own pride, but was quickly wiped off and Hinata just rubbed her hidden belly lightly.
Kiba flustered and Hinata blushed even more. "Yeah… its true… Hinata's expecting sometime near the end of the year." Kiba rubbed the back of his head, running his hands through his thick hair.
Akamaru nodded, yipping in his own excitement. Naruto sat down on the ground between the two. He had a large smile on his face. "I still can't believe the both of you got together. I thought Kiba wouldn't wind up with any one considering his unhealthy obsession with dogs." He yelped as fist met with the top of his skull. Rubbing the now sore spot Naruto pouted abit but didn't start their famous shouting matches. They weren't however as famous of the ones he could have when he was against Sasuke. But those didn't seem to count a whole lot since Sasuke didn't speak the entire time he was yelled at.
"For your information Naruto there were other woman who wanted me." Kiba tried, trying to play off as though all the girls were hot over him and not Sasuke.
"In your dreams mutt!" Naruto muttered, laughing as Hinata actually glared at Kiba, and was holding his sides as Kiba whimpered and tried to explain himself.
"Why you…!" Kiba yelled as he realized he got pulled into a trap set by Naruto.
Hinata sighed as a fight broke out between the two of them, causing the puppies to start their own wrestling matches in innocent glee. She watched and then smiled warmly to herself as she realized things were only going to get much louder with her own child along the way.
"Umm… guys… can you… maybe stop… please?" She spoke softly, unsure of how to stop two men from acting like they were still twelve.
The two froze, Naruto on the top with one hand ontop of Kiba's head, the other pinning one of Kiba's arm. He had Kiba's other hand grasped in his mouth where he had bit him. Kiba had some form of hold as well for one knee was jabbed up into Naruto's stomach and the other dangerously close to going into his groin.
"Sorry about that dear…" Kiba muttered from around Naruto's hand, licking his palm and making the blonde jump off of him in disgust.
"Sorry Hinata… got carried away." Naruto apologeized, rubbing the back of his head again. He looked at the slobbered on hand, made the infamous "eww" face and wiped that hand on the back of his pants.
"It's no problem to me if you guys do it, but you have both set a bad example for the puppies." She pointed to the separate fights between the puppies and a worried Akamaru trying to stop them all. Dodging swiftly as two of them brought their fight towards her legs.
"Eh… hey you guys knock it off!" shouted Kiba, causing all the puppies to pause and look at him. They all grinned and pounced on Kiba and knocked him to the ground and preceeded to wrestle with him instead.
Naruto turned to face Hinata. She looked up with a sigh and placed a hand on his arm. "So, tell me about the mission."
"Nothing much to tell really. We had to hunt down a ninja kinda like all the others and either convince her to return or kill her. She was a tough one to locate, I almost had to use to much of my chakra to find her." Naruto turned to the side. "When we found her I begged her to return to the village. Hoping she would agree, telling her only death awaited her if she left. She looked up at me and laughed. And said, 'What's the point of a return when your unwanted…' Then she killed herself with her own kunai. What she said kinda hurt me though. Such a young ninja full of great promise, couldn't find the will to keep living because of the blame some of the villagers put on her."
Hinata rubbed his arm, seeing the look in her old crush's eyes. "Naruto. Not everyone is strong. Not like you. They always give up sooner or later. But you can carry on their memory and pain and stop it when you do reach your goal. I think that also fuels your will to live even though everyone in the village despises you."
"I know Hinata. I know, but it still hurts me. The problem is I may never obtain my goal. Not at this rate, not with the fear the elders have. I was actually thinking of being satisfied with jounin level." He muttered, feeling his mixed emotions arise once again.
"Don't. Tsunade may not have told you, but half of the elders will allow you to become the next Hokage. The other half are the more influential elders and are harder to turn. If you wait you'll get your dream." She unknowingly pleaded with him, wanting to see that he made it to his goal and not give up.
"You're right Hinata." He hugged her, feeling better for having talked to her. He tousled her short hair and heard Kiba grunt at him. "Thanks for making me feel somewhat better. I'll leave you with Kiba now! I'm off to Ichiraku's!"
Hinata smiled and waved as the hyperactive ninja left her and Kiba. Both were silently questioning his will now to saty focused on his goals. They hugged and hearded the puppies and went inside to ready for their plans for that day. Both seeking to ease this new discomfort they felt.
xXx
Sasuke woke near 11:00 after much laziness on his part to wake up. He yawned and showered in his silent apartment, grabbed a random fruit and left his home. It was time to dig up Naruto's problem. He had of coruse heard about the elders denying him right to become Hokage. Yet he couldn't shove off that something else was troubling the blonde ninja. Something deeper. Something more related to Kyuubi. Don't ask how he figured that to be the case... he just... felt it.
His curiosity taunted him to find out what it was. Thus he found himself sitting on a stool at the ramen stand where Naruto single handedly seemed to keep them alive. He smirked at Ayame and told her he was waiting for a certain dobe to arrive. She just nodded, feeling slightly dazed at seeing Konoha's favorite ninja sitting at the tiny stand.
It wasn't a long wait since it was lunch time and Naruto always ate lunch here if not on a mission. Well he always ate here sooner or later, mission or not. Naruto arrived and took a seat next to him. Loudly he ordered a miso ramen and looked over to Sasuke. His eyes in slight suprise and hinting at his caution and unease around him.
"What are you doing here?" He asked him as he eagerly awaited for his bowl. Proving that he really couldn't stand waiting the time needed to cook the noodles.
Sasuke lightly shook his head and ordered himself a shrimp bowl and turned to face the idiotic teen. "I can eat here if I wish to dobe." He spoke in his emotionless, monotone voice.
A vein popped in Naruto's head at being called a dobe. Again. He huffed and crossed his arms across his chest and looked the other way. "If you want me to apologeize for yesterday, think again teme."
"I didn't actually." Sasuke replied. the look he was given stunned him slightly. The suprise and relief in the blonde's face was nice, it relaxed him slightly at seeing the true emotions of the blonde. He didn't know the others were false either... it just felt like they were. He felt dissapointed when the face was swept clean of the emotion.
If it was possible, Naruto's jaw would have plopped down onto the ground in complete and utter shock. He quickly composed himself and narrowed his eyes at the dark man next to him. Carefully and subtly feeling out the ground he was about to step out upon. Wincing as a sharp pain laced across his chest and abdomen. Not emotional, but physical pain. He knew Sasuke saw that wince, but he didn't say anything and Naruto shrugged it off.
"Then what for?"
"I want to know what the hell is wrong with you." Sasuke gritted out. Not realizing he could have been talking about that wince or something else entirely. He wasn't prepared as an emotionally high strung Naruto gave him his reply.
Naruto laughed. "You want to know what is wrong with me! That's a laugh! The high and mighty Uchiha wants to talk to the village idiot out of free will." He had no idea why he reacted that way towards Sasuke. He figured it was some form of mechanism in him that lashed out harshly when he felt threatned or things went wrong. And things had felt wrong a few seconds ago.
"I'm serious dobe. I've never seen you act that way before. Not on that scale." Sasuke whispered softly.
Sasuke looked at his teammate, Naruto's head was lowered so that he was hidden by his blonde hair. The bowl of ramen he ordered was set before him, but he hadn't touched it or seemed to notice. Sasuke noted that then realized he had his own bowl along the way as well.
"It's nothing for you to worry about. Don't you have better things to do?" Naruto grumbled, still hidding his face as he fought with himself, also wincing again as that pain laced through the same spots once more. Then he caught the brief flare of Kyuubi's chakara, felt his body grow slightly heated before it seemed to cool again.
"Actually I don't." He ate a bite of his own noodles. "And yes it is something for me to worry about. You're my teammate and it is important that I know what's wrong with you."
"…" Naruto stayed silent as he took a bite. Feeling slightly sick as the ramen seemed to not appeal to his taste buds. Naruto had never rejected the taste of ramen. Sasuke didn't notice the rejected noodles, Naruto did and realized he had to tell Tsunade that something was going to be going down because of Kyuubi. That something he was warned about last night.
Sasuke sighed and set down his chopsticks. "I heard about the elders denying you again. You know you still have a chance?"
"I know teme… Hinata told me." Naruto snarled. "Does everybody know that!" He shouted to himself.
"She did, did she?"
"Yeah."
"That's not everything on your mind." He smirked knowingly at the look on Naruto's face as he took a few more bites.
"How would you know?" Naruto stammered as his face reddened.
"I know because I've been stuck beside you for so long dobe. So will you spill the beans?" Sasuke did feel relaxed and found he was speaking the truth. He probably knew more about Naruto than Naruto's favorite sensei, Iruka.
"I can't tell you… even if I wanted to…"
"Really now? In any case, care to spar and get things off your mind? And to also get the Naruto I know back." He smirked as he finished off his ramen and paid Ayame.He knew he couldn't push, instinctively he knew that. He also knew he loved the look on Naruto's face now more than any other look the Kyuubi vessel gave him before.
"Sasuke… I don't feel like it. Maybe tomorrow?" He asked as Kyuubi made himself known again. Whispering things into Naruto's mind, making the poor young man unable to think straight.
"Well I'll be. Yeah, that's one of the ones I know for sure you'll jump on the night of your birthday. Namely tomorrow night."
"EWW! He's a guy! I can't possibly do that with him!"
"Maybe, maybe not, but I can also sense the poor fellow has a thing for you. Despite how heavily he's buried it. It'll all get released eventually…" Kyuubi laughed.
"I need to get away. Better yet... I'll leave the village till this passes."
"Don't even think about it. If you do, he'll just chase after you and you'll subcumb even quicker than before."Of course Kyuubi had lied right their, but Naruto's unease lead him right into what he wanted the blonde to think.
Naruto shivered as he paid and left the stall quickly. Before Sasuke could even utter a word to him, he just left. He shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck, silently noting that the dobe had left behind a full bowl of ramen. Naruto however, headed straight towards Tsunade to demand some help from her. How he needed to demand for answers she seemed to have hinted at knowing last night.
xXx
Tsunade sat in the chair behind her desk. A cat-like grin on her face as she stroked the smooth surface of her sake bottle. She had finally found her chance to sneak a few cups before anyone was supposed to come into her office. A few cups wouldn't hurt right? She had carefully filled the cup and had it placed in her hands, ready to sip the delicous rice wine... then it was gone. Right before she could get even one tiny drop. It was now held in the hands of one of her workers. She sighed in defeat and ran a hand through her hair.
A loud bang shot through the large room as doors burst open and revealed a panicked blonde teen. Tsunade actually jumped in freight and clung to her sake-thief before she recalled herself. She coughed into her hand and released the poor man and kicked him out of the room. She glared at her intruder who held a large knowing grin on his face.
"Wow... never thought an old lady could still be like that..." He teased her, barely dodging a stack of flying books and pencils. He yelped when he felt his foot get hit by a dictionary and sent Tsunade a glare.
Tsunade was grinning at the look on Naruto's face. It may have seemed mean, but it was in fact just proof of how the two felt about each other. She was slightly appalled when a flash of pink darted from between Naruto's lips. Feeling the need to be immature she repeated the gesture in a childish sneer, earning a smile from the Kyuubi vessel.
"Well... what brings you here already Naruto? It's still kinda close to lunch." That was a lie since it was nearing three o'clock as they spoke. Lunch was over and Dinner was a few hours away. She sensed he didn't come to tease her or taunt her. She steeled herself for something being said about the Kyuubi. To wait until he was ready she decided to pick up some of her books.
Naruto seemed to think and withdraw into himself for a few seconds. Watching silently as she gathered things off the floor and took the ones he had picked up himself. "Tsunade-baba... it's the Kyuubi." He kicked his feet lightly, seeming more like a small child than ever before to her eyes.
Tsunade just nodded. Not reacting to what had seemed to become a pet name to her. A sign that he trusted her like he trusted Iruka. "I see. I figured something wasn't going to remain quiet much longer." She opened a drawer and pulled out another bottle and cup for sake, hidden underneath a thin board. She poured a cup and took a sip before continuing. "Can you tell me what it is?" She asked quietly while also setting up a shield from any eavesdroppers.
Naruto looked straight at her. Trying to find the words to say to her, to explain what was going to happen. What he didn't want to happen. What he didn't want the person it have it happened to, have to suffer. "You know how I'm turning a full 18 soon right?" He asked.
Tsunade nodded. "Of course I do. I could never forget that."
"You also know that Kyuubi and I are slowly merging into one being right?" He recieved another nod.
"Where is this going exactly Naruto?" She asked, worried and curious at the same time.
"According to Kyuubi... on the night of my offical birthday... I'll have to find a mate. Either by force or by a willing partner." Naruto looked at her, he seemed to look to her to find a way to help him. Prevent this event from happening. And it broke her heart since she couldn't prolong the event, she couldn't do what he wanted.
Tsunade hadn't really expected this one. She had expected like the seal becoming extremly weak or something else. Not THIS! It ate at her deeply that something like that could even have happened. She felt the rising of her rage as the words sunk in even further. If Naruto didn't have a willing partner that meant rape would be performed because of Kyuubi. The ground swayed slightly beneath her feet as she realized such acts would break the two who were forced into it. Naruto would probably suffer much worse than whoever became Kyuubi's choice mate.
"Tsunade-baba?" Came that terrified voice. It seemed to steady her ground again as she looked at the young man. "We have a problem I see. Naruto... I can't do much but promise this. When it is your birthday, please come to me before... 7:00. By then we could have a plan to prevent this from happening and get you out of the village."
Naruto nodded. Fear actually hidden inside his large blue eyes. "Alright... I will prepare until then." He bowed slightly, shocking tsunade before he stalked out of her office and out the tower.
"I hope he really does find a willing partner before his birthday, or his already willing partner makes a move. There really is nothing I can do against those primal urges Kyuubi would feed into Naruto's body..." She sighed, feeling tears pricking her eyes and drowned the rest of the sake she had left, letting those slaty drops fall freely.
xXx
Sasuke had spent his free time, buying food to restock his kitchen during their few days of break. Also so he'd be more prepared for the next one. When he had gone home and put all the food away he decided to head back out and try and find something else until he was ready to return to the empty place he called home.
Hands in his pockets and face looking straight ahead, he realized he missed the collared shirts where he could tilt his head slightly. He was nearing the tower in his mindless walk, not realizing that he was being drawn to Naruto. It wasn't till he heard that voice mixed with soft mewling sounds of kittens, that he realized where his feet had taken him.
After his meeting with Tsunade, Naruto had decided to shop for food himself when he passed this alley. Here he heard those soft cries for help and food. At once his big heart, however often it was crushed, reached out to the poor souls. He had stopped and was feeding each little kitten some of his fresh fish.
"Here you go little ones. Freshly bought fish. I think..." he really wasn't all to sure about that since he did buy it from a spiteful villager. That was when he realized Sasuke stood behind him, watching him converse to little kittens. He blushed and was about to flew and leave his grocceries behind.
Sasuke noticed the tensed muscles, letting him know he had planned to flee from him. He instantly grabbed Naruto's wrist and pinned him against the wall. His eyes full of a cold fire as he too, reached out to want to help those small kittens.
"Dobe. Finish what you started. I'll help, but those kittens need help." He growled out though gritted teeth.
Naruto was still slightly dazed. That pain from before laced through him again, his skin heating up slightly once more. He paled and shoved Sasuke off of him, gasping slightly. "Don't tell me what to do teme. I was jsut gonna get a box to carry them all in. Until you interfered." It was the truth. He was going to take the kittens home. Then he was going to make plans with Sakura to take care of them while he was away on missions.
"I see..." Sasuke released him and preceeded to strip off his shirt. "Carry your food. I'll carry the kittens for you. As long as I can help care for them. Mainly since I don't think a dobe like you can do it properly." He teased, gathering the kittens onto his shirt. Ignoring Naruto's raised eyebrow and the look on his face.
They were partially caused by this change in Sasuke, but also by Kyuubi's taunts inside his mind once again. "Fine..." He conceeded and just turned towards the direction his apartment was in. Leading the way unwillingly as he carried his meager amount of food home. Sasuke trailing behind, shirtless and glad no girl had spotted him walking behind Naruto.
Arriving at the apartment, Naruto fiddled with the keys and succeeded in opening the door to his home and leading his rival inside. He was inwardly glad that he cleaned up last night before bed, or else he'd be embaressed right now. Sasuke seemed to look at him over the squiriming bundle of kittens.
"Umm... you can just leave them over there..." He pointed to his couch in the small living room. The walls cracked and in need of fresh paint. Sasuke followed the finger wordlessly and carefully placed the bundle onto the couch. He then watched as one by one six kittens scrambled free from the folds, one remaining inside them.
Each one made him think of at least one person he knew. A vibrant rust colored kitten with flecks of white made him think of Gaara. A kitten the soft cream colored fur pinted pink reminded him of Sakura. Next to that one always seemed to be a black on with odd eyes, a small embodiment of Lee. The other kitten off to the side with white fuy and one eye missing, looking for all it was worth like Kakashi. Lastly there was the golden kitten with stunning eyes culred up on his shirt. That one was Naruto. This one when awake was the loudest and most active of them all. The seventh kitten, much to his dismay, had tinted blue black fur and reminded him of himself.
Naruto watched briefly as Sasuke admired, actually admired, each kitten. In his own HOUSE! He couldn't shake his disbelief as he put the food away and willing Sasuke to finish and leave him be to care for the kittens. Then he groaned as he recalled the fact that Sasuke said he was going to care for them as well since he was a 'dobe.'
He had to admit, that hurt him slightly. Like every other insult hurt him, every time he had to act stupid to just have people back off sightly and give him his needed space.
"Oi, teme... catch!" He called and threw over a can of food he had bought. He didn't pause to look at Sasuke as he hurriedly finished up the other minor cleaning in the small kitchen. Anything to really avoid going out there, mainly because he felt that flash of pain again and felt that wave of heat. He panted slightly, drinking some water before he recalled himself.
"Teme... would... you like something to drink?" He asked, leaning out in to the living room where Sasuke was having fun teasing the Naru-neko. He fed the others, but seemed to enjoy teasing the Naru-neko more. Of course Naruto didn't know that's what Sasuke saw in the small kitten. Just that Sasuke seemed to favor it over the others.
Sasuke turned to face him and nodded. "Just water."
Naruto nodded and filled one of the few glasses he had and finally came out and handed it to him. He was drinking a juice box, curling up on his sofa across from the couch while he just seemed to stare at nothing, wating for some sign Sasuke was going to leave. As if on cue, Sasuke stopped playing with the kittens and turned to face him.
"Well... since they are well fed and happy, it's time that we talked."
Naruto sighed and sent Sasuke a glare. "No. I didn't agree to that. I just agreed to you helping with the kittens since I can't be trusted." He snapped more viciously than normal. It had actually made Sasuke flinch and raise an eyebrow in silent question.
"Well I'm saying you will answer my question dobe. What's going on?"
"Again nothing..." He got cut off by another flash of pain and heat, each coming closer together. He gritted his teeth and relaxed them.
"That's not a good answer and you know it." Sasuke snarled, growing irratated that Naruto was being just as stubborn as he was.
"Stop saying such uncharacteristic things! It's confusing me!" Naurto yelled jumping up.
Sasuke blinked and jumped up himself. "I don't care and what I am saying isn't uncharacteristic!"
"It so is. You're acting likt some jealous lover from one of Sakura's stupid romance novels."
Sasuke freezed. His heart thumping loudly in his ears, anger gratin at his mind. A felt something in the air and his body responding, but his mind screamed no, shutting all coherent thoughts. He stayed silent, fists balled at his sides, the dark bangs hiding his eyes from Naruto's view.
What he buried had risen again.It couldn't do this ti him. It would only bring pain to him later on, which was why he buried it. With Naruto silent and glaring at him and his emotion's in turmoil, in a raging storm deep within him. He snapped and with a loud roar grabbed his shirt, not realizing the Naru-neko was still attached and walked out the door.
"I will find out Naruto... so help me I will." He uttered from the threshhold and was gone.
Naruto stood there, slowly falling to the ground, feeling numb. He had actually lashed out at Sasuke, a true fight, to him. The little Sasu-neko wadled over and curled up in his lap, the others following suit. He rubbed each one thoughtlessly as it lessened the new flash of pain and heat, but this time with a deep need.
When it passed again, leaving him breathless, he felt to tired to move and feel asleep where he lay on the floor. The six kittens all over him acting as a blanket as Kyuubi haunted his dreams.
xXx
Sasuke left the apartment and left the main building and was shocked to find he had a hitch hiker clinging to his shirt. The little golden kitten mewled softly in his hand, the bright blue eyes filled with pain. Pain he realized he caused. It wrenched his heart and he nuzzled the small creature and sighed.
As he wandered his way back home he kept thinking to what happened. He sighed, recalling each emotion. He looked up to the sky and gave a great cry of frustration. "IT CAN"T HAPPEN!" He yelled, venting everything with it. His anger, hurt, and hopelessness. As if on cue, a light rain started to fall down upon him and the small kitten.
"It won't be able to happen I know it. That's why I buried it..." He seemed to speak to the little kitten protected in his hands. Those glittering eyes in understanding to the emotionally distraught young man.
"I love him more than a friend or sibling would. But there's no way my love would be returned. Naruto probably won't swing that way..."
The kitten mewled in protest at such a thought. Sasuke sighed. "Ok, so he may not mind after Kakashi and Iruka, but..." He paused. "I can guess to him, I'm just his rival in life... mothing more... nothing less."
He knew he was belittling himself with those words, but it was how he truly felt right there and then. How he always felt, despite burying it. The tired spirit and tired body, he willed himself home to dry the kitten more than himself and crawl into warm blankets and sleep. And he did, only to be troubled by supressed dreams and soft whispers from a shadow in the back of his mind. A shadow shaped just like Kyuubi.
TBC...
A/N: Well... how was that? XD Chappie 2 will be started on Saturday... from there we shall see when I finish it.
Hoped you enjoyed. Don't forget to check out the forum for this thread to ask any questions! Also don't forget to review now!