Insert pre-fight pg 1,
Author Notes: I am deeply sorry for not being able to update. I was in Switzerland for my winter break. I finally found inspiration yay! Anyway, new dramatic chapter.
It was around the four month mark when Naruto and Kiba had been assigned a relatively dangerous mission together. Tsunade merged teams seven and eight to pursue a team of rogue ninjas into foreign territory, the Land of Rice. Being one of Orochimaru's highest activity spots, the woman wasn't taking chances.
"You seven are to avoid detection as best you can," the woman stated. "These particular ninjas are very unpredictable. Once they're back behind bars, I'll rest easier. The last thing Orochimaru needs is their abilities. You leave in two hours. Go!" The seven darted of to their houses and began swiftly packing. Naruto and Kiba inwardly smiled. A mission together would lighten up the week. They gathered and swiftly set out. Kakashi and Kurenai seemed to head things, the blond and his boyfriend close behind.
"So the group we're up against consists of two ninjutsu specialists, a genjutsu user, and a weapons prodigy, how annoying," Kakashi spoke. "Our weapons expert, Takesho Liro, is a trap specialist, both in crafting and use. Henju is a very talented Earth Style specialist. Hakim is a strange one, using both fire and water type ninjutsus. And last, Juntaro, a genjutsu user whom I've never faced. I believe you, Kurenai, have the best chance at handling him." The woman nodded before telling them to get moving.
Kakashi eventually picked up on the trail, and the seven made their way to the outskirts of an opening. "Their camp is right ahead of us," he spoke quietly when they stopped. "If we stay hidden…" sharp rocks began spearing up from the ground ahead of them, so they all had to jump out to avoid them. "Stay sharp!" the man yelled. A smaller man appeared wearing gauntlets and holding a smoke bomb. He chucked it into the air, surrounding Naruto and the others in dark smoke. When everyone dove from the smoke, they were split into four groups: Naruto and Kiba landed in front of a slim, sleekly dressed, and prissy-looking man with silver hair and, were those blue tips? Akamaru landed with Kakashi in front of a much taller male. He was seven feet tall with excessively long arms. Dark hair seemed to rest almost flat against his head.
Kurenai landed alone in front of another wearing a navy blue kimono with a silver sash. He carried a katana, nothing else. "Hello dear," he spoke before beginning a series of hand signs.
"Genjutsu!" Kurenai spoke before readying herself. This was the famed genjutsu artist who they'd been warned of. "Enkai Kaito."
"Indeed," the man replied back before disappearing.
Sakura, Hinata, and Shino landed in front of the one who had thrown the original smoke trap. He ran off, and they decided to pursue.
"So, which one are you?" Kiba decided to ask as he readied himself. The older male just snickered.
"I'm the one you didn't want to face," he replied almost arrogantly. He flew threw a few signs before separating his hands. "Earth Style: Crawling Centipede," he declared. Another series of sharps rocks began springing from the ground, bee lining for the two boys. They separated, only for the attack to do the same thing.
"Woah!" Naruto yelled before the rocks caught up with him, only to pierce a clone who disappeared in a puff of smoke. The man seemed surprised, even more so when he found the blond behind him lining up a punch.
"Get 'im Naruto!" Kiba yelled as he sprang for the trees. The blond let loose, only to get stopped by his opponent, catching his hand in his own with little struggle. He bent his knees before Naruto went for his head with his leg. The man ducked further, only to have another punch coming in. He clenched his teeth and caught the other hand, but by the time he sensed the second leg coming in, it was too late. He got pounded in the chest, thus making him let go of Naruto. He slid a ways before Kiba came at him from behind. "Fang Over Fang!" the brunette declared. The man jumped, only to have the brunette turn up and continue heading for him. He managed to dodge by the skin of his teeth, but then Naruto tossed about seven shuriken his way.
"Rrr, Iron Hand!" he yelled. His left hand glowed before swatting away the sharpened weapons.
"Damn," Kiba spat when he ended up next to Naruto. "He's Henju, master artist of the Earth Style."
"Ah, so you do know my name," the man sneered. "And before I smash you, yours?"
"Kiba Inuzuka."
"Naruto Uzumaki," the blond declared before summoning three clones and sending two at Henju. The last one began working on a Rasengan as Kiba rushed in from the side. Henju punched one clone and threw the other against a tree, dispelling both. Kiba was fast enough to dodge, but he in turn missed. The last clone came in from behind, and Henju turned only to have his fist captured in a cross block.
"Damn you!" he yelled before kicking the clone in the gut. It disappeared as a sound he'd never heard came whizzing in from behind. Henju nearly did a split as he let the blond glide over him. "Earth Style: Red Rock!" Pebbles around him gathered and ground themselves down before launching at the blond and Kiba. "You dodged very well," Henju spoke, still mockingly. "I call it red rock cause it usually leaves blood around. Oh well. Earth Style:…" Naruto and four more clones tossed kunai his way. "Spined Wall!" Four walls appeared around him, knocking the kunai to the ground before the small spikes on them erupted towards Naruto and Kiba.
"Damn he's good," Kiba spat. "I wish I had Akamaru with me." Naruto, meanwhile, dove in with a Rasengan and blew down one of the walls, striking into his opponent before a splintering log took his place.
"What?" the blond asked in surprise.
"Earth Style:…"
"No, Naruto!" Kiba yelled. He sprang in and threw his boyfriend away from the walls.
"Foundation Fallout!" Kiba began running as the three remaining walls bent and fell down toward him. Naruto ran in on all fours to help. His brunette was struck and fell as the earth got him in the back. He clawed as he began getting pulled back, and swallowed.
"Naruto!" he called. His blond was so close.
"Rrragh!" Henju yelled as the rate increased.
Naruto dove in as fast as he could as Kiba was dragged under the earth, but the brunette disappeared in the rock right before his shocked eyes. His fingers shook as he sat there on his knees and an arm.
"Now just for you blond boy," spoke Henju. His confident smile remained constant until he noticed the boy not moving. He became curious if not confused. "If it wasn't clear, you should be running about now," he claimed. Naruto had been slipping into rage as soon as his intended had slipped from his sight and grasp. His whiskers were thick, fangs grown, and eyes red.
"I'll kill you!" Naruto yelled as he turned and sprang using all fours. The man didn't have any time to react as the enraged blond disappeared. Naruto appeared in front of him in midair with a snarl on his face. His eyes lit up in shock before the end of the jinchuuriki's foot slammed into his headband.
As the enemy flew, the wind created in his wake threw up enough dust to alert Kurenai of the battle. Naruto! She thought to herself. The man in front of her smirked. "If I remember correctly, Henju was always one for flashy Earth Style jutsus. That Kiba kid and blondie are probably in a crater by now. If you don't hurry up and subdue me, he'll kill them."
"Fine then," the women spoke more seriously as she began flipping through signs. She bit her thumb before beginning one of her greatest series of genjutsus.
Henju began sitting up with a trail of blood leaving his mouth. "What…in Hell, is that kid?" he asked himself. "Even with my Iron Skin, he threw me like a little twig. Those eyes, is he even…human?" The man had little time to react, as Naruto came charging in on all fours snarling at him. "Damn!" With all his effort, Henju forced his aching hands and arms together in a single seal. "Earth Style: Tortoise Shell!" A rounded shield rose out of the ground, covered in a tortoise shell pattern. "Earth Style: agh…Bleeding Spires Defense." Naruto came in for the punch as twisting spikes quickly sprang from the barrier. The blond's fist came into contact with the wall, and it quickly collapsed under the extreme brute force, however, Naruto had been run through in his punch arm, his left calf, stomach, and the opposite shoulder. He growled and moaned in pain as he broke the offending rock shards and pulled them out. The blond went on one knee as Kyuubi began sealing his wounds.
"Just what in hell, are you?" the man asked. His chakra was depleted, and the blond with flaming eyes snarled at him as he rose. When the blond got back into a fighting stance, all that Henju could do was raise his arms in defense. "AAAAGH! OOOW LET GO! DAMN IT GET OFF OF MEEEE!" he screamed, flailing his now lacerated and punctured arm. Naruto, with his elongated fangs, bit through his shinobi armor shirt and into his flesh, savoring the blood as he pulled and bit harder, slowly opening the wound further and causing excruciating pain. When the blond opened to gain more ground, Henju only managed to kick him in the chest. The small amount of distance gained him nothing.
"RRRAAAAGH," Naruto roared as a blue orb focused in his hand. "Rasengan!" Henju was plowed into the ground, dead. When the blond realized this, he sprang back towards where Kiba had been buried. "Kiba," he almost cried as he rushed. "Kiba."
"Damn he was good," Kurenai panted as she stared at the knocked out form of her opponent. She tied him up as Shino, Hinata, and Sakura walked in, bruised but otherwise fine. Kakashi and Akamaru quickly rejoined with their opponent as well. All three were tied to a tree before another massive blast of ground was sent into the air from where Kiba's and Naruto's fight had been.
"Sounds like trouble," Kakashi spoke direly before they all rushed toward the scene. "Damn Naruto, tell me you didn't get in over your head again," he said both in worry and a bit of anxiety.
What they all came upon was a more stirring than horrifying scene. Next to a small crater and human-sized hole was Naruto. He protectively held in his arms and nuzzled an unconscious Kiba, rubbing their cheeks together. His whiskers, fangs, and claws could all be easily seen, though his eyes were closed. What sounded like yips, purrs, and moans resonated from the blond jinchuuriki. A stray tear worked its way down from his right eye, but Naruto was smiling. He looked ethereal in the evening sun, but what of Kiba?
"Naruto?" Sakura almost called out. The blond instantly tensed and looked her way, piercing red eyes watching for signs of a threat. He held what one would now guess his lover closer and growled. His mind whispered friends, but his instincts screamed protect. The look on his face betrayed his confusion and hesitation.
"Did the fox finally possess him?" Kurenai asked in shock.
"No," Hinata began in fear. "Not Naruto, he's too strong to just lose to the demon."
"That's not it," Sakura said as he analytically looked her friend over. Fear, anger, protectiveness, stillness, acting strong and fearsome…they all led to a conclusion of confusion and hesitation. Naruto hadn't budged an inch. "I…think he's trying to protect Kiba. Maybe he was injured in the fight." Akamaru mewled in worry. "I think we just have to remind him we're no threat."
Kakashi summoned Pakkun. "What does it smell like?"
"He smells more like a fox than usual, but he's afraid," the dog concluded. "I might appear small enough to not be a threat. Give me something to remind him of your scent." Kakashi and Sakura gave the small dog their headbands before he slowly and fearlessly began approaching the now snarling blond. "Give it a rest, I'm not here for the Inuzuka," Pakkun spoke flatly as he kept walking. When he got within a considerable range, Naruto barked at him fiercely and growled. The dog only hesitated for a split second. "I'm not here to hurt him," he said as he tossed the headbands right next to the blond. Without taking his eyes off the pug, the boy leaned down and smelled the bands. One smelled vaguely of flowers and the earth, honeysuckle. The other seemed more subtle, of strength, both of them familiar. He raised his head again and looked at the crowd. Sa…kura, Kakashi-Sensei, the blond thought.
"I think you can approach now," spoke Pakkun. Naruto had on an apologetic look as he caressed one of the brunette's red fangs. The party slowly approached him, and he whimpered as he looked at them. Kurenai breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Kiba was breathing steadily and peacefully. Akamaru was the first to get close to the blond. They exchanged curious looks before the white hound laid down next to them. Sakura just smiled. Hinata blushed. Kakashi was actually pretty indifferent. Kurenai crouched down and stretched a hand towards her student, wanting to make sure he had no serious injury.
Naruto whimpered and just held his love closer to himself. Those red eyes looked pleading. The woman before him was unfamiliar, but he could sense no hostility. It only took an exchange between eyes before he caringly laid Kiba on his back. Naruto sat on his haunches and watched the woman closely for anything of danger. He kept an eye on the kunai that clicked in her belt, the rattling shuriken in her pouch. She felt the pulse in his neck, and she found it fine. Naruto became possessive when she unzipped his jacket.
"Calm down, I just want to hear his breathing," the woman spoke softly. The boy before her would tear off her head if she did anything out of line, and she knew it. She kept her eyes on him until her ear lay flat against the shinobi armor shirt of her student. Kurenai closed her eyes and listened carefully. "He'll be fine," she concluded before zipping up Kiba's jacket and sitting on her knees. Naruto got on his knees and held his love's left cheek with his hand and mewed, trying to get the brunette awake.
"Nnn," Kiba moaned as he flexed his neck and slowly squinted his eyes open. He blinked a couple times to find his blond's smiling face looking down on him. "Naruto?" Kiba asked when he saw the red eyes and everything else. The blond mewed before nuzzling him, drinking in his scent. Kiba blushed when he noticed everyone else watching. Naruto hugged him closely before burying his nose in Kiba's neck and licking loyally and happily. "H-Hey, I'm fine Naruto," he laughed with a smile. The blond smiled at him before hugging him and closing his eyes as he buried his face in the Inuzuka's chest.
"Be back at camp in twenty minutes Kiba," spoke Kurenai before ushering everyone away. It was after they disappeared behind the line of trees that Kiba lifted his love's chin and kissed him happily. Naruto's whiskers and fangs had receded, and his claws were slowly following. His eyes began reverting back to blue as Kiba held him by the waist and back.
"Did I worry you?" he asked when he was sure Naruto's human consciousness had completely returned.
"Yeah," the blond replied in embarrassment. "I thought you were dead, and then everything went dark. Sorry I just made us look like idiots."
"You looked no more stupid than normal, but who's counting?" the Inuzuka spoke sarcastically.
"Hey!" the blond replied in anger. Kiba took his lips again softly. "I love you," the blond whispered. The brunette was stunned. The way it had been said…Naruto loved him. He felt so low and so high at the same time. Should he return the gesture so quickly?
"I…me too," the brunette replied almost as quietly. Naruto looked at him with tears in his eyes before burying himself in Kiba's chest again. "Thanks Naruto."
"You're welcome Kiba," the blond replied as they got up. They started walking towards base camp, not even caring that Akamaru had just witnessed all of that. In fact, they hadn't even noticed as they sauntered to the campfire with their hands in their own pockets.
"You're back," Shino spoke quietly when he picked up on the footsteps. Everyone picked up their heads at the statement. The two boys just stared at them in curiosity before silently taking their seats on separate logs.
"That Henju guy's dead if you want to collect the body," was all Naruto spoke as he skewered a fish on a stick and propped it over the flame. "I had no other way of stopping him." The blond had no regret on his face, perhaps deep thinking. He stared into the flames as they warmed his face and cooked his turning fish. Kiba had on nearly the same expression, and he said nothing either.
Kakashi walked off to go examine said corpse. Kurenai had reinforced her genjutsus, keeping the fugitives asleep. Finally, everyone except the two eating went to bed in their tents.
Naruto nibbled on his fish, lightly chewing the crispy outer flesh. Kiba simply gnawed in and chewed. They sat across from each other in contentment. When they had torn off what they wanted, their eyes met, at first just looking, but then they smiled.
"You're the wild one between us, but I still had to go and save your butt," Naruto opened with a laugh.
"Who was the one nearly crying when I woke up ne?" Kiba replied slyly. "I may have needed help, but you're so the damsel in distress." Naruto's forehead vein pulsed.
"Excuse me!" he snapped as he sprang up. Kiba did as well. "I can't help it if I get worried when you're buried four feet under you clumsy, wild mutt!"
"Well sorry for trying back up your sorry behind you whiny little fox-boy!" Kiba half-yelled back. They stood in front of each other on one side away from the tents.
"Fleabag!"
"Crybaby!"
"Dog-Breath!"
"Naruto!"
"Kiba!" the blond yelled. He was furious, but there was another emotion backing his riled nerves. The boy felt like begging; he was so confused.
The brunette just decided to end things and quickly and embraced his blond of a boyfriend. Naruto was confused until he said "I'm sorry." The blond froze. Why was Kiba apologizing? He hadn't been the one to run headfirst after that crazy guy. If it weren't for him, Naruto would be the one possibly forever buried in the ground.
"Oooh…stop Kiba damn you," the blond spoke quietly as he squirmed a little. "I hate feeling sappy and weak." He blushed as he looked away with an irked expression. Kiba took hold of his chin before softly and dominantly taking the blond's lips in his own. Naruto didn't melt, but he slid into a good pattern of nipping and craning. Kiba could have all of him if he ever wanted, but he never asked. They broke apart only a little to see the looks in each other's eyes.
Hinata had woken up from the yelling, but to keep respectful, she used her Byakugan to watch. Kiba and Naruto looked to be on the verge of duking it out when her teammate took her crush by the upper arms and fiercely kissed him. Her shocked eyes opened wider when she realized Naruto was enjoying it, giving in. When they broke apart, she saw something that confirmed her suspicions from the earlier scene. Naruto, at least when he was younger, had never shown such strong emotion. Sure, there was the Kyuubi to consider, but she had wondered: if it had been her that was struck down right in front of his eyes, would the same reaction occur? Now she knew; the answer was no.
His blond's eyes were glazed as he looked up, off-balance and sleepy. Naruto somehow looked so fragile and willing, willing to go to end of the Earth with him if he asked. It was humbling to hold such a thing in his arms. He leaned down and softly took hold of those lips again before maneuvering his arms and interlocking his hands behind the small of his boyfriend's back. Naruto mewed into the kiss. Damn he was submissive and alluring. He took hold of the back of Kiba's head to steady himself as they broke apart for air. "I love you Kiba," he spoke softly.
"I know, Naruto," the brunette spoke before taking his love in one final, caressing, soft, loving kiss. Kakashi watched from a perch in a tree. Naruto's condition earlier had made him suspicious of the possibility the Kyuubi had begun manipulating him, but there was no excessively powerful chakra, no anger in the air, and none of the physical signs on the blond. He looked, happy…genuinely happy for one of the few times Kakashi had ever witnessed. The two nuzzled and rubbed their faces together. Kiba growled lightly in his chest as Naruto mewed for him. They held hands, Kiba massaging the backs of Naruto's with his thumbs before they parted and went into their respective tents. All was quiet, except for the crickets. The moonlight hung lightly in the air, casting a haze over everything as the Jounin jumped down and entered his team's tent. Naruto laid awake with his eyes closed. Kakashi simply fell asleep.
Kiba walked in to find everyone laying in their bags. The only anomaly…was Hinata's breathing. She was nervous, sorrowful, angry…and he knew why. The girl faced away from him, feigning sleep. He knew, the crush she had on the blond. Was it fair, to take away her chance at Naruto? No, and yes, she deserved a chance to tell Naruto how she felt, but the blond had declared his feelings for Kiba already. They had been seeing each other secretly for four months, and they'd already kissed. He didn't want to think on it much more, so he removed his jacket and went to sleep.
Naruto drifted into his dreams soon as well. Kyuubi, however, felt it was time to give his vessel the information he had withheld before. After the day's events, the manner in which Naruto had acted, and the way his body was reacting to the Inuzuka, he knew the time would be coming when Naruto would wish he knew this, even if he didn't want to learn it now.
"UUUUUuuuug, damn it Kyuubi, I want to sleep," the boy groaned, bringing his pillow over his face.
"Get up and pay attention," the fox said in a much more serious and authoritative tone than his jinchuuriki had ever heard him use. Naruto actually found himself interested. "I've been watching, and listening, Naruto," the redhead began. "Your love for the Inuzuka boy is growing, to which I have no objection. You may or may not have realized that you are becoming possessive, passionate, and submissive." The blond huffed at the last part. "It means you react to him when he kisses you; it does not infer that you are weak or like a woman. I've explained this to you somewhat before. The time is coming Naruto. You feel it in your heart, especially when you're in his arms. You want him as your mate."
"I…" the blond began. He fidgeted a bit as he blushed. "I felt warm, really calm. I wanted to just stay there."
"It is natural, but now I'm going to tell you how you will go about finalizing things," the redhead began.
"The demons' version of 'the talk?'" the blond asked. Kyuubi shook his head.
"The sex itself is common sense and instinctual," he replied. "I'm gonna tell you how you're going to claim him and prepare yourself to be his mate." The blond wanted a way out so badly. "First, in order for the event to take place, the consent of both parties' parents is required."
"I have no parents," Naruto almost whimpered.
"Iruka is close enough to count," Kyuubi replied bluntly. "After you two have gotten your guardians' blessings, I will, through you, transport you both to the place where I have held my matings for the last millennium, a hot spring on a tropical mountain." Naruto perked up. It did sound romantic. "There you will find three tents around the main pool. The two across from each other are for your preparations, which I will assist with. Before you even ask, you will strip, and my clones will spruce you up. You Naruto, being my Jinchuuriki, are actually a fraction fox genetically, as it is the only way for you to safely carry such a powerful demon within you. I will bring out your whiskers and a blond tail to match your hair."
"A tail?!" the blond stammered.
"You're lucky you don't already have one, but eventually, as you mature, you will grow a single one so that we resonate in equilibrium," the redhead explained. "Everything else about you will remain the same for the rest of your life unless you will otherwise. Now, you will also bathe beforehand, once again, assisted by my clones." Naruto was hating this more and more. "I will examine your scents, as they will have begun adapting to attract you to each other, and my clones will rub certain scent oils into areas around your neck, above the mouth, over your heart, and around your inner thighs. You will also be given accent makeup, which, no, you cannot refuse."
"Why the Hell makeup?" the blond yelled. "I'm not a woman, and neither is he."
"You won't be made to look like a geisha or a woman," the redhead continued calmly. "It will be used lightly to smooth certain features, accent your eyes, bringing them forward even more so than they are now. The goal is bringing forth your natural beauty with only light touches. This will captivate your intended as you step from the tents. My clones will disappear when you have been prepared and are mentally ready to face your intended. I will call for you to approach, and you will exit the tents. You'll stand on opposite ends of the pool, admiring each other for a moment before I tell you to enter. As you approach the center, you'll move on your own as your eyes examine each other, captivated and hypnotized by the other's beauty. When you reach the center, you may not embrace, but I will tell you to examine each other, feel each other: the strength, the curves, the softness."
"You really are a romantic," Naruto spoke up. The fox-man blushed and smiled.
"Thank you," he replied. "Then I will announce for you to stop and come together, holding each other's hands at your sides. You will look into each other's eyes for a brief moment before I ask you to begin the process of promise. You will let go of your mate's hands before taking a step back. The claws on your left hand will elongate, and you will make five seven-inch incisions on the surface of your intended's stomach area. He may cry out in pain or pleasure, but they must be at least that long before you remove your claws. At this point, I will read to you from a scroll." He coughed and held up what looked to be an absolutely ancient piece of parchment. "You, Naruto Uzumaki, Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi no Youko, have begun pledging your life to Kiba Inuzuka. You have opened the wounds which represent the five pillars of a strong relationship. Close them by cleaning them with your tongue, going from left to right, showing your promise to uphold these aspects as you begin a new life with your intended. The first wound represents loyalty, the second compassion, the third patience, the fourth trust, and the final one love. Kiba, for you Naruto Uzumaki has promised these aspects. Do you accept the advances of your intending alpha?"
"Alpha?" Naruto asked in confusion. "Kyuubi, to be honest, I don't think I'll be the um…dominant one in our relationship. You even said I was…submissive," he ended quietly.
"I know," the redhead replied with a kind smile. "It's just that, when demons become mates, generally, the one with more tails or of greater strength is determined as the alpha. You, being the jinchuuriki with a demon sealed inside him, are simply referred to as alpha between you two until after the ceremony is completed. After that night, it doesn't matter who is the more dominant one. You're officially bound and may express yourself as you may. Now, should Kiba say he accepts your promises, I will tell him to return the gesture. He will cut you the same way. You may cry out if you must. He will get on his knees as you did and lick the wounds clean from left to right. Now I will tell you to take your intended by the waist and arm. You will submerge him by bending him backwards and faithfully supporting him. This represents trust and leaving your old lives behind as he, in turn, submerges you. I will allow you a short kiss before continuing. At this point, I will say 'come before me.' You will step to the edge of the pool closest to me." He looked back down at his scroll. "You who have promised eternal connection before me, have my blessings to complete the rituals which will bind you together as mates. Naruto, as alpha and intending of Kiba, bite and make your claim."
The blond did not look too sure of that last part. "You will lovingly take hold of your mate before biting him on the junction between the shoulder and neck, thoroughly breaking the skin. You will allow your chakra to travel into him, healing the wound, but you must not clean it. After that, you will comfort him, because he will likely be crying. You must keep him from wiping away the blood before the ceremony is complete however. Then, I will tell him to either turn back at that point, or forever pledge his life to you by returning the gesture. You may scream, but I would try to make it easier on your intended. I will explain that he will let his chakra travel into you and heal the wound, nearly sealing you together." Kyuubi looked down into his scroll. "As I, Youko, Kyuubi no Kitsune, have witnessed the marking before me, I now allow my vessel to take his place by his intended and consummate the mating. Rise from the water and join together in the tent where none will disturb you." Naruto looked nervous as he blushed. "Being deemed the alpha, this will be the only time you are required to err…top Kiba. After that first time, you may lie beneath him, take turns, whatever you desire. I will explain this as well to him. When you make up the next morning, you will lead him out into the spring with a washcloth to clean away the blood left from the marking. On his shoulder you shall find my insignia as well as a symbol your soul chooses. What appears on you is anyone's guess. At this point, I will come out and congratulate you and say it is complete, and my last clone will disappear. I never actually exit your body. You just provide a shadow clone with about five percent of my chakra, enough to last through the night."
"And then we can come back to the Leaf Village and live our lives right?" the blond boy asked. Kyuubi nodded with a small smile. "Okay, I think I can do that. Will the claw cuts leave scars?" The redhead shook his head.
"My chakra will heal both of you overnight since you're both in such close proximity," Kyuubi replied. "Every year around the time of when you first mated, you will both go into a two-week heat. It just reminds you that your anniversary is coming and pretty much forces you to join at night. It won't be bad at all. In fact, your couplings will be strongest and most pleasurable on these nights. It will be a wonderful life for you."
"Thanks Kyuubi," Naruto spoke happily. He looked like he couldn't wait, but he still would.
"Alright, time for sleep Uzumaki," the redhead replied before knocking his vessel out with a genjutsu and curling up for his own rest.
When everyone began waking up the next morning, they packed up and began heading home. Naruto and Kiba were silent and just easy-going. It's not that they acted as if nothing happened, they acted…normally. Hinata was silently brooding over what she had seen and heard. Her crush was apparently now not only oblivious to her feelings and not interested, but he now he was in an intimate relationship with her team member, a guy no less. Her heart ached, but her head was filled with a daze. She saw, knew the way Kiba affected him. At least he cares about Naruto, she thought to herself.
"We should be coming up on the village soon, right Kurenai-Sensei?" Naruto asked. She just seemed to stare in front of her, but it wasn't purposeful ignoring. "Sensei?" he asked when he jumped closer alongside her.
"Oh, sorry Naruto," she began as she shook her head. "Yes, the village is another mile or so up ahead."
"Then I'll just go ahead and tell the guards we've returned," the blond spoke before rushing homeward.
"Hey," Sakura called as her comrade jumped, leaped, and sprang at a speed only Naruto with his dexterity and fox attributes could go. "Oh, he's always rushing around."
"Wanna race him Akamaru?" Kiba asked. The white hound gave a loud bark in return. "Let's go!" the Inuzuka cheered as he and Akamaru went speeding off, catching up to Naruto.
"They're such kids," Sakura huffed.
"Let them have their fun Sakura," Kakashi spoke lazily. "Besides, they've had a rough trip."
"Sensei?" she asked in a mix of confusion and awkwardness.
"I can always chide Kiba later if I must," Kurenai spoke. "It doesn't matter, we're close enough to the village that there's no trouble they can really get into, unless of course they go making a ruckus and get steamrolled by Lady Tsunade." Everyone laughed at the statement.
"So Kakashi," Kurenai began. "Have you ever seen Naruto quite like that?" Everyone began to listen.
"I've seen him in…similar states, but usually when he was attacking particularly bad scum. The scale of the battle wasn't as big as we thought, so he didn't tap into the fox's powers much at all. Henju died of a slightly more powerful Rasengan than Naruto's average. Trust me, there have been times when I thought he really might be possessed."
"So then," the woman began. "This is…likely not a result of the fox?" she asked.
"I'm betting pretty squarely the answer is no," the white-haired man replied. "I do, however, think that Kiba is somewhat unaware of Naruto's status on that matter."
"My thought was the same," Kurenai replied. "We'd best save the rest of this conversation for somewhere private." They came out of the forest and landed in the gateway. Naruto and Kiba were nowhere to be seen, but the guards just waved and let them pass. "So, they actually did remember to tell them we had come back."
"I'll be going home then Kurenai-Sensei," Shino spoke as he quietly walked off.
"And I'll be training," Hinata spoke as she ran off to the Hyuuga Estate.
"I have to work at the hospital," Sakura declared as she walked off.
"So, you want to know more about Naruto?" Kakashi asked his peer when they were left alone. The woman tensed.
"I want to make sure my student is safe, even if he has risen to Chuunin level," she spoke, almost coldly.
"Look, Kurenai," Kakashi began. "I'd tell you, maybe even stop them and tell Tsume, if I thought Naruto or Kiba was abusive or a danger. They're just kids still. They had a tiny spat last night. I was watching from up in a tree. Kiba is the one more in control of their relationship right now. Naruto just accepts whatever comes his way. I'll be honest; I haven't seen him so happy in a long time if ever. It's not the fox that causes him to seek shelter and compassion. All it does is cause him to be passionate, even if it…manifests like it did yesterday."
"So the eyes, whiskers, claws, and fangs?" the woman asked.
"I haven't seen him with all of that without being angry or in an intense battle before," the man replied. "I think he was in that state when he took on Henju, and it probably just stayed up long enough for him to dig up Kiba and for us to stumble in. He didn't harm Kiba while he was in that state either."
"You saw the look in his eyes as I was checking him though," the brunette replied. "If I had attempted to remove Kiba's undershirt, he would have attacked me. He even barked wildly at your ninja hound. He's losing it Kakashi."
"He's had to rely on himself his whole life Kurenai," the white-haired man told her softly. "Can you blame him for wanting to protect someone that finds him worth the time to build a bond and relationship? It's his first. I wish I could show you what it looked like when they kissed outside the tents." The woman's eyes opened in shock. "Naruto nearly fell to his knees. They were soft, gentle, mutual. Kiba controlled the whole thing too, and Naruto was completely normal at that point too."
"So, he's not a threat?" the woman asked, still serious.
"Nope, just a jinchuuriki looking for comfort," Kakashi replied.
Naruto and Kiba had had a fun race, the blond springing around, feeling free, Kiba watching him and feeling the wind in his hair as Akamaru bolted through the trees. It had been a tie, and the three of them panted in the gateway before delivering the message to the guardsmen. "Captains Kurenai and Kakashi, as well as Sakura Haruno, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Naruto Uzumaki have returned to the Leaf Village," Naruto spoke cheerily. "The rest are just a short distance behind us. We raced."
"Alright then, go on," spoke the man on the left. The two boys decided to move on to Tsunade's office to deliver the report that would eventually be redelivered by Kakashi.
"So, you captured three of the four, and killed the last one?" the woman asked calmly. The blond expected her to be as pissed off as an enraged alpha male gorilla. Naruto nodded his head. She let out a sigh…only disappointment? "Well, you're not ANBU, but those guys were of high enough level. I'm sure the mortality was not preventable."
"Yeah," Naruto replied quietly.
"Alright then Naruto," she began. "You'll be receiving your pay in the mail like the others after our ANBU extract the live ones and get rid of Henju. You two are free to leave." The two boys exited and walked quietly. They went to the area outside Naruto's apartment before talking.
"So, any date plans I should know about?" the blond asked.
"Not any yet, but I'll be sure to surprise you," the Inuzuka promised. He looked around a bit before taking his blond by the waist and upper back and kissing the living daylights out of him. His boyfriend soon fought his tongue back before they fell into a sensual rhythm. Naruto felt hazy as the brunette's tongue invaded his mouth, giving him a warmth which no embrace had ever given him. Everything but sensual feeling was blurred out. Naruto wanted to lie down, find a way to deal with the fire consuming him. His heart wanted this, but his mind was so afraid. Kiba had gotten so close to him, so fast. He knew about Kyuubi, and he had stayed with him. Naruto had nearly lost it and ran in to save him. He'd forged bonds with the heir of the Inuzuka clan, and now, he was afraid, of screwing up, of being taken advantage of, of losing this game. Eventually, in the midst of a mental inner war and loss of air in his lungs, the blond fainted in his love's arms, eyes glazed and rolled up. When Kiba noticed the instant weight in his arms, he panicked.
"Naruto, Naruto!" he yelled. The boy's heart was racing. He was sweating up a storm. "Akamaru!" The white dog came running in like a lightning bolt. The Inuzuka mounted him and secured Naruto before they made a hyper dash for the hospital. Kiba and Akamaru busted through the doors without a care. "Tsunade!" the brunette yelled, fangs showing as his eyes darted around.
The woman popped out of the clinic with a very pissed-off look on her face. "Kiba? What in Hell are you screaming about and making a mess out of the hospital for?" He turned to her, a rather large bundle laying limply in his arms. "What happened?" she asked.
"I don't know; he just fainted," the boy replied back. Tsunade checked his pulse.
"He's in shock," she spoke. "Follow me." She led the boy up to an empty room. The woman got an I.V. drip and began using her chakra to slow the blond's heart. "I'd ask what the Hell you did to him, but given the circumstances, that's likely not the reason." The boy looked at her in surprise. "Kakashi gave me a report too," Tsunade replied calmly. "He's flushing, exhausted, and it looks like he fell unconscious because he couldn't take in Oxygen. However, I don't see strangle marks."
"I was just kissing him," Kiba began, "and he was kissing back, and then suddenly he was just dead weight in my arms." He looked sorry to be sure, and confused.
"Just let him rest," Tsunade told him. "He'll probably wake up in a few hours."
"What has you so worked up Naruto?" Kyuubi asked as he sat back in a chair, staring at Naruto curiously as he laid in bed.
"I can't let Kiba get any closer," the boy managed to get out.
"Don't tell me he tried to rape you when I was sleeping," the redhead began apologetically.
"No," Naruto replied quickly, but still quietly. Kyuubi relaxed and sat back in his chair. "I just…he's gotten past everything. If I lose him after giving him everything, I know I won't be able to take it." His tears silently slipped from his eyes as he curled in the sheets. "He has a family line to continue. His mom and sister won't let him, and he'll eventually realize that it was just teenage curiosity. No one can love me."
"If you close up now, you WILL lose him," Kyuubi spoke calmly, yet sternly. "Naruto, you can't push away just because you're scared. You are not alone anymore. Tell him to slow down. You haven't given him everything. There is so much more, and you know it."
"You're the one who made me act like a fox in front of everyone," the blond began. "What's he gonna think if that goes on?"
"He already knows I exist," Kyuubi replied softly. "Your emotions were so strong that I couldn't keep my existence from affecting you. But he's a member of the Inuzuka clan. He recognizes such actions as signs of loyalty and love, not demonic possession. I know you feel alone, but he's here with you, and so am I. Let him into your heart, maybe just a little more slowly. When you and he can explore and know all, you'll BE ready to give him the last treasures you have, your body, your first time." Naruto curled up tighter. "This is why we keep matings so selective. Humans generally are very quick to rush into relationships, often many of them being brief and meaningless, a waste of life. Jinchuuriki, our vessels, must be kept within certain emotional bounds for their own safety and that of the people they love. In other words, your stability is one of my top priorities. I would have possessed you and stopped him if he had tried to take you. Jinchuuriki are easily emotionally hurt, and loss of love is one of life's greatest stinging emotions. This is why we cannot allow our vessels to simply bed whoever first catches their eye. We must make sure the relationship will last, so that our marks on the human realm remain minimal. Your feelings are important to me Naruto, including your mental health. I will let you return as soon as you have promised me to calm down and tell the Inuzuka boy to slow down. Tell him of your fears, the truths. If he is worthy and loyal, he will respect you and not even hesitate."
The blond sat there, not even moving. He wanted so badly to cry into the shoulder of the boy he cared about, but it still felt so unsafe to allow Kiba to be his shelter. Naruto felt his heart ache. He needed his love, even if his mind could not yet accept that their relationship was already so intimate. "I will calm down and think more slowly Kyuubi," he eventually spoke. "But I need to rest first."
"That is fine Naruto," the fox spoke before tucking his vessel in. "I want a word with him anyway," Kyuubi added after his vessel was unconscious. He focused his mind and reached into Naruto's body. His nose picked up the earthy scent of the Inuzuka boy, so he cracked an eye open. Kiba was sitting in a chair impatiently staring out the window. "You, mister Inuzuka, walk a very fine line." The boy's eyes opened wide in shock before turning to find the countenance of his love marred by crimson, piercing eyes, whiskers, and fangs twice as long as when he'd last seen them elongated.
"You, the Kyuubi!" he almost yelled.
"Don't get so hyped up; you'll alert the staff," the fox told him. "Naruto is grappling with his own emotions over you, which put him into this shock. I will give you one warning and one warning only. Toy with my vessel's emotions and I will make sure you find your way to Hell and suffer for it. Do not press him. I am not saying stop loving him, just stop if it's for the wrong reason or you are not ready to commit. I care for my vessel such as what I hope you do. That is all I wanted to say. Naruto will wake up in a few hours. He simply needs to recuperate and sort everything out. Good day, Kiba." He closed his eyes, and the fangs and whiskers receded. Everything fell still, and the brunette breathed a sigh of relief.
"Naruto, is grappling with his feelings for me?" the Inuzuka heir asked himself. "Did I do something wrong? ... Does he feel guilty about something? I wish I could read his mind." He began mulling over what the demon had said. "Don't press him…like pressure him into something? What is there to…." He finally understood. "He's not ready, but he's worried that that's all I want him for?" Kiba teared up. "No…no Naruto," he spoke as he broke down. "I'm not gonna screw with you like that. Why would you think that? You mean so much to me. I want you to be happy. I'm not just in it for your body you dobe. I love you." He stared at the sleeping blond with tears in his eyes. "You can rely on me. I said to tell me if I did anything to hurt you. I want this to work. Please give me another chance."
When Naruto showed no signs of waking, the boy decided to go home for the day. He left a note for his blond before depressively walking out of the room. Kiba found Akamaru in the lobby waiting. "Come on boy," he said quietly. The white hound whined in concern. "I don't know what I did wrong, but hopefully he can forgive me."
Naruto awoke at about 7:30 that night. He sat up slowly before removing his I.V. drip. When he looked down, he found a note neatly folded up in his lap. "It's from Kiba," the boy noticed.
Naruto, to be honest, I'm sorry I screwed up. I feel even worse since I don't know what I did wrong. I know you've had it rough, and I respect that. It was one of the things that made it worthwhile for me. I said that you should always tell me if I say or do anything hurtful, so I'm hoping we can just talk things out. Just so you know…and Kyuubi too, I don't just want you for a…I don't expect you to just…sex is not my top priority.
The note stopped there before continuing later, probably an afterthought.
I just want to understand.
Your boyfriend,
Kiba Inuzuka
"You didn't screw up you dumb mutt," the blond chuckled to himself. He reread the end of the first part. "That must have been hard to say." Kyuubi concurred. He had put in effort, and failed miserably, just like true love always makes one do. "I can't believe I'm so weak around him," Naruto spoke. His stomach voiced its displeasure rather loudly. "Wow I'm hungry!" The blond got up, threw on his shoes, and left the hospital to go to Ichiraku's.
Kiba sat at the family table and ate quietly, silently, eerily.
"You okay boy?" Tsume asked seriously out of concern. He snapped up. "You haven't even touched the roast beef. What is it? Nausea? Pain? Is it just missing?" Kiba really didn't want to give her an answer; he was already dealing with too much in his own head.
"I'm just tired," the brunette replied. He smelled of lies, and a myriad of emotions.
"Bull," Tsume soon retorted. Kiba snapped up again in worry. "I oughtta smack you for lying, but it sounds like something a maturing young man can only work out for himself." The boy was both freaked out and relieved. His mother had the keenest nose and instinct in his family, but she seemed to be acknowledging him somewhat. "Pass your plate to me if you're not hungry. Go and think it out where it's quiet. Oh, and bring down your laundry."
"Alright," Kiba replied curtly as he got up and gave his mother a nearly full plate. He went to his room to ponder on how and when he'd screwed up. He'd always given Naruto a birthday present, let him pet Akamaru (which he allowed NO ONE else to do), comforted him when he was afraid or sad, kissed him lovingly, and now a bit more passionately, and he hadn't made a move on his blond, nor did he yet intend to. Where had he gone wrong? Was there some other "anniversary" thing he'd missed? Naruto never gave him another gift out of the blue. "Damn I'm confused!" the Inuzuka heir half-yelled.
Naruto had only eaten two bowls of ramen before paying the old man and going home. He still needed rest to work out his feelings, and he'd take every second the night had to offer to do it.
Author Notes: That was my longest chapter written in a long time. What did you think of it? Review please. I mean it.