here's da next update. hopes u enjoy.

kk. sorry, mom was being terribly annoying. X.X

so yea. thankies: ddd, shortandsweet93, khakx, cybermage, lala, narachan, and EdgeofDarkness :D u are my stars. XD

enjoy this long chappie!


Chapter 8: Kyuubi's Jealousy, Sakura's Apology


"Um, Kyuu-chan?" Naruto was puzzled. She scratched her whiskered cheek, big cerulean eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?" The little child cocked her head sideways at the tiny fox that was lying on the ground in front of the door. He swished his tail impatiently.

"You heard me right, brat," he replied, irritated, "I'm coming with you."

"Huh?" The blondie was still baffled. "But Kyuu-chan, you just said—"

"Brat."

Naruto rolled her eyes. "Okay, I get it. But just tell me why. You hate playing. Especially with me."

Kyuubi's nose twitched. He stood up and yawned. "No reason. I need to go outside to get some exercise."

"But - But - you… I - " Naruto gave up. The demon gave her a headache. "Fine, fine. Just don't complain about every single thing out there."

"Wait." The voice came from the hallway. Naruto turned, and the raven teen stood there, face dark with anger or annoyance, the little girl knew not. "He can't go out looking like that. Nor can you."

The young child smiled happily. Hello, Sasuke-niichan! You're up!"

Sasuke scowled slightly. "Hn. Kyuubi—"

"I heard you, Uchiha. You two both shut up, got it?" Kyuubi glared at them, and then closed his eyes. "Brat, the chakra."

Naruto was sullen. "You're gonna use that now?"

"Just do it."

The blondie stuck out her tongue. "You know it doesn't actually hurt to be nice." Performing some difficult handsigns, Naruto and Kyuubi both shouted at the same time, "Henge!"

There was a puff of smoke and a small pop. Sasuke turned his eyes away, shielding them from the harmful dust particles. Yet, when he looked back, his black eyes widened in surprise.

A red haired, haughty-looking boy stood there, dusting himself off. He was about Sasuke's age and height, and was wearing an orange-red t-shirt and black jeans. The teenager had both ears pierced, and sharp, white fangs dangled from them. His hair was long, and he put it in a ponytail not unlike Ino's. A long – red but faded – scar on his left cheek stretched from his brownish-scarlet eyes to his mouth. It was twisted in disgust.

"Argh. I can't understand how you humans can stand staying in this puny form. So vulnerable," he muttered, canine teeth gleaming. "Even in my small fox state, I can probably do more damage than this thing." The fox demon's voice was ten times deeper.

Naruto, who changed appearances as well, sniffed indignantly. Her whiskers had disappeared and she was brown-haired once more. "Whatever. If you had only let me use your chakra the other day. Then I didn't have to use the hair dye and cheek lotion."

He snorted. "Like it helped much. And it's not Kyuu-chan, brat. It's—"

"Yeah, yeah." Naruto mumbled impatiently. "I know, Koji-chan."

Sasuke, quickly getting over the shock – he's been doing that quite a lot now – raised an eyebrow. "Harumi and Koji."

The brown-haired girl rolled her eyes, giving out a snort. "Don't look at me. Kyuu-chan was the one who picked the names."

Kyuubi glared. "Must you add a 'chan' to everything?"

"Of course!" Naruto grinned, and she jumped on Kyuubi's sturdy back. "Piggyback ride! Let's go, Koji-chan!" The fox grumbled.

"That's another reason why I hate this form."

Naruto playfully whacked his head. "Shush, fox." Then she directly her attention to Sasuke. "Sasuke-niichan, wanna come too?"

He glared coldly at her. "No."

"Aww," Naruto said, "You're back to being the icy bastard again!"

Kyuubi growled, "Let's get going already, kit. Where are we headed?"

Naruto punched a fist in the air. "The training ground I was yesterday-ttebayo! You can find it by my scent. Oh, and use the forest trail. That way we can avoid people."

"Alright."

The little child barely had the time to say goodbye before they were out the door. "Okay, Sasuke-niichan! We'll be back for dinner!"

Black onyx eyes followed Kyuubi, with a cheering Naruto on his back, dash into the green forest and vanish. His eyes lingered there for a few more minutes before they closed tiredly.

"Dobe." He went and closed the door.

XXX

Kyuubi's heart was beating fast as he ran. Yet it had nothing to do with the exercise. He growled at himself, wondering why the hell he was so repulsed when Naruto asked Sasuke to come. It took every fiber of his being to not cover her mouth and snatch her away. Never before had the little girl bonded with other people, so all this was new to Kyuubi. He didn't care much about the other older Naruto, who got under everybody's skin, but this one… she was so small, so innocent, so defenseless.

Why did he want to tag along? What was the feeling that arose, almost being possessive, when he heard Naruto go on and on about the three brats that she met in the supermarket and about how Sasuke… Here the fox demon snarled again. About how Sasuke¸ the great Sasuke, bandaged up her finger.

"Koji-chan? Are you alright? You're kinda gripping my legs a bit hard." Naruto tapped Kyuubi's head. "Hey, what's the matter? Fox got your tongue?" The child snorted, amused by the last question that she asked.

"Be quiet," Kyuubi grumbled, "Let me think in peace."

"Again, I am amazed that you have the ability to think."

"Kit…" The threat had no effect.

"So, what didja do at the boring meetings, oh brainy one?"

Kyuubi glared back at the little parasite on his back. "Nothing. Just talked about what we did during the years I was gone, why we killed all those Sound ninja, that kinda stuff."

"So how many people know that we're in this village?"

"I don't really know. But they're mostly ANBU."

Naruto furrowed her brows. "But how can I tell if someone is ANBU or not?"

Kyuubi rolled his eyes. "Mask. And I'll tell you. I memorized their scent."

"Oh, okay then." There was a small pause. Naruto placed her head on Kyuubi's shoulders, eyes closing. Then, all of a sudden, the little child softly pressed her small lips to the back of the fox demon's neck. "Thank you, Kyuu-chan."

His heartbeat, if possible, doubled up its speed. Without knowing it, his running pace quickened as well. Trees flew by, flashing green all around them. "What?"

"I told you, thank you."

"For what?"

Naruto had a sincere smile on her face when she answered. "For always being there for me when I was sad, for always being there for me when I needed you. Actually, for everything." She gently kissed his neck again, eyes still closed. "Thank you, Kurama."

He didn't reply immediately. But his heart swelled, and a wave of happiness overcame him, washing away his worries. This child was his. His. And he wasn't giving her away to any damn human that crossed their path.

"Brat."

Naruto smiled once more. "You mushy fox," she whispered, "Won't it be the day when you show your real emotions? I'd like to know what you actually think behind that mask of yours, Koji-chan."

If only you knew… Kyuubi thought wistfully. Stupid brat.

XXX

Kyuubi gazed around. His eyes roamed the area and stopped at the memorial stone. Tch, he thought, damn brat's memories are rising again. Although he didn't go into much detail in the hospital, the fox demon explained into greater length about acquiring the old Naruto's memories during the ANBU meetings. It's not like the two of them became one, just momentarily. Merely, Naruto's memories flowed into Kyuubi's, and he learned everything that Naruto went through as if the fox had been there himself. It's not like he was Naruto.

Meanwhile, the little brown-haired Naruto smiled widely. "I'm back!"

Kyuubi was sitting on the middle log, chin in his hand. "So, this is what you consider playing? Standing there like a dork and talking to air?"

"Be quiet, Koji-chan!" Naruto scowled, "I don't see you doing anything. You wanted to come along to play as well."

"That's because I thought you had something planned out, midget."

"I am not a midget, fox spit!"

"Mushroom head."

"Hey! This isn't my normal hair color, stupid furball."

"Who are you talking to?" Kiba walked out from the woods nearby. "Yo, little one!"

"Kiba-niichan!" Naruto bounded over and glomped the dog boy. "I'm so glad you're here!"

"Whoa, calm down, Harumi-chan. Don't kill me! Who were you…" Kiba had looked up and noticed Kyuubi sitting there, giving off an unpleasant aura.

Naruto noticed Kiba's gaze. "Oh, that's Koji-chan!" She turned and waved at Kyuubi. "C'mon, get over here!" The fox demon glared at her before standing up stiffly and walking over.

Naruto's memories say this is the human with the big dog. "I'm Koji."

Kiba grinned nervously. "Hey… I'm Kiba. How'd you get to know Harumi?"

Naruto appeared next to Kyuubi and quickly answered for the fox demon. "We're distant kin. From another village. He just got here last week with me."

Kiba's face cleared. "Oh, I see." He grinned easily at Naruto. "Okay then, little one. What are you doing here anyhow?"

Naruto scrunched up her nose. "I wanted to play."

"Ha!" Kiba laughed. "That's just like you, little one. I'm waiting for my friends. They're supposed to be—"

"Here." Naruto's head snapped around and she saw a boy with black shades. A nervous, young woman stood next to him, fingers twirling. Her eyes were the strangest shade of white.

Shino and Hinata, Kyuubi thought, indifferent.

"H-hello, Kiba-kun." She noticed Naruto and Kyuubi. "Oh, they are…?"

Kiba's grin got wider. "Koji and Harumi. They're new in town." He then turned to Naruto. "Hinata and Shino. They're my old teammates. And Hinata's my girlfriend. She just hasn't realize her intimate feelings for me yet."

"K-Kiba!" she stuttered, embarrassed.

"What? It's true. Everybody knows it!" Kiba turned sulky. "Why won't you go out with me?"

"B-because I'm too busy, Kiba-kun," Hinata said, turning beet red. She tried to change the topic. "Where's Akamaru?"

"Still sick. But Hinata, you must have some time!"

Naruto was watching with laughter when Shino muttered, "There they go again. Jeez, why can't he just give her the damn ring?"

"Huh?" The little child looked up at Shino, frowning slightly. "What ring?"

"The ring that Kiba bought for Hinata weeks ago. He hasn't proposed yet." Shino sniffed indignantly. "Now I'm just ignored whenever Hinata and Kiba are seen together."

"Aww, poor Shino-niichan!" Naruto consoled, patting his arm gently. "Don't worry, I'm here!" She turned to Kyuubi, who immediately gave her an uneasy and wary glance. "Don't look at me like that, Koji-chan! You'll be here for him as well, hmm?"

"Hn," Kyuubi grumbled. "Don't get me caught up in your petty affairs."

Shino observed Kyuubi and Naruto closely. They look quite… "So, how long are you going to stay here, Harumi?"

Naruto shurgged. "I'm not sure. Koji-chan is catching up with his old beloved friends." She snorted. "Or so he says."

"I see… Then, Koji-san, who do you know in this village?"

The fox demon glared at Shino. "That's none of your business."

"Koji-chan!" Naruto admonished, glowering at him. Kyuubi grimaced.

"Some ANBU here and there."

Shino was amused. She's got him twirled around her little pinky. "Oh really? I welcome you and Harumi to Konoha."

Naruto grinned. "Thank you, Shino-niichan!" She looked over at Kyuubi. Jabbing him in the ribs, she whispered heatedly, "And?"

Kyuubi turned snappish. "Thank you, Shino-san," he muttered sarcastically. The little child kicked him.

"Hey, midget, you shouldn't be doing that." Kiba lifted Naruto on his shoulders again, just like the other day. "Wanna go eat again?"

She perked up. "Ichiraku Ramen? Please, please, please?" Naruto pulled at Kiba's hair, pleading.

He laughed easily. "Alright, you punk. Stop messing with my hair!"

"Oh? Are you telling me you have a certain hairstyle?"

"Not really. Just don't want grubby midgets touching it with their grimy hands."

"Hey!" Naruto was about to nudge him hard in the head when he leaped up, grabbing Hinata in a bridal pose as he went.

"K-Kiba!" Hinata breathed out, surprised. Her face underwent a massive chemical reaction until it was scarlet red.

Kiba grinned wolfishly. "Well, sometimes when women can't make up their minds, we men just have to give them a push towards the right direction, huh?" He looked up at Naruto who was perched on his shoulders. "Little one, are you ready?"

Naruto's face nearly split in half with her wild grin that was similar to Kiba's. "Let's go, Kiba-niichan, Hinata-neechan!" And with that, Kiba jumped up in the air again and ran off.

Shino was not pleased. "And another one joins the club. Yea, why bother? It's like I don't exist. Shall we?" The teen took a step back from the raged Kyuubi. The bloodlust radiating off from the fox demon was horrifying. Shina gulped nervously. "L-let's go as well…?"

XXX

The house was quiet. Sasuke had forgotten what it was like to have a peaceful household ever since that midget moved in a week ago. He sighed. Now that Naruto was back, finding and killing Itachi had become number one on his list again. The raven teen frowned. He was sitting on the couch, feet propped up on the table when the doorbell rang. Sasuke got up slowly. The dobe was back already?

It was Sakura. She stood in the doorway, fidgeting uncomfortably as Sasuke glared at her. "Good afternoon, Sasuke-kun."

"What do you want?" His voice was as cold and unresponsive as ever.

"You know what I want, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said heatedly, "She's here, isn't she? Tsunade-sama won't tell me anything, but I know this for a fact. Naruto is here, isn't she?" The pink-haired girl looked up and stared hardly at Sasuke with her green-blue eyes. A fire burned feverishly in them. "Don't lie to me!"

"She is," was his curt reply. Sakura blinked, and Sasuke sneered. "And now, may you leave?"

"Naruto... I still can't believe it." The medic nin mumbled to herself agitatedly. Her attention snapped to Sasuke once more. "Where is she? I don't feel her chakra signature in your house."

Sasuke's dark eyes looked at Sakura frostily. "Out."

"Tell me where, Sasuke-kun!"

"I don't know. Why do you expect me to actually care where that dobe goes to?"

Sakura gasped, tears already brimming in her eyes. "How could you say that? It's Naruto! They all prevented me from seeing her and yet all you do is pretend she's not alive!"

"She doesn't remember us anymore."

The teenage girl glanced away, chewing at her lip again. "I know. I figured out that much by myself."

"What else do you know?"

"Kyuubi is that fox we saw. It has a human form too, doesn't it? And it has Naruto's memories."

"How do you know this?"

Sakura gave him a sad, small shrug. "I overheard people talking. This is the first break I had in days, so I came here." The young woman looked at Sasuke, eyes piercing. "Help me find her."

"No."

"Why, Sasuke? Why? I need to see her again. I need to see him!" Tears were spilling out of Sakura's light green eyes now. "Sasuke, please. I missed him so much. It's all my fault. If only I'd stopped him. If only he knew how I felt, he will remember! He must!" Sakura gasped at the force that was suddenly on her wrist. Sasuke had grabbed her hand firmly. His black eyes gleamed with loathing and anger.

"You ask why? This is why! Do you know how much you will hurt her if you tell her these words? Just the other day, she told me that we should get over the past and focus on the present and future. Would the real Naruto, the Naruto we knew, say those words? Would he?" Sasuke's voice had become a hiss, and his clasp on Sakura's wrist tightened. She winced in pain, but didn't say anything. He finally let her go. "Get a grip on yourself, Haruno."

Sakura was quiet for a few moments. She gently wiped away her tears and started healing her sprained wrist before she spoke softly. "I apologize. But, Sasuke-kun, if I do the best of my ability to refrain myself, will you grant me this one wish? I want to see his eyes once more. Just once, I want him to look at me and feel alive again. Just once, I want this to not be a dream, and that his forgiveness of me will not disappear as soon as I wake up. Will you, Sasuke-kun? I promise it won't be more than that."

He didn't answer.

"Sasuke-kun!"

"It's a she." He stepped out and closed the door. "Don't blame me if you get left behind." He disappeared. Sakura gasped, emerald eyes widening. Then they softened, a new batch of tears forming another time.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun." She followed, vanishing as well.

XXX

"Koji-chan! You're the biggest grouch I have ever met!" Naruto swatted a hand at him, but Kyuubi dodged nimbly. His eyes were scarlet, and the rest of the people in the ramen shop hesitantly took a step back. "Koji-chan! Why are you so mad at me?"

"Why?" he snarled, "You run off just like that with those strangers? Do you know how close I'll came to losing you?"

"Oh shut up," Naruto muttered, "It's not like you really will. And besides, saying it like that, you make it sound like you were worried."

His eyes flashed, if possible, a darker shade of scarlet. "Don't misunderstand me. But if I were to lose sight of you, the Hokage will have my hide."

"You mean the lady that was in the hospital the other day? Why? I don't know even know her."

Kiba cut in. "Tsunade-sama? How do you know Tsunade-sama?"

Kyuubi shot Kiba a death glare. Hinata whimpered slightly and clung on to Kiba's arm. The dog boy gave her a reassuring smile before turning to look at Kyuubi with upraised eyebrows. Naruto answered instead. "It was a mission. A long time ago. And since Koji-chan is my close friend, Hokage-sama wouldn't want me to get hurt. Now, Koji-chan, will you please calm down? People are staring."

Kyuubi used all the self-control that he had before his eyes returned back to their normal shade of brownish-red. "Hurry up and eat your lunch. If you ever do that again, I'll have your hide."

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto grumbled. She turned to the counter and shouted happily, "Miso! Two miso ramen, please!"

Everyone in the shop breathed a sigh of relief. Kiba and Shino – Hinata was still shivering with fright – looked inquisitively at the odd pair. Kyuubi was now sitting on a stool with Naruto, who chattering happily away like a chipmunk, bouncing on his lap . His previous fury at Naruto had seemed to vanish into thin air, and the red-haired teenager seemed to be absentmindedly stroking the other girl's brown, spiky hair.

While Shino merely stood there, Kiba sat himself down next to Naruto, pulling Hinata to sit in between his legs. He tenderly wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. She smiled softly. The dog boy then turned to Naruto. "So, what about us? We're hungry too."

Naruto pouted. "No way. I'm not treating you. You eat a lot."

Kiba laughed. "You hypocrite! Who was the one that downed five bowls last time?"

"You ate five bowls of ramen?" Kyuubi sounded appalled.

"Yup."

"I never raised you to eat garbage, brat." Naruto smacked Kyuubi on the arm lightly.

"It's not garbage! Don't insult it!"

Shino scoffed in the back of the shop at the little girl's indignant face. "Defensive."

Naruto was about to make an angry retort when she felt herself being pulled off of Kyuubi's lap and into a crushing embrace. Cold droplets of water fell on her face, and all of what Naruto could see was a sea of pink. The woman wept softly, whispering things that were too muffled for anyone to hear. Anyone except for Naruto, whose ear was right next to young woman's mouth.

"I-I'm so sorry, Na-Naruto… I c-can't he-help it… Oh g-god, it really is you…"


sigh. i didn't mean for sakura to be so emotional. but i guess that's okay. she loved naruto. XD i think saku/naru is better than saku/sasu. BUT SASU/NARU IS DA BEST!

hehe. sorry. okay, so yea. duh. the person holding naruto is sakura. XD if you want me to update, i'll need three more reviews as encouragement!

thankies.