Hey people, here's my last chapter until I fell into another slump! I'll try hard to get out of it!!

Misaki sighed as she felt Tomoe's head slump against her shoulser as her friend fell asleep. In northern Japan, there were live hot springs, snow monkeys, and the rare black eagles. Misaki could imagine the black birds soaring through the sky, diving into rocks, and staring into their deep red eyes. They kind of reminded her of Naruto. They came in and came out when they wanted to, protected their friends from any threats, and were as stealthy as ninjas. Misaki looked outside to find Kyuubi following on the right side of the bus. He may have been in stealth mode, but Misaki could definetly see him. Though it was worrying. NAruto only left Kyuubi behind if he was worrited or if she asked. She may have asked this time, but the fact that Naruto was willing to leave him behind worried her. 'Don't worry, the brat can take care of himself.'

'I know Kyuubi-san but…what if he needs you, and you're with me?' Misaki asked.

'Kitten, we've been over this before. Naruto can take care of himself, I've trained him ever since we met you, he's above sanin level, and if he needs me, I'll channel power to him.' Kyuubi reassured.

'Okay. When do you think Naruto will come back?' Misaki asked.

'Two-three weeks tops.' Kyuubi answered. He frowned when he felt Misaki's mood dampen. 'Don't worry, he'll come back as soon as he can.'

'Kyuubi, do you think you could take me to Konoha and not tell Naruto?' Misaki asked hesitantly.

'Kitten…it's not a good idea.' Kyuubi reasoned. 'There is a reason why Naruto doesn't want you there. I've heard the kit say that to you, I've heard him explain it to you, and I agree. It's not safe, and if something should happen, then it's uncertain to me if the brat and I can protect you.'

'Why do I always need protected?' Misaki asked annoyed.

'Because if something should happen to you, the kit would die!' Kyuubi snapped. 'You're his most important person and his top priority, never underestimate that!'

'I'm sorry. Naruto's always sticking up for me, but I've never had a chance to stick up for him. Not to mention, I want to know Naruto's home. I want to see that part of his past. And I also want to tell everyone in Konoha they're idiots if they think the fourth's dead and that he's a hero!! It's not fair Kyuubi! I want to be there for him!' Misaki argued.

'You are there for him. Just at a safe distance.' Kyuubi replyed.

"Misakachi! We're here!!" Tomoe brought Misaki out of her conversation.

"Oh. Sorry Tomo-chan, I was just thinking." Misaki smiled.

"Well let's get going!" Tomo exclaimed as she pulled Misaki off the bus.

2hrs

Misaki sighed as she settled her body into the hotsprings as Tomoe talked her ear off. It was a good break after so much walking and talking with her class. It was fun, but it was exhausting. Not to mention, she was really bored. Tomoe and Kotaro had made it a point not to let her out of their sight, and she wasn't allowed to go exploring. She really wanted to see a black eagle. After she soaked in the water for about 30min, with Tomoe, talking the entire time, she got out of the spring, put on her robe, and headed back to her room. As she tried to fall asleep, she just became more restless. She hadn't talked to Kyuubi since she had that argument with him, and she felt pretty bad. Kyuubi and Naruto were only doing what they thought was best, but it was stil a bit smothering.

'Kitten.' Kyuubi got her attention. Turning towards the door that lead to the back side of the hotel, Misaki opened it, and there stood Kyuubi. The demon looked at her patiently, and turned his back to her. 'Get on.' Putting one of Naruto's t-shirts, a pair of her sweatpants, and slip-on shoes, she hopped off the patio, and climbed onto Kyuubi's back. Wordlessly, she leaned forward, and prepared herself for the rush. 'Hang on, little one.' Nodding, Misaki looked forward and allowed herself to completely immerse herself in the wind with Kyuubi. After three minutes of riding Kyuubi's back, they came to a stop at the ledge of a cliff. Knowing the procedure for when they maneuvered cliffs, Misaki laid flat on Kyuubi's back, and kept her head down. Confirming that the girl was prepared, Kyuubi leapt down the cliff. After hopping off several ledges down the cliffs, Kyuubi stopped midpoint down the cliff and made sure Misaki was still secure on his back. Confirming this, Kyuubi made one last leap to a flat area, and he stood. 'Kitten.' Misaki sat up in response.

'Yes Kyuubi?'

'Look.' Kyuubi pointed a little upwards towards a small ledge, and Misaki's eyes widened at what she saw. A giant black eagle bored down on her and Kyuubi, spreading its black wings to make itself more glorious, Misaki was stupefied. Kyuubi growled at the bird, and after a small glaring match, the eagle turned around and went back to its business. Looking closer, Misaki gasped at what she saw.

'Kyuubi…she's a mom.' Misaki said.

'Just watch kitten, you need to see it.' Kyuubi told her. Misaki watched as the bird gathered her chicks under her, and settled down with them. Suddenly, Kyuubi jumped back. Jerking back into position, she saw why Kyuubi jumped. An even bigger black eagle stood before them, spread its wings, and roared. Kyuubi growled loudly, and bent his head slightly, telling the eagel they weren't a threat, but he wouldn't hesitate to attack if necessary. Understanding, the larger eagle kept his distance and stared at Misaki. Locking eyes with the bird, Misaki felt as though she was looking into a different world, and different answers came to her.

'Kyuubi, I think he wants us to leave now.' Misaki said.

'I know kitten, we're leaving.' Kyuubi bowed his head to the eagle and leapt off into the woods. After coming to a halt, he turned to Misaki. 'Do you understand now?'

'Yeah. I do.' Misaki replied. 'Naruto left me behind because I have to protect what's precious to him, which means keeping me safe. Right?'

'Exactly.' Kyuubi nodded. 'Do you wish to go back?'

'No.' Misaki replied snuggling into Kyuubi's fur. 'You're more comfy than the bed, and Tomoe's not going to come back for the night anyways, he going to sneak into Kotaro-san's room.'

'You need to hang around better friends.' Kyuubi replied dryly. He noticed that Misaki could barely keep her eyes opened; sighing, he slowly walked back to the hotel, not wanting the teachers to freak out over the small girl. After five minutes, Misaki fell asleep. After seeing the patio she hopped off previously, he decided that a night of fresh air would be good for them both, and he'd just sneak Misaki in before anyone noticed. Laying down, he shifted Misaki, to where she was laying on his side, rather than his back, having his tails curl around her, to keep her warm. Smiling at his kit's very possible future mate, Kyuubi proceeded to fall asleep. Suddenly, Kyuubi's ears and head shot up, sensing a human coming from up behind them. The forest was dark enough to where a normal human couldn't see Kyuubi, but a human sneaking around this late at night was never good. Keeping himself and Misaki covered with his tails, he awaited the intruder's arrival. When the man came into view, and stood beside the hidden duo, Kyuubi growled heavily. It was a tall young man, most likely in high school, and had an aura Naruto and Kyuubi always made sure to keep an eye out for. It was Oujiro, in a dark ski mask. Checking his pockets, Kyuubi noticed it was a vile of some kind and a cloth; sedatives. He was planning to either abduct Misaki or rape her. Kyuubi wasn't about to let either of those happen.

Snarling loudly at the boy's presence, Oujiro jumped and looked around. Moving Misaki behind him, Kyuubi unveiled himself to Oujiro, teeth and all.

At first Oujiro was stunned, for he had never seen a demon before, but he also realized it could easily be his last if he didn't act fast. Doing what most would do in this situation, he bowed to Kyuubi.

"Great forest demon, I mean you no ill will, please forgive me for disturbing your woods." Oujiro begged.

Kyuubi sneered. "Why should I forgive a filthy human who tries to force himself on another being's mate?" Oujiro looked wide-eyed at the fox. "We demons believe in one life-mate, and should those two mates find each other, under no circumstance, should they be approached. Especially if the female has already rejected you several times. Why would I allow you to damage such a bond?"

Oujiro growled. "Believe me, this female is still availbile and has not been claimed by this boy!"

"Yet you planned to force yourself on her when her future mate left?" Kyuubi wasn't fooled. "Get out of my sight, disgusting parasite. If I find you in this forest again, I'll rip you to pieces! Now go! And in case you think this is all a dream…" Without warning, Kyuubi launched himself at Oujiro, and bit him in the thigh. Oujiro gapped, the fox moved so quick, that he didn't see it. It merely laid in its previous spot as if nothing happened. "Relax. As much as I'd like to see you bleed to death, that wasn't the purpose of my bite. You'll have a scar there from now on, in which will inflict pain upon you, should you ever try this kind of shit again. The more you fight it, the more painful it will become. This is the wrath of a demon in a good mood. Now leave before I turn into a foul mood!"

Not being needed to be told twice, Oujiro took off, not wanting to die to the demon fox. Satisfied, Kyuubi shifted Misaki back to where she was on his side, and once again, curled his tails around her. As much as he knew how much his kit loved her, he couldn't help but think something like this happened far too often. It was time he talked to Naruto about getting over his self-consciousness and giving Misaki the mark. Stating Misaki will always be his.