Naruto stretched slightly as he his mind returned to the physical world, for some reason his limbs were always a bit stiff after talking to Kyuubi-chan, "So what do I have to work with." he mumbled to himself taking a mental inventory of what he had; he could use the henge but his one broke at the slightest provocation, his kawarimi was perhaps the only jutsu he could do well, his bunshin were appalling and he knew it, he could also wall walk after Kyuubi-chan's training the other day, as for ninja tools he had four smoke bombs and a pack of shuriken. He also had a few storage scrolls for food, the old man had given them to him so he could keep his food fresh after the fridge broke. A soft frown furrowed his brow as he sat down to try and work out exactly how he was going to do this, calling up all his experience from pranks and all his cunning, he supposed he could have just asked Kyuubi-chan but he wanted to make her proud of him.

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Naruto had a small smile on his face as he walked into the book store; most of the people in the store giving him hate or disgust filled glares and a few were talking at him but he brushed them off, he was on a mission and he wouldn't let them break his concentration. Inwardly he smiled, last night whilst he had been sleeping Kyuubi had drawn him into the seal and taught him the importance of being able to ignore emotions when on a mission, this was his first attempt at trying it but his years of experience concealing his true emotions made this come naturally to the young ninja in training. Looking around he located a shelf with the books he was supposed to get on, scanning his eyes along them he counted eighteen books in total. A small satisfied grin grew on his face, the single storage scroll he had decided to bring should be enough to hold them. Turning around he left the shop his small smile still in place, the books were all nice and close together. He walked around the streets for a few minutes before making his way back towards the store to carry out his plan.

He stood a short distance from the door and took a small calming breath palming a smoke bomb in one hand and a rock in the other. With a small grin he put his plan into action tossing the rock at the bookcase he knew contained the Icha-Icha books shortly followed by the smoke bomb. There was a yell as the smoke bomb went off, the thick particles providing Naruto with the veil he needed to carry out his plan. By the time the smoke had cleared Naruto was already heading for home a, now almost full, storage scroll under one arm; the only evidence he had been in the store at all was a stone lying on the floor near the bookcase of Icha-Icha books. Naruto laughed happily as he vaulted along the rooftops, occasionally using his chakra to slow down, change direction, or ascend higher, his plan had gone perfectly 'I got the books.' he declared happily

'Good going, so how'd you do it?' Kyuubi responded Naruto's grin growing tenfold as he heard the hint of pride he had been paring for in her voice.

Naruto paused sitting on a rooftop in the shadow of a chimney 'Well I threw a rock in along with a smoke bomb for cover, then kawarimied with the rock to get near the books, I grabbed a few books before kawariming back outside using the stone.' he had a small grin on his face proud that his plan had worked 'I basically just repeated that until I had all the books you told me to get.' Kyuubi smiled to herself, Naruto might be a little dense sometimes.. well most of the time, but he definitely possessed a great deal of cunning and he thought outside the box. 'So do you still want me to come in and see you when I get home?' he added and he stood up and took off again.

Kyuubi nodded a soft smile on her face, feeling a little silly as she once again reminded herself Naruto couldn't see her, 'Yes' she said tenderly 'I like being with you and though we can talk like this it's not the same.' she confessed, if Naruto could of seen her eyes he would have spotted the spark of hope in them along with love and a little, badly concealed, lust.

Naruto's face wore an almost serene grin as the warm sensation he still couldn't place danced through his body 'I know what you mean.' he said pulling a face 'It's much nicer to talk to you in person, cause then I can see your face!' he declared happily.

Kyuubi fought a loosing battle with a blush as she heard that 'Thanks' she said her voice gentle and surprisingly soft.

'So anyway,' Naruto spoke up 'what exactly's in these books anyway?' he asked patting the scroll absently 'And why'd you say they'd be fun to read?'

Kyuubi bit back the giggles that rose from her throat, fearing they would give her away, 'If I told you it would spoil the surprise now wouldn't it?' she pointed out

Naruto frowned 'But I hate surprises.' he whined 'Tell me now.' in his experience surprises where never ever a good thing, and more often than not ended up with him in a hospital; if it weren't for the fact that Kyuubi was sealed inside him he certainly wouldn't have continued unless he was certain she meant him no harm.

Kyuubi almost winced at his response, she understood perfectly why he didn't like surprises, 'Just trust me ok.' she said tenderly, almost pleadingly.

Naruto nodded 'I do trust you Kyuubi-chan.' he replied his voice low but full of conviction 'Don't ever think I don't.. it's just it's hard... you know.. after everything that's happened.' he sighed frowning at himself; couldn't he say it better than that!

Kyuubi's face split into a small smile 'Thanks, and don't worry I understand.' there was a slight pause before she continued 'after all I saw it all.' she continued silently adding; and I caused it all.

Naruto gave a small frustrated sigh, he had heard the guilt in her tone even if she hadn't voiced it, he'd told her before, it wasn't her fault! Why did she continue to blame herself?! He just couldn't work it out. His brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to unravel that puzzle, his body following the route home more or less on autopilot his conscious mind only intervening when he realised he could take short cuts by utilising his new-found wall walking abilities.