xxxChapter 9: Where Loyalties Lie (Part One)xxx

"So...how many of them do you think were foxes?"

Kiba glanced at the blond walking beside him on their way back to their den. He shrugged slightly. "Don't know. I didn't really wanna observe what was hanging on the walls."

Naruto blinked before grinning. "Too weak stomached?"

A fine brow went up. "That's pretty tough talk coming from the one who threw up all over the floor."

Naruto cringed at the words and frowned. "It was not all over. So I spit up a little, who wouldn't? It was disgusting."

Kiba smiled and slung an arm around the other male, pulling him close. "Well, the good news is, we never have to go there again."

Naruto smiled back, and then enclosed his hand around the one hanging over his shoulder. "Yeah, that's true. I just hope we never, you know, end up...there," he muttered, and there was a plunge in his stomach as he said this. Because he knew if it ever were to happen, Sasuke would be the one to put him there.

But Kiba was unfazed and oblivious to the fear. "Nah, we live in the preserve; hunting's not allowed in there. In fact, the only way you'll end up dead is by drowning in your lame attempts to catch fish."

"Hey!" Naruto yelled in retaliation to the offense, and in return got a laughing Kiba nuzzling his nose into his hair.

"Relax blondie, I'll teach you to catch em' in no time."

Naruto scoffed, "Like you're the master."

"Of course I am, just look at me." Kiba boasted, raising his head haughtily.

Naruto shook his head. "Careful Kiba, your ego is showing."

They both laughed softly but calmed when they reached the hollow they had to go through in order to reach the den.

Naruto made to move forward when suddenly Kiba grabbed his wrist and yanked him back.

The blond stumbled and glared at him. "What the hell was that for?!" he complained, but then he caught the look on Kiba's face.

The brunet's eyes were narrowed below a crumpled forehead, and his lips were parted slightly.

Naruto stared at him in confusion. "What? What's wrong?" When he received no answer, he raised a brow and looked at the hollow.

It was dark, save for the dim sunlight at the other end. Leaves littered the dirt ground along with pieces of bark that were scattered here and there.

Naruto snorted and tried to move again, only to have Kiba yank even harder at him. "Hold on Naruto," he voiced sternly.

"What is it?" Naruto asked again, frustrated.

"There's something not right here." Kiba whispered.

"What do you mean?"

Kiba shook his head and pointed to the hollow with a jerk of his chin. "We shouldn't go through there; we need to find another way around."

"Huh?" Naruto glanced at the hollow, "Why? What's wrong with it?"

Kiba's gaze flicked to him, and then back to the hollow. "It's way too quiet."

"It's too quiet?"

"Yeah, and it...it just...something's wrong." The brunet placed a clawed hand over his stomach, "I feel it in my gut."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh, you know what that's called?" He roughly pulled his wrist out of Kiba's hold, "Gas, so c'mon."

He stepped into the hollow, and Kiba growled softly before trailing close behind him.

Neither were aware of the two sets of eyes watching them from the other end.

x-X-0-X-x

Sasuke could not remember ever feeling so much rage at one time. Not even when he sat by his brother's limp, broken body at the waterfall.

He knew his eyes must be the color of blood as they settled on the fox's fingers wrapping themselves around Naruto's wrist. His pale features were flushed with red anger as well, and the fine hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Sasuke knew his breathing had quickened to pants, he knew his fangs were bared in a threatening snarl and he knew his claws were breaking the skin of his palms as he sat crouched beside his master, hidden behind a boulder.

He also knew, if that fox touched Naruto one more time, there wouldn't be a damn thing he could do to stop himself from tearing the animal to shreds.

Sasuke shook his head quickly and tried to keep his focus on Naruto. They were here for him, mainly, not the other fox. But every time he took notice of what his gaze was settled on, he found it trapped on that fox's hand, making sure that it didn't rise to touch the blond again.

"Focus Sasuke," he growled quietly to himself and fixed his eyes on Naruto.

He watched as Naruto's foot brushed a leaf over and revealed one of the metal traps; the other fox followed behind but didn't set it off either.

And that was when he saw a dark hand come up and place itself over Naruto's shoulder.

Sasuke reeled back with a beastly growl and jumped forward but was abruptly shoved back by Orochimaru. "Not yet," he ordered.

The dog squeezed his eyes shut and calmed his breathing before opening them again. Seeing that the hand was gone, he relaxed considerably.

This was not good. Sasuke still thought of Naruto as his, and his only thoughts right now included either mutilating that new fox or grabbing Naruto and ramming into him to show that fox not to touch what was his.

His mind had nothing on the idea of killing Naruto.

Orochimaru sat oblivious to Sasuke's inner turmoil, assuming that his energy came from the excitement of reaching their goal.

The pale man lifted his gun. He closed one eye and aimed. "This is over," he whispered, then cocked it with a light 'click'.

x-X-0-X-x

Naruto's ears shot up at a clicking noise and he stepped back into Kiba. And when Kiba stepped back in reaction, both of them jumped as something snapped at their feet.

They landed, only to set off more traps that came centimeters from biting into their flesh.

Naruto yelped as one of the metal jaws scraped at his ankle. He hastily grabbed Kiba and dashed out of the hollow, both of them jumping over the traps and nearly escaping capture more than a few times.

When they were met with cool dusk air, Kiba was first to hiss as a gunshot fired and sliced across his cheek.

Naruto's head snapped back to him, "Kiba!"

"I'm fine!" Kiba yelled before using their linked hands to pull Naruto into a mad run for their den.

Dried leaves crunched beneath their feet as they ran at a blinding speed, fueled by a rush of fear and haste.

Naruto already felt his legs begin to burn from the effort. He gaped for air air as he pushed himself, and suddenly, something hit him, making him stop cold and pull Kiba back as well.

That scent...he knew that scent...

Kiba tugged at him, heaving, "What the – what the hell Naruto! We can't stop!"

Naruto looked at him, eyes settled on his bleeding cheek.

He yanked his hand out of Kiba's grasp and stared at him. "Go."

Kiba stepped back before growling at him. "What?"

"Go, I'll catch up."

"You idiot! I'm not leaving you here!" His ears went up suddenly, catching the pounding of a set of footsteps and his gaze snapped back to Naruto, "There's no time for this! Quit fucking around!" he yelled and tried to grab at Naruto's hand again, but it was moved out of his reach.

Naruto continued defiantly, "Kiba, I'm serious, go back to the den, I'll catch up." He stopped, noticing that the scent had become heavier, which means he was coming closer.

Blue eyes widened and he shoved Kiba in the other direction, "GO!"

"Naruto-"

"NOW KIBA!"

Kiba moved back, unsure, and searched Naruto's face thoroughly. Realizing that there was nothing he could do to change the blond's mind, he bit his lip and nodded once. "You better catch up," he warned.

"I will."

And with that, Kiba turned and continued to the den.

Naruto watched him go for a moment before quickly shaking his head and running to climb a nearby boulder.

If Sasuke was coming to see him, then Naruto was going to give him one hell of a greeting.