And Chapter 11 is here. Hope you guys enjoy this. Can't believe how popular this story is. Over 200 reviews and over 35k hits. Readers, reviewers, thank you. Keep doing your own thang. And remember I'm looking for an artist to take up the challenge of drawing characters for all my stories. If you know someone, get 'em to read the story and get cracking. Thanks in advance. Peace.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and Naruto soon would have to go to his new kingdom. None of his friends and family were looking forward to this event as he would have to leave and not be home except for the weekends or if it was an emergency. Naruto too, was troubled by this. He thought of his poor son, who had just now got his mother back, only to lose his father for significant amounts of time. The boy was tough though, he'd pull through. He was his father's son after all.

Ino was not taking their last full days together very well though. She loved every minute they spent together, true, but she couldn't help but feel dejected. She wanted to rule by Naruto's side, be his queen, but she knew that Hikaru needed guidance and the children had to be protected. Sakura was strong but she couldn't protect them like Ino could. Sasuke was sure to try to take his revenge one day and Naruto couldn't be around all the time. Despite Hikaru warming back up to Sakura, Ino was still his mother, she was the one he ran to when he had a problem. Truth be told, he would probably always resent Sakura a little bit, but he would one day trust her fully again. Time heals all wounds and all that.

Naruto was both psyched and downtrodden at the same time. He was excited to see his kingdom, even though he had no idea what to expect. Maybe one day he could take Ino to their new home, probably once Hikaru was grown and could protect himself. He frowned to himself. His son was mortal. He was immortal. He and Ino would have a long life while his first child would die before him. Nothing saddens a parent more than knowing that their child will pass on before them. Ridding his mind of such troubling thoughts, he turned to more pleasant things. He smiled as he thought of his friend Lee, the new Toad Yonnin. Lee deserved it so much, more than anyone.

Sakura had come to live on the Uzumaki estates with her children. He tried to be objective about this. He didn't really want to have Sakura around, but after Sasuke's little display at the wedding, he couldn't leave her or her innocent children with that monster. Juugo and Karin it seemed, loved their new home. They were able to act like children here, not mindless Uchiha drones, and they absolutely loved Hikaru. Having an older brother was such a novel idea to them. Hikaru loved having younger siblings, they seemed to hang on his every word and action. Annoying at times, how they idolized him, but it was no different than how Konohamaru used to idolize him.

He was so lost in thought, reminiscing about the past and thinking toward the future, that he didn't hear his wife slip in the room or feel her climb onto the bed until her arms were around his neck and her tail wrapped around his. She pressed herself into his back and sighed, feeling the ever-present warmth that seemed to radiate from him. If she was ever lost in a blizzard with him, she'd never die of frostbite. She nipped at his ear with her fangs and bent to whisper in his ear.

"Let's take a walk dear. You need to clear your head and we need some time alone. Let Sakura watch the children. You and I need to talk."

He nodded and took her by the hand, leaving to find Sakura. They found her and the kids out back, the ever stoic Genmaki watching while he half dozed and Sakura sat against the side of the house on the grass. Hikaru, to Naruto's surprise and fatherly pride, was teaching Juugo and Karin his vulpine taijutsu. Having no natural affinity for bestial nature, the two small children were more rolling around than running on all fours, but it was entertaining to watch. Hikaru would demonstrate with no flaws since he was very proficient in this style, but Juugo and Karin, having been trained in the Uchiha style since they could walk, were too inflexible for it. Although, watching Juugo try to run with his ass in the air because he wasn't flexible enough to bend his legs properly made even Genmaki chuckle. This was what the children needed though, they needed each other. Sakura finally seemed to notice the two demons standing by her and she smiled up at them.

"Hey. What are you two doing out here?"

Ino returned the smile and looked back at the children.

"We're going for a walk and wanted to let you know. We'll be back later on, so if you want to take the kids for lunch, there's money on the counter. Tonight, I'm going to make Naruto whip up some of his barbeque and try a recipe that he learned when he got the old Kyuubi's knowledge."

"Oh? What's it called?"

"Potato salad."

Sakura raised her eyebrow and gave Naruto a funny look.

"Is it any good?"

He shrugged and grinned back at her.

"I guess so. All I have is the mental picture of it and an idea of how to make it. But it should be good. We'll see in any event. I'll make something for desert too."

"That sounds good Naruto. You two go on now. I'll watch the kids. Genmaki'll help me, right Genmaki?"

A snort was the only answer she got and she thumped the fox on the ear, making him growl. He still didn't like Sakura but he at least tolerated her presence since she seemed to make his charge happy. He looked up with half lidded eyes at his king.

Don't worry my Lord. I'll watch the kits and make sure they stay out of trouble. You and Lady Ino go and have fun. Just remember that you're making barbeque and I want some to.

"Of course Genmaki. Well, we're off. See you tonight."

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Naruto noticed that he wasn't getting glares anymore as he walked through the village. Instead he got smiles and friendly waves. He was a protector of Konoha and he had sworn a demonic oath to serve as long as his family lived here. Small children would run up and grab his tails and he would swat them playfully with another, making them laugh and squeal with joy, before they ran off. He glanced over at his mate and saw she had a content smile on her face. She caught him looking at her and smirked, deciding to talk to him psychically instead of out loud.

'Thinking about the glares or lack thereof honey? Its all because of your declaration to protect them as the Kyuubi instead of destroying them for the way they treated you. A lot of people have had to take a good long look in the mirror because of your selflessness. Enjoy the moment. You deserve it.'

'Its not just that sweetie. It's the fact that I hope they continue treating you like this when I'm gone. I don't want you ostracized because of irrational fear of what I, of what we are now. I don't want Hikaru being treated like I was because of who his father is. I want your lives as peaceful as possible.'

'Naruto, you can't protect us forever. I can take care of myself and both Sakura and I will be watching the children. Don't stretch yourself too thin worrying about matters in both realms. We took this walk to relax didn't we? Not to worry about would haves or could haves.'

'Sigh…you're right. I'm sorry. So what shall we do?'

'I don't know. You're the surprise ninja, you're the demon lord. You think of something.'

Naruto stopped walking and nearly jerked Ino off her feet since he didn't let go of her hand. She squeaked and turned to give him the evil eye, but he was staring at the clouds. A large feral grin spread across his face and he turned to look at his queen.

"Yeah I've got an idea. I want you to hop on my back."

She blinked twice and looked at him like he'd lost his damn mind.

"Do what now?"

"When I tell you, hop on my back. You're going for a ride."

Before she could say anymore he dropped her hand and stepped back to the middle of the street. People stopped and stared, wondering what he could possibly be doing. Most had come to accept the fact that a demon walked among them, but Naruto was still a prankster at heart and the people of Konoha had learned never to let their guard down around him over the years. All eyes present watched in fascination as he was engulfed in flame and once the flames peaked, they receded to reveal a horse sized red fox with familiar blue eyes. Ino glared at him while he wagged his tails and laid on the ground in front of her.

Well what are you waiting for? Get on.

She threw a leg over his back and sat down, grabbing a handful of fur. Before she could even squeal in surprise, he jumped off the ground and practically flew through the market. A bloodred blur was all the people saw, along with hearing a banshee shriek. Ino was laughing and screaming with joy. She'd never gone this fast in her life and it was exhilarating. She leaned to the right, trying to see Naruto's face in his transformed state. She could see his tongue lolling out one side of his mouth, a wide grin plastered on his face, his eyes gleaming with playfulness. She always did like that look in his eyes. It suited him and yet, it always meant trouble. Trouble she usually had to end up explaining to the Hokage later, while dragging his sorry ass by the tails to atone for some prank or misdeed. She sighed and her smile came back immediately after. 'It must just be his kitsune nature.'

Naruto, meanwhile, knew exactly where he wanted to go. He was going to the park, to explain to the children why he couldn't come around and play anymore. He saw the familiar structures of the park coming up fast and threw on the brakes, grinding to a halt and nearly throwing Ino over his head due to his sudden stop. He heard her sqeak, grab roughly at his fur and then she knocked him over the head, cursing at him for stopping so quickly without warning her. Naruto simply grinned at her and shook his head, ridding himself of the fog in his brain she had given him. Once his head was clear he turned his attention to the now gathered throng of children and adults in front of him. Ino slid from his back and stood beside him, wondering why he had brought them here. Naruto transformed back into his human form and turned his head so that he was slightly looking at her.

'I brought us here to tell the children I'm sorry, that I can't be around to summon foxes for them anymore. To tell them that if they want to play with toads they'll have to get Lee to do it for them. I just want to tell them to still be friends with Hikaru, Juugo, and Karin. I want things to stay normal for our son and our future children. That's all.'

'Our future children?'

Naruto looked up at her with a foxy smirk.

'Of course. We have to get started soon. Not only is it a requirement for being the vulpine regents but your mother and father threatened to kill me if I didn't give them grandchildren by the end of the year. We'll continue this later though ok? I can't be having these kind of thoughts while I'm talking to children.'

He turned back to the kids and started explaining to them the details of his departure. Ino just got an evil grin and began to send Naruto mental pictures of their honeymoon.

'Stop it Ino.'

She grinned and gave him another mental picture of their first night together.

'I mean it Ino. Stop. I can't concentrate.'

Her grin got even bigger and she told him what she was going to do to him after his first night back from the fox kingdom. He turned to her, his blue eyes wide and he snarled at her.

"Damnit Ino! Stop doing that. I'm trying to talk to children here and you're sending me those kinds of thoughts."

The people gathered all stared at him and one of the children asked him what kind of thoughts in a tiny voice. Good thing the heat was on the inside because the blush he had would have burned them all.

"Um, I can't tell you that little one. They're private thoughts and not for little ones. Ok? Now then, you kids all like my son Hikaru right?"

A chorus of yeses rang out over the playground. Naruto noticed that a few of the girls had blushes on their faces at the mention of Hikaru. Well, if they liked Hikaru, they'd surely love Juugo and Karin.

"That's good kids. I just have one more favor to ask of you ok? Hikaru recently found out that he had a brother and sister and they don't have many friends. Will you play with them like you do with Hikaru? Can you promise me that?"

Another round of yeses and Naruto's line of questioning was over. The kids' line however, was hardly over.

"Naruto-sama, was that really big fox the other day really you?"

"Of course it was. I'm a demon and that was my true form. But I prefer this form you see before you. It's more comfortable to me."

"Can we become demons too?"

"Haha, no little ones I'm sorry but you can't become demons. I'm a special case and so is my wife."

The small children all looked at Ino and she cocked her head in a very foxlike manner.

"What?"

"Are you really a demon too Miss Ino?"

"Of course. I have a tail don't I? And these cute fuzzy ears?"

A small redhaired girl stepped forward and gazed up at Ino with wide eyes.

"Can I touch them?"

Ino laughed and sat down crosslegged, letting the children pet her ears and tail. She purred in contentment and looked at her mate who had transformed back into a fox and was curled up, letting the children climb all over him. She looked the other way and saw all the adults laughing and pointing, happy that their children were having such fun. A sudden idea popped into her head and she sent Naruto a mental message.

'Hey Naruto? Can I turn into a fox?'

'You should be able to, I guess. You're a demon after all. Try it.'

'How?'

'Just imagine yourself as a fox. Imagine yourself transforming into a fox. Its that easy.'

'Can I control the size?'

'Of course. You just can't get as big as me. Not yet anyway. You don't have enough power yet. You should be able to get as big as me right now though.'

She nodded and stood up, telling the children to stand back. Clearing her thoughts she imagined herself changing into a fox and when she opened her eyes she felt the ground in four different places. Wait, four different places? She looked down and saw her paws and lifted them one by one. Turning her head she looked at her mate and saw him and everyone looking at her with wide eyes. Peering into his mind to see his thoughts, she thanked her dark purple fur for hiding the epidermis underneath.

'My god Ino. You're beautiful. I'm so lucky to have you for a mate.'

'So what do I look like?'

'A demoness ready for the hunt. A wild beauty untamed by anyone.'

'Who thought you were so poetic?'

'Who thought you were so cute with your tongue hanging out?'

'IT IS NOT!!'

Ino turned back to the wide eyed and smiling children and asked them.

Is my tongue hanging out? Tell me the truth now.

Her answer were several giggles and nodding heads. She narrowed her eyes and looked back at her mate.

'You knew this would happen and you didn't tell me?'

'Awww, but Ino, I thought you looked cute.'

'I'll deal with you later.'

So kids, how do I look. Much better than Naruto right?

The girls all agreed with her while the boys liked Naruto's look better. Ino still didn't know how she looked and wanted to get a good idea so they bade everyone at the park goodbye and made their way back home, still transformed with their tails intertwined. People on the street stopped and looked at the strange couple, and one older couple stopped them, asking who they were. Naruto answered in that deep voice that only summons and demons have.

We are the Uzumakis, Naruto and Ino. How can we help you?

"I just wanted to know if that was you Naruto-sama. Your wife and you make a perfect couple whatever skin you're wearing. Don't you think so dear?"

The old man nodded his head and smiled at Naruto, who returned the smile (good thing the people don't view him as a threat because smiles in fox form could easily be translated as a show of baring teeth) and bade them good day. He sighed happily and looked up at the sky.

'Today was a good day. I hope that my family has many more of these in the years to come.'

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Naruto and Ino walked through the door to find their family in the living room, playing a game. Sakura raised her eyebrow at the two foxes and looked at the one beside Naruto questionably.

"Ino? Is that you?"

Of course it is Forehead. How many other purple furred foxes do you know?

"Ok that's definitely Ino. Now how did the two of you get in here without hands?

Naruto waved his tails wildly and smiled toward Genmaki, who smirked back at him.

The same way Genmaki gets around without hands. We used our tails. Such wonderful appendages they are. Useful for…all kinds of things. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some dinner to make.

Naruto transformed back into his human state and walked off into the kitchen, leaving a wide eyed Juugo and Karin and a dumbfounded Sakura. Finding her wits again, she turned to the still foxy Ino.

"Why havent' you transformed back yet?"

I want to see what I look like in this state before I change back. I'll be back in a second.

Ino turned and opened the door to her's and Naruto's bedroom by twisting the knob with the tip of her tail, ignoring the look Sakura gave her. She flipped on the light switch and strode in front of the full-length mirror, admiring her form. Her fur was still the royal purple of her tail and ears but her paws were a pure white and her eyes retained their normal light blue. She swished her tail back and forth and sat on her haunches admiring her looks from every angle.

'Damn, I'm a sexy bitch.'

"Actually I believe the term is sexy vixen. Foxes don't have bitches."

She twisted around quickly and gazed up at her mates face. She had the good nature to look sheepish.

Sorry, I hope I didn't offend.

"Not at all. Now kindly transform back to your human form. I like you like this but its awkward to kiss you when you're basically licking me back."

She gave him a glare and changed back before launching herself at him, pinning him to the bed behind him.

"You know, as much as I want to do this, I still have barbeque and potato salad to make. I just came in here to give you your gift for unlocking your animal form."

"And what would that be?"

"This."

He reached around behind her and began to pump chakra into her tail, causing her to scream while he whispered soothing words into her ear and tried to kiss away her tears. The pain was gone before she knew it and she laid in his arms, exhausted from the brief ordeal. Her thoughts finally became unclouded and she snuggled into his chest more, while her tails fought with his. Wait, tails? She whipped her head around and stared at the two purple appendages behind her and squealed with delight, before kissing Naruto with much passion and love, causing his eyes to widen greatly. After nearly a minute of her sucking the breath out of him he began to flail his arms and tails wildly but she wouldn't relinquish her hold on him or his tongue. With a burst of strength, he separated himself from her and leaped off the bed and to the door. She remained on her knees, looking at him seductively before practically purring.

"You. Me. Here. Now."

"I…I can't Ino. I have to fix dinner. Maybe later tonight ok?"

"No. You and me. Right now. I have never been this horny in all my life. Get over her or I'm coming over there."

"I can't. The kids'll here us."

Ino made some handsigns and the walls glowed white for a brief second before returning to normal.

"Now they can't. Get over here. Now."

"But Ino…"

"UZUMAKI NARUTO! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE AND DO AS YOUR QUEEN SAYS OR THE VULPINE WILL NEED A NEW KING!"

"Gulp…yes ma'am."

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It was nearly fourty five minutes later that a bleary eyed Naruto and a more than satisfied Ino came out of the bedroom. Seeing the look on her ex husband's face and the pure glow coming from Ino, she could guess what happened. 'Poor Naruto, if I used to wear him out before he was a demon, I can only guess what Ino did to him.' She was about to ask smugly what they were doing when he turned his half lidded gaze to her.

"Ino had her way with me. I don't want to talk about it. Damn vixen and her newfound powers…"

He walked off into the kitchen still muttering under his breath, while Ino flopped down beside her on the couch and let out a happy sigh. Sakura, ever the inquisitive mind, couldn't help herself.

"So, how was it?"

Ino seemed to finally notice her friend and housemate and smiled at her.

"I wore his ass out. Remember way back when I said you fucked up letting him go? Girl, you have no idea. However good he was as a human is nothing compared to how good it is as a demon. And being a demon myself, it just amplifies it. Ooooo, I can't wait for next time."

"Sigh…I know, I fucked up. Wish I could go back and undo everything, but then you wouldn't be happy. I wish I had him back or at least had a man that was as good as him."

Ino looked at Sakura out of the corner of her eyes and gave her a sly grin.

"You know, I know a certain summoner who's had a crush on you since childhood. He's single, kind hearted, loves kids, and if he had someone with a fashion sense to dress him up, he could actually be quite handsome. Not that he isn't now, he just needs fashion guidance."

Sakura looked at Ino and narrowed her eyes.

"You better not be talking about Lee. I like him but I don't think he's husband or boyfriend material."

"And Naruto was? Naruto needed someone to polish him up, to show the world what a catch he was. Do you realize how jealous I was that you had such a catch and I didn't? I tried Sai for a while but we were just too different. Lee is just like Naruto back then. He needs someone to help him and love him for him. Give him a chance once you're healed from the divorce and you might just be surprised."

"Oh ok. And here I was going to ask if you'd share Naruto."

"Don't ever joke about that. I don't share and you know it. Besides, with the way I wear him out, what makes you think he'd have any energy for you?"

"Well, he could just lay there and I'd do all the work…"

Both women laughed at this but Naruto, with his sensitive hearing, had heard everything from the kitchen and was furiously blushing. He decided to concentrate fully on dinner and not listen to the ladies.

"By the way Ino, since when do you have two tails?"

"Oh these? The new tail was a gift for finding my animal form. I guess when I pass certain milestones; Naruto will gift me with a new tail."

The ladies continued with their conversation until a shout of 'Dinner's ready!' came from the dining room. Everyone made their way in and gaped at the spread on the table. Heaps of barbeque, the large bowl of what they suspected was potato salad, and the actual bowl of chef's salad. The smell made all present drool and when Naruto said 'dig in' there were no words spoken, only the sound of smacking and satisfied grunts. Ino took a bite of the potato salad and just stared at Naruto, making him worry.

"Is something wrong with it? Its not good?"

"No dear it's great. You'll have to dig further into your mind and see if you can find more recipes."

Naruto grinned widely before taking a bite of barbeque.

"Well if you love this then you'll die for my desert."

True to form, when he wheeled out desert, saliva was on tap in every mouth. The giant chocolate cake he had made was delicious and everyone went to bed that night with a smile on their faces and full bellies. Genmaki had disappeared after he finished his plate and hadn't come back yet. Naruto and Ino lay in bed, content after yet another round of fun. Naruto, trying to get his strength back and Ino wondering how their life would be now. A loud boom outside the window made both jump out of bed and they ran to the door and poked their heads out, seeing that Hikaru had done the same. Throwing on some pants and whatever shirt he could grab, they all ran downstairs and out into the large backyard, where a wide-eyed Sakura and her children stood by Genmaki. Across from them, stood three large foxes and all had eight tails.

King Naruto it is a pleasure to finally meet you. We are the council of the vulpine kingdom and we have come to fetch you so that you may serve the realm. We have heard that you have a few concessions before you do however and we have much to discuss.

Naruto sighed and relaxed visibly. At least it wasn't an enemy invasion.

"Very well honored councilmen. Come inside and we shall discuss what we shall do. And stay off the couch, I don't want you shedding any fur on it."

The three foxes looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Genmaki was right about you. You are an interesting choice for king. This shall be a most entertaining night, we can already tell.

Naruto just grinned and walked back into the house, calling over his shoulder.

"You'll find I can do more than just crack jokes, councilman. Much, much more."