Ore Wa Kimi No Mono
Chapter 12 – The History and The Adventure
A day and a half later, the pair found themselves just across the river from a tiny, sleepy village. According to Sasuke, this was the village the Foxes had made homes in before they moved to the village where Naruto was.
With a weary smile, Sasuke headed for the low bridge that spanned across the slowly moving water. He couldn't wait to sleep in a real bed, under a roof with good, home cooked food in his hungry belly. Naruto had been doing great providing for the two of them, catching and cooking food and finding good shelters but nothing could ever compare to the comforts of civilization.
Naruto bounced excitedly along beside him, not caring about silly things like roofs, beds or full course meals. The fox was adapted well to live in his wild surroundings. Unlike the black wolf. As the travelers trudged into the village, they were greeted with smiles and waves and calls of 'Good Morning'. But no where did they see a fellow fox.
There were all sorts of random demons living together peacefully here. Happy smiling faces, children running rampant, playing games. But the best part of it all for Naruto was that they all didn't seem to care he was a fox. If anything, they were excited to see him.
Sasuke led them into a small hotel and got them a room. First thing he wanted to do was take a bath and clean up his appearance. His black tail and ears had become matted and dirty, his face streaked with mud, leaves and twigs in his spiky black hair… and his clothes could definitely use a wash. Excited, the wolf wasted no time in stripping down to nothing and climbing into the tub of hot water.
Naruto took this time to explore the small room they had and relax onto the feathery soft bed. He really liked this town. He felt comfortable and at home here. Much more so than at Sasuke's Mansion. The blonde felt kind of bad for Sasuke. He could tell that his lover was not used to the rough life of living in the wild.
It made Naruto feel guilty for pulling him through this but at the same time, Sasuke never complained, never said a word of protest. Even as his fur dirtied and his clothes wore out. Sad part was, Naruto was still ready to go, explore, meander through the wild lands and fend for himself. It was much more his element than cities or towns were.
It was then that Naruto realized just how different Sasuke and himself were. Naruto wasn't afraid to get down and dirty and live off the land. Sasuke was a city boy, accustomed to having things done and ready for him with minimal effort.
With a heavy sigh, Naruto stood looking out the window. He watched the people merrily go about their way and wondered if he could ever get accustomed to this city way of life for Sasuke…
"Bath is ready for you," Sasuke murmured.
The boy turned and smiled at Sasuke with thanks and blushed when he saw that Sasuke was completely naked as he was using his towel to dry his hair. Naruto averted his eyes as he headed into the bathroom, giving Sasuke a wide berth. He loved Sasuke, he really did, and loved talking with him and being near him again but this whole thing about sex and mating was really starting to get to him. So he did what he did best and avoided it all together.
The fox undressed, tossing his soiled clothes into a corner and stepping into the hot, clean water. His soft orange ears pressed back against his head and his fluffy fox tail twitched happily as he sank into the water. It felt delightful to have a bath after days of living in the forest.
He scrubbed his skin clean with soap and washed his grubby hair and fur before just sitting back and relaxing. He sighed happily and immersed himself up to his mouth in the water and closed his bright blue eyes. Ah… to be clean. There was no doubt that Naruto loved being out in the wild but he would always love hot baths.
A knock sounded on the door and startled the poor boy out of his reverie. "Naruto? How are you doing? Are you hungry?" Sasuke's voice called through the door.
Naruto smiled and sat up, "I'm alright but you can go ahead and grab some food without me!"
"Ok."
Naruto heard the door to their hotel room open and close. Then he sank back down into the water and closed his eyes. This was perfect… they could have a good, relaxing night together before doing some investigating tomorrow. So exciting; to be this much closer to his family.
But all the excitement in the world couldn't keep the tired kitsune awake.
…
The next day the pair headed out, clothes freshly washed, supplies stocked, and feeling refreshed from a great nights sleep. They moved through the town, asking strangers if they had any information at all for them to work off of.
No one was really helpful. Most of the older folks who had been around for some time remembered the Fox clan and remembered them moving on to another village. But no body knew what happened to them after that. It was like they all just disappeared after that. That answer wasn't acceptable for Naruto though. A whole clan couldn't just randomly go missing and go unnoticed for 15 years.
So they searched on, asking everyone they ran into.
In early afternoon, they started losing hope. It seemed no one knew anything after the Fox clan had moved on from this village. That is, until a funny looking white haired old pervert overheard them.
"They took off to the mountains," the man said, sounding completely uninterested. His white hair was long, pulled back into a low pony tail and he had red markings on his face that looked like tattoos. He was dressed in strange robes and wooden sandals on his feet. But the strangest thing about him was that he was peering through a hole in a fence. At what, the boys weren't sure but he had information so they moved closer.
"The mountains? How do you know this?" Naruto asked, genuinely curious about this strange man.
"I showed them how to get there," he chuckled, not looking away from the hole in the fence.
"What? You were there? Then do you know what happened to them? What made them flee to the mountains?" Naruto asked excitedly, almost bouncing around with anxiety.
"Yeah, I was there. I was the village scribe at the time. Those damn wolves… they fought dirty they did… so, so dirty…" the man chuckled to himself, pressing closer to the fence.
Sasuke frowned and moved closer to the white haired man and folded his arms in front of him with his black ears folded back and his tail waving in slight irritation. "Could we have your attention, please?" Sasuke asked, his tone clipped and short.
The old man waved his hand at Sasuke impatiently, "You've got my attention, kid. What other questions do you have? I'm busy doing… research…"
Naruto bounced up and tugged on the mans' sleeve innocently, eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. "Could you tell me where they are? Could you tell me how to find them?"
The old man paused and finally looked away from his hole in the fence and glanced at Naruto. His jaw dropped slightly as he looked at the kitsune. "Y-you're… a fox?" he stuttered. Naruto nodded excitedly. "Who are you?"
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto," the boy stated proudly, a big smile plastered on his lips. "Who are you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto? You're alive?" the man suddenly whirled around fully faced the little fox. Disbelief lit in the old mans' eyes as he moved closer. "I don't believe my eyes! Naruto, where have you been these past 15 years?"
Naruto tilted his golden head to the side in confusion. The man knew him? Just who was this stranger? Sasuke moved to stand by Naruto's side protectively. "I've been in the village of the Uchiha's… how do you know of me?"
The man seemed shocked suddenly but he crept closer to Naruto and started circling around the boy, touching his soft coppery ears and tail, looking him up and down before stopping in front of him with an excited smile on his face. "I knew your parents, boy! I'm Jiraiya, Toad Sage and Scribe… and you must be Uchiha Sasuke. I'd recognize your heritage anywhere," Jiraiya examined Sasuke with an eyebrow raised.
Sasuke scowled and twitched his tail in irritation but stayed quiet. He didn't like this Jiraiya. Naruto, however, was quite excited about Jiraiya. "You knew my parents? What happened to make them leave? Why did the wolves attack? Are there more foxes somewhere? You said the mountains; can you tell us how to get there? Have you seen them lately? Are they ok? Is there-"
"Calm yourself, kid! One question at a time! Yes, I knew your parents. Though this topic would be best discussed in a private place. Let's go for late lunch, shall we?" Jiraiya started walking into the village proper and headed for a restaurant. Eagerly, Naruto followed closely, his soft fox ears perked up and tail swishing happily. Sasuke followed like a storm cloud, tense, heavy and silent.
When the trio settled in and had placed their orders, Jiraiya laced his fingers together, placed his elbows on the table and regarded the pair coolly. "So, you have been in the Village of the Uchiha's this whole time? How have you managed to survive?"
Naruto fidgeted for a moment uncomfortably, remembering what his life used to be like. "I… lived alone. A scavenger in the forest. I slept in dens and trees and ate left over scraps and took clothing or scraps of cloth that people threw away. The villagers…" the boy paused, squirmed, glanced over at Sasuke and down at the table before continuing, "They hunted me… beat me… cut me, chased me off. Called me awful names… they didn't want me around. There was one day where they chased me deep into the forest and started cutting and beating me when I changed forms and attacked them back… then Sasuke came. Sasuke saved me and took me in…"
Jiraiya looked at Sasuke who had a gentle expression on his pale face as he looked at the little kitsune. He knew then that the two were together. With a knowing smile, Jiraiya nodded, "So Sasuke has taken you in and is looking after you. When did you decide to go looking for your clan, Naruto?"
The boy smiled eagerly, "When one of the village elderly said she remembered the Fox Clan. Said they were peaceful and strong and kind and were only looking for peace with the wolves. When suddenly the Foxes disappeared. Then Sasuke and I went into the village archives and read about the history and found out the wolves and foxes were battling and the wolves were going to massacre the fox clan…"
The old man nodded. "Yes, I remember. I was the scribe there at the time. So you want to know what happened then. What happened between the wolves and the foxes and why they disappeared?" At Naruto's eager nodding, Jiraiya smiled and continued. "Well… let's start with why the wolves and foxes were butting heads…"
Their food came and Naruto dug in hungrily and Sasuke stayed silent as he ate. Jiraiya took a few mouthfuls of food before starting his story. "20 years ago, the wolves lived in the East. They were a growing colony that was gradually spreading to their surrounding areas. They were skilled in battle and foraging and were a very clean and pristine race. Around that time, the foxes lived in the West. Likewise, they were a mighty clan, growing and expanding. Skilled fighters but also great peace lovers. Humble and forgiving, this peaceful race decided to move East. They wanted to teach others and spread the peace."
"The wolves had a similar idea and wanted to expand their territory West and conquer all other clans and control as much land as they could. In their greed, the wolves taught young how to mercilessly fight, to be cunning and deceitful. They claimed lands that belonged to peaceful farmers and innocent civilians. Kicked people and demons alike from their homes and forced them to flee for if a village refused surrender, their homes were burned to the ground and taken by force."
"The rumours of these mighty warriors drifted West as people were fleeing and running in fear. The Fox Clan heard the rumour and, being the peaceful people they were, decided to intercept the wolves and get them to stop their plague. They met at the Village of the Uchiha's 16 years ago. They both settled into the village and the Fox Clan leader, your father, Naruto, approached the Wolf Clan leader, your father, Sasuke. At first the talks were hostile. The wolves wanted to get rid of the Fox Clan and keep going, wanted spread the length of the entire continent. Though as they continued, the Fox Clan convinced the wolves that they had more than enough land for their growing culture and clan."
"There was no need to be greedy and to keep taking. People would rebel, fight back. Get tired of being pushed around. So the wolves started listening and the talks started going quite well. Until a wolf spoke out saying there was no need to fear the people. No clan was as mighty or strong as the wolves. And definitely not as proud or fierce as the Uchiha Wolf Clan. Then the talks started going sour. The wolves messed with the fox's supplies, food, shelters. Got into fights. Stole. Anything to mess with them. The fighting broke and spread into the village and the farming land around the village."
"The Fox Clan only fought in defence and never did anything to provoke or pester the wolves. They did not believe in petty things like that. They defended and protected the innocent villagers as best they could while tired, hungry, and aggravated. Then one October night, just as your mother was giving birth to you, the wolves chose that time to attack. They snuck in, planning a massacre to finally rid themselves of the Fox Clan. The Fox Clan held their positions for as long as possible without getting too hurt. When Kushina finally gave birth, the Fox Clan swept up camp and left."
Jiraiya stopped to eat a bit more, trying not to talk with his mouth full. Naruto's food sat nearly untouched, he was so intrigued by the tale of his clan. Sasuke's food was finished but he was just as interested in the story, sitting with his black ears perked up, ready for more. They both sat silently, patiently waiting for more.
The man finished his food before continuing. "I was a teacher and friend to Minato of the Fox Clan. I saw their plight and wanted desperately to help. So I left with them and brought maps of the country, trying to lead them to a safe haven where they could settle down and raise their young and recover. But amongst the carnage and chaos and confusion of the attack and flee, Minato and Kushina were ripped from their son. Their brand new baby boy had been stolen from them but as leaders of the clan they could not stay behind. They had to lead their clan to safety."
"I led them all to the mountains and helped them establish a new, peaceful refuge that grew to be the Village of Konoha. I left them after a time, after I knew they were safe and able. I returned to the Village of the Uchiha's to search for you. My hopes weren't high. I figured you had been slaughtered or had died of starvation. I never found you. Once the Uchiha's found out I had aided the foxes, they banished me and locked away all the history and reports with magic so only one with great power and relation to the history inside could enter."
"So I came here. I haven't been back to Konoha since…"
The sage finished, sitting back with a huff and a full belly. Naruto and Sasuke sat in stunned silence. For a heart wrenching moment, Sasuke thought that Naruto was going to be upset and spiteful that his family had left him behind. Hadn't gone back for him. For a moment, Sasuke feared the worst for Naruto. But he had no need to worry because Naruto broke into a wide grin and bounced excitedly in his seat.
"So they're alive? They really loved me and wanted me… they didn't want to leave me… how sad they must have been, thinking I was dead… How do we get there, Jiraiya? I need to see them!"
Jiraiya grinned and stood, put money down for their meals and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well, little kitsune, let us stay the night and refresh ourselves for the journey ahead… I'll take you to Konoha."
Naruto jumped up and hugged the old man with a cry of pleasure. He was so happy, so excited to be that much closer to finding his family! Things were looking up!
…
Three days later could find the three companions travelling through the Hill Country. Jiraiya said that there was another village close by that they could stop at but it would be one of the last ones they saw before they started hiking in the mountains. Jiraiya said they would be there by nightfall. It was mid-afternoon when they stopped for a quick break by the river to refill their canteens. Sasuke set down his pack and wandered into the forest lining the path to find a spot to empty his bladder.
But as Sasuke was heading back to Jiraiya and Naruto he was suddenly attacked from behind. Pushed hard into a tree and pinned there by strong hands, Sasuke cried out and growled deep in his throat, his eyes flashing crimson. He tried to push back and turn to face his attacker when he heard Naruto cry his name.
"Sasuke? Are you ok?"
Hot breath ghosted over Sasuke's nape and he shivered, repulsed by the closeness of his enemy. "Who are you? What do you want?" Sasuke hissed, his black wolf ears flat against his head in anger.
"You're after me, aren't you? I'll kill you before your friends come and see me," the voice growled.
"Don't think so," Sasuke grunted and pushed off the tree and transformed into his wolf form, growing to 20 feet in length, his black hair growing and covering his body. His face elongated into a gnashing muzzle full of long, sharp teeth. His black eyes burned crimson and grew to be 10 foot tall. Menacing, dark, powerful, like all Uchiha's. He crouched and faced his attacker who had transformed as well. Sasuke was shocked to find himself staring at another midnight black wolf. The only difference between the two was that his enemy had a white belly and two toes on each paw were white.
Sasuke suddenly felt nervous; he had never had to fight before. He tussled and wrestled before and had fought in his human form, but never had he truly fought in his demon form. He didn't know how to.
The stranger flicked his tail and pulled back his lips, exposing his sharp canines as he growled. They were both tense and watched each other for openings, weakness, hesitation. The other wolf lunged, throwing his shoulder into Sasuke's chest and pushing, knocking the wind from his lungs. With a grunt, Sasuke growled and clamped his teeth down on the exposed back and applied pressure. It didn't take much to break the skin and draw blood.
The strange wolf yelped but growled, ducked down and snapped at Sasuke's paws. The boy lifted his paws, placed them on the side of the wolf and shoved, making the other stumble back. But that gave him space to recover. Again, the other wolf lunged and managed to lock his jaws around Sasuke's throat.
He started to close his jaws down and Sasuke whined, finding it very hard to breathe. Just when Sasuke was starting to panic though, a burning copper form leapt through the trees and slammed powerfully into the wolf.
A roar filled the air, sending a terrible shiver down Sasuke's back. The other wolf shakily got to his feet and faced the angry fox hovering over him. He looked shocked and confused for a moment. When Naruto advanced with a vicious snarl, the wolf bowed his head and backed down, transforming into his human form in surrender.
Sasuke forced himself to his feet and transformed back into his human form and touched Naruto's copper hind leg. Naruto transformed back, still tense, poised and ready, glaring at the stranger. "Who do you think you are?!" Naruto demanded, his ears pulled back in anger and warning.
The stranger bowed and stood up straight, "I am Sai… this is a misunderstanding… I'm sorry for attacking your friend. I just smelt wolf and thought I was being chased again." The boy, Sai, explained quickly.
Now that he wasn't in demon form, Sasuke and Naruto could look at him better. He had short cropped black hair, inky black eyes, small face, and extremely pale skin. His clothing was also very odd. He was wearing a black t-shirt that looked like the bottom half covering the stomach was torn clean off and low riding black pants and fingerless gloves.
"Chased again? Who's chasing you?"
"Wolf demons trying to hunt me down and kill me for deserting the village…"
"Right… well… be careful next time," Naruto warned before grabbing Sasuke's hand and dragging the wounded wolf back to the path where Jiraiya was waiting.
"Wait!" Sai followed the pair. "Who are you? Where are you going?"
Naruto glanced back at Sasuke who shook his head cautiously. "I'm Naruto… this is Sasuke, and that's Jiraiya," Naruto gestured over to where the old toad was washing his face in the river water.
Sai looked over the trio before smiling a painfully fake smile. "May I join you on your journey to wherever you are going?"
"No. We are on a quest and don't need any more people," Sasuke butted in, gingerly touching his bruised throat.
Jiraiya clapped a hand on Sasuke's shoulder with a wide grin, "What are you talking about! The more the merrier! We'd be happy to have you along!" Naruto and Sasuke's tails twitched in irritation for a moment.
This was going to be a long, awkward journey…
…
Oh my goodness… a new chapter! How about that! Haha! Well, I'm terribly sorry about the wait but I hope this most interesting chapter makes up for it!
To those who read and reviewed my last chapter, thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to do so. More interesting, drama filled chapters are to come! Please keep watching for the updates!
Please READ AND REVIEW!
Love you all,
TLC