Here's 'N' as promised :)!

Not much to say this time. So I just hope you enjoy!

Name

Just who is he?

Kurama. Naruto doesn't know a Kurama. He never met a Kurama in his life. He's never heard of a Kurama either.

But seeing the name harshly reminded Naruto that Kyuubi did in fact, have a life before he met him. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Naruto loved hearing stories of Kyuubi's past and hearing of all the funny moments and the awesome moments. He also liked hearing about the people he's met(occasionally, such knowledge has saved the day).

But that's just it. The people Kyuubi have met.

Kyuubi once told him that he didn't have friends, or even anyone he has liked, before he met Naruto.

Sure he was drugged at the time, but Naruto found out that Kyuubi is much more honest when he doesn't know what he's saying. So when he told him that Naruto was the first person to befriend him, Naruto admits he felt special. He befriended the powerful fox demon. He got it to trust him first before anyone. He was the first special person to Kyuubi after centuries and centuries of life.

Only now he knows he wasn't.

It started off simple enough. Kyuubi loved to do things with his hands and Naruto introduced him to crafts(you know, drawing, wood carving, painting, clay modeling, etc. The art supplies surprisingly weren't hard to get especially for a fox demon). But then Naruto noticed that he put one name on all of his most beautiful works.

Kurama.

He tried NOT to be curious. Kyuubi had told him so many stories so far. If he didn't want to tell him who this 'Kurama' person was yet, then that was his business. But the more he saw Kyuubi write it the more curious he got.

And more jealous.

He had to be special to Kyuubi. He was probably his REAL first friend. Kyuubi and Kurama probably hung out all the time, getting into all kinds of mischief. Naruto imagined them pulling pranks together, eating blueberry pancakes every morning for breakfast and super spicy sand ribs every night for dinner; he even imagined them eating at Ichiraku's together even though Ichiraku couldn't have been around at whatever time Kyuubi and Kurama hung out. He bet this Kurama person also shared a cave with Kyuubi. Every night. And he bet Kyuubi trusted Kurama more than anyone and told him all of the secrets Naruto had to work extra hard to earn.

He bet that maybe...maybe...this Kurama could've been...Kyuubi's...His Kyuubi's...lover.

The thought made Naruto physically ill. His head hurt and his stomach twisted and turned painfully as he thought of Kyuubi with a previous lover. A previous much hotter, much stronger, much more likable lover. A lover who Kyuubi loved so much, that everything he created was dedicated to this guy.

Would he dedicate things to Naruto even after he died?

Kurama probably died in a tragic accident and it made Kyuubi the untrusting fox he is today. Kyuubi probably really misses Kurama, even though he has Naruto now. And maybe the blond just can't replace this guy in Kyuubi's heart.

And so, as much as it hurt, as much as he didn't want to, as much as he knew how much happier he would be if he just let go of the whole thing, Naruto had to confront Kyuubi about this Kurama person. Obviously the fox was still in pain and, no matter how much it hurt(how much it really, really hurt) Naruto, he loved Kyuubi too much to see him in pain.

He could...ignore his jealousy for now. Take it out on some training, missions, and trees. And he could ignore his pain for now, because his pillow is now super absorbent.

His chance came when he and Kyuubi were out one night in the forest. They had just gotten through a little training and were now sitting under a tree just serenely enjoying the night time nature around them. Or maybe Kyuubi was. Naruto was enjoying the sight of Kyuubi himself. His orange-red hair hung low after a trip into the lake(courtesy of Naruto) and framed his face nicely. His beautiful eyes were covered by his eyelids but the dark-red lashes contrasted beautifully against his tan skin. His pinkish lips were parted slightly, giving Naruto a glimpse into his spicy-tasting mouth. The hard muscles that Naruto spent many nights cuddled up to were hidden by a long-sleeved white shirt with Naruto's signature spiral on the front; ditto for his legs which were covered by the blue cloth of Kyuubi's pants. But Naruto pretended he could see them anyway. He had a peaceful expression on his face, so peaceful, that it almost looked like he was sleeping. But Naruto knew he was awake. He was just getting the last of his admiring in before it all ended.

"Aheh, training was nice earlier wasn't it?"

"Mm-hm. You've gotten cleverer."

"Seriously? You think so?"

"Got me into a lake didn't you? I didn't even see you until it was too late," Kyuubi smiled. But since his eyes were still closed he didn't see Naruto's face flush as he smiled brilliantly at the compliment. But maybe that was a good thing as he missed the frown that formed on Naruto's face soon after. Kyuubi's compliments meant everything to him. Would he still receive them after this?

Did it matter? Tonight was about stopping Kyuubi's pain not his.

"Thanks haha. But I can still be better. I have a long ways to go before I'm as good as you or Pervy Sage or...Kurama," it was a struggle to say Kurama's name without the anger he felt thinking about it. But Naruto thinks he did a pretty good job keeping his voice in check. Now he expected Kyuubi to confess. He expected him to ask Naruto how he knew about Kurama. He expected him to say anything other than what he said.

"Huh?"

Of course it looked like Kyuubi was just playing dumb. Like he didn't want Naruto to know so he also pretended not to know. Add another strike to Naruto's heart. But he had to continue.

"Don't play dumb Kyuubi. I'm talking about Kurama."

"What...did I hit you too hard or something? Are you drunk?" Kyuubi peaked an eye open and looked at him. Naruto smirked to hide the fact that he kind of wanted to throw a tantrum right now. Did Kyuubi really not want to talk to Naruto about this?

"I've seen all your work thus far. You keep dedicating it to Kurama," Naruto stretched and leaned back on his arms looking at the sky, hoping that Kyuubi didn't sense the tears that were threatening to come to the surface.

"So...who is that guy? Was he an old friend? A good buddy of yours? A lover?"

Naruto was avoiding looking at Kyuubi, so he didn't see Kyuubi look at him strangely before a look of realization dawned on his face. He sighed in amusement and smiled. Naruto mistook that sigh for meaning something else and felt even more miserable.

"Seeing as how I didn't know shadow clone jutsu back then I find it hard to understand how I could have a love affair with myself."

What?

"Huh?" Naruto immediately looked at Kyuubi to see him smirking at him. Kyuubi rolled onto his side so that he was facing Naruto and reached out to pick up his hand.

"You once told me that anytime I create something with my hands I should also put my name on it so that no one would steal it. Ring a bell?" The red head said as he played with Naruto's fingers.

It took a few seconds for what Kyuubi truly meant to sink in, but once it kicked in Naruto's expression was one of shock and his face was as red as can be.

"EHH?" He shouted pointing at Kyuubi with his other hand. "K-K-Kurama is your name?"

Kyuubi grinned widely, "correct!"

Naruto's jaw dropped. It-It made so much sense! How could he have jumped to the conclusion that Kyuubi had lied to him and actually had a special person before him before thinking that it could be his boyfriend's name? Well, he felt dumb. Come to think of it, why didn't the fox just say so?

"W-Wait what about Kyuubi? Why do you let me call you that? Why didn't you tell me your real name sooner?"

Kurama shrugged, his nine tails fanning out behind him. "Kyuubi is a title. It's what I am, Kyuubi no Kitsune. What? Would your parents name you Ramen Topping no Jinchuuriki? It's the same concept. I let you call me that because I like it. Yonbi, or Son really, was the one who always through a fit whenever we didn't refer to him by his name. But I liked my title. It represented my indescribable power which is why I preferred it. And I never told you because you never asked. You should know by now that I don't give out information so freely, especially if it's needless," Kyuubi said with a grin.

Naruto grinned slightly back but he was thinking about something. He spoke again when he reached a conclusion.

"Well then, I'm going to call you Kurama from now on."

"What? Why? I like Kyuubi."

"Because as you said, the title Kyuubi represents your power. You're not a power source to me anymore Kurama. You're my boyfriend. An individual that I like. So I wanna call you by your name, because Kurama represents that special individual. I'm not dating your power. I'm dating you."

Kurama was speechless before a smile slowly formed on his lips. He rolled back onto his back and closed his eyes.

"Okay Naruto. If you want to call me Kurama you may. But don't forget that I'm Kyuubi!" He said holding Naruto's hand in his own. Naruto grinned widely and laid down side him. He was happy now. Because there was no threat to his and Kurama's relationship. No past unforgotten boyfriend or lover, just a sweet old name that Naruto will convince Kurama to love having one day. It'll take some getting used to; using the new name. But Naruto could be creative with it.

"Of course not Kurama-uubi!" He chirped. Kurama frowned.

"That...will never be said again. Don't get too crazy with my name."

"Haha why not? You have like three of them! I'm gonna go nuts!"

And so ends the triple update!

Lot of focus on Kyuubi these past few letters but that was because I felt he needed some moar love. Next few letters should focus on Naruto's life for a change :D.

Next, TINL!

Hope you enjoyed and please let me know what you think :D.