Normal

"Speech"

Thought

Kyuubi

Warnings: I do not own Naruto. Rated "M" for language and adult situations.

Chapter 34: Conversation with the Beast

Naruto ran to from the dojo. There was something soothing in running. The blonde didn't want to believe Myra would feel that way, but he had no reason to believe Hinata was lying. He was at the top of the Hokage Monument. It had always been a place where he could clear his head. He stood looking out over the village, clenching his fists in anger.

"There are a number of reasons a woman will lie." The Fox grumbled.

"Go away." The blonde closed his eyes.

"I have no where else to go. I am always here Brat, I can't GO anywhere." There was silence from Naruto.

"What? No witty retort?" There was still silence.

"Not even a "shut the hell up"? So you're just going to ignore me?" Naruto grumbled, but said nothing. "Fine, ignore me. You're better off without her anyway."

"Like you care." Naruto hung his head.

"I don't." The Fox lied and Naruto could feel it. The blonde closed his eyes and he was standing in front of the gates of the cage. The enormous Fox glaring at him from the inside of the cage. "You're lying." Naruto spat.

"Brave of you to face me after so long, Brat." The Fox grinned, baring his teeth.

"I'm not scared of you anymore." Naruto crossed his arms. The giant Fox started to pace behind the bars.

"I am the King of Demons Brat, you should be cowering in FEAR." The Fox roared at him. Naruto just stood there.

"Myra isn't scared of you." The blond kept a close watch on the Fox's reaction. The Fox stopped pacing and swiped with giant claws at Naruto from behind the bars. Naruto was far enough back that he was out of reach.

A small smirk came across Naruto's lips. "Why do you call her by name?"

The Fox snarled, "I do not have to answer to a Brat like you."

"Yes you do. Cause you're stuck here and have nothing better to do. Why, you stinkin' Fox, why is Myra so blasted important?" He glared at the enormous Fox

"There is nothing important about her. She is a sharingan user. You know how much I loathe that cursed family. Myra is unique, but she isn't anything more to me than something I can play with." The Fox yawned and curled up with his back against the bars. The Fox didn't want Naruto to see he had a soft spot for the girl.

"That's a load of shit." The blonde boy crossed his arms.

"Believe what you will." The Fox lifted its head and snarled at Naruto. "Now I have a question for you. Why did you run?" Naruto opened his eyes again. He stared out over the village.

"I thought you were staying out of my head for a few days? What changed your mind?" Naruto sat with his legs dangling over the edge of the cliff.

"My original intention was an opportunity to laugh, gloat and point out detrimental character flaws that provide me with endless amounts of entertainment." The Fox chuckled.

"I hate you." Naruto spat. The Fox let out a deep belly laugh.

"I would prefer fear, but hate suites me just fine. Now, since I answered your question" The Fox smiled. "Tell me why you ran like a coward?"

"I am no coward." The blonde boy grumbled.

"Then why did you run? If it wasn't because you were afraid, then why?" The Fox yawned lazily.

"I didn't want to hear any more. I trust Hinata, but I didn't want to believe Myra would betray me like that. I had to clear my head and you aren't helping." Naruto pulled his knees into his chest.

"Of COURSE I'm not helping. I'm tormenting you." The Fox laughed. "I'm a Demon, it's what I do." The Fox grinned. "I just find it interesting that for as much as you claim to," The Fox seemed like he was going to be sick, "love Myra, you were quick to believe her betrayal."

Something snapped in Naruto's mind. He had judged Myra with out even asking her for an explanation. She was, after all, talking with that Hyuuga bastard. A memory stirred from the day before, something the Fox had mentioned. Myra can lie and still tell the truth. Naruto smacked himself on the head. "I still hate you, but thanks for not helping."

"Anytime I can torment you makes my imprisonment more entertaining. You're welcome." The Fox smiled and the echo faded. Naruto sat there for a little while longer mulling everything over. He was still confused by the Fox's behavior. The Fox was being nice. It was a creepy thought to Naruto. The blonde stood up from his spot when he sensed the three hiding behind the rocks. "Not now." He grumbled.

Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon jumped out from behind the rocks. "But, Naruto-Niisan, you promised. You said you would take us on a camping trip to prepare for the Forest of Death when we passed the written exam." Konohamaru crossed his arms and scowled at Naruto.

Naruto sighed. He had promised, but other things had gotten in the way and he had promptly forgotten. "What did Ebisu say about you guys hanging out with me for a few days?"

Moegi giggled. "He isn't happy about it, but he said it might actually be good for us."

"Konohamaru threatened Ebisu-sensei with the Sexy Jutsu if he tried to stop us." Udon sniffled. "I should mention that I'm allergic to nature."

Naruto turned his gaze slightly to his left. He had noticed Myra sneaking up behind the kids. He took another deep breath and pretended he hadn't noticed. "I don't know Konohamaru, survival training was never my strong point." The blonde rubbed the back of his head. "As long as I have instant Ramen and water I can survive anywhere. But they don't let you take that in the Forest of Death."

The kids slumped in disappointment. Myra was trying not to laugh. Her Father might be able to help Naruto out. That is if Naruto was still talking to her. Naruto heard Myra move behind the rocks.

"I did promise that I would take you guys out and I won't go back on that promise. I have to talk to a few people and most important, I have to catch a rabbit first." Naruto smirked. Myra jumped. The kids looked at Naruto in confusion.

"Why do you have to catch a rabbit?" Konohamaru asked. Myra thought the same thing. The last time Naruto had chased her, things were not suitable for small children. A sly smirk crossed the blonde's face.

"I got me a pet rabbit." Naruto started. Myra growled. "PET? I am not a PET." Myra thought.

Naruto tried to stifle his chuckle. "I lost my Rabbit the first time because I was stupid. She found me and life was happy again." The kids were staring at Naruto like he was crazy. Myra stood up from behind the rock and stared at Naruto.

Naruto smirked. "Long story short, my Rabbit got lost again because I let stupid stuff get in the way." Myra was about to dash forward and tackle him, until Naruto looked very sternly at her and shook his head. Myra stopped before she had started. Her chocolate brown eyes started to water. The kids finally turned around to see Myra standing behind them.

"I'm still pretty angry about the whole mess, but I need to talk to her before I can take you guys anywhere." Naruto dropped his hands to his sides and looked very seriously at her. Myra could tell he was angry, but not as angry as he wanted her to believe. Myra took a deep breath and clamed her nerves. She started to walk forward.

Konohamaru and Udon stared at Myra. "That's a big rabbit." Udon snikered.

Konohamaru pointed at Myra and asked Naruto enviously. "How do I get a pet rabbit like that?" Naruto shot a glare at Konohamaru. Moegi smacked Konohamaru over the head.

"What?!" Konohamaru groused at Moegi. Myra had to stifle the giggle. The blonde raised an eyebrow and looked at Myra. Myra pouted to combat his look of disappointment. Naruto closed his eyes and sighed.

"I can get an explanation later." Naruto opened his eyes and smiled at her. Myra's face lit up and she smiled right back at him. She couldn't hold herself back any more. There was a blur of purple and she tackle hugged him. Naruto knew the moment they touched, there was no possible way Myra didn't love him. Naruto hugged her back.

Moegi sighed and her eyes watered. Konohamaru crossed his arms and harrumphed as he pouted. Myra was tearing a little. Naruto smiled at her wiping away the tears on her cheeks. Moegi started to sob. Konohamaru rolled his eyes. Udon just sniffled.

Myra started to laugh. Naruto joined her seconds later. The blonde's face got serious again. "Are you going to be a free to go camping?"

"Freedom is still tentative, but the incarceration is on hold for now." She let go of Naruto. "Why are we going camping anyway?"

Konohomaru puffed out his chest to look important. "Naruto-niisan promised he would take us when we passed the written part of the Chunin exams. We passed the exam this afternoon. Forest of Death is next week."

Myra ruffled Konohamoaru's hair. "Forest of Death, huh? Sounds like fun." The kids looked at her like she was crazy. Naruto just raised an eyebrow. "The Forest of Death is not fun."

"It sounds fun, except for the Death part." Myra chuckled and walked over to Naruto again.

Naruto shook his head. "I love you, but damn are you weird."

Myra giggled and kissed Naruto on the nose, "Yeah… I know… I laugh at the face of hatred and I make demons scream my name…" Naruto blushed.