Summary: Before the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Hotaru-the only daughter and child of a shrine priest-was expected to marry a strong ninja and produce a heir or great misfortune would befall the Land of Fire.

It was a joke, Hotaru thought. A bride? Her? She'd never even kissed a guy, for Kami sake!

But when two jinchuuriki possessed by their tailed bijuu turn up on her doorstep, they're proposing she do more than just free them. They want her kids and power, so their collecting on her ancestor's promise to marry-a gorgeous gown, matching silver rings, and her in their bed at any moment. According to their jinchuuriki, she has their red string of Fate wrapped around her pretty fingers.

Even so, Hotaru's not interested in becoming a bijuu's bride-let alone two-so she strikes a deal with the tailed-devils: One month to mate and marry. Whichever bijuu can make her admit she's in love with him she'll free and marry.

Deal!

Kurama and Naruto, Gaara and Shukaku are pulling no punches when it comes to taking Hotaru for a bride. She's smart and kind with a right hook from Hell. They know only one can have her. Now, if only their hearts would agree.

Which jinchuuriki/bijuu will convince Hotaru say those three little words? Or will she decide a 200-year-old pact isn't worth saving the Land of FIre and losing her heart?

I own nothing but the clothes on my back. Oh and the OC characters in this story.

Hey guys, sorry its been so long, but I finally got around to changing my old story Locked-Up Lover! Hope you like this new version called the The Bijuu Bet!

I own nothing but the clothes on my back. Oh and the OC characters in this story. Thank you for reading!

Chapter One: Lost

Bitter wind and downpour needled at his arms as his head darted to the left then right. They needed to find shelter. Shelter and a nice warm soapy bath if possible.

"Bakayaro, kitsune!" Yukami growled and squirmed in his arms. "Let me go. If they catch us they'll kill you!"

Kurama tightened his grip around her. He stared down at Yukami.

Dark, deep eyes flecked with concern stared hard at his features. Her once white ceremonial kimono was torn and tattered to the thigh and open at the collar...

Heat colored his cheeks as he averted his gaze and forced his eyes forward. His chest tightened. If only this wasn't a rescue. The things he'd do...

Kurama smiled, his words smug as he spoke. "Don't tell me you're trying to wriggle out of our pact?"

Yukami wouldn't because...

Her cheeks puffed into dango balls at the statement. "I'd never." She huffed. "A village priestess doesn't go back on her word."

Ninja dog barking filled the streets. Bare feet slapped against cold the wet ground as Kurama weaved through Konoha's back alleyway. "Those ninja dogs doen't know when to quit." He quietly cursed.

Sharp nails dug into the muscle and clung to his haori. He glared down at the woman in his arms. One look, and Kurama bit the inside of his cheek. Fresh tears pricked her saddle brown eyes. "Kurama," she whispered. "I'm not worth this. If they hurt you, I'll never forgive myself."

Kurama slowed to a stop. Setting her lower body down, he tucked a hand under her chin and pulled her eyes to meet his. "Don't ever say you're not worth saving," he said. Breath fanned the shell of her ear and she shivered at their proximity. "You saved me, Princess. Now it's my turn. I'll make you happy if it takes my life."

Flush spread across her cheeks as she stared up at him. "Kurama," she said. "If I don't make it, promise me you'll find someone else."

"Don't even joke—"

She clenched her eyes shut, fist curled at her side as if the thought were too much to bear. "Promise me!" She breathed.

Darkness loomed over her head and she refused to meet his gaze. If she'd asked for Fire Country, he'd conquer every village just to see her smile. But this...

Kurama felt his jaw clench in frustration. As if he'd ever let anything happen. She was his. Nothing, life or death would take her from him.

The words slipped through teeth like a water moccasin. "I promise," he said.

"Thank you." She beamed at him then gave a playful smack to his shoulder. "Bakyaro."

"Heartwarming," A voice broke through the tension. "Return my daughter, Yukami, or your life ends here, kitsune."

With a click of his tongue, Kurama wrapped his tails around Yukami's waist and pulled her to him. The feel of her hand on his arm gave him courage. "Sheesh." Breath hissed through his teeth as he faced the old man. "Why can't you get it through your thick priest skull. Yukami isn't interested in going through with your ceremony. "

"She is destined to serve the village people. It is only fitting that she marry a strong ninja," Yukami's father growled. "She'd never choose a monster like you."

A grin wrapped around Kurama lips as he pulled Yukami close. "Hate to break it to you, Gramps but..."

"Enough!" The old man boomed. "This is your last chance. Return my daughter to me or suffer the concequence."

Chakra, scarlet as the crest of his cheeks, glimmered and twinned like a snake around his winkled hands.

So this was the famed technique of the priest village? The very chakra said to melt bijuu through the bones in less than a second.

Kurama growled as the traitorous hairs on his neck flexed into stiff peaks. The old man wasn't close, yet the air alone was enough to put Kurama on edge.

"Step back," He heard the tremor in his voice as he took a step forward. "I refuse lose now."

"Your life ends here, kitsune."

Red as the blood coursing through his veins, chakra surged toward Kurama maw open to engulf them both. Kurama called forth his chakra to defend against the old man's beast. He could not lose. Failure was not option.

He tilted his head as the gathered chakra grew into a kitsune five times his normal size. "I don't want to hurt you or this village, Gramps," Kurama said, his tone deep, "but if you won't listen to reason then so be it."

Extending his arm, Kurama flattened his palm against the leg of the kitsune. A signal for both creatures to rush forward in attack.

"No!"

Someone brushed against his side and darted between the two creatures, pink chakra extending from both hands.

"Princess," Kurama murmured. "Stop! You'll die if you—"

"Kurama..."

Her smile was the last he saw as the chakra creatures swallowed Yukami and darkness clouded his vision.