A week had passed quickly. Iruka running them through rigorous training everyday. Itachi had easily grasped copying the spells that Kyuubi and Naruto had learned. Sasuke, with his lesser sharingan, was still having some difficulties.

With the training, Naruto was able to practice his own magic, improving greatly and receiving praise. Kyuubi couldn't help but to feel jealous as Naruto's skills improved while he felt he made barely any progress at all.

Kyuubi huffed as he dropped to the ground, legs crossed underneath him. He couldn't grasp the concept of the current spell Iruka had taught him and he was getting frustrated. He let out a groan, rubbing at his temples.

Itachi made his way over to the red-head who was on the ground, an eyebrow raised. He stopped in front of him and held his hand out. Kyuubi took it and pulled himself up. "So, what's up with you? You've been acting off for a couple days now."

Kyuubi brushed himself off before looking up at him and shaking his head. "Don't worry about it, it's nothing." He finished with a sigh.

Itachi carefully looked him over before taking a step closer, wrapping his arms around Kyuubi and pulling him to his chest. "Hey," the raven gently grabbed onto Kyuubi's chin, tilting his head up. He gently ran his thumb over the soft skin. "I'm here for you, you can tell me."

Kyuubi felt himself blush at the intimate moment, his body relaxing into Itachi's hold. He sighed. "I'm feeling kind of, jealous. Towards Naruto. He's just improving so much and I'm just lagging behind, getting nowhere."

Itachi let out a chuckle. "Is that it?" He slowly pulled Kyuubi away from him, looking him in the eyes. He gave him a smirk. "You do know, you're not making much progress because you were already a prodigy. Naruto unfortunately isn't as skilled as you, so having this training seems like he's doing amazing, which he is, but you already know all this. You're working on the hard stuff, stuff Naruto won't be learning anytime soon. You are exactly where you need to be."

Kyuubi let out a small laugh, feeling relieved. "You know, I never thought of it that way, but you're right. I was always better with magic than he was."

Itachi just smirked in response, feeling a sense of pride that he easily cheered up the red- head. Without warning, he grabbed Kyuubi's waist, yanking him closer to himself before capturing plump lips in his own.

Kyuubi's eyes widened in surprise before they slowly closed and he began to kiss the raven back. He felt a nip at his bottom lip and he allowed Itachi's tongue entrance into his mouth, letting out a small moan.

A cough interrupted the pair and they pulled away and looked to see Fugaku, Iruka and Kakashi standing not too far away from them. "Don't let our presence stop you two from getting it on." The silver-haired man commented, snickering.

Iruka's eyes widened at the comment as Fugaku just frowned. "Kakashi!" Iruka screeched. "Don't say such crude things in front of the king!"

Fugaku ignored the two, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the red-head.

"Let's get back to our training." Iruka said after finishing his scolding of Kakashi.

Itachi nodded once before grabbing onto Kyuubi's wrist. He was about to follow Iruka when Fugaku stopped them.

With dark eyes still narrowed, he took a step closer towards his son and Kyuubi. "Actually, I'd like to speak with Kyuubi. Alone."

Kyuubi froze, a feeling of dread and unease overtaking him. He felt the warm breath of Itachi against his ear. "Don't worry, just remember, Naruto and the Nine-Tails are two separate entities to him." Itachi whispered into Kyuubi's ear, out of earshot of the three men in front of them. He placed a small kiss against his temple before following Iruka and Kakashi back to the training area.

Kyuubi took in a deep breath as he was left alone with Fugaku Uchiha. He let out the breath slowly, giving him a polite smile.

Fugaku returned the smile with a pleasant one of his own, though completely fake. "Kyuubi, what's your family like?"

Kyuubi frowned at Fugaku's tone. It didn't seem like a genuine interest and Kyuubi let Itachi's last words to him replay in his head. "Well, I was an orphan from a very young age. Iruka found me, took me in as his own and I learned to be a demonologist by association."

Fugaku hummed. "And, tell me, how did you and Itachi meet?"

"Iruka and I were walking through a small village, we were researching some demon activity in the nearby region. We stopped to get some supplies for our next trip when I ran into Itachi. We began to talk and it felt like there was a, connection." He gave a small smile. "We headed out, Itachi happened to be going the same direction and we spent a few days traveling together and getting to know each other. Eventually, we parted ways." His eyes unfocused as he recalled a memory.

At the party that was held, Itachi brought him to the side. He placed his hands on top of Kyuubi's shoulders. "So remember that story if my father ever gets you alone and asks. We stayed together as long as we could, separated and thinking we'd never see each other again. But fate brought us together once again, huh?" He smiled at the red-head.

Kyuubi gave a small, sad smile as the memory played in his head. "We never thought we'd see each other again but here we are, the fates bringing us together."

Fugaku studied him closely, his eyes searching for something, anything, that could tell him that Kyuubi slipped up, lied to him. But his search came up empty and he scowled. "You're just using my son. Using him for his power."

Kyuubi was taken aback by Fugaku's sudden change of attitude and he narrowed his eyes in a glare, his own lips turning up in a scowl. "Using him for power?! I am not using him for power. I don't need to use anyone for power! I have plenty of it on my own."

"You're a liar." Fugaku spat. He didn't believe this man had anything. A traveler was usually a person with no steady home, having no wealth and not many treasures to claim as their own. "You're nothing but a worthless peasant, trying to get your hands on something valuable."

Kyuubi felt his blood boil, his hands balling into fists. He held up one hand, his palm faced up. Suddenly the wind picked up around the two and Fugaku's eyes widened as he stared at Kyuubi.

"Kyuubi." A stern voice came from behind the red-head, causing him to freeze. The air stilled around them and Kyuubi glanced over his shoulder to see Itachi standing there, a serious look on his face and his arms crossed over his chest.

Itachi stepped closer, a glare set on Fugaku. "Father. Stop questioning the integrity of my fiancee. I made my own choice and no one else's opinion matters. I love him."

Fugaku said nothing, his eyes still trained on the red-head, trying to comprehend what he saw.

Itachi stepped closer to Kyuubi, wrapping his arm around his waist and beginning to guide him away from Fugaku.

Kyuubi felt himself in awe at Itachi's words. The sincerity was something he was surprised to hear and he felt tears prickle at his eyes as he tried to remember, Itachi was only acting. Pretending to lie to his father and everyone else.

Itachi didn't notice the tears falling from Kyuubi's eyes and he led them to the garden where he let go of Kyuubi. He turned to face him and his eyes widened. "What's wrong?"

Kyuubi wiped at his eyes, shaking his head. "It's nothing." He breathed out.

Itachi scowled at the dismissive behavior. "Stop trying to hide things from me, Kyuubi. I'm committed to you and want to make you happy."

Kyuubi paused at Itachi's words before his lips trembled and he began to cry out loud.

Itachi's eyes widened, and he felt slightly guilty for making the red-head cry. "I'm sorry."

Kyuubi sniffled, shaking his head. "You just seem like the perfect boyfriend, fiancee, whatever. You're being so romantic but I know you only think of this as a logical arrangement. I could be replaced by anyone, and you wouldn't even care." He took a deep breath as his voice became shaky. "You don't actually love me."

Itachi stared at the red-head, silently.

Kyuubi wiped at his eyes and sighed. "Don't worry about it, I still want the prophecy to come true. If that means not having a romantic relationship, that's fine with me."

"Shut up." Itachi hissed out, a piercing glare directed at Kyuubi.

Kyuubi's eyes widened before his own eyes narrowed in a glare. "Why are you mad? I'm giving you what you want!"

"I never even told you what I wanted!" The raven yelled. "So how would you know?"

Shocked, Kyuubi was speechless. He didn't know what to say, just staring at Itachi.

Itachi calmed himself down quickly. "I didn't know you were looking for romance. I admit, I'm used to more of the idea that marriage is more of a power move, but," he smirked at Kyuubi, his eyes turning lustful. "Only because it's you, I'm willing to try for more."
"

Kyuubi felt swooned at his words, his heart beating frantically and returning his own gaze of lust. He launched himself into his arms, holding his head and kissing him passionately.

The two kissed for what felt like hours before pulling away, the need for air overwhelming. The two breathed heavily, staring into each other's eyes. "Let's head back to my room." Itachi commented, his voice deep and sultry. "We don't want someone to interrupt us again. Especially with what I'm about to do to you."

Kyuubi blushed, the heat in his body rising. He nodded and they made their way back into the castle.

oOooOooo

Hey everyone! Another chapter done! This one pretty much only focused on Itachi and Kyuubi but it was a great milestone for their relationship. Also, my goal was to finish all my stories by the end of the year but I was accepted at an art show so I may be delayed with that goal, but we'll see!

As always if you liked it, please favorite and review!

~tachiequillsluv