"No Naruto! I really need to know."

DAMN!

(Sounding amused and smug) I win kit.

(Sighs) "Fine, The fox is… Not a threat"

Tsunade noticed that Naruto paused. It seemed to her that he was picking his words with care. Lucky for him however, She chose to ignore it… for now.

"Alright, that's all I needed to know. Well, common Shizune we have… Bookwork …Other things to attend to."

"OK, C-ya later Tsunade"

"Oh yes, Naruto?"

"Yes Onee-chan?"

"I don't know how long it will take for Hinata to wake up. You can put her on the bed next to yours if she's not awake in ten minutes or so."

"O…OK"

"Oh and Naruto?"

"hmmm? Yes?"

"Behave yourself"

With those last words, a grin, and a wink Tsunade left the room.

"DAMN YOU BAA-CHAN!"

OK Kit, now tell me one thing.

Naruto cringed mentally; He knew however that it was time to pay the piper.

What do you want Kitsune?

Do you intend to keep your word? Do I have free reign when you sleep?

Naruto Sighed. He had promised, and He ALWAYS kept his word, but he had a feeling he was going to have A LOT of sleepless nights.

I gave my word, and I'll keep it if the world burns for it Kyuubi. But remember, you agreed no to harm anyone in any way. That INCLUDES their property.

Hmmm I've said it once, and I'll say it again kit, you interest me. Tell you what. To be honest your body doesn't suit me much. If you agree to allow me to wander in my own body during nights, I'll still teach you.

Ok, let me get this straight. If I agree to let a three story Demon wander around at night, instead of you in my body while I sleep as per the original agreement, you'll teach me… ARE YOU INSANE! WHEN YOU TRY TO RETURN YOU'LL BE ATTACKED! HELL YOU'LL BE ATTACKED ANYWAY!

I told you before not to be as stupid as you act. I'll look just like another human to the casual eye.

And to the sharper eyes?

I'll be a human with LOTS of power being held in check.

Hmmm and if your attacked anyway?

I assure you Kit. No one will be harmed. You have the word of Kyuubi, and I never break my word.

One question, why? Why this agreement? You already have the use of my body, why would you change the deal now?

Hmmmm there are a couple of reasons kit, One, as I said before, your body is not well suited to my… conciseness. Two, You interest me, and three, Wait, Why am I explaining? I could still wreak havoc in your body kit, you'd get the blame, and so long as the damage isn't permanent I'd have no breach in contract. Let me put it to you this way kit, Agree now, or when you next wake up you be in the middle of town wearing nothing but boxers, IF that, and singing drinking songs that would make soldiers blush.

OK! Ok, no need to get pushy, I agree to the amended bet results, But just be certain to keep up your end, or I WILL find a way to make you pay, even if it's the last thing I ever do.

(That's what I like about this kid, He's got fire!) Ok kit, it's a deal.

With that Naruto looked around again, He was still in the hospital, and It was defiantly getting depressing, Naruto had never liked hospitals, In fact (although Naruto didn't know this) None of the Uzumaki family had EVER liked hospitals, This was why they healed so fast.

"Well Hinata, you don't seem to be about to wake up any time soon. Guess that I'll have to move you."

Saying this Naruto Bent down and picked up the Unconscious Hyuuga, He lifted her up quite easily and carried her to the bed that Tsunade had indicated. As he lay her down, a few wisps of hair fell in her face, in her sleep Hinata smiled as they tickled her nose.

She is quite pretty Thought Naruto as he gently swept the hair back and tucked it behind her ear I wonder why I never noticed it before? She has such lovely eyes, a beautiful smile, such soft curv…… WAIT A MINUTE! I'm NOT a HENTIA, NO! DAMN YOU JIRAYIA THIS IS YOUR FAULT!

Kyuubi had some personal speculations on that particular subject, but wisely held them in check.Calming down a bit Naruto continued mentally:

Right, Now that Hinata has been taken care of, it's time to make my escape. But first…

Naruto's eye's swept around the room until he saw the pad of paper lying by the door.

This will do fine.

He wrote:

Tsunade

I never could stand Hospitals, It always seemed like the walls are closing in on me.
I've decided to go out and get some air, I'll probably be down by the Hokage Monument if you need me, If I'm not there, I'll most likely be at home.
I've never quite felt safe when anybody could find out exactly where I am, I dunno why, It's like the feeling you get before a storm. Like if I stay in one place to long I'm bound to be struck by lightening.
I put Hinata into a bed, dunno what you were implying when you left (Naruto's face went red at this line, He knew EXACTLY what she meant) But I made certain that she'd be alright. Catch you later,
Naruto

With the last line Naruto gathered his stuff and jumped lightly to the tree outside of the hospital window.

Hyuuga Hinata sat up a moment after Naruto Had gone.

"Naruto-kun, don't…."

But he had already gone. Unknown to Naruto, Hinata had woken up again during his discussion with Kyuubi, but she had been afraid to open her eyes. The Image of Naruto in BLACK BOXERS, was burned on the backside of each eyelid, and she was worried that if he hadn't put on more clothing, the picture might be permanent. (Secretly the Idea thrilled her, but she refused to listen to that part of her mind.) Hinata had just laid there straining to hear a sound that would confirm Naruto's whereabouts. When all of a sudden He had spoken up right next to her. The sweet tones of his voice had momentarily paralyzed her. Then he had picked her up! He was wearing a shirt at least, she could tell, because the scent that she associated with him (Meadows in the summer with an underlying scent of Raman) was being overpowered by the smell of laundry soap.

EVER so gently he had picked her up, CAREFULLY he had carried her across the room, and SLOWLY he had set her in the bed. As he did a stay lock of hair had fallen across her face and tickled her nose. She couldn't help it, she smiled, in fact it was all she could do not to either laugh or reach up and adjust the offending lock, But doing so would mean Naruto finding out she had been awake. So she had been surprised when Naruto's warm fingers had softly (dare she believe lovingly?) swept the hair back for her. A short time later she had heard the scratching of a pencil. Hinata had just about decided to 'wake up' when she had first felt the breeze. It stirred her hair… Hinata sat straight up in bed

Naruto! Don't go, I still haven't told you that I…

Hinata didn't realize she had spoken the first words aloud but she knew she had missed her chance again.

DAMN! (She may be a lady, but she's also a ninja, she hears words like that) I was going to tell him this time to!

Silently her mind laughed at her, she had been telling herself that for years now.

This time I would have…Maybe… 'Sigh' Ok ok I know that I most likely wouldn't have, but… soon… soon.

Outside Naruto had begun his treck through the town. He started out chipper enough, then of course he saw the first of the Villagers.

DAMN, I forgot about these villagers and their cold FUCKING eyes. I should have stayed with Hinata, at least her eyes don't show hate.

Again Kyuubi had a smart-ass comment this time about Naruto's thoughs on her looks, and surprisingly he again kept silent. He did think to himself however.

(Sooner or later Kit, Sooner or later you'll figure it out. In fact I bet you have, you just refuse to believe that ANYBODY could feel that way about you. But you'll learn, and if you don't, I'll beat it into that thick skull of yours)

Naruto's mind was already on another track now however, not to far off the original, but far enough.

Hmmm I think I'll stop by the Raman stand, at least the Raman man doesn't look at me with those eyes.

With this happy thought, Naruto made his way to the one definite haven he had in Konoha, The Raman stand.

Narutofreak22: you think your friend is lazy, I have a friend who's written 11 pages in two months. He refuses to post it until it's done though. Grrrrr talk about annoying ;) You know who you are.

Hisoka316: Dunno if I posted it in the beginning or not, but I usually let stories more or less write themselves. Lucky for you, I get the feeling that this mini-arc of the storyline will be ending soon. (mainly cause I'm getting sick of the hospital setting to :P

Sleepy Kitty: (shrugs) probably not, I've had him all of three days now, and cats that get a rude awakening usually strike first, (I know from Experience, Kittens bite… HARD.) you'd probably rip some lines in poor Gus's pretty tan hide.

Kenjiro Akisama: Thanks, I'll try to keep them that way. Be careful though, I Have a small theme underlying each, See if you can find it. PS. It has to do with the chapter titles

Crazith: thanks for the suggestions, as you see, I put them to good use.

Everyone else: Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming.

OH! BTW, at the moment we are at 3:3 so as we have a tie vote; I think I'll probably keep the chapters short and fast. Vote if you haven't though. The results don't really matter much, but if it goes WAAAAAYYYY to one side our the other, I'll probably follow that course.

Thanks,

Manatheron