Author's Note: This chapter and the next were originally one, but I split them up, so there are going to be four chapters instead of three.

/He smells good, don't you think, Naruto?/

Naruto hissed viciously under his breath and tried to ignore his demon tenant, though of late that had become increasingly difficult. From the other side of the clearing, Orochimaru momentarily glanced up from the scroll he was perusing, but the snake sannin quickly returned to his reading when his senses didn't register a threat.

/I wonder how he would taste./

((Probably like a corpse. Shut up.))

Of course, the Kyuubi paid no attention to Naruto's order. /Rather arrogant for a human, but the insolent ones are always the prettiest when they're on their knees-/

((I think I preferred it when you wanted to kill him.))

The Kyuubi's presence practically radiated amusement. /It was a sensible stance for me to take when Orochimaru presented a threat to our mutual existence. Now, of course, there are other options./

When the implications of the Kyuubi's words finally sunk in, Naruto's eyes went wide. Having apparently decided that Naruto was just having an episode, the snake sannin didn't even look from his scroll when the younger shinobi across from him started to gag. ((You've got to be joking. Shit, Orochimaru is old enough to be my grandfather. That's disgusting.))

/In comparison to the thousands of years I've lived, Orochimaru's measly half century of existence is nothing. Besides, his chronological age is of no matter. His current body is hardly any older than yours. And I believe he is attractive, in the manner of your kind./

((Sure, if you like the thin, pale, creepy type. Which I don't.))

The Kyuubi was becoming impatient. Naruto didn't like to think about how easy it had become recently to tell. /Why are you just starting to protest now? Three days ago you seemed perfectly happy to go along with my suggestions./

((Three days ago I thought you were kidding. I only let you have control because I wanted to yank Orochimaru's chain. I didn't know you actually wanted to… you know. I never would've helped you out if I'd known-))

/Child, to suddenly believe for absolutely no reason that I'd developed a sense of humor is complete idiocy, and even you aren't that stupid. You knew exactly what I was doing. You agreed with my actions. You and I are far too much a part of each other now to not have some of the same desires. You could smell his blood in the air, and it made you just as hungry as I. It is natural for us to want to dominate such a person before he takes the initiative, for neither you nor I have it within us to capitulate to one whom we know is our inferior in strength. This foolish self-doubt, this second guessing, is exactly what makes your species weaker than my own, and what makes it so easy for my kind to despise yours./

((It was one of my 'weak' species that defeated you.))

/How amusing that you think so. The Yondaime is dead, and I am not, and yet you still proclaim him the victor./

((I won't go along with this.))

The Kyuubi laughed. /I don't expect you to. Not now. You are far too stubborn to agree with me so easily. But there will be another battle soon. Let us see if you can restrain yourself then. With my power rushing through your veins, I sincerely doubt it./

((If you think there's any chance I'll ever help you again, you've got another thing coming-))

"Naruto-kun."

At the sound of Orochimaru's voice, Naruto blinked, and abruptly found himself in the clearing instead of in his own head. While the sky was somewhat darker than it had been before his argument with the Kyuubi had begun, it was the sight of the Kusanagi in the snake sannin's grip that truly threw Naruto off.

"Hey, Orochimaru, what's with the sword?"

Orochimaru ignored the question. "If you don't calm your aura down immediately, I'm afraid I'll be terminating this partnership."

"What? Why?"

"You should save the demon for battle, Naruto-kun. The rest of the time, the presence of the Kyuubi is… superfluous."

Naruto bristled at the older shinobi's condescending tone. Inside his head, the Kyuubi was grinning. /The arrogant ones are always the prettiest, Naruto…/

((Shut up.))

Outloud, Naruto snorted. "The Kyuubi isn't exactly something I can turn on and off. He's always there. You'll just have to get used to him."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "You allow the demon to control you?"

"This is my body. He is simply an occupant, not the master."

/Liar./

Even if it wasn't true, Orochimaru seemed to believe it. His grip on the Kusanagi relaxed immediately, but his eyes remained guarded. "Just try to contain yourself, Naruto-kun. The fluctuation of your chakra is distracting."

/He's afraid of us./

((Will you just shut up?))

Orochimaru was still waiting for an answer. Naruto finally decided it would be less troubling to give him one. "Yeah, whatever."

After a few minutes, the snake sannin finally returned to his scroll, though the Kusanagi's close proximity gave a hint as to Orochimaru's unease. Naruto lay down on his back and closed his eyes.

((I'll be glad when this is over.))

/No, you won't./

Naruto didn't bother to contradict him.