Welcome to chapter seven of A Foxes Den.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Naruto's characters, not even Akamaru.
Summery: To escape Valentine's day and all that comes with it, Sasuke uses an untested jutsu and lands himself in the foxes den.
Warning: This story will contain language and sasunaru. Buyers beware.
As an extra note, when the animals are talking to each other, their speech will be underlined. Okay?
A Foxes Den
Ahem! I'm down here. Sasuke slowly lowered his gaze to that of a blue-eyed, red furred fox. Hi! Said the fox, unmindful of Sasuke's stares, my name's Kit, nice to meet you! Again.
Sasuke just continued to stare, his mind unable to wrap around the current situation. And then his world crashed around his ankles.
Oh God! This…This… This actually explains a fair bit. Thought Sasuke, as pieces of the puzzle fell into place. That's why he kept talking to me and that's why he was so keen on taking animals home. Because he can understand them! Sasuke was suddenly very glad that he had not said much in the presence of his blond companion. If Naruto had figured it out, Sasuke would never be able to live down the humiliation of the last few days.
Ummm… Are you all right? You don't look so hot. Said Naruto, cocking his head to look up at the wolf. Shaken out of his thoughts, Sasuke realized just how screwed he actually was. He had no excuse not to talk back now, and if he did speak then the dobe would know his identity. And then Sasuke would be right back at square one.
No choice. I'll just have to pretend that I can't speak. And so Sasuke decided to go with his less than brilliant plan. Hopefully he'd be able to pull it off despite the holes that riddled this strategy.
Finally Sasuke nodded at Naruto (Kit?) trying to indicate that he was indeed all right. Naruto stared at him a few minutes before shaking off the feeling of deja vu that had cloaked him.
You really are a shy one. Especially for a wolf. I usually can't get your kind to shut up. Oh well, it might be nice to have a quiet companion for once. Said Naruto as he turned around and disappeared into the thick foliage of the forest. Sasuke just sat in the clearing, staring in the direction that Naruto had left. Finally Naruto stuck his head through the leaves, his face in what must be as close as a fox got to a frown.
Are you coming or not? C'mon slowpoke, we haven't got all day!
Sasuke dragged himself into the bush, wondering if he should have made a break for it while he had had the chance.
Naruto ran through the forest with a speed and grace Sasuke would never have expected from his idiot companion. Just how much did he actually know about Naruto? Sasuke's mind drifted back to the note from the night before. He obviously knew very little.
Naruto again came to a sudden halt, causing Sasuke to yet again crash into him. Sasuke almost yelled at the idiot blond, until he remembered that his pride relied on him keeping silent. Settling on a good old-fashioned glare, Sasuke turned to face his furry foe. Sasuke stopped short upon seeing Kit (Oh God, he was starting to make a connection between the two) sniffing the ground before stalking over to a bush and growling.
By this time of course, Sasuke had already permanently dubbed his friend as insane. At least until a rabbit darted out from the leaves and dived between Sasuke's legs. This did not bode well with Sasuke. Shouldn't a Rabbit be more scared of a wolf then a fox?
Jingo! You're ass is mine! Growled Kit before jumping up and pinning the quivering ball of fluff. Needless to say, Sasuke was more than a little surprised.
Gak! I'm sorry Kit! You know I didn't mean nu'ttin by it. I had to! They would've had my head if I hadn't talked. Just a joke, you know? Besides, you got away all right. Whimpered the rabbit from between the fox's legs.
You had to? Jingo, you bastard, you had no obligation to them whatsoever. And yet you sold me out to the underground? And for what, hmmm? Now you better listen up, and you better listen well: you sell me out again and you won't be alive to collect you're reward because I'll tear you limb from limb. Got it?
The rabbit nodded fearfully. Kit looked into his eyes for a moment before his whole demeanor changed. Suddenly he was back to the fun loving, carefree Naruto that Sasuke knew and loved. For which he was grateful. That other personality scared Sasuke to no end.
Sorry about that, didn't mean to scare you said Kit looking at Sasuke, Sometimes you just need to show them who's boss, as I'm sure you well know. Sasuke didn't know, but he supposed it was a common occurrence in the animal kingdom.
Kit once again turned to Jingo, who automatically flinched. Kit shook his head; I won't hurt you unless you hurt me. Now, I have an assignment for you. It's of the utmost importance. I recently found this cub in the southern forest. As you well know, there are no wolf tribes in those parts. I need you to find out if any of the wolf tribes are missing pups. Spread my orders through the network and report back to me a sun down with information.
The rabbit quickly saluted and scampered off leaving Sasuke alone with Kit once again. Kit groaned and put a paw on his snout. Sasuke supposed it was similar to rubbing your temples when you had a headache.
Jingo sold me out to the underworld about two months ago. He was one of my spies, at least until he sold me out. I rescued him from the river a year ago. As payment, he joined my team. And then sold me out. I had the mafia after me, so I disappeared for a while. I only came back to the forest a week ago.
Sasuke just stared. The forest had an underworld? A mafia? Sasuke suddenly felt very ill informed about the world around him.
Kit waved a paw in front of Sasuke's face, trying to lift the wolf out of his stupor (something which Sasuke found himself doing a lot of lately).
Anyways, we might as well head to the Den. Nothing much to do except wait for Jingo to get the word out. As fast as he is, it'll probably take him a good while to get the news to the wolf tribes. They're quite a ways from this area. You got quite far on your own, little one.
Sasuke let out a deep-throated growl at being called little. Kit just laughed, but Sasuke was too surprised to snap at him. Sasuke's mannerisms were getting more and more like a wolf. A proper Uchiha never growled.
Is this a side effect? Thought Sasuke, not paying attention to where Kit was leading them.
We're here! Whispered Kit, shaking Sasuke out of his thoughts.
With a start, Sasuke realized that they had reached their destination. Kit looked smug as Sasuke gawked at the towering mountain. The mountain in itself wasn't that incredible, and neither was the beautiful waterfall. But behind the waterfall was an entrance to a deep, dark cave. And coming from the cave were dozens of voices, eerily echoing off the stone walls.
Welcome said Kit proudly, to The Foxes Den.
Well… Who expected that? I certainly didn't (okay, maybe a little). This chapter was more of a filler to introduce you into the wonderful animal kingdom, so don't worry about the lack of romance. It'll come.
I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews. I would never have expected to get so many reviews for this story. I'm sure you all have a lot of questions, but hopefully they'll all be answered in the future. It just may take awhile. Especially since this is looking like it may be a long story. I hope you'll all ride it out to the end.