"Guilty Until Innocent"
By: Shadow and Janime
"Finally," Sakura gasped as they stood outside the main entrance to Suna.
Sasuke only nodded in agreement. How Iruka managed to get here by himself injured as he was amazed the two Konoha ninjas.
"The Kazekage Tower?" Sakura asked.
"Best place to start," said Sasuke.
After showing their badges to the guards they ventured inside Suna. For Sakura not much had truly changed since the last time she was here but for Sasuke he took the chance to look around but being subtle at the same time. Konoha was larger but to imagine a village out here in the desert was unbelievable. Arriving they asked one of the guards stationed at the door if Gaara was in. Seeing their badges he nodded and moved aside to let them in.
"He's in his office, top floor," he told them.
"Thanks." The two of them looked up at the spiraling staircase and rather than waste time going up, used their chakra to jump from floor to floor. Soon they were at the top and meet with a large door with the kanji of 'wind shadow' on the wood. The young kunoichi lifted her hand to knock but a voice on the other side stopped her.
"Come in," Gaara called out, listening to the door open. He couldn't stand the paperwork but it was better than letting it pile up. He looked up and nodded to them. "Finally arrived."
"That freaks me out when you do that," Sakura said after she bowed.
Gaara smirked.
"How's Naruto?"
"He's doing alright," Gaara sat back in his chair, "despite certain events."
At their puzzled and concerned looks, the kazekage told them of Naruto and Taka's capture and the reason, but made sure to leave out exactly how he and Kakashi found the two.
"They want Kyuubi born as a human?" the pink-haired girl whispered.
Sasuke shook his head. "That's impossible."
"It does sound only like a theory but the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan believes it can be done." Gaara turned from them and looked out the window. "Kyuubi resides in Naruto and his blood flows in Taka's veins. If that does happen, Naruto dies. And nine months later Taka will die."
"But they're still safe as long as they don't… you know, right?" Sakura smiled.
If they can stay away from each other now, Gaara thought.
"Where is he now?" the raven-haired ninja asked.
"Last I heard in the training grounds." He stood. "I'll take you there."
"We can find it, you have paperwork to finish," she protested but he waved his hand.
"It'll be there when I return. Let's go." They headed out of the tower and headed to the training grounds. Sure enough Naruto was training against Kakashi while Iruka watched and shouted advice once in a while. Kankurou was also there but he was using his puppet Karasu (without the lethal weapons) against Taka. Hidama would sometimes intervene, showing the other woman how to move. The green-eyed medic smiled and made to shout but stopped when they heard a voice.
"I wouldn't disturb them right now," a feminine voice told them. A sleek fox lifted her head where she laid on a flat rock. "The blonde fox has been trying to best the Hound since they started training. Something about the loser gets to buy everyone supper tonight."
Kakashi knocked Naruto to the ground and held two kunai crossed at his throat. "Looks like you're buying."
The blonde only grinned and turned into a pile of sand. The next thing Kakashi knew, he was sent flying, and landed on his back with Naruto holding the kunai at his throat. "You're buying," Naruto smiled.
"Damn," the jounin muttered.
Iruka chuckled. "I hope you brought your savings, Kakashi."
"Sorry, I left my deposit box in my underwear drawer."
Naruto crinkled his nose. "Why?"
"No one would ever go in there," Kakashi answered and stood up.
"You'd like to think that," Hidama commented without looking. "Okay Taka, remember what I said."
"Right." Taking a deep breathe she nodded for instructor to continue.
Kankurou nodded and using the chakra strings had Karasu circling the young woman, waiting before lunging into an attack. Under firm commands he would only have the puppet hold her, keeping her immobilized. But as the arms reached out to wrap around his victim she ducked and darted but she didn't go after the wooden puppet. She charged at the Puppet Master himself! Cursing he quickly pulled the crow back but the strings on one hand went slack. The next thing he knew he found a kunai at his throat a bit close for comfort. Looking at her other hand it, too, held a kunai but it was glowing with charka. That explained how the strings had been cut.
She smiled as she held her hand steady. "Surrender?" she asked softly.
"Yeah I give." He smiled back and relaxed when the weapon was removed. "You're getting better. First time someone tried going after me instead of Karasu and managed to cut my strings."
"Don't fall for distractions. Try to go after the one behind the scenes," she replied. The pale woman smiled lightly and looked over to where her other son was standing.
"Kit, you have visitors."
"Huh?" Naruto turned and his face broke out into a large grin. "Sakura! Sasuke! You guys made it!" he said happily.
"Naruto!" Sakura ran over to the blonde and hugged him.
Taka's sight was almost back as the sun was nearing twilight, and eyes narrowed at the scene. Then she blushed for her reaction. I can't believe I'm acting like a jealous girlfriend.
Naruto gently pushed Sakura away and patted her shoulder. "Nice to see you to, Sakura."
Even Sasuke had to do a double take at that. When exactly did Naruto not want to be close to Sakura or back away from her attention?
"Sasuke, how was the trip?" Naruto asked as he stepped away from Sakura.
He shrugged. "Long. I'm surprised Iruka-san got here so quickly though."
"Naruto is my son and what kind of father would I be?" he replied with a small smile.
Kakashi sighed as he stood and dusted himself off. "Looks like I'm going to have to pull out my emergency money," he said a bit dramatically.
"Just think, all that money you saved from buying those books should be enough to pay for everyone's meals," Hidama added with a small smirk, walking past him but passing Taka she squeezed her shoulder. Looks like the drug has side-effects.
The fox sighed as she hopped off the rock and stretched a bit before going over to Gaara. She was larger than a normal fox, her head coming to the young man's waist but he didn't mind as he reached down to gently scratch her ears, causing her to purr.
"I know of a restaurant close by. They stay open late and they'll let Quicksilver in." He smiled inside when she leaned her head into his side, feeling the tension he was holding in slowly ebb away. "And it's not expensive but the food is good."
"Works for me. Let's go eat then shall we?" the jounin asked with a smile. Looks like he isn't going to torture me just yet, he thought to himself.
--
This is insane, Goro thought as he paced his chambers. Kaemon has been too laidback with this plan of having Kyuubi born as a human. Those who become a host to one of the demons are dangerous enough as is. We may not have seen Naruto's power but we have seen what Taka is capable of and she has the fox's blood. He's hiding something--but what?
Frustration grew worse the more the man thought about it. Goro himself hated the other clans. His wife had been killed and his only daughter had been taken away, even though she turned out to be a disappointment as far as Goro was concerned. Not once did she show anything that said her blood was of the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan.
If she didn't look like my mother I would swear that she wasn't mine, Goro thought.
Thanks to their spies he had been aware of what she had been going through. A childless couple had taken her in and when she grew she had become a teacher at the academy, having not what it took to become an elite. He scoffed at that, showing she was even more of a failure and disgrace to the family. But then he received word that she had gotten married, to the Yondaime. But before he could think to use that bit of news to his advantage the demon fox attacked. When the demon had been supposedly defeated spies told him that the young successor had died and his daughter had also died but in childbirth.
Weak girl, he thought bitterly. If she weren't dead I would have disowned her from the clan. But that son of hers, if only those idiots had captured him in the beginning. Growling he stopped, hands forming into tight fists. Kaemon is planning something and I know it's not for the good of the clan. It's his family's fault we're living like rats. We could have easily ruled over all the nations but they let that girl's grandparents escape. A table broke in half when he pounded his fist upon it. I should be leader of the Fallen Moon! Or what's left of us.
--
"Alright, here are the sleeping arrangements," Hidama said. "Taka and Sakura, you two will stay with me in my room. Iruka, you're staying in the guestroom. Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi, you can decide--peacefully--who gets to be Iruka's roommate. Gaara, the same goes for you if you want to stay here tonight."
The kazekage nodded. "I appreciate the offer-"
I'll probably be dead before morning if he stays, Kakashi thought.
"-But I will stay in my own room."
Thank you gods of jutsu.
"Alright. We should meet tomorrow and figure out a plan." Looking at Naruto she walked up to him and--to everyone it looked like she was going to kiss him--whispered into his ear, "Try to fight off the drug's effects. You're still my kit but if I sense you anywhere near my room I will personally tie you up. Clear?"
Naruto swallowed and nodded but smiled lightly when she did kiss her cheek. "Mom I'm gonna be 19 soon! Why do you keep kissing me?" he asked, rubbing his cheek.
"It's one of the motherly duties: shower your children with affection especially in front of their peers." Smiling she moved over to Gaara and did the same but he just smiled. "Besides, your brother doesn't complain."
"Gaara never complains."
"Yes I do. I just used to destroy whatever annoyed me," he replied back. Bidding everyone good night he left for the tower.
Iruka couldn't help but laugh and patted the blonde on his shoulder. "Let's go figure out the sleeping arrangements."
"Iruka."
"Yes?"
"Please don't give Naruto anymore ramen for this week. He's been placed on a diet." Waving Hidama left ahead with the ladies, her daughter silently following on silent paws. The blonde pouted, Kakashi was smiling behind his mask, Iruka rubbed the back of his head, and Sasuke was just--Sasuke.
"Rock, paper, scissors," Naruto announced.
Kakashi and Sasuke nodded. Counting to three, the trio held out their hands: Naruto had rock, Sasuke had paper, and Kakashi had scissors.
"Looks like the guestroom is all mine," Iruka snickered.
"Fat chance!" said Naruto.
--
Damn you, Kakashi! Naruto fumed on his bedroll.
The trio decided to draw straws. Of course Kakashi had to get the short one.
Oh well, no sense in losing sleep over it. Naruto turned onto his side and closed his eyes. It didn't last very long as the memories from the other night with Taka filled his mind.
NOT NOW!
He shut his eyes tighter but it didn't help. Pulling the blanket tighter seemed to make everything worse. Don't think about her, don't think about her, don't think about her! ran though his mind but if anything it made it worse. He tried to keep as still as possible but it was no use. He had to go see Taka! Peeking out he looked at the other boy. Sasuke was sound asleep on his bedroll, not looking the least bit uncomfortable.
He and Sakura did race over here on foot. Moving quietly he looked around the apartment. The guest room was quite large with a large bed, a long table beneath the window, several rubs along the floor and even several framed pictures along the walls. His eyes settled on the door and just knowing that his mate was on the other side of the loft was making his thoughts go into overdrive. All threats fled his mind as he slipped out of the room and headed for the master bedroom.
Everything was quiet and the living room was dark save for the moonlight streaming through the window. The room was larger with a folded out futon (which someone was sleeping on judging by the covers) was set against the wall, a low table pushed to the side upon a large rug. A small bookcase beneath the window, a small table just beyond an open doorway with a kitchen to the side. Silently he moved in, careful not to make any noise but as he moved to the door leading to the bedroom he pulled back, looking at the fresh burnt marks on his hand. He looked up only to see a sacred seal placed there.
"Nine-tailed or not, Kyuubi is a still a demon and they cannot break through scared barriers or seals," the pale woman sighed as she sat up. She wore a thin shift revealing her white as cream skin, her starlit hair loose about her body that seemed to glow. One of the Hound's dreams come true but her eyes were hard, cold, and unfeeling as ice. "Do you honestly want to spend the rest of the days tied to a stone pillar until the drug fades away? Because that can be arranged." She slowly stood, revealing the shirt to barely stop atop her thighs but she didn't seem the least bit tired or sleepy.
Naruto sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, kit. It's for your own good, and Taka's. You two have to stay away from each other."
"I know, but it's just… I don't how to explain it."
Hidama smiled at him. "There's no need to. A lot of things can never be explained." She turned from him and went over to the kitchen sink, taking a glass from the drying rack and filled it with water.
Naruto watched her, his eyes focused on the part in her hair. Just beneath her shoulder line was a tattoo of a sword with a whip circling it but there was a large scar going diagonal through it.
What is that? Naruto thought then quickly schooled his expression when Hidama turned around again. Better not say anything.
Walking up to him she handed him the glass. "I take it they're still sleeping," she said, sitting on a recliner as she gestured for him to sit.
"Yeah. I tried but I couldn't stop thinking about her," he sighed as he sat, looking at his glass of water. "... Can I ask you a serious question?"
"Go ahead."
"What's it like to be in love?" He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have asked."
Hidama was quiet for a moment before replying. "Love is a powerful emotion. When you really love someone, you cannot picture your life without that person no matter what. It doesn't matter how different the two of you are, all you know is that other half of your soul is someone you can trust your life with, who will never betray you, can watch your back in a fight, will give you unconditional love no matter what. But sometimes, those bonds of love can be shattered like a mirror. You can try to glue the pieces together but it's never the same," she said softly.
Naruto blinked, noticing how her eyes were looked sad and faraway. "You were in love?" he asked softly.
"Was but it was a very long time ago. And yet--I think I've fallen in love again." She laughed to herself, a small smile on her lips as she rested her chin in her hand. "Wonders will never cease, kit."
He looked at her for a long time, taking a sip of water from the glass before setting it down and stood up. Moving behind her he leaned over and hugged her tightly. "I wish you'd be happy mom."
"I know kit." She reached up and gently traced the whisker marks. "You're a good boy."
He smiled. "Do you think... you can move back to Konoha? I wanna introduce you to my friends."
"We'll see. Remember, I have Gaara to think about."
"Okay." He still wanted to ask her about the mark but just couldn't and tightened his arms around her. He wanted her to be happy, as she had made him.
But as the two talked something evil was lurking. Sakura slept peacefully in the bed, Taka as well. The three-tailed fox slept at the foot of the bed, sides rising and falling in deep sleep but even she wasn't aware of a dark shadow seeping into the room. It moved from shadow to shadow until it reached the bed. The shape seemed like an animal; it reached out and extending its claws, drove them into the sleeping woman's stomach. The brunette's eyes went wide as she screamed in pain. Sakura was up but shock stole her movements as she witness a shadow trying to kill her roommate. Quicksilver was up but when she tried to attack she ended up hitting the wall as she went right through the enemy.
"A shadow!" she hissed angrily.
The creature removed its claws but laughed. "Tell Kyuubi that Nekomata sends her regards," the form laughed and faded into the darkness just as Hidama and Naruto burst through the door.
"Taka!" Naruto ran to her.
"It… didn't go deep," she hissed in pain.
"Lie back," Sakura said in a calm tone, "let's have a look." She pulled up Taka's nightshirt. There just above the young woman's navel were four long gashes. "Naruto, my bag."
The blonde turned and grabbed the bag from where it sat by the window. He handed it to Sakura. A few moments later, the bleeding ceased and the wounds were covered.
"They'll most likely heal by tomorrow afternoon," Sakura put her med kit back together.
Naruto sat next to Taka on the bed, holding her hand. He could feel Kyuubi and the demon fox was furious. "What happened?" Naruto asked.
"A shadow manipulation," said Quicksilver. "But it materialized itself enough to attack Taka."
"I'll say," the brunette grumbled.
"It kinda looked like a cat," Sakura spoke. "Really freaked me out when I saw it."
"A cat?" Hidama asked. "Male or female?"
"Female," Quicksilver answered. "She also said, 'tell Kyuubi that Nekomata sends her regards'."
Kyuubi's rage escalated and Naruto's eyes turned into slits. Taka saw and immediately grabbed his shoulder. He looked at her and his eyes became normal.
"The two-tailed demon cat," Hidama leaned against the wall then looked at Naruto. "I believe it would be best if you had a talk with Kyuubi."
"Right." Closing his eyes he pictured the cage where Kyuubi had been sealed within his body. Soon he was standing before the bars but he watched as the fox paced angrily, used its nine tails to try and break the bars down. He honestly couldn't blame him but the repeated banging was giving him a headache. "Kyuubi, calm down!"
"That pathetic hairball!" he roared angrily. "She was always so weak, teaming up with that five-tailed dog to try and defeat me! No one has the power to defeat me, not even that damn snake!" He slammed his tails against the bars, rattling them.
"So you do know her, this Nekomata?" he asked calmly. The fox looked at him and sat down slowly but he was still seething. The blonde slowly approached the bars but never looked away. "What happened before you got sealed?"
"… It's not easy being the best, kid. A fox gains a tail for every hundred years we live; once the ninth tail is acquired we gain a sense of immortality. I didn't care, I just wanted to be left alone. But since I had the most power there were others who wanted that power. One by one they tried attacking me but each battle I went against I won," he told him.
"What about with the 4th hokage?"
"That--was no battle. I had been awakened then summoned by force but what really got to me was he--the one who summoned me--was trying to steal my powers. I refused to back down so easily so I decided to show him why I was the king of the tailed-beasts. The coward fled yet I tracked his scent to your village. I just wanted to find that one bastard. I remember that blonde man though; I remember that huge toad of his. But most of all, I remember him whispering how sorry he was for taking away my freedom. For the first several years of life I despised him, I couldn't believe that a human had sealed me into the body of an infant, a human infant." He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "But time has a way of making everyone change."
The blonde took it all in. In a way, he understood why the Yondaime did what he did. It was not only to protect the village, but to protect the fox as well. "But why did that cat attack Taka? How did she even know about her? About you? About us?"
Kyuubi's fire-colored eyes widened then narrowed, fangs bared angrily. "Those bastards--those bloody bastards! They were praying to that damn hairball for her powers! Damn that stupid cat!" Leaping to his feet he charged at the bars, making them shake even more and scare the poor blonde.
He yelped and quickly jumped to his feet. "Will you tell me what's going on already!"
"That two-tailed cat, is also known as the Death God's favorite," he hissed angrily. "She's weak but she's not stupid. She had hoped by joining with the five-tailed dog of illusion she could defeat me but I just critically injured them both. I had hoped she had died but it seemed like the God of Death took her as his pet. HA! Lazy pathetic excuse for a demon!"
"Wait, if you fought her before--someone from the Shadow of the Fallen Moon told her what's been going on! She's getting revenge on you by hurting Taka!"
"She's enraged me like no end. Listen good kid, I don't care what that pale woman says but they will all suffer as will anyone who gets in my way." He lowered his head, peering at his vessel through the bars. "I know you care for that woman who you call mother, I admire her like no other, but I will not sit idly by as our mate is being used as some damn cat's scratching post. So, are you in or out?"
He knew the demon was wrong but the words struck home. Hands formed into tight fists, making him want to rip off the seal and set him free but instead he looked up at him. His normally blue eyes were crimson red, the pupils slitted, whisker marks on his cheeks more prominent, and his own fangs bared.
"I'm in," he growled.
--
"Never knew that Naruto could be this quiet," said Sakura.
"This is something you don't see everyday," Taka agreed.
Hidama looked at her kit. I hope you aren't planning on releasing him.
Naruto shuddered and the whisker marks on his cheeks seemed to grow wider.
"Uh… Hidama…" Sakura pointed to Naruto.
"Kyuubi…" the pale woman whispered. "Taka! Get back!"
Too late. Naruto's eyes snapped open, revealing crimson orbs and vertical slits. He swept Taka into his arms and bounded out the open window.
"Shit!" Hidama jumped out the window.
"H-Hey wait!" Sakura yelled and made to jump out but was held back. "Quicksilver let go!"
The fox growled and pulled her back farther into the room before releasing her nightgown. "Get the others while I get Gaara."
"But Naruto and Taka-"
"Kyuubi has taken over and he won't let anything happen to her. Mother is going to bring them back. Hurry and go!" Leaping onto the windowsill she jumped and ran at a full sprint once she touched the ground. The young medic didn't even grab her robe as she ran towards the door, narrowly hitting Sasuke in the nose with it. Behind her were Iruka and Kakashi who apparently heard the scream and felt the sudden rise in charka levels.
"Everyone! Taka was attacked but Naruto grabbed her and leapt out the window then Hidama went after them and Quicksilver went to get Gaara," she told them swiftly, ignoring the fact that they were just wearing boxer and she was still in her gown. "We have to go after them!"
The pale woman ran as fast as she could but in this form she couldn't run fast enough to catch up. Concentrating she winced as her body began to change. Faster damnit! she hissed, throwing her shift off as soon as she was running on all fours. The sand felt cool beneath her paws, wind rushing through her fur, tails fluttering behind her. She had an idea what the red fox would do but she had to stop him no matter what. She ignored the guards as she ran past them, heading deeper into the desert. At once she caught their scents and followed.
--
"They have left Suna."
Kaemon smiled at his spies. "Very good. Begin phase one."
--
Taka wasn't sure how far Naruto had run but she knew that they couldn't be anywhere near the direction leading to Konoha. Rather than the sand merging with the forest, the area they had stopped was more tropical with palm trees and small bushes.
Naruto dropped to one knee and set Taka on the ground, allowing her to sit upright. He brought his hands up, crimson eyes looking over the wounds on his palm and he licked the one on his left hand.
Taka watched in fascination and it wasn't long until the demon blood in her veins began to react to the scene before her. She reached out, gently taking Naruto's hand and brought it closer to her. Naruto growled as her tongue darted out along his wounded palm. He watched her, mildly noticing that her eyes had now turned red, and shivered as her tongue left his palm and gone to his wrist.
The after-effect of the drugs were running faster through their system, the demon within them straining to be released. He reached up to pull her closer, licking her cheek. She purred and their lips were about to meet but it they felt another figure closing in. The blonde growled as he stood, moving to stand before his mate. Whoever thought to invade here would meet their fate. He didn't have to wait long.
A white figure stood stopped several feet away, larger than an ordinary fox with sleek white fur. Icy blue eyes looked into their glowing red orbs but she didn't move even when they growled at her. "You two are falling right into their trap," she said calmly though bitterly. "I don't want to fight you both but I will if I have to."
Taka growled and moved into a crouching position. Naruto held his arm out in front of her, telling his mate to back down. She did but remained on guard.
Naurto rose to his feet and slowly walked towards Hidama. The fox-woman stood where she was, not showing any emotion. Naruto charged, swiping at her but Hidama dodged at the last moment and Naruto's claws hit sand. Growling, he spun and locked his eyes on her.
"Can you hear me, Naruto?" Hidama called to her son. "Or had Kyuubi taken over completely?"
"Neither," the blonde answered. "We have merged. We are one. Leave me and my mate alone."
"You know I can't do that. Do you want the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan to take you both and exploit your child?"
"I'll kill them before the idea even crosses their thoughts."
"How can you protect her when you're dead?"
"No mere human can defeat me. Even an army can't defeat me."
"That may be true but if Taka does become pregnant you, Naruto, will die and you, Kyuubi, will be locked within the fetus. Once you are born as a full human Taka will die and the Fallen Moon will use you and your powers." He froze but she didn't release her guard even as she turned to the possessed woman.
"Listen to me Taka, I know what happened. I know about your past, your mother, and grandmother. Do you want to end up like them?" she asked coolly. "If you two continue, the child will be born without parents and be at the mercy of those sadistic bastards." She looked at them calmly but seriously. "You two are the very few I can call family but I will not let another child suffer. Now get yourselves under control, or by Inari's Will I'll beat all of you back to your senses." She didn't seem to mean it but her tone and the way her body tensed spoke the truth.
"No one will ever touch her except me," Naruto growled. "I've had enough of your lies."
"She is not lying," Taka spoke. Naruto turned his head--a mistake Hidama could have taken advantage of but she also wanted to hear what Taka had to say.
"I never knew my mother or Grandmother Komeko," the young woman continued. "I have very little memory of my father, and his parents died long before I was born. All I had was my grandfather. I loved him dearly but he could only give me so much…"
Taka raised her head, her eyes changing from the crimson to the discoloring of her blindness. "Naruto, you know how that feels. But you had it worse than I did. There must be a way…"
"She's lying!" he growled angrily, refusing to accept the facts. "I will not let anyone stop me!"
"Please, you have to calm down!" the brunette tried reasoning but it was no good.
Kyuubi growled and lunged at Hidama but before he could inflict any damage he was kicked in the side. He managed to land on all fours but the chakra was enveloping his body, slowly transforming the human boy into a fox. Behind him the tails began to emerge.
"Think, you hot-head! What would I have to gain by lying to you two?" the white fox demanded.
"Shut up with your lies and die!" The two meet in a clash of claws and fangs, vicious growls echoing around the enclosure, the ground rumbling angrily with each jump. The fire-fox refused to back down, ignoring the white fox and his mate. He fell back when he felt the other fox's tails slap him in the face but he waited, pretending to be unconscious. If a full on assault didn't work, he would try a sneak attack.
Hidama frowned, knowing something wasn't right but she moved closer. Kyuubi looked out he had finally been taken out but when she turned to ask if Taka was alright she saw movement from the corner of her eye. She was too slow and released a piercing scream as sharp fangs dug into her right fore leg, causing her to fall and land on her back. The gold wrist guard was bitten clean through, the protective seal broken but he didn't stop. The fangs dug deeper, blood filling his mouth, and felt the malformed bones crack then shatter under the pressure. He could feel her vainly try to pull away, grunted when she kicked him repeatedly but he wouldn't let her win even when she managed to get back on her feet he refused to let go.
Shit! I really didn't want to do this but you've left me no choice! she hissed to herself. Growling, she reached forward and quick as lightning, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck with her fangs. She wanted to spit the blood filling her mouth but held on tightly, pulling at him to let go. Damnit kit, come to your senses already! she screamed mentally at him as loud as she could; using her spiritual abilities, she found the part that was her son and slapped him as hard as she could. Regret filled her heart but it was the only way to wake him up.
Kyuubi and Naruto both felt the slap, the force behind it enough to make the fire red fox stagger back that before he knew it, he found himself with his tails tucked between his legs, ears down and eyes filled with fear. Blood matted the back of his neck but they were just flesh wounds, nothing like the damage he inflicted on her. Hidama glared at him angrily, holding her injured leg gingerly as blood coated her leg but she just stood there, looking at him angrily like a mother scolding her child.
"We are not bound by blood, but you, Naruto, will always be my son. Kyuubi, I know you want to be free but not by killing the two people who care about you." The anger began to lift, showing love and concern over them. "I do this because I care."
At that moment, Gaara, Iruka, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke arrived. They stared in shock at the scene before them. Taka felt the five arrive through the sands and her own chakra. She moved her hands in specific gestures, hoping that Gaara would see. When she felt the ripple of the sand, she sighed in relief.
"What's going on?" Iruka looked at the kazekage.
"Naruto and Kyuubi have merged," Gaara explained. "Right now he wants everyone to leave him and Taka alone."
"That's why he's fighting Hidama," said Kakashi. "How do you understand those gestures?"
"Taka knew a woman who couldn't hear or speak so they taught each other how to read the gestures of hands. Taka showed me a couple years ago, and I taught her how to feel the message in the tremors I make in the sand."
"But we have to do something. There are some serious injuries going on," Sakura pointed out. Having trained with Tsunade she could detect blood on a battlefield and the medic within was telling her to heal not and ask questions later.
"We wait or else Kyuubi will attack us."
Hidama knew her son was here but she would not turn her back on the fox before her. Moving slowly she limped over to him. He crouched low but she could tell it wasn't in defense but more in fear. Stopping she leaned over and licked at the wounds she had caused. He froze but let her continue what she was doing. He looked down at the leg and felt remorse eating at him. Leaning down he began licking at the injured leg but stopped when she pulled back.
"I... I'm sorry... mother..." he said softly.
She cocked her ears towards him but slowly, sat down. She was still alert but she didn't want to fight anymore. Behind her the tails swished silently, watching as he sat down and looked at her. She could see the rage slowly dying from his eyes yet control hadn't been handed back to the blonde ninja. "I know right now Taka means a lot to you, but take into consideration that you two let the demon part of you take rise. This wouldn't be a problem if you two had managed to stay sane but this is unacceptable."
He growled but didn't move to attack her. "Law in the demon world. Take what you want with no regrets, live to protect your mate and make sure the offspring live to carry on the line." He blinked when she laughed but it was a harsh, cold laughter. "What's so funny?"
"That's something I'd expect you to say, even if you are a nine-tailed fox. I know the laws of the demons and I know the laws of the beasts. You know what those 'laws' stand for? Steal what you want, rape who you want, and kill off those that are a threat to you, especially family," she told him, grinning savagely. "Let me tell you something, kit. When you reach my age, you begin to make your own laws. If Taka was truly your mate I would have seen a mark on her; hell, I would have been able to smell your mark on her but there's nothing. All I smell between you two is lust. That drug the Fallen Moon gave you is still in your systems. But say you do get her pregnant, where would that leave you three? Naruto will die right after the intercourse. Nine months later Taka will die. And you, my dear Kyuubi, will find yourself locked in a body of a human.."
He growled but he knew she spoke the truth. He growled, ready to snap a reply but he saw a flash of black and stared at a black tail nestled within her nine white tails. A tenth tail? Impossible! "How are you able to get 10 tails? No kitsune alive has been able to have more than 9!"
Hidama said nothing as the tails swished silently. "Walk a mile in my shoes and you'll see what I mean. Now, give Naruto control back. The longer you're out, the faster your soul will eat at his, the sooner the two of you die. And I am not letting my son die before he can achieve his dream."
The crimson eyes closed and the body shifted to a human form. Naruto groaned and slowly blinked his blue eyes open. "My head is killing me…" he said hoarsely.
Taka sighed in relief as she heard Naruto's voice. She tensed as she felt the sands shift, and then someone grabbed her.
"Taka!" Gaara shouted.
"A message from Lord Kaemon," said the Fallen Moon ninja, "Kyuubi may have nine tails but a cat has nine lives."
"TAKA!" Naruto screamed as she and her captor sank beneath the sands. He jumped to his feet and raced to them but they vanished. He fell to his knees, hands digging into the sand yet it was futile. Shaking, Naruto threw his head back and howled.
Authors' Notes:
Shadow: Can we say pissed?
Janime: Which one?
Shadow: Everyone.
Everyone: Pissed.
Janime: Indeed.
Shadow: Ah well, we shall see what happens next chapter.
Janime: The next chapter will be the climax of our story.
Shadow: Nekomata is gonna pay. See this is why I'm a dog-lover.
Janime: in this case, fox-lover.
Shadow: True. Also, Inari was known as the god that kitsunes supposedly pray to.