Hi! I'm back and refreshed from vacation! I did a lot of writing since I had no way to connect and I gotta say I'm actually happy I didn't finish this story the first time around. Otherwise I would've never did this rewrite lol.
EDIT: Important NOTE! In chapter 1 I made a mistake! The term 'nekomata' doesn't just refer to two-tailed cats! Cats can have just as many tails as every other youkai out there. What makes their species unique is there is a HUGE difference between the one-tailed cats (bakenekos) and cats with 2+ tails (nekomatas). So a three tailed cat can be called a nekomata too. Furthermore, they are the ONLY species with a tailless species. But there will be more about the maneki nekos waaaay later one when Sakura actually shows. I edited the first chapter to reflect this change. My apologies for the confusion!
Anon review reply:
Guest- THANK YOU! Happy to be back :D!
Here is chapter 4! Word count is over 7000 so have fun!
Naruto smiled. It's so nice…
He then stood up from his crouch and immediately took a whiff and looked around. Kyuubi observed him doing so and noted he was a little shorter.
…That's right, that's right advantages! Or flaws, he's looking for flaws. He closed his mouth and shook his head to rid himself of images of blue eyes and pretty smiles and focused on crossing lines and the gall to tackle him. Now would be a good time to tell him how things worked here.
"So… is this is the Kitsune estate?" Naruto's voice lifted at the end, as if he was very puzzled. And you know what, he had every right to be. This garage was way too simply decorated for their tastes. There are thousands of ways this could be made to look better and he knew his father could do at least half of them without his input.
"No. This is the front garage, the most boring and plain room in the Kitsune Clan's estate. The reason you were brought here is because my father wants you to think he was much more humble than he really is."
"Really?" Naruto asked, with a little smile and eyebrow raise.
"Yes, really," Kyuubi said, absentmindedly. So few brilliant things to stare at in this room, but this one here…
"So the rest of the estate looks much more grand?" Naruto asked, gaining Kyuubi's attention again.
"In my opinion." He turned away. Now's the time to let this newcomer know his place.
"Haha okay," Naruto laughed. His laugh was very light. It sounded nice to Kyuubi's ears and he twitched them to capture as much of the sound as he can.
And then, he felt Naruto grab his hand.
He whipped his head around and his gaze traveled down to where their hands were touching. He could feel each individual callous on his intended's hand but the rough texture felt nice and sent tingles up his arm. And Naruto's hand was at a slightly cooler temperature than his own but that was to be expected and he wasn't displeased in the slightest.
But then he felt a light tug and Naruto's cheek pressed against his shoulder.
"Come on! Aren't you going to show your fiancé the palace?"
This is his fiancé—wait. This is his fiancé.
That word snapped Kyuubi out of it.
Because what under the big, blue stars was he doing? He couldn't let Naruto get close or his whole plan will fall to shambles! Sure that plan is nonexistent but it would suck if it failed before Kyuubi even got started! He needed to regain control of himself. He needed to stop letting Naruto control his senses. He needed to stop letting his senses control him! Kyuubi's only goal in life was to become the Juubi. A mate had no place here.
So he moved. In the next second he was on the other side of the garage near the entrance and Naruto was left alone and looking really confused.
"Look. I know we are intended to be but that doesn't mean I want you crawling all over me got it?" He growled as slight killer intent filled the room. He knew the killer intent was a bit much but Kyuubi wanted to get his point across. Instead of cowering like he had hoped, Naruto only raised an eyebrow.
"So you really are shy?"
"No I am not shy. I want you to keep your distance is all. I have no intention of committing typical mate acts with you and it is to your best interest to stay away from me during the duration of your visit. Clear?" Kyuubi demanded, standing tall with his hands behind his back.
"And also for that matter, I did not give you permission to refer to me as Kurama. Only my father may do so. You call me what everyone else does. Kyuubi...sama." Blunt and to the point. Sure he left out the whole 'this was not my idea' thing, but the way Naruto acted had Kyuubi itching to show Naruto his place. Even now, as Naruto's expression took on a shocked look, Kyuubi still felt the urge to bring him to his knees.
This urge intensified when Naruto, instead of cowering or whimpering or doing something to show he would submit to him, only smirked again and took a step forward, tail swishing playfully behind him.
"Is that so? Well then Akagitsune, I can't promise you I'll abide by your wishes. You look like a tough nut to crack. But my fangs are sharp y'know," Naruto purred as he winked at the reddening kitsune.
"Wh-Where did you even get that?! That's not my name—that's not what I said!"
"All kitsune are the colors of the rainbow from what I see. Why do you get to stake a claim on the name? You are Akagitsune because your face keeps turning red and it's kinda cute ahehe!" Naruto snickered into his hand.
"I. Am. A Kitsune," Kyuubi growled out through gritted teeth, trying his hardest not to let it show that the nickname got to him. However he felt about clans and their deplorable positions and rules, he would never deny that he had the ultimate lineage. It's been a long time since Inari was sent down from the heavens and gave the fox its power and intelligence, transforming a mere animal into a higher being, a kitsune, and made them their messenger. Many more foxes were transformed and the spirits of the kitsune transcended through the generations. And storytellers would like to end the story with, everyone lived in harmony forever, but that was not the case.
The kitsune species as a whole has been divided for longer than his father has been alive. There were those who still use the wisdom they received righteously and do good, preaching and practicing love and protection, the zenko foxes. And there were those who have rejected Inari's rules and use the powers they granted selfishly and maliciously instead. Those were the yako foxes.
He still took immense pride in the story that he was the latest descendant of the very first kitsune and he was not about to let some rude idiot devalue his heritage by butchering the name that communicated his zenko bloodline.
And making fun of him by using the wrong name and calling attention to his tendency to blush is just plain rude. It is not his fault!
Naruto spoke up again. "And kitsune aren't perfect."
Kyuubi paused because he knew when he was being mocked. No doubt this offensive good-for-nothing knew about the most superior lineage of the kitsune species since his mother, who actually was befitting of the name akagitsune, was fortunate enough to be adopted into it. The sheer nerve of this one to speak to him in such a way had Kyuubi picturing raising a torrent of fire from the ground, tearing up the floor, the walls, the ceiling! The scent of burning air overwhelming and dangerous as the blaze surrounded and closed in on them. The look of terror in Naruto's eyes as he falls to his knees, begging for mercy while he laughed and laughed. The last thing the charred, still-living remains of Naruto would see, is his wide-open mouth and how sharp his fangs are.
But Kyuubi was above acting on such impulses. Sort of.
He at least knew that Naruto was not even worthy enough to lick the floors let alone ruin a century of patience. Naruto's whole person already picked at his honor code, but killing him would cause the kinda trouble he shouldn't deal with. He heard about what happened to that one who killed Kushina and it was apparently by Minato forcing it. He'll pass on having a reunion with that fox until he's a nine tails. But make no mistake. There are other ways to get revenge and it was in Kyuubi's nature to come up with creative tricks of the sort. So for now, he snorted and turned away from Naruto, as if he was a lesser being not worthy of being replied to.
Naruto only smiled and clasped his hands in front of him.
"Are you going to lead me out? No? Well okay I guess I'll just help myself then," Naruto said, heading for the entrance. Kyuubi scowled.
Who's the dominant one here?
"Actually Naraho, the Kitsune estate is more than what you might imagine it is," Kyuubi countered, grabbing Naruto's hand as the idiot ran by him. He smirked at seeing a furious spark appear in Naruto's eyes. Excitement flowed through his blood at the thought of being able to piss this four-tailed weak one off. Naruto ripped his hand away.
"AHO?!" Oh wow he's loud. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU-...I mean...sure haha aho. Haaaa that's cute of you call your future mate an idiot for tryin to see the place hahaaaa, aho." Oh Naruto is pissed. He even brought all four tails out for a second! And there was nothing funnier.
"It's my tip to you as your gracious host. If you ignore me, getting lost will be the least of your worries. But go ahead and run off, if you think you can handle it." He was exaggerating greatly, but wouldn't it be funny if Naruto actually got scared? Or if he had a chance to not exaggerate about the danger around here? The most dangerous thing in the compound was standing right in front of him anyways.
"Well then sure, I'm convinced," Naruto said, making a dramatic display out of putting his hand back in Kyuubi's. "I will allow you to give me a tour of the place. If you think you can handle me."
Kyuubi twitched. 'Allow him too'? 'Handle me'? This one was challenging him at every corner! Did he not realize the difference in their power? Surely showing his dominance wouldn't technically mean he's committed to this. If Kyuubi got into this little battle but at the same time planned-no. He shook his head. He needed to keep his distance. He couldn't continue to let Naruto distract him. Things were a little different now and if he messes up then there's no way out of this situation that he's gonna like.
Naruto can start his stupid challenges. But Kyuubi won't lower himself to accepting them.
That didn't stop him from boldly dragging Naruto from the room, clearly trying to show who's boss.
There was no tour to be had though. That had to wait until tomorrow.
"It's dinner time," Daitaru kindly said, as soon as they came out of the garage.
Kyuubi was this close to bellowing some very unkind words, for how he hated it when his father snuck up on him. But he knew better than to shout at his father like that in front of company. So he kept his reaction at a minimum and clenched his fists until he realized he was squeezing Naruto's hand—or no. No he wasn't. Naruto was just tense. Incredibly so.
Kyuubi looked back at him and was shocked to see a grin but his fangs were showing which killed the harmless aspect of the smile. No way did this kitsune just get here, and is already looking to pick a fight with him and his father.
"I think this may be the first time we've met Daitaru-" Naruto stopped, like his voice got caught in his throat or something. He swallowed hugely before finally completing the sentence with- "-sama."
That contained angry tone was way off. It also dropped out of a sandstorm, for Kyuubi didn't understand why Naruto was clearly upset with his father. From the Namikaze's perspective, this should be the opportunity of a life time and the best thing that could've happened to him. A lowly yako like Namikaze Minato would've never caught the attention of the head of the Kitsune Clan had it not been for Naruto's mother.
His father smiled at the hostility before completely ignoring it.
"It might be the first time you remember us meeting. But let's not dawdle here when there is food to be eaten. Come along please."
Daitaru turned and kindly led them to the main castle and took them on the shortest walk to the dining room, which to Kyuubi's never-ending surprise was much more bare than it usually was. Daitaru took down all the gold trimming on the walls and all of the ornate wall decorations were gone as well. There were only a few pictures of some of the landscapes around here and a few foxes, which was mostly stolen from the never-used first kitchen. Also, the large, grand wooden dining table with its 60-something or so spots was gone and in its place was a tiny little round table with three chairs around it. It had a red cloth on it to match the shiny red walls. At least he got some other poor unfortunate sap to polish the whole room. Even the wooden floorboards were shiny despite being older than his grandfather. But everything else… Kyuubi suspected his father was trying to appeal to the poorer tastes of the Namikaze. Whatever, except it gives him less to stare at while they go through this very unfortunate process tonight.
Arranged matings had some asinine rule about 'family first' or some bullcrap. Or at least, that's what Kyuubi gleaned from the, 'first dinner of the first month for soon-to-be-mates had to be enjoyed with one mate's parents or parent', and the second dinner with the rest of the family. Dinner between the couple alone came on the third night and thereafter until about the second month where dinner would be enjoyed with the other mate's parents or parent and family. If there was any rule he would've preferred to be skipped, it was the 'meet the parents' one.
It's not like Daitaru was embarrassing, it was that he was too nice. How he hated seeing his father treat suitors like they've already been adopted into the clan. Kyuubi watched as Daitaru placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder and guided him over to the table, boasting about how he was going to have a comfortable stay and eat lots of good food. At least the table was already wet with—huh. Spiced fish with some blueberry bread and citrusy brown leaves. A favorite meal of his. Well, maybe dinner won't be so intolerable. And maybe Kyuubi is only sometimes right. This is not one of those times.
The only enjoyment was coming from the food because they were certainly not enjoying each other's company.
Or at least, Kyuubi for sure wasn't.
He glared heatedly under his bangs as Naruto continued to smile prettily and chat amicably with his father. Little bastard. Kyuubi already tuned out the content of the conversation, because Daitaru was damn sure to keep topic on what Naruto's been doing in his little backwoods corner of the world as opposed to anything even slightly more interesting than polishing the walls.
He didn't want to hear what the Namikaze does during his free time. He also didn't want to be sitting in this seat watching Daitaru and Naruto get along like they were best pals.
And it wasn't even because Naruto was getting along with his father in a way Kyuubi hadn't in a long time. No of course not. It was because the more Daitaru liked Naruto, the harder it would be to get out of the situation. Daitaru held the reigning authority over this courtship, and made it clear that he doesn't trust Kyuubi's judgment because of his history with previous suitors. He's going to have to rely on Naruto losing Daitaru's respect to get out of this mess.
How Naruto's first impression didn't get him kicked out or killed must've been a stroke of fox luck. Or maybe he's actually pretty sneaky. He wasn't displaying even a hint of those cheeky personality traits from earlier. Other than at the beginning of dinner when Naruto picked at his food—before taking a bite and then devouring it—and when he was a little short and cross with his answers, he's a been acting like a real charmer.
Daitaru is not known for his patience with disrespect. Maybe it was up to Kyuubi to show him how bad Naruto can really be? There's got to be something his father won't tolerate, he's just gotta figure out how to make Naruto do it in front of him and very soon. Like immediately.
Kyuubi was brought out of his mulling when he heard his father's loud laugh.
"That's interesting Naruto-kun! What a wonderful way to cause mischief and at the same time, teach Minato-kun to value his gifts ahaha!"
"I try. And I figure if I can pull one over on him enough times, then I'll finally be good enough."
Good enough. Good God. Can he go?
"Speaking of being good enough, I…can't thank you enough for finally inviting me into your home. I don't know what it is about me that made you pick me for this…opportunity."
Trust that Kyuubi doesn't either. But his curiosity was being piqued by the careful way Naruto was speaking.
"But I'm grateful nonetheless that I'm here."
"You should be," Kyuubi uttered under his breath. He didn't mean to be heard, but the glare Naruto gave him was swift and Daitaru looked a little puzzled. Kyuubi glared right back.
"What? Do you have a counterpoint?"
He didn't. Haha. But also, damn.
"But…I can assure you that I don't need or even want any of the privileges you get as a clan. I can get by just fine on my own."
"As long as you're here, everything is yours to use."
"Even, let's say, your cemetery?"
What a weird question. Wait! Unless this is it, Kyuubi thought sitting up straighter. This was the weird quirk that would make Daitaru want to kick Naruto out!
"Well that shouldn't see any use at all while you are present. Kurama will be sure of that."
Damn it.
"Ahem, speaking of that matter, have you and Kurama been getting along well?"
Kyuubi rolled his eyes. Why didn't his father ask him that question? And what was he expecting after the five minute introduction they had? There was a sliver of hope that Naruto could screw this up…But the reality was there's nothing Naruto could say that Daitaru wouldn't blame him for. Naruto frowned and glanced at Kyuubi for a quick second, ears flicking, before smiling widely.
"Yes! Me and Kyuubi have been getting along well enough for our first meeting ever!"
Well that was putting it nicely. Nicer than Kyuubi was thinking actually. But Daitaru didn't look happy which was a huge 'uh oh'. The clan head frowned and said,
"'Kyuubi'?" He then glared at his heir. "Are you not letting your future mate call you by your birth name Kurama?!"
Kyuubi gritted his teeth and his blood started to boil. For some reason, knowing his father was going to attack him for whatever nonsense he took offense to, didn't actually prevent him from getting annoyed. He quickly smiled a clearly fake and strained smile.
"What better way to make him feel welcome then by allowing him to call me by the name everyone else calls me? You're the only one in my entire circle who calls me Kurama. It's to help him fit in you see."
Daitaru started to look skeptical but he was soon distracted by Naruto choking.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Naruto waved, catching his breath again. "Your son's got jokes! And I just swallowed air too fast. "
Hah. Jokes are what Daitaru called them before he started calling them 'nonsense'. More proof that this was a match made in hell. But since they got along so swimmingly, maybe Naruto could take Daitaru with him when he gets chased outta here and they can go choke on air together. He couldn't stop his smile, but when Daitaru growled at him he mentally rolled his eyes and put on a fake concerned look.
"Are you sure you are alright Naruto? Maybe you should return home and we do this another year."
"Kurama!"
"What? The air here nearly took him out! Why are you risking his life like this!?" Kyuubi was biting off a lot he knew. Daitaru used to like his sense of humor. He was more tolerant of it when his mom was around…but that hasn't been the case the last 20 or so thousand times he's tried to have a little fun and get his way. Now Daitaru's face matched the color of his hair and his amber eyes glowed with anger yet again. As Kyuubi folded his ears back in apology, he seriously wondered if his father would grow the guts to attack him if it was on Naruto's behalf.
Naruto, who Kyuubi swore was smirking before he smiled an innocent smile.
"Thanks for your concern my Koi-bi~~." Kyuubi cringed. "But my name's Namikaze Naruto and I can handle whatever is thrown at me! Little accidents just make me stronger!"
'Whatever is thrown at him' huh? What an arrogant fool! Did he even realize the power that was sitting at this very table would overwhelm him in less than a second? Kitsune were known to have a much better awareness of what they can handle. Picking and choosing their battles was how the entire species survived and dominated...barring a few overconfident types like the one sitting at this table. Kyuubi can't wait to test how well Naruto lives up to those words. Or better yet, fails to. But with those same words, Daitaru calmed down considerably and he smiled at Naruto.
"Now that's the kind of attitude I like to hear! Well I can safely say this dinner showed me all that I needed to see and more! I am looking forward to your stay Naruto-kun," Daitaru announced, getting up. "Please leave your dishes where they are, someone else will retrieve them."
"Oh dinner is over already? I feel like we have more to talk about."
"Oh don't worry you've made a marvelous impression on me! I feel like I know you well enough already! And right now you must be tired. You've had a long journey after all and I can't believe the travel was easy. So take it easy tonight. Kurama take Naruto-kun to his quarters. Or yours if you so prefer."
Kyuubi shivered at what his father was implying. Whether he shivered because his father already wants him to skip four weeks of courtship and go right to the point where he and Naruto would share a room or because the image of Naruto lying beneath him flashed in his mind, Kyuubi didn't want to know.
He also didn't want to know what would happen if he pushed his luck with this one. Even as a supremely powerful eight-tails, Kyuubi knew he still had battles to pick and choose. The look in his father's eyes and the silent command of 'do not defy me boy' indicated to Kyuubi that this was one battle, he should let alone.
He stood up and was about to walk out of the room when he heard his father cough into his hand. Kyuubi paused, gritted his teeth, and walked back to Naruto. He held out his hand for the blond kitsune and nearly squeezed harder than he should've when Naruto smiled sweetly at him.
"Thank you Kyuubi!" Naruto chirped in what had to be a false cheery voice. His hand was gripping the red-head's hand like he could break it if he squeezed hard enough. Kyuubi resisted the urge to grumble out loud. No need to give his father more reasons to gripe at him later. Naruto turned towards Daitaru.
"And thank you for the meal. It was…better than I thought it would be."
Daitaru smiled gratefully at Naruto. Kyuubi knew it was because if there was one thing Daitaru loved more than anything, it was to be complimented on his cooking. What started off as a little hobby to starve off the loneliness soon grew into being the reason the Kitsune Clan's head became the Kitsune Clan's chef. Granted Daitaru did know how to cook. And he did know how to prepare Kyuubi's favorite dishes; anything spicy and anything with blueberries in it. So Kyuubi couldn't complain and he also couldn't stop himself from also complimenting Daitaru on dinner tonight.
For some reason, Daitaru looked happier than he should've when Kyuubi complimented him. As he lead Naruto out of the dining room, he couldn't figure out why.
Silent seemingly endless hallways and absolutely no one around. I might be in a cemetery already.
Where is everybody?! Is it really just him and his dad here? Can't be, no way! Not that seeing other kitsune will really help, but I think feeling like I'm all alone here is even worse. Course, maybe if I wasn't following the king of jerks, maybe it wouldn't be like this! This bastard hasn't said a single word since we left that dinner! First he acts like he's gonna be nice, then he acts like he wants nothing to do with me! What's his freaking problem with me?! Where do I even start with him?!
"Great excuse back there. You want me to feel welcome by calling you the name everyone else calls you? Y'know that's not how mates work!"
That's the least of my worries but if I start there—oh come ON! Fucking face me damn it! He's completely ignoring me…typical kitsune! Y'know it's rare to find a fox that doesn't act like they're better than everyone else. I should've known the prince of foxes wouldn't be that rare. I always wondered how my mom could stand this clan when she was nothing like them at all! Look at him walking all snooty like I'm the one who wanted to be here. Can't believe that for a second I thought he'd be nice! This piece of shit—seriously why the hell I'm here?!
"As your future mate I should be above and beyond 'everyone else' and be able to call you what I want to! I should call you Kurama just to spite you!"
GASP! Did he just react to that? I'm sure he twitched I know what I saw. What a slight reaction hehe. Let's have a little fun and make it bigger. I just gotta push his buttons right.
"Or maybe I should do better? How about I call you what no one else has called you? Y'know I think I hit the nail on the head calling you Akagitsune!"
"Do you ever shut up!?" Kurama snapped! HAHA! Finally! I love it when I win this game! I kinda want to go for the high score and see how many times I can get him to react!
But I'm also just as steamed as he is. Better address that first while I have his oh-so-precious attention.
"Oh? Am I bothering you? Well I'll have y'know something."
When I need someone's attention and they're not giving it to me, I get right in their face any way I can—even literally. He didn't seem to enjoy my closeness because he was looking at me like I was sewage or something, but he can't ignore me when I'm right here.
Good.
"I can be a hell of a lot more annoying! Once I figure out how to get under your skin I will do so every chance I get. It's in my nature to piss off those who are pissing me off. And you, Akagitsune, are PISSING ME OFF A LOT! So you better tell me what's your deal cause I'm gonna make your life a…"
Ah! AH! AHHHHHHH! Prickly sensation in the back of my neck! It stings! It stings! It stings really bad! What the hell is it…! Oh! It…oh-oh no it can only be broken promise pain! This is what it feels like?! No wonder dad says this kills foxes or drives them insane! Ow! OW! OWWWWWWWW!
Ok! Okay! Take a step back. Take a deep breath Naruto. I can HANDLE this without breaking that STUPID promise I never should've made, and the pain'll go away. And I can't let him know I'm in pain! Now I've got to keep trying and win him over, not threaten him!
Hah. Hah. Ah! He has such pretty eyes... And he's looking more confused than anything. I can't force the apology from my mouth. I can say something else that I actually mean though! Eek! Fast!
"I just want to know why you hate me so much! If you tell me I can…Try to correct it." Pain's going away, I can shut my mouth! Phew! But I feel really cold all of the sudden. Is this part of breaking promises or am I just really hating this? By the wisdom Inari granted me, this is so stupid! I'm so stupid, I hate it when I make promises I don't want to make. And I made one to treat a guy who hates me like a future mate, and is not who I want at all! I hope making me promise my soul was ALL worth it dad!
…Why is he just staring at me? I really don't think I want to hear what he has to say.
"I don't hate you."
…
"What?" What?!
"I don't hate you. Not entirely. I just hate this situation I'm in. I don't want a mate. I have plans for my life that don't involve having one. I just don't like you by default because you're a part of this." He's glaring something fierce at me... "And by appealing to my father the way you did at dinner tonight, you just made everything ten times worse."
"Wait so...that's why you're being so hostile? You just don't want a mate and you don't like me because I'm arranged to be yours?"
"Exactly. Good to know you can understand some things."
"Oh."
And here I thought he was offended by my whole person because of some actually stupid reason. Foxes usually have the stupidest reasons for holding grudges and his whole freakin family hated mine for centuries y'know? I mean I don't like being treated this way, but I guess I made fun of him earlier for the exact same reason. Am I more relieved or surprised by this?
Maybe…maybe he's not-
"Were you expecting me to say something else?" I just noticed he was raising his eyebrow at me. I wonder if I should tell him, but no I probably shouldn't tell him the fox thing. Who knows what he'll do if I tell him those thoughts?
"No nothing! Never mind me! So you don't want a mate at all huh?"
I don't really know what I was expecting, but it wasn't for all the interest to drain from his face and for him to suddenly look at me like I was some kind of street peddler interested in selling fur coats.
This guy doesn't care about me at all.
"Not at all," he said before walking around me and continuing down the hall. Unbelievable. Maybe his reason isn't stupid, but I'm really relating to the whole 'don't-like-that-it's-YOU' part of it now. How dare he command me without saying a word?! I have half a mind to sit right here and make him carry me to my room!
But what good would that do me? I'm in enemy territory after all and I don't want to chance any other Kitsune finding me. This isn't fair. I hate this stupid freakin kitsune and this stupid freakin place. I hate my stupid promise. I hate this stupid freakin mating. Oh! We're here and the door! It's orange!
"How'd you know orange was my favorite color?" Maybe he cares just enough after all! Maybe he has a hard time expressing-
"I didn't," he muttered so quietly I almost couldn't hear him. Well, now I'm wishing I didn't. He sure knows how to pop a good mood the sour-tongued bastard. He opened the door for me at least.
Huh. This room is pretty. Pretty plain. There's aren't any pictures. And it's dark. What a liar, he said everything in the estate was supposed to be looking grand.
"This is where you will be staying for the duration of your visit." Yeah I figured that, smart ass.
Dark purple wouldn't be my first color of choice. I want some real bright color! Dark colors can be so depressing and who wants that? There's some yellow crown molding and that's the only pop I see. The floor is hardwood and black. Ugh. And let's see I have a chest on the other side of the room made of that dark wood which I could use for storage. Well that's nice. And next to it a wardrobe too! Nicer.
I got some windows of course, but I can't go outside from my room unless I break one of them which is a real bummer. Like I'd rather not have to run through this place and risk running into anyone if I ever needed to escape. I'm assuming that door to the right leads to the toilet. I know they'll be cruel but they wouldn't be that cruel would they?
And right in the middle, that big wide, fluffy-looking circle must be my bed. No headboard, no wheels, just a few puffed mattresses with white pillows and black pillows and more white and black pillows and dark purple sheets and a blanket. I HOPE its more comfy than it looks. The room is otherwise completely bare. I could fill it up with plants and redecorate myself if this were literally anywhere else in the world.
"Well? Are you done gawking? Is this acceptable or not?!"
And what the hell was he going to do if I said it wasn't?! I don't think he understands how much effort it takes not to bite his tongue off.
"Y'know this room isn't grand at all! There's only one pop of color and everything's so dark! I thought you said everything looks grand here?" If he's not going to hold back I'm not either!
"Everything decorated by me or my father yes. This room however, was decorated by my mother. She had a different taste."
Well that explains it. Her picture was in mom's old books and she looks like someone who would decorate a room with dark colors. But wait where is she?
Kurama's just leaning on the door sill looking bored. He's not saying anything about me meeting her.
Whatever. I have more important things to do than meet someone else I don't care about.
"Well I guess I can live here until I move into your room." Look at him, he's so adverse to this haha! His tail's bristling! "Speaking of which, where is your room? Next door or across the hall?"
"Neither! My room in on the third floor!" Kurama said hastily as he grabbed the door handle. "Need anything else from me? No? Okay then!" He slammed the door.
Son of a….
"GOOD NIGHT! I AWAIT THOSE KISSES IN THE MORNING!" I hope he heard that! And hahaha I hope he got pissed by that! Because really? I mean really!? THE THIRD FLOOR!? Obviously I wasn't meant to sleep here!
I'm supposed to sleep close to where he sleeps because we're supposed to be by each other's side day and night to get used to each other!
My little prince is doing things by his own rules. So. Fine. More opportunity for me to do what I HAVE to do. Because I want nothing to do with this STUPID ARRANGED COURTSHIP EITHER!
I'm all comfy and cozy under the covers and look! There's a clock up on the wall.
And I see that Kurama got me to my room at a reasonable hour. Like at a time I usually would go to bed myself.
And the bastard doesn't even care.
What even is he?
That wasn't what I was expecting at all when we first met. He seemed so shy but in a cute way. Like if I picked at him, he would just blush and run away like a little mouse. But he'd still be y'know, nice. Seriously I was looking to be the predator in this one for freakin once. Til he pulled a freakin turnaround on me.
Every time I close my eyes I can just remember what gets my blood boiling!
The scent of home—no! NO! Wait! Not home! He smells like this place all dry and breezy. That hot almond scent I know is his natural scent but it's—I just like it because it blended well with the scents in my carriage. No, when I close my eyes I can just remember what really gets my blood boiling is:
That fit, powerful build… He's two inches taller than me and that's my weakness when it comes to males… And his upstanding posture and those broad shoulders were all I could see because his clothing was too loose… But that's NOT something makes ME swoon and forget! No, no when I close my eyes I really do remember what gets my blood boiling is:
He's hot. I mean his face is just like okay to stare at and it would be better y'know if he wasn't frowning and glaring all the time. He's this rich copper brown color and he's got that straight jawline with that small mouth. And those high cheeks with those defined whisker marks on 'em. His ears are kinda different though. They're long like a rabbits. His mom must be one of those desert foxes because his dad's ears look more like mine. But aren't they really sensitive? I want to touch him… Rub his jaw…rub his marks…Rub those ears…I wanna touch his whole head. Kissing that face would be…ARGH! ANYWAYS! My blood boils when I close my eyes because of his:
Eyes... They're crimson. Mine and my dad's eyes turn red too when we're REALLY mad because that's how the family tries to scare enemies into backing down. But his are just striking. Beautiful. And guarded. He has a black outline on his lids and I was close enough to see it was natural but…
So now I'm getting my blood boiling because what I'm really trying to get at is HIS ATTITUDE SUCKS!
But what does that matter to him? I mean some shitty personality? I could spell out what's wrong to him and that bastard wouldn't care because he doesn't care at all what I think! And y'know, I don't know why that makes my blood boil. I don't want to care that he doesn't care because I don't like him! I hate lying here and thinking about this! Picturing his stupid, uncaring face!
Dad at least got to know Sakura-chan. She's been around our house since we were freakin kids, but no. Dad wouldn't listen to actual reason. It's ALLLLLLLL about power. I'm not giving up on anything, especially not Sakura-chan, for someone else's power. Sakura-chan's power is enough. And she's too smart to be in danger anyway—she's a tailless cat she has to be. But when she isn't, when she needs help, my own power will be enough for the both of us. She always told me that she believed in me. And when she gets over Sasuke, maybe she'll finally believe in us.
So I gotta get out of wooing someone, who doesn't want to woo me and is a jerk about it.
Fuck my life.
Fuck my life.
It's like meeting Sasuke all over again! But we just fought a couple of times and then Sasuke got over himself and stopped putting his family's expectations over what he truly wanted so we became best friends. Well at least when we're on our own. The Uchiha Clan is made up of the weirdest freakin people ever and I'm weird so I would know. His mom is the only normal one out of the bunch. When he's around the rest of his clan and when he's around me, it's like he's two totally different people.
But what's Kurama's excuse? Bet he doesn't even have one. He doesn't! He doesn't because there's no 'normal' one in his clan. They're all assholes.
Even Daitaru. Especially Daitaru! No apology for how he's treated my dad, no explanation why he waited so long to patch things up, and no answer to the thousands and thousands of letters I've sent! Why does he care so much now about what I'm doing at home, I don't even care about what I'm doing at home! Not now at least. And he spent all of dinner avoiding my prodding, so he didn't finally tell me what the FUCK was up! Son of a dirty fox. I bet his laugh was fake too!
And how did Kurama top his dad tonight and be THE biggest asshole? Because he's heir and oh! Look! He's got eight tails! Psssssh!
…But actually though…The vibe around every hub I've been too is that Kurama is one of the wilder eight tails. He's got this reputation of showing up, kicking tails, having a drink and disappearing. He can apparently talk smooth and all, but the destruction he leaves behind is massive and so people are afraid when he comes around for a fight.
That's not weird for an eight tails, but people seemed really scared of the mess he leaves behind so he must be outta control when he fights.
But he doesn't scare me. Y'know he's lucky I didn't knock him right the fuck out when I woke up to him sitting in MY carriage like he owned it! He's lucky I only threatened to! Eight tails can't scare me. I've challenged an eight tails before. I've beaten youkai with more tails than me before too! A lot of them! And I'm only half way there, if he can do it then so can I! Once I unlock and control all my power, he'll look at me different! Every kitsune will!
I can't believe I actually tried to get along with him earlier. I did try—I really really did damn it. And for what? For who? Another snob like the rest of them. They all think they're such zenko foxes but they all have the attitudes of-of-ugh…
I'm just really angry at these people.
But…
Dad was right he's not like the others. Mean as he is, he hasn't been threatening. Y'know I don't get the sense that he'd hurt me. He wants me to stay away and so for once, I got a mutual desire with my suitor.
But!
He's a whole nother problem! I still don't wanna fulfill that promise!
But.
It is a promise. I can't go back on it.
But…
Since he don't want to mate and I don't want to mate, then maybe we could work something out? After all I know how to spot an opportunity, especially when I didn't promise to succeed. Legends can always find loopholes. I've never made a promise I couldn't work around. I don't think there's even such a thing honestly! I think I can think of an idea right now…
But who knows if he'll even hear it. Or even care to. But this involves me so if he doesn't annoy me tomorrow, then maybe I can scratch his ears for him…but not too hard.
Finished! Lol if only Kurama had tasted Naruto too. Then the story would be over with the next chapter ;P.
Some thoughts:
1) So Naruto's POV...It's still going to be first-person POV because Kurama's POV takes up the lion's share of the chapters and so when we do peek into Naruto's thoughts I want them to bold, loud, and crystal clear. 1st person is also a practice for me because I'm used to writing in 3rd person. I'm not sure if future chapters will have 2 scenes in his POV or just 1 as it all depends on creativity striking me hard (except of course for chapters 8 and 11 which are written differently anyways). But I cannot EXPRESS to y'all enough how AMAZING it felt to write it and read it. Don't get me wrong, I liked him before too. But now I feel like he's less of a character that's being strung along and going with (getting mad at) the flow of the Kitsune household and more a character that can stand on his own two feet equal to Kurama. He, along with Kurama, grew up! And yes they are both angry bois.
2) Happy to add more backstory and lore :)! If anything seems unclear at all, ask and I will be happy to answer. Some questions I obviously will not answer lol.
3) The nicknames! I tried to make it clear in story, but just in case: Akagitsune = Red fox/kitsune, Aho = idiot/simpleton/etc, Koi = love and I believe 'bito' = person so 'koibito' = sweetheart but 'Kyuubi' = nine tails so 'Koi-bi' = love tails... that's what I was going for anyways lol. I love love word plays. And Naruto is the type of character who would give a rude nickname to someone who irritates him. And Kurama gives as good as he gets. So I wanted to put something fun in there and often the mother language is the best bet!
So yeah! There is much more to come, mysteries to solve, etc. etc! Thank you everyone who reviewed, favorited, subscribed, and read this story! Hope you enjoyed this!
Next chapter will come closer to the end of Dec. My very last final is on Dec. 17th!