Hi again!
So sorry for the delay! I got overconfident and naive thinking I could upload 2 chapters in one month. With this chapter, I accidentally broke 13200 words lol. It could've been more but I will explain more in the end A/N so I don't clog up this one haha.
Also shout out to another OG friend of mine PuppetMaster55! Sorry I realized I forgot to include you in the original dedication! Folks please check his stories out they are wonderful!
And without further ado, please enjoy!
The sun hadn't even risen yet the next morning, but Kyuubi was awake and walking through his compound on a self-imposed mission. He would glance all over and sniffed about, indicating to anyone else walking around at this hour that he was looking for something or someone.
But early hour, plus tiredly rubbing his eyes and yawning, plus irritated stare, plus messy hair and rumpled pajamas, equaled he was awake and looking for something or someone unwillingly.
Unfortunately every single one of them assumed he was looking for Kushina's son and felt the need to awkwardly follow him, awkwardly cough in the background and awkwardly 'tell each other' that his guest was still in his room and it would be good for Kyuubi to go wake him up and give him a tour this morning. Kyuubi took it in stride until he didn't. He turned around and belted out he was aware of that and they should fuck off and let him go about his business.
He was looking for a different kitsune. This kitsune, although not a part of the original Kitsune clan, was particularly important to Kyuubi. Whenever the heir was stuck with the kind of problem he had now, this particular kitsune was always the one to help him out. The only problem was that this particular kitsune also happened to be a bit of a loner and always quietly went off by himself to be introspective or something.
It annoyed Kyuubi sometimes, to have to search for him, but his services were quite worth it. Now if only he could…Ah! There he was! It was only natural he'd be in the north garden. Kyuubi immediately dashed towards the back of the compound, down the long hallways and past the bewildered few who knew he was traveling in the wrong direction. Once he reached an inconspicuous, brown door, he grabbed the handle and slid open the door with a gusto. He didn't really care if he was interrupting something as his sleep was interrupted for this stupid bullcrap anyway.
The garden itself catches one's attention the moment they step in. It was not very large and the newly built fence gated it away from the rest of the backyard, but that just made it really stand out to the residents. The ground is ivory white, like the sand near the oceans rather than the yellow-toned, golden-brown, and red sands typical in this area. Short, plump catci bushes lined the fence, colored the same color as the deep sea, with small white buds that were akin to pearls lining them. Interspersed in the area are small acacia trees with seaweed green leaves and delicious black tree worms dangling off of the small branches. In the center of it all was a little pond that was surrounded by your typical smooth stones and had your typical koi swimming lazily in it…except this sort of garden wasn't typical at all in these parts. So that's why it was special.
More so to some than others.
Kyuubi grinned when he saw exactly who he was looking for. He spotted the fur that was a much darker red color than any of the red-furred kitsunes occupying the premises. A small kitsune was sitting right in front of the pond, still as a statue. And when the kitsune turned around to see who was disturbing his peace, Kyuubi saw grey eyes that were unmistakable.
Uzumaki Nagato. Just who he needed right now.
Nagato quickly morphed into his naturally skinny, naturally super pale, sealed form, which was practically dwarfed by the green-grey yukata he wore, and sat facing Kurama with his hands in his lap. He dipped in his head in a respectful bow, before smiling a small smile.
"A wonderful morning to you Kyuubi-sama! I never took you for being an early riser. What brings you here at this hour?"
Kyuubi walked up to the slightly older kitsune and reached into the fold of his red pajama jacket and pulled out a folder containing a bunch of papers.
"Got a little something for ya, if you're up for it," Kyuubi said, waving the folder in the air. Just like always, Nagato's eyes brightened when he saw it.
"Could that be what I think it is?"
"Yep! My father is writing up a treaty of sorts with the Hitokage Clan south of here. Or rather, he wants me to write up a treaty. But as we both know; I am not up for writing such a delicate piece of literature in a timely manner. Are you?" He asked. But he already knew the answer as he handed the folder to Nagato, who took it eagerly.
"Are you kidding? I've been bothering Daitaru-sama for months about relations with that clan! This is wonderful! Wait until Yahiko and Konan hear that we are finally all patched up!" Nagato happily exclaimed as he started flipping through the background info. Kyuubi squinted his eyes and snickered.
"Months? Tch yeah. They're tiny salamanders with eyes on their backs and an affinity for fire. I'm surprised it took more than a week."
Nagato stopped. He looked up at Kyuubi.
"Kyuubi-sama alliances aren't a decision to make lightly. Yes we have them by sheer numbers and strength but there are benefits to doing this peacefully. Not to mention Daitaru-sama has been dealing with a lot of duties that you, as future clan head, are no doubt fully aware of."
Yea. Of course, he knew what he was trying to avoid. His father's day and night job consisted of thinking about which allies he wants and which enemies he needs. The perks of the clan don't come as easy in enemy territory after all. And that's not even getting into the rules and defense for the boundaries of their very vast lands, and the security of the fortune they amassed. His father is also the judge, often the jury—depending on the other family members interest in the squabble—and executioner of petty AND serious fights within the clan; AND he's the go-to counselor and defense when members have spats outside the walls that they can't handle on their own, or it involves ally/enemy navigation. All of these tasks he's put on Kyuubi's shoulders at various points and of them all, Kyuubi ONLY enjoyed the bits where he got to fight someone.
Negotiating, peacemaking, rule-making; all just took up minutes of his day he could spend doing something worthwhile and permanent.
"You know, it might be good practice for you to write this with me. We haven't worked together on something like this in so long."
"Oh, well, I'd love to but with you being so busy with that treaty it appears your chores might be neglected for the week. I'd rather do that so you can focus on writing with no worries!" Kyuubi gave him a classic thumbs up along with the classic excuse.
"What if I were to suggest that instead of worrying about chores, we prioritize the important things today? Like writing this treaty?"
"HUH?! Yeah well…" Kyuubi gulped. This isn't the first time he's tried to hide how much he detests writing treaties from Nagato, but he always gets nervous. He feels like the older kitsune was going to see right through him and call him out on it one of these days. "Taking out the trash is a pretty pressing matter! Don't want the place stinking up!"
"Mmm-hmm, but you hate household chores almost as much as you hate getting up early. It's not that I want to force you to do anything Kyuubi-sama, but I would like to help you too with your eventual ascent."
"Why?" Kyuubi squeaked out. This IS the first time Nagato hadn't immediately taken the chore deal.
"I've been writing them for so long now, that I'm afraid I'm taking away all of the opportunities for you to grow and get better! I mean if your father arranged a mating, then he's getting serious about preparing you. Perhaps I should prepare you as well for writing diplomatic agreements. Things have changed Kyuubi-sama."
"They haven't changed THAT much. We have new guest is all." Hearing another reminder about Naruto sparked an irritation that immediately overrode the nerves. So is this less about helping him get better and more about impressing Naruto with his status?
"Yes, and that guest has close ties to this family and will be your mate when you take over."
"He's just a guest until I say so." Nagato was the last person he expected to receive grief from about this. This whole rush for him to take over the clan was incomprehensible coming out of his father's mouth. With Nagato it made even less sense. And everyone speaking about Naruto, Naruto, Naruto, Naruto! It was really rubbing him the wrong way. It was only day 2!
"Kyuubi-sama," he paused. Red hair covered half of his face, but Kyuubi could still see the thoughtful, if worried expression. Uh oh. "I've indulged in this whim of yours for the longest time for both of our enjoyment, but it might really be time to buckle down and get serious about-"
"A later date maybe! I'm not going to pay attention at all this morning. I'm so tired~~" Kyuubi let out an exaggerated yawn and stretched his arms above his head. He'll do whatever it takes to get out of this. "But as I said, I'd rather do your chores so when I wake up a little more, I'll take the trash out, kay?"
"Hmmm…Not the conclusion I would've liked to reach but, I do hate wandering around to pick up the trash. Very well, for this week only then."
Kyuubi gave him two thumbs up this time and turned around to get the hell out of this brewing trouble when he was stopped by a shout.
"Wait!"
Hesitantly, Kyuubi turned back around. "What?"
"How is…he?"
'He' could only be referring to Naruto. How strange, Nagato never put him in a sour mood. But here he was feeling heated as he was forced to once again talk more about someone that he's spent less time talking to!
"If you want to know so bad, then why don't you go introduce yourself and give him a little tour of the place while you're at it?"
"…I am not sure if my cousin's son would like to see me at the moment."
Nagato looked strangely withdrawn and forlorn, staring at the ground with a hard frown on his face. The fox's curiosity was triggered in Kyuubi as he expected Nagato to be more willing and confident to meet their guest. What vendetta could Nagato possibly believe Naruto had?
"Why not?"
"Well I haven't been…the most talkative member of his family."
"You don't talk that much with a lot of the family here."
"Yes but… Oh never mind. It's arduous to explain and it sounds like you want your rest. I won't hold you up anymore," Nagato urged before turning back around to face the pond as he was before. That actually sounded like a good idea. He wasn't that curious.
"At least you'll see him for sure tonight!"
"…Yes. You're right. Thank you for the reminder Kyuubi-sama."
"You're welcome weirdo. Have fun," he said as he walked back inside and shut the door behind him. Cue deep sigh of sheer and utter relief. That wasn't how things usually go, but everything turned out alright in the end like always. Nagato was a special sort. A very, very special sort. Because even though he wasn't the most sociable person in the family, he was a zenko fox through and through.
Kyuubi doesn't know what Daitaru's criteria of what a zenko fox actually is because for some unexplainable reason, he favored Kushina AND called her one when he found the two kitsune fighting and starving, so long ago. But whatever his father thinks, as far as Kyuubi's concerned, Nagato is every bit superior to his cousin.
He was an invaluable ally when his father went on the whole head/heir of the clan tirade. Kushina knew nothing about clan politics and would give him the wrong advice for each practice treaty and set of rules he was forced to stay up late writing. She also scolded him when he tried to get out of it, like she had any sort of authority over him. But Nagato was always right behind him, giving his perfect advice and pointing out useful things to do. It wasn't long before the young kit realized that Nagato literally could just do the work himself AND have a hell of a lot more fun doing it. So he got his kicks by convincing Nagato to start writing the treaties himself and then finding an excuse to get out of helping.
He tried not to use the same excuse too many times, because Nagato was kind enough to take the control without telling a soul AND let him take the credit. But—Kyuubi yawned. Aw man he needed some sleep! Nagato was right in that he was not a morning person. When his father burst into his room and dragged him out of bed earlier to make that last-minute treaty, apparently forgotten by Daitaru himself in all the crazy mating business, Kyuubi was rightfully pissed. His decreased self-control in the mornings meant his toilet was destroyed. His father was none too happy, but Kyuubi didn't think the damage warranted the scolding he got. It didn't matter now though. Time for him to get some more precious shut eye.
"Kurama! Ah! There you are."
Or not.
Kyuubi sighed quietly in irritation and turned around to face his father.
"What?" He asked. And surprise, surprise, his father frowned.
"What are you doing out here? Is the treaty done? It's the one and only thing I'll ask you to do yanno."
"It's being worked on," Kyuubi answered. It was a part of his and Nagato's 'deal'. If Daitaru ever found out that Kyuubi wasn't doing his work and was instead getting Nagato, who no matter how beloved was still not the heir, to do it, there's no telling what kind of chaos would follow.
Though that extra prodding about 'teaching him to be ready to write treaties' had him really nervous. Trying to bluff his way out of jointly writing some diplo-crap might get more difficult after he solves this current dilemma. He should probably dedicate some time to planning some better excuses or at least up his training so he could become a nine-tails faster. God it feels like when one issue arises another pops up immediately after!
"Kurama!"
"Huh?"
"Do not space out while I'm talking to you!" Daitaru scolded. Kyuubi yawned and rubbed his eye tiredly.
"Sorry father but it's too early for me to focus on anything other than that treaty you gave me. If you want to talk then let me go nap for a few hours and when I wake up I'll be all ready to listen," Kyuubi said as he turned to head back to his room. A hand on his shoulder however stopped him from doing just that.
"Oh lazy son of mine? I was telling you that Naruto-kun is awake and ready to go on his tour now."
That woke Kyuubi right up.
"What?!" Nonononono! Bad enough who's lineage this brat belonged to! But you're now telling Kyuubi that he was an early bird too?! Daitaru nodded his head.
"That's right he's all washed up and waiting for you in his room. And since you're up and about and the grounds are pretty quiet, it's the perfect time for you to give him the tour."
"But-But what about the treaty? I need to go back to my room and finish it!"
"Nice try Kurama but you've been trying to pull that trick since you were a toddler. It didn't work when you didn't have a treaty to finish, and it won't work even when you do. Your 'beauty sleep' can come later as can the treaty. Naruto-kun needs your attention right now."
Kyuubi slumped his shoulders and groaned. His father glared at him.
"That attitude better stop Kurama! Naruto-kun is absolutely what you need! If you keep acting the way you are now, you could completely ruin your chance at a happy mating just like how you ruined all of your previous chances! I'm surprised you didn't ruin it last night with the way you acted during dinner. Undignified and rude! Are you some emotionally stunted kit?! I raised you better than that! And I still can't believe you won't even let him call you by your birth name! I know you don't think much of 'tradition', but name-calling is an important aspect of mating. And I thought about your excuse a lot last night and I have deemed it to be unacceptable. It sounds as if your embarrassed of the name I bestowed upon you. Is that it Kurama? Kurama!"
Kyuubi gritted his teeth and clenched his fists so hard his knuckles were white and his claw tips dug into his skin. He expected this speech was coming. But he still felt like setting something on fire. Preferably the person standing right in front of him. Who the hell was this lonely old man to lecture him on a happy mating? And how to act properly during courtship no less? Need he bring up Daitaru's failed relationship with his mother?
No. Kyuubi was angry. But he wasn't that angry.
"If you haven't heard me these past couple of years father," Kyuubi gritted out through clenched teeth, "I. Don't. Want a mate. So forgive me for not being excited about this." He ignored his father's questioning about his name. Daitaru rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Oh I've heard your whining alright. Have you heard me? You need to do this. Time is running out and if you don't have a good mate now then either the line will end with you or worse! And you are not forgiven because even if I can't forcibly change your mind on this matter, I can encourage you to change it yourself. You have stubbornly refused to even listen to my encouraging and I'm just trying to make sure you don't sabotage yourself again!"
Kyuubi bowed his head and said nothing. He heard Daitaru sigh and when he started speaking again, his voice was much softer in tone.
"Standing here arguing with you is only keeping Naruto-kun waiting. I am only encouraging, that you get to know him, before shutting him out. Go now and give him a tour and we can resume this talk later."
Kyuubi did nothing until Daitaru growled out "now Kurama!" After which Kyuubi stomped back towards the back where it would take him longer to reach the hallway where Naruto resided. When he passed his father, he let out a low-sounding snarl to let him know how angry he was.
May his father rot in Hell.
For the first time, Kyuubi wished his mother was here instead.
"Right on time furball! Hope your morning has been as refreshing as mine has been so far?" Naruto smirked, with his hands shoved in his pockets and tapping his foot. On time indeed. Naruto's hair was still dripping wet. In fact, he noticed one drop hit his chest, and because of his open orange jacket, Kyuubi saw it travel down between his pecs into the dips of his abs and naval before disappearing behind the hem of his black, wide pants.
Kyuubi glared at him from the doorway of his room.
"Did you come to give me those kisses?"
Now Kyuubi turned away with a glare.
"I came to take you on a tour of our grounds. NOT to hear your smart little mouth!" He shouted back. Naruto smiled sweetly in response.
"This incredibly smart mouth can do so much more than talk Akagitsune," he cooed, clasping his hands in front of him. Kyuubi scowled in response. That horrid nickname. But if he responds, he'll just be playing into Naruto's hands. The Namikaze is obviously trying to get a rise out of him, and if responding will give his guest joy, it's possible this cheeky, little bastard will also enjoy being strangled too. That's it, that's the clear cut motivation for not talking to Naruto, even when he's as annoying as they come and should be put in his place.
"I'm going to pretend you are mute from now on," Kyuubi declared, turning to face the hallway without looking at Naruto. He marched ahead without another word and kept all his senses trained to the front of him. There's still no way that Daitaru had all the power in ensuring this mating happened.
"Awww don't play that game. I love it when you speak to me." He unfortunately heard Naruto purr from behind, but the real pain began when his guest appeared beside him and grabbed his arm. Kyuubi twitched as that thin thread he called patience wore very thin and he screamed,
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
Naruto giggled just as loudly, but at least he let go of his arm.
"The Kitsune grounds have 9 towers with 3 levels each except for the main castle which has 7 kinda, 99 training grounds, 9 bath houses, 9 gardens, 9 balconies, 139 bedrooms, 9 nurseries, 9 sitting rooms, 3 garages, 9 bodies of water, and 3 kitchens," Kyuubi explained, sounding like the bored tour guide he was. He hadn't been planning on speaking at all after what had happened earlier, when Naruto's CLEAR inability to follow orders cemented him as a menace, but after the third room they went into where Kyuubi did nothing but pick up the trash, Naruto demanded like the unobservant idiot he was for Kyuubi to explain stuff to him.
And since Naruto had a loud voice and he had no idea where Daitaru was lurking about, Kyuubi disdainfully had to comply.
He glanced behind him to see Naruto unaffected by his lack of enthusiasm. He looked around and loudly 'ooohed' and 'ahhhed' and commented 'the ceilings are so tall!' despite the fact that this was only the first floor in the main castle, and he had already seen some of it already. He's just trying to try my patience, Kyuubi thought, rolling his eyes.
"We also have 7 dining rooms, one of which you ate in with me and my father yesterday."
"Wow this place is way bigger than our compound!" Naruto exclaimed. Yes of course, and Kyuubi was not going to sarcastically reply because Naruto is mute unless it was absolutely necessary to respond.
"Are you going to show me everything?" Like so.
"Are you crazy?! Why the hell would you want to see 139 bedrooms!?"
"Well I want to see the gardens! And the kitchens! I like food!"
"Well of course I will show you a few of those!" Kyuubi rolled his eyes. "But that will all come after we finish the main castle."
"Well okay..." Naruto quieted down. Kyuubi didn't even have time to be pleased with the silence before he started yammering again. "Hey why are we skipping all of these doors?"
Truthfully, because none of them had trashcans in them. Kitsune were resourceful youkai who believed wholeheartedly in recycling so very few things ended up as 'trash'. However what did end up as trash, was mainly on the first floor. Next stop was Daitaru's office.
"Because they are all bedrooms. I'm taking you to my father's office right now."
"Oh. Okay! This place is a freakin maze! All of these long hallways, some of them I can't even see the end y'know! Some of that is an illusion right? How long do you have to be here until you don't get lost?"
"A while," Kyuubi curtly answered. He then shut his mouth so as not to continue with something stupid like, 'you won't be here long enough to find out.' And then the idiot screams bloody murder or something.
Daitaru's office was only steps away and after knocking on the door and receiving no answer, Kyuubi led Naruto in. Typically Daitaru didn't like anyone to go into his office without permission but Kyuubi was sure he wouldn't be mad if he let their esteemed guest look around a bit.
All he said was "this is my father's office. He does his stuff in here" before going to pick up the trash. Kyuubi should hope that Naruto doesn't want any more than a brief description of each room. Because that was all he was going to get. Nothing more, possibly something less.
To his relief, Naruto asked no annoying questions. His guest quickly went and did his own thing. When he wasn't shouting annoying things, he actually looked a little cute. Silently sniffing at everything curiously, a determined expression on his face as he walked around the room. A little cute. Just a little.…And Kyuubi needed to grab a little trash. He stopped staring and went about to do his chore. But as soon as he pulled out the full bag from the trash bin, Naruto found something that made him vocally express his interest.
"Heeeey! I didn't know your dad read these magazines." Kyuubi looked up and Naruto was right in front of him grinning a perverse grin as he picked up a magazine out of the trash bag Kyuubi was holding. What was paper doing in the trash-oh God he sees the cover. The Kitsune heir shuddered and nearly dropped what he was holding. Ewwww lonely old man!
"This is great! Now we can have inspiration in the bed-Hey why is a page missing? And it's the page showing the best one!" Naruto whined holding up the magazine so that Kyuubi could see. Kyuubi looked annoyed as he scanned the pages. It wasn't that he didn't want to look at the admittedly hot, scanty-clad youkai. But whining was something he never liked, especially when it was so trivial and someone was whining about it to him.
"Why would your dad tear out a page? Does he have a crush on one of them?"
How should Kyuubi know? Why should Kyuubi care? Daitaru's personal feelings were his business not his son's. And-wait. Kyuubi analyzed the magazine further and quickly realized something. The page wasn't torn out. It was burned. There were excess charred pieces of paper in the crease. Odd why would his old man burn a page in a magazine? And then throw it in the trash instead of recycling it? Kyuubi jumped when Naruto slammed the magazine shut, nearly slamming it on his nose.
"Oh look! This is a recent edition! Edition number 26. That means there are plenty of copies elsewhere we can read. Ok then, I'm not upset," Naruto crumbled the magazine into a ball and dropped it on the floor right in front of Kyuubi. Kyuubi scowled.
"Pick that up!" He demanded.
"You're the trash man, not me babe!" Naruto poked his tongue out teasingly.
"You are-"
"You look so strong picking up trash Akagitsune! I don't know why you're doing it," Naruto started fanning himself, "But it sure makes me hot-"
"You are SO ANNOYING! Once my father sees what a mistake YOU are, I will gladly kick you out of here!"
Naruto flinched, as if that physically stung him. He then quietly walked up the crumbled magazine and picked it up.
"Sorry," he mumbled lowly. "I didn't mean—I was gonna—…I was just teasing. I'm sorry."
He put the trash in the trash bag Kyuubi was holding and went back to silently exploring the rest of the room.
Finally. From the moment he opened his eyes this morning, it's been nothing but general annoyances. It was about time someone actually listened to him and did something right. Finally. Now he could focus on…other small annoying things like putting this small trash bag in the bigger trash bag.
The rest of the trash can really be picked up tomorrow. I don't need to look at Naruto just because he's being quiet after being yelled at, Kyuubi double-downed on that thought as he tied the bag up. He deserved that apology.
"Hey is something wrong with your dad?" Naruto asked, startling Kyuubi into looking at him. And he was doing something wrong! Who told him he could look in the top drawer of Daitaru's desk?!
"Yes most likely. He chose you as a potential mate. You who finds it perfectly okay to go looking through my father's belongings without permission!" Kyuubi scolded, going over and closing the drawer without looking in it. Naruto frowned.
"Humph."
"Look let's just finish the rest of the tour. Don't ask too many questions and it'll all go smoothly. We'll go up one more floor and see a sitting room, a kitchen and maybe a nursery if necessary. I'll show you the outside, we'll hit a bathhouse and a garden and one of the dining rooms, and then we'll be done. Can you keep quiet for most of that time?"
"I already saw the bathhouses so you can skip that if it makes things easier. Actually…I want to know if we can maybe see more things like maybe your family cemetery!"
What a strange request. And an unfillable one anyway. The bodies of deceased Kitsune were not kept in one spot; they were spread far and wide. He knew where everyone was buried of course, but to visit them all was just not in the agenda. "Why do you want to see my family members' graves? You're not thinking of robbing them are you?"
"No! No of course not! I'm not in the business of stealing from other kitsune, even dead ones! I know that usually gets you killed!" Naruto quickly exclaimed. Well he's not wrong. But this was the second time Kyuubi heard him ask about cemeteries and he was lightly tickled by his own curiosity.
"Then why do you care so much about our graveyard?"
" I just…want to see who's all in your family y'know!? Since you got a rich family reputation and all y'know? Since your clan is THE oldest of the kitsune…y'know?"
That wasn't his real reason. What a horrible liar. And because he was lying, Kyuubi didn't really care for giving the idiot what he was asking for.
"No one is out there that you'd be interested in," he stated with narrowed eyes.
"No I swear I—your family history is kinda interesting! I wanna see where some of the greats lie and hear about them!"
Kyuubi sneered at him in annoyance. "Not on the schedule! When you get some free time you can read about them in a book!" He snapped. The absolute last thing he wanted to explain on this tour was the history of his clan. It brought back horrid memories of when he was a kit and forced to recite different eras on an hourly basis as a part of his studies. There aren't enough hours in a week by this point!
"I already did. I just wanted to see them for myself," Naruto mumbled.
"What? So you can feel like a part of the family? Well you're not. Not if I have anything to say about it. Now let's go and get this over with," Kyuubi said. When he turned towards the door, he could've sworn he saw a dark scowl appear on Naruto's face. But he wasn't scared. Nor did he care. Because if Naruto tried to pick a fight with him, he'd eat him alive.
"Are you taking me to the bathhouses?" Naruto asked, stopping abruptly. Kyuubi was startled as that was the first thing his guest had said to him since they left the office. They had just been through most of the tour. Kyuubi made sure to at least show Naruto something new everywhere they went, but he moved fast if only to make up for the fact that Naruto was being so scarily silent. Kyuubi truly wasn't afraid of him, but he felt like he had to be on guard when Naruto was like that. He didn't really realize until then that even in the span of one day, he was used to hearing Naruto's voice.
So it was strange not to hear it. But he wasn't about to tell him that. So it was to his secret relief to hear Naruto talk again. …He really needed to get out of this situation soon.
"Uh-"
"This guy already showed me. Tis how I took a bath this morning."
'This guy?' Someone other than his father then, but that made no sense. Typically no one, other than Daitaru, approached his suitor until dinner tonight per his request. Did Daitaru override him and tell someone to do this? Was he trying so hard to make this mating happen that he would break old habits? And why didn't he tell him he did this earlier?!
"Who showed you?" That lousy father of his will not get the best of him! …Unless of course, Naruto was uncooperative. For a second, he thought Naruto was going to return to giving him the silent treatment he should've more carefully wished for. But after a slight pause, Naruto looked up in thought and answered,
"I didn't see his face cause he wore this hooded robe." Kyuubi's eyes went wide as memories hit him immediately. "But he couldn't have been a fox I don't think. I think he was a toad personally, but he didn't give me a chance to confirm."
"Waru…" The Kitsune heir whispered.
"Waru? There's a toad species called waira. He didn't tell me much about himself, including his name, but he was nice. He gave me all the supplies I needed too, and showed me how to get the temperature juuust right. Does he work for the clan?"
"No no no. His name is Waru, he is a waira, and he's my uncle."
"I didn't know the Kitsune clan accepted non-kitsune…"
"And I completely forgot..."
"Forgot what?"
The grief of a youkai so completely out of his climate-element, but was only sticking around the compound until the relocation of his deceased mate's grave could be completed. Today, the hired help was moving the last piece of his auntie's grave, and Waru even pulled him aside and told him this because he wasn't going to stay tonight to meet Naruto. And once they moved to the base of the Numa Numa Mountains, then most of the clan will switch from paying daily respects to paying them once every blue moon. Himself included. Today was the last day for him to pay respects before she was moved off and far, far away.
Kyuubi sighed heavily. If he didn't do this now, he'll miss his chance. And if he didn't do it at all, it'll be hard to sleep tonight. "You said you wanted to see a grave? Well today's your lucky day. We'll pick some flowers at the garden stop, and then we'll stop by one."
"Oh kay, um…thanks!"
He was tempted to stop that stupid smile by pointing out that he wasn't doing this for the idiot. But it would make things a lot less awkward if Naruto was in a better mood for the rest of the tour. So he just grunted and kept walking. At the very least, he's still not going to give anything more than a brief description. Possibly something less.
"And finally this here is the dining room that we will use tonight. Sometimes it is used as a ballroom, but tonight you are just meeting the rest of my clan so that's not going to happen."
"Spacey," Naruto commented as he walked into the huge and roomy room. He's been more talkative since the grave stop, but less annoying. Kyuubi was already suspicious he was up to something, and this would be the last stop for him to pull it off.
"Y'know all of the rooms and stuff here?"
"No."
Naruto didn't appear bothered in the least by his sarcasm. "Do you own anything personally?"
Kyuubi scoffed. "Of course. For everything there is, I personally own a piece. I have my own bedroom, my own bathing house, my own balcony, my own favorite garden, my own-"
"Can you show me?"
Kyuubi was more offended by the question than by the interruption. He just gave him a tour and now he's wants more?
"No."
"Come on. The bedroom at least?" Naruto spoke in a low tone and his eyes darkened. A sly smile appeared on his face. Kyuubi just blinked twice at Naruto before tilting his head and smiling sarcastically. He knew how to handle this.
"You're so cute!" He cooed. He laughed loudly when Naruto scowled and stomped his foot. While Naruto pouted, Kyuubi looked around the semi-official ballroom. He could see cousins and some of the newly accepted members of the clan were already setting things up for the big dinner tonight. Fresh burgundy paint on the walls, polished floors, tables and chairs, and of course the carts of alcohol were being set up. Kitsune can't go to a party and NOT have alcohol. They weren't the very definition of alcoholic, that title belonged to the tanuki. But they certainly will accept any and every opportunity to have a drink.
Tonight everyone will get drunk. Well, Naruto shouldn't because he was underage and his control would be shot faster than a starving fox's bite at the first drop, but Kyuubi has been of age since March. Though as heir, he still had a rule to follow in the name of image. In a setting with a stranger, he should have 2 drinks maximum. Daitaru had made that very clear on his birthday. Like all youkai, kitsune lose themselves to alcohol. Some would say they lose themselves quicker than most, though not as fast as those too young to drink. Nevertheless, at his own home Kyuubi should be able to drink as much as wants, even with Naruto walking around. He just needed to avoid his father tonight and there should be no problem.
The son of Daitaru stopped thinking about alcohol when he noticed something about the decorations.
The buffet tables were set up all along one of the walls. They were covered with this red cloth that if he guessed right, was made out of cotton material. Various wooden trays and bowls colored across the red-orange-yellow spectrum were set up, empty and ready to be filled. A centerpiece was in the middle of each one, just a small cactus with a flower blooming on top. And right above each table, was a golden torch attached to the wall. Hmmm.
"um, kyuubi-sama?" A meek voice called out. Kyuubi quickly turned to see a pink-haired, golden-eyed kitsune twiddling her fingers and glancing between him and Naruto. Kiko? He rarely saw her after she'd shown up a few months ago. He couldn't remember, did she mate with one of his cousins? Or was she the daughter of a by-mate auntie or uncle? Either way the fact that Daitaru pulled her out of her hidey-hole and assigned her this decorative chore was a bit of a surprise.
"um, i'm really happy you think the buffet display looks nice, but um, we have to finish decorating."
"Huh?" Kyuubi asked, without thinking. He was thinking so hard about where she came from that he just barely caught her sentence. Her face reddened and she stiffened up, tightly pressing her hands together in front of her.
"sorry, i know i can be um, a little too quiet sometimes," she mumbled before speaking a little louder. "It looked like you and your guest were uh, staring at the tables so um, very intently. I assume you both like it? I hope so because um, I was the one who decorated them…" Her voice tapered off into a quiet mumble.
"Oh I think it looks beautiful Lady!" His guest exclaimed. Right next to him. With a little cat smile.
"The colors complement each other nicely. You got an eye for the cute and classic! Really grand if I do say so myself!" Seriously why was he so close?! Kyuubi leaned away but to his outrage Naruto leaned in closer.
Kiko turned to Naruto and smiled, appearing to relax just as Kyuubi was tensing up. "Thank you Naruto-sama."
He seemed to be surprised to hear that, his golden ears perking up. Kyuubi took advantage of it to swiftly find out the whereabouts of his father and from there he could figure out how to ditch Naruto. If his anger continued to grow, he would get destructive. And destroying other people's work wasn't as forgivable as destroying his father's property.
"Kiko!"
Kiko jumped and turned to look at him but Naruto's attention was still on her thankfully. Though he had the oddest expression.
"Where is my father?" Kyuubi asked.
"Um, Daitaru-sama is…he is in the uh, third kitchen cooking the um, meal."
Well that was some exceptionally great news for Kyuubi. Daitaru was sure to be working all day then. He stretched and said, "Ah good. That means I can leave." Kyuubi started to head to the door.
"Oh so there's more to the tour?" Naruto called out. Kyuubi didn't even pause.
"No, we are finished. I have something I wish to do. Alone," he added when he noticed Naruto start to follow. Kiko said a small "excuse me" and scurried back to what she was doing before.
"Then what am I supposed to do?!" Naruto whined. Kyuubi shrugged. Though it was technically his problem he didn't want to do anything about it. So he won't.
"You know the grounds now. I'm sure you can find something to do. Just stay away from the kitchen on the third floor," Kyuubi yawned. He then ignored Naruto's pout and left. Finally he could do what he's been wanting to do since his father dragged him out of bed this morning. Sleep.
And yes he was going to do it alone.
And now it starts, the real test.
Buffet tables against one wall of the room, carts against the other, and nothing in the middle except hungry and excited Kitsune ready to meet the new arranged fiancé of the heir.
If Naruto thought appealing to his father was hard, Kyuubi could only imagine how he must be feeling now, talking with the rest of the 70…77…plus… members of his clan. He hopes Naruto is nervous. He hopes Naruto is afraid. Because he slightly is.
His family was being less vicious than they have been with previous suitors who made it to this night. Things did not appear to be any different at first. Naruto was heralded to the center of the room, underneath one of the brightest lights, and his family surrounded him, just as they've done before. But instead of that intimidating surrounding tactic, where it's just the little suitor surrounded by many foxes and other youkai grinning and showing their fangs having the room light up with their chakra as they interrogated the poor schmuck until Daitaru told them to stop—and then would reprimand him for laughing or otherwise being indifferent to the suffering—, they gave Naruto space.
Yes, they were almost respectfully going up and talking to him, in groups of 3 or 4 at most, but otherwise stayed back and talked with each other until it was their turn. Some, the young girls of course, even brought him treats from the buffet which was certainly more polite than their normal behavior.
It baffled Kyuubi. He couldn't make sense of why they were suddenly…not them? Even now, three members stood there and carefully, gently, poked Naruto's cheeks and touched his ears and looked mesmerized and smitten and seriously what the heck?
Naruto wasn't supposed to be that charming just by standing there. Not even close!
With a scowl, he turned away. Frustration didn't even come close to describing how annoyed he was with his family's sudden hospitality. They shouldn't be showing it. Not to this one. Especially not to this one, who had the gall to call him Akagitsune.
Mating is a looooooong process that for kitsune always ends with death. And with clans there couldn't be the risk of having one of their own mate with someone the clan doesn't like. So in the very beginning of arranged matings, the potential mate meets with the family of the more prestigious clan so that the family could approve before the mate did. After all love was a stubborn emotion. And no one wanted to deal with a stubborn clan member in love with the wrong person.
The Kitsune Clan was a staunch follower of tradition. There were 9 generations from the first fox to him and everyone, from the two surviving members of the 5th generation on down, made absolutely sure everyone knew who and what made a Kitsune.
The clan's grand old status garnered them quite the reputation of being a powerful and prideful bunch. And they took that reputation very seriously. They put the honor of the clan very high on the list of priorities; second only to mischief. Even if you weren't an actual kitsune, you had to accept that mischief and honor were the core of the family reputation.
And his mate would have to show exceptional levels of mischief and honor.
He hopes Naruto will mess up one or the other tonight. If he gets just the slightest bit out of line, he will be history.
"AIIEEEE! Kushina had such a cute little son!" He heard his cousin squeal. Kyuubi glared in the direction of Naruto, and saw him looking nervous as his auntie pinched and pulled at his cheeks. Maybe more than the slightest bit then. That rotten Kushina…even in her death she STILL caused him problems. He didn't feel a bone-deep hatred for her, but he still got irked by her existence. He never saw what made her so special that warranted the fawning of all of the others. Yeah she could be nice, even caring sometimes. But other times—lots of other times—she was an annoying, loudmouth dumbass if you asked Kyuubi. And probably only Kyuubi. Never speak ill of the dead he guessed. He noticed his blood temperature had started to rise and so he took a sip of his drink. The ice-cold bitter ale cooled him right up that it did. Very nice.
"Finally old enough for that drink? But isn't that one more than the mandatory 2 cups?" Asked a voice behind him. Kyuubi smiled. In his opinion, Nagato was the only Uzumaki worth caring about. He turned to see Nagato smiling at him and holding the same drink in his hand.
"You are about 4 months late. And my father won't care. He's too busy right now," Kyuubi looked over to where his father was. His fox's luck came through marvelously on that end. Daitaru was drunkenly laughing with one of the two oldest coots alive in the clan, Kyuubi had to admit that he admired that old coot. He was so old and beat down, he couldn't stand up for long periods of time. But unlike the other old coot, this old coot came out of his room whenever he could and partied it up with the others.
"He'll probably start caring when I do something wrong." he said. Nagato frowned.
"You're not planning anything for this occasion are you?"
"No of course not," Kyuubi lied. Of course he was. Even if Naruto wasn't winning over the other Kitsune, Kyuubi would still pull this prank off. It was the perfect one. Oh father, he inwardly snickered. Flammable table cloth? Torches? Even if he was just following 'tradition' and trying to make things fancy, Kyuubi seriously thought Daitaru would've known better. Nagato shook his head.
"If I don't know anything, then I can honestly say I couldn't do anything to stop it." Nagato took a swig of his own drink and when done he smiled a very happy smile in Kyuubi's direction. His cheeks started to look flushed, which was painfully obviously because Nagato's skin in sealed form was like…grey. But it was funny because no one ever said Nagato was too easily flustered. Ever.
"Naruto-kun is looking a little lonely without you, but quite charming just the same don't you think?"
Sober annoyance hit him immediately. And he squeezed his cup until he felt the slightest cave in of the glass. His father would be most displeased if he broke another one and spilled his drink on the floor, so he chugged the rest of it before giving the empty glass to Nagato to take care of.
"No really? I didn't notice!" He snapped, once he had finished. Indeed though his vision was slightly blurry, Naruto was still standing in the same spot and Kyuubi could see the white of his suitor's fangs in a pretty grin as he said something to three doves that stood by him.
"I'm not going over there to mingle. I'll surely cause trouble," he declared. And he couldn't cause any ruckus before his prank was finished. Nagato shrugged and gave him a weird look but thankfully let it go.
"Anyway, I wanted to tell you I finished the treaty. I think it addresses every concern both of our clans have and is the best compromise if I do say so myself!" Nagato puffed his chest out and his three tails swished behind him with pride.
"Good job weirdo," Kyuubi grinned. "Be sure to leave it in my father's office tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Why not tonight?"
"Because I was giving my guest a tour all day. He'll wonder when I had time to sit down and do it."
"Ohhhhh...Excuse me one moment please," Nagato hurried out of the room. Kyuubi raised an eyebrow at his departure before frowning. Damn how was he going to talk shit to anyone else when they're all too busy fawning over…Wait, did Nagato even talk to Naruto? He really couldn't recall anymore and another second passed before he realized he couldn't care. What? Was he going to go chase Nagato down or something?
No, he had his prank to look forward to.
It was perfect, Kyuubi grinned. And sure to put on a spectacular display. The flammable table cloths beneath the lit torches lining the wall is a prank he's always wanted to play. Maybe it was because he was born and raised in one of the hottest climates in the realm, but Kyuubi's chakra had a strong affinity towards fire. Of all the elements in the world, fire was the easiest for him to create. In the context of this prank, the torches burning too brightly would be the perfect cover-up for how one of the buffet tables caught on fire. All he had to do was slowly make the flame burn a little brighter over the course of the night. If just one flick of the flame touched anything on the table it would be over.
He couldn't do it right away, because his flames tended to grow too big too quickly and catch instant notice. But by now everyone had to be too drunk to notice that several of the torches were burning very brightly and erratically. Very…wait. He just noticed that several torches were burning brightly and erratically. He wasn't doing anything!
Indeed Kyuubi rubbed his eyes and looked a second time. Several of the torches had bigger fires, with edges of the flames dangerously close to the centerpieces on the tables. Then, Kyuubi's drunken cousin 'danced' up to one of the tables before abruptly shivering. His body bumped into the table, getting the centerpiece just close enough.
As expected, the table set on fire and caught everyone's attention. They ran up to the table and began talking over one another.
"OH MY! ISAMU!"
"IT WASN'T ME!"
"THE FOOD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE YOU DRUNKEN FOOL!?"
"I AM SUDDENLY SO HUNGRY! THAT WAS VERY BRAVE OF YOU YOU SON OF A DIRTY FOX!"
"DON'T SPEAK TO YOUR NEPHEW THAT WAY I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS YOU-"
"THE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN IS RUINED THANKS TO YOUR CLUMSINESS!"
"It wasn't me! It was a set up!"
…
"You mean a prank?"
"A prank?"
"Oh my! It's brilliant!"
"But so ill-timed."
"Perfectly timed you mean. We drunken idiots could've never noticed this happen!"
"I like it! Our food is gone and the table looks like flambé. How inconvenient for us. Where will we set our drinks?"
"The table cloth doesn't look half bad on fire. But I am still mad! The hours I put into sewing that thing up! Ooooh I don't know how to hate a prank I respect! I just don't know!"
"Uh well now that we know I'm not at fault for this, we should probably put the fire out right?" They all screamed and started stomping on and fanning the flames that started to spread down the table's legs and to the neighboring tables.
Kyuubi didn't run up with the rest of them. He stayed back and laughed. Hard. Bent over, clutching his stomach, giggles peeled from him and he didn't want to stop. What clowns they were! Dancing like puppets to put out the flames of their own doing! This was the intended reaction to his prank!
Ah! But it wasn't his prank even though this was most definitely a trick by someone. More pressing thoughts come to mind. Who in the hell could set up his prank before him? Everyone here was too drunk to do it except Nagato but Nagato left! So who? Who could've done it? Kyuubi's ears twitched and he heard a tingly snicker. He looked to see the one other person who didn't run up.
Naruto was standing still under the bright light in the center of the room, laughing quietly in his hand.
Sober shock hit him immediately. It was...Naruto?
At that moment Naruto turned to look at him and their eyes met. Naruto lowered his hand to reveal one of his big, happy smiles and he winked before turning around and sauntering out of the room.
Kyuubi stood speechless for a few seconds. His mind was trying to comprehend how the charming, little Naruto could pull off a prank he had thought of. How he could've thought of the same prank he thought of. Naruto did a spectacular prank...against what could've been his future in-laws no less! Then he remembered:
"It looked like you and your guest were uh, staring at the tables so um, very intently. I assume you both like it?"
Of course…Earlier today they must've been thinking the same thing! To turn his family into a mess of buffoons and buffoonery through one quick, but potentially very damaging action…
That…that…that…was respectable.
He could respect it, Kyuubi realized with not quite horror, as his shoulders slumped. He could respect it! Because he thought of the exact same thing. But Naruto was not supposed to earn his praise like this! Naruto was his intended he couldn't…be…
Kyuubi shook his head and ran out after Naruto.
Naruto's scent wasn't hard to track, but it was obvious he went to dead ends covered by illusions a few times. However Kyuubi knew the place better and was able to follow the strongest lead to one of the smaller gardens with no issue. But what a coincidence. This small garden with green cacti bushes and one large acacia tree by a larger fishless pond happened to be his personal favorite. It was at the far east edge of the compound with only short sticks as a fence. This meant the view of the horizon, the sunrise and the moon rise, was unblocked. Sometimes he would take off and run as far as he could when the mood struck him. Most times though, underneath the acacia tree proved to be a comfortable napping spot when he had to get up early.
He opened the sliding door to see Naruto sitting at the pond, his back towards him. The sound of sloshing water told him Naruto was kicking his feet in it. Whatever confusion Kyuubi felt about having respect for this fox was increased tenfold in that moment. The picture Naruto created just by sitting there was a serene one. But he also looked solitary. And Kyuubi felt it was unnatural to have this suitor of his look alone after causing a chaotic dinner, and that feeling caused some mini chaos in his mind. It was of utmost importance to set things straight tonight.
"That was a nice trick you pulled back there," he said walking up, but stopping just behind Naruto. His guest didn't even move.
"Thanks."
"I mean it. I really respected it."
This time Naruto didn't respond at all. Kyuubi didn't really expect Naruto would have a lot to say, but he wanted him to say something. Still he wasn't offended by Naruto's lack of response, but he was confused again and the confusion made him irritated. He said something nice and he felt that was weird, but he was here to talk because he wasn't about to go to bed feeling weird about all of this.
"I don't know what kind of game you are playing here."
"I don't want to mate with you either."
"So if you—what?"
This time Naruto shifted, not quite facing him but still turned towards him. "Who do you think you are to me? My mom came from your clan, but we never met before and…did you even know I existed? You and I are pretty much complete attractive strangers."
"'Attractive?'" Kyuubi repeated. For a moment, nothing else Naruto said mattered except for that word. He almost couldn't believe it was said. Naruto scoffed and turned away but Kyuubi saw his face redden and his golden tail wagged from side to side.
"Don't get so full of yourself! I'd be blind to not see you're attractive. However your attitude turns me off way more than your looks turn me on. Trust me you're fucking annoying too y'know," Naruto said before glaring at him, though the red cheeks. His red cheeks. The way Naruto was gripping the ground mimicked the way he could be—probably wanted to be—gripping Kyuubi's shirt. The Kitsune heir chuckled. How cute, this loudmouth little dipshit was attracted to him after all! Judging by the way his ears were pressed against his head and his tail was a big puffball at the moment, Naruto himself was none too pleased with that revelation.
But he was cute anyway.
The temptation to tease was irresistible.
"So that's why you were all over me when we first met. And I thought you were just trying to hide your fear."
"What fear?! Who were you tryin to scare a billy goat?"
"Ahaha!" Kyuubi laughed. "I'll admit that I was trying to get you to back off because I find you attractive as well."
"HAH!" Naruto shouted, turning around to point at Kyuubi accusingly. Kyuubi grinned in amusement.
"Honesty is the best policy."
"Hmph!" Naruto pouted, turning back around to face the lake and crossing his arms.
"How tragic this situation prevented a true love affair."
Naruto faced Kyuubi and looked him up and down. "Don't get too cocky. One night stand at most. I'd just hear you talking and decide I never want to see you again."
"Don't you know how to take a compliment Naraho?" Kyuubi's eyebrow twitched in irritation. He was just being nice and that's how he repays him? Naruto stuck his tongue out and flipped Kyuubi the bird. Kyuubi had to resist the urge to stick his tongue out back because it was so childish and beneath him. It's what a kit would do. He returned the finger gesture though.
Naruto glared before sighing and looking down at his lap.
"I didn't really know who you were until a week ago y'know-"
"WHAT?! Really?! Your parents didn't say not one thing about me to you?" Didn't know who he was? Kyuubi couldn't help but feel slightly offended. He had to hear about Kushina every single day since she showed up, and she couldn't even spare one measly afternoon even, to talk about him to her son? Naruto must've been really young when she died, but he wasn't an infant. If she talked about this family at all, then he had to come up because he was the unfortunate almost-in-charge one. Kushina may have been kinda dumb but dammit he thought she at least cared about the kids; self included. The fact that his name didn't come out of Minato's mouth was an amazement, that he was definitely not going to complain about.
"Well my dad talked about a Kurama that was snot-nosed, arrogant, pompous, and angry a lot, but then my mom would tell him to shut his mouth. That couldn't have been you though right?"
If he had a glass in his hand right now, he'd probably break it.
"Kurama is a very esteemed name. I'm surprised it's not more popular than it is," he answered as carefully as he could. Fuck Minato, Fuck Minato, fuck Minato, and also Fuck Minato. Fuck that yako fox to the very core of the sun and back. Bitch.
"Aheh! Well, whoever Kurama is, the last time I heard that name was when my dad just sprung this on me and told me I can't do anything but go through with it. And I can't fight him. He beats me every time. I'm just as much a victim in this as you are."
And Kyuubi 100% believed him at this point. As a matter of fact!
"You should've told me that earlier. It makes things way easier then, we could help each other out!"
"Maybe but," Naruto sighed. "I promised my dad I'd try my best to win you over." Kyuubi's eyes widened.
"You dummy! Anyone with kitsune blood in them are bound by their word!"
"I know that I'm not an idiot!"
"Then why didn't you know that you never make a promise for something you don't want to do?! Even kits know not to give promises out lightly!"
"Look I made my dad upset okay?! I just said it so that I could make him feel better!"
"How decent of you. You are definitely Kushina's son," Kyuubi said sarcastically. Even though he was right. Naruto was being sweet because he honestly cannot remember the last time he did something for his father just to make him 'feel better'. Usually he did things to avoid conflict.
Naruto didn't reply. He just buried his head into his knees and Kyuubi's ears twitched as he heard Naruto stifle a low whine.
Geez. His goal wasn't to upset Naruto so why is that happening right now? Kyuubi didn't mean to make him sound so…upset. And looking at his upset state now…he didn't have a real reason to yell did he? Naruto is here because that dirty fox Minato guilted him or whatever into being here. At this point they were both stuck in an unwanted, unwarranted, arranged bullcrap and they both hated it. If he searched his fuzzy memory, this was a first.
Although his foolish promise ruined any chance they had at using this to their advantage, a pushy father who doesn't listen to you is something Kyuubi knew all too well. So there was only one thing that made sense now. He slowly shuffled over and sat down next to his guest and noticed out of the corner of his eye Naruto bring his head up in surprise.
"So I guess you aren't the one I should be mad at," Kyuubi paused as it was a struggle to get out these next words, for he hated it when he had to say them.
"I was wrong to treat you that way."
And then because thought appeared in his head and he alcoholically thought it was okay to say it, he added, "sort of. You shouldn't have made that stupid promise."
And then because he also alcoholically realized that it was 100% better to blame Minato for that one, he finished up with, "but you aren't the one I should take my anger out on."
And then he decided shut up because he didn't want to talk too much and end up putting his foot in his mouth. He also decided not to look at Naruto when he heard the Namikaze ask, "Do you really mean that?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't," he answered. And he meant it. Although he was not above manipulation, he only employed it when he knew he could get something out of it. With previous suitors, deception was necessary to get the courtship started AND to end it. But this isn't the same.
"Wow that's...nice of you. I didn't think you'd say something like that to me."
Kyuubi turned to see Naruto smiling at him. And since all of Naruto's smiles were stupid and/or stunning, Kyuubi smirked and looked away because he could feel his face heating up. And even though they've already admitted they were physically attracted to each other, Kyuubi still had his pride to think about. If Naruto wasn't blushing, he was definitely not going to see him blush.
"Don't get used to it! I've just had a little too much alcohol tonight really."
Naruto laughed before facing the pond again. Kyuubi's ear twitched as he captured the sound. A calm silence settled between the two. It was strange once more not hearing Naruto talk, and yet it was different from the earlier silence. Kyuubi actually liked this quietness. It didn't feel like Naruto was going try and claw at him the moment his guard was down or something.
"Y'know, I promised my dad I would try my best with you."
"So you told me five seconds ago."
"No don't you see?" Naruto shook his head. "I promised I would try with you," he grinned that grin kitsunes grin when they have a plan. Now if only he could tell Kyuubi what this plan was instead of repeating things. He didn't even bother trying to look like he understood what Naruto was talking about. Thankfully, the idiot elaborated without him having to ask.
"You've made it clear that you don't really want this. And I'm telling you that I don't really want this. So if neither of us wants this why are we doing it?"
"Our fathers," Kyuubi answered, slightly annoyed. Would Naruto get to the damn point?
"Sooooo I promised my dad I would try and win you over. Not your father! Which leaves us with a little thing called opportunity," Naruto winked. It took a few seconds for Kyuubi to really understand what Naruto was saying but once he understood he lit up like a sparked flame.
"You're saying that you're allowed to convince my father this is all a bad idea! And make him call the whole thing off! Since his opinion is the only one that matters-"
"And my dad's opinion matters too!"
"But you only promised to make me approve of you, not him...YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!" Kyuubi shouted, jumping up and pumping his fist.
"So it's definitely not me you hate right?" Naruto asked, tilting his head, expression akin to irritated.
"How could I possibly hate the solution to my situation?" He answered with what immediately came to mind. Kinda. His mind was actually feeling really fuzzy now, but in a good way. Tipsy was the feeling, and he was happy about it just like how he was happy about life right now. Finally he had a way to get out of this! No mates for him! And he could get back to working on making the title of Juubi his. It was definitely the alcohol that made him twirl where he stood of course.
"Because I promised my dad, I'm still going to try my best to get you to fall in love with me."
"That's fine," Kyuubi hastily said, still dancing around in happiness.
"Yes! We're partners now!" Naruto exclaimed. Now it was Naruto's turn to jump up. And he was coming straight at Kyuubi. Was he going to dance too? Kyuubi wasn't sure how he felt about having a partner. But no, Naruto threw his arms around Kyuubi's neck and pulled him close. Naruto barely inched closer before Kyuubi instinctively reacted by leaning back, but of course Naruto wasn't leaning in to do that.
Naruto's forehead bumped against Kyuubi's own and Kyuubi immediately understood the solidification of their new partnership. But what he did not understand, was why of all the ways to solidify a deal Naruto chose this one. This painfully affectionate 'handshake', that was really meant for people who were a lot closer than they were.
The close proximity forced Kyuubi's nose to be filled with the scent of his home with a pinch of heavenly sweetness. He didn't like this so it was with sheer force of sobering will that instead of wrapping his arms around Naruto and pulling him closer, Kyuubi (gently!) pushed him off.
"I get you have a promise to fulfill but you only have permission to bump my fist," Kyuubi said, holding his fist out. He really didn't need his guest touching him anymore than necessary. Especially not after what they admitted tonight. Naruto looked disappointed but brightened up so fast, Kyuubi pretended that it was just a trick of the increasingly fuzzy imagination.
"Alright!" He shouted, bumping his fist to Kyuubi's. The older kitsune grinned a foxy grin.
"We have ourselves a plan."
"Thanks for walking me back to my room."
"I'd rather not be bothered later because you got lost."
I know how to track my own scent! Probably better than him since I had a sensei who is really good with tracking smells. But he might be teasing me so I'll just tease back just in case.
"Guess this means I'll be getting another tour then?"
"If it helps us get what we both want," he opened the door to my bedroom, "which is you, gone."
I can't tell if he's being serious-serious! He looks so tired; his body language isn't giving away nothing. He didn't even wait for me to go in. Didn't even say anything before he turned around and started walking away.
"Uh, good night?"
He didn't even look back at me! Just raised his hand a bit and kept walking, or stumbling, down the hall. He better go to bed if he's that drunk.
But finally, I'm alone. This place and these people are going to drive me bonkers.
My thoughts are racing, my heart is freaking pounding. I'm going to go distract myself and get ready for bed. I'll start with brushing my teeth. And I'm gonna go on ahead to do a little grooming because my gel wore off so my hair's a little messy. Ooo this brush's bristles make my scalp tingle with pleasure!
My mom's hair was never messy…I played a prank once that involved someone's long hair…Kurama didn't say one thing about my appearance except that he's attracted to it, messy hair and all…ARGH! I can't even freakin groom myself in peace!
Y'know this is so unreal! He glared at me and avoided me like I was made of sewage or something, but I fuck with his family and suddenly he's sitting down next to me and giving me compliments?! The rest of them were all rah-rah-rahing about my mom, after centuries of silence?! Not one visit, not one letter, not a single glimpse in five hundred years!?
And…Daitaru's trying to find my mom?!
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START!
Okay, okay! Least is beast I guess! Pranks. What the hell. The only people who actually appreciate my work are the people in my circle, and even then only my dad still likes them when he's the victim. But outside of that, I get kicked out, sent away, sneered at or chased, or fought but I can handle that reaction. Augh I remember that one time at Hinata's house, there was a party for Neji's birthday and y'know, it wasn't even that big and bad. It was one of my more amateurish pranks and really, what kinda birthday party only has one cake?! Hinata's dad was SO mad. I heard she and Neji had to beg to get me to even be allowed to return to the front gate.
But that's just what happens. If nobody panics or gets upset, then I feel like a failure! And I try not to do things that can't be fixed if I can help it. I like to think of myself as a nice, natural-born trickster.
Because come on I literally can't stop myself!
It was so perfect! Just like how Neji's cake was in the perfect position and all of those breakable windows were perfect and dad's statue was perfect and every single prank I've ever pulled before was perfect. My body just moves on its own when I see a prank to be made and I'm having a lot of fun, but it's also almost like an invisible force in my mind just makes me do it. And I don't know if other kitsune get that, because usually they get all high-nosed about my tricks. Acting like it's not up to par when really, they're just jealous they didn't think of it first. Or else, they'll get WAY beyond pissed and again, I bet it's because they're jealous. And what's worse is they never get over it! If there's anything that makes kitsune so damn dumb, it's their tendency to hold grudges. It's like they hold them until they die or something.
Except the youkai here didn't do that. You-kai, HAH! I saw doves! And a few toads and a cat or two! There were mixes among the kids, fox ears or tails and other features that definitely don't come from a fox. That's unbelievable! Y'know, forgive me not having any reason to assume Kitsune would accept anyone other than their own. I can admit, I was wrong about that. But maybe I'm not wrong about the rest. They have their reasons for being so nice after all. Y'know they want me to sink in with their beloved heir and they would not SHUT UP about my mom! I know I look like her!… And I can tell she was really, really loved here. They gushed about her pretty hard.
If they knew where her grave site was, then I would know, because they would talk about visiting her. But it sounded like they were just as sad and clueless about it as I am. Which means Daitaru wasn't lying earlier…But then what does he mean by 'he's trying to find her'?
My memory of the whole thing isn't the best, but after mom was killed on that mountain, dad was too grief-stricken to do anything about it. I think he was at home with me a lot and so the Kitsune went to get mom's body and give her a proper burial. But that was dad's job. Just like with Waru, mates decide the final resting place for each other. That's just how everyone does it and they should! They certainly wouldn't keep it hidden from their kids, which stops them from mourning and paying their respects.
So…I thought Daitaru took mom's body, and buried it, and never told us where. Despite my thousands of letters…but from what he's saying, they never even got her in the first place and so all this time my mom's never been buried. Her body is just…missing…God I'm not—I'm not going to shed any tears about it anymore but it still just…hurts. It really hurts…
Three deep breaths Naruto.
BUT! But I have to call upon the wisdom Inari granted me and get over it! I have to call upon Inari's wisdom, and trust that Daitaru has been doing everything he can to find her and just hasn't found anything yet, but he's still searching. He's going to increase the search and find something and tell me about it before I mate with Kurama so I don't rip the doors off this place and go and try and find her myself! I have to trust that even though he never said anything for 500 years, he's not lying and this isn't some bargaining piece and he's doing it for everyone who loved her. Because everyone here did love her…
Of all the things I'd never thought I relate to them on…I guess this extreme event changed their minds didn't it? Or maybe, it didn't. Maybe they're really just 'acting' nice. Maybe, they wouldn't really like Namikaze Naruto, if they even bothered to get to know me.
…But for a minute there, it felt like that bastard would at least. That stupid apology…who is he to just stop being hateful to me like that? Who am I just forgive him like that? I even told him the plan that I wasn't going to tell him! All because he was nice to me! Am I that lonely?! I feel like I shouldn't be, but he's in a unique position. We're supposed to be getting along, but I was 99% sure we weren't.
Til Kurama nearly fell over laughing—I saw him—after my prank. And y'know, he was so nice to me after.
That tour feels like forever ago. And he straight up abandoned me after, though that wasn't a bad thing because I got the chance to sneak into the kitchen and see Daitaru. But hol-y I did not expect Kurama to stop looking at me like he had a bad taste in his mouth so quickly.
Fuck it was just this morning y'know! All the stuff I said was at least genuine, and I KNOW I took it a little too far with my teasing. But I apologized and he had to go on and be a bigger bastard after that anyway.
It's his own damn fault that I gave him the silent treatment. If I talked to him at all this morning I'd have been dead! I'd have been dead because my promise would've killed me. Though I'm surprised it didn't when I told him I don't want to mate with him. It didn't even hurt—what's up with that?! Can I actually not want to mate with him, get sent home, and be alright? I'm not going home now, but it's something to ponder over…
I'm so confused! Phew…it's not promise pain that's making me ache now.
Whatever, whatever I'm done with this! And y'know, WE are done with this! That's right we got a plan! Showing our relationship would never work out to Daitaru will be EASY. And somehow I'll 'try'! I'll just…keep a close eye on him tomorrow and see what's what because I don't know what's what with him.
…If no one here knows where my mom's body is, what if that means someone outside of here has her? As soon as I get out, I'll have to find her. I should let my dad know too…
…Ahh I'm sleepy, I'm going to bed…He won't fall for me. Even if he does get nicer. And I won't fall for him. So we'll part ways soon enough and I'll never have to think about him ever again.
And done! LOL if the treaty doesn't include mandatory fights between the strongest members every thursday, then Kurama don't wanna write it. And as before, we finally got Kurama and Naruto to sit down and have a heart-to-heart. They needed that.
Sooo the reason it took so long to edit is the same as with the previous chapters: I want to do better with the relationship dynamics and characters (personalities and motivations), and do the actual writing better. It takes a little while to get it juuuust right but I really hope you're still enjoying this and can see the improvement from Oct 10th!
Story fun fact corner!:
1) The lucky numbers for a kitsune are 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.
2) There is some divine work behind why kitsune MUST stay true to their word if they give a promise. The so called 'loopholes' some kitsune believe there are actually don't exist: they are just fulfilling their promises without realizing it. Conversely, when a kitsune THINKS they're doing right but actually AREN'T (like with Naruto's threats in chapter 4) then they'll feel the pain and QUICKLY correct themselves. It's not a joke.
3) With pranks the line is a little blurry. Naruto describes it as an 'invisible force' but Kurama doesn't really hint to the same thing. I'll give a little more detail in the next chapter.
4) Waru was wearing a robe because he hates the desert and its heat. During his stay he was treated marvelously, but now that his mate is dead, he wants to live the rest of his days comfortably in his own environment. He's a nice guy and he's the one who told Daitaru that he helped Naruto that morning (while also saying he liked Naruto awww). As for why Daitaru didn't mention it, it didn't really occur to him since he had some parenting to do to his spoiled and lazy son.
5) So there is a ranking of clans. Some are old, large, and powerful, others are smaller, newer, etc. How they decide to run things depends on each clan. For some, including the Kitsune, you don't have to mate or be born into the clan to be accepted or 'adopted' into it. Nagato and Kushina for example, had no blood relations but were taken in and treated as family (tho neither of them gave up the Uzumaki name) and they aren't the only ones that were accepted that way. However I will go into more detail about the societal relations between species, clans, etc. (as is relevant) as the story moves forward!
Author fun fact corner!:
1) NARUTO! I finally figured out the key to writing him! a) give him MORE motivation beyond 'getting strong' and 'getting with Kurama'. we finally find out what's up with Naruto's weird obsession with cemeteries. I actually meant to have that revealed in the next chapter, but it fit perfectly here. b) while I'm writing the chapters, from beginning to end I have to keep in mind what exactly his motivation is for doing the things he does and saying the things he says. I hope a lot of what he does makes more sense now. I love him just want to say that.
2) Soooo I said this chapter was supposed to be longer right? Blame the extra scenes. The first extra scene I included was because in Oct 10th, I had Naruto just get over Kurama being a jerk during the tour. In this one, he still gets over it but I wanted to show how. The other extra scene, was what the heck was Naruto actually doing after Kurama left him to go sleep. In Oct 10th, that literally didn't matter. He could've gone back to his room and stared at the wall for all the story needed. Here, Naruto HAD to do something, and that something was finally talk to Daitaru (because silly Kurama told him where the third kitchen was lol).
I did write out parts of the scene, but I ultimately left it out because there was nothing I could've written there that I couldn't just show through Naruto's POV at the end. If I included it it would've been unnecessary I think.
Okay I think that serves as a good end! My goal is to get up one chapter a month. AND PLEASE NOTE: If I'm going to be delayed, or if I am close to updating, I will leave a note on my profile. I won't leave y'all hanging unlike last time. So next update will be in February.
THANKS AGAIN to everyone who has reviewed, favorited/subscribed, and read this story! What a wonderful mood booster haha! And I still really appreciate your time and patience with me!
Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter and the wait was worth it!