Hi!
Good news everyone! I'm still as horrible with self-imposed deadlines as always! Feel free to let me know in the reviews how much you deserve better haha.
Better news! Most of the content of this chapter is all brand new material. Buckle in and enjoy!
"Hey, hey! Akagitsune!"
He could feel Naruto's finger poking at his cheek. But when he tried to swat him away, he was too slow and batted at air. When the finger returned, he opened one eye and bared his teeth, hoping a visual threat would be enough of a warning that Naruto needs to stop touching him.
Judging by the dopey smile though, either he wasn't as intimidating as he imagined or Naruto was just that much of an idiot. He placed his inheritance on the latter.
"Ooo I'm baaaahing in fear! Did you fall asleep again? How do you expect to get anything planned if you're snoozing?" Naruto had laid his head on his arms and tilted it slightly, butt wiggling a bit in the air. His guest appeared to be in playful spirits, but the mood he exuded surprisingly wasn't contagious.
Annoyed, Kyuubi let out a forceful sigh through his nose, holding back the urge to wrinkle it as the fibers of the rug he was lying on tickled his cheek. He was not 'snoozing'. Snoozing implied he was actually getting rest. He was just closing his eyes and having these moments where he could block out the pain of his pounding headache. But in the 7th floor sitting room with Naruto, those moments were just that: fucking moments.
"what did I tell you when we first came up here? weren't you listening to me?" Even talking took a stupid amount of energy. Fucking hangover. And he was never able to figure out why his healing couldn't take care of it.
"I don't know what you thought you said, but it wasn't a plan haha," Naruto laughed, pushing himself up into a sitting position. "You just said 'disrespect my father' and then fell on the floor! Did you two have an argument?"
How could it not be obvious what he was trying to say? It shouldn't take critical thinking to figure out that disrespecting Daitaru the same way this pain was disrespecting him was the plan. And no they didn't have another fucking argument. They didn't talk much at all since yesterday come to think of it…ow.
Kyuubi couldn't hold back his groan. He folded his ears back as hard as he could and pressed on his head with his hand. Pain was creeping to 10 out of 10. If he could just keep his eyes closed for a couple of seconds in pure, blissful silence he could almost reach peace.
A heavy sigh destroyed his progress. He's heard that sound enough to know what was coming next.
"Who told you to keep drinking after you dropped me off at my room?"
Who the hell else?! Kyuubi told himself to. After they put out the fire, his family continued the festivities because the alcohol kegs were untouched by the prank and Kyuubi agreed they shouldn't go to waste. He was being resourceful!
But now, the consequences of his actions are really slamming into him. He doesn't want to admit Naruto was right to be disappointed by his lack of attention and care, even though he would be supremely pissed if their positions were reversed. But this guest was already on thin ice by the virtue of not understanding what his instructions were. Now that he was trying to lecture him too, Kyuubi's anger was reaching the point where it bubbled beneath the surface of his skin, raising his internal temperature—ooogh. His pain just worsened.
"jus go yell a'em…" He murmured. The heat itself wasn't a problem. It was the fast and intense flow of his chakra, which caused the heat to rise, that hurt. Too much movement, too much circulation, it pushed against his blood vessels, heating them up and making them expand and cause a torturous amount of pressure in his cranial space. The extra space in his vessels made his heart beat harder to keep up and he could feel it pound in conjunction with the pounding in his head damn it.
Hangovers are fucking rotten.
"man you even sound weak akagitsune did you drink any water at all between dinner and now i know a doctor y'know, and she once told me that hangovers happen because you're dehydrated i thought desert dwellers don't get dehydrated"
He heard Naruto's words but they weren't registering as statements and questions through the haze of pain. At this point Kyuubi wanted nothing more than for everything to just go quiet. His inner rage was boiling too loudly everywhere inside of him. At the pain, at Naruto, at his dumbass self for drinking too much like he was a wet kit…He just about had it with this damn pain.
"Shut up," he quietly growled out, closing his eyes and evening out his breathing. "'ve horrible head."
"Ah! forget it then you don't have to answer that look i'll get you some water that should help but i'm not gonna put the cup to your mouth or anything so don't expect that"
Naruto's blathering became blurry in the background as Kyuubi curled up, tucking his knees underneath him and wrapping his tail around himself, and put his concentration on slowing the source of his aggravation—his chakra. He'll reach that peace by forcing it and blocking everything else out.
"I won't get lost!" Naruto shouted loudly, surprisingly clearly, before Kyuubi heard the pitter-patter of him running out the room.
Not that Kyuubi would find out if he did or not. For once the peace and quiet returned, Kyuubi had another 'moment' again. Only this time, it lasted a bit longer and no amount of poking or yelling or throwing water at his face, could get him up for the rest of the day.
"Don't bring up yesterday."
Day 3 was best forgotten. He got enough teasing on the walk here and blowing holes in the flooring while yelling at someone to leave him alone was just causing hives-inducing sand mites to crawl in from below. Anymore holes and there wouldn't be enough mouths to contain the invasion, so he's trying to be considerate and now has to firmly establish that he expects the same.
The little shit grinned cheekily and folded his hands behind his head.
"Whaaat? I'm just happy you're feeling better. Though, it is a little late in the day for you to be picking me up."
Late. Hah! He was on no one's schedule but his own today. Naruto had a towel around his shoulders. His hair fanned out at the sides, still damp but surely getting to that dry, spikey state that was normal for him. He wore another orange jacket-black pants combo, but this time he tied a tie around the jacket so his exposed torso wasn't as exposed. The peak of his tan chest though, spelled out that he still wasn't bothering with layers.
Seeing that chest made Kyuubi very thankfully remember he was going back to his sleeveless vests come tomorrow. Another reminder of just how out of place he would be in his 'future position'. He hated dressing up this nice. It's not like wearing layers and long sleeves overheated him—an impossible feat—but he liked to expose his skin. It made him more aware of his surroundings even if not the time.
"Yea well, get used to it. Er—don't get used to it! You're going home today."
"Mmmm about that, I was actually gonna ask you yester…at a time before this one, but now's good."
Kyuubi raised an eyebrow. He almost automatically jumped to 'no', but he didn't know what the question would be. Could be Naruto asking what the definition of 'today' was.
"In the past few days I may have accidentally started a business here. Now I'm still gonna get us out of this courtship, but it'd be nice of you to let me stay a few days extra afterwords."
He fucking figured.
"How do you accidentally start a business here?! It's only your fourth day!"
"It's so crazy! I can tell you all about it over lunch!"
"No I don't want to actually know! The problem is—ugh. To the sitting room, let's go."
"Wait what about lunch!? I'm starving!"
"It's breakfast and I had it moved up to the sitting room!" Though it was hardly his fault Naruto didn't get food before now. He didn't plan on getting up early this morning to lead his guest around anyway and so Naruto should've made his way to a kitchen or dining room himself. And speaking of…
"And DON'T try and grab my hand again!"
"Don't worry Akagitsune I'm trying to get in your favor, so I can get a favor."
Oh yes, because why not go another few days hearing that stupid nickname? What happened to that promise of his to get on his good side? He expected Naruto to be easier to deal with honestly. Tomorrow things would be back to his semi-uncomfortable normal. Nothing not NOTHING was getting in his way.
In the sitting room, feasting on eggs, grains, and all of the steamed leaves, roots, and tomatoes, since Naruto claimed an extreme distaste for the vegetables, Kyuubi was finally able to tell the plan that was SO simple and SO obvious, it could've been done yesterday.
"My problem with you staying is in order for this courtship to end, my father has to develop a…strong dislike of you. I'm going to have you yell at him and insult him for whatever will hurt, and end it with you saying you can do much better as a leader. That'll make him rage and decide that a disrespectful, arrogant little brat isn't good enough to be a part of this clan."
Naruto started choking on his food. For such a big mouth he sure had a quick gag reflex.
"Are you joking?!" He squeaked out after a few seconds of pounding on his chest. Maybe it was his current mood after being the target of teasing for much too much this morning, but that accusation hit harder than it normally would've.
"Does it look I'm joking?! I want this to end!" He snapped back.
"And why does that have to involve me making an absolute ass of myself huh!?" Naruto's voice was stronger that go around. He also stood up, looking ready to square up. Please it'd be like a rock trying to fight a waterfall. Kyuubi leaned back in his chair and turned his nose up, because there was nothing more unbecoming than fighting someone so far, far, FAR below your power league…in an unprovoked and unbothered manner like this one.
"I shouldn't have to explain to anyone with a seed of sense why it's the fastest way for my father to kick you from here to your backwoods!"
Naruto looked affronted, his teeth bared the tiniest bit. His eyes narrowed, frosty and intense, and for a second Kyuubi was not as angry as he was baffled. Why was his guest this upset about his plan? Based on what he had said that night, Naruto shouldn't have any problem whatsoever leaving as quickly as possible. He should be just as happy to pretend this never happened for the rest of their lives, and three barely four days couldn't be enough to change his mind. Could it?
"Actually," Naruto's voice was razor sharp, "the fastest way to do this is for YOU to be in charge and end this yourself! Why aren't you running the place anyway? All those 8 tails of power and you still get spanked by daddy?"
"I won't be able to take over until my father dies," Kyuubi lied, coldly. It was an antiquated way of 'passing the crown'; one that didn't last long with the more peaceful era that started 3 generations ago. Youkai did live naturally long lives after all. Still, there was some debate with his grandfather over it, but Daitaru settled with the new and popular rule of 'when I just can't do it anymore, you will'. His father may act like an old geezer and is definitely weaker than him, but he still had many, many, many more years to go if Kyuubi didn't cut it early. Which makes this rushed, arranged courtship so damn annoying.
And equally annoying, is some stupid show-up who argued with him over it. Naruto looked stunned which was his intention. If it was a fight Naruto wanted, then he was going to be put squarely in his place. And Kyuubi didn't need to lay a finger on him to do it.
"Oh kay that's…not something we're trying to do. But I still think there's an easier way to do this!"
What the actual fuck? Naruto must be sitting pretty damn comfortably in his arranged-fiancé chair. Most people recognized that when Kitsune Kurama said they were going to do something; they were going to do it. This four-tailed fucking sticks-for-brains trying to argue against this easy-as-shit way out could only be because he found some special perk here when Kyuubi wasn't looking. 'Business'…hah! Naruto probably just found his house to be way more comfortable than Minato's.
Kyuubi is bothered.
"Do you not know what to do?! Is that it?!" He shouted, standing up.
"No you're doing a FINE job demonstrating for me! It's just I don't want to get your dad to hate me!" Naruto shouted back. Not quite the answer Kyuubi was expecting, but it wasn't shocking either.
"That's ridiculous! My father probably didn't even know who the hell you were before this mess! You can live without his approval!"
"No YOU'RE ridiculous! I thought you were nice! Turns out you're just a self-centered dirty fox after all!"
Kyuubi didn't even realize how close they were to each other until the door bursts open, causing him to leap backwards on instinct.
Not Daitaru. But the black-haired ponytailed, beefy kitsune still stood tall and proud when he yelled,
"WHAT'S WITH ALL THE NOISE IN HERE?! SHUT UUUUUUUUUUP-eh?"
…His cousin opened his yellow eyes to finally notice he and Naruto standing in the room.
"Kyuubi-sama…and guest…" He said, pointing out the obvious. Like a collapsed lung, his changed his posture real fast, slumping his shoulders and dipping his head a tad.
"Please take my words with the utmost respect."
"I WILL NOT TAKE THEM THAT WAY! WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO COME IN HERE WITHOUT KNOCKING?! FUCKING BEAT IT!"
When Kyuubi burns, it actually feels good. The rage that boils within him goes on to bubble right on his skin, simmering the air around him. It was his power, powered by his anger that energized him and protected him. He felt like he was cocooning himself in a warm blanket which was as comforting as it was exhilarating. Like he can shut his eyes and lie back peacefully, but also spring forward and destroy anything in his path. The coexistence of these two feelings made him feel invincible briefly, and has a strange unexplainable way of calming him down. He can control it more than he lets on—though not as much as he would like—but the excess he lets out and destruction he tends to cause was more catharsis than anything.
The aftermath today was nothing more than a singed rug and a squealing beefcake running from the room at full speed. Kyuubi wasn't spoiled though. The littlest effects still make him feel better.
Naruto was still in the room but not in front of him, he was…behind him. Standing in front of a window bracing himself still for some kind of fight. The sunshine was pooling through behind him, a faint ray of light outlining him—or was that his chakra? Either way the sight had Kyuubi's chest jump. It must be because he's still annoyed at their earlier, interrupted fighting. Which they now have to get back to.
"We can think about this a little more. We can come up with another plan! You didn't even ask me what I thought of!"
Pretty ballsy of Naruto to continue to try and stand his ground. Still, the reason behind it was brought to the forefront of his mind.
"Because I don't care! I have an idea already that will work and I'm not compromising that so you can laze around here!"
"Forget about me staying here for a second! I'm NOT gonna do anything that's GONNA jeopardize our families being friends again after this!"
Kyuubi paused. That was far from the answer he was expecting. It almost sounded like a proposed alliance were it not for the fact that one should already exist. 'Friendships' between clans lost the paperwork and relied heavily on verbal communication and emotional connection to work. Visits, gifts, letters, parties, battle alliance, as well as, well sometimes, arranged courtships, were a normal and a plenty. So naturally, friendships were very few and far between. No one liked to say it, but the vulnerability and sacrifice that came with a friendship was too much give for the pride of many, as he could see in the boring-ass treaty meetings he saw his father slough through.
With the Namikaze, he wasn't there for that solidification of friendship if it even happened. Maybe it was always an assumed thing—because they were Kushina's family—but as far back as he could remember, neither Kushina nor Minato even visited once she gave birth. He didn't even know who those brown and silver foxes were. He didn't complain of course, but his conclusions were very set in his mind.
Hatred of Minato aside, the Namikaze Clan's potential as help was as high as their potential as a hindrance. To Kyuubi, they were just 'there' for the Kitsune Clan as the Kitsune Clan was 'there' for them.
Which raised the question, what could Naruto possibly want out of this? And did Kyuubi care enough to entertain him to find out? He didn't want to. But the fox's curiosity was eating away at his mind.
"So what do you propose?" He ended up asking after a minute.
Naruto smiled, though it was hard to describe him as looking 'happy'. He stood up straighter, but Kyuubi didn't believe for a second that his guard was dropped.
"My old man didn't listen to a thing I said when he first dropped this on me so I don't think words alone is gonna work. We'll have to take action!" He punched his fist into his hand.
Kyuubi paused.
The action of shouting horrible words to Daitaru was the train of thought he had hopped on but…maybe Naruto's perspective wasn't…completely ignorable. Words DON'T mean anything. He should know. His father was a different breed all together because people have shouted at Daitaru until they were blue in the face and still…nothing. Ahhh how could he have missed such a simple fact?! How could he have gotten so sloppy?! It's unbefitting of a future nine-tails much less a ten-tails! Fuck it all— his rash decision caused this, he realized with an unpleasant remembrance of yesterday's failing. Kyuubi's not immune to the unsettling chain of one weak moment leading to another. A pile up of weaknesses is how youkai get completely and utterly destroyed. He's seen it before.
But he hasn't been destroyed. He made it this far because he's always been able to curb his weak moments, nip them in the bud before things get out of hand. Naruto…was right. Taking control was his strength. Or else he might as well mate with his guest and take the crown now. And that was not going to happen.
"How about a fight? I'll propose an official battle, willing to fight anyone in your family and when I win, I get out with my condition that we all get to stay in touch," Naruto suggested with total confidence bleeding from his tone.
Kyuubi let out a short bark of laughter, feeling humor in spite of the itch to go dominate someone somewhere who wasn't at risk of being his mate. Because oh yes, why didn't he think about muscling his way out of this?
"When you win? What if you were put up against me? And yanno they wrote something out for this right? Did you get a chance to peek at the official agreement?"
Naruto faltered. "Uh, no but shouldn't a fight-out be some sort of standard?"
"In most cases, yes. But not this one." He stole the document from his father's office and remembered his eyes bleeding as he read the paper that temporarily sealed his fate. "There is only one condition that is set. Another party would have to agree to court one of us instead. And judging by the fact that you're still here, I'm guessing you haven't won the hearts of anyone."
"Don't look down on me asshole! Obviously you can't pull a lover out of your tails either can you?!"
On the contrary, Kyuubi bitterly noted as a certain bright-eyed Uchiha came to mind. But he didn't even want to think of Tobi as a last resort. He didn't want to think of another courtship for him as ANY resort…but another courtship for Naruto…
That's it.
"I got it! You'll woo someone else here!"
"W-What the? Isn't that taboo?! Me gettin with someone else this early?!"
"I'll pretend not to be heartbroken. Love is love after all."
"But I don't love ANYONE here!"
What the hell does that matter?! Someone here is going to love Naruto on his command. Naruto is going to have to suck it up, pretend for 10 minutes, and then can do what the fuck ever afterwards. He's the one who didn't want to go with the first plan, and although he was right—in some aspects—it is pretty stupid that he's complaining about the second!
"You raise up a good point that action is better than words so that's what we're gonna do. And don't be so picky. Just make sure the new courtship contract isn't as binding as this one."
"Akagitsune-!" Naruto growled out, getting red in the face.
"Zip it! Your idea won't work. Now are you going to cooperate or not?"
"The FUCK do you think?!"
"HEY YOU! I noticed you eyeing my guest here the night you met. It was like sparks in the heart yes? Being who I am, I cannot permit a love story to go unfinished! So I will remove myself as an obstacle and let this passion develop naturally!"
It was his spiel. His nicest one if he says so himself. Even with Naruto still bound and gagged up and growling and jerking about as Kyuubi dragged him around, he was confident he could make a victory happen.
"Sorry Kyuubi-sama! But I don't want to be the one to break you two cuties up!"
"No."
"No."
"No."
"Nope."
"Oh you noticed?!…Still no."
"No."
"No."
"No."
"Absolutely false! I did nooooo such thing don't get ME in trouble."
"i um, i'm sorry kyuubi-sama. i uh, can't…I'M SORRY KYUUBI-SAMA! I UH, CAN'T!"
Naruto was a lot less popular than he thought.
His follow up command of "ACCEPT HIM!", was met with screams and people just disappearing as fast as their ability enabled them too.
"This is ridiculous!" He griped, pulling Naruto down an empty hall to find someone else. Suspiciously empty, though his anger was starting to override his paranoia. "They're treating you like a yako!" Naruto jerked strongly, but Kyuubi held on to the rope firmly and didn't even flinch. "How has not one single person taken you away from me?! You need to work on your likability!"
Kyuubi could've sworn he heard a muffled 'you're ridiculous' come from his suddenly, oddly compliant companion. But he wasn't sure. Because the tail end of the statement was covered up by a loud, angry, yell.
"KURAMAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Daitaru was running faster than Kyuubi could turn around to meet him. So the Head Kitsune was able to easily grab both of Kyuubi's ears and yank.
"Gah!" Kyuubi yelped as he dropped Naruto.
"WHAT'S THIS MISCHIEF I HEAR YOU CAUSING?! TRYING TO PASS NARUTO-KUN OFF?! IF YOU DON'T STOP THIS DEBASE BEHAVIOR RIGHT NOW I'LL MAKE SURE YOU REGRET IT!"
With each word Daitaru shouted he pulled on Kyuubi's ears shooting shocks of pain down his spine.
Why did his father always go for the ears!? He'd rather the traditional method of bopping your child on the head when they acted up, because it didn't work on someone as hardheaded as Kyuubi—who could, and has, continued on with his shenanigans in the past with a mountain of bumps on his head. But his extra sensitive ears were fair game for making him think twice. A little him that is. Present day, he is no longer so easily swayed by pain as a reinforcement, but he would still seal those large appendages off even more if he could.
Naruto was over there guffawing on the side.
Oh how he hated this.
Once again, Kyuubi was pushing on his head to temper the pain he was in. Not how he imagined his first solo dinner. He didn't think there would even be a solo dinner which is tragic.
"Not another fucking word."
Naruto's first and only word to him since…earlier, was this strange, squeaky 'hiiiiii' that sounded like he was trying to suck in air but also not, which was dumb because he's doing a horrible job hiding the fact that he wants to laugh. Even now, he's been sitting across from him with a grin that he wanted to be wearing. Ugh. But smug and superior weren't exactly…ugh.
"…PFFFFFFT HAHAHAHA!" Naruto just so suddenly started laughing that Kyuubi jumped about two feet before realizing what was happening and slammed his fist on the table.
"OR SOUND!" He shouted. But his guest just laughed harder in response. Really didn't stop him from feeling like a joke but by his own eight tails he was not going to let Naruto see that.
"HE-HAHA-HE SAID 'you're an unbecoming halfwit' HAHAHA! Oh keep this up! It might not be this backwoods fox unworthy of this courtship AHAHAHA!"
Daitaru said he didn't raise him to act like an unbecoming halfwit. There's a difference.
"It isn't funny! But I guess you would be happy you got what you wanted!" Kyuubi grinded his fangs the way he wanted to grind them on Naruto's smooth-looking neck. But tempering his urges was a crucial form of self-control…especially when he's in front of delicious food and he doesn't like the taste of overly cooked or burnt meals.
And he didn't want Naruto to even see him twitch.
Naruto's laughter settled down to hiccup-y giggles as he wiped a tear away. Despite wanting him to really choke on air this time, Naruto's powerful gag reflex failed Kyuubi and allowed his guest to speak. "This isn't what I wanted. I want the same thing you want. But trying to give me away to someone else wasn't the right thing to do!"
"Your plan wouldn't have worked!"
"And yours didn't work either. See? We can both bring up the same point. I guess great minds think alike!"
How can this idiot sound so chipper and positive about their failure today? They were in the exact same spot now that they were in beginning, with only bad marks to show for their efforts.
"I'm giving you a hard time y'know, but I actually haven't laughed that hard in a while. So I guess I owe you a thanks."
"Keep it."
"Nah. Thanks for the hiccups. I didn't even get them when I pulled that mega awesome prank."
"Mega awesome…Tch! I thought of the same prank too. You just got it done before I did."
"Wow really? Are you proud of me for being faster than you?"
"I wouldn't use those words! And I already told you what I thought, don't fish for more compliments! Besides, if I had done it before you, I would've caused way more damage."
For a second, Naruto's cheeks puffed out and he glared in a way that was absolutely adorable—l-like a cloud or a rock or something. But thankfully he lost the weird look and picked up an…inspired one? Who knows. Kyuubi would rather focus on eating his non-puffy roots and berries and meat.
"What would you have done?"
…Wasn't expecting that. Nor for Naruto to look at him with such curiosity, it could be mistaken as genuine. After everything that happened today, Naruto plus interested in anything Kyuubi says or does is not a viable equation. The skepticism must've reflected on his face for Naruto quickly said,
"I'm not trying to be cheeky or anything. I just want to know what you would've done to pull it off. I hear kitsune are really good at this kinda stuff so…when you say you could've caused more damage…I mean what I did is blow some wind using my chakra and that only caused one fire. I wanted it to cause more but…anyways I don't get any feedback about pranks outside my dad so..."
Something tickled inside of Kyuubi. Naruto's roundabout way of asking how his prank could've been better was picking at his better nature that technically didn't exist. He wasn't one to provide advice to people outside of his circle, especially if they've pissed him off more than once.
But, it was an excuse to brag about how he would do something better than his companion. An ego boost. That's the only reason he'll answer.
"…I would've made the flames burn a little bigger and hotter directly. Use two or three to set their respective tables on fire, and then use the flames from those fires to start more. That way it's not super obvious it's a set-up, but still causes maximum damage." Of course he wasn't that smart when he was drunk. But it's what he would do. Then again, if he were to use wind, there's very little he would change from Naruto's strategy.
"The wind is good because it wouldn't be expected around here. You should have made it more powerful to catch all the flames and make them burn big enough to touch all the tables and then spread 'em quickly from there. And you would need a precise aim if you wanted to have that effect without anyone noticing."
"Is that even possible?"
"What?"
"Makin a powerful wind with aim so perfect that even when I'm standing in the middle of a room full of people no one would notice?"
It was a simple question, and yet Kyuubi held Naruto's stare like it wasn't. And he really didn't know why. It was like he lost 90% of his focus and the last 10% was on those icy, but curious, blue eyes…
"…Yea of course."
Naruto broke the stare to bang his head on the table.
"Agh, that would be so much cooler than what I did! I really want to get back to training as soon as possible then. I feel like I have so much to improve on," he whined.
…Where did that compliment come from? Well it was obviously warranted, but so unpredictable. He…felt better hearing it but also felt confused by it. Too much feeling, so he's going to bypass and ignore it then. What? Did Naruto deserve a 'thank you' for speaking the truth? There were bigger things to focus on other than the prank anyways.
"Well don't change your priorities yet. Tomorrow might be different, but rest tonight assured that this'll be over by the 7th day."
Kyuubi's plate was empty and for once he wasn't hungry enough for seconds, right this second. Instead, he had a more pressing concern to attend: tomorrow, and how they were going handle it. Some research is necessary. He had questions to ask and behaviors to watch because Daitaru obviously told the masses something before this courtship started. No one was this weird when he was the one picking out the suitor. He stood up.
"Dinner's over? Haaaa finally! I'm tired. Everything happened so late today," Naruto yawned, standing up too. "Imma hit the den."
Kyuubi grunted a quick 'sure' in reply. Naruto could possibly be just as much a hindrance as a help to this research assignment. So there's no need to push for him to stay up longer and stick around…Though he was for some reason. Staring at him and blinking tiredly.
"Aren't you going to walk me back to my room?"
"Do you still need me to?" Kyuubi glared as he asked that question. He didn't have the time for that courtesy anymore! Naruto shrugged.
"Nah. Night sweetie~," he purred, blowing him a two-finger kiss.
"W-WHAT?!" Kyuubi screamed. It felt like his heart tripped over itself into a wall. Repeatedly. Kyuubi took several steps back, not out of fear. But because his heart was hitting his ribcage too hard and he could feel warm blood was whisking in a vicious cycle in his cheeks, in his stomach, in his waist, in his hips, in—images of a flirtatious, golden-haired Naruto who lips were puckered, one eyelid pulled down into a wink like he was beckoning that one night stand—and Kyuubi took steps back not because he was bothered.
So he stopped moving and held his ground.
"I hope you'll dream of me tonight. I'll be sure to return the favor," Naruto followed up with, settling into a more normal stance finally.
"The hell is this coming from?! Are you flirting with me?!" Kyuubi wasn't sure if he should focus more on being shocked or angry. Naruto had been trying to hold his hand but he chalked it up to him just being annoying. This. This was undeniable.
"We gotta break-up, but before then I have to at least try and make you fall for me."
"That's not gonna work!" Clarity to Naruto's reasoning made it easier to bark that out. Even as he tilted his head just so, neck exposed and blue eyes still teasing behind blond bangs.
"Emphasis on try. Maybe you won't catch interest-"
"I WON'T!"
Naruto walked up to him and patted his cheek.
"But just be yourself and make it a lil fun for me still kay? Akagitsune?"
"STOP FUCKING TOUCHING YOU FUCK FUCK GRRRRRRSHIT-"
Kyuubi stayed where he was, swearing, growling, and grumbling words that weren't even real, as Naruto smiled his way out of the room. Because it was his way of being in control. And that was his strength: taking control.
"Oh Daitaru-sama will be so proud when he sees this!"
"Daitaru-sama only? Kushina would've been proud too don't you think?"
"Daitaru-sama and Kushina-sama? I-sama am proud of this."
Kyuubi hated this.
"Hehe your hand's so warm! I'm almost liking this plan!"
"If you start swinging our hands I'll throw you in the trash."
"Oh-ho! I'm looking forward to seeing the inside of your head," his guest snipped from behind, but he didn't actually move their hands thankfully.
This is only temporary. A way of damage control. His empirical research last night showed that his father's eyes are everywhere and he was on red alert. If Kyuubi didn't at least try and look like he was trying with this stupid courtship, then everything that happens afterwords is going to be scrutinized and blamed on him. Judging by the reactions they're getting, this was the right idea. He knew just walking around and holding Naruto's hand would get attention and comments and start exciting conversation.
Yesterday's upset was going to be nothing but yesterday's news caused by a commitment-phobe heir. Today's agenda involved letting the masses—and therefore his father—know that Kyuubi was 'ready to put his fear behind him and really try and make this work' without having to verbally say the horrible statement. The fear was completely nonexistent; but rather than be an attack on his pride, he'd like to see this plan as a way of proving his own strength to himself. Look at what he can tolerate!
The feel of Naruto's palm against his own heated one was a short-lived irritant. Those cooler fingers against the back of his hand was the better alternative compared to intertwining their digits. The flirtatious comments were the true challenge to overcome.
Kyuubi composed himself after the realization that Naruto's 'flirting' would fulfill his stupid-fuck-ass promise and he was just going to have to build a higher tolerance for it until this thing ends.
It wouldn't be hard. As an 8-tails, people tended to breathe praise in his direction just for being there. As an attractive young adult on top of being an 8 tails, people tended to heap on the sexual praise because there was status in being able to be with him, lay with him, be claimed by him even if only for an hour. And he was fine with it. Because he expected it and he still had the power to accept or reject those that wanted him. Weird as it was, outside his home was more 'his turf' than inside. So outside, he had his expectations for others that he made sure were met, even if he had to employ tactics or adapt just a little to make it so.
His expectations for Naruto changed after the second night. But it looks like Naruto hasn't changed at all so he'll have to be on his toes from now until…tomorrow.
They had walked by some pretty populated spots on the grounds and were now retracing their steps back towards Naruto's room. That should be enough. Briefly, Kyuubi considered dropping Naruto off and treating himself to some space, but he dropped that idea the moment it popped into his head.
It would be better overall for them to just head back to the 7th floor sitting room for some more planning. With everyone's trust reestablished, a destabilizing, courtship-ending plan should be well on its way through the creative part of his brain.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" He heard a tingly voice, with an almost musical quality to it, shout. He recognized the voice immediately, but glanced to the side anyways to confirm that a pair of teal eyes belonging to a fair woman with feathery white hair and a manic grin were staring at him from down a side hallway.
He embarrassingly had to note that his Hakucho Auntie was wearing nothing but a towel, was dripping wet, and was standing next to his he-sometimes-wished-wasn't-biological auntie, a kitsune with shoulder-length bright orange hair, who was shorter, looking less happy, and also wearing nothing but a towel.
"Dear, do you see that? Ahhh I'm blushing aren't I? It's so sweet and cute! Do you think they'll let me capture this commemorative 'before' moment!?"
"'Before' what? His guest hops for the hills? My big brother hasn't shown the fairest judgment of character yanno. I'll bet this one has some serious 'bribery power' to get my little nephew to hold his hand."
Kyuubi twitched. The dramatics of his Hakucho Auntie get a pass as they always do. But her mate, Kira pissed him off more than this hand-holding that was entirely-his-idea-for-the-right-reasons did.
But. If he let the anger boil out, he would definitely hurt Naruto. So he was going to again, keep it all contained. Redirect the bubbly flow back into himself and keep it away from the surface. Like a fire that eats itself.
"Whoa…Is that a…-are you a swan youkai!?" Naruto asked, excitement in his tone like he didn't just overhear their weird conversation about them.
"You're beautiful in person! I've never met—h-hey! The ground's rumbling!"
"…keep…walking…" Kyuubi growled out as he continued to march forward, pulling Naruto along. He refused to even acknowledge the two women again and he heard an 'aww' and a derisive snort come from them respectively.
Kyuubi had his priorities straight. It wasn't like he was going to go fight Kira every time her weird icy hot problem with him flared up. The goal for today has been accomplished if Hakucho Auntie was squealing for them, and some old hag isn't going to upset him.
"Don't you care—what's with that glare on your face?! You're trembling?!"
"Everything's fine General Obvious! Now keep moving we gotta get to the sitting room again."
He really did feel fine. A big enough meal would make anyone tremble from overeating right? So it's normal. Sure some people tended to trip over themselves, but so long as no one burned, this was a tolerable alternative when heated destruction just wasn't an option. It was looking more attractive though as Naruto stumbled and bounced and bumped into him a couple of times. And true to his word, Kyuubi went with wearing a vest today and if he did happen to run into his father, he would cite 'reasons of comfort' for his lack of formality. But having sweet-smelling skin bump into his back, a soft cheek smush against his bicep, fluffy hair tickle the back of his neck…it was only a matter of time before they reach the set of stairs near Naruto's room and get up to the 7th floor sitting room where they can stop this nonsense.
But then, Naruto tears his hand away first.
Kyuubi looks behind at Naruto with a pinched expression. If Naruto's goal was to stop the Kyuubi earthquake, he did not succeed as Kyuubi's twitching only sped up as Naruto traversed nearly the entire hallway in two leaps.
"What the hell are you doing? Get back here we're not done!" Kyuubi asked as he stomped down Naruto's path. His guest looked a tad upset at first, but then like an ignited spark his expression changed to one of excitement.
"Y'know I said 'almost' for a reason! Being paraded around your family like a trophy—again—is kinda boring. If we're not going to do 'something' today, then let's go do something!"
Kyuubi realized that playful spirit was coming up again. For every 5 steps he took, Naruto hopped further out of reach, using the peaks of the rumbles Kyuubi caused as a way of increasing his jump distance. That for sure got Kyuubi to realize he needed to dial it back pronto, but Naruto was still annoyingly fixated on toying with him. He would crouch low and his tail wagged in tandem with his butt. He wanted Kyuubi to try and catch him. Glutton for punishment isn't he? It's like all that complaining about being dragged around was for show!
This was not the time for games! Or it didn't feel like it as Kyuubi gritted his teeth and crouched in preparation to retaliate.
"I just wanna do something physical and active, that'll really make me sweat!"
But. At the tiniest, littlest, leastest point, chasing Naruto gave him an outlet. He didn't feel he needed to eat himself, if he could 'eat' Naruto instead.
So he grinned viciously, and went straight for the gut.
"Critical thinking?"
Naruto did that adora—that puffy cheek pout as he scooted back. But it may have been a ploy. For in the span of another sparked flame, Naruto's pout turned into a predatory grin and he leapt towards Kyuubi, arms forwards, palms up, and fingers stretched. Kyuubi felt a breeze well before Naruto reached him, and so noted that Naruto was definitely enhancing his speed to something almost respectable with a sort of wind.
He almost stayed in his spot, just curious of what Naruto would do when he reached him. But he had more self-control than that and it wouldn't feel right if he could see Naruto coming in a relatively slow manner and did nothing about it. So he leapt to the side, just a brush of Naruto's scent passing by.
Naruto wasn't bothered at all by the miss as he fluidly dropped his hands to the floor and pushed into a series of back flips that ended with a solid landing. He smiled cheekily back at Kyuubi, wagging his tail all the more.
"If I catch you," he started to say as he turned and crouched low again, "I'm dragging you where I want to go."
"Hmph!" All the pissed emotions running rampant in the space of Kyuubi's head were channeled into sheer need to get this over with, and the decision that he was going to win as this challenge reached his ears.
Naruto's eyes never left Kyuubi for all the good that would do him. Kyuubi also kept his stare trained on Naruto. Avoiding his eyes, he watched the way his guest moved. The way his tan, clawed toes curled a little before he took a step. The sure movement of limbs as he crawled an unpredictable pattern, but still at a striking distance. The tensing of his abs which of course were exposed again today under an open black jacket with orange lining.
But Kyuubi's stare didn't linger on the dips and curves of this clearly fit kitsune's body, for he was very much watching his guest's background. Kyuubi took slow and steady steps forward in sync with Naruto's to get the Namikaze to keep moving, keep moving, keep on moving.
Naruto wasn't trying to back up against any walls, but Kyuubi didn't need him to. The intersection they were going to reach would work perfectly.
One, two, three, four, five more steps. And Kyuubi pounced.
All that careful movement and Naruto still looked beautifully stunned when Kyuubi shot towards the ceiling into a graceful arc that ended with him landing right in front of vivid blue eyes. His guest didn't even react when Kyuubi grabbed his tense biceps. They were suspended in the air for merely a second.
With firm, but not painful, pressure, he had Naruto's back against the wall. His hands moved from Naruto's arms to the spaces on the wall on each side of him and he looked down at the heart-shaped face of his intended.
Kyuubi exerted no heavy effort in this stunt. His breathing was regular and slow, but with each rise and fall he felt the quickened pace of Naruto's chest movements. He heard the rapidly beating heart in the smaller kitsune. He could see the rush of blood rise up to his cheeks. Thin, black whisker-marks standing out strikingly against the red and beside a slightly parted mouth with lips looking more pouty than they had any…right…to be…
Kyuubi's stare rushed right up to Naruto's eyes which were looking less frosty, the way they darted across Kyuubi's face before they met his gaze and stopped. Their noses were millimeters apart, and the scent of natural mint and distant leaves overpowered any other that he was breathing in.
Naruto wasn't moving. Kyuubi guesses he 'captured' him.
"Now. Cooperate with me. Or you're not going anywhere."
He intoned. The way his voice deepened was unintentional almost innate. He wasn't mad at it. He just noticed it. Just like he noticed Naruto's tongue dart out for just a second to run over his lips-
"Oh! Kyuubi-sama and guest! There you are!"
TO BE ABSOLUTELY FAIR TO HIMSELF, when he jumped back like he was on a slingshot that just let go, Kyuubi still had some pent-up-fire-eating-fire energy within and so crashing into the wall behind him and leaving some kind of damage was really, well, and truly: an accident.
Naruto slumped a little from where he was leaning on the wall, but looked just as haunted by the interruption.
Another family member. He wished for this, Kyuubi reminded himself. He wished to be seen in purposeful, compromising positions so while he's brushing the splinters and wood chips out of his back, he should be ecstatic that this plan is working to a T. He IS happy.
His cousin at least had the decency to look sheepish, folding her ears back after bowing twice in his direction and once in Naruto's.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but Kyuubi-sama if you recall, I talked to you about the little ones putting on a nice play to celebrate this occasion. It wasn't ready in time for the big family dinner, but now it is! I am asking if you would please come and enjoy a viewing? They have worked hard to put on a marvelous play."
One of Kyuubi's favorite hobbies is categorizing the use of his time; usually in a priority sort of order, followed by entertainment order.
The priority is still making a plan. But standing several feet away from Naruto, Kyuubi can feel his insides shaking and the fact that Naruto has kept his mouth shut thus far is worrisome. Blue eyes won't even glance in his direction and Kyuubi's insides are freaking rattling. This will not do in terms of cooperative, cohesive planning.
A play would probably rid any awkwardness that Naruto is probably feeling, but he himself doesn't need it. He liked his little brat cousins when there was training to be done or mischief to be pulled. Story-tellers however, they are decidedly not.
And cousin Nimee over here wouldn't upset them by telling the truth so ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh this sounds too much like a waste of time for him. He would rather go to the training grounds for some solo brainstorming. But Naruto is still looking like he needs the space, the time, the distraction to reset after such a purposeful and meaningfully caught interaction. So, what the hey, Kyuubi will throw him a deliciously meaty bone.
"Hmmmm I can't. But actually, my guest here was just saying he wanted something to do. I'm sure he'd be glad to go watch."
Naruto perked up immediately and apparently wasn't just gazing at nothing. "W-Wait what about you? Why aren't you saying 'we'? Don't leave me Ak-!" He stopped himself from finishing that sentence, likely because someone else was here to hear it.
"Sorry. Duty calls. I must apologize but I didn't really have the day planned out. How fortunate Nimee is here to make up for my blunder."
"Oh…but are you sure you can't join us? Are you sure you should leave your…" She glances at Naruto.
"YEAH THEY'RE YOUR FAMILY Y'KNOW!" Naruto shouted, looking almost desperate as he brought his clenched fists up. Kyuubi almost felt pity for him. Almost. But didn't.
"Can't. Bye!"
Finally. Off to the training grounds for a little brainstorming on how to get Naruto get kicked out. And of course to unleash his remaining pent up frustration.
"How was your afternoon."
Naruto's smirk said 'fine'. But his eyes said 'I will murder you'.
"Great. I love kids."
"I'm sure they love you too." There weren't as many immature youkai in the Kitsune Clan as mature, but Kyuubi was sure they still covered the entire spectrum of sullen, moody, and temper-tantrum personality types. Kyuubi noticed the subtle tightening of Naruto's grip on his spoon and nearly chuckled out loud.
"They let me have an improvised role in their play. I could really feel a sense of togetherness and partnership."
"…Do you have something to say?"
"Settle down, I have a fucking speech. What the fuck does 'partners' even mean to you?! So far you've passed out, went through with a shitty plan I had no intention of doing, and then ditched me AGAIN while we were making up for your mistake! So don't be mad if my faith in you is a little shaken right now!"
If this babysitter was trying to hurt his feelings then he could receive a solid pass for effort. Throwing out the 3rd day was a really nice touch. Honestly if his guest showed his spicy tongue in any other situation, Kyuubi would find himself amused by this boy. But what's really great is Kyuubi does not and cannot care if Naruto approves of him. Because at least he's been trying. He has no respect for the opinion of someone who can't even do that much.
So he casually leaned back, hands behind his head and expression smug. He had the time to fan the flames of this lil four-tails' anger.
"Well from the beginning you've been as unhelpful as possible. You said you wanted out and I'm trying to make that happen, and you've done nothing but give me shit for it. So yes I'm ditching you, I don't want to spend time with you."
Naruto's jaw dropped. And he was quiet for a few seconds, which is what Kyuubi wanted. And then he looked off to the side and bit his lip like he was thinking, which is what Kyuubi wanted even more.
"I'm…not trying to be annoying or difficult or anything y'know. This is hard for me and I guess teasing you makes it easier to deal with. I don't need you to be my friend, but I can't stand not being heard? Y'know it kinda fogs me up when I feel like I'm being ignored or walked over."
Kyuubi didn't ask for this insight into the way Naruto thinks. He was not going to give out an apology, the disturbing familiarity of the sentiment be damned. He couldn't stand being ignored either, but he tried not to reflect on his behavior when it did happen. He wanted Naruto to apologize and say he'll do what he's told from now on; not…this.
"So I'm not doing anything you tell me to unless we both sat down and decided on it together! I won't be left out of handling my fate too!"
Great. Now Naruto was getting uncomfortably close to being relatable. Kyuubi didn't like the physical pinch in his heart. The crawling thought in the back of his mind that said 'he could be sitting there, saying the same damn thing'. Because so what if he could?! This doesn't change the fact that he needs to get this done ASAP and Naruto crying about everything wasn't contributing anything useful!
"We wouldn't be sitting here if you didn't decide to go soft on my father." It was harder than necessary forming that sentence even though it was technically, looking at the finer details, a true statement.
"I don't want to go soft on him! I just also don't want to ruin a good thing. I'm always open to causing trouble, especially against people who piss me off! I can break a couple of his things too y'know."
Kyuubi almost didn't catch the 'people who piss me off' bit, so distracted by that fangy grin that appeared easygoing but had a hint of threatening intent. It was a weird time to remember Naruto's first meeting with Daitaru, where he pulled off a similar if slightly more dangerous look.
Naruto's weird grudge against his father was beginning to feel like it was icy hot too. Or maybe he just needs to pay a little bit more attention. He doesn't care for the reason behind the grudge so much as the fact that it hasn't been used to their advantage…yet. Either way, he's done with Naruto's emotional exposure and hopefully Naruto is too. Kyuubi hopped on the practicality of his statement.
"So you're saying I misjudged you as being not-serious about this. Fine then. Right here and now, let's come up with something you can destroy that will destroy this courtship." The number of fully-formulated ideas steaming in his mind from his impromptu training session and follow-up nap in his room was nil, and he wasn't going to focus on his lack of excuse for not thinking of anything. Because Naruto is not a distraction, he's—or was—a hindrance.
"Ahhhhh I'm too tired."
"Are you kidding me?! All that talk and you want to go to bed now?!"
Naruto growled lightly at him. "I go to bed on time!"
"More like you go to bed early and waste time! We have a whole night!"
"Ahhh I'm sorry you can't hold my attention for that long. Or can you?"
No energy for that but energy for this. Maybe he should get Naruto to promise him to work harder. On the bright side, Kyuubi was less bothered by the implication that Naruto was trying to make. To the point that he could boredly put his elbow on the table and lean into his palm with a yawn of his own.
"Try harder."
"Whaaaaaat? I mean my bed is obviously for sleeping, but I think yours looks big enough to do other things on."
The fuck.
"?" Kyuubi meant to express some sort of question or skepticism that Naruto was even mentioning something he hadn't seen and didn't even know the location of, but didn't really know how to ask the pressing question and insult on his mind.
"Yea, I'd feel really important on top of gold sheets. Especially if you held me the way you hold your pillow."
The fuck.
"Your scent wasn't in my room."
"I know I know haha! Don't worry it's just the kiddies had a lot to share with your arranged mate," Naruto said with a deceptively simple smile.
Annnnnnnnd that does it. Dinner's over he is out. Kyuubi had 0 seconds for a mate who smiled secrets he did not want to find out about! And it takes something really special to make a kitsune not-curious!
"Go to bed. Tomorrow morning, bright and early we are going to come up with something that will get you kicked out of here for good. If you don't contribute, you will shut up and let me handle it."
"Bright and early?"
Kyuubi would bet his own ass bright and early. Excuse him. Nothing has changed he just needs to get his guest out. Immediately.
"You won't be disappointed with my performance then Akagitsune! I can promise you that!"
"Have you learned nothing about giving out casual promises?!" Kyuubi questioned. Though billowing warmth at the sound of receiving a promise almost made him bite his tongue. This lil son of the dirtiest fox.
Naruto winked. "I have a good feeling about this and I trust my gut at least. Tomorrow, you'll see why you should trust me too okay? Good night!"
Naruto sauntered out of the dining room, the air of 'I know something' practically visible in the casual way he moved.
And Kyuubi could not care about how Naruto moved and what he knew. Because Naruto is attractive and those thoughts are being kept to the absolute. Bare. Minimum.
Kitsune "Spoiled Trash" Kurama is really something alright!
But y'know, I'm glad that it's five days later and he's still going hard. Gotta say I'm impressed with how he bounces back after his failure. At the end of each day, it's never an option that we give up. Heh! Hate to see how he'd react if I brought that up haha! I'd almost like him, sourpuss attitude and all except I don't like him with the sourpuss attitude and all. Why's he gotta be nice only when I'm nice to him? What does it take for him to be nice first? I want to see that more.
Though maybe he had a point during dinner... I could spend less time fighting his ideas and pitch my own more. It's in my own best interests too that we break up, and I dunno if he gets that. Even if I get him to listen to me, I gotta have an idea that'll work and still get Daitaru to entrust mom's search to me too…
And may-b-e get my cojones out messing with the guy. It's not revenge, that's not what I was raised to believe in. My experiences and Sasuke's experiences have taught me that it doesn't make a youkai very strong. Besides he's a fox, and most foxes are super sensitive like Kurama, so if I were doing this to intentionally piss him off for ignoring me and hidin things then I might go too far!
It's just havin a lil fun ruining this thing. And Kurama does need help. Everyone I run into, even the kiddies, are sayin he needs a soulmate. Yet he's so…what's the word I'm looking for? What's the word for REALLY doesn't care? Or no maybe beyond that. Like…hates…
Y'know I don't take courtships as seriously as some people do, but he takes it serious in the opposite direct—DAMN I JUST REMEMBERED! Even my dumbass knows courtships aren't an out for anything! I KNOW just gettin with someone else will do the trick, but there's only one other person I want to be with! Y'think I wanna explain to her why I'm cozying up to someone else?! I didn't even want to explain to nobody that I'm in THIS stupid shit!
GAH! Just the thought of being that shallow! We're not just in some normal courtship anyway! We HAVE to mate at the end of this. They don't want us to just feel each other out and decide to move on to the next level! This IS the next level, the final level! I dunno why they don't have a separate NAME for this level!
Tomorrow I'm going to have the BEST idea ever, he'll see! No more playing around!
Oh I can still tease him though. Ohhhhhho I had no idea how much fun that would be. Best part is, I don't even have to make it weird. I don't have to take it too far and then let him know it's NOT happening. He is cockblocking me so this is great! Even when he gEts In mY faCe, my self-control is always below his self-control!
That's how it should be…
(a series of images, memories pop in Naruto's head. He's not one to get down about the past. It happened; it's been dealt with. All he can do is move on the best he can, no matter how recent the memories are. But he has humanity. And with humanity comes human nature. And with human nature comes understandable discomfort, an emotional spike, and physical cringing as phantom pain from a scar began to burn. Naruto, quickly, got sick of it.)
I'm going to sleep this is so stupid.
Lawl I'd like to introduce (or reintroduce) everyone to Kyuubi, who is in denial! And Naruto, who deals with it.
Story Fun Fact Corner
1. So I put a lot more thought into Daitaru's background and what made him the stubborn grump he is today. Some of it'll be addressed, a lot won't. So here's a fun fact that won't. Daitaru Jr. and Daitaru Sr., in a shocking case of history repeating itself but being a whole hell of a lot worse in the past, did not get along at all. Daitaru Sr. was a very strict disciplinarian and authoritarian who had almost pathological paranoia and believed there was conflict in EVERYTHING. Which means if Daitaru disagreed with him on something (and they disagreed on everything) bad things tended to happen. Daitaru Sr. died waaaay before Kurama was born so they never met, but Kurama did note that Daitaru got grumpier whenever he had to teach about his father's era and he never had to recite that one as much as the others.
2. Kurama's family shows up more too! In version 1, I had in mind that they would be like the 'simple townsfolk'. While they had a bigger role near the end of the original story, their main purpose was to be slapstick humor and a few smart ones could be pulled for necessary roles (like doctor!). Here, I decided to expand them to be 'silly, but lethal'. They're kitsune! But they're pretty damn good at listening to Daitaru. Obviously some have more personality to share than others.
3. Kurama doesn't know that rocks can withstand waterfalls ;).
Author Fun Fact Corner
1. Hopefully this explains the delay. So while I'm writing this story, I usually have the old version up too and I'm reading it. When I read the line 'for the past few days they've done nothing but talk about the plan' I thought, 'well what the heck did they talk about?' and so here it is: what they talked about. Naruto and Kurama both are supposed to be smart so I wanted to show that. i wasn't smart enough back then, but I hope I am now lol. Also I'm glad to introduce some mainstays on their relationship. And here is also the starting point. We will see some juicy development. Lastly this was supposed to be the start of the original chapter 6, but at 10000+ words it was FAR too long lol.
2. Hardest part by FAR is writing Naruto's POV. It makes me want to rip my hair out but I welcome the challenge at the same time. My goal is to write his thoughts like they are freely flowing in his conscious. He's not supposed to be narrating his life, just share his thoughts. It's hard to make it sound authentic. Having that lil blip of 3rd person in the paranthesis saved me so much time I'm telling you. And I wanted to write an accent (tried) but I'm still practicing how to. Feedback always welcome!
3. The prank mythology will have to be talked about in the next chapter! Sorry about that!
Okay that is all! I still aim to get these things out once a month, that hasn't changed. But I can't make promises :(! Instead I'll keep my profile updated. I'll to update in the beginning, middle, and end.
Note: I hope everyone is doing okay and their loved ones are alright during this COVID 19 pandemic! I live in the US and am keeping up with the news. It is absolute chaos and should be taken seriously, but there is hope! Please take care of yourselves physically AND mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. There's no telling how long this will last but we gotta keep the hope alive that we'll make it through (because we WILL make it through). The biggest hope I have is once this is all over with, people (some talking heads and bigwigs especially) will realize people matter more than profit, and some good change will happen. Stay in connected! Thank God we have videochats and phones. US ppl remember to check the CDC site for all updates and recommendations. Like PLEASE do not listen to Trump. Please. This will not be over by Easter for the sake of the fucking economy. Be well and let's all take care of each other!
Second note: MASSIVE THANK YOU to EVERYONE who has read, reviewed, subscribed, and favorited this story. Thank you for your interest! Thank you more for your patience! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter!
See ya!