Hi everyone :D!
This chapter was a BLAST to write and edit so I'm happy I got it up in a timely manner ~~. That said I have some housekeeping to do up here.
1) I fully support Black Lives Matter. And I'm saying that here because, I personally don't feel anyone is obligated to say it on their online platforms, but when I do see someone say it, I feel comforted and safe. So I'm saying it here too in case any of my readers need that same feeling. I very, very VERY much love and appreciate the LOVE and support from so many people who don't even identify as black. Makes me feel like love truly will win! On that note, if anyone is in need of any resources, not just for supporting BLM (including LBGTQ and other vulnerable races in the US), but for mental health wellness as the US goes through this movement, I will be happy to share via PM.
2) So way way back in chapter 2, I said that I'm going to upload this here and at ao3 because of the rating difference. Fanficnet only accepts up to 'M' which means adult stuff can only be implied. Not to mention I can imagine some readers only want implied stuff, so this is the first chapter where the ao3 will have tha explicit bit and the implied stuff whereas here I only have implied stuff. I will reiterate that there will NO OTHER DIFFERENCES other than that. You could read both chapters and not miss anything plot or character-wise (except maybe just how kinky they really are lmao). If you want to go onto ao3 (aka archive of our own), my story has the same title and summary and my penname is BlackBeee!
Okay that's it :)! This is 12000+ words so you're in for a doozy (lol I remember being so proud of reaching this word count in version 1).
Enjoy!
Kyuubi could skip. Not really, but damn he sure felt like it. He could take a celebratory drink though. That sure sounded more like him.
The sun was high up in the air, beautifully bright and Naruto followed his command to the letter. His guest raised no fuss at all during breakfast when Kyuubi explained that they were going to take a scenic walk through the backyard today with his father where they would uncomfortably pick at each other and fight until Daitaru lost it.
And the only question he asked, was 'there's a scenic route in the desert?'
And now he was at the back gate with someone else explaining the beauty of the desert while he went to go fetch his father.
It was like, this was such a great start! This plot looks to be working, he's getting ideas, and Naruto's on board with it! What could've been a drawn-out battle of stubbornness will now be a quick do-in, done in one month thanks to Naruto. So when they finish today's purposefully uncomfortable outing with his father, he was actually going to do something nice for his guest. What that nice thing was remained to be discovered but he's sure he'll think of something later on when it mattered. And one day, he'll be nice to him as his ex-fiancé.
One, two, three more steps. Turn the corner to the hallway and whyyyyyy the hell was that unmistakable scent back in his house and coming out of his father's room again?
She stepped out in her unmistakable white cooling robes with the unmistakable red stripe and her sandy-blonde tail with a white underside curled at her backside. Long sandy blonde hair pulled up into an immaculate bun and hey—someone must've forgotten their stupid hat today!
The doctor's back in the house. He didn't like the doctor. This one here, whose name he will never use if he can avoid it, was always brought on to take care of Daitaru—and only Daitaru—because she was supposedly the best in the local area. Kyuubi implored Daitaru several times to just use herbs and shit or even search elsewhere but nope. There was something only she could do. Maybe she's just good at boring conversation. Because if she was here, again, for the same reason as before, and before that, and before that, and before even that, then it will be clear to Kyuubi that her methods ain't shit, her medicine ain't shit, her advice ain't shit, and she definitely as a whole ain't shit.
"Hey you!" Kyuubi shouted, walking up to the inugami. Her ears stood erect on her head at the sight of him.
"Must you always stomp around here!?" She shouted, before remembering who the hell she was talking to and quickly bent in a respectful stance. "I mean, what is it that you want honorable young son Kyuubi-sama?"
Kyuubi scrunched his nose in obvious distaste. "Ugh, it smells like a drug dispensary here. Don't suppose you could've washed thoroughly before showing up?"
The smile on the inugami's face was tight as she clasped her hands in front of her. "I have a job to do first. And I would suppose that your father would ask you to be respectful of that."
Kyuubi relaxed his expression because she tried it. She really did try him. So he said, tone utterly caustic, "you're not him so don't pretend you can speak for him."
The inugami nodded her head but her fingers twitched as her hands clenched and unclenched. Kyuubi couldn't care less if she was cursing him to the depths of hell in her mind. He lived here and she's nothing but a stranger who better consider herself so fucking lucky he doesn't have the power to officially banish her. She sows incompetence, so she'll reap his disrespect ten times over. Admittedly, it was partially in hopes that she would get tired of it and never come back, but also because it tends to end interactions between them as quickly as possible. Also he hates her.
"I need my father to accompany my intended and I on a walk. How soon will he be up?"
"My apologies." She bowed. "But my lord Daitaru-sama isn't even here."
"What."
"Yes. Poor thing—uh I mean my lord has been so, uh, stressed out lately ahem. W-With yanno…head of clan things and making sure everything is in it's exact proper place. That's pretty tiring ahem and you know stressing—stressful out…him. Ahem, I think he's on the verge of a relapse potentially worse than what he's been through before. Which yanno are so very, very horrible on him. So I recommended him to take a week away to relax. It's the best kind of medicine I always say! He left not too long ago and I was just in there, um, putting fresh sheets on his bed for when he returns!" She explained, kicking the newly repaired door closed.
Relapse. One of the most sickening words in the language.
His father said, that the inugami diagnosed it as grief. Characterized by tremors, bodyaches and, in the worst moments, excessive vomiting. His father could hardly stand up much less stand still and so when he experienced grief, he stayed in bed, all day, drinking water, not even talking, until it ended.
What could his father be so grieved about that it caused him to be sick again and again? His mother? This whole thing started after their very last argument. But wasn't she the very one he claimed he didn't love anymore and would never love again? Just two weeks ago Daitaru rode his ass to go talk to her about duties of the clan and what not and now look at him! After witnessing one stupid familiar argument?! More than getting rid of the doctor Kyuubi just wished that his Stubborn. Old. Fool of a father would just…stop hurting over the decision they both made!…But what could he do to make his father do that? Daitaru's personal feelings were not his business.
"He's going to be okay, okay?" The inugami said, in a voice as warm and caring as a dead fish on ice.
"Why did you tell him to go away for a week?! It must've not occurred to you that there are things going on here that he's needed for!"
"My lord Daitaru-sama can make his own decisions. I gave him the recommendation is all. Since he's leaving—uh left, then I can assure you that he is sure, that everything will be fine here."
"I told you, you don't speak for him! If he's alright then he can be here and I'll be the one to tell him that—"
"AHEM! I'm sure you weren't raised to act so impatient honorable son Kyuubi-sama. Seven days will fly by even, if you use your time wisely. You mentioned an intended so why don't you spend time getting to know that person."
He didn't have time for this. Eight tails fanned behind him. His breathing got heavier and that wasn't a conscious choice.
"Where. Is. He?"
Now she glared. "I don't know! And fine I won't 'speak for him', but I ask that you take into consideration the potential consequences to his health if you don't allow him to get it back in order. When I said, he's going to be okay, I meant after a week of rest he will be okay. "
"Tch!" Kyuubi turned away, because his vision turned red and he recognized it as a precursor to going unsealed. If telling Daitaru to come back would be detrimental to his health, then having him come back and see the destruction that caused would be…well it definitely wouldn't be worth it. So he'll calm. Down.
"Very good. Now get rid of the attitude and be sure to treat Naruto-kun with respect! !…Those were his parting words to me to tell you! A-hah…"
That curled tail of hers straightened and wagged, now a deep red-orange color. He hated her so much. Telling him what to do. Telling his father what to do. Delaying everything and always wasting time…
He would bet, that she doesn't help his father cure his grief on purpose.
Kyuubi let out an actual roar of anger. Hearing the inugami shriek as her feet left the floor and she flew down the hallway to land in who knows what manner didn't even satisfy him in the slightest. There was only one thing at this point that could and he needed it. Badly. So he turned around and stomped away. Away from the disgusting hallway, with the disgusting scent of synthetic medicine and cleaning agents.
Where's Naruto?
…
Oh dammit.
The great upset not too long ago, and the time it took to walk to the backyard, 'breathe some fresh air' and then rush to his present point, meant that coming across Naruto trying to pick the lock to his bedroom door, succeeding, and then about to open it was much, much, much milder in comparison.
"Yanno, I don't know what's more impressive," he said, leaning against the wall.
Naruto jumped but he didn't remove his hand from the door handle. He just slowly turned his head to face Kyuubi and smiled. A guilty smile.
"…Your guts or my self-control."
It was after that sentence that Naruto stepped away from the bedroom door and faced him. Kyuubi noted that Naruto was settled in a guarded pose, but it was funny because attacking him wasn't on the agenda today despite where they were going. His guest is annoying, but he is also a four-tails.
"Ahehehe, they were done talking and I didn't know where you went so I just, y'know, came here just in case."
"Ah," Kyuubi clicked his tongue. "But if you're lost and can't find me, then your first and only stop should be your room. We've discussed this."
Naruto let out a 'hmm' noise and shrugged his shoulders. His guard was still up.
"So I think that was you I heard shouting earlier. Your old man ain't coming with us?"
That's when Kyuubi stopped leaning on the wall. It wasn't even a reminder and yet his spine turned rigid at the thought of…well everything about this morning. He stood up straight, ears erect and a snarl left his mouth.
"No," he spat and started pacing. Because dammit, dammit, dammit! 6 motherfucking sunrises and 7 motherfucking sunsets to go. Relapse. Please. This is actually the definition of 'not fair'.
"…Look I wasn't really gonna sneak into your room alright?! You're gonna regret it if you try me!" Naruto threatened off to the side. When Kyuubi looked at him, Naruto, for some unfathomable reason, was crouched, ears back and looking up at him through his bangs like a fox ready to pounce or something and where the hell did he get the idea that Kyuubi was mad at him?
"I'm not mad at you! Forget my stupid room! The plan seems to working so far. We scared him off for an entire week at the behest of some stupid quack..." Daitaru healed up just fine in the compound before. Going on a vacation was a little too damn convenient to be anything other than an escape. This was success, but not the success he was thinking of.
"SERIOUSLY?!" Ouch, Kyuubi's ears twitched but he kept right on pacing. He thought he saw a flash of red in Naruto's eyes, but it disappeared too quick. Good Naruto should be as mad as he is about the whole thing.
"The freakin sonuva—he's gone?! When did he leave?!"
"I don't know exactly! Sometime this morning I'm guessing because I was asleep." Which meant Daitaru was able to make a clean getaway. Kyuubi was guaranteed to be fast asleep under the covers and had he been awake he would've put up a fight. But no one in this realm could wake Kyuubi up before he wanted to except Daitaru.
"…Really? I mean I was up pretty early myself and I didn't hear or see anything…"
"He snuck out. Usually he lets me know at least a day in advance when he's going to leave."
"…So that's what you mean by the plan's working…Huh y'know, I actually am sorry we have to use you to make your dad so upset. I know I wouldn't be able to handle making my dad so upset that he needs to leave. Poor guy must not be used to having to eat what his jaws catch."
"Don't feel sorry for him! He's playing dirty!"
"All kitsune play dirty. So without him here, looks like we'll have to take a vacation from playing pretend."
He was a little distracted, a little questioning, but Naruto's second statement tore through his thoughts and that comment was so completely stupid he actually stopped his pacing.
"This is not a vacation! We still have an entire house to convince that something's wrong and we only have 7 days before my father returns! No slacking on my watch!"
Naruto sighed one of those whole-body sighs, slipping his hands into his pockets. His entire stance had relaxed which was funny because Kyuubi was actually mad at him now.
"It's always the cute ones that miss the ball. I think you're underestimating your sway here," Naruto said, distracting Kyuubi yet again. How in the world did he convince Naruto to believe that blatantly false statement.
"You have this entire compound wrapped around your finger. Two maybe even three days tops of not pretending to be at each other's throats won't harm anything, especially if your dad comes back here and he's still upset with us. My dad always says, 'be patient and take a break sometimes Naruto for the sake of others sometimes getting a break too.'"
"Absolutely not!"
"Don't you ever relax?!"
"We're on a time crunch!"
"Patience is a virtue!"
"I'm plenty patient! Do you have any idea how patient I am!? Why is this damn excitable goose telling me to relax!?" Kyuubi pointed out, as if they were talking about personality traits and not how his general behavior has been since day 1.
"Oh yeah I know I'm excitable," Naruto admitted, which by itself was nothing noteworthy. It was when he began to walk, trailing his fingers along the wall, that Kyuubi suspected foul-play. Naruto stopped right before him and looked up at him with a challenging expression.
"Do you know? Or rather, do you still want to know?"
Kyuubi's cheeks decided to just go red at the words even though they were stupid. If Naruto was going to go that route, then there was nothing left here in this hallway for him. Time to go to the one place that truly matters today. But due to his promise, he couldn't leave Naruto behind. But due to his hardheadedness, he had an easy plan for that anyways.
"Quit your honking and let's go!" He growled out, already starting to walk. He heard Naruto's footsteps behind him until they were next to him.
"Go where?"
"We need to let everyone know that I need a break from you, but it's gotta look natural. So we're going to the training grounds. When we get there, we'll have a loud disagreement about which training ground to train on or something…we'll figure it out on the way, and then separate. You can do your thing, and I can do mine."
"Sweet. My favorite idea so far."
"OH HO HO HOYEAH! NOW THIS IS WHERE THE FUN STARTS!" Naruto laughed, looking around at the expanse of land of that stretched to the horizon in 3 directions.
That's right Loudmouth. Shout your joy so it sounds like to all ears that we're happy. It'll make the ensuing argument that much better, Kyuubi thought with a grin. Another plus is in the wide, open outside, the sound didn't carry too hard into his ears. Or maybe he was just getting used to the decibel level.
"We're standing in 1 of 99."
"Whooooaa! How big is the whole thing?"
"My answer is going to be different from everyone else's." As far as Kyuubi was concerned, the training grounds stopped at the borders. Sometimes, not even the flimsy little entrance sign had meaning. Naruto nodded as if he understood.
"So everywhere the light touches, got it."
Kyuubi snorted out a laugh. "Yeah, perfect definition. So it's a desert, you're mostly going to see sand and rocks, cliffs and canyons. If you see anything else, it's probably someone just practicing with elements and it won't last." About the only thing that separated the training grounds numerically is the position of said rocks, cliffs, and canyons and how much sand there was. But in their simplicity, that's what made these areas so much fun.
"If you need some items, there are sheds in training grounds one through ten that have targets, dolls, boxes, whatever."
"So cool!" Naruto shouted, before taking on a thoughtful stance. "Hmmm, what should I do? Do I need more practice with this?"
Naruto pulled his dagger out from his sleeve. "I've used this thing so much it's like eating noodles…"
His guest sounded contemplative. And maybe to prove his words he started tossing the blade in the air, eyes looking toward the sky as he caught the handle perfectly each time. Kyuubi eyed the weapon. It was the same one Naruto pulled out on him more than a week ago. It didn't look much different. Still a black handle with a red spiral printed on it, but the blade looked sharper.
"But working on chakra control on my own is…"
And Kyuubi better skedaddle before Naruto requests that they train together. No way was he going to slow down, or be at all careful, just so that Naruto doesn't get hurt.
"Alright well, have fun figuring that out. I've got to do my own training. So let's argue."
"Where're gonna go if I need you?" Naruto asked, instead. Kyuubi automatically wanted to answer 'don't worry about it', because Kyuubi didn't like interruptions when he was training. At all. And if Kyuubi needed Naruto, he can find him faster anyway. But then.
"Sometimes I get bored if I go too long without seeing my fiancé."
Damn. Kyuubi's got to get the jump on him at some point.
"Training grounds 40 through 50 is on my agenda today. Just follow the signs, they have maps on them."
Naruto smiled. "Okay good to know! Now back up, because you really pissed me off now and I'm feeling a bit shouty."
Kyuubi's fangs poked out in a grin as he prepared himself to get very 'shouty' back.
"Don't get mad at me!" Naruto insisted, hair looking a little staticky as he held a picnic basket in his hand.
Kyuubi wasn't mad at him. His glare stayed squarely on the older family member tip-toeing off the training ground after bringing Naruto to him, a picnic basket in his guest's hands, and insisting the couple should enjoy each other's company.
"It's barely been 30 minutes!"
"I'm upset about it too y'know! I was getting into my rhythm when I got carried over here!"
Shion is sneaky. They were a mysterious but benign desert fox whose ranking was unquestioned, even compared to him and he's the heir. Shion is the only other 7-tailed kitsune on the plot. They grew up alongside his father AND introduced Hakucho Auntie to Kira. Having both of their complete trust, meant even Kyuubi had to keep his head low with the desert fox when he was younger. Today, though that wasn't a requirement, it was certainly still a 'habit'. Kyuubi was very on the fence about it, especially now that he overpowered Shion. Unlike his father and Kira, Shion rarely provoked his temper, but they were also quieter than Nagato so when Kyuubi did get mad, yelling at them didn't bring up the same feelings of satisfaction. He didn't like getting mad at quiet people.
But Shion interrupted his training. And was playing matchmaker. And was now peaking at them from behind a rock.
"YOU AIN'T SLICK!" He shouted. They shrugged, long silver hair spilling over brown shoulders and expression sympathetic, but they didn't move. And Naruto still believed he had all the power here.
"Can't even conspire to have a pretend argument with them leering at us like that," he bit out in a whisper to Naruto, but knew he was heard. Having desert fox ears himself, he knew Shion flopping their ears down was just for show. "Fuck! Open the damn basket already! Let's get this over with. Interruptions out here wasting my damn time…"
"You could be nicer about it…" Naruto frowned at him. And once again Kyuubi was offended as to why Naruto was upset about anything other than being here in the first place. Nicer?! What did he say that mean towards him?! Can he say anything?! Why is Naruto so. Damn. Sensitive?!
"For the love of…When I'm angry Loudmouth, I act so! Unless I specifically mention your name, you need to stop taking it so damn personally!"
"I take it so damn personally," Naruto glared back, gripping the basket tightly, "because it's not fair that I have to freakin be nice to you to get you to be nice back to me! That's just how you wise, wise kitsune work with each other isn't it?!"
…Seriously? What is he talking about he's been PLENTY nice to Naruto! Yeah the first day they met he was rude and maybe on the tour he bit at him too much, but after that he's been nothing but nice and patient.
"And y'know eventually," Oh wait the whole dragging him around as an offering thing. "the ONLY time we'll talk," But Naruto's not always nice to him either! "is when we're fighting. Is that fine with you?"
…Geez. Kyuubi liked Naruto's zest, but it wouldn't be as fun if it was more malicious. They already barely know one another and it is a loss on his part to be seen as combative—when he's not—because Naruto can't tell yet the difference between his temper, and when Kyuubi is actually mad at him. He'll show him whose patient.
"I'll try to remember we're on the same side. Hand me a roll."
"Flip flop, tip top," Naruto muttered for no apparent reason. Instead of handing him a roll, Naruto set the basket on the ground and sat down as well. He set up the picnic pretty nicely, and on Kyuubi's plate he put several rolls.
"…Thank you."
Naruto shrugged and Kyuubi instantly realized it was because once again, Naruto was 'nice first'. This is not what he expecting to pick up when they decided to work together. It's been 100 years since he last really met someone who wasn't his family:… Tobi. And it was funny thinking back on their friendship because he thought that guy was just a kiss-ass for quite a few years before he learned that no, Tobi really is that supportive and…nice… But with most people he didn't get to know, their behavior was almost always the same. He was the heir to the powerful Kitsune Clan, and then he became an 8-tails. From birth he could step on them and there wasn't a damn thing they would do about it. Family is who taught him that other people do in fact have feelings and opinions that he should be aware of. If it wasn't for them, he would've never grown out of that egocentric mind-set that he's seen in other powerful heirs, whose jaws he had to break.
But Naruto wasn't family. He was just…a partner. A challenging partner. From day 1, Naruto wasn't awed by his status or his power. It's now day 7 and he's still speaking up for himself, as if Kyuubi hasn't already yielded a lot already. Explaining his plans, giving him advice, and patting him on the back for a good idea, none of which he had to do but he did it anyway and Kyuubi still hasn't won Naruto over. And that hurts his pride more than anything. If he sees it as a challenge it's easier to swallow trying to…not woo Naruto, or even seek friendship. Just maintain good relations so Naruto would…'fawn over' is a strong phrase but yeah, like him for sure. And for future mischief. There's a group of people who'd be good victims.
So he thought, just for a second, and got a brilliant idea of what to say. "So what're you training for? Make any progress with that kitchen knife?"
Naruto blinked at him, slowly lowering his food and his ears twitched a few times, as if they couldn't believe what they just heard.
"Yeah actually. I guess no matter how good you are at something, you're really not perfect at it. But it's good! It stops me from being all wishy-washy every time I think about switching it up."
"The sheds also have other weapons."
"Nah! I only want to train with one right now. And I don't need other types of weapons. This here…" He pulled his dagger out, tossing it up in the air where it flipped a few times before landing flatside down on top of Naruto's spiky blond locks. "…is my weapon of choice! In more ways than one!"
That position…Interesting and unexpected.
"So that's your shape-shifting tool," Kyuubi pointed out.
Like all youkai, kitsune have natural, chakra-less abilities. Their abilities were to cast illusions and to shapeshift. Shapeshifting was considered the more powerful of the two, because it resulted in a physical, tangible change as opposed to illusions which could never be physically touched.
But what they both shared, was the use of a tool in order to be enacted. Illusions were cast with specially-crafted stickers—a unique set made for every newborn with kitsune blood. Shape-shifting took the use of one solid object that a kitsune "made their own". And since the object in general was enough to do the job, kitsune would choose something that was relatively easy to access. A handful of sand, a rock, sticks or twigs, leaves, he had even seen common household items being used; but had never seen someone choose something so dangerous and specific as a dagger.
But so long as Naruto kept that dagger on him, he wouldn't be in a panic if he ever needed to shapeshift.
"Yep!" Naruto nodded proudly, and as a testament to his truth, the blade stayed in its position. "It's good for that and shanking people. But not throwing."
So he's a close-ranged fighter. Somehow that made a lot of sense. Naruto looked at him curiously. "What's your tool?"
Now, see, when Kyuubi thought of 'kitsune' it should really come with the adjective 'most'. Because he was not like most kitsune.
"I don't need one," he boasted, puffing his chest out. He was the only kitsune that didn't. Even Minato used paper that he had to draw on first—which if you ask Kyuubi is silly because Minato has to take the time to draw every time he wanted to shapeshift.
"Seriously?! Is that what happens when you become an 8-tails?!"
Hah!…Hahhhh. Common teachings were that a youkai's natural abilities were the best indicator of the number of tails one ultimately had. The ability to increase the ability of your natural ability, they called it.
For example, casting illusions with stickers was the norm for kitsune with 1, 2, and 3 tails. A kitsune with 1 tail needed many stickers, less so for a kitsune with 2 tails, and even less for a kitsune with 3. If a 3-tailed kitsune shows the potential to make an illusion, even if it's just the illusion of a pebble—which is the most common test—without a sticker, then they can start training for 4 tails.
4-tails don't need stickers to cast illusions. Stickers are still useful after 3 tails, especially when casting in multiple places, but by then training is geared towards making the illusions stronger, cast wider, and last longer. Adding scent is one of clearest indications that you can gain your 5th tail. After that, it was again a matter of increasing time limit, casting distance, and making it look and smell as real as possible, and the addition of sound is the indication for gaining the 6th tail. At 7 tails, kitsune reached the ultimate illusionary technique: casting illusions within another's illusion. The amount of concentration and precise control that takes is legendary.
There's no stepping stone for 8 tails in any of the history books. Even on the shapeshifting side, because 7-tails still required a tool and their shapeshifting was perfect. The powers of a 9-tails are so great, that the illusion criteria seems to be the fact that its limitless. It's hard for anyone to tell what their tail limit is before they reached it. The fact that Naruto could make such a strong scent with his illusions already was a really good hint that he could go further than 5 tails, but he could also just be exceptionally talented at casting illusions.
Either way, Naruto's question of whether his advanced ability came from being an 8-tails warrented an interesting answer. Because when Kyuubi thought about what was 'common', he must always remember that he was the exception.
"I never needed to use tools to pull off anything. No stickers, no shapeshifting tools: I could train on my own from day 1!"
It was unexplainable. His father had no words for how his infant was casting illusions of what he wanted to communicate or how a kit could use his shapeshifting to walk around the compound loooong after his bedtime with no tool on his head. Kyuubi had no idea how he was able to pull it off either, he just could.
And that contributed to his belief that he was meant to be a 10-tails.
"That's so amazing! Agh I'm jealous! I'm so clumsy with my body! Used to be a whole lot clumsier than I am now! I dunno why but I had to be practicing with this dagger before I could even master how to throw a punch. It's just easier with tools somehow…"
Kyuubi crossed his arms and gave Naruto a questioning look to which Naruto elaborated.
"My dad always said, that my body was like a crossbow. Sturdy, powerful, graceful, but lacking! Because without arrows, I couldn't protect myself. And without practice, I was useless. So he gave this dagger to be my arrow and told me to practice 'shooting' so to speak."
"I'm assuming this was before your 4th tail?"
Naruto blinked. "Yeah actually! He made me train with it all the time before, but y'know when I got my 4th tail, he said I was 'no longer a crossbow, but now a sword who must slice and dice on my own! And he told me to train more without it."
Kyuubi snorts out a chuckle. Minato was always so weird with his euphemisms. He received the same explanation, but in a way that makes more sense. "It's easier to use a kettle to make tea than to boil the water in your own hands using fire-based chakra." But that's exactly what he did. "Still if you want to unlock more of your tails, you have to be able to put the tools down and do what they do yourself…Except the shapeshifting tool."
"So you weren't EVER clumsy and uncoordinated when trying to fight? At all? Ever?"
He was. But he was always strong enough to overcome that disadvantage…until now that is. Kyuubi felt his heart grow bitter at thought as he looked down with a glare. Like his partner said, being good at something doesn't mean you're perfect at it yet. He hoped to GOD that wasn't another Minato saying. He needed to get back to training pronto.
"Let's just say everyone has their own struggles with trying to get stronger. And not wasting time is step number 1 to overcoming them. You done eating?"
His guest appeared to be deep in thought and whatever was going through his mind wasn't obvious. But Kyuubi had literally no more time left to ask, even if he did really want to know.
"Hey."
"Hm? Oh. Yeah I'm done."
"Good. YOU'RE CLEANING THIS UP!" He shouted at Shion, who was still twiddling their thumbs by the rock. They threw their hands up in what looked like annoyance.
"Ummm," Naruto spoke up, getting Kyuubi's attention. "I guess I'll head back to training ground 19 then. But I'll practice my combat control without my dagger instead! Think that'll help me get my 5th tail faster?" He threw a few practice punches before grabbing the dagger on top of his head and putting it away.
"It won't hurt. Tails are supposed to come with expertise and control in all aspects." He knew that much, even though his own growth pattern was immeasurable so far. But it is so, the youkai's body was designed to inherit the power of their ancestors. Pleasing deceased ancestors by taking care of their shrines, and in some species, with intricate and beautiful ceremonies is standard respect; but couples that desire children tend to do more from the moment they attempt conception to birth. Happy ancestors are generous ancestors to newborns. Content ancestors are nice too and even insulted ancestors if they forgive, give a little. But deeply insulted ancestors, leave a newborn with nothing. Those youkai have less tails than their parents and the chain of power beforehand is broken and must begin anew with them.
Which puts them behind because the power inherited determines the number of tails reachable. Reaching the full power granted, was the goal of every youkai. However it required full strength and perfect control, not the other way around.
"I'll still stay within these 10 training grounds if you need anything."
"Sure!" Naruto nodded, big silly grin on his face.
And with that, Naruto waved at him before dashing off. Kyuubi stopped staring after him after a few seconds to lift up his leg and immediately turn to bring it down in the direction of Shion, who was making their way over. His fiery chakra surrounded him at the same time and it pleased him only a little to see Shion immediately stop in their tracks.
"Let it be known to the entire compound that I don't care WHAT my father said, nothing interrupts me when I'm training again. Clear?"
Shion's affronted look softened into a more neutral expression before they nodded.
"Good."
And with that Kyuubi dashed off, as quick as he could to make up for the lost time.
Precision, coordination, control; deceptively simple theories that have the hardest practical requirements.
Seriously. It takes him mere seconds to build up his power, and then comes the irresistible urge to release it. It's not painful to hold onto; he just felt a very uncomfortable pressure. But what that means is he's got too much of it in the back of his throat or at the tip of his fingers or at the ends of his tails (etc.). Coordination is immediately a bust, control is lost, and he can no longer even think about being precise. When it's finally released…time for another lecture!
Case in point, he was standing in training ground 43 wearing only his pants, staring at the disappointing result of his attack. He pulled chakra to his mouth and used his tongue to pack it into a small sphere. He then spat it towards a straw dummy. It was meant to touch the dummy before it blew up and he estimated the diameter of the eventual explosion and stood twice that distance away. Somehow, it blew it before even reaching the halfway point, but not only did it reach and destroy the dummy, not only did it reach him and burn his top off, not only did it put a crater in the ground, but his chakra reached farther than he anticipated. He could sense it dispersing in the air far out of reach, lost to the natural elements. What a waste.
It was moments like this that had Kyuubi feeling a bit…deflated. He had been at this for hours, but so far hasn't made any progress in controlling the amount of power he released.
He was fine when it came to his natural abilities. He could do combat in his sleep even. It was just his chakra that was the problem. It was always too much! Why can't he just take the extra time to actually measure what he's about to release—as he's been told time and time again?! Kyuubi knows if he could, he could exercise that elusive control!
But he can't. Every single time. He, physically, just can't. And he has no idea what chakra exercises could help him. Day after day, decade after decade! It feels like he's tried them all and still none help him feel like he's ready to use his chakra before he uses it! This botched attempt is a testament that nothing truly is impossible. He, Kitsune Kurama, can fail at a task that the kits pull off for their training. Kicking the ground in anger, he thought about something he really hated about this whole thing.
Eight-tails have rankings too.
It's not for the masses to worry about. For the world, an eight-tails was the strongest—all eight-tails. But within their exclusive little circle of power was a cock-measuring contest so contentious, high-nosed and ridiculous, that sometimes Kyuubi couldn't believe he actually indulged in it too. His secret little guilty pleasure: smashing the shit out of other eight-tails so they would bow to him too.
And every one he faced against did, except of course his ushi-oni sibling Hachibi.
Yes yes yes their power has measures. Kyuubi was better when it came to speed and pure chakra strength. His chakra blasts and other special chakra-based techniques did more damage than Hachibi's, even when neither were holding back. But eight-tails who were meant to be eight-tails had the control to go along with their so-incredibly-massively-ridiculous-the-memory-hurts strength.
By using too much power in his attacks, Kyuubi sometimes would disorient himself for some precious few seconds or, in battles that lasted for weeks, spend his energy quicker. He would miss more often than he would like with projectiles and destroy his very helpful surroundings enabling his opponents to maneuver around faster while he had less things to hop on or sneak behind. With literally everyone he's faced except Hachibi, these were issues he could counter with ease. But his ushi-oni fellow had an advantage no other eight-tails had and that was that he and Kyuubi had known each other since birth.
The Tailed Beast Crew, all of them born on the exact same day, in the same vicinity, to nine screaming pregnant people. That's not a scary coincidence, but he got to know the freaks very well and they got to know him very well hence the current familial bond they shared. The good and the bad. One bad? Hachibi used his advantage to the maximum effect.
Kyuubi didn't realize from one tail all the way up to now just how much Hachibi had been observing him in battle. Of course Kyuubi had been watching him too; since they both knew they were going to reach eight tails it was natural that they rivaled each other. But his standard tactics, unique tactics, and even the overwhelming tactics could barely amount to much against someone who's had centuries to figure out his weaknesses. Kyuubi had to rely his natural abilities against Hachibi's to gain an advantage now. And even then, it's only a matter of time until Hachibi figures out a counter to that.
Their score since becoming eight-tails was now even keel. That was so brand new to him. Even with his other friends, from Ichibi to Nanabi he's always had the higher amount of victories when they had the same number of tails. Because Kyuubi didn't settle for being equal in battle to anyone. Either he was stronger, or they were more experienced. But Hachibi's not more experienced.
He just can pull off flawless moves on his own training grounds.
Geez, after centuries of seeing him be so awkward, Kyuubi could probably stand to be a little happy for him since he finally made it. Eight tails was meant for Hachibi. Just like how Ichibi was meant to be a one-tail—although Kyuubi loved to poke fun at him for it. Although…not too long ago the group challenged themselves to shooting a can off of a tree stump. Ichibi to Hachibi shot such perfect shots they could take pictures to sell in the markets.
Kyuubi broke everything. The can, the tree, the environment. Took all his friends down too. He couldn't pretend it was on purpose for long, and Ichibi hasn't let that go since. If he could just get his chakra under his control, he could stop giving that drunk idiot ammo for verbal punishment.
If he could just get his chakra under control, he could become a nine-tails.
Kyuubi didn't think he even needed to perfect the control to reach the next level, just have it. And once he does, he could use his power properly and unlock what else is hiding inside of him. Because his inherited power isn't just power, it's the very spirit of the very first kitsune. It was up to him to reach the full potential the same way his father did, and grandmother and great grandfather and great great—like all of his ancestors before him.
Eight tails isn't his limit, he could feel it! And he'll prove it too. He has to. Or else he'll go crazy. Though probably not as crazy as how CRAZY hard it is to even reach nine-tails…
At that second, he heard a loud crash and an even louder 'OUCH!' that sounded a lot like Naruto's voice.
…Well it's not an interruption if he decides to take a break. With a sigh and a smile at the thought of the scene he would come across, Kyuubi sped off in Naruto's direction, but didn't have to travel far to came across the loudmouth on the ground in front of a collapsed boulder. He was rubbing his head and looking mighty irritated.
"What happened?"
"I ran into this stupid rock!" Naruto growled, twitching his ears. But all movement from him stopped once he looked at Kyuubi.
"Is this a part of your training?" Kyuubi laughed, going up to Naruto. Without thinking, he held his hand out. By the time he realized what he was doing, Naruto had already grabbed it…and so Kyuubi pulled him up…and Naruto was still staring—why is he staring? Kyuubi snapped his fingers and that snapped the Namikaze out of whatever trance he was in.
With a sheepish laugh, Naruto quickly said, "sorry! Dazed there a bit! B-But yeah um, y'know I figured out to get control I needed to have a balanced training regimen! Combat strength! Chakra enhancement! Absolute speed! So I was running as fast as I can for 80 kilometers annnnnnnd timing it!"
Naruto pulled out a small pocket watch from the black sash tied around his waist. When he looked at it, he let out a loud, "FUCK!"
"What?" There it is again. For the second time his ears didn't ring when Naruto screamed right next to him.
"Look at my time!" Naruto held the watch up to the other fox's face. Kyuubi did look at it…and didn't see a problem.
"14.6 seconds? What are you upset about? That's a great time." To travel 80 kilometers in under 15 seconds was a real feat. Geez Gobi's time was 14.3 seconds and he was a horse-dolphin youkai so speed was supposed to be his strongest point!
"Yeah maybe for a four-tails!" No, what is he talking about that's an unheard of time for a four-tails. "But compared to my dad this is so slow! He can run this distance in like 9 seconds!"
Rrrrgh…His time was 11.5 seconds. Loathe as he was to admit it, Minato…'s speed…was…good. He saw the fox run himself. The man made it dangerous to blink. And he had no ill side effects from reaching that speed. It would've been possible for Minato to reach teleportation if he had just one more tail…but…come on that was awful to think. The more he thought about that yako fox's power, the more disturbed his mind was.
Kyuubi shook his head to shake off the distracting thoughts. Naruto must've inherited some significant speed power then. And since he's still growing, it didn't make sense for a fuss to be made about this accomplishment. So he tilted his head, ears twitching in confusion.
"You're a four-tails. Minato by someone's grace is an eight-tails right? So of course he's faster. 80 kilos in 14 seconds may not be the fastest but that's not at all slow."
Naruto looked serious. "You don't get it! I'm Namikaze Naruto and I aim big! I shoot big! I want to BE big! Much bigger and better than I am now! I have to be if I want to beat my dad! You understand that don't you?"
"Yes," Kyuubi nodded. "I want to beat the hell out of your dad too."
"NO! I mean rise in the family ranks! I want to surpass him! He outclasses me every time we fight by so much and it drives me MAD! It's like no matter what I learn, or how far I get in my training, I can't stop being weak in front him! He doesn't say it but…beating him in in a fight is the only way I can prove myself to be strong to him! That you must understand!"
To a certain extent maybe. His father was so sure he was going to be stronger than him so it was never a question…outside of battle. They had play fights when he was little, and then real fights for his training as an heir; and being so powerful yet constantly losing to his father simply due to lack of experience and lack of control…ruffled his ego quite a bit.
He did remember a burning desire to show his pops up. For most immature youkai, parents are the ones to beat because for most of their lives, their parents are the strongest people in the world. Kyuubi was no different. Even when he learned that wasn't true, it still was a truth…
But now they both knew he had to be stronger. The whole family's made mention of it several times since his eighth tail made its grand appearance, but Kyuubi has had to be less vocal about his own confidence. He's just trying to forget how it felt to be weaker than his father at this point because it's all he can do. It was written now: if Daitaru lost a battle against him, Kyuubi would take over. Even if he finds a reason to fight him again, like defending Naruto, showing his full strength against his father was out of the question. And did that disappoint him?
Yeah. It did.
So maybe not exact, but he still nodded at Naruto.
"I survived challenge after challenge to make it this far. I risked losing my limbs, my life, my dignity, my sanity once, and I'll do it all again, as many times as I need to! All of my losses have made me stronger! All of my victories have made me better! I'll keep going on this path carved out for me until the day I die! The day I'm killed will be the day I'm known, still known, as the Strongest Kitsune there is!"
The way he spoke of his ambition affected Kyuubi. He spoke as if his loudmouth wasn't for show. As if despite the numerous opponents Kyuubi has crushed under his tails, who were real contenders for the strongest youkai in the world, it was this little four-tails who was the one to watch out for…Maybe it was the conviction in his voice. Maybe it was the steely determination in beautiful, icy blue eyes. But Kyuubi only had one argument against him, and it wasn't the fact that he was a four-tails.
"Hmph? How can you be the strongest when I'll already have that title?"
"Psh!" Naruto smirked at him, crouching and flexing his claws. "I've beaten youkai with more tails than me before y'know. And I've taken on an eight-tails. You're not scaring me."
The bold challenge to someone who so clearly dominated him in terms of power stunned Kyuubi to the core. And it wasn't like Naruto was boasting. There was no fear, not even the slightest bit of hesitation. It was not typical. It was picking a fight he would lose. Aho-behavior for sure…but nonetheless impressive to Kyuubi. Maybe it was because it was his fearless opponents that took the longest to defeat.
However, there are steps anyone must take before they've earned a fight with Kyuubi.
"Do you really believe you stand a chance against me?" Kyuubi asked, a crazy grin starting to stretch across his face.
"I don't just believe it. I know it."
Oh this poor, naive little boy. Being unafraid of him was one thing, but underestimating him? Even if his goal was admirable, Naruto had to realize that talking big and working really, really hard wasn't enough against someone else who talked big, worked really, really hard, and had the tails to back it up. Time to show this cocky boaster why picking a fight with him would end with Naruto eaten alive.
"Well then. Why don't you come with me and I'll show you this eight-tails' challenge?" A sly smile appeared on the Kitsune's face as he beckoned Naruto to follow him.
This had to be the first time Kyuubi liked the fact that he had no control.
Standing on solid rock, knowing he was about to blow Naruto's mind when he flattens the mountainous rocky range in training ground 51 was giving him a good tingly feeling. Ahhh his father hates remaking this training ground. But is he here to give him grief about it? No!
He glanced back at the blue-eyed kitsune and saw him looking confident and curious and very, very close.
"You should take a leap back."
"I'm behind you!"
"And still in the way," Kyuubi said, facing forward again. He could smell Naruto get further, but so long as he was still standing on rock, he was too close. He needed to be standing as far back as when the sand starts at the very least…That would be twice the distance Kyuubi estimates this attack would reach.
"One more leap!"
Naruto groaned, but acquiesced. Once Kyuubi determined that his partner was at a safe distance, he grinned a psychotic grin and braced himself.
It took seconds. The chakra pooled in the back of his throat. It was warm and he could feel a rush of energy from his throat to his toes. The air around him heated and in this climate, that's just asking for a burn, but he never shied away from the heat because heat never bothered him. He wanted nothing more than to bask in the feeling, but just as quickly as the euphoria came, came the discomfort. The choking feeling, like the chakra inside was expanding and there was no more space. He could no longer think 'how much' and 'where' because he had to release 'NOW'!
He leaned forward, opened his mouth wide, and let it go.
He immediately closed his eyes and flattened his ears so the excess power wouldn't accidentally strike him there, but he could still feel the effect. The ground shook and the blast was loud as cliffs and mountains were broken down, rocks obliterated, training gear and supplies blown away. His chakra roared, in front of him and high above him. It pushed back against him, whipping against his chest, his arms—he could even sense it stretch behind him. It was solid, fiery and packed a real punch. But the air around him still felt like a warm cocoon while his body felt so empowered that pain wasn't even registered.
The best part, was that he was doing this to show off. There was someone watching him. He wanted to keep going, longer than the 20 seconds that was his ultimate limit for attacks, just to prove that he could.
At the 45 second mark, he was still reaching down deep for more chakra, but it was starting to feel like he was adding too much.
Kyuubi knew it was time to stop when he tasted his own blood.
He didn't know how to stop slowly and carefully, so he bit down to end it. More blood filled his mouth and his nose. Ouch, he thought covering both and holding his head back so he didn't spill it all out.
In the distance, he heard an "AWWW NOTE AGEIN KYUUBI-SAMA!"
But he didn't pay it any mind. His fingers felt prickly against his lips which were feeling buzzy, so it's entirely possible he hurt himself more than usual. But in this heated state he wouldn't be able to feel it as much. The only thing he could tell, is his teeth were fine. This is definitely what his healing was for. Hopefully whatever wounds he got were shallow as it shouldn't take longer than maybe 2 minutes to do its job; and he hopes that the dissipating chakra around him covers his state from Naruto. He couldn't help but proudly notice that from behind, the chakra only stretched as far as the exact distance that he estimated.
2 minutes of silence with the occasional prick of pain and ensuing relief passed quickly. He could still feel some of the scrapes and bruises and lingering aches, but Kyuubi couldn't stand to wait anymore when he could heal the rest in the bath he would take after this. So Kyuubi opened his eyes. And he was proud of the damage.
He was standing on an island of rock, for the ground around him had crumbled completely to depths a couple meters down. For kilometers, there was nothing in front of him. Almost literally nothing, but one giant newly-made canyon in the ground…or soon-to-be-sand dune with the way it was filling up. There were a couple clipped apart cliffs and other islands of rock. Still not perfect. Obviously he had some misses. He couldn't perform shape transformation even in a straight line yet. But the end of the destruction went way farther than it usually goes and he's working on all of the problems so this was very victorious!
So does Naruto think so too?
Kyuubi turned around with 6 of his tails wagging behind him in pride. His giddy feeling only grew when he saw his guest on his knees on top of a sand dune, complete awe on his face.
Hah! Haha! He will never get tired of having that effect on people! Naruto looked like he'd never seen anything like what he had just witnessed. And as the actual future Strongest Kitsune, Kyuubi bragged that he would never see anything like it elsewhere.
"So what do you call that?! Impressive huh?! Do you know now that you'll lose against me?" He purred out that last sentence with a leer, remembering Naruto's boast. He was just teasing, but since Naruto couldn't pick out all the flaws in his execution, he could stand…to be…prideful…
…What's that scent? Kyuubi wrinkled his nose as the scent of his own blood was still a little overpowering, but this new scent was just strong enough for him not to dismiss it. It wasn't bad. It was good—really good. A punch of sweet but baser…Kyuubi wasn't in the habit of using emotions to describe scents, but he couldn't think of a better word other than 'happy' to describe this baseness.
But it was atypical for around here. There was the scent of the land, the pure scent of blood, sweat, tears, power…there wasn't a scent this unique in all of the training grounds. And new scents don't just appear…except those scents that happen when new people are—OH NO!
Well that's a good way to kill a good mood! Kyuubi scowled. A base scent that can be described as…well there are words other than happy but Kyuubi didn't want to think of them now because it was arousal. That was the unique scent. Kitsune family members know not to consummate relationships on the training grounds anymore, so the only explanation is some creep snuck out here and is watching him. Shit.
He didn't care how deliciously punchy-sweet and 'happy' the scent was; this time was for showing off to his partner not kicking out unwanted guests! Another sniff however, turned that anger into a little heart-racing feeling because shit the scent is coming from Naruto's direction!
Kyuubi rushed over to his partner just in time for the scent to disappear completely.
That absolutely does not happen on his watch.
Looking over a Naruto that was somehow steaming, he couldn't see or smell anybody. In front, to the left, to the right, there was no one.
"THAt wAs prETTy AmAZing AkaGITsune," Naruto squeaked in an abnormally squeaky voice, as he stood up. Kyuubi only noticed it, and jumped just a little, because Naruto was right in front of him. But the surprise wore off fast because of course it was amazing, but Kyuubi was sniffing around for an invader that was creeping on Naruto and seems to have disappeared into thin air. He walked around Naruto and down every direction of the sand dune, but there was no sign of anyone. It was just him and Naruto here. He didn't get it. Was there an illusion that was hiding the scent?
"Uh, what are you doing?"
Since he couldn't locate the original caster, Kyuubi attempted to break whatever illusion was in the vicinity by casting his own basic one within it, but there was no struggle meaning no other illusion.
"Oi did you hear me?" Naruto asked, coming right up next to him.
"You smelled that scent just now right? I thought someone was watching us…" He trailed off a little in frustration as his search was proving to be fruitless. The Kitsune then saw Naruto stiffen out of the corner of his eye and faced him curiously.
"What? You're not in any danger if that's what you're worried about."
"No no I'm not worried about that hehe! I'm not worried aT ALL" Naruto hurriedly said, waving his arms in front of him. "But uh, I-I don't think I caught an-any scent y'know? Other than yours. A-Are you okay by the way? It looked pretty intense over there, and you're hurt, and you-your PANTs are…g-GOne."
He was aware of that. But Naruto pointing it out still made him blush as two of his tails loosely twitched while wrapped around his waist.
"I'm fine. And are you kidding me? That scent hit me while I was all the way over there and it came from over here!"
"REALLY?" Did Naruto's voice crack?
"Yea. And judging by the base scent—"
"I THINK YOU MUST'VE IMAGINED IT! I didn't smell anything at all nope y'know!"
He's is a really bad liar, Kyuubi surmised. He was talking too fast, blinking too much, his voice infliction was off, he was waving his hands and he was sweating. If you're gonna lie, you gotta sound natural and at least keep eye contact. Now to figure out the reason behind the lying.
"Did you see anyone?"
"See who? I didn't see anyone! You're playing tricks on yourself!"
Wait…wait….wait a minute.
"…Are you meaning to tell me, that it was only you here this whole time?"
"Uh—"
"Answer carefully, Loudmouth. Very carefully." Because with this kind of dirt Kyuubi could bury Naruto so deep a thousand hands couldn't dig him out. But only if he doesn't try to like…flirt with him or something.
"I'm…hungry?"
It took more effort to keep a neutral expression than it would take to count every single grain of sand on this hill they stood on. Naruto's embarrassed. Merciless teasing as a form of payback? Oh yes.
"For another display?" Kyuubi asked as his fangs poked out.
"For isolation," Naruto mumbled, as he started to walk—quickly—back in the direction of the compound. Kyuubi caught up to him in no time.
"Oh no no no! We still have dinner and I'm really nice remember! Would you like a show while you eat?"
"I would like for you to shut the fuck up now."
"We have chicken on the menu."
"Honestly?"
"Care not to choke on it while you watch?"
"FUCK YOU!"
Kyuubi's laughter was loud even to his own ears. Naruto just bowed his head looking like a true akagitsune here, but he stayed walking beside Kyuubi.
So Kurama said that no one uses this kitchen on the first floor and I hope he's right. Because no way am I even taking half of the blame for the mess he just made in here hahaha!
Ahhhh I crack myself up! I wouldn't actually leave him hanging.
This big ol' wok in my hands is still cold. I don't think Kurama wants to try to heat up the hotspot with his chakra again and so as soon as he's not busy tryin to wipe the burnt marks off the floor with the sleeve of his pajama jacket; we can figure out another way to do this. Like going to another kitchen.
"Okay, try tossing all of the stuff in there in the air," he said, standing up. I don't even blame him for giving up—what is this floor even made of to get burn stains like that? I'm no architect but I've had my share of cleaning up burns. I mean damn.
"What's tossing this stuff gonna do?" I'm no baker either, but I've never heard of a baking style like that. Kurama sure looks sure of himself though. Pounding his fists together looking all cute and determined.
"I'm going to blow a stream of fire at it and maybe it'll cook just fine in the air."
…I don't know about that. There is literally only yeast, flour, and sugar in here. I really think we're missing some ingredients but I don't know what they could be. But I've also laid out practically everything I can find and Kurama doesn't know what goes into bread either…
"Uh, are we sure we're ready to try baking though?"
"What? Change your mind about the chicken?"
"FUCK YOU!" aaAAhhHHhhh I coUld'Ve choked on HIS eaRLIEr…! Where the FUCK is my imagINation even goINg!? His tails were IN the waAAy!
"Listen Kinky, we can only try and make this happen. Worst that can happen is it doesn't work."
KINky?…THat jERk…I deSERve THIs but I want reVENGE...wAt is he even talking about making wORK? Where's he pointing?! O-Oh at the wok. Oh-Oh okay. Okay. That makes sense. That's my kinda motto when it makes sense. Shake off those nonsense thoughts Naruto!
"Alright! Fuck you and get ready!"
He got ready. I got ready. And okay! Let's make some bread!
Gotta shake the wok a bit and then UP…it goes!
Look at those ingredients sprinkling underneath the lights. And look at that stream of fire blow right through it all…The air's smelling so good and feeling toasty and so…comfortable. This is a pretty cool sight but…I…He…
He makes it all look effortless. Like everything he sets out to do, he does it. He worked to be able to transform his chakra into fire so we can eat something. He worked towards…what I saw today. I wish I could hold him from behind. I want to put my hands on his waist. I want run my fingers over his back. I want to grip his shoulders with everything I've got. I want to feel that chakra around me! I want to feel what he feels just by having it! I want to be on him while it's there! I want that heat to surround us! It would feel so good. Around us, in between us, the heat that was inside of me coming ou—
AYAYAYAYAAAAAAHH!
No! No no no NO no! Don't think about that! Don't think about chiCKEns! Oh fuCK, gah! My ChEEKs are on firE!
I KNOW HE'S ATTRACTIVE! We got that outta the way! But that's NO excuse for this Naruto! No excuse! We're out we're getting out of this! Y'know there's NOTHING that'll make me—
"FUCK!"
Kurama?
Kurama's stopped blowing the fire and now he's looking freaked up at the…
"FUCK!"
THE FLOUR—the flour?—It's all FIRE! And there's this black and brown water in the air?! AND WHERE'S THE YEAST?!
"AKAGITSUNE?!"
"CATCH IT BEFORE IT HITS THE FLOOR!"
!? A challenge? A training challenge! Move as fast as I can to get as much mess in the wok as possible to protect the floor! Red zones are the floor and me. I can do this! If I can move fast and accurately enough I can get better control over my body! ALRIGHT! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!
Gotta stay light on my feet! Stay aware of Kurama, and can move this wok aroun—oops. Didn't mean to drop it but gotta keep moving! I'll catch it all in my hands and throw it in there instead! I can take a little burn! Haha this is kinda fun! It reminds of that game I haven't played since I was a kit! Catching whatever was falling out of the sky: leaves, toys, dad's stuff. I'd compete with my friends and Konohamaru and his friends…God those are some really old memories…OUCH my shoulder! What am I doing?! Focus Naraho! If I'm gonna stand here like an aho I might as well open my mouth like one too—fuck this stuff tastes kinda good! FOCUS!
(Through sheer will power, Naruto kept his concentration on the task at hand instead of the trip down memory lane. Memory lane was normally lovely, bright, and fun. But sometimes it's scarred, dark, and wicked. Ever since he found out that Daitaru left this morning, without telling him anything about the progress made with finding his mother's body, memory lane has not been a good place for Naruto. It hurt even more, when he guiltily debated his options earlier: sneak into Daitaru's office to steal information and risk getting caught or channel all of his rage and sadness into training, which still meant so much to him so he could reach his goal. Both options, felt like abandonment. And he didn't need that right now. Not when tomorrow would be a new day. So he stayed trying to catch the hot debris and strayed away from those darker thoughts by looking occasionally at his partner, who had nary a clue about anything going on.)
Is that's all? Should put more ingredients in the wok next time. Could've run around catching flames with Kurama all night! This went way too fast!
Well y'know I caught some bits, in the wok. Heheha I'm not too covered either so a little scrub in a hot tub can wait til morning. Ummmm…We failed again, the floor's toast! PFFFFFT HAHAHA! Look at everything! I got spots! The floor's covered! And Kurama's too HAHAHA…hah…
He looks really mad...He's glaring at the floor where there's a ton of flour, yeast, brown water, and burnt spots…..What'd I do wrong now? I tried—what's he got against me now?!
"Ahehehe, you look kinda pissed. I tried—I didn't try to mess up y'know. And you said no one ever comes here anyway, so its just a stupid freakin mess we can clean up no problem." He usually listens to reason. If he doesn't this time I have enough chakra in me to fight. And he can't blow up the house—he sleeps here. I know so far that he mainly uses fire transformation, but can use wind. Without transformation his chakra can still burn his surroundings, even the air, and make the ground shake. I can concentrate on defense—I have…defense! No I...might not have defense. He's probably faster than me unless I use a lot of chakra and I should use that for offense. Just offense. I can do a lot of offense even if I don't know everything about him. I just use offense until—If he gets overwhelming I'll use the hallways to make some space. Cast an illusion to divert my scent and I can chance recreating a dead end. If he gets close I have my dagger. If it gets worse, if the worse really comes to the worst and I might die, then—
"None of this. Would've happened. If someone hadn't been in SO much of a rush, that he didn't leave preprepared meals for us!"
…..He's not mad at me?
"What are we even going to eat now?!"
…
…He sighed. "There's a cleaning closet right outside to the left. Grab a broom will ya? I'll sweep this up and you'll have to figure out something else to cook."
But…he looked so mad…..
"So you're not mad at me?"
Is that disbelief I see on his face? Why is he looking at me like that?
"That's a funny assumption. Do I sound mad at you? As far as I'm concerned, everything that just happened is my father's fault. We're in this struggle together. You, me, and your power kink."
O-Oh that's sweet of him to say…So he's not mad…at me? Not gonna start something? Every time it looked like he was gonna blow up on me, he never does…
"Ahehe yea! Guess we are failing tonight together y'know! And that's not so bad! Be right back with that broom!"
I'm having fun with him…is he having fun with me? He's also not angry at me, probably never has been. Like he said, when he gets angry he just acts so and y'know it's not supposed to be a personal attack on me. He's not attacking me at all—he hasn't not once.
"Here ya go!" He's even taking the broom gently from me. Didn't yank it, didn't try and hit me with it, didn't even glare at me. Why am I…freakin touching that stupid scar?! Ahhhh I'm tired! I'm soooo tired! I'm yawning right now I'm so tired.
"Don't fall asleep just yet." He's smiling. Is he teasing me? "I need you to eat something. Pick something quick if you need to."
Quick? Well I have ramen, but without the hotspot…wait!
"Wait, Kyuubi! I think I know of a really good meal we can eat and we don't need the hotspot!" Kurama stopped sweeping and blinked at me.
"You know how to boil water without the use of a kettle don't you?" He just keeps blinking at me—oh now he's nodding. Good!
"Soooo I have some ramen packs! Ever had some of that before?"
"You mean those fried noodles that become chewy when you add hot water to them? Not something we eat often here."
"Oh well I hope you've missed 'em then! Ramen is my favorite food and I brought a ton of them here! All we need is some boiling water! In fact, why don't you—" YAWN. I'm so sleepy. "—why don't you go on to my room and pick two out for us? I've got all the flavors except vegetable so just grab whatever looks good to you. I'll stay here and clean up this mess!"
Though he had most if not all of the mess sweeped into a corner already which was convenient. I have a technique for this. YAWN! I might be too tired for it though…Should probably just grab the dustpan and take care of it the old fashion way.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Wouldn't say it if I wasn't!" Wink haha! I'm beginning to think winking at him is going to become a reflex. But so worth it—awwww look at the blush akagitsune! He didn't linger much longer and kinda ran when he left. He's kinda cute sometimes.
But right, right dust pan, dust pan. Gather dust, into the trash, put the tools back, back into the kitchen, and sit and wait because y'know I'm not cleaning anything else up. Patience means it can be done in the morning. Or maybe until Kurama gets back… YAWWWWWWN. I'm yawning so much. Augh…it wouldn't hurt to lie down for just a little bit…I can still…watch…the door…
…
(Naruto's dream consists of him running down the hallways of the Kitsune Estate. Despite his eagerness, he kept tripping. Eventually he realizes that he cannot feel the impact of the floor, meaning it wasn't actually happening.)
…Tha hec…? Am I running—the walls are moving…and I tripped onto someone's back and they smell like hot almond oil ahhh nice…I'm so light my feet are off the ground…is that an orange door?
"Can't say I'm not nice to you after this."
"Alright…Thank you…"
…
And finished! LOL Kurama does tends to find ways to do what he wants. But look! They've come such a long way in just a week! Almost liek they were made for each other ~~!
Story fun facts:
1. Lots of expo here about power levels and whatnot and some of you will notice that it is different from version 1. Anything from version 1 is NOT applicable here unless it actually shows up in the chapter. So no there's no weapons business for kids. Youkai just like to use tools as humans do because it's easier to use them. Although yes, weapons do still help with the whole control thing, lack of control has numerous factors tied to it, not just immaturity. Also I want to point out that one tail is NOT the lowest a youkai can be. The lowest is no tails and that is specifically for one species: maneki-neko. The lowest other youkai species can be is snub-tail, also known as a half-tail. It is visually represented by tail that is notably shorter than the norm.
2. Hotspots are like brick ovens that can work like an oven and a stove. The one in the first kitchen is broken. Kurama and Naruto are both incompetent.
3. Idk why Minato thinks he's such a bad parent! Naruto seems to think he's doing a swell job!
Author fun facts:
1. So this chapter concludes the last of the NAMED Kitsune Clan members. All of them will appear again in the story and have some sort of important role!
2. yea I'm cheating with Naruto's POV. I can't help it. There are some important bits that I can't get to come across in his stream of conscious. Fortunately, when I say 'cheating' I mean 'I'm doing great' because writing has no rules lol.
3. Feedback always appreciated yo! I also went back and fixed up typos and a phrasing in chapter 2 that didn't make much sense (incredibly minor and not at all plot-important. Just makes an easier read).
Annnnd that's all I got for ya! So the next chapter I hope to get up in a month, but as a heads up, it might be a leetle longer. It's going to be in a different style again, but I cannot use the same scenes as a template because those scenes are not quite as applicable. Hopefully I'm wrong about the timeframe but y'all kno me.
So BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU to ALL who have reviewed (TigrezzTail I see u), favorited/subscribed/and read without doing any of the other stuff because the views in general make me SO happy! I'm so glad yall are enjoying this with me :)! KyuuNaru is my OTP still to this day haha.
See ya next time!