Hey again! Here is the next bit in the Naruto POV series lol.
Enjoy!
Day 10: 82 days until the night of the red moon
Tonight was shaping up to be an interesting kinda night.
There are 9 pretty big bathhouses in neat rows of 3 right by the entrance to the training grounds. They were made entirely of wood and stretched up two levels with holes in the roofs so that steam could get out. Upon entering one, it's like entering a mini maze. There's a front hallway that was horizontal and connected to a short vertical hallway before finally reaching the back hallway where the bathtubs were.
Each bathhouse only had 3 bathtubs that were large enough to fit about 7 people comfortably. These bathtubs were lined up in the back, connected to wells, and separated by walls. There was a long bench in front of the middle bathtub. And in the Kitsune Clan manner of keeping a lot of junk, in the vertical hallway there were shelves with smaller buckets, glass bottles filled with soaps, wash brushes, and nicely folded towels for people who preferred using them. There were also hooks with fluffy robes for the unfortunate ones, like Naruto, who do not have the luxury of owning their own robe.
Yea. Luxury. The Kitsune Clan was rich.
So the fact that Kurama accidentally destroyed 8 of the bathhouses during his training regimen today, isn't really an issue now is it?
"You literally had to go and destroy all the bathhouses 'cept this one. Y'know, I thought people were kidding when they said you do this."
Kurama made a grumpy face at him, like he seemed to always do when someone pointed out the truth. What sort of face was he going to make though, when Naruto pointed out another truth?
"We both gotta bathe y'know."
Turns out he makes an even grumpier face, but it's also so adorably red too.
"All three baths will work so long as the pumps are in tact. You bathe at the one far end, and I'll bathe at the other far end."
It was reasonable, and Naruto had no problem with it.
"Sure thing! But uh, promise me you'll help me wash my back if I can't reach a spot!"
"Fuck your short useless arms. Use your tails—that's their real purpose."
Naruto squinted his eyes and snickered as the both of them walked into the only functioning bathhouse. Kurama grabbed a small bucket, two bottles of soap, a wash brush, and was prepared with his own robe. Naruto was prepared with his own soap, but grabbed the wash brush and a robe. He didn't particularly like using the towel. Compared to the robe it seemed so useless. They went to their respective bathtubs without speaking another word.
He had to admit, he really liked bathing here. The water draw was incredibly easy for one thing. For another, it could always be set to the right temperature. Kurama wasn't the only one who enjoyed a little heat. Steam just had magical healing properties along with soaking, scrubbing, and relaxing in the tub. It was great on the weary muscles that were stretched and sore, skin that was bruised, ripped, cracked, and healing, even the rumble and thumping of chakra inside calmed to stillness with a good bath. To say nothing of what bathing does to the mind.
After being here for over a week, a lot of his stuff has started to lose the scent of home and smell more like the Kitsune compound. But his soap never lost its scent and so when he lathered it on his body and hair and closed his eyes, it took him away. Back to where there's a jungle right outside his window. Where he can make it to the roof in one leap and then from there, hop into plethora of vegetation. He could be standing on the top of the trees and seeing the setting summer sun reflect off of the greenest leaves right now.
Or lazing in a high branch, fruit in hand with more to grab just an arm's reach away. Bright beetles—not fucking scorpions— crawling on his hand creating a tickling sensation before flying off or getting eaten. Chasing and catching chattering monkeys and galloping deer, then having the nicest of naps in a snuggly burrow. Racing along the river, dodging obstacles left and right and stopping right at the edge of the entire forest to see that massive, solitary Sakura tree.
And of course, sitting with Haruno Sakura at the base of that tree.
…All the people in his circle really. His friends helped him make his dad's territory a permanent home. Sparring with Sasuke in clearings before mercilessly teasing each other and getting tea at his house. Doing handstand races with Rock Lee, which were unfairly balanced in Lee's favor as he was a gorilla youkai. Practicing wind techniques against—and then riding on for fun—Sai in his unsealed crow form. Target challenges with Konohamaru and Tenten…so many cool places for his mind to be at when he remembered the scent of home.
Some mornings, he's able to be in the bath long enough to be taken far away. But this wasn't the morning. This was the evening after a rigorous training day, with Kurama just a couple of feet away.
What would he remember about this place when he went back home? Talking? He and Kurama have spent so much time together, but a lot of it is related to the plan or just dinner. Yeah he's been fun to talk to and REALLY fun to mess with, but what if they actually did something together? Like train? They always trained separately, but then again, Naruto never asked if they could train together.
Aheh! A week ago, he couldn't imagine wanting to spend time with Kurama. But here he is. Maybe he should slow it down.
So Naruto rinsed off quickly and emptied the tub. In the empty tub, he shook wildly to get the excess droplets off before grabbing that warm, fluffy robe to wrap himself in tightly and then finally hopping out. He wasn't surprised to come out of his section and see Kurama wasn't out yet.
"I'll wait out here for you Akagitsune! Dinner wouldn't be as enjoyable without you there!" And it was the truth. He's been wanting to be alone less, ever since his talk with Nagato.
"Good. I didn't even have to tell you."
"Hm?"
Kurama stepped out, also in his robe. Naruto tensed in an effort to subdue the blush and gulp threatening to come out. Kurama's hair was pulled back and up with a black ribbon Kurama got from somewhere and his bangs were pinned back, so he was looking really handsome with his face exposed and water dripping down those fine brown cheeks. And did he even realize that? That he was attractive? It wasn't fair almost. Naruto has met attractive youkai who confidently dress and style themselves to show off their best points. And then Naruto has Sakura and Sasuke, who are by and far the most attractive of all his friends. They, like Kurama, just style themselves in a comfortable yet stylish way, where onlookers can just pick out the features of their faces and bodies and admire them in their own time.
From a historical standpoint, this did bode well for Naruto; whose pseudo-courtship with Sasuke failed, and then his courtship with Sakura…never started.
Kurama just sat on the bench and set that smaller bucket, now full of steaming hot water, down in front of him. His robe wasn't even tied as tightly, just casually covering him all loose-like, like those tails that were wrapped around his waist that one time covering the one part of him Naruto has yet to see. Yet. Yet. Boy it was hot. Wait- why is Naruto loosening his robe? But it didn't make sense to tighten it back up. He was feeling heated after all.
How fortunate that his chakra's physical properties included a cool temperature. It's revving up wildly inside of him. Naruto also decided another way to cool off was to focus on what Kurama 'didn't have to tell him'.
"Didn't have to tell me what? What are you doing?"
Naruto walked over just as Kurama set one of the glass bottles down next to him.
"Listen. What I'm about to do, has to stay between you and me. Got it? Because I have one favor to ask of you."
"Ask me for a favor? Instead of demanding it? Is this character growth?"
Kurama gave Naruto a grumpy look again.
"And if you can't do it, you can see yourself out, and I'll join you for dinner later."
"No way," Naruto answered, sitting down. "You can trust me! Let me in on your secret!"
Perhaps sounding eager wasn't the way to go about it. Kurama looked ready to boot him out anyways before he sighed.
"Only, because it'll be easier with you than without. My favor is that if anyone opens the door to this house, I need you to shout 'occupied' so they'll leave. The soap and steam here cover up scents, so it's the best way for them to know you're here. And so long as we are 'intended' they'll respect your privacy more than normal."
"Uh-huh! Okay got it! And what am I protecting?!"
And that's when Kurama pulled out the final piece of the puzzle. Scissors.
"EHHHH!? You're gonna CUT yo-mmph!"
Kurama's hand was over his mouth. His warm, soft hand.
"Don't shout Loudmouth! But yes! And I don't need anyone finding out that I'm doing it. I'm going to tell them all that it got burnt off during my training."
Huh. It's true that Kurama's hair had grown since they first met, a surprising amount at that. Currently it was at his midback. Just the past few days even, he's been pulling it into a bun similar to the one he has it in now.
Or did.
Kurama pulled the ribbon loose and Naruto was able to really get a look at the fiery orange strands that when wet, seemed to stretch even further down his back. And of course, he noticed the two-tone aspect. The black hair on his sides that had a slight wave to them at the end. It was so cool. Two-toned hair affected about 1% of the population and Naruto used to be so sad about it, that there was a fun time period where he dyed some of his strands orange and blue. He couldn't wrap his mind around wanting to cut such shiny, two-toned, soft-looking hair…
"Why do you want to cut it? Your hair looks nice to me."
Kurama raised an eyebrow at him, and Naruto wondered why. Sure some compliments felt weird to share between them, but it was Naruto's guess that they were moving past that. But not in a close romantic way! He's complimented plenty of people before like that. Phew, Naruto waved at his own exposed chest.
"Personal preference," he finally answered. "You don't have an argument for that do you?"
Something about the way his voice lifted indicated to Naruto that he was teasing. Still, Naruto blushed because his opinion would count as an argument.
"You don't want to hear it."
"I'm tempted to prove you wrong and ask anyways. Doesn't mean I'll listen but your thoughts have become a curiosity to me. Like a newly discovered species of insect."
"Oi!" Naruto shouted back, affronted.
Kurama snickered. The door opened.
"OCCUPIED!" Naruto shouted.
"Oh my! Sorry Naruto-sama!" And the door shut promptly.
"Very good. I should hire you as my personal guard." Kurama poked his tongue out before briefly patting him on the head.
Just as Naruto was about to snap back, Kurama opened the glass bottle and a very nice scent wafted out. He remained speechless as Kurama bent over and began to lather his hair.
"I prefer to wash my hair separately from myself," he stated, out of the blue. "It allows me to give it more proper care and attention. Though, it's been less of a pain since I cut it the first time."
"I saw an old picture of you before. Your hair can get pretty long can't it?"
"Frighteningly so."
"I can't imagine," Naruto pondered as he pulled at his own damp hair. The ends came just as far down as his cheeks from the top and the just to the nape of his neck at the sides and bottom. It's been this length for as long as he can remember.
"I got my dad's length. I wonder if people would treat me with more respect if I got my mom's instead? My mom's hair could get really long too. Oi! Whose hair got the longest between the two of you?!"
Now Kurama had steam coming outta his ears.
The door opened.
"OCCUPIED!"
"…" The door closed.
"I am no longer curious about your thoughts."
"Oooo that much of a difference huh?"
"For your information, only certain jerks care about long hair! What matters most when it comes to measuring power, is the number of tails on your backside!"
"Uh-huh haha! I know! Me and mine have short hair and I'd say we're pretty strong. Don't worry it's all hype to me too."
"Hmph!"
Another period of silence settled, as Naruto watched Kurama wash his scalp and roots. Dare he be so bold to ask if he can touch? It's not like he's scared of the reaction if Kurama says no. Even Kurama's old 'don't touch me' rule—
The door opened.
"OCCUPIED!"
"Termities in my tails! Dammit sorry!" The door closed.
Kurama rinsed without incident. But right when he gathered some hair, right when he was about to cut, he paused.
"You have been unimaginably quiet thus far. I'm really shocked."
"Hm? I'm just feeling relaxed y'know," Naruto responded. And indeed, ears back, body warm, he could almost skip dinner and go to sleep.
"Well I hope you don't fall asleep. I'm not carrying you back to your room again."
What shocked Naruto, was that he doubted that.
"Y'know I can give you a proper thank you for that!"
"You're not brave enough too."
"Brave? That's the word you're gonna use? Akagitsune you sure aren't being careful like you normally are!" Naruto swiveled so that he was in a position to crawl on the bench. Facing Kurama, his heart pounded still. For as much as he enjoyed teasing, it was still a very delicate balance. Until wet hair slapped his cheek. It was so soft that even though his head moved to the side, it didn't hurt. But somehow, he was still dazed.
"Ah! I forgot I cut better from this angle~," Kurama chirped in a sing-song tone.
Naruto saw that smirk before it was hidden behind a curtain of hair. Now his heart rate sped up for a different reason, and his butt wagged just a bit as he crouched. Kurama ran his fingers through his hair again, seemingly unperturbed. But when Naruto pounced, he landed solidly on the bench, only a whiff of soap left behind.
"Oy you're crazy after all! Trying to leap on me when I'm holding scissors! Do you want to lose an eye?" Naruto heard from behind him followed by the sound of scissors snipping. When Naruto turned around, Kurama still hadn't cut his hair, although he playfully waved the scissors in the air.
"I think you're gonna be the one losing an eye if you keep playing with them like that." But of course Naruto was not one to talk, as he got ready to pounce again.
"Don't you think this space is a little too small for you to be hopping around like this?" Kurama commented as he yet again easily dodged Naruto's lunge. He wasn't sure if his akagitsune was being serious or not.
"If you don't like it, then stop me. Or just say-AH!" Naruto yelped as he found himself with his back against the wall, Kurama's hand on his chest. Those fingers were warm and wet—that palm, right there on his skin. No touching rule? Where is it? What is that? The way Naruto was feeling right now, it was sure to be overruled from now on.
"Give it up." Kurama's voice sounded low and commanding. "You'll never catch me unless I let you."
Naruto looked at Kurama's hand on his chest and his gaze trailed up his arm to his shoulder. He then glanced at his own arm. There was indeed a slight difference in length. But Kurama wasn't pushing on him that hard. With just. A little. Effort…
Naruto brought his arms up, stretched them forward and moved.
Pressing his toes against the ground, he practically jumped, and let out a loud 'AHAH!' when his hands connected with Kurama's shoulders and he grabbed them.
But he didn't really plan this move through. Like the amount of force he needed to exert didn't really match up with the amount of force Kurama was exerting in the first place.
In other words, Kurama wasn't prepared for Naruto to move.
So his hand fell back, and he fell back as Naruto pushed against him. The bench was right behind him so Kurama fell on his butt, sitting as Naruto landed right on his lap and Naruto's grip on Kurama's shoulders turned into an embrace around his neck. He didn't know who was more surprised between the two of them, but it didn't feel possible to move.
A short distance between them…he could see the finer details of his scarlet red irises again.
And soft fabric on skin. He could slink his hands under that robe and finally squeeze those back muscles. If he could move.
He was so close…that loose tie around his waist could fall apart. If he did move.
Just a grind of his hips and his flesh would be exposed finally. They would let loose and enjoy themselves. Skin touching in the heated steam and this current pleasurable—powerful—scent of ecstatic hot almond—
And Naruto was jolted out of his imagination, ears twitching at the sound of splintering wood. He glanced down to see Kurama gripping the bench so hard it was starting to break.
The door opened.
"Occupied."
"Oh you're in here? I'll only take a second then."
Naruto saw Kurama's red eyes go wide and he was sure he mirrored the look as they scrambled out of their compromising position.
"Waitwaitwait—" The footsteps weren't stopping, Kurama had scissors in his hand, and Naruto got a great idea. He reached his hand out to Kurama, silently urging him to give him the scissors. Kurama looked confused, but did so. And that's when Naruto leapt behind him and gathered Kurama's hair into one hand while the other held up the scissors and snipped.
This was the position they were caught in.
"Ah! Kyuubi-sama! I didn't realize you were also here! I'm sorry um, I just need a—uhhhhh what is your guest doing to your hair with those scissors?"
"O-Oh darn!" Naruto sputtered out. He glanced at Kurama who was looking back at him in confusion. "You caught me scissors in hand! Y'know I was cutting it off as a prank hehe!"
He could see a look of realization dawn on Kurama's face then he noticed the kitsune visitor looking at him, nose scrunching up in an all-too familiar look of…disgust—likehewaslookingdownonhim—no! Naruto looked again. It was confusion. Clearly. He was scratching his head even. Clearly it was confusion (withalittledisgust).
"You don't look very concerned about getting caught," he drawled out. He glanced at Kurama, before shrugging his shoulders. "But alright. I'm just gonna get a glass of bathwater for my own prank. Not that you heard that from me." The guy casually made his way over, and leisurely dipped his glass into the small tub Kurama was using to wash his hair.
"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Is this all I'll need?"
"MY INTENDED'S UNDRESSED YOU IDIOT! IF YOU DON'T HURRY UP AND GET OUT OF HERE THAT GLASS IS GOING STRAIGHT UP YOUR ASS!" Kurama roared, with clenched fists.
"Whoops! Understood! Clear! Got it!" The guy was tripping over himself, running out of there, single tail bushy and between his legs. The door was slammed shut.
…
"Phew! Crisis averted for you huh?" Naruto quipped. He really liked the feeling of Kurama's hair. It really was as soft as he had imagined it to be. Finally he got to touch it. Finally. He is SUCH an embarrassment to this plan to break up. Kurama was looking at him now actually, with an expression he couldn't quite decipher.
"What…?"
Kurama broke out of whatever trance he was in. "Nothing! That was just some…quick thinking on your part. But I just need 2 minutes to take care of my hair without you…distracting me..." He said, reaching out for the scissors. Naruto handed them back to him. But he couldn't resist still trying to make it not awkward with the guy whose lap he just sat on and wished—almost wished—alright Naruto gonna stop that thought right there, he thought, but nonetheless was disappointed his fantasy was interrupted before he could touch himself in it. On top of that, losing that scent his mind so amazingly created that…actually too amazing…was that real? But no, he jammed that to the back of his mind. Oh he jammed it back there hard.
Delicate. Balance.
"Ohhh the whole no touching rule huh? If you ask me Akagitsune, it's in the way. I can make magic with your hairstyle y'know."
"Are you kidding me?! I'm fortunate that the cut you just made didn't ruin it! If I let you cut my hair again, you're not doing it for free!" Kurama snapped with a grumpy look on his face. Success. The akagitsune was oh-kay!
"Eh? You're gonna pay me?"
"No you're going to pay me. If you say my name correctly from now on, I'll let you take care of this mane. Now say it: Kyuubi."
Naruto thought it over because technically he wouldn't have a problem doing that. Except yeah he would. Kurama's not supposed to be a romance option. But because they were intended, every completely platonic move has intruding romantic overtone-like thoughts. God he'd rather think about walking around with a blindfold from now on than saying 'Kyuubi'. He had to think about the name-calling. Because when—if it does change, it's gotta be clear why. It's gotta be clear, how far their relationship is going to go.
And he needed some time to think on that. They agreed to destroy the courtship, they never agreed on what they'd be afterwards. What would he be okay with? With soft pink hair in the back of his mind, and the reasons for why that maneki neko wasn't in his arms also there, he really needed the time. So nah.
"Sorry Akagitsune but I'm broke right now."
"Hmph. You had no problem using it a few days ago."
Yea well, you were on my good side that night, Naruto thought, but out loud said,
"I don't remember that. In the meantime, I'm gonna go and build me an akagitsune shrine outta this piece of hair you've gifted me. Do you still need me?"
"Definitely not!" And indeed the akagitsune went at cutting his hair like it was a race.
"Okay! See you in the kitchen! Get excited because I think we can make something spectacular!"
And so Naruto stepped out of the bath house to see a line of youkai waiting outside the door.
Doneeee! Return of the naughty Naruto hehe! Only this time he wasn't exactly alone ;).
Story fun fact corner:
1) bathhouses are made of wood because they're easily replaceable.
Author fun fact corner:
1) Hair care was one of my more favorite scenes in version 1, so of course I got it here!
Short end A/N :)! Hope you enjoyed this one!