A/N: Hi. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter hehe. I wrote this kinda quick, but hoping to get another chapter out soon.
And as always, thank you for your comments, and hope you enjoy reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Naruto touched the markings on his stomach. It was in a shape of a circle with other markings around it.
What the fuck?
The pain was so sudden, and no it's gone. He didn't even know Kyuubi could turn into a fox. He had a feeling that Kyuubi didn't know that either.
He put his shirt back and left the bathroom. He saw Sakura with a worried look on her face.
"Are you okay..?" She asked. "We all heard the yelling, but didn't dare to come any closer."
Naruto sighed.
"Yeah, we're okay. Sorry." Another sigh. "Can you tell everyone to leave for a bit though. I'll still pay you guys, but I think we just need some space to figure things out."
"Oh, uhm..sure." Sakura turned away to tell everyone else.
Naruto went back and saw Sasuke in the same place he left him.
"Are you okay Sasuke."
Sasuke looked up at his master and nodded.
"How's Kyuubi."
Sasuke lifted his arms to show the sleeping fox in his arms.
Naruto bent down and picked up Kyuubi and brought him into his own arms.
"What have we done Kyuubi." Naruto whispered as he petted Kyuubi's head.
Naruto looked at Sasuke.
"Thanks for holding him. I know you were scared." He reached down to pat Sasuke's head but stopped.
Sasuke had flinched.
He clenched his fist and cursed. He looked at Kyuubi's sleeping form dangerously. It's all his fault. He started to unconsciously grip Kyuubi tighter in anger, making the fox whine.
Sasuke frantically jumped up to take Kyuubi away from him, seeing the pain on Kyuubi's face.
"Why do you care for this bastard!" He spat out. "He just treated you like trash, and you're trying to help him?!"
Sasuke ignored what his master said. He couldn't just stand there and watch Naruto hurt Kyuubi. He continued to try and take Kyuubi away from Naruto, but he couldn't.
Naruto had angrily backhanded Sasuke across the face.
Sasuke was stunned. He looked at his master, and tears started to form. All he was trying to do was help! He fell to the floor and started to sob into his hands. He was so scared, so afraid.
Naruto's heart dropped when he realized what he did.
"S..Sasuke.." Naruto couldn't form any more words.
He bent down with Kyuubi still in his arms and tried to calm Sasuke. He went to touch his back, but Sasuke flinched again.
"Please Sasuke.." Naruto tried.
He was relieved when Sasuke let him rub his back.
"I..I'm sorry..I didn't mean to.." Naruto felt his own eyes get wet.
How could he hurt the person he claimed his love for?
He was disgusted with himself.
Sasuke looked up at his master. He saw tears falling down whiskered cheeks. He remembered the stories Naruto had told him. He quickly wiped his own eyes, getting rid of any tears.
I will be strong for master.
Sasuke weakly got up to wipe the tears of his master.
"Why Sasuke.." Naruto cried harder. "After what I just did to you! Why do you show me kindness."
Naruto looked through his watery eyes and saw Sasuke looking back.
"Is it because I'm your master.."
Sasuke shook his head. Even though he was his master, it was just a different feeling. He didn't do it because he Naruto was simply his master. No. There were more complexed feelings mixed into that. Sasuke was beginning to understand.
"I'm sorry.."
Sasuke looked up at his master and smiled at him, telling him it was okay.
Naruto brought one arm up and hugged Sasuke. He was relieved that Sasuke didn't flinch this time. He rubbed Sasuke's back and went up to pet his hair.
He realized a weight change.
"Sasuke?"
No response.
Sasuke had fallen asleep from too much energy used in such a short amount of time. He was exhausted.
Naruto sighed. So much for spending time with Sasuke after his birthday.
He carried both Kyuubi and Sasuke up to his room. He plopped them both onto his bed.
"Damn you guys are heavy." He muttered.
He carefully moved the blanket so he could place it over them. Sasuke instinctively curled up around Kyuubi, and Kyuubi did the same.
Naruto sighed.
He would've gotten upset if the human form of Kyuubi did that to Sasuke, but since he was just a fox, it almost looked cute.
Naruto quickly left his room. He needed fresh air.
He went downstairs and went out to the backyard. He took a deep breath and laid down flat on the grass.
Just why did so many things happen at once.
He felt terrible for hitting Sasuke. He still felt his hand stinging from the impact he made, and he made Sasuke cry..again. His chest started to hurt from thinking about it. Do I only cause pain for you Sasuke? Naruto sighed.
And then there was the matter with Kyuubi. He didn't even know Kyuubi felt like that. He thought I was replacing him?
Naruto sighed again. A headache crept its way through from all the stress.
But it wasn't just that. Kyuubi even turned to a fox. Naruto had never seen something like that happen.
Naruto closed his eyes, trying to find a little peace in his mind. He didn't want to think about the marks on his stomach.
He groaned and decided to go back inside, wanting to see Sasuke's face. He went back inside to see all of his maids leaving.
"Oh, you guys are leaving now?" He asked.
"Yup."
"Take care."
"Don't die without us."
Naruto laughed at their forwardness.
"I'll see you guys later."
"We're ladies Naruto." Sakura corrected.
"Yeah yeah." Naruto waved his hand. "Bye ladies."
They all said their goodbyes and left.
In a slightly better mood, he went to his room and went over to his bed. Sasuke and Kyuubi were still sleeping. He lightly touched Sasuke's cheek where he had hit him, remembering the tears he caused. His cheek was slightly pink and was swelling just a tiny bit.
Naruto stroked Sasuke's hair and lightly touched his ear, earning him a little flick.
Sasuke made a face of disturbance and brought his hands, curled up to cover himself. But he quickly fell back asleep, making his hands fall to the side.
Naruto thought his heart was going to explode from Sasuke's cuteness.
He continued to stare at Sasuke, whiling idly petting him. Sasuke suddenly opened his eyes to reveal dark orbs look right back at him.
"My god Sasuke! Don't scare me like that." Naruto was gripping his chest from the shock.
Sasuke sat up, yawning. He rubbed his eyes and stared at his master.
"Hey Sasuke.." Naruto started. "I'm really sorry for hurting you earlier..I was just so mad at Kyuubi."
Sasuke continued to stare at Naruto. He then raised his arms, signalling that he wanted to be carried.
"Haha..you're so lazy Sasuke.." Naruto picked Sasuke up carefully, trying not to disturb Kyuubi.
Sasuke wrapped his legs around Naruto's waist, and his arms around his neck. He laid his head down on his master's shoulder.
"What do you want to do?"
Sasuke shook his head.
"You don't want to do anything?"
Another shake.
"Then I'm going to sit down, there's no way I'll be able to carry you like this the whole time."
Sasuke nodded, and Naruto sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. Sasuke had moved his legs to each side of Naruto to avoid them being crushed between the wall and his master. He wasn't comfortable though so he sat up.
"What is it Sasuke?"
Sasuke stared at Naruto. He tilted his head, what did he want? He didn't know, but he nuzzled into Naruto's neck.
"That tickles Sasuke." Naruto laughed.
Sasuke looked up and pouted. He leaned against Naruto's chest instead.
"Sasuke, you really scared me back there." He started, while wrapping his arms around Sasuke. "You know, you don't have to listen to anyone..especially Kyuubi. I still can't believe he took advantage of you like that. I understand where you're coming from, to be afraid..but I'm telling you this now. Don't be afraid anymore. I won't let anyone hurt you..okay?"
Sasuke let that soak in before giving a response. Don't be afraid? Oh how he wished he didn't have to live in fear anymore. Sasuke hugged his master tightly before sheepishly nodding into his chest.
Naruto gently grabbed Sasuke's shoulder and pulled him up so he could look at him. He gently touched Sasuke's cheek where he hit him.
"I'm sorry." Naruto said for the last time.
Sasuke lightly smiled before cradling his master's hand with his own. He leaned into the touched and barely kissed the palm of his hand. He continued to smile at his master.
Naruto couldn't help but smile back. He gently pulled Sasuke forward and lightly kissed him on the lips, making the kit blush.
"You're being awfully clingy, you know." Naruto noticed. "Not that it's a bad thing, I actually enjoy it."
Sasuke was feeling very hot for some reason. He couldn't bare to look at his master, so he turned around so he could lean on him instead. He then noticed something missing.
Sasuke sat up and started looking around.
"What're you looking for?'
Sasuke spun around to face Naruto. He started to make shapes with his fingers, but Naruto couldn't understand.
Then he started to grab at his own ears and tail and gave a short mewl.
"Oh, you're looking for your cat?"
Sasuke quickly nodded.
"I think you may have dropped in downstai—"
Sasuke was already off.
Naruto could hear footsteps make their way down the steps. Naruto laughed to himself and got up.
He was going to follow Sasuke downstairs, but he noticed movement on the bed.
"Kyuubi?"
Dark eyes were looking straight at Naruto.
"How long were you up?"
Kyuubi continued to stare at him, but soon he gave a slight smirk.
"Y-you..!" Naruto composed himself. "You saw that?" Meaning the kiss.
Kyuubi nodded, still smirking.
"Kyuubi, I love him okay? So don't try to interfere. It would really help a lot if you actually tried not being such a bastard."
Kyuubi gave a huff and looked away. He couldn't speak in his current form., which annoyed the hell out of him. He also wished he was bigger rather than some sort of small, cute nine tailed fox. He jumped off the bed and sat next to Naruto.
"You know, you're real cute like that." Naruto teased.
Kyuubi glared at Naruto and pounced on him. He tried attacking the blonde, but found no strength to do so. His nails were dull, and his jaw was weak, thus not being able to scratch or bite.
He was rendered powerless.
"Man you really are defenseless in this form. This is new to you too right?"
Kyuubi grimly nodded. He already didn't like this form of his.
Soon both heard footsteps make their way back up the stairs. Sasuke came bursting in, showing that he found his cat.
Sasuke soon saw Kyuubi awake and smiled at him. He went over to touch Kyuubi's head and then showed him his cat.
What is wrong with him? Just not too long ago he feared me so much. What is he so happy for.
Kyuubi ignored Sasuke by turning around jumping back on the bed.
"Don't worry bout him Sasuke, he's just always like that." Naruto saw Sasuke's face drop after Kyuubi ignored him.
Naruto and Sasuke went into their own world. Sasuke wanted Naruto to continue teaching him. Naruto groaned, but did so anyways.
Kyuubi laid there watching them. He secretly did like that small pat on his head. It made him feel loved. It wasn't that he loved Sasuke or anything, but just the feeling. He found himself yearning for that touch, not caring who it was from. Hell, even Naruto touching him would make him happy. He just couldn't find a way to ever express himself, and he had too much pride to admit it.
Kyuubi sighed and curled up with his tails, not watching Naruto or Sasuke anymore. He almost wished that he could have someone to be with.
Almost.