They sat around the fire, Naruto lying in the folds of Beauty's dress, fuming silently to himself as he read his comic books, and Shino intensely studying his selected literature. Beauty was very happy to be sitting by the fire, and even she absolutely loved her new book, she began to feel her eyes drooping in the warm firelight. She was thankful to have her repose interrupted by a scuffling noise.

"Oy! Naruto! Who's the chick?" said...a box.

"Ero-sennin! Long time no see!! Perfecting any more of your perverted spying jutsus?" said Naruto with a rakish grin on his face.

"A pro like me...needs no perfecting." said the brown box with strange symbols and hearts scratched into it's sides and a pair of narrow eyes looking out. Shino adjusted his glasses.

"My lady, this is Jiraya-sama," he said, gesturing towards the box. "Jiraya-sama? This is the lady I had mentioned to you earlier, the one here to save us from our fate."

"Hohohoho! Thank goodness! That Tsunade is a pain in the butt! I mean, turning me into a toy box!"

"Toy box?" Beauty questioned, tilting her head to the side innocently. Shino made silencing motions with his hands, but Jiraya took no notice.

"Why yes, little lady! If you ever need anything to spice it up between you and the master, just let me know!!"

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked, as she reached out to open the box. Shino and Naruto tried to stop her but it was too late.

♥ ♥ ♥

"...Empty. Its empty." said Beauty.

"EMPTY!?!?!" exclaimed both Naruto and Shino.

"Yes. Why did you lie?" asked Beauty.

"Because he always was just full of hot air." said a rough voice. The beast had padded into the room without a noise, and now he was settling himself into the unused chair by the fire. Then he looked at Beauty and then looked away. "What is it that you've been doing today?"

Beauty inclined her head politely. "I've...been here with Naruto and Shino. They've been so kind as to show me the entire library." Jiraya was slowly sneaking off in shame, his secret exposed.

"Yeah master! She really loves the books here, dattebaaayooo!" said Naruto, bobbing his head up and down.

"It would appear as if the lady does indeed have a deep interest in literature," confirmed Shino.

The Beast looked highly confused.

♥ ♥ ♥

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Notes for the Reader
• This is a slightly promotional fanfiction for my other fanfiction, Dream.
• Please review!