A/N– oh my, my finals are done and I took a bit of time to recollect, but I am back. Sorry for the wait.

By the way, as much as I love having you add me to favorite story or author list I would like it if you also took the time to review. It helps me keep motivated!

Toastnchips– I expect that sundae delivered to my house within the next five business days.

Summary-Naruto is not like everyone thinks he is, he hides his true self from everybody. The few who know about the other him know very little. When various events force Naruto to spend time with his team mates in situations outside of the norm he finds it hard to keep up the act.

Parings-SasuNaru, some KakaIru others not decided.

Rating- very much an R rated fic… or M… guess that's what it is now… -- bah

Warning- sexual situations, foul language, self mutilation, attempted suicide, a very OOC Sasuke. And bitchy Sakura! –– well she had gotten better in resent chapters.

Spoilers- for anyone who is not up to date on the manga –– that's sorta true now.

Disclaimer– special thanks to my rats, they helped me type this chapter, though in the editing most of there contributions were cut.

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Red Walkways

Chapter Eleven

So much to do, so little time

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With slow deliberate steps of a man with conviction, Jiraiya walked towards Tsunade's office with Shizune by his side. Her head was down, he knew it was because she disagreed with his actions but had to much respect to show her opposition. It was in silence thick that they approached the confrontation.

Shizune knocked then entered, with a bow she announced Jiraiya's arrival. He entered with a stony gait, in his eyes you could see his resolve. His decision was made, and even though he did not have final say over village business he felt in his bones what he was doing was right and would fight for it even if it meant going against Tsunade's wishes.

The air was tense, and there was silence for many moments. Across from Jiraiya, Tsunade looked angry. He stood his ground, he wasn't going to be the first to speak, he was at disadvantage and would play off her reaction.

Tsunade took a calming breath,

"So, I have received another letter from the Raikage, he seems to think I have had a change of heart and am going into this for mentioned agreement with him and his village. I was hoping you could explain this change of thinking I have had without even realizing it. Have I lost my mind? Or maybe you have. Lost. Yours…"

The stare was piercing, the voice was a quiet, low hiss that was almost able to lull Jiraiya into a false sense of security. He could feel his hands shaking, he has never on the receiving end of such anger from Tsunade. He was used to the raging violence, not this calm fury that filled the room. He felt as if he should be pressed to the wall by its pressure.

He let himself have a moment to recollect. Even under her rage he was not going to change stance. He knew this was right for their village. They needed this to keep existing. He set his heals in and began to speak.

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He might be alive. Alive…

Naruto clamped shut the part of his connection that let Kyuubi know everything he knew. He put up a front. He couldn't let Kyuubi know incase it wasn't Karasu. He didn't know what would happen if the fox got his hopes up only to find out it wasn't his raven. He didn't want to lose his friend.

Naruto tried to focus, he need to know where this raven was hiding out, he tuned back into the conversation.

"Does anyone know where he's hiding?"

"No one that I have met, but the rumor is he hind near the last place his mate was known to be."

"Who was his mate?"

"Well… its rumored also that his mate was… Kyuubi."

Naruto stilled, trying not to react and draw attention to himself. It really might be Karasu. But they said he was dying. If he could get Kyuubi to him…last place his mate was said to be… Fire country…but Naruto didn't know of any rumors or a raven demon in his home. On second thought he probably didn't make himself known in his weakened state. He would have to finish this mission quick, what if they were to late to save Karasu? Naruto bit his thumb in thought, how was he going to pull this off?

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Kyuubi walked slowly down the main street. He could sense the guards that were keeping a carful eye on him. He pretended not to notice, he was supposed to be a lower demon after all. He expected to be followed until they left or were there long enough to be trusted. He vaguely wondered if Naruto noticed the spies.

Speaking of Naruto just a few minutes ago their connection changed. He could hear Narutos surface thoughts but not everything. He had a strange suspicion that's the thoughts he could hear were a front. He wasn't to worried though. The kit could take care of himself, maybe he met a nice demoness. Kyuubi smirked.

Slowly his smile faded, this is what he came for. He put up a front of his own, he didn't want the kit to worry. This was where they lived for so long. Together and happy. The new owners of the little house didn't change it much over the years. Kyuubi could almost see his young lover coming out the door, smile, and run to him. He would most likely stop just short of jumping him, then lean forward so their faces almost touched, then smile wider his eyes curving upward.

"Hows my foxy man today?"

The words echoed in his mind…

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Jiraiya steeled himself, and spoke.

"I feel in my very being that this deal with the Raikage is in the best interest of the village. So I took matters into my own hands and sent a letter informing the Raikage that you had a change of heart."

Tsunades eyes narrows.

"Unfortunately, no matter what you feel is best does not matter. It is what I feel is best that matters. I am going to write the Raikage one more time letting him know you were mistaken in your belief that I wanted a treaty of this type with his village. After that the matter is closed, do you understand?"

Her voice was like tinted glass, dark and smooth. Jiraiya stood his ground, but he could tell he needed to change his strategy.

"I am sorry Tsunade-sama, but I can not let this end here, I am going to bring my reasoning to the elders."

Tsunade felt her blood go cold. This could be a problem…

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Naruto let out a sigh and went back to his drink, he nursed it slowly. So now he had two things he needed to do when he got back to Konoha. He need to go look for that scroll that has information on the demons and human from the legend Kyuubi told him about, and look for Karasu, and press Tsunade about those letters. This wasn't going to be easy. Plus he still had to finish the mission. He need time to think, he could wait until after the mission to look for the raven, but Karasu might not last that long. Or on the way back through fire to cross to tea country, he could try to look for clues without Kyuubi knowing, and find Karasu then… without anyone knowing… that might be hard. Damn it!

Naruto cleared his mind, the first thing he had to do was get back to camp before the others woke up, and deal with Sasuke. He had to think of nothing else until then. He could feel Kyuubi closing in on his position. The spies were still following the fox, Naruto had notice one following him since they came in. he was almost positive it was the hawk demon from the entrance. Right now he was sitting in the corner to the right of his own. There were two demons following Kyuubi, they seemed to think of him as a bigger possible threat.

Kyuubi entered the bar, his two followers entered shortly after and joined the hawk demon. Kyuubi stopped in front Naruto and jerked his thumb in the direction of the spies. Their eyes got wide.

"They don't seem like they are even trying very hard to hide from us…"

Naruto nodded,

"Yeah I noticed mine shortly after you left here."

Kyuubi nodded approvingly.

"I feel like our time here is coming to a close, we need to get back if we want to be there before the others wake up."

Naruto stood and stretched, trying to act normal. Kyuubi wasn't entirely fooled by the act, but also didn't want to pry into something that was probably none of his business, so let it go.

"Well lets go!" Naruto smiled, his expression reminiscent of his former persona, Kyuubi felt a chill go down his spine.

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The gate loomed before them, not surprisingly the same guards were there to great them.

"Leaving so soon?" the hawk inquired.

Kyuubi gave a curt nod,

"We have other business to attend to before the night ends."

Both guards nodded.

Within minutes they were in the grove of trees they had arrived in. then they were in the air once again looking down on the fairytale city.

Naruto let out a sigh.

"Whats the matter kit?"

"Just thinking about having to deal with Sasuke when we get back."

"Yes that is going to be interesting." Kyuubi smirked, for him it was going too be a fuck tone of yes. Satisfying and entertaining.

Naruto could feel what the fox was feeling and let out a grunt of annoyance. Stupid fox was enjoying this way to much.

Soon they were nearing the trees by their camp that they had left from. To soon for Narutos sake, he could see them coming over the horizon. He steeled himself for the encounter with Sasuke, this was going to be hard to cover up… he might really have to tell him the truth. But where does that stop. He already knows about Narutos thing, and that he was smarter then he let on, AND that he was going to be the sixth. If he told him about Kyuubi then he would have to tell him how that happened. His true intelligence, all his research… everything.

'Exactly kit…' this worked out better then if Kyuubi had planed it. Though he did give himself some credit for putting it into motion by not healing the kits cuts. That felt like so long ago now…

Everything seemed very far away to Naruto. Someone was going to learn all his secrets for the first time in his life. He was going to be completely naked to another human. This is something he never let happen for a reason. He never trusted someone enough and never thought he would. But this was thrust upon him, and even though he wasn't sure, he HAD to believe he could trust Sasuke. He had kept Naruto's secrets thus far, and that was a small comfort.

Kyuubi started to circle down, Naruto felt his heart go into his throat. This was it. He could see a dark figure move in their direction right before his head ducked below the tree line.

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Sasuke's eyes snapped open, he could feet the other ninja before he even saw him. He sat up and looked north. There was only about three hours before the others would wake.

Sasuke stood, after a few moments a black blur came into view. He moved to where it was going to enter the trees, as it started to spiral down for a smoother landing.

Just as he reached the tree line Sasuke was cut short by another flash of heat and light. Weaker then before but still as unnatural… almost demonic. Sasuke stepped into the trees. His sight was clouded by branches and shadows but before he even reached the small clearing where he lost Naruto, he could he his outline. There was a small shadow on his shoulder that could only be k-chan.

The moon light made paintings on the floor of the forest, the trees cut stencils over Naruto. One of his blue eyes was seeped in light and the other blotted out in darkness. Sasuke found it hard to focus on the others eyes. He either was lost in a glowing blue that seemed almost unnatural, or a black blue Sasuke only ever saw in the severest of burses. It was like trying to look into the eyes of two different people at the same time.

K-chan jumped from Naruto's shoulder, Sasuke only broke his gaze from Narutos when he felt heat wash over him. When he cracked open an eye all he saw was darkness, his night vision taken by the blinding flash that always came with the warmth. All he saw were shadows. He snatched his hand back to himself when something soft and warm brushed it. He had to force himself to still, his breathing shallow, something was breathing across his face. Something big…

A/N– I know this chapter is shorter then most but I felt and ending. Plus I wanted to get it to you.