xxxChapter 2: Beyond Foreverxxx

Iruka stared wide-eyed with a poised spoon as Naruto hastily shoveled his breakfast into the garbage disposal he called his mouth.

The blond dropped his spoon onto the plate with a loud clatter and forced out a "DONE!" before leaping off the chair and running to the door, his cheeks puffing out with un-chewed food.

"Hoooold it." Iruka ordered, stopping the boy just as he had placed a hand on the knob. He put down his spoon and turned to him. "And just where are you in such a hurry to go?"

The kit swallowed what was in his mouth and let out a huge smile."Outside! To play!"

"Not before you do your chores you're not."

Naruto's smile fell, his tail going limp. "Awww, but daddy-"

"No. You're not getting out of them today, Naruto."

The blond pouted, 'Stupid chores! They're going to hold me back from seeing Sasuke!' He tried once more, flattening his ears. "But...I really wanna play..."

Iruka shook his head, standing up from the table and picking up the dishes. "The faster you do them, the faster you can play. At least shovel the hay out of the barn, all right?"

The fox groaned, "Okaaaaay," he muttered before walking out the door.

x-X-0-X-x

Sasuke huffed for the fourth time and began kicking lightly at the log the fox had been hiding in yesterday.

Where WAS he? Sasuke had said he was coming back today and here he was, even though his master had warned him not to go back into the forest unless accompanied by either him or Itachi.

He stopped kicking the wood and tilted his head back to the treetops, remembering his brother's behavior yesterday when Sasuke had come back from playing with Naruto.

The older dog had sniffed him, scrunched up his nose and asked if he'd found what he was looking for. When Sasuke replied with a 'yes', he'd smirked and murmured 'good' before walking away. And the pup realized that by 'found', what his brother had actually meant was 'killed', so he had unknowingly lied to him.

He sniffed and looked down at his feet. "Where are you?"

Deciding he'd waited long enough, Sasuke crouched down and inhaled the log until he caught the other's scent. Closing his eyes, he followed the smell, down to the patch of grass they had rolled around in yesterday and up to trace the path the fox had taken home.

Eventually, Sasuke bumped into something hard and opened his eyes, finding himself in front of a wooden fence with two railings. He lifted a brow and peeked through the barrier, catching sight of a head of blond shoveling something out of a barn.

His tail went into overdrive as he hopped the fence with a smile, running up to the other boy. "Hey! Naruto!"

The young fox paused and looked over his shoulder, face breaking out into a huge grin, "Sasuke!"

Sasuke caught up and eyed the shovel in the other's hand. "I was waiting for you in the forest. What are you doing?"

The other boy sighed and glanced at the stack of hay, "Chores."

"Oh" Sasuke shifted between the hay stack and his friend. He sniffed and rubbed his arm under his nose, "Are you almost done?"

Naruto pouted and glared at the hay stack, "No, not really."

Sasuke's ears drooped sadly. "Does...that mean we can't play today?"

Naruto opened his mouth to tell him that they had to wait until he was finished, but when he caught the look of obvious disappointment in Sasuke's eyes, he closed it and dropped the shovel instead. "I can do them later," he chimed, reaching forward and grabbing a pale hand.

Sasuke brightened up immediately and pulled Naruto closer. "Okay! Let's go!"

"Yeah!"

Just as they turned around to run into the forest, they unexpectedly hit something solid that knocked them back.

Kakashi smirked behind his mask, placing his hands on his hips. "Slacking on our responsibilities, Naruto? Iruka won't be too happy about that."

The blond shot him a light glower, "Like you can talk Kakashi!"

"Now now, let's not go there, what happened to my nickname?"

Naruto thrust his chest out in what was supposed to be an intimidating manner, but ended up being simply adorable. "I'm big now! I have to talk to you like big people!"

Kakashi used his book to tap the fox on the head, instantly deflating him. "Oh that's not true, you call Iruka 'daddy' all the time."

Naruto blushed. "That's different! He's my daddy! You're my teacher!"

Kakashi placed a fist on his hip, "Well, if you ask me, I think you're just trying to impress your little friend here." He turned his gaze on Sasuke, "Isn't that right?"

Naruto's blush deepened considerably, "Nu-uh! I don't have to impress Sasuke!"

"Ahhh," the wolf mused, leaning down until he was eye level with the pup. "So you're Orochimaru's latest prized possession. I feel like I'm talking to a celebrity, Naruto wouldn't shut up about you yesterday."

Sasuke's ears perked up, obviously pleased at hearing this news, but Naruto shook his head rapidly with a flushed face, his ears flapping with the movement, "Liar! All I said was he was fun to play with and that we were friends now!"

Kakashi lifted a hand, flicking up each finger as he spoke, "And how nice he smelled, and how strong he was, and how good he was at finding you, and how pretty his eyes were, and-"

"Stop it!" the blond yelled in embarrassment. "So I like Sasuke! So what?! We're friends!" He stomped his foot and raised his head, "Friends are supposed to like each other!"

Kakashi chuckled. "Well, if you say so."

"Hmph!" Naruto turned to the other boy, "C'mon Sasuke! Let's go play!" He began his run towards the forest, pulling Sasuke along with him and lifted his free hand in the air, "See you later Kashi!"

The wolf smiled to himself. "Later."

x-X-0-X-x

The sun was bright as they walked shoulder to shoulder through a clearing Naruto had brought them to, when abruptly, Sasuke stopped, causing the blond to stop as well. "What's the matter?"

Sasuke looked to him and smiled, tilting his head. "Nothing's the matter, stupid."

Naruto's cheeks puffed out in irritation. "Stop calling me that! I am not stupid!"

Sasuke snorted small laugh and turned fully to his friend. "Is it true what the wolf said? That you were talking about me a lot?"

The kit blushed lightly. "Um, well," He bit his lip and rolled his eyes. "I was just sharing the things I like about you! But Kashi likes to tease me." He waved hand through the air and grinned, "Forget about that! Let's play!" He suggested, before lightly shoving the other boy and yelling "TAG! You're it!" then started running off in the other direction.

But before he got far, he stopped, wondering why there were no footsteps behind him. And when he turned around, he saw Sasuke standing in the same spot with a parted mouth and slightly furrowed brows.

The blond made a curious noise and hopped back over to him. Sasuke frowned and stared at him. "Why did you push me?"

Naruto blinked, "Because…you're it."

Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression turning confused rather than annoyed. "I'm...what, exactly?"

Naruto's jaw dropped. "You've never played 'tag' either?"

"No..." Sasuke turned his head to the side but kept his gaze on Naruto, "Do I have to find you again?"

"No," Naruto shook his head and lightly touched the tips of his fingers to Sasuke's shoulders. "I touched you, so you're it." He explained, "Now you have to chase me and touch me" he pointed to himself with both forefingers, "so I'm it, then I chase you back."

Coal eyes narrowed. "I...don't have to count?"

"Uh-uh."

Sasuke's lips twitched upward as he balled his hands excitedly. "Okay, I think I get it."

Naruto smiled back at him. "Good." He leaned forward, "So Sasuke,"

The pup's brows flew up curiously, "Hn?"

Naruto grinned and lifted a hand. "You're" he shoved the other gently, "it," and he whirled around and raced back into the forest, this time hearing footsteps pounding behind him. A grin spread out on his face as he slipped through trees and hopped over fallen logs.

Suddenly, his breath hitched and he halted to a stop, staring down a steep hill. He teetered over the edge, tiny arms flailing out wildly for balance, when Sasuke came up behind him and lurched forward.

He wrapped his arms around the kit's torso and took them tumbling down the slanted land.

When they hit and rolled to a stop on the ground, both were panting heavily. Naruto was lying on his side and Sasuke was on his knees beside him with palms pressed against the earth. A river flowed in front of them, its waters trickling like a stream of quiet murmurs.

The blond suddenly began giggling, and rolled over to lie beneath his friend, who moved his pale arm to make room and placed it on the other side of the boy.

Naruto smiled up at him, eyes shining with delight. "Sasuke?" he hummed softly.

Sasuke cocked his head, one ear flattening to the side. "Hm?"

Naruto took a deep breath and shifted slightly beneath the pup. "Is it too early to say," he reached up and poked Sasuke's nose lightly with a small laugh, "that you are my very best friend?"

Sasuke blinked and smiled back, his tail thumping the ground repeatedly. "No, you're mine too, Naruto."

Naruto brightened and sat up halfway on his elbows, Sasuke's face centimeters from his. "And we'll always be friends, right Sasuke? Forever?"

Sasuke nodded quickly, his heart picking up speed, "More than forever."

The blond tilted his head back to look directly up at his friend with a beaming smile, "Promise?"

Sasuke moved forward, so their chests touched, "Promise."

Heat crept up uninvited to Naruto's cheeks, and he suddenly felt the urge to lean in and nuzzle Sasuke's neck. To memorize the softness of his skin and pull him close until they stained each other with their own scents. But instead, he sat up and moved back with a tiny grin. "Let's play 'I spy'."

Sasuke crossed his legs and looked at him. "Okay."

Naruto started slightly, surprised. "You know how to play?"

Sasuke tipped his head proudly. "I've actually played this game before, with my brother."

Naruto clenched his fists, tail swishing back and forth. "Great! But let's make up a new rule! This time, you have to move closer to whatever you're spying, okay?"

Sasuke's ears perked up and he nodded eagerly. "Okay!"

"Kay, you can go first."

"Alright, I spy with my little eye," Sasuke flicked his gaze up, "something yellow."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Uuuummm..." He looked up at the light poking through the treetops, then back at Sasuke, "The sun?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Nu-uh," He twirled his finger in a vague circle around them, "it's around here."

Naruto bit his lip and looked behind to the river, his gaze trailing to the cascading waterfall where he caught sight of his reflection. His eyes widened and he snapped back to Sasuke with a smile, "My hair!"

"Yeah!"

Naruto clapped excitedly as Sasuke scooted closer to him. The pup clasped his hands between his legs, tail swishing merrily behind him. "Okay, your turn Naruto."

Naruto folded his hands over his head with a cheeky grin. "Hmmmm, I spy with my little eye sooommmeeethiiinnng" his eyes flitted to Sasuke, "dark."

Sasuke raised a brow, "Uh" he peeked behind Naruto, "the river?"

"No," Naruto lowered his hand, "But your close."

Sasuke looked down at himself. "Um..." He reached up and ran pale fingers through his hair, his face suddenly beaming, "My hair!"

"You're close!"

"My ears!"

"Right!" Naruto yelled and moved closer to the other boy, their knees touching.

"Okay" Sasuke chirped. "I spy something bright blue."

Naruto didn't even need to think, "My eyes!"

"Yeah!" Sasuke leaned forward, pressing their noses together.

Naruto's heart was beating erratically, his smile dazzling. "I spy something dark blue!"

"My shirt!"

Naruto yelped with delight and pushed forward, the sensitive flesh of their mouths coming into contact.

Sasuke's tail was beating heavily at the ground, excitement coursing through his veins. And with each word he spoke, their lips brushed teasingly. "I spy someone wet!"

Naruto's eyebrows shot up and he tilted his head, taking in air from Sasuke's mouth and savoring how perfectly their mouths seemed to trace each other, "Who?"

"You!" Sasuke hollered happily before jumping forward and taking Naruto and himself to splash into the river.

When they re-surfaced, soaked to the bone, Naruto began laughing and splashed water at Sasuke's face.

The pup sputtered and glared at him, but his grin took out any anger in the act. "Hey! Not fair!"

"Completely fair!" Naruto retorted with a smile. "You wet me first!"

"I got wet too!" Sasuke argued while splashing the other back.

Naruto brought up his arms to shield his face, and both boys began laughing uncontrollably as they thrust their arms in attempts to splash each other.

But the fun didn't last long, "Sasukeee!"

The pup flinched, and Naruto's ears flattened against his head. "Not again," he murmured softly.

Sasuke sighed, swimming to the edge and crawling out of the water and shaking himself dry. "I guess I have to go."

Naruto frowned, coming out of the water as well, drips falling from the ends of his spiky hair. "Why is your master so mean?" he whined.

Sasuke looked back at him and shrugged. "He just wants what's best for me. Doesn't your master do the same thing?"

Naruto shook himself off and raised a brow. "I don't have a 'master'...I have my daddy, Iruka. Well, he's not really my daddy, but my mama died when I was little, so Iruka takes care of me."

Sasuke opened his mouth to respond but another call from his master shut it with a cringe.

Naruto's eyes darkened sadly. He didn't want his friend to leave, not when they were having such a good time together.

Sasuke caught the look and stepped forward until he was in front of him. With the only thing on his mind being to comfort the blond, he reached up and cupped his face in both hands, tail swaying left to right and ears pressed down. It hurt him to see Naruto sad. "Hey, I'll come back tomorrow. Best friends, right? Forever?"

Naruto locked gazes with him, a tiny smile coming through, "More than forever."

"Right," Sasuke whispered back, and, following impulse, leaned forward and kissed the other softly on the mouth. He took in the moment, mind clouded with the mellow taste of other's lips, but a small moan sliced through the fog and made him quickly pulled back with a blush.

Naruto was no different, wide-eyed with surprise. But after a few silent moments, he relaxed and smiled.

Sasuke coughed awkwardly and pulled away, his blush not dying down. "Um," He turned half-way and placed the back of his hand just centimeters away from his mouth, "I'll see you tomorrow, okay Naruto?"

The blond nodded, staring curiously at the pup's poised hand. "Okay Sasuke."

Sasuke shook his head and moved his hand to rub his red-stained cheek. He smiled up at Naruto once more and waved before turning around and rushing towards his master's voice.

x-X-0-X-x

Naruto opened the door to his home and stepped inside, quietly closing it again.

"Back already?"

The blond whirled around to face Iruka on the couch, his ears automatically flattening against his hair, "H – Hi, daddy." He put up the best smile he could, but it came out crooked and nervous.

Iruka stared at the lame attempt and let out an exasperated sigh, "You didn't do your chores."

Naruto lowered his eyes. "Stupid Kashi..."

"No Naruto, I saw you leave with Orochimaru's dog." He crossed his arms, "Sasuke, right?"

Naruto lurched forward earnestly, his palms spreading out as he explained, "But I really wanted to play with him daddy, I'm sorry about the chores..."

Iruka shook his head and smiled. He signaled for Naruto to come sit with him with a curled finger.

The kit hung his head and walked over to him, slowly crawling onto his father's lap.

Iruka sat straighter and wrapped his arms around the boy. "What's going on with you and Sasuke?"

Naruto's gaze snapped up to him, wide and pleading. "Nothing daddy! He's my friend and we play together."

Iruka sighed heavily, licking his lips. "Naruto...you understand that Sasuke is a hunting dog, right?"

Naruto's ears suddenly shot up, his eyes shining with curiosity. "Daddy, what is that word? Hunting?"

Iruka stiffened and stared at him sadly. He lifted a hand and ran it through golden locks as he spoke, "Hunting, Naruto, is what dogs like Sasuke and people like Orochimaru do in the forest. The dog looks for animals like deer, rabbits, birds...foxes, and he traps it so his master can shoot and kill it."

Naruto's eyes widened, his ears pressing down again. "That's awful! Sasuke would never do that to me! He likes me daddy! He said so!"

"I understand Naruto, but why do you think Orochimaru screamed for Sasuke to come home when you two were in the forest?"

Naruto paused for a moment to think before shrugging.

Iruka stooped stroking his hair, his hand lying completely still. "It's because he doesn't want you to be friends."

Something unseen pierced through Naruto's chest, sharp and painful, "But why?"

"Naruto," Iruka shifted the kit on his lap and licked his lips to continue, "I know you and Sasuke like each other right now, but you have to understand, you won't stay little forever. You two are going to grow up, and he's going to be a trained hunting dog."

"That doesn't matter!" Naruto yelled, gripping Iruka's shirt with tiny fists. "We'll always be friends! He promised me!"

Iruka exhaled a deep breath and smiled slightly, burying his hand in the fox's hair. "You know what, Naruto?" He tugged slightly at the other's hair to kiss his forehead, and then stared down at him, "I really hope you're right."

A/N: There will be no shota in this story. Shota doesn't fly with darkalbino :P