Disclaimer: As I have already stated, I own nothing in regards to either creation.
Mizore woke up feeling content. Naruto's alarm would be going off soon. She was sure that he didn't know that she spent time in his room sleeping by his side. After all, the previous night, she had seen him wave to multiple spots but never at her own, therefore, she was sure that he didn't know where she was watching him from. She knew her mother wouldn't have any problems with the sleeping arrangements anyway. After all, the two were practically engaged. All that was left was the flower offering ceremony. After that, then no one could come between them. She tried to roll away from Naruto only to find his arm wrapped firmly around her stomach. She slowly lifted Naruto's arm and crawled off of the mattress. As she was leaving, a voice caused her to freeze in place.
"This is the third day in a row Mizore. Mind telling me why we seem to be sharing a mattress now?"
The windowsill glowed and she saw a seal activate keeping the window from opening. Mizore turned sheepishly towards the blonde yoko that occupied so many of her thoughts.
"I just don't like being in my room. The only warmth that feels nice is being around you, otherwise I get too hot." It wasn't exactly a lie. Mizore knew that Naruto knew that his naturally generated heat was comfortable for her, even when other heat wasn't.
"Mizore. You have temperature controls for your dorm room that could have a coating of frost on all surfaces. Why do you really come here at night?" Naruto replied with a small smile on his face.
Mizore studied her shoes as she gave her answer. "I just want to be close to you. You know that I don't do well with showing my affection publicly."
"What about the times at the lodge? Or my house? Or in front of Moka and the others?"
"Those are different. Everyone there I already know, and some of those were impulsive. I was happy to see you. With Moka and the others, I am simply staking my claim"
"Mizore, I can tell that something has been bothering you. You would only come to my room at home about once a week. What is going on? Are you scared of sleeping alone here? Or is it something else that as a male I wouldn't understand?" His last question was asked with a smile.
Mizore's response wasn't discernible.
Naruto just replied, "Mizore, I would like an answer."
"It's about…" her voice trailed off.
"It's about what?" Naruto was unsure what she was talking about.
"Other girls." Mizore whispered. "And having to share you."
Suddenly the light went on in Naruto's sleep addled brain.
"Oh, that. Well, you don't have to worry about it for some time."
Mizore just gained a rather confused look on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Dad is still trying to find out at what point that will be determined and by what means. Apparently, there are quite a few factors that go into the whole multiple mates possibility. Even with the libraries of the yoko clans, he is having a hard time tracking the information down. I asked him about it before we left for school and he joked that for all he knew at the time, it would be determined by a group of beings that we couldn't see but watched our every move. He then laughed and got back to work. Jiraiya and Mom both spent some time looking for the information as well. Mostly because I have attributes of all four Yoko types, the answer will not be easy to find. I had a long talk with him and Mom about it. They gave me some advice. I'm not going to worry about it until they find an answer. I may end up being friends with other girls, but Mizore," Nauto paused, running his finger along the necklace that was prominent against her pale skin, "I will keep my promise to you. Nothing can or will change that fact. Were you worried that we might become distant because of any other girls?"
Mizore merely sheepishly nodded and sniffled, holding back tears.
Naruto chuckled. "Mizore. We won't. We have been together for far too long for that to happen."
Mizore smiled then perked up marginally. "Thanks Naruto. That means a lot to me. When we were twelve, I only thought about keeping you as a friend with me; now, things are different. I care rather deeply for you. I would feel confident in saying that I love you, and I am sure you return those feelings. Part of me doesn't want to have to share you."
"Mizore. I don't want to have to have you share me either. But I will tell you this: if it is to be that you won't be the only woman in my life, I think that you should have some say in who any others are. If I am driven to take multiple mates, you will get to approve of them. They will need to measure up to your standards and get along with you. That may not be yoko tradition, but it is the only fair option that I see. I promise you that you can say yes or no if that happens. But remember, if it is to be just you, I don't want to disappoint anyone else. So please don't spread around the fact that the whole multiple mates thing might happen."
Mizore didn't want any other girls to assume they could just intrude on her territory. She wouldn't say a word until she was positive that she would have to share Naruto. After all, she didn't like the way that the pink haired vampire had been eying her boyfriend. She was curious about one thing. "Naruto, what was the advice your parents gave you?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Just stuff I already knew from being in this relationship. If the whole multiple mates thing does happen, being a friend to the girl first will go a long way towards making them more accepting and understanding of the situation. Also they need to love me for me. Just like you do." Naruto finished.
"I was wondering why you let Moka and Kurumu do what they have been doing. So you are trying to just be friends first?"
"Of course, and while there may be some flirting back and forth, until we know for certain, then it will remain light and just between friends.
Mizore sat thinking about how she felt about Naruto being friends with the other girls. She had no problem with it, but until she knew if Naruto would take multiple mates, she really didn't want any of the other girls trying to think they could just waltz in and lay claim to her fox. She then recalled similar words her mother had spoken with her about if Naruto would be taking multiple mates, then she would likely have to get along with the others, friendship with the other girls would go a long way in that regards. She was jolted out of those thoughts by Naruto asking another question.
"I don't mind you coming here just to sleep, but what if you get caught? The two of us could get into a lot of trouble."
"Naruto, I was trained in stealth by your mother."
"True, but accidents happen."
Mizore just nodded at this.
"Now, can you go back to your room so we both can get ready for the day?" Naruto asked.
"Until you remove the seal on the window, no." Mizore smirked.
The seal glowed again as it deactivated and Mizore slipped out the now open window.
Naruto shook his head then got ready for the day. Stepping out into the hall, he went to knock on Tsukune's door, but noticed that he didn't hear the normal sounds of his friend up and about. Listening closer, he also didn't hear any breathing. 'Tsukune must already have left for the day.' thought Naruto.
Naruto left the dorms then waited for Mizore. The pair of them then left for breakfast. After a quick meal Naruto and Mizore left to go to class, but there was a rather large gathering of male students blocking the way. The pair then took another route to class, as they did they passed a few tussles, but word had gotten around that Naruto has already dealt with Saizou, so they didn't get dragged into a fight. They arrived shortly before class was to start, but there was a note on the door that saying all classes were cancelled for the day because of a staff meeting. Below that notice was an apology from Miss Nekonome for not telling the class yesterday and that homework would still be due following the syllabus she had given them.
Naruto groaned as they walked away, "Great, not even giving us a break."
Mizore replied while rolling her eyes, "What do you expect?"
"It's the beginning of the term. Maybe some mercy?"
"Do you really expect mercy to exist here Youkai Academy?"
"Not really, especially with what we were told about how some of the things are going."
Mizore merely replied, "You have been following that trend yourself."
"I know but it was necessary to deal with Saizou. You know I enjoy a good spar; but about fighting, well, I was taught while I was away to not start a fight, but if you or someone you care about is drawn into one, then fight to win."
Their conversation took the two of them out of the school building and towards the dorms, as they did so, a silver-haired Moka slammed a very familiar blue haired succubus into the ground just in front of them. Naruto pushed Mizore behind him to protect her from the shrapnel that was thrown up. Naruto's shirt and jacket were cut to ribbons. The cuts he suffered healed quickly. Once the dust had settled Tsukune was standing in front of Kurumu.
"This is enough Moka. I don't think that she was doing this from any sort of evil intentions. While it wasn't nice…" Tsukune was cut off as Moka shoved the human boy to the side once she had spotted the blonde hair of her favorite food source.
"Our last meeting was interrupted Namikaze." purred the vampire as she stalked toward her next meal. She then leapt towards her prey.
Naruto, however, was ready for the girl's actions this time. Catching her wrist as she neared him, he pivoted then threw the vampire over his shoulder and into a nearby tree. "I told you to ask. You can't just take what you want Moka.
The vampire had recovered, leapt off of the ground, this time keeping her hands in, and then launched a devastating kick at Naruto's midsection. Naruto blocked it, but winced at the pain that radiated from his forearms. His healing factor was already helping with the pain, but he knew he felt bones break.
While he winced, Moka swiped at Naruto, her nails, now sharper thanks to her transformation, finished ripping the buttons off of Naruto's already abused shirt. Naruto retaliated by spinning to kick Moka in the head. She leaned back avoiding the blow, then dropped to sweep Naruto's other foot out from under him. Once he hit the ground she threw herself at the downed blonde.
As she leapt onto him, spears of ice caught her mid-air and pinned the silver-haired girl to the tree next to where Tsukune had been thrown. Mizore had taken the Rozario from Tsukune and then froze the limbs of the determined vampire to the tree. Before Moka could react, Mizore placed the Rosario back on the chain. Before Moka reverted to her pink haired form, Mizore said, "No means no Moka. You aren't allowed to rape Naruto." All present sweat dropped at Mizore's word choice. (AN: This moment is dedicated to The Green Ace of Clubs, whose comment made me laugh rather hard. And supplied me with a great line when I was struggling how to end this.)
Naruto stood, then helped Kurumu stand. As he did so the blue haired girl sobbed into his chest. "Naruto, why can't I ever do anything right?"
Naruto, having little to no experience with a sobbing member of the fairer sex, looked pleadingly at Mizore.
"Mother told me that I need to find my Destined One, and I might find him here at school. I can't even properly charm a low- level Youkai like Tsukune. It wears off after just a short while. I'm a horrible succubus." She then merely sobbed harder, soaking the tattered remnants of Naruto's shirt with salty tears.
Naruto frantically made motions to Mizore indicating that he had no idea on how to proceed. She just chuckled then replied. "Naruto, Tsukune and I are going to be taking Moka to the nurse's office." She laughed inwardly at the look of betrayal on her boyfriend's face.
The look on Naruto's face now screamed at his girlfriend, "Don't leave me alone with her, I don't know what to do."
In response Mizore simply chuckled to herself again. Besides, she wasn't all that adept at handling crying girls either. Her sisters weren't to that particular stage yet.
Once Mizore and Tsukune had left with Moka in tow, Naruto resigned himself to his fate of comforting the crying succubus. He lead her over to the trees and leaned back against the tree, still holding the crying girl. "Kurumu, why do you think that you aren't doing anything right?"
Her sobbing died down but still punctuated her answer. "Mom said that a succubus needs to attract men to her, but I'm no good at it."
"What do you mean Kurumu?"
"Tsukune didn't even stay under the Charm. Mother trained me in that and she is one of the best in the valley."
Naruto wracked his brain for anything that he could use. He drew a blank.
"I couldn't even charm you! I was a failure from the very beginning."
Naruto sat, stunned at this. He finally responded, "What do you mean?"
"When we first met, I accidentally activated my powers when I saw you. We were twelve and I thought you were cute. It didn't work, and you weren't affected. I'm a lousy succubus. My chest isn't even close to how big mom was at my age."
At this comment Naruto blushed. He could feel exactly how big her chest was since she was pressing it into abdomen.
Since Kurumu's face was still buried in Naruto's chest, she didn't see the blonde's blush. "I even felt that the Harem plan that my mother convinced me was necessary, was shameful."
Naruto couldn't help it, he chuckled.
Kurumu looked betrayed as she heard him. "Why are you laughing at me?" The hurt tones were plain in her voice.
"I'm not, but something your mom told me about Succubi illusions makes sense. They are driven by the will of the succubus. If you think that the methods that your mother uses aren't right, then don't use them. They won't work for you. Devise some of your own. Since the succubi techniques are will driven, if you don't feel comfortable about them, they won't work. You need to find what works for you Kurumu. While you do need affection to survive, get it in your own way. You are a very pretty girl. Other girls, Youkai and human alike would kill for a figure like yours. I've heard guys talking about you. While some comments make me want to kick them through a wall, the majority of the male populace would like to at least go out on a date with you to say that they have."
"Am I prettier than Moka?"
"Where did that come from?"
"Just answer the question Naruto!" her voice was pleading.
"Kurumu, if you repeat this to him, I'll deny it. But Jiraiya was actually really smart about a few things. One useful thing that taught me is that each female is unique and comparing one to another solely based on looks is something only a truly stupid male does. But he did say it was the easiest and most often employed method." Naruto trailed off then shook his head before continuing. "Each girl or woman has positive and negative points. That goes for humans as well as Youkai. Saying one girl is prettier than another is like saying that apples taste better than oranges. Each woman is unique and special. True beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just like some people prefer apples or oranges. You won't be attractive to every single guy you meet because each one likely has a different idea of what beauty is. There is an old human TV show called the Twilight Zone that had an episode about that. (AN if memory serves it is called Eye of the Beholder. It is a Twilight Zone classic.) Beauty is what we make it out to be. I will say this. You have qualities that Moka doesn't. For example: you are an excellent cook. Moka can break my forearms just by kicking them. Just because you are different isn't a bad thing. Are all Succubi the same?"
"What do you mean?" Kurumu was curious about this question.
"Well according to Jiraiya, each succubus develops their own style for ensnaring men. Some are outright and brazen about it, others cater to rather odd fetishes, and some succeed by playing the quiet timid girl that draws attention all the same. Is that true?"
Kurumu thought about her friend's words. Then back to her memories of the valley. Naruto's words answered questions that she didn't even know that she had. Kurumu was silent before Naruto asked her another question.
"Did Ageha ever inform you how you are supposed to tell how you have met your Destined One?"
Kurumu was shocked by this. "No. I don't think she ever has."
Nartuo nodded, "She sent you out to find this person without any way to acknowledge him when the time comes? Knowing Ageha, she assumed that she already told you?"
Kurumu was silent for a while before responding. "I think she did."
Naruto patted his blue haired friend on her back, "Now then, your answer is simple. Ask her."
At this Kurumu nodded, then realized that she was being held by her friend and, if she was honest with herself, object of her crush. She then noticed that her cheek was pressed up against a rather well-muscled chest. Under the pretense of an appreciatory hug, she rubbed her face in his chest.
Naruto blushed at the action because it highlighted his lack of a shirt that was in one piece. His blush deepened as Kurumu hugged him tighter, burying her face into his chest and pressing her own ample chest harder into Naruto's stomach. The slight rubbing motions of her chest didn't help matters any.
Mizore was walking back through the hall when suddenly she launched a flurry of ice kunai at the baby blue door of the teachers offices. This happened just before the door opened. Luckily, the all the kunai didn't penetrate the door. Mizore quickly ducked behind a column then watched as the ice became snow that disappeared in an unseen breeze. Miss Nekonome came out, then her and other teachers looked for the source of the destruction of the rather sturdy door to their offices and why there were holes all over the blue surface. Mizore wondered, 'Why do I keep getting the desire to destroy things?' She then made her way unseen out of the building.
"Thank you Naruto." Kurumu murmured into her friend's chest. She then pulled away. "Naruto, do you really think that I am pretty?"
Naruto then realized exactly what he had said in his comforting of his friend. He didn't realize however, what trouble would ensue because of it. Naruto took a moment to collect himself before he answered. "Kurumu, you are. I'm not just saying that as your friend. Have confidence in yourself, and good things will happen."
As the pair stood, Kurumu hesitantly said, "Would you date me Naruto?" She then hastily added, "If you weren't already dating Mizore."
At this Naruto took a mental step back. "Why do you ask?"
"I feel like I can be myself around you Naruto, not some picture of a seductress that my heritage has painted for me. Don't get me wrong, I love being a succubus, but sometimes I just want someone to look beyond my physical attributes and see just me. You always seem to be able to do that."
Naruto chuckled at this. "My parents raised me part in a Youkai world and part in the human world. After a while you stop looking at labels and start looking at who a person or a Youkai really is. There are humans out there that are more bloodthirsty than even the most violent Youkai. I have met supposed demons and discovered that they only want what is best for their people. And as for Mizore and me, well, we have been together since we could crawl. She is one of the few outside of my own family that know what kind of Youkai I am."
"You're a kitsune. Aren't you?" the doubt crept into Kurumu's voice at the end of her question.
Naruto merely raised an eyebrow. "How many Kitsune have you seen with multiple tails?"
"None." Realization dawned on Kurumu. "That wasn't your true form, was it? You fooled a succubus with an illusion, I am impressed."
Naruto, not bothering to correct her, continued, "Exactly. Now, about Mizore and I well, it is simple, yet rather complicated. We are very good friends and if I know my feelings, I would venture to say that I do love her. I can't think of anything that could separate the two of us. Heaven knows that our mothers encourage it enough. But in answer to your question: IF I didn't know Mizore, would I date you, well, if I felt that I had a chance of actually getting a date with you, yes it would be possible."
Kurumu had spaced out about halfway through Naruto's monologue due to the fine specimen of male pectoral anatomy that was before her, wondering what type of Youkai he was. She refocused as he said yes. She pouted slightly as Naruto's attention was forcibly turned from her into a rather stimulating kiss with his purple-haired girlfriend.
"That was a good answer Naruto." Mizore said. Once she made it back from the infirmary and the staff offices, Mizore had of course been listening to Naruto, and was extremely happy that her beau had been truthful but at the same time, defended their relationship. "Why don't you head to the dorms to get changed Naruto, Kurumu and I need to have a little chat."
Naruto, still a little stunned due to the kiss, merely nodded and made his way back to his room.
Once he was out of sight, Kurumu looked at Mizore. "I'm jealous, you know. Naruto is probably the best and nicest guy I have ever met, and you already have him. It's just not fair."
Regardless of her words, Kurumu's voice held no real malice.
Mizore nodded. "I am luckier than you know. Like the Succubi, the Yuki Onna are a dwindling race. There have been recent occurrences that have helped our population out immensely, but we are still small. Just as you have a need to propagate your species, so do I."
Kurumu was curious, she didn't see the conversation taking this turn. "What do you mean? The Succubi only can reproduce with their Destined One that is why our numbers have dropped. Why are the Yuki Onna diminishing?"
"Under normal circumstances, we have about eight years at most to be able to bear children. After that time has passed, we are infertile. If a Yuki Onna is not married at seventeen, which is the the start of our fertility period, a husband is chosen for her."
The succubus blanched. Having a man forced upon you caused her stomach to rebel. It went against her very nature.
Mizore continued, "Naruto likes and cares about you, that is clear, but he and I for all intents and purposes are a couple. Hopefully before my seventeenth birthday we will be more than that. I know that your nature is to attempt to seduce men," At this Mizore's hair took on the swirling snow look, she then continued, "He is mine. And I will put up a fight."
Kurumu wisely decided to change the subject. "Why do so few people know Naruto's true form?"
At this Mizore became rather hesitant. "Naruto's parents are not well liked in their clans because they got married. They are keeping their location secret from their clans. While their marriage can no longer be dissolved by their own laws, it is highly likely that the clans would want to kill or capture Naruto and likely kill his parents. So it is understandable that he doesn't show it often. I've known for a long time because we grew up together. Before you ask, no I will not tell you what kind of Youkai Naruto or his parents are. He is very good at hiding it too."
Kurumu merely replied, "Well, he has to be really strong. Easily high A to low S class. I mean he went up against Moka and didn't get beaten like I did. I mean even my mother's illusions didn't bother him in the least. Mother said that only truly strong Youkai can break them easily."
Now it was Mizore's turn for a subject change. "Other than only being able to reproduce with their Destined One, why are they so important to succubi?"
Kurumu wilted slightly. "A succubus draws her power from being desired, admired, loved, etc. The love of their Destined One is stronger, and once the bond is made, this will be what sustains the succubus. The greater the love, the greater the succubus' power. If their Destined one dies after this bond is made, so does the succubus. That is why Most Succubi live in one place that is protected like here, to protect our Destined Ones. While I have never met my father, due to my mother's power it is obvious that my father loves her very much and is still alive. I once asked her why he isn't around, she said that he is helping our people in ways no one else could or would. She did say that he would be coming home for good soon. I do want to meet him."
"How do you know when you have met your Destined One? And how does the bond form?"Mizore asked, curious.
"I don't know, about the first question. Naruto asked me that as well. As to the second, well with everything succubus related; how else? Sex." Kurumu replied blushing. "Well, after a declaration of love of course."
Mizore blushed slightly, "Oh."
It was an awkward silence that followed this revelation. Kurumu broke it. "If my Destined One is anything like Naruto I will be a very lucky girl."
Mizore's eyebrow raised, "Oh? How so?"
Kurumu continued, "It's one of the reasons that I like Naruto, in the short time we have been around each other, he sees me for me. He accepts the fact I am a succubus and doesn't judge me for it. I can flirt with him because he is safe and won't take advantage of my flirting. It makes me feel better about myself when I do; I mean he is rather good looking." At this Kurumu got an introspective look on her face before continuing, "If you want me to stop, I'll stop. The two of you are obviously together. If I thought either of you were into that kind of thing, or if I was comfortable with it, I'd ask to share him until I found my Destined One. He's the only decent guy who I've really met." Unable to stop it, a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I really missed him. The Valley is very nice, but rather lonely."
This comment caused Mizore to be quiet. Her earlier conversation with Naruto ran through her head, as well as what her mother had recommended, especially as it was echoed by Naruto's parents. "I have an idea Kurumu. That is, if you want to do it. Naruto said you can cook. Well in exchange for helping me to learn how to cook, I'll let you flirt with him and be yourself, but if you go over the top, I'll stop you. How does that sound?"
Kurumu looked hopeful. "You mean it? You won't push me away just because I'm a succubus?"
"Naruto didn't. Why would I?"
"But what if I seduce him away from you?"
Mizore gave her a stern look. "I don't think you could, but if you started to, then what Moka did to you would only be the beginning of your pain."
At this the blue haired girl winced.
"I should warn you Kurumu, I may be a Yuki Onna, but in the kitchen, the maiden part means nothing. My mother and sisters are decent in the kitchen. Me, unless it is a Yuki Onna dish, I have sent people to the hospital. Last time I tried to make cookies at Naruto's house, it almost burned down. Things explode in the kitchen around me." Mizore turned so Kurumu wouldn't see her embarrassed blush. "I need quite a bit of help."
Kurumu paled, wondering if the bargain would be worth it.