Intense brown eyes observed the girl before her. She snorted in disgust as the raven-haired woman let out another feeble cry in her sleep, turning to face the firelight in her fitful rest. Beads of sweat ran down her face while her brow knitted painfully in an unreadable expression. Another cry arose from her in her sleep, this one weaker than the last.
'Why do I have to watch her?' Sayuri thought in agitation, shifting so that she could more easily view the surrounding forest.
"Stupid Takeshi!" she barked to the shadows.
She knew that nobody would hear, but sometimes then man frustrated her to no end. That and nobody could understand her. She growled low in her throat agitatedly as a familiar scent drifted to her senses.
"You're late!" she addressed the approaching figure.
"I know. Gomen, Sayu-san," he chuckled.
"Saying sorry doesn't make it okay, and don't think the fake sympathy helps either," she pouted, folding her arms over he chest and huffing crossly.
"Relax, Sayu-san. I was only a little la—"
"A LITTLE!" she fumed, her tail fluffing out and her ears sticking straight up, "YOU LEFT ME WATCHING THIS STINKING HUMAN FOR HOURS!"
"Okay, so I was a lot late. I'm here now aren't I?"
"You're right," she said, her anger fading slightly and giving way to curiosity, "where is he? He was supposed to come back with you."
"I am here," a voice sounded behind her, an obvious hint of amusement lingering in his voice.
Sayuri nearly lost her human henge in surprise as she whirled around to face the source of the voice. The sight that greeted her was a smirking blonde-haired, blue-eyed man. He laughed at the expression on her face, Takeshi's laughter joining in shortly after. She snorted bitterly at the two of them, rolling her golden brown eyes in irritation.
'Guys!'
Suddenly her ear twitched as she sensed an immediate change in the mood. She looked curiously up at Takeshi to see him once again transformed into a large red fox. His eyes were locked on something across the fire. Turning to peer through the flames she saw a pair of pale lavender eyes staring fearfully back at her. The human was awake. Sayuri blinked once, her eyes locked in an intense stare with the raven-haired princess.
"AHHHHHH!!!!" the girl cried suddenly, leaping up so her back was pressed against a nearby tree.
Sayuri bristled, falling backwards at the sudden outburst. She grumbled curses under her breath at the startled woman, deciding in that moment to release her henge. It was too much effort to hide her true form with all these surprises.
'This is definitely not healthy for me…' she mentally gasped, attempting to make her fluffed fur lie calmly again.
'Stupid human scaring me like that. That's why I don't go around these things.'
"Oi! Would you try to keep it down, and quit scaring me, sheesh!" she barked agitatedly, her ears flicking to show her annoyance.
"Keep quiet," Takeshi reminded her, brushing his tail over her muzzle to silence her, "You'll just frighten the human more by yelling at her like that. Besides she smells weird. We don't want to anger her if she is a demon," he finished the last part by eyeing the still bewildered woman suspiciously to further prove his point.
"W-who a-are y-you?" the frightened girl managed to stumble out, still clutching the tree for support.
"Greetings," Takeshi spoke in human tongue, "I am Takeshi Satoshi. This is my partner Sayuri Yuki, and my master Lord Uzumaki. Please forgive Sayuri for her rude greeting, she is no more than a pup," he cast a silent warning glance at the scowling she-fox beside him, "We mean you no harm," he finished, extending a forepaw and lowering his upper half in what appeared to be a bow.
'Stupid Take-san. Why do you give that much authority to a human?' she inwardly criticized him.
She nearly snapped at him as she felt his tail flick her shoulder urgently. Rolling her eyes and giving a small grunt of compliment she copied his gesture, being sure to stare challengingly into raven-haired female's eyes. Their golden depths carried a clear message, 'Don't try me. I will fight back.'
To her dismay the human only seemed even more terrified after Takeshi finished his speech.
"Way to go, Take-san. You frightened it," She half-growled at him, sitting up and shaking out her long red-brown fur, "I don't know about you two, but I'm going hunting," she glanced back-and-forth between Takeshi, who was just now slowly rising from his bowing position, and her master, his clear blue eyes still fixed intently on the human girl.
Sensing nobody was about to answer her any time soon she bounded off into the trees, relaxing slightly as the human's scent faded from her nostrils.
"I'm sorry my lord, Take-san. I can't…I won't trust a human…never again…" she whispered, losing herself amongst he shadows of the trees.
Uzumaki sighed in dismay as Sayuri disappeared from even his sight. He shook his wild blonde hair in frustration so it swayed before his azure eyes. She was headstrong and untrusting as ever it seemed. This experience with humans could've done her much good.
"As it is with my daughter," a voice rumbled in the back of the youth's mind.
The blonde turned his attention back towards the Hyuuga, her lineage evident by the hue of her seemingly pupil-less eyes. He sighed again as he noticed the confused and desperate expression plastered across her face.
"Konichiwa, Hyuuga-sama," he addressed her with the highest respect, not knowing her status he didn't want to offend her, as being a Hyuuga she must've been a prominent figure, "I am Naruto Uzumaki, a simple wanderer with my subordinates. As my companion so truthfully stated, we wish you no harm. When we found you, you were amidst a destroyed caravan. What happened; if I may be so bold to ask, milady?" he bowed, folding his arm at his midsection as he tilted his head forward respectfully.
"I-I-I a-am H-hyuu-uga Hinata. P-princess of the Land of Fire," she introduced herself, her voice leveling out as her body grew more relaxed, "m-my cara-avan w-was at-ttacked," she finished the last part with a horrified look haunting her eyes.
"That explains the wreckage," Naruto mumbled, "however, there is no need to dwell on such a tragic event," he comforted her, giving a fake smile to try and reassure her, "you may stay with us until you decide what it is you should do. We will help you as much as possible. For now we should rest and regain our strength while we wait."
Now the girl visibly relaxed, slumping down against the rough bark of the tree, and kneeling on the soft blanket of furs where she'd been laid. She looked down, catching the hairs in-between her fingers as she took deep, slow breaths.
"Now, if you would excuse me, for the time being, I must go and find my other subordinate. I earlier spotted a Tanuki not too far from here. Hopefully I can get some information out of it before she decides to make it into a snack," there was all seriousness in his voice as he spoke, despite the amused glimmer lingering in his eyes.
He wouldn't put it past his impatient friend to grow frustrated with the mischeivious creature and make an attempt on it. He sighed, sending a silent prayer to Kami that it would keep its insults to itself for once.
"I hope you like rabbit," Takeshi attempted to joke, chuckling sarcastically in his failed attempt to lighten the mood.
"R-rabbit sounds good," she whispered.
"Ah, Hiroshi is here," he sniffed the air, raising his head to peer into the forest, "I thought we sent for you ages ago."
"I got caught up talking with a Tanuki on my way here. Thought I'd let it know to steer clear of the Myobu in this area. They've been getting testy lately…ah, there's a human here…" he trailed off, yellow eyes looking in confusion at the now utterly bewildered Hinata.
"Hiro-san, you're late regardless. You should've at least met us before you decided to try anything yourself. Remember, Lord Uzumaki still controls them. Even they will not disobey their master."
"It seemed like a prudent thing to do at the time, ne," he tilted his head to the side as he attempted to persuade his disgruntled companion, "besides the human is fine, isn't she?"
"Hai, sh—"
"So, how are you milady?" Hiroshi ignored Takeshi, bowing to the giggling girl, "Ah, what a pretty laugh, and what a radiant smile. You make quite enjoyable company milady; if only I could say the same for my friend here."
"Takeshi-san makes fine company as do you Hiroshi-san," she assured him, reaching forward to tentatively pat his head.
"Call me Hiro-san, onegai," he reached his head forward to butt her hand affectionately.
"Hai, Hiro-san," she sighed, finally allowing herself to completely relax around her strange new guardians.
"Hiroshi! Don't be so informal. This is Lady Hinata! Princess of the Land of Fire!" he barked at his lethargic companion.
"Hai, hai. But this seems to help the Lady relax. Aren't we trying to help her?"
"Tch, Baka," Takeshi growled irritably.
"Baka as I am, I know what I am doing," he brushed off the insult, "and if you had any common sense then you'd notice that milady needs cooked food. Besides, watching you tear apart a rabbit, no matter how amusing to me it may be, I don't think it would as pleasant a sight to her."
"Of course, Baka!" he snapped impatiently.
"So get to work while I keep Lady Hinata in good company, " he turned to the still giggling princess, "if milady wishes it."
"Of course, Hiro-san," she assured him, scratching behind his ear and earning an appreciative rumble from the kitsune
Takeshi sighed, quickly obeying the older vulpine, and transforming into a black-haired, blue-eyed young man. This time, however, in place of the crimson armor he usually wore was a red yukata with black pants, tied at the waist with a navy blue, almost black, strip of cloth.
"Aww," he seemed to whine, "this form is so hard to operate. Milady, please do not be concerned. I take on a human appearance only when it is required."
"Y-your-r e-ear-rs," she stammered, pointing to the two black fox ears atop his head.
His tail twitched slightly as she continued to stare in wonder.
'Maybe Sayuri is right. These creatures can be frustrating.'
"Ah yes, those just allow me to keep my senses heightened in case…nevermind," he stopped catching the reproachful glare shooting form Hiroshi.
"Um, Hiro-san? Do you have a human form?" she asked the fox draped across her lap.
"Hai Milady. Would you like to see?"
"HIROSHI," Takeshi growled sternly, "you know what we've told you about your human form. Gomenasai, Milady, but he is forbidden to transform in the presence of humans."
"Why?" she ventured, glancing down at the grey-brown animal they were referring to.
"He tends to cause quite a stir whenever he is permitted to do so," Takeshi sighed, his ears flattening in embarrassment while a light blush colored his cheeks.
"It was only once. It's not my fault human females are crazy!" he grinned and answered in an amused tone.
"Is it really that bad, Hiro-san?" Hinata gasped.
"No, its really very good," Hiroshi boasted, his tail wagging as though he was going to burst out laughing any minute.
"A little too good," Takeshi mumbled, still hiding his face with his hand, possibly in shame.
That one comment was the final straw as Hiroshi rolled off Hinata's lap, his tail lashing as he laughed heartily. His hind legs kicked in the air as he continued his spontaneous fit.
"Hiroshi, what in Kami's name do you think you're doing?" a fierce female voice sounded at the edge of the clearing.
"Ah, Sayu-chan!" he called out, stumbling over to her a dragging his toungue over her cheek.
Sayuri yipped in surprise, fur standing on end as she scrambled away from him. Immediately Hiroshi fell into another laughing fit as he watched the she-fox drag her cheek across the ground while making gagging noises.
"Ew, ew, ew, gross, gross, GROSS!" she scrambled to her paws, shaking out her fur in embarrassment, "what's your problem!"
"It's good to see you too Say-chan!" he laughed out, managing to haul himself into a sitting position.
"Now, Hiroshi, behave yourself," Naruto scolded him as he stepped out of the shadows, a bottle of sake and a straw hat strung across his shoulder.
"Aw, I see that Sayu-san met that Tanuki," Takeshi observed as his master set down the two articles in front of the dwindling fire.
"I'm afraid we must rest right away," Naruto informed them as he sat across from them, "the demon presence on this mountain is still strong and I don't want to meet anything we're not ready for. For now we sleep and we'll head out in the morning. Sayuri you take the first watch. Wake Takeshi when the moon is highest and switch guards. Hiroshi you will guard Lady Hinata for tonight."
"Hai," the three kitsune answered simultaneously.
"Looks like I transformed for nothing," Takeshi grumbled before he shifted back into a fox, "Aw, much better," he grunted, stretching his black hind paws before shaking out each individually.
"Good night," he yawned, curling up into a tight ball and tucking his tail over his nose.
"Night, Take-kun," Hiroshi sighed, licking a forepaw and bringing it once over his face.
"Good night Takeshi-san," Hinata called tentatively.
"Good night, Sayuri-san, Hiro-san, Uzumaki-sama. Arigato," she stretched on the furs and buried her face into the soft substance.
"Sleep well milady," Hiroshi comforted her, licking her hand to assure her of his presence, before settling next to her.
He narrowed his eyes until only a yellow slit was visible.
"Aren't you going to sleep, my lord?" Sayuri asked once the only sounds to be heard was the mellow breathing of their companions.
"I'm going to try and contact him," Naruto smiled wearily.
"Ah, well you can trust me to keep us safe."
"I trust you," he told her.
"What's going to happen?" she whispered, "now that we have this human with us?"
"It's alright. Kami willing we'll get her home."
'But what will happen afterwards is a completely different story…'
Italics: fox-speak or thoughts
Bold Italics: demon-speak
Well, here it is chapter three. In case you haven't figured it out, the reason that Hiroshi is not allowed to transform is because yes, he is that good looking. I love him, my favorite character. Hope you enjoyed it. It's more of a filler chapter but do not fear. There's more to come. Who's the voice that Naruto was talking to and how is it connected to Sayuri? Why does she hold such a bitter hatred for humans and why can she only speak fox? Why is Takeshi so wary about Hinata? What is the demon lurking in the mountains, and what exactly is a Tanuki? All this and more in Quest of the Jinchuurikii…look out for chapter 4 coming soon.