AUTHOR'S NOTE

DREAMER1084: hahahah... Shiro/Kiba... well, it's one of the slash for me, if I have to put the characters together... and that I have been giving out clues, just not sure whether they were clear enough. Both Naruto and Kakashi have already met the parents, consider the fact that An-kun is the step mother (! don't let An-kun knew), and that Kazuhiko is a Namikaze, which made him a Naruto's great x n times uncle. lol And for Sakumo... I don't think so, atm... but see where my brain leads the story to.

Prescripto13: yup, that's sometimes how I see Sakumo, noble... indeed.

As always, reviews please. Doumo.

Vii

Naruto has been spending most of his free time, reading various materials in the library for the whole month. Kurama has been expecting that, since the departure of the vampires, so he has already prepared the books that he wanted to read, as he finally have time to catch up. He remembered the days when the said man was still a boy. He did not aware of the fact that taking care of a young child could be that time consuming. But then, no matter how troublesome, as some Nara may say, he has to, since the Namikaze have died for him, leaving the baby behind.

He flipped another page of his book with his tail as he noticed another person's presence. "Hiruzen," he greeted.

"Kurama," the Sandaime Hokage replied softly. "Naruto has been working hard lately," he stated as he hoped that it would open the topic precisely, but leisurely.

"That's a good news, isn't it?" Kurama countered. "Asuma told me that he is now qualified, as the priest of the Konoha. He definitely needs to read more, as it is time for him to act solo, even without my presence."

"Regarding this issue," Hiruzen spoke, "I hope you aware of the fact that no Uzumaki would ever choose a Sasaki as his partner; and of course this applies to every priests and priestess in Konoha."

Kurama sighed as he closed his book, turned his head and focus on the old man. "I am the guardian of the child, but it does not meant that I am a member of the Konoha. Can't you see that Naruto is still looking for his path, in this library, among the scrolls? Furthermore," Kurama stopped the man before he could counter, "Minato is a Namikaze, and maybe there's something that you needed to know." He jumped off the table and waved, "follow me. Library is not a good place to talk."

Ooooo

On the other hand, at the same time, Naruto was sitting behind one of the library-reading table, looking at his fifth box of scrolls. Initially, he felt loss. He was not certain where to begin, and so he decided to check on the annual gazettes that were written 100 years and 300 years ago. He was stunned as he read. The words passed his eyes as daggers. His blood was getting cold, even though he decided to stick on the chair. Even with plain words, he felt the bitter, the angst and horror. No wonder the vampire decided to let him learn the truth, before they could think about anything further.

He stood up and opened the nearest window. He let the warmth of the sun difuse into the cold room. He simply let himself bathe in the light, burning his skin. He began to see the whole picture. He began to get more the riddles away, yet, he was also getting loss than before. He began to doubt his love, yet, strange and oppositely, his soul was echoing with the information that he has just found out.

The killings matched the images that he dreamt of. He did not understand why he has the vampire's past lover's memories. He wondered whether the lover was concerned, and so letting him aware of the issues in his dreams.

Not just what had happened, he has to find out the seal that was engraved into the vampire's body. He has to find out why he dreamt of all these things. He sighed, as he felt the burden.

Did he regret what he has said? Maybe there was, in a split second. He could not lie. However, he tightened his fist as he told himself the final answer. He was not, not after knowing all the truth. He likes, no, he loves the vampire.

They barely know each other. They have only met a few occasions. But he knew that clearly and deeply in his heart. It was love and that there was no reason required. He did not border by the fact that the vampire has another lovers before. The vampire is an immortal after all.

He closed the box after he placed the last scrolls. He did not need to know how many the vampire has killed for his deceased lover. He felt sorry and empathised. Such illegal penalty should not even exist in the first place. He wondered how many people would keep their conscious after such incident has taken place.

He returned the box and put on his cloak. He has already spending too long, absorbing the information, making his decision. He could not wait to see the vampire. He could not wait to tell the vampire, telling him his answer. He loved the vampire. He truly and genuinely meant it. The joy of confirming his love was overwhelmed and the burden, that wouldn't be dismissed, began to seem not as important as before, when he first read. It did not matter, as he was a priest of the Konoha. He would not let the vampire to fall into such painful whirl.

He thanked the librarian for letting him to stay in the library for such period and he ran as quickly as he could, to one of the red brick buildings, where Kurama stayed. He wanted to tell Kurama about his decisions and he wanted the fox to come along with him for the last time.

He wondered whether the fox would support his decisions. He was not certain. However, he would tell him nonetheless. He was his relative after all, after he was under his care for these years.

He unlocked the main door and rushed up the stairs. He was making mental notes as he moved. He would show the vampire where he has spent his childhood, where he has grown up in. He pushed the bitter thoughts away in his mind. He knew what his demon was telling him were true, but that's not the main point.

He opened the door as he reached the end of the staircase. He then stopped rapidly as he realised that the fox has guests in the room. "Ji-san and Ka-kazuhiko-san?"