Dreamer1084: err =-= I guess I am quite useless at prove reading... I think Ero-sennin will say inspiration is never enough

^O^

Prescripto13: yes it is. Hint is in the chapter and the curse mark that was shown on Kakashi's body when they were intimated.

As always, reviews appreciated and thanks for reading!

Feeling super good, as managed to type.

VI

"We have to go soon. Make up your mind quickly, Naruto. I hate letting An- chan to wait," said Kazuhiko as he put the paper bags on an empty scroll and rolled.

"What do you think, Kazu-jisan? Black or dark brown?" Naruto asked as he held up two pairs of leather gloves. "I guess leather ones better than knitted ones, right?"

"Black ones," the older man replied. "He likes black more." He then took out his wallet, but stopped by the blond.

"Let me," the younger said. "You have paid for my coat, I shouldn't let you to treat me this. Besides, as one of the priests, I have salary though I don't really manage my account as Kurama sort it out for me normally," he added sheepishly.

"Sure," the older man said as he withdrew his wallet. Although he wanted to tell the blond that he actually has money with him, he decided to keep silent. The gift would be more valuable if it was bought with the money that he earned, instead of the money that inherited. Spending time with Naruto reminded him the days as the Namikaze. Even though his aniki asked him to keep an eye on their family property, which he did without haste; there wasn't the necessity, as none of the family members that he approached wanted the money. "All done?"

When they reached the village gate, the vampires and the fox were already there. The older vampire didn't speak but turned and made his way west. The mountain that the kitsune stay isn't too far away from where they were, but it was deep in the mountain range, in a valley that was created by the glacial movement.

The fox followed closely, leaving the assistant behind. The young vampire stood still, letting the assistant passed him hurriedly. He waited for the blond as he greeted his lover with a small smile. They walked side by side, looking at the interaction between the fox and the older vampire. Their argument seemed to be carry over from last night, but Kakashi doubted that they would know any of the conversation as the older vampire wasn't bad at keeping what he wanted to hide. On the other hand, his second mentor was busy as ravens flew by and then flew off, exchanging their location as well as other information.

"Is jisan always this busy?" the blond questioned in a slightly admired tone. "The birds made me dissy, even just by looking at them."

"He is. You will get used to it later on. He is nii-san's right hand and the brain, while Tsuki is his left hand. Only when I become the holder, the Sasaki's triangle deformed... Well and of course to some extend, the presence of Madara altered the relationship... I suppose."

"Ah..." Naruto replied, looking at the white steam that leaving his lips. The temperature dropped as they walked along the small footpath, ascending. Snow began to fall softly, covering the horizon, forming a carpet of grey. He wanted to keep the conversation flowing, but not sure what to say. They barely have time together, since they reunited. He didn't remember what they would talk about when they were still mentor and pupil. It was a long long time ago, and he was certain that his fellow teammates erased some of the quietness. Their hands and shoulders brushed against each other softly and irregularly. The vampire's hands were icy. He knew the vampires tend to have a lower body temperature, but he just didn't feel right. The fingers that were exposed, as the vampire was only wearing fingerless gloves, looked purplish to the man. He took out the leather glove from his pocket, as he grabbed his lover's hand gently. "Your hands are cold, Kakashi. Put this on."

Naruto's warm breathe brushed against the tips of the digits, sending a shiver down along the vampire's arm. Coldness is never an issue for the vampires, especially An and himself. They trained their sennin mode with the kitsune. Coldness is the first thing that they needed to adopt. Redness slowly spread across his face as his lover's warmth passed though their hands. These are the hands that he never and refused to let go. The lover that he has loved and would continue to love for centuries. "Arigatou," he whispered lowly as he was trying to control his posture. If his mentors weren't watching, which he was certain without looking, as he could feel the older vampire's teasing gaze, he would have hug his lover as tightly as he could.

"You're welcome." Naruto grinned happily. "Ji-san was right, black suits you more." He puts on the other gloves and hold the gloved hand, intertwined with his glove- less hand.

As An has turned and looked behind, Kurama turned and smirked. "Gosh, I can feel the pink wave of warmth even from this point. No wonder you decided to walk in the front, An."

"I was wondering when their hands would tie together. The way that they brushed against each other is more suffocating than this love love atmosphere. They have been through so much and now they were acting like teenagers."

Kazuhiko grinned as he countered, "well... Naruto technically still is a teenager. He's only 17."

An wanted to say something but kept his lips tight together. 17 years old wasn't young, he has, even Kazuhiko has, been though too many things by that age. They were no longer kids but adults who were responsible for their own acts as well as their clans'. He simply removed his gaze and proceed. Seeing their interaction, he felt it's going to worth his effort, not just because he has to remove the curse marks every time the pair joined, but his heart warmed. Walking along the path of life, he has loss lots but also has gained a lot. He reached out his hand to his assistant and grabbed it loosely, pulling him closer. As he looked at his assistant, he saw the men's lips met. If someone asks him what is externality again, seeing the young vampire's love, he would say this is forever.