Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate them, as you hold the power to make or break me - well, them; being the only people who care of the feats we achieve. If the reviews sound as though they are answered by someone other than us, they are not. I am merely another side - the darker personality. And I have to type THIS chapter up…The mushy, girly stuff is for that dim-witted Clarisse; naïve fool that she is.

Sugar Crazed Duckie - Heh. Glad it's good and I'm not losing your interest. Updates aren't that often and I'm sorry about that but family problems and work-due dates for college are getting in the way. Hn. Curse them. Anywho, shame about Deidara losing his arm - kinda like Sesshomaru, ne?

Gothic Kacie - Yes, live autopsies are wondrous things. It's the same with embalming someone living, I suppose. Heh. Nice word…almost… As much as I try, I, myself, can't like Sakura as much as I suppose I should. I just have a feeling she's gonna change back again somewhat, if, and when, Sasuke is returned. As for seven kits - six to seven is the litter of foxes nowadays. It used to be three to four…but I thought Demons would progress with time, heh.

SoSickOfNyQuil - I don't know if that is a compliment or not, but thanks anyway. I don't really like doing these things to Naru-chan but I also dislike Sasuke's character progression. I can see him actually doing something like this. He used to care and threw it all away. I assume if I were to ask fans of Sakura-bashing, the vote would be more than not. However, if Sasuke and Sakura were to wed before the child is born, would it still be a bastard? And I would hate to have to give Naru-chan's kit's the same title as those I am against, myself.

deadly-grace - And here's another. I didn't think it was that fast but I'll accept the almost hug as I get…in fact I don't think I really get any at all. I smile at your imagination. Unfortunately, you see mine is rather tainted; though the mental picture is wonderful. I like your bracketed insults of Sasuke and your questions have cryptic answers. During the story there will be hints to sway people's views, but they will be answered eventually. I'm glad the story deserved the reviews off of you and seeing as you won't marry me, I suppose I'll have to steal Itachi…or Gaara…mmmm, blood-lust.

oukoku hatsu - Yes. I do enjoy your story and due to it's captivation of me, I believe I should feel honoured, also. I'm afraid the angst is far from over and you will be mad again; most probably at me, too. However, I'm glad you like the story so far anyway, despite the depression.

NARUTO

"Ohayo, Hinata-chan!" Naruto grinned widely.

"Na-Naruto-kun!" Hinata blushed, shocked that he was before her, in a place he never was.

"Heh, heh. I guess you're wondering why I'm here, huh? Well you see, Shino went to join my old team because of this mi-"

"Hinata!" Kiba, riding Akamaru, popped up cheekily. "Still blushing over this guy, hey, Hinata?" He laughed.

"Ki-Kiba-kun!" She reddened further. "A-Ano, i-its not like t-that."

"Suuure it isn't." He narrowed his eyes accusingly, before laughing again. "So, dead-last, what are you doing here? Tsunade decide to put you in a real team to gain some experience?"

"Well, actually, you see…" He rubbed the back of his head, choosing the right words and chuckling a little. "I have this, uh…problem with my chakra and need to train more, like you guys. Heh." He sheepishly finished.

"Are you saying we aren't good enough, dead-last?" Kiba yelled. "'Cause I'll take you right now, and win!"

Despite the respect he'd gained from the teams and some of the less stubborn ninjas and villagers, alike, the term dead-last, or 'dobe' had clung to him still. Even if he surpassed a person, he had, technically, graduated bottom of his class. Most disregarded this piece of information, because of the strength he has achieved and the people he has won against. Kiba, however, he had found, took quite a different approach. The further Naruto advanced, the more the word was found in his vocabulary. He was also the last to gain the Chuunin rank…he…and Sasuke…

"No, no, no. I didn't mean anything by it!" He pushed, waving his hands in a defensive protest. Since when did he become so defensive? Oh yeah…Since he got pregnant and screwed up his life. "Really. It's just that Baa-chan said you were training, and I've gotta do that, too!"

"Kiba-kun, y-you shouldn't b-be s-s-so hard on N-Naruto-kun." Hinata mumbled softly, but unlike her younger years, her speech was clearer and had a higher volume, allowing her to be heard.

"Why?" He growled. "He started it with saying we were weak."

"For Kami's sake, you're not weak, okay? Get it into you're head that I'm the one who's compromised here. Shino's gone with my team on a mission and I'm with you guys, training to become stronger. Personally, I don't want to die until I have to; but if you wanna confront the Akatsuki as you are, go ahead." He grumbled in a deep but loud, authorities voice before moving to attack a post.

"You know, Uzumaki, you've been spending way to much time with that bastard, Uchiha." Kiba growled right back.

"I'm nothing like that selfish prick." His words seethed in a venom, never directed at Sasuke, but Orochimaru. Hinata gasped, but Kiba refrained, allowing a small smile to creep up instead.

"Finally! You've seen the light!" He chuckled heartily, restraining a groaning sigh of approval. "Man, I though you were never gonna see how much of an egotistical wanker that guy is. Or am I speaking too soon and you're just jealous he nabbed Sakura?" He goaded, playfully.

"Kiba." Naruto addressed, chuckling softly, himself, now, eyes hidden behind the shadow him bangs made. "I'm gay." He simply stated. After all, there wasn't much more he could do to tarnish his name. And so what if they hated him? So what if they thought less of him? He wasn't going to be here after only months of seeing them again. Hate can't affect people in their grave. But, if they accepted him, they'd accept Kakashi and Iruka; and if they accepted that pair, they'd accept his Kits…even if they wouldn't know they were his.

"W-W-W-WHAT?!" His eyes bulged. "Seriously? As in, no shit? As in for real?…Holy Hanna, mother of…I would never have guessed that. You're like the biggest pig I ever met and all this time you…?" There was a few seconds of silence before Kiba spoke again, acceptance made. "So, do you get, like, turned on looking in a mirror?" He asked with a sly grin.

Naruto's head, previously downcast with a resigned smile, expecting to be shunned once again because of his differences, shot up. Eyes wide and showing his honesty in never imagining such a question, filled with a lightness of a burden lifted. A soft smile floated onto his face as his lips flickered further and further into a full blown grin and uncontrolled laughter. He couldn't help it. "Ha, ha. Of course, ha, not. Ha, ha. What do y-you, ha, take me f-for?" Kiba, too, began to laugh, where as Hinata had taken a shade of red she had never before. "B-Besides, I'm not into blonds." Naruto stated as the laughter began to dwindle.

"I don't k-know." Kiba chuckled. "Blonds are pretty sexy."

"Sorry Kiba. You're not my type either." He grinned.

"Hey, hey, I'm not gay!" He proclaimed determined and somewhat frightful of the implication of his sexual preference.

"Heh, your loss." Naruto shrugged it off, smiling.

"A-Ano, Naruto-k-kun. H-Has Tsunade-sama…uh…do you know w-what your, ahh…what your c-condit-tion is?"

"Um, y-yeah." He scratched his neck.

"Well dude - what is it?"

"Uh, well…you see things are, uh, growing that technically shouldn't really be there. So we wait until they can be safely removed." He nodded, as if agreeing with himself and that his excuse was plausible.

"Dude, you are so fucked up. Was you even listening when you were told, or what?"

"Oh, you have no idea." He mumbled and laughed afterwards to cover it. "Actually, it's kind of funny, if you want it to be, in an ironic sort of way." He kept his eyes closed tight and smile firmly planted.

"Yep, you're a complete moron."

"O-Ohayou, Kurenai-sensei."

"Ah. Ohayou. Naruto-kun, glad to have you on the team."

"Kurenai-sensei! Glad to be here!" He grinned.

"Hokage-sama says she discussed your condition with you?"

"Hai, sensei."

"Good. If you have any questions or problems, just ask and I'll help, okay?"

"Ah. Actually, I do have a question."

"Nani?"

"Well, you see, Tsunade no baa-chan says I'm gonna start throwing up." He chuckled nervously. "Is she for real or is she, you know, trying to freak me out?"

"It depends on the person really."

Naruto's face dropped. "F-For real? So I really could?"

"Ha ha." Kiba laughed. "Dobe's scared of throwing up. You big baby. Isn't that funny, Hinata."

"H-Hey, shut up. Its not my fault. I like to keep my food down as much as possible, thank you. I've never really been ill before and I'm not exactly looking forward to it. Especially not every day!"

"What are you talking about, Baka? You used to always be running off to the toilet in the academy with stomach ache."

"I think you'll find that was my indigestion tract." Naruto pouted, turning away from the dog-like boy.

"Eh?" Kiba's mouth dropped. "Do you even know what that is?" He pointed a finger disbelievingly at the blond.

"Of course I know what that is!" Naruto snapped.

"Okay, okay, boys. Why don't we get down to training, okay?" Kurenai calmed with a sweat drop. "We don't want to waste our chakra arguing do we?"

"Fine, fine." Kiba mumbled. "Come on, Akamaru."

Akamaru barked in acknowledgement before letting out a series of calculated barks and yips.

"Nani?! You can't be serious, Akamaru!"

Suddenly, Kiba started smelling the air, tracking his way the few steps towards Naruto, rather arrogantly. He sniffed the blond and circled him in analysis. Naruto sweat dropped, nervous yet irritated at what he was doing. Kurenai was merely shaking her head, massaging her forehead as if a headache was brewing. A sign of anxiety, negativity or exasperation. Hinata was nervous and apprehensive, but, Naruto supposed, how often was she not?

"You do!" Kiba accused, in his face with shock.

"I-I do what?" Naruto nervously pushed him away. The closeness was disturbing and rather frightful. He didn't like things close to his face after all. It always gave him the feeling of entrapment or captivity and he was a free creature by nature. Besides, the last person to be so close…

"Naruto, why are you emitting female pheromones?"

The clearing fell silent apart from the small slap where Kurenai's hand made enemies with her forehead. Naruto's mouth hung open for a few seconds, jaw moving as in an effort to produce non-existent words. Hinata turned her eyes to the earth in an effort to stay hidden from questions she may have to answer, herself.

"Uh, w-hell you see…" Naruto mentally cursed Tsunade for not warning him, finally finding his tongue could work to produce the much needed words. "It's, my condition…uh, yeah."

"What? You're turning into a woman?"

"What? No! Of course not! You can't just turn into a woman!" He yelled before confusion and a lesser volume overtook him, turning to the Jounin. "…Can you?"

"N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata mumbled, shocked that he could actually think such a thing and showing it in her low demoting tone.

"With you Naruto, I'm beginning to think anything's possible…" Kurenai trailed off under her breath.

"Hey! That isn't even funny." He yelled to her soft spoken words.

"So what's the deal?"

"Kiba-kun…" Hinata repeated in relatively the same way for her team mate. Although thought impossible in the recent past, female pheromones and sickness should click a switch somewhere; especially if one were to believe someone could physically change into the opposite sex permanently as a natural phenomenon.

"Fine! If you can keep your big trap shut I'll tell you. But you better not tell anyone dog-boy or you're dog-food, got it?"

Accepting him being gay left a new confidence for Kiba's loyalty, but trust was something he was starting to doubt more. Trust with something so fragile to break; something with such huge consequences, he'd never been good at giving. There was only one reason - and that was fear. Fear had always outdone any trust he'd had in people. In the end, Kyuubi was his biggest secret. One word of the Demon inside him and everything could change. Babies couldn't eat anyone. He wouldn't be hated for it - but his children might feel his hell, if only for the knowledge of his greatest Sin. That's why no one could know - no one could know that these gifts were, in any way, related to this monster.

"Tsk. And what? I can keep a secret, you know." He mumbled, but too playfully for the seriousness in which Naruto truly thought the situation needed.

"I'm serious Kiba.! This is a secret made S-class by Tsunade! Jounin only, you understand? And only when absolutely necessary." It really helped that the Hokage liked him.

"Your condition is that much of a secret? What the fuck is wrong with you, dude? Are you fucking contagious?" Kiba demanded, his panic largely displayed.

"Baka. You really think I'd be here if I was?" His tone was guarded, and if he allowed himself to admit it, rather saddened. "Hinata. Will you keep quiet also?"

"I w-was with Neji-niisan when…with S-Sakura-chan. I…gomen, but I a-already know, N-Naruto-kun."

"Huh? D-Does Neji know, too?"

"Gomen." Hinata blushed in response.

"Heh. Figures you'd know before I did." He smiled wistfully.

"G-Gomen, Na-Naruto-kun." Hinata's words were softer and regretful, he could tell. But she hadn't known of his overshadow to the truth. Had he not told her he knew of his ailment during the mission? After seeing his irregularity, she must have observed Sakura and noticed the similarity. It was only right to confirm something unbelievable with someone else. He was glad it was Neji. He was respectful and wouldn't care either way. He had his own burdens to worry over.

"Eh, don't worry about it. As long as you tell no one. And I mean NO-ONE. Remind Neji of that too. Not Sakura. NOT…Not Sasuke. No one I…They just can't know, okay?"

"Fine, alright. I'll keep it quite already…" Naruto looked expectant, pleading through his eyes in a way he was clueless to. "Damn you, Naruto. I fucking promise, okay? No telling. Now shoot."

Naruto went up to Kiba's ear and whispered softly, glad to see Kurenai with a smile and a nod to try relaying that the teen could be trusted. It was much like a repeat of with Kakashi, but a bit louder for his senses to take. With no ninja's close by demanding to know and discern the words, it was acceptable, but he still didn't want the whole world knowing. Spurred by this thought, he quickly covered up the mouth that near roared the words in repetition of shock. He sighed heavily, thinking that he really should learn to be more careful.

"Quiet you fool!" He hissed. "Someone might hear. The only reason I told you is because I knew you wouldn't leave me alone, otherwise. I don't need you recruiting people to find me out. This isn't something I can really hide you know." An irritation or pain crossed the eyes and he sighed once again. "But I still wouldn't have told you if I didn't want to." Damn it. He was a sucker for liking people happy.

When calm had arrived on the teen, he let go only to see the wide eyes and lack jaw of astonishment. "…Holy fuck."

"Heh." He lightly smirked. "Exactly. And definitely not contagious." He chuckled, though low.

Kiba didn't stay silent for long as he flung his arm before him in an accusatory pose as he yelled: "YOU WERE UKE!?!"

NARUTO

This is actually longer than I'd assumed it would be. Well I said there'd be some humour. There can't not be with Kiba around. If you think he's being too happy then you should know by now that Naruto is a good actor. I mean for fucks sake, I've forced myself to smile for so long it's automatic to do it when I just want to die. There are less questions for a happy person after all…