Yuki's felt the anger, and nervousness leave her as soon, as the fox left her. She crumpled onto her bed, and sighed frustrated. A meow caught her attention, and she glanced down to see the creature from the Forest of Death, sitting at her feet. She picked it up, and petted it, her mind in disarray. She felt guilty that she had had sex with Kiba and Akamaru, but it was her choice. She had wanted it and since Kyuubi had made their relationship clear, she wasn't going to let the demon control her love life. She reached for a peppermint, stopping as the fox/cat, took the wrapped candy from her hand and inhaled it.

She giggled as it gagged on the plastic, and removed the obstruction quickly.

"It'd be better if you were patient, he he he. Are you even supposed to be eating sweets?" she asked, tapping its nose.

"Meeeooooowwww." It sneezed and whined louder.

"Ok,ok. Sure, you can have one," she said, forcing the peppermint into its mouth.

Yuki reached for another, realizing that had been her last one. She rolled onto her side, and sighed, frustrated. She knew that Kyuubi only was looking after her, but it didn't help that she considered herself the only one she should date. Yuki had gotten looks from Sasuke, Kiba and surprisingly even Shikamaru. Yet nonetheless, there was something wrong. Very wrong. The kitsune hadn't even fought to stay. She obeyed her order, the tails vanishing, and the look on her face reminding her of something. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, and it truly bothered her. She had been kind of rough letting the demon go, she admitted. Rubbing the creatures belly more, she wondered where to go from this.

"Are you gonna stay here tonight? If so, I'm going to bed, and could really use the company right now," she said, pulling it close.

It purred and didn't move, and Yuki took that as a good sign. Rolling into a ball, she fell into a dreamless, sleep.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

"Ugh...Ok. OK! I hear you," she yelled, stretching out, the ball of fur next to her, snoring rather softly. She smiled, and headed to the door, surprised by the fact that it was bright outside. She figured it was most likely Naruto, or Anko-sama. As she opened the door, her smile faded slowly.

"You. I don't wish to talk to you, so good-"

The woman held up a hand, and remained a good two feet away.

"Wait, Yuki-koi. I know, you're upset with me, and I understand that I cannot do anything to change how I feel about you. Nor force you to love me. Please, give me two minutes of your time. Between friends?" she begged.

Yuki contemplated it. Currently, she didn't want have to face the argument between Kyuubi and her, yet the urgency in the fox's voice indicated that something important needed to be discussed.

"Five minutes. Then you leave."

"Hai," the kitsune said, walking in slowly.

As they sat down, Yuki noticed there was a bundle in the demon's hands.

"Before I say, what I came to say, a gift. Forgive me for yesterday. I know that I can't say enough to fix the damage, but I can try. Here," she said, handing the paper wrapped package. Yuki unravelled it, before her eyes were shocked by the beautiful poncho that lay in her lap. It wasn't too thick or too thin, and the patterns of pink and black truly amazed her. It was an amazing gift, and Yuki glanced up at her friend, her smile stopping. Several small tears,flowed down her eyes, and she noticed that the fox was staring at her in a weird manner.

"Yuki-chan. Forgive me. I was stupid to think, that you would stay with me, even if Naruto was a part of my life. It was selfish to try and force you to choose me, over finding your own mate. Now I know that I can't change your mind, but I'd like you to be my mate. If you don't know, demons mate as many people as they choose, but who they choose to mate usually is more than a single person. I chose you, and I've chosen Naruto. If you are uncomfortable with the idea that I am anyone, but yours-"

"Kyuu-chan. What about Naruto's feelings? He will not be okay with-"

"But he is," she replied, her voice calm. There was silence for a moment before the elephant in the room was asked.

"YOU ASKED HIM?" Yuki asked, her voice sounding two pitches higher than it normally was.

"I did. So, now I ask you...would you desire to be my mate, Yuki-koi?"

Yuki pondered the question, before shaking her head.

"I need some time alone. Right now, I do not know whether I can handle that. I'm sorry, Kyuu-chan. I'd just like to remain friends."

The look of disappointment on the woman's face, was one that she almost could hear and it soaked any sunshine out of the room.

"I-I see. Well then, I...I'll see you later," the fox said, heading for the door. Yuki tried hard to restrain the desire to comfort the kitsune, and sat where she was.

"Bye,Kyuu-chan," she called after the girl.

Yuki was left alone in the room, baffled, and surprisingly sad. She glanced back to the cat who was watching her with attentive eyes. Despite having welcome company, she didn't know whether to be angry with herself, or sad for Kyuubi. She'd done what she felt was right, and now she was sure that she had hurt said demon too deep for words to express.

She shook her head, running a hand through the cat's head once more before walking over to her backpack.

Better get ready for the mission.

"Meeeeowwww."

"What? I suppose I need to give you a name. Kaori?" she asked.

"Hisssss."

"Hmmm...Mana?"

Yuki was rewarded with a piercing glare, and she sighed.

"How about Nao?" she thought, aloud. He rubbed against her, and she took it to mean yes.

"Okay, Nao it is." Yuki said, pulling out her Anbu blade and a sharpening tool.

Time to get ready.