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Naruto sighed relieved as he fell onto his bed from the ceiling. Who knew it would be so hard to get to his own room. He hadn't realized just how heavily guarded this floor was until he tried to sneak in himself. He almost got caught 5 times. Which was a total insult to his skills. He would need to do it more often for practice. He would have just scaled the castle if the sun wasn't raising it would have made him to easy to spot.
He turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling letting his thought wander. They eventually wandered to Sasuke. 'I can't believe he kicked my tail.' Naruto thought with a pout he would have to get him back for that. He then sat up so fast it would have made any normal person dizzy. He left Sasuke to explain for himself! Goddammit!
Naruto jumped up and begin to pace the floor his mind wandering to everything bad that could possibly happen because of this. He was so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't notice his handmaidens come in or the priests that soon followed after them. They stared in surprise at the Kitsune. And not just because he was awake before they woke him which was amazing in itself but because of the huge amount of emotion he was showing.
The Kitsune actually looked... worried. And that was never a good thing. What could possibly be so bad that the great and powerful Kitsune would worry over? It must be truly horrifying and it scared the hell out of them. They immediately sent a messenger to the king. But didn't leave themselves feeling that they were needed here incase something were to happen.
Naruto was finally snapped out of by a low growl coming from the door connecting Gaara and Naruto's room. He as well as his court looked over at him. "I smell your nervousness from all the way in my room. What's wrong Naruto?" Naruto told Gaara all of what happen (through growls of course) and how he was worried what happen to Sasuke or what was going to happen. Gaara listen patiently never interrupting.
When Naruto was done Gaara finally spoke. "Why don't you try reaching out to him. Through your mind link I mean." Naruto gave that some consideration. He and Sasuke had never communicated from such a long distance. Would it even reach him? Well it was worth a shot. Naruto nodded and determination. Closing his eyes concentration. This would be a bit harder than usual.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! Can you hear me!" He called out. "Yes I hear you, but your voice sounds fainter than usual where are you?" Sasuke responded he was a bit harder to hear than usual. But just the sound of his voice no matter how low made Naruto feel better. He gave a small smile at it. His court were all relieved to see him smile they felt that whatever that was might be over.
"Are you okay how did they react to me?" Naruto continued his questions. Sasuke smiled at his concern. "Don't worry I'm fine. They didn't think it was bad believe it or not they think it's a sign that me and Kiba have your blessing." Sasuke chuckled. Naruto giggled a bit along with him. "Humans are so silly. You two don't even need my blessing. Your perfectly strong without it." Naruto said and Sasuke blushed a bit at the compliment. Kiba looked at him funny but didn't say anything.
"Thank you. But I can't talk now too many people around and for some reason it's harder to concentration on the conversation then usual." Naruto nodded in understanding even though Sasuke couldn't see him and said his goodbye's saying he would see him at training. When he was done he looked to see Gaara staring at him in his usual blank stare waiting for him to speak.
Naruto just smiled in appreciation to his friend and hugged him. "Thank you." He purred out a sound that his court had never witnessed and were surprised that the Kitsune would make such an affectionate noise. Naruto wanted to roll his eyes did they think he was heartless? Gaara returned the hug and nuzzled his friend slightly making Naruto do the same.
Naruto miss this more animal-like show of love. Sure he had Sasuke which he could give all his affection and receive in return but Naruto had been... well... a giant fox most of his life. And had grown with a family of all animals so he had always acted as an animal including how they showed love. Which was different then what he and Sasuke did because his mate was human. He would not know that nuzzling was basically another way of hugging.
Or that a little lick is the same as a small peck of a kiss. Naruto was actually curious to know what type of face Sasuke would make if Naruto licked him. He giggled at the thought still nuzzling Gaara. It was slowly turning into more rough nudges as they put their whole bodies into it. Grinning and baring their teeth as they begin to try and pushing the other over.
They were soon tumbling in circles on the floor nipping and biting at each other. Laughing the whole while. Gaara was even smiling. Naruto got the upper hand and straddle Gaara cutely batting at him with his hands which were now puffy furry paw. That Naruto had turned them into in order to make sure he didn't cut his friend with his usual paws. Gaara had done the same.
Using his paws to block Naruto's soft assault. He flipped him over and they begin tumbling again. Naruto's court were suppressing awes at the sight knowing that if they did express it they would probably get their tongues cut out by the Kitsune to silence them at what they saw. But they could help but stare with smiles. It was so nice to see their usually stock, scary, strong Kitsune acting like he was actually enjoying himself. The sight was enough to reassure them fully that the earlier behavior was nothing to worry about so they sent another message to the king to tell him the crisis was over.
Gaara and Naruto eventually stopped when they notice the fruit Naruto's court had brought him. They decided to eat while Naruto told Gaara what there was to do in the palace. Naruto was in the middle of telling Gaara about pond they had in the back when he stood in urgency remembering something. "Oh my goodness! My babies!" Naruto's sudden loud growl sent everyone on high alert.
Kakashi even reached for his blade for a second his one visible eye looking for what could have set the Kitsune off. Gaara gave a questioning huff. "I have a garden where I keep my foxes so I can take care of them, but I haven't seen them in a whole week! I was to busy preparing for the trip and all the excitement from this morning distracted me. I need to go see them! My poor babies!" Naruto said quickly getting his veil cap and giving Gaara his extra one. Telling him to put it on while he gestured for Kurenai to come over.
"Take me to my Garden." He said Kurenai conveyed the message and they immediately understood the problem of course the Kitsune would be worried about his familiars. Gaara didn't bother asking anything about the garden Naruto had always treated all foxes as his children. It was the same for all of their pack. They adored their animals. But none of them had gone to so much trouble like Naruto.
If Gaara ever saw a raccoon in need then of course he would help it and he also like to have them around but he probably wouldn't go so far as to build them an entire garden like Naruto or freak out so much after not seeing them for a few days. It was the same for the rest of the pack. Naruto's connection with his animals was just stronger than the rest.
He himself had even been bit by Naruto for almost stepping on one when they were younger. So Gaara didn't bother to calm Naruto as he practically ran down the halls to his garden. His court was having a little trouble keeping up. Having to go a little slow to tell people everything was fine.
The garden was incased entirely in glass and seem more like a jungle then a simply garden though there was a stone path that went through it all and led to a small pond in the middle of it all with a little wooden bridge over it where Naruto could see three foxes playing in the water.
They seem to be just a bit above the age of a cub but not quite adults. They appeared to be two males and one female. Seeing as she was the only one with a pretty red ribbon around her neck. The moment they notice Naruto they came running at them. It was just Naruto and Gaara. Naruto's court waited just outside the gate not allowed to enter unless given express permission. Naruto got low to the ground to gather his babies into his arms.
"I missed all of you." He purred out. receiving yelps of agreement in return. They continued their hug until the little female fox looked up at Gaara curiously tilting her head. "Who's that master? He feels different from the other humans." she said and Naruto smiled at her petting her while he answered. "That's because he's not human. He's like me. His name is Gaara and he is one of my pack mates." Naruto explain making the little foxes already round eyes get even bigger.
"Really?" One of the boys ask and Naruto nodded at him smoothing down his fur. Of course those useless caretakers didn't properly groom his sweet cubs. Naruto continued grooming them all while he introduce them all to Gaara. They were all a year apart and not related by blood but were raised as sibling by Naruto from birth because they were all orphans.
The oldest was a male named Daisuke meaning Great help. Naruto gave him this name because he was usually the one to do the favor Naruto asked feeling he should be responsible because he was the oldest. The next was a mischievous cub named Hiro which means generous because despite his usually bad behavior he loved to share. It's how he shows he like people which is why he gave Gaara part of his food during their talk. Finally the youngest and only girl Ayako meaning colorful child because even though she was a really shy and quiet girl but once you got to know her there was a lot to her personality.
After introductions and Naruto was satisfied he had properly groom them they had all gone off to play. They went swimming, racing, hide and seek. They played all sorts of games. Naruto eventually notice his court watching from the glass while they waited. And that just didn't sit right with him. They should come play to. If Naruto had to put up with them following him around everywhere then they were at least going to join the fun.
Besides they were going to be retiring soon. Naruto knew the choosing of the next priests was only a year away and even though they aggravated him immensely through out this whole experience they had dedicated their life to keeping him safe and Naruto would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little thankful. Plus they were his first court of many to come Naruto would never forget them.
So with a determine face Naruto walked over to them catching them of guard he did something they never in a million years expected he wrapped his tails around them and dragged them inside speaking not only to Kurenai but to them all he said "Come play.". And that's exactly what they did until they were all exhausted and satisfied.