Author's Note: ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿด+, M/M, Mpreg, Mates, Limes & Lemons later on, so be forewarned

Thank you all! Sorry for the late update! It felt like everything was trying to delay me.

๐˜ผ๐™ก๐™จ๐™ค, ๐™ฉ๐™๐™ž๐™จ ๐™จ๐™ฉ๐™ค๐™ง๐™ฎ ๐™ฌ๐™ž๐™ก๐™ก ๐™—๐™š ๐™ฉ๐™ค๐™ก๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐™๐™ง๐™ค๐™ช๐™œ๐™ ๐™‰๐™–๐™ง๐™ช๐™ฉ๐™ค'๐™จ ๐™‹๐™Š๐™‘


Three Years Prior

As I approached the tree I called home, I noticed that Gaara was already there, waiting for me. He was standing with his arms crossed, wearing an expression of mild annoyance. As I drew closer, I saw him tapping his foot impatiently.

"Where were you?" he asked, in a tone that suggested he was not pleased with me.

I took a deep breath before responding, trying to keep my own irritation in check. "Nowhere important," I replied, hoping that my answer would satisfy him.

"That's not what Kiba told me," Gaara countered.

"Kiba is not my dad, and neither are you," I said, giving him a look.

"And why does it matter?" I asked, rolling my eyes and walking past him.

He then started walking alongside me, keeping pace.

"Well," he said, "we heard the news about your bonding ceremony, and Kiba went to check up on you last night, but you weren't there."

"I had to go take a leak," I responded, trying to brush off his prying. Why did he have to remind me about that damn bonding crap, again? I had a wonderful night and didn't want to think about anything else!

"He waited until morning for you," Gaara continued.

"So what, I went for a stroll after that," I said, trying to sound casual, but I knew he was not convinced.

He had grabbed me, pushing me against the wall. "What the hell Gar!?" I shouted. This was unlike him to be so aggressive. Usually, stoic, pensive, and occasionally sweet were his normal temperaments. His actions did not go unnoticed, he gained a few curious glances.

"If you're trying to hide something you're doing a piss poor job at it because I can smell human all over you," he whispered vigorously, his voice filled with suspicion.

"You were sneaking near that village again, weren't you?"

"No," I said, my voice firm. But as I denied it, I couldn't help but glance down at the coat that Itachi let me use. I had it tucked under my right arm in an attempt to hide it.

Gaara noticed it too, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"What's that?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of probing to it.

"Nothin'," I responded, quickly dismissing his question.

"I'm telling your grandfather," he threatened.

"Alright, alright," I said, holding up my hands. "It belongs to a human."

"What!" Gaara exclaimed, his matching, maroon-colored ears shooting up on his head. We needed to go somewhere more private, there were too many kitsunes around watching us.

Before he could say anything else, I covered his mouth with a hand, silencing him.

"Shhh, don't say anything," I whispered.

Gaara glared at me, his pale green eyes filled with a mixture of annoyance and concern.

"Just listen," I said, my voice calm and persuasive. "I can explain everything later. But for now, please just keep quiet."

Gaara hesitated for a moment, then nodded, and slowly I removed my hand from his mouth. As I ascended the stairs, I could hear his footsteps trailing close behind me. When I reached my room and turned to face him, he stood in front of my door with an intense gaze fixed upon me. I quickly scanned the hallway to ensure we were alone before ushering him into my room and shutting the door behind us. His voice was stern as he demanded to know what was going on, and he refused to budge from his spot until I provided a satisfactory explanation.

I sighed but continued. "I met him last night, and I know you won't believe me, but I felt a strong attraction to him, just like a moth to a flame!" I growled pulling at my hair and flopping back on my bed.

"So," he said in his normal calloused tone. I knew he wouldn't understand. Gaara would be the next one after me to hit puberty and be fated to bond.

"So... I can't find a mate not now when..." My voice trailed off.

"Demons below! Don't tell me you're...you just met this human!"

"I know! I know?!" I cried but just then there was a knock at my door. Shit, I hope they did not hear any of that. I gave Gaara a look that said keep your mouth shut. He returned my look with one that said don't test me.

Annoyed, he had turned to the door opening it. I did not look up from my bed as I heard him talking to someone on the other side. I heard him say, "I'll let him know," before closing the door.

"They brought you some robes to try on. You know for your up-and-coming bonding ceremony, just in case you forgot about that. Your grandfather has been waiting centuries for this day to come, and of course you of all kitsunes, you would be the one to fall for some dumb smelly human." He grumbled, before throwing the robes on top of me. I groaned from underneath the pile, refusing to move.

"Quit being pathetic! You're a prince, so start acting like one," he sounded just like Gramps! I could already see him shaking his head and crossing his arms in disapproval. He left slamming the room door.

I knew Gaara was not mad. He cared, this was how he showed it, just in his special kind of way. It did not help that now my secret had become his, which was not fair to him, but I knew one thing for sure and that was that Gaara was a loyal friend.

My secret would be safe with him.

Rolling on my side and curling in a ball I brought Itachi's coat to my nose and inhaled deeply the scent of saffron and a fresh breeze. That night came flooding back to me. I smiled at the memory.


As I sat there, lost in the haziness of my own thoughts, my grandfather's words finally registered. "You've been behaving strangely," he whispered in my ear, his voice filled with amusement. I tried to shake off the cobwebs and focus on what he was trying to tell me.

As I sat there listening to my grandfather and his guests discussing the upcoming feast, my mind began to wander. The room was filled with important demons, each with their titles and agendas. They talked endlessly, arguing and throwing their weight around, and I found myself becoming increasingly bored. They finally agreed to have it at the end of next week.

I would have been more than thrilled to hear I had another week to prepare, but my mind was elsewhere. My thoughts kept drifting back to an encounter I had that night. The memory of his face lingered in my mind, distracting me from the conversation at hand. Despite my best efforts to stay focused and contribute to the discussion, I couldn't help but feel restless and preoccupied.

From the moment our eyes met, there was something intangible that drew me to him. It was as if an invisible force was pulling me towards him as if our souls were connected. It didn't feel strange or unusual. It simply felt right.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that this was a once and a lifetime kinda meeting. His presence had filled me with a warmth that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was a feeling that I couldn't explain or even fully understand, but I could sense this dark and exotic side to him. I wanted to know both.

That encounter had sparked a fire within me, a fire that wanted to be nurtured and explored. I knew that our paths would cross again, whether by chance or by choice.

Unbeknownst to me, my lack of focus wasn't as concealed as I thought it to be. We were having a late lunch with the other demon clan leaders, but my mind was wandering far away, lost in my thoughts. Despite my best efforts to hide it, my grandfather had already noticed my distraction.

He knew that something was brewing inside me, but he wisely refrained from commenting on it in front of our company. Instead, he offered me a pleased smile and a gentle pat on my shoulder. His kind gesture let me know that he was there for me and that I had his support. "I saw that expression before, cub. You've met someone, haven't you?" His voice was barely above a whisper. I managed to force a smile in his direction. Would he still be so forthcoming if he knew I had met a human? As for the answer, I already knew...


There was no way I could stay away for much longer.

I had returned to that spot, night after night until finally, it was the night before my big feast and my first fight. As I stood there, waiting for him to arrive, my mind began to wander. I wondered if he had more important things to do than to waste his time with me. Frustrated with myself, I let out a growl and stomped my feet on the ground, like a child throwing a tantrum. As I looked at his cloak lying neatly folded on the forest floor, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anger and disappointment. I even considered throwing it in the water out of spite, but I quickly realized that I couldn't bring myself to do that. I sighed heavily and began to pace back and forth, nudging a couple of stones with my foot.

Dammit all! This would be the last time; I felt the weight of dread pressing on me. What if I lose tomorrow and wind up bonded? I started my long trek back home when I heard the ring of his smooth deep voice from behind me. "Hello." He said causing my breath to hitch.

I turned to see him standing not too far away, a smile playing on his lips. "I-Itachi-momo-kun," I exclaimed unable to stop the smile that formed, meeting him halfway.

He looked at me with a raised brow, seemingly amused by my response. "I must have upset you somehow." He chuckled.

"Yup, now that's my new nickname for ya," I replied cheerfully, trying to hide the remnants of the annoyance that had momentarily crept into my voice.

As I stood there, lost in his gaze. He spoke with a teasing smile. "Then I will call you Kiiro Honล," he said, using his nickname for me. I don't know why but it was like music to my ears. "Yellow flame? I've never heard that one before," I felt my face heating up, but couldn't help smiling back.

"It suits you, does it not?" he said while reaching out and gently brushing a few strands of my hair between his thumb and forefinger. I felt an involuntary shiver run down my spine at his touch. "I guess it does," I replied, trying to sound casual despite the fluttering in my stomach.

"But what made ya come up with it?"

"That's what I see," he replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I couldn't help but feel a little giddy at the thought of him seeing me that way. We stood there, lost in our thoughts, but not speaking. The silence was filled with tension that didn't quite feel awkward.

Finally, he broke the silence. "I want to show you something," he said softly.

"Okay," I replied, as I followed him, trying to keep up with his long strides. He took me to a place that overlooked his village.

I gasped at the sight before me. The village was lit up by lanterns and the night sky was a deep shade of blue. We stood there at the cliffside staring at the village below in silence just taking in the scenery.

Just then, the sky began to grow darker, and the wind picked up, carrying the scent of rain. The village, however, seemed unbothered by the sudden change. The sound of drums and air instruments carried its alluring melody on the wind.

As we stood gazing at the sky, he shared with me that his village was celebrating the annual harvest festival. I couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the moon, which appeared to be a stunning shade of orange and larger than ever before. "It's breathtaking," I whispered in awe. Growing up, my people never celebrated in the same way as humans, which made this experience all the more special. The festival was an entrancing display of lights, sounds, and colors. I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing to be a part of this community. Without thinking, I reached out to take his hand, feeling the warmth of his slender fingers interlaced with mine. This simple gesture meant the world to me.

His movements were slow and deliberate as he looked down at our joined hands as if it was something foreign to him, but then a smirk formed on his lips as he turned his gaze to me and back towards the village below.

As we gazed down at the festival from our vantage point, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. I worried that the rain would spoil our evening, but he surprised me by tilting his head back, allowing the cool droplets to trickle down his face. Intrigued, I followed suit, closing my eyes and feeling the refreshing water wash over my whiskers. Together, we stood there hand in hand, lost in the moment and oblivious to the passage of time.

I couldn't help but admire him at that moment, his carefreeness, and his confidence, together we would embrace nature. It was a moment I knew I would never forget, but like all things, it can't last forever. My voice was barely audible over the tapping of water against the leaves, my words filled with uncertainty and a hint of vulnerability.

"I hope this is not the last time we meet, but I dunno what's gonna happen tomorrow. I might lose the fight and well...y'know." My voice was almost drowned out by the relentless sound of water droplets hitting the ground.

He tilted his head in my direction, his eyes scanning my face as if trying to read my thoughts.

But then, in the blink of an eye, he removed his hand from mine. The sudden disconnect left me feeling slightly disoriented, unsure of what had just happened or if I said something to upset him. I watched as he moved behind me, placing both hands firmly on my shoulders and leaning in closely to my ear.

"I disagree," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "Don't let anyone extinguish that flame of yours, Kiiro. Make them work for it. Make them fight for you," As he spoke, his breath brushed against my neck and ear, causing me to swallow deeply. He was so close. We could have remained that way forever, but with those same words, he shoved me off the cliff, leaving me suspended in the air, my heart racing with a mix of shock and fear, but there was a hint of excitement from the sudden rush which was a strange reaction since my life was in danger.

The feeling of weightlessness filled my stomach. I thought for sure this was the end, that I would plummet to the village below, never to be heard from again. But instead of hitting the ground, I felt something wrapped around my midriff. When I opened my eyes, I was stunned to find myself in the clutches of a giant crow.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of shock and disbelief. The crow just flapped its giant wings, carrying me effortlessly through the air, its talons gripping tightly onto my body. I gripped onto his leg, holding on for dear life, my mind racing with questions.

"We are going there," the crow made its declaration. My eyes followed its sharp descent towards the village nestled below. The closer I got the more awestruck I was, by the sheer sight of the quaint village that lay between the towering mountains.

The sheer beauty of the place took my breath away, but my heart began to race with panic from getting so close to human territory. What if they see me? No, I refused to let fear consume me though. Instead, I focused on the crow's steady movements, the rhythmic beat of its wings, and the blackness of its eyes.

Together, we plunged towards the village, the wind rushing through my hair and filling me with a sense of freedom. I had called out to the sky, and now it was answering my call. The feeling was exhilarating as we plummeted towards our destination, the sensation of the wind rushing past my ears like a sweet melody.

As we approached the village, a sense of unease filled the air. What if the humans noticed I was kitsune and killed me? I had no idea what awaited me there, but I could feel that change was in the air. I had stepped out of my comfort zone, taken a leap of faith, and trusted in the unknown.

As we entered a vacant spot in the village, I was greeted by a burst of black feathers. The cloud of feathers suddenly cleared, and a figure emerged. It was Itachi, enigmatic as ever. Without a word, he placed a straw hat on my head, wrapping a coat around my shoulders. The coat was long and flowing, reaching down to my ankles, effectively hiding my tail. We were wearing matching attire.

"Since this is our final meeting, I will make it worth your while, Kiiro Honล," he said, his voice carrying a hint of mischief.

Intrigued, I followed him as he led me through the heart of the village. The air was thick with different scents, the strongest being the aroma of food, as the annual harvest festival was in full swing. The vibrant streets were filled with a riot of colors, music, and the irresistible fragrance of freshly baked bread. I watched people walk around with what Itachi-momo-kun called umbrellas to help combat the drizzle.

He guided me through the festival, introducing me to different vendors from all walks of life. My initial apprehension dissipated as I walked ahead of him, dancing with my arms stretched out, and laughing. I had never seen anything like it before, my people were so boring! In my excitement, my hat almost flew off a couple of times.

"You both look like a very happy couple and your girl is so adorable." One of the flower vendors said to us.

"What!" That stopped me dead in my tracks. All my playfulness was gone. That damn human woman was either blind or crazy!

"You heard her darling, don't be rude, say thank you." He teased while placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks..." I mumbled; annoyance evident in my tone.

"What was that? I'm pretty sure she could not hear you." He said with a devilish smirk. I glared at him as he urged me to respond with his crimson gaze.

"Thank you!" I called over my shoulder, elbowing him in the side, as we kept walking.

"Bastard," I muttered. He chuckled and it his pointer and middle finger he teasingly pressed it against my forehead. That had loosened all the steam I was harboring, my annoyance subsiding. He even teased a small smile out of me.

Despite the feeling of a couple of eyes on me for my unusual behavior, I was too enthralled to care anymore. The air was crisp and carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers. And the food! The food was amazing!

My bland diet consisted of raw meat and barely any flavor. At some point, the skies cleared, as stars twinkled above us. Once the night started to wind down, we found ourselves standing on a little red bridge that overlooked a serene pond. Koi fish were swimming close to the bridge, possibly expecting a meal. He leaned on the railing, and I mirrored his action as we watched the fish.

Finally, he spoke. He told me a story about a boy who had a curse placed upon him for his arrogance, the curse destroyed everything he touched, even the ones he loved. As a result, he lost a part of himself. So, the boy decided to go on a journey to find his other half and break the curse. After years of searching without success, he was about to give up. Until, one night, a yellow fox appeared.

Itachi never finished the tale, leaving me with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Silence fell over us and when I glanced at him, his lips were pressed in a frown.

As the festivities came to an end, He turned to me. "Are you ready?" he asked, his piercing red gaze met mine. I hesitated, not wanting this night to end, but knew we both had places to be.

Just then a thick fog started to creep in, blocking anyone who might be looking. He summoned the same large crow from earlier, it did a hopping dance over to me lowering its body and allowing me to climb on top of its back this time.

The crow's feathers were smooth and warm beneath me as it soared through the dense smoke. From its back, I could see the full extent of the thick fog that had enveloped the area. It was like a curtain, hiding the place below.

But as we reached the waterfall, the crow gently landed, and I saw the cloak still lying in the same spot. The crow disappeared in a flurry of black feathers, leaving me alone to retrieve the cloak in search of Itachi, when he approached me.

"Wait, ya never finished the story," I said, trying to get him to stay as I handed him his cloak.

He smirked slinging the cloak over his shoulder, "Bye Kiiro." When he turned away, something within me refused to let him leave. I reached out and grabbed his hand, halting his steps towards departure. The touch of his warm skin sent shivers down my spine, reminding me of the moments we had shared.

The words I wanted to say got stuck in my throat. They were buried deep within me, unable to find a way out. All I could do was look into his eyes, searching for any remnants of understanding, could he feel the tug also? But all I found was a hint of amusement as if he could see the depth of my urgency.

In that moment of intense emotions, I found myself completely lost in the rush of it all. Despite the rational voice in my head warning me that he was human, and I was making a huge mistake, I couldn't resist the urge to act on my impulses. With a sudden burst of courage, I reached out and grabbed the front of his coat, using it as leverage to pull him closer to me. As our bodies pressed against each other, our breaths mingled together in a sweet, intoxicating scent.

At first, our lips brushed against each other gently, almost as if we were teasing one another. But as the intensity of the moment grew, I kissed him. I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I gazed deeply into his eyes, completely entranced by his gaze.

Despite my lack of experience, I refused to let my insecurities hold me back. I threw myself into the moment wholeheartedly, allowing myself to be carried away by the rush of emotions and sensations. I could feel him resisting at first, but as the intensity of the kiss increased, he relented. Our bodies pressed together, his warmth radiating through me. I realized ever since we met that night this had been the moment I had longed for, a chance to express the depths of my emotions for the man standing before me.

As our lips met in a fiery kiss, I was acutely aware of every sensation, every movement, every breath. It felt like nothing else in the world existed except for the two of us, lost in the heat of the moment, as he returned my kiss, his tongue brushing across my bottom lip. I could feel his hands trailing down my body enticing me to moan into the kiss.

I wanted to cherish every second of our time together, to etch this memory into my mind forever. With every touch, every breath, I was leaving a mark on him, a reminder of the unbreakable bond we shared. As bittersweet as it was, I knew that if we were to part ways, I would forever hold onto this moment, this one last night where nothing else mattered but the two of us.

In that moment, the rest of the world faded away, leaving us alone in our private sanctuary. Time seemed to stand still, as our lips danced in a delicate rhythm. Every sensation was etched into my memory, ensuring that I would never forget the intensity of our connection.

When we finally pulled away, his eyes were hard to read.

"You felt it too," I said breathlessly. He said nothing.

As he turned to leave, my hand still gripping his coat, I refused to let him go. I was determined to show him the depths of what I felt inside, even if it meant pushing the boundaries of what was deemed acceptable.

"I can't give you what you want," he said, his voice deep and filled with resignation. But I did not listen, pulling him closer and wrapping my arms around his neck. At some point, my straw hat had dropped to the forest floor as I tilted my head upwards and pressed my lips against his once again. I wanted him to know that my feelings were unwavering and that I would fight for what we had, even if it meant facing whatever consequences held.

If this was our last night together, it was going to be one to remember.


Three years Later

๐™Ž๐™–๐™จ๐™ช๐™ ๐™š POV

As I lay there in bed, my mind couldn't help but race with thoughts of the blonde. Despite the intense pain coursing through my body, my curiosity and longing for the truth urged me to sit up slowly. With each movement, the pain seemed to fade into the background, overtaken by my need to speak with Naruto and uncover the truth that had been eluding me for so long.