Author's Note: 𝟭𝟴+, M/M, Mpreg, Mates, Limes & Lemons later on, so be forewarned
𝘼𝙡𝙨𝙤, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙚'𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑
With great reluctance, I gave up my pretense of sleep and sat up slowly. The throbbing pain in my body was nothing compared to the rush of nerves that had gripped me. As the woman stepped back.
It seemed like every pair of eyes locked on me excluding Naruto's who was snoring lightly by my side.
Kurama's voice had cut through the air; his tone was hard to decipher.
"How much did you hear?" His question hung in the air, and I knew that the answer could have two different outcomes, but there was no use in denying it.
"Everything," I spoke up, my voice barely audible, betraying the uncertainty that I felt inside. "The Uchiha that you met, what was his name?" I knew the answer even before he confirmed it but something in me just needed to hear him say it.
He raised a fine brow at me, tilting his head slightly at the question.
"I believe my grandson called him Itachi-momo-kun," Kurama mused.
I laid back down, my eyes closing in a mixture of annoyance and pain. "Why was he here?" I said through gritted teeth.
"The Uchiha in question had formed an attachment with my grandson late one night, which took me by surprise when I caught them. However, I must confess that I was not entirely pleased with this development. I had taken great pains in keeping my grandson unaware of your clan's affairs and existence, and so I felt it was necessary to keep them apart. Although I was relieved to learn of his untimely passing, fate had other plans. It seems that his death has brought you and my grandson together instead, whether by happenstance or design. It's a curious turn of events." He sighed deeply as if thinking about it all over again was exhausting to him.
As I heard about the attachment they shared, my jaw clenched. Naruto even had a nickname for my brother, and I couldn't help but notice the hint of anger in my voice.
"Attachment?" Something about the way it was said made me feel like there was more to the story.
And Kurama's attempt to downplay their meeting only seemed to fuel my anger as I struggled to regain control of my emotions, I was so close to breathing fire. I would have tried to kill my brother again if he was still alive, but then again, if he were still alive... Neither Naruto nor I would have met.
Even in death, he held something over me!
Suddenly, Jiraiya's voice cut through the silence, attempting to make light of my response, with a joke. "Oof, sounds like someone is jealous." He threw his head back and hollered with laughter. His reaction and words only added fuel to the fire, and I snapped back, denying any feelings of jealousy.
"I'm not jealous you damn loudmouth buffoon!" As I sat up, I immediately regretted it, as pain coursed through my body. I could see them exchange a glance as if communicating without words. My outburst left them unconvinced.
Just then Naruto stirred, his voice filled with irritation. "Will you all shut the hell up, I'm tryin' to sleep over here!" He growled, shooting the three of them a dirty look. His hair bristled out, resembling the coat of a cat.
Jiraiya, however, wasn't about to back down. "Calm yourself cub, you're just moody now that you're pregnant," he countered, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Naruto's expression darkened. "No, I'm not!" he insisted, his voice rising in pitch. However, just as he was about to continue, realization dawned on his face. He suddenly fell silent, sitting up straight. Our eyes met, but he quickly looked away, his face turning a bright red.
As I slowly rose to my feet, the room felt much smaller to me now that all eyes were on me. The silence was deafening as I struggled to find my words. I knew I should have attempted to comfort the blonde, who now stood before me, but finding the right words proved to be difficult with an audience hanging on my every word.
As I stood in front of him, I felt a tight knot form in my stomach. All I wanted to do was express my deepest desire to start a family with him, but the words seemed to escape me. I felt paralyzed, unable to move or speak, as if the air around me had turned into an invisible wall, suffocating me. My mind was racing as I desperately tried to come up with something, anything, that could make things right between us. But as the seconds ticked by, only stillness greeted him.
The silence in the room was deafening, and every passing second felt like an eternity. I could feel the weight of my mistake crushing me from within, and I cursed myself for it. Frustrated and agitated, I ran my hand through my hair and lowered my head, trying to hide my disappointment. I wondered why it was so hard for me to talk to him, especially about something that meant so much to me.
"I should go," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. Without another word, he rushed out of the room.
He more than likely perceived my lack of response as an answer, assuming that I either didn't know about the pregnancy or that I wasn't accepting it.
His kin had formed a barrier around me, blocking the exit, and were all staring at me intently. Despite their intense gazes, I tried to remain calm and assess the situation. After a few moments, I concluded that I wasn't in immediate danger from my screw-up, but the tension in the air was most definitely palpable. It was clear that they were waiting for me to react, but their facial expressions were so inscrutable that I couldn't quite decipher what they were thinking or feeling.
Addressing the elephant in the room, I said, "I already know about the pregnancy." Jiraiya, with a knowing chuckle, grinned as if he received the final puzzle piece. "Now it all makes sense," he said. "You're so brilliant that you're willing to risk your life."
Irritated by his comment, I replied, "I would do what needs to be done for my family." My voice held a mix of frustration and annoyance. Without giving them a chance to process my words, I continued speaking, my voice filled with a sense of impatience, "What's going to happen to me?" The question hung in the air, unanswered. I doubted that they would kill me, otherwise they wouldn't have gone through the trouble to save my life.
"As much as I hate to admit such things, destiny seems to be on your side. You managed to survive your clan's assassination, and you also survived the encounter with my people the other night. You are in its favor, and that must mean something. Don't worry about what will happen next. For now, just focus on healing. We will figure out what to do with you when the time comes." His words were harsh, but I could sense a glimmer of compassion in his voice as he walked away from me, with Jiraiya right on his heels.
"You heard lord Kurama, get some rest." She repeated.
"I need to talk to Naruto. Can you just do something to heal me completely," I snapped as the pushy kitsune woman practically forced me back down on the cot.
She scoffed, her eyes narrowing, and I could tell I had offended her by questioning her abilities. "I have already done enough. Your body needs time to heal naturally, cub. You lost a lot of blood." She said before shaking her head and storming out of the room. I had inadvertently pissed off all four of them. That might have been my superpower.
As I sat alone in the room, the stillness seemed to amplify the weight of the emotions I felt. I couldn't help but note that the feelings I was experiencing were ten times worse than the ones I felt when Naruto told me about him and Kiba. He never mentioned my brother or that he had met a human from the same clan, and that realization made me feel betrayed.
It was hard to focus on anything else as my mind kept replaying the conversation between the two kitsunes. I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this than what Kurama had disclosed.
I needed to sort through my thoughts and emotions before talking to him, but it was difficult to do so without distractions.
They wanted me to rest, but how when I was confronted with all of this?
𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙤'𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑
Three Years Prior.
All I could feel was this constant ringing in my ears as I absorbed what Gramps was saying. His words hit me like a thunderbolt, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and uncertain of my future. Why the hell was it suddenly my responsibility to find a suitable mate? I just wanted to be Naruto, not a prince or anything else for that matter. I was eager to experience the world and have fun with my kin. Why did I have to be bonded to another so soon?
I couldn't help but cry out, "Why me?" It didn't feel right, not now. I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. I just wanted to be wild and free, to explore and indulge in the pleasures that life had to offer. The idea of being bound to another creature, sharing my life and responsibilities, felt crushing. What if after the bonding we wind up hating everything about each other or they try to change me?
Yet, Gramps was unwavering in his response. His tone left no room for argument or protest. "Because you're the prince," he said. "You have no choice. I have already sent invitations to other clans, informing them of your bonding ceremony."
His words hit me hard, like a slap to my face, leaving my mouth ajar. I couldn't breathe or speak, the weight of what he was saying left me feeling powerless and trapped. It was as if my fate was already sealed, and there was no escape from this unwanted news. I should have at least some say-so, it was my life after all.
Even through the night, my mind raced, making it impossible to sleep.
Unable to bear the load of my emotions, I tossed aside my blankets, not able to take them any longer. Usually, a run in the woods helped me clear my head whenever I was pissed off. And so, with a quiet growl, I rose from my bed and ventured outside, hoping to find solace and relief in nature's embrace, where I could be wild and free.
The crisp night air greeted me as I stepped outside, refreshing my senses and helping me regain my composure. The moon shone brightly, casting an ethereal glow upon the forest that surrounded me. I inhaled deeply, allowing the fresh scent of pine and earth to fill my lungs.
With each step, I felt a sense of freedom returning to me and with each step. The rhythmic beat of my feet upon the soft forest floor echoed through the trees as if nature itself was urging me to let go of my frustrations.
The darkness of the night enveloped me, casting a celestial veil over the world, as if to shield me from the chaos that awaited me.
As I walked, my mind wandered, wondering just how impossible a situation I found myself in. Why couldn't I be allowed to choose my path? Why did I have to be forced into adulthood, burdened with the weight of responsibility? All I wanted was to enjoy my youth, to live in the moment, and to cherish the fleeting moments of happiness that life was offering.
Finally, I reached a place where the trees opened up, revealing a breathtaking waterfall. The roar of the cascading water echoed through the trees, creating a soothing melody that beckoned to me. Without hesitation, I stripped off my clothes and plunged into the icy cold water.
The shock of the cold water was exhilarating, washing away my worries and anxieties. I swam beneath the waterfall, letting the powerful current carry me along its course. The cold numbed my senses, allowing me to escape the clutches of reality for a moment.
As I swam, I couldn't help but reflect on the choices I had before me. Would I resign myself to the path that Gramps had laid out for me, or would I find the courage to challenge it? Would I allow myself to be bound by the expectations of others, or would I be able to chuck my destiny to the wind?
The answers to these questions would shape my future and determine the course of my life. But for now, I allowed myself to be consumed by the tranquility of the waterfall, immersing myself in the beauty and power of nature. I was not a prince anymore, I was a kitsune. I was a wild one.
In the quiet of the night, as I floated on the water's surface, I made a decision. I would fight for my freedom, no matter the cost. I would resist the bonds that sought to confine me, and I was determined to find the happiness and fulfillment that I deserved.
As I lay floating on my back, lost in thought, a strange feeling crept over me. I sensed that I was not alone and that someone was watching me. I turned slowly toward the land and saw a figure emerging from the shadows. He was tall, with a commanding presence that made me feel small in comparison. He was draped in a cloak of black and red, which was adorned with a unique print. The lower half of his face was covered, making it difficult to see his features. However, I couldn't help but notice his eyes, which glowed with an eerie red hue in the surrounding darkness. It was as if they were lit from within by some otherworldly force. I couldn't look away, transfixed by their intense gaze. The trees behind him seemed to blend into the darkness, making him appear as if he had appeared out of thin air.
As he stood at the edge of the water, the silence between us seemed to stretch on for what felt like hours. But in reality, it was only a matter of minutes. Time seemed to slow down as I processed the fact that this human was the first one, I had ever come across this closely.
I hesitated, unsure of how to greet him. As a Kitsune, I was taught to be wary and defensive towards strangers. But something about him seemed different. He wasn't attacking, which I took as a good sign. Right? But still, I had no idea how to interact with another being apart from my kind. I stopped floating on my back, my body submerged in the water.
The water lapped at my ears, tempting me to dive in and hide. But I couldn't shake the curiosity that burned within me.
In a low, intrigued, and shocked tone, he said, "The stories were true."
What stories was he referring to? Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to swim closer.
As I approached him, the water came to my nose, blocking my senses to the outside world. Lowering my ears, I focused on his words, waiting for his response.
My interest piqued, I asked, "What stories?" It felt like I was being pulled towards him, by an invisible force.
He blinked, "so it can speak?" he said with a hint of amusement.
"Oy, that's kinda rude! I'm not an it! I'm Naruto!" I countered while grabbing onto land and pulling myself out of the water. He was much taller now that I stood to face him, come to think of it maybe I shouldn't have gotten so close to him. Whelp, too late now.
I stood motionless, unfazed by the proximity. My hair clung to my face and droplets of water flowed down my body causing an involuntary shiver.
I could feel the intensity of his stare as it lingered on my ears, gradually traveling down to my tail which I had hanging low. However, just as quickly, his eyes snapped back up to my face. It was as if he realized I was completely naked. This unexpected realization caused a small smile to form on my lips, humans were funny creatures.
"Is it only you?" His voice was sleek and deep, it resonated within me causing a strange vibration to spread throughout my body.
I raised a brow at him, "Why are you planning on killin' me or somethin'?" My words caused an unexpected reaction. To my surprise, he chuckled, which caught me off guard. I was unaware that I was being funny. The realization made my face flush with embarrassment.
"If I wanted you dead," he replied, his voice trailing off. He seemed to be reconsidering his words. "Never mind," he finished, dismissing the subject altogether.
I watched as he turned away, leaving without another word. Despite his sudden departure, I didn't want him to go. I had so many questions that I wanted to ask.
Before I had the chance to speak, I impulsively reached out and grabbed his hand with both of mine. It was a slight reflex action, but it caught his attention. His eyes widened in surprise as my hands closed around his.
"Wait! Don't go! This is my first time meeting a human!" The words tumbled out of my mouth almost without thinking. It was a reflexive reaction, driven by a desire to keep him from leaving.
To my surprise, he didn't pull away. Instead, he pulled me closer, his warm touch sending an unexpected shiver through my body. The connection I felt at that moment was unexpected, and I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises awaited me. Slowly, he removed his cloak which was black with red clouds outlined in white. I watched with bated breath as he wrapped the cloak around my shoulders.
I could feel my heart racing with anticipation, but I wondered what exactly it was that I was anticipating. He secured the front of the cloak in an almost slow methodical way, as his long pale fingers and painted black nails traveled upward securing the last tie at my neck. The sudden rush of emotions made everything feel surreal and strange as if I had just finished running a marathon.
With his gaze fixed on mine, he leaned down and spoke in a deep voice, "I'll give you until sunrise to ask your questions." As he stepped back, a flood of both nervousness and curiosity washed over me. I couldn't wait to ask him all the questions that had been on my mind for so long.
"That's more than enough time...Thank you!" I proclaimed; I watched as his lips pressed and he stared down his nose at me. He patiently waited for my questioning to begin. Yet I felt my body go stiff. My mind was going blank. Why now! I could see him raise a brow at me, his arms crossing over his chest. It never hurts to start with the basics.
"What's your name?"
His almond-shaped eyes never left mine. "Itachi Uchiha."
"Oy, I would have never pegged you as an Itachi."
Something about that made his face soften and he released a prying Oh sound.
"What name do you see me by?" He had a tone of amusement and a certain air about him that intrigued me.
"Eh, I would say Mochi." I was just playing with him, and he seemed to have taken light offence to the name.
"Mochi?" He repeated, his arms uncrossed falling at his sides.
"Or maybe Momo."
"Are you kidding? That's worse than the first one."
I continued, "Tofu?"
He cut me off, "Hungry?" His amusement was still evident in his tone.
"Of course, I am!" My stomach started to growl as if to confirm this. "Yup, that's not gonna stop anytime soon," I added.
Abruptly he turned away from me, grabbing something behind him. He pulled out what looked like something wrapped in a bamboo leaf. It looked like sticky rice when he opened it. "Here," he said, placing the opened bamboo in my hand.
"Are you sure? What if you get hungry?" I looked up at him.
"I'm close to my village." He watched as I pulled back the bamboo leaf taking a bite. The sweet and savory flavor of the sticky rice and pork hit my tongue. It was so good, but this also could have been because I was hungry.
"Mm, did you make this?" I said with a mouth full.
"Is that your second question?" He mused.
"Mhm."
"It's a secret." He whispered.
"That's not fair! You can't answer questions like that, or at least I don't think you can," I shouted.
"Is that another question?" He teased.
I was caught off guard when I noticed that he was poking fun at my expense. Just then, he seated himself at the water's edge, gazing up at the crescent moon. I couldn't help but be drawn to his sight, mirroring his actions. I sat down next to him, curious to learn more about him.
He glanced in my direction, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile. His voice took on a smooth and deep tone as he spoke. "You don't have a lot of time. You better start asking more questions."
His words caught my attention, and I couldn't help but look at him intently. A sudden flush rose on my face as I embarrassedly realized he had been teasing me again.
As I bit into the sticky rice, my embarrassment grew more intense. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking when he saw me staring at him.
Determined to learn more about him, I took the opportunity to ask him about his village and the life he led as a Shinobi. He told me his village struggled for peace, but that another war was inevitable. However, when the topic of his family came up, his face turned somber. A solemn smile formed as he gazed at the water's edge.
"Oh, I'm sorry for prying," I apologized.
"It's quite alright," he said, his voice steady. "I don't mind sharing."
He paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. When he continued, his voice carried a hint of sadness. "Have you ever done something so immoral that no amount of atonement could fix it?"
The question caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but hesitate before answering. "No, I haven't," I replied honestly.
"Hmm, consider yourself lucky," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
The topic of conversation had taken an unexpected turn and had now landed on me and my recent escapade of skinny dipping in the lake in front of us. Curious, Itachi asked for an explanation.
I explained to him that in my cultural tradition, reaching a certain age meant that it was time to search for a suitable partner. The selection process involved mutual combat, and the winner would be bonded to me, and vice versa. However, I wasn't ready for it yet. I remember him saying, "If it's meant to happen, it will." Little did I know that those words would stay with me for a long time.
As we continued to talk, I started to pick up on the subtle movements he would make. Like when he rubbed the lower part of his face in thought, or when he glanced up at the night sky when answering my questions. He was extremely handsome. I never thought in a million years I would be attracted to a human, but there was something more to him I couldn't quite put my finger on.
Sometimes when he spoke it was with a smirk like he knew the answers to the universe. I felt my gaze scanning his face taking in every detail and converting that to memory.
His pale skin contrasted with the blackness of his long waist-length raven locks, which he had tied back. His bangs and the shorter parts of his hair were of different lengths but still framed his face perfectly. His crimson eyes locked in with mine as he spoke. I caught myself staring again. "What?" He replied.
"Nothing," I quickly shook my head. There was a fluttering sensation in the pit of my stomach growing with each second.
As the sky began to lighten, he stood up and I followed suit. "Looks like our time is up," he said in a calm voice. I felt a pang of sadness in my chest, realizing that our time together was coming to an end.
I couldn't help but ask, "Would you like your cloak back?" My voice was barely above a whisper as if I was afraid to disturb the peaceful morning.
He looked down at the cloak, which was still draped over my body, and then back at me. "I don't need it at the moment," he said with a small smile. "I'll come back for it when I do."
His words filled me with hope. I knew that he would return, and that thought made me feel warm inside. As I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of our next meeting.
