Kitsune no Yomeiri

A/N: OMFG!!!!! how long has it fucking been?!! i lost my internet sometime after christmas, so i wasn't able to update even though i have TWO chapters done, and just have the epilogue to write before it's done. *smiles* i just don't know whether to post them both now or what for some feedback on 12 before i move on to 13... we'll see how it turns out by the end of this update. i hope you all enjoy this!


same tags apply

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Chapter 12: Going home
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The bright light of morning shattered Naruto’s dreams and had him blinking blearily up at the ceiling. He didn’t recognize it as that of Hokage Tower, and then the memories of the previous night came crashing back. He shot up in bed, the sheets falling to reveal a fair stretch of skin. The sunlight from the window made him glow golden, and Naruto was momentarily distracted from his thoughts by the beauty of the day outside.

Then he froze in apprehension, visions of the actions he had taken last night flashing before his eyes. Naruto swung his gaze to the bed beside him, dreading what he might find. But it was empty. With no small bit of confusion, he reached out to feel the sheets next to him, only to find the warmth of another body long gone.

His confusion was replaced by fear when he lowered his head and a curtain of red hair didn’t obstruct his view. Naruto’s hand shot up to his head to find short, spiky hair that would no doubt be blonde if he got up to look in the mirror.

‘Oh, gods, Sasuke saw me without the illusion! And he left! He’ll… he’ll never forgive me for this. Father? Otosan? Please, answer me!’

‘You got yourself into this.’

‘Gods, I don’t feel so well. I think I’m going to be sick.’

Naruto felt the odd sensation of chakra displacement, which occurred when something foreign was in or on the body that changed the speed and regulation of chakra flow. But he felt no wounds, not that he thought Sasuke would do something like hurt him in his sleep. No, this was different than when he was wounded.

‘What in the world is wrong?’

No answer was readily available, and his father told him to go about his business as he checked it out. Naruto did just that, worry and fear gnawing at his insides as he slowly got up from the bed. The sheets pooled at his feet, and Naruto looked around for his discarded kimono, only to find it wadded up and smeared with dried semen in some places. Naruto wrinkled his nose in distaste. Even if his kitsune magic could cover up the wrinkles and stains, the very thought of wearing dirtied attire turned Naruto off.

Looking out the window once again, Naruto gazed at the position of the sun, realizing that it was late morning. A small breeze ruffled the branches of the tree outside the panes, and a flurry of small, white flowers floated in the air. He was reminded of the cherry blossoms that his head gokenin had taken him to see one spring when he was little without the elders’ permission. Even though he’d gotten in trouble, Naruto still thought it had been the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

But that dear memory was quickly turned into a reminder that a wedding was taking place in the village, and it belonged to Sasuke and Sakura.

Naruto quickly decided that he had to take action now. He would either lose the Uchiha or gain a husband, but it had to be done. He turned to the Uchiha’s closet to grab something to wear, and nearly decided to go naked when it was opened. What stared back at him was a collection of very tight leather pants, black of course, and long-sleeved turtlenecks of the same color. Black had never really been one of his favorite colors, the hair of his lover aside. Still, it was something to wear, and Naruto reached in, hoping his bigger build wouldn’t mean he had nothing to wear.

The pants put up a small struggle, not wanting to go over his hips, but he eventually won out. The shirt was better, if a little tight, clinging to his chest and biceps like a second skin. Naruto walked to the full-length mirror, looking himself over, and besides his slightly innocent blue eyes, he looked like a force to be reckoned with, a muscled wall of oppressive black. Naruto flashed a grin at the reflection, laughing at himself for keeping his body in this shape.

The power of the great lords of the kitsune tribe was always so great, they could be as effeminate as they wanted and still be revered and idolized. But Naruto was the first great lord to actually build upon his natural animal muscle, and in doing so, became one of the largest great lords in and out of his true demonic form.

‘I’m just breaking all sorts of traditions, aren’t I?’

‘Especially the biggest one, my son.’

‘What are you talking about, father?’

‘You are the first great lord to get pregnant.’

Naruto stood still, not seeing anything. His mouth hung open in shock. The presence of another life in his body would be a good cause for his chakra displacement, and even though he’d set out to retrieve Sasuke and carry his child, without Sasuke actually by his side, being pregnant felt outrageously wrong.

‘I’ve got to find him.’

‘What if he does not want to come to the kitsune village with you? There is no way he would abandon his child when it is all he wants. But if he is not your mate, there is no way he would be allowed into our village.’

‘Then first thing’s first.’

Naruto walked with a deceptive calm to the window, opened it, and maneuvered his way to the rooftop. His eyes scanned the horizon as his ears tried to pick up the sounds of unusual activity in the village. His sharp hearing had him turning in the direction of a park, and he saw the top of a white tent. He surmised that it was for the wedding, and a wave of relief flooded him as he realized that he hadn’t missed it. But instead of jumping in that direction, Naruto turned and made his way to Hokage Tower. First thing’s first.

~*~

“Why am I the one who has to tell her?”

“Because you’re the one who is performing the ceremony!”

Tsunade moved her eyes from Jiraiya when Shizune entered her office with a message that somebody she couldn’t identify wanted to speak with the Hokage. Tsunade raised her eyebrow in question, but nodded for Shizune to let the person enter.

In walked a very muscled blonde, tall, eyes a very rich blue, encased in very tight leather. He bowed slightly, and when he straightened, his blue eyes shifted to Jiraiya. Tsunade followed the look to see Jiraiya trying to smother a smile.

“What’s going on?”

“Ah, Tsunade, this is the true form of Kazahaya-sama, great lord of the kitsune tribe. Also known as Uzumaki Naruto.”

“Naruto?” Tsunade stared in shock at the great lord before her, unable to believe that someone who was supposed to be dead was actually the great lord of a powerful tribe of demons and standing right in front of her.

“Hokage-sama, as much as I’d like to explain everything, I’m in a hurry and am just here to extend an offer of alliance renewal after so many years of animosity.”

“What?”

“Apparently no one has informed you of the past when you took over this position. Sandaime should have at least left some scrolls for you, from when Yondaime died. Konoha was allied with the kitsune village, until a misunderstanding and the subsequent ‘downfall’ of the great lord severed it. Due to circumstances that are my and one other person’s business, I’m offering to renew the alliance.”

“And what would this alliance involve?”

“The kitsune village, now that I am the great lord, will never need your help. But should Konoha ever need our aid, I would grant it to you. Since I’ve returned to the tribe, the bitterness of my people has diminished over the years, and I’m sure if I ever order them to fight alongside your ninja, they’d do so willingly.”

“I… I would need to draw up the papers…” Tsunade trailed off when Naruto picked up a stray kunai and slashed his palm. He quickly grabbed her hand and squeezed with his injured hand. When he retracted it, Tsunade watched in amazement as the wound on his palm healed itself. Then she looked to her bloodstained hand and watched as the red began to seep into her skin.

“My blood is my bond. There is already a kitsune guardian embedded in the ground of Konoha who will appear when a great threat comes to Konoha. But actual kitsune warriors would be more appropriate so as not to scare the hell out of the villagers.”

“Just why are you doing this, kid?”

Tsunade turned to Jiraiya, wondering if he knew something she didn’t when she saw an almost sly look on his face. His eyes briefly traveled down the demon lord’s body, and then they shifted to Tsunade.

“Let’s just say that I need a legitimate reason for Konoha shinobi to enter our village should any of them happen to… find it.”

“You mean Sasuke,” Tsunade whispered in shock. Jiraiya had told her that Sasuke and Kazahaya were more than slightly interested in each other…

Naruto tensed before her, stated that the alliance was effective immediately, and walked from the office. The Hokage and the sannin didn’t follow him, but Jiraiya did move from beside the desk to in front of it. When he did, a ray of sunshine slipped through the window and caught on a piece of metal sitting on her desk. Tsunade looked at it, somewhat surprised that she didn’t feel anger as she did so, more a sense of understanding and peace, and she smiled.

~*~

Naruto walked slowly toward the park where the wedding preparations were taking place, a dark scowl growing unbidden on his face. Those he passed moved far out of his way, wary of his temper. The closer he got, the more anxious he became. What would Sasuke say?

‘I don’t know if I can do this.’

‘Are you getting scared? The Uchiha has the right to know that he has a child.’

‘I know he does, father. But I’m about to walk into his wedding and tell him he knocked me up!’

Naruto’s father didn’t have the chance to reply. A loud wail pierced the air, coming from the wedding pagoda. He finished his trek at a brisk pace, halting when he came across the Hokage and Ino consoling a hysterical Sakura. He naturally knew the Hokage must have transported herself to the park, so decided to skip to the more important question.

“What’s going on?”

Sakura looked up at his voice. “Naruto!” Surprise registered on her red face, and Naruto was amazed that Sakura even remembered what he looked like. Then she burst into fresh tears, and Ino held her closer. The Hokage looked at her in sympathy, and then turned to Naruto.

“Uchiha has cancelled the wedding.”

“What?”

“It’s your fault!” Naruto looked at a suddenly furious Sakura. “You had to come back on my wedding day! He must have seen you in town, might even be looking for you right now, you fucking monster!”

Naruto gave her a cool glare, and Tsunade came to Sakura’s side. “He’s been here for a while, Sakura. And as far as I know, Sasuke isn’t aware.”

“Then why did he leave me?”

“Because he doesn’t love you.” The four of them turned to a new group of people approaching. Jiraiya and Kakashi led the group, Iruka, Neji, and Lee behind them. “Sakura, this is the best way it could have happened. You’re under the delusion that a lawful binding is forever. You couldn’t see that some years down the road, he’d simply leave you.”

“How could you say that, Jiraiya-san?”

Naruto didn’t stay to hear the answer. He’d been told this before. And really, for all his anger and jealousy at the girl, Naruto did feel sorry for her. She was very much attached to the idea of Sasuke, but he was sure she’d get over it at some point. Girls always did.

Moving into the main street in Konoha, Naruto spread out his senses, looking for Sasuke’s chakra, and becoming confused when Sasuke was nowhere in the village. The anxiety coupled with the chakra displacement was making Naruto a little nauseous. He grabbed his stomach, wondering how long this pregnancy was going to make him queasy when the very thing he’d worried about coming to Konoha finally happened.

“Kami-sama, it’s him, the Kyuubi vessel! Look at the whisker marks.”

“What the hell is that monster doing here?”

“I can’t believe he’d come back after all these years.”

“Should we inform the Hokage before we kill him? He’s got to be here for a sinister reason.”

Disgust was added to his turbulent mix of emotions, and Naruto leapt to a nearby rooftop. The people on the streets pointed to him, trying to hide that they were actually doing it, but obviously sending word around the village that ‘the monster’ was back.

‘Dammit, I don’t need this shit!’

‘Son, you need to return to the kitsune village so the healers can ensure a healthy pregnancy. The first days are crucial to male foxes, and you have never been examined.’

‘But Sasuke…’

‘You may only be a day along, but the anguish you will feel if you lose this child will be unmatched. Once your pregnancy is stabilized, you can return to talk to the Uchiha.’

Naruto was set to argue more, but a sudden shift in his chakra made him lose balance momentarily and almost fall from the rooftop. With a sigh that was almost a whimper, Naruto turned towards the gates of Konoha and began his trek home.

‘I guess, even if I never get Sasuke,’ Naruto placed a hand on his stomach, ‘I’ll at least have a small part of him with me, always.’

~*~

Naruto traveled for days, wishing he had the strength to transport himself to the kitsune village. But his chakra displacement was getting worse, and he tired very easily. His father constantly soothed his fears that this was common in both genders of fox, but his window of safety was fast in closing.

‘Your case is very different from other males’ for the simple fact that my soul and chakra reside in your body. Your chakra is being put under major stress right now that only the healers can deal with.’

‘What if I don’t make it home, father? What if I’m not fast enough?’

‘My chakra will sustain the child until yours is righted. Have no fear. Just return to the village in one piece.’

‘If your chakra can sustain the child, why do I need to leave Sasuke behind?’

‘Because if the child is nurtured with my chakra for a long period of time in the first stages, it will be more my child than yours. I do not think you are willing to give birth to your own brother!’

Naruto jumped for the next tree, but mid leap, his vision blacked out, and he felt himself falling through the air. As weak as he was, Naruto was unsure if he would survive, so he desperately flung his hands out, searching for purchase. Something wrapped around his arm, pulling him sideways against something pliable and warm. It was a body, Naruto realized, and its arms were wrapped around him. He felt air rushing past his ears, registering that they were jumping down to the ground.

“Which way is the kitsune village?” a voice asked. But the sound of his blood rushing through his ears made it almost unintelligible. He fought against the arms that held him bound, but his strength was fading. His vision was still gone, and his nausea wasn’t helping his situation.

With one last half-hearted shove, Naruto lost himself to the inky blackness of unconsciousness.

~*~

He held the blonde in his arms as he rushed through the forest. He’d tried several times to wake the demon, needing to know in what direction the kitsune village lie. In the end, he just kept in the direction the fox had been going before, hoping that he stumbled upon it.

It was when the sun began to set that he finally heard the people who’d been following him make a sound. It was an obvious sign that they wished to speak with him, as they’d been following since midday and hadn’t made the mistake of noise.

He stopped and dropped to the forest floor, the blonde cradled in his arms. He didn’t move and watched tensely as things began to detach themselves from the greenery. Unnaturally large foxes emerged from the undergrowth, fangs glistening with saliva, fur bristled in anticipation of the kill. From behind them came man-like creatures, as tall as he, but with ears and multiple tails. Some held swords while others had bows at the ready, arrows quivering as their fingers itched to let them fly.

“Hand the great lord over, and we’ll allow you to be questioned before we kill you,” barked a warrior on his left, black fur graying here and there, showing his age, if they aged as humans did, which he was seriously doubting.

“You will not lay a finger on me. Take us to the village.”

“And who do you think you are, mortal?” a younger warrior asked from behind him. He saw others glance sharply at whoever had spoken behind him. The idiot must have done something out of protocol. But at least it was a question that he could work with.

“I am an old friend of Kazahaya’s, as well as his betrothed.” He smirked viciously and added, “I am Uchiha Sasuke.”


TBC


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i've decided to wait a few days... unless y'all just get really ugly with your reviews *grins* i hope everyone is having a great new year. and next chapter, there will be a preview of two of my newest stories, created simultaneously because i was bored. till next time!

totally forgot to tell y'all: since it won't be mentioned again, except maybe in passing, the piece of metal on tsunade's desk that she looks at is sasuke's hitai-ate!!