Rose Vines and Kunai

Rose Vines and Kunai

Disclaimer: I do not own either YYH or Naruto.

/blah/ Youko thoughts
/Blah/ Kurama thoughts
"Blah" Kyuubi thoughts
"Blah" Naruto thoughts

Chapter One:

An annoyed and tired Naruto dropped his pack next to a tree and looked back at his team as they caught up to him, then flung himself down on the ground. "Kakashi-sensei, what exactly is the mission? You said you wouldn't tell us until we were away from Konoha, and now we're very far way. So what's up?" he griped.

Silently the jounin handed him the scroll which had appeared on Tsunade-sama's desk the night before. Watching as his student's face darkened, Kakashi could only hope this didn't set the kid off the deep end.

Dobe,
Meet me where we last saw each other as friends.
S.

"So what? 'S not like I care," demanded the blond in a deep growl, tossing the scroll to the ground, as red flickered throughout his chakra.

"I would have thought you would like to be the one who confronted him. Perhaps I was wrong and can tell Tsunade to send the ANBU after him. Well then let's go home ..."

"NO!" Idly, he picked the note back up and toyed with it, turning it over in his hands. He already knew he'd go. He owed the bastard that much.

"But I thought you didn't care," teased the older ninja.

Glowering, Naruto turned away and stared off into the trees. Finally he turned back to the note in his hands. "Alright, let's go." Levering himself up from his spot under his tree, he ignored the grumblings going on in the back of his head. He'd grown used to it over the last two years. Having Kyuubi locked up in his head was a trial at first, but as they'd grown accustomed to each other, the tension slowly grew less. Right now, the fox was indulging in a fit at having to move from the peaceful shade.

Sakura, not having seen the note, frowned, looking between teacher and teammate in confusion. "Uh, Naruto, can't we rest here? I'm tired from trying to keep up with you."

Naruto rolled his eyes and walked off in the direction he needed to go. "Fine, you guys rest here if you need to. I'm going on. If I push it I can get there just after dark. There's no telling how long he'll stick around. See ya!" Bursting into a sprint the avatar quickly left them behind.

Kakashi shook his head. He'd known the impulsive idiot would take off.

"Um, Sensei? He means Sasuke, doesn't he?" asked Sakura, looking at the ground.

"Yes."

"Then shouldn't we..."

"No, Sakura. They have personal matters they need to work out on their own. We'll leave them be. Let's set up camp, shall we?"

***

Already several miles away, Naruto slowed a bit to take stock of his position. He wasn't really too far away from that last spot he'd seen the bastard. Shaking his head to clear it of the memories, he switched directions a bit to come in from the east, and dug deeper into himself for the energy to continue.

/You worry too much kit. Your friend will be there./ The low growl in the back of his head was definitely the fox he'd lived with his entire life.

"Oh, will you be quiet baka kitsune? I'm trying to think here!"

/Obviously not your strong point./

Stopping in his tracks, Naruto jabbed a finger at his temple. "You shut up. It's not like you're offering any ideas," he shouted in his mind.

The loud growl that filled his mind was a warning. After a moment Kyuubi settled down, knowing his message was received. /Kit, have more faith. Your friend would not have sent a message with no date if he did not intend on staying until you showed. He will be there./

Running his fingers over the top of his bandana, the young shinobi could only sigh. "I'm sorry. It's just..."

/You are worried. Understandable. However, it's not a good reason to yell at anyone. Particularly me.../ the kitsune ended with a malicious smirk that the boy could feel.

Chuckling nervously, Naruto nodded and took off again, knowing exactly what the kitsune was getting at. Having him trapped within was a serious plus, but it did come with a few drawbacks, the main one being that Kyuubi could make his life a living hell if he wanted. Having someone to lash out at when angry was not worth the headaches the fox would no doubt inflict on him for taking his frustration out on him.

Seventeen year old Naruto Uzumaki had lived his entire life with the spirit of a kitsune trapped inside his body. It came as no surprise that once he himself knew the truth about it, he would begin exploring his own soul to find where exactly this spirit was bound. It should also be expected of him, given his tenacity, to actually find the place where the kitsune known as Kyuubi was hidden. In addition it would make sense for him to continue returning to speak to and learn from Kyuubi, given the latter's vast experiences. Kyuubi was more than a thousand years old, had pretty much seen and done it all. With the kitsune's help he'd grown in knowledge by leaps and bounds, often surprising Kakashi with what he knew. When he hit a tough part in his training, he would almost automatically turn to the fox for help, which in no small way puffed up Kyuubi's ego.

In this, though, he was more hesitant to accept what he said. Sasuke was a difficult person to read, one never knew what he might or might not do, and the fox hadn't known him nearly as long as Naruto himself. While Naruto was willing to trust that Sasuke didn't have anything untoward planned, there was also the fact that he had gone to work for the enemy. Imparted to him from Kyuubi was the thought that while Sasuke himself might not know about it, his superiors would try something to get hold of him and Kyuubi.

That was his main concern, that they might be using his friend to get to him. It was Sasuke's writing on the note, but that wouldn't immediately preclude Orochimaru from following him. The snake was a sly, manipulative bastard, and not at all above using whatever came within his grasp. Even if it came at the expense of alienating or eliminating one of his best ninja. Whatever the cost, Naruto was going in there fully prepared to face anything that was thrown at him. With Kyuubi's help he should be able to get out in one piece. He was more worried that Sasuke was in danger and he wouldn't be able to help him escape. With a disgusted sigh, he turned his focus inward enough to hear what the kitsune had to say, while still seeing and hearing where he was going. /So, what ideas do you have, baka?/

With a grunt, Kyuubi turned his head and gave Naruto a look that said he was considering not answering the question. Then he laid his head down and stared out his host's eyes for a moment. /Show me the memory. I was not awake when this happened and as such have no real idea of the terrain. That will give me a better idea of what they may have planned./

Twitching his lips at the resigned tone in his partner's voice, the young ninja obediently brought up a picture of what he remembered of the place. Some parts were naturally hazy, being things that he hadn't paid any attention to on his first visit to the grove. He felt the fox give the image a weighted look, letting his natural instincts guide him in locating possible trouble points. /Keep your senses on the trees. The clearing itself doesn't seem to hold any dangers, other than its small size. That makes it much easier to attack from the trees without being spotted. But with my added awareness it shouldn't pose too much of a threat./ The kitsune sounded completely sure of himself and all the more arrogant for it. Naruto could only chuckle at the self-satisfied note in his counterpart's voice.

/Thanks. Having you awake now sure makes things like this easier. Never hurts to use whatever you have at hand./ The slightly mocking tone in his mental voice had the fox's lips turning up in an agreeing smirk before he curled up around Naruto's soul in an effort to calm the anxiety pulsing in the boy's every thought that reverbated through his own soul because of their connection. /Redirect. What do you think Sasuke wants?/

/I ... honestly don't know,/ said Naruto, frowning in unease. /I suppose it's entirely possible that he's completed his own task. But I doubt the bastard snake would let him go so easily. That damnable seal binds Sasuke to him. Orochimaru can find him where ever he goes./

Kyuubi gave every impression of nodding, and brushed his tail along the boy's cheek in an all-to-rare phantom gesture of comfort. /He is strong. Have faith in him, and in your friendship. If there is a way to break the seal we will find it, together. Even if we have to go to ... well never mind that for now. It is not necessary to discuss it at this point. Now, it is time to focus, Kit. He's just ahead./ Naruto felt Kyuubi pull more of his energy to the surface, enhancing already strong senses to new levels. He could smell the unique scent that Sasuke gave off, like warm ashes and pepper, it was something he'd noticed in his last fight with the Uchiha, and had stuck in his mind, reminding him of the bastard every time he put out the camp fire. It was strange, being able to smell other people's personal scents. Sakura always smelled like her medicinal plants, but underneath that was something always said "Sakura" to him, the scent of her water lily perfume. Kakashi was probably the stangest scent he'd run across while using Kyuubi's senses. The jounin smelled ... well, like lightning and fresh-cut, wet grass.

/Focus,/ sighed the kitsune, with a swat upside his head, when Naruto's mind started going off on a tangent. /You can not allow your mind to wander. There is danger here, I can sense it. There is something cold on the wind, be on your guard./

/Yeah, yeah. Got it./ Naruto slowly stepped into the clearing and looked around for Sasuke. The bastard was no where in sight.

"Dobe." That so familiar voice speaking a so familiar word was right behind him. Naruto whipped around to face to face with his rival for the first time in two years. Sasuke stood no more than six feet away, not seeming to have changed at all, except for his clothes. He was taller of course, with wider shoulders, and the blue shorts were gone, replaced by baggy, black pants, crisscrossed at the waist by a pair of belts that held all of the small weapons ninja carried, and the usual shoes were gone, replaced by shapless, worn sandals. Strapped to his back over the blue turtleneck, and black vest that carried the Uchiha family crest, was the giant shuriken and katana that Naruto remembered so well. At his feet was a small burlap bag, stained brown by whatever was inside. But it was his expression that set the avatar off balance. Trapped in Sasuke's dark and narrowed eyes, in spite of the expressionless face, was a strange mix of confusion, hopelessness, and uncertainty that had Naruto reaching out to him before he realized what he was doing.

Sasuke's foot barely moved to shove the sack toward the other shinobi, his lips twitching when the younger man stumbled back as though it would bite him. Out of the mouth of the sack rolled a head, and Naruto gagged at the smell rising from it. "GAH!! What the hell is that, bastard!!" he exclaimed indignantly, giving Sasuke a pained glare.

"Itachi's head, dobe."

Naruto gave the ... object a disbelieving look before giving it a light kick to roll it over, and flicking a disgusted glance at the way the tongue hung out of the side of the mouth and the rolled-back eyes in wide open lids. Blood ran in streaks down its face from the nose and mouth and out the ears. It was an almost frightening to try to figure out what exactly Sasuke had done to the murderer. The stark terror on the face was disturbing, even more so to know it came from something Sasuke had done.

Sasuke's smirk widened at the expression on Naruto's face. He'd known what the loser's reaction would be to the head. It was one of the reasons he'd brought it along. But the next look that cross his face was one of earned distrust that Sasuke was expecting, even from the dobe.

After that first knee-jerk reaction of concern for his old friend and disgust at the head, Naruto stepped back from him and gave him a sharp look. "Alright, bastard. What do you want?" he barked loudly, as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Sasuke stared at his long time friend and rival. Naruto had grown up a lot in the last two years, he noted almost clinically. He was still the skinny brat he always had been, but there was no doubt as to how well he had filled out. Trim, tall, and lean, the blond baka cut a fine figure in the clingly, charcoal gray turtleneck and baggy, dark blue pants that tucked neatly into soft-soled, black, calf-high boots. He had to smirk, it seemed Sakura and Hinata had had their evil way with Naruto's wardrobe. His forehead protector was now wrapped around his head as a bandana that tied in a knot at the back, so the only part of his distinctive blond hair that showed was at the back where it stuck out from underneath the blue cloth. It was longer too, even longer than Neji's used to be, and again Sakura's influence showed in how it was neatly braided in one thick mass. He had no idea what had possessed the loser to grow it out that much, but he supposed that if it hadn't gotten him killed yet, he wasn't going to start razzing him on it just yet. Even his face had lost the babyishness it had had, refining to something he was sure, inspite of Naruto's reputation, garnered him no few admirers amoungst the younger men and women. It had sharper edges and a much more defined jawline and chin, softened by the single locks of blond hair that snuck out from the bandana's grasp by his ears to float around his face. "You've grown up, loser," he finally remarked while taking a few steps closer.

Looking away from that piercing stare, Naruto could only shrug and offer, "Duh. It's been two years, ass. Of course I look different. So do you."

Finally grinning, Sasuke closed the distance between them to shove the taller ninja. "You more than me, jerk. Look at you! You're taller than I am."

Snorting at that comment he shoved back, "Well, it's not like I could remain short forever, you know. And you haven't answered my question. What do you want?"

"I want ... to come home," he said placing his right arm around his friend's shoulder.

The way his voice trailed off at the end of that statement told Naruto just how unsure of his acceptance Sasuke was. He understood what he had done. It remained to be seen whether or not he was willing to accept the long-term consequences he was sure to see back in Konoha. Although, just sending that note said he was willing to try, at least. Turning away, the blond began chewing on his bottom lip. "I ... want you to come home too. But ... you do realize that no one else will accept so easily?"

With a heavy sigh Sasuke turned his back on his friend, and after a moment thought, he shook his head and shrugged. "Noboby understands me as you do, loser. I expect a certain amount of resistance, but I am glad you at least want me back. What ... no never mind. I'll find out when they see me. We should get going from here. No telling if Orochimaru has noticed my absence yet. Or Ithachi's."

After giving the head a kick back in Sasuke's direction, Naruto blew out another sigh and hooked his fingers in his friend's left sleeve and gave him a yank. "Let's go, then. No sense in sticking around here. I left Sakura and Kakashi-sensei way behind me Let's go regroup with them and figure what to do from there." He trotted to the edge of the trees, then looked back over his shoulder. "Catch me if you can, bastard!" he taunted as he pushed off into the trees at his fastest sprint.

Smirking, Sasuke took off after him. Inspite of Naruto's obvious increase of restraint and intelligence, things were almost back to normal.

***

Reclining in a tree not so far away was a sleeping red haired man, a look of calm repose on his inhumanly handsome face. In his mind however, he was not so asleep. Deep within, two souls were having a friendly argument. One, an eons old kitsune, and the other his human counterpart were having a ... discussion ... about where to go next. They had just about exhausted the possibilities of the current area and the restless fox was ready to move on.

/Let's go to Makai and visit the others. At least we'd be able to fight with Hiei and pull a few pranks on Yuusuke. Ningenkai is boring./

Kurama sighed. He'd been trying to get it through the whining kitsune's head that they couldn't leave ningenkai just to go have some fun. Even if their contract had run out with reikai, they had pretty much volunteered to watch the human realm, while Hiei and Yuusuke watched Makai. /You know we can't do that, no matter how much we may want to. We have a responsibility.?

/No, you're the one with the responibility. I refuse to take any of the blame for this when I wasn't even consulted,/ pouted Youko, flipping his tail at his human half. /It's all your fault we're stuck in ningenkai./

/And yet you never said a word against it,/ Kurama pointed out sardonically. /Don't put all the blame on me./

/Well ... / Youko paused, rewording what he had been about to say. /You're just such a pansy, Kurama./

Mentally pinching his nose, Kurama rolled his eyes at the tone in Youko's voice. /In other words, you just wanted to chase some girls. Damn it, Youko, be serious for once!/

With a dark chuckle, the kitsune wrapped his soul around his human counterpart, placing his lips right next to his ear. /Oh, but desire is the most serious thing in the world./ he purred.

/Shameless pervert,/ Kurama couldn't help but tease. /I wonder why I put up with you./

/You couldn't live without me and you know it! After all, you'd be long dead if you were merely mortal./ For a minute his attention was drawn by a surge of energy that felt oddly familiar. /Hey ... / he said suddenly.

With a growl, Kurama turned away from the fox. /That's it, I'm not talking to you anymore./

/No, not that. Didn't you feel that energy? It almost felt ... like us. We should look into it./ Chuckling darkly Youko twined himself closer to his counterpart. /It may there is something worth our time in this realm. Let's go introduce ourselves, shall we?/

@__________@