Vacation Memories

' Stupid, stupid... baka! Damnit I cant believe I did that, now they are going to come back asking questions I really dont feel like answering. Maybe I really am the dobe Sasuke always calls me. I just had to go and show off..' Naruto continued to berate himself, while Kyuubi laughed hysterically.

" Kit it will be okay, why not go to your room and just come to the field. You can come and think here and relax or I could teach you a new jutsu." She felt really bad for her kit, she knew he went a little over board with keeping the bells from everyone, including his own sensei. She thought it was quite amusing, to watch the silver haired man attempting to sneak up on him to get the bells, only to find a faceless clone. She let out another low chuckle.

' Actually thats sounds good but I think I'll work on chakra control first. I better leave a note not to distrub me though.' a small smile on his face, he was actually a little excited about learning a new jutsu.

" Okay kit. I'll leave you to your chakra training while I rest a bit. I was too busy watching the four of you, and laughing to get any rest... I almost feel bad for your poor sensei....almost" she snickered

' Hn.. was funny to see him getting his ass whooped by that new clone. I think it was a great idea to add a little more chakra into them. They seem to last longer and be some what stronger, ne?'

"Hai, that they do kit" with that she strutted back into the depths of his mind.

Naruto quickly wrote out a 'Do NOT disturb' note and placed it on the door for all to see. He sighed, going to the window and pulled the curtains back, then opened the window to let the fresh air in. He really did enjoy the oncoming night breeze, it was light and brought the scent of earth into the room. It brought peace to Naruto's chaotic thoughts.

He took another deep breath of the earthy fresh air, closed his eyes and slowly let his breath out. He sat down on the bed pulling his left leg over his right in Indian style, took another deep breath closing his eyes, and made the proper hand signs. A moment later he was standing in an open field, a brilliant carpet of wild flowers before him. He looked up to the sky to see a deep cerulean blue, the same color as his eyes, speckled with lazy white clouds. The colors of his mind had always been brilliant and vibrant. He took a deep breath again and began his chakra training.

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:: I cant believe the dobe was able to beat Kakashi-sensei. Has he been holding out? No thats impossible. He's to much of an idiot. It was just luck thats all ...ne?:: Sasuke was fuming. It just didnt make sense. :: And what about that damn mediation. I didnt think the dobe could do something like that:: he continued his brooding, ignoring Sakura who had been trying to talk to him.

" Sasuke-Kun, what do you think about Naruto? Do you know if he has been doing extra training with someone else?" she said in her whining voice. She became angry that Sasuke was paying more attention to that idiot instead of her. She silently started planning ways of making Naruto pay for Sasuke's distraction.

"Hn" was his only reply still lost in his own thoughts to really hear her. He really needed to talk to Naruto. :: But first I need to talk to Kakashi-sensei and get his take on what the hell is going on :: He took off at a quick run towards Kakashi's room once the Inn was in sight, leaving Sakura sputtering in his wake.

Sasuke banged a few times on Kakashi's door. A moment later a wet, silver haired jounin opened the door, rubbing a towl on his head. " Yo." he greeted, opening the door further to admit Sasuke in.

" I wanted to talk to you about Naruto." he deadpanned.

" Figured, so..whats on your mind?" he had a feeling he already knew, he had been thinking about their training today.

" Wanted to get your opinion about our training this afternoon. Particularly Naruto's preformance. Did you know? Has he been doing extra training with you?"

" No on both questions. I didnt know he was that fast either, as far as smarts go.. well lets just say I had an inkling that he was holding back. Think about it honestly, remember our first mission in Wave country? I had a feeling that alot of what we see of Naruto really isnt him. The past few days has only proven it. One of the reasons I brought us here is to get him to, hopefully, open up. Naruto, I think, is hiding. I cant be sure but all the evidence so far, points me to that conclusion. The only question now is, why." Kakashi stated with a serious look on his face. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms on his chest, closing his one visible eye then reopening it to observe Sasuke taking in the information.

" What does he have to hide?" he whispered, thinking to himself of possible answers.

" There are many reasons, but I couldnt say for sure. What do you think?"

" Not sure, I reserve judgement till I know more. Though a curious thing happened before training today. I was following him to the meditation field. Even though I was hiding my chakra he knew I was there. Then when we started the mediation he did this strange jutsu and was in meditation in an instant. I've never seen anything like it. I watched him for a while when all of a sudden a red chakra surrounded him."

Kakashi's one visible eye went wide for a brief moment before going back to his normal bored expression. " I..see. Okay, well I think its time for rest. We are going to have an early day tomorrow " he said taking on a ruminative look.

Sasuke walked solmnly back to his room, deep in thought over the events of the past few days. He found the note on the door, and walked in quietly. He wanted to confront Naruto but decided it could wait until the morning. As he sat looking around the room he noticed Naruto's pack on the maple wood table under the mirror on the wall. He went to it, remembering the scrolls from earlier, curiosity over taking him he pulled one out. He opened and read it, finding it to be a highly complicated jutsu, even for him. :: Wonder if the dobe can do this one yet:: He looked over to see a pair of deep cerulean eyes staring back at him.

" Find anything interesting in there teme?" Naruto yawned. He had just finished his mind training and was quiet tired from the days events.

" Hn, you know how to do this jutsu yet?"

" Not that its any of your concern, but no. Thats why I brought it, to learn it...hopefully." Naruto mumbled rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Hn" he threw it at Naruto then layed on his bed, hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling in thought.

' Man he's brooding again' Naruto sighed " Stupid damn baka, and you stop laughing. Its not that funny" he mumbled under his breath.


Sasuke turned, staring at him. Though Naruto had said it low enough for a normal person not to hear, Sasuke had and his eyes widened a fraction for a brief moment before he put his stoic mask back on, turning to glare at the ceiling once more. :: what the hell, who was he talking to?:: " Oi dobe, let me ask you something" he thought a moment, to organize what he wanted to ask.

"Stop calling me that!! " Naruto screeched, " What do you want teme?"

" Have you been doing extra training?" he uncovered his eyes to glance at him, waiting.

" I suppose you could call it that. Im really tired, Im going to sleep." without another word he rolled over, back facing Sasuke.

Sasuke stared for a moment, he wanted to ask more, but thought it best to wait till morning. He put his arm back over his eyes, closing them, and began to think of a strategy on confronting Naruto. He still had a confession to make.

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A few days had passed, and Sasuke still hadn't confronted Naruto. Truth be told, the damn baka had been avoiding and ignoring him, not something he was taking kindly to. He glared at the blond, who was being his usual over exuberant self, and hoped that he would soon combust into flames from the intensity of his glare. He knew that it was childish but he was truly pissed and felt that Naruto deserved it. His agitation grew when he felt an arm snake its way around his and capture it in a tight embrace. He scowled down at the pink haired nuisance. Deciding now was the best time, a smirk grew on his face. " Hey dobe, I need to talk to you." he called out waiting for a reaction.

" DONT CALL ME THAT!!! " Naruto shouted. " What do you want teme" he was bored..bored bored bored. Kakashi was late as usual and he wanted nothing more than to run off to the lake he had found the other night for training.

Naruto had come across it while the moon was still high in the night time sky, the stars winking at him from above. At first he heard the gentleness of flowing water but was unsure where it was coming from, so he followed the sound. The trees had been thick and a little difficult to get through but once he had he was stuned by the sheer beauty. A gentle waterfall fell into a crystal blue lake making calm ripples on its clear glass like surface. Fireflies danced around, while soft streams of moon light made the surface shimmer to life. A gentle breeze could be heard through the swaying reeds around the lake edge, and the warm smell of earth wafted up to his nose as he took a deep breath. It was peaceful, screne and everything he had come to love about nature.

Sasuke smirked, he let Naruto walk ahead of him. He walked behind him, snaking both arms around Naruto bringing him to a complete stop. " What do I want? Are you sure you want me to answer that?" Sasuke whispered into his ear, making Naruto shiver involuntary.

Naruto jumped out of Sasuke's embrace, eyes the size of saucers. He stared a moment in disbelief. He started to sputter but a loud puff caught all of their attention.

"Yo" Kakashi chirped. He looked at his team, with an amused smile hiding under his mask.

Naruto sighed :: Now for the explanation:: He looked from one teammate to the next waiting and anticipating. Kakashi had warned him about his interogation set for today. He wanted answers.

" Naruto," Kakashi started thoughtfully " Since when could you do those jutsus?"

" I've always been able to do them. Well I suppose I should just spit it out huh?" he whispered the last part more for himself than to them. He closed his eyes, taking a deep calming breath. His nerves were singing with what he was about to reveal. " You know that I am the container of Kyuubi? What most people dont know is that.." he took another calming breath, eyes lowered not looking at anyone," Kyuubi and I have been merging for the last few years or so. The merging will be complete within the next few months. I know almost everything she does. When the merging first started I was able to talk to her, to visit her. She's actually not as bad as everyone thinks she is. Kyuubi has started training me, so that I would be able to handle the new knowledge and chakra that comes with the merging..." he trailed off lost in thoughts ' Kyuubi I think you should talk. You would be able to explain it better than me.'


" I have no problem speaking to the brats. " She grinned

"Pfft, Kyuubi I swear you think everyone is a brat." Kakashi's eyes went wide as Naruto began his seals. " Here, you can talk to her. I'm sure you have questions for her." Naruto went slack a moment later.


" I dont like this. That was an extremely dangerous jutsu. I cant believe he is using it...Kyuubi could escape" Kakashi mumbled

" I wouldnt dream of leaving the kit. He needs me." a silky female voice emmenated from Naruto.

" WHAT THE HELL!" all three shouted at once, startled. Even though Naruto had warned them it was still quite a shock to hear the soft female voice.

A quiet chuckle was heard before the voice spoke again, " I am Kyuubi, Naruto thought it would be best for me to speak, he is not very good at explaining himself. Though I feel it isnt necessary for me to explain to you when I have already talked to your Hokage. Kit is going to do a little training while we chat. It takes alot of practice and control to have the amount of chakra he holds. I am a demon after all " another chuckle. " You have questions correct? That is why you are here, sit down and ask. I will answer them if I can."

They continued to stare in disbelief. After a moment and a quick shake of his head Kakashi began.

" Why is he letting you have control? And how can he be practicing his chakra control?" Kakashi demanded. He was angry now, how could Naruto be so careless, knowing what the Kyuubi has done.

" What, no trust in me Kakashi? I suppose I can understand how you feel. After all Naruto's father did place me here and he was your sensei, ne?" Kyuubi spoke sarcastically. Sakura and Sasuke's eyes went wide. Though Kakashi had known, the other two members didnt and werent supposed to know. " Oops, sorry bout that kit I forgot they arent supposed to know" she grinned mischievosly, Naruto only chuckled, after all he did put her up to it. " To answer your question, I am able to set up a sort of training ground in Naruto's mind he is able to train there. We often spar " Kyuubi sighs, " He has so much potential but no one to help him or train him the way he needs it. Not to say that you and the other pervert brat didnt do well, but he needs to learn to control my demon chakra and the power he contains. Unfortunatly you cant do that for him. I have asked your Hokage to send him to a demon village to train, but you know how she is. So I have been training him since we first started to.. merge." She said gruffly. She was still mad that Tsunade hadnt sent Naruto to the demon village.. "No trust I swear" she whispered.

" How long? How long before you are completly merged?" Sasuke piped up.

"We arent fully merging, the only part merging is our chakra and memories..my knowledge, I am still very seperate from him. Though I am losing my chakra, it will no longer be mine to control, the kit will have it completely. The more of my chakra he uses the faster we merge. He needs to learn to control it or it could kill him. He is a rather clever boy, he was the one to figure it out, what was happening to us." she smiled at the memory.

Kakashi hmm'ed then thought a moment. " Is there anything we can do here on the outside to help him?"

" I know it will be rather difficult for you, but I suggest finding a demon village and talking to them to help you. Though I know your Hokage brat disapproves of this idea, it is the best way to help him. I think you should try to convice her to let him go and train there. Its in your villages best interest. Who knows what will happen if the kit cant control his chakra and one day it explodes, and it can and has happened to others. If your Hokage-brat allows your team to go, I will be happy to show you to my village. I may even convice the demons to teach you a few things." She smiles ruefully. "If he runs off to train alone, let him. He is very..sensitive on how much he reveals. As you can understand. The villagers are not so keen to let him grow the way he needs to." she sighs a moment and stares off into the trees. " Any other questions?"

" What is the real reason why you are helping him? And what do you mean the villagers wont let him grow?" Sasuke asked confused. Sure he knew the reason for all the hateful stares that Naruto recieved. Hell he was talking to it..err..her, but why wouldnt the villagers want Naruto to become a stronger shinobi. Isnt that what was expected from ANY and all shinobi?

Kyuubi let out a small, hurmorless chuckle, " Really think about it. Kit is my container the more power he has the more power I have, in theory. Of course that is the thinking of your villagers. They feel that Naruto does not exist, that I am the only one in this body. And as you can see that simply isnt true. The only time I can come out is when he lets me, which isnt very often and only when he uses the jutsu he created. There is simply no other way around the seal his father used. As for the real reason, he needs me. Simple ne? There was no one else to teach him, no one willing to help him, and no one he trusted enough and knows enough to help him. Not even your own Hokage knows the true potentional of this boy. And of course I feel bad for all that he went through because of me, " she hung her head for a moment then lifted looking them each in the eye to get her point accross, " He has been hated, mistreated, abused and more. And all for my sake. What I do is nothing compared to the compassion and love my kit has shown me. He forgives and understands and does not blame me for my past. For that I am internally grateful and there is nothing I could do to ever make it up to him. For me to show him and teach him what I know is only a small price compared to what he goes through for me. My kit has nothing to fear from me, but your village has much to answer for. The only reason it has not suffered my wrath is because of the kit. His loyalty saves your asses daily." her voice was deadly, and dripped of her hatred for the village that abused her container that she had come to love and respect.

A stunned silence followed. " I wish to speak to him." Sasuke deadpanned.

" I have a question for you brat. But first follow me. I dont think you want the others to hear" she chuckled. This was for her kit, he deserved as much happiness as he can get.

They both stood. Sasuke following the Kyuubi-Naruto into the trees and out of earshot of the others. " What is it?"

" My, right to the point as always brat? Im only going to warn you. If you hurt him, you will have to deal with me and I am not as forgiving as my kit is. I know your intentions, and I approve. You will make a fine mate for my kit." she giggled at his expression, it was priceless.

He stared at her a moment. His mouth hung wide open, ready to catch the nearest fly. His eyes were comically large, ready to fall from their sockets. After a few moments he composed himself quickly from his shock. " Do...does he know?" his voice quivered and stammered in uncertainty.

She chuckled at his nervousness, " No, he may be smart but he can be so very clueless at times, especially when it comes to people who love him. He doesnt think you would ever see him that way. But I on the other hand can tell. He cares, you should just tell him."

"Hai..I will. May I speak with him now."

Naruto's eyes suddenly went blank. A moment later he blinked back to life. " Umm.. where are the others?" he asked

Sasuke was glaring at him, thoughts on what the Kyuubi had just said echoing in his mind. :: Could he possibly.. maybe I should just tell him..:: Naruto watched him carefully for a moment and then decided it was time to just go back. " Not so fast" Sasuke reached out and grabed his arm, swinging him around and slamming him into the tree he was just leaning against, putting his hands on either side of Naruto's head, he leaned in.

He looked into the depths of the cerulean eyes that were wide in shock. " I have something I have been meaning to tell you for a while, and Kyuubi has been kind enough to give her approval. Lets not disappoint her." He swooped down and stole Naruto's lips for a chaste kiss. A moment later a warm breath breezed across Naruto's ear, " I wanted to tell you," Sasuke licked the shell of his ear then continued whispering gently, " I want you..I think I may even love you. I've felt this way for a while now. And Im curious, how do you feel about me? Am I just a rival.. a friend.. or could I be more?" Sasuke looked into Naruto's eyes then pushed off the tree, as he walked away he threw over his shoulder," Im going to our room, I'll wait for your answer there." then he was gone leaving a stunned and speechless Naruto behind.