Categories > Anime/Manga > Naruto > Innocence From Ashes
Innocence From Ashes
Chapter 9
There was a tense moment, as everyone suddenly realized what Naruto remembering could mean. They stared in horrified anticipation at what Konohamaru’s well meaning, but ill thought prodding might bring.
Naruto had twisted in Sasuke’s arms, his face blank, his soft call almost stuttered, and their hearts sank.
And then Naruto burst into the sweetest, merriest laughter that one could imagine, his arms slinking up to link around the other boy’s neck.
“Did’ja hear that, Teme? They think you enslaved me, killed me.” And there was another dissolving round of mirth. “Well, maybe… with pleasure…”
“Yeah,” Sasuke responded, his voice shaken. He tilted his head slightly, and those warm and silken lips were under his, all the warm passionate flavor and zing of Naruto in his mouth.
And despite the heady rush such activities always brought him, for one murderous moment, Sasuke wanted to kill the brown haired boy that could have cost them all so dearly. But a moment later, when his mate’s moist tongue stroked his lips, he couldn’t hold on to his dark temper.
Dammit all, Naruto tasted so good!
There was something so sweet and endearing, yet shockingly erotic about watching the two young boys kiss in such an adult fashion. That the pair were still very sexually involved was clear to see. And it was more than apparent that Naruto wanted it this time around. Wanted it, and thought nothing of instigating deeper intimacy.
But with the horrors of Sound so recent and fresh in their minds, it was a little horrifying as well. And when the boys shifted, pressing closer and more heatedly together, the others yearned to do something, anything, from seeing this happen before their very eyes.
The idea of the Uchiha putting his hands and his body on Naruto made them ill with unease, desperate with anger. After all he had done, how dare he enjoy the fruits of Naruto’s innocent passion? After all he had done, why couldn’t they punish him as they’d so burned to do a week ago?
Why was he alive?
But once more, they could do nothing. They had to stand aside and watch this travesty unfold before their very eyes. Their little concerted attack a few moments ago had met with furious and enraged resistance from the blonde. To try and separate them now would surely lead to the loss of their Naruto once more. And they knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if he slipped away now, it would be nigh impossible to find him again.
They couldn’t lose him again, they just couldn’t!
And each of them, in their own ways, thought furiously about how they could separate Naruto from his Sasuke, and take him home, where he belonged. Where they could keep him safe from Uchihan treachery and cruelty, no matter how tender the brunette seemed to be now.
He could not be trusted.
A very low, very soft, very resonate growl shook not only the watchers from their frantic thoughts, but finally, thank heavens, parted the young lovers from what was very quickly becoming outright lovemaking.
A simply enormous red fox slunk from the surrounding foliage, without a whisper of noise to mark his passage, padding slowly towards them, nine lush tails flickering aggressively over his back.
Kakashi’s heart sank. He’d seen this before. He was the only one alive here now, who had. And despite the obvious reduction in size and demonic savagery, he had to force his knees to be still, to not knock together in dread.
And though the only time the others has seen the dreaded fox demon was the few times Naruto had released his chakra before, and that terrible night a week ago, they knew who he was as well, and tasted a deep and abiding fear and loathing for the creature. He was, after all, Konoha’s greatest nemesis, and most enduring boogeyman. He was the Yondaime’s bane.
He was the biggest threat and danger to humankind in existence, and he was here, now. And they were spent, weary unto death, demoralized, and confused.
They would all die.
Kyuubi.
“Chichiue!” Naruto cried out happily, releasing his strangle hold on Sasuke’s lower back.
Sasuke took his face from Naruto’s neck, lips swollen, eyes half dreamy, and shook off the pleasurable haze that Naruto had cast over him.
“Chichiue?” Kakashi echoed incredulously.
Neji merely nodded to himself, yet another piece of the puzzle falling into place. And he relaxed slightly. Obviously, none of them were going to die today.
Not yet, anyway.
And Naruto was dragging Sasuke over to the great fox, through the ring of defenders, who now gave way easily to him. The blonde was rambling along nonstop in his inimitable and comforting way, as if the last seven years had never happened, and he was a young and hopeful genin again.
He let go of his littermate’s hand to catch the fox’s muzzle, nuzzling it with the affection and sinuousness of a cat, all the while talking ceaselessly about new friends, and how he was hungry, and that he loved his chichiue so much.
Kyuubi rumbled something that Naruto, obviously his kit now, easily comprehended.
The blonde laughed, kissed the fox’s wet black nose, and then turned to the others.
“It was nice to meet you,” he caroled. “And though you are a bit strange, I like you. But we have to go now. It’s time to go home.”
“Naruto, wait!” Sakura cried, taking a daring step forward before halting. “Don’t you want to come home with us? To Konoha? Remember the Hokage? Don’t you want to come back? Your dreams are still waiting for you.”
Naruto, who’d been in the act of turning away, his hand once more captured by a very smug Sasuke, lifted his head.
“Konoha… Hokage…” He rolled the words around on his tongue, something tantalizingly familiar about them. Then he shook his head. New people and places were oh so fascinating, and he was as always lively and curious. But Chichiue was calling them to a new nest, where a scrumptious dinner was waiting. And it was getting late. The shadows were growing long. He wanted to go home, and curl up with his littermate for some very intense kisses and caresses. Adventures could wait for tomorrow.
“Maybe later. Bye now!” And with a jaunty wave, he vanished into the brush with his fox and his littermate.
A moment later, Chichiue picked them both up and tossed them once more onto his back, and then flew silently through the forest. And as young and inexperienced as Naruto was, he could clearly hear the sounds of the strangers trying to follow them. But soon, they were left behind, and the cool and serene surrounded them with the simple sounds of the forest preparing for night.
It a short while, Kyuubi had stopped and the boys tumbled lightly from his back. It was getting darker now. Though the sun would still not set for some time, in the gloom of the deep forest, night was already advancing.
Naruto looked around thoughtfully. It was a lovely little dell, with a pool fed by a tiny three foot high enchanting waterfall. The creek snaked away to the south before being swallowed in the surrounding trees. A small cave yawned invitingly from the rock face of a stony hill, between the massive and twisting roots of a great oak that towered over their heads. The scent of a succulent meal was wafting out of it. And standing beside it, motionless and alert, stood a small red fox.
As soon as they arrived, the fox trotted over to Kyuubi and was absorbed into him.
“Wow,” Naruto cooed, eyes glistening with interest. “Can you teach us to do that, Chichiue?” And even as he spoke, he was tugging Sasuke into the cave, where dinner and bed waited for them.
Sasuke rolled his eyes and Kyuubi chuckled, easily following him inside.
And there, on a great stump inside, sat some bark plates, upon which reposed a steaming roast, several baked tubers and vegetables, and a virtual cornucopia of fruit.
Sasuke turned in wonderment to the fox. “How…”
Kyuubi nodded. “I found a way. I will show you later. But now, let us eat and prepare for night. There is much we need to discuss.”
Dinner turned into a long and convivial affair, despite the severity of their talks. And Naruto did listen, he did take note, but he had so many much more interesting things on his mind; like the people they met today, this new, but disappointingly temporary home. And Chichiue’s new and fascinating tricks did absorb him for some time. After all, if they could do it, why couldn’t he, only in reverse? And the notion of a sentinel was smart of course. But still…
Naruto yawned gently. It had been a very long day, which began in fright, continued in flight, then another scare, and the exertion of new friends, and a new nest, and a very delicious dinner… He yawned again.
Sasuke and Kyuubi stopped talking and turned to him with indulgent smiles. They had known all along that Naruto was only half listening to them, and that was fine. Protection of the pack was their job, not his. Naruto’s job was simply to live and enjoy life to the fullest.
“Hey, Teme,” Naruto began lazily, seeing that they had finally stopped talking. “Wanna go for a swim before bed?”
Sasuke laid down a very well gnawed rib bone, and gave his mate a crooked smile. “Sure, Dobe. You need a bath anyway. You smell like cow.”
Too full and contented to flare up, he merely sniffed in disdain, rising slowly. “Yeah, and so do you. C’mon, let’s go.”
He licked the last of the peach juices from his fingers, never missing Sasuke’s flickering gaze as he did, and smirked. Then rolled his eyes as they began to talk again! He only caught a few of the words they exchanged as he danced impatiently by the opening, occasionally teasing Kyuubi’s sentinel fox, who was more than agreeable to play a moment with his sovereign.
“…tonight… I thought it could wait; you’re both still so young, but now… Claim him now. Before someone else has the audacity…” Kyuubi was saying softly.
Naruto chuckled, nose to nose with the sentinel.
“…he’s my mate. I love him… I will not let him go…” Sasuke responded in equally broken and low responses.
“Teme… come on! I’m aging rapidly here!” Naruto cried out, stroking the sentinel’s satiny ears.
Sasuke laughed easily. “I am!”
“Be gentle,” Kyuubi whispered as Sasuke turned away.
“I will.” He took Naruto’s hand, patted the sentinel in passing, and took his beautiful blonde… yes, his… out into the rustling and moon dappled forest.
Chapter 9
There was a tense moment, as everyone suddenly realized what Naruto remembering could mean. They stared in horrified anticipation at what Konohamaru’s well meaning, but ill thought prodding might bring.
Naruto had twisted in Sasuke’s arms, his face blank, his soft call almost stuttered, and their hearts sank.
And then Naruto burst into the sweetest, merriest laughter that one could imagine, his arms slinking up to link around the other boy’s neck.
“Did’ja hear that, Teme? They think you enslaved me, killed me.” And there was another dissolving round of mirth. “Well, maybe… with pleasure…”
“Yeah,” Sasuke responded, his voice shaken. He tilted his head slightly, and those warm and silken lips were under his, all the warm passionate flavor and zing of Naruto in his mouth.
And despite the heady rush such activities always brought him, for one murderous moment, Sasuke wanted to kill the brown haired boy that could have cost them all so dearly. But a moment later, when his mate’s moist tongue stroked his lips, he couldn’t hold on to his dark temper.
Dammit all, Naruto tasted so good!
There was something so sweet and endearing, yet shockingly erotic about watching the two young boys kiss in such an adult fashion. That the pair were still very sexually involved was clear to see. And it was more than apparent that Naruto wanted it this time around. Wanted it, and thought nothing of instigating deeper intimacy.
But with the horrors of Sound so recent and fresh in their minds, it was a little horrifying as well. And when the boys shifted, pressing closer and more heatedly together, the others yearned to do something, anything, from seeing this happen before their very eyes.
The idea of the Uchiha putting his hands and his body on Naruto made them ill with unease, desperate with anger. After all he had done, how dare he enjoy the fruits of Naruto’s innocent passion? After all he had done, why couldn’t they punish him as they’d so burned to do a week ago?
Why was he alive?
But once more, they could do nothing. They had to stand aside and watch this travesty unfold before their very eyes. Their little concerted attack a few moments ago had met with furious and enraged resistance from the blonde. To try and separate them now would surely lead to the loss of their Naruto once more. And they knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if he slipped away now, it would be nigh impossible to find him again.
They couldn’t lose him again, they just couldn’t!
And each of them, in their own ways, thought furiously about how they could separate Naruto from his Sasuke, and take him home, where he belonged. Where they could keep him safe from Uchihan treachery and cruelty, no matter how tender the brunette seemed to be now.
He could not be trusted.
A very low, very soft, very resonate growl shook not only the watchers from their frantic thoughts, but finally, thank heavens, parted the young lovers from what was very quickly becoming outright lovemaking.
A simply enormous red fox slunk from the surrounding foliage, without a whisper of noise to mark his passage, padding slowly towards them, nine lush tails flickering aggressively over his back.
Kakashi’s heart sank. He’d seen this before. He was the only one alive here now, who had. And despite the obvious reduction in size and demonic savagery, he had to force his knees to be still, to not knock together in dread.
And though the only time the others has seen the dreaded fox demon was the few times Naruto had released his chakra before, and that terrible night a week ago, they knew who he was as well, and tasted a deep and abiding fear and loathing for the creature. He was, after all, Konoha’s greatest nemesis, and most enduring boogeyman. He was the Yondaime’s bane.
He was the biggest threat and danger to humankind in existence, and he was here, now. And they were spent, weary unto death, demoralized, and confused.
They would all die.
Kyuubi.
“Chichiue!” Naruto cried out happily, releasing his strangle hold on Sasuke’s lower back.
Sasuke took his face from Naruto’s neck, lips swollen, eyes half dreamy, and shook off the pleasurable haze that Naruto had cast over him.
“Chichiue?” Kakashi echoed incredulously.
Neji merely nodded to himself, yet another piece of the puzzle falling into place. And he relaxed slightly. Obviously, none of them were going to die today.
Not yet, anyway.
And Naruto was dragging Sasuke over to the great fox, through the ring of defenders, who now gave way easily to him. The blonde was rambling along nonstop in his inimitable and comforting way, as if the last seven years had never happened, and he was a young and hopeful genin again.
He let go of his littermate’s hand to catch the fox’s muzzle, nuzzling it with the affection and sinuousness of a cat, all the while talking ceaselessly about new friends, and how he was hungry, and that he loved his chichiue so much.
Kyuubi rumbled something that Naruto, obviously his kit now, easily comprehended.
The blonde laughed, kissed the fox’s wet black nose, and then turned to the others.
“It was nice to meet you,” he caroled. “And though you are a bit strange, I like you. But we have to go now. It’s time to go home.”
“Naruto, wait!” Sakura cried, taking a daring step forward before halting. “Don’t you want to come home with us? To Konoha? Remember the Hokage? Don’t you want to come back? Your dreams are still waiting for you.”
Naruto, who’d been in the act of turning away, his hand once more captured by a very smug Sasuke, lifted his head.
“Konoha… Hokage…” He rolled the words around on his tongue, something tantalizingly familiar about them. Then he shook his head. New people and places were oh so fascinating, and he was as always lively and curious. But Chichiue was calling them to a new nest, where a scrumptious dinner was waiting. And it was getting late. The shadows were growing long. He wanted to go home, and curl up with his littermate for some very intense kisses and caresses. Adventures could wait for tomorrow.
“Maybe later. Bye now!” And with a jaunty wave, he vanished into the brush with his fox and his littermate.
A moment later, Chichiue picked them both up and tossed them once more onto his back, and then flew silently through the forest. And as young and inexperienced as Naruto was, he could clearly hear the sounds of the strangers trying to follow them. But soon, they were left behind, and the cool and serene surrounded them with the simple sounds of the forest preparing for night.
It a short while, Kyuubi had stopped and the boys tumbled lightly from his back. It was getting darker now. Though the sun would still not set for some time, in the gloom of the deep forest, night was already advancing.
Naruto looked around thoughtfully. It was a lovely little dell, with a pool fed by a tiny three foot high enchanting waterfall. The creek snaked away to the south before being swallowed in the surrounding trees. A small cave yawned invitingly from the rock face of a stony hill, between the massive and twisting roots of a great oak that towered over their heads. The scent of a succulent meal was wafting out of it. And standing beside it, motionless and alert, stood a small red fox.
As soon as they arrived, the fox trotted over to Kyuubi and was absorbed into him.
“Wow,” Naruto cooed, eyes glistening with interest. “Can you teach us to do that, Chichiue?” And even as he spoke, he was tugging Sasuke into the cave, where dinner and bed waited for them.
Sasuke rolled his eyes and Kyuubi chuckled, easily following him inside.
And there, on a great stump inside, sat some bark plates, upon which reposed a steaming roast, several baked tubers and vegetables, and a virtual cornucopia of fruit.
Sasuke turned in wonderment to the fox. “How…”
Kyuubi nodded. “I found a way. I will show you later. But now, let us eat and prepare for night. There is much we need to discuss.”
Dinner turned into a long and convivial affair, despite the severity of their talks. And Naruto did listen, he did take note, but he had so many much more interesting things on his mind; like the people they met today, this new, but disappointingly temporary home. And Chichiue’s new and fascinating tricks did absorb him for some time. After all, if they could do it, why couldn’t he, only in reverse? And the notion of a sentinel was smart of course. But still…
Naruto yawned gently. It had been a very long day, which began in fright, continued in flight, then another scare, and the exertion of new friends, and a new nest, and a very delicious dinner… He yawned again.
Sasuke and Kyuubi stopped talking and turned to him with indulgent smiles. They had known all along that Naruto was only half listening to them, and that was fine. Protection of the pack was their job, not his. Naruto’s job was simply to live and enjoy life to the fullest.
“Hey, Teme,” Naruto began lazily, seeing that they had finally stopped talking. “Wanna go for a swim before bed?”
Sasuke laid down a very well gnawed rib bone, and gave his mate a crooked smile. “Sure, Dobe. You need a bath anyway. You smell like cow.”
Too full and contented to flare up, he merely sniffed in disdain, rising slowly. “Yeah, and so do you. C’mon, let’s go.”
He licked the last of the peach juices from his fingers, never missing Sasuke’s flickering gaze as he did, and smirked. Then rolled his eyes as they began to talk again! He only caught a few of the words they exchanged as he danced impatiently by the opening, occasionally teasing Kyuubi’s sentinel fox, who was more than agreeable to play a moment with his sovereign.
“…tonight… I thought it could wait; you’re both still so young, but now… Claim him now. Before someone else has the audacity…” Kyuubi was saying softly.
Naruto chuckled, nose to nose with the sentinel.
“…he’s my mate. I love him… I will not let him go…” Sasuke responded in equally broken and low responses.
“Teme… come on! I’m aging rapidly here!” Naruto cried out, stroking the sentinel’s satiny ears.
Sasuke laughed easily. “I am!”
“Be gentle,” Kyuubi whispered as Sasuke turned away.
“I will.” He took Naruto’s hand, patted the sentinel in passing, and took his beautiful blonde… yes, his… out into the rustling and moon dappled forest.
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