5

Ino awoke the next morning feeling great. She didn't know why but she just had the feeling that she was being protected and whatever was wrapped around her was very warm and fuzzy. Upon realizing that thought she blinked her eyes and began to move around. She looked down and realized first off she was only in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of boxers that weren't hers. Looking around, she found the reason for her contentment and gave a happy sigh. Laying beside her was a fox in human form. His nine tails wrapped around her keeping out the chill and his ears twitching in his sleep. Unknowingly she began to stroke one of the tails and was delighted to see it thump against her leg. She was startled when she heard a pleasant moan come from the body beside her, but that brashness of hers made her keep going. After all, messing with Naruto was too much fun. Not wanting him to have any accidents, she stopped her ministrations and unwound herself from her fuzzy prison reluctantly. Stretching she began to take in the sights.

Naruto's bedroom was a sight to behold. Weapons decorated the walls and suits of samurai armor stood along the wall across from the bed. A fireplace stood on the opposite end with two leather armchairs in front of it. The room was huge, almost the size of her whole apartment. She loved it and hoped to see more of it in the future. During her tour of the house last night, she had noticed that while the house as a whole was charming and cozy, it needed a woman's touch. Naruto and Hikaru were the epitome of bachelors, only having the bare necessity of items and pleasantries. This would have to change. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a desk with a notebook opened on top. Curiosity getting the better of her she sauntered over and flopped into the chair and began to read.

After several minutes she put the notebook back where it should have been and readjusted the pages. Putting her hands to her cheeks she realized that they were on fire from blushing. Naruto was writing an Icha Icha book where she was the star. Hell, he'd barely even changed the name. She was somewhere between turned on and pissed when she felt a pressure on her back and something soft and furry stroke her cheeks. Leaning back she saw a wide-awake Naruto with a huge smile on his face.

"So you've been reading my work without permission? Tsk, tsk Ino. I thought you knew better. But seeing as how you've read it now, what do you think? Am I worthy of being the writer of Icha Icha or what?"

Ino looked back down at the notebook and began to think. He was a great writer, that was for damn sure. And being immortalized in a book sounded really great. But, on the other hand, she was going to be in his dirty little book, and everyone knew about their relationship. She couldn't be seen in that light. Her parents would kill her first and him second, after they got through trying some of the things he wrote. She was brought out of her musings by a tickling, warm feeling and looked down to see he had his tails woven around her. She giggled and stroked them before looking back up at his face.

"I like it. But you ever write about the things we did last night and I swear I'll have a new fur wrap for my shoulders. Got it?"

The sugary, sweet way it was said did nothing to help the dark undertones of what she was saying. With a gulp, Naruto just nodded his head yes. Seeing her smile in victory (she was getting way too many wins for his taste) he decided to have the life changing conversation he'd put off since last night. He would have done it yesterday but a certain blonde had latched herself onto him and, well, luckily Hikaru wasn't around to see the collateral damage. Ino smiled in spite of herself. Who knew that tails were so useful or that fox ears were apparently so...sensitive? She'd had him at her beck and call and all she'd done was scratch his ears. Her thoughts were broken when she heard Naruto sigh.

"Come into the living room Ino. I'll make some tea and we can...discuss why I look like I do and where we go from here."

She nodded dumbly and made her way to her favorite couch. Picking up a blanket and spreading it over her legs she propped herself up on some pillows and waited. Soon enough Naruto reappeared carrying a tray of tea and some cookies and set them on the small table in front of her. He poured her a cup and handed it off, settling into the cushion beside her. She took a sip of tea and sighed, Naruto was an excellent cook and he always made the best tea. Cutting her eyes sideways, she saw him sitting there with a far off look. Before she could ask what's wrong, he cleared his throat.

"Ino, did you mean it last night, when you said you loved me?"

"Um, yes. I do. It's taken me a while to realize it, but I believe I do."

"Do you accept me as I am? Would you hate me if I am something I don't appear to be? I'm...I'm not everything you see on the surface Ino. There's more. And I don't know how you'll take it. But for us to have anything after today, I'm going to tell you everything."

"Then tell me everything. I'm pretty sure that there's nothing you can tell me that would make me hate you Naruto. Besides you look pretty cute as a fox boy and I wouldn't change that for the world."

"Yeah that's funny. We'll see if your tune changes or not. God, I hope not. Truth be told Ino, I'm starting to fall in love with you. I can't help it. There's something about you that makes me feel safe and wanted, like you'll accept me for me. All I ask is that you don't ask me any question while I talk. This is difficult for me and I want to be able to tell it my way."

"Now I know that you know of the Kyuubi and how it was sealed into me. You know of my childhood and how I grew up. You know of how we defeated the Akatsuki. You know that I am the Toad Sennin. You know the I am Uzumaki Naruto, the son of the Yondaime Hokage. You know of my failed marriage to Sakura and my shattered dream of being Hokage. What you don't know is that there are reasons for it all. Some I know, some I don't. I know why the Kyuubi was sealed into me, but I don't know his reason for attacking the village. Every time I spoke to him he was a complete asshole. I hated him, but he kept me alive all these years so I can't really complain. I know we defeated the Akatsuki but I don't know why they wanted all the Bijuu except to rule the world. I am the Toad Sennin but I don't feel I deserve the title and I won't be able to keep it long anyway. I am the son of the Yondaime, but I have never been a son to anyone. I am a father, and yet at times I feel I have failed my son because of what his mother did. I don't know why she left, but I know it was not because of my appearance now. She doesn't know about this, no one knows but you and Hikaru. Tsunade doesn't even know."

"I didn't change until after Sakura left. It's...complicated, but you deserve to know. The day after she left, I was trying to comfort Hikaru when a small pillar of flame burst next to me. I didn't know what was going on so I leapt to my feet and put my back to the wall. Out of the flame stepped a small black fox with an ethereal glow about him. He looked around the room and then looked at me. He raised his head and then bowed low. He called me Lord Kyuubi. I didn't know what to think and demanded to know what he meant. He informed me that the old Kyuubi was soon to be dead, totally integrated into my system and that made me the holder of the title Kyuubi. I was dumbfounded to say the least."

"He kept on with his explanation that since I used most of my power to keep the old Kyuubi at bay that I had the power base of two nine tailed bijuu. I was, in essence, a god among men. Imagine Ino, losing your wife one day and then finding that you are now considered the commander of a vulpine army, a legion totally loyal to you. But there was one problem, he said. I was still human. To attain my power I would have to completely absorb the old Kyuubi and take my rightful place as a demon king. I couldn't believe what he was asking me to do. Become a demon? That's what I had strove to prove I wasn't my whole life. But the more I thought about it, the more I didn't care. Why risk my life for people who didn't care for me, when I could accept this power and keep my son safe? I could accept this power and rule a new people, as a king, not just a Hokage. At the time I still didn't know that being Hokage was inaccessible to me, but I thought I could have the best of both worlds. Childish, yes, but who in history could claim to be a demon and the Kage of Konohagakure?"

"I agreed to this fusion of sorts and the fox began to chant. I became lost in his words and felt my mind collapse in on itself. Everything became a blur and I found myself in front of the cage of the Kyuubi one last time. It thrashed and cursed me, but I paid it no mind. The closer I got to the gate the more frantic it became until it was foaming at the mouth. I simply took hold of the small paper that said 'seal' and whispered "Kai." Ripping the paper off the gates flew open and I was pushed back into a wall across the room. I watched in horror as the voice of that black fox bounced off every wall and the Kyuubi howled in anger. The last thing I remember it saying before all of its essence was sucked into me was that it was betrayed by its own people. While saddened by any betrayal I couldn't feel too sorry for it since it ruined my life and showed no remorse because of it."

"Once I snapped out of my own mindscape, I saw Hikaru standing across the room, looking at me with curiosity and fear. I stepped forward and called out to him, and when he heard my voice he launched himself into my arms and began to cry. I soothed him as much as I could, until I felt a foreign furriness wrap around us both. Looking around I saw that I had nine red tails whipping around me. Snatching my son off the ground I ran into the bathroom and frantically looked in the mirror. My human ears were gone and my fangs were longer. Red ears sat atop my head and the tails whipped about, mirroring my confusion and horror. Suddenly I felt a weight on one and looked down to see it tickling Hikaru and making him laugh while he played with it. Oh, the mind of a child, to be able to see the good in such a thing. It warmed my heart and in the back of my mind, I felt happy, since my son loved how I looked now. It made me 'cuddly' he said and I couldn't deny him his logic. Walking back into the living room I saw the black fox sitting on its haunches, waiting for my inevitable questions."

"I carried my son with me and sat in my chair with him on my lap. I asked why I was bestowed with such an honor when I was a human, why was I the new Kyuubi? The answer was that I was noble and pure, I had suffered and I had endured, and that only one who could defeat the old Kyuubi was worthy of being the leader of the vulpine. I took that in and suddenly I was bombarded with memories that were not mine. Visions of a golden throne and foxes running everywhere swept across my mind. The foxes were afraid of me and I was a terrible, powerful being. Asking what the visions meant, I was given the explanation that by absorbing the old Kyuubi I must have taken more than power, I took his knowledge. Fearing for my son's life if I inherited his bloodlust as well, the black fox sighed, guessing what I was thinking by the look in my eyes, and told me that only memories and power were absorbed. Not traits and characteristics. I asked why I appeared as I did and was told that he didn't know. Perhaps it was because I was the first human turned demon, or because I subconsciously wanted to retain a part of my humanity."

"I took all this in and filed it away. I felt Hikaru playing with my tails again and smiled. I asked what would become of my son and was told that he was human. He would never be demon. I sighed in relief and asked if he carried over any of the old Kyuubi's traits since he had whiskers. The black fox smiled and told me that I had awakened a new bloodline, one of power and fortitude. My descendants would be powerful at young ages and they would be nearly invincible in battle due to a heightened regenerative state. I smiled even wider knowing that out of all my turmoil, my son had a great gift, and this was enough to ease my troubled heart slightly. Having all my troublesome questions about my and my son's well being answered, I turned to my new 'advisor' and asked what the vulpine would need of me."

"My answer was that I would need to find a mate. One who was strong and beautiful and could help me in my days as ruler. I was to come to the realm of demons and rule wisely and with kindness. The old Kyuubi was a tyrant and they felt no loss in losing him. All they required was that I use my gifts as Uzumaki Naruto to make the vulpine the greatest of all demon clans. I agreed wholeheartedly until I remembered the remark about a mate and I became crestfallen. Nobody would love a demon and I knew this from the bottom of my heart. I asked what would happen if I didn't find a mate and was told that I would be removed from power and killed. I needed a mate so that a lineage could be established. Hikaru was a human and no matter how powerful he was, he was not immortal as I was now. This amazed me. I'm immortal. How then was I supposed to find a mate that would live as long as I? The black fox smiled and said that my mate would receive my mark and a measure of my power and immortality. She would be more powerful than the strongest Kage and her kits would be great and wonderful. But how was I to find such a woman when the one I loved with all my heart had just walked out on me? I was twenty when Sakura left me. The black fox said I had five years to find a mate or I would be removed from power. I nodded my head in understanding and the realized I hadn't asked his name. He smiled and told me his name was..."

"Genmaki. Hello to the both of you, Lord Naruto, Lady Ino. We have returned from our trip."

Hikaru bounded across the floor and leapt into Naruto's arms and gave him a hug. Naruto returned it with some of his tails, which sent Hikaru into a giggle fit. Ino smiled at the heartwarming scene until she remembered their conversation and went wide eyed at the implications. In a small voice she called out to Naruto, halting his and Hikaru's tickle fight.

"Naruto, are you saying that you need a mate or you'll die?"

"Yes that's what I'm saying. I have a little over one year left before the vulpine council of elders comes to view my mate. Genmaki here believes that you would be a most wonderful vixen and so do I."

"Oh a vixen am I? I thought I was your girlfriend and here I am just another vixen?"

"Now Ino don't be childish. This is serious. You've just found out my biggest secret. I'm a demon with a human child. I'm a ruler of a vast legion of foxes from another realm. I am Kyuubi now. Aren't you frightened?"

"Why would I be frightened of my love? You've never been a demon to me, in mind or deed. Just because you physically are one doesn't mean you are in your heart. You'll always be Naruto to me. I love you for you. You treat me better than any man ever could and you're a wonderful father. And after hearing your story, I've made up my mind."

Fearfully Naruto asked what decision she had made.

"I'm yours now and forever. Consider me your new queen, oh mighty king of Bijuus. Now the only question is where to put that mark? Oh I know."

Naruto, in his bliss, leaned in wondering where she wanted his mark to be put. Genmaki detected the teasing lilt in her voice however and readied himself for Naruto's downfall.

"You can just put it on my ass, since you seem to like kissing it so much."

Naruto just sat there with a stunned look on his face while Genmaki and Hikaru died laughing at the stupid look on his face. Ino covered her mouth so she wouldn't giggle but the dumbfounded look on his face was too much and she laughed long and hard. Naruto broke out of his gaze and fixed them all with a glare, before a low growl caught in his throat making them all stop. His teeth swept back in a sneer and his fangs were bared, his ears thrown back in anger, and his tails whipped around in a frenzy. They all gulped thinking they had sent him over the edge when suddenly the sneer turned into a frighteningly familiar smirk.

"So you make fun of the mighty king of the foxes eh? Not the brightest mortals around are you? And you, my faithful retainer, I thought you had more common sense. Prepare yourselves for my wrath."

Ino stood there stupidly, but Hikaru and Genmaki yelped and tried to make it to the door. They knew what his wrath meant and tried to get away. Suddenly a tail encircled them both and brought them back into the center of the room. Ino found herself laying on her back beside Hikaru and Genmaki who were desperately trying to get loose. Naruto stood over them all and then leant forward and crawled over the top of Ino who began to breathe heavy under his intense glare.

"Now comes your punishment you three. You brought this on yourselves remember."

Hikaru and Genmaki began to squeal and yelp and Ino turned her head to each side to see them being tickled mercilessly by the remaining six tails. She suddenly felt her head jerked back forward to be brought under the gaze of a severely smirking Naruto.

"And as for you my queen..."

Her eyes jerked wide when instead of being punished she felt herself being kissed deeply by her lover and new king. Sighing, into the kiss, she threw her arms around her neck and never heard the noise levels beside her drop as Naruto lost concentration and began to kiss her with more desire. The only thing that brought them out of their revelry was an 'eewww' from Hikaru and a throat clearing sound from Genmaki. Grinning sheepishly, they both made their way to their feet and blushed a bright red. Neither Hikaru or Genmaki minded really, but there were other pressing matters than seeing who had the strongest tongue.

"Now then that the young ones have their hormones under control, we can continue. Lady Ino are you certain that you love Lord Naruto with all your heart? Will you stand beside him through the years? Can you leave your humanity and mortality behind for a lifetime of servitude to your new king and mate?"

"I am sure. I love him and I want to be...happy. He can make me happy and if giving up my humanity is what brings happiness then so be it. But what will happen to me when I'm made his mate?"

"Hikaru leave the room and do not eavesdrop. I must speak with them alone. Now that the boy is gone I must tell you some things. I do not know how this will affect you. You will be only the second human to become a demon and I don't know what will happen to you physically. On a mental and spiritual level you will be able to feel how your mate feels and you will feel a deepening of love for him. You will be able to communicate with each other telepathically due to your bond and this will be of great importance should either of you ever be in trouble. I don't know anything else."

"Will the mark hurt? Where will it be?"

"Well unfortunately, no matter how funny it might have been, it won't be on your ass. That would be awkward for both of you seeing as Lord Naruto has to bite you for it to take form. The neck is the easiest place since you have to bite him as well once your transformation is complete to seal the deal. Now get hopping you two. I'm sure Hikaru wants to play with his new mother."

"New mother? But we're not married yet. I can't be his mother."

"Oh please. You will be mated on a level more deep than a mere marriage by law. And you have been more of a mother in six months to that boy than that Sakura was his whole life. Now bite her Lord Naruto."

Naruto stepped forward and gripped Ino by the shoulders. She was afraid but when Naruto uttered 'I Love You' in her ear all her fears went away. Baring his fangs he bit into her neck at the base where her shoulder met and she shivered with delight. Instead of pain, she felt...warmth, love, and...desire. Naruto stepped back to watch his handiwork and was astounded to see what was happening. Ino stood bathed in a white light and she curled up on the floor with a whimper. Naruto went to move to her but was stopped by Genmaki shaking his head. After a few more moments the light faded and there on the floor lay Ino, transformed. Her human ears were gone and were replaced by purple ears on top of her head that wiggled back and forth, catching sound. Her one tail waved behind her and when Naruto knelt to pick her up it entwined with one of his. He smiled at this and lifted her lips up to see the enlarged fangs. To him, she was absolute beauty, magnified a million times. Setting her on the couch, he put her head in his lap and stroked her ears, earning him a contented purr.

Genmaki smiled at the scene and his heart was lifted. Here before him was his new king and queen and he couldn't be happier. They would rule with fairness and surely the vulpine would prosper. He walked back over to the door and let Hikaru back in. The little boy was astounded to see that Ino had a tail and ears like his daddy and nearly squealed with delight when he went to grab it and it slapped him playfully. Ino felt someone stroking her ears and tail and woke with a contented sigh. She looked up into Naruto's face and smiled. She felt great, powerful, and she could hear, see, and smell everything with a clarity never known to her. Sitting upright she moved into the bedroom and stood in front of Naruto's full length mirror. She admired her royal purple tail and ears and pulled at her lips to see her new fangs. She smiled and thought 'Damn, I look drop dead gorgeous. He'll have a harder time saying no to me now.' This thought made her giggle and she walked back into the living room and plopped down between Naruto and Hikaru.

"So, what do you think Ino? Are you happy with your new look and power?"

"Oh yes. But I feel we're forgetting something."

"You are. You must bite him now. Complete the union. Obtain your rightful place as queen, my Lady."

Ino leaned over and jerked Naruto's head down by the hair. She whispered in his ear.

"If it felt orgasmic to me as a human, imagine how it's going to feel to a demon."

His eyes bugged at this and before he could protest to a change of location, she launched herself at his neck and bit as hard as she could. The flood of emotions he felt was nothing compared to the overwhelming sense of desire and need for her at the moment. She released her hold on his hair and they both watched in fascination as a fox head shaped seal appeared on both their necks at the junction where they were bitten. Naruto shuddered at her touch and pulled back quickly lest he do something in front of Hikaru he might regret. They both turned and saw Hikaru and Genmaki bowed low on the floor.

"My King and my Queen. As the first of the vulpine to acknowledge you, let it be my pleasure to inform the council of your decision. They had high hopes for you and I'm sure your choice of mate will meet more than their approval but the approval of all vulpine. Lady Ino, you are the first to ever have royal purple fur, a color most befitting a queen. I shall return shortly. You three enjoy your new found family."

Ino smiled at this and turned to Hikaru, who raised his head and met her gaze.

"Well, are you going to just sit there or are you going to give your mother a hug, son?"

With tears in his eyes, Hikaru launched himself at Ino and wrapped his arms around her neck, sobbing happily. She held him close and wrapped her tail around him. Suddenly she felt a familiar pressure and saw that Naruto had joined in and wrapped his tails around them all, bringing them close officially as a family. Ino looked up and grabbed the back of his head, pulling him in for yet another kiss. She smiled into it and a tear escaped her eye.

'I have all of eternity to spend with my mate. May this feeling of love never end.'

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Genmaki appeared shortly and informed them that the council was overjoyed and that seeing as how they had given him five years to find a mate that letting the new family have a year to themselves was not such a bad thing. Everyone was happy and a feeling of bliss overran them all. Hikaru finally had a mother again and Naruto and Ino had someone to love. Alas, the feeling of security cannot last forever and even though one group accepts you wholeheartedly doesn't mean everyone else will. Later that night while lying in their bed (after an army of clones had moved all of Ino's belongings from her apartment to her new home) Ino sighed after another round of demonic lovemaking. While no different than any human's, the sheer stamina they possessed made it so that the unthinkable was possible. Once they had collapsed back onto the pillows and Ino made herself comfortable on her favorite pillow (Naruto's chest) she sighed contentedly and intertwined their tales once again. Suddenly a feeling of apprehension overtook her and she looked up fearfully at Naruto. Sensing her discomfort, he put his arm around her and drew her in closer, asking what was wrong.

"We've forgotten one critical thing now Naruto. While I'm happy for us both, we have a difficult task ahead of us."

"Yeah I know. We have a whole legion to rule and an empire to raise. Not to mention raising Hikaru and starting a family all to ourselves. Ugh, if I'd known what being king meant..."

"No Naruto. That's all important too, but this has me afraid for real."

"What is it?"

"We have to talk to our parents and tell them what happened. Then we have to tell everyone else since we'll be around less."

"Ok we'll talk to your parents and everybody else, but mine are dead remember? I don't have anyone to report to."

"Oh yes you do. Your mother and father will be very interested to see you've become a demon and are mated to me, another demon."

"And who are my mother and father praytell?"

"Tsunade and Iruka."

Not even a cricket chirp was heard for several moments as the bedroom was filled with a sickening silence. Suddenly it broke when Naruto's small voice bounced off every wall.

"Oh shit..."