Very first serious fanfiction. inspired by snowflakecyonide (who's fics ROCK by the way, you should all go read them :D ) i hope it doesn't suck, i worked vairy hard on eht :D

Disclaimer: Well, er... fuck. No no, i don't own Naruto... but im bestest buddies with misashi kishimoto, and he said i could write this :D So enjoy, you mooching little bastards!

They were flitting through the trees, leaping from branch to branch. Their destination? Sunagakure.

Naruto had been summoned to Suna by the Kazekage, and His childhood friend, Gaara. Tsunade hadn't trusted Naruto alone, so he traveled with Team Kakashi. Why had she not trusted him? Only Kami knew. Either way, they were now a mere day and a half away from finding out what had been so damn important.

"Naruto, please... Slow down." Sakura pleaded. Naruto hadn't realized he was going that fast, so he complied, and slowed to his team mate's speed.

"What's the rush, Naruto?" This from Kakashi, who had his face in that damn book. Ichi Ichi Paradise seemed all too important to the perverted jounin.

Sai remained silent, that fake smile playing at his lips.

"Sorry, Kakashi, guess I'm just wanting to get there already."

Kakashi nodded, but remained quiet. It was like that the rest of the way, until Sakura spoke up. "Naruto..." The adressed ninja looked back at her, grinning. "Yea Sakura?"

"Do you know why Gaara wanted to see you? I mean... he could've just sent a messenger bird."

Naruto agreed completely, but didn't voice it. Instead he turned forward and just kept going without comment or complaint. Why DID you want to see me, Gaara? In any case, He'd be answered soon enough. So as they stopped, set up camp, and settled into their designated sleeping bags, he fell calmly to sleep. But was still unable to shake that uneasy feeling of bad news to come...

The Gates of Suna

Team Kakashi stopped and stood for a moment in front of the large mountains that surrounded the Sand village. Whatever Gaara had wanted to tell Naruto couldn't be anything pleasant, right?

They headed straight for the Kakakage tower, villagers eyeing them curiously as they walked through the sandcovered streets. Why are Konoha nin here? What do THEY want? This thought is just a filler :D

The four were stopped by guards as they walked up to the tower. After stating their business, they were granted passage, the guards watching idly as they headed to the Kazekage's office.

three knocks

"Come in..." Gaara's voice seemed weighed down by confusion and sadness. The only one to notice this was Naruto.

As the four entered, All four gasped at what they saw before them, Naruto stared in shock, then couldn't help but giggle.

(1)Gaara sat before them with small racoon ears, laying softly to the side of his head. Behind him swayed a medium-sized tail with black and sandy rings. As Sakura and Kakashi watched in shock, Sai said nothing, and Naruto felt absolutley compelled to guffaw at the sight.

"Naruto..." Gaara's voice held an edge of warning, and you could just make out a vein on his forhead.

"Sorry, Gaara." giggle "I can't help it!" giggle "It's so CUTE!" Naruto's hand slapped over his mouth as Sakura looked at him with a smirk, and he was sure Kakashi was grinning under his mask, Sai was openly amused. Had he said that out loud?

"Well, I'm glad you think so... because it's quite the nuisance for me..."

Naruto let out the last of his giggles, then stopped, all humor gone from his face as he took a few steps closer to his friend. He reached out, as if to touch the ears, but let his hadn fall to the side. "How...?"

"The Shukaku and I have merged, It happened four days ago, righ tafter which i summoned you here to warn you-

"Warn me of what?" Naruto was cautious now, a small fear builing up in the back of his mind. No...

"That the same will become of YOU, Naruto..." Gaara's voice had an edge of pity, and Naruto's eyes seemed to dialate and widen at once as it dawned on him.

"You mean..."

"Yes.." Was all the Kage could say as he watched his friend choke on his words.

"Please... No..."

Back in Konoha

Naruto sat in the silent darkness of his apartment. He hadn't said a word to his friends since they left Suna. Him and the Kyuubi? One person? He shuttered at the thought and looked out the window. Will i have a tail, too?

You'll have nine, little kit...

He heard the strange voice in his head and looked back down. The Kyuubi had been quiet, too, since leaving Suna. It seemed to surprise the great fox just as much as it had Naruto.

So you hadn't known that we would...

Merge? I really hadn't. If we did, our minds would fuse. I wouldn't want that, Kit.

I'm too tired right now to think of an excuse not to believe you... Gaara says the... Merging... Will happen in the course of two days...

I heard him, Kit... If it's worth anything, i really AM sorry...

I know, Kyu... Goodnight.

Around 6:30

Naruto rolled over, awakened by a light knock on his door. He slid out of bed and realized he was naked, so, slipping on some shorts, he answered his door.

"Hey, Naruto." It was Sakura. She was smiling... and looking down towards Naruto's well toned chest.

"Whatcha' need, Sakura?" As he said this, he rupped his eyes sleepily, making himself look absolutely adorable, though he didn't know it.

"Well, I wanted to cheer you up, so i thought we'd go out today :D"

Naruto looked up, confused, then, after his eyes had widened alittle, he remembered.

"Oh yea..." He grinned. "Sure, Sakura! Where did you want to go?"

She noticed the smile was fake, his eyes were empty... And the way his arms hung loosely at his sides... Naruto was so sad...

She grabbed her friends arm and started to drag him away from his dank apartment. The villagers stared curiously as they saw the blond being pulled so hard he was literally dragged through town. They stopped at Ichiraku's and Naruto's smile grew so big it looked like he had swallowed his face.

"Oh, WOW Sakura! Thanks!" The blond settled down and ordered a miso, while sakura watched him. huh... that idiot.

Almost 8:00

Sakura and Naruto strolled through town, laughing and talking. Sakura had managed to get his mind completley off the subject of the Kyuubi. They were having a really nice time.

"Yo, Dobe."

Naruto looked up with sparkling eyes as Sasuke walked closer. He seemed to smirk as he noticed Naruto clearly happier now that he was here. hn... Dobe

They all sat down in the grass in a nearby park. Naruto had sat noticably closer to Sasuke than usual, leaning on his left arm, Sasuke just happened to be to Naruto's left. Sakura watched as Naruto did this, and Sasuke didn't seem to mind. In fact, he blushed, and all but snuggled up to the blond.

"Well, Naruto, Sasuke, you two sure seem comfortable." They both blushed and slid alittle bit away from eachother. Sakura giggled and they all continued with their conversations.

It was a little after midnight, and all three seemed tired. So Sakura bid adue to the two and walked away, giggling, much to the boys' confusion.

Naruto then turned to the other male, and with a small grin, waved goodbye and ran home, leaving Sasuke frusterated and forgotten.

It was only a few hours later, that Naruto woke, screaming in pain.

I hoped it was good! :D im still trying to decide on pairings xD I'll have the next chapter up laters, quickly if at all possible. i realize this one was short, SORRY!