Title: The Perfect Host

Summary: Akatsuki has finally captured the nine-tailed fox. Madara wants him alive for a specific purpose. He called Naruto the "purest" host. What exactly does Madara have in store for our young hero?

Genre: Suspense/tragedy

Rated: T

Pairings: Naruhina, other pairings undecided.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.

Side Note: My story takes place about a month after chapter 474, so it may contain spoilers.

Chapter One Rewritten

Akatsuki's hideout, about ten days before the prologue.

Madara watched as the Hachibi's, lifeless corpse fell to the ground with a deafening thud. He smiled in satisfaction, as he thought about how his plan was running smoother than expected. Clearing his throat, he turned to face the few members of Akatsuki that he had left. Since Sasuke and Karin had agreed to stay with him, he had gained two, more members, Hitomi and Kurou. They were green to how things ran, but they had a lot potential for this next assignment. "There is only one jinchuurki left now." Madara stated. "The nine-tailed fox is rather special to me, so I want him roughed up but alive. Zetsu will be your leader on this assignment. I am counting on you to bring him back without alerting Konaha of your presence. Karin that is where you step in. You're new found cloaking skills are rather impressive."

"Wait." Karin said. "Cloaking skills or not, won't they notice that Naruto is missing?" "Ya, and since we just captured the Hachibi, won't the security on him be hard to get around?" Hitomi chimed in. Madara glared at Karin and Hitomi. "Not if you're smart and use stealth. As far as a missing Naruto is concerned, Kurou will be taking care of that by taking his place." "People will see through the fake Naruto." Sasuke said from the corner he was standing in. "No." Madara said facing Sasuke. "Kurou is the best at what he does; they won't be able to tell the fake from the original." Sasuke just glared; he was to kewl to argue.

"Sasuke will be staying here with me, who knows what kind of mess may happen if he goes back to Konaha right now. Alright, you have your assignment, dismissed." Karin looked at Sasuke sadly. "I know it would cause trouble, but I still wish you could come." "Karin, are you coming?" Zetsu asked with an impatient look. "Oh yes, I am coming. Sorry." Karin said as she followed her teammates out the door.

Naruto's apartment about two days later.

"Naruto, is everything alright?" Sai asked as he walked into the room. Naruto looked at him from his bed and flashed a smile. "Ya everything is great, no complaints here." Naruto lied. Sai wasn't fooled by his fake smile; he knew those all too well. "Naruto, you're lying." Naruto sighed as he got up from his bed and walked over to the window. "I'm trying to stay optimistic, you know." Naruto finally said after a few minutes of silence had passed. "Everything is just so chaotic right now, and I feel so useless being practically locked up in here. Konaha is facing another war, Granny Tsunadi has yet to wake up from her coma, and Sakura is out there somewhere trying to find Sasuke and kill him." Naruto frowned and then started yelling in frustration. "I feel so useless in here doing nothing. Ever since the Hachibi was captured, they won't let me leave this room. And with those guerillas guarding my door and windows, I'm doomed to stay in here forever."

Sai stared at the back of Naruto's head, wishing there was something he could do to help him. "What good was reading all those books about bonds and friendship, if I can't even come up with one encouraging word now?" Naruto calmed down and turned around to look at Sai. "Why are you here, anyway?" "The Kazekage is worried about you, he senses that you are depressed and asked me to check on you." Naruto sighed. "Gaara. Tell him I'm alright and thanks." Sai nodded as he left the room. Naruto watched Sai leave, before turning his attention back to the window. "Sakura, I hope you're ok. I wonder if your search for Sasuke is going well. Will you really try to kill him, once you've found him?" "Who are you talking to?"

Naruto turned around startled as Temari stepped into the room. "Nobody, just myself I guess. It happens to you when you're stuck in a room all day." Naruto replied with a shrug. Temari just stared at him. "Well if you're done talking to yourself, then perhaps you can tell me what you want to eat." Naruto frowned. "Can I dine out for a change?" Temari sighed. "You are not supposed to leave the safety of this room." "Oh come on!" Naruto practically yelled. "Please, I am so sick of this room. I need a change of scenery. I am about to go crazy in here if I don't get out soon." Temari shook her head. "By leaving this room, you are risking your capture." Naruto started begging shamelessly. "I doubt Akatsuki is going to make a move in broad daylight, plus you're a jounin and I am just freaking awesome, pleaseeeee." Temari caved. "Alright, just quit begging that's pathetic. You only get half an hour, so make it quick." Naruto jumped up from the floor that he had been groveling on. "Alright, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen!"

Ichiraku Ramen 25 mns later

"You know that's like your twelfth bowl of ramen in ten minutes.' Temari said in disgust. Naruto just ignored her as he started in on his new dish. Temari sighed as she wondered where he put it all. "Are you sure you don't want to try any of our ramen dishes, miss?" The chef asked inquisitively. "Yes, I'm sure." Temari said trying to be polite. "I just ate before I got h……" Temari stopped in midsentence and turned her attention towards the woods. "Is everything alright, miss?" Temari held up a hand beckoning him to be silent for a moment.

"I could just be imagining it, but I could have sworn I heard something suspicious. It's probably nothing, but with Naruto at risk, it would be foolish of me to just ignore it." Temari's eyes narrowed a little as she grabbed her kunai. "Naruto, stay here, I am going to check out what caused that noise." "It was probably just a squirrel." Naruto said between bites. "Maybe, just stay here anyway." Temari headed towards the forest only to return a few moments later. "You were right, it was just a squirrel." Temari said as she paid the old man. "Told you so." Naruto said somewhat smug.

"Well while I was in the woods I remembered that I have to give a letter to a member of the ANBU Black Ops." Naruto glanced at her peevishly. "Do I have to go?" Temari nodded. "It won't take that long I promise." Naruto sighed as he followed Tamari into the woods. "How much further do we have to walk before she meets this guy?" Naruto thought in annoyance. "We have been walking for like, twenty minutes." Temari suddenly stopped. "Finally!" Naruto thought in relief. THUMP Naruto felt someone fall to the ground behind him. He turned around expecting it to be a member of the Black Ops, instead he found himself face to face with a member of Akatsuki.

Naruto stared in shock as he turned around and noticed that they were two more members with him. "Temari, what are you doing just standing there help me fight them." Naruto yelled. Temari just stood there, unresponsive. Naruto didn't know if he should be angry or confused. "Temari, what the hell?" Temari turned around and started laughing. Naruto looked at her in confusion. "What's gotten into you?" "Foolish little fox." Temari said as her grin widened. "Not everything is as it seems."

-End Chapter-

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