Chapter 4 Chapter Text

Declaimer: I do not own Naruto, some guy named Kishimoto Masashi does.

Ok I'm starting my fourth chapter enjoy. .

"Kyuubi and Shukaku Speech."

"Thought Speech."

"Everyone else speech."

Chapter 4

On with the story

Kyuubi and Shukaku laid together, Shukaku rested comfortably on top of Kyuubi. They had fallen asleep after their long and rigorous session of love making. They were both still in their feral forms. Shukaku was the first to wake up and stretch. He lifted himself from on top of Kyuubi, moved to the side of her and began to stretch his body like a cat. After stretching he made his way over to the large fox and nuzzled into the heap of fur on her neck. The raccoon demon licked her muzzle and purred softly. Kyuubi woke up with a purr and began to return Shukaku's licks. She then rolled over and began to stretch. After stretching she walked slowly over to Shukaku and cuddled into his chin.

"It's been a while since we let the kids go off on their own we should go get them. They need to get home." Kyuubi spoke in a sweet voice. Shukaku stared off into the darkness with a contemplative look before nodding his head.

"Of course." Came the raccoon's gruff response as he slowly began to transform into his human shape. He figured that the kids would be more comfortable with this form since they were still partially human. Kyuubi followed suit, moving to stand in front of Shukaku and lean her curvy form against his chest. They were both completely naked, Kyuubi running slender fingers up the rock hard pectoral muscles of her lover while looking up to him with a curious expression. Shukaku towered over her, the burly man tilting his neck to the side to rub out any kink from his muscles. Kyuubi wasn't short by any means, being around 6 feet and 2 inches tall. But Shukaku was around 7 feet tall, imposing even in his human form.

"Talk to me. You seem rather distracted." Kyuubi stated simply in that sultry voice of hers while sliding a single soft hand across his shoulder, up his neck, to eventually caress the side of his face. She gazed upon him adoringly, the woman raising up on her tippy toes. Upon seeing Kyuubi's behavior Shukaku leaned down to press his lips firmly against hers, engaging his partner in a hungry kiss. Kyuubi's lips were painted red, the soft pedals parting slightly in order to suckle lightly along the man's bottom lip. Shukaku brought one hand down to give a firm smack to her ass, his large hand engulfing the flesh of her rump and squeezing firmly into that bubbly rear. They both pulled back from the kiss at the same time, mouths separated just enough to speak.

"There have been lots of distractions as of late." Shukaku finally responded in that deep, rumbling voice. Kyuubi smirked knowingly at that, bringing her other arm up now to wrap around the man's neck and twirl a few strands of his long, curly hair around her petite, manicured finger.

"Yet it seems you have a different redhead on your mind." The woman responded in an amused tone. Shukaku just gave a grunt of acknowledgment while looking over her head into the darkness. His facial expressions were often hard to read but Kyuubi, having known him for so long, could read him like a book. That was even without literally experiencing his emotions as if they were his own. Something the boys would eventually learn about first hand.

"I've...never been good with children. Especially not humans ones." Shukaku admitted, speaking as the thoughts came to him. Kyuubi released a sultry giggle in response to that confession.

"A truth that is news to no one." The demoness commented in a teasing manner, forcing an annoyed grunt from Shukaku's grunt.

"I tried to protect him, from the harshness of the world. But he doesn't show me gratitude." The raccoon demon stated with a hint of frustration in his voice. Kyuubi quirked her brow, canting her head to the side.

"Show me." The woman demanded in a gentle tone before closing her eyes. Shukaku nodded his head before closing his eyes as well.

A sudden rush of memories flooded Kyuubi's mind. She saw it all. Every moment that passed between Shukaku and Gaara from the day that Gaara was born. She saw the cruel way in which Gaara's village treated him, Gaara's father treated him.

"She never loved you." Came a disembodied voice, speaking out to an even younger Gaara. Kyuubi watched the redheaded boy bow his head in shame and sorrow, tears streaming from his face. The woman viewed the scene as if she were right there at the time. Then the scene faded to another moment in Gaara's life.

"Get away from my Son!" Came the voice of an enraged and alarmed mother who pulled a child away from Gaara. A child who Gaara was attempting to befriend. She could feel the profound loneliness and hate that the boy, not even 8 years old, had endured. Kyuubi then heard it, Shukaku's voice echoing in Gaara's mind.

"You are a monster." Came Shukaku's harsh voice, speaking the way he always did. In that deep, booming, thunderous, and seemingly sinister voice. Kyuubi understood now. The woman finishing those memories coming back to reality.

Kyuubi was still standing in Shukaku's arms, the man had a subtle look of frustration on his face.

"I tried to teach him to accept what he was to the world based on how the world viewed and treated him. I tried to liberate him with truth. But the boy is blind!" Shukaku barked out in anger, his booming voice echoing into the darkness. Kyuubi was unfazed by the man's actions, knowing that his emotions weren't aimed at her but at the situation. She could literally feel his frustration, as could all demons. Their bond precluded petty misunderstandings. The woman sighed softly before bringing both her dainty hands down to rub soothingly into the man's chest.

"You're such an idiot." Kyuubi stated in exasperation. Shukaku looked down at her and grunted out his acknowledgment once more. He didn't feel insulted. Clearly she saw something he didn't. So he just listened.

"All the time you've been here you've never bothered to learn their culture. Their mind. The humans, they are different then us. Especially their children." Kyuubi explained, causing Shukaku to grit his teeth.

"I know they are different." Shukaku suddenly blurted out. Kyuubi looked up at him silently, making sure he was done releasing his emotions before speaking again.

"I mean even more different then you know. I've know you've grown to know their cruelty, especially of the adults. All you've done is fight them. You've never had the chance to live among them, as one of them. You've never gotten the chance to know them intimately." The woman stated while turning around in Shukaku's arms. He immediately moved his large arms around her waist to embrace the demoness' body and tug her voluptuous form back against his muscular torso in a possessive manner.

"But you have?" Shukaku questioned, causing Kyuubi to nod her head. As she did that gesture a vivid image materialized in front of the duo, springing out from the darkness into an ever changing picture show. It showed a village of thousands of human faces, the picture shifting based on how Kyuubi spoke.

"The humans are more complex and diverse than you know. They don't value truth like we do. They don't value peace like we do. They don't value love like we do. They don't have harmony like we do. They are ruled by their emotions. Their Jealousy, greed, envy, lust. They are disconnected from one another. What love they do know is fragile at best at chaotic at worst. They've even found a way to use love as an excuse to destroy one another, perverting it. The only thing strong about them is their hate and their selfishness. Their selfishness knows no bounds." As Kyuubi spoke many images flashed in front of their eyes. When Kyuubi mentioned love the image of a human mother holding her baby appeared. When she mentioned hate the imagine of a mob with pitch forks and torches appeared. The word "Selfishness" was followed by an image of a large woman carelessly stuffing her face with food while stepping over a starving homeless person. Shukaku watched silently, taking it all in without interrupting.

"They can't handle truth. Many would rather be lied to in order to feel safe, comfortable, happy." Kyuubi went on. Shukaku finally jumped in with a question.

"So I should have lied to Gaara? Told him everything would be ok despite how the world treated him?" Shukaku asked which made Kyuubi turn around again in his arms, the woman looking up with her fiery red eyes.

"Not exactly. I'm just saying you will need to learn to be...kinder. And for them, the truth isn't always a kindness." She explained in a gentle manner while reaching up to caress his cheek. Shukaku appeared even more confused.

"I don't even know what that means. How is kindness separate from truth?" Shukaku barked out. But despite the large man's apparent anger Kyuubi was completely calm and comfortable in his arms.

"Truth is about perspective as well Darling. You just have to show them a perspective they will be happy with." The woman lectured before grabbing his hands and tugging hulking man towards the darkness. She could see the wheels turning in his mind. And of course she understood. Demons were straight forward. They didn't need to twist words among one another because they could experience each others feelings as if their own. They always understood each other's intention. Their was no lying, deception, sugar coating among demons. Truth and honesty were as instinctual to a demon as breathing. When a demon spoke, to another demon their meaning was always clear because only part of their language was speech. To completely understand a demon you needed to feel as they did. No one hid their feelings or thoughts. Because of the bond they all shared, no one needed to.

A demon's bond was something that made all of that unnecessary. Demon's experienced the world through an otherworldly connection, feeling what each other felt as if the experiences of their peers and family were their own. The culture of demons was something a human could never really understand unless they experienced "The Bond" for themselves. And because Shukaku's experience with humans was usually violent, unlike Kyuubi, he never learned truly just how shallow their collective experience was, and therefore never learned to navigate the fragile sensibilities of most people. But Kyuubi had.

"How about this. Just watch me for a time and follow my lead. A few weeks, maybe months. And then you can make things right with him. I need you Shukaku Darling. Will you help me care for them?" Kyuubi asked while walking backwards, pulling on both of Shukaku's hands now. The man followed closely, listened to her intently.

"You know I will. Anything...for you." Shukuka stated without hesitation. That response drew a pleased smile from Kyuubi who moved by his side and clutched into his arm in a clingy fashion. She then rose up on her tippy toes to deliver an appreciative kiss to his cheek. Kyuubi then looked forward into the darkness with a pleased smirk across her luscious lips.

"Good."

Naruto and Gaara currently laid together flat out in a grassy field looking up at the stars in the night. Naruto and Gaara were getting sleepy and the scenery changed to fit their mood. They were pointing at stars and seeing what figures they could see. They played the same game for hours and never got bored seeing as how that was the first time they played with anyone. They both huddled together, their bodies getting cold for some reason.

It didn't take long for Kyuubi and Shukaku to find the two. They walked over to the boys, Kyuubi holding a warm smile across her face while Shukaku maintained a stoic expression. Naruto excitedly got up and began to wag his tail.

"Mommy, daddy, we had the best day, first we played tag then…" He was interrupted by his own yawn. Kyuubi smiled before picking both Gaara and Naruto up with her tails. The then hugged them both to her bosom.

"It seems you two need to get to bed. I'll send you both back to your bodies now." As she said this their world began to spin and they found themselves in the clearing that Naruto took them to. They were still holding hands but their appearances had changed into that of demons.

"For now you two should get home. We will worry about your ears and tails later." Kyuubi stated in a motherly tone.

"But mommy we still can't walk." Naruto said while trying to stand up only to fall on his butt again.

"It will be an entire year until you two have to go to the ninja academy so that's plenty of time to teach you what you need to know by then. Also no one really pays attention to either of you that much so you can learn to walk before anyone notices." Naruto nodded and took off toward their apartment building on all fours. Gaara followed close behind. It didn't take them long to get there since they could move faster on all fours. Once there they looked up at the building sadly before slowly walking in. Since Naruto's room was closer they went to his door first.

"Goodnight Naru-kun." Gaara said sadly.

"Goodnight Gaara-kun." Naruto said while watching Gaara turn around.

"What are you two doing? You don't think you'll be sleeping separately after your fusion do you? The farther away you are from each other, the worse you'll feel, which will also affect Shukaku and me." Naruto looked at Gaara nervously.

"So we can sleep together?" Naruto asked in a hopeful tone. Kyuubi and Shukaku looked towards each other with amused smirks.

"Yes you can sleep together. Better yet you two will be sleeping with us so go get in bed." Kyuubi stated from inside the boy's heads.

Naruto and Gaara grinned brightly before racing into Naruto's room. They climbed into bed and cuddled close to each other with a giggle, staring excitedly into each other's demon eyes. Naruto then pulled the covers over both of them. As he did this they blacked out for a second before regaining their vision. They were now held close by Kyuubi. She was currently lying down with the two cuddled close into her fur, the demoness now in her feral fox form. They laid into her side with those 9 fluffy, demonic tails of hers wrapping around them. Kyuubi then looked over to Shukaku, signaling him to join them. The raccoon demon was in his feral form as well, taking powerful steps around the group. Naruto was snuggling happily into Kyuubi's fur but Gaara wasn't so relaxed.

The adolescent redhead watched Shukaku with a tentative gaze, still weary of the large male, something which neither Kyuubi nor Shukaku missed. Kyuubi looked at the large demon with a sweet gaze, gesturing for the man to continue. So Shukaku just settled down behind Kyuubi and used his large tail to drape over all of their bodies. Gaara shivered as soon as the rough fur touched his small form. Shukaku stopped the descent of that large appendage for just a moment, watching the boy carefully before slowing the tail's decent and settling it down more gently. It didn't take long for a very pleasant warmth to engulf Gaara and Naruto's tiny bodies. Naruto was quite pleased, smiling brightly from the closeness of loving bodies surrounding him.

Gaara held a conflicted look in his black starred eyes, filled with mix emotion as he continued to stare up at Shukaku's large raccoon face. Most of his face was hidden behind Naruto's head from Shukaku's perspective, the smaller boy's face buried in the curly blonde hair on the back of Naruto's head as Gaara spooning Naruto from behind. The smaller tween watched Shukaku silently for a few moments before becoming comfortable enough to close those black starred orbs of his restfully, falling into a peaceful slumber. Shukaku observed the tiny boy with an unfaltering gaze before letting out a small relieved sigh. Kyuubi, who was watching the interaction closely leaned up to kiss Shukaku under the chin.

"A good start." The woman whispered in a proud voice before licking his muzzle effectionately and laying down to sleep. Shukaku was the last to fall asleep as he watches over the three. He gazed over them protectively before allowing himself to doze off as well.

The next day Naruto was the first to wake up in their bed. He slowly got up and stretched like a cat. After he was done the golden haired boy jumped on top of Gaara. Gaara woke up with a scream, eyes wide, frantically searching for the source of the disturbance which wasn't hard to find. Naruto sat on top of the redhead, straddling Gaara waist with a huge smile on his face. Upon seeing his friend's cheerful expression Gaara sighed in relief.

"Naru-kun, please don't surprise me like that, especially when I'm asleep." Gaara said while rubbing one eye sleepily.

"Ok Gaara-kun but you need to get up. We have a lot to do today." Naruto climbed off Gaara and gave him time to stretch. Gaara then sat down and started to scratch the raccoon ears on top of his head with his foot.

"What do we have to do today?" Gaara asked with a yawn.

"Mommy and daddy have to teach us how to walk remember? How else are we going to move all your stuff down here?" Naruto stated in a playful manner. Gaara's eye's widened in shock.

"You want me to move in with you!?" The smaller tween exclaimed in disbelief. Naruto smiled and nodded his head.

"Yep!"

"Um, ok but we don't need to be able to walk to get all my stuff, I don't have much." Gaara stated quietly. Naruto than jumped up in an excited manner.

"Ok then lets get them now!"

Gaara nodded nervously before leading the way to his room with Naruto following closely behind. They went upstairs and into Gaara's room which wasn't any different from Naruto's except it was slightly cleaner. Gaara went into his room and got a bag from a small drawer. He than packed his few changes of cloths.

"Is that it?" Naruto asked while grabbing the bag with his teeth. He looked down at the bag with a solemn expression. Gaara nearly gasped at the rush of feeling that hit him. He was feeling Naruto's emotions, and the sensation hit him like a truck. This was their new bond. The bond between demons.

"It's ok." Gaara stated in an attempt to cheer Naruto up. The golden haired boy cast his gaze towards Gaara before smiling softly and moving his fluffy fox tail forward to entwine around Gaara's brown raccoon tail. They both felt each other's release of tension and grew calm at the same time.

"Um there's still one more thing." Gaara said while moving over to his bed. He checked under his covers and pulled something from under them with his teeth. It was a little brown teddy bear. Gaara pulled it out with embarrassment. Naruto smiled at Gaara before picking up his bag and motioning for Gaara to follow him. They made their way to Naruto's apartment, making sure they weren't seen by anyone seeing as how they both had tails and ears. Once they were back Naruto unpacked Gaara's clothes and put them in his dresser with his.

"Are you sure it's ok if my cloths are mixed with yours Naru-kun." Gaara said while sitting on the bed hugging his teddy bear to his chest. The red haired boy spoke softly, hiding the lower half of his face behind the head of his teddy bear and looking to Naruto with a nervous gaze.

"It's fine I don't have that many clothes so I have plenty of space." Naruto said while climbing on the bed next to Gaara.

"Mother what are you we going to do about our looks? People won't be too happy if they find out we've changed into demons." Naruto asked before smiling softly to himself. He was still getting used to calling her mother. It was a new feeling, one that felt really good. So he went out of his way to keep saying it as much as he could.

Kyuubi thought for a minute. If Naruto was older and knew how to use jutsu than he could just use a genjutsu but they were both too young. She then remembered something from Naruto's memories.

"Naruto's do you remember that piece of clothes that you hate so much?" Naruto frowned and nodded his head.

"Well I want you to wear that and give Gaara the other one." Naruto nodded reluctantly before going to his closet and opening it. In it was his favorite orange jumpsuit but far to the sides was his least favorite of all his clothes. He pulled them out and showed them to Gaara. They were two black hooded cloaks that would cover their entire bodies. He had one extra as well laying on the floor of his closet, three in total. One of the few things he'd actually kept from his time at the orphanage. That time being something he would rather forget about.

The reason Naruto never wore it was because it made him even more unnoticeable than before. If he wore this then no one would pay attention to him which was the last thing he wanted before. The only reason he still kept it was because there where times when he needed to be invisible and now was one of them.

Naruto handed one cloak to Gaara and went into the bathroom. When he came out Gaara was also done putting on the cloak. The cloak was too big for both of them but they could still move in them and they could successfully hide their tails in the cloak and put up their hoods to hide their ears. Of-course they couldn't hide their eyes. Naruto now had red slitted eyes while Gaara had pitch black eyes with a golden diamond for a pupil and four smaller diamonds surrounding his pupil, just like Shukaku. They could just hide their faces until they got sunglass or learned to use jutsu.

Naruto and Gaara looked at each other. Naruto had to admit that Gaara looked kind of cool in the black baggy cloak. He looked…fluffier than usual. Naruto smiled and Gaara returned his smile.

"So mother what should we do next?" Naruto blurted out in a chipper tone. He couldn't remember ever being this happy.

"It's early why don't you two find a place to play, you're still children after all. The training will start later."

A Few Weeks Later...

Two small hooded figures ran through a park, small giggles could be heard as they chased each other around. They were wearing black hooded robes that were too big for them but barely limited their movement. They ran through the park on all fours. There were many different structures for the figures to play on, and they took advantage of them all. These figures were none other than Naruto and Gaara, and ever since they met, they were inseparable. To the side Kyuubi and Shukaku sat with their tails entwined, watching over the kits.

It had been nearly a month since the two boy's transformation, and they were with each other every waking moment. Kyuubi and Shukaku decided it would be best for the boys if they got to know each other a bit before starting their training, and they had gotten to know each other well in just a month. They constantly watched each other, learning the others habits, tendencies, moods. Though they didn't know everything about each other, it was enough for their training to start. Shukaku had also learned a lot as well, spending his time watching and learning from Kyuubi's parenting method. Kyuubi has also been teaching Shukaku more about human culture. He was baffled at first but was a quick learner. Especially given that he could learn from Kyuubi's memories directly.

Kyuubi and Shukaku lived in the human world for around the same time, over 1000 years. But they had lived their time on the human plane very differently. While Kyuubi intermingled and became a legend and myth, feared by some and revered by other, learning everything she could about the intricacies of human society and the world, Shukaku spent most of his time at war. The event that brought them into the human world effected them very differently. Kyuubi saw it as an opportunity, but Shukaku saw it as an affront to his freedom, lashing out at human kind, especially when seeing their worser natures. Despite their different experiences, they both came to the same conclusion. Humanity was a disease that needed to be cured. One way or another. But Kyuubi was patient, choosing to instead focus on the children until the day came to implement a plan she'd been plotting for ages.

Back to the boys...

Kyuubi and Shukaku got up from their sitting positions and slowly made their way to the two boys on all fours, both ancient demons were in their feral forms.

"Ok boys, play time is over, let's get down to business." Shukaku said sternly. The boys stopped their playing and quickly made their way to Shukaku on all fours. During the weeks they were together they had learned to walk on both feet but they preferred to move on all fours. It was much more efficient. Once they made it over they both stopped in front of Shukaku and Kyuubi and sat in a hunch. Gaara was now much more comfortable being in Shukaku's presence and hearing his booming voice, getting used to the imposing demon more and more every day. Kyuubi's guided Shukaku slowly and carefully into fatherhood. Gaara hadn't yet referred to the raccoon demon as "father," but Shukaku was slowly gaining the boy's trust. Naruto, who had no experience growing up with Shukaku, had no problem accepting the ancient demon as his parent. The blonde was just happy to have parents.

"Ok kits, your training starts today," As Shukaku said this Naruto raised his hand. Kyuubi looked over to him with a warm smile.

"Naru-kun you don't have to raise your hand if you want to speak. Just wait for who ever is talking to finish then say what ever you want." Kyuubi spoke up in a sweet, motherly tone. Naruto put his hand down with a smile and a nod. He then motioned to the black robes they were wearing.

"I have two questions, first, do we have to wear these black robes everywhere we go?" He said while pulling down his hood, revealing his fluffy dark red fox ears.

"That would be a yes, even though no one can see your tails and ears inside your mind, you must get used to wearing these cloths. Soon these cloths will serve an even bigger purpose." Kyuubi explained before moving one of her tails forward and caressing the side of Naruto's face with the fluffy appendage. Naruto closed his fiery red eyes, leaning into the touch and sighing contently. His lids then snapped open when remembering his second question.

"Oh um, what will you be teaching us?" Kyuubi and Shukaku looked at each other than back at the two.

"Well you will find out right now."

Suddenly Naruto and Gaara's vision began to spin and when it cleared they were both on their knees with their fingers entwined. They were in a clearing a few miles from Konoha. They had come here a few days ago and didn't go back. This would be their training area. It was bright and sunny outside, around noon.

"Ok kits, for your first lesson I will be lecturing you. Shuka-kun will take care of the physical part of your training." They both nodded in understanding.

"Ok well let's get down to business." Shukaku said from inside them.

"While Kyuubi is lecturing you too, you will be doing exercised to strengthen you body. The first thing you need to do first is stretch. I will send images of what I want you to do and all you need to do is copy them." They both nodded before starting the stretches. There were incoherent figures doing random stretches and maneuvers that flashed in their mind like a film reel.

"Ok, well your first lesson will be about your chakra. Chakra is a form of energy that every living organism has. Human beings, demons, and even some animals have gained the ability to harness this energy for their benefit. Some use this energy…" She continued to lecture them as they did their stretches. After they were done with their stretches, Shukaku sent images of different exercises for them to do while simultaneously listening to Kyuubi's lecture.

They trained all day. Their bodies were still underdeveloped so they couldn't last long and had to take numerous brakes but then they went back to training. Shukaku made sure to push them to their limits each time before he would let them rest. They would only eat the various fruits that grew in the forest. Naruto's obsession with ramen would stop here. A growing boy would need more nourishing sustenance.

At the end of the day Naruto and Gaara lay flat out on the ground. They were both sweating profusely. Gaara laid with the back of his head resting on Naruto's chest. They both had smiles on their face, even though their bodies ached. They knew the training would pay off in the end.

From their cage, Kyuubi and Shukaku looked onto the boys proudly. They had really tested the boy's limits, and they had to admit that they were impressed. The boys had great potential and they were going to see that the boys reached their potential. But for now it was time for them to rest. Kyuubi brought the two kits into her cage and let them cuddle into her fur. Shukaku then joined them. Today was just the beginning. Their training would only get harder.

For the next few months the boys followed a strict schedule. From noon till night, they would be trained by Kyuubi and Shukaku. Any thing between that was their free time, so they spent the mornings and late nights together. They traveled the village in their hooded robes, not noticed by anyone. They would play various games and just be kids. But once noon came, they would make their way to that secluded clearing in the forest and begin their training. Through many grueling exercises Shukaku strengthened their body and chakra capacity. And through Kyuubi's lengthy lectures their intelligence, knowledge, and chakra control increased.

Gaara and Shukaku had grown much closer over the past months as well. They grew to understand one another, especially after a particular conversation.

One late night the demon family lay together as they always did. This time Kyuubi and Shukaku were in their human forms. The curvy figure of Kyuubi lay down in a grassy field with large, powerful arms wrapped around her midsection, Shukaku spooning the woman from behind. Naruto adolescent form was curled up against Kyuubi's torso, his face nuzzled against her ample bosom. She had a slender arm wrapped around the boy's body, clutching him close to her possessively. Behind Naruto Gaara was curled up, spooning his blonde partner. Both of Gaara's skinny arms were wrapped around Naruto's waist, the smaller tween's face buried in the hair on the back of Naruto's head. Naruto's hair had grown quite a bit, the spikey golden locks flowing down to his shoulder and creating a nice cushion for Gaara's face. Kyuubi's nine tails wrapped around both boys, blanketing their bodies completely. Shukaku's large raccoon tail draped across all them, flowing from his behind to cover even himself in the large, pillowy appendage.

This is the position the demon family took every night, huddled together in a happy and close embrace. On this night like most nights Shukaku got up slowly, careful not to disturb the others. His large tail lifted up and off of their bodies as the burly man pulled away from the intimate hold. Standing up on his feet now, Shukaku popped his neck from side to side and walked off across that grassy plane that the family slept in. As Shukaku left a pair of eyes fluttered open to watch him go.

The dark skinned man walked far enough away to where he could no longer easily see the others. Once alone he raised one hand upwards in a subtle manner, causing a large bolder to lift up from the ground. This was his "cage." The reality of which he could manipulate to his liking ever since that seal was torn. Shukaku then took a seat on that rock and made a large pipe appear in his hand. He looked up at the stars, closing his eyes to enjoy the small breeze flowing through the grassy clearing. His long, ankle length spikey hair ruffled slightly from the gentle gust of wind as he raised the pipe to his mouth and lit it by creating a fire underneath his forefinger. Shukaku had no love for humans but this was one human imagining that the ancient demon enjoyed.

He drew in the smoke from the wooden shaft of the pipe before exhaling a huge cloud through his nostrils. The front of his body was then engulfed by a huge plume of fog breathed from his nose. As Shukaku began to take another breath the furry raccoon ears atop his head twitched. But he didn't respond further, the raccoon demon waiting patiently for figure behind him to approach.

Gaara watched the imposing man from afar, only a pair of boxers covering his adolescent form. The skinny boy took small steps forward, approaching in a slightly hesitant manner. He'd notice that Shukaku had become much nicer since he'd made Naruto and Kyuubi. No longer did the man speak so harshly, even if the power of the demon's voice remained. They hadn't talked much since the transformation, not personally. Usually when Shukaku addressed him Naruto was right by his side. They'd lost something. Gaara was still a child, he didn't fully understand his feelings but he knew that something was missing between himself and the raccoon demon. Despite remembering the harshness in which Shukaku used to speak, there was still an intimacy about it that Gaara missed. Though he wouldn't know how to articulate these feelings, being so young. But he could try.

Gaara moved forward until he was just a few feet away from the tall man, still approaching from behind. Finally Shukaku turned his head just enough to glance towards Gaara out the corner of his black, starred pupils. That look caused the little redhead to freeze. Shukaku still held such an intense gaze. Silently Shukaku turned his head away to look forward again, that large raccoon tail swaying hypnotically behind him as he sat.

"Couldn't sleep?" Shukaku asked in that deep voice of his, but his tone was softer, less booming. Gaara didn't respond immediately, the tiny tween stepping forward until he was standing to Shukaku's side a few feet away. Gaara fidgeted with his fingers and stole a few glances to the imposing man, the boy's head bowed. This was the first time in a long time that he was alone with Shukaku. He thought he'd be less nervous. But maybe being around Naruto and Kyuubi made him more calm and confident. But alone...

"A little. I...had another nightmare." Gaara admitted in a quiet, barely audible voice. Shukaku glanced over to the small boy, looking down with his intense gaze while blowing another huge cloud of smoke from his nose.

"The same one?" Shukaku questioned, drawing a quick nod from Gaara. Gaara often had nightmares. Less recently but still every once in a while. He'd wake up in the middle of the night sweating and whimpering but now Naruto was there to comfort him. Naruto understood because he had nightmares as well. They hadn't spoken about it, but they were there to comfort each other. Understanding one another's trauma in a way no human could possibly comprehend. But this night when Gaara woke up sweating, he chose not to disturb his adored friend. The missing presence of Shukaku's tail, a soothing presence he'd grown familiar with, served as a good distraction.

"It's ok to have dreams like that. They make you strong. Give you the chance to overcome them." Shukaku stated in a confident tone, his eyes narrowing. Shukaku saw every painful experience as an opportunity to grow. Something Gaara was slowly beginning to understand. Gaara listens intently, constantly shifting his gaze back and forth between the large demon and the ground.

"What do you do when they don't go away? When...it keeps hurting?" Gaara questioned in that same sweet and soft voice. Shukaku shifted his gaze away to stare out into space as if thinking.

"You deal with it. Don't let it break you. As long as you can get through it standing tall the pain never wins. And If it seems like you can't do it alone, well there are those who can help you through it." The ancient demon explained before returning his gaze back to Gaara, a stoic expression on his face. Despite the lack of emotion from Shukaku his words served to calm Gaara. The boy smiled subtly before stepping a big closer to the large man. Gaara leaned slightly into the large rock that Shukaku's was sitting on.

"Is that why you were so mean to me? You were trying to get me to overcome the pain?" Gaara asked hesitantly, almost afraid to ask that question. Shukaku left out a heavy sigh, the man closing his eyes for a moment before answering.

"Yes. Though now I see that...that wasn't the way. Not for you. I'm sorry Gaara. I never meant to cause you unnecessary pain. I just wanted you to be strong enough to overcome their hate and cruelty." Shukaku stated in a genuine manner while opening his eyes and staring back down to Gaara's face. This time Gaara didn't look away, a bright smile appearing across his lips.

"It's ok. Now that I understand...I'm happy that you tried. It just means you cared about me. Right?" Gaara asked while staring up in a hopeful manner. The boy had his hands bunched up against his chest in a vulnerable position, waiting with bated breath for the man's response. Shukaku could see just how important his next words would be to the tween. He took his time in answering, causing a lingering silence between them before speaking up.

"Yes." He stated in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. Upon hearing that Gaara's eyes lit up. The boy bowed his head with a gentle smile painted across his face, holding his dainty hands against his heart. Gaara then looked up and opened his arms silently. Shukaku watched the tiny boy in fascination before returning that subtle smile, bending down to place his large hands along Gaara's hips and picking the boy up. Shukaku's hulking figure really towered over Gaara's tiny frame. Shukaku supported the skinny, petite adolescent by allowing Gaara' to sit on his forearm. Gaara leaned into Shukaku's chest, resting the side of his cheek against the burly man's left pectoral muscle. The boy breathed softly before pressing both his hands against the man's pecks and looking upwards with a sparkling expression in his eyes. Wordlessly Gaara leaned upwards, placing a small kiss against Shukaku's cheeks, all to the ancient demon's pleasant surprise.

"Thank you Daddy."