A Chance

A/N: Sorry about this major delay. I hit some major problems during the summer break. So, from now on it will be harder for me to post new chapters. I will try my hardest though.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only own Sumire, Sore, Sayori, Tsuki and Taka.

Chapter Three: Life's Unexpected Twists Doomsday Part One

Awkwardness was what he felt when he awoke. It wasn't something entirely new since he had been feeling it the past few days. The blonde haired shinobi secretly had been hoping everything was just some sick dream. The sight of two kittens changed his mind when he spotted the likenesses they each held.

Groaning he threw the covers over his head, wishing desperately for his life to be over. Today, Kyuubi's plan would take place, despite his own wishes. A sharp and stabbing pain to his abdomen kept reminding him that it would happen no matter what.

He jumped and leapt out of his bed, shocking the small Sasu-neko and knocking off Gaara-neko. He apologized to them and licked his lips when his stomach growled. He could feel a need, like the last one before. A need for something sweet, yet bitter. His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to figure out what food it was.

He wandered to the kitchen suddenly feeling the need for the food get stronger. If he searched hard enough he might just find what he was looking for in his kitchen. He opened drawers and cabinets, but didn't find it till he opened the fridge door. There it was… a bar of dark chocolate.

He ignored the kittens' mewl for food as he took out the prize of his search. He was focused solely on that one bar in his hand. His mouth desired it so much along with the rest of his body. He didn't even bother trying to recall just when he picked the item up at all.

He slowly opened up the packaging, not wanting to damage the bar too much just yet. His mouth started to water when the strong bittersweet smell filled the room. Slowly he placed a small, broken off square of the chocolate in his mouth, letting it slowly melt away in the heat of his breath and savor the strong and thick taste.

A soft, pleasure filled moan rent the silent air, followed closely by another. As minute-by-minute passed, the craving lessened along with the chocolate bar. Eyes closed in ecstasy as the bar was finished, smiling as a small flash of pink licked away the small pools of chocolate around his mouth.

Feeling satisfaction, his face turned into a small grin as he patted his belly. "That… was almost better than eating ramen…" He chuckled as the two kittens climbed on top of the table. Both were slightly awed by the display their owner had put on for them.

"Alright… now to get you your breakfast…" He mumbled, for some reason a blush appeared across his cheeks. He quickly rummaged for a large bowl and a can of cat food. He deftly opened the can and scooped out the food and handed the bowl to the kittens to eat.

Gaara-neko stared at it for a while, wondering if it was possible to share with Sasu-neko. Sasu-neko just growled softly and pounced on the bowl. He eyed Gaara-neko behind him as he ate. He did leave half for Gaara-neko to eat when he was finished, so Gaara-neko saw no problem in allowing this to happen.

Naruto had run off from the kitchen, needing to take a shower desperately. His mind silently replayed last night's events at the training ground. He shook violently as he could vividly recall each detail, the smell of Sasuke, the taste, the touch, everything. He felt that heat pool thicker within him and grunted.

He slumped to the floor of his bathroom, his arms wrapped around his chest. Nails were digging deep into his flesh, but he did not care in the least, not even when blood started to fall freely. He felt lost, more than he had ever felt in his entire life. Once again, Kyuubi messed with everything he strived to do.

He shuddered, staring at the shower stand across from him. To help relax his mind, he decided to strip out of his pajamas. He tossed them into a hamper by the door and took a step forward, pausing slightly as he noticed his reflection in the mirror.

His face was flushed and it felt like he was about to cry again. His eyes widened as they traveled towards his lower torso. What was a finely toned body had somehow in the course of a few days, the defined muscles were gone and replaced with smooth and round flesh. He had gained weight so much that he almost couldn't believe it was himself he was looking at.

He sighed and turned away from the mirror, finding himself only getting pissed off. Turning on the tap to the shower and letting the cold-water rush through first, he jumped into the mini waterfall of water. He felt his body go through the normal shock as a cooler substance splashed against the heated flesh, but it quickly faded.

"This feels much better…" He mumbled as he let himself soak. He relished the feeling of water around him, despite Kyuubi's irritated growls. To him it was almost like all his problems and emotions could be washed away, leaving him feeling new and clean. Almost like something worth looking at.

He smirked and blindly reached out for his body wash and scrubbed himself clean, wincing as the soapsuds stung the small cuts on his arms from his nails. The body wash was something simple so it wasn't as noticeable when out on missions. He did have problems when it came to his favorite shampoo though. When he opened the cap, at once the air was filled with cinnamon and brown sugar, a deliciously sweet and spicy mixture. He scrubbed his soaked hair with his shampoo, eyes closed in pleasure at the smell. The problem he faced when he used this shampoo was that it could easily be detected.

He sighed as he reached out for a conditioner, rinsing his hair before letting a more dull and forest-like scent dampen the smell of cinnamon and brown sugar. When he was finished, he turned off the tap and smiled. He really did feel better after a ten-minute shower; so far it never failed him yet.

Yanking free a towel from a shelf and quickly wrapping it around his waist. He was still dripping water when he headed for the door. At first he didn't register anything, and then he felt the motion of him slipping on the wet tiles and flying backwards. He crashed to the floor with a loud yelp of surprise and pain.

Cursing himself for getting hurt in his own home, he picked himself back up. This time he used his towel to dry himself off and the floor before he left. His hair left behind him as he walked towards his bedroom a small trail of wetness on his floor. He paused at one moment and shook his head free of more water, smirking as he heard two hisses of shock.

When he entered the room his ass was still smarting from hitting hard and solid floor. It made him grumpy as he searched for his clothes. He had easily freed black cotton pants and an orange trimmed black shirt. Both were baggier than what he would usually wear, but he felt a little self conscious about the sudden weight gain he had.

Rushing a comb through his hair, he smiled. "There… all set for today…"

Despite the fact he wasn't doing a whole lot today. Not with Kyuubi's plans with his body. He cursed silently to the demon fox curled up inside his mind. The cage bars that were there once before had disappeared a long time ago. He had relied on Kyuubi a lot on his newest missions, so the seal had faded away. Not that it mattered since she was sealed "to" him anyways, stomach to stomach.

He left the room to curl up on the couch, thoughts on trying to ignore what might happen this night. He looked at his blank TV, turning it on for some slight comfort from the noise. For about ten minutes he had been watching a sitcom directed towards non-ninja families.

Then he found himself pounced upon by two worried kittens. Gaara-neko had appeared by his feet and bit down softly on a toe. Sasu-neko had jumped onto his chest and sunk in his claws with a low growl. He yelped and grabbed Sasu-neko since he was closer.

"What are you guys up to?" He demanded to know. Sasu-neko just looked content to receive attention from him, then fought to be let go of. Gaara-neko did a little movement much like a shrug before curling up against his stomach.

Naruto shook his head, pleased for the company of the two small creatures. He released Sasu-neko and turned on his side even more to make more room for them. He focused back on the TV, smiling softly as Sasu-neko slowly made his way up from next to Gaara-neko. He stopped and curled up next to his chest, first rubbing against him with a loud purr.

"You guys are just too much…" He chuckled and froze. He could feel her stirring. At once he found himself before her, watching as the majestic tails shifted to reveal her earthy form and the place where she was sealed to him. A large red slitted eye opened and glared at him right off the bat.

"What are you doing here kit?" She lazily mumbles from underneath a massive paw. Slowly moving up as far as she could and flexing out her stiff muscles.

"Kyuubi. Why did you attack the village so long ago?" He outright asked her. Curious about her reasons for attacking the village. Thus forcing her to be sealed inside him and ruining his life before it ever truly began for him.

He heard a deep and low growl emanate from the ethereal creature, as she seemed upset by his question. She turned her head towards him and opened her massive jaws, almost as though she were to eat him. She then carefully picked him up with one fang and carried him before her.

He was shocked by her gentleness as she settled him down between her paws, letting him get comfortable against the silky fur. She let her tongue flick her whiskers in thought on how to tell her story, or if she wanted to tell her side of the story.

"You know kit. I'm shocked that you even cared enough to ask this old soul…" She muttered placing her head down low enough to his level. She pushed her nose against his side as a soft sign of thanks before lifting her head back up.

"I will tell you the true story behind everything little one." She smirked slightly and almost laughed at how wide the young teen's eyes were becoming. "It was pretty simple really…"

And then she told her tale. She told him how she didn't care for the small village that neighbored her territory since it didn't interfere with her hunting or lifestyle. It was the stupid fear of the villagers that sparked her hate for the village. Apparently, while the Hokage was busy dealing with foreign nations, a small band of ninjas got together and scoured the forest surrounding their homes.

It had seemed the Kyuubi had three healthy kits of her own tucked away in a den near the mountainside. These ninjas, in an act out of fear from the large fox demon, killed the next generation while she herself was forced away from them.

When she returned, she first felt despair for the loss of her precious kits that she tried so hard to give life to. Then she became full of anger, as she could smell the smell of the ninjas that had done this to her children.

She herself barely knew what happened afterwards as she rampaged the land, letting her full power lose upon the land, not caring about the sheer force her deadly nine tails could bring. Only wanting the blood of the ninjas that killed her young.

That was when the fourth appeared before her. His eyes indicating that he felt her pain and anger about the actions of those few ninjas. That was when he managed to seal her away inside a small child. She told him the last thing she saw were tears in the Hokage's eyes before she was consumed by darkness.

She even told him about how much she hated the vessel that held her at one point, as he steadily grew older. Hated the village even more for this confinement they forced her into. She then smirked and told him just how much she actually felt for him. Amazed by his sheer will and desire to be noticed. It made even her feel guilty about what she had once thought about him. Then she was done speaking, having had enough of spilling her mind to him.

Naruto was shocked by everything she told him, even more so when she continued telling him what she thought about himself. Tears formed in his azure eyes as he came to like the Kyuubi and see her in a different light. He sobbed quietly, fisting his hands around her thick fur and making her grumble in protest.

"I apologize for what I had said before about you… I never knew what had truly happened…" He murmured, receiving another soft growl of annoyance. He smiled to himself as he noticed her embarrassment. The great and mighty demon fox actually cared for one small insignificant human being.

"Just shut it there kit…" She grumbled, looking away from him. Silently she muttered to herself, "I'm sorry for what you're about to go through…"

Naruto blinked, thinking he heard her say something else. He was about to ask when she glared at him and swatted him away from her with a massive tail. "Now leave me be… I'm still tired…" She grumbled and laid back down, her dragon-like tails, once again shielding her from view.

x-x

Naruto was forced back into himself, gasping slightly from his momentary shock. He found himself curled up protectively around the two kittens, as though he were trying to shield them from anyone's view. He smiled softly and rubbed his temples.

Bleary eyed he turned to look at his clock, ignoring the glare of the television. Silently reading the time, it was one in the afternoon, meaning he still had time before he needed to worry about getting over to Tsunade. He mumbled happily as he slowly drifted off to sleep again. Unaware that his lower regions felt odd, kind of like they were swirling around and creating heat and pain, a dull pain that could easily be ignored.

xXx

Sasuke awoke, groaning as his boxers felt tighter than usual. The experience he had last night on the training grounds had left his mind with dirty images that played through his head while he slept. It was the first time he had ever woken up with a hard on.

He gritted his teeth in slight pain as he could feel himself straining against his boxers. Shower. Nice and cold. He needed one now to ease this tension he felt. He may have only discovered the true emotions he himself felt for Naruto a few days ago, but apparently his body already knew of his attraction to the loud-mouthed ninja.

He slid out of his massive bed, wobbling slowly to his bathroom for a quick wash down. He couldn't help it in the slightest bit though, what he had done last night. He had to admit sexual tension is very high for all ninjas that don't have a real partner. Even he had felt it a few times; he was still a teenage boy with raging hormones.

His problem was that he never wanted to relieve it. He knew what every single girl thought when they first meet him. 'I want to get in his pants…' could easily be read from their eyes and their body language. He would have relieved some of what he could himself, but found it to beneath him and to odd to dare try.

So, he always settled for a cold shower. It always settled the problem right away for him. Except today that is. Sure the shower had helped and even focusing on his hair prevented his thoughts from wandering off. It was when he was left with nothing else to do that his thoughts traveled to the dirty thoughts his mind plagued him with last night.

Just the mere thought of a panting and moaning Naruto made him half-erect. He grunted as he was found with the same problem from this morning. Biting his lip he ignored it, desperately searching for something to distract his mind.

A soft meow from his devilish kitten brought him from his haze of thoughts. He noticed the little gleam in the small golden kitten's eyes when it rubbed along his leg. He jumped back right before he found himself with claws in his legs.

"I got you… I got you. You want food…" He grumbled, slightly annoyed, but thankful for the distraction little Naru-neko had brought him. Swiftly he brought out a bowl with food already prepared in it for the small animal to devour while he thought out what he wanted to do.

Since he was already dressed in his usual outfit and everything else he had thought about the training grounds to release some of his tension through his fists against the logs. Plus he still needed to think about yesterday. He had crossed a line and probably won't be allowed to cross back over it and remain friends with the little kitsune.

Feeling even more upset than before he opted for the training grounds. Of course he still had plans to shop for something on his way home, but wanted to pound something into the ground more than anything at the moment.

He did just that for about three hours. He was dead set on making wood pulp from a log he had smashed when he sensed a strong flare of chakara behind him. He leaped to the side, barely dodging a hand of sand that tried to grab him.

He turned and blinked in shock as he found himself face to face with Gaara and Neji. Both had on their emotionless masks. Well Neji did since Gaara showed no emotions anyways. He was tensed and ready to attack the vessel of Shuukaku, but relaxed when he watched the sand slowly retreat back inside his gourd.

"Hello cousin…" Murmured Neji as his pale eyes looked towards him, noticing that he had been there for a while. "Might I ask why you were training so hard?" He mused, inwardly smiling.

Before he and Gaara had arrived, Gaara had sensed Sasuke's tension and almost grinned. Neji himself was a little shocked since he believed that Sasuke couldn't have such problems.

"What are you two doing here…?" He asked controlling his heavy breathing as he gathered his weapons.

Neji spoke first with a faint teasing smile on his face. "Gaara has business with Tsunade, of what is no concern to you." He smirked as he spotted the tiny sign that he had ruffled the Uchiha's feathers.

He had spotted that smirk and just shrugged it off. "So why are you here interrupting my training then?"

Neji opened his mouth to reply but Gaara silenced him. The redhead took a step towards Sasuke and grinned. "We came to see if you knew where Naruto is at today?"

Both of them held back little smiles as Sasuke looked shocked for a brief moment. The raven-haired teen quickly gathered himself together and turned around. Making it obvious that he didn't know where Naruto was.

"I see…" Neji murmured, catching a faint tinge of pink. He almost jumped at the soft touch of Gaara's hand when it clasped his own. He smiled softly as the sand-wielder lead him off towards Naruto's home.

Sasuke waited till they were gone before he turned back around and sighed. He was sort of glad he had no idea where the vessel was, because if he did he might not be able to stop himself from heading on over there to him.

This sudden appearance of those two didn't help his current state either. Wanting to just think, he fell down on the torn up earth and looked to the sky. His mind automatically figuring out what time it was by the sun.

It was almost noon and time for lunch. The sun's warm caress only spurred on the desire to fall into a light slumber himself and dream of gold and blue. He fought this urge and shook himself physically and mentally.

"I think I need to go shopping for a certain someone's birthday…" He muttered to himself. At once his mind flash to all the other presents he had bought for the Kyuubi vessel, but never had the courage to give to him. He also felt the items he bought were worthless and never good enough for Naruto himself.

He had some ideas this year now… just yesterday he caught something in a store that felt perfect for his teammate. With this in mind he gathered the remains of his items and made a mad dash towards his home.

Soft voices awoke him slightly from his nap. At once he snarled deeply and quickly jumped to all fours, standing above the slumbering kittens. His eyes bled with the crimson of Kyuubi's power and the whiskers on his face deepened.

As fast as it happened it all disappeared when his hand lashed out and claws slashed at a protective barrier of sand. He was stunned; he smelled faint traces of blood, sun, and spices. He finally took in the forms before him, one topped with red and the other with pale violet eyes.

"GAARA!!! NEJI!!!" He shouted, wakening the kittens after he launched himself at the Kazekage.

Gaara said nothing, but actually cracked a smile. Neji snickered from behind him, pleased to see Naruto's happiness at seeing them.

"What are you guys here for?" He asked innocently, his fading red eyes questioned as he released Gaara from his hold and took them both in.

Neji spoke first since Gaara received the hug of hello. "Tsunade sent for us from the village outside of here after dealing with some of our rouge ninjas. Sand's that is. Apparently things are going to get really bad for you tonight. She wants us to help her and we also came because we want to make sure you'll get through this."

"Then you know…?"

Gaara nodded and spoke in a saddened formal tone. "We do… Shuukaku told me long before Tsunade and this current situation however. I came to express my concern since the demon I once held was hermaphroditic." His eyes were mainly focused on the small red kitten toying with his fingers.

Neji noticed the kittens as well. "Say… since when did you have pets?"

Our blonde friend smiled slightly, "Well… just got these two not to long ago. There were others, two were for Sakura and Lee. One I gave to Kakashi. There were six, but one disappeared…"

"I see…" Neji muttered as he picked the small creature up and allowed it to curl up on his shoulders.

"You can keep that one if you want. You see… once this whole ordeal is over I'm going to go on multiple missions and won't be able to take care of them…"

Gaara broke into a small smile as Neji's face lit at the idea of keeping the small cat. Before Neji would decline on his behalf he nodded.

"We thank you for such a gift as this Naruto…" His pale blue eyes expressing his emotion more than his voice.

"No problem. That one is pretty well behaved… more than this one…" He pointed to the Sasu-neko, which had curled up into his lap and fell back asleep.

"That is not the only reason why we have come here however." Spoke Neji when he was no longer distracted. "Tsunade also wanted us to deliver a message to you. She says to remember to came before seven tonight, preferably a half hour earlier than that. There are many things to be done before…"

The blonde nodded his head. "Alright I got ya. Tell her that I'll probably even show up earlier than that for just in case reasons…"

The couple nodded, each hugging the blonde before walking out to deliver the message and wait to see him at the tower later.

When he closed the door behind him, he yawned, still feeling sleepy. The visit was nice and boosted his level of happiness, but not enough. He plopped back onto the couch with a groan and curled up once more with the black kitten and slipped back into a dream.

He had returned home to a distraught Naru-neko. The small kitten had attempted to crawl behind the china cabinet, only to get stuck halfway through on the other side. The kitten was terrified and had broken one of its legs as it tried to force itself through.

Naru-neko was lucky that Sasuke found him when he did for the small kitten's life was slowly fading away. So, despite the fierceness of this small creature, he saved the kitten's life and rushed it over to the Inuzukas.

Even though they specialized in dogs, the Inuzukas ran a veterinary hospital. There he ran into Kiba and Hinata. He saw her flushed expression as Kiba fawned over her, making sure everything was ok for her before he left for another mission.

"Are you sure you want to work here today? I can tell my mom and maybe she'll take over for you."

"Kiba… I'll be fine. Besides, I already have the other women here fawning all over me to make sure I'll be ok."

"Positive?" He asked, still unsure if she would be ok.

"Yes." She kissed him softly and patted his arm. "Now go make some money on this mission, while I tend Sasuke's pet." She nodded in his direction and the small gasping bundle in his arm.

"Alright…" He sighed in defeat, giving her one last kiss and whispered promises to return safely, then left.

Hinata turned to Sasuke, her face redder than before. "I can help you now, Sasuke." She stumbled out.

Carefully, the hurt kitten was set on the table. "I think he broke his leg… while trying to escape from behind my china cabinet."

Hinata moved the blanket aside and her brow furrowed as she activated Byakugan. "It was an amazingly clean fracture…" She muttered in surprise and quickly gathered the kitten into her arms and ran into an operating room.

It took a half-hour of tension filled waiting before Hinata returned, drying her hands. She sighed and walked over towards him. Black eyes met her violet ones in a swirl of emotion.

"He'll be alright. I want to keep him overnight however and give him a checkup tomorrow morning." He nodded and she continued.

"I noticed that your little friend is malnourished and in need of vaccinations. So I would like to inform you of his diet until he gains back his proper weight. Other than that you got yourself one fine kitten there. May I ask where you got the little guy?"

Sasuke nodded. "Naruto found them in some alley a couple of days ago. I helped him with them and this guy wound up coming home with me."

"Have you given him a name yet?"

"No…"

"Well… while he's here you may think up a name for his registration and get him a license tomorrow."

Sasuke nodded. "May I go and come back later?"

Hinata nodded and watched as he left. She smiled and headed back to the small kitten, still on morphine and petted the tiny head. "I wonder what name you will receive?" she pondered before leaving to send Naruto a message.

Happy that the small demonic kitten would be fine, our dark-haired man ran towards the shopping center, hoping that the store would still have his desired item. He ran in, still looking calm and uncaring as he quickly scanned the store.

He spotted the item, carefully picking it up and examining it with a scrutinizing eye. He smirked and walked over to the check out and bought the item and had it wrapped in blue and black, topped with a red bow.

His dreams drifted through his fantasies of one black-haired man. His nose could smell the cool mixture of steel and vanilla. His cheek felt the ghost touch of his warm breath and his lips sparked in pleasure as he felt his lips on his own. It felt so real, so strong as he reveled in the sensations chasing up his spine and the tightening in his groin.

"Sasuke…" He gasped, noticing his eyes were closed and wanting to desperately see the face of his rival. He felt a slight fear that if he did, there would be nothing there and his heart would snap.

But he didn't want to enjoy a lie and opened his eyes, letting sharp blue conflict with jet black. He gasped when their lips met once more and a cool hand went beneath his shirt, caressing his smooth skin.

That seemed to jolt him into the reality of the situation. This was no dream at all, for if it was, the black eyed cat still next to him wouldn't be there. His eyes widened in fear, thoughts of Kyuubi's plan rushing through him.

"Teme!" He shouted and shoved against the broad shoulders of his teammate. "What are you doing?!" He growled, teeth bared as though Kyuubi had given him fangs.

"…" Sasuke said nothing as he himself tried to process his actions. Instead he grabbed Naruto's birthday gift and set it on the table and placed a note beside it.

Blue eyes watched each movement, narrowing upon the confused face of Sasuke. All his earlier anger forgotten as he looked at the box wrapped in expensive paper.

"Is that for me?"

Sasuke nodded once. "It is dobe. Today is your birthday is it not?" He asked with just a hint of sarcasm.

"I thought I never told anyone. How did you know?" He asked as he picked up the package and the note. With a deft movement, pale hands closed over the note and gestured for him to open the present first.

"Read the note later… when I have left." The blonde nodded and slide his finger under one taped fold and freed the box.

Even the box was beautiful and made of wood. He smiled as he took in the fine detail of the scenic sight of frolicking animals of the zodiac. He opened the latch and watched as a small piece of silk fluttered into his lap and revealed the content of the box.

Inside was another note to be read when Sasuke left inside of a bulky envelope. He set it aside and let his eyes gaze over the finest set of shuriken and kunai. They weren't meant for use, but decoration as each piece was detailed with a piece of Konoha's history.

He picked up each one, one was the story of the fire breathing dragon that once ruled these lands, one was of the founding of Konoha, and there was even one for Kyuubi's story. Tears filled his eyes at the lie this piece was, for he knew the real story, just like the Yondaime knew the real story.

He took that piece out of the box and handed it to Sasuke. "This piece is a lie. You can have this one if you would like, but I don't want it."

Sasuke took the piece in understanding. Then he finally spoke. "I can get the true story made if you would like…"

Naruto shook his head. "No… I don't think Kyuubi would enjoy that and the villagers may look at you as though possessed. Do whatever you wish with that piece."

Sasuke nodded. He slipped the weapon into his holster to put it out of sight and out of mind. He leaned in closer to the blonde, a look of unease on his face. Naruto couldn't help but suppress the shudder of excitement and need that flowed within him.

"What are the bags for?" Sasuke spoke, not commenting on the fact they were full of travel gear mixed with overnight items.

Naruto blanched visibly underneath his tanned flesh. "I got a mission for tomorrow… special one from Tsunade…"

Jet eyes narrowed in thought. "I thought we were to be given none for awhile…?"

"This is for… well a training thing."

Sasuke just nodded his head still staring at the bags, sensing a lie in the works. He decided to take what information he was given and live with that for now. His eyes narrowed slightly, focusing in on the troubled blonde before him.

The Kyuubi container gulped slightly, fearing that he was under to much suspicion from him. He watched as the Sasu-neko picked up the notes in its mouth and carried them over to his bags and climbed in. A certain tenseness in his step.

His attention refocused onto Sasuke, who was starting to lean in closer towards him. "Anou... Sasuke-teme... what are you doing?" Naruto leaned back into the couch, trying to keep a set pace in between them.

"..." Sasuke was silent for a moment, working on his inner strength to admit something to him. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he tried to form the ideal sentence in his mind. "I...I...lo..!"

Right when he almost finished his declaration, a howl rent the air. Eyes widened in shock and in fear as Naruto became enveloped in Kyuubi's power. He heard a rough voice, a mixture between the demon's and Naruto's cry out.

"Tiimmmeee...!"

Came the rough mixture of voices. Sasuke instinctively looked to a clock and read the time as being 6:49. Then snapped his head back as another cry tore itself free from the blonde's throat. "Take…mmmeeee…tttooo… Tsunade!"

Then the power faded back into Naruto's body and he crumpled towards the floor. Lost, confused, and terrified, Sasuke caught Naruto in one hand, made a few quick seals and teleported towards the tower.

x-x

"Naruto… what's going on… ?" He softly muttered when he looked into the still pain etched face when he arrived at the tower, blocking out the yells and shouts of Shizune and Tsunade.

Whenever a medic-nin or even Tsunade herself clam close to try and remove Naruto from his arms, he would tighten his grip and glare at all of them equally. It wasn't till Shizune hit a pressure point on his neck did he allow them to take Naruto away.

Tsunade sighed as she stood over the unconscious Uchiha and shake her head. "Shizune!" She barked towards her "sidekick". "Make sure he is put into the chamber…"

Shizune nodded, picking up the anguish the Hokage had felt at stating that one tiny line. She understood why, because that "chamber" was built to keep Naruto's power in and everyone else out.

She placed the prone figure on the soft sheets and silks she felt needed for his comfort on the floor. Grim and silent she placed an iron collar around his neck, arms, and legs. The chains attached to them allowed movement around the room, but not enough to allow him to leave.

She turned and left the room and headed back to Tsunade. "Job complete." She muttered in a mellow voice. Tsunade nodded, her face etched with worry. She looked to Shizune and sighed.

"Fetch the Kazekage for me please. Along with Neji. There is something I must ask them to do. Well… two things."

Shizune nodded and left the room as quickly as her feet would carry her. Tsunade sat down and looked out the window looking over all of Konoha. Her gaze turned towards the rock faces, mainly that of the Yondaime. "What were you thinking…?" She muttered and closed her eyes.

x-x

It was 7:30 when Gaara waltzed in with Neji at his side. Each party paid its customary greeting and Tsunade gestured to Gaara and Neji to take a seat. They could both feel the slight tension in the air from the importance of this meeting.

Pale blue eyes looked at Tsunade, trying to provoke her to speak, while pale violet eyes focused on her hands. Tsunade figeted slightly under both stares and let out a sigh. She rubbed her forehead in a quick circular motion to ease up the headache she was building.

"Well. You both may know one of the main reasons as to why I callled you here. I would like to discuss other matters with you as well concerning Naruto. When this night is over I would appreciate it if you may take him back with you to Suna. I have a feeling he himself will demand of it."

She paused, waiting to see Gaara's decision before she continued. The ex-demon container had his eyes closed in thought, seemingly battleing with the consequences of any descion. Finally the black-rimmed eyes snapped open.

"It would be no problem. Naruto is well known in Suna and would welcomed with open arms by the people. He would also help stregthen the ties between our two villages."

Neji nodded. "Even I, Neji of the Hyuuga clan will protect him."

"Thank you so much." Tsunade let out with a deep sigh. "If you would like, you may retire to your room and enjoy the rest of the night till dawn." She grinned as Neji and Gaara both flushed slightly at her teasing hint.

They were about to leave when Neji turned around. "I have something to ask." Tsunade waved for him to go ahead. "How is Hinata doing in her pregnancy?"

"She's perfectly healthy. I don't think Kiba would ever forgive himself if she so much as caught a cold he's been that attentive. Quiet adorable really." She mumbled.

"That's great to hear." The relief could be heard in Neji's voice. As always his mind thought of the data gathered by the medic-nins on kunoichi pregnancy. The demands placed on the female body by training, especially when still young, has resulted in 75 of them miscarrying during the first one. Some are even sterile and can't produce at all.

He thought about how Ino did get pregnant at one time, but she had no idea at the time she went on a mission and miscarried during the mission. Since that time she hasn't been the same and doesn't go on missions frequently.

He shook the thoughts from his head, bowed to Tsunade and boldly wrapped his arm through Gaara's with a warm, sad smile. Gaara knew what the smile meant and just briefly hugged his lover, silently choking back his emotions.

Ever since Shuukaku had been taken from his body, he felt this gapping hole despite his "bonds" with other people. It wasn't till awhile after he met Neji that he realized there would be something they both would not get to experience.

"I know we can't have our own children Gaara, but maybe we should instead adopt one of the many orphans of your village or my own? Preventing them from ever feeling the loneliness you and Naruto both experienced." Neji calmly got out, his mind focused in on a shelter he saw on their way into the village.

Gaara paused and thought the situation through. "That sounds like a wonderful solution." He hesitated a moment and continued, "Can we adopt three children from Konoha and three from Suna…"

Neji smiled warmly and with happiness. "We can adopt them all if you want. Or adopt some and donate money to fund the shelters."

Gaara nodded, his expression change from indifference to happiness as the two chattered away happily towards the village and the nearest shelter. In Konoha, everything stayed open longer due to over half the population being active ninjas, always on the move.

A/N: Heh... so next chappie there will be a lemon. so I forewarn you now that if you dislike lemons to not read the begining of the next chapter.