~X~ .P. ~X~

POSSESSIVE

Chapter 6

The next evening when twilight was just setting in, almost a dozen limos had driven up to the house, and only then did Naruto finish getting ready. It was not that that he'd been over styling, or that he was running late; he had in fact been rather timely about the matter, and was choosing to only step down now. Kakashi drifted from his room to Naruto's and then to the balcony, where Itachi joined him, watching the guests flow by with light, airy giggles and chuckles. Beautiful women in flashing, draping, silky dresses; men dressed in dark suits with dull shirts and maybe a tie.

Itachi turned, catching a glimpse of Naruto—amazing, breathtaking, and far more beautiful then any of the others. His blonde hair seemed like it had just been treated at an expensive hairdressers', and his silky blue dress shirt, matching his eyes perfectly, was hanging perfectly, half open to reveal tan collar bones and a glimpse of chest. It wasn't tucked in, but instead, draping over his pants which looked perfect to shove his hands loosely into the pockets. He had a thin golden band on his right ring finger, and - and oh did this make the pair of slaves burst out laughing - he wore a golden stud, dotted with a sapphire in his right ear. The gay ear.

Itachi wore his clothes the same way, except he didn't have his shirt unbuttoned so far, the same as Kakashi, and both of them had a thin silver ring on their right hand, given to them by Naruto.

Finally, when it seemed that enough guests had arrived, Naruto threw them a dazzling grin before closing the doors to his room and descending down the stairs, Kakashi and Itachi a step behind him on either side.

Itachi could only guess how they looked, but it must've been a stunning sight, if the reaction was anything to go by as they emerged into the large room. It seemed even larger, not the opposite, now that it was full of well dressed people. Kakashi spoke, "Man, it's a small crowd tonight."

Itachi blinked, turning to glance at him incredulously. "You're kidding."

Kakashi smirked back. "Nope. When it's a full house, the gathering stretches out onto the exquisitely set up back yard, and because there's a lot more nobodies, the crowd is usually pressed about an extra meter away from us then they are now." Indeed, the crowd was parting for the prestigious blonde man and his comrades, but they weren't going entirely out of their way, showing that Kakashi was true, and they did hold themselves almost as high as the blonde.

Naruto appeared to be almost ignoring the crowd, and the pair stopped their discussion to raise their heads, steely eyes flashing, and Itachi smirked maliciously when the crowd did shift a further meter back. Naruto walked straight through the room, and though he didn't ignore anyone, nobody stepped forward to be ignored. He was going to the a back corner, Itachi had seen when they'd entered that there was an obscene amount of space back there and a few young people - also in just dress shirts - loitering there.

Kakashi leaned forward. "Naruto, I found Lady Hinata. She's with her father still, ten o'clock." Naruto smoothed into the turn, advancing towards the group that didn't step nearly as far out of the way as the rest. Don't get Naruto wrong, he wasn't a dictator walking through silent crowds, but the chatting rich people knew to give him room to walk, rather then to risk getting called out to move aside.

Naruto stopped in front of a tall man with long dark hair and pale eyes, a spitting younger image on his left, and a dazzlingly dressed young woman with long dark blue hair on his right, clad in a pale purple gown that hugged her impressive curves, a pale blue shawl wrapped around her shoulders, matching her eyes. She bowed her head respectfully with the other two. Naruto smiled pleasantly at the man when he raised his head. "Good evening, Hyuuga-san."

The man nodded stiffly. "Good evening, Namikaze-san." He glanced at Itachi, raising his nose to the air and Itachi glared back. Ten years ago, when the Uchiha's were the biggest slave tycoons in Japan, the Hyuuga's had been a very close rival. He had met the man before and did not like him. Hyuuga Hiashi was almost as uptight as his own father.

But Naruto seemed quickly to forget that he was in the powerful man's presence, because his attention slid to the young lady with a dazzling grin. "Hinata-chan! I had no idea you were coming. I believe you are an acquaintance of my friend, Nara Shikamaru?" Hinata was smiling shyly, head tilted downwards, but she nodded ever so slightly. "Wonderful, I was just going to meet him, would you care to join me?" He asked, crooking an arm out in her direction.

She looked up at her father sheepishly and he could do nothing other then nod. She took the arm smoothly, settling against his side as they moved away, without a word of farewell, back in the direction of the corner. As soon as the crowds had closed back in behind them, she reached a hand up curiously to touch his earring, and he smirked, watching from the corner of his eyes. "Naruto-kun, you're wearing the earring Temari and I bought you."

"Why wouldn't I? It suits both the occasion and this shirt," he answered, finally within view of the corner. Kakashi and Hinata both laughed at the answer, and Itachi found his lips pulling up despite the image he was attempting to throw at the crowd.

When they arrived at Naruto's destination, Itachi found the area was nearly roped off. The whole corner of the room, though not physically barred, was almost avoided by the guests, who gave it a birth of about three to four meters, keeping away from the group that resided there. Where all the other guests were highly valued business men and women, these guests were much younger. Naruto's friends, Itachi gathered, but whether friends because they attended these parties with parents, or friends attending the party, he couldn't tell. They were aged from his own age, twenty-six, down to Naruto's twenty, and possibly a little below.

There were five of them already there, and Hinata left Naruto's arm to descend into a couch next to the only other female, a busty woman with sandy blonde hair and harsh blue eyes, currently directing a glare at a brash looking, brown haired guy. She wore a purple dress but her jewellery consisted of thick gold chains, not dainty feminine ones, though they looked stunning on her tall, tanned physique. The one being glared at wore a dark brown dress shirt, wrinkled from improper care, and ragged dark jeans.

Where the women now sat, a lounge that rested in a slight alcove against the wall, the one that had been glared at, and another who dressed similarly but had red tattoos down his cheeks, had pulled a couch from further along the wall and situated facing inwards, towards the other couches.

Naruto gestured to a couch further away, but Kakashi had already grabbed Itachi's arm and gone after it. When they returned, dropping the couch that finalized the square, Naruto was conversing with a red haired man that sat in the other couch, though his aquamarine eyes had been watching Itachi carefully. Beside him was a more appropriately dressed man with brown hair, pulled back into a pointy pigtail.

Naruto sat down in the middle of the couch, Itachi sat on his left, further from Gaara and Shikamaru, closer to Kankurou and Kiba, opposing Hinata. Kakashi sat on the other side of the blonde, and only then did those unnerving, piercing greenish-blue eyes leave Itachi's and catch on the other man's. "Long time no see, Kakashi."

Kakashi nodded back. "Yes, Gaara, I trust you've been well?"

Gaara snorted. Perhaps it was not a usual occurrence, Itachi thought, because Kiba barked out a laugh. Naruto looked at him, blinking in feigned shock. "I see you smuggled the Dog in."

Kiba snarled, but the others laughed. Itachi smiled in the easy atmosphere, but Gaara caught his eye again and his smile dissolved. "Naruto," And his voice was cold, even. "You'll have to explain who this is." He almost demanded it. Itachi thought Naruto wouldn't respond well to the blunt command, but Naruto smiled at the man.

"Oh my, did I forget to mention?" His voice quirked as though the neglect had been intentional. He proceeded to introduce the whole group to Itachi. Itachi frowned; did the blonde not know social etiquette? By introducing them to him, he had said quite simply that he had a higher social status then they did, which obviously wasn't true. Naruto finished off with. "And this, guys, is the lovely little Class-A I purchased from Orochimaru's two weeks ago..." He paused for a moment, smirk flickering. Kiba was just beginning to let out a low whistle, but Naruto stopped it with his next sentence. "His name is Uchiha Itachi."

Several gasps rippled from the group and Itachi was careful to keep his face calm and unemotional. It was only a muttered phrase from Shikamaru to Temari "... the Shadow Weasel..." that made him flinch.

But Naruto was nodding sagely. They'd all heard Shikamaru's remark. "The one and only." He threw a glance at Itachi, the perceived words 'Yes, I knew you were the shadow weasel, thanks for lying' causing Itachi to glance away.

"Who's the Shadow Weasel?" Kiba asked, leaning around Kankurou to eye Itachi, who met his gaze with a hint of his own curiosity. "And is he related to Sasuke?"

Itachi gasped, missing Naruto's flinch. They know... "You know who Sasuke is?" Kiba reeled, a frown on his face. "Of course I know who he is! He's-"

"Kiba!" Not just Naruto, but Gaara, snapped, green eyes harsh. Under them, the Inuzuka quickly retreated. Itachi nearly glared at Naruto, appalled, but the blonde refused to meet his gaze.

"The Shadow Weasel..." Shikamaru began, calling everyone's attention. He glanced at Itachi, brows furrowed. "And do correct me if I'm wrong..." Itachi nodded, and Shikamaru let his gaze slide back to Kiba. "The Shadow Weasel is an Akatsuki legend. He joined Akatsuki when it founded, twelve years ago, and was the youngest member at fourteen. He was cut throat, and back in the day, his strength was just short of Pein's own."

Itachi listened closely, shocked more then once when mention of the notorious underground gang, and then the name of its leader, were spoken so casually, and were received without shock. These kids were gang members, with close ties to his old gang. Good or bad, he didn't know.

He glanced at Naruto. His legs were crossed, and he'd leant back, laying his arms along the back of the couch. Shikamaru paused as a waitress emerged from the horde, glasses of wine aligned on a silver platter. Everyone took one of the cherry red drinks, but Kakashi stood, disappearing after the waitress with a word about 'Finding Kushina' and 'Have fun, kids'.

"... We don't know an awful lot about Itachi, the information kind of peters out after the Uchiha accident, when he was sold into slavery." He shrugged, leaning back into his chair. "We have a list of owners he's been through, though, right up to Orochimaru. That's about it." His eyes slid discreetly to Naruto, who nodded. That was enough information.

"So... are you all part of Naruto's gang then?" Itachi asked, curious despite himself, as he savoured the well seasoned drink in hand.

Kiba snorted, the girls giggled, Naruto shaking his head good naturedly. It was Gaara who spoke up, leaning forward to hold Itachi's eyes, mocking smirk on his lips. "We are all members of Bijuu, yes, but I lead, not Naruto."

Itachi blinked, shocked rippling through his dark eyes. But he was quick to shake his head, a smirk on his lips at the joke. "I don't believe it."

Naruto laughed, shaking his head quickly when Itachi turned to him, tipping his glass back to hide his smile. Gaara shook his head at his friend. "Believe it. Naruto could've been a great gang leader, but he doesn't want to lead. So he fights, and he doesn't do anything else."

"Lazy ass," Kiba shot. Hinata giggled, before reaching over to slap at his knee with a soft 'oh shush'. He pouted, and the corner burst into laughter at the ridiculous look, even Itachi participating. The wine must be rather potent.

"Oh my, doesn't this gathering sound like fun?" A smooth, feminine voice sailed over the couch. Itachi, sipping on his wine, spluttered and jumped up and away to spin around, nearly giving himself whiplash. He briefly glimpsed that Naruto had jolted, and was blotting at his pants with a handkerchief whipped from his pocket. However, his gaze was quickly pulled to the woman who watched from over the couch with a lopsided smirk on her face, short blue hair the same colour as her silky dress, over which a white, thin fashionable jacket was draped.

In fact, almost all of 'Bijuu' had been startled by her sudden appearance, but quickly strove to relax. Naruto sighed, putting his handkerchief away. "Well done, Konan. I trust you've been well. Did you really have to startle Itachi like that?"

She smiled at the blonde, leaning over the back of the couch to place a gentle kiss on his cheek, which he grudgingly leant into. Itachi took a further step back, this time trying to regain composure as he sipped at his wine. Her gaze flew up to his. "Yes, I knew he was there. It's good to see you again, Itachi. Come here." She beckoned him forward, and he came rather reluctantly, letting her plant a kiss on his cheek as well.

Naruto rolled his eyes at the panicked look Itachi sent him. "She's not here as an Akatsuki member. She happens to be an old friend of my mother's. We get on well enough so long as there aren't any other Akatsuki around."

Itachi relaxed a bit more, smiling at the woman, who smiled back. "There you go, all better now, right? I bet you thought I was here on Pein's behalf to kill you." She frowned, catching Naruto's eyes as he sipped morosely at his wine, mood depleted. "You did know that, right? That Pein wants' your new boy toy dead?"

Naruto shrugged. "I guessed as much." Konan smiled, stepping round to stand between Itachi and Kankurou, and said hello to everyone from there. By the time her eyes came back to Itachi, Naruto had looped an arm around his back, attempting to calm the stiff man.

"Oh, you look so cosy, Itachi! Found a little something special in Naruto did we?" she grinned, easily, despite the rival gang that surrounded her.

Itachi tensed up again and the blonde clicked his tongue, rubbing circles into the man's arm, before sipping his drink again. "Leave him alone, Konan. Can't you see he's on edge around you?"

If there was a hint that she should leave in that sentence, she ignored it. "Ah, but he looks so cute, Naruto. More handsome, since he's grown up." She frowned dramatically. "I just hope he hasn't gotten too comfortable... You do know you're not the first Class-A male Naruto's bought, right?"

Itachi frowned as the blonde stiffened beside him. Really, it wasn't a surprising fact, nor was it detrimental to their relationship... But Gaara was on his feet, rage paling his face as he glared sourly at the woman. "How... dare..."

But then Naruto moved, faster then Itachi could anticipate, and he was in front of her. A hand, oh so softly, rested against her neck, a thumb brushing the underside of her chin. There was so much threat in the move, that even if the rest of Bijuu didn't know why the response was provoked, they were half up on their feet, reaching for weapons they didn't have. Naruto spoke, voice as chilly as the atmosphere, "Who do you think you are?"

Konan, despite her calmness prior, was feeling the effects of his fierce gaze, his not so gentle threat and his harsh voice. "I didn't... I was just..." She thought she'd known what she was doing. She was expecting a reaction, but nothing like this. Itachi watched, wide eyed and half risen from his chair, as she quivered under his hand. "I just wanted to see if he knew about the original Bijuu."

Gaara appeared, his hand catching Naruto's other arm, and the hand on her neck twitched. "Let her go, Naruto." There were several tense moments where no one moved. Finally Naruto let his hand slide down her neck, almost a caress, before pulling it away, turning past Gaara and falling back into his chair. Itachi, now able to see him properly, almost wished he couldn't see the furiously burning ice blue orbs. He was much more angry then even the fight's with his father had induced two weeks past.

Gaara sighed, like the greatest crisis in the world had been evaded, and returned to his seat. The rest of Bijuu settled. Konan stumbled back a few steps, nearly sobbing as she panted. As if timed, the waitress returned. Several glasses were empty, which she re-filled. Several others saw the need for alcohol, downed what was left, and held their glasses out for more.

After she'd left, Kiba leant forward, coughed awkwardly, and asked a question that was on most of their lips. "Original Bijuu?" Naruto snapped a glare in his direction and he gulped, reeling back to the relative safety of the couch. Itachi leant away from Naruto. Here, once again, he'd been confronted by the dangerous blonde, and it, quite frankly, scared him.

Gaara sighed, before catching hold oft Naruto's gaze. "It is something they need to hear."

"Since when?" Naruto snarled.

"Since now." Gaara glared. "And I don't want to sit here and tell it, neither do you. She..." The word was spat, contemptuously. "Knows it. She has to, she's Akatsuki." Naruto glared bitterly, but didn't say anything, so he turned to the woman. "Well?"

"Yes..." She coughed, clearing her throat, and spoke again. "Yes, I know the story. I could recount it..."

Naruto jumped up. "I hope you don't expect me to sit here and listen." He glanced at her, and she dropped her gaze, sufficiently cowed by his display tonight.

Gaara nodded. "Quite right. But it is something they should here, isn't it? At the very least, your boy doesn't know about Bijuu at all." Gaara thrust his chin at Itachi, and Naruto finally looked at him. Those fiery eyes dropped in temperature for a moment as he sighed.

He leant towards him, leaning an arm against the lounge to steady himself. "I'll ask that you sit patiently and listen to whatever story Konan tells you. Gaara and I will be back once she's done." With that he pulled away, picked up his drink (carefully placed on the floor at some point) and left without a backwards glance, Gaara following after him.

~X~ .P. ~X~

Naruto and Gaara disappeared into the crowds quickly, not wanting to hear the name that would undoubtedly float from Konan's lips, or deal with the reality it carried. They passed a waitress carrying a tray of champagne, and swapped in their empty glasses.

With distance between them and Konan, and a bubbly drink in hand, Naruto chucked Gaara a warm smile. "Now you know how to save a life." He sing songed the twisted words of the famous song. Gaara shook his head, smiling himself.

"What, you mean save them from your wrath?" he asked, poking the man in the ribs. "Really, Naruto, she was trying to get a rise out of you."

"And she got one out of both of us. I'm surprised you didn't cut her down first." He smirked maliciously, eyes lit up in delight. Gaara laughed, a comfortable thing around Naruto. "Doesn't matter, anyway. I need to have a word with Sakura before we sneak out back, so help me find Our Lady Bubblegum."

They glanced around at the milling crowds, and Gaara spotted a head of pink. He pointed it out, and the pair bee lined for it. It turned out to be Akane, however, but Naruto was still smooth as he walked towards her. "Good evening, Akane. I trust you're well?"

She chimed a laugh, turning to them. "Indeed, Naruto. I trust you're the same."

"Naturally," Naruto purred. Gaara had always envied Naruto's smooth tongue; he could be polite to anyone. He was comforted, however, when he remembered that it was just an exceptional form of ass-kissing. "My lady, we're looking for your daughter, do you know where she is?"

Akane thought for a moment, glancing about with swishes of her long, pink hair. "Why, I do believe she is over there, Naruto, conversing with that young serving boy. Do retrieve her from such a low level conversation, would you dear?"

"Of course. Until next time, Akane." Naruto bowed shortly, leaving no question over his Japanese heritage, and turned from her. Gaara nodded, without a word, following his friend.

He came up behind Sakura, brushing his hand over her arm as he stepped close, leaning in to whisper in her ear. He kept one eye on the serving boy, who fumed at being interrupted during his chance to talk to the high class girl. Sakura nodded, and flipped a hand at the boy, suddenly bored of him. He left with a harrumph, and Naruto guided the girl to the side of the room where they could talk a bit more privately. Gaara hovered nearby, eyes catching sight of a slight, shy brunette.

"We have a problem."

"You said as much, Naruto, really. What is it?" she watched him irritably, almost scowling.

"Minato is considering accepting your engagement proposal on my behalf, forcing me to marry you," Naruto said calmly, almost bored.

It was her who was shocked, her eyes widening comically as she stifled a gasp. "He can't do that! He can't force you to-"

He interrupted, "He'll try. He'll call Akane and arrange something."

"Okay, Okay, I hear you. Sheesh, and here I was thinking everything was right with the world…" His eyes flickered darkly, but she didn't notice. "Okay, I suppose I'll tell mother about Sasuke, or maybe I'll just tell her that we don't like each other. Gah! I'll think of something! Jeez, this is such a pain…"

He shrugged, stepping away from her. "It really doesn't matter to me what you do. But I'm just as threatened by the trick he's trying to pull, and I don't like being threatened. Talk to Akane as soon as you can, she needs to know that collaborating with Minato isn't going to work if we both don't want to get married." He shook his head. "Don't let her bite your head off for it though. Sasuke will quite literally kill me if he hears' that it's my fault."

She smiled up at him cheekily. "Awh, don't worry Naruto, I won't let Sasuke eat you." She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for the heads up."

"No problem. Later Bubblegum." He grinned at her, turning away.

"Bye Naruto, bye Gaara." Gaara nodded at her, turning to follow Naruto.

"I really don't know how you can tolerate her."

Naruto threw him a glance. "I've known her for so long that she's like a little sister to me. I can't help it if she happens to like my enemy. And if he likes her back, I wish them the best. It's really going to throw our parents for a loop, though, to find neither of us wanted to marry the other."

"I still don't know why you pretended like that," Gaara replied, frowning to find Naruto had switched from ambling through the crowds, to a purposeful gait.

Naruto was frowning. "A story for another time, Gaara." He lifted a hand in the air, and a friendly smile appeared on his face. "Orochimaru, a word!" he called.

The dark haired man turned away from his acquaintances, who drifted away nervously when they saw who was coming. He seemed irritated, but only for a moment, and threw up a friendly face that mimicked Naruto's, but wasn't as good.

"Ah, Naruto, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, sipping at his wine as he waited for the blonde to finish making his way toward him. Naruto kept his fake smile in place right up until the moment he whipped a hand out for the man's collar, dragging him close and lifting, despite the fact that he wasn't any taller then the man.

Orochimaru's facade of cheer dropped as well and he glared at the blonde, who met it. "Orochimaru... since when has it been custom for you to go preaching about your latest sales?"

"I don't know what you-" he began, but Naruto shook him.

"Oh, I think you do. You personally told one Uchiha Sasuke that I'd purchased his brother." Naruto scowled. Behind him, Gaara stood imposingly, glaring at the man. Warily, he realized that the crowds around had seen what was happening and were exclaiming.

Orochimaru pulled his hand up, painstakingly removing Naruto's fist from his dress shirt and jacket. "The young Uchiha happens to be a... friend, of mine, and he'd asked that I kept him informed of matters regarding his brother." He smoothed out his jacket, before snapping at the blonde. "You really shouldn't attack guests, Naruto. So rude."

Naruto didn't even regard the comment, still glaring at the man. "You would do wise to keep your quiet over any business you have with me, despite how vainly I wish that there never is any business to begin with."

"Is that a threat?" Orochimaru snarled, rising to his full height, attempting to be imposing.

"Yes. And you know I'm good for it." Naruto smirked, eyes eerily alight with bloodlust, but Gaara caught his arm, and the pair left, leaving Orochimaru to fume silently at the dealt insults.

"You are every bit a fool, Namikaze Naruto, just like your father."

~X~ .P. ~X~

"And… they're gone." Konan sighed as Naruto and Gaara disappeared into the crowds. She slipped into the vacant spot beside Itachi with a huff. "A story, eh?" She glanced at Shikamaru. "Are you going to be able to help?"

He shook his head. "I only know that there was an original Bijuu."

"Well then… where to begin?" she coughed, clearing her throat as if to give a long speech. "Ah, yes! The other Class-A…" She grinned. "My lovely best friend, Kushina, had heard that her ex-husband was going to start bringing their twelve year old son to Orochimaru's slave auctions. So, she decided to go along. A law was just being passed around this time that would make it illegal to sell or buy Class-A's younger then the age of 16, so people were selling them off while they could. Minato brought Kushina and Naruto to a Class-A auction almost without realising. He did, of course, understand when Kushina tactfully announced that it would be best if they take Naruto and go, immediately. But then Naruto pointed at the stage, or so Kushina's story goes, and said. "Look, Okaa-san, that boy's so pretty!"

"He was stubborn at that age, and absolutely refused to leave the boy there. Kushina swiftly swooped in and got the highest bid, and they took young Haku back to the Namikaze mansion." She gestured around at the ball room they were in. Bijuu, as well as Itachi, were listening intently. "Minato had a stern talking to the little boy, obviously about 'all those things you've learned, you're not to use on Naruto!' and stuff to that extent. Then Haku was given the room right next to Naruto's own, and Kushina put the pair to bed before driving home." She shrugged. "All was good. They were best friends, just like that. Shy little Haku, and ambitious Naruto. Minato, both the master and, in a way, the boy's guardian, ended up sending the kid to school with Naruto."

She took a deep breath, frowning in her attempt to coordinate her thoughts. "About a year and a half later, January of the year they would turn fourteen, Naruto, Gaara, Haku and seven others formed Bijuu. They were the youngest, and the others were already a half formed group of people. They didn't step onto the Scene—" Referring to the underground, or gang, life. "—until the end of February. God Itachi," She turned to him, eyes alight. "You should have seen them. Ten of 'em, just like Akatsuki! They gave us a run for our money! Having nearly children, we thought they were going to be easy, but no! For seven whole months, they rivalled us. They became the second strongest gang, or so Pandemonium votes said."

She shook her head. "They never managed to kill any of us and we never managed to kill any of them, that was how bad the stalemate was." Itachi's jaw had dropped, watching her with wide eyes, and he knew the others weren't in much of a better state. "And they worked just like us, too! Teams! Can you believe it? Haku and Gaara, Naruto and this other woman… God, you should've seen it. Anyway…"

She frowned sadly. "It was only seven months. Haku was like a pillar for them all. They were like us in more ways then one, they all had reasons to be in a gang, and Haku was sunlight and fresh air for all of them. But, in October, he passed away. Just like that. It'd been really cold, maybe he'd caught something, I never got the full details but… he died."

Hinata gasped, Temari gripping her hand tightly in reassurance. Konan nodded at them. "Yeah, I know. Bijuu's back bone had been broken, the rug pulled out from under them. They disbanded. Naruto, Gaara and two others stayed in the city, the rest left to ply their misery in other cities."

"We were angry at them, Itachi, they'd shot our reputation to shit, implying we couldn't even take care of a bunch of brats and their caretakers. During the very next year, we'd tracked down one of the members, and wiped out his new gang. The year after, we got another one. At the same time, one of the ones who'd stayed was killed locally."

"That was when Gaara created this new Bijuu. It was Temari, Shikamaru, Kankurou, Hinata and Gaara himself. Naruto didn't want to join. But after a month on the Scene, a small scuffle with… Kyouka? Yeah, a scuffle with Kyouka seriously wounded Gaara. After that, Naruto was always fighting with them. Soon after, Kiba joined." She nodded to the kids when she mentioned them.

"After this, one of the women killed herself, and one of the other men ran right into our arms – Both killed. Then, two years ago, Taka arrived on the scene, and now Bijuu II fights with them more then us." She smiled sadly.

"If you haven't been keeping track, there's only four members of the original Bijuu left, including Naruto and Gaara." She shook her head. "It's kinda sad, really." She shut up then, sipping her wine, eyes downcast and tormented.

Itachi looked up, glancing around at the faces of Bijuu, seeing them in a new light. These were the people Garra had scrambled together to get back into the older days of Bijuu, including his siblings. But really, the story about Haku, he couldn't imagine how Naruto must've felt to lose him, and then for the others to drop away like flies around him. For himself, it'd been a one hit kill for his family, he hadn't even been present. Once again, a new light had been shone on the blonde boy.

"Go on..."

~X~ .P. ~X~

Author's Note: Chapter 6. Cool eh? But, slightly bad news: you're looking at more and more delayed updates. We've finally caught up with what I've actually written, and I'm kind of going through a tiny bit of Writer's block on this one part of the next chapter so… Not next weekend, the one after. Not much later. Sorry.

To an oh-so-faithful reviewer, Felnore: I'm sorry, there's not much action in this chapter either. It's cold, hard Information and plot build ups. On another note, I said Minato gets worse, and a lot of you commented on it… He doesn't, in essence, get worse, he just makes a very, very bad, ill educated decision… Kinda deadly, not really… Meh. On a side note, Narya Vilya got it right on the nose! He/She (Love ya really) Figured out who the mysterious, ever elusive main baddy is! Three Cheers! *Gives Cookie*

Weapons are amazing. I didn't necessarily research for them, but I did expand my knowledge on them. From the previous chapter, the guns (Beretta 92's and the Jericho 941 or 'Baby Eagle') are nothing extra special, they just look really good. The knives are smooth and black (KA-BAR's) and I needed Naruto to like knives because he has an aversion to guns (You'll see). And the PTRD-41 anti-tank rifle was shamelessly stolen from the Anime 'Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini'. Suou Pavlichenko, a main character, uses it often.

The Votes are closed, I've decided. This a graphic, lemon coloured story, with a surplus of hardcore scenes (When I finally get them to that part), and its main side pairing is officially SuigetsuXSasuke. Let's all send prayers to my Beta that she'll edit whatever hard core scene pops up.

And, someone asked about Kakashi's flinch in the last chapter. As a rule, and this rule was made before he encountered Itachi, but the only Uchiha's Naruto knew before him were… evil. Ruthless. Insane. So, as a general rule, Naruto DOES NOT like Uchiha's. Hence, it would be an insult for him to say, "Just act like an Uchiha."

~ Enna Scarlet Rose

Hey, everyone, thanks for reading~! And like the wonderful authoress said at the end of last chapter, I don't know what's going to happen anymore than you all do, so~ actually...I didn't have a point to that XD just review ^_^

~ Lord Rebecca-Sama