By now in Konoha, everyone knew Naruto was missing.

General consensus among those who hated him was that he'd run off with the ring and been captured then killed by the rogue nin.

Tsunade had sent Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, and Shikamaru to search for him as Kakashi was on a mission in the land of lightning following a tip that Sasuke had been sighted there.

"Lady Tsunade?" there was a light rap on the door.

"Come in," the godaime hokage sighed, her face etched with worry.

"Shikamaru has just returned. They found Naruto's clothes and ninja tools but no body and not your grandfather's necklace." Shizune quietly crossed the room to stand by her mentor.

"This doesn't feel right. Who would strip him bare and leave the clothes but take the body?" Tsunade asked. She was barely restraining herself from smashing her desk to pieces. Naruto was as good as her little brother, if he was missing it was like losing Nawaki again.

"It may have been one of Orochimaru's henchmen gathering test subjects. Naruto's case certainly is unique. No doubt Orochimaru would love to get his hands on him." Shizune speculated.

"That's too messy, even for Orochimaru. He wouldn't leave any traces because he doesn't want to be found." Tsunade shot the speculation down."No. Something's happened to Naruto and I intend to find out what."

Gaara, Naruto, and Naoki were once again in the desert. Using Naoki's memories and Naruto's sense of smell, they had struck gold: Naruto had discovered Sasuke's scent only an hour before. Gaara had further quickened the search by keeping the sands stilled so that Naruto was not constantly losing the scent.

Out of nowhere, kunai launched themselves at both jinchuriki.

"Damn!" Gaara yelled and sand rushed upward around him and Naruto both.

"Did you honestly believe we hadn't noticed you soaking the sand with chakra?" Kabuto asked, appearing right next to Naruto.

Naruto growled and snapped at Kabuto's ankle, earning him a swift kick that sent him flying to land at Gaara's feet.

"Bastard." Gaara growled, kneeling to scoop up Naruto gently.

"Why are you here anyway? Sasuke?" Kabuto asked. "Hadn't you learned from your fight with him, Naruto? How could you possibly expect to bring him back as a fox?"

Naruto snarled and attempted to wriggle free of Gaara's grasp.

"We didn't come for Sasuke." Gaara informed the medic nin coolly. "we have a favor to ask of orochimaru."

"Well. That's certainly a surprise. What kind of favor?" Kabuto straightened his glasses as if bored.

"We want Orochimaru to turn Naruto back into a human. I also believe you will recall my comrade, Naoki?" Gaara displayed the thumb Naoki's ring was occupying.

"Aahh~ so that's it. I'm sure we could make a deal." Kabuto pulled two strips of cloth from the pouch at his hip. "Of course, you'll understand if I blindfold you?"

Both jinchuriki nodded.

Once blindfolded, they were led to the lair. Gaara could tell the instant they arrived because he could no longer feel the shift of sand beneath his feet.

They walked for what felt like ten minutes before Kabuto removed the blindfolds. They were standing in a large room lit only by 6 torches: one per pillar supporting the ceiling which extended so far into the blackness above it could not be seen.

"Well if it isn't Gaara." a voice came suddenly from the shadows to Gaara's left.

"Now, now, Sasuke, they're guests." Orochimaru's chilly drawl replied.

"They? It's Gaara and a fox."

"Ah, but that fox is dear Naruto, and the ring is my old test subject Naoki."

Naruto stiffened as a tall sinister figure emerged into the glow of a torch.

"Hello, Orochimaru." Gaara said, the picture of serenity in this hurricane of emotions.

"Naoki, shame on you for doing such a thing to poor Naruto," Orochimaru said, feigning shock at Naruto's new form.

"Shut up you snakey bastard," Naoki growled.

"My, such harsh language from a guest to his host." Orochimaru said airily.

"Shush, Naoki." Gaara berated the nin.

"We want you to turn Naruto back into a human and to release Naoki's soul and give him his body back." Gaara told the snake-sannin.

"You should know I don't do things without a price," Orochimaru smirked.

"I will give you myself in exchange," Gaara said, and Naruto whined in his arms.

"What say you, Kabuto?" Orochimaru asked his student.

"It is an interesting offer indeed. We have not yet had the pleasure of experimenting on a jinchuriki." Kabuto sneered.

"Then, Lord Gaara, you have a deal."