Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto

Edited: up to chapter 11 I have updated all the chapters up to chapter eleven "The Chūnin Exams Begin".

Author's note: Thanks to everyone for reading!Answer to the reviews are at the bottom.

I think my writer's block is gone. I am going to enjoy this as long as it lasts! So I actually thought of waiting a little before updating, but then I decided "What the hell!" and here I am. I am actually very happy because I've reached +100 favourites and alerts, and it's a delightfully sweet milestone! Thanks to everyone for showing your support! I hope you enjoy the chapter... here we go:

MEETING DEMONS

May 13th, 215 – Katora Residence, Garden

Naruto had spent the last few days preparing for his 'chat' with the Kyūbi.

"You should see the bright side." Akimi had told him. "This is great practice for when you'll have to deal with all that boring diplomacy once you are Hokage."

Naruto had smiled at her blind faith in him, before saying: "But then I'll have you at my side as advisor, no?"

"True. But there will be times I can't be at your side... what I can do, though, is working with you on your diplomatic/persuasive skills."

He had chuckled. "You have been trying to do that since we first met."

"Well, before this you really didn't have a reason to listen." she had smirked at him. "Now, I think the first thing you should know..."

Jiraiya had also helped him, pointing out the little he knew about the great demon. The old sage had seemed really uncomfortable and shifty with the whole thing. Both Akimi and Naruto believed that he was hiding something.

It was not use thinking about it now, Naruto told himself. It was, after all, time.

"Naruto." Jiraiya said to him, just as the blonde sat down to commence the 'experiment'. "Remember that you are the lord of your mindscape. If things get tough, just will yourself out."

"Nah, Ero-sennin, I'll be fine." he took a deep breath, just as Akimi sat down in front of him, an encouraging smile on her lips. "Besides, it may take a while to get there in the first place."

The last thing he saw was the Sannin crossing his arms, his face strangely serious, before he closed his eyes and started with the series of breathing exercises Akimi had taught him so many years ago. Instead of focusing on his own chakra as he usually did, he tried to find that small part of foreign chakra that belonged to the fox. He focused on his belly where the seal was, imagining the lines of the bloody thing, which he knew very well from the time he and Akimi studied it to figure out what it was. The seal that held the mighty Kyūbi no Kitsune. The seal that was a prison for him as much as it was for the fox.

Then – he didn't know how much time had passed – he suddenly felt himself falling. He harshly landed on a stone floor, managing to cushion most of the impact thanks to his reflexes.

'The first thing one should know about mindscapes, is that one can be armed in there as much as in the real world. If not death, then a coma is a likely consequence of any serious damage gotten there. Thus, I urge you to be extremely careful when tampering with mindscapes and...' So the book Akimi had given him stated. As Naruto massaged his sore knees, he realised it was very true.

He flexed his fingers. It was just like in the real world. He tried to call on his chakra as well, once again he didn't feel any changes. Even the familiar constant tingle of his Loyalty Seal with Akimi was there. It was interesting. He had to tell her.

'I must be particularly careful. This mindscape is mainly my own, yes, but also Kyūbi's. The only problem is determine how much power I really have here.' Naruto looked around. It was very dark, he could barely see. The floor looked wet. 'Well, I must be careful not to trip, but at least I can use Suiton. Right, I'm not here to fight.'

He sharpened his senses. He could hear the noise of dripping water. "It's a sewer." he murmured. "I didn't think I was so fucked up." Unless the mindscape was more a representation of the relationship between him and Kyūbi, rather that his inner self. It wasn't really a good omen.

With a sigh, Naruto walked towards the sound, where he could also see a faint, reddish glow. His guts told him it was the right direction. He was right. Soon he founded himself in front of an huge gate made of metal bars. He saw a small paper tag with the Kanji for 'Seal', before hearing the almighty roar.

"And so my jailer has finally graced me with his presence!"

Before he could blink, Naruto saw the huge outline of a nine orange tails, followed by the appearance of a giant mouth. As the mighty Kyūbi growled at him, he struggled not to wince in fear. Blood red eyes lit up in the darkness. The demon was the embodiment of darkness, power and hate. Naruto had prepared for this moment, had know what he was going to do... but he did not expect of freeze in fear.

"What do you want, midget? Why do you dare disturb me?" the fox growled.

Naruto gulped.

'You have one advantage. While it's true that being able to use Kyūbi's chakra would be a great asset to you, you don't really need it. So, even if the talk doesn't go well, you can just turn and get away without any repercussion.' Jiraiya had said.

'If you manage to put yourself in your interlocutor's shoes and predicts what he really wants, you already have a great advantage. Consider that the Kyūbi is a huge amass of malevolent chakra, which was said to appear whenever humans got too wicked and evil. Its arrival was the herald of destruction. How do you think it will feel after being imprisoned for 13 years? It will be bitter, it will hate you. It will try to manipulate you to get free. It wants freedom. Always remember this.' Akimi had said.

"I have come to collect rent, bloody fox!" Naruto shouted, as loud mouthed as he could. "And you will pay, dattebayo!" So much for his lessons in diplomacy!

The demon laughed. The sound was both terrifying and deafening. "Ahahaha! Do you know who I am, boy? I am the Kyūbi no Yoko! Who do you think you are to demand anything from me?" the beast clashed forcefully against the gate, its mighty claws getting between the bars and stopping an inch from Naruto. "Come closer, I'll eat you, you little punk!"

Suddenly Naruto felt an eerie calm and he did step forward. "The mighty Kyūbi no Yoko... stopped by a mere piece of paper. Maybe I don't need your power after all." he smirked.

"WHAT? HOW DARE YOU?"

"Listen, fox, we are stuck with each other, that's much is clear..." the lessons were coming back. First, state what can't be changed. Then, subtly say what you want. "I know you hate me, but we are linked. I die, you die. You may as well help me... I am not saying you have to like it. Hell, I don't like it."

"Bah, you are a week, pathetic human. Why else would you be here begging for my help?"

"I am not begging." Naruto forcefully said. "I didn't ask for you to be placed in me. But I have to live with it. I'm trying to get the best from this situation."

"Best? Of course it would be best for you to use my chakra, but what good would it come from it for me, eh!? I may as well make you life hell as long as I am here, don't you think?"

"Oh, don't worry. You already have done so. But I overcame it. Does it annoy you?"

Kyūbi growled. "You damn brat!"

"Listen, fox. It was not my fault you attacked Konoha: it was your own choice. Nobody forced you, no? Now you have to live with it!"

"How stupid you are? YOU KNOW NOTHING! DON'T TALK OF SOMETHING YOU DON'T UNDESERSTAND, GAKI!"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. 'So what? It didn't attack Konoha on its own volition?'

"I have been imprisoned for decades! Do you think I'll have you mock me like this? And do you expect me to lend YOU power, just like that!?"

'Decades? I am not that old... could it be...?' "Well, I did not say it would be for free." Naruto shrugged. "I am here to deal with you, after all. So, what do you want in exchange?"

Kyūbi almost looked surprised, then he roared again. "Rip that paper off!" the huge, demonic mouth smirked. "And I'll give you ALL the power you want!"

"Do I look stupid? You know I am not going to rip that seal. EVER!"

"Then forget my chakra, midget!"

Naruto shrugged. "Fair enough." he turned towards the exit. "It's a pity though. Maybe we could have come to an agreement... after all this sewer isn't the best place to live in, is it?"

He received a growl in answer. "Like you would care, human! I am only a demon to you, you probably think I deserve this!"

"I do." Naruto faced the demon once again. "You have killed too many people and caused too much destruction. I don't know why, and frankly I don't care, nor I think you would explain yourself to me. It doesn't mean I can't understand your predicament. No body, not even the more despicable being, would like to be imprisoned. No matter how much it deserves it or not."

Kyūbi snarled again. "Are you really willing to change this place?"

"Are you?" Naruto asked. "I don't think this place simply reflects myself. You live here, after all, and you have your own mind..." he stopped, as if suddenly comprehending something. "Do you have a name?"

"You...!" Kyūbi sneered. "Why do you ask?"

"I know how powerful names can be. I just realised it. You have your own mind, your own thoughts and emotions. You must have a name as well."

"And?"

"Well, we are struck with each other, no? I may as well know how to call you, furball."

"You have guts, human! I'm impressed: you may be worth the trouble of loaning you my chakra." Kyūbi snarled. "And perhaps I'll tell you my name... in a while."

"Well then, how the hell do I change this place?" And just as he talked, the walls around him melted. "What...?"

"It's already started, midget." Kyūbi growled.

"You may as well remember. My name is Uzumaki Naruto." the blonde smirked. "Future Hokage of Konoha! Until next time... enjoy your new home!"

Akimi was staring at him, her gaze concerned, her fist clenched and her body ready to leap in action. She immediately saw the change in his breathing, just as he opened his eyes. A pair of familiar, warm blue irises greeted her.

She sighed in relief, before smiling at him. He smiled back, then assumed a goofy, somewhat smug expression.

"It went well then." Akimi said.

Jiraiya was still looking troubled. "Did it, kid?"

"Yes! In reality Kyūbi is just a big old softie... he consented and we even hugged!" he heard a growl from his belly. "Joking."

Akimi was behind him in one second, swatting him hard. "Baka! Be serious!"

"It went... ehm, kind of well, right? At the beginning it only wanted to eat me, but in the end I agreed to change the mindscape – which was a stinking sewer, by the way – and it said it would lend me chakra. It also said it may tell me his name."

"Kyūbi has a name?" Jiraiya asked, surprised.

"Of course it has!" Akimi exclaimed. "How could it not? It's sentient! It's alive. The fact that it is malevolent, wicked and whatever is irrelevant."

"It actually seemed surprised I asked him about it." Naruto smiled sheepishly. "I think that's what convinced it in the end."

Jiraiya frowned. "Did it say something else?"

"Nothing special! The usual insult and death threat, you know..." Naruto jumped on his feet. "Enough talking, I'm hungry! Dattebayo!"

"I think that meeting a giant, ancient demon qualifies as an excuse to visit Teuchi-san. My treat." Akimi said. "Let's..." she hadn't even finished to talk that the boy Sunshined away. "... go."

Naruto dropped the empty bowl on the counter, making the sticks tilting against it. He let out a satisfied sigh, holding his belly with both hands. He was so pleasantly stuffed.

"Twenty-six." Akimi said from beside him, closing her book. She had finished her meal long before him, considering she had limited herself to the more normal choice of two bowls. "That's a new record for you."

Naruto burped a little, causing her to glare at him. He smiled sheepishly. "You try meet a... well, you get my meaning. I needed energy to recuperate." he looked around. "Where the hell is Ero-sennin?"

"He left somewhere between your tenth and eleventh bowl." she shrugged. "Said he had something important to do."

"So he is probably at the hot springs right now."

The duo giggled.

"Do you want something else, guys?" Ayame asked kindly from behind the counter.

"I don't think there is room for any." Naruto said, sighing.

"Now that's something we never thought we would hear." Akimi laughed. "Just the bill, Ayame, thank you."

The waitress nodded, disappearing in the back.

"I am almost afraid to see the number on that piece of paper..." Akimi observed. Her prevision was correct. "... damn it, 'to-kun, you are really bottomless."

Naruto laughed sheepishly. "It was a exceptional occasion, you know." he said. "Tell you what... I'll bring you home myself to make it up to you."

"What?"

"Ayame, old man, thanks for the meal. See you!" the blonde shouted.

"See you!"

"What are you doi..." Akimi was interrupted by Naruto sweeping her in his arms, before Sunshining away.

They landed in the garden, but the sudden movement made Akimi lose her balance. The two teens fell together on the ground, entitling with each other in the process.

"A little warning next time, 'to-kun." she murmured, a little baffled.

"But I did warn you." Naruto smirked, putting a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "You just didn't catch it."

"Naruto!" she attempted to playfully punch him, but he easily stopped the blow in his hand.

That started one of their familiar wrestling matches, that ended with them suffocating their laughter in a heated kiss. Eventually, they parted and smiled at each other, a little breathless.

"I hate to ruin the moment." Akimi murmured. "But I feel we must talk about what happened earlier."

"I knew you were going to say that." Naruto got off her and sat on the ground. "I just felt really uncomfortable going into details with Ero-sennin there."

Akimi raised an eyebrow at him.

"I guess your paranoia rubbed off me." Naruto smirked a little. "Something was really strange... with Kyūbi I mean."

"How so?"

"First, did I mention the mindscape was a sewer, yes?" Naruto asked. She nodded. "It was really depressing. And then Kyūbi was... more imposing that I thought. I almost froze on the spot."

"But then I bet you opened your usual loud mouth and insulted it."

"Of course I did." Naruto said. "Which probably wasn't the brightest move."

"You don't say!"

"But then I got better. I said that we were struck with each other, so we should as well cooperate... but Kyūbi didn't listen. So we started arguing and..."

"Yes?"

"I told the fox that it wasn't my fault it attacked Konoha. It got so angry... saying that I shouldn't talk of things I didn't know anything about."

"You mean you think it hasn't attacked willingly?" Akimi asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Which has completely confused me. I mean, if it hasn't attacked willingly then I guess I'm probably wrong blaming it for my shitty childhood."

Akimi nodded. "It could be a good point to raise if you ever have to negotiate with it again. But I fear there is something else, is it?"

"It said also 'you can't understand what is like to be imprisoned for decades.' Decades."

"Oh." Akimi exclaimed, even more taken aback. "But there is no mention of a Kyūbi's container before you in the scrolls Sandaime-sama gave us."

Naruto shrugged. "I know. Curious, isn't it?. Maybe it didn't really mean it, but..."

"This is so strange." Akimi scratched her head. "I've always wondered why Kyūbi attacked. Why? The story the Academy tells doesn't mention half a reason. And if it did, considering how well it has got the rest down..."

"... you wouldn't believe it. But can we trust Kyūbi either?"

"Probably not." Akimi replied. "But Kyūbi seems to be the only one to give us some answers. So we have two options: we either speak with it again... or we confront Sandaime-sama about it."

"Or we could do both." Naruto said. "I only wished you could come with me next time I have to talk with it... I would feel so confident."

Akimi raised an eyebrow. "A mindscape is the most personal thing there is." she said. "But... it could be possible."

"It could?"

She nodded. "I believe that is what Kuroken did. He entered my mindscape." she paused. "This why I knew so much about them... and the book I gave you was a loan from Yamanaka-dono."

"So you went with Sakura on her quest to make peace with Ino to have an excuse to talk with her father about this... because of their family expertise, right?"

"I was also supporting my friend." Akimi shrugged. "You know killing two birds with a stone and all that."

"So, why didn't you say anything?"

Akimi sighed and closed her eyes. "We are busy with the finals and everything else. I figured mindscapes would bore you, well before I thought about it helping you with Kyūbi."

"So we know that Kuroken..." he spoke the name with contempt. "... can enter other people's mindscapes. We also know that the Yamanaka clan can interfere with mindscapes as well, if necessary. But how can we do it?"

"Considering we don't have a kekkai genkai to help us, there is only one way left." Akimi turned to look at him. "Seals. We know they can temper with mindscapes. Look at me and Kaera, or at you and Kyūbi"

Naruto nodded. "Wait a sec!" he shouted.

"What?"

"The seal." he murmured. Akimi tilted her head in a silent question. "The Loyalty Seal, I mean. I could still feel it in the mindscape."

"Really?" she smiled. "Now this is interesting. A pity the Exams are so close, because I wonder..."

Naruto smirked. "I am sure you'll have time to work it out later." he said. "I know that look."

She laughed. "Only time will tell." she said. "Now I just want to ask you something... are you all right?"

"Surprisingly yes." Naruto said. "Not to say that I trust the Kyūbi, but now we know where we stand, so that makes me feel a little safer. For the rest... like you said, only time will tell."

May 14th, 214 – Deserted clearing north from the village

Naruto took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He formed the ram seal. 'That's it. Just lend me some of your chakra, fox... I've got a big toad to summon.' Nothing happened.

Naruto was about to curse, thinking that his 'trip' to see Kyūbi had been a waste of time, after all, when he felt it. The chakra was hot, burning and foreign. It started moving like a spiral from his belly, before engulfing him completely. He opened his eyelids, seeing he was surrounded by a swirling dark orange aura.

Jiraiya and Akimi looked impressed.

"Are you in control?" asked the Sannin, wary.

"Hai. I think so." Naruto noted that his nails had sharpened, becoming almost claw like. His canine teeth felt bigger as well. "Let's see if this work!" he bit his thumb and the small wound closed in half a second. But he had the blood so... "Kuchiyose no jutsu!" he shouted. "Gamabunta Oyabun!"

The earth trembled. There was a huge cloud of smoke. Considering the big chakra signature she heard, Akimi thought he had been successful. As the smoke faded in the background, a titanic toad appeared.

The toad towered over the trees that surrounded them, and could have dwarfed any building in Konoha, almost rivalling with the Hokage Mountain. His skin was a rusty, dull red, with brighter markings around his eyes, mouth and part of his body. A long, slender scar run through his left eyes, but he could still see through it. He was holding a huge pipe in his mouth, from where he puffed a huge cloud of smoke.

"What the hell?" the toad thundered, his voice hoarse and gruff. "JIRAIYA! Why did you call me in such a place? I was enjoying my morning snack!"

'Great, Naruto has a really an amazing timing, has he?' the Sannin wondered, thinking of escaping. A quick glare from Akimi made him desist. The girl knew how to be devious.

"Ehi! I was the one to summon you, Gamabunta..." Naruto shouted, outraged. "... sama." he quickly added, feeling the sharp pang in his Loyalty Seal from Akimi.

"Uh? The new summoner, eh?" the toad roared. "'hiro and 'ken told me about you."

Naruto grinned, smugly. "Did they?"

"However, I don't intend to be summoned around by a small gaki such yourself... not before you pass my test!"

"Throw me whatever you want to. I am Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of Konoha, dattebayo! I will pass your test."

"We'll see if your actions match your words, arrogant brat!" the Toad roared. "If you manage to stick on my head until sunrise I will let you summon me." and without waiting for an answer, Gamabunta leaped away with violence.

Naruto almost fell, but recoiled at the last good second, sticking on the toad's skin with chakra. He shouted in joy as soon as he realised how cool it was to jump around on an huge animal, the wind blowing in his face. "Is this the best you can do, Oyabun?" he mocked.

He later discovered it was not a good idea to anger the powerful boss, but no matter what he tried, Gamabunta could not shrug off the boy. Naruto stuck on him, without faltering, starting to feel a little tired only deep into the afternoon.

Eventually, as the sun started to set, Naruto did felt drowsy. His heavy eyelids threatened to fall, but he didn't give up. He was Naruto Uzumaki after all. He gritted his teeth and braced himself, because the toad had started to shake more forcefully, as if he didn't want to lose.

In fact, losing to a thirteen years old – an annoying one, moreover – was really going to dent the Toad Chief's pride. Gamabunta was impressed yes, but he really did want to win. He was stubborn that way.

Pity that Naruto was the king of stubbornness himself. He did clang till the end, then, when he finally saw the sun disappear below the horizon, he sighed in relief, before closing his eyes and letting himself go.

Gamabunta caught him with his tongue before he crashed on the ground. He then leaped to the clearing where he had first been summoned. Jiraiya was there, scribbling furiously on his notebook. As he landed, the Sannin giggled perversely.

The Toad watched in amusement as a huge fireball shot in his direction. Jiraiya jumped out of the way. "Ehi!"

"Sorry. The laughter annoys me... I know you can't help to write your smut, sensei, but at least be quiet, please. I'm trying to read." a small girl said. "Oh, Gamabunta-sama, you are back. Who won?"

"And who are you, girlie?"

"Katora Akimi, at your service." the girl bowed. "I'm Naruto's teammates."

"She is his girlfriend!" Jiraiya shouted.

"How is this relevant to the situation?" she asked, just as the toad carefully placed Naruto on the ground. She immediately knelt to his side, checking him out.

Gamabunta chuckled. "You are the summoner of the Tiger clan?"

"Hai."

"Next time the boy calls me, I have to congratulate him on a great catch." the toad whistled.

"So he won." Akimi said as a matter of a fact. She carefully shoved a chakra pill in his mouth. "He is very stubborn after all."

"Indeed. And now I may as well go and enjoy my dinner!" with that Gamabunta disappeared.

Jiraiya got closer to the two kids. "So how is he?"

"Chakra exhaustion. He needs a good night of rest" she explained. "Knowing him, tomorrow he will be up and running."

Jiraiya nodded. "Yeah, that's likely."

"You are carrying him by the way." she said. "If you are not home in five minutes I'll burn down all the smut in Konoha!" and she Sunshined away.

The Sannin gulped. "I wasn't going to leave him here anyway!" he shouted, bending down to lift the boy. "No need to threaten..."

May 16th, 214 – Konoha Hospital

"So tell me again," Akimi started, "how did Chōji-san get into the hospital?"

Naruto shrugged. "He ate too much."

"Really?" Akimi giggled. "That's kind of... a little ridiculous."

"Considering the amount he usual eats without getting sick, I wonder just how much did he have."

"Scary thought." Akimi shrugged and went to speak with the receptionist. "Which room is Akimichi Chōji in?"

"307, take the stairs on the left." the nurse absently answered after checking her files. She actually didn't look up once. Akimi figured it was best, seeing as she could be one of those prejudiced about Naruto-kun. She really didn't want to start a scene.

She beckoned Naruto and they went on their way.

Predictably, Shikamaru was near Chōji, keeping him company.

"Ehi, big stud!" Akimi saluted. She had been much more carefree for the last couple of days. She wasn't really sure why. "How is it going?"

Chōji moaned, while Shikamaru looked at her like she had grown a second head. "They won't let me eat."

Naruto chuckled and Akimi also smiled a little, amused.

"Could it be because you are being treated for indigestion, Chōji?" Shikamaru lazily asked.

This time they all laughed.

"So how it is going, guys?" Chōji asked. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"As ready as one can be." Akimi said. "I am not really worried for the exam." 'Although I do have a bad feeling...'

"We are going to kick ass, dattebayo!"

"This is so troublesome." Shikamaru exhaled. "Because of you, Asuma-sensei has been pushing me. He doesn't want to look bad compared to your sensei."

"Uh, we are sorry?" Naruto said, in a very unconvincing way.

Shikamaru shook his head. "Not your fault. What a drag."

"I would ask you if you are ready or nervous, but I think you really just don't care, do you?" Akimi smirked. "Will you at least be there tomorrow?"

"My mother is going to get angry if I don't. Just troublesome."

She nodded. "Come on, Shikamaru-san, with that brain of yours you'll have no problems getting the promotion. Then you can chill."

"Maybe you are right but..."

Akimi and Naruto suddenly froze, their smile faltering on their lips. They looked at each other for a split second, then they disappeared in a blur of movement.

"What on earth?" Chōji asked, puzzled.

Shikamaru was confused as well, but then he felt it. "Killing intent! Chōji, get help! I'm going after them."

Shikamaru ran out of the room, along the long hallway of the hospital floor. He could sense the chakra of the three ninja flaring up. 'Geez. Akimi and Naruto have really outclassed us.' He thought, heading in that direction.

The shadow user finally arrived in a room which he soon recognised as Rock Lee's one. He looked around trying to understand what had happened. The bed was full of sand. Akimi was crouched in her unique stance in front of it. A step forward was Naruto, his face hardened and his tantō unsheathed in front of him. On the other side of the room Gaara, the disturbing Sand nin, slowly got up. Shikamaru supposed that the red haired boy was trying to kill Lee when Akimi or Naruto took him by surprised striking him and sending him clashing against the wall. Said wall was now visibly dented.

"Ehi, you!" Naruto shouted in that moment. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Gaara didn't answer, but sand started to flow again behind the blonde. Naruto didn't move his gaze, but jumped out of the way nevertheless, courtesy of Akimi's warning and his own trained senses.

'How?' Shikamaru wondered.

"This is an hospital. It's not a place to fight." Akimi said then, her voice cold and even. "Please go away, Gaara-san."

As an answer, sand tried to stab her. Operative word being try. Gaara froze mid-attack, his eyes widening.

"You have good timing, Shikamaru-san." Akimi bowed to him. "Thank you." she hadn't moved even though the spike of sand was only a centimetre from her face.

"What were you trying to do to Brushy Brown?" Naruto shouted. "Are you mental?"

"I tried to kill him." Gaara simply answered, his face an emotionless mask.

"Why would you want to do that?" Shikamaru asked, surprised by the eerie statement. "You won the match. Do you have a personal grudge against him?"

"No." Gaara flatly answered. "I'm going to kill him only because I want him dead."

"That's the most selfish thing I ever heard!" Naruto shouted pointing a finger at him. "Teme!"

Shikamaru started to sweat. 'If he does something, can we handle him? I don't know how strong are Naruto and Akimi really.' Gaara was looking straight at him and at Naruto, because they were in his line of sight. Akimi moved behind him. Shikamaru noted that she was busy drawing something. 'A seal? Oh, that may work... I need to distract him.'

"If you bother me, I will kill you, too." Gaara said, in 'as a matter of a fact' tone.

Naruto growled, but didn't say anything. Shikamaru mentally took note of this. 'I've always suspected he was not really as stupid as he acted. He is not a dobe, that's for sure.'

"We know you are strong. We saw your match against him" Shikamaru said, indicating the bed. He smirked. "But we are pretty good as well." he was bluffing, although he wasn't sure how much. "We didn't show our strongest moves at the preliminaries... and it's three versus one here."

It was true, after all. Akimi had defeated Sakura with mere taijutsu and Naruto had only showed Kage Bunshin and a Fūton jutsu. Shikamaru himself didn't know what they could really do.

"You are at disadvantage here." Shikamaru continued. "But if you listen to us, we can let you go..."

Gaara looked unfazed. "I'm going to say this only once more." he robotically stated. "If you bother me, I'll kill you!"

"Just try." Naruto growled.

Shikamaru mentally cursed. "Don't antagonize him! He is a strong as a monster."

Naruto ignored him. "You think you can come in my village and threaten my precious people like this?" he hissed. "You think I am afraid? I have already faced many monsters!"

"Monsters? I know a great deal about them... I have one inside of me." Gaara simply said. "My father sealed into me an incarnate of sand, so I could become the ultimate ninja... and as I was born, I took the life of the one who was called my mother. I was born a demon."

"What?" Shikamaru exhaled, sweating profusely.

"You don't believe me? It' a very high form of the Sealing Arts." Gaara's expression didn't change... and that made the whole ordeal even more scarier. "Shukaku. That was his name. It's said to be the soul of an Elder Priest of Sunakagure... before me, it had been sealed into a teakettle."

Shikamaru was trembling, Naruto himself was looking troubled. Akimi had stopped drawing as soon as the boy had said 'Sealing Arts'.

'Shukaku... it's the name of Ichibi.' she said to Naruto through the Loyalty seal. 'No matter what, we must not knock him out...'

"Your father did that?" Shikamaru said, incredulously. "What a sick way to be a parent."

Gaara chuckled a little. "Family." he spat with contempt. "Love. Let me tell you what family is: people linked together by hate and murderous intent. I killed my mother at birth and my father, the Kazekage, taught me the secrets of ninjutsu. I grew up alone and spoiled... and I thought that was love. Until that incident happened."

"Incident?" Shikamaru repeated.

"What happened?" Naruto asked, quietly. His answer was silence. "Well, what happened?!"

Gaara's eyes widened and his expression could only be described as crazy. "My father tried to assassinate me several times."

"But you said he spoiled you!" Shikamaru protested.

"I was growing to be so powerful they started to be afraid of me. The sealing technique used at my birth... it left me unstable. They feared my emotions. Since I was six, I have been both the village's triumph card and a threat. So why do I exist and live?" Gaara paused. "I could not find an answer, but as I live I need some reasons to be alive... or it would be the same as being dead. Eventually I concluded that I exist to kill everyone else. I founded relief in my fear to be assassinate at any time: by killing them, I could recognise my reason to be alive."

'That's twisted.' Naruto thought. 'And the scariest thing it's that I can somehow understand him.'

"I fight for myself and love only myself. As long as I have other people to kill to make me experiment the joy of leaving... I'll have a reason to exist."

Shikamaru was really afraid. 'He is so out of it... but he has the power to back it all up.' Then, sand started to float again. 'What? He should be trapped in my Kagemane, what the hell?'

"I'll prove my existence..." Gaara murmured, as the sand started to move towards them.

Shikamaru couldn't move because of the fear for one moment.

"Naruto!" Akimi shouted, showing a piece of paper in Gaara's shoulder. "Now!"

"Fudou no Fūin! Activate!" the blond shouted. Gaara froze again. "I can't hold him for long."

Akimi nodded and kicked the Sand genin in the guts with all her strength, her foot surrounded by flames. Gaara was sent flying against the wall once again, even as the sand changed their direction towards Akimi. "We need to get Rock Lee-san out of here!"

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

A dozen of clones appeared. "Two of you, get him out of here. Shikamaru, go with them. Find help!" he flanked Akimi. "We'll hold him off." he looked at Gaara. "You won't touch them."

"What's going on here?" a voice asked.

The genins turned towards the entrance. Maito Gai was standing there, frowning. "The matches are tomorrow. This is an hospital, not an arena."

The arrival of the jōnin seemed to snap Gaara out of it. He slowly raised and walked towards the door, his head bowed. However he stopped there for a second. "Tomorrow I will kill you all. Just wait." And he was gone.

The clones disappeared and Naruto suddenly looked proved, he was panting. His gaze was lost into nothingness. Akimi walked to him, putting an hand on his shoulder.

"He tried to finish what he started during the preliminaries, didn't he?" Gai asked.

Shikamaru nodded.

"Thank you for stopping him." he looked at the cracked wall. "You two are pretty strong."

Akimi smiled at him, politely. "Rock Lee-san is a comrade. It was our duty. A duty we gladly upheld." she looked at Shikamaru, before tossing him a scroll. "Give this and our best wishes to Chōji-san. Sunshin no Jutsu!"

And with a burst of flames, Naruto and Akimi disappeared, leaving behind a stunned Shikamaru and an impressed Gai.

"He is like me!" exclaimed Naruto. "He is like me!"

Akimi leaned on the doorframe. They had just entered their house. "When did you ever went on a killing rampage?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You know what I mean!"

"I do." she nodded. "Naruto..."

"I could have been like him. I was alone and hated and... If the Jiji and Iruka didn't... if you..."

Akimi sighed, before reaching out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You didn't, though. Wonder what could have been or could have not been won't do us any good. You overcame the hate. This is what matters."

"Dear kami! What is he doing here? He'll kill anyone who stands in his path!" Naruto shouted, his eyes wide and fearful. "You can't fight him... you... he'll kill you."

"Calm down." Akimi placed her other hand on Naruto's shoulder as well, forcing him to look straight at her. "Calm down. I will be careful. I promise."

Naruto breathed heavily. "I could..." he stopped. "Somehow, I could relate to him."

Akimi nodded and raised one hand to caress his cheek. "I know." she murmured. "You know what kind of pain Gaara has suffered and is suffering. You share the same bleak past, but it is your reaction to it that makes you different from him."

"He is insane! He is a heartless killer." Naruto exhaled. "It's so scary to think that I could have been like him."

Akimi shook her head. "I know."

"I... I feel also so sorry for him. He is a victim as much as all the ones he has killed. It's the hate of his family and village that made him like that... I..."

Akimi smiled. "You have such a good heart, Naruto-kun." she replied. "But we need to be careful. Gaara is very likely an enemy now: the demon has influenced him. He is unstable. And, we must assume he can use partially or fully its powers. I thought he was a dangerous opponent before, now I know he is lethal. And he may kill all of us... unless he is stopped. And there is only one among the genins that can have a shot on him. You."

Naruto looked troubled. "I could summon one of the Great Threes if he ever got on a full scale attack."

Akimi nodded. "Exactly. You are the only one with enough skill and stamina to keep up with him." she looked pensive. "I just... don't understand why he told us. He lost a great advantage. Although, he probably tried to intimidate us."

"With a certain degree of success, I may add." Naruto took a deep breath. "Shika didn't really believe him. He simply though he was completely mental."

"Which is probably also likely." Akimi sighed. "I need to warn Hokage-sama. Naruto... I think it's best if you stay here. You are freaking out. I'll leave a Kage Bunshin with you."

The blonde shook his head. "I'll blew some steam off. Just don't be too long." and he stormed towards the training grounds.

"Don't pass out. Tomorrow is the big day! And I think it's paramount you have all your energy for it!" Akimi shouted, before turning. Her shoulder trembled a little. Now she was seriously worried... and even a little scared. 'Kaera, look for Kakashi-sensei or Jiraiya-sensei. If the Sandaime is busy, then I'll speak with them.'

'Hai!'

May 18th, 214 – Alley near Konoha's Arena

"Akimi, Naruto."

"Ohi, Shino." saluted the blonde.

The bug user observed the couple with a critical eye. He had seen them only a week before, during team practice, but they had once again changed. He also noted that Naruto looked serious – well, as serious as he could get.

"Something wrong?" Shino curtly asked.

Akimi sighed. "I believe so." she grimly said. "Something is going to happen. And sadly, it will not only be us kicking ass around."

Naruto shot her a glance. She had been like this since the previous day. He looked at Shino. "After what happened in the Forest of Death we were worried. You know what Kaka-sensei told us."

The other boy nodded.

"We now also know that Gaara is like me... well, like an unstable, bloodthirsty me."

Shino exhaled. "But..."

"Keep your eyes and ears opened." a eerie voice said in that moment. "Be alert."

Kakashi wasn't surprised when his three students faced him, each one of them pointing a kunai at him.

"Just like you are doing now." the jōnin gave them a thumb up. "Things may get ugly."

The three genin nodded, without faltering. They had suspected as much.

Kakashi eye smiled, but he was stiff, serious. "I've utter confidence in you three." he murmured, winking briefly at Akimi. "And apparently so does Hokage-sama."

The girl produced a small sealing tag and activated it. She smirked. "You always ask me for privacy. I thought I may as well be prepared. It's reusable sealing tag."

Kakashi chuckled. "It will come in handy, I am sure." he replied, getting serious. "This is an high ranked, highly classified mission. Akimi, if you get to fight with Gaara... be extremely careful."

She nodded, although she already knew that herself.

"So I can't really disclose exact information to you, since you are still genin, but I am sure you'll figure it out." Kakashi shrugged. "We think that if something will, in fact, happen it will be during Gaara's fight."

"They count on him to go on a rampage." Akimi assumed. "Thus creating a distraction."

"It's likely." Kakashi said. "So, these are you orders: you need to catch Gaara's attention and draw him far from the village. Naruto, I fear this will be mostly your fight. Shino, Akimi, you are to support him and if needed take care for the other two Sand genins. An ANBU squad or Jiraiya-sama himself will come to your help as soon as we cleared the air a bit. I believe you can handle it."

Akimi raised an eyebrow. "What about the other rookies?"

Kakashi sighed. "Shikamaru-san can help you if he is up to it. I'll let you judge that, Akimi."

"So basically only if he has enough chakra after his match."

"Indeed." the jōnin sighed. "Asuma speaks well of him, so I think he can be solid help for you. Let me handle the other rookies, as they will be on the main booth for the spectators anyway."

"What about Neji and Tenten?" Naruto asked.

"Well, I suppose that depends on how they will be faring after you fight with them." Kakashi grinned, somehow smugly. "Good luck and... oh, right, I was forgetting about it. Shino..."

"Yes?"

"Just be patient."

"What?" the tall genin replied, baffled.

But Kakashi had already disappeared with his usual puff of smoke.

"That was strange even for him." Naruto chuckled. "So what do you think?"

"This is not just an exam anymore. We should heed sensei's words and be very careful." Akimi murmured. She turned to Shino. "And we should save up our chakra as well, but just in case... here." she gave him a couple of her special pills.

"Thanks. My Kikai have been restless lately... and my clan has been called out to make recon around the village more than usual. I knew something washappening, but I did not thing it would be so big..." Shino emotionlessly said. His two teammates could hear an hint of worry in his voice, though. "I would be more serene if I were to place a female on both of you, so I will be able to find you any moment."

"I can now access... to my special chakra. You know the red one." Naruto said. "If I have to, it would kill your female. I don't wish that to happen."

Akimi nodded. "And what if accidently burn it? Fortunately, I have a solution." she produced a scroll. "It's for you... think of it as a belated birthday present. Open it."

"Kai." with a puff of smoke, a green jacket appeared. "Interesting."

"There is a seal here." Akimi showed him the internal of the collar. "Which is linked to two twins seals on us. The seal is linked to our clan symbols over here... on the shoulders. If you send chakra to the golden flames, my seal will flare up in reaction. Same with the white spiral for Naruto. You will be able to feel the direction of the connection, therefore finding us. It's like a compass."

"That's impressive." Shino said. "What radius?"

Akimi smiled, pleased. "Possibly a couple of miles. Should work fine in the village and in the outskirts."

"I see." Shino shrugged. "Shall we go then? Just let me the time to change"

Akimi turned to give him privacy.

Naruto nodded, making a step forward as well. "No time to lose, dattebayo." he shouted then. "Let's show them what Team 7 is made of!"

REVIEW ANSWERS

Tron Lives: thanks for reviewing. Glad you liked the story =)

ILOVEANIME123: thank you very much for reviewing =) I hope you liked Kurama. He will get a little cuddlier later on as well =)

NATSUxERZA 123456 thank you very much for reviewing. So I hope you aren't disappointed for the lack of ass kicking in this chapter, but I assure you next chapter will be full of that. I will get back to you about your story as soon as possible. A couple of ideas just popped in my head. =)

Guest: well, thank you very much =) I am honestly flattered. Oh and it's AkimiXNaruto all the way in this story. I am not really including a lot of romance scene because they are still more in a friendship state (evolving towards romance) and they are still just kids. =) Thank you for reading!

DexG23: thank you very much for reviewing and reading! I am glad you liked the story =) =)

CHAPTER NOTES:

And finally the month of training is finished! I hope I have not disappointed you with this long pause from fight/action scenes. Although perhaps the confrontation with Gaara is kind of a fighting scene. Most of the dialogue there was taken from the show, but I like to stick with canon sometimes. Like only with dialogues actually =)

So what did you think about Kurama? I really enjoyed writing that scene. The fox is a very interesting character. There is a lot of potential there. Staying on topic, what do you think about mindscapes? I took the concept mainly from the Harry Potter fandom and fantasy in general, but I think it does suit the Naruto verse as well. After all Naruto did fight Kyūbi in his mind to win over its chakra in canon.

Well, next chapter up will get to the juicy ass kicking part: Naruto vs. Neji