Authors Note: WAHHH! It's been like four months or something! Who would've thought I'd find a life outside of school over summer break Oo well… thanks to everyone for not killing me for taking so long XD First off I'd like to say thanks to everyone for their reviews, especially Dragon Man 180, thanks for pointing that out! I kinda feel like a twit now but it's all fixed so yeah . Oh yes, and I've finally stopped being indecisive and decided on who I'm going to pair up in my fan fic, since everyone gave so many suggestions please don't be too mad at me if I didn't pick your suggestion. Ah well… enough random pointless talking on with chapter 10!

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Tao woke that morning with everyone else despite the attempts made to keep quiet in hopes she'd get to sleep in at least. Tao simply scolded them lightly saying she was quite capable of walking now. The five of them broke up camp and took apart the makeshift stretcher before moving on. Not long after they had started on their way Lee asked Tao why she hadn't used Taijutsu against the Ninja's. What he had managed to see of her attacks it looked like she was simply throwing herself into them and hoping for the best. When she admitted that that's was what she was doing and that she had basically no knowledge of Taijutsu whatsoever Lee immediately insisted that he teach her. Right away Sakura started scolding Lee telling him they didn't have time for such things, rather than argue back Lee simply hung his head in disappointment. Tao laughed and said that it didn't matter at that point if they ran or walked backwards on their hands they would get to the sand village before the day was out. Once Lee was done literally jumping for joy he started showing Tao how to throw a punch followed by how to block it.

It was only a few hours before the landscape began to give way to a more arid environment; and by noon they were surrounded completely by sand and the forest had just about completely disappeared behind them. Tao slowed then stopped looking around tilting her head to one side at the same time as if she were trying to hear something.

"Tao?" Naruto asked before looking around to see if he could find what it was she was looking at.

"I think it's best if everyone waits here…" she said still looking around.

"Why? The leaf and the sand are allies we should have no problem if all of us go there and ask this one person for help right?" Sakura asked. Tao shook her head.

"No… I don't think it will be that simple. I will be asking for help much like when I requested the help of Hinata and Lee; I did so without anyone really knowing. I think I may have to do something of the same here." While they wanted to argue it didn't look like she would be giving them any say in the matter so they nodded. Tao set up shield and then showed Lee that she could do the blocks and punches he had shown her. He then insisted he teach her his Konoha Senpuu (Leaf Spinning Wind). He showed it to her once and wanted to at least show her the first step to it but she insisted it was far too much for her to learn in one day. That done Lee didn't mind letting her leave after telling her she'd done a good job complete with two thumbs up.

"I wonder how she managed to get by as a ninja at home if she's never learned Taijutsu." Lee asked curiously as he sat down watching Tao walking in the direction of the village.

"Well she did tell us that she wasn't one remember?" Sakura pointed out.

"So you don't think she's ether a chounin or a genin?" Hinata asked quietly.

"I'm not sure what to think." Sakura stated sitting down right where she was.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked looking over at her trying not to sound suspicious. He knew they could trust Tao, but… he was sure he'd have a bit of trouble explaining it to the others without telling them everything. The last thing he wanted was for them to turn on her and leave them without help. He could tell from what she had said was happening at Kakashi's end was… well… he could just tell they were going to end up about neck deep in trouble. And they were going to need all the help they could get.

"I'm not really suspicious of her or anything Naruto; it's just strange is all. I mean she show's up out of nowhere right when we need her and has no problem what so ever helping a bunch of people she's never met before. And yet somehow she seems completely trustworthy."

"I'm not sure why I trust her really, I just get the feeling that she's safe is all." Hinata nodded at Lee's comment followed by Naruto then Sakura.

"It's just strange, that's all."

"I know, but I'm sure she'll tell us." They all nodded as they sat down and waited for Tao to return.

xxx

As Tao walked towards the main entrance of the Sand Village she took Kakashi's headband off from around her forehead and wrapped it around her waist before tugging her shirt down over it. She then ran a hand through her hair turning it a dark brown then turned her eyes the same color. That done she walked through the main gates of the Sand Village coolly and casually.

She stuck more to the sides of the streets where she could manage it not wanting to walk too much out in the open. This village seemed so much different to the Leaf; and yet it seemed to be so much like it at the same time. Looking around casually she spied a local sweet shop and decided to step in. Taking a seat in the back corner she ordered some tea. Before she went to look for the one her foresight had shown her she needed to send out the dreams to the ones Kakashi had told her about. She had already created the dream so all she had to do was send it. She thanked the lady who brought her tea and took a small sip of it. It was more a ruse than anything else. She knew if she simply sat there and went into a trance it would look suspicious, but now she hoped it would just look like she was taking her time to enjoy her tea. While she didn't like leaving her body in such a foreign place she didn't really have a choice. Tilting her head down slightly she closed her eyes and sent out her spirit form as fast as possible back to Konoha. Spirit travel was over a hundred times faster than traveling in the waking world. She found herself there in almost an instant; now all she had to do was find the ones she was looking for. Kakashi had told her where she could find each and every one of them, so all she had to do was hope they were there.

To her surprise each and every one of them was exactly where he said they would be. Although she couldn't quite figure out why some of them were where they were. She stared at the strange man crouching outside the lady's bathing areas wondering if he was simply lost before she planted the dream sphere in his mind. She had fixed them carefully to activate when the person was still awake rather than asleep. That way the person would only be half asleep when they saw it and would be uncertain if what they had seen had been a dream or reality. Or at least that's what she hoped.

Returning to her body she finished her drink and left enough coins on the table to pay for it before she headed out. Looking around she tried to see if she could spot the one she was looking for, or at least over hear their name. However, some time later, night was beginning to fall and she was quite sure she had walked the entire village with no sign or word of the one she was looking for. She gave a soft sigh before leaping to the rooftops to continue her search from a different point of view; she was fairly certain they were somewhere here in the village but where was the big question. Her bare feet moved quickly and silently oblivious to the roof tiles that still retained their heat from the sun that day

She was almost ready to call it a night; the sun had set and the moon was rising. Leaping down she walked towards a fountain that was set in the middle of a square. She cupped her hands and drank for a moment before sitting down on the edge of the fountain to think. Deciding that she'd at least give the village one final look over she got up and walked down one of the back streets that she was certain would lead her to the front gates where she could start her search from the beginning again. She only got about halfway down the street before she found herself surrounded by about five ninja's of the sand. She stood still, wanting to give the impression that she didn't pose a threat.

"It's not often we have a visitor to the Sand wandering around at this time of night, let alone through the back alleys." One of them said to her.

"What is your business here?" she looked at the one who had asked her. He looked about a foot taller than her and had a piece of white fabric hanging from his headband covering one side of his face. The part of his face she could see had two red stripes across the cheek. He looked strong and kind of foreboding.

"I have come here looking for someone to request their help." She said simply looking at the man.

"I'm afraid you are going to have to tell us more than that." Tao lowered her head as if to be apologetic.

"I'm sorry but I can't tell you more than that." She said as reached out with her mind to the hidden shuriken and kunai the ninja had on them; since this trick took time and concentration there was no way she could've used it before with no time and everyone jumping and moving around.

"We are not asking you if you can tell us or not; you will tell us whether you have permission to share this information with us or not." A woman snapped from behind her. Rather than turn around she kept her head lowered not moving. The man in front of her seemed to make some sort of gesture to the woman behind her before addressing her again.

"You said you wanted to find someone to request help correct?" Tao nodded still keeping her head down. "I'm guessing your looking for someone in particular…" he paused for a moment as if to see if she would say anything but she did not. Just keep talking; she thought silently to herself, this will only take a little bit more…

"What is the name of the person you are looking for?"

"I can't say." She repeated.

"You don't know or you won't say?"

"I know their name, and what they look like. However… as I said I am unable to tell you who it is I'm looking for."

"That's it I've heard enough of this nonsense." The woman behind her grabbed her shoulder roughly and shoved her into a wall causing the ninjas to the sides of her to jump out of the way. "You will tell us what the hell you are doing here right now or –" Tao hid a grin, as she remained frozen against the wall.

"Surai what's wrong?"

"Someone pass me a kunai damn it!"

"Aren't you carrying any on you?"

"Of course I am you twit I just can't get them out of the holders!" not for awhile anyway. Tao thought to herself. She had pressed in as much static energy as possible into their weapons causing them to stick and hold fast to the holsters. The woman pressed Tao harder against the wall as if she were trying to push her right through it.

"Why can't we draw our weapons? I know you had something to do with this speak up!"

"Surai I know it looks suspicious but she's not a nin; how could anyone but a nin do something like this?" before she could respond Tao had slid to the side out of the woman's hold and swung her arm around quickly palm flat to connect with the back of the woman's upper neck. She hit the wall face first and fell down out cold. Lee had said this movement worked as an attack as well as a block and it seemed to be true. Channeling her energy to her feet she moved swiftly striking out in the same manner at the rest of them taking them completely by surprise. Only the man with the cloth over half his face managed to turn and block her in time.

"So I was wrong, it was you." Tao simply moved back then in again trying to strike him down again. He brought both his hands up to block "What is it that you truly came here for?" he asked as she jumped back once he had blocked her attack again.

"I told you before, I wasn't lying."

"You came to request help."

"Yes, I need this persons help; I cannot request help from anyone else in this village please." As she looked at him pleadingly he began to wonder if she really could be trusted or if she was just someone sneaking around the sand village looking for trouble.

"Tell me, how can you be so fast; not only that but you seem to be able to control charka at a Chounin level. Do you have a headband of your village and are simply hiding it?"

"I have a headband, but it does not belong to me, and I am no ninja." The man simply snorted in reply.

"People lie daily, sometimes without knowing it so tell me why should I believe that you a telling the truth?" Tao simply smiled warmly as if he had complemented her instead of accusing her.

"I can't help but wonder; if perhaps you know where I can find the one I'm looking for."

"Perhaps I do; I know a lot that goes on in this village. But how will you know if I know if you don't tell me who it is you are looking for?" Tao simply smiled again.

"It's very simple really; all I have to do is read the threads of time that surround you."

"What?" before the man could move Tao had moved from ten feet back to one foot in front of him.

"Don't worry, this wont hurt or affect you in anyway." She said as she placed a fingertip to his forehead. In an instant he felt his day play backwards through his mind as he had lived it, then the day before till it finally stopped. Stepping back from her quickly he placed a hand to his forehead as he tried to figure out what the hell just happened.

"I thank you for your help, but if you will excuse me I will now be on my way." She said with a small bow. However the man seemed to have no intention of letting her go anywhere. He charged at her striking out at her as if to hit but missed. At first Tao wasn't sure if she was dodging or if he was missing on purpose. She took the easiest exit trying to get down the backstreet away from him and his comrades in case they woke up. Unfortunately this seemed to be just what the man was after.

"I don't know who you are or what your after, but I'll be damned if I let you continue. Now let's see which is faster; your feet or my Kaze no Yaiba." Tao had no idea what technique he was planning to use, but she did know she didn't want to stay around to find out. The man sent out what looked like a blade of air which went slicing towards her at a deadly speed. The blade sliced down the street straight past where the girl had been standing. The man looked around confused for a moment before jumping to the rooftops to look around, but Tao was already far away from him.

She sat catching her breath in the shadows of one of the buildings, to move with such speed had caused her to draw on more energy than she had. That didn't really matter, so long as she didn't catch up with that man again. And without enough energy to keep the illusion on her hair and eyes she jumped back up to the rooftops. She had the mountains to her back and the whole city before her; as long as she kept the man in her site it shouldn't be too hard to keep him at a distance.

"That was quite a feat you pulled back there." Tao was sure she levitated about five feet before running forward to turn and face what she thought was the mountain wall behind her. Part of the mountain wall shifted away as if to create a doorway.

"Who's there?" Tao asked cursing her human eyes and the lack of moonlight. A boy stepped forward out of the mountain side, a pair of light green eyes looked up at her blankly yet she could sense a fierce hatred behind them; he was dressed all in black which made his red hair stand out even more. He glared at her slightly as if daring her; Tao simply looked at him and did the last thing he expected. She smiled at him.

"Wow am I happy I found you, I was running out of places to look." The boy just looked at her blankly as if he hadn't quite expected this reaction.

"You're Gaara right?" he nodded and she smiled even wider. "Good, I really need to ask for your help." Gaara simply glared at her.

"Do you have any idea what I am?" he asked in a simple tone.

"Yep, you house the demon Shukaku; but I'm not here to ask the help of a demon… I'm here to ask the help of Gaara, you." Tao could tell Gaara ether thought she was crazy or lying. Ok… well I guess this just might be as tough as I was afraid of…

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Naruto sat and watched the sun going down for a few moments before yelling out in frustration.

"What gives? She said she'd be right-"

Wham!

"Naruto, we were told to be silent!" Sakura hissed at him quietly while he rubbed his head.

"But I'm bored and I'm getting hungry… do you know how long it's been since I had ramen?"

"Not that long ago, you'll live. In fact you'll probably do better with a break from it." Naruto whined at her comment and wrapped his arms around his stomach and pouted.

"Naruto, why don't we spar for awhile?" Lee asked hoping to select an idea that would distract the blond for at least a few moments.

"What's the point? It's getting dark…"

"Well if you don't think you're a capable enough ninja to fight in any circumstance then I guess…"

"You're on fuzzy eyebrows!"

"Just try to keep it down?"

While the sparring didn't exactly go silently, it was quieter than Naruto's rants of boredom. Sakura simply settled herself next to Hinata who was sitting silently by herself as if hoping to be overlooked. Sakura offered the girl a smile and gave her a small nudge.

"Hey there; at least you seem to manage peace and quiet alright." Hinata just blushed and looked down at her hands before looking up at the two boys sparring. Sakura tried all the usual topics to get the girl to talk but nothing seemed to work. She had never really gotten the chance to talk to Hinata before and she wanted to take the opportunity to get to know the girl better.

"Come on, there's got to be someone in the village that you like." Sakura whispered giving the shy girl a playful nudge. Hinata just blushed a deep red and immediately looked away from Naruto. However her silence wasn't enough to hinder Sakura's curiosity and determination to make a new friend. She started listing off names of all the boys from the academy watching to see if Hinata responded to any of them. With each name Hinata just shook her head and kept her eyes downcast as she fiddled her fingers together.

"Well if it is a boy from the academy… the only other boy I can think of is Naruto." It was impossible for Sakura to miss Hinata's deep red blush on her pale cheeks, for a moment she was worried the girl might pass out.

"It's Naruto?" Sakura whispered making sure the boy in question wouldn't hear her. Hinata gave the tiniest of nods. Sakura smiled widely and wondered if it would be possible to fix the two of them up but then wondered if Naruto's overwhelming energy would scare Hinata. Well… I don't think I could find a more appropriate situation that proves opposites attract… Sakura thought looking from the shy girl to the blond who was now grappling with Lee.

"It's sad though… he'll never notice me…"

"Huh?" Sakura looked at the girl confused.

"Naruto could never like a small thing like me… he likes girls more like you."

"Oh please Naruto doesn't…" Sakura didn't even finish her sentence; instead she blushed right along with Hinata and joined the girl's fascination of the ground.

"You never noticed?" Hinata whispered. Sakura shook her head and began tracing random lines in the sand and began wishing that Tao would get back soon so they could get moving again.

Xxx

The moon was almost at its peak in the sky when the four pairs of eyes that were memorizing the outline of the sand village finally saw two figures walking towards them. Naruto was hard pressed not to run out and greet Tao but his head still hurt from Sakura's earlier blow and he knew she'd add to it if he gave her the chance so he sat as patiently as possible and waited.

Once Tao lowered the shield she introduced the boy to everyone, and while they smiled and greeted him warmly he looked at them all seriously as if he had a grudge against each of them and didn't even offer the smallest 'hello' once they had said as much to him. Hinata, not liking his glaring gaze sidestepped slightly behind Naruto but her fear only seemed to agitate the boy even more. Not sure what to make of him Naruto simply decided to ask Tao about it later, right now he wanted to move out and find some food before making camp for the night. However Tao seemed to have a different idea in mind.

"We will keep traveling and not stop to rest till dawn." Sakura and Hinata didn't have too much trouble with this but Naruto and Lee who had been sparring gave a silent sigh. Well… Lee did, Naruto objected. Rather than answer him right away Tao suggested they move first and she would explain later. Knowing that was all he was going to get at the moment Naruto pouted. About to try complaining one more time he noticed the bandages that Tao now had rapped around both arms. Did she get hurt again? He wondered not sure if she had even fully recovered from the last fight. Before he could ask Tao motioned to them and they all moved out.

Xxx

Naruto tried to carry or start conversations like before, but this time they all seemed to die in the air. Everything seemed more serious now somehow, he could almost feel it resting like a led weight on his shoulders. Silence ended up encompassing the group till dawn began to peer over the horizon in front of them. As she said they stopped and pooled together what they had left for breakfast. Over breakfast Naruto tried not to look at that boy… Gaara? Two things he could not figure out about him were, one… how could anyone live in the desert and be so pale? Wasn't the sun supposed to give you a tan? And what was up with that huge gourd on his back? Was that supposed to be some ninja tool or something? Naruto gave a silent snort and dug into his breakfast, the only thing that gourd looked to be good for was knocking people over the head with it. I hope this guy is as good as Tao hopes… though I still don't see how we can be of any help if everything is as bad as she says…

"Will we be continuing after breakfast Tao?" Lee asked as he finished his portion of the meal. Tao shook her head.

"No, you all will rest and take turns keeping watch; I need to contact the people in Konoha." They all nodded including Gaara, Naruto guessed Tao must've told him what was going on and what she was capable of.

"So we move out again once night falls?" Sakura asked. Tao nodded and finished her own food portion before sitting in a meditative pose. Looking around at each other they mostly wondered who would keep watch throughout the day.

"I don't sleep, so I will stay awake." Everyone looked at Gaara, slightly curious about his comment on not sleeping but all nodded anyway. Within moments the group was asleep and Gaara looked around at them all with a sneer. He lifted his hand experimentally, holding it out at each of them as if he were reaching for something but then rested his hand back at his side.

Xxx

As Naruto crossed over into the dream world he was surprised to find Tao waiting for him.

"I'm sorry I haven't had time to train you as I promised… but I was able to request the help of someone who will be able to train you probably better than I." Whirling around excitedly Naruto came face to face with a tall ominous figure. His red eyes gave a strange contrast to his orange hair. He wore what looked like black monk robes that made his pale skin stand out even more. Naruto glared up at the man wondering who he was and what he was doing in his dreams when the man laughed in a deep voice.

"What's the matter kit, don't recognize me?" Naruto's eyes widened in shock.

"Kyuubi?" The man laughed again.

"So you recognize me after all."

"But I thought… aren't you… wait…" Naruto looked at Tao.

"Is he able to kill me now? Why doesn't he look like the nine tailed demon fox? How is he going to train me? Why-"

"One at a time!" Tao laughed. "No he can't kill you the seal is still there. He's in human form so he can train you and not be big enough to squash you if possible. And he will train you just as I have alright?" Naruto wasn't sure he liked this tradeoff. Sure Tao was a demon just like Kyuubi but… he turned around to look up at the blood red eyes then back at Tao.

"Can't I just wait for you to train me?"

"I'm afraid we might not have time for that…"

"Aww… but cant you tell? You said you could read the future and stuff."

"Kit, the future is a very difficult thing to predict. A choice to do one thing is a choice not to do a thousand others, but until one makes that choice the thousands of possible futures are still there." Naruto just gave the Kyuubi a blank look.

"Naruto, please trust me; now I need to meet up with Kakashi and go with him to Konoha to convince the hokage and the others." Naruto pouted but nodded none the less. Tao ruffled his hair before turning and disappearing in a shimmer, traveling through dream worlds in search of Kakashi.

"Well kit, looks like you're all mine now." Kyuubi said with an evil grin. "Time to help you use all of this power we have." Naruto just looked up at him and scowled as if he had somehow been left with the short end of the stick.

"And how are you supposed to teach me all this in one day?"

"We're actually going to take longer than one day." Kyuubi replied with a smirk.

"I may be lazy but I don't plan to stay asleep when my friends need me."

"Oh no no, we wouldn't want that now would we my kit? No I'm simply going to speed up time for us."

"Speed up time?"

"Yes, for your friends only one day will pass; however for us it will seem like three days."

"Um… you know you've been with me since I was um… pretty much born right? Then… shouldn't you know it takes me forever to get anything!" Kyuubi just chuckled at this outburst.

"Of course; but unlike before you will be training as if your life depended on it… and it just might."

"So what's first on the list then?" Naruto asked still sounding skeptical. Kyuubi didn't look so high and mighty at this size… sure he still had an evil aura around him; but having the Kyuubi inside him all the time helped him get used to it and Tao said he couldn't hurt him…

"First? Oh what to teach you first from my big list of tricks…" He thought for a moment then grinned evilly at Naruto. "Myou dageki; it's basically creating and sending out a large wave of charka that extends in a circle around you destroying everything it touches. Plus, if you use my charka instead of your own, my charka will drain the life of whatever the attack touches and add it to your own energy."

"Wouldn't it be bad if it hit my friends?" Naruto asked. Sure the technique sounded cool but he wanted to learn things that would deal damage to his opponents not his friends.

"Of course it would, but when you train you'll be able to make sure to miss them."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"Nothing makes sense to a fool."

"HEY!"

"We will begin training now." Naruto growled but began mimicking the hand sigils.

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Authors Note: Well I hope it was worth the wait. Please R&R and don't worry, with summer break over my life has left me and I'll probably be on more to update more often. So till Ch 11… see ya!