ACGOMN: Yeah Gaara and his siblings are in this chapter, with Shikamaru here too. However there is a problem. I don't know how long Gaara was Kazekage before he appeared again in Naruto II. By the end of this chapter 1 year 1 month and 10 days have past, which is an estimate.

Okay you know the drill...Don't own Naruto, I only own the OC's and the plot.

Chapter 8

Ichibi no Shukaku...Old Suna Allies

Naruto was in a good mood. He is going to see Gaara, Temari and Kankurou, even though he isn't close with them. He hopes to see Gaara in better condition from the last time the met. Jiraiya is happy that Naruto isn't rambling on every minute about something(i.e. ramen, Sakura-chan, Sasuke or Konoha).

"Naruto, the Kazekage is going to meet us at the gate," said Jiraiya, wondering what Naruto's reaction when he sees the new Kazekage.

"Great it is probably an old man," said Naruto.

"Oh you'll see," said Jiraiya. Naruto and Jiraiya fell into a silence when they arrived at the gate. At the gate were two Suna nin guards, and the Sand siblings. Naruto was confused and didn't see any Kazekage.

"Hey Gaara, Temari, Kankurou," greeted Naruto, loudly. Temari and Kankurou waved in greeting and Gaara nodded in acknowledgment.

"Temari-san, Kankurou-san, Kazekage-sama hello," said Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya-sama is pleases me that you have come to Suna with Naruto," said Temari, talking for Gaara.

"Wait a minute Gaara is Kazekage," exclaimed Naruto. Everyone winced, except Gaara because of the loudness.

"Let me guess you didn't tell him," said Kankurou, sighing.

"I thought it be a good surprise," shrugged Jiraiya.

"Right, follow us to the Kazekage's office," said Temari, beckoning Jiraiya and Naruto to follow her and the other siblings. It was a short walk form the gate to the Kazekage Tower. At the office, once they were inside, KAnkurou and Temari told them that they are going home and to see them later. Soon, just Naruto, Jiraiya, and Gaara were in the office together, with guards outside.

"Er, congratulations on your advancement to Kazekage," said Naruto.

"Thank you," said Gaara, "I'm pleased that you've come. You are going to be staying at me and my siblings house. Enjoy your stay in Suna, but now I have to get to a meeting." The last part was said with distaste. Obviously it was with people he didn't like. Naruto and Jiraiya thanked him and on their way out Naruto swear Gaara say

"God Damned Politicians,"

Naruto and Jiraiya walked towards the house that Gaara gave them, enjoying the Suna weather. Most of the other countries they been too was bleak and not nice out, except in Kiri. Suna was sunny out and warm out, as it being a desert.

"Naruto, Jiraiya-sama over here," said Temari letting them in the house as they almost passed it.

"Hey, Temari where's a bathroom in this place," drawled the ever lazy voice of Nara Shikamaru. He walked near her and saw Naruto.

"Hey, Shikamaru I didn't know you were in Suna," exclaimed Naruto.

"I didn't know you were here either," said Shika, possibly happy to see him, you can't really tell. "A Temari where is the bathroom?"

"Next to Kankurou's room, didn't he show you around," asked a not too happy Temari.

"No. It's not that as I need one. After all I'm leaving tomorrow," said Shika, sighing and leaving to go to the bathroom.

"Shika's on a solo mission," asked Naruto.

"Nothing dangerous, just to escort a representative to Suna to discuss things," said Temari, waving it off.

"You guys got a nice place here,"

"Thanks I decorated myself, with no help from my brothers,"

"Um, how long has Gaara been Kazekage," asked Naruto.

"About 4-5 months, since the council agreed that he was ready for the job, before that someone just did some of the Kazekage's duties," explained Temari. "You guys can go upstairs to find two guest rooms for yourselves. I have to make diner."

"You can cook?"

"What? You think the only thing I can do is fight with my fan. With two brothers who don't know how to cook of course I have to because Gaara doesn't like servants," said Temari, going into the kitchen. Naruto shrugged and went upstairs and Jiraiya followed. When they both got settled Jiraiya gave him the next journal piece and went out.

'ICHIBI NO SHUKAKU

Ichibi no Shukaku is the one tailed raccoon dog demon. Ichibi has the control over sand. He likes to be referred to as Ichibi instead of Shukaku, as to not to get confused with his cousin Kaku. He is the mate of Nekomata, which when he is away from too long gets moody, very moody. He is a born troublemaker, like Kyuubi, shapeshifts and likes humor in his life. His best friend is Kyuubi, although they do like to spar a lot.

Jiraiya'

"Oy, Naruto dinner is done," said Kankurou coming into the room, "Hey, your sensei left didn't he?"

"He usually does that," sighed Naruto, going downstairs with Kankurou. At the table, Temari had set up dinner plates and served the dinner already. Six places were set. Shika, Kankurou, Temari and Jiraiya were at the table already. Naruto sat down.

"We are waiting for Gaara," said Kankurou, "so it will be a few minutes." Naruto shrugged and waited like everyone else. Naruto actually thought for a moment that Gaara didn't eat, but he realized that was a silly thought.

"Good evening everyone," said Gaara sitting down.

"Itadakimasu," everyone chorused. After everyone ate and Temari with Shikamaru and Naruto's help cleaned up. Gaara went back to the office, Kankurou refused to help and Jiraiya disappeared again.

Later, that Naruto was sleeping when he begin having horrible nightmares, basically they were kyuubi past and things that he has done. That startled Naruto so much he woke up and didn't want to go back to sleep. He left he room and went up to the roof. Suna was very peaceful at nighttime, he could see all the stars much clearer here.

"Can't sleep Naruto," asked Gaara.

"Er, Gaara hi. Not really, just some nightmares,"

"About Kyuubi,"

"Er, how did you know,"

"A guess,"

"So, you finish will you Kazekage duties,"

"Yeah, until tomorrow. No one told me about how much paperwork it was," sighed Gaara.

"That's what Obaa-chan says," commented Naruto.

"Obaa-chan?"

"Godaime Hokage you might have met her,"

"Why do you refer to your Hokage as Obaa-chan?"

"Because she is old hiding under the young looking jutsu thing she has on."

"How old is she really?"

"Around fifty I suppose,"

"Really, she acts much younger,"

"That's Obaa-chan for you," grinned Naruto at Gaara.

"Naruto?"

"Hmm, Gaara?"

"I want to thank you,"

"For what?"

"For being a friend if I may call you one,"

"Of course we're friends Gaara. I want to thank you too,"

"Why?"

"Just for being here,"

"Ah,"

They fell into a silence. Then a something dropped from the sky, it was caught by Gaara. NAruto hoped it wasn't another message from Itachi. Unfortunately it was one.

"They will become what they truly are," read Gaara, "From Uchiha Itachi. Is that Sasuke's brother?"

"Yeah, that bastard has been sending these damn messages for the past year," complained Naruto.

"Another one," asked Jiraiya, coming to take the paper again.

"Yeah, did you figure out the other ones yet,"

"I'm close to it, but maybe if I have this one I'll get it," said Jiraiya, taking the paper away from Gaara. "Good night." Naruto and Gaara looked at the sky the rest of the night, because their was no way Naruto was going to get to bed now.

The next Shikamaru had to leave since his mission in Suna was over. Shikamaru and Temari exchanged a few insults, with Gaara watching them intently. Naruto thought to talk to Kyuubi for a moment while the two said goodbye.

'I guess Shika and Temari have a thing for each other.'

'No really'

'Aren't you just a ray of sunshine?'

'Fuck off kit. Those nightmares you had were mine you know. I didn't get any sleep.'

'One night of sleep isn't going to kill you.'

'What do you know? How about all those night you couldn't sleep when you were a kid. I didn't sleep either!'

'Don't take it out on me! It wasn't my fault!' After that Naruto decided to not to talk to him right and wait. He noticed Shikamaru waved, so he waved back. Gaara finished staring Shikamaru down since he left and another guy just walked by that gave Temari a look that Naruto knew what kind a look it was, since Ero-Sennin gets that one a lot. Gaara also noticed that and he was a chuunin ninja and gave him a look. Guess Gaara's gonna pay in back later. Note to self don't date girls with overprotective brothers.

"Eh, Naruto wanna go spar with me and Temari, while Gaara goes to the office," said Kankurou, shooing Gaara off. Gaara glared at him and used his sand to get to his office.

As the he nearly month and a half passed Naruto and the Sand Siblings grew close very close. Naruto really liked it in Suna. Not only were the getting to know the siblings nice, training was awesome here. The harsh desert like conditions really helped with the training. So, now it was time to see Naruto off to his next adventure.

"Naruto, be careful. Don't be too brash and rush into things. Keep training," said Temari.

"Geez, Temari what are you his mother," snapped Kankurou. Temari whacked him on the head.

"Naruto I'll see you soon," said Gaara, taking a break from being Kazekage.

"Yeah you can count on it guys," exclaimed Naruto. He shook Kankurou's hand, and Temari gave him a hug, and Gaara shook his hand as well.

"Thanks for the hospitality," said Jiraiya, loving Suna for it sand baths.

"Bye," said the Sand Siblings. Naruto and Jiraiya were off once again with Jiraiya only knowing where the hell they were going.

"Ero-sennin, please tell me where are we going?"

"Someplace."

"That's not a answer damnit!"

"You'll find out when we get there. Just trust me okay?"

"Fine, but it better be someplace good."

"Oh don't worry it will be," said Jiraiya, somewhat grinning.

"Hey, what do you know that I don't know?"

"Lots of things, kid,"

"That's not fair."

"Tell me about, life's not fair. Just be patient and good things will come."

ACGOMN: Wow, this story has diverged from the manga completely. Oh well. Sai and Yamato will appear in this story for different reasons. I'll tell you about other plans in the next few chapters.

Next time-

THE NEKO YOUKAI