GUESS WHO'S BACK? BACK AGAIN? KUMA'S BACK! TELL A FRIEND!

Actually please tell a friend.

I'm self-advertising after a long waiting period?

I really have no shame huh?

Reality Check: Um, yes I know these things. But it's fanfiction for a reason. So...your statement has no real value behind it whatsoever. Because I decided to put it in. Because I could. Because fanfiction.

Rayne Arianna Maranochi: Maybe. Maybe not.

Guest: Ah stop. You'll make me blush. Please continue massaging my massive ego. Actually don't because I clearly have no shame.

lmm2369: The last chapter will be when Naruto is a really, really old guy, so pretty far. It'll be a timeskip to it, but essentially till after the Shippuden war arc.

jj7050: Yes. But hearing you have something like the Kyuubi in you and then actually meeting it are very very different things.

bigfan22: Thanks. I thought Kushina being Gai's sensei would be an interesting spin on things considering Minato was Kakashi's and both Kakashi and Gai have a rivalry. I imagined it as a sort of dick measuring competition practically, ignoring the fact that Kushina doesn't have one. Didn't. Do I change the wording because she's dead? Probably.

Bulba Fett: I wouldn't exactly call Shukaku overpowered. I think frankly for how hyped they were the Bijuu didn't fit the standard. I'm just putting them on a pedestal I think is more realistic.

Darklion25: How is Kushina using the Kyuubi bullshit? If Ginkaku could do it (or whatever brother that was), and he wasn't even a Jinchuriki, then sure as hell Kushina can.

Kairan1979: Don't worry. Our lord and savior Tenten shall defeat all her foes forevermore.

Brothers

The Kyuubi raced up Shukaku's body before the Bijuu could respond, the heat being generated turning the sand to glass upon contact. Shukaku snarled, his body deconstructing and surging away from the Kyuubi. The Kyuubi landed on the ground, snarling at the reforming Shukaku.

"Once again you're running away from my Kitsunebi (Foxfire) as you always have. What's wrong? Can't handle the heat!"

Shukaku roared in outrage, raising his hand. A torrent of sand surged into the air, forming a large ball over the Kyuubi's head. The Kyuubi looked upwards, a questioning look on his face as Naruto's skin slowly ripped from his body, distinegrating from the intense amount of heat. Naruto's body was merely a mess of organic red chakra and white eyes.

"Suna Shigure (Sand Shower)!"

The large ball of sand expanded before rapidly clumping together, breaking into pieces that fell like rain towards the Kyuubi. The Kyuubi snorted, opening his mouth and releasing a torrent of flame into the sky. However, the sandy rain remained strong as they surged through the flame, flickers of flame following after them.

The Kyuubi's eyes widened, his four tails impailed by the rain and pinning his body to the ground. Snarling in pain the Kyuubi looked at Shukaku, rage filling his eyes. Shukaku smirked. "You've lost now brother! Sabaku Kyū (The Coffin of Crushing Sand)!"

Waves of sand rushed forwards towards the Kyuubi, who snarled in outrage at being put on the backfoot. His eyes glowed briefly before white pulses of energy shot from the white pit that was his mouth.

The pulses of energy shredded through the approaching sand waves and exploded against Shukaku's body, causing him to yowel in pain. Shukaku glared at the Kyuubi. "I forgot about that dumbass benefit you get due to having the most of its power. Who the fuck needs lasers?"

The Kyuubi smiled, his body temperature continuing to rise until the rain that pinned his tails eventually turned to glass and he shattered them with a mere thought.

"The question is dear brother…why the fuck do you not have any?"

Shukaku roared, clasping his hands together as if he was making a handsign. "DIE! Fūton: Sasandan (Wind Style: Sand Bomb Salvo)!"

The Kyuubi frowned at the approaching wave of wind that shredded the very ground chunks of sand flying in the wind like daggers. The Kyuubi narrowed its eyes, easily dodging the blades of sand, stabbing his tails into the ground to avoid being sent flying backwards. Shukaku smiled at being treated so lightly by his brother, his hands tightening.

"Sabaku Sōtaisō Fūin (Grand Sand Mausoleum Seal)!"

The Kyuubi's eyes widened as sand coalesced around him. He started to spit flame and lasers in a hectic manner, trying to shatter the jutsu before it was completed, yet he was to late as the juinjutsu on Shukaku's body moved over to the pyramid, locking it in place.

Shukaku smiled as he looked at the massive, multi-layered and multi-leveled pyramid that sealed his brother. "I finally beat you! Kurama!"

His triumphant roars were heard by the heavens, until he saw the pyramid suddenly instantly turn to glass. Shukaku's eyes widened.

"No…that's impossible. There's no way you could have broken free from that!"

He heard a deep growl from within.

"Think again!"

A massive coloumn of flame and raw energy erupted from the pyramid, blasting it to pieces. Massive shards of glass flew through the air as an oppressive filled the air.

"Was that your best shot, dear brother?"

The Kyuubi howled, letting loose a large shockwave of energy, flattening the ground and blowing Shukaku backwards. "If it was…NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE TO ME AGAIN!"

The Kyuubi raised one of his arms, bringing it down with force, creating a large crater. From the crater fire erupted, lighting up the sky. The Kyuubi smiled in his tower of flame. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

The tower of flame curved, rushing towards Shukaku, causing the Bijuu's eyes to widen. "No way! I refuse to lose to you brother!"

Shukaku slammed his arms together and raised them shakily, as if he was lifting a heavy wait. A massive wall of sand erupted from the ground, juinjutsu flowing over it at a rapid pace. The wall thickened quickly, yet slowly started to be turned to glass due to the intense heat of the flames. Shukaku growled, his arms shaky yet he pushed back, massive waves of visible chakra flowing off of his body.

Finally, the tower of flame stopped, but the wall had been completely converted to glass. The Kyuubi charged, smashing through the glass with ease, a snarl on his face. "Fight me fool!"

The Kyuubi roared, unleashing several lasers that struck Shukaku in the leg, shredding one of his legs to pieces. The Bijuu quickly reformed it, yet he was unstable.

Shukaku snarled at his brother, raising a sandy arm. "Shut up! Fūton: Renkūdan (Wind Style: Air Bullet)!" Shukaku belched forwards the dense ball of air, sending any nearby trees flying from the force of the wind. The Kyuubi smirked at the approaching attack. If this was his body he would have rushed forwards and simply shrugged off the attack, but he knew that Naruto's frail body, despite being enhance by his chakra, would be severely injured by how much chakra Shukaku had placed in the attack, if the size of the ball was anything to go off of.

The Kyuubi instead, let dozens of chakra spheres blast of his body. He smiled. "With the positive black and the negative white," the Kyuubi began to chant, his white eyes morphed by the approaching wind. "I unleash thee…" the Kyuubi smiled as the spheres fused together to form a small black ball in front of him. He quickly ate it, steam coming from his mouth as his body sank into the ground due to the increased weight.

"Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Bomb)!"

The Kyuubi unleashed the attack in a powerful, large beam that dwarfed the air bullet headed his weight. The attacks clashed, and the air bullet exploded on impact as the beam surged forwards, the bullet completely incapable of stopping the outrageous power packed in the beam. Shukaku's eyes widened.

"I was just freed," he muttered. "Well that sucks…"

Sand formed in large, compact walls in front of the Bijuu before he shrunk the rest of his body down, using it to protect Gaara. "Don't go dying on me now you dick," Shukaku stated, looking down at the unconscious form of Gaara.

The beam then surged forwards, destroying the walls and enveloping Shukaku. Shukaku howled in pain as his body was shredded apart. 'Even with half your chakra and just being released you still are so strong…you're still just as strong as ever…don't get it twisted though! One day I'll beat you…you no good nine-tailed jackass!'

With that Shukaku's defence crumbled, and Gaara was hit by the quickly diminishing blast. The blast, while severely injuring the boy, did not kill him, instead waking him up and causing the rest of Shukaku's sand to scatter like dust in the wind. The Kyuubi smiled as he saw this, before he quickly began to recede back into the seal.

"Remember this boy," the Kyuubi muttered from inside his seal as his chakra faded and Naruto dealt with the consequences of his body using so much chakra. "I keep my promises…"

With that the Kyuubi fell silent. Naruto groaned as his body convulsed with pain, the Kyuubi's chakra leaving burns across his body. The glaring red markings left a flaming pain across Naruto's skin, causing him to scream out in pain. 'Is this the consequence of using so much of the Kyuubi's chakra without proper control?'

Naruto screamed again, the pain being unbearable. The dark red markings surged across his skin, pulsating as his body naturally drew in the Kyuubi's chakra to regenerate.

It did not make him feel better.

Naruto snarled, his vision forming dark black spots before he slipped into blissful unconsciousness.

XxX

Hiashi's eyes widened as the two large, blaring white chakra signatures he saw from not far out vanished, both becoming tremendously small. Guren noticed this and turned, her eyes widening at the sight of Shukaku crumbling to the ground, a terrifyingly powerful blast of power shredding his body to pieces.

"No way," Guren muttered. "That little brat actually beat Shukaku?"

Hiashi smirked, watching as Cerberus disappeared in a cloud of smoke, obscuring the entire area. "Naruto…you have done well."

Guren snarled, glaring at Hiashi. "Well then I suppose that means we'll have to wrap this little game up now won't we?"

Hiashi smirked at her. She was breathing heavily and if his Byakugan was right, nearing the point of chakra exhaustion. He himself was close to his breaking point, however he knew that given the proper time he could still beat her in a battle of attrition.

Guren weaved through handseals and Hiashi's eyes widened as he saw her chakra spike, forming a dense shroud around her. "Impossible," he muttered.

Hiashi prepared himself, drawing his hands back.

"Shōton: Hashō Kōryū (Crystal Style: Burst Crystal Falling Dragon)!"

The large, pink dragon made of crystal let loose a chilling roar, the sound revebrating off the walls as it shot forwards. Hiashi however stood his ground, his armor flickering. The chakra it contained suddenly started rushing towards his hands.

"Juken: Hyakujuunoou (Gentle Step: King of Beasts)!"

Hiashi lashed outwards with his palm, releasing a shimmering blue lion construct that let loose a terrifying roar as it rushed forwards. The lion had strange black designs cascading down its form, it's claws visibly tearing through the ground. As dragon and lion clashed the two roared, the dragon's claws shredding into the crystal dragon's body. However, the dragon simply roared and bit into the lion, eliciting a growl of pain from the beast. The two kings, one of myth and the other of the jungle battled furiously, until, with a final roar of primal victory, the lion slammed the dragon into the dirt, ripping it's throat out.

As the crystal dragon crumbled the lion turned to Guren whose eyes widened. She sighed. "It looks like I lose," she muttered. "I hope I was of some use to you…Orochimaru-sama."

The lion roared, rushing forwards, however before it reached Guren it was destroyed. Her eyes widened at the sudden action causing her to turn towads the source. Hiashi did likewise.

"You four…why did you save me?" Guren questioned the four before her in outrage. "Orochimaru-sama required you!"

The lone female of the four, her crimson hair cascading down to her sides, responded. "Shut up you fucker! You're lucky we came to save your fucking life! Be grateful shithead!"

Guren's face exploded into one of absolute rage. "What was that you little bitch?" Guren's face was one of pure outrage. This girl always brought out the worst in her. "I'll kill you where you stand."

The crimson haired girl snorted, bringing a flute up to her lips. "Come at me. I doubt you could even lay a single finger on me bitch."

Before the two kunoichi could start a fight in the middle of a warzone a large man interrupted them. "Come on Tayuya, that's not what we're here for."

The now-dubbed Tayuya, rolled her eyes. "Shut up. You don't order me around fatass."

The large man turned to glare at the young women. Hiashi watched the display with a strange and confused look on his face. He didn't quite understand what was going on honestly.

The large man turned. "We came here to get you Guren…Orochimaru-sama has ordered our retreat."

Guren's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Did we accomplish our mission?"

The large man frowned, a disappointed look on his face."

"Well…"

XxX

(Moments Earlier)

Jiraiya rushed towards the two undead Hokage standing before him. Tobirama watched the man with an eerie expression. Jiraiya ran forwards, his blood trailing on the ground. Tobirama saw what he was aiming for and resisted the urge his jutsu put on him. He groaned as he struggled, his hands slowly moving to forming handseals. "Jiraiya…quickly! Get Hashirama first!" Jiraiya rushed forwards, his speed pathetic but Tobirama could not blame him. The man was likely completely exhausted, and there was no doubt he had chakra exhaustion.

Hashirama rushed forwards, his face neutral as he clasped his hands together, forming two large wooden dragons next to him. Jiraiya frowned dodging the first dragon, idly watching as it slammed into the ground, splintering. The second dragon rushed forwards and Jiraiya allowed it to hit him, causing him to spit blood as it slammed him against the ground. Hashirama walked next to Jiraiya, weaving through handseals. Jiraiya smiled, reaching out with his hand and grasping Hashirama's ankle.

"Jōdo: Saihatsu (Pure Land: Return)!"

Hashirama's eyes widened as seals erupted across his body as he began to crumble. As his body shriveled up and crumbled to pieces it revealed the remains of a young man, likely a sacrifice. Jiraiya frowned in disgust, standing as the wood dragon crumbled.

Tobirama smiled, rushing forwards on a stream of water. Jiraiya smirked, planting his feet and raising his hand. "The Will of Fire burns brightly! Jōdo: Saihatsu (Pure Land: Return)!"

The blood on the ground erupted, the blood rushing forwards, spilling into Tobirama's water and wrapping around his body, forming sealing arrays. Tobirama smiled. "Good work…Jiraiya."

Jiraiya smiled at the compliment from the elderly man, his fatigued mind making sure to retain that memory. As Tobirama's body crumbled, revealing a female corpse this time Jiraiya fell to the ground. Jiraiya smiled again, turning to look at where Hiruzen and Orochimaru were still engaging in combat, his body trying to force him into a state of unconsciousness but he was to determined to give up so easily. He strutted forward, one last jutsu forming before he slipped into blissful unconscious.

"I'll get this done…"

Another Jiraiya, a shadow clone filled with all the chakra Jiraiya could pump into it stood, flexing. He sat down, pulling a sheet of paper from the originals back and beginning to draw a seal. "Hold on Hiruzen…just a little longer."

Meanwhile, Hiruzen slammed Orochimaru's body into the ground, the snake squirming under his teacher's superior strength. Fear reflected in Orochimaru's eyes as he saw his summons be so quickly dispatched of.

"How? You shouldn't be this strong! My jutsu shouldn't have been cancelled!"

Hiruzen smiled. "Orochimaru I will not deny that you caught us by surprise…but did you really think we would not prepare for such drastic measures? The second we heard about you I recalled Jiraiya. And I have already sent out a mandated return for Tsunade, if only for a couple of weeks to help with the casualties. Jiraiya put a seal on me that amplifies my chakra and physical strength. While I'll never use chakra again…it should be more than long enough for me to kill you!"

Orochimaru's eyes widened, opening his mouth as a white snake spewed from it, the snake's wings flapping. Hiruzen watched, no, stared. He couldn't believe what he student had become.

"Orochimaru," Hiruzen hissed. "You truly have become a monster beyond all comparison!"

Orochimaru hissed, poison spewing from his mouth in a heavy fog, causing Hiruzen's eyes to widen. Hiruzen jumped backwards, only breathing in a small amount of the poison. His eyes blurred.

"Fast," he muttered, before he saw Orochimaru lunge towards him. Hiruzen raised Enma, who shot forwards, now back in the form of a monkey. Orochimaru snarled, dodging Enma's fists, wrapping himself around the monkey king, throwing him away like garbage. Orochimaru then turned to Hiruzen, whipping forwards. His mouth opened, Hiruzen prepared to sink his fangs into Hiruzen's neck, yet a familiar call got him to stop.

"Chakra Fuuin no Jutsu (Chakra Sealing Technique)!"

The clone of Jiraiya landed, slamming his hand onto Orochimaru's scales. The snake-man growled. "Damn you!"

The poison in the area quickly dissipated, yet Orochimaru howled, the wings on his back carrying him upwards. The Jiraya-clone smiled. "You lost, Orochimaru. You can no longer use any chakra. Even with use weakened like this…you can't hope to win."

Orochimaru snarled, his tongue laying out of his mouth. "Maybe not in this condition," Orochimaru murmured. "I underestimated you all too much for me to win this battle. I assure you next time will not be the case."

Jiraiya frowned, jumping into the air. "There will be no next time, Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru laughed, the crude sound mocking and abusive. "You act as if you can stop me, fool!" Orochimaru flew upwards, moving at a rate that Jiraiya could not keep up with, even with his immense speed while running up the wall. Orochimaru reached the top of the pit, looking at the four ninja who gave their lives to guard him.

"Give the order to retreat," Orochimaru muttered, "We cannot win this battle, not today."

The four ninja nodded, watching as Orochimaru flew the sky, towards the nearest Otogakure base. They rushed off, trying to find any Otogakure shinobi and tell them to retreat. Normally they wouldn't, however it was likely Orochimaru would want to salvage as much of this disaster as they could.

(Current Time)

"I see," Guren muttered, a frown on her face. "Fine. We'll leave."

Guren tried to move, yet Hiashi stood in her way. "Do you truly think I'll let you escape from here?"

Guren smirked. "You're a little to tired to be finishing me off and dealing with these four aren't you?" Hiashi frowned, turning to the four shinobi who glared at him, dark grins on their faces as they prepared to fight. Hiashi sighed. This was not a fight he could win. He would be hard pressed to defeat all of them even if he was fully rested. With no other decision to be made he let Guren pass.

"I knew you were a wise man, Hiashi Hyuga," Guren stated. "Next time don't get in my way though," the kunoichi muttered, before the five Otogakure shinobi disappeared. Hiashi growled, rage clear on his face.

"Damn it all to hell."

XxX

Nurari smiled at Hinata and Sakura, both of whom were wide eyed. "How are you alive," Sakura asked, her eyes wide. She was eyeing the markings on Nurari's body with worry, even more worry than him being alive when she clearly remembered slitting his throat.

Nurari laughed. "Me? You two should really be less confident and check for clones when killing someone."

Sakura's eyes widened, causing Nurari's dark grin to deepen. Suddenly the teenager disappeared, nothing even suggesting he moved. Sakura flinched backwads, unable to track his movements, yet Hinata barely made it in time, getting Sakura out of the way, a slash on her shoulder for her trouble.

"Hinata," Sakura called, a frown on her face. "You got hurt." Hinata shook her head, watching Nurari's movements, the blur in her vision almost getting passed her when she was fully concentrated.

"Focus on him Sakura."

Nurari appeared in front of the duo, his fists already flying. Hinata's eyes widened, trying to form a Hakkeshō Kaiten (Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven) around herself and Sakura, yet she failed as the fist exploded through her half-formed sphere, sending both of them flying backwards. Both Hinata and Sakura coughed, blood spilling from their mouths.

Nurari smiled, launching himself forwards, his leg extending, whipping around and slamming into both girl's bodies. He smiled, pushing, sending them flying into a nearby building. He smiled, gathering the liquid around his suit "Nensuikai (Sticky Water)!" He threw the orbs, both smashing against the girl's bodies and pinning them to the rubble of the building. Both of them tried to struggle, their arms and hands pinned in the liquid, yet the effort was futile. Nurari smiled, drawing a kunai.

"How did you get so unnaturally strong," Sakura muttered, fear reflecting in her eyes. Nurari smiled. "This little marking of mine that scumbag gave me. It seems it was worth something after all. He wasn't lying. It really does make you invincible."

Sakura snorted. "No one is invincible. Not even Orochimaru."

Nurari smiled, however it was not one of mockery, or mirth. It was one of grim acceptance. "Oh how I wish you were right," Nurari said, a sullen look on his face. With that he prepared to kill the two girls, yet Hinata's eyes burst open, chakra glowing from them. Her body was faintly covered in a blue glow that concentrated around her hands before she speared through the liquid, landing on her feet. The glow faded immediately afterwards however, and instead she looked completely drained. Nurari's eyes widened.

"To use your chakra as a scapel to escape…I would expect nothing less of a Hyuga. Your clan is probably the only clan capable of such a feat. Nonetheless, you by yourself lack the capability to defeat me."

Hinata frowned, taking a stance, her eyes burning with resolve. "I do not need to defeat you. I simply need to survive until someone else comes along who can."

Nurari smirked. "You assume you can survive that long against me girl."

Nurari rushed forwards, hists fists already flying. Hinata's eyes widened, barely managing to avoid the first punch. However, the follow up slammed into her cheek, sending her stumbling backwards. Two more sent her flying. Hinata slammed against the ground, her body hurting. Nurari smirked. "Enough, fall at my feet."

Hinata stood, slowly standing on shaky legs. Nurari frowned, more of the liquid forming on his hand. Just as he was about to throw it he saw a burst of smoke form a snake in the sky. Nurari's eyes widened, before he glanced to look at Hinata. "You got lucky girl. Next time you will not be so fortunate."

With that the markings on Nurari's body disappeared before he moved, leaping across buildings. Hinata blinked. "Sakura what happened?"

Sakura frowned. "I think they may be retreating," she muttered. She groaned, still trying to struggle out of the liquid. "If you wouldn't mind." Blushing, Hinata rubbed the back of her head. "I can't. I used up the rest of my chakra escaping. I'm only running on fumes right now. Breaking free of that stuff takes up a lot of chakra." Sakura sighed. "I understand. Well then, go find out what's up. I'll be fine here." Hinata frowned.

"Okay, but scream if you need help." Sakura smirked. "Like a damsel?"

Rolling her eyes at Sakura's wit despite the serious situation. With that Hinata launched herself onto the top of the nearest building. She looked around, her Byakugan off due to the lack of chakra to sustain it. Her eyes widened as she saw enemy shinobi everywhere retreating in a chaotic fashion. She noticed many Konoha shinobi were trying to chase them down, some being captured and some simply being outright killed, likely to much of a threat to even risk captivity despite the information they would know.

Hinata turned, hearing a large roar. Her eyes widened as she saw a large flash of chakra far in the distance tearing through the trees. Her eyes widened as an oppressive flash of energy surged through the land, a cold sweat breaking out. She slowly started to retreat away from the area subconsciously. She was being told to flee. It only made sense.

Whatever was only there could only be a monster, a demon given human flesh.

Her body shuddered with the oppressive feeling, nearly collapsing to her knees under its sway until she felt strong arms hold her steady. She turned, panicking and lashing out, mostly due to the fearful energy she felt. If it was that powerful, who knew what it could do? How fast it could move?

Instead she found her fist caught by her father, causing him to raise an eyebrow. "A fist? You must have no more chakra left to use something so unworthy."

Hinata fell to her knees, mostly in childish relief that her father could defeat that monstrosity. Yet as the feeling increased she could only begin to doubt. Her father could never defeat something like that, no matter how powerful he was.

"Stand up, Hinata Hyuga."

Hinata's gaze snapped to meet her fathers, wanting to question him on how he could force her to do such a thing when such a powerful force flowed through the very air. Yet she saw him shaking, she remembered her name, and she stood.

If he could bear the immense strain of standing under such surreal power, so could she. She had to.

"Father…that power….what-"

"Naruto."

Hinata's eyes widened, disbelief flooding her eyes. "There's no way! Naruto doesn't have chakra like that. His chakra is vast yes, but it's not this powerful, and it doesn't have this malicious feel to it. It's not…demonic."

Hiashi frowned. "It is him. Or more accurately, it is the demon that he contains. For him to use so much of its power must mean he truly is in a battle in which he believes he cannot win."

Hinata's eyes widened. "You mean…this is the Kyuubi's power?" Hiashi nodded. Hinata shook, unable to bear the weight of such news. She knew the Kyuubi was powerful. She knew Naruto bore an extremely heavy burden, yet she didn't know…this.

How could anyone?

How could Naruto bear it?

And this was the power it was able to leak off when it was sealed?

What kind of monster was it when it was allowed full power? Hiashi frowned, holding his daughter. "Fear not. Naruto will return to you just as he always does. He won't be defeated by some meager beast. He's been containing it his entire life, he will continue to do so."

Hinata desperately tried to believe him.

XxX

Naruto groggily opened his eyes, slowly lifting himself up the ground as his vision began to clear. He coughed, his body searing with a piercing pain that caused him to cough, blood spilling from his mouth. He lightly flexed his body, an unwelcome wave of nausea and pain washing over him. Groaning he managed to lie on his side, his eyes widening as he saw the barely conscious form of Gaara lying across from him.

Naruto frowned, slowly crawling towards Gaara like a baby. Gaara's eyes widened, fear enveloping his eyes. "Stay away from me!"

Naruto ignored Gaara's protests, continuing forwards as Gaara tried futilely to get away. His body simply would not respond to him. He had used it all to have Shukaku take control.

"How?" Gaara called out, fear in his eyes. "How are you so strong! After using your Bijuu like you have, how can you still be moving!"

Naruto groaned, his eyes brimming with desire. Yet what that desire was was unclear, even to Gaara. "I have people I wish to protect. That is why I forced you out of Konohagakure during the battle. That is why I fought you tooth-and-nail even after the result of our last battle. That is why I relinquished control over to the Kyuubi like you did to Shukaku. And that is why I am able to keep moving afterwards. Because I have people I love and would be more than happy to die protecting."

Gaara's eyes widened as Naruto's words struck him like a freight train. He felt as if air itself had turned on him and left his body. "What?" Naruto didn't understand Gaara's confusion.

"You have friends?"

Naruto nodded. "That is a right that everyone should have. From what I understand though…you lack friends. That is why you lost to me here Gaara. In the preliminaries I was fighting for only myself. Now I am fighting to protect. You can never lose when fighting to protect, no matter the odds."

Gaara shook his head, as if the words Naruto spoke harmed him. "Fight…to protect?" Naruto smiled. "Yes…that's what friends are. People worth protecting. That's what friends do. They make you strong."

Gaara found it hard to believe his ears. "So because I lack friends…I am weak?" Naruto smiled, finding it hard, even after all he had done, to hate Gaara. His wasn't truly evil at heart. He had constantly been mislead, likely by Shukaku.

"Gaara…did you ever have friends?"

Gaara frowned, his body shaking. He didn't know why, but at this moment, with both of them in such a fragile condition, no, with him in a position of powerlessness, he felt more open than he had in his entire life.

"No…I was…rejected. The source of hatred in the village due to Shukaku. Eventually…eventually my own father tried to kill me with assassinations. After them I could no longer even be in my own family home and was forced onto the streets. I don't even live inside the village."

Naruto's eyes widened at the brief explanation of Gaara's life. "What? What type of person tries to kill their own son! What type of village just allows that?" Gaara looked confused.

"Were you not subjected to that?" Naruto shook his head. "Sure I was the source of the villages hatred, and for a long while I couldn't make friends, but there were no assassination attempts to my knowledge. I was beaten, but never far enough to be called an assassination attempt. And the Hokage never sent any assassins after me. And I live inside the village. I…I haven't known such an intense level of suffering."

Gaara frowned, his rage striking back up. "Then how could you ever understand it! Fighting for yourself! Knowing that the only way to prove your existence is to do as they wish! To kill! Killing is the only way I can prove that I exist! They would all wish I never existed to begin with!"

Naruto frowned. "No…I wouldn't understand that because I made friends that acknowledged me. It took a long time…and a more favorable situation on my side…but I made it through. I have no doubt that you can do the same. After all, you actually have a brother and sister. Family are even better than friends."

Gaara raised an eyebrow. Naruto smirked. "Trust me. I know, I'm an orphan."

Gaara's eyes widened at the news. He never would have guessed that Naruto was an orphan. The idea seemed foreign to him. There were not many orphans in Sunagakure, although he supposed after the war there may be quite a few. "But…I do not have a good relationship with my siblings. I do not know how to make friends. It is a futile effort."

Naruto frowned, reaching out and putting a hand on Gaara's shoulder. The boy flinched but still managed to look Naruto in the eye. "I can say that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of persistence and effort on your side. You scare your siblings with your attitude. Try and be kinder towards them and it may work out." Gaara's eyes widened.

"Kindness? But how can I know they will not just betray me like everyone else?" Naruto smiled, putting his hand on Gaara's chest, feeling the boy's heartbeat. "Their bonds." Gaara raised an eyebrow. "You act as if that is some profound meaning that will open my eyes. This isn't a fantasy story being written by some all-powerful writer on some website for nerds. This is real life." Naruto snorted at Gaara.

'That's what you think…I know you're there Kami-sama.'

"I mean, by how much they show they care for you, what they are willing to do for you, how much they love you. Those are bonds. Those are the things that give others strengths. Their desire to see others happy."

Gaara frowned. "I am not sure I can make such a thing."

Naruto snorted. "You already have dipshit." Gaara raised an eyebrow. "I am confused. What 'bond' have I created? And with whom?"

Naruto smiled, and the sun seemed to intensify on the two. "You made a bond with me dumbass! As of right now Naruto Uzumaki declares Sabaku no Gaara his friend! Deal with it!"

Gaara's eyes widened, confused and embarrassed at the sudden action. "What? Friend? But…you hardly know me." Naruto smirked. "Friends get to know each other."

"I tried to kill you."

"I tried to kill you for a brief while."

"I destroyed things that you cared about."

"So have my friends."

Gaara's eyes widened. "Then how are they-"

"Because they understood what they did and apologized. Because they made up for their mistakes. No one is perfect, and even friends mess up. But…if they are truly a friend, they try to get back on track." Gaara's eyes widened. Naruto smirked. "Just…think about it. And also, don't listen to Shukaku. He's just trying to manipulate you."

Gaara growled, defensive about the topic of his 'mother'. "He has been the only constant in my life! I cannot just do that!"

Naruto frowned. "I understand that. You two share a bond, one much closer than me and the Kyuubi. Much more intimate, although I am not sure it is a good one. But maybe it can become one? Killing is not the answer Gaara, but neither is ignoring a Bijuu completely. Accept its ideas…try to befriend it."

Gaara frowned. "To use it like shinobi expect?"

Naruto shook his head. "No…to understand. Understand who it is. Bijuu aren't exactly people, but they do have a will, a conscious, a personality. To have that…they deserve to be better than a figurative blade."

"A blade…"

Naruto nodded, however his eyes snapped to the left as the Kyuubi roared in his mind.

"Enemy shinobi! They're hostile. You need to move now! You can't fight them off in your condition!"

Naruto looked at Gaara. "It looks like I'll have to go. Your allies are coming this way and I can't fight them off. They wouldn't understand our conversation anyways likely. Just…put some thought into what I said okay."

"Wait," Gaara said, stopping Naruto from hobbling away. "How do I know you're not trying to trick me right now?"

Naruto frowned. "Trust in our bond."

Naruto then turned and walked away, or more accurately, hobbled.

As Naruto disappeared Temari and Kankuro landed next to Gaara, Genruko not far behind them, along with a mass of other Suna shinobi. "Gaara!" Temari cried, worry in her voice. Gaara looked at her confused. For once the worry in her voice truly reached him. And it resonated with something deep inside of him. He turned to look towards the way that Naruto had gone.

"I'll kill that Naruto for doing this to you," Temari said, rage filling her voice. Gaara shook his head, causing Temari's eyes to widen. "What? You don't want to get back at Naruto for harming you? He drew blood."

Gaara ignored her. "I am…sorry…Temari…Kankuro…for my behavior over these years. I realize now…that I have a lot that I must make up for."

Temari and Kankuro blinked at the words, unsure of what to say. "Uh…yeah…got it," Kankuro stumbled out, unsure of the wording he used. However, a single thought was running through both Temari's and Kankuro's minds.

'What the hell did that Uzumaki brat do to you?'

XxX

A man groaned, stretching as he walked out of his quaint home, glancing around at the surroundings. "That battle was intense," he whistled. "Those two boys are more powerful than I ever would have imagined. Then again…what could I expect from Kushina's son and another Jinchuriki?"

The man stretched, beginning to walk towards a specific direction, his body moving. Light reflected off of his armor and clothing, causing a red trail to appear behind his back. The man smiled.

"A fallen monkey will always rise to take its revenge against those who wronged him…"

XxX

A blonde woman, wearing a green trench coat walked into a war-torn Konohagakure. Her beautiful face was marred in a frown, obviously disgusted with the very idea of being back in such a place.

"Only to heal the wounded," the gorgeous lady muttered, walking forwards. A black-haired woman followed behind, a pig in her arms.

XxX

A sea of sand covered up the traces of any battle in the area. The sandstorm of golden dust finally began to settle on the battlefield, falling lightly on the sand.

"So you did it huh? You got the Kazekage's body like you wished," a figure stated, garbed in a black cloak with red clouds. The hunched over figure nodded, the scroll in his hands as his large body nearly bulged out of an identical cloak.

"The Kazekage is my puppet now."

The other man nodded. "Good. Now let us go collect that bounty before the meeting." The hunchback sighed. "I suppose that is okay. We have accomplished my goals for now. Let us set out to accomplish your own."

The duo walked off, the sand covering up any trail they left. The specters of the New Dawn vanished into a new, rising, storm.

Yes I know this has been a long chapter in waiting. There is no excuse. But I also have nothing really to say. The last tidbits are mainly just foreshadowing of eventual characters that will be very very important. You already know who the majority, actually all (although he's technically an OC but kinda not), of them are actually. They're fairly important in the grand scheme of things. Akuma out.

PS. Seriously though I do apologize for the long wait. Life just came in and kicked my ass practically. But fuck life. I will work through life and get this out to you guys because you deserve it. Literally you guys are amazing, and I really appreciate each and every one of you. Your follows, reviews (even the flames), favorites, even the people who simply stop in and I don't even know exist. Thank you. Thank each and every single one of you for everything you've done.