Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and company, their world, the organizations in that world, or anything else you read in the manga. I do own the characters I bothered to give personalities to and the organizations I put them in and I shall flame you to hell if you use them.

Start Here

Naruto marveled at his surroundings, finally able to grasp the concept that he and Gaara weren't two of a kind. There were people who could relate to what they went through, living as demons of the village. That would also explain why all the old families (Uchina, Hyuuga, etc.) had been made sure that they were never associated with him, they were afraid Kyuubi's wildness might affect their own demons.

"Friends!" The bat man yelled when the chattering started up again at the mention of the Carnival. When that didn't work he inhaled deeply then yelled "Quiet!" with an odd vibrating quality that sent pain shooting through Naruto's head. Silence settled over the field again as the echoes of the yell died. "Two days hence, we shall begin the water races, at high noon from this very pool." He stated, pointing to the pool that rested in a crescent in front of the stage. "Any persons who qualifies and wishes to participated may purchase a map to the course with a small entry fee." He added without commenting on the requirements, "Also," he yelled before the noise could start again, "maps and registration for the air and land races are available, and can be found at the Office lobby. And the closing festive will be held here, just after the final race." He said, this time, mutterings from the crowd in varying accents, weather by a muddled state of some vocal cords or a plain accent of Common being spoken by people from different places, overwhelmed everything else any and all words that the leader said. Then he screeched again, this time Naruto saw some of the Demons with more delicate hearing fall over in pain.

"Now for a depressing announcement, at the end of this year's Carnival, I will be relinquishing my position as Tehbkage (leader of the Shadow)" he added mournfully as there was a collective gasp from the audience, "Because it is my last Carnival," the Tehbkage continued, voice back to it's happy tone, "I can guarantee it's going to be one of the best anyone, mortal or demonic, has ever had." He finished with a flourish as the crowd yelled, hollered, and uttered other, more beastly, exclamations of joy.

(space/line)

Naruto was walking out of the stadium, trying to remember how he got there; the journey to the theater was mostly a blur of adrenalin. Looking up to the skies, he couldn't see Neji or Sasuke among the numerous forms flying to unknown places. He was so busy looking for his friends that he didn't sense somebody creeping up on him he placed a hand on his shoulder. Gasping and spinning around, kunai in hand, Naruto was surprised to find that sand, of all things, ripped the kunai out of his hand. Okay, seeing as it was Gaara who snuck up on him, maybe it wasn't much of a surprise. What wasn't too surprised at the two folded ears that peeked out from the redhead's unruly hair.

"Hey Gaara!" Naruto squeaked, unsure of how to act in light of the sudden appearance of his friend (?).

"Naruto, I was wondering when I would see you here." Gaara said in a clipped manner.

"You mean that you've known about this place?" Naruto squeaked, but slightly deeper, his confidence returning with the receding of the sand.

"You didn't?" Gaara said skeptically, twisting his face in such a way that his eyebrows would have enforced his voice if he had any.

"Why doesn't anyone tell me these things?" the blond huffed, crossing his arms irately, feeling his large ears turn down like an angry cat's.

"I thought you had a fox demon inside you." Gaara mentioned out of the blue, probably because of Naruto's enormous ears, which resembled cat ears more than fox ears (he instantly grabbed at them when he noticed their size and blushed).

"I do, but I don't know what's up with the ears." Naruto murmured, still embarrassed.

"You should find out." Gaara said, turning around a walking away.

"Wait, why should I?" Naruto yelled, running after him

"Because you should." Gaara said a slightly irritated edge on his voice.

"I should? Like that's a-whoa." Naruto cut himself off. They had stopped at a gigantic structure made of rope ladders, boardwalks, hanging boxes that were probably rooms, hammocks, catwalks, nets, pools, and thick branches. In front was a simple sign that said 'Demonic Dormitories' on faded wood that was starting to mold.

"I suppose that's where you're staying?" Naruto said in a slightly breathy voice.

"Yes."

"Where do you get a room?"

"The Office."

"Oh…well then, I need one, a room that is, er-see you later." Naruto said, turning around and walking towards the only artificial building he saw on the short walk from the stadium to the Dormitories.

(space/line)

Well, the next morning, after spending the night filling out paperwork, he had a boxlike cubbyhole in the Dormitories for his own. So the first thing he did was crawl into it (it was one of the larger ones, but the ceiling was so low he had to get down on all fours) and fall asleep.

He was awakened by someone knocking on his wall as they dangled outside. Blinking blearily, Naruto looked groggily at the boy who was a few years younger perhaps and dressed in a rather ill chosen uniform.

"A message for Uzumaki Naruto." He said, handing him a small envelope before hopping back down to the ground.

"Wah?" Naruto mumbled, breaking the wax seal on the envelope. Inside was a small invitation written on thick paper in a thin calligraphy. The invite stated in three short lines to come to the Office that day at noon for a meeting and a lunch with the Tehbkage; RSVP not required. Glancing up at the sky, Naruto noticed the time was nearing noon, so he jumped out of his second story home and started a nice, leisurely walk towards the whitewashed Office.

When he got there, he showed his invitation to the receptionist there and got directed to the top floor. So, the fox boy trudged up the steps, all ten flights, until he reached the top floor. Opening it, he entered a rather well kept, if not dull, office. Sitting at the rather large desk was not only the Tehbkage, but also Keiyo, Kaito, Da Ten, Sasuke, Neji, and Naturu.

"Uzumaki, good for you to join us." The Tehbkage said, exposing pearly teeth in a slightly fanged smile.

(I'd end the chapter there, but it's much too short…poohie)

After Naruto had sat down between a twin and Da Ten and had gotten a rather, full plate and a large cup of tea placed in front of him, the Tehbkage cleared his throat to start the luncheon turned meeting.

"As you know, in four days, your friend Mitsu will be appointed the new Tehbkage. Soon after, she'll begin a tour of the other shinobi nations to introduce them to the new leader of the Shadows. I'll be honest for those relatively new to the Shadow, they hate us. So, she'll need protection to make sure that nothing deadly ends up in her. That's where you fit in. There'll be an official security squad, but then there will be you, her entourage. You'll be our trump card, acting as civilians but actually her last line of defense. It's a long term commitment, I won't lie, you'll be tangled up for three years or until you die. So, who's willing?" There was a short silence.

"I-I'm in." Kaito said from behind his teacup.

"You can count on me!" Naruto said, ignoring Kyuubi's loud-mouthed idiot in the back of his mind.

"I'll go too." Sasuke said softly

"I suppose it's what I was brought here to do." Neji sighed

"It'll give me an excuse not to see my wife for a while." Keiyo said, laughing.

"Mitsu'll need someone to protect her from all these men folk." Da Ten said solemnly, casting her vote.

"Marvelous," the Tehbkage said, drawing the word out.

Stop Here

okay then, i'm feeling rather pleasent so i'll label this the end of Scene 12 ish and leave it at that. Probably best that i do because the next bit is still under wraps, even to me...so yeah! Miako, you know, you're absolutely right, a tanuki is a racoon dog thing, i had no clue. the names i have for the demon classes are a tich random because i got them out of a three inch, mini poster sized hardcover book that was cutting the circulation from my legs. so yeah, you learn something new everyday. and i actually take complement about my slight(?) insanity. and i'm building up to the fight with sasuke, so wait, i'm playing up on naruto's ability to ignore things that bug him (see: biased villagers, sakura's hatard for him, etc) drop me an email and i'll give you a double reviewer's sneak peak: ie. the thing that finally get Naruto to pummel Sasuke. ta!