A/N: I know! I'm sorry ok! I had to get some help from my friends on the finer points on how the story should continue. However, your patience has been greatly rewarded this chapter is about 2 or 3x as long and we get both Naruto and Gaara's perspectives, it still counts as Gaara's though, so next chapter will once again feature Naruto. So after much deliberation here is what I have produced for you all, READ ON!

And yes, I did change the summary, I didn't like it.

Sadly, Gaara and Naruto still aren't mine.

"Spoken word"

'Thoughts'

"Demon speech/speech between host and demon"

"Jutsus"

"Snake/Master speech"

'Demon thoughts'

(With Gaara, Land of Waves Village)

Gaara had little trouble obtaining living quarters; the region was too poor to refuse any prospective customer. No, Gaara's problem was with the staring the villagers did every time he ventured anywhere or spent any money; despite his frugality he was the richest person they had seen in a long time besides his target, Gato, which made gathering information on the man extremely easy. The people were quick to discuss any and everything they knew about the man and their hatred for him. The one thing Gaara didn't understand was why these people put up with Gato. They vastly outnumbered his goons, and even shinobi could be overwhelmed with such numbers, it was if the collective spirit of the village was broken.

Since he was behind enemy lines Gaara took no chances, with a promise to do something about landscaping Shukaku agreed to keep his senses trained for danger and potential spies during Gaara's frequent trips through and around the village, gathering information and scouting for possible traps and such. The only thing he hadn't been able to find, by his own searching and from careful asking, was Gato's hideout and his hired hands quarters. All he could find out was that a tax collector came by every week, and if the quota wasn't met or if the collector was late to return there was hell to pay.

'It was a good thing that Leaf team arrived with the bridge builder when they did, it took a lot of attention away from me, and they are sure to flush Gato out sooner or later.'

Gaara was not hasty, he was content to sit and bide his time. He had overheard them talking in a tavern, and from what he could tell they were outraged by this tax collector. They would practically hand Gaara his mission's success.

But there was one thing that didn't fit at all with the entire situation to Gaara's eyes. The villager's spoke of a soft spoken girl who gathered herbs and flowers in the surrounding forests frequently, and even came into town on numerous occasions. Gaara had yet to see her and no one seemed to know where she comes from or where she goes. Her disappearance rang out to Gaara's suspicion, as she stopped coming once the Leaf genin arrived. She was part of Gato's entourage, Gaara was sure.

Gaara was currently sitting in his favorite tavern of the village in the back corner, and about ten minutes later regretted his decision.

"We've got company brat, be on guard."

Gaara briefly looked up to see his unknowing helpers, who had taken the liberty to box him in. A Hyuuga and the blonde were sitting on either side of him, their sensei and some freak with sunglasses had taken the seats opposite of him. Gaara took another sip of his tea before addressing them.

"Something I can help you with?"

Their sensei looked a little startled at his indifference, but quickly recovered.

"Yes, in fact there is, we have seen you around town a lot, but no one seems to know why you are here or where you have come from, we haven't even been able to glean a name."

"Why, I'm flattered, Leaf shinobi interested in little old me?"

The air quickly became thick with tension, the Hyuuga's eyes were narrowed and the blonde looked quite angry indeed.

"You have been taken my lessons to heart, but not so obvious brat, trip them up in their own game, lead them not the other way around."

"It is fine, Shukaku, their sensei is agitated by the lack of info or something or another, but she is clearly stressed, look at the strain in her shoulders and the corners of her eyes."

Sunglasses took that moment to speak.

"I apologize for our rudeness, it would appear we have been too hasty; I am from the Aburame clan of the Leaf village, my name is Shino."

"Naruto Uzumaki."

"Neji Hyuuga."

"And I am their leader, Kurenai Yuhi."

"Jiro Saburo, what can I help you with?"

"What do you know about a man named Gato?" The Hyuuga was quick to speak, too quick to hide the under-lying threat.

"Nothing at all, I arrived here just a couple of days ago."

Now the blonde, Naruto, spoke up.

"That's bull! We know for a fact you have taken a keen interest in him."

"Interest and actual knowledge are quite different; I have no more information than any of the villagers."

"Then perhaps you could tell us what you have gathered from scouting the forests."

Gaara did not like the look in their jonin's eyes.

"What are you suggesting?"

"That you know more than you let on, Jiro. Why don't you cut the act?"

Gaara actually allowed his amusement to pass over his face, he reached into the small messenger bag he had purchased and tossed a few documents at this Kurenai.

"I assure you, this is no act."

"But these are…!"

"I have traveled in my father's place from Kumogakure to conduct some business with an associate of his that is to meet me here."

Neji continued to stare at Gaara with distrust, Naruto looked to Kurenai.

"Sensei?"

"It checks out; passport, ID, even business ledgers. This still doesn't explain seeing you in the forest, however."

Gaara was bored with this interrogation; he got what he needed from them.

"My looks aren't terribly remarkable, brown hair and such is quite common you know."

"There is no denying his argument."

"Shino?"

"We questioned him on a hunch, there was no solid evidence he is who we are looking for. His looks are quite common and his documents are all official, we are currently wasting time."

"Well I have some last minute meeting topics to cover, so if you will excuse me."

Gaara left paid his tab and silently left the pub, leaving Team 8 to discuss amongst themselves.

"Careful, brat?"

"Why? I threw them off of my trail easily enough."

"Which is what worries me, but more importantly, there was something about that blonde."

"You mean besides the snake he had guarding me?"

"Yeah, keep an eye on him; I don't trust them…even if the blonde was hot."

"Shut. Up."

(Team 8)

"Well that was pointless."

"Not exactly, Naruto."

"But his alibi was perfect."

"Exactly."

Neji and Naruto both looked perplexed so Shino took the time to explain.

"His alibi was too perfect, definitely shinobi crafted."

"So why didn't you press him on it sensei?"

"Because were currently in a game of sorts, and this Jiro knows how to play; he didn't divulge any information about himself or his purpose, but he knows were looking for Gato and that he is one of our suspects."

Naruto accepted this information with a shrug, but Neji still had a few questions.

"So where do we go from here, he was our last lead."

"Well our hands are currently tied, if he is a spy for Gato then you can bet Gato or his goons will be here soon, and if he is just a passing shinobi then we have no further business with him, as long as he doesn't impede our mission. For now let's just return to Tazuna's house."

"Why couldn't we have gotten an Inn? That Inari kid is annoying."

"Because we still have to protect Tazuna, and you Naruto should be able to connect with Inari."

"Wrong, I'm an orphan, both of his dads have died but he still has a mom, we're nothing alike."

"Fine, you and Shino go practice those jutsus I taught you while Neji and I watch Tazuna today."

The team broke apart, Naruto and Shino heading to the forest and Neji and Kurenai heading to the bridge to meet up with Tazuna.

"I'm making good progress, provided no more of my crew quits we should be done in a few days."

"Well that's good to hear, my team is starting to get a little restless."

A shriek was heard from down the bridge and the crew came running past them.

"Neji, check it out."

"There is no need, and I must say I'm offended. This is all I have to deal with; three genin and their jonin, hardly a challenge at all."

"Byakugan. Then why don't you show yourself?"

"Well that all depends on where you're looking, I'm over here."

"Neji, guard Tazuna!"

"Why he doesn't-"

"That's the S-ranked missing-nin Zabuza!"

"I see my reputation has preceded me, but I'm afraid I can't allow this bridge to be finished, a job is a job."

"Tazuna-san, stay behind me."

"Zabuza, if you want my student and client, you'll have to beat me first."

Zabuza unsheathed his sword and fell into a defensive position.

"Like a said, hardly a challenge at all; Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu"

The bridge was quickly encased in a thick fog, obstructing Kurenai's vision. A silent whistle was all the warning she had before the huge blade stuck down right where she was standing before.

"Neji, where is he!?"

"He is coming in from the left!"

Kurenai spun on her heel and listened for the tiniest sound, but found none.

"Hey kid, the adults are talking!"

Neji brought a kunai up to block the blade just an inch from his neck and it was all he could do to hold it there.

"You left yourself open."

Kurenai sensed the blade too late and was slashed across her side, Tazuna had enough sense to duck with Zabuza's attention occupied and scurried out of the mist.

"How do you like my water clones?"

"Get out of here Neji; leave him to me!"

"Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation"

Neji's jutsu dispelled the water clone and he quickly made his way to where Kurenai was being assaulted.

"We're both leaving!"

"You're not going anywhere!"

"Eight Trigrams: Large Palm Rotation"

This time the rotation cleared the mist and narrowly missed Zabuza who looked mildly surprised.

"So, a Hyuuga prodigy, it appears I slightly underestimated you."

"Neji, I can handle it from here, thanks for getting rid of that fog."

"But your wounds-"

"Are no problem for defeating the likes of him."

"Tough words for a dead woman!"

Zabuza charged again, but Kurenai was ready this time with clear vision.

"Demonic Illusion: Tree Bind Death"

Kurenai disappeared from both Neji and Zabuza's vision. Zabuza kept his guard up looking about him carefully; he failed to notice the vines creeping up his legs too late.

He began hacking and slashing at them but the vines grew faster and stronger and began sporting thorns and flowers until Zabuza was tightly bound.

"Farewell, Zabuza."

Kurenai reappeared, her bleeding had slowed and her eyes were glowing slightly, holding a kunai. She wasted no time in slashing Zabuza's neck, to find a puddle of water.

"Another water clone, check on Tazuna for me while I check the damage."

Neji was beside Tazuna in moments, checking for injuries while Kurenai gazed at the battlefield pensively. 'They've finally made their move for Tazuna…Inari and Tsunami!'

"Neji get Naruto and Shino and hurry to Tazuna's house, I'll take Tazuna there myself!"

Neji asked no question and hurried off and Kurenai moved as fast as she was able with her injuries to the bridge builder's house.

"Shukaku, those chakra spikes, where are they coming from?"

"The three stronger ones came from the unfinished bridge, but they are fading, head for the two on the left, the two on the right are too far to be worth investigating."

"Maybe now we'll get some real information."

"And maybe a little bloodshed as well?"

"That depends it could be those Leaf shinobi, we'll have to be careful."

Gaara sped through the village and came upon the bridge builder Tazuna's house.

"You sure this is the place?"

"Yes, they're still there as well."

"But if those Leaf genin are protecting Tazuna, where are they?"

"How the hell should I know? Why don't you scout if they're so important."

"Wow, you actually had a good idea. The Third Eye"

Gaara formed his sand eye and sent it to investigate the backyard. What it found made both him and Shukaku smile.

'Finally some information.'

'Finally some bloodshed.'

Gato had made his move; Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, and his grandson, Inari, we're in the backyard and from the looks of things were about to be killed. Tsunami had a kunai against her neck and Inari had multiple senbon sticking out of him. Gaara crept around back and banished the Third Eye. He then sent out small tendrils of sand along the ground before announcing himself.

"Well, well, it seems I finally found what I was looking for. Do tell what does a bandit and a…"

Gaara finally got a look at the bandit's accomplice and he raised a non-existent eyebrow.

"This is my lucky day indeed, a tracker-nin from Kirigakure, what would you be doing assaulting civilians."

The bandit pressed the kunai closer into Tsunami's throat, and from what Gaara could tell those senbon in the kid Inari was a lesson about being a hero. The tracker-nin addressed him.

"There is nothing you, a civilian, can do. Please leave, I do not wish to hurt you."

Gaara smirked and crossed his arms.

"I'm afraid I can't do that without some answers first. Where is Gato?"

"That is not for you to know."

"Well I would've asked your friend, but he's a bit preoccupied at the moment."

The tracker made the mistake of turning to find is partner bound and gagged by sand, and failed to notice the tendrils creeping up his legs.

"An interesting jutsu, but it is in your best interest if you release him."

"Funny, he seems eager to meet me, what do you say Gaara?"

"He meant his comrade, not you Shukaku."

"Well now you're just splitting hairs, he never specified."

"Fine, if it will shut you up take care of the bandit, I'm not done with the tracker."

Gaara had been so busy talking to Shukaku the senbon flying towards him escaped his notice, but not the sand's. The needles were plucked from the air and sent back towards the tracker and the sand resting on his legs bound his arms.

"That wasn't very smart; allow me to show you what happens when I don't get what I want."

Gaara dropped his genjutsu and civilian clothing, revealing his Stone arm-band.

"The Sand Clone in the Style of a Demon."

"Finally some blood!"

Needless to say the bandit was disposed of quickly, albeit a bit messily. Once Shukaku was finished he turned to the now worried tracker-nin with blood dripping from his sand formed hands and fangs.

"So are you going to answer Gaara, or do I get to have some more fun?"

By now Tsunami had helped Inari and both were safely locked in the house. The tracker hung his head.

"I'll answer one question I'm sure you have."

He shook off his mask and looked up.

"My name is Haku."

And Gaara and Shukaku were left with a puddle of water.

"Damn, I wanted to play some more! Brat, why'd you let him escape!?"

"I did not expect one handed seals from a false tracker-nin; I won't under-estimate him again. At least he confirmed one thing; Haku is working for Gato, although the villagers said he was a girl."

"Whatever lets go."

"What the hell? What type of clone is that!?"

Gaara and Shukaku looked at each other before Gaara dispelled the jutsu and collected his sand and turned to face the Leaf shinobi. Their sensei looked worse for the wear but stepped forward anyway.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"If I didn't answer you before, why should I now?"

"What do you mean?"

Gaara smirked and was about to reply before he noticed a rather large snake making a beeline straight for him.

"Call your snake off."

Naruto pushed past Kurenai.

"Not a chance, you're going to give us some answers or we'll pull them from you."

"Brat, do not make him angry!"

"Why not?"

"Look at his eyes, they're swirling red."

"So?"

"He's just like us, he holds a demon, and if I remember correctly that red means Kyuubi, the nine-tails."

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly."

"Hey! Stop day dreaming and answer me!"

Gaara regarded this Naruto in a new light, if what Shukaku said was true he wouldn't stand a chance in a fight against him, especially with his teammates around; time to come clean.

"So impatient, you know, being rude didn't work the first time."

"Naruto! I cannot get clossse"

"What? Why?"

"Thisss ssssand, it isss blocking me."

The sand had formed itself into a ring around Gaara and was whipping at Rapy anytime she got close.

"W-who are you?"

"I answered you this once; I will not do so again, I am Jiro Saburo."

"Bull, now who are you?"

Gaara smirked again; it would be fun to toy with this boy.

"If you wish to know so badly, then you must find me by nightfall."

And he disappeared in a cloud of sand.

"That bastard! How dare he, I'm going after him!"

"Wait Naruto, our mission is to protect Tazuna, and now his family. That Stone shinobi is no threat to them or he wouldn't have saved them. Let him go."

"Not a chance! He challenged me and I'm going after him."

And Naruto ran off ignoring the cries of Kurenai to stop. She sighed and turned to her remaining two genin…one genin!

"Neji! Get back here this instant!"

But it was useless; Neji had run off in pursuit of Naruto and was long gone in a few seconds.

"Well Shino, looks like it's you and me for now, lets go check on Tazuna."

Neji had some how caught up to Naruto's fierce pace and they were racing in whatever direction Naruto seemed to think this Jiro person was. In his haste Naruto had left Rapy, but she could help protect Tazuna if this chase took too long.

"So you saw it too?"

"Yeah, that gold colored chakra surrounding that clone."

"Don't screw this up; we may only get one shot at this."

"What are you – Kyuubi, this has nothing to do with mating!"

"Are you forgetting your promise?"

"No, but-"

"No buts about it, I want this one, and by extension so do you."

"What's so special about him anyway?"

"That gold chakra signifies the Shukaku, the one tail. Any of his hosts are bound to be strong and Shukaku is the only one to refuse me."

"So this is about pride and ego basically?"

"Yup, now get a move on, and ditch our stalker, he'll only interfere."

Heeding Kyuubi's advice, Naruto went from, what was to him, a jog into a full out sprint leaving Neji in his dust.

"What the!? I can't sense his chakra anymore!"

"You're probably doing it wrong, let me try…told you kit, its only faint he ahead on the left…damn it he's on the move again, how can his senses be so sharp?"

"I thought you were suppressing our chakra, Kyuubi?"

"I am…it's the ground! He's leaving a thin trail of sand to track us."

"Then let's give him a run for his money: Shadow Clone Jutsu"

The area was filled with Naruto clones running off in different directions. This confused the sand enough for Naruto to close in on Gaara.

"Alright, I found you, so start talking, who are you really?"

"Well this is quite a surprise; I expected it to take longer."

"Quit stalling."

"Alright, my name is Gaara of the Stone."

"Just Gaara, no last name?"

"No."

"Alright, then what are you doing here?"

"Mission."

"About?"

Gaara's eyes narrowed.

"That's classified information."

"Well what about-"

"Cut to the chase, what do you want?"

"Ultimately, for you to be my mate."

"You…WHAT!?"

"I want you to be my mate, not now of course, but in the future. I know you house the Shukaku, and I'm pretty sure you know I hold Kyuubi."

"So just because we're both demon container we should be mates?"

'No!'

'Yes!'

"Excuse me…" Gaara glared at the exchange, apparently this Naruto kid's demon was speaking as well.

"First you want me to find a mate and when someone offers you say no? What the hell Shukaku?"

"I mean what I said, no, I may want us to find a mate, but not the Kyuubi brat."

"Why not?"

"I won't give that damn fox the satisfaction."

"…So you don't want to be mated to the Kyuubi?"

"No, what are you deaf?"

"No, just confirming something."

Naruto had his own demon to deal with.

"You're doing fine so far, showing you're assertive and such, but slow it down, we don't want to run him off."

"Maybe I do."

"Screw this up and you will never perform another jutsu with my chakra again. Now hopefully this vessel has a will of his own."

"What do you mean?"

"I doubt Shukaku is too happy with me at the moment, and if he has any say we won't catch this hottie."

"Never again will you ever use that word in my presence."

"You got to admit he is hot."

"Yeah and he's not weird like Neji…"

"Well, so what do you say?"

"I have a mission to complete."

Naruto looked dejected and Shukaku was jumping for joy, literally and it was giving Gaara a headache, but he smirked none the less.

"However, I will think on it."

And Gaara was gone again, leaving Naruto with a small smile on his face.

'This may not be such a bad thing after all, he is definitely interesting, not to mention hot.'

"What the hell, Gaara? What. The. Hell? I thought you didn't want a mate, especially a male one!"

"I didn't, and I probably still don't, but I should at least give it a chance."

"Bull, now why did you do it? You know I don't approve of this."

"Which is more than enough incentive, consider it payback for all of those times you tormented me."

"Evil sadistic bastard…I'm so proud! Give me a hug little one!"

"Back evil spawn, back I say!"

(Unknown location)

"It would seem we severely under-estimated our opposition. We must not let it happen again."

"Hai, Zabuza-san."

"Hmm, the Leaf shinobi are mine, you take care of that Stone brat."

"As you wish."

"…And Haku, don't fail me."

Haku bowed and left the room after treating Zabuza's wounds, a sneer on his face.

A/N: All done! Oooh, Haku is a bad boy! Some minor OOCness on his part, but truly it is minor, and only a set-up for what I have planned. Updates should be back on schedule, which is every Wednesday and Sunday.

Once again I am posting a want ad: WANTED – A BETA, APPLY IN A REVIEW OR PM.

-- The Sand Clone in the Style of a Demon (sounds so much better, ne?) – See chapter 7.

Reviews for the world!!! No seriously, review for me, this story can't improve unless you do. I'm thinking of changing the title to A New Path To Follow, or something to that affect, any ideas?