A/N: I got a few reviews saying that the characters are out of character, but don't worry!!! I have it all planned out, it will all make sense soon. Doesn't that make you feel better! Oh and to the person (not pointing any fingers) who left a review saying I can't give out cookies on a computer….. they are imaginary but still taste good!!! HAA!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, only the plot of this story!!!

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The Rookie 9 had made it out of the forest about half an hour after leaving the campsite and have now been walking through the desert for 3 hours. It wasn't an overly hot day ,thank goodness, but it was still really warm out. That didn't slow them down though. They had a mission and they were determined to succeed. Even more determined because their comrade and friend needed help.

"Hey I see it!" Ino exclaimed pointing to what looked like a tiny bump in the distance but really it was the village they were looking for. They were walking for not even 10 seconds after they saw it when Kiba and Sasuke heard a sound coming from the carrier between them.

Naruto POV (3rd person)

It was still dark. Although he wasn't in the Kyuubi's prison any more. He didn't know exactly were he was.

He heard the faintest voice. So faint it sounded like it was coming from another planet.

"Hey I see it!"

Who was that?

He started to open his eyes. His vision was blurry. He could barley make out anything. But he did manage to make out to figures, and the sky

Oh crap I'm dead

A sudden wave of pain came over him. Not as intense as what he last remembered being conscious but it still really hurt. He let out a hurting moan.

Sasuke and Kiba looked down and saw that his eyes were starting to open. Naruto groaned again. Kiba and Sasuke stopped, everyone kept going.

"Hey guys!!!!" Kiba called to his teammates

"Get over here!" Sasuke called too.

Their calls sounded really urgent. It kind of worried them. They turned around and head back to where Kiba and Sasuke were putting the carrier down.

"What is it?" Sakura asked.

"Look, I think he's waking up." Sasuke said pointing to Naruto. He moved a bit and his eyes slowly opened.

His vision was becoming clearer and he could now see Kiba, Sasuke, and Sakura huddling over him. He looked around.

"Where am I?' he asked extremely confused. Everyone looked at him like it was a miracle. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Dobe, we thought you were out for good." Sasuke said smiling.

Naruto was just about to say something when the pain became more intense. He grabbed his stomach startling everyone. "What the heck happened to me?"

"Naruto are you okay?" Sakura asked

"Will someone answer me question please???"

Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a worried glance. They would have to tell them sooner or later….

"We'll tell you later. For now we need to get to the Sand village. Get some rest." Sakura said

"Hmph, fine." He sighed in defeat. He really didn't like being the only one out of action. It made him feel useless. Except right now he was absolutely exhausted. So he got some needed rest. Sakura let out a sigh of relief. He was okay.

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They entered the village within 1 hour after Naruto woke up. To tell you the truth, none of them had actually ever been to the Sand village. It was a quite magnificent place. Most of the village was made of sand mixed with concrete. They walked through the town, looking for someone familiar to greet them, seeing as they had no idea where to go. Thankfully they came across Temari talking to some villagers.

"The help has arrived." Kiba said.

Temari turned around. "Hey guys, glad to see you made it okay!" she looked down at Naruto. "Well most of you anyway. What happened to him?" she asked.

"Long story, for now we need to get him to a hospital." Sakura expained.

"Sure, this way." Temari lead them to the hospital and they got Naruto a room there. After that the others settled into their rooms at a hotel across the street. Chouji, Shikamaru, Shino, and Kiba went to help patrol the gates, Ino and Hinata explored the village trying to gather useful information and Sasuke and Sakura stayed with Naruto at the hospital. Once the nurses left the room, Naruto woke up.

"Hey, Naruto. We're in the Sand village hospital." Sakura said in a calm voice. Naruto tried to sit up. "No, you should lay down. That wound is pretty bad."

"Okay, so what happened anyway? I can only remember being attacked by some freak, then I went to use my Rasangan. That's it." Naruto said

Sasuke sighed. "You got hit really bad. The blade of the kunia that man used was…poisoned. He said something about the Kyuubi."

"That's what he was talking about….." Naruto thought outloud.

"Who are you talking about?" Sakura asked

"Kyuubi. It may sound crazy but sometimes…I can see it. Wait a second. He said he paid you guys a little visit. What happened?" he asked

"Naruto……..it came out. It took over your body and made you look like a miniature version of the Kyuubi." Sakura explained

"NANI!!!!!! Why is happening?!?!?!" Naruto asked frustrated. Just then Gaara came in. He had heard that they had come and that Naruto was wounded, so he figured he could drop by.

"Looks like someone got himself into a bit of trouble." Gaara said smiling (which most people were not used to because he never did before he met Naruto.)

"And it looks like you were right. The Akatsuki is after the jinchurikis." Sasuke said

"What makes you so sure?" Sakura asked

"The last words that man that attacked us said were something about the Akatsuki getting what they wanted." He explained

"I guess that makes sense." Naruto said sadly. He really hated this. Then the pain came again. The sealing mark. Once again it turned red like fire. He grabbed it and yelled in pain, making everyone jump.

"Naruto!" Sasuke exclaimed

"We need someone who is an expert on sealing. Fortunatly I know exactly who to get." Gaara said and then left to get a messenger pigion. This person was their last hope. No one else he knew had the knowledge needed. Chiyo-basamma…

I'm sorry if I spelled Chiyo's name wrong. No flames plz. You know you luv it so tell me how much. Oh and I am running out of ideas so if anyone could help me out that would be great. Now be my best friend and review!