It's strange that after so long the reason I come back is because of a review. Alot has changed in my life and I thought maybe the story wouldn't be missed. It's strange I wonder if I would have began typing again if somebody hadn't asked me to come back. To those that have been waiting for this, I'm sorry it took so long, hopefully my skills haven't fallen off. I guess that's all I can say for now, so hopefully everyone will enjoy the chapter.

I don't own Naruto in any way shape or form, but if I did this is how it would go.

ENTERING THE DEMON'S DOMAIN

Gaara held out his hand to Naruto. Naruto got over his surprise quickly and reached out to shake Gaara's hand. "Hey Gaara. Long time no see. How've you been?" Naruto said as his way of greeting. A smile spreading on his face. As their hands met a small smile also appeared on Gaara's face.

"Hai Naruto. It has been a long time." They unclasped hands and Gaara turned towards an approaching Lee. He extended his hand and greeted Lee as well. "Hello Lee. It has been awhile since I've seen you as well." Gaara said as he shook a smiling Lee's hand. "I hope everything is well with you." He paused there waiting for Lee's response.

Lee responded respectfully. "Hai, Gaara-domo everything is going wonderful. I am glad to see you up and about. It lightens my heart to see we were successful." Lee said as he pulled his hand out Gaara's hand.

Gaara took a deep breath before he said. "Hai, arigatou. I... we of the sand owe you and your village our gratitude. Your aid will not be forgotten. We will have a meeting later and I can speak with all those involved. I hope that is acceptable." He finished. He looked at Lee who nodded his head in the affirmative.

"Hai, Gaara that is very acceptable." Lee said. Neji had approached them as Temari had gone to tend to Hirai. Gaara turned his attention to the approaching Neji and awaited his answer. He had spoken loudly enough that Neji was aware of the situation.

"That is very acceptable Gaara-dono. We are after all now your guest's." Neji smiled as he said this last part holding out his hand to greet Gaara. "It is good to see you have regained your strength in it's full capacity." Neji said. This last he spoke once again remembering the incredible displays of power he had just witnessed. He asked that question wondering if Gaara would give a hint of how much of his actual power he had used.

Gaara however had other things on his mind. "Hai, arigatou Neji. Please excuse me however as there are other matters I wish to take care of." He turned towards Naruto who had been standing there observing the conversation while deep in thought. "Naruto, would you mind accompanying me? There is much I wish to discuss with you."

Naruto came out of his reverie and looked at his old friend with curiosity. He didn't press for any information. Instead he simply nodded his head. Gaara then turned to lead the way, Naruto began to follow. They were almost to the exit and Naruto was once again deep in thought when a voice broke into his thoughts. "Naruto!" A female voice boomed. Naruto turned to find the voice and saw Hirai standing next to Temari. As soon as his eyes found her she lowered her head and said. "G-gomen Naruto-san." She looked up unsure of herself to see a smiling Naruto looking back at her.

Naruto didn't need her to ask for forgiveness. He appreciated the gesture nevertheless. "Don't worry about it Hirai." He raised his hand and waved it once as he turned around to leave and follow Gaara. He quickly caught up to Gaara. As they walked together now Naruto commented. "Hirai looks like she will become a good shinobi."

Gaara stopped and looked at Naruto seriously. "Do you really think so?" He asked.

Naruto taken by surprise hesitated as he answered. "W-well, I don't know her that well, but I dunno. I can feel it. I just feel that she can be a great shinobi. It's the same feeling I felt when I fought you, I don't know what she's been through, but I feel she'll come out better for it." Naruto said. He felt like he was about to start rambling not sure if he was making any sense when Gaara saved him.

Gaara had not known this about Naruto. To Gaara Naruto was still an enigma. Even now in just a few words he had more pieces to the puzzle. What did Naruto see or know that he saw the good in him when they fought. He didn't know if the answer would do any good so instead he asked. "Is that true? Was your feeling about me... true?" Gaara had often wondered what Naruto thought of him. However Gaara was not good with those kind of subjects and this was as close as he would ever get. He waited with his heart in his throat to hear the answer of the person that was a turning point in his life.

"Hai, Gaara that feeling holds true. You've become a great ninja, you've become something which I also want to become." Naruto was referring to the fact that Gaara was now Kage. Gaara felt a strange sensation within himself that he had never felt before. Gaara had been praised before, many times, but nobody had ever earned his respect the way Naruto had. To receive praise from him was a new experience for Gaara. None of this reached his face. Naruto had no idea what effect his words had on Gaara. All he saw was the tiniest of nods from Gaara before he continued forward. In that manner they made their way to the Kage's chambers.

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Back in the forest Jiraiya and the others had made their lunch after finishing another leg of their journey and were finishing up their lunch. Jiraiya looked at his team and thought it was time to take a break and let them practice. "So I'll just give Kiba directions to our next meeting place. Then you guys will be free to train. I'm going to rest and I'll get everyone together before we begin our next leg. Any questions?" He asked looking from face to face. Nobody responded so he got up and proceeded to wave Kiba towards him. He said. "You two are free to go do what you guys want." He told Shino and Hinata. They both nodded as he turned to speak with Kiba. He began giving him specific directions, he saw Kiba was finally starting to listen carefully and smiled at that. He could finally relax a little bit. He finished his explanation quickly and dismissed Kiba. He then found himself alone once everyone had gone about their business and he set up a nice place so he could take a nap. Even though he had not shown it the amount of chakra he was using on this journey was great and he needed some rest. He felt he needed to be prepared for whatever awaited them.

Hinata had decided to follow Kiba for her practice. She had thought about following Shino, but he was only practicing basic jutsu's and Hinata thought that wouldn't be effective for her training. Kiba however might be a different story. She turned on her blood limit and found everyone easily enough. She felt strange doing this, she had never spied on her friends before. There was only one person she spied on of her own volition. Nevertheless she felt a sense of exhilaration flowing through her at this new training method. The ethics of this method crossed her mind briefly, but she reasoned the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks. She found Kiba and Akamaru quickly enough however and moved closer to them. She turned her limit off as she knew the direction she was headed in. Once near enough she turned her limit back on and began watching. She concentrated on reading Kiba's lips first to see if they were in fact going to try out any jutsus.

Kiba was completely unaware of Hinata and was just going about his business. He looked at Akamaru and smiled. "Guess what, I have a new jutsu down." He laughed a little bit and then corrected himself. "I think I have it down, but I'm gonna nail it right now. Then I'll make it my own and both of us will be unstoppable! Okay, I'll just get it down real quick and then we can be on our way." He said. He jumped at Akamaru and ruffled his fur and then pressed his forehead against Akamaru's. Kiba pulled away and took a deep breath. Akamaru let out a bark of encouragement, always happy to see his partner improving. Neither were aware that Hinata was watching.

From her hiding spot Hinata felt a pang of envy. She knew Kiba and Akamaru were close and she was glad they were, she couldn't picture one without the other. The reason she felt this pang was because it reminded her that she didn't have anyone like that in her life. She longed for that and always wondered if that day would ever come for her. She watched them and said softly to herself. "Its okay, I just have to be strong." She then took a deep breath of her own as this was what Kiba was doing. She saw Kiba performing his jutsu and copied it perfectly. She felt her sense of accomplishment growing with each passing seal. A small smile was now on her face. Before she realized it the jutsu had been finished. She looked at a celebrating Kiba who's unruly hair was longer and crazier than ever. The slow realization of what the jutsu was dawned on her as she absently went to push back a strand of hair. She felt the stiffness of her hair and saw that she was not just like Kiba, but that her hair because of it's length was even crazier than Kiba's going in every way imaginable. The embarrassment of what she had done finally hit her. Kiba let out an excited yell of triumph as Hinata lost consciousness and fell to the ground. Neither of them ever noticed their friend hidden away now lying unconscious. They went on their way.

A few minutes later Hinata came around. Her first action was to reach for her hair and make sure it was back to normal. She sat up and assessed the situation. She pulled her knees in towards her body and lay her elbows on them and sat in that position for a while with her hands clasped in front of her. She made a promise to herself right there. She was never ever going to do this type of training with Kiba. It took her a while to get over the shock of the jutsu. She had no idea why Kiba would want to use that jutsu. After a while she got up and went looking for Shino and Jiraiya. She found them readily enough and then they gathered their things and prepared to leave. As they were getting ready Shino approached her and asked, "Did something happen Hinata? You seem preoccupied." Hinata was caught off guard a little bit by this question. She shook her head and got up on the frog.

She looked at Shino and said. "It's nothing... really. Please don't worry Shino, I'm fine now." She said. Shino couldn't help but notice the last word she said. It totally threw him off because how could he stop worrying about her when there was something that had bothered her. He didn't want anything to disrupt their camaraderie. They then began their trek to the next point on their journey.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Back in the village of sand Naruto and Gaara were now seated in the sand Kage's office. They had exchanged stories of things that transpired since the last time they met. Naruto's journeys and Gaaras experience as Kage. Gaara now leaned forward on the desk and asked Naruto a question which he had wanted to know since the last time they met. He looked at Naruto with a serious look on his face and asked. "Is it true that the Kyubii resides within you?" Gaara had heard this from others, but he wanted this confirmed.

Naruto hadn't expected that question. He thought about it a moment and decided there was no reason to hide anything. "Hai, it is the nine tails." He then decided to ask Gaara the same thing, "Yours is the one tail, right?" He asked.

Gaara leaned back in his chair when he heard Naruto's response. The implications of this revelation sinking in completely for Gaara. He didn't know if Naruto knew everything he should know, but he decided to inform him of everything he knew. Beginning by answering Naruto's question. "Hai, Naruto, my monster is Shukaku. Do you know the stories of the tailed beasts?" Naruto had never really thought about the history of the Kyubii, much less the others and shook his head. Gaara then began his narative of the Bijus as he knew them. "Many of the beasts have interwoven stories. Shukaku was not always Shukaku and had it not been for the eight tails, Yamato, it would not be. Shukaku was originally a priest of the desert, however he was near a great battle involving Yamato. During this battle Yamato received a great boost of power and a great surge of dark chakra was released, this evil energy consumed and transformed the priest giving birth to the one tail. The ones that died in the battle also fed his power. The dark chakra transformed him into a raccoon and the violent wind and energy of the dead gave him the tattoos which you saw. I guess you could say my Bijuu is a bastard Bijuu when compared to all the others. In the order of the tailed beasts I possess the weakest naturally, but it has gained power over the centuries and it may be stronger than others now. Maybe nowhere near the level of your monster, but it is enough for me." He noticed Naruto's look of interest and curiosity. "What is it?" he asked.

Naruto quickly asked. "How do you know all this?"

Gaara was a little surprised by this question, but answered readily enough. "Shukaku told me."

Naruto's curiosity was already high, but now it was through the roof. "He told you all this? Why?! How can you trust it?" Naruto had thought Gaara had done research or come by the information in some other method, but this was a shock. He couldn't imagine the Bijuus as anything other than monsters.

Gaara, had felt similarly most of his life. So he could understand where Naruto was coming from. He thought about how best to explain it. He hadn't told anybody else what he was now about to tell Naruto, so his answer began. "What I am about to tell you I ask that it doesn't leave this room... ever. Can you grant me this Naruto?" Gaara asked.

Naruto got his emotions in check. From Gaara's tone Naruto could tell he wanted to confide something important. He wasn't about to betray Gaara's trust so he said, "Hai, Gaara, you have my word." as he nodded.

Gaara took a deep breath as he began to speak again. "Naruto, it's easy for everyone else to see the Bijuu's as only monsters. However for me and I believe in your case as well, we should develop a better understanding of them. After all they live within us and we share our bodies with them. I don't know your relationship with Kyubii so I can only speak from my experience." Gaara paused, not knowing how Naruto would react he decided to plunge ahead. "You know of my insomnia and the cause for it were due to Shukaku. I-I didn't know how much longer I could keep going with the condition, I felt my sanity was disappearing. I went to Shukaku to search for a resolution. We spoke back and forth until finally we struck a deal." Gaara took another pause and saw Naruto was deep in thought. He kept going. "We each live up to our ends and make it work so it's beneficial to both sides. I hope you don't hold it against me, but it was something I felt was necessary." Gaara sank back into his chair wondering how Naruto would react.

Naruto looked at Gaara for a minute, the meeting with Kyubii at the very front of his thoughts. How could he hold anything against Gaara when he himself was about to possibly enter the same kind of situation. Even though he wasn't sure if he wanted to know he leaned forward and said. "I get what you're saying. I have some questions though." He saw Gaara relaxed somewhat and asked. "What were the terms of the deal?" He now saw Gaara stiffen up once again.

Gaara, usually so thorough in his thoughts for some reason had not anticipated this question. He was not ready to divulge the information Naruto was requesting. "Gomen, Naruto. I'm afraid I can't say at this time." Gaara said.

There was a long pause as Naruto decided on his next question. "That's no problem. I have another question. Do you know much about the nine-tails?"He asked.

Gaara had thought much about it as well and had gone as far as questioning Shukaku on this subject and went on to tell Naruto what he had learned. "Even in Shukaku's youth the stories of the nine-tails were ancient. However Shukaku did fight the nine tails before and lost. He said the Kyubii let him live and simply walked away after the fight. He made the comment that when he fought you last time he knew immediately that it was not the real ninetails. He did not go into specifics, but he said that of all the opponents he has ever faced the Kybii is the only one which has made him wish for death." Gaara said this last and fell silent for a moment, even he had a hard time fathoming that any creature could do that to Shukaku, yet it had been Shukaku who had admitted this and there was no deceit in the Bijuu's voice when he said that. All humor all hints of joking left his voice when he said that. "That is what I learned from Shukaku about the Kyubii. I don't know how you deal with the demon-fox, but he is the best source of information you would seek about him." Naruto seemed like he now really wanted to talk, but Gaara had other responsibilities he had to adhere to as Kage. "Gomen, Naruto. I wish to continue this conversation, but there are other matters which I must attend to first." He got up while saying this and walked with Naruto to the door. Naruto didn't really speak at all as he was trying to digest what Gaara had told him. At the door Gaara asked one of the guards to be Naruto's guide. "I would like to talk more later, I'll do my best to clear up my time. Perhaps tonight." Gaara said. Naruto nodded absently and followed the guard for a little bit.

Naruto found himself in his chambers alone nearly an hour later. The desire to know more about the Kyubii now growing more intense within him. Through all his travels he had always heard legends and myths about the Kyubii. Never had he heard anything from anyone that had actually encountered him. Outside of it being a monster and it's immense power. Naruto now sat there realizing that he knew nothing about the entity that he shared his body with. The longer he sat there the more convinced he became that he needed to know something about the demon fox. "That's it I'm gonna go for it!" He exclaimed as he decided to once again stand in front of the Fox's chambers. He relaxed his breathing and cleared his mind as he prepared to go back within his mind. He accomplished this readily enough.

He now found himself in front of the huge bars. Now that he was there he felt trepidation for the first time, he wanted to learn about the Kyubbi, but he hadn't thought about how he would go about it. He was about to leave when a gust of hot wind blew out from behind the bars and the Kyubii's voice bellowed. "WHAT DO YOU WANT BOY? ARE YOU PREPARED TO FULLFILL THE CONTRACT WITH ME ALREADY." The fox stopped right before the bars and inhaled a deep breath, after which he lowered his head and gazed at Naruto. He kept Naruto from leaving with his stare. "YOU'RE NOT SURE OF YOURSELF BRAT!" suddenly there was an eruption of laughter from the fox. What was this small boy doing here, so lost and unprepared. The fox laughed at it's situation, having to lower itself to the point of negotiating with this insignificant child.

Naruto's anger flared at the fox's laughter. "SHUT THE HELL UP YOU DAMN FOX! I'm here for a reason!" Naruto yelled.

The foxes gaze shifted and turned all it's focus onto the boy. In a low rumbling voice that seemed to penetrate the walls it asked. "WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE BOY? WHY DO YOU STAND BEFORE ME?"

PREVIEW

Naruto now stands before the demon fox. What will happen?

RSO'S

Dragonman180- Yeah, she can be. I wouldn't wanna fight her either. Then again I'm pretty peaceful.

lavender eyed girl- Thanx, it would be embarassing to get my ass kicked by a girl. So it's a good thing I didn't give her the chidori. lol. Oh, I have an idea for how I'm going to make Hinata better. Hopefully it won't get my ass kicked. J/K.

vld- Ah, but you see in the big picture it can be overlooked. Plus you cheated because it was still fresh in your mind. J/K, dude whatever praise you get you deserve, don't argue with me. I don't want to turn my massive intellect loose on you. Lol, J/K my intellect isn't that massive.

elissawolf- I'm glad you like it. sorry it took so long.

mikouzumaki- lol, I have no idea how to reply to everything you said.

micellaneous-soldier- thanx

drkchidragon- you sure, because I don't think it is, bu if anybody backs you up, I'll go back and change it. We'll see how the deal works out.

Danny- Yeah, she can be vicious. I was going to go into detail about her blood-limit later, but since you asked here's a brief explanation. Her blood limit combines the Earth element with the Lightning element. There are many types of elements in the earth element, like clay. Hirai's deals with metals, whatever metal she comes in contact with she can manipulate with the heat she creates from the lightning, as you guessed I haven't touched on all her skills which will, I think, be rather impressive. Was that a spoiler, I think not, because you don't know what all she can do yet. She does have a limit however and there was a reason she plunged her kodachi's into the sand. Anyways enough about that for now. Yeah, it was because of that 'or do we' comment you made that I umm wrote it like that. Umm.. I can't say about Gaara... yet. You'll have to decide when we get there. lol. Oh, Shiki is Temari's pet name for Shikamaru. Thanx for the review as always.

causeiambetta- thanx, glad you liked it. Being original is what it's all about don't cha know.

warprince- thanx, sorry for such a long wait.

crazygirlofmanynames- Yupyup, but is that a good thing? lol.

nicademus- Yeah, you'd be surprised how much influence feedback has on the story. BTW very accurate presumption. I'll try.

hint- I hope you're still alive. Wow, that cliffhanger was a long time coming huh, and now I left you with another one. lol. You never know the rating might or might not change, depends on what everyone else says.

narashikamaru21- thanx, oh, you're the bad influence that made me take so long. I wondered where the procrastination came from. Yup, I blame you and so should everyone else. J/K. Good for you, don't get too distracted though, keep your eyes on the goals... and my story. Man, dude, girls are like drugs, once you get a taste you need it to keep coming and then your hooked, you're like I don't need her, but whenever they're around you loose all your will. Then when your away from them it's like a painful withdrawal and it almost kills you not being with one. Girls, they're becoming the great enigmas of my life... what was I talking about. Oh, good luck with getting a girl.

icedprincess- Thanx, now if only I could get you to write for me. J/K.

crakbaby- Thank you for not forgetting me. Your short review really moved me.