Night of the Vulpine Moon

*Naruto doesn't belong to me because if it did Naruto and Hinata would kick Sasuke's and Sakura's ass all day *

(A/N: This is all who is now in the clan: Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Anko, and Konohamaru)

(They still have to find: Itachi, Konan, Deidara, Sasori, and Kisame; more will be joining soon)

Chapter 6-"Imaginary"

"So…who or better yet where do we start looking first because we can't just travel all around asking have we seen S-ranked criminals with animalistic traits now can we?" Anko asked as they made their way to the nearest town which was Otafuku Gai to stock up on supplies. "Since five of the clan members were shot off into 5 different directions I believe that we will find a clan member each in one of the 5 great nations according to what biju they are. I'm guessing that since we're in the fire nation we will find Yugito or Konan who holds the two-tailed cat and if they're smart, which they are, they will stay in a place that we can easily find them and put on a henge as to blend in." Naruto said looking back at the snake kunoichi as she nodded and said that was a good idea. "But where would find them since we can't just travel all around the fire nation going to all the villages and towns looking for them because we don't have the time nor the money for that although that sounds like fun" Konohamaru said as he looked up at Naruto who was smiling at the shorter shinobi.

"Well I have a plenty of money left by the Kyuubi, not enough to do as Konohamaru said but enough to last all eight of us for about a month or so. However, we will have to find the others and quickly because since we're on the run, we won't be getting a lot of missions, the more people we find the more money I will have to spend, and soon all the nations will be looking for us and the rest of the Akatsuki so time is definitely on the essence." Naruto said as they slowed down to conserve their energy and chakra once they read a sign saying that Otafuku was just a ¼ of a mile away. Naruto looked around at his animalistic clan and smiled as he took in the type of animal all of them were. Gaara had red tanuki ears and a red tail that had strange markings that was the same color as his eyes matting his fur as he talked with his siblings about the return to Suna to deliver the news. Neji had wolf-like ears and mouth that now sprouted a wolf-like grin as his five colored tails swung behind him to match his 5 ringed eyes that, when using the byakugan, glowed even brighter as he could tell what element affinity a person or people have around him. Neji was talking to Hinata who he was happy to see was smiling and enjoying her new found freedom.

Hinata's nine black tails were swaying behind her with every step as her equally black ears twitched every now and again as she picked up on minor sounds that she dismissed as nature. Naruto looked at his equally opposite white tails and felt his matching ears as he smiled thinking about the fox's blessing in turning them into the next black and white foxes. Naruto finally ended his gaze at Anko who was playfully arguing with Konohamaru as he took in her slit eyes, lengthened canine teeth, and her quick pace that she kept up making Konohamaru almost run just to keep up. "Hey where did you get the cool clothes and necklaces from Naruto nii-chan?" Konohamaru said as he had caught Naruto looking at them when he finished his argument with Anko. "Well the clothes were a blessing from the ritual but the necklaces are from Kyuubi's den and I have some extras…you want one?" Naruto answered while Konohamaru was shaking his head up and down saying he wanted one while Temari and Kankuro asked if there was enough for them too. Nodding, Naruto pulled out one of his smaller scrolls (that was in the storage room along with the larger one) and unsealed three more boxes in which he handed to Konohamaru, Temari, and Kankuro who thanked him.

"Thanks nii-chan" Konohamaru said excitedly as he pulled out a circular necklace with the usual Uzumaki swirl and the chibi form of a seven tailed badge while Kankuro held up one with a four tailed scorpion and Temari moved her Haiti-tai so she could place the heart shape necklace that hung down to her cleavage with a six tailed weasel as she replaced her protector. Temari and Kankuro thanked Naruto as they saw the town ahead and stopped a little ways wondering where they should go first as to find in information on if one of the clan members were around or not. "I think we would have to think like them and check in those locations that would appeal to them" Neji said while the others agreed and the 5 demons quickly did a henge to look like their old selves before entering the well-busy city. "So we're either looking for Konan or Yugito so let's split up and look for anything to do with cats, flowers, paper, or flames" Naruto said as the group nodded and separated, Naruto, Hinata, Neji, and Konohamaru in one direction and the Sand siblings plus Anko in another. "Naruto-kun, why do you think we will find them first and in fire country of all the nations?" Hinata asked as Naruto looked around, trying to remember the place from when his first visit.

"It was part of the story Kyuubi was telling me about the original 9 tailed beast and what happened after they were set free. Remember that all the necklaces have different animals on them and each animal represents a different element in which they will most likely be sent to the nation representing that element. Since the 9 tails are pure fire element, we don't count but the two tailed cat has fire based attacks and will most likely be found in fire country and since they're both females what better place than Otafuku Gai." Naruto said as he stopped in front of the same flower shop from the day before where they bought the demon flowers for the ritual. Nodding, Naruto and the rest went inside to meet the owner and asked if he seen a 'blue-haired kunoichi with a white flower in her hair' or 'a green-haired kunoichi in a single braid' in which he nodded and said he saw Konan earlier that day at a nearby café when he went to go eat lunch. Thanking the flower shop owner, the four leaf ninja left the shop and went to the café where they found the rest of the group waiting for them saying that people have seen Konan in which they said they knew. "We already asked the waitress and she said that Konan came an ordered a plate of sushi and a cup of warm milk before asking about a place with paper. She pointed her to an origami place not far from here and she said she "meowed" in happiness before bouncing out of the building at a fast pace." Temari said as Naruto smiled, chuckled, and muttered that sounded like a typical neko-based kunoichi who was an origami lover.

"Well I bet I know where we will find Konan at" Naruto said louder as the group all headed for the origami shop that had all kinds of origami plants and animals showing in the window. The group entered the place and instantly knew why Konan would fall in love with folded paper as they looked around the exotic paper zoo that held from simple to complex figures of origami as they looked for their blue-haired clan member. From the back a young woman with dark red hair and a gentle face came and greeted the newcomers asking if they were looking for anything special in which they responded "in a way". "Actually we're looking for a friend of ours who got lost on the journey and we know she loves origami and thought she would visit here and wondered if you saw her? Here name is Konan and she has blue-hair with a white flower on the side of her head…" Naruto started to say when he noticed the girl's eyes shine and nod saying that she seen her and that she was in the back with her grandmother now showing off her origami skill. "She's a natural in origami, at this rate my grandmother will be asking her to open up a business somewhere else since we want to expand beyond fire country but she's too frail to travel and I must help her here, do you think she would mind?" the owner's granddaughter, Ayane, asked before they heard a squeal of happiness from the back. All 9 of them quickly ran to the back to see Konan, who had reverted back to her animal form, jumping up and down as she held a piece of paper in her hand before her eyes turned to the group.

"Yay, she gave me the right to open up an origami shop on our travels, I'm so happy oh I can't wait until we settle on a location, where are we going to live Naruto?" Just then Konan blinked as she registered who was in front of her and meowed, yes meowed in happiness as she went to hug the blonde who started laughing when he saw how excited Konan was. "Naruto you're alright, oh I'm so glad but how did you escape because what I heard last you and the rest were locked up in Konoha and they were trying to decide what to do with you. I was going to go and try and break you out but instinct told me to stay here so I did, oh I'm so glad everybody is safe but where are the rest of the clan?" Konan asked as she looked at everybody behind him, eyeing Konohamaru, Kankuro, and Temari before glancing at Naruto who nodded. "They and some of the other ninja sided with us and help us escape while baa-chan and a lot of the teams tried to stop us. I manage to buy us some time but we need to get a move on because my clone can't keep them there for long and as soon as they are free, they are most likely going to come after us." Naruto said to Konan's unanswered question as she nodded and had a sad look on her face as she said she was sorry for them having to abandon their village. "We're not abandoning our village; we're just doing what's right in the end for they never wanted us there anyway besides we're still able to keep in contact with them via-" Neji started to explain when Naruto gasped as the tattoo on his shoulder glowed and a small orange fox belonging to Shizune appeared in front of them.

"I have a message from Konoha: 'You guys better get a move-on for the teams are already packed and will be heading to the nearest town for information on you and won't let up until all of you returned to Konoha. Hurry and get out of fire country before they catch up with you and try to avoid major cities and villages for the council has already went out letters for your capture to all the nations. Also word is that Yugito Ni'i is back in lightning country and they are in an uproar because the biju is gone and are looking for you for questioning. Avoid lightning country ninja and find a safe place to live. We wish you good luck and ask you to be safe, from all your supporters." They watched the little fox disappear before exchanging a look and said that it was time to go. "We will have to head to wind country first to tell them of the news then find somewhere else to go before we're caught" Gaara said softly as the others agreed while Konan spoke up saying she thought of a temporary place. "We could go to rain country and talk to Pain but…I don't know how he will react now that I'm a biju demon…" Konan grew quiet as she thought about how her life-long friend and team-mate would react when he learned the truth. "Let's stop in river country first so she can send a letter asking for his assistance and have him send a respond back to Suna. There we will see what he say although I believe he will help us if he truly cares for you" Temari said as Konan nodded, feeling better as she said that she did trust him. Turning to Ayane and her grandmother she asked them if they still wanted her to open shop and they nodded, saying that although she was different she was still a sweet innocent demon and would be honored in which she told them she would spread word about this place before they all left the origami shop.

"Okay, we leave within an hour so let's go pick up some supplies and head on out" Naruto said as the others agreed and they went to the different shops picking up bags, food, clothes, straps for their weapons and scrolls, canteens for water, and anything else they felt they would need for their journey. 45 minutes later, they all were at the entrance to the city where they looked back at the city, surprised to see the flower shop owner, the waitress from the café, and the origami owner and her grand-daughter waving them goodbye as they smiled and waved back before heading out of the city and back onto the road of life that Kakashi got lost on so many times. (XD) "It's good we made some new friends but I have the nagging feeling that we're overlooking something…like why did the flower shop keeper have demon flowers if it's something demons can only grow? Also how did the café make tea out of the petals, let alone know what kind of flowers they were to make and sell tea out of it, and why wasn't the origami girls surprised to see Konan in biju form nor a fox appear out of nowhere and say that we're wanted people?" Neji wondered out loud as the group looked at him, exchanged a look with each other, and turned around to see the beings had disappeared. "Do you think…they were demons?" Hinata asked as the group went quiet at the thought before smiling, saying if they were than they were nice ones and helped them out and that they wouldn't forget their generosity.

As they ran off deeper into the forest toward river country then wind country, Naruto gasped as he felt his clone disperse and the knowledge of the group dashing through the gates towards the first town. "We got to book it since the seal is removed and the teams are coming…FAST" he said as he fueled more chakra to his legs to propel himself further into the trees as the other biju did the same while Temari, Kankuro, and Konohamaru tried to catch up. "Hey slow down, we don't have your speed nor stamina to keep up at this pace" Kankuro growled out as they tried to catch up with Gaara while Konohamaru was trying to catch up with them. Naruto and the others stopped when he realized they were right and tried to figure out a way to help them be faster. Hinata and Konan decided to mediate for a minute as they tapped into the demon and deity's memories that came with their new bodies. Maybe we can change and carry you but we need to hurry…this would be easier if we could fly" Naruto grumbled before he raised an eyebrow as he saw Hinata and Konan smile before opening their eyes and looking at them. "Actually…we can fly Naruto-kun" Hinata said as she exchanged a look with Konan who nodded and started fueling chakra through their bodies which started to shift and grow as they changed into a two tailed cat (minus flames) and a nine-tailed black fox that stared up at them. "What do you mean-" Naruto started to ask before memories of the fox deity began to play behind his eyes as he felt his body fuel chakra and change into a white nine tailed fox before he blinked and said "oh, that's what you mean" while Neji, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Anko, and Konohamaru stared at them wondering what they were talking about.

"Care to enlighten the rest of us?" Anko said irritated as she stared at the three animals that all had animal-like grins on their faces as they shook their heads yes and began to explain. "It seems that nine tailed kitsune and two tailed nekomata DO have the ability to fly and since we're such good people-er demons the rest of you can ride our backs and that will not only cut down on the time but will let us avoid the teams since they will be looking for us on the ground instead of the sky" Naruto said a foxy grin on his face as the others pieced his words together and laughed saying that it was brilliant and that they should get a move on as they decided who would ride on whose back. In the end Naruto decided to take the heaviest burden and carried Gaara, Neji, and Kankuro while Hinata carried Anko and Konohamaru, and Konan being the smallest of the trio in animal form took Temari on her back as they secured themselves with rope. "Time to take it to the skies Naruto nii-san" Konohamaru said bouncing excitedly which earned him a scolding from Naruto saying not to burden Hinata with your jumping around who said that he was just excited and to take it easy on him. Sighing in defeat, Naruto said "let's fly" as the trio broke into a running start, getting use to the weight on their backs before building up enough speed to cause flames around their feet. As the flames grew stronger the trio took a deep breath, warned the others to hang on, and jumped high in the air where they started "flying" or more "running" on the air as the ground below them grew smaller.

"This gives a new meaning to 'having your head in the clouds'" Kankuro said lamely as they flew at speeds unmatched if they were still on the ground as they made their way to the nearest town in river country to send a letter to Pain asking for help. As the group saw the hidden valley village ahead they slowed down and decide to land a ¼ of a mile away so not to draw attention to them as Konan snuck into the village and deliver a quick message. "I will be quick as possible and come right back here" Konan told them as they nodded saying to be careful as the blue-haired kunoichi took off towards the town while the rest of the group relaxed and did minor sparring with each other. Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Gaara, and Anko stopped suddenly as they sensed something in the air that told them somebody was nearby. "Stay here" Naruto, Neji, and Gaara say to the rest of the group before quickly and quietly jumped through the trees and stopped just before a hidden path that lead to an not at all suspicious rock as they waited for whoever they sensed to appear. They didn't have to wait long as the 1, 5, and 9 tailed shinobi watched two people appear from the trees, one holding a scythe and muttering about Jashin and the other carrying a suitcase and muttering about money as they stopped in the center of path. "Why the fuck did you stop in the fucking middle of the damn path Kakuzu?" Hidan called out loudly as he ran into the back of the mask-faced ninja.

"This is where it's at Hidan, now shut up and hold this" Kakuzu said as he summoned the four hearts off his back that started fueling chakra and touched the rock along with Kakuzu as the group watched the rock sudden move back to show a small hole no bigger than for a fox to get into comfortable before Kakuzu took the briefcase from Hidan. Kakuzu extended his arm and cautiously placed the briefcase inside before redrawing his hand and making the dragon hand sign as the rock slid back in place leaving no indication that it was ever moved or hid something deep beneath it. "Why the fuck did you bring my ass all the fucking way out here if you were just going to bury your shitty ass money that any fucking body can come and still from under your damn nose?" Hidan complained loudly as the trio was thinking the same thing only without the curse words. Kakuzu sighed and looked at his immortal Akatsuki partner, willing his hearts back into his body before he answered the question. "One because this is the closet safe I have and needed to hide my money, two I have 5 safes hidden, each in one of the 5 major nations so they is always back up, and three the only way to even get close to opening the safe through the rocks all over the nations is by having all five affinity elements and sending your chakra through them to open them and since I'm the only one in the world with that kind of ability there is no way anybody else can get into the safes. Now stop complaining and let's head back to the base so I can be rid of you just for a little while." The duo left with Hidan cursing Kakuzu as the hanyou (half-demons) in the trees were busy thinking of a different plot as Naruto and Gaara suddenly looked at Neji who stared back at them before all three waited for the chakra signatures of the two Akatsuki members to disappear before jumping down on the path.

"You're thinking what I'm thinking Neji…Gaara?" Naruto asked smiling as the other two nodded before Neji began to fuel chakra to his five tails and touch the rock as they heard movement behind the making them turn. "Naruto nii-san, Neji nii-san, Gaara" the trio heard Konohamaru, Hinata, and Temari call out to them as they let out a breath they were holding and said "we're over here" as they heard the rest of the group following their voice. Out of the trees Hinata, Konohamaru, Kankuro, Temari, Anko, and Konan, who had just returned, jumped onto the path staring at them with relief and confusion in their eyes. "What in the world are you three doing out here by a rock? You had us worried, we thought for a second that Konoha had caught up with all of you and took you back" Anko said angrily as Naruto scratched the back of his head in habit as he apologized and said that they were trying an experiment before turning back to the rock that had now moved. "What kind of experiment?" Temari asked as she noticed the trio's smug looks as he asked Neji and Hinata to use their byakugan to look inside the hole that was underneath the rock and they did. As soon as they looked inside, both Hyuuga gasped and whistled as Neji's five ringed eyes seem to glow even brighter as he told them what he saw. "Suitcases…A LOT of suitcases full of money, enough to last the entire clan for a few months" Neji said as he and Hinata turned off their eyes before staring at Naruto who had a super big grin on his face as he started making animal cries. Realizing what he was doing, Hinata began to make the same sounds and the group watched in fascination as 10 foxes appeared from nowhere and dived into the hole hiding the loot.

"What are you guys planning on doing?" Kankuro asked although he already had a clue when he watched every fox come back out a briefcase in its mouth as they struggled to bring the heavy things up finally getting help from the group. "Call it a kitsune or tanuki trick but we're going to rob one of waterfall's greatest missing nin of all his money in the 5 nations right under his nose" they said cheekily as they explained the conversation they overheard while Konohamaru was laughing saying that even if Naruto was a demon he was still the same prankster he grown to see as a brother. After about 10 minutes, the last fox brought out the last suitcase before Naruto thanked them and told them to wait there as the group counted 11 suitcases which they opened to find filled to the top with money. "How much do you think there is?" Anko asked eyes not moving from the money as Neji activated his byakugan to count the money in a briefcase. I'd say each suitcase hold about 100,000 yen so…1,100,000 yen total" Neji said calmly while Anko's eyes nearly popped out as the rest mouths fell open at how much money was sitting in front of them. "Hey why are the foxes still here?" Konohamaru asked as the group turned to look at the foxes staring at Naruto who smiled and took a wad of money held together by a money band consisting of 1,000 yen and held it out to one of the foxes that yipped, took the money in its mouth, and took off. "Naruto what are you doing?" Anko screamed as she watched Naruto hand the other 9 foxes 9,000 yen before closing the suitcase. "Paying the foxes of course since they were the ones to help us get the suitcases and it's only fair besides they have families to feed." Naruto said as he sealed each suitcase into a scroll and handed them out to the group, taking the last two in his pocket.

"Okay, but why didn't you just go to town and buy them the food instead of handing them the money, I mean it's not like they can just go through the town, buying things, and hightailing it back to their den…right?" Anko asked as she noticed Naruto's smirk before he said to get a move on since they spent a lot of time in that one spot before he, Hinata, and Konan changed back into their animal forms. Like before the rest of the clan got onto their backs, secured with rope around their limbs before the biju clan took off towards Suna unaware of what was happening in the hidden valley village where an army of foxes all with money in their mouths suddenly arrived and darted around the town before returning back to the forest with bags full of food and other things as the town tried and figured out what just took place. The teams, who just arrived as the foxes made their mad dash through town, watched in surprised at the event before leaving the town already knowing that Naruto and the clan had just been there and continued their way through the forest and to the border of fire and wind hoping to catch up with them. Too bad they didn't look up at the sky or they would have realized earlier it was futile to chase them since there was no way they ever would catch them unless they grew wings or learned to fly like the clan did…and fly they did which all of them were enjoying every much.

"Wow, this is awesome" Konohamaru said excitedly as he looked to the side, rope holding him in place as the group let the wind blow through their hair and fur as they flew over a forest of trees that after about 30 minutes started giving away into sand and the border between wind and fire could be seen. "Are you okay Naruto because I can ride on my sand-" Gaara started to ask but felt Naruto chuckle saying that he had plenty of energy and could keep flying until they reached Suna. The others nodded saying they were good too and kept flying nonstop for another hour before they reached the sandy village and its inhabitants. The three beings landed on the balcony of the Kage's office where Baki and four ANBU suddenly joined them when they saw Gaara and the Sand siblings. "Kazekage, we were worried about you for Konoha informed us that you have become the Shukaku and-" Baki stopped when he noticed the animal traits on Gaara before his eyes widen in understanding as Gaara nodded and saying he had become a tanuki. "Uh, Kazekage, what are you going to do now that you're…" Baki didn't finish the sentence as Gaara dismissed the ANBU and summoned for Matsuri who was happy to see her sensei again. "I have decided to step down as Kazekage" Gaara said simply earning a gasp from Matsuri and a crazed look from Baki who started to argue saying about all the hard work and respect he earned from the villagers before he quieted down when Gaara gave him a hard look.

"They don't respect me, they respect the power that was within me and my ability to finally control the Shukaku and protect them from enemies…but the minute they find out that I, personally, am the new tanuki demon they will want me to spend all my time harnessing the power within me while secretly finding someone else to take my place." Gaara saw Baki about to argue his point when he held up and his hand said to make a deal. "Okay if you believe the people of Suna are not as cold-hearted as I say then in one hour tell of my return and the changes within me and see how they react. If they seemed joy that I returned and don't ask about the Shukaku then I will stay and continue to be Kazekage, however if they seemed scared and ask about whether if the Shukaku was alive and who would protect them then I resign and will leave Suna for I'm not wanted here. When the people turn on me, I will already be ready to go and if want to join me than I suggest you pack your things and bring them to my office for we are leaving as soon as they start to riot." Gaara said emotionlessly as Baki and Matsuri stared at him before nodding as Baki said he trusted them and left the room while Matsuri stood there quiet as if deep in thought. "Gaara-sensei, if they turn on you…where will you go?" Matsuri asked softly but the group could hear and smell the tears she was trying to hold back as Gaara went over to his young student. "I don't know yet Matsuri but I do know that I will be fine for now I am part of a clan and we will find a place where we can be safe and happy together." Gaara told hugging the girl who started crying saying she didn't want to see him leave and that she would miss him.

"…hey Matsuri, do you want to come with us, I mean there is plenty of room in our clan for you to join us if you want?" Naruto offered which made the brown haired kunoichi stare at him with hope-filled eyes as she nodded and said that she would love to come along with them if that was okay. "It's okay with me and the rest of us so go ahead and pack, the kunoichi can help you seal your things" Naruto said as Hinata, Temari, and Anko followed the kunoichi out of the office and to her room to pack everything up. As soon as the girls left, the four ANBU from earlier showed up, their mask staring at them as they asked Gaara if he was truly leaving which Gaara sighed and said he was. "I'm not abandoning my village but making things right for I don't want to become the thing they to control just to have as a weapon when things get out of hand, I already lived that life once and I don't want to live it again." The four ANBU looked at each other before they nodded and asked for last request before he officially quit as Kazekage in which Gaara agreed but was surprised for what they asked. "We would like to end our career as ANBU and be allowed to leave the village as we follow behind you every step of the way, no matter where you go. Although you are right about the people of Suna, there are many of us who still believe in you and look at YOU and not the power you hold inside and would be honored in joining you on your journey." Gaara stood there shock as more and more ANBU appeared in the room and took off their mask asking to join when the kunoichi came back and noticed the room full of former ANBU.

"Wow, got a lot of followers…do we have room for all of them?" Anko said jokingly as Naruto laughed saying that there was always room in their clan and they would deny no one for they are all equal. After that little speech, the group quieted as a hawk came in, a letter attached to its leg that Konan quickly moved to get, catching the hawk that flew up in surprise as she said it was from Nagato. "I thought you sent the letter to Pain?" Naruto asked but was ignored as Konan shakily took the letter from the hawk that stood on desk and stared at the group while Konan prepared for the worse as she opened the letter and read. She was quiet for a few seconds before tears ran down her face as she looked up, a smile on her face as she said that Nagato would help us and that he was happy she was okay and didn't care that she was the new 2 tailed cat which only helped with him end the hunt for the biju for he wouldn't take her life for power. "Great now we have a temporary place to go and to have our followers settle until we find a more permanent spot and the rest of the clan" Naruto said as Konan quickly wrote another note explaining about the situation and the new group that was going to be arriving soon before she attached it to the hawk that screeched once before flying off into the now darkening night as they heard a knock on the door and the ANBU disappeared before Baki walked in saying it was time. Sighing, Gaara walked out the room with Kankuro, Temari, and Matsuri while the others quickly went into separate directions, going to seal whatever the sand siblings didn't have time to as they knew they would have to make a quick exit. Naruto, using clones, sealed everything from Gaara's cacti farm to Kankuro's blue-prints for new puppets to Temari's fan collection, one he found quite interesting as it had pictures of clouds on it and was hanging over her bed.

Making a mental note to tease her about that later, Naruto finished sealing everything as he met up with the rest of the group back in Gaara's office in which they put the many scrolls away in backpacks before they changed back into their forms and the others climbed onto their backs. "Okay I guess Matsuri and Konohamaru will ride on Konan and I'll take Anko and Temari" Hinata said as Naruto nodded before looking down from the balcony at Gaara who was hidden in the shadows of the opening to Suna, a henge on, as the people of the sandy village began to whisper wondering why they were being summoned as Baki came into view. Baki began to explain that the Kazekage was arriving soon and that there were changes about him in which he watched the people's reaction pleased to hear that they were concerned as they asked if he was alright, however his smile soon began to falter as he continued explaining. As he talked about the Shukaku being gone forever there was a mass panic as they started to ask who would protect them and such as Gaara scuffed in the darkness, his siblings glaring at the people with anger in their eyes. Baki then explained that Gaara was the new Shukaku and was shocked speechless as the group cried out that he would come for them all and that they should vote for a Kazekage before Gaara took his new found power and use it against them. "I told you that how they really felt about me" Gaara said as he came out of the shadows along with his brother and sister and Matsuri who had tears in her eyes as she looked at the stunned villagers. "I never thought that the people of Suna would put power above the safety of their Kazekage but he is the proof right in front of us" Kankuro and Temari said angrily as Baki just looked down, ashamed of the crowd in front of him that had yet to make a sound.

"Kazekage is alright" and the people started to relax saying they were worried but soon grew quiet when Gaara let go of his henge and changed back to his tanuki self, glaring at the people who were now cowering in fear at the aura of anger they felt as the sand around them began to shift violently. "Don't worry you won't have to deal with me getting revenge on all of you for your cold-hearted spirits…" Gaara saw some of the people relax before he gave them an evil grin and delivered the news he was happy to say. "Because I officially resign as Kazekage and is leaving the village as of right now since very few of you appreciate all I had suffer for your sakes and everything I've endured only for you to care about the safety of yourselves and not the village. Farewell for this will most likely be the last time you see any of us" Gaara delivered as signaled for Naruto and the rest to fly down in which scared a lot of the villagers into running as they landing right behind Gaara. "Kazekage sir, give them a chance to warm up to yo-" Baki tried to say but was soon thrown back by a small wave of sand as Gaara turned towards him green eyes looking more yellow as he said that he gave them more than enough time to warm up to him, 17 years to warm up to him and that they would always see him as the demon. Gaara hopped onto kitsune Naruto's back before he saw his secret followers running after them, things already filed away in bags as they said that they would give chase to bring their Kazekage home. Naruto and the others quickly turned and ran down the straight path, the allied ANBU behind them as they took off into the night sky, letting the cool air caress their skin as they let out cries of joy while Konohamaru and Matsuri were whooping in happiness as the ANBU followed them through the desert night and on their way to their new temporary home.