Ali: Okay, last chapter is up! Aren't you proud of me?

Kisame: Not really. Look at the other incomplete stories you have.

Ali: Shush up! Why do I have to deal with you? Even Sasori seems to have a better attitude than you.

KIsame: Yeah, he doesn't like waiting...

ALi: OKay, I hope you all enjoy this new chapter of RJ:SR!

Kisame: I'm not stupid, say the disclaimer.

Ali: *sighs* Fine. I own nothing but the plot, and Shadow.

Kisame: Review at the end.

Ali: ANd he won't kill you! Instead he'll let you hit or hug him once!

Kisame: I never agreed to his.

Ali: Look at your contract.

Ali: REview!~

Naruto woke up and trudged to Ichiraku's. He was fairly tired. THere were many encounters with SHadow, but they didn't get much progress. Naruto wished that Shadow would be easier to catch. He ate his ramen quickly and in the middle of his meal be felt another battle between Shadow and Kurama, but this was different. It was a full on war. Naruto groaned and held his throbbing head, leaning forward and propping himself on on his elbows. Amaya noticed and waked if he was alright, but he just gave a smile and waved her off. He finished the bowl quickly and turned to walk out when there was a piercing pain and he dropped to his knees, losing his battle with gravity. His multicoloured eyes closed and he fell forward, no longer able to stay conscious.

"Naruto!"

But he couldn't hear them, he was too deep in his mind for that.

~In Naruto's Mind~

Naruto watched in horror as the mighty Nine=Tailed Fox battled the shadow and was losing. Red blood dripped to the ground and the fox limped heavily and his panting was heavy. Naruto stepped forward. "Stay back!"

The Jinchuriki was shocked at this. He had to help otherwise the fox would get seriously hurt. He ran forward anyway, kunai at hand and a yell coming through his mouth. He moved to stab his heart but Shadow's shoulders shook with silent laughter as he blocked the feeble shot. Naruto twisted his body hoping to get a foot in the temple but the enemy grabbed his leg without effort and twirled around before throwing Naruto into a wall and sending multiple shuriken and kunai his way. Naruto barely managed to dodge them, but he didn't see the second round coming for him and one of then came near his eyes. He gasped as pain came and he stood up anyway and took out the weapons. Shadow was on him in a second, using his katana to cut the boy. Naruto parried many of them with a kunai, but some movements were just too quick and he had to try and move away. He fell to the ground when there was a deep wound on his chest and he held it. Shadow was about to make the final strike when an orange blur made him leave Naruto's view. He looked at the Nine-Tails.

"No! Your fight is with me!"

THey wrestled on the ground and the Kyuubi ended up on top, biting at his throat. Shadow barely managed to keep him at bay, but lost his strength and Kurama bit his throat out. Shadow stilled and the fox ripped out his innards and tore him apart bit by bit before he noticed Naruto and went over to him, tails lashing worriedly.

"Are you Okay Pup?"

"N-Never been better," he lied.

The Kyuubi transformed into a wounded man with shaggy and wild red hair, amazingly hypnotizing crimson eyes, pale skin slightly darker than Sasuke's skin, long lean limbs, and he wore navy blue ninja shoes and pants and a loose black long sleeve shirt. Naruto was taken aback by this and was shocked when the fox reached out a hand and touched his bleeding chest. Suddenly Naruto was completely healed but the Kyuubi looked even worse.

"There. All better," the fox said with a smile.

"What about you?"

"What about me? I'm going to be fine, I'm just a small part of my main self. Once I go back I'll just be a tail ache."

Naruto wasn't too sure, but then he looked at the larger Kyuubi in the cage and saw that one tail was missing. "So, you've been using one tail to fight off Shadow for me?"

"Of course kit."

Naruto was touched. So touched he hugged the Kyuubi and hugged him hard. "Thank you."

The demon was frozen, eyes wide. He'd never been hugged before, but... he kind of liked it. He slowly hugged back and closed his crimson eyes.

~outside of Naruto's mind~

Naruto blinked open his eyes, tears in them. "Naruto?"

He turned his head and saw two of his favourite girls. "Hey Tsunade, hey Sakura."

"Don't hey me!" Sakura shouted, angry tears in her eyes. "You nearly died twice, what did you do to yourself?!"

"I didn't do anything and neither did the fox," Naruto said, immediately quelling their suspicions and arousing new ones. "It was... It was Shadow, but we took care of him."

"You're going to explain more," Tsunade said, making herself more comfortable and sitting down. After he explained he was nearly being choked. "How could you not tell us?!"

"He promised he had it taken care of, but without my help he would've died."

Lost a tail and get sick and then die, the fox specified.

Hush.

Tsunade contemplated this before she released the blond. "Fine... but jiraiya's going to give you another bath."

"Aw man..."

As the great fox watched this exchange he felt he'd grown a bond that couldn't be broken with his jailer and he silently vowed something to the boy that day. I'll always be there to protect you, I promise...

Ali: Like it? Hate it? Eh? I want to know! Tell me, should I do a sequel? If so, give me some ideas because I have none!

Kisame: Oh gosh... review * stalks towards Ali* Alright, let's play the quiet game.

Ali: *zips her lips*

Kisame: *smirks* That's right... I'll get you this time.

Ali: *confused face*

Kisame: *pulls out chainsaw*

Ali: Oh hell naw! *takes off running*

Kisame: *laughs darkly* Well... now I've got the TV room. *turns on shark week*