Disclaimer: Ok so I know the last chapter did not endear me to Kishimoto so you know of course that I still do not own Naruto. Sometimes I think that guy just babies his toons too much. Sheesh. However this story idea, which is getting incredibly hard to write, is all mine.

Hubby: Yeah you sure make your readers wait for each chapter update.

Disclaimer: Hush you. I don't see you sitting here trying to tie up all the little red threads of that nasty little plot bunny. What I want to know is why is that damn bunny pink haired?

Hubby: shutting up now . . .

Disclaimer: (purrs) Gooood Hubby.

Chapter Sixteen: The Reason for It All

Naruto was getting better. He was talking more now and using fuller sentences again as he remembered more and more words. Iruka came by everyday and brought books and scrolls with him. He patiently re-taught Naruto everything that had once been second nature to him. Together they would walk in the woods and he got to see nature through Naruto's eyes. He marveled at the beauty he saw there and the peace he could find in the dappled shadows of the forest. He was amazed when the animals walked right up to him and Naruto always had some food for them. Birds would settle on his shoulders and quietly trill in his ear. Squirrels would run down trees to his height to chatter at him until he gave them a nut or a berry. Deer walked right up to him and accepted his scratches as they ate from his hand. Even animals known for aggressiveness were gentle around Naruto.

At the end of the day Iruka would meet the rest of the rookie nine plus three and tell them all how Naruto was progressing. He would listen as Kiba ranted about how unfair it was that he was being kept away and Lee bemoaned his inability to help his friend regain his lost youthfulness. Ino and Sakura both thought they should also be allowed to see him. Sakura, of course, only wanted to chew him out for being gone and making everyone worry while Ino wanted to see him and let him know she was glad he hadn't actually been dead as the reports had said he was. Everyone of the group had a reason why they felt they should be allowed to see Naruto though most kept their reason to themselves. Only Hinata knew he was telling them the absolute truth.

Hinata also came by the cabin on a regular basis. Naruto never sent her away. Instead he would just sit and listen as she talked about the village and the people he had once called friends. He had no desire to see them again so she didn't push it. She knew why even if they didn't. They had been willing to shut their eyes to the real him and he had no use for them now that he'd forgotten how to pretend. She didn't miss the loud boisterous boy she knew they wanted him to be. She liked the boy he was now. She liked the quiet and peace she felt around him now. Sometimes he would watch her practice and offer advice. She always listened. She found when she tried to do as he'd suggested she improved.

Gaara and his siblings were also frequent visitors to the cabin at the edge of the woods. Naruto knew exactly who they were and had known the minute they had entered the village. He had told Tsunade to tell them to come visit since they alone had started looking for Naruto as soon as they'd heard he hadn't returned from the mission to retrieve the traitor. They knew full well the power of his demon and there was no way they would believe he was dead until they saw proof of his body themselves. It had taken them a year and a half but they had found him due to Shakaku's ability to sense when he was near another bijuu and which bijuu was nearby.

Over the last four and a half years they had been frequent visitors to him in the cave. No one had checked up on him like they did. Every few months Gaara had found a reason to visit the cave and taken his siblings with him. They'd seen just how far gone he'd been and though they kept going he never seemed to improve. They had always brought blankets, after they had found him shivering in the cave with nothing, and food but every time they came the stuff they'd brought was gone so they knew others had found him also. They tried to protect the cave but still the things they brought were gone when they came again. It was clear others found him in between their visits. They had tried on more than one occassion to get him to accompany them back to Suna but he didn't appear to hear them and every attempt to make him leave the cave met with failure. He would just vanish from the cacoon of sand Gaara wrapped him in and show up back in his spot in the cave. After awhile they had given up and just tried to make sure he had supplies to stay alive. They didn't know he wasn't alive from the day he'd crawled inside the cave so long ago. Nor did they know of the deal being forged between Kyuubi and Kami.

Therefore when they found that he had disappeared from the cave, a couple of months after he had walked back to the gates of Konoha, the Sand trio had followed his trail. What there was of a trail anyway. He hadn't left much to direct them. It hadn't been until the rumors spread that they'd figured out where he had gone. Then they had to fight with their own council before they would agree to allow the visit.

Things had been tense between the Leaf and the Sand since Naruto had disappeared. They were still allies but not as close as they had been. Gaara and his sibs had wanted to sever all ties, knowing Naruto's team and his village had abandoned him, but the sand council had said they couldn't afford to. The council knew the alliance between the two villages had primarily been forged because the two jinchurikii were friends and the alliance allowed them to be able to get together every once in awhile and blow off steam. They also knew the benefit of a small village like Suna being friends with a big village like Konoha so they had reluctantly pointed out that it was only due to their allied state that they had this opportunity to rebuild their ninja base. If they abandoned it over the treatment of a single nin, no matter who it was, they would lose their advantage. They pointed out that it was only the alliance that kept other villages from explointing thier weakened state. When they had rebuilt their base then if he still wanted to sever the alliance they would do so.

So Gaara had backed down but he had never let Tsunade doubt that if it ever happened again not only would he break the agreement, he would destroy her village. He pointed to the close relationship between his sister and that lazy coward of a jounin making his point clear. He was her measuring stick. If the Leaf failed to treat Shikamaru right, they would live just long enough to regret that decision. That was almost six years ago.

Now that Naruto was back, he let Tsunade and her stupid council know the alliance between their two villagers hung on both Naruto and Shikamaru and the treatment they received. He personally wanted to make everyone who had ever even looked at Naruto cross-eyed pay and it was very clear he thought the Leaf Council should head up the line of ignortant villagers who'd outlived their usefulness.

Though Tsunade tried to persuade the council not to, they told him that as soon as Naruto was healthy enough to stand trial he would be tried as a traitor for his six years away. They tried to say that as an outsider not from the Leaf, he had no say in village matters. Koharu had looked down her nose on the young Kazekage, as she informed him, "He is recovering only to be put to death in a manner suitable for betraying his oath of commitment. We as the Council of Elders know what is best for this village and traitors are not welcome."

Gaara was more than a match for her as he stood impassive, to any who didn't know him better, and unmoved. So slowly she hadn't seen a thing, sand covered the council chambers. When it was fully spread out he commanded it to rise and wrap around the legs of her chair. He didn't let the sand wrap around her but the control over it he displayed was enough to have her blanching and blinking her bug-eyes rapidly. Though her mouth was still opening and closing no sound issued from her. When he was sure he had her full attention, he summoned a sand form of Shakaku and let the demon inform her of exactly what he could and would do should she ever again forget who she was dealing with.

"You are just one foolish feeble old woman who thought it was just fine to send a young man on a mission and leave him for dead without knowing or caring whether or not it was true. You knowingly allowed for the possibility of a demon attack on another unsuspecting village. It was and still is your duty to make sure the weapon you created did not go astray but you failed to do your duty. You are very lucky the Kyuubi was not interested in coming back to finish what he started all those years ago or in rampaging the countryside and instead returned custody of my friends mind and body to him after killing his attackers. You are luckier still that another village did not find him before he came back and convince him to switch his loyalty to them in exchange for care you never gave him. But that's exactly what you plan to level against him anyway. You plan to say he sold you out even though you know full well it is untrue. Lying has never been a problem for one as low as you. Do not make that mistake again or next time his loyalty, which you take for granted, may not prove as strong as it did this time. You may find yourselves reaping exactly the crop you sowed. Be warned. My vessels village would love to have him. I would welcome him with open arms as would my vessels siblings and people. Never forget. And by the way, Old One, when you do pass out of this form know you will be joining my realm as prey until you learn to survive there. Don't fret. I'm sure you will have alot of company. Alot of company." The Sand Demon laughed as Gaara recalled his sand and left a stunned council with wet and stinky drawers sitting in open mouthed shock.

He had a small smirk as he went off to see Naruto not knowing or caring what he'd done to the good people of the Leaf Village council. Hiashi was laughing later that evening as he sat with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Hinata, Naruto and Gaara in the cabin's small living room. Gaara was just sitting listening as Hiashi explained about the smell and how funny it was watching as his fellows tried to leave the chambers without anyone realizing how scared they had been. He had of course taken note of every name of every scurrying little rat. As he wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes he noted the smirks on everyone's face as they picture Koharu needing new clothes and the distance she'd have to have gone to get them.

The old woman lived about as far away from the tower as it was possible to be and still be within the boundaries of the village walls. No way would she consent to live in an area of the village where normal people might interact with her family but likewise, as a former ninja during her younger days, she would not wish to live in an area of the town where she would be without the protection offered by the guards who patrolled the walls. She didn't know or care that most of them hated her guts and would gladly watch her die if not for her position on the council.

Hiashi asked Gaara, "Shakaku told Koharu that when she died she would be sent to the Demon realm where she would be prey until she learn to survive there. Is that true? Is that where some people really end up?"

Gaara shrugged. "Shakaku had said similiar things often enough that I wonder about it myself. I don't really know though. But she'll be having second thoughts now about her plan to end someone else's life and that's what both my Demon and I want."

Everyone nodded as they considered his words. Gaara had calmed down alot from when they had first met the homicidal vessel but they also knew full well that he would not hestitate to kill the entire council if they did not back off of his friend.

"Naruto, you said once that Kami sent you back here for a reason. Can you tell me now what it is?" asked Tsunade, changing the subject to something that had been on her mind since he'd first mentioned it.

"War."

Gaara's interest was peaked. Someone was going to attack Konoha? Who was crazy enough now that the Sound had been demolished?

"Who?" asked Jiraiya.

"Akatsuki leader's boss. When he comes, I will kill him."

"You're saying Kami sent you here to fight the boss of the Akatsuki?" questioned Jiraiya again. "Why here?"

"No. Leader is mortal. He has boss. Boss threatens the world. Fight must happen here. I must win. I don't fight him, world will suffer. I fight him somewhere else, I will lose and world will suffer. I fight here and lose, same thing. I will wait here for him. I will fight him. He will die."

The gathering of friends sat in silence. He'd only come back to fight for the whole dang world. Gee no pressure in that. And yet he sat there as calm and cool as a cucumber acting like it was no big thing. Something that happens every day.

Tsunade said as much and his reply was, "Every fight shapes world . . . events. Past fights shaped this one. This reason . . . for everything. All so I can fight."

"But at least you won't be alone. We will stand with you. We will fight at your side because the Will of Fire burns bright," said Hiashi.

"No. I will fight him. I will win."

"Naruto, you can't stop us from helping you," said Hinata, speaking for the first time.

"Can. Must."

"Why?" asked Tsunade.

"You fight him, you will die. Are mortal. All will be lost."

"But Naruto if death is what is supposed to happen you can't stop it. We would not be who we are if we could stand by and watch as you put your life on the line for all of us without trying to help you," said Jiraiya.

"I am not alone. I have what I need to win." He stretched out a finger and saying one word for each person as he moved the finger around the room. Pointing to Hinata he said, "Love." To Iruka he said, "Courage." To Tsunade, "Trust." And finally to Gaara he said, "Hope."

Hiashi asked, "How long do we have?"

"Will you know him when he comes, Naruto? And what do you mean by those words?" asked Jiraiya.

"He will come when he comes. I will be here when he does. He will come straight for me. He will not want to. He will have no choice. For them, I will fight. For them, I will kill. For them, I will win." As he spoke his finger was pointing out the window at the darkened village.

"Then it looks like we have to protect them for you so they can not be used against you," said Hiashi, still not understanding what Naruto was trying to tell them.

Naruto was getting frustrated. He wasn't getting through to them that this was a world event and not something they had any say in. He was here because he had already passed on as had his opponent. Both had returned for this battle where good would challenge and be challenged by evil once more. The fate of the world would hang in the balance and only when the final blow had been struck would one be vanquished by the other until the next time. He growled and blew air out of his nose as he ran a hand through his shortened locks of hair.

"What is it you aren't telling us Naruto?" asked Gaara, picking up on the frustration.

From where he sat he was suddenly bathed in a shimmering wall of colors so blinding as to appear white. Yet everyone could make out the colors representing each element. He held a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. Over both, the colors swirled and blended together. "I am ready. He will not win so long as I face him." The light dimmed out. Once more he was the young man they knew.

Gaara spoke for the first time. "You are Kami's warrior. The one spoken of in prophecies. Born for this sole reason." He was quiet as he recalled the rest of the myth. "So you really did die on that mission."

Everyone else knew he had said he had died but none of them had truly believed it. Now that Gaara said it outloud they wondered how it was possible for him to be here if he really was already dead.

"What is this "Kami's Warrior" business?" asked Tsunade.

"According to mythology, every thousand years, Kami and Inari have a battle to determine which one will have dominion over this realm. We are the realm of balance in the universe but either god can have dominion over us and still we would maintain the balance. Inari as you know is the God of chaos while Kami is the God of Order. If they were to fight themselves everything would perish but because they are complete opposites fighting is unavoidable for them. So many years ago when we were just coming out of our caves and looking around at our realm they agreed to hold tournaments much like we hold the chunnin exams. Each one chooses a warrior who will represent them and the two battle it out in an agreed upon location. Each has a location where his warrior has a better chance of winning. It seems now is the time of their tournament and Konoha is the location Kami has chosen for her warrior. According to the myth, the warriors were chosen on the day of their conception and they can not avoid their choosing any more than we can choose not to breathe the air." Gaara explained. It was a long statement from him but he felt this was what Naruto wanted them all to understand and he did not have the words to tell them himself.

Naruto nodded, breathing easier now. No one else had anything to say and the very somber group broke up shortly after. Everyone had alot to think about as they made their way home. Hiashi led Hinata home after escorting Tsunade to her door, where Shizune was waiting. Gaara walked back to his hotel where he knew his siblings were waiting for him. He got waylaid by Sasuke wanting to know where the Dobe was staying but Gaara just looked at Sasuke's hand on his arm. All he said was, "Remove it on your own or I will do it for you. Right now I would dearly love to show you my power. You will not find me nearly as easy to get killed as you did him."

Sasuke let him go. "I know she gave you permission to see him so tell me where he is. I demand you tell me so I can go see him also."

Gaara walked away saying nothing. Sasuke screamed after him that he would find the Dobe one day. Of the two, only Gaara knew how big of a mistake that would be. Because even if Naruto allowed him to live, Gaara wouldn't.

Author Note: Ok I know two chapters in one day is not what you all are used to but this chapter was easier to write where the last chapter took forever. So many of you wanted to know what I planned to do to Kakashi that I had to make sure it was as near to perfection as I could get and still leave my second favorite character alive and in one piece. Hope it was worth the wait and remember "Be Kind and Review" I live by those reviews if I miss one of the red threads that damn pink plot bunny keeps dropping all over the place. (walks off muttering about plot bunnies resembling Banshee Demon Queens)