Living Shrine Chapter 7, Human Sacrifice, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

A/N: Well, I'll answer some questions here:

Lord Raine: Thank you very much for all your input, and to answer you: The council and Hiashi will have something to do later on, yet what will happen and the consequences shall be revealed within the chapters of them being inside Konoha and as soon as they found out what happened. Akatsuki and Sasuke have a major part of this role, yet they're in the background at the moment, not as important (think of it as preTime Skip Naruto)

Nasuren: I hope that this chapter answered your comment. :3

Useful76: Thanks!

Also, I have started a second story. The name is The Nine Seasons. If you liked Living Shrine, Nine Seasons is darker and jumps straight into violence and combat since chapter one. It will be concluded in nine chapters, as the name states. Please stop by and R&R if you can!

Thanks, and on to the story…

"...I'm Yugito...Uzumaki Yugito...it's a pleasure to meet you, future Mrs. Uzumaki..."

Wrathful Fire, Soothing Wind, Blinding Lightning, Solid Earth, Flowing Water, Silver Metal. The kanji for the five elements glowed with those descriptors, forming a complex circle seal that surrounded the lavender eyed, navy blue haired goddess, which stood over the glowing kanji for Metal. The female ANBU stood anxiously in the center of the converging lines, observing a sun-kissed shinobi go through a series of hand seals for the past two minutes and counting. Standing a few feet away, a couple of blonde kunoichi stood behind the male. They were wary for his condition didn't seem to be very good. Every once in a while, he would have to abruptly stop his seals in order to cough up blood, blood he was very careful not to spill on the active seals on the ground. All the three girls could do was, wait for the results of the jutsu that had a high risk, according to Yugito.

Ino looked back and forth between Hinata and Yugito. From out of no where, not only had she been reunited to her beloved, but at the same time, she had gained two people that she didn't expect. Jealousy was the first thing on her mind, as how she had to share Naruto with two more women. It was bad enough that the way Hinata had acted meant that if she had met him as a child; her fascination for him was something more than a childhood crush. That and the fact that the Mission Report regarding the assassination of her squad to the hands of some Kusagakure nin while escorting the then unknown Naruto; and his intervention to save her by placing his own life on the line, and defeating the nin that were threatening to take Hinata's; only added fuel to the fire. She felt betrayed by Naruto for marrying someone else, but she couldn't blame him. A shinobi's life is always at stake. Missions have been known to jump from a C-Rank to an A-Rank in the blink of an eye because of clients hiding information. He wanted to have a family, and she wanted to have one as well. He got his wish, and she could still have hers. She just didn't want to share it with someone else.

She glanced at Yugito. Her face, hardened by all the negative thoughts threatened to soften as she saw the worried look on her rival's face. It brought to Ino's mind what she had spoken not too long ago, during their introduction.

Yugito was the one that offered to share him as a life partner with her.

Yugito was already used to this type of situation.

It was up to her to accept the fact that if she wanted Naruto, the same way he was willing to share himself with Yugito and Hinata, she would have to make the sacrifice.

But that was easier said than done. Ino's softened face hardened a bit. A small twitch on her eyebrow and a intake of air showed that she was going to say something that she was uncomfortable saying. "Yugito-san…" she started. The blonde turned to her counterpart with a worried look on her face, giving a silent acknowledgement to her name being called. Ino continued talking. "…I…I love Naruto-kun…but…I find this situation ridiculous…" Yugito knew where this conversation was going. She stole glances at Naruto and Hinata while letting Ino finish her statement. "…it is something that may take some…time…for me to be able to fully live with and accept the fact that I'm going to be sharing the man I fell in love with so many years ago with other women…." She finished as her eyes became fixed onto Naruto's form and her arms crossed in front of her.

"I understand, Ino-san…" responded a solemn Yugito. "…but remember this…" she said as her eyes also fixed on her husband. "…his heart is large enough to love us all the same. You will be surprised how much attention he gave away in Kumo and I never felt like he forgot about me…" a small, sincere smile adorned her lips. "…if he loves, attention will never lack, and trust me on that, ok?" Yugito's eyes never left her husband, her hands intertwined on her chest, hoping for the best.

Ino kept staring at Naruto, thinking thoroughly about what was just told to her. 'We'll see about that…'

"What do you think is going to happen…?" asked a feminine voice to the wind. "Ne, onii-chan…we've been tracking this guy for a few days now…we finally found him…and…HE's not very happy…" a young blonde haired girl said as she emphasized on he. She was dressed in a sky blue kimono adorned with several silver swirls that resembled wind along the trims. A teal obi that matched her eyes was fastened around her waist. She wore the traditional sandals and tabi socks to accompany her attire

A red haired, one arm shinobi blurred next to the body of the girl. His emerald eyes and unruly hair were fixed at the four Konoha shinobi that were in a clearing, performing a ritual of some sort. He sported a dark crimson yukata with same colored baggy pants, and standard issued sandals. His yukata was open, which revealed a black shirt and his only arm; his left one, resting inside. Dangling on his left thigh was a leather gauntlet with metal blades on the fingers, which were made to look like the famed 'Demon Brothers' from Kirigakure.

"Just watch and learn…he has fought his demon and won. Only good can come if you learn from his ways, little one...we will ask to speak with him once he is done with whatever he's doing…"

"H-hai…onii-chan…" and with that, they both waited and observed.

The now orange sun beams that were setting in the horizon kissed the raven locks of a young man. Said man with onyx colored eyes, dressed in a white keikogi shirt, sporting black hakama pants that were held by a black sash with a white rope belt. He was currently sitting over a rock, a black katana stuck to the ground and he was leaning forward, using it as support as he watched how near his feet, a thick crimson liquid pooled from around him.

Blood…

Countless shinobi moaned and groaned, as they lay on the ground, panting heavily, while groaning in pain. Many lost a limb or two; many had a body part pierced by a sword or by a kunai, many had broken bones, but none the less, all of them shared something in common.

They were still alive.

"You know…If you let them live, you won't become strong enough…" a snake-like voice hissed at him. The raven haired boy turned slowly to the direction of the voice.

"Hnn….what do you think happened in Konoha? The chakra surge that we felt was unnatural…demonic, if you would call it…" He responded. Not even paying attention to what the snake was telling him, but more worried about the chakra he felt a few days ago. Orochimaru hated it when his protégé and future container didn't show respect or listened to what he said, but there was always the future where he wouldn't have to listen to his whining ever again. '…soon, very soon, I won't have to live in this body anymore…soon I'll be able to learn all the jutsu's in th-…'

"OROCHIMARU!" spoke a voice full with hatred. The snake sannin turned around, breaking his chain of thought, to see four squads of ANBU-dressed ninja being commanded by a heavily bandaged man. Beside him, two elderly figures wrapped in battle gear were standing next to him. All of them were wary of their surroundings, prepared for everything with Orochimaru standing defiantly in front of them, with the traitorous Uchiha Sasuke behind him. One false step and all of them would die a horrible and painful death..

"Kukukukuku…Danzo-sama…what a pleasure to see you again…" his voice dripping with sarcasm. "…and you're alive!" He acted surprised. "My, my, what a pleasant surprise, I would've thought that the Gobi would've eaten you as a snack for disturbing his slumber…kukukuku…."

"Do not play games with us, Orochimaru..." responded Koharu. "We are here to seek revenge on our behalf. You set us up! You knew that the Gobi would try and kill anyone who woke him up, but at least your plan failed. The demon container, no, the demon himself is still alive! He even took the offensive and absorbed the Five Tailed Demon!"

Orochimaru's face paled even more than it what already was. His eyes glazed for a moment and his whole body tensed. Sasuke went through the same, his blood boiling at the news the Konoha nin brought to them. The snake's attention was back at full towards Danzo and his companions. He started to exude his killing intent towards them; all the while Sasuke activated his cursed kekkei genkai and stared in the direction of his former village. "So…" the raven haired exile spoke first. "…the fight we sensed just two days ago… was the fight between the container of the Kyuubi and the Gobi? A human with a demon inside of him, defeated a demon?" Electricity started cackling around him as his chakra spiked. "This is going to be interesting….Orochimaru! They bore me. I wish to meet this 'Demon' or so they call him. We move as soon as I take care of these weaklings…"

"Maa…Sasuke-kun….I've never seen you so excited about something since you received my seal…now…show them what a real demon is capable of…"

"Hnn…." was his response as his after image was all that was left of him in the area.

The dark crimson stained ground would renew its bright color once again with the fresh blood that was to be offered for it to drink. The 'Ne' forces that were with Danzo, Koharu and, Homura sprung to action at the sudden realization that the Uchiha had flickered out of their senses. Everyone stood silent, searching for any chakra signature that would prove hostile. Said act was easier said than done, for Orochimaru stood in front of the squads with a sinister smile, eyes lusting blood, and his notorious laughter echoed in the silent background. No one dared to move, everyone held their breath, and it wasn't until the cackling of lightning and the 'thud' of a body hitting the ground when everyone realized that the raven haired avenger had successfully pierced through one of the masked ANBU's back, his hand been protruding messily through the front of his torso. In the blink of an eye, he was gone yet again.

ANBU personnel and the three elders that formed part of the council became more wary of the situation that they were in. Not only were they up against Uchiha Sasuke, Orochimaru's pet and protégé, but also against the master.

Boy, where they in for a good one.

A couple of muffled yelps brought everyone out of their reverie, as two more 'Ne' soldiers dropped to the ground unceremoniously. One had a kunai lodged in his throat, and fell with garbled gasps, as blood flowed freely from the severed jugular, yet another had his own no-dachi piercing through the top of his skull and the blade following the course of the spinal chord. A third 'Ne' member managed to turn around slowly, watching the Uchiha finish sheathing his sword. It was then when his torso was divided in two as blood started to gush out. The severed man's body stood, unaware that from the left shoulder, all the way down to the right kidney was gone in a diagonal slice. It fell down to the floor a moment later, as at the unbelieving eyes of the Konoha shinobi were wide as saucers from within the mask, lifeless, and in shock, with his last words circling over and over in his brain '…fast….'.

Danzo saw his elite force become demoralized and proceeded to encourage them. By stepping forwards he raised his voice and spoke "We fight for Konoha! They tricked us into using a power that was inconceivable, we shall make them pay! Let them know the true power of the Leaf Shinobi! The secret Root div…" His speech cut short by a black sword that was lodged between his eyes and a stoic Uchiha standing in front of him with a bored expression on his face. "…you speak too much…" he said before Danzo disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving only a pierced log in his behalf.

The armless shinobi reappeared in another puff of chakra smoke next to the other two council members, his face twisted in anger, his only hand opening and closing at a fast rate. His teeth grinded against each other and he could taste the bile at the back of his mouth. "ATTACK!" was the only word that came out of his facial orifice. It was then that all the Root Division of ANBU began the relentless assault against Uchiha Sasuke.

Orochimaru stood stoic, his eyes solely on Sasuke and the onslaught that was to ensue. '…maa…he's becoming quite the perfect killer…soon enough, his body shall be mine for the taking!' he said unto himself, as his mad cackle reverberated amongst the battlefield.

The clash of swords, kunai, and shuriken echoed amongst the evening sky. 'Ne' shinobi had tried to excise their most complicated and astute strategies used to take down cities and capitals in the past, against a single shinobi, and yet, they still have to lay more than a finger on the raven haired boy.

Out of the initial twenty ANBU that were fighting the Uchiha, only four remained. Danzo, Homura, and Koharu stayed motionless, staring at the massacre the young apprentice to the snake had caused in the fifteen short minutes between their appearance and the conflict that ensued from the provocation of Sasuke to Danzo. The avenger stood victorious in the center of a bloody circle, some scratches and bruises, nothing serious adorned his frame. Foreign blood marred his white keikogi, staining it crimson, while bodies that littered the ground around him were forever still. Crimson blazed as his eyes had formed the mature Sharingan, and his cold and calculating stare was focused on the four 'Ne' captains that surrounded him.

The air stopped flowing, the environment tensed as the battle was nearing the end. Clearly, the remaining 'Ne' soldiers realized that they were highly outclassed, yet couldn't retreat. Cowardice was not tolerated, and running away would prove fruitless, even if they survived. They would be hunted down and killed by other Root members as soon as their locations were found out. Their hands fastened hard on their no-dachi.

They knew that this was the last time that they would feel the air touch their skin.

'….there are four left….the dog…the monkey…the dragon…and the hawk….hmmmm…..' thought one stoic Uchiha. '…who shall be the first…ahhhh….that one….' He thought to himself with a sadistic smirk growing on his face and his eyes focused on the female of the four.

The four 'Ne' shinobi waited patiently for their enemy to make his move. They slowly started to move in a square pattern circling Sasuke, in hopes of getting an upper hand by placing themselves in a strategic position, giving him no running space. Already they had lost many in a wild attack thanks to the overconfidence of their subordinates.

Their wait was short lived, as they watched their target make slow movements. His feet shifted into the basic horse stance, his torso faced a forty-five degree angle from where his lead foot was pointing; his arms were extended to his sides, parallel to the ground, while his hands were balled up, except for his index finger, which pointed to the Dog and Fox masked shinobi. His eyes shifted from one 'Ne' to the next. He made sure to give them each a cold stare. He was rewarded by slight flinches from each.

He smiled.

The four took the gesture as a threat and immediately sprung into action; the Dragon and the Hawk, who were both to Sasuke's left, gripped their weapons tighter and charged at the lone enemy. The Dragon masked jumped to the air while the Hawk dashed low. Sasuke stayed motionless, noticing that at the moment the two shinobi dashed at him, the other two prepared themselves to unleash a couple of ranged Ninjutsu.

Time seemed to slow down for the four. The Dragon's and Hawk's slashes hit with a deadly precision. No sooner that the blade strikes hit that they were away from the site as two voices rang the names of the two jutsus that impacted were the wounded boy directly: "Raiton: Dendou Ryuunyuu, Suiton: Hahonryū: Bakurai no Jutsu" (Lightning Release: Electric Influx, Water Release: Rapid Crasher: Depth Charge Technique). As the stream of high pressurized water, that came from the hands of the Dog-masked nin, impacted on the Uchiha, an electric pulse shot through the water and exploded upon contacting the skin of the target, the electric current shot six bolts of lightning that pierced and cauterized the wounds that they inflicted.

Silence settled once more after the ringing of the explosion left the ears of the present in the battlefield. The four ANBU level shinobi gripped their weapons once more as they commenced to approach what appeared to be the charred remains of a human being.

The Dog masked nin knelt down next to the body and commenced the inspction of it. Cautiously and readily prepared for any sort of reaction, he lowered his index and middle finger to his target's neck. He immediately pulled a kunai when he felt a pulse in his neck and struck swiftly and expertly, severing the jugular and proceeded to stab at the heart also.

"Mission Accomplished…" he said as he stood up and dusted himself. "…Uchiha Sasuke will no longer be a…." his comment abruptly stopped when he noticed the Uchiha standing next to him, completely unscathed. No signs of the most recent combat damage or weariness were noticeable. His eyes flickered in anger and turned to look at what the remains of the body, expecting to find a burnt log or another piece of…..

"….Junko…."

"You should learn to hide your emotions…" was the smug answer of Uchiha Sasuke. "…I thought Root was notorious for being the perfect assassins, not having any feelings, bred to follow orders, no sense of human understanding for the feelings that they harbor…" the Dog masked nin felt his blood commence to boil with every word he spoke "…during the fight, you had several muscle movements that indicated you wanting to move to her side…you in fact deflected several of my kunai that were aimed for her, while leaving others fly to hit your other members to die…." Sasuke's sight looked down towards the Hawk-masked nin and smirked. "…you should have seen the look on her face as you plunged the kunai deep into her heart… the disbelief, the horror, the sadness in her eyes…"

The taunted soldier stood up impassive and slowly turned towards Uchiha Sasuke, who stood smirking and looking down at him. "Yes…I should have hidden my emotions…but now…YOU WILL PAY!" and with that, his hands went into a flurry of hand seals and yelled out the name of his technique: "DOTON: DORYU-urk…!" his voice fell into a gurgle of blood as the Genjutsu blindfold that was covering his eyes was lifted. A kunai pierced his throat, all the way through the spinal chord. His hands fell limp to his sides and tears filled his eyes. He couldn't breath. He tried, but he couldn't. He stared traight into the eyes that were behind the Dragon shaped mask that stood in front of him, noticing the glazed pair of orbs behind the ivory item. His own eyes darted to the side, only to see Uchiha Sasuke leaning against a tree, a sprig of grass dangling playfully from his lips with his face was stoic, only to change to a slight smirk as the masked nin felt his eyelids grow heavy and succumbed to darkness.

Danzo and the two other elders watched stupefied as their four remaining 'Ne' captains finished each other off while Sasuke was waiting stoically in his original position; between the four, for the battle between the Genjutsu influenced nin to conclude. The sounds of their voices calling them to 'snap out of it' and 'wrong target' went unheard. They would have intervened the slaughter of the squads if Orochimaru hadn't been blocking their path, so all they could do was wait.

And speaking of the snake…

Orochimaru's gaze was upon the three elders, and they in turn, noticed that and tensed slightly. They fell into their practiced stances with ease, only to tense up once more when Orochimaru disappeared from their sight. A single thought passed throught the mind of the three when they felt the Snake's signature chakra right between the three of them….

'Oh…fuck…'

"Amatsu Fuuin: Tsunagari no Kunou! (Heavenly Seal: Bond of Suffering)" rang Naruto's voice with pain as his hands slammed into the ground. The Sealing Circle where Hinata was standing started converging around the Metal kanji, as if they were being sucked in to where the Hyuga was. Slowly, the glow for the kanji of Fire died down and a trail of fire outlined the seal, only to dissipate once it was fully traced. Wind followed, then Lightning, Earth, and finally, Water. The Kanji for Metal glowed furiously as the five elements congealed within it and it was when Hinata screamed. Five tendrils, each of a different color that would correspond to the five elements rose from the seal and struck Hinata in five separate locations. The navy blue tendril, corresponding to water struck her on her left shin. The sky blue for wind struck her on her right shin. The green one for earth split in two struck her on her arms; whereas the yellow one for electricity struck her back, on her spinal column. Finally, the red one for fire struck her straight over the heart.

Slowly, a star-shaped mark, made of raging flames formed at the base of her neck, just above her right clavicle, glowing violently with the five colors of the elements used.

Naruto looked at how the jutsu was progressing. Once the five elements joined to manifest themselves as the chosen mark, it was time to make his move. He closed his eyes and focused himself for the final part of this jutsu

Naruto's Mindscape

"Gobi…" said Naruto as he shimmered inside the world he had created.

He stood in front of the wounded beast. Still licking his wounds from the failed attempt to strike against Raijuu and Kyubi. The five tailed dog gave at him a sneer. He was badly wounded and did not like everything that was happening to him. Just a few minutes ago, he started feeling something that was tugging at his own youki forcefully and slowly but surely, it started to take it away.

"What do you want, boy? After all the humilliation you have placed me, you still come to taunt me in my prison?"

"Gobi, I came to inform you of what I am about to do to you and your powers…"

"Oh? And what is it that you are going to do to me, boy? I can do nothing here, I cannot defend myself and yet you still come here to torture me? Tell me. Amuse me. You cannot kill me, yet you can imprison me… pathetic…I am pathetic…if only I hadn't listened to those Konoha bastards…"

"…you speak of Konoha…who sent you to do this…who sent you to try and kill me and those who I hold dear?"

"Why should I tell you? It's not like I get anything from it…" he said with a smug grin.

"True…but I can offer you partial freedom…"

The Gobi glared at him, already knowing where this conversation was going. "You wish the summoning contract for the Demon Dogs, huh? Kukukuku, I never though that one like you would offer a deal like that…"

"You are wrong, Gobi, that was not what I was going to offer you. Yet, it would be a more viable option than permanently taking away three to four tails of power, leaving you greatly weakened, do you not agree?"

The Gobi stared at him. For the first time in his demonic life, he never thought that someone would be strong enough to strip his powers away from him. There was something about this kid, but he couldn't put his paw over it. He grinned a snout full of fangs. How could Naruto tell? After many, many years of meeting the Rokubi and the Kyubi, he managed to learn the different facial expressions; and the Gobi was definetly smiling.

"To become a lesser demon, or to be on parole for the rest of your existance…my honor and pride as a greater demon does not want to be under a collar and chain, yet, I would lose everything that I have earned through my power throughout the millenia…you drive a hard bargain, kid. Any rooms for requests here?"

Naruto stood, motionless, staring straight into the demon dog's eyes. His silence was understood by him as he proceeded to speak. "Even though my pride is hurting, I ask of you to not use the summoning contract for menial tasks. We live for combat and we will die for combat, and we are a proud race. We will be loyal to whom holds the summoning contract, yet, we will not hesitate to bare our fangs if said person mistreats a single one of us. We are a pack, and if one of us is displeased, you will have to make up for it before you attempt to ask us a favor once more…"

Naruto took in the information and gave a silent nod. He turned around and started to walk away. The Gobi had a questioning look on his face. "Do you not agree with what I said?" he asked, only to get a response before Naruto's form shimmered away. "It shall be done. Thank you, Gobi-san…and..you shall have your revenge…to me and to them..."

With a sudden and violent tug of power, the Gobi commenced howling with pain as he felt his chakra become forcefully pulled from him. He watched his reflection on the lake, staring in horror as a five star seal appeared on his forehead. Another surge of power rendered him helpless as he fell to the ground, motionless. His chakra was non-existent within him yet he knew it still existed, for he felt a link to it elsewhere. He laid there, motionless, trying to understand what had just happened, only to listen the maddened cackles of the Kyubi and Rokubi reverberate throughout the imprisoning sphere that he would have to call a home.

Outside Naruto's Mindscape

'It is time to finish this; Hina-chan, bear with me just for a few more seconds…' thought the jinchuuriki. The fire star glowed more and more brighter, flashing the five colors in random patterns. He slowly lifted himself up and went into a second string of hand seals and opened his hands, his fingertips alighting themselves in a greenish-red flame as he struck the area around the seal as he sounded off the jutsu. "Ningenteki Jutsu: Shishou Fuuin! (Dual Technique: Four Emblem Seal)" and as his voice died down, the colored flashes died down. Two seals surrounded the star, seals that looked exactly like the ones Naruto has when he molds chakra and surround the spiral mark on his navel.

The seals and the mark faded into the skin, leaving it unmarred for the world to see. Hinata fell to her knees and started panting. Her body ached, her head throbbed, and something was off in her Chakra Circulatory System. She tried to muster enough chakra to her eyes and activate her Byakugan, yet she couldn't. She attributed to the sealing that had just taken place and decided to ask Naruto the moment she woke up from the long nap she was sure she was to take within seconds of now. She managed to face the rapidly approaching Yugito and Ino, and gave them a soft smile.

She was rewared by a pair of strong arms that held her close to their owner. Hinata's head leaned towards the well toned, yet lithe chest that belonged to Uzumaki Naruto, aka, Yosugi Yashiro and tried to speak, yet her voice was soft and almost a whisper. Her eyes began closing and as darkness consumed her for a well deserved rest, she heard the voice of Naruto as she faded in and out if conciousness, answering back her nearly unheard question. "…sealing was successful…Gobi's chakra….rest now…."

Ino and Yugito looked at the two as Naruto cradled Hinata. The smile on Naruto's features gave them a sense of peace and slowly, both of them, knelt down, each to one of his sides, and simply rested their heads to his shoulders. They didn't wish to bother the sleeping girl who just saved Naruto's life, so they took comfort in simply kissing Naruto gently on the cheeks, provoking a blush on both his and their features.

Naruto turned his head to one side and took Ino's lips un a sweet, chaste kiss; only to turn around and do the same to Yugito. He broke the kisses, anf once again focused on thr body that he was cradling between his arms.

"She's gonna be fine…" he said as he started to explain to them what happened "…the sealing took a toll on her body…" he stared at the girl, sensing the new chakra that coursed in her. "…unfortunately, she will have to start to learn how to control her Chakra once more. Good thing she's a Hyuga…" he chuckled. "…it'll be easier to re-train herself…"

"What exactly did you do, Naruto-kun?" asked the pale blonde kunoichi. Ino's attention was fixed on Hinata's sleeping frame. Her question was quickly followed up by one of Yugito's of the same nature.

"By using highly advanced seals in order to prevent a being from access any type of spiritual or mental energies, I have successfully diminished the capabilities of the Gobi by separating its chakra from its body and sealing it in two separate entities. Hinata houses the chakra of the Demon Dog, whereas I myself harbor the demon. The sealing technique that I used relies on the exixtance of both the Dead Demon Seal and the Double Master Seal that I have;with the Suffering Seal along with the Double Master Seal that I applied onto Hina-chan."

Both girls were silent for a few moments, letting the information sink in slowly. "So, what you're saying, Naru-kun…" asked Yugito. "…is that she can access the demon's chakra without fear of losing control to it?"

"That is partially correct, Yugito-hime…" he said with a sigh. "…even if she won't suffer the risk of losing her mind to the control of the Gobi, she still will suffer the same way I do with the chakra until she is strong enough to control the five tails of power that she now contains…but until that happens, she will have to re-learn all her control due to the second source of power that is now in her system…"

"…so…what do you mean by 'partially correct' then, Naruto-kun?" asked Ino. Her attentiveness turned towards the now hardened look at the horizon. The two of them had felt Naruto tense the moment the question was asked. His jaw clenched and his pulse increased slightly and his grip around Hinata tightened slightly.

"…" his mouth opened and closed, trying to form words, yet, he could not express what he wanted to say. His shoulders commenced to loosen up, yet fell in a defeated fashionby closing his eyes, he ransacked his brain for ideas on how to explain what was happening; but never got the opportunity. A sudden appeareance of two chakras placed his mind on high alert; 'how shaken and tired was I that I didn't sense them before?' he asked himself. Yugito and Ino felt the neighboring beings and stoood up in a heartbeat, both in between the two that approached and Naruto with Hinata; while Naruto slowly placed his arms under Hinata and proceeded to carry her bridal style as he stood up and turned around.

They noticed that the two that were approaching them stopped within twenty feet. One was a readhead with emerald green eyes that appeared to be around his early twenties, while the younger one was a sandy blonde with teal colored eyes and was holding a sand-colored; who looked no older than twelve. She was standing behind the older one, her face peeking every so often, looking at the foursome and hiding back.

"State your name and business…" were the simultaneous words that came out from Ino and Yugito's throats, their killer intent started leaking towards the two. They both knew Naruto was in no whay, shape, or form ready to fight. They had to defend him until then, they couldn't take any chances.

The young girl yipped in surprise and hid fervently behind the red head. Her left hand gripping tightly at the fabric that composed the shirt and tugged at him. He, on the other hand, reached out behind him with his only arm and brought her out. She refused to let go of his shirt with one hand, pulling the fabric over her face, yet with the other, she held onto the stuffed teddy bear as if her life depended on it.

"…my name…is…Gaara…Kaze no Gaara, and this is my younger sister…Suna no Temari…"

A/N: Hey Guys. I want to thank you all for the great words of encouragement. Thanks for helping me give Living Shrine flesh and bones. In this chapter, your votes will start flourishing, so I hope that you keep on pushing on your opinion.

I kinda missed the update mark by a couple of weeks, but I guess that's what happens when life gets in the way, ne? Well, I guess that that's for this chapter here, and I'll see you in the next update. Please remember to R&R!