"FEELS LIKE HOME," The Kyubi grumbled as the boat approached a small island. The island had a large mountain in the middle that seemed more like a man made spire and a long bridge that lead out over the ocean into what could only be described as a cloud wall. "THAT'S THE BRIDGE THAT WILL LEAD YOU TO THE MAIN ISLAND."
"We need to get to that island," Naruto said as he pointed a finger towards the island.
"You mean the big scary island with the bridge that ends in the cloud and we can't see the other side?" Shikamaru grunted. "I know I don't have to say it but…"
"Troublesome," The other three mumbled out as the boat slid onto the land. Naruto and the others jumped off and looked up towards the spire of a mountain. The bridge that was at the top was huge as it spanned off towards the wall of clouds that eclipsed the water on the other side of the island.
"How is a bridge able to stay up like that without supports?" Shino asked as they neared the bridge. The three of them were racing up the side of the mountain and reached the front of the bridge that was large enough for many caravans to travel across.
"Has to be the seals I see placed all over the bridge," Hinata said as she deactivated her bloodline. "It's completely covered."
"Watch your step," Naruto said as he took the first step onto the concrete bridge. It was truly a sight to behold, a giant bridge that was seemingly floating, leading into a wall of clouds and fog. The bridge seemed to hum for a second before it fell silent. "What was that?"
"SEEMS THAT YOUR BLOOD DEACTIVATED THE COUNTER MESSURES," The Kyubi said with a laugh. "I ALMOST COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THAT. HA!"
"Not funny," Naruto mumbled as he continued forward while the other three followed. Naruto stopped before the fog wall that was obscuring his vision of the other side. Naruto took a deep breath and moved forward. The fog disappeared as almost as quickly as he walked into it. Naruto looked back to see the others looking for him only a foot away. Naruto leaned back towards them and smiled. "Coming?"
"It was like a door," Shino said with a smirk as he looked around.
"Welcome to Uzushiogakure," Naruto mumbled as he looked down at the abandon village. It looked half destroyed with many of the buildings sitting in rubble. The city itself was huge, and built in a circular terrace with a large building overlooking the rest of the city in the middle. Walls were higher at each terrace level, a defensive measure if they were attacked, and had large buildings on each level.
"Wow," Shikamaru said looking at the city. "How did a place like this fall?"
"Who knows," Naruto said as he continued towards the central building. On the stone walls were several stone etchings of different animals in epic battles. All around them stood them stood statues that resembled the beast in the drawings as well.
"What are these?" Hinata as she touched a statue of what looked like the Kyubi.
"They are the Tailed Beast," Shikamaru said as he looked at the three tailed Turtle. "Why would they have these Statues?"
"GET TO THE MAIN BUILDING," Kyubi whispered.
"Let's get to the tower," Naruto pointed towards the large building. "Maybe we can find some answers there."
They rushed towards the main tower and stopped outside the large stone door. Naruto walked forward and stared. On the door was perfect etching of the King of Demons sitting upon his throne of skulls. Naruto smirked and crossed his arms.
"Looks like you in your prime," Naruto snickered as Kyubi growled. "What happened? Old age?"
"YOU TRY BEING SEALED IN A STUNTED BRAT FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES!" Kyubi snapped back with grin.
Naruto just scuffed and pushed the door open. Inside were nine giant thrones with the biggest in the middle. The throne in the middle was exactly like the Kyubi's in Naruto's head. Made entirely of what looked like skulls and bones. On the floor was a giant ying yang carved into the stone with many seals filling the spaces. A deep chuckling could be heard in Naruto's head as he spiked with chakra and he felt something leave him. He looked up to see Kyubi sitting on his throne front of them.
"What the hell Kyubi?" Naruto yelled out as Kyubi shifted in his throne.
"I'VE MISSED THIS PLACE," Kyubi said as he leaned back in his chair. "NOT TO WORRY. I'M STILL SEALED INSIDE OF YOU BRAT. I'M ONLY SHADOW CLONE WITH MY OWN PERSONALITY. A SPECIAL SEAL IN THIS ROOM ALLOWS THE TAILED BEAST TO WALK AMONG US. THE PEOPLE OF THIS VILLAGE DIDN'T FEAR THE DEMONS, THEY EMBRACED THEM!"
"What answers am I looking for Kyubi?" Naruto asked as he walked towards the giant Kyubi who smirked down at him. "You said that we will be able to unite the Tailed Beast. How?"
"WE CALL THEM HOME OF COURSE,"Kyubi said as he channeled chakra from Naruto and into the seal on the floor. Almost instantly the entire room filled with light and figures started to yell and scream.
"What the hell?!" Yelled an old man with red hair. He looked over and sneered. "YOU AGAIN!"
"Oh shit," Naruto yelled as he dodged a Kunai.
"Now there will be none of that Roshi-teme!" Yelled another voice that appeared before Naruto and caught the Kunai. "What's up little dude? Been a while, huh? Oh a Hyuga!"
"Bee?" Naruto asked as he looked around. All the Containers where gathered in the room with their host siting at their respective throne. Kyubi sat in the middle with Hachibi to his right and Nanabi to his left. Each Demon was sitting much like the Kyubi, in a form that wasn't completely human and had animal aspects to it. Their armors were reflecting the soft glow coming from the seal as they all looked at one another. "And stay away from Hinata!"
"I was just commenting," Bee said with a smirk. "It's been a while since we've seen each other. The last time was when you were trying to warn us about the Akatsuki. We should have listened, would have saved us a bit of a headache."
"Not to mention my containers life," Said the Rokubi as he looked down. His slug like features included long whiskers on his face and grey skin that secreted a slimy texture. "How is it fair that we continue to survive past our containers?"
"Tell me about it," Gobi said as she shook her head as her horse like ears twitched. "Han died for no reason. If only he wasn't so stubborn like Roshi! You guys could have protected each other!"
"I see that now," Roshi said as he bowed to Gobi. "Regardless of what has happened…WHY ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR SEALS?!"
"Bee," Naruto whispered as he pointed to the red haired man. "Shut him up for me."
"With pleasure," Bee said as he walked towards the Red head cracking his knuckles.
"How are you here if you've been captured," Shikamaru asked as he stared at Ichibi and Gaara who was looking at him dumbfounded. The Ichibi was a female demon it seemed as she stared at Gaara with a smirk on her Raccoon like face. "Gaara how did you get here?"
"I'm just as lost as you," Gaara said as he looked back at Naruto. "What's going on?"
"Well you see," Ichibi said with a smirk as she leaned forward and picked up Gaara and sat him on the armrest of her Throne. "The Akatsuki clearly think us demons to be fools. They took my pinky and were content with that amount of power. Being the one tail always makes them think I'm the weakest. So I returned into my Tenet's mind after he was awakened without his knowledge and bided my time. The humans who captured me were fools to think they could out do a Demon. "
"Which was always a human's mistake from the beginning," Said Yonbi. His gorilla like face turned towards the group. "Unlike the people of Uzui, they felt a need for power and turned us into weapons."
"War is what we were designed for Yonbi-sama," Nibi purred as Yugito sat in her lap staring at Naruto with a curious gaze. She turned her gaze to the Kyubi and then turned her gaze to Naruto smirked. "Why was this meeting called Kyubi-kun?"
"Don't get any ideas Nibi-san," Kyubi said. "The kid's got a mate. Naruto-san this is where you start your true mission."
Naruto looked around the room as he watched all the containers sitting with their Tailed beast.
"I know that I came to each of you asking to join me," Naruto said as he walked to the center of the room. "And each of you had an excuse. The time for excuses is over! We will not lose another! From here on out we stand united against this threat, and we will wipe them from existence!"
"I will stand with you Naruto-sama," Gaara said. "A King needs his Knights, and you will have me."
"I will stand with you as well Naruto-sama," Yugito said with wink as Hinata shot her a glare.
"I will need a new container," The Sanbi said as he looked down at Naruto. He adjusted his giant shell like shield and battle Axe as he leaned forward. "You're one hell of a container son. No wonder the Kyubi trusted you to do this."
"Of course he's the best," Kyubi said with a begrudging smirk. "He's the last Uzumaki."
At this all the Demons bowed slightly towards Naruto. The sudden shows of respect made Naruto nervous and scratch the back of his head.
"Then you will have my Axe," Sanbi said as he leaned back.
"Fine," Roshi said from his tied up position. "I will help, but as soon as this is over I will avenge Iwa! Konoha will always be my enemy and you Demons will be locked away."
"Whatever," Naruto said as he turned back to the Demons that were give Roshi a curious look.
"I shall join as well," Gobi whispered out as she let out a bit of neigh. "You will need all of our help."
"I agree," Rokubi said as he leaned forward dripping a bit of himself on the floor. "You may be strong, but you are going up against a Deity."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked as he looked over at him.
"You will be fighting a Sage of the Sixth Paths," Rokubi said as he leaned back. "My container didn't stand a chance."
"Well good thing he will have plenty of help," Said Nanabi as she looked down at Fu who was staring intently at Shino. "Throw in bug boy and you have a deal!"
"Nanabi!" Snapped Kyubi with a glare. She flinched and looked down at Fu who crossed her arms.
"Fine we will join," Fu said as she smirked at Shino. "I guess we will just have to claim him the old fashion way."
"Looks like Haku-chan's going to be angry," Whispered Naruto to Shikamaru who was busy taking notes. Shino looked like he was shrinking in size under the intense gaze of the orange eyed girl.
"This is too good to pass up!" Shikamaru whispered back. "Pay back!"
"Yo Yo YO!" Bee yelled out as he crossed his arms.
"Shut up Bee!" Naruto said as he turned to Kyubi. "We know you're down, to boogie down!"
"Killing my raps here!" Bee said with a huff as he looked up to Kyubi. "But you got us big man!"
"Now we got that settled," Kyubi said as he looked down at the three others. "Hinata you stand in front of Gobi-sama, Shino in front of Rokubi-sama, and Shikamaru please go to Sanbi-sama."
"Wait you can't!" Naruto yelled as he moved forward.
"If we are to win this war we need containers," Kyubi yelled back. "I knew when you picked this team that they would be chosen for this."
"Guys!" Naruto said as he turned to them. "I didn't know! I swear it!"
"It's ok Naruto," Shino said as he walked to Rokubi. "We will need all the help we can get."
"Not to mention the training you will be receiving," Rokubi said as he placed a slimy hand over Shino who sighed and stared at him with a cold look. "Sorry, you will get used to it."
"Great," Shino said as he looked up at the Kyubi. "Won't this kill someone whose chakra network is mature?"
"It won't be a problem," Kyubi said as he looked over at him. "Luckily this time the demon is willing to be sealed. When a demon is forced to be sealed it has no control over the flux of chakra released, thus killing older shinobi that tried to seal beast into themselves. When you have a willing Demon, it doesn't affect you as it is going to slowly integrate themselves with your chakra network. The process will take a bit of time and you will need to do all new chakra control exercises. So it will be painless…Well, you might feel a little pinch…"
"Naruto-kun," Hinata said as she turned to him and gave him a hug. Naruto pulled her mask and gave her a quick chastise kiss before pulling it back up. She looked up and gave him an eye smile. "This will just give us a better way of protecting you."
"By becoming targets yourselves," Naruto said as he watched Shikamaru walk over to the Sanbi. The Sanbi stared down at Shikamaru and sighed.
"Why do I get the scrawny one?" Sanbi said as Shikamaru just sighed and felt the Sanbi put his hand on him as well.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru whispered under his breath. "Let's just get this over with."
Hinata walked over towards the Gobi as she placed a hand on Hinata. Naruto watched as his three friends light up in three different colors of light. The Sanbi's dark aqua light flooded out of him and started to glow inside of Shikamaru who was letting out a muffled gasp of pain. Naruto looked over at Shino and Rokubi who was glowing a grey blue and slowly disappearing into Shino who let out a groan of pain and fell to his knees in pain. A slight yelp of pain from Hinata took his complete attention as he appeared at her side. Kyubi's hand reached over and pulled him away from Hinata as she continued to writhe in pain as her body was glowing bright white. Naruto yelled out as he tried to reach her, tried to comfort her in some way.
"Stop it you fool," Kyubi yelled as he watched the scene. "She's almost done!"
"It's killing her!" Naruto yelled as there was a loud bang and the room fell silent. Naruto watched as Hinata knelt before him, her body smoking slightly. Naruto was at her side instantly and helped her to her feet. She slumped forward and into his arms as she mumbled something incoherent. Naruto looked over at the Kyubi who resumed his place at the head of the thrones.
"A LITTLE PINCH?" Naruto yelled out as he held Hinata in his arms who stirred back awake.
"Naru-kun," Hinata said softly as she snuggled into his chest a bit more. "I'm fine, why are you yelling?"
"Hina-hime," Naruto said as he looked her over. On her exposed stomach was the Kanji for Gobi written in lavender ink. Naruto looked up at the Gobi that now appeared on her Throne. Hinata stayed in his arms as she adjusted to the new feeling. "You ok?"
"Yeah," Hinata said as she looked up at him. "I feel…"
"Stronger," Shikamaru said he slowly stood up with Shino helping him to his feet. "Yeah don't worry about us Naruto, we are fine!"
"Now what Fuzzy?" Naruto said still a bit angry at the giant fox.
"We train!" Kyubi said as he stood up.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru mumbled out.
"What do you mean Gaara just up and disappeared?" Tsunade yelled at Temari as she crossed her arms and sighed.
"Like I said we were on our way here when he vanished in a flash of light," Temari said as she rubbed her arms looking a bit worried. "I just got him back and now he disappears."
"There is nothing to worry about Temari-sama," Said a new voice. Turning they saw a small deer walk up to them. It bowed politely before Temari walked over to it and pulled the letter out of the deer's antlers. "Shikamaru-sama sends his love."
"Thank you," Temari said with a blush as the deer vanished in a puff of smoke. "It seems that Naruto is moving ahead in his plans."
"You mean he's united the tailed beast?" Came Jiraiya's voice from the window. Temari nodded and turned to Tsunade.
"We need to start our preparations," Tsunade said as she slowly stood and pulled out a small scroll from her desk. "Thank you Temari, we will contact you when we are ready."
"Ooooh Choji-kuuuunnn!," Ino's voice filled the house as she walked out of the bed room. It was early morning and she was searching for her missing husband. She looked down at the ring that now adorned her finger and smiled to herself. She was currently wearing one of his shirts that fell to below her knees which also exposed her shoulders and collar bone slightly. She slowly pulled her hair into a pony tail as she walked into the kitchen to see Choji with two others. Kankuro and Temari sat at their bar table enjoying the coffee that Choji prepared.
"Morning hun," Choji said over his shoulder as he continued to prepare breakfast for everyone.
"Morning Ino," Temari said with a smile.
"Morning hot stuff," Kankuro said towards the blond who tossed a Kunai at him that embedded in the stool an inch away from his precious. "WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GET ONE OF THOSE?"
"A girls gotta keep her secrets," Ino said slyly as she pulled Choji in for a kiss. Choji just laughed and walked over to the table with the breakfast.
"So you're back and Shikamaru is gone on mission," Ino said as she bit into some toast. Temari shrugged and continued to nurse her coffee. "That sucks."
"Tell me about it," Temari said. "I stopped by to talk to you guys about you're little club."
"Black Leaves are not a club Temari-chan," Choji said. "But what about them?"
"Naruto is moving ahead with his plan that means that we will be moving ahead with ours," Temari said as she set her coffee down and raised her eyes. "We have to make a certain man pay for making our village look like a fool. So I have to ask, are you ready to go Snake hunting?"
"Thought you'd never ask," Ino said with a grin that would make Anko proud.
Hello Everyone!
Well first as always thanks to all who took the time out of their busy fanfiction reading life to review last chapter. Means more than you know. Next is i hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and or what ever you are celebrating this year. As always i hope you guys enjoy this chapter as much as the last. Now don't forget to Read, Review and of course Enjoy.
Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Take-It-Easy