Anyone knows what this is for. Did you actually think I owned any part of Naruto?? If I did, don't you think there would be Naruto brand ramen in every supermarket??


Earth Country

Ever since the Great War was concluded between Iwa and Konoha, Iwa's forces were constantly on the alert. Shinobi teams always patrolled its borders with a near fanatical zeal. When any of the clans in the Village Hidden in the Rocks had members out on patrol, it was largely assumed they would deploy to the border between Earth and Fire Countries. However, one team was always assigned a patrol area along its western border instead of the southern one between the two countries. The reason for that patrol area was kept under the utmost secrecy. The teams that patrolled the area were under orders never to discuss the mission except to the Tsuchikage herself.

The Tsuchikage put extensive efforts and resources into the development of the chairs that the latest patrol were strapped into. They were back from their assigned duty but spoke of an incident at the tower that forced them to leave in a hurry during turnover of the mission. Each chair was made of stainless steel and heavily reinforced, with the seats and back rests upholstered in fine leather. Behind each headrest was a U-shaped wiring tube harness attached to a floating arm. All of the harnesses were inter-connected and the main wiring tube was fused to a metal panel with an elaborate pair of seals to the left of the chairs. Next to those seals were a set of dials which held settings for age, gender and other various factors as well as switches for the chairs that were filled.

When the patrols would sit in the chairs, the Tsuchikage would set the dials and switches that controlled various valves and levers in the tubing, which also contained seals. As soon as the Tsuchikage was satisfied with the settings, she'd push chakra into the seals on the panel. The chakra would be modulated and amplified by each seal it passed until it reached the harnesses. The memories of each person was compiled and fed back through the harness by alpha waves generated by the tuned chakra. Ultimately, that wave energy would be sent back through more seals to a projection screen on the control panel for the viewing pleasure of the operator.

Most missions played out uneventfully on the screen. Reports about the vast canyon with nine seal markers lining its eastern edge facing a gigantic black metal tower typically never changed except for minor details. The tower itself was a smooth obelisk standing over one thousand meters tall. No doors or windows were ever detected but it did have one elaborate seal on its eastern face. Extensive studies of the seals were made but so far only the nine small seals were identifiable. Each seal marker held an animalistic seal with a spatial barrier sub-seal. The individual animalistic seals bore a singular resemblance to either a raccoon, cat, bird, lizard, wolf, weasel, badger, snake, and fox.

The main seal on the tower was still a mystery. It was a nine pointed star with each point housing the individual animalistic seal that was present on the smaller seal markers. A tenth circular seal was surrounding the star seal. On that seal were runes of a language that had yet to be translated. Every New Year, a rune would disappear from the seal in a flash of sickly green light. Estimates put the number of runes that the seal could hold at around two hundred, but at present time there were thirty-eight runes left.

Nothing ever seemed to happen at the tower or in the canyon. There were never any breezes, clouds, or even plant or animal life. It was as if all life and energy was spent from the canyon. The patrol that was there this time took their work seriously but after twenty-two days, the patrol and observation duties grew monotonous. On this day however, an eerie reddish cloud formed in the sky and hovered over the tower. The team of Iwa shinobi stood at the ready, prepared for anything that could come. They watched as the cloud grew in intensity, its color darkening until a red pulse of energy blasted down and struck the seal. In the aftermath of the strike, the fox seal inside the star glowed with the red energy before it snaked its way to the runes causing them to glow in their sickly green light. With a grinding sound of metal, the circular seal rotated ninety degrees and one of the runes disappeared.

The Tsuchikage watched the entire set of events that unfolded two days ago and dread wormed its way to the forefront of her mind. She knew exactly what the chakra was as it served as a painful reminder of a failure long since past. It had the same chaotic feel to it in the memories as the demon she once tried to calm. Dread turned into a slight panic when the seal moved and the rune disappeared. It was then that she noticed that the fox seal that glowed was faded slightly and reality set in.

They would be free sooner than expected and it was due to a demon's chakra being used. It was time for a plan, but first information was needed. Luckily, she had a contact in place. Hopefully, the contact wouldn't be discovered and she would get the information needed to determine what happened. With that, a simple letter was sent to her relative in place in Konoha.


Suna

The Yondaime Kazekage looked out over his village from his office contemplating the meeting that would be coming soon. Not many things were going Suna's way for the past year. Illness took five of his most seasoned Jounin away at the beginning of the year. With his forces lightening, the Wind Daimyo started to send missions that he would normally allocate to Suna toward Konoha. The strain was starting to take its toll on the village. It was only a few days ago that Orochimaru, the Snake Sannin, had come with a proposal: work with his village to take down Konoha and both villages would share in the spoils.

Where the conflict lay in his mind was with the long-standing alliance with Konoha. During the war with Iwa, Suna lent resources to Konoha fearing that they would be next if Iwa won. After winning the conflict, the Yondaime Hokage met with the Yondaime Kazekage and hammered out the alliance. Both villages would assist the other if ever asked and favorable trade status was given between the two villages. The alliance was only strengthened when a resilient worm managed to ravage a large number of their bio-domes. With help from the Aburame clan as well as needed supplies sent by the Hokage, Suna managed to stay out of any possible famine situation.

As if he was instantly aware of his leader's internal predicament, a tall and broad shouldered man wearing a Suna hitai-ate over a white turban and a Jounin vest strode into the office. Not many people could walk into the Yondaime Kazekage's office without advance warning outside of the council. Only his eldest children, their sensei Baki, and this man could do so. Kazou was one of the two left from his only Genin team, Baki being the other. While Baki was a better teacher and capable of teaching his children the shinobi arts, Kazou was the best in intelligence gathering. It was said that only the Kazekage and the Shinigami himself would be able to sense Kazou lurking in a shadow or alleyway.

"Did you manage to gather anything about Orochimaru's intent if his plan was successful?" the Suna leader asked while still looking out over his village.

Kazou shook his head and smiled. He had tried everything to mask his presence – softening his footfalls to the point of silence and opening the door quietly. He even masked his chakra signature and hid his scent behind a similar incense that the Kazekage used in his office.

"How did you manage to detect me this time?" He asked in minor disbelief.

The Kazekage pointed to his incense pot. "I decided to go with a different incense today and used a Fuuton jutsu to clear out the old scent. It will be a while before you will ever get one over on this old coyote."

Kazou chuckled. "So it seems, but we are both still young. I have time."

"You may have time but neither myself nor Suna does. My youngest will be the death of me yet and the village will not last long under these worsening conditions."

"There still could be hope for young Gaara. We would just have to spark a bit of humanity in him." The Jounin offered to his Kage.

Walking over to him, the Kazekage placed his hand on Kazou's shoulder. "The time for that has come and gone my friend. All we probably can do is minimize the damage. Sometimes, I curse my own stupidity for suggesting to Chiyo to seal Shukaku in the boy. Now, what news do you bring of Orochimaru?"

"It is doubtful that the Snake Sannin will not turn on us at the earliest possible convenience. Word has it that he only turned to us when he could not procure a special scroll from Konoha. He is just using us as a means to an end and will cut us at his earliest convenience."

Nodding grimly, the Kazekage turned back to his window to look once more on his village and the citizens scurrying below living out their daily lives. "And of the council's concern over the Daimyo cutting back on the number of missions he sends our way?"

"It appears to only be temporary. My source in his confidence is certain that the number of missions he sends would return in a year or two after some of the Genin and Chuunin gain much needed seasoning."

"I guess it was inevitable that someone would have to refuse Orochimaru at some point." The Suna leader replied as he grabbed his hat and robe of office.

"Wouldn't it be prudent to send a messenger instead of yourself?" the intelligence officer asked, concerned over the well being of his leader and teacher. He was sure that the Sannin would react harshly to any refusal.

"I should be fine. If something happens to me, then all of Suna as well as Konoha would go to war against Orochimaru. Pray that he is that stupid." The Kazekage stated as he walked out of his office to meet said Sannin.


The Mindscape

Naruto awoke to a strange sight. The last he remembered, he was on a bridge fighting off a group of thugs and bandits. Looking around him, there was no sign of the bridge, the familiar decor of a hospital room, or even the familiar setting of Tazuna's residence. He was already standing in a basic stone room with small oil lamps adorning the walls. To his left and right were ornate wooden doors. The only difference between the two was a red glow peaking out from under the bottom of the door to the left.

"Is there anyone there??" the young Uzumaki asked, his voice echoing off the walls.

"This way." A soft but dark voice whispered back. The red glow flashed slightly, drawing the Genin's attention to the door.

Taking a calming breath, he opened the door and walked through. On the other side was a long cobblestone hallway with the same oil lamps illuminating the passage. Intrepidly, he walked down the hallway cautiously looking for any attacker that could be coming. At the end of the hallway was another door, but different than the ornate wood door that he opened. The same red light was leaking out underneath the door, but the door itself was a metallic vault door with a large wheel in the center. All his senses were screaming at him to turn around and head back where he came from.

"There isn't anything to worry about. We need to talk anyways, so open the conduit and come over here." The same voice informed Naruto.

Confusion set in with the young ninja. 'Who would want to talk to me? Where is Otousan, Sasuke-aniki, or Kakashi-sensei?' he questioned in his own thoughts.

"You won't know until you open the conduit and meet me. Don't worry about those three. You will see them soon and in good health, which is more than I will say about you in the future if you don't listen to what I have to say." The voice growled out impatiently.

"I didn't say anything. How did you know what I was thinking about?" Naruto asked as he was starting to panic.

"JUST GET IN HERE AND I'LL TELL YOU!!" the voice boomed out in irritation.

Muttering under his breath about troublesome voices, Naruto spun the wheel and the latch unlocked and the door swung opened in a creaking manner. The red light flashed through the hall temporarily blinding the young jinchuuriki. Rubbing the stars out of his eyes, he came to see a large golden cage in front of him. Where the lock should be, there was a paper seal with a kanji that Naruto didn't recognize. Behind the gate was a crimson mass of energy. At first, the energy had no form other than chaos, but slowly the energy started to coalesce into a form of an animal. Eventually, a massive head of a fox was visible. Its smile held a malicious nature but for some odd reason, Naruto was not afraid of the being. A pair of gleaming red eyes with slits for pupils were staring at him through the bars as if it was judging him.

"I see that you finally decided to join me here, gaki." The red being stated with a hint of annoyance.

"Where am I? Who...or what are you?" Naruto asked as fear started to creep into his psyche.

The being tilted its head and the voice boomed again even though the fox's mouth never moved. "We are in your mind. For who I am, I have been called many things. Kyuubi no Kitsune or Kyuubi no Yoko were the ones most would call me."

Naruto narrowed his gaze as he tried to show a sense of confidence even though fear was dripping off him.

"But while we are here, you may call me… Bob." The fox finished as a bellowing laugh as Naruto's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Bob. A great demon such as yourself and you want me to call you… Bob."

"YOSH!! Bob is a wonderful name. Don't you think so?" The great nine-tailed fox asked with his eyes gleaming and his full set of teeth bared.

Waving his hand as if to shoo away danger, Naruto replied while rolling his eyes. "Bob's fine. It's a great name. Perfect in fact!"

"Good. For now on, you will call me the great, wonderful, and majestic Bob until I say otherwise."

This time, his temper won out over his common sense. "How could you possibly be great, wonderful, and majestic when you are stuck in me??"

"You had to ruin my fun, didn't you? I have been stuck in YOUR BODY for the last twelve years. Do you have any idea how boring that is? I am supposed to be in hibernation right now but I am stuck watching your pathetic life." The fox growled back at the young boy.

"My life is only pathetic cause you're stuck in me, you damn furball!!" Naruto yelled back.

The fox tilted his head again and almost smiled. "Feel better??"

"Actually, yeah now come to think of it, but why do you care?" Naruto asked, his anger diminishing.

"It is easier to talk to someone if they aren't angry or going to ignore whatever you say. Since we have some important ground to cover, it is best that you pay attention."

"What is so important that I should pay attention to you?"

"You screwed up and used my energy. It wasn't supposed to be used yet." Kyuubi admonished.

"So tell me, oh great and majestic Bob, why is that a problem?" Naruto sarcastically asked.

"You forgot 'wonderful', kit."

"Bite me." The fox snapped his jaws at Naruto making him leap back away from the cage door. "NOT LITERALLY YOU JACKASS!!"

The great fox laughed before continuing his explanation. "Every two hundred years, we nine great bijuu use our energy to seal a prison keeping two great beings at bay. We were originally normal animals that they perverted to do their dirty work by imbuing us with cosmic energy. They wanted us to use the energy to remake the world so they could live in it. Kami granted us freedom and sentience after her angels managed to hold us at a standstill but could not remove the energy from us. Together, we sealed them in their tower that they arrived in."

"How does my using of your energy have anything to do with that??"

"Remember how I said that our energy could be used to remake the world. If the energy is used prior to the time the seal is ready to accept it, it could alter it or even shatter it if there was enough used. Even though you have used it before, this time it was released to the outside world." Kyuubi lectured.

Naruto racked his brain, trying to figure out what he meant by using it before. Searching his memories, he couldn't spot the time where he did.

"Stop hurting your brain, kit. You never even realized that it was my energy that healed you so quickly. Every beating, fight, or injury down to the simplest cut was healed due to the seal that was used to imprison me in you. Eventually, the seal would have converted demonic chakra to your own, but it isn't what I am now is it?"

Seeing the boy shake his head, the great beast continued. "It seems that you were able to manifest my energies under extreme stress and emotional states."

"Meaning?" The confused jinchuuriki asked.

"It isn't that hard to figure out. You saw your aniki die. Emotions can unlock barriers or create new ones in your mind and body if they are powerful enough. All that is needed is the right trigger. Unfortunately, those triggers are unlocking my energy. That can't happen again."

"What do I do then, Bob? I hope it's not what I think it is."

"Before we do, I think the Bob joke has run its course. Just don't call me Kyuubi either." The fox replied indignantly.

"Will baka kitsune work?" Naruto replied with a smile.

"You are lucky that I can't break out of here yet, but if you look over there." The crimson fox pointed his massive paw to a door off to one side. It had the appearance of a massive pressure door. In the center was a time lock counting down. Naruto walked over to it and saw the lock was supposed to release in around three months. Thinking quickly, he realized what the date it was counting down to.

"I take it you noticed it is how long it was until your thirteenth birthday. Funny how the metamorphic properties of the enzyme held behind that door will strike here first, or that the quantity of the enzyme is abnormally large." Kyuubi stated tilting his head in a thoughtful manner.

"Are you saying that enzyme will break you out of the seal?" He asked in a startled manner.

"Well if I break out of the seal, it could be bad for both of us since are souls are bonded due to the seal. If I managed to be free, it would only be temporary since we would both die. Half of a soul can't exist. Bad thing is that then when the seal is released, there would be no way to bind it again and the beings in the tower would be free since I wouldn't be around to imprison them. More bijuu would be created and then no more Konoha or anywhere else for that matter." The great beast said grimly.

Naruto could only stare at the door in shock. What was supposed to be his great day could ultimately be the world's destruction. He had originally looked forward to his thirteenth birthday ever since he'd been told about his kekkei genkai. Now it looked that due to a misunderstanding of the nature of the beast sealed within him, everything was crashing down around him.

It took a few minutes for the shock to wear off, leaving a determined young ninja in turmoil with only one question in mind. "What do we do?"

"We? There isn't much I can do on my end. Everything that could be done is on your end, kit." The fox stated before looking up at the ceiling. "You could sever our soul bond allowing us to be two entities."

"No way! Why should I let you free after what you did to the village years ago? And wouldn't doing that kill us from what you said earlier?" Naruto questioned heatedly.

"You are the warden here. The seal was built that if you pardoned me, I would be free. In regards to the circumstances of my demise, listen well gaki. It is not my fault your village was built where I hibernate. The bijuu maintain watch over the tower until we need to replenish our energies. Each of us had our own hibernation lair until it was time to reseal the tower. You already know where mine is since you live there now."

Naruto just stared at the great beast with wide eyes. "You mean…"

"Again you realized what I'm saying. Your ancestors built your clan complex where I would hibernate. I loved resting on the plateau inside the mountain. When your village saw me coming, naturally they got scared and tried to fight me off. I just wanted to go home and rest. Luckily I controlled myself enough to not use any of my energy and just used my tails."

"How do I know everything you are telling me is true? You could easily just be trying to trick me into releasing you."

"The tower is one day's run for me from my den. It is nestled on the western edge of a vast canyon to the northwest of my den. A days run for me is a long ways. If I remember the geography classes you had in the Academy, it would be near Iwa. Anyways, I think you should get going. You rested long enough."

"Rested? You mean I am sleeping now?"

"Actually you have been unconscious since the end of the fight. You really overworked yourself. It has been a couple of days since then. Anyways, just have someone check on the tower to make sure the seal is intact. Now get out of here. We can talk again the next time you rest." The great fox said as he slunk further into his cage until he was gone from Naruto's sight.

Naruto looked around and saw a light emanating from the door he walked in from. Curious, he walked toward it and the light flooded his vision.


Crescent Canyon – Suna

The meeting was initially a tense one. On one side was Orochimaru and Kabuto, looking at their prey like a great beast, savoring the meal to come. On the other was the Kazekage, standing proudly and unafraid. With his senses still sharp, he knew something was amiss. An extra energy was nearby but too faint to determine where or what it was. Even though the trio exchanged pleasantries and polite small talk, the tension in the air was palpable.

Orochimaru exhaled in typical snake fashion with the hiss of expired air resonating off the canyon walls. "Let's cut right to the heart of the matter, shall we? What have you decided in regards to my… generous proposal??"

The Kazekage briefly took note of his surroundings with his senses. The feel and scent of the midday desert air shortened his breath. Sounds were absent except for the remants of the echoing question. His vision was sharp and at that moment, he knew of his answer and what probably would be his fate. Steeling himself for a probable fight, he answered the Sannin while noticing Kabuto reseating his glasses upon the bridge of his nose.

"In the best interests of Suna and everyone involved, it would be best that you left now. Suna will not side with you."

Kabuto already read the physical signs of what the Suna leader would do and his motion with the glasses was the signal preset for the action that came at the end of the Kage's final words.

A silent buzzing was all that preceeded the splattering of brain matter upon Kabuto's attire or the fall of the lifeless corpse where the Kazekage once stood.

"Teshi Sendan (Finger Bullet Drill)." Kimimaro whispered as he emerged from the camouflaged pillar of bone that stood meters behind the fallen body of the Kazekage.

"Ahhh… such a shame that the man wouldn't listen to reason. No matter. I will take his place and everything will be in order." Orochimaru stated mischeviously.

Suddenly, the Kayuga fell to his knees coughing up blood. Kabuto quickly rushed to his aide running healing chakra to his diseased lungs.

"Don't worry, my loyal Kimimaro. Kabuto will take care of you. Please take him back to Otokagure and attend to him. After you stabilize him, leave him with one of your assistants and return to Konoha. Keep an eye on our intended targets, if you please." The Snake Sannin said as he grabbed the dead Kage's robes, cleaning them off.

A hissing and sinister laugh filled the canyon walls as the medic and the bone-wielder headed back to Oto while the Sannin melted into the canyon floor, leaving nothing but a fallen leader to rot in the desert sun.


(A/N): I hope everyone liked where I took this story. It should be plainly obvious that more AU aspects will come into play now. Feel free and review for your comments fuel my creativity.