'Thinking'
'
Kyuubi_talking'
"Talking"
/Naruto Talking to Kyuubi/

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Just my own characters.

The Summoning's

"Naruto, where are we going?" Sana huffed as she struggled to keep up with her brother. His legs were longer than hers and when he was in a hurry, it was nearly impossible to keep up with him if you weren't running.

Without breaking stride, the blonde grunted out, "To Konoha."

Sana frowned. They just made it out of the village and immediately went to the forest. "But why? I thought you said you were never going back."

"Never say never." Was his only response.

The frown deepened considerable and she stopped walking.

Naruto noticed when he glanced over his shoulder, his own frown settling on his face. He stopped and turned around.

The two were in a small clearing in the middle of the forest. A patch of sun light broke through the line of trees and settled on shining on a small patch of grass. A few lizards were lying on the rocks in the sun light, enjoying the sun bath. They didn't seem worried that two ninja walked in their area. They continued on what they were doing.

"Why are we going back?" Sana demanded. It's not like she didn't want to go back but more because she knew what was going to be there. And by what, she meant a who. She suppressed a shiver at the thought of Orochimaru being in the same area as herself.

"I can't leave them to deal with an army." Naruto said. No doubt 'them' meant his friends in the Leaf village. His hands curled into fists at his side. "Not an army like Orochimaru's."

Sana shook her head. She felt bad about having to call him out but she knew that he needed to hear this. "Naruto, let them deal with this." It looked like she had just slapped her brother from the look he was giving her. She winced but continued, "You're not supposed to go back, that's what Orochimaru wants. He's attacking the Leaf because he knows that even if you claim you'll never go back, you will because he's attacking. That's when he'll make his move to-,"

"Don't you think I know that already?" Naruto interrupted. "I know that's what Orochimaru has planned but you know what? I don't give a damn. Everything I said before, I take it back. I won't let that damn bastard attack the Leaf, not while I'm still alive. Not while I know about it."

"But Naruto!"

The blonde shook his head. On the inside, he was confused. He kept telling himself and other people that he would never go back to the Leaf. Even after learning about the army heading towards it. But, actually having heard from someone else that the army was indeed on the move and rather close to his old home, had his blood boiling. Not to mention that the only reason the Leaf had an army headed its way was because of him. So, wouldn't it be his job, his duty to help this village out? If it weren't for him, the village would be safe, especially those villages that got slaughtered. He had to do something, right?

'Are you sure you want to go?' Kyuubi asked, speaking up for the first time since everything happened. 'As soon as you get there, everything you did will be for nothing. Your fake execution will all be for nothing. Are you willing to risk that? Are you willing to risk Sana's life to protect your old friend's lives?'

Naruto paused and wavered a bit. He faked his death all so he could protect Sana and himself. He wasted time in the Leaf to make sure that all happened before he went to save Sana. Was he really about to throw all that away now? After giving it so much time…?

'The Leaf village can survive one battle on its own. You don't have to go every single time the Leaf is threatened. They have people there to defend the village. You don't have to be a hero, kit.' Kyuubi added. She didn't sound mad or upset or happy or anything. She was just stating the obvious.

"But…" Naruto bit his lip, his confusion taking place.

Sana watched as her brother literally fought against himself. She could tell he wanted to go, but something was keeping him back. No doubt it was Kyuubi talking to him about this. She stayed silent, wondering what was going to happen. She really did not want to go to a place where her captor was going to be. But, if it was something that Naruto really wanted to do, especially if it were people he still loved and wanted to protect, what place did she have to say no? Naruto took her in even when he didn't have too. The last thing she wanted to do to him was make him choose whether he wanted to go and help his friends or leave and forget about them.

As more time passed by, Naruto started to waver. His shoulders slumped down and his tense muscles relaxed some. His tightly curled fists loosened some and he hung his head.

"Alright, fine. But only on one condition," He said and before either fox or sister could ask what the condition was, he bit his thumb hard and when blood gushed out, he slammed it down to the ground as a summoning jutsu. A cloud of smoke along with a popping sound took place and for a second, the smoke lingered. And then the wind blew it awake, leaving a rather large toad in its place. The toad was way bigger than a dog but smaller than a horse. The toad was all orange with black markings all around its eyes and body. It was definitely a male toad and he was wearing a blue coat.

"Gamakichi," Naruto greeted the toad.

The amphibian grinned back and held up one of its front legs as a salute. "Hey boss, what's up?" He asked in a slightly deeper voice than from when he was a much smaller toad.

"I need you to go to the Leaf village and tell me how far Orochimaru's army is and how many there are."

If the toad's eyes would get any bigger than their normal state, they would have. "The Leaf village?" He asked stunned to hear his summoner and close friend talk about the village that banished him years back. After learning of the traitorous act, the toad clan turned their backs on the village and would every once in a while talk with Jiraiya. They knew it wasn't the perv's fault, but since he still had ties to the village, they were very hesitant to help him.

Naruto nodded.

Gamakichi placed his leg back down on the ground and thought it for a minute. Seeing how Naruto was looking; a grim line on his face and his eyes almost haunting with dread, he came to a decision. "Alright, I'll go. Be back in a jiffy." And just like he said, he was gone in a cloud of smoke.

Naruto nodded his head in satisfaction. "Alright, we'll head home for now and wait for Gamakichi to get back. Based on his report of things, I'll decide from there." Not giving anyone a chance to speak, he spun around and started to run in the direction of the Sand Village.

Sana watched her brother, feeling her heart heavy with guilt.

'Don't worry, Sana; Naruto will decide what is right when the time comes.' Kyuubi soothed the younger.

"I know, but I feel guilty for making him choose."

'He has to know what he wants to do. He's lost in the past at the moment and he himself feels guilty brining his old life a whole army to fend for themselves. They're after him yet he doesn't want to go to the Leaf and risk everything. He thought he put that all in the past, but having it all come back to him so soon, he's confused. He doesn't know what to do.'

"He wants to go help them." Sana stated matter-of-factly, though slightly confused by everything. He wanted to go, she could see that, but at the same time, he didn't.

'Yes, he does.'

"So why don't we go and help them?" She had to make sure to question everything to get it all out in the open, to understand everything.

'Besides taking all that time to make it look like he died so he could keep you and himself safe from others?' Kyuubi rhetorically asked, 'He wants to keep you safe. He knows you don't want to go because of who is going to be there. He knows Orochimaru wants you and will do anything to get you. He doesn't want to risk your life.

'And, he almost made a promise to his old comrades that he wouldn't return there. You know how he is with his promises.'

Sana nodded her head absently. She knew when the time came, she could see her brother going to help his old village, going against everything he said and did. That was just the kind of person he was. A lot of things, good and bad, may have happened in the past, but Naruto would always lend a hand. But, she knew that if he did go back, then what would become of her? Maybe that was why he was so confused and aggravated about everything. Because maybe, he knew that she didn't want to go because Orochimaru was going to be there, but she would follow him. Maybe, he was thinking about leaving her somewhere. His mind for himself was probably already made…

All of the confusing thoughts swirled in her head, forming a deep head-ache. She sighed and rubbed the side of her head.

"All I know, is wherever Naruto is going, I'm going to go with him, no matter what. If he's going to the Leaf to help, well, so am I."

Kyuubi grinned, baring her teeth. 'Adda girl. Now get going before you completely lose that idiot.'

Sana nodded her head and began to pursue her brother.

XxxxX

It had only been maybe half an hour before Naruto suddenly stopped running. Sana had caught up to him, seeing as he was running slowly on purpose just so she could catch up. And once she did, he picked his pace back up. Until now. Once he started to slow down, so did she. She didn't ask questions but went along with everything.

Naruto scanned his surroundings. They were still in the forest and would be for another fifteen hours. And the scenery looked the same just as it did ten minutes ago, and even before that. Nothing new. But, that wasn't what made him stop. He scanned his right side and before he could even blink once, a cloud of smoke appeared right where he was looking. Once the smoke cleared, Gamakichi sat there, looking disturbed.

"Boss," he said when caught sight of the person he was looking for.

"What did you find?" Naruto asked, not at all surprised to see the toad there. He had been waiting for the report and was getting more and more impatient by the minute.

Gamakichi glanced away for a minute, wondering how to explain his sightings. He glanced at Sana, noticing her curiosity. He gave her a nod before returning his attention to the matter at hand. "You won't like it, boss." He said. "But, Orochimaru is about two days away from Konoha. And…" He looked away again.

"What?" Naruto asked, his face keeping the look of impatience. But, underneath his expression, dread filled him to the bones.

"The Leaf village, they're… they're hopelessly outnumbered. At least five to one." The toad looked back just in time to see a look of shock flash cross the blonde's face before it was gone. Almost like lightening. The amphibian swallowed before saying, "Only good thing is that most of the army is filled with okay ninja. But it still comes down to numbers."

"Is the village on alert?"

Gamakichi nodded. "They are. And it appears the Sand siblings are there as well."

Naruto frowned at that statement, wondering why his step-siblings were extending their stay at Konoha. They should have already been home.

'Maybe they were but caught sight of the army and went back to warn them.' Kyuubi suggested.

The blonde didn't comment but looked directly at his summon. "Thank you, Gamakichi."

"No problem, Naruto. Do you need any more help of me?"

Naruto started to shake his head but paused as a thought popped in to his head. "Actually, just one more thing." The toad watched him curiously, waiting for the comment. "I need you to tell Chief Gamabunta that if Pervy-sage tries to summon him, to allow it."

Gamakichi frowns a little but nodded his head anyways. "Alright. You know Pop won't really like that. But since it's coming from you, he'll go along with it."

The Jinchuuriki smirked and nodded his head. At his signal, the summoning released and the toad popped out of existence in a cloud of smoke.

Sana had watched the whole exchange in silence. As she watched, she could tell that her brother had his mind up. And what he said next confirmed her guess.

"Let's go," Naruto said and bit both of his thumbs before shoving them both in the space in front of him. "We're going to Konoha." Instead of the blood dripping down to the ground, it lingered in the air for another summoning jutsu, but this time, one being very special. He made a seal in the air and it stayed there like he was drawing on paper in the air. As soon as the seal was finished, he started to make hand signs. They started slow at first, but with each passing sign, picked up speed.

Soon, Sana couldn't keep track of what hand signs her brother was using, it all just came out in a blur. She couldn't even tell how many was being down. But, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. In just a couple of seconds, she started to notice red chakra seeping out of him and moving towards the seal that still remained in the air. She knew what was about to happen so she moved closer to her brother, in fear of getting left behind.

"It takes about six days to travel from here to the Fire Country on foot," Sana pondered aloud. "Do you really think Kyuubi will make it there within just two days?"

As the seconds ticked by, the chakra came out in waves and the more that came, the more the seal became bigger; it grew. Naruto chuckled and said, "You really want to insult Kyuubi today, especially since I'm letting her out?" Suddenly, without any warning being given, the chakra started to take form. Sana felt herself, as well as Naruto, lift off the ground. This was going to be her second time doing this, the first a practice, so she kind of knew what to expect.

The two soared into the air, red chakra under their feet, supporting them. As they both watched, the chakra took form, getting bigger and bigger. Soon, the seal became a small dot on the body of a three-hundred feet tall fox. The length of her body exceeded well over three hundred feet long. The Nine Tailed Fox has appeared in her actual form.

As soon as her full form came into view, and she wasn't just made up of chakra, Naruto whistled. "Took only ten seconds. That's a personal best."

Kyuubi rolled her eyes and wanted to shake her head but couldn't. She couldn't afford her summoner and Sana being thrown off as they were standing on her head. 'Shut it, kit.' She said and then moved her eyes upwards. 'And Sana, two days, please. I can make it there in a day and a half.'

Naruto was the one to roll his eyes this time. "Don't gloat right now. Show us first, and then you can brag about everything. But first, get us there."

Sana remained quiet. She clutched her brother's hand tightly with the both of hers. She felt a small feeling of panic swell up inside her since they were so high up, but she didn't voice her thoughts. Both of the others knew she didn't do well with heights. She just swallowed and nodded her head.

'So, are we ready to go?' Kyuubi asked, impatient to stretch her muscles. It had been months since she was last out in full form and got to stretch her legs.

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, let's get to Konoha and kick some ass." With his mind already made up, he squared his shoulders, ready to help defend his old village, risking everything he had done to protect his sister. He didn't care anymore about keeping a low profile anymore, especially since if he entered the Fire Country and the ninja of the Leaf saw him, they were immediately supposed to execute him. But, they would have to get over their shock first.

"Let's get this show on the road."

XxxxX Until next time!

I don't know, I didn't really think this chapter was all that great. It seems confusing to me, and I'm the writer. I didn't know if it made any sense on why Naruto wanted to go back. Why he felt he needed too. And just an FYI, it wasn't that Sana or Kyuubi were trying to make him not go, they were just trying to help him.

Please tell me if I did this chapter alright or not. I need the feedback on this part. I really don't know how much I liked it. :/

I did some research (Oh, my gosh!) and I summed it up that the Kyuubi is anywhere from 100 to at least 400 feet tall. No one knew the for real size, so I'm going with 300. Got a problem, I'd love to hear it. But to be honest, it's a story, and I don't really think it matters. Personal opinion here.

Until next time.

Sneak Peak: Battle scenes! :D (Wish me luck!)