I made a small error that doesn't really matter, but I wrote "it has almost been two years" when Sasuke was formulating, when it should have been nine years. I changed that paragraph around. Also, I messed up on the dates x.x I was looking at the wrong year! Not really an issue. Just letting you know. (This is for the readers that have already read before I updated it)

-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-

-Sasuke-

January, Day and Time unknown.

Sasuke's eyes flew open as he looked around. He felt overly hot, which made him unsure where exactly he was. Then, slowly, he adjusted to his surroundings.

He, Naruto, Gaara, Hinata, Sakura, and the tailed beast creatures were all lying about and sleeping in a large tree. It was the same tree that they had found the one tailed beast, Shukaku. Everyone was still asleep except for the nine tailed beast, Kurama, which he only possessed two tails at this point. He was staring at the exit to the tree probably observing the weather outside.

Since they had come here looking for Shukaku, several days had passed. They weren't even sure how long it had been since they had been stuck here due to the horrible snow storm outside. Using cell phones to contact people were impossible. Service barely worked out in the woods to begin with, and now with the storm there was zero chance for any service. It pained and frightened them wondering what their families could be thinking about, and how desperate they would be to search in this weather.

Until the storm died down, they could only rely on Kurama to get them food. Water could be melted down from the snow, so that wasn't as bad as trying to get food. Kurama and Shukaku claimed they didn't need as much to eat, but it was evident they were getting exhausted.

Sasuke looked over at Naruto to see Gaara leaning on his shoulder on the left with Shukaku in his lap, and Hinata laying her head in Naruto's lap from his right. All four were asleep, but looked very fatigued. Sasuke looked down in his own lap to see Sakura there. A smile came to his face as he placed his hand on her head softly then sighed and looked over at Kurama.

"Is… it over yet?" Sasuke asked with a whisper. Kurama shook his head.

I am afraid not. The storm has yet to settle. I will go out to hunt again.

"Wait… I've been meaning to ask you something, and for once everyone is asleep." Sasuke thought for a moment before continuing. "Why exactly have you asked for Naruto and Gaara's help…? I can see why you might seek out Naruto for the fact he comes from the Uzumaki Clan, but otherwise…"

Something sounding like a sigh came from Kurama before he turned to look at Sasuke.

It is hard to explain, but there is an odd connection between us. We can feel connections when any of us tailed beasts are near our container, but I could not feel, let us say, if you were container unless the tailed beast connected to you was near. Perhaps it is decedents, but perhaps it could be just a strong spiritual bond.

"I see…" Sasuke nodded slowly as he glanced over at Naruto and Gaara. "Wait, container? What do you mean by that?"

The one whom has the ability to control our powers and make them whole. When I first came in contact with Naruto-sama when he was just a child I had nine tails.

Sasuke flinched at that looking over at Kurama. "Why do you only have two now…?"

My power… seeped into Naruto-sama when I accidentally bit him. Kurama bowed his head as if in shame. I was trying to protect him from a dangerous beast when he intervened trying to stop us. He got in the way and I bit his arm near his shoulder. It immediately knocked him out. Since I had a connection with him instead of just being bit some of my power seeped inside. His aggressive behavior may come from not being able to handle it very well… Kurama raised his head looking back at Sasuke. To answer your question, I'm losing my power. When we are not near our container after finding them, our powers slowly dwindle over time. I have been following Naruto for a while so my powers have not died as much, but when I lost sight of him for a bit my tails began to vanish at a rapid rate. The other beasts that have more than one tail will be like this as well, but not as badly as I have suffered. When we are near our container, we gain our power back, thankfully, but only if they have belief in us. I'm slowly gaining back my tails because of Naruto-sama. As I stated, being near them just slows the process, and without a strong belief in us we will not get our powers back.

"This…" Sasuke bit his lip not sure what he could say. "This is very overwhelming…"

Yes, we do apologize for giving you such burdens, but there is no choice. This weather is proof of that. I imagine Suna will begin to experience cold fronts.

"No choice, huh? Is this… happening everywhere?"

No. Just in the areas that Shukaku and I once ruled over: Sunagakure no Sato and Konohagakure no Sato. It might be because Shukaku and I are the only ones that have located our containers. I do not yet sense the presences of the other tailed beats upon this land.

"I see…" Sasuke wasn't sure if there was much else he could say to that.

If that is all for the moment, I will go and hunt again.

"Oh, yeah, please do." Sasuke nodded and leaned back against the tree. Kurama crawled out and was gone. A silent sigh escaped Sasuke's lips and he closed his eyes to try and drift back to sleep.

"That's why I'm like this? I guess that makes sense." Sasuke's eyes flew up at the sound of Naruto's voice. He looked over and stared seeing Naruto staring straight back at him.

"You… heard?" Sasuke asked swallowing some.

"Yeah… Kurama's not very good at keeping his voice down in my head. I have a feeling that I hear it no matter what." Naruto looked down at Hinata gently rubbing her head. "You know… maybe I always realized it, about Kurama I mean. After I was bit by him my favorite color became orange; it used to be green. When I began collecting manga, I was particularly interested in stories about kitsune. I even really loved foxes as my favorite animal. Maybe not only because Kurama and I were connected, but also because his power was inside of me that I turned out this way. How could I hate something that he was himself? I don't truly understand what's going on, but I know that… even so I'm not going to let Kurama down."

There was a soft smile on Naruto's face. It relaxed Sasuke and made him smile himself, but those smiles faded away when they heard the howling of the wind.

"I pray that whatever Kurama and Shukaku need you and Gaara for… it works."

-oO0-o)

The crackling of a fire and its glow radiated inside the large tree with the cooking of meat drifting into the air. Sasuke felt his stomach growl as he cooked up the meat. It was a little bit disturbing at first to eat animals, but there had been no choice at all and now they had gotten used to it.

Sasuke cut open the meat and poked at it making sure it wasn't raw before taking it off the fire and then began to cut it into strips. He heard the voices of Naruto and Gaara as they began to converse about what to do about the tailed beasts. He also heard Hinata and Sakura chatting quietly about what their friends were up to. A soft sigh escaped Sasuke's lips hoping they could escape this terrible storm soon.

Soon, it was time for food and everyone remained quiet as they ate. Sasuke looked around at everyone knowing their thoughts now that it was silent enough to think on their own.

We all want out of here. Sasuke thought as he scooped up some water to drink. We can't keep surviving like this. Rather, we won't survive much longer like this. He glanced at everyone to see that a small depression had hit the air. Is there no hope at all? Did coming this far for these creatures actually not do anything to help? This is ridiculous!

Suddenly, Sasuke heard a noise. He slowly stood up and looked toward the outside. He couldn't be sure what it was. It sounded like a creaking noise.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura started as she stood up with him. "What's wrong?"

"I hear something. Be quiet for a moment, please." Sasuke softly asked. Sakura grabbed his arm and stared at the tree with worry.

Out of nowhere, bark began to rip and flew towards Sasuke and Sakura. There was no time react, but luckily they didn't have to. Kurama flew faster than the bark and he pounced on Sakura's back pushing her forward that pushed Sasuke forward. Both fell down onto the ground with a thump as the bark flew just right over their heads.

The bark collided with the other part of the tree and exploded sending pieces everywhere. The wind began to howl louder and became rapidly fiercer.

"We gotta get out of here!" Naruto shouted through the wind. Where the bark had come off there was a hole that now let in the wind and snow. The fire was gone in an instant and snow piled through covering everyone.

You are right, Naruto-sama. Kurama's voice floated over and easily understandable through the wind. Sasuke sat up and grabbed Sakura pulling her close as he turned away from the wind. Naruto-sama… I require your strength.

"Anything, Kurama! I'll give you whatever you need so I can protect everyone!" Naruto yelled pulling Hinata close and wrapping an arm around Gaara's shoulder as Gaara held Shukaku close.

Before Kurama could respond, a light flashed and suddenly he had five tails. His fur gleam brightly and wind whirled around him. Naruto, without warning, dropped to his knees taking Hinata and Gaara with him.

"Naruto!" Sasuke shouted as he looked about to run over there.

"Sasuke… I… I'm okay. Just feel like my energy has been sapped." Naruto gave a smile as Hinata and Gaara helped him stand up. Sasuke gave a nod and glanced at Kurama feeling a great strength flow out of him.

Everyone, come to me. Kurama commanded and they obeyed. As soon as they were around Kurama, wind surrounded them and the snow blew around them. Kurama's tails flashed up and pointed in different directions. With that motion, the bark began to crumble and shatter. It went flying everywhere causing a few panic noises to escape. Sasuke watched as Kurama hopped into the air and was suddenly floating.

This is crazy! Is this the power of a tailed beast? Before Sasuke could think again, they were lifted into the air in a bubble of wind. "Whoa! What is this?"

My power. Do not worry; I will carry you to safety. Hold onto the person closest to you and close your eyes. Sasuke pulled Sakura close and closed his eyes. A rushing feeling passed through his body. He could feel that they were moving extremely fast.

We're going home.

-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-

-Naruto-

Kurama landed down in front of the Uchiha police building. The wind vanished and the children were placed down. Naruto blinked slowly as he opened his eyes. He could hardly believe where they were.

"We're… back in Konoha?" Naruto asked as he looked around. Snow was beginning to fall quickly on them.

Yes, thanks to you, Naruto-sama. Kurama hopped onto Naruto's shoulder and rested upon it.

Before Naruto could respond, shouts approached them. Naruto looked at the Uchiha police building seeing Obito, his parents, Itachi, Hinata's father, Sakura's mother, and Gaara's siblings with Shikamaru's father.

Obito reached them first and hugged Sasuke with Sakura. "You're here! You're alright!"

"Ugh! Cousin Obito…!" Sasuke groaned as he was placed down.

"Naruto!" Minato came over and took Naruto from Gaara and Hinata. "Thank goodness you are alive. Where were you? How did you get here? What happened?"

"Whoa, Minato," it was Itachi coming up behind them, "let's get them inside before they freeze to death."

"Oh, yes of course…" Minato held Naruto close, as did the rest of the parents with their children, as they headed inside the building.

Once all the children had something warm to drink and were changed into dry clothes, Naruto began to explain what happened, and how they got stuck out in the storm. Sasuke filled in any gaps that he left out, but they were able to completely explain everything. Kurama even spoke to the parents about how he was able to get them back here. Eventually though, it was time to explain about the tailed beasts and what they wanted with Gaara and Naruto…

"You want to take my son and try to use him?" Minato argued as he looked suspiciously over at Kurama.

"I don't like this idea…" Shikaku, Shikamaru's dad, mumbled looking over at Shukaku.

"I think these creatures are insane!" Temari growled glaring at the tailed beasts.

Naruto glanced at Gaara who glanced back at him as the adults began to argue. He could tell they both had the same thought. How do we convince everyone? He turned to look at Kurama who was sitting in his lap. Kurama stared up at Naruto slowly blinking.

I… have something I must tell you, Naruto-sama... Kurama spoke up. When we first met… I did something that I didn't mean to do. I…

"It's okay…" Naruto whispered quietly enough so no one else but Gaara could hear. "I already know! It's impossible for you to keep your voice out of my head. I heard you talking to Sasuke and… I don't understand what kind of power you gave me that made me this way but hey, I'm really thankful and grateful to you." Naruto gave a grin and smile at Kurama. Kurama blinked several times, and then bowed his head.

I… am truly… graced by your presence. Naruto blinked at that and couldn't respond. He gave an embarrassed smile at Gaara who gently smiled back.

"We should tell everyone how we truly feel about this." Gaara suggest as he looked down at Shukaku. "I know he hasn't spoken yet, but I feel as if he is just unable to because of how much disbelief is going on. It affects them greatly after all."

"Yeah… you're right." Naruto smiled at Gaara.

"You are better with words than I am, so whatever you say you have my full support." Gaara smiled back.

Naruto nodded, held Kurama in his arms, and then stood up. "Everyone, I have something to say."

Everyone stopped bickering and looked toward Naruto. Naruto caught Sasuke's eye and saw a smile go across his face. More confidence filled Naruto before he pulled Gaara to his feet too.

"I know this is sudden, and that this situation seems unrealistic in every way, but it needs to be accepted. What has happened can't just be ignored can it?" Naruto glanced to his mother and father and saw that they had tried to dismiss this. Naruto gave a quick nod before walking with Gaara following. "When I was a child, I was bitten by Kurama. No, Dad, don't get up. It wasn't his fault, but it has kept me alive and made me who I am today. Without his power, I might have never met Sasuke, Sakura-chan, or any of my friends today. Things happen, and choices are made around what happens in our lives. If I hadn't fought with people, would we have moved? Everything we do, all the things we experience, don't we learn from them? Don't we become stronger?

"Kurama, Shukaku… all the tailed-beasts, didn't they want to always help people? We have a choice in whether we help them or not and to believe in them. Look what happened when the belief vanished. Wars started, people split up and began to hate each other, and the world slowly began to die. I'm not saying it's entirely the fault of those in the past for all the issues of today, but isn't it the root of where it started? Look around us. Konoha is suffering from not only weather, but other disturbances. Gangs starting everywhere, disregards for others, and even businesses are being screwed up. We're blaming this on everyone around us, but… isn't it because we won't take the blame ourselves…?"

Naruto took a deep breath and looked at everyone's faces in the room. He had their full attention and could see he was getting through to them. He stopped moving before beginning again.

"Dad, you are against this idea because I am your son and you want to protect me, right? Also, you don't know a thing about Kurama and have never believed in mythical things." Naruto raised an eyebrow at his father. Minato stared at Naruto and then dropped his head giving a nod. Naruto turned to Shikaku and Gaara's siblings. "You guys feel the same about Gaara, no? You don't want anything to happen to him, especially everything you've all been through. Shikaku, you're Gaara's caretaker while he's over here. It's your responsibility, and you must uphold that for sure so if anything were to happen to him you would feel very much upset and at fault…"

Shikaku, Temari, and Kankuro couldn't give a response at all. The truth was clearly on their faces.

"Yet, if we don't do anything at all, won't we all be affected and upset? This is all very hard to take…" Naruto bowed his head. "Even for me… someone who has been affected since the beginning, but it's upon us now and we cannot simply dismiss or ignore it! These great tailed beasts have come to US for help. If they could handle this on their own, don't you think they would already? We must believe in them, so they can believe in us." Naruto placed Kurama on his shoulder and crossed his arms now that he finished with what he wanted to say.

The room was silent and all the adults were hard in thought. It almost looked like they were trying to go against this, but at the same time trying to accept it. Naruto's words hit them hard, and he knew this.

"I agree with Naruto completely." Sasuke spoke up turning everyone's attention to him. He stood by Naruto and patted his free shoulder.

"Me too!" Sakura came up next to Sasuke with a determined look.

"I… I do as well. Naruto is right about what we have to do." Hinata shyly spoke as she came to Naruto's other side grabbing his hand.

"I made my choice to believe in Naruto when I became Naruto's friend." Gaara smiled before looking at Shukaku in his arms. "And I know the tailed beasts need our help because they have always helped us."

Naruto swallowed hard as he looked back and forth at his friends. He held back the tears he could feel forming. He took a deep breath and looked to his parents to see them smiling as well.

"Well…" Itachi stood up and came up to Naruto and his friends giving a bow. "Naruto is right. Unlike some of us, he's got a strong will." Itachi lightly smacked Naruto in the head playfully before rubbing Sasuke's. "But then so do his friends. What do you think, Minato? They've grown, haven't they?"

Minato slowly stood up and crossed his arms. "Yes they have Itachi. All of them. I think it's about time we stop thinking we know what we're doing, eh?"

"Ah, it's troublesome, but I second that." Shikaku mumbled with a smile.

"You aren't going anywhere without me, Gaara!" Kankuro grinned punching his hands together then was abruptly pushed over by Temari.

"I'm going as well! I'll support you." Temari grabbed Gaara's hand giving a smile. Naruto could see Kankuro glaring making him give a small laugh.

"I gotta admit," Obito started. "When they put their minds to it, these kids really can accomplish anything! Naruto proved that with how he befriended Gaara and with Sasuke giving him back his faith in his friends. I'll give all the support I can." Obito gave a salute with a smile.

That had almost been all the parents. The only ones that hadn't spoken at all were Sakura's mother and Hinata's father. Naruto bit his lip as he stared after them wondering what they were going to say.

Sakura's mother spoke first. "Sakura… I… I don't want you to go."

"But Mom!" Sakura began to argue, but stopped when her mother placed a hand up.

"But… I can see you've truly made amazing friends since moving here to Konoha. I… am grateful for that, and I wouldn't tear you away from such things." A smile crossed her face. "Please be careful."

"Of course, Mom. Always!" Sakura grinned punching her fist into the air.

"I suppose I have to give a word in this as well…" Hiashi finally spoke. He got up and came over to Naruto and Hinata placing a hand on both of them. "If I had never met Naruto-san I would have thought he was a rambunctious child that only caused issues, and I would have never let him date my daughter. Yet, I see the special heart he truly has. The will to never give up and the ability to always care for others around him regardless of how it hurts him is something very special. You… gave my daughter more life into what she does, and took care of my nephew. For that, I am truly grateful. I give my blessings again."

Naruto stared dumbfounded at the adults for a moment before giving a gleeful shout that was quickly followed by his friends. Kurama chipped in with his foxing yip and even Shukaku started making noises.

Naruto glanced around at all of his friends as they hugged their parents and family. Minato lightly touched Kurama on the head before giving Naruto a hug which was followed by a group hug from his mother.

Happiness spilled into the room and overwhelmed Naruto. He couldn't help but begin to cry. He had never felt this much acknowledgement before and it was something that made him truly happy. He looked up at the ceiling and gave a giant smile.

I've made wonderful friends and family, Grandfather.

-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-

Woo! Chapter over. I thought it would be longer, but I decided against putting what I was going to put in and just save it for the next chapter. It's going to be a little bit short, but focus on Sasuke and Sakura! (Finally)

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Took me a bit to write it x.x. Tell me what you think or if you have other ideas I should put in! Thanks for reading.