Chapter 14

Here we and let's keep going.

Warning for hints of suicide, OC, swearing, bashing, idiocy, and a bit of creepiness.

Kurama speaking/thoughts

Shukaku speaking/thoughts

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"Come on Rocky." Naruto help Lee up as he pushed Tenten away when he shook him.

After he made sure Sakura and Sasuke were okay. Along with the run down that happen before and after they passed out. Ino began to fix Sakur hair. Sasuke having a stare off with Neji. Shikimaru just watching and finds it troublesome. Choji eating the chips that he saved.

"Wh-what happen?" Lee asked looking at them both.

"Same kid with a sword came in and help out. Drove those sound nins all away." Tenten explained to her teammate. She held back a shiver remembering that smile. But wish she saw them use the sword.

"W-Where are they now?"

"They just poof away was actually a clone. But I never saw them at the exam." Tenten arms crossed. "And why they heck you act like this? Look at you. You're all beaten up?"

"Sakura was alone and in danger. I couldn't just leave her-"

"Thanks."

Lee and Tenten look at Naruto."

"Didn't have to save them but you did. Thanks Rocky." Naruto look at him seriously. Then he reach out to pull something out of his bag.

It was three apples.

"Not much but hey better than nothing." Hand him and toss the other two to Tenten.

Lee blink and stared at Naruto in surprise. Same with Tenten.

"I thank you Naruto." Lee smile a bit.

"Lee."

They all turned to see Sakura coming over to them. Her short hair fix up now. Sasuke walking over with her.

"Thank you." Sakura smile. "If it wasn't for you who knows what could of happen."

"Sakura." Lee began to tear up and rub his eyes. "You still got hurt. If this other nin didn't arrive who knows what would of happen to your teammates."

"That's enough." Sasuke spoke and look at Lee. "Sakura explained what happen. They caught many of you off guard."

He also hates to admit even at the time he woke up he felt to weak and drained to do anything. Who knows what could of happen. But when he learned Neji was there and still watching. It kind of annoyed him. Then that nin arrived and shocked them all. Along with that laugh! How a clone was like that so fast and didn't even burst the moment the attack from the Sound nin came their way. He glance at Naruto.

"S-Sakura-chan where you g-get all those explosive tags anyway. That was very s-smart of you what you did." Lee asked her with aww.

"Thanks um Baka gave them too me." Sakura glance at Naruto. She almost denied them at the beginning till she remember what Naruto did to shock Zabuzu to give them so much time. So, she been training with them a bit in private. She had to admit it was a bit harder than she thought. But it came in handy after all.

"Told you, you would of like them Cotton Candy." Naruto look up at her and stood up. He approach team 10.

"Got something to say?" Ino looked at Naruto.

She was soon tossed three apples.

"Thanks for helping out Spoink, Hedgehog, and Tank."

"Spoink?"

"Hedgehog?"

"Tank?"

Naruto turn around to leave the confused team.

"So, troublesome." Shikimaru sighs and wonder why he was called hedgehog. Heck he feels like there more to it. "Hey Naruto."

Naruto stop and glance at him.

"You and your team try not to die. It was troublesome helping you out."

"We won't." Walk back over to the others.

"He really change a lot." Choji whispered to Shikimaru and bit into the apple.

"No, kidding. All them in some way." Shikimaru sighs. Naruto indeed surprised them all. But he just can't put a finger on it what started it all. It drove him crazy and thought it be over after being in teams. Nope, now back to invade his mind. "Ino we should go."

"Huh oh right." Ino snap out of it. Look one at the direction a bit longer especially at Sakura. "You all better make it! Going to beat you in the next part!"

"Not till we beat you first!" Sakura shouted back.

"Ha!"

"Come on Lee." Tenten nudge him.

"Oh right." Lee look at them and bow. "Good luck."

"Same with you too Rocky."

Soon both teams were gone.

"Now what." Sakura look at the pair.

"We can go to the tower." Sasuke look at her. "We have both scrolls."

Sakura eyes widen a remembering they have the Heaven scroll. Then the Sound nin 'gave' them the Earth scroll.

"If we keep moving we can get there before the sun goes down." Naruto look at them both.

They nodded in agreement and felt a bit refreshed to keep moving. That's what they did they kept moving fast while keeping the guard up.

"Hey Dobe?"

"Hmm."

"Where were you when we got attack?" Sasuke asked him. From what Sakura told him Naruto was passed out by him but had two clones with him. "From the blast that separate us."

"You remember that creepy grass-nin girl."

"Yeah." He and Sakura shuddered still remembering what they saw.

"Well after I was separated I got attack by a snake along with their two teammates. I had to fight them for a while till I can find you all. At that point saw that creep punch Sakura and then bit you. So, with the amount of Chakra I had left I summon two clones to help out." Naruto explained it was mostly true with some parts he lied about.

"How is your neck Sasuke-kun?" Sakura looked at him in worry. Unaware about that till now.

"Fine actually." In fact he felt nothing and the bite marks were actually gone. He actually felt better besides that strange dream when he saw a younger him. But then he saw him. Why did he look so sorry? "That clone of that kid that fought the sound nin. Was it the same one you told to fight the grass-nin who bit me?"

"Yep. I made extra to see about finding scrolls. But came back instead." Glance at the two just staring at him. "What?"

"You're really full of surprises dobe."

"Be careful Chicken Butt sounded like a compliment."

"In your dreams."

"Naw I'll give them to Cotton Candy."

"I don't know if that was insult or not."

"Take it or leave it."

Team 7 kept moving and barely stop as they make it to the tower. It was close to night time but they didn't care.

They finally made it.

Took the scrolls out and open them up. When it began to smoke up they threw the scrolls on the ground. Then poof Iruka sensei appeared.

"Iruka sensie? Why are you here?" Sakura asked with a shock expression.

"To give you all a message." He pulled out a watch and smile a bit. "My you all had three days left out there. Everyone, I came to congratulate you all from passing the second exam."

Sakura and Sasuke fell on the ground from exhaustion. Along with relief. They passed.

Naruto look at the pair and back at Iruka. "What now?"

"Now, I'll show you around where you can get food and your sleeping quarters."

"Tell me there a shower." Sakura look at him.

"Yes, but no extra clothes besides what you're all wearing."

"Fine by me!" Sakura now on her feet. 

Iruka chuckles and study the three. They defiantly grown a lot. Just like Kakashi said. But still the same students like before....Sort of.

Iruka showed them all around the place and certain areas they are allowed in.

"Iruka sensei has anyone else arrived?" Sakura looked at him.

"Two other teams did. Team 8 and the other a Sand nin Team." Iruka explained as he look at them. "You might meet them if you run across them."

They nodded and showed their rooms they will be sharing. But separated as well.

"All of you rest up. Been long journey." Iruka smile at them and left them to get some rest.

"Dibs!" Sakura yelled and ran to the shower. Slam the door behind them.

Sasuke and Naruto shrugged a bit. They each went to their separate bed and waited.

'We should confront Gaara now."

'A little risky.'

'You know what risky? If Rocky gets his arm and leg broken again.' He didn't care if they get fix again but anything could happen. After all they already change Zabuza and Haku being alive this time. 'Plus, if we can help him. Then we help your brother too. Along with making sure this invasion won't be as bad.'

'Speaking on invasion wonder where that snake at.'

Elsewhere

Orochimaru literally running from his life from the ANBU blackups the past few hours. How they find out so soon?! It doesn't matter but get the heck out of here! Wouldn't be an issue if his body didn't feel like it was still being stabbed and electrocuted! Damn that little brat!

Back with Error.

'Will deal with him soon after this.' Error stare at the ceiling a bit longer. 'Ah screw it lets go see him when they passed out. He probably sitting on the roof.'

'What gave that away?'

'The chakra for one-'

"I was being sarcastic!'

Once Sakura was done Sasuke took a shower next. After he was done Naruto took a quick shower. He waits for them to fall asleep and soon left through the window.

Indeed Gaara was on the roof.

Naruto stares a bit and soon walk over to Gaara direction. Barely flinch at the sand spikes that almost hit him. "Geez don't want to talk?"

"Leave." Gaara growled a bit. He wasn't in the mood at the moment as his 'mother' been screaming nonstop. He thought today blood would be enough but it wasn't! But apparently not! Last thing he wants is to kill this one. He still trying to figure out this blonde.

"I usually would but I'm here to help." Took another step forward.

"Help?" Turn his head and eyes narrowed. "Help what? By killing me like the rest."

"No." Jeez it's like almost seeing his old self again. "It's you 'mother' I want to talk about and seal on your forehead."

Gaara just stared at him in suspension and confusion.

"Seal?"

"The one on your forehead. I'm barely even close to it and can feel they messed it up bad. No, wonder you both are not fully right in the head. Well besides other issues."

"What are you blabbering about?" Gaara demanded.

"Me? Blabbering? That's a first. Do you know what a Jinchuriki is?"

"No?"

"Do you know what a tail beast is?"

"Somwhat." He heard about them, at least the one that struck the sand village years ago.

"Okay look I'm going to cut to the chase. You got the one tail inside you. I know because I have his or them brother inside me."

Silence,

"You expect me to believe something so foolish." Gaara demanded.

"Fine, plan 2."

Gaara eyes widen at how fast the blond was to be at his face. His sand barely able to shield him in time as a palm slam on to his kanji symbol. Then was darkness.

When he open his eyes he was suddenly in a sewer but lots of blood around. Then there was shouting.

"Shukaku you idiot it's me!"

Gaara glance over and eyes widen to see a huge fox with nice tails. They were staring at a bound raccoon dog of sorts covered in chains in many places. Look like terrible condition.

"HAHA YOU'RE NOT MY SIBLING! HAHA WHERE THE BLOOD! GIVE ME BLOOD MY CHILD!"

"Never expect you to be mother of the year." Kurama rolled his eyes and look down to see Gaara, "Good you're here. Look Naruto going to be saving both of your stubborn asses to think, at least you, hopefully better."

"DID YOU CALL ME A IDIOT!"

"Wow you actually can think."

"I don't understand." Gaara shake his head, the raccoon dog sounded like his 'mother'. But they didn't look like his mother at all from the picture.

"Like I said you're like me."

Gaara snap his head at Naruto direction and see him by him side. "How? Where?"

"In your mindscape. Don't worry were about to get out soon to fix your seal." Look at Gaara. "Like I said before they messed up your seal badly. Once it fix your mind should be clearer. Both of yours. But you two will need to talk things over and see what you want to do."

"Why?" He just doesn't understand why he wants to do this.

Naruto glance at him and back at Shukaku. "I guess to help you both start over. You didn't have it easy at your village. Plus, for him to be treated long and seal away. Our ancestors really didn't understand the tail beast that well."

Gaara fist tighten at the reminder.

"Didn't have it easy to when the Fur ball was inside me since birth. Who you see across is Kurama, the Nine-tailed Demon Fox. Inside you is Shukaku the One-tail demon." Glance back at Gaara. "You want me to fix this or not?"

"Will it fix that?" Look at the screaming raccoon and wince at the loud sound.

"Yes, both of you. Now if you two want to interact and all that. That's your choice. But try to hopefully talk. If you can one day both truth each other. Well, the seal right there in front of you to rip off."

"Work for us two."

Gaara look at Naruto and Kurama. He shouldn't trust them. He should kill them. But at the same time he didn't. He always wanted answers of why people hate and fear him. Why he was never able to sleep. So, many whys but hard to know the truth. Or was lied too.

Yet, here it was all along.

"If you lie to me I'll kill you." Gaara glared at him.

"Get in line. Now this will feel a bit painful and funny for both of you." Naruto and Kurama soon out of his mind.

Gaara blink and eyes widen as he fell on the ground. He grab his forehead in pain as he could just feel things being move in place. It was the same for Shukaku. Bu the pain began to slowly leave and suddenly felt a bit calmer? He took a deep breath and wobble a bit. When he look down he notice the water no longer blood but just sewage water.

"So, my brother did indeed merge with the kit. Huh must really lost it or smart."

Gaara eyes snap at the direction of Shukaku. No, longer trying to love but was staying bound down to the ground. He still had a craze look in their eyes yet was clearly able to think.

"...You're not my mother."

"No, shit pup and don't call me that. I'm no mother. Cool Uncle maybe. But not a mother. My mind was being torn to shred by that stupid seal. So, I took the role 'mother' to do my bidding and all that shit. But hey you listen. HAHAH!"

"And the years of no sleep." Glare at him.

"I'm a jerk, seal messed up and demon." Shukaku stated blankly and smirk. "But now I can think clearer."

"Good." Hand out and sand surrounded Shukaku, "Same with me. I should kill you for ruining my life-"

"Hey now I'll take some responsibility. But your village not all that great too. Especially that father of yours putting me in you."

Gaara growled at that reminder.

"But come on let's start over like those two suggested."

"Why do you want to anyone?" Gaara eyes narrowed.

"If you haven't notice brat when the cutie and my fluffy brother was here. They merged." Shukaku laughed, "Very stupid but I can see the benefits with it. We all should have done it the first time with a sealer. But hey we all hate humans and all that."

"What's in it for you?"

"I want a strong jailer and I last this long not dying. So, why not make it a bit permanent pup."

"I don't trust you."

"And neither do I but here we are now." He smirk. "So, what you say Pup?"

Gaara stared a long time at him. "I need to think about this."

"Fine, take your time you annoying pup. You can reach my ability like before when you change. But watch out if I were you. The sand going to be a little wilder for a while. That includes if we merge. Can you at least change this scenery? Ugly in here."

"Fine." Gaara held back a twitch. He almost missed the 'mother' stage instead of this demanding demon acting like a child.

"Hey if you get bored I don't mind taking control a bit."

"Not happening mother."

"SHUT UP AND STOP CALL ME THAT!"

Error sitting down as he waits for Gaara to wake up. He form a shield when he first got up here so no one can see or feel them. Now is just the waiting game.

Gaara eyes open up and stare at Naruto. "Can we trade demons?"

"Furball said deal with him. He dealt with him in his youth."

Gaara grumble and slowly lift himself up. Rub his forehead a bit. "At least I found a way to annoy the childish idiot."

"Oh?"

"Mother."

Naruto blink while Kurama laughing his ass off.

Gaara held back a smirk able to block out Shukaka cursing and promise of death.

"What you going to do now?" Naruto look at Gaara once things settle down. The two just awkwardly sitting on the roof.

"I can't fully trust him yet. I feel like it the same for him too. But will figure out something. But for now I need to think through a lot of stuff." Gaara glance up at the moon. "Funny."

"What?"

"You're probably the first in a long time I spoke a lot with." Gaara look back down and look at Naruto.

"I get that feeling sometimes." Naruto stare and look back up.

Gaara stared at Naruto for a while. Then his mind went back of what's supposed to happen. He now felt a bit suspicions about the invasion of attacking the village and his allies with the sand. He'll look into that.

Last, thing he wants to do is fight Naruto.

"Naruto?"

"Yeah, Gaara?"

"Are we friends?"

Naruto stun and look at Gaara. "Do you want to be friends with me?"

"So, far yes."

"...I'm not easy to handle-"

"I don't care." Gaara eyes narrowed, "I remember what a friend means when I was younger. You so far fit those qualities and weren't scared of you."

Would you be scared of me? If you and everyone knew who I really was. Error only thought as he look at Gaara. "Let start with acquaintances and we can go from there. Don't want you to be disappointed on the first friend you made."

Gaara stare at the blond. Why would he be disappointed? Sure he may not know the blonde but after what he done so far. Seem like the best qualities for a friend. "I won't be disappointed."

"Whatever you say Raccoon."

"...Am I supposed to be giving you a nickname too?"

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Done!

What you all think?

Will Gaara and Shukaku ever trust each other?

Will Naruto and Gaara have a strong friendship?

What other nicknames will happen?

I don't know what else to put down. Unless anyone has questions.

Until next time.

Bye, bye!