Dear one and all.

No this fic is not dead. I've just been focused on other pursuits. But I am back.

Thanks again for ABitterPill as my beta, couldn't have done this without you.

Chapter 9: Desert Run

"Come on Naruto," Lee grunted as he tried to keep his severed former ally from bucking him off, "work with me here. We're going to get you help."

The creature struggled, twitch and writhing under his grip. Lee could feel burning pain along his skin as his chakra was being forcefully drained from his chakra coils. The more he resisted, the stronger the drain. Just from the act of putting the body into the back of the cart, Lee felt as if he just did a four day intensive training session with Gai-sensei.

He was grateful that Kayuri gave them a horse and wagon, especially one with a canopy cover to protect its cargo. It was not designed for luxury but it would do. Lee expected Kayuri to put up more of an argument, but two shinobi covered head to toe in blood will put anyone off.

The horse was a young thoroughbred, brown coat and very strong. Naruto's presence terrified it. Just seeing the blonde made it want to bolt, dragging the heavy cart with it. Lee took a moment to stroke its mane in hopes of reassuring it.

"Found what I could." Lee turned to see Neji dusting himself off, in his other hand was clawed foot severed at the ankle.

"Is that it?"

"I can't see anything else." Neji grumbled. They had been searching for nearly an hour. They had Naruto their long lost friend - well parts of him at least, the rest was buried under a tonne of rock.

"We'll have to leave whatever is left." Lee frowned. They wanted to go back into what was left of the cave and recover the pictures on the walls and anything that Naruto had made during his…isolation. However, it was not all for sentimental value; there was still the issue of Naruto committing at least seventy counts of murder.

Naruto killed people. Not shinobi while on mission. Civilians…children. Tsuchi, Iwa and anyone else would want the blonde's head on a literal pike. The photographs and drawings were evidence; a causal link to Naruto's life in Konoha.

They had to secure them: recover at best, destroy at worst. But there was no time. The longer they stayed the greater the risk of a search party and they did not want to be the ones to explain what they were trying to do. To Lee and Neji, Naruto was a friend. To everyone else, a murderer. If Tsuchi saw what Team Gai were trying to do; the political ramifications could be devastating.

While Lee convinced himself that he was trying to help a friend, what they were technically doing was aiding and abetting a murderer after the fact.

This is wrong; criminals deserve to be punished. Lee's conscience fought.

But Naruto would never do those things willingly, Lee rationalised, he's sick, he is unwell. He needs help.

Tell that to the families of the people who were cast aside like refuse. Lee's conscience stabbed.

Rock Lee gazed back at the cart, and the boy that was inside it. The jounin really wished he did not know the truth. But he did, and now duty and friendship demanded he try and save Naruto regardless of what the blonde did. "I think we best head off." Neji interrupted Gai's younger twin. "Did you send a message bird to Gai?"

"Yes." Lee nodded as he jumped up onto the wagon grabbing the lead rope to the horse. "I told him we'd meet him outside the city."

"Good idea." Neji sat beside Lee whose frown became more pronounced, it was odd coming from a man who habitually smiled. The Hyuuga could guess what Lee was thinking; he was thinking the same thing too. "We're going to make this right Lee."

"I know." Lee shook his head, a small smirk across his face. "I'm just worried."

"We all are."

"Good to know I'm not alone." Lee chuckled as he whipped the lead rope, making the horse move forward. "Let's get moving. We're going to have a long day ahead of us."

0o0o0o

Tenten had to give general shinobi credit; when they did something spectacular they got a parade for it. ANBU did not get parades; they did not even get a pat on the back. So when she arrived with Maito Gai and a still-unconscious Run-sama on her back, she was more than a little startled to see a very impressive welcoming committee.

Technically there was only one person specifically waiting for them. But when that person happened to be the Damiyo, well… The worst thing about assassinating Damiyo's, Tenten reflected an old ANBU axiom, is that they are never alone. The bloodied state in which Run was returned horrified the committee. Only once Gai assured them repeatedly that it was not her blood and her leg was broken but not irreversibly damaged did they seem calm.

The Damiyo was for the most part no different than any other noble she had met. This one however, looked like he aged ten years in a space of days or weeks. A missing child would do that to a father. A woman behind him, likely Run's mother dried her eyes in happiness.

"Thank you so much." The Damiyo's posture softened. "I had feared the worst."

"You're welcome." Gai bowed but his trademark smile was missing. "Though Konoha would have appreciated knowing this was a rescue mission of some sort."

"I did what I thought was best," the Damiyo was unrepentant with his decision, "I had to keep her disappearance a secret for as long as I can. Tochi is a small country surrounded by two Great Shinobi Nations, I could not allow her disappearance to be used as a bargaining chip."

Tenten did not approve of the deception, but she understood what he meant. Tochi no Kuni held a lot of influence, a missing daughter would be a sign of weakness and if found by their neighbours could be used to manipulate the small nation's policies. Enter Konoha; the independent broker. Tenten huffed in irritation: politics.

"But you came through," the Damiyo smiled weakly, "I'm in your debt. Please stay and recuperate, you look like you have seen better days."

"I would-" Tenten noticed a small gesture from Gai, his right hand tapping against his pant leg; a code known only to members of Team Gai. We have to leave. "-love nothing more, but we have to head out for another mission."

"Looking like that?!" The Damiyo's eyes widened at the blood soaked shinobi. "That is criminal…"

"It's that nature of the business Damiyo-sama." Gai bowed. "We will sort ourselves on the go."

"Out of the question." The Damiyo cringed. "I insist you at least have medical attention and be resupplied. It will take several minutes at most."

Not sensing a way out, Gai complied. "We thank you for your hospitality." Sure enough several medics guided them out of the way allowing Run and the Damiyo to be reunited.

0o0o0o

The medics treated Gai and Tenten delicately but thoroughly. The injuries on her fingers had taken a turn for the worst, they were completely black. The dull sensation of pain was the only thing that alleviated her fears, pain meant it was still alive. It took a lot longer than several minutes, it took nearly an hour before the medics were willing to give her 'mission-go' status.

"Now listen," the medic repeated, "you have to take two of these pills a day. One in the morning and one at night, drink plenty of water. You will lose your entire hand if you don't."

"Yes doctor." Tenten reiterated. A thorough medic is good and she knew the concept of putting the fear of kami into someone but this was ridiculous. "Thank you I'll be fine."

The medic narrowed his eyes and reluctantly nodded. "Take care then."

The medic took his leave and Maito Gai entered briefly after. He looked a bit better in his trademark green uniform, knowing Gai he had several spares in his backpack. "How's the hand?" Gai asked.

"It will be fine." Tenten rattled the small bottle of pills in her hand. "Take these and it will heal. I was lucky, a few more hours and it would have been beyond repair."

"Shinobi have to expand their abilities in every area. Including luck." Gai winked. "But we have to get on the move. I've packed enough food and water for our journey."

"Gai-sensei, I can appreciate the need for discretion but why are we leaving so soon?" Tenten gestured to her bloody clothes. "I didn't bring a spare set of clothes."

Gai's smile faded and he leaned forward. "Because I received word Neji and Lee are on their way back," he whispered, "and they have a 'guest' with them."

"So it is him." Tenten gasped. "What do we do?"

"We leave and take Naruto with us." Gai whispered. "We can't afford for him to stay in Ishi. It's not safe for him here. It won't be safe for us either if they find out what we are trying to do."

Tenten nodded grimly. "Okay, thankfully I brought enough medication for all four of us."

Gai and Tenten's departure was briefly halted by Akuto-sotaicho, Kodo trailing behind him. "You're back, I'm so relieved."

"Yes, a little worse for wear but still here." Gai smiled. "It's been a trying day."

Akuta held his hands up. "I know, but I had to ask…did you find anyone else alive?"

Gai shifted uncomfortably. "No."

"Dammit," Akuta closed his eyes, "did you kill the bastard that did it?"

Gai traded a brief glance with Tenten before continuing. "It's in pieces but resilient."

"Resilient?"

"It got back up no matter what was done to it." Gai stepped a little closer. "You have the location of where we found it. But I would encourage caution. It could still be moving."

Akuta blinked several times and nodded in understanding. "Thanks for the heads up."

"My pleasure. Now I hate to run but we have to be on the move." Gai bid a final farewell as they left the hospital.

"By the way Kodo, you know that message you gave me?" Tenten turned to the bakuton user. "It was delivered."

"I'm glad to hear it." The Ishi shinobi smiled. "Thank you Tenten, and I know Bea thanks you too."

0o0o0o

The creature was frightened. It was a strange feeling.

What are these people going to do with me?

It did not know what it was expecting; maybe be buried, decapitated, or perhaps even burned…But being carted off and stuck into the back of a wagon, was not one of them. The bad news was that the people did not even bother to take its other body parts with him. The worse news is that they pinned it to the wagon with sharp spikes and chains. Movement was difficult, escape was impossible…for now at least.

Time was fleeting and it could not see the outside world, but it had to guess it was approaching sunset. It could hear the whispers of its captors and the frantic movement of horses.

It could feel their chakra, their life energy flowing into its veins and their concern and confusion was emanating off of them like a bad stink.

The Girl was gone, her scent all but lost to it. And I was so close to an answer too…

These hunters, these…people… The creature moaned in distaste, probably the only thing it could do unabated. Wrath demanded vengeance, but there was something else. Something that could not be readily identified. Nostalgia, perhaps?

These hunters, their movements were not predictable, yet the creature guessed what they might have done or could have done. Sure they defeated it, but for some reason it knew what they were going to do before they did it.

It knew the Knife Lady would throw pointy objects. It knew Big Twin and Little Twin would use speed and fists and kicks. It knew that Pale Blue Eyes would use strange palm like attacks.

It knew. The creature had no idea why it would guess what they could do, it had never done that before with anything else. Why would I know what they were going to do?

0o0o0o

"Neji, Lee, where did you get the wagon?" Gai was not entirely surprised. It's not like he expected Lee and Neji to carry Naruto in their backpacks, at the same time he did not expect a horse and wagon.

"Kayuri gave it to us." Lee smirked. "Don't worry we didn't tell him why we needed it."

"Hmm." Gai shook his head. "Once we get to safety we have to return it to him. In prime condition." Gai turned his head to the rear of the cabin. "And our guest?"

"Inside." Neji nodded. "But not entirely altogether. We thought time would be of the essence, we thought it best to move out with what we have."

"A sound strategy." Gai dared to move around the wagon and peer inside. The creature peered at him from the dark with pale eyes, its remaining arm was bound and his chest was weighted down preventing him from moving. He did not look the least bit pleased. "Nonetheless we should get to Konoha as soon as possible."

Lee shook his head. "We can't."

"Why not?"

"He's a chakra absorber Gai-sensei." Neji jerked his head to the horse. "It is draining the energy from all of us. Including our ride. It won't make it to Konoha."

"Then where do we go?"

Lee and Neji shared a knowing look, obviously discussing the issue before hand. "We could go to Suna."

Gai blinked. "What?"

"You can't be serious." Tenten followed.

"It's the closest village." Lee explained quickly. "We can definitely follow up there."

"Lee, Naruto killed Suna shinobi." Gai stated seriously. "What do you think will happen if we go there?"

"We are neck deep in an international incident as it is." Tenten gestured into the wagon. "You want to make it worse."

"Gaara is the Kazekage." Lee stood firm. "We just have to trust him."

"That is exactly the reason why we should not go to Suna." Gai growled. "Any Kage worth their salt will look after the village first. He has had at least a dozen Suna shinobi murdered, he will not care if it was Naruto."

"I would not be so sure of that." Neji mused with that infuriating tone that screamed 'I know something you don't'.

"Are you willing to bet your life on that?" Gai raised a brow.

"Absolutely."

Gai did not know what to say to that. Tenten agreed with him, but Lee and Neji were as thick as thieves. They believed that Gaara will help them, but the jounin in Gai told him otherwise.

But they were right, he could feel Naruto tug on the chakra in his system. Konoha was a five day journey, they would be lucky to make it halfway. Suna was notably closer, two days at the most.

"Okay, we'll head to Suna." Gai clambered onto the wagon. "But I am not going to prey on Gaara's friendship with Konoha or with Naruto. He deserves the frank and honest truth, we are in enough trouble as it is. Understood."

Tenten gaped at her three compatriots. This was so incredibly stupid, but she knew she was beaten. "I hope you guys know what you are doing," she sighed, "but for the record, if Naruto tries anything I'm throwing kunai at him."

0o0o0o

The creature was confused, curious and concerned. Confused as to why these strange chattering hunters were not trying to bash its skull in with a rock or set it on fire; that is what their predecessors did. It was also curious as to why they just stood with a horrified expression. Admittedly it was understandable; the creature had seen that look before when they saw it up close and personal. Yet this was different there was something in their looks something…nostalgic.

There was concern as well but that should not be translated into fear. Self-preservation stopped being a priority a long time ago. The concern was for the Girl, its hope. Its chance at control, at leaving this existence of feeding behind. But that is gone now. Thought faded in and out of the creature's consciousness, making it incredibly difficult to focus. It did not help that the hunger called it, with promises of cessation and warmth. The pain would go, the hunger would go, the cold would go; all it had to do was feed.

But it was difficult to feed when you are severed in half, you have one arm (which was missing a finger, broken and crushed in seven places), one punctured eye (Knife Lady got a lucky shot), your stomach is buried somewhere under a pile of rock, your jaw was fractured in eight places and you are pinned by eight really sharp blades and more rock. Any attempt at struggling did not work and the hunters just quickly moved out of the way or Knife Lady threw more sharp things at it.

What are they doing?

The confusion that clouded the creature's mind prevented it from trying to do anything. However, in some dark crevice in some forgotten corner of its mind something was clicking…turning…

What is happening to me?

…remembering? Strange feelings popped up as its undamaged eye stared at them and only one thing seemed to bounce around its confused, curious and concerned mind. Feelings it never felt before and ones that could not be recognised.

Do I….know these people?

0o0o0o

"You look worse for wear." Gaara spoke plainly. He immediately regretted saying it out loud; Lee and Neji were 'friends' for lack of a better word. The word sounded right in his mind, yet the Kazekage still had trouble saying the word.

"You have no idea." Neji huffed.

"Not that I am complaining, but why are you here?" Gaara turned to the leader of the group, Maito Gai. "You are welcome to come in, you don't have to wait for my permission."

"Actually we do Kazekage-dono." Gai bowed. "We have something that can be considered a risk to Suna security."

Gaara raised a brow. "Really?" Gai nodded and jerked his thumb to the wagon that had been carrying them. "And this needs my clearance?"

"I'm afraid so." Gai gestured asking the Kazekage to follow him. "Does the village Ishigakure mean anything to you?"

Gaara maybe young but he knew a political question when he heard it. "It does."

"Are you aware that several Suna shinobi have disappeared around that area?" Gai asked still moving towards the wagon.

After a quick gesture from Kankuro, his brother and political advisor, he nodded. "I might."

"I think we found out what happened to them." Gai sighed. He felt older than ever and being near this thing was not really helping. At any moment it could breach containment and failing that, it was slowly devouring their chakra simply by being in proximity. He lifted the tarp and gestured for Gaara to have a look.

Gaara looked into the dark wagon and the first thing that hit him was the smell, followed quickly by the feeling of loss of breath and fatigue, as if chakra was being forcibly extracted from him. Only then did he see the dismembered figure lying impaled to the floor of the wagon a hand desperately clawing at anything it could. Blood stained every corner of the wagon.

Gaara had seen some strange things, but this sight before him took the cake. "What is that?" Gaara's voice betrayed his surprise and horror.

"Kazekage-dono, I realise this may look bad." Gai sighed. "However, we need food and rest and place to keep him contained."

"Him?" Gaara's eyes widened. "Who is he?"

"Kazekage-sama," Lee pleaded, "we'll explain everything I promise but we need to get him locked up and locked up right now."

"….alright." Gaara should have turned them away, but something in his gut said otherwise.

The whole team looked incredibly relived. "Thank you." Tenten sighed.

"Don't thank me yet." Gaara's eyes narrowed on the weapon master and her wounds. "I am doing this out of courtesy, and because…I know you. Rest assured I am expecting a good reason for this. Now how dangerous is…he?"

"He's-"

"Very." Gai interrupted Lee's inevitable excuse. "He has killed upwards of sixty to seventy people, likely more. Some of them were at jounin strength. As you can guess, he is a chakra absorber and a very powerful one."

"Alright…" Gaara placed a thoughtful hand on his chin. "Stage five containment. Rotating guards."

"Also one more thing Kazekage-dono." Gai waited until the pale green eyes met his before he spoke. "No one can know about this."

"What do you mean, 'no one'?"

"I mean until the Hokage can send a team, I need you to ensure only the people you trust know that he is here. At least for the moment."

Gaara looked at Gai's exhausted features and posture. He looked tired and as if he would pass out at any second. "Just tell me one thing. Who is he?"

Gai shot a look at his teammates; Lee was biting his lower lip, Neji's frown was pronounced and Tenten braced herself for the worst. Gai bent down into the Kazekage's ear and told him.

With his eyes were as wide as dinner plates and fact it looked like he stopped breathing, Gaara made a very convincing and admittedly funny statue. Neji could not help but wonder if that is what they looked like when they discovered the truth.

"You have half an hour." Gaara's eyes narrowed and glared at the teammates in a way that made them uncomfortable. "I want to know everything." The words 'or else' did not need to be said. After a series of vigorous nods or agreement, Gaara walked back up to Kankuro. "Let them in. Keep that wagon secure and place it under stage five containment."

Kankuro flinched in surprise. "Stage five? Garra, what the hell is going on?"

"Please Kankuro…." Gaara whispered. "I need a stage five containment on that wagon right now. Whatever you do, do not open it. I promise you, I will get answers."

"Okay, brother." Kankuro felt nervous as he glanced back to the wagon. "You got it."

0o0o0o

"Kazekage-sama?" Gaara head shot up from his desk in surprise. He wasn't doing any work, he actually had not been working ever since he was told what was in that wagon.

"Yes?"

"Sorry, sir." The jounin stood attention. "Stage five containment has been set up. Guards are rotating in fifteen minute shifts."

"Excellent." Gaara sighed, at least one thing was out of the way. "And our guests?"

"Waiting outside sir." The jounin nodded.

"Good, send them in." Gaara shuffled some paper off his desk. Now was the time to get answers. As Team Gai was sent in, he noticed several significant changes. For one they no longer had blood soaked clothes, instead they were wearing generic grey tunics. Another was that they looked healthier, Lee's stomach was practically bulging and Tenten looked like she was finishing off a jug of water. Although their eyes looked baggy, and their injuries were still apparent, they were a lot better when he first saw them half an hour ago.

"Thank you Kazekage for letting us-"

"Dispense with the formalities." Gaara waved a hand. The team relaxed faces quickly turned into ones of worry. "Now what in the name of the kami is that thing?"

"I think 'who' might be a better question." Lee tried to make light of the situation. Clearly the Kazekage was not having any of it.

"Fine." Gaara's eyes narrowed. "Who is that?"

"Who do you think it is?"

"Do not play games with me, Lee." Gaara blanched. "I am in no mood."

"I told you who." Gai said flatly.

"And I don't believe you." Gaara was blunt to the point where it almost stung. "Playing on our…relationship is low. Playing on Naruto's memory is even lower. Now who-"

"Come on, Gaara." Lee looked worried. "Don't you recognise him?" Could I have made a mistake?

"What kind of sick joke is this?"

"Believe me, I wish it was a joke. But it is him." Neji pulled the folder and handed it to the stunned Kazekage. "You want to verify it yourself, you are more than welcome. We would love to be proven wrong at this point."

Gaara slowly took the folder with a shaky hand and looked at its contents. The first thing he saw was a photo of Naruto smiling that strangely familiar and incredibly contagious grin. His memory turned to what he saw in that wagon, a decayed husk desperately trying to remove the swords that had impaled it, but it was no use. A grunt and occasional groan was all that they heard from the creature. This thing did not inspire Gaara to smile.

But then he recalled the terrifying blue eyes stared hungrily back from the darkness. Blue eyes that belonged to someone long thought dead. "Impossible."

Lee seemed almost relieved to see an even more horrified Kazekage. "That can't be…no." Gaara's sand buzzed violently in his gourd. "Is this really him?" Gaara looked back at Neji. "No jokes, no word-play; yes or no?"

"Yes." Gai nodded. "We have been carrying him for two days. We found him in a cave near Ishigakure."

"And how does this relate to my men?" Gaara looked back at Gai, even though he knew the answer he had to be sure. The Kazekage was not 'hopeful', too many people had been gone too long for that. However, he need certainty, so did the families of those who were missing.

"They were murdered." Gai grunted. "By him."

I knew it… Gaara cursed. Recalling the pathetic creature, Naruto or not he felt a cold anger sweep his brow.

"Why did you bring this to my attention?" Gaara stared accusingly. "Are you hoping to prey on my sympathy?"

"No….yes." Gai nodded. "He has been draining us for two days, we would never have made it to Konoha."

"Gaara," Lee spoke up, the Kazekage was willing to overlook his informality for the time being, "this is Naruto, he would never do this willingly. He was your friend wasn't he?"

"…yes he was." Gaara agreed. "But Naruto has been dead-"

"Missing."

"-for over two years." Garra finished. "I have a hard time believing this is what he has become. A corpse I can expect, crippled and hurt I can expect; but not this. I am disinclined letting you stay in the village, least of all with that monster."

"He's not a monster!" Lee's fury startled Gaara. "He's just sick, he needs help. Gaara please help us." Lee pleaded. "Help him."

"And the fact that he killed my men doesn't matter?" Gaara looked out his window gazing at the village beyond, the village that elected him as its leader. "I am the Kazekage, I have the responsibility to my citizens."

"Says the man who slaughtered more men and women than I dare to count." Neji glared daggers.

"Neji!" Tenten desperately tried to keep him quiet but the Hyuuga seemed irrepressible. "If we operated by that logic, wouldn't your head be the first on the chopping block?"

Gaara despite his coldness was not above feeling pain, and that question stung far deeper than he would care to admit. True, if not for a certain blonde changing his opinion of the world, he would have probably ended up dead or worse.

"You owe him." Neji continued. "You owe him and you know it."

"He tried to kill us, Gaara." Lee spoke. "And we're willing to help him. What are you going to do?"

"This creature, killed over sixty people, not including my citizens." Gaara seemed insulted. "And you still think this is Naruto?"

"If you have doubts," Neji glared, "go into that wagon and take a good long took. Like I said, I would love to be proven wrong."

Gaara folded his arms. "What would you have me do?"

"Keep this quiet." Gai spoke in hushed tones. "Give the Hokage time to get a retrieval team here, get some further information and confirmation. With any luck we might be able to transfer him back to Konoha safely."

"Then you better do it soon, stage five containment raises a lot of questions." Gaara nodded as he took in the situation. "I still cannot believe this. Over two years have passed and he drops in out of the blue? If nothing else that sounds like something Naruto would do."

Lee chuckled. "If it helps, we stumbled across him by accident."

"It does not." Gaara shook his head as he got up out of his chair. "I know one thing for sure, if that is him; Shikamaru is going to be incredibly annoyed when he finds out you found him first."

"That's putting it lightly." Tenten chuckled. "Wait, where are you going?"

"Taking Neji's advice." Gaara moved towards the door, the folder still in his hands. "I'm going to see if this is Naruto myself."

"If that is the case," Neji commented, "do not let him bite you. Don't even let him scratch you."

"You know this gourd is more than just a fashion statement, right?" Gaara smirked. "Get some rest, you look like you need it."

"There's a challenge." Tenten sighed in relief.

0o0o0o

Each village has their own equivalent and definition of containment. Some villages didn't have a ranking system, others have a ten tier system. In Suna, stage five containment is the maximum, and also the most prominent.

The object subject to containment was relocated to a small out of the way segment of the village. It was fenced off and warning signs were posted everywhere. Unauthorised entry was at minimum a criminal offence. The cordoned off area was little more than a large, hollow, block shaped building was made out of steel reinforced concrete lined with lead. Inside however Suna's greatest seal and trap experts created an inescapable prison where nothing and no one could get out.

Stage five containment was in essence a large encompassing barrier. The Suna seal squads create a multi-phasic, quadruple layered seal with a rotating lock mechanisms and an algorithmic passcode sequence. The seals were ingrained with complex self-sustainment symbols, which were 'borrowed' by the Edo Tensei Jutsu, allowing it to continue functioning indefinitely. The barrier was modified to function on a molecular level preventing even air from escaping. The seals in essence rotate and alter their basic structures creating an endless and ever-changing series of passcodes which can only be predicted by the leader of the ANBU sealing squad. Inside the barrier, the environment is fused and subject to random yet minor fluctuations in gravity, air density and light distortion.

The trap squads work together and create a series of counter jutsu and sealing jutsu at all levels of the barrier. Each jutsu unique and ever changing, creating no virtual template of what 'stage five containment' would look like. The purpose was to keep any unauthorised user who was trying to get in or out busy with a series of self-defence mechanisms that ranged from trap seals to being set on fire.

While the barrier itself was impressive. The real secret was the small group of people around it that continuously monitored the barrier changing the conditions as they saw fit. They monitored chakra levels of the seals, the environment inside the barrier

That was an incredibly long and convoluted way of saying anything that was inside it was screwed.

0o0o0o

"Kazekage-sama." The ANBU nodded. Gaara gave a polite acknowledgment as he stared at the wagon and the strange translucent wall that encompassed it.

"Did anyone look inside the wagon?"

"No sir."

"Status of the containment." Gaara ordered.

"Maximum sir, but we are experiencing a chakra drain." The ANBU spoke nervously.

"A chakra drain?" Gaara's tone was meant to express surprise and worry, instead it came out slightly menacing.

"I-it's only minor, Kazekage-sama." The ANBU operative hurriedly explained. "We have already readjusted the seals and the trap squad is developing a countermeasure as we speak."

"I see." Gaara's eyes focused on the wagon in the barrier. "... I need to go in there."

"Sir?"

"Open the barrier." Gaara clarified.

"Very well sir, we'll get you suited up and I'll prepare an escort." The ANBU leader was about to signal for assistance until his superior interrupted.

"No, thank you." Gaara tucked the folder under his arm. "I need to do this alone."

"But sir, stage five containment prohibits individuals from entering without…." The ANBU's stickler for protocol quickly wavered under Gaara's gaze. "Yes Kazekage-sama, it will be done."

After a brief relay of orders the translucent barrier quickly parted, forming a door sized gap in the otherwise impenetrable layer of seals. Gaara took a deep breath and moved through the barrier, the entryway closing behind him.

The air was dry and incredibly stale, he could feel his chakra slowly ebb away like some great weight was upon him. Luckily being a jinchuuriki meant you had a near limitless supply. He opened the tarp in the back of the wagon and quickly hopped inside it.

And there it was….

There he was….

The creature that was supposed to be Naruto stared back at the Kazekage with blank, dead eyes.

There was no anger in those eyes, no confusion or fear. Just nothing.

Unlike last time where he was currently impaled to the floor of the wagon, this strange thing managed to loosen itself and managed somehow to crawl itself into the corner. However, now it appeared to be stuck again as the sword that pinned his hand was now lodged against the wagon wall. Gaara for the first time felt his hands shake, but for the life of him he could not understand why. It could have been fear, possibly revulsion but maybe it could have been…hope?

Gaara slowly moved forward, the folder in his hands. "Let's see." He was careful to step past the entrails of his torso and ensure that he was out of biting distance. He flipped open the folder, checking off one by one the defining traits of Uzumaki Naruto.

The height, hair colour, eye colour, the mark on his right hand; everything was there. Gaara would have been more convinced if this creature's lower jaw was not stripped of flesh, but except for that it looked similar at least, identical at most.

After peeling past the layers of clothes he saw the familiar orange outfit and head protector. Past that was the gaping dark hole right where his heart would be.

"Impossible…" Gaara's wide eyes gazed back into Naruto's blue orbs. "It can't be you…"

The blue eyes remained locked onto pale green. Gaara could have sworn he saw something in them, a brief spark; like he remembered him.

"Do you recognise me, Na-"

A sporadic jerk caught Gaara's attention, this strange thing managed to dislodge its hand from the sword that impaled it and tried to tear the Kazekage's face off. The sand, as if on cue, caught the bloodied and deformed hand in mid-flight, stopping it several centimetres from Gaara's face. The fingertips little more than dead flesh and bone tried to reach past the sand but to no avail, Naruto was still too weak, but that would not seem to be the case for long. Gaara felt for the first time in a long time Shukaku twist within him attempting to fight off this thing that was drawing its chakra with unparalleled ferocity.

Chakra absorption indeed. Gaara sniffed. If he is doing this to Shukaku then it would explain a chakra drain from a stage five containment barrier.

The sand that staved off Naruto's hand was slowly crumbling and rebuilding. The sand that grappled with the creature was falling out of thin air, completely drained. Almost immediately the sand that gave way returned to the Kazekage's gourd and was replaced by fresh chakra infused sand. The alarming rate at which his sand was cycling itself amazed Gaara to no end.

"I guess not." The Kazekage sighed and backed his was out of the wagon. The person he once knew groaned behind him trying to move. However, one heavily damaged hand and not much of a torso prevented that. Outside of the wagon, Gaara turned to his men. "Open up."

They immediately complied and the same door sized gap appeared. "Kazekage-sama, are you alright?" The ANBU agent said.

"Yes, thank you." Gaara lied. This was the last thing he expected when he woke up this morning. "Keep the area contained. If anyone starts asking questions, tell them to come see me." Gaara held a quiet smirk; that would keep people at bay for a while. The sadism that he embraced when he was younger was long behind him, or at least he liked to think so. Still a little bit of intimidation never hurt anyone.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama." The ANBU stood at attention. "Also sir, I know I am not supposed to ask, but for the sake of containment, should be worried about whatever is inside trying to get out?"

Gaara would normally dismiss the matter as none of the ANBU's concern, but it is very much his business. You're the Kazekage, you have duty to this village. You cannot shirk your duty for anyone, even if it is him.

"Yes." Gaara spoke solemnly, even though it pained him to do so. "If it tries to leave, or the chakra drain does not improve, inform me at once, I don't care what time it is. If there is a chance it could actually break through the barrier-"

"I'm sorry sir." The ANBU interrupted. "Break through? A stage five containment barrier?" The very thought seemed ridiculous.

"Hubris is unbecoming of an ANBU agent of Suna." Gaara pursed his lips in frustration, regretting the words even as he spoke it. "…if there is a possibility that it will break through the barrier, or that the barrier will somehow fail; destroy it. Thoroughly. Am I clear?"

"….yes sir, Kazekage-sama." The ANBU agent bowed. Gaara nodded and showed himself out of the restricted area. Despite the fact that the Kazekage was dwelling on things that he had not thought about in a long time, he was not lost on the fact that the operatives in charge of the barrier were decidedly more nervous.

0o0o0o

The creature was used to the looks. Those that defeat it, and there are a few who can claim that, generally had a look on their face. Horror sure and even an expression one could define as smug. But these hunters had neither look on their face. Surprise was obvious, but there was another…curiosity?

Is that the same expression I make when I am curious? Through its undamaged eyes, the creature inspected the strange hunters, especially the Vein Eye Man as he was the one who starred the most. Even when he was not directly looking, the creature could sense the gaze from his strange lilac eyes.

….how curious.

The creature was curious as to the quality of Vein Eye Man's flesh, it seems so smooth and tailored. It must be so tender and sweet.

Must…eat.

The creature shook its head. Those hunters were running on empty when they got to…whatever this place was. The hunger was creeping into its mind again. The Girl was not here, it had no defence against the hunger now, no respite. Just hunger.

The pit in where the creature's stomach would have been turned sour. It sensed the chakra signatures of not one or two, but hundreds of people. It was in a village. The one place, the creature would avoid like the plague.

So much food, so much life. The creature shook its head. No! You have to fight it.

Then a Sandman came along. The creature could feel the chakra in his veins, the beautiful ocean of sustenance trapped the man's body. I must have it. I must taste it.

The creature managed to dislodge its hand just to touch the Sandman, touch his chakra. Just a little drop, the creature told itself, an hors d'oeuvre if you will.

The creature did not know what heaven was, but it was sure it just experienced it. It felt resistance from the chakra, as if trying to swallow a writhing snake (something the creature had indeed experienced).

Oh how the creature wanted to crawl after the Sandman as he left, but it was still so weak.

But that would not be the case forever, and that filled the creature with dread.

The creature nauseated, it never wanted to hurt anyone, but to turn here, in a place filled with ample chakra and flesh… Focus. Focus. You have to get out of here. Get out of here before you hurt anyone else.

0o0o0o

After a whole day of sleeping and medical attention, Team Gai took it upon themselves to go out and have dinner together. All of them looked far better now as opposed to that morning. With what they endured the past few days, their appetite returned with a vengeance. After ordering practically everything on the menu, everyone, including the normally restrained and stoic Neji ended up with bulging stomachs.

"Ugh, my arms feel like dead weight." Tenten sighed happily. "Suna food is amazing."

"Yes!" Lee shouted happily. "However I will need to do three hundred laps around the village to make up for my shameful gluttony."

"You can skip that, Lee." Gai smiled. "Indulgence is natural for the springtime of youth, but only for our time in Suna. I expect you to train when we head back to Konoha."

"Yes, sir!"

"Hey, Neji, you okay?" Tenten nudged him with her shoulder. "You have been very quiet. Well more quiet than usual, and that is saying something."

"I just have a lot on my mind lately." Neji grunted.

"We all do, in my case I am thinking about ordering some dessert." Tenten grinned.

"Me too!" Lee joined in.

"I was talking about our hitchhiker." Neji grunted and the atmosphere turned dim.

"I thought we agreed were not going to talk about that." Gai spoke.

"Him. We were not going to talk about him." Lee corrected. This surprised Gai, normally Lee was always so willing to agree with his sensei. In a way Gai was very pleased, it was showing that his student was becoming more independent.

"….are we really going to pretend that we did not just find Naruto?" Neji's hands gripped the table in frustration.

"There is nothing we can do." Gai shrugged. "I sent the letter to Konoha with the fastest bird in Suna, all we can do now is wait."

"I just need to know if this was our doing, on that mission all those years ago." Neji turned to Lee. "Did we do that to him?"

"No!" Tenten yelled, drawing considerable attention from bystanders. "Neji, take it from me, this was not your fault, none of what happened to Naruto was your fault."

"Then why do I feel guilty?" Neji sighed. Tenten understood what the problem was, she experienced her fair share in ANBU; if there was more she could have done, maybe some of her colleagues would still be alive.

"It is not that Naruto died." Tenten noticed Neji and Lee flinch. "It's that he is here, reminding you of what happened."

"Naruto can't be dead." Lee shook his head. "He attacked us."

"Neji said it himself." Tenten replied. "No pulse, no heartbeat, no biorhythm. Capable of getting back up after attacks that no living thing could possibly survive. Failing that, just look at him. Face it Lee, that is not the Naruto we know."

"Then what is he?" Lee's voice sounded shaky. "What happened to him?"

"That is what we are trying to find out." Gai spoke firmly. "If we can help him get better, we will do it."

"And if we can't?" Neji tilted his head.

"Then we may have to destroy him." Gai noticed a change in Lee's posture. "Lee, it may be cruel, but if what we have seen is any indication, it may be a mercy."

"I'm still not entirely convinced that it's him though." Tenten whispered.

"Believe it." All four turned to the source of the new voice, Gaara.

"Kazekage-dono." Gai preformed a small bow.

"It's okay." Gaara took a seat next to Lee. "I'm off duty."

"So you took a look didn't you?" Neji eagerly awaited the Suna ninja's response.

"Yes." Gaara slid the folder onto the table. "It is him. Of that I am now convinced."

"So what now?"

"We keep him locked up." Gaara gestured for some tea which was brought to him almost immediately. Being the Kazekage had its perks. "Also I imposed a few conditions that you won't like."

"Like what?" Lee tilted his head.

"If he tries to escape, they are instructed to do everything in their power to erase him from existence."

"What?" Neji's eyes narrowed in anger. A similar expression was on Lee's face.

"I have a duty to my people." Gaara pointed a finger at Gai. "He said it himself; Naruto has killed a lot of people, some of them jounin strength."

Lee shook his head in objection. "But Gaara, he only has one barely working arm and half a torso."

"That did not stop him from trying to rip my head off." Gaara turned to Tenten. "He managed to dislodge himself from the swords."

"He could barely move his head when he was with us." Gai frowned. "He's getting stronger."

"Much." Gaara's frown became more pronounced. "It did not help that he absorbed chakra from Shukaku. You were not joking when you said he was a chakra absorber."

Team Gai blanched at the thought. "How much did he take?"

"Not much." Gaara waved off the concern. "But enough that Shukaku was getting uncomfortable. It was first time I have ever felt Shukaku act so skittish." The Kazekage tapped the gourd on his back; the sand was shifting loudly in objection. "On another note, how did he get that way? Where is the rest of him?"

Neji mulled it over briefly. If Naruto is still that badly damaged, regeneration may not necessarily be one of his abilities. "Most likely still buried under a couple tons of rock."

"Hmm." Gaara nodded as he sipped his tea. "Well if we want to help him we're probably going to have to put him back together."

"Yeah." Lee nodded vigorously. "We know the location, we can help."

"Yes. But let's wait a few days until you have recovered." Gaara gestured at the bandages that each of them had. "I will send Kankuro along with you."

"Thanks again, Gaara." Lee smiled. "We really appreciate it."

"I suppose I should say thanks as well." Gaara finished his tea. "This gives me the opportunity to pay back an old debt."

0o0o0o

There you go.

Hope you liked it.

TTFN!