Caged Demon

sixteen- adjustments

Feel free to leave your comments and reviews as I look forward to reading them. I don't own or claim to own any of the characters featured on the Naruto series as this story is completely my own idea.

Special Keys: 'thinking', (authors notes), "regular speech", *telepathic/mental speech*, -demon speech-, +scene change+, BOLD CAPS - points of view, CAPS- attacks

Terminology: Sensei - the suffix is used for respected professionals, such as teachers, doctors. Sama - the suffix is used in formal address for someone who ranks higher in the social hierarchy. Chan - this is used to express endearment, mostly towards girls. San - this is the most common honorific and is equivalent to Mr., Miss, Ms., and/or Mrs. Kun - this suffix is used at the end of a boys name to express familiarity or endearment, Senpai - refers to someone older, Onii-san - big brother. Hai - yes, alright, ok!

Sixteen - adjustments

+One month later+

3RD PERSON P.O.V.

Naruto slowly regained consciousness as he could hear distinct voices that sounded muffled at first, he let out a low guttered moan as he tried to sit up. He felt warm hands helping him as his vision slowly cleared. He could recognize the scents that were in the room belonging to his teammates, Gaara, Sarutobi, and Tsunade. Once his eyes cleared and his hearing kicked back in he could see relief stretched across everyone's faces. Sakura looked like she was about to break down into tears.

"Its about time that you came to Naruto, you had us all a bit worried." stated Sarutobi.

"Sorry!" he replied in a guttered voice. Naruto didn't sound quite the same. Sakura collapsed onto Naruto's lap crying as she couldn't hold it back anymore.

"You blockhead!" she cried. Naruto had noticed that her once long pink hair was now much shorter to the neck in length. Naruto stroked Sakura's head carefully and his claws flexed inward.

"Sakura what happened to your hair?" he asked, he had noticed the tan fur covering his body and he remembered what Kyuubi had said during the battle against Orochimaru. Naruto silently cursed at himself because of what happened.

"It happened when that demon snake attacked. We were trying to get all of the villagers to safety. One of the snakes attacked Sakura grabbing her by the hair. Sakura cut off her own hair to get free so Sai and I could attack the snake." replied Sasuke. Naruto snarled low cursing even more in a demonic tongue.

-Onii-san such language.- Gaara stated as if scolding Naruto. Naruto had noticed that his pattern of speech had changed. The markings of Shukaku were more noticeable on his body as they ran from his cheeks down to his neck, from the wrist up until his outfit covered the rest of his skin. His ears twitched angrily at Naruto as he could tell that he had fully awakened.

-It is good to see you finally awake Shukaku no Gaara.- Kyuubi stated among the mental path they both possessed. Even though Gaara's physical form remained the same both Kyuubi and Naruto knew that his demonic blood had finally awakened. This was the true Gaara that they have been trying to reach. Before he had awakened, he acted much like a young child but now his full maturity had kicked in.

-I am sorry that it took me so long to awaken onii-san. Is it all right if I still call you onii-san?- asked Gaara.

*Of course Gaara, you are still our brother whether you be blood related or not. You are still family.* Naruto replied mentally. Gaara bowed his head thanking the fox teen. "Sakura please stop crying. We will be all right, it will just take us some time to get used to this." stated Naruto.