Caged Demon

Eighteen- ninja trails

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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!

Eighteen - ninja trials

+One year later+

NARUTO'S P.O.V.

It has been a whole year since Gaara and I had left the leaf village to begin our training with Jiariya. Jiariya worked with us to get to learn how to control some of demonic tendencies such as rage, anger, hatred, and lust for blood. Even though I could control it much better know then I could before, I was still at risk of loosing control even with Kyuubi inside of me. Gaara wasn't at risk like I was but the training helped him be able to fully tap into his beast form for several hours. Once I had turned sixteen, my powers finally fully stabilized. Lately I have been finding out that there was much more that both Kyuubi and I were capable of that we didn't know about. I have discovered that I often find myself deep within my mind face to face with Kyuubi when we talk to each other mentally. Every time I have ever seen Kyuubi, he has been in fox form. I have yet to see Kyuubi's true form but, according to the fox, it is something that he doesn't want to unleash not unless he really has to. A part of me was grateful that he hasn't done it. I could strongly feel Kyuubi's powers and resonance with me. It feels weird as our bodies are instinct even without us merging our consciousness. At times Kyuubi and I would merge our consciousness when we feel that separately we can't handle something. Our power is increased to its fullest potential when we merge our consciousness. Gaara, Jiariya, and I entered the leaf village not finding that much had changed.

"I am to report to the Hokage that we have returned back. I suggest that you two go report back to your teams." stated Jiariya. Both of us nodded our heads as we watched him leave. Both Gaara and I breathed a long sigh of relief.

-Hopefully the worst it is behind us. Onii-san may I ask you a personal question.- asked Gaara.

"Sure what is it Gaara?" I asked him. Gaara played with his tail avoiding looking at me.

-Human girls. Lately I have been feeling this odd attraction to a certain one.- replied Gaara nervously.

-Which human Gaara?- asked Kyuubi mentally along our mental path.

-The one on Team Warriors.- Gaara replied. Just before we had left with Jiariya a new member had been added to Team Warriors. Team Warriors was headed by captain Might Guy who if you ask me, he seems a little too energetic. Rock Lee whom looks like the spitting image of the captain he is the only member of the whom hold no special power. Neji Hyuga of the Hyuga clan whom had the powerful Byakugan eyes. And Tenten whom was skilled with every form of weapon known to man. The new girl was an orphan from a destroyed village of Kirigakure in the land of water or also know as the village hidden in the mist. Team Warriors had found her during a mission through the village. Haku (yes I know that he is a boy but once again I had changed him to be a girl) possessed a unique blood line ability. Might Guy decided that the girl should come and live in the leaf village. Haku become a ninja as she wears the head plate with the symbol of the mist on it. Both Kyuubi and I were amazed that the leaf village would open their hearts and their homes to not only demons but also to humans whom weren't native to their village.

-You have feelings for Haku, don't you?- asked Kyuubi as Gaara nodded his head yes.

"To tell you the truth Gaara, I can't even admit how I feel towards the one that we care for. I think all Sakura sees us is as a friend even though we care very much for her. Have you ever talked to Haku?" I asked him as he shook his head no.

-I am afraid too.- Gaara replied.

"Get to know her, talk to her. You can't avoid her because your afraid. I have known Sakura for a very long time as we are friends but hopefully this year I will let Sakura know how we feel for her." I told him.

-Well good luck, I am off to find my team. See you later Onii-san.- stated Gaara as he went off in another direction. It was strange how Kyuubi and I could feel the same way towards the same person despite our separate consciousness.

3RD PERSON P.O.V.

Naruto wondered through the village until he had caught wind of a familiar scent. He smiled sharply turning on his heel.

"Hello Itachi." stated Naruto.

"Naruto your back. How goes things?" asked Itachi walking up to the fox boy.

"About the same. You wouldn't happen to know where my team is do you?" asked Naruto.

"Team Kitsune should be training up at the summit. Something seems different about you Naruto and I am not talking about the fur." stated Itachi. Naruto raised his eyebrow not realizing how he could seem different but then he realized what Itachi was seeing through his Sharingan eyes as he just shrugged it off.

"A lot can change over a year. Well, I am off to find my team. See you around Itachi." stated Naruto as he took off heading towards the summit.

+Training Summit+

Team Kitsune had just finished their training exercise as Kakashi still held onto the silver bells.

"Ain't so easy without Naruto and Kyuubi here. You three can't always rely on them to help you out. You have to become stronger." stated Kakashi. The three teens panted out of breath. Even with the three of them together, they couldn't get a good hold on the bells that were tied onto their captain's pants. Suddenly without warning Kakashi was thrown to the ground as the sound of silver bells ringing out. Everyone's eyes went wide as Naruto stood with the silver bells in hand.

"Too easy Kakashi, maybe they should face against me first before they try to go against you." stated Naruto.

"Naruto!" exclaimed Sakura, Sasuke, and Sai in unison as they went to tackle the fox teen. Naruto lept off of Kakashi avoiding his three teammates as he quickly tied the bells onto his pants. The fox teen laughed as he waited for the three to move.

"All right Team Kitsune new rules. The first one to get the bells from Naruto gets a special treat." stated Kakashi. The three teens smiled before they move to attack Naruto.

+Two hours later+

All four teens laid panting on the grass. Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai had their heads laying on one of Naruto's nine tails.

"Man I am beat. I am surprised that it took all three of us to over power you." moaned Sai.

"If you guys kept up with your team work, you could have somewhat over power Kakashi." stated Naruto.

"To admit it the team didn't feel right without you Naruto." stated Sasuke.

"Well were back for good now. It was rough going through that training with Jiariya but it helped greatly." stated Naruto. Sakura finally sat up brushing her hand through her hair as her eyes met Naruto's.

"I am glad that your back Naruto." she stated with a slight blush.

"Feels good to be back." stated Naruto.

"Oh before I forget over the next couple of days they will be holding the ninja trials for any whom are of the legal age. If you four are truly determined to become full fledged ninja's, I suggest that you four go through with the trails." stated Kakashi as the other three sat up.

"I almost forgot all about them." stated Sasuke and Sai in unison.

"Especially you Naruto. The world can definitely use yours and Kyuubi's skills to hopefully put an end to this war with the demons." added Kakashi.

-You know that he's right Naruto. If we and Gaara plan to be accepted and live in the world, this war between the humans and demons.- stated Kyuubi mentally. Naruto said nothing as he knew that he had all ready planned to go though the trials in order to usher in great changes to the world that he and Kyuubi lived in.