This is my first ever fic that I'm posting. I would love to have all of you review. Please do tell me whether you like it or not.

Its unbeta'd for now. I'm looking for a beta. Please anyone who can be one, please tell me. I was unable to find one on my own, and I desperately need one. I know that.

Summary: Naruto is now jounin and gets an unexpected mission which takes him to Suna. Gaara requires him to do a very unique mission for him. That mission opens the doors for Naruto to understand what he never realized before……

Paring: Narusasu (not the other way round)

Rating: M

English: Romance

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. (WeepsL)

Akemi Yuudai

Chapter 1

The Mission

"Naruto you have to take this mission, you are the only one who has stamina and chakra enough for this." Tsunade said exprated

"No way in freak 'in hell will I take this… this… no way… no way." said the blonde jounin gesticulating with his hands like he usually did when he was agitated.

Tsunade sighed; did she think it would be easy? Not when it came to Naruto, he always tended to make simple matters complicated.

"It's a request from Gaara you seriously want to refuse it?" she looked at him expecting some answer.

He was still wringing his hands rubbing his temples, muttering under his breath about 'stupid sand freaks and there stupid missions'.

That morning….

He had woken up quite refreshed, it had been only a day before that he arrived home from a week long mission in the land of earth. He had not had Ichiraku's ramen for a week. He had decided to take morning breakfast of ramen at Ichiraku's instead of eating home. He had been too tired a day before opting to stay home resting after such a tiring mission. Now that he had his favorite meal he wanted to meet Sasuke teme, Sakura chan and Iruka sensei. It had been a week they must be worried about him. The mission was A classed but had gone really well.

He had spent the rest of the day caching up with his friends. He had met up with Sakura in the hospital before her shift started.

"Ohayo, Sakura chan" he called her from the entrance. Surprised, she had almost dropped the equipment she was carrying when she heard him.

"Naruto… your back" she said balancing the equipment and handing it over to the nurse to take to the ICU. Then she ran and glomped him.

"Sorry, I guess I startled you" he said sheepishly hugging her back.

"When did you come back? Why didn't we hear about you? How was the mission? You are not hurt, are you?" she released him and bombarded him with questions.

"Wow, wow, wow…. Take a breath Sakura chan. I'm fine, see?" He said crossing his hands behind his head for her to take a look. She worried too much over him and Sasuke. But they were no kids any more.

Sakura looked at him up and down. He had grown really well; he was 6''10 in height taller than any one in Konoha eleven. He had strongly built muscular, tanned and toned body. His spiky blond hair ended just shy of his shoulders with a natural style, a few spikes framing his face. His whisker marks enhanced his cheek bones making him look even more attractive. His blue eyes made his face even more handsome. Where in his childhood he had been short, now he towered above them all. He had acquired his own group of fan girls over the time. He was perfect for a potential boyfriend. But to her he had always been like a brother. The only one who rivaled him in good looks was Sasuke. Where, Naruto was taller and broader in appearance, showing off his muscular built and tanned complexion. Sasuke was tall but not as tall as Naruto 6''5 in height and leaner, hiding his muscular built with a grace only an Uchiha could achieve. He had porcelain skin, raven hair and obsidian eyes.

"Im glad your back Naruto" she said fondly.

"Yeah, I'm happy to see you too Sakura chan" he said giving her his trade mark foxy grin. "How's Fuzzy brows?" they had gotten together after Lee became a jounin and changed his fashion sense.

"He's on a mission." She said biting her lip.

"He'll be fine. He's a jounin and very skilled Sakura chan, don't worry, he'll be back" he told her smiling. "By the way do you know about Sasuke teme?"

"Yeah he came back from his mission two days ago. He does not have a new mission right now so must be training now as usual." She said

"Good." He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. "Time to bug Sasuke teme. I'm off to the training grounds Sakura chan, see you later. Tell me when Fuzzy brows returns. We'll have a get together." He said waving to her as he walked out of the hospital.

He becomes a child when it comes to Sasuke, she thought "Alright I will" smiling, she waved back and went back to her duties.

He sprinted to training ground 11 where the normally trained when not on mission. He was so happy to be home and wanted to train with Sasuke teme. It was always a thrill to train with Sasuke, he felt adrenaline pump in him as he neared the training area. He had recently been too busy with his missions to train with his missions to train with the teme. He stopped at the entrance.

Sasuke was practicing his taijutsu kata. But stopped, he had obviously sensed Naruto coming so he smirked, "Scared Dobe?"

Naruto grinned in response; "You wish teme" he stepped in.

They eyed each other for some moments it was their way of catching up. Obsidian eyes locked with cerulean their excitement visible. Naruto was really happy to be with Sasuke after such a long time "Glad to see you too, teme" his grin was back.

"Hn" Sasuke smirked.

There training began and went on the whole day until both of them collapsed with exhaustion. After that they went to meet Iruka sensei, and had ramen together. He had come home in the evening happy to take a long nap after such an exciting day. But a messenger bird was waiting for him when he came out of shower. So resigning to fate he dressed up and left for Hokage tower.

Present time….

That is how he found himself in his current predicament. He did not want to refuse Gaara. Though this mission repulsed him, he had to do it for Gaara. "Ok, I'll do it"

Tsunade inwardly released a breath she was holding. "Very well then, Neji will accompany you to Suna."

He took the mission scroll and left they had to leave the following morning. He made 3 shadow clones and sent them to meet Sakura, Sasuke and Iruka, telling them that he'd be leaving in the morning. They won't see him for about a month or so. He himself went home to get packed. As soon as he finished the clones memories reached him. Sakura had been worried so had Iruka, Sasuke had taken the news in stoic manner, though Naruto knew he cared a lot. He smiled at the memories and decided it was nap time. He would have to leave early.

Next morning…..

Naruto was standing at the gate waiting for Neji. He arrived early so he was first one at the gate. He sensed someone coming. He turned back to see Sasuke materialize out of smoke. "Hey dobe" he said waving, "I got something for you" he handed him a scroll.

"Sasuke teme…" He said amazed that his teammate had come to see him off so early. "What is it?" He asked intrigued.

"You'll see" he said offhandedly. "Use it when you're hungry". He briefly clasped his hand with Naruto "Be safe, dobe, Ja ne." with that he disappeared.

It was their tradition to see each other off for missions, but he never expected Sasuke to come today, it was too early.

Naruto smiled at him for a few moments, you really do care, don't you teme? He thought, wondering what was in the scroll. Neji came after a few minutes to find Naruto deep in thought. "Ohayo, you are early today Naruto kun." he remarked at the blond ninja.

"Hai, I thought we should leave early, so shall we?" he said smiling slightly to see Neji.

They had traveled non stop till the night, when they decided to make camp to spend the night and take supper. They were at fire country's border. They had packed enough food to last for three day journey. Naruto took out the scroll Sasuke had given him thinking, well bastard, let's see what's in this now, I'm really hungry. He opened the scroll. It was a storage scroll. He smeared some of his blood on the seal. A lunch box popped out of the scroll. He opened it to find homemade miso ramen. He smiled; Sasuke made ramen for him and came to see him off. He felt really happy and tucked in muttering "ittadakimasu". Besides him Neji had also opened a bento and started eating.

The trip took 3 days when they reached Suna it was night time and they were exhausted. They had got stuck in sand storm twice during the three day journey. It had taken a toll on both of them. But fortunately due to Neji's byakugan they had been able to keep their sense of direction.

In Suna………

They had rested the night in Suna. Next morning Gaara met them in Kazekages office.

"Gaara, how are you man? It's been so long since we met last" said Naruto and had given him a bear hug, and a huge grin. If it had been anyone other than Naruto he would have been dead after such gesture. But Naruto was Naruto, like a surrogate brother to Gaara. So he bore with his hugs willing or unwilling. "Wow, you look awesome Gaara" he eyed him up and down. He had grown in height considerably his red hair framed his face beautifully. He held a grace like a royalty. Naruto wolf whistled.

Neji elbowed him. "Kazekage sama" said Neji bowing slightly. Gaara inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"Sit" he gestured towards the seats, eying both Naruto and Neji quitely.

Kazekages office……

"I hope Tsunade told you about the mission briefly" Gaara asked in his monotone.

Naruto stiffened immediately "She did, and if it hadn't been for you I would never have accepted this type of mission. I hope you understand what I'm doing for you" While Neji gave him a blank look.

"I do understand Naruto. I really do. But you are the only one whom I can rely upon." He turned to Neji "Neji san I believe you haven't heard the complete details of the mission, right?"

Neji nodded politely, wondering what could be in the mission that Naruto was so stiff. "Hai, I was only told that my bykugan might be required."

"Yes your byakugan is the key to our plan" the Kazekage told him. "But you'll know the details soon enough." He rang a bell. A shinobi came in, "Go fetch Temari for me"

He disappeared immediately.

Temari entered after a few minutes. "Ohayo minna" she smirked when she saw Naruto.

Naruto gave her a cheeky grin "Yo Temari, Shika sent his looooooove……" and sent her a flying kiss. She was looking really sexy.

"Same as ever, a brat" she said to Naruto. "When will you change?"

"Same as ever sexy?" he asked her in return "How the hell did you fall for Shika?"

She laughed in response. "Gaara you called me?" she asked turning to the Kazekage.

"Take Naruto and Neji and start preparations" he replied in monotone. "Go with her."

"Come" she said moving to the door.

Naruto and Neji followed. "After you sexy" Naruto gave her cheeky grin. She only smirked in return.

Despite his normal attitude outwards Naruto was panicking inside. He had never been in a situation like this before. So he was feeling very apprehensive. His shoulders were tense. Neji could sense his tense muscles and his oppressed chakra. His was feeling more than intrigued about the mission. What was this mission that had Naruto the most unpredictable, confident, knuckleheaded ninja in tenterhooks???

I know I left it at cliff hanger. The next chapter will tell you about the mission. Please do review. Thanks a lot for reading.