Blood Brothers Chapter 1

-Demon of the Sand

I couldn't help but stare at her, god she was beautiful. My eyes drank her in, the pink haired angel sleeping beside me. Her eyes housing those beautiful green emeralds were closed as she rested curled up next to me. Her breath tickled my chest as her head rested on my shoulder. Of all the things I have ever done in my life I know I don't deserve her. 'Sakura' her name alone makes my heart overflow. I love her more than I would ever be able to tell her, she's my life. Slowly I dislodged her sleeping form to stand up.

The night was silent except the jingle of my Kunai pouch. I couldn't help but hate myself every time I left her. Every time I had the possibility of not coming back to her. I sighed as I watched her turn over a small frown on her face at the loss of my presence. Even in her sleep she left me speechless. I sighed as I slid a black shirt on and grabbed my black cargo pants. She knew the risks when she married me two years ago. I snapped my green jounin jacket on as I lost myself in her beauty. I don't know how I got so lucky to be able to call her my own. My katana tied tightly at my back shifted as I reached for my mask.

I softly laid my forehead protector on her nightstand. As always she would keep it until I returned safely to her. I clenched the fox mask in my hand tightly as I leaned forward to see her face. She looked so serene as my fingers moved a few strands of hair from her gorgeous face. The silky feel of her ivory skin burned into my fingers as I cupped her cheek. Slowly my lips covered hers and I willed her to feel all my love in this one kiss. I wanted her to know that I loved her more than anything. That I would be coming home to her no matter what the cost.

She smiled in her sleep as I drew away. The look of contentment she had made me want to crawl back in bed, and hold her until the end of my days. I ran a hand through my hair, 'man it really was getting shaggy.' Standing to my full height I squared my shoulders, my jaw clenched as I steeled myself for the mission ahead of me. I left the room immediately knowing if I looked at her again I wouldn't have the discipline to leave. I quickly made my way outside and ran along the rooftops of my village.

The cool air kissed my uncovered arms as I dashed full speed to the east gate. I smiled at the thought of seeing my brother again. I pumped chakra into my legs as I made the last jump vaulting high into the air. A grin split my face as I set eyes on my red haired partner. I landed beside my brother and he gave me a warm look, the smile in his eyes told me he was happy to see me. I clasped hands with the masked man, "Gaara it's been too long." He nodded his head as he clapped me on the shoulder. "I knew you would be late Naruto." I chuckled as my hand ran nervously through my hair, "I had a hard time leaving her again…" Gaara nodded in silent understanding, the fear of leaving a loved one behind could be crippling for men like us.

Together we made up what is known as the demon brothers. The most feared and respected Anbu Squad in the world. It had been us that had hunted Akatsuki down one by one and slaughtered them. Only one remained alive, Uchiha Madara, now we were assassins taking on mission that even Anbu Black Ops couldn't touch. We were the elite, over 125 missions completed without a failure. Gaara turned and looked out the gate to the lonely road that would lead us to grass country. "Are you ready to do this?" The question resonated deep within me. 'Was I ready to once again take on a SS Class mission?'

I met Gaaras gaze with determined eyes. "Lets go" I walked ahead of him out the gate but I could feel his eyes follow me. With a sigh he fell in step and as we stepped out side we ran. The pace was set soon and soundlessly we sprinted through the forest. The mission we were taking was going to be difficult, that much I knew. The camp of rouge Ninja had been causing trouble for the smaller villages for some time. No attacks against the rebel ninja had been successful. Our orders were simple, seek out the threat and eliminate it.

Killing was always something that bothered me. Even now when it is such a common thing in my line of work, I can't help but cringe and question as I take a life. I knew it bothered the man beside me as well, not that he would ever show it. Gaara was very open to me, the pain we both knew of being a jinchuriki fortified our bond as brothers. I was one of the few people in the world that had ever seen Gaara cry. We knew each other almost to well, maybe that's why we made such good partners.

---3 days later---

Blood, the substance was everywhere around me. My clothes were almost covered in the sticky crimson liquid. However none of it was mine, I looked over at my blonde haired partner. "Naruto did he hit you?" Naruto nodded as blood trickled out his mouth, 'this isn't good…' We had been fighting for the past few hours to escape the trap. The Intel gathered on this mission was very inaccurate. The number of Ninja in that camp had been 5 to 6 times the number we were given to expect.

We fought long and hard, only a handful and the leader remained. However my chakra supply is almost empty and my partner is bleeding out five feet to my right. I need to end this fast. I stared hard at the four men facing me, no one fucks with my brother. The red stained sand underneath their feet rose to their necks in an instant. Only the leader got away, as he jumped backwards to safety. My outstretched hand closed in anger as I glared at him. "Dessert Coffin" I spat out as the sand crushed their bodies. The awfully crunching of their bones gave their leader a sickened look. If only he knew what I would do to him for stabbing Naruto…

The dark haired survivor leapt at me Katana drawn. The blade was shrouded in fire and as he swung two fireballs rocket towards me. I swept my hand up making a wall of sand that blocked the fire turning it into glass. Quickly I stretched both hand out shouting "Sand Shuriken" pellets of sand shot out. The man dodged deftly as I made full use of my plan quickly catching his legs and arms in sand while he was distracted. I glared at the man who had tried to kill my partner as I stretched my hands out wide. The mans eyes bulged as his arms and legs stretched with my hands. I heard popping sounds as his limbs ripped from their sockets. The scream he let loose made me pity him a bit, and I ended his pain with a kunai between his eyes.

Quickly I ran to my fallen comrade and picked him up in a cushion of sand. Moving as fast as I was able to I began the long road back to his home. Naruto kept going in and out of consciousness while we were traveling. But whether he was awake or dreaming he would only utter one word. "Sakura."