I don't own Naruto. All rights are reserved to Masashi Kishimoto. This is a Karui/Gaara fanfic. I hope you enjoy.
Gaara couldn't sleep. He needed some time alone to think and plan his next move accordingly. As he made his way down towards the massive dunes that rose and shifted in the cold night, he noted the campfires scattered like litter across the desert, providing warmth and company. Alone, with nothing but his thoughts to entertain him, he stood in the open, overlooking everyone until he saw her. Karui. Walking across the sand, she seemed deep in thought, her dark coffee complexion nearly blending her into the evening backdrop. He watched as she sat down with her teammates to eat and probably discuss what had transpired between them earlier on. He frowned. Why was it every time she was around, he lost control? Had there been some sort seal written into the contract? A justu, perhaps, that only her chakra could unleash much to his dismay? How clever. How very clever. This was their way of keeping him in check, he reasoned, of diverting him from his path and making it all the more difficult from him to rise to the ranks of commanding general. She was the red herring in the conversation. Massaging his brow, he allowed himself a small smile. Well, it was going to take a lot more than emotional upheaval on his part to make him lose sight of his goal. He had agreed to make her his wife in order to assuage the Tsuchikage's misgivings about him. He didn't, however, agree to love her. The whole thing was a façade, anyway: a public display in which he would lead with decorum and adhere to societal expectations without any real trace of sincerity. Besides, he had made it pretty clear that it was all a ruse. Specks of sands wafted in the air as he mused. Moreover, she was nothing more then a key. A key to the power he coveted with which he would use to crush the Akatsuki, especially the Uchiha. He had not forgotten the Chunin exams or the little mishap at the Summit where he had had his first real conversation with the self-absorbed shinobi. Ruled by raw emotion, Sasuke had become nothing more then a little boy inside of a man's body. A scared, confused child who had had the audacity to believe he could defeat a Kage. Gaara gritted his teeth at the very notion. The massive dunes collapsed into a roaring tempest. I'll pluck your eyes out when the time comes, Sasuke. And not even Naruto will be able to save you. Goaded into a heated display of power, sand sprayed across the empty terrain into a furious storm that now clawed and whipped its way into the far off distant. All the while Gaara watched, his body betraying nothing of the fury that gnawed at his heart.
Omoi spluttered, spraying food in my face. "His wife? Are you serious? Has it ever occurred to you that the current Kazekage suffered from severe manic depression when he was a kid? I mean it's likely he hasn't even fully recovered from his childhood trauma. Plus, coupled with the fact that he was brought back to life, he's the equivalent to an angry, troubled zombie. " He paused. "You'll probably be eaten alive during the honeymoon."
I threw my sandwich at him, but it landed on the ground near another campfire. Omoi's morbid fascination with the Kazekage was not all helpful as I tried to come to terms with my situation. "C'mon Omoi! Think! How can I weasel my way out of this?"
Omoi shrugged. " I don't really know. I mean- if what your saying about the Kages deciding to play cupid is true, then there's nothing we can do about it unless we can find someone more suitable that could be used as a bargaining chip. And I'm seeing nothing here. Absolutely no one."
"Why don't you just get him to cheat on you?" Samui cut in. Her expression was cool and collected. "Infidelity on it's own could probably break this union." She continued. " Think about it. Who could possibly woo the Godaime so brazenly?"
Wide-eyed, I nearly jumped from my seat in excitement as I clasped Samui's hands. " Oh my God? How could I have forgotten? Karin! She could do it hands down."
"Sasuke's side piece?" Omoi added, pulling his lollipop from his mouth. "Forget it. There's no way you'll get her to co-operate. Besides, we can't just let her go much less get her anywhere near the Kazekage: she's a prisoner of war."
" That's besides the point. The point is infidelity, Karui." Samui stressed. " Your life is at stake. You and I both know that the Godaime has been having trouble controlling his wrath in your presence. If he doesn't rein it in soon, you'll just be another name scrawled across a non-descript tombstone. So, even if he won't cheat- you can. Take a look around you: there's no way you can't unless you're a prude."
"Which we know you are." Omoi interjected with a small smile. Resisting the urge to hit him across the head, I watched as he got up, Samui following suite. He sighed. "Still, though. We'll figure out something. Don't worry. Until then." I nodded. Linking arms, they both headed towards their tent. With no one left to tend the fire, I stomped it out, preparing myself to set up camp when I was interrupted by a cool voice.
"May I have a moment of your time?" Startled, I spun around to find myself face to face with Neji Hyuga. Mycheeks burned. Dressed in a dapper white shirt and black pants, he looked every bit the man any woman would long for. I soon found myself wondering if he recognized me. The little girl who had stood beside her great uncle while repartitions had been paid to Lord Hisashi? My heart skipped a beat. Had it really been so long since I last saw him? It was funny how, even after all I had been through-he could still manage to steal my heart. Producing a scroll, he handed it to me. "This is the new layout for the surrounding areas in which you'll be heading out as team leader. Please take a moment to memorize them as they will be destroyed." Nodding, I took it from him. Our fingers touched and in that instant, Neji pulled away as if burned. Ignoring the slight, I stared at the map, losing myself in the various landmarks and their corresponding routes. Once again, my heart had become something like a beating stone….
"I wish to speak with Karui in private." Turning around, we both paled at the sight of the Kazekage. White cloak billowing about, his expression was imperious.
Neji bowed." As you wish."
My shoulders sagged as I realized I was no longer within earshot of anyone. Gaara beckoned to me with his finger. " Come here." Feeling the sand snake about my ankles and kiss my toes, I tensed. My right arm began to throb as if anticipating another attack. Fighting the urge to turn tail and run, I obliged and came closer. Sensing my fear, he leaned forward, his voice a harsh whisper.
"Show some self restraint or there will be consequences."
I started. " What are you talking about?"
He paused, his kohl eyes burning through mine. "Right now, word is getting out that you and I are to be wed and it would behoove you to show self control. A little prudence goes along way, especially in high circles. Mark me, if you get anywhere near the Hyuga, I'll cut him where he stands."
Furious, I squared my shoulders. "Then you risk everything. Or don't you care, anymore?"
Gaara's eyes narrowed before grabbing me, his fingers digging into my flesh." Oh, I care. And don't for one second believe otherwise. Why else would I decide to marry someone like you? What could you possibly offer me?" He pulled me closer. "Thus far, I have only watched you throw yourself at the Hyuga's feet like a common whore! "
His words burned like acid.
Stiff with indignation, I ignored the fact that his words had cut me, the fact that my arm was bleeding again, and the fact that we were going nowhere fast. Instead, I growled. "Let me go."
For a moment, his grip only tightened when, without warning, the Godaime crumpled to the ground. I blinked. What the hell had happened? Dropping to my knees, I fumbled with my medical pouch and frowned in consternation. Despite everything, the Kazekage was still in my care. Coated with sweat, his body trembled. Without a moment's hesitation, I shoved an antidote into his mouth, forcing him to swallow despite the awful taste. With baited breath, I waited. Soon the tremor passed, but I knew I would have to get him to a real medic immediately. Hunched over, Gaara's breathing was haggard, but he knocked my hand away when I tried to help him to his feet. Wrecked with exhaustion, his gaze was as hard as flint.
"Don't you dare breath a word of this to anyone."He hissed."Or I'll kill you." Coughing, he covered his mouth as blood pooled between his fingers. I nodded, mutely.
I hope you guys are enjoying my fanfic. More to follow!
