Chapter Four: The council's demand
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
A/N: See bottom.
"I think it's good that you're spending a lot of time in Konoha" Kankuro told him cheerfully.
Gaara sighed and didn't bother to meet the gaze, just continued sorting and signing papers spread across his desk. He knew Kankuro wasn't happy for him, maybe in some length – but that was hardly mentionable - he was happy for the fact that he could spend some time with the overall more attracting females in Konoha. Once he had tried describing for his brother that he could even demonstrate his puppet-skills once in a while (and then Kankuro had smirked and flashing his nimble fingers in the air). Gaara had let his sand swirl around Kankuro's wrist, which made him immediately cancel his plans on revealing his secrets in detail
"Temari and I thought about making a trip next week, and since the council's proposal still stands we thought you might be interested in joining us" Kankuro continued more lazily. Gaara only listened with one ear, trying to read a report from the latest academy-examination.
"This Kazuki seems interesting" Gaara said absently-minded staring at a photo of a young genin with black hair cut short and eye-brows that needed a serious trim. The boy had graduated with poor skills in everything but taijutsu, and brought back memories from Gaara's own chuunin-exam against Rock Lee. That was the only time he had felt completely useless, not being able to rely on his ninjutsu at all.
Since the Hokage's visit things had drastically begun to change in the Kazekage's life. He often visited Konoha claiming it was important to maintain a good relation with their greatest ally. The visit usually lasted for a weak, and during that time the Kazekage didn't want to be disturbed with other than very important news from his siblings.
"He reminds me a lot of that spandex-freak from Chuunin-exam" Kankuro replied as if had read Gaara's mind, "I could supervise his training when I get back from Konoha, see if he's something. Are you sure you're not interested? It might be good to start preparing; the council usually gets its will"
"What will?" Gaara finally acknowledged him, locking his tired eyes on his brother. Kankuro twitched a little in annoyance. Gaara was always too tired and too worked up to read through the council-reports. He usually left it for Temari who always read documents down to the last dot.
"Didn't Temari tell you?"
"No" Gaara replied looking perplexed.
"With the upcoming wedding between our villages the council thought about you" Kankuro fumbled with the arm of his shirt, pausing before continuing "They think it's time you get married".
A grave silence fell in the room. Gaara didn't sign or sort paper, just fell back into his chair in seemingly deep in thought. Kankuro just nervously tried to convince him that a wife didn't really have to change his life (they would only seeing each other in the evenings to eat dinner and such and having someone to talk to about everything was nice wasn't it?)
"The sex is really good too" Kankuro added as a final plead.
Gaara looked plainly disgusted but Kankuro reminded him sex was a part of life and added that he felt sorry for his wife on their wedding night. Once again he smirked and offered to teach Gaara a few tricks how to make woman shiver of pleasure. But he didn't get a reply, Gaara didn't even lecture him. He just gave a stare that said more than a thousand words.
"I know you don't want too. But this is a great chance for Suna and Konoha to bond for real-"
"I know" Gaara interrupted and looked away, mumbling almost non-coherent, "but what about love?"
For the first time in his life, Kankuro was at loss for words. He didn't know a thing about love. When it came to sex, he was a master – but love was as alien as a life where he weren't required to kill for a living. Now his sister was getting married, Gaara talked about love when marriage was mentioned but him?
When it all came down to it, he was the most inexperienced of them all.
When Naruto worked, he was always less effective than Tsunade had ever been. He didn't drink sake during office-hours or performing surgeries at the hospital, but his days still managed to disappear in lightning-speed. Sasuke had always sighed and tried to tell him that he didn't have time to train with Konohamaru, attending lots of meetings with the Kazekage, performing the most dangerous S-ranked missions himself and visiting Kakashi or Iruka for Raamen every day.
"There's no point to work if I don't eat, train the next Hokage, help the villagers by eliminating dangerous threats or maintaining our relations with the other villages" Naruto always told him with a huge smile, ignoring the piles of papers on his desk to visit the Raamen shop. Shizune had recently retired claiming that she didn't have the nerves to put up with Naruto's irresponsible behavior, and that had left the job as the Hokage's personal assistant free.
It had been estimated that a third of the village applied for the post and Naruto had patiently spoken to them all, even though his choice was made in the second Shizune quit. The one he had a special bond with, the one who he trusted with his life and the only one who could make him lift a finger in order to sign papers. Sasuke.
--
Sasuke knew what days he should avoid disturbing Naruto, but sometimes he had to break the promise. It had never really hurt him inside to see people cry, in his Anbu-training he was taught never to display emotions but, when stumbled upon a pale and depressed Naruto with face and eyes red and swollen from tears – he tried to give all the sympathy he could estimate. In his way of course.
"It's five years today, Sasuke" Naruto had whispered when Sasuke snuck inside the office. For the noisiest ninja in history, it was a wonder that Naruto could hear tiny sounds. But he had a monster-fox living inside; maybe it was of some use after all.
Sasuke had patted his back, and although Naruto appreciated it, he was always awkwardly uncomfortable whenever Sasuke tried to sooth him. It just made him feel even worse if he were being
pitied. But Sasuke always kept doing it, ignoring the silent protests. After a while he gave up his protests and started to little by little loose up his pride in being comforted. These days Sasuke could manage to stop his tears, for a little while anyway.
"It might be a bad time to bring this up now, but…" Sasuke whipped away a stray tear from Naruto's cheek, "the Kazekage and his family has asked for an urgent visit".
Sasuke felt Naruto tense and pull away, breathe a little and then smile.
"Of course, they're always welcome" he replied and couldn't help but wonder why Gaara always could read his mind. When he needed comfort the most, he always received a notice that he was on his way. They didn't even send letters, the primary reason because it would be bad if anyone found out; but also because Gaara refused.
"You have changed me enough, I don't want to risk being remembered as the Kazekage who wrote poetic love-letters" he had admitted reluctantly when Naruto had pressed him for the reason. According to Temari, Gaara supposedly had a talent for writing it, but that was something he wanted to take with him to the grave. But it didn't keep Naruto from snickering and offering Gaara a course in poetry with Gai-sensei.
When Naruto trailed off into one of his most fond memories with the Kazekage, Sasuke discreetly bowed (Naruto had told him strictly not to, but Sasuke had always insisted that others would find it strange if he didn't show proper respect to his leader) and Naruto frowned when Sasuke smoothly was on his way to exit through the window.
"Teme, I swear that you will become just like Kakashi-sensei in a few years. Maybe I should give you porn for your birthday"
Sasuke smirked and turned on his heal.
"Dobe, you don't even know when my birthday is"
Naruto scratched his head and frowned. Sasuke was right after all, he had forgotten when Sasuke's birthday was.
Konoha felt like home. Gaara, Temari and Kankuro were always welcomed with open arms and escorted to the finest rooms in the Hokage building. The Hokage always saw that they got the greatest service possible and since the Chuunin-exam and cooroporation missions over the year they all knew most shinobis their age and they didn't miss the chance to have parties in their honor. Sometimes it felt almost embarrasing to get so much attention, but Naruto just smiled and told them Konoha saw them as their own.And since the marrige between the Sabaku- and Nara family it brought them even closer.
Gaara always felt it strange to love a place this much with no sand. Did this mean that he loved something above his sand? Above himself? Did he love something at all? Did he love Naruto. Although questions gave him headache he kept debating in it his head (and tried to ignore Kankuro's sighing) until they reached the main gate of Konoha , where a small group had gathered to meet them. He searched with his eyes, but there was no blonde mop of hair amongst it. Was this supposed to mean Naruto weren't there?
"Temari!" As soon as they had entered the village, Yoshino Nara greeted Temari with open arms. Temari smiled and returned the gesture with even more effort. Behind her, Gaara and Kankuro could spot Shikamaru leaning against a pole with his hands in his pockets. Even in the distance they could see him roll his eyes and mutter 'woman' while Temari and his mother engaged in a loud discussion about the latest news.
"But Temari dear, I'm so happy to see you and we have a lot to talk about before the wedding but I must greet your family" Yoshino smiled and turned to the brothers who were glancing nervously around. They had always agreed on that his particular new addition to the family was too intense, too happy and too caring for their taste – but an excellent mother-in-law for Temari. They had very much in common, like keeping their husband (or soon to be) in a tight leach, forcing them to
"Kankuro dear, how nice to see you" Yoshino chipped and caught him in a warm embrace. Kankuro smiled nervously and replied with equal words. Yoshino reminded him that he didn't need to act so formal, they were after all soon family.
When Yoshino turned to Gaara she seemed to have an inner debate for a while before she decided to try her luck and embrace him as well. He was really caught off-guard and the cork on his gourd popped. Yoshinojust laughed, not frightened at all. Both Temari and Kankuro paled, starring at the sight of the greatest Kazekage of all time struggling on not hurting a woman hugging him. The scene was ironic indeed.
"Mom!" Shikamaru yelled and stepped forward into the expanding group of people at the front gates, "stop embarrassing yourself" he coolly reminded her and pulled her arms out of reach from Gaara. She gave him an angry look but silenced when her husband also put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry" Shikamaru added in Gaara's direction, "she's just glad to see you".
His mother seemed to want to add something to her defence, but Shikamaru silenced her with another glare. She snorted and whispered something to Temari who gave her a look of understanding. Kankuro guessed it was something along the lines 'If you were family, members should treat each other equally'. But it seemed Yoshino avoided the fact that Gaara was wide known for disliking physical touch.
After the presentations and formal chatting, Temari grabbed Shikamaru and retreated. He didn't protest, just looked mildly annoyed at the fact that he was forced to walk fast. But when Temari's hand discreetly moved into his flak jacket, he visibly moved a lot faster. They could all see his surprised expression and vague wave of goodbye when he disappeared around the corner.
"Probably on their way to the bed-chamber" Kankuro snickered.
"Shikamaru is a gentleman, he wouldn't do something like that" Yoshino had countered and snorted again, causing Kankuro to laugh and shake his head. It might have triggered Yoshino's urge to prove her son's intentions, because she disappeared in the same direction a couple of minutes after shaking his head in defiance.
"The Hokage said you should meet him immediately. He's in his office" came a dull voice from behind them when Gaara had bent down to his cork. They turned around and found Sasuke in his Anbu-uniform bowing respectfully. Gaara placed the cork back in the gourd and turned to Kankuro. They nodded in agreement before Gaara thanked him and disappeared in a swirl of sand leaving Kankuro alone by the gates.
"You can take my things to the in, I don't like staying in the Hokage-mansion. Temari would probably want her things at the Nara-mansion and Gaara's staying in the royal suit" Kankuro pointed at the different baggage as he spoke. He casually waved when strolling off in the direction of the nearest bar, desperatly needing sake to make the image of Yoshino's annoying voice go away.
Sasuke had to bit back a nasty comment about Kankuro's weight before he reluctantly grabbed the things and started carrying. Royalties had always pissed him off.
A/N
Kazuki means "first of the new generation" or "shining one"
I'm back :) the story is going to be longer since all you sweet people left me great reviews. Our dear red-head has opened up too much, the council know sees him as ready for marriage. Now both Naruto and Gaara will have to wrestle with new problems.
This story will center around:
- Friendship vs. Love (which is most important?)
- Kankuro's quest to find love
- Temari's wedding
- Gaara's wedding
- Introducing Kazuki who will play a major role later on
- Lots of revealing and twists to the plot, you're gonna crave the next chapters
Also I'm looking for a beta-reader; there are some typos and grammatical errors which the story can be without. And do tell me if there's anything wrong in the Naruto-universe and I will gladly edit. Also, be good to me and leave a review, I promise to respond to them all.
Naruto Anime Spoiler:
Did you see the latest intro on the anime? Shirtless Sasuke! Fan service! Hope it's not as crappy as the previous Naruto-movies. Anyone seen it yet? But if you spoil, I am going to delete this fiction.
But from one thing to another, I actually like the fillers right now, they're not as childish as the rest of them. Best since the Gaara-arc just before time skip, don't you agree? Sora's life is kind of interesting with his father, kyuubi and all. Also, Azuma plays a major role :) I like Azuma, he smokes. Smokers attract smokers, as they say.
See you next time (hopefully next week) Love 3