I left Naruko's body and looked at her. She blinked a few times. And then, she stared back at me.
"Naruko?" I asked, reaching out a hand. Naruko blinked again and shook her head. Then he reached up and grabbed my hand.
"Sasuke?" She asked, squinting a bit, as if to make sure I was real. I nodded. She sighed and sat on the bed. "Where are we?" She asked.
"Orochimaru's hideout." I said. She nodded slowly. Then she stood.
"There are people in here." She said. "Not in your room. But, this cave place." She said. I sensed them too. Gaara, Sakura, Sai, that captain guy. They were coming to take Naruko back. I need her, for a bit longer and we could escape them and Orochimaru.
I whipped Naruko around to look at me, activating my sharingan.
"Sasuke!? What are you-!?"
"Trust me." I said. She hesitated. Then angrily stared back into my eyes. Her eyes became glassy and unfocused. She stood straight. Did that work?
"Naruko? I need your full cooperation." I said. She smiled.
"Yes sir." she bowed a bit. I nodded and we walked out the room. I looked around and nodded at Naruko, who nodded back. We ran towards the exit.
Sai
I did my best to sense out Naruko. Where was she? I heard footsteps looking around I jumped to the side. Out of sight. It was Sasuke. And Naruko! I hopped out and held a kunai to Sasuke's neck.
"Well crap." he said. He backed up. Naruko stood next to him, ready to fight. Fight... me? Sasuke smiled. "Ready? Cause it's gonna be fighting from this point on." He said to Naruko. Naruko smiled.
"Let's go!" She shouted. I looked at her strangely. Was this really Naruko? I looked at her, her eyes. They were glazed over. I just had to release her from whatever trance she was in.
Naruko shot towards me. I jumped to the side, and she shot out her foot to kick me, I caught it and pinned her to the ground. Right when I got the sign ready and was about to release her from this trance, Sasuke's foot connected with my stomach, sending me flying back. I kept the sign, getting back to Naruko,
"Release!" I yelled. Sasuke growled.
"Damn." And Naruko's eyes became more focused. She shook her head.
"WHAT THE HELL SASUKE!?" She shouted at her old friend.
"What?! You wouldn't have cooperated otherwise!" Sasuke yelled back. Naruko crossed her arms.
"I will destroy you." She glared.
I was confused at first. Then I snapped out of it. I ran forward and scooped Naruko up in my arms. She yelped at the sudden speed she was moving at. Then she looked up.
"Sai? Is that you?" She asked.
Naruko
I looked up at Sai. He was carrying me away from Sasuke. I wrapped my arms around his neck, careful not to fall. I looked back. Sasuke was nowhere to be found. I was a bit disappointed. And I felt faint.
"You can sleep you know." Sai said. I looked up.
"What?" I yawned, we were out in the light now.
"You're safe now." He smiled. I nodded. But I think I was safe with Sasuke as well.
Sasuke
Sai had ran out the base with Naruko. I kicked at the ground. I had been careless. Now she's gone. I have to find her again! I paced. They were probably taking her back to Konoha. If I could catch her off guard... I sighed. Why am I plotting to kidnap Naruko? I did feel angry, angry because Sai got to spend more time with Naruko. Angry that she and Gaara are the best of friends.
I guess... I'm just really selfish.
And... I feel replaced.
Tsunade
Sai and the team. Even Gaara. They returned to Konoha. Naruko was asleep, resting against Sai. I sighed in relief. Then I started to speak.
"There's no guarantee she won't be targeted again." I said. "We can't keep her in Konoha..." I thought a bit more.
"I'll protect her." A monotone voice came. I looked up. It was Gaara.
"No, I couldn't have the Sand Village bare our burden." I said. Gaara shook his head.
"No. I insist. She'll be safe." He said. I sighed, then nodded.
"Very well."
Gaara
The next morning I walked with Naruko. She carried a bag on her back and yawned. She looked over at me.
"So I'm staying with you?" She asked.
"Yes. For the time being." I said. She smiled.
"Sounds fun!" She cheered. I smiled a bit. Naruko was my sun, it was nice to see her happy. Especially if it was me making her that way. She skipped along side me. I looked around, sensing for any danger. None so far.
We walked through the dessert. Almost there. Naruko huffed. Her sweater tied around her waist and her headband tied around her arm. She looked at me.
"How do you stand this heat!?" She asked. I chuckled.
"I was born here. You'll get used to it." I reassured her.
"Yeah, maybe after I die." She muttered. That made us both laugh a bit. I picked her up on some sand. She looked below her. And smiled. "Thanks Gaara!" She grinned, sitting down and sighing in happiness.
"You're so easy to please." I remarked out loud. She shrugged.
"I guess so." She laughed and yawned.
We made it into the Kazekage's tower. I was a my desk doing work a few hours later, when Naruko came running in. I looked up, she was wearing some clothes from the village. Mostly tan and red. She walked over and peered over my shoulder.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"I'm bored. Just sitting in a room all day." She pouted and puffed out her cheeks. I put down my papers.
"It's for your safety." I explained.
"Can't I just stick around with you? Please Gaara!" She whined, tugging a bit at my red hair. I looked over at her. Her eyes were big and round. Trying to get me to give in. I sighed and stood.
"You want some ramen? The Sand Village has some of the best." I said. Her eyes lit up and she hopped up and down like an excited child.
"Really!?" She grabbed my hand and yanked me along. "I can't wait!" She smiled. I smirked a bit, letting my sun lead me through town.
Maybe I'll wait a while before telling her we're going the wrong way.
Sasuke
I stomped away from Konoha. Naruko wasn't there. Where else could she be? I thought. Now that I think about it. Gaara wasn't there. I scowled. Gaara. Naruko's "best friend" I bet he would jump at the chance to have her stay with him. Ok. Look. Anyone reading this, (yes I know it's a story) might think I'm a jerk. But I'm not. I'm just super protective of what belongs to me. And I usually get my way. But that's besides the point. What am I doing now? Oh yeah! Going to the Sand village.
It's worth a shot.
