I feel sorry for Gaara, and for Polaris, due to how there's a love triangle that she's unwilling to participate in. She acts like she doesn't care, but she does. She puts herself in denial, and as you can imagine, that's something that will tick Naruto off for in the future.

Anyway, enjoy xD x

Chapter Four: Survival in Suna

My team questioned how it had gone with Naruto, but I had very little to comment on. Or rather, I had very little I was willing to comment on. My little drama with Naruto was, I had decided, to be kept strictly secret, and Gaara's love interest was not my business to meddle with.

I'm entering denial, and I prefer it that way.

It has been a full day since I've last seen Naruto, and I have not heard anything from him…not that I'm waiting for news from him or whatever, it's just that I expected him to be barging into my life full throttle.

Sensei Kimiko is almost constantly talking to the Kazekage or learning the geography and politics of the area, and Ebba was always investigating Suna whenever she could. Luna, however, was learning as much as she could about Sealing Jutsu while she was here.

Which leaves me…doing nothing.

I sigh, rolling over and reaching for my pillow, before burying my face in it and grunting. Damn Naruto…what is he on, exactly? No one can fall in love that quick.

A knock sounds suddenly, jolting me from my position, as the sound was not coming from the door, but from the window. Sceptically I drew back the curtains, already knowing who it was due to the chakra signature, and I huffed as my eyes were met with a pair of bright azure ones. Lazily I let him in, not even bothering with asking why he had come via window, and the hyper blonde entered with his ecstatic energy.

I almost groaned when I realised I wasn't up for putting up with him right now…

"Po-Chan! The Hokage gave me the all clear to train with you," he announced, eyes glinting with pure freaking innocence, "I was banned before, since you're all scary strong and all, but I've been given the all clear."

Bumping my head softly against the wall, I almost melted in relief when he didn't mention what happened the other night. Peeking at him out the corner of my eye, I saw that he was looking around my room as though the place thoroughly fascinated him, and that proved unnerving to me.

"Quit standing around. I'll be out in five," I muttered, stretching to relieve the stiff muscles in my shoulders, "I could do with a bit of training…don't disappoint me."

He nodded before ducking out the window obediently, and I set about getting ready. Unlike other girls, I don't give a damn about perfection when it comes to appearance, so I simply threw on a simple vest and some shorts.

Whipping my hair up into a bun, I wondered what kind of fighter Naruto was, and considered his strength based on what I had heard. Sensei Kimiko had heard from the Kazekage that Naruto was the Saviour of This World, saving everyone from a world where nothing was real. Sasuke had helped too, but Kimiko was focussed on reporting on Naruto, so I had an earful of his past and everything.

My mind is still dancing with names of his sensei's, his Shadow Clone adventures and whatnot.

Dressed now, I leapt through the window and saw Naruto waiting perched on the railing, balanced easily and as gracefully as a cat. Perhaps training with him will prove difficult. I admit I have been underestimating him due to his apparent stupidity, but now I'm apprehensive.

"Po-Chan, that was quick," he told me, moving swiftly to a standing position on the thin railing, "I'm glad, because that means we have time for ramen when we're done training."

I rolled my eyes.

"Ramen again?"

Simply nodding, he gave me a bright grin before grabbing my hand and tugging me up to stand beside him, before dashing off with me along the rooftops. I am not awake enough for this, especially since he has the stamina of a thousand crammed in his body. Admittedly, I would be jealous, but I'm also a jinchūriki, and have Sage Mode…I am strong enough to top him in a simple training session…I think.

The air is hot today, clammy, and I curse the damn sun as I feel it burn red across my fair skin. It's a wonder the people in Suna can wear so many layers and even wear scarfs, because I can hardly wear a thin layer of clothing myself. With a glare I notice that Naruto is still wearing his full orange jumpsuit, apparently unfazed by the sweltering sun. Sure, there's that one bead of sweat on the back of his neck that proves distracting as it traces down his tanned, perfect skin, but otherwise he's completely unfazed.

"You're staring at me, Po-Chan."

I lifted my gaze from his neck to his smirking eyes, feeling myself blush. It's like he wants me to hurt him…

"Just observing how disgustingly sweaty you are," I retorted sourly, not wanting him to get the wrong idea.

Naruto pouted, but tugged on my hand, guiding me towards a sandy clearing below. It was big enough for a decent round of training, but not big enough for a death match. Yanking my hand from his grip I marched a little distance away before turning to face him.

"Shall we warm up with taijutsu?" I asked disinterestedly, arms crossed as I regarded Naruto in his loose easy going stance, "Or should we just get to it?"

He smirked, and then in the next moment he was gone.

"Shit off!" I hissed, activating my Sharingan hurriedly, "Bastard!"

I ducked swiftly as a leg went to smash into my face, and I braced myself against the ground and swung my body upwards to catch him off balance while he was airborne, but I realised with dismay that a Shadow Clone was manoeuvring him away from my attack.

Tricky little shit…

Well, two can play at that game. I ran, creating Shadow Clones as I went, and Naruto was running parallel to me, gaze steely in set determination. Changing course with as much speed as possible, I went straight for him, but changed direction at the last moment, pummelling him from behind, while two of my Shadow Clones went for his sides, kicking his legs out from under him. It was a simple if not mindless strategy, and I doubted I was doing as well as I looked. Sure enough, the Naruto my Shadow Clones and I had attacked disappeared with a poof, and I scowled.

Substitution, then…I must have missed it when I changed course.

To the left I heard pounding footsteps and sure enough a Naruto Stampede was coming for me, but I knew better. Side stepping the charge and putting up a little distance, I saw the real Naruto a little distance to the right, observing me with a frown. He wasn't really fighting me, but was trying to figure me out. Luckily enough for me, I had heard about his fighting skills already.

"You're fast," he said grimly, twirling a kunai as his eyes looked me over, "Pretty smart too. You don't fall into simple traps."

I huffed, knowing he was trying to distract me, and I turned and disarmed a few Shadow Clones. He was all about distraction at the moment, and I was not falling for anything. He tried a few more times, trying different angles, speeds and formations, but I broke each one down, but with each Shadow Clone I demolished I was getting more and more agitated.

Why was he just standing there? Is he mocking me, or challenging me?

I darted a look his way, and confirmed he was challenging me. Challenging me to get close to him to land a hit while he had all these Shadow Clones. I sighed, making my own Shadow Clones hold his off while I settled into stillness.

To others, the most obvious thing to think would be that I was entering Sage Mode, but I wasn't. I was waiting for him to take the bait and come at me while I was still…

I waited, feeling him come closer, but then he disappeared. Opening my eyes, I looked around, before realising too late that he knew my plan already, and was in fact trying to divert my attention and disorient me. Admittedly, he was succeeding.

Pain, bursting in my ribs, and I do the suicidal thing and swivel around to grab a hold of him. His eyes widened in surprise, but I used that to plough him headfirst into the ground with a sickening crack of bone meets earth. I don't even grimace as he rolls and smacks into a nearby rock, but when he doesn't move I raise an eyebrow in question at his motionlessness.

I needn't have worried myself, because while I was puzzling over him his clones were coming for me. Such an idiot I am, because I almost got distracted. Again.

We continue at each other for hours, and with each minute we dared each other to use more power and speed. It was a challenge set to each other: how hard can you go before you fall? Wheezing from a solid kick to the ribs, I considered my physical state as we both paused opposite each other, both gasping for air and sweating heavily. Something must be broken, as everything hurts. Everything feels like it's aching and burning and protesting at every movement I make. Naruto isn't in a better shape than I am, especially since I drove a kunai through his knee.

"You're solid," I panted out, pushing a curl out of my eyes, "You just keep coming."

He smirked; shrugging despite the pain it caused him.

"So do you."

A few seconds passed, and I wondered if we should go another round, or if that would mean really using our Sage Modes and jinchūriki chakra. Nikko had been growling at me to let him give me his chakra, but I had refused since Naruto wasn't using Kurama's.

You're being stubborn, Nikko taunted me, Just admit that you need my help…

As always, I ignored him, trying to focus on Naruto as he became a fuzzy blob. I cursed, realising my Sharingan had deactivated due to the lack of chakra, and I also realised that I had exhausted myself to the point of almost fainting.

"Naruto," I shouted, getting rid of the last of my Shadow Clones, "Well played…"

I slumped forward, knowing I had no energy left to even keep standing, but before I hit the ground I felt myself being supported by strong arms. I didn't even need to open my eyes to confirm my saviour to be Naruto.

"Ramen?" I whispered, surprising a chuckle from Naruto, "Or did I exhaust you too much for that?"

"Nah! I'll carry you there, so you rest up so you can enjoy your food."

I snorted softly, only slightly annoyed that I had lost, and I managed a smile as I realised I had enjoyed myself. I may have only trained solidly today, but I haven't pushed myself that hard in a long time. It felt good.

However, I was too stubborn to sleep, and so as Naruto carried me dutifully on his back, I just watched with a new sense of calm as the world passed by. I don't remember the last time I felt so calm, so tranquil and at ease.

Naruto burst into the Ramen place, grinned and exclaimed, "Two miso flavoured ramen, please!"

I couldn't help but smile weakly at his energy, and as he let me down I slouched forward on the table, before catching sight of the kunai still in his knee. It took me a few moments to understand that he had walked us all the way here with that damn piece of metal in his leg.

"You fucking crazy?" I snarled, erupting from my mid-slumber and grabbing him by the front of his orange jacket, "Baka! You should have said something! It must freaking hurt, ya know!"

Flapping a hand at me to chill, Naruto absentmindedly yanked the kunai out with only a flinch, and then he laid it calmly on a napkin.

"I heal fast. It's fine. Being the jinchūriki of Kurama makes sure I heal fast, so it's all good," he told me, wearing an easy smile, "Gee, it's almost as if you're worried."

I punched him, lightly, but it was enough to send him flying off his seat.

"I wasn't worried," I mumbled, crossing my arms defiantly, "You're just an idiot."

An idiot that you just so happen to enjoy spending time with, Nikko suddenly piped up, sounding even more jovial than usual, After all, it doesn't matter that he loves you…

Gritting my teeth I glanced sideways at Naruto as he sat down again, rubbing his arm with a pout to soothe the punch I had dealt him. I did want answers to what had happened that night, about why he apparently 'loved' me, and now was a good a time as any to find out.

"Why did you say you love me?" I asked bluntly when our ramen arrived, startling Naruto into dropping his chopsticks, "I just want to know why."

He eyed me warily, seeming to observe my mood so he could mull over his answer.

"Because I do," he said easily, giving a cheeky grin when I turned on him in frustration.

I raised my fist threateningly, prepared to use violence to get a straight answer, and Naruto merely laughed at me, catching my fist and petting it. He's so hopeless it's disturbing…

"Because as you fell out the sky," he began, his eyes growing serious, "You reached for your teammates first, and were completely focussed on your team's survival. Secondly, you were the first to brave speaking to us, despite you being surrounded and everything. What I'm saying is…I fell in love with you because of your obvious love for others, and I totally dig your boldness. Yeah, you're messed up, but you're so unbelievably passionate in your every movement, and I just got caught up in you."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Three times.

I couldn't believe it. He 'loved' me for my love for others, my boldness and my passion? I haven't considered myself passionate for anything in years…

"You fall in love easy," I grumbled, trying to shrug off his words, "I'm wondering if you imagined my 'passion' or whatever."

Naruto prodded me with the end of his chopstick, eyes deadly serious.

"Na-ah. I know what I like, and what I love, and I'm telling you point blank that I love you. Easy. Push me away or whatever, but I will still love you. I may not know everything about you yet, but so far, I love your 'essence'. The stuff you radiate…"

Unable to even comprehend his words anymore, I just started eating, feeling a little sorry for Naruto for falling in love with the likes of me. He's a good guy, who's delusional about who I am. He didn't even flinch when I told him I killed the last guy I loved…

However, I admit that the possibility of his feelings being true is a little heart-warming, no matter how impossible it may sound.

"Tomorrow, shall we start trying to find the Forbidden Sage Mode?" I asked, trying to feign indifference.

Naruto gave a huge grin at my words, giving an enthusiastic 'YES!', before throwing down the money for the ramen. I frowned, wanting to ask him how he propose we start our search, but he was already pulling me out into the cold night air, rambling about our 'training schedule' for the week…

He seemed oblivious to it, but I wasn't. There was a dark presence following us, and as I looked up towards the rooftops, I saw Gaara standing there illuminated by the full moon behind him, arms crossed as he scrutinised how Naruto's hand was clasping mine. I blushed as I remembered how he had warned me that Naruto was his, but then I shook my head dismissively.

That's his problem. He wants Naruto? He can come get him.

Yet, it must be hard, considering that so far Naruto seems one hundred percent straight, and fixated on me instead of him.

So, I did another suicidal thing, stopping dead in the middle of the street and waving over to Gaara in welcome.

"Hey Gaara! Come with us, you look bored!" I shouted, startling Naruto into looking up towards the rooftops, before a large grin spread across his face.

Gaara looked tempted to walk away, but when Naruto started waving for him to come down, he reluctantly joined us. As we started walking I made sure to walk beside Gaara so that he was walking with Naruto. I don't mind giving him Naruto's time, because after all, I don't love him do I?

Naruto didn't notice the tension between Gaara and me, but I was too focussed on how Gaara kept glancing sideways at me, as if to check how I felt about this. I merely smiled.

I have no intention of getting between Gaara and Naruto. I'm just a girl from another planet. I've got no place here. They can do what they want.

So Polaris made a peace offering by letting Gaara join in, to 'give him a fair' chance or something? She thinks it's the polite thing to do, but little does she know this might make things even worse...

Please review, advise and criticise!

Until next time! Unfortunately, I have college starting again on Monday, and it's very doubtful a chapter will be up tomorrow due to my Photography taking priority. Next chapter may be loaded next weekend...