Cries of a soul
Chapter four
~~~Naruto POV~~~
I groaned as I turned over in bed. Orange light caught my tired eye. 3:52 p.m. The day is already gone and I'm still tired. Might as well go back to sleep. My body felt a dull twinge as I curled deeper into the soft mattress and the blanket around myself. My semi-conscious mind formed an image of Gaara as sleep began to reclaim me and a small, but no less bright, smile twisted my facial muscles.
Ring!...Ring!...Ring!...damn! That's probably what woke me up! "What Kiba?" my voice was tinged with sleep. "Are you ok? Where are you? What happened?" He sounded frantic. I realized I'd been gone a couple days without contacting anybody. "Oh, sorry man. I didn't think to call. I'm fine. Don't worry." I felt bad for making one of my best friends worry, but I had a pretty good excuse. "Where are you? What happened?" he repeated his questions; less frantic this time. "I'm somewhere safe. I'll tell you about it later; in person. I'm not quite sure what happened, but I'm ok. Don't worry….Could you apologize to Itachi for me and tell him I'll call him before tomorrow night?" it just dawned on me that I missed work and was going to miss it again tonight. "Yah. Don't worry man. He got Neji to fill in and he was more worried than angry." Relief flooded through me. I really needed this job if I was going to pay for college. "Thanks. Tell him I can't make it in tonight, but I'll make it up to him" "Alright. Take care Naruto and keep in contact."…"Wait!" my voice was rushed. "Yah?" "Tell Kakashi I'll see them Monday fully prepared to take it."…"That sounds wrong, but ok." Laughter filled the phone from both ends. "Thanks Kiba. Love ya man. Kiss Shino for me." I was slightly breathless. "Love you to man. I was going to kiss him anyway, but I don't mind kissing him more." I could tell he was smiling. "See ya Monday." "Bye" "Bye"…Dial tone.
A sigh passed through my parted lips as I put my phone down. Just as I was about to lay my head back against the pillows and try to give myself to sleep my stomach grumbled. Haven't had much to eat in the last couple of days. I wonder if Gaara would make me more Ramen. With a smile stuck to my face, thanks to the thought of Gaara, I slowly got up. My body was still sore, but I healed fast, so I was already almost back to 100%. The thought made my smile a bit brighter.
Skin touched metal and muscles tensed around the chilled knob. I could hear the pistons fall into place as I twisted the decorative metal. The wooden door made no noise as it swung open on its hinges. I slowly, cautiously, left the not quite yet familiar room. The rest of the house matched the room. Spacious, warm and comfortable. The only differences were the furnishings and color schemes.
Something wonderful filled the air. My nose twitched as the aroma took over my senses. My feet took me to the kitchen in an attempt to locate the source of the smell. Blue eyes stared and my heart raced as I look in the sight of Gaara. He looked better than I remembered and I had to fight the sudden urge to be held in his arms.
Heat flooded my cheeks at the thought and I hoped my tan hid it. Why does my mind have these thoughts? I don't know him. Why do I have to fight my body when I see him? Sure he's attractive, but so is Sasuke and I have no problem turning him down. These feelings…they….they don't feel…superficial. I brushed off my thoughts just as Gaara spoke. "Feeling better?" the concern touched my heart and when I spoke the words came out emotion filled. "Yes. Almost good as new! I've always healed fast….Thank you for…for everything." Gaara's smile was small, but genuine. "No need for that. Are you hungry Naruto?" I nodded.
Toned muscle stretched under perfectly pale, unblemished skin as Gaara retrieved a bowl and chopsticks. The source of the delicious aroma filled the red, porcelain bowl in Gaara's hands. I reached out to grab it and my fingers touched his hand. Lightning ran through my system. Heat alerted me to a blush on my face that I knew he could see, which only made me blush deeper and lower my head. WHY! It was the only thought I could form at the moment.
"Are you ok?" he sounded concerned, but when I looked up he had a full smile and knowing eyes. "Y-yeah. This smells really good. Aren't you going to eat?" Did I just stutter!? "No. I'm not hungry. You should eat before it gets cold though." Without another thought I picked up the chopsticks and began to eat.
"This is the best ramen I've ever had! Did you make it or buy it?" I had to say something. No that was wrong. I wanted to say something. I wanted to hear his voice. I was so caught up in my thoughts; I almost missed his answer. "Yes I did. It was just some recipe I found online. I'm glad you like it….Just ask and I'll make you more later." He had a tentative smile that made me want to…to what? Comfort? Reassure? "Thank you. I'd really like that…if you're sure you don't mind." His smile turned genuine. "I don't mind if it's for you." What does that mean? Could he…like me…maybe? No! I'm a monster! No one could like a monster that killed his own mother. What about Shino and Kiba? I had no idea wear that thought came from, but it made me feel better. Maybe, just maybe, someone could like….love….me?
~~~Gaara POV~~~
Naruto seemed distracted while he ate. It made me glad that he liked what I made. I haven't eaten human food in a while. My body can process it, but it offers no sustenance, so I rarely eat it. What is he thinking about? Why does he keep looking at me like that? Maybe because I'm a complete stranger. "I'm sure you have questions. Go ahead and ask. I'll answer as best as I can." I hoped my face and tone were comforting. Emotions were still so new; especially soft ones. Why does it have to be so hard?
The look I received was open and innocent, but still held fear. I want to take away all his fear. His nightmares. "How did you find me? Why did you save me? A-are you going to take me b-back?" His voice was so low; I would have had to lean in to hear if I didn't have enhanced hearing. When my mind registered his last question my anger flared. It wasn't directed at him though. Keeping the emotion off my face was hard, so it took me a few moments to answer.
"You are never going back there and if anyone lays a hand on you again I'll make sure they regret it." My mouth blurted it out without consulting my brain. Did I scare him? I hope not. We were finally making progress. I gazed into deep, mesmerizingly blue eyes. They didn't seem scared. He seemed calm. What's he thinking? My gaze was altered. Blue eyes turned into sunshine locks and slowly back to steady blue. He nodded?
"Why do I feel like this when I'm around you?" Before my mind could race out of control I had to verify. "What is it you feel?" My voice surprised me when it came out calm and even. "Safe…comfortable…nervous…and…and something I can't describe. This time I couldn't stop my mind from spinning.
Time trickled by. Finally my mind focused on one thought. He feels it too! He really is my mate! My voice came out laced with an emotion I couldn't place. "I'll tell you, but first you should know that it will sound crazy." He nodded without missing a beat. "I know you'll tell me the truth and…if it didn't sound crazy I probably wouldn't believe you." He smiled encouragingly at the end.
*Slight Time Skip*
~~~Normal POV~~~
Once Gaara finishes speaking Naruto did something completely unexpected. The sun kissed teen shot to his feet the second the porcelain's lips stop moving. With an air of tentative confidence he climbed into his red-head's lap and locked his arms around his neck. "You were alone for so long. Y-you were looking for m-me? I'm sorry. Sorry I made you wait." Sunshine locks tickled smooth, pale skin as he tried to bury his head in Gaara's shoulder.
Gaara couldn't believe it! Naruto accepted the story without a second thought and was in his lap! Wait…He was apologizing? That wasn't right. "Don't be sorry. Please…please just be mine. I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner. Sorry I didn't protect you and you got hurt." Sapphire met Jade. "I guess it's silly to apologize for stuff that happened before we met." He gave a small smile and leaned closer without breaking eye contact. "I will be your mate as long as you want me Gaara." His voice was caught between being husky and a purr. He leaned further down and just as lips met lips and just before the world melted away the door burst open. "Hello Ototo! Did you miss your Nee-Chan? Oh…sorry am I interrupting?" "It wasn't my idea I swear. You know how she gets." Kankuro held up his hands to defend himself against the death glare his "baby" brother was sending him.
Slowly Gaara sighed and dropped the glare. He rose to a standing position, but kept a tight hold on Naruto's waist. "Naruto this is my annoying brother, Kankuro, and my excruciatingly annoying sister, Temari." She stuck out her tongue at that comment. "Nee-Chan…Onii-San…this is Naruto, my mate." Just than two more figures appeared. One had ear length, raven hair, black eyes, a fake smile and a belly top. The other had deep, dark, almost black, brown spiky hair done up in a high ponytail, so it looked like a pineapple, black eyes and an ever-present bored expression. "These are their mates; Sai and Shikamaru." He used his free hand to gesture to them in turn.
Kankuro claimed Sai and Shikamaru moved to hold Temari from behind. They leaned into their dominate mates as Gaara spoke. "Why are you here and why didn't you knock?" Temari gave a fake pout. "We haven't seen our little Ototo in almost 200 years and that's the welcome we get." She didn't fool anybody. "That was intentional. Why didn't you knock?" She gave up on the pout and smirked. "Why knock when you know where the spare key is? Besides you wouldn't have answered."
Gaara growled. Naruto leaned his head on his shoulder in an attempt at comfort. Sai spoke up next. "I'm hungry and that half-breed is making it worse. When are we going to hunt?" Kankuro leaned down and grazed his fangs across his mate's pale neck. "Soon. Be patient." Sai shivered and nodded.
AN: broke my record for time spent on a chapter and words written/typed! Did anybody get that it was Sai when I said "fake smile"? I'm so mean to poor Gaara. He got the worse kiss ever, but I had to do it. It was the perfect time for the family reunion. Can anybody guess who the half-breed is? P.s Kurama always called him a monster for "killing" her sister and that's why he thinks of himself as such. At the beginning, during the phone call, Naruto was referring to his math test on Monday BTW. Oh ya almost forget. Haha so tired. Anyways it's my birthday in two days (the 18th), so if I don't have a chapter sorry. Please wish me a happy 18th birthday on the 18th lol. Finally an adult and my sisters are taking me to my first club! Yah can't wait. Hope you guy like the chapter. Review it makes the hours worth it! Ummm just to clear it up Gaara told Naruto everything about him being a vampire and stuff.
My mom's birthday is exactly 7 days after mine. Anybody got any good gift ideas for a 52 year old woman with four children and a grandchild that lives in Florida? If you do I would be forever great full if you shared!
