Grief and Sorrow: The aftermath
OV: Sasuke's and Naruto's paths have crossed, Now what?
AN: Well I'm not sure about that last chapter… I did write it with one hour of sleep in 48 hours! The Madara thing is troublesome. I killed off what is rumored to be a powerful character with ease. Itachi I can explain off because everyone knows he's weakened by overuse of his Sharingan. Madara…I may explain my logic behind that …Have to see how the story progresses! Now back to Konoha and Sasuke…for the time being.
((Warning, this has taken its turn and brought a little Yaoi- reader beware, also a make out scene…nothing too graphic! Also some implied coupling…))
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The ANBU didn't give any notice that he had heard Sasuke's request. He grabbed him by the arm and forcibly walked him towards Konoha. The other guard sensed that Juugo could be a strong opponent. He commanded him to move, and was relieved when the huge man did as he was asked without any sign of struggle.
They quickly made their way into Konoha, and were whisked into the ANBU headquarters. There was a high security prison located beneath the building, and these two were obviously not your common everyday criminal. Once safely under guard the four man squad ascended to the main level to discuss what had just transpired. The big question was had they actually caught the Uchia, and how to tell the Hokage who was, as of that day, Naruto!
Sasuke lay down on the mat that served as a bed in the cell. He couldn't hear Juugo, and that might not be a good thing, but he was sure the guards weren't going to let the big man out of their sight for too long. He almost immediately fell into a deep slumber. It had been a long time since he'd been in any location where he trusted his surroundings enough to allow himself the luxury of real, deep sleep. Right now that was all he wanted, to escape from the present reality and just sleep. Not to think that he'd finally succeeded in killing his brother and avenging his clan. Not to try to forget the words his brother had taunted him with. Not to think, or feel, or anything, just to succumb to the mindlessness of sleep.
Juugo sat in his cell. He stared through the bars and listened. He could hear birds singing nearby, and knew there was a window not far away. He had a smile on his face. Sasuke had promised him that when he had defeated his brother they would seek a cure for the curse that overcame him and turned him into a raging murderous beast. He always had known Sasuke wasn't lying. He listened and farther away he heard Sasuke's deep untroubled breathing. His smile widened and for once he felt hope that his future held promise instead of the usual despair.
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Naruto walked slowly to the Hyuuga estate with Hinata. They had passed a pleasant evening finishing their dinner, and meeting back up with most of the earlier crowd to watch the pyrotechnic display. Naruto had been required to give a closing speech before the show had commenced, and he'd spoken freely of hope and camaraderie and of the brightness the future held. He'd not been reluctant to admit the road would have its pitfalls and rough patches, but he'd tried to assure everyone that if they just worked together the future could be anything they wanted it to be.
His friends had cheered the loudest, and Naruto had won even more converts of acceptance with his heartfelt words. Sakura thought how much Naruto had grown, and wished as she often did that Sasuke was there to celebrate with them. She offered a silent wish that he know Naruto had finally achieved his dream. Somehow she felt that he did know, and she was cheered by that knowledge.
Naruto reached the gate adorned with the Hyuuga crest which stood a commanding five feet tall. He turned to face the shy girl, and nearly laughed as he caught his guard trying to nonchalantly give the pair their privacy. He caught Hinata's eyes and his smile was reflected in the pale lilac orbs. She offered a slight curve of her delicate lips in reply.
Naruto was happier than he'd been in his whole life. He had friends who stood by him. He had people he considered his family. He had cherished people he loved. Most importantly, right now, he was standing in the moonlight facing a beautiful girl. Hinata blushed as his eyes swept over her face. He slowly raised his hand to glide his fingers through her silky hair, which was so black it had that blue sheen to it. She tensed, but soon relaxed and leaned her head to the side pressing his roaming fingers against her cheek. He gently caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb, slowly drawing a line closer to her lips. He gently continued his exploration to trace her lips, causing them to part and allow a soft sigh to escape.
He'd kissed a girl before, but he wasn't experienced, he was merely following what his instincts dictated. He enjoyed the softness of her lips, and leaned in slowly replacing his course thumb with his own soft lips.
Hinata's eyes shot open, and her entire body went rigid, but she didn't pull away. Naruto gently placed one hand on the small of her back, and the other behind her head and pulled her closer to him. She melted into his embrace and deepened the kiss.
All too soon it was over and they were pulling awkwardly away from each other. Naruto's hand went to its customary place behind his head and he closed his eyes and grinned sheepishly. Hinata stood there blushing, feeling as if the world was spinning around her much too fast.
The sudden movement from his guard caught Naruto off guard, and he turned his attention to where the guard was watching the gate as Neji approached.
"Naruto," the Jounin simply stated.
Naruto grinned and replied, "Hi Neji." He felt a bit weird to have been caught kissing Hinata. He felt plain weird regardless if he'd been caught kissing her or not.
Hinata turned from Naruto and quickly slipped inside the gate, almost running. "Good night, Naruto-kun." She called out as she disappeared into the shadows. Neji turned to follow her without another word, but his face wasn't hard.
Naruto wasn't sure he liked the silence. He supposed it was better than being attacked or screamed at, which is what he'd almost expected to happen. He walked back to the Hokage building, and retired to his quarters followed silently by his guard.
He had a hard time getting to sleep that night. His mind kept replaying the events of the day over and over. Finally he abandoned his disheveled bed, and slipped outside onto the balcony. He could see the shadow of an ANBU keeping watch a level down, and he grinned down at him or her. A soft sound behind him caused him to spin around.
"Gaara, you nearly scared me!" he whined. "What are you doing out this time of night? I thought you could sleep now that Shukaku isn't trying to take over your body." He didn't mean to be mean; he was just being his typical straightforward self.
Gaara knew Naruto well, and took no offence in his friend's statement. He approached the Hokage, and walked past him into the room Naruto had vacated only a moment before, gently brushing against him. The ANBU guard resumed his watch over the courtyard, not concerned about the unexpected visitor.
Naruto followed his friend inside; he could feel something was troubling the redhead deeply. He stopped directly behind the Kazekage and placed his hand comfortingly on the other man's shoulder. Gaara spun to face him and the look of confusion mingled with longing and uncertainty frightened Naruto.
"Gaa…" he began, he never got to finish the name.
Gaara leaned in suddenly and kissed the unsuspecting blonde. Instead of pulling away as was his first instinct, Naruto drew closer to his attacker. His arms moved of their own accord and wound tightly around the rough robes that covered the redhead, his hands grasping wads of the fabric. Gaara's slid up to twine around Naruto's waist pulling him closer fanning the heat that was building between them.
Naruto suddenly knew what had been wrong when he had kissed Hinata. It had been like kissing a close friend and nothing more. Now with Gaara pressing seductively against him slowly causing him to move backward he felt a surge of emotion that he had expected to feel with Hinata. He pulled away from Gaara's lips and gasp for air. He was roughly pinned to the wall they had reached and his lips were once again held captive. This time it was Gaara who broke the connection, but he dipped his head back in, nibbling on Naruto's lower lip causing a soft moan to escape from deep in his throat.
Their hands had come alive and were desperately grasping, groping, touching as if they couldn't get enough of feeling the other. Naruto felt light headed, and leaned his head against the wall. This was obviously a mistake if he'd wanted any reprieve as Gaara took the opportunity to nibble on Naruto's exposed neck. He grabbed a fistful of red hair and wound his fingers tightly into it, then used it as leverage to pull Gaara back temporarily before attacking his lips heatedly. He kissed him roughly then moved down to bite aggressively at his neck, ears, jaw; anywhere he could reach he was kissing and nibbling passionately. The feeling that was building within him was threatening to overtake him and he didn't want it to stop. He'd never felt anything like this before.
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Sasuke awoke to find a man standing over him. He tried to focus his sleep bleary ryes on the face, but it kept swimming in and out of focus. I used a lot of chakra on Itachi; I guess I need more time to recover. His thoughts didn't help him relax. Slowly the silvery white, black, and flesh colored blur began to take shape. It didn't take him more than a second to recognize the glaring eye that peeked out from under the off kilter forehead protector.
"So you're awake, I thought I might have to sit here all day," the silver haired Jounin commented.
"It's good for someone to keep you waiting for a change," Sasuke joked. He cringed inwardly. What am I doing?? I'm joking with Kakashi! This isn't some happy reunion. I have no idea how he will react to my presence here. I should have known they wouldn't tell Naruto straight away. Even if they did would he come?
Kakashi's eye crinkled in a smile. As soon as it had began it was over, and he peered at Sasuke seriously, all pretext of kindness gone. "Why are you here?" he already knew about Itachi's death, and the other bodies that had been found in and around the cave. He knew also that they were the woman rumored to have been one of Sasuke's companions, another missing nin from the mist, a Suigetsu, rumored to have been one of Orochimaru's test subjects, and a body that the logical explanation for was unknown. The third was definitely dressed in the Akatsuki robes, but the chakra signature that remained was worrisome to Kakashi.
Sasuke decided that the truth was his best discourse, and he explained how he'd heard Itachi had been paired with another Akatsuki member, and had been sent yet again to target Naruto. He'd picked up information that they were converging on Konoha again as word of Naruto's inauguration had spread. Sasuke had decided that this would be a good opportunity to follow the information and get his revenge once and for all.
"And now that you have finally obtained this great power and have succeeded in killing your brother what will you do?" Kakashi ask dryly.
Sasuke was unprepared for Kakashi's next question. As soon as his brother's body had dropped lifeless to the floor of the cave a great feeling of relief had swept over him. It was soon replaced with an emptiness and feeling of nothingness, that there was nothing left for which to strive. That to die would be preferable to this heaviness that consumed him. Sasuke had been grateful when the ANBU had approached, and had suggested he and Juugo go out of the cave to clean themselves to allow their surrender to be easier. As he had lain in the cell on the mat he'd felt that darkness threaten to overcome him again, and had chosen to escape into the unfeeling realm of slumber. Now, he had been forced to stare that feeling of nothingness in the face, and he didn't like the answers that were surfacing. "I don't know." Sasuke said softly. It wasn't in his nature to concede defeat, but he felt numb and lifeless. He didn't care what happened to him anymore. He'd accomplished what he'd set out his entire life to do. Now he didn't know what was next. It was ironic that it had to be Kakashi who was sitting before him.
Sasuke recalled the talk Kakashi had given him the day he'd been attacked by the sound four. Forget revenge, if you seek it and are successful it won't bring anything good with it. Was that right? Those were the words his mind offered up. It was the general feeling of the lecture. "You were right." He conceded, and laid his head back onto the mat.
Kakashi hadn't expected what Sasuke had said. He too recalled their lecture, and he was actually saddened that his former student hadn't heeded his words. "You haven't answered my question." Kakashi admonished.
Sasuke turned his head to look at the other man again. "I have nothing left. Do what you must, I have lost all dignity and have surrendered to Konoha." He replied; his voice announced that it was the only answer he was going to give.
He turned to face the ceiling yet again, his thoughts were clouded by a certain annoying, loud, hyperactive blonde. "I wish I could have seen him become Hokage. I wish I could see him one more time." Sasuke whispered. He was unaware he'd spoken aloud, and closed his eyes trying to drive the images away.
Kakashi's eye opened wide in shock. He weighed the man in front of him carefully. He wished Sasuke had spoken truly. He wished he'd learned the value of camaraderie and friends. He decided to test Sasuke. "What should we do with the other man we brought in with you?" Kakashi ask in an unconcerned manner.
Sasuke's eyes snapped open, and he sat up. His typically cold lifeless black eyes suddenly became animated and warm. "He needs medical help. Is it true that Tsunade is an unequalled medical Nin? Juugo needs someone to help him overcome the power of his curse. He gets overcome by rages to kill. He's not a bad guy, he can't help himself. If this Tsunade looked at him maybe she could help him control his urges. I'll trade my pathetic life, for what its worth, for his medical treatment. The curse seal comes from Juugo. Use my blood to find a serum to neutralize it. I don't care if I die, but I promised him I'd help him." His words had rushed out, and Kakashi sensed he'd really meant them.
Down the corridor Juugo also heard the words of his comrade. Tears flowed freely from his eyes. Someone finally respected him and wanted to truly help him. He'd gone to Orochimaru because he'd been told he could cure him. Instead Orochimaru had exploited him and taken advantage of the cursed blood that flowed through his veins and used it to create a seal. He'd created an army of curse seal warriors, the army that had been mainly killed by Sasuke and his team when they'd freed Juugo from the prison Orochimaru had locked him in. When Sasuke had recruited him for his team, he'd promised to try to help him. Juugo felt a strong sense of protectiveness for Sasuke as he heard him offer his own life to help break the curse. He vowed to do whatever it took to see that Sasuke's life was spared. He vowed to let him know that even if there was no other person who cared for him that he, Juugo, wanted him to stay alive, because he cared.
Kakashi informed Sasuke that he would look into Juugo's case, and that he had other things to tend to now. As he left the prison corridor Sasuke heard him order the guards to bring decent food to both prisoners.
A feeling swept over him. One he'd have thought he'd long outgrown. He felt a sense of pride that he'd succeeded in making his sensei proud. He sat with his head against the wall, a thin smile on his face.
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The next morning dawned clear and bright. Naruto awoke slowly and grinned at the warmth that radiated through his covers. He rolled over and looked into the sleep filled pupil less sea green eye that peeked from under the covers. "Good morning, did you sleep well?" he queried jovially.
"You're too cheerful in the morning," came the gruff reply as pale strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him closer. Naruto smiled and snuggled back into the warm embrace of his newfound love.
An insistent knock on the door caused the wide smile to turn quickly into a frown. Gaara looked into the depths of Naruto's blue eyes, "Go, I understand, I'm Kazekage remember?" he grinned and Naruto laughed.
"As if I could forget," he slid from their warm cocoon of covers and slipped his boxers and a robe onto his bare body. He pulled the door shut and crossed into the front room. He opened the door with a grumbled "What do you want?" but stopped when he saw it was Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei!?" he was uncertain if it could be a good thing for Kakashi to be there so early in the morning, and with such a serious look on his face. Well on what part of his face could be seen between his mask and his forehead protector.
"Naruto, I mean Hokage," he began; the first of many who would have to remember the new title Naruto now bore. "You need to go to your office. I have had to call an urgent meeting. Please get dressed and hurry." He bowed and left down the corridor in the direction of said office.
Naruto turned and closed the door. He looked up as Gaara stepped out from the bedroom. He didn't like the serious look on his redhead's face.
"Naruto…" Gaara began.
"Don't. Don't say it." Naruto whispered. He knew from Gaara's expression what was coming.
"Naruto," he tried again, sternly this time. "I'm the Kazekage, you're the Hokage now. What happened last night should never have happened." He sighed, and frowned deeply. This was far more difficult than he'd imagined as he'd gotten dressed in Naruto's bedroom.
"Don't you say that," Naruto said with tears forming in his eyes. "Don't you love me? Don't you understand that I love you Gaara."
Gaara looked down at the carpet, his shoulders drooped. "Naruto I do love you. That's why we both should admit this won't work. I can't stop being Kazekage. You…"
He was cut off as Naruto cried out, "I'll quit then!"
Gaara looked crestfallen at this statement, "Don't ever say that. You finally have reached your dream. There is no one else who could ever be as great a Hokage as you will be. I won't let you throw your dream away for me." A single tear fell from his pale eyes. "I'll always remember last night. I will always know that I am loved." He looked at Naruto pleading with him to accept the inevitable.
Naruto sniffed his nose, but he nodded. "I will always love you Gaara. You will always be one of my most precious people." He walked over and gave the sad redhead one last lingering red hot kiss. Then he entered his bedroom and pulled the door shut behind him.
Gaara wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his robe, crossed to the bathroom nearest the kitchen, and washed his face. Then he slipped out the front door nodding politely to the ANBU stationed there and collecting his own personal guard to return to his rooms next to his siblings.
Naruto emerged from his rooms a few minutes later. His eyes were a bit red rimmed, and he had a slight sniffle every now and then. He took a deep breath and steeled himself to meet whatever was on the other side of his office door. Then he stepped inside.
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Poor Naruto. I remember commenting in the second chapter that the story seemed to come to life and write itself, this chapter did too. I had never planned for there to be anything more between Naruto and Gaara than a deep friendship. For some reason his uneventful kiss with Hinata caused the following events to transpire. Kukuku, Naruto's got experience now!! LOL, I apologize to anyone whom my story might offend, I did comment --I write for myself…you're just a bonus if you're reading:D
-Kneise
