Warning : boy on boy like always just from us to you guys
Disclaimer : of course we don't own Naruto or anything for that matter!
Our Deepest thanks to our wonderful Beta Dagget shes the best.
On with the story
Chapter 8
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Naruto was still looking down at his hands. He had asked Gaara to leave because he wanted to talk to Sasuke, well more like apologize but he didn't know how. What if Sasuke thought of him like a monster? It hurt just to think about it.
Even if Naruto had to marry Sakura, he still had feelings for the raven and since he had been home, that's all he could think about. The blonde's heart was beating hard.
"Sa…" he stopped, looking up to see the calm raven looking back at him, waiting expectantly for what he had to say.
"Sasuke.. I just... I'm sorry for not telling you. Its just that-"
"You thought that I wouldn't believe you"
"No," Naruto replied honestly, knowing that the real reason he hadn't told Sasuke was because he would probably be scared of him and think of him as a monster.
Sasuke watched as the blonde struggle in his mind, trying to say what he meant. He couldn't blame him. After all, he would have done the same thing if he'd been in that position.
"Look Naruto, I understand. I mean, well, with what I've learned of the situation, I get why you left and why you tried to avoid coming home. And it's ok that you didn't tell me. I get that it was none of my business, or anything that I could have helped with. After all, we're different."
Naruto felt his heart breaking at the raven's words. He didn't think of him as a monster but still, he had said it - 'different'.
"Naruto…"
Naruto looked up, trying to remain as calm as possible. He couldn't have expected any other response.
'It's not like he'll say he still likes me for what I am,' the blonde repeated in his mind.
"I know Sasuke, and I just wanted to say thank you for everything you did for me."
Too Sasuke it didn't seem like that was it. He could tell that the blonde was hurting and even if Sasuke was still confused, all he could still think of was kissing the blonde the way he had done at the shooting range. And like Temari had said 'love was love'. Even if it wasn't love, or so Sasuke thought, the attraction he felt was still the same, regardless of what Naruto was. But he couldn't. Naruto had to marry Sakura and nothing could be done. Sasuke sighed.
"You know dobe, you really do look pale."
Naruto smiled at the familiar insult, knowing that Sasuke was trying to change the subject since nothing could be done anymore.
"Why don't you just drink that?" Sasuke suggested, pointing at the white handkerchief covering the wine glass that was in the nightstand.
"I'm fine," Naruto said, not even in the mood to drink.
"Well you don't look fine. I'm sure Gaara and your guardian are worried. You're still really hurt. Is it so much to ask that you drink it to make them feel a little at ease?"
Naruto looked at the meal and then looked at Sasuke.
"No. I guess I'll drink it," he said, thinking of how Gaara and Iruka were so worried for his health. He didn't want to cause them any more problems. Sasuke smirked with pride at having gotten the blonde to agree. But then, not seeing him make a move, he became impatient.
"Well, what are you waiting for?"
"Huh? You mean now?"
"When else, dobe?"
"Teme," Naruto retorted. He stared at Sasuke as he walked to the chair where Gaara had been sitting.
"So, do it."
"You mean with you here. Are you sure? I could drink it later...you know."
Sasuke thought about it. Well, he had never seen anyone drink blood but still, if he left maybe Naruto wouldn't drink it. So he nodded waving off Naruto's reluctance.
"It's not like you're drinking if from a body. It's in a glass… I think," he said.
"I guess if you're ok with it," Naruto said, resigned. He turned to the nightstand and pulled off the handkerchief, revealing a long-stemmed wine glass full of blood. Sasuke noticed the deep crimson color and realized that he had never seen so much blood. Naruto took the wine glass and stared at it. "Hmm…" Then icicles formed surrounding the glass, chilling the warm blood. The blonde swirled the wine glass a bit while Sasuke stared attentively. Naruto looked at him one more time, wondering if he should really.
Bringing the glass to his mouth, which opened enough to show the tips of his fangs, he gulped it down, feeling the blood running down his throat. Finally done, he put the glass down on the table. The ice evaporated just before he it go.
Sasuke didn't feel disgusted at all. He had watched the blond drinking and strangely, it kind of seemed normal. He didn't feel queasy as he would expected and now he looked on in amazement at how Naruto's color had changed to a more natural tan. Not only that but the earlier wound that he had noticed on Naruto's collar had healed and nothing was left.
"Sasuke?" Naruto asked as he eyed the raven. He was waiting for a response after seeing him feed.
"Are you ok?"
Sasuke shook out of his trance and looked at Naruto. "Yeah I'm fine. So do you always drink it like this?" he asked. It was stupid question but he still wondered.
"The blood?" he nodded
"No actually, I drink it from the plastic pack. It's easier," he said, feeling kind of awkward talking about it. But he guessed that Sasuke would have questions since he had just learned of vampires.
"So do you really only drink AB," he asked, thinking of what Sai had said. Naruto nodded.
"I do drink other types. It's just that I prefer AB. It's different from any other type, I guess," he said
"How so?" smirked Sasuke.
"Umm well, I guess it's more suited to me. Many vampires don't like it, given that AB's usually have strong character, but to me it tastes different. It's kind of sweet yet sour at the same time. I just find it enticing," he explained, not really knowing how to describe it.
"I guess that's why I liked you when-" he stopped mid-sentence when he realized what he was saying. Naruto knew that's why he had liked the Uchiha at the club, but it didn't matter. Sasuke looked at Naruto whose hand covered his mouth. He knew what Naruto had been about to say.
"It's just good, I guess," he finished, hoping that Sasuke would ignore it.
"I see, but it's not a common type," Sasuke said trying to continue as if nothing had happened. Naruto felt relieved yet hurt at the same time. Relieved that Sasuke hadn't pressed him about what he'd said, but hurt because, to Naruto, that seemed like a rejection.
"It is, but we are working on a project for a pill that fills the same needs that blood does for vampires when diluted in water and with that, the type will also be mimicked. Therefore, we won't have any problems with that. But the project is still ongoing and it will be a while before we can complete it."
"Gaara did mention something like that. So do you feel any better after drinking it?" asked Sasuke
"Yeah," Naruto nodded.
"Sasuke.. I wanted to…"
"What is it?"
"Well I wanted to ask you…" Naruto didn't know how to bring up the topic.
"Well I know its been shocking to learn of everything that you thought didn't exist and as a thank you for everything you did for me… Well, if you think that it would be better not to know of our world, I could help you with that."
Sasuke looked at Naruto, several things going through his head as he wondered what he meant.
"Naruto…."
"Well it's just that some people wish that they had never learned the truth and if that's the case, I could erase what happened and you wouldn't have to live with that horrible experience."
Sasuke was shocked. 'Ok did I just hear him right?' "What did you say?" he snapped.
Naruto was startled by the ravens answer.
"Naruto did you just say you wanted to erase my memory?"
"Yes, but it's.."
"But what?" demanded the angry Uchiha. Ok he never dreamed of vampires being real but to go as far as erasing it from his mind, to mess with his brain?
"It's not what it sounds like."
"Then what is it? Are you saying that you didn't offer to erase what happened?"
"Well I did but it's not like that. If you don't want to remember about me and what I am then I don't mind helping you forget. And it won't hurt you at all."
Naruto finished, staring down, not daring to look into those onyx eyes that he now seemed to be thinking about so often.
Sasuke sat there a moment, realizing that Naruto didn't exactly mean the fight or the information that came after. He meant the kisses at the shooting range and him finding out that he was not human. He looked at the small blond and let out a sigh. Even if he was one of the most powerful vampires, he was still that small and fragile person that he had been that day in the park, where those crystal blue eyes gave him away. Such scared and lonely eyes.
"Naruto," he said in a low tone, trying not to sound mad or upset. "Does it bother you that I know your secret?"
Cerulean eyes looked up at the sudden question.
"No, it's not that."
"Then?"
"Well it's just that I didn't want you to feel disgusted with knowing what I am and that you know…" he trailed off, not wanting to say it.
"That we kissed?" finished Sasuke. Naruto nodded shyly.
"Why would I be disgusted?" asked Sasuke trying to figure out Naruto's train of thoughts and feelings.
"Well like you said, we're different and most people think of monsters when they hear of vampires and stuff, so I…"
"It's true, it was a shock and the few things that I learned are something that I would never have imagined. But I don't think of you as a monster, baka," the raven told him in a gentle voice, his eyes showing not the usual guarded stare but a caring and docile gaze.
"So you don't want me to erase your memory?" Naruto asked, glad that even if they were different, the raven didn't despise him or think of him as a soulless monster.
Sasuke looked at the young prince and thought of the words that Temari had said once more. No matter what, Sasuke still felt the same way about Naruto as the day in the shooting range, even if things were different. Sasuke's feelings were the same but those feelings were not enough, and he didn't want to hurt the blond anymore.
"Well I'd better go. You should rest."
"Thank you, Sasuke," he said with a small smile.
"No problem, dobe."
He got up and walked to the door but before he disappeared from the blond's line of vision, he turned to look at him.
"Naruto I know it doesn't matter anymore but..." Naruto stared at him "..well what I said at the shooting range, I meant it and I still do. I kissed you because I wanted to." With that, the raven walked away.
When he was out of the room, Naruto looked out the door to the balcony. If he'd known this would have happened, if he knew he would fall for the Uchiha and not be able to be with him, he would never have left the house and stayed with Sasuke. Then maybe he wouldn't be in this situation where he wanted to be with the raven more than anything and there was nothing to do but to marry Sakura.
But damn it, he was also glad that he had spent the week with him. He found himself happy and enjoying life, something that he had giving up on over the past decades.
Sasuke closed the door and looked around. No Gaara or Neji. Maybe they were waiting for him in the living room. Sasuke headed back to where they had come from.
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A Couple of Minutes Earlier
Neji sat in the living room with Gaara, who had already calmed down from his fight with Sai. They were now both quietly waiting for Sasuke to come down.
He knew that Naruto wanted to talk to Sasuke but he hoped that everything would be ok. Well, not that anything could go wrong. There was nothing that Naruto could say, other than to explain the situation but it was still taking them a long time. Neji drank from the tea that had been brought by the maid a few minutes earlier as he eyed the redhead.
"What" said Gaara noticing the stare he was getting from Neji.
"Nothing. Just wondering what they are talking about?"
"Who knows"
The doorbell rang. Both Neji and Gaara turned in the direction of the door and saw the maid walk to the entrance.
"Thanks," they heard. Gaara sighed and turned to look in another direction.
"Gaara!"
Neji could see the steaming Temari who had stormed in and yelled Gaara's name.
"Didn't I tell you not to kill him and to try and calm down?!" she yelled.
"What are you talking about?" the redhead replied in a calm tone.
"Don't play dumb with me. Sai. Who else?"
"I have no idea what your talking about."
"Izumo saw the whole thing when he was making his rounds. Now, are you still going to deny that you broke his ribs and almost killed him?"
"Almost. He's still alive. You only said not to kill him, and I didn't. The bastard is still breathing isn't he?" the redhead replied with a smirk. Temari couldn't protest because it was true. He hadn't killed Sai, although that was thanks to Naruto.
Temari sighed and took a seat next to Neji, not wanting to sit next to her little brother. She looked around and noticed that Sasuke was missing. "Where's Sasuke?"
"He's with Naruto" said Neji, putting his drink down.
"Doing?"
"Talking. Why did you come back?" Gaara asked quickly, trying to change the subject. Temari eyed him curiously.
"Because I wanted to make sure that he fed. So did he?" Gaara shook his head. "Honestly, how is he going to get better if he doesn't feed?" she sighed in annoyance.
Sasuke walked in to the room with his hands in his pockets, looking as calmed as ever. Neji looked at the raven.
"Sasuke?" said Temari. She was still curious but she figured that since Naruto had lived with him, he wanted to explain to him or tell him something private. Gaara stood looked at the raven.
"Temari I'll be back. It will be only a moment," he said to all three occupants, signaling that once he was done they would probably leave. Gaara had already disappeared by the time they noticed.
Temari turned to the Neji. "So any more questions?" she asked. She hated the silence. She was definitely different from Gaara. Sasuke looked at Neji but stayed silent.
"Your heart and skin are not cold," he stated, thinking of when he had obviously felt Gaara's skin in the shooting range.
"Well you see, it's a little complicated. We're born vampires. We do have a beating heart, and our touch is warm because blood still runs in our veins, which is why some of us can tan or blush. But not all vampires are like that. There are those who are turned by lower level vampires that will not have a beating heart and their touch will be cold."
Sasuke was thinking of Naruto's blushing face.
"Hmm," Neji nodded. "The light… I mean, it was said that it kills vampires. If that's not truth, then where did that belief come from?"
Temari smiled knowing that the answer would probably interest them. "Actually, it does kill vampires."
Sasuke raised a brow, that was not true. They had been outdoors in the daylight countless times.
"What do you mean?" Neji asked, thinking the same thing as Sasuke.
"Well, it doesn't kill all vampires. Just lower level vampires."
"There are levels?" This time it was Sasuke who asked, now intrigued.
"Yeah, several in fact. There's the top; that's Naruto. Then there are the elders of the council, who are just outside of the royal blood, they are the second level. Then there's the third level which Gaara, Iruka, Kakashi, and I belong to. Of course we are born vampires.
The fourth levels are those who are turned vampires by high level vampires, meaning vampires who are turned by a born vampire to be that vampire's mate. Their hearts still beat and their skin is not cold. They have restraint when feeding and can sometimes –depending on the individual- control or manifest level powers. It's not something that happens all the time but some can do it. It's dangerous though and the turning might not always be successful.
And the lowest level is the fifth. They are weak vampires that possess no special abilities and just feed on humans without restraint. That's pretty much what you see in the movies. They die with the sun, are affected by holy water… They were the ones who were captured and thought to be the vampire race. That's where most superstitions about vampires come from. Although when we sleep for long periods of time the light will sting, but then it will go back to normal."
"But when you say sleep you don't mean in coffins, I mean Naruto doesn't sleep in a coffin."
"Actually, we do prefer beds. Coffins are kinds cramped and uncomfortable but the old vampires do sometimes prefer them. I don't. I personally think that water beds are the best but what can you do? There's still some old people that like tradition," she said with a giggle.
Suddenly they were interrupted by the door being slammed open.
"Great just what we needed!" Temari whispered.
A young boy with dark brown almost black spiky hair in faded jeans and a black long sleeved shirt under a crimson tee stormed in, along with Iruka. They were followed by a tall man with black glasses who was formally dressed in a suit. All three entered the living room and Sasuke and Neji stood up to great the newcomers.
"Neji-kun, Sasuke-kun!" Iruka cried, a little shocked to see them there.
"Hello."
"Nice to see you again," the guardian greeted them.
"They came with Gaara, to see how Naruto is doing," Temari explained as she stood up.
"Oh, I see. Well, welcome."
"What are they doing here?" the boy yelled angrily.
"Konohamaru-kun, calm down."
"Like I said brat, they came to see Naruto."
"They are human. They shouldn't be allowed in the house," he said, glaring at both of them.
"Ano ne Konohamaru-kun, you shouldn't use the word 'humans' that way and they came to see how Naruto is doing."
"Naruto-niichan is resting. He shouldn't be bothered." He growled.
"Then what are you doing here?" Temari questioned, knowing that the small vampire would get pissed at the comment.
Konohamaru hissed at the girl. "Are you comparing me to humans?"
"No, you're right. You're worse," she said. He stuck his tongue out at her childishly, showing his fangs in the process. Sasuke and Neji just looked at the feisty vampire and wondered what his problem was.
"Gomen Neji-kun, Sasuke-kun, but he is a little difficult. He doesn't trust humans."
"Why should I?" he spat back.
"Konohamaru-kun, you shouldn't discriminate. You have to accept humans as well if you want to be great like your grandfather," said the man in the suit, speaking for the first time since they'd come into the room.
"Hai Ebisu-sensei. I understand," he answered the man with an uncaring voice and roll of his eyes.
"Besides," added Temari with a smirk, "they are great friends with Naruto. Are you sure you still hate them?" Konohamaru stood quiet, inspecting them closely. Iruka sighed
"Konohamaru-kun, why did you come again?"
"To visit Naruto-niichan."
"Well then why don't you go and cheer him up."
"Hai," he yelled and ran towards the stairs that led to the blond's room.
"Konohamaru-kun, that's not the way to behave in the Prince's house," scolded Ebisu following the young boy.
"I'm truly sorry boys. His parents were killed by humans, so he is a little hostile toward them. But he's a nice kid and doesn't mean any harm. Please sit. I assume Gaara is with Naruto?" They both nodded and the three took a seat once again feeling a little relieved that the boy was gone.
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Gaara walked into the room for the second time that day. He looked to the bed, hoping that the young prince was not in even worse condition than when he left. Naruto was now lying on the bed, no longer resting on the headboard.
He had laid down, not wanting to think of anything since the raven left. He knew that if he went over things in his head he would become depressed and maybe even cry. Emotions were something that he didn't want to show. He had calmed himself and hardened his resolve as he expected that Gaara would come and check on him after Sasuke left. And well he did.
The redhead approached the bed waling calmly and with his hands on his pockets.
"Hey," said Naruto as he tried to sit up a little.
"It's fine. Don't get up," Gaara told him, gaining a nod in response while Naruto laid back down, relaxing again. Gaara once again sat at the chair he had been in before. Noticing the now empty wine glass, he raised an eyebrow.
"What?" said Naruto
"You drank it?"
"Yeah, so what?" he said as he turned his face away, trying to hide his embarrassment that he had drank it because Sasuke had asked him. If not, he would have continued to stubbornly refuse and failed to see the worry of his friends and guardian. Gaara noting the small blush on the blue eyed vampire, wondered what had happened.
"When did you drink it?"
"What.."
"When?"
"I drank it. What does it matter? Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Hmm. So you drank it while the Uchiha was here." It was more of a statement than a question but Naruto shyly nodded, hoping that the discussion would stop at that. No such luck.
"Why did you drink it?"
"What do you mean, why?"
"Why did you drink it? You said that you were not hungry."
"Because, he asked me to. Now will you stop pressuring me about it? I thought that you wanted me to drink it."
Gaara smirked at the now very red Naruto.
"Alright then." Naruto glared at him. "So what happened?" Gaara said sounding a little concerned.
"Nothing happened. Why do you ask?"
"Because I know something happened at the shooting range, and he seemed completely shocked when he learned of everything, so I was wondering what he thought."
"Well, we didn't really talk about that. After all, we're different," Naruto said emphasizing the word with a frown. Gaara frowned as well.
"He said that?"
Naruto nodded slowly.
"So what about the union?"
"What about it?"
"Why are you going through with it?"
"What do you mean, why? Because of my selfishness, Sasuke and Neji were targeted and attacked and could've been killed. You to. And look at Kiba. He's hurt because of me. Besides it doesn't matter what I want anymore. Now everything will be fine."
"But you said that you would face them and that you wouldn't change your decision"
"Yeah I would face them if they came at me. But the people that are close to me have nothing to do with this and they shouldn't get hurt."
"But still-"
"You know, you sure are talkative lately Gaara," said Naruto with a grin, trying to change the subject now that Gaara knew that he had given up. And before Gaara could say anything else he asked a question of his own.
"So what about Neji?"
"What about him? He hasn't been attacked. So there's nothing else to say."
"That's not what I meant." Naruto looked at Gaara trying to read his expression and getting nothing.
"What happened at the Hyuuga shooting range?"
Gaara turned to glare daggers at Naruto remembering that he had left him alone with Neji on purpose.
"What? Don't tell me you're still mad," the blond said scratching his head at the obvious killing glare he was receiving.
"So that means that something did happened?" he asked excitedly.
Gaara slightly (small, really small) blushed, remembering the feeling of the ravens lips. "Oh so something did happened?" Naruto jumped in excitement, and then winced at the pain he had obviously inflicted by the sudden movement.
"Nothing happened."
"Yeah, right. What, don't tell me, he kissed you didn't he?"
"Yeah, but I told him we were too different and that was it."
"What! Why?"
"Look Naruto it's just not possible with vampires and humans."
"But you like him." Gaara glared at the implication.
"No I don't "
"Gaara, I know you and if Neji wasn't your type and if you didn't like him one bit I wouldn't have left you with him. Besides, why do you say that it can't work with him? Look at Temari. She's with Shikamaru and they're fine. Also, we have known vampires with humans that have worked out and have turned the humans," said Naruto, thinking that they looked like girls discussing this, but still, someone had to make the stubborn Gaara see that he did like the raven. Naruto saw how Gaara sighed.
"Well it doesn't matter. It won't happen."
"It won't happen, or you just don't want to let it happen?"
"Both. Look, he probably feels different now, so it won't matter either way."
Naruto remained quiet. He didn't want to assume anything. After all, who knew what the Hyuuga thought of the new discovery?
"Well I think you should hear what he thinks before you make a final decision. What if he thinks of you on the same way, regardless."
"It just won't happen-" before Gaara was able to continue to deny his feelings .
"Naruto-niichan?" A loud knock was heard. Recognizing the visitor, Naruto knew they couldn't continue this conversation.
"Come in," he called. The double doors flung open and Gaara sighed internally. He didn't hate Konohamaru but the kid was just too happy for him. As he turned to see the happy boy who was fast approaching the blonde's bed, he saw Naruto smile. At least he knew that as annoying as he considered him, he did always make Naruto laugh.
"Hey Konohamaru! How have you been?" asked Naruto
The young vampire boy stared in shock at Naruto who lay in the bed. "Naruto-niichan." His eyes watered as tears threatened to spill.
"Konohamaru, I'm ok," Naruto said, noticing the reaction. He waved his hands in the air, trying to reassure him that he would be ok, that it was nothing to worry about. Sniffling a little, Konohamaru stepped up to the bed, trying to compose himself. Then he sat next to Naruto on the bed and inspected him.
"I don't understand why someone would hurt you."-Sniff-"Your so great!"
"Well…. There are people who think that inflicting pain is a good way to negotiate. But you should know, it's always better to talk things out" said Naruto trying to teach the boy a lesson that he though was essential when trying to get something good out of a deal.
"Demo…" the boy stayed quiet. Gaara and Naruto shared a look before turning to wait for he seemed be concentrating. "Niichan, I understand why you fight to defend yourself and that it's better to talk than to hurt others but… why would you risk your life that is so important… for humans?" he asked.
It was true that he hated humans for being responsible for his parent's deaths and all humans ever did was say they were monsters and try to kill them or catch them to display them as animals. So why?
Gaara stayed silent. He'd known that this was something that Konohamaru would ask.
"Well Konohamaru, actually, I didn't fight to protect humans," he said.
Konohamaru had heard what had happened. Well who didn't? But he was sure that he had fought for two humans and he guessed they were the ones that he had meet downstairs.
Naruto continued seeing how the vampire boy seemed to be trying to figure it out.
"I fought to protect, not 'humans', but important people to me. It doesn't matter that Sasuke and Neji are human. They are my friends and I would be sad if something happened to them and I'm sure, so would many other people. Gaara was also there and he could have been hurt as well. I couldn't let anything happen to him. He is my friend, an important person to me.
So you see it doesn't matter if they are human, vampires or any other species. If they are someone who you hold dear, you have to protect them when they are in trouble. That's what makes a great person. Not whether they are from a good family," finished Naruto.
Konohamaru paid the utmost attention to the life lesson his big brother figure was giving him.
"So, do you understand?" Konohamaru nodded as he processed all this new information and realized that it was not only humans who hurt vampires.
"Gaara-niichan, I'm glad you're ok too," he chirped and Gaara nodded.
"Thank you Konohamaru and I'm glad Naruto was not killed as well stubbornly trying to save me" he said in a sarcastic tone, still a little ticked off at the fact that he had not been allowed to help out. Though he knew if he had intervened Neji or Sasuke could have gotten hurt. But still, he was entitled to sulk.
"Gaara," glared Naruto.
"Well I have to get going," he announced as he stood from his chair.
"Please rest and feed. Or do you want him to come?" he said smirking at how Naruto blushed crimson at the comment.
"Hmph. I'll be fine" he said "But Gaara why don't you try asking what he thinks first?" Gaara walked away trying to ignore that last remark.
"Don't worry Gaara-niichan. I'll make sure he rests," Konohamaru said as he fluffed the pillows and gently covered Naruto's body, trying to get him to rest. Then laying at his side and relaxing as well in a little ball.
"Ok then, he is in your hands," Gaara agreed as he waved a good bye. Gaara closed the door after exiting the room and turned to see Ebisu standing guard by the door.
"Gaara-san," he acknowledged.
"Ebisu, make sure that you get him out of there after a little while or he'll never let Naruto rest."
"Hai."
Gaara walked back to the living room with Naruto's words still on his mind. He approached the two vampires who kept Sasuke and Neji company. It was kinds of awkward the silence.
"Ah, Gaara. Where's Konohamaru?"
"He stayed in bed with Naruto. He said something about making sure he rests and gets better."
"He's probably driving him crazy with his stupid stories," she retorted.
Gaara turned to Iruka. "Is everything aright?"
"Huh, why do you ask?"
"Well, there's the fact that Kakashi has something important to do."
"Oh, yeah. Its just standard meetings with the elders, but everything seemed ok. So don't worry please," Iruka said sounding as if nothing was wrong.
"Ok. Well then in that case, we should go." Gaara turned to Neji and Sasuke who stood.
"Thanks for everything Temari, Iruka-san." they both said.
"See you guys," Temari told them with a smile.
"Take care Neji-kun, Sasuke-kun."
Temari walked them out. She was close between Neji and Gaara "Oh and little bro, before you get moody and cranky call me and I'll go over and bring something for you to feed, before you kill someone."
"What do you mean, cranky?" Neji asked her, not that he could have ignored the conversation. Temari wasn't the quiet type.
"If he doesn't feed and he's stressed, he gets in a horrible mood, like when you got here. And we wouldn't want that, now would we?"
"I'm fine now" said Gaara, wanting to kill Temari for telling Neji and Sasuke something that they shouldn't concern them, especially Neji. Or so Gaara thought. After all, it wasn't Neji's problem. Temari giggled at her brother's coldness. But still it was time to say goodbye
"Well, bye boys. Be careful."
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Neji got in the car on the drivers side. Since they were leaving, there wouldn't be any problems with him driving now. Gaara got in the passenger's seat and Sasuke in the back. As they pulled out of the mansion they remained quiet. None of them were the talking type, like Naruto.
It had been a few minutes of silence when Gaara's phone rang. It had a creepy ring tone like the one's you hear at Halloween. Gaara thought it was nice but to Neji and Sasuke, it was kind of morbid especially since it had rung when they were all quiet.
"Hai…Where have you been?... I see… Leaving Naruto's…Yes, he is doing better?... Ok, will be there… In a few minutes… Ok, bye."
He closed his phone and sighed. "It was Kakashi wondering where we were, and he said that he was at your home. He wanted to let us know that he was free and that he could guard you now."
Sasuke thought that sounded like he was a package.
"Fine," he replied.
"Oh, and Sasuke…" said Gaara, a little embarrassed.
"Hm?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Making Naruto feed."
Sasuke turned to his window, watching the road as if there was suddenly something incredibly interesting out there.
"No problem. The dobe needed it."
Neji smirked. So, Sasuke had helped Naruto? That definitely meant that somehow he was still interested and cared for the blond. Or at least he wasn't indifferent towards him. Still the blond was now unattainable for Sasuke.
They got to the Uchiha mansion and Neji pulled up in front of the entrance. Sasuke was about to get out.
"Uchiha, why don't you wait here for just a minute? It will only while. I need to talk to Kakashi." Gaara told him as he opened the car door. Sasuke thought it didn't seem like he had much of an option.
Just as Gaara reached the entrance, Kakashi opened the door. "Yo," he said in a greeting before he blinked, realizing that it wasn't Sasuke he was looking at. Then he looked at the car seeing the Uchiha sitting and waiting.
"So, what's up Gaara?"
"What happened? What was so important that you and Iruka had to do, that Naruto's not even aware of?"
"Huh, you over-think things, you know. It's nothing. We're just following up on the attack. Even if they were all killed, we want to make sure it doesn't happen again and that Naruto is safe from now on," he finished with a smiling face, or so Gaara figured by the movement of his eyes.
"Really," he asked sarcastically, not really believing everything the ex ANBU had said.
"Hai, Hai.. Now why don't you relax a little more?" he said patting Gaara's shoulder. Seeing the obvious glare at the contact, he quickly removed the hand.
"Come on, lets not make them wait." He motioned to the car and both walked back to get Sasuke, Kakashi still smiling(or so it seemed.)
While Gaara was talking to Kakashi, which Neji assumed was about what had been so important that he had to check on, he took the opportunity to question Sasuke.
"So what happened?"
Sasuke looked up to see Neji's white eyes gazing expectedly at him through the rearview mirror.
"Not much."
"Hmm…. So what? Don't you like him anymore?"
"I had already told you that I didn't like him."
"Sure, and you didn't kiss him at the shooting range," he teased. Sasuke glared. "I didn't see it, but with Naruto's face, you could have guessed."
"Look, you're no idiot. It obviously doesn't matter."
"If it didn't matter, why did you get him to eat?" he asked him with a smirk.
"So, I told him to drink it. I don't see the big deal"
"I'm sure it was a big deal for Gaara to thank you and for everyone to be so worried."
Sasuke let out an annoyed sigh.
"Sasuke you don't feel anything for his situation? I mean he is being forced to marry."
"I told you there's nothing between us and it's not our business and by the end of the week we won't be involved in the problem anymore."
"You'll still think of him and you'll still know of his existence."
The raven remained silent, thinking of their discussion over erasing the memory. Neji also stayed quiet looking thoughtfully at Sasuke. He turned to see Kakashi place his hand on Gaara's shoulder then immediately remove it at the redheads glare.
"You know, he asked if I wanted my memory erased. So that I don't remember what happened," Sasuke admitted.
Hearing that, Neji turned his body to face the Uchiha.
"What did you say?"
"I told him that I didn't want to."
"Why did he ask you that?"
"He said that he didn't want me to be disgusted knowing what he was," he said remembering the blond's words.
"Disgusted?" Neji asked him not quite understanding.
"Yeah he said that vampires are thought of as monsters and maybe I didn't want to remember him." Neji thought this over and waited for Sasuke to finish.
"According to him, that way I wouldn't remember what happened at the shooting range."
"The fight?"
"The kiss, idiot."
"So you did kiss him." Sasuke looked up at Neji.
"What? I said I guessed. I didn't say that I was sure," he defended himself.
Sasuke scoffed. "It doesn't matter anyways." He looked out the window seeing the two vampires approaching the car.
"So Neji, what about Gaara? You were interested in him. Did you change your mind?" he asked curiously eyeing Neji.
"I…."
"Well he's not getting married. Anyway, it's not really my business. See you later, and thanks."
He got out and was greeted by a "Yo " from Kakashi. Sasuke just 'hn-ed' at the vampire and walked into the house, not even bothering to say anything else. Gaara opened the door and Kakashi greeted his other student.
"Hello Neji."
"Hello, Kakashi-sensei"
Gaara got in then, closing the door behind him. Neji glanced at the redhead, then turned the engine on and drove off.
Kakashi went back to the house. He smiled, thinking that he should start reading that new book Jiraya had giving him.
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Ok people a little more revelations more info and a little more of confusion but not to worry my youthful friends (lol) this show will continue on the road and more exciting chapters to read .
Thank you for reading and remember to at least let me a one word review to know you are reading and want more.
ja ne.
