Chapter 8-
I quickly checked myself over making sure I had everything with me. I was dressed in my war garb, my red and black cloak bellowing around me as I moved. I decided not to take the scroll, seeing as I wouldn't need it to fight any of my friends I may meet. But my Hitai-ate was secured tightly make sure it would fall off.
This may not be a physical fight but, it's a fight none the less' especially if I'll be forcing Kakashi to come back with me. Kurama and me decided it would be easier to take less, knowing this might not go their way exactly. And to make the trip quicker.
'Food, kid. You're gonna have to eat sometime in these two days.'
"Worried about little ol' me Kurama?" I chuckled even as I placed some food quickly in a bag.
'As if, I just don't want to hear your bitching if we don't get there on time. You'll be moaning and groaning the rest of your life.'
I laughed heading out of the door and sped through the village to get away as quickly as possible and start the trip. We would go into Tail Beast mode as soon as we left the village; no need to attract more attention with me glowing.
I'm coming for your idiot ass Kakashi.
*_(*Kakashi*)_*
Well, we've arrived at the Mist, though I've avoided meeting any of the Mist ninja close to the Mizukage. I don't have it in me to see her, and I know exactly the reason. I have no comprehension how she can go through with something like this, but I guess it is the love for the village. The very reason I am going through with it.
Never mind, I guess I can comprehend what she is doing.
But I would rather not have to be subjected to all their happiness, though I don't know how she is feeling about this. I can just feel the sheer happiness seeping from the walls of this place, and you can clearly see it written on the faces of those rushing about the place.
They were getting ready for the wedding in two days. My wedding. With the Mizukage.
I took a deep breath, finally wrapping my mind around the fact that I will be staying here for the rest of my days. And I finally felt a calm settle over me. I accepted this as my fate, and it is to protect the one I love the most in the world. So for him, I will take this like a man and make everyone happy.
I rounded a corner as I was walking out into a garden when I bumped into the lady herself. Her auburn hair let down as it flowed around her, her jade green eyes moving upward to lock with my uncovered eye. She wore a kimono of silk, a beautiful pattern of red swirls on a background of white.
"Pardon me Mizukage," I told her while bowing my head a bit.
"Kakashi Hatake. Please, we are about to be wed in two days. Fret not over titles, call me Mei."
"Mizukage-san I don't believe that-" He was cut off with a stern look and gave a sigh knowing this women would be stubborn.
"Mei-san, very well. Then I see it only fair for you to call me Kakashi."
She nods as she takes in my appearance. He forewent his book as he walked, preferring his thoughts of Naruto and his situation. He did not have his jonin vest on, his navy blue shirt hugging his frame and showing off his physique, his pants hanging off his hips. As always his mask covered his face and his Hitai-ate covered his sharingan eye.
His silver hair hung a bit shaggy in his uncovered eye, seeing as he hadn't cut it in a while. But that didn't deter the steel-gray eye to pierce whoever or whatever it was gazing upon.
She locked eyes with me, done with her inspection before speaking.
"I was looking forward to meeting you with the rest of your group when you arrived, but found you absent." she stated.
"Yes, well I wanted to rest a bit before meeting my future wife. Seeing as I've been traveling for the better part of eight days and did not want to look a mess in front of you." I told her with a small chuckle trying to play off my avoiding her.
"I see," she said with a smile as she covered a bit of it behind her hand.
"Well then I will let you rest, it was a pleasure to meet you outside of the war-zone Kakashi. I will send someone to you for dinner; we are celebrating your arrival today. Where will they be able to locate you?" she asked kindly.
"Where indeed do you find one who is always hidden in the shadows, miss?" I asked slyly, just to be a bit more charming than what I felt. She giggled a bit at the look on my face, and nodded in understanding. That they would not be able to find me.
"Very well then, dinner will be ready in about 3 hours. That is around 6:15, I hope to see you there."
"Of course Mei," I gave her a big eye smile. She nodded again and moved past me, turning to wave once more before continuing on down the hall.
I shunshin-ed away and landed in a garden. Sighing heavily, I landed on a branch and laid there to relax for a while.
"She is very kind. It only makes me feel worse about this situation." I said quietly after an hour or so of silence.
"It is very unfortunate for the three of you." I heard a calm voice ring from beneath the branch I was lounging in. The familiar voice startling me a bit; I cracked my eye open, tilting my head to see the red-head also lounging against the trunk of the tree.
"I didn't realize I had company." I said, moving off the branch and sitting next to the red-headed Kazekage.
"It shows just how much you are mulling over this situation." he answered evenly, turning his emerald-green eyes to meet my eye.
"And what situation would that be Gaara?" I asked curiously.
"Please Kakashi, we both know I am no fool and please let's not play the game where to play one." the teen answered with a stern look.
"I take it that you know of my predicament then."
"It is very obvious if one knows both you and Naruto well." he said with a smile, moving his gaze to the pair of rabbit and deer in the garden clearing with us.
"Is it that bad really? I must have gotten rusty in my old age." I also turned to watch the creatures.
"I must ask, because Naruto is my friend; why did you accept this mission?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair; I was going to stay calm. Not let my emotions over flow once again.
"To protect Naruto. He is precious to me and I did not want him to be in my position; which the village elders would have forced."
He nodded in understanding, seeing the sense in my self-sacrifice.
"Does Naruto know of this arrangement? I don't believe he would take something like this laying down."
"No Naruto doesn't know. Tsunade thought it best not to tell him."
He hummed in response and we sat in silence. I knew the Kage and their entourage would be attending the wedding. It was to show support for the other's in the alliance.
"Do you know, Naruto changed me." Gaara spoke suddenly. I turned to look at the youth only to note he was still gazing away from me.
"Though I think he has changed everyone he meets. But I want to share something with you. It is just a thought I have and want you to be aware of it." He now turned to me, waiting for my response. I prompted him on with a nod of my head.
"Why would Naruto come after, and save me back then. From the Akatsuki, I mean. Because he is my friend and he would do anything to save his friends."
I nodded, not knowing where he was going with this line of thought exactly.
"So if he does anything to save his friends, because of the great love he holds for them; what makes anyone believe Naruto would not find out of this little plot, and stop it for the one person he loves above all others?"
His intelligent emerald eyes seemed to bore holes into my eye, just trying to pry the answer from me. I shook my head not knowing what exactly to answer to the question. A rare smile graced Gaara's face; it was a look of understanding.
Because Gaara also knew what it was like not to be able to comprehend the great love Naruto also held for him. Though his love from Naruto was only as a friend, and much easier to swallow.
Gaara stood and headed towards the house, calling over his shoulder that it was time for dinner to start. Kakashi stood numbly and slowly followed the path the teen took, thinking over the conversation he just held.
Did Gaara just tell me that Naruto loves me?
AN: Hola! so Im back. Im sorry for the late update. Things have been hectic at school and I had to make sure my grades didnt plummet :/ But it is now spring break and I will be typing my fingers off to finish this story for you all and get it posted as soon as possible. But I have a whole week to relax and am very happy about it :3
Sorry it is so short btw, I didnt quiet now what to write for this chapter. But I already have the next planned and rearing to go.
Plz review! And depending on just how many I get this time, I might be inclined to type a bit faster c:
Leave your thoughts! :)
