A Crack In The Mask

Toki: Let's just skip saying hello and onto the chapter shall we?

Sasuke: Hn.

~Naruto~ Alright!

Warnings: Just some sand sibling romance is all~... AND I DON'T MEAN SAND SIBLING INSECT!

Disclaimer: Naruto still is not mine...yet *sweats nervously*

~Naruto~ Hope you enjoy Chapter 25 of A Crack In The Mask!

~By the way~

●Talking- "ItaNaru"

●Thinking-'ItaNaru'

●Flashback- ***ItaNaru***

●Naruto Mentally Talking- 'ItaNaru'

●Kyuubi/Kurama Talking: 'ItaNaru'

●Kyuubi/Kurama Thinking: (ItaNaru)

Chapter 25: The Sand part. 1

After three to four days of traveling we find our Naruto rescue team in front of the gates of sand, quickly making their way to the Kazekage tower to meet up with Gaara. It wasn't long before the guards immediately let them through as they strolled smoothly into the tower. Luckily with having Temari and Kankuro it was easy as pie to get through all the levels and the guards before they finally reached the top of the tower and in front of two huge double doors that lead to Gaara's office.

Before Temari or Kankuro could even knock on the double doors the doors opened. Before them revealed Gaara sitting calmly on the comfort of his chair behind his desk watching as everyone entered with a calm look, but his gaze looked like he meant business as the last of the Konoha team entered and closed the door behind them.

"Baby brother!" Temari cried out before latching herself onto Gaara, along with Kankuro who walked over and joined the two in a death hug by Temari.

Shikamaru smiled at the site of his girlfriend reuniting and in the comfort of her brothers. How only he wished that he could be in the mix, but he was still intimidated by Gaara and sent him a nod instead. Gaara returned it with one of his own nods, but sent him a glare just to scare Shikamaru a bit and remind him of whose territory he was in.

'How cruel Kazekage.' Choji thought as a patted his best friend on the back.

The rest of the konoha gang greeted him respectfully, well everyone except Sai that is who was breath taken by the sight of the Kazekage. Yes, he had caught a few glimpses of Gaara here and there when he came to visit the Hidden Leaf Village, but never had he seen him up close like this. Naruto told him stories all the time about him and Gaara but he had never gotten the chance to see Gaara in person like this. He knew that everyone else had known Gaara since all those years ago at the chunnin exams and has heard numerous stories about him. Now that he was actually seeing him fully in person for the first time there was only one thing he could think of.

Gaara was absolutely beautiful.

The Kazekage caught his stare and sent him a small smile before finally speaking. Sai paid no mind to the smile but he couldn't help but lightly blush at his acknowledgement.

"Im glad you all could make it to sand. It has come to my attention that Naruto has gone missing and so far there has been no sign of him except from you last mission which from what Temari and Kankuro have told me was not so successful?" He sent a glance to Kakashi and Sasuke before Neji decided to speak up.

"It was...not a success but we managed to get some clues to some of the Akatsuki's wearabout-"

"I know he's alive!" Kiba shouted out, surprising everyone. He blushed at all the attention on him now before Akamaru barked loudly, urging the dog-like man to continue. "Uh...right. I don't mean to interrupt you Neji but throughout all the drama I never got the chance to tell anyone that I think he's still alive and that we have a good lead. I swear as soon as I entered that hideout with Ino, Choji and Kakashi my nose felt hot and I could easily smell Naruto, alive and healthy, while in that building. All of a sudden while in there I couldn't sniff him anymore," Kakashi shifted slightly at the last comment, but only Hinata noticed.

She would ask questions later.

"What is your point of bringing this up Inuzuka?" Gaara asked calmly.

"My point is that I don't want anyone to lose hope for Naruto. Now that we're here in sand and have some leads I think we have a good chance of finding our boy!" Kiba finished with a grin, leaving most people in the room with high spirits.

Temari was somewhat happy but she would leave the information of her brief meeting with Kisame on the low until she could talk to Shikamaru and her brothers alone. She didn't want everyone to know that she conversated with one of the Akatsuki's powerful members casually about Naruto being alive. Shikamaru gave her a look and she nodded. Their silent communication indicating that they would talk with each other later.

"And as do I. Even though the Shukaku was almost extracted out of me i'm still connected with him in some ways...And also having a close connection with Naruto I can still feel him and Kyuubi..I know for a fact that he is still alive and going strong, just waiting for us to rescue him." Sasuke glared at the Kazekage. He was always jealous of the connection that Gaara had with Naruto. He knew that Naruto used to have feelings for the Kazekage, that was obvious to anybody. Had Gaara and Naruto done anything though? He was not sure, but he knew that Gaara might have had feelings for the Uzumaki as well and throughout the time here he would keep a close on on him.

Gaara caught Sasuke's heated look and sighed. He knew that Uchiha and him didn't get along but maybe for this mission they could have a brief truce? He knew they both cared deeply for Naruto, but just how much did the Uchiha care for Naruto that would drive him to be jealous of his own relationship with Naruto? He pushed those thoughts in the back of his head for another time...He was the Kazekage and needed to make sure his guest were comfortable after their long journey of getting here.

"Im sure you're all very tired and we have much things to discuss...There are many guest rooms for each of you, but you'll have to pair up with someone since the guest rooms have two beds. If you would like a room to yourself there's a couple of suites available close to the tower but I would feel more comfortable if you all stayed together. Dinner is around five and after that we can discuss further plans..."

Temari walked around the Kazekage's desk, slugging her arm around Shikamaru's waist with a grin. "Well I know who i'm rooming with and of course you already know I have my own room so let's go!" Shikamaru rolled his eyes as she dragged him out the door, but of course not without Kiba and Choji making fun of him calling him 'whipped' and 'love struck'.

"Everyone is troublesome." He groaned before disappearing.

Kiba Looked over at Ino with a sly look and slugged an arm around her. "Guess it's me and you doll face." Ino blushed but Tenten pulled her away and wagged her finger.

"Sorry bud, she's with me. It's a girl thing!" Tenten winked at him.

"What!?" Next thing he knew an arm wrapped around his shoulders. He looked over and was faced with A grinning Kankuro.

"Come on puppy, you're with me. Beside we got some 'catching up' to do!" He slung Kiba over his shoulder, ignoring Kiba's struggles as everyone laughed and Akamaru barked happily at her owner and Kankuro.

Gaara noticed Sai had disappeared from the bunch and assumed since everyone was paired up he would have a room to himself...He had heard many stories about Sai and after dinner he planned to get to know the pale man a bit better and see if he was really like how Naruto describes to be.

After dinner Temari had taken a shower right after Shikamaru and the two decided to stay in for the night. After dinner it had gotten pretty late and Gaara decided to let everyone rest and talk more about secure plans for rescuing Naruto tomorrow, to which almost everyone was thankful for except for Sasuke who kept his thoughts and comments to himself this time.

Temari stared out the window lost in her thoughts when a presence behind her reminded her that she wasn't alone. She turned around and hugged Shikamaru with a tight hold.

"What's wrong. You haven't been yourself since the hideout fail...You know you can tell me anything." Shikamaru wasn't really good with the whole support thing but because it was Temari he would try his best to be there for her by hugging her back and giving her a kiss to sooth her anxiousness.

Temari sighed and let go of Shikamaru. "I know..." She looked Shikamaru with a sharp look before continuing.

He shuddered but was prepared for whatever she had to say.

"I ran into a member of the Akatsuki known as Hoshigaki Kisame throughout the hideout invasion..." Shikamaru nodded for her to continue. He remembered Asuma telling him about the time he and Kurenai went up against him and Uchiha Itachi alone back in the day before Kakashi and Gai had shown up.

"And he told me something that irks me..." Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and rubbed her arms in a gentle up and down motion.

"Well what did he say Tem'?" Temari sighed once more.

"I...He wasn't making sense with his words but he said something along the lines that he would protect Naruto...in a way...Anyway when I asked about Naruto and what they were planning to do to him he didn't give me a straight answer other than that he was being taken care of. It was as if he was saying that Naruto was his...friend or something? I don't really know how to say this but it made me feel like Naruto was in good hands for some reason but it is the Akatsuki after all...I was lucky that guy didn't kill me. In fact he seemed like he didn't want to fight me at all." The had the shadow man raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled as two and two started to come together.

"And what's so funny?" She smacked his hands away so she could put her hands on her hips to glare at him.

"It seems like Naruto can become friends with just about anyone...the dumb goofball." Nothing but confusion was written all over Temari's face.

"And what is that suppose to mean!?" Shikamaru shook his head.

"All im saying is I wouldn't worry about Naruto too much and to get some rest. Out of everyone you and Kankuro have had the least sleep and you two need the well deserved rest the most."

"But im not sleep-" She was cut of by a big yawn coming from her system.

"You were saying?" Shikamaru mused.

Temari rolled her eyes before getting into the bed, followed by Shikamaru of course. They turned off the lights and embraced each other in one another's warmth.

"Shika?"

"What is it?"

"I love you." Luckily the room was dark so Temari couldn't see his blush, or so he thought.

"You woman are troublesome...Go to sleep." He mumbled with a smile before kissing her and drifting to sleep. She giggled, knowing that was his way of saying I love you back and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Kiba walked along the decorative hallways of the Kazekage's castle before reaching to his rooms minutes later.

After dinner all he wanted to do was sleep and get as far away from Kankuro as he could, although that was hard when he was sharing a bed with Kankuro in Kankuro's bedroom.

'Why did he agree to room with him anyway, cruddy assshole..' He thought to himself.

It was very easy to get lost in a place like this, but luckily because he was an Inuzuka he tracked the scent to his room easily and opened the door the find Kankuro petting Akamaru, shirtless with no makeup on a couch across the room from the bed.

Speak of the devil.

Kiba frowned at the sight and slammed the door to make his presence known. Akamaru's ears perked up and she lifted her head but she didn't move from her spot on Kankuro's lap. Kankuro looked up from his couch as well and tilted his head with a sly grin plastered on his face.

"Well well well, looks like the puppy finally decided to join us, huh Akamaru?" She barked happily.

"Since when were you all buddy buddy with him!?" He question Akamaru who barked lowly and rested her head back on Kankuro's lap.

"Traitor..." He growled out as he made his way to the bed.

Kankuro frowned and got up to sit next to Kiba, much to the other male's displeasure.

"Come on Kiba what's wrong?" Kiba growled dangerously at him, making Kankuro scoot about a good foot away. "How come everytime you see me you get so angry? You don't do this to anyone else?" He asked innocently.

"Because your an asshole, that's why! Ever since you saved me from that demented psychopath Sakon all those years ago you alway tease me and make me look weak in front of everyone! Like dude, im grateful that you saved me and all but i'm stronger now and if I wanted to I could beat your ass sand pants!" He finished.

'So that's what's wrong...?' Kankuro thought before he snuck an arm around Kiba's shoulders and gave the dog man a swift kiss. Before Kiba could even protest at the action Kankuro cut him off.

"Easy puppy, you know I only do that to get your attention? You're a hard male to please and it's hard to catch your eye when your so damn stubborn you know?" Kiba blushed at the insult but couldn't help but smile. "And I know if you wanted to fight me you probably could bruise me up but beat me? I don't know about that one." He finished with a chuckled, earning him a punch in the arm by Kiba.

"Okay, okay i'm sorry! But seriously..." He scooted himself as close as possible to Kiba. "It's hard to act right around you when i'm so infatuated with you. We both know it's not a surprise about how we feel about each other but you don't have to keep acting like a prissy brat when around me." Kiba growled dangerously once more at him warning him to stop while he was ahead. "Look Kiba, all im saying is that...*sighs* i'm glad you're here and that you're with me." Kiba softened up his features and looked into Kankuro's eyes for some type of reassurance to know he wasn't lying to luckily he wasn't.

"Your a fucking jerk..." Kankuro smiled once Kiba felt more relaxed and leaned into his touch.

Akamaru stood up and decided to plant herself in between the two men. She couldn't speak human so she barked a couples times at Kiba, speaking dog. What she said...well barked to Kiba was that she would accept it if Kankuro become his long life mate and her second owner to which Kiba scoffed and rolled his eyes. Kankuro raised an eyebrow at their interaction but knew that they were talking with each other in their own language and wanted to know what was said.

"What she say?"

"She said you stink." Akamaru snapped at Kiba for him to tell the truth. "Okay, okay...She said that...She said that she wants you to become my mate and her second owner. Happy!?" Kankuro widened his at this and looked down at Akamaru who was wagging her tail rapidly staring up at him. He pet her and looked at Kiba who was looking down at his lap blushing.

"I wouldn't be opposed to that." Kiba's face was fully red now and immediately he got up and rushed to the bathroom.

"Yea but I wouldn't let that happen so in your dreams sand pants." He commented before slamming and locking the door to the bathroom.

"Love you too puppy." He called out earning a snarl from Kiba from the bathroom.

"He knows he loves me." He grinned and continued petting Akamaru who barked in agreement.

Sai sat quietly on the railing of the Kazekage tower with his sketchbook as he took in the sandy town below him. After dinner was over he decided to get away from everything and get away from everyone. Almost every single thing about this mission was bothering him and he didn't know how Naruto could tolerate so many characters. But then again Naruto played the role of two people himself...

...Flashback...

Sai was by himself in the streets of Konoha around six in the evening, the sun just about to set. He just got done reporting a mission and all he wanted to do right now was draw the flower he had been eying for a week. It was more comforting for him to draw while in the sunset so he sprinted smoothly to the park. He sat on a tree branch and opened his book ready to draw until he realized he wasn't the only person in the park.

Usually around this time since it was so late no one was really at the park, but when he noticed Naruto swinging by himself on a swing looking very lonely a little ways away from him he stopped what he was doing and decided to draw Naruto instead.

After about an hour and couple of minutes Naruto had sighed loudly and turned around looking in Sai's direction. Sai froze, thinking he couldn't see him. That is until Naruto smiled and gestured for him to come take the swing seat next to him.

Without a second thought Sai jumped down from the tree putting his sketch book away and taking a seat right beside Naruto on the unoccupied swing. Although for the first time Sai was nervous about being around Naruto because Naruto didn't feel like himself. It was like he was a completely different person and Sai didn't understand.

Could this possibly be another Naruto or could Naruto be two people?

"Are you alright?" Sai blurted out. He still wasn't good with emotions, let alone comfort. But it was something about Naruto's demeanor at the moment that had him very worried.

"Thank you for asking." It wasn't the answer Sai wanted but Naruto was too surprised by his question and sent him a sad smile.

Sai was very bothered by it and didn't know how to help the uzumaki. Naruto was the one who taught him emotions, taught him how to be more social, taught him how to feel...It was very disturbing when the one that taught you all that wasn't even the same person you've come to known for almost three whole years.

"I..." Sai was at a loss for words. The usual bright happy go luckily Uzumaki Naruto in front of him was not present anymore, but he looked more like a lost puppy dog wondering why it had been abandoned and no one would adopt it because it was 'filthy' and 'disgusting'. At that moment Sai wanted to be that one person who picked up the stray puppy and take it home with him forever.

"It's okay. I know your probably weirded out seeing me like this but this is who I really am. Im not really a happy person Sai and I never really was in the first place. I sometimes put on a show or two just to make sure everyone is happy but sometimes I questions myself, am 'I' happy? And the answer to that would be no. Well, at least most of the time." Sai nodded, taking all the information Naruto had said in.

"Why do you hide it? You told me not to hide mine, so why do you hide yours." It took a while for Naruto to respond and by the time he did the sun had set and stars filled the sky. Although Sai did not mind the silence and waited patiently for the blond to respond.

"It's because if I showed who I really am the villagers would be afraid and I would be kicked out of Konoha if the old man and Tsunade weren't hokage that is. The villagers are already scared of me because of the demon I harbor inside of me, but wouldn't be more terrifying if I actually had a murderous intent to kill all the time rather than act like a goof ball to let the villagers known that im safe to be around?" Sai tilted his head.

"But if you truly want to be hokage do you think you can keep up this act." Naruto looked down for a moment deep in thought before responding and looking up at Sai.

Royal blue met deep ebony eyes.

"That's why I am the way that I am. I act like a goof ball because I want respect from everyone so I can be the greatest hokage there ever was. I want people's respect...That's all I ever wanted." Sai looked into Naruto's eyes as if searching for something but he found nothing.

At first he thought it was a tear drop but when more drops kept trickling down he knew it was about to rain. He got up and was surprised when Naruto grabbed his hand with a smile.

"Uh...My house is closer. We can hurry and get there, then you can g home when the storm is over." Sai could tell Naruto did not want to be alone at the moment and nodded at the invitation.

Naruto was his friend and his teammate and he would do whatever he could to protect him.

He now had something worth fighting for.

***End of Flashback***

Sai continued to draw the beautiful town of sand but suddenly stopped when he was attacked by shooting sand from the balcony. He easily dodged the sand bullets and pulled out his scrolled only to look back to see it was the Kazekage with his arms crossed giving him an amused look. Sai lowered his guard and collected himself, watching carefully as the Kazekage smoothly strolled over to him.

"Naruto has told me many stories about you...Sai." He rolled off his tongue, making Sai feel weird at the way he said his name. "You are a very skilled shinobi from what I can tell and I apologize if I have ruined your evening." Sai shook his head and bowed to showed his respect.

"You have not ruined my evening at all and it is a honor you have came to greet me at this time of the evening Kazeage-sama." Gaara shook his head and sent a small smile his way, reaching a hand out for Sai to take.

"You may call me Gaara, a friend of Naruto's is a friend of mine." Sai nodded and without a second thought took Gaara's hand and thanked him for helping him stand.

"You...have a very beautiful village Kazeka...Gaara." Gaara hummed as him and Sai looked down at the village. The sky had a beautiful blue tint to it, stars surrounded everywhere. It was a nice backround for the village, making it even more unique with all the sand everywhere. People's homes started to light up, giving the overall whole village a beautiful glow.

"Thank you...I am very proud to say I am the Kazekage of this village I call...home." He said saying his words cautiously. "Naruto use to come visit here all the time but I wondered why I haven't heard from him for over a month..." Sai tilted his head.

"Gaara, if you don't mind me asking, what is your relationship with Naruto?" Sai looked over at Gaara and was met with a breathtaking sight of the moon shining over the red head, giving him a mystic yet eerie glow to him. Gaara looked back at him with huge glowing aqua eyes staring deep into ebony black ones.

"Naruto...He saved me. He helped me become who I am today. I used to be a horrible person who killed anything that I saw as a threat, from animals, to enemies, to innocent human beings. I was a monster...But then that Uzumaki came into my life and changed everything." He paused before continuing. "He made me become a better person and I owe him my life."

"Just like me..." Sai whispered but Gaara was able to catch what he said.

"Did you have a terrible past as well?" Sai instantly nodded, not realising he was more talkative than usual.

"When you work for Danzo as a ROOT member that isn't the most friendliest job to have..." He drifted off, not wanting a reveal anything any further.

Gaara put a hand on his shoulder. "Do you still work for ROOT?" Sai shook his head.

"Naruto did everything he could to get me out of there and so he did. Now im an ANBU and it's better than working for ROOT. Danzo is..not the best man to work with." Gaara nodded, releasing his hold on his shoulder.

"So i've heard. Everytime I go to a meeting and he is there he can't help but ruin everyone's mood, killing whatever 'good vibe' there was to be there in the first place." Sai let out a small chuckle. That was to be expected of someone like Danzo.

"I am glad your out of ROOT. I know some of it's stories and someone like you does not belong there." Sai raised an eyebrow.

"Someone like me?" The red head nodded, looking up at the sky.

"You have a lot of potential and someone like you doesn't need to be working for someone like Danzo. He is a horrible man...regardless of that im glad Naruto could get to you and you could be here talking with me tonight."

Sai smirked. "Why If I didn't know any better I would say you were flirting with me Gaara." Gaara sent him a narrowed cool look and turned away as a small smirk was seen upon his features as well.

"I must finish some paper work but feel free to talk with me anytime Sai. You know where to find me if you need anything, I enjoy your company..." In an instant he disappeared.

"Well that settles it...Im going to have to have a long talk with Naruto as to why he had not introduced uss before..." He mused before getting back up on the railing and continuing to sketch the village below him.

Toki: Sai and Gaara huh? Bet you never expected THAT...I actually didn't expect it myself XD Did I nail Gaara well? I've never wrote him before so I do hope I didn't seem to make him too OCC. Anyways so yea, had to throw in a little sand sibling romance because this is a romance story right? The next chapter will be all about Hinata, Kakashi and Sasuke then we get back to some good old fashioned ItaNAru so stay tuned my lovelies!

Sasuke: Finally, it's time for me to get some legit action in this damn story...

~Naruto~ Yea, make my baby shine Toki! *Hugs Sasuke from behind*

Toki: Yea yea, he'll have his 'shining' moment soon

Sasuke: What is that suppose to mean...? *Glares*

Toki: OoOoOhhhhh nothing *Sweats nervously* Anyways, until next time~

Toki OUt O3O