Hey guys! Looks like I was right on time for my posting deadline. Wanted to do it earlier, but I've been really busy.
Also, did everyone just decide to give up fanfiction for the new year or something...? I even put in all the feels and some steam! Would have expected more of a response from you guys on the last chapter... (Shout out to Winter Fox for their very helpful review!)
Oh well. Just going to give up over here and go crazy with this chapter. XD
On to it!
CHAPTER 28
Naruto's Schemes
***From*The*Desk*Of*Tristen1497***
Dr. Takahashi's office always made Naruto feel uncomfortable. It was too clean, too organized, and too sterile… It smelled like disinfectant and the white walls, floors, and furniture were off putting.
Naruto stood, rocking his feet back and forth as he waited for the doctor to return. Mercifully, Takahashi came back shortly, carrying in his arms a small package.
"I've done as was requested. Though I'm still a bit confused. I thought the Kazekage was very pleased with my other creations. And besides that, they tell me you don't wear one anyway."
"It's not for me," Naruto explained. "And we felt this design would better meet our current needs."
The doctor shrugged, handing over the box and motioning for Naruto to leave. He did so as quickly as possible and moved with haste out of the building and out into the heat of the day.
He put his hood up to stop the sun from scorching his head and neck and walked towards the palace. The heat made his lungs feel tight, and he thought longingly of the evening lightning storms that were sure to come, along with a merciful drop in temperature. It seemed to be getting hotter every day as they moved from what Suna natives called "winter" back into "spring."
He felt a little bad going behind the Kazekage's back, but what Zurui didn't know wouldn't hurt him, right? Besides, it had to be done. Amegakure had proved that. And Naruto knew that Zurui would be resistant to the idea no matter how much it needed to be done.
He could have gone to the council. They may have hated and distrusted him initially, but after spending so much time with him in the Kazekage's absence, they were now, for the most part, on good terms with him despite his demonic nature. Also, unlike the Kazekage, they were usually better about listening to reason.
But he couldn't take the chance they wouldn't listen, or that they would be swayed by the Kazekage. He'd already been pushing his luck, getting them to agree to several proposals. This would have been too much and would have jeopardized the things he had asked for concerning the princess. And Naruto would not risk Sakura's happiness.
He entered the palace and walked through the many rooms on his way to the princess's wing. He took the back ways, attempting to avoid any council members who might be walking about.
He spied Jouhin exiting her room, wrapping her hands in cloth.
He waved at her. "Hey! Headed down to the training grounds?"
"Yep. I lost so much muscle mass in that damn tank. Gotta get back in shape." Jouhin smiled as she flexed her arm muscles.
"Just don't go putting anyone out of commission today. You've only been back for a week, and I heard you've already put three sparing partners in the hospital."
Jouhin shrugged. "What can I say? There is a reason I'm a protector of the princess."
Naruto felt himself frown at the mention of Sakura.
"How's she doing today?"
Jouhin's expression mirrored his own. "She still hasn't left her room. I even offered to take her out shopping, just the two of us."
"Well, thanks for trying. I'll go talk to her."
Jouhin nodded and walked away, disappearing down the hallway.
Naruto paused outside of Sakura's door. He sighed.
The day after she got back everything poured out. Everything.
Everything about his friend that he'd never known or never thought to ask about. Everything that had happened in the last several months since they moved to Suna and were unable to talk about due to their new and hectic lives.
They talked about Sasuke's death. About how Sakura had felt heartbroken, losing a friend and someone she loved and her process for moving past that.
They talked about her desire to be a true shinobi. Naruto always knew she wanted to be trained in combat, but he'd never known how deep that desire went, nor had he been aware that she had been secretly training with Gaara.
They talked about Amegakure: the crown prince, the demon shield, and Jouhin's capture. She told him what had happened to Gaara, how sick he'd been, how she'd been taken prisoner, and how Gaara had saved her. And about how he'd almost destroyed her with his demonic power...
She told him about the Kazekage's plan to marry her off to his nephew and how she felt about it. They talked of her reluctance to marry not just this new suitor, but anyone.
And of course they talked about Gaara. She told Naruto about her deal with Gaara and her training with him. She told him about how they had become friends, and the truth about Ritsu and the demon world. She told him about the cave and the kiss and about what had happened afterwards. About how none of it mattered, because of the prophesy.
The prophesy…
That was something else they'd been talking about.
Naruto knocked on the door. There was no answer, but he entered anyway.
"Sakura?" he called.
The shades in her room were closed, sealing the room in gloom. The only sign of Sakura was a tuff of pink hair peeking out from beneath the blankets of her bed.
"You're still in bed?" Naruto frowned. "Come on Sakura. The day's half over."
Naruto crossed the room and opened the shades. Light poured into the room. Sakura shifted the covers to hide the light from her eyes.
"Come on. Get up!"
Sakura sat up without complaint. Naruto cringed. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying and lack of sleep.
He sat down next to her.
"Nightmares?"
She nodded.
"About the prophesy?"
She nodded again.
"What to talk about it?"
Sakura sighed.
"Obviously I knew about it. Everyone kept reminding me. But with everything else… Becoming a princess and having to deal with that, moving here, the demon attacks, the marriage thing, and then Amegakure… And Gaara…
"The prophesy sort of got pushed to the back of my mind. I kept wanting to push it there. Any excuse not to think about it.
"It's got me so worried, Naruto. All of it. I don't have any idea how I'm supposed to save the world and kill all the demons. And even if I knew how… I don't want to.
"You, Jouhin, Gaara… You are my friends no matter what. How am I supposed to be OK with killing all the people I care about?"
It was Naruto's turn to sigh. He didn't have an answer for her, but he knew someone who would.
"I actually know someone who might be able to help with all this about the prophesy."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she's a historian from Konoha. Kakashi-sensei told me about her when I wrote to him right after you got back. She's well known for tracking down origins of texts and legends.
"I mean, we know the prophesy was told by some wacko old lady, like, 21 years ago or something. But we don't know where she got it. Or how.
"Apparently, there have been lots of rumors of someone being born who would rid the world of demons. Many go back a lot further than this one old crow.
"So this historian is going to try and help. I already cleared her visit with the council. Maybe she can track down the original prophesy."
Sakura smiled. "And maybe then, we can figure out a way to stop the prophesy from killing you and the others. I know some of the demons are mindless and destructive. There is no saving them. But you and the other jinchuriki, you're different. Just because someone has demonic powers doesn't make them evil."
Naruto nodded in agreement. "Exactly. There are plenty of demons in the world who can control their power and who live peacefully. Maybe we can find a way to save them and just kill the demonic power itself."
"You really think we can do that?"
"Maybe. I mean, we'll see what this historian has to say. She can probably tell us more about exactly what the prophesy entails and what things are untouched by fate that we might be able to tweak."
Sakura hugged Naruto closely to her.
"I really hope so."
"Me too." He hugged her back then pulled away, an excited look on his face.
"I also have another surprise for you!"
"What?"
"So, I talked to the council the other day. I used Amegakure as an example of what can happen if your protectors are incapacitated. I mean, we almost lost you, all because our enemy figured out a way to render Jouhin and Gaara useless. And I doubt my presence would have changed things. I would have been just as helpless thanks to that shield…
"Anyway, so I convinced the council that you should begin shinobi training."
"What?!" Sakura looked at him in disbelief.
"No joke. Seriously. It's the best way to insure that you can take care of yourself in emergency situations. I also pointed to the benefits of having a princess who can fight for her country.
"You remember how things went the last time there was a demon attack. Just having you helping as a medic… It really made a difference in the way the troops fought and helped you to gain the support of the people.
"And if the people support you, well… that's the first step to building a strong reign."
"When did you get so political?"
"When Zurui decided it was a good idea to leave me behind and make me do his job. Still don't know how he thought that was a good idea..."
"Wait, so Zurui agreed to this?"
"Well… not exactly. He might not have been there when the meeting was called. Something about recuperating from his ordeal in Amegakure…"
"Naruto, that's amazing!"
"I know! You start tomorrow. Otsuto agreed to be your teacher, and of course Jouhin and I will always be available for a good sparing match."
Sakura's face fell a little.
"And… Gaara?" she asked hesitantly.
"I don't know. I haven't told him about it yet… Have you talked to him at all since… you know…?"
Sakura sighed. "I don't know what to say. I mean… he's my friend. I think. I never thought about anything more than that but now… No! No, not even going to think about it. I mean, he's right. There's be no point in thinking about it. It's impossible.
"I just want things to go back to the way they were before. Not before before when he was trying to kill me, but before when we were friends...
"Is that selfish of me? I mean, I don't even know how he really feels. It was probably just a mistake. He just kept saying it never happened. "
Naruto nodded, acting like he knew what was going on. "Yeah. Probably just a mistake." he agreed with her.
Relationships weren't exactly his strong suit. He'd never had a mate as a demon, and though he liked Hinata, he'd never acted for a number of what he considered to be very good reasons. But he did know one thing.
Sakura was his princess and his best friend. He might have to worry about the consequences for himself, but for her… He just wanted her to be happy. Screw everything else.
She gave him another hug.
"Thanks for listening Naruto."
"Any time." He smiled. "No. Seriously. Any time. I don't want to go back to not getting to talk to you."
"I won't let things get like that again. Promise."
"I will accept your promise only if you agree to get out of bed. Maybe if you ask, Otsuto will begin your training today."
Sakura smiled and almost jumped out of bed, moving towards her closet.
Naruto turned to leave.
"Naruto?" Sakura called after him.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For everything... Also, you will let me know when that historian is supposed to come into town, right?"
"Will do."
***From*The*Desk*Of*Tristen1497***
Naruto shut the door to Sakura's suit and walked across the hall. He didn't even knock before entering Gaara's chambers.
He'd been in Gaara's room before. But never when the sand master was there, and never when he had decided to turn off the air conditioning. The whole room sweltered like the desert beyond the bay windows.
Gaara sat on his meditation mat, facing the windows.
"What do you want, fox?" he growled.
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest. "We need to talk."
There was no response.
"I know about the cave Gaara."
Another long silence.
"Come to chastise me? Well, I can guarantee nothing like that will ever happen again, so you can stop worrying about your precious princess and get out."
"Gaara. I know."
Gaara turned his head to look at Naruto with a questioning gaze.
"I know how you feel about her. I've always known."
Gaara scoffed and averted his gaze.
"You don't know anything, Kyuubi." He spat.
Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Please. I knew from the moment you met her up on the Suna wall. Even if you deny it."
Gaara's fists clenched.
"That's right. Just get angry like you always do. Because that's worked out so well in the past."
"Get out now, Naruto."
"What are you afraid of Gaara? I always thought it was your own pride. The great and powerful Shukaku the sand demon, in love with a human."
Gaara stood up and turned to face Naruto, obviously fuming.
"But then Sakura told me about Ritsu. So, is it her? Are you afraid of betraying her, or of getting hurt again?"
"Shut your mouth. Now." Gaara hissed. He took a step towards Naruto.
"Or are you afraid of rejection? What if she doesn't feel the same? Or worse. What if she does? Are you afraid of hurting her?"
"LEAVE! NOW!"
Gaara's sand had begun to rise out of the fountain in his room. It was restlessly shifting towards Naruto at a dangerously fast past.
Naruto shrugged, ignoring the grains curling around his feet.
"Whatever. Keep denying it. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Naruto started walking towards Gaara, coming to stand uncomfortably close to the sand master. Gaara's sand was poised to take Naruto out with one swift motion.
"But know this," Naruto warned. "What does matter to me is Sakura. Her happiness. What she wants. Her safety. Understand?"
Gaara glared hard back at Naruto, giving him the most hate-filled yet serious look possible.
"I didn't think I needed to state the obvious for the guy who supposedly knows everything. But, in case your powers of deduction have failed you, I want the same thing you do: the princess safe and happy. You have no qualms with me, fox. Now GET. OUT."
Naruto shifted his face, putting on his signature foxy grin.
"No problem buddy." Gaara's cringed and his sand shifted violently around them as Naruto brought his hand down to pat Gaara quite forcefully on the shoulder.
"Glad to know we're on the same page. Oh! And I almost forgot! I got you a little something!"
Gaara shifted in an attempt to put at much distance between him and Naruto as possible, but it was too late. Naruto reached out and placed something heavy around his neck before Gaara had time to react.
Gaara looked down.
"What the hell?"
Around his neck was a new collar, blood red to match his tattoo and quite obviously without the deadly spikes pointing in at his throat as a warning of what would happen should he transform.
"You like? Had it specially made for you." Naruto smiled.
Gaara just looked at him confuse.
Naruto sighed, handing Gaara the black key that went with his black collar.
"Sakura told me about what happened once the demon shield was down but you didn't have your collar on. Remember? That part where you went all murderous and almost started killing people?
"Well, I think I know why. You've always had a collar on to control your energy. You never had to learn how to channel your demonic chakra through your human vessel, like I did."
"You're point? Neither did Jouhin, and she's been fine without her collar." Gaara pointed out.
"Yes, but she's also a lot less powerful than you or me.
"So I had this made for you. Instead of sucking up your power or limiting the amount of chakra you can use, this one just acts as sort of a filter. There's no limit to the amount of chakra you can use, only how fast you can use it.
"So you start at 50%" Naruto pointed out a small panel on the side, accessed by a series of buttons. "Then you can take it down from there until you don't need it anymore."
"Why give me this?" Gaara looked at him suspiciously.
"Because you obviously need it. Let's face it. Zurui's idea about the collars was a bad idea in the first place. I mean, it kinda helped with the whole you trying to kill people thing, but no one should be controlled like that. We're not slaves.
"And if you're going to fulfill your purpose and actually protect the princess, you're going to need to be able to draw on all your energy preferably without tearing apart your human body, or going on a killing rampage.
"Make sense?" Naruto asked in conclusion.
"How the hell did you get this thing approved?" Gaara asked, moving to remove his old black collar. He turned the key in the lock and it fell to the ground. He automatically felt a serge of energy bubbling to the surface, no longer being obstructed or absorbed by anything.
"Well… I haven't exactly. Not yet anyway. But I figure once I tell them, it will be too late for them to object. And also, I'm banking on the fact that just because you're on the fast track to being collar-free you're not going to start a killing spree." Naruto handed out a red key to Gaara's new collar.
Gaara raised an eyebrow, holding his key, the symbol of his new found freedom, up. "And how do you know I won't? What's stopping me from using this key right now and killing every one?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "I told you. I always knew how you felt about Sakura. I just had to wait until you acknowledged it so I could be sure you wouldn't do anything to put her in danger or make her distressed. Including killing off innocent people, which would most defiantly make her distressed."
Gaara's anger flared again. "I told you fox, you don't know what you're talking about. And if you don't shut your mouth, I don't care how nice you try to be, I will skin you and use your pelt as a new meditation mat."
Naruto turned to leave, waving Gaara's comments off as he went. "Yep, that's right. Just keep making threats and telling yourself you don't care about her."
"I mean it!"
Naruto shrugged, moving to close the door as he exited. "Like I said, it doesn't matter to me as long as no one gets killed and Sakura's happy."
"Oh, and by the way," Naruto added, sticking his head back through the door to look at Gaara. "Since it 'never happened' and even if it did, it 'didn't matter' don't expect to be able to avoid Sakura from now on. You are her protector after all." Naruto's head disappeared and he closed the door.
Gaara moved quickly, pulling the door back open and yelling down the hall.
"I'll do whatever I damn well please, fox!"
Naruto waved back at him as he continued down the hall, not looking back. "I'll draw up a schedule of when we three are on Princess Duty and get it to you by the end of the day."
"Naruto!"
Naruto kept smiling, as he walked down the hall. Yes, things was falling into place… Things would soon be a go on the investigation into the prophesy, he'd solved the problem of Sakura's training, and even made some headway on the Gaara front.
Hopefully, everything else would follow suit. Sure, there were still a lot of unknowns, but Sakura was out of bed for the first time in a week and Gaara hadn't killed him. Things were starting to look up.
Now all he had to do was find a way to tell the Kazekage what he'd been up to without getting himself thrown in the dungeon…
END
Well?! Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?
I felt like this chapter was a bit goofy, but it's Naruto for crying out loud. Goofy-ness and sass are required.
Also, seeing as I have a lot more people either asking for an M chapter or who don't really care compared to those who just want a T, I'm leaning more towards M. If you have any comments on this, please let me know.
Please review! Always helpful to hear from you guys. ^_^
