For the past few days, the ticking of the clock was the only noise to fill the apartment. Pavel and his mate did not dare to even breathe, fearing that someone may know or find out about the undesirable guest laying on their couch.
The only person who would make a sound was the person that referred to themselves as Gabriel. Pavel still wasn't sure whether she was a man or woman even after sharing his home with her. He had settled to refer to her as female, though the name indicated otherwise.
Gabriel stayed at the hunter's side, rarely leaving her seat on the coffee table, reading books as she attended to the hunter. The first day had the most activity with the hunter going through complications. Other than that, the hunter slept silently, not even a snore escaping from his lips.
While she waited for the hunter to wake, she would sometimes hum, bringing comfort with the melody and settling within Pavel's soul. It was the only time he didn't feel anxious that something would go wrong. Whenever his stress was at its highest, she would hum as if she knew, and he felt reassured.
Pavel also found himself catering to her, checking up on her. She never asked for food or water, but when he offered, she would take it with appreciation, not leaving a drop behind. After all this time, he still didn't know what she was. A vampire didn't eat, but she couldn't be human either.
Pavel knelt at the table, carefully handing her a cup of coffee he had prepared and placing the snacks on the table behind her. She smiled warmly at him, making him avert his eyes and missing her take a sip before setting the cup atop the book in her lap. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
Pavel thought she was talking to him, so when the hunter spoke, he was mildly startled since his back was to him. "Better than I should be," he replied.
The hunter's eyes opened. There wasn't a hint of fatigue in them. How long had the hunter be awake, Pavel wondered.
"I used my chakra to heal you. Another day or two and you should be near perfect health."
The hunter didn't reply immediately. Instead, his eyes wandered to his surroundings, taking in every detail. He still had that knife he had swiped days ago somewhere on him which made Pavel wary enough to keep his distance, taking a seat in an armchair to watch events unfold.
"You are still in Moscow," Gabriel informed him. "I am Gabriel. I'm a passerby as well."
"Are you?" the hunter asked. His voice was devoid of emotion and for some reason, Pavel took offense to it when used against Gabriel, enough to dig his nails into the fabric of the chair.
Gabriel simply smiled at his question. "You should thank Pavel. It was thanks to him that you managed to survive the night."
The hunter's eyes flickered to Pavel then back to Gabriel. "I didn't ask for his help."
"Is that any way to thank the person who saved you?" Gabriel lightly admonished.
"No one does anything for free in this world."
She hummed in agreement. "That is a cynical view of the world," but she also didn't deny it. Grabbing the plate Pavel had brought, she offered the tea snacks to him. "I bet you're hungry."
"I'd rather you tell me why you saved me," the hunter once again sidestepped Gabriel's kindness.
Pavel once again felt himself get up in arms, halfway rising from his chair. He only stopped when Gabriel raised a hand slightly, still facing the hunter with that patient smile. "It is okay, Pavel," she said in Russian. "He is just suffering from low blood sugar."
At her explanation, Pavel settled back into his chair, satisfied with her explanation.
Switching back to English, she addressed the hunter once more. "You were in quite a poor state when I found you. If I had come any later, you wouldn't have survived." She took one of the tea cookies, dunking it in the amber liquid before taking a bite. "How was the council?"
"Dead." He replied. He waited only a moment then added, "But you already knew that."
"A hunch I had," she sighed. "I was hoping I was wrong." She caught the hunter's gaze switch to Pavel again. "I understand you're concerned, but I promise we mean you no harm." For the first time since being brought into the townhouse, Pavel saw the hunter move. With languid but controlled movements, he brought himself into a sitting position, swinging his legs and placing his feet onto the carpet. Now sitting upright, he became a lot more imposing even when he rested his arms on his knees, one hand in a fist and the other cupping it. "What are you?"
"Do you really need to know?" She asked, dipping another tea cookie into the liquid. "A hunter able to take on the guards of the council and survive, human or not, do you have reason to fear me?"
"I have no fear," he replied. "I have no worries. No concerns. It's suspicious."
She chuckled. In Russian, she addressed Pavel once again without turning to him, "Pavel, may I have more of your delicious desserts?"
Eager to do as she said, Pavel did as she asked, leaving the room.
"Believe it or not, this is my power suppressed. It only minorly affects humans, but those like Pavel, the longer they are exposed, the more they succumb to my call. It truly becomes their desire to listen and to serve. Especially when they are not aware like you." Placing her empty teacup down, her soft nature turned into a subtle command. Though still relaxed, she had a regality about her that said whether she wanted to, she could decide his fate. "That is not the case should I release my full power." That temporary dominating presence was repressed and replaced once again with that warm air once more, "Luckily for you, I am unable to do so."
The hunter went quiet, contemplating the being before him. Slowly he asked, "Are you a lord?"
Her eyes seemed to sparkle with playfulness, neither confirming nor denying just as Pavel came back with another plate of cookies. "Thank you, Pavel."
She took the plate and handed it to the hunter. "Please eat something. Your chakra levels will not restore itself otherwise."
After a moment's hesitation, the hunter took a cookie and took a single, small bite.
Appearing satisfied, Gabriel put the plate down once more. "If the council is no more, we will need to rebuild it and quickly. We will also need to terminate the younglings as soon as possible."
"The council is dead?" Pavel finally realizing what they were talking about, fear worming into his chest at the realization. Fear at how vulnerable his coven would be. There would be a power struggle once the news of their death spread. His coven had little to no strength to survive something like that. They would be massacred. His children weren't even in the area. How could he get word to them quickly without alerting others?
"Do not fear, Pavel. We have been blessed by the presence of a master hunter. He will help contain the imminent threat."
Gabriel sounded so certain, confident, and unconcerned, Pavel found himself believing her full-heartedly, letting his worries fly away and once again finding himself content.
The hunter sat up a little straighter, revealing the knife he had hidden in his hand. "Gabriel, was it?"
"That is correct," she said still unconcerned about the revealed weapon.
"I assume you have a plan."
Smiling a little wider, she said, "Also correct."
The hunter leaned over and stabbed the knife into the table Gabriel sat on, barely missing her hand. His eyes narrowed. "You have my attention. Only my attention."
Neji awoke with a bad case of morning wood. He wasn't surprised. Lately, it was becoming increasingly difficult to hide from Gaara. Now that he didn't have to hide his feelings, it seemed like his body was trying to make up for lost time.
That didn't mean he was comfortable with it though. He didn't know if Gaara was looking for anything sexual. From what he could tell, Gaara never showed any interest in that stuff. He didn't own any magazines or rent porn, and with his past, Neji didn't want to pressure him. Neji wasn't quite comfortable with it himself. He still felt a little dirty thinking of Gaara that way in his dreams and whenever he jacked off on his own.
He looked at Gaara asleep in his arms. They didn't spend much time together last night. Once Neji got home from school, it was training until 1 am. By that time, Neji was exhausted mentally and physically. As his uncle liked to say, sleep deprivation was the first obstacle new hunters had to deal with. There were many times where sleep just wasn't an option and would have to stay up for days.
With it being Gaara's last night, he was a bit frustrated he was unable to spend more time with him, but Gaara stayed up in his room and waited so they could eat a small something before going to sleep. Within seconds, Neji had passed out.
Neji kissed the top of Gaara's head, unable to stop himself. There was some excitement in the act, like he was doing something he wasn't allowed to do. Unfortunately, excitement was the last thing he needed. Why did Gaara never seem to have this problem?
Neji carefully detangled himself from Gaara, doing his best to keep his erection from touching his partner.
A soft knock on his door startled him into not moving. "Neji-sama, the bath is ready for you," a maid said quietly. He had always been a light sleeper, so they never needed to speak loudly for him to wake. Miraculously, Gaara didn't stir at the sound.
Finishing his disentanglement from Gaara, Neji grabbed a robe to help hide his erection during his trip to the bathroom. He quickly divested himself of his clothes, tossing them into the hamper, and walked into the wash area, taking a seat on the small stool. Cold water or just rub one out and get it out of his system?
He sighed, pulling the bodywash off the shelf and filling a bucket full of water. If he was going to keep this a secret, he needed to take care of it every once in a while. After dumping the bucket of water of himself, he poured some of the soap onto his hand as he pulled up one of his favorite fantasies of Gaara. He was a bit ashamed he had a favorite fantasy, but fantasizing about Gaara was happening more frequently than he cared to admit. Especially when they started living together.
He wrapped a soapy hand around his erection, pumping slowly. He wanted to drag this one out. Work out the stress and tension his new schedule was putting him through and tame his growing desire to do things with Gaara.
Morning sex was an idea that fascinated him. Every morning he would wake to see Gaara in his arms. Even back when they first started to sleep together, Neji thought he was cute when Gaara slept. He wanted to kiss that sleeping face. Feel up Gaara's limber body and slip his hands under that annoying piece of cloth between them. Gaara would wake slowly and groggily, being compliant as Neji lavished him with affection. Neji's morning hard on would find a nice warm home in between Gaara's thighs. A slow and lazy morning with his lover in bed.
He groaned out Gaara's name at the image.
The door between the changing area and the wash area opened with a bang.
Neji jumped to his feet, mostly because it was a conditioned response to the unexpected. You never knew when there could be an unexpected attack. Unfortunately, that also gave the intruder a good look at his condition the brief second it took for Neji to compute the situation.
His entire body turned red, spreading from his cheeks, down his neck, to the rest of his body. "G-Gaara, I—" he stumbled over his words, seeing the object of his desire standing in the doorway staring back at him. He didn't even consider covering himself up immediately until he watched Gaara's eyes travel down his body.
Swallowing a lump in his throat, he quickly grabbed one of the wooden buckets to cover his crotch. "I'm s-sorry. I didn't mean to—" He couldn't even finish his sentence. His body was clenching with fear as thoughts raced through his mind. What if Gaara was disgusted after all? What if seeing a guy masturbating to him changed his mind? Similar thoughts kept racing in his mind until he felt he would have a panic attack. He did not expect Gaara to close the door behind him.
Neji swallowed thickly. Only now seeing that Gaara was only in a towel. Did the maid tell him about the bath being ready too after he left? The bath was large enough to hold two or three people easily. It was a large square tub, lined with wooden paneling. It wasn't like the maid knew about their relationship so it wouldn't be surprising if she did tell Gaara as well, but did Gaara plan to still take a bath after this?
"Do you do that often?" Gaara asked. He didn't sound any different. Gaara could have asked about the weather and it would be just as innocuous.
However, Neji's face turned an even darker red, unable to look at Gaara any longer. He couldn't admit that he did.
Gaara took a few steps towards him. "And you think of me?"
Neji thought he was going to pass out if his face flushed any harder, but he did manage a small nod. He was hoping he would soften at least a little with this embarrassing situation; but it was stubborn. Gaara's naked torso and just in a towel wasn't helping either. His eyes kept flickering back to Gaara's skin, taking in as much as he could before looking away again. He had seen Gaara's torso before. Why did it seem so much more enticing than back then?
"Every time?"
"I'm sorry," he replied in a small voice. He wasn't even sure what he was apologizing for. Gaara was too close. If something didn't happen soon to break the tension, he didn't know what he would do. Did he want to curl up and die under a rock or jump Gaara? He was at a loss.
Then there was a shift in Gaara. Almost a smugness in the way he changed his stance and looked at Neji. He pushed him.
Neji fell onto the edge of the tub. He had to grasp the edges to keep from falling in, dropping the bucket in the process, but Gaara's eyes, flashing that silver hue told him to stay put and not move. What was Gaara doing, he wondered. He didn't breathe as he watched Gaara come stand in between his legs.
Was this really happening? Surely, he was still asleep. It was another wet dream that he should wake up from. But the steam at his back and the ache of his muscles from training last night felt very real. Gaara was standing before him, almost nude, staring down at him with a possessive look in his eyes.
"You should have asked," Gaara said, touching Neji's erection causing him to inhale sharply.
He knew it would be different if someone else touched him, but it was too much. Gaara had barely touched his throbbing member and he felt like he was ready to go over the edge.
"No," Neji grabbed his wrist, stopping him. He was already panting. "You don't have to do this. I'll take a cold shower and—"
The intense gaze coming from Gaara destroyed the rest of Neji's thoughts, silencing him. "I want to," was all he said, wrapping his fingers around Neji's member.
As Neji feared, he didn't last long. The intense way Gaara dominated him with just a stare, his inexperience, his fondling before the entire event, it was too much. Not even ten strokes and he blew his load, adding an entirely new embarrassment.
Mortified, Neji just wanted someone to kill him. Gaara didn't help, staring at his dirtied hand with a blank expression. What did one do in a situation like this? Did he apologize? Why wasn't there a guide or something?
He glanced down, seeing a small tent under Gaara's towel. "Um, let me do you." Neji moved to assist Gaara, but the redhead stepped back, still staring blankly at his hand. Then he turned around, grabbing the showerhead and some soap, cleaning himself off.
"Sorry. I should let you get back to your bath." While Neji was stumbling for something to say, Gaara left.
"Goddamit," he cursed, burying his face in his hands. That was not how he envisioned his first hand job. Could he really only hold out for a couple of strokes? If he was Gaara, he'd be turned off to with such a lame partner too. Even the knowledge that Gaara was more than willing to touch him did nothing to comfort his beyond mortified self. If there wasn't evidence of what just happened sticking to him, he'd have thought it was just another dream. Gaara had come and gone so quickly. How was he to take that?!
Frustrated, Neji turned on the water, sitting on the stool once more. Back to where it all started. Now if he could somehow turn back time too.
Gaara sat in Neji's room, observing his hand like it was foreign to him. What had he just done? What had come over him?
Gaara's morning started out well. He had awoken when Hyuuga had, felt him kiss the top of his head, and just enjoyed the serenity and safety the morning brought him. He had also heard the maid tell him about the bath being ready, so he thought nothing of it when Hyuuga got out of bed. He knew Hyuuga was sore from his training and a good bath, especially a herbal one which could help replenish his energy and chakra. Gaara had no intention of joining him at first.
Once Hyuuga had left, Gaara slowly got out of bed too. With Hyuuga, the bed was no longer inviting or comfortable so there was little reason for him to stay put.
As he exited the bedroom and entered the hall, he heard a group of women talking outside as he approached the courtyard. He had no interest in their conversation until Hyuuga was brought up that is.
"He's really taking a bath here?"
"I was surprised too. Normally he just takes a shower and leaves."
"Maybe we should take a peek through the window," one joked. "He looks like the master when he was younger."
"I heard he's still single. Never had a girlfriend."
"An inexperienced one huh. Maybe I could teach him a few things."
"Yeah right, you're way too old for him."
"And you're not?"
"What about the rumors he's gay? That medjay boy's been clinging to him recently."
"Even if it was true, a bit of my charm and experience could turn him straight."
"Think you're just bragging about sleeping around if you ask me."
The group laughed.
"I really wouldn't mind getting a peak though," one of them sighed.
Gaara couldn't stand listening to them anymore, walking past the open door loudly to let them all know he had heard them. He had planned to just get a quick run in then get ready for school to burn off energy, but all that changed. Heading for the bathroom with a narrowed field of vision. he decided to join Hyuuga in the bath to ward off those slutty females who dared to think they could view his mate. The thought they were just joking or fantasizing never crossed his mind. He wanted to harm them.
He entered the bathroom, hesitating briefly about undressing. He didn't like being naked in front of others, not even Hyuuga. His brand was something he tried not to display. Then he heard Neji moan his name.
He didn't know what happened after that. Something grabbed a hold of him. And he opened the door to the wash area without another thought other than seeing Hyuuga.
Hyuuga standing there, being embarrassed, trying to hide his erection, his jealousy resurfaced stronger than ever. Something primal took over. A pleasure that Hyuuga was thinking of him and only him. An urge to want to please his mate. A feeling of victory that Hyuuga thought only of him. That Hyuuga was like this because of him.
The next thing he knew, he was standing over Hyuuga, giving him a hand job. He could still feel his throbbing member in his hand, the smell of his semen, and the look on his face the moment he came. If Hyuuga hadn't come so quickly he didn't know what he would have done. He had been on the verge of climbing onto Hyuuga's lap to rub their erections together. Hyuuga's premature ejaculation snapped him out of it.
Climb into his lap? What was he, a cat?
Gaara curled up, resting his forehead against his knees, trying to will his erection away. He wasn't mad at Hyuuga. Occasionally, he would smell faint arousal from Hyuuga in the mornings. He thought nothing of it. Gaara knew it was normal for teenage boys, though he never really thought about how Hyuuga took care of it. Now that Hyuuga expressed his feelings, of course, Hyuuga would want to do those things with him. It's just that, Gaara wasn't normal.
Gaara didn't get aroused. Gaara didn't think about sex. Not unless Seth forced him to. Besides the few cases of morning wood he had recently, he never dealt with something like this before and he certainly never took care of it as Hyuuga had.
Fighting down his own blush cause by his thoughts, he patiently waited for his erection to go away. He had to regain his control before Hyuuga returned, and this was the only way he knew. So for the rest of the morning, as Hyuuga went about his morning training, he sat away hidden trying to reign in his newfound desire.
The car ride was awkward to say the least. In the first half, neither Gaara nor Neji spoke. Gaara seemed normal enough. He didn't do anything different than he usually did. Neji took that as a good sign, but the suspense was killing him.
"Hey, um do you speak Japanese?" He asked the driver. When the driver didn't respond to him, he thanked the gods for small miracles.
"Gaara about this morning…" he trailed off, not sure how to go about asking.
"Did you not like it?" Gaara asked. Again, Gaara didn't seem bothered, confusing Neji on how he should respond.
"No, I mean I did, but I didn't get to do anything for you." His eyes wandered to Gaara's crotch, briefly wondering what it looked like before he stopped himself. Getting worked up in the car really wouldn't help his situation right now.
"As long as I helped you, I don't mind." Gaara was staring out the window again, so seeing his face was difficult. Was Gaara too nonchalant about this?
"Were you disappointed that I… so quickly." Did he really just ask that? His face turned red, wishing to take it back.
While Neji was beating himself up over his awkwardness. Gaara said quietly, "It was cute."
Neji put a hand to his face. Cute was not what he was going for.
"I'm not usually so…" he couldn't even finish that sentence. "It's just different with someone else."
Gaara turned his eyes on him. "You're that embarrassed?"
"Mortified." He sighed, leaning his head against the headrest.
Gaara went back to looking out the window, much to Neji's relief. He was the only one freaking out about the encounter. Maybe he was overthinking it.
Gaara's hand found his and intertwined their fingers together. "Next time, just tell me. I won't mind."
Neji didn't say anything back, but he did hold Gaara's hand tighter. His embarrassment wasn't going to go away so easily, but he did feel better. Gaara was onboard with exploring a bit more and didn't mind his poor performance earlier. It was the best situation he could ask for.
They arrived at school, and Gaara got out first. Not really prepared to face the day, Neji got out too, trying to force his usual pleasant smile on his face.
"I have some business to take care of. I'll see you after school."
"Okay. See you then."
The driver closed the door behind them. "Have a good day, young master. I will be here to pick you up at the end of the day."
Gaara walked through the school gates, not acknowledging his driver while Neji gaped at the man who looked at Neji with eyes full of laughter and amusement. "Hyuuga-san," he greeted before departing.
All progress Neji made coming to terms with what had happened were all lost in an instant, and he was left standing at the curb, bright red once more. At this rate, he was just going to be blushing all day.
"So the rumors are true. You're really coming to school together."
Neji groaned inwardly, before turning to see Nara waiting for him. Nara was dressed as a slouch as always, wearing the school's sweater vest, his tie was loose, his shirt untucked, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Clothes aside, he had dark circled under his eyes and his complexion wasn't good either, bordering on pale.
"Nara. Been a while."
"Not long enough." Nara looked at Neji before asking, "Can we walk and talk?"
Deciding it couldn't hurt, Neji went along with his suggestion.
It had been a while since they had spent any time together. Nara took the lead, going through the school gates first, but he didn't proceed to the entrance. Instead, he walked around the perimeter and towards the school dorms.
Nara led him into the boy's dorm and up the stairs. The dorm mother, who was sweeping and cleaning the entrance, smiled at them as they passed.
So this wasn't going to be a normal conversation.
Nara opened a door to one of the rooms, it looked empty, with only the bare furniture. There weren't even sheets on the mattresses in the room.
Nara sat down on one of the beds, pulling a cigarette out from his pocket and lighting it.
"I didn't know you smoked," Neji said.
"New habit," Nara took a drag and leaned against the wall. "When you're only expected to live to about 35 or 40, lung cancer becomes the least of your worries." He exhaled heavily. "And the stress will kill me before then."
Neji took a seat on the other bed. "So what did you want to talk to me about.
Nara took his time answering, not in any hurry as he smoked. "How much do you really know about the politics in the shinobi world?"
Neji's eyebrows drew together. "Not much."
"I didn't think so." Letting the cigarette hang from his lips, he leaned pulling his school bag closer, digging out a thick catalog envelope and tossing it to Neji. "Familiarize yourself with everything in there as fast as you can."
Neji took a peek, seeing the papers and photos inside. "Any particular reason why?"
"You decided to become a hunter at the worst possible time," Nara exhaled a puff of smoke and watched it disperse into the air, "and you unknowingly joined the minority. If things play out poorly, hunters might come after Gaara and then you."
"And which side are you on?" Neji asked.
"If I told you," Nara closed his eyes. "would you trust what I say?"
"I shouldn't," Neji acknowledged. The envelope felt heavy on his lap. "But you have also never lied to me before."
Nara stood, walked to the window, and dropped the ash outside. "Those are the people you should be most cautious about. Those are the people you'll let your guard down the most."
Nara put the cigarette out on the windowsill and dropped the remains outside as well. "The material doesn't leave this room. Spend as much time as you want with it. I'll be waiting outside."
Nara stepped outside the room and the turning of the lock could be heard.
Neji wouldn't call Nara a friend, but he had been the closest until Gaara came into his life. To an extent he did trust him, and seeing his haggard appearance, he did find himself a bit concerned over his health. The bell rang out, signaling the start of classes in 1 minute. Looks like he was going to be late.
He spread out the contents onto the bed. Various photos of people he knew and did not know, people of power and people in insignificant positions. All hunters. Different clans and powers. These people were the faces of the shinobi society. The leaders, their heirs, their ideals, and who they were aligned with. His uncle and Gaara were among the various profiles and reports.
This was important. Politics always were, and he was aware he knew little about the inner workings of how the shinobi worked and thought. This was his chance to learn more than what his uncle was willing to tell him and get another point of view on the people closest to him.
Buckling down, he got to work. By the end of the day, he wanted to have every single thing memorized.
Liking people was dangerous.
Gaara came to realize this when he thought back to this morning's events and found himself trying to hide an impromptu erection during class. He heard about things like this occurring and that it was common, but things like this didn't happen to him.
He was ready to blame Seth for everything. He could feel Seth's perverted glee at Gaara's awakening sexual desires. If he could strangle that perverted and twisted lord, he would. Gaara had a feeling Seth would make an appearance in his dreams tonight.
Gaara turned off the water. He had left class some time ago, using the outdoor sink instead of hiding in one of the bathrooms. Throughout the day, he kept hearing chatter and gossip about Uzumaki and Uchiha. The accusations were ridiculous, but the constant reminder Uzumaki was missing, brought back his anxiety, so he came outside to escape it all. The only place that wasn't talking about Uzumaki was his class, who was aware of the real situation. Thus, why his mind had ended up wandering to Hyuuga during class in his attempt to distract himself. Unfortunately, it worked too well, and he recalled this morning.
He finished just in time as the last bell rang, letting school out for the day. People would be coming outside to prepare for afterschool activities soon.
Gaara headed towards the entrance, not too concerned about grabbing his school bag and the books inside them. He could always use Hyuuga's if it came down to it. Gaara went to the gate to wait. They couldn't go home together this time. Gaara had to take care of the haunted situation in his house and buy new furniture, and Neji had his afterschool activities to attend to. As confused as he was about the things happening to his body and his mixed feelings about it, he did want to see Hyuuga.
Hyuuga did not come from the direction of the school building though. Instead, he came from the east where the dorms were located, closer to the drop off located behind the school. From what Gaara recalled, Hyuuga had no reason to be over there.
Hyuuga carried a somber expression on his face as he approached. He was thinking about something, vaguely aware of his surroundings. The weird behavior put Gaara on alert, putting his own worries to the side as he went to meet Neji partway.
"What happened," he asked bluntly.
Neji sighed. "Guess I need to work on my hunter face," he muttered under his breath. Louder, he said, "It's nothing important. Just been a long day."
Gaara tried to decipher the hidden meaning behind that sentence. He didn't have the time. Sai walked up, throwing his arm around Neji's shoulders. With a blindingly bright smile, he asked, "Can I borrow him for a minute?" Gaara didn't even know why he bothered asking. Hyuuga didn't have the chance to tell the boy off, and Gaara didn't have the chance to reply. Sai proceeded to pull Hyuuga away using something to prevent Gaara from overhearing as they spoke.
As annoying as Sai was, he was no fool. He pulled Hyuuga just far enough to stay within Gaara's sight and in public where Gaara couldn't intervene without causing a scene. He gave no reason for Gaara to follow them while preventing Gaara from coming any closer.
He could make out Hyuuga's facial expressions as they spoke. If Sai started upsetting Hyuuga for any reason, he planned to interrupt and pull Hyuuga away. So, he waited for that opportunity to save his boyfriend.
However, that moment never approached. In fact, the longer they spoke, the more Hyuuga began to smile. Not one of Hyuuga's fake ones either. What were they talking about? Jealousy was building up in him, and he debated going over there anyway.
Fortunately, the conversation was short, and Hyuuga returned to him, trying to dilute his obvious good mood into nonchalance but failing.
"What did he say?" Gaara blurted.
His impatience just made Hyuuga fight a smile. "You'll find out tomorrow." Hyuuga happily got into their awaiting car
Confused why Hyuuga wasn't going to afterschool activities, Gaara got in as well. It wasn't like Hyuuga could escape his questioning if they were riding together.
The driver moved to close the car door when a desperate "Wait!" and a hand stopped the door from closing.
What now, Gaara thought with irritation. Seeing that the interrupter this time was Inuzuka, he felt less inclined to play nice. He waved the driver off, and rudely responded with a "What?"
Snapping his arms to his sides, Inuzuka went into a deep bow, pleading with him. "I need your help. Please. Please, help me find Naruto, please." Inuzuka had gone so far to even ask properly, lowering himself to Gaara.
Gaara looked at him with a cold eye. Inuzuka may have been Uzumaki's only friend, but he never made an effort to really be there for Uzumaki when it mattered. It put the sincerity of Inuzuka's request in question.
"Even if you find him, how do you expect to help him," he said coldly.
Inuzuka faltered, his lower lip trembling. "I don't know." He answered honestly, his voice small. "But there has to be something even an idiot like me can do."
Gaara wasn't convinced. "And how serious are you about helping him? Would you be willing to become a criminal? Would you be willing to die if need be?"
The appearance of Inuzuka's wavering loyalty appeared once more. Inuzuka had the capability to help if he wanted to. Always had. He was on the brink of fully awakening his powers. It was himself that chose not to. If he didn't have the ability, his familiar, his demon would not have stayed by his side protecting him all this time. He didn't need someone this weak looking after Uzumaki. He couldn't be trusted.
"Go home, Inuzuka." Gaara reached for the door himself, but Inuzuka grabbed the door with both hands, stopping him.
"Yes. I'll do anything you ask. Just let me help him."
No was just about to escape his lips, when Hyuuga leaned over, whispering in his ear. "Give him a chance. It wouldn't hurt if you test him first to prove himself."
A test huh. He had one in mind. Inuzuka was waiting for his answer, looking worriedly at Hyuuga than back to him. "You'll put your life on the line for him?" he asked one last time.
With less hesitation than before he said resolutely, "Yes."
Clenching his jaw, Gaara scooted over. "We'll see. Get in."
Inuzuka got into the car, and the driver pulled away.
Gaara knocked Inuzuka out pretty much immediately. A quick jab to a pressure point with one of his sand needles. Gaara was not in a good mood with Inuzuka's sudden appearance.
"Where to then young master?" the driver asked.
"The Hyuuga clan. I'll need the elder Hyuuga's help to access that cave."
"What cave?" Hyuuga asked, leaning forward to get a look at Inuzuka asleep beside Gaara.
"There's a cave on the island full of spirits. There's a myth there is a portal to the spirit world in there. Either way, it's been sealed off. We'll need someone to unseal it safely and put this idiot in there." Gaara wanted to rub his temples. He didn't mind Akamaru. Akamaru helped him out a few times. As demons go, Akamaru was tolerable if a bit vain and full of himself. Gaara sincerely wished he had a better master. Someone better than Inuzuka at least.
Hyuuga took the opportunity to question Gaara about the cave and about spirits once more. Gaara knew it was to distract Gaara from questioning him. Gaara, however, let him do it. Hyuuga never pressed him for personal information or for Gaara to reveal his secrets. He had no right to demand it from Hyuuga. Plus, the normal conversation, helped him forget about his troubled day. Hopefully, it was just a one time thing. Never to happen again.
Hyuuga was the first to leave the car when they arrived, immediately going to prepare for training. Gaara followed at a much slower pace, telling a maid to lead him to Hiashi. She led him to Hiashi's office.
Explaining the situation to Hiashi put the elder Hyuuga in a poor mood. "I have someone on staff, but this is a dangerous test. The Inuzuka Clan died out three generations ago. Even if one of their descendants is born with more chakra than the last three generations, it may not be adequate enough to tame Akamaru."
"He said he was willing to put his life on the line. It would be disrespectful of us not to let him honor his words as a man." Gaara responded. Gaara's words had a sense of sarcasm and doubt in them, causing Hiashi to look at Gaara with disapproval.
"You are as merciless as ever. I wonder what my nephew sees in you."
Gaara didn't pay attention to the dig at him. He often wondered the same thing. "If he awakens, you may be able to resurrect a dead clan. I was under the impression that the shinobi were desperate for new blood."
"Inuzuka-kun would not just die, his soul will cease to exist if he fails. Assuming he is not killed by the spirits first."
"If Inuzuka hadn't partially formed a contract in his desperation for life, you could train him as much as you want and have him tame Akamaru properly, but the contract is partially made. That option is no longer available to him. Attempting a normal method of awakening now would be too slow and Akamaru will seize the opportunity to devour him. It has to be forced and quick if he wants to survive. Unless you have another option, Hyuuga-san."
Hiashi schooled his features, but a glimmer of anger shone in his eyes at Gaara's rude behavior.
"You have a sharp tongue for someone who normally speaks so little." Hiashi stood from his desk. "I'll help you. Having a demon tamer is a useful tile to have in one's hand."
Gaara remained seated as Hiashi walked around him to the sliding door. "While I have you here, I will give you my one and only warning, host child. If you harm Neji in any way, or even break his heart, I will do everything in the Hyuuga clan's power to end you, regardless of the consequences that may befall me in the process for doing so."
Gaara smiled a little. He always had a feeling Hiashi secretly doted on Neji. This was as good of confirmation as any. Gaara turned his head, showing his small smile to Hiashi as he replied, "Good."