disclaimer : If only.... If only.
A/N : Rin: FanFiction.net is out to make us look bad!! We updated and put up chapter 3, but the fic stayed at #, like, 134 or summit!! What a bitch...... :P Not only that, but it cut out like, half of the review answers!!! Grrrrr..... I'm so mad! So then we had to remove chapter 3 to put it up again, yet it STILL cut out the review answers!!
Yami Rin: *sighs* Yes, it IS unfortunate, but it's probably cuz YOU replaced the vacation note with chapter 3, aibou. Tis probably why it didn't work as you would have liked it to.
Rin: Shaddup..... Well, I guess we'll put the review answers at the end of the chappies from now on.
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Summary: Naruto is harassed by Gaara one day. Over the course of the following week, the panda-eyed boy doesn't let up, and is scaring Naruto just a little. Naruto goes to Sasuke, for an UNKNOWN (***!!!HINT!!!HINT!!!***) reason.
Things to know: 1) The authoresses are crazy
2) Naruto will be acting like a little girl in this fic (maybe)
3) {blah blah} = author's notes
4) "blah blah" = speech
5) A lot of, /////'s = change of scene, or end of chapters
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WARNING!!!!!!!!!: THIS FIC WILL CONTAIN SHONEN AI IN LATER CHAPTERS!!! FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT'S 'BOY LOVE'!!!!!!! SASUNARU AND ONE SIDED GAARA/NARUTO!!!!!!!!! WILL ALSO CONTAIN KAKAIRU!!!! MAYBE SOME GRAPHIC STUUF, TOO!!!!!!!!
Warning 2: Rin: This chappie contains brief Naruto angst, which Yami Rin is very proud of.
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Even The Cold Burns by Rin Kin and Yami Rin
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Chapter Three
[Naruto's POV]
I awoke the next morning by the sunlight coming in through the window. I scrunched my eyes up in attempt to block it out, but it worked as well as if you wanted to block words from coming out of my mouth. Didn't work. There was a weird weight on my waist, but I didn't bother to check it out. I lazily slipped my eyes open, fully expecting to get an eyeful of my ninja apartment, but what I saw made my eyes widen in shock.
All I could see, basically, was a finely built chest and neck. It took my mind a few seconds to realize this, of course, but when I did, you can't imagine the blush that crept onto my face. I really didn't want to move, but I forced my eyes to look up into the face of whoever the hell had the nerve to sneak into my own house and snuggle with me. I fleetingly hoped that it wasn't Gaara. I choked when I did look, but tried my damned hardest not to make a sound. Black hair was cascading down a smooth face that seemed to be made of pure ivory, and eyelids of the same color covered eyes that made the most piercing glare.
Sasuke.
Vaguely I wondered what he was doing in my house (not that I was complaining), but then the events of the previous night replayed in my mind. I wasn't in my own house at all! I was in Sasuke's. I mentally hit myself in the head; how could I forget about last night?
Wow, that didn't sound all that healthy..... Ack!! Bad Naruto! Bad, bad!! No more perverted thoughts.......
Yes, anyway. It seemed that I had stirred during my thinking, and when I looked back up to Sasuke's face, he was staring down at me, eyes as impassive as ever. He pulled away from me suddenly, saying something about how he hadn't realized that it was him me he was holding onto, and such. Wait, holding onto me? When was he...? Oh. THAT was the weight on my waist. He got up and left the room, the door making a resounding 'click'. Using one of my arms, I pushed myself up and stared after him, longing for him to come back.
I sighed. I knew that he could never like me as more then a friend. Wait, did he even consider me as a friend? Or was I just a rival to him, someone to spar with every now and then? But then, why did he let me stay? Did he feel as if he had an obligation to look after me or something? I fleetingly hoped that I wasn't just a burden to him....
Shaking my head, I swung my legs over the bed and put them on the floor. I shivered. The floor wasn't as warm as it seemed last night. I made my way to the door and grabbed the handle, then hesitated. What was I afraid of?
I shook my head again and turned the knob, pushing the door open. I was greeted by the sight of his living room, in daylight this time, and where my makeshift bed was. Was being the key word there. It seemed that Sasuke had folded the bed back up and put the sheets away. I snorted; what a neat freak.....
Over the course of the next hour, I think I got to see a part of Sasuke, like, twice. I saw an arm the first time, I think, and I saw a piece of hair the second time. Was he avoiding me? By the time I was set to leave, he had already left! What a bastard!! I'll have to put a load of duck crap in his bed later. Heh heh heh, that'll teach him to ignore ME! My trademark fox smirk appeared on my face as I thought of my plan.
I arrived at the usual meeting place only a little bit late; one wasn't really late if one is before one's teacher. That's my philosophy. Anyway, when I got to the street, Sakura was standing there, trying to start a conversation with Sasuke, who, when I waved at him, wouldn't look at me. So I glared at him. My brows scrunched up as I tried to think of what I could have done to him to make him suddenly hate me so much. I couldn't really think of anything..... Wait! Isn't he supposed to hate me, and we're supposed to be rivals and such? Duh, he's acting like this because he doesn't really want me to stay with him and he's just too stubborn to say no!
I was standing by myself on one side of the street for a while. While you're by yourself, the strangest things can run through your head. Like a memory. One flashed through my head for a second, at that point in time. It was of me, sitting of the swing outside the ninja academy. I was about seven, and I was watching all the other kids with their parents, all waiting to hear if they'd been accepted into the academy. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought about it, but I forced them back; I wouldn't cry! I couldn't!! I promised myself, never again would I cry. I stared at the ground and began mumbling a song I knew.
"Don't try to live so wise," I mumbled to the tune of the song. "Don't cry 'cause you're so right. "Don't dry with fakes or fears "'Cause you will hate yourself in the end."
As the chorus came out of my mouth, I felt like I was being watched. I looked up and saw Sasuke gazing at me gently, Sakura idly prating on at his side. Our eyes locked for about three seconds before he looked away.
I sighed. He would never like me as more then a rival. And it pissed me off!
My sudden anger faded as I felt like I was being watched again. My head snapped up and I looked around. Sasuke was silently brooding, eyes closed, and Sakura was trying desperately to get his attention. I couldn't see anyone else but I couldn't shake off the feeling.
"Ohayou, everyone!"
I looked up at the new voice and saw Kakashi walking up to us. Sakura jumped up and pointed an accusing finger at him. "You're LATE!!!" she exclaimed.
He rubbed his head sheepishly. "Gomen, but Iruka wanted me to do something for him and, ahh....."
I snorted. Of all the excuses I've heard our sensei use, that had to be one of the worst. Of course Iruka wanted him for something! Ever since the two had been introduced before our trip to the Mist, they'd been all over each other. Not everyone knew this, of course, but I could get anything I wanted out of Iruka-sensei.
"So, what is our mission for today, Sensei?" Sasuke asked, a bored look on his face.
Kakashi smiled at us from under his mask. Or, at least it looked like a smile, 'cause you could never really be sure with this guy. "For today," he said, "we will be picking up litter in a nearby stream. The old lady who lives near there suddenly stopped picking up the garbage from the stream and someone hired us to do it for today."
My face fell. After what we'd been through in the Country of Waves, we could handle almost anything, and here we were doing these half-baked jobs for some old lady who can't do her own yard work. I sighed, yet followed Kakashi when he started walking away with Sasuke and Sakura. I could feel Sasuke glancing at me, but whenever I turned to look at him, he would be staring ahead. What a weird son of a bitch.... I cannot believe that I think he's attractive.
When we got to the old lady's house, it looked like it hadn't been tended to in weeks. There was quite a bit of garbage littered here and there, and the grass was long and gangly. I could see a stream running just a few feet away from the end of the yard. That too was littered with garbage.
"Kakashi-sensei!!" I exclaimed. "Do we HAVE to do this crumby mission? Just 'cause of some stupid old lady??"
He looked at me with a glint of amusement in his one showing eye. He simply laughed and continued on into the yard, Sakura, Sasuke and me following close behind. He stopped suddenly and pulled three bags and three sticks out of the little pouch that was attached to his hip. How he fit it all in there, I'll never know. He handed each of us a bag and a stick, and told us to go pick up the litter. I almost told him that he could shove the litter where the sun don't shine, but I never got to because he started reading 'Come-Come Paradise'. How he could read a book like that and still fight like he does is beyond me.
The rest of us spread out along the whole place and started picking up the pieces of crap, sorry, garbage. I randomly poked at some things, and if it didn't stay on the damn stick, it was too bad for that.
My feet had carried me over by the stream so I poked at a particularly big chip bag. It stuck to the stick so I shoved it in the garbage bag. A bunch of sand poured out of it, and I involuntarily shivered. Why did it have to be sand that poured out? Why not a fish with no tail, or a crab that was missing a limb? But no, it had to be sand which reminded me of Gaara. That guy creeped me out!! But hey, at least he paid attention to me. Not the kind of attention I'd want from that kind of guy but....
Stop it, Naruto!! I cannot think like that!
But it's true; he IS paying attention to me, unlike Sasuke.....
What about last night?? Sasuke paid plenty of attention to me then!
But this morning he was all.....
He was probably just embarrassed! Nothing to worry about!
My eyes snapped open and I froze. Wow. I just had a conversation with myself and I didn't even realize it. I must have been thinking really hard to be able to do something like that and not realize it.
I once again focused on my surroundings and I was shocked to see that I was in the middle of the woods. I looked back over my shoulder and I could faintly make out where the stream was. I must not have been concentrating on where I was going that much. I was about to turn around and go back when I felt a slightly familiar chakra. I froze in fear when I realized that it belonged to Gaara.
Frantically, I looked around, trying to figure out where he was. I dropped the bag and the stick when two arms circled me from behind. I tried to turn my body around so that he would lose his grip on me but he was too quick; the arms held me to his chest so fast that all I could do was stand there, blankly starring ahead. A small flash of crimson hair was visible in the corner of my eye as a face was buried into my neck. He was doing it again! Why couldn't he just leave me alone?! My hands came up and tried to pry his arms off of me but his grip was too strong. I hated being weak!
"Sweet, sweet kitsune..." he mumbled. "I want you so badly..." The sudden warmth on my ear sent me into shivers. My hands remanded on his arms but the grip tightened. I needed to get him off of me. Now! I feebly started to struggle.
This made him chuckle. "Why do you resist..?" he said lowly. "I will have you, regardless." He kissed the side of my face and something hard was pressed against my ass. I was confused at first, but my eyes widened as I realized that it was his-
My first instinct kicked in. I paniced. How old was this guy anyway?!? He was like twelve, right?! He shouldn't be getting a- Dear Kami-sama, why is this happening to me?? A pain on the side of my neck caused me to cry out. I squeezed my eyes shut in attempt to block out what was happening.
The stupid son of a bitch BIT me! What the hell??! Something warm was running down onto my shoulder, and what I guessed was his tongue was lapping it up. 'Cause I mean, what else was all tongue-like!? Holy shit!! I wanna go home! My struggles picked up again as he continued to lick up my neck and face.
"Gaara!!" I cried. "Let me go!!" He only continued licking me.
A twig snapped to the left of me. Gaara's tongue stopped halfway up my neck and I could feel him look over to where the sound came from. His arms loosened and then released me. I slumped to the ground, whimpering. Dear God, why am I so weak? I closed my eyes and put my head down. I could feel the tears running down my face.
Why was I so weak?
Couldn't I take care of myself?
Did I need to rely on others that much?
I'm so useless....
No wonder Gaara chose me....
I faintly heard Gaara growl behind me. Obviously something was making him a little angry. He said something and then I lost the feel of his chakra. I then heard footsteps coming towards me from the other way, crunching the dead leaves as they quickened. I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders and shake me. I heard a voice too.
"Naruto? Naruto?? Are you okay?? Naruto?!? Talk to me, please!!!"
I knew that voice.
"Sasuke!!" I cried. My head snapped up and I looked at him dead in the face. He was kneeling beside me, his eyes holding an unusual glint, almost as if he was worried about me. It would be so nice if he actually was worried. And then no more of this rivalry stuff. I stared hard at his chin. "Sasuke.." I said again, this time a little more quiet. "Gaara, he.... He was-- I couldn't get out of his grip on me-- I didn't know what to do--!!" I stopped as I looked into his eyes again. They held a strange glow to them, one I hadn't really seen before. It looked almost.... angry.
The angry look faded somewhat as he reached over and stroked along my neck, where the bite mark was. I flinched and his hand pulled back.
He pulled me up off the ground and stared at me in the eyes. It was really intense.... "Naruto," he said, "I promise you, I will protect you from Gaara." I looked up at him, shocked. "I swear it."
Did he just..? He did. He just said that he'd protect me from Gaara. I smiled up at him gratefully. I knew that if I was in my right mind, I would have yelled at him for insisting that I needed protection from anything. But right now, I felt like.... I don't know actually. I really just don't know.
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Rin: Another prime example that Naruto is gonna be acting like a little girl in this fic.
Yami Rin: Oh, come on, you cannot honestly tell me that you didn't have fun on this chapter. Rin, if you say you didn't, you HAVE to be lying!! ^____~
Rin: All you enjoyed was the Naruto angst!!! ---_---* And here are the review answers of last chapter! I hope they don't get cut out......
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Morien Alexander - Rin: Hee hee ha!! Breath of sunshine! ^___^ That one really made my day! *continues to giggle*
Jiro - Yami Rin: Yes, now that I've read over Sasuke's chapter, I REALLY think that he's OOC. *shrugs* What can you do? Anyway, thankx!!
Anime Lass - Rin: I don't really know as to why we put it before the Chunin exams. Just did, I guess.
Zephyr Wind - Yami Rin: This here is Rin's cousin!! She's just like Rin in every way, except for the fact that in a little 'Which Naruto Character Are You?' quiz, she was Sasuke and Rin was Naruto. Anyway, thankx Zephyr!
Ginji-ban - Rin: I'm glad you liked it, Ginji-chan! ^___^ Ban-chan too!
tenshineechan - Yami Rin: I wanna see how we develop this plot too. Heh heh... cuz I have absolutely no idea as to what Rin has planned. I'm only her Yami, after all!! *is being sarcastic on the yami bit*
kanzaki - Rin: It is cute, isn't it? It was s'pose to be an angst fic, but it turned into this. ^___^;; Whoopsie!
lily day - Yami Rin: Well, as you can see, what's happening with the three is beginning to have a plot. But only starting to...
Kechia - Yami Rin: He's gonna be... How shall I put this..? A little bit pissed off, I'd say! X3
Muchacha - Rin: Yes, sissy Naruto!! But isn't he just so kawaii?? I should have him as a little add in thingy in the author's notes... Hmmmm............... *goes into deep thought.. which is REALLY hard for a girl such as Rin!*
firedragon97 - Yami Rin: They'd better not do a horrible dubbing job!! :D Grrrrrr..... Yes, anyway, firedragon97, please update your fic, "A Twist of Fate," pretty soon. Pwease? :3
:D - Rin: Cool pen-name! Thankies!!
Iceheart19 - Yami Rin: Really? You think Sasuke was IC? Wow. I didn't think anybody would! ^_______^
dreamsprite1 - Rin: I'm not sure if this is longer or not, but, hey! At least I found someone who's like me!
Vin - Yami Rin: Thankx! I love pockies! Twah ha ha!!
WuffieLuver - Rin: Yes, another point for Sasuke. BUT!!! Gaara will get a few points, too!! Eventually..... ^__^;;
gelfling - Yami Rin: Tis sad that it's only a one-sided GaaraxNaruto. We might be tempted to write an actual GaaraxNaruto fic one day. *dreamily sighs*
xxkurenaixx - Rin: *giggles* Yeah!! Yet another person who's like me! X3 WAH!!!!
Jekyll - Yami Rin: I luv stuff like that too. Just never thought that I'd be writing one... Er, typing one.
Kanji - Rin: YES!!! Shaman King is coming to Fox in the Fall!! On September 6th to be exact!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! XDDDDDD
Moi - Yami Rin: Heh heh, the demon typos were my bad. *sheepish look*
Tammy14 - Rin: Why thank you! And I most definitely will!! (heh heh, that sounded kinda corny....)
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Rin: Well, there you have it! This time, they better not get erased.....
Yami Rin: Or there will be HELL TO PAY!!!!
Sissy Naruto: *who is really just a chibi, wussy Naruto* Umm.... Why does Gaara pick on me so much..?
Yami Rin: ;;O.O;; *is shocked that Rin actually put him in here* *faints*
Rin: Awwww!! *huggles Sissy Naruto* Don't worry, your big strong Sasuke will save you!! *starts bawling big anime tears that go everywhere*
Sissy Naruto: ^_^;;
Rin: *sniffs* Sissy Naruto, say the line like I taught you.... Pwease?
Sissy Naruto: Sure!! *takes a big breath* PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!! *smiles happily*
Rin: Idn't he kawaii? Thank you to Muchacha for the idea!! And, as he said, PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!
A/N : Rin: FanFiction.net is out to make us look bad!! We updated and put up chapter 3, but the fic stayed at #, like, 134 or summit!! What a bitch...... :P Not only that, but it cut out like, half of the review answers!!! Grrrrr..... I'm so mad! So then we had to remove chapter 3 to put it up again, yet it STILL cut out the review answers!!
Yami Rin: *sighs* Yes, it IS unfortunate, but it's probably cuz YOU replaced the vacation note with chapter 3, aibou. Tis probably why it didn't work as you would have liked it to.
Rin: Shaddup..... Well, I guess we'll put the review answers at the end of the chappies from now on.
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Summary: Naruto is harassed by Gaara one day. Over the course of the following week, the panda-eyed boy doesn't let up, and is scaring Naruto just a little. Naruto goes to Sasuke, for an UNKNOWN (***!!!HINT!!!HINT!!!***) reason.
Things to know: 1) The authoresses are crazy
2) Naruto will be acting like a little girl in this fic (maybe)
3) {blah blah} = author's notes
4) "blah blah" = speech
5) A lot of, /////'s = change of scene, or end of chapters
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WARNING!!!!!!!!!: THIS FIC WILL CONTAIN SHONEN AI IN LATER CHAPTERS!!! FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT'S 'BOY LOVE'!!!!!!! SASUNARU AND ONE SIDED GAARA/NARUTO!!!!!!!!! WILL ALSO CONTAIN KAKAIRU!!!! MAYBE SOME GRAPHIC STUUF, TOO!!!!!!!!
Warning 2: Rin: This chappie contains brief Naruto angst, which Yami Rin is very proud of.
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Even The Cold Burns by Rin Kin and Yami Rin
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Chapter Three
[Naruto's POV]
I awoke the next morning by the sunlight coming in through the window. I scrunched my eyes up in attempt to block it out, but it worked as well as if you wanted to block words from coming out of my mouth. Didn't work. There was a weird weight on my waist, but I didn't bother to check it out. I lazily slipped my eyes open, fully expecting to get an eyeful of my ninja apartment, but what I saw made my eyes widen in shock.
All I could see, basically, was a finely built chest and neck. It took my mind a few seconds to realize this, of course, but when I did, you can't imagine the blush that crept onto my face. I really didn't want to move, but I forced my eyes to look up into the face of whoever the hell had the nerve to sneak into my own house and snuggle with me. I fleetingly hoped that it wasn't Gaara. I choked when I did look, but tried my damned hardest not to make a sound. Black hair was cascading down a smooth face that seemed to be made of pure ivory, and eyelids of the same color covered eyes that made the most piercing glare.
Sasuke.
Vaguely I wondered what he was doing in my house (not that I was complaining), but then the events of the previous night replayed in my mind. I wasn't in my own house at all! I was in Sasuke's. I mentally hit myself in the head; how could I forget about last night?
Wow, that didn't sound all that healthy..... Ack!! Bad Naruto! Bad, bad!! No more perverted thoughts.......
Yes, anyway. It seemed that I had stirred during my thinking, and when I looked back up to Sasuke's face, he was staring down at me, eyes as impassive as ever. He pulled away from me suddenly, saying something about how he hadn't realized that it was him me he was holding onto, and such. Wait, holding onto me? When was he...? Oh. THAT was the weight on my waist. He got up and left the room, the door making a resounding 'click'. Using one of my arms, I pushed myself up and stared after him, longing for him to come back.
I sighed. I knew that he could never like me as more then a friend. Wait, did he even consider me as a friend? Or was I just a rival to him, someone to spar with every now and then? But then, why did he let me stay? Did he feel as if he had an obligation to look after me or something? I fleetingly hoped that I wasn't just a burden to him....
Shaking my head, I swung my legs over the bed and put them on the floor. I shivered. The floor wasn't as warm as it seemed last night. I made my way to the door and grabbed the handle, then hesitated. What was I afraid of?
I shook my head again and turned the knob, pushing the door open. I was greeted by the sight of his living room, in daylight this time, and where my makeshift bed was. Was being the key word there. It seemed that Sasuke had folded the bed back up and put the sheets away. I snorted; what a neat freak.....
Over the course of the next hour, I think I got to see a part of Sasuke, like, twice. I saw an arm the first time, I think, and I saw a piece of hair the second time. Was he avoiding me? By the time I was set to leave, he had already left! What a bastard!! I'll have to put a load of duck crap in his bed later. Heh heh heh, that'll teach him to ignore ME! My trademark fox smirk appeared on my face as I thought of my plan.
I arrived at the usual meeting place only a little bit late; one wasn't really late if one is before one's teacher. That's my philosophy. Anyway, when I got to the street, Sakura was standing there, trying to start a conversation with Sasuke, who, when I waved at him, wouldn't look at me. So I glared at him. My brows scrunched up as I tried to think of what I could have done to him to make him suddenly hate me so much. I couldn't really think of anything..... Wait! Isn't he supposed to hate me, and we're supposed to be rivals and such? Duh, he's acting like this because he doesn't really want me to stay with him and he's just too stubborn to say no!
I was standing by myself on one side of the street for a while. While you're by yourself, the strangest things can run through your head. Like a memory. One flashed through my head for a second, at that point in time. It was of me, sitting of the swing outside the ninja academy. I was about seven, and I was watching all the other kids with their parents, all waiting to hear if they'd been accepted into the academy. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought about it, but I forced them back; I wouldn't cry! I couldn't!! I promised myself, never again would I cry. I stared at the ground and began mumbling a song I knew.
"Don't try to live so wise," I mumbled to the tune of the song. "Don't cry 'cause you're so right. "Don't dry with fakes or fears "'Cause you will hate yourself in the end."
As the chorus came out of my mouth, I felt like I was being watched. I looked up and saw Sasuke gazing at me gently, Sakura idly prating on at his side. Our eyes locked for about three seconds before he looked away.
I sighed. He would never like me as more then a rival. And it pissed me off!
My sudden anger faded as I felt like I was being watched again. My head snapped up and I looked around. Sasuke was silently brooding, eyes closed, and Sakura was trying desperately to get his attention. I couldn't see anyone else but I couldn't shake off the feeling.
"Ohayou, everyone!"
I looked up at the new voice and saw Kakashi walking up to us. Sakura jumped up and pointed an accusing finger at him. "You're LATE!!!" she exclaimed.
He rubbed his head sheepishly. "Gomen, but Iruka wanted me to do something for him and, ahh....."
I snorted. Of all the excuses I've heard our sensei use, that had to be one of the worst. Of course Iruka wanted him for something! Ever since the two had been introduced before our trip to the Mist, they'd been all over each other. Not everyone knew this, of course, but I could get anything I wanted out of Iruka-sensei.
"So, what is our mission for today, Sensei?" Sasuke asked, a bored look on his face.
Kakashi smiled at us from under his mask. Or, at least it looked like a smile, 'cause you could never really be sure with this guy. "For today," he said, "we will be picking up litter in a nearby stream. The old lady who lives near there suddenly stopped picking up the garbage from the stream and someone hired us to do it for today."
My face fell. After what we'd been through in the Country of Waves, we could handle almost anything, and here we were doing these half-baked jobs for some old lady who can't do her own yard work. I sighed, yet followed Kakashi when he started walking away with Sasuke and Sakura. I could feel Sasuke glancing at me, but whenever I turned to look at him, he would be staring ahead. What a weird son of a bitch.... I cannot believe that I think he's attractive.
When we got to the old lady's house, it looked like it hadn't been tended to in weeks. There was quite a bit of garbage littered here and there, and the grass was long and gangly. I could see a stream running just a few feet away from the end of the yard. That too was littered with garbage.
"Kakashi-sensei!!" I exclaimed. "Do we HAVE to do this crumby mission? Just 'cause of some stupid old lady??"
He looked at me with a glint of amusement in his one showing eye. He simply laughed and continued on into the yard, Sakura, Sasuke and me following close behind. He stopped suddenly and pulled three bags and three sticks out of the little pouch that was attached to his hip. How he fit it all in there, I'll never know. He handed each of us a bag and a stick, and told us to go pick up the litter. I almost told him that he could shove the litter where the sun don't shine, but I never got to because he started reading 'Come-Come Paradise'. How he could read a book like that and still fight like he does is beyond me.
The rest of us spread out along the whole place and started picking up the pieces of crap, sorry, garbage. I randomly poked at some things, and if it didn't stay on the damn stick, it was too bad for that.
My feet had carried me over by the stream so I poked at a particularly big chip bag. It stuck to the stick so I shoved it in the garbage bag. A bunch of sand poured out of it, and I involuntarily shivered. Why did it have to be sand that poured out? Why not a fish with no tail, or a crab that was missing a limb? But no, it had to be sand which reminded me of Gaara. That guy creeped me out!! But hey, at least he paid attention to me. Not the kind of attention I'd want from that kind of guy but....
Stop it, Naruto!! I cannot think like that!
But it's true; he IS paying attention to me, unlike Sasuke.....
What about last night?? Sasuke paid plenty of attention to me then!
But this morning he was all.....
He was probably just embarrassed! Nothing to worry about!
My eyes snapped open and I froze. Wow. I just had a conversation with myself and I didn't even realize it. I must have been thinking really hard to be able to do something like that and not realize it.
I once again focused on my surroundings and I was shocked to see that I was in the middle of the woods. I looked back over my shoulder and I could faintly make out where the stream was. I must not have been concentrating on where I was going that much. I was about to turn around and go back when I felt a slightly familiar chakra. I froze in fear when I realized that it belonged to Gaara.
Frantically, I looked around, trying to figure out where he was. I dropped the bag and the stick when two arms circled me from behind. I tried to turn my body around so that he would lose his grip on me but he was too quick; the arms held me to his chest so fast that all I could do was stand there, blankly starring ahead. A small flash of crimson hair was visible in the corner of my eye as a face was buried into my neck. He was doing it again! Why couldn't he just leave me alone?! My hands came up and tried to pry his arms off of me but his grip was too strong. I hated being weak!
"Sweet, sweet kitsune..." he mumbled. "I want you so badly..." The sudden warmth on my ear sent me into shivers. My hands remanded on his arms but the grip tightened. I needed to get him off of me. Now! I feebly started to struggle.
This made him chuckle. "Why do you resist..?" he said lowly. "I will have you, regardless." He kissed the side of my face and something hard was pressed against my ass. I was confused at first, but my eyes widened as I realized that it was his-
My first instinct kicked in. I paniced. How old was this guy anyway?!? He was like twelve, right?! He shouldn't be getting a- Dear Kami-sama, why is this happening to me?? A pain on the side of my neck caused me to cry out. I squeezed my eyes shut in attempt to block out what was happening.
The stupid son of a bitch BIT me! What the hell??! Something warm was running down onto my shoulder, and what I guessed was his tongue was lapping it up. 'Cause I mean, what else was all tongue-like!? Holy shit!! I wanna go home! My struggles picked up again as he continued to lick up my neck and face.
"Gaara!!" I cried. "Let me go!!" He only continued licking me.
A twig snapped to the left of me. Gaara's tongue stopped halfway up my neck and I could feel him look over to where the sound came from. His arms loosened and then released me. I slumped to the ground, whimpering. Dear God, why am I so weak? I closed my eyes and put my head down. I could feel the tears running down my face.
Why was I so weak?
Couldn't I take care of myself?
Did I need to rely on others that much?
I'm so useless....
No wonder Gaara chose me....
I faintly heard Gaara growl behind me. Obviously something was making him a little angry. He said something and then I lost the feel of his chakra. I then heard footsteps coming towards me from the other way, crunching the dead leaves as they quickened. I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders and shake me. I heard a voice too.
"Naruto? Naruto?? Are you okay?? Naruto?!? Talk to me, please!!!"
I knew that voice.
"Sasuke!!" I cried. My head snapped up and I looked at him dead in the face. He was kneeling beside me, his eyes holding an unusual glint, almost as if he was worried about me. It would be so nice if he actually was worried. And then no more of this rivalry stuff. I stared hard at his chin. "Sasuke.." I said again, this time a little more quiet. "Gaara, he.... He was-- I couldn't get out of his grip on me-- I didn't know what to do--!!" I stopped as I looked into his eyes again. They held a strange glow to them, one I hadn't really seen before. It looked almost.... angry.
The angry look faded somewhat as he reached over and stroked along my neck, where the bite mark was. I flinched and his hand pulled back.
He pulled me up off the ground and stared at me in the eyes. It was really intense.... "Naruto," he said, "I promise you, I will protect you from Gaara." I looked up at him, shocked. "I swear it."
Did he just..? He did. He just said that he'd protect me from Gaara. I smiled up at him gratefully. I knew that if I was in my right mind, I would have yelled at him for insisting that I needed protection from anything. But right now, I felt like.... I don't know actually. I really just don't know.
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Rin: Another prime example that Naruto is gonna be acting like a little girl in this fic.
Yami Rin: Oh, come on, you cannot honestly tell me that you didn't have fun on this chapter. Rin, if you say you didn't, you HAVE to be lying!! ^____~
Rin: All you enjoyed was the Naruto angst!!! ---_---* And here are the review answers of last chapter! I hope they don't get cut out......
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Morien Alexander - Rin: Hee hee ha!! Breath of sunshine! ^___^ That one really made my day! *continues to giggle*
Jiro - Yami Rin: Yes, now that I've read over Sasuke's chapter, I REALLY think that he's OOC. *shrugs* What can you do? Anyway, thankx!!
Anime Lass - Rin: I don't really know as to why we put it before the Chunin exams. Just did, I guess.
Zephyr Wind - Yami Rin: This here is Rin's cousin!! She's just like Rin in every way, except for the fact that in a little 'Which Naruto Character Are You?' quiz, she was Sasuke and Rin was Naruto. Anyway, thankx Zephyr!
Ginji-ban - Rin: I'm glad you liked it, Ginji-chan! ^___^ Ban-chan too!
tenshineechan - Yami Rin: I wanna see how we develop this plot too. Heh heh... cuz I have absolutely no idea as to what Rin has planned. I'm only her Yami, after all!! *is being sarcastic on the yami bit*
kanzaki - Rin: It is cute, isn't it? It was s'pose to be an angst fic, but it turned into this. ^___^;; Whoopsie!
lily day - Yami Rin: Well, as you can see, what's happening with the three is beginning to have a plot. But only starting to...
Kechia - Yami Rin: He's gonna be... How shall I put this..? A little bit pissed off, I'd say! X3
Muchacha - Rin: Yes, sissy Naruto!! But isn't he just so kawaii?? I should have him as a little add in thingy in the author's notes... Hmmmm............... *goes into deep thought.. which is REALLY hard for a girl such as Rin!*
firedragon97 - Yami Rin: They'd better not do a horrible dubbing job!! :D Grrrrrr..... Yes, anyway, firedragon97, please update your fic, "A Twist of Fate," pretty soon. Pwease? :3
:D - Rin: Cool pen-name! Thankies!!
Iceheart19 - Yami Rin: Really? You think Sasuke was IC? Wow. I didn't think anybody would! ^_______^
dreamsprite1 - Rin: I'm not sure if this is longer or not, but, hey! At least I found someone who's like me!
Vin - Yami Rin: Thankx! I love pockies! Twah ha ha!!
WuffieLuver - Rin: Yes, another point for Sasuke. BUT!!! Gaara will get a few points, too!! Eventually..... ^__^;;
gelfling - Yami Rin: Tis sad that it's only a one-sided GaaraxNaruto. We might be tempted to write an actual GaaraxNaruto fic one day. *dreamily sighs*
xxkurenaixx - Rin: *giggles* Yeah!! Yet another person who's like me! X3 WAH!!!!
Jekyll - Yami Rin: I luv stuff like that too. Just never thought that I'd be writing one... Er, typing one.
Kanji - Rin: YES!!! Shaman King is coming to Fox in the Fall!! On September 6th to be exact!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! XDDDDDD
Moi - Yami Rin: Heh heh, the demon typos were my bad. *sheepish look*
Tammy14 - Rin: Why thank you! And I most definitely will!! (heh heh, that sounded kinda corny....)
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Rin: Well, there you have it! This time, they better not get erased.....
Yami Rin: Or there will be HELL TO PAY!!!!
Sissy Naruto: *who is really just a chibi, wussy Naruto* Umm.... Why does Gaara pick on me so much..?
Yami Rin: ;;O.O;; *is shocked that Rin actually put him in here* *faints*
Rin: Awwww!! *huggles Sissy Naruto* Don't worry, your big strong Sasuke will save you!! *starts bawling big anime tears that go everywhere*
Sissy Naruto: ^_^;;
Rin: *sniffs* Sissy Naruto, say the line like I taught you.... Pwease?
Sissy Naruto: Sure!! *takes a big breath* PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!! *smiles happily*
Rin: Idn't he kawaii? Thank you to Muchacha for the idea!! And, as he said, PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!