Mask of Deception
By: Kisu
A/N: I really like this fic…my other SasuNaru fic will just have to wait..^_^
Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me
Chapter 2: Trust
Gaara stood at the doorway of the dojo. He watched with awe at the figure in the middle that was practicing their taijutsu. He had enlisted the best ninjas in the village to teach Naruto and he had picked it up easily. Mastering it quickly, one after another. Naruto's movements were sleek just like a cat's. He slipped into the room, removing his sandals in the first place and walked up to him. He handed him a flask of water and watched as the blonde took it from him and drank thirstily.
"Don't drink too much or you'll have a cramp." He warned. Naruto stopped and handed the flask back to him.
"Thanks." He smiled. Gaara glanced at his smiling face and his expression softened.
"Don't work yourself too hard." He said, softly. Naruto shook his head and sat down, stretching out his muscles so he wouldn't stiffen up.
"I'm not. Thanks for your concern." He replied. Gaara studied him for a moment before dropping down next to him. Naruto looked up at him with concern. "Gaara?"
"Orochimaru has declared that in three years, he is storming Konoha." Gaara said, quietly. "That is when he'll take the body of Uchiha Sasuke."
"Uchiha Sasuke?" Naruto repeated, slowly. "Familiar."
"He is one of the last of the Uchiha clan in Konoha." Gaara explained. "Your home village."
"My home is here now, with you." Naruto said, meeting his eyes. "I won't leave your side." Gaara placed a hand on Naruto's hand and squeezed it. Naruto laughed and smiled warmly at him.
It was times like those that he had never experienced. When someone gave him warm smiles and treated him like he was human. His expression darkened. But if only those times would last.
"Gaara?" Naruto asked, concerned. "What's wrong?" Gaara shook his head and uncurled his fingers from his hand.
"You'll eventually regain your memories. We won't be able to laugh and talk like this again." He said in a frigid tone. Naruto took his hand and pulled him forward so Gaara was nestled between his arm and chest.
"I won't remember. No one can make me." He said. "You will be Kazekage and I will stay by your side."
"How do I know they aren't lies? Like all the same lies that those people spewed. They did it easily as if it was breathing air." Gaara whispered. "But they stopped breathing, when I found out."
"You can't know if they are lies." Naruto commented. "You'll just have to believe what you believe." Gaara listened to his steady heartbeat deep within his chest and his hand went up to where his heart was. His fingers wrote the kanji, 'love'.
"You're warm." Gaara murmured. "It feels nice." Naruto smiled and slowly lay back, bringing Gaara with him. His back touched the ground and he shifted his right arm to bring Gaara closer.
"Let's stay this way for awhile." He responded.
Temari and Kankuro watched silently from the door for a moment, with small smiles on their faces before walking away without a sound.
---
"Any news?" Tsunade asked, impatiently as the ANBU stood up.
"We heard rumors of the Sound-nins that were heading to Hidden Leaf, but along the way they seem to disappear." The ANBU reported.
"And about Naruto?" Tsunade prompted.
"They may have crossed paths." The ANBU said.
"The results are still the same. Naruto hasn't been found." Tsunade muttered.
"There may be a chance that he's dead, Godaime-sama." The ANBU told her. "But if we can't find any evidence that he's dead, we might need to add his name to the Missing-nins list."
"Absolutely not!" Tsunade frowned. She banged her fist on the table, making her cup of tea jolt wildly. The ANBU watched silently as the woman paced back and forth across the room. "I won't believe it. I won't believe that he's dead. Naruto is stronger than that." She stopped pacing, a strange glitter shone in her eyes. "He will stay alive until he fulfills his promise to me."
"If his disappearance is heard outside the village, people may begin to assume that the seal on the Kyuubi has weakened." The ANBU commented. "He will be considered potentially dangerous and that will immediately place him in the Missing-nins list."
"So be it." Tsunade replied as she sat down behind her desk. "But the Hokage will not place Uzumaki Naruto under any list. I want him found alive and well or if it comes down to it, his body. Which we will properly bury."
"Hai." The ANBU member bowed. Just then, from a swirl of smoke, another ANBU member appeared.
"Excuse me, Godaime-sama. We have received news that Orochimaru will attack Konoha in 3 years and claim Uchiha Sasuke." The ANBU reported.
"Then we'll just have to be ready for him, won't we?" Tsunade smiled, tightly. "Tell the Shinobi that I have important things to talk to them about. Make sure Uchiha Sasuke is informed."
- - -
"Oh, the lovebirds out for a stroll?" Kakashi's sudden voice cut through the silence and he watched in amusement as the couple below quickly removed their clasped hands. Sasuke looked up and gave him a death glare, while Sakura who was red in the face pointed up at him.
"Aren't you suppose to be doing something worthwhile?" She asked, angrily.
"Now now." Kakashi smiled, good-humoredly. "Sorry to interrupt your time, but the Hokage has issued a meeting to all the Shinobi."
"…And?" Sasuke prompted.
"That includes both Chuunin, Jounin, and ANBU." Kakashi said. Sasuke gave a look at Sakura and they both nodded.
"Let's go." Sasuke replied, racing ahead.
"Have they found Naruto?" Sakura asked, her face paling.
"No." Kakashi said. "Come on." He followed Sasuke and Sakura raced after the two.
---
"I have been informed that Orochimaru plans to take Konoha by force in three years. So prepare this day, train hard and protect Konoha." Tsunade said as she stood up. "We will make sure that this time, he will not leave alive."
"Is it wise? Should we ask other villages for help?" Iruka spoke up. "He is the Kazekage after all."
"Orochimaru's fight with Konoha is a personal one. After he killed the Third, he has wanted to get revenge for the jutsu that was sealed away from him." Tsunade replied. "This is our fight." Iruka nodded and bowed, slightly.
"Ah? Is there any news on Naruto?" Kakashi spoke up. Sakura and Sasuke looked over at their sensei quickly, as with a majority of the Chuunins there. A flicker of emotion flickered across Tsunade's passive face and she shook her head.
"No. We will continue to look for him. As Hokage, I will not place his name under the Missing-nins list." Tsunade announced. "He will be protected by Konoha because he is a member of the Hidden Leaf!"
"What if he's dead?" Sasuke's quiet voice broke the silence. "It had been half a year."
"Naruto is strong." Tsunade smirked. "Do you doubt your teammate that much?"
Sasuke stared at her before his own smirk crossed his face. "Of course not.' He responded. Tsunade smiled.
"Train hard." She ordered. "We will make sure that the Sound and Sand will never start a war with us again!"
---
Naruto sneezed and Gaara was instantly by his side.
"Are you all right?" He frowned, placing a blanket around his shoulders.
"I'm fine." Naruto replied. "Someone might be talking about me."
Gaara sat down next to him and Naruto turned his head to examine his face. He reached out and touched the skin that seemed porcelain and Gaara's eyes slid to look at him from the side. "Do you miss, sleeping?" He asked.
"No." Gaara replied. "There is always an assassination attempt when I'm asleep. Not to mention the demon will most likely break out of my control."
"Then, you should nap." Naruto declared. "Sleep will make you stronger." Gaara closed his eyes, briefly.
"I'm afraid to sleep." Gaara replied. Naruto's arms slid around him and pulled him closer.
"I'll watch over you, don't worry." He said. Gaara rested his head on Naruto's chest and Naruto shifted into a more comfortable position. "Nobody will get to you when I'm here."
"You don't know how much that means to me." Gaara smiled. He was safe in his arms. He never knew the meaning of love and friendship but Naruto had changed all that. His hand gripped his shirt and Naruto's arms tightened slightly. He wanted it to stay like this forever.
TBC..*_* gaara/naruto!