Chapter 4

Been Bleeding Too Long

"Pick me up, been bleeding too long.Right here, right now, I'll stop it somehow.I will make it go away."

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Naruto's eyes fluttered open.He stretched and shifted closer to the warmth of his human pillow.-Human pillow?..-

The blonde sat up quickly, leaving his palm flat against his mate's chest."Gaara?.."

The other man didn't stir, but a light snore alerted Naruto that he was asleep.-Gaara's...asleep?!-

'Calm down, kit.Shakaku won't attack, he's content.He has a mate now.'Kyubi smirked.

Naruto groaned and put his face in his hands."What have I gotten myself into?.."

Gaara yawned and stretched languidly, body suddenly tensing when he felt the emptiness next to him.Naruto snickered and slunk off the bed.Shakaku's holder sat up and glanced at the empty bed in confusion.

"Naruto?.."Emerald eyes widened."Shit.NARUTO!"Gaara scrambled to get out of bed.

Naruto's blue eyes flashed from the end of the bed and his mate paused.Naruto grinned and pounced him, straddling his hips."G'morning."He purred.

The other man wouldn't meet his eyes, taking deep breaths.

"Gaara?"Naruto leaned closer in concern.

Gaara smiled shakily,"I thought you had left me.."He raised his eyes to Naruto's and wrapped him in a steel grip, pulling him down against his chest."Idiot, don't do that again."

The blonde felt a warmth fill him.This was different than when he was with Sasuke, his love was returned, he felt safe and warm with Gaara.With Sasuke everything had been cold...calculated...He had never told Naruto he loved him.Only one day with Gaara and he already felt like he could spend the rest of his life with him

'And you probably will.'Kyubi stated smugly.

-What do you mean?And stop listening to my thoughts!!-Naruto growled.

The fox yawned,'I can't help it when you're screaming them..'she continued before he could reply,'you and Gaara are connected.Not as strong as full demons would be, but your chakra is connected, therefore you'll be connected probably for the rest of your lives.And with Shakaku and I inside you and Gaara, you both could live a very long time.Your human emotions only strengthen the bond.'

-Thankyou Doctor Kyubi.-Naruto muttered sarcastically.

"What are you talking to her about?"Gaara questioned curiously, bringing Naruto back from his mental conversation with the fox.

"Uh..different things.."Naruto murmured against his lover's tan skin.

A deep rumbling startled Naruto, he almost sat up before he realized Gaara was purring.

"Shakaku's been talking to me to...about this.."His mate ran a calloused hand through Naruto's sunkissed spikes."Do you..are you ok with this?Do you ...really want me?"

"Gaara...I think I should be the one asking you that.."

Gaara snorted, causing Naruto to raised his head and stare into the emerald orbs,"Naruto, why wouldn't I want you?I...haven't known you for very long..but..I felt this connection..and now..I know why.I want you to stay with me forever.."

Naruto closed his eyes and sighed,"Forever is a long time Gaara.."

Gaara took this the wrong way and tensed,"Oh........"

"Nono!Gaara..I mean..You could find someone else...we could fight...anything could happen."

"Yeah.."Gaara got up."I have to go talk to my father.I'll be back later, do whatever you want but don't leave the house."

"Why?.."

Gaara didn't look at him as he opened the door,"Just please dont.."The door shut with a soft click behind Naruto's mate and the blonde was left in silence.

"That went well.."Naruto muttered to himself sarcastically and pulled the black sheets over his head.

'Why do you keep on pushing him away, then pulling him back in?Its getting annoying..'Kyubi grumbled.

Naruto flung his arms wide, "I dont KNOW.This is just..this whole ordeal has happened too fast.I guess Im still..dazed.."

'Well you'd better get your wits about you, Gaara may act like he has the patience of a Saint towards you, but its obviously hurting him.He feels like he's forced you into this, or I have.SHOW him, tell him you love him damnit, and try being seme!Uke is so boring..'

Naruto flushed to the roots of his hair,-Pervert fox!!-

The blonde turned onto his side and sighed, clenching his fist and pressing it to his forehead,"Im so stupid..he LOVES me..Why do I have to be so damned difficult?!"

He sat up quickly,"is that why he really left?Is he going to leave me?!"He threw the covers aside and looked down at himself, wincing slightly."Near-nakedness be damned!"He ran to the door and threw it open, nearly running into a small red-haired girl.

"Uh..uhm.."

"Who are you?"They asked as one.

The girl smiled shakily,"Im gawa's sister, Lilith."She tilted her head curiously, tangled short red hair shifting slightly as her sea green eyes stare up at him in innocence.

-That's amazing, someone from Gaara's family looking innocent..Now that I think of it..I haven't seen any of Gaara's other family members before this..he never talks about them.Who in the hell knew Gaara had a little sister?!-

Naruto grinned, squinting his eyes and kneeling,"Im Naruto, Gaara's friend.I was just looking for him-"

"Gawa's in daddy's room.."She wrinkled her nose, looking down at her tennis shoes,"I hope daddy isn't feewing mean today."Lilith looked up at him puppy dog eyes,"You'll protect him won't you, Naru?Gawa's...never bwought home a fwiend before..Brother needs more fwiends.."

Smiling down at the small girl, Naruto felt a pang of guilt in his heart,-I was being a bastard to Gaara all this time..and he's had it WORSE than I have..damnit...And his sister is skin and bones..she looks like she lives alone or something.-Memories of his days as a child alone brought memories to Naruto.He sighed down at the girl, causing her to look up at him in startlement.

"You awen't Gawa's fwiend?"

"Nono!I mean.Yes, I am his friend.trust me, I love Gaara more than you'll ever know."He touched her arm, softening his smile,"So where's your mommy, Lilith?"

"She..I don't have a mommy..Gawa and daddy are my family.And now youre part of my famiwy, wight?"

"Yeah, I can be your mommy."

Lilith giggled, eyes sparkling as she watched him look mock stern,"And how long has it been since you combed your hair, Lilith?..What's your middle name?"

The redhead blinked, rolling her eyes as she thought,"I dont think I have a middle name.Gaara and daddy just call me Lilith."

Naruto blinked rapidly,"You..your-"

Her eyes sparkled again,"I only talk like that to people I dont know.They think it makes me more cute and innocent."She flashed a grin similar to his.

"You're full of tricks.Just like me.When I was little I used to live all by myself.I didn't have a dad.And I didn't have a mommy like you.No one thought I was cute so to get recognized I would pull pranks on everyone."

"Will you teach me how to..pull pranks?"

"Eh?Don't you and your friends play tricks?"Naruto questioned.

Her expression fell,"none of the other kids like to play with me..Its because of daddy and Gaara..we scare them..Daddy says I have to be strong because one day the villagers will look up to me and I'll be the strongest ninja in the village."Lilith stuck out her chin,"I dont need friends!"

Naruto fell over laughing and Lilith giggled,"But I do like you Naruto.Are you going to stay with us?"

Naruto, still grinning, sat up and scratched his head,"Well..I plan to..but I guess its all up to Gaara..."

"Gaara will let you.He needs the company."Lilith stated firmly and stepped back."Come on, I'll show you where daddy's room is."

The blonde nodded and took the little girl's hand as she led him down the halls.

Lilith paused in front of a large wooden door,"This is daddy's room...I don't think you should go in, Naru.You should wait for Gaara out here."

"Why?"

"Daddy..wouldn't like you going in.I don't think he should know you're here.."She looked away.

Naruto frowned,"Does he..hurt you and Gaara?"

"What do you mean?"Lilith still refused to look at him.

"Nothing..I'll talk to you about it later.Let's work on making up a middle name for you, k' Lilly?"

The redhead noddedd enthusiastically and they sat down together a distance from the door, laughter and squeals drifting down the usually silent and stoic halls of the Sand Hokage's household.

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When I ran out of ideas...I MADE LILITH!Taa-daaaa..-cough-.

Dont know if she's going to be a constant character in the story..but I do like her.She's very interesting, to me at least.And Im amazed that my small incompetent brain came up with her.

If I remember right, Gaara's dad is the Hokage, and send his..maid..type..person to kill him.Gaara really hates his dad...His dad really hates Gaara..and in this story Gaara's dad is abusive and egotistic.-shifty eyes-.

There will be MUCH angst to come..if the story comes out as planned..

But dont worry..Naruto and Gaara won't breakup....YET!jkjk....MAYBE!BwAHAHHAHAHAHA..ahem..

Review please, ideas and suggestions are EXTREMELY welcome at this point;