Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me.

Admit Defeat

Chapter 19: The Sun and Moon

By: Kisu

Gaara was frustrated and when he was frustrated, he liked to kill.

Temari had hovered anxiously around him while Kankurou strayed behind, worried that that the taut hold on his anger would suddenly snap. These couple of days, all his loyal Drylanders treaded among him as if they were stepping on glass.

He hummed underneath his breath, a habit that he had taken a liking of and crossed his arms impatiently. His right foot tapped on the ground in sync with his humming and his brow furrowed as he stood near the window, scanning the desert for any signs of the men he had dispatched to gather information.

Word had gotten to them through various sources that Uzumaki Naruto had been captured by Orochimaru. Or rather, he had gone willingly to Orochimaru in exchange for Uchiha Sasuke.

Gaara growled, finding that he have begun to dislike the arrogant foster brother of Naruto's, more and more.

"Gaara. Why don't you sit down and have something to drink?" Temari suggested, soothingly.

He shot her a glare that could have withered flowers right on the spot. Temari paled and placed the glass back on the table, the ice cubes clinking against the sides as she did so.

The normally expressionless leader exhaled softly, and settled back into a calmer state. His facial features smoothed back into the stoic mask that he always wore. He seldom lost his cool, but the mask seemed to crack when it came to the antics of a particular idiotic blonde.

"I know you are worried, Gaara." Temari tried again. "But I'm sure it will be fine. Naruto can take care of himself."

"But not when he's with Orochimaru." Kankurou pointed out. Temari hissed softly underneath her breath and frowned at him. Kankurou coughed and wisely stayed silent.

Gaara glanced out the window again, his green eyes widening. "They're back," he commented coolly, as he swept past his siblings and out the door.

"Come on." Temari sighed. Kankurou stood up and together they followed their younger brother.

Sasuke sighed and cradled his head in his hands; he hadn't felt this weary in ages. Ever since he had promised alliance with the Shinzui, they had scheduled meetings after meetings to strategically break down Orochimaru's forces.

"Can we assign squad leaders already?" Kakashi demanded. Sasuke had learned that he had been a former professor of Naruto's. Normally, he was a pleasant man but today he was in a foul mood, just because he had missed the latest novel release in his favorite series.

"No." Shizune said sharply. "Not until, Lady Hokage receives all information on the enemy."

"Please calm down, Shizune." Iruka protested. He waved his hands in a reassuring manner. "Everyone is tired of all of this. But to ensure a high success rate and low casualties, Hokage-sama is doing the best she can."

"Speaking of the Lady Hokage," Hyuuga Hiashi crossed his arms. "Where is she?"

"Hokage-sama is occupied at the moment; she will be joining us shortly." Hinata murmured as she placed a hand on her father's shoulder.

"You said that an hour ago, Hinata." Her father frowned.

"Yes. But we do need to get an inside map of Orochimaru's estate and the Shinja company." Hinata explained, quietly. "We are trying to decide who we should send in to infiltrate the defenses."

Sasuke frowned and stood up, his chair scraping along the ground as he did so. "So, you are saying that all this time, we have been unable to acquire a map?"

"Yes." Hinata flushed, she anxiously twiddled her thumbs in a restless manner.

"So, these meetings were going nowhere?" Sasuke continued.

"Sasuke…" Neji frowned, disapprovingly.

"So, we haven't gotten a single thing done?" Sasuke asked, his voice rising.

"Stop acting like an ass, Sasuke." Ino scowled as she stood up. "Everyone is doing their best. Why don't you go into Orochimaru's lair and bring back information?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to reply when the door behind him slammed open. The metal door hit the wall and sent a dull vibration throughout the room.

"Uchiha." The voice was cold and emotionless.

Before Sasuke could turn around, he was thrown up against the wall, hands gripping at his shirt in an unforgiving hold.

"I trusted you." Gaara stared at him, green eyes burning with fury. "I trusted you to protect Naruto."

"Gaara!" Tsunade rushed in, followed by Jiraiya. "Unhand him at once!"

Gaara's grip tightened for a brief moment before he let go and Sasuke was dumped unceremoniously onto the ground. He swung around, eyes blazing as he scanned the room in one swift glance.

"You need someone to infiltrate the Orochimaru's defenses?" Gaara asked. When no one replied, he narrowed his eyes. "I will be back in two days." With that, he walked out, leaving everyone speechless.

Haku stared at a magazine, lazily stirring the spoon in his cappuccino. He had been sitting here for an hour and still no sign of his friend.

The waitress seemed a bit distressed and shot him a curious look every time she had walked pass the table.

Haku lifted his cup and took a sip, immediately grimacing at the taste of tepid coffee. He raised his hand and flagged down the waitress who came to him, with false cheer.

"I've been waiting for someone," he admitted as she stood by the table. "He always seems to arrive late and I guess it's a habit of his." The waitress gave a nod and Haku sighed, running a hand through his hair that he had left unbound.

He smiled charmingly and tilted his head to the side. "I would like a sandwich since I haven't eaten anything at all. Could you be a dear and recommend something for me?"

The waitress's eyes immediately softened. "Would you like a BLT sandwich?"

"That sounds delightful and could I please have a glass of orange juice?" Haku asked.

"Of course," she smiled before giving a glance at his cappuccino. "Would you like a new one?"

"No thank you, I'll just keep this one." Haku replied. The waitress nodded and walked away.

A few moments later, she returned with a bowl of warm tomato soup.

"This will warm you up better." She told him. "It's on the house."

"Oh, thank you." Haku told her, gratefully. She walked away again and as Haku picked up his spoon, the door to the diner chimed as it opened.

He looked up with a frown at the man he had been waiting for all this time.

Cool red eyes met his and Haku waved him over, studying his attire.

"Did you wait long?" The man asked as he took his hat off his head. Pale silver hair cascaded down and spilled onto his shoulders.

"I wait as long as I always wait." Haku replied, teasingly.

"I could not get away." The man explained as the waitress walked over with Haku's sandwich and his juice. She placed it on the table and glanced over at the newcomer, expectantly.

"I would like a coffee, please." The other man told her. "Black."

They watched as the waitress walked away and Haku turned his attention back to the man. "How is he doing, Kimimaro?" He asked, worriedly. "Is he eating okay? He hasn't been--."

"He has willingly accepted Orochimaru's advances." Kimimaro said, quietly. Haku stared at the spoon that he had forgotten he was holding and frowned. "He has also accepted Orochimaru's cursed seal."

"No." Haku looked up, shocked.

"If you want to save him, you should move fast." Kimimaro told him. "Even the men with the strongest of spirits will break in Orochimaru's fortress.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Haku murmured. He placed his spoon back onto the table, suddenly losing all of his appeal for the soup.

"Orochimaru-sama," Kimimaro said carefully. "…hasn't been this happy in awhile. The lust of power has corrupted him to become evil. He actually is a good man."

Haku snorted at this and took a sip of his orange juice. He pushed his sandwich toward Kimimaro who took off the top slice of bread and peered at its contents with curiosity.

"Everyone who touches their share of power becomes corrupted." Haku responded with a grimace.

Kimimaro looked up and sighed. "I believe that Uzumaki Naruto is the only one who can save him from the darkness."

"Orochimaru had once been next heir of a prestigious clan." Naruto's grandfather began, solemnly. "He grew up in a family of geniuses. His father had been a scientist working on genetics and his mother was a well known doctor. When he was in his early teens, his clan was massacred by his uncle."

Jiraiya sighed and clasped his hands together. "His uncle was younger than his father and been banished from the clan, after the head learned of his interest in the dark arts. When Orochimaru's clan was massacred, Orochimaru became obsessed with the dark arts and strove to find a method of reviving his clan."

"Orochimaru's uncle died mysteriously due to an unknown illness and after that, Orochimaru distanced himself away from Tsunade and me. He began to develop his own clan and worked toward creating the perfect soldiers that would produce an indestructible force."

"He took in people that were like him, those who sought an escape from the harsh life that fate has thrown them into." Jiraiya continued. "After the birth of Naruto and Gaara, we knew that we would have to take the matter into our own hands. We were the ones who sent out orders to take Naruto and Gaara away from Orochimaru."

"The Hokage Clan had an ally known as the Kazekage Clan." Tsunade cut in smoothly. "It was a dominant clan who boldly risked their lives trying to uncover Orochimaru's hidden intentions. Thinking that it was a huge risk, the Hokage Clan sent its branch clan to aid the Kazekage Clan."

"The two clans pledged their devotion to Orochimaru and two women of the Hime Clan willingly carried Gaara and Naruto for Orochimaru. The plan was to give birth to the boys and take them away as soon as possible."

"The Uzumaki Clan and the Kazekage Clan would then, wipe out Orochimaru's Clan from the inside out." Tsunade frowned and shook her head. "But, Orochimaru found out of this plan and he kept Gaara and Naruto under heavy surveillance."

"…And when they came of age that was suitable for Orochimaru…" Iruka murmured, quietly.

"The Kazekage Clan and the Uzumaki Clan was brutally murdered." Kakashi finished.

"Oh no." Sakura paled considerably and she glanced at Sasuke who had listened to everything with his eyes closed. The Ryuujin gang leader had told all his trusted leaders to accompany him to one of the last meetings that Shinzui would hold.

"Gaara's siblings escaped with Gaara whereas Naruto was given into custody of Uchiha Kenji." Ino's father, Inoshi spoke up. "But as the years progressed, we kept watching them, making sure Orochimaru would not make any sudden moves."

"Wait a second." Shikamaru turned to look at his father. "Is that why you drilled me so much when I got home from school?"

"All of you were trained to recognize Naruto and Gaara's behavior. Just in case, they did turn against us." Shikato said, calmly. "Iruka became a teacher at one of the most important stages of your life, in order to monitor their behavior."

"So, they were just a science project to you all?" Tenten gasped as she clenched her fists. "How could you?"

"That's not fair!" Chouji frowned.

"It is your duty to protect Konoha." Tsunade lectured in disapproval. "Even though, Naruto is my grandson – the safety of the people comes first."

"That's bull!" Kiba roared. "Family is what comes first; no one gives a damn about your duty."

"If you are asking us to turn our backs on Naruto, after all the things he has done for us." Sakura protested. "You are asking the wrong people!"

"This is not a request, it is an order." Tsunade replied, sharply. The tension in the air became thick and hung over them heavily.

"I refuse." Sasuke said, cutting the silence coldly. "I have told you once that Naruto will not be killed. Ryuujin will break the pact with Shinzui if you will not listen to reason."

"Uchiha-san!" Shizune protested from beside Tsunade.

"I think that he is right." Hinata said, quietly. "Naruto means too much to me, and I will not release any information that will hurt him." Shizune turned her shocked gaze toward the young women.

"Hinata!" Hiashi stood up, angrily. "Do you know what you are doing?"

"She knows exactly what she is doing." Neji responded. "Gaara and Naruto are no different than any of us. If you thought they were a threat, you should have killed them twenty years ago."

"But that fact is, none of you were heartless enough to sentence a child to death." Sasuke whispered. His dark eyes flashed and he calmly got up onto his feet. "The next meeting will be our last one. "Haku will contact me as soon as he finishes his meeting with Kimimaro and Gaara should be back tomorrow."

Sasuke suddenly resembled his father in both heart and spirit. Uchiha Kenji had been an unyielding man who believed in the will of the people.

Everyone watched in silence as the young man gave a final sweeping glance across the room before walking out the door. His inner circle followed behind him and Shino was the last one to shut the door.

Tsunade sighed and dropped back into her chair. She suddenly felt older than her age.

"Uchihas." Jiraiya snorted.

The moon was round that night and it shone down with an ethereal light onto the man who stood next to the window. He wore a white silk robe that fell to his knees like silver moonbeams. The belt was tied loosely around his waist and his hair was disheveled.

But it was eerie, his whole being reflected the light of the sun and the night played with his features, making them seem dark when it wasn't. There was only one person who reminded him of the night and the name died on his lips as he heard movement from behind him.

"Uzumaki."

He was surprised but not too surprised. He had known that Gaara would have shown up sooner or later, demanding explanations in his stoic way. Naruto shifted so that half of his body was illuminated from the light coming through the open window. His curtains that blended in with the darkness of the room, ruffled softly as a slight breeze wafted in and teased his hair.

"Gaara." He replied, simply as he opened his eyes and gazed at him in expectation. The red head seemed startled, because his jade green eyes widened dramatically, and caused the kohl lines around his eyes to look not as thick.

With quick strides, the other man approached him and a hand slowly reached up to trace the whisker marks of the visible side of his face. Fingers brushed against each of the marks before trailing down his neck and to the seal on his breastbone.

"Your eyes..." Gaara said absently as he traced the seal with a finger. The seal was of three curved teardrops that met in the middle. "…are not the same."

"They aren't." Naruto replied before closing his eyes again. Gaara pushed him none too gently against the wall and brushed his lips against his. A tongue licked the edge of his lower lip and Naruto slowly opened his mouth, granting him entrance.

Gaara's tongue plunged in with a demand that made Naruto fist Gaara's shirt roughly, exploring the cavity furiously before retreating. Dazed, Naruto opened his eyes just in time to see Gaara spit and run his tongue roughly for the back of his hand.

"You taste like him." Gaara said, accusingly. Naruto met his gaze calmly and tilted his head slightly.

"Yeah." Naruto answered, simply. Gaara frowned before digging into his pocket for a box of cigarettes. He offered one to Naruto who took it was a curious look on his face. After they lit them, Naruto inhaled deeply and sighed. "It's been awhile."

"Ryuujin is coming." Gaara said after a long bout of silence. Naruto shifted so he could look at the moon again.

"Let them come." Naruto replied, quietly.

"Are you leaving?" Gaara asked.

"I belong to Orochimaru now." Naruto said as he crushed the butt of his cigarette between his fingers. Gaara narrowed his eyes and walked towards him. A hand rested on the windowsill as Gaara gave him a last glance.

"Take care." Gaara said simply. His gaze was expressionless but Naruto knew that Gaara was concerned. Naruto's blank expression slowly melted as he smiled tenderly.

"Of course," he said quietly.

With that, Gaara jumped out the window and Naruto watched as the figure fled into the night.

When he was finally gone, Naruto closed his eyes, inhaling slowly. When he opened them again, his eyes were red, reflecting a crimson eeriness that would leave the bravest of men shaking in their boots.

He had been given a lot of time to think while he resided in Orochimaru's mansion. The walls of the estate were foreboding and he could sense the malevolence that radiated off of them.

At times, he was glad that Sasuke was not behind these walls. He was glad that Sasuke was not the one walking through the empty dark hallways with only the sound of your own footsteps for company. He was glad that Sasuke was not the one who Orochimaru came to, almost every night.

Because he knew, in the end, Sasuke would break.

He shivered.

There was a chill in the night's air and it brought with it unforgiving darkness. The darkness that he was sure was slowly devouring his heart.

He had not seen the sun in a week and the absence of its glowing warmth was making him feel insecure. But it was only an option, for he left the heavy drapery over the windows until the sun went down.

The moon.

Naruto glanced at the pale orb in the sky, bringing its scarce light onto the earth with a glory that threatened to banish the shadows. It was full tonight, and he could make out the slight grey marks of distant craters on the otherwise porcelain surface.

The moon was in fact, imperfect, but it continued to radiate cooler warmth in opposition of the sun.

But the moon could only last with the sun in the sky. The sun was the warmth that the moon radiated it at night. Their destinies were entwined together.

Such like the similar to the fate of Sasuke and him.

"If the sun dies," he whispered, under his breath. "Can the moon live on?"

"No, Naruto. The moon will not survive without the sun."

"So then, if the moon dies, will the sun die?"

"No, everything depends on the sun. But the darkness will be unforgiving without the moon."

"What if the sun tries to take on the role of the moon?"

"That cannot happen. The moon is the moon and the sun is the sun."

Naruto closed his eyes and tightened his grip on the heavy curtains beside the window.

"Just like you are Naruto and Sasuke is Sasuke."

Vaguely, Naruto wondered if he was going crazy.

"Itachi-nii. I love the moon." Naruto breathed as he closed his eyes, basking in the moonbeams as it washed over him in a cool sensation.

"I know, and the moon loves the sun."

Kisu.

A/N: Okay I lied; this fic will not be finished at Chapter 20. I decided to rewrite the ending and actually write in some content.

Thank you for reading! I've been working on my grammar. XD