A/N: Okay, I have a really good excuse for disappearing! You see, I was flying in the sky with my magical umbrella (Mary Poppins style, of course) when a plane flew by and broke it, so I fell into a strange forest. Then, Legolas came out of nowhere, and I discovered I have fallen into Middle Earth! (Overused-LOTR-plotlines-style!) Then, he came up to me and said that I was the real princess of Rivendell, and that Arwen was only a fraud, and that I was to be the destined ruler of Middle Earth. So, with my SPESHUL POWERZ!!! I destroyed Sauron (who needs Frodo anyway!? -ignoring Sam's desperate attempts to shoot me in the background-) and then I became the prettiest elf EVAAAAA and then leggy-chan married me. The end. PLZ R&R!!!!!!! Oh wait, I forgot the long descriptions of my appearance. Well, I have multi-coloured eyes with other colours going through them, and they change with my mood, and I was wearing a b00tiful green dress with matching heelz, and my hair is waist-length and wavyyy with red streaks, and my skin is perfect and porcelain and – -gets dragged off to the nuthouse-
Disclaimer: Naruto own not I. Speak like Yoda fun. Up shut I now.
Warning: Yaoi and swearing! You have been warned. !gniraews dna ioaY .denraw neeb evah uoY ?siht gnidaer yllautca uoy erA
"..." normal speech
'...' thoughts
Dobe: dead last
Baka: idiot
Bolded text – setting
Italics – emphasized thoughts or words (can also be flashbacks)
Chapter 16 – Fall from Grace
Konoha – Forest
He could sense it. His presence was there, chasing him, and growing ever closer. If he were to pause and stay rooted to the spot, Uchiha Sasuke would be there within a few heartbeats.
Gaara yanked Naruto's arm forward, all the while trying to increase his pace. But it was no use. Naruto couldn't – or wouldn't – go faster. The blonde seemed dead and detached from reality. This did not bode well with their current situation.
So, the Uchiha was trying to claim Naruto back, was he? He wouldn't let him. As if someone like Sasuke would ever beat him, Gaara of the Sand. He would show the Uchiha. Gaara of the Sand was not one to be caught and defeated so easily.
With this thought in mind, Gaara quickened his pace, catching the oblivious Naruto off guard. The boy took a clumsy, blundering step forward, before falling flat on his knees.
His patience was growing thin now. The Uchiha was catching up to them, and they were going at a pitifully slow pace. Naruto was proving to be a heavier burden then he originally intended.
Then, it was if all-purpose had been passed by. Gaara remained a few feet away from Naruto, still on the floor and looking at the ground in some confused, puppet-like state. He looked on at the crumpled figure, feeling bemused at the sight. Naruto's inability to travel faster would get them eventually caught anyway. Gaara would not let Sasuke have the satisfaction of knowing that he had caught them so easily. So, Gaara will stand and fight.
In fact, Gaara welcomed the prospect of spilling blood. He had denied it from himself for so long; it was wrong for him to do so.
Naruto was standing up now, looking at Gaara apprehensively as if waiting for instruction. Gaara gave Naruto a calculating glance before turning around and continued to leap.
When they reached a clearing, Gaara jumped square in the middle, and stopped. Naruto landed beside him, confused and afraid of their sudden halt. "Why are we stopping?" Naruto asked, his face filled with puzzlement. His question remained unanswered.
He wanted to run, run into oblivion, and run anywhere, as long as he escaped this place of lost hope. But Gaara stayed there, and without Gaara, where would Naruto go? It was true he wanted to escape, but once he did, he would be lost. However, the thought of being lost was starting to sound better than staying where he was...
Naruto started as he heard a faint 'pop!', and he looked to his left and saw sand pouring out like a hissing serpent from the heavy gourd on Gaara's back. The sand-nin revelled in its strong scent. Blood, his well-met companion. Here he would finally answer Shukaku's calls for bloodshed. He would have victory and dominance for the first time in what felt like ages.
This is it. This is where Gaara of the Sand, would make his stand.
Konoha – Forest
Neji remained at the edge of the forest, making sure he was well hidden in the shadow of the thick canopies of the trees. His Byakugan was activated, and there he sat and watched.
He didn't want to be seen yet. He would watch and wait, and then make his appearance when the need came. Neji made sure he kept his chakra low, as to not be noticed. Then, he made his way a little deeper into the forest.
His brow creased in question as he saw Gaara stop in the middle of a clearing, Naruto in tow. With a glance to his left, Neji saw Sasuke heading straight for them with an impressing speed.
So many questions ran through his head, and he knew that they would remain unanswered unless he stayed and watched. With an air of a predator about to pounce on his prey, Neji crouched and waited as the unseen fourth. Hands clasped tightly by his side, and kneeling stiffly alert. Yet, his heavy body seemed light in its tension; he was thrumming like a live wire. Neji lapsed into a scrutinizing pause.
Konoha – Forest, clearing
Sasuke moved on, not pausing, not slowing, but alive to the night. His eyes seemed almost frantic with the night's possibilities. The thought of revenge, and the thought of fighting both Gaara and Naruto, kept him going. With a fire that burned within him, Sasuke felt the presence of Gaara and Naruto grow stronger as he drew nearer.
Ahead of him, he saw the view of a clearing approach. So close was Gaara and Naruto now. His senses were aflame with the knowledge of their presence.
He burst into the clearing with grandeur, coming with murderous intent and the thrill of a good battle. Here is where Sasuke would beat Gaara and Naruto, and here is where all rivalry would be drawn to a close.
He was going to take them with him, and there was going to be a great burning, until the land was full of its stink. His anger was momentarily swept away in a flood of amazement and burning joy and apprehension of the coming battle. His head throbbed thickly, and all conscious thought was lost.
Little did Sasuke know that his idea of the near future was going to go awry, as one hidden part of a Genin's mind was keening over his final and utter ruin.
There seemed to be a lot more than a thousand stars tonight, but they weren't lovers' stars. Here, a mile above sea level they were as sharp and cruel as a billion holes in black velvet, stabs from Fate's ice pick. They were haters' stars, and because they were, vengeful vows were qualified to wish upon them. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. Drop dead, Naruto.
Konoha – Forest, clearing
Naruto stood stiffly, his eyes scanning the canopies of the trees over head, waiting for something. If Sasuke was really coming after them, then why were they standing here, as if asking for ruin? It couldn't have been Sasuke. He refused to believe it. Naruto was so far away from the apartment building when he looked back and saw a figure behind the window. The shadow could've been anything, anything at all.
A few feet next to him, Gaara stood like a stone figure. Little did Naruto know that the sand-nin's thoughts were far from escaping Konoha. The only thought that plagued Gaara's mind was the tantalizing premonition of finally destroying Sasuke, and see blood be spilled that very night. He would see blood, the one thing that cleansed him better than anything else. Tonight, at this very hour of darkness, is when the last of the Uchiha clan will be wiped out.
Naruto had tried so hard to escape Konoha, and worked so hard to put all memory and thought of the few people who had cared for him aside. And if Sasuke were to come now, then it would be like fate tempting him with a treat, waiting sardonically, knowing Naruto would take the bait. He steeled himself and remained stubborn, because ignorance was bliss.
So it couldn't be Sasuke. No, it was someone else who was chasing after them. A Jounin of the Village perhaps, or maybe a burglar. Anyone but Sasuke was coming.
He was confused and the slightest bit afraid...afraid in the instinctive, unknowing way that an animal is afraid – a predator who senses that he himself may be stalked.
'He's coming.'
Apprehensive, Naruto tried to understand the thought, to put it in some context. He couldn't. It hung there on its own like a bad hex.
'He's closer now.'
Who? Who was closer now?
The night wind whispered past him, seeming to bring him a scent. Naruto turned his head to look behind him, seeking for an unknown predator. He stared, but felt his presence coming from behind him, pressing heavy on him, dragging him down like weights tied to a dead man: Sasuke's dark presence (or was it death?), coming in steady, inexorable waves. Something was coming and –
'He's here.'
In the dead grave of night that was to be Sasuke's grave, Gaara was burning and freezing, deliciously alive and engulfed in gutter ecstasy. Death was near, fast on their very heels.
In a world where so many have died, to parcel out more death is surely the gravest sin.
A/N: I hope you haven't lapsed into a thrumming coma from reading that completely eventless chapter. Cuz I did. -wanders off to see her doctor- Oo! Don't forget to R&R!!!!!!!!111eleven my little fic up there. Cuz everyone knows it's the greatest. Yep :)
Review Responses:
Kutsu: Blah, sorry to leave you hanging at that cliff hanger last chapter XP I really didn't think that cliff hanger was all that great to be honest :D But I'm happy you liked it! It's gonna get boring from here on out, I'm afraid :( So I have done a un-cliff-hanger-ish chapter to give Mike a break :P Keep practising strangling though! I find it is amazingly useful when I look at Sasuke -twitches as Sasuke flashes across screen- Now, if you'll excuse me...-grabs shotgun and runs off-
Kamikakushi: Ehehe XD Trust me, I'm farrr from kawaii to my little cousins. –fumes- SHE ATE MY CANOLY! ARGH! THAT BRAT ATE MY CANOLY! -takes several deep breathes and resumes normal composure- I'm glad you liked that line! Took me ages to think up, and once I was done, I realized it was a fragment. -English teacher cries in the background- My descriptive writing has long since given up on me now :( But I'm glad it was improving! I try :D As for the ending, I still don't know what it's gonna be XP I tried giving Naruto a little itty bitty bit of his memory thing back, but then I wasn't feeling nice so I didn't :D -hits Naruto's head with a bat to give him more amnesia- Oh, and I mustn't forget! -kicks Sasuke and beats him down too- I'm a fellow SasuNaru fan, but beating Sasuke up is just too much fun :D I really should think up some new torture methods, cuz you're never too old to learn something stupid! I'll make sure to check out some of your poetry afterwards, cuz I got time now! And yes, 300 reviews!!!!!! -high pitched squeal that makes onlookers' ears bleed- Fank you!!!!!!!! -devours Yaoi cake in one big bite-
Momochi Zabuza: Haha, I'm really not too sure about SasuNaru right now, or GaaNaru for that matter o.O;; Sasuke's inflamed ego and ignorance shall be punished with a smack from me :D -smacks Sasuke and runs off cackling insanely- Anywhos...I haven't updated for ages, but hopefully you liked it :)
Aurum: Greetings fellow SasuNaru fan! -beams- This story is getting too confuddling, which is probably why I don't know the ending yet. As for your question, yes. It is very bad when the author doesn't know the ending :) -uncomfortable silence- As for Neji, his insertion was very random, but he's not going to be playing a big part. It's not my fault! My Neji-fanguuurl side took over and wrote it! And there's no changing it now! -weeps- Anyways :D Writer's block the evillest thing in the world...other than having no more electricity -shudders at the memory of the blackout- And I've finally gotten to a computer! :D Nothing can keep me away from my beloved technological, inanimate bundle of joy X3 -hugs computer-
Kyona Kopper: Yay! My fic is speshul :D I'm glad you liked the last chapter that I posted a loooong time ago :) I dunno what's gonna happen either, so I guess we'll have to wait and see what my (dead) brain can think up :) Aw shucks, you don't have to thank me for answering your reviews! They really make my day :D It's the least I can do! So no need to thank me! It should actually be me thanking you instead :D Thank you!!!!!!!!! X3
Cookie6: Yeaa! You liked my last chapterrr :) Well, I'm really not sure who I wanna kill right now, but your idea seems like a very good one :) -evil plots start forming- I hope you liked this chapter, as uneventful as it may be :)
The BirdFox Hybrid Productions: Heh, sorry about the no-GaaNeji thing in my fic XP Anyways, Sasuke is an asshole indeed :) Wish I could see that 5-second scribble of yours! I dunno why my art teacher says stick figures aren't hard to draw. What is she thinking!? Hehe, I lub j00s too!!!! –tackle hugs-
Super Monkey Chibi Girl: -Neji fanguurl side screams with joy at the thought of a SuperNeji- Hehe, I'm glad my story remains unpredictable :D But I think it's a bit too predictable, cuz I still don't know what the ending is gonna be. Who can resist the thought of Sasuke going crazy cuz Naruto likes Gaara!? Sasuke deserves wayyyy more slaps on the head than I can give him. And Neji's not joining Sasuke's side, not if I can help it! –locks Neji in a safe and places land mines around it- Anywhos, I wrote a new chapter! So this fic hasn't been discontinued yet :) Don't worry, be happy! –opens a can of happy-happy joy-joy juice (also known as chocolate milk)
Saiera: Weeerd ;) I have yet to see what's gonna happen next, cuz I'm too st00pid to think of anything good as of now :) Keep your fingers crossed though, I'm placing bets on whose gonna win :D You see, I don't write the fight scenes. My biased Gaara-fangirl side does. Don't tell anyone! And...–looks around nervously- I see dead people.
Ria Sakazaki: Hehe, this chapter was far from soon, but I got it up anyway! Yay for me? :D
Tipsy-Dragon: Gaara to the rescue! Yayy! :D You know, that idea is ingenius! Seeing as my brain has been brainwashed with t3h ebil Science definitions, I may think of using that! Sounds very interesting indeed :D We'll have to wait and see though :) Cuz I probably won't even be able to write another chapter for a long time to come :P As for now, we must settle with hanging Sasuke, and slowly roast him over a campfire while making s'mores at the same time :) That's not nearly as much pain I would like to inflict upon the stupid 000chiha, but it's all I can think of right now :) And Seto, you should be more happy :D -throws confetti on him and gives him packs of sugar-
F.A. Star Hawk: Glad you liked the random Neji-insertion XP And believe me, I'd love to kill Sasuke :D If it weren't for the cuteness of SasuNaru, I would've killed him in the first sentence of this story :P /fangirl
C.M. Aeris Queen of Insanity: -looks at Sasuke lying on the floor with awe-filled eyes- Wow. Great job! :D –kicks Sasuke- There's no way he's getting up to beat up Naruto! Anyways, this isn't the fastest update ever...but here it is :D
tracy-kin: Yep, I thought Gaara was gonna have something cool like a...-thinks- cow or something, cuz cows are cool :D I haven't been on for a millennia, so I'll make sure to update meself on your story! I'm glad you liked that last chapter :D That cliff-hanger was a last minute "Ah, what the hell, lets do it" kinda thing, but it worked! Yayyy –huge face-cracking smile- Please don't be evil and destroy Yaoi! Such evilness cannot be possible! Have mercy! –poor attempt at puppy eyes- I'll make Gaara and Naruto kiss right now :D –mashes Naruto and Gaara plushie faces together- Magic :D
Kyuubi-kun: I love bloody knuckles :D I'm just too addicted to stay away from it for too long :P I am the most terrible player though –looks at her bleeding knuckles- Well, I try. The fifth player could be a Itachi plushie :D But that guy just freaks me out o.O In a good way, cuz he beats up Sasuke! Anyone who beats up Sasuke is cool :) I don't mind the Itachi obsession, cuz I have a friend who's crazy bout him too :P Not much happened in this chapter, but I hope I haven't disappointed you! –sobs at this poor excuse for a chapter-
Polka Dot: The jounins are gonna be coming :P But yes, Kakashi and Iruka are...occupied at the moment XD But they shall be coming. Too lazy to write about it in this chapter though. I'll give you a cookie if you don't tell anyone :D
Crystal-Chan2: I've never liked Sasuke –pokes another needle in Sasuke voodoo doll- The Hyuuga-addiction is spreading everywhere :D Be sure to add Sasukeisstupid in your dictionary! It means Sasuke is stupid :D It should be made an official word, cuz it's trueee. The dinging sound reminds me of the time I was playing this strength tester game...and then I failed miserably, so I smacked the thing and then more tickets came out with a ding :D That was my lucky day XD Once you create your dictionary, it shall replace Webster's, and then everyone will know vocabulary I understand :D –stores the word spaz-n in memory-
animelvr4evr: I couldn't kill any of these characters myself, but my morbid side is making me :D But you're gonna have to see who I decide on in the end :) I'm probably just gonna stick their names in a hat and draw out the victim –evil cackle- Don't be saaad...I'll make it...less...painful :D
Kitty Meow: -faints from the compliments- Aww, thanks you! :D Is my writing really all that? My writing is always full of random mistakes XP Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! Hopefully this chapter hasn't changed anything :D Thank you for your support again! –sheepish smile and bounces off the walls in happiness-
LilBlackNiteCat: Hehe, sorry for the cliff-hanger :P But here's the next chapter! Not much revealed (lazy to plan that out right now) but hope you liked :)
kashisenshey: I'm not sure about who's gonna die, but the idea of Sasuke dying a slow and painful death is tempting :D
Ramen-sama: Aww, don't worry. I feel your pain. School is just eating up my spare time like my fish eats anything that I drop into the bowl (feeding your fish is addictive...I think that's why my poor Gogo died ;--;) Blah, but my writing is bad! Compared to some others I've seen, I've got nothing on the others. This chapter proves it :P Anywhos, I'm glad you liked the Sasuke-going-crazy and random Neji-insert thing! This chapter hardly had anything happening in it, but hopefully it was good enough for now :)
Nejidragon: To be honest, I always read over my stories before I post it, but when I reread it after it's posted, I always catch these mistakes I missed, so my perfectionist self fixes them and posts it up again (end run-on sentence) :P Sorry for irritating you XP
Cat: Wahh, it wasn't that great was it? O.O Well, I hope you liked this chapter, even though nothing happened :)
Ryuki: I appreciate your time spent on reviewing my story...but try to be a bit more...productive next time. My favourite cooking shows are more productive than your "criticism".
Spellcaster Hikaru: Tada! Here's the next (horrible, eventless, coma-inducing, etc.) update :) Sorry for the delay! –bashes head against wall as a punishment-
HANDHELD Uber Rei Model 05: -shuddering gasp and faints- Thank you! My fic isn't all that much though :P But thanks for your support!!!!! XD –hyperventilates even though I just had a heart attack-
ChOuXiAoYa: Haha, being my evil (-cough- my synonym for lazy –cough-) self, I don't think he's gonna gain his memory back :P Aww, thanks for your compliment! My writing's not much compared to others on this site XP Hope you liked this update!
Sakata Ri Houjun: I'd love to make up my mind, but I can't! I like tug of war, it's a really fun gamee...making Naruto go insane sounds like a fun idea though...maybe I should just flip a coin...or rip a Naruto plushie in half –ponders-
A/N: Well, here it is :) Hope you all liked that chapter, even though it's surely a disappointment after a million-year delay :P Hopefully the next chapter's gonna be up soon. Oo, and sorry if I missed any parts of your reviews while responding. I have no brain cells left to spare after my Science tests. I'd like to thank all my reviewers for keeping me motivated! Have I told you how much I love you all lately? :3 –people start inching away with nervous smiles-
Tsuki