A New Path
Chapter 12 : New Players
Synopsis : Now Neji and Sasuke must find a way to get back Naruto from Gaara but will they succeed? New players will enter the fight as a temporary solution will be proposed by both parties representing their Villages.
Pairings : Main pairing will be Gaara x Naruto.
Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto but wish I did. Because if I did, I'd be rich and happier.
WARNING : Contains shonen-ai, in other words boy loves boy, don't like then don't read
Gomen but Gaara might start to be a bit OCC, but I'll try to keep him as sane as he usually is.
EXTRA INFORMATION :
- This takes place after the Chuunin exam, although, Sasuke never went to join Orochimaru.
- Also, the fight between Sasuke and Naruto on the Hospital roof did occur.
- Important to have read up to Volume 20 of the manga Naruto
JUTSU LIST
- Byakugan – White Eyes - Description: This jutsu is activated in the eyes, much like the Sharingan. Sharingan actually developed from Byakugan. This jutsu allows the user's vision to become 360 degrees. The user is able to see fully around them, and all their surroundings. Byakugan also has the ability to see objects, and view the inner coil system of a person's body, and in advanced cases, the Chakra Holes. Using this, the user can attack the inner organs of a person, and do high amounts of damage.
- Sharingan – Description : A pupil born technique, which allows the user to do to a large number of things. The Sharingan's first and most well known ability - is to memorize any technique that it is a witness to - as well as register the movements of opponents. Second, it is able to hypnotize the opponent, giving an advantage to the user. It can also suggest movements to the hypnotized brain, and 'see through; any illusionary techniques. Although it is a power jutsu, it absorbs chakra. The power of the Sharingan is judged through the amount of dots in the persons eye.
- Chidori - The Thousand Birds - Description: This jutsu is Kakashi's sole original technique, originally formed for the use of assassination. The user, gathers such a large concentration of chakra in the had, that it becomes visible. Pushing the limits of the body, the user charges forward, the chakra amount growing, as does the incredible speed. The chakra becomes so powerful, that it becomes similar to a blade, and is able to cut through near anything. The attack creates a constant 'chi' noise, sounding like a thousand birds advancing towards you. The jutsu gained its name from this sound. This jutsu gained the nickname 'Lightning Edge' or, Raikiri - When Kakashi cut a bolt of lightning in half using it.
- Hakke Shou Kaiten - Heavenly Spin - Description: Another of the 'perfect defense' jutsu types. At the exact moment a blow is landed on the body, large amounts of Chakra are expelled from the Chakra Holes around the body. With that force, his body spins like a top. The combined efforts of the Chakra and the spin, first deflect the attack - then throw the opponent backwards.
- Sabaku Kyuu - Desert Coffin - Description: Part of the sand demon techniques. Uses sand to cover the opponents entire body. Is uses to stop an opponents movement, or cause suffocation.
- Konoha Senpuu - Leaf Spinning Wind - Description: A powerful spinning kick - aimed to knock the opponent upwards. Similar to Leaf Violent Wind, but more powerful.
JAPANESE WORDS
- baka = idiot -
- dobe = dead last -
- naruhodo = I see -
- Chikushou = damn / dammit -
- naze = why -
- hai = yes / yeah -
- Arigatou = Thank You -
- Gomen = Sorry -
- Urousai = Shut up -
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*Hidden Sand Village*
--- In An Alley ---
Sasuke stepped in front of both boys as he came face to face with Gaara, and prepared himself to use his Chidori if necessary, as Neji didn't know quite what to do.
"What now?" Neji asked, as he had difficulty to restrain the blond.
"If he's too much trouble, knock him out cold, we'll deal with it later. Leave, you should come across Kakashi and the others while you go back to Konoha Village.
"I won't let you hurt Naruto anymore ..." Gaara spoke out loud enough so Naruto could hear his soft and serious words.
Once he heard those words, Naruto's body seemed to relax a little as Sasuke didn't understand the meaning behind them, until he heard Neji gasp and turned around, as his eyes widened upon the scene.
"I don't want to go back ... I don't want to be alone and hated anymore ... I just want to be with him ... Gaara ..." Naruto thoughts as his eyes closed tightly as red chakra began to swirl around the boy, as he then opened themas the color of his eyes went back and forth from blue to crimson red.
"He's too emotional ... It seems the fox is surfacing ..." Gaara thought as he raised his hand towards Neji and Naruto.
Sasuke remembered that move as he warned Neji and Naruto to get out of the way, as the sand quickly made its way towards them. Naruto lsot no time as he violently leaned forward enough for his mouth to connect with Neji's hands as he bit hard on them, and looked straight into Sasuke's eyes with hatred.
The fact Naruto bit him caught Neji off guard as he immediately unwrapped his arms around him and covered the bloody bite mark the blond shinobi left him. Naruto landed gracefully on his feet, while one hand remained pressed against the ground.
"What the hell ...?" Sasuke let out as he was shocked to look once more into those eyes. The same eyes he had looked into when they first encountered Orochimaru.
Naruto was prepared to charge at Sasuke, when a certain substance held him there. He looked down at his feet to notice sand covered his legs and slowly made it's way up to the rest of his body.
Gaara walked towards the blond, as Neji and Sasuke remained frozen from the scene. Naruto growled, as his eyes focused on the sand-nin, until he felt enormous pain in his stomach.
"Naze...?" Naruto half growled as managed to place a hand on Gaara's shoulder.
Gaara had punched Naruto in the stomach with a lot of force, as the boy along with the kitsune's rage slowly succumbed into the darkness, as his grip on the sand-nin loosened.
"Rest. My kitsune..." Gaara whispered as the sand rose and formed a sphere around the unconscious boy.
"Naruto!" Sasuke and Neji yelled out as they lost sight of Naruto's entire body, as a sand sphere surrounded him completely.
"Leave or die." Gaara gave them the choice as he waited for their answer.
------
Sasuke jumped back and landed beside the Hyuga, as they never took their eyes off Gaara or the sand sphere that surrounded their unconscious friend.
"Any ideas?" Sasuke asked with a low voice.
"I've never fought against him, unlike you." Neji added as his eyes could see through the sand barrier, and assure Naruto was still alive.
"I barely survived my first encounter ... And if we move, he simply has to close his hands for the sand to instantly kill dobe ..." Sasuke trailed off when he noticed Gaara raising his hand in front of him, as though he was about to close it.
"Then what are we suppose to do?" Neji asked, well aware of the situation.
"Kakashi ... Where the hell are you?" Sasuke cursed silently as his eyes locked with the blank expression of Gaara's.
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*Sand and Leaf Borders*
Ino stepped in front of Asuma and expressed highly her opinion about how they stayed behind and waited for their arrival, while all eyes were locked on her.
"If Sasuke-kun and Neji are in the same Village as that sand freak then what are you still doing here!? Get going so Sasuke-kun doesn't get hurt!" Ino yelled out loud enough for all to hear.
Shikamaru was busy clearing his ear from the high tone voice of his comrade, while Sakura only felt like smacking her behind the head. Jiraiya took a step forward, as Kakashi and Gai stood behind the sennin.
"Then let's get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get there." Jiraiya spoke out to the search group with a dead serious tone.
"Hai." Kakashi and Gai replied, as Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino and Sakura joined them.
They vanished before their comrades and friends before any could say anything more, as Kurenai and Asuma relaxed a little, while up in the trees, Tenten looked over to see the fragile, shaking form of Hinata.
"Come back safely ... Naruto-kun ..." Hinata mumbled, as Tenten looked down at the girl and smile from the words the Hyuga girl just spoke.
On the ground level, Chouji was more than happy to sit down at the foot of a tree and open up a brand new bag of chips to eat, after his efforts to jump faster from tree to tree to get where they are now.
Asuma leaned against a tree, smoking yet another cigarette, as Kurenai gave him a certain look, while Ino looked more annoyed and bored form the current situation.
"How about a team some of you went back to Konoha?" Kurenai asked, getting the attention of a few.
"I'm too tired to move. Plus I'm waiting for Shikamaru." Chouji answered as he ate more chips.
"I'm waiting for Sasuke-kun. So until he crosses that border, I'm not moving." Ino replied.
"I'll wait for Gai-sensei and Neji to come back. Besides, I have nothing else to do since Lee is still at the hospital." Tenten replied, as she threw several kunais above Asuma's head.
"Watch where you throw those things please." Asuma lifted his tired eyes to meet the girl's gaze.
"No worries. Asuma-sensei." Tenten replied.
"Hinata? Do you wish to leave?" Kurenai asked, since her student was the only one to not object.
"Iie! I'm ... I want to stay ... Until Neji-nisan returns ... Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun too..." Hinata stammered as she only wanted to hide her little form form everyone.
"We'll wait for a few hours until Kakashi sends Pakun's to us. Pakun should have some information about how things are doing." Kurenai informed the small group, as all simply went into their own little thoughts and waited for the time to come.
============================================================================ ======================
*Sand Village*
---- In The Alley ----
Once more, silence came, as they all glared at each other, while Gaara was the only one to show no emotions as usual, while Neji and Sasuke were worried about their little blond friend.
"This is your last warning. Leave or you will be killed by me." Gaara repeated himself, as the sand rose a feet above the ground, between him, and his two opponents.
"Why the hell did you kidnap him anyway?" Sasuke asked, in hopes to buy some time to think up a plan.
"Why the sudden interest Uchiha?" Gaara quickly replied, as he knew Sasuke was responsible for most of his kitsune's pain.
"Does your Village really desire another war with Konoha?" Neji reminded the sand-nin, as their so called alliance was already fragile due to their temporary alliance with Orochimaru.
"For the moment, neither of us is ready for a second war." Gaara replied with certainty as he knew Neji was only bluffing.
"Chikushou ..." Sasuke cursed as he never liked feeling powerless.
=========================================================================== =======================
*Gaara's House*
Temari sat next to the window, as she looked outside to see if her little brother would soon come home. Kankuro was wrapping Karusa back in her usual bandage pack, as he had finished his last minute touches, when he looked over at Temari.
"Any sign of him yet?" Kankuro asked as he walked over to his sister.
"Iie ..." Temari replied with a worried tone.
"Why would he go after that brat anyway?" Kankuro asked, perhaps, in hops that his sister would know.
"Only Gaara could answer you that ... But ..." Temari began as she lowered her head a little.
"But what?" Kankuro repeated as he stared at his sister.
"Ever since he fought against that Uzumaki Naruto ... It's like that kid managed to reach Gaara in a way neither of us could ..." Temari mumbled.
"I hate to admit it ... But I agree with you ... Whatever that brat told him, made Gaara seem more human ..." Kankuro let out as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe we should search for Gaara ..." Temari proposed as she looked up to her brother.
"Hai, before he ends up killing someone again." Kankuro let out as he walked over to where Karusa was wrapped, and grabbed her.
Temari then picked up her fan as she followed Kankuro, while they both left their house, to search for Gaara.
============================================================================ ======================
*Konoha Village*
---- Hokage's Office ----
Shizune brought more papers for Tsunade to sign every half hour, but the sennin had no desire to fulfill her duties as the fifth Hokage when she knew Naruto was in danger.
"Tsunade-sama, you should really stop worrying ..." Shizune trailed off as she tried to keep her friend's mind occupied.
"How can I not!? I barely could make up a valuable excuse to send in a team inside Sand Village, when our alliance with them is already fragile due to their recent betrayal. To know Naruto's in their hands, only Kami could know what they are doing to that poor boy." Tsunade blurted out as she then hit the wall next to her.
"Tsunade-sama ... Remember that Jiraiya-sama is the one leading the search team, as well as the number one rookie of this year and last year as well." Shizune tried everything to calm her friend down.
"I know that ... "Tsunade whined as Shizune immediately spoke out with a soft and comforting tone.
"Then believe in them." Shizune told her friend.
Tsunade closed her eyes as she listened to the comforting words of her friend.
============================================================================ ======================
*Sand Village*
---- In The Alley ----
"Neji, would you be able to break through that sand barrier and get Naruto?" Sasuke asked with such a low voice that only Neji could hear.
"The sand is composed of chakra, I should be able to break through it by inserting my own. But there is no guarantee." Neji whispered back as his eyes focused on the ball of sand.
"Do it." Sasuke replied as his eyes focused on Gaara.
"Uchiha ..." Neji let out in surprise of his comrade's decision.
"We have no other choice." Sasuke reminded the Hyuga boy.
Neji nodded, as he placed his left foot in front of his right, and waited for Sasuke to begin. Sasuke quickly reached into his holster, as he threw several kunais and shurikens straight at Gaara, as he charged forward.
"Useless." Gaara thought, as his sand rose in the air and protected him from the initial attack.
Sasuke stopped in place as he quickly did the hand signs for the Chidori attack. Within seconds, his blue chakra appeared at his feet to then switch in his left hand. Sasuke then charged forward, as Gaara focused on the Uchiha, not able to see pass his sand shield to know what the Hyuga was up to.
Neji rushed towards the ball of sand that held Naruto within it, as with his Byakugan, he could see the weak point where there was less chakra. He then stopped at the back of the sand sphere, where he prepared to do a counter with his own technique.
"Hakke Shou Kaiten" Neji let out as his attack took effect.
Neji spinned around as he released chakra from his entire body, as the sand that shielded Naruto began to open. The sand barrier shattered within seconds, as Neji could clearly see the unconscious blond on the ground.
Neji stopped spinning, as he noticed the sand had already started to close the itself around the shinobi. Neji quickly grabbed Naruto by the jacket as he pulled him out of it, and jumped backwards to distance themselves from the sand, as well as Sasuke and Gaara. Neji held the blond tightly in his arms, as he looked over to see how Sasuke was doing.
"Chidori!" Sasuke yelled out as he pushed his hand at the sand barrier that shielded the sand-nin, as he broke through.
"This again?" Gaara let out as the bright blue of the Chidori attack came only inches from the shinobi's face.
"GAARA!" A female voice yelled out from above him.
The moment Sasuke penetrated the sand-nin's defense, the sand fell to the ground, as Uchiha continued to charge forward, prepared to finalize his attack on Gaara. At that precise moment, strong violent winds pushed Sasuke back, to where Neji stood.
"What the ?" Sasuke let out as he looked above Gaara to see who had intervened.
Temari stood on the roof of the house, behind her little brother, as her fan was wide open as the three purple dots were very visible to everyone's eyes.
"Chikushou! If she's here then ..." Sasuke trailed off as he stood back up on his feet and glared at the female shinobi.
Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, the puppeteer appeared, as Karusa stood right behind Neji. Karusa opened her mouth, as needles shot out of it, and headed straight for the Hyuga and Uzumaki.
"A doll?" Neji thought as he managed to evade the needles, but headed straight into a trap.
The moment Neji jumped and landed somewhere further away from Sasuke, Kankuro appeared before the Hyuga, in time to steal the still sleeping Naruto out of his grip, as Karusa attacked from behind.
"Chikushou! I can't use Kaiten or I might injure Naruto ..." Neji thought as he pulled out a kunai to counter Karusa's attack instead.
Kankuro took this opportunity and jumped away form their enemies as he went back to where Gaara and Temari stood. With one hand, Kankuro continued to control his doll, while in his other, he tightly wrapped his arm around the boy's waist so this one wouldn't fall.
Sasuke threw a kunai towards Karusa's direction so this one would leave his comrade alone, as they were now back to square one, but with 3 times the trouble. Karuse stayed before the three sand-nins, while Neji regained his position, while he and Sasuke glared at them.
"Gaara are you alright?" Temari asked as she jumped off the roof and landed on the ground to join her two brothers.
"Take care of him." Gaara replied as Kankuro and Temari exchanged looks again, well aware that he was talking about Naruto.
"Any other ideas Uchiha?" Neji asked, as he pointed his kunai towards the sand-nins.
Before Sasuke could reply to the evident questions, Gaara lost no time to attack.
"You should have left. Sabaku Kyuu." Gaara said as he raised his hand in front of him.
The sand rose and rushed towards the two genins, as these two took a step back, well aware they could not avoid this attack forever, until something green like and a strange voice appeared, and blew the sand attack away.
"Konoha Senpuu!" A strong male voice was heard, as the sand was suddenly dispersed in the air, while the sand-nin's eyes all widened, except for Gaara.
"You..." Gaara let out as his eye twitched a little.
Before the two Leaf genins appeared Konoha's great green beast stood before them, while a white haired man appeared as well besides Neji, while Kakashi stood next to his own student.
"Sasuke-kun! Are you alright?" Sakura asked with concern as she walked towards her teammate.
Behind her, Shikamaru, Kiba and Shino walked out of the shadows, as Akamaru was already hidden inside Kiba's jacket.
"You have no right to be here!" Temari pointed out to them, as herself and Kankuro began to worry.
"You see child. With these, we can, since we're on a mission." Jiraiya pointed out to them the passports, as he handed two over to Sasuke and Neji.
"So be kind enough to hand over the missing-nin known as Uzumaki Naruto." Kakashi asked them with yet a teasing tone.
"Missing-nin?" Neji and Sasuke let out at the same time as they looked at the silver haired Jounin.
"It was the only way Hokage-sama found for us to enter Sand Village peacefully." Shikamaru whispered to the Hyuga and Uchiha so only they could hear.
Kakashi prepared to give the two rookies more information when they heard distinct, but familiar groans from the sand-nin's side. Kankuro and Temari lowered their gaze to see Naruto was beginning to wake up.
"What happened?" Naruto mumbled, as Temari walked over to give a hand to lay Naruto on the floor.
Jiraiya took a step forward, as Gaara copied his movement, by talking a step forward as well. Kakashi and Gai prepared to advance as well, when their eyes looked up on the roof, as though they had detected something.
"We're not alone anymore ..." Gai mumbled, while the genins were all ready to grab a kunai in case a new battle occurred.
Within seconds, a rain of kunais came from above, as it clearly separated the sand-nins and Naruto, from the Leaf shinobis. Gaara remained calm, as Temari tended to the blond boy, while Kankuro got back on his feet, and prepared to the upcoming battle.
"Why is there Leaf shinobis in our Village?" The leader spoke out, as many hidden shadows stepped up to the ledge of the roof, behind the three sand- nins.
"Anbus." Shikamaru stated as all eyes stared at the 8 Sand Anbus.
"Our fifth Hokage, Tsunade-sama, sent us to retrieve a missing-nin, known as Uzumaki Naruto, and he happens to be here. You will find the information in this scroll, signed by the Hokage herself." Jiraiya stated as he reached into one of his pockets to reveal a sealed scroll.
"We will investigate this, and ask that none of you make any attempts to escape while we confirm this." The Anbu leader informed them, as he vanished from their sight but reappeared before the leaf sennin.
All remained at their initial position, while the Anbu leader made sure the scroll was authentic as he then closed it, but kept it in hand. The Anbu then turned his attention towards his fellow comrades on the roof, and gave them the signal to come down to the ground, to join him.
"You speak the truth. We will not interfere with your mission." The leader spoke out, as the rest of the Anbu circled around the remaining Leaf shinobis.
"We do apologize for not entering through the gate, and hope you understand we had no other choice." Kakashi explained in hopes this would not get any worse.
"We understand. Unfortunately, we must ask that you remain within our Village for the next few days." The leader spoke out as he turned to face the cope ninja.
"May we ask why?" Gai asked a bit worried.
"A sand storm is coming in. And your missing-nin doesn't look like he can travel back to your Village. Also, I'm sure Kazekage will want to have a word with you, while we have Leaf shinobis here to straightened things out of the misunderstandings between our villages." The leader carefully picked his words as he then looked back to Gaara and the rest of the sand-nins.
"Misunderstanding my ass ..." Kiba growled, as the rest of the Leaf genins exchanged worried looks.
"Kiba, calm down." Shino warned his teammate.
At the same moment, while the Anbu leader discussed more into the Sand storm coming in, Naruto started to open his eyes as he let out a few words, while he placed a hand over his stomach, where Gaara had punched him.
"You shouldn't move ..." Temari told him, as she brushed his blond locks out of his face.
"You ...?" Naruto let out a bit surprised to see the blonde haired female shinobi next to him.
"Don't strain yourself." Temari told him as she placed her hand on his shoulder to be sure he wouldn't try to stand up.
Naruto then looked in front of him to notice how Gaara stood there, while some Anbu and Kankuro were present, as well as on the other side, Neji and Sasuke now had their senseis there, along with a few known genins, and his perverted sensei.
"What the hell are they doing here?" Naruto asked with a very angry tone.
"Seems you're a missing-nin now. And they are here to bring you back there." Kankuro informed Naruto as this one simply stared at his former senseis and so called friends.
After a few minutes, the Anbu leader stepped aside as he turned his attention to the sand-nins, while the Leaf shinobis simply listened and stared.
"Uzumaki Naruto." The leader began as Naruto looked up to the masked Anbu.
"What do you want?" Naruto replied coldly.
"Until the sand storm passes, you will remain in the custody of your Village, with one of our own shinobis by your side at all times." The leader informed the young shinobi.
"Gaara." Naruto spoke out as he lifted his head to meet the gaze of the Anbu.
The Anbu leader raised an eyebrow behind his mask, and stayed silent, unaware of what this Leaf shinobi was talking bout.
"If you're going to treat me like a prisoner and hold me against my will. The sand-nin to stay with me at all times, I want him to be Gaara and no one else." Naruto spoke out as with a dead serious tone.
"I'm afraid we cannot comply with your demand ..." The leader began to speak when Gaara stepped between him and Naruto.
"You will comply." Gaara said while he crossed his arms and stared at the Anbu.
"Gaara-sama, the laws state that ..." The Anbu explained but was rudely interrupted again by the sand-nin.
"I've made my decision. If you still object, take it up with my father." Gaara coldly told him as he turned his back and walked towards Naruto instead.
The leader gulped as he knew better than to anger the sand-nin, while the rest of the Anbus waited for their order. The leader then stepped back as he turned to face the Leaf shinobis once more.
"Until we have a word with Kazekage-sama, we will provide you with a place to sleep and eat, until the situation has been decided." The Anbu informed the sennin, while the genins worried about their blond friend.
"Why would Naruto want Gaara near him? They almost killed each other last time ..." Sasuke thought as he focused on the tuff of blond hair that he could see over Gaara's shoulder.
"You're so troublesome Naruto ... But despite how the situation looks like, it seems there's more going on than we know ..." Shikamaru thought as he let out his serious expression.
"What happened to the carefree idiot I knew?" Neji asked himself, as his Byakugan vanished.
"What happened to you ... Naruto ..." Kiba thought as Akamaru gave him a sad look.
"Naruto ..." Shino let out as he remained behind his sun glasses, and his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Was it because of what Sasuke-kun said that you left?" Sakura asked herself, as she clung onto Sasuke's sleeve.
"The boy seems to have lost his smile ..." Gai thought as this was the first time he saw Naruto without a smile.
"You'll have a lot of explaining to do ... Naruto." Kakashi thought as he placed back his headband over his Sharingan eye.
"You stupid brat ... What the hell happened for you to make such a stupid decision?" Jiraiya asked himself.
All were snapped out of their thought when the Anbu spoke loud enough to indicate them where they would stay for the next few days.
"Gaara-sama. Since you insisted on being the shinobi to watch over the missing-nin, The Leaf shinobis will remain at your house until their departure." The leader informed the red haired boy, but this one didn't pay much attention to it.
"Where's staying at that freak's house!?" Kiba yelled within his mind, as Akamaru had already retreated back within his gray jacket.
"We appreciate what you're doing." Kakashi let out, as he placed his hands in his own pockets.
"We will inform you when you'll meet Kazekage-sama as well as when you can leave." The leader explained.
"Very well." Jiraiya replied, as the remaining Anbus stepped out of their way.
"Temari-san, Kankuro-san, be kind enough to show them the way." The leader spoke out, as the two of them stepped up to the leader.
"Hai ..." They both answered, as the Leaf shinobis eyed them.
With that, the Anbus vanished in the smoke, as Kankuro and Temari were uncomfortable as Jiraiya, Kakashi and Gai stepped up to get a hold of their blond shinobi, when they suddenly froze in place.
"Don't you dare even come near me." Naruto threatened them, as his eyes were filled with hatred towards the Jounins and the single sennin.
"Baka, Kakashi-sensei and the rest of us are trying to help you before ..." Sakura yelled out as she passed by Sasuke.
"Help me? Kinda late for that." Naruto replied, as he pressed his hands against the ground, and tried to lift himself off of it, but failed.
"Naruto ..." Sakura let out in shock by her teammates harsh words.
Most to their surprise, Gaara held his hand out for Naruto to grab if he needed help to stand up. Naruto lifted his eyes, as the hatred vanished from his eyes. The blond shinobi grabbed Gaara's hand, as the sand-nin pulled him off the ground.
"Thanks ..." Naruto let out as he turned his back to his former comrades and teachers and never looked back at them.
"That isn't the brat I know ..." Jiraiya let out, surprised by Naruto's sudden outburst.
"We have a few days to find out why Naruto acted this way, before we head back to Konoha." Gai tried to reassure their group, while Temari and Kankuro exchanged worried looks.
"Sakura, Sasuke, come on, we're going to follow them." Kakashi informed his two students, while Gai took care of having Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba and Shino follow them as well.
"We'll show you the way ..." Temari mumbled as she was not pleased to have these guests in their house.
To where Naruto was, Naruto had a few trouble, standing on his own two feet, when he felt those light green eyes on him.
"What?" Naruto asked, as he leaned against the wall for support.
"Do you wish to be home before they are?" Gaara asked.
"Would be nice if it happened ..." Naruto mumbled as he closed his eyes and looked up to the sky.
"Then hold onto me." Gaara replied.
"Eh?" Naruto looked at Gaara with confusion.
Gaara wasted no time, as he lowered his body a little, as he slid his arm under those of Naruto, as he now supported Naruto's body weight.
"I see." Naruto replied with a little smile.
Within seconds, Gaara jumped back on the roofs, with Naruto in his arms, as the genins worried about their comrade.
"Gaara's bringing him home." Kankuro reassured them.
"He always hated walking through those streets ..." Temari commented as she then started to walk away.
They all remained silent, as they all followed, except for Kakashi, that remained behind for a personal reason.
"Aren't you coming Kakashi?" Gai asked, as he turned his head to face his rival.
"I'm sending Pakun back to the borders to inform of the situation. He should be able to make it before the sand storms starts." Kakashi explained, as he bit his thumb and did the hand signs for the summoning.
Pakun appeared at the feet of Kakashi, as he looked up to the shinobi and seemed displeased.
"I'm not searching for someone again." Pakun stated with a serious tone.
"I only want you to head back into Konoha territory with this information." Kakashi informed his companion as he showed him a scroll.
"Just that?" Pakun asked, not believing one word.
"Just that, make sure Tsunade-sama also is aware we won't be back there for a few days, but things are under control." Kakashi informed the dog.
"Very well, but if this ends up being on of your tricks, you won't be able to read those books ever again." Pakun warned the Jounin, as he took the scroll in his mouth, and headed back to Konoha.
"Kakashi, you forgot to tell him that he might encounter a sand storm." Gai reminded his long time rival.
"If he hurries up, he should be able to avoid it." Kakashi let out with a smile, as he then walked in the direction his team headed for.
"Kakashi ..." Gai let out as he followed his rival as well.
============================================================================ ====================== *Gaara's House*
---- Gaara's Room ----
Within minutes, they had reached the house, as Gaara helped Naruto up the stairs as they then headed for Gaara's room. Once they've entered, Gaara carefully let go of his drip on the blond shinobi, as this one simply leaned against the wall, head lowered towards the floor, as though he was ashamed or to hide something.
"Gomen..." Gaara apologized as he leaned against the opposite wall from where Naruto stood.
"For what?" Naruto asked, as he stared at the floor.
"You were unstable. I punched you." Gaara explained in only a few words, but Naruto understood.
"It's ok ... You know something? They actually don't know ... Only the adults know that Kyubi's inside of me, the rest don't ..." Naruto trailed off as a few droplets of water fell on the floor.
Gaara heard the sound as he stared at the floor where the blond stood, and understood that Naruto was crying. Although his face was covered by his locks of golden hair, the tears continue to fall on the floor, as Naruto's body leaned forward, as his placed both his hands in front of his own face.
"This really sucks you know? I try to escape what hated and ignored me for so long and now that old hag puts me on the missing-nin list and I have to go back there ... It's going to be hell again ... I don't want to go back!" Naruto yelled out as his vision blurred because of the water in his eyes.
"It isn't good for you to get too emotional ..." Gaara reminded the blond shinobi, who paid no attention to his words.
"It isn't fair! Why stay somewhere when I know they only want to kill me and for me to leave but because of a stupid law, they have the right to keep me in such a place ... I'd rather die then to go back to how things were!" Naruto continued his shouts as Gaara walked towards the blond.
"Naruto ..." Gaara whispered as he stood before the broken shinobi.
"I just want the pain to go away ... I'm tired of feeling this pain in my heart and pretend everything's ok when it's not... I just don't to feel the pain anymore ..." Naruto clutched his chest as he felt Gaara's hand under his chin, forcing him to raise his head to meet those pale green eyes of the sand-nin.
"Shhh ..." Gaara whispered as he placed two fingers on the boy's lips.
Naruto's tears continued to fall on his cheeks and then land on the wooden floor, as he couldn't tare his eyes off of Gaara's when he felt the hand under his chin removed, as well as the fingers on his lips.
"Gaara what are you doing...?" Naruto managed to let out before the sand-nin replied.
"I will protect you ... And make sure you never feel pain again ..." Gaara mumbled, before he placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders.
Gaara pinned down Naruto against the wall, but much to his own surprise, the blond shinobi didn't fight back. Gaara leaned forward, as he placed his own lips against those of Naruto's. Naruto's eyes widened at first, as he had each of his hands wrapped around Gaara's wrists tightly.
"Somehow ... This doesn't feel wrong ..." Naruto thought as his grip loosened around Gaara's wrists.
Naruto slowly closed his eyes, as he let his hands fall beside him, but then raised one as it rested on Gaara's shoulder. Gaara closed his eyes as well, as he pushed deeper within the kiss, as he noticed the blond responded to his own kiss.
"So warm and yet gentle ..." Gaara thought as he felt at peace for that short moment.
"This feeling ... I like it ..." Naruto told himself as he kissed back the sand- nin.
TBC?
============================================================================ ======================
Well another chapter out and hopefully this was the best version among all the version I wrote. I had a few problems again since I'm in the crucial part of the writing but something new came up in my mind, so I hope things will turn out ok.
Also, sorry for the late updates on most my stories but I was called to work all week-end! So I only had time to sleep and then I have an exam on Tuesday, so unfortunately, I had to ignore my fics for a few days. Hopefully it won't happen before a long time again.
By the way, this chapter had 6500 + words, that's among my longest chapters ever written for this story, so you better appreciate it! * Evil eyes *
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REVIEWS
Gisela / Gaara-Chan / tidus2529 / Jennifer Colburn / Anael Razualle / fluffy-kins : Thanks for the reviews and the compliments! I really appreciate them so keep them up!
TheTrueSilver : I thought so too that my writing is getting a tiny bit better. I watch out more for those two words that I screw up all the time and the mistakes.
Someone : Well Gaara wants to protect Naruto, and under the emotional stress Neji and Sasuke put him through, he saw how he was more hurt and all. Plus the fact that they still believe that Gaara kidnapped Naruto is a good thing for Naruto for now.
Nikkler : I updated as soon as I could! Plus it was the only way I found to knock Naruto out so my evil ideas may continue like I want them too.
Ookami Kage : My boyfriend understands how I love writing so he's ok with it. Besides he doesn't have a choice * smiles evilly * . Anyway, An out of control Naruto is not what they need, plus I needed it to happen for this chapter to be written.
Muchacha : we'll they'll eventually leave, but I'm not revealing if it's with or without Naruto yet. The guys are calm but they don't have too much of a choice either, cuz back in the Chuunin exam Sasuke couldn't even beat Gaara so they know to analyze the situation first, knowing back up is coming.
Mashed Potato Master : Hey there, you're back. For a moment I thought you abandoned my fic like some other people. Thanks for reviewing!
Peter Kim : You were right, I included Temari and Kankuro in the end. You are always the best one to deduct things like these.
Lydia*Blessing : You'll find out in a few chapters if Naruto goes back to Konoha or remains in Hidden Sand Village.
Peter Kim *2 : They'll learn of it eventually but I don't want to rush into it either, hope you understand. Naruto is aware that Tsunade and Jiraiya might care but they don't show it as much lately and that's what affected Naruto.
Foamy and Foolproof : Continue your updates cuz I like your stories. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter cuz writing got harder lately.
-NC- : So kawaii to see a protective Gaara over Naruto, and those two, Hyuga and Uchiha better be careful or else they could get it ne?
nicki-gurl : I'm glad you enjoy this story. I know I lost a few reviewers because I didn't rush things, but the hardest pairings to write about is ( Gaara x Naruto ) and ( Naruto x Itachi ), so I'd rather take the time and put some fluff here and there but no worries, things will get more interesting between the two after I'm past the angst and the fight. Should be like in two chapters or something.
Arbil : Indeed, in the manga when I read the later pages I was like Gaara's back!!! I was screaming my lungs out at 2 o'clock in the morning lol. Woke up my parents, but it was so cool, I can't wait for the next chapter in the Manga. Thanks for liking my story too, it really helps me to continue such a story.
Hana : To answer your question, to let Naruto fight would imply Naruto wanted to stay in the Village and not the hypothesis that Shikamaru told them about him being abducted and all. So that way Gaara, thought that Naruto wouldn't be branded a missing-nin yet. Just buying themselves some time to think up a plan.
Gina Reed : Gomen for the suspense but I didn't have a choice to cut it there because I didn't know when to cut and my imagination was running low at the time.
Narutofreak22 : I was like yourself, I despised shonen-ai until I read this cute fic by Shirohane. Then I fell in love with it, but only for Naruto fics, the rest I can't swallow them yet. So I'm glad you enjoy this.
Otaku freak : They will find out about Kyubi later, just not right now, will take a few chapters but the truth will be out! Plus I'm going to have some more Gaara and Naruto interaction, so a lot of people will be happy ne?
Red Rose : so funny the way you put things lol. And as you know Kakashi and Jiraiya finally appeared, although Naruto's still unconscious. But he'll be very much awake in the next chapter!
Silver Neo : nice little story, keep them up, and when it Rei-san coming back or any of the Naruto characters to talk ne? Would like to see them again! Keep it up!
Renn : I know I'm brave, 8 stories, although some I update each two weeks because they aren't my biggest ones you know? Well I hope this was a good chapter, despite nothing much happened.
Shadow Eclipse : You reviewed at the last moment when I prepared to update my fic. I'm happy to know you didn't forget this chapter.
Moonlight2 : Glad o have you back! Well I'm seeing the surroundings and place for maybe Naruto to forgive but thigns will get interesting that I can guarantee.
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Next Chapter :
No Previews, because it's in the critical part so I don't want to spoil things, plus I don't know how next chapter might turn out to be as well.
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Thanks again for reviewing I highly appreciate and keep those reviews up so my brains doesn't decide to go on a new writer's block ne?
Read and Review!
And check my other stories if not already done!
Until next time!
Ookima
Synopsis : Now Neji and Sasuke must find a way to get back Naruto from Gaara but will they succeed? New players will enter the fight as a temporary solution will be proposed by both parties representing their Villages.
Pairings : Main pairing will be Gaara x Naruto.
Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto but wish I did. Because if I did, I'd be rich and happier.
WARNING : Contains shonen-ai, in other words boy loves boy, don't like then don't read
Gomen but Gaara might start to be a bit OCC, but I'll try to keep him as sane as he usually is.
EXTRA INFORMATION :
- This takes place after the Chuunin exam, although, Sasuke never went to join Orochimaru.
- Also, the fight between Sasuke and Naruto on the Hospital roof did occur.
- Important to have read up to Volume 20 of the manga Naruto
JUTSU LIST
- Byakugan – White Eyes - Description: This jutsu is activated in the eyes, much like the Sharingan. Sharingan actually developed from Byakugan. This jutsu allows the user's vision to become 360 degrees. The user is able to see fully around them, and all their surroundings. Byakugan also has the ability to see objects, and view the inner coil system of a person's body, and in advanced cases, the Chakra Holes. Using this, the user can attack the inner organs of a person, and do high amounts of damage.
- Sharingan – Description : A pupil born technique, which allows the user to do to a large number of things. The Sharingan's first and most well known ability - is to memorize any technique that it is a witness to - as well as register the movements of opponents. Second, it is able to hypnotize the opponent, giving an advantage to the user. It can also suggest movements to the hypnotized brain, and 'see through; any illusionary techniques. Although it is a power jutsu, it absorbs chakra. The power of the Sharingan is judged through the amount of dots in the persons eye.
- Chidori - The Thousand Birds - Description: This jutsu is Kakashi's sole original technique, originally formed for the use of assassination. The user, gathers such a large concentration of chakra in the had, that it becomes visible. Pushing the limits of the body, the user charges forward, the chakra amount growing, as does the incredible speed. The chakra becomes so powerful, that it becomes similar to a blade, and is able to cut through near anything. The attack creates a constant 'chi' noise, sounding like a thousand birds advancing towards you. The jutsu gained its name from this sound. This jutsu gained the nickname 'Lightning Edge' or, Raikiri - When Kakashi cut a bolt of lightning in half using it.
- Hakke Shou Kaiten - Heavenly Spin - Description: Another of the 'perfect defense' jutsu types. At the exact moment a blow is landed on the body, large amounts of Chakra are expelled from the Chakra Holes around the body. With that force, his body spins like a top. The combined efforts of the Chakra and the spin, first deflect the attack - then throw the opponent backwards.
- Sabaku Kyuu - Desert Coffin - Description: Part of the sand demon techniques. Uses sand to cover the opponents entire body. Is uses to stop an opponents movement, or cause suffocation.
- Konoha Senpuu - Leaf Spinning Wind - Description: A powerful spinning kick - aimed to knock the opponent upwards. Similar to Leaf Violent Wind, but more powerful.
JAPANESE WORDS
- baka = idiot -
- dobe = dead last -
- naruhodo = I see -
- Chikushou = damn / dammit -
- naze = why -
- hai = yes / yeah -
- Arigatou = Thank You -
- Gomen = Sorry -
- Urousai = Shut up -
============================================================================ ==========
*Hidden Sand Village*
--- In An Alley ---
Sasuke stepped in front of both boys as he came face to face with Gaara, and prepared himself to use his Chidori if necessary, as Neji didn't know quite what to do.
"What now?" Neji asked, as he had difficulty to restrain the blond.
"If he's too much trouble, knock him out cold, we'll deal with it later. Leave, you should come across Kakashi and the others while you go back to Konoha Village.
"I won't let you hurt Naruto anymore ..." Gaara spoke out loud enough so Naruto could hear his soft and serious words.
Once he heard those words, Naruto's body seemed to relax a little as Sasuke didn't understand the meaning behind them, until he heard Neji gasp and turned around, as his eyes widened upon the scene.
"I don't want to go back ... I don't want to be alone and hated anymore ... I just want to be with him ... Gaara ..." Naruto thoughts as his eyes closed tightly as red chakra began to swirl around the boy, as he then opened themas the color of his eyes went back and forth from blue to crimson red.
"He's too emotional ... It seems the fox is surfacing ..." Gaara thought as he raised his hand towards Neji and Naruto.
Sasuke remembered that move as he warned Neji and Naruto to get out of the way, as the sand quickly made its way towards them. Naruto lsot no time as he violently leaned forward enough for his mouth to connect with Neji's hands as he bit hard on them, and looked straight into Sasuke's eyes with hatred.
The fact Naruto bit him caught Neji off guard as he immediately unwrapped his arms around him and covered the bloody bite mark the blond shinobi left him. Naruto landed gracefully on his feet, while one hand remained pressed against the ground.
"What the hell ...?" Sasuke let out as he was shocked to look once more into those eyes. The same eyes he had looked into when they first encountered Orochimaru.
Naruto was prepared to charge at Sasuke, when a certain substance held him there. He looked down at his feet to notice sand covered his legs and slowly made it's way up to the rest of his body.
Gaara walked towards the blond, as Neji and Sasuke remained frozen from the scene. Naruto growled, as his eyes focused on the sand-nin, until he felt enormous pain in his stomach.
"Naze...?" Naruto half growled as managed to place a hand on Gaara's shoulder.
Gaara had punched Naruto in the stomach with a lot of force, as the boy along with the kitsune's rage slowly succumbed into the darkness, as his grip on the sand-nin loosened.
"Rest. My kitsune..." Gaara whispered as the sand rose and formed a sphere around the unconscious boy.
"Naruto!" Sasuke and Neji yelled out as they lost sight of Naruto's entire body, as a sand sphere surrounded him completely.
"Leave or die." Gaara gave them the choice as he waited for their answer.
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Sasuke jumped back and landed beside the Hyuga, as they never took their eyes off Gaara or the sand sphere that surrounded their unconscious friend.
"Any ideas?" Sasuke asked with a low voice.
"I've never fought against him, unlike you." Neji added as his eyes could see through the sand barrier, and assure Naruto was still alive.
"I barely survived my first encounter ... And if we move, he simply has to close his hands for the sand to instantly kill dobe ..." Sasuke trailed off when he noticed Gaara raising his hand in front of him, as though he was about to close it.
"Then what are we suppose to do?" Neji asked, well aware of the situation.
"Kakashi ... Where the hell are you?" Sasuke cursed silently as his eyes locked with the blank expression of Gaara's.
============================================================================ ======================
*Sand and Leaf Borders*
Ino stepped in front of Asuma and expressed highly her opinion about how they stayed behind and waited for their arrival, while all eyes were locked on her.
"If Sasuke-kun and Neji are in the same Village as that sand freak then what are you still doing here!? Get going so Sasuke-kun doesn't get hurt!" Ino yelled out loud enough for all to hear.
Shikamaru was busy clearing his ear from the high tone voice of his comrade, while Sakura only felt like smacking her behind the head. Jiraiya took a step forward, as Kakashi and Gai stood behind the sennin.
"Then let's get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get there." Jiraiya spoke out to the search group with a dead serious tone.
"Hai." Kakashi and Gai replied, as Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino and Sakura joined them.
They vanished before their comrades and friends before any could say anything more, as Kurenai and Asuma relaxed a little, while up in the trees, Tenten looked over to see the fragile, shaking form of Hinata.
"Come back safely ... Naruto-kun ..." Hinata mumbled, as Tenten looked down at the girl and smile from the words the Hyuga girl just spoke.
On the ground level, Chouji was more than happy to sit down at the foot of a tree and open up a brand new bag of chips to eat, after his efforts to jump faster from tree to tree to get where they are now.
Asuma leaned against a tree, smoking yet another cigarette, as Kurenai gave him a certain look, while Ino looked more annoyed and bored form the current situation.
"How about a team some of you went back to Konoha?" Kurenai asked, getting the attention of a few.
"I'm too tired to move. Plus I'm waiting for Shikamaru." Chouji answered as he ate more chips.
"I'm waiting for Sasuke-kun. So until he crosses that border, I'm not moving." Ino replied.
"I'll wait for Gai-sensei and Neji to come back. Besides, I have nothing else to do since Lee is still at the hospital." Tenten replied, as she threw several kunais above Asuma's head.
"Watch where you throw those things please." Asuma lifted his tired eyes to meet the girl's gaze.
"No worries. Asuma-sensei." Tenten replied.
"Hinata? Do you wish to leave?" Kurenai asked, since her student was the only one to not object.
"Iie! I'm ... I want to stay ... Until Neji-nisan returns ... Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun too..." Hinata stammered as she only wanted to hide her little form form everyone.
"We'll wait for a few hours until Kakashi sends Pakun's to us. Pakun should have some information about how things are doing." Kurenai informed the small group, as all simply went into their own little thoughts and waited for the time to come.
============================================================================ ======================
*Sand Village*
---- In The Alley ----
Once more, silence came, as they all glared at each other, while Gaara was the only one to show no emotions as usual, while Neji and Sasuke were worried about their little blond friend.
"This is your last warning. Leave or you will be killed by me." Gaara repeated himself, as the sand rose a feet above the ground, between him, and his two opponents.
"Why the hell did you kidnap him anyway?" Sasuke asked, in hopes to buy some time to think up a plan.
"Why the sudden interest Uchiha?" Gaara quickly replied, as he knew Sasuke was responsible for most of his kitsune's pain.
"Does your Village really desire another war with Konoha?" Neji reminded the sand-nin, as their so called alliance was already fragile due to their temporary alliance with Orochimaru.
"For the moment, neither of us is ready for a second war." Gaara replied with certainty as he knew Neji was only bluffing.
"Chikushou ..." Sasuke cursed as he never liked feeling powerless.
=========================================================================== =======================
*Gaara's House*
Temari sat next to the window, as she looked outside to see if her little brother would soon come home. Kankuro was wrapping Karusa back in her usual bandage pack, as he had finished his last minute touches, when he looked over at Temari.
"Any sign of him yet?" Kankuro asked as he walked over to his sister.
"Iie ..." Temari replied with a worried tone.
"Why would he go after that brat anyway?" Kankuro asked, perhaps, in hops that his sister would know.
"Only Gaara could answer you that ... But ..." Temari began as she lowered her head a little.
"But what?" Kankuro repeated as he stared at his sister.
"Ever since he fought against that Uzumaki Naruto ... It's like that kid managed to reach Gaara in a way neither of us could ..." Temari mumbled.
"I hate to admit it ... But I agree with you ... Whatever that brat told him, made Gaara seem more human ..." Kankuro let out as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe we should search for Gaara ..." Temari proposed as she looked up to her brother.
"Hai, before he ends up killing someone again." Kankuro let out as he walked over to where Karusa was wrapped, and grabbed her.
Temari then picked up her fan as she followed Kankuro, while they both left their house, to search for Gaara.
============================================================================ ======================
*Konoha Village*
---- Hokage's Office ----
Shizune brought more papers for Tsunade to sign every half hour, but the sennin had no desire to fulfill her duties as the fifth Hokage when she knew Naruto was in danger.
"Tsunade-sama, you should really stop worrying ..." Shizune trailed off as she tried to keep her friend's mind occupied.
"How can I not!? I barely could make up a valuable excuse to send in a team inside Sand Village, when our alliance with them is already fragile due to their recent betrayal. To know Naruto's in their hands, only Kami could know what they are doing to that poor boy." Tsunade blurted out as she then hit the wall next to her.
"Tsunade-sama ... Remember that Jiraiya-sama is the one leading the search team, as well as the number one rookie of this year and last year as well." Shizune tried everything to calm her friend down.
"I know that ... "Tsunade whined as Shizune immediately spoke out with a soft and comforting tone.
"Then believe in them." Shizune told her friend.
Tsunade closed her eyes as she listened to the comforting words of her friend.
============================================================================ ======================
*Sand Village*
---- In The Alley ----
"Neji, would you be able to break through that sand barrier and get Naruto?" Sasuke asked with such a low voice that only Neji could hear.
"The sand is composed of chakra, I should be able to break through it by inserting my own. But there is no guarantee." Neji whispered back as his eyes focused on the ball of sand.
"Do it." Sasuke replied as his eyes focused on Gaara.
"Uchiha ..." Neji let out in surprise of his comrade's decision.
"We have no other choice." Sasuke reminded the Hyuga boy.
Neji nodded, as he placed his left foot in front of his right, and waited for Sasuke to begin. Sasuke quickly reached into his holster, as he threw several kunais and shurikens straight at Gaara, as he charged forward.
"Useless." Gaara thought, as his sand rose in the air and protected him from the initial attack.
Sasuke stopped in place as he quickly did the hand signs for the Chidori attack. Within seconds, his blue chakra appeared at his feet to then switch in his left hand. Sasuke then charged forward, as Gaara focused on the Uchiha, not able to see pass his sand shield to know what the Hyuga was up to.
Neji rushed towards the ball of sand that held Naruto within it, as with his Byakugan, he could see the weak point where there was less chakra. He then stopped at the back of the sand sphere, where he prepared to do a counter with his own technique.
"Hakke Shou Kaiten" Neji let out as his attack took effect.
Neji spinned around as he released chakra from his entire body, as the sand that shielded Naruto began to open. The sand barrier shattered within seconds, as Neji could clearly see the unconscious blond on the ground.
Neji stopped spinning, as he noticed the sand had already started to close the itself around the shinobi. Neji quickly grabbed Naruto by the jacket as he pulled him out of it, and jumped backwards to distance themselves from the sand, as well as Sasuke and Gaara. Neji held the blond tightly in his arms, as he looked over to see how Sasuke was doing.
"Chidori!" Sasuke yelled out as he pushed his hand at the sand barrier that shielded the sand-nin, as he broke through.
"This again?" Gaara let out as the bright blue of the Chidori attack came only inches from the shinobi's face.
"GAARA!" A female voice yelled out from above him.
The moment Sasuke penetrated the sand-nin's defense, the sand fell to the ground, as Uchiha continued to charge forward, prepared to finalize his attack on Gaara. At that precise moment, strong violent winds pushed Sasuke back, to where Neji stood.
"What the ?" Sasuke let out as he looked above Gaara to see who had intervened.
Temari stood on the roof of the house, behind her little brother, as her fan was wide open as the three purple dots were very visible to everyone's eyes.
"Chikushou! If she's here then ..." Sasuke trailed off as he stood back up on his feet and glared at the female shinobi.
Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, the puppeteer appeared, as Karusa stood right behind Neji. Karusa opened her mouth, as needles shot out of it, and headed straight for the Hyuga and Uzumaki.
"A doll?" Neji thought as he managed to evade the needles, but headed straight into a trap.
The moment Neji jumped and landed somewhere further away from Sasuke, Kankuro appeared before the Hyuga, in time to steal the still sleeping Naruto out of his grip, as Karusa attacked from behind.
"Chikushou! I can't use Kaiten or I might injure Naruto ..." Neji thought as he pulled out a kunai to counter Karusa's attack instead.
Kankuro took this opportunity and jumped away form their enemies as he went back to where Gaara and Temari stood. With one hand, Kankuro continued to control his doll, while in his other, he tightly wrapped his arm around the boy's waist so this one wouldn't fall.
Sasuke threw a kunai towards Karusa's direction so this one would leave his comrade alone, as they were now back to square one, but with 3 times the trouble. Karuse stayed before the three sand-nins, while Neji regained his position, while he and Sasuke glared at them.
"Gaara are you alright?" Temari asked as she jumped off the roof and landed on the ground to join her two brothers.
"Take care of him." Gaara replied as Kankuro and Temari exchanged looks again, well aware that he was talking about Naruto.
"Any other ideas Uchiha?" Neji asked, as he pointed his kunai towards the sand-nins.
Before Sasuke could reply to the evident questions, Gaara lost no time to attack.
"You should have left. Sabaku Kyuu." Gaara said as he raised his hand in front of him.
The sand rose and rushed towards the two genins, as these two took a step back, well aware they could not avoid this attack forever, until something green like and a strange voice appeared, and blew the sand attack away.
"Konoha Senpuu!" A strong male voice was heard, as the sand was suddenly dispersed in the air, while the sand-nin's eyes all widened, except for Gaara.
"You..." Gaara let out as his eye twitched a little.
Before the two Leaf genins appeared Konoha's great green beast stood before them, while a white haired man appeared as well besides Neji, while Kakashi stood next to his own student.
"Sasuke-kun! Are you alright?" Sakura asked with concern as she walked towards her teammate.
Behind her, Shikamaru, Kiba and Shino walked out of the shadows, as Akamaru was already hidden inside Kiba's jacket.
"You have no right to be here!" Temari pointed out to them, as herself and Kankuro began to worry.
"You see child. With these, we can, since we're on a mission." Jiraiya pointed out to them the passports, as he handed two over to Sasuke and Neji.
"So be kind enough to hand over the missing-nin known as Uzumaki Naruto." Kakashi asked them with yet a teasing tone.
"Missing-nin?" Neji and Sasuke let out at the same time as they looked at the silver haired Jounin.
"It was the only way Hokage-sama found for us to enter Sand Village peacefully." Shikamaru whispered to the Hyuga and Uchiha so only they could hear.
Kakashi prepared to give the two rookies more information when they heard distinct, but familiar groans from the sand-nin's side. Kankuro and Temari lowered their gaze to see Naruto was beginning to wake up.
"What happened?" Naruto mumbled, as Temari walked over to give a hand to lay Naruto on the floor.
Jiraiya took a step forward, as Gaara copied his movement, by talking a step forward as well. Kakashi and Gai prepared to advance as well, when their eyes looked up on the roof, as though they had detected something.
"We're not alone anymore ..." Gai mumbled, while the genins were all ready to grab a kunai in case a new battle occurred.
Within seconds, a rain of kunais came from above, as it clearly separated the sand-nins and Naruto, from the Leaf shinobis. Gaara remained calm, as Temari tended to the blond boy, while Kankuro got back on his feet, and prepared to the upcoming battle.
"Why is there Leaf shinobis in our Village?" The leader spoke out, as many hidden shadows stepped up to the ledge of the roof, behind the three sand- nins.
"Anbus." Shikamaru stated as all eyes stared at the 8 Sand Anbus.
"Our fifth Hokage, Tsunade-sama, sent us to retrieve a missing-nin, known as Uzumaki Naruto, and he happens to be here. You will find the information in this scroll, signed by the Hokage herself." Jiraiya stated as he reached into one of his pockets to reveal a sealed scroll.
"We will investigate this, and ask that none of you make any attempts to escape while we confirm this." The Anbu leader informed them, as he vanished from their sight but reappeared before the leaf sennin.
All remained at their initial position, while the Anbu leader made sure the scroll was authentic as he then closed it, but kept it in hand. The Anbu then turned his attention towards his fellow comrades on the roof, and gave them the signal to come down to the ground, to join him.
"You speak the truth. We will not interfere with your mission." The leader spoke out, as the rest of the Anbu circled around the remaining Leaf shinobis.
"We do apologize for not entering through the gate, and hope you understand we had no other choice." Kakashi explained in hopes this would not get any worse.
"We understand. Unfortunately, we must ask that you remain within our Village for the next few days." The leader spoke out as he turned to face the cope ninja.
"May we ask why?" Gai asked a bit worried.
"A sand storm is coming in. And your missing-nin doesn't look like he can travel back to your Village. Also, I'm sure Kazekage will want to have a word with you, while we have Leaf shinobis here to straightened things out of the misunderstandings between our villages." The leader carefully picked his words as he then looked back to Gaara and the rest of the sand-nins.
"Misunderstanding my ass ..." Kiba growled, as the rest of the Leaf genins exchanged worried looks.
"Kiba, calm down." Shino warned his teammate.
At the same moment, while the Anbu leader discussed more into the Sand storm coming in, Naruto started to open his eyes as he let out a few words, while he placed a hand over his stomach, where Gaara had punched him.
"You shouldn't move ..." Temari told him, as she brushed his blond locks out of his face.
"You ...?" Naruto let out a bit surprised to see the blonde haired female shinobi next to him.
"Don't strain yourself." Temari told him as she placed her hand on his shoulder to be sure he wouldn't try to stand up.
Naruto then looked in front of him to notice how Gaara stood there, while some Anbu and Kankuro were present, as well as on the other side, Neji and Sasuke now had their senseis there, along with a few known genins, and his perverted sensei.
"What the hell are they doing here?" Naruto asked with a very angry tone.
"Seems you're a missing-nin now. And they are here to bring you back there." Kankuro informed Naruto as this one simply stared at his former senseis and so called friends.
After a few minutes, the Anbu leader stepped aside as he turned his attention to the sand-nins, while the Leaf shinobis simply listened and stared.
"Uzumaki Naruto." The leader began as Naruto looked up to the masked Anbu.
"What do you want?" Naruto replied coldly.
"Until the sand storm passes, you will remain in the custody of your Village, with one of our own shinobis by your side at all times." The leader informed the young shinobi.
"Gaara." Naruto spoke out as he lifted his head to meet the gaze of the Anbu.
The Anbu leader raised an eyebrow behind his mask, and stayed silent, unaware of what this Leaf shinobi was talking bout.
"If you're going to treat me like a prisoner and hold me against my will. The sand-nin to stay with me at all times, I want him to be Gaara and no one else." Naruto spoke out as with a dead serious tone.
"I'm afraid we cannot comply with your demand ..." The leader began to speak when Gaara stepped between him and Naruto.
"You will comply." Gaara said while he crossed his arms and stared at the Anbu.
"Gaara-sama, the laws state that ..." The Anbu explained but was rudely interrupted again by the sand-nin.
"I've made my decision. If you still object, take it up with my father." Gaara coldly told him as he turned his back and walked towards Naruto instead.
The leader gulped as he knew better than to anger the sand-nin, while the rest of the Anbus waited for their order. The leader then stepped back as he turned to face the Leaf shinobis once more.
"Until we have a word with Kazekage-sama, we will provide you with a place to sleep and eat, until the situation has been decided." The Anbu informed the sennin, while the genins worried about their blond friend.
"Why would Naruto want Gaara near him? They almost killed each other last time ..." Sasuke thought as he focused on the tuff of blond hair that he could see over Gaara's shoulder.
"You're so troublesome Naruto ... But despite how the situation looks like, it seems there's more going on than we know ..." Shikamaru thought as he let out his serious expression.
"What happened to the carefree idiot I knew?" Neji asked himself, as his Byakugan vanished.
"What happened to you ... Naruto ..." Kiba thought as Akamaru gave him a sad look.
"Naruto ..." Shino let out as he remained behind his sun glasses, and his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Was it because of what Sasuke-kun said that you left?" Sakura asked herself, as she clung onto Sasuke's sleeve.
"The boy seems to have lost his smile ..." Gai thought as this was the first time he saw Naruto without a smile.
"You'll have a lot of explaining to do ... Naruto." Kakashi thought as he placed back his headband over his Sharingan eye.
"You stupid brat ... What the hell happened for you to make such a stupid decision?" Jiraiya asked himself.
All were snapped out of their thought when the Anbu spoke loud enough to indicate them where they would stay for the next few days.
"Gaara-sama. Since you insisted on being the shinobi to watch over the missing-nin, The Leaf shinobis will remain at your house until their departure." The leader informed the red haired boy, but this one didn't pay much attention to it.
"Where's staying at that freak's house!?" Kiba yelled within his mind, as Akamaru had already retreated back within his gray jacket.
"We appreciate what you're doing." Kakashi let out, as he placed his hands in his own pockets.
"We will inform you when you'll meet Kazekage-sama as well as when you can leave." The leader explained.
"Very well." Jiraiya replied, as the remaining Anbus stepped out of their way.
"Temari-san, Kankuro-san, be kind enough to show them the way." The leader spoke out, as the two of them stepped up to the leader.
"Hai ..." They both answered, as the Leaf shinobis eyed them.
With that, the Anbus vanished in the smoke, as Kankuro and Temari were uncomfortable as Jiraiya, Kakashi and Gai stepped up to get a hold of their blond shinobi, when they suddenly froze in place.
"Don't you dare even come near me." Naruto threatened them, as his eyes were filled with hatred towards the Jounins and the single sennin.
"Baka, Kakashi-sensei and the rest of us are trying to help you before ..." Sakura yelled out as she passed by Sasuke.
"Help me? Kinda late for that." Naruto replied, as he pressed his hands against the ground, and tried to lift himself off of it, but failed.
"Naruto ..." Sakura let out in shock by her teammates harsh words.
Most to their surprise, Gaara held his hand out for Naruto to grab if he needed help to stand up. Naruto lifted his eyes, as the hatred vanished from his eyes. The blond shinobi grabbed Gaara's hand, as the sand-nin pulled him off the ground.
"Thanks ..." Naruto let out as he turned his back to his former comrades and teachers and never looked back at them.
"That isn't the brat I know ..." Jiraiya let out, surprised by Naruto's sudden outburst.
"We have a few days to find out why Naruto acted this way, before we head back to Konoha." Gai tried to reassure their group, while Temari and Kankuro exchanged worried looks.
"Sakura, Sasuke, come on, we're going to follow them." Kakashi informed his two students, while Gai took care of having Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba and Shino follow them as well.
"We'll show you the way ..." Temari mumbled as she was not pleased to have these guests in their house.
To where Naruto was, Naruto had a few trouble, standing on his own two feet, when he felt those light green eyes on him.
"What?" Naruto asked, as he leaned against the wall for support.
"Do you wish to be home before they are?" Gaara asked.
"Would be nice if it happened ..." Naruto mumbled as he closed his eyes and looked up to the sky.
"Then hold onto me." Gaara replied.
"Eh?" Naruto looked at Gaara with confusion.
Gaara wasted no time, as he lowered his body a little, as he slid his arm under those of Naruto, as he now supported Naruto's body weight.
"I see." Naruto replied with a little smile.
Within seconds, Gaara jumped back on the roofs, with Naruto in his arms, as the genins worried about their comrade.
"Gaara's bringing him home." Kankuro reassured them.
"He always hated walking through those streets ..." Temari commented as she then started to walk away.
They all remained silent, as they all followed, except for Kakashi, that remained behind for a personal reason.
"Aren't you coming Kakashi?" Gai asked, as he turned his head to face his rival.
"I'm sending Pakun back to the borders to inform of the situation. He should be able to make it before the sand storms starts." Kakashi explained, as he bit his thumb and did the hand signs for the summoning.
Pakun appeared at the feet of Kakashi, as he looked up to the shinobi and seemed displeased.
"I'm not searching for someone again." Pakun stated with a serious tone.
"I only want you to head back into Konoha territory with this information." Kakashi informed his companion as he showed him a scroll.
"Just that?" Pakun asked, not believing one word.
"Just that, make sure Tsunade-sama also is aware we won't be back there for a few days, but things are under control." Kakashi informed the dog.
"Very well, but if this ends up being on of your tricks, you won't be able to read those books ever again." Pakun warned the Jounin, as he took the scroll in his mouth, and headed back to Konoha.
"Kakashi, you forgot to tell him that he might encounter a sand storm." Gai reminded his long time rival.
"If he hurries up, he should be able to avoid it." Kakashi let out with a smile, as he then walked in the direction his team headed for.
"Kakashi ..." Gai let out as he followed his rival as well.
============================================================================ ====================== *Gaara's House*
---- Gaara's Room ----
Within minutes, they had reached the house, as Gaara helped Naruto up the stairs as they then headed for Gaara's room. Once they've entered, Gaara carefully let go of his drip on the blond shinobi, as this one simply leaned against the wall, head lowered towards the floor, as though he was ashamed or to hide something.
"Gomen..." Gaara apologized as he leaned against the opposite wall from where Naruto stood.
"For what?" Naruto asked, as he stared at the floor.
"You were unstable. I punched you." Gaara explained in only a few words, but Naruto understood.
"It's ok ... You know something? They actually don't know ... Only the adults know that Kyubi's inside of me, the rest don't ..." Naruto trailed off as a few droplets of water fell on the floor.
Gaara heard the sound as he stared at the floor where the blond stood, and understood that Naruto was crying. Although his face was covered by his locks of golden hair, the tears continue to fall on the floor, as Naruto's body leaned forward, as his placed both his hands in front of his own face.
"This really sucks you know? I try to escape what hated and ignored me for so long and now that old hag puts me on the missing-nin list and I have to go back there ... It's going to be hell again ... I don't want to go back!" Naruto yelled out as his vision blurred because of the water in his eyes.
"It isn't good for you to get too emotional ..." Gaara reminded the blond shinobi, who paid no attention to his words.
"It isn't fair! Why stay somewhere when I know they only want to kill me and for me to leave but because of a stupid law, they have the right to keep me in such a place ... I'd rather die then to go back to how things were!" Naruto continued his shouts as Gaara walked towards the blond.
"Naruto ..." Gaara whispered as he stood before the broken shinobi.
"I just want the pain to go away ... I'm tired of feeling this pain in my heart and pretend everything's ok when it's not... I just don't to feel the pain anymore ..." Naruto clutched his chest as he felt Gaara's hand under his chin, forcing him to raise his head to meet those pale green eyes of the sand-nin.
"Shhh ..." Gaara whispered as he placed two fingers on the boy's lips.
Naruto's tears continued to fall on his cheeks and then land on the wooden floor, as he couldn't tare his eyes off of Gaara's when he felt the hand under his chin removed, as well as the fingers on his lips.
"Gaara what are you doing...?" Naruto managed to let out before the sand-nin replied.
"I will protect you ... And make sure you never feel pain again ..." Gaara mumbled, before he placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders.
Gaara pinned down Naruto against the wall, but much to his own surprise, the blond shinobi didn't fight back. Gaara leaned forward, as he placed his own lips against those of Naruto's. Naruto's eyes widened at first, as he had each of his hands wrapped around Gaara's wrists tightly.
"Somehow ... This doesn't feel wrong ..." Naruto thought as his grip loosened around Gaara's wrists.
Naruto slowly closed his eyes, as he let his hands fall beside him, but then raised one as it rested on Gaara's shoulder. Gaara closed his eyes as well, as he pushed deeper within the kiss, as he noticed the blond responded to his own kiss.
"So warm and yet gentle ..." Gaara thought as he felt at peace for that short moment.
"This feeling ... I like it ..." Naruto told himself as he kissed back the sand- nin.
TBC?
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Well another chapter out and hopefully this was the best version among all the version I wrote. I had a few problems again since I'm in the crucial part of the writing but something new came up in my mind, so I hope things will turn out ok.
Also, sorry for the late updates on most my stories but I was called to work all week-end! So I only had time to sleep and then I have an exam on Tuesday, so unfortunately, I had to ignore my fics for a few days. Hopefully it won't happen before a long time again.
By the way, this chapter had 6500 + words, that's among my longest chapters ever written for this story, so you better appreciate it! * Evil eyes *
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REVIEWS
Gisela / Gaara-Chan / tidus2529 / Jennifer Colburn / Anael Razualle / fluffy-kins : Thanks for the reviews and the compliments! I really appreciate them so keep them up!
TheTrueSilver : I thought so too that my writing is getting a tiny bit better. I watch out more for those two words that I screw up all the time and the mistakes.
Someone : Well Gaara wants to protect Naruto, and under the emotional stress Neji and Sasuke put him through, he saw how he was more hurt and all. Plus the fact that they still believe that Gaara kidnapped Naruto is a good thing for Naruto for now.
Nikkler : I updated as soon as I could! Plus it was the only way I found to knock Naruto out so my evil ideas may continue like I want them too.
Ookami Kage : My boyfriend understands how I love writing so he's ok with it. Besides he doesn't have a choice * smiles evilly * . Anyway, An out of control Naruto is not what they need, plus I needed it to happen for this chapter to be written.
Muchacha : we'll they'll eventually leave, but I'm not revealing if it's with or without Naruto yet. The guys are calm but they don't have too much of a choice either, cuz back in the Chuunin exam Sasuke couldn't even beat Gaara so they know to analyze the situation first, knowing back up is coming.
Mashed Potato Master : Hey there, you're back. For a moment I thought you abandoned my fic like some other people. Thanks for reviewing!
Peter Kim : You were right, I included Temari and Kankuro in the end. You are always the best one to deduct things like these.
Lydia*Blessing : You'll find out in a few chapters if Naruto goes back to Konoha or remains in Hidden Sand Village.
Peter Kim *2 : They'll learn of it eventually but I don't want to rush into it either, hope you understand. Naruto is aware that Tsunade and Jiraiya might care but they don't show it as much lately and that's what affected Naruto.
Foamy and Foolproof : Continue your updates cuz I like your stories. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter cuz writing got harder lately.
-NC- : So kawaii to see a protective Gaara over Naruto, and those two, Hyuga and Uchiha better be careful or else they could get it ne?
nicki-gurl : I'm glad you enjoy this story. I know I lost a few reviewers because I didn't rush things, but the hardest pairings to write about is ( Gaara x Naruto ) and ( Naruto x Itachi ), so I'd rather take the time and put some fluff here and there but no worries, things will get more interesting between the two after I'm past the angst and the fight. Should be like in two chapters or something.
Arbil : Indeed, in the manga when I read the later pages I was like Gaara's back!!! I was screaming my lungs out at 2 o'clock in the morning lol. Woke up my parents, but it was so cool, I can't wait for the next chapter in the Manga. Thanks for liking my story too, it really helps me to continue such a story.
Hana : To answer your question, to let Naruto fight would imply Naruto wanted to stay in the Village and not the hypothesis that Shikamaru told them about him being abducted and all. So that way Gaara, thought that Naruto wouldn't be branded a missing-nin yet. Just buying themselves some time to think up a plan.
Gina Reed : Gomen for the suspense but I didn't have a choice to cut it there because I didn't know when to cut and my imagination was running low at the time.
Narutofreak22 : I was like yourself, I despised shonen-ai until I read this cute fic by Shirohane. Then I fell in love with it, but only for Naruto fics, the rest I can't swallow them yet. So I'm glad you enjoy this.
Otaku freak : They will find out about Kyubi later, just not right now, will take a few chapters but the truth will be out! Plus I'm going to have some more Gaara and Naruto interaction, so a lot of people will be happy ne?
Red Rose : so funny the way you put things lol. And as you know Kakashi and Jiraiya finally appeared, although Naruto's still unconscious. But he'll be very much awake in the next chapter!
Silver Neo : nice little story, keep them up, and when it Rei-san coming back or any of the Naruto characters to talk ne? Would like to see them again! Keep it up!
Renn : I know I'm brave, 8 stories, although some I update each two weeks because they aren't my biggest ones you know? Well I hope this was a good chapter, despite nothing much happened.
Shadow Eclipse : You reviewed at the last moment when I prepared to update my fic. I'm happy to know you didn't forget this chapter.
Moonlight2 : Glad o have you back! Well I'm seeing the surroundings and place for maybe Naruto to forgive but thigns will get interesting that I can guarantee.
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Next Chapter :
No Previews, because it's in the critical part so I don't want to spoil things, plus I don't know how next chapter might turn out to be as well.
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Thanks again for reviewing I highly appreciate and keep those reviews up so my brains doesn't decide to go on a new writer's block ne?
Read and Review!
And check my other stories if not already done!
Until next time!
Ookima