Gaara was kneeled beside Matsuri, his hand on her back. Her skin was cool to the touch, but not freezing as it had once been. "Breathe in," he said, feeling her take in a deep breath. She struggled to do so in the artificial heat and the temperature around her was dropping again, but just as she was about to freeze his hand, she stopped herself, holding her breath.
"Breathe out."
She exhaled slowly. She was doing better. Through the contact, he could feel the chakra circulating better. She had a semblance of control.
"Relax."
At Gaara's command, her body sagged, and he allowed her to put her shirt back on. She had been hesitant at first when he told her to take it off. Of course, he made sure she had a sports bra or something on before ordering it but being able to put his hands on her back was the best way to monitor her chakra control and how she was circulating it. After the first couple of times, she was less hesitant to do it. She didn't quite understand, but after she had come in two days prior, filled with new determination to control her abilities, she was willing.
"We are done for today." Gaara stood, not a single grain of sand on him while sand clung to the girl's skin. "Continue practicing."
"Um, Gaara-sensei?" Matsuri turned around to face him, clutching her shirt in her hand. "Am I getting any better? We haven't really done much but meditate…"
Gaara's lips thinned not really wanting to go into another explanation. "You should be able to feel your own progress by now." Seeing her flinch at his words, he bit the bullet and explained further. "Compare how you felt when first coming in here to now. Can you recall that?"
She knitted her eyebrows together as she thought. "Yes," she said slowly.
"You could barely stand before, now there is barely a strain. You don't sweat so much, and it's easier for you to breathe. You are learning to control and maintain your chakra as a natural barrier around you to protect you from the heat while preventing it from turning to ice instinctually. Unlike others, you are not learning to use it, you are learning to control the instinct to use it reflexively."
"I see. Thank you." She bowed then put on her shirt hastily. "Can we practice tomorrow too?"
"No. Next week as usual."
She had that kicked puppy look of disappointment but at least she didn't argue him on that point either. She politely excused herself.
Gaara took his time leaving, enjoying the heat of the desert a while longer before he had to get ready for school. He had spent all of Sunday with Uzumaki. He hadn't realized how much time he had been spending with Hyuuga until Uzumaki brought up how long it had been since Gaara spent the night.
Gaara's nights had been difficult, and the hunger had started to return Sunday night as well. It was a struggle to get through. He was looking forward to his hunt tonight. Getting back into his old habits as soon as possible would let him get some balance back into his life.
Stepping out of the desert, he was ready for things to go back to normal when he saw his brother sitting on his couch, reading something off his phone. How long had he been here, and who had let him come into the basement?
"Gaara," his brother greeted coldly, closing out of his phone. "Have fun with your lesson?"
"What are you doing here?" Gaara growled. "I did not give permission for you to enter my territory, Kankuro."
"Why is it yours when I paid for it," Kankuro replied, eyes narrowing.
"You know what I mean."
Kankuro gave Gaara a once over. With a huff, he replied "You were avoiding me. It was the only way to check up on you."
"You came a week ago to check up on things. What else do you need to know?"
"You were being careless. I found evidence of someone living with you in that second apartment. Since you take him to that apartment, he doesn't know anything, but I have to know why he is leaving your room so early in the morning."
Gaara would laugh if it was in his nature. What was his brother implying exactly? "You aren't going to ask about the girl?"
"I already talked to Tsunade about it. She explained quite enough."
Of course, his brother did his research. He probably already knew that it was Hyuuga who had been coming and going as he pleased. There was no reason to answer. "Why are you here?"
Kankuro stared at Gaara for a long time. Gaara stared back, not budging. With a bit of discomfort, he said, "Father has a mission for you," his eyes quickly looking away.
A shiver shot up Gaara's spine. His body stiffened and his toes curled. All this happened just hearing the mention of the man he was to call father. "I don't take missions from him while I'm here."
Gaara's brother unlocked his phone, texting back to someone. "Father told me to tell you that it's not a choice. It's in Japan so you have to do it."
Gaara's body ached already. Tsunade sent him on missions all the time, but they were mild and cautious with back up or a partner at the ready. His father's missions were nothing like that. Every time he did something for his father, he ended up miserable and in pain one way or another, whether physically or emotionally.
"When?" Gaara asked, already accepting the misery that was to come.
"After school. A private plane will take you to your destination. Father expects it done by midnight," Kankuro handed him an envelope that had laid on the coffee table in front of him.
Gaara received it with an immediate, "Are you done," after.
"For now." Kankuro stood, straightening out his suit. "I have a meeting to get to. I'll let myself out."
And just like that, his brother was gone, without even a goodbye. Was it even appropriate to call, Kankuro his brother? He barely knew the man and had no idea of what he was capable of.
Gaara looked at the envelope, his father's handwriting on the outside, written across the seal.
The best way to get through this was to do it as soon as possible. Mentally preparing himself, he opened the seal.
It had only been two days, and Neji was already going crazy being trapped by his uncle and lackeys' watchful eye. There was no semblance of privacy. He was always being followed even if he couldn't see it. Factor in that he hadn't been able to practice martial arts in two days, and Neji was feeling anxious from the lack of activity. He also had to watch his clan members practice martial arts and go off to training on the mountain, unable to join them, not even in the fundamentals. The result of it all was feeling constantly anxious, having the urge to move, and unable to do anything about it except bounce his leg insistently.
All the while, he was trying to stay focused on what his classmates were talking about, trying to keep his mind off of martial arts.
"I'm serious, they found two dead bodies this morning, killed from blood loss. Rumor has it they went to that abandoned mansion on the mountain. "
"You mean the one that's haunted?"
"You guys are so gullible. You don't really believe that do you?"
"I swear its true. Someone even said they saw the gates closing on their own Saturday night. It can't be a coincidence."
Neji knew which mansion they were talking even just paying attention with half an ear. There was a 150-year-old western mansion that had been abandoned for at least a century. As long as he could remember, there were rumors of it being haunted and generally, everyone stayed away from it, treating it as if it was cursed.
Neji wasn't one to believe in curses, so he never gave it much thought until now.
The nervous tick under his skin was itching. He really just needed to move around, get his blood pumping. How could his uncle expect him to go from a disciplined schedule, waking up early every morning to practice and practicing every night, to doing absolutely nothing? His brain was yelling at him to start practicing this instant.
Could he really keep himself from practicing at this rate?
"Hyuuga-senpai?"
"What?" he snapped. The boy he had snapped at flinched. It was then Hyuuga noticed his notebook he had lent out a few days prior in the boy's hands.
The boy was cautious around him even after Hyuuga apologized and accepted his notebook back with a strained smile. He wasn't going to be able to keep it up. His classmates were already wondering what was wrong with him, and it was only lunch.
Hyuuga stepped out of the classroom, hoping to not make a fool of himself further when he heard Uzumaki's voice down the hall.
"With my luck, I'll probably stay a virgin, but just stop calling me that!"
Uzumaki's voice was heaven to his ears. It was like a gift had been personally delivered to him. What better way to get his adrenaline running than to piss off Uzumaki. Without thinking, he walked towards them, responding in the already quieted hallway, "I can't say that I'm surprised, Uzumaki. People have standards after all."
Uzumaki's eyes landed on him, his cheeks red from the embarrassing proclamation he accidentally made to the school. Uzumaki clenched his fist before releasing it then bumped his head on the window he was standing next to wearily. "Piss off, Hyuuga." The rest of the fight drained out of Uzumaki. "I really don't want to kill you today."
No, that wouldn't do. He needed Uzumaki angry. He needed to get him to fight.
Neji raised an eyebrow condescendingly. "Is it safe for you to make threats like that, Uzumaki?"
Uzumaki's fists were clenching again. He already knew where Hyuuga was going with it. Good. At least Uzumaki would act the way he wanted him to.
"After all, you're still under suspicion for killing your father, aren't you?"
Uzumaki grabbed him by the throat and slammed Neji against the windows, holding him off the ground with a single hand, taking Neji by surprise.
Uzumaki's eyes were no longer the bright blue, but a piercing red. There was nothing brief about it. This time Neji was positive of what he saw. "Watch what you say, Hyuuga," Uzumaki growled softly, "because they might be your last."
Uzumaki's hand was crushing his throat, cutting the blood flow to Neji's head. Neji immediately felt the effects, pressure building in his face and head.
He knew he couldn't win against Uzumaki. He had known for a long time, but Uzumaki had never strangled him before. Uzumaki had grabbed his clothing, punched him, and some other things, but Neji had never laid his hands on him to keep the moral high ground at school, making him immune to punishment from the teachers. This sudden feat of strength was frightening at how easily Uzumaki could overpower him. It scared him, but at the same time, he wanted to face off with it.
He was about to fight back, when he heard Gaara's soft voice over the pounding in his ears. Any thoughts of fighting back vanished. "Uzumaki." Gaara touched Naruto's shoulder. "Let him go."
"Gaara, he–"
"I know but settle it off school grounds. He's not worth getting expelled over."
Neji's vision was blackening, so he was unsure of what happened in the brief silence afterward, but he was released. He fell to the ground hard and immediately started coughing for air, waiting for his vision to return.
Sai moved to help him up only for Neji to wave him off. He didn't want that bastard's help. He didn't want this confrontation to end with Uzumaki just yet, but with Gaara there, he didn't want to invoke his anger too. Think. What could he do? Then a totally absurd thought hit him, and he ran with it. "I guess that means you won't take our offer?"
"What offer?" Gaara asked with a cold stare.
Neji met it for a moment, feeling every bit of judgement and shame from it as he deserved, and was unable to look any longer, averting his gaze as guilt ate at him. "Where's Nara?" he asked Sai, his voice raspy.
Sai shrugged. "The practice building most likely." He too was looking at him, silently asking what offer Neji was talking about.
Pushing his hair out of his face, Neji regained as much composure as he could now that his breathing was back to normal. "Two nights ago, two college students went into the abandoned mansion south of here. Earlier this morning, their bodies were found dumped in the cemetery. Rumor has it they died from blood loss." Neji smirked. "So, I want to dare you to check out the house yourself."
Uzumaki chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "And why would I do something stupid like that?"
"Why not? Scared?"
Uzumaki was never one to back away from a challenge. Neji could see the moment Uzumaki hardened his resolve. Hook. Line. And Sinker.
"Not on your life. You think I'd chicken out over some ghost story?"
"Idiots," Gaara muttered, already walking off.
Neji's eyes were drawn to his retreating back, feeling disappointment. "Does that mean you'll take the challenge?"
"Midnight tonight." Uzumaki proclaimed.
"Deal."
Neji glanced at Gaara one last time before turning on his heel and walking away, dispersing the crowd that had surrounded them. "Let me borrow your phone." Neji held out his hand to Sai, expecting him to hand it over immediately.
Sai did what was asked, but Neji caught the hesitation. He wasn't going to let Sai alert his uncle to his plans. He pretended he was just going to text, but in reality, he deleted all of Sai's contacts, both phone and email as they walked to the practice building. He finished his task just as the found Nara in the computer science room.
He tossed the phone back to Sai who caught it with an expert hand. Sai went to access his phone, most likely to contact his uncle. Seconds later, Sai frowned, noticing what Neji did. Sai said nothing, pocketing the phone as Nara looked up from the computer.
"What did you do?" Nara asked, already knowing something was up just from Neji seeking him out.
"I challenged Uzumaki to a dare at the old abandoned mansion tonight at midnight."
There was a visible reaction from Nara. What Neji did must have taken him by surprise. Honestly, Neji was surprised by his own actions too.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Nara asked evenly.
"Yes. My uncle only said I'll be expelled from the clan if I practice martial arts. He never said anything about breaking curfew. In fact, we're going to skip school today. Together." Nara didn't try to persuade him otherwise. When he said they were leaving together, he meant he was going to keep an eye on them so they couldn't contact his uncle. "Let me have your phone."
Unlike Sai, he was certain Nara would have memorized the number. When he asked for the phone, he wasn't planning to give it back. Nara knew that.
"I don't get one phone call first?"
Neji contemplated it. He held a little more respect to Nara, gave him a little more freedom compared to Sai. So he gambled. If someone picked up Nara's call, then what he was planning was just not meant to be.
Tsunade's phone buzzed on the desk beside her, distracting her from the more pressing matter at hand until Usokawa came up to take the phone and silence it for her. It was a small comfort really as she was so close to ripping her hair out over the incident that had occurred. It had barely been 3 days and Uchiha was already causing trouble.
"I want a clear answer. Why the hell did it take so long to realize two of our citizens were missing and why did we find out about their death through a civilian instead of our own sources!" she bellowed.
"Deidara-san had just arrived on the island for a second visit at that time, so our surveillance was split. We also have a shortage of people due to the incident in Hiroshima, so they managed to sneak in without our knowing. Since they were college students, and it was the weekend, no one really noticed they were missing."
It was a poor excuse, and Tsunade was furious. They died due to carelessness and bad timing? No one had bothered to trespass onto that property in decades, and the one night they were busy, some college students managed to get in? She couldn't even punish Uchiha for it. Their contract stated that anyone who came onto his property was fair game, and he in no way coerced them to come. Uchiha was in the clear and that made her blood pressure rise.
"If I may, Tsunade-sama," Iruka stepped forward a grim expression on his face. "I think Gaara-kun may have had a hand in what had happened. Those two boys were the ones who were harassing Uzumaki-kun recently."
"Fuck," she cursed, rubbing her temples, trying to release the pressure. She wasn't sure which situation was worse. Legally speaking, Gaara probably didn't put his hands on them, meaning they went there on their own. Technically speaking, even if he brought them there, there was no guarantee that Uchiha would kill them, therefore, Gaara would get off for what was most likely premeditated murder. Then there was the medjay to deal with. She had limited jurisdiction of what she could and could not do to Gaara even if he was charged. The shinobi and medjay had a strained relationship as it was.
Her personal feelings towards it were more biased. She loved Naruto and wanted to protect him. She could sympathize with that feeling Gaara had towards Naruto as well, but she couldn't let him go either. Dammit, she was going have to bring it up with Kankuro who would more than likely demand evidence and then have her sweep it under the rug. Like it could be that simple.
"Where is Gaara?"
"About to leave for a mission sent by the medjay."
Tsunade barely refrained from cursing again. "Alright. Iruka, when you get the chance, talk to Gaara and try to get information out of him when he returns. As for the rest of you, don't mention anything said here. Until we gather proof, we cannot know what exactly happened."
"If I could be of help, Tsunade-san, I could have my department, look for evidence. I know your spread thin, and I am more than happy to assist." Usokawa offered his services, giving a bow.
"Yes, that would be quite helpful." It felt like a weight had come off her shoulders at the offer. "You are dismissed."
With Uzumaki gone, Gaara had no reason to stay. After the fight with Hyuuga, Uzumaki had left the property. There was stupidity all around that dare, but he wasn't worried. Nara and Sai would inform Tsunade or Hyuuga, Hiashi before it went too far.
He opened his shoe locker to see a letter, sealed with the Nara clan symbol on it. What did Nara want from him? Curiosity got the best of him and he into an empty classroom, locking the door. With classes still going, no one would bother him.
He opened the letter and with a puff of smoke, Nara stood before him. It was a clone made of chakra.
"Gaara," Nara greeted.
"Nara," Gaara greeted back.
"I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll be blunt. Talk to Hyuuga-san."
Normally, Gaara would appreciate the direct behavior, but this time, he felt nothing but irritation. "Why should I?"
The clone sighed as if explaining was the most troublesome thing he could think of. It stared out the window of the room, making it difficult to remember that it wasn't real. "I don't really care for the affairs of the Hyuuga clan. I only went along with watching over the kid at Tsunade-sama's insistence. Even I started to pity him when I realized his only friends were basically being paid to spy on him. When he started training with you, he was happy for once in his life."
So Nara had been keeping an eye on them after all. "I think Hyuuga made it quite clear he didn't want to continue our arrangement," Gaara responded.
"His uncle threatened him. That morning, he had discovered Hyuuga-san practicing martial arts and excelling at it without the guidance of a proper master. He banned Hyuuga-san from practicing martial arts else risk being expelled from the clan."
"Discovered? Isn't it told?" Gaara challenged.
"I never said a word," Nara replied. "All I was told was to make sure he didn't get into serious trouble. From what I could see, he was quite safe with you."
Everything made sense now. Gaara could easily see Hyuuga devastated at not being able to practice martial arts, and he could see Hyuuga directing the anger at him for it as well when he had no one to vent or breakdown to.
"If it's any consolation, he regrets everything he did. He's been depressed since you stormed off school grounds Saturday." Nara met Gaara's eyes. "Think about it." With that, the clone disappeared.
He didn't doubt Hyuuga felt guilty. When they had met in the hallway today, guilt covered Hyuuga's features when their eyes met. It didn't change the fact Hyuuga had used the information against him though.
He pushed all thoughts of it out of his mind. He couldn't afford any distractions. He had a mission he had to complete.
Neji kept a close eye on Nara and Sai the entire day, not allowing them a chance to contact his uncle in any way. They went into downtown for a while, hitting the arcade and bookstore while they waited for midnight. He caught Nara and Sai glancing at each other throughout the day. Were they that concerned about pissing off his uncle? He scoffed inwardly at them. His uncle must pay well.
There was one weird moment during their day. While they were at the arcade, the owner delivered a letter to Nara. Nara read it over and shrugged, crumpling it up and putting it in his pocket. When Hyuuga asked about it, Nara claimed it was left by someone who had the jacket Nara had left behind the last time he came and told him where to pick it up.
Neji didn't have a reason not to believe him, especially when no one approached them the rest of the day nor did the other two do anything suspicious.
So there they stood at the gates of the manor. A crow perched on the stone wall watching them, giving the mansion more of a creepy ambiance. It was almost midnight. Was he really going to do this?
"We can still turn back," Nara suggested, yawning. "I think your statement to your uncle has been made."
That was true. He didn't have to do this. He was out way past curfew. To be honest, he was a bit afraid to go back, wondering if his uncle would expel him from the clan for directly disobeying. But there was another reason he wanted to go through with it as well.
"I'm not letting Uzumaki have the nerve to say I chickened out." Neji went and pulled open the gate, and the crow flew away.
Nara and Sai looked uncertain, but they followed him through.
Walking down the gravel road, Neji and Sai used their phone flashlights. Neji was getting a bad feeling. There was the smell of freshly cut grass and the yard looked to be taken care of. Did someone live here after all or did someone just come to tend to the land? He didn't know the answer as he never really observed the grounds in the past. He was rarely in this area of the island in general. He found himself looking at the mansion often, searching for signs of movement or light, but he saw nothing. The house still looked abandoned if in decent shape for its age.
"I think it's best we leave as well," Sai said, once they stopped in front of the mansion. "It's not like we get anything if Uzumaki wins or fails the dare."
"We're staying," he said again. Neji was hoping he would show up.
Neji held his ground, seeing Uzumaki and Inuzuka down the path with their flashlights as well, but he wasn't there. His eyes searched, but Gaara wasn't there. So it was all for nothing.
"What's he doing here?" Inuzuka gestured to Nara, clearly not happy being here either.
Neji was feeling a bit put out himself. "We needed another person to ensure that you didn't chicken out." He pulled out his phone, wondering if he should send Gaara a text. In the end, he just replied to a message to Hinata had sent him, asking where he was. "The rules are simple enough that even you two morons should be able to follow them."
Both teens send him a glare, but he just didn't care anymore.
"Search every room in the mansion and videotape as you make your way through with your phone for proof. You have to survive for an hour." He looked at Inuzuka. "Only Uzumaki has to remain the entire time. You're allowed to chicken out." He looked back to Uzumaki. "And if there is a murderer or evil spirit, you're on your own." He had said the last part to get Uzumaki to back down or at least think twice about going in. He didn't really feel like fighting anymore, and Gaara wasn't there either. There was little point in continuing this.
"We'll see who chicken's out," Uzumaki muttered, nearly stomping his way to the door.
Neji didn't care. He wanted to leave. "Let's get out of here."
He started heading back towards the exit when he realized Nara and Sai were not following. They were looking at the mansion with concern. Uzumaki had just walked in. What were they worried about? Did they believe the rumors too?
"I'll go in after them," Sai said, rolling up his sleeves.
"I'll erect a barrier," Nara replied, pulling something out of his pocket.
Neji looked at them both in confusion when a yell distracted all three of them. "Stop and put your hands in the air."
All three spun around to see two officers pointing revolvers at them. "Please put your hands where I can see them." Neji did exactly what he was told, raising his hands above his head, but Nara and Sai didn't do the same. They were looking at each other, not moving.
"Put your hands where I can see them," the officer repeated.
After what seemed to be too long, Nara and Sai raised their hands above their heads.
One officer went to cuff them while the other still had their gun trained on them.
The cars were waiting for them only 30 meters away, how had they had not heard their approach? Neji thought.
"Sound barrier," Nara whispered to Sai who nodded grimly.
What the hell was a sound barrier?
Neji thought, bewildered. He couldn't even hear the cars until they were less than 5 meters away. The three of them were shoved into the back seat of the cruiser as the officer spoke on the radio. "Suspects have been detained. We're about to go talk to the owner."
"Don't bother. The owner said he did not wish to be disturbed until morning. Come on back to the station," a voice crackled back.
Neji didn't recognize the voice, but his feeling that someone did live here had been right. Should he tell them about Uzumaki too?
Nara and Sai were silent though they kept looking worriedly at the mansion. If he told on Uzumaki, Uzumaki would be arrested too. If he didn't and Uzumaki was caught, Uzumaki might be able to escape or be charged with a worse crime than trespassing. He got Uzumaki in trouble, but he never wanted to get him in trouble with the law.
In the end, he decided not to say anything. Maybe Uzumaki could escape without the owner knowing he was there. It appeared the police thought there were only three of them in the first place.
The two officers got into the cruiser, and they started driving away, and Neji wondered if this was going to be his uncle's last straw.
Gaara's body was slammed onto a wooden table, breaking it. He fucking hated this, he thought, slicing at the tentacle that had him pinned with a curved blade called a khopesh. The creature let out a sound that was a mixture of a screech and a gurgle, as it pulled away.
It was a grotesque thing. Gaara could only see half of its body. In the center of the warehouse where chalk symbols and glyphs had been drawn was a hole. The creature's body was squeezing through it, trying to pry itself out. Its bronze skin was squishy and soft, and its body lacked a distinct shape, more like a blob than anything structured. Its face was made of many tentacles, some large, some thin, thrashing about and destroying everything they touched, leaking an ooze that ate away at everything.
The part of the tentacle that had pierced Gaara's side, wiggled around though it was severed, enlarging the wound, trying to force itself into Gaara's body.
Gaara gritted his teeth, forced to drop his weapon to try to pull it out, squishing in his hand like he was trying to grab a worm, but abandoned it halfway when he needed to dodge another tentacle trying to grab him. Why did humans have to mess with this type of shit? Especially ones who had no clue what they were doing. What possessed someone to just pick up a black magic book and think it would be a good idea?
It wasn't like the cult members could reflect on their actions. The warehouse was littered with little bits and pieces of them.
Gaara was pierced from behind by a smaller tentacle, aimed close to his heart. He coughed up blood. Crushing the bottle around his neck with his bare hands. He ignored his cut hand and used the sand to severe the tentacle as well. Shit, what was the other team doing?
The rest of the tentacle he had severed entered his body. He could feel it moving, trying to find a place to bury itself to grow. Shit. He was not going to be a sacrifice for this lower-class demon.
His lord agreed with him. His body temperature was increasing to unsafe levels to kill it, flooding his body with chakra.
The creature was starting to succeed in pulling itself out of the magic gate. Gaara could see a mouth, emerging from the hole, rows and rows of sharp teeth becoming visible as it screeched.
Gaara coughed up a large volume of black liquid. The larger tentacle from before almost succeeding and getting fully inside. Seriously, any time now.
The sprinklers finally went off. The creature screamed in pain and agony. It squirmed and writhed to try to fit itself back in the portal from where it came. Each drop of water left a gooey black puddle in his wake as parts of the creature dissolved.
The water that touched Gaara's skin burned, but it hurt the tentacle more. At first it squirmed, trying to get away, but it dissolved into a black goo like everything else. Took them long enough. He had been entertaining this thing for 15 minutes on his own, getting progressively harder as more and more of it had emerged.
Gaara fell to his knees. Shikaku had kept his body temperature dangerously high as his body expelled the black liquid from every wound it entered. He even coughed up a good about. Small little tentacles moving in the bile and dying as it became exposed to the air. "Shit," he muttered then coughed up some more. "Total shit."
He was referring to the state of his body. Heavily wounded, hungry, blood loss on top of a crippling fever. The fever wouldn't kill him, but it was hard to think straight.
"Someone, exorcise the area and clean this mess up." Baki emerged from somewhere. Gaara couldn't tell where with his screwed-up senses. Baki had been in charge of this mission. Even though it was in Japan, the cult had been led by a someone from the middle east, therefore, it fell into the medjay's hands with some shinobi assistance.
"I brought you some food," Baki said. "Gaara looked up, his vision going in and out. He vaguely saw the outline of the man Baki had tied up and the cult rob he wore. So one of the cult members survived after all.
"I need more than that," Gaara said, but his hand did wrap around the cult member's robes and tugged hard, causing the member to fall.
"One human a week. That is the arrangement. No exceptions. Your next feeding is Friday as usual. This is just last week's."
Gaara's lips twitched into a scowl.
"No, please, I'm sorry!" The member, who turned out to actually be a woman begged. "I didn't think any of it was real. Spare me."
Gaara silenced her, too hungry to care to listen to her objections. She tasted horrible. The blood was swimming with alcohol and drugs. It would all affect him, but he had no choice. He had already bitten her neck, whether he drank or not, it was considered a kill, and he could not afford not to drink right now.
Baki knew very well that this woman was poisoned. He just didn't care for her and didn't care for him. He was charged to take care of him but was not charged to give him quality care.
The alcohol affected him first, then the drugs. It dulled the pain and his senses and soon it was hard to tell reality from hallucination. With some bought of miracle, he managed to get himself onto the plane without assistance. He stared at the ceiling of the plane, trying not to lose consciousness. He had only been drugged a few times due to a lack of food options. He couldn't get addicted, the lord inside him wouldn't let him, but Gaara hated it. He hated hearing the whispers that came with it.
The humans don't care for you.
Why do you protect them?
Kill them. Kill them all.
They were soft whispers that you could easily miss, but the drugs made them so much stronger, especially when he closed his eyes. The only good thing was after a three-hour plane ride back home, most of the serious effects were gone, and he had most of himself pulled together.
The first thing he did was take a shower, digging into his only partially closed wounds. The black goo that had lingered, slowed his healing process to a crawl. He did his best to clean them out. Afterward, after he had dried and changed, he burned his clothes, throwing purification salt onto the pile.
He was more than ready for bed, but he didn't sleep. He was still starving, and after the night he had, the drugs and alcohol still in his system, he was afraid to dream. He didn't want to hear those whispers even clearer and see Orochimaru's face or envision his creepy voice mixed in. but if he didn't sleep, he wouldn't be able to recover at all.
Wasn't there another option? Someone who could keep his dreams at bay?
His phone buzzed. He reached over, dragging it over to read the message. It was from Nara, and it was a single sentence.
"Police station."
Neji sat in the waiting area of the police station. He was free of all charges so his uncle must have known he was here, but he knew he wouldn't be picked up. Whenever he was in trouble, his uncle wouldn't come, and after tonight, he wasn't even sure if he was allowed back home.
He was an idiot. Doing all this first for an adrenaline rush and then just to see Gaara. He had wanted to apologize tonight. He figured Gaara wouldn't speak to him or even show up unless Uzumaki showed up. While Uzumaki was in the house, he was going to apologize. He never anticipated that Gaara wouldn't show up and now he wasn't even sure if he had a home or family to return to.
All he did was hurt and push people away. Maybe it was better if he wasn't here, he thought darkly. He stared blankly into his cup of green tea.
"Hyuuga."
He almost didn't believe it at first when he heard Gaara's voice. Uzumaki hadn't come in, so Gaara had no reason to be there. But he was.
Gaara looked tired, wearing rumpled jeans and a t-shirt that looked hastily thrown on. It had to be a mistake, but Gaara was staring at him.
Guilt consumed Neji and he looked away, staring into the cup once again. Every hurtful thing he had said to Gaara swirled in his mind. He didn't have a right to look at him, let along talk to him.
"Neji," Gaara said, much softer this time and weaker. "I'm losing sleep."
Did he wake Gaara up? A new set of guilt crossed Neji's thoughts, knowing just how little sleep Gaara tended to get. He didn't want to get in the way of Gaara and his bed. Gaara was standing there, waiting for him.
"You have a spare room?" he asked.
"I don't answer stupid questions," came the soft reply, lacking any hostility towards him.
Neji gave him a small smile. "Forgive my stupidity then."
Asuma let him go free with Gaara, and he was grateful for that. Now alone with Gaara, he wondered what to say. The ride was silent and Neji couldn't bring himself to say anything first. He didn't know how to apologize, if he should, or how he should act. So he remained quiet until Gaara brought him back up to the apartment.
Gaara turned on the light. Neji's eyes were instantly glued to the growing bloodstain on his shirt. Inhaling sharply, he pulled up Gaara's shirt before Gaara could even react, seeing the two lacerations on his side.
Gaara pulled his shirt down, stumbling back in his haste. Now that he was able, Neji looked at Gaara in detail. He was pale, breathing hard, a little green, and he was barely able to stand. How had he not noticed before? Grabbing Gaara's hand, he headed for the door. "You need to go to the hospital."
"No!" he shouted, tugging his hand out of Neji's. Gaara was stronger than he let on, surprising Neji a bit. It was the loudest Gaara had ever spoken and there was fear in his voice. "No hospital. Just…no." his voice grew softer. "I just need sleep. I'll be fine."
"You at least need to treat the wounds," he said in a quieter tone, highly concerned when Gaara seemed agitated and slow at responding. Should he call an ambulance? "Do you have a medkit?" he asked again as gently as he could without the panic he was feeling show.
When Gaara shook his head no, he took the keys and raced to the nearest convenience store. The entire time he kept checking his watch, wishing the elevator would go faster or that the cashier would hurry up. He raced back, fifteen minutes passed, and found Gaara sitting on the couch, staring out into space.
He wanted to call a doctor. He wanted to call so bad; however, he feared Gaara would run if he did. Gaara seemed adamant about not going to a hospital.
Gently grabbing Gaara's elbow, he guided him to the bedroom and sat him on the edge. He was glad he picked up fever reducers because Gaara was burning up. Going to the kitchen, he got a glass of water and had Gaara swallow the pills.
Gaara didn't even question it, he took the glass and pills and downed them. Worried more, he tried to take Gaara's shirt off. There, Neji was met with more resistance.
"I need to take off your shirt," Neji insisted.
Gaara shook his head. "Stays on," he grunted.
"I need to clean it or else it'll get infected," Neji said patiently.
Slowly, with some more prodding, he managed to get Gaara to let him take off the shirt. It may have just been him as he hadn't gotten a good look at it before, but the wound did seem smaller. It was still pretty deep and needed to be treated, but he felt less worried than before.
Going to the bathroom, he tried to find a towel that wasn't white but to no avail. He grabbed one, getting it wet with lukewarm water, then grabbed another. He draped the dry towel on the bed for Gaara to lay down on his side. Gaara wouldn't look at him, just sat quietly as Hyuuga took the damp towel and cleaned the wound. There was a sticky black substance, that he wiped away and caused him some concern, but there didn't seem to be more of it. He stored the information way in case he needed to recall it later.
As he gently cleansed the wound, he noticed a brand, just above the laceration. A snake eating its own tail. Neji reached out to touch it. His fingers barely touched the raised flesh when Gaara grabbed. In a frail voice, he quietly whispered, "Don't."
Neji left it alone, carefully, rolling Gaara onto his stomach to clean the wounds on his back, they were much smaller in number, but he wondered what had happened and who did this to Gaara. Gaara wasn't a pushover, but to beat Gaara to this extent looked more like a murder attempt them something like a fight or mugging. Once he finished attending to those wounds, he rolled Gaara onto his front.
He frowned. There had been one distinctive scar on Gaara's back that had stood out on Gaara's nearly flawless skin. There was a matching one on the other side, just to the right of where Gaara's heart would be. He resisted the urge to run his fingers over it. The scar looked old, but there was no way it was ever going to fade.
"It's rude to stare," Gaara said. He still wasn't looking at Neji, and he seemed extremely uncomfortable and vulnerable the way he laid there on the bed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Hyuuga used the bandages and disinfectant he bought, placing them over the wounds one by one. After a few minutes, he asked, "Do you mind telling me how it happened?"
Gaara was quiet. Neji didn't expect him to answer. He of all people didn't have the right to know.
He had Gaara roll on his side one last time, cleaning the large laceration on last time and digging out the rest of the black substance, whispering apologies to him when Gaara grunted in pain. Fully cleaned out, he sprayed the disinfectant.
"It's from when my father tried to kill me," Gaara said.
Neji tried to peer at Gaara's face, but it was hidden in the pillow. From the looks of that scar, his father almost succeeded.
Neji stood up and gathered the materials he has used, disposing of everything, including the towels. He went through the cabinets and made some rice porridge, making it very watered down so Gaara could easily drink it, and gathered some new clothes for him. He was afraid Akria would have fallen asleep by the time he had finished with everything. Gaara laid staring at the ceiling, still a bit dazed, but some of his color was back.
He helped Gaara sit and helped him in a new shirt and laid him back against the pillows helping him to eat a little bit of food which was another short battle. Gaara didn't want to eat. After some more prodding, Gaara ate a few bites then refused to eat more.
As Neji nursed him, he noticed he was touching Gaara more than he had to as much as Gaara was touching him. They were small touches, grabbing the edges of his clothes or pressing his body against Neji's. Neji didn't mind it, barely noticing at all.
Placing the bowl down on the side table, Neji stood up and helped Gaara under the covers. Gaara was downright lethargic at this point, barely conscious. When Neji moved away, ready to take his spot on the couch for the night, Gaara asked, "where are you going?"
"The couch. After everything I said," he paused, full of guilt as he recalled the cruel things he had thrown at Gaara, "it wouldn't be right for me to sleep here."
Gaara yanked him back onto the bed using the edge of his shirt, once again surprising him of Gaara's strength. "Stay. Please."
He didn't need to be asked twice. Neji divested himself of his clothes, staying in his boxers and slipped in the bed. Gaara fell asleep almost instantly, pressing against Neji as he slept. Neji watched him sleep for a long time, mostly out of worry and partly because of the night he had. He fought against sleep, wanting to make sure that Gaara was sleeping soundly and not suffering from his wounds. Eventually, sleep claimed him, and he wrapped his arm around Gaara, pulling him into a protective embrace.
