Hiya.

Early update just because.

Enjoy. ^_^

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Chapter Three.
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The days trapped in war meetings wore thin on Gaara. As the Supreme Commander of his father's army, he was obligated to keep abreast of all the generals' plans, but when he wasn't in the field, he felt useless. He felt unnecessary to these kinds of discussions. The mornings were spent talking politics—who was vying for what position and who was actually fit to fill the holes created from the last bout of assassinations. And then there was the agricultural crisis; spies from Fire (where else?) had slipped past their nets and salted the earth where Suna cultivated their main produce. Harvest time was predicted to yield far less crop this year than they were used to and trading with other nations was out of the question—they too had taken losses from Fire's underhanded tactics. The border towns in Wind were suffering the most, having to supply the extra manpower and seeds to feed the kingdom, and no matter how ruthless Rasa was, he had yet to willingly allow his people to starve. The presence of their army in the farming land they still had use for, keeping watch for saboteurs, was welcomed.

Gaara sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be enough. And here he was, debating tactics when he should be on the field, hunting down every unwelcomed guest and crushing them under his sand. It was infuriating.

The afternoon discussions were for sorting through scout reports on enemy movements and coming up with strategies to combat it. There were rumours that the Fire King's army was twice as large as they'd thought, but nothing could be confirmed, yet. They had allies in the free cities who could come and go between the nations and would have to rely on their reports to discern the political climate behind those imposing gates to the Fire capital. Nobody who'd ever laid siege to them succeeded, and all who scaled their walls died. They were going to have to be as underhanded as Fire itself, to make any kind of dent in their enemy's fortress.

The night-time was Gaara's escape from the stifled atmosphere, but brought idleness, frustration, and a bloodlust that didn't belong in such civilised company. Tensions over the subterfuge of Fire and the imminent open war ran high, and even the twittering noblewomen who were never briefed on the particulars knew what was going on.

A week on from his return to the capital, a messenger arrived to inform them the Fire King had finally discovered that the people in the areas in his kingdom he abandoned were disappearing. There was no word yet on his intentions, but Rasa had called an all-night strategy meeting after another scout reported seeing Fire troops in the outlying districts.

This was a mandatory meeting for Gaara, considering the outlying districts were a part of his overarching goal.

Gaara had one mission: Bringing peace and order to the savage, disordered tribes in the outlying districts, according to his father. Which was a polite way of saying invade and force servitude. The plan to turn captured, able bodied men into fighters for the cause was King Rasa's idea. He was a born strategist.

But Gaara's forte was in the strategy and intelligence born of the fight: in the heat of battle. He could discern the outcome of a fight before it began; warriors of low-level skill held themselves different to the high-powered chakra users. It was something he'd been able to do as long as he could remember.

The political side of war strategy was still a struggle for him. But he was learning.

"Lord Gaara's forces need to head back out and slaughter those troops," General Innaro said.

Rasa shook his head. "We don't want to confirm our intentions. The enemy may be goading us into showing our hand. All the Fire King has is unconfirmed reports that we're responsible for the populous disappearances."

"A wise move," another general said, and Gaara inwardly sighed.

Of course, it was.

Innaro scowled. "Then how-"

"The scouts have not been able to determine their destination," Rasa interrupted. "There are several possibilities. We will set up sentries along the main paths and have spies ready to alert us as soon as their path is clear."

Everyone started nodding slowly, making sounds of agreement; a few were annoyed but said nothing.

Rasa continued. "Gaara's men are currently training the newer recruits so we have reason to hold him here for now." He pointed along the Fire and Wind borders on the war map. "Shore up the defences along these points and we'll have a better chance of deterring recompense if Fire decides we're guilty, after all."

When the meeting was over, Rasa pulled Gaara aside. "I don't know, nor do I care, why you're keeping that Fire peasant girl, but be discreet in your dalliance with her. People are beginning to talk. It's unbecoming."

"Yes, sir." Gaara nodded and scowled at the man when his back was turned.

Kankuro strode up to Gaara, a grin on his face. They were alone in the room and the redhead tried to leave, finding his exit blocked by his cheeky older brother.

"That was a productive three hours," Kankuro said. "I think I might hit the taverns and find a wench. You heading in to see your Fire barbarian? She'll be alone at this time of night." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Shut up."

His brother laughed but dropped the innuendos. They both knew Gaara hadn't gone near her in a week, but the dark-haired man had hoped Gaara would take her to bed already. He needed to relax more than anyone right now.

"What are you teaching the barbarian manners for, anyway?" Kankuro teased. "Do you plan to make her good enough to wed?" He shook his head as Gaara didn't respond. "You know father is looking to marry you to a bride of his choosing, not yours".

Gaara sighed, rubbing a hand over his trousers distractedly. "I do not have the luxury of letting my hormones control me."

"So, you're in lust with her but don't know how to express this other than to teach her to curtsy?"

"I said, shut up."

…

The very next day, Gaara was actually grateful his father wanted him to stay home for now. It was with barely contained excitement that he found himself striding toward the receiving room; the anteroom of the palace. He hadn't seen his best friend in months.

"Gaara!" The obnoxious blond was riding through the city gates, and as usual, ignoring the laws on speed limits within the capital.

People often groaned and complained about the boisterous blond's lack of awareness and no volume control, but the redhead was used to him and looked forward to these meetings, when he knew they were coming. This was a pleasant surprise, as he'd only received the news minutes ago.

Naruto Uzumaki was an odd friend for someone of Wind to have, given his own country's hatred of Gaara's. But nobody said no to someone as well-loved and amiable as him.

"We're not technically at war," Naruto would say. "And anyway, I'm not a full citizen of Fire anymore."

His father was planning an engagement for him to marry into the Hyuuga family—who'd been forced out of Fire when they stood up to the barbarity of their king. They were now settled in the free cities—a conglomerate of cities built on land unclaimed and unwanted by the kingdoms, which became renown and coveted but were now protected by international laws.

This new affiliation gave Naruto more freedom to come and go, within reason. It gave him the perfect opportunity to suss out Fire; given that his other best friend was a noble of that capital.

Gaara gave his friend a warm, rare smile as Naruto dismounted and grabbed the redhead for a rough hug.

"Gaara, how are you?"

Gaara pulled away and Naruto laughed good naturedly.

"Fine. You?"

"Oh, you know, life is great. Getting myself wet in preparation for my nuptials. Thought I'd stop in to see my best friend in Wind on my last round trip as a free man."

Gaara fought a blush at the mention of sex. He didn't like the tease.

Naruto winked. "You should try it for yourself," he said in a sing-song voice. "So," he swung an arm over Gaara's shoulder, leaving his horse in the capable hands of the stable boy who ran forward, and steered his friend back into the palace. "What about you? Got engaged yet?"

Gaara sighed. "Father is insistent."

"Well tell the old bugger you deserve to choose."

Gaara scoffed. "Tell him yourself."

"Oh no, he'd kill me for saying it. Set your mother on him. Wives have a special way of—" He broke off as Gaara glared at him, not wanting to hear about what may or may not be happening with his parents behind closed doors. "So… I heard a rumour you uh…"

The redhead sighed. "What did Kankuro tell you?"

Naruto grinned, removing his arm and throwing his hands behind his head as they walked, destination unknown. "You got yourself a little bed buddy."

"He's mistaken."

"Uh-huh. You know, no-one would blame you for popping your cherry before you have to marry."

"Naruto."

"Oh, you love me."

"Butt out of it."

"Sure, sure."

They talked about safer topics and Naruto challenged Gaara to a spar, which was still going when Gaara was informed by the servants that dinner was about to be served. They retreated to separate rooms to clean up then met outside the secondary dining room; used for guests of importance that weren't dining with the king. Gaara was in for another surprise.

His siblings waited inside, along with an unexpected guest.

"Tada!" Kankuro threw his arms up in victory.

Gaara inwardly groaned, trying to resist the urge to beat his brother to a pulp.

Temari was smirking.

Sakura stood in front of him, all dolled up, and looking … uh, very nice. She didn't smile at him, but there was no anger in her eyes, for now. She wore the typical Wind cheongsam and Gaara noted absently that it complimented his own chángpáo well; she also wore several pins in her hair as it was still too short for the traditional bun. Remembering his manners, he pulled out a chair for Sakura, who mumbled a shy "thanks" and glared at Kankuro over her head, who was looking very proud of himself.

"We haven't formally met," Naruto said, as Gaara sat at the head of the table, across from his friend, with his siblings on one long side of the table, and Sakura on the other. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. You're Sakura, right?"

Sakura nodded, pulling her hands into her lap as servants entered, carrying trays of food. She looked prim and proper, like her training had paid off, but Gaara could see the annoyance she was holding back. Multiple times over the past week, her tutor had come to Gaara either asking to be replaced or passing on complaints from the pinkette about being, "told what to do, when to do it, and how to effing speak".

Gaara imagined Sakura had sworn her head off, since the tutor was too proper to repeat such vulgarity.

She was driving the woman batty, which was a feat in and of itself, but she was learning. It gave her something to do, at least.

"You're from Fire?" Sakura asked, reminding Gaara that his mind had drifted. He started eating his fried gizzard and just listened to the conversation instead of joining in.

"Uh-huh." Naruto nodded his head vigorously. "My family used to be a part of the nobility. But we've been estranged since I got engaged to a Hyuuga. It's fine," he said, his smile radiant, when she looked sad. "I can still come and go as I please, but the king is good at holding a grudge." He shrugged. "He'll get over it. Old Rasa's a teddy bear compared to him though."

Sakura nodded thoughtfully, though she didn't believe him.

"And I'm Gaara's best friend," he proclaimed.

"His only friend," Kankuro whispered teasingly.

Temari smacked him over the back as he started to cough uncontrollably. "Leave him alone, Gaara. It was just a joke."

Gaara sniffed and pretended to not notice his brother struggling to breathe, but the colour started returning to Kankuro's face and he stopped shuddering.

The four of them continued to talk and eat at the same time, and when Gaara was finished eating, he sat back, watching Sakura as she started talking about her training growing up.

"That's amazing!" Naruto exclaimed, then apologised as he spat food over the table. "Warrior women are amazing. You have a lithe style to you, even when you're in clunky armour. It's really great." He grinned and she couldn't help but smile lightly back. "Are you continuing your training in Suna?"

"Uh..."

"She's learning her how-to's," Kankuro said, sticking his nose in the air and pulling a face like something smelled funny.

Naruto glanced at Gaara, disapproval written all over his face, and shook his head. "What a waste."

"What?" Sakura fisted her fork angrily.

He waved at her dramatically. "No, I mean your skills. Uh… I mean that you're not able to use them." He turned to face Gaara. "You're wasting her on lady training. Trained up as a soldier, she'd be much happier in combat."

"She's—"

"A warrior," Naruto interrupted, knowing what Gaara was about to say and not liking how Sakura was slowly turning a distinct shade of red. "Your old man won't care, so why should you?"

"Yeah, Gaara," Kankuro said. "Why?"

"Kankuro," Temari said. "Don't make him strangle you again." She turned to face Gaara as Kankuro obediently dropped his smirk. "What would be the harm? It's not like there's a law against it, specifically. And the other fighters from her village are—"

"He let my friends fight?" Sakura bit the inside of her mouth, trying to reign in her anger. The male members of her village were great fighters, even if they didn't compare to Wind soldiers, and of course she should've realised they'd be allowed to retain that right.

But not me.

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, they're a bit sexist here in Wind."

"So I noticed."

Gaara was glaring at Naruto. But truth be told, he had no answer. He didn't want to stop Sakura, but he also wanted to teach her how to survive Wind customs. Where was the problem in that? His silence only made Sakura angrier. But she was looking at Naruto thoughtfully, an idea slowly coming to her.

Gaara wished he'd said something. Instead, he sat frozen, as Sakura pushed the issue.

"You can show me," she said to Naruto.

"Naruto, a trainer?" Kankuro laughed, then yelped as Temari kicked him.

"A challenge would be better," Sakura said.

Naruto grinned. "Okay."

"What, now?" Kankuro asked. "It's dark out."

"Then stay here," Temari said, standing up. "The training grounds can be lit up easily enough. Let's go."

"Yeah!" Naruto jumped to his feet and took Sakura's hand to help her to her feet. "I'll loan you some comfortable fighting clothes, okay?"

She nodded and his grin got even wider. She couldn't help but smile back.

Gaara grudgingly waited for Naruto and Sakura to change and followed behind them and his siblings as they made their way through the halls and outside, toward the training grounds. The servants that saw them were more interested in what Naruto was doing swinging Sakura's arm up and down as they walked and he talked loudly about his teacher being a giant pervert but that "the best fighters are", then the fact that the sand siblings were quietly following. He knew how to draw a crowd.

But Gaara glared at anyone who made a move to follow, keeping this farce of a challenge out of public view.

"Okay." Naruto said as they arrived and bounded over to the weapons rack to choose his weapon. He made a show of testing a few first, 'uming' and 'aaahing' over a few of the more ostentatious options before settling on the short sword.

As she'd only ever trained in swords, Sakura copied Naruto's choice and tested out a few as well, to make sure she had a good feel of it. She desperately wanted this fight, if not to win then to show she was capable of holding her own. Gaara was so stubbornly set against it—for whatever reason—but didn't seem to be able to say "no" to Naruto. The blond was beyond excited too, and his easy smile elicited one from Sakura as they stood, facing each other. The rules were laid out and, yet again, she was fighting by the first blood challenge.

Sakura had no doubt this was going to be a make it or break it for her; her future was on the line. Nerves and excitement bundled up inside her, she shifted into a fighting stance as Naruto did the same.

"Alright," he said, grinning and spinning the sword in his hand. "Let's do this, dattebayo!"

…

XXX

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A bit of a cliffy, I know. Hope you all enjoy. :)

R&R

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