Sand and Talons
"Ramen."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I don't know why I bothered asking." Sasuke was officially discharged from the hospital and wanted to eat proper food. The dobe did not have the same standards as he did.
"It's gotta be ramen. I'm making up for lost time." Naruto stooped to pull out her froggy wallet. The big grin melted off her face. "Gama-chan," she said forlornly. Sasuke quickly comprehended the state of affairs: Naruto was broke. He waited for the inevitable question. "Hey, teme, how'd you feel about rescuing a damsel in severe food-related distress?"
He didn't mind one bit. "Che, dobe. You're out of money again? Learn to budget, baka."
"I haven't been on a proper mission in two weeks! Obaa-chan won't let me!"
"You should have an emergency stash for times like this."
"I had a lot of new clothes to buy! Geez, teme, you don't understand. An entire new wardrobe with ninja gear and normal clothes. Bras are expensive! Then there's the panties. So many damn colors, like you wouldn't believe."
Outbursts like this had become commonplace. Sasuke had learned to ignore them and keep his face impassive. But it did make him curious what color she had on now.
They walked to Ichirakus. It was two days since Naruto's big reveal, and the villagers stopped to stare at Naruto in her female form. Much to Sasuke's dismay, stares were also directed his way. "Shy," Naruto'd called him in the damn interview. "Like a turtle." Yesterday, they had come across a painting of the Uchiha fan—the esteemed symbol of his noble clan. A small head poked out the top of the fan. Two pairs of legs appeared on either side. The handle of the fan served as the turtle's tail. Naruto laughed. Sasuke seethed.
After a lengthy talk with the Ichiraku guy—Naruto talked, Sasuke brooded—and after Naruto inhaled five bowls of ramen and after Sasuke grudgingly paid the bill and after Sasuke endured Naruto talking to her precious "onee-san" for what felt like five hours, they left the ramen stand. Sasuke was just about to suggest a spar when Naruto let loose a grunt and kicked a clump of grass.
"Too much ramen?"
"Impossible." Naruto's mood had sunk. "Feels like every day we're still in Konoha is another day the snake bastard toys around with my mother."
"Three more days. Four at the most. We'll follow up the lead on Mitarashi and go from there."
"When will your limiters be taken off?"
"Two weeks." The chakra limiters had cut off the better part of his chakra for two years. Like atrophied muscles, it took time for his chakra coils to adapt to the gradual increase in chakra. He couldn't suddenly fight at full strength. Which all played perfectly into Orochimaru's plans.
The snake had been after his blood. He never could have gotten it had Sasuke been healthy. Orochimaru read them all perfectly, manipulated them with unrivaled skill. He knew the Council would act to restrain Sasuke. He left the chakra trail to Sasuke's apartment. He stole scrolls written by Madara—then again, that likely was not a false lead. Orochimaru might need the information in the scrolls. Uchiha eyes would be the at the core of Orochimaru's plans. Sasuke's blood would be used against Konoha…against Naruto.
Sasuke felt a familiar rage simmering. An answering pressure pulsed in his eyes. He was ready—beyond ready—to have his true strength returned to him. He couldn't activate the Mangekyo yet, but soon. And for once, he would use it to fight for someone other than himself.
Tsunade had visited him in the hospital:
"Naruto will be Rokudaime. It's all but official."
"She told me."
"She's determined to go after her mother. Your…predicament has put her off for a few days, but her patience will run its course. She will do something foolish. You will be assigned to guard her."
"Guard her?"
"In other words, you are promoted to special jounin, then to full jounin as soon as you can take the exam. Uchiha Sasuke, you are the Rokudaime's personal bodyguard." Tsunade raised a brow and smirked at Sasuke's dumbstruck face. "What's wrong? It's an excuse to stay by her side. Quite outside the prestige the position awards you—I thought you would find the position enjoyable, for…other reasons. Was I wrong?"
She knew. Sasuke felt his ears burning. He could die.
... ... ...
"Oooiiiii." Naruto leaned over and poked Sasuke's brow. "If you keep scowling like that, you'll get wrinkles." And there was Naruto, invading his personal space, making sure he was all right. "Hey, are you feverish? We might be taking this recuperation thing too fast."
"I'm fine."
"You looked flushed."
"Hn."
A wicked grin crossed Naruto's face. "You aren't regretting your promotion, are you? You're my underling."
Sasuke scowled. "Hardly your underling. I'm tasked with the Rokudaime's protection. That means I keep you from doing anything stupid."
"Heh. Makes you sound like a babysitter. You keep surprising me, teme."
A mischievous smirk teased Sasuke's lips. He came to a full stop, bring Naruto closer to him before she, too, stopped. Sasuke leaned forward, towards Naruto. His bangs brushed lightly over his forehead as he tilted his head. "Well, I would hate to be predictable."
Naruto stilled, staring at him with wide eyes. Sasuke cursed inwardly. He didn't know where that had come from. His voice had lowered. His eyes had darkened. "Sasuke, you're being weird."
He was flirting. Damn, Naruto did not make him sane. Sasuke abruptly straightened and changed the topic. "What about a spar? I need the workout."
Naruto shook her head, ridding herself of the strange mood. "Shouldn't you rest more? Obaa-chan said you shouldn't strain yourself." Sasuke frowned at the implication that he was too weak. "Besides, I'm gonna spar with Gaara today. We've had to reschedule like ten times. Today's the day."
Gaara. She was choosing to spar with Sabaku over him. It stung. "Why's the Kazekage still hanging around? Doesn't he have a village to run? I didn't know he was so irresponsible."
Blue eyes narrowed. "Hah? Don't be such an ass. He's the guy who saved my life in the war. He can stay as long as he wants."
Sasuke didn't need the reminder. "I was under the impression that it was a Kage's duty to protect his village. Hard to do so when he's out of the country."
"No one takes his responsibility more seriously than Gaara." Naruto's voice held a warning.
Sasuke was on a downward collision course. He saw that as easily as he saw the darkening of Naruto's eyes. But there was this dark surge of an emotion he didn't recognize. It was forcing him to speak when he should remain silent. "Heh, Sabaku might have taken up the mantle too soon. He was only fifteen—or was it fourteen? What kind of shinobi are in Suna that they had to give the position of Kazekage to a kid?"
That was it for Naruto. Her eyes flashed. "I swear to God, Sasuke. I'm going to spar. You're not invited."
"As your bodyguard—"
"You're not on duty. Go unwind whatever corkscrew found its way up your ass."
Naruto shot off.
Sasuke watched her go, his pride warring with his desire to go after her. Naruto did not see the danger as he did. To spar with Naruto was a glorious thing. Exhilarating. Intoxicating.
She never looked more alive than when she was fighting, never looked more beautiful, and Sasuke wanted that knowledge limited to himself. He was Naruto's sparring partner. Sabaku was trying to usurp his place.
His last spar with Naruto had been an epiphany. What if the Kazekage came to the same realization as Sasuke?
... ... ...
Naruto went full-force with the water attacks. Gaara's sand was heavy and unwieldy. Hardly enough to stop him. There was no getting past Gaara's defense. A long time ago, Sasuke had punched through his defense with Chidori. She needed a jutsu more precise than Rasengan. Sasuke had told her that long ago. Brute force wouldn't get her through everything, but precision wasn't her style. Sasuke had warned her. Sasuke…
A torrent of sand drove Naruto into the ground. She came up spluttering, wheezing, fighting to get her breath back. A shadow shaded her.
Gaara stood over her. He was frowning.
... ... ...
Sasuke was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, when a curious tapping sounded on his window. His bad mood plummeted to new depths. The Kazekage was outside his window, standing calmly on his flying sand.
Sasuke flung open the window. "To what do I owe this honor, Kazekage-sama?"
"You're worrying Naruto," said Gaara, without preamble. "She thinks the interrogation affected your brain."
Damn Sabaku. "What business of that is yours?" he asked rudely.
"Naruto was distracted during our spar. When she stopped our spar to ask what was wrong with you, it became my business. I came for answers." Gaara crossed his arms and waited.
Sasuke stood. He could barely believe this was happening. What was Sabaku? Some sort of henchman? A bodyguard? That was Sasuke's job! "Well, what is your diagnosis, Kazekage-sama?" His voice dripped sarcasm.
"I think we both know."
Sasuke stiffened. He adjusted his tone. "Forgive me for not inviting you inside, Kazekage-sama. It seems I have developed a distaste for sand. You Suna shinobi have grown so accustomed to it, it's easy for you to forget how unwelcome it becomes."
"Yes," agreed Gaara with a nod of his head, "sand is notoriously hard to get rid of." Sasuke bristled, but Gaara continued. "I see why Naruto was so distracted. You are more unpleasant than usual. But then, I suppose it's understandable. You are clearly under the influence of a number of feelings. Not the least of which—unless I miss my mark—is jealousy."
Ah. There was a name for it. Jealousy. Yes, he had felt something similar before. Jealousy towards Itachi had pushed him to master his clan's fireball technique and gain his father's approval. Years later, he'd been astonished when Naruto's progress outstripped his own. It had enraged him. That feeling had marked Naruto as an enemy. This feeling indiscriminately marked anyone who was not Naruto as a threat.
"I won't pretend it didn't occur to me." Gaara's admission brought Sasuke's head whipping around. "Naruto is my best friend—"
"I'm her best friend." Sasuke could have bitten his tongue off.
Gaara's lips twitched. "I am another close friend of Naruto's," he amended. "We share an understanding, growing up with such similar childhoods. We respected each other first, and friendship bloomed from that mutual respect. It would not be strange if that affection were to deepen to—"
"Too bad you're stuck in Suna," interjected Sasuke. "When are you leaving, by the way?"
Gaara deliberated. "I had planned to leave tomorrow. However, under the circumstances, perhaps I should remain longer. At least another week. Suna will be ready to lend our aid to Konoha."
"We'll manage just fine without you."
"It's not your decision to make. Suna will be safe in my council's hands. Naruto, though." Gaara's expression became troubled. "Orochimaru is no common enemy. He'll come at Naruto with something we can't expect."
"The snake's fangs won't reach her. Never."
For the briefest moment, they were united in their feelings.
"Your own talons are out, Uchiha. You will endanger Naruto with your carelessness."
"Naruto is the only one who is in no danger from me." The same was not true for Sabaku.
"You say that with such pride." There was a note of wonder and disapproval in Gaara's voice. "After all the time you two have spent together, after everything she went through for you, how can you not understand her feelings?" Sasuke opened his mouth to respond, but his mind was curiously blank. He didn't know what Gaara meant. "You fool. Naruto values her friends above all else. Yet with those words, you threaten all she holds dear. Because she cares for the people that you scorn, Naruto is in the greatest danger from you."
To that, Sasuke had no response.
"I once warned you about closing your eyes. It is just as true today. Until you can control your dark emotions, until you can make peace with this world you hate, until you can put her needs above your own…you don't deserve her." Gaara pulled away and lowered his sand to the earth.
Sasuke stared out his window. That was a battle, and Sasuke had the dreadful feeling he had lost.
... ... ...
It was evening. Sasuke's day had gotten no better after the confrontation with Sabaku. He couldn't stay in his apartment. The enclosed space was driving him mad. He paced around Konoha, burning off frustration. Sasuke couldn't say where he was walking. He paid no attention to his surroundings. Civilians scampered out of his way when they saw him coming. Naruto might jokingly call him a turtle, but Naruto herself was no ordinary person. The average civilians felt it was their best interests to escape the Uchiha's notice.
One person had no such qualms.
Feeling eyes on him, Sasuke stopped. Yamanaka Inoichi stood down the road with his friends Nara and Akamichi. Their eyes met, and Inoichi paused mid-sentence. It was the first time the two shinobi had met since the interrogation. For Sasuke, their meeting was unwelcome. He wanted nothing to do with the man who broke into his mind.
It was best for them to forget the other existed.
Inoichi had other plans. He kept eye contact as he walked towards Sasuke. The blonde man's face was solemn. One pace from Sasuke, he stopped. What he did surprised everyone, none the least Sasuke.
"Haha!"
Sasuke found himself gasping for air as Inoichi pounded his back while laughing uproariously. Civilians stopped to watch the spectacle. Sasuke scowled, somewhat dumbfounded, and pulled away, but Inoichi stepped after him.
"Don't be like that, Sasuke-kun. I can see you're in one of your moods, but you'll never get a girlfriend if you frown like that." In a flash, Sasuke knew he was talking about Naruto. This man knew everything inside his head. There was no hiding from him. Sasuke's cheeks lit into a furious red. "Ah! Guys, look! He's blushing! It's okay, little Uchiha," soothed Inoichi. "Perfectly normal. Hasn't been a man alive that didn't lose his mind at some point over a pretty girl."
Shikaku looked on without speaking. Chouza's jaw dropped, seeing how overly familiar his friend was with the Uchiha. Did Inoichi not see the Uchiha's glare of pure death?
"So, do you have a game plan, little Uchiha?"
"I'm working on it," Sasuke snarled, completely mortified. He was desperate to get away from the infernal man.
"You're floundering. You got no clue, do you." Inoichi's grin widened. This time he beckoned to Shikaku and Chouza. "You're looking at the men who landed the three prettiest girls in town. Think we don't know a trick or two?"
Sasuke stopped. It was a mark of how lost he was that he even considered the offer.
"Take help where it's offered, Sasu-chan." Even Shikaku seemed surprised at Inoichi's brazen disregard for his life. Unconcerned, Inoichi closed the short distance to Sasuke and swung an arm around the young man's shoulders. Sasuke looked at him disdainfully but didn't shrug him off. "Come on. I know just what to do."
... ... ...
Three hours later, Sasuke tripped over his own feet, barely catching himself from falling. Sasuke chortled. It was funny. He, the last Uchiha, could hardly stand upright. What was this freedom? A horrible day had transformed into the best of days. He'd received wisdom from the gods. He knew everything there was to know about girls. Naruto was practically his. He'd never felt so light, so unburdened. Was this the miracle of sake?
"Sasuke. I thought that was you."
This day was truly perfect. Naruto's golden hair shone in the lamplight like a halo. His blue-eyed goddess. "Naaaruutoo." Sasuke, in a flash of drunken inspiration, pretended to trip. He fell against Naruto who, surprised, caught him. Sasuke made no attempt to right himself, and Naruto held him closely to keep him from falling. Sasuke was a happy man.
The scent of sake hung like a cloud around him. "Sasuke, have you been drinking?" Sasuke looked at the top of Naruto's head, which aligned almost perfectly with his chin. It sure would be nice to rest his head on hers. "Sasuke, what are you—?"
His head was resting on hers.
"Um, Sasuke—"
"Uh oh," slurred Inoichi, almost falling out of the bar, "bad thiming, lithel Uchiha. Too much, too fast. Not ready."
"Sasuke…you've been drinking…with oji-sans?"
"Hn," he muttered contentedly.
"Sasu-chan and I're budthies now. Right, Sasu-chan?"
Sasuke grinned stupidly.
"Sasu-chan?" mouthed Naruto.
"Kami-sama, what the hell is going on?" That was Inuzuka Kiba. Naruto had been out with Gaara and several members of the Konoha Twelve. When she felt Sasuke near, Naruto went to look for him. Her friends followed behind. As one, they stopped and stared at the spectacle of drunk Sasuke hanging off Naruto.
Gaara fought to hide a grin. Hinata blushed, commiserating with the embarrassment Sasuke was certain to feel in the morning. Ino's eyes moved between Sasuke and her father, bewildered. If Shino's face expressed surprise, it was well-hidden behind his sunglasses and large coat collar.
"Ooo," said Kiba, jovial at Sasuke's predicament, "Uchiha's a cuddly drunk!"
Sasuke looked straight at the Inuzuka and activated the Sharingan.
"Gah!"
Sasuke chortled as Kiba fell back. "Doggy's'a scaredy cat."
Inoichi guffawed. He aimed a slap at Sasuke's back. His depth perception was off. His hand smacked Sasuke's butt.
A look of pure horror stained Ino's face.
Naruto was torn between busting a gut laughing and checking Sasuke back into the hospital. "Sorry, guys. I'll take him home and meet up with you later. Come on, teme." Sasuke couldn't form many intelligent thoughts in his current state, but he knew that Naruto was leaving Sabaku in the dust. He liked it. Feeling bold, he slung an arm over Naruto's shoulder. "Geez, teme. Lay off. Your breath stinks."
When Sasuke heard a bark of laughter from behind, he turned his head and shot a glare back at the group. Inoichi, wearing a goofy grin, was giving him a thumbs up. Sasuke tried to return it. A niggling feeling told Sasuke he would regret this in the morning, but for now, he was one happy Uchiha.
Very little plot progression. Sasuke's got some growing up to do. Gaara rocks. This last scene randomly popped into my head…I couldn't help myself. Pretty much absurd :) Hope it got a few chuckles!