Author Note: Kukukuku, I've got some evil surprises for everyone at the end of this chapter. There also might be some things people would consider spoilers, but whatever. I also received my first flame for this story, and my first in the longest time. No, this is not a yaoi fic, and yes, I do have a life and I enjoy writing serious fanfictions with a plot in mind. Anyways, here is the next chapter, and thanks to everyone that reviewed previously!
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Darkside
Enter darkness
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Gaara stared dully at the blood dripping down his arms. Eyes vacant of any emotion, and of life as well it seemed, he was thinking of all the reasons why his sand had not acted up, it always acted did before any harm could be done to his body. Maybe it saw no need to be overprotective anymore?
"Kazekage-sama, do you want any bandages?" Shizune asked quietly, looking shocked as she watched the blood trickle down Gaara's arm.
Gaara made no response, his eyes still locked on the wounds Naruto inflicted upon him. Tsunade, knowing well of Gaara's sand and its power, caught the bewildered expression that slowly formed on his face. She grabbed his right arm, the one that was injured the most, and pulled down the now stained sleeve, revealing small but deep incisions.
"You're simply low on chakra, that's all," she said as Gaara glanced at her oddly. "And it would be wise to let Shizune bandage you up as well."
"...I'm fine."
Tsunade flicked Gaara's arm away, sighing light heartedly. She held a finger up and waved it from side to side in front of her. "Just like Naruto." Then, she turned away and headed for the only exit to the empty hallway. "You can make sure the kid wakes up then, call for me when he does." And with that, both Tsunade and Shizune left.
Gaara pulled down his sleeve, grasping his arm where it hurt the most and strode over to the faded hospital chair. By now, the blood in Gaara's wounds had began to clot, the beginnings of small scabs formed a while later. His swollen skin wept each time he stretched his arms the slightest bit.
It felt weird to see Naruto act out in such a violent manner, to even cause someone harm without mentally knowing it. This must have been what the elders and council were so concerned about– that Naruto would turn into some bloodthirsty creature with no control over what he was doing. Naruto would never turn into that, it was impossible, it didn't seem like something imaginable. Kyuubi might have been able to succeed before, but now it was subdued once more. Naruto would be fine.
Gaara felt incredibly drained, especially after using such a great amount of his chakra. He almost, almost fell asleep, the melodic beep, beep, beeping that came from several medical devices lulled him into a state of drowsiness. It wasn't long before his eyes closed and sleep took a leap and crept upon him, a sensation Gaara never got quite used to. He fought to stay awake, fending off the sleep, but he gave in after a long struggle. Gaara slept for the first time in days.
The hospital door, which Tsunade closed earlier, slowly cracked open, just enough for a slim figure to slip through. Sakura stepped in, another tulip she bought from Ino's family flower shop clasped between her hands. Quietly, she tip-toed closer and closer to the night stand by Naruto's bed, careful not to wake Gaara, afraid that he may get upset. She maneuvered around the sleeping Kazekage, placing the tulip Ino herself asked to be brought to Naruto in an already occupied vase.
She stepped backwards, noticing discarded bandages strewn about under Naruto's bed and picked them up. Sakura, now with an armful of the used bandages, walked as silently as she could and dumped them in a small waste basket. The room was rather pale so the kunoichi busied herself with opening Naruto's only window, visibly wincing as it made a loud screech.
Sakura spun around, her eyes darting from Gaara to Naruto, hoping with all her heart that she hadn't woken either of them. Naruto began to mumble incoherent words and within seconds Sakura was at his bedside, panic rising like lave from inside her stomach. Was he alright?
"You are really loud."
Sakura jumped, nearly screaming, as Gaara's calm yet slightly annoyed voice cut through the hospital room like a sharp razor. His eyes were only opened to form small slits and he was slumped back in his chair, something Sakura had only seen Tsunade do before.
"I'm sorry to have woken you," she apologized just as Naruto began moving from within his bed.
Gaara sat up in a flash, traveling from his chair to the occupied hospital bed in mere seconds. His speed was astounding, Sakura noticed, but she too was more concerned about her friend than anything and rushed to Naruto, leaning over him and looking for any serious injuries.
"His response to the seal isn't bad, there are no signs of burning, bruising, or anything else," she inquired, studying the seal to make sure she was right. "Naruto is going to be awake soon! I'll go get Tsunade-sensei and Shizune!"
Gaara nodded, watching Naruto closely as he showed signs of waking up. Sakura bounded out of the room, her legs carrying her at high speeds down several hospital floors as she searched for Tsunade and Shizune.
Back in room 502, Naruto slowly began to open his eyes. Gaara stood over him now, trying to convince himself that everything was finally alright, but it wasn't helping very much. Naruto shut his eyes just as they were about to open, then, nearly smashing into Gaara, he sprang awake.
"Whoa!" He yelled. "Where am I?" Then, turning to his right, he noticed the young Kazekage and jumped back, confused and surprised at the same time. "Gaara? What are you doing here? What's going on?"
So he doesn't remember anything. Gaara stepped back and frowned as Naruto tried to pull himself out of the bed, oblivious to what happened and the wounds on his stomach. It was clear that Naruto didn't feel as much pain as he should, somehow only making things worse for the blond.
"You really shouldn't be moving," Gaara said as Naruto looked at him strangely. "Your stomach, it is injured."
Naruto looked down and his face bunched up automatically. He saw the burn marks, the new seal, and everything connected like one big puzzle inside Naruto's head. He slumped back down and turned on his side, away from Gaara, looking at nothing but a blank wall. The room fell eerily and uncomfortably quiet.
"So what happened this time...?" The blond asked, his voice hoarse, never once did he blink.
Gaara was stumped. He felt rather... guilty for pointing out what happened so suddenly, and he was never one to lighten the mood. He was at a loss, but hesitantly moved to the other side of Naruto's bed.
"What happened wasn't your fault," he stated while leaning against the wall Naruto had been staring at. Distant blue eyes looked up at him questioningly, putting Gaara on the spot. "You are... not the one to blame..."
Naruto pushed himself back up and laughed but it only turned into violent coughing. Gaara pushed himself away from the wall as crimson was spat out from Naruto's mouth, unsure if the blond was really alright or just there to say good-bye before Kyuubi took over. The door Sakura didn't bother to close in her rush to find Tsunade creaked loudly open and in stepped all three medic kunoichi, each looking worried.
Naruto was swarmed and Gaara was nearly pushed out of the way. Sakura held the blond up by the back as Tsunade checked over the seal she had made herself. Shizune, quickly writing down small, scratchy notes, noticed Gaara and pointed towards the door with her pen.
"Kazekage-sama, I'm afraid you'll have to leave for the moment. We'll find you when we're.."
"No," Naruto interrupted, startling everyone. "I want him to stay..."
Shizune looked to Tsunade, whom waved her hand. "It's alright, he shouldn't be too much trouble, I'm sure."
Gaara remained silent during the brief check up made on Naruto, his arms crossed over his chest like usual. When everything was finished and the door shut, Naruto jumped out of bed and went straight for the presents that had been given to him by his friends and other citizens of Konohagakure that cared about his health.
"Alright! Instant ramen from Iruka-sensei!" He opened up presents sent to him by Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, Ten-Ten, Lee, Kakashi, Sakura, and even something from Jiraiya (though on the tag it said Naruto owed him money for the gift).
Completely opened presents and several piles of wrapping paper later, Naruto found himself with nothing to do and an empty stomach to accompany his boredom. Gaara tossed all the wrapping paper in the garbage, filling it to the top, and walked back to Naruto just as loud rumbling noises echoed all around.
"Oops." Naruto looked down at his stomach and sheepishly smiled. "I guess... I'm kind of hungry." He went to the open window and was about to jump out but Gaara simply pulled him back inside the building.
"The Hokage said you have to wait five days before moving, remember?"
"Old lady Tsunade always says that." Naruto tried to flee once more, but Gaara gave him a warning glare. "It's only for ramen, I swear! And besides, it won't take that long, I'll be back before you know it!"
Gaara, having rested and regained most of his chakra, simply summoned his sand, guiding Naruto back to his bed on a platform of concentrated minerals. The blond crossed his arms and began to pout, his stomach growling ferally.
"This isn't fair, you know!"
Naruto was placed carefully back down, never once did he move from his position. When he could smell the musty white hospital sheets underneath him, an idea made itself known, one that could be his ticket out of here. It was rather mean, especially to someone that was concerned, but he was hungry.
Gaara felt satisfied with himself and went to sit back down when Naruto suddenly fell backwards in his bed, dead silent and unmoving. He rushed over and saw the hospitalized boy wasn't even breathing, from what he could see, and looked pale. Gaara reached out to tap Naruto, his mind spinning rapidly, when the blond jumped up, causing the young Kazekage to stumble backwards.
"Ha! Gotcha!"
Naruto headed straight for the window, which was quite a predictable move, and came to a halt when a pillar of sand blocked his escape route. He sighed and sat against the wall underneath the only (and now blocked) window.
"You are a big fat cheater!" He slumped down more, his chin resting against his chest.
Gaara slowly made his way over and stared down at Naruto, something identical to a smirk tugging on his pale lips. "And you like to almost scare people." Naruto just stared at the ground blankly as his stomach roared on. Gaara sat down across from the blond, startling him. "What do you want to eat?"
Naruto lifted his head and beamed. "Ramen!" Then his expression changed and he scowled bitterly. "But not hospital food. That's disgusting!"
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"Don't worry, I'll take care of Suna," a rather perky voice echoed throughout the dark cave where four of Akatsuki's members were gathered. "I'll make it a piece of art!"
Deidara smirked, hoping to get some revenge on the large desert city, though it would only be a distraction. Beside him were Kisame and Itachi, both stoic and completely silent.
"Excellent, now, Itachi, Kisame, you two head for Konohagakure. That brat with the nine tails will be ours..."
Nothing more than a shadow, the leader of Akatsuki gave out instructions. He now had all demons except for the Kyuubi under his grasp and, in no time, the nine tails would be his as well.
"Alright everyone," his deep, mysterious voice echoed around. "Head out and finish this as soon as possible or it will be your heads!"
Barely visible, Deidara, Itachi, and Kisame departed. It was time to finally get what they were striving to achieve all along.
Continued in chapter 16!