A new importantparing presented in this chapter~ Do you have a guess ready? :3
Love & Truth
4. The Rumours, The Facts
(Sasuke's POV)
When I woke up, Naruto was up already.
'How can someone be up, before eight in the morning when he doesn't have to?' I thought as I walked down the stairs where dobe was making breakfast.
„Ah, Sasuke-teme? I would have woken you up once the breakfast is done. Now you have to wait... How come you're up already? You're not the morning person as far as I can tell."
„Can't be helped, my bed got kind of cold, with my personal blonde bed-warmer gone."
He only blushed, not really knowing what to reply to that.
As we fell into the silence for a while, I noticed something. It was the atmosphere. A nice one, not like the dark one that was so usual for this huge gloomy house.
'I'd get used to this very soon.' I thought.
Dobe placed the plates, with what seemed like decent meal, before me.
„And here I thought you were joking when you said you don't live on ramen only."
„See? I meant it for real." He smiled softly, sitting opposite to me.
Once he was finished eating, he started to take the empty plates. That was when the doorbell rang.
„Eat, I'll go." He only said and went in the direction of the main door. It was not too far actually, I could hear what they were saying.
„Huh, Naruto? What are you doing here?" I heard Kakashi's voice.
„Nothing of your concern, I'd say, but whatever."
„And here I was wondering why you weren't home. Anyway Tsunade-sama wants to see both of you."
„What for?"
„Separate matters I believe."
„When?"
„Around noon."
„That old hag... To make me miss my lunch."
I chuckled at that. 'That dobe... Definitely sounds like him.'
As Kakashi chuckled in response also, Naruto growled only. No one was to mess with him, when it came to lunch.
„Tell our high and mighty Hokage-sama that we will be there." Naruto said and was about to close the door probably.
„Uhm, Naruto?" Kakashi stopped him. The rest was whispered, so I did not hear a thing.
Suddenly I hear the door slam.
„SASUKE-TEME!"
Naruto stormed back to the kitchen furious, pointing at his, kiss marks-covered neck. I chuckled at the sight. He looked so embarrassed and angry at the same time. I never knew that those two emotions can blend in one's face so perfectly.
„Wow, I did not really think it would work."
„I'm going to kill you for this!" he hissed through his teeth.
„No you wouldn't." I said approaching him, and silencing his protest with a kiss second after. „Right?"
„Yeah." he sighed in resignation. After that he pulled from me and took the rest of the plates that were on the table and put them into the sink.
„I need to go to my place, I don't have any change of clothes here. And believe it or not, I do not like being in clothes that are like two times big and long as mine." he growled as he cleaned the plates.
„But I do fancy seeing you in them, they're revealing... your biteable collarbone." I said, hugging his smaller body tightly, proving my word with a soft bite. „... your beautiful, long neck." I said, licking the nape. „... and from this angle, I can also see your pink nipples." I added, slipping my hands under his – mine - shirt and started teasing the nipples with my fingers. I heard a very pleasing sounds coming from dobe.
„Sasuke..." He started, but was silenced with another kiss. Once we pulled apart for air, however, he continued. „We have to be at the Hokage tower by noon."
„More than enough time..." I said, and once again locked my lips with his. He did not complain, but as lack of air overcome us, and we pulled apart once more, he continued.
„But I still need to go for the clothes..."
„No need for that." I frowned.
„I can't possibly walk there in your clothes." He said, and escaped from my embrace.
„Fine... but you won't escape this later." I said, and left him in the kitchen alone.
L&T
We came to Hokage tower at noon exactly. The "fight" we had did not last even five minutes. A while after I left Naruto came to apologize to me – not as if it was really his fault – since he probably did not believe I do not plan to dump him over something like this.
'Silly dobe...' I thought when he came with a worry written all over his face.
We made an agreement. That was, I will wait till we get from the visit of Hokage. It went like... his argument, of not wanting to stand in front of the hag with sore ass, did not convince me, but once he said, he will make me try such a pain – which made the Seal demon roar in laughter, probably imagining me afterwards – I rather let it go.
Now we walked through the tower. Me, in my usual black clothes with the Uchiha fan on my back and Naruto in his black shirt and freakishly orange pants.
'Will he ever get tired of this colour?'
„No I won't..."
„Did I say it out loud?"
„No, but the way you look at them says more than enough." He smiled.
As I wanted to add something, we reached Hokage's office. We knocked and went in.
„Ah, you came together, good to see you." the blonde woman said from behind piles of papers.
'Hope she does not want us to help with this.' I thought. Dobe seemed to worry about exactly the same thing.
„First Sasuke, the council and I approved of the request for you to attend the next chuunin exams."
„Thank you Tsunade-sama." I said, bowing slightly.
'Really, being genin at this age sucks...' I thought bitterly. 'Even Naruto is jounin already.'
„And Naruto... I want you to take a look at this matter." she said, handing dobe a scroll. He raised an eyebrow, as he read it, and looked back at Hokage.
„When should I depart?"
„I want you to go immediately, after packing few things, that is."
He growled disapprovingly, but bowed his head and accepted. I eyed him suspiciously, but decided to ask him about it later.
„And what is it about you two coming together?" She asked wicked smile on her lips.
„None of your concern, baa-san." Naruto said and, to my surprise, grabbed my hand, taking me from the room seconds after.
„What was that about?"
„Nothing..." he replied, but still did not let go of my hand. He did not let go until we reached his place.
L&T
While Naruto packed I asked him about the content of the scroll. In response he only showed the "Secret" sign on it and lowered his head, apologetic.
„I'll tell you once I come back, if it turns out to be all right, that is."
I accepted that since I was aware of his strong sense of duty and I appreciated it highly since it made him the person you could ultimately trust.
Also, he did not pack anything too warm, meaning he would not head to Water, Sound, Snow or Rain country where it was not only cold but also unstable in politics lately, thus dangerous. With that I was not so worried anymore.
L&T
We stood in front of Naruto's door, and talked, as he was to leave in few minutes only.
„How long will you be gone?"
„Not specified, but it can take about week I guess." He mumbled.
„Week?" I asked disbelieving. Then I realized something. „I'll be a chuunin, when you're back." I chuckled.
„Confident aren't you?" He asked with a smile.
„Come on, I'll be few years older than most, and I have a lot of experience... How easy can it get?"
„True..." he said smiling, but then his face saddened. „I have to go."
„I wish you didn't have to, but I guess there is nothing I can do about it."
With a few loving words and kisses, we parted.
I looked at his back that were further and further with every passing second. Once he disappeared from my sight completely, my mood worsened immediately.
'God I'm going to die here, before he comes back. That old hag definitely did it on purpose.'
L&T
(Naruto's POV)
'The timing of this mission is as if on purpose...' I thought bitterly as I ran, for the third day already, through the forest, which was the closest way to Suna. 'I could have been with Sasuke now... Hope the chuunin exams end up all right...' I thought. I was not worried about there being a bad outcome though as he have had a point, about all the experience. 'It's been - how many, six? - years since we went to our first chuunin exam.' I still remembered it clearly. It was back then, that we first met that sneaky snake Orochimaru. And it was not too long after, that Sasuke left. Even now it hurts to think about that.
'I need to think about something else...' I tried to cheer myself up, so I recalled all that happened after Sasuke-teme came back. 'Sakura and Lee started going out, and now are going to get married. Temari and Shikamaru got together, and now their first child is on its way. Kiba and Hinata are going out also, thought it is not too approved by Hinata's father, but they don't seem to mind it that much. Chouji and Ino seem to have started going out also... Oh, and Kakashi and Iruka-sensei went public with their relationship. And I always thought that the reason for Kakashi's coming late is because of reading too much porn, I did not expect that...' I stopped with the trail of thoughts as an image flooded into my mind. 'Waugh! I don't want to imagine it! Get the image out of my head, someone!'
My prayers were somehow fulfilled, as I heard a kunai fly past me.
'What the...' I turned around and saw a masked man.
'Who is he?' I thought as I dodged another kunai that the man threw at me.. He did not seem to have an insignia of any village. 'Some random robber? I doubt that they never attack ninja's, not by themselves.'
So who was he?
As I was distracted a bit, I felt one kunai hit my arm. I growled in pain as I took it out, but it was nothing crucial, it only made me concentrate once more.
After a while only the fight ended as the man disappeared in a smoke.
'A ninja, obviously... but what was all of this about?' I thought, but I did not pay too much attention to it. The way to Suna was still few hours long.
L&T
As I was reaching Suna, I felt my body grow weaker. Not too quickly, but I felt it. 'It's not as if I'm running for that long.' I thought. 'What's causing it?' Then I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my arm. 'That kunai! Was it poisoned or what?'
When I was at Suna's gates, my body was not able to take it any longer. My legs literally gave up when I reached one of the guards before I could identify myself.
I heard voices above, me so I tried to answer their questions, but it was getting harder and harder to accomplish with every new question. And in no time, I was not able to continue any longer and I passed out.
L&T
(Third Person's POV)
When Naruto was brought to the hospital, someone sent a message to Kazekage as the blonde mentioned him.
It was not until few hours later, until the head of the village came, as there were lot of voices talking about traps and such. The man did not care though, he was sure about identity of this certain blonde.
When he came into the room he saw Naruto half-lying, half-sitting on the bed. He wanted to say something, but Naruto did not let him, the blonde shocked him with a question instead.
„Shukaku's back, isn't he?"
„How...?"
„Come on, Gaara I know you for some time already. Besides, I was sent here to confirm some rumours. Seems I was right after all."
„Rumours?"
„Well after that Hell statue was destroyed, the power of sealed Bijuu was let free. They were nowhere to be found, however. They did not destroy villages, they did not feast on people... They just disappeared. And till now including mine and Killer Bee's there are only four sealed Bijuu. The rest are now residing in a state of pure energy and it will take some time until there are vessels strong enough for all of them. But you know what? Shukaku's energy was never found. So we wondered why. And I guess you know, that there were some "mysterious" deaths in Suna, lately. Usually criminals, but the culprit is nowhere to be found. And then I thought about something. "Shukaku has the only, still living carrier. What if, by even a slim chance, he returned to him?" And it takes one glance for me to know I was right. You look way too much like you did at the time we fought together. Even if not as emotionally strained."
„I did not expect you of all people to be the one to find out." Gaara whispered, almost guilty.
„Should I take that as an offence? Sorry, but I feel too much like a shit now to punch you." Naruto smiled softly.
„What happened?"
„Not quite sure why, but some masked idiot threw a poisoned kunai at me."
„A missing-nin?"
„Maybe."
„Seems, we should take some action then. It's in our land after all."
„Yeah you should..." Naruto said. „Anyway you look fat Gaara, who's feeding you?"
„That's..."
As if wanting to interfere into a red-head's answer a man barged in.
„Gaara? I've been looking for you everywhere, they told me you'd be here and..." the man stopped as he saw Naruto.
„Neji?" Naruto went wide-eyed at the sight of his friend. Then his expression turned into a wicked smile and he turned to the Kazekage.
„Gaara~? Care to explain?"
The man only sighed, and pushed the still frozen Neji out of the door closing the door behind him. He then sat by Naruto's bed and sighed once again.
„Oh god."
„Wow, I'm surprised, how did the two of get together... When did you even meet?"
„I don't feel like explaining now. It just happened." he murmured and signalled this topic as ended.
„Fine, you'll tell me later. It's not like I have anything against it."
„You're not in the position to. As far as I can guess from Neji's talk."
„Huh?"
„He's old me that you and Uchiha are dancing around each other as two blind lovesick idiots. Not really getting the other's feelings. Are you that dumb, really?"
„Yeah, I obviously am and... umm... actually, we just got together." Naruto mumbled and blushed.
„How long?"
„About a week ago, actually."
„And did you already...?" he did not end the question as it seemed embarrassing to him.
„Never have though you of all people would ask that." Naruto laughed in response. Gaara punched him in the face as a reward.
„Idiot! I don't want to know some "spicy details" as you would probably call it, it's just..." he went silent.
„What is it?"
„It would take too long to explain it fully." Gaara mumbled only. „I'll rather start with showing it to you."
With that the red-haired man stood up, and pulled his baggy shirt, which was so unusual for him, up, to show the bulge on his stomach. He than took Naruto's hands and placed them on the stomach. Naruto almost jumped, when he felt movement under his hands.
„Y-You ... Neji's?... How?" Naruto stuttered only as he did not know where to start.
„Yes, I am. And it really is Neji's if you have to know. And for "how"... Shukaku's work. He told me that it is possible and I took the possibility as a payment for him living in my body once more."
„Wow. How far along?"
„Passed the fourth month already. It's almost unhideable now."
„But that's great isn't it?"
„The best thing that Shukaku ever inflicted upon me." Gaara smiled softly.
„Anyway, what does it have to do with me?"
„More than you may think. Shukaku mentioned something about it being done on one of Jinchuurikis already, out of a whim, he said. And you're the only one who had that much trouble with the Bijuu inside him, or its personality, as to say. Didn't Kyuubi say something?" He asked, curious.
„I don't remember, she does not speak to me for two years now, she's..." he stopped as he remembered the mention of the gift, before Kyuubi left. „ She's a bitch! Doing something like that without my permission!"
„I take that as yes."
Naruto fell completely silent. That itself was scary enough.
„Naruto, the important thing is, that if you really did conceive, if you would keep it."
„I would never kill it." Naruto mumbled almost inaudibly in response. „I would never kill my and teme's baby."
„Then it's not that bad. Though you probably will need to speak to Hokage about it."
Naruto nodded only, not knowing what to say about it, so Gaara continued.
„But that may wait for later. The thing is, there are pretty much next to zero pregnancy symptoms, Bijuu absorb most of it. Instead of morning sickness, you may feel slightly dizzy only, and mood swings are more or less the same as usual. I actually knew only because Shukaku told me and because, as you said, Kyuubi does not speak to you, you may not know until you start showing."
„Damn Kyuubi..."
They both fell into silence for a while, that was until the Kazekage broke it.
„Naruto, if something happens you can always come here, I want you to know that."
„What can go wrong?"
„A lot of things can. Also you must think about Uchiha being Uchiha and such, the council may not approve of your relationship. And the child may be looked upon as something bad, unnatural. I think it would be better if you did not speak about it immediately if it really happened... Also, I am the Kage, I have privileged position, but for you... I know you're aware that there always will be people who hate Jinchuuriki, and I'd bet that in that old-fashioned council Konoha still has, there'll be few of them and throughout the village also. Naruto promise me, that even if you would rather hide from everyone's sight, you'll come and tell me."
„Fine..." Naruto answered quietly, the weight of worries on his shoulders, being too high.
„I need to go now, but I'll come by later, you need to rest now." Gaara said, remembering, the reason for Naruto, lying on the hospital bed.
„All right. See you later."
„See you later."
L&T
Naruto opened his eyes in well-known, yet slightly different, scenery, sitting under the ever-blooming Sakura tree. He noticed that some of the light- emitting flowers were withered.
'Is it because of the injury?' He thought. He now remembered that it must have been like that. The scenery was a reflection of his chakra and his mind-set.
He did not think about it for too long however, his mind was already wandering to somewhere else.
'What time is it? Will he come soon?' he thought, wanting to see Sasuke as soon as possible. Just as this passed his mind, the said raven appeared close to him.
„Sasuke!" he exclaimed, getting his lover's attention immediately.
„Dobe." Sasuke managed to say only before Naruto jumped on him causing them both to fall.
„I missed you."
„I also did." the raven said, as they stood up, to sit under the tree seconds later.
It was then, that Sasuke realized that something was not so right with his lover.
„What happened?"
„It'll take a bit longer to come back."
Sasuke growled as even a week seemed too long for him.
„Why is that?"
„Complications on the way." Naruto said, showing the wound on his arm.
„How much longer will it take?"
„I'll stay here for about two more days. Then it'll take three days, to get back."
„Did you get to know what you went there for?"
Naruto nodded only, frowning.
„Can you tell me what it was?"
„Shukaku's back in Gaara's body."
„And is he all right?" Sasuke asked, knowing how much this friend meant to Naruto.
„Yeah. He seems so."
Once they fell into silence, they savoured every moment that passed like this. Even if they knew it was not possible, they wanted to stay like this forever. However once the morning came, they had to part. They did so with a kiss which meant a promise of another time.
Like that the never-ending flower plains were left to wait for their next arrival.
Done~
Hope you enjoyed xD
Also, hope you don't have anything against Neji x Gaara pairing, because I simply love it. :D - excuse the poor fan girl - xD
See ya ( "-.-)/