Chapter 15

Carried by the wind

It was strange. The empty feeling he had was simply off. It was not numbness, nor heartbreaking, nor sadness. It was not that he was feeling empty, it was just the lack of… feelings. He didn't feel a thing or at least what he should have been feeling.

The fox demon just stared blankly at the strange black device, with his heart beating steady. He didn't know what caused the shock: Sasuke's death or the lack of feelings for it.

He knew what happened to the demons that lost their mates. They would feel their deaths, they would howl in agony, despair, rage. Was the lack of these feelings due to Sasuke not being his mate? Wasn't it wrong? Why couldn't he feel it? Him? Something in his heart should have told him that he was dead, gone forever, even if he wasn't officially his mate! Then… was Sasuke not dead? Was he alive?

During his lack of reaction towards his surroundings Gaara had kept a close eye on him. The red haired demon was expecting for a reaction from Kyuubi. He knew it would happen when he least expected.

"Sakura, I need you to listen carefully…" he whispered."We have to get him out of here quickly. I need you to lie. Get him to believe that he is only badly injured, that he needs your help."

The human girl could only nod.

"Don't cry in front of him. He may be in shock now but, believe me that it will end if you make it real. Don't cry. Don't stutter. If you do that, all the people living here will face the worst kind of fate."

Green eyes clashed. Sakura knew what she had to do. Gaara was right, if they failed to get the Kyuubi out into the desert, he would destroy the entire village in one blow.

She breathed in deeply, chasing away the very same thought of tears. The pink haired approached the blonde slowly.

"Naruto? Naruto? You know, Lee, he tends to over-react. He thought Gaara was dead but he was only sleeping. However we need to worry, it is very cold at night and it is dangerous for Sasuke if is injured to sleep. We have to hurry."

"We have to hurry?"

"Yes."

"Then what the hell are we waiting for?"

In a blink of an eye an eight tailed golden fox demon grabbed the human and pulled her to his back. A red raccoon dog with the size of a bear followed the demon fox through the silent streets. When the gates were visible Naruto asked:

"Which way?"

"Near the border of the north, where the forest starts.", Sakura replied.

Gaara gazed at the girl when she was looking. She had done well, now they only needed to get away from the village.

It was only a matter of minutes, seventeen to be exact. Sakura swore to herself she would never ride a demon again. Then, unexpectedly, they stopped. More like Naruto stopped and Gaara almost tripped in his feet trying to stop.

The girl couldn't understand… they were so close to Sas…

In a swift and careful movement Gaara pushed her out of the demon's back.

"Run Sakura!"

The girl didn't need to be told twice. She ran towards Lee, fearing the red spiritual energy flowing out of the once golden fox.

The reason why Naruto had stopped was simple. He smelled blood. A lot of them, but that wasn't all. He couldn't feel Sasuke's spiritual energy. He saw the human Lee stand to catch the girl in his arms, who started to cry. However he couldn't tell a body from another so he moved to see.

Gaara then blocked his view.

"Move.", roared the red demon fox.

"Naruto, control yourself.", Gaara said in a steady voice.

"I . said. move."

"If you go any further I will have to stop you."

"MOVE!"

The fight started.

Naruto had completely lost into rage, charging at Gaara with his teeth and claws. The raccoon dog demon had no time to fear for his life, even though he knew he wouldn't win. He dodge most of Naruto's attack using his sand spells, knowing it wouldn't take long for the other to break them.

In his state of fury, Kyuubi's tails swished aiming deadly to nowhere specific. His roars were heard in the all nearby countries, terrifying sounds that were certainly calling death. Gaara was not a match. He had however one chance. And only one. He had to infuriate Kyuubi in order to get him to use his most deadly fire spell. It was impossible to survive his attack, but it had one major flaw.

The raccoon dog demon then attacked with multiple sand strikes. Like he had plan, the fox demon prepared to kill him with one blow. It was then, during the three seconds it took for the fox to release his spell that Gaara jumped over his head, landing behind the other the same second the spell was cast. Without further waiting the raccoon dog demon, subdued him from behind.

The spell that was casted destroyed a tenth of the vast forest that was the northern country.

The two demons fought for dominance. Gaara had the advantage, but little that did for him. The fox demon was able to push him aside.

He stood again on his fours, ready to turn the entire world into a sea of flames and kill everything. He would start with the fire country. Ripping the heads off of the elders was the first thing that his deranged mind came up to. After that, he would destroy anything that crossed his way.

Walking, slowly, with a malicious grin in his lips, turned to the fire country. He smelled the wind, and thought that in a matter of hours, that same wind would carry the scent of blood, fear, and sounds that would put Hell to shame.

However that same wind brought another thing: a small weak sound.

So weak…

So meaningless…

And yet he turned his head.

The dust was blown hard, revealing the once red fox now human with blonde hair and blue bright eyes.

Running, with tears falling like a river, he reached the three humans.

Black deep onyx eyes stared at him.

Sasuke blinked once slowly, his way of saying 'I'm alive'.

Kneeling, the blond reached his mate's face, noticing how cold it was.

"I love you, Naruto."

That was what the voice had said.

"I love you too."

"Dobe."

"Teme."

They hugged tightly, and Sasuke closed his eyes.

Naruto didn't worry. He knew his mate was strong, he would only sleep. Although that didn't stop him from wishing he would stay awake, to hear him say 'I love you' once more.

Both the other humans and the demon stepped away, sighing in relief.

If only did they know that the worst was yet to come.

Yes I know it's short. No it's not the end. I'll update in fifteen days. Hope you enjoyed.