What Brings Us Together
Chapter 9
XxXLiliumAngelXxX: Who's the lucky victim, er, GUEST to do the disclaimer.
BabyJane369: How about Gaara?
XxXLiliumAngelXxX: YEAH!!!!! Gaara-kun?
Gaara: What do you want, Lili-chan?
XxXLiliumAngelXxX: *puppy eyes* purty pleez do the disclaimer?
Gaara: No.
XxXLiliumAngelXxX: But Gaara-kun! I'll get sued and i won't be able to write anymore!
Gaara:...
XxXLiliumAngelXxX: Pity me Gaara.
Gaara: *sigh* Lili-chan doesn't own me or any of the Naruto cast members. She also doesn't own the Cult song used in this chapter.
XxXLiliumAngelXxX: THANKIES!!! *glomps Gaara*
3 months later…
I waited patiently for my ride to arrive at my apartment. Spring had entered Konoha, melting the traces of snow, as well as the misery and sadness of the incidents 3 months ago. Want a quick update? Well, Kiba and TenTen are an official couple now, and she had moved in with him after her grandmother passed away in January. Hinata and Naruto were going pretty steady, even though she passed out when he'd kiss her.
Itachi and the other Akatsuki members had been signed to GOD records, and being managed by a sinister rocker with way too many piercings named Pein. MANDA SERPENT records had signed Shinobi, and were being managed by a creep named Orochimaru. (AN: Orochimaru didn't curse Nori. Someone else did.) The girls and me had been signed by KUNOICHI records, and were being managed by a short-tempered woman by the name of Tsunade.
Speaking of the girls, I should mention Sakura. She's been doing good, but was still a little hurt after her break up with Sasuke.
Sasuke wasn't doing so good either. With his marriage coming up, he's been severely depressed as of late. Itachi was his normal self, already married to a snob named Yuki Suzuka.
And Gaara? Well, him and me have been going pretty steady. But, he's been growing distant lately. I've tried talking to Temari-sensei, (who I figured out was Gaara's creator) but she would just give me a sad look before saying "I don't know". I know she's lying, but I've got bigger things to worry about, like my curse mark.
I hadn't had any attacks in a while, and the pain was a norm for me now. But, I've been feeling its effects on me already. I get tired too easily, and my vision is beginning to get bad. I have to wear glasses or contacts now.
My phone went off, playing "If You Could Only See" by Tonic, Gaara's caller id.
"Hello?" I answered, pushing my hair back with a headband.
"You ready?" his smooth voice was absolutely SEXY.
"Yeah. I'm coming down now." I said as I grabbed my bag and helmet before leaving the apartment. I ran down the stairs to where he stood by his bike. He smirked as he uncrossed his arms. I walked forward, hugging him tightly. He gave me a quick kiss on the lips before mounting the bike, pulling his helmet on. I pulled my own on before sitting behind him and wrapping my arms around his waist. He took off towards the school, the warm air blowing against us as he sped down the streets. We pulled up in our usual space in the parking lot. After we dismounted the bike, he stuffed our helmets in a backpack and slung the strap over one of the handlebars. No one messed with his bike anyways.
I grabbed his hand as we walked to first period. We were testing today, so it was only going to be a half-day. Gaara had invited me over to his apartment after school and I had hatched a plan to pounce on him about his mood lately. If it was possible for one of the quietest, most anti-social person I know to get worse, he proved it.
First period was used for last minute studying, but like Kakashi-sensei gave a crap. Gaara pulled me into his lap as the others arrived. But I noticed Sasuke and Sakura were missing.
"Anyone know where Sasuke and Sakura are?" I looked around.
"Sasuke was staying home today to prepare for the ceremony tomorrow." Naruto added from his spot behind Hinata, playing with her hair.
"Sakura left early this morning. Said she was going on a quick H.T." I stated, using our abbreviation for hunting trip. We just chatted till Kakashi put his book aside and handed out the testing booklets. I sat in the desk to the left of Gaara and zoomed through the tests with ease. Naruto was sweating, but Hinata always gave him the answers ever so discreetly, using special hand signs for the multiple-choice questions. Gaara breezed through, as did TenTen. Kiba just closed his eyes and slept through it, as usual. TenTen would break into the teacher's lounge over the weekend with him and the answer booklet.
The day passed by and there was still no sign of Sakura. I texted her, but there was no reply. The bell rang, dismissing us for the rest of the day. I grabbed my book bag and walked with Gaara down the hall to the lot. I just floated through the motions; my head was busy worrying about Sakura. Was she ok? Was she hurt? Had something gone wrong? I was knocked out of my daze when the bike's engine was cut off. We were at the apartments already. I followed Gaara to the elevator, where we rode to the top of the building to his penthouse. I dropped my bag and slipped off my shoes by the door. He must've noticed my mind was off elsewhere.
"You're worried about Sakura, aren't you?" I looked at him and smiled sheepishly.
"Is it that obvious?" He just nodded. I sighed and sat on his couch while he locked the door and hung his school jacket on the door tree.
"You mind if I take a shower? I won't be in long." I don't know why he was asking. It was HIS apartment.
"I'll be ok. Go on ahead." I shooed him away, giggling. He just smirked and walked up the stairs. I decided to turn on his massive stereo and see what he was listening to, and went to stand in front of the wall/window, gazing out across the city. I listened to Shinobi's demo album as I stood their. Gaara's voice was utterly hypnotic as he sang. Then one tune caught my attention. It was sad, and seemed very regretting for some reason.
(Painted On My Heart by The Cult)
I thought you'd be out of my mind
And I'd finally found a way to learn to live without you
I thought it was just a matter of time
Till I had a hundred reasons not to think about you
But it's just not so
And after all this time
I still can't let go
I've still got your face
Painted on my heart
Scrawled upon my soul
Etched upon my memory, baby
I've got your kiss
Still burning on my lips
The touch of my fingertips
This love so deep inside of me, baby
I've tried everything that I can
To get my heart to forget you
But it just can't seem to
I guess it's just no use
In every part of me
Is still a part of you
And I've still got your face
Painted on my heart
Scrawled upon my soul
Etched upon my memory, baby
I've got your kiss
Still burning on my lips
The touch of her fingertips
This love so deep inside of me, baby
I've still got your face
Painted on my heart
Painted on my heart
Painted on my heart, oh baby
Something in your eyes keeps haunting me
I'm trying to escape you
And I know there ain't no way to
To chase you from my mind
I've still got your face
Painted on my heart
Scrawled upon my soul
Etched upon my memory baby
I've got your kiss
Still burning on my lips
The touch of my fingertips
This love so deep inside of me, baby
I've still got your face
I've still got your face
Painted on my heart
Painted on my heart
Who was he singing about? I know it wasn't me. Maybe I'd ask him.
"You still worried?" I jumped at the sound of his voice and turned to him. He was walking down the stairs, dressed in some black jeans and his deep red button up had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. My eyes though were lingering on his chest. His shirt was completely open, exposing his lean, well-muscled torso. I also noticed the rock-hard abs that seemed to glue my eyes to them.
"Nori." I looked up at him. He was drying his hair with a dark red towel, peeking at me from under the fabric.
"What?" I asked, trying to play it cool. He just chuckled.
"You were staring." He added before sitting on the couch. I blushed madly at his little observation. He patted the spot next to him with his free hand. I sat by him and faced him, trying to look serious.
"What's been up with you lately?" Why wait to ask questions. He just raised an invisible eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" his voice was monotone as he tossed the towel onto a chair across the room.
"You just seem so… distant. Whenever I ask Temari or Naruto and them, they avoid the subject entirely." He just looked away from me.
"I'm kind of worried about you." I added in as I scooted closer to him.
"…"
There was an awkward silence. I finally got fed up and stood.
"Fine. Don't tell me. I'll be at my place." I walked to the door, but felt a tug on my arm. I looked and saw a fine chain of sand wrapped around my wrist.
"Don't" was all he said as he gently tugged at the chain. I sighed and sat back onto my spot. I crossed my arms and looked at him, waiting for my answer.
"Memories." I tilted my head at his word.
"Bad memories. Ones I don't want to remember." He slung an arm around me, pulling me close.
"Does this have to do with that song?" he looked at me.
"Which one?" I sang the chorus softly to him and he nodded.
"I think it's time I told you who I really am Nori." He stated simply before resting his head on mine and closing his eyes.
"You know about the rulers of the villages over 100 years ago?" he asked while he rubbed my shoulder.
"Yeah" he continued after I answered.
"I was once the Kazekage of Sunagakure. My reign was short lived when the plague hit the village. I was a victim of it. That's when Temari found me." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"My fiancé at the time had summoned her to save me. Temari bit me and turned me into a vampire. She and Kankuro taught me the ways of the vampire, but it came with losses." He trailed off before taking another deep breath.
"I was never good at controlling my bloodlust. That was my weakness. My fiancé was washing the dishes after dinner when she accidentally cut her hand on a knife." I just listened.
"I smelled the blood and ran to the kitchen, thinking something had happened to her. I thought I could control myself long enough to help her if she was in trouble. But, her blood was too much for me. I…" he brought his head up and looked at me, sorrow in his jade eyes.
"I killed her. When Temari arrived, she found me holding her close; her throat practically ripped out. I begged Temari to change her, but it was already too late." I felt my eyes welling up as I looked at him. I'd never seen Gaara look so sad before. It was heartbreaking.
"That's why I was so distant at first. But you caught my attention for some reason. I felt so drawn to you." He held my head in his hands, wiping my tears away.
"That was decades ago, but today is the day it happened." His emotionless mask was now a face of regret and sadness. I knew where this was going.
"You'd never do that to me. You've learned to control it. Even if you did bite me, you wouldn't kill me." I choked out.
"You trust me?" He whispered, moving his face closer to mine.
"Yes." I whispered back. He kissed my forehead before kissing me. His lips were urgent and demanding against mine as his hands snaked down to hold my hips. My hands were against his pale chest, resting on the muscles there. Our tongues snaked over each other's in a fiery passion before he pulled away. I panted slightly, my face flushed and wet from my tears. He licked at the streams that had trailed down my face, tracing over my cheeks gently. I shivered before pulling his head up and kissing him. He responded with a usual growl as I ran my tongue over his sensitive canines. I giggled slightly but found him pushing me down onto the couch. I let him push me down, running my hands down his chest as I went. My head was on the armrest, lifting my head just enough so I could look at his reaction without having to crane my neck. He inhaled sharply before crawling on top of me. He kissed me again, sliding his tongue in and stroking my bottom lip lazily. I moaned in protest as he freed my lips to stare down at me. I arched, pressing my chest to his. His fingers were nimble as he undid the top buttons of my white uniform shirt..
"I won't take advantage of you Nori. I'm just testing myself." He whispered into my ear. I nodded as he looked at me. I saw his eyes drift to my neck as his eyes changed. He snarled and sat up, leaving me on the couch. I grabbed his hand and pulled him back to me.
"You haven't hunted yet?" My voice was firm despite the fact that we had just had a humungous make out session that left me dizzy. He just shook his head. Then an idea hit me.
"Bite me." He just looked at me, his yellow eyes wide.
"Like I said before. You won't hurt me. You've gained quite a lot of control over the years since then." I pulled him down to our previous position as I spoke. He still doubted himself.
"If the worst should happen, I'll use the curse mark to stop you." His eyes narrowed. I just pulled him to me again as he tried to leave.
"You'll never know your own self-control till you test it!" I hissed. He just looked at me before nodding. I kissed him before he trailed some open-mouthed kisses to my neck. He gently sucked at the spot, his fangs grazing over the flesh there. He hesitated, stiffening above me. I rolled my eyes and leaned forward. I bit down onto the juncture of his neck and shoulder without warning. A pleasurable hiss escaped his lips as I sucked on the skin there. After a minute of sucking, biting and licking I pulled away, letting my head rest on the couch arm. I a giant purple hicky was displayed on the spot I had just occupied.
"It's that simple Gaara." I whispered, looking into his eyes. He nuzzled my neck before letting his tongue dart out and lick the flesh there. I leaned my head to the side, giving him better access. He wrapped his arm around me, and without warning, bit into my neck. His fangs pierced the skin without difficulty. It was painful at first, but it soon turned to pleasurable feeling as he sucked on the wound his fangs had created. He didn't stay there long, and pulled away from my neck, licking the wound of excess blood before looking into my eyes. They had returned to their normal sea foam green color. I giggled a little bit and teased him.
"Was that so hard?" he just smirked before kissing me with an intensity I'd never felt before. He pulled me closer to him, rising so we were sitting up. We had begun another steamy make out session when my phone rang. I recognized the song I'd assigned Itachi some time ago. "Supermassive Black Hole" by Muse was his favorite song right now, and I'd decided to put that his ringtone. Gaara growled as I reached into the pocket of my discarded uniform jacket.
"Hello?" I answered, a little out of breath.
"You and Gaara need to come to the manor. Now." My brows furrowed as I began buttoning up my shirt.
"What's wrong Itachi?" there was a pause before he answered.
"Sasuke and Sakura ran away."