AN: To burn me at the cross would be granted! For it has been a whole freaking year and a HALF that I have gone without giving you all the next chapter to this story! I SWEAR it has not seem to have been a year in its entirety since I last updated for ROYALTIES! *BOWS* Apologies are just not enough to convey what I feel for having made you all wait! So, my penance for doing such, I am going to spend this WHOLE day (which is my day off from my horrible job) writing as many chapters as I can for this! Gracious me oh my! Even with all of the PM's for the continuation... never the less, please, go on and read this long awaited chapter!
Note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae © Anna Uzumaki
Pairing(s): Naruto/Sasuke With: Neji/Gaara, Shika/Kiba, Sakura/Lee, Kakashi/Iruka, Hinata/Shino, Ino/Choji, Kankuro/Hana, Temari/Tenten, Jiraiya/Tsunade, Itachi/Kimimaru, Suigetsu/Sasori.
Warning(s): Yaoi, lemon(s) in later chapters, sexual content (Duh!), slight nuggets of OOC-ness (bear with me), adult language, blood/gore, angst, drama & slight child abuse.
Disclaimer: Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
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Chapter Eleven
A mage and a warning!
Once again, there was darkness, complete and utter nothing. No sound, wind, smell… just darkness as Naruto and Gaara floated in their unconscious state. But unlike the first time, seven years ago, when they first encountered this black void, there was no sensation of danger, there was just… nothing.
"Gaara, are you okay?" Naruto turned to Gaara, remembering the last time they were here, and how everything went to hell pretty fast.
"Uh, yeah… I think so. What about you?" Gaara rubbed his tattoo and examined his hand for any traces of blood, just as Naruto did the same only in lifting his shirt to check his stomach.
"So far I'm okay to… w-what's going to happen this time?" Naruto asked rhetorically, though it was clear that he was becoming frightened from the tone of his voice. But, before he or Gaara could even think of what to say next, a feeling of calm coolness wafted through-out the void followed by a gentle voice.
"Fear not young ones, this is my doing and not one intended to bring harm." The voice filled the silence.
"W-who are you?" Gaara knitted his brows into the darkness.
"I am a mage, you may call me 'Haku'." The feminine voice spoke again from somewhere in the void.
"If you are not going to hurt us, then why did you bring us back to this place?" Naruto folded his arms and squinted in an attempt to see something, if anything, in the darkness.
"Such an outspoken young prince, aren't you?" Haku spoke in a somewhat tight voice and partially materialized a couple feet in front of them. However, they couldn't see the figures face as it was obscured by a big hat draped with white cloths along the rim. The only thing they could distinguish was her long black hair that hugged her face, whereas the rest faded with the darkness surrounding them, "Now, we must make this quick, my summons last not but for a short time." The figure mention with apparent anxiousness.
"We?" Naruto and Gaara piped in unison, "what is it that you mean by that?" Gaara continued in question.
"I mean," The figure said and pointed to something behind the two boys, "they're quickly approaching, and I have yet to give you your directions." They continued as soon as the young princes' turned to see the long repressed red and yellow foxes stalking in the distance, though no sooner had they laid eyes on the two creatures, did their markings throb in pain followed by the creatures lurching towards them a few more feet.
"Why are they here!?" Naruto whipped around and balled his fist around his aching stomach.
"Because they live here, they live in you now," The figure stated and swiped their hand around, and once the motion came to an end two mirrors materialized before them, "we're in your psyche, the space between reality and dreams… and in this case, death." They continued and as their voice faded images seeped onto the mirrors, it didn't take long for them to see that the images before them were actually memories, some more current than the other, one being of Naruto and Sasuke in the pool, another of Gaara and Neji in bed… both of which images cause the two of them to bristle and blush in pure embarrassment.
"What do you want with us?" Gaara cleared his throat twice before clearly speaking.
"I have come to help you, now, listen carefully," The figure said and swayed their hand over the mirrors, causing them to dispel, "things that have been long in plot are soon to be put into action young ones, and that of which is plotted… is against you, and any others that surround you. Those beasts' there are the main target to be precise." They warned and once more, as the two of them turned around and looked towards the creatures, they lurched even closer and in turn their markings pulsed in pain again.
"Help us? You seem to be doing quite the opposite madam!" Naruto hissed out, nearly doubled over in pain.
"….. Heh, tonight young ones, though it may be folly that you should do so, you will have a chance…" The soft voice said as the figure started to dissipate, "through burlesque district, past the mason you shall find me…." The voice faded ever more until there was nothing but a soft echo, "mirrors…." Was the last thing said before the voice faded completely followed by the loss of the calmness around them, though what was replaced was the same hot and tension filled air from before, with a rising since of fear.
"N-n-naruto…" Gaara said so softly that Naruto almost ignored him, having thought for a second that he was hearing things.
"Did you say some—" Naruto turned to regard his friend, but before he could even finish, he turned to be no more than ten feet from the once prowling foxes. The two, and now upon closer inspection massive, vibrant colored creatures were currently staring death down at the two princes before them, their fur bristling in fury and just as the young boys took an involuntary step back, the deadliest of growls ripped through the foxes gleaming and razor sharp teeth.
"Mine…" The oddest of voices seethed from both of the creatures bared teeth, though at this point the two boys were far beyond the point of terror to even process the fact that the monsters had spoken. But before they or the foxes could make another move or sound a blinding flash of light flashed between the four of them, followed by two voices, the second more familiar than the first.
"Get away boys!" The soft voice from before, sounded from the light, followed by the blonde haired boys' grandmother.
"Wake up you two!" Tsunade's voice thundered through the darkness.
Gaara, run!" Naruto shrieked and without a word, the two boys took off opposite of the light and the beast, but once they got not even a few yards from the standoff behind them, they seemingly tripped and fell into nothingness before suddenly snapping their eyes open to the ceiling of the castle infirmary.
"Oh thank gods!" Kushina shuddered in exasperation and let her head fall onto her sons' chest.
"Gaara!" Two voices' sounded in unison not far away.
"T-temari… Kankuro?" Gaara's voice questioned in pure bewilderment.
"Mother this has gone too far now!" Kushina snapped her tear filled eyes at the tired looking woman, as she was now checking the vitals of her grandson, "They have been unconscious for six hours! That is four hours longer than the last time that this happened!" She exclaimed and clenched at the sheet covering her son.
"Daughter, if you do not cease that incessant worrying, you will be the next one in this castle to be unconscious!" Tsunade snapped from pure exhaustion and frustration at how the day had turned.
"M-mother, grandmother…" Naruto peeped out weariness and gave the pair of women a pleading look.
"…. Tsk, forgive me Kushina," Tsunade sighed and placed her hand atop her daughters before stepping to observe Gaara next, "surely you feel just as I do in all of this, these events are certainly taking a toll on us all." She continued as apologetic as apologies went when they came from her, "Temari, Kankuro, you two go meet back up with the other children now. Both your parents and Minato should be returning any moment now and with that we needn't have this room become too crowded, however, the pair of you have been more than helpful these past few hours indeed." She finished and regarded the two teens.
"But, lady Tsunade we—" Kankuro began to rebut, though he was swiftly interrupted.
"Excuse me, but I don't believe I gave way for any defiant rebuttal young man." Tsunade narrowed her eyes dangerously at the face painted teen, whom only gulped at the stare and turned to his blonde haired sister.
"M-madam Kushina, surely there is no urgent reason for us to leave our little brother right now." Temari attempted to persuade the violet eyed woman.
"Ah, the children of today! So eager to assist, even though they have done their justice in doing so already, t'would be a shame should Akurei find his children being disobedient, now wouldn't it?" Kushina slowly stood and faux as much playful enthusiasm, as she normally had, towards the two teens and then gave them a playful wink.
"W-we shall take our leave now!" Both Temari and Kankuro straightened up quickly and bowed their leave. Though, once they were out of the room, Kushina sluggishly lowered herself back into the chair next to her son and patted his head.
"Naruto, Gaara, are you two truly alright?" She questioned the two still laying down kids.
"Yes, lady Kushina." Gaara informed and mustered up as much strength as he could in order to sit up, but he was quickly halted by the blonde haired woman.
"Not just yet young Suna, remain as you were for now." Tsunade ordered.
"I'm fine mother, honestly." Naruto turned his head to his mother and gave a small nod.
"Shizune, any word yet on the men's location?" Tsunade turned to her subordinate.
"I-I shall check now M'lady! Excuse me!" Shizune bowed and hurried out of the room.
"Dear lord," The blonde haired woman exhaled as she sank into her desk chair, "Minato and the others seem like experts when it comes to leaving the castle at the wrong time, no matter what the case may be." She thought aloud and began scribbling in a thick book.
"Oh mother, be nice, it cannot be helped. This years' winter ball is to be at the Uchiha place, such a huge event requires major preparations… however unfortunate this all may be, I am thankful that the boys are alright now and that the Uchiha's land is but only five hours away…." Kushina said with a small smile and mussed both of the boys' hair, she mentally thanked whatever forces allowed her to have such a strong will.
"Yes, speaking of which… do you think keenly on going ahead with this years' ball, daughter?" Tsunade questioned without looking up from her scribbling.
"But of course mother! The boys, all the children in fact, need a time of fun! I think this ball will be beneficial for everyone!" Kushina shot up from her seat and looked at her mother with determination.
"I see you feel strongly on the topic Kushina, however," Tsunade placed her feathered pen back in its holder, "should we not ask these two whether they feel the same way?" She continued and motioned towards the still reclined boys, who had been silently looking back and forth between the two women the entire time.
"Ah… well, sweeties, what say you on the matter?" Kushina turned back to the preteen boys.
"W-well," Both boys faltered in unison, "it's a combination ball right? Hinata's birthday will be celebrated as well, I wouldn't want to ruin that for her, mother." Naruto continued and mentioned something that both women had honestly forgotten.
"I agree, I think the ball should continue." Gaara nodded and looked at Tsunade as he slowly propped himself up.
"You see mother, it is a necessary event!" Kushina placed her hands on her side in triumph.
"Indeed that is so, though I still believe that these two should—" Tsunade nodded, but before she could continue she was interrupted by a knock on the medical room door, "Hm? I don't believe Minato, let alone Akurei would bother knocking… you may enter!" She mumbled more before giving the okay for whomever to enter.
"Um, is it okay if we come in now?" Neji poked his head in the room cautiously.
"WE?" Kushina spun towards the door, initially having thought that her husband had finally arrived, but upon having seen who it actually and who pushed in behind him, she mellowed back down.
"Move Hyuga! Aunt Kushina are they awake yet!?" Sasuke pushed the brown haired boy aside so that he could fully enter the room.
"Good heavens, we get rid of two and two more come rushing in." Tsunade exhaled and rubbed her temples.
"Mother," Kushina chided, "yes Sasuke, Neji, they both did not long ago. However, they are still resting so…" She trailed off, not sure if she should have them leave as well.
"Mother, we are fine now," Naruto spoke up and pushed himself into a sitting position on the cot, "honestly mother, please say that we may at lease have them stay?" He pleaded and gave his mother a look he knew she couldn't refuse.
"Sweety…. Oh, so be it! I suppose it couldn't hurt." Kushina gave in and kissed her son on his forehead, then waved the boys in who quickly took positions beside the teal and blue eyed young men.
"Gaara, are you both okay?" Neji asked as ran over to his best friend, though glanced over to eye his other blonde haired friend as well.
"Yes, we are fine, smothered, but fine." Gaara answered as he pushed himself into a full sitting position.
"Smothered?" Both Kushina and Tsunade deadpanned together and narrowed their eyes at the insulter.
"I, uh, d-did not mean any harm b-by that milady's." The teal eyed boy covered himself.
"Hahah, careful Gaara, they both sting." Naruto giggled, but quickly gulped at the looks the two women now directed at him.
"How can you guys joke after having just been unconscious for hours?" Sasuke looked at his unstable friends.
"My thoughts exactly young Uchiha." Tsunade agreed from across the room, still seated at her desk.
"Because we are fine." Both Naruto and Gaara said in unison. However, no sooner that they said that, did the door to the room fly open.
"Kushina!? Is- are the boys alright!?" Minato flashed over to his wife not even a second after the door initially opened and he was closely followed by Akurei, who albeit a fair bit slower, but still hastily made his way to his sons' side.
"Ah, Minato, Akurei! Finally, the pair of you have arrived," Kushina quickly stood to greet her husband, "they awoke not too long ago, and they say they are quite fine, however…." She continued with the previous look of pure worry once again covering her features.
"It that so…" Akurei spoke and turned to leer at his son, whom ever so slightly cringed at the look, "tell me Gaara, how are you feeling as of now?" He continued with the stern look.
"I… to be honest with father, I do feel a bit exhausted… but—" Gaara hesitated a fair bit before acquiescing to his father's demanding inquiry, though as he tried for a possible excuse as to why it wasn't a big deal, he was cut off.
"But? I see no place for that word in reflection to what I just asked you son." The dull red head man raised a nonexistent brow at his twelve year old son.
"Now, now, Akurei, this is no interrogation we are performing on the boys," Minato said with an understanding smile, "however, Naruto, your looks betray your words. I will not hear any rebuttal, you and Gaara are both being confined to your chamber for the remainder of the day… do I make myself clear and understanding?" He instructed with both a finalizing look and tone.
"Y-yes, father…." Naruto pouted openly and hung his head only to have it mussed by his seemingly calm father.
"Good, now, Genma!" Minato called through his growing anxiety, "please see to it that Naruto and Gaara both head straight for my sons quarters and nowhere else. I'd see them myself, however my wife, Tsunade, Akurei and I have urgent matters to discuss as of now." He instructed once the senbon chewing man stepped into the medical room.
"Yes my lord." Genma bowed and waited for the princes to be removed from their medical beds'.
"Come, you can stand can you not?" Akurei lifted his sleep deprived son off of the high bed and held him steady just in case his questioning was proven false.
"I am fine to walk on my own father." Gaara answered a bit more deflated and proved himself by sluggishly walking over to Genma.
"And you Naruto?" Minato question as he too helped his exhausted looking son down.
"…. Y-yes…" Naruto faltered for a fraction of a second, but seeing the look his mother was giving him he quickly covered himself, "honestly mother, father, I fine enough to walk on my own." He amended and followed after Gaara to the stoic guard.
"We will come to check on you two shortly, I promise." Kushina said in earnest.
"Indeed, by then Karura shall have arrived." Akurei commented while taking a seat in one of the chairs near Tsunade's desk, where she was still seated and silently observing everything, especially the two other young ones in the room.
"Ah, young Sasuke, Neji, if you so wish you may join them. However, I must make myself clear, Genma will be on guard outside of the chamber and if he hears anything close to a ruckus, you two will be reprimanded as he see fit, do I make myself clear and understanding?" Minato informed in all seriousness to the raven and brunette haired princes'.
"W-we understand Lord Minato!" Sasuke and Neji quickly bowed and ran after the three others just outside of the medical room doors and, after receiving dismissal, Genma proceeded to close the door and turned to head in the general direction of Naruto's room. However, before they could get too far away, the young heirs both hear the growing sound of agitated voices from the medical room, surely both Minato and Akurei and begun their torrent of questioning to the mother and daughter.
As they continued to be guided through the castle corridors, the young boys took to about a ten foot trail behind the quite leading Genma. Though they knew full well that he was aware of their distance behind him, they still stayed as far away as to whisper in private, though they were surprised that he was even letting them do such. Neji and Sasuke were both fully aware that they wouldn't question the two boys about the detailed specifics of what they had just went through, just yet, but they did speculate about what the adults may have been discussing and what after effects may come from doing so. They had even briefly discussed the almost cancellation of the winter ball, to which Sasuke and Neji had about a fraction of a minutes worth of glee before Naruto popped their bubble of thoughts on the matter.
"It's for Hinata's birthday as well, lest you forget, so it's not going to be canceled." The blonde haired boy shrugged with a coy smile.
"You almost seem happy that it's not canceled for that reason alone, dobe." Sasuke leered at his best friend, jealousy just touching on his tongue.
"Hmm? May perhaps you're jealous, teme," Naruto grinned sneakily at the raven, "do you have no sympathetic feelings for our dear Princess Hyuga? I'm sure Neji would very much so have something to say in regard to that, right Neji?" He continued jokingly and looked over at the grey eyed thirteen year old.
"Hn, what you two fail to realize, it that no matter the title of the ball, there will be one held in her honor," Neji mentioned, "furthermore, we've all been to our fair share of formal balls and cotillions, so I can sympathize with Sasuke in that aspect and that alone." He continued with a raised brow at the raven, which in turn cause both Naruto and previously quiet Gaara to snicker with modest humor, and earn an irritated glare from the Uchiha.
"Indeed, Sasuke, you ought to know that Neji would never want anything other than the best for both Hinata and Hanabi, to think otherwise would be taboo." Gaara said in amusement.
"Hn, so I'm to believe that I am the only one who still disagrees with this winters ball?" Sasuke clicked and looked forward into the back of the still seemingly inattentive escort as he lead the way down the final hall to the blondes room.
"So it would seem Prince Sasuke," Genma suddenly spoke up and came to a stop at their destination, "no point in brooding about such an affair now." He continued with a smug look.
"Excuse me, but I do not recall asking for your input on the matter." Sasuke crossed his arms and stared down the older male as the other young men side-stepped the standoff, not wanting any part of what the back-talking raven was possibly now sentenced for.
"Well, well, it seems as though the young Uchiha wishes not to join his friends for the remainder of the evening." Genma mention and narrowed his eyes at the smart comment. However, before he or Sasuke could say or do anything else, Naruto popped back out of his room and wrapped his arm around his defiant friend.
"That will not be necessary my dear Genma, he is simply a bit absentminded from having worried about me all day, he knows not what he says." Naruto quickly covered for the raven.
"Hm… so be it, I'll let his behavior go unwarranted this time," Genma said and flicked the senbon up and down before continuing, "now, heed the Kings request and rest, I'll be right outside should you require anything." He pretty much warned instead of stated and watched as Naruto dragged Sasuke into the room and shut the door.
"Hn, Minato surely knows how to pick his guards…" Sasuke said as he took to sitting on the blonde's massive bed.
"Indeed…" Naruto nodded solemnly before joining him on the bed with a sigh, "he's no doubt going to make sneaking out much harder." He continued with a quick and knowing glance at his teal eyed counterpart. However, that motion was not missed by neither the raven nor the brunette.
"Sneaking out? I know you guys… well, after today you both may be under heavy watch, never the less-" Neji began to question before he was finished by the raven.
"—Why are you sneaking out?" Sasuke raised a dark brow in confusion and only proceeded to furrow his brow in agitation as he caught the same shared look between the red head and blonde as before.
"What's with the repeated glances? You two aren't planning on running away are you?" Neji pointed out and even more pertinently questioned their motive.
"No, no! That's not it in the least…. honest!" Gaara answered and implored once he received a hard look from his brunette counterpart.
"Really Neji, that's not the reason…" Naruto grinned candidly and ignored the pair of eyes burning into the side of his head, "It's, umm… just something…. Well, not IT, more-so that there is someone that we need to see…" He continued with a distant look on his features.
"Oh? And this someone, I'm to guess is someone that neither of your parents know about, hn?" Sasuke inquired.
"Who knows, they could, for the person is somewhere within the kingdom after all…." Naruto stated, still looking as though he was a million miles away.
"You plan on going alone? I find that a fair bit harsh." Neji spoke up and crossed his arms in disappointment, however the slight smirk on his face proved just the opposite, "and if you two are to sneak out, there is much to doubt that Sasuke and I will sit idly by and be left behind." He continued and pulled the red head into a playful headlock.
"Agreed, besides," Sasuke nodded and smirked at his blonde friend before pulling him over to where his head now rested in the ravens lap, "if you somehow manage to sneak out, just how far do you think we will all get with just us four roaming about the kingdom streets without parental guidance?" He continued and posed a serious obstacle.
"…. Umm, I hadn't thought of that…. Naruto?" Gaara frowned in thought and turned to his partner in crime.
"Well…. I'm sure if we're careful…" Naruto mumbled in thought.
"No, Naruto, you forget, this is your kingdom, your relatives, who live closest to the castle, will know who you are without a second glance. I think it best if we have someone older with us to seem less conspicuous." Neji mentioned with his arm now loosely around the red heads shoulder as he was now leaning into his side with a tired look upon his features.
"Hn, well, why not ask Itachi and Deidara? Itachi is now technically an adult, and Deidara is your cousin, so he knows better than anyone the layout of the kingdom and all of its secret passages." Sasuke mentioned which left the room heavy with silence for all of ten seconds before the blue eyed boy shot up and all but bounced off the bed to the floor.
"Of course!" Naruto exclaimed and frowned briefly, "Hmph, but just because you thought of this doesn't make you any smarter than me teme!" He jabbed a finger at the stunned looking Uchiha, who only rolled his eyes at the comment.
"Continue to think that, dobe." Sasuke smirked and watched the blonde stride quickly but carefully over to the main chamber doors and proceeded to halfway step out of the room to quip something to Genma whom hadn't moved an inch since they entered the room, however just from the time it took, it was obvious that whatever he was talking to the strict guard about, he was not agreeing easily, but soon enough the blonde strode back into the room with an accomplished grin on his face.
"What was that about?" Gaara tilted his head slightly as he watched his blonde counterpart cross the room and straddle the bed again.
"Heh, just acquiring us more company is all." Naruto grinned mischievously and reassumed his position with his head in the ravens lap.
"I have a fairly accurate idea on whom it may be." Neji smirked in knowing, but that soon faded into a look of concern and as he slyly looked over towards the raven their eyes met in a quiet understanding.
"So… with everything said and in place, do you guys mind enlightening us on why you feel so inclined to sneak out?" Sasuke released the burning question in his head.
"Especially after today's events…" Neji added and pulled away slightly to regard the teal eyed boy next to him.
"… It's because of what happened today that we have to sneak out, even if we asked, there is no doubt in my mind that they would vehemently disagree." Gaara spoke after a brief silence and straightened himself.
"I don't disagree that Aunt Kushina and the others would banish that request, but why is it that you have to go? And where?" Sasuke questioned and eyed his blonde counterpart and he to sit up and pulled his knees to his chest.
"….. I think… we should wait for the rest of our company to arrive, it's too tedious a reason to repeat more than once." Naruto mentioned with a slight shrug, but before either the Hyuga or Uchiha could give any rebuttal, there came a quick rasp on the main chamber doors.
AN: Just you wait! More is coming No time to type this AN, just leave your reviews and PM's! Off I go to continue writing for the next installment! Hope you enjoyed!
Please note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae are mine, well my versions of Neji, Hinata and Gaara's parents names. But mine none the less.
- Anna Uzumaki