Journey to Suna

The road to Suna was hot, bright, and dry. A never ending pale sea that could have stretched to the sun and back again. Naruto shifted under his disguise, blinking against the sweat that was beginning to sting his eyes. And to think, a few weeks ago, he had wished for warmth. Now he was so hot his tongue was sticking to the roof of his mouth and he could feel the heat of the sand burning the soles of his feet despite the protective layers. He was sure he was slowly being roasted alive, and he doubted he could even spit properly! It was, after all, the dry season in the desert, and the sun had browned his skin a shade darker, bleached his hair lighter.

Curious, he stole a quick look around the group he was in, and tried hacking up a loogie over the side of his camel. It watched him with a wide brown eye as he aimed for the ground.

Yep. No dice.

Nothing but sand seemed to be on his tongue. The camel trumpeted, startling Naruto as he bent over its side, (who knew camels could be so freakin' loud?) and he laughed, swiping at the sweat that had gathered on his brow. It was then, as he righted himself and shared a goofy grin with a few of his comrades, that it hit him squarely in the chest.

This was the first time he had actually laughed in weeks.

The thought soured his mood, and he slumped on his camel, patting it on the neck.

The Kazekage's caravan ambled forward at a snail's pace. It was a peace mission. The Kazekage was stopping by important cities and villages in the Wind Country. Something to do with morale and spirit. So far, the expedition had lasted a total of six weeks.

It had been six weeks since he'd left Konoha, since he'd last seen Sakura, or Kakashi or Sai, or Tsunade or Fukasaku or-

He stopped thinking, closing his eyes against the glare of the sun, fixing the head scarf on his head, wrapped so that only his eyes were visible.

He had said his goodbyes to Fukasaku and the others at Konoha's gates. For the purpose of leading the enemy on the wrong trail, the toad had traveled with Kakashi and Sakura. The little sage hadn't said much, but had promised to reconvene with the Sand once he felt he had traveled with Kakashi long enough to be convincing.

Naruto had pretended to smile at the toad. He had pretended to march forward with a purpose. He had pretended he wasn't unraveling inside with each step. It felt like so long ago, and the Sand caravan was still traveling.

Bitterly, Naruto wondered when he would hear about the false trails. When someone would finally tell him what was going on. He'd been left in the dark for too long and it was pissing him off.

But he hadn't been in the best moods lately, anyway. He scowled behind his white scarf. He tried not to think about it, tried to keep staring at the endless road ahead, but it happened anyway.

He thought about Sasuke.

Give me your word. Promise me you'll trust me. You'll forgive me.

Naruto drew in a breath and exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. Sasuke had asked for forgiveness, long before anything had been done. Naruto had been foolish to think those words had been meant for deserting Team Seven and the Valley of the End, all those years ago. And Naruto had given his word.

Somewhere in his chest, the grief he'd tried to bury struck a chord.

Sasuke's words would flit through his mind at night when he dreamed: Give me your word. Promise me you'll trust me. You'll forgive me.

Sometimes, Naruto wanted to hate him for it. Despise him for keeping such a secret. There were moments he wanted to despise Fukasaku and Tsunade as well. But he didn't.

He couldn't hate Sasuke.

Before he'd left, Sakura had come to visit him in his room. She'd cried and said you were supposed to be stronger than me when it came to him. Unbidden, the memory spilled into his thoughts.

Waking to a white ceiling, white walls, and white linoleum made Naruto feel as though he'd suddenly landed in a new sort of purgatory. He closed his eyes for a moment against the whiteness, much preferring the black void behind his eyelids. He hadn't wanted to wake up from his dream.

He had been with Sasuke, in the cell on Mount Myoboku, and Sasuke had looked into his eyes with a dark, penetrating gaze that set Naruto's very cells on fire.

Naruto swallowed, shaking his head to rid himself of the picture. He wanted to scream, but instead he ate breakfast and conjured clones for the task ahead. The clothes he needed were stacked neatly on a little table by the window.

He wanted to scream, but instead, he ordered his clones around in a tired, hollow voice. Naruto pointed to the stacks of clothing and ordered the clones to dress appropriately. They did as they were told, muttering darkly, faces solemn. Naruto began to dress in the Sand garb Gaara had left for him, and he flushed in embarrassment when he thought of the Kazekage. Gaara had only meant well last night-

The door opened, and Naruto's thoughts trailed, interrupted. Sakura stood in the doorway, eyes averted. Naruto frowned. She was uncharacteristically cold last night.

Last night…

He gritted his teeth against the wave of pain in his heart. No, no. I can't do this now. I can't always lose it, he thought, taking a deep breath, shoving the pain down, and hiding it with a concerned look Sakura's way.

"What's wrong?" he asked. As if he didn't know! Sakura blinked rapidly, looking down.

She shook her head, tried to speak, but all that escaped was a gurgling laugh that was out of place. It wasn't a laugh, not really. "This could have all been avoided. You know, I was actually willing to give him up!" She swiped at her cheeks, finally meeting Naruto's eyes. Naruto frowned, surprised at her random babble. Her lip quivered.

"I was ready to do it, you know, forget about him. Then you had to go and ruin the chance for us, didn't you?"

Naruto looked away from her. In that moment, he felt sorry for Sakura. She was kind-hearted and pretty enough, but she had lodged her life between two boys she could never have, and now she was stuck. Her young heart had been plucked from her chest before it could ripen and mature, ripped open while it was still green.

She kept on talking. "When I found out everything that had happened between you and Sasuke, I was so angry. Here I am, trying my hardest for the both of you, and you fall in love with each other and leave me in the dust. Then, Sasuke just used you like that, and you let him…you let him. You're supposed to be stronger than I am when it comes to him. You aren't supposed to leave! But now you are, because of him. We couldn't let him go, no matter what was said or what he did to us. He brought us together, and then, he tore us apart." She shook her head again, her hands balling into fists at her side.

She was heartbroken, Naruto realized. She was alone; she had been alone the past three months. She was no longer tied in with Naruto's fate, or Sasuke's, and she was going to lose both. She was angry with Sasuke for all he had done and for leaving her alone. She was angry with Naruto for letting it happen and leaving her alone again.

Yet she still cared, yet she loved them both with such a girlish and innocent heart, and they had only deserted her in the end for each other. Well, Naruto hadn't wanted to leave her behind, he hadn't wanted her to feel this way, but he was certain that was how she was viewing his leaving, even if it wasn't entirely true.

He looked at his hands. She might as well be mourning the death of both of them. He and Sakura had been close enough the last year, but now it was coming to an end. She would have to say goodbye to Naruto. She wouldn't be able to follow him now, given the child and the mission. The child that wasn't connected to her in any way; this child that was the manifestation of a love she would never possess, a child that belonged to the two she had come to love the most.

It must be hard for her, he thought. She would have to say goodbye. She was needed in Konoha, and there was no telling when he'd see her again. Months, probably, or years. Maybe even never again, if something went wrong.

He'd failed her, and Sasuke had failed her. Sasuke failing her had been one thing, but Naruto? That was a different matter. Naruto was leaving her. They wouldn't be able to protect each other, laugh with each other, feel soothed by the other's presence. She needed him, he realized, and he was sorry he couldn't offer her what she needed right now.

He was sorry he wasn't the the young man she wanted. He was sorry he wasn't the man who could kiss away her tears and hold her until she felt better.

Naruto wasn't the only one who needed to grow up.

He walked over to her, and quietly wrapped his arms around her. It was all he could do. She didn't pull away, she merely melted into his hold and cried, her hands against his chest, ragged fingernails catching on his shirt as she clung to him desperately.

"I wanted to go with you, but Tsunade told me it was imperative to the mission that I didn't go. It would be obvious. When you get to where you should be, only Tsunade will know exactly where you are. I won't know where you are, or how you're doing…" She trailed, voice breaking, muffled by his shirt. Naruto shushed her and pulled her closer. She shuddered.

"I know what he did, and I want to hate him for it! But, even so...I wish…I wish I could have seen him one last time!" She wailed, gripping onto Naruto harder. She was finally mourning Sasuke.

Naruto froze, his arms around her tightly. He thought, I wish I could have seen him too He clenched his jaw, trying not to stagger under the weight of that thought. The last time Naruto had seen Sasuke, he'd shouted at him, cursed him, ran from him. His chest tightened, and there was a pang in his heart. His vision blurred, his head throbbing with his body's efforts to hold back the cries and not releasing the tension.

You're supposed to be stronger than me when it comes to him, Sakura had said. He rubbed her back in soothing circles. For now, he would be. For now, he would be the man she needed.

He closed his eyes, riding out Sakura's wails like the wall of strength he was supposed to be.

He wanted to scream, but all he did was stand there, rubbing circles into the back of the crying girl he once thought he would win over, shushing her in a soothing voice that belied his tortured and broken heart.

He wanted to scream.

Naruto broke free from his thoughts, absently shaking his head until the urge to cry, to rage, faded away.

No. He couldn't do this.

Not now.

The caravan stopped at twilight in the dunes, and Gaara requested Naruto's audience. Naruto left the small circle of companions he had recently made, eyes locked on the red tent ahead that housed Gaara for the night.

Guards stood around it, their faces masked from the nose down with head scarves. The guards stood aside easily for him, and Naruto lifted the flap to the tent, striding inside. He found Gaara seated on a plush cushion. The Kazekage looked up at him, nodded, and gestured towards the pillow opposite him.

Naruto sighed. He'd known this was coming.

In the tent with Gaara was a Leaf medic nin known as Maiko. She had been trained by Tsunade especially for this mission. Gaara had allowed Tsunade to appoint a medic nin from the Leaf to accompany them to Suna. Maiko was a slight, lithe woman with sandy hair and very large hazel eyes. Next to her was a Sand medic nin. He was a very serious fellow with dark skin, shrewd eyes, and a hooked nose that gave him the odd resemblance of an old, pissy parrot. Naruto always snickered at the medic behind his back.

"Please, if you would lie down, sir." The Sand medic directed to a pillow in a solemn tone. Gaara watched intently, arms crossed, eyes always locked on the nimble fingers of the medics as they examined Naruto.

Gaara was always present for any exam. While Naruto had assured the Kazekage that he didn't need to be present, Naruto was both a little grateful for the company and a little unsure of it. Sometimes he'd rather ride it out alone, instead of having Gaara watch everything. And the silence made it more difficult to bear. The medics were often so quiet it made Naruto squirm in discomfort and embarrassment.

The Sand medic checked the unborn infant's vitals with a portable Doppler, and its chakra balance with a glowing green hand.

"No change, very good," he murmured, "Stable heartbeat of 142 BPM." He scooted over to make room for the Leaf medic. She placed a glowing hand above Naruto's seal, brows furrowed. Her purpose was to check on the Fourth's seal, checking the chakra balance and ensuring that the Kyuubi's chakra never disrupted the natural balance of what was normal for Naruto's body.

Every exam, she looked for a leak. Every exam, Naruto held his breath. She was supposed to be able to deal with the seal during the birth while the Sand medic was supposed to aid in the delivery. So, Naruto guessed he was stuck with these two. A long moment passed, and Naruto waited. He counted his heart beats to keep himself from worrying. Finally, Maiko pulled away with a curt nod.

"No change, the seal has not weakened further," she reported. Naruto exhaled in relief. Gaara nodded as he listened, his face impassive.

"Leave us," he finally ordered. The medics stood, bowed, and exited. Naruto sat upright, yanking down his shirt and smoothing it over. Still, at twenty-six weeks, the pregnancy was well-hidden, even under simple garments. The medics, having been closely monitoring the child's growth, had assured that this was normal and not a cause for concern. Maiko had also theorized that the child might be born smaller and not reach more than six pounds.

Old Beak Nose (Naruto's secret nickname for the Sand medic) had scoffed at this and declared that Maiko obviously wasn't well versed in Obstetrics or Pediatrics, or she'd know that smaller size and lack of growth during gestation was cause for serious concern.

Maiko had told Beak Nose to go grab a drink and pull the medical encyclopedia out of his ass for once.

Naruto had snorted loudy and ever since, Old Beak Nose had been kind of snobby. A frown on the Sand medic made him appear as if he was glaring down his nose at everyone like like some sort of pompous lord. Or, in Beaky's case, a parrot.

"Naruto," the Kazekage said suddenly, tearing Naruto away from his thoughts, "I have news." Naruto sat straighter, waiting with bated breath.

He studied the Kazekage's serious face, jade eyes glittering in the dark tent, arms still crossed. It was impossible to tell what Gaara may be thinking; if the news was good or bad. Naruto waited. Gaara's finally spoke.

"There are rumors," he began in a hushed voice. "Rumors that a new resistance is taking root. Sources say this group may have already reached Wind Country." Naruto nodded, having heard bits of it.

"I cannot risk your safety further," Gaara said abruptly. Naruto raised a brow, wondering what this could mean for the caravan and the mission.

"No one knows who I am," Naruto reminded him, "Only the medics, you, Kankuro, and Temari-"

"We are being followed."

That shut Naruto up. In truth, he had suspected it,had known it was bound to happen sooner or later, but he kept the thought to himself. From Gaara's expression, it was clear he was worried about this new resistance.

"How are the other groups?" Naruto asked softly. Gaara looked away. Naruto had been needling for this information for weeks now. The Kazekage decided to indulge him.

"There are only three left, currently. The team from the Sand was discovered. The clone was destroyed. The Akatsuki are now aware there are multiple trails."

Naruto cursed under his breath. He thought for a moment.

"There's a town coming up, isn't there?" Naruto asked. Gaara looked up at him, and the two nodded in silent, mutual agreement.

"Yes. Saka. There are a lot of refugees there currently."

If a resistance group had reached Wind Country, what better way to scope for information than hit up the a booming town's local scene?

For the first time in a long while, Naruto occupied his mind with other thoughts.

The cloak was hot and uncomfortable. It was scratching against Shikamaru's skin enough to test his sanity. Shikamaru inwardly groaned. How troublesome. However, he had volunteered, along with Ino, to venture into town. The Sand caravan had stopped at town called Saka anyway.

As they approached the town, he reflect upon his, and his comrades', recent promotion.

Tsunade had called them to the Tower for an important meeting, and the seriousness of the summons was weighing heavily on the young nins' minds. Sai, Kiba, Chouji, Neji, Ino, TenTen, Hinata, and Shino were all present. The village had been unsettled ever since the murder of the Elders the previous day. Rumors circulated around the citizens and lower ranked ninja of terrorists in the village. It hadn't been revealed to the public or any nin Tsunade didn't trust that Sasuke Uchiha had been the culprit and had been in the village. Shikamaru had an an idea of what was coming, but he kept his mouth shut, eyes drifting between the others. Ino was white and looked ready to vomit. No doubt, she believed they were about to sent to war, dispatched to some far off location crawling with Akatsuki.

He didn't have the heart, or strength, to tell her what would happen would likely be more dangerous than traveling to a war zone.

Tsunade entered the room, and the chatter Kiba had started up with Chouji hushed instantly. They all stood to attention, and Shikamaru didn't let his gaze waver. The change was instant; they all transformed from wary, nervous onlookers to silent, deadly ninja, ready to attack or protect at an instant's notice.

The Hokage appraised them all grimly, but Shikamaru noticed the proud glint in her eye.

"I have a mission for you," she began, taking a seat. "Some of you are not aware that Naruto was returned to the village yesterday."

It was news to everyone but Shikamaru. Sakura had also been told, but she wasn't among them, having been assigned to leave with Kakashi rather suddenly.

"With him," Tsunade continued, "Was Sasuke Uchiha." The silence grew tense.

"Last night, he sought out his revenge and unleashed it upon the Elders," she disclosed. "He is believed dead, but for exceptional ninja, there are always exceptions. Especially if their body was never found." She paused to let the news sink in.

"Naruto will be traveling with the Kazekage under the guise of a Sand nin during Gaara's peace mission through Wind Country. We've planted false trails, and different Naruto clones have been dispatched with three other teams. However, your job will remain with the living Naruto," she studied them again. "Trail the Sand. Collect any intel on the whereabouts of the Akatsuki. Should the caravan be attacked, I won't risk us not being there to provide back-up. Naruto must not be lost. Gaara is aware I will eventually send nin to check up, but he isn't aware of our shadowing."

Shikamaru realized she conveniently left out the part about the demon child.

"Be on your best guard, we don't want to offend the Kazekage. If Sasuke shows up...you know what to do. I have lost a lot of good men and women in the past year. Nin I would have gladly sent in your stead. But now it's your time to prove your worth. Congratulations. I'm promoting you all to Jounin status. Normally there is a test, but there are no Elders, and I'm confident in my decision. Do our village, and our country, proud"

The group was stunned.

"Now split into two groups. Shikamaru team leader one. Team One will shadow the Sand. Neji, team leader two. Team Two will trail behind and focus on intel. You can break up however you decide. Stagger. Now get!"

With respectful bows, the group split instantly and left the room. Only Shikamaru hesitated, but a look from Tsunade got him moving and out the door.

Saka's gate came into view, and beside him, Ino looked back. Shikamaru knew she was thinking of their teammates.

Chouji, along with Kiba, would be closely watching the town borders, prepared to take off and give a signal should the Sand suddenly decide to leave. So far, they're trailing had been uneventful.

It was Neji's team who were keeping an eye out for Sasuke Uchiha, and investigating claims and sightings. The countries were riddled with whispers and rumors, which ate away at the populace like an infection. People were frightened and angry. Some, Shikamaru had come to find out, were even blaming Naruto.

It made him uneasy.

Disturbing rumors of a resistance amongst the civilians against both the Akatsuki and the hidden villages were spoken in hushed whispers that curled around the ears of eavesdroppers, begging to be passed on to the wrong listeners.

Supposedly, the group had first toured through the Fire Country and into Wind, preaching their views in an attempt to gain recruits for their cause. So it was said, anyway.

Shikamaru and Ino gained entrance into the town after the police cleared them. The street led right into a busy section of downtown. Shikamaru paused, hearing a sudden crescendo of raised voices up ahead. He squinted. The light from the sun was white and blinding, not a cloud in the vast blue ocean of a sky to shield or dampen it, and the flat barren landscape offered no relief.

Then he noticed them. There was a group of townspeople crowded around a speaker standing atop a makeshift platform that had been hastily put together. The citizens were pumping their fists into the air, cupping hands around their mouths to carry their aggravated voices.

One held up a stuffed doll clad in black rags painted with red clouds. It had a disturbing likeness to Sasuke Uchiha, if the black hair was anything to go by.

"Peace! Peace! Peace!" The group of people chanted. Shikamaru's coffee brown eyes swiveled over to meet Ino's aquamarine gaze. She frowned, shrugging, and they stepped closer. The speaker, a heavy set blond man with cold gray eyes assessed the crowd before him.

"Who are we to sit idly by and wait for the inevitable? We must not forget our own strength! We may only be mere men, but we cannot continue to cower behind the ninja! We must take a stand. We might not have the same uncanny skill. Or if we do, it is not nearly as great, but we have heart, we have strength, we have hope." His speech made the people roar. The blond man looked satisfied. The stuffed doll was lit on fire.

Shikamaru noticed how Ino stiffened beside him at the display.

"They will not have our homes! They will not take our children, rape our wives, murder our brothers. The Akatsuki will feel the wrath of the world they have disturbed!" the speaker bellowed out this promise, voice husky and laced with murderous intent. By then, the town's ninja were arriving, attempting to break up the crowd.

The people roared in protest, and to Shikamaru's profound disbelief, they actually attempted to swarm the police; clawing, hitting, and spitting at those who tried to push them back. A police nin went for the blond man, who watched the spectacle as if amused.

A rock soared through the crowd, smashing into the police nin's skull before he could rush up the platform. Pandemonium broke loose. The blond man disappeared in a puff of smoke, turning out to be little more than a log; a mere clone had addressed the crowd. The people continued to fight against the police nin.

"PEACE! PEACE! PEACE!" they screamed.

"Shikamaru…" Ino breathed.

Without a word, the Leaf nin accessed his chakra, closed his eyes and sent tendrils of shadow racing towards the crowd like dozens of black snakes. They slithered into the ranting, rioting crowd, sneaking up ankles and paralyzing their victims. It didn't take long before people were running, realizing something was happening, while others remained frozen, incapacitated.

"I think we cand handle our own people," a gruff voice boomed. Shikamaru didn't break his concentration on his ninjutsu. He glanced quickly at the owner of the voice. A large burly man, arms crossed over his chest, face twisted in an intimidating grimace.

Normally, Shikamaru wouldn't be too concerned about pissing off police or lower ranking ninja of another village, but the town was obviously in crisis, and Shikamaru had no idea if the nin before him had any important connections. It might be too easy to accidentally tread on important toes, and accidentally put the Leaf in an unnecessary situation. He released his ninjutsu.

The people scattered like cockroaches startled by sunlight, though some flipped the nin the bird and others shouted obscenities as they darted away.

"It seemed to me the best course of action." Shikamaru replied as he stood and straightened. The police nin before him harrumphed.

"My team could have taken care of it easily. I'm Chief of Police in this area. I know how to handle my own people, and I'll be damned if I allow some outsider nin to harass my town."

Important toes, indeed, Shikamaru thought. He frowned.

"Harass? Your people were in the middle of a riot. They were harassing their own," Shikamaru said through clenched teeth. He kept his temper in check, careful not to snap.

"Since when is a helpful gesture from helpful nin considered an offense?" Ino wanted to know. The Chief fixed his eyes on her, assessing her in a way that bordered on obscene. Ino flushed uncomfortably and moved closer to Shikamaru, who took a protective step before her.

"These are hard times. Can't be too careful about who you trust, am I right? It's not unusual to feel threatened by unknown nin in your territory, especially given that the Akatsuki are on the move," the Chief replied. Shikamaru nodded curtly at this.

"Now, what business do you have in Saka?" The Chief demanded.

"Provisions. We'll be on our way shortly after we visit the markets,." Shikamaru assured him. The Chief nodded.

"Fine, get your things, but know you're being watched. I want you out by twilight. I don't know who you are, and I don't want to know, but abilities like that usually aren't associated with people who are nothing in this country. Saka has avoided raids thus far. I won't risk one by allowing people who might jeopardize that stay in the town, even for a night."

He's afraid we have the wrong connections. Shikamaru sighed, nodding.

With a final and intimidating glance, the Chief and his team disappeared. Ino 's fingers brushed against Shikamaru's sleeve, resting and curling in the crook of his arm.

"It's a little worse than I imagined, but I'm not altogether surprised," Shikamaru confided. Ino nodded.

"If everyone is so divided, how are we supposed to survive this war? We'll be fighting each other-"

"War is a double-edged sword. You fight to protect the people, but when those people lose hope, you're the first one they turn on," Shikamaru observed. There was pause.

"Do we send out a summons?" Ino whispered. Shikamaru's gaze slid over to her, and Ino fidgeted, as if she'd just asked a stupid question and was embarrassed.

"Yes," he drawled. Ino nodded.

"Let's get what we need and head back to Chouji and Kiba. Send word to Neji's team as well. I think Lady Tsunade-no, the Fire Lord- should look into this matter. A resistance group amongst our own ranks is the last thing we need. The leader needs to be taken out and dealt with accordingly. Who knows what he may resort to…Especially if views us as the enemy."

They walked to the market place to buy their provisions, noticing hateful glances thrown their way, and hurried out of Saka.

"The Leaf are in Saka!"

A Sand nin burst into the Kazekage's tent. Gaara had been sharing a light dinner with Naruto, and his eyes widened. Naruto visibly tensed, still disguised as one of Gaara's guards. Gaara's jade orbs darkened. Of course, he had already suspected this, but it wasn't the Leaf they had been expecting. It wasn't surprising to him. He nodded once, face seemingly impassive.

"Lord Kazekage, what are your orders-?" the nin tried to ask, but he was interrupted.

"GAARA!" Kankuro burst into the tent, looking enraged, painted face twisted with disgust. Respectfully, the nin who had been asking for orders bent his head towards his superior in a rushed, silent greeting and grew quiet. Gaara's lip curled slightly at his brother's obvious wrathful display.

"You've heard," Gaara said quietly. Kankuro's coal black eyes gleamed dangerously.

"I was there!" he spat. He was visibly shaking. Naruto's eyes narrowed, feeling his body tense defensively on instinct, as if preparing for a fight.

"The Hokage completely and openly disrespects our agreement by trailing us-!"

Gaara cut him off. "Kankuro, this wasn't altogether unexpected. Naruto is, of course, Lady Tsunade's preferred successor-" Gaara said, as if the news was as bland as a weather update. The vein in Kankuro's forehead throbbed and he cut his brother off before he could listen to any further words.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you didn't give a fuck about any direct threat the Leaf could pose to us," Kankuro snapped. It was the wrong thing to say, and Kankuro had just abused his familial ties to speak his Kage in a disrespectful manner.

Gaara frowned. Beside him, Naruto's fists clenched, but otherwise he was perfectly still.

"They are our allies, Kankuro, not an open threat," Gaara reasoned.

"Gaara, think like the leader you're supposed to be," Kankuro urged. Gaara's expression harded, his frown freezing on his face. Naruto kept his fists clenched, listening closely.

"What are you implying?" Gaara asked finally, hiding the venom that laced his tone with some difficulty. Seeming pleased that he had broken through his younger brother's seemingly apathetic attitude towards the matter, Kankuro took a calming breath.

"By trailing us, they could give the enemy a clue to who we are. If Madara should notice this-"

"We will be prepared." Gaara said tersely. Kankuro's eyes widened, but before he could speak, Gaara moved quickly, standing nearly nose to nose. Kankuro took a surprised step back.

"Don't ever insinuate that I do not take my position seriously. You think I haven't thought of the same thing? By trailing us, even if they are trying to be inconspicuous, they are painting a bullseye on our caravan should the enemy catch them and learn of their purpose. Is this occurrence likely? Not really, but it could happen. I know of the risk it poses." Gaara hissed. "But I assure you, we will solve this problem."

Kankuro swallowed visibly. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Gaara silenced him with a look, becoming angrier by the second. Kankuro did not realize Naruto was standing in the same room. He hadn't bothered the supposed guard with so much as a glance. Gaara couldn't risk such talk. Not when Naruto was close and listening, and Naruto noticed this.

"I will deal with this matter accordingly. You are dismissed, Kankuro," Gaara said shortly, and just like that, it was as if the the word 'brother' meant little in that tent. With a final glare, Kankuro ripped past the tent flaps angrily, not sparing a backwards glance.

The Sand nin from earlier cleared his throat. "Orders, my Lord?" he asked. Gaara eyed him for a moment.

"Yes, what would you have us do, my Lord?" Naruto's voice slithered out from behind his mask, bordering on a slightly defensive growl. Gaara looked over at him.

"Lady Tsunade has not honored our agreement. Send a summons to her immediately," Gaara ordered, all the while his green eyes never leaving Naruto's stoic form. With a jerky bob of his head, the Sand nin left the tent.

"Is that really all you're going to do?" Naruto asked, once the tent consisted of only the two of them. Gaara hesitated, thinking, He is smarter than he lets on. He knows the inner workings of such politics. He's suspicious of me.

"What are you afraid I'm going to do?" Gaara asked quietly. Naruto thought for a moment.

"They mean you no harm-" he began to say, and Gaara raised a nonexistent eyebrow.

"You think I would hurt my allies?" he deadpanned, interrupting his friend. Naruto fell silent.

"I suppose it wouldn't be a far off guess," Gaara said, and at the sharp, angry look he received he continued, "If I was any other Kage. But I am not. I take my alliance with your village too seriously."

"Then what are you going to do? Those are my comrades out there, Gaara. Let me speak to them, diffuse the tension-" Naruto was forgetting his place. Again. Thinking like a ninja still in action.

But no matter how old he grew, that part of Naruto would never die.

Your connections to them are exactly why you aren't going to be a part of this, Gaara thought.

"You are dismissed," The Kazekage said suddenly. Naruto stared at him a moment, surprised, then muttered a curse and left the tent. Gaara watched him go. He felt tired and weighed down, and took a seat, rubbing a hand across his forehead in aggravation.

He will never love you. The demon inside Naruto had whispered. Gaara frowned. He never acted upon buried attractions. True, he had held on to Naruto a little desperately the night Sasuke supposedly died (Supposedly. Gaara still felt inclined to believe the whole thing could be a ruse. Although, given that six, soon to be seven, weeks had passed with no sightings and no leads, Gaara was beginning to lose faith in that assumption) but he had done nothing otherwise to convey such affection. In fact, ever since his anger had gotten the best of him (he had, after all, called his friend naïve and shown slight satisfaction in the death of Naruto's lover and long lost best friend) the friendship he shared and treasured had become a little strained.

The demon had seen into his soul, into his heart. It had noticed the black spot of jealousy that marred Gaara's newfound heart. It was the one part of himself that Gaara may have still considered monstrous in its own way. Gaara prided himself in being a new person. Someone redefined. A new person he could believe in.

He had traveled a long, painful, and difficult road to finally stand where he was now, and he wouldn't give it up for the world. However, even new improved persons can still hide an unsightly blight underneath their carefully constructed exteriors; something dark or selfish that in the end, only makes them that much more human.

It was pitiful, really…his affections.

Once, Gaara would have loved to see Naruto happy, even if meant knowing that Uchiha had captured the his golden heart. But when Gaara had seen Sasuke firsthand at the Kage summit, he'd seen an evil darkness and felt Susano'o's chill. It was then he had decided he didn't much care if Naruto loved Uchiha.

Sasuke wasn't a person worth saving. He was a person worth destroying.

Gaara wasn't one to believe in childish fantasies, or romances that seemed impossible but in the end miraculously worked out, leaving a happy couple and a happy ending.

Please.

This was the real world, and Sasuke was a murderer. Sasuke was cruel. Sasuke was selfish. Sasuke would never deserve the love and effort Naruto so easily gave and put in for his cause.

Sasuke didn't deserve Naruto. Now that Sasuke was dead, it didn't really matter who deserved who and who didn't. Naruto was alone, vulnerable at this point in his life, and it was all thanks to that damned Uchiha. Gaara's thin lips pressed together grimly, and his brow furrowed. He stepped out in the dying light of the desert, and looked to his left, where Naruto was joking with a few Sand nin.

A funny thing happened then. Almost imperceptibly, as the redheaded Kage watched the silly antics of his friend and noticed the obvious glee and rapture of his audience (Naruto had become quite popular among some of the Sand nin), Gaara smiled.

Said blue-eyed nin suddenly looked over and met his gaze. Gaara's held his breath. Naruto's blue eyes seemed dark, omnious, in the half-light, as if he was skeptical about the bond he and Gaara were supposed to share. Gaara's blood froze at the thought of Naruto despising him in some way or another, but then…

Naruto's blue eyes glimmered with their usual mirth, the skin around the eyes crinkling in that charming way whenever the blond truly smiled. Even though his head scarf was in place, Gaara could almost see it. Gaara allowed his own smile to stretch a little further, to become more noticeable. From his peripheral vision, Gaara noticed his sister, Temari, approach warily. She'd been watching.

"Kankuro told me what happened," she said. Gaara nodded, looking out the dunes.

"Yes, it's a bit of a problem," he murmured, eyes still locked on Naruto. Temari's moss green eyes followed the direction of her brother's gaze, and frowned upon discovering the object of his curiosity.

"What should we do?" she pressed.

"You know what to do. I believe I briefed you on what to do should this occur. I want no blood spilled. Do this cleanly. I trust you will be able to handle this with the utmost effeiciency and grace. I have already sent word to the Hokage."

"Of course. Gaara…" Temari began, her voice trailing. Gaara looked to his sister, noticing her silence.

"Don't worry, Temari. I can handle this," he enforced in a calm voice.

"Can you handle him?" Temari surprised him by saying, jerking her head in Naruto's direction. Gaara frowned.

"Temari, I assure you, we have the seal under control-" he began, misunderstanding.

"That is not what I meant," Temari interrupted. Gaara blinked. Then he understood. He felt uncomfortable suddenly.

"I can handle whatever is thrown at me…and my personal affections are honestly none of your business," he surprised himself by saying. Temari shook her head. She looked worn.

"Don't even think about it. Naruto doesn't need a hero, Gaara. And you do not need to involve yourself further into this mess by going off and playing house," Temari hissed. Gaara was momentarily speechless, but he quickly recovered.

"Excuse me-?"

"Don't think I don't know you. You might have been a horror to behold once, Gaara, but beneath it all, you were still my little brother. A little boy who wanted to be loved. You're vulnerable when it comes to this. I'm sure it's probably one thing you want most in when it coms to your personal life, and don't we all? Just...don't go looking for it in the wrong places. You want a partner and a child? Fine, but don't look to Naruto for it. Not now. Not in this mess. You have your village to look over and he…well, he has his own problems."

"I never said I was acting upon anything," Gaara replied in a cold voice. Temari regarded him thoughtfully. Without another word, she bobbed her head and left, leaving Gaara secretly fuming. He remained the picture of composure, however. A figure sidled up next to him not long after.

Gaara's heart picked up the pace.

"Gaara," Naruto breathed. Gaara relaxed.

"I'm going to trust you on this," Naruto said finally. Gaara nodded.

"I hope you will continue to," hemurmured. Naruto wandered off then, playing his part. Gaara watched him. For a moment, he questioned his morals.

Was it dark of him to find pleasure in the fact that Sasuke was gone? Was it morbid? What if this person had made himself a self-proclaimed murderous super villain who made the person you had the closest bond with (that wasn't bound by blood) fall hopelessly and stupidly in love with them?

If it was dark of him, then Gaara accepted it. Hell, he was fine with being dark for just that one thing. Sasuke had never deserved Naruto.

Naruto deserved someone better.

Gaara was better.

A/N: Almost to the point where I start posting new chapters! To those who missed it, I screwed up this story order when I was editing it a few days ago. I had to go back to AFF to find this again. I ended up breaking the chapters up more. It was easier to replace that way, and I felt it would make reading the chapters easier.

You should see a brand spankin' new chapter on Monday, when this is all caught up. The story's last chapters are written, and will conclude completely. I will begin on Monday, hopefully. Not sure if I'm going to do six weekly updates to the end, or have it a couple days in between...? I'm not posting all final chapters at once though xD