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Chapter 4: Saving Gaara (Part 2)
Normal P.O.V.
"I'm going to kill this kid after this," Kakashi sighs in frustration while running.
"Not if he gets himself killed first," Shikamaru says while running next to Kakashi.
They run as fast as they can to try and catch up to both Naruto and Deidara. Soon they stop behind two trees when they see Deidara firing multiple clay bombs at the blond fox running around below him.
"Hold still ya damn fox!" Deidara growls.
"Catch me if you can!" Naruto yells, teasing the frustrated yellow bird.
"Well, at least he can keep him distracted for a while we try and come up with a plan," Kakashi chuckles to himself. Shikamaru on the other hand is analyzing the situation. "What is it?"
"I think I figured out a plan to stop him,"
"Oh yeah? Hit me with it,"
"See how he's always on that flying clay bird instead of using his own wings to fly? Well, what if he can't? What if something happened to him to where he can't use his wings at all?"
Looking closer, Kakashi starts to see what Shikamaru was talking about. The yellow wings on Deidara's back seemed beat up to some.
"So, what are you thinking?" Kakashi asks while scratching behind his silver wolf ears.
"If you can manage to knock him off that bird while Naruto has him distracted, then I can use my Shadow Manipulation Jutsu to stop him in his tracks, even if he does use his wings,"
"Alright, sounds like a plan. I'll let Naruto in on the plan. You stay hidden and attack when you feel you have an opening," Kakashi says before running towards the two blonds with a kunai in his hand. "Hey! Forget someone?!"
Kakashi throws the kunai at him, but Deidara dodges it. "You missed me!"
"Wasn't aiming at you," Kakashi smirks with his arms crossed.
"Hey!" Naruto yells as he holds a powerful Rasengan in his right hand. "Don't forget about me!"
Naruto rushes towards the yellow bird with red iris and black slits in his eyes. The Rasengan lands the attack through the clay bird, making it disappear. What Shikamaru suspected is correct, Deidara opens his beat-up wings and jumps into the air.
"How dare you destroy my beautiful bird? Now you're gonna get it!"
"Go Shikamaru!" Kakashi calls out.
Shikamaru steps out to revile himself. He runs towards the group while performing hand signs, "Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"
Shikamaru slams his hands on the ground and watches his shadow hunts down Deidara's like a hawk.
"What the- I can't' move!" Deidara struggles in vain and pain.
Shikamaru smirks as he his Shadow-Neck Binding Jutsu to try and strangle him. While Deidara is struggling to breath, both Naruto and Kakashi prepare their respective attacks. Kakashi uses his Lightning Blade while Naruto forms another Rasengan. When both attacks are ready the duo rush towards Deidara in one final attack.
"This isn't fair!" is the last thing Deidara says before he dies from all three attacks.
When everything was over, Shikamaru removed his jutsu and they watch as Deidara's corpse falls to the ground. The battle was over and Gaara was safe. Naruto left to retrieve where he hid Gaara's unconscious body.
"We did it Gaara. You can wake up now," Naruto says in a soothing voice.
"Is he alright?" Shikamaru asks.
Naruto slowly puts down his friend before leaning over and trying to feel for a heartbeat or pulse. "I don't know, he's not dead though. I think ShuKaku just put him in a deep sleep as a way to protect Gaara."
"Can you reach him through your Tailed-beasts?" Kakashi questions.
I can try. Hold on,"
Inside of Gaara's Mind
Normal P.O.V.
Gaara slowly opens his eyes to see himself laying in a flower bed.
"Where am I?"
Sitting up, Gaara looks about to see that no one is there besides him. He starts feeling alone. A single tear rolls down his cheek until it drips on the back of his hand. Suddenly two images appear.
"Gaara, come on,"
Gaara looks up to see his older siblings, Kankuro and Temari standing before him with smiles on their faces. One more tear drips down and Neij appears this time, standing next to them.
"Come home, Gaara,"
More tears fall and soon everyone in the Hidden Sand appears in front of him, including a younger version of himself. What surprises the young raccoon is that his younger self wraps his arms around Gaara's torso and whispers, "Go home,"
Gaara goes to hug himself, but that causes everyone to disappear in a sea of dandelions. More tears flow down his face, but they weren't tears of pain or sadness. Now, Gaara: The Fifth Kazekage, can honestly say that he's never felt this happy in his entire life. He was ready to go home.
"Gaara," Naruto calls out softly with a smile and his right hand on Gaara's shoulder. "Let's go home,"
Gaara nods to Naruto's word before standing up and whipping his tears away. "Take me home,"
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Back in Normal World
Normal P.O.V.
Gaara slowly opens his eyes to see Naruto, Kakashi, and Shikamaru standing over him. Naruto helps him stand to his feet. The two don't say anything. The back-breaking embrace Naruto give him is all that needed to be said between the two. When Naruto lets him go, Gaara turns and walks past the other two males before stopping to throw a smile over his shoulder.
"Take me home,"
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When the team came back to where Sakura and Chiyo fought Sasori, they were all impressed with the damage that was caused and about how Sakura saved the day. But they had to hurry when Chiyo announces that she was poisoned.
They rushed back to the Sand to get her treated. When they arrived, Kankuro, Shino, Temari, Hinata, Ino and Neij were waiting for them at the hospital. Kakashi, Hinata, and Ino took Sakura to the ward to be treated while Naruto, Neij, Temari, Shikamaru, Shino, Kankuro, and Gaara speaks.
Without hesitation, Neij rushes to observe Gaara with his hands on the red-haired raccoon dog's shoulders. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"
Gaara just shakes his head as he places his hands on top of Neij's. "I'm fine. I'm home now,"
Neij takes a step back with a sigh and racing heart. "That's good,"
Without saying a word, Gaara leaves to head to the hospital to get treated for his wounds and to be observed. Neij silently follows. Confused by their interaction Naruto leans over to ask for an update.
"Anyone wanna explain what that was about?"
"I think they're dating," Temari bluntly says.
"What?! Since when?!" Naruto yells.
"Keep your voice down, baka. I don't think they want us to know yet," Kankuro informs.
"Well Neij has been coming here a lot and spending time with him. There was even one time where I caught them kissing in his office one time. But I don't think they're ready to go public yet," Temari explains.
"I see," Naruto smiles as he turns to watch the couple head of him with a bright smile. "I'm glad that he's finally found someone to take his pain away. He deserves it,"
Looking at the two made him think of Sasuke and how they use to walk side by side in secret. Suddenly all the memories come and flood his systems with how things used to be. But, it gives him hope that one day soon Sasuke and he will walk side by side like that once again.
"Hold on Sasuke. I'm coming to save you,"
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To Be Continued…