A few days after that night, Ameno and Naruto were hanging out in the apartment after classes. They graded some papers together, before starting on dinner. In about twenty minutes their favorite show would be on.
"You and the Kazekage? 'Just friends' right?" Ameno chopped up vegetables for dinner.
Naruto laughed, "No."
"So why do you hide it?" She then said, "Poorly I might add."
"We're kinda sorta a bit new. Like, we just started dating officially maybe a couple of months ago. I don't know. I guess I don't want to ruin his reputation in case it doesn't work out." Naruto shrugged.
"Oh."
"Yeah. He's the first jinchūriki to be Kage. It's important I don't fuck it up for him." he was the one that pushed the other to take on the job afterall.
"I doubt you could mess it up for him." Throwing the vegetables in the pan.
"He's dating a ninja from another village. So you have to admit that's at least a conflict of interest. If your council found out there'd be an investigation. Everyone of his decisions would be brought into question. My village would have to get involved. It would be a whole thing."
Ameno looked at him, "It's weird seeing you this serious."
"Sorry," he rubbed the back of his head, "I just don't have anyone to talk to about this…"
"What about Lord Gaara? Not much of a talker?"
"I meant someone who's not directly affected. 'Cause like, I tell Gaara, and he's like, 'well duh. I feel the same pressure, but like, a million-billion times worse, 'cause I actually live here-live here.' But, more how Gaara would actually say that… Which, I don't think he would say anything like that. He's really trying to make this work."
"And you're not?"
"No-no! I am. But he's, like, really trying to make this work. He set this all up for me to be as easy as possible, even though he works forever."
"I never thought Lord Gaara would be like that."
"Don't think just because you're my friend I'll let you get away with talking about him like that. I'm sick of hearing people talk about him like he's tra-
"This is more of an all alphas are assholes thing, than a Lord Gaara thing."
"Humph." Naurto crossed his arms, "Still."
"I'll be careful not to say it." she laughed, "if you can promise me not to be so serious. I don't think my fragile heart could take it."
"Fragile heart, my ass." he laughed.
"I am a mere delicate omega. My heart is too fragile for serious matters."
"Fuck you. Fine. Just don't say anything bad about Gaara."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Dinner was made, there was enough for the two of them and lunch for the rest of the week. Ameno had a habit of making sure they over cooked each time they made dinner together. Naruto thinks it's just a way to make sure he ate healthy.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
"Naruto," Gaara walked in announcing his entrance as usual. He had a long day and wished to be in his omegas presence. It was always better to end a day like this with Naruto.
"Oh! Lord Gaara!" She bowed.
Naruto laughed, "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
"I didn't know you had a guest," he said.
Then, both guests said, "I can leave."
"No. It's fine. Naruto clearly had plans. I can go-
"Nonsense!" Naruto said, "You don't mind if Gaara joins us for dinner, right?"
"Of course not, Lord Gaara."
"Naruto, you don't have to-
"You've been busy all day at work, and we made way too much for two people. Isn't that right, Ameno?"
They did make a lot of food for two people.
"I guess. Yeah."
"Great!" Naruto didn't notice or care for the hesitation.
The dinner wasn't as awkward as the last. They got along together a lot better than everyone else. She seemed to understand Gaara's still not the same scared child he once was. He was doing his best to be their leader. WIth his help, Sunagakure had seen great improvements. That's all she seemed to care about now.
"So, they are friends?" Gaara asked.
"No. The blonde hates him. Used to bully him like a real jerk. But he doesn't care, he wants the asshole to see that they are the same now. That he's going to be number one."
"Ah." This was obviously the type of show Naruto would like, "And that's their teacher."
"Yeah, but he's never taught a day in his life, and it shows." Ameno answered.
"I think he's a great teacher."
"That's because you learn best on your own." she said.
"He's really inspiring."
"He's never written a lesson plan in his life." She points at the tv, as if the man on the screen could hear him.
"You're just saying that because you have a crush on the other guy."
"I would never allow my personal opinions to affect my professional evaluations."
"Mmm-hmm."
They talked through the entire show. It was hard to follow the plot or the conversation. Gaara still enjoyed the night.
Sweet spring fruit ripping in Gaara's hands. Sticky viscous liquid overflowing from the source. Heat, warmth, wet, diving into the slick folds of Naruto's pussy. Movement so known to Gaara now, it was practically second nature.
Moans filled his ear as Gaara slowly woke up to the world. Naruto's eyes were closed. He wasn't fully awake yet, but his body was reacting so sweetly. Naturally complying to Gaara's whims.
Oh fuck.
Naruto was in heat.
They hadn't agreed on what they were going to do when this happened. The subject was brushed under the rug long ago. It was risky sharing a bed as often as they did, but Naruto did promise he knew when it was coming.
Gaara was pulled to the source of his wild temptations. His body was built for this situation. Naruto was an omega, and Gaara was an alpha. They were designed to be together. He could just let loose to his nature, give up his control to the pheromones that connected them.
Any smell of rot that once existed, was overtaken by sugary oranges. Begging for a bite. Such a sweet little omega. Needed an alpha. Needed a good alpha.
"Nnnha," Naruto woke up. Hands slid over Gaara's body, falling prey to his hormones as well.
"I think you're in heat." Gaara said, like an idiot.
"Don't care," lips kissed down Gaara's neck, "smells good."
That was all the encouragement Gaara's alpha needed.
Omega wants.
Omega needs.
Alpha provides.
Naruto was his. Now was the opportunity to show him. Gaara released more pheromones, to call his omega closer.
Naruto gagged.
"I have to go!" Naruto held his mouth, and ran to the bathroom.
Gaara called back his sand from reacting. Alpha instincts screaming at him to keep his omega in his nest. He knew it was wrong.
Throwing up could be heard from the other room. Gaara waited a second or two to see if it would stop. Maybe something from last night just didn't agree with him. When it was apparent that Naruto wasn't coming back, Gaara decided to join him.
Naruto looked dead.
Blue eyes glassed over, no longer in his own body. Naruto hugged the toilet seat as if his life depended on it. If Gaara touched him, he hurled. Coughing and spewing more into the porcelain bowl. When he was done a flush.
"What's going on?" It wasn't normal.
No response.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Still nothing.
"Can I get you some water?"
Nothing.
Even though Naruto said nothing, Gaara still left the room to get him some water. It was something to do. It was something that could help.
Gaara sets a glass of warm water by Naruto's hand, "You should drink it."
Naruto glanced over at it. Pathetically tried to reach for the glass. No strength was left in his hand to actually grip it. Water spills onto the floor with a clank. The omega looks to be on the verge of tears.
The wound on his neck was getting worse. It screamed of an omega in distress. Black putrid pus-like venom escaped the gland again. Gaara thought Naruto was getting better.
Fix it.
Fix it.
Fix it.
"Don't worry I'll get some more."
Naruto seemed to finally be able to see that Gaara was next to him, "'s 'kay. S'rry."
Gaara doesn't listen to him, he throws a towel over the water. Trying to cover Naruto without touching him. The fallen glass gets set by the bathroom sink, as he goes to the kitchen for a new one.
"Here," Gaara holds out the new glass.
A shaking hand tried to reach, he doesn't want a repeat of last time. Gaara knelt down beside his omega. Ignoring the putrid smell of rotten tomatoes burning his nose, his hand went to support Naruto's wobbly head.
"Come on," Gaara helped support Naruto's hand. It might be harder, but at least this ensures some water does end up in Naruto's mouth.
It doesn't settle. The water just diluted the vomit that now fills the bowl. Naruto's body wouldn't keep it down. Gaara sighed, he couldn't help.
Gaara called for a med-nin.
"What did you do?" She came out of the bathroom hot. Furious. Angry. Ready to fight.
It triggered everything in Gaara to respond with the same energy. In some sense he admired her for being able to stand up to him like that. This type of furry had only ever been seen from his sister, Naruto, and once his brother. No one else dared talk to him this way.
So he had to respect that.
However, his alpha had a different take. Gaara's omega sits in the bathroom throwing up, in pain, in extreme distress, and she dares to think it is his fault. He would never harm Naruto. He's the one that called her here to help.
Gaara takes a deep breath, he can't let the rage win, "I called you here to help."
"Bull shit." She stomps closer, "Naruto's experiencing severe Mate Rejection. Something I've only seen with patients whose alphas have died in battle. Since you're right here… What did you do."
It wasn't a question.
It was a demand.
"I didn't do anything."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not." Gaara informed her, "I'm not his mate."
"I'm serious, don't lie to me. Naruto's life hangs in the balance, and you expect me to believe you're not his mate. You're going to keep that bullshit up now?"
"I'm not lying to you. Naruto's mate abandoned him when he was twelve."
"Twelve? Who the fuck mates an omega fresh off their first heat?" She's not one to curse like this. She had always been a peacekeeper in Naruto's friend group.
"A missing-nin." Gaara got to unload all of his least favorite Uchiha Sasuke Facts onto her, "A man who shot to the top of some of Konoha's Bingo Book in a matter of days. An alpha who left him abandoned, bleeding out, five feet from a rising tide. A man who partners with Orochimaru as we speak. A man who reports said took out an entire army last week. A man who Konoha and, more importantly, Sunagakure have been searching for since that day."
Gaara conveniently left out that this 'man' was also twelve at the time.
Ameno's brain seemed to fill in the gaps with the worst, "Oh…"
"Yeah. So I would appreciate it if you stopped comparing me to him, and started helping Naru-
Naruto stumbled out of the bathroom. Somehow back on his own two feet, even though he looked like death. He seemed to have a mission to return to his nest, hugging the door as if his life hung in the balance.
"Hey, love. Sorry for scaring yo- Ameno! When did you get here?"
"Naruto. You need to sit down." She instructed. When one started to feel like they were to pass out. The safest thing was to reduce the distance from them and the floor.
"That's what I'm trying to do. I need to get back to my nest." he holds an empty trash can from the bathroom, "I just needed to get this."
Gaara didn't let this play out for any longer. Closing the distance between them. Sand ready to catch his omega at a moment's notice. He instantly supports the other's weight just in case.
"Love, baby, don't worry. I'm fine." Naruto tried to push away from the help he so desperately craved.
"No. You're not."
"Lord Gaara's right. You're experiencing extreme Mate Rejection right now. We need to get you to the hospital."
"I don't need the hospital. I'll be fine." He tried, but failed, to wiggle out of Gaara's arms, "I just need to take my meds and go to bed."
"Are they the meds Haruno gave you?" Gaara asked.
"No, the old hag. She gave me enough for a year before I left Konoha."
Gaara let Ameno know, "Lady Tsunade."
She nodded, "Okay, that's good. Where are they?"
"I'm trying to get them, but Gaara wont let me."
"Just point them out. Lord Gaara can take you to your nest, while I get them for you."
"You guys are over reacting…" Naruto pointed over to the kitchen, "they're in there."
Gaara lifted him up with minimal resistance. A few long strides and they made it across the apartment and back into his room.
"Is this okay?" Gaara asked before placing Naruto in his nest.
"We're already here, so you might as well." Naruto wasn't used to this.
Gaara shook his head, placing him gently into the bed, "is there anything else you need?"
"I'm fine." Naruto moves around the nest to get more comfortable, "This one actually isn't as bad as the others. I think I'm getting better."
If this was better, Gaara didn't want to know what was worse. Naruto could barely move ten minutes ago. How could he have possibly survived this on his own.
Naruto refused to go to a hospital. Said he just wanted to be in his nest all day. Which Ameno said there could be a shock if they forced an omega out of their nest in the middle of the heat. Ameno eventually left the apartment, with strict rules for Gaara to follow.
Gaara's holding on to him, rubbing his stomach trying to will the cramps away. Naurto was still in extreme pain. Gritting down on his teeth through each wave of what should have been pleasure.
Why are you hesitating?Remove the seal.
Gaara somehow appeared next to Naruto in a red room with thick bars. The walls were carved with intricate spirals on spirals. A dizzying effect of madness surrounds him. It reminded him of the space in his own mind that Shukaku resided in.
"Are you the Nine Tails?" Gaara asked the voice.
Golden eyes appear in the cage. A toothy smile next. The shadow of an all consuming beast made its presence known.
I am.The floor beneath them was coated in an inch of water or blood. It's hard to tell in the low light. Each step forward made a splash.
"I'm not afraid of you."
Good.You shouldn't be.
I'm here to help.
"He's lying, Gaara." Naruto appeared behind him, holding onto his stomach in pain.
"I know. I dealt with Shukaku."
"You can't remove the seal. It will free him."
"I won't."
Are you sure?Naruto needs to remove the seal.
If he does that I can sear off the mark the Uchiha gave him.
He'll finally be free of pain.
"Stop tormenting Naruto." Gaara commanded of the beast, "He'll get better on his own."
Who's chakra do you think he's using to stay alive?"You don't have a choice. If he dies, you go with him." Gaara knew this game. He's played it since he was a baby. Shukaku killed not to keep Gaara safe, but to keep himself safe.
You can free him…-