Cries of a soul

Kit

A knock on the front door disturbed the comfortable silence the two men had fallen into. Naruto jerked at the sudden noise; nerves frayed, and still on edge from his earlier emotional upheaval. Gaara automatically began running his fingers through his mate's rich, sunshine silk locks in an attempt to sooth as he spoke softly, "My siblings are back. Would you like me to send them away?" There was a pause as the blond man thought about it before shaking his head. "Come in." Gaara barely raised his voice, but he didn't need to for them to hear.

Their entrance was far more subdued this time. As the four of them made their way inside, it was Temari who spoke, "I'm sorry for any part we played in you being upset Naruto." To her credit, she seemed genuinely sincere. "Are you two alright?"

They shared a glance before Naruto shocked them all by being the one to answer. "It's ok. You couldn't have known, and I'm alright now." His voice sounded raw, but it came out steadily.

It was Kankuro's turn to speak. "Can we ask what happened?"

It was an innocent enough question, but Gaara was still quick to dismiss the idea. "No." With the firm declaration in place, a somewhat awkward silence settled. Naruto found it strange that, with everything that had happened since waking up alone in this house, this would be the first time he'd feel that way. He didn't want that though. He didn't want the relationship he had with Gaara's family to be weird or strained.

With that thought driving him, Naruto pushed himself to act normal, and to have some casual conversation. It took a while, but eventually tensions eased, and the group was able to spend a couple of hours catching up while getting to know the new people. Eventually, as the time ticked by, and the hour got late, yawns began escaping the human amongst them, despite efforts to suppress them.

With a gentle smile in place as she got up to leave, Temari said, "We'll go for now, so you can tend to your mate, but you look like crap ototo. You're definitely not taking care of yourself. Make sure you eat soon." Her tone got firm at the end, leaving no room to argue.

Gaara let out a long-suffering sigh, but was really only a little annoyed with his sister's concern. "Sure mom. I'll do that." He hid the warm feeling behind a deadpan face, and a monotone delivery.

In a flash, she had Gaara in a tight embrace. It lasted just as long, and in the next second, she was by the door, tongue out, "Mmmmmm- whatever you say kiddo. I know you love me." And with a quick wink, she spun on her heal, disappearing out the door. The rest said their goodbyes as they left; Kankuro pausing to rest his hand on Gaara's shoulder, squeezing lightly before going.

With the house quiet once more, Gaara started leading his tired mate towards the stairs, only to have Naruto pull them short. He easily allowed their progress to be halted, instead, turning to focus his attention on the shorter, tan man still holding his hand. He definitely looked exhausted, but there was a clear determination in his features as well that had Gaara interested in what was going on inside his head. "Is something wrong?" He got a head shake in answer. After another moment Gaara tried again. "Can you tell me why you stopped us then?"

A few heartbeats, and a deep breath later, "I was curious about something… something Temari said." Despite the curiosity, Naruto was clearly struggling to actually give voice to it.

Gaara wanted his mate to be able to say anything, to ask anything, and to do anything with him. He gave their conjoined hands an encouraging squeeze, and with, what he hoped was, a reassuring smile in place, he spoke, "You can ask me anything Kit." The nickname slipped out on its own, and Gaara felt, what he would identify later as, panic for the first time in centuries.

Nerves seemingly forgotten in favor of confusion, Naruto easily found his voice this time, "What did you just call me?"

Gaara found it hard to answer. He wasn't sure how said answer would be taken, and the last thing he wanted was to offend or anger or upset the man in front of him in any way. He wasn't sure why the passing thought he'd had earlier even popped out in the first place. 'Might as well just explain.' Before he did though, another thought occurred to him. "I'll explain if you agree to tell me what you were curious about earlier. Deal?"

After only a slight hesitation, Gaara got an answer. "That seems fair."

The vampire chuckled at the underlining reluctance in the blond man's voice. "Ok. I…. I called you Kit. It's short for Kitsune. I thought it suited you as a nickname… It kinda came out on impulse though." At the puzzled look he received, he added, "Oh, a Kitsune is a fox spirit, and Shikamaru mentioned you were probably a fox demon, so…" He trailed off at the mention of Naruto's demon side, worried he'd upset him again.

For a moment, normally bright blue eyes got a dim, distant look in them. It passed quickly though, and, with a sharp shake of his head, Naruto seemed to clear his thoughts. He was determined to stay grounded this time. He didn't want to break down again, especially so soon after the last one. With a smile that was only a little wobbly, but still met his eyes, he managed a response, "I like it. I've never had one. A nickname I mean."

The red-head breathed a sigh of relief; glad he hadn't upset his mate or caused him any additional upset. "I'm glad you like it." It was still so bizarre to Gaara that after going so long feeling nothing, he could so easily care about Naruto's feelings, and so naturally smile just because he liked the nickname he came up with. "Alright Kit, your turn."

"Right." There was apprehension in Naruto's voice, but he continued anyway. "Um…., like I said, I was curious about something Temari mentioned. She…. she mentioned you…. eating? I thought you didn't…" His eyes flicked to the wickedly sharp points that were clearly visible due to Gaara's smile. "eat." The last word was almost a whisper.

Gaara took note of the slight acceleration of Naruto's heart, the dilation of those deep cerulean spheres, and the shallowing out of his breath. "I think you know what she meant, and I think you like the idea." His voice was almost unrecognizable to his own ears. He'd never put such a sultry edge in it.

Goosebumps broke out with a shiver as Naruto swallowed hard. It was becoming increasingly hard to deny that he really did. Some part of him was still trying to tell him that the thought of his flesh being broken so someone could pull blood from his veins, and consume it should not be appealing, but it was such a small part by now. Besides, would it really be the weirdest thing that's happened in the last few days? And he was Gaara's mate, a vampire's mate. It would make sense to want to let his mate bite him then, right? "Would it hurt?" He wasn't entirely sure wear the thought came from. Pain hadn't even really crossed his mind. It was far to busy thinking very different thoughts.

Gaara lifted his hand to rest his palm against the warm flesh of his mate's check. The tender gesture matched the caring tone in his voice. "No. I would never cause you pain."

Naruto held Gaara's gaze, "Then do it." The vampire studied those lightning blue eyes, so full of determination, and hesitated. He didn't want Naruto to regret his decision later, when his head was clearer. Before he could voice any of his concerns though, his mate spoke again. "Gaara, I'm sure. Bite me."

Flavor exploded in Gaara's mouth as he pulled his mate's blood into his mouth; allowing it to glide across his tongue, and down his throat. Naruto's blood was nothing like the monotone taste of the human blood he'd been consuming up until now to survive. As he drank from his mate, he couldn't help the protective thoughts that went through his mind. Thoughts of how much he was in awe of the man in his arms. Thoughts of how he couldn't believe Naruto could trust him enough to allow him to take his life essence after everything he'd been through. Thoughts of just how lucky he was to have found him.

In that moment Gaara decided he would never give his mate a reason to ever doubt him. He would forever be the protector of the bright smile, and pure heart his mate possessed. Finished, he ran a red tinged tongue over the double puncture wounds that were left behind to close them. As he did, his mind became present enough to catch the moan that pleasantly caressed his ears.

Naruto was panting against the crook of Gaara's shoulder, entire body relaxed, and flushed as he allowed the vampire to carry his weight. A moment later, he pulled back half a step, blue eyes half-lidded, and blown wide. The experience was like nothing he could have ever imagined, and he had no idea what to say or do from there. Before he could even attempt to voice anything though, a gurgling noise filled the slight space between them.

With a smirk in place, "Is it time to feed you?" Gaara's tone was light with amusement as he teased.

Naruto immediately pulled back, blush still staining his cheeks, but his ocean eyes were set with a glare. "What am I? A pet?"

Gaara couldn't help himself as he ran pale fingers through the silken sunshine on Naruto's head. After a quick pass, he switched the motion so that he was patting his head lightly instead. Smirk still firmly in place, "Good Kitsune."

Blue eyes hardened into true sapphires, and, just for a moment, Gaara worried he'd miscalculated. Only for that one moment though, because in the next, giggles filled his ears. His cheeky mate was laughing at him, and all he could do was smile at the joy he was witnessing. Quickly leaning in far a chaste kiss, "Lets feed you, and get you to bed."

Naruto nodded with a smile, and easily followed him into the kitchen. A quick snack later, and they started their way towards the stairs again. It was late, and Naruto had had a long day, so when he stumbled, Gaara wordlessly picked him up bridal style, carrying him the rest of the way. As soon as Naruto hit the bed, he tugged Gaara down to join him. Not minding the invitation in the slightest, Gaara arranged the man so he was secure in his arms.

"I'm glad you found me." It was said softly, and slurred with sleep, but Gaara understood.

With a kiss to the top of his mate's head, "I'm glad I wasn't too late." Gaara wasn't sure if he was heard though, because a moment later soft snores reached his ears.