Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Between A Rock And A Hard Place ❯ From The Beginning ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"Where are we staying?" Naruto could all but help ask despite the fact they were headed for such a destination. And because of this fact no one bothered to answer the teen and simply continued walking as thought his question was never asked. Of course Sasuke would be the only one to take pleasure in frustrating the blond so much. But Gaara on the other hand, stared at Naruto's comrades and found it intriguing that no one was eager to answer him. Actually Gaara found it a little upsetting to see such a dysfunctional group. On any other circumstances he couldn't have cared less about how Naruto was the odd ball of his own team, but being that these were the ninjas expected to help them, it was much of his concern. He would not allow any screw ups because of their unwillingness to cooperate.

"You will be staying in the visitor’s district." Gaara simply answered on Naruto's behalf. At the time he didn't realize how big of a mistake he was making. For the moment he spoke, Sasuke had marked him on his hit this. Naruto however was shocked Gaara had bothered to speak just to answer his insignificant and even stupid question. The blond boy went silent as a graceful smile appeared on his lips from the sudden glimmer of happiness he felt. And all this time he just thought Gaara had been ignoring him.

The group made their way through the almost uninhabited town. Thanks to Gaara's guidance thy were able to reach Suna before night fall which gave them plenty of daytime to get settled in. Being that it was near supper time, Naruto was baffled when he didn't see too many villagers out when they made their way through. Naruto's first guest would have been that the plague had them so fearful to even step outside, but as he would soon enough find out; that was not the fear in which encased people within their homes.

"It's safer for you all to stay within the compound." Gaara warned, showing them the small apartment complex they were expected to sleep in during their visit. "If there are any questions or concerns, please keep them to yourself." Gaara explained; his blunt expression only adding to the awkwardness of his statement. With that said, Gaara quickly made his departure.

Sasuke had glared daggers throughout his escort and was finally relieved to see Gaara retreating. "Well that was very hospitable of him." Sasuke snarled testily as he dropped his stuff on the floor of the room him and Naruto would be sharing. Though he didn't take well to the news, Kakashi insisted it would be better to keep each other out of trouble. But Sasuke knew what Kakashi really meant to say: baby-sit Naruto and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Speaking of the blond, he was currently waltzing around their room.

Considering it was Suna and the town didn't get very much tourist, the room was casual and homey. "We only have one bed Sasuke." Naruto pointed out with a dumb expression Sasuke couldn't help but think made him look childish.

"Wrong dobe, 'we' don't have anything. 'We' will be taking turns having the bed." Sasuke directed sternly. Of course he wasn't going to sleep in the same bed as Naruto. That was the most ridiculous idea he had ever heard. Not only was he sure he wouldn't be able to sleep knowing the blond was just a few inches away from him, he was sure he would end up saying something too harsh to Naruto and end up where they started last night.

Grumbling about the decision he had no say in, Naruto hastily dropped his belongings on the floor by the bed. "Fine, do what you want. I'm going to look around the town so don't wait up, not that you would anyway." Naruto grumpily added. If Sasuke was actually worried, he didn't show it. He only settled onto the bed as Naruto walked out the door. Naruto wouldn't want his help even if he did run into trouble, so why bother trying to follow him?

Naruto merrily made his way down the street. It was unusually creepy since there was barely anyone visible , even from inside their houses. There wasn't even the calming sound of a family's laughter as they gathered round the dinner table. The roads were mere dust trails while all the homes were creaky stone huts that squeaked each time the wind blew by. Maybe they got here too late and everyone was already sick.

Suddenly Naruto's mirth spirit returned when he heard a loud thud as though something was thrown to the ground. Knowing that it had to have been a human, Naruto followed the sound until he was in the town square. A small well was located in the middle of a lightly flourished grove. By it was a young girl quickly filling a bucket with water from the well. Naruto quietly approached her so not to scare her away. "Where is everyone?" Naruto asked casually, suddenly grabbing the girls attention.

Her eyes hardened a little upon noticing him, causing Naruto to step back in fear. She simply turned back to her work and ignored him. Was it national ignore Naruto day, the teen thought to himself. "Um...did I say something wrong?" Naruto had to ask. Finally he got a more warming reaction when the girl lost her frown. Though it was not enough to convince Naruto that he hadn't offended her in anyway.

"No, you didn't say anything wrong." She answered before grabbing her now filled bucket for water. "But I'm not allowed to talk to strangers. Especially friends of that demon." She sneered at what Naruto assumed was her thought of Gaara.

"Actually I'm here to help you." Naruto explained with a calming smile. Despite his soothing nature, the girl didn't seem very well convinced. He couldn't lie to her and say that he didn't like Gaara as well, that would be wrong just to get her to like him.

"If you want to help, you'll get rid of that monster that has been plaguing us." The girl remarked coarsely. "Until then, you and your friends are not welcomed around here." Naruto stood there in complete bewilderment as the girl carefully lugged the heavy bucket to her home that was only a few feet from the well.

"What's going on here?" He mumbled to himself. He nearly jumped at the sound of a pot colliding with the ground. He quickly turned and saw a younger boy, crouched close to the ground as he tried to recollect the pieces of a shattered pot. Naruto quickly approached him and helped the boy pick up the rest of the pieces.

"Thank you." The boy chirped softly. He looked at the ground in what appeared to be despair. "Sorry about my sister's rudeness. Since our mother had taken on the illness, she has been developing the same ideas of the rest of the villagers. I don't believe the Kazekage would do such a thing, but there are only a few of us who share my belief." He explained. He stood back up, seeming to notice Naruto's head band glinting in the near candle light from the windows. "You're really a ninja?"

Meanwhile, one very stressed Temari was ripping her hair out. "He's been gone for three hours Kankuro!" She exclaimed, standing up from Gaara's desk. She had been doing all of his paperwork to keep herself occupied and not apprehensive about Gaara's disappearance. But that could only work for so long. Now she was in full worried sister mode. "What if he was attacked?" Temari speculated in a growl. She was more angry with herself rather than Gaara for leaving in the first place.

Kankuro tiredly rolled his eyes at how annoying Temari was being. Why should they even care? It was only recently that they developed an actually family-like concern for Gaara's well being. After all he always had Shukaku to protect him from any danger. But with the enraged villagers on a rampage, they didn't think that would be enough. "Or he could be having a wonderful time out with his girlfriend." Kankuro suggested sarcastically.

Temari growled at his cruel joke. They both knew hell would freeze over before Gaara dated anyone, much less found anyone interesting. And frankly they feared for the poor soul that would have to fall victim to Gaara's affection if it was ever possible. "if he doesn't show up soon, I'll have to got out and-"

"What are you two doing in my office?"

Suddenly both Temari and Kankuro jumped up screaming in surprise. Standing in the door way, looking pretty irritated that his siblings were going through his stuff and talking about him, was Gaara. "You're back Gaara!" Temari screamed shockingly. Much to Gaara's surprise, his sister's arms were tied tightly around his neck the next second. How did she even manage to touch him without the sand getting in the way? Was it the simple fact that he had never suspected she would hug him over this? A hug or any contact for that matter, had been completely forgotten to him for so many years.

"Temari, he's fine so stop choking him." Kankuro interjected before their sister was able to straggle the poor sap.

"Oh..." Temari murmured bashfully and pulled back out of the hug. "Sorry Gaara, but you really had me worried for awhile." She barked, instantly switching back to her usual demanding voice. Though she was inwardly happy yet stunned that Gaara would even let her hug him.

In fact Kankuro was actually beginning to worry about that himself. "Gaara are you feeling well?" Kankuro had to ask. Surely Gaara hadn't called off the sand himself. There was no way he could have known Temari would do that, so it had to be Shukaku's doing, but why?

Of course Temari would have been the one to take offense to such a question. "What are you implying Kankuro?! That Gaara would only let me hug him if he was terribly ill?!" She asked in furious voice. This had only succeeded in starting a fight between the two siblings. Kankuro had to try to convince Temari that that wasn't what he was saying at all, but of course she didn't believe him.

Gaara didn't take too much of a liking to coming back home just for he could hear them fight. With a dreary sigh, Gaara walked back out of the room. He couldn't help but notice a familiar chakra level off in the middle of town. Normally he would concern himself with it, but he had to check everything out. If the Konoha shinobi's left their rooms, of course they would have run into trouble in town. Gaara was sure of that. So without another word to his siblings, Gaara headed toward the town square.

He strolled through the streets without any concern. Since the illness had come, people had stayed in their homes whenever they saw him come by. Well at least the women and children. The men however, always seemed to grow brave the moment his back was turned to them and so they would try to attack him, though most were not any of the Sand ninjas. Tonight was similar to the rest of the nights. Everyone was either still eating or resting in bed, so he had nothing to worry about.

Such a theory was proved illogical the moment he could pin point exactly who the chakra had belonged to. With Naruto's sort of curiosity, it was pretty inevitable that the little shinobi would run into trouble in town. Gaara didn't realize he had quickened his pace upon finding this out, but before he knew it, he could spot the sun kissed skin of the boy as he walked across the street. Gaara was not one to call out someone's name when he spotted them, so he approached in silence.

It appeared that Naruto was helping a young village boy. That was a simple enough thing to understand, but Gaara failed to see why Naruto would need to use chakra for such an insignificant task like carrying in water. But he soon enough found out why. Naruto was leaning heavily on the well as he pulled up the pail from inside. The boy was anxiously waiting beside him with another pot. Gaara watched in curiosity as Naruto proceeded to amuse the child by making the water dance up out of the pail and into the child's pot with his chakra.

Gaara wouldn't have suggested he waste chakra on that, but simply seeing how bright and vivid the child smiled at watching such a performance, made Gaara revoke that train of thought. When Naruto was done he had lightly tapped the blond on the shoulder. Something similar to amusement tinkled within him when Naruto suddenly jumped at his touch, gasping in astonishment. The child also seemed to be surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Gah, Gaara! You scared me!" Naruto gapped meaninglessly. "You just can't walk up to a person like that!"

"I thought I told you to stay in you room." Gaara said in a deathly cold voice. He needed care how the boy suddenly took to hiding behind Naruto as soon as he spoke. Gaara was use to frightening kids, it was so easy and he never had to try.

"Well...I..uh..." Naruto tried to think of a reasonable excuse besides he just felt like exploring, but none came to mind. Luckily he didn't have time to answer before the girl from earlier came out side, rushing over to her little brother.

"Kaito! Come inside now before this demon gives you the same disease!" She threatened, tugging on her brother's hand." The young boy pulled back from her, immediately clinging to Naruto's waist.

"I want to stay out here with Naruto-chan!" The boy wailed. "He's a ninja just like daddy, so he'll protect me!" The boy insisted, slapping his sister's hand away from him. At hearing this, the girl quickly glowered at the blond teen.

"Stay away from my brother! I don't want him to get foolish ideas. Ninja's are all idiots! They rather die and fight than be with heir family!" The girl screamed, jerking her brother away from Naruto quickly.

"Sorry, I was only trying to help." Naruto explained worriedly. He never thought it would be such a big deal. It was a small, meaningless thing he did, yet the girl acted as though he had personally assaulted her and her brother.

"Alright, you can help." She barked smugly. She pushed her brother behind her and smirked almost defiantly at Naruto. This warily rose Gaara's suspicion of the girl. An uneasiness settled in the pit of Gaara's stomach; something wasn't right about her. "Kaito lost the hitai-ate our father gave him before he died, by the outskirts of town. If you can find it, you'll have our trust." She directed. The girl cupped her hand over Kaito's mouth before he could add anything or object to the challenge,

Naruto glanced around him, noticing night was quickly setting in. "Okay, I'll be back in no time!" Naruto left in a hurry though he had no idea where the hitai-ate was.

Gaara arched up a skeptical, non-existent brow. "if he is hurt during your little prank, I can guarantee the plague will be the least of your worries." His hard and dull voice proved to be just as intimidating as his grueling, cold, jade eyes. It was certainly odd to think Gaara cared for what happened to Naruto, especially on his own watch. He just didn't like how others thought they could take advantage of Naruto's kind and almost submissive nature. He couldn't help but pity the blond who saw the good in everyone and was determined to prove it. The words he said to him that day he was defeated was forever engraved n Gaara's mind.

Gaara had never seen someone so spirited and devoted to saving a friend. At this thought, Gaara rather envied Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto wanted to protect them so bad. that is a love Gaara feared he would never know. A small smile came over his lips as he watched Naruto suddenly go into a panic as he tried to find the way. "To the left." Gaara stated calmly. He amusingly watched as the blond marched onward in that direction.

"Come on Gaara!" Naruto yelled out. the red head came out of his admirable stupor and followed after the excitable blond. Despite this knowledge of them being on a wild goose chase, Gaara appreciated Naruto wanting his help. It was rare anyone wanted a demon's help, but maybe another demon container could find purpose for him.

"That dumb ass." Sasuke muttered lowly as he laid on the bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling. Since Naruto left he had nothing better to do than sleep and even that he couldn't do because he was actually curious if Naruto had gotten himself into trouble already. If so...then it would be his fault, wouldn't it? He let Naruto leave by himself. So if he were to ever get hurt...Sasuke wouldn't be able to protect him. "Get back soon Naruto..." Sasuke whispered to himself.

"Urgh! It's not here!" Naruto grunted as he dug another foot deep hole in the sand. He had been searching for nearly half an hour but he was having no luck at all. Gaara decided to help as well, though he would not get on his knees and dig like Naruto was doing now. But he was using his own chakra to push back the sand and reveal anything that might have been shrouded by it. Perplexing, is the only way Gaara could describe this moment. Why he was suddenly so interested in helping Naruto though he knew there was little chance of the girl even telling the truth, was something that confused and troubled Gaara. A part of him said he desired to help Naruto, to ensure that he was happy and safe. But what could have possibly brought up this feeling of longing.

Ever since their battle in Konoha, Gaara had always wondered what it was like to care for others as much as Naruto did. Even now he wasn't sure if this was equivalent to that feeling. All he could be sure of was that he felt at peace when Naruto was happy. Despite how little of a time he had to experiment this feeling, he knew that he felt a joy that he hadn't felt in such a long time. And to think that this one peculiar person was able to sparkle an emotion like that in him...excited him to no end. Would he be able to understand other emotions as long as Naruto was with him? Surely there was more than inner pain that he could experience before his time to live was up.

"Gaara! I think I see it!" Quickly snapping out of his thought, Gaara walked over to the pile of dirt Naruto was kneeling near. The smaller boy pointed earnestly at a small hole in the ground that wasn't even made by him, which could only heighten Gaara's worry. He could vaguely see a light shimmering from within the hole as the crescent moon settled overhead. "Kaito will be so glad when we give it to him." Naruto said anxiously as he shoved his hand into the small circular hole. He groped around for the headband and finally gasped as he felt something. "Found it!" He shouted, hastily drawing out a sand hitai-ate out of the hole and laughing jubilantly.

Gaara's eyes suddenly widened upon seeing who Naruto had disrupted upon searching for the hitai-ate and 'it' didn't look to happy about it. "Naruto..." Gaara whispered softly. When Naruto realized he wasn't getting the same excited reaction from Gaara for finding the head band, he turned back in front of him. His face paled a little at the sight of a large snake glaring right at him as it rose in the air. How could he had been so stupid not to notice the hole belonged to an animal, and a dangerous one at that? Gaara's eyes hardened as he recalled the girl's mischievous smirk when she told them to find it. She must have know it had fallen in their. But why would she be so cruel as to intentionally put them in harms way?

"Nice snaky...I didn't mean to wake you up or anything." Naruto explained nervously as he slowly scooted along the sand trying to make it back to safety. But as soon as his actions became too sudden, the snake lashed forwardly, immediately imbedded its fangs into the other's hand. "Ah!" Naruto inhaled sharply as he drew back his hand, the snake still holding on for dear life. Gaara hurriedly sent a trail of sand surrounding the snakes head and quickly squished it to death. The dead snake fell limply at Naruto's side, catching the boy by surprise. "Gaara! You didn't have to kill it!" Naruto exclaimed with a wince as he cupped his bleeding hand.

"It bit you" was Gaara's only explanation for his actions. He kneeled down beside Naruto and grabbed the boy's hand to inspect it. He considered it certainly sad that he hadn't learned anything about the wildlife in his own village so he wasn't able to tell if the snake had poison or not. Either way it would be best to take Naruto to the hospital, that is if the doctors would even accept him now that he was with Gaara. "We have to get that checked out." Gaara insisted, standing back up.

"Why? I'm fine really." Naruto replied as he stood up too. It wasn't like he had never felt pain before, but he had to admit the soreness in his hand was a certainly uncomfortable pain. "Let's just get this back to Kaito." Gaara responded with some sort of cat like growl at Naruto's own stubbornness but he would not try and fight Naruto over it. So he walked close to the blond as they headed back for the children's home. Only five minutes into the journey and Gaara was already beginning to notice Naruto's pace slowing and how he wavered in his step every few feet. It was troubling to watch and it had Gaara worried more than he had been expecting to be.

"Naruto...are you feeling alright?" He asked in a softer voice. There was no need for the blond to answer because he stumbled back the very next second. Gaara quickly caught Naruto against his chest before the teen could hit the ground. "Naruto?" An indescribable tightening in his chest caused Gaara to part his lips in a silent gasp. Naruto's cheeks were flushed with a warm red and his eyes were mere slits hazily staring back up into Gaara's concerned jade ones. A sense of frustration and panic came over Gaara and he hastily scooted the blond up into his arms. "I told you we should have gone to the hospital." He growled as he actually started to run for the girl's house. They were already more than half way there and surely she had some sort of antidote if she knew about the snake. Plus, Gaara didn't think he would be able to make it to the hospital in time.

"I'm....fine...really, Gaara." Naruto whimpered. His smiled was so frail and unconvincing, it made Gaara nervous with anger. After all Naruto's breaths were shallow and short while he was sure the blond was developing a fever. The wound on his hand was already swollen and red, gushing with puss. All easy signs that the poison was spreading fast. Gaara angrily kicked on the front door when he reached the house.

"Stop banging on our-"

"What the hell did you do?!" Gaara yelled at the girl testily. She quickly jumped back at the teen's deadly tone and the way his eyes twitched with fury. It took her a moment to realize the nearly unconscious blond in Gaara's arms. "Help him." Gaara insisted impatiently.

Not seeming to have a very high tolerance for this type of thing, the girl rolled her eyes and let the two in. "Lay him on the couch I'll get the antidote." She ordered, pointing into the small den as she rushed up stairs. Gaara carefully laid Naruto down on the couch; his brows knitted together as worry was the only feeling he knew at the moment. He found himself desperately wishing Naruto wasn't going to die because of something so stupid.

Naruto had so many dreams and ambitions. Gaara didn't want to see him die before accomplishing any of them, especially if it was his fault. He was with Naruto the whole time so he could have prevented this somehow. He could have shielded Naruto with his sand like before, so why hadn't he? "Stop whining." The girl demanded as she stomped down the stairs. Gaara furiously turned to her as if threatening her about accusing him of such a thing. "I can see it in your eyes, its not your fault so get over it already." She handed Gaara a small bottle of a thick substance. "Make him drink this."

An invisible brow quickly went up at this. So she was expecting this to happen. The girl was just so nonchalant about the whole situation and was even prepared for the occasion. As much as Gaara would have liked to severely punish the girl for this stunt, he had more important matters to attend to. "Naruto...I need you to swallow this." Gaara informed. But he had gotten no reply much less a nod of the head. The blonde's eyes were already closed so Gaara had suspected he was too out of it to answer or even move. He wasn't too keen on what he would have to do, but he made no objections to it.

"This better work." Gaara grumbled as he popped open the medicine and quickly filled his mouth with the disgusting antidote. He stared almost remorsefully at Naruto for he knew the blond would enjoy this very much; he was a freak after all. Gaara hovered just over Naruto, fear keeping him from touching the other. Please let this work...please... Gaara thought as he softly closed his eyes and lowered his lips over the blonde's. He was nearly terrified out of his wits at how amazingly soft Naruto's lips were and how he could simply linger here without any of the blonde's disregard.

Slowly and carefully, Gaara pushed the antidote through his lips and into Naruto's after parting Naruto's lips with his tongue. It was the first time Gaara had ever kissed someone, though he didn't really consider this a kiss. But this was not how he imagined it, nor this the person he thought it to be with. Not that Gaara was complaining or anything. If he ever had the choice, it probably would be Naruto since this was the only person to ever completely understand him. His suddenly trembling fingers lifted up to caress the other's throat as he lifted Naruto's head so that he would swallow. He inwardly smiled when he felt the surprisingly sensual motion of Naruto's throat taking down the medicine.

Much to Gaara's reluctance, he pulled back off of the blond. He could have sworn his face was glowing with how heated it instantly felt when he looked at Naruto again. Such bruised, luscious lips stained with a small amount of medicine that hadn't completely gotten into his mouth, made Gaara gulp deeply. "He'll be just fine." Gaara nearly leaped at the sound of the girl's unusually softer voice. He had completely forgotten she was in here during the time of the...transportation. "I never really thought he would actually go looking for it." She mumbled quietly. She couldn't help but feel guilty when she noticed the sand hitai clasped tightly still in Naruto's other hand. "Kaito will be so happy to see it. But I'm sorry about what happened to your boyfriend."

Gaara's eyes dilated at the title she had given Naruto. Were they really that convincing? Had they really looked like an actual couple? Simply being able to kiss a guy to save his life should have meant you were going out with him, right? Despite that obvious fact, Gaara had to give a tiny smile at the...compliment. He knew there was not chance he had of ever finding someone to love, but if he were to have a pretend lover, he would most certainly be happy now to have it be Naruto.

"You know, for a demon, you're not as bad as they say you are." Gaara stiffened at this statement. "I thought you were really heartless and evil. But just now...you looked like an angel saving the dead. And the way you looked when you first came here...he must have really scared you. So I figured, anyone who cares this much for someone mustn't be all bad. If you have a place in your heart for at least one person than maybe you can find it in yourself to help others too."

"....Thanks..." Gaara bashfully whispered in reply. He had never had someone say such kind things to him like this before, and never from anyone in his village. He supposed he had Naruto to thank for that. "You see that Naruto..." His timid smile widened only a little. "You are helping a lot of people."

To Be Continued…

A/N: Okay so maybe it wasn’t the fluff you were expecting, but still fluff none the less, lol. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter very much. I will update when I can, do please review! And it still seems GaaNaru votes are in the lead. I hope Gaara wasn’t too out of character in this chapter.