Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Between A Rock And A Hard Place ❯ Puppt Strings ( Chapter 21 )

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

Constraining grunts emitted from the tiresome form that stomped his way through the thick sand. As much as he hated to admit, Gaara had no patience for emergencies like this, though there had been few emergencies in which he had ever had good reason to be testy. The lives of others rarely concerned him, so he was never in any hurry to assist. But this time had proven to be different. Naruto had been his responsibility, and look what he allowed to happen.

That idiot Tsunade ran him off and now Sasuke was probably driving the blond crazy with his harsh scolding. That was if Sasuke had even managed to find the other boy. Gaara feared Naruto might be in graver danger than even he had imagined. So after nearly two hours had passed in his room as he listened to the guards scramble about in a panic, Gaara had tried to calm himself with peaceful words and expectations of Naruto’s well-being. Unfortunately he could not contain himself any longer when night began to set in. If they hadn't found him now, then there was a less likely time of them doing so at night.

He would find Naruto on his own, regardless of how dangerous it would be for them to be together in a situation whether either of them would be required to use their chakra. And if Gaara could, he would simply go off with Naruto never to return to Suna again. At least he would be with the blond for however long Shukaku allowed him and without making any of the others sick. It was the perfect plan, for everyone for Naruto who would either die himself or be depressed from the lost of a love. "I'll find you Naruto..." Gaara promised himself, forcing himself to move faster.

But with the sun finally setting and few light leading his path, Gaara was more likely to get lost himself rather than find Naruto. But he had nothing better to do than walk when he was not permitted to sleep. Even if he somehow managed to fall asleep without any consequences from Shukaku, he probably would not be able to ignore his present pain long enough to close his eyes. Since it was night, the effects of Shukaku's departure was strong as it was every night after his idiotic attempt. Despite the throbbing in his head and soreness in his limbs, Gaara walked ahead. Naruto was so much more important to him than this pain.

He was lucky enough to have received one clue from the man at one of shops in Suna before starting of on his exploration. But he wondered how that man knew Naruto was headed to the Land of Tea. But now that Gaara thought about it, he could have sworn that guy looked the exact same as a villager who had died probably five days ago. Gaara reprimanded himself for suddenly thinking of the possibility of that guy being a stranger in disguise probably trying to lead him off the trail, it was simply a foolish thought in which he would not remind himself of again.

The night was silent; at least with the exception of Sasuke's rough breathing. He was slowly trying bring himself to a calm and collect demeanor, but with Naruto having stayed in the bathroom an extra hour after receiving his yukata, Sasuke was losing it. Of course he had intended Naruto's arrival to be an embarrassing one, but he never thought Naruto would avoid coming out all together. Well maybe that was just in Sasuke's mind, because the blond hadn't just been waiting in their mindlessly until the Uchiha fell asleep. Sasuke was very much aware that Naruto had taken a shower while he was in there also, since his wild imagination refused to let him forget it.

So Sasuke was reduced to laying on the bed in mild frustration with his chaotic thoughts of how incredibly sexy the blond must look right now dripping with water from head to toe and begging for his love now that he was unable to be with Gaara. But even Sasuke knew these fantasy were far from whatever could happen in the real world. Naruto was never that superficial or fickle. And though he had been a pervert as a boy with his normal obsession with porno magazines, that was hardly enough to strike any lecherous bone in Naruto's body now. To Sasuke he would always have the mind of a child no matter how old he got. His thoughts would always have a pure intention to it.

"Damn it..." Sasuke moaned, rolling over onto his stomach and shoving his head deeply into a pillow on the bed. If Naruto didn't come out of there soon to give him a good laugh he was just going to die the poor pathetic virgin he had always been. Damn the hormones and damn Gaara most of all! But suddenly just as Sasuke was ready to give in to sleep he heard the light sound of the lock on the bathroom door twist and the door slowly being pushed open. He quickly jerked his head back up and glared at the timid blond standing in the doorway. "What the hell took you so long? You know there is only one bathroom in here you idiot." Sasuke chorused harshly, hoping that would be excuse enough for his bad mood.

Naruto looked at him with an expression Sasuke could not yet place. it was something a long the lines of remorse or self-consciousness, but more noticeably reluctance. "Sorry Sasuke..." Naruto murmured. He stepped fully out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Sasuke had taken account of Naruto's appearance as he stood there in nervousness. His hair was still patted down by the water from the shower and dripping only slightly over his partially bare shoulders. Because the yukata belonged to an older woman, the sleeves slid nearly completely over Naruto's tan hands and were half way off his shoulders. Thank goodness he had tied it tight enough to hold up on his hips, otherwise Sasuke would be cursing himself for bringing the thing in the first place.

Without further apology, Naruto came over to the bed and laid down, his back to Sasuke. "I'll try and find you something better to where tomorrow." Sasuke added hoping it would somehow lighten this mood between them. His only response was the barely noticeable nodding of Naruto's head from the back. For a long while Sasuke could only stare in bewilderment at the back of Naruto's head as the blond laid there. He wondered if what he had said put Naruto in such a down mood. "Um...good night Naruto.." Sasuke finally forced himself to say as he leaned over and turned off the only light he had on by the side of the bed.

He laid there staring at Naruto's outline in the dark, continuously wondering if there was anything he could say or do to make the moment more bearable for them both. He guessed the first thing he could do was get Naruto some real clothes. But what was bothering Sasuke the most was the question of what Naruto had been doing all the way out here. What was he looking for? Was there really a cure for the disease somewhere in this village or was he really trying to escape the bonds of Tsunade's command? Maybe him and Gaara had planned a secret meeting here so that they could run away together.

Such stupid thoughts made Sasuke cloak himself on the head. That was ridiculous, Naruto was never that well thought out or romantic. After a while longer of tormenting himself with impossible situations and scenarios, Sasuke finally convinced himself to get up and get some fresh air. As long as he was stuck in here the object of his thoughts, he would never be able to think clearly or even sleep for that simple escape. He rolled over lightly, leaning over Naruto to see if the blond was asleep yet. Cupping his hands closely to his chest, Naruto remained in a peaceful slumber; as far as Sasuke could tell anyway.

Sasuke stepped out of bed and lightly pressed his lips over Naruto's forehead after brushing back a few strands of blond hair. "You better get some sleep dobe..." He scolded the resting form. It was only times like these when Naruto was unaware of Sasuke's actions, when the Uchiha could be so bold as to hug or kiss him. But Sasuke saddened at the thought because it was rare he was ever allowed such intimate actions, especially when all their missions required them to be alert and very much awake. Unsatisfied with everything that had happened today, Sasuke woefully left the room, hoping Naruto would rest up enough to return back to Konoha with him in the morning. He would be stupid to let Naruto continued this impossible voyage that only seemed to be more harmful to his health than helpful to the people of Suna.

Just as the door closed with a soft thump, the limber form upon the bed stirred a little. Two crystal orbs reappeared from behind closed lids and stared blankly up at the ceiling. "I'm sorry Sasuke..." Naruto murmured, turning over to throw his legs over the edge of the bed. He had decided in the long time it had taken him to get out of the shower, that he would not risk Sasuke's safety for his own actions again. He wasn't going to forget this mission simply because Sasuke stated it as unsafe and pointless. He was going to save the people of Suna, even if it meant leaving Sasuke in the process.

The agile blond scampered to the other side of the bed, looking through Sasuke's belongings. Though Sasuke had been so rash as to leave Suna without most of his supplies, Naruto found a kunai with his shirt, that must have been taken out of Sasuke's pocket while he intended to sleep. Naruto quickly severed the long pieces of his clothing, making the sleeves short enough to cover only his forearm and sliced the bottom so he could move probably without getting tangled within the fabric. He had been courteous enough to leave it long since he was aware that along with his clothes, his underwear had also been disposed off back at the slave house.

After leaving a brief message for Sasuke, Naruto scaled down the side of the Inn and ran through the alleyway. Kabuto had to be somewhere in town, but who knew for how long? That was why it was so important he find him now. "Naruto!" The blond stumbled forward quickly upon hearing his name. He shakily turned around to find Sasuke standing right there, hands on his hips and a furious glare in his eyes. "What the hell do you think you are doing?! Did you honestly believe I wouldn't recognize your chakra leaving the room?" Sasuke barked out coldly. Did Naruto really take him for a fool?

Naruto's shoulders slumped down suddenly, his gaze drifting to the ground. "Sasuke I don't have time for this. I have to go find him." Naruto insisted. He stood back up only to have Sasuke violently shove him back to the ground.

"Him? Who's him?" Sasuke asked harshly. He stood over Naruto like an intimidating shadow, refusing to ease up on the poor boy. "I doubt you will find him if you are dead. And with all the mistake you are making recently, I wouldn't be surprised when that happens. You'll be no help to anyone when you are dead, I suggest you march your stubborn ass back up to that bed." As loathsome as Sasuke was about sounding like Naruto's mother, this teen was really trying to push all his buttons.

"I'm fine Sasuke! If you haven't noticed, this demon within me won't let me go down so easily!" Naruto snapped. "But not everyone is as immune to death as I am! And if I don't find Kabuto soon, you have the perfect example of what I mean!" Sasuke stiffed at that name. Kabuto as in Orochimaru and Kabuto, the Uchiha tried to clear up in his mind. Why the hell would Naruto want help from those creeps? Any offer those two had to make were always had serious consequences. It would be more of a curse than a blessing to receive their help. "Kabuto is an expert with medicine, maybe even more skilled than old lady Tsunade. If he doesn't know how to fix this, than no one will Sasuke. So I can't let you hold me up any longer."

"What? Really?" Naruto asked. Was Sasuke really planning to help him with hi search? He thought Sasuke hated Orochimaru and Kabuto for what they tried to do to him, so why would he even agree to stick with him when he knew they would have to run into them.

"You don't expect me to let you go off on your own again, do you?" Sasuke asked, arching up one brow in suspicion. Naruto shyly shook his head. "Now that this is settled, I want you to catch up on some sleep. We will start looking for him tomorrow morning. But you are going to need your energy up if we run into any trouble." Sasuke suggested. After a second of deciding, Naruto finally nodded. It seems there was no way of getting out of this now that Sasuke intended to watch him all the more closely.

A sinister smile played on pale lips as intense yellow eyes looked on at the heart-warming yet all in the same sickening scene before him. "Things are carefully falling into place." He said with a hoarse chuckle. "It is so amusing to watch these young lads fall over themselves because of their heedlessness." The man replied with idle snickering. He had a lot of time on his hands, even between switching back from place to place. But transporting from Suna to the Land of Tea was not much of a strain on his chakra, being he had nothing better to do with it as long as his arms remained to be as useless as they were.

"Gaara should be on his way here as we speak." The man's assistant replied, suddenly stepping onto the scene. "He fell for the bait I gave him hook, line and sinker. It certainly is a surprise to see how willingly both the Uchiha and the Kazekage are to give up anything for our little specimen." The younger male added with fascination as Naruto allowed himself to be pulled away into the room by Sasuke.

"Well he does have a sort of appealing quality about him, wouldn't you agree Kabuto?" He asked with a wide, snake-like smirk. Kabuto merely returned his agreement with a mischievous smile of his own. "I see why you were so fond of him the first time you met him at the chounin exams. Why don't you have a little fun with him before he's a mental break? I'll take care of Gaara, which should be fairly easy with the way the Uchiha has been laying it on hard."

"We don't want to break his spirits so bad Lord Orochimaru, so do be gentle." Kabuto commended before his superior disappeared into the shadows. He turned his gaze back to the two teens cutely arguing their decision over. "Enjoy him while you can Sasuke; who knows how much longer you two will be around for?"

To Be Continued...

A/N: It's just the beginning of a whole new world of trouble! Anyway sorry that it was shorter than usual, but I got what I wanted down in this chapter. Thanks for the fantastic reviews, I can't believe how popular this fic has become. I've only seen a few other GaaraxNaru fics that were this successful so I'm proud to be among them because they were all really great fics! Keep alert!