Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Heart no Kuni no Naruto ❯ Chapter 6

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Heart no Kuni no Naruto

by Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko)

Chapter 6

After witnessing such a scandalous sight, Naruto thought it best to head back to Sasori's but not before wishing Deidara goodbye before the March Hare had left for the amusement park. `What was all that about?' he wondered, the image of a certain pink haired girl and yakuza boss together playing over and over in his mind. `It was like something out of those cheesy chick flicks Ino-nee-chan's always draggin' me to see.' As he thought of his older sister, a sharp pang stabbed through his heart as the memory of her laughing and talking to a certain dark haired, dark haired man arose unbidden to the forefront of his mind.

The blond shook his head furiously as if that would cause the memory to disperse. He started on his way again and came upon a park bench. `That's odd,' he thought, `I don't remember any benches on the way to Sasori's.'

Naruto was about to shrug it off as being one of the many weird and insane things that populated Wonderland when he caught a familiar shade of red lying on the white wood of the bench. Cerulean depths widened in shock upon spying a badly injured Cheshire Cat sprawled along the length of the bench. “Gaara?!” he called, fearing for the cat boy's well being.

“Hello Naruto,” the redhead replied, grinning in spite all the blood covering him.

“What the hell happened Gaara?!” fussed the smaller blond, “Do you need to go to the hospital or something?! You look really bad!”

“I was a bit careless,” the Cheshire Cat answered, “I usually don't get hurt this bad when I'm playing around.”

“You gotta go get those looked at!” Naruto scolded, “Y-You're covered in blood!!”

The slightly taller redhead gave a wry smile. “It's ok,” he reassured, “We're near the amusement park. I should be ok if I can get to my room there.”

Naruto looked as if he were about to protest again, but then again he didn't know if they even had hospital's in Wonderland so said nothing. He carefully and gingerly as possible helped the injured cat boy off the bench and the two slowly made their way to Lee's park.

***************************************************************** **

The blond looked around the modestly furnished room. A simple bed stood at the far wall while a few shelves hung off to the left of it. A tall wardrobe joined the bed to stand against the wall at its right. A banner bearing a cat's skull and crossbones hung above the bed, fastened to the wall with a few tacks. Along the right wall stood several cases containing various sized guns; some were even in cases that hung on the wall above.

“Will you relax?” Gaara asked as he unhooked his collar and removed it along with the cropped top. He threw the ruined fabric to the floor, knowing one of the park attendants would probably take care of it. “I'm alright, Naruto,” he added before holding one hand up and started licking at the cut on top of his wrist. “If I lick them, my wounds will heal.”

“T-T-That's unsanitary!!!” chided the blond, carrying the unused First Aid kit he'd found in the adjoining bathroom. “They'll get worse if you do that! Now sit down!” When Gaara made no move to obey, Naruto grabbed hold of the Cheshire Cat's arm and dragged him over to the bed.

“That hurt,” hissed Gaara, his tail lashing back and forth.

“Sorry,” apologized the boy, “But that's what you get for being stubborn.” He then proceeded to tend to the cat boy's wounds. True to his feline nature, Gaara put up quite the fight, squirming, hissing and yowling whenever the disinfectant was applied to the many cuts and scratches littering his arms and chest. When Naruto had finished, the Cheshire Cat looked like a partially mummified cat with all the bandages covering him, one even hiding one aquamarine orb from sight.

“I'm really worried about you, Gaara,” Naruto said sternly, after returning the kit back to where he found it.

“You are?” the cat boy asked, blinking confusedly. No one had ever really told him they cared about him, not even Lee, though the park owner was being exceedingly kind by letting him live there with him. Then again citizens of Wonderland didn't need to worry for each other, not when they could all be easily replaced.

“I really think you should go to the hospital,” the blond pouted, “I don't think what I did will help much.”

“You're incredible, Naruto,” the redhead said smiling, a soft purr reverberating from his throat. “Arigatou,” he said again, still purring and licking the blond's cheek all the while rubbing up against the shorter boy.

“Y-Y-You're welcome,” Naruto replied, blushing profusely while fighting the urge to scratch behind Gaara's ears.

“It was a good thing, Lee was not here to see this,” the Cheshire Cat said, purring as Naruto lost the battle and petted one sand colored ear.

“Yeah,” the blond said, smiling letting the soft rumble of the cat boy wash over him and make him a bit more relaxed. “I bet he'd totally freak out if he did,” he added, laughing.

“Not really,” Gaara answered, rubbing his head against the blond, unwittingly begging for more of the gentle touches, “He'd be pissed if he saw me getting blood on his floor.”

“That's because you were hurt!”

“No,” was the redhead's curt reply, “I've been hurt worse than this. When Lee saw that, all he did was complain about how hard it was to get the bloodstains out.”

“W-Wait a sec!” shouted the blond, “You mean this happens all the time?! Just what the hell have you been doing when you said you were `playing around'?! No one gets hurt like that from playing!”

“I was snooping around Heart Castle today. I guess I wasn't lucky enough this time,” explained Gaara, acting as if it weren't such a serious thing, “I wound up in a fight with some of the soldiers.”

“That's not playing!!” bellowed the blond, “You could've gotten killed, you dumb cat!”

“Are you worried, I may die one day?” Gaara queried, amazed that someone should get so angry with him over something so trivial as a single life, “Besides, the soldiers aren't such great shots.”

“The heck I am!” Naruto shot back.

“What a weird thing to say,” the Cheshire Cat parried.

“It's not weird!! You're supposed to worry about your friends if they got hurt like that!!!”

“In your world perhaps,” argued Gaara, leaping from the bed and pulling out another cropped top from the dresser that was hiding behind the door, “But this is not your world. All anyone would worry about is the mess getting hurt makes.” Naruto couldn't say anything after that. Gaara did have a point. Wonderland was so different from his home nothing there really made sense.

“I'd like to know more about your world,” the redhead said after finishing getting dressed. He had sensed the blond's distress and thought a change of subject was in order. “I'm curious.” Before he knew what had happened, Naruto found himself in Gaara's lap while the cat boy sat back down on the bed. The shorter teen blushed profusely and gulped at the predatory gleam in the visible teal jewel.

“W-Well, um, people don't have animal ears or tails,” stammered Naruto, still blushing as the cat boy nuzzled his sunlit hair, “Though there are the cosplayers,” he muttered, shivering slightly as he remembered his dog obsessed friend back home, “they creep me out sometimes.”

“I see,” Gaara said solemnly and released the blond from the hold he had him in, “You don't like ears and tails then.”

“No!” the blond protested, “I mean yeah, your ears and tail are kinda creepy.” The Cheshire Cat looked away, visibly hurt by the boy's words, “but that doesn't mean I don't like you Gaara!” he added hastily. A tiny smile appeared on the redhead's face and the purring resumed.

“What else?” Gaara asked, anxious to steer the conversation away from his personal appearance and genuinely curious about the blond's home.

“People don't go around carrying guns and stuff like that,” Naruto began.

“No weapons?” the cat boy echoed, incredulously. His gun collection was such a large part of his life, he just couldn't imagine not having them.

“We have them,” continued the blond, “but we don't use them all the time. We don't go on errands carrying them like you do here.”

“That's odd. Your home is really strange. If you have weapons, you should use them. So I guess you don't use weapons much do you, Naruto?”

“Of course I don't!” spat the shorter teen, “I've never even touched a gun before!”

“You haven't?” If he had them, both of Gaara's eyebrows would have been raised in complete and utter shock at the boy's admission. Gaara then unhooked the chain connecting his collar to his belly piercing once more, this time it glowed and within moments, a gun was in the cat boy's clawed hand. “This one's my favorite,” he said with a slight hint of pride coloring his voice. “You can hold it if you'd like.”

“N-N-No thanks!” sputtered Naruto, jumping off Gaara's lap.

“You might like it,” purred the Cheshire Cat, the predatory gleam back in his eye.

“I-I-I-I said no!” the blond protested, “No means no, Gaara!” He turned to leave, suddenly desperate to get the heck away from the gun happy cat boy.

Once again, Naruto found himself trapped within the redhead's surprisingly strong arms and the gun was being pressed into his hands. “Good boy,” Gaara purred, as he forced the blond's hands to close around the handle. “Now hold it out like this,” he added, guiding the boy's arms until they were stretched out before him. Naruto gulped when he felt the Cheshire Cat's bandaged chest pressed slightly into his back. “You can shoot it, if you'd like,” the redhead whispered into his ear, causing the shorter one to get shivers down his spine at Gaara's suddenly seductive tone.

“I-It's too heavy,” said Naruto.

“You'll get used to it,” the redhead continued to whisper, “Go ahead I know you want to.”

“T-That's not what I meant!” the boy stammered, bringing the gun down, “There's a lot of responsibility when you have a gun! If I did go and shoot, I could hit someone if they just happened to walk by and kill them without meaning to! I'd hate myself forever if that happened!”

Gaara let out a laugh. “Stop thinking so much!” he chortled, “So what if you hit someone's clock? It's not that of a big deal.” He then placed a hand over Naruto's heart, “You may not get replaced if your heart breaks, but here it's different. There are lots of replacements. Especially for me.”

The blond whirled around and reached behind Gaara, yanking the cat boy's tail as hard as he could. The Cheshire Cat let out an earsplitting yowl as a fuming Naruto continued to pull on the furry appendage. “Naruto, stop!” he pleaded, tears streaming from his eyes, “I-It hurts!” His tail was always the most sensitive part of his body.

“That doesn't mean you should fool around with your life like that, you… you dumb cat!” the blond bellowed, finally showing some mercy and releasing Gaara's tail from his death grip. “So what if you can get `replaced', it's still WRONG to waste your life like that! And even if you did, it wouldn't be you, right?!”

“Yes, but…”

“That means I won't ever be able to see you anymore!! I'd miss you!! You've got that, stupid cat?!”

Gaara blinked for several seconds, letting Naruto's words sink in. “You're right,” he said, realizing the smaller one had a point. “I wouldn't like not being able to see you again either.”

“I'm not the only one,” Naruto started, “What about Lee, or the Twins, wouldn't they miss you too?”

“Don't think so. You the only one who's ever really worried about me.”

“You're kidding me!”

“No. I'm not. I'll be more careful from now on. I want to keep seeing you, Naruto.”

“Good. I'd really hate ya if you kept `playing around' like that. Your life and friends are precious. I know you don't think that way in Wonderland, but you really should!”

******************************************************

“I'm back,” a blood splattered Sai called as he entered Sasori's workshop, “I've got you a lot of clocks today.” He then pulled out a medium sized sack that was apparently full to the brim.

“Did you have to bring so many?” the redheaded Mortician griped, “You could have a bit of pity for the one who's got to fix them.”

“It's not my fault this time, Sasori-san,” excused the shorter brunet, “I had to add the clocks of the ones who got in my way. They kept hiding them and you want me to get them before they're broken, ne? Oh,” Sai said upon realizing something, “it's not like you to make a comment when I bring you clocks. How odd.”

“…”

“By the way, where is Naru-kun? I didn't see him around.”

“We had a… discussion about clocks,” was Sasori's terse reply, “it ended with him running out.”

“Oh? You weren't truthful with him? Why didn't you tell him from the beginning?”

“Hmph. You forget this world is totally different from what Naruto's used to. He's already upset and stressed as it is. I see no point in wasting time in telling him things that would only upset him more.”

“My, my, it looks like you've fallen for Naru-kun, Sasori-san,” Sai announced a dangerous glint in his dark eyes, “I've never heard you talk like that before. It almost makes me jealous. So jealous that I just might kill you, my friend.”

***************************************************************** ************

“So you came back,” Sasori noted, looking up from his latest job as Naruto entered the workshop, “And here I thought you wouldn't want to stay here anymore, after that last talk.”

“Yah, about that,” the blond started, “I'm sorry for running out on ya like that, Sasori.”

“Don't expect me to take you back the next time you pull something like that,” the Mortician replied rather uffishly, “Make me some coffee, then get to bed it's late.”

“You got it!” Naruto beamed and rushed off to ground some more beans.

About half an hour later, the boy retuned with two cups of the steaming black liquid. “Why are you still up?” snapped the clock fixer, blushing at the blond's current state of undress. “And must you walk around like that? It's indecent,” he added, indicating the boy's orange boxers with tiny green frogs on them.

“You told me to make coffee, remember?” he retorted, “And what's with the sudden interest in my clothes?! You never complained before. I've been sleeping like this since I've got here, you know.”

“Hmph.” The redhead took a cup and went back to work, ignoring the boy a he pulled up a chair and sat across from him.

“You sure work hard, don't ya Sasori? I haven't seen you take a break, yet.”

“Go to bed if you're bored, Naruto,” the clock fixer said while never tearing his eyes from his work.

“Nah. I like watching you. You're so amazing with those things. It makes me wish I was as good at something like you are. But you always look so sad when you're working.” Naruto pouted, leaning his arms and head on the tiny bit of desk that wasn't covered in clock parts.

“No matter how many times I fix a clock, it still gets abused,” the redhead replied sadly, “No one cares about them here. And since I'm the only one who can fix them, this tower is the only sanctuary I can offer these broken lives. That's why you always see me working. People may hate me for my less than social personality but where else can they go when I'm the only Mortician in Wonderland?”

“Yeesh, you're such a pessimist, Sasori!” Naruto quipped, “You don't get it, do ya? I bet those people see you as some kind of god.”

The taller teen spluttered his coffee. “Me? A god?” He gave out a bitter chuckle, “I hardly seem fit to be a deity, Naruto.”

“That's true,” the blond agreed, “Most gods are a lot less cranky. But I've seen ya work, Sasori. It's amazing! I've seen ya fix clocks I thought could have never been fixed. And you give people a new life when theirs get broken. That's something no ordinary person could do! Believe it!”

“…Isn't that why you ran out before?”

“Ok, so I'm creeped out by those after image thingies,” the blond admitted, “not to mention having a clock for a heart. But you don't scare me Sasori. You actually save lives and that's not scary at all! That's why I'm gonna do my best to help ya no matter what!”

Sasori stared at the shorter boy in awe. No one had even seen his despicable job the way he had. The Mortician was truly stunned by this rather strange, yet remarkable boy. “Whatever,” he said, choosing to take a small break for once. “B,” he added before opening the workshop door, “Your coffee still needs improvement, but it's not so strong this time.”

“Just you wait, Sasori!” Naruto called back, beaming, “I'm gonna make ya a cup of coffee that'll knock your socks off!”

****************************************************************< /div>

Meanwhile…

“…what Fate has decided?!” Kakashi shouted, “Don't give me that crap, Neji!”

The dream demon continued to smirk at the White Rabbit as he floated above the silver haired man. “He may be taking his sweet time,” he said, “but Naruto is starting to fit in.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, he knows the truth about the Mortician now and yet Naruto has chosen to remain living with him. Bit by bit, he is becoming part of this world.”

“That's good,” the rabbit man said, hope coloring his voice, “So when do you think he'd be able to love me back?”

“How am I supposed to know that?!” snapped the long haired teen, “Anyway, I thought you were content to just have Naruto here, Kakashi Hatake. You've gotten quite greedy haven't you, wanting him to stay and love you.”

“I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out of my mind,” Kakashi drawled.

Neji smirked again. “Can't help that,” he replied, “I am a dream demon after all.”

“I don't know what to do,” bemoaned the rabbit man, his ears drooping slightly, “I've never really been in love, so everything I've done so far has made Naru-chan upset.”

“You've probably been coming on too strong.”

“Are you saying I shouldn't woo him?! But Naru-chan has to love me! If he didn't then how was I able to bring him here in the first place?! Isn't that how it's supposed to go?! Someone has to tell him, once Naru-chan knows, I'm sure he wouldn't play so hard to get.”

“That could be problematic,” the shorter teen began, “Yes, Naruto may have some feelings for you, but there's more to you than you let on. The way you try to explain yourself just might make him run home instead. If you want Naruto to love you, I suggest you stop acting as if he were something to own and start earning that love. That's all the advice you'll be getting from me.” The dream demon began to fade from the barren landscape that was his dominion, “Oh and one more thing, Kakashi, Naruto is the only one who can know how he feels. I suggest you keep that in mind from now on.”

***************************************************************** ********

“Naru-chan…” the White Rabbit whispered, thinking on all the dream demon had told him and how his previous actions had once again upset his precious Naru-chan. He banged his fist against a nearby tree in frustration. He sighed heavily as he began to head back to the castle.

As he walked gloomily through the small village near the Clock Tower, a flash of orange and blue appeared at the corner of his single visible eye.

“K-Kakashi?” the blond called, nervously.

“NAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUU-CHAN!!!” the rabbit man squealed. He skidded to a halt halfway while running to glomp the boy yet again. Neji's words ran through his mind again, reminding him that he'd never win his Naru-chan's love if he kept that up. The White Rabbit stood stiffly as he stared at the blond intently.

“W-What's up?”

Kakashi stayed silent for several more moments then ran the rest of the way to the boy, wrapping his arms around him and trapping him in a bear hug. “It's just too hard for me not to hold you, Naru-chan,” he said, “I love you,” he repeated over and over.

“Look ya pervy rabbit!” the blond protested, squirming, “I already told you I don't!”

“I know,” Kakashi said, releasing the boy, though it was extremely hard for him to do so, “Then what do I have to do to make you love me, Naru-chan?!” he begged, a look of desperation on his face.

`What the heck's going on here?' wondered Naruto, `He's acting weird, well weirder than usual.'

“Tell me!”

“I-I can't,” the shorter one answered, “I don't really know if I could ever love you the way you want, Kakashi.”

“Naru-chan…” He clutched the boy to his chest again, burying his head in the sunsilk strands. The silver haired rabbit man found it unbearable to look at him right now. He felt for sure his clock would break if he had to look at him and see the disgust and pity in those oh so lovely sapphire orbs.

“L-Let go ya stupid, pervy rabbit!!” screamed Naruto shoving against the taller man again. As with before, Kakashi released him without further protesting on either side. “Kakashi,” the boy started, “if ya want someone to love you, then try being a bit less pushy and scary.”

“Less scary, huh?” the taller one echoed, “Then how about this?” There was a flash of light and when Naruto could see again, a silver furred rabbit wearing Kakashi's clothes stood before him.

`N-N-No way!' he sputtered, `Kakashi's that rabbit I saw before?!'

~TBC~

Sakura: Hoo-boy our cute widdle foxie's got quite the harem going here now that all of the guys are starting to fall for him. Quite the b'day gift for him, eh?

Naru: Hey, I can't help it if everyone thinks I'm hot. I got it from my old man you know!

Minato: Yep. That's my boy! ^_^

Sasuke: Great, just what the dobe needed, another ego boost.

Sakura: Oh shut it, gaki! You're just jealous you're not even in this one. Anyhoo, remember ppl, Naru can only have ONE hottie so keep voting for your faves. Good luck and let the best bishie win!