Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Home ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

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

He watched as the brunet helped pitching tents, not once did he complain as several of the bandits joked and attempted to hit on him. Gaara knew they wouldn’t dare take what was his, but the boy didn’t. He was impressed at this ningen’s control, obeying but never once striking out a many of the wondering hands.
Neji brushed the sand from his clothes, annoyed at how the golden stuff seemed to like to attach itself to every part of his body. He had just finished setting up the last of the tents and was now looking around nervously.
“You will be with me,” the redheaded hanyou said, causing the brunet to jump.
“H-Hai,” he said, following his master to the largest tent. Unlike the others, it was made entirely of plain white linen.
“You may rest, but we break camp at dawn,” Gaara said, moving the flaps aside.
Neji nodded in thanks, it had been rather tiring for him since he was unused to desert travel. “Um… aren’t you sleeping, sir?” he asked, curious when he noticed the hanyou hadn’t entered after him.
“I do not require that much sleep,” he said coolly.
“Oh.”
“You may call me Gaara,” came his master’s voice again before fading away.
It was a few hours later when the redhead did enter the tent. He glanced around and found himself unable to look away from the boy sleeping among the dozens of pillows that served as his bed. He looked absolutely heavenly laying there, his silky long locks out of the ponytail he’d been forced to now keep it in and streaming down his pale bare back.
The tanuki hanyou could resist and ran a hand through the dark chocolate. He gave a tiny smile to find that it indeed was as soft and silky as it looked. Curious as to see if the boy’s skin was the same, it looked so smooth, he brushed lightly along one pale arm and frowned at the slightly paler scar barely visible on the boy’s wrist.
He hadn’t counted on him on being a light sleeper though and was caught off guard. When he next blinked, he found himself lying on the linen floor on his back with a rather good looking human straddling him.
Pale orbs blinked, then the brunet jumped away, realizing who he was about to kill. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he apologized profusely, not knowing what the hanyou would do, “I didn’t know it was you, Gaara-sama.” He then dropped to his knees, eyes cast down. He was ready to accept whatever punishment he deserved.
He flinched slightly when he felt something cool touch his cheek. “It was my fault,” the hanyou said, “I scared you.” Neji stared wide eyed at the redhead. He wasn’t going to be punished? But he attacked his master! “I would have done the same,” he said making sure the boy looked straight at him.
“But I…” the brunet stared at the finger on his lips, blushing slightly at his master’s sudden forwardness.
“It has been hard for you. Go back to sleep.” He turned to leave, thinking it would be better if he found shelter elsewhere.
“M-Matte!”
Gaara froze, the flap still in his hand. “Yes?”
“I don’t wish to sound disrespectful, but why are you being so nice to me, Gaara-sama?”
He turned to face the boy. Neji stared back, shocked to see what appeared to be pity in those teal depths. The first thing that came to his mind was, ‘Why would a demon pity a human?!’ The second thing was ‘How dare he pity me! It’s true I may have been a slave, but I’m still a Hyuuga!’
“I don’t need your pity,” he spat, not caring if this hanyou was his master or not. His family pride was at stake.
Gaara glared at the brunet, but chose to let that little outburst slide. The boy had been under a lot of stress lately, what with him giving himself up and then immediately forced to walk with the other low ranking members of his troupe. “How was it you were a slave?” he asked, surprising the brunet. “Ninja with rare abilities are not slaves.”
Neji remained silent for a few moments, wondering if he should tell or not. ‘It’s not like there’s anyone left to kill me if I did,’ he mused coldly. To tell the truth, he was rather glad that all the adults of his clan had been killed in that attack. ‘And even if she did know how, Hinata’s way too soft to do it.’ There was an impatient cough, and he glanced at his master again. Realizing that it was probably a bad thing to keep the hanyou waiting, he began explaining.
“Even though I was part of the Hyuuga clan, my father was not part of the main branch.” Gaara nodded, he began to understand this boy a bit more. He too had a similar background. He was the only child of his father’s tanuki concubine. “My uncle branded me as a slave to the main branch when I was three.” Anger, hate and jealousy flared in those pale eyes. Anger at a fate he had no control over, hate for the man who was his father’s identical twin; born only minutes before, and jealousy at all the others who were able to live their lives as they pleased.
“You should have run,” Gaara said, glad that he had personally killed most of the Hyuugas.
“I couldn’t,” came the defeated reply, “If I did, my uncle would have killed me, and he wouldn’t even have to be present to do it!” the spat bitterly, “All he’d have to do was activate this damned mark and I’d be dead in an instant. He wouldn’t even have to get his hands dirty!”
What happened next surprised both human and hanyou. The redhead found himself closing the distance between them and drawing the brunet into a hug. “You are a slave no longer,” he whispered.
“But, you said…” Neji started, after the initial shock had worn off.
“Your life is still mine,” said Gaara, refusing to let go. “But you are not a slave. I also do not wish for you to take the coward’s way out either,” he said, his fingers running along the scar on Neji’s wrist gingerly. The brunet’s pale eyes widened in shock and shame at having been found out; he’d never told anyone about his failed suicide attempt, not even Hinata. He’d done it because the guilt of participating in the kitsune boy’s capture had begun to smother him, the blond’s shouts and curses haunting his every waking moment now.
“As a ninja of Sunagakure you will have some say,” Gaara said, bringing the brunet back to present.
The boy looked at the tanuki hanyou. “I’m to be one of your ninja?” he asked. ‘I should have known he’d only care because of the byakugan.’
“You do not wish to?” Neji’s mouth hung open, unable to form any coherent words. Was this demon giving him a choice?!
“Where else can I go,” he muttered forlornly. Going back to Konoha would only bring shame to him and his sacrifice would have been for nothing.
“You will be free to choose whichever mission you please. I will not have slaves for ninja,” the tanuki hanyou said again.
“T-Thank you, Gaara-sama,” the boy stammered, blushing.
“Just Gaara,” the redhead said, turning to leave again, “But if we are not alone, you must address me properly.”
“Hai,” Neji replied, staring after him as he left the tent.
“Go back to sleep,” came Gaara’s velvet voice drifting through the linen.
Neji could only remain where he stood, staring at the now closed flaps at the tent. He just couldn’t get that demon.

“Welcome back, Kazekage-sama,” said one of the guards, “All went well I trust.” Neji caught the bitter disappointment in the man’s voice, but said nothing. It wasn’t his place. He was the stranger here.
“I’m used to it,” the tanuki hanyou whispered, nonchalantly.
“That your new ghanima, Kazekage-sama?” the other guard said, leering at the brunet next to him.
“Quite a beauty you’ve got there. Pity you’ll be selling the girl,” the first man added, joining in ogling the boy.
Neji’s eyes narrowed at the ‘girl’ comment, but soon went wide with fear. Was that man telling the truth? Was this demon really planning on selling him? But hadn’t he said he was to be one of the village’s ninja?
Gaara glared at the guards, letting them know he was displeased at their treatment of Neji. “Let us through,” he commanded, giving each a warning glance to obey without delay. The swirling sand below their feet brushed menacingly against their legs.
“R-Right away Kazekage-sama!” gulped one of them and hurried to the gate. He gave a sharp knock and moments later, the gate swung open.
The redhead walked into Sunagakure, not giving the ignorant fools another glance. Neji hurriedly followed, still worried about what that guard said. Gaara turned to glance at the brunet. Seeing his discomfort, he surreptitiously brushed his hand with his. “That man was a fool,” he said, not noticing the boy’s quickly reddening face. “You will not be sold. I made a promise to someone not to do that anymore.”
“W-What do you mean, Gaara-sama?”
“I will no longer sell slaves,” came the hanyou’s emotionless reply.
Neji stared at him for a few moments, completely flabbergasted. What could have possibly made the feared desert demon change so much? All his life he heard of those who dared step foot in his sandy domain were hardly ever seen or heard from again. There were rumors of anything from the demon capturing people and eating them to the more likely capturing and killing or selling them off as slaves. From what he had seen, this hanyou was indeed not as fearsome as his elders made him to be.
They traveled through the village in silence a while, the boy glancing to gawk at the uniform sand colored buildings, which one could only tell apart by the many multicolored awnings, cloths and various other things used to decorate them. “Um… Gaara-sama?” he asked as they neared the largest building at the end.
The tanuiki hanyou paused and turned to face him.
“What does ‘ghanima’ mean? I’ve heard some of the others call me that on the way here.”
“It shouldn’t worry you,” he said coldly.
“But it does!” he protested, “I want to know it means! I have some ideas, but I need to know for sure! Please!”
Gaara sighed, “It means ‘spoil of war’.”
Neji’s eyes widened. He had thought it had meant something along the lines of ‘whore’ or something like that, since most of Gaara’s men spent the entire trip hitting on him and groping him. “So that’s what I am,” he said, “a war prize.”
The tanuki hanyou spun the brunet to face him, teal eyes glittering harshly in the sunlight. “I meant what I said back then,” he said, holding onto Neji’s shoulders, “You are not to be a slave here. They are fools who don’t know any better. You may be serving me, but not as a slave.”
Neji stared at him, trembling. Those hard eyes both frightened him and excited him at the same time. In all the time he’d been with him, he’d never seen Gaara so alive. The demon had usually kept his emotions well hidden and he barely spoke anymore than was necessary. He was certainly like this vast golden land, harsh and beautiful, yet many secrets lay hidden beneath the surface.
Wait a minute! Did he say beautiful?! The boy felt himself blush as the teal eyes continued to stare at him. To him they were like the water in the oasis they had stopped at a few days earlier.
“We should go,” Gaara said, heading into the palace.
Neji blinked a few more moments, then rushed to follow, the hanyou’s words and the strange new emotions stirred by them running through his befuddled mind.
Temari and Kankurou, who had been watching the exchange from a safe distance, stood and stared after their half-brother. “Looks like Naru-kun’s got competition,” the blonde said smirking.
“Gee, ya think?!” her brother quipped, “They were practically all over each other.”
“It’s nice to see that Gaara’s finally found someone.”
“Yeah, but does that kid know what he’s getting into? It’ll go bad if he don’t like him back.”
Temari gave a smirk resembling the cat that got the canary. “I doubt that. Poor guy looked like he had the worst case of sunburn.” With that, she walked away from him and into the palace.
Kankurou shrugged his shoulders and followed. “I just don’t get girls,” he grumbled under his breath.

“Gaara-sama you’re back!” A yellow blur then launched itself at the Kazekage and nearly sent the redhead crashing to the floor.
The tanuki hanyou let out a soft chuckle as he pried the fox boy off. “I missed you too, Naruto,” he said warmly. The brunet standing behind him looked guiltily at the blond hanyou, the guilt rising upon seeing the boy’s now blind eyes.
“Hey, who’s that with ya?” Naruto asked, sniffing the air and catching a new scent.
“This is Neji,” the other hanyou said, pushing the brunet gently forward, “He is a new ninja.”
“Oh! Nice ta meetcha Neji-san!” the fox boy chirped. He frowned when the new person wouldn’t shake his hand. He narrowed his eyes in confusion and hurt.
“I don’t deserve your kindness,” Neji spoke, kneeling before the blind hanyou, “I was one of those who took part in your capture.”
There was a sharp gasp from the fox hanyou. Then he turned to glare at the redhead. “What’s going on Gaara-sama?!” he demanded.
“Calm down, Naruto,” came the cool response, “This ningen has offered to serve me in exchange for Konoha’s further safety.” The fox boy gasped again, then blinked and stared sightlessly between the two.
“Y-You didn’t do what I think you did, did you?” he stammered. True, he had been angry at the ningen for capturing him then handing him over to the naga like he was a piece of juicy steak, but he didn’t wish them any harm. “Oh gods you did!” he cried after the long silence and the other hanyou’s refusal to answer. “How could you! They didn’t do anything to you!”
“I did if for you,” Gaara said, reaching out to touch the blond’s cheek, only to have it slapped away. “They had to be taught to respect our kind.”
“That doesn’t make it right!” spat Naruto, tears spilling down his cheeks. “I thought you were a good guy Gaara-sama, but you’re no better than that ‘weasel/bird guy’!” The blond whirled and stomped down the hallway.
“Naruto!” called Gaara, deeply hurt at his words. His most precious friend had likened him to Itachi!
“It’s my fault,” Neji said apologetically, “I shouldn’t have told him.”
The redhead turned to face his newest servant. “He would have found out eventually. But he is right. I am no better than those who hurt him.” He turned away and returned to his now empty room.
“Gaara…” Neji murmured heartbrokenly. It was pretty obvious he just ruined things with the tanuki hanyou’s lover.
He started when he felt someone touch his shoulder. Looking around, he saw Gaara’s sister standing next to him. “It was Gaara who found the kid,” she said, “He had been dumped out in the desert a couple days from here, left to die.” Neji gasped, but said nothing, waiting for her to go on. “Poor guy had wounds all over his body and was suffering from desert fever. The whole time he was sick, Gaara never left his side. We had to practically drag him away to eat and work. I don’t know what it is about that kid, but he managed to get our brother to act a bit more human. He’d smile when Naru-kun was around. It’s like he’s a completely different person whenever he sees the kid.”
“Yeah,” Kankurou said, joining them, “It was because of that runt that he vowed to stop selling off the people we’d capture.”
‘So that’s why,’ Neji mused.
“When Gaara found out who was responsible,” Temari said again, “He tortured and killed them. He would have done the same to that naga if he hadn’t already been killed.” The boy’s pale eyes widened in shock and fear, “Gaara’s always been that way. He was never treated nicely by our people as you saw earlier.” Neji nodded.
“It’s because of that he gets touchy whenever hanyou are concerned,” Kankurou added.
“So th-they’re not…” the brunet stammered, blushing slightly.
“Lovers?” Temari asked laughing wholeheartedly. “Don’t I wish! It’d be good for him to have someone to love.”
“He just sees the runt like a baby brother or something,” said Kankurou, “Says he’s ‘precious’ to him.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t let what happened get to you,” the blonde said with a wink, heading off to her own room, “Just be there for him, ok?”
“T-T-Temari-san!” Neji stammered, blushing even more than his cousin could ever blush.
“Stop teasing the kid,” Kankurou scolded. He then started for his room as well, but not before turning to him and saying, “Don’t pay any attention to her. She just likes to tease people. But she’s right, though. Don’t let it get to you. Things always have ways of turning out ok.”
Neji stared after the older Suna siblings. ‘I hope they’re right,’ he prayed.


As Kankurou had said, things did turn out to be alright. Naruto did eventually forgive the tanuki hanyou, but still refused to stay any longer in his room. Gaara had been heartbroken at that, but Neji made sure his master didn’t have much time to dwell on it.
The brunet would constantly make sure to distract the redhead with village work or the occasional caravan raid. He didn’t approve of that of course, but he was a Suna ninja now so he resigned himself to a life of banditry.
He received a major shock a few weeks after the blond hanyou’s outburst when Gaara had insisted that the brunet would now be sharing a room with him. The boy had refused at first, believing that the hanyou had gone back on his word and was now going to make him a slave after all. But when the redhead had explained it was because he was lonely; well not exactly in those words, but Neji did get the sense that that was the reason; the brunet reluctantly acquiesced.
That was almost a year ago.
Neji smiled, remembering how hard it had been for the two of them to realize they had each fallen for the other. A small chuckle left his lips as he reminisced at their first kiss, how clumsy it had been. It had been an accident really. He had been knocked onto his back by the tanuki hanyou during a training session and when he attempted to get up; he found he had his mouth connected to the redhead’s.
“What’s funny?” Gaara looked up from his desk at his love’s chuckling.
“Just remembering our first kiss,” he said, blushing at being caught.
Gaara smiled. He loved the way the ningen blushed so easily. He also loved the fact that he was his and only his. Many of the other ninja and bandits had tried many a time to entice Neji into having ‘some fun’, but a quick glare from him scared off all attempts.
There was more silence for a while, each just enjoying the other’s company as Gaara worked on various documents. There was a knock on the office door and the tanuki hanyou glared at it, not liking his peace interrupted. “What?” he called sharply.
A guard appeared, timidly opening the door. “K-Kazekage-sama,” he stammered, eyes glued to the floor, “T-There’s a demon at the gate. H-He’s demanding t-to s-speak with you.”
“Tell him to go away,” came the cold response.
“W-We d-did, b-but h-he r-re-refuses t-to l-leave.”
Sighing, Gaara nodded and got up. Why were his guards so inept? Did he have to always handle every demon that showed up? “Fine I’ll speak to him.”
“Shall I come, Gaara-sama?” Neji asked, quickly adding the –sama for the guard hadn’t left.
“If you wish,” he said, passing by the guard, “You are dismissed,” he said to the shaking man. With a quick nod, he ran off in the opposite direction.
Minutes later found Gaara and Neji standing at Sunagakure’s gate. “I’m here,” the tanuki hanyou spat angrily, “What do you want?” Gaara’s eyes widened upon recognizing the purple, black, and silver scales of the demon’s tail.
The demon lowered his hood and smirked, “Is that how you greet an ally, Gaara-kun?” he hissed.
“You were dead, Orochimaru,” the tanuki hanyou said glaring at the naga.
Neji glared along with his lover, but being the genius he was, said nothing choosing to wait for further information before attacking the demon whom had terrorized his village for years.
“I almost was,” replied the snake demon bitterly, “that tengu brat student of mine almost succeed that time.” He then went to explain about how he’d been betrayed by his student and servant, how they had somehow managed to poison him. “When I came to, I found out it was two weeks later. That slut Kabuto was nothing but a pile of ashes and the brat had completely vanished. I had to practically drag myself back to the demon village of Otogakure for medical help.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here!” spat Neji.
The naga’s golden eyes fixed themselves on the brunet. “I see you’ve got yourself a new pet, and still feisty too. You really ought to train them better.”
Gaara growled, the sand swirling angrily around them. “Answer him!” he demanded.
The naga laughed, “My, my, my, hit a nerve did I?” he asked teasingly. The sand began to squeeze the purple, black, and silver tail threateningly. The snake demon let out a pained hiss. “If you really must know, I came to get what is mine,” he said, eyeing Gaara warily.
“And what would that be?” the tanuki hanyou asked, glaring just as icily.
“I’m sure you know Gaara-kun.”
“Naruto is happy here, I will not let you rob him of that.”
Neji’s pale eyes widened. This demon was here for Naruto?! And what did he mean by the fox hanyou being his? The brunet’s eyed narrowed in anger at the naga before them. Even if Gaara hadn’t refused to hand the blond over, he himself would make sure that monster never get his filthy hands on his smaller friend.
They may have started on the wrong foot, but he and the fox hanyou were close friends. He would often take the boy out for some tea and cake or just read to him as he sat by one of the palace’s many windows. As much he loved Gaara, he also enjoyed his times with the little fox hanyou. He’d rather die than let anything happen to Naruto. He would gladly sacrifice his life for him, just as he would his redheaded lover.
“How did you even know he was here?” Neji asked, hoping to keep the demon talking long enough for him to come up with a solution to this.
“If you must know, little leaf ningen,” Orochimaru said, smirking at the brunet’s gasp, “Oh I know you’re from what’s left of that vile village. I’d know that stench anywhere.” His nostrils flared and he had a look of disgust on his face, as if he’d smelled something foul. “I sent a few of my best ninja in search of my Naruto. Imagine my surprise that my dear friend here has been keeping him for me.”
“And you decide to collect him now?!” Gaara spat, “After abandoning him for over a year?!”
Pale and teal eyes widened at the sudden look of sadness and regret on the naga’s face. “Believe you me, Gaara-kun,” he said solemnly, “hadn’t I been so ill for so long, I would have come for him immediately. It took me months to recover from that slut’s poison! It took many more months for my ninja to locate Naruto. Now, it’s been a long trip, I’m tired and I want my fox brought here immediately!”
“I’m not letting you have him!” Neji spat defiantly.
“You’d better control that pet of yours Gaara-kun before something unfortunate happens to him,” Orochimaru hissed. Neji returned the glare, though he found himself paralyzed by the naga’s barely controlled intent to kill.
“Stay out of this Neji,” Gaara said coldly, “It doesn’t concern you.”
“The hell it does Gaara! Naruto’s my friend!”
The tanuki hanyou whirled around and glared at him, fists clenched at his side. “You will do as I say. I am Kazekage am I not?!” Neji gulped at the fury he saw within those usually stoic eyes.
“H-Hai, Gaara-sama,” he said brokenheartedly.
“He is right however,” the redhead said, facing the naga once again, “I will not give Naruto to you.”
“Is that so? Why not let him decide?” Orochimaru asked, certain the little fox would eagerly run into his open arms. Gaara stood silent, desperately trying to figure a way out of this and to keep the blond with them. “Well? I’m waiting.”
Upon seeing no other way out, the tanuki hanyou turned to his lover. “Neji fetch Naruto.”
“But…” he protested. That earned another glare and he quickly made to obey. He paused when he felt Gaara grip his shoulder. “Let the snake see for himself that Naruto wants nothing to do with him.” Realizing that he had a point, Neji nodded and ran off to get the blond.

“M-M-Master?!” Naruto cried upon hearing that angry voice. He’d never be able to forget it. The memory of what the weasel/tengu put him through still haunted his nights every now and then. The poor boy started to shake terribly and nearly fainted. Gaara seeing this quickly ran to his side and wrapped his arms around him, holding him steady.
“Start explaining Sabaku,” he hissed, golden eyes glinting murderously.
“It was Itachi,” was all he said in defense. Orochimaru let out a hissing snarl, inwardly cursing himself for ever starting that business relationship with the tengu hanyou. During all that time he’d been courting and loving the kitsune boy, he’d forgotten that Itachi would be coming to collect the ‘leftovers’.
“Tell me the bastard’s dead because if he isn’t, he will be after I’m through with you!”
“I saw to it personally,” Gaara said, emotionlessly. “He and his partner will never leave the desert again alive or otherwise.”
Orochimaru nodded, somewhat placated. He knew too well of Gaara’s preferred style of punishment. “Good, one less thing for me to worry about. Now hand him over.”
Naruto whimpered and hid his face against the taller hanyou’s chest. “G-Gaara-sama?” he asked pleadingly.
“What do you want Naruto?” Gaara asked, rubbing the blond’s back, while glaring at the naga, not for an instant taking his eyes off him. “You can stay.”
“I don’t know what that scum did to you,” Orochimaru said, carefully approaching the blond, not daring to touch him while he had an angry tanuki glaring at him. “But you’ll be safe with me. Of that you can be sure.”
Naruto whimpered, but snuck a sightless glance at the naga. “Y-Y-Y-You’re n-n-not g-g-gonna hurt me?” he stammered.
“Never, little one,” he said gently, surprising both Gaara and Neji with his uncharacteristic kindness and sincerity. “Have you forgotten how much I love you?”
“B-But…”
“It wasn’t him, remember?” Gaara said soothingly, “What happened was a genjutsu of that sick bastard’s.”
“M-M-Master?” Naruto asked, turning once more to face the naga.
Orochimaru’s face fell and his heart broke at the broken boy that had once been a vivacious and happy kitsune hanyou. “What he says is true, Naru-chan. I would never harm you, my kitsune. Can you remember why?”
“B-Because you love me?” the blond asked timidly.
The naga chuckled, but it was hallow. “Yes, but there was another reason, do you remember what I told you about Minato?”
“H-He was your… your friend.”
“That’s right. But what else?”
“Y-You loved him. A-And t-the ningen…”
“What else Naru-chan? Surely you must remember the most important part.”
Naruto was silent for several moments before answering in a tiny whimpering voice, “I-I loo-look like…”
“Yes, my Naruto,” the snake demon said, the longing to hold his smaller love too great. He wrapped his arms around the still trembling blond. “It’s because you remind me of my Minato so much that I would never cause you any harm. Please, come home. It’s just not the same without your antics.”
“G-Gaara-sama?” the blond asked, confused as what he should do. He still loved Orochimaru and always will, but he’d come to love the redhead, Neji, and the tanuki hanyou’s siblings as well. He felt as though his heart was being torn in two.
“I would have you stay,” Gaara said, placing a hand on the blond’s cheek, “But it is for you to decide.”
The blond looked sightlessly at the two of them, his sunshine lit head darting back and forth as he tried to make up his indecisive mind.
“If you truly wish to stay, Naru-chan,” the naga said, forcing himself to release the boy, “then I will not stop you. I am glad I got to see you one last time. Keep him safe Sabaku.” He turned to leave, not wishing to see the boy’s happy face as he was being lead back into the village.
“M-Master!” Naruto called, running up to him and grabbing hold of his waist. “Stay!” he begged.
“Naruto?”
“Stay with Gaara-sama and me!”
Orochimaru turned around, pushing the boy away gently, smiling sadly. “You know I can not, Naru-chan. I am not a desert creature. My place is in Rice Country. In Oto.”
The blond glanced back at the redhead; he had an unreadable expression on his face. Naruto couldn’t see it, but he had been able to feel it. He felt the air move as the taller hanyou nodded, telling the boy it would be alright.
“I won’t be alone,” Gaara said, clasping Neji’s hand, causing the brunet to jump and blush.
“I can come and visit?” he asked both the redhead and the naga.
“Of course we will little one. Any time you wish,” Orochimaru said ruffling the sun silk hair before pulling his hood back up; the desert sun was starting to reach close to its highest point.
“You will always be welcome in Suna,” Gaara said, sad to see his precious Naruto to go. He somehow knew the blond would leave someday, he just never thought it’d really happen. “I’ll be right here, waiting.”
“N-Neji-san too?”
“Hai, Naruto,” the ningen said, smiling. “I’ll be ready with a new book for you ok?”
The kitsune hanyou sniffled, but quickly wiped any tears away before they escaped. He didn’t want to cry in front of his master. “Y-You’d better!” he called back, putting on his best grin.
“Ready to go home, love?” the naga asked, scooping him up, making the blond ‘eep’ in surprise.
“H-Hai,” he murmured, blushing. He let the naga pull him close and he laid his head against his chest.
“Snake!” Gaara called as he made to start out into the desert. Orochimaru paused, glancing at the tanuki hanyou over his shoulder. “If anything happens to him while in your care…” he let the rest hang, knowing the naga would get the message loud and clear.
“You needed worry Gaara-kun. Naru-chan is as safe with me as he was within your walls. I would die before any harm would come to him.”
The redhead nodded, pleased with Orochimaru’s answer. “Be gentle with him,” Neji called, “whatever he’s been through has made him fragile. It’ll take time for him to get used to you again.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, ningen,” the naga replied, glancing at the blond bundle in his arms. He smiled lovingly upon seeing the kitsune hanyou had fallen asleep almost immediately. It had been a trying day after all.
Naruto pretended to be asleep as the naga began carrying him back across the desert. “How I’ve missed you, my little kitsune,” he heard him whisper. “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t protect you better.” He felt gentle kisses being placed on his eyelids.
“You’re here now,” he whispered back, surprising himself as well as the naga by wrapping his arms around his neck.
“Yes I am,” Orochimaru replied, smiling.
Naruto said nothing else. It wasn’t needed. He just smiled back, letting the sound of the naga’s tail slithering across the golden sands and the naga’s steady heartbeat lull him to sleep. He was heading home.

Sakura: Waaaahhh!!!! Don’t you just love teary happy endings? T_T

Naruto: WTF is wrong with you lady?!! You stuck me with that snake freak again!!!

Sakura: Aww, but you’re such a kawaii couple Naru-chan. And anyway, look at it this way; it’s a ‘good’ Orochi-sama. It could have been worse. I’ve seen a couple where you’re the Akatsuki’s slut toy.

Naruto: G-Good point.

Itachi: Is he really?

Sakura: Would you like to see Ita-kun? I could show you where on FF.net.

Naruto: Don’t you dare show him!! You’ll give him ideas!!!

Sakura: Too late kit. There’s oodles of Ita/Naru stuff out there. FF.net has over 12 pages of it. He already had ideas.

Itachi: Would you like to know some of them, Naru-kun?

Naruto: Gyaa!!! Get away from me you psycho weasel!!!

Sakura: LOL. Stop teasing Naruto Ita-kun. It isn’t nice. LOL.

Sasuke: I swear you’re as bad as that snake.

Sakura: Why thank you teme. How sweet of you to notice. ^_^ Well, my poor fingers are bushed and my brain’s hurting minna. You’ve noooooooooo idea how many times I got hit with writer’s block with this thing.

Naruto: Shoulda stayed stuck.

Sakura: Say something fox?

Naruto: Uh… no?

Sakura: That’s what I thought. Anyhoo, lemme know whatcha think ‘k? Jya ne!