Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Loveless Suna ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

So, next chapter is up. Hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or I would be filthy rich by now.

After dinner Gaara said a farewell to the ladies and left. Temari and I followed, but lost him before we know it. `He probably used his sand.' I thought bitter.

“And what have you learned tonight?” Temari asked.

“That too much flirting doesn't work, so no sluts.” Temari nodded, giving her approval.“And... ” I thought deeply for a second. “ He didn't really gave any of them much attention.” I sighed.

“There was one, who got a lot of attention.” She corrected me. I looked at her questionable and she gave me smirk. “She even got his chopsticks.” And in a second I saw red again.

“That... that was for making sure his food wasn't poisoned. He could have poisoned me.” I defended myself, but now Temari couldn't control her laugh any more.

“The people in that restaurant adore Gaara. His food is prepared under supervision and afterwards checked for poison by a professional taster. ” She almost draw blood from her lip, biting it to stop her laugh and I became a little redder. “I told you he was up to something.” Now I understood at last what she meant by that. “But your comeback was glorious. You should have seen his face when you wiped off that sauce, let's leave out the moment you licked it of your finger. That was gold worth.” She laughed further, drowning in the memories of that evening.

“Yeah, it was gold worth.” I said softly and let a smile color my lips.

-

“I would have paid to see that! ” Kankuro exclaimed. Temari en I were filling him in on what happened yesterday, during breakfast.

“Yeah, something like that you're not going to see again or Shizuka should have already planned something.” Temari looked at me with hopeful eyes and I couldn't hold my laugh.

“Finaly I see your resemblance with Kankuro.” I laughed and Temari frowned. “And I don't plan those things. I come up with them at the moment.”

“So, what's next?” The forgotten brother got himself back in the conversation.

“Euh, I'm going to ask my next question after breakfast and also thank Gaara for the dress.” I made my agenda and Temari nodded eagerly.

“You must go and thank him. You were beautiful in that dress yesterday.” She voted in and her brother also nodded.

“You should ask him if he liked it, that you licked off his sauce from your finger or that next time you should do it directly from his face.” I turned back to my tomato state with only the thought of that and Temari knocked Kankuro unconscious.

“He really isn't any help.” She said quietly, clarifying herself. “Perhaps you should start by asking if he had a good time yesterday.” She offered. “Simply out of courtesy and then thank him for the dress.” I nodded agreeing. “And perhaps then you could ask him if he likes it when a woman talks back to him... like you... or if she didn't dare to do that.” She continued quickly with a smirk, but I choose to ignore it, even if my cheeks got redder by the minute.

“That's a great question. Well, I'm done.” I excused myself and left the table. I heard Kankuro getting back up when I left the room.

“Where's Shizuka? ” He asked. “Is she going to ask Gaara if she should lick the sauce from his face?” As an answer I heard him falling back unconscious.

Once out of their hearing, I couldn't keep my laughter in any longer.

-

“Gaara... ” I said quietly after knocking, my speed slowing down. `Should I ask Temari's question or not?' I wondered looking at the ground. When I looked up, I saw to my surprise a woman with pink hair. `Sakura?!' I noticed stunned and examined her partner. Pineapple raised hair betrayed him directly. `And Shikamaru?! What are they doing here? And here I am, storming in the Kazekage's office like it's the normalst thing ever.' I realised all of a sudden. “Oh sorry, I didn't know that you had company, Gaara. ” I excused myself quickly.

“How could you when you always come storming in here.” He said back to my surprise.

“Yes well, if you would answer when I knock.” I answered a little irritated. I saw Sakura and Shikamaru astonished looking from Gaara to me and back.

“Why would I answer if you never wait for an answer. You did that from the start.” He said back and his voice held a small amount of amusement.

`That's probably the most I've ever heard him say.' I realised. “ Well, I had a good reason then...”

“Which would be?” He interrupted me.

“I had to know if you really where such an idiot that you would give up on love!” I yelled now really irritated. I saw Sakura's eyes become wide and she quickly looked back at Gaara.

“Troublesome... ” Shikamaru mumbled, but also he had his eyes aimed at Gaara. Gaara closed his eyes and opened them again.

“I guess I'm such an idiot.” He stated to our surprise.

“Yes well..., I'm going to save you of your idiotici! If that's even a word.” I mumbled on end while my finger was indicating Gaara for more impact. I got three astonished looks on me and decided that it was time to leave. “You're clearly busy, Gaara. So, I'll come back and storm in a little later.” I said while nodding to Sakura and Shikamaru and left the office as fast as my feet allowed.

-

“You could have informed me that Gaara had company.” I said angry to Temari. I had encounter her after leaving Gaara's office and now we were sitting on her terrace, which Gaara had made for her still in his good days.

“Those Konoha ninja's had arrived yesterday when we were having your dinner. How should I've known that they would be having there meeting just now.” She defended herself and I nodded eventually.

“Temari?” We heard a voice from in the room behind us.

“Sakura, over here!” The room ownster called back after recognising her friends voice. We saw Sakura walking to us, followed by Shikamaru.

“Hey, how are you doing?” Sakura asked polite when she reached us, while Shikamaru's arms surrounded Temari's shoulders and his head went resting on one of them.

“Fine, may I introduce you to Shizuka. ” Temari presented me while I was looking oddly at Shikamaru.

“Oh, we've met, haven't we.” Sakura laughed. “I didn't know that there was still someone, who would dare to contradict the Kazekage.” And Temari also started laughing while passing with her hand along Shikamaru's cheek. To my surprise Shikamaru nuzzled in to it.

“You haven't seen her at her best yet. ” She priced me and I felt another blush rise.

`When are these people going to stop making me blush?' I wondered.

“Oh yeah, I'm forgetting to introduce you guys. Shizuka this are Sakura and Shikamaru.” Temari presented them, not knowing I knew very well who they are. Then she saw me looking oddly at Shikamaru and starting laughing again. “Shika and I are dating, but don't say anything to Gaara. He would prohibit it and we would never see each other again.” She explained with a sad face.

“Don't worry, secret save with me.” I put her at rest and she looked back happily.

“Well, there's still something I must show Shika. Could you keep Sakura company?” She asked while standing. Shikamaru clearly wasn't happy with losing his pillow.

“Sure, then she can tell me everything about this challenge.” Sakura said while letting herself fall in the seat Temari was previously occupying.

“Alright.” Temari waved while she pulled Shikamaru with her out of the room.

“So, tell.” Sakura insisted when we were alone.

“What's there to tell? Gaara was going to kill me, so I challenged him.” I said short.

“What have you already done to secure a victory? I've heard you were at a restaurant yesterdag.”

“Oh that, alright, from the start. I first tried, by asking questions, to find out what kind of woman he likes. But first he just put me back outside. Then after yelling at him and finaly getting a point he agreed with, he allowed one question. Now I always ask one question a day.” I started and Sakura listened attentively.

“But of course from Gaara you shouldn't expect the best of answers, therefore I got the idea to dine with a couple of women.” Sakura nodded understanding.

“And for kind of woman does he fall?” She asked curiously.

“No idea.” I admitted and she gave me a confused look.

“Didn't he at least gave one of the women attention?”

“No, he was to busy with putting his food in my mouth.” I said rolling my eyes and Sakura's mouth fell open.

“He was feeding you?” I just realised that I had said that aloud.

“Yes... He wanted me to taste for poison. But Temari told me afterwards that they do that already in the kitchen.” I continued. “But I got him back.” I said with proud and Sakura leaned to me, so she wouldn't miss a thing. “He had a little bit of sauce hanging on his mouth and I wiped it off with my finger and licked it up.” Now Sakura almost fell of her chair.

“You've done what? Oh Kami, what I wouldn't have given to see his face.” She said laughing.

“Oh, much.” I answered in Kami's name.

-

“In fact, you should take that challenge to Konoha. I know a lot of people who would love the help.” Sakura started making ideas.

“Konoha, is Gaara going to Konoha?” I asked stunned and she nodded.

“In a couple of months, to supervice the Chuunin exams.” She explained and I made a `o' sound. I let her plan further and decided that I now had the chance to find out what happened to Naruto.

“Can I ask you something, Sakura?” I asked seriously. She saw my serious look and nodded. “How did Naruto die?” I almost whispered and Sakura's face clouded.

“Naruto,... did you knew him?” She asked first, postponing the tragic story.

“Not in person, but I've heard of him.” I answered honestly and she nodded understanding.

“With that new law and the challenge of course you've heard of him.” I nodded, telling her she's right.

`That's the best excuse and she came up with it herself.' I thought ironic.

“What do you know about Uchiha Sasuke?” She asked.

“Euh, he was Naruto's best friend and according to Temari even more. He betrayed Konoha to become stronger to assassinate his brother.” I summed up.

“You're good informed.” Sakura said surprised and I looked away guiltly.

`She should know how that comes.” I said to myself.

“However, you were right, Sasuke-kun was Naruto's best friend and... as Temari has said... more. I formed with them team 7 and there were enough signals. I honestly admit that I didn't want to accept it because I had crush on Sasuke-kun.” She started and I wanted to shout: “I know that already, tell me what happened!” But kept to myself.

“After Sasuke-kun had killed Orochimaru, he came back and that's when the romantic part of their relationship especially started. But Sasuke-kun had told me that he didn't really wanted to start something until his brother was dead. So Naruto wouldn't be in any danger.” She continued and I wondered if Sasuke was still alive now.

“Eventually Sasuke-kun left again to complete his revenge, but Naruto got hurt badly because of that and went after him. He didn't find Sasuke-kun, but did got word from Itachi's wereabouts.

-

-++Flashback++-

“I feel his chakra. Itachi must be near.” Naruto mumbled while jumping from branch to branch. `I also feel someone else... wait... I know that chakra... that's the teme!' After his discovery he accelerated and only stopped when he saw the two brothers on an open lawn.

“Sasuke... ” Naruto said, but he knew that Sasuke couldn't hear him. Itachi had his younger brothers full attention.

“Foolish little brother, you should have hated me more. You don't have the strength to beat me.” Itachi laughed aloud and Naruto could see in Sasuke's face that he knew that too. He was already having problems with breathing.

`That happens when you leave right after you've been sick.' Naruto lectured him in his head and looked as his friend attacked his brother. Itachi could easily deflect all attacks and with one kick in the stomach Sasuke lay on the other side of the lawn.

“You look a little sick, little brother. Perhaps you should have waited with your revenge.” Itachi said with played concern, which he only granted his brother.

“Even... ” Naruto finaly heard the voice of his beloved one. “... sick I can defeat you.” Sasuke hissed and now Itachi couldn't keep from laughing any more.

“I must say that you're doing a fine job.” He tried saying sarcastically, but his laughing overpowered the sarcasm. “Let's end this now. I guess you aren't a real challenge for me afterall.” Itachi flew straight to Sasuke to deliver the dead blow, but his brother stopped him.

Sasuke was holding Itachi's hand, but after a small shock, Itachi was back to reality. With his free hand he attacked, but Sasuke stopped him again. This way a taijutsu match started, which was so fast that Naruto needed Kyuubi's chakra to follow it. Now Naruto could easily follow and saw to his fear that Itachi had taken Sasuke katana with one smooth movement in his own hands.

Sasuke looked dumb struck at his brother and left a clear opening. Itachi saw this and attacked without regret. Naruto also saw the opening and as a reflex he jumped off the tree. Because of Kyuubi's chakra he could throw himself between the two brothers on time. His eyes met the stunned ones of Sasuke, before the katana penetrated his body. Naruto's eyes went wide. He hadn't thought it would be this painful.

“Naruto, I can't this stop!” He heard Kyuubi scream all of a sudden. The tone of his voice told Naruto that he had been trying to get his attention for a while.

“N... Naruto?!” Sasuke fell on his knees while his friend fell on him. The first tears were already on his cheeks.

“Well, isn't this a pity.” Itachi sighed with regret. “Now I also lose my little kitsune.” Itachi let the katana go and stepped back to take in the heartbreaking scene. Sasuke looked up at his brother and felt his anger double.

“AH...” He screamed his lungs out and his curse seal released itself. He immediately went to the last stage and attacked Itachi head on. Itachi looked stunned as his brother disappeared before him and reappeared behind him. With a hard kick in his back he flew over the bleeding kitsune.

“So fast... impossible...” He mumbled and wanted to get back up, but a broken back stopped him. “Shit!” He cursed before Sasuke was next to him again. He reacted all of his anger on his big brother and by the time he was done, there wasn't much still in the correct place. While looking in the lifeless eyes of his brother, Sasuke felt a larg burden fall of his shoulders and a smirk was making his way up. It disappeared quickly when he thought of Naruto.

“Naruto!” He called and ran back to him. He let himself fall on his knees next to his beloved one, ignoring that he now was sitting in blood.

“S... +cough+ Sasuke.” Naruto started coughing blood up when Sasuke pulled his head up by slidding an arm around his shoulders.

“Naruto don't speak... Everything will be fine. We're going to stop the bleeding and return to Konoha... to our home.” Sasuke tried putting him at rest, but Naruto shook his head with the strength he had left, which wasn't much.

“Kyuubi can't +cough+ heal +cough+ me.” He said where after his shirt hung full with blood. It was already pouring out of his mouth without his permission now.

“No, Naruto... We don't need Kyuubi. We can fix this ourselves. You're not going to... ” Sasuke couldn't get the end of that sentence out of his mouth. His eyes were now waterfalls that were making Naruto's face wet.

“You've +cough+ done +cough+ it.” Naruto could bring out, but Sasuke stopped him.

“Quiet Naruto, don't be such a dobe now and save your strength.” Sasuke took him bridal style up in his arms, ignoring all the blood. He jumped back on a branch and started on his way to Konoha. “Don't worry Naruto, we're going to make it. Now Itachi's dead, we can start a family. If you want children we can adopt them.” Sasuke tried to say with a smile and looked in the blue eyes, which he loved so much. Naruto gave him for the last time his fox grin. He could feel his energy leaving him and Kyuubi's rambling told him he hadn't much time left.

“S... +cough+...asu... +cough+... ke.” He could still say. The last seconds had come. He knew it and Sasuke could read in his eyes.

“Naruto, no... Your strength...” Sasuke still tried, but Naruto stopped him with his finger.

“I +cough+ love +cough+ you, Sasuke.” The kitsune confessed where after the next load of blood came. Sasuke looked at him full of love and Naruto felt like he was the most beloved person on earth, which his face radiated. Now he could die happily.

“N... Naruto... ” Sasuke started, but then Naruto's finger slid of his lips and the head fell lifeless against his chest. Sasuke stopped absurdly and started shaking Naruto softly.

“Naruto... Naruto, this isn't funny. Naruto... Naruto! ” Sasuke screamed when he lost his last hope. He pushed the body of his loved one against himself and hid his face in the blond locks. His tears were wetting them, but it didn't matter to him.

He had just lost the person who meant everything to him.

“Naruto!”

-++End flashback++-

-

“Sasuke-kun arrived at Konoha with Naruto still in his arms. He went straight to the Hokage, there he laid Naruto on her desk and begged her to bring him back. That was and still is the only time I've ever heard Sasuke-kun beg.” Sakura finished with a tear-stained face. I could feel my own tears on my face.

“What's going on here?” We heard an astonished, angry voice all of a sudden ask. We twisted ourselves around and looked up at Gaara, who looked back emotionless.

“Gaara...” I shouted and flew to him. With both hands I took his robe and cried my eyes out in it. Gaara stared stunned at me and eventually Sakura put his arms around me.

“I'll leave you two alone.” She said quietly and left the room.

“Gaara...” I said once more while I looked up at him.

Stephke23: That's it for now. It's the first time I've ever wrote a flashback, so tell me if you liked it. Review pretty please!