Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Loveless Suna ❯ Chapter 35

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Tsunade gave us two hours to prepare ourselves and report the plan to Temari. She had chosen Ino and Shikamaru to accompany me, so we would have the cover of a three-man's team.

The moment we were outside the Yamanaka excused herself and made her way home to start packing. Of course Neji played stalker and followed her. I looked over to Sasuke and without a word it was clear that he was planning on joining the lazy nin and me to Shika's house.

Entering the house the pineapple head immediately started on his coded letter while my daddy watched me run up and down the rooms, picking and replacing things along the way until my backpack was finally packed.

“I'm done!” I said and landed with a small jump in front of the Uchiha. Seeing the radiating smile on my face made him raise one eyebrow. My excitement to go home, back to Gaara must be very obvious. “We should visit Iruka before leaving.” I continued and could see the raven still analyzing my behavior, but after a small pause I got a nod before he looked over his shoulder to Shikamaru, who waved his hand as sign we could leave.

-

I practically ran through the village to the hospital and felt a little disappointed when I didn't see Kakashi or Souta in the hospital room. But Iruka did give us a warm welcome and told us he had sent his son to school and his boyfriend to his bed. I had to admit the academy teacher had done the right thing, since I think Kakashi hadn't left his side for days and must have been dead tired by now. After half an hour Sasuke interrupted our conversation and made clear it really was time to leave. Again that disappointed feeling came to me. I really wished I could take everyone with me to Suna, but of course this way I always had something to look out for, for when I'll be coming back.

Closing the door behind my back, we were standing in the corridor again. “I'm going to miss him.” I smiled sadly at my daddy. “He has that effect on people. You also want to see Sakura and Sai before leaving?” I nodded and to our luck we ran into the pink girl on our way out. Being the woman she was she sent a small snail to find Sai while she hide us in an empty room. I must say I was a little surprised to see Sakura summon a creature, but I guess it was only normal since she was the Hokage's student. Only ten minutes later we were joined by her crush and it took another half hour to end our goodbyes.

-

“How much time do we have left?” I asked Sasuke, who looked up to the sun. “About half an hour.” He answered and I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows impressed. “You can tell time by looking at the sun?”

“Only in Konoha.” He smirked and pointed to the Hokage tower. “The sun is above the tower around noon.” The raven explained and I nodded thoughtful looking at the building. We walked around for twenty minutes before ending up at the gate, where the others were already waiting on us.

I gave Neji a hand and a small hug under the watching eye of his girlfriend. Sasuke also got a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I'm going to miss you daddy.” I whispered in his ear and felt his arms tighten around me. A last wave and we left for Suna. With a heavy heart I glanced over my shoulder seeing Konoha disappear.

`I'm going to miss them.'

-

When it was starting to get dark Shikamaru decided to make camp. I got the job of cooking and watched how the lazy nin set up the tent pretty quickly if you ask me, while Ino was looking for firewood. By the time she came back with her arms full, the pineapple head had already opened a couple of cans and was resting against a tree. The blonde started on the fire while I throw the food in a small cooking pot.

`What am I glad, we're not eating those pills.' I thought relieved when the smell of heating meat reached my noose. Hungry I stirred a spoon through the pot until it was warm enough. The moment I decided it was done, Ino stood already ready with the plates. I split the meal in three and in ten minutes the plates were empty.

“Ino, you take the first watch, I the second and Shizuka, you take morning.” Shika ordered us, his team. I nodded while gathering the plates and cooking pot to clean in the nearby stream. Once back at the camp I crawled with Ino, who had been accompanying me the whole time, into the tent. While I made myself ready to sleep I watched her putting out her sleeping bag and looked confused at her.

`Doesn't she have the first watch?'

“This way I don't have to do this in the middle of the night.” She whispered seeing my look. I nodded as answer and yawned. I was still aware of her leaving the tent, but was fast asleep when Shikamaru entered.

-

“…wake up! Shizuka, wake up!” With trouble I opened my eyes and could recognize Shika's silhouette. “It's your turn.” I nodded slowly getting up. In the corner of my eye I noticed that Ino was deep in dreamland. Yawning I walked passed the lazy nin into the fresh air. “It's just for three hours then we'll continue our journey.” The pineapple head whispered before closing the tent and leaving me alone in the dark. I settled myself down against a three and stared into the darkness. Somehow this was relaxing. Finally I had some time for myself and think everything through.

`Only two and a half day and I'll be in Gaara's arms again!' I did a happy dance inside my head, but then I started to get serious. `Since Temari's letter didn't say that the culprit was caught I guess he must have done something to stop the attacks, but what?' Deeply thinking I tried to come up with an answer, but really didn't have any idea. `Well, he is the Kazekage for a reason. He must be good at thinking up solutions.' I shrugged. `I just hope that Temari will be safe in Konoha, since they did try to attack her there.' Blank I stared before me. `That reminds me, it was Temari who wanted to switch… What am I thinking? Of course it would be Gaara's decision.' I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts. `Gaara…' Sighing I looked at the sky that was starting to shimmer.

-

“We're nearing the meeting place!” Shika yelled at me and I perked up a little. Having traveled a whole day had been tiring and kind of boring. I knew I should be happy everything went so smoothly, but I guess I like a little of adventure.

“Three chakra signals are coming our way.” Ino observed and nodded to the team leader. Shikamaru closed his eyes and concentrated. I could only guess he was trying to recognize his love's chakra. His smile betrayed that I was right. We quickened and became aware of three people in the distance. Getting closer I recognized Kankuro and Matsuri with myself in the middle.

`Wow, this is weird. I'm jumping towards myself.' And even weirder was the smile that formed on `my' face when Temari saw her boyfriend. I was sure that she would leap right in his arms if it weren't for the other four present.

“Ready for the switch?” Temari smirked in her usual way, which was really weird on my face, but I just nodded. “Kankuro, Matsuri, Ino and Shika, we need you four to stand guard.” The four also nodded and Shika started to split up the districts. “And no peeking!” Temari yelled when they jumped to their positions and got a `yeah yeah' from her brother. “So, happy to get back to my darling brother?” The blonde asked turning her attention back to me. An enthusiastic nod was my answer, making the other laugh while we dropped our hences.

Without a word we started to switch clothes and only a couple of minutes later I was myself again. Temari also seemed very happy to be back in her own kimono.

“So, tell me. Why did you want to switch so suddenly? The culprit hasn't been caught, right?” The blonde sighed.

“Yeah, that's right the culprit hasn't been caught, yet. But Gaara has made the attacks stop, so you're safe in Suna.” She assured me before a small blush crawled on her cheeks. “And there's one more reason.” I cocked my eyebrow and look questioning at her. “Don't tell this to anyone! It's still a secret and only a handful of people know this!” She said seriously while stepping closer. I nodded as sign I wouldn't and she could continue. “I'm pregnant!” She whispered excitedly and my mouth fell open from surprise. With wide eyes I looked from her face to her abdomen and back up to her face.

“Pregnant?” She nodded fiercely and finally it got through my head she was telling the truth. “Congratulations!” I yelled and hugged her before releasing her quickly again. “But should we switch then? I got attacked in Konoha and if you say Suna is safe…” She signed me to stop.

“I know about the attack and I don't think they are going to try that again.”

“How can you be so sure? And is it worth risking your baby's life?” A small smile colored my friend's face.

“They probably attack me because they thought I wouldn't want to risk it, but that's a stupid tactic in a city where I trust most of the people, especially the once always accompanying me.” I calmed down a little, progressing what she had just said and had to admit she was probably right.

“No more attacks then?” Temari nodded and a question popped in my head. “Actually… does Gaara know expecting?” She couldn't help but laugh a little.

“It's hard to hide that when I'm puking out my stomach contains every single morning and he's sleeping next to me.” I had to admit that would be pretty hard. “I think it's time to get going or we're not going to get home.” Temari smiled and right on time the other four showed up again.

“Ready to go home, Shizuka?” Matsuri asked and I couldn't hide my eager smile. After quick goodbyes I continued my way to Suna with my new team.

-

One and a half day later I finally saw the rocks surrounding Suna and quickened my pass using up the last of my strength.

“Shizuka, wait!” I heard Matsuri yelled, but I only stopped when I was passed the rocks and staring at the sand buildings.

`I'm home!' I yelled in my head.

“You really missed him, didn't you?” Matsuri smirked, stopping next to me. A blush told her everything.

“He'll be happy that you're back.” Kankuro smiled from my other side. “He did `work' hard to get to this point.” The teasing look he shared with his girlfriend made me confused. Matsuri just rolled her eyes and I couldn't lose the feeling I was missing something.

“Let's just go…” I interrupted their silent talk.

“Yeah, of course, wait.” The girl next to me started to rumble in her bag and pulled out a scroll. “Here's the mission we were on.” She handed it to me. I opened and scanned it.

“You were looking for a couple of medical herbs?” I asked surprised. Kankuro nodded and pointed to the extra bag he was carrying.

“Oh, I thought you had made a new doll.” He's eye twitched and I couldn't help but think he looked like Temari for a second.

“I use puppets,”

“Sorry,”

“and no this isn't a new puppet, but herbs.” I mouthed sorry again and let Matsuri pull me to the Kazekage tower.

“We'll go deliver those herbs, why don't you go inform the Kazekage that the mission was a success?” She winked and my smile only got bigger. Leaving them behind I ran up to the tower, greeting a couple of ANBU's and other ninja's before entering. Straight to Gaara's office I sprinted through the hallways, almost running over a couple of maids, but in the end I halted panting before that well-know door. For a moment I considered knocking, but thought it would be stupid to change my behavior just because I had been gone for a couple of weeks. So, without further delay I opened the door and rushed in… only to stop after two steps dumbfounded. Shocked I started at Gaara, my Gaara with some slutty whore on his lap.

“What the hell are you doing?!” I yelled hysterical. For a moment the redhead looked confused at me and he seemed to be searching for something, but didn't find it since his face turned hostile.

“Haven't I told you to knock?!” He hissed and before I knew it sand had wrapped itself around me and pushed me outside. Shocked and confused I looked into angry blue-green eyes while the door fell back in his place with a hard bang.

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