Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Loveless Suna ❯ Chapter 42

I'm actually kind of embarrassed that it had taking this long to get the new chapter up and I could give some excuses (I had an accident with my bike, exams,…), but that still wouldn't make me feel less guilty. Last this chapter is unbeta-ed.

Thanks for the reviews:

Kagome0102

Camp-crystal-lake: She isn't going to get pregnant… yet ;P.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

I had cleaned myself entirely from head to toe, not skipping one centimeter. I even think I've actually scrubbed the upper layer skin off my hand. Now I was nested between the sheets of Gaara's bed and was listening to the murmuring sounds of the redhead's voice and the person standing in the hallway. Closing my eyes for a moment I tried to suppress the bloody images entering my mind, but it didn't help. I kept remembering how the prisoner's bones felt sticking out of his skin and the blood on his lips… A shiver crawled down my spine and I opened my eyes feeling the bed give in under someone's weight.

“Feeling better?” Temari asked and I could only stare in shock at her, before I flew in her arms. I could feel my tears coming to the surface and the blonde just let me cry on her shoulder. When I got myself back in control I noticed we were the only ones in the room.

“Where's Gaara?” I asked wiping away the last tears staining my cheeks.

“You really weren't fully conscious just now were you?” I shook my head in apology and the blonde smiled.

“He left with the Konoha nins just a moment ago.”

“Oh,” Why did I feel kind of sad? “how did you get here so fast anyway?” Temari couldn't suppress a smirk.

“The great Uchiha's forbidden jutsus are useful.” She chuckled and my eyes widened.

“Sasuke's here? Who else?”

“Sakura, Sai and Kakashi.”

`Team Kakashi.' I added the team name in my head while my eyes got drawn to her stomach.

“How did Shikamaru take the happy news?” The blonde's cheeks got a red tint and she seemed to be recalling what had happened when she had told him.

“He took it pretty well.” She smiled slightly and raised her hand. My mouth fell open as I saw the ring decorating her finger.

“He proposed!” I squealed while taking her hand between mine. It was a very simple ring, just a silver band which he had engraved with `Marry Me'.

“He kept it simple, saying that it wouldn't hinder me when I would get in a surprised attack. Lately those have been happing a lot, haven't they?” I nodded.

“And the engraving?”

“Since the point was to ask me to marry him, he said, but I think he found it to troublesome to come up with something else.” I couldn't help but laugh. I could just imagine that going through the lazy nin's head. Then something came to mind.

“Why didn't you tell Gaara we were switching back?!” I suddenly raised my voice and Temari looked stunned back at me. It took some time for her to comprehend my question, but when she did she got a defensive look in her eyes.

“I did tell him! I left him a note!” My mouth fell open in disbelieve.

“You left him a note?!” I asked stupefied. “Where?!”

“On his desk! I'll show you!” The blonde suddenly jumped up from my bed and almost made me fall from it when she pulled me with her. Quickly recovering myself I followed her to Gaara's office only to stop before the door. She sweetly knocked and I raised my eyebrow.

`I would have just rushed in.' I mustered and noticed Kankuro's face appear from behind the door. He scanned us before quickly opening the door meeting his sister's impatient look. The blonde strode in with big steps and pointed emphasizing at the closest left corner of the Kazekage's desk.

“I left it here on the pile of papers you,” She pointed to her youngest brother, “were working on!” She seemed pleased with her explanation while everyone in the room was looking oddly at her.

“What are you talking about, Temari-chan?” Sakura was the one who dared to ask the question that was on everyone's lips except mine. For the first time she seemed to noticed that not only her brothers and we were in the office but also the Konoha nins.

`They were probably discussing the situation.' I thought.

“The note I left.” The blonde answered her pink friend.

“What note?” My redhead opened his mouth.

“The one that informed you, that we were switching back!” The oldest of the siblings turned back to the youngest who was looking dumb at her.

“That was the pile that I had already done. Washi took it to his office.” The Kazekage was starting to get what had happened and he didn't seem very pleased with his sister.

“Wait…then you didn't know?” Temari asked carefully and watched the redhead shake his head. The blonde's eyes widened and she turned back to me.

“I'm s-o so-rry!” She stretched the words almost like she needed to make sure I had heard her. She had realized what this meant.

“But shouldn't Washi have found it then?” Sai asked thoughtfully.

“He has a point.” Kakashi said on his turn but Temari was already out of the room. We followed her to Washi's office and found her threatening the poor assistant with his life.

“Temari, don't kill my employees.” Gaara's voice made my breath catch in my throat. He was standing right behind me and I could feel his breath tickling my ear. It surprised me that he was so close, but I had to admit I liked it. Against her will Temari put Washi down again, but her glare didn't falter on bit.

“Have you already sorted the files I've checked?” The Kazekage continued while I could feel his hand against my back.

“I'm behind, since I've been making space in the file cupboard to be able to put them somewhere.” He said glaring back at his blonde attacker.

`So, the note must be somewhere in these piles?' I questioned myself looking around the office. Everywhere, there were laying files and I guess that only Washi knew the right order.

 

“When you find a note please bring it to me.” Gaara ended the ordeal with a sigh. I felt him lean more against me which made me turn my head to him. For the first time I noticed how tired he looked. Washi nodded as answer and picked up a single file from his desk that was looking a bit lonesome on his own.

“This is everything I could find about counsel Eho.” He said handing it over. Gaara accepted it and made me hold one of the sides to be able to quickly read through it. Reading with him I found out that Eho had been named counsel a year before Gaara took the Kazekage's seat. She was a prodigy and had become Jounin when she was fourteen. To be honest, she looked like the perfect ninja and not to mention candidate for being a counsel. I could see why they chose her.

“The Earth country…” Gaara said suddenly and I quickly scanned the rest of the paper we were on.

“Her grandfather is from the Earth country.” I made the redhead's discovery known, so that everyone could follow.

“Of course!” Temari seemed shocked she didn't think earlier about this. “But wait wasn't he kicked out because he betrayed them for Suna?” This seemed to bring confusion.

“If they don't notice her that wouldn't matter,” Kakashi said from in the hallway, “and if she is in the Earth country if would be difficult for us to find her since neither Suna nor Konoha has a great relationship with them.” Everyone's mood seemed to darken.

“Hn, isn't that the perfect back-up plan?” Sasuke said sarcastic from beside Kakashi while leaning against a wall. “When we'll have finally gotten the Earth country's permission to enter, if we get it at all, she'll already have a new plan set up.” Gaara's head turned back to meet mine and we both knew he was right.

-

Sitting in the shadows of the Kazekage tower I watched how villagers, chatting like crazy, walked by while avoiding working nins. With the destroyed marketplace I could understand that they had a lot to talk about.

`If they knew the things that happen in the darkest chambers of the tower thén they would have something to talk about.' I thought bitter. People could be so dense, but of course it were the higher-ups that keep them that way. Sometimes it was better to life in bliss than knowing the truth. I felt a chakra coming closer and watched from the corner of my eye how Sasuke sat down next to me. He didn't say a word instead he closed his eyes and seemed to enjoy the quietness. We stayed like that for I don't know how long, making me almost jump out of my skin when he did open his mouth.

“They shouldn't have let you enter that room.” It was a statement.

“It was my own choice and it helped, didn't it?” My eyes followed his face bowing down a little to his chest.

“Not everyone can deal with seeing a tortured person, let alone touch one.”

`Now I get it, he's worried… just like Gaara.' I finally got why the redhead had been so against it.

“My world wasn't all sunshine you know. I'm not going to lose my mind when seeing a little blood.” My face betrayed that I wanted to comfort him.

“Hn.” I could only smile hearing his answer. Again a silence fell over us.

“Is he treating you right?” Came another unexpected question.

“Yes,” I answered without a thought while turning my head back towards him and meeting his gazing look, “at least when the identities misunderstanding was solved.” He seemed to accept my answer.

“Does he know who you are?” The sudden feeling of hurt went through me. It was a hard reminder, definitely coming from my daddy.

“I told him I'm a clone, but he doesn't understand…” A disapproval look was sent my way. “I know! I know I should tell him everything, but…” Biting my lip I avoided his eyes.

“He won't reject you.” It was the first time I heard my fear aloud and it suddenly sounded so real.

“You don't know that.” I whispered.

“I do.” Feeling a little bit of hope raise in my chest I dared to look back at him. “You're the only that could and still can break through the wall he has build around his heart.” He almost sounded poetically. “And don't forget it was Naruto who sent you here.” I felt my lips form a smile.

“With your help… my two daddies.” I sighed while laying my head down on his shoulder. Closing my eyes, for the first time I felt like a weight had fallen of my shoulders.

“Mommy,” Surprised I looked up at Sasuke, “Naruto's mommy, I'm daddy.” I gave him an odd look, but he was pleased with himself.

“What?!” I asked. I had to hear that again to be sure I wasn't dreaming a really weird dream.

“Naruto's mommy.” The Uchiha said again not even trying to explain it.

“And why is that? Was he the uke? Wait, don't answer that.” I changed my mind immediately, since I was starting to see them like my `parents' it would just be weird to know such details.

“How are things going for Sakura?” I changed the subject. Sasuke knew I was talking about Sai and a faint smile formed on its lips.

“Sai made himself believe that she likes Lee.” My eyes widened surprised asking for more detail and the Uchiha seemed to consider his words. “Lee's… youthful touchiness and flattering made him come up with that conclusion.” He smirked with the word `youthful'.

“The authors of Sai's books probably have never met such a… radiating person.” I decided was a nice word to describe Lee. “And who wouldn't blush when such a person was complementing you.” I continued and Sasuke shook his head lightly.

“They have a long way to go.” He said in the end and I gave him an innocent look.

“We could always give them a little push in the right direction.” Onyx eyes looked in my twinkling once and a disbelieving sigh was released. He clearly couldn't believe he was going to meddle in Sakura's love life and I just couldn't keep in my laugh when I saw him debating in himself.

“It'll be okay, you'll do a great job!” I praised him with a smile that settled everything.

Stephke23: Side note: I decided that the earth country's famous for its bricks. Earth, bricks.

I promise that next chapter won't take this long!