Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Moment those Sands Stirred ❯ A loss of the sand ( Chapter 2 )

I am soooo sorry for taking so long to write this chapter!! I'm sorry times infinity!!! Anyway, yeah…here it goes-

 

The Moment those Sands Stirred

 

The Konoha morning was lovely, as always. The sun was rising, casting beautiful shadows through the trees. Playful birds felt the early warmth and began to stir and welcome the day. Gaara had left the temple a few hours into the night for a walk. He always walked at night since everyone else was already asleep and he had nothing better to do. It was not a problem for him, however. He loved wandering in the night. He loved to think, observe, and admire everything about everything. He loved filling his mind with new information about all kinds of things. He admired nature and respected it. He observed the way water moved through streams without making a single sound. Sometimes he thought about life. Other times he thought about death…but this night had been different. He had surprisingly thought about the aspect that he was the most unfamiliar with. He had thought about love. He observed it through open windows of peaceful houses he walked by in the dark. -Families bidding each other good-night. He saw young couples kiss and hug each other with passion. He could not admire it, however because he did not know how to. He had never felt love before. Of course the love he had for his siblings was indeed strong, but he did not know how to feel love from anyone else. He could not admire the beauty and romance of love. He did not know…

Gaara walked back to the temple a few minutes after dawn. Temari was waiting outside the door, as she always did in the morning- waiting for him. “Ready to go?” she asked.

With a nod, he walked passed her inside. Kankuro was on the phone with Tsunade confirming the meeting place with the other three Konoha ninja's. After a couple of seconds, he was finished and hung up. Picking up his bag, he said his brother and sister, “Hinata, Naruto and Sakura will be waiting at the entrance gate in ten minutes. We should leave now.”

Temari looked excited. “Right, let's go.”

Ten minutes later, all six of them met up together at the same time under the magnificent gate pillars. Gaara was amazed at how much the other three had matured. Naruto was no longer a minute annoying-looking blond boy. He had grown into his features and Temari was slightly impressed at his good looks. He had developed fine muscles and had grown about 2 feet taller into manhood. His blue eyes were defined and looked as though there was now much wisdom behind them.

“Long time no see Kazekage-sama.” Sakura offered. Gaara turned his attention to her and nearly had to do a double take at her womanly figures. She was now one of the most beautiful women Gaara had ever seen. Not that he went out looking for beautiful women, but he had to admit he felt something slightly odd in his heart when he looked her over. Her petite body had grown rather large curves on her chest and her ass. Her pink hair was kept short and accented her pretty face that had grown sharp and observant.

Hinata smiled and waved hello. Gaara could say the same things about Hinata. Only, he noticed, that she didn't show it as much as Sakura. Gaara nodded in greeting looking into her eyes. Her eyes… It was as though she could see everything with those eyes- everything. Like, she not only could see his chakura streams running through his body, but…she could see into his soul… Those eyes of hers… They were beautiful, just like she was. Gaara noticed a blemish though while he scanned her quickly. She had a scar on her right eye. It wasn't very impactful on her appearance but it was noticeable. Gaara turned slightly angry at the thought of someone trying to harm something so unique.

Temari, still glancing every couple of seconds at Naruto finally spoke. “Well, of we go…”

Kankuro was just as shocked at the appearances of his temporary partners as his brother was. They set the pace rather quick to make up time, and between leaps and jumps from tree to tree, he had a conversation going with Sakura. They talked about their village life and battles they have been in. After a while, the six acted like they were the greatest of friends. Hinata was up with Gaara in the lead and Naruto was talking with Temari.

“Heh, I don't remember you this way at all, Temari. Of course, the last time I saw you was when you were still working for Orochimaru and you three were Konoha's enemy.” Naruto said looking slyly at her out of the corner of his eye checking her out.

“I know! I'm just amazed that you're not a little stupid blonde idiot anymore” she said with a laugh, joking around.

He smiled back taking her aspects in. She had full breasts that fit her in-shape body perfectly. She must train like crazy to get into that good of shape he thought. How old is she now? 19? 20? Hmm…

Yes, they were soon the best of friends. In a quiet moment with Hinata, Gaara flashed back to when he was feared by every one…even his own father. He felt happy just knowing the definition of friendship and he felt even better because he had some.

After traveling for about three hours, Kankuro suggested Hinata do a surveillance scan of the area behind them to see if they were being trailed and ahead of them to discover any obstacles they should and could bypass. She concurred and sat down in deep concentration. She crossed her legs and put her hands to her temple as she stared straight ahead. “Byakugan!” she yelled and immediately her beautiful eyes formed cracks and looked extremely sinister. She felt her sight flying through trees and other obstacles-observing everything. Temporarily taking her concentration of scanning, she said softly “There is nothing behind us…we have kept up a good enough pase.” Her eyes became alert again and she squinted looking, this time ahead of them and to the sides at the same time. She gasped… “Gaara-sama!...The Sound!... They have us surrounded!”

Sure enough, as soon as she spoke they were ambushed from all directions with out even time to take a warm-up breath. There was about 15 sound ninjas attacking them from all directions. A dozen kunai knives flew at Gaara only to be absorbed in an immediately-appearing shield of sand. Hinata was furious and jumped to her feet getting ready for battle. One who aimed their weapons at one of her friends were to face her wrath.

Naruto was already fighting with two at the same time and he smirked about the fact that he knew their doom and they didn't. His eyes turned red with the pupil of the demon fox appearing in the center and his teeth grew into fangs which only kept smirking as he finished the two ninja's off with one kick.

Temari had it about as easy as Naruto. One swipe of her fan sent one of her attackers sailing into a huge tree. The other took the opportunity to come at Temari from behind and lock her around her neck…only to be stabbed in the back by a whirling Sakura. Temari choked out a “thanks” and recovered after a couple of seconds to finish off her burdens. Sakura was already back and defending for herself. Since she wasn't a combat ninja, she rarely had to kill. So usually in a team situation, she held her attackers at bay until someone could come and take over while she attended the wounded.

Kankuro, it looked, was having the time of his life. It was as though he lived for fighting. He hadn't even taken the crow puppet out and yet he had defeated 3 enemies.

Hinata was having a little trouble considering the fact that four ninja's had decided to go for her. One was on the ground bleeding to death, but the others were coming at her hard.

Gaara looked over from his position and with the flick of his hand and the sound of his voice, he made the ground on which the three advancing ninja's were standing on reach up. It moved slowly swirling around the tops of their feet up to their ankles, locking them in place. Hinata smiled and without a second thought she cut the throats of each of them. She wasn't cruel enough to let them suffer but she did want them to pay for their actions.

Gaara looked back on his four ninja's who lay dead on the ground, unrecognizable because they were coated with their own blood. They had suffered from the Sand Coffin.

The meadow was revolting. At first glance, it looked like a pond of blood with bobbing bodies on the surface. The Konoha and Sand six fell to the ground taking in deep breaths…they had won. Minor scratches streaked four out of the six ninjas panting for air. Naruto and Gaara had managed to evade every blow and attack that was launched at them. All of a sudden, Naruto started chuckling. He looked around and slowly, his chuckle grew in volume and intensity. He was laughing at the victory…laughing at how well they had worked together, as a team. After a minute or two, the others joined in, laughing and looking at one another thankful to be alive, yet again.

Hinata screamed. One second later, a lone kunai knife flew through the air at Gaara who had his back turned. Kankuro, hearing the scream just on time, jumped up and dived in front of the weapon. It got lodged just below his throat and he slammed down on the ground with a thud! Gaara had just turned to see his best friend take his own life to save his. Gaara rushed to his side and kneeled over him.

The light from Kankuro's eyes was fading as he stared into his younger brother's. Red liquid ran from the corners of his lips, the streaks standing out vibrantly against his purple face decorations. He opened his mouth to speak but only a hoarse whisper was found. “I…I don't know why I did it, Gaara. I…” he coughed and more blood ran down his chin. “I knew…that, that your sand would…protect you…I didn't…”

“Kankuro!” Temari yelled. She turned and yelled at Sakura “Get over here! He needs medical help!”

Sakura was stunned for a second. With tears behind her eyes she knew that her request was impossible. She was over in an instant anyway. She bent over him and looked over the damage that could not be fixed. If Tsunade was here, then it would be different. She could probably save him. But not Sakura, a mere Genin medical ninja. She started crying harder than ever.

Gaara felt as thought his heart was getting ripped to shreds within his chest. His brother…his best friend. With a quivering voice he whispered “Why?...Why Kankuro?”

“…I, I dunno.” Once again Kankuro coughed, hard and gasped. “I, I guess…it was just impulse…I couldn't, I…I couldn't watch my little bro get hurt.” His eyes started to glaze over slightly. “You,…you're gonna be…one hell of a Kazekage…Temari?”

Through tears she answered holding his hand. “Yes…?”

“Be strong…big sis.” He let out one last breath and then he was gone.

“No!” Temari sobbed. “N-No! Kankuro! Come back! No!” she wailed. Sakura closed her eyes and blessed him, tears streaming down her usually rosy cheeks.

Gaara couldn't believe it. He didn't know what to feel…this was the first time anything of importance to him had impacted him so badly. His brain was going crazy…there were too many emotions to handle at one time. Love, hatred, anger, guilt, pity, sorrow…He had just gotten used to knowing all of them and then they slam into him in one blow after his best friend was killed. He started breaking down…crying, screaming, yelling. Hinata tried to comfort him but he didn't know where he was anymore. He was scared. For the first time in his life, Gaara of the Sand was truly scared. Temari looked up and through watery eyes saw the frightened and crazed look in Gaara's eye. He jumped up and sprinted and she tried to catch him. She grabbed a hold of him. Hinata and Sakura moved to her spot beside Kankuro and started to clean him up.

“Gaara! Please…” she begged.

He snapped. His brain clicked. He stopped struggling and clutched his head. He breathed very heavy as if wheezing. Slowly his raised his head to look to this somewhat familiar voice speaking to him. Temari nearly screamed. He was back…she hadn't seen that glare of his for nearly five years…but it was back. He reached up slowly to her hand on his shoulder. When his quivering hand found hers, his movements became lightening fast and the next thing she knew, she was sprawled on her back with a heavy blow to her stomach. He walked into the darkness of the forest, still wheezing and staring into nothingness.

From the other direction, Naruto came trudging through the bushes, blood soaking his usually bright orange clothes. He announced “That bastard…He sure got what he deserved when I found him.” He noticed Gaara stalking away in the other direction but he didn't say anything. There was something more important on his mind. He found Hinata and Sakura around Kankuro. “So, how is he? I didn't get a chance to see what happened, I just went for the son of a bitch sound ninja…”

Sakura got up and hugged him. She cried even harder onto his shoulder and he hugged her back. Something's not right…what the hell is going on? He looked down on Kankuro's lifeless body. “No…you don't mean…he's…he can't be…dead?” Without looking up Sakura cried on and hugged him even harder.

“Yes, Naruto.” Hinata said sniffing. “He's gone.” Naruto looked at Temari curled on the ground in pain and emotional anguish. In her mind, now both of her brothers were as good as gone.

Naruto choked on his own words. His throat was so constricted, he could hardly speak. A single tear escaped from his fighting eyes. Never before had he seen one of his best friends die in his presence…never. It delivered a crashing blow to his delicate and proud heart. He was so stunned he was on the verge of fainting. He heard a voice. Sifting through his shocked and surprised feelings, he heard the soft tone of Hyuga Hinata.

“N-Naruto-kun…” she worked up her courage to talk properly. “Naruto…listen to me. One of us needs to go to Tsunade-sama. She needs to know that one teammate is down, and that we will be continuing to the sand village still.” She sniffed and shook on his jacket sleeve. “Naruto…will you go?”

Naruto barely listened. “Yeah…I'll go.” He just kept staring at Kankuro's body.

“Sakura and I will stay here and look after Temari and take care of Kankuro's body.” Hinata had no idea that she could think so clearly under such conditions. “You must go, now. Go as fast as you can. And should you run into more sounds, don't fight…save yourself. Think nothing of revenge, just run.”

“Yes, I'm going…” And with that, he was gone in a whoosh!