Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Together With You: A Gaara Story ❯ Seeking Assistance ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine.......*sighs* wish I had a Gaara of my own though T^T

 

 

Chapter 7: Seeking Assistance

 

They finally made it to the Leaf Village a little after sunset. The streets were lit with stands. As they walked further into the village, Shiurki's eyes landed upon a Ramen stand. Her nose let her feet guide her with Gaara in tow. As she drew nearer, she saw Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. She cursed her luck, but then thought back to her realization with Kankuro. She rolled her eyes and would attempt to be civil with the idiot that had called her family so many times before. Shiruki sighed in defeat before reluctantly letting go of Gaara's hand and walking over to Naruto. She stood behind him and reached out, hesitantly to tap his shoulder, earning Naruto's attention. He turned around and stood defensively, nearly knocking over his chair, which, in turn, would have knocked over his bowl of Ramen. “What are you doing here?!” he yelled, jabbing his finger in Shiruki's face. “You're here to destroy the village, aren't you?! Well, I'm gonna let you! I'll defeat you this time, believe it!” he yelled obnoxiously.

 

Shiruki grinned and smiled at him. Something he'd never seen her do. He instantly dropped his finger from his face and blushed. It was beautiful. More beautiful than he ever imagined. Her anger was in check as she thought back to him always calling her family. She never expressed how grateful she was to him for that little word. Shiruki shook her head. “You haven't changed, eh, Uzumaki?” she grinned. Naruto stood speechless, stunned at her smile. “No, we're not here to destroy the Leaf Village. We're here to speak with Tsunade,” she said in her calm, dark voice. However, it was slightly sweeter than Naruto remembered, showing change.

 

“Grandma Tsunade? What for?” he asked, lowering his guard. “What d'ya want with her?” he asked again. Shiruki had finally returned to the Leaf Village. To be honest, Naruto had a crush on her at first, but soon gave up when he realized that she was too much like Gaara. It was rather infuriating and frustrating, but somehow he knew that she would rather be happier with him anyways. Instead of chasing after her, he simply called her “family.” And he always got growled at and glared at by her for it. He didn't care though. It was the only way that he could freely express how he felt about her, without getting killed or mutilated in some way.

 

Gaara stepped next to Shiruki. She sighed quietly, still smiling at him, this time, earning Sasuke's attention. “It doesn't concern you, Uzumaki,” she said coldly, reverting back to her challenging ways. She always used this tone when she challenged Naruto and it always worked in pissing him off. That statement earned a growl from Naruto and a grin from both Sasuke and Gaara. “Just know that we won't cause harm or any trouble to anyone. We just want information.”

 

Naruto was about to challenge her back, but Sasuke stepped up. “Hear that, loser? They're harmless this time,” he grinned. He was still the same as Shiruki had remembered. He had always defended her from Naruto's insults and obnoxiousness. She could almost consider him a friend if he weren't so “high and mighty.” Naruto sighed and nodded in defeat, growling at the “loser” part. Sasuke was right, though. “Good. Now, hurry up if you two want to see her tonight. She is rather busy tomorrow,” he said, leaving and heading to Tsunade's.

 

Shiruki nodded and looked to Gaara. “Ready?” she asked. He nodded and she took his hand, earning a jaw-dropping, wide-eyed expression from both Naruto and Sakura. Naruto hated to admit it, but he was right in assuming she'd find happiness and comfort with Gaara. If only he knew the emotions that they actually experienced when in no one's presence but their own.

 

“Sakura? Tell me you see that too...” Naruto said, pointing at Shiruki's and Gaara's interlocked fingers. Sakura had gasped before Naruto spoke. She stared and nodded dumbly. “Gaara's not killing her?” Naruto asked, clearly confused. Nonetheless, he followed the three alongside Sakura.

 

At Tsunade's...

“So let me get this straight...you want to learn my concealment jutsu to seal your inner demons so you can sleep?” Tsunade questioned with a thoughtful look. This had clearly puzzled her. Why, of all times, did they want to sleep now? Gaara and Shiruki nodded in unison, their glares in place. “Why the sudden interest?” Tsunade pressed further. She had to know everything, didn't she?

 

Gaara glanced to Shiruki to make sure she wouldn't jump over the desk and strangle the woman that infuriated her so. Instead of seeing anger, he saw thought and reason. Shiruki sighed. “Tsunade...I haven't slept for almost ten years because if I do, my inner demon will kill innocent people. You can't possibly know what that is like due to the simple fact that you can sleep any time you wish. As for Gaara, he is in the same situation. It was my hearing of this jutsu and mentioning it to Gaara that made us come here to you tonight. What's the sudden interest? We just wish to experience something we have never completely been able to enjoy since we were children. And even then, we couldn't fully enjoy it because the demon was just starting to show. It is as simple as that. If you are not going to help us, then I myself will fall asleep on purpose and make sure the demon comes after this village,” she glared at her, threat crystal clear. “It is your choice, Hokage.”

 

Gaara's eyes widened for a second at her threat. He resumed his glare when he saw Tsunade debating it within herself. Tsunade thought for minute before sighing heavily. She had no choice. “You realize this jutsu saps your chakra?” Shiruki bit back a comment along the lines of “what jutsu doesn't?” and nodded again with Gaara. “Your body will need time to regain-“

 

“Tsunade,” Shiruki said, harshly, causing Tsunade's eyes to widen at her tone. It was deadly. Naruto hadn't even heard it this harsh before. “We are not as incompetent as your regular Shinobi. I ask that you treat us as intelligent beings. We may only be teenagers, but we do have common sense. Common sense that you just defiled by speaking to us as if we were Gennin. That is an insult to us as Shinobi. We are Jounnin. Please treat us and speak to us as such. I have thought it over and I am quite sure that Gaara has also. We know what we are asking for,” Shiruki finished with an eerie calmness that slightly startled the fifth Hokage.

 

Tsunade sighed. “Alright...” Shiruki's eyes lit up. She looked at Gaara and saw something that resembled elation, but he hid it fairly well with his glare. “After you are healed. I'll teach you then. Sound fair?” she asked seriously, not wanting her to further damage herself.

 

Shiruki nodded and bowed respectfully before walking out, followed by a stoic Gaara. When they got back in town, the moon was at its fullest and, not to mention, its brightest. She took Gaara's hand in hers again and looked up at him to see him looking at her. Actually looking at her. Not past her like he used to. He was looking at her with such fire and determination, that it startled her a little. His eyes weren't cold and lifeless. His glare wasn't harsh and evil. He looked normal. He looked pleased. The look on his face made her feel loved, wanted, needed. “Gaara? What is it?” she smiled adoringly. He looked away and led her away from Konoha and onto a roof that overlooked all of Konoha. She smiled and sat, relaxing. Sh noticed that Gaara hadn't sat yet, so she looked back at him. “Gaara?”

 

He looked at her and used his sand to pick her up on her feet. He wrapped his arms around her waist as the sand dropped her. Shiruki noticed a grin playing on his lips. She traced his symbol again and smiled back at him. She saw him relaxing and drawing nearer like before. His face was content and blank. His eyes closed, mouth relaxed.

 

She figured he'd just rest his head on her shoulder again so shse just smiled and closed her eyes also. She stood there for seconds before opening her eyes, seeing that the contact never came. She saw Gaara staring at her, his face inches from hers. Shiruki gasped and blushed as she looked into his eyes. He'd never been this close to her. She smiled and brought her arms up to wrap around his neck and Gaara held her against him, staring into her eyes with, what looked like, admiration. Their faces remained the same distance apart. As Shiruki looked into his eyes, she saw something. Gaara appeared to be looking for approval for something. She smiled and tilted her head upwards a little. She felt his breath on her lips. She closed her eyes, leaning closer to him, her lips brushing against his. Gaara's eyes widened and his breath caught as Shiruki's lips touched his in a gentle kiss. Under the moonlight that shone over Konoha, Gaara and Shiruki shared a gentle, passionate kiss.

 

After a few seconds of his initial shock, Gaara closed his eyes and kissed her back, shocking her and making her happy all at once. They held each other close. Shiruki's tongue grazed Gaara's bottom lip, seeking entrance into the warm recesses of his mouth. He hesitantly parted his lips for her and Shiruki easily slipped her tongue into his mouth, seeking and swirling playfully around his. They shared a passionate kiss, full of love, admiration, and pent up emotions both have been dying to reveal to each other for years. Shiruki pulled away due to lack of air to see Gaara's disappointed face that was still trying to comprehend if that really happened. She smiled and looked into his eyes. “Gaara?” she whispered, seeing if he was still with her mentally.

 

Gaara hugged her tightly, bringing her head to his chest. “That...feeling...” he whispered breathlessly. “I...liked it...” Shiruki smiled and held him back, just as softly.

 

“I did too. I think...you understand what love is now, Gaara. As do I. That was it. What we shared just now...what we experienced...that was love.” She pulled away and smiled at him with upcoming tears of joy. She loved him. He loved her. It was all too perfect. She was half-expecting to wake up any moment now. That all this happiness was just a figment of her imagination. A mere dream. “I love you.”

 

Gaara was taken aback, still trying to get used to that statement, but soon got over it. “I...love you...too,” he breathed in his dark, quiet voice that brought comfort to Shiruki and sent shivers down her spine. Shiruki smiled at him and gasped at what she saw. It was wonderful. Heaven shone on him that night. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Pure bliss. It made Shiruki go weak at the sight. It gave her butterflies and made her joyous that she'd brought such a wonderful sight upon his graceful features. It was...

 

Gaara's smile.

 

 

TBC....

 

 

A/N: whew....that chapter was rather difficult...anyways...to those who keep reading and R&R'ing thank you. Kittie