Not you, too!

14. The Mission has a problem - Gaara comes out

Back in the rooms Kankurou sat in a bathrobe trying to be patient as Shikamaru grilled him about the reason that Sasuke had run out when they were about to make an attempt at saving his brother.
“Look, he got mad, changed into me and went for a walk. That is all you need to know.”
“What was he mad about?” Neji asked. Choji sat at the table and stared across its expanse at the sand ninja. Kankurou glared at them all.
“The mood was spoiled.” He said.
“The mood?” Shika asked. “You were?”
“We tried. It was interrupted. The Uchiha didn’t take it well. There is always tomorrow.”
“Not likely with the way he was moving. I’d say you lost your window of opportunity.”
“Sasuke has an extreme manner of mood swings. I would have to concur. I had heard that he dated Mozuku before the incident.” Neji added.
“Yeah, and Shino asked him out just before he started dating Hana. I remember that Shino was saying that Sasuke seemed very willing, and then Naruto came to the door looking for the Uchiha for a mission that had come up. Shino and Sasuke never went out again.” Choji amended for them all.
“So, our friend is somewhat frustrated.” Neji said.
“I am seeing a pattern here. And I think I know its source. What exactly interrupted you?” Shikamaru asked.
“The baby needed changing.” Kankurou replied standing and heading for the bathroom. “Then the blond changed back.”
“What? But, I thought Naruto transformed after Choji. He shouldn’t have turned back until after midnight. More like one in the morning. You should have had plenty of time.” Neji conjectured.
“That is what we thought.” Kankurou said, closing the door behind him.
“So, that is very interesting.” Shikamaru said. Sitting in the abandoned seat, he looked up at Neji and then at Choji. “How did Naruto know to change right then? It isn’t like he knows what is going on when he is transformed.”
“He would have known that Shino and Sasuke were together. They had gone to dinner first. I think Shino told me that he had seen Naruto before they went to Sasuke’s house.” Choji informed them.
“Yes, and wasn’t Mozuku sent out on the mission because Naruto and Sasuke had to go on the emergency trip with Jiraiya? He was gone when the three returned.” Neji said, his face intense. “But there was no way to know he wouldn’t return.”
“That wasn’t the point. Remember, Sasuke is the key factor. He only tries once, then seems to give up. So, if you interrupt the attempt, that opponent is out of the battle. Shrewd, Naruto. Very shrewd. But what purpose would he have to keeping Sasuke pure?” Shikamaru asked, tapping his chin.
“In the case of Naruto, we may never know.” Neji said.
“I think it is because every time Sasuke gets real mad at Naruto, they spend more time together afterwards.” Choji said, “Sparring or eating ramen. They kinda go all out to make up. And that may be worth the tension and frustration they have before. And didn’t Sasuke discover the Seidan just after Shino and Hana became a pair?”
“Sexual frustration as an impetus to higher learning. What a concept, Choji.”
The sound of voices in the hall, and the return of the sand ninja ceased their conversation.

The light of the morning sun was peeking through the crack in the window covering as the sand ninja watched the door open and the laughing pair come through.
Sasuke, realizing that he was being stared at, dropped the henge and returned to his normal look. His face went cold and his eyes hard as he glared at them. Behind him, the blond had just transformed back to his regular look from the Oiroke no jutsu that he had been using.
“What?” Sasuke asked, crossing his arms and taking an offensive stance.
“Where have you been?” Shikamaru asked, rising and standing before Neji, blocking his view.
Sasuke’s face went casual. “I took a walk.” He said.
“Just because your sex life isn’t the greatest is no reason to jeopardize the mission.” Neji said, sounding a little peckish.
“I didn’t realize that this mission was hinged on my sex life.” Sasuke said.
“When you rush out and drag Naruto behind you, risking our cover, it becomes part of the mission.”
“Ne-ji.” Naruto growled out, “This is not a problem.”
“And how did I risk our cover? Anyone who saw us is probably wondering why he. . .” Sasuke said pointing at the sand ninja, “Is out cheating on his poor wife with some sexy blonde.” and the Uchiha dropped on the end of the bed, smiling. “Besides, we found out something very important.”
Naruto smiled and wrapped an arm around Choji’s shoulder “Yeah, and you ain’t gonna believe this.”
“Kankurou, who is Karura and what significance does she have to Sabaku no Gaara?”
“She was our mother. She died giving birth to him.” Kankurou said, his bitterness evident.
“Well, she’s back from the dead. Threefold.” Several blank faces stared back as the pair began to tell the story of their observations.

“Now you can save your brother.” He said, and the Dainichi eyes filled with tears.
Sasuke turned to look at the blonde, registering for the first time that Naruto had assumed his Naruko visage and was sitting next to him looking like an extremely sexy woman. Sasuke regained his composure and shook off his shock.
"That is my blouse,” he stated.
“I know. And since it looks so great on you, I thought I could pull it off, too. They’re your boots, also.” Naruko said, crossing her legs and thus hiking the mini skirt up slightly.
“You look, real good.” Sasuke admitted, “But that just might be the Dainichi.”
“So, what do you see?” Naruko asked, leaning in to look deep into her friend’s eyes.
Only Naruto would be stupid or trusting enough to stare directly into Sasuke’s Sharingan.
“What?” Sasuke asked.
“The building, Teme. What do you see?” and Sasuke turned to where the guards were even now opening the doors for those very similar looking women to enter and then following them in.
Sasuke concentrated and watched the women separate and circle the room, each moving to another task. The guards stood to either side of the inside of the doors as if guarding now, to keep something in. Sasuke leaned forward and looked at the small spark of chakra that was Gaara to one end where no other person ventured. The spark flared a little and one of the women went closer.
“I can’t see enough. We have to get closer.” Sasuke suggested and Naruko looked around them.
“I have an idea,” she said, standing and pulling him up.
Naruko giggled foolishly leaning closer to the other. “Oh, Ganjou. You shouldn’t say things like that. Some one might hear you.” The blonde said, pulling his arm down the path toward the building. “Tell me more about my eyes.” She said, leaning close enough to brush her transformed breasts against the Uchiha’s chest.
“I could stare at your eyes all night.” Sasuke said, pulling Naruko back against a tree just a few feet from the wall. “Such vibrant blue and so deep. Like a mountain lake.”
“You’re soo romantic, Ganjou.” Naruko said, batting her eyes and smiling seductively.
“Mmm, when I want to be I can. I can be other things, also.” Sasuke said, pressing his face into her shoulder and breathing in a scent that was pure Naruto. His Sharingan began to spin as he looked through her hair at the wall behind her.
Do you see him?” Naruko whispered. Sasuke’s lips met her neck and the Uchiha turned to watch the activity to the right.
“Oh, he’s there all right. And I know why his chakra is so weak, too.”
Naruko pressed closer pushing him hard against the tree. “Why?” he said, his voice throaty.
“The same reason Kyuubi hasn’t been very vocal about your new jutsu. Let’s get back.”

“And we hurried back here like two horny lovers.” Naruto finished for him.
“Gaara is using Choji’s jutsu?” Neji asked. “How would he have learned it?”
“Not Choji’s. This is different. He isn’t a baby, physically. Just mentally. Gaara hasn’t changed in size, but his mind and Shukaku’s have been sent back to early childhood. I don’t know if it’s permanent, or how long it will last, but he is as docile as a newborn.”
“How do we get him out?” Kankurou asked, his concern for his brother becoming greater.
Sasuke turned to Shikamaru, who was deep in thought. “Night is still our best opportunity. We can take out the guards and take him through the wall. If he is stuck for any length of time, we’ll need to gather some supplies. Treat it like you are taking a real baby. Neji would be the best judge of his needs. Naruto and Choji will take over for the guards, in henge. Gaara is still small, so Sasuke can get him. I will need to look over the inside of the building to see if I can find any information. Kankurou did you bring that puppet that can hold a man inside?” and he watched as the sandman nodded. “Good. We may need to put him in it to hide him. We will have to separate and meet up later.
Sasuke and Naruto will go to the onsen tomorrow as Tsuki and Taiyou. Be seen as Ganjou and his girlfriend a few times, too. This should keep them from suspecting you, right off. We will leave immediately and you can arrange to have our stuff sent off later. It will buy us some time. Then, you come later.” Sasuke nodded and Naruto grinned, wickedly.
“For now, you two have been up all night. Get some sleep. We will cover for you.”
“Yes. Dear, I have a terrible headache. Go and have a good time, but if I hear that you have found some blonde and replaced me, you’ll be in deep trouble.” Sasuke teased at the puppet master.

Darkness was complete and all of the late night guests had gone back to their beds. No one was in evidence and the six men, dressed all in black would be invisible also if not for one head of bright blond hair.
“Put your hat on, Dobe.” Sasuke said, smacking his friend on the back of the head.
"Teme!” was the answer.
They separated from the shadows and moved toward the unsuspecting guards.
“thump” “clunk” the two guards dropped to the ground only to rise again and return to their positions.
Hands pulled the two unconscious men into the doors and closed them behind. Shikamaru turned on the lights and looked around as the others bound and gagged the guards. “Blindfold them, too. We don’t want to be recognized.”
Sasuke walked over to the oversized crib in the far corner. Inside the redhead slept. Neji joined him near the thing.
“What will you need?” Sasuke asked.
“Mostly just anything that we don’t have in full size. If we had known, I could have . . . Never mind.” Neji said, turning to find the large diapers and some other necessities. Sasuke lowered the crib rails and pulled a blanket around the sleeping boy.
“Gaara doesn’t sleep.” Kankurou said from across the room.
“But if the demon is an infant, he won’t take over. It’s genius.” Shikamaru said.
Sasuke looked at the two before reaching in and lifting the Kazekage carefully out of the bed and curling him in his arms.
Gaara looked up for a moment his eyes questioning, Sasuke smiled and rocked him, cooing softly, “It’s okay, baby. Sleep. We’ll take good care of you, shhhh.”
The deep green eyes slowly closed and Gaara returned to sleep.
‘let’s go.” Neji said, slinging his bag, bulging with hastily packed items, onto his shoulder and handing another that was in worse shape to Kankurou. Shikamaru had some papers he had been shuffling through and he stuffed them into his shirt and nodded.
“Okay, to the park.” And the doors opened to allow them to exit.

Within the confines of the tree, Sasuke handed the bundled Gaara to his brother and eased back the blanket to check his condition. He was still sleeping a thumb firmly implanted in his mouth. Sasuke brushed a lock of hair out of his face and looked up to the face of his brother.
“I see him like this, and wonder what turned me off to him, back then.” He admitted.
“Maybe you like the docile type.” Kankurou said.
“Naw, I like them loud and annoying. I figured that part out. I still have issues though,” he said.
“Well, I think you have a good start on clearing that up. Sorry for the wasted time.” The puppet man said.
“Nothing wasted about it. I had a good time. See ya, Sandman. Take care of him, I may come see him sometime.” Sasuke said, then he gently kissed the tattoo on the
Kazekage’s face and pulled the blanket back into place.
Shikamaru had stopped at the wall and was waiting as the sand Ninja’s followed. He waved to Sasuke and disappeared through the opening.
“Hey, let’s get out of here. It’s starting to get light out.” And they hurried back to the hotel.

Back in the room, Naruto buzzed around, still hyped from the action at the playground. Sasuke watched him from his seat on the bed.
“Hey, Dobe?” he called. Naruto turned to him.
“We never got to talk last night.” Sasuke said, and the blond stopped. Naruto could be serious when the need arose so he climbed up next to the brunet and leaned against the wall with him.
“So, talk. What was it that upset you?” and he waited.
Sasuke was silent for a long time, before he sighed and turned to the other. “You.” He said, and Naruto turned to him. “You and a little thing called timing.” Naruto smiled as he watched the look cross the Uchiha’s face.
“Me. I have perfect timing.” He admitted.
“Yes, if you want to give me the worst case of sexual frustration in history. Then, you do. But, Naruto why?” Sasuke asked.
“Hunh?”
“I have been trying to get laid for two years, now. And somehow you always manage to screw it up for me. I understand you are concerned and I appreciate it, but let me have some time to myself. When that comes up at least.”
“But, Sasuke. Kankurou? Come on, that was just too much. And Shino belongs with Hana. And you really couldn’t be serious about Iwana, seriously he’s old and ugly. Now, when I heard about you visiting Idate, I thought that you had regained your senses but he isn’t Leaf anymore and you wouldn’t do good with a long distance relationship.”
Sasuke stared at the blond as he finished this rendition.
“You have really been giving this a lot of thought, haven’t you?” and Naruto smiled happily. “And here I thought you were just being random as usual. By the way, I went to see Idate because he is my friend, that’s all. And when you showed up, he thought you had gone insane.” And Naruto’s face turned pink at the notion.
“You just don’t get it, Sasuke. I wonder if, that thing . . . . ?” Naruto said, trailing off suddenly.
“Just let me make my own decisions, okay?”
“Ahh, Sasuke. You are so stupid, sometimes. There is no decision.” And the blond rolled over and curled up, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. Soon, he was asleep and try as he might he couldn’t sleep. Finally, he rose and walked to the window watching the rising sun, and engaging his new Dainichi.

:::Okay there is another one. Whew, you have almost caught up to me in this one.
A/N - I am going to have to stop for a few days, as I made myself a promise to update all my current works in progress and finish the first sequel to my book by Monday and then take Tuesday off. It's my birthday, and I am exhausted. So don't expect to get anything more until November 7th and then nothing until the 9th. This Scorpio needs a full day of no typing, writing or drawing to give my brain the time to adjust to the new age level.
And no, I'm not saying what level it is.


Vashta - I guess after reading this you will be telling me you caught the next bone, too. Good job if you did. I hope I am answering the question you pose within my text, as I hate to have to give stuff like that away. Yes, Sasuke does seem a little blind to the obvious, but he has been dealing with some of those issues. *wink*

Marielle - Yes, I will concede, this is looking a little like a blatant Sasu/Naru pairing, and I ain't exactly denying it, but please mind your Seme/Uke standards. Remember the name that is first is the one who is dominant and I have already touched on the fact that my Sasuke is not to maintain that position. I am going Sas-uke all the way here. Boy, needs to give up the whole control-issue thing.

ChealseaR - Don't fret, I don't keep count. It is about enjoyment not if you can type as much as I can. Thanks for the compliment, my cheeks are all warm. Now, start picturing a cute little baby Gaara and you got it.

VenGEANCE - Oooh, I'll keep him right next to my Kyo (in cat form) plushie they can grumble together. Hmmm, I wonder if there is a crossover there????? Oh,no. I scared myself.

Chibi-KUN - That explains why my pencils all rolled onto the floor. Everyone is welcome, I'll break out the cookies,*goes into mother hen mode*. But as for updates, see the A/N above.

Hogo-chan - I love that e-mail address, I bet there is quite a story behind it. Glad to have you, but remember to keep up with life and don't spend all of your time hooked here. I am giving everyone the 8th off, for my birthday. Enjoy it.

Neji_FAnatic - You love the Shika/Neji action? Wow, now that was a surprise. I bet you have a Neji plushie, too. I promise they will be back and they have a bit part in my Ino blink of the Eye story, also. I'll try to sneak a real juicy bit in, but they aren't the main thrust right now, I'll catch up with them when they are closer to home. I need to get Sasuke and Naruto out of some big trouble first. Okay????

Next Chapter is The watcher is revealed – You did what?