What Happens Now...

A/N EXTRA:I really need your opinions people!! Am I going too fast with this story or is it ok how it is? It wasn't until this chapter that I realized that I force some of the stuff out of myself just to make sure you guys are happy. I'm not too sure if that's affecting the quality. Your thoughts will decide how I will procede with this story. I thank you all for the support!

Wow. I haven't written a chapter in more than a month. Sorry guys!! Lots of stuff to do before I head off to college!! Here's the chappy!!

(Naruto’s POV)
I tried to move my body, but it was still in no condition to work. I watched helplessly as the two came closer and closer to embedding their kunai into each other. Flinching away from the sight, I prayed to any god that something, anything would stop them. Right when I knew the kunai were going to clash, there was nothing but silence. Looking back up, my eyes widen in shock and relief. Somehow, Kankuro had shown up just in time to stop them both. Karasu had Sasuke pinned to the ground while Kankuro stood in front of Gaara; simply standing there with his arms across his chest. Staring down his younger brother, all Kankuro did was give an exasperated sigh.

“I knew it wasn’t a good idea to let you come here alone.” Gaara just sheathed his kunai and crossed his own arms over his chest. If Kankuro had tried that a couple of years ago, Gaara would have killed him for sure. Gaara knew now to trust his brother’s instincts and decisions. Kankuro turned his back on Gaara; heading to where Sasuke was lying. Kneeling down in front of him, Kankuro pulled off his puppet. Sasuke got onto his knees and brushed off the sand on his uniform. Casting a final glare back at Gaara, Sasuke stood and looked to Kankuro for an explanation.

“I’m very sorry about the confusion. We just assumed that you were all briefed on this. We weren’t expecting for someone to come on this mission that didn’t know who the Kazekage was.” Kankuro then turned towards me still sitting on the sand. “I would also like to apologize for myself. I knew that Sasuke was coming along on the mission and I had forgotten to tell Gaara about his current status in your village.” I shook my head and smiled at Kankuro.

“I don’t blame you. I should have told Sasuke about Gaara. I’m just glad that no one got hurt.” Kankuro raised an eyebrow at the last part.

“Speaking of injuries, what the hell happened to you?” Looking down at myself, I realized that I still looked pretty bad. I was still wrapped up like a mummy and my face was still bruised. Returning my attention back to Kankuro, I decide that I don’t have the energy or the will to explain.

“It’s a bit complicated and I’m not sure if it’s really my story to tell.” I glance over at Sakura to make sure that she gets the message. The whole incident really involved her more personally that it did Sasuke or I. I didn’t know how much it would upset her if other people knew how corrupt her family was; so I wasn’t about to blab about it to everyone that asked. Rolling his eyes, Kankuro headed back towards Gaara; asking his Kazekage if he was alright. Sasuke strode over to my side and knelt beside me.

“Thanks for telling me dobe. I’m pretty sure that if I killed the Kazekage, we would be in some deep shit.” His eyes hardened. “How the hell did he become Kazekage anyway? From what I remember, he was the psycho from the Sand that wanted to kill the both of us just to prove he existed.” That seemed like such a lifetime ago. Gaara has changed so much. It really is hard for me to believe that at one time he had actually lived to kill. Now Gaara would do anything to protect his village and the people in it. He truly was a good leader and I envied him. It had taken him less than a year to become Kazekage after the Chuunin exams. Of course, I was starting to catch up. Being a newly promoted Jounin, I only have to become ANBU before I can qualify to become Hokage. Sasuke’s stare brings me out of my thoughts and I blush. My hand flies to the back of my head and I give him a slight smirk.

“Um… what was the question?” Sasuke’s brow furrowed and I could hear his teeth clench. I just placed my arms between my legs and looked down. I knew he hated it when he had to repeat himself, but I found my mind wandering more and more ever since he returned. Of course before that, all I could focus on was finding him; nothing else really mattered.

“How. Did. He. Become. Kazekage?” He ground out, clearly not amused that my mind was drifting again. Looking back up, I tried to lock my eyes with his, but found it hard when they looked like they were ready to kill me. Wait. When had I ever feared him? A spark of anger formed in the pit of my stomach. How did I end up this way, so timid? I was starting to act more and more like Hinata!! Before, I would have slugged him for speaking to me like that, but now… I just blush and shy away. I snapped my gaze back to his, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of taming me.

“He’s changed Sasuke, we all have. He finally realized that living to protect others is worthwhile; more so than killing to exist.” My words came out hard. Sasuke didn’t miss that something was wrong. His features hardened; I knew what he was about to ask.

“Now’s not the time Sasuke.” And it really wasn’t. We had a mission to complete; we couldn’t let our personal problems hinder our progress. Shifting my legs underneath myself, I use my hands to push my body off the ground shakily. I hadn’t used my legs in at least two days and I could feel it. Sasuke put out his hands to help, but I just ignored him as I stumbled towards the two Sand shinobi. I didn’t need Sasuke’s help; I was strong on my own.
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(Sasuke’s POV)
What the hell? Only a couple of seconds ago Naruto was smiling and acting like his blonde self. Now he was acting distant and angry. What could I have done in those few moments that made him change this much? I was going to have to get him alone later so we could figure this out. I’m not about to deal with a pissed off dobe for the next few months while we stay in the Sand.

I let him struggle his way towards the Kazekage; knowing if I forced my help on him, he would only push me away even more. Turning back slightly, I check on Sakura. In all of the confusion, we had all forgotten about our mission’s objective. She looked a little shaken, but in all truth, she had every right to be. In less than a week she loses her love interest to another man, kills her father, is exiled from her village, almost has her mother kill her, Naruto almost dying, and one of her former teammates nearly killing her future Kazekage. Though I pitied her for the trials that she was forced to go through, I did not feel sorry. I still wasn’t sure that I could trust her yet. The night she confessed she would still pursue Naruto was still fresh in my mind. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the two Sand-nin and Naruto heading into the village.

“Sakura, let’s go.” Her eyes flicker over to mine as she gives a slight nod. I turn away from her and stare at the back of my dobe’s head. What could possibly be going on in there? It was only yesterday that I told him that when we got to the Sand, we could relax. Well, we’ve only been here for 15 minutes and I haven’t been this stressed in a long time. Feeling Sakura come up beside me, we start heading for the gates of the Sand village.
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The walk through the village was a complete nightmare. Not only was I ignored by Naruto, but I felt as if the Kazekage didn’t trust me and Sakura was trying to strike up small conversation with me. Annoyance didn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling. All I could do was shut out Sakura and try to figure out Naruto’s problem. He went from being the loveable klutz to being cold and angry; a little too much like me. This change had only taken a couple of seconds, but it didn’t affect me any less. I honestly was too drained from the trip here to really figure out what’s wrong. I thought we had gotten over our differences a long time ago. Maybe I was being optimistic. We’ve only been in a relationship for a little over a month and I believed that we had passed all the bumps. I guess I’m being naïve, but damn it! Haven’t Naruto and I been through enough in our lives to surpass the normal quirks that come with a relationship?

My brain barely registered my surroundings as we entered the headquarters of the Kazekage. I really only started to pay attention when we were all ushered into the Kazekage’s main office. I really didn’t want to report to him right now; I needed to talk to Naruto as soon as possible. I wasn’t about to spend a couple months in a strange place with no one to talk to. As the Kazekage sat down behind his desk and his brother stood beside him, Naruto and I stood in front of him in a formal stance; Sakura between us. Naruto was the first to talk; him being the senior officer on this particular mission.

“Kazekage-sama, we have brought you the prisoner Haruno Sakura to be trained as a medical ninja under your jurisdiction. Our Hokage as also requested that Uchiha Sasuke, along with myself, be permitted to stay in your village for an extended amount of time.” He sounded so intelligent; of course I knew this was practiced. Naruto would never talk like this if he didn’t have to.

“What is the reason behind your stay?” The Kazekage questioned. Along with not mentioning me, Tsunade-sama must have forgotten to tell him about the incident that led to Sakura’s exile. Letting a heavy sigh escape him, Naruto continued.

“Many of the villagers believe that Sasuke killed Haruno Kizu and they think that I tricked him into doing it. We’re hated by many people right now and Tsunade-sama thought it was best if we let the villagers settle down before we attempted to live among them again.” Looking at Gaara, I could see the silent fury that resided within him. Why was he getting worked up?

“When will your village understand that you’re not out to kill.” The Kazekage whispered harshly. “I was a much crueler individual when I had Shukaku, but when I came back without the intent to kill, my village accepted me; even started to smile around me. Why can’t your village do the same? You never gave them a reason to hate you; fear you. You’re a stronger person than I am Naruto because I would have killed someone by now.” I never expected to meet anyone else to understand Naruto as much as I do. Naruto must have really affected Gaara to change him this much. Shaking his head in disappointment, Gaara turned towards Kankuro.

“Kankuro, I want you to take Sakura to Haruhi.” His gaze shifts to Sakura. “She is the head of our medical force. Though she may not be as strong as Tsunade-sama, Haruhi has many unique gifts that she can teach you.” Kankuro heads towards Sakura after his brother is done speaking. Sakura takes a deep bow.

“Thank you Kazekage-sama, I will try my hardest to learn what Haruhi-sensei has to teach me.” I move out of the way so Kankuro can lead her out of the room. Right before Sakura exits, she turns to look at Naruto and I; bowing again.

“Thank you Naruto, Sasuke. I hope we can meet again, hopefully under better circumstances.” Standing straight up, she flashes one last smile and finally follows Kankuro to her new assignment. Now it was just me and Naruto with the leader of the Sand village. Opening a drawer on his left, Gaara reached inside and produced a couple pieces of paper; lying them flat on his desk. His eyes linked with ours; gaining our full attention.

“About you staying in my village…I will accept the Hokage’s decision and allow you two to take residence here. I only have one request; you are not to leave my village unless I grant you permission. I have lost too many of my own villagers to the harsh desert conditions outside these walls. I’m sure two Konoha shinobi would fare better, but not by much.” I was confused. We had entered the village through the desert and we were fine. The Kazekage peered over at me. “What is it Uchiha?”

“Kazekage-sama, I’m sure you realized that our path here brought us through the desert you just warned us about. I can assure you that no harm came to us during our brief period there.” Gaara just closed his eyes; as if my words were just an annoyance. He reopened them and started to shuffle through the papers he produced earlier.

“I was controlling the sand then. I had to make sure my new medical-nin made it here safe. I wasn’t about to take any chances.” Of course, it made sense now. The person before me was the master of sand; if I can base anything on our fights. Gaara slide the papers towards us; Naruto picking them up and reviewing them.

“There are two rooms for you in the shinobi’s quarters. If there is anything you need, seek out Kankuro or Temari.” His gaze shifts to Naruto. “I’ll be busy for most of the day, but if you want to visit with me later, I’ll be available. You can find me in the streets with my people.” Naruto gave a smile. I could see him relax out of the formal stance and into the one I’m used to. He shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged.

“Yeah, I think I’ll meet up with you later. We haven’t talked in a long time Gaara. Maybe we could even spar.” Gaara scoffed at this.

“You could never beat me in a thousand years Uzumaki.” He stated calmly. Though, if I remember correctly, Naruto was the one who defeated him after Konoha was attacked by Orochimaru. Naruto’s smile just broadened even more.

“You’re on! You’re village is going to be missing you as Kazekage for a while. I don’t think you can perform your duties properly if you’re in the hospital.” Once again, Naruto was getting over his head. This guy was the Kazekage, equal to our Hokage. I snatch the papers out of Naruto’s hands and start heading towards the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Naruto questioned. I could tell he was still angry at me, but I wasn’t about to discuss our problems in front of strangers.

“I’m tired dobe. I think I’ve earned some rest after dragging your ass all the way here.” That was the wrong thing to say. I turn around to see his face, but it’s too late. Naruto has already transported out of the building. I lock my eyes with Gaara and realize the Kazekage is glaring at me. Shrugging, I leave his office and head to my quarters. There was nothing left I could do here. Hopefully, the dobe went back to his quarters. We really needed to talk, before this gets any worse.


Poor Sasuke has no idea how Naruto feels. I really had trouble writing this chapter since, for me, it felt like a filler chapter. Promise not to go filler crazy like the actual Naruto anime does. I know it's not as long as the last one, or as exciting, but I promise that the next chapter will be better. I'll try to post it sometime this week. Keep reviewing and reading, though maybe in the reverse order. Well, unitl next time kiddies!!