Sand Away From The Desert

Thanks everyone for all the reviews and votes so far! I love your feedback! A few responses before we get back to the story:



Sneakyfox - As usual, I love seeing your reviews. Don't worry, it's not a real mission. It was meant to be more of a training mission for the younger three. So they didn't go very far out or stay long, as you'll see when you read this chapter!



Lady Laran - Like I wrote above to Sneakyfox, it's not exactly a real mission. I thought of it more as a training or practice mission, which is why I found it more appropriate to let Kankuro help out. Plus, as far as this fic is concerned, Konoha has a very good relationship with the three sand siblings after how much they've helped them. They're working between the two villages. Anyway, thank you! I'm very glad you like the story so far. I hope you continue to enjoy it!



Carousel - Thanks! I'm glad you liked Chapter 6! I also enjoy having them abuse ninjitsu, especially Gaara with his sand, hehe. Hope you like this chapter too!





After meeting Kankuro, the two boys entered the Academy training area and found Konohamaru with his two friends Udon and Moegi.



“Naruto nii-chan!” Konohamaru squealed happily.



Naruto introduced his young admirer and his friends to Kankuro, and then started to lead them toward the village gate.



“So, Naruto nii-chan, I saw you with the Kazekage the other day. Is he as mean as he looks?” Konohamaru asked cheerfully.



Kankuro turned and gave Konohamaru an angry glare, fury rising inside him. He was about to yell at the naïve ninja, but was cut off by Naruto’s quick answer.



“Konohamaru!” Naruto yelled, “Do not speak about the Kazekage that way! He is a great ruler, and an even better friend!”



Konohamaru frowned, quickly realizing he made a mistake. Udon and Moegi looked back and forth at each other, surprised to see Naruto so angry.



****************************************



Three hours later, the five returned from their mission. Naruto and Kankuro returned the younger three to their homes and then began to walk through the town side by side.



“Thank you,” Kankuro said softly after awhile.



Naruto turned to the other boy who had an unreadable expression on his face, very similar to the one Gaara usually had on his face, just a tiny bit less cold.



“For what?” Naruto asked, his confusion obvious.



“For defending Gaara. You didn’t have to,” Kankuro said



“I just told him the truth. I can’t believe he would talk about him that way!”



“Naruto, are you really that innocent? Gaara constantly has to deal with people who think of him that way. He has worked extremely hard, and has barely gained the respect of a few of the people around him. People have always been afraid of Gaara because of his temper and of course Shukaku. You are the first person I have heard defend Gaara other than Temari and myself. He would be pleased.”



Naruto felt his cheeks turn red, but he clenched his fists at his sides, thinking about how much pain Gaara must be in. Kankuro watched emotion fill the face of the boy beside him, and he wondered if Naruto was that upset about Gaara’s feelings or his own.



Before Kankuro had the chance to ask Naruto anything else, he sensed his brother approaching them. Gaara turned the corner in front of them, and Naruto looked up and noticed his bright red hair quickly. When Naruto looked up into Gaara’s eyes, Gaara was surprised to see emotion filling his blue eyes. Gaara quickened his step a little, reaching Kankuro and Naruto within a few seconds.



“How was the mission?” he asked quickly, his eyes never leaving Naruto’s face.



“It was simple. Naruto and I had it easy. And we even got to teach the children a lesson that we agreed they needed to learn,” Kankuro replied, also looking over at Naruto.



“What lesson?” Gaara asked, confused by his brother’s light tone.



“I have to meet Temari, but perhaps Naruto will tell you about it. Naruto, I’m sure my brother would love to hear what you said,” Kankuro said firmly.



Naruto’s eyes flashed over to Kankuro who just smiled and ran off down the street. When Naruto turned back to Gaara, the redhead was staring at him curiously.



“My brother seemed pleased with you. He rarely behaves that way,” Gaara said.



“He was just being kind. I didn’t deserve it,” Naruto whispered shyly.



“That doesn’t sound like him at all. Whatever you did, it must have meant something.”



Naruto shrugged his shoulders, too embarrassed to tell Gaara what had happened. Gaara just motioned for Naruto to follow him, and the two boys began to walk down the street.



“What did Kankuro want you to tell me?” Gaara persisted.



Naruto didn’t answer, but instead his eyes suddenly filled with emotion again. He looked over at Gaara, remembering what Kankuro told him.



Do people still really treat you that badly? Even after you’ve proven yourself?



Naruto suddenly had the urge to reach over and hug Gaara, but he quickly stopped himself when he realized that Gaara might react negatively to such sudden, unexpected movement. Naruto instead settled for studying Gaara’s face, his eyes flitting over the pale skin, confused green eyes, and red tattoo on his forehead.



“Why are you looking at me that way?” Gaara asked, frowning.



“No reason,” Naruto replied quietly.



Gaara stopped walking as they reached his apartment. Naruto started to back away, but Gaara grabbed his wrist and pulled him in closer.



“Come upstairs. I’d like to talk to you,” Gaara demanded.



Naruto just nodded, concentrating on the warm hand gripping his wrist. Gaara pulled Naruto inside his apartment where they sat down on the couch together. Once they were sitting, Gaara stared at the boy beside him, surprised that Naruto would not meet his eyes. Naruto self-consciously pulled his knees up to his chest and put his arms around his knees, as if to protect himself.



“So, are you going to tell me what you and Kankuro were talking about, or will I have to force it out of you?” Gaara asked, a smile playing at his lips.



Naruto pulled his knees in closer to his chest. He barely noticed that Gaara had attempted humor, too distracted by his thoughts of what Gaara must have endured in his lifetime. But, he realized that Gaara wouldn’t let it go until he told him what Kankuro had mentioned, so Naruto began to chew nervously on his lip.



“Konohamaru saw me walking around town with you before. So while we were on the mission, he asked me if, uh, if you were as mean as you looked,” Naruto whispered.



Gaara tensed up beside Naruto, feeling that severe tightening in his chest. He rose from the couch and walked toward his bedroom, but stopped himself in the doorway. He stood there with his back to Naruto while he caught his breath.



“That made Kankuro happy?” Gaara asked, pain pouring out in his voice.



“No, of course not!” Naruto said quickly.



“But...he seemed pleased,” Gaara whispered.



“Not with Konohamaru! He was furious about what he said! He was just pleased with…my reply and how I handled it,” Naruto insisted.



Gaara lifted his hand to his chest, gripping his shirt tightly. He felt like his body might begin to shake, but he quickly forced himself to stand tall and strong, unwilling to give away how weak he was beginning to feel.



“What...did you say?” Gaara asked cautiously.



“I just told him...” Naruto hesitated as a blush spread across his cheeks, “that you’re a great ruler, and an even better friend,” Naruto finished shyly.



Gaara felt the pain in his chest reside as it was replaced by something else. He felt a smile growing on his cheeks as he thought about the boy behind him. Naruto on the other hand, was growing more afraid as Gaara continued to stand with his back to him.



“Gaara?” Naruto whispered, fear in his voice.



“Th-thank you,” Gaara whispered suddenly.



Naruto was shocked by the words and the sound of Gaara’s voice. He had never heard Gaara sound so unsure, or heard his voice tremble before. Naruto gathered his courage, rose from the couch, and moved over to Gaara’s back. Although Gaara flinched when he felt Naruto place on hand on his shoulder, he didn’t move away from him.



“Did you...mean that?” Gaara whispered.



“Of course!” Naruto replied enthusiastically.



“You consider us...friends?”



Gaara trembled suddenly and he mentally kicked himself for showing such weakness. Naruto felt the trembling under his hand and his eyes opened wide in shock.



“Gaara, are you okay?” Naruto asked quickly.



“Do you truly consider us friends?” Gaara repeated.



“Yes! Now, are you okay?”



Gaara hung his head as he felt unwelcome tears rising in his eyes. Naruto stopped trying to question him and seemed to sense what Gaara was feeling and needed from him. He slowly slid one arm around Gaara’s thin waist, pulling him in close to his chest. Gaara leaned into the other boy, still fighting back his tears.



“Gaara, say something. Did I upset you?” Naruto whispered.



“No. I was just...surprised,” Gaara replied quietly.



Naruto felt Gaara tremble in his arms, so he grabbed Gaara’s biceps and spun him around. Naruto quickly noticed the tears in Gaara’s eyes as he continued to hold Gaara’s arms tightly. Gaara turned his face away as a few tears squeezed through his now closed black eyelids. But Naruto just reached up and softly wiped the tears away with his thumbs.



“Gaara, I know how difficult it can be when people won’t accept you. I do understand how you are feeling,” Naruto soothed.



Gaara looked down between their bodies, suddenly afraid to meet Naruto’s eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time he cried, but he knew that he was difficult to console when he was in pain. He doubted Naruto could help him any more than his siblings ever had. To pull him from his thoughts, Naruto reached out his hand and tipped Gaara’s chin up and forced him to meet his gaze.



I’ve never seen him look so vulnerable. Gaara actually started to cry...



Naruto pushed Gaara gently against the wall behind him, keeping his hands on his muscular biceps. Then Naruto leaned in toward him until their faces were merely inches apart. Gaara tried to look away again, but Naruto’s face was too close to avoid.



“Naruto...” Gaara whispered.



Naruto dove in and pressed his lips against Gaara’s own lips. Gaara’s eyes opened wide for a moment, but then he squeezed them shut again and leaned into the kiss. For a moment his tears were forgotten as that warm mouth pressed down over his. But then Naruto pulled back slowly, leaving Gaara confused and quiet.



Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it. He accepted the silence between the two of them, since it seemed to reveal hidden emotions inside both of them. He carefully grabbed Gaara’s wrist and pulled him down the hallway toward the bedroom, hoping Gaara wouldn’t protest. Naruto was happy when Gaara followed him without objecting.



Naruto pulled Gaara into Gaara’s bedroom and over to his bed. He sat down slowly, pulling Gaara down next to him. Gaara turned to look at Naruto just as Naruto leaned forward and kissed him for the second time. Naruto pushed one hand through Gaara’s soft red hair as he put the other firmly around Gaara’s thin waist. Naruto slipped his tongue out of his lips and ran it across Gaara’s lips. But Gaara pulled away suddenly and inched back from Naruto. Naruto, feeling a little hurt, watched Gaara’s face closely.



“What’s wrong?” Naruto asked quietly.



“Why are you doing this?” Gaara whispered.



“What do you mean?” Naruto asked, surprised.



“It won’t make anything better if you pretend to care about me,” Gaara replied coldly.



Naruto smiled, realizing that Gaara just needed to be reassured. Naruto grabbed Gaara’s arms hard and pulled him close, hugging him tightly.



“Gaara, I’m not pretending. I never pretend,” Naruto said honestly.



Gaara looked into Naruto’s eyes, seeing the seriousness in his cerulean eyes. Gaara felt the tears rising in his eyes again, and he quickly turned his face away from Naruto, sick of appearing so weak around him.



Naruto realized what was happening this time, so he very calmly pulled his t-shirt up over his head and dropped it to the floor, deciding that the best way to help Gaara understand would not be with words. Gaara glanced at him, his eyes rolling over Naruto’s muscular torso. Naruto reached out to Gaara and lifted the other boy’s t-shirt over his head, revealing his pale, sculpted torso. Gaara watched as Naruto tossed his shirt to the floor as well and then locked eyes with Gaara. Naruto gently eased Gaara down onto his back on the bed. Then he moved onto his side on the bed, facing Gaara.



“I know you try to keep yourself very under control. I often try to control my feelings as well. But Gaara, for tonight, just let me take care of you. Let me force those tears away and show you how it feels to let someone get close to you,” Naruto whispered.



Gaara looked at him in surprise, not even noticing when some of his tears rolled down his cheeks. Naruto pulled Gaara close to him, resting his arm comfortably around his waist. Then Naruto leaned in and softly kissed Gaara. Gaara closed his eyes and kissed back, shivering when he felt Naruto’s tongue pressing at his lips. Gaara parted his lips and felt Naruto’s tongue wrap around his own. Gaara moaned into Naruto’s mouth, his voice deep and husky. Naruto felt excitement building in him at hearing Gaara’s moan. Naruto rubbed his fingers up over Gaara’s chest, making sure to circle his nipples on the way. Gaara closed his eyes as Naruto climbed on top of him, straddled him, and put his head down on Gaara’s chest. Naruto pressed their bodies together and kissed Gaara’s neck. Gaara moaned a little louder this time as Naruto sucked on his neck and trailed his tongue slowly down his throat and chest until he reached his nipple. Naruto circled Gaara’s nipple with his tongue as he slid his hand down over Gaara’s hip, slipping it beneath his pants and boxers. Naruto smiled as he felt the bone of Gaara’s hip covered by his unusually smooth skin. Gaara opened his eyes and stared down at Naruto as he scooted down until his head was even with Gaara’s hips. Naruto smirked as he grabbed the waistband of Gaara’s pants and boxers and slid them down his legs in one swoop. As his entire body was exposed to the cool air of his nearly empty bedroom, Gaara shivered.



Gaara watched as Naruto looked up and down his body, both boys unashamed. Naruto bent down and ran his hands up Gaara’s pale, trembling thighs. Naruto leaned down farther and positioned his mouth over the head of Gaara’s erection. Gaara groaned as Naruto swallowed him into his mouth until Naruto’s lips were against the base of his shaft. As Naruto began to move his head up and down, swirling his tongue around the sensitive head each time he rose, Gaara whimpered. Gaara reached one hand down and dug it into Naruto’s messy hair while he gripped his sheets tightly with the other hand. Naruto looked up at Gaara’s eyes, noticing that his tears were long gone, just as Naruto had hoped. Naruto began to move his head faster, eliciting deep moans from the redhead. Gaara’s fingers twisted Naruto’s hair and pushed his head down farther. Suddenly Gaara loosened his grip on Naruto’s hair and tipped his head back. His eyes closed as he released into Naruto’s ready mouth. Naruto swallowed most of it down easily, leaving only a small trail that dribbled down his tan chin. Gaara looked up at Naruto as he wiped his chin and licked the wetness eagerly from his fingers. Then Naruto moved up on the bed and kissed Gaara firmly. Naruto slowly pulled back his mouth, but draped his arm over Gaara’s bare stomach.



“Gaara…” Naruto whispered.



“Mm?” Gaara whispered back.



“Is it okay if I stay over?”



Naruto looked into Gaara’s eyes, eagerly awaiting his response. After a moment, Gaara smirked and ran his fingers through Naruto’s hair.



“I wouldn’t let you leave now even if you wanted to,” he whispered seriously.



Naruto laughed and stood up from the bed. He pushed his pants down, leaving him in navy blue boxer shorts. He started to get back into the bed when he felt Gaara’s sand wrap around his feet and waist, holding him in place. Naruto looked over at Gaara, confused by the sand. Gaara just smirked and used the sand to grab the edges of Naruto’s boxers and push them down to his ankles. Gaara looked over Naruto’s naked body, nodding in approval. He let his sand fall back to the floor and watched as Naruto stepped out of his boxers and climbed back into the bed. Naruto curled up into Gaara’s side and wrapped his arms around him. Gaara put his arm over Naruto’s shoulder, smiling when Naruto nuzzled affectionately into his neck. He watched as Naruto closed his eyes, pulled Gaara a little closer, and drifted off to sleep easily.