SNAKES AND SAND

Hello! this is my first time writing in the Naru fandom, although I've been into it for a while. Usually I stick with the HarryPotterDom but lately the Anime has been calling!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, places, etc, etc, Masashi Kishimoto sensei does. YOU THINK I COULD DO ALL THOSE HORRIBLY DEPRESSING THINGS TO MY BABIES?!! ...well, maybe... okay, fine. I would... but I still don't own them, I only look at them and let my imagination get carried away... (please don't sue me! I don't have the money for a lawyer.)

AN:Seriously depressed by the low number of Gaara/Naru in the world, so here it is! I would grately appreciate a review :bows deeply: arigato gozaimasu.

CHAPTER ONE
SUNAKAGURE


The Hizutsen gang was a large group made up of three different regiments, each run under five different level C outlaws. For a man like Gaara, Kazakage of Sunakagure, Naruto assumed it would be a simple matter of clenching his fists in order to pulverize their entire organization. For some reason unbenownst to him however, Naruto had been sent on his twenty seventh mission; to destroy the Hizutsen leaders, and cart in their followers for Gaara’s own purposes.

Naruto reread the simple request scribbled in Gaara’s own quick scrawl and shook his head.

He supposed it wasn’t odd that the Kazekage himself had sent his specific request for Naruto’s assistance. After all, their own spectacular fight had destroyed an entire forest, as they pitted their inner demons against each other. Naruto remembered distinctly the sudden understanding and anger that had raged inside of him at the realization that Gaara was being manipulated by the demon inside of him.

He grinned at the memory of Gaara later when they had met again. The boy had practically glowed from the inside, and he’d smiled at Naruto in a way that he’d never expected to see.

With a sigh, he looked up at the stark white buildings standing before him in the distance. The image of Sunakagure standing against the desert sand was one that made him pause and stare.

Funny, he almost felt proud for Gaara. This was now his city. Gaara’s.

One day Naruto would look at Konoha with much the same pride as he now looked at Sunakagure. He was sure of it.

Hmm, maybe he should ask Gaara how to go about ensuring that position. The red head was no idiot he would probably have just the answer, especially as the well respected figure head of Sunakagure. He was very strong, but Gaara obviously remembered Naruto’s own strength. In fact Naruto had once kicked the red headed Kazakage’s ass in a battle one wasn’t soon to forget. He wondered vaguely what that said about Sunakagure.

“You do take your time when the Kazekage’s waiting on the edge of his seat for you to arrive, don’t you?”

Naruto spun around sharply to find Temari standing behind him in her obscenely short skirt, fan strapped to her back.

“Temari-chan!” he shouted. How had he missed her?!

She winked a blue eye at him and grinned. “Not very perceptive for a well taught Anbu,” she said. “Come this way.”

In one smooth motion she swung the fan from her back and swept it in a downward motion, causing a whirlwind of sand around them.

Naruto shut his eyes as the sand assaulted them, and only opened them again when he heard Temari stepping forward.

“This is our personal entrance,” she said. Naruto looked down at the boards of wood that she had uncovered. “We have to move quick,” she said. “Or the sand will re-cover it in about thirty seconds.”

She grabbed hold of the little wooden handle, and yanked open the door.

“Ladies first,” he said, and she smiled and hopped into the little black hole without looking down. Naruto gulped.

He edged forward slowly and peered into the blackness that Temari had just dissapeared into. How far did it go?

“Hello?” he asked hesitantly.

“Naruto, the hole is only a few feet deep.” He could practically hear her rolling her eyes.

Feeling his cheeks burn up, he knealt down over the opening trying to see her.

“I knew that!” he said. “I was just seeing if you’d landed alright!”

“I’m fine, just come down here.”

Taking a quick breath, he hopped into the little hole, landing surprisingly quickly and on his feet.

He could see Temari’s smirk before the little opening above them slammed shut.

“So did you land alright?” she asked.

He could hear his inner Kyubi growling.

Stupid Temari. Thought she was all that did she? Just because her stupid brother was the Kazekage.... Well if they were so great, why did they need him, huh?

He was about to ask her just that when she spoke.

“It’s straight ahead,” she said. “And leads almost to Gaara’s front door.”

Naruto reached out a hand on either side of him and warm cement met his finger tips. He began to walk after her, keeping a steadying hand on the wall.

They walked in silence for several minutes before Temari began to hum a light tune. She definitely wasn’t this open the last time they had met.

“Are you sick or something?” Naruto asked.

She looked back at him, annoyed.

“Me? You’re the one who’s not talking. What’s wrong, you were never one to keep quiet?”

Naruto shrugged.

“I’m hungry,” he said.

Well, in all honesty he did feel a little bit odd about having to come here alone by Gaara’s request. It seemed like there was more to it. After all why would Gaara suddenly think of him for a mission? It had been so long.

“Umph!”

“Watch where you’re going, Naruto.”

“I can’t see in here, there’s no light!”

She sighed.

“Look up.”

“Huh?” Naruto turned his face up to the ceiling, struggling to make it out. “Argh!” he screamed as bright light suddenly assaulted his eyes.

Temari snickered.

“We’re here,” she sang.

Grumbling, Naruto climbed out of the little passageway after Temari and dusted himself off.

“This is it,” she said.

Naruto looked up and gaped. The Kazekage of Sunakagure had it good. Temari walked past him and waved the gaurds back from the large white doors.

Naruto gulped. How would Gaara treat him now that he was Kazekage? Would they still be friends or would this job be strictly proffessional?

Their footsteps on the marble floor echoed impressively through the halls until finally they came to a stop before two beautifully carved mahogany doors.

Temari knocked lightly, and then pushed open the heavy doors with ease.

“I brought you your Anbu,” Temari said walking in. Naruto followed bracingly into the room and peered around Temari.

His heart sped at the sight of Gaara sitting behind his desk, his red hair a flame in the softly coloured room. Who was he kidding, this was Gaara!

“Gaara-kun!” he said bounding forward. “Long time no see!”

A soft smile touched Gaara’s lips, and he turned to Temari.

“Thanks oni-chan, you can go.”

He turned to Naruto as soon as the door swung shut behind her.

“How’s Konoha?” he asked.

“Oh, good, it’s great. How’s Sunakagure?” he asked eagerly.

Gaara laughed. A soft sort of ‘hm’ sound that made his smile even softer. Naruto stared.

His mind was doing flips trying vainly to remember if he had done that before. No, but Naruto liked it. “You should do that more often.”

“Uh.” Gaara’s cheeks slowly flushed a pink colour and he awkwardly pulled a stack of papers from his desk drawer. “These are the Hitsuzen member profiles that we have to date,” he said handing Naruto the papers and changing the topic with business. “There is word that they’re planning a mass attack in the near future, but no date has been confirmed.” He leaned his elbows against the desk, resting his chin against his linked hands and he looked at Naruto. “I’d like you to stop them before this attack is under way.”

A slow grin passed over Naruto’s face despite his attempts to stifle them. Gaara narrowed his eyes.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “You’re just acting like an old man.” Naruto’s grin broadened as he realized that Gaara was acting just like the old Hokage. “You sound like oji-chan!”

Gaara’s eyes widened.

“Naruto, I’m the Kazekage, you cannot say that to me! You have to show some degree of respect even if we—.” He stopped dead and stared at Naruto who had begun practically howling with laughter. “I’m old,” he said, and bowed his head attempting to stifle his own laughter. He stood up abruptly. “You’re right,” he said. “You just got here and you haven’t even seen Sunakagure, I’ll take you around town.”

“Really?”

“Yes, there’s no reason we can’t have a break.”

Naruto stood up excitedly, and then sobered.

“But Gaara, technically I’m supposed to be working.”

Gaara shrugged.

“We can talk business as we go, then. Are you hungry?”


END CHAPTER ONE

Next chapter wait for drunken discussions, an attack and a realization. And later an appearance from someone Naruto was silently hoping he'd never see again.

please review! :) no flames!