Disclaimer: sadly, I don't own the Naruto characters; Kishimoto has that honor.
A/N: Hey, folks! Lady-rouge here asking for your forgiveness :hangs her head in shame: I wanted to get this (unfortunately short) chapter out sooner, but unexpected things are happening in my life and it's crazy. By the way, my finals just ended so I'm gonna try to finish up chapter six this weekend and post it up before spring semester starts on Monday. And to let you readers know, I do have an idea of how this story will continue and finish, so it's just a matter of finding time to write it. Also, I want to thank every one who read and reviewed my story. I really appreciate and it's what keeps me going. Thanks a bunch and enjoy!
Back to Where We Were
by: lady-rouge
Chapter 5
"I want Naruto."
Without a moment's hesitation, Sasuke stood up dismissively. "No."
Gaara arched an eyebrow curiously. "You might want to reconsider that answer; considering the situation that you're in."
"That's my final answer," the dark-haired king growled lowly to the red-haired man and without any more words, Sasuke turned and began to leave. Manners be damned!
"You do know that there will be no more negotiations with me after today?" The slightly amused tone of Gaara floated to Sasuke and Sasuke had to bite his lip roughly to hold in a curse. He goddamn knew that and so did Gaara.
Sasuke paused slightly on his way out, but did not say anything. The tightening of his hands told it all. "Sasuke," a hesitant voice stopped Sasuke in his tracks as he listened to the light footsteps come his way to reveal a man with unnatural silver hair that was not befitting of someone in his early thirties. "I beg you to reconsider his offer," was the low reply as the light brown eyes met his own in seriousness. "We all know what is at stake. Is it worth it?"
And Kakashi didn't have to say anything anymore for Sasuke knew all too clearly what was at stake. Closing his eyes in anger, Sasuke slowly unclenched his fists and looked directly and calmly into Kakashi's serious face. Without any hint of emotion is his voice, he nodded. "I do, but that doesn't change my answer." And with that said, Sasuke sidestepped Kakashi and left everyone behind without another glance and headed towards the riverbanks where he knew no one would bother him.
He needed to think.
-
It had only been a couple minutes that Naruto sat inside Sasuke's room when he noticed the fast-darkening sky outside. Something about the full moon beckoned him to have a closer look and with a push against the doors that led to the small balcony outside, Naruto went to lean against the cemented wall and stare wonderingly at that pale orb. It was so . . . fascinating. Even the twinkling stars that had begun to peek out held nothing in comparison to the beauty of the luminescent moon.
Naruto was so intrigued by the moon that he startled when metal clanged loudly in the stillness of the evening with the cemented wall. Stumbling back, Naruto was only able to glimpse a coarse rope before a lithe body flipped itself over the balcony with a hand on the rope and another on the balcony wall for support.
"Hello Naruto," was all Naruto heard before his eyes widened in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" he narrowed his eyes as he stared at the red-haired man suspiciously.
That did not stall the man in giving Naruto a small smile and taking a step forward. "I was on my way out when I spotted you out on the balcony and considering the Uchiha's rudeness in sprinting you out of the dining room before we had a chance to get proper introductions, I thought this would be the best time to do so." The red-haired man stuck out a hand to the blond: "Gaara."
Tightening his lips, Naruto pursed his lips as he stared perplexedly at the red-haired man. "Why are you doing this?" His voice held confusion and wariness.
The smile slipped from the man's lips and his hand dropped down to rest silently against his hip. "I heard that you're a prisoner here." The dark eyes of the red-haired man drilled holes into his and Naruto felt his cheeks flame with humiliation. That was enough to confirm the man's statements and he continued in a lower tone; never once taking his eyes off of Naruto's. "Do you want to leave?"
At that, Naruto's cerulean eyes widened and he flinched as if the man had slapped him. "Don't joke about things like that," he murmured in a bitter tone before turning to go.
"What makes you think I'm joking?"
The words didn't convince him, but it was something about the underlying tone in the voice of that man that sent Naruto's hopes soaring. Naruto stopped and turned to look carefully at the man. "And what makes you think that I'll trust you?"
"What if I tell you I'm the king of Sand Village?"
Naruto froze as he stared at the man. "And what does that have to do with anything?"
"Doesn't that merit your trust that I will honor my word?"
Naruto felt his throat close and open rapidly as he tried to breathe. Here was his chance to escape, hetold himself repeatedly, but somehow he felt anxious at leaving and Naruto did not want to admit what those reasons were for making him anxious. But on the other hand, did he trust this man? Naruto bit his lip tightly as he pondered silently. The real question was: could he afford not to? The answer came to him as fast as the speeding strike of the thunderous lightening on warm summer days—no.
"How . . . how do you plan to make this work?" Naruto's voice was quiet and hesitant as he looked at the full moon that stood proudly in the dark sky.
"Meet me on the first day of the upcoming month at the edge of that forest," Gaara pointed to a dense patch of trees and Naruto nodded his understanding. "After that, we'll go to my village until you are in no more danger and then you can leave."
At those words, Naruto took a step back and looking suspiciously at the man. "You're . . . just going to let me leave . . . just like that?" Somehow, Naruto found it hard to believe.
The man nodded solemnly and Naruto shook his head as he tiredly ran a hand through his messy hair. "I . . .," Naruto let out a sigh before glaring angrily at the man. "I don't understand why you're helping me!"
A small faint smile curved the man's lips at Naruto's angry look before it disappeared. Giving Naruto one more look, the man turned to look at the big moon and sighed softly. "It's because I recognize that we have the same eyes." And with those words, the red-haired man was gone . . . leaving Naruto to ponder at the man's mysterious words.
-
When Sasuke came into the room, it was to the sight of an empty room. Cursing softly, Sasuke spun on his heels to find the blond, but stopped in his tracks when the missing blond appeared in the doorway with a small towel that he was currently using to dry his wet hair.
Upon seeing him, the small smile that had been on Naruto's lips disappeared and feeling the heavy feeling that came with their interactions, Sasuke bit his tongue on a crude remark that he had been about to make and pushed past the blond to leave. "Don't think you can wiggle your way into my bed tonight," was all he said before leaving.
Upon hearing his words, Naruto sputtered angrily before shooting the man death glares that could have killed anyone. Anyone but the stoic Uchiha, it seemed. Feeling anger shoot through him, Naruto stormed to his untouched bed and threw himself angrily onto it.
And that was how the dark-haired king found the blond: snoring lightly with one leg draped onto the floor and the other flung carelessly to drape the middle of the bed. Hands clutched loosely around a pillow while drool lingered slightly on the open pink lips. Being deep in his sleep, Naruto missed the soft, bitter yet amused chuckle of the stoic man as he gazed down at the sleeping, oblivious blond man.
Missed too, the soft caress to the whiskered cheeks before a light blanket was draped over the sleeping form and a low, husky voice spoke amusedly before the man strode to his own bed.
"Dobe . . ."
'Is it worth it?' The unanswered question of Kakashi floated to Sasuke before he closed his eyes wearily and giving one last glance to the peacefully sleeping blond, Sasuke didn't even have to think.
"Yes it is," his softly whispered voice floated through the room and out the open windows towards the stars, the sky and the big, pale moon before he fell asleep; his thoughts of long-seen idiotic smiles and bright blue eyes that twinkled at him—for him—for only him . . .
TBC . . .
A/N: I know this chappie was short, but I felt like this was the best place to stop since I wanted the sense of time passing when I pick up the next chapter. Watch out for more memories or their past and more Sasuke and Naruto interactions in the next chappie. J
A/N/N: I will post the review responses to the last chapter in the next chapter—sorry if it inconveniences anyone. Sorry :Bows profusely: