Embers of a Burning Sky

Chapter Eighteen

The next morning, Naruto wakes up in an empty bed. It's cold and dark and it takes him a few moments for him to realize that it's actually raining outside— the desert being pelted with droplets that turn the dusty streets into a dark, red clay.

" Gaara?" he calls, a hand shoved up his shirt as he scratches mindlessly at his stomach with a yawn. There's a clattering from downstairs and Naruto heads toward it.

"Morning," he says, a smile crossing his face as he watches Gaara feed Nara at the table, still dressed in his soft sleepwear. Gaara hums in response before giving up and setting the spoon in the nearly empty container.

"It's today," he says, and he sounds brittle. Even his movements are stiff as he stands.

" You didn't sleep, did you?" Naruto asks, reaching out and pulling him in. He kisses his forehead before releasing him in favor of picking Nara up and bouncing him gently.
Gaara shakes his head, a fond look in his eyes.

"I'll figure out some coffee, then."

The rain doesn't let up at all and the trip to the city wall is a somber and wet affair. Nara is wrapped up tightly on Naruto's back— a thick cloak covering him from the rain as they leap from rooftop to rooftop and finally up onto the tall rocky outcroppings that hide the city from the outside world.

"It's ok," Naruto murmurs lowly, touching the back of his hand to Gaara's as they watch the rest of the traveling party assemble. Kankuro and Temari look as exhausted as Gaara, but the ANBU gathered close by seem completely unbothered.
Gaara's shoulders lose a little tension and he nods, mostly to himself. He takes a steady step forward and pulls a scroll out from his cloak, unfurling it to show the contents.

"We meet at this oasis just inside the border," He points to the map outlined in the scroll, "it's barely considered neutral grounds, but it's close enough to the Grass that they may have reinforcements ready. We move quickly and precisely— Naruto, Nara, and I will lead, arriving on time for the exchange, while Kankuro and his team will circle around and approach from the opposite side. Temari's team will be on standby until further notice."Naruto can feel a weight settle in his intestines, unruly and unsettling.
He's anxious.
He adjusts the straps on the sling while Gaara finishes up the briefing.

The trip to the oasis is a similar one; wet and silent and heavy. No matter how hard Naruto tries, he can't get rid of the awful feeling still churning his stomach.
This is a trap.
He shakes his head, his eyes moving over Gaara's back where Nara now rests, silent under the cloak.
This is a trap...

"Gaara—" he tries, calling over the howling of the incoming storm. His voice doesn't reach.

"Gaara!"
The redhead slows a little, coming to match his steps as they cross the sand at a run.

"I don't trust this."

Gaara nods beside him,

"I know, but it's the only plan we have."

When they finally arrive, three ninjas are waiting on the opposite side of a small pool; churning violently with the storm.

"Kazekage!" One shouts, voice booming like thunder. Naruto can barely see through the heavy rainfall, but it looks like a broad man, a tall woman, and a child by the outlines of their bodies.

"Have you brought it?" the man calls.
Naruto's hackles rise at the insult but Gaara remains steadfast and unmoving just behind him.

"Yes."
Gaara's quiet voice cuts through the storm with a deadly edge.

"If you've brought it then hand it over!"
The brash voice grates on Naruto's already frayed nerves and his aggressive step forward is halted by Gaara's hand on his chest. They lock eyes and Naruto knows he's already on thin ice.

"One of you come halfway."
Gaara's demand is somehow deafening as the storm lulls slightly. The man steps forward, crossing the distance steadily even in the wind and Gaara approaches in turn, his face hard and expressionless. Naruto knows he can't go along, but watching the two people he loves most walk into an obvious trap kills him.

When they reach the middle the man holds out his hand.

There's a pregnant pause before Gaara slips the sling off his back and gently places their son in the man's waiting grip.

"Smart move, Kazekage."
Naruto barely hears his voice over the storm, but Gaara's response is somehow more clear.

"What do you plan to do with the boy?"
The man's hysterical laugh is louder than the creaking of dry palms blowing in the wind.
"The boy!? You mean this abomination? It was never meant to exist-- and it won't live much longer."

Before Gaara can snatch Nara back, the man closes a fist around his tiny neck and squeezes, a sickening snap echoing throughout the entire valley.

Naruto's shocked rage is drowned out by the entire sky being overtaken by swirling sand— the storm is driven away and the small spring is suddenly gushing water as the sand all around them shakes to life and whips dangerously in the air. The man across from Gaara has retreated, a deranged grin on his face.
His feet have already been caught in the shifting sands.

"Who is after this child?" Gaara's demand is loud but calm, somehow more frightening than the frothing anger Naruto is steeping in.
The sand climbs higher on the man's legs when he doesn't answer.

"I asked you a question."
Gaara's outstretched hand squeezes and the man cries out in pain, still smiling as blood starts to seep from the sand around his legs.

"Why should I tell you? I'll die either way."
His calm voice is a strange comparison to his feral grin.
Gaara's sand climbs higher as the sandstorm rages further, and the two other ninjas are suddenly dragged forward to line up before Gaara's rigid form.

"Tell me who is after this child, or all three of you die here."
The smaller person, child-sized but aged with wrinkles and fine lines, gasps around a frightened sob. The other woman's eyes flick to her, and suddenly Naruto sees a resemblance between the old woman and the girl with the bird that had attacked them at the resort.

"Mercy, please!"
The old woman's voice is thin and shaking, and Naruto notices the sand loosen around her slightly as Gaara turns to her.

"Please... We were forced into this! Orochimaru has taken residence near our village. His villains torment us— they've stolen our children and threatened us with annihilation! We don't want the child; we want our freedom!"
She breaks down into sobs and the sand slowly dissipates, letting the tall woman rush to her side.

"It's true," the woman says, "Orochimaru was the one who created the lab, and he's using our village as a cover. The Grass isn't a large faction; we may be one of the ninja villages, but we are by far not the strongest."
She turns her own tearful eyes to Gaara,

"As the Kusakage, I beg of you— please save us!"