Embers of a Burning Sky

Chapter Fifteen

The journey back to Suna felt both longer and shorter than the trip there. Part of it was because Naruto was impatient to get his hands back on Gaara, especially when his position in the group was directly behind the kazekage, giving him an excellent view of the hickey marring the pale skin just below the red hairline. Nara was again packed into his little sling, replacing Gaara's gourd as his main accessory. It was a fun few hours of playing hide and seek with him every time Gaara's protective cape would flutter enough to show his son's happy face, as well as pure, silent torture with nothing else to distract him from the memory of Gaara's innocent reactions and quiet moans.

When they finally reached the city, Naruto was surprised when several Sand ANBU were there to meet at the gates, immediately stealing him away with only a moment to pass Nara into Naruto's waiting arms. Gaara's face had pinched in worried resignation just before he had faded into a small swirl of sand alongside the black-clad elites. As much as Naruto wanted to follow and help whatever was going on, he knew that he was no politician. Both Temari and Kankuro were looking at each other with varying levels of worry, and he knew that they were the ones who could actually be of any real help to Gaara.
"I'll head back to Gaara's house with Nara, why don't you guys follow him and see what's going on?"
He suggests, shifting the now sleeping tot against his shoulder.
Temari opens her mouth but Kankuro cuts her off with a hand on her shoulder. He nods a quick thanks and the two rush toward the Kazekage's offices.

Being alone wasn't a new occurrence for Naruto, more than half his life had been spent in solitude. Most of his childhood schoolmates hadn't talked to him until after he had met and somehow be-rivaled Sasuke...
He pauses in his stirring; a cookbook stolen from Gaara's shelf laying open on the counter next to where he was stirring a simple curry on the stove. A few hours had passed since Gaara had left, and both he and Nara had a very satisfying nap. Now, however, as the sun crept lower in the sky and the evening sky turned ablaze, Naruto realizes that he hasn't seen Sakura in a while.
He isn't complaining, per se, but he feels like something may have happened to his friend. Something to do with the situation surrounding his son; the situation surrounding the rouge ninja that had attacked him and his family.

He wishes there was a better way to get in touch with someone than having to track them down, but unfortunately, Naruto didn't have any handy summons to get the job done. Instead, he loads Nara up in the sling, facing it forward, and heads out to see if he can talk to someone. Kankuro seemed like he would know a good tracking unit, and Temari kind of seemed like Gaara's personal keeper, so he's sure she could help him figure out what had happened to her after the fight at the bathhouse. He wasn't keen on going to interrupt Gaara's seemingly serious business, though, so he rushes over to the offices to look for his siblings instead.

Inside, there is a little sign-in desk just before the mission rooms. It isn't too different from the offices in Konoha, but the color scheme is a little... red. He signs the paper and asks the receptionist where he could find Kankuro or Temari, only to be met with a frown.
"Both of the Kazekage's siblings should be in the meeting with the elders. Did you have an emergency?"
Naruto shouldn't be surprised.
"No, not an emergency, just an inquiry. I guess I can come back later.."
The young man looks a little guilty, but Naruto flashes him a toothy smile as he leaves, heading out to the rooftops to wait.

It isn't long after he's sat on a nearby rooftop, watching the sunset with his son that he sees Gaara materialize atop Suna's barrier gate. His siblings are alongside him, so Naruto decides to join them. He can ask about Sakura's disappearance and walk Gaara back home; two birds, one stone.

When he finally lands on the gate's walkway, Gaara is the first to notice. He doesn't say anything, but his face is grim. Naruto almost asks what happened when he's cut off by Gaara's tired voice;
"Kankuro, Temari,"
Both shinobi turn their attention to him;
"Go secure the east and southern borders, keep an eye out for genjitsu."
They both depart with a nod and suddenly they're alone.
Naruto immediately reaches out and grabs Gaara by the wrist, gently pulling him closer. He curls his fingers around Gaara's and tries to catch his eye.
"Gaara." he says quietly, not wanting to test the eerie tension.
Green eyes finally meet his.
"What's going on? What's wrong?" Naruto pleads.
Gaara looks away again, not so much ignoring as thinking, his smaller fingers slotting themselves between Naruto's for comfort.

"The rouge ninja are from the Grass; they've delivered an ultimatum. Either we give them Nara, or they attack the village in three days. There's a clear meeting time and place arranged..."
Naruto squeezes his hand gently, pulling him closer with his other hand.
Gaara shakes his head, laying his head against Naruto's shoulder. Naruto runs his hand up and down his arm for comfort.
"It's okay," he murmurs, "It's okay Gaara, we can figure this out."
He can feel Gaara breathe; a fearful, protective expression drawing his face thin as he plays with Nara's fingers on his chest.
"It's in the village's best interest to give him up; the elders are right, but..."
Naruto hears Gaara's voice break as he clenches their intertwined fingers and tries again;
"... but I won't give this up."

(Edited 8-31-2021 by HanayuK)