One More Light

Chapter 14

Naruto ate everything that was placed in front of him. He could not remember the last time he felt so satisfied and full. Gaara gave Naruto a ghost of a smile upon seeing his empty plate. "Naruto, you don't need to feel pressured here or like you don't have a say, but I would like you to stay in my room while you are here. I understand that you will need your space but I need you to stay with me." Gaara asked sheepishly, never releasing Naruto's hand and hoping that the blonde would agree to his request. "Sure, Gaara, if that's what you want. I don't want to be a burden to you. I already feel like I have inconvenienced you so much as it is." Gaara beamed with pure delight. "There is nothing you could do that would make you a burden to me. You are my friend. I would sooner battle my way to the ends of the earth than lose you." Naruto felt his heart swell at the genuine affection he felt from Gaara in that moment and he felt compelled to respond. "Thank you Gaara. It means the world to me to have such a true friend like you."

"Let's get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day."

Naruto work with the sunrise, noticing how the room was painted in different shades of sunlight. He felt so safe in the embrace of the Kazekage. The constant roaring in his head had faded into a buzzing sound, something that could easily be ignored. Gaara woke slowly, equally surprised to be getting such a restful sleep in the company of his friend. He decided the best way to begin their adventure was with a rooftop tour of Suna, showcasing the wonderful sights without all the chaos of its citizens and allow a quiet chat.

As the two ninjas jumped across the roof tops of Suna, Gaara pointed out important buildings, places of significance and areas that were hit hardest during the Akatsuki attack. Gaara provided only the bare minimum of commentary and was even less talkative after he received a messenger hawk. He tried his best to continue but as they reached the final destination Gaara wished to show Naruto, he had reached a decision about sharing the information. "So, how do you like Suna?" Gaara asked inquisitively, trying to bury his worry for just a little longer. "It's beautiful Gaara but there's something you are hiding from me. I would like us both to be honest with each other."

Gaara shuffled nervously, hoping to delay the inevitable until after they had made some progress. "Fair enough. The message I received earlier was a summons for a five Kage Summit. After Pains recent devastation of your village and the attack on the 8 tails Jinchuuriki, there is talk of another great shinobi war. I need to leave in 4 days. It is your choice whether you wish to accompany me or stay in the village." Naruto looked puzzled, certain this "mission" was a way of baby-sitting him above all and making it so he couldn't do anything fatal.

"Why would you give me a choice Gaara? Aren't I supposed to be part of your security detail or something?" Naruto asked, still feeling like there was a piece of information being withheld from him. Gaara allowed confusion to cross his face before he recalled the mission they had concocted for him. "Well yeah, but you are free to choose your own path from here on out. I would of course love for you to accompany me but if you feel like it would be the wrong decision, you are welcome to stay. I want you to take control of your life, on your terms."

"What aren't you telling me Gaara?" Naruto asked, feeling the buzzing grow louder in his head. "Please... just tell me..." Naruto's voice shook as he made his plea, experiencing a flashback of all the people who lied to him over the years. The buzzing became overwhelming and Naruto clenched his fists, digging his nails into his still tender palms. Gaara reluctantly nodded, knowing this was only going to be made worse by his refusal.

"The person who attacked and captured the 8 tails was Sasuke. He has been declared a missing nin by the Raikage and placed as a high priority in the bingo book. He has also been accepted as a member of the Akatsuki. I'm sorry Naruto."

Naruto felt an ice-cold pain in his very soul, like a sword being shoved through his heart. "Sasuke..." he whispered as his legs crumpled from beneath him. "Why would he join the Akatsuki? Why would he..." Naruto trailed off, feeling an overwhelming noise in his head. Scenes from his battle with Sasuke filled his mind, as well as the way the citizens of the leaf treated him after failing to bring the Uchiha back.

Gaara watched helpless as the scene unfolded, unsure how to help him. When he saw Naruto begin to reach for his kunai, he swept in and wrapped Naruto in an embrace, creating a shield with both his body and his sand. He allowed some sand to rub against Naruto's skin, creating and abrasive texture, helping him feel something.

Naruto opened his eyes and were met with eyes of seafoam green, staring back with concern. Looking at his arm, he could see a red mark forming from where the sand was rubbing. It was a different sensation from cutting, not quite as euphoric but helpful none the less. "Gaara..." He whimpered, understanding the reality of the paths before him. He could stay in Suna, alone and complete his plans away from watchful eyes. He could return to Konoha and follow a similar path with a few more road stops or he could stay with this man, the one who has never run away from him. 'Stay with him Kit. There is no rush to walk the other paths. They will still be there if this one doesn't work out.' The Kyuubi broke into Naruto's reverie, urging him to follow the red head. 'Ok. Let's see where this goes'

"Gaara. I would like to stay with you. For as long as you will have me, I would like to walk this new path together." Naruto tried to will strength to his voice, but it came across as little more than a whisper.

"Of course, Naruto. Stay with me for as long as you like. I will never let you go voluntarily." They remained in the embrace until the sun had set. Gaara released the sand shield and allowed Naruto an unimpeded view of the stars in all their glory. The amazing blues and greens of the Suna sky made the constellations shine mesmerically. Naruto and Gaara both laid beneath the starry sky, watching the stars whisper promises of a brighter tomorrow and somewhere inside Naruto, a tiny star began to flicker uncertainly.