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Chapter Text

Orochimaru was dead.

Uchiha Sasuke killed him.

Chapter Text

Dark gray clouds covered the morning sun. Flashes of yellow lightning pierced through the sky in the distance. Two unexpected visitors arrived in Sunagakure with important news. They were rushed to the Kazekage’s office first thing.

A startled Naruto and confused Gaara welcomed Kakashi and Yamato. Information of the most recent worldly events exchanged over the granite desk. They knew they wouldn't get to finish out their last two weeks together.

Gaara’s entire world was about to collapse.

“Are you sure you want to go?”

Sadly, “I have to.”

“Our intel will only be relevant for so long.” Kakashi reminded them.

“Sasuke needs to be returned to Konoha.” Naruto sighed.

“He tried to kill you.”

Naruto didn’t say it because he didn’t have to. He had all the ability in the world to say, ’so did you,’ but he didn’t. Instead, “I know,” fell out of his lips like there was nothing else to say.

Gaara took a deep breath in, “Are you sure about this?”

Naruto nodded.

“I don't know if-

“Please Gaara, for me.” Naruto wasn’t the type to beg, “I know you hate him. I get it. I do. I can’t bring myself to hate him. Even after everything. So for me, for the person you love, can you have it in your heart, to forgive him… and if you can’t do that. Can you just forget he exists? He’ll return to Konoha and you’ll never have to think of him again.”

Forget Uchiha Sasuke.

That would be nice.

“Our target isn’t Sasuke.” Yamato shoved himself back into the conversation, “If that helps.”

“Hm?”

“We’re after Uchiha Itachi. His brother. With any luck, Sasuke will be there too. Two birds; one stone, but he’s not the priority of this mission.”

“The Akatsuki Member?” That made it worse.

“Yes.”

“You're using Naruto as glorified bait.”

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

“Then what would you call bringing a jinchūriki to the middle of the River Country hoping to capture an Akatsuki Member? “

“A retrieval mission.” Yamato smirked.

“Naruto,” Gaara was positive, “you can’t go.”

“You two have mated?” Yamato’s stance faltered there, ever so slightly shifting the weight onto the back foot to catch himself.

“No?” Naruto questioned.

Yamato weight shifted again, facing the Kazekage, “Oh, then we don’t need your permission to let him leave. No offense, Lord Kazekage.” back to, “Naruto, start getting ready.”

“He’s still under contract for the next two weeks.” the Kazekage said. It wouldn’t keep Naruto safe forever, but at least safe from the Akatsuki for a while longer while they came up with another plan.

“You’d really be that petty? Konoha’s only recently become your ally.”

Before Gaara could say anything, Naruto saved him from himself, “No! I’m going. I just- I just have to say goodbye. Can I have some privacy?”

“Of course.” Yamato motioned for Kakashi to join him in the hall.

“They’re going to get you killed.” Gaara said the second the door closed.

“I’ll be with Yamato-sensei and Kakashi-sensei, ya’ know. I’ll be fine.” Naruto shrugged it off.

“You don’t have to go. You’re still under contract with Sunagakure. We’ll come up with a pla-

“Love, you can’t risk your village for me. If we refuse this request, who knows what the repercussions would be.”

“I’ll deal with that when it com-

“You misunderstood me. I won’t let you. I’m going and that's final.” Naruto allowed Gaara to do too much for him already. It was one thing for the Kazekage to bend a few rules to let him live here. He couldn’t let his love betray his village.

“I,” need, “want you to be safe.”

“I will be.”

“I love you.” Gaara took Naruto’s face into his hands. It was a desperate plea, and a reminder wrapped up in one.

Naruto placed hand over hand, leaning into the warmth, “I love you, too. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“You always tell me not to worry.”

“And, you still do.”

“You should stop telling me not to then.”

Naruto chuckled, “You should finally listen to me, ya’ know.”

“When you stop doing stupidly reckless things, I’ll think about it.”

“I’ll be fine.” Naruto kissed Gaara’s hand.

Gaara bent forward, his lips met his omegas. The most precious person in his world was held in his hands. Such a fragile display of love. If he could freeze this moment forever he would.

For years, the Kazekage had requested aid from every village regarding the Akatsuki. He finally got what he wanted. Konoha is taking the terrorist group seriously.

The dark cloud clung in the sky as Naruto and his mentors left Sunagakure. Threatening to fall at a moment's notice. The Kazekage should prepare the city for floods.

“Okay. We’ll use this as our center point. We’ll split up in teams to search a five kilometer radius in all directions. If we find nothing we’ll move the center point over to start again.” Kakashi instructed, “So forth and so on.”

The group for the Uchiha Retrieval Mission stood atop a roof in the River Territories. Kakashi-sensei, Yamato-sensei, Sakura, Sai, Team Eight, and their bait: the Nine Tails aka Uzumaki Naruto. Each cloaked in similar ponchos to manage the weather.

The rain, now just a fine mist.

“Five kilometer radius? That’s too far for our coms,” Sakura said concerned, “and protocol dictates we stay in at least two man cells in case we encounter an enemy.”

“Don’t worry.” Yamato assured me.

“Don’t worry? What about our-

Kakashi slapped a seal on the ground, and a team of hounds joined their group. One hound informed them, “Our range reaches further than any com unit. Our noses are better for detecting danger. We will be your backup.”

“Pakkun!” Naruto greeted his old friend.

They split up into single man groups with two summon dogs by their side. Kiba, since he brought his own from home, didn’t need one. Each person was about to search their section.

Except Naruto, “What about me?”

“You are a jinchūriki,” the target, “to protect you, we have you paired with Yamato and sensory scout, Hinata.”

“Plus Big Bark Bill.” Pakkun said.

Woof. Woof.

Big Bark Bill. He deserved that name. He was the largest of them all. Larger than the humans who surround him. Obviously the pack leader.

The team's priority was tracking Sasuke’s scent. The second priority was finding the Akatsuki. They had lied to the Kazekage. They knew certain death from an Akatsuki attack was more compelling to Gaara, than whatever Sasuke would do.

Naruto had a lot to think about in the time they were waiting for the teams to return or find what they were looking for. He wants to talk to his team, but that could alert others of their presence.

Still Hinata whispered, “You look nice, Naruto. Is that from Suna?”

“Yes!” Naruto smiled. He picked up a lot of fashion trends from his time living there. Never losing his signature Naruto bright orange flare.

“Stop talking.” Yamato said.

Leaves were moving in the distance.

“You know what to do?”

“Yes.” Naruto and Hinata said in unison.

A barrage of shuriken flung in their direction. All the team dogged it just in time. Leaving the metal to thonk against the trees.

“You!” Naruto shouted at the shrouded figure.

He responded, “Me.”

“Kabuto, a wanted felon by Konoha. There's an order out for your capture.”

“Relax. I’m just here to talk to Naruto.”

Now was his chance, “Is it true Sasuke took out Orochimaru?”

“You still care about Sasuke? Heh. It's true.” The man reached for something, “It doesn't matter. I got you something.”

A book.

“What's that?” Naruto asked.

“A gift.”

“Okay? But what is it?”

“All the intel Orochimaru had on the Akatsuki.” Kabuto smiled, a half smile. The hood he wore obscured the majority of his face.

“Are you trying to bargain for your freedom?” Yamato asked.

“No. I’m not that stupid. Neither is Konoha.” Kabuto said.

“Then what? You wanted by the Akatsuki, too?”

“No. It's a gift. To Naruto.” Kabuto said, throwing the book at Naruto’s feet, “The Sound would like to give its thanks to Sunagakure.”

“The Sound’s destroyed.” Yamato said.

“Parts of it. Yes.”

“Why me?” Naruto picked up the book. He trusted it was true. If that was the case it was something Gaara would want.

“I was lost when Orochimaru died. Then I remembered you. How lost you must have felt as a child of the Nine Tails. Hated by all. Yet still you found your strength. You inspire me, Naruto.”

“Okay.” The book found itself tucked into the pocket of Naruto’s pants.

“Because of you, I’m going to become the strongest me.” the hood fell off, revealing the twisted half face of the snake, “a part of Lord Orochimaru lives within me. He’s a symbol of renewal. I am new now. That’s why I’m so grateful, I’ve found myself anew because of you.”

“Absorbed?”

“Yes! I have grafted a piece of him to me.” the truth as plain as his face.

“Unbelievable.” Yamato was shocked.

Naruto ran towards him, “You can keep up the good work in a cage in Konoha.”

“Hahahaha! I’m sorry I can’t fight you. My priority is Sasuke.” Kabuto warped away, “another day.”

If anything, this mission wouldn’t be a total failure.

A blinding light filled the sky.

For a brief second everything was white. It was disorienting. That type of power could only be an Akatsuki Member. The chakra was visible from miles away.

“Let's check it out!” Naruto urged them to move forward.

They abandoned their post.

On their way to the source of the blast they ran into Sakura… and everyone else it seemed. Abandoning their job to investigate this occurrence. It called to the ninja in the region like a beacon.

A vast crater overtook the land.

If Sasuke had anything to do with it, he really got stronger in the last three years. It would be a lot harder to take him home against his will. They’d have to convince him it was his best option.

“It looks like Sasuke was here.” Sakura assumed the same thing, “But he left before we arrived.”

Pakkun said, “the trial goes cold here.”

Naruto could look for Sasuke through the bond mark, but he didn’t want to. Some medical reports said that it could strengthen it. That would their last resort.

“I found his scent.” Kiba announced sniffing the air.

“How?” Naruto asked.

“My nose is better than any hound.” he smirked, thumbing his nose.

Kiba led the way to Sasuke's new location. The rest of the team close behind. They traveled deeper into the forest. The branches bend and bounce under their feet.

After a while Kiba stopped, smelled the air, “He’s on the move again… and he's going in multiple directions. Fuck!”

That’s all Naruto needed to know, “Then let's split up.”

Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Naruto clones scattered into the wind. Each one on its own path to find his old friend. There’s no way he’d miss Sasuke with all of these eyes looking.

Further north, Naruto landed in a squishy crunch of grass in a small clearing on the forest floor. The soft bluish haze of fog coated everything in an opaque film. It was a miserable day to be doing all of this. Out of the corner of his eye Naruto saw red and black dancing in the leaves.

A familiar sight, the sharingan.

Sasuk- No.

“Hello Naruto. You can come out, now.” Itachi greeted his prey.

Naruto did as he was told, “Let me guess, you’re here to capture me.”

“No. I’d just like to talk.”

Two Naruto clones converge for a sneak attack. He had the upper hand the whole time. They are going to take Itachi out no problem- Only for both to get taken out by a single kunai. Itachi kept focus on the original the entire time. Shit.

However, Itachi is not like the others. The man can cast genjutsu with only the flick of his fingers, he’s not limited to his eyes. Which is to be expected of the youngest Uchiha prodigy in all of history.

At least in the clone's death, it should let off a signal for backup. Their knowledge will be shared with the other clones. Naruto just had to stall, the rest of his team shouldn’t be that far away.

“Like I’d trust you,” hand on kunai.

“Didn’t Granny Chiyo teach you about fighting someone with the sharingan?”

Naruto stopped, “How do you know that?”

“The One Tail.”

Gaara.

Itachi reminded him, “You're here alone. Didn’t she say you should run?”

“Whatever. I can be any number from one to one million.” Naruto announced his plan, “If I catch you, I can capture Sasuke.”

“You're obsessed with my brother… why?”

Despite everything, “He’s my friend.”

“Friend?”

Black met Red. Circles spiraled around each other. Crows took over the red sky like a black cloud. The world Itachi created was an exact replica to the one outside.

“As I said before, I’m just here to talk.”

Naruto went to strike, but he could not move, “fuck you.”

“You have every right to talk to me like that.” Itachi looked him over, sauntering toward him.

Naruto was so vulnerable here. His body wasn’t under his control. He could only speak for as long as Itachi permitted him. This mad man had him trapped in a world of his own creation.

The stories Naruto had heard of what Uchiha do behind closed universes never bothered him much before. Now he was acutely aware of what could happen to him here. This man had been hunting for Naruto for years. Now he had him.

When he had Sasuke years ago, it was days upon months upon years of the massacre playing on repeat. Sasuke saw everything. The death of his parents was as familiar to him as his left hand.

Itachi pulled aside the back of Naruto’s jacket to see the bandaged up mark, “My brother marked you? Is this why you bare such an allegiance to him? He’s your alpha.”

“No. I hate that he did that.” Naruto admitted, “And he’s not my alpha.”

“This mark says otherwise.”

“He wouldn’t have done it if it weren't for you, you asshole! He just put it on me to spite you. You wanted him to break all bonds, so he strengthened them.”

“I’m sorry.” Itachi let go of the collar, hiding the mark from view again.

“Wha-

“You do not deserve to be marked like that.” Itachi was supposed to be a deranged killer who cared only for himself. Being polite like this doesn't match the stories. He was up to something.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You got wrapped up into the Uchiha Clan’s mess, and for that, I am sorry.”

“Are you going to murder me, too? Or take me back to your shitty group? To do whatever it is you guys do!”

“I don’t see the point in that. I am merely here to talk.”

“Then start fuckin’ speaking.” Naruto assumed it was a lie. Even after whatever little speech he was going to give Itachi could still try to take him.

“I must ask you for a favor.”

“A favor?”

“You still care for my brother? Even after everything he did.”

Naruto hated it, but “yeah. Sasuke, he’s like family to me. Despite what he’s done… I know he’s just acting out because of the pain he’s been through. I still want to save him.”

“Then as his family, I need you to take care of something for me.”

“Why would I do that?”

“It’s a dying man's request.” Itachi was prepared to die. He knew Sasuke was on his way to kill him, and he was just going to let it happen.

Naruto stayed quiet.

“You get it.” Itachi said, a crow landed next to him, “Good. This crow is a message for my brother. When he’s ready to hear it of course. As his friend, I need you to be the one that gives it to him.”

“What does it say?”

“The truth.”

“Let me rephrase that,” Naruto would not allow this man to taunt Sasuke beyond the grave, “What does it say, asshole.”

The crow with a sharingan eye merged with Naruto’s flesh. It didn’t hurt as much as he thought it would. Flashes of memories took over Naruto's senses. He embraced the same life as the man in front of him. Walking more than a mile in the other shoes, he saw through the pain in his eyes.

Itachi’s Story.

Naruto wanted to accuse it of being just a trick. Deep down, he knew it was all real. Itachi was given an impossible choice: his clan or his village.

He chose his village.

Everything Itachi did was for the betterment of Konoha.

The Uchiha Massacre was not of his own making, but Danzo. The same man who fucked over Sai and his brother. The same man who still has power in Konoha as Root’s Director. The same man who found himself the center of many nefarious plots around Konoha.

Itachi sacrificed so much.

“You understand.”

“I’m sorry.” Naruto felt all of Itachi's pain.

“Don’t be. I made my choice. Just give that message to Sasuke when it's time.”

They were back in the real world. He knew it only by feeling, not by sight. The trees looked the same as the dream. Crows flew in the sky, Itachi’s clone disappeared, leaving a re-sparked desire to find Sasuke in its wake.

Naruto knew the true story of the Uchiha Massacre. The fact that Sasuke's revenge had been shaped by the same force that destroyed Naruto’s own. He couldn’t let Sasuke become another Uchiha victim to Konoha's whims.

Naruto had to save Sasuke.

Chapter Text

During the distraction of the week’s events, the Akatsuki captured the Four Tails: Son Goku.

Iwagakure had lost a shinobi.

Chapter Text

“Naruto, come back tomorrow. We have things we need to discuss.” Tsunade requested as their meeting ended.

Kakashi-sensei and Yamato-sensei stayed behind, they had further things to discuss now. Everyone else left the room after they said their part of the story. Naruto was the last to be dismissed.

The Retrieval Mission Failed.

Big surprise.

Naruto didn’t have time to return to Suna. The information from the mission had to go straight to Lady Tsunade. She had to know that Kabuto was at the River Territories, then he wasn't. Sasuke was at the River Territories, then he wasn't. Itachi was at the River Territories, then he wasn't. The Akatsuki were in the River Territories, then they weren't.

A bunch of sightings of people with nothing to show for it. Another chaos that surrounded another Konoha failure. All the destruction was well documented.

They got news that another jinchūriki was captured, too. The Akatsuki was one step closer to whatever their plan was. More bad news on top of already bad news.

Naruto kept the gift from Kabuto close to the chest. He knew he should give it to Konoha to further their research on the group. It just felt like it would be better to give it to Sunagakure first. They had no issues sharing what they knew about the Akatsuki.

Tomorrow Naruto planned to request a transfer back to Suna. Gaara would approve it within a day. He would be back in Sunagakure by the end of the week. He still had a two week contract to fulfill after all.

“What are you doing here?” Temari was just outside the Hokage’s building, clipboard in hand. By the looks of it she had just left the Academy.

“I feel like I should be asking you that.”

“I’m working.” She ‘tsked, “Like you should be. Why aren’t you in Sunagakure?”

“Contract ended early so I could be bait on a mission.” Naruto shrugged and trailed behind her.

Temari shook her head, “Why’d they do that? You’d make horrible bait.”

“That’s what I said!” Naruto smiled.

“Hey! Temari!” Choji ran up to them, “Temar- Oh! Hey Naruto.”

“He-

“-Anyways, Temari, I need your help.”

She waited for the request, when it didn’t come she asked, “Yeah?”

“The Team’s trying to do a BBQ Night, but Shikamaru’s busy. So I was wondering if -

“I could drag his lazy ass out?”

“Yes!” It's just Choji and Ino if they still need to convince Shikamaru. Choji’s team has been down a member for the last six months. Naruto hadn't seen them since the mission.

“Fine. But if he starts smoking I’m out of there.”

“Awesome! I’ll let Ino know to meet us ther-

Naruto should really see his old team, too. It’s been awhile… and he's about to make a huge life decision. One that affects them as well.

-ou wanna come?” Choji extended the invitation to him.

“Huh?”

“You wanna come? You can bring Sakura? I think her and Ino are on good terms now.”

The way Naruto left things last time, he doubted that, but, “Sure!”

“I didn’t say yes to a party.” Temari asked, “How many people are you inviting?”

“Oi! Oi! Naruto.” Kiba shouted, Team 8 trailing behind.

“Yeah?”

“That last mission was crazy, man! I can’t believe,” Kiba went off on some details of their top secret mission in the middle of the streets. “Damn, Choji, you guys really missed out.”

“Oh god no,” Temari sighed, she knew where this was heading.

A party in the BBQ Place.

The middle of the table had a grill with a blaze of fire. Two huge plates of different types of raw meat were at either side. Little bowls of sides filled up the gaps. It made it hard to figure out what to place where.

Naruto was excited to be with everyone in a more relaxed environment. A battlefield was not a reunion. Tonight was exactly what he needed.

“Why did I allow myself to be talked into this,” Temari asked.

“We could have stayed in tonight,” Shikamaru whispered.

Temari glared.

“Troublesome.”

Choji started with placing onions in the middle. He said it flavored the grill. Then when they were half done, it was onto the pork belly. There was an exact science on how to cook everything just right.

Naruto remembered what his friend back home would do. Ameno would get a round for the table to start off the evening right. He got a few bottles of sake for the table.

When it came, Naruto poured a drink for Temari first, and she returned the favor. Some people cocked an eye at that. They ignored it when Naruto handed them their own glass.

“Thank you, Naruto.” Hinata said as she was handed the last cup.

“Naruto treating everyone, is the world ending?” Sakura laughed.

“I thought it would be nice,” They haven’t seen him since he’s actually been able to make money. It’s hard to make a living when you're a literal child, and they only give you low rank missions and you were just given all the bills on your apartment. Or when you're traveling all the time!

“I think it's nice, Naruto.” Hinata said.

“Yeah dude,” Kiba joined in, “thanks!”

“Lets cheers.”

“To what?” They failed their last mission.

“Um…” Sakura rested her pointer finger on her chin.

“To tomorrow,” Temari raised her glass.

Followed by Naruto, then everyone else. Clank. Repeating the words in joy. They all took a sip, it was only Temari and Naruto tapped it on the table first.

Ino had her arm wrapped around Sai's waist, “I heard about your last mission, Sakura.”

“Umm… Yeah, we coul-

“You should have seen that creator.” Kiba interrupted, taking a big gulp of his drink.

“Sasuke really got that powerful, eh? Sakura,” she repeats, “tell me Kiba isn’t just exaggerating.”

“He’s not. The light could be seen by miles… but it wasn’t just Sasuke, he was fighting someone else.” Sakura said, pulling a piece of pork belly off the grill and on her rice.

“See I knew Kiba must have been leaving something out. No way Sasuke destroyed an entire town by himself.”

The table paused, for half a second, as if waiting for Naruto to say something in Sasuke’s defense. It didn't come.

Sai ignored the moment and said, “You are aware I was there, too?”

“Yes, sweetie, but I feel like I haven’t spoken to Sakura in ages.”

“Ah, okay.” Sai seemed to make a mental note of that. He examined the meat on the fire to find the most medium done piece. Not too chewy or too crispy. When he found it he placed it atop his one rice.

“I mean… Sasuke’s still really powerful. The three of us tried fighting him a while back, and he took us all on like it was nothing. Even with Sai, there wasn’t much we could do.” Sakura hadn’t taken a single bite of her food yet.

“I heard he took out an army by himself. When Orochimaru was alive. Do we have any proof of that?” Kiba asked. The news of that event spread across the ninja world.

“It’s what the reports say.” Sakura nodded.

“What do we do next time, if he really doesn't want to go back?”

“Isn’t it obvious,” Temari slammed her finished drink down, ”You have to kill him.”

“That’s easier said than done.” Shikamaru said.

“Everything’s easier said than done. Things still need to get done.”

“I don’t know why we even go on these retrieval missions. I don’t think he’s ever coming back,” Ino said across the table, “Oh, sorry Naruto…”

Naruto wondered, “Why?”

“Come on… Isn’t Sasuke your mate?”

“Yeah, I thought that was the whole reason we went on these missions. Gotta bring your man back.” Kiba said supportively.

“Oh… Ummm… I don’t,” know how to say the truth.

“We’re doing it because it's not Sasuke’s fault a creepy old man tricked him into leaving.” Sakura said.

“I mean, yeah, but let's be real. We all know what happened. He’s your mate, right?” Kiba said.

“You never wore scent patches after it happened. We all know. It’s not a big deal.” Ino said.

Temari side eyed him.

“Sasuke’s not my mate.” Naruto knew he had to tell them the truth, “He bit me, sure, he’s not my mate. Ya’ know?”

“Then why were you so gung ho about bringing him back?”

“Because he’s our friend.” Naruto said.

“Yeah, he's our friend.”

“Sakura’s only talking like that, because she has a chance with him now.” Choji joked, piling the next batch of meat on the grill.

“She wouldn’t want to date someone like that.” Ino scoffed at the idea.

“You two used to be obsessed with him. You don’t think she’s going to go to him now that Naruto’s not with him.”

She put her foot down, “Naruto’s going to go back, he always goes back. He’s like a lost fucking puppy.”

“Oi. You know he hears you say that.” Temari said.

“Yeah, Ino, you might want to calm down.” Shikamaru joined in to his defense, “He’s our friend.”

“Fine. I was trying to be nice.” She wasn’t.

“It’s not a big deal,” Naruto said.

“See.”

Their next round came, and the talk of Sasuke left with it. A relief to Naruto, he was done talking about that man. He had spent far too long on that subject and it was time to move on.

“Naruto, I heard you were teaching in Suna.” Hinata said.

“No way. No way the class clown is teaching now.” Ino said.

“Naruto’s teaching? You failed every class we had together.” Kiba piled on.

“Yeah, I’m actually pretty good. The students seem to like me. I think I might go back to it one day.” Like, maybe, a week or so from now…

“I find that hard to believe.” Choji said.

“Blondie’s not lying, my brother says the students won't shut up about him.” Temari filled up their glasses again. She starts with Shikamarus, then Narutos, then everyone else's. Naruto was going to fill up hers, but then Shikamaru took over.

“Thanks, Temari.”

“You must be doing a good job if your students like you.” Hinata said shyly.

Naruto was afraid to say this out loud, “I think it might be my calling.”

“Teaching? What about being Hokage?”

“Yeah, you never shut up about that.” They didn’t believe he had it in him until they saw the results of the Sound attack a few years back. It went from never in a million years, to maybe he had a shot in hell.

“I can do both.” Only two people here knew of Naruto’s plan to move to Suna. Maybe three if Temari told her boyfriend. He was going to tell them tonight, but now it felt weird.

Naruto wanted to tell his friends the truth. He really did. There's just no good way to tell them he gave up your dreams, for a man.

Hokage was a big dream. It was Naruto’s dream. He was supposed to be the first Omega Hokage, before Tsunade came around. He still could follow in her footsteps, proving everything anyone thought of him was wrong.

And, sure, this man was handsome, successful, kind, strong, and all the amazing things you could ever want from a man. He was still just a man.

Ameno might have been rubbing off on Naruto.

“I,” need air, “have to go to the bathroom.”

Naruto left the lively party for the safety of the public bathroom. He went more for ceremonies sake than actual bladder needs. Water splashed on his hands.

“I can do this,” he said to his reflection.

He still waited an extra minute trying to plan what he was going to tell his friends. Planning what you say before you say it is a lot more work than people say. Naruto usually just let words fall out of his mouth, but this was important.

The first thing Naruto heard from Kiba when he returned from the bathroom was, “Naw, two omegas together are hot.”

“Shut up, loser.” Sakura threw something at him.

“You don’t have to be violent about it.” Ino said.

Kiba defended himself, “Yeah, I was just expressing my opinion.”

“Your gross opinion.”

“What? You don’t think too omegas should be together?”

“I do. I just don’t think your opinion should be based on the porn you watch.” Sakura said.

Naruto asked, “What did I miss?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“What? Hinata asked what we thought of two omegas being together. I told her what I thought.”

Hinata’s face was as red as Gaara’s hair. And of course it would be. Kiba’s being loud and gross.

Naruto said, “Kiba, stop being gross. Hinata, it's totally fine to be into other omegas.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

They talked about more and more things. Their conversations went long into the night. Eventually closing out the restaurant, only to end up in a bar across town.

They dance. Sang. Drank. Had the time of their lives.

It was the perfect night.

Eventually Naruto said, “I miss Suna.”

“Suna or Gaara?” Temari asked. If anyone heard her say it, they missed the subtext. No one commented.

“Both… But if I’m being really honest,” Naruto confessed, “I really miss the sweet-bean buns right now.”

She laughed, “God, I could kill for one of those.”

“Right?!” A tipsy Naruto said.

“They are so good after some drinks. So soft and sweet. Konoha has nothing like them here.”

“I know.”

“It's the worst.”

“Uggh, I want them so bad,” Naruto said. Remembering the many late nights with the other teachers with an entire basketful shared between them.

“Sweat-

Shikamaru said, “don't let them trick you, Choji. It's not as good as they say it is.”

“I brought them over, and he hated them.” Temari said.

“His taste buds are too lazy to understand the greatness.” Naruto said confidently.

“Sure.” Shikamaru agreed too quickly, as if this wasn’t a new conversation for him.

Naruto looked around, all his friends were happy, and “I need some air.”

“I’ll go with you.” Temari said, trailing behind him to the balcony seating area. There weren't really many people out here. Everyone was cordoned off into their own secluded tables.

Which is why she started off hot with, “Why don’t you tell them you're dating my brother?”

“I don’t know.”

“You better not be planning on breaking his heart.” She threatened.

“I’m not.” Naruto sighed, “I’m worried they will see me like just another omega, ya’ know? Giving up their dream to chase after an alpha. It’s hard to live up to your dynamics, ya’ know?”

“Yeah. I know how that is.”

“Really, but you’re an alpha… Shouldn’t you love it? Don’t you get treated like royalty or something?” Naruto wondered what it must be like to be an alpha. He didn’t hate being an omega, but that didn’t mean he didn’t see how alphas got the better end of the deal. No one judged them like they were just breeding opportunities.

“I don’t want to be an alpha,” she folded her arms over her chest, “I want to be a woman.”

“A woman? You are a woman.” Naruto might have been a bit too drunk to have a conversation like this. She was making no sense.

“Yeah… it feels more like me. Being a woman.” Temari looked off into the distance, the city was calm.

“Okay?”

“Being an alpha comes with a lot more pretenses. People see that, and only that. They think it’s all I have to offer. And I don’t want that.” She said, “I want to be a woman.”

“I get it… Kinda. People mostly see me as an omega, but I don’t really hate it that much. As long as they aren’t being dicks about it.”

“People are dicks a lot.” she agreed.

“They think they know everything.”

“Yeah,” She uncrossed her arms, resting one at her hip, “Still, you still should tell them about Gaara.”

“I’m going to,” Naruto fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve, “I’m actually thinking of moving there. To Suna, ya’ know? For real.”

“For my brother?”

“Yeah, but also, I know it's stupid, but it feels like home.”

“You’ve only lived there for 6 months,” She laughed.

“Try, like, 4 years. I visited Sunagakure at least a million times when I was traveling with the Pervy Sage. I visited Konoha, zero. Suna’s been more of a home than here.”

Her brows scrunched together, “Why didn't you stop at Konoha?”

“What was there to see? The entire village still hated me. I couldn’t save my friend. Sakura was busy training. Who knows what Kakashi-sensei was up to.” Naruto sighed, “Suna always had Gaara and warm tea waiting for me.”

“He has tea waiting for you?”

Naruto smiled, “Yeah, Gaara does this weird thing where he throws the leaves into the wind. Every time.”

“I taught him that.”

“He told me… what does it mean by the way? He said it was a charm… but he never told me what for.”

“If my brother won't tell you, then I won't either.” Temari knew the charm was to ensure your love never strayed too far from in the desert.

“That’s not fair.”

“Tough shit, blondie.” Temari thought for a second, “Suna, huh… Eh, you already act like a Sunagakure shinobi.”

“Really?”

“Your shadow clones are just squisher puppets… and your wind techniques might actually be something if you learned how to use a fan. So I say, we can make a good Sunagakure shinobi out of ya.”

“You're such a jerk.” Naruto laughed, then asked, “By the way… How would I go about doing it?”

“How would I know?”

“Temari…” Naruto said.

“Fine. First you’d need approval from both Kages.”

“That’s easy.” Naruto knew Gaara would obviously say yes. Tsunade practically threw Naruto at Gaara to help with his mark. If she saw it worked, she would be more inclined to say yes.

“Then you’d need approval from both Councils.”

That was harder, “Okay.”

“You're just a genin, so a simple trade would be easy...”

“If I wasn’t a jinchuriki?”

“Bingo.” Temari thought some more, “Look, the teaching thing’s cute and all… but if you really want to win over the council, you got to prove to them you're capable in battle.”

“I saved their Kage.”

“Yeah, but you should probably do more than that. Join Kankuro on a few missions, show the council you’ll be a good asset.”

“That’s it?” Naruto was expecting a lot more from the way she was talking.

“It's a small village.”

“Okay, that’s not too bad.”

“I have faith in you, blondie.”

“Thanks,” Naruto was glad to get an outside opinion.

Temari always seemed to be so confident in her decisions. She was a guiding light for others… someone Gaara looked up to.

Naruto saw why.

He felt so much better than he did before. His friends are nice. They just say something sometimes that just didn't make him feel right. Maybe that's why he said nothing before.

They didn’t go back inside. Neither of them wanted to join the commotion of it all. It was a lot sometimes.

They had one more drink out on the balcony. The two talked about their loves. It was just what he needed. Naruto ended up half asleep on Temari’s shoulder.

Shikamaru took a step out, an unlit cigarette in his lips, “Am I interrupting something?”

“No,” She rubbed the back of Naruto’s head, “Naruto’s just being a sad drunk little bitch right now.”

“Ya’ sure? You guys have been really close all night.”

“You are not suggesting that,” Temari laughed at him.

“People were asking,” Shikamaru sparked a light.

“I thought you stopped…”

“You not going to acknowledge that?” Shikamaru shrugged.

“People being idiots? No, people are idiots everyday.”

Huf.

“Don’t be like that.”

“You're scenting him right?” Shikamaru wouldn't know for sure, his senses are dull being a beta and all.

“He misses my brother. Idiot.”

“So?”

“So, we’re family, we have similar scents. Naruto’s practically pack right now.”

“You never see him…”

“He’s planning on getting mated to my brother. Meaning when he does, he’ll be the only Omega in the family.”

Shikamaru, not only a beta, was also from Konoha, “Okay?”

“I can't believe I have to say this. I have no interest in Naruto.”

“He’s an omega.”

“He’s my brothers’ omega. And you should know I’m not interested in stupid boys.”

That last line seemed to hit the right button, Shikamaru put out the remainder of his cigarette on the bottom of his shoe and flicked it off to the ashtray, “I guess.”

“Naruto might be annoying… But I really appreciate all he’s done for our family. After the attack, Naruto could have killed my brother. Instead, he let us take him. Gaara was able to heal up and get better.” Temari rubbed small circles into Naruto’s back, “Then our dad died, I didn’t know how Gaara was going to react. Naruto visited him regularly… It seemed to really help him go on the right path.”

Shikamaru agreed, “Naruto’s like that.”

“He’s not waking up anytime soon.” She said, poking at the passed out omega on her shoulder.

“We can use this as an excuse to leave early.”

Temari smirked, “Come on blondie, we’re taking you home.”

“‘ell Gaa-” Naruto yawned, as he was hoisted up on Shikamaru’s back, “-ra s’ry for sl-ping -should be home now.”

“How often do you think they-

“I don’t want to know.” Temari held the door open for Shikamaru.

Chapter Text

Naruto barged into the Hokage's office, “I’d like to finish out my contract with Suna! There’s still two more weeks left.”

“Hi, how are you? I’m doing great.” Tsunade’s voice was flat.

Naruto just looked at her.

She stared right back.

“Hi, granny, how are you?” Naruto caved.

“I’m doing well. And you?”

“I’d like to finish out my contract with Suna.”

Tsunade sighed, “Show me your mark.”

“Fine.” Naruto huffed out, unzipped his jacket, then peeled off the scent blocker patch, “happy?”

The Hokage took her sweet time getting out of the chair. Long strides around her u-shaped wooden desk. She finally stopped behind Naruto. Using the eraser end of a pencil she palpates around his fading mark.

“Hmm…”

“What?”

“It's almost healed. I wasn’t expecting it to be in this condition. Suna has been good to you.”

“Yeah, I guess,” this was embarrassing.

“The Kazekage is treating you well?”

“Yeah?” Naruto questioned the intent behind her asking that.

“Good. Good.” She pondered as she wrote something down on a pad of paper.

“Can I be honest with you?”

“As your doctor and Hokage, I hope you always are.”

“We’re thinking of mating during his next rut. He’s going to overwrite my previous bond.”

“I’m glad you two have gotten close, but that’s simply not possible.” She put down the clipboard.

“What?!” Naruto couldn’t understand, “why would you let me go to Suna in the first place? You must have known it was a possibility. Did you just do it to -

Tsunade sighed, “What I meant to say is that you need to get something like that approved by the councils. If you come back with a mating mark from the Kazekage there might be some problems.”

“How big of problems?”

“Problem sized problems.”

“Uggg…”

Tsunade handed Naruto a bunch of paperwork. It was the start of a formal mating request transfer. There were like a million and a half pages in there.

“You need to fill out these. Then submit it to the council. Then you will interview with ours for the possibility they accept negotiations.”

“You had them ready?”

She shrugged, “There was something I liked about the kid. I’m glad I was right.”

“You're not mad at me… for giving up my dreams of being Hokage?” Naruto had to make sure.

“It's better than you rotting away here.”

“Yeah.”

Konoha’s council room was small. It was an intimate meeting spot for the elders to make their decisions. Lived in with long standing water rings stacked on top on the old wooden table. Red chairs have wear patterns on the arm rest and seats. Maybe a foot behind each chair to walk around.

Naruto and Temari sat in a tight loveseat facing the door. The elders surrounded the other three sides of the table. Danzo to the left. His compatriots a woman to the right, and two older men sharing the other loveseat across from them.

“You want us to let an Uchiha go?” One of the men across from them said.

“I’m an Uzumaki, not an Uchiha.” Naruto corrected.

“That’s not what your mark says.”

“It’s almost gone.”

Apparently the biggest problem wasn’t that Naruto was a jinchūriki. It was that he was an Uchiha.

The other council member asked, “Why are we wasting resources trying to bring Uchiha Sasuke back? I thought the whole point was that he had an omega here.”

Naruto realized he was just an incubator for the next Uchiha Clan in their eyes.

Gaara explained how bad dealing with a council could be. Naruto wished he was here to help him through this. Temari was here as a Suna Representative. She couldn’t help Naruto directly, but spoke for Suna’s interest.

‘Councils only care about their own benefit,’ Gaara would say. If Naruto wanted to get through this meeting, he’d have to figure out how to make leaving benefit them. When he was a child they would give anything to kick him out. Naruto never expected a meeting like this to be hard.

There was no use denying it, Naruto confirmed, “So I’m an Uchiha in your eyes?”

“Yes.” Danzo closed his one exposed eye, in contemplation.

“Then why wasn’t given access to the Uchiha Relief Fund?” Naruto remembered Sasuke mentioned it one day, “If I was really an Uchiha. The council would have approved the allowance almost 4 years ago.”

Even though he’s trying to reject the title now, that money would have come in handy in the last few years. Naruto wouldn't have had to worry about bills if he had access to that. It's what allowed Sasuke to live a better life when they were both orphans in the Academy.

The council just wanted to give Naruto the title of Uchiha to restrict his movements.

“It’s not that simple.”

“Yeah, it is. It’s a fund specifically designed to be used for Uchiha children and omegas whose alphas are no longer with us.”

The wording was intentionally loose to ensure no Uchiha omega or child was left in a bad situation. Alphas could die on a battlefield, with their bodies never found. So they couldn’t specify dead.

“You say that, but -

“But, what? You enacted it when Sasuke was at the academy. So you should have done the same for me.”

“Look-

Naruto didn’t wait for their response, “And, If I am the only Uchiha left in Konoha, why did you sell segments of the Uchiha property without my approval?”

“You don’t have the authority to-

“If I’m mated to the Uchiha Heir, as you said, everything he owned should also be transferred to me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Either I’m an Uchiha or I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Then why haven’t I been given access to any aspects of being an Uchiha?”

“You’ve never requested them.” Danzo said surely.

“Then I’m requesting them.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“Let me know the forms I have to fill out. If I’m right, I’m owed four years of back pay from the Uchiha Relief Fund. I’m owed whatever my percentage would be on the sale of a few blocks of Uchiha property. And I’m owed the access and use of the remaining Uchiha Compound, including the Naka Shrine.”

“You're asking for a lot.”

“I’m really not,” Naruto let them know, “I came here asking to be let go from the village. You're the ones that said I couldn’t go because I’m an Uchiha.”

“You're just a child.”

According to this council, Naruto was an adult his entire life. He was an adult when he was 5 and put into his own apartment. He was an adult when they sent him on missions. He was an adult when he was mated to a missing nin Sasuke.

He was a child now, when he demanded something he deserved, “You can either let me go or let me be an Uchiha. That’s your choice.”

“Even if we could ignore the fact that you're an Uchiha, we can’t let you go.”

Instead of acknowledging what he said, they finally brought up, “You're our jinchūriki.”

“Konoha didn’t have a jinchūriki until like 25 years ago. That was because some village got destroyed. We gave Sunagakure our only Biju during the First Hokage's reign. As a symbol of our alliance with them.” Learning history to teach history came in handy.

“And they sold it off because they already had one.” Danzo reminded them.

“Okay.” Naruto said, “My point was, you act as though having a jinchūriki was a big part of our culture, when in reality, I’ve been it for most of the time Konoha’s had it… and everyone wanted me gone because of it. So I don't understand why you think it's so important now.”

“I don’t know why you want to live there. Sunagakure killed our Third Hokage.” They were going to brand Naruto as a traitor.

Before Temari said something, Naruto got offended, “One, no they didn’t. That was Orochimaru, a former Leaf Nin, and a former Akatsuki Member. Who for some reason was allowed to compete in the Chunin Exam. Even though you should have known the Sound was created by Orochimaru." He then added, “And two, Konoha killed the Fourth Kazekage. Yet, they still decided to be Konoha’s ally.”

“We couldn't have known that was Orochimaru.”

“That’s the problem isn’t it?!” Naruto was clearly upset, if he wasn't careful, “You-

Temari stepped in, “If we cannot come to an agreement of permanent residency now, why don’t we compromise. Extend Uzumaki Naruto’s visa until the end of the year.”

“Why would we -” The council member stopped.

“Eight months?” Danzo asked.

“Yes. Start negotiations with Sunagakure. With our council’s involvement. If we can't come to an agreement by that time, Naruto comes back as an Uchiha as if nothing’s changed.” Temari offered.

“What do we get out of this?”

“A target off your back. The Akatsuki are still a threat. They bombed Suna, if it wasn’t for Gaara’s sand our people would have died. Do you have a person who can erect a barrier like that?”

“Hm…” Danzo calculated the risk.

Chapter Text

Sasuke once said, “It's pointless to talk about dreams. That’s just a word. What I do have is determination to shape the future. I plan to restore my clan and there's someone I have sworn to kill.”

Today one of those things came true.

It did not make him feel complete.

Dreams were pointless afterall.

Chapter Text

It felt like a lifetime since he had seen his boyfriend's face.

“Here.” Naruto handed over a stack of paperwork. It was hard to figure out where it would fit on Gaara’s desk. He chose a slightly empty spot next to a small cactus.

“What's that?”

“The start of a very long boring process. My council has given their permission for us to, you know… Do you know how many people have to approve weather or not we can fuck?”

“19-22. Give or take.”

Way more than Naruto thought, “That’s crazy.”

“You’ve started it on your end?”

“Yeah. Temari didn’t tell you?”

“Her last correspondence makes a lot more sense now.” Gaara sighed.

“You're not upset right?” Naruto fidgeted, even though they agreed to share Gaara’s rut, they didn’t agree to start a lengthy process involving paperwork, “Because this is just a request for consideration. It doesn't mea-

“I’m not upset. Temari was just cryptic about this.”

“Sorry, that's kinda my fault. I told her I wanted to be the one to let you know.”

“It’s fine.” Gaara shook his head.

“My village approved a year extension… and Temari said I should work with your brother. Show your council I’m strong and all that.”

“That’s a good idea.” Gaara glanced back at the stack of paperwork, “Now that we’re taking it seriously, we can't do it during my rut. Our councils have to figure out the best time.”

“Ugghh… Lame.” Naruto complained, “Why didn’t you tell me it was gonna be so much work?”

In truth, there was a part of Gaara that didn’t think Naruto would actually go through with it, “I got too caught up in my emotions.”

“Emotions are a weird way to say, ‘I got too horny to think about paperwork.’” Naruto laughed.

“Yeah,” Gaara joined him. Naruto was right with that being another factor. “We have to discuss this with my council.”

“Do I have to go?”

Unfortunately, “yes.”

“But, I already had to talk to my council,” Naruto complained, “you were right. They suck!”

“I’m glad you understand my pain.”

Naruto laughed, “What do I have to worry about with them?”

“It’s just a performance. They will say yes.” He was so confident.

“Ya’ sure?” It didn’t seem right. Konoha’s council was like pulling teeth with no pain meds. There’s no way that Suna’s would be easy.

Gaara admitted, “They’ve wanted something over me for a long time now.”

“And that's me?”

Gaara nodded.

“Gross, I don’t want to be used against you.”

“It’s how they operate.”

Before Naruto, Gaara didn’t have any desire besides improving Sunagakure. Which, while incredibly noble, meant the council had nothing on him. There are only so many times you can go against the village's best interest - on record.

The first time their newest Kazekage did anything selfish, was allowing Naruto to teach for 6 months instead of a med-nin. From that request the council had all the information they needed. Naruto would be their way to get Gaara indebted to them.

They had heard the rumors. Hell, they helped squash some of them. The Kazekage was romantically interested in a Leaf shinobi. They have just waited for him to ask them officially.

Gaara looked at the newest stack of paperwork, “It's going to be a long day.”

“I think I can make it a little easier for you…” Naruto suggested something they definitely should not do. He locked the office door and closed the blinds.

“Naruto…”

“Come on, love. I traveled all this way to see you… and I miss you so much.” Naruto pushed aside some of the paperwork to sit on the edge of his desk.

Gaara pulled Naruto's legs forward to drag him on top of his lap, keeping the paperwork nice and organized, “Don’t mess with that.”

“What can I mess with?” Tan fingers ghosted over a pale jaw line.

Gaara rolled his eyes, “we shouldn’t do this.”

“But you want to, right?” Naruto's lips followed his hand.

Gaara didn’t answer, not with words anyway. Their lips met and communicated their shared desire. Of course he wanted to do this.

Pheromones released in the air. Sweet succulent oranges tempt Gaara away from his duty. Naruto knew how to get exactly what he wanted from his alpha.

“We have to make it quick.”

“I can do that.” Naruto unbuttoned his pants, slid them off, not all the way, it caught on one foot, it didn’t matter, because, “I missed you so much.”

Naruto was soaking wet.

Gaara unzipped his pants, slid them down just enough to pull out his cock. A few strokes woke it right up. Fuck he missed this. He leaned back and Naruto hurried to line up Gaara’s cock with his pussy.

A deep groan as Naruto slowly sank onto his cock. He could only get about halfway down before needing additional help. Gaara rested Naruto's knees on his shoulders, gripping tan hips, he pulled Naruto the rest of the way.

“You really missed me,” Gaara's voice graveled out.

“Love, I –” Naruto’s toes curled, Gaara’s cock was thick, it filled him so well. He came.

“Such a pretty omega.”

Naruto’s body went slack allowing Gaara to take control. Pale hands gripped his hips, slowly dragging his cock out. Hitting all the right spots. Overstimulated body begged for more.

Gravity aided on the way back down.

Gaara nipped at the gland on Naruto's neck. There was no venom in his bite, not yet. It forms around his rut. He liked to imagine he could do it now. One little bite was all it would take.

Teeth dragged over the sensitive gland. A future promised in Naruto’s moans. Soon. Soon Naruto would be all his.

“Fu-fuck, Gaara!”

Gaara fucked into Naruto with a shallow thrust, knot kissing his entrance. Never breaching.

“Please,” Naruto whined.

“You want me to knot you, Omega?” He really shouldn’t.

It was one thing to have a quickie in the Kazekage’s office. It was another thing to turn that quickie into a 30 minute knot. Someone was definitely going to find them if he did that.

He could read the headlines now, ‘Leaf shinobi found on Kazekage’s knot.’

“Please,” Naruto sounded so sweet, “alpha.”

Fat tears spilled from blue eyes. His breathing was rough as his entire body shook. Naruto pushed down as an attempt to get it all.

“I got you,” Gaara pulled Naruto into his chest.

He did it slowly, inch by inch. Wet pussy welcomed him in. Naruto was full, so full. Their bodies pressed together as close as they could. Gaara kissed him deeply.

Naruto seized up clamping down on Gaara’s knot. It stretched him wide as it pumped his womb with cum. He kept moaning and shaking in delirious pleasure. Omega satisfied. Alpha’s knot.

Blue eyes looked at Gaara with so much love. Blonde hair saturated in sweat fell over his eyes. Gaara immediately tucked what he could behind Naruto’s ears. He never wanted those eyes to stop looking at him like that.

“You’re perfect.”

“You're such a-ah!” Naruto steamed loudly as Gaara slowly rocked his hips on his knot.

“Such a what?”

“Huh?”

“I’m such a,” Gaara smirked, then whispered into the shell of Naruto’s ear, “what?”

Naruto was too fucked out to remember, “Alpha?”

“I feel like that wasn’t what you were going to say.” Gaara knew Naruto was going to call him a ‘sap.’ The blonde had an issue with romantic moments sometimes. Or maybe just the concept that someone would think of him as perfect.

It’s why their first kiss ended with a poof. Their second with a blush, and a hasty goodbye. Gaara had to fight for their first time to end with a handshake.

Naruto couldn’t run away now. He was stuck on his alpha’s knot. Gaara had the freedom to say whatever ‘cheesy romantic’ thing he wanted.

Naruto beat him to it, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Naruto’s head rested on his shoulder. Gaara did his best to adjust his omegas legs around his own in a comfortable position. Keeping his knot tightly secure, they had to wait for it to go down.

Gaara glanced over to the door. It was locked. He knew it was, but it comforted him to see it again.

The paperwork on his desk was still waiting for Gaara.

Chapter Text

“Remember, they are going to say yes. This meeting is just so the council can determine how much they can get for that yes.” Gaara advised.

“Still gross.”

Gaara chuckled, “I know. Our goal is to make it seem like there are more benefits to you being here, than complications to allow it to happen.”

“... okay.” Naruto took one last long look at his alpha, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Gaara opened the door.

The leader of Sunagakure might have been the Kazekage. In times of battle that is who their ninja looked to for guidance. War times, their voice close to gods.

However, the real leaders of Sunagakure were the elders. They were a group of representatives from important families of the region. The Kazekage couldn’t make a decision without their input. Their weekly meetings could go on all day, until they came to a mutual understanding.

Naruto was used to seeing this from the point of view of an omega at home. Waiting dutifully for their alpha to return after a long day's work. Gaara would look more tired than usual, sometimes not returning until early morning the next day.

Now Naruto had a front row seat.

Well the seat next to the Kazekage. So the front row slightly to the left. Still a really good seat.

“And who is this?” one of the elders spoke.

Naruto looked over to Gaara, expecting him to speak. When he didn't say anything, Naruto remembered omega’s were allowed to speak more freely here, “Hi, um, I’m Uzumaki Naruto,” then he remembered, “How are you guys?”

Ebizou, the head of their elders, gave a long drawn out smile, “we’re doing just fine, and yourself?”

“Um… good. Yeah!”

“So, what is the meaning of you joining us today?”

“Naruto is my omega.” Not, ‘we’re requesting your consideration for.’ Not, ‘we’re trying to.’ Not, ‘going to be.’ Gaara said it with such certainty, that one might believe it already happened.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” Gaara was about to cash in all the favors they built up throughout the almost four years he held his position.

“Umm… My council approved to start negotiation.” Naruto let them know.

“Aren’t they worried about their secrets?” Toojuurou, the one most likely to take over as Head of the Council when Ebizou retired, asked.

“To give up one of their own, so soon after -

Naruto interrupted their conversation, “I’m just a genin. I’m not given access to any secrets. Well, like, any real secrets.”

“Ah,” Ebizou acknowledged, “Thank you for the clarification.”

“We still need to determine whether or not we would like to start the negotiation.” Toojuurou stated.

“We do.” An older woman agreed.

Ebizou looked over to his fellow council members, “You wouldn’t mind if we asked your omega questions,” then their leader, “would you, Lord Kazekage?”

They both knew that’s what they were here for, “Of course not.”

“Are you ready to answer our questions?” The older woman asked, “Naruto, was it?”

“Yes! … and, um, yes.” Naruto was nervous. More nervous than when he dealt with his own council not even a week ago.

“Let’s start with an easy one, what’s your family line?”

“I’m an orphan.”

“The records would still have your family line. Even if you think it’s a small family, it's best for us to know.” the older woman said.

Sunagakure had long ties with Konoha, knowing Naruto’s family of origin could sway them either way. One hand, they could have been great allies in the past. Strengthening his ties to their village. On the other hand, they could be enemies. Naruto’s family could have been big in the Third Ninja War. Similar to the White Fang and Kakashi.

It didn’t matter, “There’s nothing on them.”

“There has to be something.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve seen my birth certificate. There’s nothing on it for parents. The orphanage named me Spiral-Spiral, because” of his seal, “they couldn’t think of anything better. They found me abandoned in the streets after,” the Kyuubi, “an attack, and-and-

“We’ll still need to see the documentation.”

Gaara spoke for him this time, “We’ll get it for you.”

“Thank you, dear.”

The council must have thought Naruto was lying because he had some great secret to hide. He wasn’t. Every word he said was the truth, but it was a horrible way to start off this meeting.

“You're an omega, correct?”

“Yes.”

“You wouldn’t mind submitting to one of our doctors to check.”

“No. I mean, yes. I mean, I don’t mind going to a doctor.” Naruto hated the doctors. The only medical care he got was from the old hag, Sakura, or when he was too incapacitated to object.

“Good.”

“Your age?”

“I’m 17.”

The easy questions went on for a while. Gaara warned him it was one of their strategies to wear him out. They wanted Naruto tired from answering them, before asking the real questions.

Which finally came when Toojuurou said, “I heard he was marked.”

“Marked?”

“Is this true?” Ebizou asked.

“Yes.” Gaara said.

“And who was your previous alpha?” The question was directed at Naruto.

“Uchiha,” Naruto sighed, “Sasuke.”

Some of the council members mumbled to themselves. Uchiha. Missing-Nin. Massacre. Words like that were thrown around like nothing.

Ebizu asked, “What’s your relationship with him like now?”

“He tried to kill me… umm, the last time we saw each other… So I guess you could say it could be better.” Naruto tried to laugh it off.

The row of council just looked at him.

“That was a joke. I’m sorry.”

“So, the Uchiha Clan.” one of them started.

Another finished, “Only two known members exist. Both criminals. Meaning you’re the only one left in Konoha with that name. Right?”

“Um… I never took the Uchiha name,” Naruto said quietly, “And, if my marriage to Gaara gets approved, I’ve already agreed to reject any claims I have to the Uchiha Clan.”

“So you haven’t already?”

“No.” Naruto knew they didn’t like that answer, “It was the only thing I had to get Konoha’s Council to accept starting negotiations.”

“You are aware, you wouldn't just be rejecting the Uchiha Clan, but all of your ties to Konoha, correct?”

“We’re still allies.” Naruto said.

“But if we weren't… you are aware that means you could be asked to fight against your family.”

Naruto reminded them, “I don’t have a family.”

“Your friends, then.”

“Yeah,” Naruto had to stop himself there, because that would never happen. Their marriage would be a sign of alliance between villages. So the promise would be that it wouldn’t happen. But if Naruto said that, they might not think he’s the right fit.

“You're okay with that?”

“If there were no other options.” Naruto didn’t think there were any good answers for that question.

“Hm. Interesting.” He said, “If we accept. You would become the mother of the future Kazekage Clan.”

“I am aware.” Naruto knew at the end of the day he was an omega. He had the responsibilities of an omega. Marrying Gaara would just mean those responsibilities would just be under a bigger microscope.

“That’s a lot of responsibility.”

Naruto agreed, “Parenting is. Yeah.”

“You wouldn’t just be parenting, you’d help shape the future of Sunagakure.” That's what it boiled down to. How would an omega from a different village shape their future.

“It would be a good opportunity to let everything in the past die. All of the petty fighting that led us to destruction so many times over.” Gaara said.

“Very pretty words, but you know it as history, we know it as reality.” Ebizou reminded him.

To be backed up by his number two, “Yes, our job is to shape our village, based on all the, what was it, petty fighting of the past.”

“Shouldn’t it be a good sign that Konoha is offering a marriage alliance? They are willing to put the past behind them.” Naruto said.

“They are offering a genin, with no family, that’s hardly an omega worth offering.”

If Gaara was not the man Naruto shaped him into, the counselor would be dead, “Naruto is the one that saved my life. He has saved Sunagakure several times over. There are stories of him around the world of how he has saved many. And you think that is not an omega worth offering?”

“Yes, he saved you. We are grateful for that. But that is not helping Sunagakure several times over.”

“The army with advanced technology attacked us from the sea. The Gelel. Naruto was a part of the Leaf Ninja who assisted my brother and I with taking them out.”

“You expect us to believe he did that out of the kindness of his heart.”

“Ye-

“No.” Naruto interrupted, “Gaara helped me with my mission, too!”

“The Kazekage helped with your mission?”

“Yeah! Gaara was really nice. He helped me get the ferret back for the old guy.”

“Ferret?” Toojuurou asked.

Ebizou bewildered, “You stopped an army, in exchange for help with a ferret.”

“It was a very mean ferret.” memories of sharp claws tearing his face flashed before Naruto's eyes.

“Ah.” They understood.

They did not understand, because they raised the bar, “Either way, it's all fine and good, it doesn’t help Sunagakure with our relationships with other nations.”

“Yes, we need someone who can help us with our foreign relations. We communicate often with other villages, nations, like the Land of Earth or even places as small as the Land of Waves.”

Naruto remembered, “Oh, they named a bridge after me there!”

“A bridg-

“The Great Naruto Bridge? That’s named after you?”

“Well, yeah, obviously, that's my name. Tazuna, the builder guy, he hired us, and we were like doing good defending him or whatever. But then some guy named Zabuza attacked-

“Zabuza of the Seven Swordsmen?”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“... yes.”

“You took out Zabuza?”

“No.” Naruto said, and the council was relieved, “Well like, not really. We fought him off for a while, ya’ know. And we totally would have, except, the guys that employed them, the brother demons-

“The Demon Brothers?”

“Right. Them. They were like, ‘we’re not paying you anymore.’ And they killed his omega, and I was like, ‘you're really going to let them do that?’ and Zabuza was like, ‘No, I guess I shouldn’t.’ and he killed them, but then he also died. Which was really sad, actually.”

“Sad?”

“Well, yeah, they were in love. And they died. It was sad…” They wouldn’t get it, “you had to be there.”

“Okay, so you have a bridge named after you in the Land of Waves. That is impressive, I’ll give you that, but not enough to help out Sunagakure.”

“Exactly, We were talking more about their leaders. Like,” Ebizu rattled off a list and ended it with, “Koyuki Kazahana,”

“Koyuki Kazahana, why does that name sound familiar? Do you mean Yukie? She’s, like, super pretty in real life. Way prettier than she is in the movies.”

Gaara became instantly jealous at that description, “You’ve met her?”

“Well yeah, it was my job to protect her. So, obviously I had to meet her to do that, ya’ know.” Naruto wondered, “Have you met her?”

“No.”

“You should, she’s really nice. I think you guys would get along.”

One of the council members interrupted their conversation in the middle of the meeting to ask, “When did all this happen?”

“Oh, sorry, yeah, like when her dad died, there were all these crazy-

“The former leader of the Land of Snow?”

“Yeah, anyways, when he died, or whatever, there were all these crazy people after her, and she had this movie premier to go to. We had to make sure she didn’t miss that. That would be such a bummer. But we did it, we rescued her from those bad guys, and she made it to the movie premier. And then she was like, 'You know what, I think I’ll take my fathers place now, it's my duty.’ And I was like, ‘what about your dream.’ And she was like, ‘I can do both.’”

“Okay.”

“Anyways, I’m super happy for her. She’s still following her dreams while still holding on to her responsibilities. That's super hard to do.”

The council had to admit, “You know the leader of a smaller nation, that's definitely good to know. It might help out Sunagakure at one point.”

In one of their other examples to raise the bar, they mentioned-

“Hikaru? He’s such an asshole. I mean, we're cool now, but he was such a jerk when I first met him.”

“You know him too?”

“We’ll yeah, I kinda stop this coop in his kingdom or whatever. More importantly, we got his parents back together. So we had to-

The council woman stopped him, “Just for our sanity, how many leaders of Nations do you know?”

Naruto shrugged, “I don’t know, like, the normal amount.”

“The normal amount for the average person is none. So let's reconsider that number.”

“We’ll obviously, the Hokage. I guess, also most of the future heads of the important clans of Konoha, but that’s a given. We went to school together. Umm…” Naruto started on a long list of people he’s helped throughout the years of his adventures.

Which included several small nations leaders. If not their direct leaders, important members of their society. The list got so long that if Sunagakure did not accept the proposal they might as well end the village right then and there.

Naruto was an important asset. An asset Konoha was using incorrectly. The fact they were willing to part with him, displayed they didn't understand his value.

They had to make sure, “Would any of them be considered your enemy?”

“The Akatsuki, but they aren’t really a nation. More like a group. Do they count?” Naruto added on, “Oh, and the Sound.”

“That is understa-

“Actually, no. Kabuto just gave me a gift. I think he’s the new leader now, I’m not sure. So I don’t think he considered me an enemy. Even though I don’t like him.”

“A gift?”

Gaara let them know, “The Sounds research on the Akatsuki.”

“You expect us to believe you did all of that and you are still a genin.”

“Umm… Yeah. So, what had happened, when I was taking my test to become a Chunin, and this is, like, no offense to you guys, but there was this attack on Konoha… and it kinda canceled the Chunin Exam. No one from my village advanced ranks that time. Then I went traveling for a while, and was just, like, never home long enough to take the exam myself.” Naruto looked up, “So, ya’ know, like I kinda got stuck being a genin.”

No one wanted to open that can of worms, “Fair enough.”

The subject shifted quickly.

“We will look into all of your previous claims.”

“So you are aware. If this were to be approved, you would be expected to have a child within the first 5 years. You're comfortable with that time line?” The older woman, who Naruto is almost positive wass an omega, based on the questions they have her ask.

“Yes.”

“Good. Because your bond will be broken, marriage annulled, if you fail your duties.” It was their last threat.

Naruto knew failure wasn’t an option, so he didn’t ask what would happen to him if it did, “I am aware.”

The meeting lasted forever and a half.

It felt like he was asked the same question 5 different ways. It was maddening. Naruto didn’t know which way was up.

Naruto’s so glad to be back in his apartment. His nest just as he left it. Safety, home, his alpha, everything Naruto could ask for.

Except, “My plants?”

“Still in the greenhouse. I'll get them in the morning.”

“Okay.” Naruto did show up kinda unexpectedly. That's what happens when you want to make your return a surprise. Your plants get stuck behind glass for an extra day.

“You did good.”

Naruto smiled, “I felt like I was horrible in there.”

“I forgot how impressive you are,” Gaara kissed the side of Naruto's face.

“What do you mean? I stumbled on my words like a hundred times.”

“Not that. Naruto, you’ve done so much in the last few years.”

“You already knew all that stuff.”

“It's different when you hear it all at once.”

“I guess.” Naruto plopped down on his nest, “How many more times do we have to do this?”

“You're probably done. One, maybe, two more times if they want to clarify some things. Me, as many times as it takes.”

“That’s crazy.” Naruto didn’t know how Gaara did it. And he did it monthly, if not weekly. Being a Kage is a lot of work.

“I’m going to shower.”

“I’m going to sleep forever in my nest.” Naruto buried himself in the scent of his loved ones for comfort.

Gaara came back from the shower, dressed in a pair of old sweatpants and loose shirt ready for bed. Nartuo already changed himself. Oversized pin striped pjs.

Gaara had a question on his mind since the council meeting, “Why did you never take the Uchiha name?”

“I don’t know…”

“He was your mate, but you never took his name.” he never thought of it before. Suna was more matralinal, so the omega usually kept their name. Konoha was different. Omega tended to lose a lot of their autonomy with mating.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. Yeah, I didn’t take his name. It didn’t feel right.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know, love. Maybe,” Naruto took a deep breath in, “a part of me knew it wasn’t going to last… with him. I didn’t want to be a lone Uchiha, having everyone laugh at me, and then laugh at me again, when I had to change it back.”

“Ah.”

“Not the answer you were lookin-

Knock.
Knock.
Knock.

“I hate everything. If anyone asks for me, I’m dead.” Naruto rolled into his nest more. He had no energy left for anyone who wasn’t Gaara.

Knock.
Knock.
Knock.

“Gaara! I know you're in there.” Kankuro shouted.

“I’ll handle it.” It was Gaara’s brother after all.

“Thank you.”

Gaara left the room, leaving the door open just a crack. In case anything happened.

“Finally.” Kankuro’s voice boomed throughout the apartment, “Sorry to interrupt, whatever you two were doing, you told me to update you immediately whenever we got news on the Akatsuki.”

“Yes,” Gaara did.

“Yeah, so, we have to update the Bingo Books. Uchiha Sasuke has killed Uchiha Itachi.”

“We’ll take Itachi out, and add that to Uchiha Sasuke's crimes.” Gaara said.

“Is it really a crime to kill another person in the Bingo Book?” Kankuro’s teammate questioned.

“It’s not, not a crime.” Kankuro said.

“He did it?” Naruto surmised, leaving the sanctuary of his room for the conversation in the other, “So, he's going to come home, right?”

This cemented to Gaara that Naruto still saw Konoha as his home. It made sense, he did live there for most of his life… it didn't stop the sting of rejection of the home the alpha was trying to build with him. “Yes, that means if he wanted to, and Konoha accepted, Sasuke could return home.”

“I have to go to Konoha.” a glimmer of hope shined through his eyes. After his conversation with Itachi, Naruto felt more dedicated to that mission.

“What?”

Kankuro said, “We need to go.”

“Huh?” His partner asked.

“Now.”

They left.

Naruto didn’t wait for the front door to close to say, “I have to petition the old hag to let Sasuke back.”

Gaara couldn’t believe it, “Naruto. You can’t be serious. We just talked to my council about you becoming my mate. Now you want to want to go on another retrieval mission to save your-

“No.” Naruto made sure to say, “I won't go on another retrieval mission… I just need to talk to the old hag. I need to make sure Sasuke’s still welcome back to Konoha.”

“You can send her a letter.”

“I can’t do that. I have to make sure she’ll say yes.”

“A letter is fine.”

“I promised Itachi. I gave him my word that I would help Sasuke.”

“The Akatsuki Member?”

“Yes… I know it's hard to believe, but he’s not a bad guy. He’s saved my life.”

“You told me he tried to capture you.”

“He was a double agent for Konoha. He intentionally botched that mission.”

“And you know this, how?”

“Itachi told me.”

That might be true, but “We haven't heard much from the Akastuki besides this, but they are still out there. It is still dangerous for you to leave here.”

“You read the book Kabuto gave me, they have to capture us in order. I’m last on their list. It’ll just be a week. Three days to get there, three days back. It’s not a big deal.”

“A week you’re not under Sunagakure’s protection.”

“I’ll be in Konoha. I’ll be fine.”

“Konoha’s defenses are not as strong as you think.” Gaara would know.

“Please, Gaara understand,” Naruto had made his decision, “I just need to help him.”

Gaara had to ask, “Do you still love him?”

“How can you ask me that,” Naruto held the mark on his neck.

“Just answer.”

“No,” Naruto shook his head.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Gaara couldn’t face him, “You jumped on the mission to become bait to rescue him. What am I supposed to think?”

“Love, I didn’t do that for Sasuke. I did that for you. You were about to do the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen you do. You were going to start a fight with Konoha.”

It wouldn’t have been the first time, “I wasn’t.”

“You were. You do it for me all the time. And I love you so much for it. I love that you care for me so much, you’d risk everything. But you can’t keep being stupid for me.” Naruto pointed to the general direction of the council meeting room, “Even in there, they’re right. I’m not from here. You risk so much marrying me.”

“Don’t listen to them. They are a bunch of,” Gaara said as Naruto would say, “old bags that trade personal favors for their citizens' lives.”

“Love, don't worry. I’m not going to leave you. But they are right. You're willing to give them something over you, just to be with me.”

“It's not that serious. It’s how they operate. It’s how I must operate if I am to work with them.”

“What are you willing to trade to be with me?” Naruto had to know.

Everything. “That’s not a fair question.”

“And asking me if I’m still in love with my ex is?”

“Yeah,” Gaara wasn’t willing to back down, “Because I was asking if you still love me, and you're asking me what I would do for someone I love.”

That was their first real fight.

… If you don't count the fight where they became friends. That fight was totally different. They didn’t really know each other that well back then. It didn’t count.

This was their first real fight as lovers.

And it was about the one, the only, the missing nin, the alpha bastard himself: Uchiha Sasuke.

Chapter Text

Naruto got his way.

Naruto usually got his way with Gaara. This time it didn't feel as sweet. It felt as though he had stabbed both of them in the heart. He hated it.

This mission had to be done by the books… even though it's an off the books type of deal. Straight to Konoha, talk to Tsunade, then straight back. No deviations.

No allowing himself to be swept up in another Konoha Rescue Mission. Just ensuring that Sasuke Uchiha had a place to return to if he wanted it. That's it.

Naruto promised Gaara.

Hurting him more would just be cruelty for cruelty's sake. Naruto couldn’t do that to someone he loved. He already did too much.

Naruto sat at the bar in the inn, it's about the halfway point to the village. He had a long few days ahead of him. He knew he’d have to beg Tsunade to let Sasuke back into the Leaf. He didn’t have feelings for him any more, but it was the right thing to do.

Sasuke deserved to have a home he could go back to.

It's not Sasuke's fault his brother killed everyone he loved. He had pain that turned to darkness inside his heart, and now that he’s done the one thing he’s set out to do, he can open it back up or love.

With a a sip of his drink, payment on the counter. Naruto’s going to bed.

He didn’t expect to see Sasuke here.

A pale man with spiked out black hair just walked into the bar. No one seemed to care to notice him. Just Naruto. He would always be able to notice Sasuke right away.

Instead of leaving or starting a fight Saskue sat down next to him. He ordered a warm sake with two cups, “You’ll still drink with me, right?”

“Of course,” Naruto smiled.

“Good. I was worried.”

“The Sasuke Uchiha was worried about drinking alone at a bar.”

The service came fast, a small pitcher of warm sake and two cups were between them.

“Hn.” Sasuke poured both of their drinks, “How’ve you been?”

Naruto thought of all the things that have happened the last couple of months, took a sip, “I’ve been doing good, actually.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… you almost seem shocked to hear.”

“I guess I expected you to be a mess without me.” Sasuke admitted.

“I don’t know what to tell you, the last couple of months have been really good to me. I learned a new technique.”

“Yeah?”

“The toads taught it to me.”

Sasuke half smiled like he always did, cocky, “You mean Jairya?”

“No. Toads.” No one ever believed Naruto when he mentioned the toads. Like, hello, they talk. They can teach things. It’s not a weird concept.

“Ah, right.”

It was quiet for a minute. Naruto emptied his cup and rolled the edge of the glass on the table. It was a nervous habit he always had. In any awkward moment he had to fiddle with something.

“More?” Sasuke asked.

“That would be nice.” He stopped his fiddling to get his glass filled.

“I’m glad I ran into you. A lot’s been on my mind.”

“I heard the news… That you finally did it. You can go home now.” Naruto said, “I’m on my way there now, you can come with me.”

“Or you could come with me…” Sasuke just said the sentence Naruto wished for almost 4 years ago.

However, it's not back then, it's now and “I’m not coming with you, but you should come back home.”

“Home?” Sasuke accused, “You say that like you still live there.”

“What?”

“Oh, don't lie to me. We both know you don't live there any more.” he took a sip.

“You don't know that.” Only a select few higherup in Konoha knew where Naruto lived now. The temporary transfer would be finalized once they got their council’s to agree.

“Well, who was the guy I killed in your bed then? Because it sure as fuck wasnt you. He could actually keep the apartment clean.”

“You killed someone?”

“I killed many someones…” Sasuke sighed, “Why are you lying to me, Naruto? We used to be so close.”

“I was training outside of the village.” Another lie.

”Tell me the truth.”

“I live in Suna now. But you already knew that.” Naruto made sure to add, “bastard.”

“There. Isn’t that better? I can't believe you got so desperate for dick, you let that wind-nin touch you.”

“Fuck you. Gaara’s a really nice alpha. Unlike some people I know.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Like what?”

“Fake. You're pretending to be happy with him to make me jealous. It’s not going to work. I know he's just a shitty placeholder.” Sasuke's face twisted with disgust.

“He’s not a shitty placeholder. I’m serious about him.”

“Is that what you tell him to make him betray his village for you?”

“He’s not betraying anything.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yeah… Gaara would never do that. He loves his village.”

“Don’t be naive… he loves you.” Sasuke drank some more, before pouring them both another glass, “and you should know love can make you do some crazy things.”

“Gaara’s not like that. He’s not crazy.”

Sasuke snorted, “Don’t make me laugh,” he slid a third drink over.

“I’m serious.”

“Stop lying to yourself, then. You saw him in the hospital, Naruto. You saw what he did to Konoha. He almost killed me. You had to stop him yourself. You even heard what he did to his own villa-

“Shut the fuck up.” Red chakra flowed from his veins, “You're not allowed to talk about him like that.”

“I’m not allowed to say facts? Because everything I said is true. Gaara is a monster.”

“Shutup-

“-The Akatsuki might have ripped the One Tail from the guy-”

“-But we both know that was just an excuse for him-”

“-Your little fling is a monster of his own right- Stop it.”

They were back in front of Kyuubiu’s Gate. Large red bars are all that separated them from complete and utter destruction. Kyuubi was mad.

“I know what they look like.”

Naruto's voice shook, “I can’t.”

“It’s nice to know the bond never broke between us, Naruto.”

“Fuck you.”

“So could your monster friend just not get it up? Or was he too much of a pussy to do what needed to be done?”

Naruto wished he could break the seal. He knows he shouldn’t. He knows the danger Kyuubi has over everyone around them. This was a very populated city after all… but he also knows the danger of Uchiha Sasuke.

“I’m thinking he was just too much of a pussy.” Sasuke looked over to the fox, “One monster to another, is that what it was?”

The fox tried to lend Naruto more of his strength.

“You should speak while you still have the chance.”

Chapter Text

“Where am I?” Naruto’s head pulsed in pain. Vision blurring in and out. He couldn't make out any identifying features of where they were.

Sasuke answered, “My hideout.”

“What are we doing here?”

“Hiding.”

“Don’t be such an asshole, why am I here?!”

“You know that little monster in your stomach is very valuable.” Sasuke explained, “The Akatsuki wanted me to go after another one, but I convinced them I could bring them the nine without much fuss.”

“Kyuubi!” Naruto tried to reach for his stomach.

“Don’t worry, he's still there… for now.”

Naruto looked around, he was restrained in a chair, “What are you going to do to me?”

“I’m going to remove the fox. That way you won’t have your unearned advantage any more.”

Naruto thought of Gaara, “That will kill me.”

“Not the way I plan on doing it.”

“What are you going to do?!”

“You shouldn’t have left him so close to your heat.” Sasuke let him know, “this is all your fault.”

“What are you talking about?” Naruto’s heat wouldn’t be be for a couple more months, “You don’t have to do this!”

When Sasuke put his mind to something, there was no talking him out of it. He joined Orochimaru, to become more powerful. He killed his brother, to avenge his clan. He joined the Akstuki, because soon he would destroy Konoha.

Naruto was the missing piece to a very elaborate puzzle.

His omega would help him rebuild his clan, just like he promised years ago. He was annoying, but incredibly powerful. Fertile hips would birth many Uchiha. It's why he couldn't let the Aktsuki get to him.

They would still get their fox.

But Sasuke would get Naruto.

Sasuke has never been in love before, but if he were to tell someone about his first love he would say Naruto’s name. It fell out of his lips so easily when that topic came up. Naruto bore his mark after all. It was easy to pretend that meant love.

“I do.”

“No you don’t Sasuke, if you returned to Konoha right now you’ll be let back in with open arms.” Naruto knew they wanted their prodigal Uchiha to return.

“You can’t believe that.”

“I know it. You haven't done anything that Konoha would disapprove of. What did you do, leave the village for a couple of years? Kill Orochimaru? Kill a Missing-Nin? Hell, the army you took out were also enemies of Konoha. You haven't done anything wrong.”

“Naruto…” Sasuke shook his head.

“If you stop now, you’ll be fine.”

“I don’t like seeing you beg like this. You look pathetic.”

Luckily the Akatsuki still needed to acquire the Nine Tails last. It allowed for Sasuke’s plan to work perfectly.

Obsession was a normal trait for Uchiha. You didn't become great without true focus. There are many tales of the victims of Uchiha’s obsessions. Someone who just happened to cross the path of one sealing their fate.

The alpha knew this about his family. He knew he also shared this trait. He wasn’t great for no reason.

Naruto had just happened to become one of his obsessions.

Seeing that wind-nin put his hands on Sasuke’s property broke something in him. How dare the Kazekage take what is not his. Sasuke made sure Naruto was marked for later.

Yeah, he saw it. He saw the way that other alpha pawed at Naruto fawning over him like an idiot. He’s been to their shitty apartment. Watched Naruto give up all of his dreams to be a side piece to a nobody.

It broke his heart to see the blonde stoop so low.

Sasuke would have to show Naruto how bad he really had it. He was clearly blinded by lust. Naruto was like that, a creature bound to his desires of the flesh. Once he'd got some taste of dick and Naruto would be putty in Sasuke's hands.

“You smell like him. Did he fuck you recently?”

“Fuck off.” He did.

“Do I need to scrub you clean?”

Naruto smelled sweet, like a sluty little orange getting passed around to all the alphas. Sticky sugar trails linking them together. Sasuke didn’t like sharing.

“How long did it take?” Sasuke asked.

Naruto struggled against the restraints, he almost got it, “What are you talking about?”

“For you to give up on us…”

“Us? We weren't even dating. You refused to be seen with me.” Naruto scoffed.

“That soon?”

“Stop it, Sasuke.”

“Was it on your little Next Hokage Mission? You fucked him back when I was still in your pathetic village,” Sasuke accused.

“You’re fucking crazy.” At the Valley of the End Naruto begged for Sasuke to take him with him. He would have abandoned all of his morals and dreams to be by his alphas side. Naruto wasn’t even marked then, he was just that pathetic.

“When I was struggling - at my worst. You were fucking some Wind-Kid.”

“I didn’t fuck Gaa-

Sasuke slapped him, “Don’t say his fucking name.”

“I didn’t fuck him when looking for Granny, you demented ass-hole.”

“How about when I left. You let him fuck you in your hospital bed. Is that how you got the Sand to abandon the Sound so quickly? Used your loose pussy as a bargaining chip. Is how you plan on being Hokage? Oh wait - you gave that up to be a fuck toy.”

“Do you hear yourself,” Naruto was baffled, “You’re upset that someone hypothetically tired to fuck me, while I was recovering from when you tried to kill me.”

“I didn't try to kill you, Naruto. Grow up.”

“You left me bleeding out by a riverbed. What did you think was going to happen?”

“That your shitty-fox would heal you. Like he obviously did, because, surprise, you're not dead.” Did Sasuke even know Naruto was a jinchuriki back then?

Naruto doesn’t remember, but he did seem surprised to meet the fox face to face earlier this year, still, “You couldn’t know that for sure.”

“If I really tried to kill you. If that’s what I really wanted to do. You would be dead. Use your brain for once. Why would I mark a dead man?”

“Because you’re,” Naruto didn’t have an answer to the question he’s asked himself for years, “fucking crazy.”

“No, actually. It’s because I stupidly thought you’d wait for me.”

“Bullshit. You were a scared little kid, knowing you were doing something wrong, so you latched on to the only person who-

Sasuke yanked Naruto's hair to pull their faces closer together, “Who cared about me?”

Naruto didn’t say anything.

“No- Go on. Who cared about me? That’s what you were going to say, isn’t it?” Sasuke slammed Naruto's head back onto the seat.

“Yeah. You know what, yeah.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” Sasuke repeated himself, “So, I ask you again, how long did it take for you to betray me?”

Naruto didn’t want to say it. Sasuke was right about this one. He might be acting crazy, but he wasn’t crazy.

“Don’t get quiet again.” Sasuke's eyes turned red, “Fine. I’ll figure it out myself.”

Red spun into black, which spun back into red again. And again. And again. Until Naruto was lulled to the back of his mind, where the memories of his betrayal were hidden.

A late-September night in Suna, Gaara stood on a platform in front of his people. His speech was one of the most beautiful things Naruto had ever heard. It was full of promise and hope of a better future. One that would be free from the despair that led them astray.

It was a vow of dedication.

One Naruto could only dream of coming close to.

Gaara looked so good in his formal attire. Less bloodthirsty killer, more leader of a nation. A strong determination in his eyes as he spoke so passionately about his desires.

Naruto had to kiss Gaara.

He just had to.

Naruto didn’t even know if Gaara liked him like that. He had some suspicions based on the way the alpha reacted to his scent during his rut. That could have just been the explosion of hormones.

He was so embarrassed, he had no choice but to disappear into a poof of smoke.

“A month?” Sasuke said, “Really?”

“Shut up.”

“You couldn’t even wait for the trail to get cold to replace me…” Sasuke turned around, he couldn’t even look at Naruto, “Hah! And here I was thinking you still held a flame for me. How could I be so fucking stupid? You’re just like the rest of them.”

“I did care for you. So much.”

“Bull shit. You know, you were supposed to be better. You were supposed to be the best. You- Pathetic omega.”

“I’m serious. As soon as I saw that Ita-

“Don’t.”

-Itachi was dead. I went looking for you. I knew you needed someone. I knew you had to be lost-

“Lost? I found my revenge. I did it. Me. With no help from anyone else. Just me.”

Naruto knew the truth. Itachi sacrificed himself for Sasuke. The man was already dying and he wanted to do something good for the only family he had left. Letting Sasuke get his revenge was the best thing he could do. It was too little, too late. “Did he tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“That he loved you.”

“Yeah, he loved me alright. It’s why he tormented me as a child. I came home to everyone dead, but he kept me alive, because he ‘loved me.’ He ‘loved me’ so much he then tortured me for 72 hours. I watched them die over and over again.” Sasuke said, “Don’t let some speech he gave when he had one foot in the ground change your mind about him.”

“Itachi-

“Don’t speak about my brother again.”

Naruto stopped.

“Good. We aren't here to talk about the past. I brought you here to help me build our future.” Sasuke reminded him.

“I don’t want this.”

“Oh, but you were willing to give that asshole a child, just so you could give up your dream.”

Naruto had this really bad trait, where he couldn’t shut his mouth, because he said, without a single thought going through his brain, “Maybe because Gaara’s a better alpha than you.”

“Oh?” Sasuke’s expression changed to something unrecognizable, “You want to see how much better I am at being an alpha?”

Sasuke untied the chakra infused ropes that held Naruto to the chair. Loop after loop pulled off his abdomen. Only to be put back over Naruto's wrist. It didn’t hurt to be careful.

”Don’t fight this.”

Naruto stopped struggling against the rope. His body stilled against his will. He kept trying to push past this horrible feeling.

“Bend over.” Sasuke didn't believe in foreplay.

Naruto’s bent over the chair. His body followed the alphas orders.

Sasuke yanked off Naruto’s pants, orange fabric pooled at his ankles. Two fingers shoved into Naruto without warning. He tore at the intrusion, only the remains of Gaara cum inside to help ease Sasuke's way. Nails scraped on their way out.

“He’s still inside you… You just walk around with another Alpha’s cum in your cunt?” Sasuke wiped the fluid remains on Naruto’s shirt.

Naruto didn’t respond. How do you respond to a question like that?

“Naruto? You going to answer me?”

Nothing.

”Answer me. Do you walk around with someone else’s cum in you?”

“I walk around with my alphas cum in me sometimes.” If Naruto was going to be forced to say the truth, he was going to say the harshest version of it.

“You keep making this harder for yourself.” Sasuke spat on his pussy.

It was the only lubrication for his cock. Sasuke shoved it in without any warning. The chair rocked forward, Naruto's nails dug into the wood.

Tight.

Too tight.

Too tight that it hurt.

Naruto’s body convulsed painfully as Sasuke bottomed out. It was technically an orgasm, but it didn't feel like one. Naruto finally realized why omegas have this natural reaction. Slick started to aid Sasuke's movements.

“See dobe, I knew you missed me. Your pussy doesnt lie.”

Sasuke used him like a fleshlight. Harsh thrust jackhammering into his body. Fingers dug into Naruto's hips directing the movement.

Naruto tried to focus on anything but what was happening behind him. The floor in front of him was cracked tiles. No sense of rhyme or reason for the pattern. It spiraled into itself then spiraled out.

The walls were the same. Man made organic shapes used to mimic nature. Thick stone, at least a foot thick. They were in the sound. All of Orochimaru’s facilities had a similar look.

A knot. This should be over soon. To Naruto’s surprise, it never enters. One of Sasuke's hands left his hips, to stroke it instead.

Naruto wants to ask about it, but he doesn't want Sasuke to get satisfaction from it.

Teeth scraped against his neck. No. Not again.

“Sa-Sasuke! Stop!”

“Oh you are here,” hot breath ghosted over his mark.

“Sasuke, I mean it -

“Stop it.”

Naruto’s body froze.

“It’s about time I renew our bond.”

A sharp pain came scorching from Naruto’s neck. It burned. Branding him as Sasuke’s Omega. Emotions flood through Naruto, reminding him of their times together.

It felt so long ago. In a haze of mist, Sasuke risked his own life to save Naruto. Ice cold sheets isolated them together. Sasuke’s body filled with piercing needles from every direction.

Their first kiss. Middle of the classroom, all eyes on them. Naruto was laughed at for that. They thought he was just another stupid omega chasing after Sasuke… and he was.

The Valley of the End, birds screamed.

Blood.

It poured down Naruto’s back. So much of it. Warm.

Sasuke pulled out, leaving a trail of cum behind. Coating over his vagina, dripping down his leg.

“You're mine. Remember that.”

“Yes.” Naruto could feel Sasuke's smirk. He was marked as Sasuke's omega every way he knew. Sasuke wouldn’t let him go easily.

When Naruto finally saw Sasuke’s size he was surprised it wasn’t bigger than Gaara’s. It was so painful that he had to assume Sasuke was huge. Sasuke was still bigger than average, but… not as big as the pain made it seem.

Gaara always loved him soft, like he held the most precious things in the world. He took his time with Naruto. Making sure to get the most of each night together. The first time they fucked, Naruto swore he was in heaven.

Sasuke fucked like he fought - with pashion. Rough passion that would destroy everything it touched. A chidori through the chest was more gentle. The first time they fucked, Naruto bled for 2 days. He originally wrote it off as Sasuke being big, but that wasn’t it. Sasuke just didn’t care about him.

There Naruto goes, comparing the two again.

“You missed it.” Sasuke noticed him staring, “You finally know what a real alpha feels like?”

“I know what a real alpha feels like.” Naruto’s stupid mouth said.

“Well then…”

Sasuke commanded Naruto over and over that night. Altering his reality and brain chemistry. He didn't need to use his eyes to make Naruto do whatever he wanted.

Chapter Text

That was their first real fight.

“Yeah,” Gaara had to say it, “Because I was asking if you still love me, and you're asking me what I would do for someone I love.”

“I know this is hard for you.” Naruto didn’t act like it, “But-

“But, what?”

“This is hard for me, too… I’m changing my whole life to be with you. I’m the one who is giving up on my dreams. I’m the one moving hundreds of miles from my village. I’m the one expected to give birth in, what, 5 years?” Naruto could never be Hokage if he was the mother of the Kazekage’s children, “I don’t want to break my promises, too.”

“Naru-

“My promises. It's the only thing I still have left, love.”

Gaara was taking everything from him, the same way he took from all who ever bothered to care for him, “We don’t have to do this. You don’t have to give up all of that for-

“Shut up! Not one more word!” Naruto pointed at him, “You don’t understand! I want to be with you. I love you.”

“You shouldn’t-

“I mean it, Gaara, don’t say that. I don’t want to hear about some self deprecating pity party. This is my path, and I’ve chosen it. I want to do this. I want to be with you. I just needed you to know, you're not the only one fighting for us. It's not you against the world, it's us against it.”

“Yeah,” Gaara couldn’t fuck this up. He couldn’t be the reason another person sacrificed everything for love.

“You get it?”

“Yeah, it's you and me.”

“Good,” Naruto smiled for the first time in 20 minutes, he never realized he’d miss Naruto's smile, “Please, love, let me keep my promise.”

It was the least Gaara could do for him, “Of course.”

Gaara shouldn’t have let Naruto keep his promise.

He should have taken like the monster he truly was. Selfishly consumed everything like his nature demanded of him. Made another person sacrifice themselves for him.

Three days went by, no message from Konoha that Naruto made it there.

By the fourth day, Gaara sent his brother on a scouting mission. Maybe Naruto had run into some trouble on the road. Triped, fell, and accidentally saved some beautiful princess’s life.

A week passed.

Kankuro returned with bad news, “Naruto didn’t make it past the first rest stop.”

“Where is he?”

“We couldn't find him. The trail went cold. I’d need a team to search for him. But I don’t know if it will help.”

“Okay.” Gaara nodded, “What happened?”

“You’re not going to want to hear it.”

Gaara glared.

“I warned you. Eye witnesses said they saw him leave with a guy who looked a lot like Uchiha Sasuke.”

“Willingly?”

Kankuro nodded, “It seems that way. Bartender said the two fought beforehand, but the alpha calmed his omega down. Naruto left willingly with Sasuke after that.”

“Sasuke must have threatened the town they were in,” Gaara knew in his heart Naruto wouldn’t betray him.

A month passed.

Gaara had requested aid from Konoha. They couldn’t do anything, because Sasuke is Naruto’s alpha. By their own laws, they couldn’t prevent him from taking his omega.

It sounded like a load of bullshit.

Sasuke was a missing nin for fucks sake. It shouldn't matter if Naruto is his omega or not. It should be treated as a kidnapping no matter what.

The only thing giving him any solace is Lady Tsunade believes the same thing. It's her council that’s holding her back. They want their Uchiha heirs. It didn’t matter how they got them.

Gaara was fighting his council as well. Because Naruto wasn’t his omega, they didn’t want to waste more resources than necessary to find him. Especially when the news came out that it was Sasuke he had been seen with last.

They sent out a few squads when they could spare it. All looking for any sign of the blonde. So far nothing has come back.

Gaara was still making arrangements for their union on the Sunagakure side. In the back of his mind he believed if he acted as if nothing had changed everything would be okay. Naruto would return ready to be his omega.

“For the ceremony we have to consider whether or not to have it in Suna. Naruto knows a lot of important people. It would be advantageous for us to host, but then we have to worry if our village can support that many people.”

“Ceremony?” Tamari said, “I think you're getting ahead of yourself. Naruto hasn’t returned… yet.”

“He will.” He had to.

“I think you need to start being more realistic. No one’s seen him -

“He will return.”

“Of course.” Tamari didn’t believe him.

Two months passed.

“Gaara,” Kankuro started.

“I don’t want to hear it.” He was in his office, seeing who could be spared next. Jiraiya had mentioned something in their last meeting. It was a long shot, but it was the only thing they had to go on.

“You have to consider the possibility that Naruto is dea-

“He’s not.”

“No one has seen him. Either of them.”

The Council started suggesting other marriage options in their last meeting. Each having their own input on who should replace Naruto. As if that was even a possibility.

They thought if Gaara was ready for an Omega, he’d be ready for any one. They don’t understand that he just wants Naruto. Their job was to ensure the Kazekage line continued.

He wouldn’t hear it.

Three months passed.
Tamari was helping Gaara pack up Naruto’s apartment. They were going to move what they could into Gaara’s place, and the rest into storage. The last thing was their nest.

Naruto had built it because he felt safe enough to call this place home. He didn’t have anything like this back in Konoha. Gaara promised him nothing would happen to it.

He felt like an asshole ripping it apart. Almost called off the whole thing and put everything back where it belonged. This wasn’t right.

“What if you're right?” Gaara asked, stopping everything, “What if he doesn't come back.”

Tamari had been waiting for him to come to the realization that this could be a possibility, but now that it has, she hates it, “It’s Naruto.”

“You don’t have to comfort me. I know I’ve been ridiculous these past few months.”

“You’ve been hopeful,” she put her hand on his shoulder.

Hope was a ridiculous concept. It was a delusion that things would get better when all the evidence points to it getting worse. It stopped people from actually making a change.

“We can’t find Naruto. Or even Sasuke. They disappeared without a trace. If one of them died, we would have found a body by now… Nothing.”

She knew what he meant by this, “Naruto wouldn’t leave you.”

“It’s Sasuke.” Gaara knew Naruto would always have a place in his heart for that Uchiha.

“So?”

“That’s his soul mate.”

She laughed, “Since when did you start believing in that load of shit?”

“Since Naruto…”

“Tsk. He’s infected your mind, little brother. Soulmates aren't real. And even if they were, the universe would be playing one hell of a trick in making Naruto’s Sasuke and not you.”

Huf. She had a point. It would be a hell of a joke.

“I get it, but you really think his soul mate is some kid who grew up down the block from him? Or the guy he met once on a battlefield, and moved hundreds of miles to be with?” She made a big deal of it, “One of those things feels like cosmic interference. The other one’s proximity.”

“I guess.” Gaara felt the fabric between his fingers. It no longer smelled of his omega. He had visited too often, and it left anything it might have lingered on.

“Come on, let's move his shit to your place. He’ll want it all ready when he returns. Impatient asshole.”

“It's his nest.”

“And you're his alpha. It needs to be in your den.”

“Yeah.” Gaara agreed. Maybe hope was stupid, but he could be stupid for Naruto. He could hope that Naruto would return.

They packed up his stuff. There wasn’t much of it. All of it could fit into a spare closet. The nest was neatly packed up in a few bags. It took up most of the space.

Almost four months have passed

Gaara was still hopeful. Even though it had felt like a lifetime, he knew it wasn’t that long. Naruto used to go months in between meetings. This wasn’t that different from back then.

The Kazekage rested with his troops, he still had a job to do. A small army from the west had arrived a few weeks ago. They wanted the use of the Winds port city as a restocking zone for their real desires further east. It was Sunagakre’s job to ensure that this was as far as they would make it.

Kankuro made an interesting visit. He should still be in Suna. Keeping it safe while the Kazekage was elsewhere.

“How are things here?” He asked.

“It's going well. The threat should be dealt with by the end of the week.” Gaara gave a status report.

“Good to know…” Kankuro was keeping something from him.

“What is it?”

“It’s good news.” His voice said the opposite.

“Then you’ll have no problem telling me.”

“It’s best we wait for this problem to be dealt with first. Our people need their Kazekage here.”

“Does it have to do with Naruto?” that was the only thing that would make Gaara leave in the middle of battle.

Kankuro’s face twisted in a half smile, and his eyes looked away. He didn’t want to say ‘yes.’

“Do we have an update for his location?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“He’s safe.”

“Where?”

“Suna.” Kankuro's lips pierced into a thin line, “He returned this morning with a team of nin. The one sent on the Snow Flower Mission. They ran into him near our borders and transported him back.”

“What else aren't you telling me?” Gaara knew that stance. There was more to this story.

“It’s something you need to talk to Naruto about. He’s safe. When you're done here, you can go back to Suna. I can go back tonight if you-

“No.” Gaara stood up, “This ends tonight.”

Their opponents were just over the ridge. Some camped out in their boat, others on the beach. Their leader's tent was obvious, it was much more ornate than the rest.

Sand tunneled under the waves. Gaara twisted his fingers into a fist, before shoving it forward. The sand lifted their boat onto a platform, and hardened into rock.

They had no way to retreat.

The shell rock was harder to control, but it was still sand. Those resting on shore were sucked into a coffin made of sea earth. Screams filled the air.

Gaara moved forward through their army. Brother not too far behind. All of them were alive. He stood before the central fire. He knew this was his only chance to end it tonight.

“Surrender,” Gaara gave them a choice, “or they all die.”

Sand crushed, restricting their leader's airways, “We won’t-”

“I have somewhere to be… This is your last chance. Surrender.” Gaara had no time for a dying man's stupidity. The image of the weapon their father built was caught in Gaara’s silhouette. He was more monster than man and it was all him.

They took the sensible option in front of them. Sand fell from their bodies. They were free.

“Kankuro, stay behind to deal with them. I’m going home.”

“You could have done that this whole time?”

“It was dangerous.” Gaara admitted. He had almost no chakra left, if this didn’t work as planned he could have died.

Chapter Text

Tsukuyomi gave Sasuke the ability to control time, space, and everything in between. It was the power he awoke when he killed his brother. It was a bittersweet ending to a tainted story.

Sasuke imagined a peaceful Konoha, his clan still alive. Free from all the troubles that exist in the real world. It was a clear image he painted in his mind.

Naruto next to him, smiling.

Sasuke never left the village.

He won the Chunin Exam, stopping the Konoha Crush, catapulting his career as a ninja. He flew through the ranks after that.

In a little red velvet box is an engagement ring.

Naruto retires as a Ninja.

Marriage.

Childbirth.

Child-rearing.

Their children have grown up.

It's their golden years, hair on their heads white as snow.

The mangekyo sharingan consumed the users chakra at an alarming rate. It was a burden to create the perfect world. Shoulder rising, Sasuke took a deep breath in.

The world was born anew.

A week went by

Naruto didn’t remember most of it.

After the bite his body instantly went into heat. In the fevered state Sasuke was able to do anything he wanted to him. His rut was triggered. He probably was in just as much control as Nartuo.

By the end of it, Naruto knew the truth, he was pregnant.

He didn’t have an immense sense of dread and failure that usually comes after a heat. Naruto was satisfied. As if he listened to his bodies outrageous demands.

“So fast? Hm… it's like your body knows who its alpha is.”

“Fuck you.”

“How do you never seem to run out of energy?” Sasuke smirked, “Right, the fox. Don’t worry, we’ll get rid of that problem for you.”

A month passed.

Hell was a place on earth.

A facility in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do besides being at the whims of a mad-man with too little self control. One who imagined the stars being enough to get past the troubles of the world.

It wasn’t just him, Sasuke had a new team. He gathered them together when the Sound fell. He became their newest insane leader. When it was apparent that Naruto was pregnant, Sasuke got him a medical nin.

Her name was Karin, another omega obsessed with the last Uchiha to their own detriment, “You’re looking good today.”

“Why do you let him get away with this?” Naruto wondered.

“This is nothing… You should have seen what Orochimaru would have done to you.” Karin believed in the lesser of two evils, “He would have chopped you up, and used me to put the pieces back together.”

“Do you think he loves you? Because Sasuke only cares for-

“I’m not a child. I know what Sasuke cares for.” She kept an eye on his vitals, writing something down on her clipboard.

“Then why are you doing this… You don’t seem like the type of person who believes in this sort of thing.” Naruto knows she’s been nothing but kind to him since he’s arrived. Her alliance with Sasuke didn’t make much sense.

“He warned me about you. You're not going to get me with one of your speeches.” She held out her arm, “Bite.”

This was how she showed her kindness. Naruto was still injured from the night before, with her ability and the fox he’d be good as new in a few minutes. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Your ability is impressive… I haven’t seen it anywhere before.”

“It’s because I’m an Uzumaki, our clan has an intimate connection to chakra. It flows through us more freely than any others. It lets us have better healing abilities, and -

“Uzumaki? That’s my name.” it couldn’t be a coincidence.

“You're not the onl-

“Karin, I warned you about him.” Sasuke entered the room.

“Yes, sir.” She shut up.

“Don’t talk to him again.” Sasuke warned.

Naruto wanted to know, “She said she’s an Uzumaki.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I’m an Uzumaki. She might be-

“You're an Uchiha. Or do I have to remind you?”

Naruto hated the way the alpha taught lessons, “No.”

“You're learning. Good.” A deep chuckle. Sasuke was laughing at him. He was amused by Naruto’s compliance.

Two months passed.

Naruto couldn’t take it any more.

He had to escape.

Living in this hellhole for another day would be the death of him. Their schedules have been easy enough to memorize. He’s only been in a handful of rooms in this entire facility, so he would be winging it on the way out. If he timed it right, he could still make it.

It was now or never.

Natuto broke the lock, and ran left. Right. Straight, right. Forward down the halls. Each time reaching a new dead end. It was impossible to know the way around here.

Giving up wasn’t an option. If he could get to a window, he would jump no question asked. The fall was better than this. If he kept going one direction he’d have to hit an exterior wall eventually.

A voice so familiar Naruto might mistake it for his own, “I thought I told you to wait for me.”

“Sasuke. I’m not healing him any more.” Karin said, “He’s pregnant with your child, treat him like it.”

“He tried to abandon me.” Sasuke spoke like Naruto wasn’t in front of him.

“I don’t care.” She said.

It was a long shot, but Naruto said, “Just let me go.”

“I’m not doing that.”

Red went into black, they spiraled into his mind. Melting into a pool of nothingness. There was no one around him.

Naruto sat alone on the swing.

This wasn’t reality.

“Monster!”

It was a dream.

Or a memory.

Konoha’s entire population surrounded him, calling him a monster. Refusing to let him near their children. Removing him from their establishments. Selling him spoiled food. Whatever small cruelty they could get away with under the Hokagus rule.

The shadow of his demise flooded the street. Naruto turned around to face the beast. Instead of the fox was Shukauku. A vortex of sand churned around the monster's large form.

Sand fell like waterfalls, swallowing Naruto whole. Flesh crushed between the weight. Bones snapped in half. Blood filled the sand.

It was over.

Naruto woke up in a hospital bed.

Red hair.

“Gaara!” Naruto smiled, “You saved me?!”

Heh. Heh. Heh.

That wasn’t Gaara. The false man's hand covered his face as he mumbled to himself. ‘Please don't be so angry, mother.’

“Gaara, that’s not your mom. It’s Shukaku, he's lying to you again.” Naruto tried to get through to him.

“I gave you bad tasting blood earlier. I’m sorry. I’ll fix it.” Gaara sounded like he used to. Speaking to the monster in his head… but there's no monster- The monster in his head is talking to him.

“Love,” Naruto couldn’t breathe, the weight of the sand crushing down on his neck. He tried to dig himself out of the attack. This wasn't right, Gaara wouldn’t do this. He couldn't escape.

“What purpose are you alive?” Gaara asked.

“Love…”

Everything faded to red.

Three months passed.

Sasuke was out of the facility for thee next week.

Jokes on him. Sasuke tried to break Naruto so many times, and each time Naruto prevailed. This time wouldn't be different. He just had to leave. Once he was free of Sasuke's grasp everything would be better.

Gaara’s out there looking for him.

It's what gave him hope.

“The baby is doing fine.” Karin mentioned. She wasn’t supposed to speak to Naruto.

If she was already breaking the rules, “You mentioned a while ago you were an Uzumaki.”

“And?”

“And,” this might be his only chance to find out, Sasuke was gone for the next week, “So am I.”

“Okay… I already knew that.”

“We might be related.”

“We are.” She was sure of this fact.

“And you don’t care?”

“We’re related by blood, that’s it.” Karin said, “Our clan was destroyed years before either of us were born. Why would it mean anything to me?”

Naruto finally knew he had a family, and that family had been destroyed. “Shouldn’t we be family?”

“We should be… but that option was already taken from us.”

“It doesn't have to be-

“I don’t want to hear this. I don’t know you. If it weren't for Sasuke, we never would have met. There’s nothing between us.”

“You really believe that?”

“Yes.”

If she fell in with Orochimaru, Naruto asked, “Do you think this is how another Uzumaki should grow up?”

“They will be an Uchiha.” Karin said.

The rest of the appointment was done in silence. There was no need for Naruto to bite her again. Sasukes has been gone for a few days. She held out her arm anyway.

“You need your strength.”

When Karin left, she didn’t lock the door.

Chapter Text

Almost four months had gone by.

Naruto escaped.

He felt like a rat during his exit. The research facility was more a maze than a laboratory. Just because he was out of the building didn’t mean he was safe. He still had to make it back home.

In the facility they had him wear thin drawstring pants and a blue cotton shirt with ties at the side for easy access. The back had an Uchiha symbol stitched into it. In case the mark wasn't enough to say who Naruto belonged to.

His slippers were getting torn up from the branches. They were starting to be worse than nothing. Naruto could dispose of them, but he’d be barefoot.

It was nearing nightfall, Naruto had reached the edge of the river territory. Naruto had no provisions and at least two more days of travel. He couldn’t stop to collect any in fear of getting caught.

A tall smoke stack pointed to life in the distance. A group of ninja made camp at the edge of the desert. Tan flack jackets, head wraps, fans, and the Suna symbol on head bands. Things were looking up.

Naruto was safe, “Hey! You’re from Suna, right?”

They ready their weapons. The distinct clack of puppets joints being tightly strung together by chakra was the warning. The squad of three was now nine. Naruto couldn’t handle a fight in his condition.

“Woah! I’m not a threat.” He put his hands in the air, “My name is Naruto.”

“And?” The puppets moved to surround him.

“The Kazekage should be looking for me.” Naruto knew Gaara wouldn’t give up on him.

“Why would he look for some random omega-

“I’m his omega.”

“You're lying. The Kazekage doesn’t have an omega.” Ninja were already secretive, Suna-nin took it to a different level.

It must have had something to do with the harshness of the environment they grew up in. They wouldn’t divulge any information with people they perceive as outsiders. It was said that interrogation with them was impossible.

“He does. A blonde omega. A foreigner. Stops by every so often. They taught at your school earlier this year. You haven't seen them in the past couple of months.” Naruto hoped that was enough to say, “It's me.”

“Why would he let his pregnant omega out of the village?” The leader, a jōnin, made note of his condition. The team didn’t slack their weapons. This could be a trap.

“He didn’t have a choice,” Naruto had to lie, “We found out, and I had to go back to Konoha to see Gran- Lady Tsunade. She’s my doctor.”

“Tsk. The Hokage? Sure she is.” the puppeteer commented on the absurdity.

The jōnin then said, “Let's say we believe you. Why didn’t you return?”

“Someone kidnapped me on the way there. I couldn’t fight back because I couldn’t risk the baby.” His hand went over his stomach, it felt forced.

“Are you being followed?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I escaped from a Sound Facility nearby.”

The jōnin kicked sand over their fire to extinguish it. They couldn’t risk being found themselves. Even if they didn’t help Naruto, they had to leave. “Where’s the facility?”

“North West. About half a day.” Naruto pointed to the direction he fled from.

“We have to leave.”

Naruto looked up at the stars. When they first started, not really, dating Gaara taught him how to navigate the desert with them. It was the only option in a place with little landmarks, and vast openness. “We’re a day’s away from Suna. You can take me there.”

“That’s all well and good, but we’re on a mission.”

“Whatever the mission is, it's less important than getting me home.”

“We don’t abandon our-

“Look, I won't make it through the desert without supplies. Without an escort, I risk further attack. Do you really want to be the team that caused your Kage's omega and child to die?” Naruto offered a better choice, “Or do you want to be the team that brought them back?”

Naruto has never been more happy than seeing the entrance to Suna. It was nearing sunrise, the light of the sun hit it just right. Gaara was just beyond that cavern's entrance. He was home.

“Stop-
“You can’t just run in-
“You're going to get-

They all tried to stop him.

Naruto knew that stupid cat-howl anywhere, “Kankuro!”

“Naruto?” He couldn’t believe his own eyes.

“He wasn’t lying,” one of his savors whispered behind him.

“Where’s Gaara? I need to see him,” Naruto made sure to add, “Now.”

“That’s going to be hard. He’s out of the village on an important mission.” A mission more important than saving Naruto.

“Oh…”

“Come on, let's get you to our place.” Kankuro covered Naruto with his jacket.

“I want to go home.” Naruto needed to be in his nest like yesterday. Especially if Gaara wasn’t in the Village.

“Not here.”

Naruto stopped in his tracks, “Why can’t I go home?”

“It’s not your home anymore. We moved your stuff out a few weeks ago. Now, I’m serious, follow me.” Gaara’s brother put his hand on Naruto's back to guide him out of the public's eye.

His heart ripped out of his chest. This place wasn’t home. He made the wrong decision to return to Suna and not Konoha. Gaara got rid of his apartment… He didn’t want Naruto to return.

“I can go back to Konoha,” Naruto offered. It would be less embarrassing to return there at this point. If he stayed he would just have to wait to hear Gaara reject him in person.

“No.” He said through gritted teeth, “Just follow me.”

Naruto couldn’t cause a scene here, not after everything else, “okay.”

“I want your mission report on the Kazekage’s desk immediately.” Kankuro demanded of the group behind them.

A few short minutes later, the two arrived at the Kazekage’s condo.

Naruto didn’t spend much time here after getting his own place. They didn’t have the same privacy. Kankuro and Temari, sometimes, also lived here. More importantly, Gaara loved to spend time in his nest. So he would come over more often than not.

It didn’t feel like home…

“Let’s get you something to eat. You need something warm in you.” Kankuro said.

“... Okay.” Naruto trailed behind, already knowing where they were going.

In the kitchen Kankuro instructed, “Sit down, I'll take care of it.”

“I can help.”

“Just relax.” He filled a kettle with water then threw it on a burner. Grabbed a random assortment of little bites on a plate. It seemed more like whatever leftovers they had available.

Naruto sat down at the little table.

The kitchen was sleek with black granite countertops, dark oak bottom, and stark white uppers that blend into the wall. Smaller appliances were concealed behind a retractable screen. Designed specifically to easily hide any mess in case of surprise visitors.

They renovated the room a few years ago. Temari couldn't stand, ‘cooking in such an outdated thing.’ When the renovations were done, she conveniently started working more in Konoha.

“Thanks.” Naruto took a bite of the first thing he saw.

“No problem. I’ll get a med-nin to look you over after this. Do you have a preference?”

“Ameno.”

“Okay.” Kankuro nodded, “Naruto, I don’t know how to ask you this…”

“Yes. I’m pregnant.” There was no use in hiding it, the bump was showing.

“And it’s-

“Most likely.”

“Okay.”

Naruto's breath quickened in pace, “I told the people who rescued me it was Gaara’s. They wouldn’t escort me back if - if -

“It's okay, Naruto. I’ll get Gaara later. Just relax.”

“Don’t tell him I’m - I’m -

“I won't. That seems like something you two need to discuss.” Kankuro looked him over again, “Before I get him, is there anything I need to know?”

“I-i don’t know what you're asking me.”

“Is there anything I should know about you and Sasuke, before I talk to my brother,” he clarified.

“I don’t like what you're asking me.”

“Me either, but it's still the question. As the head of the anti-terrorist division I need to know things that affect Sunagakure’s security. You just left a missing-nins-

“I want Gaara.”

“Not until you answer my questions.” Kankuro said, “I’m doing you a favor doing this here, and not in my office.”

“You're doing yourself a favor. I need Gaara.” Naruto stopped eating.

“You want I’ll take you there. I need my questions answered. It will all be on the record. So answer my questions here, or I’ll take you under custody and we’ll do it there.”

“You wouldn't do that… Gaara-

Kankuro hated himself for this, but Gaara wouldn’t ask him the questions that needed to be answered, “What happened between you and Sasuke?”

“He kidnapped me.”

That’s what Gaara thought, Kankuro knew, “Witnesses say otherwise.”

“Oh. Do you want to tell me what happened?”

“I want a straight answer from you.”

“And I want-

The kettle screamed.

Kankuro got up, pulled it off the fire, “Just tell me what happened.”

“I was kidnapped.” Naruto placed his hands on the table to push himself up, “And I escaped.”

“I need details.” He threw some tea leaves in the bottom of two cups, “My brother's omega disappears for a few months, and ends up pregnant with a missing-nin’s kid. You can do better than ‘I was kidnapped.’”

A hot cup was placed in front of Naruto, “I don't want that.”

“It needs a minute to steep, anyway. Come on, Naruto. Give me something.”

“I was kidnapped,” Naruto looked at the tea, he sighed, and sat back down, “by Uchiha Sasuke. We met when I was traveling back to Konoha to talk to granny.”

“Thank you.”

Naruto scowled, “He commanded me to follow him. I didn’t have a choice. Then he raped me. I went into heat. And I became pregnant. Then I escaped. And now I’m finding out my alpha is on another mission somewhere else. And his brother is keeping him from me.”

“And there’s nothing I’m going to find out later… Something you might want to keep from my brother, right?”

“No, asshole.”

“I just had to make sure.”

Naruto’s arms crossed over his chest, “Okay… well you did, now can you get Gaara for me?”

“Fine. Expect the med nin later.” He left the half-finished cup on the table, “I really am sorry.”

“I don’t care.”

Kankuro sighed before leaving the kitchen.

Food and tea were still there for Naruto’s enjoyment. It was a welcome sight after everything. He nibbled at it.

Kankuro didn’t say how long it would take to get to Gaara, or more importantly, how long it would take for Gaara to come home. Naruto was just left with a bit of food and a foul mood.

Naruto knew Kankuro was just keeping his brother safe. Gaara was the baby of their family. Despite everything, or because of everything, they were protective of him. Especially after their father died.

Gaara was a sensitive person full of love. It was easy to want to keep something so precious safe. Naruto couldn’t blame them.

He just wished they trusted him more.

The stuff from his apartment should be somewhere in here. Naruto wandered around the condo a bit. He knew where everything was because of his many years of travel that led him here. He just had to find his stuff in it.

The guest room had a few boxes with his things. Clothes, books, lesson plans, weapons, and knick-knacks. No nesting material though. That’s what Naruto really wants. He needs the comfort of it now more than ever.

Gaara probably threw it out. Naruto couldn't find it anywhere else. There’s no reason for it to be in Kankuro’s or Temari’s room. There are no pieces of it thrown around the house as decor.

In his sadness, Naruto ended up in Gaara’s room. This was always the destination. With the way Kankuro acted before, Naruto should have stayed in the guest room. Gaara probably didn't want him here. His stuff was in the guest room.

With Gaara out, Naruto snooped. He wanted evidence of what his alpha was up to when he was gone. It's not like it's a crime for a foreign nin to search the Kazekage’s living quarters… Okay. Maybe it is.

Naruto didn’t care.

What else was he supposed to do?

Gaara wasn’t here.

The room was minimalist in style. Meaning there was nothing good to find in the open. Linens creased tightly at the edge like a showroom. The lamps felt soulless. It's not lamps had souls to begin with, but these felt particularly soulless. A few decorative nothings to inspire life. If it wasn't for an Icha Icha Paradise book with a bookmark halfway through, it would look like no one lived here.

That was something. Naruto didn’t enjoy reading the old pervs books. He never got the appeal. Apparently Gaara did.

Naruto flipped open the page Gaara left off on. He didn’t know why he thought there’d be some magical explanation of the last few months on it. It was just -blahblahblah- ‘I love you.’ -blahblahblah- ‘I love you, too.’ Nothing enlightening.

Except, there were a few portions that were dog-eared. Naruto rolled his eyes. Right, Icha Icha Paradise was just thinly veiled porn… that Gaara was very into. Almost in an academic sort of way.

The book was placed back on the nightstand. It was as good a place as any to continue his exploration. All of Naruto’s heat aids were neatly arranged in the top drawer. So that’s where he put them.

The one under it was random medicine and first aid equipment. Most sealed in its original packaging. Never used. Boring.

Underwear and socks in the other nightstand. Gaara’s entire wardrobe was black, white, tan, and red. He at least knew what worked for him.

In the back of Gaara’s closet, Naruto's nest was packed away. Like he couldn’t stand to see it any more. Alpha was rejecting him.

Naruto knew he shouldn’t.

Anger pulsed through his veins. Gaara broke his promise. Alpha didn’t care.

Nesting was a big deal for Naruto. He never thought he’d do it again after Sasuke. Then Gaara came, and he made Naruto feel safe enough to do it again. Now, all his hard work was reduced to two brown paper bags in the back of a closet.

It looked like a hurricane wrecked its way through Gaara’s bedroom. The entirety of his nest was thrown around in a fit of rage. Fabric torn and feelings hurt. Naruto didn’t know how to explain himself.

Would he even have to? Gaara would probably kick him out the second he got back. Naruto made a mistake coming back here. He shouldn’t have thought Gaara would welcome him back with open arms.

Especially not with him like this.

He was empty.

Nothing.

Chapter Text

The Akatsuki captured the Five Tails: Kokuō.

Iwagakure had lost another shinobi.

Chapter Text

Gaara arrived in Sunagakure the next morning.

“Lord Gaara. You’ve returned sooner than expected.” A guard stopped him, looking behind his form, she expected to see more shinobi. Gaara was alone.

“Our enemy surrendered.” News of how they did would follow him in the next few days. After Kankuro sorted it out.

“That’s good to hear,” the guard's eyes glanced at the area that held Kage building, “um, Your usual guest came in last night.”

“I know. Up security measures.” Gaara was reminded of the Akatsuki attacks not too long ago. This entire pathway was a bloodbath. Who knows what Sasuke would do.

“Didn’t you say the enemy surrendered?”

Gaara left the conversation with, “They did.”

The sun barely peaked through the cracks the tall buildings created. Catching on the edges defining all their details molded into their facades. The streets were still darkened in shadow.

He didn’t know what to expect when he saw Naruto. His brother acted strange when he informed him about the others' return. That usually meant Naruto had something important that only he could tell Gaara.

It was silly to expect Naruto to have waited by the door for his return. It was far too early in the morning for Naruto to be awake. He was probably dead asleep after his travels.

There were still dishes on the kitchen table with scraps of food on it. Once they got his Mate Rejection under control, Naruto was a lot better at maintaining his living space. It helped that he often had visitors stop by randomly. Naruto must be exhausted to leave it like that.

Gaara peaked into the guest room just in case. Not in there.

Good.

That meant Naruto had taken up in Gaara’s own bedroom. It was a good sign of where their relationship stood at. If he felt comfortable enough to sleep in Gaara den, they must still be together. Naruto is still his omega.

Distress.

It was overwhelming. Erratic energy built up inside of him from the state of the room. He was driven by this madness to do something. What? Gaara didn’t know.

Their shared nest scattered over the floor. His omega has either been hurt or rejected the space entirely. Neither was a good option.

Naruto slept in the bed as if nothing was wrong.

Bad Alpha.

Gaara was a bad alpha. Omega didn’t like his space. Not good enough for omega. Bad. Bad. Bad.

Gaara didn’t dare to speak.

Still too upset by the state of everything around them.

The mark was back to its former glory. Pussing out alpha venom, the stench of rotten tomatoes. Disgusting.

Gaara expected that.

Naruto was with Sasuke. He was gone for almost four months at this point. For some reason after all that, Naruto decided to return here.

A spiral of options Gaara refused to think of before filled his head. Each one was worse than the last. There was no good thing that happened in the presence of Uchiha Sasuke.

Gaara sat on the edge of the bed.

The weight shifted Naruto awake. He stirred a bit, but didn’t turn to look at Gaara. Didn’t say hello. Didn’t recognize him.

“Naru-” Gaara reached out, “-to.”

Nothing.

Gaara was tired. His body ached from the battle earlier that night. The speed at which he had to travel to get here. The weight of the last four months. Everything.

Since it wasn’t their nest, Gaara just layed down with Naruto. He didn’t care to ask for permission. If Naruto didn’t care to acknowledge him, did it really matter?

Fingers trailed over Naruto’s midsection to tuck him in closer. It was more rounded than usual. Gaara had to make sure. He explored from sternum to just under Naruto’s belly button. There was a weight there.

Naruto was pregnant.

There was no doubt about it.

Naruto seemed to relax into the embrace when he realized Gaara wasn’t going to say anything. There was a lot they had to talk about. He didn’t have the energy for that.

“I missed you.” Gaara held onto the only person who made him feel human tightly to his chest.

It took awhile for Naruto to respond, he breathed out, “I missed you, too.”

They could figure out the reality of the situation later. Right now it was enough that Naruto was back. He was safe in his alphas arms. Their nest surrounds them.

It's not perfect, but it felt that way.

Naruto turned to face Gaara, tucked his head under Gaara’s chin. It wasn't apparent if it was to hide the pregnancy or to hide the mark. It removed both from Gaara’s immediate attention.

They laid like that for a while. Breathing in each other's essence. Enjoying the simplicity of life that they both have not experienced for so long.

Gaara didn’t know when he fell asleep, but Naruto was already awake when he woke up. He held him closer.

“Good morning.”

“I- i’m-

“You must be hungry.” Gaara wasn’t ready for the conversation that was coming for both of them, “you traveled a long way, right?”

Naruto chuckled, “Yeah.”

“I’ll make you something.” He wanted to delay the inevitable.

“Thanks.”

Gaara got up, ignored the destroyed nest at his feet, and got clothes for both of them. Simple black sweats and a wide neck maroon top for himself. He looked around for his largest clothes for Nartuo.

Naruto wasn’t huge, the pregnancy just started to really show as what it was. Still most of Gaara’s clothing would be too small for him. He had some stretched out sleep pants and something that’s been in the back of his closet for awhile now. Luckily he didn’t get rid of it.

“Here.”

Naruto nodded.

They got dressed and went to the kitchen. Gaara started on breakfast while Naruto cleaned up the remains of dinner. There was a pot of coffee brewing, he didn’t know if Naruto could have any. He needed some.

Gaara plated Naruto's food, and placed it before him.

“Thanks,” he smiled.

“No problem.”

Naruto filled the silence with perfect nothingness. They could imagine that nothing happened. Nothing changed. They are just enjoying breakfast together.

The condo door opened sometime in their meal. It must be Kankuro. There was a lot to do here now that Naruto was back in the village.

Naruto asked, looking at his fried egg, “Why did you get rid of my apartment?”

“It was my idea.” Kankuro said, entering their kitchen. He went to the fridge, grabbed the milk, kicked the fridge closed, then said “You know the enemy has no way of leaving with their boat like that?”

“I didn’t think about that.”

“Obviously.” He poured coffee into a cup, then the milk.

“What did you do?”

“Left it there. Told them its release was contingent on their surrender. You can do that, right?” He sat down to join them.

Gaara wasn’t sure he could, but “yes.”

“Good.”

“What happened?” Naruto asked.

“Gaara here was so intent on making sure he got to you. He basically fought an entire army by himself. Suspended their boat at least quarter a mile above sea level. They surrendered.” Kankuro answered, “More trouble than it's worth, honestly.”

“Oh… Is that where you were?” Naruto looked over at Gaara.

“Yes.”

Kankruo added, “The Daimyō requested that he take care of it personally.”

“Oh.” Naruto didn’t say anything after that. He just ate the food in front of him. Not bothering to look up.

Naruto got through over half the meal before Gaara asked, “What happened between you two?”

Naruto remained quiet.

Kankuro looked at him expectantly, before saying, “I interrogated him a bit before getting you.”

“You interrogated Naruto?” Gaara stood up.

“I had to. I am in charge of our village's security.” Kankuro stood his ground.

“What did you do to him?”

“I just asked him some uncomfortable questions. I brought him up here, not my office, and asked him questions about where he was. Nothing crazy.”

“Is that true?”

Naruto shrugged his shoulders, “I guess, yeah.”

“He’s probably still pissed at me for that.” Kankuro guessed.

“Hm.”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Kankuro defended himself, “Have you asked him any questions about it yet?”

A glare.

“You haven't. What if he was followed? What if this was all a trap? You’ve been here for a few hours now, and all you’ve done is make him breakfast.” Kankuro pointed out the pregnant belly in the room, “Did you guys talk about-

“Not now, Kankuro.”

“You better do it soon. I did my best to hide it, but people are already starting to talk.” Kankuro got up and rinsed out his cup, then left it on the rack to dry. “I’ve got to go take care of the mess. I’ll be in my office.”

They didn’t talk about it for the first day.

Gaara was nice like that.

He let Naruto grieve in his own way. They relaxed in each other. It was perfect. Gaara was the person he could call home.

Gaara took care of Naruto’s mark, like he used to when it got bad. It had already started rejection the same week he got it. That Uzumaki girl was able to help him heal it, but it just sped up the rejection more.

Sasuke was pissed.

It didn’t matter any more. He was far away from all of that. Sasuke wouldn't even return to his own hideout for a few days. Then they were still a day and a half of harsh terrain after that.

Gaara and his brother knew this. Sunagakure security was on high alert. They were looking for any new visitors to their region. Three men, each of varying looks and abilities. One redheaded woman.

Konoha finally got involved now that Naruto had returned. They sent a team out to Sasuke's hideout in hopes to… take care of him.

Naruto should be safe now.

The comforting silence could only go on for so long. Gaara had to ruin it, “Naruto, before I say this, I need you to know, I will always be in your corner. You will have safety here.”

“What are you going to tell me?” Naruto feared the worst.

“Do you understand that?” Gaara held his hand, teal eyes locked into blue, refusing to let go.

“Just tell me.”

“Please understand, I mean this with the best intentions.”

“Yeah, I get it. You're not going to stop supporting me or whatever. Just tell me.”

“I need you to give up on Sasuke. I don’t think Konoha will-

“What? Why would you think I still-

“I know you, Naruto.” Gaara sighed, “and I love you for who you are. Your big heart ready to forgive those in need… but you need to give up on him.”

“I-i,” Naruto was confused, “Why are you bringing this up?”

Gaara said the worst thing he's ever said, “I can’t be with you unless you promise that. Romantically I mean. I’ll still be your friend. I can still support you. I just can't- I can’t worry about you going to his defense again, and -

“I won’t.” Naruto's mating bite screamed in distress.

“Okay.”

“You don’t believe me.”

“I do, it's just your decisions don't just affect you when you're in a relationship. I love you. I love you so much. I can’t worry about you risking your life like that for - for him.”

“I don’t want to anymore. You don't even know what I’ve been through… why would I want to?”

“You're right. I don’t.”

“Because you haven't asked.” Naruto was dying to tell him.

“We can talk about the past later. Right now we need to focus on the future. The future with you and your child.” Gaara said ‘your’ not his, not our, ‘your.’ He saw the child in Naruto's womb as a Naruto Problem.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead.” Naruto knew to just get to Suna. Anything after that was a dream.

“I have a plan to keep you and the baby safe. Several actually.” Gaara said. “I need to know which one to use. This is a very time sensitive issue, but I can give you to the end of the week to figure it out.”

Naruto had to know, “Well… What plan do you want to go with?”

“I'm not going to tell you… I don't want it to influence what you actually want to do.”

“Please?” Naruto said with tears starting to form in his eyes. It had to be bad. Everything that Gaara had said has been ba-

“I want to marry you.” Gaara said that not knowing anything that had happened.

“Still?”

“Yeah. That hasn’t changed. I want to be with you forever.” He had the saddest smile on his face. Like he didn’t believe it was possible.

“What about the baby?” They both knew it was Sasukes.

He shrugged, “We’d say it's mine.”

“Really? But-

“We forge some documents. Put my name on the birth certificate. I’m the Kazekage, it wouldn’t be hard.”

“You mean that?”

“Yeah.”

“You wouldn’t treat them any different, right?” Naruto couldn't’ set up another child to live the way he grew up. It wouldn’t be right. He couldn-

“Of course not.” Gaara reminded him, “You know how I grew up. I couldn’t do that to someone else.”

“What about if we had other kids?”

“Then we have other kids.”

“I mean it.”

“So do I. Look, if it came time to tell them the truth, we’d tell them. Nothing would change my feelings. I want to be with you, only you.”

“You mean it?”

“Of course I mean it.” Gaara said, “I’m serious. I want you to wait till the end of the week. I want you to think about it. Really think about this.”

“I don’t need to… Everything you just said. I want it. I want it, too.”

“We’re too emotionally charged right now. If you still feel this way at the end of the week we can do all of this then. There’s no use rushing it.” Gaara reminded him, “Even if you don’t say yes, you still have my support.”

“You say stuff like that all the time, but I don’t even know what it means.”

“It means, if there's any part of you that still wants to fight for Sasuke after all of this, I’m not going to stop you. You can chase after him your entire life. If that’s what you want.

If you need help with the baby, I can pull strings here, and make sure they get adopted to a good family. Or I can get you a permanent job placement so you can support them. There’s only so much I can do if you want to return to Konoha, but with Lady Tsunade there, I doubt I’ll need to do much.”

Gaara sighed, “I’ll be your friend again. For real this time. Not what we used to call friendship. If you keep the baby, I could be an uncle figure. If you don't want anything to do with me, I’ll leave.”

Everything Gaara just said sounded like Naruto’s worst nightmare, “You would really just leave?”

“Yeah… it would probably kill me, but I’d do it if that's what you wanted.”

“I don’t want that. Any of that.” Naruto said, “I want to go back to my old life…”

Chapter Text

Temari returned to Suna as soon as she heard the news. If Naruto was back that meant, Sauske should be looking for him shortly. They needed all the help they could get.

As soon as he saw her, Gaara told his sister everything. He didn’t know why. He was compelled to. Maybe he just wanted someone who could listen to him. He needed someone else to weigh in on the war in his mind.

“Wow…”

He said, “I know.”

“Good on you for standing up for yourself, but you didn’t have to be an asshole about it. He came here because he trusts you.” Temari said.

“I know.”

“You need to go back in there and apologize.”

“I know… I can’t believe I- He has no other options, and I said all of that.”

“Naruto? Naruto has options. If that baby is the Uchiha’s, all Naruto has to do is tell his council that - he’s set for life.”

“Konoha didn’t seem to care that Naruto was taken.” Gaara remembered, “Either way, Naruto couldn’t support himself there. Not with a kid. Not on a genin’s salary.”

“I don’t know what he told you… Apparently, Konoha has an entire sector blocked off for just the Uchiha Clan. And some sort of fund. Naruto can still go back and claim all of that. Especially now that he has an Uchiha in his belly.”

“What?” Gaara’s face scrunched at the new information.

“He didn’t tell you.”

“He mentioned giving up any claims to being an Uchiha, but didn’t mention it came with all that.”

“Probably didn't want you to worry about it.” she shrugged.

Gaara couldn't understand, “Why was he living in the nin apartments then.”

“Oh, that’s because Konoha’s Council didn’t let him know he was eligible for all that, until after he said he was going to leave.”

“They tried to bribe him to stay.”

“Not exactly.”

“So, I’m not his only option…” Gaara seemed to realize the complexity that adds to their relationship. If Naruto was with him, that meant Naruto wanted to be with him. It wasn’t something Gaara could fully grasp.

“No. If you have any doubts about you and Naruto, you might want to-

“I don’t.”

“Good.” Temari warned, “You better get on that apology fast. If he stays in limbo he might get some stupid ideas.”

Naruto was on the couch reading over some scrolls. He couldn’t do much since coming back to Suna. Until a decision was made, they wanted to hide the pregnancy. Rumors could be more deadly than kunai.

It was a boring existence.

The door of the condo opened. Good, now Naruto wouldn’t be alone with all of his thoughts. They danced in his mind. The worst scenarios played out, over and over again.

Naruto looked back expecting to see Gaara, “Huh?! Temari, when did you get here?”

“A few days ago, blondie.”

“Really? I haven't seen you.” It was only Gaara and him in the condo the past few days.

“Kankuro and I thought it would be best to give the two love birds privacy.”

“Privacy? For what?” the most they’ve done is kiss and hold hands. Nothing that needs privacy.

She just looked at him, “shit, you're stupid.”

“I am not! Take that back!” Naruto shouted.

“Okay, well, when an alpha and omega love eachother very much they-

“Shut up…” Naruto blushed, looked away, “what are you doing here anyway.”

“Here to make sure Suna is doing okay,” She said.

“Right… I probably shouldn’t be here should I?” Naruto frowned. He had several targets on his back that he brought everywhere he went. No place was safe for him, and worst, he was a danger to those around him.

“You’re right where you're supposed to be.”

“I don’t feel that way.”

“Well, your feelings are stupid then. Aren’t you the one that told me Suna was your home.”

Naruto chucked, “Yeah… but-

“Then it's your home.” She said as if it were a fact.

“It’s not though. I’m still a citizen of Konoha.”

“For now. But that will change soon. Gaara never stopped working with the council when you were gone. They’ve almost made an agreement.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he knew you were coming back. Oh- I have a gift for you.” She gestures for him to follow her to her room.

“A gift, why?”

Temari opened the door. Her room was mostly empty, anything that remains looks to be old. Like she stopped putting stuff in it when she turned 14. It seems like she’s been accumulating most of her new stuff in Konoha all these years.

“Because you have the next member of the Kazekage Family in your belly.”

Naruto didn’t know if she knew and was being nice, or if she didn’t know anything, “We don’t know what-

“Hate to spoil the surprise, but Gaara’s going to apologize to you for being a dick the other day.” Temari waved him off, “and-

“He doesn't have to apologize. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

Temari raised her eyebrow, “From what he told me, yes he did.”

“I’m sure he was just being hard on himself. You know how Gaara gets.”

“Huf. Yeah, that's how he gets.” They had two very different ideas on ‘how Gaara gets.’ For the majority of her life that meant murderous. That meant don’t let anyone near him. Evacuate the area. Don’t interact.

To Naruto that meant, Gaara gets hard on himself.’

Naruto was the best thing to happen to her little brother, “What? I’m serious. He didn’t do anything wrong. He just-

“Need to apologize to you. You are going to be his Omega. You come to him for protection and he treats you like that?”

“It’s not that big of a deal… but, I guess,” Naruto wasn't going to win this, “What did you want to show me?”

She opened a drawer, removed an ornate box from it, and placed it on the dresser. Inside were 3 hand fans, each made of a shiny black stone. Just looking at them one could see they were powerful ninja tools. Carved into them were ‘Temari,’ ‘Kankuro,’ and ‘Gaara.’

“These were our mothers.” Temari picked up the one with ‘Gaara’ carved into it, and held it out to Naruto, “Our father had them made them for her, when he found out she was pregnant with each of us. They are designed to amplify your chakra. That way you can still defend yourself.”

“I can’t accept that.” It was too much.

“Yes, you can. You're going to be my family. Besides, it's a tradition in Suna. Gaara should have had one made for you… but it's a bit too late for that.”

“Yeah, but-

“But, nothing, blondie. This was one of the only good things our dad did. Gaara deserves to have an heirloom you guys can pass down.” She practically shoved it to him.

Naruto took it into his hands, feeling the ridges and bumps of the carvings through his fingers, “Thanks.”

“Besides, I only have two hands. So three would just be too troublesome.”

“Troublesome?” Naruto laughed.

“Shut up.” She blushed, “Do you want to try them out?”

Naruto did, but “Shouldn’t I stay inside?”

“Only if you plan on saying ‘no’ to my little brother.”

“Oi! Get out of here unless you want to get knocked on your asses.” Temari shouted as they entered training grounds 1.

“Hey! Isn’t it rude to kick them out. They were training.” Naruto defended the strangers.

“It’s ruder if I didn’t warn them. Wind techniques pack a punch.” She looked over to those who didn’t heed the warning, “Or do you want them to go flying into the next dimension?”

Naruto remembered how far she could knock people around, “I guess not.”

The few remaining people either left or went behind them to watch. She was a powerful wind nature. It would be beneficial for them to just watch and learn.

“Okay, so you did nature drills before right?”

“Yeah?” Naruto didn’t want to do them again… he also didn’t know if he should do them again. He has a lot of chakra, but he also has a baby inside him. He doesn't know how much he can use before he harms them.

“Okay. This is nothing like those.” She takes out her own small fan, “What I gave you earlier will do all the hard work for you. It takes a small amount of your chakra and amplifies it to a large wind blast. Given that you already have a larger chakra reserve, we shouldn’t have to worry about anything with training.”

“Okay.” That was good to hear.

“You still need to learn fan techniques. One wrong flick of the wrist and you miss your target entirely.” Temari was able to rip 2 training dummies from the ground with one small movement. They flung against the wall, damaging them on impact with a loud thunk.

“That’s so cool!”

She smiled, “Good. Because you're going to learn how to do that.”

Naruto opened the gift for the first time he saw the design. Each blade was the dark black stone, carved with small ornate holes to allow better wind flow. The pattern is similar to markings on the Shukaku.

Painted on the paper itself was the kettle the beast was originally sealed in. Warm yellow and cool blues meld together perfectly. It told the story of Shukaku’s origin.

“They knew Gaara was its vessel before he was born.”

“Right.” Naruto knew this. It was just odd to see. This fan felt like it was made with love. As if they planned for Gaara to be the hero of the story. The one who would contain the beast and use its powers to protect Sunagakure.

Naruto guessed that was actually what Gaara was supposed to be. Their parents just underestimated Shukaku.

“Now, show me what you got.”

“But you didn’t teach me anything.”

“I have to see what you have first.”

Naruto flicked his wrist, wind built up in the fan, and destroyed anything in its badly laid path, “How was that?”

“Good. Now you just need to learn form.” Temari nodded, this was something she could work with.

They spent the rest of the morning perfecting Naruto’s form. Wrist in this position. Aim from the elbows. Movement from the shoulders or elbow, not the wrist. The fan is an extension of your arm.

Naruto understood this type of training. It was physical and didn’t require him to have a lot of Chakra control. For some reason even when he wasn’t pregnant, Naruto seemed to only be able to do things that require immense chakra. Pervy Sage said it was the seal for Kyuubi, it unientally worked on his own as well.

It sucked.

“You did good, blondie.” She sat down on the benches, “Now let's rest, before I piss off my brother.”

“Why would he be upset?” Naruto was worried.

“I have his pregnant omega training in the middle of the day. I’m lucky you haven't had a heat stroke.” She threw him a bottle of water.

“Thanks.” Naruto unscrewed the top, and started chugging down water.

“No problem. I needed to make sure everything was good back here.”

“Huh? Why’s that?”

“I’m not going to be back for a while.” She said, “The Nara Family is in Konoha petitioning for your marriage to my little brother.”

The Nara Clan wasn’t boisterous like the Hyūga or Uchiha. If you weren't from Konoha, you probably wouldn’t have heard of them. However, they did have deep connections to every clan. Specifically, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Sarutobi.

Yamanaka were the ones responsible for Konoha’s defense barrier. Akimichi were essentially tanks in war times. Sarutobi, that's the clan doesn’t need introduction.

If they were helping, that meant Konoha’s Council were going to approve.

“You- they don’t have to do all that for me.”

“Don’t think I’m being selfless, blondie. The Nara Family-

“Clan.” Naruto corrected.

“Whatever, The Nara Clan.” She said with a bit of attitude, “They know Shikamaru will be the next head. He wants to marry me. So to make sure that goes smoothly, they are helping out with you.”

“Oh… well still tell them thanks.”

“No thank you. You pop out the next Kazekage. We don’t have to worry about the ‘what happens to our kids’ question.”

“Temari, they might not be-

“I wouldn’t go advertising that.” Temari stood tall, “That child, no matter what, is your’s and Gaara’s. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. I want you to say it so often that you start to believe it yourself.”

They are back at the condo, Naruto’s reading the same thing he was reading earlier. This time a bit more content. Being able to train calmed his mind.

The door opened.

Naruto looked over his shoulder, and smiled, “Gaara!”

“I’m home.” Gaara smiled.

“Welcome back.” Temari said, “I’m almost done with dinner. You two still have time to-

“Hey! Temari!” Kankuro shouted through the doorway.

She sighed, “Hey. Anyways, why don’t you two go-

“Oh thank god, you’ve made dinner. After today I’m starved!” Kankuro announced.

Temari’s face twisted in annoyance. Eyes squint up, brows knit together, lips pierce, and her entire demeanor radiates, ‘why are you interrupting me?’

Gaara kicks off his shoes, dropped his gourd, walked over to Naruto, “How was your day?”

“It was goo-

“Oi!” She waved the spatula at her brother, “Clean up before you sit down at my table.”

“Yes, mom.” Kankuro rolled his eyes, and washed up at the kitchen sink.

“That goes for you, too, Gaara.”

Gaara and Naruto had an entire conversation with their eyes. He apologized for having to leave as soon as he said hello, Naruto accepted it… also afraid of his sister's wrath. Gaara nodded, and cleaned up himself.

Their meal was lively.

Temari told them about training Naruto with the fans. Assured them it was safe, and she wasn’t ‘a fucking idiot.’ Naruto needed to know how to defend himself if the worst case were to happen… again.

Kankuro let them know the likelihood of that has diminished. Sasuke never returned to their hideout. He must have been tipped off about the Konoha Raid. Who were attacked by those that remanded. No major losses on either side.

Gaara let them know the defenses were up in the villages, but most of his work was with their councils. A Konoha nin taking refuge in Suna, wasn’t technically wrong. It wasn’t commonly heard of.

The rest of the dinner was just talking about whatever came to their head. It was a good night.

“Night, I’m going back to my hotel.” Temari said.

Naruto asked, “Hotel?”

“That leaf nin’s here.” Kankuro mentioned.

“Shikamaru? He’s here?”

“Who do you think was helping out when I was busy training you?”

“Ummm…” Naruto didn’t think anyone was, it would have been nice to see him, “Why didn't he join us tonight?”

“He’s busy. He’ll be less busy when we figure out this Akatsuki nonsense.” She reassured him.

“Yeah, I’m going back to the office after this.” Kankuro put back on his shoes to leave, he looked his brother in the eye, “Don’t wait up for me. Might end up somewhere else tonight.”

“Bye, blondie.”

Chapter Text

When his siblings left, an awkward silence fell between Gaara and Naruto. They both knew they had to finally have the conversation they’ve been putting off for almost a week now.

Gaara starts first, “I want to app-

“You don’t have to.” Naruto interrupted, “Your sister and I talked today.”

“We talked a bit earlier this week... She let me know I was in the wrong.”

“You weren't.”

“You had just returned, and I was cruel to you. I should have been more kind.”

“No, Kankuro was right. You’re too kind to me. Me coming here puts you and everyone else in danger. And I shouldn-

“You're right where you belong.” Gaara refused to let Naruto think otherwise.

“Huf,” Naruto chuckled. They were both trying to take the blame for a stressful night, neither of them were technically wrong or right, “Do you want to just call it even? We both kinda stressed and didn’t know what we were doing?”

Gaara wasn’t going to win, “Sure.”

Their nest was still scattered across the floor.

Gaara couldn’t touch it.

Naruto refused to.

“We should do something about this?” It was a question mixed into a statement, topped with concern.

“Probably.” Naruto started on the left side, picking up what he could, “You know Sakura always said that the state of your home was a reflection of your mind.”

“It’s a good saying.” Gaara joined in, starting from the right.
Naruto didn’t say anything, he just hummed in agreement. It didn’t take long for his hands to be full of blankets. Gaara went a bit overboard back then, getting them for Naruto’s apartment. He had more than necessary.

“Do you,” Gaara shouldn’t push it, “Want to make another nest?”

Naruto looked down at the fabric in his hand, not knowing where to put it, he didn’t know if he could, “Umm…”

“We don’t have to.” Gaara quickly said.

“No I think,” He looked over to Gaara’s bed, “I think I want to.”

If this was a year ago, Gaara would ask to confirm, but he’s learned that if Naruto thought he wanted to do something, it meant he does, “okay.”

They work on it together. Similarly to the way they did the first time. Gaara collected anything usable, scented it and handed it off to Naruto to arrange into the bed. Anything too destroyed was tossed in the hamper to be dealt with later.

Naruto would put the item down. Pick it back up. Place it down again. Move something else. Move it again. A third time. Rearranging everything in such a meticulous fashion, there was nothing to do but sit back in awe.

When the nest was finally finished, it was time for them to get ready for bed. Gaara sat on the edge of the nest to rest before doing the necessary task for the night.

Naruto looked at him weirdly, it was hard to place the emotion, “You didn’t ask?”

“It’s in my den?” Gaara said. Maybe this tradition wasn't something Naruto was familiar with. He could have accidentally pushed Naruto into furthering their relationship unknowingly.

“Oh right,” Naruto smiled, “I guess I just got so used to you asking.”

“Just to make sure, you’re aware of what this means?”

“It means… that you're going to keep it safe, right?”

“Yes.” Gaara knew that the rest of the meaning had to be figured out later tonight with words and not gestures.

“Good!” Naruto joined him. Plopping down on the nest, not a care in the world. It was a good sight.

“I guess it's time for us to talk…” Gaara looked away.

Naruto went first, “What do you want? From this. From us.”

“I’ve told you what I wanted.”

“Yeah, but… but I need to hear it again.” He had to make sure it didn’t change.

It hasn’t changed, it would never change, Gaara wanted, “You. I want you. I want you in my life.”

“You’ll always have that, you’re - you’re Gaara.” Naruto never wanted to exist in a world without love. That’s what Gaara was to him. Love.

“You know what I mean. I want you as my omega.” Gaara added, “You asked me a while ago, why I loved you. I said ‘everything.’ I meant that.”

“Gaara-

“There is not a single thing about you I don’t love.” Gaara listed off the things, “Your smile. I think that’s the first thing I fell in love with. We were at that restaurant… You smiled so openly, so freely. It’s like the sun.”

“Yeah?” A soft smile graced Naruto’s lips.

“Yeah. And your passion. How once you set your mind on something, you don’t quit. You're so determined.” he couldn’t forget, “Fuck. Your compassion. Naruto you are so kind, and loving. Everything about you makes me want to be a better person.”

Naruto was speechless, he sat up, “Gaara…”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you in my life.” He lay his head in his hands.

“Love, you're an amazing man. You just needed to see that.” Naruto placed his hand on Gaara’s thigh.

Gaara looked slightly behind him, to see Naruto there, just like before, “I was a horrible person… before you. I did so many horrible things. Yet you still came into my life. You showed me kindness - real kindness.”

“You deserve real kindness.” Naruto rested his head on Gaara’s shoulder, arm around his waist, “You’ve done so much since I’ve met you. I didn’t know what to expect when I visited you the first time, ya’ know… but I came anyway. I don’t know why, I had to see you. And you surprised me. You were already the man I see before me.”

“I don’t think I was.” Gaara felt like he was barely holding on by a thread back then. He tried so desperately to change who he was, but was met with opposition at every corner.

Obviously first Shukaku. He couldn’t handle that his vessel no longer wanted to feed him. Demanding more and more blood. Screaming at him in the night. Sleep became even harder back then.

Then his own family, he couldn’t blame them. His brother and sister saw who he was. They were raised next to a beast who threatened to kill them at any wrong step. When their father realized that they were empty threats. Both were forced to be adults way before their time. They were in charge of babysitting the beast.

Then everyone else. Every bit of their resentment was deserved. Gaara couldn’t fault anyone for it. They saw him how he was.

Except Naruto, “You were. I didn’t really know it back then. But I saw something in you that I really liked. I don’t know when I fell in love with you, but I did.”

“I know when I feel for you.” Gaara reached out for Naruto’s hand, who gladly accepted.

“Yeah?”

“In the hospital bed.”

“All the way back then?” Despite all of the hospital beds they’ve seen eachother in, Naruto knew which one he ment.

“Yeah.” Gaara remembered all the pain he felt seeing Naruto like that, “I kept thinking to myself I should have protected you. I should have pushed past my limits and gone after you when I was done with the bone guy. I failed you.”

“Gaara, you didn’t fail me. You saved my friend. If it wasn’t for you I’d be too worried about Lee to think about my fight.” Naruto thought about it, held his love closer, “When I saw you on the battlefield I was so relieved. I knew you would take care of him.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You’re Gaara.”

Gaara remembered talking to Lee on the outskirts of bones and sand, “It felt like the first tangible thing I did right.”

“And you continue to do-” Naruto stopped, then thought about something, then said, “Ya’ know, actually, I think I know when I really fell for you.”

“Hm?”

“When you became Kazekage. That speech you made. That’s when I fell for you. Yeah.” It was weird to be able to pinpoint the time when he fell in love. In a way, his mind tricked him into believing he was always in love with Gaara. Naruto had to admit, that was the day everything changed.

“I was thinking about you.” Gaara chuckled. His laugh was warm and inviting as ever.

“No you weren't.”

“I was. I kept thinking, what would Naruto say?”

“Shut up.” Naruto’s face was red, Gaara couldn’t see it, but he knew it was.

“It's the truth.”

“Wow... we wasted a lot of time.” Naruto’s voice held a bit of sadness, “We both fell for each other all the way back then.”

“We did.” Gaara nodded in agreement.

“We were so stupid!” Naruto laughed. Gaara used this as an opportunity to get out of Naruto’s embrace. He left their nest, turn to face him.

“We were. But, we don’t have to be,” Gaara got down on one knee, inside a red velvet box were two rings, “Naruto, will you marry me?”

“Love,” Naruto continued to laugh. He couldn’t help it, he wished to every higher being that he knew existed that he could stop. It kept coming. Sometimes he thought he was cursed with some hideous laughing disease. It matched perfectly with the one where he didn’t know how to keep his mouth shut.

“I’m sorry.” Gaara shut the box, hand on his knee, supporting his own way up.

“No! I mean yes! Gaara! Love, I’m sorry.” Naruto’s mouth refused to say any right words, “Its just-

“I shouldn’t have-

Naruto kissed him, he was bad with words, but he could do that. He said these words a few days ago, and he still means them now, “I want to marry you!”

“But, you laughed. I asked Tamari, she said this was a tradition in Konoha. That we would exchange rings.”

“Love,” Naruto was able to calm down enough to explain, “that’s a tradition for betas. That's why I laughed.”

“Huh?”

“They don’t have marks. So, they infuse their chakra in the rings instead.” Naruto giggled, “Tamari is dating a beta that’s why she knows this tradition.”

Gaara looked down at the box in his hand, questioning “Do you not want-

“I do. I want it. I don’t want to be stupid any more. I want you.”

“I don’t want to be stupid any more, either.” Gaara opened the box up again. Picking up the gold ring, he infused a bit of his own chakra in it. He placed it on Naruto’s ring finger.

“I love it.” Naruto admired the sparkly band on his finger. It radiated with such a loving chakra he could swear he could see it. Red glittered throughout the band ever so slightly.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Naruto looked at the remaining silver ring in the box. They weren’t betas, or in Konoha, so the tradition of waiting till the ceremony didn't really matter, “Do you want me to do yours?”

Gaara nodded.

It would be enough until they could exchange marks.

They went to the hospital the next morning. Naruto had put off the medical appointment for as long as they could. At this point they were getting close to neglect.

Naruto lay on the medical examination table, stomach out on display. Cold goo on his belly, and a medical device looking at all his insides. The screen was small and blurry, and Naruto was expected to know what he saw on it.

“Whoever took care of you when you were away, did a good job.” Ameno said, “You and the baby are healthy.”

“That’s good… Can I go home now?” Just because Naruto came here of his own free will, does not mean he wanted to stay longer than necessary.

“Do you want to know your child's gender?”

Naruto looked over to Gaara, his expression curious, “Umm… yeah.”

“Now we can’t do Secondary until they’re out and even then, it's not until puberty until the traits actually develop.” The wand moved around his stomach, she was trying to find the answer.

“That’s fine.” Gaara said.

“You two are having a boy. See,” She pointed at blobs on a screen.

Naruto looked down at where their child was resting inside of him. They were going to have a son. A little baby boy. A healthy baby boy.

Gaara placed his hand on top of his own. Their rings clinked together a bit. It was hard getting used to them. Naruot couldn’t understand how betas wore them basically their whole life. He’s happy alphas and omegas shared marks.

“You're a little over 17 weeks along.” Ameno noticed the hesitation.

“Huh?”

She sighed, “Four months. You're almost halfway there.”

Naruto already knew that.

“It’s a classic case of going on a mission, forgetting to take your pills, and returning to your alpha,” She said, shaking her head, “It gets the best of them.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to lie to me. I’ve seen this a few times before. It's very common. You returned after your mission with the leaf village right?” She removed the machine from his stomach. Toweled off some of the petroleum jelly that helped it slide across better.

“Yeah?” Naruto was uncomfortable with this line of reasoning, it was plain to see.

“Okay, then that’s when you got pregnant.” Ameno noticed, then directed the next question to her Kazekage, “... Unless, would you want to do a paternity test?”

Gaara spoke for them, “No.”

“There’s still a chance the child is yours, Lord Gaara.” She let him know.

“You don’t have to lie to us to make us feel better.” Naruto admitted the possible truth. He knew Tamari warned him not to. It was hard to keep a secret this big. Plus she was a friend!

“I’m not lying. You had unprotected sex with him. I’ve seen your night stand, you don’t have condoms. You’d have to be an idiot to think there wasn’t a chance Lord Gaara is the father.”

“I’m not stupid. I was on birth control.” Naruto had to become pregnant in 5 years, it didn’t mean he wanted to be an overachiever and do it right after the first meeting with the council. “I have to use a different dose when I’m in my heat. Which didn’t happen until after I left.”

“Did you have sex before you left?”

In the Kazekage's office when he first came back. In their nest later that same night. And another quicky in the shower the morning he left Suna. “I guess.”

“Did he finish inside?”

In the Kazekage's office. In their nest. And in the shower. “Yeah, ya’ know, maybe. I don’t know.”

“Then there's a chance it's his. It’s not a likely one, but it is a chance.”

“One more reason not to test.” Gaara said.

Naruto asked, “Are you sure?”

“If anyone finds out we tested they will know there was a reason to test. My name will be on their birth certificate either way. So there’s no use in knowing the answer.” Gaara was already thinking of their child's safety.

They were reminded, “What about their Keke Genkai?”

“There’s a chance they don’t develop one.” Gaara said. Only one in three of his siblings got their families Keke Genkai.

The sharingan only manifests after extremely traumatic events. So even if they inherit it, there's a chance it never awakens. As ninja on the cusp of another war, that was a big hope.

Naruto asked, “If they do?”

“Then we say it must be from your side.” Gaara seemed to shrug off any concern. He knew they could deal with it in the future if they worked together. A hospital bed, where they just found out their child was healthy, was not the place to worry.

Chapter Text

It was the middle of the night. Gaara couldn’t sleep, so he left to get some work done. It usually calmed his nerves a bit. When he got back Naruto sat in the middle of their bed rocking back and forth.

Naruto was convinced, “You're not real.”

Gaara didn’t know what that meant. It didn’t stop Naruto from mumbling the phrase to himself. Gaara knew what it was like to have a fragile grip on reality.

Grounding by talking to yourself was normal. The sound of your own voice was sometimes enough to feel real. That you weren't some puppet under the control of others.

“You’re not real.”

“Naruto?” Gaara asked.

“Sasuke stop it. Now!” Naruto stood up. Bed bending to his weight. It was unsafe for him to do that in his condition.

“I’m not Sasuke.”

“Yes you are, stop it.”

“Naru-

“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!” Naruto didn’t like it when the other got closer.

Gaara froze in the door frame, his shadow covering the one he loved, “I’m not him. You need to get down from the bed now.”

“No.” Naruto shook his head, looking around for an attack. Each step back was more frantic than the last. The bed bent and bowed to the pressure put on it.

Sand acted before he could think. Trying to support Naruto before he could fall. Naruto fought it, putting himself in more danger.

“Naruto.” Gaara knew not to say ‘calm down,’ that never worked, “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Sasuke, I know it's you. Just stop it.”

“I’ll stop the sand, if you sit down.”

“Why do you want that? What are you going to do?” Naruto was planning an escape route, but the only way out was the door.

The sand retreated, “I’m not going to do anything, just sit down.”

“Why? So you can-

“Naruto, you're pregnant.”

“That's a new one Sasu-” Naruto looked down to his stomach, “I’m not- I’m - what?”

Naruto couldn’t handle the truth. It was enough of a shock to let him know he was in the real world. Gaara had half a second to help soften the collapse.

His omega fell into his arms. Sand was used as minimally as possible to lower Naruto safely. It seemed to be some sort of trigger.

Gaara didn’t dare say a thing he didn’t want to start it back up again.

“This is real?” Naruto’s voice was so small.

“Yes. You escaped. You came back home. You're safe.”

Naruto nodded into his chest, “yeah.”

This was a new development.

Whatever Sasuke had done to him in those four months had destroyed Naruto mentally. Gaara expected that… he just didn’t expect this.

Chapter Text

“Where’s Naruto?” Tsunade didn’t bother with pleasantry as she barged into the Council Meeting Room.

“We tried to stop her.” an Anbu guard said.

This was the first time she had left Konoha since becoming Hokage. It was too dangerous for her to leave anytime before this. Still probably too dangerous for her to leave now. But it's been over a month.

No one could find Sasuke.

The Akatsuki had been quiet.

And Naruto needed a medic nin who knew about his, little friend.

“Lady Hokage! It is not proper for you-

She didn’t listen, “We came with gifts, Haruno is finally done with her training. I feel like she’s a subtle representation of Konoha Medical Ninja.”

“That’s nice to hear, but-

“I want to thank you for being so patient while she finished her training.” Tsunade added, “Now I’ve traveled a long way to escort her myself. Considering all of the increased problems with travel. So, I’d like to see the Kazekage and his new husband.”

Gaara stood up, “Of course, Lady Hokage.”

“Ga- Lord Gaara, This is not how we-

“The Hokage has requested my presence, and she’s traveled all this way.” Gaara knew she was a lot like Naruto. Which meant she was a great person, but the idea of patience might not be her strongest suit. “We can continue this another day.”

When they were out of earshot of the room Gaara said, “Thanks for the rescue.”

“No problem, kid.” She then got serious, “Now where’s Naruto?”

Gaara looked over to the clock, “The greenhouse.”

“Lead the way.”

It was Gaara’s private greenhouse. Naruto had taken to caring for it now that he was about 5 months along and couldn’t train. Being cooped up in a house all day was not his idea of a fun time.

“Hey, granny!” Naruto smiled, placing the watering can down.

“That’s all you have to say?”

“How are you?”

Tsunaded forced him into a hug, “I missed you, brat.”

“I missed you, too, granny.” he hugged her back.

“I have a gift for you.” She informed them.

“Thanks, granny!” Naruto asked, “What is it?”

“Its for Lord Gaara, but-

Naruto frowned, “But, what?”

“When I give it to him, you two have to promise me something.”

“And that would be?” Gaara wondered about the gift with strings attached.

“It will only be used for you. You can not reverse engineer it. You can not allow any of your medical nin to look at it.” her voice was serious.

“What is it?” It could be something useful. Gaara might not want to make a promise like that.

“You two are going to Bond after the pregnancy, right?”

“Huh? Yeah?” Nauto asked.

“Then you’ll need this,” Tsunade pulled out a vial from her pocket.

“What is it?” Naruto wondered.

“It's to help Lord Gaara with the alpha venom.” she explained, “back when your old bond was weakened with time, he didn’t need it. There wasn't enough of it still in your system to harm him.”

Naruto knew, “now there is?”

“I’ll have to look you over to confirm, but yes. You’ve been recently marked. Alpha venom is a defense mechanism for omega. If a bond is regularly maintained by an alpha it becomes almost impossible to overwrite.” she continued with, “Alpha venom is incredibly toxic to other alphas. Any alpha who attempts to overwrite a bond will get sick. Depending on the severity, it might lead to death.”

“So what is that?” Gaara asked.

“The antidote to alpha venom.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“You wouldn’t. I’m the only one who’s ever come close. I have trusted the recipe with a few chosen omega. Which is why if I give this to you, it is only for you. If I find out it's been shared it will mean your death.” She openly threatened another kage.

“Why?” Naruto asked.

“Do you want alpha’s to have access to a drug like this?”

Naruto thought of it, Naruto thought of Sasuke, “no.”

“Because you're smart.” Tsunade asked, “Do you agree to my terms?”

“Yes.” Gaara said.

“Good. It’s all yours. Oh and those are also the terms if you hurt my brat here.” Another threat.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good thing, because that would really make you a pain in my ass.” Tsunade warned, “You might still feel sick, but it won't be to the severity of symptoms without it. Mild nausea and headaches.”

Gaara and Naruto had a nice summer wedding.

Twilight of the end of the hottest month of the year surrounded by close friends. It wasn’t a huge spectacle like originally planned. A lot of things weren't done according to their original plans.

Naruto’s outfit was heavily padded with many layers to try to hide the bump. The paperwork was backdated to shortly after Naruto’s last heat. Only those who could be trusted were invited to the ceremony.

A big wedding was never something Naruto thought he was going to have growing up. He assumed it would be something like this. Maybe, minus the pregnancy. However, he was still disappointed in the size.

Naruto wanted everyone to know he was getting married to the one he loved. This had to do.

Chapter Text

It's been three months since Sakura started teaching in Suna. She hated it there, more she missed Konoha, but she fit in well. Her teaching style is very conventional. Having two class types, one for beginners and one more advanced. At the end of her six months Suna will be in a much better place.

Naruto still taught as well.

Not nearly as often. Not nearly as active either. He became more of a substitute teacher given his pregnancy. The stress of everything amplified a lot of his symptoms.

Sakura suggested bed rest. Naruto claimed he would go insane if he had to stay inside all day. Working one to two times a week was the closest thing to a compromise they could come to.

Naruto’s birthday was right around the corner, and all the teachers wanted to do something for it. Some suggested a baby shower. Ameno said they should all go to dinner like normal. They could do a baby shower another day.

That’s how Naruto and Gaara ended up at their usual spot in the back room of their restaurant. They weren't the last to arrive. That title went to Koji and Ameno.

“You're late!” Naruto said.

“Shut up, you were late, too.” Sakura laughed.

“Late to your own party, eh?” Koji sat down, Ameno behind him.

“Shut up.”

Ameno held out a colorful paper bag, “here you go! I already put our drink orders in.”

Thanks to the fact that Naruto couldn’t drink, Gaara wasn’t subjected to the same social customs either. In solidarity with his omega, he would not partake in things the others couldn't. Which was his preference. Both opted for herbal tea.

“Lord Gaara, are you sure you don’t want a glass?”

“I’m sure.” He looked over to Naruto who was off in his own world.

Naruto and Sakura were reminiscing about past adventures. Looping in Matsuri, and sometimes Ameno, into their stories. Each more animated than the last.

“Gaara,” his brother said on his right, “C’mon you gotta have at least one. Don’t make me drink alone.”

Everyone else at the table was drinking, “You're not drinking alone.”

“Ya’ know what I mean.”

“Stop being annoying, Kankuro.” Naruto said in his defense.

“Fine. I won’t piss off the birthday boy.” He laughed it off.

Gaara still had a lot of issues in social situations. If there weren't strict rules of who could talk when and how he was totally lost. It was something he never cared about as a child. He would say whatever came to his mind, not caring what anyone else had to think. Now, he cared too much.

The night went on, they all enjoyed each other's company. The food as always was good. Naruto took a bite off Gaara’s plate when he saw what arrived.

Some of their friends accused him of being whipped. Goated mostly by Kankuro. It took awhile for the other members of their group to feel comfortable saying things like that.

They had long gotten used to the idea that Naruto and Gaara were in a relationship. Which meant Gaara could do his favorite activity, lightly touching his omega. It wasn’t anything obscene. Just reassuring gestures. An arm over the shoulders, hands lightly touching, whipping off food that stuck to the corner of Naruto's mouth as he ate.

“Ms Haruno,” Gaara started.

Naruto chuckled at his formality.

Still, he continued, “How are you enjoying the school?”

“Are you asking as my boss or my friend?” She wondered.

“I,” Gaara didn’t know how to answer that.

Naruto answered for him, “Your friend.”

“Well if that’s the case, the kids are fucking annoying.” She said, “It’s hard to keep them on task. The Ninja are fine. They understand the importance of it… but these brats don’t comprehend how easy it is for people to get hurt on missions. They think they're indestructible.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Gaara was now concerned with the state of their Academy. The kids were still children, but they also represented Suna. If Ms Haruno had issues with-

“Don’t be.” Naruto looked over to him.

“We keep telling her she’s too nice on the kids. She lets them walk all over her.” Ameno said.

“Hey!”

“What? Time out wouldn’t kill them.” Ameno shrugged, “or make them run a few laps with Koji. Lord knows he needs it too.”

“I’ll have you know I’m in peak physical health.” Koji joined in on their conversation.

“Oh, I was talking about punishment. Next time you submit reports like that again, I’ll have you run laps with the kids.” she scolded.

“My report was just fine.”

“The children do better.”

They bickered back and forth a bit, it faded in the background for other conversations. Gaara's brother spoke more about his latest mission. The search party still has not uncovered any more information.

That fell off for a conversation about the show Naruto and Ameno watch religiously. Naruto tried to convince everyone that they must watch it. Claiming it was the best thing he’d seen. With how much the two talk when it's on, Gaara is still uncertain about the plot.

Eventually, a bright orange cake with candle numbers 18 shoved in the middle was bought out. Koji lights them. The fire melts away the wax, dripping down the candles.

“Okay everyone.”

This wasn’t the first birthday Naruto spent in Suna. Infact, Naruto spent his last few birthdays there. Each one became more lively than the last.

The first one was more of a fluke. Jairya and he just happened to stop by at the wrong time. Naruto didn’t even bother to tell either of them it was his birthday. He was expecting to spend it alone as usual. It wasn’t until it was over that he even told Gaara that it happened the day before.

Gaara looked so hurt he wasn’t able to plan anything. Naruto didn’t know how to tell him he was afraid if Gaara knew that it would ruin the day for him. So Naruto lied. He said with all the traveling he must have forgotten and it wasn’t until he saw a calendar that he knew himself.

That way the day wouldn’t be ruined. Cosmically that’s how things worked. At least, how they used to work for Naruto.

Most people who knew about his birthday didn’t want to celebrate it with him. He couldn't blame them. Why would you celebrate a day of death?

It wasn’t a day of death in Suna.

It wasn’t until the third birthday that Naruto told Gaara the truth. He understood. Gaara always understands.

“You gotta blow them out now!” Sakura said, “The wax is getting on the cake.”

Gaara looked over to him, “You tired?”

“Huh?” Naruto snapped out of his thoughts, “Umm… Maybe.”

“Just a few more things and you can leave,” Ameno said.

“Yeah, blow out the candles already.” Kankuro said.

“Right!” Naruto took a deep breath in, made his wish, then a deep breath out.

“What did you wish for?” Matsuri asked.

“You know he can’t tell you.” Sakura said, “It won't come true.”

Gaara half stood up to cut the cake, before Ameno said, “Don’t worry I got it.”

He was about to protest, it was rude of them to let everyone do so much, then Naruto shifted in a way that seemed to indicate how tired he was. Gaara sat back down, allowing himself to be the resting spot of his tired spouse.

The cake was cut, separated out on little plates, then distributed amongst all of them. Naruto strategically tried to get an even amount of frosting to the cake per bite. Gaara took a few bites, wondering if they were to do gifts here or if he could take Naruto home after they were done.

“Okay, let's do gifts.” Ameno answered the question.

“Start with mine!” Sakura requested.

A big box with bright pink wrapping paper was shoved in front of Naruto. Unwrapping it revealed the cutest & ugliest frog teapot Naruto had ever seen. The tongue was the spout. The lid topper was a little wart. And it had a lily pad as a holder. With the way it was constructed it had to be from Konoha.

“Thanks Sakura!”

“I figured you’d like it when I saw it.” Sakura said, “Ino thought it was ugly.”

“That’s the best part.”

“I know.”

When the frog was safely put away on the side of the table not full of gifts. Ameno shifted around for her present. They didn’t agree on any order just who ever stood up next.

“This is from me,” the bag from earlier was handed.

Under the multi-color tissue paper was a book of identifying and growing medical herbs native to Suna. Information like this was harder to find than most people would think. If someone wanted to know this, they’d have to find bits and pieces from whatever sources they could find.

A lot of the bigger families, espelly the families known for medical jutsu keep it hidden. More than likely to keep their families secret recipes to themselves.

“Woah! How’d you get this?”

She shrugged, “I have my ways.”

Naruto flipped through a few pages, looking at the detailed pictures of each plant. The diagrams showed which parts did what. It was a well put together guide book.

“Thanks…” Naruto mumbled off, starting to read some of it.

Gaara chuckled, whispering into the shell of his ear, “you have more gifts to open.”

“OH right!” he laughed, and shut the book, “What's next?”

Kankuro shoved a bag over. Tired not to make too much of a deal of the gift. Naruto peaked inside, atop the tissue paper were little wooden scorpion jointed -

“Puppets?” Naruto side-eyed his brother-in-law.

“It's for the brat.” Kankuro was trying to influence the unborn child, “he’ll love them!”

“I thought we agreed, no gifts for the baby.” Sakura said.

Kankuro waved them off, “There’s more in there. Those are just delicate.”

“So you want to give them to a baby?” Naruto said.

“They’re safe. They are made for babies.”

“Sure.” Naruto ignored the puppets. He could only imagine them ending up in a baby's mouth or thrown across the room. He placed them atop the other gifts before reaching for the main gift in the bag.

It was some clothes and a simple makeup palette. Ceremonial Suna colors filled the pans. Naruto remembered using something similar for his Ninja ID photo. Lord Third was so annoyed with that decision.

Naruto chuckled to himself and said, “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

The rest of their friends gave over their gifts one by one. Koji gave a gift card to the one ramen stall that made a half decent bowl. Said that he and Gaara should go there and try it out.

Matsuri got him some clothes, none of them orange, she said he should branch out. Shishio and Korobi got him some general weapons for when he gets back into fighting shape. It was nice that they thought of that.

“You got to open your final gift.” Sakura was probably just as ready as him to go home, because she yawned.

“Yeah, I want to see what your husband got you.” Ameno said.

“Here,” Gaara pushed over the final unwrapped gift.

Naruto had already received several gifts from Gaara today. He promised to only give something small at the party. As to not overshadow anyone in case no one else brought anything.

Shiny colorful paper tore away from a small box. Naruto probably should show more care to unwrapping things. He was too eager to see what it could be. Besides, it was just pretty paper! Its not like he could use it again.

Gaara, the Kazekage, said, “The transfer paperwork finalized this week.”

Long maroon cloth to be adjusted at a later date depending on where he wanted to wear it. Hard metal plate engraved with the village's symbol. It was a Sunagakure Headband.

“You’re really a Suna Nin now.” Sakura realized.

“Gawh!” Kankuro laughed, “that's such a lame gift.”

A tear fell.

“Are you okay?!”

Followed by more.

“I told you that was a stupid gift.”

Then a smile.

Naruto hid his face into Gaara’s shoulder, “It's just the hormones, asshole.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Gaara smiled and held him closer.

Ameno asked, “you gonna try it on?”

“Yeah,” Naruto wiped away some of the tears still falling from the corner of his eyes with the back of his hand, “Give me a second.”

It was rude to wear your headband at a dinner table if you weren't on a mission. It signified you didn’t intend to stay long. This was different.

This was a celebration.

Gaara took the band out of the box, placing it on its usual place on Naruto’s forehead. He pulled the two strips back, knotting them together at the back of Naruto’s head. It was gentle. It was loving. It was acceptance.

“You gonna do that with all the new ninja?” Kankuro teased.

A puff of air left Gaara’s nose.

“You're finally one of us.” Ameno smiled.

“Yeah, how does it feel to finally be a part of the elite?” Koji asked.

Naruto titled his head up, trying to stop the tears. Gaara is such a jerk doing such a sweet gesture when he's seven months pregnant. He should have known Naruto was going to cry in front of everyone.

They walked home together. Gaara held the gifts in one hand, in his other hand was Naruto’s hand. Naruto wanted to protest about that. He wasn’t weak… but he was tired. So Gaara could carry the gifts if he wanted to.

His head leaned on Gaara’s shoulder. The two didn’t care who saw. They were married and expecting after all. The village took that a lot better than expected.

Naruto was home.

The lights outside the windows covered the room in a dim illumination. Just enough to catch on the general idea of the surfaces around the condo. Gaara flicked the light on, as he kicked off his shoes and placed the gifts down.

“Naruto?” His voice held a bit more gravel than usual. Probably tired too.

“Yeah,” Naruto finally removed his own shoes.

“You still there?” Gaara asked.

“Yes.” things didn’t change much after that one fateful night. Naruto still had problems understanding reality. However, tonight was not one of those nights.

Tonight was a night where the baby was doing taijutsu in his stomach. He wasn’t planning on stopping until all of Naruto’s insides were destroyed. His ankles swelled to the size of oranges.

“Just tired?”

Naruto nodded.

They ended up cuddled in their nest. Naruto folded into Gaara’s side, a small smile on his face. Gaara kissed Naruto’s forehead.

“Tonight was perfect,” Naruto said, hand resting on Gaara’s chest. Circling small motions down. Enjoying his smooth skin ghosted under his fingertips.

Instead of focusing on his sand techniques, Gaara had been focusing more on strengthening his taijutsu lately. Which caused a very interesting development with his body. He had developed a thick core strength that showed in the divots of his abs. Muscles flex and relax with each breath.

Naruto would have to be an idiot not to notice the recent development. Gaara has always been strong, but he could feel the increased abilities beneath his fingers. How powerful his love must be getting as each day passed.

“I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.” Gaara’s hand covered Naruto’s, then squeezed.

The night was long over, but Naruto could just make out the outline of Gaara’s semi hard cock through the thin fabric of his sleep pants. Memories of what that has done to him awakens a fire in him. Sleep could wait a bit longer, couldn’t it?

Naruto bit his bottom lip wondering if he should say what was on his mind, “I can think of another way I can enjoy myself tonight.”

“I thought you were tired.” Gaara smirked.

“‘m not that tired.” Leg wrapped around his alpha, lightly rocking his hips on the other to prove the point.

Gaara’s scent was refreshing. Naruto’s body relaxed in the mild scent of a desert cacti. A soft purr left his lips.

Eyes flutter closed, to let him focus on the musk of his alpha. Naruto was glad he didn’t get to miss out on this. His body still accepted Gaara despite the foul mark. All of their years together must have done something to rewire his senses. Because Gaara smelled devine.

“Little omega?”

“Hmmm?” Naruto was already gone.

He chuckled, “You sure you're not too tired?”

“‘M not!” Naruto protested against that idea.

Naruto’s pussy was soaking wet and he needed to be filled. His alpha was right here. He should be the one to -

Gaara’s hand slides down Naruto’s back, dipping below the hem of his heart boxers, “You're not?”

Fingers trail against Naruto's sensitive area. Lightly teasing his opening, never enough pressure to say he was doing anything. Enough to let Naruto know he was there.

“Fuck, Gaara, more.” Naruto needed it.

Gaara adjusted Naruto to make him as comfortable as possible, still very aware of his state, “I got you.”

His sleep pants were getting uncomfortably tight. Gaara adjusted the bulge, tucking the tip in his waistband. Trying to ignore the strain of fabric, he continued onward.

Lips trailed down Naruto’s neck, little moans followed their way. Groping newly exposed body, grabbing at whatever he could. Gaara was slowly making his way between Naruto's legs.

Gaara paused. His hands rested on top of Naruto's rounded stomach. A softness took over his face. A look that Naruto was sure he had only ever seen.

He kissed Naruto’s stomach.

“You're so cheesy,” Naruto smiled.

“Yeah,” with a final kiss, Gaara continued what he was doing before.

Sleep pants pulled down to Naruto’s knees. He was too impatient and tired to take them off fully. Gaara licked up Naruto’s exposed slit, before gently sucking his cocklette. Running his tongue over every bit of exposed flesh.

Speeding up, faster, more. Gaara listens to Naruto’s voice filling their place. It's all the encouragement he needs to know he’s doing right. Music to his ears.

Gaara doesn't stop. Not when Naruto's breath starts to hitch, that high pitched breathy moan. Not when Naruto's back arches perfectly pressing into the bed. Not when Naruto's legs try to squeeze his head in a tight headlock. He kept going.

Tan fingers grip into red hair. Alternating between pushing away and pulling closer. Almost unsure of the pleasure building up inside. He knows he’s close. With how horny the hormones have made him, it didn’t take long for Nartuo to cum.

Naruto’s vision goes white. Nerves explode with electricity. His body tightens, convulsing against nothing. So empty.

Coming down from the high, Naruto knew Gaara wasn’t done. There it was, Gaara’s cock rested against his slit. He was so wet that it almost slipped in before Gaara could ask, “Are you ready?”

Naruto just moaned, “Gaara.”

Pleasure blossomed through Naruto, he was finally full. Gaara’s thrust starts slow but focused. Snapping into place.

The pace picked up, hitting all the right spots that made Naruto melt. Gaara held Naruto’s cheek in his hand, before papering small kisses around his loves face. The little gestures slipped away as Gaara began chasing his own pleasure. Thrust became a bit more erratic.

Naruto could feel the massive knot begin to swell. It pressed against his entrance with each long thrust. Promising to stretch him further. The desire for more clouded his mind.

“Lo-love… more!” he cried.

“Fuck,” Gaara moaned in the shell of his ear, “you’re so perfect.”

Hips lifted up to meet the thrust. Allowing for better access to press his knot into place. A deep thrust was all it took for Naruto to be full.

Wall stretched around the intrusion. Thick alphan cum floods into Naruto’s pussy. Naruto was complete.

Chapter Text

The Akatsuki captured the Six Tails: Saiken.

Kirigakure had lost a shinobi.

Chapter Text

December.

It was December, and Naruto was due any day now. The pregnancy has taken too long. Okay. It took the standard amount of time. But come on, he felt like a bloated frog.

Their son could be nice and just come out already. It’s not like there's a good reason for him to stay. He had two loving parents waiting for him-

He had two loving parents waiting for him.

That was weird.

Naruto never knew what that was like. Gaara either, honestly. This journey was going to be so hard. They’ve been reading so many parenting books in hopes they didn’t fuck it up. No matter how many they read, Naruto still thinks they’re going to fuck it up.

“Hey kiddo, how's it going?” Jiraiya asked, he’s visiting for a bit. The goal was for him to witness the birth of Naruto’s son.

Naruto was about to burst at the seams, “fucking terrible.”

“I’ve got some good news,” he started.

“You can jump start this birth thing? And knock me out so I don’t have to deal with any of it.”

“No,” Jairya laughed, “That’s more Tsunade’s thing.”

“Ugghhhh…”

“We finally have a lead on the Akatsuki.”

“Really?!” That was good news.

“I think I know who the leader is.”

“Who?”

Jiraiya was quiet for a second, “there's a village, Amegakure. I’m going there next.”

“Oh?”

“I want to make sure I’m right before I say anything.”

“Come on, old man.” Naruto’s arms folded over his chest, resting above his overgrown stomach, “Just tell me who.”

“Lord Pain.” he sighed.

“Pain? What kind of a name is that?” It sounded stupid. Like a name an edgy teenager would give themselves. Not something a parent would give them.

“See, I knew you wouldn’t know them.”

“Okayyy… You going to tell me anything about them so I do?”

“Next time, I have to make sure I’m right.”

“Ugh. Fine.”

They chatted for a while. It was nice having him here. Naruto hadn’t seen his mentor in what felt like a lifetime. Which he was so not used to after the years of traveling together.

Eventually Naruto asked, “Do you have any advice?”

“Lay low. Keep your anbu on high alert for the next few weeks.”

“No. For parenting.” Naruto rolled his eyes.

“Oh! Probably not the best person to ask that. Never had any kids.”

Right.

“What I had learned from all my years mentoring…” Jiraiya thought to himself for a second, “Enjoy the time you have with them.”

“Huh?”

“We’re Ninja. The world will change rapidly around them. They will be expected to do many things. Those you think will live forever, are usually the first to go. So… Enjoy the time you have with them.”

Naruto put his hand over his stomach, hoping his baby would stay safe in there forever, “that's morbid.”

“Told you I wasn’t the best at parenting advice.”

“Obviously.” Naruto was hopeful the closest thing he had to a father figure could actually be there for him, “Are you going to stay for the birth?”

“No. I have to go before this information gets cold.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back to see the brat before you know it.”

Sakura was there for the birth of the next generation of the Kazekage Family. All of Team Kakashi was. The medical ninja was an obvious edition. The two sensei’s needed to be there in case anything happened with Naruto’s seal. Sai. Emotional support?

They weren't needed. The birth went surprisingly well all things considered. Naruto’s seal was solid the entire time. It didn’t weaken from the hours of birth. The fox was quiet.

Everything was quiet.

It was unnerving. They expected some sort of battle to happen, either from the ninetails or outside sources. The Akatsuki hasn't made a move. This should be the perfect time for them to capture Naruto. Still, nothing.

Anbu are on high alert. All travel around Sunagakure has been highly monitored. Ninja who weren on missions previously were told to halt their return for a week. No new missions were given outside of the village.

They are in an undisclosed location. The only people who know where they are are in this room. However, now that their child has arrived, this all felt like so much work for nothing.

Gaara should be enjoying this moment.

His son was finally here.

Sakura placed the newly cleaned baby into Naruto’s arms. Naruto quickly brought him into his chest, trying to get their baby as close as possible. She motioned Gaara to join them on the bed.

He does.

“He’s perfect.” Naruto smiled at him tenderly.

Their child was a bloated wrinkly little raisin, “He is.”

Even though Gaara and Naruto still had their doubts. Each knowing the timeline of events. The red hair was enough to calm most people's nerves about paternity.

Still, Konoha Nin looked over Gaara’s son closer than he was comfortable with. It’s like they were trying to see if there were any signs of Uchiha heritage. As if the baby would come out of the womb, sharingan activated.

“Hmmm…” Yamato hummed out.

“Everything look good?” Kakashi asked.

“Yeah,” he said, a bit disappointed.

“Then good!” His demeanor changed, he was more relaxed, “Lord Kazekage, congratulations.”

Whatever he was looking for they didn’t find, “thank you.”

The birth certificate said Kazekage no Menma.

Chapter Text

Naruto stood in front of a door, it's been a few minutes and he hasn’t gone through. He does that sometimes now. Saying that doors were sometimes portals to new worlds. You couldn’t be too careful.

“Can I see Menma?”

That woke Naruto from his trance, “Huh? Oh! I’m fine.”

“I know you are. I just want to hold my son.” Gaara assured him.

“He’s fine. I’m fine. We’re just going to the park.” Naruto held their child closer to his chest. Mouthing ‘keys, wallet, diaper bag,’ to make sure he didn’t forget anything else.

“I’ll go with you.” Gaara held out his arms to take Menma. It was a delicate operation when his husband was like this. Naruto had gotten a lot better after he gave birth, but there were still days when sudden movements could trigger him.

“It’s fine, love, you're busy.” Naruto wanted to imagine his recovery went faster than it actually did.

“Naruto.” Firmer.

Naruto looked down at their child wrapped up tightly in his blanket. Not a care in the world. He was too young to know what was going on. Naruto nodded, “You're right.”

“Thank you,” Gaara took his child.

“Yeah…” a frown, he was disappointed in himself.

“Do you have everything?” Gaara remembered, “Keys, wallet, bag?”

Naruto smiled, “Yeah.”

“Let's go then.”

The sun would set in an hour, they had just enough time to enjoy the best time of the day. Menma couldn’t do much at the park yet. This was more for Naruto. He liked to get out of the house as much as he could.

They would take little trips to different places throughout the day. The cafe down the street, library, one of their friends' houses, anywhere. Gaara looked up activities they could take together, but Menma at barely a month old was still too young for most of them.

Naruto would start working in the Academy in the fall. Just part time.

The Med Nins are thinking of clearing Naruto for training in a month or two. At first the training would be limited to 3 days a week until he reestablished his strength. Just because the Akatsuki still havent done anything yet, doesn't mean they weren't planning anything.

There was no sign of a Keke Geneki.

Either one.

Gaara still had nightmares.

Even without Shukaku, sleeping through an entire night was hard. Memories of the beast would circulate throughout his head. He wouldn’t know where the beast's actions stopped and his own began.

Screaming. Blood. Sand.

It wouldn’t end.

Naruto was doing fine for once though. Since Sasuke the incident he would wake up throughout the night, too. Sometimes they’d wake up at the same time. One would try to comfort the other to go back to sleep. The blind leading the blind.

Other nights they’d both give up choosing instead to stay up. They would read together. Gaara read to all of them most nights, the book they were working on was some adventure story. Menma seemed to like those.

Menma kept them company some nights. If they were lucky one of them would already be up before he could start crying for them. Letting the other one get more sleep.

Tonight was one of those nights.

Menma stirred in his crib. Gaara picked him up before he started crying for their attention.

“Your birthday’s next week, right?” Naruto asked, while feeding Menma.

“Hmm?” Gaara looked over to the calendar, it was, he completely forgot, “I guess so.”

“What did you want to do for it?” he chuckled.

“I didn’t have anything in mind this year.”

“You never think of anything.”

It's true. The beginning of the year was a very busy time for the Kazekage. They had to go over the annual budgets. Deal with sending out tax forms. Finalizing plans for any long term missions that were on the schedule. Anything and everything that ensured that the year would run smoothly.

Plus they just had Menma last month.

Gaara hadn’t had much time to think of anything involving himself. Just too busy too. It was the norm.

“You want to do something small again?” Naruto knew his preference.

“That would be nice.” Gaara nodded, continuing on with their morning routine.

Today was the start of Naruto’s training. He harassed all their med nin friends until one of them cleared him. Impatient as always. It's good for him that his health and healing is superior enough to support his quick whims.

They set up an elaborate system of caregivers for Menma depending on the day. On a good day, Menma would spend all day with Gaara in his office. He was quiet enough to get away with that. They were told often how lucky they were.

On a more hectic day, Baki or Kankuro would pick up the slack. His brother said their child was already fascinated with puppets. Gaara wouldn’t be surprised if he grew up to be Kankuro’s protege.

Naruto was still only cleared to do 3 days a week maximum.

“Are you going to be okay with him today?” Naruto was wrapping the gauze around his pant leg, to help with bag chafing.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Ya’ sure?” The bag clipped into place.

“He’ll be much better off with me today, than on the training grounds.”

“... yeah.” Despite all of his enthusiasm to start training, now that he was actually going to do it Naruto seemed to hesitate. Naruto’s eyes linger on Menma.

“You don’t have to-

“We both know I do. Pervy Sage is about to poke the hornet's nest and I have to be ready.” Naruto pat down his body to make sure he felt all the weapons in their proper place.

“We’ll be fine if you take more time.”

Naruto chuckled, “Do you really believe that?”

No.

Gaara knew the safety concerns of a postpartum mother going straight into training. Even if they were cleared to do so. However there was a war on the horizon, and Suna would be better off with Naruto at full fighting condition.

“If you want to stay home with Menma, you can.”

“I do… but I need to do this.”

“Okay… You’ll pick him up around 3-4 pm?” Gaara made sure. The work day didn’t end then, but Naruto shouldn’t be extending himself more than he already is.

“If I don’t get lost in training, yeah.”

“I’ll see you then.” Gaara kissed Naruto on the cheek.

Naruto kissed Menma on the forehead, then his husband, “See ya’!”

Gaara sat at his desk, reading mission reports, the baby tucked away in his bassinet. It was Gaara’s day to watch Menma.

They chose Wednesdays to be Gaara’s day as it's the day with his fewest responsibilities. The most human interactions he’d have to do is welcome back a few teams returning. That’s a simple 5-10 minute meeting. The rest of his day was just spent reading over the reports of future and past missions.

Luckily, he was still sleeping.

Knock. Knock-knock.

Gaara glanced over to the baby, still asleep, then softly said, “Come in.”

Loud footsteps met a louder voice, “Lord Kazeka-

A glare. Then Gaara looked over to the bassinet.

“Oh, um, sorry.” The Jonin whispered, handing over the report, “Lord Kazekage, our team finished the mission.”

His team consisted of two genin and a Chunin, they had a C-Ranked mission out of the village. Simple escort of a low ranking wind nobleman traveling to the land of the rivers. From the looks of it, the mission went well. All four are still standing.

“Anything of note?” It was best to have a debriefing, to determine the priority of the papers.

“The mission went according to plan. We transported them to ”

“The nobel asshole was annoyed with the fact that we were Genin. Pompous ass thought he deserved better.” One of the genin said.

“Hm.” If the nobleman wanted better, he should have paid for it.

The Jonin forgot the child in the room and shouted, “Language, we are in front of the Kazekage!”

Menma stirred awake. Looked over to the group, then blinked once, finally letting out a huge wail. His child was now sobbing at the intrusion of his peaceful nap.

“Sorry, I can-

“I got it.” Gaara sighed. Taking the few steps over to his now awake child. Sand moved with him, it did this sometimes unconsciously. The first few times freaked Naruto out, until he remembered it was harmless.

The sand created a half barrier around his crying son. It rocked with them in a soothing motion. Almost like waves folding gently onto the shore.

“Shhh… Shhh... You’re alright. You’re safe.” Gaara announced, “These are your fellow sand shinobi.”

After hearing his fathers voice, and some calming movements, he calmed down quite quickly. Menma didn’t mind strangers. Naruto took him out enough early on that he wasn’t bothered by them. He just didn't like strange voices when he first woke up.

However, just because his son was calm, didn’t mean he’d go back to sleep right away. Gaara sat back down at his desk, baby in arm. Most of his sand retreated back in his gourd, a little more than a handful stayed out.

Sky blue eyes followed the sands ever changing form. It was hard to tell if he was interested in the movement or chakra. Naruto made a comment about one of Kankuro’s puppets once. It planted the idea about chakra in Gaara’s head. Menma seemed to be fascinated with anything that had hidden chakra pulsing through it.

It didn’t matter right now. Gaara made sure Menma was properly entertained, before focusing back on the team’s report. Absent-mindedly kept the sand changing shapes in regular intervals.

Gaara said, “Continue.”

People didn’t know how to react when Naruto first entered his life. They would see a blonde jumping over him. Touching him. Yelling, smiling, happy. They couldn't compute that Gaara didn’t do anything. Even more that Gaara seemed to enjoy this interaction with the blonde.

Even fewer people seemed to understand how Gaara so smoothly interacted with his own child. Playing with him. Comforting him. Taking care of him. Showing Menma the same love that Naruto freely gave Gaara all the time.

Because the Jonin hasn’t said anything.

“Are you done with the report?” Gaara wondered.

“Yes, Lord Gaara. The rest of the details are in the forum.”

“Thank you.” Gaara looked down at them, trying to gleen if there was any detail he should ask about before, “You're dismissed.”

Gaara went back to work.

A part of him wanted to read the paper he was just given, as their meeting was cut a little short. However he knew it was best practice to continue working on his previous project before the interruption. Gaara placed the new paper at the bottom of the stack of reports.

He continued on his day like normal.

“I wasn’t expecting to see him here,” Ebizou looked down at Menma as he walked in, “Shouldn’t he be with his mother?”

“Naruto started training today.”

“Ah… And you're taking care of the child.”

“Menma,” Gaara informed, “and yes.”

“Shouldn’t they have a caretaker by now?”

In truth.

Yes.

They should have hired someone way before Naruto gave birth. Gaara didn’t trust anyone to take care of his child. The last attempt on his life was only a few years ago. The last internal attempt on his life was about a year before that.

People still wanted Gaara dead.

There was always a chance of another coup. Gaara didn’t want his son to be in the middle of it. Right now he only trusts himself, Naruto, Kankuro, Temari, and Baki.

It was tradition for the Kazekage’s children to have their own ANBU guard. Usually also responsible for training when they were old enough. When still young, oftentimes took on light caretaker roles. Many other Kages took this path as well. Naruto once mentioned how Konohamaru had a similar instructor growing up.

If Gaara had more time to prepare, he would have spent a few years figuring out who else he could trust. The ANBU were still full of a lot of people from before his time as kage.

“We were busy. We’re looking into-

“Love,” Naruto opened the door, it was much sooner than Gaara expected to see him. Only around noon, he might want to have lunch. Maybe Naruto just missed Menma.

“Hello, Naruto. You remember Ebizou.” Gaara moved over to make the others' presence known.

“Oh?” Naruto noticed the councilman in the room, “Hi! I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“It's nice to see you again. How was your training?” His smile didn’t meet his eyes.

“It kicked my ass.” Naruto laughed, he reached out his arms, “Menma, I missed you.”

Gaara handed over their child, “He missed you too.”

“He was asleep the whole time, wasn't he?” Naruto caught on to the lie.

“Most of it.”

Naruto chuckled, “Do you have time for lunch?” looked over to the council member, “I’m not taking him away from you am I?”

Before Ebizou said anything.

“We’ll continue the conversation in this week's council meeting.” Gaara said, ushering his husband out of his office.

Chapter Text

Gaara’s birthday was January 19th.

Thankfully Naruto knew exactly the type of birthday Gaara would want. Small. Very small. It was just family. He was too overwhelmed with everything else to handle a large social gathering.

They did all of Gaara’s favorite things.

The day started with a trip to their favorite cafe. It was right around the corner from their condo. Had a very expansive tea collection and some of the best pastries around.

Gaara had a light citrus tea, with a chocolate croissant. Naruto made sure to enjoy his new found freedom, and had a rich light roasted coffee. Filled to the brim with sugar and cream - just the way he liked it. He also got a breakfast sandwich.

They were waiting on Kankuro.

“Sorry I’m late!” Kankuro shouted as he opened the door.

“It's okay, we just got our stuff.” Naruto said. They were also late, just not as late as his brother. Getting his husband to be on time for anything was a tough task. Even harder with their new child.

“Sweet,” Kankuro made his way to the counter, “I’ll be right there.”

A few minutes later, he was back with his own meal and drink, coffee and a quiche. The plate clanked as it hit the table. Coffee splashed onto Kankuro’s hand as well.

“How’s my favorite nephew doing?”

“He’s fine.” Naruto shifted him a bit on his lap.

“Ready to join me in the lab today?”

Naruto shot him a look.

“Don’t worry! I made sure all the smallest parts were in grabbing distance. Have to give the little guy something to play with.”

“That’s not funny.”

“I think it's hilarious.” Kankuro reminded him, “It's not my first time with the little dude. I know the protocol.”

Kankuro did. He was good at taking care of his nephew. One of the few people allowed to have that task. They were still looking for someone else to have the more official role.

They chatted for a bit. About half way through the meal Menma stirred. He let out soft sounds that would soon become much more demanding.

“You hungry?” Naruto placed down his own food.

Naruto took to feeding Menma. Quickly getting the bottle with some premade formula out of the refrigerated compartment of the baby's bag. It silenced Menma for the time being.

His own food was half eaten, and probably getting cold. At least an uncomfortable room temperature. Where the melted cheese would start to taste like plastic.

“Here,” Gaara outstretched his arms, “Let me.”

“It’s your birthday, I’ve got it.”

“Kankuro is taking him for the rest of the day. I can handle this while you eat.”

Naruto looked over to his sandwich, “I guess… Yeah, thank you.”

The bottle was placed on the table, then Menma was handed over. Gaara spent a bit of time adjusting him to make sure everything was properly supported. He picked up the bottle, placed the nipple on Menma's lips, who greedily took his meal. Allowing Naruto the freedom to have his own.

Gaara noticed something. When he was holding Menma, especially if Naruto was next to him, the villagers had a certain type of kindness in their eyes. It was slightly different from the respect he had grown used to them displaying after he became Kazekage.

He didn’t quite understand it.

He liked it though. Maybe he didn’t have to understand it. This could just be something he didn’t think about and just enjoyed.

Menma finished his meal way before Naruto did. Kankuro took out a small scorpion puppet. Attaching chakra strings to its two connection points. It scurries up to the now unoccupied baby.

“Do we have to do that at the table?”

“I’m indoctrinating him.” Kankuro said, “I can’t be the only one in the family keeping our traditions alive.”

Menma was entertained. It wasn't hurting anyone. No one was giving them sideways glances. “I guess it's fine.”

Gaara joined in on it. Using his sand to create little mountains for this small creature to explore. It obviously was more entertaining for the adults than the Menma. In a way the two got to play together again.

It was arguably cute.

Naruto finished his meal, a little bit after everyone else. It was time for them to go their separate ways. Kankuro was going to take Menma, so his parents could have a child-free day together.

“Wait.” Naruto said.

“Hm?”

Reaching into the bag, he pulled out some sunscreen, “We have to reapply.”

“We did it before leaving.” Gaara reminded him.

“I know that, but I just want to make sure there's enough.”

They went to a botanical garden next. They've been here a few times. It’s stayed mostly the same throughout the years.

“What’s this one?” Naruto said with a knowing smile.

“You know that one.”

“No. I don’t,” The smile went wider, a playful glint in his eye, “I must have forgotten.”

“I know what you're doing.”

“Oh right! It's a fern.” Naruto was wrong. He knew he was wrong. He knew Gaara knew that he knew he was wrong.

Gaara still couldn’t help but to correct him, “That’s clearly not a fern. Its a

“Oh? Is it? Wow, I guess I’m not as knowledgeable as you thought. If only there was someone here who could help me…” Naruto drew out the last sentence.

“You don’t have to do this,” Gaara knows it can be tiring hearing about his interest. Most people tolerated a few fun facts here and there, no one wanted a lecture.

“What. I’m just wondering if you know any hot, knowledgeable alphas that could help me out?”

“We’ve done this before.” It was around the first time Naruto started showing up, so probably 4-5 years ago. Still.

“So?” Naruto led him to the one next to it, just a few steps away, “You kinda want to do it again, don’t you?”

He did.

“So what’s that one?” Naruto asked, pointing to the new plant in front of them.

Gaara accepted that Naruto actually wanted to do this, “It's a -

They continued around the trail like that. Gaara got to re-teach all his favorite plant facts. He would explain their names, usage, and anything else that came up.

About half way through, he was convinced that Naruto did actually forget most of their trip 4-5 years ago. Which Gaara shouldn’t be upset about. It was a long time ago, and a lot of information to take in at once.

It excited him to know that Naruto’s reactions were true. So there’s that. Naruto was interested in their little outing. They finished the first loop.

The second path would have them go through the decorative species of plants. It's not that they didn’t have any value to the desert ecosystem. They just don't have the same value to humans as the plants on the first trial. Each one was pretty though.

About a quarter of the way through Naruto spaced out. It wasn’t bad, he wasn’t reactionary, but Gaara could tell that his mind was elsewhere again. It hurt to know how badly Sasuke still affected Naruto.

“Are you okay?” Gaara frowned.

The clay cracked under Naruto’s touch, “Huh… I just realized something…”

“Hm?”

“Sasuke’s never been to Suna.” In all the illusions, everything happened in Konoha… or what Naruto could only assume were Sound Facilities. The Mist sometimes. Places Sasuke had been.

“Okay?” Gaara didn’t know where this was going.

“When he would, you know, it was usually somewhere he was familiar with. That’s why it looked so real.” Naruto said, “But he couldn't get Suna right.”

If Sasuke ever tried to replicate Suna, it was always just the desert. Even that never looked right. It was just an empty field of sand. Naruto always caught on. Sasuke eventually gave up trying to do that all together.

“So as long as you're here, you know it's real?” Gaara understood now.

“I think so,” Naruto focused on the weight of the sand, “Oh fuck! I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have-

“Don’t be. That's a good thing to know.”

“Yeah, but it's your birthday.”

The next place they went to was the movies. Gaara and Naruto tried to cuddle against each other, with a hard arm chair separator stopping them. Nothing too exciting there, they just watched a screen together. It was an action adventure Rom-Com. A mix of genres most similar to the Pervy Sage's books.

The movie was good.

The two characters start off hating each other for some dumb reason or another. It didn’t matter, the plot wanted them to hang out. So they did. And one thing led to another and they pissed off the wrong guys.

This caused a hilarious chain of events to happen that forced our two protagonists to have to rely on each other. Only to realize they had a lot more in common than they originally thought. And maybe the other person was hot or whatever.

It ended in an explosion and a kiss.

A day like this is exactly what Gaara needed.

It was small. Most of what they did was insignificant in the grand scheme of things. They got to experience what it was like to be human, not weapons.

Gaara got to be a part of a family who cared for one another. Kankuro and him playing around with his son. Plus, some much needed alone time with his husband.

It was perfect.

“I’m sorry.” Naruto said.

“Why?”

“I feel like I didn't do a lot for your birthday. You did so much for mine and-

That was a stupid reason to be sorry, because “I really enjoyed today.”

Chapter Text

The Akatsuki captured the Seven Tails: Chōmei.

Takigakure had lost a shinobi.

Chapter Text

A lazy sunday.

They didn’t get much of these any more. It's been a few months since the birth of their child. The Akatsuki finally made their move. Capturing the 7th jinchuuriki. As horrible as that was, it at least gave a sense of normalcy back.

Sunagakure sent out the word Kumogakure to let them know they were next. They held the 8th. Like normal, no response. It didn’t matter. Suna knew once they took the 8th Naruto was next.

No news on Jairya’s mission to Amegakure. They got word when he landed, but nothing since. Gaara kept saying it was probably Tsunade’s doing. When Naruto questioned why Tsunade would keep a secret, he said, ‘you just gave birth.’

Which as upsetting as that statement was, it’s true. Naruto was not known to be the most patient person in the world. In fact he was known to be quite the opposite. If Pervy Sage learned anything important Naruto might have jumped into action without thinking.

Gaara laid with their child on his chest, both peacefully asleep. Naruto smiled at the scene. War might be brewing outside of the village, but their little world was perfect.

Naruto grabbed a blanket to cover them up, it was the least he could do. Things have been going better with his mental health, but he knew it had to be hard for Gaara. He took everything in stride.

Hand grabbed Naruto’s wrist, sand shielded their son, then readied to attack. Bubbling over itself to increase form to something more threatening.

Teal eyes opened, widened, recognized what was going on, “No. Sorry. Naru-

It didn’t matter what he said now. Naruto was gone, his mind transported to another world. A world where Gaara was his monster. A world that was half truth and half fiction.

Gaara thought quickly, he took Naruto's hand into his own. Gently placing soft kisses on his thumb. Before trailing it over the scar on his forehead.

“You’re in Suna.” Gaara reminded him.

A shaky breath returned, “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Gaara freed Naruto's fingers out of his own, allowing them to continue tracing over the word ‘love,’ “Take a look around. What do you see?”

Right to left, swish. Two quick right handed dashes followed by a quicker left dash. Long n shaped bar across. Down left, U, dash-dash-right. Left swing, hook down final long right. Naruto repeated that pattern time and time again with his thumb.

“Come on, sweetheart, what do you see?”

“Red?” Naruto whispered, breath returning to his words.

It was a start, “Good. What else?”

“Ummm…” Naruto's eyes focused in and out, blinking rapidly, “Round windows.”

“Yeah. What's outside?”

“Just the sky…”

“What color is it today?”

“Blue.” Naruto chuckled, “like always.”

“Good,” Gaara smiled.

“I’m sorry.” Naruto apologized, “I should have known not to wak-

“Don’t apologize.” Gaara wasn’t a monster to be feared. His love should not have to worry about waking him.

Chapter Text

Despite it being years since Gaara took over as Kazekage, he still had not fully cleaned out the office. Between all the threats on his life, his husband's life, and his village. There just had not been any time to do so.

Which was beneficial to today, because Menma woke up, and made that his fathers problem. Gaara had already tried all his tricks to get him to calm down. None worked. The only thing left was to read to him.

He can’t read Menma mission reports.

Not again.

They were quite violent, and his secretary had walked in on him reading it once. The look he gave said that it was inappropriate for a child to hear. Which was annoying, because it allowed Gaara to calm down his son and get his work done.

On his fathers shelf sprinkled in between non-fiction, were a few books for pleasure reading. Most seemed above Memna’s understanding. One caught Gaara’s eye.

The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi.

The back just said, Action Adventure.

No romance? That’s unlike anything Jairya has ever written. The dust jacket had a much younger picture of the man. He must have started out with adventure stories, then included romance later on.

A picture of the Fourth Hokage and a random redheaded woman was sandwiched in the middle. His father never finished the book. If it was a gift from the Fourth, it must have been right around when Gaara was born.

The back of the photo had a note,

The note reminded him of how Naruto wrote, but it didn’t make any sense. It must be some sort of code the two Kage’s had. Gaara should have someone look into it.

With a crying child in the background of his thoughts, Gaara had to act quickly.

Chapter 1
My name is

In the village of Shuku was a Jonin named

“Musasabi,” Gaara questioned, “Naruto?”

That was quite the coincidence.

Later that night, Gaara had to ask, “Did you know that Jairya wrote other books before the Icha Icha series?”

“I think he mentioned it once… Said it was the worst thing he’s ever written. Something about it not making it past the first print.” Naruto shrugged.

“Apparently, the Fourth Hokage gifted it to my father.”

“Oh?” Naruto thought for a second, “That makes sense, Pervy Sage was Lord Forths teacher.”

“The main character's name is Naruto.”

“No it's not.” Naruto stopped cooking for a second.

“Yes.” Gaara was sure, “it is.”

“That’s so weird.”

“I thought so too.”

“Can you imagine writing a book, and like a million years later teaching someone with the same name? Pervy Sage had to be like, What?”

“I can’t believe he’s never mentioned it to you before.”

“Yeah… I don’t know, maybe someone in the orphanage was reading it too.” It was an unpopular book, but it was still likely that other people besides the two Kages had to read it.

“I suppose so.”

“Is it any good?”

“It's not bad. Menma enjoys it.”

Spring has sprung.

Gaara's rut is about to make its appearance. He and his spouse were getting the house just outside their village set up for it. They had stocked up the fridge with water and food. Instead of tearing down their current nest, they were going to make a temporary one together.

“You have to be the one that sticks me with this.” Naruto held out the birth control.

“Okay.” Telling an alpha to stick their omega with birth control a few days before their scheduled rut, was a complex matter. In all honesty, they should not have any more children right now. Too many things were going on. Plus Naruto was cleared to start intimacy again, but another child so soon? Not the best idea.

Try explaining that to the primal part of Gaara’s brain demanding him to breed. Fill his omega up to the brim. Keep him nice and round.

Naruto must have seen something in his face, because he said, “You know I can’t do needles.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll do it.” He took the medication and placed it in the side table.

“We’ll do it the night before…” With Naruto’s high stamina and even higher fertility rate, they had to make sure it was as close to the scheduled activity as possible. Too soon and they risk accidents. As he was all but guaranteed to go into heat when Gaara claimed him.

Gaara’s medicine was also at the ready.

It needed to be taken as soon as he bit Naruto. He still risked nausea and complications, even with it. However, all the other risks dropped to almost nothing. So it was a fair trade off.

This was preparing to be the least sexy heat & rut share of all history.

For safety reasons, Gaara was already isolated in the house. Leaving Naruto to finish up their last responsibilities before joining him. They planned to be gone for an entire week if everything went well.

The same way they prepped the safe house, Naruto prepared their condo. Bottles for Menma were stocked in the fridge, formula for when that ran out. Food for Kankuro, so Naruto wouldn't have to imagine the worst what if scenarios. Scented blankets so Menma wouldn't feel like his parents were gone.

It's unusual for parents to be away from their child so shortly after birth. Usually the hormones that caused a heat and rut calmed down around an infant. Due to a lot of different factors, they didn’t want to risk that.

Plus it was their opportunity to start anew.

“Hey, little dude.” Kankuro waved at his nephew, “You ready to have an adventure with your favorite uncle?”

“Are you ready?” Naruto asked.

“Of course. All I have to do is hang out with him all week. It's practically a vacation.”

“It's not a vacation.”

“I know. I know. I still gotta work. Babies are a full time job. Blah blah blah.” Kankuro held out his arms, “Come on, give me the little guy.”

Naruto sighed, and gave him Menma, “Temari is coming back in a day or so to help out.”

With Gaara incapacitated for a week it was best that both siblings were in Suna. Temari would be back for two weeks before returning to Konoha.

So Naruto made sure that both of their old rooms were set up for occupants. Kankuro still had a room, but rarely used it after getting his own apartment. Same with Temari, who mostly lives in Konoha now.

Last second adjustments were done to the blankets on the couch. Everything had to be perfect when guests came over. Naruto didn’t want to be judged by his in-laws.

“Naruto, I know you get all antsy when you gotta leave him, but you gotta trust me. He’s good with family.”

“It’s hard.” Naruto admitted, “Gaara’s one of the first people I could rely on like this.”

Naruto didn’t have many people he could actually rely on to be consistent in his life. Yeah, they were great for one off situations when it was dire. He always had someone in his corner when things were at their worst. They weren't the best help for things like this.

So having people like Gaara’s siblings… his brother-in-law actually helps on a regular basis. Was weird, and hard, and not something he was used to.

“Shit, I forget you and him both had a shitty life sometimes.”

“Kankuro.” Naruto was a second away from snatching back his child.

“He’s three months old.”

“And if his first word is ‘shit,’ I’m going to be mad.”

“It won't be.” Kankuro asked, “You weren't serious about my brother being the first guy you could trust, right?”

“I mean, kinda. Like I can rely on everyone else in battle, but to take care of my kid… To actually be here-

“You got me and Temari, too.” Kankuro shifted Menma’s weight, “Plus you gotta have people back in Konoha.”

“Not really.”

“Didn’t that Sakura chick move here to help with the pregnancy?”

“I guess…” Naruto overlooks her sometimes. Their former mutual obsession with an asshole did build a wall in between their relationship for years. It was only after they admitted it was stupid were they able to get closer.

“And that loser my sister's dating likes you. Did all the paperwork bullsh-shirt on Konoha’s end to help you.”

“Shikamaru?”

“Yeah! That guy.”

Naruto remembered, “He thought I was coming onto Temari last time I was at Konoha.”

“Eww.” Kakuro's face twisted in disgust, “You two would kill each other in a week.”

“Plus I like your brother.” Naruto pointed out the more obvious problem with that situation.

“That loser was probably just worried about losing the best thing that would ever happen to him. If you tell my sister I complimented her, I’ll kill you.”

Naruto chuckled, “I won't.”

“Good. I have a reputation.” Kankuro smiled, “You see, you have a shi- ton of people who like you. They all want to take care of you. You just gotta get out of your stupid head.”

“I guess.” Naruto did over think, despite what others might believe.

“Besides. We’re family now.”

“You say that, but you interrogated me.” Naruto finally brought up one of his biggest fears.

In the back of his mind he felt like he didn’t belong in Suna. If anything were to happen with his and Gaara’s relationship he would have nowhere to go. Konoha would not be able to take him back.

He would probably lose any access to his kid. Not due to any malice on Gaara’s part, just to the nature of his job. They couldn’t risk someone like Naruto controlling the future Kazekage.

Things would get even worse if the public knew about Menma's real heritage. Naruto’s nightmares were filled with horrific council meetings where they would decide his son's fate. The ridicule he would face. Menma growing up the same way Naruto did, with judgmental onlookers watching over his every move.

Kankuro sighed, he knew this conversation had to happen, “You know I had to do that.”

“I just came back from everything and you-

“Are still a part of the anti-terrorist unit.”

“You know it had nothing to do with that.”

“Yeah… you're right.” Kankuro admitted, “I had to make sure my brother was safe. He’s been fucked over by everyone in his life, including me, and I couldn’t let you do it either.”

“I’m not like that.”

“I know that now. Shi-rt, I’m sorry.” Kankuro added, “I messed up, I should have trusted you more…”

“I get it.” Naruto frowned.

“Don’t let this ruin your time with Gaara.”

“You ruining his life already?” Temari asked, opening the door to her old home.

“Temari?” Naruto and Kankuro wondered in unison.

“I knew this would be troublesome.” Shikamaru was not far behind her.

“What are you doing here?” Naruto asked.

“I told you I could handle it!” Kankuro said.

Kicking off her shoes, Temari ignored both of them, “Where’s my nephew?”

“Where do I put these?” Shikamaru held up their bags.

“Your rooms down the hall to the left.” Naruto informed, “Menma’s room is Gaara’s old room.”

They took over the primary bedroom awhile ago. It just made more sense when the other two moved out. A deep clean and new furniture was all it needed. It honestly changed the vibes of the entire place when they did that. No longer feeling like someone else’s place, but their own.

Gaara still enjoyed that his siblings visited and wanted them to keep a space in their home. That’s why they chose his old room to remodel into Menmas. They discussed having more kids when things calmed down. When they did they would figure out whose old room to do what to.

“Perfect.” Temari stole Menma from her brother, “I’m your aunt. And you love me way more than your uncle.”

“He just met you. He hangs out with me all the time. We’re best friends.”

“You're best friends with a baby?” Shikamaru returned to the living room, “Hey, Naruto.”

Naruto ignored the siblings fighting, “Hi. You two are going to help out this week?”

“Yeah, I’m taking my vacation days for this. So you better be grateful.”

“Don’t let him guilt you, he’s happy to do this.” Temari spoke for him.

“Yeah - yeah.” Shikamaru waved it off, “don’t you have a thing you have to do?”

“I was just getting Kankuro adjusted with Menma’s schedule.” Naruto said.

“Is it written down?” Temari asked.

Naruto nodded.

“Good. Then I got it from here.” She held the baby closer, “Isn’t that right, Menma?”

After Naruto had ensured Menma was in the care of family, he was finally able to join his future mate. This was the first time he had been invited to join instead of sneaking past guards.

Weird.

It was way less anxiety inducing when he was sneaking around. Maybe because this was the rest of his life. He had his whole future ahead of him… and that included Gaara.

Yeah they were married, but this is different. They were going to be mates. Their souls would be connected, but like in a scientific biology sort of way. Naruto had only ever had a bad history with that sort of thing.

Seeing Gaara, all his fears went away.

He was pacing around the room. Ultimately the house was pretty basic. It was a two bedroom one bath, open concept. Not too much going on. Still, he was inspecting all the entrances for any weak points. There wasn't a single thing overlooked.

“Oh?”

“Hi, love.”

“Hi,” Gaara walked over, resting his hand on Naruto’s lower back, “Menma is taken care of?”

“Kankuro and Temari are fighting over who he loves more… So I think he’s going to do fine.”

“Temari is here already?”

“We were surprised too.” Naruto laughed, wrapping his arms around his love.

“It's for the best. I won’t have to worry about my office being a mess when I get back.” Gaara’s nose wrinkled, as he hesitated to ask, “Do you mind taking a shower?”

“The scent of the outside world too much for you alpha?” Naruto pulled back.

“Yes.” Gaara said seriously. He was dangerously close to his rut, and everything was a threat. Especially unknown scents from the outside world.

Naruto took extra time in the shower.

Fingers scrubbed at the foul mark on his neck. It had been in a state of rejection since he received it. Rapidly oozing out distressing venom. Naruto had to wear scent patches to hide it from his own child.

Hopefully, if everything went well tonight, Naruto could start going around without scent patches again. His child could finally experience the fullness of his scent. Not a muddled idea of it.

He needed as much of it out of his system as possible.

After Naruto felt clean enough he left the shower, drying off his hair with a towel. He quickly covered himself with a robe. Naruto did one final look over in the clouded mirror.

Goosebumps prickled across his skin. The way teal eyes watched him was absolutely enchanting. Naruto felt like prey, one step away from being consumed whole.

Over the years, Gaara had developed into a fine man. His skin was smooth, not a scar on it that he did not put there himself. Tai justu has done him many favors, carving strong muscles into marble. A statue of a god you would find in the best museums.

Bright red hair always seemed to be perfectly messy. The cut framed his features just right. Sharp jawline, high cheekbones, a strong nose. Rounded eyes, usually exaggerated by sharp black kohl, now bare. Only the natural purplish darkness that surrounded them due to sleep habits.

“Omega,” Gaara’s voice deepened, he placed the book to the side. His motions were slower, calculated, like an apex predator ready to pounce.

“Yeah?” Naruto was excited.

“You going to join me?” he motioned to the spot next to him.

No pouncing.

“Yeah,” Naruto bit his bottom lip, “I guess.”

Anxiety built a home in his chest, Naruto was on high alert. He was walking towards the man who would mark him. Claim him. Fuck him. Breed him…

He’s thinking like an omega. His instincts tell him to run, give into the chase. Make the alpha work for his reward. Instead Naruto marched forward to his future.

Naruto felt like a virgin. Which was stupid, because this was nowhere near their first time together. He had a kid for fucks sake. There's something in the way that Gaara looked at him that made him feel vulnerable.

He sat on the edge of the bed, back facing his lover.

Pale fingers trailed up his arm, “Come on. You have no reason to be shy.”

Naruto does.

Gaara knew what he looked like. He hasn’t made any comments on it, thank whatever power there is above, but he knew. He knew Naruto wasn’t back to fighting conditions.

“I’m not shy.”

“Really?”

Prey fell into the trap.

Gaara pulled Naruto on top of him, legs spread open on either side. The robe parting up the side, it exposed hints of what is to come. Gaara’s hand slid underneath the fabric. Thumbing lightly at Naruto’s cocklette and through the folds.

“Such a pretty little omega.” slick coated his thumb, “You sure about this?”

“Yeah… I’m sure. You have to stick me.” Naruto rudely reminded him of the medication on the nightstand.

“Right,” Gaara whipped off the slick onto his robe.

As Gaara twisted over to grab the medication, his cloth covered cock brushed against Naruto's soaked pussy. Both of them tried to ignore the budding sensations. How easy it could be for Gaara to just slide right in.

“Just hurry up already.” Little omega was impatient.

The birth control was an auto injector to make it easier. Gaara ripped open the prepackaged alcohol swab. Wiped down the injection spot on Naruto’s ass, before sticking him with the needle. When he saw the fluid drain completely he threw the injector in the trash.

“Such a shame…” He looked longingly at Naruto’s body, hand’s curving over every bit, Gaara shook his head, “Ignore that. It's just the rut talking.”

“You liked seeing me pregnant?”

Gaara ignored the question, “I know we are not in a situation to have more children.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Naruto wrapped his arms around Gaara's neck, pulled him closer, “Did you like seeing me pregnant?”

“I am an alpha.”

“Still not an answer.”

“Your asking an alpha near rut if he likes seeing his omega pregnant.”

“And still not getting an answer.”

“Yes,” Gaara's hands traced Naruto's form, “I’m an alpha.”

As much as he wished he wasn't controlled by his hormones, Gaara was. The goal for a rut was to impregnate your omega. When his mate was pregnant, his inner alpha was calm.

Naruto chuckled at his answer, “okay, alpha.”

That was all he needed, Gaara rubbed his inner wrist over Naruto’s body, starting the claiming process. Naruto’s body slacked in relaxation. It fascinates him that after everything, Naruto still hadn’t rejected his scent.

Naruto’s new found bashfulness ignited a desire for protection. Such a precious thing should be safe. It was their first time after having a child. With Naruto’s questions, it seemed as if he was worried about his body.

Content pheromones folded effortlessly into possessive ones. One on top of another, over and over. Until you couldn't figure out where one stopped and another began. It was the start of a long night.

A light pur comes from Naruto’s chest.

Gaara pulled the end of the bow, opening up his gift. Naruto’s robe hung off his shoulders, still covering most of his body. Except the patch of blonde hair with a little cockletter poiking out.

“So…” his hand curved around Naruto’s body.

Naruto’s chest had swollen up the last couple of months. Just enough to perfectly fill Gaara’s hands. He took a few seconds to thumb around Naruto’s nipples.

“Do they hurt?”

“Love,” Naruto tried to pull the robe close, “are you sure?”

Thumb meets forefinger, pinching and pulling. It didn't take much encouragement for milk to spill over his hands. Absorbed quickly by the robe.

A growl filled the back of his throat. “You’re perfect.”

“I guess.” Naruto relaxed.

He folded over, lips met lips. Hips grind down on a bulbous head though thick girth. Remembering just how good it felt to be filled.

Naruto pulled at the top of Gaara’s waist band. Desire to free the beast underneath him. The omega needed to be taken just as much as his alpha wanted to take. The fabric dragged off his cock, resting just under it.

Gaara fisted his cock to direct its movement. Rubbing pre inbetween Naruto’s folds. So wet. So warm. So perfect.

Their lips never stopped, passion took them to new levels. Naruto was nearing the cusp of heat. Blue eyes glassed over, haze controlled his actions. Skin on fire. Scent overwhelming, citrus tickled Gaara’s nose.

Gaara’s gums ached, “Can you feel it?”

“Huh?”

“Already getting foggy?”

“Shut up.” he blushed.

“Okay,” Gaara smirked, “I’ll be quiet.”

Naruto’s hands crashed down on the head board as Gaara pulled him up to his lips. He put all his weight onto the wood to rearrange his legs to a more comfortable position around Gaara’s head. Naruto ended up sitting on his face, trying to hover more than sit.

Gaara grabbed Naruto's thighs to take control. Pulling his full weight down on his face.

Slick drenched Gaara’s chin. Alternating licking though Naruto’s folds and sucking his cocklette. Naruto grinded his hips down trying to control the movement of Gaara’s tongue. Gaara ate it like a starved beast. Taking everything his greedy mouth could reach.

Only when he knew Naruto was at his limits did Gaara add his fingers. It’s been so long since they've been able to do anything like this. Gaara worked his digits into the familiar heat. Humming around his cocklette, Gaara added another finger.

Naruto’s body spasms, inner walls constricting around Gaara's fingers. Clenching onto the headboard for dear life.

“Gaa-ra!” Naruto went slack as he tried to catch his breath.

Naruto’s skin held a flush red hue as his eyes glassed over. He has completely submitted to Gaara’s rut. So perfect. And all Gaara’s. After tonight no one else will ever be able to take Naruto away from him.

“Fuck, omega.”

The tip rests at Naruto’s slicked entrance. Gaara rubbed his thumbs in circles around his ass. Stretching open Naurto’s hole.

An all consuming need made itself known, “Just fuck me al-

Gaara plunged in.

-ready!”

Naruto hasn't had a chance to recover from his last orgasm before another one ripped through his body. His body constricted around Gaara’s cock as it hilted.

“Fu- That’s a good omega,” Gara breathed out, “Taking me so well.”

Gaara pulled trembling legs over his shoulders as Naruto’s pussy sucked him in deeper. He rocked his hips downward. Slowly fucking him though his last orgasm.

“Ahhh! Gaa- I…” Tan hands tried to steady his hips.

Gaara didn’t stop, he slowed down, each thrust more deliberate, “You can take it. Relax.”

“Alpha… I- Wha?”

Thrust.

“Stay with me, omega. Feel it.” Thrust, “You got this.”

Thrust.

Gaara folded Naruto in half, hand resting on his check. He kissed Naruto through the motion. Small breast bounced with each roll of his hips. He let himself be controlled by his desires.

Lips meet the perky rosy brown nipple. Sucking pearls of milk down, using his free hand to stimulate the other. Gaara took his fill. Everything about his omega was perfect.

He couldn’t help himself, “You're so beautiful.”

Gaara pulled away to focus on chasing his own pleasure. Thrusting deeper and faster with each passing second. His knot swelled at the base, kissing the entrance with each flick of his hips.

“Gaara, I’m- I’m-gonna!”

His knot breached Naruto's welcoming pussy. It is milking him dry. Thick ropes of cum flood Naruto’s womb.

Naruto relaxed into the tongue lapping at his mating gland. Teeth graze over the gland. Nipping softly at the patch of skin. Firmer. Harder. More.

Teeth punctured his neck.

Naruto’s entire life flashed before his eyes.

Rejection.
Loneliness.
Dread.

A lone swing attached to the tree. A long dock attached to the lake. Growing more distant from the things that bound them. Cracking at the edges as time stretched further. A photograph torn.

Hatred.

Red eyes full of hate. Full of fear. Full of sadness. A lost child screaming out into the careless void. No purpose to be found without violence. Vengeance was born in blood loss.

Fire.
Scorching.
Hot.
Fire.

Violence. Two demons met on a battlefield, different sides of a long conflict. More alike than they first know. Both born to be weapons, and hated for the fact that they are a tool of war.

A story told. Memories of an uncaring caregiver, whose goal was destruction. They built him up only to watch him fall. Adults more childish than the children they play with.

A tear.
Crying.
Connection.

The same pain that was supposed to bind him to another, attached him to his enemy. He could only cry for the others' pain. He could not harm someone so close to himself.

Passion.
Kindness.
Love.

Love was scared into Naruto’s neck.

“It's your turn,” blood dripped down Gaara's chin, down his stretched out neck.

“Huh?”

“Omega.” Gaara guided Naruto’s head to his neck, lips pressed against his gland, “It's your turn.”

Naruto was in a daze. Overwhelmed by the sensations below and in his mind. Everything was too fast. Too slow. Too much. Too little. He knew he had to do something, but he wasn’t sure what.

“Bite.” It wasn’t a command, but with the authority held in its tone, it was close.

Teeth scraped against flesh.

A flood.

Fire.
Warmth.
Love.

Completion.

The joy was short-lived.

Gaara had to take his medicine. Tossling Naruto on his knot, he reached back over to the night stand. He popped open the capsule, spreading the bitter powder over his tongue. He let it sit there for a while, before taking a swig of the chemically sweetened liquid. Which he also had to swish around in his mouth. All before swallowing.

Gaara gagged, “Let's hope this works.”

Chapter Text

Lord Jiraiya died.

And Pain had killed him.

Chapter Text

All of the progress Naruto made went with Jairya’s passing.

He’s catatonic again. His body refused to move. Naruto couldn't help the emotion that took over everything. The pain was all consuming. He’d been lying in bed for a few days now.

Gaara took over all of the responsibilities. It’s hard balancing his husband's grief, their baby, and the responsibilities of his job. His brother helped out with anything he could. The hardest part was knowing his husband couldn’t talk to him.

It was supposed to be a happy time for them. The bonding worked. Naruto’s mark had no traces of another alpha in it. Gaara didn’t die, or even get sick. They should be celebrating life, instead they were reminded they were ninja.

“Lady Tsunade let me know they can delay the funeral a few days… so we can make it.” Gaara hoped for a response. An acknowledgment of his existence. Something.

Nothing.

“I think we should go.”

Nothing.

“It wouldn’t be hard to arrange everything. My sister’s there. She and Shikamaru will host us, they just got a place together. We could see all your friends again. Menma can meet -

“He never met our son.” Something. That was the first thing Naruto said since he found out.

“No…” Gaara knew that man was the closest thing to a family Naruto had. Their years traveling together was everything Naruto had hoped for when he was a child alone. “He would have loved Menma.”

“You think so?”

“Of course.”

Naruto turned towards him, “Ya know… I wanted him to keep watching over me. I wanted to show him the best side of me… but he only ever saw me at my worst.”

“Why do you say that?” It didn’t make sense to him.

“I never did anything cool… he always had to take care of me.” Naruto lamented over the past that could never be changed.

“I think you’ve done a lot of cool things.”

“You're supposed to say that.” Naruto mumbled, “You're my alpha.”

“I’m serious.” Gaara threaded his fingers through Naruto's hair.

“I guess…” Naruto curled into his husband.

“Did you want to go to Konoha?” Gaara had to make sure because, “I need to let them know if they should expect us.”

Naruto became quiet again. His eyes lost their shine, Gaara knew he was somewhere else. His sadness liked to take him far away.

Gaara sighed, “I unde–

“We should go.”

“Okay,” He nodded, shifting his weight on the bed, “I’ll set everything up.”

“Don’t go.” Naruto reached out and held on to the cuff of Gaara’s shirt.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Gaara cupped the other hand into his own. Adjusting Naruto into the center of the bed, to give himself more room. He lay beside the one he loved.

When they arrived at the gates of Konoha, Naruto wanted to turn back.

It would be wrong to do that. Konoha postponed everything expecting their visit. It would just make everything worse. They had traveled three days with a baby to get here. It wouldn’t be worth it to go back now.

Menma was safely secured onto Naruto's chest with a cloth baby carrier. Gaara is already dressed in his Kage Robes. They had a team of four ANBU with them as security.

It reminded Naruto that he was a part of an important family. He was the husband of the Kazekage. His child the son of the Kazekage. They couldn’t travel the way he was used to. There had to be fanfare, especially between villages.

Naruto felt out of place in just his regular orange jacket and sweatpants. He didn’t feel important enough to have all of this added security. In his mind he still felt like he was just a regular ninja.

“Let’s go.” Gaara led him through the gates.

There was a welcome party just beyond the entrance. All of Naruto’s friends were waiting for them to arrive. Sakura, Sai, Team Eight, Team Ten, Team Guy, and Temari.

“He looks just like a little mini-Gaara!” Lee said, astonished.

Ino said, “That’s how genetics work.”

“I think he looks more like Naruto.” Hinata said, “he has Naruto’s eyes.”

“And the whisker birthmarks,” Sai added.

“He’s so tiny!” Kiba joined in, “How old is he?”

“Almost five months” Gaara’s voice held some pride saying that.

Menma was at the age that some books call the best part of having a baby. His face stopped looking like a potato, and looked more like an actual baby. He was responsive. While it always seemed like he understood the world, now he had the desire to interact with it.

“Is he hard to travel with? I’ve always heard babies are hard to travel with. Their youth is just too hard to contain!” Lee asked.

“No. We got lucky.” Naruto smiled, “Menma is a quiet baby.”

“Menma? Where did you get a name like that from?” Kiba wondered out loud.

“I had the strangest dream once… When I was younger, I was still traveling with,” right, “Pervy Sage.”

Gaara stepped in, “He met our child, and their name was Menma.”

“Yeah… It just felt right.” Naruto tried to shake off his funk. All of his friends were desperate to see the baby. It almost seemed like they forgot the real reason he was here. Maybe Naruto could forget too… just for a few minutes.

“Hah? A dream?”

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, and chuckled, “Yeah, I guess it's kinda silly when you say it outloud.”

“Naw… Maybe it was a sign. You named him it, after all.” Kiba said.

“I can’t believe Naruto was the first one of us to have a child.” Lee got closer, examining the child as if he was another one of Naruto's pranks.

“I can.” Ino said.

“Oi! Looky-loos, move over, I’m missing my nephew.” Temari shoved her way to the other blonde in the family.

“Hey, Temari,” Naruto chuckled.

Temari held out her arms, “You’ve gotten so big since the last time I’ve seen you.”

“It’s only been a month.” Gaara reminded her.

“Tsk. A month in a lifetime in baby years.”

“Please don’t give her ideas.” Shikamaru said, “We’re still just settling into our place.”

“I don’t have any ideas. I just love my nephew… is that a crime?” Temari accused.

“No.” Naruto finished unwrapping Menma from the carrier, “Here.”

“I missed you, little man.” She happily received her nephew.

“Oi! Can I hold him?” Lee wondered.

“No me!” Kiba wanted in on the action.

“None of you.” Naruto said, defensively, “I mean, not right now… we just got here. Um, and I don't want to overwhelm him.”

Gaara smiled.

“Shut up.” Naruto folded his arms over his chest.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You thought it.”

“You're punishing people for thinking now?” Shikamaru said.

“It must be jealousy.” Ino added on.

“No… he’s just being…” Naruto couldn't rationalize to his friends how his husband was being corny at that moment. He would sound like a total crazy person. “Shut up.”

“We’ve had a long journey here.” Gaara covered for him.

“Then come on.” Temari picked up on it, gestured forward, “Let’s stop blocking the road.”

“We’ll get you guys settled into our place.” Shikamaru ushered them to start moving towards the Nara District.

“Yeah, there’s lodging nearby for the ANBU already set up.”

“When you're done, why don’t we meet up at Ichiraku’s later.” Sakura finally said something. Their relationship has been a little rocky since the baby. She didn’t know the truth, but she knew Naruto. She knew when he was hiding something.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Naruto smiled.

Chapter Text

The Nara Complex was a humble one… Well as humble as it could be when it's a founding family. Humble compared to the Uchihas. Humble compared to the Hyuga’s. Humble to everyone else? No.

Tall fences and tall trees blocked off most of the outsiders' view. From the gate one could make out slight hints of a green roof. It blended with the leaves a bit too much to be sure where it started or ended.

They were in a small house off the main house. Shikamaru let them know his parents valued privacy. Which is why when it was serious with his girlfriend, they set this up.

Luckily it was slightly off the main road, so they didn’t have to travel that much further. Naruto was exhausted and ready to melt into a pile of blankets forever.

“Don’t mind the mess. We’re still getting settled.” Temari warned them.

“It looks fine to me.” Naruto said.

The mess was three boxes by the entrance. If she saw what Naruto’s idea of a mess was, she’d probably faint. He tried remembering if his friend was always this neat or if this was a new habit instilled by Temari. He couldn’t imagine such a lazy boy cleaning his room.

“Your room is the first one on the left.” Shikamaru said.

After kicking off his shoes, Naruto went to explore the house a bit. Leaving Gaara to drop off their belongings in their room for the week. Temari still wouldn’t let go of their son the entire time here.

“So how do you like it here?” Naruto wondered.

“I’m getting used to it.” She said, absentmindedly.

“Is it hard, with all the Nara Traditions?” Naruto settled himself in the kitchen for a minute, looking out of its window into the garden in the middle of their compound. He knew most clans had their own way of doing things.

“Hmmm… They don’t really have too many.” Temari held Menma closer, “It's weird being treated like an alpha, though.”

“I thought that would be the easiest thing to get used to. People kissing your butt and stuff.”

“Eh… it's more annoying than anything. They have to wait for me to talk, before Shikamaru can sometimes. And I never know when those times are. I never know what to say either.”

“If I'm being honest, I think he loves it.”

“Lazy as always?”

“Yep.”

Temari walked him around the house a bit. Opening doors, telling him what each room was for. Constantly apologizing for a non-existent mess. It was clear that this was her first time having guests over.

“And this will be your room for the week.” She said.

Gaara had already set up Menma’s traveling bassinet. Made of mostly cloth and foam it was easy to store away. They had debated on just buying one when they got here, but it seemed easier than having Temari or Shikamaru pick out something for Menma.

When Naruto saw the bed, he was reminded of how tired his body was. It ached all the way to the bone. Demanding him to stop moving.

“I still have to get everything settled with our Anbu and the Hokage.” Gaara seemed to pick up on it, “Why don’t you stay here and relax… I'll take Menma, and join you later.”

Naruto glanced over to the bed, “Thank you.”

Naruto didn’t move off the bed for the hours that his husband was gone. Their clothing was still packed away in its trunk. He felt like a failure. Not even being able to do the simplest of tasks as Gaara took care of everything else.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Naruto didn’t want to get up.

His body felt like it was filled with rocks holding him down. Even a small tilt of the head was too much. Naruto was so weak. Pathetic.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Pathetic. Pathetic. Pathetic.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

It got louder and faster. Naruto finally willed his body to move. Whoever was at the door was growing impatient. They couldn’t see him like this. He had to pretend he was better.

“Oh… It’s you.” Naruto said through the door of their guest room, “What do you want, Shikamaru?”

“Can I come in? I need your help with something.” He seemed hesitant to ask, Shikamaru was warned about Naruto’s mental state.

Naruto looked back at the state of the room, making sure it was ready for guests, then nodded.

The two settled into the comfortable window seat. Sun beating down on their backs. Not saying anything for a while. Naruto debated on kicking him out, but afraid that if he spoke it would cause a chain reaction where he discovered Shikamaru's true reason for being here.

Naruto just wanted to go back to decaying alone on the bed.

He didn’t want to perform for his friend. He didn’t want to speak. He didn’t want to exist. He wanted nothingness.

Eventually, Shikamaru showed him a photograph of a toad with a random string of numbers on it, “This was his last message.”

‘Ta.-31-8-106-7-207-15

‘Ta.
No.
Nine.

9-31-8-106-7-207-15

Stupid pervy sage. A writer who can’t write. He couldn't make heads or tails of it. Just a bunch of numbers carved into a toad.

Naruto asked, “What does it say?”

“I was hoping you would know.”

Ugh.

If the smartest person he knew didn’t know what it said, there's no way Naruto would figure it out. The numbers meaning less and less as time went on. As if they could mean anything to begin with. It was a random string of numbers. Nothing more.

“Well? Does this look familiar at all?”

Naruto zoned out.

His mind wandered away.

Everything was meaningless.

“Hey, you still with me?” Shikamaru brought him back.

“Oh?! Sorry! What?”

“Alright,” Shkiamaru was done with this, “come with me.”

“Huh?”

“Just come.”

“Where are we going?”

The two boys stood in front of Konoha’s hospital. Shikamaru motioned that they wait outside for a bit.

Naruto said, “I don’t think we need to see gran-

“We’re not here for Lady Tsunade.”

“Sakur-

“Nope.” Shikamaru pointed with his chin to the entrance, “Her.”

Mrs Kurenai held a child a few years older than Menma. It must be a milestone checkup, she didn't look sick, “Shikamaru, How many times do I need to tell you, you don’t need to waste your time on -

“Sorry, no can do. Asuma made me swear.” He said confidently.

She laughed and shook her head. They spoke for a bit. Caught up. Her baby is healthy and happy. Shikamaru checked up on important days to make sure that she didn’t need anything. After a while she continued on her way.

“That child will one day be my student.” Shikamaru said, “Asuma entrusted that responsibility to me.”

“It looks like they’re good to have you.” Naruto smiled, “Temari, too.”

“Thanks.

“You do good. I don’t think I ever would have imagined you to be the responsible type. You were so lazy in school. It's nice to see you step up like this…”

“I try.” he smiled, then his face went serious, “I can’t say I know everything you’re going through… but I lost my mentor, too.” Shikamaru said, “I know you just heard about Lord Jairya.”

Naruto didn’t say anything.

“But sulking isn't going to make things better. We no longer have the luxury of grief.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Asuma passed on a lot of knowledge to me. Not just important things… useless things.” Shikamaru laughed.

“... Okay?”

“And I’m sure it's the same with you. Lord Jairya probably taught you so many things too. Am I right?”

“Yeah?”

“Then, it's time for us to step up. Don't you think?”

“Step up to what?”

“It’s our turn to use that knowledge to better the world. To pass it down. We're adults now.” Shikamaru looked at him, “It's going to be troublesome, but we can’t keep complaining.”

Naruto thought of his mentor and smiled, “No… I guess we can’t.”

“There’s a war on the horizon. So, pull yourself together, we have work to do.” He handed the photo to Naruto again.

The two arrived at the Cypher Corps. A building that's a mixture between a library and a nerd factory. It's full of people who help Konoha encrypt and decrypt messages. It's the backbone of their spy network.

Sunagakure had one too. They just didn’t advertise it like this. You actually had to go to the real library, then go through some clearance sections… It was a whole thing.

“I don’t think I’m allowed in here.” Naruto stopped.

“It’s fine. I have clearance for both of us.” Shikamaru waved off his concern.

“I’m the Kazekage’s omega.” Naruto had to think of the optics of everything he did in Konoha. He didn’t want to be accused of being a traitor, or worse, in his new home. It was exhausting.

“Right. I forget that sometimes.” A lot of people here do.

Naruto thought about it, handed the photo back, “I don’t even know if I can help you with this.”

“It’s a message to you.” Shikamaru said.

“You don’t know that.”

“You recognized something back at the house…”

“Maybe. I don’t know… We need to ask Gaara if this is okay.”

“I never would have imagined you this cautious back then.” Shikamaru laughed.

“Hey!”

“What? You never thought of things through back in the academy… or anytime after that.”

“Well didn't someone just say, ‘We’re the adults now.’ I can’t just jump into things like I used to. If I do anything wrong here things could look bad for Suna… or Konoha… or both.” Naruto pulled his hand through his hair in frustration, “And it's not just Suna, it's Menma. And it's Gaara.”

Shikamaru held his hands up, “I’m not judging… It's a good look on you.”

“Yeah, stressing over my every movement. Makes me look great.” he scoffed.

“That’s what being an adult is.” Shikamaru knows nothing.

“Ugh…” Naruto steered them away from the spy building, “You keep saying it's our time to be adults. Pass on our knowledge and all that. Shikamaru, I’ve been a teacher for the past almost two years. I’m married. I have a child.”

“Right… I for-

“You forgot? Everyone forgets.” Naruto reminded him, “You want me to think about the future? The next generation?! I literally gave birth to the next generation of the Kazekage Family. I will continue to do so. My marriage has solidified the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure. Because of me, because of the Naruto Agreement, Konoha can’t undercut Sunas prices to its own Dynamo. Meaning the thing that caused the Konoha crush wont happen again. Suna can rebuild. Truly.”

“Sorry… I guess I just haven’t realized all you've done.”

“I appreciate that you're trying to help me out here, seriously. I get it, we're close to a war. I know I can’t take that lightly. I’m not upset that I don’t have a purpose. I have many. I’m upset that my child never got to meet the closest thing I have to my family.” Naruto said tears threatening to fall, “Yeah I’m excited to teach him all the things pervy sage taught me, but - he - he’s never -

“He’s never going to meet him.”

Naruto stopped, tried to compose himself, “Exactly.”

Shikamaru and Naruto walked by the Ninja Academy. Nothing has changed in the last 7 years. They expected something to have changed, but it's still the same old building they trained at as kids.

It's still the same building that held the first round of the Chunin Exam.

Shikamaru noted, “It’s weird… back then I never thought we’d both be here.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, we’re talking about family. War. Passing down traditions… and Naruto. You're married to a guy who tried to kill us.” he laughed.

“And?” Naruto was tired of that conversation, “You're about to be married to a girl who tried to kill us.”

The hypocrite laughed, “I know… that's the weird part. It's all so surreal. I couldn’t imagine sitting a 12 year old me down and saying any of that.”

Naruto remembered years passed at this very spot. He couldn’t imagine telling himself that that boy would become his husband. A twelve year old Naruto would never believe something like that. He was still obsessed with Sasuke for fucks sake.

The first time he saw Gaara, the young boy was so troubled. He was in so much pain that he didn’t know what to do with it. The world around him wanted him to be a weapon, so that’s what he became.

“Oh…” Naruto paused, his friend wasn’t being a hypocrite, “I don’t blame them, ya’ know.”

“You probably shouldn’t say that one too loud.” Shikamaru warned him.

“I mean it.” Naruto said, “I didn’t back then… but I really don’t now.”

“You don’t have to be so forgiving.”

“I’m not. I live there now… I see how it is. We’re better off now, but, ya’ know, before, a lot of them, well, they couldn’t afford to live. Like basic necessities. Like hospitals and food and stuff.” Naruto knew what it was like to grow up without access to basic things, “And that’s because of policy by the Third Hokage.”

“That’s not going to happen any more, remember?”

“I know, but I see the difference between Sunagakure and Konoha. And if I were a shinobi who grew up in Sunagakure, and I had to go here for the Chunin Exam. I’d be pissed. I would see that Konoha was thriving. Its citizens didn’t have to worry about basic things.”

“Shit…”

“Yeah… And that’s why I can’t blame them for what they did.” Naruto added, “I’m glad everything worked out, and we’re no longer on bad terms. But I can’t blame them.”

“I guess I never thought of it that way.”

Naruto said, “I’m surprised you didn’t realize it sooner.”

“I don’t spend much time in Suna.” Shikamaru reminded him, “Only when Temari visits.”

“Right.” Naruto wondered, “You had to have noticed something then.”

“I never left the Kazekage District. Most of my days were spent in council meetings or strategy meetings. Or cleaning shit out of a baby's diaper.”

“I guess… Thanks for that, by the way. I don’t think I had time to say that last time.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it. Your kid’s surprisingly easy to take care of.”

“We were lucky…” Naruto wondered, “Why did you bring this up, anyways?”

“The school,” He motioned to the building they just passed, “and I guess, I brought it up because I wonder… What’s he like?” Shikamaru asked, “You know, now. Most of what I know come from, well, back then, and a few missions.”

Naruto rolled his eyes, “Perfect.”

“Come on.”

“I’m serious. Gaara’s fuckin’ perfect… and I hate it sometimes.”

“He can’t be perfect.”

“He is.”

“No ones perfect.”

“Gaara is.” Naruto plopped his butt on the same swing that has been hanging on the tree since probably before he was born, “Ya’ know, I used to sit here, when I was younger.”

“I remember.” Shikamaru would always take one last look back at him before going home with his dad.

“Duh… right.” Naruto rocked forward, “But what you probably don't know is I used to watch all you guys, after the bell rang, and imagine what it must have been like to have a family.”

“Shit.” Shikamaru's face paled. The same way everyones did when they remembered Naruto didn’t have the happy go lucky life his personality gave off.

“This isn’t a sad story.” Naruto prefaced, “Now I have a family… and it's better than I could have imagined back then. And it scares the shit out of me… I keep waiting for this to all just be a stupid dream.”

“It’s not a dream.”

“It feels like it. Gaara should hate me… Or at least be mad at me. But he isn’t. He loves me and he treats me like I’m the most precious thing in the world. He takes care of our son. And he acts like it's not a big deal.”

“Just so you know. Those are all good things.”

“Then why does it give me this pit of anxiety?”

“Because you're too stupid to know what happiness is?”

“Fuck you.” Naruto leaned back, looking up at the sky through the leaves, “You don’t get it. I haven't done anything… for weeks.” Naruto confessed. “And I mean really done anything. Like, I don’t even speak. Gaara, I know it gets to him, but he acts like it doesn't. He lets me do nothing… And I mean nothing-nothing. He doesn't make fun of me for it. I keep waiting for him to yell at me or something-

“He’s not Sasuke.” Shikamaru had to be smart enough to get to the root of the problem.

Naruto quickly said, “I know that.”

“Do you?”

Naruto sat with that question for a while.

Gaara wasn’t Sasuke.

He compared them enough times to know that.

Gaara was everything he imagined a perfect alpha would be like. Naruto had his idyllic family life with him. The one he always imagined.

Shikamaru finally said, “I think we should go home.”

“Yeah.”

On their way back to the Nara District they passed what remained of the Uchiha district. It was a ghost town, just like Naruto remembered it. Actually much smaller than he remembered. Without any Uchiha’s left, the council was taking it piece by piece and turning them into other commercial and residential neighborhoods.

It was probably for the best.

“Do you think they'll tear down the shrine?” Naruto asked.

“What shrine?”

“The Naka Shrine. You know, the old Uchiha Shrine.”

“Oh right… I forgot about that.”

Naruto imagined most people did, “It was kinda a secret.”

“I feel like tearing something like that down would cause some of the superstitious old folks in the council to have a heart attack.”

“Yeah… probably.” It was safe. Until they needed it for something or someone paid a high enough price. They never really cared about the Uchiha property.

Each block Naruto remembered more from his childhood. Something about everything being so far away, only pleasant memories rose to the top. He remembered all the fun he would have with his stupid pranks. Spray painting everything he could find with silly little spirals and bad words.

The first time he impressed his sensei. Followed by all the other times he ended up impressing his sensei. Where he really felt like he was a part of a team.

The time Team Seven and Team Ten were tricked by Guy-sensei to find the secret of the Fourth Hokage. They went on a huge obstacle course together and learned about teamwork. Naruto still hated that bird.

Where he ran into Pervy Sage for the first time. All the stupid things Naruto had to do to impress him. It took meeting Naruko to actually get him to become his mentor.

Convincing all of his friends to go on a stupid rescue mission to save someone who never wanted to be saved in the first place. Shikamaru knew that, everyone probably knew that, but he still tried his best.

Leaving the village with the pervy sage to start their journey together. He made sure that Naruto said goodbye to everyone he cared about before going. It took all afternoon, and they had to wait till the next morning to actually leave.

Naruto entered the house smiling.

Gaara was almost jealous about how easy it was for Shikamaru to get him to do that. He had been trying for so long to get anything from his husband. It took the other person one afternoon.

Temari reminded Gaara of her number one rule, “Stupid boys are not allowed in my house.”

“Love!” Naruto immediately came to his husband, kissed him on the cheek, then wondered, “Where’s Menma?”

“Down for his nap.” Gaara had a slight smile on his lips.

“Oh… well, when he gets up,” Naruto paused, “I want to take him somewhere.”

“Hm?”

“The Naka Shrine.”

“Really?” Shikamaru said.

“What’s that?” Gaara got suspicious.

Shikamaru looked at Naruto, waiting to see if he would answer.

Which took a second longer than it probably should have, “The Shrine of Southern Joy… it's the Uchiha’s Shrine.”

“Ah…”

“I think it's important.” If Naruto was here to show his child a grave marker of an important family member. He should show Menma all the important grave markers of his family. He didn’t know the next time they would set foot in Konoha.

Gaara also took a few seconds longer to respond, “Is it safe?”

“Yeah.” Naruto smiled, “It’s just a shrine. The only people who probably even know about it anymore are all ghosts.”

“Hm… Okay.” Gaara wanted to foster anything that got Naruto out of sulking in his bed. A pleasant walk through a shrine, despite who it belonged to, was still a pleasant walk through a shrine.

It was in disrepair, but still standing. The Uchiha Crest was carved into the gate, front door, and tiled into the floor. In case you forgot who’s shrine it was.

The Uchiha were boisterous people. They refused to let you forget who they were. Their pride was their most known trait.

All of Sasuke’s clothing had the symbol stitched onto the back. Naruto found a whole box of patches in his sock drawer once. It had both red and white thread, so as to not disturb the symbol’s integrity. Sasuke would stitch all the red first, then the white at the bottom. If he messed up, he would rip it all out and start over again.

Naruto chuckled to himself as he opened the door.

There was a huge stone tablet on display. On it was ancient indecipherable text, above it was the translation. The only ones who could translate it were those with the sharingan. So Naruto always assumed the official translation was a little off.

Naruto lit the incense in the bowl then kneeled down to pray.

He wanted to call upon the clan's patron deity to protect his son in uncertain times. Shikamaru was right. There was a war at their door steps. Naruto needed all the help he could get to keep his family safe.

Naruto imagined what it would be like to walk these grounds with Sasuke. He would tell their son of The Uchiha of the long past. The stories of his brother Itachi, and the sacrifices he made for Konoha. The stories of powerful sharingan users changing the tides of war for generations. The stories of their own past, minus some less than savory parts.

Gaara of course would join in a bit later, with their other children. They would all laugh and get lunch at Ichiraku’s Ramen. It would be a little tense, but nothing that they couldn’t sit through. Sasuke would let them know he found someone new, someone he could move on with as well. That would help ease the tension.

Allowing the alpha to have a role in his child's life. Menma is able to learn how to use his sharingan properly, and not off of second hand scrolls and the occasional Kakashi lesson. A real connection to familia history, that Naruto never had himself.

It is all a dream Naruto knew he shouldn’t have. It's hard, sometimes he still misses his old friend and the life they could have had. The life he still wished he could give his son.

Naruto did his best to give Menma a connection to the past. Resighting the old histories the best he remembered. Most of them ended up being personal anecdotes. Menma’s still too young to actually hear them.

The door of the shrine opened, and Kakashi warned him, “You’ve done a lot of foolish things in your life, but I think this tops all of them.”

“Huh?” Naruto looked up from his prayer, “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Bringing him here.” pointing to the baby.

“We’re just enjoying the history.” Naruto tucked his son away in the cloth baby carrier.

“At the Naka Shrine?”

“Yes.”

“Naruto…”

“What?”

Kakashi paused, “Does your husband know you're here?”

“Yes.”

“Then he is just as foolish as you.”

“Maybe.” Naruto stood up, “It doesn’t matter… I’m done, anyways.”

“You should take the back way out.”

Naruto was familiar with this route. Whenever Sasuke took him here, that was the way they went. The man never wanted to be seen with him.

“I was already planning on it.”

Chapter Text

After Naruto had left with their son, it was only Gaara and Shikamaru in the house. The two of them awkwardly worked around each other, before going off to their own thing. Gaara focused on what he could do while away from Sunagakure.

Shikamaru eventually said, “Lord Gaara.”

“Yes?” It was unusual for his soon to be brother-in-law to address him by title when they were alone.

“I need Naruto’s help with something.” He played with something in his pocket.

“Then ask him?” Gaara wondered if this was now another Konoha tradition he didn't know about. Did certain inquiries need to go through an omega’s alpha first? They couldn’t be that behind the times.

“He said we had to ask you first.” Shikamaru flicked out a picture of the frogs back, “It's a message from Lord Jairya before he passed. We think Naruto’s the only one who can help us decode it.”

“Oh…” Gaara didn’t know why Naruto wouldn’t jump on the opportunity to read his mentor's dying words. It must be too soon for him, but that’s not like Naru-

“He said he couldn’t be seen entering the Cypher Corps Building.”

Oh. “He’s right.”

“I get that, but what about here? Under the supervision of the Kazekage?”

It wasn’t about him being Naruto’s alpha, but his new Kage, “Let me see.”

A string of numbers written on a frog's back…

9-31-8-106-7-207-15

Gaara rested his chin in between his pointer finger and thumb. He couldn't recognize anything, but it wasn't a message for him. It was one for Naruto.

“Anything?”

“When Naruto gets home, he can look it over.” Gaara said.

“That’s what I thought, too.” he slid the photo back into his pocket.

Gaara was curious, “How was he today?”

“A bit all over the place… If I’m being honest.”

“Ah,” Gaara knew it was probably better than he had been the past two weeks.

“It’s not that bad. He was doing good for most of the day. Just some parts… eh.” Shikamaru shrugged off.

Right. Gaara had gotten too comfortable talking to someone who knew him as well as Naruto does. He had to explain himself more then simple nods and small noises. “He looked good today.”

“Yeah. From what you told me I thought he’d be a walking corpse.”

Naruto basically was. Today was the first day Gaara had seen any life return to Naruto’s eyes. The first time he’d wanted to do anything of his own volition.

“He’s been getting better each day.”

“He was really sentimental earlier… I was like that when Asuma passed.”

Gaara remembered that. It was the mission before Naruto moved to Sunagakure. His sister mentioned something about it, too. It affected a lot of people.

“Death makes you reexamine a lot of things.”

“It does,” Shikamaru got lost in his own thoughts, “I just don’t get why Naruto wanted to take Menma to the Naka Shrine. We were talking about it earlier and-

“What is it anyway?” Gaara asked. He had made some assumptions when Naruto first mentioned it. However it would be best to get more information from someone who actually lived here.

“Fuck if I know. The Uchiha were a secretive bunch. I know it's by the Naka River, so probably something to do with that.” That was something.

It could just be a regional shrine that the Uchiha happened to look after. Something that when they were gone people forgot about.

“The Shrine of Southern Joy doesn't sound very Uchiha to me.” To be fair, Gaara only knew of two Uchiha… but both of them did make it to the bingo books. Maybe the others were perfectly fine humans who experienced joy.

“Me either.” Shikamaru glanced outside, “To be honest, I didn’t even know it was called that. I’m surprised Naruto did.”

Without thinking, Gaara said, “I’m not.”

“I mean… Yeah. Fuck.” Shikamaru felt for a pack of cigarettes in his vest pocket, “You know they dated, right?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Tch. Exactly.”

“What do you know about it?” Gaara knew what Naruto told him, he always assumed it was everything. It never hurts to get an outsider's opinion though. Maybe there was something Naruto was too close to see.

“Not much… They didn’t date long. Maybe like half a year, if that. I knew it was bad for him. I wouldn’t be too worried about it… It was years ago.” Shikamaru took a cigarette out of the pack and in between his lips.

“I’m not.”

“Good. Because you're much better for him. Wait…” Shikamaru didn’t know how to ask this, he was too smart for his own good, “Is Menma?”

The less people who knew the truth the better. However, Gaara trusted this man. Shikamaru always seemed to have Naruto’s best interest at heart. Besides, he already figured it out.

Gaara’s lips pierced shut, he looked down, and nodded, “Probably.”

“Fuck.” He motioned for the other to follow him out to the garden, “The kidnapping?”

Gaara nodded following him outside.

“I guess that explains it. Kind of dumb to take him there though,” He motioned to his cigarette, “You won't tell your sister right?”

“You hide things from her?”

“No, she knows I smoke… I just don't need a lecture about my health after a week like this.” He sat on a bench under a large shaded tree.

“She cares about you.” Worrying was his sister's way of showing love.

“I know.” He held out the pack offering one to Gaara.

Who only shook his head in refusal.

They didn’t say anything else about his son. None of the usual questions Gaara had gotten used to from the people who found out. Wondering how he could be with Naruto after knowing. As if he was tainted and should be discarded.

Shikamaru seemed to only want to satisfy his curiosity. Once he knew his hypothesis was right, the conversation no longer interested him. Instead focusing on the mystery that remained, the photo in his pocket.

The garden was lovely this time of year. Despite the limited space, it gave the illusion of a sprawling landscape. A hidden gem in the middle of a city.

“Who maintains these grounds?” Gaara wondered.

Shikamaru shrugged, flicked the lighter and breathed in, “Not too sure. Mom’s in charge of the property right now.”

“Hn.” Gaara held a flower in his hand, “She does a good job.”

“I guess. I never really paid much attention to it.” Shikamaru looked around as if seeing it for the first time, “It is nice out here.”

The two enjoyed the scenery as Shikamaru took in his cigarette. Gaara examined every species of plant he couldn’t quite identify. Trying his best to remember the books he studied as a kid. The technical drawings were always so different from the real thing.

Maybe Shikamaru didn’t want to drop it in favor of small talk, “He’s afraid of losing you.”

Gaara must have made a face.

Because Shikamaru said, “Naruto.”

“I figured that’s who you meant.” Gaara was still unsure why.

“I know you think he’s not doing well right now, but you know he’s not one to stay down for too long.”

If there was one thing Gaara knew for sure, “I’m not going to leave him.”

“Good… I was worried he might have some merit to that. I just don’t want to see him hurt again.”

“Like I told you earlier, he’s got a lot going on… He’s not thinking clearly right now.”

“It felt like he really meant what he was saying.” Shikmaru reminded him, “Now that I know-

“That doesn’t bother me.” Gaara tried to shift the subject back, “I have no intention to ever leave him. I love him. And I love our son.”

“Are you sure he knows that?” Shikamaru tapped out his cigarette into the ashtray.

“Yes.”

The truth was more complicated than a simple yes. Naruto had years of alternative lifetimes swimming around in his head. While he’s gotten better, especially since the mark, there are still days his mind finds itself in one of those memories.

There’s also very real issues in the world they both live in that he knew Naruto struggled with. It would be foolish not to struggle with it.

Still.

Gaara had to hope that despite all of that, Naruto choosing to come back to Sunagakure, instead of Konoha, meant he knew that he was making the right decision. That Naruto knew Gaara would care for him.

The plan was to stay the course. He was going to prove his devotion through action. The same way Naruto showed how he cared.

“You might want to tell him anyway.”

Gaara had been to this ramen stall a few times… In the one week that he visited Naruto at the Chunin Exam. Right now only a few of his friends were here, and they were still expecting more.

The stall owner is bringing out some extra folding tables and chairs, “Hopefully this should do.”

The restaurant only had seating for 6. With Gaara, Naruto, Temari, Shikamaru, Kakashi, and Sakura. They had already met the capacity. They were still waiting on Iruka, Sai, Ino, Choji, Hinata, and a few other of Naruto’s friends. It was a mini-reunion of sorts.

“That should be fine.” Gaara looked over the rest of the seating, “Thank you for accommodating us.”

“Not a problem. It's not every day I get to host this many people at once.”

Hn.

“Sorry I’m late!” Naruto came by ten minutes past the time they were supposed to meet, “I got lost.”

“I’m glad you found your way.” Kakashi said knowingly.

“Only someone like you could get lost in your own hometown.” Sakura judged.

“Lots of things have changed since I moved.” Naruto reminded them, “I haven’t really lived here in, like, over 5 years.”

“It hasn’t been that long!” Sakura starts counting in her head, “I guess it has.”

Gaara whispered, “How did everything go?”

“Really good. We just walked around the grounds a bit… umm, and I got to say a prayer.”

Hn.

That sounded good.

“We should order something now. I’m sure you're hungry after today.” Gaara held out his arms for his son, knowing tonight Naruto would want more time with his friends.

“Yeah… I’ll have-

“A Miso ramen with pork?” The ramen guy finished his sentence.

“Exactly!” Naruto smiled and finished the exchange with Gaara.

Gaara added, “Make it two.”

“Coming right up.”

Everyone else started piling in. Each ordering their own thing as they arrived. A few ordered their own drinks. When a majority got there, Shikamaru ordered a round for everyone.

“You can drink tonight,” Gaara whispered to his husband, “We have formula and I’ll take care of Menma.”

“Ummm…” Naruto was weighing the options, landing on, “No… I don’t want them to judge me.”

“Are you sure?”

“They don’t see me often… I don’t want the only perception of me with my kid to be drunk.” That was reasonable.

“Okay.”

Naruto thought about that kind of thing more often now. The once impulsive shinobi, was more considerate of how he was being perceived. Gaara knew it was due to their relationship, and how public his position had become.

He doesn’t drink often in Sunagakure. The last time Naruto did, he knew people made comments on it. Which resulted in him only drinking in the safety of their home with trusted friends.

“You want one?” Shikamaru gestured to the glasses.

Naruto’s voice rose to join the group, “Sorry. Can’t. Still feeding, ya’ know.”

Gaara shook his head no.

“What? It's not like your feeding.” Kiba said. Gaara was reminded of his own brother a few months back. Some people have a weird attachment to alcohol like that.

“He doesn’t, because I can't,” Naruto covered for Gaara, “It's like a solidarity thing.”

“Shouldn’t Menma be eating by now?” Sakura asked, examining their son.

“He start’s solid food next month.” Gaara said.

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Our doctor said we should start making mini-plates for him. See if he catches on and mirrors us, or whatever.” Naruto explained, “He just makes a mess though.”

“Are you guys going to have any more?”

“We were thinking of three,” Gaara looked at Naruto, “right?”

“Yeah… But we wanted to wait until things settled down a bit more, ya’ know.” Naruto said.

“Same with us for the marriage,” Temari said, “Don’t want to deal with wedding vows and terrorist groups.”

“Are you sure?” Naruto jokes, “Because those things work so well together.”

“I’m sure, blondie.”

“Such a shame… you would have made a great battlefield bride.”

People settled among their own usual friend groups. Occasionally intermingling between each other. It was an organized mess.

Those that knew Lord Jairiya all told stories about him. It was mostly the older folks in the group. They told the tales of his legendary success on the battlefield. Just when he felt too close to a god, someone would remind everyone of the man's peeping past. Laughing at all the times he got caught.

Tomorrow would be the day they respected his passing. Tonight is when they honored his life.

The five of them wandered back to the Nara Household. Shikamaru immediately had them deciphering the frogs' text. The photo of the nummers in the middle of the dining room table for them all to elaborate on.

Which was met with Gaara and Naruto ensuring that Menma was taken care of before being put to bed. Temari making a plate of sweets and tea for their guests. After about 15-20 minutes, people finally returned to the table to finish that task at hand.

Naruto rubbed his eyes, “There’s one thing that’s been bothering me since the beginning…”

“And that is?” Shikamaru asked.

“Why is there a single katakana letter in all the numbers?”

“Katakana?”

“Where?”

“Right there,” Naruto pointed to the ‘9’ at the beginning.

9-31-8-106-7-207-15

Shikamaru chuckled, “That’s a nine.”

“It's what I thought too, but it's not a nine. It's the letter ‘ta.’” Naruto said.

“I can kinda see it, but it seems like a stretch.” Shikamaru looked at the image closer.

Gaara wondered, “What makes you think it's ‘ta?’”

“Remember when I was traveling with him? And he’d have me read all his boring drafts?”

“You complained about it never making sense why the two were together. I remember.” he nodded.

“They were hand written,” Naruto explained, “and everytime he used ‘ta,’ I’d stumble over the word, because it always looked like a ‘9.’ I had to reread so many paragraphs just to make sense of it.”

“So it's a penmanship quirk,” Shikamaru realized.

Gaara knew, “This is a message to you.”

“Why didn’t you mention that sooner?”

“... because it didn’t make sense. And like how does it help anyway?”

“Because it’s the odd thing out. It's the key to deciphering the whole thing.” Shikamaru asked, “What book was it?”

“Make Out Tactics.” Gaara answered.

“How do you remember that?”

“You never stopped complaining about it. When it was published I got a copy for myself to understand why.”

Shikamaru was hopeful, “Do you have it with you?”

“No. We traveled light.”

“And it was a boring book.” Naruto added.

“I liked it.”

“His other one was better. Like way better. He should have written more like the Gutsy Ninja instead of boring Make Out books.” Naruto was convinced of this fact.

“Is there a bookstore open? We can get a copy.” Shikamaru was ready to do the work.

“It's too late, they won't open until tomorrow.” Temari informed them.

“Why don’t you just ask Kakashi-sensei. He has them all.”

“I think my dad might have some.”

It didn’t matter how they got it. Less than 30 minutes later Make Out Tactics was on the kitchen table.

Gaara was familiar with the text and reading out loud, so he said, “Okay, so the first line is, ‘The alpha hands traversed the omegas breast.’”

“You're not allowed to read that.” Temari demanded.

“Huh?”

“Your my baby brother for fuck’s sake.” Temari said, “I don’t need to hear you speak like that.”

“Oh… right.” Gaara was going to ask Naruto, but realizing the context of the book, figured no one in this room should say its phrases out loud.

“I think it's best we write it.” Shikamaru said.

“I second that.” Naruto added on.

Using the numbers they retrieved the first sentence from each page. Some are more embasinging to say out loud than others. By the third number, everything had to be written down instead of said out loud.

The sentences chosen made absolutely no sense. They stare at the page as if it were a brick wall stopping progress. Attempting to find any rhyme or reason.

“This is stupid.” Naruto was disappointed, “I told you it wasn’t a message for me.”

Gaara put a comforting hand on Naruto's back, “We’ll figure it out.”

Shikamaru took a highlighter marked the page, “Stringing together the first letter from each of the pages,” he said, “The real one is not among them.”

“That makes less sense… what does that even mean?” Naruto said.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure of it.” Shikamaru added, “We can relay the message to Lord Fukasaku. Maybe he’ll understand it better since he fought him too.”

Naruto did hand signs to summon him, in a puff of smoke the old toad appeared. He was instructed on what they had learned about the code.

“The Real One is Not Among Them?” the toad remembers the battle, “hmmm…”

“Well Geezer Sage, does it make any sense?”

“I’m not sure…”

“Okay, but, like, do you have any idea?” Naruto asked.

“I already told you everything I know. He’s able to come back from the dead. I hesitate to give you any of my ideas. It's still too dangerous to take on Pain. We must be sure of what we know before we embark on that path.”

While that made sense, “You have to have some hypotheses.”

“I don’t want to set you on the wrong path.”

“There's another investigation going on. They found a body.” Shikamaru said.

“How much longer for that?” Naruto was impatient.

“At least a week.”

“A week?!” Naruto yelled, “that’s way too long.”

“Deconstructive investigation usually does.” Gaara said.

“Don’t they know it's important.”

Shikamaru said, “It's why they are taking their time.”

“Ugghh…”

“One thing I do feel comfortable telling you… I believe Naruto might be the Child of Prophecy.”

“Child of Prophecy?” Naruto questioned, “I’m not a child anymore.”

“You were the last child Lord Jairaya trained.”

“So?”

“The Great Toad Sage foretold that a student of Jiraiya would bring a great revolution to the ninja world… His choices would determine if the revolution would be of salvation or destruction.”

“And you think that’s me?” Naruto pointed to himself.

“It sounds like you.” If there was anyone who fit that description, Gaara believed it was Naruto. He has already proven that he can shape the world for good.

Chapter Text

After figuring out as much as they could, the four of them decided to retire for the evening. Naruto had already fully settled himself in the bed, as Gaara paced around the room making sure everything was in its proper place.

“Come to bed, love,” Naruto mumbled into the pillow.

“I just want to-

“We’re safe here. If anything happens the Nara Fam-Clan is one of the first notified.”

Hm.

“Now come to bed.” He opened out his arms for Gaara.

“Okay,” Gaara joined his husband on the bed. The mattress had a stiffness that could only come from never being used before. The sheets as well. It would be harder to get comfortable, but he’s not known for sleeping much anyways.

Naruto tucked himself into Gaaras side, and said barely in a whisper, “Thank you for today.”

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” Gaara didn’t do anything he normally wouldn’t do.

“You didn’t ask Shikamaru to do that?”

Not exactly, “No.”

“Come on.”

“I let him know you were having a rough time.”

“Okay… well, whatever,” Naruto said, “It was nice to walk around and reminisce like that. I feel like it's been forever since I’ve been here.”

“Tomorrow… why don’t you show us around Konoha, before the,” Gaara didn't want to say funeral, so he said, “ceremony.”

“You sure you want that… it might be boring.”

“Menma should know where he comes from.”

“Yeah…” Naruto softly smiled.

The funeral was at 4pm. The sky was apparently alerted for the day, as it looked miserable. Clouds held a deep angry gray, threatening to fall at any minute.

It didn’t deter Naruto, “are you ready?”

“Yes, you know I can carry him.”

“I’ve got him.” Naruto had more life in him today. “This is the cemetery… It's right before the Forest of Death, but you’ve already been there. And it's not the best place to take Menma.”

“Yeah.” They both quickly breezed past the area.

There was a long stretch of road leading up to the academy. Alongside the path were many trees. One in particular called out to Gaara.

“Isn’t this where we-

-met?” Naruto finished, “yeah.”

It felt like a lifetime ago.

“Ya’ know… I always wondered, why were you hanging upside down?”

“I thought it would make me look more intimidating.”

Naruto laughed, “You were such a dork.”

“Maybe.”

“This is where I met your father,” Naruto said to Menma, “You wouldn’t know it by the way he acts now, but he used to be such a jerk.”

Gaara wanted Naruto to stop. He knew Menma was too young to understand what was going on, but his greatest fear was about to be realized.

“I had to yell at him to get him to pay any attention to me.”

“I paid attention to you.” Gaara relaxed, it didn’t go where he thought it would.

“Yeah?” He almost sounded hopeful.

“You were on my radar back then.” Gaara placed his hand on Naruto’s back.
“You didn’t act like it.”

“You just didn’t notice… I would look away everytime you would stare.”

“No you didn’t.”

“I did. I wondered how a fellow jinchuriki could be so happy.” Gaara focused his attention on their son, “Your mom was one of the happiest people I ever saw. I didn’t think shinobi could be like that.”

Gaara knew Naruto’s happiness was much more complex than just pure joy. If anything his happiness was an act of revenge. He wanted to prove everyone wrong and make it seem like they didn’t get to him.

Naruto blushed and looked away, they continued down the street, “Well… I still needed to yell to get your attention.”

They made it to the academy that was directly below the entrance to the Hokage Monument. It's large and made up of several buildings. Each one added on over the years as needed.

“I noticed you during the exam. You were one of two people who didn’t cheat.”

“Oh? Who was the other?” Naruto wasn't really expecting him to notice him back then.

“Ms Haruno.”

“Of course.” He sighed, “I didn’t want to ruin my integrity.”

“The test was designed for us to cheat.”

“Yeah, well I don’t believe in it. I wanted to make it on my own merit.”

“You didn’t complete the test.”

“And, I still passed.” Naruto stopped in front of the same swingset as the day before, “So, don't you feel silly. Doing all that work for nothing.”

“I would have passed either way. And I made sure my siblings would, too.” Even at his most psychotic, he still cared for his family.

“Hmmm… Menma, this is an important lesson. Do what you know is right no matter what.”

“Hopefully he inherited your-

“Ah! Naruto!” Iruka-sensei came up to them, “Lord Kazekage.”

“Iruka-sensei, how are you doing?”

“I should be asking you that.”

Naruto took a deep breath in, “Uh, I’ve been better.”

“Right… Ummm… Will I be seeing you later at-

“That’s why we're here.” Gaara interrupted, attempting to avoid that word as much as possible today.

“Of course, I don’t know what I was thinking. Of course that’s why you're here.”

Gaara quickly added, “have you met our son?”

“Not yet,” He folds over to be eye level with Menma, and asked, “is this him.”

“Yes, his name is Menma.” Naruto supported his body, “Menma, this is Iruka-sensei. He taught me at the academy back there. He also gave me my first lesson plans for when I became a teacher.”

“Hi Menma.” he waved his hand.

Menma just stared, put his own hand in his mouth, making pleasant cooing noises.

“He’s still not old enough to talk yet.”

“That's fine.” He shifted back to a standing position, “I don’t have much time to talk anyway. I’m on break.”

Oh right. Just because it was their vacation doesn't mean it was other peoples. Naruto said, “Oh, I don’t want to take up too much of your time then.”

“Don't worry. We’ll talk later.” Iruka sensei waved before going back to whatever he was doing before, “It was nice seeing you guys.”

“Yeah. You too. Umm. Bye.” Naruto said all of those words so closely together it almost sounded like one.

Right by the school was the entrance to a half mile hiking trail up to the top of the Hokage Monument. It had scenic viewing points to witness different areas of the city.

They would stop at the different platforms, Naruto would point to a spot in the distance and say something about it. Until they finally got to the top and saw the entire village.

“You know… I used to deface this monument… Like a lot.” Naruto rested his head on Gaara’s shoulder.

It was the first time he heard that, “Really?”

“Yeah… I hated it.” Naruto remembered, “It felt like the Hokage were looking down on me… but you know, not in a protective way, in an asshole way.”

“I could see that.” He was able to see the entire village from this vantage point.

“The asshole Fourth is who sealed the dumb fox in me. The Third he was supposed to take care of me… but now I’m realizing he didn’t really do that. And I don’t really know the other guys, but I guess they had to be assholes too.”

Hm. Gaara couldn’t say anything at that moment.

“So, whenever I was frustrated with the village… I used to steal paint from,” Naruto pointed in the distance, “That store over there. And I would come to this monument of those assholes. And I would just… Have fun.”

“Fun?”

“Yeah, it was a lot of fun.” Naruto smiled, “It was creative. I got attention... It was bad attention, but it was attention. And I just… I don’t know… had fun.”

“It sounds like an interesting way to spend your time…” Gaara thought of their own monuments of former Kages tucked away inside of the Kazekage’s building, “I hope Menma does not inherit that trait from you.”

“Oh… it was harmless.”

“Yeah, it's just paint. I just hope that our son has a bit more respect for our former Kages.”

“I think he will. He has a good role model,” Naruto looked lovingly at Gaara, “Ya’ know, It's why I wanted to be Hokage. I wanted to be the first non-asshole in charge.”

“You would have been great.”

People from Konoha had uniforms for funerals.

The color was black, sure, that was everywhere. But there was a ceremonial high neck deep v collar people wore. It was so important to Konoha that even Naruto had one. That they had a yearly budget for it when he was a kid.

Most people chose not to wear their headbands out of respect for the dead. Those who did were saying something with it. On the forehead, you were in the same battle. Neck, you were close to the deceased or family.

Suagakre had a slightly different attire. It was noticeable though. A black scoop necked top that almost hit the shoulders. Often tied with a thin white sash.

It was a subtle difference, but it would be noticeable which one Naruto chose to wear. Especially when he stood next to his husband.

Gaara wore the Sugakare mourning clothes. This was one official event that Gaara couldn't wear his Kage Robes to.

Death Unified all Shinobi.

“What’s wrong?” Gaara noticed Naruto’s distress.

“I don’t know what to wear…”

Gaara chuckled, “is that it?”

“Yeah.” he felt so small.

“You’ll wear funeral attire.”

“But they’re different.”

The two options sat on the bed before them.

“Oh…”

“What’s taking so long? We’re going to be late!” Shikamaru yelled through the door.

“I think Naruto’s trying to distract himself.” Gaara peaked his head out of the door to let them know, “he said he doesn't know what to wear.”

“Oh… I can help.” Temari understood the dilemma.

“Yeah? Thank you.” Gaara stepped out of the way allowing her to enter the guest room.

Temari handed Gaara his child, “Hey, blondie.”

“... hey.”

“Can't figure out what to wear?”

“I know it's stupid.”

“It's not.” She said, “You know when I started living in Konoha more frequently… there was a very important funeral I had to attend.”

“Asumas?” Naruto remembered seeing her there.

“Yeah. I wore what I was used to… I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. Like I didn’t belong. And, well, I didn’t. But, I had to be there, for-

“Yeah.” Naruto knew.

“Yeah.” Temari knew.

“So what do you think I should wear?” Naruto touched the black cloth in front of him. Fiddling with it between his fingers.

“What do you want to wear?”

“Ugh,” Naruto rolled his eyes, “if I knew that this wouldn’t be a problem.”

“You have to have some idea what you want.”

“I don't want to feel like an outsider, when I’m, ya’know, in mourning,” Naruto added on, “and, I really don't want to look like an outsider in my own family.”

Gaara realized the issue, “I can wear Konoha’s funeral attire.”

“Is there a president for that?” Shikamaru asked.

“There’s only been three other Kazekages, besides Gaara. None of them married outside of Suna.” Temari said.

“What about the other Kages?”

“It's not often a Kage of another village joins. They tend to go to in their own attire.” Temari picked up the outfit, “Naruto, I think it's time you wore this.”

“Won't I look out of place?”

“No. You’ll be next to your family. Right where you belong.” She assured him.

The funeral started at 4pm as scheduled. All of the elders said their peace to the dead. The Hokage finished it off, bravely speaking of a friend who had left this world.

She spoke of hope. Wanting a better future for the ninja world. A world that Lord Jiraiya envisioned years ago.

Gaara had sat with Naruto long after the funeral had ended. People lingered longer than usual, their family longest of them all. Gaara had held his husband and child closely, reading The Gutsy Ninja softly to the both of them. The photo of Lord Jairya watching over the three of them.

“You’re reading that?” The Hokage chuckled, “Heh, I thought he burned every copy.”

Gaara placed a finger over his lips, and gestured to his sleeping husband and child.

“Ah,” her voice softened, “You should probably return to wherever you're staying. The funeral is over.”

“I wanted to give Naruto all the time he needed.” He gestured back to the Nara compound, not too far from the cemetery grounds “Don't worry... We’re not too far from where we’re staying.”

Chapter Text

Naruto had escaped the facility.

Karin was the one who betrayed Sasuke. It's always the one who claims that they should be trusted the most that proves why they shouldn’t be.

Trust was a fragile thing.

Sasuke knew that after his time with Naruto, that he would shoot up even higher on certain villages bingo books. It made it harder to travel than normal. He had decided to hide out for a few months until the heat died down. There was a lesser known Orochimaru Facility on a much harder to reach area of the map that was perfect for just this occasion.

Still.

How could Sasuke miss the birth of his child?

That’s what landed him in front of the gates of Suna in the middle of December. A genjutsu disguised what his clothing could not. Sasuke made sure to find someone with the right travel papers, who looked enough like him that he didn’t have to rely on it too much.

“Reason for travel?” A Suna ninja asked.

Sasuke wanted to say ‘family,’ instead he said, “Business.”

“What business do you have here?”

The person Sasuke found was a relatively wealthy merchant. He traded in something boring like iron ore… or maybe it was the machinery used to mold it into cheap ninja weapons, like Kunai and the such. The interview process wasn’t long.

“I’m expanding my weaponry business. I wanted to assess the need in the nearby villages before next year." Sasuke added, “If you don’t want me to enter, I’ll just go to Konoha. It's not too far, right?”

If there was one thing Sasuke knew about Suna it was even with the new treaties, most people still rightfully hated Konoha.

“It’s three days' travel… and you look low on supplies.” The guard handed him back his papers and stepped aside. It wasn’t a come in in any polite society, but this was Suna.

Sasuke continued forward.

It would be stupid to go straight to the Kazekage’s Office. He should find lodging first. Then look for Naruto. It shouldn’t be that hard to spot a heavily pregnant obnoxious omega.

There’s a hotel just close enough to the Kazekage’s office. He should be able to spot one of them on their way home. The room perfectly looks down the street.

Sasuke ended up at the hotel bar. It's been a rough couple of months. A drink would help him through another night.

“You were lucky to get here when you did, mister.” A random omega came up to him at the bar.

Joined by his friend, “Yeah. They are about to shut down borders.”

“Is that so?” Sasuke knew a fangirl when he saw them, he was disinterested in whatever game they wanted to play. It didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in the information they might give. Local’s loved to blab about everything to those they think they won't see again.

“Yeah… Apparently the Kazekage’s Omega is about to pop. They want to be super safe since last year's terrorist attack.”

“I thought it was due to the kidnapping?” The girl said with a questioned tone at the end.

“Kidnapping?” Sasuke motioned over the bartender, “Another, and whatever they want.”

The two smiled, thinking they got his attention due to their physique. Each one ordered whatever fruity little mixed drink they desired.

“Thanks, by the way.” she twirled her mousy blonde hair.

“Hn…”

“Yeah. It’s really nice of you.” he pushed himself closer.

“It’s not a big deal. My company is expanding right now… Ugh…” Sasuke pretended to care about information he never bothered to learn in the first palace, “You know… I don’t want to talk about business. You said something about a kidnapping.”

“Oh, what do you do?” She’s assessing his fake net worth.

“Weapons manufacturing… but it's boring.” Sasuke deflected.

The male omega seemed to get the drift as he started with, “I totally get it. It’s not confirmed, or anything, but there's some rumors that the terrorist organization that attacked us earlier, kidnapped the Kazekages omega for a few months.”

“Bull shit it's not confirmed, I work in the missions office.” She pulled the drink off of the counter the second the bartender put it down infront of her. Then a sip.

“Missions Office?” Sasuke hummed, “That must be an interesting job.”

She waved it off, “It's a bunch of paperwork and financial assessments. It's boring. I became a shinobi to actually go on missions, not oversee them.”

“Are you both ninja?”

“No,” He cocked his eyebrow, suspicious, “I work at a cafe by the Kazekage’s Office. That's how we met… If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?”

“It's a small village in the River Territories, you’ve probably never heard of it.”

“I’m a lot more traveld than I seem… surprise me.”

“PLACE.”

“And, they do weapons manufacturing over there?” He picked up his own drink, a small sip.

“Not exactly.” He’ll make them work a little more for it. Sasuke must have said something that tipped this man off that his story is less than legitimate.

“Not exactly?”

“The manufacturing process isn’t done where I live. I outsource the process to a place closer to the mines. I mostly deal with the distribution of resources. It's a lot of contracts. Figuring out transportation routes. Like I said. it's boring.” Sasuke shifted his attention to the woman, it was best to keep them competing, “You understand.”

She smiled, “No, I totally get it. It's a lot like my job.”

“It’s more boring than people think, but you are right,” Sasuke looked at the other omega, “how long will this city be on lock down? I do have other priorities I have to tend to.”

“They said a week… but who knows. It’s whenever the baby comes.” He said.

“They are taking this very seriously… It’s just a baby.”

“Aren't you scared?” she asked.

“Should I be scared?” Sasuke asked.

“I mean it's two demon’s baby… that has to make it a demon, too? Right?” she said.

Sasuke bit his tongue.

“I don’t know about all of that.” the other omega said, “I’ve met his omega. He seems fine. Totally normal.”

“You can’t be normal and married to Lord Gaara.”

This was a conversation worth having, “Really?”

“I mean, like, he’s calmed down since we were all kids… but come on. That doesn’t just go away overnight.”

“It seemed to, with him.” The male omega said.

“Yeah! That’s the weird part.” her drink was empty, “one day he goes off on a mission all murderous and evil. The next, he comes back totally normal? That's not normal.”

Sasuke motioned for another round, “That does seem rather strange.”

“Right? Like, come on. Then this omega from another village comes around all the time.”

“Don’t get into that conspiracy again.” The male omega groaned.

“It's the only thing that explains it!”

“What conspiracy?” Sasuke chuckled, still on his first drink.

“Some people,” he looked at his friend, “Think that Lord Gaara is under some sort of ocular mind control jutsu… apparently it's super common in Konohagakure.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes. They wouldn’t know an ocular ability if they looked right at it. They would blindly follow it like the little fools they are.

“Don’t act like I’m crazy. We went there to destroy them. Lord Third comes back dead. Lord Gaara takes over and is constantly visited by a foreign shinobi. Suddenly there's been at least three new peace treaties with Konoha in the last six years?!”

“What if they are really in love?”

“Stop being a sap… Love doesnt answer for all of that.”

“I don’t know. I’ve met him… Naruto seems in love to me.”

“Naruto?” Sasuke said.

“Yeah. That's Lord Gaara’s omega’s name.” he shrugged, “And, I don’t know… the way Naruto talked about him… Lord Gaara can’t be all bad,” he looked over to Sasuke, “right?”

“An omega’s disposition tells you a lot about their alpha.” It was something Sasuke's father would say.

“He comes to my shop a lot. He seems really happy about everything. I just think, if Lord Gaara is that bad, Naruto wouldn’t be so happy all the time.”

“Not unless he was an idiot.” Sasuke said.

“Or a spy…” She sing-songed out.

The rest of the evening was uneventful. Their conversations went nowhere of importance. Sasuke retired early and alone.

The next morning, Sasuke kept a low profile at the man's cafe. He ordered his drink and meal and waited. Apparently Naruto ate here practically every day, so it shouldn’t be that long.

“Oi! Sakura, you don’t have to fuss over me like that.” speak of the devil.

“I’m your med nin. I’m not going to get in trouble when you overexert yourself.” her shrill voice screeched out.

“Getting breakfast is not over exerting myself.”

“You can’t keep eating all these sweets,” Sakura lectured, “Think of the baby.”

“I am thinking of the baby. He wants sweets.” Naruto got up to the counter, “Can I just get my usual?”

Sakura glared.

“And a bowl of fruit?” Naruto taunted his friend, “That good enough for you?”

“No.”

“Humpf. Well, too bad.”

“You two don’t need to fight so early in the morning.” Fuck. Kakashi.

“Yes. It is just breakfast.“ and their other sensei? Sasuke should have paid more attention to their fight a few years ago.

They shouldn’t be here, unless they think that Naruto is with an Uchiha. That's it. They know it's Sasuke’s child in there, and not the bastard spawn of a foreign Kage. Their plan must be to take his child back to Konoha to torture another Uchiha.

Or maybe raise it to be more obedient and blind than Sasuke was.

Naruto’s hand immediately covered neck, his body swooning down. Tan fingers clutch into blonde hair. He took a deep breath in. Other hand on his stomach. “I think– I’m gettin’, I’m getting nauseous, guys.”

Sakura transformed in front of them, immediately going into Med-Nin mode. She helped Naruto to a nearby chair. Checking vitals. “Get Lord Gaara, tell him to meet us at the delivery room.”

Two ANBU appeared, said something afferiming they heard it, then disappeared. Two more appeared and wouldn’t leave Naruto’s side. As if they were any match for Kakashi, Sakura, or whoever the last Konoha nin was. It was a feeble display of security theater for Suna.

The entire store was evacuated. Sasuke found a spot he could still watch the action from, without arousing suspicion. While he assumed the delivery room meant the hospital a few blocks down, he had to make sure.

When Sakura cleared Naruto for transport, one of the Anbu picked him up. In a flash they disappeared faster than the average eye could see, in the opposite direction of the hospital. There must be a private delivery room.

Getting out of the village was harder than getting in. They took security seriously this time around. Having the baby on an off site location, making sure everyone believed it was at the hospital. Sasuke was sure an entire ward was sectioned off with false protection.

This house was sad. It looked abandoned, but that’s the point. It's hiding Sasuke's child.

There were no good spots to look inside. Sasuke had to alternate between 5 of them depending on the guard route. The one he was at now he had to leave in 7 minutes.

It was almost 5 meaning there’d probably be a shift change shortly. A new routine.

The sun was about to set as well. Meaning he’d have to prepare for a wild shift in temperature. Babies took a lot longer to deliver than he originally thought.

Lucky everyone inside the building was too busy making sure Naruto didn’t turn into a demon to notice anything outside.

December 10, 7:15 PM, a baby was born.

“He’s perfect.” Naruto smiled at the bundled up baby tenderly.

The Kazekage agreed, “He is.”

“Hmmm…” the intruder from Konoha hummed out. Searching the child's face for any Uchiha features. Luckily, at this point the child resembled an Uzumaki more than anything else.

“Everything look good?” Kakashi asked.

“Yeah,” he said disappointed. They were there to take an Uchiha back to Konoha. Now their plans were thwarted.

“Then good!” His demeanor changed, he was more relaxed, “Lord Kazekage, congratulations!”

The Kazekage said coldly, “Thank you.”

To find a time that someone wasn’t actively supervising the newborn was the hardest task he’s ever done. The new parents must have been aware of how such a small creature would easily become their downfall in the wrong hands.

Wrong hand’s like Sasukes.

“Tsk.” Sasuke said, “You’re such an ugly looking thing.”

He was.

Anyone who said newborns were cute was a lair. He looked like an ugly wrinkled little piece of betrayal.

Blue eyes blink open. Kunai was ready to strike if it were to make a noise.

Sasuke saw old photos of Itachi as a baby. This child had many visible differences. The hair color was wrong. The eye color was too light. The whisker birthmarks. It wasn’t a perfect match, but this baby did remind him of the family photos over the fireplace.

Maybe this child was his after all.

Menma.

No doubt a name Naruto came up with. Sasuke knew he shouldn’t have left Naruto incharge of such important things like that. That wasn't a dignified name for an Uchiha.

Sasuke debated on taking his child back right then.

He wondered how far he could get in the desert, before he was found. Not an expert in this terrain he might be able to go down to one of the port cities and hitch a ride with some unexpectant ship. That would take far less time than trying to return to the River Territories on the same route he came.

Still. He didn’t think he could care for a baby on his own. Naruto already proved he would betray Sasuke if he was taken, too. Meaning he’d have to rely on another omega for the child's care.

Karin has already proven herself untrustworthy of the task.

It wasn’t feasible to take him just yet. Sasuke still had to get revenge on Konoha for everything they did. A baby would just make everything harder.

Plus.

It still might not be an Uchiha.

Whatever images of his brother Sauske sees in this baby, just might be conjurings of his own guilt. His brain could be playing tricks on him again.

The hair was still too red.

Naruto liked routine.

At 8am, he would arrive at one of three coffee shops around the Kazekage’s Office. Of course, with the Kazekage. The man took off some time to care for his omega, but didn’t take off entirely. As it stands he works three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

At each shop Naruto ordered something different, but it would always be the same thing at the same place. This shop his usual was an iced coffee and a slice of quiche.

If it were a work day, Naruto would escort the Kazekage to his office, then be escorted back to their condo by two Anbu. Naruto didn’t leave his home without an escort.

Today was not a work day.

So they went to a park to eat their breakfast. Menma was left in his baby carrier the whole time. There’s not much for him to do at the park at his age. It seemed like these outings were for Naruto’s benefit.

“I have to visit my brother today, it won't be too long. He found something out about the Akatsuki.” Gaara said, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about me… That sounds actually important. I’ll figure out something to do.” He looked into his food for a few extra seconds, “I don’t think Sakura is too busy.”

“I’m sure she’d love to spend time with you two.”

“I don’t know… she’s been acting distant lately.” Naruto said.

“She is busy. It's finals, you know how that is.”

“I guess you're right.”

Naruto held their child, softly humming an old tune, rocking Menma back and forth. It sounded vaguely familiar. Like something lost from a dream.

It was interrupted by, “Lady Naruto.”

“Hah? You know, I told you to just call me Naruto.” he smiled.

“You know I can’t.”

“Okay… weirdo.”

“I have been requested to take you home.”

“Oh?”

“There has been suspicious activity around our borders. It's best if you and the child are taken to a secure location.”

“Sorry Sakura. It seems like I have to go.” Naruto stood up, looked back at the Anbu, “She can’t come with me right?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

She was a shinobi from a different village. Even if they were friends, when the village was on alert it was best not to risk it. Naruto held the future Kazekage in his arms.

“See ya’ later, Sakura.” Naruto waved goodbye with a frown.

Sasuke's vision blurred out.

If only for a second. He never expected his eyes to give out this quickly. Itachi’s eyes are still in their vial from almost a year ago. Exchanging them should do the trick, but it was hard to know how long the new eyes would last.

Was it a permanent fix or just a temporary solution? The safest bet was to wait until he absolutely needed the new eyes.

When his eyesight returned, Naruto was nowhere to be seen. It was for the best. Sasuke had already seen all he needed to here.

Naruto had a painfully boring life.

Sasuke was done torturing himself.

Sasuke sat atop a chair of bones. Three spinal chains create ornate spikes which are connected by rib arches. It is one of two chairs around the table, the other empty. Tobi sat upon the table, everyone else stood around waiting.

“You said you wanted to destroy Konoha…” Tobi starts, “What was your plan?”

“The elders must die. I don’t care about anyone else.” Sasuke said.

Kisame, Itachi’s former teammate, informs them, “If you aim high, the ones below will shield them. It's not going to be easy. You four Taka aren't strong enough alone.”

“You should underestimate us.” Shugetsu interrupted, readying his weapon.

Immediately silenced by Jūgo with a “stop it.”

Tch.

“There's no need to fight. We share a common interest. So we should coordinate our efforts.” Tobi said.

“What’s in it for us?”

Before they promised

“We’ll help you destroy Konoha, of course.”

“There are nine Biju in total. So far we’ve collected seven.”

“We need you to capture the Eight Tails. Are you sure you can handle it?”

“Positive.”

Tobi asked, “Do you have any idea where the Nine Tails might be?”

Naruto was in Suna.

Sasuke didn’t have to go there to find out. He’s probed Naruto’s mind enough times to know where he would go in times of distress. Suna was a type of home to him.

Still, Sasuke said, “Naruto has returned to Konoha. In their raid on my facility they rescued him...”

“That does match our intel.” Tobi threw two photos onto the table, it was easy to imagine a smirk under his mask.

One of Naruto entering the Naka shrine holding an orange blanket. The other of the close up of Menma wrapped up in the blanket.

Hn.

Sasuke didn’t react. He schooled his face to not move a single muscle. Naruto left Gaara and returned to Konoha… More importantly he brought their son to the Naka Shrine.

Maybe Naruto didn’t betray him after all. The blonde was just thinking of the welfare of their child. He was an omega afterall. A war zone wouldn’t be the best place to raise their child. Naruto must have felt like he had to take Menma to a place no one would ever go.

One of the other members said, “Are you sure you could do this? You promised us The Nine Tails would be contained… and we saw how that went.”

“Well if somebody,” Sasuke looked at Konan, “Didn’t request my assistance elsewhere, I would have been able to protect him.”

“Don’t worry about it… It is just a minor setback.” Tobi said, “We’ll reach our goals shortly. I trust that Sasuke will bring us the Eight Tails.”

Chapter Text

The Akatsuki captured the Eight Tails: Gyūki.

Kumogakure had lost a shinobi.

Sunagakure was on high alert. They had 3 months to prepare for their own Akatsuki attack.