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Sand in the Leaves	By : ahmenet Category: Naruto > General Views: 1273 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor do I make any money from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
For those who have asked about
certain characters, your questions will be answered in time. This
story is already written out to 24 chapters so it won't be long
before you get the answers you seek. Just be patient. I haven't
forgoten.

0.0.0.0.0.0

“You have
you're own baths?” Gaara followed Neji into a steam filled
enclosure.

“The Hyuuga
compound has its own baths. I don't own anything.” Neji
commented dryly.

The taller boy
placed his drying towel on the stone bench by the entrance and
started stripping out of his robes. Gaara, who was wearing pants,
moved to a more secluded area of the bath to strip down and wrap the
bathing towel around his hip. With the knot tied off he looked
through the heavy steam to see Neji bending down to test the water.

“Sometimes
it's a little too hot but it seems alright. Come on. Get in.”
Neji slipped slowly into the water.

Gaara watched
until Neji's feet hit the bottom. The water only covered the man to
his hips. Feeling more than a little unsure of this, Gaara moved to
the side of the bath and sat on the edge.

“You never
told me exactly why I'm here.” He prodded.

“I'm
teaching you how to swim.”

Gaara blinked wide
eyes set in a very stunned face. Neji looked at him with upturned
lips.

“You know.
I don't think I've seen that look since you died.”

“Wha...?”
Gaara only looked more confused.

“That
stunned 'I have no idea what's going on and you people are scaring
me' look. The last time I saw it you had just opened your eyes after
being dead for more than a day and over half of your village was....”
He stopped in mid sentence as the stunned expression began to drain
from the red heads face, leaving it white, empty and cold. “Forgive
me.” Neji bowed his head. “That was inappropriate. I
meant no offense...”

“No.”
Gaara swallowed and licked his lips. He took in a slow even breath
and let it out on a sigh. “No. I'm being far too sensitive
about this. You didn't mean any harm by it.”

“Not like
the last time.” Neji spoke softly as he raised his eyes.
Remembering the words he'd spoken only days before.

“Not like
the last time.” Gaara repeated.

A moment passed of
simply considering one another. Each allowing their mind to process
what was and what could be. Somewhere not far away and toad croaked
loudly and both men nodded. Neji was sure Gai would never consider
that an apology. In fact, he was pretty sure no one would actually
consider that an apology but it seemed to work just fine for the two
of them. And if they could move on from this point he wasn't going
to argue, nor tell another soul about it.

“Do we need
to take off the wrap?” Neji asked motioning to Gaara's arm as
he moved farther into the water.

“No. I'll
replace it when we return... why are we doing this now?”

There was a splash
from somewhere in the heavy steam then Gaara felt something brush
against his leg, making his jump. Neji surfaced inches away and
blinked the water from his long lashes. Feeling very uncomfortable
in this situation, Gaara crossed his legs at the ankle and his arms
over his chest.

“Wow,
homophobic are we?” Neji jeered.

“No.”
A piece of his too long hair slipped from its tie and dropped between
his eyes.

“And we're
back to one word answers.” The Hyuuga stood and crossed his
arms over his own chest. “Get in. Now.”

The hair on the
back of Gaaras neck stood up and his face shut down. Giving Neji his
best “I'm a bigger fish than you” look, his eyes
narrowed.

“No.”

“Maybe I
should just drown you and save us all a lot of trouble.” Neji
groused and turned away into the steam again. “Fine. Stay
there and freeze. I'm going for a swim!”

There was another
splash. Gaara tensed until he heard Neji surface somewhere on the
other side of the bath. How the Hyuuga thought he'd freeze was a
mystery. The steam was so thick he couldn't see past his own nose.
But the longer he sat there the more he realized it was getting
colder. He looked down at his feet dangling in the water and
groaned. The water was hot and only his feet to the knees were
covered. The rest of him was in much cooler air. Goosebumps raised
on his arms and thighs as he debated. Get in the pool with a
possibly amorous Neji or get up, get his clothes and make a run for
it?

“Byakugan!”

“Shit!”

“You can run but you can't hide!” Neji's sing song croon
came from the thick mist.

“Since when are you so chipper? What happened to the haughty
Neji everyone loved to hate?” Gaara spat out as he slowly
started lowing himself into the pool.

“He spent too much time with Lee and died a much needed death.”
Water splashed and moments later Neji surfaced with a gasping
breath. “Or so I've been told.”

“I think I miss him.” Gaaras feet hit the bottom and he
stood waist deep in near scalding water.

“Give yourself a minute to get used to the temperature then
we'll get started.” Neji rolled onto his back and floated next
to the scowling red head.

“Just so you know, I'm not gay.”

Neji shifted his eyes and smiled. “Good. I worried you'd jump
me again.”

Gaara choked then sputtered then choked again. Neji gave mock worry
and stood to pat the former Kazekage on the back.

“You... thought I..... was...” Gaara gasped out between
hits.

“No. But it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong and you
were hitting below the belt a lot the
other day.” Neji shrugged.

Embarrassed, Gaara pulled away and sank to his neck in the lightly
lapping water. Internally he blamed the redness in his face on the
heat. “Sometimes, if you want to win, you can't fight fairly.
Not many bad guys are going to be chatty while they bury a kunai in
your skull. Kankuro taught me to play dirty not long after I was
killed.” He paused for a moment then looked across his
shoulder at the now reclining Hyuuga. “That really sounds
weird doesn't it?”

“What? That you fight dirty or that you died?”

“The latter.”

Neji pretended to ponder it for a moment. “Yes. Yes it does.”

The laughter started small, tiny chuckles bouncing around on the
surface of the water, then Neji snorted. There was a pause as his
eyes widened and Gaara swallowed, his lips quivering. The roaring
that followed could be heard several feet outside of the baths. Both
men loosing their footing many times as they tried to remain above
water. When the howling died down to chuckles and sighs Neji
shifted closer to his teammate and straightened.

“Ready for your first lesson?”

0.0.0.0.0.0

“Byakugan!”

Hanabi moved smoothly through the halls of the main house. She'd
heard the noise from outside her window and thought it was branch
family out for a late stroll... until she'd seen that shock of red
hair and the unmistakable silhouette of her cousin. What were Neji
and Gaara doing out this late? And why was Neji wearing a robe.

Outside the air brushed her cheeks. She pulled her coat a little
tighter around her shoulders and followed the path the two men had
made in passing. It lead to the bathhouse. Steam billowed from the
open enclosure and she moved up to the wooden slat walls to listen to
the muted voices under all the splashing.

“Just
hold still and relax.”

She searched the pool as Nejis voice came through the walls. What
she found had her eyes widening and mouth hanging open.

“Easy for
you to say. You're not the one in this position.”

Hanabi tossed a hand over her mouth to hold in the squeak. The back
of Nejis head was plainly visible just above the water. Gaara was
floating in front of him, eyes closed and head reclined on the
surface of the water. Neji appeared to have his hands place under
the mans body as it floated and bobbed.

“Wait!
Not yet.”

She watched Gaaras face as he winced then his legs twitched a little.

“Spread
your legs a little and drape your arms out. It might help.”

Hanabi watched, horrified as the red head did exactly as he was told.
Turning quickly she moved as silently as possible back toward the
house, deactivating her blood-line limit as she went. The girls were
never going to believe this.

0.0.0.0.0.0

“That wasn't so bad now was it? You don't have a lot of body
fat so you won't float well but you get the idea.”

Gaara sighed and nodded as he dried the ends of his hair. They were
at the main gate. Neji had given him directions back to his
apartment with the offered to walk him back but he'd declined. He'd
spent enough up close and person time with the man and though it had,
for the most part, been pleasant he still wanted this small walk
alone. He had a lot to think about.

“Tomorrow I'll teach you to dog paddle.”

“Dog paddle?”

Neji smiled and put both hands out in front like paws then flopped
them up and down.

“You know. Dog paddle.”

Gaara still looked confused but was simply too tired to worry about
it.

“I'll take your word for it.”

Neji stilled and Gaara paused to turn and face him.

“That's a start.” The light tipping of one corner of
Neji's lips had Gaara averting his eyes.

Not wanting to dwell on the moment or start another possible argument
over the comment, Gaara turned and slipped out the back gate. With a
simple parting wave he jumped into the trees and took off toward
town.

0.0.0.0.0.0

Neji watched until he could no longer see him then turned back to his
small house. It had gone better than he'd expected. Not that he'd
expected much. But when he'd realized that afternoon that Gaara
couldn't swim he'd looked at it as a blessing. Here was his
opportunity to apologize for his earlier ill spoken comment and
perhaps build a little team camaraderie in the process. So far, it
looked like fate was smiling on him. He only hoped he'd meet with
the same luck tomorrow.

0.0.0.0.0.0

A knock on his door woke Gaara as the light first shown into the
room. Mentally kicking himself for oversleeping he got up to answer.

“Well, good morning Gaara-kun. I hope your bath was relaxing
and purifying last night.”

Gaara smiled softly and kindly at the older woman and stepped back to
allow her entrance. In her hands she carried a tray of sweet
dumplings and a small wrapped box.

“I thank you for the food and your kindness, Watari-sobo. You
do far too much.”

The widow preened and glanced quickly at the young mans bare chest
before turning her gleaming eyes back on his face. She loved them
just like this. Lethal and clueless.

“Now, now. You'll make my head swell if you keep on.”
She patted his shoulder and smiled to see he didn't tense at the
gesture this time. “By the way, this was at your door this
morning. I wasn't sure if it was harmful so I asked one of those
nice gentlemen downstairs to check it for me. That Genma fellow it
such a character. But they said it was fine and I thought I might
bring it in for you.” She winked at him as she handed over the
wrapped box. “You must have an admirer dear boy.”

Gaara lifted the box and loosened the tie. The cloth dropped away
from a small pottery box glazed in hues of brown and red. It looked
familiar. Far too familiar. What little color there was in his face
slowly faded as he stared at the seal carved in the lid.

“Oh my! Isn't that lovely!” The widow crooned as she
peered down at the beautifully sculpted box. “Someone has put
a considerable amount of time and effort into this gift, Gaara-kun.”

He swallowed audibly. “Yes. Yes they have.”

With
shaking hands he lifted the small lid . Then choked on his own cry.

“Are you alright, dear? You look pale.”

Carefully setting the lid on the small table he raised his free hand
to dip into the contents. Soft crunching followed and he swallowed,
lifting the hand and letting the golden sand run from between his
slack fingers.

“Oh my. What a wonderfully thoughtful gift.”

Gaara blinked as he shifted his eyes to the widow who was smiling up
at him.

“Nothing like a little piece of home to brighten ones day.”
She patted his arm.

“Did you see who...” He start to ask but she shook her
head and tsked him.

“No, dear, but I'm sure it doesn't matter. It was a gift from
the heart and you should treasure it.”

With that she turned and quietly left the room.

“Be sure to eat. You're far too skinny.” She called
over her shoulder.

Gaara watched her go with glazed eyes, never noticing the masked
figure in the tree only a few yards away, hidden in the early morning
shadows. The ANBU slipped from the branches and made his way back to
the Tower as the door closed on the image of Gaara and the small box
of desert sand.

0.0.0.0.0.0

Sakura glance over the small desk in the hospital entranceway as a
group of young medic interns spoke in urgent hushed voices. She had
no idea what had gotten them so riled up but she was sure it wasn't
good since they'd beat a hasty retreat from the desk the moment she'd
stepped through the door. She'd hear about it later. Right now
they needed to get to work before Tsunade showed up.

“Who's on the list this morning, Yumi?”

The spunky little chuunin looked over the patient list of the day
then stopped and glanced back at the group of chattering girls.

“Neji Hyuuga is scheduled for an examination this morning,
Haruno-sensei.”

Sakura nodded with a small grin. Looked like she'd find out sooner
rather than later. She glanced up at the girls still wearing that
tiny sinister smile. One seemed to notice her stare and blushed
before hastily saying her goodbyes and heading to her duties. As the
others started to brake up and move on their way Sakura rested her
bottom on the desk and looked down at the now nervous chuunin.

“Are you going to tell me what that was all about or would you
rather explain it to Shizune?”

The young girls chocolate brown eyes widened. Everyone knew the
Hokage had a temper but no one, NO ONE messed with Shizune. She may
not have the temper but she was far more likely to punish you in
uncomfortable and humiliating ways.

“Well, one of the girls went to breakfast at the ramen shop.
You know the one on...”

Sakura rolled her eyes and replied blankly. “Yes, I know it
well.”

The girl paled a little and Sakura motioned for her to continue
before she lost her temper and the girl lost some teeth.

“Well. You see one of the chuunin teams was walking in and she
overheard them talking about the Kazekage.”

“Gaara-san. You will address him as Sabaku-san or Gaara-san if
he wishes. Do not call him by that title.”

The girl nodded and lowered her head as she finished her story.

“Well, they were talking about Sabaku-san and Hyuuga-san...”

“That would be Neji Hyuuga?” The girl nodded and Sakura
motioned for her to continue.

“They were talking about them and the fight last week and
then... well, it seems one of the girls saw the two of them together
in the baths.”

The girl swallowed and peeked up at her elder. Sakura raised a brow.

“I see nothing unusual about men taking baths but do go on.”

“It seems they were in a very... compromising position.”

Sakura blinked.

“Compromising?” The girl swallowed at Sakuras narrowing
eyes. “As in they were...?”

“It's just what she heard! Just one of the girls talking!”

Sakura leaned down into the poor girls face until she whimpered.

“So by now half the village thinks that they are lovers?”

Yumi's bottom lip trembled.

“Who are lovers?” Hinata asked as she handed a package
across the desk to a fuming Sakura.

With a last look at the girl now quivering behind the desk Sakura
turned. “You're never going to believe it.”

0.0.0.0.0.0

Tsunade signed the last paper and handed it to Shizune.

“They are all accounted for and moving smoothly through
processing. With any luck we'll be able to move them in three days
instead of five.”

The Hokage nodded.

“The next report is due in this afternoon and another group
will be here in four days.”

Tsunade nodded again, this time with a smile.

Shizune frowned. “You're awfully happy this morning. Did you
kick a genin down the stairs or something?”

The blond sighed. Sadly it was nothing quite that fun but still...

Shizune's frown wrinkled her forehead. “What? Tell me! You
make me nervous when you get like this.”

Tsunade grinned widely and leaned back in her chair.

“Well,
I know
how much you hate to gossip but...”

0.0.0.0.0.0

Not nearly as
long as usual, I know, but I have a class tonight and wanted to get
this up. Hope you enjoy and as always, reviews are welcome.
- 9
- 10
- 11
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Sand in the Leaves