Dirty Little Secret

CHAPTER 20



They sat in Gaara’s spacious office, comfortably reclining on the numerous pillows that littered the floor – apparently the red-head had some redecorating done during the past several months – now the place embodied the ethnicity of the people who lived here all the more than before. Thick, heavy woolen carpets in deep, reddish tones, both on the floor and the walls to keep out the cold of the desert night, brass lamps and numerous, intricately embroidered pillows – all product of the finest Suna craftsmen, all too happy to donate their work to their beloved Kazekage.



Naruto took a sip from his cup of tea and regarded the red-head sitting across him, looking down at his lap, obviously deep in thought.



“I can make this work, Gaara.” He said calmly and put down the cup. “I can make them listen to me.”



The other looked up and nodded, then smiled softly – the expression still felt odd on his face, even after all these years since the beast was removed from his body.



“I am very well aware of your persuasive powers, my friend.” He told him “However, I am afraid that after all we have been through, the Kages have become painfully distrustful.”



Naruto raised an eyebrow at those words and smiled. Gaara grinned back and shrugged.



“Alright, more painfully distrustful that they already were before the war with Akatsuki. Pein’s duplicity, his power, the way he was capable of manipulating people… They don’t trust their own shadows anymore. And you know that he was never captured.”



Naruto only looked at his cup then.



“All the more reason for them to unite, should he appear again.”



Gaara shook his head and his hair, having grown considerably in the past several years, fell in his face. Annoyed, he tucked it behind his ears and continued.



“They fear spies… and that he might be hiding in one of the other villages – other than their own, that is.”



“He is not.” Naruto pointed out.



“How do you know that?”



“I just do. And because I do, I can guarantee them that Pein is no longer a threat. To anyone.”



Gaara cocked his head to one side, much like a curious bird.



“Guarantee them how?”



It was Naruto’s turn to shrug.



“That, my friend, will be my little secret until such time that they come to Konoha and see for themselves.”



“I thought these meetings were to be held in neutral locations?”



“If they are so distrustful of each other, they will have to trust me. I would assume they do not believe that I am Pein or something?” he asked, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Gaara frowned at him and shook his head.



“Of course not.”



“Good. Otherwise I would have been most insulted.” He said jokingly. Gaara didn’t seem to be too amused at the remark.



“I am sure they didn’t mean any disrespect towards you.”



“I am sure too, Gaara.” He leaned forward and patted the red-head’s pale hand. “You worry too much, my friend. You need to relax a little.”



“I only worry about you, Naruto.” He told him gently.



“I am perfectly fine, I assure you.”



“Are you? You have… changed.” He said carefully.



“Have I?” Naruto paused then continued. “Perhaps I have. For the better. I reached some conclusions during the war, Gaara. It opened my eyes to many things – things that I chose to ignore, out of stupid teenaged idealism and naivete. No more.”



“There is nothing bad about idealism, Naruto.” Gaara chided.



“There is. It blinds you, Gaara. It makes you either lose sight of reality or have expectations so high that they can never be met – and you set yourself up for disappointment, at best. Betrayal, at worst.”



Gaara bit his lip and looked down sadly.



“I see nothing wrong with struggling to find perfection, Naruto.”



“Find it? Yes. Expect it of people? No.”



Gaara took a sip from his own cup, then frowned at it when he realized the tea had gone cold. In an effort to steer clear of the volatile subject, he noticed the small wrapped box sitting next to Naruto’s folded legs.



“A present for Kakashi-kun?” he asked and Naruto nodded.



“Indeed. I thought it was a high time that he should receive a collar – it’s been almost four months now since I claimed him.”



Of course, being Naruto’s best friend, Gaara knew a lot about his personal life. The blonde feared no condemnation when he shared his darker urges with Gaara, knowing that with his background, the red-head would understand. He didn’t share them all – some of his intentions he kept close to his heart, safely hidden away from prying eyes – even Gaara’s.



As far as his relationship with Kakashi went, at least the part he felt was safe to divulge, his friend was pretty supportive. He knew the urges and needs of a jinchuuriki all too well, even if he was no longer one – he was even pleased that Naruto had found someone willing to be part of something like this. And not just willing, needing to be part of something like this.



Indeed, he had been a little weirded out when he found out the exact identity of Naruto’s lover – Kakashi was, after all, fifteen years older than the blonde – but he had kept that opinion to himself, hoping that Kakashi’s presence in Naruto’s life would have a calming effect on the Hokage.



It did, to a point – Naruto did become calmer, more focused, more ready to smile again. However, something began to lurk behind the crimson eyes – something dark and twisted and hungry, a shadow ready to devour anything that stood in its path. No one but Gaara noticed this – they all saw Naruto for the saviour that he was, the one who had led them to victory against Akatsuki, who had united his own village and had destroyed the usurper, who wanted to lead them to a brighter future. Gaara, however, saw the darkness in his friend, always kept on a tight leash, but present at all times, seeming to grow more and more malevolent each time that he saw him. He recognized that darkness in his friend’s eyes because once, he had seen it in his own.



He wasn’t sure if the relationship with Kakashi was the reason for that or something else entirely, but whatever it was, it frightened and worried him.



“A collar?” he finally said.



Naruto nodded smugly.



“Yes. I figured that I should finally make our relationship – and perhaps its nature – public.”



“And Kakashi? Does he agree with this?”



“Kakashi will do whatever I tell him to do, Gaara. Don’t frown at me like that – he likes it that way.”



“And so do you.”



“Of course. I thought that it didn’t bother you.”



“It doesn’t.” Gaara murmured. “However, I am concerned about how it would be perceived, especially regarding Kakashi.”



Naruto shrugged.



“By this time, our relationship is but a public secret, Gaara. I doubt the way he’s regarded would change in any way, if we exclude the fact that people would stop with the rumours already.” He smirked “Or at least spread actual truths rather than ridiculous fantasies.”



“They do say that reality is much more improbable than any fantasy.” Gaara remarked.



“When did you become such a philosopher?”



“Ever since I began dealing with the Suna council years ago. They can try the patience of any man, and I have less than most.” Gaara answered with distaste.



“I think this is true for all councils.”



They both burst in laughter at that, suddenly looking much younger than they both were, as if trying to capture some of their lost innocence.



Finally, when their giggles subsided, Naruto bowed to his friend.



“I am taking my leave now, Gaara. Tomorrow morning at dawn I leave for Konoha. I need to rest.”



Gaara nodded.



“I will order the maid to send your dinner up at your rooms.



Naruto nodded.



“And Gaara? Please send the message to everyone that I will wait for them in Konoha, and that it will be good for all of them to actually show up. We will determine the exact date later.”



Gaara nodded solemnly.