Previously-

I wasn't sure, but I had the odd feeling that we wouldn't be going back. At least not for a good long while.

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Now-

----Gaara----

I carried us deep into the fire kingdom. Making straight for a supplier house. I knew there were a few left. There had to be. Of course, if nothing else I suppose I could also just take some. However I didn't like to do that as much. Plus it would be rough to come up with as much as I need for Naruto. I remember when I was first curse. It was such a long time ago. I had thought I had forgotten. The pain. The burning of my throat. I took a breath. Everything was so overwhelming to me then.

"Hey Gaara?"

"Yes?"

"Earlier, you said my throat must still be burning, or something like that anyway. How did you-I mean, what did you mean?"

"Thirst." I replied. "I figured you would still be thirsty. I know I was when-" I hesitated. "When I first, changed." I finished, altering my choice of words.

"Does it ever go away?" He asked, his breath tickling my ear as he leaned close to whisper it.

"It gets better." I said. Never to the extent I wished I would though. I sighed internally.

"But?...."

"No. It never fades completely. It was always be there to some extent."

"A branding iron."

"Uh- what?" I asked, taken by surprise as the complete new twist the conversation had taken its toll. How did he get branding iron from not fading?

"Its what you said it felt like." He said. I was just thinking how, I completely agreed with you."

"I see." I replied. I had said to him hadn't I? A branding iron.

"You felt like this, when you first?.."

"Yes." I disgusted feeling settled into my stomach as I remember how I suffered when I first changed. I bite down on my tongue and struggled while repressing the vivid and horrid memory. I wouldn't let the same thing happen to Naruto. I will be damned to the dark depths of hell and face off in a duel with Lucifer himself before I allow such a thing to happen to him.

----Naruto----

I felt Gaara tense, as though he was about to fight something. I grabbed tighter, an looked around. Is someone out there?

"Gaara?" I whispered softly to him, hoping that maybe he would tell be what's going on. "What is it?"

"Nothing." he replied. "Just memory's fair breeze." I blinked. What the hell is that supposed to mean? A code? Dammit! I suck at codes! I can never remember the stupid password or key or what the fuck it's called. Gah! What is it?! I screamed internally as I glared at his red hair. How the hell am I supposed to figure this thing out? I took a breath. If he Gaara is speaking in a code, it means that there are enemies. Better keep my guard up. Still. I can't freaking smell or hear anything, and shouldn't my senses be the same as his now? I groaned and let my head fall forward on his shoulder.

"Fucking codes." I muttered under my breath. If Gaara heard he didn't say anything. Instead he kept going on to- well to where it is we are heading to. I let my eyes slid shut. It was nice. Moment passed and time ticked by as I kept waiting to fall asleep. Oh. That right. I won't be falling asleep tonight. Or ever again. My eyes opened and I let my eyes slid over to look at Gaara. Dreams. I took them for granted. Now, I almost miss them. When was the last time, Gaara dreamt?

"We have arrived." I jerked my head around and look at where we are. It was an old wooden hut. No windows. No light. It was like an over sized wood box with a pyramid roof. He let me down to the ground and I let my eyes wonder around, the house couldn't be the only thing here. Darkened Trees, and tall grass was all that I saw. He walked up to the box, er- hut and pushed open a door that I hadn't seen before. Hut. It's a hut, Naruto. I thought to myself. Still looks like wooden box though. I followed after my red head. Gaara struck a match and lit up an old lateen which was sitting on a table next to an old matters that lay on the floor. It was about the same size as my old home. I let my finger run on the walls. The smooth grain of the wood felt strange and familiar at the same time. I breathed in through my nose and was greeted by dust and the lingering but faint scent of oak and pine. And Gaara. He scent was strong.

"Naruto." I turned to look at him,

"Yeah?"

"I need you to wait for me here." I felt my eyes widen ever so slightly.

"Oh."

"It won't be to long. Just for a little while." He said coming up to me, he raised his hand like he was going to touch my cheek but then he stopped. His hand fell back to his side and he took a step back an turned to the door and left.

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