Chapter Text
Gaara rubbed his fingers mindlessly over the raised logo on the keyboard of his new computer–a portable laptop. He had resisted making the purchase for some time, but it became evident that sometimes it was easier to bring work home with him, though he had tried for so long keeping his private life and life as Kazekage separate. It seemed that after serving as Kazekage for nearly twenty years they were one and the same–his identity as the Sunagakure’s shinobi leader was completely ingrained within him.
He looked down at the name on it, frowning. Tono Industries, it read.
“Gaara, what are your thoughts?” It was the Mizukage’s voice. “You haven’t said a thing.”
Gaara steeled his gaze and returned his eyes to the screen. On it were the other Kages split into four screens, all watching his reaction.
“Gaara–as the most experienced of us, your opinion is critical.” Darui rested his chin on his hands.
Gaara folded his arms and sat back in his office chair, watching the blinking green light on his laptop recording him.
“It is certainly a dangerous threat to our way of life. I just wonder if it is a good use of my time and resources to aid in this investigation directly.” He closed his eyes, his way of coping with direct attention he was still ill-equipped to handle. He wanted to help Chojuro, more than anything, but he would have to justify his departure to his Council, Kankuro, and his son. Kankuro was aware of the nature of their relationship, but it was a secret to everyone else.
“This is no longer a Land of Water problem, Lord Gaara,” Chojuro said. “This affects all of us, and if the influence of these militarized scientific ninja tools continues to spread unchecked, we will all be sorry for it. And Naruto, if I must remind you, what we have raided so far appears to have originated from Konohagakure.”
“I know, you told me already,” Naruto said, gritting his teeth. “I will give you my commitment to help, Chojuro, but have you thought about how we are going to investigate this ourselves? Aren’t we…kind of obvious?”
Chojuro smirked. “I have. We’ll be undercover.”
“We don’t need to work out these details now,” Gaara replied, hoping to maintain the appearance of wanting to be respectful of everyone’s time. “If Naruto helps you, do you still need assistance?”
Chojuro’s eyes were expressive, though it was hard to read their intent through the screen. But Gaara knew. Gaara was waiting for the justification he needed. He hoped the Mizukage had thought it through.
“The island is not the same as it once was when Lord A and Sasuke Uchiha dismantled the Coliseum years ago. There are innocents who live there now. People have made it their home. There are schools. They will need protection, and Lord Gaara, you are the most apt at providing it. If there is really a private military organizing there, as our intelligence suggests, we may need assistance with evacuations and refugees. We should also stand as a united front; the Shinobi Alliance will not tolerate a usurper.”
Gaara nodded. “Then I will help. Whatever you need.”
“Will that be sufficient, Lord Chojuro?” Kurotsuchi asked.
“Between the Leaf, Sand, and Water, it will hopefully be more than sufficient, Lady Kurotsuchi,” he replied, addressing her respectfully.
“Please give myself and Darui frequent updates on the matter,” she said. “If the situation escalates I can be available.”
“I as well,” Darui added.
“Your support is appreciated,” Chojuro said, face serious. “Naruto, Gaara–I will prepare the arrangements for your travel by sea. I will be in touch,” he said, before signing off.
After the call was over Gaara leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples, attempting to ease the tension he felt there. He was not looking forward to explaining this to Kankuro, who would have to take charge while he was away.
◇
“It’s a bad idea!” Kankuro grumbled. “I could go instead. Literally anyone else here could go instead of you. This better not be an excuse to go on a honeymoon.”
Gaara had been prepared for the sentiment, but it still made his blood boil. “My personal feelings aside, Kankuro, I see your concern and I understand it. But the Mizukage is right–my ability to protect civilians with my sand is without question.”
Kankuro sighed. “There’s no arguing with you when you’ve made up your mind. I just hope you know what you’re doing. It’s not our problem.”
“It’s not our problem?–that’s the mindset everyone had before the Fourth Great Shinobi War–do not forget that.”
“Okay, well, you’re right about that.”
“Please oversee Shinki’s training while I’m gone. I know you’ll have enough on your hands already, but it’s good for him to take direction from someone else for a change. And maybe it’ll help push Araya as well.”
“Yeah, yeah, I will.” Kankuro smiled at his brother weakly. “Just…be careful alright?”
“I will.”
◇
“Sasuke–no one knows that place as well as you do. I could really use your help on this one,” Naruto said, resting his chin on his folded hands from behind his desk.
Sasuke was hesitant. He wasn’t sure that traveling with the Hokage alone was such a wise idea. The distance between them was intentional by design, though he had to trust that over the years his friend had finally moved on.
“I’m not sure I should go,” Sasuke replied.
“Sasuke?” Naruto asked. Sasuke recognized the hurt and surprise in his voice. “You’ve gone on so many missions by yourself at my behest. Why is this different?”
Sasuke folded his arms and gave Naruto a knowing look. Perhaps it was best not to dredge up this old hurt.
“I won’t say no to you, Naruto. I agree, I’d be a useful asset to you since I’ve been there before. But…we need to be careful.” He wasn’t sure if Naruto understood his meaning but he was not going to explain further. He owed it to his wife to be careful. He owed it to Hinata and Naruto’s children as well. When Naruto got wistful and longed for what could have been between them…Sasuke’s reformed nature longed for the same. They were two polar opposites drawn together by a force greater than themselves.
Realization dawned on Naruto. “Hey, it’s not like that, remember?” he said, waving his hands. “I’m married now. You’re married now. I wouldn’t do anything to endanger that, okay?”
Sasuke regarded his friend quietly. He wasn’t sure that it was entirely within Naruto’s control. Or his own for that matter. A starving wolf would need to feed.
“Hnn. Okay.”
“I’ll get everything set up for us to go. I just need you to bring your smiling face," Naruto said, grinning.
"Whatever," Sasuke said, turning on his heel to leave, but Naruto could hear the amusement in his voice. He was just relieved he didn't call him a loser. This time.
◇
A week and a few days later the team finally hit ground at their destination. The island was like any other in the Arashi Sea, to the northwest of the Land of Water. It recently had been surveyed by a team from Kirigakure, though the island’s mid-size governing body of oligarchs requested its records be struck from the public record, and it was still without an official name. The weather was pleasant and tropical with warm breezes to prevent the sun from becoming too overwhelming. Palm trees dotted the beaches. The water was clear and green, matching Gaara's eyes, Chojuro observed fondly. The sun glittered off of the water in the marina as a boat hand roped the mid-sized yacht Chojuro had hired to the dock securely.
"Okay, it's almost time for us to depart," Chojuro said, bringing them to attention. "It's time for the disguises we discussed."
"What are you going to do with your sword?" Gaara asked. The sand on his hip was discrete enough that he would keep it on. There was no arguing it.
"I'm still trying to decide…" Chojuro replied, looking sullen. The last thing he wanted was to part with his blade, Hiramekarei. "I can't leave it behind, but it's so bulky, and I'm sure they frown upon open weapons. What are you doing with your sword, Sasuke?"
"I don't care. I'm bringing mine. If they give me trouble I'll conceal it–I have a jutsu for that."
Naruto laughed and turned to Gaara. "These weapons are such a drag, huh? I'm sure you're glad you switched to a smaller gourd, huh?"
Gaara was busy removing his red overcoat in favor of a brown leather bomber jacket. He slid his arms into the tight sleeves and looked at Naruto with a raised brow. "Shikamaru is rubbing off on you. But you're right. I do appreciate that it is subtle, but I still have to be careful. It’s easier to forget if I take it off for some reason, and easier to steal.”
Gaara retrieved a pair of sunglasses from the jacket of his coat. The lenses were still light enough to be able to see indoors, but dark enough to mask his tell-tale ringed eyes in most light.
"Whoa. Gaara. You look good," Naruto said, unable to resist a glance at Gaara's ass in his regular black slacks. "So that's what you've been hiding under that jacket," Naruto said playfully.
Chojuro raised his eyebrows in surprise at Naruto's casual teasing at his lover.
"He's right, you know," Chojuro added, smirking.
Sasuke was silent but allowed his gaze to roam.
"If you're all quite finished, we have work to do," Gaara said quietly with a threatening tone, face red.
"All joking aside, we do have to get ready," Chojuro added, donning a loose gray hooded sweatshirt and pulling the hood over his blue hair. "Gaara, we have to cover your scar."
Gaara touched his forehead, having completely forgotten how much it gave him away. His red hair was already a close giveaway. "How do you suggest we do that?"
Chojuro removed his glasses and ear protectors, placing them in his hoodie until he could unload them at the hotel.
"That's an easy fix," Chojuro replied. "Sit down, please."
Gaara obeyed. Chojuro approached him with a rectangular item in his hands.
"What is that?" Gaara asked quietly, looking up at him as his hands rested on his knees.
"It's make-up." He opened the palette and applied a pale color to his finger tips, brushing it against the Kazekage's forehead gently, dabbing with his fingers. Gaara watched his bare face as he did so, appreciating his handsome features beneath all the headgear. They shared a secret smile, after which Gaara closed his eyes, allowing him to finish and relish the gentle touch of his calloused fingers.
"There. That should be good. Just don't rub at it. I've got to put my contacts and earplugs in next.”
Sasuke turned to Chojuro. "Can I use that?" he asked, gesturing to the palette.
"Sure. Were you going to help Naruto?"
"Me? Help me with what?" the blond asked.
"We should cover your whiskers," Sasuke said softly. "Sit."
Naruto swallowed nervously and did as the Uchiha directed. Sasuke applied the coverage to Naruto's cheeks in gentle strokes. Naruto met Sasuke's dark eyes, blushed, then quickly looked away. Sasuke was thorough, taking longer than Naruto was sure was necessary, but he was hardly complaining.
“There, I’m done,” Sasuke said, drawing back from the Hokage.
“Thanks, Sasuke,” Naruto said, standing.
“You still stand out like a sore thumb,” Chojuro observed. “It wouldn’t take much for someone to start to notice you and become suspicious. At the very least, have you considered contacts or sunglasses too?”
Naruto struck an annoyed expression. “Whaddya mean?”
“He’s saying that your eyes are too blue, your hair is too blond, and you’re wearing too much orange. Anyone could see through you in a heartbeat,” Sasuke chimed in.
“That’s not quite what I said, but that’s the idea,” Chojuro said.
Naruto folded his arms defensively and pouted. Gaara grinned, satisfied he wasn’t the only one being teased.
“I brought colored contacts,” Chojuro added. He retrieved a pair and handed them to Naruto.
“Okay, fine.”
“Something black to wear might be a better choice, too,” Sasuke added. “I’ve got something that will work.” He rummaged through the travel bag he had brought and produced a black button up shirt like his own. “Here,” he said, holding it out.
“I guess it will be kind of fun to pretend to be someone else for a change,” Naruto said as he pulled off his orange jacket and threw on Sasuke’s shirt–that smelled of laundry detergent and faintly like Sasuke himself–tucking the bottom into his pants and leaving the top button open to reveal his undershirt.
“Don’t forget why we’re here,” Gaara warned.
“Ahh, lighten up, will ya? If we’re all here we might as well have as much fun as we can. This is the closest to a vacation as I’m going to get right now, so I’ll take it.”
Gaara was silent at that. He didn’t have room to talk.
Shortly after the Kages donned their disguises Sasuke led them off of the yacht and into the city. “This is much larger than it was before,” Sasuke said, surprised.
“It is,” Chojuro replied. “I haven’t been able to get them to commit to sharing their finances with me, but it seems their economy has increased 10-fold, if you can believe it. An obscene amount of money changes hands here. Some of it is surely legitimate, but be mindful that power can be bought and sold here. Who knows what kind of corruption lies beneath.”
“That is troubling,” Sasuke agreed. “But I’m looking forward to checking into our rooms and getting settled. I guess we’ll see if our disguises work or not.”
“Oh, I almost forgot,” the Mizukage said, digging in his pockets. “Here are your new identities. These are the names I reserved our rooms under.”
The other three took them and examined them, committing them to memory. Naruto smirked and put his ID in his pocket.
They continued on slowly by foot, and as they approached the casino resort where Chojuro had arranged their stay they were in stunned silence.
“...Just what is this place?” Gaara asked, looking at Chojuro.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen anything so big,” Naruto said, spellbound by the large flashing lights. They entered the lobby, lights bright but somehow the overall atmosphere was dark and dingy, with dark colors surrounding them on enormous arched ceilings. The smell of cigarette smoke hit them along with fragrant chemicals intended to mask the pungent scent. The noise was loud and disorienting, a steady base thrummed through invisible speakers hidden overhead.
Chojuro grimaced and repositioned his ear plugs.”It’s called a casino. It’s kind of an adult playground–and nearly anything goes here if you have enough money. People come here to gamble their money away in high-stakes games. It’s wild. But this is my first time here, so I don’t know much more than you do. I hear the idea is beginning to catch on, and the island plans to develop several more and become a tourist destination someday.”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at that. He hated the idea. The coliseum had been demolished only to have something more insidious take its place.
“Hey guys, it looks like the check-in is all the way over there,” Naruto said, pointing. “I think we got turned around somehow.”
Sasuke was annoyed, realizing he had led them in a loop. The place was completely disorienting, with rows upon rows of machines with flashing lights and loud sounds. They finally got in line and waited their turn. A young woman, beautiful and barely an adult, greeted them. “Welcome to Casino Island. What is the name for the reservation?”
“There’s two reservations,” Chojuro said, greeting her kindly. “One is under Enmei, the other is for Kaito.” He passed his ID to her, as did Naruto. She inspected them briefly then handed them back.
She pulled the reservations up on her computer. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but it looks like there’s been a mix up with the rooms. There’s only one two-bed room left. Will that be a problem, Mr. Kaito?”
Chojuro rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Ah, well, it’s no trouble for me and my partner. We can take the king bed, that’s no trouble. We wouldn’t have used both beds anyway–we’re, uh, newlyweds,” he said, looking at Gaara desperate for him to play along.
Gaara’s eyes widened in surprise. It would have been nice to discuss this first.
“Oh, that’s really sweet. Congratulations. We’ll have a bottle of champagne sent to your room, courtesy of Casino Island. Thank you for choosing us as your honeymoon destination.”
Kankuro’s words were on repeat in Gaara’s mind. This better not be an excuse to go on a honeymoon. He groaned inwardly.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He was relieved to not have to argue with Naruto about sleeping on the floor.
“Hey, where are your rings?” Naruto (Enmei) asked.
Gaara wanted to bury him in a sand coffin. Naruto was enjoying this far too much. A voice in the back of his mind told him he was just as much, too. He ignored it.
“Well, it all happened so fast,” Chojuro, or Kaito, continued. “We wanted to wait to buy them on this trip, knowing we’d have the best access to the most rare jewelry here.”
Gaara nodded his head, trying to appear agreeable and confirm his story.
“Oh, that’s so wonderful and romantic,” the desk agent replied. “There’s definitely quite a selection at our boutique shops. I’m sure you won’t go home empty handed.” She handed them their room keys. “You’re in the west tower, 20th floor. Please don’t hesitate to ring for anything you may need during your stay.”
They disembarked and settled into their rooms.
